2022 budget to be published, Mikati backs Frangieh for president, Ghada Aoun lawsuit: Everything you need to know to start your Tuesday

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The 2022 budget is set to be published in the Official Gazette today, coinciding with the possible conversion of some taxes and fees at the new official exchange rate adopted in the text. A Finance Ministry spokesperson told L'Orient Today yesterday that the anticipated tenfold increase to the longstanding official LL1,500 exchange rate will apply to some taxes and fees, but will exclude customs. The parallel market rate, as of last night, was close to LL40,000 to the dollar. “The official exchange rate for the dollar will be adjusted gradually over the coming months," caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati told Al Jazeera yesterday. If published today, the finalized budget comes slightly over seven weeks after its approval by Parliament, with only six weeks left in the year for which it is valid. If the 2023 budget also faces delay, state spending per month will provisionally be one-twelfth of the annual amount allocated in the 2022 text. Passing a credible budget for the coming year is among the conditions stipulated by the International Monetary Fund to unlock a multibillion dollar aid package.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati put his support behind Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh’s presidential candidacy yesterday, citing a “historical relationship” between the two, as Lebanon entered its third week of presidential vacuum. Mikati added his support for a consensus candidate while stating that “a new president must be elected immediately.” The caretaker premier also issued a joint statement following a meeting on Monday with former prime ministers Fouad Siniora and Tammam Salam, calling for expediting the formation of a new government. Meanwhile, Hezbollah parliamentary bloc head Mohammad Raad on Sunday said the party has chosen a candidate and is in the process of ensuring their election to the presidency. Lebanon entered a double executive power vacuum on Nov. 1 after the end of Michel Aoun’s term, as Parliament on Thursday failed in its fifth attempt to elect his successor. A sixth electoral session is scheduled for this Thursday after Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced new attempts would be held weekly until a president is elected.

Mount Lebanon Public Prosecutor Ghada Aoun yesterday filed a request to dismiss the judge assigned to rule on a complaint against her after he filed a lawsuit against her earlier the same day over her failure to appear for questioning. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri last week filed a complaint against Aoun after she alleged he had funds frozen by the US in a Swiss account. Court of Cassation Public Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat, assigned to rule on the case against Aoun, sued her for "inciting sectarian dissension and discord between the components of the nation, defamation and abuse of power." Aoun’s lawyer disputed that the case falls within Oueidat’s jurisdiction, adding that "there are disputes between Aoun and Oueidat around decisions taken by the latter against her in other cases."

An armed scuffle left four people injured, including the local mayor, in Kharayeb, South Lebanon. A feud between two families, reportedly using sharp weapons, led to four injuries, including Kharayeb mayor Hassan al-Der, who reportedly attempted to quell the brawl. Fights between families, instigated over vendettas, personal disputes, verbal exchanges and business disagreements, have repeatedly caused injuries. Laxity over weapons regulation and the prevalence of firearms render the escalation of disputes much deadlier.

In case you missed it, here's our must-read story from yesterday: “Exclusive: Exchange rate for taxes likely to reach LL15,000 Tuesday as 2022 budget goes into effect”

Compiled by Abbas Mahfouz