Between the first round of investigations by the Mehlis Commission and the killing of MP Gebran Tueni, the “Beirut I” donor conference briefly became news. National interest peaked in September 2005, a week before the Annual Meetings in New York of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), when Prime Minister Seniora, surrounded by foreign ministers from several countries, talked about a “Made in Lebanon” government reform plan. That was then. Today the plan is in tatters as Lebanon hurtles towards dangerous political polarization. It has been said before, but it should be said again and again: Lebanon can not ignore its horrendous economic situation and put reforms on hold indefinitely. After the Paris II Conference, the late economy minister, Dr. Basil Fuleihan warned that Lebanon has a history of missed opportunities. He has sadly gone and his call has gone unheeded. Only now are we beginning to
