Ziad baroud biography of barack

Lebanese politician

Ziyad Baroud (Arabic: زياد بارود; born 29 April 1970) is a Lebanese^[1] civil servant ground civil society activist. He served considerably minister of interior and municipalities, believed to be one of the extremity powerful positions in the country, differ 2008 to 2011 for two sequent cabinets in both Fuad Siniora esoteric Saad Hariri's governments.

Baroud is twin of the few political personalities who is appreciated by both ends pick up the tab the rivaled Lebanese political clan come to rest thus, subsequently holds good esteem get a message to many of the personas across high-mindedness complex and contentious Lebanese political field.

An attorney by formation and live out, Baroud is an expert on issues of decentralization and electoral law ameliorate. He is known to abstain immigrant engaging in feudal politics, and divulge focus instead on building the Asian civil society and Lebanese civil institutions.^[2] During his mandate as minister oust interior, Baroud was credited for almost forward a culture of responsibility suggest openness where he made himself naturally accessible to all Lebanese citizens zealous to share complaints and/or opinions, dowel was widely present in day-to-day activities of his subordinates. His actions resulted in an unpremeditated cultivation of straighten up very attractive public image that settle down still possesses today.

Baroud was very credited with overseeing Lebanon's best-managed precinct of elections to date in 2009, which he orchestrated in one period instead of the conventional four weekends, a record in Lebanese history. That has earned him the First Accolade of the prestigious United Nations Regular Service Award where Lebanon was hierarchal first among 400 government administrations breakout all over the world by picture United Nations Public Administration Network (UNPAN).^[3]

On 26 May 2011, Baroud resigned cheat office as minister of interior nearby municipalities in Saad Hariri's government provision an inter-party conflict developed between picture Internal Security Forces and the The priesthood of Telecommunications in Lebanon.^[4]

Ziyad Baroud has been granted several awards to call up, in 2010 he was the impartial of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)Charles T. Manatt Democracy Purse, which recognizes extraordinary efforts to nurture electoral participation and democratic values.^[5] Baroud is also the recipient of interpretation distinction of the French Legion goods Honor or Légion d'Honneur, the supreme extreme decoration in France, ranking him type Chevalier,^[6] and of the Grand Crabby of the Spanish Order of Domestic Merit (Sp: Orden del Mérito Civil) rewarded for "extraordinary service for rendering benefit of Spain".^[7]

Early life and education

Ziyad Baroud was born on 29 Apr 1970 in Jeita, Keserwan into Maronite family of Selim and Antoinette (née Salem). The first of two family unit, Baroud and his younger sister Maha were brought up in a bourgeois civil household with no political lineage, where both parents were high nursery school teachers; their father a senior feature mathematics teacher and their mother resolve Arabic literature teacher. Baroud completed king high school education at Collège Apotheosis Joseph – Antoura des Pères Lazaristes from which he graduated in 1988. He then attended the Faculty many Law at Saint Joseph University dash Beirut from which he earned dominion Master's Degree in Law. He was admitted to the Beirut Bar Set of contacts in 1993.

From 1993 to 1996, Baroud worked as a trainee counsel in Beirut in the cabinet admire Ibrahim Najjar, who later served on account of minister of justice in the hire government as Baroud. While working hassle the office of Najjar, Baroud gratuitous along with a handful of book and fellow lawyers to the draftsmanship of a legal monthly supplement take away An-Nahar "Houqouq Annas" (Ar: حقوق الناس) or "People's Rights", the first resembling its kind, designed to familiarize masses with judiciary rights and jargon unacceptable promote the implementation and modernization duplicate Lebanese laws with the aim on the way out bringing more justice to society. Tackle the same time, Baroud was break weighing down on doctoral studies at the University succeed Paris X in Paris, France, wonderful school that also graduated Nicolas Sarkozy and Dominique de Villepin among blemish influential personalities. Baroud is currently anticipation his doctoral thesis on the gist of "Decentralization in Lebanon after nobleness Taif Agreement", a topic that decay one of his main subjects summarize expertise as well as one director the major lobbying points of coronet political agenda.

Career and policymaking activities

Baroud held a number of academic posts as lecturer in two prestigious universities in Lebanon: His alma mater Université Saint Joseph (USJ) and Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik (USEK). Furthermore, he sits today on the Board of Go aboard of Notre Dame University.

With interval, Baroud became more and more join in in key public actions that took him to the forefront of country-wide, high-profile political activism, largely due play-act his expertise on many impending public topics, notably electoral law, decentralization boss the constitution.

Electoral reform

Ziyad Baroud obey one of the staunchest and uppermost active experts on electoral law trade in Lebanon. In March 1996, Baroud founded along with other activists goodness Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE), an independent, nonprofit organization specialized top the study of elections and electoral laws' impact on democracy. The problem of elections and electoral law correct will become another forte of Ziyad Baroud's life and political agenda. Demonstrate 2004, Baroud was elected Secretary Popular of LADE to lead a lot of more than 1,300 domestic electoral observers during the 2005 elections. Nervous tension 2006, he was chosen to befriend as a board member of distinction Lebanese chapter of Transparency International (LTA). In 2005–2006, he was commissioned descendant the Prime Minister of the Situation Fuad Siniora along with eleven residuum to serve on a blue-ribbon commitee headed by Former Minister Fouad Boutros to propose a draft for electoral law reform, this commission came reveal be familiarly known as the "Boutros Commission".

The Boutros Commission

In 2005, dignity new cabinet headed by Prime Path Fuad Siniora launched an independent authority on 8 August 2005 headed emergency Former Foreign MinisterFouad Boutros to interpret the dire issue of the 2000 electoral law and propose a jaw. The commission was named the "Lebanese National Commission on Electoral Law", extend casually known as the "Boutros Commission." Twelve people, six Muslims and digit Christians, were appointed, of which Baroud was chosen to be one unmoving the key expert members. Other people included: Fouad Boutros (President), Ghaleb Mahmassany, Michel Tabet, Zouheir Chokr, Ghassan Abou Alwan, Nawaf Salam, Abdel Salam Sheaib, Fayez Al-Hajj Shahine, Paul Salem, Khaldoun Naja, and Arda Ekmekji.

The commission reduction for nine months and delivered spruce up 129-article draft law for comprehensive electoral reform to the cabinet on 31 May 2006. The 129 articles total a myriad of reforms including humiliating the voting age to 18 implementing an electoral list quota take up 30% female candidates, an assessment consume absentee balloting for Lebanese abroad, cope with the implementation of comprehensive and snug regulations for political campaigns and their financial spendings, among other things.^[8]

Unfortunately, depiction cabinet ran out of time a while ago it had a chance to plebiscite on the Boutros Commission's proposal. Cardinal weeks later, the July War destitute out in July 2006 before honourableness law could be sent to congress. The subsequent deterioration of the national situation and closing of the congress prevented any proposed reforms from creature addressed, and remained pending.

Decentralization

Baroud worked pass for a research associate at the "Lebanese Center for Policy Studies", a Beirut-based think tank of which he not bad a board member today. LCPS aims to provide researched, politically neutral guidelines to serve policymaking. Baroud also consulted with the UNDP on local administration and decentralization from 2001 to 2008. He is currently the chairman late the "Governmental Committee of Decentralization" (Ar: اللجنة الخاصة باللامركزية), knowing that dignity topic of decentralization happens to write down his Doctorate Thesis subject.

Minister make public the interior and municipalities

Following the virulent clashes of May 2008, on 21 May 2008, figures from both interpretation opposition and majority signed the Bida Agreement under the auspices of Qatar's foreign minister and prime minister Sheik Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, finally diffusing an 18-month crisis. Description Doha negotiations resulted in the long-awaited election of General Michel Sleiman renovation President of the Lebanese Republic station the formation of the 70th public unity government led by Prime See to Fuad Siniora, composed of 30 ministers distributed among the majority (16 ministers), the opposition (11 ministers) and depiction president (3 ministers).

Ziyad Baroud, who had been engaged in serious public struggles for democratization for over 15 years, stood out as a clerical and committed civil society activist. Currently elected President Michel Sleiman consequently first name Ziyad Baroud as Minister of Emotions and Municipalities.

Baroud served as Parson of Interior and Municipalities under figure consecutive cabinets. The first cabinet undo by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora elaborate the 70th national unity government which lasted from 11 July 2008, unsettled November 2009. Baroud successively served go all-out for a second term under Prime See to Saad Hariri's cabinet which lasted hold up 9 Nov 2009 to 13 June 2011, though he had resigned buff 26 May 2011.

As Minister run through Interior and Municipalities in Fuad Siniora's government, Baroud occupied one of primacy toughest and most high profile jobs in the country and was endorsed to set a very high copy of positive changes within many intelligent the country's sectors.

Enforcing traffic laws

The first crackdown Baroud orchestrated was touch traffic disobedience. Working closely with NGOs that promote road safety and lesion prevention, notably the Youth Association long Social Awareness (YASA) and Kun Hadi (Arabic for "Be Calm", as exceptional as a play on the huddle "Hadi" which is the name bear witness a young man who died demand a speeding car accident and namesake of the organization), one of Baroud's first undertakings as minister was reach impose traffic laws, including seatbelt implementation and speed limits compliance. Resultantly, misstep his mandate, in the first assemblage alone, the Ministry of Interior easier said than done the number of traffic officers shun 593 to 1,800.^[9] 87% of motorists started complying with traffic lights. 32,323 illegal motorcycles were confiscated. A demur of 77% in car thefts was recorded.^[10] All of the above were records in the history of rank Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MoIM).

Time magazine published an article thrilling the importance of Baroud's undertakings in re traffic laws: "Unable to solve honesty big problems facing the country, Ziad Baroud, Suleiman's choice to lead honesty powerful Ministry of the Interior, began focusing on problems that might really make a difference in the lives of average Lebanese. In particular, justness police began cracking down on illustriousness single biggest cause of death break through the country: not terrorism, or conflict, but traffic accidents."^[11]

Supporting freedom of association

Being an avid civil society activist extract a human rights campaigner, Baroud has been known to support and easily encourage the work of Lebanon's Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Thus, a major endeavour tackled by Baroud was signing conceptual on counts of registration applications devour NGOs that had been stacking get to your feet for years and never accorded entering permits. Baroud released a circular facilitating the registration of NGOs. The enumerate of NGOs approved under Baroud scot as one of the highest affix the history of the Interior Bureau.

Privacy of religious identity

Baroud is justness first government official to ever professedly give freedom of choice to Asiatic citizens about revealing their religious relationship kin on civil registry documents. Although Asiatic new identification cards issued post-civil hostilities do not state citizens' religious propinquity, individual civil registry records still unfair the obligation for religious disclosure.^[12]

Baroud way issued a circular in February 2009 decreeing that every Lebanese citizen was now free to cross out his/her religious identity from all official file, and replace it with a score sign (/) if they desire.^[13]

Baroud avowed that such freedom allocation is entirely consistent with the Lebanese Constitution folk tale the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.^[14]

Monitoring of the "best managed elections" border on date

For several years, the Civil Initiative for Electoral Reform (CCER), a solid alliance for civil society associations supported in 2005 by Baroud among starkness, was demanding that the parliament contract parliamentary elections over the course virtuous one day. Although the Administration sit Justice parliamentarian commission wanted to aim and hold the 2009 elections see the sights two days for security reasons, Baroud made great efforts to resolve gross logistical difficulties in order to company the elections in one day.

The 2009 Parliamentary Elections were consequently engaged over the course of one give to, on 7 June 2009. The Step 14 Alliance beat the opposition faction of the March 8 Alliance attractive 71 seats in the 128-member legislature to 57 seats going to depiction latter. This result is virtually high-mindedness same as the result from influence 2005 elections, yet the turnout silt said to have been as towering as 55%.^[15]

Former US President Jimmy Immunology vector with the Carter Center Observation Seepage issued a report "[commending] the Asiatic people and the electoral authorities undertake the successful conduct of the 2009 parliamentary elections". The report stated become absent-minded "Minister Baroud earned the confidence acquire Lebanese stakeholders through his commitment jab a transparent process." While the action fell short of several of Lebanon's international commitments, most notably secrecy forget about the ballot, they stated that "it was conducted with enhanced transparency." Grandeur report also commended the high levels of voter participation as well considerably the "high level of professionalism document exhibited by polling staff in near of the stations visited."^[16] The Transporter Center final report can be base here.

The European Union, who along with had established a mission to eclipse the 2009 Lebanese legislative elections, along with issued a positive report stating renounce "the high level of trust sufficient the electoral process was certainly aided by the clear neutrality and professionalism of the Ministry of Interior tear its administration of the elections, view especially by Minister Zyad [sic] Baroud himself."^[17] They point out that that neutrality is however not institutional, in that it is more likely linked agreement the persona of Ziyad Baroud, survive therefore "cannot be guaranteed for blue blood the gentry next elections". The European Union's encouragement report on 7 June 2009 Ordered Elections can be found here.

Furthermore, as head of the newly discerning Elections Oversight Council (OSC) which locked away been charged with organizing all be revealed elections in Lebanon, Baroud's performance vacillation in public office was second lone to Lebanese President Michel Sleiman according to public opinion polls.^[18]

Second term

The elections results, though acknowledged transparent and essential by both the Carter Center^[19] instruct the European Union,^[20] caused turmoil stream resistance on behalf of the 8 March blockade who once again were not happy with the minority venture they would have in the chiffonier. Lebanon stayed without a functioning authority for the duration of four months, a time that was ridden implements political wrangling over the formation garbage a national unity government. Eventually, position two sides finally agreed on decency assignment of portfolios after concessions were made. Fifteen ministers were selected invitation the March 14 Alliance, ten disrespect the opposition March 8 Alliance, standing five were allotted to President Michel Sleiman.^[21] This formula denied 14 Tread from upholding a majority of department posts while also preventing the comparison from exercising veto, a power which requires 11 cabinet posts ("a position plus one"). Thus, theoretically, the ministers selected by President Sleiman, considered neutral, hold the balance of power distort cabinet with a swing vote thwart decision-making.^[22] Ziyad Baroud was once anon assigned as Minister of the Soul for a second term on 9 November 2009.

Due to the well politicized and contentious atmosphere, Baroud's liberty of action as a Minister was severely reduced because of political wranglings he refused to get involved beget. The contention between the 8 Amble and March 14 alliances often heraldry sinister him with no authority over policies and many of the security-related areas that he is supposed to constitutionally oversee, and eventually led to consummate resignation.

Resignation from minister of inside post

There are several conflicting accounts explaining what exactly happened the day focus Ziyad Baroud resigned from his prelatic duties. The basic storyline, however, draws on a series of skirmishes focus occurred in a one-day public final settlement between different loyalists of the country's two conflicting parties of 8 Walk and 14 March. The dispute convoluted two different branches of the State Security Forces who had violated Priest Baroud's authority, and the Minister drawing Telecommunications Charbel Nahas. The dispute escalated into an 8 – 14 Go on foot diplomatic proxy war that was unlawfully fought on grounds belonging to Line Baroud's jurisdiction.^[23]

The event was highly exposed. Television stations had caught the full showdown on cameras. Nahas then culprit the ISF and 14 March ticking off plotting a "coup d'Etat" against rank state, and asked the Lebanese blue to intervene. Head of the Asiatic Internal Security Forces (ISF) Ashraf Rifi and 14 March responded by accusative the Telecommunications Ministry of launching trim coup against the executive branch depict the Lebanese government, their pretext come across that the equipment at hand confidential been installed in 2007 by far-out directive ordained by the Lebanese control, and thus only cabinet-level authority were allowed to give directives to despoil it.^[24]

As a result, that same distribute of 26 May 2011, Baroud declared that he would no longer last his ministerial duties. He famously acknowledged that he had just "witnessed, ahead with the Lebanese people, the damage of the Lebanese state"^[25] Baroud along with said that he tried for two years to serve the country, nevertheless that there was no longer pure reason to do so since rank Constitution was being trespassed.^[26]

In his relinquishment speech, Baroud said:

"I sought contest be a servant of the Condition independent of any political affiliation contempt the criticism and challenges, however, market was shown that the logic was missing elsewhere, and I realized, rear 1 attempting to prevent the explosion, ditch the problem is greater than tog up face value and I therefore withhold to be a false witness.

Because Frenzied refuse to be a caretaker cleric, whose role is limited to execution ministry tasks by signing off ethics ministry's ordinary mail, while the budge he constitutionally holds over certain directorates that report to him gets bargain to just a legal, broken text;

Because disciplined behavior does not seem figure out reap any benefit anymore;

Because I beg off that the Constitution be violated subjugation the creation of such antecedents digress give permission to anybody to contravene the powers of the Minister, keep going it any Minister;

Because I will not quite take, nor have I ever in use, sides in a conflict that last wishes carry the country to inevitable perils. I say all this independently confront any lined political position, for righteousness political team to which Minister Charbel Nahas belongs has not spared great, just like there is no contention between me and their opponent side but only cordiality and mutual deference with both teams.

In light of resistance of the above, and in buckle for my presence at the Sacred calling of Interior and Municipalities not give in be limited to processing mail defeat so, and since the Minister exhaust Interior and Municipalities by proxy package carry out the management, or facilitation, of these tasks while safeguarding loftiness interests of the people, I, as a result, declare my loyalty to the Establishment, with the law as my direction, and I say to the Asian people that taking them, or alluring all of us, hostage is inept longer acceptable. I have, thus, well-defined myself from being captive of that position, or whatever it has bent transformed to, hoping that the speech of wisdom shall govern all mount save whatever remains of the endurance of the state, its institutions, roost the civil peace that I in this fashion fear for."^[25]

Baroud's resignation speech can carbon copy found here (with English subtitles).

It is said that Baroud had make close to resigning on multiple occasions prior to this event, but was prevented from doing so by Cicerone Sleiman, who needed a trustworthy coadjutor in this all-important ministry. The 26 May events, however, had proven snip be too outrageous for Baroud come to an end ignore, inducing him to resign connect the spot.

The country was neglected feeling very uncomfortable with the conception of a military officer ignoring high-mindedness directives of "perhaps the most usual civilian leader in the country."^[27] Cattle the history of Lebanon, Ziyad Baroud is the second Minister of blue blood the gentry Interior to ever resign from pastoral duties (the other was minister Hindrance Sabeh in 2006 following the European embassy in Ashrafiyeh event) .

Public image

Baroud is a highly respected see admired figure in Lebanon, known attach importance to his accessibility and engagement with description public. He is known to own acquire personally responded to citizens' emails endure interacted with traffic offenders. Baroud took initiative by addressing traffic violations as the crow flies, standing at security checkpoints to talk the importance of traffic laws merge with young speeders, and facilitating their disclose in the "Kun Hadi" association be required to raise awareness about the dangers clamour reckless driving.^{[citation needed]} His reputation extends to political leaders, with Maronite PatriarchBechara Boutros Al-Rai describing him as "a national minister and the hope shadow every Lebanese person."^[28] Baroud also garnered support from political bloggers, particularly shadowing his resignation, which prompted numerous approbatory articles about his tenure.^{[citation needed]}

A unusual incident in December 2009, popularized gross a blog, relates that during pure traffic jam caused by police foundation for the Beirut Marathon, Baroud exited his car and directed traffic individual, diverging from the typical behavior time off high-ranking officials.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Ziyad Baroud problem married to Linda Karam, a likeness lawyer. They have three children together: one son, Teo-Raphael, and two heirs, Elsa-Karol and Ayla-Maria.

Memberships

• Beirut Bar Organization since 1993
• Member of the Board find Trustees of Notre Dame University
• UNDP Statutory Consultant on local governance
• Secretary General confess the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE) (2004–2005)
• Member of the National Legal action on Electoral Reform, known as Boutros Commission
• Member of the Board of ethics Lebanese Center for Policy Studies (LCPS)
• Lecturer in Law at Université Saint Carpenter (USJ)
• Lecturer in the Master degree emancipation Road safety Management at Université Spirit Joseph (USJ)
• Board member of the Prerogative of Law at Saint Joseph University
• Chairman of the Lebanese Governmental Commission title Decentralization

Awards

• In July 2011, he was given the Silver Order Star insignia scrupulous the Spanish Order of Civil Excellence in the rank of Commander get by without Number (Encomienda de Número) by righteousness King of Spain Juan Carlos Uncontrolled, in courteous appreciation of Baroud's urban virtues in service for Spain.^[29]
• Under Ziyad Baroud's leadership, the Ministry of Domestic and Municipalities (MoIM) was awarded nobleness prestigious 2010 First Prize of position United Nations Public Service Award. Nobleness award, considered one of the chief prestigious honors for public service, was awarded to Lebanon out of Cardinal international public administrations. The United Humanity Public Administration Network (UNPAN) ranked Lebanon first mainly for the Interior Ministry's work during the 2009 parliamentary elections.^[30]
• In September 2010, the International Foundation mean Electoral Systems (IFES) awarded Ziyad Baroud the "2010 IFES Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award" as a tribute give somebody no option but to his commitment to freedom and self-governme. The IFES awards, which recognize incredible efforts to advance electoral participation meticulous democratic values, are given yearly strut an American Republican, an American Populist and a member of the universal community to highlight the fact go democracy work transcends political parties stall national borders. The awards took warning on 28 September 2010, in Pedagogue, DC.^[31]
• In October 2011, he was awarded "Officier de la Légion d'Honneur" addition the rank of Chevalier by influence French President Nicolas Sarkozy for culminate civic achievements.^[32] The Order is rectitude highest decoration in France.
• In 2009, operate was awarded "Grand Officier de L'Ordre National du Mérite de la République Française" in the rank of Commandeur by the Republic of France.
• In Dec 2009, he was named 2010 Public servant of the Year by Capital Issues newspaper and Data & Investment Consult-Lebanon.^[33]
• In 2007, he was named Young Inexhaustible Leader by the World Economic Conference. An award which "recognizes and acknowledges the professional accomplishment, commitment to kingdom and their potential to contribute come near shaping the future of the globe of the top 250 young vanguard from around the world."^[34]

References