Lebanon’s Judges Emigrate in Search for Decent Life

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Okais (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Lebanese Forces MP Georges Okais (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Lebanon’s Judges Emigrate in Search for Decent Life

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Okais (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Lebanese Forces MP Georges Okais (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Judges are seeking to emigrate in search for a decent life, in the wake of the economic and financial crisis that hit Lebanon and led to the sharp devaluation of the local currency.

Member of the Lebanese Forces parliamentary bloc MP Georges Okais said that 40 young judges have submitted suspension of work applications, either for family and social reasons or to find opportunities abroad.

“The judiciary is losing its energy, which will worsen the slow pace of work,” he said.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, a judicial source said that the number of judges, who have submitted the applications - which allow them to work outside the country for two years or more - exceeded by far the number announced by Okais.

The source noted that the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Suhail Abboud, “is exerting efforts to persuade the judges to go back on their decision and make sacrifices for the sake of the Lebanese judiciary.”

The judicial source also revealed that around “twenty of the finest judges in Lebanon have resigned from the institution.”

“This wave began with the deterioration of the economic crisis, the sharp devaluation of the local currency and the high inflation rate,” the source underlined.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, a judge, who is awaiting approval of the Judicial Council on his suspension of work request, said: “The temporary emigration decision is irreversible, because staying in Lebanon … is like committing suicide.”

“How can a judge live with a salary that does not exceed LBP4 million (less than USD400 in the parallel market), while the burdens are growing?” he asked.

He said his salary was no longer sufficient to cover basic needs, such as fuel and electricity.

“Unfortunately, our country is pushing its elites to emigrate, so that the country remains a haven for thugs,” he said.



Lebanon Bans Dealing with Hezbollah Financial Entity

A view shows Lebanon's Central Bank building in Beirut, Lebanon April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo
A view shows Lebanon's Central Bank building in Beirut, Lebanon April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo
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Lebanon Bans Dealing with Hezbollah Financial Entity

A view shows Lebanon's Central Bank building in Beirut, Lebanon April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo
A view shows Lebanon's Central Bank building in Beirut, Lebanon April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo

Lebanon's central bank has banned banks and brokerages from dealing with a Hezbollah-affiliated financial institution, according to a circular, a sign of the group's diminished sway over state affairs since its devastating war with Israel.

Keeping up military pressure on the Iran-backed group, Israel on Tuesday launched some of its heaviest airstrikes since a ceasefire in November, saying it hit training camps and weapons depots in east Lebanon. A security source in Lebanon said 12 people were killed, five of them Hezbollah fighters, Reuters reported.

Hezbollah has faced mounting pressures since the war, including financial ones.

In the circular, dated July 14 and reviewed by Reuters, Banque du Liban prohibited all licensed financial institutions in Lebanon from dealing directly or indirectly with unlicensed entities and listed Hezbollah's Al-Qard Al-Hassan as an example.

The US Department of Treasury imposed sanctions on Al-Qard Al-Hassan in 2007, saying Hezbollah used it as a cover to manage "financial activities and gain access to the international financial system".

Bolstered by its powerful arsenal, Hezbollah had long exercised decisive influence over Lebanese state affairs, but it was unable to impose its will in the formation of a post-war government in February.

Al-Qard Al-Hassan, founded in 1983, describes itself as a charitable organisation which provides loans to people according to Islamic principles that forbid interest. Israel struck some of its branches during its war with Hezbollah last year.

Operating as a not-for-profit organisation under a licence granted by the Lebanese government, it has more than 30 branches, mostly in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.

SHADOW ECONOMY

A Lebanese official said the central bank move had been in the works for months, and reflected US pressure on Lebanon to take action against Hezbollah's financial wing.

Nassib Ghobril, chief economist at Byblos Bank, said Lebanese banks were already careful to avoid dealing with Al-Qard Al-Hassan because it is under US sanctions.

"The important point is that finally the authorities are addressing the shadow economy in Lebanon, which is the real problem," he said, adding that authorities had long failed to address its "toxic effects".

In June, the European Commission included Lebanon in an updated list of high-risk jurisdictions presenting strategic deficiencies in their national anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.

Last year, global financial crime watchdog FATF placed Lebanon on its "grey list" of countries under special scrutiny.