Lebanon will probably restructure debt, says head of banking association
- The head of the Association of Banks Salim Sfeir told Reuters that “probably the debt is going to be restructured in one way or another,” adding that this would not affect the deposits of people.
- He added that the restructuring would be the responsibility of the new government.
- “Restructuring is not hurting anybody,” he said, “restructuring is working on (maturity) time and interest rates. It does not mean surgical operations.”
Day 89: Protests continue in Tripoli, Halba, Sidon, Zahle, Baalbeck, and Nabatiye
- As the revolution entered its 89th consecutive day, protesters in Tripoli blocked main roads at night, until the army reopened them at 9 AM. Protesters then demonstrated in front of Ogero’s offices in Tripoli, denouncing the corruption of public offices. In Halba, Zahle, and Baalbeck, demonstrations took place in front of public offices and the Central Bank.
- In Nabatiye, protesters marched through the city, chanting against state corruption, and in Sidon, tents returned to Elia Square as protesters blocked roads, clashing with the army. Five were injured.
- Throughout the day, posts circulating on social media called on protesters to oust all public officials and MPs when spotted in public.
Bisri protest tents destroyed following the collapse of heritage site
- Unknown assailants attacked the protest tent in Bisri Valley on Sunday, as protesters were away demonstrating the collapse of a nearby heritage site.
- Part of a monastery, also located in Bisri, had collapsed Sunday, an act which protesters blamed on ongoing drilling operations in the valley.
- Regarding the collapse, the Culture Ministry released a statement affirming that precautions had been taken in spite of interruptions in the routine maintenance of heritage sites brought on by the sit-in.
General director of Ogero contradicts own statement about internet shutdown
- “The Telecom Ministry and Ogero’s management will not allow an internet shutdown,” Imad Kreidieh, Chairman Director General of Ogero said to LBCI in the afternoon.
- The night before, Kreidieh had told Al Jadeed that Lebanon ran the risk of an internet shutdown by the end of March 2020 unless 4 million US dollars were secured to international suppliers. He then confirmed that on a Twitter thread by saying: “The fact is we are facing tremendous pressures from our suppliers to secure FX [foreign exchange]. It’s pure and simple.”
- This morning, he met with the Telecom Ministry, then told LBCI they took appropriate measures to avoid a shutdown, at least during 2020.
Badri Daher files libel and slander lawsuit against journalist Riyad Kobeissi
- Al Jadeed TV and investigative journalist Riyad Kobeissi were summoned by the public prosecutor’s office following a complaint filed by the Director General of Customs Badri Daher.
- Daher accused Kobeissi and Al Jadeed of libel, slander, and defamation against him.
- Following October 17, Kobeissi went live on Al Jadeed to publish and discuss several reports proving claims of corruption against Badri Daher.
Lebanon regains right to vote at UN
- After paying its dues, Lebanon regained the right to vote at the United Nations General Assembly. According to a tweet by Lebanon’s UN Ambassador, “everything is back to normal.”
- The Foreign Affairs Ministry had blamed the delay in payment on the Finance Ministry, which in turn had defended itself by saying it hadn’t received a request for payment.
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