Following the report by Al-Arabiya, based on several AUB officials, that the Lebanese Prime Minister was suing the cash-strapped university for $1 million, PM Diab’s office issued a statement denying the “details of the claim.”
On Wednesday evening, PM Diab’s attorneys Amal Haddad and Naji Boustani responded that Al-Arabiya’s report contained some information related to the lawsuit that was “legally incorrect.”
Statement from #Lebanon PM Hassan Diab’s lawyers on his lawsuit against @AUB_Lebanon:
— Timour Azhari (@timourazhari) July 9, 2020
-Says info published was false but gives few specifics on what’s true
-AUB “deliberately refrained from paying the entitlements & compensation due to the agent”
-“Orchestrated media campaign.” pic.twitter.com/OwDus0sfOl
They went on to denounce the “negative stance” AUB has taken towards their client and accused the university of intentionally failing to pay compensation dues to PM Diab and for leaking information to the media to cause intimidation.
They concluded their response by stating that there is an “orchestrated campaign” linked to a “premeditated plan since January 2020” (when Diab took office) by AUB’s current administration, which goes against the values and moral standards of the university since its foundation.
Lawyers of Lebanon's PM Hassan Diab call media reports alleging that he wants $1 million from AUB despite leaving his job there "not true".
— Sunniva Rose (@Sunniva_Rose) July 9, 2020
They call AUB "deceitful" but don't clarify whether he actually asked for the money to be wired abroad. pic.twitter.com/e8mlFiXi5L
The fact remains that the prime minister of Lebanon is indeed suing the university and that the lawsuit comes at a time when AUB is in its worst financial struggle ever and the lawsuit, if won by the PM, will cripple the university further.
