UK £2 Issue 253, Year 6 April 19, 2020 EU €2.50 www.thearabweekly.com UAE's Arab, African The struggles humanitarian doctors saving of Iraq's informal outreach French lives economy

Page 3 Page 9 Page 11 Iran admits to under-reporting coronavirus figures as it faces biggest crisis since 1979

The Arab Weekly staff confinement measures could drive so- cial unrest. On Rohani’s orders, “low- risk businesses” in the capital Tehran London were allowed to re-open on April 18, a week after some companies in other espite previous denials, parts of the country. Authorities used Iranian officials are starting a parade marking Army Day on April 17 to admit that their govern- to exhibit disinfection and protective D ment has been under-re- capabilities against COVID-19. porting the country’s toll from the Ali Fathollah-Nejad, a visiting fel- pandemic, amid signs that Iran is low at the Brookings Doha Centre, facing the biggest economic crisis said Rohani has stressed the need to since the 1979 revolution. get the economy back on track, while The growing problems at home the health ministry has been advo- could fuel adventurism abroad. The cating for a more careful approach. United States said on April 16 that “Rohani is risking a rebound of the speed boats of Iran’s Islamic Revolu- virus. Iran could end up with an eco- tionary Guard Corps (IRGC) harassed nomic crisis and a health crisis at the US warships in the Gulf. same time,” Fathollah-Nejad said by Iranian Deputy Health Minister Al- phone. ireza Raisi was quoted on April 15 as A parliamentary report reviewed saying that, because of limited test- by the Associated Press said the ing capabilities, the real number of death toll in Iran from the coronavi- COVID-19 infection cases and deaths rus pandemic is likely to be nearly in Iran cannot be ascertained. But double that of officially reported -fig “the real numbers are much higher ures. than the official figures,” he said. It attributed the inaccurate count The admissions could betray inter- to under-counting and because not nal dissent over President Hassan Ro- everyone with breathing problems hani’s intent to gradually reopen the has been tested for the virus. economy over fears that prolonged Iran, on April 18, put the death toll at more than 5,000, out of over On the PR front. Iranian Army soldiers wearing protective masks take part in the army day parade in (AFP) 80,000 confirmed cases – still mak- Tehran, April 17. ing it the Middle East’s worst out- break by far. in an analysis for the Middle East sis could trigger fresh unrest in Iran. Monetary Fund (IMF) could end up But the report’s worst-case figures Institute in Washington. “In the best- “The Iranian government now strengthening domestic support for would put Iran’s potential death toll case scenario, the estimated eco- faces one of the worst crises – if not the regime, he added. as high as over 8,500, with some nomic contraction in 2020 will put the worst – since the 1979 revolu- “If history provides any guide, 760,000 total cases, as of April 15. 3-4 million jobs at risk, potentially tion, and there is very little it can Iranians tend to unite during times That would catapult Iran to the posi- pushing the actual (not official) un- do to address the economic fallout,” of exogenous shocks and crises, es- tion of the country with the highest employment rates from around 20% Mohseni-Cheraghlou wrote. pecially if such crises are exacerbat- number of infections in the world. now to more than 35% in just a few ed and exploited by hostile outside International experts have long months.” forces,” he wrote. Ali Fathollah-Nejad doubted Iran’s numbers, as its mor- Nader Hashemi, director of the “This may explain why, despite tality rate has been higher than other Centre for Middle East Studies at the the growing unpopularity of Ro- nations. University of Denver in the United hani’s government, its widespread The economic impact of the States, said the global collapse of oil mismanagement of the economy coronavirus on Iran is likely to be prices was “another big problem for “Rohani is risking a rebound and the pandemic and the resulting devastating, said Amin Mohseni- Iran.” of the virus. Iran could end up economic and public health crises, Cheraghlou, an economist at the “Even if US sanctions were lifted with an economic crisis and a there is as yet no sign of social un- American University in Washington. now, the drop in value of the oil health crisis at the same time.” rest.” “The Iranian labour market was that Iran would be able to sell would But experts believe that the pres- already suffering from high unem- mean that the country would still be Efforts by the US to increase pres- ence of all such factors means that it ployment rates before the pandemic, economically vulnerable,” Hashemi sure on Iran by sharpening sanctions is just a matter of time before discon- especially among college-educated said by phone. or blocking Rohani’s request for a $5 tent comes into the open. youth,” Mohseni-Cheraghlou wrote Mohseni-Cheraghlou said the cri- billion loan from the International P2,7,9 Pandemic disruptions spark fears of food shortages in Arab world

Mona Alami “Confinement measures are Arabia. Restrictions on movement The Food and Agriculture Organi- dom has nonetheless achieved high leading to labour shortage in the and borders closure could also have sation of the United Nations (FAO) levels of sufficiency in many agri- food industry,” says Michel Maal- repercussions on crop harvests as warned in a report released late in cultural products, with 60% self- Washington ouf, a fast moving consumer good fruits and vegetables are now left March that a protracted pandemic sufficiency in vegetables and 109% (FMCG) consultant based in Saudi to rot. crisis could quickly put a strain on in milk. OVID-19 has triggered fears food supply chains. Levant countries are nonetheless of food shortages across the “Food is a matter of national secu- more vulnerable to disruptions, Arab region. Distributors rity and countries are now making as they are plagued by collapsing C and experts now warn that sure they have sufficient reserves,” economies, conflict and corrup- the pandemic is creating significant says Maalouf. tion. For Maalouf, Jordan is possibly disruptions in global food networks vulnerable in the mid-future, as it and inflation in food prices. is highly reliant on food imports. A slowdown in shipping, move- Levant countries are Lebanon is in far worse shape, as a ment restrictions and border clo- particularly vulnerable financial collapse and dollar short- sures are impeding the production as they are plagued by ages complicate food imports there. and transport of food products collapsing economies, Iraq conversely has a margin of ma- at the global level. Thousands of conflict and corruption. noeuvre as it disposes of large ag- containers are now left stranded ricultural land. Syria’s divided po- across ports and airports, as ships Countries in the Arab world are litical geography could also hinder and aeroplanes remain grounded unequally prepared to face food the movement of grains from east because of strict lockdowns and shortages. The United Arab Emir- to west. Discrimination among the confinement measures imposed by ates has approved a law organising Syrian population could undermine governments. Fewer ships and few- strategic stocks of food commodi- access to food. er flights make food exports more ties in emergencies. It has enough expensive and complicated, warns reserves for three months but can Mona Alami is a non-resident Hani Bohsali, president of the Syn- also count on the massive stock- senior fellow with the Atlantic dicate of Importers of Foodstuffs, piles of the Jebel Ali port. Saudi Council’s Middle East programmes. Consumer Products and Drinks, Food concerns. Employees of the Tunisian Social Solidarity Union Arabia has banned sales promotions which represents around 50 import- (UTSS) prepare food packages for the elderly and low-income families on food staples including rice and In this issue: Extensive coverage ers in Lebanon. in Tunis during the coronavirus pandemic. (AFP) vegetable oil indefinitely. The King- of pandemic fallout 2 April 19, 2020 Top news A year after US sanctions stopped Iran’s oil exports, tensions are on the rise again

Thomas Seibert for Iran that had already been very difficult to begin with because of US oil sanctions. Istanbul Iran is the country hardest hit by the pandemic in the Middle East, ew frictions between the reporting more than 80,000 infec- United States and Iran are tions and over 5,000 deaths. The driving up tensions be- daily numbers of fatalities have N tween the two countries dropped below the mark of 100 at a moment when Tehran is strug- since April 14 according to health gling to deal with the coronavirus ministry bulletins, but a report by pandemic. Iran’s parliament research centre Eleven vessels from Iran’s Islamic said the real death toll is likely near- Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy ly double the official figures. (IRGCN) came dangerously close “The coronavirus crisis has af- to US war ships in the Gulf, the US fected two pillars of the Iranian military said on April 15, calling the economy, domestic demand and moves “dangerous and provoca- regional trade,” Fathollah-Nejad tive.” The incident came shortly af- said by phone. “The pandemic also ter armed men believed to be from coincided with the oil price war” the Revolutionary Guard seized a that has driven prices down for the Hong Kong-flagged tanker. relatively small amount of oil that Nader Hashemi, director of the Iran is still able to sell despite the Centre for Middle East Studies at US ban. the University of Denver in the The US government funded Ra- United States, said the end of US dio Farda reported that Iran’s crude waivers on Iranian oil sales a year exports dropped to 248,000 barrels ago was “an important milestone” per day (bpd) in February. Exports that explained the rise of increased stood at almost 1 million bpd before tensions since the cut-off date on May 2019 and at close to 1.8 million May 2, 2019. before the re-introduction of US sanctions in November 2018. The government of President While Iran has been Hassan Rohani is also trying to use betting on a reset of the coronavirus pandemic to get Economic slide. Iranian President Hassan Rohani (L) chairing a cabinet session in the capital Tehran, relations with the US after at least some US sanctions lifted. April 15. (AFP) a possible defeat of Trump Rohani is even said to entertain in November’s election, the idea of taking steps to save the after a possible defeat of Trump in my is expected to contract by 6% discontent and legitimising the the wait-and-see approach Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Ac- November’s election, the wait-and- this year, following a 7.6% contrac- suppression with the necessity to tion (JCPOA), a 2015 agreement see approach is thrown into doubt is thrown into doubt by tion in 2019. fight the pandemic, or there could designed to prevent Iran from de- by the worsening economic situa- “Iran’s strategy of scaring the Eu- be regime destabilisation if criti- the worsening economic veloping nuclear weapons, if the tion. “The big question is whether ropeans by violating the terms of cism directed against the govern- situation. US lowers the pressure, Fathollah- Iran can make it until a new US the JCPOA has not been successful. ment gets stronger.” Nejad said. president would be in office,” Instex has not significantly helped Talks between Iran and the US are “At this point, Iran started to feel But while Iran has received some Fathollah-Nejad said. the Iranian economy,” Hashemi unlikely. Iranian Supreme Leader the financial pressure and lashed sympathetic feedback from Europe The confrontation between the said. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an anti-US out,” Hashemi said by phone. “We and US Democrats and liberals, US and Iran has all but destroyed Even though Tehran does not hardliner, has rejected American saw the attacks on oil tankers in the Tehran has not made any head- the JCPOA. Trump withdrew the US have any good options, regime offers of help against the coronavi- Gulf, the attack on Saudi oil facili- way with the administration of US from the deal in 2018 to force Iran change is unlikely, he added. “The rus, saying the US was the “number ties in September and a number of President Donald Trump. Washing- to accept stricter limits on its nucle- Islamic Republic is not close to col- one enemy.” other close calls that almost led to ton argues that sanctions do not ar activities. In response, Iran has lapse. If anything, the Revolution- “Negotiating a new nuclear deal war in January after Iranian missile prevent the delivery of humanitar- violated some of the JCPOA’s rules. ary Guards are stronger and the with Trump is not an option for attacks on US facilities in Iraq and ian aid to Iran and should remain In an effort to save the agreement, opposition is weaker. The coronavi- Khamenei due to ideological rea- the assassination of Iranian general in place. “This is a miscalculation European nations have created In- rus won’t be the straw to break the sons,” Hashemi said. “Khamenei Qassem Soleimani by the US.” on Iran’s part, because the White stex, a trading mechanism for ex- camel’s back.” wants to manage the crisis and look Ali Fathollah-Nejad, a visiting fel- House is not changing its position,” changes with Iran. Fathollah-Nejad said Iran’s gov- for opportunities down the road.” low at the Brookings Doha Centre, Fathollah-Nejad said. But that has failed to stop Iran’s ernment was facing one of two said the coronavirus pandemic had While Iran has been betting on economic slide. The International scenarios. “There could be regime Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly worsened an economic situation a reset of relations with the US Monetary Fund says Iran’s econo- stabilisation by suppressing any correspondent. Cairo shootout stokes fears of terrorist attacks ahead of Ramadan

Amr Emam presence of a group of militants in while everybody was looking some- Amiriya that were preparing for attacks where else,” said retired police general against security posts and Christians in Fouad Allam. Cairo different parts of the country, the Inte- Egypt’s majority Muslim population rior Ministry said in a statement. is also preparing for the fasting month ecent clashes in the densely The militants had also stockpiled of Ramadan, which is set to begin on populated Amiriya district in arms and explosives in southern April 24. Security forces are on alert eastern Cairo have raised fears Cairo in order to stage attacks against during Ramadan for any terrorist at- R of possible attacks on Muslim churches, it said. tacks by extremists. and Christian holidays in the coming Despite COVID-19 fears, Egypt’s Egyptian Muslims are stocking up period. Christians held limited Easter celebra- on dried fruit, nuts and other Ramadan Egypt’s Coptic Christians celebrate tions on April 12. Pope Tawadros II at- foods, even as restrictions due to the On alert. A file picture shows Egyptian police cadets taking part in Easter on April 19, marking the end of tended the Easter service at a church COVID-19 crisis are taking a toll on their a training session at a police academy in Cairo. (AFP) the 55-day Lent or Great Fast. in Wadi al-Natrun in the Western De- finances. A police officer was killed and -an sert with a limited group of priests. There has been no claim of respon- dead and several others injured. by the authorities. other critically injured, along with Millions of Christians watched the sibility for the clashes yet. Egypt has In December 2016, ISIS attacked A major outbreak of the disease, the two security guards, on April 14 dur- event being broadcast on the Cop- been battling ISIS in Sinai and militias the chapel of a major church in central document said, would confuse Egyp- ing clashes between Egyptian police tic Orthodox Church’s website from affiliated with the Muslim Brother- Cairo, killing 28 people and injuring tian authorities and potentially cause and militants hiding in an apartment, home. hood in a number of its provinces, in- dozens of others. things to spiral out of control, eventu- on the eve of Egypt’s celebration of Egypt had closed down its churches cluding in Cairo, for several years now. Militias affiliated with the Muslim ally leading to Sisi’s downfall. Easter. and mosques on March 21 in a bid to Egypt has seen numerous terror Brotherhood have also attacked doz- Sisi said earlier this month that his Seven militants were killed in the narrow the scope of the COVID-19 pan- attacks against army troops, police and ens of churches, especially follow- country’s battle against the Muslim clashes, which disrupted a two-year demic. its Christian minority, which comprise ing the organisation’s downfall in the Brotherhood was not over yet. period of calm in the Egyptian capi- The Amiriya clashes, security ana- about 10% of the population of 100 country in mid-2013. The Amiriya clashes, experts said, tal after police successfully stamped lysts said, comes at a critical time for millions. The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, could be a prelude to more attacks. out militias affiliated with the Muslim the populous Arab country, especially In November 2018, ISIS killed seven meanwhile, is ramping up a media “The terrorists believe this is an op- Brotherhood and ISIS failed to strike as it devotes much of its resources to Christians and wounded several others campaign against President Abdel Fat- portune time for them to carry out at- there. its COVID-19 response. in an attack on a bus carrying Christian tah al-Sisi. tacks, while state authorities are busy The shootout occurred as the coun- Police are also busy enforcing a na- pilgrims in southern Egypt. According to a Muslim Brotherhood fighting the coronavirus,” said Islam- try awaited the beginning of the fast- tionwide night-time curfew that has In May of the same year, the ter- document leaked in early March, the ism expert Muneer Adeeb. “They will ing month of Ramadan expected to been in effect since March 25. The rorist group killed 28 Christians and Islamist group views the outbreak of most likely try to strike somewhere start April 24. The holy month is often night-time curfew was among a series wounded several others in an attack on the coronavirus as an opportunity to else in the future, which requires used by Jihadist groups to ratchet up of measures taken by Egyptian author- another bus in almost the same area. undermine Sisi. caution.” terrorist activities. ities to prevent the new disease from In December 2017, ISIS claimed re- The document asked Brother- Security agencies received a tip further spreading. sponsibility for an attack on a church hood affiliates to encourage Egyptians Amr Emam is a regular contributor to prior to the April 14 incident about the “These terrorists wanted to strike in southern Cairo that left nine people to look over social distancing calls The Arab Weekly. April 19, 2020 3 Top news UAE-WHO initiative Social unrest starts to boil over a month after dispatches aid to Somalia lockdown in Lebanon

Samar Kadi of “a stimulus and social safety plan worth LBP 1,200 billion (around $800,000) that will be spent to cover Beirut the burdens of the anti-coronavirus fight, assist public sector daily work- hile Lebanon’s financial ers, support the health sector and crisis has been aggravat- farmers, and grant small industrial ed by lockdown measures institutions subsidised loans to boost W imposed to help stem the national industry.” spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, The extended lockdown has Prime Minister Hassan Diab assured brought Lebanon’s already fledgling that bank deposits will not be jeopard- economy to an abrupt halt, with no ised by a financial rescue plan. sign that the measures would be eased Police in the northern city of Tripoli anytime soon. used force to disperse angry crowds “It is not true that we intend to ease who took to the streets April 17 chant- the lockdown and general mobilisa- ing slogans and denouncing poor liv- tion measures. We might rather hard- ing conditions that have further de- en them should the need arise in order teriorated since Lebanon imposed a to prevent the spread of coronavirus curfew more than a month ago. and we might request a two-week ex- More than half of Tripoli’s popula- tension on April 26,” Diab said. tion live at or below the poverty line “There are indications that the pan- and more than a quarter live in ex- demic has so far been contained in treme poverty, according to the United Lebanon. But we are still in the middle Nations. of the pandemic spread phase. Lebanon is already hit by economic “At the moment, the focus is on the collapse and is now grappling with an domestic situation in order to immu- outbreak of the deadly virus – the lat- nise it prior to the resumption of the est in a long list of crises. repatriation of Lebanese from abroad,” In a public address April 16, Diab Diab added. said that “at least 98%” of bank depos- As part of international assistance to its will not be affected by any financial help it confront the outbreak of coro- measures that might be taken in the navirus, Lebanon received medical near future to deal with the crisis. equipment, including PCR kits and “The situation is difficult and com- thermometers from China. plicated but people’s lifelong savings “We are going to conduct more PCR International aid. Tonnes of medical equipment and coronavirus testing kits provided in conjunction have a special status and immunity tests in various Lebanese regions,” said with the World Health Organisation at the Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai are prepared and no one will lose their deposits, but Health Minister Hamad Hassan. “We for shipment by the United Arab Emirates. (AFP) the timing of retrieving those hinges would like to assure everyone that the on the restructuring plan,” he said. random test samples we have taken Diab said the reform plan that the last week were a positive indicator.” The Arab Weekly staff urgent medical aid shipments to a decade. Since 2010 and until March government is finalising aims to reac- In mid-March the government or- number of countries and has sup- 2020, the UAE provided some $330 tivate the economy and bring in fresh dered residents to stay at home and ported relevant international organi- million in assistance to Somalia, money from abroad, “whether from all non-essential businesses to close Abu Dhabi sations and their specialised bodies, benefiting more than 1.2 million So- the IMF, CEDRE (international confer- to halt the spread of COVID-19, which especially the World Health Organi- malis. A large part of this assistance ence in support of Lebanon) or friend- has infected 668 people and killed 21 he United Arab Emirates, in sation, to deliver medical aid to a went to education, health and basic ly nations or through a new economic nationwide so far. cooperation with the World large number of countries in need.” services sectors. drive and BOT (Build, Operate, Trans- Health Organisation (WHO), The dispatching of medical aid fer) projects.” Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly Travel sent a special plane carrying to Somalia came one day after the Diab also announced the launch and Society section editor. T Shipment contains 27 tonnes of medical supplies and announcement of a partnership be- protective gear to Somalia, includ- medical supplies and tween the Emirates and the WHO ing 7 tonnes provided by the UAE protective gear. to direct similar aid to Ethiopia, in and 20 tonnes by the WHO, all ear- the form of 33 tonnes of medical marked to help about 27,000 medi- The Emirati news agency WAM supplies. cal workers in Somalia deal with the quoted the ambassador as saying The UAE’s efforts to fight the pan- coronavirus pandemic. “the Emirates’ important air-trans- demic have included providing as- UAE Ambassador to Somalia port logistical capabilities enabled sistance such as medical supplies to Mohammed Ahmed Othman al- it to transport medical equipment more than 18 countries throughout Hammadi said that his country “is and devices and provide urgently the world. It has also deepened co- sparing no effort to contribute to needed supplies to thousands of operation with the WHO and pro- global efforts to curtail the spread of medical workers and provide what vided many countries, including COVID-19.” they need to practise their work in China, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan The ambassador also pointed treating COVID-19 patients.” and the Seychelles, with much- Boiling point. Lebanese soldiers keep watch as several hundred out that “since the beginning of the Somalia has received continuous needed medical supplies and relief people protest in the northern city of Tripoli despite the country’s coronavirus crisis, the UAE has sent support from the UAE over the past materials. coronavirus lockdown, April 17. (AFP) Abu Dhabi sets up relief fund to help struggling families overcome the fall-out of coronavirus crisis

Saad Guerraoui those in need as part of Abu Dha- up and do what it can to be part of bi’s humanitarian actions. the national effort,” said Ameemi. The fund is part of the “Together “No matter how small or large, I London We Are Good” scheme that was encourage everyone who has not launched by the Ma’an Authority done so, to contribute in any way bu Dhabi has set up a re- for Social Contribution to involve they can,” she added. lief fund to help strug- the community in supporting the Jeff Evans, from Learning Key gling families overcome Abu Dhabi government’s efforts to Education Consultancy, told Abu A the financial crisis ex- combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Dhabi newspaper The National acerbated by the coronavirus about the importance of children pandemic. not missing out on learning. The Abu Dhabi government’s The relief fund will also “This is especially vital for mid- multi-million-dirham public fund help cover food expenses dle or high-school aged children as seeks to help Emiratis and resi- and rent for those in they do not have to be withdrawn dents who have lost their jobs, had need as part of Abu from their schools,” said Evans. their salaries slashed or been put Dhabi’s humanitarian “Schools can help the families on unpaid leave because of the actions. most in need to apply for tempo- economic fallout of the virus. rary funding, so they can complete “The fund is aimed at parents Ma’an Director General Salama this semester,” he added. with children attending private al-Ameemi said the contributions Emiratis and residents who have schools in Abu Dhabi who are af- they had received from Abu Dhabi been financially affected by the fected by the current economic and the rest of the UAE were tan- pandemic can apply for help on challenges, by paying school fees gible evidence of the cohesive and the website or call the toll-free hel- or providing devices for distance collaborative community. pline at (800) 3088. learning,” said the government in “These are unprecedented times a statement. but Abu Dhabi has a hugely philan- Saad Guerraoui is a contributor Difficult times. Workers rest in front of the Etihad Towers The relief fund will also help thropic society and our communi- to The Arab Weekly on Maghreb building in Abu Dhabi. (Abu Dhabi Media Office) cover food expenses and rent for ty has shown that it is ready to step issues. 4 April 19, 2020 Top news

Israeli president Turkish top court set to decide the fate asks parliament to choose prime of Erdogan’s controversial amnesty plan minister Thomas Seibert opens the way for the temporary release of around 45,000 prisoners The Arab Weekly staff to stem the spread of the coronavi- Istanbul rus. Those eligible will be released under judicial control until the end Jerusalem urkey’s top court is set to de- of May and the Justice Ministry will cide the fate of a controver- be able to extend the period three srael’s president asked the sial amnesty law that seeks times by a maximum of two months Knesset April 16 to choose a T to free tens of thousands of each time, according to the law. new prime minister, giving prisoners to prevent a wave of coro- A similar number will be released I parliament three weeks to navirus infections in the country’s permanently under a separate part agree upon a leader or plunge the jails but decrees that critics of Presi- of the legislation aimed at reducing country into an unprecedented dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan have to prison overcrowding. All in all, the fourth consecutive election in remain behind bars. amnesty bill will reduce the number just over a year. The opposition Republican Peo- of people in Turkish prisons by a President Reuven Rivlin made ple’s Party (CHP) said on April 14 it third, from more than 300,000. Ac- the move after his prime minister- would take the law to the Constitu- cording to news reports, the official designate, former military chief tional Court in Ankara. The move capacity of the country’s prisons is Benny Gantz, and Prime Minis- by the CHP came just hours after roughly 230,000 people. ter Binyamin Netanyahu failed to Erdogan’s Justice and Development Authorities began freeing pris- reach a power-sharing deal by a Party (AKP) and its right-wing ally, oners shortly after the final vote in midnight deadline. the Nationalist Movement Party parliament. Among those released The bitter rivals had pledged (MHP), pushed the bill through par- was Alaatin Cakici, a notorious gang to form an “emergency” govern- liament in Ankara. leader with ties to the MHP. ment to steer the country through Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul the coronavirus crisis, which has Turan Aydogan said on April 13 there were 17 con- ravaged the economy and sent firmed cases of COVID-19, the lung unemployment to record highs. disease triggered by coronavirus, But after weeks of talks, the presi- among prisoners, including three dent said he had lost confidence deaths, and 79 prison personnel had in their chances of striking a deal. “You forgive the mafia… You also tested positive. don’t forgive journalists that Selective move. The Silivri Prison and Courthouse complex in Around 50,000 people convicted Silivri near Istanbul. (Reuters) write the truth. You don’t or jailed pending trial on terrorism Gantz no longer holding forgive those that want peace.” charges are excluded from the new the presidential law, according to an opposition par- not calling for violence. that want peace.” “mandate” to put Mustafa Yeneroglu, a former AKP liamentarian. That number includes This means that prominent gov- Howard Eissenstat, a Turkey ex- together a coalition, deputy who is now a member of the members of the Kurdistan Workers’ ernment critics and activists sus- pert at Saint Lawrence University in Netanyahu could search new opposition Party for Democra- Party (PKK), an armed organisation pected of anti-government tenden- New York, said under Erdogan “dif- for other options. cy and Progress (DEVA), said he ex- seen as a terrorist group by Turkey cies like civil society leader Osman ferent dissidents are held for differ- pected an order by the top court to and much of the international com- Kavala, author Ahmet Altan or ent reasons.” “I am informing you that I do widen the scope of the bill so more munity, as well as suspected sup- Kurdish politician Selahattin Demir- “Some, like Kavala, are a matter not see the possibility of forming prisoners can benefit from it. porters of Fethullah Gulen, a Mus- tas will remain in prison. of personal pique,” Eissenstat said a government and I entrust the “Many aspects of the reform lim cleric accused of masterminding “You lock up whoever criticises,” by e-mail. “Others, like Demirtas, formation of a government to the package violate the constitution,” the 2016 coup attempt. CHP lawmaker Turan Aydogan told come out of political calculation, Knesset,” he wrote in a letter to Yeneroglu said in a message in re- Scores of journalists, intellectu- AKP and MHP deputies during the while others, like the Gulenists, are parliament sponse to questions. “It is highly als and academics have also been debate that lasted almost a week. seen as real threats to the regime.” The decision by the president, likely that the Constitutional Court sentenced under Turkey’s draco- “You forgive the mafia, you “I think, at a fundamental level, a figurehead position that over- will have to extend the scope of the nian anti-terror laws that enable forgive the gangs,” he said. But, it was simply easier for the govern- sees post-election coalition talks, package because of the principle of prosecutors to demand prison sen- Aydogan added, “you don’t for- ment to keep them all behind bars does not rule out a deal between non-discrimination.” tences for the expression of views give journalists that write the than try to distinguish between Netanyahu and Gantz. After the In its present form, the law even in cases when defendants are truth. You don’t forgive those them.” deadline passed, Netanyahu’s Li- kud and Gantz’s Blue and White said they would continue their negotiations. They have a final three-week deadline to wrap up After initial incidents, burial of pandemic a deal. Otherwise, the Knesset would dissolve and trigger anoth- er election. But Netanyahu appears to have victims taking place uneventfully gained some leverage. With Gantz no longer holding the presidential “mandate” to put together a coali- The Arab Weekly staff starting to take place peacefully and and make many arrests to disperse a lifting the stigma associated with the tion, Netanyahu could search for without delay, according to Muslim crowd that attempted on April 11 to disease, taking care of those afflicted other options. tradition, in many countries of the prevent the burial of a retired doctor with it and speedily burying its vic- A total of 59 lawmakers have Cairo/Tunis Middle East and North Africa. who died of COVID-19. tims and praying for them.” endorsed Netanyahu, leaving him Dhaker Lahidheb, an emergency Religious, labour and judicial bod- Egypt’s Grand Mufti Shawky Al- just shy of a majority in the 120- rom Iraq to Egypt to Tunisia, specialist at the Tunis military hos- ies in Egypt denounced the inci- lam issued an urgent statement seat parliament. While continuing incidents have erupted over pital, wrote on social media that dent that occurred in a village in the condemning the “mob methods of to speak to Gantz, he may also try the burial of coronavirus vic- those trying to prevent the burials Dakahlia province in the Nile Delta. objecting to the burial of the coro- to lure two lawmakers from his F tims, with some communi- “are more likely to be themselves a Following the incident, Egypt’s navirus martyrs, methods that have opposition in hopes of putting to- ties trying to block them from their source of spread of the virus than the prominent al-Azhar and Dar al-Ifta nothing to do with our religion, our gether a narrow government. cemeteries. dead.” institutions issued fatwas prohibit- values, or our morals.” The Knesset could hypotheti- Crowds, big and small, have tried “Any person who dies stops ing “abuse and bullying” of victims cally choose a third candidate as to halt burials over fears of contami- breathing and cannot therefore ex- of the virus. prime minister. But there do not nation or stigma of the disease in hale any virus,” he said. Al-Azhar emphasised people’s Fear of virus seem to be any viable alternatives parts of the region. Tunisian religious scholars issued “duty to honour human beings dur- contamination and that could muster the needed It was not until public health recommendations for religious rites ing their lives and after their death.” stigma often at play. support of 61 lawmakers. awareness campaigns were intro- that could be followed to bury dead Health officials and other com- A deal between Gantz and Net- duced and religious authorities in- virus patients but deferred to medi- mentators also condemned the in- Egypt’s Interior Ministry vowed anyahu would require major com- sisted on the burials that the tide cal authorities for safety issues. cident in Egypt. Medical experts that it would “resolutely and deci- promises by both men. The long- started to turn. Burial rituals are now Egyptian police had to fire tear gas assured the population that there sively deal with any attempts to stir serving Netanyahu, meanwhile, was no risk of contamination once riots, break the law, or obstruct the would likely be forced to step bodies of victims were buried after burial procedures of victims of the aside halfway through the term being subjected to strict preventive coronavirus infection.” and allow Gantz to serve as prime pre-burial procedures under the su- Besides the fear of infection, some minister in a rotating power-shar- pervision of medical teams. communities have resisted burials of ing deal. The bodies of those deceased from coronavirus victims because of the Netanyahu is awaiting trial on COVID-19 are carefully washed and social stigma attached to the virus, charges of bribery, breach of trust placed in a sealed body bag so as not which experts say has made medical and fraud. He has denied any to spread infection, Egyptian Health treatment a taxing process. wrongdoing and portrays himself Ministry spokesman Khaled Mega- “A coronavirus infection is not a as a victim of a media and judicial hed told the Saudi-owned Egyptian sin or a shame that the victim must witch hunt. broadcaster MBC Masr. hide from others to save face,” said Despite his calls for unity, Ne- To prevent any risks, no one is al- Egypt’s al-Azhar. tanyahu may actually be angling lowed to attend the washing rite of The institution also stressed the for another election to capitalise corpses except health workers, who religious “prohibition against hurt- on what has generally been re- wear protective gear and keep a one ing people infected by the corona- garded as his capable handling of metre distance from the body. virus, or harming them, even with the coronavirus crisis. Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh a glance, or showing contempt to- A poll published late Monday Ahmed el-Tayeb commented on the wards those who died as a result of on Channel 12 TV showed Net- incident on his Facebook page, say- i t .” anyahu’s Likud surging in sup- ing it was “a scene totally removed One body of Islamic religious port and easily securing him Contagious fear. A relative (bottom R) attends the burial of a from morality, humanity and reli- scholarship, referencing a hadith of re-election. pandemic victim at a cemetery for victims of coronavirus, on the gion … Our humanity requires all of the Prophet Mohammad, considers outskirt of Najaf, Iraq. (Reuters) us to adhere to human solidarity, by victims of epidemics to be “martyrs.” (With news agencies) April 19, 2020 5 Top news

Turkish involvement gives military Tunisia’s president disavows defence minister who called boost to GNA in Libya’s west GNA forces ‘militias’ Michel Cousins Lamine Ghanmi visory body to Tripoli’s govern- ment, said in a statement he has Tunis told Tunisian parliament speaker Tunis and president of Ennahda party abratha, some 80 kilometres Rached Ghannouchi that he was west of Tripoli and usually nisian President Kais “shocked” by Hazgui’s statement. famed worldwide for its ex- Saied felt it was neces- Both Mishri, who is a senior of- S tensive and magnificent Ro- sary to reassert Tunisia’s ficial at the Libyan affiliate of the man ruins, hit the headlines last T neutrality in the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood, and Tuni- week for very different reasons. conflict after the country’s min- sian Islamist leader Ghannouchi Almost a year after Sabratha and ister of defence described forces are said to share the view of Tur- the neighbouring town of Sorman loyal to the Islamist-backed gov- key’s President Recep Tayyip Er- switched sides in the country’s ernment of Prime Minister Fayez dogan as the protector of the Is- civil war and came out in support al-Sarraj as “militias.” lamists in the region. of Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar and During a phone call earlier last Erdogan does not conceal his the Libyan National Army (LNA), week, Saied told Sarraj that Tunis country’s military and diplomatic the two towns were re-captured in still considered the international- support to the GNA and Islamist a lightning offensive by fighters sup- ly recognised Tripoli government militias backing it in Libya in the porting the Government of National as “legitimate and legal” despite armed showdown against the Lib- Accord (GNA) headed by Fayez al- the remarks made by Tunisian yan National Army (LNA). Sarraj. Like dominoes, four other Many concerns. Libyan security forces man a checkpoint in the Defence Minister Imed Hazgui to (AFP) towns and a military camp between capital Tripoli. a local TV station. the capital and the Tunisian border His comments and their ripple Ghannouchi is trying to swiftly fell to the GNA. But the LNA ist forces from neighbouring Zawia observers across the country, is that effects in Tripoli and Tunis coin- defend Islamist interests remained in control of a couple of and from Benghazi. Once they had because of the turnaround, Sarraj is cided with fierce battles between in steering Tunisian small towns much further south been captured, fighters mainly from now completely in the hands of the rival forces in the Libyan conflict policy in Libya. as well as Al-Watiya airbase, some Zuwara, the Amazigh town close to Islamist militants and any pressure near the border with Tunisia. 40 kilometres from the Tunisian the Tunisian border, arrived at the on him to break with them or with A statement issued by the Tu- The comments by Ghannouchi frontier. other pro-LNA towns close to the Tu- the militias will be futile – at least nisian presidency April 15 quoted and Saied, who are competing It was much the same picture fur- nisian border – Al-Jmail, Rigdaleen, for the moment. Sarraj and his in- Saied as telling Sarraj that “Tuni- against one another for power at ther to the east, around Abu Grein, Zultan and Al-Assah – and forced out terior minister, Fathi Bashagha, had sia is committed as always to the home and diplomatic influence 100 kilometres south of Misrata. Re- the pro-LNA forces there. already been under growing interna- respect of legitimacy and the law abroad, also showed the extent to newed LNA efforts to take the stra- In Sorman, some 400 prisoners tional pressure to do so. as our basis,” in reference to the which the two were trying to set tegic town failed. For the first time managed to escape during the fight. Significantly, Sarraj’s position has UN recognition of the Govern- the course of Tunisian policies since April 2019 and the start of the Initially, it was said that they in- now significantly hardened. In an ment of National Accord (GNA) in especially regarding sensitive is- LNA’s offensive to take Tripoli, the cluded a large number of Islamists interview with Italian daily “La Re- Tripoli. sues. It showed also Ghannouchi GNA now controls the entire coastal who had been freed by the arriving pubblica,” published the day after The statement further quoted to be trying to defend Islamist in- road from Abu Grein to the Tunisian forces. It is now reported that the es- the capture of Sabratha and the oth- Saied as saying that “the solu- terests in steering such policies. border. caped prisoners included many con- er towns, he announced he would no tion in Libya can only be reached Saied has disavowed top aides This dramatic turnaround is at- victed criminals, including murder- longer negotiate with Haftar. by Libyans themselves” and that in the past. He sacked Tunisian tributed to Turkey’s military inter- ers and those who were on remand, But the pendulum may swing Libyans are alone entitled to de- Ambassador to the United Na- vention in Libya’s civil war in sup- and that they managed to escape fol- again. Following the loss of the west- ciding on their future “away from tions Moncef Baati in February port of the GNA and air superiority lowing a riot. ern coastal towns, the LNA intensi- foreign interventions.” after the envoy drafted a resolu- played a large part in it. fied its assault on Tripoli, unleashing Tunisian and Libyan Islam- tion critical of the US Middle East It is almost five months since the one of the heaviest bombardments ist leaders also held phone talks peace plan angering Washington. security deal between the two, and The control exerted by yet in its year-long battle to take the to discuss the “significance” of three months since Ankara dis- Islamic militants is a source city. Hazgui’s statements. Lamine Ghanmi is an patched the first Syrian mercenaries of concern for inhabitants, The novel coronavirus outbreak Khalid al-Mishri, the head of Arab Weekly correspondent to Libya. Until just a few weeks ago, diplomats. and how it will impact the fasting the Libyan State Council, an ad- in Tunis. the LNA had complete air control month of Ramadan, which is due over the skies above Tripoli, having Whatever the exact circumstances to begin April 24, are of greater con- shot down all the limited number of their escape, locals in Sorman and cern for exhausted Libyans than the of drones sent by Turkey. But they the neighbouring towns are report- recent military moves. Following a have been replaced in the dozens. edly more worried about the po- sudden spike in COVID-19 infections, This and the presence off the coast tential presence of murderers and the GNA announced April 15 that it of Turkish frigates armed with sur- criminals than anything else – other was extending the 3pm-7am curfew face-to-air missiles has meant that than coronavirus and the lockdown. to a 10-day 24-hour lockdown start- all-important air supremacy from Sabratha is now again in the hands ing April 17. That caused large num- south of Misrata to near the Tuni- of Islamists, some of whom are al- bers of people to rush out to stock up sian border largely passed from the leged to have links to ISIS. Back in on food supplies ahead of Ramadan. LNA to the GNA. LNA drones have February 2016, an ISIS training camp There was deep anger on the streets continued to operate but almost just outside the town was bombed at the GNA over the timing of the entirely in the Abu Grein area and by a US warplane despite earlier vig- lockdown restrictions. “What can I even there GNA heavy bombard- orous denials by authorities of any buy?” asked one resident. “I’ve had ment by Misratan units backed by ISIS presence there. no salary for two months.” Turkish drones forced the LNA onto The return of Islamist militants is Residents will still be able to go the defensive. In the GNA’s Sorman the subject of wariness in the town. out to buy food or medicine, but and Sabratha offensive on April 13, Foreign diplomats likewise express only on foot – which means that for drone attacks were followed by the deep concern. That concern, howev- those without stores in their imme- ground assault. er, does not appear to extend to Sar- diate vicinity, there will be no more The latter did not involve the Syr- raj, even though these are the same shopping until the lockdown ends. ian mercenaries. It was undertaken people whose expulsion from Sabra- by local Islamist militants who had tha in October 2017 he applauded. Michel Cousins is a frequent Neighbour to the south. A file picture shows Tunisian President been expelled in October 2017 from The predominant view, not just contributor to The Arab Weekly in Kais Saied meeting with Libyan tribes in a quest for a peaceful the two towns, supported by Islam- among diplomats but also Libyan Tunis settlement. (ANA) Saudi Arabia said to resume talks with Iran-backed Houthis as truce falters

The Arab Weekly staff Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s The ceasefire declaration, a day be- towards Marib city, the last strong- dence-building measures and a plan call for a truce. fore Yemen recorded its first infection hold of the Saudi-backed government to revive a political process.” The Saudi and Emirati-led coali- of the coronavirus, was in part aimed in central Yemen, local officials said. Riyadh has been holding back- London tion fighting to restore Yemen’s in- at helping curb a potential coronavirus The violence could complicate UN channel talks with the Houthis since ternationally recognised government outbreak in the war-wracked country. efforts to hold virtual talks to agree on late last year but little progress has audi Arabia is said to have announced the two-week ceasefire Aid groups say a coronavirus out- a mechanism for a permanent truce, been made on a truce that could help resumed indirect talks with beginning April 9, but the Iran-backed break could be catastrophic given a coordinated effort to combat the relaunch talks to end the conflict, Yemen’s Houthi movement to Houthis demanded more conces- Yemen’s shattered health-care system coronavirus and confidence-building largely seen as a proxy war between S cement a faltering ceasefire, sions. and widespread hunger and disease measures to restart stalled peace ne- Saudi Arabia and Iran. sources familiar with the discussions On April 16, Mohamed Abdel Salam, after five years of war in which more gotiations. One of the sources said there are dif- said, as the United Nations pushes for a spokesman for the Iran-backed Hou- than 100,000 have been killed. Houthi officials have dismissed the ferences within the movement, with a de-escalation to prepare for a coro- this, said the current UN proposal fails Saudi and Houthi officials recently coalition’s truce announcement as a some Houthi officials wanting to ac- navirus outbreak. to address the Houthis’ central de- communicated as Riyadh strives to ploy and said the group has submit- cept the truce and others insisting the The Iran-backed Houthis have mand to lift an air-and-sea blockade. reach an understanding on a binding ted a comprehensive proposal to the alliance should first end a sea and air yet to accept the nationwide truce The Houthis were accused of truce, two sources close to the discus- United Nations. blockade. The coalition says it aims to prompted by the pandemic and fight- breaching the terms of the truce an- sions said. “The prospect of the coronavirus prevent arms smuggling by patrolling ing between the Houthi rebels and nounced by the Saudi and Emirati-led “Saudi Arabia is very serious about spreading in Yemen offers a moment Yemen’s coast and controlling the air- forces loyal to the exiled government coalition 241 times in 48 hours, in- ending the war but it will depend on and indeed a humanitarian impera- space. has escalated. But UN Special Envoy cluding by firing heavy weaponry and how far they can go to appease the tive to revive a political process,” April “I believe there is genuine interest to Yemen Martin Griffiths said he ballistic missile attacks in the central Houthis and build some trust,” said Longley Alley, deputy programme di- on both sides to bring this conflict expected the two sides to formally governorates of Marib, al-Jawf and one of the sources. rector for MENA at International Crisis to an end, but they just don’t know agree on a ceasefire and economic and Nihm. The renewed push came after the Group said. how,” said Abdulghani Al-Iryani, sen- humanitarian measures in the “im- The area has been subject to fierce coalition conducted air strikes on “But a ceasefire agreement alone ior researcher at the Sana’a Centre for mediate future.” On April 17, the UN battles since the beginning of this Houthi-controlled towns and villages, may not be possible and certainly Strategic Studies. Security Council endorsed the coali- year, which have displaced almost despite the ceasefire, to halt Houthi will not be durable absent a package tion’s announced ceasefire and UN 40,000 people. advances in al-Jawf in the north and of economic and humanitarian confi- (With news agencies) 6 April 19, 2020 Opinion

Editorial Tough choices for decision makers

alancing public health require- ments with economic imperatives is pushing many countries to consider the gradual easing of lockdown measures while striving to contain the pandemic. The restrictive measures have Bnot been without results in terms of slowing the virus’s spread. But they have also brought to a halt vital economic sectors and disrupted activities that are crucial to the livelihoods of many. Lifting some of the restrictions and allowing the limited resumption of human activity is on the agenda of many governments across the globe, including the United States and Europe. The main idea is to ensure a gradual return to economic normalcy within a margin of risk that would be deemed acceptable by public health authorities. There are no guarantees the “re-opening” would not spin out of control; so some governments are looking for safeguards, including the mass use of testing kits, contact tracing technology and prescribed protective gear such as masks. In low- and- intermediate-income countries, including those of the Middle East and North © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly Africa, there are specific considerations at play. In the MENA region, COVID-19 has not, thus far, taken the toll it has in developed countries Collapse of the banking system such as Italy, Spain and the US. This makes it tempting to ease restrictive measures in the region. Governments are torn between the could mean the end of Lebanon pressure to ease restrictions that have had a disruptive impact on vulnerable groups of society and the risk that the region’s ill- Khairallah Khairallah equipped public health infrastructure may not Lebanon’s leadership has no understanding of the regional be able to cope with sudden soaring rates of infection. changes taking place, as was the case in the 1970s. As expected, views are divided. Yale schol- ars Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak and Zachary he Lebanese only one of the most dangerous years ing now indicates that no one has Barnett-Howell argue in Foreign Policy want to know one in the Middle East. Egyptian Presi- been able to learn from the mis- magazine that there is reason to think confine- thing: When will banks dent Gamal Abdel Nasser died that takes of the past. Worse, the presi- ment measures and lockdowns might not be release their hold on year, and Hafez Assad fomented a dent does not seem to realise that the best course of action in all countries. people’s deposits? coup against his Baathist comrades Lebanon is on its way out unless se- While defending such measures in the It’s not just a ques- as he prepared to become the rious thought is given to protecting developed world, the two scholars are more Ttion of freeing Lebanese and first Alevi to take over the Syrian all bank deposits — the small ones reserved about their broad and unrestricted Arab deposits, but also of playing presidency in February 1971. In before the big ones. Instead, all he enforcement in developing countries. They point out that since most low-income with the country’s fate. Of course 1970, Jordanian King Hussein man- seems interested in doing is pleas- countries have younger populations than everybody is now busy with the aged to preserve his throne and ing Hezbollah and going along with “wealthy low-fertility nations,” the two groups COVID-19 pandemic, but the Leba- expel Palestinian fighters from the the organisation’s crooked vision, of countries do not share similar risks and nese are also worried about the country. Miraculously, these fight- which does not value the protec- benefits from the strategies implemented so future of their country, not know- ers ended up in Lebanon at a time tion of Lebanon and the Lebanese far in the world since the coronavirus ing if it can survive if its banking when the country was, more than or the future of their children. It’s outbreak. system collapses. ever, in need of political leadership a matter of principle. How can we “To put it bluntly, imposing strict lockdowns It is no secret that Lebanon is a that could understand the develop- expect a factory owner to continue in poor countries – where people often depend bank. It is primarily thanks to this ments taking place in the region. creating jobs if they cannot access on daily hands-on labour to earn enough to role, in addition to its other roles The Lebanese leadership at their money? What will happen feed their families – could lead to a comparable since before independence in 1943, that time did not understand the to bank employees in the event of number of deaths from deprivation and that the country has remained significance of what had happened bankruptcy? preventable diseases,” they added. steadfast in spite of the ongoing in Jordan, nor understand why the Sadly, no one in Lebanon under- Concerns are sharply different among the war since 1975. What has enabled new-old Syrian regime was more stands the dimensions of the new poorest populations. “Food insecurity and Lebanon to survive is its banking than happy to take care of the reality at the regional level, nor the unemployment – not health and safety – are system and its continued efforts to transfer of Palestinian guerrillas consequences of blocking Lebanese now the top concerns of the extreme poor in protect a vibrant culture of life over to southern Lebanon, in accord- and Arab depositors from accessing rural areas,” they say, basing the observation the culture of death advocated by ance with one of the provisions their funds, nor the danger of dis- on research on the ground. Hezbollah, and before it by Chris- of the Cairo Agreement. In other tracting the Sunni prime minister Other experts worry that most of the MENA words, that agreement made the region and low- to-intermediate-income tian and Islamic militias and Pal- with settling scores with every nations elsewhere could be confronted with estinian factions. They all played Lebanese state give up a part of its success story. No sane person can the medium-term prospect of food shortages a role in the destruction of Beirut, territory so that it could be turned object to Prime Minister Hassan and the unavailability of medical supplies. which the Syrian regime was able into a base for launching attacks on Diab’s visit to Dr Salim el-Hoss, who World Bank Managing Director of to fully exploit for a long time. Israel. In due time, that territory formed more than one government Development Policy and Partnerships Mari Despite many trials and conceded to the Palestine Libera- during his time as prime minister. Elka Pangestu recently wrote that “the 20 tribulations over the past 45 years, tion Organisation (PLO) in the Ar- What is objectionable, though, developing countries with the highest number Lebanon has always kept the qoub region in southern Lebanon is using the visit to fire barbs at of COVID-19 cases derive 80 percent of critical foundations of life in the country. became known as “Fatah Land.” former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, COVID-19 products from just five economies.” Among these foundations are Bei- That stage of history laid the who made every effort to carry out But the first reflex of major producers was to rut’s port and airport. Beirut itself foundations for the big explosion the required reforms in the country close off borders and prevent exports until was vibrant with life, with all of its that was to come on April 13, 1975. and stop the pursuit of a suicidal they made sure the needs of their own people newspapers, magazines, cultural The country’s political leadership economic policy. were satisfied. Others, like Turkey, preferred life, cafes, hotels, restaurants and of the time still could not correctly Lebanon deserves better than to use the surplus to flex its soft power. nightclubs. It was a city that loved read the significance of the events this lousy era, and better than this As the crisis continues, there is likely to be a life and people loved to live in it. taking place in the country and government that has nothing better shortage of food supplies as well. “The poorest On the margins of the crisis the region. For example, they did to boast about than its resentment countries, which rely heavily on food imports, of Lebanon’s banking sector, not understand why former US for the successes achieved since would be hurt the most. Developing countries which is crucial to the country’s Secretary of State Henry Kissinger 1990, while it conveniently ignores on average derive 80 percent of their food imports from just three exporting countries. survival, there is one remark that chose in 1973 to land at Rayak Mili- every failure that has occurred in For fragile and conflict countries the propor- must be made. It concerns the tary Airport in the Bekaa instead the past thirty years, especially the tion is more than 90 percent, making them role of certain Christian groups in of Beirut’s international airport for resounding scandal of the mafia- even more vulnerable to policy changes by bringing the political situation in his meeting with the president of style takeover of the electricity sec- exporting nations,” warned Pangestu. Lebanon to where it is now, that the republic. Kissinger was on a tor by the Free Patriotic Movement As the fasting month of Ramadan starts next is to say, to having a “Hezbollah tour of the region at the time, and and its equally resounding failure to week, the Arab-Muslim world will find itself government” in place during this if he had chosen to avoid Beirut’s manage it properly. in an unprecedented and complex “Hezbollah era.” The original sin airport, it was because he knew it Lebanon is living in an era where predicament: In a time meant for communal of Lebanese Christians is not just had become unsafe. its leadership has no understand- gatherings, people will be requested to the acceptance by some of their It wasn’t only Beirut’s airport ing of the changes taking place in respect social distancing, instead. During a senior leaders, including former that had become unsafe. In the regional equations, as was the case season that is traditionally dedicated to President Camille Chamoun and 1970s, Lebanon’s political leader- in the 1970s. Yes, none of them religious worship, they will be asked to Sheikh Pierre Gemayel, of the ship was totally oblivious to what seem to appreciate the gravity of practise safety first. Cairo Agreement in 1969, but, to a was going on on the ground. There letting the banking system collapse. It’s a delicate balance and won’t be easy. greater degree, their acceptance of are countless examples of mistakes It’s nothing less than the end of Decision makers will have to banish partisan the election of Suleiman Franjieh made after 1970, and a good chunk Lebanon. and sectarian considerations and transpar- as president in 1970, less than a of them were made by Christian But, perhaps this is Hezbollah’s ently flesh out the arguments that justify the year after the Cairo Agreement. leaders. Muslim leaders have also goal after all. sacrifices to be made. This is not the time for No one doubts Franjieh’s made more than their fair share of old divisive politics. This is not the time for decisions without risks. patriotism and intimate sense of mistakes. Khairallah Khairallah is a Leba- Lebanese identity, but 1970 was Still, what Lebanon is experienc- nese writer. April 19, 2020 7 Opinion

Even a pandemic can’t stop the Published by Al Arab desperate flow of refugees to Europe Publishing House Rashmee Roshan Lall Publisher In the circumstances, an EU humanitarian package and Group Executive Editor might serve as a band aid but not much more. Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD n the weeks since the and renewed last November, sued before. It was on March But a second tangential point World Health Organisa- the Libyan coastguard is 1, before a single coronavirus may be harder to confront. Editor-in-Chief tion declared a pandemic, meant to stop migrant boats case was recorded in Hungary, With the pandemic triggering it’s become clear that heading for Europe and return that it suspended the right to the worst economic downturn Oussama Romdhani the outbreak of disease their passengers to Libya. But claim asylum in the country, since the 1930s’ Great Depres- can paralyse national the pandemic seems to have claiming there was a connec- sion, poor countries face the Ieconomies but not the flight thrown all of that into doubt. tion between the disease and prospect of debt crises and Managing Editor of desperate people across So what rights, if any, do illegal migration. political turmoil. This, in the Mediterranean to appar- refugees have during a once- Landlocked Hungary has the turn, could prompt massive Iman Zayat ent safety. How else to explain in-a-century pandemic? The luxury of self-isolation afford- outflows of migrants towards the fact that migrants are still first point to note is that refu- ed by its geography, but not the rich world, especially Eu- travelling from Libya towards gees and asylum-seekers are rope. As Kristalina Georgieva, island nations like Malta. On Copy Editors Europe? In the last week or so, recognised under international April 13, Malta’s foreign minis- managing director of the Inter- more than 500 migrants left law. Although unprecedented ter and home minister jointly national Monetary Fund, re- Sarah Ferguson Libya for Europe, according to times require unprecedented wrote to the European Union’s cently noted: “Trouble travels. Stephen Quillen the International Organisation measures, it’s reasonable to (EU) High Representative for It doesn’t stay in one place.” for Migration (IOM). On April say that migrants of all sorts Foreign Affairs and Security The implications are dire for 12, the Italian government had, should at least be entitled to Policy Josep Borrell to demand conflict-scarred countries like perforce, to quarantine a ship- just and humane treatment. “imminent and substantial” Libya. In the Maltese letter to Society and Travel load of migrants at sea. In this context, there is no humanitarian assistance for EU High Representative Bor- Sections Editor The good thing is it didn’t more shining example than Libya to deal with “the rapidly rell, the ministers described Samar Kadi try to send them back. The Portugal. Earlier this month, deteriorating migration situ- Libya as “a complex landscape way things are going right Portugal granted full citizen- ation in the Mediterranean plagued with difficulties across now, “no state wants to ship rights, through June 30, during this testing hour.” conflict, health, humanitarian Senior Correspondents rescue” migrants, according to all refugees, asylum-seekers Malta’s argument was stark. and migration dimensions, Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) to the German non-profit Sea and migrants with pending Unless the EU launches a all of which are snowballing Thomas Seibert (Istanbul) Watch. Libya, Italy and Malta applications for residency humanitarian mission for at this very moment.” The have all shut their borders cit- certificates. This will allow Libya with at least 100 million COVID-19 crisis, they added, is ing the pandemic. Last week, them to access healthcare, euros “today and not tomor- “leaving its mark in Libya and Regular Columnists Libya refused entry to about a government spokesperson row,” there may be little or is weakening an already fragile Rashmee Roshan Lall 280 returning migrants. The explained. The decision stands no “incentive” for migrants health system.” More than IOM initially said Libyan ports as one of the more heartwarm- to stay put in Libya rather 650,000 people wait to “leave Yavuz Baydar appeared to have closed alto- ing instances of pragmatic than making for European Libyan shores for Europe,” gether. But later, the UN Refu- humanism in the age of the soil. Accordingly, the Maltese they warned. gee Agency’s special envoy coronavirus. ministers wrote, the EU should In the circumstances, an EU Correspondents for the central Mediterranean Elsewhere, not so much. The “boost the empowerment of humanitarian package might Vincent Cochetel clarified that exceptional circumstances of the Libyan Coast Guard in serve as a band aid but not Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) “Libya’s Directorate for Com- a pandemic have justifiably enhancing the control of its much more. Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) bating Illegal Migration does prompted border closures and borders, as well as concretely Roua Khlifi (Tunis) not seem able or prepared to travel restrictions, but it’s all ensuring that Libya represents Rashmee Roshan Lall is take more detainees.” Under too clear that several countries a safe port for the disembarka- a columnist for The Arab the terms of a deal between are simply using the coronavi- tion of migrants.” Weekly. Her blog can be found Italy and Libya’s UN-backed rus outbreak to push the same The issue will be discussed at www.rashmee.com and she Chief Designer government, signed in 2017 restrictionist policies they pur- at an emergency EU meeting. is on Twitter: @rashmeerl. Marwen el-Hmedi

Designers Bridging US and Iranian interests in Iraq Ibrahim Ben Bechir Hanen Jebali Ibrahim Zobeidi He who expects the upcoming Iraqi elections to be fair, or even half fair, must be not only delusional, but also naive or willingly duped. Contact editor at: [email protected] he suggestion to ​​ fraudulent political process in American-Iranian loyalties not been witnessed in a long hold early elec- Iraq is highly implausible, at and temperament – the perfect time. Salih breathed a sigh tions in Iraq was least in the foreseeable future. candidate, temporarily at of relief. He is comforted by initially meant by We will have to wait for the least, for the task at hand. his not appearing to favour the ruling clique coronavirus pandemic to pass, Choosing Kadhimi was the Americans, the Iranians, as nothing more for oil prices to rise and for perhaps the lesser of all evils, or the protesters. In the end, Tthan a ploy to assuage the the fate of Trump in America as he’s the best of a bad lot, there were no winners or Al Arab Publishing House anger of demonstrators. But and the fate of Iranian the least hypocritical among losers, and that’s the best Quadrant Building it seems that early elections Supreme Leader Ayatollah the hypocrites and the least scenario for all. 177-179 Hammersmith Road ended up becoming a crucial Ali Khamenei in Iran to be corrupt among the corrupt. So you see, he who expects London W6 8BS and fateful necessity for both decided on. Only then can a Perhaps the person most the upcoming Iraqi elections US and Iranian camps in Iraq. new youth revolution that is happy with this great find is to be fair, or even half fair, Both sides have found them- more powerful, bolder, wiser President Barham Salih, whose must be both delusional and selves forced to coexist in the and experienced be born. rhetorical talents unfolded and naive, or at least willingly Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 country. Now everybody is It seems that the brilliant flowed during Kadhimi’s duped. We simply have to Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 just waiting to see what the idea to hold ​​early elections has appointment ceremony, wait, hear and see, keeping post-pandemic winds are go- ceded its place to the saga of a surreal in mind that the weapons ing to bring. choosing a new prime minister event that will guard the ballot Iran is waiting for the fall of who is supposed to provide the boxes are going to be for the US President Donald Trump some form of bridge between likes of most part Iranian, while the and the coming of Democratic America and Iran, and a which expected bags packed with presidential nominee Joe trustworthy soul for both of have dollars, dinars, riyals and US Publisher: Biden to help it rise from its them. dirhams are going to flow depression, while America is The rare gem should be able from America, the UK, The Arab Weekly USA LLC. waiting for the Iranian regime to assuage the angry, sullen, France, Qatar, Saudi [email protected] to fall in due time because of disgruntled and repressed Arabia and Turkey. The the sanctions, the coronavirus Iraqi masses by putting on a whole show is going [email protected] pandemic and the prospect of show in which he appears to to take place in plain Tel: 248-679-6624 a new Iranian Revolution. Just remove some of the militia daylight, without place your faith in God to do weapons that Iran does not fear or shame. his deeds. want anyway and liberate It is interesting As for us — simple Iraqis some areas of the homeland to say the least who are despised by both that America doesn’t need. that in this new camps — we too have been The chosen hero of this democratic waiting, since October of last comedy will also be making Iraq, anyone year, for the revolution of our some made-for -TV gestures who professes brave and honourable young and be taking some reform- to be a spy for Subscription & Advertising: patriots to turn the tables on like measures that would a foreign power [email protected] the two camps and return the ease the minds of most of the — or even a double Tel : (+44) 020 3667 7249 country to its rightful owners, protesters. agent — is no longer free of the weapons of the Neither Mohammed Allawi rejected, despised armed gangs, corrupt proxies nor Adnan al-Zurfi proved or condemned Mohamed Al Mufti and despicable traitors. to be the rare gem who for high treason. Marketing & Advertising Unfortunately, despite the could establish a safe bridge He can eventually Manager sacrifices by a large number of between the two camps. Then become prime our brave and young martyrs suddenly, all heads turned to No clear way out. Iraqi soldiers stand at a checkpoint minister. Direct: (+44) 20 8742 9262 at the hands of treacherous Mustafa Kadhimi, the head of in the Adhamiya district of Baghdad as Iraq imposes www.alarab.co.uk proxy agents, the likelihood the Iraqi intelligence services, a curfew during the coronavirus pandemic. Ibrahim Zobeidi is of totally uprooting the who is known for his dual (AFP) an Iraqi writer. 8 April 19, 2020 News & Views Coronavirus changes balance of power within Turkish government

Thomas Seibert “The work of 30 days fell victim to cola and bread,” Turkish media quoted Tevfik Ozlu, a member of a Istanbul scientific council advising the gov- ernment in the fight against the poorly executed curfew to pandemic, as saying. slow the spread of the cor- Soylu took full responsibility onavirus in Turkey’s big- and said he did not expect people Agest cities has shaken up to run out in such numbers. The the balance of power in the coun- two-day curfew was designed to try’s government. keep citizens in Istanbul and 30 Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu other population centres, home to has boosted his position as a po- a combined 64 million of Turkey’s tential successor to President Re- 80 million people, confined to their cep Tayyip Erdogan even though apartments during April 11 and 12, a he botched the two-day lockdown sunny and warm spring weekend. beginning on April 10 and said he The opposition harshly criticised would step down, analysts say. Er- the government for the poorly co- dogan rejected Soylu’s resignation ordinated announcement. “City ad- from his post. ministrations were not informed, “Soylu has got even stronger the Health Ministry was not in- both in the cabinet and the AKP,” formed,” said Meral Aksener, leader Erdogan’s ruling party, journalist of the opposition IYI Party. “No Murat Yetkin wrote on his political science, no sense, no plan, no pro- blog, YetkinReport. gramme.” Erdogan’s government says it has Soylu put Erdogan on the taken decisive measures against the pandemic since the first case defensive with his of a coronavirus infection was de- resignation because the tected in the country a month ago. president is used to firing Schools, universities, restaurants ministers, wrote journalist and many companies have closed, Taking the initiative. A file picture of Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu as he speaks during (Reuters) Ozlem Akarsu Celik. communal prayers in the more a news conference in Istanbul. than 80,000 mosques in Turkey The minister handed in his resig- have been banned, but critics say ing switched from the centre-right At first glance, Soylu’s resigna- and occasionally be replaced when nation after hundreds of thousands the decision by the government to Democrat Party. Since then, he has tion statement appeared like the it is necessary to send a message of Turks stormed out of their apart- avoid blanket curfews for fear of risen to be a potential successor to decision of a politician taking re- that problems never arise because ments to buy supplies late on April increasing damage to the economy Erdogan and a rival of the presi- sponsibility for a mistake, journal- of the President,” she added. 10 following an Interior Ministry has weakened the country’s fight dent’s son-in-law, Finance Minister ist Nevsin Mengu said. But Soylu’s popularity in the announcement that gave citizens against the pandemic. Berat Albayrak. “In a one-man political system, AKP and in nationalist circles out- only a two-hour warning before the Erdogan himself came out swing- Having earned the reputation of however, taking sole responsibility side the ruling party means that he start of the curfew. Video posted ing in a television speech on April being a strong leader and hard-line for such a big decision implies that is the only member of Erdogan’s on social media showed tightly 13, blasting his critics in the media nationalist, Soylu is popular in the the person taking the decision feels cabinet who can claim a substan- packed crowds of shoppers in front and the opposition as “more dan- AKP and in the Nationalist Move- emboldened enough to surpass the tial power base of his own. By con- of stores and bakeries. Social dis- gerous than the virus.” He also said ment Party (MHP), Erdogan’s right- authoritarian at the top. This simply trast, Albayrak’s status is rooted in tancing rules and anti-coronavirus Turkey’s biggest cities would see wing ally in parliament. could not fit into Erdogan’s strong- his close family ties to the presi- measures like face masks were another two-day curfew starting on Following the announcement of man profile as the alpha and omega dent. mostly ignored. April 17. There was no repetition of his resignation late on August 12, of every big decision,” Mengu wrote “Erdogan for now has shown that Experts say the incident set back the chaotic scenes of the week be- there was an outpouring of support in an analysis for the Duvar English he will try to keep the balance and efforts by Turkish authorities to fore when the new lockdown took for him on social media. Hours later website. maintain some sort of peace within fight the spread of the virus that effect. Erdogan’s office said the president “In the realm of Erdoganism, the the system,” Mengu wrote. “How- has killed almost 1,800 and infected Soylu, 50, was appointed inte- had rejected the minister’s resigna- only decision maker is Erdogan, ever, it will be impossible to hide over 78,000 in Turkey, according to rior minister in August 2016. He tion and told him to carry on in his while all of the ministers are there the symptoms of this internal pow- official figures published on April 17. joined Erdogan’s AKP in 2012, hav- job. only to implement what he says er struggle from now on.”

Viewpoint Global health crisis exposes failure of regional organisations and the Arab League is no exception

the ship and placing it on the right Organisations belonging to the put to the test. Having lost its lustre usual denunciations and angry din course by mapping out a new set of United Nations, whether related years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic in times of crises, the organisation Mohamed innovative goals that will get them to the economy, politics, defence, has further exposed its weaknesses. would effectively be dead. Abulfadl through the still-unknown fallouts security, health or humanitarian The League has failed to solve any The League needs to understand of the crisis. But this is where the concerns throughout the region, will of the region’s major crises, resolve that being silent on certain issues heart of the problem lies: There will be especially affected by the trans- any bilateral tensions among its is not a virtue. Silence can destroy he global coronavirus be a need to make adjustments to formational changes. members or even establish a consen- the organisation’s symbolic value crisis has brought with their founding protocols. The Arab League, as well, will be sus on a central issue. If not for its and hasten the end of its remaining it clear signs that in the functions. The world is witnessing post-pandemic world, major upheavals that require entities certain political walls will to deal with unpredictable situations. fall and others will rise. But what to do with a League that has TThe new scene will likely require been clinically dead since it fell into a us to reassess the roles of many vicious cycle of repeated failures? regional organisations and whether The Arab League is not alone in they are adequately achieving the failing to address the region’s issues. goals they are intended to. It is joined by the African Union and Most regional bodies dedicated to many other fragile regional entities improving economic cooperation, that have also wavered in times of security coordination or political crisis and upheaval. If the largest and understanding, whatever their past strongest organisations of the globe success, have been unable to deal cannot pass the test, it is natural that with the negative repercussions of the weak ones fail, too. It is time to COVID-19. reconsider the usefulness of keeping As the health crisis continues, inefficient regional bodies alive. some regional organisations might We should expect that some be able to adapt to the new reality organisations will evolve while oth- and its varied requirements. Their ers will disappear from the regional skippers might succeed in steadying map. Perhaps this pandemic will turn out to be the opportune moment to finally get rid of the failing bodies, or at least force them to rediscover their Some entities were original roles. This pandemic, then, surviving because may end up eliminating entities that were surviving because they were they were being being kept alive artificially, with no kept alive convincing results. artificially, with no Beyond meetings. Arab Foreign Ministers’ annual meeting at the Arab League headquarters, last March. Mohamed Abulfadl is an Egyptian convincing results. (DPA) writer. April 19, 2020 9 Viewpoint East West

US-Iran showdown looms large in Iraq

Sabahat Khan strike on Soleimani. US officials have worked to over- come key differences with Iraqi Dubai leaders after coming closer than ever to a direct military confronta- merican officials have tion with Iran, which would have confirmed that addi- engulfed Iraq’s biggest cities. The tional deployments of air US recently handed back control of defence systems to pro- four Iraqi bases to Baghdad, includ- Recognition. Medical staff members of France’s Compiegne hospital pay tribute to the memory of African doctor A tect key American military bases ing al-Qaim Airbase, Qayyarah Air- Jean-Jacques Razafindranazy, the first medical professional to die from coronavirus in France, last March. (AFP) in Iraq are now operational. The field, K1 Airbase and Al Taqaddum moves come as tensions between Airbase. the US and regional rival Iran spike The Pentagon has worked to con- again following a growing spate of solidate a reduced American troop Arab, African doctors rocket attacks in Iraq over the past presence in the country around two months. larger military bases that can be According to reports, Patriot better protected from air attacks missile launchers and other short- with Patriots and other defence saving French lives range systems have been posi- systems for short-range threats tioned at the Al-Asad Airbase as known as C-RAM. well as rocket defence systems at Patriot systems, which include For example, one can look at the health-care system going. Camp Taji near Erbil in the Kurdish radar to track threats, launchers statistics regarding the number of Admittedly, a recent 2019 law north. to intercept them, command and doctors and caregivers holding non- provided that foreign doctors, Al-Asad Airbase was the target control stations and relevant pow- Majed Nehmé French or non-European degrees. pharmacists, dentists and midwives of Iran’s retaliatory ballistic mis- er systems, provide ground-based One can also check membership data could legally practise under certain sile strikes in January after an air defence against threats such as published by ethnic professional as- conditions. Today, a petition has been American drone killed Iran’s most cruise and ballistic missiles, air- uring his visit in early sociations grouping doctors according launched demanding the automatic important military official, Major- craft and large drones. Smaller, April to the Mediterranee to their nationality of origin (Algeria, regularisation of the administrative General Qassem Soleimani, and the short-range threats such as rockets, Infection Foundation Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, status of the health professionals of leader of an allied Iraqi militia, Abu heavy artillery and mortar are de- at La Timone Hospital, Senegal, etc.). foreign origin who are at the frontlines Mahdi al-Muhandis. Camp Taji has fended against using C-RAM. a celebrated medical Associations of medical profes- in the battle against COVID-19. So far, served over the years as one of the There are around 6,000 American institution in Marseille sionals of Algerian origin are the most however, nothing has been done. most important and heavily forti- troops in Iraq, down from closer to Dheaded by famous microbiologist numerous in France. They claim more During the period of general fied American military bases in the 8,000 a few months ago, but also Didier Raoult, President Emmanuel than 15, 000 practitioners, against confinement, one TV station had the region. thousands of full-time civilian per- Macron was surprised to discover an 10,000 practitioners belonging to brilliant idea of r​​ ebroadcasting “Hip- Thousands of American troops sonnel and contractors supporting army of young researchers from the Moroccan associations and as many pocrates,” a 2014 film dramatising the stationed in Iraq have faced a con- US military operations in the wider Arab world and Africa working with as 7,000 to 10,000 practitioners from problems of a French hospital and tinuous threat from rocket and ar- area. Key bases and installations the iconoclastic professor. Tunisia. casting an intelligent and moving light tillery attacks by what the US con- housing US forces and personnel, To the dozens of virology and The Franco-Lebanese Medical on the precarious status of foreign siders Iran-sponsored militias. Iran including in Camp Taji, Baghdad’s epidemiology researchers he encoun- Association (AMFL) claims nearly doctors, victims of an arbitrary and and its allies in Iraq are said to have Green Zone and other sensitive lo- tered, the French head of state, ac- 2,000 members, even though it is far unfair administrative system. stepped up efforts to squeeze the cations such as oil-related facilities companied by Raoult, now the punch- from representing the whole of the Will the thousands of foreign doc- American military presence in Iraq with American or foreign workers, ing bag of medical conservatives and Lebanese medical community based tors in France, whose overwhelming with the ultimate goal of forcing a have faced repeated rocket attacks. the Parisian medical establishment, in France, which is estimated at about majority comes from the Arab-African complete withdrawal. asked them one by one where they 7,000 doctors. Moreover, there are world, and whom the Order of Kata’ib Hezbollah, which was led were from. “Burkina Faso, Senegal, 7,000 Syrian medical doctors living in Physicians calls PADHUE (practition- by Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, is one Patriot missile launchers Tunisia, Mali, Morocco, Algeria, Leba- France. ers with diplomas from outside the of Iraq’s most powerful militias and other short-range non,” the answers came, confirming The French health-care system European Union), finally see the end and is blamed for a number of the systems have been a reality depicted by the professor in is increasingly benefiting from the of their administrative ordeal and recent low-level rocket attacks. positioned at the Al-Asad one of his video clips where he praised massive influx of sub-Saharan African their status as fully-fledged physicians Despite the imminence of the Airbase as well as rocket the seriousness, talent and dedication health professionals coming especial- recognised? These unknown soldiers threat and Washington’s fears of defence systems at Camp of the Arab and African researchers he ly from Senegal, Mali, Benin, Burkina in the fight against the pandemic most a larger strike directed by Tehran, Taji near Erbil in the was working with. Faso, Congo and all French-speaking certainly deserve it. the US has been able to position Kurdish north. “Thank you for participating in countries. Despite their “precarious status” air defence reinforcements only the collective effort,” said the French The official figures, even if they and “low salaries,” these soldiers gradually as it contended in recent American military leaders be- president. are far from reflecting the reality on continue to stand “on the front line” weeks with the political fallout lieve Iran stood down its missiles The COVID-19 pandemic in France the ground, are no less instructive. of the fight against the COVID-19 pan- from its strikes on January 2 that after realising a direct military con- has shed an unexpected light on the According to the website ProfilMe- demic alongside all their colleagues, killed Soleimani and al-Muhandis. frontation could be averted follow- crucial role medical doctors, caregiv- decin, which specialises in recruiting as underlined by an open letter Widespread protests in Iraq had ing Soleimani’s killing, but Tehran ers and researchers from the Arab doctors and health workers, “one in addressed to French Prime Minister surfaced calling for the expulsion has since intensified efforts to har- world and sub-Saharan Africa are every four doctors registered with the Edouard Philippe made public on of US forces, and mainstream Iraqi ass or attack via proxies, which al- playing in the French health-care French Order of Physicians was born April 5. politicians pushed Washington and lows some degree of deniability. system. abroad” (https://www.profilmedecin. The letter, co-signed by 13 promi- Tehran to de-escalate to ensure In recent days, fast boats oper- As their role gains recognition, it has fr/contenu/le-veritable-poids-des- nent French doctors, including three their country did not become a bat- ated by the Islamic Revolutionary shattered the claims of xenophobes of medecins-etrangers-exercant-en- of Algerian origin — Amine Beny- tleground between the two rivals. Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) were all stripes who peddle the myth of the france/). This is likely to be a conserv- amina, Sadek Beloucif and Madjid Iraq is attempting to end months able to come within metres of US “invasion” of France by migrants and ative estimate since a sizeable chunk Si Hocine — calls for doctors holding of political paralysis triggered by warships near the Strait of Hor- foreigners. of foreign doctors in France are not foreign diplomas to be integrated into youth-led protests against corrup- muz. Incidents like this, which can The first doctor to fall in the battle registered with the Order, for reasons the French health-care system. These tion and foreign interference, in lead to miscalculation and rapid es- against the virus in France was Afri- pertaining to the equivalency of their caregivers, they argued, are among which Iran was singled out, that calation, had become less frequent can: Dr Jean-Jacques Razafindranazy diplomas or regularity of their work those who “selflessly engage in the were exacerbated by the unprec- with the adoption of the Iran nu- from Madagascar. At the age of 67, and residency status. most exposed positions, emergen- edented US-Iran face-off. Iraq is po- clear deal in 2015, but now appear Razafindranazy did not hesitate to As such, and even though they cies and intensive care services,” litically divided on its ties with both to be restarting. come out of retirement to volunteer would be doing the same work as thus making possible the continuous the US and Iran as well as the role of US President Donald Trump re- his services when the COVID-19 pan- their French counterparts, they are “functioning of hospitals in the mid- both countries in the years ahead. cently wrote on Twitter that “Iran demic started to ravage the Depart- overworked and underpaid, with no dle of the storm and are saving lives in Mustafa Kadhimi, Iraq’s intel- will pay a very heavy price, in- ment of Oise in the Paris region at the job guarantees. difficult material conditions, but also ligence chief, is the third person deed!” after new intelligence sur- end of February. His death moved all This is seen by professionals as an at the peril of their own lives.” to be named prime minister-des- faced suggesting Tehran could be of France. unjustifiable form of exploitation, The flip side of France’s success ignate in 10 weeks, as the country planning larger strikes on American Since then, the number of doctors all the more cruel since France is in story in bringing in foreign medical remains in political deadlock and targets in Iraq. Although a direct and caregivers infected with the virus dire need of doctors (the deficit was professionals is distressing. is run by a caretaker government. confrontation appears unlikely, the has skyrocketed. In the Paris region estimated at 20,000 in 2018). It is the countries south of the An earlier frontrunner for PM, Ad- US-Iran standoff remains volatile alone, no less than 1,200 medical The complexity of the French Mediterranean that are paying the nan al-Zurfi, was forced to drop out and the White House is soon ex- professionals practising in public hos- legislation on the subject explains this heaviest price. This is the case, for after intense opposition from Iran- pected to veto a bipartisan congres- pitals were infected from the start of glaring injustice. The French public is instance, of Tunisia which, day after aligned groups that charged him sional effort to curtail Trump’s abil- the pandemic until the end of March. largely unaware of the situation with day since 2011, has been unable to with being an “American agent.” ity to authorise military operations Among them were a high number of foreign doctors. reverse the mass exodus of its doc- The American military’s long- against Iran. doctors, nurses and paramedics from With the rapid and massive trans- tors, whose training is funded by the term presence in Iraq has sparked US-Iran tensions were reignited the Maghreb, the Middle East and sub- formation of the French medical Tunisian taxpayers but are often too political controversy since the after Trump withdrew from the Saharan Africa. landscape, these anomalies have exasperated by inadequate working American-led invasion toppled Iran nuclear deal, also known as Ethnic classification is illegal in become an underlying factor in the conditions to continue pursuing their Saddam Hussein, although in re- the Joint Comprehensive Plan of France, but to get an idea of the in- untenable deficit of health profession- careers at home. cent years its focus has changed Action (JCPOA), in 2018 and then creasing weight of Arab-African health als in France. Tunisia and many other countries to defeating ISIS and training Iraqi re-imposed crippling economic professionals in France, it is necessary The National Council of the Order of North Africa and the Middle East armed forces. sanctions against Iran. The game- to make approximate cross-checks. of Physicians (CNOM), the real gate- are finding themselves deprived of COVID-19 has impacted the ac- changer to America’s “maximum keeper of the established medical the services of their highly competent tivities and engagement of US pressure” campaign against Iran profession, and which has so far de- doctors and other medical profession- forces in Iraq, particularly with its came in January after strikes on fended tooth and nail the corporate als during an unprecedented health training mission, but the past few the convoy of Soleimani at Bagh- Their role in interests of the profession by limiting crisis that is sorely testing their medi- months have also seen a gradual dad airport. pandemic could be the number of people admitted to cal systems. drawdown. High-tempo opera- earning them compete or to practise medicine, tions against ISIS drew to a close Sabahat Khan writes on strategic is forced to no longer oppose the Majed Nehmé is a Syrian journalist last year but a reconfiguration of issues related to the Gulf and recognition they registration of foreign doctors whose based in Paris. He is a frequent the US presence has been triggered has a background in defence and deserve. role is vital to keeping the French contributor to The Arab Weekly. by shifting developments after the strategy consulting. 10 April 19, 2020 Economy

Viewpoint Rating agencies take closer look at Saudi banks

Saudi Investment Bank and Alinma Bank. The rating agency put the A- long-term IDRs of NCB, SABB, Al Jareer Elass Rajhi and Samba on RNW, as well as the F-1 short-term IDRs of NCB, Al Rajhi and Samba. he recent collapse in Fitch stated that the RWNs on crude prices driven by the ten Saudi banks’ VRs “reflected a sharp coronavirus- heightened risks of unexpected led drop in global oil severe and prolonged deteriora- demand has prompted tion in the domestic operating major credit rating environment for Saudi banks…” Tagencies to take a closer look at The agency expressed concern Saudi Arabia’s banks. that “Saudi banks are exposed to That renewed attention may tightening liquidity if the govern- have been an added incentive for ment withdraws deposits from the the kingdom to offer up a $32 bil- banking system to fund the fiscal lion stimulus package last month deficit.” aimed, in part, at helping Saudi The agency said it would resolve banks maintain smooth opera- the Saudi banks’ RWN status tions during a period of enhanced within the next six months. In Sep- economic turbulence. Riyadh is tember, Fitch downgraded Saudi hoping that the groundbreaking Arabia’s sovereign rating to A from agreement reached between OPEC A+ following the missile and drone and independent producers to attacks on Saudi state energy giant withdraw as much as 15 million Saudi Aramco that temporarily barrels a day from the oil market halved the company’s oil will prompt an oil price recovery, production. but that process will be slow going The agency subsequently and the output reductions may not downgradedthe support ratings of Trying to restart. Workers at Egypt’s agriculture and fruit exporting company, Gamco, prepare be enough to accommodate for the a number of Saudi banks, saying: oranges for export at a factory in Alexandria, April 15. (AP) slackened demand. “The actions reflect the agency’s Credit rating agencies are warn- views that Saudi banks’ support ing that the economic fallout from ratings and support rating floors the coronavirus pandemic and are sensitive to changes in Saudi depressed oil prices will severely Arabia’s sovereign rating.” Decision to reopen hamper the operating environ- The Saudi government had ments of Gulf Cooperation Council initially forecast the state budget (GCC) banks, most likely leading to deficit to widen to around $50 bil- rating downgrades. According to lion in 2020, or 6.5% of GDP, but on economy sparks fears Mohamed Damak, research direc- March 20 Saudi Finance Minister tor at credit rating agency Standard Mohammed al-Jadaan said: “I & Poor’s: “The knock-on effects don’t expect the deficit by the end of lower economic growth and oil of 2020 to exceed 7% to 9%, and of wider contagion in Egypt prices will further slow lending this is our target.” Some industry growth and increase the overall estimates suggest that if interna- stock of problem assets at GCC tional oil prices average only $30 a Amr Emam suspend production. Egypt has reported more than banks.” barrel this year, that deficit could Egypt depleted $5.4 billion in one 2,500 COVID-19 infections and 183 Given that Saudi Arabia is the expand to approximately $170 bil- month, which reduced foreign cur- deaths so far. The number of daily GCC’s largest economy, credit rat- lion, or 22.1% of GDP. Cairo rency reserves at the Central Bank infections keeps rising, reaching ing agencies are reassessing the The Saudi government intro- to $40.1 billion at the end of March 160 on April 14, the highest since the kingdom’s bank ratings as Riyadh duced two economic stimulus gypt’s decision to make its from $45.5 billion at the end of virus first hit. begins making budget cuts and packages worth $32 billion in factories and production February. Heath authorities test thousands upping domestic and foreign bor- response to the kingdom’s finan- facilities fully operational “No country, anywhere, can of people, encourage social dis- rowing to meet what is likely to be cial downturn. As much as $11.5 E has sparked fears of a COV- tolerate an extended suspension tancing and work hard to treat pa- an even higher than anticipated billion of that stimulus funding ID-19 outbreak in the populous of production,” said independent tients and reduce fatalities. budget deficit this year. is directed at Saudi banks and country. economist Fakhri al-Fiqi. “Egypt “Fears from a rise in the num- financial institutions for de- Egyptian President Abdel Fat- suffers huge financial pressures, ber of infections are credible,” said ferred payments from small and tah al-Sisi encouraged the nation’s especially in the light of the paraly- leading immunologist Abdel Hadi Fitch Ratings said it medium-sized Saudi businesses factories to resume normal activ- sis of the main sources of income, Mesbah. “Like any country, Egypt for six months and to support ity due to fears that a prolonged such as the tourism sector and the cannot tolerate the ramifications of would resolve the those banks and institutions in suspension of economic activities Suez Canal.” an outbreak.” Saudi banks’ RWN maintaining their operations and would exacerbate the country’s Egyptian Prime Minister Musta- Nevertheless, the disruption of status within the next helping foster the Gulf country’s economic woes. fa Madbouly reiterated the same international supply chains gives economic growth. “The damage from the suspen- message during a visit to an auto Egypt a better chance to send prod- six months. Saudi Arabia also announced it sion of the international economy factory on the outskirts of the ucts to new markets, drawing in was cutting approximately $13 bil- can be far more dangerous than the Egyptian capital Cairo April 14. needed foreign currency and stim- Fitch Ratings, one of the top lion in government spending this damage from infection,” Sisi said ulating local industries and pro- three global credit rating agencies, year. Jadaan said that Riyadh has a on April 7. “Some countries talk duction lines. has placed the viability rating (VR) contingency plan and the flexibility about striking a balance between Egypt depleted $5.4 The need to rescue the national of ten top Saudi banks on Rating of spending cuts, borrowing and fighting the disease and keeping billion in one month, economy and drive growth is a big Watch Negative (RWN). The agency tapping into financial reserves to the economy going.” which reduced foreign priority for the country, which is made the move after oil prices intervene should the kingdom’s Sisi gave the go ahead for produc- currency reserves at the expecting an economic slowdown fell sharply in mid-March and the economic conditions require. tion facilities to resume operations Central Bank to $40.1 in the coming months and years. Saudi government implemented The Saudi finance minister stat- as the country burned through its billion at the end of On April 14, Planning Minis- interest rate cuts in line with the ed that King Salman bin Abdulaziz financial reserves in efforts to curb March from $45.5 billion ter Hala al-Saeed said the growth US Federal Reserve’s emergency Al Saud approved raising the the spread of COVID-19 and meet at the end of February. of the economy in the fiscal year rate cut in early March. Fitch also kingdom’s debt ceiling to 50% of the needs of its population. 2020/2021, which begins in July, placed four of those Saudi banks’ GDP from 30% but that the govern- Egypt reacted to the emergence State institutions, he said, have would depend on how long the Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) on ment didn’t expect its borrowing to of COVID-19 cases as of the end of to work with full force while mak- COVID-19 crisis lasts. RWN. surpass $27 billion in 2020. February by closing down schools, ing every effort to protect workers. Sisi’s administration, meanwhile, Fitch Ratings’ VR is the agency’s Despite the gloomy bank fore- shuttering mosques and churches, “The growth of the economy seems to be under pressure from perception of the intrinsic credit- cast, the rating agencies appear suspending universities, ordering must keep going,” Madbouly said. the business community to refrain worthiness of a bank, representing more bullish on other aspects of the closure of tens of thousands of “We have to ensure the continu- from enacting severe restrictions, the bank’s capacity to maintain on- the kingdom’s fiscal capabilities. non-essential outlets and restrict- ity and the sustainability of this such as a full lockdown. going operations and avoid failure. Fitch set the kingdom’s long-term ing restaurants’ work to delivery growth.” Some employers have laid off The RWN indicates a heightened credit rating at A with a stable services. Sisi asked army factories that workers and others have threat- probability for a potential down- outlook, citing Riyadh’s financial Egypt imposed a nationwide produce face masks to distribute ened to suspend employers’ sala- grade in ratings. Fitch uses the IDR strength buffered by high foreign night-time curfew to try and en- the masks to workers and mem- ries if authorities decide to shut as a measure of the bank’s credit reserves and low public debt ratio. courage the public to practise so- bers of the public for free. down the country. risk. Moody’s updated its credit rating cial distancing measures. The gov- On April 9, he yelled at engi- Sisi appealed to the private sec- The ten Saudi banks facing for the kingdom at A1 with a stable ernment also asked almost half of neers supervising the construction tor on April 7 not to sack labourers. potential VR downgrades by Fitch outlook, citing the Gulf country’s the nation’s more than 5 million of a bypass in eastern Cairo for al- The private sector employs over are: National Commercial Bank strength as a low-cost oil producer civil servants to stay at home, es- lowing workers to work without 80% of Egypt’s workforce of 29 (NCB), Saudi British Bank (SABB), with significant reserves. pecially women. face masks. million. Samba Financial Group, Al Rajhi But the measures are proving However, specialists warn that “I only ask you to keep your la- Banking & Investment Corporation, Jareer Elass reports from very costly for the country’s strug- allowing the nation’s production bour, for God’s sake and for the Arab National Bank, Bank AlJazira, Washington on energy issues gling economy, raising questions facilities to resume normal opera- sake of your country,” Sisi said, ad- Banque Saudi Fransi, Riyad Bank, for The Arab Weekly. about whether Egypt can afford to tions is risky. dressing the private sector. April 19, 2020 11 Society Iraq’s informal labour hardest hit by coronavirus lockdown

Oumayma Omar to impose a curfew did not take into consideration the fallout on poor families who have no steady in- Baghdad come,” he added. Before the coronavirus crisis, bou Alaa’, a taxi driver, Alaa’ used to make $25-$35 a day, pointed at his car parked barely enough to feed his large fam- outside his modest home in ily and pay the rent. A a poor Baghdad neighbour- In a square in Baghdad’s al-Ghaz- hood and sighed: “It has been sitting aliya neighbourhood, a group of there for weeks. I cannot operate it informal labourers waited for some- under the lockdown.” one to hire them — to no avail. Since Iraq imposed a nationwide “For the past 10 days we’ve been lockdown on March 15 to contain the standing here hoping to grab some (AFP) spread of the coronavirus, a large kind of work. We depend on daily Unusual times. A cook prepares food for a family under lockdown in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. number of informal workers, like wages to make a living, but nothing Alaa’, have been deprived of their has come up since the beginning of what I got from contributing in the shrines, depend largely on religious The COVID-19 pandemic has ex- only source of income. the pandemic,” said Maher Ahmad, liberation from ISIS. No compensa- tourism that has come to a halt. acerbated Iraq’s economic crisis, but 25, a construction worker. tion or recognition from the govern- Abdul Zahra al-Hindawi, spokes- Yasser Ghanem, a barber who was Pointing to a pamphlet calling on ment. And here I am struggling to person of the Iraqi Ministry of Plan- forced to close his shop, found a way Iraq has a large Iraqi citizens to respect safety meas- make a living and I have no money ning, said the government has de- around the lockdown to sustain his population of informal ures related to the virus, Ahmad to protect myself from the virus.” vised “emergency plans” to assist income. workers who are the said: “We cannot feel safe and se- Iraq has a large population of in- the most disadvantaged families. “My situation is better than many least likely to receive aid cure when we are unable to provide formal workers who are the least “While public health remains the people because I can deliver my ser- or healthcare from the for the basic needs of our families. likely to receive aid or healthcare government’s top priority, funds vices to clients at home. They book government or heed calls We are trapped. It is very scary as we from the government or heed calls were allocated to procure additional appointments and accordingly I plan to stay home. do not know when this nightmare to stay at home. food parcels for those who hold food my daily rounds,” Ghanem said. will be over.” The country’s systemic weak- ration cards,” Hindawi said. Tapping on a small hand wallet, “I did not expect this crisis to last “While circumstances are turn- nesses resulting from decades of “The virus crisis erupted so sud- he said: “I have everything I need that long. All my small savings are ing against us, the government is conflicts, sanctions and misman- denly, but the government is keen in here. In that way I am able to gone and it has become very hard impotent and incapable of finding agement place it in an unfavour- on containing the consequences on provide for the needs of my family to bring food to the table, especially solutions to help us survive,” said able economic position to fight the most needy population for the and help as much as possible needy with the extension of the curfew,” another informal worker who pre- COVID-19. sake of public safety,” he added. friends and relatives.” said Alaa’, 55, a father of seven. ferred not to be identified. The government, which is largely The Iraqi government has extend- “On top of procuring daily needs, Removing a veil that covered his reliant on oil revenues, fears its ed the lockdown until April 19 to Oumayma Omar, based in the biggest worry is to secure the face to show traces of burns he sus- budget will be eroded by falling contain the virus, which, according Baghdad, is a contributor to the rent of the house in which we are tained while fighting against the Is- oil prices. Moreover, the southern to official counts, has infected 1,434 Culture and Society sections of living. The government’s decision lamic State jihadists, he said: “That’s regions, home for the holiest Shia people and claimed 80 lives so far. The Arab Weekly. Alarm mounts about violence against women in conditions of confinement

Radhia Guizani confined in their homes with their The organisation said it expect- abusers, under constant fear of be- ed women to be exposed to more ing infected if they leave the house acts of physical, moral and sexual Tunis or being beaten or insulted if they abuse, noting that shelter-at-home stay. measures were contributing to mid social media aware- The official in charge of receiving women’s isolation from family, ness-building campaigns calls for help on a hotline for do- friends and support networks, in on preventing the spread mestic violence (1899) at the Min- addition to depriving women of ac- A of coronavirus, other ef- istry of Women, Family, Childhood tivities and opportunities to relieve forts have emerged warning of and the Elderly in Tunisia said that anxiety and stress. another social epidemic — the re- “even during this trying period, dis- The World Health Organisation surgence of domestic violence as- tress calls kept pouring in.” noted that violence against women sociated with anxiety and stress The increase in the number of re- soars in times of crises, such as nat- created by quarantine measures ported cases of domestic violence ural disasters, wars and epidem- against the contagion. during the general home confine- ics, and that one out of every three In Tunisia, campaigns against ment period is related to closing of women in the world is subjected to More vulnerable than ever. Tunisian women, members of the Tunisian domestic violence started in re- public parks and cafes that would physical or sexual violence. “Ena Zeda” (“Me, too Movement.”) carry placards and chant slogans as (AFP) sponse to sarcastic comments on have otherwise provided escape Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, ex- they rally against sexual harrassment, in Tunis, last November. social media encouraging men to from the tremendous stresses cre- ecutive director of UN Women, take advantage of the generalised ated by the circumstances. said measures taken to tackle the 700 calls regarding domestic vio- insufficient in cases of extreme vio- confinement period and courts not That observation was supported coronavirus pandemic could ad- lence were recorded in which the lence, she said. being in session to “inflict revenge” by Yousra Fraous, president of the versely affect victims of domestic victims stated that the coronavirus Tunisian sociologist Abdessatar on their wives. Social experts said Tunisian Association of Democratic violence. “While we support the pandemic was a factor. In France, Sahbani attributed the rise in do- that, even if the remarks were Women, who also reported an in- policy of social distancing, we are State Secretary for Gender Equality mestic violence during home con- meant as a joke, violence against crease in violence against women certain that it provides an opportu- Marlene Schiappa stated that the finement to the closing of public women is a reality in Tunisia. during home confinement. nity for aggressors to further prac- hotline number for battered wom- spaces that used to fill people’s free “These calls for violence (against She was quoted by the official Tu- tise violence against their victims,” ​ en (3919) had not stopped ringing. time and provided recreational ha- women), even if they were made nisian news agency TAP as saying: she said. vens that would reduce pressure. in jest, do nevertheless reflect the “Our organisation received com- Concern about and warnings Tunisian helpline counsellor Sahbani said: “The person who mindset of those who made them plaints from women who were vic- against increased violence against shares not only his free time but and shared them. These people tims of spousal violence during the women in times of global crises “Even during this trying also his problems, concerns and believe that men have the right to quarantine period and who did not were being voiced by activists in period, distress calls kept daily stories with his friends in- beat their wives, abuse them and receive any assistance from some many Arab countries, the United pouring in.” side public spaces, such as cafes control their destinies,” Zeinab police and national guard stations.” States and Europe. and stadiums, then suddenly finds Toujani wrote for the Centre for She said security forces “dealt Caroline De Haas, a member of Amanda Pyron, director of the himself stuck between four walls, Research, Studies, Documenta- with the complaints with indiffer- the Women’s Coalition in France, Network Against Violence, told the might easily lose control of his an- tion and Information on Women in ence under the pretext that they said: “Crises are often accompa- Associated Press that the biggest ger when the atmosphere inside Tunis. were currently busy with other nied by an escalation of violence, problem in the current circum- the house becomes charged.” She said women were appalled. issues.” let alone when people who live in stances is that both “the aggressor To avoid incidents of violence One woman related how she was In Lebanon, the Democratic conditions of home confinement and the victim must remain at the during the quarantine period, Sah- bullied by her husband, who was Women’s Caucus, which supports may progress from psychologi- same crime scene.” The inability bani suggested setting up a toll free trying to provoke her by using their women subjected to violence, cal and moral violence to physical of victims to go to police stations number for people under pressure children to make her leave their reported a 50% increase in the and sexual violence and even to or hospitals exacerbates officials’ to call and speak to someone who home. number of calls to its hotline dur- murder.” concerns, which means that all would listen and commiserate. Toujani pointed out that some ing March compared to previous US government agencies report- cases must be dealt with over the women have no choice but to stay months. ed that, from March 18-22, about phone only, which is considered Radhia Guizani is a Tunisian writer. 12 April 19, 2020 Culture

Algerian author Abdelouahab Aissaoui. (Algerian Channel 3) Algerian author wins top Arab fiction prize for ‘Spartan Court’ Historical novel by Algerian author Abdelouahab Aissaoui focuses on the power struggle between Ottoman and French colonial powers in Algeria.

The Arab Weekly staff award and funds to translate the Lebanon and Syria, will each re- Instituted in Abu Dhabi in 2007, book into English, the organisers ceive $10,000. the annual International Prize for said on their website. In comments he made when his Arabic Fiction is the most prestig- Beirut The Spartan Court “invites the work was shortlisted, Aissaoui ious and important literary prize reader to gain a greater under- said: “In general, historical nov- in the Arab world. he Spartan standing of life under occupation els do not reconstruct stories for Its aim is to reward excellence Court,” a and the different forms of resist- the sake of the stories themselves. in contemporary Arabic crea- “ historical ance that grow against it,” said Their main objective is to search tive writing and to encourage the T novel by Muhsin al-Musawi, chair of the for questions and concerns that readership of high-quality Arabic Algerian author Abdel- prize’s five-member judging panel. we face now and have faced be- literature internationally through ouahab Aissaoui focus- “Readers gain a multi-layered fore, in the context in which they the translation and publication of ing on the power strug- insight into the historical occupa- first appeared.” winning and shortlisted novels in gle between Ottoman tion of Algeria and, from this, the Born in the northern Algerian other major languages. and French colonial conflicts of the entire Mediterra- city of Djelfa in 1985, Aissaoui Due to movement restrictions powers in Algeria at the nean region, with characters em- graduated in electromechanical imposed by UAE authorities to start of the 19th century, bodying different interests and engineering before devoting him- stem the spread of the coronavi- has won this year’s pres- intersecting visions. self to writing, penning several rus pandemic, the winner was an- tigious International “With its deep, historical narra- books and receiving many awards. nounced online. Prize for Arabic Fiction tive structure, the novel does not He published his first novel, “Ja- The prize has achieved great rec- (IPAF). live in the past, but rather it chal- cob’s Cinema”, in 2012. He won the ognition and acclaim in a relatively Mentored by the UK’s lenges the reader to question pre- Assia Djebar Prize, widely regard- short history. Booker Prize Founda- sent reality,” Musawi said. ed as the most important prize for Jonathan Taylor, chairman of tion and financed by Abu Published by Dar Mim, “The the novel in Algeria, for his second the Booker Prize Foundation, com- Dhabi’s Department of Spartan Court” was chosen from novel, “Mountain of Death” (2015), mented on the prize success: “Im- Culture and Tourism, the a shortlist of six novels. The five which tells the story of Spanish pact is the essence of a successful prize includes a $50,000 other authors, from Egypt, Iraq, communists imprisoned in North literary prize. It needs to be dis- African camps after losing the cussed; argued about; criticised; Spanish Civil War. His third novel and even sometimes praised! Instituted in Abu Dhabi in 2007, “Circles and Doors” (2017) won the There may be lively disagreement the annual International Prize for 2017 Kuwaiti Suad al-Sabah Novel about who is included and who is Prize, and in 2017, he won the Kat- excluded from the longlist and the Arabic Fiction is the most prestigious and ara Novel Prize in the unpublished shortlist. And the eventual winner important literary prize in the Arab world. novel category, for “Testament of may provoke fierce debate as well the Deeds of the Forgotten Ones.” as great acclaim.”