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Lebanese Politician Criticizes Failures in Government Services

Speaking to Elie Hajj, a prominent Lebanese politician argues that the country’s political class is incapable of resolving problems and fails to address the citizens' most basic needs.
Protesters carry banners outside the Lebanese Central Bank in Beirut February 25, 2013. An open-ended strike by teachers and civil servants entered its second week today for the government to approve the wage hike proposal. The banners read " I am a father, I am a teacher" and " Machiavellism is not permited " REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR3E9TN
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“Once again, the Lebanese political class has shown the people that it is completely incapable of resolving thorny problems. Thus, yet again it lost credit in the eyes of the public,” said one prominent Lebanese politician, summing up recent developments in an interview with Al-Monitor. He said the Lebanese people are perplexed, and feel increasingly unsettled and insecure. This politician, who holds a position in the March 14 Coalition, spoke on condition of anonymity because he said he was partially criticizing his own party. 

He said that the political class has failed to meet citizens’ vital, daily needs. For instance, a few days ago hospitals stopped accepting patients who were uninsured or who are insured by the national social security fund. The education sector faces similar hardships. Private schools empty parents’ pockets through their exorbitant tuition fees, and the authorities have proven themselves helpless to defend citizens from this extreme greed. Official departments haven't been able to carry out the simplest tasks. Meanwhile, the government has distanced itself from all matters, including its own citizens. It watches in silence as the state’s sovereignty is violated from across the Syrian border, and it doesn’t object when Hezbollah flies a drone over Israel.

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