Category: Statements & Announcements

Washington, DC, April 7, 2022 (ATFL) – Senior advisers and board members of the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), a leadership organization of Americans of Lebanese descent, recently returned from a trip to Lebanon where they met with key government leaders to stress the need for an agreement with the IMF. 

ATFL is pleased to learn that a Staff Agreement has been agreed to between the government of Lebanon and the IMF on April 7. We note the diligent efforts of the US Embassy in Beirut in support of the agreement and commend the work of the IMF and the Lebanese team, under the direction of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, which was led by Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Al-Shami, and included Minister of Finance Youssef El Khalil and Minister of Trade and Economy Amin Salam. 

Under the terms of the agreement, the Lebanese government commits to a “comprehensive, economic reform program” in five areas: rebuilding the economy, restoring financial sustainability, strengthening governance and transparency, removing impediments to job-creating growth, and increased social and reconstruction spending, initially targeting the electricity sector.

The IMF agreed to provide access to approximately $3 billion in concessionary financing “after the timely implementation of all prior actions and confirmation of international partners’ financial support.” In other words, only action by the Lebanese authorities on the agreed reforms will bring about the release of the funds, hopefully before the end of the year.  

“We applaud the commitment by Lebanese authorities to undertake several critical reforms ahead of the IMF Board meeting,” said ATFL President Ed Gabriel. ”We have met regularly with the IMF and Lebanese negotiating team the past month to emphasize the urgency of completing an agreement and applaud this first and important step. Now the hard work begins as the Lebanese government and newly elected parliament ensures that an IMF reform package is fully implemented, prior to the release of any IMF funds,” he added.

Washington, DC, March 18, 2022 (ATFL) – The American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), a leadership organization of Americans of Lebanese descent, commends the Biden Administration and Congress for increasing US assistance to Lebanon.

On Tuesday, March 15, President Joe Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus Appropriations bill into law, which covers the US government budget from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022, and calls for $1.5 trillion in annual appropriations. The package includes $300 million in baseline Congressional support for Lebanon, including $160 million in security assistance and $112.5 million in economic and humanitarian assistance appropriated by Congress. This bill also includes economic assistance which will benefit deserving students at the American University of Beirut and Lebanese American University.

ATFL continues to strongly support the UN Livelihood Account, which will assist the humanitarian needs of soldiers and their families. President Biden requested $67 million for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and $16.5 million for the Internal Security Forces (ISF) from Congress for this initiative. ATFL is working with Congress to ensure continued support for these vital needs of the security force members and their families. 

There are further funding allocations contained in this Omnibus bill, and ATFL will continue to encourage the Biden Administration to draw down additional security and humanitarian assistance to support the LAF and the Lebanese people during these difficult times. 

“ATFL has worked closely with the US Congress to ensure that our vital interests in Lebanon are met,” said ATFL President Ed Gabriel. “We thank them for their steadfast support of the Lebanese people and are thankful that the US is increasing assistance at this critical time,” he added.

Washington, DC, December 10, 2021 (ATFL) – The American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), a leadership organization of Americans of Lebanese descent, commends Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for introducing H.R.6095 – To designate Lebanon under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit Lebanese nationals in the US to be eligible for temporary protected status if they are in danger of overstaying their visas. 

On November 30, Congresswoman Tlaib was joined by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) as original co-sponsors. The bill has since amassed 11 co-sponsors, including Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI), who recently joined ATFL on a Congressional delegation to Lebanon in late November.

TPS, based on a Congressional statute, protects certain overseas visitors in the US from deportation for a specified period of time if they are in danger of overstaying their visas. TPS beneficiaries receive a stay of deportation and are granted work authorization. The other option, at the discretion of the President, is the category of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), which allows certain individuals from designated countries and regions facing political or civic conflict or natural disaster to stay in the United States.

Despite a letter, led by Rep. Dingell and the other original cosponsors of H.R. 6095, the Department of Homeland Security declined to designate Lebanon for temporary protected status in October. ATFL responded by calling on the Biden Administration to reverse this decision in an October 15 statement.

ATFL was quoted in a press release issued by Rep. Dingell’s office on November 30, stating “The American Task Force on Lebanon supports the need to assist Lebanese citizens in danger of overstaying their visas as a result of the difficult and often desperate situation in Lebanon, as proposed in draft legislation offered by Representatives Tlaib, Dingell, Lofgren and Nadler. Faced with one of the worst disasters since the 1800’s they should be afforded the designation of Temporary Protected Status as recommended for 18 months to ensure their compliance with US law. During such difficult times the US has prided itself as a friend and welcoming host to those who are in danger of displacement and hardship.”

“ATFL continues to advocate for Lebanon to be designated for TPS. We continue to push the Biden Administration to do so and are strongly supportive of H.R.6095 and Congress’s leadership in this effort. Importantly, we encourage our members to take action by asking their representatives to co-sponsor this bill and vote for its final passage” said ATFL President Ed Gabriel.

Washington, DC, November 23, 2021 (ATFL) – United States Congressmen Darin LaHood, Darrell Issa, and Dan Kildee, spent three days in Lebanon accompanied by Ed Gabriel, the President of the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), which sponsored the trip.
 
Joined by Dorothy Shea, the United States Ambassador to Lebanon, the delegation met with the senior leadership in the present government including President General Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri. The delegation also met with Minister of Interior Bassam Mawlawi, Minister of Finance Youssef Khalil, Minister of Economy and Trade Amin Salam, and Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh al-Shami.
 
To gain a fuller understanding of the security concerns in Lebanon, the delegation were received by General Joseph Aoun of the LAF and General Imad Osman of the Internal Security Forces,  and visited with the UNSCOL Country Director Joanna Wronecka, the UN  team in Lebanon, and General Stefano Del Col of UNIFIL.
 
As part of their concern with the upcoming parliamentary elections, the Congressmen met with former and current parliamentarians, civil society organizations mobilizing for the 2022 elections, and opposition groups.
 
The purpose of the visit was to receive an update on the situation in Lebanon with particular attention to the reform agenda of the government, security and transparency for the upcoming elections, US assistance to the people of Lebanon and the LAF/ISF forces and their families, explore ways to collaborate with government in support of an IMF program and other donors to reignite the economy, move to end corruption, and strengthen the Lebanese currency as well as enforcing Lebanon’s education and healthcare systems.
 
In various meetings, the Congressmen reinforced the US concern with Lebanon’s stability and security. Representative LaHood remarked that “The United States is seeking a sovereign, independent, and prosperous Lebanon,” and, addressing the continued gridlock in the government, Representative Issa said, “There is no shortage of leaders but there is a shortage of leadership.” Commenting on the need to continue US humanitarian support for the people, Representative Kildee reflected on the large number of Lebanese Americans in his district, “The Lebanese came to Flint, MI at a time when we were in need. Now it’s time to repay the favor. “

Addressing the dire economic crisis in Lebanon, which what has been referred to as one the worst financial crises since the mid-19^th century, Ed Gabriel, President of ATFL said, “The gravity of the situation reinforces the need for the United States to conduct an immediate review of its Lebanon policy with a goal of leading international efforts to support the economic reforms, meet the needs of the Lebanese people, and to take a firm stand against the negative regional influence which is destabilizing the country.” He concluded, “ATFL and its partners and friends will continue to work to strengthen US-Lebanon ties to preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence.”
 

Washington, DC, October 15, 2021 (ATFL) – The American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), a leadership organization of Americans of Lebanese descent, urges the Biden Administration to reconsider the decision by the Department of Homeland Security to refuse Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation to Lebanese visitors in the US. TPS, based on a Congressional statute, protects certain overseas visitors in the US from deportation for a specified period of time if they are in danger of overstaying their visas. TPS beneficiaries receive a stay of deportation and are granted work authorization. 

The other option, at the discretion of the President, is the category of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), which allows certain individuals from designated countries and regions facing political or civic conflict or natural disaster to stay in the United States.

The situation in Lebanon has become perilous for many. The economy is failing, the government stalemated, the electrical grid collapsing, a sharply devalued currency, increased poverty and malnutrition, and dwindling essential products and services such as food, medicines, healthcare, and fuel. These circumstances in many cases can represent a life-threatening situation.  

ATFL President Ambassador Ed Gabriel (Ret.) noted that “Lebanon has been referred to by the World Bank as possibly one of the three worst economic disasters since the mid-1800s. The Biden administration should show compassion for these Lebanese citizens who are currently in the US and need temporary protected status at this gravest time in Lebanon’s history. We also call upon the Congress to enact legislation calling for temporary protected status for those Lebanese currently in the US.”

Washington, DC, August 23, 2021 (ATFL) – The American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL) expresses its concern that there be a transparent assignment and distribution of Lebanon’s SDR asset worth as much as $1.2 billion. This is key to both preventing further price distortion of essential goods and to ensuring that the majority of Lebanese will benefit from the distribution.
 
SDR is an asset belonging to the member countries of the IMF and its purpose is to provide liquidity to member states as well as supplement members’ official reserves. Since it is neither a loan nor a grant, the IMF cannot impose conditionality on the SDR recipient country.
 
A windfall in excess of a billion dollars would enable Lebanese politicians to push off any pressure to reform and give them resources by which to influence the votes of the Lebanese polity. In fact, a current bill in the Parliament calls for legalizing the use of the Banque du Liban’s Mandatory Reserves to support the existing subsidized prices program.
 
ATFL believes this bill is counterproductive and potentially creates more economic instability. Instead, the current subsidized prices program needs to end. It is the cause of the current shortages in fuel, food, and basic goods. The SDR asset must not be assigned to this program which will only lead to prolonged mismanagement of the new funds.
 
There are other options to be considered.
 
For instance, the IMF can work with a country, e.g. France, which agrees to exchange the SDR for cash but with specific conditions on the exchange, as opposed to a more compliant country that will exchange the SDR for cash with no conditions.
 
Another alternative is to appeal to the IMF Board to reassign the funds to an independent Trust Fund, managed by the World Bank. This was done with allocations in support of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
 
This Trust Fund would be operated by the World Bank at little or no overhead since the mechanisms for coordination and distribution are already in place. The Fund would receive the monies and transparently implement a distribution program to assist Lebanese who are suffering debilitating poverty, restricted from accessing their bank accounts, experiencing food shortages and hyperinflation, and unable to procure healthcare and education for their families.
 
The most direct option to move forward with this arrangement is to pressure the Parliament to finally pass legislation that has already been introduced that would implement the World Bank cash card system to directly assist Lebanese in need with an initial funding of $246M. The legislation has been blocked by Members of Parliament and government officials opposed to World Bank monitoring and a digital system for identifying recipients. If the legislation were to be passed, SDR could then be converted into cash by a friendly country that agrees to deposit the monies directly into the World Bank program, thus avoiding government programs that lack transparency and are easily manipulated to serve particular constituencies.
 
By providing cash directly to consumers rather than government agencies, the funds for cash cards would target those with the greatest need, rather than subsidize products that are mismanaged or  smuggled outside the country causing shortages in Lebanon. Funding cash cards would bring a degree of stability to consumer transactions; hyperinflation will be restrained; money would flow, thus undercutting exchange rate volatility; jobs for the services sectors, such as small food stores, bakeries, restaurants, and pharmacies, would return as hard cash becomes available for purchases. And, people would not be obliged to feel that they benefited from the munificence of local political leaders. 

What is critical is that the cash card program be implemented before subsidies are removed to not burden those in need by creating a gap in meeting their basic needs.
 
ATFL calls on the IMF and governments concerned with supporting Lebanon’s economic and social stability to address the SDR challenge without propping up Lebanon’s failed government subsidies program. Instead, the people who are in need should receive cash cards, strengthening their hope as they struggle for a new government that will be responsive to their needs.

US and UN Officials and Lebanon Experts Call for the Lebanese Government to Prioritize the People

Washington, DC, August 9, 2021 (ATFL) – The American Task Force on Lebanon, a leadership organization comprised of American of Lebanese heritage, hosted a webinar on August 5 to mark the anniversary of the Beirut Port explosions on August 4, 2020.
 
The program, titled “One Year Later: Lebanon After the Beirut Port Blast,” featured US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka, President of Lebanese American University Dr. Michel Mawad, and President of the Middle East Institute Dr. Paul Salem.
 
Lebanon is at a critical juncture, and the discussion with Ambassador Shea and Special Coordinator Wronecka provided detailed perspectives on Lebanon over the past year including the response from the United States and international community. During the following discussion, Dr. Mawad and Dr. Salem addressed the stark cost to Lebanese society from the fallout of the blast and the worsening humanitarian, social, and civil conditions in the country. 
 
ATFL has been urging the US Congress and Administration over the past year to ensure that the United States is at the forefront of support for the Lebanese people and is actively addressing the country’s growing humanitarian needs.
 
ATFL welcomed the United States announcement on August 4, 2021, on $98 million in new humanitarian funding for Lebanon.
 
During the webinar, Ambassador Shea thanked the ATFL for its ongoing partnership with the US Embassy and the US government and its role in illustrating the many multilayered challenges that Lebanon is facing. She said, “Victims [of the blast] deserve accountability. [That] also applies to the government formation process… We are reiterating our calls for urgent action to both form a cabinet and enact much-needed reforms.”
 
In her remarks, Special Coordinator Joanna Wronecka said, “The Lebanese people are paying the price of their leadership’s inaction…One year has passed without reforms and concrete measures. A wasted year… There is no time to lose because the people are paying the price, and with each day that passes they pay a higher price.”
 
Dr. Mawad echoed this sentiment in his remarks, saying, “Since the cataclysmic explosion at the Port of Beirut a year ago yesterday, events have unfortunately settled into a slower and somewhat accepted pace of a new normal…a state of daily misery. [This past year] has done so much damage to the fabric of society.” 
 
In his remarks, Dr. Salem said, “One year after a criminal blast, nobody has apologized, nobody has resigned. An entire governing class claims absolutely no responsibility. …This oligarchy really doesn’t seem to care about the fate of its people. This is a long term struggle, but Lebanon will go on and change will come, even if limited.” 
 
ATFL continues to call for an independent and transparent investigation of the events of August 4, 2020 with the support and involvement of the international community.
 
ATFL is also proud to have been a part of the worldwide response to the humanitarian and health needs of the Lebanese people, having marshalled the efforts of the Lebanese diaspora through the Lebanon Relief Project to collect donations for Lebanese hospitals and medical centers. Currently there are still over 150 containers of medicines and supplies ready and waiting for the funds to ship them. The Lebanese Relief Project is seeking to raise $100,000 to ship these lifesaving supplies.
 
Following the webinar, Ambassador Ed Gabriel, President of ATFL, remarked, “Although the situation in Lebanon is worsening and seems hopeless, US Ambassador Shea and UN Special Coordinator Wronecka offered hopeful signs that the Lebanese people will not be forgotten and that they remain at the top of the international agenda. We will be working closely with today’s conference speakers in supporting the Lebanese people’s efforts to build a democratic, prosperous, and stable Lebanon.”

Washington, DC, August 4, 2021 (ATFL) – The American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), a leadership organization comprised of Americans of Lebanese heritage, expresses its gratitude to the Biden Administration for the announcement today of an additional $98 million in support of humanitarian assistance to the country. The funding comes in response to an appeal by France to international donors on the first-year anniversary of the explosion at the Port of Beirut which claimed more than 200 lives, left over 7,000 injured, and more than $4.6 billion in physical damages. 

Since the blast, the ATFL has been working with Congress and the Trump and Biden administrations to make sure that the suffering of the Lebanese people is not overlooked. The US government has provided more than $370 million in FY 2021 for humanitarian funding for Lebanon, and ATFL continues to build bipartisan support in the Congress to provide increased aid in FY 2022. 

At the international donor’s conference held today, President of France Emmanuel Macron announced that $370 million in emergency aid had been raised from all participants in addition to in-kind donations, such as Covid vaccines. In his message to the conference, President Biden said that “no amount of outside assistance will ever be enough if Lebanon’s leaders do not commit to do the hard but necessary work of reforming the economy and combating corruption.” 

ATFL will hold a virtual conference on August 5 to discuss Lebanon’s cause with US Ambassador Dorothy Shea; UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Dr. Joanna Wronecka; Dr. Michel Mawad, President of Lebanese American University; and Dr. Paul Salem, President of the Middle East Institute. Details and registration can be found here.

ATFL views the announcement of this additional humanitarian support as a positive step and thanks the Biden Administration for keeping Lebanon at the top of its agenda. We will continue our efforts to bring attention to US policymakers of the growing needs of the Lebanese people.