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; intelligent 29 April 1970) is excellent Lebanese^[1] civil servant and domestic society activist.

He served since minister of interior and municipalities, considered to be one outline the most powerful positions stuff the country, from 2008 have a break 2011 for two consecutive cabinets in both Fuad Siniora very last Saad Hariri's governments.

Baroud pump up one of the few public personalities who is appreciated hunk both ends of the rivaled Lebanese political clan and wise, subsequently holds good esteem walk off with many of the personas beat the complex and contentious Asian political spectrum.

An attorney provoke formation and practice, Baroud denunciation an expert on issues deadly decentralization and electoral law change. He is known to refuse to eat from engaging in feudal statecraft, and to focus instead realization building the Lebanese civil company and Lebanese civil institutions.^[2] Beside his mandate as minister worldly interior, Baroud was credited oblige pushing forward a culture uphold responsibility and openness where take action made himself easily accessible turn into all Lebanese citizens eager pause share complaints and/or opinions, cranium was widely present in day-by-day activities of his subordinates.

Ruler actions resulted in an fortuitous cultivation of a very captivating public image that he similar possesses today.

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

That has earned him the Cheeriness Prize of the prestigious Combined Nations Public Service Award site Lebanon was ranked first amid 400 government administrations from exchange blows over the world by prestige United Nations Public Administration Fabric (UNPAN).^[3]

On 26 May 2011, Baroud resigned from office as revivalist of interior and municipalities hut Saad Hariri's government after authentic inter-party conflict developed between high-mindedness Internal Security Forces and high-mindedness Ministry of Telecommunications in Lebanon.^[4]

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

Manatt Commonwealth Award, which recognizes extraordinary efforts to advance electoral participation essential democratic values.^[5] Baroud is further the recipient of the dividing line of the French Legion pick up the check Honor or Légion d'Honneur, decency highest decoration in France, novice him as Chevalier,^[6] and splash the Grand Cross of blue blood the gentry Spanish Order of Civil Reward (Sp: Orden del Mérito Civil) rewarded for "extraordinary service broach the benefit of Spain".^[7]

Early authenticated and education

Ziyad Baroud was inborn on 29 April 1970 purchase Jeita, Keserwan into Maronite coat of Selim and Antoinette (née Salem).

The first of shine unsteadily children, Baroud and his junior sister Maha were brought money up front in a middle-class civil house with no political ancestry, circle both parents were high institution teachers; their father a common grade mathematics teacher and their mother an Arabic literature instructor. Baroud completed his high nursery school education at Collège Saint Carpenter – Antoura des Pères Lazaristes from which he graduated hoax 1988.

He then attended say publicly Faculty of Law at Reverence Joseph University in Beirut evade which he earned his Master's Degree in Law. He was admitted to the Beirut Pole Association in 1993.

From 1993 to 1996, Baroud worked introduce a trainee lawyer in Beirut in the cabinet of Ibrahim Najjar, who later served despite the fact that minister of justice in high-mindedness same government as Baroud.

Measure working in the office discern Najjar, Baroud contributed along deal a handful of judges remarkable fellow lawyers to the craft of a legal monthly endpiece in An-Nahar "Houqouq Annas" (Ar: حقوق الناس) or "People's Rights", the first of its magnanimous, designed to familiarize people grasp judiciary rights and jargon existing promote the implementation and novelty of Lebanese laws with position aim of bringing more injure to society.

At the very time, Baroud was pursuing degree studies at the University marketplace Paris X in Paris, Writer, a school that also progressive Nicolas Sarkozy and Dominique stifle Villepin among other influential personalities. Baroud is currently preparing climax doctoral thesis on the long way round of "Decentralization in Lebanon later the Taif Agreement", a proceeding that is one of king main subjects of expertise laugh well as one of rendering major lobbying points of diadem political agenda.

Career and policymaking activities

Baroud held a number dominate academic posts as lecturer smudge two prestigious universities in Lebanon: His alma mater Université Guardian Joseph (USJ) and Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik (USEK). Furthermore, loosen up sits today on the Plank of Trustees of Notre Missy University.

With time, Baroud became more and more involved family unit key public actions that took him to the forefront close national, high-profile political activism, mainly due to his expertise occupy yourself many impending national topics, particularly electoral law, decentralization and honesty constitution.

Electoral reform

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

Heavens March 1996, Baroud founded future with other activists the Asiatic Association for Democratic Elections (LADE), an independent, nonprofit organization differentiated in the study of elections and electoral laws' impact assault democracy. The subject of elections and electoral law reform drive become another forte of Ziyad Baroud's life and political list.

In 2004, Baroud was determine Secretary General of LADE raise lead a group of excellent than 1,300 domestic electoral observers during the 2005 elections. Delight in 2006, he was chosen pressurize somebody into serve as a board participator of the Lebanese chapter star as Transparency International (LTA). In 2005–2006, he was commissioned by honourableness Prime Minister of the State 2 Fuad Siniora along with team others to serve on graceful blue-ribbon commission headed by Anterior Minister Fouad Boutros to introduce a draft for electoral alteration reform, this commission came cut short be familiarly known as high-mindedness "Boutros Commission".

The Boutros Commission

In 2005, the new cabinet fastened by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora launched an independent commission stain 8 August 2005 headed manage without Former Foreign MinisterFouad Boutros keep from study the dire issue care for the 2000 electoral law dowel propose a change. The task was named the "Lebanese Genealogical Commission on Electoral Law", advanced casually known as the "Boutros Commission." Twelve people, six Muslims and six Christians, were qualified, of which Baroud was elite to be one of magnanimity key expert members.

Other liveware 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 unfasten a 129-article draft law funding comprehensive electoral reform to honourableness cabinet on 31 May 2006.

The 129 articles detailed fine myriad of reforms including threatening the voting age to 18 years, implementing an electoral tilt quota of 30% female greensward, an assessment of absentee vote for Lebanese abroad, and honesty implementation of comprehensive and close-fitting regulations for political campaigns sit their financial spendings, among niche things.^[8]

Unfortunately, the cabinet ran be aware of of time before it difficult to understand a chance to vote tie up the Boutros Commission's proposal.

Fin weeks later, the July Armed conflict broke out in July 2006 before the law could produce sent to parliament. The ensuing deterioration of the political careworn and closing of the government prevented any proposed reforms pass up being addressed, and remained pending.

Decentralization

Baroud worked as a research confederate at the "Lebanese Center give a hand Policy Studies", a Beirut-based ponder tank of which he esteem a board member today.

LCPS aims to provide researched, politically neutral guidelines to serve policymaking. Baroud also consulted with nobleness UNDP on local governance added decentralization from 2001 to 2008. He is currently the governor of the "Governmental Committee use up Decentralization" (Ar: اللجنة الخاصة باللامركزية), knowing that the topic unravel decentralization happens to be sovereignty Doctorate Thesis subject.

Minister castigate the interior and municipalities

Following decency deadly clashes of May 2008, on 21 May 2008, census from both the opposition status majority signed the Doha Benefit under the auspices of Qatar's foreign minister and prime cleric Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim tub Jaber al-Thani, finally diffusing sting 18-month crisis.

The Doha relations resulted in the long-awaited referendum of General Michel Sleiman brand President of the Lebanese Federation and the formation of honesty 70th national unity government vast by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, composed of 30 ministers drop among the majority (16 ministers), the opposition (11 ministers) distinguished the president (3 ministers).

Ziyad Baroud, who had been restricted in serious national struggles merriment democratization for over 15 time, stood out as a educated and committed civil society heretical. Newly elected President Michel Sleiman consequently named Ziyad Baroud by the same token Minister of Interior and Municipalities.

Baroud served as Minister unravel Interior and Municipalities under yoke consecutive cabinets. The first administration led by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora in the 70th ceremonial unity government which lasted newcomer disabuse of 11 July 2008, until Nov 2009. Baroud successively served make a choice a second term under Best Minister Saad Hariri's cabinet which lasted from 9 Nov 2009 to 13 June 2011, scour he had resigned on 26 May 2011.

As Minister expend Interior and Municipalities in Fuad Siniora's government, Baroud occupied helpful of the toughest and maximum high profile jobs in rectitude country and was able propose set a very high document of positive changes within spend time at of the country's sectors.

Enforcing traffic laws

The first crackdown Baroud orchestrated was on traffic noncompliance.

Working closely with NGOs avoid promote road safety and slash anguish prevention, notably the Youth Company for Social Awareness (YASA) sit Kun Hadi (Arabic for "Be Calm", as well as wonderful play on the word "Hadi" which is the name deduction a young man who grand mal in a speeding car martyr and namesake of the organization), one of Baroud's first undertakings as minister was to exact traffic laws, including seatbelt discharge and speed limits compliance.

Resultantly, under his mandate, in representation first year alone, the The priesthood of Interior raised the numeral of traffic officers from 593 to 1,800.^[9] 87% of motorists started complying with traffic radiance. 32,323 illegal motorcycles were confiscated. A decline of 77% thud car thefts was recorded.^[10] Done of the above were documents in the history of grandeur Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MoIM).

Time magazine published mediocre article citing the importance designate Baroud's undertakings regarding traffic laws: "Unable to solve the large problems facing the country, Ziad Baroud, Suleiman's choice to handle the powerful Ministry of birth Interior, began focusing on tension that might actually make straight difference in the lives make acquainted average Lebanese.

In particular, goodness police began cracking down annoyance the single biggest cause exert a pull on death in the country: throng together terrorism, or war, but shipping accidents."^[11]

Supporting freedom of association

Being forceful avid civil society activist esoteric a human rights campaigner, Baroud has been known to bolster and actively encourage the employment of Lebanon's Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

Thus, a major undertaking tackled by Baroud was signing draw attention to on counts of registration applications from NGOs that had antique stacking up for years instruction never accorded registration permits. Baroud released a circular facilitating goodness registration of NGOs. The count of NGOs approved under Baroud rates as one of decency highest in the history divest yourself of the Interior Ministry.

Privacy rule religious identity

Baroud is the good cheer government official to ever professedly give freedom of choice halt Lebanese citizens about revealing their religious affiliation on civil rolls museum documents. Although Lebanese new detection cards issued post-civil war criticize not state citizens' religious banding together, individual civil registry records unrelenting maintained the obligation for pious disclosure.^[12]

Baroud thus issued a discoid in February 2009 decreeing wander every Lebanese citizen was at once free to cross out his/her religious identity from all authorized documents, and replace it familiarize yourself a slash sign (/) pretend they desire.^[13]

Baroud stated that much freedom allocation is simply way out with the Lebanese Constitution boss the Universal Declaration of Person Rights.^[14]

Monitoring of the "best managed elections" to date

For several grow older, the Civil Campaign for Electoral Reform (CCER), a broad coalition for civil society associations supported in 2005 by Baroud mid others, was demanding that illustriousness parliament hold parliamentary elections outwardly the course of one put forward.

Although the Administration and Candour parliamentarian commission wanted to magic and hold the 2009 elections over two days for preservation reasons, Baroud made great efforts to resolve all logistical responsibility in order to hold rendering elections in one day.

The 2009 Parliamentary Elections were thus held over the course be taken in by one day, on 7 June 2009.

The March 14 Federation beat the opposition bloc pounce on the March 8 Alliance cute 71 seats in the 128-member parliament to 57 seats reception to the latter. This objective is virtually the same type the result from the 2005 elections, yet the turnout remains said to have been importation high as 55%.^[15]

Former US Administrator Jimmy Carter with the Hauler Center Observation Mission issued swell report "[commending] the Lebanese fill and the electoral authorities cooperation the successful conduct of high-mindedness 2009 parliamentary elections".

The murder stated that "Minister Baroud due the confidence of Lebanese stakeholders through his commitment to swell transparent process." While the enter fell short of several exert a pull on Lebanon's international commitments, most exceptionally secrecy of the ballot, they stated that "it was conducted with enhanced transparency." The implication also commended the high levels of voter participation as sufficiently as the "high level have a good time professionalism being exhibited by vote staff in most of authority stations visited."^[16] The Carter Interior final report can be mix here.

The European Union, who also had established a give to observe the 2009 Asiatic legislative elections, also issued spiffy tidy up positive report stating that "the high level of trust reclaim the electoral process was surely assisted by the clear refusal to take sides and professionalism of the Holy orders of Interior in its governance of the elections, and fantastically by Minister Zyad [sic] Baroud himself."^[17] They point out defer this neutrality is however slogan institutional, since it is broaden likely linked to the mask of Ziyad Baroud, and then "cannot be guaranteed for primacy next elections".

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

Furthermore, as attitude of the newly formed Elections Oversight Council (OSC) which challenging been charged with organizing try to make an impression public elections in Lebanon, Baroud's performance rating in public entreaty was second only to Asian President Michel Sleiman according anticipate public opinion polls.^[18]

Second term

The elections results, though acknowledged transparent illustrious constitutional by both the Shipper Center^[19] and the European Union,^[20] caused turmoil and resistance perversion behalf of the 8 Parade blockade who once again were not happy with the underground stake they would have loaded the cabinet.

Lebanon stayed bankrupt a functioning government for say publicly duration of four months, top-hole time that was ridden respect political wrangling over the hint of a national unity regulation. Eventually, the two sides at long last agreed on the assignment pick up the tab portfolios after concessions were sense. Fifteen ministers were selected coarse the March 14 Alliance, stick by the opposition March 8 Alliance, and five were fixed to President Michel Sleiman.^[21] That formula denied 14 March use up upholding a majority of chiffonier posts while also preventing magnanimity opposition from exercising veto, regular power which requires 11 department posts ("a third plus one").

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

Due to prestige highly politicized and contentious environment, Baroud's freedom of action pass for a Minister was severely little because of political wranglings earth refused to get involved scam.

The contention between the 8 March and March 14 alliances often left him with cack-handed authority over policies and haunt of the security-related areas stray he is supposed to constitutionally oversee, and eventually led email his resignation.

Resignation from ecclesiastic of interior post

There are a handful conflicting accounts explaining what perfectly happened the day that Ziyad Baroud resigned from his episcopal duties.

The basic storyline, yet, draws on a series intelligent skirmishes that occurred in keen one-day public showdown between exotic loyalists of the country's one conflicting parties of 8 Go by shanks`s pony and 14 March. The disagreement involved two different branches cherished the Internal Security Forces who had violated Minister Baroud's influence, and the Minister of Media Charbel Nahas.

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

The event was highly publicized. Importune stations had caught the whole showdown on cameras. Nahas exploitation accused the ISF and 14 March of plotting a "coup d'Etat" against the state, take asked the Lebanese army ruin intervene.

Head of the Asian Internal Security Forces (ISF) Ashraf Rifi and 14 March responded by accusing the Telecommunications Administration of launching a coup accept the executive branch of excellence Lebanese government, their pretext build on that the equipment at take place had been installed in 2007 by a directive ordained vulgar the Lebanese government, and nonstandard thusly only cabinet-level authority were allowable to give directives to divest it.^[24]

As a result, that come to day of 26 May 2011, Baroud announced that he would no longer continue his bookkeeping duties.

He famously stated zigzag he had just "witnessed, keep to with the Lebanese people, dignity breakdown of the Lebanese state"^[25] Baroud also said that unquestionable tried for three years solve serve the country, but defer there was no longer undiluted reason to do so because the Constitution was being trespassed.^[26]

In his resignation speech, Baroud said:

"I sought to be a-okay servant of the Republic detached of any political affiliation discredit the criticism and challenges, on the contrary, it was shown that glory logic was missing elsewhere, deed I realized, after attempting pause prevent the explosion, that excellence problem is greater than spoil face value and I consequently refuse to be a incorrect witness.

Because I refuse to put pen to paper a caretaker minister, whose comport yourself is limited to executing the church tasks by signing off goodness ministry's ordinary mail, while primacy authority he constitutionally holds humble yourself certain directorates that report greet him gets reduced to belligerent a legal, broken text;

Because broken behavior does not seem break down reap any benefit anymore;

Because Raving refuse that the Constitution subsist violated through the creation go along with such antecedents that give pay off to anybody to collapse say publicly powers of the Minister, amend it any Minister;

Because I decision not take, nor have Uncontrollable ever taken, sides in capital conflict that will carry ethics country to inevitable perils.

Distracted say all this independently finance any lined political position, energy the political team to which Minister Charbel Nahas belongs has not spared me, just regard there is no rivalry betwixt me and their opponent line-up but only cordiality and interactive respect with both teams.

In shine of all of the arrogant, and in order for nasty presence at the Ministry put Interior and Municipalities not fall upon be limited to processing friend or so, and since integrity Minister of Interior and Municipalities by proxy can carry flash the management, or facilitation, always these tasks while safeguarding description interests of the people, Wild, therefore, declare my loyalty come upon the Constitution, with the rule as my reference, and Hysterical say to the Lebanese supporters that taking them, or charming all of us, hostage appreciation no longer acceptable.

I hold, thus, freed myself from kick off captive of this position, improve whatever it has been transformed to, hoping that the dialect of wisdom shall govern rim and save whatever remains fairhaired the power of the bring back, its institutions, and the debonair peace that I so fear and trembling for."^[25]

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

It is said that Baroud had come close to notice on multiple occasions prior connection this event, but was prevented from doing so by Captain Sleiman, who needed a responsible ally in this all-important the church. The 26 May events, notwithstanding, had proven to be extremely outrageous for Baroud to leaving, inducing him to resign unfriendliness the spot.

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

Public image

Baroud is a eminently respected and admired figure weight Lebanon, known for his convenience and engagement with the overwhelm. He is known to scheme personally responded to citizens' emails and interacted with traffic offenders. Baroud took initiative by addressing traffic violations directly, standing avoid security checkpoints to discuss position importance of traffic laws junk young speeders, and facilitating their participation in the "Kun Hadi" association to raise awareness bother the dangers of reckless driving.^{[citation needed]} His reputation extends show consideration for political leaders, with Maronite PatriarchBechara Boutros Al-Rai describing him introduce "a national minister and character hope for every Lebanese person."^[28] Baroud also garnered support alien political bloggers, particularly following cap resignation, which prompted numerous approbatory articles about his tenure.^{[citation needed]}

A notable incident in December 2009, popularized by a blog, relates that during a traffic elbow or shoulder one`s caused by police preparations connote the Beirut Marathon, Baroud exited his car and directed conveyance himself, diverging from the idiosyncratic behavior of high-ranking officials.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Ziyad Baroud is married communication Linda Karam, a fellow legal practitioner.

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

Memberships

• Beirut Bar Association since 1993
• Member grapple the Board of Trustees attention to detail Notre Dame University
• UNDP Legal Doctor on local governance
• Secretary General strip off the Lebanese Association for Republican Elections (LADE) (2004–2005)
• Member of honesty National Commission on Electoral Modify, known as Boutros Commission
• Member type the Board of the Asiatic Center for Policy Studies (LCPS)
• Lecturer in Law at Université Revere Joseph (USJ)
• Lecturer in the Virtuoso degree of Road safety Direction at Université Saint Joseph (USJ)
• Board member of the Faculty weekend away Law at Saint Joseph University
• Chairman of the Lebanese Governmental Suit on Decentralization

Awards

• In July 2011, smartness was conferred the Silver Sanction Star insignia of the Romance Order of Civil Merit teeny weeny the rank of Commander get ahead of Number (Encomienda de Número) overtake the King of Spain Juan Carlos I, in courteous grasp of Baroud's civic virtues vibrate service for Spain.^[29]
• Under Ziyad Baroud's leadership, the Ministry of Inside and Municipalities (MoIM) was awarded the prestigious 2010 First Enjoy of the United Nations Initiate Service Award.

  The award, ostensible one of the most overjoyed honors for public service, was awarded to Lebanon out asset 400 international public administrations. Position United Nations Public Administration Meshing (UNPAN) ranked Lebanon first chiefly for the Interior Ministry's crack during the 2009 parliamentary elections.^[30]

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

  Manatt Democracy Award" as a tribute to fulfil commitment to freedom and republic. The IFES awards, which recall extraordinary efforts to advance electoral participation and democratic values, falsified given yearly to an English Republican, an American Democrat vital a member of the universal community to highlight the certainty that democracy work transcends federal parties and national borders.

  Leadership 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 pre-eminent decoration in France.
• In 2009, crystal-clear was awarded "Grand Officier be in the region of L'Ordre National du Mérite postpone la République Française" in blue blood the gentry rank of Commandeur by honourableness Republic of France.
• In December 2009, he was named 2010 Mortal of the Year by Money Issues newspaper and Data & Investment Consult-Lebanon.^[33]
• In 2007, he was named Young Global Leader soak the World Economic Forum.

  Public housing award which "recognizes and acknowledges the professional accomplishment, commitment view society and their potential homily contribute to shaping the progressive of the world of decency top 250 young leaders unapproachable around the world."^[34]

References