Charbel Nahas
Encyclopedia
Charbel Nahas Nahas is the current Labour minister in Najib Mikati
's second government
as of June 2011. He is one of Eleven Change and Reform ministers, which is headed by General Michel Aoun
, the largest share that it has ever had in Government. Nahas is widely considered to be a Lebanese progressive
whose priority has been to improve living conditions for the country's disenfranchised poor.
in Paris in 1976, and from the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
, also in Paris, in 1978. He completed his PhD in social anthropology
from the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales
in 1980.
Nahas is a leading economist
, is the author of many publications and studies on the Lebanese economy, and has acted as an expert for a number of Lebanese state institution, as well as many international organisations, including the World Bank
and the United Nations
. He was also a professor at the Lebanese University
for 12 years, where he headed the Civil Engineering
Department. Much of his work has centered around Lebanon
's macroeconomic situation, in particular its sovereign debt, which Nahas has maintained is unsustainable. He is also the author of A Socioeconomic Programme for Lebanon, which was published by the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies in March 2006. Finally, through his work, he has contributed to development in areas including policy formation and public administration
in Syria
, Jordan
, Saudi Arabia
and Iraq
, amongst others.
Minister
of Telecommunications in the first government
headed by Saad Hariri
. Several commentators at the time hailed Nahas' appointment as a victory for Lebanese progressives. Sources indicated that one of the factors that led the FPM to nominate Nahas was to participate in ongoing discussions in relation to the annual state budget and the national debt, which are priority issues for the FPM. In 2006, Nahas wrote that "[a]lthough most of the rest of the world has moved on from the attitude that had been prevalent in the 1990s, according to which privatisation was the solution to all problems relating to public finance, Lebanon still adheres to that old mentality, either as a result of intellectual laziness or opportunism. [...] What we need in Lebanon is a 'better state', and not a 'lesser state'." Subsequent reports indicate that Nahas supports the part-privitization of the telecom sector to a consortium of companies while ensuring that the government and the Lebanese public retains a stake. On December 11, 2009, Nahas announced that his ministry plans to create facilities to provide at least 90% of regions in Lebanon with broadband internet access.
In November 2009, Nahas was appointed to the committee responsible for drafting the new government's policy statement. In the committee's first meeting, he called for Lebanon's economic system to be reformed, saying that "it is outdated. The Taef Agreement did not meet the requirements needed." During the summer of 2010, Nahas raised a number of objections in cabinet meetings to the draft budget law that was proposed by Finance Minister
Raya Haffar al-Hassan
. In particular, he objected to what he described as the proposed law's failure to address Lebanon's basic economic difficulties (which manifested themselves in the form of high unemployment and emigration) at a time of relatively favorable circumstances (including a spectacular increase in capital in-flows since 2008). Nahas proposed a number of changes to the draft budget law that would reduce the burdens on employment and on income, as well as increased investment in a modern public transport system in Lebanon. He has also insisted on a number of methodological changes, including the elimination of all off-balance sheet expenses. The draft budget law was eventually approved by the Cabinet, including by Nahas, on 19 June 2010. Nahas was subsequently involved in efforts to investigate an alleged Israeli espionage operation which had infiltrated the Lebanese telecommunications network.
As minister of telecommunications, Nahas set as one of his goals to modernise the Lebanese
telecom
sector, which at the time was ranked as amongst the least competitve and the least developed in the world. Early in his tenure, his Ministry entered into a number of agreements for the creation a 3.9G network in Lebanon
, and also commenced work on the installation of a fibre optics network. The 3G
network was officially launched in October
2011, while the fibre optics network is set for completion in 2012. During Nahas' tenure, a number of measures to reduce the cost of mobile phones for less advantaged citizens were introduced. Amongst other things, the cost of purchasing a prepaid mobile phone line was reduced from $100 to $25, a collect call
mechanism was introduced, as was a "family and friends" measure, which reduced prices for prepaid cellphone subscribers.
Minister
of Labour in the second government
headed by Najib Mikati
. Najib Miqati is rumored to have vetoed Nahas' reappointment as Minister of Telecommunications. In his new position, Nahas has focused on improving the rights of foreign domestic workers, on increasing the minimum wage
in Lebanon and on granting health care to all Lebanese citizens. He has argued that such measures are necessary to achieve greater social justice
in Lebanon.
Najib Mikati
Najib Azmi Mikati is a Lebanese politician, billionaire and is the current Prime Minister of Lebanon since 13 June 2011. From April 2005 to July 2005 he was Prime Minister of Lebanon in a caretaker government...
's second government
Lebanese government of June 2011
The formation of a new government led by Najib Mikati follows five months of negotiations after the fall of the Saad Hariri government. Mikati formed a 30 minister cabinet.-Background:...
as of June 2011. He is one of Eleven Change and Reform ministers, which is headed by General Michel Aoun
Michel Aoun
Michel Naim Aoun is a former Lebanese Army Commander and he is one of the allies of Hezbollah. From 22 September 1988 to 13 October 1990, he has served as Prime Minister of the legal one of two rival governments that contended for power. He declared "The Liberation War" against the Syrian...
, the largest share that it has ever had in Government. Nahas is widely considered to be a Lebanese progressive
Progressive
Progressive is an adjectival form of progress and may refer to:-Politics:* Progressivism, a political ideology* Progressive Era, a period of reform in the United States Progressive is an adjectival form of progress and may refer to:-Politics:* Progressivism, a political ideology* Progressive Era, a...
whose priority has been to improve living conditions for the country's disenfranchised poor.
Background
Charbel Nahas was born on 16 August 1954. He graduated from the Ecole PolytechniqueÉcole Polytechnique
The École Polytechnique is a state-run institution of higher education and research in Palaiseau, Essonne, France, near Paris. Polytechnique is renowned for its four year undergraduate/graduate Master's program...
in Paris in 1976, and from the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
Founded in 1747, the École nationale des ponts et chaussées , often referred to as les Ponts, is the world's oldest civil engineering school...
, also in Paris, in 1978. He completed his PhD in social anthropology
Social anthropology
Social Anthropology is one of the four or five branches of anthropology that studies how contemporary human beings behave in social groups. Practitioners of social anthropology investigate, often through long-term, intensive field studies , the social organization of a particular person: customs,...
from the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales
École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales
The École des hautes études en sciences sociales is a leading French institution for research and higher education, a Grand Établissement. Its mission is research and research training in the social sciences, including the relationship these latter maintain with the natural and life sciences...
in 1980.
Nahas is a leading economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
, is the author of many publications and studies on the Lebanese economy, and has acted as an expert for a number of Lebanese state institution, as well as many international organisations, including the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
and the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. He was also a professor at the Lebanese University
Lebanese University
The Lebanese University is the only public institution for higher learning in Lebanon. Founded in 1951, it has 17 faculties as of 2006 and serves various cultural, religious, and social groups of students and teachers....
for 12 years, where he headed the Civil Engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
Department. Much of his work has centered around Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
's macroeconomic situation, in particular its sovereign debt, which Nahas has maintained is unsustainable. He is also the author of A Socioeconomic Programme for Lebanon, which was published by the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies in March 2006. Finally, through his work, he has contributed to development in areas including policy formation and public administration
Public administration
Public Administration houses the implementation of government policy and an academic discipline that studies this implementation and that prepares civil servants for this work. As a "field of inquiry with a diverse scope" its "fundamental goal.....
in Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, amongst others.
Minister of Telecommunications
In November 2009, Nahas was appointed LebaneseLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
Minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
of Telecommunications in the first government
Lebanese government of November 2009
In November 2009, after five months of negotiations following the 2009 parliamentary elections, Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri formed a national unity government.-Method:...
headed by Saad Hariri
Saad Hariri
Saad-eddine Rafiq Al-Hariri is a Saudi-Lebanese billionaire who served as the Prime Minister of Lebanon from 2009 until 2011. He is the second son of Rafiq Hariri, the former Lebanese Prime Minister who was assassinated in 2005...
. Several commentators at the time hailed Nahas' appointment as a victory for Lebanese progressives. Sources indicated that one of the factors that led the FPM to nominate Nahas was to participate in ongoing discussions in relation to the annual state budget and the national debt, which are priority issues for the FPM. In 2006, Nahas wrote that "[a]lthough most of the rest of the world has moved on from the attitude that had been prevalent in the 1990s, according to which privatisation was the solution to all problems relating to public finance, Lebanon still adheres to that old mentality, either as a result of intellectual laziness or opportunism. [...] What we need in Lebanon is a 'better state', and not a 'lesser state'." Subsequent reports indicate that Nahas supports the part-privitization of the telecom sector to a consortium of companies while ensuring that the government and the Lebanese public retains a stake. On December 11, 2009, Nahas announced that his ministry plans to create facilities to provide at least 90% of regions in Lebanon with broadband internet access.
In November 2009, Nahas was appointed to the committee responsible for drafting the new government's policy statement. In the committee's first meeting, he called for Lebanon's economic system to be reformed, saying that "it is outdated. The Taef Agreement did not meet the requirements needed." During the summer of 2010, Nahas raised a number of objections in cabinet meetings to the draft budget law that was proposed by Finance Minister
Finance minister
The finance minister is a cabinet position in a government.A minister of finance has many different jobs in a government. He or she helps form the government budget, stimulate the economy, and control finances...
Raya Haffar al-Hassan
Raya Haffar al-Hassan
Raya Haffar al-Hassan is the Lebanese finance minister, the first woman to be appointed to such a senior post in Lebanon. Along with minister without portfolio Mona Ofeich, Hassan was one of two women appointed in the November 2009 cabinet of Saad Hariri.Hassan is a member of the March 14 Alliance...
. In particular, he objected to what he described as the proposed law's failure to address Lebanon's basic economic difficulties (which manifested themselves in the form of high unemployment and emigration) at a time of relatively favorable circumstances (including a spectacular increase in capital in-flows since 2008). Nahas proposed a number of changes to the draft budget law that would reduce the burdens on employment and on income, as well as increased investment in a modern public transport system in Lebanon. He has also insisted on a number of methodological changes, including the elimination of all off-balance sheet expenses. The draft budget law was eventually approved by the Cabinet, including by Nahas, on 19 June 2010. Nahas was subsequently involved in efforts to investigate an alleged Israeli espionage operation which had infiltrated the Lebanese telecommunications network.
As minister of telecommunications, Nahas set as one of his goals to modernise the Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
telecom
Telecom
Telecom refers to:* An abbreviation of telecommunication.* Short for telecommunications company, in general.* A short name for any telecommunications company with "Telecom" specifically in the name, where context allows media or people to commonly exclude the rest of its name without confusion,...
sector, which at the time was ranked as amongst the least competitve and the least developed in the world. Early in his tenure, his Ministry entered into a number of agreements for the creation a 3.9G network in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, and also commenced work on the installation of a fibre optics network. The 3G
3G
3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union...
network was officially launched in October
October
October is the tenth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with a length of 31 days. The eighth month in the old Roman calendar, October retained its name after January and February were inserted into the calendar that had originally been created by the...
2011, while the fibre optics network is set for completion in 2012. During Nahas' tenure, a number of measures to reduce the cost of mobile phones for less advantaged citizens were introduced. Amongst other things, the cost of purchasing a prepaid mobile phone line was reduced from $100 to $25, a collect call
Collect call
A collect call in the USA and Canada or reverse charge call in the UK and other countries is a telephone call in which the calling party wants to place a call at the called party's expense...
mechanism was introduced, as was a "family and friends" measure, which reduced prices for prepaid cellphone subscribers.
Minister of Labour
In June 2011, Nahas was appointed LebaneseLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
Minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
of Labour in the second government
Lebanese government of June 2011
The formation of a new government led by Najib Mikati follows five months of negotiations after the fall of the Saad Hariri government. Mikati formed a 30 minister cabinet.-Background:...
headed by Najib Mikati
Najib Mikati
Najib Azmi Mikati is a Lebanese politician, billionaire and is the current Prime Minister of Lebanon since 13 June 2011. From April 2005 to July 2005 he was Prime Minister of Lebanon in a caretaker government...
. Najib Miqati is rumored to have vetoed Nahas' reappointment as Minister of Telecommunications. In his new position, Nahas has focused on improving the rights of foreign domestic workers, on increasing the minimum wage
Minimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
in Lebanon and on granting health care to all Lebanese citizens. He has argued that such measures are necessary to achieve greater social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
in Lebanon.
External links
- Charbel Nahas's personal website
- Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications' official website
- Lebanese Ministry of Labour's official website
- The Free Patriotic Movement's official website
- Interview with Dr Charbel Nahas, Al-Akhbar (Lebanon), 5 December 2009
- http://mplbelgique.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/debat-le-%C2%AB-yes-we-can-%C2%BB-de-nahas-un-appel-vibrant-a-une-revision-de-la-politique-economique/Interview with Dr Charbel Nahas, L'Orient Le JourL'Orient Le JourL'Orient-Le Jour meaning The Orient-The Day is the leading French language daily newspapers in Lebanon.It was first published on September 1, 1970 following the merger of two French-Language Lebanese dailies, L'Orient and Le Jour . - External links : *...
, 27 May 2010]