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Source: https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/corruption-threatens-beirut-revival
Corruption Threatens Beirut Revival
(VOA News) Lisa Schlein - A special report by the UN Development Program warns that widespread, systematic corruption and lack of accountability in Lebanon will impede Beirut's efforts to recover from the Aug. 4 blast. Arkan El Seblani, chief of UNDP's Anti-Corruption and Integrity Unit for Arab States, says corruption permeates the whole society. "According to some estimates, the cost of corruption in Lebanon is equal to $5 billion a year...9% of the country's GDP....Leakage and embezzlement of money and goods, bribes and kickbacks in construction projects...are all real and present in the context of Lebanon."