How People Are Reacting To The Lebanese Government Resigning

Souad Lazkani·
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@ramezelkadi
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It took an explosion to bring down the government. Sad to say. The voices of the people weren’t enough.

In less than a year, Hassan Diab’s government resigned. In the months that he served in office, Lebanon’s condition only got worse and worse.

From his side, he blamed it all on “deep corruption” when announcing his resignation. Well, we all knew that, don’t we?

People have been screaming it on the streets for months, and writing it on the walls, and posting on social media from facts to comments to memes.

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Illegal cross-border smuggling has cost the Lebanese state $4bn in annual revenue (over $20bn in the last five), as well as causing increases in prices of fuel, flour and contributing to the dollar shortage. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Illegal smuggling occurs across the Lebanese-Syrian border, where products are smuggled in to be sold in Lebanon without paying custom fees (causing loss of gov’t revenue), along with contraband such as weapons. What is illegally exported out of Lebanon? State-subsidised fuelled, flour sold in Syria. For reference a litre of Diesel in Syria costs LBP 70,000 vs. LBP 10,000 in Lebanon [as quoted in the source, however we believe it’s supposed to be ~20L]. In addition, US Dollars are also being removed from circulation in Lebanon. Militia controlling the border have complex logistics in place to carry the smuggling at such a scale to profit vastly from the scheme.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ This is a direct breach of UNSCR 1559 which calls for the Lebanese State to establish sovereignty over all its land and disband all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias. LAF having full control over the border will be the only way to eradicate illegal smuggling activity which DIRECTLY harms EVERY Lebanese across any sect, region & political view.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ We need to hold accountable those benefiting from illegal smuggling no matter WHO they are.⠀⠀ ⠀ كلَّف التهريب غير القانوني عبر الحدود الدولةَ اللبنانية⠀ 20 مليار دولار أمريكي⠀ ⠀ لماذا لم يتم بعدُ التعاطي مع هذه الممارسات؟⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ سيتم توفير الترجمة بالعربية بعد قليل | Arabic caption available soon in comments section ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ SOURCES: The Independent Arabia – حركة التهريب بين لبنان وسوريا منافذها كثيرة و معروفة⠀⠀ 15 May 2020 – Tony Boulos & Arab News – Lebanon hit by smugglers as IMF discussions begin – 12 May 2020⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ‎#لبنان_ينتفض #LebanonRevolution⠀

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But wasn’t it his job, and that of the president who swore once upon a time, to stop the corruption?

On a side note (or maybe not), Diab was the third Prime Minister to serve during Aoun’s mandate, and leave the scene.

What happens next is another story. For now, people are having a moment to unleash their sarcasm. Here are some of the very first reactions:

Translating Diab’s speech

You’d have to know the reference to get this excuse, “They didn’t let me.”

Diab talked about corruption, “without naming” anyone…

Disbelief

“You will not be missed”

Leave!!!

“Finally…”

Stating the facts

“There is little to celebrate”

Remembering that the fight is not over

Who’s next?

And the protests continue with a goal