Ghosn alive and well in Beirut...

Unlike what Carole, Carlos Ghosn’s wife told a Brazilian newspaper after the Lebanese catastrophe, the couple’s home in Beirut wasn’t really damaged by the explosion that rocked the downtown area on August 4.

What Ghosn must be worried about is that his political protector’s day might be numbered and with it, its welcome mat in that country, along with his protection against being sent back to Japan.

One would think that the Japanese could put pressure on their fugitive, but they’ve been good sport and as always, have been very generous by providing emergency relief goods including 1,800 blankets, 400 tents and 400 water tanks to help the Lebanese.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s also sent a message of condolence, saying that the tremendous damage caused by the blast was heartbreaking and that he hopes the damaged part of the city can be rebuilt as soon as possible.

Sure, the Japanese government has asked Interpol to help catching Carlos Ghosn, but Lebanon has indicated it’s unlikely to hand him over, absent an extradition treaty between Japan and that country. Neither Brazil nor France that have extradition treaties with Japan wouldn’t ship Ghosn back to Japan either, as he’s got these two nationalities as well, and both countries don’t extradite their nationals.

So for the time being, Ghosn can breathe a sigh of relief...