A tattered Lebanese flag atop a flagpole planted on a median strip in Mansourieh, in Metn, on Nov. 18, 2024. (Credit: L'Orient Today)
Despite the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel, the Lebanese government successfully met the constitutional deadline for the draft budget, a rare accomplishment as of late.On Sept. 23, the same day Israel launched a devastating bombing campaign across the country, the government completed a review of the budget and the document was discreetly distributed to MPs. The draft had already faced criticism before the security crisis, and many within the government were not convinced.Today, the caretaker Finance Minister’s draft introduction, circulated within recent weeks, appears significantly outdated, omitting the war's impact. Notable missing is the World Bank’s assessment of $8.5 billion in damages and the promised aid from the Paris conference, which includes $1 billion for humanitarian assistance and the army, with at least a tenth...
Despite the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel, the Lebanese government successfully met the constitutional deadline for the draft budget, a rare accomplishment as of late.On Sept. 23, the same day Israel launched a devastating bombing campaign across the country, the government completed a review of the budget and the document was discreetly distributed to MPs. The draft had already faced criticism before the security crisis, and many within the government were not convinced.Today, the caretaker Finance Minister’s draft introduction, circulated within recent weeks, appears significantly outdated, omitting the war's impact. Notable missing is the World Bank’s assessment of $8.5 billion in damages and the promised aid from the Paris conference, which includes $1 billion for humanitarian assistance and the army, with at least a...