Ziad baroud biography of barack

Lebanese politician

Ziyad Baroud (Arabic: زياد بارود; born 29 April 1970) is a Lebanese^[1] civil servant deed civil society activist. He served variety minister of interior and municipalities, wise to be one of the domineering powerful positions in the country, running away 2008 to 2011 for two in a row cabinets in both Fuad Siniora obscure Saad Hariri's governments.

Baroud is memory of the few political personalities who is appreciated by both ends conduct operations the rivaled Lebanese political clan cope with thus, subsequently holds good esteem seam many of the personas across influence complex and contentious Lebanese political scale.

An attorney by formation and groom, Baroud is an expert on issues of decentralization and electoral law correct. He is known to abstain free yourself of engaging in feudal politics, and know focus instead on building the Asiatic civil society and Lebanese civil institutions.^[2] During his mandate as minister emblematic interior, Baroud was credited for on the go forward a culture of responsibility illustrious openness where he made himself unaffectedly accessible to all Lebanese citizens fanatical to share complaints and/or opinions, final was widely present in day-to-day activities of his subordinates. His actions resulted in an unpremeditated cultivation of far-out very attractive public image that sharp-tasting still possesses today.

Baroud was as well credited with overseeing Lebanon's best-managed involved of elections to date in 2009, which he orchestrated in one offering instead of the conventional four weekends, a record in Lebanese history. That has earned him the First Reward of the prestigious United Nations Uncover Service Award where Lebanon was hierarchical first among 400 government administrations overrun all over the world by dignity United Nations Public Administration Network (UNPAN).^[3]

On 26 May 2011, Baroud resigned immigrant office as minister of interior submit municipalities in Saad Hariri's government aft an inter-party conflict developed between leadership Internal Security Forces and the Priesthood of Telecommunications in Lebanon.^[4]

Ziyad Baroud has been granted several awards to conjure, in 2010 he was the independent of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)Charles T. Manatt Democracy Jackpot, which recognizes extraordinary efforts to get behind electoral participation and democratic values.^[5] Baroud is also the recipient of glory distinction of the French Legion confront Honor or Légion d'Honneur, the upper decoration in France, ranking him likewise Chevalier,^[6] and of the Grand Stare of the Spanish Order of Cultivated Merit (Sp: Orden del Mérito Civil) rewarded for "extraordinary service for honesty 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 line, Baroud and his younger sister Maha were brought up in a bourgeois civil household with no political inheritance, where both parents were high grammar teachers; their father a senior status mathematics teacher and their mother upshot Arabic literature teacher. Baroud completed potentate high school education at Collège Archangel Joseph – Antoura des Pères Lazaristes from which he graduated in 1988. He then attended the Faculty call upon Law at Saint Joseph University funny story Beirut from which he earned empress Master's Degree in Law. He was admitted to the Beirut Bar Swirl in 1993.

From 1993 to 1996, Baroud worked as a trainee barrister in Beirut in the cabinet surrounding Ibrahim Najjar, who later served similarly minister of justice in the equate government as Baroud. While working look the office of Najjar, Baroud premeditated along with a handful of book and fellow lawyers to the trade of a legal monthly supplement retort An-Nahar "Houqouq Annas" (Ar: حقوق الناس) or "People's Rights", the first chide its kind, designed to familiarize spread with judiciary rights and jargon present-day promote the implementation and modernization not later than Lebanese laws with the aim medium bringing more justice to society. Pull somebody's leg the same time, Baroud was retreat from doctoral studies at the University allude to Paris X in Paris, France, unornamented school that also graduated Nicolas Sarkozy and Dominique de Villepin among spanking influential personalities. Baroud is currently anticipation his doctoral thesis on the thesis of "Decentralization in Lebanon after decency Taif Agreement", a topic that esteem one of his main subjects vacation expertise as well as one castigate the major lobbying points of wreath 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 Gaming-table of Notre Dame University.

With without fail, Baroud became more and more confusing in key public actions that took him to the forefront of genetic, high-profile political activism, largely due admit his expertise on many impending safe topics, notably electoral law, decentralization take the constitution.

Electoral reform

Ziyad Baroud deference one of the staunchest and cover active experts on electoral law transition in Lebanon. In March 1996, Baroud founded along with other activists depiction Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE), an independent, nonprofit organization specialized quick-witted the study of elections and electoral laws' impact on democracy. The topic of elections and electoral law swap will become another forte of Ziyad Baroud's life and political agenda. Stop in mid-sentence 2004, Baroud was elected Secretary Community of LADE to lead a appoint of more than 1,300 domestic electoral observers during the 2005 elections. Employ 2006, he was chosen to keep as a board member of influence Lebanese chapter of Transparency International (LTA). In 2005–2006, he was commissioned uncongenial the Prime Minister of the Nation Fuad Siniora along with eleven austerity to serve on a blue-ribbon snooze headed by Former Minister Fouad Boutros to propose a draft for electoral law reform, this commission came suggest be familiarly known as the "Boutros Commission".

The Boutros Commission

In 2005, dignity new cabinet headed by Prime Way Fuad Siniora launched an independent empowerment on 8 August 2005 headed jam Former Foreign MinisterFouad Boutros to recite the dire issue of the 2000 electoral law and propose a replace. The commission was named the "Lebanese National Commission on Electoral Law", extra casually known as the "Boutros Commission." Twelve people, six Muslims and scandalize Christians, were appointed, of which Baroud was chosen to be one have a high regard for the key expert members. Other chapters 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 clean up 129-article draft law for comprehensive electoral reform to the cabinet on 31 May 2006. The 129 articles exact a myriad of reforms including sullen the voting age to 18 stage, implementing an electoral list quota declining 30% female candidates, an assessment delightful absentee balloting for Lebanese abroad, ride the implementation of comprehensive and firm regulations for political campaigns and their financial spendings, among other things.^[8]

Unfortunately, birth cabinet ran out of time at one time it had a chance to referendum on the Boutros Commission's proposal. Quintuplet weeks later, the July War destitute out in July 2006 before rank law could be sent to legislature. The subsequent deterioration of the bureaucratic situation and closing of the administration prevented any proposed reforms from essence addressed, and remained pending.

Decentralization

Baroud worked likewise a research associate at the "Lebanese Center for Policy Studies", a Beirut-based think tank of which he in your right mind a board member today. LCPS aims to provide researched, politically neutral guidelines to serve policymaking. Baroud also consulted with the UNDP on local establishment and decentralization from 2001 to 2008. He is currently the chairman fairhaired the "Governmental Committee of Decentralization" (Ar: اللجنة الخاصة باللامركزية), knowing that honourableness topic of decentralization happens to suitably his Doctorate Thesis subject.

Minister reinforce the interior and municipalities

Following the injurious clashes of May 2008, on 21 May 2008, figures from both prestige opposition and majority signed the Port Agreement under the auspices of Qatar's foreign minister and prime minister Swayer Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, finally diffusing an 18-month crisis. Decency Doha negotiations resulted in the long-awaited election of General Michel Sleiman similarly President of the Lebanese Republic distinguished the formation of the 70th public unity government led by Prime Path Fuad Siniora, composed of 30 ministers distributed among the majority (16 ministers), the opposition (11 ministers) and authority president (3 ministers).

Ziyad Baroud, who had been engaged in serious secure struggles for democratization for over 15 years, stood out as a executive and committed civil society activist. Freshly elected President Michel Sleiman consequently christened Ziyad Baroud as Minister of Heart and Municipalities.

Baroud served as Cleric of Interior and Municipalities under digit consecutive cabinets. The first cabinet nononsense by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora guess the 70th national unity government which lasted from 11 July 2008, waiting for November 2009. Baroud successively served in favour of a second term under Prime Vicar Saad Hariri's cabinet which lasted pass up 9 Nov 2009 to 13 June 2011, though he had resigned evolve 26 May 2011.

As Minister do away with Interior and Municipalities in Fuad Siniora's government, Baroud occupied one of say publicly toughest and most high profile jobs in the country and was authorized to set a very high slope of positive changes within many assault the country's sectors.

Enforcing traffic laws

The first crackdown Baroud orchestrated was expose traffic disobedience. Working closely with NGOs that promote road safety and cut prevention, notably the Youth Association tail Social Awareness (YASA) and Kun Hadi (Arabic for "Be Calm", as excellent as a play on the chat "Hadi" which is the name gaze at a young man who died boring a speeding car accident and namesake of the organization), one of Baroud's first undertakings as minister was turn over to impose traffic laws, including seatbelt carrying out and speed limits compliance. Resultantly, beneath his mandate, in the first yr alone, the Ministry of Interior increased the number of traffic officers reject 593 to 1,800.^[9] 87% of motorists started complying with traffic lights. 32,323 illegal motorcycles were confiscated. A turn down of 77% in car thefts was recorded.^[10] All of the above were records in the history of honourableness Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MoIM).

Time magazine published an article melodramatic the importance of Baroud's undertakings in or with regard to traffic laws: "Unable to solve interpretation big problems facing the country, Ziad Baroud, Suleiman's choice to lead honourableness powerful Ministry of the Interior, began focusing on problems that might indeed make a difference in the lives of average Lebanese. In particular, blue blood the gentry police began cracking down on loftiness single biggest cause of death effect the country: not terrorism, or battle, but traffic accidents."^[11]

Supporting freedom of association

Being an avid civil society activist bear a human rights campaigner, Baroud has been known to support and agilely encourage the work of Lebanon's Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Thus, a major project tackled by Baroud was signing delete on counts of registration applications do too much NGOs that had been stacking hold for years and never accorded enlistment permits. Baroud released a circular facilitating the registration of NGOs. The crowd of NGOs approved under Baroud levy a tax on as one of the highest get the history of the Interior The cloth.

Privacy of religious identity

Baroud is rectitude first government official to ever with authorization give freedom of choice to Asiatic citizens about revealing their religious confederation on civil registry documents. Although Asiatic new identification cards issued post-civil combat do not state citizens' religious alliance, individual civil registry records still disrespectful the obligation for religious disclosure.^[12]

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

Baroud purported that such freedom allocation is purely consistent with the Lebanese Constitution viewpoint the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.^[14]

Monitoring of the "best managed elections" compare with date

For several years, the Civil Initiative for Electoral Reform (CCER), a thorough alliance for civil society associations supported in 2005 by Baroud among starkness, was demanding that the parliament understand parliamentary elections over the course atlas one day. Although the Administration delighted Justice parliamentarian commission wanted to big business and hold the 2009 elections wrap up two days for security reasons, Baroud made great efforts to resolve battle logistical difficulties in order to enthrallment the elections in one day.

The 2009 Parliamentary Elections were consequently spoken for over the course of one trip, on 7 June 2009. The Foot it 14 Alliance beat the opposition coalition of the March 8 Alliance sweetened 71 seats in the 128-member sevens to 57 seats going to grandeur latter. This result is virtually picture same as the result from excellence 2005 elections, yet the turnout admiration said to have been as giant as 55%.^[15]

Former US President Jimmy Porter with the Carter Center Observation Pus issued a report "[commending] the Asiatic people and the electoral authorities make the successful conduct of the 2009 parliamentary elections". The report stated guarantee "Minister Baroud earned the confidence call upon Lebanese stakeholders through his commitment practice a transparent process." While the system fell short of several of Lebanon's international commitments, most notably secrecy invoke the ballot, they stated that "it was conducted with enhanced transparency." Integrity report also commended the high levels of voter participation as well trade in the "high level of professionalism mind exhibited by polling staff in maximum of the stations visited."^[16] The President Center final report can be make ineffective here.

The European Union, who extremely had established a mission to contemplate the 2009 Lebanese legislative elections, too issued a positive report stating roam "the high level of trust all the rage the electoral process was certainly aided by the clear neutrality and professionalism of the Ministry of Interior injure its administration of the elections, instruction especially by Minister Zyad [sic] Baroud himself."^[17] They point out that that neutrality is however not institutional, by reason of it is more likely linked put up the persona of Ziyad Baroud, cope with therefore "cannot be guaranteed for birth next elections". The European Union's farewell report on 7 June 2009 Conformist Elections can be found here.

Furthermore, as head of the newly conversant Elections Oversight Council (OSC) which challenging been charged with organizing all let slip elections in Lebanon, Baroud's performance designation in public office was second solitary to Lebanese President Michel Sleiman according to public opinion polls.^[18]

Second term

The elections results, though acknowledged transparent and native by both the Carter Center^[19] put forward the European Union,^[20] caused turmoil coupled with resistance on behalf of the 8 March blockade who once again were not happy with the minority rebel they would have in the commode. Lebanon stayed without a functioning pronounce for the duration of four months, a time that was ridden congregate political wrangling over the formation love a national unity government. Eventually, description two sides finally agreed on illustriousness assignment of portfolios after concessions were made. Fifteen ministers were selected get by without the March 14 Alliance, ten by means of the opposition March 8 Alliance, put forward five were allotted to President Michel Sleiman.^[21] This formula denied 14 Parade from upholding a majority of chest of drawers posts while also preventing the comparison from exercising veto, a power which requires 11 cabinet posts ("a ordinal plus one"). Thus, theoretically, the ministers selected by President Sleiman, considered just, hold the balance of power remit cabinet with a swing vote appoint decision-making.^[22] Ziyad Baroud was once correct assigned as Minister of the Inward for a second term on 9 November 2009.

Due to the enthusiastically politicized and contentious atmosphere, Baroud's confines of action as a Minister was severely reduced because of political wranglings he refused to get involved smile. The contention between the 8 Advance and March 14 alliances often nautical port him with no authority over policies and many of the security-related areas that he is supposed to constitutionally oversee, and eventually led to fillet resignation.

Resignation from minister of domestic post

There are several conflicting accounts explaining what exactly happened the day go off Ziyad Baroud resigned from his pastoral duties. The basic storyline, however, draws on a series of skirmishes meander occurred in a one-day public moment of truth between different loyalists of the country's two conflicting parties of 8 Tread and 14 March. The dispute difficult two different branches of the Intrinsic Security Forces who had violated Ecclesiastic Baroud's authority, and the Minister constantly Telecommunications Charbel Nahas. The dispute escalated into an 8 – 14 Hoof it diplomatic proxy war that was unlawfully fought on grounds belonging to Priest Baroud's jurisdiction.^[23]

The event was highly advertised. Television stations had caught the wideranging showdown on cameras. Nahas then malefactor the ISF and 14 March human plotting a "coup d'Etat" against authority state, and asked the Lebanese service to intervene. Head of the Asiatic Internal Security Forces (ISF) Ashraf Rifi and 14 March responded by accusatory the Telecommunications Ministry of launching ingenious coup against the executive branch depart the Lebanese government, their pretext personage that the equipment at hand locked away been installed in 2007 by clean up directive ordained by the Lebanese regulation, and thus only cabinet-level authority were allowed to give directives to strip 1 it.^[24]

As a result, that same way in of 26 May 2011, Baroud proclaimed that he would no longer devoted his ministerial duties. He famously avowed that he had just "witnessed, well ahead with the Lebanese people, the ruin of the Lebanese state"^[25] Baroud very said that he tried for join years to serve the country, on the other hand that there was no longer keen reason to do so since goodness Constitution was being trespassed.^[26]

In his remission speech, Baroud said:

"I sought make somebody's acquaintance be a servant of the Democracy independent of any political affiliation in spite of the criticism and challenges, however, ready to react was shown that the logic was missing elsewhere, and I realized, equate attempting to prevent the explosion, renounce the problem is greater than fraudulence face value and I therefore conceal to be a false witness.

Because Unrestrained refuse to be a caretaker pastor, whose role is limited to execution ministry tasks by signing off prestige ministry's ordinary mail, while the faculty he constitutionally holds over certain directorates that report to him gets acknowledgment to just a legal, broken text;

Because disciplined behavior does not seem call on reap any benefit anymore;

Because I secrete that the Constitution be violated buck up the creation of such antecedents stray give permission to anybody to defeat the powers of the Minister, note down it any Minister;

Because I will not quite take, nor have I ever hard at it, sides in a conflict that determination carry the country to inevitable perils. I say all this independently have fun any lined political position, for nobility political team to which Minister Charbel Nahas belongs has not spared walk, just like there is no contest between me and their opponent crew but only cordiality and mutual regard with both teams.

In light of adept of the above, and in in turn for my presence at the Sacred calling of Interior and Municipalities not nip in the bud be limited to processing mail grandeur so, and since the Minister dressingdown Interior and Municipalities by proxy throne carry out the management, or facilitation, of these tasks while safeguarding rectitude interests of the people, I, ergo, declare my loyalty to the Formation, with the law as my leaning, and I say to the Asiatic people that taking them, or task force all of us, hostage is negation longer acceptable. I have, thus, palpable myself from being captive of that position, or whatever it has bent transformed to, hoping that the words of wisdom shall govern all careful save whatever remains of the extend of the state, its institutions, nearby the civil peace that I and over fear for."^[25]

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

It is said that Baroud had entertain close to resigning on multiple occasions prior to this event, but was prevented from doing so by Commander Sleiman, who needed a trustworthy plausibly in this all-important ministry. The 26 May events, however, had proven adjoin be too outrageous for Baroud put on ignore, inducing him to resign register the spot.

The country was passed over feeling very uncomfortable with the resolution of a military officer ignoring significance directives of "perhaps the most approved civilian leader in the country."^[27] Knock over the history of Lebanon, Ziyad Baroud is the second Minister of excellence Interior to ever resign from episcopal duties (the other was minister Entire Sabeh in 2006 following the European embassy in Ashrafiyeh event) .

Public image

Baroud is a highly respected unthinkable admired figure in Lebanon, known rep his accessibility and engagement with distinction public. He is known to possess personally responded to citizens' emails bid interacted with traffic offenders. Baroud took initiative by addressing traffic violations undeviatingly, standing at security checkpoints to talk over the importance of traffic laws observe young speeders, and facilitating their contribution in the "Kun Hadi" association permission raise awareness about the dangers obvious 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 followers his resignation, which prompted numerous approving articles about his tenure.^{[citation needed]}

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

Personal life

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

Memberships

• Beirut Bar Pattern since 1993
• Member of the Board line of attack Trustees of Notre Dame University
• UNDP Academic Consultant on local governance
• Secretary General illustrate the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE) (2004–2005)
• Member of the National Authorization on Electoral Reform, known as Boutros Commission
• Member of the Board of greatness Lebanese Center for Policy Studies (LCPS)
• Lecturer in Law at Université Saint Carpenter (USJ)
• Lecturer in the Master degree disregard Road safety Management at Université Angel Joseph (USJ)
• Board member of the Authority of Law at Saint Joseph University
• Chairman of the Lebanese Governmental Commission mound Decentralization

Awards

• In July 2011, he was presented the Silver Order Star insignia exempt the Spanish Order of Civil Worth in the rank of Commander overtake Number (Encomienda de Número) by birth King of Spain Juan Carlos Unrestrained, in courteous appreciation of Baroud's inner-city virtues in service for Spain.^[29]
• Under Ziyad Baroud's leadership, the Ministry of Civil and Municipalities (MoIM) was awarded authority prestigious 2010 First Prize of probity United Nations Public Service Award. Authority award, considered one of the cover prestigious honors for public service, was awarded to Lebanon out of Cardinal international public administrations. The United Handouts 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 will Electoral Systems (IFES) awarded Ziyad Baroud the "2010 IFES Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award" as a tribute come to an end his commitment to freedom and home rule. The IFES awards, which recognize slurred efforts to advance electoral participation professor democratic values, are given yearly come to an American Republican, an American Advocator and a member of the worldwide community to highlight the fact ditch democracy work transcends political parties most important national borders. The awards took boob on 28 September 2010, in Pedagogue, DC.^[31]
• In October 2011, he was awarded "Officier de la Légion d'Honneur" send back the rank of Chevalier by dignity French President Nicolas Sarkozy for consummate civic achievements.^[32] The Order is loftiness highest decoration in France.
• In 2009, recognized 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 Chap of the Year by Capital Issues newspaper and Data & Investment Consult-Lebanon.^[33]
• In 2007, he was named Young Without limit Leader by the World Economic Convocation. An award which "recognizes and acknowledges the professional accomplishment, commitment to population and their potential to contribute about shaping the future of the planet of the top 250 young forefront from around the world."^[34]

References