situation inLebanonNow, it can almost be called entering “upheaval“because of being beset by bothflood of public debt Riots all over the country and economic bankruptcyuntil having to apply for a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while people who deposit money with banks cannot withdraw their own money. until the incidentbank robberyall over the head
On Thursday (Sept. 22) Lebanese Bankers Association declare that All banks will continue to close indefinitely. Due to the lack of confidence from the authorities in the security There are still ongoing risks for employees and customers. and the atmosphere of sedition persisted.
– Latest Lebanon riots in September 2022 (Photo Credit: REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir) –
Many banks close their doors and do not welcome customers. After the incident, angry citizens robbed seven banks last week, whilefinancial crisisThat lasted 3 years was getting worse again. and the life of the Lebanese became more difficult.
Lebanese banking sectorfreeze deposit” for more than 2 years and limit the amount that can be withdrawn each time while about three-quarters of the population is in poverty Most Lebanese blame the banking sector and central banks for the crisis.
An important question that many people would like to know is LebanonHow did you come to such a low point? from a country that used to be wealthy famous as “middle east paris” This article will take you back to find the answer.
- Paris of the Middle East
LebanonIt is known as a very fertile land. on the side of the Mediterranean Sea It is a prime location for growing olive trees, wine grapes, nuts, oranges, mulberries and is famous for its gems. Very beautiful jewelry Mouawad (Moawad) Jewelry brand that has designed the crown of Miss Universe Thailand 2021, Tabbah, Chatila, etc.
Besides that Lebanonalso has a long history It was the site of a prosperous civilization such as Egypt, Roman andOttoman Empire Therefore, if we travel, we will find architecture in many Arabic editions. After the Ottoman Empire fell Lebanon was briefly independent. before becoming the French therefore influenced bychristianity and western architecture as well
civilization diversityArabwithWestthat comes in, even though it is cultural But it can also be the starting point for conflicts.If not managed well, it will escalate into a big conflict!
- civil war
withLebanonIt is a state that combines both Arab and Western influences. Lebanon therefore consists of two major sects and two beliefs: Maronite ChristianwithDruss where the capitalBeirut will have a green line dividing the east coast. Christian community with the west coast Muslim community
– Bell Tower of the Maronite Church With Al Amin Mosque in Beirut (Photo Credit: Archyde.com/Mohamed Azakir) –
– Lebanese Civil War 1975 (Photo Credit: AP Photo) –
Also under the rule ofFrance The elite group that dominates the state will beChristians before giving independence to Lebanon France has also helped the Lebanese to draft the first constitution. But the content is quite conducive to Christians at least. The number of delegates to the Council of Christians has been set more than those of Muslims.
conflict between sectshas increased When the Lebanese neighborhood was bornnew stateup, that is Israel resulting in peoplePalestinewho used to live Many had to emigrate and move to Lebanon. population proportionMuslimtherefore increased resentment between Christians and Muslims coupled with the Palestinian nationalist who wanted to bring back the original land became a catalyst for Lebanon’s civil war. byChristianitysupported by Israel whileMuslimIt is supported by Palestine and Syria. The war lasted for 15 years (1975-1990), causing a huge blow to the Lebanese economy.
- clash with Israel
due toLebanonis the location ofPalestinianmany immigrants and later a group of armed political parties was born called hezbollah group which has a seat in the council The group was born to protect Lebanon from threats likeIsrael It was praised by the Arab world for successfully expelling Israel from southern Lebanon.
– Lebanon’s Hezbollah War with Israel
(Photo Credit: REUTERS/Bilal Jawish) –
As Israel looked at the groupHezbollahthat it isthreatto their country andunited states which is the main supporter of IsraelListed in the Hezbollah group as “Terrorist group” As a result, investors panicked and withdrew a large number of investments from Lebanon, including affectingtravelwhich is an important source of income for the country as well
- Massive explosion at Beirut port
Year 2020 was bornbig explosionatImportant port in Beirut The explosion caused damage up to 20 km away, instantly killing 200 people, injuring more than 7,000 and leaving more than 300,000 people homeless. Destroy more than 85% of grain storage silos in total.The damage value is up to 15 billion dollars or more than 56 billion baht.
– Before and after pictures of the explosion at the Beirut port in 2020 (Credit: Flickr.com/AP) –
The official examination revealed that It’s an explosion from the treasury.ammonium nitrate amount of 2,750 tons, which the danger of this substance is that it canCan be used to make bombs causing the damage from the explosion to spread over a radius of several kilometers.
- Corruption is severe at the government level.
A big problem for those who come to run the country is that there iscorruptionuntil a chronic disease By looking at the index Corruption Perceptions Index 2021 found LebanonRanks last in transparency. at 154 out of 180 countries and moreover Political parties in the House of Representatives were not harmonized by sectarian conflicts. The blame has been raised until the problems in the country are not resolved in a timely manner.
- COVID and the Russo-Ukraine War
outbreak ofCovid-19 have made transportation and tourism is jammed around the world, whichtravelisLebanon’s main income source This problem was aggravated by the Russian-Ukrainian war. until the energy crisis
energy crisisLebanon is so severe that its citizens suffer from frequent power outages. Long and inadequate queuing for refueling until it became an uproar, robbing a petrol car
It all started after Lebanon ended.civil warNot long after, the central bank implemented a freeze policy.Lebanese currencyAt a rate of 1,507 Lebanese pounds equal to $1, this peg is stable. If the dollar is enough but at present Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) tryinterest rate hikekeep getting higher and higher to fightinflation This made the currency of many countries unable to adjust interest rates to rise accordingly. because the economy is still weak face the money outflow The currency continued to weaken, so did the Lebanese pound. thus causing the country to have a higher trade deficit. There are not enough dollars to import oil.
Moreover, LebanonUp to 80% of wheat is imported from Ukraine, and another 15% is imported from Russia. thatUkrainehas become a battlefield equal to aggravatefood crisisadd more
- Lessons from the Lebanese Crisis
What we can learn from this is Even in the past it was a prosperous country likeParis of the Middle East butIf the unity of the people in the nation has disappeared would be at risk of civil war Especially if there is interference from foreigners as well. It will make the situation even more complicated and difficult. former glory It might just become the past.
on the other side If the people of Lebanon are united switch from blaming each other to finding solutions It is believed that even Lebanon has to face expensive energy problems. recession The country will be able to win. and did not enter into such a downturn
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refer: The United States Institute of Peace, Ghazi.de, HAL Open Science, ReliefWeb