Solidere: The rule of law put to test

The current debate over extending the duration of Solidere far exceeds the scope of an administrative decision. It raises a fundamental question: can Lebanon once again become a state governed by the rule of law, or is it doomed to be a country where basic rules can be adapted to suit the interests of a select few?Solidere was born in an exceptional context, that of the post-war period. The expropriation of thousands of owners had been justified by a specific objective: to rebuild downtown Beirut, restore its destroyed infrastructure, and allow the capital to regain its status. Read more Lebanon is paying a resilience tax This mission has now been accomplished.The public infrastructure has been built and transferred to the competent authorities. The downtown area has long since been rebuilt. Consequently, the legal basis that had...