Readings into the Lebanese Parliamentary Elections 2009 (1)
LBP 44 billion so far for the Investigation Committee and Rafic Hariri’s International Tribunal August 2009 |
85 Higher Commission for Discipline 2006, 2007, 2008: 3 years in One The Monthly meets Dr. Kyriacos Kouros, Chargé d’Affaires of issue number www.iimonthly.com • Published by Information International sal the Republic of Cyprus in Lebanon
$2 Billion Rise in Bank Deposits before 2009 Elections
Lebanon 5,000LL | Saudi Arabia 15SR | UAE 15DHR | Jordan � 2 iNDEX
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4 USD 2 Billion Rise in Bank Deposits before 2009 Elections
7 Readings into the Lebanese Parliamentary Elections 2009 (1) LEADER 25 Foreign companies in Lebanon 39 General Aoun: From “Shebaa January – June 2009 Farms are not Lebanese”, Hezbollah has “strange ideas” to “we will not let go of them” and 26 LBP 44 billion so far for the “nothing separates us but a nuclear Investigation Committee and Rafic bomb” Hariri’s International Tribunal
40 A government of ‘Real Partnership,’ 28 Higher Commission for Discipline or One that Can Function?Did 2006, 2007, 2008: 3 years in One UNIFIL Not Coordinate, or Was It Assaulted?
30 The Monthly meets Dr. Kyriacos Kouros, Chargé d’Affaires of the 42 Obama & Netanyahu: United by Republic of Cyprus in Lebanon Iran, Divided by Palestine
32 Heart Burn by Dr. Hanna Saadah 44 Masa: The Village of Cherry
33 A Moon of Time Memorial by 45 Families from Lebanon: Sadaka Antoine Boutros families
34 Lebanon: its geography and people 46 Access to Post-Secondary by Hassan Salameh Sarkis Education in the Arab World
47 Real Estate Index:May 2009 35 Between Yesterday and Today
48 Consumer Price Index May 2009 36 The results of the 2009 by Ballot Box, Candidate and Confession
50 Did You Know That? by Dr. Hanna Saadah 37 “My First Look at” from the Butterfly series 50 Airport traffic - May 2009
38 Myth #25 “Arz el Rab”: Lebanon’s Oldest Standing Cedar Tree’s in Bcharre 51 Stats&Numbers
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. 3 Editorial What it means to be young and Arab*? n his book “The Mainstay Concerning Poetry’s Embellishments, Correct Usage and Criticism”, Ibn el-Rachik recounts that a poet who became very famous was asked how his name was on every tongue and known all over. He said “It is because I have Iminimized what is right and said ‘what is correct.’” But what if we believed in Imam Ali’s words that: member of “Hezbollah” or “Mustakbal” (Future a What does it mean to sit around and study the “Upholding what is right has left me no friend”. Movement) and call for the creation of a civil state, situation of Youth and their directions; who is funding I do not know why we insist on holding so many even a secular one? our studies and what are we doing with them? seminars, symposia and conferences in English, a What does it mean for a taxi driver, void of both a What does it mean to be a youth from Saudi Arabia while we talk about the problems of our youths, teeth in his jawline and gasoline in his car, to tell and head to Afghanistan in early 1980 to “liberate” it who are supposedly Arabs. Are they really Arabs? you: “God help Siniora; he cannot lower the price of from the Soviets? And did any of the studies or surveys And while we don’t question further whether the gasoline because he has to pay public wages and also foresee that he will turn into what he turned into Kurds are Arabs and the Berbers are Arabs and stand in the face of the Shia’a ..? leading to the 11th of September, and its aftermath? the Chaldeans and the Assyrians are Arabs, have a What does it mean to say that your mother was a What does it mean for an Irani Youth to head we asked them about their opinions and how they brutally killed at her door step and your father burnt, for Ba’albeck in 1982? Did any study or survey want to be called? Are young Arabs, Arabs; or tied to his bed by the Phalangists in 1976 and then predict that he would turn into a Party considered a are they Lebanese, Moroccan, Syrian and Saudi? declare proudly “I voted for the Lebanese forces threat by Israel, and proving it right by marking the Why do we insist on such loose slogans that because the real threat is Hassan Nasrallah!” first victory in the history of the Arab-Israeli wars? only serve to satisfy (and only probably) our a What does it mean to defend the practices And couldn’t those who founded this party with the yearning to be on top while we lay at the bottom? of the Syrian intelligence in Lebanon and give it cries of “Ya Hussein” envisage that they would be Why speak of the problems of “Youth” or of “Women” legitimacy? answered back with cries of “Ya Abu Baker” and and not of “our” problems. The problems we face as a What does it mean to flood the Lebanese regime “Ya Omar” and that Bush, personally, would take humans, living on this land. What do we expect of with incessant criticism and unconditionally defend the issue and “stand” by the Sunni in Lebanon? youth in a world of satellite channels and silly talk the Syrian regime? What does the flood of criticism a What does it mean for the United States to shows? What do we expect of youth in the absence and even insults to the Syrian regime (This, of course, invade Iraq in 2003 promoting inter Sunni- of any collective memory? What does it mean to be not in the very distant past) mean in the light of the Shia’a strife (as part of the effects of the a young Arab in a historical void? In the absence of continuous praise of other regimes in the Gulf, Egypt invasion); did any study foresee such effects? knowledge? Memory loss or dementia in the elderly and Morocco? a What does it mean for a youth from Saida to go is terrifying but sometimes a blessing to its victim and a What does it mean to have no media venue, visual, to Riyadh and come back as a wealthy man and those around him, but to be born old with no memory audio or written, or even Internet without funding from Lebanon’s Prime Minister, be killed in 2005 with all is a real disaster. either Iran, an Arab regime and / or from the West? the magnitude of events and popular demonstrations? a What does it mean to be Minister of Justice when a What does it mean to disseminate ignorance Was this highlighted, or foreseen in our studies or you are member or a supporter of the Lebanese Forces? and trivialities through the same media? What does surveys? What does it mean to be Speaker of the House and the it mean to find no space for free thinking, even in a What does our situation mean to us all, young and President of Amal Movement? What does it mean to universities? old when faced with only three options: A religious- be a member of International Socialist Party as well a What does it mean to be born Shia’a, Sunni or political jihadi path. A western-American ostracising as Minister for the Displaced, a sectarian leader and Maronite? What does it mean to be born Lebanese, path or social and political exile. Chairman of the Progressive Socialist Party? Syrian, Jordanian, or Saudi? We have to, for the sake of memory, ask the delineators a What does it mean to be Prime Minister and agree a What does it mean to be young, groveling at the of borders and chanters of “international legitimacy” to an electoral law and run for elections on that basis; doorsteps of Leaders to build a future for yourself slogans: Did our youth know back in the days of the call on the Mufti of the Republic to pray at the Grand and your family? What does it mean to be a young Sykes-Picot agreement and Balfour Declaration that Serail “in defense the Sunna” and end your term Lebanese and not know Mustafa Farukh, Saliba their country was to be divided and Israel created? in office “bereaving” Lebanon and the increase of Douayhi or Paul Giragorssian? This is why our youth are the way they are, un- sectarian discourse and expressing “surprise” at the a What does it mean to have a “Issam Fares read, with no memory and yearning to immigrate. animosity between the sects; and saying all of this Institute” or “Suleiman Olayan School” or “The Here we recall the words of Aos Ibn Hajar when he said: in innocence, of course after winning in a sectarian Walid bin Talal Center” when there is nothing What I have feared has occurred, Oh my soul go forth election based on a sectarian law that you participated to commemorate Khalil Hawi, Gregoire Haddad, in trepidation! or you were created by it. What does it mean to be Ahmed Faris Al-Chidyak or Gibran Khalil Gibran? *Delivered at a forum on Arab youth and opinion polls issue 85 - August 2009 Elections 2009 Leader | 4 USD 2 Billion Rise in Bank Deposits before 2009 Elections Expenditures: Tens, Millions, Hundreds or Billions of Dollars?
hat was the real figure of money spent on the June race during the legal withdrawal period reached 115 and by 7, 2009 parliamentary elections? This is a difficult June 7 only 460 contenders were running in the elections. The Wquestion to answer due to the absence of monitoring amount of spending allowed by law for the final number of and control mechanisms of electoral expenditures. Even candidates was estimated at USD 240 million. with the existence of such mechanisms, in nations with advanced financial and administrative systems, violations are still possible. Bank Deposits Surge Many stories have been circulated on the size of electoral Bank deposits during the first five months of 2009 (Table expenditures in “hot districts,” where tens of millions of 1) showed a significant rise compared to similar periods in dollars are estimated to have been spent. Estimations put previous years (2004 – 2008). The month of April alone the number at hundreds of millions of dollars and even at registered a 2.6% rise (Graph 1) estimated at LBP 3,234 more than USD 1 billion. billion (USD 2.150 billion). In the following article we will touch on this issue considering Table 1: Monthly deposits from January – June 2004 Table 1 data on bank deposits and balance of payment. – 2009 in billions of LBP Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 January 74,414 84,171 87,611 93,073 102,598 118,584 Expenditures as Prescribed by law February 75,096 83,622 87,758 92,085 103,944 118,611 March 75,650 83,042 88,453 92,654 105,541 120,300 The parliamentary electoral law no. 25, issued on October 8, 2008, included for the first time an article setting the March 76,085 80,854 89,593 93,288 105,443 122,787 maximum limit of funding and expenses during the elections. May 76,561 80,809 90,507 94,420 106,982 126,021 The aim is to place restrictions on the level of expenditure and June 77,864 81,152 91,603 95,311 107,579 127,120 the sources of funding. Increase 3,450 -3,019 3,992 22,38 4,981 8,536 January- Article 57 stipulates the following: June “1-The maximum limit of funds each candidate may spend on Increase 4.60% -3.6% 4.50% 2.40% 4.80% 7.20% his electoral campaign shall be determined as follows: rate a January- A fixed flat amount equivalent to LBP 150 million. June a A variable part depending on the number of voters within Source: The Monthly Bulletin published by the Banks Association in Lebanon during the mentioned months and years. his electoral district determined by virtue of a decree issued by the Council of Ministers upon the suggestion of the minister of interior and municipalities.” Graph 1 shows the monthly deposits from January to June The decree designated the amount of LBP 4,000 for each 2004-2009. registered candidate in a district. In the first five months of 2004, 2006, 2008, Lebanon was witnessing what can be described as an ordinary period Under Article 57, the size of spending will vary depending on (except for the events of May 7, 2008), with the rise in the district and number of voters. For example, each candidate deposits between 4.5% - 4.8%. In comparison, in the first five in Beirut 3rd district is allowed to spend LBP 1,150 billion months of 2005 and 2007, the country was going through an compared to only LBP 366 million for contenders in the extraordinary phase. In 2005, former prime minister Rafik Saida district. Hariri was assassinated causing a wave of political, security and economic repercussions. In 2007, the country had just The number of registered candidates in the 2009 elections emerged from the July 2006 war which also left its negative reached 702, allowed by law to spend a total of USD 339 financial marks. million. The number of candidates who dropped from the issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. 5 | Leader Elections 2009
In 2009, the first five months can be described as regular except receive political and religious support and other expenses. for the electoral process, which was supposed to effectively Evidently, this figure cannot be attributed in whole to the restrict the capital and investment influx in anticipation of election spending, considering Lebanon’s, as discussed earlier, the polls outcome and ensuing political landscape. The fact high interest rates and the capital influx in search of a safe that all sides were stressing the fateful and essential nature of haven following the financial and economic collapse and the elections coupled with escalating pressure (on Lebanon) the revitalization of real estate sector. Deposits rose by LBP – including the threat of sanctions in case of an opposition 5,721 billion in 2009 from the beginning of March until the victory – should have had a negative impact. On the contrary, beginning of May at a monthly rate of LBP 2,860 billion. This Lebanon witnessed a 7.2% rise (or 2.4% - 2.7% above the happened to coincide with the 2009 parliamentary elections, average trend) in bank deposits estimated at LBP 8,536 an important milestone that cannot be disregarded explaining billion. this surge. Can we disregard this important milestone? This rise in bank deposits (LBP 8,536 billion) is not consistent with the trend since 2004 (except for 2006 discussed below). Balance of Payment The normal trend would have yielded an estimated figure of Facts indicated that external financing formed the bulk LBP 5,930 billion. How can we explain the difference of LBP of electoral spending via bank transfers and cash transfers 2,600 billion increase? ultimately deposited in banks. Reviewing the balance of payment during the first five months The Impact of the Elections of 2004 – 2008, the following can be concluded: During the first five months of 2009, we can speculate on some a January-May 2009 deficit reached USD 16581.1 million of the factors that could have led to a rise in bank deposits: and a surplus of USD 839.1 million in April. 1. A global economic vitalization in countries where a January-May 2008 deficit reached USD 556.8 million and tens of thousands of Lebanese expatriates live and work a surplus of USD 73.1 million in April. leading to a rise in income and money transfers. However, the a January-May 2007 deficit reached USD 334.9 million and impact until 2008 of the global financial crisis, especially in a surplus of USD 261.3 million in April. Europe, the United States and the Gulf, prevented an increase a January-May 2006 deficit reached USD 1834.8 million in the influx of funds from Lebanese living abroad. As a result, and a surplus of USD 758.8 million in April. the pace of financial transfers either remained stable or most a January-May 2005, deficit reached USD 1605.3 million, probably declined. Annual Lebanese money transfers were in the aftermath of former prime minister Rafik Hariri’s estimated at USD 5.6 billion and were expected to decrease to assassination in February 14, 2005. USD 4.2 billion - 4.6 billion in 2009. Therefore, we can rule a January-May 2004 deficit reached USD 197.1 million. out this factor. 2. Businessmen especially in the Arab Gulf, are looking (See Graph 2) for new markets. Lebanon’s market is promising especially in Based on these figures, we can deduct that the highest surplus the sectors of real estate, tourism and banking. Interest rates in the balance of payment during the first five months in a for foreign currency deposits are estimated between 3% - 5% 6-year period (2004-2009) was registered in 2006 and 2009, and between 7% - 8% for Lebanese pounds deposits compared i.e. right before the July 2006 war and the June 7 elections. to 0.5% - 1.5% worldwide, but the political tones and The findings pose a question mark on the relation between incitement campaigns that accompanied the electoral process the surplus before the war and ahead of the election. Is undoubtedly formed a “restraining” factor, albeit temporary, for there a relation or was it, in 2006 a reflection of the positive new investments. Since the size of foreign direct investment forecasts regarding Lebanon’s future and in 2009 the result in Lebanon either remained unchanged or somehow declined, of a global economic crisis with Lebanon becoming a capital it cannot be seen as a cause of rise in bank deposits. It also refuge regardless of the elections? cannot explain the specific rise in bank deposits in the two Finally, it is worth mentioning that by law the maximum months preceding the elections (March and April 2009). spending limit for all candidates is estimated at USD 240 The data analysis shows that the estimated LBP 2,600 billion billion as already indicated. Practices before and during the (USD 1.7 billion) increase in the bank deposits may be elections undeniably show that some candidates, especially linked to electoral spending in 2009 and is a number worth in hot districts, exceeded the legal limit. National and considering in the attempt to estimate the amount of electoral international committees and delegations were unable or expenditures which include vote-buying, flying in Lebanese unwilling to deliberate on these violations. The Monthly will expats to vote, advertisements, political campaigns, delegates, revisit this subject after the publication of new data by the penalties to withdraw candidates or to high payments to Central Bank.
issue 85 - August 2009 Elections 2009 Leader | 6
[Graph 1] Monthly Deposit Growth from January to June 2004-2009%
Jan-Feb Feb-Mar Mar-Apr Apr-May May-Jun 2.6 2009 2.1 2008 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.3 1.4 1.3 2007 1.2 1.2 0.9 1 0.9 0.9 2006 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.4 2005 0.2 2004 0 -0.1 -0.1
-0.7 -0.7 -1.1
2.1
[Graph 2] Balance of Payment from January 1-June 1 2004-2009
1,658.10 1,834.80 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 334.9 197.1 2004
-559.9
-1605.30
Koura and Zahle: USD 70 - 80 Buying: A Case Study” in The Monthly Zahle million or more than 30% of issue # 84 of July 2009. Evidence can a USD 40-50 million is the estimated expenditures ceiling were allocated easily be obtained from the Ministry budget allocated by March 14 forces for the 2009 election by both pro- of Displaced. Having seen the figures a USD 10-15 million is the estimated government and opposition forces published by both the Central Bank budget allocated by March 8 forces Information International team has been and Bankers’ Association regarding the In these 2 districts, USD 70-80 million or following the process of parliamentary balance of payments and deposits in what it exceeds 30% of the expenditures elections in 2009 and has focused on Lebanese banks, analysts at Information ceiling stipulated by law for the election Zahle and Koura regarding vote buying International feel more at ease in in the whole Lebanon were allocated. operations considering that those two publishing some of the findings in Koura Information International was unable to areas were witnessing severe competition and Zahle. We cannot attribute the major determine with certainty the percentage between pro-government and opposition surge in both the balance of payments that was dispersed specifically for vote forces. and deposits to the elections but at the buying. However, the case study of Koura Events were witnessed on the ground same time we cannot disregard it. could perhaps serve as an indicator. Koura and sensitive information was acquired a Inspite of all this, the international and from both campaigns. Information USD 12-15 million is the estimated local observers, as well as both camps, budget allocated by March 14 forces International was reluctant to publish a have either recognized or approved the the results of its investigation for lack of USD 1.7 million is the estimated process and results of elections which documents and published instead “Vote budget allocated by March 8 forces was labeled as “fair”.
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. 7 | Leader Elections 2009 Readings into the Lebanese Parliamentary Elections 2009 (1) Districts: North – Kora, A’akkar, Minnieh-Dinnieh, Batroun, Bcharri, ،Zgharta and Tripoli Beirut – Beirut 1, Beirut 2, Beirut 3.
he 2009 Parliamentary elections held many unexpected surprises where prominent political figures lost their seats in their districts as was the case in Zahle when former MP and Ministry Elias Skaff lost. Similarly was the Tcase in Zgharta with Michel Mouawad (was never an MP), in Saida with Ousama Saad and Omar Karameh in Tripoli. The elections also held surprises in Matn and Keserwan were the differences were marginal compared to the results in the 2005 elections. It is important to analyze the results of the elections in terms of the numbers of actual voters in each district per confession and the votes that determined the winners in addition to the effect of the emigrants who were flown in to Lebanon to cast their votes. In this issue, results of the elections will be covered in the Beirut and North districts. Other districts will be covered in subsequent issues. Information International is publishing 5 books in Arabic on the results of the 2009 Parliamentary elections in details by municipality and confession. advancement in the opposition list is observed where it had gained 27% of the actual voters and a bigger advancement North: A’akkar District of the pro-government is noted where it had gained 55.4% Despite the different confessional presence in A’akkar at that time. (Sunni, Orthodox, Maronites and A’alawi) and the different political parties (Future Movement, Islamic Jama’a, a In the ballots that were exclusive for the A’alawi voters, Lebanese Forces, Syrian Social Nationalist Party, Issam the number of registered population was 4,865 (50% Fares Movement, Arab Ba’ath and Marada), the majority of the total number of registered A’alawi), 2,982 cast of voters in this district support the Future Movement and their votes with a percentage of 61.2%. The A’alawi March 14 and pro-government forces which led to this candidate who won in the March 14 list (Khodor overwhelming victory. Habib) gained 95 A’alawi votes. On the other hand, the A’alawi candidate on the list of March 8 (Mustapha Results of the elections: Hussein) gained 2,858 A’alawi votes. This implies that a The majority of the votes are Sunni (63%), Orthodox the A’alawi winner of the March 14 list gained around (17%), Maronites (13%), A’alawi (4.5%) and other 200 A’alawi votes whereas his opponent won arounf confessions (2.5%). The number of Sunni voters 5,700 votes. reached around 80,000 or 67% of the actual voters which makes them the main entity that decides the fate a In the ballots that were exclusive for the Maronite of the election. voters, the number of registered population was 23,286 a The percentage of voting reached 53.8% compared to (83% of the total registered Maronites), 10,426 cast 53.7% in 2005 (an increase of 0.1%). their votes with a percentage of 31.8%. The Maronite a The difference between the average votes in the list candidate on the March 14 list (Hadi Hbeich) gained supported by the March 14 and pro-government, and 4,481 votes and his opponent (Mikhael Daher) gained the average votes in the list supported by the March 5,764 votes. 8 and opposition around 39,000 votes. The difference between the last winner and the first loser 28,828 a In the ballots that were exclusive for the Orthodox voters, votes the number of registered population was 26,700 (72% . of the total registered Orthodox), 9,170 cast their votes The March 14 and pro-government list won 63% of the with a percentage of 34.3%. The Orthodox candidates actual voters whereas the opponent list acheived 31%. on the March 14 list (Riad Rahhal and Nidal Taohme) When comparing these results to the results in 2005, a light gained 2,309 votes and 2,612 votes respectively and
issue 85 - August 2009 Elections 2009 Leader | 8
their opponents (Karime Rassi and Joseph Nahra) Tables 1 and 2 show the numbers of registered and actual gained 6,185 and 6,488 votes respectively. voters from 1960 – 2009 and the number of votes obtained a In the ballots that were exclusive for the Sunni voters, by each candidate by confession. the number of registered population was 129,715 of who 78,816 cast their votes. The March 8 and opposition Number of registered and actual voters 1960 - 2009 Table 1 list achieved a percentage of 15% of the actual voters Year 1960 2000 2005 2009 while March 14 and the pro-government achieved a Number of 60,725 173,172 204,974 224,046 percentage of 78.5% of the actual Sunni voters. registered voters Number of actual 18,000 73,090 110,149 120,647 Number of parliamentary seats – 7: Sunni 3, Orthodox 2, voters Marnotes 1, A’alawi 1 % of vote 29.60% 42.20% 53.70% 53.80% Note: There are no accurate figures on the number of actual voters in the 1960 elections in this Number of ballots: 388 district. It was estimated at 18,000
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Table 2 Moueen Riyad Nidal Hadi Khodor Khaled Khaled Mohamad Wajih Mohamad Mikhael Mustafa Confession Nicolas Gerges Fawzi Muneef Mohamad Abbas Tarek Mohamad Yehya Antonios Ali Rahhal Tohme Hbeich Habib Daher Zahraman Merehbi Bouraini Yehya Daher Hussein Sunni 64,113 63,650 63,098 62,698 61,429 59,460 58,217 16,305 14,031 12,622 11,060 Maronite 3,986 3,918 4,481 3,871 3,393 3,736 3,705 6,119 5,978 5,764 6,030 Sunni and 2,416 2,408 2,383 2,372 2,364 2,229 2,237 3,206 3,110 3,151 3,142 A’alawi Orthodox 2,309 2,612 2,446 2,084 1,595 2,010 2,046 6,707 5,826 6,453 6,471 Sunni and 1,852 1,838 1,834 1,822 1,779 1,734 1,751 483 383 383 392 Maronite Orthodox and 1,788 1,827 1,887 1,754 1,734 1,622 1,709 877 936 845 902 Sunni Orthodox and 637 701 682 585 430 516 533 1,774 1,650 1,642 1,540 Maronites Other 475 463 467 434 375 418 420 475 379 451 407 confessions Suuni, Orthdox, 409 427 442 399 382 386 384 498 469 460 486 Maronite A’alawi 111 26 52 95 10 10 8 2,868 2,770 2,870 2,858 Other Christian 104 125 165 83 73 90 95 309 264 232 307 Orthodox and other 96 115 108 109 93 107 110 156 152 159 153 confessions Maronite, Catholics and 65 71 68 66 55 63 66 166 154 166 164 Evangelical Catholics and 63 67 63 63 52 60 61 117 105 116 114 Evangelical Catholics and 55 43 39 39 36 38 37 164 128 162 160 Maronites Orthodox and 48 56 53 50 42 53 61 287 265 277 271 A’alawi Orthodox and 40 39 33 28 19 28 29 391 379 389 389 Catholics Shia’a 34 42 34 40 34 31 36 580 534 579 580 Orthodox and 33 31 41 36 27 31 31 178 168 174 175 other Christians Orthodox, Maronites and 32 45 43 22 21 21 23 178 146 156 167 A’alawi Maronites and 13 17 24 7 3 10 15 58 45 47 59 A’alawi Sunni and Shia’a 5 5 5 7 7 4 11 166 158 161 164 A’alawi and 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 696 686 697 700 Shia’a Total 78,685 78,527 78,450 76,665 73,954 72,658 71,586 42,758 38,716 37,956 36,691
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. 9 | Leader Elections 2009
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Table 2
Ahmad Talal Karim Joseph Saud Mohamad Aref Mahmoud Khaled Khaled Hasan Amer Ali Confession Abdallah Abdallah Ahmad Mustafa Sobhi Ahmad Ibrahim Abdel Ahmad Mahmoud Mohamad Rasi Shahda Yousef Suleiman Khaled Zakaria Kader Khatib Tarraf Alloush Rajab Merehbi Sunni 10,660 9,604 8,477 7,810 717 408 335 349 207 126 97 Maronite 6,101 6,226 5,330 1,216 117 12 30 0 1 2 9
Sunni and 3,104 3,088 2,208 951 349 40 9 0 11 6 2 A’alawi Orthodox 6,185 6,488 6,102 827 554 161 39 7 6 10 16
Sunni and 376 384 372 132 56 17 8 0 2 0 2 Maronite
Orthodox and 851 893 671 401 52 4 31 1 23 5 6 Sunni
Orthodox and 1,609 1,678 1,580 167 160 20 3 0 0 1 1 Maronites
Other 413 419 407 63 96 11 13 2 0 2 4 confessions
Suuni, Orthdox, 446 481 405 73 74 4 0 0 0 3 1 Maronite A’alawi 2,878 2,814 2,622 278 114 13 0 0 0 0 0 Other Christian 252 300 254 69 16 1 0 1 0 0 0 Orthodox and other 153 172 155 16 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 confessions Maronite, Catholics and 158 170 166 10 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 Evangelical
Catholics and 111 119 116 11 9 5 0 0 0 0 0 Evangelical
Catholics and 142 150 135 37 23 1 0 0 0 1 0 Maronites
Orthodox and 274 280 247 19 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 A’alawi
Orthodox and 375 383 355 26 4 6 0 1 0 2 3 Catholics Shia’a 570 574 440 117 14 3 0 0 0 0 3
Orthodox and 181 180 173 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 other Christians Orthodox, Maronites and 152 165 139 26 8 20 0 0 0 0 0 A’alawi
Maronites and 54 55 30 29 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 A’alawi Sunni and Shia’a 161 161 96 63 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
A’alawi and 698 698 660 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shia’a Total 35,904 35,482 31,140 12,406 2,390 732 469 361 250 158 148
Ballot box number 317 belonging to Qashlak municipality was cancelled as a result of its arrival to the Commission in unsealed envelopes
issue 85 - August 2009 Elections 2009 Leader | 10
Batroun District Lebanese Forces advanced in this election where Gebran Bassil Lebanese Forces Advancing and Free from the Free Patriotic Movement gained 43.3% of the votes Patriotic Movement Regressing in 2009 compared to 51.4% on the level of Batroun in 2005. In 2009 and for the first time since 1972, Batroun is considered Antoine Zahra on the other hand (Lebanese Forces) gained as an independent electoral district. When elections took 53.3% in the current 2009 elections compared to 44.3% in place again in Lebanon after a recession that began in 1972 2005 on the level of Batroun. due to the civil war, Batroun was considered in 1992 and 1996 Other results of the elections: elections as part of the North district. In the years 2000 and a Advancement of Harb-Zahra amongst the Maronite level 2005, Batroun was part of the 2nd district of the North along with 55% of the Maronite votes, while the opponent list with Koura, Zgharta, Tripoli and Minnieh. gained 41% of this confession’s votes. On the other hand, Previously, the voter in Batroun was not the one who would Basil-Younes list advanced on the level of the Orthodox decide the outcome of the election. In 2005 for example, MP voters with 54% compared to 43% for the opponent list. Boutros Harb won 14,509 votes on the level of Batroun and a Despite being minorities in the region, the Shia’a and 95,554 on the level of the entire district of the North. MP Sunni voters in Batroun reflected on the general alignment Antoine Zahra gained 12,881 votes on the level of Batroun in the country with 80% of the Sunni voters voting for and 87,645 votes on the level of the entire district of the Harb-Zahra list and 12.7% for the opponent list, and 95% North. On the other hand, Gebran Bassil gained 14,923 votes of the Shia’a voters voting for Basil-Younes list. and 74,807 votes respectively, and Nizar Younes who lost the a The Free Patriotic Movement advanced in the city of elections gained 13,785 votes and 71,684 votes respectively. Batroun (Bassil’s hometown) and scored 65% of the voters The importance of this election is in the battle that fought versus 30% for the opponent list. The opposite was true in between two Maronite groups, Lebanese Forces on one hand Tannourine (Harb’s hometown). Those 2 regions are the and Free Patriotic Movement on the other where the number largest in the district of Batroun and consist of 25% of the of votes increased from 52.3% in 2005 to 56.3% in 2009. The voters. a The 3rd significant region in Batroun in terms of its size Number of registered and actual voters 1960 – 2009 Table 1 is Chekka where the Harb-Zahra list scored 58% of the Year 1960 2000 2005 2009 votes compared to 40% for the opponent list. Number of parliamentary seats: 2 Maronites Number of 29,144 53,963 55,543 58,488 registered voters Number of ballots: 117 Number of actual 14,218 21,104 29,035 32,914 voters Tables 1 and 2 show the numbers of registered and actual % of vote 48.8% 39.1% 52.3% 56.3% voters from 1960 – 2009 and the number of votes obtained by each candidate by confession.
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Table 2 Botrous Faek Nabil Joseph Antoine Gebran Yousef Emile Salim Jean Jamil Gebran Rony Charbel Confession Khoury Moussa Gergi Jebrayel Galinos Michel Mrad Estphan Doumet Harb Zahra Bassil Younes Hkaim Najm Bassil Orthodox 162 164 165 152 0 3 0 0 0 Orthodox 572 557 732 676 20 6 0 1 0 Orthodox and Catholics 103 97 118 113 0 3 0 0 0 Orthodox and Sunni 245 234 449 410 16 3 0 1 0 Orthodox 1,315 1,315 1,220 1,127 58 20 1 3 0 and Maronites Catholics 74 68 63 60 0 1 0 0 0 Catholics and Maronites 150 149 77 69 5 2 0 0 0 Sunni 734 677 135 88 2 6 0 0 0 Shia’a 21 4 424 415 3 1 0 0 0 Other confessions 380 366 252 234 17 6 4 0 0 Maronites 12,536 12,483 9,831 9,057 766 454 40 7 6 Maronites and Orthodox 218 245 128 118 13 25 0 0 0 Maronites and Sunni 775 757 388 363 28 9 0 0 0 Maronites and Shia’a 317 306 101 87 2 1 0 0 0 Maronites and other 293 283 349 315 17 3 0 0 0 confessions Total 17,733 17,541 14,267 13,132 947 540 45 12 6
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. 11 | Leader Elections 2009 Bcharri District A Power-base for the Lebanese Forces
The 2009 parliamentary elections confirmed the strong presense of the Lebanese Forces in Bcharri, Samir Geagea’s hometown.
Contrary to its current status as an independent electoral district, in the 2005 elections, Bcharri district was part of a bigger district of the North which also included the districts of A’akkar and Dinnieh. At that time, Lebanese Forces candidates Sitrida Geagea and Elie Keyrouz won the elections in the Qada’a of Bcharri and in the district as well. This was further reaffirmed in the 2009 elections in their victory over Gebran Taouk (former MP and uncle of Sitrida Geagea), and in their increase in the percentage of votes achieved compared to the pervious elections. Election in this district was almost uncontested and registered a slight increase of 0.2% in the percentage of voters (37%) compared to the pervious elections (36.8%). Sitrida Geagea gained 13,066 votes (76% of actual voters) compared to 12,027 votes (74%) in the pervious elections. As for Elie Keyrouz, he gained 12,751 votes (74.2% of actual voters) compared to 10,839 votes (66.8%) in the previous elections. Photo by Waddah Joma’a - 2009 As for their main opponent, former MP Gebran Taouk, he achieved in the current elections 4,089 votes (23.8% of actual voters) with a slight decrease from the 2005 elections where he had scored 4,111 votes (25.3%).
Tables 1 and 2 show the numbers of registered and actual voters from 1960 – 2009 and the number of votes obtained by each candidate by confession. Number of registered and actual voters 1960 – 2009 Table 1 Year 1960 2000 2005 2009 Number of registered voters 21,334 42,054 43,996 46,496 Number of actual voters 9,362 9,798 16,210 17,183 % of vote 43.9% 23.3% 36.8% 37.0%
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Table 2 Rachid Najib Khalifeh Confession Sitrida Elias Taouk Elie Karam Kayrouz Jibran Melhim Taouk Rahmeh Maronites 12,866 12,559 3,983 1,317 Maronites and other confessions 110 105 68 32 Orthodox 90 87 38 0 Total 13,066 12,751 4,089 1,349
issue 85 - August 2009 Elections 2009 Leader | 12 Koura District Parliamentary elections in the district of Koura were Change of Koura obtained approximately 900 votes (20%). characterized with a strong competition as a result of As for the Shia’a voters, they gave their overwhelming the diversity of the majority of voters. Lebanese Forces, support (95%) to the candidates of Change of Koura. It is the Future Movement and the Phalange Party together worth noting that in a predominantly Christian Orthodox have a strong presence, as is the case of the Free Patriotic constituency, Orthodox and Christian voters split their Movement, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, and other votes between the two competing lists, while there was a independent candidates. heavy Sunni and Shia’a turnout in favor of both lists.
The district of Koura has predominantly Orthodox Note: In the distribution of ballots according to the decision voters and MPs. It includes the largest number of Greek of the Ministry of Interior, we mentioned the confessional Orthodox voters (around 38,000) and of Greek Orthodox identity of voters in the ballots that were named under “other MPs (3 MPs out of 14 in all Lebanon). However, election confessions” or where confessions were not determined. results show that the Sunni votes were preponderant in the The aim was to identify the confessions of voters, instead of final result. The list of the Decision of Koura (March 14 using the term “other or different confessions” that would and pro-government) included Farid Makari, Farid Habib be absurd for both researchers and readers. and Nicholas Ghosn and obtained 14,141 votes, while the list of the Change of Koura (March 8 and opposition) Number of parliamentary sears: 3 for the Orthodox included George Atallah, Fayez Ghosn and Salim Saadeh Number of ballots: 103 and obtained 12,111 votes, thus a difference of 2,030 votes. Tables 1 and 2 show the numbers of registered and actual The number of Sunni voters reached approximately 6,800, voters from 1960 – 2009 and the number of votes obtained of whom around 4,700 cast ballot. The list of the Decision by each candidate by confession. of Koura obtained 3,250 votes (70%), while the list of the
Number of registered and actual voters 1960 - 2009 Table 1 Year 1960 2000 2005 2009 Number of registered voters 28,489 53,963 56,249 58,037 Number of actual voters 13,327 21,104 23,307 27,418 % of votes 46.8% 39.1% 41.4% 47.2%
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Table 2 Farid Farid Nabil Isshac Nicholas Georges Fayez Salim Simaan Georges Georges Confession Makari Yousef Fouad Naim Michel Abdallah Yaacoub Semaan Najib Borji Habib Ghosn Atallah Ghosn Saadeh Lakis Wehbe Orthodox 6,134 5,590 5,479 6,236 5,998 6,055 371 87 216 Orthodox and Maronites 1,943 1,812 1,735 1,730 1,734 1,656 53 17 74 Sunni 1,908 1,722 1,809 422 511 511 26 1 3 Maronites 1,690 1,694 1,584 765 855 672 8 3 8 Maronites and Sunni 1,666 1,506 1,570 550 646 651 3 1 28 Orthodox and other confessions 515 475 472 643 629 608 48 19 10 Maronites and other 395 407 404 418 424 409 26 4 5 confessions Orthodox and Sunni 337 294 301 342 349 370 5 4 7 Other confessions 162 140 140 295 301 289 3 2 3 Maronites and Shia’a 136 134 127 138 143 136 0 1 3 Orthodox and other Christians 52 35 41 265 263 282 10 6 16 Shia’a 14 0 0 350 348 341 0 0 4 Total 14,952 13,809 13,662 12,154 12,201 11,980 553 145 377
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. 13 | Leader Elections 2009
Minnieh-Dinnieh District Sunni with pro-government and Christians divided between pro-government and opposition forces
The parliamentary election in the district of Minnieh- of the Maronite votes, whereas former opposition MP Dinnieh was almost uncontested, with a complete list for Jihad Samad got 58.6% of the Orthodox votes and 50% of March 14 and pro-government forces versus independent the Maronites. candidates close to either March 14 or March 8. This district enjoys a Sunni dominance of 85%, with a strong It is noteworthy that the percentage of votes per confession presence for Future Movement where they easily won is approximate due to the difficulty of calculating accurate all seats with a huge difference of a minimum of 20,000 figures especially in the mixed ballots. between the last winner and the first loser. Number of parliamentary seats: 3 Sunni The vast majority of the Sunni (72%) voted for Future Number of ballots: 153 Movement. On the other hand, the minority of Christian Tables 1 and 2 show the numbers of registered and actual voters (Maronites and Orthodox) were divided between voters from 1960 – 2009 and the number of votes obtained the pro-government and the opposition. The Future by each candidate by confession. Movement achieved 43% of the Orthodox votes and 50% Number of registered and actual voters 1960 - 2009 Table 1 Year 1960 2000 2005 2009 Number of registered voters 20,721 76,310 87,089 97,709 Number of actual voters 12,657 38,883 48,637 55,291 % of vote 61.1% 51.0% 55.8% 56.6%
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Table 2
Ahmad Hashem Abdel Jamil Abdel Kassem Shawki Mohamad Jihad Asaad Kamal Basset Ahmad Ahmad Kader Mohamad Toufic Confession Ali Abdel Mohamad Morchid Ahmad Mohamad Abdel Mohamad Borhan Ahmad Yousef Aziz Khodor Mustafa Samad Harmoush Saleh Kheir Rahman Shandab El-Ali Mohamad Alameddine Dheibi Fatfat Alameddine Abeid Raad Chami Sunni 35,034 33,386 32,201 12,272 5,288 3,770 1,428 1,029 1,120 1,076 1,337 890 Orthodox 1,116 1,058 1,110 1,469 140 917 172 192 245 205 116 7 Maronites 722 694 570 646 26 385 115 286 36 57 8 0 Sunni and other 684 737 584 474 151 106 44 135 61 15 1 2 Christians Sunni and 598 573 493 170 144 39 49 3 4 16 1 0 Maronites Sunni and 598 535 517 342 77 139 35 109 30 5 6 5 Orthodox Orthodox and other 330 297 306 296 98 191 33 19 119 82 20 2 confessions Other 192 203 174 156 76 49 25 13 9 17 21 7 confessions Sunni and 145 136 136 267 33 11 92 5 1 71 0 17 Shia’a Orthodox and 72 48 68 44 1 24 0 1 0 0 0 0 Maronites Total 39,491 37,667 36,159 16,136 6,034 5,631 1,993 1,792 1,625 1,544 1,510 930
issue 85 - August 2009 14 | Leader Elections 2009 Tripoli District The Alliance of the Mighty Predetermined the Outcome
The district of Tripoli is considered one of the significant electoral constituencies due to the high number of voters (200,000) and deputies (eight) in a single constituency. The city is ranked third following the districts of Ba’albeck- Hermel and Beirut 3rd district. In addition to Beirut 3rd district, Tripoli contains the highest number of Sunni MPs (5 for each district). The fact that the strongest parliamentary candidate in the district is one of the possible contenders for the premiership is another reason for its heavy weight.
The electoral agreement among the three strongest figures in the city (Future Movement, Najib Mikati and Mohamad Safadi) determined the certain victory of the Tripoli Alliance list. It also indicated, beforehand, the undeniable loss of those who were not part of the list, notably Omar Karameh, Mosbah Ahdab and Jean Obeid.
Breakdown of results: a The number of registered voters reached 196,061, of whom 90,760 cast their ballots in 2009 (46.3%) compared to 42.1% in the 2005 polls.
a Sunni voters form 80% of total registered electors and in the 2009 polls they amounted to 84% of total electors. The high percentage is an indication that the Sunni vote had a decisive and determinant impact on the outcome, although there are three non-Sunni seats in the district.
a The results of the elections confirmed the regression of the opposition’s strength and presence in the city of Tripoli. The opposition failed to form a unified and official list, pushing Omar Karameh to announce a ticket that included him and his adviser Khaldoun al-Sharif. Consequently, only 33.5% of voters elected Omar Karameh with a difference of 12,764 votes in favor of the competing list’s last winner (Ahmed Karameh) and 36,407 votes for its first winner Minister Mohamad Safadi.
a A’alawi candidate Badr Wannous of the Tripoli Alliance list received 406 of votes, out of a total of 7,000 A’alawi voters, compared to 5,723 in favor of his competitor Rifaat Ali Eid.
a While Sunni voters voted in their majority for the Tripoli Alliance list, A’alawi electors were more inclined to cast their ballots in favor of candidates seen more inclined toward the opposition. Meanwhile, Christian voters, from all sects, voted almost equally for both sides. Due to the low number of Christian voters, their votes did not impact the final outcome.
Number of parliamentary seats: 8 - 5 for the Sunni, 1 for the Maronites, 1 for the Orthodox and 1 for the A’alawi Number of ballots: 268
Tables 1 and 2 show the number of registered and actual voters from 1960 – 2009 and the number of votes obtained by each candidate by confession.
Number of registered and actual voters 1960 - 2009 Table 1 Year 1960 2000 2005 2009
Number of registered 53,673 159,424 175,601 196,061 voters
Number of actual 29,053 59,958 73,998 90,760 voters % of vote 54.1% 37.6% 42.1% 46.3%
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. Elections 2009 Leader | 15
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Mohamad Mohamad Mohamad Bilal Mohamad Robert Samir Samer Ahmad Jean Omar Abdel Rafli Khaldoun Najib Abdel Musbah Sahid Confession Ahmad Maurice Adnan Georges Mustapha Badawi Hamid Antoun Salim Azmi Latif Aouwni Sahid Safadi Fadel Jisr Saadeh Karameh Obeid Karameh Diab Sharif Mikati Kabbara Ahdab Jrad Sunni 54,616 57,995 50,875 50,527 49,227 45,250 39,278 20,715 19,243 11,831 12,180 16,078 9,327 A’alawi 5,318 838 338 354 391 298 371 6,037 6,067 5,957 5,922 130 5,689 Orthodox 1,863 1,955 1,439 1,452 1,509 1,425 1,002 1,490 1,375 1,534 1,090 841 392
Other 572 507 407 667 643 557 517 251 375 confessions 828 721 576 567 Armenian Orthodox, 643 66 31 41 38 22 31 767 775 739 747 11 725 Shia’a, A’alawi Orthodox, Sunni, 515 540 446 425 426 376 324 281 256 167 186 173 119 Maronites Sunni, Armenian 399 462 369 384 362 320 296 221 194 140 144 115 91 Orthodox Orthodox and 224 206 189 149 142 93 94 79 97 Sunni 288 293 227 239 Sunni and 255 229 199 107 88 58 63 68 35 Latin 275 308 262 256 Sunni and 185 171 161 174 176 101 112 81 90 Maronites 236 280 207 194 Orthodox and 170 160 110 225 211 215 173 82 89 Maronites 227 241 176 169 Other 140 141 87 205 200 208 185 98 96 Christians 209 203 144 142 Orthodox and 183 152 153 157 168 89 99 97 70 Sunni 206 259 186 209 Maronites 184 183 155 150 144 159 91 93 97 96 75 85 21 Sunni, Armenian 118 100 96 139 132 126 94 50 60 Catholics and 166 194 111 120 Catholics Orthodox and 116 114 77 115 116 100 88 60 33 Evangelical 135 130 129 113 Orthodox and 108 108 83 99 97 80 71 54 27 Catholics 134 132 122 105 Armenian Orthodox, 47 47 34 83 82 87 79 21 13 Latine and 107 107 45 46 Druze Orthodox, Armenian 82 77 45 47 50 44 33 56 7 Orthodox and 106 104 85 69 Latin Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox 104 135 78 80 80 81 63 132 123 144 117 40 53 and Syrian Catholics Orthodox, Armenian 96 89 46 57 58 48 41 58 11 Catholics and 104 105 96 87 Maronites Armenian Orthodox, Armenian 95 96 35 38 37 38 25 94 94 99 89 22 19 Catholics and Latin Armenian 70 71 44 70 70 61 50 39 18 Orthodox 97 97 77 66 Total 66,855 65,444 56,209 55,833 54,580 50,141 43,212 32,124 30,448 22,574 22,349 18,589 17,457
issue 85 - August 2009 16 | Leader Elections 2009
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Table 2 Mohamad Rami Fadi Hassan Mohamad Mohamad Mohamad Nasser Mustapha Hoda Ali Riad Rifaat Ali Anas Mohamad Mohamad Confession Sahid Rodwan Ahmad Hammoud Mohamad Rashad Mohamad Mohamad Seifeddine Eid Abdallah Yasser Yasser Shahhal Zakkour Trabolsi Jahjah Khodor Awad Sankari Ajaya Salhab Nadime Jisr Dorgham Adra Sunni 6,890 6,619 7,035 1,025 1,140 490 628 652 344 221 165 116 83 A’alawi 5,723 5,347 62 95 14 11 43 17 26 2 8 69 12 Orthodox 1,031 833 149 24 7 141 7 8 54 48 84 3 3 Other confessions 466 370 91 20 12 11 7 6 18 8 9 5 1 Armenian Orthodox, Shia’a, 728 666 18 4 2 0 12 2 1 0 0 2 0 A’alawi Orthodox, Sunni, Maronites 119 100 86 21 7 4 3 6 6 1 2 3 3 Sunni, Armenian Orthodox 84 87 46 11 7 4 5 10 4 1 3 2 0 Orthodox and Sunni 59 42 40 3 14 1 2 4 0 0 1 3 0 Sunni and Latin 38 40 14 4 1 2 3 6 0 0 0 2 0 Sunni and Maronites 70 53 59 12 16 1 5 4 2 1 1 1 2 Orthodox and Maronites 173 120 17 3 1 11 0 3 2 6 2 0 0 Other Christians 157 100 14 8 3 7 0 2 9 8 6 0 2 Orthodox and Sunni 61 42 42 7 9 4 8 2 1 0 2 0 0 Maronites 77 38 51010023400 Sunni, Armenian Catholics and 96 49 29 2 4 17 1 0 2 4 5 0 1 Catholics Orthodox and Evangelical 84 51 11020043100 Orthodox and Catholics 71 48 43210053200 Armenian Orthodox, Latine 28 19 10020001000 and Druze Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox and 33 14 20031020100 Latin Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox and 108 91 8 2 0 17 0 0 6 5 7 0 1 Syrian Catholics Orthodox, Armenian Catholics and 32 27 41022050100 Maronites Armenian Orthodox, Armenian 39 28 12050003000 Catholics and Latin Armenian Orthodox 48 28 10 0 4 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 Total 16,215 14,812 7,738 1,249 1,243 737 727 722 496 318 304 206 108
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. 17 | Leader Elections 2009
Zgharta District Frangieh won but fell back, Mouawad lost but progressed
According to the election law, Zgharta was considered as The new divisions change the results a district during the 2009 parliamentary elections. As a The electoral divisions according to the 1960 electoral result, the district returned as it was in accordance to the law adopted during the 2009 elections brought back the 1960 electoral law and based on which the 1960 and 1972 independence of the voters in Zgharta district after making elections took place. As for the elections that took place it an independent district from the other districts in the after the end of the war in 1992 and the adoption of Al North. The results were different compared to 2005 when Ta’if agreement, Zgharta was considered as part of a bigger the list of Suleiman Frangieh (which included: Suleiman district. In fact, in the 1992 and 1996 elections, Zgharta Frangieh, Estephan Doueihi, Salim Karam) obtained an was part of the North province district which included all average of 17,575 votes in Zgharta (59.3%) and Frangieh the districts of the North. In the 2000 and 2005 elections, obtained 69.1%, while Nayla Mouawad’s list (which Zgharta was part of the second district of North Lebanon included: Nayla Mouawad, Jawad Boulos, Samir Frangieh) which included in addition to Zgharta the districts of obtained an average of 9,690 votes (32.9%) and Mouawad Batroun, Koura, Tripoli, Minnieh. obtained 37.1%. The current 2009 elections registered a high number of Zgharta loses its impact voters compared to the 2005 elections (48.4% compared to During the elections that took place between 1992 and 44.2% respectively). In this context, the number of voters 2005, and within this large district, the Maronite voice lost reached 34,700 of which Frangieh obtained 55.4% and its power in Zgharta especially with regards to alignments an average of 18,061 votes for his list (52%) while Michel and sectarian count witnessed in Lebanon since 2005. As Mouawad obtained 46.8% and an average of 14,903 votes a result, the final call in Zgharta became in the hands of for his list (43%). the “Muslim majority” especially in Tripoli and Al Mina. Frangieh witnessed a draw back of 13.7% and 7.3% for This is significant considering the importance of the his list, while Michel Mouawad (who replaced his mother Maronites in Zgharta in terms of the number of voters Nayla Mouawad) achieved a progress with 9.7% and and the number of deputies (3 Maronite deputies). During 10.1% for his list. This reduced the difference between the 2005 elections, the number of registered voters in the the two competitive lists from 7,885 votes to 3,158 votes second district of North Lebanon reached 392,311 of between the 2005 and the 2009 elections. The difference who 177,332 cast ballot. As for Zgharta, the number of was also reduced between the first loser and the last winner voters reached 66,986 (17%) and the number of electors in Zgharta from 4,602 to 922 votes. reached 29,635 (16.7%). Accordingly, the three Maronite candidates in Zgharta with the largest number of votes in The results by religion show the following: this district lost the election. On the other hand, the other a Suleiman Frangieh’s list obtained 56% of the Maronite candidates won with a minimum number of votes because votes, while Michel Mouawad’s list obtained 38%. they exceeded their competitors in other districts especially in Tripoli and Minnieh. In this context, Suleimen Frangieh a Suleiman Frangieh’s list obtained 31% of the Sunni lost the parliamentary elections with 82,670 votes of which votes, while Michel Mouawad’s list obtained 64%. 20,945 votes in Zgharta, while Nayla Mouawad won with 93,032 votes of which 10,945 votes in Zgharta. Other a Suleiman Frangieh’s list obtained 65.7% of the votes, winning candidates were Jawad Boulos (91,887 votes of while Michel Mouawad’s list obtained 29.3% in which 9,798 votes in Zgharta) and Samir Frangieh (90,830 Zgharta. of which 8,326 votes in Zgharta). Among those who lost were Estephan Doueihi (68,048 of which 16,684 votes in Number of parliamentary seats: 3 for the Maronites Zgharta) and Salim Karam (65,329 votes of which 15,547 Number of ballots: 128 votes in Zgharta), and Fayez Karam (75,912 votes of which 19,705 votes in Zgharta). Tables 1 and 2 show the numbers of registered and actual voters from 1960 – 2009 and the number of votes obtained by each candidate by confession.
issue 85 - August 2009 Elections 2009 Leader | 18
Number of registered and actual voters 1960 – 2009 Table 1 Year 1960 2000 2005 2009 Number of registered 30,636 62,403 66,986 71,656 voters Number of actual voters 12,810 25,599 29,635 34,699 % of vote 41.8% 41.0% 44.2% 48.4%
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Table 2
Yousef Suleiman Estphan Salim Michel Jawad Sarkis Kaisar Yousef Assad Romanos Confession Antoine Botrous Yousef Rene Simon Bahaa Farid Simaan Yousef Touma Franjieh Dwaihi Karam Mouawad Boulos Dwaihi Mouawad Obeid Karam Boulos
Maronites 15,378 14,336 13,881 10,768 10,110 8,507 979 253 189 18
Sunni 1,221 1,087 1,063 2,475 2,369 2,175 87 22 0 0
Maronites and 1,083 982 929 1,437 1,337 1,215 149 23 6 3 Sunni
Maronites and 798 701 673 645 641 501 45 16 1 2 Orthodox
Orthodox 260 237 212 188 156 117 15 7 0 0
Maronites and other 282 256 243 405 409 340 39 33 0 0 confessions
Orthodox and Sunni 104 99 93 236 217 201 10 0 1 0
Other confessions 101 86 79 97 92 72 11 1 1 0
Total 19,227 17,784 17,173 16,251 15,331 13,128 1,335 355 198 23
Photo by Waddah Joma’a - 2009
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. 19 | Leader Elections 2009
Beirut 1st district The Sunni-Armenian Factor
In May 2008, rival Lebanese leaders met in the Qatari a The highest turnout was among the Sunni at 54.5% capital of Doha in an attempt to end the political-security followed by the Shia’a at 52.2% – a minority in this crisis that was gripping Lebanon by forming a new district – 47.2% for Greek Orthodox voters and 43.4% government and endorsing an electoral law for the June for Maronites. 7, 2009 parliamentary polls. The final shape of Beirut 1st a Although Beirut 1st district was shaped as a Christian district proved to be a major point of disagreement during district, i.e. unaffected by the choices of Sunni or Shia’a deliberations. Leaders argued over its size, the number voters, the Sunni vote had a great impact on the outcome of representatives in parliament and whether it will have of the elections. Sunni voters managed to “cripple” the a Christian weight or include Muslim regions. Following progress achieved by the lists of the opposition and intensive “rope pulling,” they agreed on a formula under March 8 among Armenian-Orthodox and Armenian- which the seat of Christian minorities would be transferred Catholic voters. The Sunni factor gave an additional to Beirut 3rd district instead of Beirut 1st district as some boost to the March 14 list, which was already standing had been requesting. strong among Maronite, Greek Orthodox and Greek The texts of the original 1960 law and the amended version Catholic voters. The March 14 list won by an average are identical except for the redistribution of Beirut’s three margin of 2,742 votes. The number of Sunni voters districts. Beirut 1, under the old law, included Mdawar, reached 3,145, of whom 2,615 (83%) voted for March Achrafieh, Rmeil, Saifi, Marfa, Minaa al-Hosn with eight 14 compared to 432 (13.7%) in favor of March 8. seats in parliament (the number of deputies was 99). Seen a By contrast, 3,594 Armenian Orthodox voters (74%) as a Christian district, Beirut 1st district was considered the voted for the March 8 list compared to 1,123 (23.1%) largest of the capital’s constituencies in terms of voters and for March 14. representatives. a The list of March 14 won 57% of Greek Orthodox votes Under the amended law, Beirut 1 included Achrafieh, compared to 41% for March 8. Rmeil, Saifi with five seats in parliament. The remaining a Similarly, March 14 received 57.7% of Maronite votes regions were added to Beirut 2nd and 3rd districts. The compared to 40% for March 8. final agreement on Beirut’s districts was seen as a solution a March 14 received 58% of Greek Catholic votes to meet part of the Christian demands. compared to 40% for March 8. From the 1992 elections until 2005, the distribution a For their part, the majority of Sunni voters elected of Beirut’s districts was changed and amended. In the March 14 candidates, while Shia’a voters mostly voted 1992 and 1996 elections Beirut was considered a single for March 8. The list of March 8 received 88% of Shia’a constituency while in 2000 and 2005 it was divided into votes compared to 10% for the competing list. three districts leading to the “dispersal” of the Christian vote in constituencies that have a Muslim/Sunni majority Number of parliamentary seats – 5: 1 for the Maronites, 1 and a Shia’a minority. for the Orthodox, 1 for the Catholics, 1 for the Armenian The outcome in the new district offered several indications, Orthodox and 1 for the Armenian Catholics. notably: Number of polling stations: 129 a Voter turnout increased significantly to 40.1% compared to 14.3% in 2005 and 24.9% in 2000. The vast difference Tables 1 and 2 show the numbers of registered and actual is explained by the intensity of competition and a belief voters from 1960 – 2009 and the number of votes obtained among voters that their votes were significant and by each candidate by confession. “fateful” in nature.
Number of registered and actual voters 1960 – 2009 Table 1-a Year 1960 2000 2005 2009 Number of registered voters 44,625 88,919 90,642 92,959 Number of actual voters 18,745 22,172 12,933 37,284 % of vote 42.0% 24.9% 14.3% 40.1%
issue 85 - August 2009 Elections 2009 Leader | 20
Number of registered and actual voters per region in Beirut 1st district 2005 - 2009 Table 1-b Note: For the results of the Year 2005 2009 1960-2000-2005 elections # of registered # of registered Region voters # of actual voters % voters # of actual voters % we followed the division of Achrafieh 52,007 8,880 17.1% 53,904 23,517 43.6% constituencies as adopted in Rmeil 29,096 2,944 10.1% 29,570 10,463 35.4% the 2009 elections. Saifi 9,539 1,109 11.6% 9,411 3,230 34.3% Total 90,642 12,933 14.3% 92,885 37,210 40.1% Excluding Excluding employees employees
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Table 2
Nayla Michel Nadime Massoud Krikwar Warij Nicolas Issam Georges Confession Gebran Pierre Bachir Jean Ltfeik Serj Barg Tor Joseph Antoine Ardashes Maurice Nicolas Khristo Tueni Pharoan Gmayel Ogasapian Sarkisian Achkar Caloust Sabonjian Sehnaoui Abou Jamra Forides
Orthodox 6,570 6,484 6,295 6,298 6,305 4,806 4,544 4,568 4,560 4,439 99 Maronites 4,056 3,972 3,937 3,909 3,903 2,839 2,735 2,724 2,745 2,667 39 Catholics 2,378 2,352 2,299 2,302 2,309 1,676 1,600 1,591 1,611 1,564 14 Sunni 2,622 2,627 2,589 2,617 2,618 441 429 428 428 433 4 Armenian Orthodox 1,163 1,153 1,114 1,109 1,075 3,579 3,655 3,625 3,565 3,543 2 Syriac Catholics 662 662 652 641 643 620 619 615 605 598 5 Armenian Catholics 486 474 464 465 459 857 870 862 855 843 3 Syriac Orthodox, Evangelical, 229 229 222 221 221 273 271 271 266 270 0 Israeli Syriac Catholic, Chaldean Catholic 211 210 205 205 204 111 106 106 104 104 0 Syriac Catholic, Chaldean, Catholic and 206 200 200 201 198 148 146 144 145 142 1 Sunni Other confessions 203 195 191 195 191 179 177 171 176 174 2 Syriac Catholic, Chaldean Catholic, 197 192 189 191 193 93 82 85 90 86 0 Evangelical, Sunni and Druze Assyrian, Druze, A’alawi and 181 180 178 177 177 49 47 47 47 48 0 Chaldean Latin and Shia’a 167 167 168 163 163 209 212 212 211 210 0 Orthodox and Catholics 149 147 143 143 146 98 95 97 95 93 0 Latin 147 140 143 138 140 118 116 119 120 112 1 Armenian Catholics, Shia’a 120 118 121 117 117 152 152 152 154 147 5 and Israeli Armenian Orthodox, Latin, Syriac Orthodox, 96 101 101 92 89 113 115 114 112 106 2 A’alawi Shia’a 82 84 73 79 78 697 690 691 689 693 0 Evengelical 60 55 56 54 52 151 156 156 152 149 0 Total 19,985 19,742 19,340 19,317 19,281 17,209 16,817 16,778 16,730 16,421 177
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. 21 | Leader Elections 2009
Beirut 2nd District lowest voters turnout at only 27.3%. After the uncontested The Sunni Vote for Future Movement and the election of the two Armenian Orthodox candidates, the Sunni Shia’a for the Opposition and Shia’a – represented by Future Movement, Hizbullah and Amal Movement – reaffirmed their commitment to the In May 2008, the Qatari capital of Doha brokered national Doha agreement. The gentlemen’s agreement did not prevent talks among Lebanese political leaders on a new electoral “a formality” battle to take place on the ground with 89% of law aimed at striking a balance between the March 8 and Sunni voters electing Machnouk compared to 25% for Kobeisi. opposition and March 14 and pro-government forces. They Similarly, Shia’a voters did not commit to the accord with 95% agreed to adopt an amended version of the 1960 electoral law voting for Kobeisi, 13.2% for Machnouk and 66% for Sunni after the redistribution of Beirut’s three districts. A sticking candidate Adnan Arakji who is close to the opposition. Only point however was the division of Beirut 2nd district with 6.3% of Sunni voters voted for Arakji. both sides insisting to share the district’s four seats. Eventually, Number of parliamentary seats: 4 (2 for the Armenian the Doha Agreement crippled the active voting process in the Orthodox, 1 for the Shia’a and 1 for the Sunni) district with the two Armenian Orthodox candidates winning Number of ballots: 145 uncontested (opposition candidate Artur Nazarian on behalf of Tables 1 and 2 show the numbers of registered and actual Tashnaq and pro-government contender Sabouh Kalbankian voters from 1960 – 2009 and the number of votes obtained by representing al-Hashnag). The elections in Beirut 2nd district each candidate by confession. was a mere formality and saw the victory of Sunni candidate Number of registered and actual voters 1960 – 2009 Table 1-a Nuhad Machnouk of Future Movement, Shia’a runner Hani Year 1960 2000 2005 2009 Number of 43,947 91,885 95,373 101,868 Kobeisi of Amal Movement (after the withdrawal of the registered voters Shia’a candidate from the race). The announced agreement Number of actual 22,172 29,551 21,315 27,787 between the two sides in Beirut 2nd district was behind the voters % of vote 50.5% 32.2% 22.3% 27.3%
Number of registered and actual voters per region in Beirut 2nd district 2005 - 2009 Table 1-b Year 2005 2009 # of registered # of registered Region voters # of actual voters % voters # of actual voters % Bashoura 41,853 16,431 39.3% 49,972 19,114 38.2% Mdawar 41,912 10,494 25.0% 42,177 5,561 13.2% Marfa (Port) 8,120 2,626 32.3% 9,601 3,010 31.4% Total 91,885 29,551 32.2% 101,750 27,685 27.2% Excluding Excluding employees employees
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Nuhad Saleh Hani Hasan Adnan Ahmad Mouhidine Ali Abbas Mohamad Jalal Mohamad Confession Machnouk Kobeisi Arakji Majbour Yaghi Kabrit Sunni 12,544 3,519 886 48 143 9 Armenian Orthodox 1,353 1,247 144 7 10 0 Shia’a 1,334 9,484 6,648 164 26 0 Maronites 342 157 99 2 4 0 Other confessions 194 154 77 3 6 0 Catholics 176 126 74 1 3 0 Orthodox 151 54 47 1 0 0 Armenian Catholics 140 130 30 2 0 1 Evangelical 92 69 3 0 0 0 Latin 81 50 16 0 1 0 Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox 68 54 20 0 0 0 Armenian Catholics and Syriac Catholics 46 39 17 1 1 0 Orthodox, Israeli and Armenian Orthodox 46 28 4 0 0 0 Syriac Catholics 16 15 6 2 1 0 Total 16,583 15,126 8,071 231 195 10 Artur Nazarian and Sabouh Kalbankian were uncontested winners
issue 85 - August 2009 22 | Leader Elections 2009 Beirut 3rd District Sunni-Shia’a Antinomy
Beirut 3rd district is the second largest district in Lebanon with 252,524 electors, after Ba’albeck-Hermel disctrict. Both districts have the same number of seats (10 seats) and mirrored each other with the dominance of the Sunni voters and Future Movement in the Beirut 3rd district which resulted in its winning of all 10 seats and Shia’a voters and Hizbullah in Ba’albeck-Hermel and their winning also of all 10 seats.
The March 8 and opposition forces were not looking into winning any seat in the Beirut 3rd district. Rather, they were hoping to grab a significant number of votes especially from the Sunni. However, the results of the elections were not as they had hoped where the Future Movement achieved 74% of the votes and the March 8 and opposition got only 20.7%. The average difference between both lists was 55,214 votes, with the 89% of the Sunni who voted for the Future Movement and only 6.2% of them who gave their votes to the March 8 and opposition. As for the Shia’a voters, 90% of them voted for March 8 and the opposition compared to 6.9% who voted for Future Movement, a percentage which increased the opposition’s number of votes. In this respect, the Sunni and Shia’a votes, regardless of their numerical differences, their percentages were similar. In this particular district, ballots number 51 and 52 in Mina El Hosn were dedicated to the voting of the Israeli confession. Only 5 of the 4,557 registered voters cast their votes. Beirut 3rd district consisted of 6 regions in the 2009 elections. They are Mina El Hosn, Daer Mreisseh, Mazara’a, Msaitbeh, Zqaq el Blat, Modawar and Marfaa with a majority of Sunni voters and 7 seats (2 Sunni, 2 Armenian Orthodox, 1 Armenian Catholics, 1 Druze and 1 Shia’a). As for the divisions adopted in the 1960 elections, it consisted of 3 regions namely: Ras Beirut, Msaitbeh and Mazra’a with 5 seats (4 Sunni and 1 Orthodox). .Number of parliamentary seats: 10 seats – 5 Sunni, 1 Shia’a, 1 Druze, 1 Orthodox، 1 Evangelical and 1 minorities Number of ballots: 339
Tables 1 and 2 show the numbers of registered and actual voters from 1960 – 2009 and the number of votes obtained by each candidate by confession.
Number of registered and actual voters 1960 – 2009 Table 1 Year 1960 2000 2005 2009 Number of registered 78,090 216,749 233,829 252,524 voters Number of actual voters 32,798 90,007 81,558 103,243 % of vote 42.0% 41.5% 34.9% 40.9%
Number of registered and actual voters per region in Beirut 3rd district 2005 - 2009 Table 1-b Year 2005 2009 # of registered # of registered Region voters # of actual voters % voters # of actual voters % Ras Beirut 29,980 10,023 33.4% 32,315 12,576 38.9% Mina Hosn 13,458 1,551 11.5% 13,434 2,479 18.5% Dar Mreisseh 10,580 3,630 34.3% 11,106 4,400 39.6% Mazraa 74,262 33,034 44.5% 80,490 38,225 47.5% Msaitbeh 63,045 22,930 36.4% 68,140 27,818 40.8% Zqaq El Blat 42,504 10,390 24.4% 46,655 17,399 37.3% Total 233,829 81,558 34.9% 252,140 102,897 40.8% Excluding employees Excluding employees
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. Elections 2009 Leader | 23
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Table 2 Bahaa Saad Tamam Ghazi Mohamad Bassem Ghazi Nabil Ammar Atef Imad Rafik Najah Omar Eddine Confession Eddine Saeb Hani Jamil Ramzi Ali Moussa Omar Morched Midhat Khalil nis Abdel Abdel Rafik Salam Aridi Kabbani Chab Yousef De Freij Houri Saliba Hout Nass- Wakim Qader Latif Hariri Majdalani rallah Ghandour Itani Sunni 70,635 69,294 69,199 69,084 69,103 69,049 69,036 68,916 68,853 68,940 5,412 5,297 5,097 5,082 Orthodox 2,082 2,101 2,030 1,981 1,939 1,962 1,950 1,951 1,912 1,838 1,176 1,044 1,126 1,085 Shiaia 1,183 1,105 1,136 1,060 1,042 1,068 1,045 1,026 1,034 1,025 14,297 14,140 14,096 13,976 Druze 728 711 710 716 717 716 714 713 720 710 31 36 37 28 Other confessions 624 621 621 606 592 605 598 603 602 581 182 285 265 261 Latin and Druze 523 515 521 516 520 521 520 521 518 516 30 31 31 29 Maronites 430 433 426 407 417 415 420 408 420 381 157 141 146 147 Orthodox and Druze 372 370 373 369 356 369 367 364 366 360 24 24 24 24 Syriac Orthodox 290 281 272 260 259 262 241 264 268 250 219 227 215 209 Catholics 278 270 278 260 265 257 265 256 255 241 136 136 124 126 Latin and Maronites 270 269 263 261 263 256 269 258 266 238 72 70 71 67 Syriac Catholics 163 162 163 153 155 154 123 154 148 157 90 95 91 86 Catholics. Armenian Catholics and 123 122 122 122 121 121 129 120 125 112 41 42 35 42 Evangelical Evangelical 120 119 119 113 117 111 112 109 109 96 52 56 49 55 Armenian Orthodox 101 102 102 101 101 102 98 101 102 96 77 78 75 75 Maronites and Evangelical 89 90 87 85 87 84 86 86 84 79 49 51 49 48 Armenian Orthodox, Druze and 86 85 86 85 86 86 84 85 85 83 18 18 18 17 Syriac Catholics Latin and Orthodox 82 82 82 79 79 79 82 79 78 76 27 24 27 26 Catholics and Evangelical 80 77 78 77 78 78 78 76 77 76 45 48 45 44 Maronites, Chaldean 47 47 46 46 46 46 47 46 46 46 24 22 23 24 Catholics Orthodox and Armenian 44 37 42 36 37 38 42 35 41 34 37 34 38 34 Catholics Armenian Catholics and 24 21 22 21 22 Armenian 27 27 25 26 25 26 26 25 25 Orthodox Israeli 55555555550000 Total 78,382 76,925 76,786 76,448 76,410 76,410 76,337 76,201 76,139 75,964 22,217 21,921 21,703 21,507
issue 85 - August 2009 24 | Leader Elections 2009
Votes obtained by each candidate by confession Table 2 Abdel Mohama Ibrahim Georges Edmond Remond Nasser Khalid Mohamad Vikan Ghazi Aref Bchara Ghazi Adel Abdel Zouhair Saleh Makram Confession Georges Abdallah Yousef Dalal Harotioun Mounzer Jamil Saleh Rahman Ibrahim Mohamad Bolous Asmar Jiri Daouk Halabi Ashkhanian Merhej Khamis Daouk Khatib Arakji Boutros Sunni 4,634 4,865 4,628 4,770 4,523 4,509 876 417 71 225 153 59 Orthodox 1,200 968 1,123 1,099 1,105 1,053 372 2 3 8 19 64 Shiaia 14,006 13,992 13,973 13,811 14,024 13,979 163 43 372 70 42 24 Druze 27 27 27 42 27 27 0 1 0 2 0 7 Other confessions 284 254 253 266 270 252 17 1 3 2 3 1 Latin and Druze 30 29 29 29 29 27 3 0 0 0 1 0 Maronites 160 132 153 145 147 140 21 0 4 4 3 12 Orthodox and Druze 21 20 20 24 23 24 3 0 0 0 1 0 Syriac Orthodox 283 204 216 212 215 201 14 0 0 0 0 14 Catholics 133 114 132 121 119 111 20 0 0 1 3 6 Latin and Maronites 67 62 72 68 72 69 3 0 0 1 1 4 Syriac Catholics 133 81 90 88 97 91 14 0 0 0 0 2 Catholics, Armenian Catholics and 31 35 37 39 36 39 1 2 0 0 1 5 Evangelical Evangelical 58 43 53 51 51 50 12 0 0 0 5 1 Armenian Orthodox 76 69 74 75 82 74 3 3 1 0 1 4 Maronites and 51 43 49 46 47 45 3 0 0 0 0 0 Evangelical Armenian Orthodox, Druze and 20 18 18 18 18 18 3 0 0 0 0 0 Syriac Catholics Latin and Orthodox 26 26 28 25 26 26 6 0 0 1 1 1 Catholics and Evangelical 46 42 45 45 45 44 0 0 1 0 2 0 Maronites, Chaldean 21 24 24 23 24 25 0 0 1 0 0 3 Catholics Orthodox and Armenian 34 34 35 32 39 34 3 3 0 0 0 2 Catholics Armenian Catholics and Armenian 21 21 21 21 22 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 Orthodox Israeli 000000000000 Total 21,362 21,103 21,100 21,050 21,041 20,860 1,537 472 456 314 236 209
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. Foreign companies in Lebanon Public Sector | 25 Foreign companies in Lebanon January – June 2009
20 companies in Lebanon were registered during the first half of the year 2009 compared to 18 during the same time in 2008, and 17 in 2007. Table 1 details those newly registered companies.
Arab and Foreign companies that were registered in Lebanon between January and June 2009 Table 1 Name of company Nationality Registry # / date Capital Sector Representative in Lebanon Michael Baker American 2487 / 2-1-2009 100 USD Inspection of construction Ghassan Naim Ziab operations Arab International for Tourism Egyptian 2488 / 30-12-2008 20 million EGYP Tour operators Ashraf Hamdi Ahmad and Hospitality Management Nahhas - RISTA Tala Trade Iraqi 2489 / 12-1-2009 2 million IRQD Import/Export Ibrahim Hashem Ibrahim Al-Aani Peppers and Rogers Group Emerati 2490 / 14-1-2009 187,000 DRH Electronic and media trading Mohamad Munir Arees ACO Systems Emerati 2491 / 19-1-2009 1 million DRH Iron trading (rep office in Zuhair Balouz Lebanon) C.A.I Compagnia AEREA Italian 2492 / 23-1-2009 160 million Euro Air services and freighting (rep Fabio Bigotti Italiana office in Lebanon) Bintel Limited Emerati 2493 / 12-2-2009 10 million DRH Telecommunication Hind Fadel networking (rep office in Lebanon) CK Fatima Czech 2494 / 24-3-2009 200,000 Koruna Management of tour operator, Vazlav Stanvinoha industry and trade Time Ware American 2495 / 19-2-2009 - Development and trading of Patrick Farhat Farhat electronic software Estentis Emerati 2496 / 2-3-2009 100,000 DRH Technology and media (rep Tony Elias Deeb office in Lebanon) Saudi Cables Saudi 2497 / 16-3-2009 10 billion RYS Trading of electrical, Ahmad Bashir Adra mechanical, electronic and computer devices Radio TV Palestine Today British 2498 / 19-3-2009 1,000 Pounds General trading Ziad Abdel Nasser Network for I.M Kaakati Khourafi for general trading and Kuwaiti 2499 / 25-3-2009 250,000 KD General trading and Saad Mahmoud contracting (Samar Khourafi contracting Awad and partners) Vocalcom Tunise Tunisia 2500 / 27-3-2009 4,000 TD IT, business, industrial and Omar Qasab financial studies (rep office in Lebanon) Argus Security Projects Hungarian 2501 / 31-3-2009 3 million Forint Personal insurance (rep office Georges Merhi Private Limited – Liability in Lebanon) Company Darine Contracting Iraqi 2502 / 8-4-2009 225 million IQD Contracting Wafa Abdel Amir Youssef Dubai Airlines Emerati 2503 / 30-4-2009 220 million DRH Organized and unorganized air Jeyhun Afandi services in Dubai and outside MAN Enterprise limited off Virgin Islands 2504 / 22-4-2009 50,000 USD Unspecified (rep office in Aaida Abi Nader shore Lebanon) Pragmatic Technology Qatari 2505 / 21-4-2009 5 million QR IT consultants Walid Shaker Saba Renaissance Services B.V. Dutch 2506 / 1-6-2009 2.5 million Management, technical, Samir Dakak financial and economic services (rep office in Lebanon)
issue 85 - August 2009 26 | Public Sector LBP 44 billion so far for the Investigation Committee and Rafic Hariri’s International Tribunal LBP 44 billion so far for the Investigation Committee and Rafic Hariri’s International Tribunal
ollowing the assassination of PM Hariri on February 14th 2005, key Lebanese Fleaders supported by the majority of the Lebanese people, appealed for the setting up of an “International Tribunal to find the truth behind Hariri’s assassination.” The investigation was transferred to an international judiciary body after Lebanese leaders implicitly expressed their mistrust in the Lebanese judiciary. “Searching for truth” has become a major issue for the Lebanese and a key priority on the political agenda. More importantly, the setting up of Searching for truth the International Tribunal was supported by the US administration, France, and has become a major issue Britain who are three key members in the UN Security Council and helped push for the Lebanese and a forward a resolution. Consequently, a Fact-Finding Committee was established, key priority on the political followed by an Independent International Investigation Committee, culminating in agenda. the formation of the International Tribunal for Lebanon. The latter was established “ under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter with Security Council Resolution 1757 in 2007, after the Lebanese parliament failed to ratify the tribunal’s agreement. The tribunal started its work on March 1, 2009 and is expected to continue for 3 to 5 years. During this period, the International Investigation Committee, headed by Canadian judge Daniel Belmar, will put the accused on trail. ”
Until now, the Investigation Committee and the Tribunal’s work have cost the Lebanese government around LBP 44 billion. This cost is estimated to rise to LBP 126 billion when Lebanon will pay its share for another three years. Should the tribunal last 5 years, the cost may reach LBP 170 billion. 1- Funding the International Investigation Committee
According to the convention Lebanon signed with the United Nations, the Lebanese government is responsible for the formation and expenses of the International Investigation Committee, while the UN pays the other expenses, notably the salaries and the indemnities of the work team such as the judges and investigators. The Lebanese funding of the International Investigation Committee reached LBP 16 billion, which was covered by credits transferred from the budget’s reserve to the budget of the Ministry of External Affairs and Immigrants under the “Delegation and Conference” clause.
The credits were transferred according to the following decrees: a Decree # 14919 dated July 5, 2005 totaling LBP 97.5 million a Decree # 14924 dated July 11, 2005 totaling LBP 1 billion a Decree # 14947 dated July 15, 2005 totaling LBP 75 million a Decree # 15204 dated September 27, 2005 totaling LBP 75 million. a Decree # 15727 dated November 14, 2005 totaling LBP 1.060 billion a Decree # 16477 dated March 3, 2006 totaling LBP 2.060 billion a Decree # 17139 dated June 8, 2006 totaling LBP 4.120 billion a Effective decree # 327 dated May 19, 2007 totaling LBP 4.120 billion a Decree # 350 dated September 20, 2008 totaling LBP 2.060 billion (to pay office rent in Monte Verde Hotel in order to accommodate the Investigation Committee staff for 6 months) issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. LBP 44 billion so far for the Investigation Committee and Rafic Hariri’s International Tribunal Public Sector | 27
a Effective decree # 522 dated July 5, 2007 totaling LBP 100 million for equipping the Special Operations Chamber that was assigned the protection of the committee’s staff. a Decree # 1420 dated May 5, 2008 totaling LBP 100 The risk therefore remains that many will million for the Special Operations Committee for the become more skeptical of the international protection of the International Investigation Committee. judiciary system if the Hariri International Tribunal fails to obtain the desired results and The following decrees allocated the transfer of credits to implement justice. the Ministry of Justice: “ a Decree # 16058 dated December 29, 2005 totaling LBP 250 million to cover the secret expenses of the Prosecutor General and the Judiciary Investigator in the assassination of PM Hariri (and to have cameras ” installed around the houses of those involved in the tribunal) a Effective decree # 737 dated September 19, 2007 totaling LBP 7.5 billion a Effective decree # 306 dated May 2, 2006 totaling LBP 600 million (for the same purpose mentioned in the a Effective decree # 1015 dated November 24, 2007 previous decree) totaling LBP 8.4 billion a Decree # 1493 dated March 6, 2009 totaling LBP 250 a Decree # 1372 dated February 17, 2009 totaling USD million to have cameras installed around the houses of 12.1 billion Lebanese judges involved in the tribunal The estimated number of the tribunal’s staff is 430, with 2- The International Tribunal’s 100 in the Institution of Legal Proceedings, 170 in the Expenses Secretariat and Protection Bureau, 85 in the Judge’s Bureau, and 70 in the Defense Office. It should be noted that the As stipulated in the Convention of the International Lebanese judges working in the International Tribunal are Tribunal, Lebanon will incur 49% of the tribunal expenses paid by the UN (there is no exact figure but according to and the remaining 51% are covered by other countries’ some estimates the salary may vary between USD 20,000 donations to the UN. According to the estimations, the and 24,000 per month). However the Lebanese judges expenses of this tribunal are USD 137 – 150 million for appointed in the tribunal under effective decree # 978 are 3 years. If the tribunal lasts 4, 5 or 6 years, these expenses mandated and hold their right of promotion in hierarchy will rise (Lebanon’s share may be USD 67 – 73.5 million). and their pension rights. According to Robert Vincent, the Registrar of the Tribunal, next year’s expenses are guaranteed, totaling USD 51.5 Some analysts argue that one cannot put a price to finding the million (whereas the UN Secretary General’s report about truth. Nevertheless, the initial call to form an International the tribunal’s formation in 2007 estimated that the first Tribunal to investigate the Hariri assassination emerged year’s expenses would be USD 35 million). So far the from Lebanese leaders and their followers, under Western Lebanese government has paid LBP 28 billion of the LBP auspices, who doubted the transparency and impartiality of 38 billion share it had to pay for the first year through the Lebanese judiciary system. The risk therefore remains budget advances to the Ministry of Justice and according that many will become more skeptical of the international to the following decrees: judiciary system if the Hariri International Tribunal fails to obtain the desired results and implement justice.
issue 85 - August 2009 28 | Public Sector Higher Commission for Discipline: 3 years in One Higher Commission for Discipline 2006, 2007, 2008: 3 years in One
he Higher Commission for Discipline is a body formed by the Council of Ministers. Its mission is to examine all violations committed by public servants Tthat are referred to it by other bodies. Its authority governs “all employees working in public administrations, municipalities, public institutions, in addition to independent services affiliated to the state and municipalities, including civil servants, permanent, provisionary employees and contractors from all kinds, wagers and notaries. The commission is authorized to enforce any or all sorts of penalties mentioned in the series of penalties imposed to them.”
Annual Commission Report In accordance with the law that formed the Commission, it is assumed that the commission is required to draw an annual report on its performed activities. “But, because of the lack of necessary substansive material,” it omitted to publish its annual report in the years 2006, 2007 and 2008. As such, the Higher Commission decided to issue one report that combined all three years, a serious indicator suggesting the deteriorated state of administrative limpness and absence of accountability. Every citizen is aware of and experiences the corruption of state administrations on a daily basis, that even politicians and officials of different ranks do not deny. Nonetheless, despite the prevailing corruption and violations across governmental administrations, the Higher Commission for Discipline is incapable of finding a substantive material in order to prepare its annual report. This is not considered a sign of slowing down in the commission’s performance, but rather the inefficiency of other inspection and regulatory agencies whose job is to refer cases to the commission. Even though the contraveners are to appear before the commission by virtue of a decree issued by the designation authority or through a decision issued by the Central Inspection Board, the commission is not authorized to seek out such violations. Referred Cases According to a report issued by the commission in mid-February describing the outcome of its work and decisions between January 1, 2006 and November 30, 2006, the number of cases included in this report reached 33, where 18 cases were referred to the commission by a decree issued from the designation authority, and the 15 others were submitted through a decision pronounced by the Central Inspection Board. It is also worth mentioning that in 2007, only 7 cases were solved, compared to 20 in 2006, and 6 during an 11 month period in 2008. Decisions of the Commission As a result of examining the cases referred to the commission, 49 decisions were issued that handled 61 submitted cases. The decisions decreed the following: a discharge of 3 municipal functionaries a dismissal and layoff of 3 public servants a suspension without remuneration for 3 functionaries, including a notary public a decreasing the degree for 11 civil servants a hierarchy delaying for 15 civil servants a dropping salaries or deducting wages for 18 employees, including 14 retired a omitting to impose penalties for lack of evidence or lack of jurisdiction for 7 civil servants a innocence for one employee
As such, discharges and layoffs included 6 persons: 5 municipal employees and an electricity collector, meaning the commission omitted to impose severe penalties on governmental administrative functionaries. issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. Higher Commission for Discipline: 3 years in one Public sector | 29
Violation Cases Table 1 shows examples of violation cases:
Violation Cases Table 1
Authority Violation
discharge of 3 tax collectors for taking sums of money for themselves that represent taxes paid Tripoli Municipality by citizens to the municipality
Zahle Municipality discharge of a tax collector along with an accountant for committing financial contraventions
imposing the penalty of a ten-day-salary deduction against 16 supervising doctors appointed Ministry of Public Health in private hospitals for negligence and failing to fulfill their obligations in supervising the hospitals they were in charge of
imposing the penalty of hierarchy delay for 6 months against a deputy head of department Ministry of Interior & Municipalities along with a civil servant for delivering 2 general driving license permits contrary to due legal forms
Service of Common Railroads and Transportation hierarchy delay for 6 months against a civil servant for absenteeism from work
hierarchy delay for 6 months against a municipal policeman for performing a hired work and Tharan Municipality refraining from executing his superiors’ orders
hierarchy delay for 18 months against a trainer for omitting to mention in his technical report Ministry of Public Works and Transportation the non-conformity of an executed building with the license plans
hierarchy delay for 18 months against an Assistant Land Recorder for failure to perform his Ministry of Finance obligations according to the applied laws and regulations
suspending a notary public from executing his work for 3 years for committing serious acts Ministry of Justice and another for one month for failure of performing duty obligations
hierarchy delay for 6 months against an administrative inspector for interfering in the work of Central Inspection an official administration contrary to legal and due form
Source: Higher Commission for Discipline
Finally, the report includes that, “… regardless of any justification to the scanty number of people referred to the commission in general, it does not commensurate by any means with the enormous number of public servants covered by its authority. Likewise, this phenomenon does not point, in our opinion, that the administration status has become perfect though we hope so. As everybody knows, including the leaders, the public administration suffers from weakness and is in great need to reform. Thereby the efficiency and role of the Higher Commission of Discipline in the process of reform are dependent on the number of functionaries, employees, contractors, wagers and customers referred to it, particularly that the Commission enjoys the largest authorities….”.
Evidently, the lack of cases being brought to the Higher Commission for Discipline reflects the inefficiencies of other bodies that fail to refer such cases to the commission. This has not only led the commission to combine three years of its rulings in one annual report, but has more importantly allowed many violators working for public and state administrations and municipalities to get away with such infringements.
issue 85 - August 2009 30 | Interview The Monthly meets Dr. Kyriacos Kouros, Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Cyprus in Lebanon.
Dr. and Mrs. Kyriacos Kouros
When did the Cyprus Embassy first open its doors in Lebanon? and protection of investments, and on the avoidance of double taxation How many staff members do you have in the Embassy (Cypriot and and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes and income and Lebanese). on capital. An agreement on the field of tourism has not blossomed yet The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Lebanon was established in because of the prevailing situation. However, this agreement should be the year 2002. Three years later, we opened the Cyprus Trade Center, considered a milestone because it will open a lucrative marker to both which is housed in the premises of our Embassy but works under a semi- countries when its implementation is realized. autonomous status. However, before opening an Embassy, the government of the Republic of Cyprus had a number of Honorary Consuls appointed It should also be noted that Lebanon absorbs 1.4 per cent of Cyprus here to perform the necessary consular work. domestic exports and it is the 14th largest market for the exports of domestically produced goods, according to our most recent survey. The Embassy staff is made up of two diplomats including the Head of Mission and seven-member local staff. The Trade Center is staffed by its There are other agreements which deal with combating or facilitating Head and his assistant. Three of us are Cypriots, five are Lebanese and trans-national problems such as drug trafficking and organized crime two have both citizenships. or transferring of sentenced persons but usually these legal instruments concern the public sector of the two countries. The same can be said When did the diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Cyprus about the recent agreement we have signed on the abolition of visa start? What are the milestones that enhanced its development? requirements for holders of diplomatic and special passports. We also The Republic of Cyprus was established in August 16, 1960. A month have signed cooperation agreements in the fields of public health later, the Lebanese Consulate which was operating in the then British and medical sciences, as and on cultural, educational and scientific colony of Cyprus, was upgraded to an Embassy to the newborn Republic. cooperation. This development could be considered the first milestone in the relations of the two countries. When did you arrive to Lebanon? What positions did you occupy Both our countries suffered from the results of confrontations of all sorts during your diplomatic carrier before coming to Lebanon? during our recent history. Cyprus was invaded by Turkey in 1974 and still I arrived in Lebanon in the first week of July 2006. This says a lot about has one third of its territory under occupation. However, Cyprus played how challenging was my first impressions of the country. There are a lot the role of a safe haven for thousands of Lebanese who sought safety of anecdotes from that period which will probably keep Lebanon forever during the devastating Lebanese civil war. We performed the same role in mind and heart. Before arriving here, I was serving as Director of the during the 2006 war. Even MEA planes are parking in Cyprus during Office of the Permanent Secretary at my Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Before clashes here. The Lebanese know by now that they are always welcome in that I was posted at the Embassy in Athens. While serving there, I was the arms of Cypriots and that bonds of friendship have been forged under also appointed the Member of the Working Team in Search of the Missing difficult times for both people. Persons since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Before that, I also served at the Political Division - Cyprus Question Department, representing my Apart from our spontaneous respond to events that were out of our country to the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva. It should be control, our two countries have signed a number of agreements which mentioned that I worked as a journalist for a decade before joining the aim at enhancing our bilateral relations. Some of those agreements are diplomatic corps. focused in the field of business such as the agreement on the promotion issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. Interview | 31
Are there any specific initiatives undertaken by the Embassy to What do you like most about Lebanon? foster the co-operation between Lebanon and Cyprus? There is a variety of aspects that I like about Lebanon. Starting from the We have many agreements which we try to implement and thus obvious ones, the climate and the morphology of the country which offers helping our countries boost their relationship to new heights. So far, I to the visitor many options in a very close proximity (sea and mountains); am trying to set in motion most of them. It is not an easy job when the wide variety of food choices, the archaeological and contemporary upon arrival we faced a war, followed up by the resignation of ministers sites; and above all the “marriage” of all these multi-cultural antithesis; and political turmoil; a political assassination spree; the Nahr el Bared finally the people’s open-hearted mentality, their high level conversational siege; the events of May 2008. One may say that I spend more time skills and their unlimited hospitality irrespective of the class they belong implementing evacuation plans or diverting humanitarian aid instead to. of promoting bilateral relations per se. Anyway, this Embassy is trying its best to promote Cyprus as an investment and business centre and not just the superb holiday destination we are. We managed to set up What do you like least about Lebanon? a joint parliamentary friendship group; we have attracted the attention I have not found yet. of academic institutions from both countries for joint co-operations and related activities. Journalists are being invited to visit and learn about How do you view the future relationship of the two countries? How Cyprus; we will be participating in this year’s Games of the Francophone are you developing it? in Lebanon for the first time in our history with great enthusiasm; we plan I believe that our two countries are destined to jointly perform a very to celebrate the world capital of the book etc. important role in the region because they already geographically and culturally link Europe and the “West” with the Middle East and the Gulf; How big is the Cypriot community in Lebanon? Cyprus, a European Union member has brought many opportunities During the evacuation of the 2006 summer, we facilitated more than 1.000 for joint business and other ventures just half-an-hour flight away from holders of a Cypriot passport living permanently here. Most of them were Beirut; and Lebanon being the most cosmopolitan centre among the Arab Lebanese who also hold an additional Cypriot citizenship. world could jointly perform miracles when opportunities between the two countries – and the worlds we represent, arise. Some may even argue that How big is the Lebanese community in Cyprus? it is a role our people were performing for many centuries now. Official records show that during 1975-1989, the number of Lebanese residing in Cyprus reached a record number of 50.000, almost ten We are developing it with the use of the diplomatic tools I mentioned percent of the population of the Greek Cypriot community at the time! before. Cyprus believes so much in our common future with Lebanon that Today, it is not possible to talk about a Lebanese community in Cyprus. our contribution to the reconstruction of Lebanon is the largest ever made Most of the Lebanese have returned to their country. Those who choose by my government abroad. Only the last three years, my government has to remain in Cyprus obtained the Cypriot citizenship and therefore we offered financial support directly and indirectly for the reconstruction of consider them to be Cypriots. 21 municipalities hit by the 2006 war in the South and in the Nahr el Bared camp; the capacity building strengthening of the Lebanese army and the However, our Embassy currently facilitates about 15.000 Lebanese civil defense. In addition, it should also be reminded that whenever traveling to Cyprus per year; this number does not include Lebanese who there is a fire crisis in Lebanon, we respond with our own fire-fighting may choose to travel with foreign documents or diplomatic and special helicopters and in any case, we respond to any calls for help. passports. Last year only, about 500 Lebanese couples went to Cyprus to have a civil marriage. In any case and irrespective of the aims of the rest of your neighbors, we, the Cypriots, want only one thing to conquer here: the Lebanese hearts! Have also in mind that although Cyprus is not a Schengen member yet, since April this year we facilitate Lebanese holders of Schengen visa by allowing them to enter to Cyprus without a national visa if their Schengen Are there any possible similarities between both countries? visa is at least once used and still valid. There are a lot; and in abundance. History, culture, geography, climate, mentality, regional politics, being small states in a volatile region where our neighboring regional powers try to unilaterally and forcibly impose their agendas at the expense of territorial boundaries or with no respect to our sovereignty and independence; but we prevail because the people in both our countries have proved over the passing of time that we are the ultimate survivors.
issue 85 - August 2009 32 | Health
Heart Burn by Dr. Hanna Saadah
Acid reflux is universal and mostly silent but may cause some unusual symptoms with potentially serious consequences.
he stomach is made like the mouth and the esophagus is made like the eye. If one puts a drop of acidic lemon juice Tin one’s mouth, it causes no harm but if one puts it in one’s eye, it causes problems… The anatomy of reflux centers about the Lower Esophageal Sphincter. This muscle, when tight, separates the stomach from the esophagus and These medicines are of thee types: prevents acid reflux. When, for many reasons, the sphincter becomes lax, it allows the stomach acid to sneak up the esophagus, which in turn makes a) The antacids, or medicines that neutralize the stomach acid but do not the sphincter more lax, and thus a vicious cycle is established. influence its production, such as Malox, Mylanta, Tums, etc.
Acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus begins in infancy and b) The Histamine-2 blockers that reduce the acid production by acting on continues till the end of life. When stomach acidity is high and contact the stomach histamine receptors, such as Tagamet, Pepsid, Zantac, time with the esophagus is prolonged, symptoms usually arise. Otherwise, etc. the disorder tends to be silent because our defenses—which include saliva flow and peristalsis—come to the rescue and clear the stomach acid out C) The Proton Pump Inhibitors, which inhibit the stomach proton pump of the esophagus. that pushes acid into the stomach, such as Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, etc. The commonest symptom is heartburn, a feeling of fire in the pit of the stomach. Other symptoms include cough, sore throat, chest ache, and neck Other treatments involve avoiding the above-mentioned offenders such pain, which tend to be chronic and unresponsive to common treatments. as alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, big meals, big drinks, bending, lying down A feeling of shortness of breath associated with deep, unsatisfying sighs after a meal, etc. Elevating the head of the bed about 5 to 10 centimeters is a less known manifestation. Unlike heart or lung diseases where the reduces reflux because stomach juices cannot flow against gravity. shortness of breath gets worse with activity, the shortness of breath from reflux tends to get better with exercise. This simple distinction provides an What medicine to take depends upon the severity excellent clue to the cause of the shortness of breath. of the acid reflux:
Conditions that encourage reflux are those that either cause laxity of the a) If the reflux is episodic, then antacids taken as needed are enough. Lower Esophageal Sphincter or cause an increase in abdominal pressure Taking baking soda (carbonate) is not a good idea because of the high that can overcome the sphincter protection. Alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, sodium content, which can cause swelling, high blood pressure, and certain medications, and certain foods cause the sphincter to become lax. heart failure. Big meals, big drinks, overweight, tight belts, bending at the waist, or lying down flat after meals all cause a rise in abdominal pressure. b) If the reflux is moderate and frequent, then the Histamine-2 blockers such as Tagamet, Pepsid, and Zantac are adequate and are best taken The most serious consequence of reflux is a precancerous transformation with meals and at bedtime. of the lower esophagus called Barrett’s Esophagus. This condition can only be diagnosed by biopsy and may lead to cancer of the esophagus if c) If the reflux is severe and constant, then the Proton Pump Inhibitors are not properly managed. Looking down the esophagus with a scope is the the strongest available and work best if taken before meals. best way to screen for this condition. Seeing the doctor is not necessary for most people who can treat their The treatment of acid reflux is symptomatic. There are no good medicines symptoms with the available medicines. However, it the symptoms prove that help the Lower Esophageal Sphincter strengthen its weak muscle. resistant to treatment or progress or become chronic, then it is advisable to There are, however, medicines that reduce the stomach acidity and, by see the doctor for proper evaluation and management. doing so, reduce the acid burn to the esophagus. issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. Eyeing Horizons | 33
A Moon of Time Memorial by Antoine Boutros*
full moon enlightens our peaceful spring Arab astrology progressed rapidly. By the end of the 10th century, the Aevenings, illuminates our planet by spending Arabs were done discovering the sky, the planets and stars and had the whole night swinging across the sky. It reached all what could be seen by the naked eye. This science improved is a reminder for those who still have time relentlessly across the generations and finally became a main landmark to contemplate that the moon has been there as our companion for in the history of science and civilizations. We have been taught in school millennia. that the main contribution of the Arabs to civilization is that they were Once upon a time, an Arabian traveler got lost in the dessert and thought translators and helped bridging the gap between Greek and western the end was imminent. As the moon rose, it lightened his way. He lifted civilizations. Nothing is more remote to truth than this interpretation of his head up to thank it saying: “God knows what I want to tell you or to history contribution to science. tell about you. May you always remain high, as God placed you high, may In fact Arabs and Muslims laid the foundations of the modern scientific your light always shine, and your beauty glow forever.” revolution, which is attributed to the Europeans. Had the Arabs only In the book Nithar Al Azhar Fil Layl Wal Nahar (Flower Seeds Days and transmitted to Europe what they had inherited from the Greeks European Nights) Ibn Manzour Al Afriki says that “the Arabs are dazzled by the renaissance would have been delayed for centuries. moon. They contemplate it in their evenings, it enlightens their ways when Studies conducted in the second half of the past century, particularly by they travel, and eases their nostalgia”. Otto Neugebauer, Dean of Historians of Arabic Science, together with According to Ibn Katiba in his book Tafdil Al Arab Ala Al Ajam (The historian Edward Kennedy, discovered that the Islamic civilization’s Preference of Arabs as to Persians), the planets and stars have always achievements were not limited to mere translation and transfer of guided the Arabs in their journeys. That was the reason why many tribes knowledge from one era to another or from one civilization to another. in Al Jahiliya (pre-Islamic Arabia) such as Beni Maria Ben Kalb and Beni Nor were they bridges between ages and generations, but were actually Murra Ben Hammam Al Chibani were known for their competencies in an innovative and qualitative unique improvement in the history of astrology. Suleik Ben Saad used to say: “follow Canopus and the left hand sciences and human civilizations. of the Virgo and you will find our tribal tents of Beni Saad”. Kennedy, who lately joined the American University of Beirut, found in Writing five centuries after Islam, Nizami Al Aroudi Samarkandi describes the Bodleian Library in Oxford University a manuscript that appeared to in his book Jihar Makala (The Four Articles) the most beautiful cosmic be of extreme importance. It was in fact a book written by Ibn Al Chater, images. In one of the evenings at the end of Ramadan, with the evening whose contents differ from any previous astronomy books, particularly prayer approaching, the Sultan went out to contemplate the new moon. the Greek and Indian books. This manuscript revealed that the celestial When he saw it, he asked his poet to describe it in verse. The latter system as they found was completely different from what Ptolemy had intonated four verses, in which he portrayed the new moon as two lovely imagined and were the same as Copernicus’, the scientist credited for eyebrows, or the Sultan’s arc, or a horse hoof made out of fine gold, or the development of modern science. finally as earrings decorating the blue arcade. Neugebauer had previously found out that Nassir Eldin Al Toussi was Most of the planets’ names are of Aramaic origin. Mars for instance is the one behind the theory used by Copernicus two hundred years later. derived of ‘Murdach’, while Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio and Aquarius are In the early eighties of the last century, George Saliba found a book also Aramaic names. written by Mouayyed Eldin Al Ardi, which included another theory used Moreover, many star names are of Arab origin, such as Dubba (the Bear), by Copernicus later on. And this is how Ibn Al Chater, Al Toussi, Ibn Altair (the Bird), al Jawza’ (Gemini), Famelhoot (the Wale’s Mouth) al Al Haytham and Al Ardi have pioneered “a pre Copernicus Copernican Thuban (the Snake), Al Qaid (the Leader), etc…In other words, all system”. Georges Saliba, Abdul Hamid Sabra and Kennedy joined celestial bodies that were clear to the naked eye before Galileo discovered Neugebauer in turning the traditional history of the Arab Islamic astrology the telescope have Arabic name and Aramaic names. head over heels. This has led to a new point of reference for this science, ‘Saturn’ in Aramaic means height and altitude. In Al Kufti’s book Akhbar making it an essential element of the world civilization and not only a Al Ulama bi Akhbar Al Hukama (Stories of Scientists Within Stories of simple science transmission mechanism that only paved the way for the Wise men) he recounts an exciting dialogue between Sefian Al Thawri, modern scientific civilization of the West. a jurisprudent Imam, and the astrologist Ma Chaa Allah (God’s will), Many scientists do not ask anymore whether Copernicus has acquired which reflects the Islamic society’s positions against astrology. Sefian modern astrology from the Arabs or not, but ask instead: “when and addresses the astrologist saying: “you fear Saturn, I fear the God of Saturn, where did he do so?” you invoke Jupiter, I invoke the God of Jupiter, you consult the stars and I This was before men stepped on the moon. But do we still enjoy the confer with God. What difference lies between us? The astrologist replies: moon’s appreciation to what we attribute to him? “A big difference. You are much more hopeful and successful.” * Writer and Editor-in-chief, Al Computer magazine
issue 85 - August 2009 34 | Glimmers of History Lebanon: its geography and people Lebanon: its geography and people by Hassan Salameh Sarkis*
ue to some technical errors that occurred in Irrespective of where the roots and original meaning of the name “Lebanon” issue 83 of June 2009, in translating Professor’s come from, it has always referred to a part of the mountains aligning the DSarkis original Arabic text to English, The Monthly eastern Mediterranean coast and never had any geo-political meaning. It is pleased to republish the new translated text with the was only after the declaration of “Greater Lebanon” at and the aftermath of rectifications approved by the author. the First World War that the name of the mountain was applied to the new geo-political entity “The Lebanon” and its borders were defined as such. The Monthly is pleased to introduce the eminent archaeologist Dr. Hassan However, the areas that would later on constitute the entity of “Greater Salameh Sarkis, who will contribute a series of articles for The Monthly Lebanon” were part of different political units across history, with under the heading “Flashes of History.” continuously changing borders, as all other borders did. In fact, these political “terms” are neither fixed nor definitive. Rather, they are subject to The attempt to interpret the name “Lebanon” on one hand, and shed light the circumstances of war, peace, politics, administration, society, religion on its exceptional position as “a linking and communication platform and a series of ethnic, cultural and linguistic facts. between the old world’s three continents” on the other hand, have become Here, one should consider all the groups and populations that settled or two refrains that are being repeated over and over in geography books and crossed Lebanon in the pre-historic eras and over thousands of years ago, tourist publications. whether for short or long periods seasonally or permanently. What were Despite efforts to explain the name “Lebanon” in reference to some relatively their “languages”, “dialects”, “religious beliefs”, and “social systems”? recent Semitic roots, whether Hebrew, Syriac or Phoenician, it does not Who were their prehistoric “ancestors” and their Canaanites, Amorites, make sense to link its the meaning of this word with “laban” (yogurt) or Phoenicians and other “successors”? Who among them conserved “louban” (gum), or any other of its derivatives! Such kind of toponymic the “purity” of its “race”, not mixing or assimilating with the people, explanation would be flawed and desperate, and would not constitute a tribes and groups that crossed the region? Who among them preserved sound base for this kind of analysis. In fact, the different locations were “sound” relationships with those groups and tribes, staying away of any always considered as landmarks by the people who inhabited them and “legitimate” or “illegitimate” contact? One should also consider the role this even before languages were differentiated between “Indo-European”, of women who left or joined these societies carrying their own cultural and “Semitic” or “Hamitic” and their derivatives. More specifically, we do not genetic patrimony. What was the role of “strangers” who arrived, fought, know exactly which branch of those languages and dialects were used at and settled in, or crossed this land throughout history; whether they were the beginning of the Neolithic era or even before. Moreover, there is no Egyptians, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Armenians and doubt that, during those eras, populations undoubtedly used to refer to Byzantines, in addition to Kurds, Turks, French, British, Australians, these sites by certain names and terms deriving from some languages or Algerians, Senegalese and others? For this reason, one should consider dialects, that used to have some specific meaning for them, and may have the biological and cultural reactions, mixtures, mutations, and derivations nothing to do with what was later called Semitic or other languages. carried in their genes and chromosomes. Having said this, would it be right The roots of these names go back to ancient civilizations that have now to say that “Lebanon remained and all these groups have gone” leaving no disappeared. They were transmitted through the ages and modified genetic footprints in contemporary Lebanese veins? or transformed to make them more comprehensible for consecutive Some radicals may be annoyed by this analysis; however, we cannot but civilizations according to their own concepts, terms and mentalities. have an objective look at the reality of Man and the historical influence Sometimes, these names remained unchanged and at other times, their on himself. As such, one must move away from a mythical and impotent meanings and pronunciations were adapted or altered even if their original imaginary history to a factual, scientific and objective one. meanings were not understood by the new comers or occupants. The second refrain relating to Lebanon being the “linking platform between * Archaeologist and a historian, former Professor in the Department of Archaeology at the the three continents”, does not make sense and remains meaningless. In Lebanese University; former Assistant Professor in Eastern Archaeology at the University of fact, every site or location in the world is in the middle of two or more Sorbonne; author of several books and about 200 research articles published in local and regions! Therefore, what is being said about Lebanon’s uniqueness and international scientific journals. geographical position can actually be applied to all regions and countries of the world, so there is no need to expand on such trivial matters! issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. Between Yesterday and Today | 35 Between Yesterday and Today The Monthly publishes one of Ze’ini’s poems on elections
Where is he? 1956
Where is he, who was complaining Sold his vote for 20 Lira There is a big rebuke between me and him Cost of drunkenness and a pint of beera I want to see who he’s voting for He then calls on the people So I can show him what he’s done They stole the universe, they stole eveything They ate the egg, they ate the shell They left the people penniless Sleeping troublesome on the rug
Sold his belief for 20 Lira
Betrayed his conscience, betrayed himself It was time to know this idiot Deceived his family, tricked his fellows Who was good, who was not Brought disaster to his nation Who to be careful from Started crying over his Lebanon Which MP smelt so rotten Started spanking on his face Who should be allowed into Parliament To keep his eyes wide open Voted for him for years and years
issue 85 - August 2009
Must-Read Children Book | 37 “My First Look at” from the Butterfly series
Sorting
“Sorting” is a children’s book designed to help them learn to discern, coordinate and associate familiar objects according to their type, shape, size and color by asking questions about each object. In addition to differentiating objects according to their location, they also associate them with a place, such as objects that belong to the garden.
Children discover objects in their environment, and learn different ways to organize them. Moreover, they learn about colors, sizes and how to relate them to objects, such as rackets and balls, as well as new expressions and meanings for Arabic words, with their English translation.
Noises
“Noises” is a book designed to introduce children to their sense of hearing and help them distinguish the sounds they hear around them on a daily basis. Children discover animal noises, learning the sound of each animal. Moreover, children are introduced to musical instruments, vehicles and domestic devices that make various sounds.
These stories are part of the “My First Look” collection, consisting of 16 colored books for children at the kindergarten level. The collection was published by Dorling Kindersley in England. It is being published in Arabic in Lebanon by Librairie du Liban publishers. It includes the following books:
a House a Market a Nature a Sizes a Shapes a Colors a Touching a Clothes a Vehicles a Noises a Counting a Antonyms a Numbers a Sorting a Seasons a Time
issue 85 - August 2009 38 | Debunking Myths Myth #25 “Arz el Rab”: are Lebanon’s Cedars hundreds or thousands of years old?
ebanon’s cedar tree is the most treasured tree among all of Lebanon’s native tree species. It has become the Lnationalistic symbol for the Lebanese state and a reminder of its glorious history. The Cedar of Lebanon is cited numerous times in religion and mythology. The cedar trees found in Bcharre are the oldest and most famous stand of cedars, often referred to as ‘Arz el Rab’ or ‘Cedar’s of the Lord.’ Myth: Bcharri Cedar Trees in Lebanon are more than 2,000 years old
Fact: Cedar trees in Lebanon are less than 1,000 years old
Lebanon’s cedar trees definitely have a long life span. The The Lebanon Cedar: its days of glory to its decline slow growing cedar requires at least 40 years before it could The cedars are very valuable timber trees. The wood of the even produce fertile seeds. The cedar tree may live as long Lebanese cedar is fragrant, durable, and decay resistant. as 1500 years, however as a result of long exploitation, Lebanon’s cedars have also played a significant role very few old trees remain in Lebanon’s forests. More historically. In ancient Egyptian times, the cedar sawdust importantly, according to recent carbon testing conducted (cedar resin) was used in the mummification process to by archeologists, the remaining cedar trees in the Bcharri liquefy internal organs. Tests using radiocarbon methods region today are all under 1000 years old. have also found a piece of deck board from the funerary boat of the Egyptian Sesostris III (Pharaoh that ruled Egypt There are 4 species belonging to the cedars, of which 3 are during the 12th dynasty in the Middle Kingdom from native to the Mediterranean region. The Cedar of Lebanon 1878-1879 BC), which is displayed in the Chicago Natural known scientifically as the Cedrus libani is an evergreen History Museum. coniferous tree that may grow to be 40 meters in height, The tree was also central to the Phoenician civilization, with a 2.5 meter diameter trunk. It thrives in mountainous allowing them to prosper, export the cedar wood and regions, usually at altitudes between 1,000 and 2,200 become the first sea trading nation to engage in commercial meters. activities across the Mediterranean region. Moreover, upon The most famous and oldest grove is the cedars of Bcharri, the distillation of the cedar wood, aromatic oil is produced ‘Arz el Rab.’ About 375 cedars of great age (hundreds of that could be used for a variety of purposes, such as scenting years old) stand on only 7 hectares of land in a sheltered soap and other medical practices. The pitch of the cedar for area on Mount Makmel. Altogether, Lebanon’s cedars are example was utilized for easing toothache pain. limited to twelve stands, totaling an approximate 1,700 Unfortunately today, the cedars of Lebanon face a vulnerable hectares that remain in small patches across the country. risk due to many years of exploitation and deforestation. This is a significant difference when comparing it to its The first deforestation probably dates back to the earliest past, when it flourished over 81,000 hectares of land across civilizations in the Fertile Crescent, where the timber was Lebanon. There are currently active programs to conserve needed for building. The Cedar of Lebanon is even mentioned and regenerate the forests in Lebanon as well as the old and in one of the oldest myths, the Epic of Gilgamesh. The precious cedar trees in Bcharri, so its trees can once again twelve remaining stands of cedar trees today from the north live to be over 1000 years old. to south regions are as follows: Jabal Qammoua forest, Wadi Jahannam in the A’akkar area, Ehden, Bcharri, Tannourine- Hadeth, Jeij in the Jubail Mountains of central Lebanon, and in the Jabal el-Barouk Forest’s of the Chouf Mountains, Ain Zhalta/Bmohrain, Barouk, and Maasser el-Chouf.
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. When Politicians Talk | 39 General Aoun: From “Shebaa Farms are not Lebanese”, Hezbollah has “strange ideas” to “we will not let go of them” and “nothing separates us but a nuclear bomb”
n February 7th 2006, the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, General Michel Aoun and the Secretary General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, ratified an agreement between both parties that turned Othem from enemies to allies. Since then, the discourses and positions of both parties’ were transformed from mutual attacks to tribute and praise. While Hezbollah used to accuse Aoun and his movement of adopting an “Israeli offensive position,” the party now considers him a “truthful friend and ally”. The same applies to the incongruous positions adopted by General Aoun towards Hezbollah during both periods, which this article aims to shed light on.
“…the Palestinian youth who carried an olive branch in one hand and a stone “…Our call for Hezbollah is peaceful. We told them that their liberating role in the other caught the world’s compassion and support for the Palestinian was done and not to become a tool used by others. Come and play your cause. However, the bombings of cars have broken this compassion and political role. It is true that I disagree with many of their ideas, because they given a green light to the Israeli destructive force, which is very dangerous… are strange for our society and not compatible with Lebanon’s traditions. But, Martyr operations are suicide operations and no Celeste religion calls for they are part of the Lebanese society and I ask them not to act as an external that. This is the culture of murder and suicide and no human being should party but as an internal Lebanese one”. be given a task that ultimately leads to death”. (General Aoun on MTV, April 9, 2002) (General Aoun on MTV, April 9, 2002) “Hezbollah’s arms are an issue that should be addressed within or outside “…I believe that the Arabs have enough experience and I have noticed that a defensive strategy. However, Lebanon cannot let go of any of its strength whoever has experience acts wisely. Those who are not experienced enough against Israel.” are mostly the youth who are eager for war, such as Hezbollah and President (General Aoun on July 28, 2008) Bashar Al Assad.” (Ibid) “Nothing separates me from Hezbollah but a nuclear bomb” (Quoting General Aoun, As-Safir, October 31, 2008) “Resistance in Lebanon has extended the occupation…Shebaa farms are not Lebanese and even if they were, they have been coveted by Syria since a very “When they ask me to let go of Hezbollah to join their policy, I say ‘No’ I will long time and Lebanon remained silent…let them leave the Shebaa farms not let do that” aside, as it is a different story anyway.” (Interview with Dubai channel on September 8, 2007) (Ibid) “Hezbollah is the extension of the policies of two states: Iran and Syria and “I see weapons in the exhibition [Imad Mughniyeh Exhibition] which have its actions are supervised by these states”. been used where and when they should, for the resistance against the enemy (General Aoun in 2005) and the liberation of the land.” (Michel Aoun during his visit to Nabatieh on Sunday August 27, 2008)
“Hezbollah’s weapons are the result of violated rights, such as the occupation of Shebaa and the existence of hostages. When these reasons fade, the weapons will become futile.”
“Any attempt to disarm Hezbollah by force will lead the United Nations into a war against the Lebanese people. Hezbollah weapons are unanimously approved by the Lebanese.” (General Aoun on August 4, 2006)
issue 85 - August 2009 40 | Reporting Facts or Opinions? A government of ‘Real Partnership,’ or One that Can Function?
A government of ‘Real Partnership,’ or One that Can Function? Did UNIFIL Not Coordinate, or Was It Assaulted?
fter the June 7 parliamentary elections - in which pro-government forces won a majority of 71 seats compared to A57 for the opposition - Lebanon saw the reelection of Nabih Berri as parliament speaker for a fifth term and the designation of Saad Hariri to the premiership by President Michel Suleiman on June 27 after obligatory parliamentary deliberations. Since then, the cabinet formation process remains the top news item in the Lebanese press. Reports on the shape the cabinet will take have varied from one paper to the other with all dailies agreeing that the formation will be a lengthy process.
From June 27 until this day, the press had been in a cycle of routine coverage up until the southern front took over headlines following an explosion of a Hizbullah arms cache in Khirbet Selm and subsequent clashes between town residents and UNIFIL.
The following is a review of press headlines on the morning of Monday June 20 as the designation of Hariri for the premiership enters its fourth week to show press coverage of the formation process and events in the south.
Al Akhbar Al Akhbar newspaper opted to focus on the events in the south and their repercussions on the international level, leading with: “Washington Proposes to the Security Council the Amendment of UNIFIL’s Tasks.” The paper linked the Security Council’s meeting in 40 days to discuss a renewal of UNIFIL’s mission to the incident in Khirbet Selm and to Israel’s efforts to amend the force’s rules of engagement. The daily’s analysis indicated it will focus its news coverage on the situation in the south in the coming weeks.
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. A government of ‘Real Partnership,’ or One that Can Function? Reporting Facts or Opinions? | 41
Al Mustaqbal Al Mustaqbal daily played up efforts to form a government and highlighted Hariri’s statement following his talks with President Michel Suleiman. The newspaper’s coverage offered a stark contrast to those of As Safir and Al Akhbar with the leading headline in Al Mustaqbal reading: “A Capable Government Is Necessary for the Good of the Country.”
The newspaper also offered a distinctive coverage of the events in the south under the headline of: “UNIFIL Comes under Attack in Khirbet Selm; Fears South of Litani Will again Turn into a Mail Service for Regional Messages at Lebanon’s Expense.”
An Nahar An Nahar’s main news item was the reconciliation between the Phalange Party and Suleiman Franjieh and a possible meeting between MPs Michel Aoun and Walid Jumblat. It also pointed to the formation process with its headline reading: “Deliberations for a Shape-Up Are Back on Two Tracks; Hariri Wants a Capable Government.” An Nahar reported that a government was expected to see the light either by the end of July or sometime before September.
As Safir The government’s formation remained the top news item in As Safir daily, despite the paper’s attempts to break the monotony by highlighting clashes between protestors in Khirbet Selm and UN peacekeepers trying to investigate the explosion of the weapons cache in an abandoned house. The newspaper could not but play up discussions to form a government and quoted premier-designate Saad Hariri in its lead headline as saying he was working to form a “Government of Real Partnership.” The paper wrote: “The status quo is still in control of domestic and regional deliberations to form a cabinet,” in an indication that possible steps to end the stalemate will be taken to lead the country into a state of crisis. “As for the formation of the government, the situation is nearing the brink of a crisis as time is consumed with no prospect of serious progress,” it wrote. The lack of progress comes “despite the keenness of all sides to give the impression of positive climates in order to avoid being held responsible for the current delay,” the paper said.
issue 85 - August 2009 42 | International Media International Media Obama & Netanyahu: United by Iran, Divided by Palestine
Obama Meets with Israeli PM Netanyahu By Steven R. Hurst Monday May 18, 2009 Times Magazine
“President Barack Obama on Monday opened his deepest foray into the Middle East quagmire, telling Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu he must stop Jewish settlements and should grasp a “historic opportunity” to make peace with the Palestinians… The new president was firm in insisting the Israelis move toward peace with the Palestinians, and Netanyahu stuck to his stance that Israel cannot negotiate with people who deny its right to exist. The two leaders found fruitful grounds for agreement on Iran. Israel is deeply concerned about Iran’s perceived attempts to build a nuclear weapon, believing the virulently anti-Israeli regime might naturally target the Jewish state the lies in easy range of Tehran’s missile technology… Obama, deeply concerned that a nuclear-armed Iran could spark an arms race in the Middle East and deepen the threat to Israeli security, has changed course and seeks to engage the Iranians in direct talks... The Israeli leader did not respond publicly to Obama’s demand on an end to the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and refused again to say he was ready to negotiate a so-called two-state solution…”
The Deadline Dilemma: Can Obama and Netanyahu agree on ground rules for Iran Talks? By Dan Ephron Monday May 18, 2009 Newsweek
“U.S. President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in their first meeting since Israel’s election in March, told reporters in Washington they agreed on most issues, including the need to advance peace efforts with the Palestinians and, notably, the need to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons… But even before the summit, officials on both sides say, differences had emerged regarding the approach to talks with Iran—specifically whether those talks should begin with a clear deadline. The Israelis are asking how much time President Obama will allot for negotiations before acknowledging that Iran cannot be talked out of its nuclear ambitions… Washington’s view is more nuanced. A senior administration official says Obama is aware Iran might try to drag out the talks, but he also believes setting deadlines could mar efforts to remake America’s relationship with Tehran after 30 years of tension… The U.S. official said [the desire for clear and rapid progress must be balanced against] the need for negotiations to be conducted with the real decision maker in Iran—a reference to Grand Ayatollah Ali Khameini…”
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. International Media | 43
Obama’s message to Israel: Seize the Moment Behind the diplomacy, an uncompromising message from President to Netanyahu By David Usborne Tuesday May 19, 2009 The Independent “Barack Obama yesterday urged the Israeli Prime Minster, Benjamin Netanyahu, to seize a “historic opportunity” to move towards peace with the Palestinians while resisting pressure from Israel for an “artificial deadline” to resolve the stand-off with Iran over its nuclear ambitions. Eager to put on a face of friendship, Mr Netanyahu responded by saying that he was ready to negotiate immediately with the Palestinians, but repeated that it would be on the condition that they first clearly state their willingness to recognise Israel as a Jewish state… “We are prepared to move with the President and with others in the Arab world…”There has never been a time when Arabs and Israelis see a common threat the way we see it today. And we also see the need to join together in working towards peace while simultaneously defending ourselves.” On Iran, Mr Obama indicated that the US would not “foreclose on a range of options” including the imposition of harsh new sanctions. Noting that Iran is preparing for elections, he said only that he hoped to make headway with Tehran before the end of this year, adding: “We’re not going to have talks for ever.” On the linkage between the Palestinian and Iranian issues, Mr Obama suggested that achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians “strengthens our hand in the international community in dealing with the potential Iranian threat”... The CIA director Leon Panetta last month warned Israel not to surprise the US by taking unilateral military steps...”
Israel wants peace talks, Binyamin Netanyahu tells Barack Obama By Chris McGreal Monday May 18, 2009 Guardian.co.uk “At discussions in the White House expected to shape the direction of one of the toughest political challenges either leader will face, Obama said he told Netanyahu that the goal of “an extraordinary opportunity” for peace must be “allowing the Palestinians to govern themselves as an independent state”… The US president laid down a marker by which to judge Netanyahu’s intent, in demanding that he fulfill previous commitments that successive Israeli governments have broken to halt the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories… But Netanyahu offered no such commitment in public… Obama suggested that Hamas should be brought in to the talks, when he spoke about the failure of isolation in dealing not only with the Palestinian group but also Hezbollah and Iran. Obama said Netanyahu had been “very vocal” in expressing his concerns about Iran developing a nuclear weapon, which the Israeli prime minister described as “the worst danger we face”. He agreed that it should be prevented, but said that diplomacy not confrontation should be given a chance… He said the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Iran nuclear issue had a bearing on each other. “To the extent we can make peace between the Palestinians and Israelis then it strengthens our hand in the international community in dealing with a potential Iranian nuclear threat.” Netanyahu agreed, but added that Iran developing a nuclear weapon would have a negative effect on the search for peace with the Palestinians. Both agreed that the issues make it necessary to draw in other governments in the region…”
issue 85 - August 2009 44 | Discover Lebanon Masa The Village of Cherry
Trablous Zgharta Etymology Balamand A‘arjes Anis Freyha mentions in his book “Names of Lebanese Towns and Ehden Becharre The Cedars Villages” that the word Masa means wild figs or teak tree or grape residues Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck (leftovers of grapes after pressing). This may be the reason behind the Deir el Ahmar Maqne name of this town that was known for its teak trees and grape pressing Qasr el-Banat Hadath Jbail Iaat in old times. Baalbeck Jounieh Ghazir Jouret Niha El Ballout Location Masa BEIRUT Zahle É°SÉe The village of Masa is situated in the Muhafaza of the Beqa’a, at an altitude Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-Baidar Bhamdoun of 1,050 meters above sea level. It lies at a 70 km distance from the Anjar capital city Beirut and 16 km from the provincial capital of Zahle, covering Deir el-Qamar Meshref Beiteddine Moukhtara an area of 705 hectares. Qaraoun Lake Yanta
Saida Jezzine It can be reached via Beirut- Dahr Al Baydar- Chtaura- Riyak- Ali An- Libbaya Aiha Nahri- An-Nasirya- Masa. Hasbaya Nabatiye Marjayoun Population Beaufort Castle The estimated number of people registered in the Civil Status Records of the town is around 680, all belonging to the Shia’a confession. There about 200 houses in the town, with 5 commercial enterprises. Voters The number of voters in the town of Masa in the year 2000 was 322 (of whom 205 voted). The number increased to 378 voters in 2005 (of Educational Institutions whom 249 voted). In the year 2009, the number has reached 420 voters. There is one public school in the town of Masa, “The Masa Intermediate Mixed Public School,” which was comprised of 356 students in the 2005- Voters are distributed among the following families: 2006 academic year compared to 364 students in 2006-2007. Many of its students come from the neighboring villages. There are 32 members Nasser 153 voters in the teaching staff, including 20 contractual teachers. Hassan 105 voters Saydah 82 voters Economic Activities Al Moussawi 55 voters Masa residents depend on external employment and trade in addition to Taleb 25 voters agriculture, particularly the cultivation of apricot and cherry, which the town is well known for. Local Authorities The municipality of Masa was established according to decree 131 adopted Archeological Sites by the Minister of Interior and Municipalities Elias Al Murr on February There are no archeological sites in Masa. 14, 2004. The Municipal Council includes 9 members and is chaired by Mr. Hussein Nasser. Its municipal share of the Independent Municipal Problems Fund reached LBP31million in 2006. The town has a mayor, Mr. Kassem Residents of this town suffer from various problems, mainly from Mohammed Nasser, and a council consisting of 3 members. electricity power cuts, poor road conditions, and summer droughts.
Sources translated as: Lebanon in Encyclopedia - Kamal Feghali | Cities & Villages of Lebanon - Toni Mfarrej | Lebanon Map by Assaad Seif issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. Names of Cities & villages of Lebanon - Anis Freiha | List of registered voters of 2008 - Ministry of Internal Affairs | Mayor of the village 45 | Families Families from Lebanon
Families from Lebanon Sadaka families Greek Orthodox origins but currently a Maronite majority
Family origins This family descends from Hajj Suleiman who left Azroh village in Hauran, Syria to go to Tripoli (known at that time Palm Islands Tripoli
Zgharta as Damascus Tripoli) in the middle of the 13th century. Balamand
The family accompanied King Mansour Qalawun who Becharre The Cedars Labweh Batroun Hadet Hasroun Tannourine Ras Baalbeck besieged and destroyed Hauran, exterminated its people, Deir el Ahmar Bentael Qasr el-Banat and built another city next to the old city’s ruins. Jbail Edde Baalbeck Jounieh
Niha Dhour Shoueir BEIRUT Hajj Suleiman settled in Tripoli with his family. One of his ähÒH Zahle Rayak Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-Baidar Bhamdoun children was Sadaka, which is the name the family carries. Anjar Deir el-Qamar Meshref Beiteddine Sadaka had two boys, Youssef, who died without children, Moukhtara Qaraoun Lake Yanta and Suleiman, father of Sadaka the II. Saida Jezzine Aiha Libbaya
The first family ancestor was Greek Orthodox. However, Marjayoun Beaufort Castle member of the family later adopted different confessions Sour and dispersed in many Lebanese regions. Qana Number of members and their distribution across various confessions and regions 4- Sunni There are 1,300 members of the Sadaka family divided a Kfarmechki (Rachayya), 15 members across various Lebanese confessions (the majority being a Shebaa (Hasbayya), 50 members Maronites) and regions: a Al Manara (Western Beqa’a), 50 members a Al Tufayl (Baalbeck), 45 members 1- Maronites a Al Rasiya Al Fawqa (Zahle), 200 members 5- Shia’a a Hadath Baalbeck (Baalbeck), 45 members a Marjayoun (Marjayoun), 23 members a Zebdin ( Jbeil), 22 members a Al Nabatieh, 60 members a Riyak (Zahle), 30 members a Tarchich (Baabda), 250 members a Serhin Al Tahta (Baalbeck), 60 members Doctors a Rachayya Al Fawqa (Zahle), 200 members a Jditta (Zahle), 12 members There are two doctors from the Sadaka family registered in a Zouk Al Khrab (Metn), 15 members the Syndicate of Doctors in Beirut. a Taalabaya (Zahle), 68 members a Barsa (Koura), 20 members Lawyers a Deir Al Ahmar (Baalbeck), 25 members a Beirut, 25 members There are 4 lawyers from the Sadaka family registered in the Syndicate of Lawyers in Beirut. 2- Greek Catholics a Hawch Al Umara (Zahle), 20 members Engineers
3- Greek Orthodox There are ten engineers from the Sadaka family registered a Al Munsef ( Jbeil), 110 members in the Syndicate of Engineers in Beirut. a Tripoli, 15 members
issue 85 - August 2009
46 | Focus on the Arab World Access to Post-Secondary Education in the Arab World Access to Post-Secondary Education in the Arab World n the previous issue, The Monthly showed the number of students enrolled in primary and secondary schools in selected countries throughout the Arab world. The numbers revealed a steady quantitative increase in student enrollment and an Iinsignificant or decreasing gender gap. In this issue, we examine the number of students enrolled in tertiary education in selected Arab countries, which include holders of secondary-education diplomas who continue their studies in any setting (universities, colleges, training schools etc). The number of students enrolled in higher educational institutions is a particularly significant indicator of a country’s social and economic development, since it reflects the level of skilled workers available for current labor market demands. This is especially important for the Arab world, where 60% of the regions’ population is under 30 years of age and demands for jobs will continue increasing. According to the 2008 World Bank Report on Education in the Middle East and North Africa, unemployment in the Arab world averaged 14%, which is higher than other areas in the world, except for Sub-Saharan Africa, with the Palestinian territories coming highest with nearly 26%. Graph 1 shows a comparison in the number of male and female students enrolled in tertiary education in selected Arab countries. This number is lower than those enrolled in secondary and primary education (see The Monthly issue # 83 of June 2009 issue).
[Graph 1] Comparison in the number of males and females enrolled in tertiary education in selected Arab countries
Source: UNESCO (2007)/World Factbook for population
Total # of Students in 2007 Total Female Total Male
Palestine Tunis Algeria Morocco Oman Qatar UAE Lebanon (West Bank & Gaza)
Table 1 shows the percentage of students enrolled in 2007 in selected countries compared to the total population. Percentage of students enrolled in 2007 in selected countries compared to the total population Table 1 Total # of Students Total Resident Population 2007- % of Students Enrolled in Tertiary Country in 2007 nationals and expatriates Education Relative to Total Population Lebanon 187,055 4,300,000 4.4 Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) 169,373 3,890,086 4.4 Tunis 335,649 10,215,222 3.3 Algeria 901,562 33,351,000 2.7 Morocco 369,142 32,314,496 1.1 Oman 69,018 3,200,000 2.2 Qatar 8,881 980,000 0.9 UAE 77,428 4,700,000 1.6 Source: UNESCO (2007)/World Factbook for population
Although statistics show that education was becoming more accessible and the gender gap was being reduced, The World Bank Report also pointed out that the Arab region was not experiencing the positive changes seen in Asia and Latin America. This was particularly the case in literacy rates and enrolments in secondary schools and universities. Unfortunately, illiteracy rates in the Arab world are still higher than the international average and even higher than the average in developing countries, resulting in many future challenges that must be addressed by Arab governments and ministries of education. issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l.
Information International iNDEX - Real Estate index | 47 Real Estate Index:May 2009
here was a limited real estate trading in the month of May especially Average cost of construction (apartments) sold in May 2009 Table 2 Tbefore the parliament elections that took place on the June 7, 2009. Location Area (m2) Price (USD) USD/m2 The prices in general were stable without any significant decrease. A Beirut general increasing trend was expected especially at the beginning of the Koreitem 200 600,000 3,000 summer season and the indicators of the increasing number of Lebanese Ras Beirut 220 550,000 2,500 that are expected to come back to Lebanon as a result of the market Achrafieh 210 441,000 2,100 crash. The Monthly publishes the real estate index for the month of May Ras An Nabaa 150 240,000 1,600 2009 as they were collected at that time for archiving reasons and will Ramlet Al Baida 400 1,000,000 2,500 publish in its upcoming issue the months of June and July together. Ramlet Al Baida 310 713,000 2,300 Table no.1 and 2 show the average price of land and construction sold Verdun 160 304,000 1,900 during May 2009. Verdun 200 660,000 3,300 Bourj Abi Haidar 160 160,000 1,000 Some of the prices of land sold in the month of May 2009 Table 1 Badaro 230 425,500 1,850 Location Area (m2) Price (USD) USD/m2 Baabda Beirut Mar Takla 370 525,400 1,420 Verdun 825 3,300,000 4,000 Mar Takla 230 333,500 1,450 Achrafieh 480 864,000 1,800 Yarzi 350 805,000 2,300 Achrafieh 600 2,070,000 3,450 Haret Hraik 160 80,000 500 Ras Beirut 710 3,621,000 5,100 Galerie Semaan 135 189,000 1,400 Tarik Al Jadideh 600 972,000 1,620 Matn Hamra 550 2,475,000 4,500 Antelias 200 200,000 1,000 Zouqaq Al Blat 400 1,040,000 2,600 Rabieh 280 532,000 1,900 Baabda Rabieh 200 240,000 1,200 Hazmieh 750 1,500,000 2,000 Mansourieh 200 300,000 1,500 Hazmieh 440 616,000 1,400 Zalka 210 126,000 600 Mar Taqla 820 557,600 680 Bikfaya 240 300,000 1,250 Matn Fanar 170 178,500 1,050 Jdaideh 890 1,335,000 1,500 Jdaideh 150 145,500 970 Bikfaya 1,100 385,000 350 A’aley Mazra’at 1,100 198,000 180 Aramoun 130 91,000 700 Yachouaa Dohat Aramoun 200 120,000 600 Awkar 610 274,500 450 Dohat Aramoun 180 122,400 680 Awkar 1,000 170,000 170 Alley 120 120,000 1,000 Broumana 1,400 574,000 410 Khaldeh 190 155,800 820 Antelias 900 225,000 250 Dohat El-Hoss 250 245,000 980 A’aley Keserwan Rouaisat Saoufar 1,200 138,000 115 Adma 200 226,000 1,130 Chwaifat 1,400 490,000 350 Ballouneh 200 150,000 750 Dohat El-Hoss 750 262,500 350 Tabarja 160 148,800 930 Keserwan Adonis 200 126,000 630 Adma 800 320,000 400 Zouk Mosbeh 110 81,400 740 Ballouneh 650 182,000 280 Sahel Alma 270 270,000 1,000 Ballouneh 1,000 310,000 310 Source: Information International – May 2009 Shaileh 930 241,800 260 The Monthly publishes in this issue the real estate index for the month of May 2009 and will Source: Information International – May 2009 publish in its upcoming issue the index for the months of June and July 2009.
issue 85 - August 2009 48 | Information International iNDEX - Consumer Price index Consumer Price Index May 2009 here is no precise direction for price fluctuation of goods and food commodities quoted in Information International’s index during May 2009. TThe price of 33 products increased between 0.04% and 77.3%. 29 commodities decreased in price between 1.7% and 28.6%, while 38 products maintained the same price.
Price increases are expected during the coming months, especially increasing oil prices. It was also noted during the month of May 2009 that there has been a revival in the purchasing ability after a decrease during the previous months. Table no.1 shows the price of goods and food products during May 2009
The price of goods and food products during April 2009 Table 1 The price of goods and food products during April 2009 Table 1 Prices Prices Prices Prices Percentage beginning beginning Percentage beginning beginning Item and brand of price Item and brand of price of May of of May of change 2009 June 2009 change 2009 June 2009 Oil Dairy Products Afia corn oil (3.5 liters) 12,000 11,200 - 6.7 Candia full 2,450 2,450 0 Mazola corn oil (3.5 liters) 12,150 11,450 - 5.8 cream milk (1 liter) Candia full Mazola corn oil (2 liters) 7,000 6,800 - 2.9 5,000 5,500 + 10 cream yoghurt (2 kg) Slim corn oil (2 liters) 7,500 7,100 - 5.3 Wesson corn oil (2 liters) 9,000 8,500 - 5.6 Bonjus labneh (1 kg) 3,750 3,750 0 Ghandour soya oil (3.8 liters) 10,000 9,700 - 3.0 Taanayel labneh (500 g) 5,200 5,250 + 1.0 Alfa corn oil (4 liters) 13,500 11,750 - 13.0 Candia labneh (500 g) 5,000 5,250 + 5.0 Al-Wadi olive oil (1/2 liter) 8,450 8,250 - 2.4 Taanayel yoghurt (1 kg) 3,000 3,200 + 6.7 Ketchup and Sauces Smeds cheese (400 g) 3,750 3,750 0 Libby’s Ketchup (567 g) 1,780 1,750 - 1.7 Picon cheese (360 g) 3,400 3,400 0 Extra Ketchup (340 g) 1,170 1,170 0 Picon cheese (160 g) 1,750 1,600 - 8.6 Extra Ketchup (2.2 kg) 5,550 5,400 - 2.7 Double-crème 5,500 5,200 - 5.5 Dolly’s Mayonnaise (500 ml) 3,900 3,750 - 3.8 cheese (1 kg) Al-Wadi Mayonnaise (500 ml) 3,800 3,450 - 9.2 Fresh country cheese` (1 kg) 7,500 7,500 0 Al-Bsat Tahina (900 g) 7,500 8,850 + 18 Khashkawan cheese (1 kg) 12,750 12,756 + 0.05 Al-Bsat Tahina (450 g) 4,000 4,680 + 17 Lurpak butter (200 g) 2,250 2,250 0 Taous tomato sauce (70 g) 525 500 - 4.8 Tatra butter (200 g) 2,000 2,150 + 7.5 Taous tomato sauce (425 g) 2,750 2,750 0 Al-Maalaqtain 9,860 9,600 - 2.6 Tala tomato sauce (675 g) 2,500 2,500 0 margarine (2 kg) Al-Baqara al-Haloub Sugar and Salt 21,550 20,500 - 4.9 margarine (2kg) Sugar (2kg) 1,850 1,700 -8.1 Vegetaline margarine (2 kg) Al-Ousra Sugar (5kg) 5,500 5,500 0 16,750 15,100 - 9.9 Nido full cream 18,000 19,250 + 6.9 Salt (700g) 480 480 0 milk (bag) (2,250 g) Box of salt (738g) 1,400 1,350 -3.6 Nido full cream milk (2,500 g) 23,250 23,250 0 Tatra full cream milk (1,800 g) 15,250 16,000 + 4.9 Pasta Barilla spaghetti (500 g) 2,050 2,050 0 Antonio Amato 2,500 2,501 + 0.04 spaghetti (500 g) Monte spaghetti (500 g) 2,250 2,250 0
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. Information International iNDEX - Consumer Price index | 49
The price of goods and food products during April 2009 Table 1 Prices Prices beginning beginning Percentage Item and brand of May of of price 2009 June 2009 change Meat, Fish, and eggs Luncheon meat beef (198g) 1,420 1,420 0 Zwan chicken (200g) 2,250 2,250 0 The price of goods and food products during April 2009 Table 1 Zwan beef (200g) 2,200 2,200 0 Al-Mona chicken (200 g) 1,900 1,900 0 Prices Prices Percentage beginning beginning Al-Taghzia beef (200 g) 1,750 1,750 0 Item and brand of May of of price 2009 June 2009 change Al-Taghzia chicken (200 g) 1,750 1,750 0 Cereals Geisha sardine (125 g) 1,000 1,000 0 Khater beans (1 kg) 1,550 1,750 + 12.9 Deli sardine (125 g) 1,000 1,000 0 Peeled wheat (1 kg) 1,100 1,950 + 77.3 Milo sardine (125 g) 1,000 1,050 + 5.0 Pineal Lima Bean (1 kg) 2,750 2,750 0 Geisha tuna (200 g) 2,050 2,100 + 2.4 Brown Fine Burgul (1 kg) 1,750 1,850 + 5.7 White Bell tuna (200 g) 2,000 2,100 + 5.0 Egyptian rice (1 kg) 2,000 2,200 + 10 White Diamond tuna (200 g) 1,400 1,400 0 American rice (1 kg) 2,300 2,300 0 Skipper tuna (185 g) 1,750 1,750 0 Italian rice (1 kg) 2,730 2,650 - 2.9 Eggs (30 eggs) 8,000 7,000 - 12.5 Al-Wadi Hommos 1,125 1,150 + 2.2 Beef (1 kg) 11,000 19,500 + 77.3 Tahina (380 g) Sheep (1 kg) 22,000 23,500 + 6.8 Chtaura Hommos 1,100 1,150 + 4.5 Tissues and Detergents Tahina (380 g) Mimosa tissues (500 g) 2,500 2,500 0 California Gardens 1,100 1,100 0 Fine tissues (200 tissues) 1,100 1,200 + 9.1 beans (450 g) Primo tissues (200 tissues) 1,200 1,250 + 4.2 Al-Wadi beans (450 g) 890 900 + 1.1 Gipsy tissues (300 tissues) 2,275 2,400 + 5.5 Chtaura beans (480 g) 1,150 1,150 0 Mimosa toilet papers (4 rolls) 2,200 2,200 0 Libby’s corn (340 g) 1,250 1,150 - 8.0 Yes detergent (900 g) 1,980 2,000 + 1.0 Coffee and Tea Clorox (1 liter) 1,400 1,400 0 Najjar coffee (1kg) 11,800 11,800 0 Persil (4 kg) 17,830 17,830 0 Brazil coffee (1 kg) 9,500 9,500 0 Ariel (4 kg) 18,000 18,000 0 Al-Hisan tea (180 g) 2,500 2,450 - 2.0 Fruits and Vegetables Nastle (250g) 1,700 1,700 0 Orange (1 kg) 1,250 1,250 0 Halvah and Jam Tomatoes (1kg) 700 500 - 28.6 Al-Wadi halvah (454 g) 4,000 4,250 + 6.3 Cucumbers (1kg) 650 500 - 23.1 Al-Bsat halvah (450 g) 4,100 4,250 + 3.7 Bananas (1kg) 1,250 1,500 + 20.0 Chtaura apricot jam (1 kg) 6,100 6,400 + 4.9 Lemons (1 kg) 400 350 - 12.5 Al-Wadi apricot jam (1 kg) 5,630 5,500 - 2.3 Apples (1 kg) 2,250 2,500 + 11.1 Potatoes (1 kg) 700 700 0 Source: Information International
The Monthly publishes in this issue the consumer price index for the month of May 2009 and will publish in its upcoming issue the index for the months of June and July 2009.
issue 85 - August 2009 50 | Stats around the World
Did You Know That? by Dr. Hanna Saadah
1. X-Ray studies do not help patients with backache: Doing sophisticated back X-Ray studies on patients suffering from acute backache has been extensively reviewed. The meta-analysis showed that sophisticated X-Ray studies do not help the management or recovery of acute backache victims. Clinical management is better and cheaper without these sophisticated X-Rays such as CT and MRI scans. The study was published in the Lancet 2009 Feb 7:373:436. 2. Rapid heart rate in women is associated with heart attacks and death: In a study of 130,000 postmenopausal women over 8 years, rapid resting heart rates (>76/min) were associated with a 26% higher � 3. All weight reduction diets yield the same results: Four different diets that varied in fat, protein, and carbohydrate content were compared in 811 obese patients. After two years, there was no difference in weight reduction and the patients remained obese. The authors conclude that behavior is more important than dieting and the study was published in the N Engl J Med 2009 Feb 26;360:923.
Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport May 2009, 11.2% decrease in passengers
Air traffic in the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport traffic in the month of May 2009 compared to the previous month of April and the month of May 2008. Table 1 Airport has witnessed a slight decrease during % of change % of change the month of May 2009. The total number April 2009 May 2009 April 2009 May 2008 May 2008 of passengers was 348,510, a decrease of – May 2009 – May 2009 44,046 passengers or 11.2% compared to Arriving airplanes 2,129 2,234 + 4.9 1,270 + 76 the previous month. This decrease occurred Departing airplanes 2,124 2,241 + 5.5 1,264 + 77.3 even though there was a 5.2% increase in Total # of airplanes 4,253 4,475 + 5.2 2,534 + 76.6 the total number of airplanes. In comparison Arriving crews 16,961 17,856 + 5.3 to the amount of passengers in May 2008, Departing crews 16,923 17,907 + 5.8 a time when Lebanon was witnessing an Total # of crews 33,884 35,763 + 5.5 unstable security situation and the closing Arriving passengers 203,006 187,852 - 7.5 105,392 + 78.2 of the airport road, there was an increase Departing passengers 186,474 157,448 - 15.6 91,373 + 72.3 of 74.4% (or 199,789) in the number of Transit passengers 3,076 3,210 + 4.4 3,024 + 6.2 passengers in May 2009. Total # of passengers 392,556 348,510 - 11.2 199,789 + 74.4 Imported goods 3,448 3,434 - 0.4 2,144 + 60.2 (per ton) Table 1: Airport traffic in the month of May Exported goods 2,278 2,790 + 22.5 2,149 + 29.9 2009 compared to the previous month of (per ton) April and the month of May 2008. Total size of goods 5,726 6,223 + 8.7 4,293 + 45 (per ton) Source: Directorate General of Civil Aviation – May 2009
The Monthly publishes in this issue the airport traffic figures for the month of May 2009 and will publish in its upcoming issue the figures for the months of June and July 2009, noting that the airport traffic during the election period that was scheduled on the 7th of June 2009 was published in issue number 84 of July 2009.
issue 85 - published by Information International s.a.l. Stats & Numbers | 51
Letter to the Editor Given our shameful realities, I am not Stats& Dear Jawad, surprised at what happened in the Lebanese Numbers I have carefully read your chronological exposé elections, which I have renamed elauctions of the Lebanese rulers over the past five centuries (Mazadat Intikhabiyah). In the West, voters a LBP 100 million was granted and I do share you pain but not your consternation. finance their candidates while in Lebanon, by the Presidency of the Council of Perhaps because I live afar, I can see the naked candidates finance their voters. In the West, Ministers to the Lebanese Women reality better than those who live within its bribery and vote buying provoke shame and Council (an NGO). emotional confines. Seneca’s words, “An emotion legal action while in Lebanon, bribery and only happens when we are consciously caught up vote buying are the normal way of doing a LBP 2.6 billion is the contribution in a feeling that misrepresents the way the world business. In the West, integrity and honor by the Ministry of Tourism to the is,” ring true today as they did 2000 years ago. are valued above success and wining while committees of tourist festivals in in Lebanon, success and winning are valued various Lebanese regions, as follows: Historical realities derive from our immutable above integrity and honor. It has always Ba’albeck (LBP 1 billion), Jbeil (LBP human nature. Indeed, we are what we are, the been the ethical standards rather than the 800 million), Beit Eddine (LBP 800 only corrupt species upon this planet. Nothing in technological advances that have defined the million). It is expected to allocate Nature has corruption programmed into it except enlightenment and freedom of nations. other contributions to the festivals us. We call ourselves Homo sapiens (wise Man) of Sour and the South to ensure an but the rest of Nature calls us Homo corruptus Who can enlighten a nation that both Jesus equitable balance between religions (corrupt Man). Since the dawn of history, all the and Muhammad have failed to enlighten? even in tourism. religions and laws that have tried to reform us But, a person is held to higher standards have failed miserably. We need to stop pretending than a nation. The moral few who see a LBP 1.2 billion is paid annually to be what we are not and capitulate to our basal bribery and vote buying as shameful need to by the Ministry of National Defense primitivism. There are exceptions, of course, that be reminded that they are the minority and as compensation for the properties arise out of corrupt genetic pools and it was these minorities cannot win elauctions. Yet, by occupied by the Lebanese army in exceptions that lead Nietzsche to say that, “A continuing to provide palpable resistance, Ba’abda, which belong to the Lebanese people is a detour of nature to get to six or seven the moral minority will continue to uphold General Monetary Company. great men.” the armor entrusted to its Samoua’l. The noble are few. “Inna al-kirama qualilu.” a LBP 1,005 billion was the total Hanna Saadah amount paid by operating Lebanese banks (64 banks) to their employees as salaries and compensations in Other publications by Information 2008. 18,623 employees work in International and INMA (in Arabic): banks and represent 1.55% of the total Lebanese work force. 1- Salaries and Remunerations in the Public Sector 2- Public Seaside Properties 3- Lebanon’s Parliamentary History 1920-2000 a USD 124.3 million is the profit 4- Taxes and Fees realized by two Lebanese banks 5- Lebanon in Figures 1992-2002 (BLOM and Audi) during the first three 6- Lebanon in Figures 2003-2004 months of 2009. This profit represents 7- Lebanon in Figures 2005-2006 around 40% of the total profit made by 8- “I am Responsible, All of Us are Responsible” 9- “Our Environment is Our Home” the banking sector during the same 10- “My Society is My Responsibility” period. 11- “My Society is My Responsibility” Workbook 12- “I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards Correction Correction Correction State Building” To subscribe: 13- “I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards Al-Borj Building, 4th Floor, Martyrs Square In issue 84 of July 2008, the Beirut Central District number of Orthodox indicated in State Building” Workbook Telephone: 961-1-983008/9 961-3-262376 14- “Lebanon Wars, why?” Fax: 961-1-980630 graph 6, page 8 is 7. The correct [email protected] 15- Discrimination in Lebanon www.iimonthly.com number is 1 not 7. 16- Lebanon’s MPs and Lebanese Parliamentary www.information-international.com Elections 1960 - 2009 © Information International SAL All rights reserved On page 12, add Elie Aoun (nephew License No. 180/2003 of former MP) Responsible Director: Hala Saghbini issue 85 - August 2009