U.S. ambassador blames politicians for economic woes

The U.S. ambassador to Lebanon lashed out at the government Wednesday and urged politicians to put aside political differences in order to revive long-stalled economic reforms that are necessary for accession to the World Trade Organization.

In a speech at Lebanese American University Wednesday, Ambassador Maura Connelly faulted the Lebanese government for using security and political instability as an excuse to delay implementing laws that would spur economic growth.

“I understand that it’s hard to think about economic reform when you’re dealing with assassination plots, street fighting and border incursions,” Connelly said. “Sometimes, though, the reasons for failing to move forward on key reforms have less to do with security than with the vested interests, or the political rivalries, that keep the government from doing what it should to develop the economy for the betterment of the Lebanese.”

Though Connelly said she was impressed by the Petroleum Regulatory Authority, she warned that while oil and gas revenues have the potential to create greater wealth for citizens, if handled poorly they can further entrench corruption, poor governance and economic inequality.

“For Lebanon to seize its economic advantages, we would like to see a new approach,” Connelly said. “An approach that understands it is in the best interests of all of Lebanon’s religious and ethnic communities to put the needs of the entire nation above those of any one specific leader or community.”