Latest news with #PaulaYacoubian
LBCI
15-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Parliament resumes session on government performance
Lebanese Parliament resumed its session at 5 p.m. to debate the government's performance, with MPs continuing to deliver speeches. MP Paula Yacoubian delivered a sharp critique, urging the cabinet to take decisive action against corruption and the proliferation of weapons outside state control. Yacoubian described the government's efforts as "modest at best," stressing that the Lebanese people are still placing hope in the executive's ability to confront what she called the entrenched corruption of the ruling class. Addressing the issue of Hezbollah's arms, she said that despite the hardships Lebanon has endured, "there has been no meaningful response from Hezbollah regarding the call to place all weapons under the authority of the state." "There is no country in the world that has prospered while allowing militias to bear arms," Yacoubian added. "This time, we are not entering the unknown—we know exactly what lies ahead," she warned, calling on the government to present a concrete timeline and framework for the collection and surrender of weapons. "This is the most crucial decision facing the government," she stated. Yacoubian further said, "This is one of the best governments Lebanon has had, and we hope it brings fruitful projects." Moreover, MP Halimé El Kaakour acknowledged that the current government has implemented several reforms but criticized its lack of transparency and responsiveness. 'We have yet to receive answers to many questions we've raised, including those related to public debt, prisoners, and arbitration councils,' she said. Kaakour also highlighted deep concerns in the education sector, noting that only 22% of students in Lebanon are enrolled in public schools—a figure that is 'reversed in most countries around the world.' Addressing the issue of national defense, Kaakour stressed the urgent need for the security strategy outlined in the government's policy plan, particularly regarding the state's monopoly on arms. 'Where is the security strategy?' she asked. 'And why does the government remain silent on ongoing Israeli violations?' MP Michel Daher sounded the alarm during the session over what he described as an existential threat to Lebanon, warning that tensions are simmering beneath the surface. Daher called on the government to take responsibility on the international stage and push for international guarantees to protect Lebanon, including securing an Israeli withdrawal from the five remaining occupied border points. 'We are facing a systematic destruction of the economy, and Israel is pleased with our current state,' he said. 'If the crisis continues, I fear the outbreak of internal strife.' MP Sami Gemayel issued a stark warning about Lebanon's future, saying there can be no meaningful reform or progress as long as weapons remain outside the authority of the state. "We are committed to prioritizing national partnership and transitioning Lebanon toward a new direction," Gemayel said in a televised address, stressing that any genuine dialogue must take place in an environment free from intimidation and armed pressure. "How can we hold talks while some factions possess weapons and a tool of coercion?" Gemayel described the situation in Lebanon as a state of war, questioning how the country can attract investments or receive international aid without first asserting its sovereignty. "There is no state, no reform, and no recovery while weapons are outside the state's framework," he declared. "Nothing will move in the right direction in Lebanon under these conditions." He also urged Hezbollah not to be the cause of internal unrest, saying the so-called resistance weapons have failed to protect Lebanon. "They are not resisting today," he said. "Let them turn these weapons into an opportunity to defend the country through the Lebanese Army." Gemayel's comments reflect mounting concerns among political leaders over the impact of non-state arms on Lebanon's stability, governance, and international standing.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Arab journalists, lawmakers call for media reform at Dubai summit
DUBAI: Speaking at the Arab Media Summit on Tuesday, prominent Arab journalists and lawmakers — including Emad El-Din Hussein, Paula Yacoubian, and Mohammed Al-Rumaihi — called for urgent media reform to confront growing political fragmentation and foster greater unity across the Arab world. 'Whether we like it or not, the world changed after Oct. 7, 2023,' said Hussein, editor-in-chief of the Egyptian daily Al-Shorouk. 'I am proud to stand with the Arab League, but we are deeply divided.' Hussein spoke during a panel alongside Yacoubian, Lebanese journalist and member of parliament, and Al-Rumaihi, Kuwaiti author and sociology professor. 'For the first time in the Arab world, we're witnessing significant transformation,' said Yacoubian. 'We are beginning to build our own foundation.' While acknowledging developments such as the Syrian Arab Republic's tentative steps toward stabilization, and the formation of a new Lebanese government, the panelists underscored persistent structural challenges across the region. 'The Israeli dream is to divide Syria — so what are Arabs doing in response?' Yacoubian asked, pointing to regional inaction and disunity. Each panelist offered a distinct perspective on the root causes of the Arab world's instability. 'Political Islam and the manipulation of religion remain among the most serious internal conflicts we face,' said Al-Rumaihi. Hussein echoed this sentiment: 'Political Islam is the biggest threat we face today. While many talk about solutions, few are willing to diagnose the real disease.' Despite differing viewpoints, the panelists agreed on one point: media and education must be at the heart of efforts to heal political rifts. 'Arab education is classical,' Al-Rumaihi noted. 'We need to provide an education to give people immunity against anything the media says.' Hussein added: 'Many can't comprehend the evolving language of today's youth. The Arab world remains in the dark, and our leaders are enabling this. Without free media, we cannot survive.'
LBCI
09-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Diaspora groups push for electoral law amendment to confirm expat voting rights for all 128 parliamentary seats — press release
In response to a unified legislative proposal submitted by 16 Lebanese diaspora groups from various countries around the world, nine members of the Lebanese Parliament-Michel Douaihy, Ibrahim Mneimneh, Georges Okais, Osama Saad, Adib Abdel Massih, Faisal Sayegh, Neemat Frem, Hagop Terzian, and Ahmad El-Kheir submitted a draft law on Friday, May 9, 2025, to amend certain provisions of Law 44/2017 regarding the election of members of Parliament. This proposal aims to allow non-resident Lebanese citizens to exercise their voting rights in their original electoral districts, as was the case in the most recent elections. It seeks to cancel the six parliamentary seats currently reserved for expatriates, thereby affirming the principle of full political equality between resident and non-resident Lebanese citizens. As of the issuance of this statement, several parliamentary blocs and independent MPs have announced their public support for this proposal. Notable supporters include Paula Yacoubian, Halime Kaakour, Najat Saliba, Mark Daou, Melhem Khalaf, Elias Jarade, Yassin Yassin, Cynthia Zarazir, Waddah Sadek, and Ihab Matar. The number of MPs backing the amendment now totals approximately 50, reflecting a growing momentum in Parliament and highlighting the importance of correcting the representational imbalance affecting the Lebanese diaspora. The initiating diaspora groups have reaffirmed their commitment to continuing efforts through engagement and coordination with all MPs and parliamentary blocs to bolster support and ensure the adoption of this amendment, which restores rightful political recognition to Lebanese expatriates as a vital component of national and political life. Initiating Diaspora Groups: The Lebanese Diaspora Network, Lebanese Overseas Diaspora Association, World Lebanese Cultural Union, Kollouna Irada, Lebanese Forum in Europe, United Expatriates, Council of Lebanese Executives, Lebanese Citizens Around the World, Sawti, Lebanese Diaspora Movement, Change Lebanon, Collectif Libanais de France, Lebanese National Alliance, Latin American Center for Lebanese Studies, Team Hope, Our New Lebanon.
L'Orient-Le Jour
08-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
‘Beirut Madinati 2025' presents its list ‘against coalition of parties'
The list Beirut Madinati 2025 officially presented its candidates on Wednesday during a gathering of a few 100 people at Martyr's Square, downtown Beirut, 10 days before the municipal elections in the capital (May 18). The list is supported by the National Bloc, of which four members are included, the Li Watani coalition and the Madinati party. It is endorsed by members of the protest parliament, Ibrahim Mneimneh, Paula Yacoubian and Melhem Khalaf, all present at the gathering. These supporters have participated in developing the reform project supported by the list, partly finance its campaign and have chosen the 24 candidates: Levon Televizian, Anita Vartanian, Pierre Vartanian, Najwa Baroudi, Sarah Mahmoud, Christy Assaily, Marie Daou, Paula Rbeiz, Marc Tueini, Lina Jarrous, Georges Kiriakos, Mazen Houssami, Souha Mneimneh, Lama Wazzan, Ghina Kassem, Fady Darwish, Mounir Mabsout, Bilal Ramadan, Amal Sherif, Riyad Arnaout, Zeina Mouqaddem, Ihab Hammoud, Jihane Rizk and Antoine Raheb. The list aims to succeed the previous Beirut Madinati list from the 2016 municipal elections, which surprised everyone by garnering nearly 35 percent of the votes but failed to secure any seats. "Our main opponent is the list of the coalition of parties," Mneimneh explained to L'Orient-Le Jour. "All attempts to gather the parties to form the municipal council have been unsuccessful" in improving the residents' daily lives, he argued. "As long as there is no unified vision for the city and a common action program, nothing will move forward," the deputy concluded. The 24 members of the list – mostly composed of civil society members (lawyers, engineers, financial experts, entrepreneurs and social actors) – are committed to working on the development of the public transportation network, sidewalks, greenery, fighting against corruption, ensuring security and fighting for justice, at a time when the investigation into the double explosion at the port in 2020 that devastated large parts of the capital is still struggling to progress. 'Residents just want a safe city' This list observes gender parity as well as confessional parity. "The problem is not confessional parity, but the quota system among parties," explained Darwish, head of the list, to L'Orient-Le Jour, at a time when confessional overbidding is coming from all sides amid fears of a break in the Islamic-Christian parity within the capital's municipal council. According to an unwritten custom, it is composed of 12 Christian members and 12 Muslims. "By ensuring confessional parity, we prevent the debate from stalling at this stage, which benefits traditional political parties," said Michel Helou, secretary-general of the National Bloc and former executive director of L'Orient-Le Jour. The same sentiment was echoed by Paula Yacoubian, who said she fears that parties will once again manage to convince voters to vote for them just because they guarantee confessional parity. "Residents just want a safe city, with greenery, sidewalks and sewers," she explained. This is the case of Jawad Makarem, a father who once again came to support a protest list in the elections. "We feel a wind of change, and we believe in it: In 2016, no one thought that a list outside the traditional parties could break through, and today the protest lists are taken seriously everywhere," he said. On Sunday, May 4, during the municipal elections in Mount Lebanon, the protest was nonetheless eclipsed.
LBCI
28-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
MP Paula Yacoubian to LBCI: Campaigns against Change MPs 'demonizing'
MP Paula Yacoubian accused organized campaigns of 'demonization' against Change MPs ahead of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's appointment, stating that she is aware of who funded them and who is behind them. Speaking to LBCI, Yacoubian emphasized the need to surrender all weapons and prioritize Lebanon's national interest. She voiced support for a position of neutrality, stressing that it serves the Lebanese people and protects the country, which lies in the heart of a volatile region. Yacoubian also commented on the current parliamentary electoral law, saying that the existing political parties are comfortable with it. While she does not consider it a good law, she acknowledged that it is the one currently available and stressed the importance of working toward establishing "megacenters" to facilitate voting.
