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.



US Targets Houthis with Fresh Sanctions Action

Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
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US Targets Houthis with Fresh Sanctions Action

Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on what it said was a Houthi-linked petroleum smuggling and sanctions evasion network across Yemen and the United Arab Emirates in fresh action targeting the Iran-backed militant group.

The US Treasury Department in a statement said the two individuals and five entities sanctioned on Tuesday were among the most significant importers of petroleum products and money launderers that benefit the Houthis.

"The Houthis collaborate with opportunistic businessmen to reap enormous profits from the importation of petroleum products and to enable the group’s access to the international financial system," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender.

"These networks of shady businesses underpin the Houthis’ terrorist machine, and Treasury will use all tools at its disposal to disrupt these schemes."

Among those targeted on Tuesday was Muhammad Al-Sunaydar, who the Treasury said manages a network of petroleum companies between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates and was one of the most prominent petroleum importers in Yemen.

Three companies in his network were also designated, with the Treasury saying they coordinated the delivery of approximately $12 million dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum products with a US-designated company to the Houthis.

Since Israel's war in Gaza against the Palestinian group Hamas began in October 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea in what they say are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.

In January, Trump re-designated the Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization, aiming to impose harsher economic penalties in response to its attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and against US warships defending the critical maritime area.

In May, the United States announced a surprise deal with the Houthis where it agreed to stop a bombing campaign against them in return for an end to shipping attacks, though the Houthis said the deal did not include sparing Israel.

The Israeli military attacked Houthi targets in Yemen's Hodeidah port on Monday in its latest assault on the militants, who have been striking ships bound for Israel and launching missiles against it.