The UN's special rapporteur on extreme poverty says Lebanon is at risk of becoming a failed state, and blasted an “outrageous level of inequality” as he wrapped up a 12-day tour of the country.
“Lebanon is not a failed state yet, but it is a failing state, with a government failing its population,” Olivier De Schutter told a press conference in Beirut.
Mr De Schutter was ending a trip in which he met nine ministers, Prime Minister Najib Mikati and impoverished communities across the country. A punishing economic crisis and collapsing local currency has forced huge numbers of the country’s population into poverty. He used his departing press conference to blast the government over its failure to implement meaningful reforms in the face of “four convergent crises”.
“The Government’s inaction in the face of this unprecedented crisis has inflicted great misery on the population, especially on children, women, stateless and undocumented individuals, and people with disabilities who were already marginalised,” he said.
Mr De Schutter, who was appointed by the UN secretary general last year, will present a report on his findings to the UN Human Rights Council next June. He condemned the country’s political establishment and said he did not believe the government was dealing with the issue seriously.
“The dereliction of responsibility at top levels of political leadership is astonishing. While I met with dedicated officials at lower levels of Government, I was shocked by the disconnect between the political establishment and the reality of those in poverty on the ground,” he said.
“These people need credible solutions today, and I am deeply concerned that the Government is not taking their plight seriously.”
He drew particular attention to Lebanon’s failing taxation and banking systems, linking them directly to the country’s soaring levels of inequality.
“Inequality has remained at unacceptable levels for years in Lebanon. Even before the crisis, the richest 10 per cent received five times more income than the bottom 50 per cent. This outrageous level of inequality is furthered by a tax system that rewards the banking sector, encourages tax evasion and concentrates wealth in the hands of the few. In the meantime, the population is subject to regressive taxes that hit the poorest most,” he said.
“This is a human-made disaster that was long in the making.”
A study published by the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs found, as of March, that 78 per cent of Lebanon’s population is living in poverty. The World Bank has described Lebanon’s crisis as one of the worst in history.
Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
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South Africa squad
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
