Deadlock fortnite12/2/2023 ![]() ![]() This includes unlocking billions of dollars from the International Monetary Fund. And last month, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Lebanon needs to, quote, "get the job done and choose a leader." The country needs a president for economic reforms to go ahead. SHERLOCK: The army can't even afford to pay salaries without cash assistance from the United States. ![]() We're not seeing any recovery - any path to recovery. MOHANAD HAGE ALI: The economy is not growing again. ![]() The problem this time, after nine months with the job vacant, explains Mohanad Hage Ali, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center, is the country simply cannot afford the delay. It took lawmakers over two years to select the last president who, according to the country's sectarian quota system, must be a Christian. Political parties from the country's different sects have long postponed voting or stalled on decision-making to try to get what they want. SHERLOCK: Lebanon's history, even before this crisis, is one of sectarian civil war, occupation and instability. They have voted, and they have gotten nothing out of it. Those older than I have followed politics. She's in her 20s and prefers not to think about politics.ĪL-HALABI: (Through interpreter) Because if I did, I'd have a headache for no results. But she says this with little conviction. SHERLOCK: "Of course, Lebanon's politicians should get it together and elect a president because the country is in freefall," she tells me. Her black hijab flows behind her as she runs. She wears mascara and gold-tinted blusher that shimmers in the sunshine. SHERLOCK: Roula Al-Halabi is the most glamorous jogger on this corniche. ROULA AL-HALABI: (Non-English language spoken).ĪL-HALABI: (Non-English language spoken). RUTH SHERLOCK, BYLINE: The seafront promenade in downtown Beirut is where people from all walks of life come to let their children ride bicycles or to hang out with friends or to exercise. As NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports from Beirut, it all adds up to a lot of pessimism among the people there. But much of the international help the country needs is held up by political deadlock. The country is also still struggling to recover from that huge port explosion almost three years ago, and it's stuck in an economic crisis. In Lebanon, the presidency is vacant after a dozen failed attempts by the ruling parties to select someone for that role. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |