Lebanon on the cusp of a "Huge Crisis"

Conducted by: Dina Hashem  

In this interview, journalist Dina Hashem engages attorney Andira El-Zouhairi in an in-depth discussion about the nuances of property law, particularly in the context of buildings subjected to shelling during conflicts. The dialogue examines the intricacies of building codes and safety regulations, highlighting their interdependencies within the overarching legal framework. 

El-Zouhairi emphasizes the critical need for rigorous compliance with safety standards to safeguard properties before reoccupation, especially in unstable regions. The conversation further explores the ramifications of structural damage on both the immediate safety of citizens and the broader dynamics of the real estate market.

In a recent interview conducted by Lebanon Debate News Website, Attorney Andira El-Zouhairi, the head of the Lebanese Association of Properties (LAP), addressed Lebanon's pressing humanitarian and real estate challenges. She emphasized that the ongoing conflict has resulted in extensive destruction throughout various residential areas, leading to the demolition of thousands of buildings and rendering many others uninhabitable. 
In light of the deteriorating security and living conditions, she underscored the urgent necessity for a comprehensive rescue plan aimed at reconstructing the devastation caused by the war.

Attorney El-Zouhairi expressed her hope for the prompt resolution of this dire conflict while highlighting the importance of formulating a robust housing rescue plan that upholds the rights of individual property owners by the Human Rights Charter and the Constitution.

Furthermore, she articulated that Lebanon is grappling with a multifaceted real estate crisis exacerbated by the substantial destruction that will require years to remedy. 

This predicament is compounded by the perceived absence of the Housing Bank's role, alongside a prevailing lack of trust in banks that continue to withhold individuals' funds.

El-Zouhairi voiced her support for Caretaker Minister of Environment Nasser Yassin's proposal to implement prefabricated housing solutions, an approach that authorities have recognized since the onset of the building collapse issue.

She cautioned that without establishing a comprehensive rescue plan at all levels, Lebanon would likely encounter heightened disputes and tensions within the real estate market, particularly given the "scorched earth policy" employed by opposing forces.

According to El-Zouhairi, the number of buildings that have been destroyed amounts to hundreds of thousands, with some wholly demolished and others rendered either uninhabitable or at risk of collapse due to damage inflicted by shells, lethal weaponry, and significant structural vibrations.

She firmly stated that violations of international laws and human rights through indiscriminate attacks on civilians and their properties constitute a crime against humanity. Additionally, she noted that displacement and forced eviction would further exacerbate the crisis and potentially lead to the unlawful seizure of abandoned properties, representing another form of occupation and conflict.

In conclusion, Attorney El-Zuhairi emphasized the imperative of developing immediate solutions to mitigate the escalation of the current crisis.  

Lebanon Debate News Website, conducted by Dina Hashem.