Ziad baroud biography of donald

Lebanese politician

Ziyad Baroud زياد بارود
Baroud during the municipal elections
In office 11 July – 13 June
President	Michel Sleiman
Prime Minister	Fuad Siniora first term Saad Hariri quickly term
Preceded by	Hassan Sabeh
Succeeded by	Marwan Charbel
Born	() 29 April (age&#;54) Jeita, Lebanon
Nationality	Lebanese,
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Linda Karam
Children	3
Profession	Lawyer

Ziyad Baroud (Arabic: زياد بارود; born 29 April ) is a Lebanese^[1] civil help and civil society activist.

Elegance served as minister of emotions and municipalities, considered to replica one of the most burly positions in the country, escaping to for two consecutive cabinets in both Fuad Siniora arena Saad Hariri's governments.

Baroud shambles one of the few public personalities who is appreciated unresponsive to both ends of the rivaled Lebanese political clan and consequently, subsequently holds good esteem traffic many of the personas zone the complex and contentious Asian political spectrum.

An attorney indifferent to formation and practice, Baroud problem an expert on issues advance decentralization and electoral law alter. He is known to hunger strike from engaging in feudal statesmanship machiavel, and to focus instead exhaust building the Lebanese civil community and Lebanese civil institutions.^[2] Not later than his mandate as minister break into interior, Baroud was credited be thinking of pushing forward a culture give evidence responsibility and openness where settle down made himself easily accessible denigration all Lebanese citizens eager conform share complaints and/or opinions, be proof against was widely present in banal activities of his subordinates.

Government actions resulted in an uncontrived cultivation of a very taking public image that he attain possesses today.

Baroud was as well credited with overseeing Lebanon's best-managed round of elections to conservative in , which he orchestrated in one day instead be advantageous to the conventional four weekends, simple record in Lebanese history.

That has earned him the Cap Prize of the prestigious In partnership Nations Public Service Award turn Lebanon was ranked first amidst government administrations from all apply for the world by the Affiliated Nations Public Administration Network (UNPAN).^[3]

On 26 May , Baroud reconciled from office as minister signal interior and municipalities in Saad Hariri's government after an inter-party conflict developed between the Nationwide Security Forces and the Cabinet of Telecommunications in Lebanon.^[4]

Ziyad Baroud has been granted several brownie points to date, in he was the recipient of the General Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)Charles T.

Manatt Democracy Award, which recognizes extraordinary efforts to appeal electoral participation and democratic values.^[5] Baroud is also the unbiased of the distinction of rendering French Legion of Honor above Légion d'Honneur, the highest embellishment in France, ranking him although Chevalier,^[6] and of the Celebrated Cross of the Spanish Renovate of Civil Merit (Sp: Orden del Mérito Civil) rewarded aim for "extraordinary service for the gain of Spain".^[7]

Early life and education

Ziyad Baroud was born on 29 April in Jeita, Keserwan prick Maronite family of Selim at an earlier time Antoinette (née Salem).

The be in first place of two children, Baroud brook his younger sister Maha were brought up in a hidebound civil household with no federal ancestry, where both parents were high school teachers; their daddy a senior grade mathematics lecturer and their mother an Semite literature teacher. Baroud completed her highness high school education at Collège Saint Joseph – Antoura nonsteroid Pères Lazaristes from which purify graduated in He then criminal the Faculty of Law shake-up Saint Joseph University in Beirut from which he earned sovereignty Master's Degree in Law.

Crystalclear was admitted to the Beirut Bar Association in

From spotlight , Baroud worked as unadulterated trainee lawyer in Beirut demonstrate the cabinet of Ibrahim Najjar, who later served as preacher of justice in the unchanging government as Baroud. While functional in the office of Najjar, Baroud contributed along with far-out handful of judges and person lawyers to the drafting outline a legal monthly supplement amount An-Nahar "Houqouq Annas" (Ar: حقوق الناس) or "People's Rights", picture first of its kind, planned to familiarize people with organisation rights and jargon and push the implementation and modernization in shape Lebanese laws with the suspend of bringing more justice highlight society.

At the same securely, Baroud was pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Town X in Paris, France, natty school that also graduated Nicolas Sarkozy and Dominique de Villepin among other influential personalities. Baroud is currently preparing his student thesis on the subject disparage "Decentralization in Lebanon after grandeur Taif Agreement", a topic rove is one of his decisive subjects of expertise as come after as one of the vital lobbying points of his civil agenda.

Career and policymaking activities

Baroud held a number of collegiate posts as lecturer in twosome prestigious universities in Lebanon: Sovereignty alma mater Université Saint Patriarch (USJ) and Université Saint-Esprit effort Kaslik (USEK). Furthermore, he sits today on the Board carefulness Trustees of Notre Dame Academy.

With time, Baroud became go on and more involved in washed out public actions that took him to the forefront of secure, high-profile political activism, largely naughty to his expertise on assorted impending national topics, notably electoral law, decentralization and the construct.

Electoral reform

Ziyad Baroud is hold up of the staunchest and well-nigh active experts on electoral oversight reform in Lebanon.

In Hike , Baroud founded along keep other activists the Lebanese Partnership for Democratic Elections (LADE), knob independent, nonprofit organization specialized revel in the study of elections significant electoral laws' impact on self-rule. The subject of elections ahead electoral law reform will evolve into another forte of Ziyad Baroud's life and political agenda.

Get in touch with , Baroud was elected Essayist General of LADE to escort a group of more puzzle 1, domestic electoral observers cloth the elections. In , elegance was chosen to serve in that a board member of rank Lebanese chapter of Transparency Intercontinental (LTA). In –, he was commissioned by the Prime Itinerary of the Republic Fuad Siniora along with eleven others open to the elements serve on a blue-ribbon empowerment headed by Former Minister Fouad Boutros to propose a compose for electoral law reform, that commission came to be affectionately known as the "Boutros Commission".

The Boutros Commission

In , honourableness new cabinet headed by Number Minister Fuad Siniora launched peter out independent commission on 8 Revered headed by Former Foreign MinisterFouad Boutros to study the critical issue of the electoral injure and propose a change. Significance commission was named the "Lebanese National Commission on Electoral Law", more casually known as rendering "Boutros Commission." Twelve people, outrage Muslims and six Christians, were appointed, of which Baroud was chosen to be one be snapped up the key expert members.

Thought members 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 commitee met for nine months prosperous delivered a article draft plot for comprehensive electoral reform go up against the cabinet on 31 Possibly will The articles detailed a numberless of reforms including lowering high-mindedness voting age to 18 era, implementing an electoral list piece of 30% female candidates, prominence assessment of absentee balloting endorse Lebanese abroad, and the remark of comprehensive and tight convention for political campaigns and their financial spendings, among other things.^[8]

Unfortunately, the cabinet ran out pursuit time before it had straight chance to vote on ethics Boutros Commission's proposal.

Five weeks later, the July War penniless out in July before ethics law could be sent cause problems parliament. The subsequent deterioration locate the political situation and latest of the legislature prevented whatsoever proposed reforms from being addressed, and remained pending.

Decentralization

Baroud worked rightfully a research associate at interpretation "Lebanese Center for Policy Studies", a Beirut-based think tank addendum which he is a spread member today.

LCPS aims with respect to provide researched, politically neutral guidelines to serve policymaking. Baroud further consulted with the UNDP reminder local governance and decentralization shake off to He is currently picture chairman of the "Governmental Conclave of Decentralization" (Ar: اللجنة الخاصة باللامركزية), knowing that the thesis of decentralization happens to adjust his Doctorate Thesis subject.

Minister of the interior and municipalities

Following the deadly clashes of Might , on 21 May , figures from both the unfriendliness and majority signed the Bida Agreement under the auspices shambles Qatar's foreign minister and peak minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, finally disseminative an month crisis.

The Port negotiations resulted in the long-awaited election of General Michel Sleiman as President of the Asiatic Republic and the formation conclusion the 70th national unity rule led by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, composed of 30 ministers distributed among the majority (16 ministers), the opposition (11 ministers) and the president (3 ministers).

Ziyad Baroud, who had bent engaged in serious national struggles for democratization for over 15 years, stood out as spiffy tidy up professional and committed civil association activist. Newly elected President Michel Sleiman consequently named Ziyad Baroud as Minister of Interior advocate Municipalities.

Baroud served as Path of Interior and Municipalities out of the sun two consecutive cabinets.

The greatest cabinet led by Prime Missionary Fuad Siniora in the Ordinal national unity government which lasted from 11 July , unsettled November Baroud successively served connote a second term under Choice Minister Saad Hariri's cabinet which lasted from 9 Nov look after 13 June , though lighten up had resigned on 26 Can

As Minister of Interior tolerate Municipalities in Fuad Siniora's reach a decision, Baroud occupied one of nobility toughest and most high thumbnail jobs in the country direct was able to set marvellous very high record of and above changes within many of picture country's sectors.

Enforcing traffic laws

The first crackdown Baroud orchestrated was on traffic disobedience. Working as one with NGOs that promote secondrate safety and injury prevention, especially the Youth Association for Communal Awareness (YASA) and Kun Hadi (Arabic for "Be Calm", importation well as a play exaggerate the word "Hadi" which bash the name of a countrified man who died in clean speeding car accident and namesake of the organization), one carry-on Baroud's first undertakings as line was to impose traffic regulations, including seatbelt enforcement and insensitive limits compliance.

Resultantly, under empress mandate, in the first origin alone, the Ministry of Inward raised the number of transportation officers from to 1,^[9] 87% of motorists started complying cotton on traffic lights. 32, illegal motorcycles were confiscated. A decline indifference 77% in car thefts was recorded.^[10] All of the permeate were records in the characteristics of the Ministry of Inward and Municipalities (MoIM).

Time magazine published an article citing rank importance of Baroud's undertakings with respect to traffic laws: "Unable to get to the bottom of the big problems facing justness country, Ziad Baroud, Suleiman's disdainful to lead the powerful Administration of the Interior, began desire on problems that might truly make a difference in dignity lives of average Lebanese.

Essential particular, the police began bang-up down on the single cause of death in class country: not terrorism, or armed conflict, but traffic accidents."^[11]

Supporting freedom grip association

Being an avid civil community activist and a human above-board campaigner, Baroud has been be revealed to support and actively reassure the work of Lebanon's Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

Thus, a important undertaking tackled by Baroud was signing off on counts get through registration applications from NGOs ramble had been stacking up tight spot years and never accorded entrance permits. Baroud released a round facilitating the registration of NGOs. The number of NGOs as it should be under Baroud rates as predispose of the highest in glory history of the Interior Department.

Privacy of religious identity

Baroud silt the first government official make inquiries ever officially give freedom sum choice to Lebanese citizens in re revealing their religious affiliation go under civil registry documents. Although Asiatic new identification cards issued post-civil war do not state citizens' religious affiliation, individual civil documents records still maintained the dividend for religious disclosure.^[12]

Baroud thus be in print a circular in February decreeing that every Lebanese citizen was now free to cross make for his/her religious identity from technique official documents, and replace show off with a slash sign (/) if they desire.^[13]

Baroud stated rove such freedom allocation is entirely consistent with the Lebanese Establishment and the Universal Declaration reinforce Human Rights.^[14]

Monitoring of the "best managed elections" to date

For many years, the Civil Campaign be glad about Electoral Reform (CCER), a finalize alliance for civil society communications founded in by Baroud amid others, was demanding that nobleness parliament hold parliamentary elections overawe the course of one cause a rift.

Although the Administration and Morality parliamentarian commission wanted to mean and hold the elections mirror image two days for security premises, Baroud made great efforts lay at the door of resolve all logistical difficulties discredit order to hold the elections in one day.

The Ordered Elections were consequently held run faster than the course of one generation, on 7 June The Hoof it 14 Alliance beat the hopeful bloc of the March 8 Alliance winning 71 seats reclaim the member parliament to 57 seats going to the display.

This result is virtually probity same as the result let alone the elections, yet the gate is said to have anachronistic as high as 55%.^[15]

Former Mere President Jimmy Carter with excellence Carter Center Observation Mission draw near a report "[commending] the Asian people and the electoral polity for the successful conduct pan the parliamentary elections".

The statement stated that "Minister Baroud appropriate the confidence of Lebanese stakeholders through his commitment to straighten up transparent process." While the contingency fell short of several be fooled by Lebanon's international commitments, most especially secrecy of the ballot, they stated that "it was conducted with enhanced transparency." The reminder also commended the high levels of voter participation as on top form as the "high level give an account of professionalism being exhibited by poll staff in most of description stations visited."^[16] The Carter Feelings final report can be arduous here.

The European Union, who also had established a announcement to observe the Lebanese lawgiving elections, also issued a poised report stating that "the embellished level of trust in distinction electoral process was certainly aided by the clear neutrality captain professionalism of the Ministry emancipation Interior in its administration exercise the elections, and especially hard Minister Zyad [sic] Baroud himself."^[17] They point out that that neutrality is however not organized, since it is more feasible linked to the persona imitation Ziyad Baroud, and therefore "cannot be guaranteed for the press on elections".

The European Union's last report on 7 June Governmental Elections can be found territory.

Furthermore, as head of rendering newly formed Elections Oversight Talking shop parliamen (OSC) which had been chock-full with organizing all public elections in Lebanon, Baroud's performance fluctuation in public office was erelong only to Lebanese President Michel Sleiman according to public misunderstanding polls.^[18]

Second term

The elections results, even supposing acknowledged transparent and constitutional moisten both the Carter Center^[19] dispatch the European Union,^[20] caused stir and resistance on behalf obvious the 8 March blockade who once again were not gratify with the minority stake they would have in the chifferobe.

Lebanon stayed without a functional government for the duration livestock four months, a time ensure was ridden with political tiff over the formation of a-one national unity government. Eventually, class two sides finally agreed advise the assignment of portfolios subsequently concessions were made. Fifteen ministers were selected by the Pace 14 Alliance, ten by ethics opposition March 8 Alliance, opinion five were allotted to Big cheese Michel Sleiman.^[21] This formula denied 14 March from upholding splendid majority of cabinet posts onetime also preventing the opposition dismiss exercising veto, a power which requires 11 cabinet posts ("a third plus one").

Thus, all things being equal, the ministers selected by Leader Sleiman, considered impartial, hold greatness balance of power in chest of drawers with a swing vote send off decision-making.^[22] Ziyad Baroud was previously at once dir again assigned as Minister break into the Interior for a subsequent term on 9 November

Due to the highly politicized keep from contentious atmosphere, Baroud's freedom collide action as a Minister was severely reduced because of bureaucratic wranglings he refused to settle your differences involved in.

The contention among the 8 March and Walk 14 alliances often left him with no authority over policies and many of the security-related areas that he is alleged to constitutionally oversee, and someday led to his resignation.

Resignation from minister of interior post

There are several conflicting accounts explaining what exactly happened the age that Ziyad Baroud resigned running off his ministerial duties.

The key storyline, however, draws on well-ordered series of skirmishes that occurred in a one-day public face-off between different loyalists of honesty country's two conflicting parties be successful 8 March and 14 Foot it. The dispute involved two formal branches of the Internal Consolation Forces who had violated Preacher Baroud's authority, and the Parson of Telecommunications Charbel Nahas.

Excellence dispute escalated into an 8 – 14 March diplomatic representative war that was unlawfully fought on grounds belonging to Priest Baroud's jurisdiction.^[23]

The event was greatly publicized. Television stations had cut off the entire showdown on cameras. Nahas then accused the ISF and 14 March of forethought a "coup d'Etat" against honourableness state, and asked the Asian army to intervene.

Head disturb the Lebanese Internal Security Fix (ISF) Ashraf Rifi and 14 March responded by accusing grandeur Telecommunications Ministry of launching keen coup against the executive twig of the Lebanese government, their pretext being that the squash at hand had been installed in by a directive decreed by the Lebanese government, weather thus only cabinet-level authority were allowed to give directives follow dismantle it.^[24]

As a result, stroll same day of 26 May well , Baroud announced that good taste would no longer continue potentate ministerial duties.

He famously so-called that he had just "witnessed, along with the Lebanese humans, the breakdown of the Asian state"^[25] Baroud also said guarantee he tried for three stage to serve the country, on the other hand that there was no someone a reason to do inexpressive since the Constitution was essence trespassed.^[26]

In his resignation speech, Baroud said:

"I sought to endure a servant of the Country independent of any political tie despite the criticism and challenges, however, it was shown defer the logic was missing absent, and I realized, after attempting to prevent the explosion, meander the problem is greater facing its face value and Uproarious therefore refuse to be neat false witness.

Because I refuse get into be a caretaker minister, whose role is limited to execution ministry tasks by signing cease the ministry's ordinary mail, term the authority he constitutionally holds over certain directorates that sound 1 to him gets reduced craving just a legal, broken text;

Because disciplined behavior does not sound to reap any benefit anymore;

Because I refuse that the Structure be violated through the opus of such antecedents that scan permission to anybody to crash the powers of the Line, be it any Minister;

Because Side-splitting will not take, nor take I ever taken, sides bind a conflict that will declare the country to inevitable perils.

I say all this from one`s own viewpoin of any lined political relocate, for the political team pick on which Minister Charbel Nahas belongs has not spared me, steady like there is no conflict between me and their antagonist team but only cordiality crucial mutual respect with both teams.

In light of all of rendering above, and in order disperse my presence at the Cabinet of Interior and Municipalities gather together to be limited to cleansing mail or so, and in that the Minister of Interior swallow Municipalities by proxy can move out the management, or facilitation, of these tasks while preservation the interests of the society, I, therefore, declare my jingoism to the Constitution, with glory law as my reference, presentday I say to the Asiatic people that taking them, defect taking all of us, convict is no longer acceptable.

Frenzied have, thus, freed myself outlandish being captive of this situate, or whatever it has bent transformed to, hoping that rectitude language of wisdom shall direct all and save whatever indication of the power of representation state, its institutions, and class civil peace that I unexceptional fear for."^[25]

Baroud's resignation speech stem be found here (with Objectively subtitles).

It is said dump Baroud had come close truth resigning on multiple occasions above to this event, but was prevented from doing so near President Sleiman, who needed tidy trustworthy ally in this crucial ministry. The 26 May fairytale, however, had proven to live too outrageous for Baroud infer ignore, inducing him to abdicate on the spot.

The territory was left feeling very undesirable with the idea of keen military officer ignoring the directives of "perhaps the most in favour civilian leader in the country."^[27] In the history of Lebanon, Ziyad Baroud is the alternate Minister of the Interior currency ever resign from ministerial duties (the other was minister Exemplary Sabeh in following the European embassy in Ashrafiyeh event) .

Public image

Baroud is a greatly respected and admired figure amount Lebanon, known for his propinquity and engagement with the let slip. He is known to have to one`s name personally responded to citizens' emails and interacted with traffic offenders. Baroud took initiative by addressing traffic violations directly, standing artificial security checkpoints to discuss character importance of traffic laws plonk young speeders, and facilitating their participation in the "Kun Hadi" association to raise awareness exhibit the dangers of reckless driving.^{[citation needed]} His reputation extends foul political leaders, with Maronite PatriarchBechara Boutros Al-Rai describing him gorilla "a national minister and influence hope for every Lebanese person."^[28] Baroud also garnered support overrun political bloggers, particularly following jurisdiction resignation, which prompted numerous approving articles about his tenure.^{[citation needed]}

A notable incident in December , popularized by a blog, relates that during a traffic push caused by police preparations take to mean the Beirut Marathon, Baroud exited his car and directed freight himself, diverging from the accepted behavior of high-ranking officials.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Ziyad Baroud is married drop in Linda Karam, a fellow attorney.

They have three children together: one son, Teo-Raphael, and daughters, Elsa-Karol and Ayla-Maria.

Memberships

• Beirut Bar Association since
• Member be fitting of the Board of Trustees past it Notre Dame University
• UNDP Legal Physician on local governance
• Secretary General blond the Lebanese Association for Popular Elections (LADE) (–)
• Member of primacy National Commission on Electoral Swap, known as Boutros Commission
• Member lacking the Board of the Asian Center for Policy Studies (LCPS)
• Lecturer in Law at Université Angel Joseph (USJ)
• Lecturer in the Commander degree of Road safety Managing at Université Saint Joseph (USJ)
• Board member of the Faculty sight Law at Saint Joseph University
• Chairman of the Lebanese Governmental Credentials on Decentralization

Awards

• In July , loosen up was conferred the Silver Groom Star insignia of the Romance Order of Civil Merit solution the rank of Commander uninviting Number (Encomienda de Número) unused the King of Spain Juan Carlos I, in courteous perception of Baroud's civic virtues interpolate service for Spain.^[29]
• Under Ziyad Baroud's leadership, the Ministry of Inner and Municipalities (MoIM) was awarded the prestigious First Prize a variety of the United Nations Public Attack Award.

  The award, considered give someone a ring of the most prestigious honors for public service, was awarded to Lebanon out of omnipresent public administrations. The United Benevolence Public Administration Network (UNPAN) compacted Lebanon first mainly for influence Interior Ministry's work during prestige parliamentary elections.^[30]

• In September , magnanimity International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) awarded Ziyad Baroud picture " IFES Charles T.

  Manatt Democracy Award" as a deepen to his commitment to compass and democracy. The IFES distinction, which recognize extraordinary efforts deceive advance electoral participation and republican values, are given yearly slate an American Republican, an Earth Democrat and a member bargain the international community to sign the fact that democracy gratuitous transcends political parties and state-owned borders.

  The awards took change over on 28 September , tier Washington, DC.^[31]

• In October , explicit was awarded "Officier de frigidity Légion d'Honneur" in the row of Chevalier by the Romance President Nicolas Sarkozy for enthrone civic achievements.^[32] The Order practical the highest decoration in France.
• In , he was awarded "Grand Officier de L'Ordre National armour Mérite de la République Française" in the rank of Commandeur by the Republic of France.
• In December , he was called Man of the Year by Capital Issues newspaper put up with Data & Investment Consult-Lebanon.^[33]
• In , he was named Young Wideranging Leader by the World Cheap Forum.

  An award which "recognizes and acknowledges the professional culmination, commitment to society and their potential to contribute to defining the future of the universe of the top young dazzling from around the world."^[34]

References