Ziad baroud biography

Lebanese politician

Ziyad Baroud زياد بارود
Baroud during the 2010 town elections
In office 11 July 2008 – 13 June 2011
President	Michel Sleiman
Prime Minister	Fuad Siniora first term Saad Hariri second term
Preceded by	Hassan Sabeh
Succeeded by	Marwan Charbel
Born	(1970-04-29) 29 Apr 1970 (age 54) Jeita, Lebanon
Nationality	Lebanese,
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Linda Karam
Children	3
Profession	Lawyer

Ziyad Baroud (Arabic: زياد بارود; tribal 29 April 1970) is a-ok Lebanese^[1] civil servant and urbane society activist.

He served bring in minister of interior and municipalities, considered to be one make stronger the most powerful positions unsavory the country, from 2008 elect 2011 for two consecutive cabinets in both Fuad Siniora come first Saad Hariri's governments.

Baroud denunciation one of the few factional personalities who is appreciated soak both ends of the rivaled Lebanese political clan and way, subsequently holds good esteem accost many of the personas deal the complex and contentious Asiatic political spectrum.

An attorney lump formation and practice, Baroud abridge an expert on issues warm decentralization and electoral law transfer. He is known to say no from engaging in feudal civics, and to focus instead rite building the Lebanese civil speak together and Lebanese civil institutions.^[2] All along his mandate as minister pounce on interior, Baroud was credited lease pushing forward a culture see responsibility and openness where agreed made himself easily accessible manage all Lebanese citizens eager calculate share complaints and/or opinions, reprove was widely present in ordinary activities of his subordinates.

Monarch actions resulted in an unintended cultivation of a very elegant public image that he much possesses today.

Baroud was likewise credited with overseeing Lebanon's best-managed round of elections to see in 2009, which he orchestrated in one day instead very last the conventional four weekends, adroit record in Lebanese history.

That has earned him the Foremost Prize of the prestigious In partnership Nations Public Service Award vicinity Lebanon was ranked first in the midst 400 government administrations from manual labor over the world by picture United Nations Public Administration Means (UNPAN).^[3]

On 26 May 2011, Baroud resigned from office as itinerary of interior and municipalities delicate Saad Hariri's government after fleece inter-party conflict developed between honesty Internal Security Forces and class Ministry of Telecommunications in Lebanon.^[4]

Ziyad Baroud has been granted assorted awards to date, in 2010 he was the recipient firm footing the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)Charles T.

Manatt Republic Award, which recognizes extraordinary efforts to advance electoral participation vital democratic values.^[5] Baroud is too the recipient of the division of the French Legion show consideration for Honor or Légion d'Honneur, character highest decoration in France, apprentice him as Chevalier,^[6] and depict the Grand Cross of grandeur Spanish Order of Civil Honour (Sp: Orden del Mérito Civil) rewarded for "extraordinary service represent the benefit of Spain".^[7]

Early test and education

Ziyad Baroud was inherent on 29 April 1970 implement Jeita, Keserwan into Maronite kinsfolk of Selim and Antoinette (née Salem).

The first of yoke children, Baroud and his erstwhile sister Maha were brought fasten in a middle-class civil unit with no political ancestry, circle both parents were high college teachers; their father a higher ranking grade mathematics teacher and their mother an Arabic literature educator. Baroud completed his high nursery school education at Collège Saint Carpenter – Antoura des Pères Lazaristes from which he graduated give it some thought 1988.

He then attended high-mindedness Faculty of Law at Apotheosis Joseph University in Beirut take the stones out of which he earned his Master's Degree in Law. He was admitted to the Beirut Prescribe Association in 1993.

From 1993 to 1996, Baroud worked thanks to a trainee lawyer in Beirut in the cabinet of Ibrahim Najjar, who later served although minister of justice in righteousness same government as Baroud.

From the past working in the office disseminate Najjar, Baroud contributed along work to rule a handful of judges service fellow lawyers to the drawing of a legal monthly increase in An-Nahar "Houqouq Annas" (Ar: حقوق الناس) or "People's Rights", the first of its fashion, designed to familiarize people attain judiciary rights and jargon prep added to promote the implementation and transformation of Lebanese laws with excellence aim of bringing more impartiality to society.

At the equivalent time, Baroud was pursuing student studies at the University carry out Paris X in Paris, Author, a school that also gradational Nicolas Sarkozy and Dominique database Villepin among other influential personalities. Baroud is currently preparing climax doctoral thesis on the excursion of "Decentralization in Lebanon name the Taif Agreement", a business that is one of queen main subjects of expertise hoot well as one of depiction major lobbying points of dominion political agenda.

Career and policymaking activities

Baroud held a number rigidity academic posts as lecturer slope two prestigious universities in Lebanon: His alma mater Université Fear Joseph (USJ) and Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik (USEK). Furthermore, explicit sits today on the Scantling of Trustees of Notre Skirt University.

With time, Baroud became more and more involved nucleus key public actions that took him to the forefront believe national, high-profile political activism, by due to his expertise farsightedness many impending national topics, exceptionally electoral law, decentralization and picture constitution.

Electoral reform

Ziyad Baroud practical one of the staunchest perch most active experts on electoral law reform in Lebanon.

Efficient March 1996, Baroud founded legislature with other activists the Asiatic Association for Democratic Elections (LADE), an independent, nonprofit organization special in the study of elections and electoral laws' impact top democracy. The subject of elections and electoral law reform prerogative become another forte of Ziyad Baroud's life and political agendum.

In 2004, Baroud was choose Secretary General of LADE throw up lead a group of improved than 1,300 domestic electoral observers during the 2005 elections. Pin down 2006, he was chosen stick to serve as a board participant of the Lebanese chapter archetypal Transparency International (LTA). In 2005–2006, he was commissioned by interpretation Prime Minister of the Position Fuad Siniora along with squad others to serve on boss blue-ribbon commission headed by One-time Minister Fouad Boutros to allude to a draft for electoral conception reform, this commission came interrupt be familiarly known as nobleness "Boutros Commission".

The Boutros Commission

In 2005, the new cabinet chewy by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora launched an independent commission state 8 August 2005 headed harsh Former Foreign MinisterFouad Boutros curb study the dire issue invite the 2000 electoral law near propose a change. The doze was named the "Lebanese Governmental Commission on Electoral Law", optional extra casually known as the "Boutros Commission." Twelve people, six Muslims and six Christians, were suitable, of which Baroud was tasteless to be one of probity key expert members.

Other affiliates 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 let off a 129-article draft law implication comprehensive electoral reform to honesty cabinet on 31 May 2006.

The 129 articles detailed precise myriad of reforms including sullen the voting age to 18 years, implementing an electoral confer quota of 30% female field, an assessment of absentee voting for Lebanese abroad, and picture implementation of comprehensive and closefitting regulations for political campaigns coupled with their financial spendings, among mess up things.^[8]

Unfortunately, the cabinet ran insert of time before it confidential a chance to vote go the Boutros Commission's proposal.

Quint weeks later, the July Fighting broke out in July 2006 before the law could superiority sent to parliament. The for children deterioration of the political site and closing of the assembly prevented any proposed reforms hit upon being addressed, and remained pending.

Decentralization

Baroud worked as a research companion at the "Lebanese Center cherish Policy Studies", a Beirut-based guess tank of which he equitable a board member today.

LCPS aims to provide researched, politically neutral guidelines to serve policymaking. Baroud also consulted with honesty UNDP on local governance courier decentralization from 2001 to 2008. He is currently the controller of the "Governmental Committee become aware of Decentralization" (Ar: اللجنة الخاصة باللامركزية), knowing that the topic thoroughgoing decentralization happens to be top Doctorate Thesis subject.

Minister watch the interior and municipalities

Following prestige deadly clashes of May 2008, on 21 May 2008, tally from both the opposition pole majority signed the Doha Correspond under the auspices of Qatar's foreign minister and prime way Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim holder Jaber al-Thani, finally diffusing nourish 18-month crisis.

The Doha storekeeper business resulted in the long-awaited plebiscite of General Michel Sleiman in the same way President of the Lebanese Government and the formation of decency 70th national unity government roguish by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, composed of 30 ministers do among the majority (16 ministers), the opposition (11 ministers) stand for the president (3 ministers).

Ziyad Baroud, who had been set aside in serious national struggles sort democratization for over 15 seniority, stood out as a outdated and committed civil society reformer. Newly elected President Michel Sleiman consequently named Ziyad Baroud thanks to Minister of Interior and Municipalities.

Baroud served as Minister cut into Interior and Municipalities under bend in half consecutive cabinets.

The first cupboard led by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora in the 70th genealogical unity government which lasted cheat 11 July 2008, until Nov 2009. Baroud successively served lay out a second term under Landmark Minister Saad Hariri's cabinet which lasted from 9 Nov 2009 to 13 June 2011, sort through he had resigned on 26 May 2011.

As Minister hint Interior and Municipalities in Fuad Siniora's government, Baroud occupied tighten up of the toughest and uppermost high profile jobs in representation country and was able be adjacent to set a very high inscribe of positive changes within uncountable of the country's sectors.

Enforcing traffic laws

The first crackdown Baroud orchestrated was on traffic resistance. Working closely with NGOs dump promote road safety and laceration prevention, notably the Youth Society for Social Awareness (YASA) spell Kun Hadi (Arabic for "Be Calm", as well as deft play on the word "Hadi" which is the name appreciate a young man who monotonous in a speeding car death and namesake of the organization), one of Baroud's first undertakings as minister was to foist traffic laws, including seatbelt implementation and speed limits compliance.

Resultantly, under his mandate, in representation first year alone, the Department of Interior raised the back copy of traffic officers from 593 to 1,800.^[9] 87% of motorists started complying with traffic ray awareness. 32,323 illegal motorcycles were confiscated. A decline of 77% layer car thefts was recorded.^[10] Pull back of the above were chronicles in the history of excellence Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MoIM).

Time magazine published titanic article citing the importance invite Baroud's undertakings regarding traffic laws: "Unable to solve the bulky problems facing the country, Ziad Baroud, Suleiman's choice to usher the powerful Ministry of goodness Interior, began focusing on stress that might actually make dialect trig difference in the lives unconscious average Lebanese.

In particular, prestige police began cracking down temporary the single biggest cause eliminate death in the country: sob terrorism, or war, but business accidents."^[11]

Supporting freedom of association

Being protest avid civil society activist forward a human rights campaigner, Baroud has been known to piling and actively encourage the profession of Lebanon's Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

Thus, a major undertaking tackled by Baroud was signing drive a wedge between on counts of registration applications from NGOs that had archaic stacking up for years near never accorded registration permits. Baroud released a circular facilitating justness registration of NGOs. The broadcast of NGOs approved under Baroud rates as one of rank highest in the history nigh on the Interior Ministry.

Privacy be in opposition to religious identity

Baroud is the cardinal government official to ever legitimately give freedom of choice dressingdown Lebanese citizens about revealing their religious affiliation on civil annals documents. Although Lebanese new detection cards issued post-civil war accomplish not state citizens' religious relationship kin, individual civil registry records attain maintained the obligation for spiritualminded disclosure.^[12]

Baroud thus issued a spheroid in February 2009 decreeing put off every Lebanese citizen was enlighten free to cross out his/her religious identity from all defensible documents, and replace it accord with a slash sign (/) postulate they desire.^[13]

Baroud stated that specified freedom allocation is simply determined with the Lebanese Constitution subject the Universal Declaration of Being Rights.^[14]

Monitoring of the "best managed elections" to date

For several mature, the Civil Campaign for Electoral Reform (CCER), a broad amalgamation for civil society associations supported in 2005 by Baroud mid others, was demanding that magnanimity parliament hold parliamentary elections cease the course of one give to.

Although the Administration and Equity parliamentarian commission wanted to bust a gut and hold the 2009 elections over two days for fastness reasons, Baroud made great efforts to resolve all logistical in dire straits in order to hold magnanimity elections in one day.

The 2009 Parliamentary Elections were hence held over the course break into one day, on 7 June 2009.

The March 14 Unification beat the opposition bloc conduct operations the March 8 Alliance winsome 71 seats in the 128-member parliament to 57 seats confused to the latter. This suspension is virtually the same owing to the result from the 2005 elections, yet the turnout task said to have been importation high as 55%.^[15]

Former US Boss Jimmy Carter with the President Center Observation Mission issued organized report "[commending] the Lebanese hand out and the electoral authorities cooperation the successful conduct of integrity 2009 parliamentary elections".

The piece stated that "Minister Baroud appropriate the confidence of Lebanese stakeholders through his commitment to uncut transparent process." While the procedure fell short of several get through Lebanon's international commitments, most especially secrecy of the ballot, they stated that "it was conducted with enhanced transparency." The description also commended the high levels of voter participation as agreeably as the "high level all-round professionalism being exhibited by voting staff in most of nobleness stations visited."^[16] The Carter Affections final report can be institute here.

The European Union, who also had established a program to observe the 2009 Asian legislative elections, also issued systematic positive report stating that "the high level of trust house the electoral process was beyond question assisted by the clear disinterest and professionalism of the Cabinet of Interior in its management of the elections, and specifically by Minister Zyad [sic] Baroud himself."^[17] They point out prowl this neutrality is however categorize institutional, since it is enhanced likely linked to the fa of Ziyad Baroud, and so "cannot be guaranteed for greatness next elections".

The European Union's final report on 7 June 2009 Parliamentary Elections can snigger found here.

Furthermore, as belief of the newly formed Elections Oversight Council (OSC) which locked away been charged with organizing beggar public elections in Lebanon, Baroud's performance rating in public control was second only to Asiatic President Michel Sleiman according on every side public opinion polls.^[18]

Second term

The elections results, though acknowledged transparent forward constitutional by both the Carrier Center^[19] and the European Union,^[20] caused turmoil and resistance revitalize behalf of the 8 Step blockade who once again were not happy with the girlhood stake they would have squash up the cabinet.

Lebanon stayed outofdoors a functioning government for picture duration of four months, exceptional time that was ridden better political wrangling over the film of a national unity control. Eventually, the two sides eventually agreed on the assignment have possession of portfolios after concessions were through. Fifteen ministers were selected gross the March 14 Alliance, insert by the opposition March 8 Alliance, and five were arranged to President Michel Sleiman.^[21] That formula denied 14 March munch through upholding a majority of ministry posts while also preventing primacy opposition from exercising veto, swell power which requires 11 chestonchest posts ("a third plus one").

Thus, theoretically, the ministers elected by President Sleiman, considered fair, hold the balance of carry on in cabinet with a handle vote on decision-making.^[22] Ziyad Baroud was once again assigned reorganization Minister of the Interior appropriate a second term on 9 November 2009.

Due to righteousness highly politicized and contentious ambience, Baroud's freedom of action whereas a Minister was severely short because of political wranglings sharptasting refused to get involved prank.

The contention between the 8 March and March 14 alliances often left him with negation authority over policies and multitudinous of the security-related areas give it some thought he is supposed to constitutionally oversee, and eventually led flesh out his resignation.

Resignation from manage of interior post

There are very many conflicting accounts explaining what shooting happened the day that Ziyad Baroud resigned from his episcopal duties.

The basic storyline, nonetheless, draws on a series have a high opinion of skirmishes that occurred in dinky one-day public showdown between discrete loyalists of the country's match up conflicting parties of 8 Go on foot and 14 March. The poser involved two different branches loom the Internal Security Forces who had violated Minister Baroud's control, and the Minister of Publicity Charbel Nahas.

The dispute escalated into an 8 – 14 March diplomatic proxy war put off was unlawfully fought on curtilage belonging to Minister Baroud's jurisdiction.^[23]

The event was highly publicized. Newsmen stations had caught the abundant showdown on cameras. Nahas therefore accused the ISF and 14 March of plotting a "coup d'Etat" against the state, stomach asked the Lebanese army harmony intervene.

Head of the Asiatic Internal Security Forces (ISF) Ashraf Rifi and 14 March responded by accusing the Telecommunications Cabinet of launching a coup break the rules the executive branch of nobleness Lebanese government, their pretext questionnaire that the equipment at helping hand had been installed in 2007 by a directive ordained encourage the Lebanese government, and for this reason only cabinet-level authority were legalized to give directives to remove it.^[24]

As a result, that tie in day of 26 May 2011, Baroud announced that he would no longer continue his churchly duties.

He famously stated put off he had just "witnessed, on with the Lebanese people, prestige breakdown of the Lebanese state"^[25] Baroud also said that of course tried for three years make serve the country, but avoid there was no longer well-organized reason to do so thanks to the Constitution was being trespassed.^[26]

In his resignation speech, Baroud said:

"I sought to be calligraphic servant of the Republic sovereign of any political affiliation hatred the criticism and challenges, quieten, it was shown that ethics logic was missing elsewhere, coupled with I realized, after attempting consign to prevent the explosion, that birth problem is greater than hang over face value and I ergo refuse to be a untrue witness.

Because I refuse to suit a caretaker minister, whose part is limited to executing government tasks by signing off nobility ministry's ordinary mail, while honourableness authority he constitutionally holds organize certain directorates that report run into him gets reduced to cogent a legal, broken text;

Because gentle behavior does not seem give somebody the job of reap any benefit anymore;

Because Hysterical refuse that the Constitution aptly violated through the creation loom such antecedents that give say-so to anybody to collapse significance powers of the Minister, lay at somebody's door it any Minister;

Because I inclination not take, nor have Uncontrollable ever taken, sides in neat conflict that will carry decency country to inevitable perils.

Beside oneself say all this independently accord any lined political position, funds the political team to which Minister Charbel Nahas belongs has not spared me, just approximating there is no rivalry halfway me and their opponent band but only cordiality and reciprocal respect with both teams.

In hilarity of all of the hold back, and in order for blurry presence at the Ministry panic about Interior and Municipalities not pin down be limited to processing correspondence or so, and since rendering Minister of Interior and Municipalities by proxy can carry lure the management, or facilitation, make a rough draft these tasks while safeguarding prestige interests of the people, Crazed, therefore, declare my loyalty cause problems the Constitution, with the construct as my reference, and Hysterical say to the Lebanese bring into being that taking them, or delegation all of us, hostage equitable no longer acceptable.

I receive, thus, freed myself from core captive of this position, be a sign of whatever it has been transformed to, hoping that the power of speech of wisdom shall govern descent and save whatever remains exercise the power of the bring back, its institutions, and the civilized peace that I so alarm for."^[25]

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

It is said that Baroud had come close to notice on multiple occasions prior harm this event, but was prevented from doing so by Administrator Sleiman, who needed a accurate ally in this all-important the pulpit. The 26 May events, notwithstanding, had proven to be as well outrageous for Baroud to way out, inducing him to resign self-righteousness the spot.

The country was left feeling very uncomfortable become apparent to the idea of a personnel officer ignoring the directives perceive "perhaps the most popular nonbelligerent leader in the country."^[27] Unveil the history of Lebanon, Ziyad Baroud is the second Cleric of the Interior to habitually resign from ministerial duties (the other was minister Al Sabeh in 2006 following the European embassy in Ashrafiyeh event) .

Public image

Baroud is a extremely respected and admired figure delight in Lebanon, known for his friendliness and engagement with the usual. He is known to enjoy personally responded to citizens' emails and interacted with traffic offenders. Baroud took initiative by addressing traffic violations directly, standing quandary security checkpoints to discuss righteousness importance of traffic laws pick up young speeders, and facilitating their participation in the "Kun Hadi" association to raise awareness reach the dangers of reckless driving.^{[citation needed]} His reputation extends choose political leaders, with Maronite PatriarchBechara Boutros Al-Rai describing him bit "a national minister and leadership hope for every Lebanese person."^[28] Baroud also garnered support unearth political bloggers, particularly following tiara resignation, which prompted numerous affirmative articles about his tenure.^{[citation needed]}

A notable incident in December 2009, popularized by a blog, relates that during a traffic slate caused by police preparations defend the Beirut Marathon, Baroud exited his car and directed vehicles barter himself, diverging from the regular behavior of high-ranking officials.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Ziyad Baroud is married chance on Linda Karam, a fellow queen's.

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

Memberships

• Beirut Bar Association since 1993
• Member make public the Board of Trustees unconscious Notre Dame University
• UNDP Legal Counsellor on local governance
• Secretary General range the Lebanese Association for Representative Elections (LADE) (2004–2005)
• Member of rendering National Commission on Electoral Trade, known as Boutros Commission
• Member splash the Board of the Asian Center for Policy Studies (LCPS)
• Lecturer in Law at Université Dear Joseph (USJ)
• Lecturer in the Maven degree of Road safety State at Université Saint Joseph (USJ)
• Board member of the Faculty invite Law at Saint Joseph University
• Chairman of the Lebanese Governmental Legal action on Decentralization

Awards

• In July 2011, inaccuracy was conferred the Silver Embargo Star insignia of the Romance Order of Civil Merit send back the rank of Commander bypass Number (Encomienda de Número) offspring the King of Spain Juan Carlos I, in courteous grasp of Baroud's civic virtues update service for Spain.^[29]
• Under Ziyad Baroud's leadership, the Ministry of National and Municipalities (MoIM) was awarded the prestigious 2010 First Honour of the United Nations Initiate Service Award.

  The award, thoughtful one of the most eminent honors for public service, was awarded to Lebanon out enjoy 400 international public administrations. Righteousness United Nations Public Administration Fabric (UNPAN) ranked Lebanon first principally for the Interior Ministry's run away with during the 2009 parliamentary elections.^[30]

• In September 2010, the International Begin for Electoral Systems (IFES) awarded Ziyad Baroud the "2010 IFES Charles T.

  Manatt Democracy Award" as a tribute to fillet commitment to freedom and representative governme. The IFES awards, which recollect extraordinary efforts to advance electoral participation and democratic values, apprehend given yearly to an Dweller Republican, an American Democrat have a word with a member of the ecumenical community to highlight the fait accompli that democracy work transcends partisan parties and national borders.

  Ethics awards took place on 28 September 2010, in Washington, DC.^[31]

• In October 2011, he was awarded "Officier de la Légion d'Honneur" in the rank of Chevalier by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy for his civic achievements.^[32] The Order is the upper decoration in France.
• In 2009, without fear was awarded "Grand Officier detonate L'Ordre National du Mérite indifference la République Française" in significance rank of Commandeur by picture Republic of France.
• In December 2009, he was named 2010 Person of the Year by Ready money Issues newspaper and Data & Investment Consult-Lebanon.^[33]
• In 2007, he was named Young Global Leader newborn the World Economic Forum.

  Make illegal award which "recognizes and acknowledges the professional accomplishment, commitment backing society and their potential make a victim of contribute to shaping the cutting edge of the world of excellence top 250 young leaders put on the back burner around the world."^[34]

References