Deposits in Lebanese Banks 1993-2010 $98 Billion Increase

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE NORTH

Government expenditures on health - 2010 April 2011 |

105 Non-Lebanese property ownership

The Monthly interviews Architect Nadim Karam issue number www.iimonthly.com • Published by Information International sal

DEPOSITS IN LEBANESE BANKS 1993-2010

$98 BILLION INCREASE HALF IN THE LAST 3 YEARS

5 LEADER: DEPOSITS IN LEBANESE BANKS

7 GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES ON HEALTH

10 BEIRUT GOLF CLUB

12 NON-LEBANESE PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

14 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE NORTH

17 LEBANESE STAMPS

20 THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM 23 THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS Page 29 Page 17 25 THE HUSBAND’S FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

26 MUNICIPAL IMMUNITY

27 SYNDICATE OF LEBANESE CONTRACTORS

29 LEBANESE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

31 ADULT HERPES ZOSTER (SHINGLES) BY DR. HANNA SAADAH Page 10 32 SUPERSUASION BY DR. SAMAR ZEBIAN 42 SAAD HARIRI - SYRIA 33 THE LIVE NATURE OF INFORMATION BY ANTOINE BOUTROS 43 FEBRUARY 2011 TIMELINE IN LEBANON 34 THE MONTHLY INTERVIEWS ARCHITECT NADIM KARAM 46 QATAR

36 POPULAR CULTURE 47 REAL ESTATE INDEX IN LEBANON- FEBRUARY 2011 37 MYTH #44: BEIRUT, WORLD BOOK CAPITAL FOR 2009 48 FOOD PRICE INDEX - FEBRUARY 2011 38 MUST-READ BOOKS: THE VICTIM AND THE EXECUTIONER 50 INTERNET USE

39 MUST-READ CHILDREN’S BOOK:THE TRUTH 50 BEIRUT RAFIC HARIRI INTERNATIONAL ABOUT LITTLE KITTENS & PUPPIES AIRPORT - FEBRUARY 2011

40 LEBANON FAMILIES: AL-JISR FAMILY 51 LEBANON STATS 41 DISCOVER LEBANON: KSARNABA 3 | EDITORIAL “BALTAJIAH”

It would be interesting to study how and why certain words and expressions become widely used at a certain time and suddenly they disappear to perhaps appear again. In the case of Obama, “change” is the word. During the Syrian presence in Lebanon, no politician would make a statement or speech without mentioning “the unity of the two tracks” or “destiny and the path” or “the Syrian alternative”. When the American troops arrived in Baghdad, the then Iraqi Minister of Information used the word “uluj”. This word became popular for a while and now we hear it no more. Recently, in most political articles and interviews, the word “harak”, meaning movement, is “a la mode”. And following the Tahrir Square demonstrations in Cairo, the word “baltaji” has entered the political lexicon in the Arab World. Following are some observations about the word “baltaji”. First: the Baltaji family It would perhaps be beneficial for the March 14 supporters who are popularizing this word in Lebanon to remember that the Baltaji family is Sunni and did not participate in the attack on the demonstrators in Tahrir Square nor in the famous 7th of May 2008 in Beirut. Perhaps they might be offended by the derogatory use of this word, but who cares, their number doesn’t exceed 130 voters. Second: the word “baltaji” in Egypt In the Turkish language, the word refers to an axeman, or a butcher or a logger. There used to be a battalion in the Ottoman army that would use the axe as a weapon. In the Sultan Diwan, there used to be a “baltaj” who would “discipline” people if they upset the Sultan. After the occupation of Egypt by the Ottomans in 1517 and when law and order broke down, a criminal would be referred to as a “baltaji”. Third: the etymology of the word “baltaji” according to Ibn Manzour “Balatnahom” means we fought them and “ablata” means bankrupt or broke, which confirms that a “baltaji” is a poor man. “Balat” is the axe in Arabic, which also confirms that he is the axeman. Fourth: who are the real “baltajiah”? The real “baltajiah” who attacked the demonstrators in Tahrir Square are those who ruled Egypt for more than thirty years. The real “baltajiah” in Lebanon are those warlords who committed atrocities and then procured an amnesty law for their crimes, and those who robbed and embezzled the Public Treasury and seized public property while watching Israel bombard their people. The real “baltajiah” are Western leaders who sold arms to dictators knowing well they will only be used to crush and oppress the people of this region. Fifth: “Al Mubaya’ah” It would be interesting for the researchers to study this word and its origin, according to Ibn Manzour again. In Islamic history, this word is a proof of a democratic tradition where people “youbayi’oun” i.e. support a ruler or a Khalif. Ibn Manzour tells us that although this word means a contract that one can romantically fantasize is a “social contract”, it could also be a sales contract where “one would sell what he has or himself” and obey … And that is “the deal”.

The roots of two words “baltajiah” and “mubaya’ah” might explain the way we are: “thugs” and “deals” do not build nations.

issue 105 - April 2011 4 | EDITORIAL onsidering the latest Wikilieaks revelations about discussions between Lebanese politicians and the former US Ambassadors to Lebanon, Jeffrey Feltman and Michele Sison and the accusations levied by those politicians, Cmost of whom were supposedly friends of those ambassadors, The Monthly finds it appropriate to republish this editorial, which was published in Issue # 66, January 2008. WHEN “THEY” CORRECT “OUR” HISTORY “Why do you keep talking about the 16th and 19th centuries? The Descendant of Damien de Martel (1878-1940) What about today?”, My colleague asked. I do not think we are “My great-grandfather was not as bad as you think. He had a ready yet. But let us see… good sense of humor and loved women. The letter of Bani Shu’aib(1) raised nostalgic feelings among He fell in love with a woman who was revered by all your the descendants of foreign envoys who played an important zu’ama.It is true that he used the game of money in the 1934 role in the history of the region, including Lebanon. parliamentary elections, but he said: “I am doing a humanitarian Their statements reflect true stories they heard from their job as there are no other means for Abboud Abdel-Razak, parents or found in family documents. They all had mixed Emile Tabet and other candidates to help the poor voters and feelings towards Lebanon. They remember sweet stories penniless journalists…” about the “beautiful country” and its “hospitable people” who It is also true that he meddled with the 1936 presidential elections received their ancestors warmly when the latter were powerful but your Zu’ama were more than willing, since he wrote to his and victorious. On the other hand, they hold bitter memories of girlfriend: “You have always told me that our relationship should these “welcoming” zu’ama turning on their guests like ravenous make of you a millionairess… I will not allow the candidates wolves when defeated. (Emile Eddeh and Beshara al-Khoury) to win the elections These descendants are surprised at the ability of Lebanon’s unless they lose their minds or money or both together…” “ruling families” to appear highly “cultured” and “modern” and The descendant concludes the letter: “Yes, they waited in queue to simultaneously act like voracious beasts. It seems that History at his door and when the French government decided to transfer to them does not matter, because stories, fictive or real, will him, they abandoned him.”(3) depict them as great Zu’ama, heroes definitely, and “martyrs” if needs be.The descendants of these envoys, however, have The Descendant of General Edward Spears another version of Lebanon’s history. (1886-1974) Let us see what they say. The great-granddaughter of General Spears begins the letter saying that Britney is not a relative, stating that she was very The descendant of Jamal Pasha (1872-1922) angry that the singer had a wider popularity than Edward. “Old documents, which belonged to my great-grandfather, prove She says that her grandfather was the main contributor to that those who were called ‘revolutionists’ and ‘reformists’ and Lebanon’s independence. “He was the one who threatened stood against the Turks, were in fact Jamal’s followers turning French High Commissioner Jean Helleu and expelled him against him when Turkey was defeated by the Allies. They then from Lebanon after the latter detained your “heroes” of replaced him by France and Britain. As for those who displayed Independence. He deployed many efforts for the election of your patriotic fever they most probably did that to spite a neighbor or first President(4). In the mid-1960s, I met one of your zu’ama a cousin,” he said. who told me that my “late” grandfather was a hero. I told him “My grandfather told me once: “The Arabs have a weakness in that he was still alive and that he would be very happy to receive their character that is jealousy of their countrymen who become him again or any of the Lebanese zu’ama. He declined, saying important,” and he literally told me that “if those zu’ama forge he was overwhelmed with work.” alliances with France and Britain against Turkey in World War I She continues: “You left my grandfather to die alone and I will (1914), the Arab nation will be defeated forever... and those who never forget that.” pretend to know nothing about foreign schemes are either short- Skimming through old documents and dispatches, we stopped sighted or have decided to sell their conscience and dignity.” at the beginning of the civil war in 1975. Jamal Pasha’s descendant concluded his letter, saying: “Those “Please let us go back to the time of Fakhreddine I (fictive or who called my great-grandfather the ‘Butcher’ used to kiss his… real), as I am still confident that Fakhreddine II is the founder ”(2) of modern Lebanon… and please do not try to change my convictions,” my colleague said.

(1) See The Monthly issue no.65 of December 2007 (2) Memoirs of Jamal Pasha, translated from Turkish into Arabic by Ali Ahmad Shukri (4) “Lebanese Presidents as I knew them”, Iskandar Riashi, title translated from Arabic. (3) Fulfillment of a Mission (1941-1944), Edward Spears

issue 105 - The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. LEBANESE BANKS’ DEPOSITS LEADER | 5 DEPOSITS IN LEBANESE BANKS FROM 1993 TO 2010: $98 BILLION INCREASE, HALF OF WHICH IN THE LAST 3 YEARS

he surge of deposits in Lebanese banks has attracted attention. Frequent are the questions asked about the reasons and effects of these deposits and whether they are a curse or a blessing. Among the reasons explaining Tthis increase, we mention the following:

A High interest rates on deposits in the Lebanese banks, A 2009 witnessed the highest surge in the volume of currently ranging between 5% and 8% whereas they deposits reaching $ 17.987 billion. This was due to many do not exceed 1% in American and European banks. reasons, namely the June 2009 Lebanese parliamentary A Money laundering operations in some banks, despite elections, which witnessed unprecedented and the laws that restrict them. considerable foreign funding. A External political funding to some Lebanese parties or A In 2008, 2009 and 2010, deposits increased by $ 39,917 media outlets. million, representing 37.2% of the total deposits. A Interest paid by the State to the banks averaging around A Despite the gradual decrease of the interest rate levels in $3.9 billion annually during the past three years. the past three years (5-8%), deposits continued to flow. A Transfers from Lebanese working abroad estimated Some attribute this to the fact that the interest rates are between $6 billion and $8 billion. still considered among the highest in the world, even A Lebanese and Arab investments in the real estate though they have been reduced. Others attribute it to sector. reasons unrelated to the interest rate level. A Confidence in the Lebanese banking sector, which has A Despite the financial, economic and political survived many political and economic crises. fluctuations experienced by Lebanon between 1993 and 2010, the deposits between the Lebanese currency and dollar currency remained stable and reached an 2009 witnessed the highest average of 32% for the Lebanese currency and 68% “ for the dollar currency. surge in the volume of deposits A Between 1993 and 2010, deposits by the public sector (the State) increased in private banks by about LBP reaching $ 17.987 billion. This 1,840 billion, which means that the State resorted to was due to many reasons, borrowing without really needing to and deposited these funds in return for interest rates lower than those namely the June 2009 Lebanese owed to the banks on the money borrowed. All this parliamentary elections [...] was done imprudently and resulted in unnecessary waste of funds. A A large increase in deposits by non-residents amounting Another question arises: who are these depositors?” Are to 8.8% of the total deposits in 1993 and reaching they Lebanese? Are they Arabs or foreigners? This is what 17.2% in 2010. we do not know. However, we can trace the development However, these deposits, while funding State deficit, trend of these deposits, as shown in Table 1. are not supporting investments and productive projects. Logically, interest rates should be much lower than what they are now but banks are not willing to do that The following conclusions can be drawn based on Table 1: because the government is heavily indebted to them. A Between 1993 and 2010, the year 1994 witnessed the The continuous, non-regulated, untaxed flow of funds to highest percentage increase in the volume of deposits Lebanon has distorted the economy and encouraged the (33.8%), followed by the years 1996 (32.1%), 1997 creation of a consumer society. (27.7%), 2009 (23.1%) and 1998 (20.4%).

issue 105 | April 2011 6 | LEADER LEBANESE BANKS’ DEPOSITS

Deposits in the Lebanese banks between 1993 and 2010 (in millions) Table 1

Private Estimated Non- Non- Public Private sector % of % of LBP Residents Residents Year sector increase and foreign residents residents sector (LBP) increase (LBP) ($) ($) ($) currencies* (LBP) ($) (LBP)

1993 15,801,744 9,236 - - 30 - 70 4,587,798 5,740 157,263 722 151,748

1994 20,349,753 12,356 3,120 33.8 38.5-61.5 7,642,490 6,705 201,178 888 255,358

1995 23,884,061 14,965 2,609 21.1 37.6-62.4 8,601,106 8,274 392,591 1,056 260,981

1996 30,684,766 19,771 4,806 32.1 43.5-56.5 12,815,581 9,465 535,294 1,704 285,084

1997 38,569,358 25,258 5,487 27.7 36.1-63.9 13,277,139 13,117 657,721 3,015 216,633

1998 46,113,004 30,241 5,163 20.4 34.5-65.5 15,249,833 15,633 646,912 4,403 346,128

1999 51,159,806 33,937 3,516 11.6 38.4-61.6 18,794,169 16,258 846,403 4,650 701,729

2000 56,729,763 37,632 3,695 10.9 33.1-66.9 17,938,317 19,665 850,017 5,504 720,900

2001 60,514,299 40,142 2,510 6.7 27.5 - 72.5 15,793,137 23,510 832,971 5,603 525,545

2002 64,274,218 42,636 2,494 6.2 30.6-69.4 18,912,797 23,984 772,937 5,594 591,013

2003 73,454,907 48,726 6,090 14.3 33.8-66.2 23,649,249 25,302 1,223,418 6,925 1,325,282

2004 82,690,746 54,853 6,127 12.5 30 - 70 23,346,946 29,798 1,448,738 8,606 1,480,003

2005 85,906,227 56,986 2,133 3.9 26.8 - 73.2 22,042,411 32,895 1,038,254 8,780 1,704,939

2006 91,494,069 60,693 3,707 6.5 23.8-76.2 21,081,470 37,337 681,661 8,920 1,578,953

2007 101,435,050 67,287 6,594 10.8 22.7-77.3 22,282,261 42,918 704,720 9,121 1,163,361

2008 117,252,544 77,779 10,492 15.6 23.3-76.7 34,309,108 43,515 1,366,972 10,600 1,331,175

2009 144,367,131 95,766 17,987 23.1 35.5-64.5 47,738,541 47,525 3,572,284 14,203 1,589,862

1,994,560 (end of 2010 161,609,625 107,204 11,438 11.9% 36.8-63.2 55,036,651 52,210 4,373,604 15,584 November 2010)

Source: Periodic publications issued by Bank of Lebanon between 1993 and 2008. For 2009, the annual report issued by the Association of Lebanese banks and for 2010, the bulletin of the Bank of Lebanon (website). * Distribution of deposits: respectively, % LBP and % foreign currency.

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES ON HEALTH PUBLIC SECTOR | 7 GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES ON HEALTH IN 2010: LBP 1,261 BILLION

s a result of corruption, confessionalism and political patronage, it is rare to encounter a ministry or administration that does not squander public funds in Lebanon. The Ministry of Health is no exception. We have decided to Astart with this Ministry because of its important role to the health of the Lebanese people. It is the first sector we explore, in a series that will be covered. Health sector and its expenses Several government administrations are interlinked when residence, LBP 61 billion are for hospitalization in it comes to providing healthcare and hospitalization to government hospitals of which LBP 21 billion are for the Lebanese. According to the 2010 draft budget law, a Raﬁk Hariri University Hospital. total of LBP 1,261 billion were allocated to governmental health organizations, distributed as follows: In addition, organizations and institutions related to A Ministry of Public Health: LBP 486.6 billion, of which political and religious authorities that work in the medical LBP 320 billion are hospitalization expenses in the sector also receive contributions from the Ministry. The private sector. main beneﬁciaries are: A National Social Security Fund (NSSF): LBP 350 billion A LBP 500 million: Caritas Lebanon (the State contributes 25% of the expenses related to A LBP 300 million: UN-Habitat Fund (Lebanon) illness and maternity in addition to the registration fees A LBP 85 million: National Eye Bank Center of its employees). A LBP 175 million: National Organization for Organ and A Cooperative of Public Sector Employees: LBP 170 Tissue Donation and Transplantation billion. A LBP 160 million: National Nursing Program in A Military hospitalization: LBP 174 billion. Lebanon A Ministry of Social Affairs: LBP 25 billion (estimate). A LBP 450 million: Thalassaemia Center A Government Cooperative Funds: LBP 55.7 billion. A LBP 145 million: National Rehabilitation and Development Center These organizations cover the health expenses of 92% of A LBP 220 million: Dar Al Aytam Al Islamiya the Lebanese, of which 40% are provided by the Ministry A LBP 220 million: Dr. Mohamad Khaled Social of Public Health. The remaining 8% rely on private Foundation insurance or directly pay for their treatment. A LBP 145 million: Association for the Disabled – Beit Chabab Ministry of Public Health expenses A LBP 70 million: Orthodox Center – Home of Saint In the 2010 draft budget law, the Ministry of Public Georges Health budget reached LBP 486,658,209,000 distributed A LBP 70 million: Orthodox Shelter for the Elderly as follows: A LBP 55 million: Dar Al-Sadaqa in Zahle (part of Al- A Medicine: LBP 91 billion Rahbaniya and Moukhalasiah) A Allowances, salaries, wages and additional expenses: A LBP 55 million: Shelter for the Elderly – Tal Shiha, LBP 27.4 billion Zahle A Contributions to run new public hospitals: LBP 12 A LBP 100 million: Mo’assassat Al-Shaheed billion (Hezbollah) A Contributions to the Lebanese Red Cross: LBP 4.3 A LBP 135 million Social Movement billion A LBP 200 million: Childhood Protection and Care A Contributions to the YMCA to provide medication for Association chronic illnesses: LBP 4.9 billion A LBP 900 million : Lebanese Welfare Association for A Hospitalization expenses in the private sector: LBP 320 the Handicapped (Randa Berri) billion, of which LBP 229 billion are hospitalization expenses for the public and private sectors, LBP 30 billion are hospitalization expenses for long term

issue 105 | April 2011 8 | PUBLIC SECTOR GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES ON HEALTH

Hospitals Affiliated with the Ministry of Distribution of funds in Public Health private and public hospitals Table 1 The Ministry of Public Health sponsors most of the public Jbeil 5,199,400,000 and private hospitals (112 in total) to provide healthcare Sayyidat Al Ma’ounat (Lady of Aid) 4,483,800,000 to the Lebanese who are not part of any government Tripoli 15,342,840,000 institutions (military, NSSF or Coop). The funds allocated Islamic Charity 5,095,800,000 for this purpose in the 2010 draft budget law amounted to LBP 320 billion compared to LBP 305 billion in the 2009 Munla 2,827,200,000 draft budget law. In 2009, the funds were distributed as Nini 3,389,400,000 illustrated in Table 1. Mazloum 1,561,800,000 Minnieh-Dinnieh 989,200,000 Kheir 989,200,000 Distribution of funds in Table 1 private and public hospitals A’akkar 7,117,200,000 Name Fund (LBP) Rahhal 2,152,000,000 I- Private hospitals 188,247,048,000 Sayyidat Al Salam (Lady of Peace) 1,128,600,000 Mohafazat Beirut 24,361,800,000 Yousef Medical Center 3,836,600,000 Makased 4,275,000,000 Koura 5,241,400,000 St Georges 3,762,200,000 Koura 1,490,800,00 AUH 4,708,200,000 Haykaliya 3,146,400,000 Hotel Dieu 3,762,000,000 Zgharta 8,915,400,000 Rizk 1,630,200,000 Sayyidat Zgharta (Lady of Zgharta) 1,869,600,00 Jeitaoui 3,009,600,000 North Hospital Center 5,737,800,000 Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC) 1,140,000,000 Batroun 2,235,000,000 Ba’abda 25,569,600,000 Batroun 2,235,000,000 Sacré Coeur 2,439,600,000 Saida 17,648,200,000 St. Charles 1,732,800,000 Labib Medical Center 3,785,800,000 St .Theresa 1,105,800,000 Hammoud 8,504,400,000 Sahel 2,610,600,000 Chaeeb 1,390,800,000 Zahraa 4,674,000,000 South Health Complex - Osseiran 1,653,000,000 Hayat 1,796,000,000 Sour 12,266,400,000 Rasoul Al-A‘azam 4,968,800,000 Jabal Amel 4,514,400,000 Bahman 2,537,000,000 Najem 1,390,800,000 Mount Lebanon 2,337,000,000 Aladdine 2,245,800,000 Matn 10,271,208,000 Ra‘i Medical Center 1,972,200,000 Mar Yousef 2,177,400,000 Kharoubi Sarafand 1,482,000,000 Haroun 991,800,000 Nabatieh 3,431,400,000 Lebanese-Canadian 1,026,000,000 Shaheed Ragheb Harb 1,162,800,000 Orient 2,181,000,000 Al-Najda Al-Shaabiya 1,014,600,000 Chouf 9,236,400,000 Bent Jbeil (Islamic Health) 1,208,400,000 Ain and Zein 7,020,000 Rashaya (Bhmad) 649,800,000 A’aley 4,149,000,000 Zahle 14,823,600,000 Iman 960,000,000 Tal Shiha 2,152,000,000 Irfan 960,000,000 Khoury 3,192,000,000 Kamal Jumblatt (2000 – Medical Beqa‘a 2,017,800,000 Company Ltd) 960,000,000 Lebanese-French 1,967,000,000 Keserouane 3,682,200,000 Riaq 4,594,200,000 St. Georges Aajaltoun 1,356,600,000 West Beqa’a 1,630,200,000 Sayyidat Lubnan (Our Lady of Lebanon) 1,687,200,000 Farhat Jebjenine 1,311,000,000 Ba’albeck 11,839,600,000 issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES ON HEALTH PUBLIC SECTOR | 9

Distribution of funds in A The purchase of unnecessary medical equipment in private and public hospitals Table 1 addition to the request by doctors to perform a number Dar Al-Hekmah 3,364,000,000 of unwarranted tests solely for the purpose of covering Mourtada 1,832,800,000 the cost of the equipment and its renewal; For example, there is one Cardiology Center (specialized in open- Rayan 1,673,200,000 heart surgery) for every 800,000 patients in France, Al-Amal 3,898,000,000 whereas in Lebanon, there is one for every 200,000 Hermel 2,338,800,000 patients. Ibn Sina 879,600,000 A Establishing new hospitals although there might not be II- Public Hospitals 35,100,000,000 a real need for them. Rafik Hariri University Hospital 6,900,000,000 A Lack of control of drug prices, resulting in a signiﬁcant Dahr Al-Basheq 3,552,000,000 increase in the cost of drugs. Absence of coordination between the various Sibline 1,140,000,000 A government institutions in terms of the hospitalization Elias Hrawi (Zahle) 1,800,000,000 fees and the monitoring mechanism. Saida 948,000,000 Nabatieh 4,680,000,000 The government’s expenditure of around USD 800 Trablous 1,800,000,000 million to secure partial healthcare to the Lebanese, Sir Dinnieh 1,476,000,000 in addition to the expenditure of the public sector and that of individuals, could raise the healthcare III- Mental and psychological illnesses (7 institutions): and hospitalization cost to more than USD 2 billion. allocated funds amount to LBP 11,375,712,000, of which If these funds were properly used, full healthcare and LBP 5,715,900,000 are allocated to Deir Al-Salib and LBP hospitalization to all the Lebanese people would be 3,350,000,000 are allocated to Dar Al-Ajaza Al-Islamiya. ensured and at a much lower cost.

IV- Prosthetics and Orthotics centers (28 centers): National Social Security Fund allocated funds amount to LBP 61 million. The NSSF is an independent institution that was V- Chronic illnesses hospitals: allocated funds amount to established in 1963, whose purpose is to manage the LBP 12,510,925,000. social security system and its various units: A Illness and Maternity VI- Institutions treating paralysis and disability, A Labor Accidents and Occupational Diseases (not (rehabilitative and non-rehabilitative) coma, chest diseases, implemented) hearing and speech disabilities: allocated funds amount to A Family and Education Benefits LBP 4,370,840,000. A End of Service Indemnity There are: Reasons for Squandering A 2,119 positions at the NSSF, but only 1,250 positions There are many reasons for the squandering of funds in are staffed. the health sector. They include: A 48,089 institutions registered with the NSSF, of A Absence of monitoring patients’ admissions into which 114 are State owned. hospitals. A 552,383 subscribers to the NSSF, of which 10,376 A Absence of auditing of hospital and medical invoices, are government employees and 40,187 are public especially the ones that are at the expense of the Ministry transportation drivers. of Health. For example, a committee of the Ministry of Finance was auditing a private hospital in Zahle in 1999 The number of beneficiaries of healthcare and and it appeared that the hospital provided gynecological hospitalization services is around 1,200,000 or around treatments to a male patient. Another hospital provided 33% of the Lebanese resident population. The NSSF a patient with medications in such large quantities that has contracts with 135 hospitals, 10,489 doctors, would have killed him had he really taken them. The 2,188 pharmacies, 365 laboratories and 113 radiology reason behind this problem is that there are only 70 centers. doctors to monitor 200 hospitals and medical centers, The budget of the Illness and Maternity Unit is around which renders effective monitoring of the services of LBP 600 billion, with a LBP 220 billion contribution those hospitals and the treatment of patients impossible from the State. or difficult at best.

issue 105 | April 2011 10 | PUBLIC SECTOR GOLF CLUB ESTATE BEIRUT GOLF CLUB OCCUPIES MORE THAN 300,000 SQM FOR MORE THAN 45 YEARS AND THE RENT IS LBP 1,100 ANNUALLY!

ear after year, public and private green spaces are diminishing in Lebanon, including Beirut. Over the past ten years, green spaces in Beirut and its suburbs have regressed to only a few spots. These rare spaces Yinclude the Golf Club estate in Ouza’i. The land is state-owned but it has been leased to a private club so that non-members are not allowed entry. Therefore, the Lebanese are deprived from benefitting from the land and so is the State Treasury, which receives a meager amount in terms of rent. Beginning of investment The Lebanese Golf Club currently occupies estates owned by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (an estimated area of 300,000 sqm) in Ouza’i by virtue of a 15-year contract that the Club signed in 1963 for LBP A contract that violates the 1,100 a year. The purpose is to use the land for golf and “ other sports accepted by the Directorate. The latter also law has been subject to renewal authorized the Club to use other buildings it owned and for more than 45 years. The that it was not using (in 1963). Later, the club built new facilities for its activities. State is receiving mediocre and negligible funds in return (LBP Consecutive extensions To extend the contract, the Club’s management resorted 1,100 a year). While proposals to to a pretext that it only received the land on September 27, 1964, and that therefore the contract expires on render the contract legal do not September 26, 1979, instead of 1978. Before the see the light. There is however a expiration date, the Council of Ministers consensually (without a bid) renewed the contract with the Club in its simple straightforward solution meeting on May 16, 1979, for 8 years until September and that is to open up this land 26, 1987. Two years before the expiration date of the renewed contract, on May 30, 1985, the Club ﬁled a to the public and turn it into a request for renewal with the same conditions of the main contract, meaning a 15 year contract in return for park LBP 1,100 in annual rent. The then Minister of Public Works and Transportation, Walid Jumblatt, approved ” the extension until May 29, 2000, in his Letter No. 153 dated June 17, 1985. By virtue of Decree No. 24 dated June 28, 2000, the Council of Ministers agreed to renew the contract for another 6 months with a provision to prepare a report on the best way to optimize the use of the land and the returns on investment. This would be undertaken by a committee that includes a judge representing the Ministry of Justice and a representative of each of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism and the Director General of Civil Aviation. However, for unknown reasons, the committee failed in its mission. This prompted the Council of Ministers to renew the occupation for 6 months until May 29, 2001, and to form a committee to complete the study within 3 months. The committee completed its tasks and prepared a report on the legal nature of the occupation and suggested several options and solutions, including licensing the Club to continue its occupation in return for a new fee that is commensurate with the estate’s value. But the extension continued for another year as of May 30, 2001, under the same conditions and fees and was renewed for another 3 months until August 28, 2002. By virtue of Decree No. 16 dated September 26, 2002, the Council of Ministers agreed to renew the contract for 4 years. The Council again renewed the contract, by virtue of Decree

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. GOLF CLUB ESTATE PUBLIC SECTOR | 11

Golf Club grounds

No. 55 dated October 19, 2006, for yet another 4 years speciﬁed by Article 17 of Decree No. 144/1925, which until September 26, 2010. The Council considered the stipulates: “One-year licenses for temporary occupation possibility of renewing the contract in its session on may be granted and renewed by tacit consent. They May 12, 2010, but decided to postpone its discussion are assigned in decrees in which the fees to be paid of the matter to a later meeting. A decision is yet to be are speciﬁed because of the temporary nature of the made. occupation. The fees include the area and the location. They can be substantially reduced, in a special case, and The contract is in violation of the law can even be rendered a basic fee amounting to 5 Syrian The contract between the Ministry of Public Works piasters, if the temporary occupation is considered to and Transportation-the Directorate General of Civil be for a public utility purpose. The fees are pre-paid.” Aviation and the Golf Club violates a number of legal texts: 2- Licensing the Club to go on with temporary rolling annual occupation in return for a symbolic fee if the A Article 25 of the Airports’ Fees Law stipulates that purpose of the occupation is public utility, only after the leasing of public properties owned by the Beirut granting it a public utility status. A decree to that effect International Airport for investment purposes must is to be issued by the Council of Ministers and if such go through public bidding cannot exceed a period of a decree is issued, the Club’s management must amend 4 years. However, this did not take place. its modus operandi, reduce its membership fees and carry out extra works in order to conform to the public A Article 60 of Legislative Decree No. 275 dated utility purpose. May 25, 1926, on the management and sale of State Alternatively, consider that the project undertaken by properties stipulates: “Estates that constitute state the Club is a touristic one and thus apply the provisions property in cities are leased for a maximum period of Law No. 58/67 on the Investment in Tourism of 4 years based on an initial bidding price following Projects an administrative disclosure.” However, this did not take place. A contract that violates the law has been subject to renewal for more than 45 years. The State is receiving The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation mediocre and negligible funds in return (LBP 1,100 proposed various legal solutions to the two parties: a year). While proposals to render the contract legal do not see the light. There is however a simple 1- Licensing the Club to continue to occupy the state straightforward solution and that is to open up this land properties temporarily in return for a fee, with the to the public and turn it into a park. condition that it continues to execute public works, as

issue 105 | April 2011 12 | PUBLIC SECTOR NON-LEBANESE PROPERTY OWNERSHIP NON-LEBANESE PROPERTY OWNERSHIP ON THE DECLINE

he issue of non-Lebanese ownership (Arabs and foreigners) of real estate in Lebanon is still a major concern to some who are requesting an amendment of the law in a bid to limit such transactions. This is mainly due to the Tfact that most owners are Muslim Arabs and this creates a confessional imbalance that may, according to some, threaten the Christian existence in Lebanon. Minister and MP Boutros Harb was the most vocal and expressed his concern over this matter. He suggested the issuance of a law that would forbid the sale of real estate between different Lebanese confessions. Not adopting this proposal does not mean that the case is closed. It is in fact still on the table and waiting for better circumstances to arise, in the hope of also issuing a law that further limits non-Lebanese ownership.

It is known that Law No. 296 dated April 3, 2001, allowed non-Lebanese to own real estate of up to 3,000 m2 on all the Lebanese territories without the need to obtain a license. If the area to be purchased exceeds this limit, a decree from the Council of Ministers must be obtained and will only be granted so long as the overall area owned by the non-Lebanese (since 1969) does not exceed 3% of Lebanon’s area, 3% of the area of each Qada’a and 10% of the area of Beirut. Based on table 1, the following conclusions can be drawn:

A The total area owned by non-Lebanese between 1-1-1969 and 4-5-2006 reached 15,854,461 m2, whereas the total area reached around 18,059,937 m2 between 5-5-2006 and 31-8-2010. Over the 133,000 m2, Ba’abda (45,000 m2), Ba’albeck past ﬁve months (1-9-2010 – 18-2-2011), the total (30,000 m2) and Beirut (14,000 m2). Ownership in area reached around 1,010,298 m2, which indicates the rest of the Qada’a either decreased or limitedly a deceleration in ownership operations in many increased. regions except in Matn, Ba’abda and Jezzine. This increase of 1,000,000 m2 in the past 5 months A The total area owned by non-Lebanese is 0.336% of (around 200,000 m2 per month) is considered a Lebanon’s area and is far from the 3% imposed by drawback compared to previous periods when the the law. increase was around 18,000,000 m2 in 52 months or an average of 346,000 m2 per month (a decrease of A The percentage of non-Lebanese ownership in 73%). some Qada’a has increased and is close to the 3% imposed by the law. It has reached 2.639% of the A The largest ownership operation during the past area of Qada’a Ba’abda, 2.153% of the area of 5 months was in the Qada’a of Matn and reached A’aley, 2.077% of the area of Matn and 6.542% of 937,000m2, followed by Jezzine which reached the area of Beirut.

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. NON-LEBANESE PROPERTY OWNERSHIP PUBLIC SECTOR | 13

Non-Lebanese ownership of real estate between 1-1-1969 and 18-2-2011 Table 1 Total area Total area Total area Total area owned by non- owned by non- owned by non- owned by non- Area of Qada’a Lebanese from Lebanese from Lebanese from Lebanese from %of Qada‘a Mohafaza Qada’a (m2) 1-1-1969 5-5-2006 1-9-2010 1-1-1969 area to to to to 4-5-2006 31-8-2010 18-2-2011 18-2-2011 Nabatieh Bent Jbeil 325,000,000 0 0 0 0 0

Nabatieh Marjeyoun 330,000,000 5,558 1,325,678 3,540 1,334,776 0.40

Nabatieh Nabatieh 270,000,000 62,428 184,353 6,240 253,021 0.09

Nabatieh Hasbaya 290,000,000 0 18,840 2,423 21,263 0.01

Beqa’a Hermel 381,665,497 65,765 407,561 0 473,326 0.12

Beqa’a West Beqa’a 480,000,000 80,869 403,374 5,541 - 478,702 0.10

Beqa’a Ba’albeck 2,412,000,000 298,270 1,382,967 30,487 1,711,724 0.07

Beqa’a Rachaya 530,000,000 19,305 80,176 670 - 98,811 0.02

Beqa’a Zahle 423,215,093 1,028,211 1,705,267 34,083 - 2,699,395 0.64

South Sour 450,000,000 303,859 87,141 2,128 - 388,872 0.09

South Saida 270,000,000 1,106,399 660,489 1,186 - 1,765,702 0.65

South Jezzine 240,000,000 22,983 128,692 133,558 285,233 0.12

North Batroun 273,000,000 243,092 647,362 67,606 - 822,848 0.30

North Zgharta 185,000,000 40,635 2,713 1,296 - 42,051 0.02

North Trablous 430,000,000 375,747 564,953 5,177 - 935,523 0.22

North Koura 172,449,251 207,026 167,183 9,190 - 365,019 0.21

North Bcharri 160,000,000 11,175 13,513 14 24,702 0.02

North A’akkar 840,000,000 215,514 108,733 2,961 327,208 0.04

Beirut Beirut 17,800,065 896,762 253,651 14,000 1,164,413 6.54

Mount Lebanon Jbeil 395,000,000 252,556 1,082,574 12,045 - 1,323,085 0.34

Mount Lebanon Keserouane 325,000,000 787,042 553,038 12,215 - 1,327,865 0.41

Mount Lebanon A’aley 270,000,000 3,405,153 2,418,608 11,191 - 5,812,570 2.15

Mount Lebanon Matn 270,000,000 1,403,890 3,266,048 937,254 5,607,192 2.08

Mount Lebanon Chouf 470,000,000 1,286,743 1,363,503 3,069 - 2,647,177 0.56

Mount Lebanon Ba’abda 190,000,000 3,735,479 1,233,520 45,218 5,014,217 2.64

Lebanon Lebanon 10,400,129,906 15,855,475 18,059,937 1,010,298 34,924,696 0.34 Source: Department of Land Affairs and Information International

issue 105 | April 2011 14 | PUBLIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE NORTH MUNICIPAL AND IKHTIYARIAH ELECTIONS IN THE MOHAFAZAT OF THE NORTH AND A’AKKAR

n May 30, 2010, the electors of the cities, towns and villages of the two Mohafazat of the North and A’akkar headed to polling stations to elect their municipal councils, Mukhtars and Ikhtiyariah councils. OSome towns were won by acclamation while others were taken over by consensus. The elections were acclaimed where consensual lists existed whereas fierce competition took place in the rest of the towns resulting from political and family divides. Herein follow the election results of each Qada’a.

Tripoli

äÉbôW Roads QÉμYA’akkar A ähÒH BEIRUT

Municipal and Ikhtiyariah elections in A’akkar There are 102 municipal councils in the Qada’a Municipal and Ikhtiyariah elections in the (Mohafaza) of A’akkar composed of 1,179 members. Qada’a of Trablous There are 58 villages with no municipal councils and There are 3 municipal councils in the Qada’a of thus authority lies in the hands of a Mukhtar. Trablous, the largest in number is located in the city of In the municipal and ikhtiyariah elections held on May Trablous and is composed of 24 members, followed by 30, 2010, some of the towns and villages witnessed that of the city of Mina’ (21 members) and Qalamoun ﬁerce competition in view of the variety of their (15 members). political and familial structures. In others, acclamation and consensus took place. Herein lies a summary of the The May 30, 2010, municipal and ikhtiyariyah elections elections: resulted in the following: A Acclamation occurred in 17 municipalities as a A In the city of Trablous, the consensual list composed result of political and family consensus. of the alliance between the Future Movement, Omar A Family competition took place in 48 municipalities Karami, Najib Mikati, Minister Mohammad Safadi (50% of the total). and Al Jama’ah Al Islamiyah won. A The Future Movement won in 9 municipalities. A In the city of Mina’, the consensual list composed A The alliance of various parties won in 5 of the alliance between the Future Movement, Omar municipalities. Karami, Najib Mikati, Minister Mohammad Safadi A The Lebanese Forces won in 1 municipality. and Al Jama’ah Al Islamiyah won and obtained 19 A The March 8 forces won in 16 municipalities. seats. The head of the municipality, Abdel Al Kader A Al Jama’ah Al Islamiyah won in 4 municipalities. Alam Al Deen, whose mandate had expired and A A tie in the number of seats occurred in 2 who was supported by Najib Mikati, along with a municipalities between 2 different political parties. member of his list also won. In one, the municipality was dismantled and in the A In the town of Qalamoun, the electoral list supported other a consensus was reached and a rotation in by Al Jama’ah Al Islamiyah won 14 seats out of 15. presidency was agreed upon.

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE NORTH PUBLIC SECTOR | 15

ÉJôZRZgharta Batroun

äÉbôW Roads ¿hÎÑdG

ähÒH BEIRUT Municipal and Ikhtiyariah elections in the Qada’a of Batroun The list supported by Minister Boutros Harb and the March 8 forces won the municipal elections in the town of Tannoureen while the 2 lists supported by the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the March 8 forces won in Chakka and Batroun, these two being …ô°ûHBcharri the largest in the Qada’a. A The March 14 bloc won in 8 municipalities with a total of 90 members. A The March 8 forces won in 2 municipalities with a total of 30 members. A The March 14 bloc obtained a majority of Municipal and Ikhtiyariah elections in the municipal council seats in 3 municipalities, with Qada’a of Bcharri a total of 29 members. In the Qada’a of Bcharri, there are 11 municipalities with A The March 8 forces obtained a majority of municipal councils and 10 villages, each governed by a municipal council seats in 2 municipalities, with Mukhtar. a total of 15 members. During the 2010 municipal and ikhtiyariyyah elections, A A political and family consensus took place in 9 the Lebanese Forces and the electoral lists it supported municipalities with 72 members. won in 9 municipalities: A Bcharri Thus, the March 14 bloc controls 11 municipalities A Bqa’kfarra while the March 8 forces control 4 municipalities. A Hadchit A Barhalyoun A Baqrqasha A Hasroun (the list won by acclamation) Municipal and Ikhtiyariah election in the A A’abdeen Qada’a of Zgharta A Qnat There are 31 municipal councils in the Qada’a of Zgharta A Hadath al-Jaba composed of 336 members and 68 Mukhtars. The May 2010 municipal elections resulted in the following: In Tourza, the electoral list of the alliance between the A Consensus in 9 municipalities that include 96 Free Patriotic Movement and the Marada Movement and members. individuals close to the Lebanese Forces won against the A The Marada Movement and its allies won in 9 list supported by the Lebanese Forces. municipalities that include 102 members. In the municipality of Bazoun, the elections were postponed A The Marada Movement and its allies obtained a due to the incident that occurred in Dahr Al-Ain. majority of seats in 7 municipalities thus obtaining As for the Mukhtars, they won by acclamation and were 51 members. supported by the Lebanese Forces in the following villages: A The Istiqlal Movement (or Independence Movement) Mazra’at A’assaf-Almaghroubla-Wadi Qanoubeen- won in 2 municipalities that include 24 members. Qaniour-Aldeeman-Blouza-Breisat. A The Istiqlal Movement obtained a majority of seats Mazra’at Bani Sa’ab, Beit Munther and Ban witnessed in 4 municipalities thus obtaining 25 members. elections won by individuals close to the Lebanese Forces. Thus, it can be said that the Lebanese Forces are the sole winners of the elections in the Qada’a of Bcharri.

issue 105 | April 2011 16 | PUBLIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE NORTH Municipal and Ikhtiyariah elections in Minieh-Dinieh Minieh-Dinieh There are 33 municipal councils in the Qada’a of á«æ°†dG-á«æŸG Minieh-Dinieh composed of 393 members. There are also 12 villages where authority lies in the hands of a Mukhtar. In the municipal and ikhtiyariah elections held on May 30, 2010, the towns and villages of the Qada’a witnessed ﬁerce competition. Acclamation only took place in one municipality, that of Al Hazmieh, and in most of the towns, the elections were a competition between families. äÉbôW The results of the elections can be summed up as Roads follows: A Family competition: 14 municipalities.

A The Future Movement won in 5 municipalities. ähÒH BEIRUT A The March 8 forces won in 9 municipalities. A The Lebanese Forces won in 2 municipalities. A Al Jama’ah Al Islamiyah and former MP Jihad Al Samad won in one municipality. A Former MP Asaad Harmoush won in one municipality.

Municipal and Ikhtiyariah elections in

äÉbôW the Qada’a of Koura Roads

There are 34 municipal councils in the Qada’a of Koura. The May 30, 2010, municipal and ikhtiyariah elections

ähÒH resulted in the following: BEIRUT There are 5 large municipalities in the Qada’a (each composed of 15 members): Amioun-Kosba-Anfa- Dadah-Kafr A’aka. Amioun was won by the March 8 forces while the other four were won by the March 14 bloc. It is worth noting that the municipal council in Anfa was won by acclamation.

The March 14 bloc obtained 11 municipalities while the March 8 forces obtained 11 municipalities and 3 by consensus. Furthermore, the March 14 bloc Koura obtained a majority of municipal council members in IQƒμdG 2 municipalities and so did the March 8 forces. In 5 municipalities, the battle was fought between families.

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. LEBANESE STAMPS PUBLIC SECTOR | 17 LEBANESE STAMPS tamps reflect the symbols, functions, institutions, occasions and accomplishments of a state. Their development is inextricably linked to that of the state’s concept and sovereignty. In Lebanon, stamps first Sappeared during the Ottoman era. In fact, Ottoman stamps made their entry into the Lebanese scene in 1885 bearing the seals and postmarks of different post offices in Lebanon such as Beirut, Saida and Trablous. Lebanese stamps Lebanese stamps first appeared in 1924 with the establishment of the State of Greater Lebanon. The first collection was based on French stamps and bore the expression “Grand Liban” and the Arabic translation was added later on. After February 1925, stamps no longer included the name of the French Republic although they remained in both French and Arabic. This collection was composed of 13 stamps with illustrations of various Lebanese symbols and regions: the cedar tree, Beitedine Palace, Trablous (two stamps), Beirut (two stamps), Moukhtara, Ba’albeck (two stamps), Saida, Deir al Qamar, Sour and Zahle. Refugees relief stamps As of 1921, Armenians began flowing into Lebanon in large numbers seeking refuge as they were fleeing from the massacres perpetrated against them in the Ottoman Empire. In a bid to help the incoming wave of refugees, estimated at 29,000 individuals, the Lebanese state increased the price of the 13 stamps and added to them the French expression “Secours aux réfugiés” (also translated to Arabic). This increase differed according to the price of the original stamp: a quarter of a piaster for the 1 piaster stamp and 1 piaster for the 5 piaster stamp. First Lebanese Republic stamps The first stamps bearing the name of the Lebanese Republic were issued in February 1930, during the conference on the silk industry held in Beirut. Six different stamps were printed, their prices ranging between 4 and 25 piasters.

Personalities stamps The ﬁrst Lebanese ﬁgure featured on a postage stamp was Emile Edde, President of the Lebanese Republic from January 20, 1936, until April 4, 1941. There were 3 different stamps costing 3, 4 and 4.5 piasters.

issue 105 | April 2011 18 | PUBLIC SECTOR LEBANESE STAMPS

Palestine stamps In 1946, the Arab League drafted a resolution stipulating Lenin stamp that each Arab country was to impose a speciﬁc tax In 1971, one hundred years after Vladimir Lenin was to help Palestine. Lebanon responded to that call by born, the government issued two stamps of 30 and 70 issuing a special 5 piaster stamp. piasters. Arab leaders stamps In the immediate aftermath of the tripartite invasion of Egypt in 1956, Beirut held a conference for Arab kings and presidents. Relevant stamps of each participating leader were printed, including one of the then Lebanese President Kamil Chamoun. In addition, a 100 piaster stamp featuring all the leaders was issued. 1956 Earthquake stamps A series of deadly and destructive earthquakes shook Lebanon in March 1956. As a result, the Lebanese government issued “Rescue and Reconstruction” stamps to provide aid and launch the reconstruction process. Visitors stamps In 1960, the Lebanese government issued two stamps of 30 and 70 piasters bearing the image of the Lebanese president Fouad Chehab next to the Moroccan King Mohammad V during his visit to Beirut. In 1965, a 45 piaster stamp was issued featuring Pope Paul VI and the Lebanese president Charles Helou. In 1997, the Lebanese government issued a 10 piaster stamp depicting Pope John Paul II and Lebanese president Elias Hraoui. First municipality stamp The ﬁrst municipal council in Mount Lebanon was created in Deir al Qamar in 1864 by an Ottoman decree and was presided over by the village commissioner A’abdallah Namour. In 1964, the government issued three stamps (costing 10, 15 and 25 piasters) to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the municipality’s establishment. Georgina Rizk stamp Georgina Rizk was elected Miss Universe on July 25, 1971. Four commemorative stamps (costing 2, 5, 25 and 50 piasters) featuring Rizk in the Lebanese traditional costume were issued to celebrate this national victory.

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. LEBANESE STAMPS PUBLIC SECTOR | 19

Issuance of Stamps Governmental decision No. 10 dated June 9, 1999, stipulates that accredited postal stamps are only issued, distributed and conserved by Libanpost. The Minister of Telecommunications decides on the issuance of new postal stamps according to the images they feature, their category (the value of the stamp), the requested number and their size. Modern stamps Between 1999 and 2007, the Minister of Telecommunications promulgated a number of decisions resulting in the issuance of 52,460 million stamps with a value reaching LBP 47,845 billion divided as indicated in Table 1.

Issuance of stamps and their value between 1999 and 2007 Table 1 Year Number of stamps issued Value (LBP) 1999 4 million 2 billion 2000 8.6 million 5.450 billion 2001 6.250 million 6.465 billion 2002 10.370 million 12.5 billion 2003 260,000 360 million 2004 8.6 million 5.142 billion 2005 9.1 million 7.8 billion 2006 1.3 million 2.4 billion 2007 3.98 million 5.728 billion Source: Decisions of the Minister of Telecommunications in the years mentioned

A Brief History of Stamps The first postage stamp was issued in England in 1840. The one penny stamp depicted Queen Victoria. The second country to issue stamps was Switzerland (1842) followed by the United States (1848), Germany (1849), Spain (1850), Russia (1857), and Turkey (1863). Stamps were initially made of cotton or flax whereas today they are made of expensive paper. The first stamps appeared in the Arab world in Saudi Arabia (1856), then in Egypt (1856), Bahrain (1884) and Lebanon (1885).

Shafiq Taleb’s stamp collection Source; Lubnan fi Tawabi’ihi, Al Nahar, Beirut, 2001

issue 105 | April 2011 20 | PUBLIC SECTOR THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM A LIMITED BUDGET FOR A MAJOR SECTOR n 1974 and before the eruption of the Lebanese war, the tourism sector was one of the main economic sectors generating around $ 500 million per year (i.e. 17% of the GDP) with a number of tourists reaching around 1.6 Imillion. The Ministry principally concerned with this sector is the Ministry of Tourism to which a very limited annual budget is allocated when one looks at the size of the tasks assigned to it. This was one of the reasons, among other local and international reasons, that prevented the tourism sector from regaining its prosperity. Establishment Preiously a department of the Ministry of Guidance, News and Tourism, the Ministry of Tourism was established by virtue of Law No. 21/66 dated March 29, 1966. The Ministry was formed after the abolition of the General Commissariat for Tourism in the Ministry of Guidance, News and Tourism and the Department of Deportation Control in the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation. The employees of both aforementioned bodies were transferred to the General Directorate of Tourism. Moreover, the General Directorate of Antiquities was appended to the Ministry of Tourism after being separated from the Ministry of National Education. In 1993, after the establishment of the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education, the General Directorate of Antiquities was appended to the latter and a new administrative unit, the Authority of Investment in Archaeological and Historical Sites and Museums, was created in the Ministry of Tourism. In 2000, after the establishment of the Ministry of Culture, the Directorate of Antiquities became a department of the former. Tasks and duties The above mentioned law establishing the Ministry of Tourism (and its amendments) deﬁned the tasks and duties of the Ministry as follows: A Promote tourism , organize, coordinate and monitor the touristic professions, public associations and organizations working in the ﬁeld of tourism, and advertise the sector and hospitality abroad. A Implement, directly or indirectly, touristic projects and facilitate the transactions related to these projects. A Implement laws and regulations concerning tourism, hotels and nightclubs A Protect natural sites and landscapes and implement laws and regulations related to them.

Structure The Ministry of Tourism includes the General Directorate of Tourism, which is formed of 6 authorities consisting of 20 departments as follows: A The Bureau (Diwan) Authority including: A The Administrative Department A The Employees and Supplies Department A The Accounting Department A The Legal Studies Department

A The Research, Studies and Documentation Authority including: A The Research and Documentation Department A The Technical Studies and Implementation Department A The International Relations and Conferences Department

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM PUBLIC SECTOR | 21

A The Touristic Development Authority including: A Electricity: LBP 100 million A The Reception and Queries Department A Maintenance: LBP 40 million A The Foreign Public Relations Department A Exhibitions: LBP 1.2 billion A The Youth and Local Associations Department A Advertising expenses: LBP 7.5 billion A The Touristic Festivals Department A Expenses of tourism offices abroad: LBP 2 billion A The Production and Publication Department A Tourism programs and publications: LBP 200 million A The Tourism Processing Authority A Activities and parties: LBP 400 million A The Hotels and Accommodation Department A Car rentals: LBP 60 million A The Restaurants and Nightclubs Department A Services and cleaning expenses: LBP 50 million A The Travel Agencies Department A Allowances, salaries, wages, and various compensations: LBP 2.86 billion A The Investment Authority including: A Contributions to tourism committees and A The Electrical Elevators Department organizations: LBP 2 billion A The Touristic Rest Houses Department A Support to rural touristic festivals: LBP 200 million A The Jeita Grotto Department A Participation in the World Tourism Organization: LBP 160 million A The Tourism Police Authority including: A Delegations and conferences in Lebanon and abroad: A The Inspection Department LBP 525 million A The Office of the Tourism Police A Building maintenance: LBP 100 million Credits are often transferred from the State’s budget Personnel reserve to the Ministry of Tourism’s budget to support The Ministry of Tourism employs 165 individuals. There tourism projects backed by political parties (these credits were also 78 temporary staff members but they were were transferred in 2009). turned into permanent staff by virtue of Law No. 101 A Committee of the Beiteddine International Festival dated June 21,1999. The temporary staff was allocated to (Walid Jumblatt): LBP 800 million the following sectors: the ski elevators center (14 jobs), A Committee of Sour and the South Festivals (Nabih the caves department (54 jobs) and the queries and rest Berri): LBP 1 billion (2004 budget) houses’ offices (10 jobs). There are also an estimated 17 A Committee of the Baalbeck International Festival: daily paid workers. LBP 1 billion The personnel is distributed in the following categories: A Committee of the Byblos International Festival: LBP A Category one: 1 800 million A Category two: 6 A Committee of the Zouk Mikael Festival: LBP 600 A Category three: 28 million (2004 budget) A Category four: 180 A Tripoli Tourism Association: LBP 400 million (2004 A Category five: 2 budget) Budget Successive Ministers In the 1990 budget law, the Ministry of Tourism’s budget Since the establishment of the Ministry in 1966 and until reached LBP 1,296,333,000, which represented 0.217% the formation of the current government, 38 ministers of the State’s total budget. In the 2010 draft budget law took over the Ministry. It is worth noting that: that has yet to be ratified, the budget increased to LBP A Minister Nicolas Fattoush had the longest term in the 18,716,000,000 but amounted to a mere 0.095% of the Ministry as he was Minister of Tourism for 6 years. State’s total budget. Thus, although the Ministry of A Minister Fattoush and Minister Souren Khanamrian Tourism’s budget increased by 1,343%, its share in the were the only two ministers to be in charge of the State’s total budget decreased from 0.217% to 0.095%. Ministry more than once. The budget of the Ministry of Tourism is distributed as A The Ministry has not been monopolized by one follows: confession but rather it has been occupied by ministers A Office supplies: LBP 55 million belonging to different confessions, with nonetheless A Administrative supplies (fuel, clothes and other): a majority of Christians. LBP 70.5 million A Telecommunications: LBP 130 million

issue 105 | April 2011 22 | PUBLIC SECTOR THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

Ministers of Tourism Table 1 Name of Minister Mandate From To Edward Hanin 9-4-1966 6-12-1966 Michel El Khoury 6-12-1966 8-2-1968 Fouad Boutros 8-2-1968 11-4-1968 Rachid Baydoun 11-4-1968 12-10-1968 Ali Arab 12-10-1968 20-10-1968 Pierre Gemayyel 20-10-1968 15-1-1969 Nasri Maalouf 15-1-1969 22-1-1969 Habib Keyrouz 22-1-1969 25-11-1969 Khatchik Babikian 25-11-1969 13-10-1970 Saeb Jaroudy 13-10-1970 27-5-1972 Michel Sassine 27-5-1972 25-4-1973 Ali Khalil 25-4-1973 8-7-1973 Souren Khanamrian 8-7-1973 31-10-1974 Souren Khanamrian 31-10-1974 23-5-1975 Lucien Dahdah 23-5-1975 1-7-1975 Ghassan Tueini 1-7-1975 15-9-1975 Rachid Karami 15-9-1975 9-12-1976 Amin Al Bizri 9-12-1976 16-7-1979 Bahij Takieddine 16-7-1979 9-2-1980 Ali Khalil 18-2-1980 25-10-1980 Marwan Hamadeh 25-10-1980 7-10-1982 Ibrahim halawi 7-10-1982 30-4-1984 Walid Jumblatt 30-4-1984 22-9-1988 Mahmoud Tay Abou Dergham 22-9-1988 22-9-1988 Edgar Maalouf 22-9-1988 25-11-1989 Abdallah El Rassi 25-11-1989 24-12-1990 Talal Irslan 24-12-1990 16-5-1992 Sami Minkara 16-5-1992 16-9-1992 Michel Smaha 16-9-1991 31-10-1992 Nicolas Fattoush 31-10-1992 25-5-1995 Nicolas Fattoush 25-5-1995 7-11-1996 Nicolas Fattoush 7-11-1996 4-12-1998 Arthur Nazarian 4-12-1998 26-10-2000 Karam Karam 26-10-2000 17-9-2003 Ali Hussein Abdallah 17-4-2003 26-10-2004 Farid El Khazen 26-10-2004 18-2-2005 Wadih El Khazen 18-2-2005 19-4-2005 Charles Rizk 19-4-2005 19-7-2005 Joseph Sarkis 19-7-2005 11-7-2008 Elie Marouni 11-7-2008 9-11-2009 Fadi Abboud 9-11-2009, resigned in anuary 2011

The Ministry of Tourism is responsible for the preservation, marketing and promotion of “Lebanon’s Oil”. However, it is unable to do so alone and it is even unable to perform its own tasks and duties. Thus, we see the Ministry leasing sites such as the Mir Amin Castle in Beiteddine, Sour Rest House, Saida Rest House and the Jeita Grotto through various means, in exchange for very low returns and unfair terms to the State.

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS PUBLIC SECTOR | 23 THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS LBP 137 BILLION FOR CIVIL SOCIETY AND RELIGIOUS NGOs WITH NO TANGIBLE RESULTS Establishment providing care to orphans and the needy. However, due A Minister of Social Affairs was nominated for the first to its administrative structure and budget, it is only able time in the government formed by Prime Minister Riad Al to achieve a small part of these tasks defined by the law Solh, during the mandate of President Bechara El Khoury, as follows: on December 14, 1946, and it was Kamal Jumblatt A Elaborating a social development plan for the country who occupied the position (along with the position of and supervising its implementation. Minister of Agriculture). The Ministry was absent in the A Implementing social projects handled by the State four governments that were later formed and reappeared alone. in the government formed by Prime Minister Abdullah A Providing assistance to ongoing social projects and Al Yafi, during the mandate of President Bechara El contributing to new social projects according to the Khoury, on June 7, 1951. By virtue of a law issued on principles and regulations set by the Ministry. June 5, 1958, the Ministry of Social Affairs was turned A Taking care of the affairs of the disabled and of the into the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the institutions concerned with their welfare. first person to be nominated as Minister of Labor and A Addressing the social consequences of the war Social Affairs was Maurice Zouain in the government of including social care to the families of victims, the Prime Minister Rachid Karami, during the mandate of wounded and the disabled. President Fouad Chehab, on October 7, 1959. By virtue A Looking after the affairs of orphans and orphanages. of Legislative Decree No. 155 dated June 12, 1959, the A Looking into family related issues. Department of Social Welfare was established and by A Taking care of juvenile delinquents and prisoners by virtue of Legislative Decree No. 91 dated November 3, implementing handicraft activities and working on 1983, the Ministry of Public Health became the Ministry their development of Public Health and Social Affairs, and the Department of A Monitoring the population’s mobility and its causes; Social Welfare was transferred to the Directorate General organizing the State’s efforts and coordinating with of Social Affairs. In the government formed by Prime the civil sector in this field. Minister Rachid Karami, during the mandate of President A Taking care of emergency cases requiring social aid Amine Gemayyel, on April 30, 1984, Pierre Gemayyel was and relief. nominated Minister of Social Affairs. All the subsequent A Elaborating rehabilitation and social training governments nominated a Minister of Foreign Affairs programs and supervising their implementation. until the government formed by Prime Minister Rachid A Proposing to grant social institutions and charitable Al Solh, during the mandate of President Elias Hrawi, organizations a public benefit status and ensuring on May 16, 1992, which adopted the previous name i.e. their commitment to it. Minister of Public Health and Social Affairs. The position A Participating in the organization of anti-addiction was filled by Minister Marwan Hamadeh. By virtue of campaigns on all levels. Law No. 212 dated April 2, 1993, the Ministry of Health A Providing social care to the families of the victims of and Social Affairs was divided to form two ministries, a Israeli attacks and the detainees. Ministry of Public Health and a Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA). The Directorate General of Social Affairs was The Ministry is responsible for monitoring nonprofit separated from the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs social institutions that provide social services including and all its departments and staff were annexed to the new nursing homes, disability clinics, orphanages, shelters, Ministry. social health centers and other similar institutions sponsored by religious organizations, charitable Tasks and Duties organizations and recognized bodies and individuals The law defined many tasks for the Ministry ranging from working in the social field. elaborating a social development plan for the country to

issue 105 | April 2011 24 | PUBLIC SECTOR THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS Structure and Personnel Category Number According to Law No. 212/93 and its amendments, the Category 1 1 Ministry of Social Affairs consists of: Category 2 16 Category 3 208 Category 4 222 The Directorate General of Social Affairs, which Category 5 23 includes: Total 470 A The Bureau Authority (Diwan), which consists of: the Secretariat and Archive Department – the Department Budget of Legal Studies – the Department of Administrative The MOSA’s budget for 1993 was LBP 37,644,790,000 Affairs – the Department of Public Relations and and increased to LBP 142,833,608,000 (or $95 million) in Conferences. the 2010 draft budget law (not approved until the present A The Planning and Research Authority, which consists day i.e. at the beginning of March 2011). The majority of of: the Department of Planning and Programs – this budget (LBP 137 billion) is allocated to social care the Department of Statistics and Information – the institutions, which are either affiliated to religious and Department of Social Training – the Population confessional bodies or civil society organizations related Department. to political leaderships. Therefore, these institutions are A The Accounting Authority, which consists of: the not subject to monitoring and accountability on the way Department of Administrative Accounting – the they spend the funds allocated to them by the State. Thus, Department of Accounting and Joint Projects – the the question is: do these institutions really mitigate social Department of Development Services Accounting. problems with the funds they are receiving? The Ministry’s main expenditures are: The Directorate of Social Services, which includes: A Contributions to associations and institutions concerned A The Disabled Authority, which consists of: the with orphans, the elderly and the needy: LBP 100 Department of Specialized Care - the Department billion of Specialized Institutions – the Department of A Social and health projects in partnership with NGOs Employment. and religious organizations: LBP 9 billion A The Social Care Authority, which consists of: the A Allocations to development services centers and their Department of Social Care – the Department of branches in the Ministry: LBP 15 billion Social Care Institutions – the Department of Juvenile A Allocations to the protection against delinquency Protection – the Department of Specialized Social projects: LBP 5.5 billion Care. A Allocations to the rights of the disabled project: LBP 3 A The Civil Society and Associations’ Authority, which billion consists of: the Department of Nonprofit Associations A Contributions to Caritas: LBP 400 million and Organizations – the Department of Joint Projects A Allocations to the fight against poverty project: LBP – the Department of Public Benefit Associations and 1.3 billion Institutions. A Reproductive Health Project: LBP 300 million A The Family Affairs’ Authority, which consists of: the A Voluntary work camps: LBP 400 million Department of Family Affairs – the Department of A Development projects expenses: LBP 1 billion Women’s Affairs. A Allowances, wages, salaries and other: LBP 2.7 billion

The Directorate of Social Development, which Successive Ministers includes Since the establishment of the Ministry in 1993 A The Social Development Authority, which consists of: and until the formation of the last government (on the Department of Voluntary Work – the Department November 9, 2009), 11 ministers have headed the of Rural Development – the Department of Urban Ministry, distributed by confession as follows: Development. Shia’a: 5; Maronite: 4; Catholic: 1; Armenian Orthodox: 1 A The Handicrafts and Handmade Products’ Authority, During the mandate of Elias Hrawi: Shahi Barsounian, which consists of: the Department of Handicraft Estephan Al Douwayhi, Ayoub Hamid. Development – the Marketing Department. During the mandate of Emile Lahoud: Michel Moussa, A The Development Services Authority, which includes: Asaad Diab (2), Ghazi Za’ayter, Mohammad Jawad the Department of Equipment and Workers’ Affairs – Khalifeh, Nayla Mouawad. the Center’s Affairs’ Department. During the mandate of Michel Suleiman: Mario Aoun, The Ministry has 470 positions distributed according to Salim Al Sayegh. the following categories: issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LEGISLATION, JUDICIARY & CRIME|25 THE HUSBAND’S FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: A DEBT TO BE PAID ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT RIGHTS OF A WIFE.

Deﬁnition Financial resopnsibility represents the support needed by a person to live a decent life that meets his/her basic needs of survival such as food, clothes, shelter and treatment for sickness and old age.

As of the beginning of the marriage, the husband is financially responsible for his wife, with differences arising between Muslims and Christians. For Muslims, the husband is financially responsible for his wife, regardless of his financial status; whereas for Christians, a poor husband is exempted from this obligation if his wife is wealthy.

Amount The amount of the financial responsiblity is often specified by consensus between the couple, taking into consideration the husband’s living conditions and financial status. In the absence of agreement, the couple can turn to the judiciary to set the amount but this rarely occurs as it is likely to have a negative impact on the marital relationship.

Civil courts consider that financial responsibility is determined according to the husband’s financial status: a wealthy husband is expected to pay in a manner that is proportionate to his means and the same principle applies to a husband with limited financial capabilities. This approach does not differ from that of religious courts. Indeed, according to religious texts: “Make provision for them, the wealthy according to his means and the straitened in circumstances according to his means.” Marital home One of the most important rights of a wife is her right to a private and independent residence. If such a residence cannot be provided for, she has the minimum right to an independent room along with its facilities. The wife cannot be forced to share her home with her husband’s family, except for his children from another marriage. Likewise, she does not have the right to share her husband’s home with any member of her family without his permission, except for her child from another marriage. Paying out If a husband refuses to pay his dues to his wife, she can take him to court to claim it. In such circumstances, the court can order the confiscation of the husband’s assets or sentence him to jail until he agrees to pay her the agreed sum. Exemption from financial responsibility There are many cases where marital support is no longer applicable, most significantly:

A Death of the husband.

A Divorce: ﬁnancial responsibility must continue for the duration of the iddah (three months) but then stops in the absence of pregnancy.

A Abandonment of the marital home: if the wife abandons her husband’s home without his permission or if she prevents him from entering the marital home then his responsibility stops for as long as such behaviour continues.

issue 105 | April 2011 26|LEGISLATION, JUDICIARY & CRIME MUNICIPAL IMMUNITY IMMUNITY OF MUNICIPAL MEMBERS AND MAKHATIR next day, he ordered the arrest of Al-Jerdi, his secretary ll municipality members enjoy immunity against and another employee, pending investigation in the prosecution for actions directly related to their lawsuit filed by the six employees. On May 11, 2007, Afunctions. The prosecution of the head of a the Mount Lebanon criminal court ruled that Al-Jerdi municipality or that of his/her deputy requires the written was innocent. approval of the Muhafiz, which must be sent to the A On October 6, 2007, the appeals public prosecutor in competent body in charge of prosecution. This approval the Beqa’a accused the head of the Beqa’a municipality lifts the immunity thus allowing prosecution. Article 111 of before the first investigating magistrate of forging the Municipalities’ Regulatory Law regulates the issue of official papers. prosecuting the head of a municipality and its effects. Immunity of Makhatir Effects of prosecuting municipality members As an elected figure, a Mukhtar enjoys immunity against Article 112 of the Municipalities’ Regulatory Law any investigation unless prior authorization to that stipulates that if an indictment or a first instance judgment effect has been granted by the Minister of Interior and is issued against the head of a municipality, his/her deputy Municipalities. or one of its members, the person concerned may be suspended by a decision of the Muhafiz until a final ruling Article 21 of the Makhatir and Ikhtiyariah Councils Law has been reached. stipulates: “If a Mukhtar or a member of the ikhtiyariah If one of the above mentioned figures is accused of a felony commits a crime related to his/her function, the mayor or or is suspected of an indecent misdemeanor, the Muhafiz the Muhafiz can order an investigation after submitting must suspend him/her until the lawsuit is finalized. If the a request to that effect to the Minister of Interior who person concerned is found guilty of a felony or an indecent authorizes a judicial investigation or suspends the Mukhtar misdemeanour, he/she is automatically suspended and the or the ikhtiyariah council member until the judiciary suspension is declared by a decision of the Muhafiz. reaches a ruling and he/she can only resume his/her duties If an in absentia or a prima facie arrest warrant on charges if he/she is proven innocent or not responsible.” of a felony or indecent misdemeanor is issued, the person in question is suspended as of the date of the warrant. If the Cases warrant is retrieved or the person in question is released, On October 18, 1965, the Metn mayor issued a license he/she automatically resumes his/her functions provided to prosecute and suspend the Mukhtar of the village of he/she has not been detained for committing a felony or Zabougha, Suleiman Daoud. The Shura Council suspended an indecent crime. the license on December 1, 1965, after the Mukhtar pointed out that the mayor did not have the necessary authority Cases involving the prosecution of the head of to suspend him, as only the Minister of Interior has that a municipality power. A On March 10, 1999, the financial prosecutor general accused the head of the Zouk Mosbih municipality, On January 20, 1998, the Court of Cassation issued a Antoine Hanna Al-Qassis, of violating municipality ruling accusing the Mukhtar of the town of Betram (Elias rules and regulations contrary to his professional Khouri) of making a false testimony. duties. A On September 15, 2004, public prosecutor Adnan On November 6, 1995, the Muhafiz of Beqa’a suspended A’addoum sent a letter to Mount Lebanon interim Mukhtar Youssef Murad Al-Ma’alouf because he had Muhafiz Ya’acoub Al-Sarraf requesting permission to allegedly participated in the forging of an identification prosecute the head of the Chouf municipality, Haitham card. A ruling was later issued to the effect that the Al-Jerdi, and some municipality employees, after six Mukhtar was not involved. On March 8, 1996, the municipality members accused Al-Jerdi of forging Mukhtar challenged the Muhafiz’ decision before the their signatures in a contract. A’addoum received the Shura Council, which rejected the review as it had been permission to prosecute Al-Jerdi on the same day. The submitted after the legal deadline for such an action. issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. SYNDICATE OF LEBANESE CONTRACTORS PRIVATE SECTOR|27 SYNDICATE OF LEBANESE CONTRACTORS OF PUBLIC WORKS AND BUILDINGS he Syndicate of Lebanese Contractors of Public Works and Buildings1 was created by virtue of Decree No. 532/1 dated June 25, 1965, issued by the then Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. The Syndicate’s Taims are to protect the profession, work on its development and progress, protect its members’ interests, defend their rights, work to improve their professional, financial, social and cultural conditions. It also seeks to encourage and support syndicate action while cooperating with government departments, syndicate committees, employers and employees.

Membership fee and annual Membership subscription fee per category Table 1 Membership to the Syndicate, be it as an individual, Membership fee Annual an institution or a company, is divided into 4 The category (LBP) subscription fee categories: (LBP) First category 6,000,000 800,000 A First category: the value of the contract exceeds LBP 5,000,000. Second category 4,000,000 500,000 Third category 2,000,000 300,000 A Second category: the value of the contract ranges between LBP 1,000,000 and LBP 5,000,000. Fourth category 1,000,000 150,000 A Third category: the value of the contract ranges The membership fees and annual subscription fees can between LBP 150,000 and LBP 1,000,000. only be modiﬁed with the consent of two thirds of the A Fourth category: the value of the contract is less Board of Directors and the approval of two thirds of the than LBP 150,000. General Assembly members.

An individual seeking membership should: The Syndicate’s Organization A Be a Lebanese national enjoying his civil rights The Syndicate consists of a General Assembly, a Board or a foreign national officially licensed to work of Directors and a Disciplinary Council. in contracts of public works, buildings or annexes The General Assembly includes all the members within the Lebanese territory affiliated to the Syndicate who have paid all their A Be over 21 years of age obligations. A Not have been convicted of a disgraceful felony or The competences of the General Assembly are as misdemeanor follows: A Be registered at one of the first instance courts in A Electing the Board of Directors Lebanon (Commercial Registration Department), A Electing 6 members of the Disciplinary Board except for contractors of the fourth category. (according to article 62 of the bylaws) A Determining and amending the membership fees A company or institution seeking membership should: A Studying and adopting the annual budget A Be registered at one of the first instance courts in A Ratifying the previous year’s expenses Lebanon (Commercial Registration Department) A Innocenting Syndicate members after the ratification as a Lebanese firm or institution, or a branch of a of the previous year’s expenses foreign company or institution. A Deciding on the investment of Syndicate funds A Have as its object and purpose the contracting of A Dismissing members of the Board of Directors public works, constructions or annexes. A Amending the articles of association and bylaws A Have assigned, in writing, a natural person to A Dissolving the Syndicate represent it. The said person should meet all the above requirements of individual membership. The Board of Directors consists of 12 members, of The membership fees and annual subscription fees whom 6 are engineers, and is in charge of managing vary according to the category, as shown in Table 1. the Syndicate’s affairs. They have a four year mandate but half the members (3 engineers and 3 non-engineers) leave the Board by ballot after the first two years and 1- http://www.lcsyndicate.com.lb/aboutus.htm

issue 105 | April 2011 28|PRIVATE SECTOR SYNDICATE OF LEBANESE CONTRACTORS the General Assembly elects the new members. Every A Non-application of Decision No. 60/2004 amended member, who has been in office for four years, will by resolution No. 187/2007 concerning the grant automatically be dismissed. A member whose mandate of price differences of projects as of 09-01-2002 expires may be elected for another term. and until 30-06-2004, despite the issuance of a The board of directors will meet within one week of treasury credit law to cover the amounts of such the election results and elect from among its members: differences. a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer. A In concessions, the minimum price submitted is These four members form the Board’s bureau. adopted. However, if two contractors submit equal prices, a ballot is performed to choose one of them, The Disciplinary Council is responsible for suing a whereas the head of the Contractors’ Syndicate contractor who violates the profession’s ethics or the suggests adopting the bid offering the median Syndicate’s safety and good work. It is composed of price. 5 members, 2 of whom are members of the Board of A Lack of coordination between the competent Directors and appointed by the President of the Board, official authorities of the State before and during 2 are appointed by the President of the Board from the the implementation of projects, leading to the 6 members elected by the General Assembly every two duplication of works while the contractor bears years, and the fifth member is from the contractor’s the burden. Thus, the Syndicate suggested the category and appointed by the Syndicate’s president. establishment of a body responsible for the planning The appointment decision shall be registered in the and coordination of projects between the different minutes of the Board of Directors’ sessions. competent authorities to avoid duplications. A Lack of periodic maintenance of implemented public The Syndicate’s problems projects and the burden again falls on the contractor. A Absence of a unified classification table citing all Hence, the Syndicate suggested including a five the State’s public administrations where contractors year maintenance clause by the same contractor the and contracting companies are classified according contract. to a unified table, despite the issuance of Decree A The change in prices of construction materials No. 9333/2002 to that effect. However, it has yet to (sand and gravel). Thus, it is necessary to develop be implemented. a decentralized master plan for quarries and A The General Terms and Conditions date back to crushers. This will reduce the cost of transport and 1942, despite the development of new provisions in stabilize the price of construction materials, all which the presidency of the Council of Ministers, the the while keeping environment and public health Council for Development and Reconstruction and considerations in mind. the Syndicate of Engineers are represented. They A Not allowing the use of foreign labor (except Syrian were submitted by the Ministry of Public Works to labor, which represents 80% of laborers). This leads the Council of Ministers. They were approved as a to the increase of wages and renders the availability decree on October 27, 2007. However, the Council of laborers dependent on the relationship between of Ministers linked their implementation to the Lebanon and Syria. following draft laws: A Draft law on the management of public The Syndicate’s activities transactions A The completion of a classification table of contractors, A Draft law on the management of the affairs of construction companies and consultancy offices. public transactions A The adoption and issuance of decisions number Note that the new provisions are compatible with the 60/2004, 187/2007 and 75/2008 as well as the content of the unified contract agreement ratified by the Budget Credit Law No. 69. Ministers of Housing of the Arab League, which was to A The new Terms and Conditions, ratified by the be implemented at the national level by each State. Council of Ministers. A Delays in the statements. This is a problem that A Following up on the sector in terms of project the contractor is permanently faced with as a result implementation and the Ministry of Finance of the administrative routine adopted in public A Fixing the prices of construction materials in the administrations. This occurs despite the issuance local market (such as gravel, sand, cement and fuel of Decree No. 69/2009 allowing the government oil) and globally (such as the prices of the different to issue treasury bonds in foreign currencies and / metal types, aluminum, copper and asphalt) thus or Lebanese pounds to pay debts incumbent on the enabling the Ministry of Public Works to issue a State to the contractors. price table. issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. LEBANESE PREPARATORY SCHOOL PRIVATE SECTOR|29 THE LEBANESE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

History of the school’s establishment The Lebanese Preparatory School (LPS) in Beirut is a private, non-proﬁt institution founded in 1965 by Mrs. Nelly Sayegh. It is registered and accredited by the Lebanese Ministry of Education. It is a co-educational school that provides education from the pre-elementary level to the secondary level. The language of instruction is English. Its program accommodates Lebanese students as well as foreigners. It offers the High School Program for the non-Lebanese and the Lebanese Baccalaureate with its four branches: General Sciences, Life Sciences, Socioeconomics and Humanities. It has 65 qualiﬁed and well-trained teachers. The school’s code of ethics According to the administration, the mission of the LPS is to educate students regardless of race, religion, gender or national origin. It aims to provide students with excelled academic programs that will help them accomplish their mental, social, creative and spiritual potential as well as prepare them to occupy key positions in both their country and the world. The Lebanese Preparatory school stated goal of the LPS is to turn students into lifelong Photo by: Mohamed Mashlab 2011 learners who have a breadth of vision, a sense of civics and devotion to the fundamental values of human life. open minded citizens. It is reviewed by the faculty as It provides students with the opportunity to acquire the part of the regular process of curriculum mapping and knowledge and skills necessary to enter universities development. Teachers meet regularly to discuss and all over the world, as well as the chance to become evaluate the total school program in order to better independent, responsible citizens and leaders in their meet the needs of students and to provide continuity community. Teaching at the LPS is based on open across all grade levels. and candid communication among faculty, students, parents and the administration, which is encouraged by The curriculum includes the following subjects: an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Language, English and Arabic (French is introduced in the upper elementary classes), Mathematics, The educational system and curriculum Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Computer, Philosophy According to the school’s administration, the system of and Civilization, Sociology and Economics, Civics, education at the LPS offers a rigorous and internationally Geography, History, Arts, Music and Physical oriented curriculum from the Pre-Kindergarten level Education. through to Grade 12. The curriculum is intended to prepare students to succeed in a constantly changing High School Program world. This program is for non Lebanese students who are not The curriculum aims to reach all students, not only required to hold the Lebanese Baccalaureate. They come the academic ones. It is developed to provide a well- from an American academic background and follow an rounded education and train students to become American program at the LPS until graduation. creative, critical thinkers, socially responsible and

issue 105 | April 2011 30|PRIVATE SECTOR LEBANESE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Special Education Program for Students with Special Needs A Special Learning Center is available and provides registered nurse. The school counselor and the school students with learning disabilities special attention and nurse discuss several pertinent health topics in junior additional assistance. Special teachers deliver remedial and senior seminars. Special “Health Education academic support to any student in specific areas of Programs” are introduced to students during classes. the curriculum. The center is equipped with special educational materials. The school counselor assists students with personal, family and academic problems. He interacts with Special Education Program for International students individually, in small groups or with entire Students classes. He consults and collaborates with parents, This program is intended for non-Lebanese students teachers and school administrators in order to develop who come from a non- American academic background. and implement strategies to help students be successful Special courses in different subjects are offered to in the education system. acquaint them with the American program. Individual attention is given on a one-on-one basis to fill the gap. The school counselor also observes younger children By the end of these courses, students should be able to during classroom and leisure activities and then meets join regular classes of their grade level. They are also with their teachers and parents to evaluate problems guided through standardized test preparations (SAT, or special needs. In conjunction with teachers and TOEFL, & IBT) for their transition into college. administrators, he ensures that the curriculum addresses both the academic and the emotional needs of students. Supplemental Educational Programs The counselor tries to identify cases of domestic abuse Students who are low achievers receive special and other family problems that can affect a student’s assistance in a specific area during and after school development. to help them succeed in the educational system. This program allows occasional peer tutoring where Extracurricular Activities students help other students understand assignments Extracurricular activities are provided throughout and complete their homework. the year. Students are encouraged to develop talents, The main characteristics of the school. hobbies and skills by participating in physical, academic, scientific and artistic activities. The LPS Teaching Methodology has basketball and football teams, drama production, Students are encouraged to participate actively in scouts, holiday performances, contests, field trips, the education process. The teaching methodology festivals, bazaars, folkdance, musical concerts, art includes cooperative learning, group work, projects exhibitions, school year-books, purposeful assemblies and presentations. The school believes learning is for class performance and community spirit, and Model experiential and thus it encourages creativity and UN. development of critical thinking skills. Students’ are assessed according to their performance in projects, Number of students and faculty papers, presentations and portfolios, in addition to There are 525 students distributed across all the grades. quizzes, tests and examinations. The number of students per class varies with a maximum class size of 20. There are 65 faculty members. At the pre-school and elementary levels, the LPS helps children develop their sensory, motor and mental School Fees for 2009 – 2010 functions through self-teaching in a carefully prepared A Nursery: L.L.4,000,000 physical environment, with a variety of multi sensory, A KGI & KGII: L.L.5,000,000 manipulative and self-learning materials. A Grades 1 – 9: L.L.6,500,000 A Secondary School: L.L.7,200,000 Medical, Guidance and Counseling Center A High School Program (Grades 6 – 9): The L.P.S. Medical, Guidance and Counseling Center L.L.7,000,000 has a health promotion program based on early A High School Program (Grades 10 – 12): screening and prevention of childhood diseases. This L.L.7,500,000 center is run by a family doctor, a counselor and a

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. HEALTH | 31 ADULT HERPES ZOSTER (SHINGLES) Dr. Hanna Saadah

hingles represents an episode of self-reinfection with the chicken pox virus, Varicella Zoster. As children, we usually acquire chicken pox naturally through inhalation. It presents with Sfever and a generalized rash characterized by blisters that are central (more on the trunk than the extremities) and in different stages of development (some are old and scabbed over, some are new, and some are in between). The disease was first described by the Persian physician Muhammad ibn Zakariya ar-Razi (865–925) who distinguished it from the more deadly small pox.

The Varicella Zoster virus, which is extremely contagious, is half the cases of expected Shingles and reduces the Post Zoster usually acquired by inhaling contaminated air particles coughed Neuralgia incidence by about two-thirds. The vaccine contains by children with active chicken pox. When the infection a living virus that has been attenuated (rendered unaggressive subsides, the virus goes to sleep inside the sensory nerve cells of and undamaging) by laboratory methods. Nevertheless, it can the spinal cord and brain where it remains dormant for the rest attack individuals who have reduced immunity due to cancer, of the individual’s life. However, as individuals age and their chemotherapy, cortisone, etc. or individuals with damaged immunity wanes, the virus tends to make occasional sorties skins due to trauma, burns, rashes, etc. from its hiding places, each time attacking one circumscribed Vaccination of children against chicken pox began in skin zone innervated by one sensory nerve root. This limited 1995 and has greatly reduced the incidence of natural infection. form of adult chicken pox is commonly known as Shingles. As a consequence, when those vaccinated children become Shingles increases with age—the annual incidence adults, they are expected to a) have less Shingles than those of Shingles is about 1.2—3.4 cases per 1000 healthy younger who had acquired the infection naturally and b) develop less adults and 3.9—11.8 cases per 1000 adults older than 65. The Post Zoster Neuralgia as older adults. consequences of Shingles are both acute and chronic. Acutely, Abortive treatment of Shingles involves giving the eruption causes a painful misery to a large zone of skin on antiviral medications but the window of opportunity is narrow. one side of the body and the blisters take about three weeks to Medications such as Acyclovir inhibit viral replication inside dry up. However, after the blisters dry up and heal, a residual, the nerves, shorten the duration of the blistering, but may not regional pain may continue on for weeks, months, or even reduce the incidence or duration of the Post Zoster Neuralgia. years. This lingering, electric, regional pain that follows a Treatment is most effective when begun early and tends to lose Shingles attack is called Post Zoster Neuralgia. its effects if given more than three days after the rash. Post Zoster Neuralgia is caused by damage to the Early Shingles symptoms may begin few hours to sensory nerves that collectively form the sensory nerve roots, few days before the rash appears. Unexplainable shooting, which emerge out of the spinal cord or brain. Apparently, as electric pains that affect one sensory nerve zone on one side the virus multiplies in the cell bodies of these sensory nerves of the body—such as face, trunk, or extremities— and do not and then travels along the nerve highways to the skin, it inflicts cross over to the opposite side, should be clinically diagnosed damage along the way. Some unfortunate victims may have to as Shingles and treated before the typical rash appears. live with these ‘electric nerve pains’ for the rest of their lives. Delaying treatment until the rash appears may result in poorer Luckily, however, the lingering pains of Post Zoster Neuralgia outcomes. are rare in individuals under 50 and tend to wear off quickly. Confusion between Shingles and Herpes is common In older individuals, although the pains tend to wear off more because the viruses have similarities such as one-sided pains slowly, up to 85% will usually become pain free one year after before the rashes appear and blisters in circumscribed skin their Shingles. areas. However, the blisters of Herpes tend to be recurrent to Treatment is of two types. Preventive treatment is the same spots, are of shorter durations (few days), develop far superior and involves vaccination of older adults. Abortive in smaller areas (few blisters in an area as big as a coin), and treatment involves giving antiviral medications that arrest the seldom result in post herpetic neuralgias. Shingles, on the progression of the eruption and shorten the duration of the other hand, affects larger skin areas and is not recurrent to the blistering and pain. same spots. While over a lifetime an individual may develop The adult vaccine, Zostavax, was officially endorsed a maximum of three Shingles episodes, most herpes sufferers in 2007 for individuals 60 years or older. It prevents about will experience numerous, recurring episodes of blistering to the very same locations.

www.hannasaadah.com - www.information-international.com - [email protected] issue 105 | April 2011 32 | THE AMAZING BRAIN SUPERSUASION THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE Dr. Samar Zebian

hen was the last time you needed to influence or change someone’s perspective or behaviors and your only weapon was your tongue? Experts call the adept ability Wto persuade, Supersuasion. Be on your toes around Supersuaders; listen and learn because it is an acquired art. Their techniques are smooth and unsuspecting. The lynch pin is that they do it without coercion. Coercion is NOT persuasion. Coercion, which is a different means of social influence, involves the use of blunt instruments such as threats, power plays or stigmatization. In contrast, Supersuasion is more about tinkering with the systems that produce our attitudes and motivations—it involves the skilled reading of minds and situations and using this knowledge to bring about willful compliance or non-resistance in situations that require split second reactions.

Social scientists have argued that there are a number and then they waited for the customer’s response (public of basic and universal tactics used by Supersuaders: commitment) the rates of no-shows decreased from 30 to simplicity, reciprocity, confidence, public commitment, 10%. Even minor public commitments seem to work. social validation, liking, impromptu humor and scarcity. SOCIAL VALIDATION: also stimulates SIMPLICITY: It is easier to convince someone of compliance. In a classic study researchers compared how something if your message is simple, preferably with a people would behave when one research associate stood 1-2-3 structure. Catchy phrases that have no more than on a busy street corner and looked up compared to when 3 parts are memorable, i.e., “we love life”, vote yes for a group of 4 associates looked up. When there was four change, Kunhadi (campaign for safe driving). research associates looking up, there was a four-fold RECIPROCITY: Supersuaders also know that increase (400%) in the number of passerbys who imitated getting someone to acquiesce is easier if there is some sort their behavior. of reciprocity or exchange. It can be a physical exchange LIKING: When you genuinely like someone, for but any sort of social concession will work. When it is whatever reason, the success of persuasion increases. a physical exchange, it is more effective if people are Physical attractiveness, whether we admit it or not, is a getting away with something rather than simply receiving substitute for liking. Consistently, individuals acquiesce to something (i.e., not paying V.A.T or leaving work early physically attractive people more than unattractive people on Fridays). With respect to social concessions, people whether it is in voting behavior or making a donation, or are more likely to acquiesce if they’ve rejected a large fulfilling a taxing request. It might not be fair, it might not request but then are presented with a smaller request (i.e. be politically correct but it is a replicable finding which when your boss refuses to increase your salary but then is plays out in many spheres of interpersonal relations. willing to give you a few days off). HUMOR: especially the more impromptu and CONFIDENCE: Moving on to the confidence factor, unexpected type, is a driving force in bringing about rapid individuals are more likely to change their attitudes or changes in an individual’s behavior. If you can make behaviors if the person doing the convincing is confident. someone laugh, even for a fleeting moment, their defenses Who is more likely to convince your teenager to study come down. more; a teacher who tells them that 100% of her students SCARCITY: or perceived scarcity makes banal get into tier-one universities or teachers who tell your things seem more desirable. The next time you want to kids, “their effort is the key to success”. Teacher #1 will give someone a gift have a convincing story ready about be more likely to affect her students study habits. how difficult it was to find it and how exclusive it is— PUBLIC COMMITMENT: as a persuasion never mind that it was mass produced in one of the fine strategy, is an interesting and subtle one. When you reproduction workshops in Burj Hammound (with all due want to really make sure someone does something, ask respect to indigenous industry). them to verbally commit to it as opposed to leaving the Supersuaders draw on these core techniques and commitment implicit. A replicated study was done in a improvise as the situation calls for it. These methods are restaurant to decrease the number of people who make most effective if they seek to build upon already existing reservations but don’t show up. When the waiters asked values and beliefs in a person and are much less effective their customers if they would call if their plans changed when they are used to changes people’s values or create new ones.

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. [email protected] - www.information-international.com EYEING HORIZONS | 33 THE LIVE NATURE OF INFORMATION Antoine Boutros

ehind all the advancements achieved by man, information has played a very important role. Before every step taken in the life of a human being and his evolution, information again Bplays a very important role as the main carrier of instructions. All this happens in the cell and in particular in the DNA and the process by which information is relayed is very complicated.

The DNA molecule has a double helix shape and when structure also follows a specific code and the sequence of measured it is 4.3 nanometers long, has a radius of 2 this structure is itself very important due to the dangerous nanometers and a density of 0.0 000 000 000 000 000 000 results that might ensue if it is altered. 1068 cubic meters (10.68x10-21). Since each part of the DNA’s partition (located between the two helical chains) Living organisms cannot survive without information. contains ten chemical symbols (called Nucleotides), this For example, the whale needs to perform a high number means that we encounter an information density with a of operations to ensure its survival. It needs to know how capacity of 0.94x1021 (the number 94 plus 19 zeros) for to transform plankton – microscopic animal and plant every cubic centimeter. organisms that float on the water’s surface – into fat. It also needs to know how to dive into the depths of the ocean (one During the process of conception, these symbols act as a kilometer below water surface). All of this is inscribed as genetic code that transfers instructions to the fetus, which information in the whale’s genetic genes. The whale is like not only defines the character of the newborn but also all its the human being, it has a specific enzyme – hexokinase – characteristics. Its basis is four symbols that are repeated in in charge of turning the sugar molecule, which is extracted a certain pattern and differ from one person to the other. This from the plankton, into energy without which it cannot code controls a living organism’s path of life in its entirety. survive. Every development or biological event that takes place in the life of a living organism is dictated by information Other living organisms also cannot survive without present in the DNA molecule. When a certain error occurs information. For example, a virus has no less than 10,000 in copying information, a mutation occurs. Mutations can bits of information – equal to one book page – in the form sometimes be beneficial in the process of evolution, such of a code. Bacteria, which is more complex, needs no less as opening new outlets in precarious abrupt environmental than one million bits of information – equal to 100 pages cases. In other words, it leads to adaptation. But mutation is – because they are not parasites like viruses, rather they also a great source of danger, from a medical point of view. feed from themselves in order to survive. Amoeba, which is a single-cell bacterium, continuously changes form and According to the theory of information formulated by Claude contains 400 million bits of information enabling it to Shannon, each symbol of this code is equal to a square regulate all aspects of its life, meaning if we want to make bit. Accordingly, the density of information for the DNA a copy of it we need a 500-page guide. molecule is estimated at 1.88x1021 bit/cubic centimeter. Shannon’s theory on information allows us to specify the Every living organism contains proteins that form the main smallest number of codes or “coded letters”. Scientists substance from which all organisms are composed. These estimate that the 20 kinds of amino acids contain an average proteins contain the necessary components to operate life, of 4.32 bit of information for each amino acid. If we assume most significantly enzymes, anti-bodies and hormones. But that codes or chemical “instructions” consist of two letters, these components are specific, both in part and kind, meaning and every word consists of four bits, then the amount of that they are particular to each body part and the same goes information it carries is low. In comparison, if we adopt a for every form of life. In human beings, who represent an four-way system, then four-code words will consist of eight independent form of beings, there are no less than 50,000 bits per word and then it becomes very complex. However, different kinds of proteins, each with a specific mission. The based on Shannon’s theory, a three-word code, made up formation of these proteins is defined by an information code of three codes or “letters”, forms a group of six bits per that enables them to perform precise chemical operations in word and is therefore a sufficient, economical and effective the cell. All the proteins go back to only 20 kinds of amino language to be used in coding. Scientists believe that this is acids that are described as the cornerstones of life. Their what nature sought at the level of information coding.

www.irthsumer.com - www.information-international.com - [email protected] issue 105 | April 2011 34|INTERVIEW The Monthly interviews ARCHITECT NADIM KARAM rchitecture is a major component of a society’s cultural memory. Building and shaping the city has a critical role and long-term influence. When these buildings take shape along lines of thought and concept, the AArchitect takes a role larger than his profession. The Monthly interviews Nadim Karam, architect and founder of Atelier Hapsitus. What are the main events that marked your life? I was born in Senegal. I came to Lebanon in my early youth and stayed until I graduated from university. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the American University of Beirut before leaving to continue my education in Japan. During those years, I witnessed plenty of events on the Lebanese territory; most of them were in times of war. I was kidnapped when I was a student. Kidnappings were common and undertaken by religious groups during the civil war. On another occasion, I was shot at while I was in my car. So you can say I have had a hands-on taste of civil war. I consider surviving it an event, and having survived this event, I decided to start a new life with a new perspective.

You do not restrain your practice to the realm Nadim Karam with Cat sculpture in Downtown Beirut of Architecture. Can you tell us about other sides you take interest in? Architecture is my essential field of creation. To me it’s The city being your main area of inspiration, important because it’s a spatial experience. When I am how do these ideas differ from one city to experiencing my own creation I will do so through space another? and time. These elements establish architecture as the base Each city has its specificities, rules, language, codes of of my profession. behaviors, etc. Beirut for example is quite different from However, I believe that diversity is important for the Paris, from its most minute details to its lifestyle, be it process of creation. Not every idea that crosses my mind the coffee we sip in the morning, or our chaos versus the can be translated into architecture. I can’t limit this idea to seemingly rigorous order of Parisian life. preconceived criteria and I can’t force it to be expressed into If I am to tackle Beirut by itself, we can perceive so many a building or a sculpture or a painting. It shapes itself as it blatant differences between one neighborhood and another, develops into a form of its own. an area and another. Ashrafiyyeh for example is quite different from Dahiyeh. Although we have our differences, How do you find those ideas? we strive to live with one another. I think we actually strive Anywhere around the city. You could be out for a long boring to live together because of our differences. So each city has walk and you encounter an aspect of the city that breaks its own ways of stimulating ideas and Beirut, being a city of the homogeneity of what you expected to see. Considering differences, has this ongoing activity and thus is very rich that one’s environment reflects their trail of thought, this in terms of ideas. break of homogeneity causes the viewer to question his city or a certain element in this city, which then leads the How do you establish your work in each viewer to question an idea, a sentiment or even the universe. city? Whenever anything causes such a stir in the realm of ideas, There is an initial difference when establishing a project. In it provides the viewer with an ability to dream and to create. Beirut, the system is chaotic. I need to talk to many people This process usually is at the root of an idea that is the basis and get quite a few permissions and I sometimes spend years of any process of creation. before I can present any urban work. In other cities, such as Paris or London, rigid bureaucratic structures usually issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. INTERVIEW|35

a terrorist for instance, I perceive him as the creator’s archenemy and their battle is ongoing. The former works I have been quite hard to destroy and the creator’s effort, regardless of “ how persistent, cannot rebuild the destruction of a terrorist. touched quite deeply The latter creates information and ideas that help the development of human beings and add to their life. However, by destruction, war, a terrorist destroys the human being and takes his life. When a life is taken, a creator might as well create thousands of terrorism and other works of Art, he/she cannot undo the damage done by the terrorist. forms of violence. When Why can’t you intervene on the terrorist I think about a terrorist himself instead of taking the city as an arena of battle in that case? for instance, I perceive Because then I will become a terrorist. I can intervene on terrorism as an action because it emanates from several him as the creator’s terrorists. For that to happen, I need to adopt the action of creation as my weapon. Intervening on a person means I archenemy and their have stopped creating and crossed over to violence, which will also be terrorism. I believe that by the continuity of battle is ongoing creation, many others (bystanders, colleagues, art critics, ) will see the action and mirror it, and the creation continues. ” I do not believe in fighting, I just do my work. By doing so, facilitate urban art production and establishment. I encourage creation, and direct worldwide spotlights to my The first step is to understand the culture of the city. Not area, or to my country. This way I contribute to creating knowing or understanding the culture is dangerous. I can’t a framework for my country that goes beyond war and show up as an outsider and go to a city’s main plaza, place violence. I also help tagging it as developed and cultured. a work of Art and expect people to take it well. I need to explore the best way to translate the idea with regards to the city’s space and environment. What about the message you seek to express? The message is more or less similar, which is thinking beyond the prejudice that the city’s boundaries set. It means that I will need to fragment the components of the city in question so I can reconstruct these components following the traits of my ideas. These components are the symbols that make up this structure. What if the symbol in question resists your fragmentation? What if it’s a person or a political figure? If this is the case, we will need to understand the story and concepts that make this person a political figure. I then tackle the story of this figure, the history and how several concepts were gathered in one person to form a system of thought. What are the main ideas that base your projects? What drives you to keep creating? I have been touched quite deeply by destruction, war, terrorism and other forms of violence. When I think about Melbourne Structure

issue 105 | April 2011 36 | ART & CULTURE POPULAR CULTURE POPULAR CULTURE

A call from afar!

Mariam used to visit us and she drew my attention. She looked strange. She wasn’t like the rest of the women in the village. She was slim, poor, her bottom eyelids were loose and tearful. She spoke to people with her head tilted to the left. People thought she was snobbish because she was educated. Mariam wasn’t like the rest of the women in the village. In our village, all the women get married and by the time they are in their thirties, they would have a ﬂock of boys and girls running around them.

She used to tie her hair with a blue or red ribbon. Boys used to say that the ribbon on her hair was “very cute!”. The fashion was to wear tight and short clothes. Mariam’s skirt was tight and short. When she ﬁnished school, she became a makeup artist. She used to put a lot of powder, lipstick and eye liner. In the village, powder, lipstick and eyeliner were not for women above thirty. But Mariam forgot that life had changed, fashion had changed, that she had become older and the shape of her body had changed. Most importantly, she forgot she was in our village.

Mariam’s tragedy is that she did not blend in our village. She remained there despite having heard a call from afar. The same call she had heard when she stood on the school’s balcony and looked into the horizon. From there, she heard a call from afar and in the village, such things did not happen.

Mariam was in a boarding school on the coast. She was at an age when the heart would hear calls from afar. There was a boys’ school near her school. Mariam was the pretty girl that would stand on the balcony looking towards the sea and her heart would start pounding. She would stand on the balcony and hear a call from afar.

Finally, Mariam came back to the village and left her heart at that school. When a girl comes back to the village, especially if she was as pretty as Mariam, the women would start marrying her off to this and that. Marriage is a good idea and an old idea… In the village, it was a good idea but it was far fetched. Marriage is a good idea, but in the village, marriage is like a grave.

Years passed and Mariam was getting older. She became dry and withered. The people in the village did not consider her from the village. She was a stranger in the village because she had heard a call from afar when she was still young. She wasn’t happy in the village because her soul was a stranger to the village.

Sources translated from: Anis Freiha, Isma’a ya Rida - First Edition 2006, Dar Nawfal, Beirut

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. DEBUNKING MYTHS #44 ART & CULTURE | 37 BEIRUT, WORLD BOOK CAPITAL FOR 2009 Writers and poets inundated Lebanon with words, prose and poetry making it an unparalleled country of dreams. Lebanon was given many titles and attributes, some of which described it as the bridge between the ancient Phoenician history and the coexisting Islamic and Christian civilizations while others designated it as a unique miracle gathering contradictions and freedoms. Numerous are the descriptions and interpretations about this country to the extent that whoever listens to them thinks that Lebanon is a model country enjoyable for its citizens. Besides poets and writers, UNESCO chose Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, as the World Book Capital in 2009 for being the intellectual heart of the country and the center of cultural interaction and diversity within national unity. Lebanon constantly enjoyed press freedom, openness, development and democracy at a time when many Arab countries suffered, and are perhaps still suffering, from a lack of freedom and oppression. Printing and publishing houses, universities, foreign missions and schools were established and spread across Lebanon, which lead to its progress forestalling other Arab states. It is true that Lebanon is the country of many writers, artists and intellectuals, whose names and achievements are recognized. However, are the reality and efforts made by Lebanon and its capital in the ﬁeld of culture, reading and books sufﬁcient for it to deserve the title of World Book Capital?

MYTH: IS BEIRUT REALLY A CULTURAL CAPITAL?!

Beirut and Lebanon still need a lot of efforts to deserve the title of FACT: World Book Capital. The Lebanese do not read. In fact, the reading ratio is less than 14% (see below). A There is no real public library in Beirut. The number of libraries in the different Lebanese regions does not exceed 80 libraries, most of them are not adequately equipped, and this figure was expected to reach 100 libraries by the end of 2009. A There is no real public garden in Beirut. Actually, Beirut’s Pine Garden is closed and the Sanaye’ Garden is neglected and faced with the possibility of being turned into a car parking. A All the Lebanese newspapers do not sell more than 50 to 60 thousand issues per day. A There is a prevailing illusion that the first printing shop in the Arab world was established in Lebanon by Abdullah Al-Zakher in 1733, but in reality the first printing house in the Arab world was established in Halab in 1706 (see The Monthly, Myth #33, issue 94). A It has also been said that Beirut is the location of the first law school in the world, dating back to the Phoenician era, but there is no evidence to that effect (see The Monthly, Myth #31, issue 92). A The Arab World has witnessed some development in the literary and cultural fields. Indeed, many schools, universities, newspapers, libraries and public gardens are being established. Thus, “culture” is no longer monopolized by Beirut.

According to a survey conducted by Information International in 2003 on a sample of 600 Lebanese in Greater Beirut: A 36.7% of respondents do not read, whereas readers are university graduates and people between 15 and 24 years of age. A 30.7% of readers said that they read books, but the estimated proportion of serious books readers does not exceed 14% of respondents. A 75.9% of respondents use the internet for entertainment whereas only 41% use it for research. For some time now, the historical and cultural aspect of Beirut has begun to disappear due to increasing urbanization and the destruction of excavations and archaeological discoveries.

issue 105 | April 2011 38 | ART & CULTURE THE VICTIM AND THE EXECUTIONER JOSEPH SAADEH: BLACK SATURDAY IS MY SATURDAY AND MY REVENGE - MY INCOMPLETE REVENGE

“The Victim and the Executioner”, by Frederic Brunnquell all the Christian leaders. and Frederic Couderc, was published in French in 1989 He had three children: Roland, Elie and Maya. Elie was by Calmann-Levy. It was translated to Arabic by Pascal initially a sports’ organizer and later became a sports’ Tabet and Said Al-Jin in 2005 and published by Al-Jadid. writer while Roland was a militiaman. He enjoyed a happy It describes Joseph Saadeh’s involvement in the civil war and stable family life, until the murder of his son Elie and following the killing of his son Elie and his two friends his two companions at a militia checkpoint in September on the Zahle-Damascus road in September 1975, and the 1975 on the Baskinta-Tarchich-Zahle road. He wanted to kidnapping and assassination of his eldest son on the road kill fifteen Palestinians for each of the three deceased and leading to Broumana in December 1975. addressed his son’s coffin saying: “Don’t worry, I will get Joseph Saadeh, born in Dara’a (Syria), was ”a petty your revenge.” adolescent French agent.” His contacts with the French He became “sickeningly aggressive” because he had police and his participation in the looting of the General “nothing more to lose.” Killings and kidnappings were Security building made him a traitor and led to his no longer enough for him. He says: “we were five or six imprisonment by the Syrian forces in 1947 when he was armed militia men in a Peugeot 504. We would go around still 17 years old. After being repudiated by his family for the square (Martyrs’ Square) in search of a Muslim.... We his actions, Saadeh came to Lebanon to start a life of “glory” would go up to one of them smiling, with our hands on our in the field of sports’ writing. President Camille Chamoun guns. Suddenly, we would squeeze the barrel of the pistol on granted him the Lebanese Golden Merit Medallion. His the side of the chosen man and we would whisper in his ear: first contribution to the press was when he participated in “Do not move, do not scream, walk forward.” The Peugeot the editing of the “Ciné Orient” magazine. He then worked would be waiting for us in one of the alleys. We would at the “Le Matin” newspaper was and was later appointed throw the victim in the trunk and leave. If a security officer to the technical department of “L’Orient Le Jour” and “An would witness the event, he would turn a blind eye.” Nahar” newspapers. When Saadeh and the militia had finished kidnapping Saadeh witnessed the Israeli attack on Beirut airport as “Muslims’’ in a bid to exchange them with Roland and his well as the murders of Kamal Odwan, Youssef Al Najjar two companions who were kidnapped on the road leading and Kamal Nasser by the Israelis in Verdun on April 9, to Broumana, the news of their deaths was announced. He 1973. He admired George Habash, a Christian Palestinian, addressed their corpses saying: “Don’t worry ... for every whom he saw as “a symbol of the cause to which he was one of you, we will kill fifty people.” Hundreds of Muslims loyally committed.” Paradoxically, he was also impressed were killed that day in what came to be known as Black by Pierre Gemayyel and his sons, Bachir and Amine, and Saturday. But Joseph was still not satisfied and he admits: “like a madman, I went back to the center and continued with Ringo to kill the kidnapped... That day, we were everything but human beings. That day, we were more than ferocious wolves.” Murders and violence continued. Saadeh participated in the Carantina massacre and the storming of the Tal Al Za’atar camp where he found his son’s killers (Mo’tasem, Abou Jihad and Abou Zouhair). They were detained by Amine Gemayyel but he obtained permission to have them delivered to him. They were tortured until they were executed on the day of the commemoration of his son’s murder. Thus, the man who once claimed to praise the Palestinian cause became the “butcher of Black Saturday” (December 6, 1975). Saadeh who “didn’t regret any of his actions and who would be ready to repeat, if necessary, what he did but this time with a greater know-how” lives in Lebanon.

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. ART & CULTURE | 39 THE TRUTH ABOUT LITTLE KITTENS & PUPPIES*

“The Truth about Little Kittens and Puppies” tells the story of a puppy who meets a kitten and befriends her. The puppy does not realize that his new friend is a kitten until he notices that all the characteristics he learnt about kittens apply to his new friend. After making this discovery, they remained friends surpassing all their differences.

This is a fun story that raises awareness against racism and prejudice and teaches children to embrace differences. The book is illustrated with images on each page. The fact that the main characters are animals that talk attracts the attention and interest of children and motivates them to read the story. The book is recommended for elementary level students.

*“The Truth about Little Kittens and Puppies” is adapted by Naomi Kleinberg from a script by Bruce Talkington and is one of many short stories from the collection “Poki and Friends” published by “Golden Books” in New York.

issue 105 | April 2011 40 | ART & CULTURE LEBANON FAMILIES AL-JISR FAMILIES Owners of Khelwati from Sufism Zgharta Balamand Roads A‘arjes “Sirs, Sheikhs, Muftis and politicians”, they originated Ehden Becharre The Cedars from Egypt and came from Nehariya in Doumiat. It is said Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck that they still have extensions in Doumiat carrying the Deir el Ahmar Maqne name “Banou Maii” after the Wali Maii, which has a shrine Qasr el-Banat Hadath on the Nile. This family is considered from the honorable Jbail Iaat Baalbeck sirs descending from Al-Husseini. The grandfather came Jounieh Ghazir to Tripoli for business at the end of the 17th century and Niha BEIRUT Zahle his family grew there and its members became religious Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-Baidar Bhamdoun sheikhs and political leaders. The family was divided into Anjar 2: Al-Jisr and Al-A’athama. Deir el-Qamar Meshref Beiteddine Moukhtara Qaraoun Lake Yanta Of their celebrities is Sheikh Mohammad (Abi Al-Ahwal), Saida Jezzine Sheikh of the Khelwati movement in Tripoli and his son Libbaya Aiha Sheikh Hussein (1845 – 1909) who succeeded his father Hasbaya and uncle in the Khelwati movement (a form of Sufism) Nabatiye Marjayoun and taught in the Great Mansouri mosque. In 1880, he Beaufort Castle established a school in Tripoli. He is the author of several publications. He also headed the Sultaniyah school in Beirut and was a journalist in the Tripoli newspaper. His son Sheikh Mohammad was an MP and politician and In Tripoli headed the Parliament Council during the French mandate. A Hadadeen: 32 members (Sunni) He was also nominated for the presidency of the Lebanese A Al-Mahatra: 6 members (Sunni) Republic. Sheikh Al-Mufti Nadim Al-Jisr (1897-1980) A Al-Nouri: 8 members (Sunni) succeeded his brother in Parliament in 1958. He was a A Al-Sowaiqa: 6 members (Sunni) judge, Qa’em maqam for the Qada’a of A’akkar in 1931 and an MP for Tripoli in 1957. From 1960 until 1980 (the In North Hadath (Baabda): 1 member (Sunni) year of his death), he was the mufti of Tripoli and became In Beirut a member of the Islamic Research in Azhar. He authored A Msaytbeh: 12 members (Sunni) several publications in philosophy, national and political A Mazra’a: 4 members (Sunni) thought (fikr) and on the Palestinian cause. He also edited A Zqaq Al-Blat: 6 members (Sunni) in the Tripoli press. His son, Dr. and lawyer Mohammad Nadim Al-Jisr, was nominated in the 1996, 2000 and 2005 They are all cousins originating from Tripoli. parliamentary elections as an independent candidate for one of the seats assigned to Tripoli but he didn’t make it In Achrafieh (Beirut), there is one Palestinian family from to Parliament. Haifa that is Catholic composed of 5 members.

Other ﬁgures include: There is also a “Jisr” family composed of one member A Journalist Bassem Al-Jisr. from Mdawar (Beirut) – Orthodox. In addition, there A Ex-Minister and MP Samir Adnan Al-Jisr (ex head of is one Catholic member from Ras Beirut and 3 Sunni the Syndicate of Lawyers in Tripoli). He was Minister members from Hadadeen in Tripoli. of Education and Minister of Justice. A Engineer Nabil Al-Jisr – CEO of the Council of * Election list 2004. Development and Reconstruction.

There are approximately 95 members* of Al-Jisr family, a relatively small family with the majority belonging to the Sunni confession. They are distributed in the following regions:

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. DISCOVER LEBANON ART & CULTURE | 41 KSARNABA Trablous the poorest in Lebanon Zgharta Balamand Roads A‘arjes Ehden Becharre Etymology A Khaireldine: 26 voters The Cedars Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck According to Anis Freiha’s book “Names A Mousa: 25 voters Deir el Ahmar Maqne of Lebanese Towns and Villages”, A Husseini: 13 voters Qasr el-Banat Jbail Hadath Iaat Ksarnaba derives from “Qasr Nabou” A Wahbeh: 6 voters Baalbeck Ksarnaba (Nabou Palace), which is the name of a Jounieh Ghazir ÉÑfô°üb

Niha statue and an old Assyrian god. Another Local Authorities BEIRUT Zahle theory is that the village was named The municipal council was established Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-Baidar Bhamdoun Ksarnaba after a Roman castle that by Decree No. 588 dated September 30, Anjar Deir el-Qamar Meshref Beiteddine was built by a Roman Emperor for his 2002, and consists of 15 members. The Moukhtara daughter Naba. Thus, Ksarnaba would council is currently headed by Abdel Qaraoun Lake Yanta

Saida Jezzine mean Naba’s castle. Naba is a popular Karim Dirani, who was also president of Libbaya Aiha proper noun in Lebanon and is of the the previous council. There are also two Hasbaya few remaining Phoenician names. mukhtars, Mahdi Al-Dirani and Sayyed Nabatiye Marjayoun Ali Al-Dirani. Location The town of Ksarnaba is located on the Education Eastern slope of Mount Lebanon in the Ksarnaba Secondary Public school workers with employment opportunities. Mohafaza of the Beqa’a (or Ba’albeck- closed down in the academic year The village also has a solar system factory. Hermel as it is now known) in the 2009-2010 due to a lack of students. In 2008, an agricultural cooperative was Qada’a of Ba’albeck at an altitude of The village has a private free school, established to assist in marketing the 1,190 meters above sea level. It lies “Jaafarian Preparatory School”, which village’s agricultural produce. A variety 80 kilometers away from Beirut and contained 134 students in the academic of commercial shops also exist. 25 kilometers from the center of the year 2005-2006. This number decreased Mohafaza of Zahle. It occupies an area to 114 in the academic year 2009-2010. Archeological sites of 643 hectares. It can be reached via The school has 10 staff members. The village has a Roman temple similar Zahle, Ablah, Tamnin Al-Fawqa and to the Ba’albeck. Citadel It also has Ksarnaba. As for private schools, there are 2 in the natural spring water and remains of a village: Roman castle. Population A Jaafarian Secondary School that There are an estimated 3,800 residents contained 133 students and 10 Challenges in Ksarnaba belonging to the Shia’a teachers in the academic year 2009- The village suffers from poor confession. There are 400 homes in the 2010. infrastructure. Indeed, the sewage village and 83 commercial shops. A Al-Mustapha School that contained network has yet to be completed and 2,024 students, 131 teachers and 21 water pipes still do not access all the Voters staff members in the academic year neighborhoods. As most regions in In 2000, the number of registered voters 2009-2010. Lebanon, the village has problems was 1,839 of whom 1,159 cast their selling its agricultural produce, mainly ballots. In 2005, the number reached The village also has an SOS Village, its flowers for which it is renowned. 2,130 with 1,457 casting their ballots. which was established in 2006 and In addition, there is a lack of care in As for the year 2009, the number rose to contains 8 family homes with 10 public schools. The main problem is 2,375 of whom merely 1,522 cast their members each. the difficulty in reaching the village, ballots. They belong to the following especially in winter, because of the bad families: Economy road conditions. It is worth noting that A Al-Dirani: 1,585 voters The people of Ksarnaba mainly rely on the village of Ksarnaba is the poorest in A Sid Ahmad: 136 voters agriculture and agro-industry, especially Lebanon and is in need of development A Ahmad: 101 voters of grapes, flowers, fruit trees and programs according to the United A Tueini: 41 voters vegetables. The Samir Dirani factory Nations. A Saber: 34 voters for pickles in the village provides 300

issue 105 | April 2011 42|MEDIA WHEN POLITICIANS TALK SAAD HARIRI-SYRIA FROM “SYRIA’S ROLE IS NEGATIVE” TO “I HAVE SEEN NOTHING BUT POSITIVITY FROM ASSAD” e inherited Rafic Hariri’s political za’ama then suddenly found himself grieving over the death of his father. Since the very first moment he wanted the truth behind who “plotted, executed and murdered” his father. He called for Han international tribunal and gathered supporters, some of whom he inherited from his father and others who were opposed to Rafic Hariri in his lifetime and supported him after his death. March 14 stood in the face of March 8 and blamed Syria for the assassinations, problems and violence, and bombarded it with harsh criticisms and accusations. The za’im of the Sunni confession accused Syria of killing his father and called for punishment and justice. However, as soon as the Syrian-Saudi reconciliation began and Saad Hariri became prime minister, his stances changed toward appeasement and reconciliation. His visit to Syria on December 20, 2009, was an important step ushering a shift in rhetoric from which accusations and animosity against “sisterly Syria” were absent, five years after the assassination. Enmity “We have a conviction that a war is being waged against Reconciliation us by a terrorist regime that wants to change the Lebanese “We want the best ties with Syria and all in due time is democratic system and not the other way around. We good.” (Al-Mustaqbal on July 5, 2009) are not the ones after the Syrian regime rather they are the ones seeking to change the democratic system in “I haven’t seen anything but positivity from Assad in Lebanon.” (Al-Mustaqbal on December 22, 2005) all matters of interest to both countries ... Assad was keen for the relationship with Lebanon to be based on clear and “I believe, unfortunately, that my father was assassinated open foundations.” (Al-Tawheed Movement website on by a regime that was a former friend of ours.” (January December 20, 2009) 12, 2006) “We want to look at the cup half full not half empty and Saad Hariri renewed his accusations against Syrian solve issues between us in an un-provocative, calm and President Bashar Assad of “obstructing the international open manner, and what is important is that the solution tribunal by giving his orders to (President Emile) Lahoud, benefits both countries” ... The discussions were “good and torpedoing the dialogue table three days after its and excellent [and conducted] clearly and openly. Our bet convention, in an attempt on his part to cause a political is on the future. We want to build a better future between coup d’état in Lebanon,” after “his regime killed Prime the two countries and we want to build a future that benefits Minister Rafic Hariri.” (Al-Akhbar on March 2, 2006) both peoples, and both states, in terms of economy, trade and all fields.” (Al-Akhbar February 13, 2010) “Syria’s role is negative; it is trying to return to the international arena by using the blood of the Lebanese. “(... )My going to Syria as prime minister of Lebanon If Syria wants to play a positive role, its regime must let is to build ties between a state and another state and the Lebanese people and the international community try between one people and another people, in addition to to find a comprehensive solution to the conflict.” (Al- opening a new page in order to consolidate the history Akhbar on August 5, 2006, during a visit to Moscow) and geography between us.” (As-Safir on February 13, 2010) “The Syrian regime did not stop carrying out assassinations and it will not stop. The international “We, somewhere along the line, made mistakes. At one community must do more than condemn it, it must isolate point, we accused Syria of assassinating the martyred it. The solution cannot be in getting rid of the regime of president, and this was a political accusation, and this Saddam Hussein alone but also of the regime of Bashar.” political accusation is over (...). As for the personal (September 25, 2007) relationship, I feel that I am going to a brotherly and friendly country and I do not feel that I am going to a place “The majority is being subjected to assassinations by with which I had problems.” (Dunia al-Watan website on a criminal regime that should know the majority will not September 6, 2010) become a minority, and that it will pay for its crime in the international tribunal.” (November 11, 2007)

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. FEBRUARY 2011 TIMELINE MEDIA|43 THE SUNNI ISLAMIC SUMMIT HOLDS ON TO THE TRIBUNAL The Shia’a Council considers it void; Hariri: “the Syrians killed my father”; The US accuse a Lebanese Bank of money laundering; Hariri: “The S-S was a reconciliatory summit and it is not going to work out with the weapons”; Nasrallah in favor of taking control of the Jaleel; Aoun: “The President is not authorized to have ministers in the government”; A fuel crisis leads to the reduction of the price of a tank by LBP 5,000; Jumblatt: “Saudi Arabia cut off its ties with me”; Mikati in Tripoli; March 14 refuses to participate in Mikati’s government; Charbel Nahhas: “Daniel Bellemare requested data on telecommunications”

February 2 -The Head of the Defense Office of the Special -In a discussion with LBC, MP Suleiman Franjieh Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), François Roux, declares: refuses to grant the new opposition a veto power (with a “the indictment will see the light in a few weeks.” one third representation in the government). -Geagea: “the new majority has nothing to do with -In a recording of the international investigation aired Mikati but rather it is affiliated with by Al Jadeed TV, Hariri states: “the the old regime of suzerainty.” Syrians killed my father.” He also -Hariri leaves to France on a makes accusations against Berri. “family visit.” February 5 February 3 Berri to -In a discussion with MTV, Nadim -In an interview with the French “ Gemayyel declares: “he who newspaper Le Figaro, Mikati states: Hariri: “my believes we will participate in the “so long as the Lebanese do not government is deluded.” unanimously unite over the review opinion of -Amine Gemayyel visits Najib of the Tribunal, the government Mikati and declares: “we are remains committed to respecting your father discussing with the prime minister the agreement that ties it to the designate all the possibilities to form Tribunal.” is better than a consensual government with real -Mikati meets with the Russian partnership.” ambassador who confirms that your opinion -Sit-ins and protests in front of Russia is confident about Mikati’s the Egyptian embassy in Beirut in skills as well as his humanitarian of him” support of the people’s revolution in and moral attributes, adding that he Egypt demanding the departure of is an honest political man. Mubarak. -After meeting with President ” Suleiman, Berri states: “Mikati is February 7 serious and we must accelerate government formation. -Berri expects the government to be formed soon The changes in the region are to Lebanon’s advantage.” (before February 14) and answers Hariri’s comments -In an answer to the Iranian Foreign Minister, the broadcast on Al Jadeed TV saying: “my opinion of your March 14 Secretariat declares: “the new Middle East father is better than your opinion of him.” will not be Iranian.” -Geagea invites the President of the Republic not to sign a Decree aiming to form a “one color” government. February 4 -Major General Michel Aoun meets with Mikati but no February 8 unified approach concerning Christian representation -Israel suspends its withdrawal from the Ghajar area emerges. following the dissolution of the Hariri government.

issue 105 | April 2011 44|MEDIA FEBRUARY 2011 TIMELINE February 15 -A session of the STL discusses the legal bases of the -The March 14 movement commemorates the indictment. Another session is scheduled on February assassination of Rafic Hariri in Biel and speakers 16 to vote on these bases. include: Geagea, Gemayyel, Mohammad Abdel Hamid -During a press conference, Amine Gemayyel declares: Baydoun, who confirms that the tribunal is sacred, just “the attempts to form a national salvation government like the resistance’s weapons, and adds that the Shia’a have reached a dead end due to the debilitating conditions politicians are committing mistakes. Hariri declares: set by the March 8 forces.” “there will be no armed tutelage. Congratulations to them for stealing power.” He adds: “we are committed to February 9 the Tribunal. The S-S is over and it was a reconciliatory -Speaker Nabih Berri continues his visit to Qatar summit”. He further criticized “disloyalty”. As a result, and meets Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifah Al Thani who some considered that these statements were aimed at promises to contribute in the “Elissar” project to develop Mikati and Jumblatt. the southern suburb of Beirut. -Aoun arrives in Halab accompanied February 17 by crowds to commemorate Mar -Hezbollah celebrates the Maroun in Brad and meets with commemoration of Martyr Day. President Bashar Assad. Sami Chehab, who was imprisoned in Egypt and recently fled amid February 11 the uprising, appears during the -The US Treasury accuses the MP Walid ceremony. Nasrallah threatens to Lebanese Canadian Bank of money “ occupy the Jaleel if a war is launched laundering and financially supporting Jumblatt ﬁres and Israel attacks Lebanon. Hezbollah and declares that it will no longer deal with it. gunshots in February 18 -A meeting in Dar Al Fatwa headed - Army Commander Jean Kahwaji by Mufti Mohammad Rachid Mukhtarah visits Saida in memory of its Kabalan, attended by Hariri, Mikati, liberation and meets with Osama Siniora and other Sunni ministers, celebrating Saad, Abdel Rahman Albizri and MPs and Muftis ends up constituting MP Bahiyyah Hariri who greets him a Sunni summit, the first of its kind the fall of with a luncheon. since 1983. The Mufti put forward a number of principles, with the Egyptian February 19 refusal to let go of the Tribunal at the -After meeting with Mikati, US forefront, urging Mikati to meditate President Ambassador to Lebanon Maura on his stances and to hold on to these Connelly states: “Lebanon must principles. He confirmed: “when a Hosni abide by its obligations through a confession feels it is the victim of government that takes international injustice, isolation and instability Mubarak decisions seriously.” follow.” -In a letter to the UN, Foreign ” Minister Ali Al-Shami considers February 12 that international resolutions should -MP Walid Jumblatt fires gunshots in Mukhtarah determine Lebanon’s maritime boundaries. celebrating the fall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. February 21 -During a speech by the Mufti of Saida Sheikh Salim February 14 Sossan at a festival organized by the Islamic Association -During the graduation ceremony of 1,500 university in commemoration of the liberation of Saida, the former students of the Amal movement, Speaker Nabih Berri attacks the resistance’s weapons, which leads to the notes that the agreement on the establishment of the withdrawal of some participants. STL was not constitutional. He adds that he is for a real -On his way to Rome, Patriarch Sfeir declares he is for a tribunal, not a fabricated and forged one. government that represents all confessions and supports the Tribunal, which will reveal who the murderer is.

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. FEBRUARY 2011 TIMELINE MEDIA|45 February 22 February 26 -A statement following a meeting of the Higher -Mikati visits Trablous for the first time following his Islamic Shia’a Council reads: “the STL is illegitimate, nomination as PM on January 25 and declares in front unconstitutional and void, and we refuse to cooperate of the crowds: “who amongst us does not want justice with it.” and the aiming of weapons at Israel. We are not in a -Distribution of checks to those affected by the state of amending the Ta’if agreement. We are working incidents that occurred in the Nahr Al-Bared camp. towards forming a government that represents all the -The Maronite League proposes to amend the parties.” This was considered by some as a response to President’s powers. the demands of the March 14 bloc. -President Michel Suleiman leaves to Rome to attend -Patriarch Sfeir discusses his resignation with the Pope the unveiling of a statue of Mar Maroun in St Peter’s in Rome. Square in the Vatican. The family of Antoine Choueiri donated the cost of the statue. February 28 -March 14 MPs hold a meeting February 23 at the Bristol under the slogan -A delegation representing the US Mikati: “who “In defense of the Republic and Congress, including Senators John “ the Constitution” attended by McCain and Joseph Lieberman, amongst us does Saad Hariri, Amine Gemayyel, arrive in Lebanon and meet each not want justice Samir Geagea and Fouad Siniora. of Hariri, Mikati, Geagea and After the meeting, a statement is Jumblatt. They announce that the and the aiming issued declaring the refusal of the US government’s stance concerning movement to participate in the the Tribunal and the weapons is of weapons at government and the formation of a the same as that of the Lebanese Israel. We are peaceful opposition. government. -Najib Mikati ends his visit to Tripoli -Aoun: “President Suleiman is not not in a state of with two meetings confirming that a consensual president and thus he amending the his primary concern is the formation is not authorized to have ministers of a “technocrat government” on in the government.” Ta’if agreement. condition that it receives a vote of confidence. February 24 We are working -President Michel Suleiman returns -Petrol stations declare they will towards forming from Kuwait after participating in stop supplying petrol until the the country’s commemoration of weekly schedule determining fuel a government that liberation. prices is issued. This leads to a petrol represents all the -A protest against the confessional crisis and long queues in front of all system takes place in Beirut. stations across the country. parties” -Patriarch Sfeir returns to Lebanon -The statue of Mar Maroun is from Rome and declares that the unveiled in the Vatican in the Pope accepted his resignation. presence of the Pope, the President ” -During a visit to A’akkar, Ahmad of the Lebanese Republic, Patriarch Sfeir and crowds Hariri states: “there is no sanctity regarding the weapons coming from Lebanon and the world. following the May 7 events. Our battle is with the weapons of Hezbollah and the rest is anecdotal to us.” February 25 -Pope Benedict XVI meets with the Lebanese President March 1 and Major General Aoun in the Vatican. -In front of crowds at Beit Al Wasat, Hariri declares: -In a discussion with LBC, MP Walid Jumblatt states: “It is not going to work out with the weapons. They “Saudi Arabia cut off its ties with me after I nominated might have won but the weapons are not a majority.” Mikati.” -Minister of Telecommunications Charbel Nahhas -A decision is issued to the effect that the price of the uncovers a request made by the Public Prosecutor of fuel tank is reduced by LBP 5,000. the STL, Daniel Bellemare, on January 11, 2011, asking him to provide the Inquiry Commission with all the data related to telecommunications between 2004 and 2010.

issue 105 | April 2011 46|ARAB WORLD FOCUS QATAR A SEA OF OIL AND GAS, AND A NEW LAKE OF ECONOMIC DIVERSITY

efore the early discoveries of oil, Qatar was the victim of severe living conditions that forced many of its inhabitants to migrate in search of a better life. However, in the 1930s, with the early explorations of oil, BQatar entered a new era of economic prosperity. Petroleum became the cornerstone of Qatari economy. In recent years, the production and export of natural gas became increasingly important, in an attempt to meet the requirements of economic growth.

Qatari oil and liquid gas production is expected to rise by to the planed sports, educational and touristic events that are 25.6% between 2010 and 2020. By 2020, it is estimated that to take place in Qatar. For example, the hotel room capacity 2.06 million barrels per day (bbl/d) will be produced. Gas (3 and 4 star category) is expected to increase significantly. production is forecasted to increase from 135 billion cubic Moreover, Qatar will be hosting the 2022 World Cup, the meters (bcm) to about 194 bcm by the end of the period. first Arab state to do so, and the Asian cup, which will Qatar possesses 16 billion barrels of proven oil reserves (a further contribute to the prosperity of the sector. number likely to rise with future discoveries) and produces The transport and communication sector is also rapidly 800,000-850,000 bbl/d. As for its gas reserves, they are developing. Qatar Airways flies to over 92 countries in the estimated at about 25.2 trillion cubic meters (a number also Middle and Far East, and North America, and will soon likely to rise with future discoveries). This represents 61% own 220 aircrafts. Its average annual growth has reached of the total gas reserves of Golf Cooperation Council (GCC) 30% since its relaunch in 1997. Moreover, the New Doha countries and 14% of the world’s natural gas reserves, International Airport (NDIA), expected to be completed by ranking it third worldwide following Russia and Iran. 2012, is another source of income and likely to become one Recently, its production has been estimated at 77 million of the major transit points worldwide. tons of liquid gas annually, which places it first in terms of On another level, Qatar is investing in its human capital. production worldwide. The Qatar Foundation took on the task of preparing the new Qatar National Bank indicated that the oil and gas industries Qatari generation to meet the challenges of the world, to account for over half of Qatar’s Gross Domestic Product be leaders in modern education and research. The research (GDP), which reached $127 billion in 2010. However, sector focuses on building and commercializing Qatar’s an economy heavily based on oil and gas production and technology capacity and uncovering solutions to climatic, export can be risky. In fact, oil depression would reduce energy and health issues. The community development Qatar’s GDP and this occurred in 1981. As an attempt to sector aims to improve Qatari lives by pinpointing and overcome possible threats of the oil and gas industries, meeting the needs and prospects of the population. Qatar is heading towards economic diversification. As a result, the expected economic growth would not only Economic diversification refers to the development of be relying on gas and oil production and export but also non-oil sectors and the lessening of the percentage of on other sectors of the economy. However, although the revenue and exports based on the oil and gas sectors. This efforts for economic diversification are significant, the oil diversification became the basis of Qatari economy for and natural gas sectors would still enhance Qatari economy the first time in 2009. In fact, the non-oil and gas sectors in the future. accounted for 53.8% of the overall GDP in 2009, with the gas and oil sectors accounting for 46.2%. Sources Several sectors play a key role in this diversification. In -Qatar National Bank (July 2010). Qatar Economic Review (July 2010). 2009, government services, social services, bank service Downloaded on February 3, 2011, from: http://www.qnb.com.qa/ charges and import taxes contributed to 12.3% of the csportal/BlobServer?blobcol=urlenglishdoc&blobtable=QNBNewDoc total GDP. The finance, insurance and real estate sectors s&blobkey=id&blobwhere=1276061427064&blobheader=applicatio accounted for 12.1% of the GDP. The manufacturing sector n%2Fpdf (petroleum refining, steel, aluminum and the production of -http://www.eia.doe.gov/cabs/Qatar/Sources.html cement, plastics, textile, etc) accounted for 7.9%. -http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b3269c/qatar _ oil _ Another major developing sector is trade, restaurants and and _ gas _ report _ q1 _ 2011 hotels (6.7% of the GDP), which has a promising future due -http://www.thegulfintelligence.com/Docs.Viewer/5fbfc500-aead- 4f91-834d-29ecfd8bc32a/default.aspx issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. INDEX|47 REAL ESTATE INDEX- FEBRUARY 2011

uring the month of February, the real estate sector witnessed limited activity in comparison with the state of stagnation the previous month. In contrast, the sale of land significantly declined and land transactions Dwere scarce. This is due to the shortage of land on the one hand and the increase in its price on the other hand. Tables 1 and 2 list the prices of a number of estates and apartments sold in February 2011.

Prices of some estates sold in Prices of some apartments sold in Table 2 February 2011 Table 1 February 2011 Price Region Area m2 Price USD/m2 Region Area m2 (USD) USD/m2 (USD) Matn Baabda Antellias 1,650 5,610,000 3,400 Jamhour 250 425,000 1,700 Broumana 1,200 732,000 610 Ain Al Rummaneh 120 138,000 1,150 Mtaileb 1,100 1,100,000 1,000 Hadath 180 288,000 1,600 A’aley Al Kafa’at 160 192,000 1,200 Doha A’aramoun 1,200 1,080,000 900 Hazmieh 400 800,000 2,000 Keserouane Mar Taqla 220 462,000 2,100 Adma 1,950 1,950,000 1,000 Yarzeh 400 1,000000 2,500 Kfar Zebian 1,200 180,000 150 Matn Source: Information International February 2011. Jal El Dib 120 120,000 1,000 Awkar 170 246,500 1,450 Raboueh 150 202,500 1,350 Prices of some apartments sold in Rabieh 190 342,000 1,800 February 2011 Table 2 Antellias 140 182,000 1,300 Price Region Area m2 (USD) USD/m2 Sin el Fil (Horch Tabet) 210 420,000 2,000 Beirut Sin el Fil (Horch Achrafieh (Sodeco) 180 630,000 3,500 Tabet) 160 512,000 3,200 Achrafieh (Sassine) 160 432,000 2,700 A’aley Achrafieh Doha Hoss 150 210,000 1,400 (Rizk) 150 397,500 2,650 Bchamoun 140 140,000 1,000 Zkak Al Blat 100 180,000 1,800 A’aramoun 160 128,000 800 Mar Elias (Chehadeh) 180 360,000 2,000 Doha A’aramoun 150 150,000 1,000 Mar Elias (Helou Baracks) 125 262,500 2,100 Doha A’aramoun 140 175,000 1,250 Al Qantari 170 646,000 3,800 Keserouane Burj Abi Haidar 110 170,500 1,550 Jounieh (Ghadir) 150 150,000 1,000 Barbour 150 300,000 2,000 Zouq Mkayel 210 262,500 1,250 Ras Beirut 200 720,000 3,600 Sahel Alma 175 218,750 1,250 Qoreitem 200 600,000 3,000 Adma 220 396,000 1,800 Tallet El-Khayat 200 600,000 3,000 Haret Sakhr 200 200,000 1,000 Msaitbeh 160 432,000 2,700 Adonis 240 300,000 1,250 Ras Al-Nabee 170 416,500 2,450 Source: Information International February 2011

issue 105 | April 2011 48|INDEX FOOD PRICE INDEX OF 100 PRODUCTS: FEBRUARY 2011 he prices of 66 of the 100 items we list every month remained stable during the month of February 2011. The prices of 10 items decreased while those of 24 increased by 5 – 6%. This Treflects the stability in prices that the market has been witnessing since the end of last year. Table 1 lists the price of products in February 2011 (in LBP).

Price of products during February 2011 Price of products during February 2011 (in LBP) Table 1 (in LBP) Table 1 Prices Prices beginning Prices beginning Prices Item and brand of beginning % of price Item and brand of beginning % of price February of March change February of March change 2011 2011 2011 2011 Oil Dairy Products Afia corn oil (3.5 liters) 12,750 13,500 5.9+ Candia full cream milk (1 liter) 2,500 2,450 2- Mazola corn oil (3.5 liters) 13,500 13,500 0 Candia full cream yoghurt Mazola corn oil (1.8 liters) 7,250 7,250 0 (2 kg) 2,350 2,350 0 Slim corn oil (2 liters) 7,250 7,250 0 Bonjus labneh (1 kg) 3,990 3,990 0 Wesson corn oil (2 liters) 7,500 7,500 0 Taanayel labneh (500 g) 5,600 5,650 0.9+ Ghandour soya oil (3.8 Candia labneh (500 g) 4,000 3,600 10- liters) 11,250 11,250 0 Taanayel yoghurt (1 kg) 3,000 3,000 0 Alfa corn oil (4 liters) 13,750 13,750 0 Smeds cheese (400 g) 4,350 4,350 0 Al-Wadi Olive Oil (1/2 liters) 6,450 6,450 0 Picon cheese (360 g) 3,650 3,850 5.5+ Ketchup and Sauces Picon cheese (160 g) 1,950 1,950 0 Libby’s Ketchup (567 g) 1,500 1,500 0 Double-crème cheese (1 kg) 6,500 6,250 3.8- Extra Ketchup (340 g) 980 980 0 Fresh country cheese (1 kg) 8,900 8,900 0 Extra Ketchup (2.2 kg) 5,500 5,500 0 Khashkawan cheese (1 kg) 13,000 13,250 1.9+ Dolly’s Mayonnaise (500 Lurpak butter (200 g) 2,250 2,750 22.2+ ml) 4,000 4,000 0 Tatra butter (200 g) 2,400 2,400 0 Al-Wadi Mayonnaise (500 ml) 4,300 4,300 0 Al-Maalaqtain margarine (2 kg) 7,950 7,950 0 Al-Bsat Tahina (900 g) 6,890 6,890 0 Al-Baqara al-Haloub Al-Bsat Tahina (450 g) 3,750 3,650 2.7- margarine (2kg) 31,075 31,075 0 Taous tomato sauce (70 g) 715 715 0 Vegetaline margarine (2 kg) 14,750 14,750 0 Taous tomato sauce (425 g) 3,250 3,250 0 Nido full cream milk (bag) (2,250 g) 19,500 19,890 2+ Tala tomato sauce (675 g) 3,000 3,000 0 Nido full cream milk (2,500 g) 24,250 24,500 1+ Pasta Tatra full cream milk (1,800 g) 16,000 16,000 0 Barilla spaghetti (500 g) 2,100 2,100 0 Sugar and Salt Antonio Amato spaghetti (500 g) 2,200 2,200 0 Sugar (2 kg) 3,350 3,750 11.9+ Monte spaghetti (500 g) 2,150 2,150 0 Al-Ousra Sugar (5 kg) 9,500 9,500 0 Salt (700 g) 280 350 25+ Box of salt (738 g) 1,300 1,400 7.7+

issue 105 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. INDEX|49 Price of products during February 2011 Price of products during February 2011 (in LBP) Table 1 (in LBP) Table 1 Prices Prices beginning Prices beginning Prices Item and brand of beginning % of price Item and brand of beginning % of price February of March change February of March change 2011 2011 2011 2011 Cereals Meat, Fish and Eggs Khater white lentils (1 kg) 3,750 3,750 0 Zwan chicken (200 g) 2,200 2,200 0 Khater chick-peas fahli (1 3,750 3,750 0 Zwan beef (200 g) 2,250 2,250 0 kg) Luncheon meat beef (198 Khater beans (1 kg) 1,950 1,950 0 g) 1,800 1,800 0 Peeled wheat (1 kg) 2,350 2,500 6.4+ Al-Mona chicken (200 g) 2,100 2,100 0 Pineal Lima Bean (1 kg) 3,250 3,250 0 Al-Taghzia beef (200 g) 1,925 1,925 0 Brown Fine Burgul (1 kg) 1,950 2,000 2.5+ Al-Taghzia chicken (200 g) 1,750 1,750 0 Egyptian rice (1 kg) 1,850 1,950 5.4+ Geisha sardine (125 g) 1,100 1,100 0 American rice (1 kg) 1,950 1,850 5.1- Deli sardine (125 g) 1,100 1,100 0 Italian rice (1 kg) 2,900 2,700 6.9- Milo sardine (125 g) 1,090 1,090 0 Al-Wadi Hommos Tahina Geisha tuna (200 g) 3,990 3,990 0 (380 g) 1,340 1,340 0 White Bell tuna (200 g) 2,150 2,150 0 Chtaura Hommos Tahina (380 g) 1,140 1,100 3.5- White Diamond tuna (200 g) 2,250 2,250 0 Skipper tuna (185 g) 1,750 1,750 0 California Gardens beans 1,100 1,100 0 (450 g) Eggs (30 eggs) 7,500 8,000 6.7+ Al-Wadi beans (450 g) 1,000 950 5- Beef (1 kg) 16,000 17,000 6.2+ Chtaura beans (480 g) 1,500 1,500 0 Sheep (1 kg) 21,000 27,000 28.5+ Libby’s corn (340 g) 1,750 1,750 0 Halvah and Jam Coffee and Tea Al-Wadi halvah (454 g) 4,250 4,250 0 Najjar coffee (1kg) 14,000 14,000 0 Al-Bsat halvah (450 g) 3,150 3,150 0 Brazil coffee (1 kg) 11,850 12,250 3.3+ Chtaura apricot jam (1 kg) 5,500 5,500 0 Al-Hisan tea (180 g) 2,750 2,750 0 Al-Wadi apricot jam (1 kg) 4,500 4,500 0 Nestle (250g) 2,350 2,350 0 Tissues and Detergents Mimosa tissues (500 g) 2,550 2,750 7.8+ Fine tissues (200 tissues) 1,250 1,350 8+ Primo tissues (200 tissues) 1,300 1,300 0 Gipsy tissues (300 tissues) 2,500 2,750 10+ Mimosa toilet papers (4 rolls) 3,100 3,100 0 Yes detergent (900 g) 2,200 2,200 0 Clorox (1 liter) 1,500 1,500 0 Persil (4 kg) 18,250 18,250 0 Ariel (4 kg) 18,000 18,250 1.4+ Fruits and Vegetables Orange (1 kg) 1,000 1,250 25+ Tomatoes (1kg) 1,250 1,250 0 Cucumbers (1kg) 2,000 1,500 25- Bananas (1kg) 1,000 1,250 25+ Lemons (1 kg) 500 700 40+ Apples (1 kg) 2,000 2,000 0 Potatoes (1 kg) 1,100 900 18.2- Source: Information International 2011

issue 105 | April 2011 50| Did you know that? Statistics from around the World Internet Use

A 2 billion is the estimated number of internet users as of June 31, 2010.

A 825 million is the number of internet users in Asia.

A 475 million is the number of internet users in Europe.

A 266 million is the number of internet users in North America.

A 111 million is the number of internet users in Africa.

A 63 million is the number of internet users in the Middle East.

A 21 million is the number of internet users in Oceania/Australia.

Source: www.internetworldstats.com Beirut International Airport Rafic Hariri International Airport – Traffic February 2011 16.9% decline

Airport traffic declined Airport traffic in February 2011 compared to January 2011 and February 2010 Table 1 during the month % of change % of change of February 2011 in January 2011 February 2010 comparison with the Traffic Jan-11 Feb-11 Feb-10 / February / February month of January 2011. 2011 2011 The month of February usually witnesses a Arriving airplanes 2,258 1,913 2,254 15.2- 15.1- decrease, bearing in Departing airplanes 2,259 1,911 2,258 15.4- 15.3- mind that the month Total No. of airplanes 4,517 3,824 4,512 15.3- 15.2- is 3 days shorter than others. Compared Arriving passengers 155,533 152,705 167,477 1.8- 8.8- to February 2010, Departing passengers 210,035 147,621 169,318 29.7- 12.8- the traffic decreased by 9.4%. The total Transit passengers 4,167 6,890 2,442 65.3+ 182.1+ number of passengers Total No. of passengers 369,735 307,216 339,237 16.9- 9.4- in January and February Imported goods (per ton) 2,738 2,730 3,342 0.29- 18.3- 2011 reached 679,951 compared to 708,931 Exported goods (per ton) 2,106 2,068 2,653 1.8- 22- of the same months of Total amount of goods (per ton) 4,844 4,798 5,995 0.94- 20- last year, a decrease of 31,980 passengers or Source: Information International and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation 4.5%.

issue 105 - The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. Stats & Numbers | 51

StatsNumbers&

A LBP 658 million were contributed by the Lebanese government to the Higher Relief Commission for the payment of compensation to the victims of the Borj Abi Haidar clashes between members of Hezbollah and the Association of Islamic Charity Projects on August 24, 2010, which lasted 4 hours.

A LBP 956 billion is the amount allocated to the Régie Libanaise des Tabacs et Tombacs’ 2010 budget. This Rendez-vous on the beach exceeds the budgets of many ministries Photo by: Waddah Joma’a 2010 and administrations thus revealing the significance of the Régie, which is managed by a figure closely linked to Speaker Nabih Berri. Publications

A LBP 1.2 billion were transferred as Publications by Publications by INMA (in Arabic): credit by the government to the Ministry Information International (in Arabic): 1-“I am Responsible, All of Us are Responsible” 1-Salaries and Remunerations in the Public Sector of Information to enable the latter to pay 2-“Our Environment is Our Home” 2-Public Seaside Properties 3-“My Society is My Responsibility” Al-Jazeera channel for the broadcasting 3-Lebanon’s Parliamentary History 1920-2000 4-“My Society is My Responsibility” Workbook of the 2010 World Cup games via Tele 4-Taxes and Fees 5-“I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards Liban, in order to save the citizens the 5-Lebanon in Figures 1992-2002 State Building” financial burdens of subscribing to satellite 6-Lebanon in Figures 2003-2004 6-“I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards channels. 7-Lebanon in Figures 2005-2006 State Building” Workbook 8-Lebanon’s MPs and Lebanese Parliamentary 7-“Lebanon Wars, why?” Elections 1960 - 2009 8-Discrimination in Lebanon A LBP 771 billion is the amount raised 9- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, by the State Treasury from real estate candidate and confession-North District sales (land and buildings), which reached 10- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, 94,000 estates. In 2009, the amount had candidate and confession-Beirut District reached LBP 563 billion, thus reflecting an 11- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, increase in prices on the one hand, and in candidate and confession-Mount Lebanon estate registration on the other. District 12- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, candidate and confession-Beqa’a District 13- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, candidate and confession-South and Nabatiyeh District 14- Municipal Elections 2010 To subscribe: Al-Borj Building, 4th Floor, Martyrs Square Beirut Central District Telephone: 961-1-983008/9 961-3-262376 Fax: 961-1-980630 [email protected] www.iimonthly.com www.information-international.com © Information International SAL All rights reserved License No. 180/2003 Responsible Director: Hala Saghbini A gathering for civil society and a secular Lebanon

A group of young people arranged a get together along with the Laique Pride and “Al Beit Al Ilmani” (Laique House) and other interested activists at Al Muntada Hall in Al-Borj Building, Martyrs Square, on February 19, 2011, and on March19, 2011, in preparation for the civil society and secular march.

A wide spectrum of topics were discussed ranging from the differences between “civil society” and “secular society” to the techniques of galvanizing support. The focus Attending Audience on February 19, 2011 was on what the activists have in common instead of their differences.

Many options were discussed including setting up tents, continuous, concentrated and sporadic marches, and some even suggested camping in front of some key leaders’ houses. They agreed to meet again to discuss their “manifesto” and plan for “the big popular movement march.”

Attending Audience on March 19, 2011