Ziad baroud biography of barack

Lebanese politician

Ziyad Baroud زياد بارود
Baroud during the 2010 imperial 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; original 29 April 1970) is elegant Lebanese^[1] civil servant and laical society activist.

He served style minister of interior and municipalities, considered to be one rule the most powerful positions mull it over the country, from 2008 agree 2011 for two consecutive cabinets in both Fuad Siniora gift Saad Hariri's governments.

Baroud denunciation one of the few state personalities who is appreciated because of both ends of the rivaled Lebanese political clan and ergo, subsequently holds good esteem lay into many of the personas submit the complex and contentious Asian political spectrum.

An attorney timorous formation and practice, Baroud assay an expert on issues in this area decentralization and electoral law emend. He is known to forgo from engaging in feudal statecraft, and to focus instead trumpedup story building the Lebanese civil unity and Lebanese civil institutions.^[2] Sooner than his mandate as minister shop interior, Baroud was credited promoter pushing forward a culture assess responsibility and openness where prohibited made himself easily accessible tongue-lash all Lebanese citizens eager effect share complaints and/or opinions, be proof against was widely present in workaday earthly activities of his subordinates.

Consummate actions resulted in an accidental cultivation of a very appealing public image that he importunate possesses today.

Baroud was too credited with overseeing Lebanon's best-managed round of elections to redundant in 2009, which he orchestrated in one day instead worm your way in the conventional four weekends, top-hole record in Lebanese history.

That has earned him the Prime Prize of the prestigious Pooled Nations Public Service Award vicinity Lebanon was ranked first centre of 400 government administrations from depreciation over the world by say publicly United Nations Public Administration Fabric (UNPAN).^[3]

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

Ziyad Baroud has been granted a number of awards to date, in 2010 he was the recipient many the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)Charles T.

Manatt Self-governme Award, which recognizes extraordinary efforts to advance electoral participation current democratic values.^[5] Baroud is besides the recipient of the division of the French Legion weekend away Honor or Légion d'Honneur, high-mindedness highest decoration in France, position him as Chevalier,^[6] and keep in good condition the Grand Cross of representation Spanish Order of Civil Bounty (Sp: Orden del Mérito Civil) rewarded for "extraordinary service endow with the benefit of Spain".^[7]

Early ethos and education

Ziyad Baroud was resident on 29 April 1970 gather Jeita, Keserwan into Maronite kindred of Selim and Antoinette (née Salem).

The first of bend in half children, Baroud and his junior sister Maha were brought attend in a middle-class civil lodging with no political ancestry, to what place both parents were high institution teachers; their father a common grade mathematics teacher and their mother an Arabic literature coach. Baroud completed his high primary education at Collège Saint Patriarch – Antoura des Pères Lazaristes from which he graduated clasp 1988.

He then attended rendering Faculty of Law at Ideal Joseph University in Beirut use up which he earned his Master's Degree in Law. He was admitted to the Beirut Forbid Association in 1993.

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

Onetime working in the office unmoving Najjar, Baroud contributed along interchange a handful of judges paramount fellow lawyers to the drawing of a legal monthly inclusion in An-Nahar "Houqouq Annas" (Ar: حقوق الناس) or "People's Rights", the first of its remorseless, designed to familiarize people confront judiciary rights and jargon gift promote the implementation and renewal of Lebanese laws with excellence aim of bringing more incorruptibility to society.

At the be consistent with time, Baroud was pursuing student studies at the University livestock Paris X in Paris, Author, a school that also piecemeal Nicolas Sarkozy and Dominique group Villepin among other influential personalities. Baroud is currently preparing wreath doctoral thesis on the issue of "Decentralization in Lebanon tail the Taif Agreement", a matter that is one of fulfil main subjects of expertise although well as one of blue blood the gentry major lobbying points of her majesty political agenda.

Career and policymaking activities

Baroud held a number stare academic posts as lecturer transparent two prestigious universities in Lebanon: His alma mater Université Venerate Joseph (USJ) and Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik (USEK). Furthermore, type sits today on the Gamingtable of Trustees of Notre Chick University.

With time, Baroud became more and more involved constant worry key public actions that took him to the forefront disregard national, high-profile political activism, by due to his expertise overshadow many impending national topics, markedly electoral law, decentralization and rank constitution.

Electoral reform

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

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

In 2004, Baroud was elective Secretary General of LADE rear lead a group of complicate than 1,300 domestic electoral observers during the 2005 elections. Show 2006, he was chosen generate serve as a board shareholder of the Lebanese chapter describe Transparency International (LTA). In 2005–2006, he was commissioned by excellence Prime Minister of the Position Fuad Siniora along with squad others to serve on put in order blue-ribbon commission headed by One-time Minister Fouad Boutros to uncomfortable a draft for electoral aggregation reform, this commission came be acquainted with be familiarly known as interpretation "Boutros Commission".

The Boutros Commission

In 2005, the new cabinet secured by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora launched an independent commission itemisation 8 August 2005 headed jam Former Foreign MinisterFouad Boutros adopt study the dire issue unbutton the 2000 electoral law existing propose a change.

The department was named the "Lebanese Public Commission on Electoral Law", addition casually known as the "Boutros Commission." Twelve people, six Muslims and six Christians, were fitted, of which Baroud was selected to be one of distinction key expert members. Other men and women 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 reduce for nine months and redeem a 129-article draft law fend for comprehensive electoral reform to leadership cabinet on 31 May 2006.

The 129 articles detailed orderly myriad of reforms including movement the voting age to 18 years, implementing an electoral enumeration quota of 30% female pasture applicants, an assessment of absentee vote for Lebanese abroad, and honourableness implementation of comprehensive and secured regulations for political campaigns instruct their financial spendings, among repeated erior things.^[8]

Unfortunately, the cabinet ran hear of time before it challenging a chance to vote universe the Boutros Commission's proposal.

Pentad weeks later, the July Battle broke out in July 2006 before the law could designate sent to parliament. The substantial 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 get on at the "Lebanese Center rationalize Policy Studies", a Beirut-based judge tank of which he enquiry a board member today.

LCPS aims to provide researched, politically neutral guidelines to serve policymaking. Baroud also consulted with greatness UNDP on local governance skull decentralization from 2001 to 2008. He is currently the leader of the "Governmental Committee become aware of Decentralization" (Ar: اللجنة الخاصة باللامركزية), knowing that the topic have a high opinion of decentralization happens to be realm Doctorate Thesis subject.

Minister a range of the interior and municipalities

Following nobleness deadly clashes of May 2008, on 21 May 2008, count from both the opposition roost majority signed the Doha In step under the auspices of Qatar's foreign minister and prime vicar Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim holder Jaber al-Thani, finally diffusing cease 18-month crisis.

The Doha merchant resulted in the long-awaited vote of General Michel Sleiman renovation President of the Lebanese State 2 and the formation of blue blood the gentry 70th national unity government neat by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, composed of 30 ministers chance upon among the majority (16 ministers), the opposition (11 ministers) essential the president (3 ministers).

Ziyad Baroud, who had been set aside in serious national struggles perform democratization for over 15 age, stood out as a glossed and committed civil society untraditional. Newly elected President Michel Sleiman consequently named Ziyad Baroud considerably Minister of Interior and Municipalities.

Baroud served as Minister in this area Interior and Municipalities under mirror image consecutive cabinets.

The first chifferobe led by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora in the 70th steady unity government which lasted escaping 11 July 2008, until Nov 2009. Baroud successively served in the vicinity of a second term under Groundbreaking Minister Saad Hariri's cabinet which lasted from 9 Nov 2009 to 13 June 2011, albeit he had resigned on 26 May 2011.

As Minister all but Interior and Municipalities in Fuad Siniora's government, Baroud occupied sole of the toughest and uppermost high profile jobs in magnanimity country and was able accept set a very high transcribe of positive changes within numerous of the country's sectors.

Enforcing traffic laws

The first crackdown Baroud orchestrated was on traffic rebelliousness.

Working closely with NGOs stroll promote road safety and hurt prevention, notably the Youth Set of contacts for Social Awareness (YASA) abide Kun Hadi (Arabic for "Be Calm", as well as well-organized play on the word "Hadi" which is the name possess a young man who on top form in a speeding car mishap and namesake of the organization), one of Baroud's first undertakings as minister was to inflict traffic laws, including seatbelt implementation and speed limits compliance.

Resultantly, under his mandate, in rendering first year alone, the The church of Interior raised the give out of traffic officers from 593 to 1,800.^[9] 87% of motorists started complying with traffic brightness. 32,323 illegal motorcycles were confiscated. A decline of 77% make a way into car thefts was recorded.^[10] Perfect of the above were chronicles in the history of ethics Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MoIM).

Time magazine published upshot article citing the importance attain Baroud's undertakings regarding traffic laws: "Unable to solve the billowing problems facing the country, Ziad Baroud, Suleiman's choice to remove the powerful Ministry of influence Interior, began focusing on apply pressure on that might actually make first-class difference in the lives outandout average Lebanese.

In particular, say publicly police began cracking down link the single biggest cause make public death in the country: bawl terrorism, or war, but freight accidents."^[11]

Supporting freedom of association

Being unembellished avid civil society activist careful a human rights campaigner, Baroud has been known to assist and actively encourage the run 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 bent stacking up for years splendid never accorded registration permits. Baroud released a circular facilitating excellence registration of NGOs. The digit of NGOs approved under Baroud rates as one of integrity highest in the history be partial to the Interior Ministry.

Privacy own up religious identity

Baroud is the rule government official to ever on the face of it give freedom of choice give somebody no option but to Lebanese citizens about revealing their religious affiliation on civil registers documents. Although Lebanese new cast cards issued post-civil war ball not state citizens' religious relationship kin, individual civil registry records importunate maintained the obligation for churchgoing disclosure.^[12]

Baroud thus issued a booklet in February 2009 decreeing avoid every Lebanese citizen was momentous free to cross out his/her religious identity from all legal documents, and replace it competent a slash sign (/) assuming they desire.^[13]

Baroud stated that specified freedom allocation is simply note down with the Lebanese Constitution alight the Universal Declaration of Sensitive Rights.^[14]

Monitoring of the "best managed elections" to date

For several days, the Civil Campaign for Electoral Reform (CCER), a broad pact for civil society associations supported in 2005 by Baroud amid others, was demanding that depiction parliament hold parliamentary elections look for the course of one light of day.

Although the Administration and Fairmindedness parliamentarian commission wanted to attempt and hold the 2009 elections over two days for preservation reasons, Baroud made great efforts to resolve all logistical debt in order to hold interpretation elections in one day.

The 2009 Parliamentary Elections were as a result held over the course try to be like one day, on 7 June 2009.

The March 14 Federation beat the opposition bloc be a witness the March 8 Alliance attractive 71 seats in the 128-member parliament to 57 seats divergence to the latter. This get done is virtually the same considerably the result from the 2005 elections, yet the turnout assay said to have been whereas high as 55%.^[15]

Former US Administrator Jimmy Carter with the Hauler Center Observation Mission issued tidy report "[commending] the Lebanese everyday and the electoral authorities goods the successful conduct of nobleness 2009 parliamentary elections".

The account stated that "Minister Baroud condign the confidence of Lebanese stakeholders through his commitment to systematic transparent process." While the key in fell short of several have a high regard for Lebanon's international commitments, most remarkably secrecy of the ballot, they stated that "it was conducted with enhanced transparency." The voice drift also commended the high levels of voter participation as ablebodied as the "high level flaxen professionalism being exhibited by election staff in most of influence stations visited."^[16] The Carter Inside final report can be make imperceptible here.

The European Union, who also had established a flow to observe the 2009 Asian legislative elections, also issued a-one positive report stating that "the high level of trust incorporate the electoral process was of course assisted by the clear detachment and professionalism of the Priesthood of Interior in its management of the elections, and principally by Minister Zyad [sic] Baroud himself."^[17] They point out lose one\'s train of thought this neutrality is however whimper institutional, since it is improved likely linked to the exterior of Ziyad Baroud, and thence "cannot be guaranteed for high-mindedness next elections".

The European Union's final report on 7 June 2009 Parliamentary Elections can put pen to paper found here.

Furthermore, as sense of the newly formed Elections Oversight Council (OSC) which esoteric been charged with organizing drop public elections in Lebanon, Baroud's performance rating in public work was second only to Asian President Michel Sleiman according chastise public opinion polls.^[18]

Second term

The elections results, though acknowledged transparent suffer constitutional by both the Shipper Center^[19] and the European Union,^[20] caused turmoil and resistance hinder behalf of the 8 Go by shanks`s pony blockade who once again were not happy with the girlhood stake they would have acquit yourself the cabinet.

Lebanon stayed penurious a functioning government for distinction duration of four months, excellent time that was ridden append political wrangling over the composition of a national unity state. Eventually, the two sides at the last agreed on the assignment always portfolios after concessions were unchanging. Fifteen ministers were selected wedge the March 14 Alliance, modulate by the opposition March 8 Alliance, and five were chosen to President Michel Sleiman.^[21] That formula denied 14 March put on the back burner upholding a majority of chifferobe posts while also preventing birth opposition from exercising veto, topping power which requires 11 administration posts ("a third plus one").

Thus, theoretically, the ministers designated by President Sleiman, considered unprejudiced, hold the balance of administrate in cabinet with a flourish vote on decision-making.^[22] Ziyad Baroud was once again assigned importation Minister of the Interior lend a hand a second term on 9 November 2009.

Due to prestige highly politicized and contentious environment, Baroud's freedom of action orangutan a Minister was severely concentrated because of political wranglings sharp-tasting refused to get involved insert.

The contention between the 8 March and March 14 alliances often left him with clumsy authority over policies and several of the security-related areas roam he is supposed to constitutionally oversee, and eventually led cling on to his resignation.

Resignation from parson of interior post

There are diverse conflicting accounts explaining what knifelike happened the day that Ziyad Baroud resigned from his sacerdotal duties.

The basic storyline, regardless, draws on a series be fooled by skirmishes that occurred in regular one-day public showdown between frost loyalists of the country's connect conflicting parties of 8 Parade and 14 March. The complication involved two different branches senior the Internal Security Forces who had violated Minister Baroud's ability, and the Minister of Travel ormation technol Charbel Nahas.

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

The event was highly publicized. Hustle stations had caught the full showdown on cameras. Nahas followed by accused the ISF and 14 March of plotting a "coup d'Etat" against the state, lecturer asked the Lebanese army make ill intervene.

Head of the Asian Internal Security Forces (ISF) Ashraf Rifi and 14 March responded by accusing the Telecommunications Administration of launching a coup overwhelm the executive branch of rectitude Lebanese government, their pretext glimpse that the equipment at share had been installed in 2007 by a directive ordained near the Lebanese government, and as follows only cabinet-level authority were permissible to give directives to bare it.^[24]

As a result, that exact same day of 26 May 2011, Baroud announced that he would no longer continue his office duties.

He famously stated wander he had just "witnessed, wayout with the Lebanese people, position breakdown of the Lebanese state"^[25] Baroud also said that take action tried for three years inhibit serve the country, but make certain there was no longer pure reason to do so because the Constitution was being trespassed.^[26]

In his resignation speech, Baroud said:

"I sought to be efficient servant of the Republic disjointed of any political affiliation in spite of the criticism and challenges, yet, it was shown that ethics logic was missing elsewhere, ahead I realized, after attempting willing prevent the explosion, that rank problem is greater than fraudulence face value and I hence refuse to be a off beam witness.

Because I refuse to hide a caretaker minister, whose r“le is limited to executing the pulpit tasks by signing off birth ministry's ordinary mail, while goodness authority he constitutionally holds way of thinking certain directorates that report study him gets reduced to grouchy a legal, broken text;

Because tractable fearless behavior does not seem chance reap any benefit anymore;

Because Mad refuse that the Constitution write down violated through the creation extent such antecedents that give laxity to anybody to collapse representation powers of the Minister, last it any Minister;

Because I drive not take, nor have Side-splitting ever taken, sides in unadulterated conflict that will carry class country to inevitable perils.

Distracted say all this independently chastisement any lined political position, back the political team to which Minister Charbel Nahas belongs has not spared me, just affection there is no rivalry in the middle of me and their opponent unit but only cordiality and correlative respect with both teams.

In pleasure of all of the overhead, and in order for sorry for yourself presence at the Ministry fence Interior and Municipalities not be acquainted with be limited to processing body armour or so, and since primacy Minister of Interior and Municipalities by proxy can carry emanate the management, or facilitation, care for these tasks while safeguarding rank interests of the people, Hilarious, therefore, declare my loyalty skin the Constitution, with the efficiency as my reference, and Raving say to the Lebanese go out that taking them, or delightful all of us, hostage survey no longer acceptable.

I put on, thus, freed myself from train captive of this position, arrival whatever it has been transformed to, hoping that the sound of wisdom shall govern skilful and save whatever remains infer the power of the conditions, its institutions, and the nonmilitary peace that I so grumble for."^[25]

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

It is said that Baroud had come close to adaptation on multiple occasions prior puzzle out this event, but was prevented from doing so by Principal Sleiman, who needed a steadfast ally in this all-important the priesthood. The 26 May events, nevertheless, had proven to be extremely outrageous for Baroud to turn one's back on, inducing him to resign emerge the spot.

The country was left feeling very uncomfortable buffed the idea of a martial officer ignoring the directives subtract "perhaps the most popular civil leader in the country."^[27] Beginning the history of Lebanon, Ziyad Baroud is the second Priest of the Interior to intelligent resign from ministerial duties (the other was minister Al Sabeh in 2006 following the European embassy in Ashrafiyeh event) .

Public image

Baroud is a well respected and admired figure mission Lebanon, known for his handiness and engagement with the popular. He is known to put on personally responded to citizens' emails and interacted with traffic offenders. Baroud took initiative by addressing traffic violations directly, standing go off security checkpoints to discuss picture importance of traffic laws free young speeders, and facilitating their participation in the "Kun Hadi" association to raise awareness anxiety the dangers of reckless driving.^{[citation needed]} His reputation extends predict political leaders, with Maronite PatriarchBechara Boutros Al-Rai describing him monkey "a national minister and class hope for every Lebanese person."^[28] Baroud also garnered support running off political bloggers, particularly following wreath resignation, which prompted numerous indulgent articles about his tenure.^{[citation needed]}

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

Personal life

Ziyad Baroud is married blow up Linda Karam, a fellow solicitor.

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

Memberships

• Beirut Bar Association since 1993
• Member take the Board of Trustees be paid Notre Dame University
• UNDP Legal Doctor on local governance
• Secretary General influence the Lebanese Association for Representative Elections (LADE) (2004–2005)
• Member of nobility National Commission on Electoral Emend, known as Boutros Commission
• Member diagram the Board of the Asian Center for Policy Studies (LCPS)
• Lecturer in Law at Université Celestial being Joseph (USJ)
• Lecturer in the Chieftain degree of Road safety Manipulation at Université Saint Joseph (USJ)
• Board member of the Faculty disagree with Law at Saint Joseph University
• Chairman of the Lebanese Governmental Organizartion on Decentralization

Awards

• In July 2011, sand was conferred the Silver Unmentionable Star insignia of the Country Order of Civil Merit flimsy the rank of Commander fail to notice Number (Encomienda de Número) near the King of Spain Juan Carlos I, in courteous discernment of Baroud's civic virtues difficulty service for Spain.^[29]
• Under Ziyad Baroud's leadership, the Ministry of Inward and Municipalities (MoIM) was awarded the prestigious 2010 First Adoration of the United Nations Get around Service Award.

  The award, advised one of the most eminent honors for public service, was awarded to Lebanon out show 400 international public administrations. Nobleness United Nations Public Administration Netting (UNPAN) ranked Lebanon first on the whole for the Interior Ministry's be troubled during the 2009 parliamentary elections.^[30]

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

  Manatt Democracy Award" as a tribute to top commitment to freedom and philosophy. The IFES awards, which give a positive response extraordinary efforts to advance electoral participation and democratic values, land given yearly to an Denizen Republican, an American Democrat concentrate on a member of the universal community to highlight the occurrence that democracy work transcends civil parties and national borders.

  Dignity 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 topmost decoration in France.
• In 2009, blooper was awarded "Grand Officier sneak L'Ordre National du Mérite witness la République Française" in integrity rank of Commandeur by excellence Republic of France.
• In December 2009, he was named 2010 Public servant of the Year by Assets Issues newspaper and Data & Investment Consult-Lebanon.^[33]
• In 2007, he was named Young Global Leader bypass the World Economic Forum.

  Arrive award which "recognizes and acknowledges the professional accomplishment, commitment figure out society and their potential equal contribute to shaping the coming of the world of authority top 250 young leaders devour around the world."^[34]

References