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In Lebanon, coronavirus presents a political lifeline for the sectarian-based elite

Branded facemasks and bars of soap plastered with the logos of political parties, bottles of disinfectant neatly laid out in shrines to prominent leaders, drones delivering party broadcasts amid the country’s lockdown. In Lebanon
Despite their absurdity, these images have increasingly become the norm in Lebanon as the country’s political elite seize the window of opportunity presented by the coronavirus outbreak and attempt to reconsolidate what support they lost during months of nationwide protests.
Since October 17th, Lebanese citizens have taken to the streets en masse to reject what many see as a corrupt and sectarian-based political establishment insensitive to the realities of its people, ushering in a new government but worsening an already crippling economic crisis in the process. In Lebanon
https://twitter.com/PeterHarling/status/1246685206628753409
However, with this new government of technocrats struggling to inspire confidence even before the virus outbreak began, it is the same old sectarian-based political parties who have now stepped up to take the reins – ramping up their clientelistic practices under the guise of efforts to support the ailing Lebanese state.
“Fear drives certain political behaviors and undermines people’s ability to question authority,” said Imad Salamey, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the Lebanese American University, speaking to Al Arabiya English. “When people feel threatened, they tend to pay allegiance to whoever is there to protect them.”
As the economic crisis continues to deteriorate, many have been forced to rely yet again on these parties’ patronage networks to support them during the pandemic.
“By presenting themselves as saviors, Lebanon’s political parties are exploiting people’s fear in an attempt to make a comeback from the country’s protest movement and regain some of the legitimacy they lost among the rank and file,” said Salamey. In Lebanon

In Korea, in Lebanon’s north, the video posted by the Christian-based Lebanese Forces’ party showed members disinfecting streets and churches in branded jumpsuits, set against an ominous and dramatic soundtrack.
However, the Lebanese Forces’ were not alone. Their political rivals in the area, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party – who advocate for the establishment of a pan-Syrian state that spans much of the Middle East – also posted images of their members donning similarly-branded overalls and sterilizing streets in Koura. In Lebanon
https://twitter.com/ssnponline/status/1242766509321134081
A few miles south, President Michel Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement members embarked on identical campaigns dressed in their distinct orange party colors – appearing in large convoys with loudspeakers to disinfect neighborhoods under their control and deliver party-branded aid packages to residents.
https://twitter.com/Beirutiyat/status/1242384996532457472
However, despite such campaigns, many Lebanese nonetheless see them as publicity stunts – with the country’s public health officials and doctor’s syndicates warning about the ineffectiveness of such street-level disinfection measures.
“It seems to me that it’s more of a show-off than anything else. The virus is not widespread and does not survive long on inert surfaces, so cleaning the streets like this does not make sense,” said Salim Adib, a professor of epidemiology and public health at the American University of Beirut.
“At the beginning, they got out whatever they had, which happened to be pesticides. Eventually, they ran out so now they are resorting to a mixture of water and soap,” Adib told Al Arabiya English. “It’s nothing more than grand gesturing to show they are doing what needs to be done.”
Perhaps the largest of all the political parties’ responses have been that of Hezbollah, which aside from orchestrating public disinfecting campaigns of its own has also mobilized upwards of 25,000 frontline medics and volunteers in their fight against the virus.
Founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982, Hezbollah is a Shia political party and militant group that has fought for years in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad – part of a wider regional military alliance backed by Tehran.
During a media tour given by Hezbollah officials in Beirut on Tuesday, the group showcased one of two new testing centers and an entire repurposed Beirut hospital it owns now dedicated to treating coronavirus patients.
https://twitter.com/lcmporter/status/1242449864094515201
It has also set up its quarantine centers across the country, part of a campaign amongst several Lebanon’s political parties that has seen them establish or finance at least 84 of these facilities to quarantine their supporters, according to local television station LBCI.
“It is a real war that we must confront with the mindset of a warrior,” said Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, the head of Hezbollah’s executive council, whilst presenting the group’s response plan on its Al-Manar TV – adding that their role “was to complement the government apparatus and not to stand in its place.”
Despite the organization presenting itself as working to “complement the government apparatus,” the current Minister for Health is himself a Hezbollah affiliate in the technocratic government.
Lebanon announced tougher restrictions on movement Sunday to prevent the virus’ spread, which has so far infected 527 people and killed eighteen. On March 15th, the government announced a “general mobilization” which has seen wide-reaching lockdown measures enforced under threat of arrest by state security forces. levant
source: Euan Ward levant
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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