JUDGES’ SALARIES: 95% PAY HIKE WHEN WILL PATRIARCH AL-RAI BECOME A CARDINAL? November 2011 | PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 2013 112 THE MONTHLY INTERVIEWS

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THE UN INTERNATIONAL INDEPENENT INVESTIGATION COMMISSION AND THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON

Lebanon 5,000LL | 15SR | UAE 15DHR | Jordan 2JD| 75SYP | Iraq 3,500IQD | Kuwait 1.5KD | Qatar 15QR | Bahrain 2BD | Oman 2OR | Yemen 15YRI | Egypt 10EP | Europe 5Euros INDEX

4 THE UN INTERNATIONAL INDEPENENT INVESTIGATION COMMISSION AND THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON

10 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS DRAFT LAW

13 JUDGES’ SALARIES: 95% PAY HIKE

14 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 2013

15 MINISTRY OF FINANCE

18 MAR DOUMIT SECONDARY SCHOOL

20 CHRONIC LARYNGITIS BY DR. HANNA SAADAH

21 BACK TO SCHOOL AND BACK TO THE BOOKS BY Page 23 Page 26 DR. SAMAR ZEBIAN

22 HOW DOES INFORMATION PASS FROM ONE CELL TO ANOTHER? BY ANTOINE BOUTROS

23 THE MONTHLY INTERVIEWS: THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO LEBANON WU ZEXIAN

26 WHEN WILL PATRIARCH AL-RAI BECOME A CARDINAL? Page 4 27 DAR AL-IFTA’

30 HOW DOES ONE BECOME A CLERGYMAN IN THE SUNNI CONFESSION? 47 REAL ESTATE PRICES IN LEBANON - SEPTEMBER 2011 32 GEORGES FREM FOUNDATION 48 FOOD PRICES - SEPTEMBER 2011 34 POPULAR CULTURE 50 TOP 10 LANGUAGES BY INTERNET USERS 35 MYTH #51: ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS: SAFE OR RISKY?? 50 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - SEPTEMBER 2011 36 MUST-READ BOOKS: THE TICKS OF THE CLOCK 51 LEBANON STATS 37 MUST-READ CHILDREN’S BOOK: “THE ANIMALS TELL THEIR STORIES”

38 LEBANON FAMILIES: THE HARIQA FAMILIES

39 DISCOVER LEBANON: BTORRAM

40 HARIRI’S OUSTER FROM PREMIERSHIP

41 SEPTEMBER 2011 TIMELINE

46 WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT IN THE ARAB WORLD 3 | EDITORIAL WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE YOUNG AND ARAB? In his book “The Mainstay Concerning Poetry’s Embellishments, to the Syrian regime (This, of course, not in the very Correct Usage and Criticism”, Ibn el-Rachik recounts that a distant past) mean in the light of the continuous praise poet who became very famous was asked how his name was on of other regimes in the Gulf, Egypt and Morocco? every tongue and known all over. He said “It is because I have What does it mean to have no media venue, visual, minimized what is right and said ‘what is correct.’” audio or written, or even Internet without funding But what if we believed in Imam Ali’s words that: “Upholding from either Iran, an Arab regime and / or from the West? what is right has left me no friend”. What does it mean to disseminate ignorance and trivialities I do not know why we insist on holding so many seminars, through the same media? What does it mean to find no space symposia and conferences in English, while we talk about the for free thinking, even in universities? problems of our youths, who are supposedly Arabs. Are they What does it mean to be born Shia’a, Sunni or Maronite? What really Arabs? And while we don’t question further whether the does it mean to be born Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian, or Saudi? Kurds are Arabs and the Berbers are Arabs and the Chaldeans What does it mean to be young, groveling at the doorsteps of and the Assyrians are Arabs, have we asked them about their Leaders to build a future for yourself and your family? What opinions and how they want to be called? Are young Arabs, does it mean to be a young Lebanese and not know Mustafa Arabs; or are they Lebanese, Moroccan, Syrian and Saudi? Farukh, Saliba Douayhi or Paul Giragorssian? Why do we insist on such loose slogans that only serve to What does it mean to have a “Issam Fares Institute” or satisfy (and only probably) our yearning to be on top while we “Suleiman Olayan School” or “The Walid bin Talal Center” lay at the bottom? when there is nothing to commemorate Khalil Hawi, Gregoire Why speak of the problems of “Youth” or of “Women” and not Haddad, Ahmed Faris Al-Chidyak or Gibran Khalil Gibran? of “our” problems. The problems we face as humans, living on What does it mean to sit around and study the situation of this land. What do we expect of youth in a world of satellite Youth and their directions; who is funding our studies and what channels and silly talk shows? What do we expect of youth in are we doing with them? the absence of any collective memory? What does it mean to be What does it mean to be a youth from Saudi Arabia and head to a young Arab in a historical void? In the absence of knowledge? Afghanistan in early 1980 to “liberate” it from the Soviets? And Memory loss or dementia in the elderly is terrifying but did any of the studies or surveys foresee that he will turn into what sometimes a blessing to its victim and those around him, but to he turned into leading to the 11th of September, and its aftermath? be born old with no memory is a real disaster. What does it mean for an Irani Youth to head for Ba’albeck in What does it mean to be Minister of Justice when you 1982? Did any study or survey predict that he would turn into are member or a supporter of the ? What a Party considered a threat by Israel, and proving it right by does it mean to be Speaker of the House and the President marking the first victory in the history of the Arab-Israeli wars? of ? What does it mean to be a member And couldn’t those who founded this party with the cries of “Ya of International Socialist Party as well as Minister for Hussein” envisage that they would be answered back with cries the Displaced, a sectarian leader and Chairman of the of “Ya Abu Baker” and “Ya Omar” and that Bush, personally, Progressive Socialist Party? would take the issue and “stand” by the Sunni in Lebanon? What does it mean to be Prime Minister and agree to an What does it mean for the United States to invade Iraq in 2003 electoral law and run for elections on that basis; call on the promoting inter Sunni-Shia’a strife (as part of the effects of the Mufti of the Republic to pray at the “in defense invasion); did any study foresee such effects? the Sunna” and end your term in office “bereaving” Lebanon What does it mean for a youth from Saida to go to Riyadh and and the increase of sectarian discourse and expressing come back as a wealthy man and Lebanon’s Prime Minister, “surprise” at the animosity between the sects; and saying all be killed in 2005 with all the magnitude of events and popular of this in innocence, of course after winning in a sectarian demonstrations? Was this highlighted, or foreseen in our election based on a sectarian law that you participated or studies or surveys? you were created by it. What does it mean to be member of What does our situation mean to us all, young and old when “” or “Mustakbal” () and call faced with only three options: A religious-political jihadi path. A for the creation of a civil state, even a secular one? western-American ostracising path or social and political exile. What does it mean for a taxi driver, void of both teeth in his We have to, for the sake of memory, ask the delineators of borders jawline and gasoline in his car, to tell you: “God help Siniora; and chanters of “international legitimacy” slogans: Did our youth he cannot lower the price of gasoline because he has to pay know back in the days of the Sykes-Picot agreement and Balfour public wages and also stand in the face of the Shia’a ..? Declaration that their country was to be divided and Israel created? What does it mean to say that your mother was brutally This is why our youth are the way they are, un-read, with no killed at her door step and your father burnt, tied to his bed memory and yearning to immigrate. by the Phalangists in 1976 and then declare proudly “I voted Here we recall the words of Aos Ibn Hajar when he said: for the Lebanese forces because the real threat is Hassan What I have feared has occurred, Oh my soul go forth in trepidation! Nasrallah!” What does it mean to defend the practices of the Syrian intelligence in Lebanon and give it legitimacy? What does it mean to flood the Lebanese regime with incessant criticism and unconditionally defend the Syrian This article was published in Issue No 85, AUG. 2009. regime? What does the flood of criticism and even insults

issue 112 | November 2011 4 | LEADER THE UNIIIC AND THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON THE UN INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION COMMISSION AND THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON massive explosion blasted in Beirut on 14 February 2005 claiming the lives of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 21 other people besides the suicide bomber. Right after the , security forces and judicial authorities Ainitiated immediate investigations to bring the perpetrators and their accomplices to justice and confer punishment upon them as supposedly happens in any state. Soon after the explosion, many voiced their distrust in the Lebanese judicial and security authorities and called for an international investigation commission which would refer the case to an international judiciary system through the International Criminal Tribunal or the establishment of a special tribunal for Lebanon. Consequently, a fact-finding mission was dispatched to Lebanon and an international investigation commission was set up, leading eventually to the establishment of the international tribunal. The commission issued reports highlighting the ongoing progress in uncovering the truth. Mehlis, Brammertz, and Bellmare reports featured contradictive contents that politicized and personalized the truth. However, the final word remains that of the international tribunal.

Peter FitzGerald   Danielle Bellmare

FitzGerald’s report: Syria responsible for Lahoud’s term, and Assad replied that there had been pre-assassination tension a policy shift and that the decision was taken. He UN Secretary General Kofi Annan reported on February added that Lahoud should be viewed as his personal 18, 2005 his intention to dispatch a fact-finding mission representative in Lebanon and that “opposing to Beirut to inquire into the assassination of Hariri and him is tantamount to opposing Assad himself” submit a report to the UN Security Council. The mission and proceeded to say that “he would rather break was led by Irish deputy police commissioner Peter Lebanon over the heads of Hariri and Jumblatt than FitzGerald and comprised two police investigators, see his word challenged.” According to testimonies, a political advisor and a legal advisor. The mission Assad then threatened Hariri and Jumblat with concluded its inquiry on March 16, 2005 and the findings physical harm if they opposed the extension of were issued on March 25, 2005 as follows: Lahoud’s presidential term.”

“The specific causes for the assassination of Hariri “The explosion took place aboveground and an cannot be reliably asserted until after the perpetrators amount of no less than 1,000 kg of TNT was used are brought to justice. However, it is that clear for that end.” that the assassination took place in a political and security context marked by acute polarization “There is no evidence suggesting that Abou Adas around the Syrian influence in Lebanon.” could have had the capacity to mastermind and execute the assassination on his own, nor did he “Hariri reminded Assad of his pledge not to extend have the financial capability.”

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. THE UNIIIC AND THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON LEADER | 5 Mehlis’ first report: October 25, 2005: Syrian “It is the commission’s view that the assassination and Lebanese governments involved in the crime on , 2005 was carried out by a group Following the examination of the fact-finding mission with an extensive organization and considerable report, Lebanon approved of the UN Security Council resources and capabilities. The assassination had decision to establish an international independent been prepared over the course of several months. investigation mission into Hariri’s assassination by For this purpose the timing and location of Hariri’s virtue of the Resolution 1959 adopted on April 7, 2005. movements had been monitored and the itineraries On June 16, 2005, UN Secretary General declared the of his convoy recoded in detail.” mission operational. The mission, headed by German investigator Detlev Mehlis submitted its first report on “Building on the findings of the Commission and 25 October 2005. The report included the following: the Lebanese investigations so far, and on the basis of the material and documentary evidence collected, “The IIIC was declared operational four months after and the leads pursued to date, there is converging the actual crime, which means that the perpetrators evidence pointing at both Lebanese and Syrian and their accomplices have had ample time to destroy involvement in this terrorist act. It is a well known evidence and/or to collude with each other, the ability fact that Syrian Military Intelligence had a pervasive to recall of potential witnesses has been diminished presence in Lebanon at the least until the withdrawal and previous omissions and inadvertent or deliberate of Syrian forces pursuant to resolution 1959. The loss and destruction of evidence cannot be undone.” former senior security officials of Lebanon were their appointees. Given the infiltration of Lebanese “The witness Mohammad Zuhair Al-Siddiq visited institutions and society by the Syrian and Lebanese several Syrian military bases in Lebanon. At intelligence services working in tandem, it would one such base in Hammana, he observed a white be difficult to envisage a scenario whereby such a Mitsubishi van covered with a white tarpaulin over complex assassination plot could have been carried the flatbed. The observations were made on 11, 12 out without their knowledge.” and 13 February 2005. The van left the Hammana base on the morning of February 14, 2005. The “It is the commission’s conclusion after having Mitsubishi Canter Van, which was used to carry the interviewed witnesses and suspects in the Syrian explosives, entered Lebanon from Syria through the Arab Republic and establishing that many leads Bekaa border and a military hot lane on 21 January point directly towards Syrian security officials 2005 at 13.20 hrs. It was driven by Syrian Colonel as being involved with the assassination, it is from the Army Tenth Division.” incumbent upon Syria to clarify a considerable part of the unresolved questions. While the Syrian “The investigation shows that eight telephone authorities, after initial hesitation, have cooperated numbers and ten mobile telephones were used to to a limited degree with the commission, several organize surveillance on Mr. Hariri and to carry out interviewees tried to mislead the investigation by the assassination. The lines were put into circulation giving false or inaccurate statements. It has been on 4 January 2005 in the northern part of Lebanon, proved that the letter addressed to the commission between Terbol and Menyeh. The lines were used by the Foreign Minister of the Syrian Arab Republic on specific days to observe Mr. Hariri’s habitual contained false statements. The full picture of the movements, mostly in the area of Beirut.” assassination can only be reached through and extensive and credible investigation that would be “On February 14, 2005, six lines were used in the area conducted in a clear and transparent manner to the stretching from Parliament Square to the Saint Georges full satisfaction of international scrutiny.” Hotel and the axes of Zqaq el Blat and Al Bachoura. The phone calls occurred at 11:00 hrs and covered all Mehlis’ second report: December 12, 2005: routes linking the Parliament to Kuraytem palace. The Reiteration of past accusations telephone located at the Parliament made four phone Mehlis second report which was released a few hours calls to the other telephones at 12:53 hrs, the time when after the assassination of MP Jubran Twaini reiterated Hariri’s motorcade left Nejmeh Square. The telephones the former accusations held by the first report against have been inactive since the blast at 12:56 hrs. The lines Syria. The report was submitted following interviews were only used to make calls with each other for the between the commission and five Syrian officials at a UN entire period from early January to February 14, 2005.” headquarters in Austria. The report asserted the presence

issue 112 | November 2011 6 | LEADER THE UNIIIC AND THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON of new evidence that corroborates the involvement Brammertz’ fourth report: December 13, of both Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services in 2006: suppositions of the assassination the assassination. The commission reported having Brammertz believed that Syrian cooperation was prepared two telephone databases to facilitate further generally satisfactory and disclosed that the suicide analysis of the phone calls which lead to identifying the bomber who drove the Mitsubishi Canter van packed prepaid card user who called Al-Jazeera on 14 February. with high explosives wasn’t Lebanese and only spent The commission interviewed the user in question and his last two months in Lebanon. He reported that the followed up on identifying and tracing the whereabouts investigation is coming a long way in identifying and the telecoms pertaining to the prepaid cards circle the persons who used the six telephones and that six including 8 special numbers and 10 mobile phones used assumptions were behind the murder: in the surveillance and assassination of Hariri. Hariri’s stance on Resolution 1559 Lahhoud’s term extension Brammertz’ first report: no finger pointing and Hariri’s connections with regional and western Syrian cooperation bears fruit. countries Detlev Mehlis, whose mandate expired at the end of Hariri’s connections with An-Nahar December 2005, wished to stay in Germany and did not Hariri’s chances of winning May elections want to be reappointed. On January 11, 2006, Secretary Al-Madina scandal General Kofi Anan appointed the Belgium Judge Serge Brammertz as new commissioner of the investigation The report believed there was indeed a connection and successor of Mehlis. Brammertz first report (the between the Hariri murder and the other subsequent commission’s third) featured reserve and generalization murders. and restrained from pointing any Syrian involvement with the assassination. Rather, it emphasized the Brammertz’ fifth report: March 15, 2007: cooperation received from Syrian authorities and Identifying the suicide bomber and the mentioned meetings held by the commission with high- telecoms role ranking officials in Damascus (News circulated of a The report demonstrated a substantive progress in collecting meeting with president basher Assad). evidence and inferring the motive behind the assassination, and the satellite three-dimensional photos accessed by the Brammertz’ second report: June 10, 2006: commission provided information of key importance in that substantive progress and results due by fall time. respect. The bomber had lived in a bullet-contaminated area The report underlined potential links between the before he turned 12 and moved into a suburban environment. assassination of Hariri and that of anti-Syrian political and The report points the surveillance of telephone lines that media figures and addressed the real and urgent need of monitored the explosion and provided clues on the role of Syrian cooperation to unravel all the lines of enquiry. A all accomplices in the preparation, planning, surveillance substantive progress in the investigation was revealed in and execution of the murder in addition to the manner in the report and Brammertz expected the completion of the which they predicted Hariri’s movements. According to the main lines of investigation by next fall including the results report, the commission initiated an investigation into the of forensic medicine and the final subsequent conclusions. role of the six prepaid card users and the potential activities resulting thereof. These investigations support the ongoing Brammertz’ third report: September 25, telecommunications analysis project to satisfy a four-fold 2006: satisfactory Syrian cooperation purpose: The report identified the nature of the group who carried To confirm the hypotheses suggesting that the cards out the assassination and highlighted that its plan was could have been used by the group who executed the sufficiently professional in terms of coordination explosion. and flexibility in execution. The commission, who To verify whether any other forms of denied the allegations against Abou Adas, received telecommunications could have had occurred great assistance from several countries with regard to between the team members and other members to wide-range investigation analysis. However, Syria’s attest to the materialization of the attack. cooperation remains paramount in advancing the To help the commission better understand the progress of the investigation, noting that the Syrian scenarios of the crime. assistance was satisfactory for the most part and there To perceive the bigger picture with regard to all were regular meetings with senior Syrian officials to possible activities performed by the team or to any organize and facilitate witness interviews. locations they visited prior to the attack.

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. THE UNIIIC AND THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON LEADER | 7 “This extensive analysis enabled the commission to build commission’s assumption that these events contributed a clearer image of the role and activities of the explosion to the atmosphere which yielded the motives for the team and provided additional geographic and temporal assassination.” investigation threads. Furthermore, it underlined the activities of other members suspected to have participated Regarding Syria, the report pointed that Damascus in the killing through the usage of the prepaid cards.” has facilitated the work of the commission and Syria’s cooperation was “generally satisfactory” noting that “This detailed probing into the activity of the prepaid the commission will keep on demanding complete cards yielded paramount factors pertaining to the cooperation to the full satisfaction of its mission. ongoing investigation including, but not limited to, a Furthermore, the report warned that the deterioration in presumable definition of the role of all the parties who political and security conditions in the region is likely took part in the preparation, planning and execution of to halt the progress of the investigation in the coming the attack besides the prediction of Hariri’s movements months and attention was drawn to the fights between the and of possible preceding attacks on Hariri’s life.” Lebanese army and Islamic militants, the assassination of MP and the attack on the UNIFIL. Brammertz’ sixth report: July 12, 2007: Identifying individuals involved in the Brammertz’ seventh and last report: commission of the crime November 28, 2007: the suicide bomber The investigation made a progress in the line of unidentified inquiry around the identity of the individuals who were This report is the last for Brammertz whose mandate possibly involved in or informed of the assassination. expires at the end of 2007 before the appointment of The findings stated that the Mitsubishi van was sold to Canadian judge Daniel Bellmare. someone who might be engaged in the final preparation for the attack. The commission obtained information The report pointed that the evidence assisted in the reporting that over 1,800 kg of explosives were used understanding of several aspects of the assassination, in the operation which was carried out by a suicide particularly those pertaining to the type of the bomber rather than Abou Adas who appeared in the explosives carried by the Mitshubishi Canter van and video claim of responsibility. The commission has the individuals involved in the surveillance of the late required further information regarding the van that Rafik Hariri. Moreover, it has been concluded that carried the explosives and pointed that the van left a Ahmad Abou Adass who appeared in the video claim Mitsubishi factory in Japan in February 2002 and was of responsibility received by Al-Jazeera’s television reported stolen in Kanagawa, Japan, in October 2004. channel in Qatar was not the suicide bomber who The van was then shipped to the United Arab Emirates carried out the attack on Rafik Hariri. Currently, the and transported to a showroom close to Tripoli in identity of the suicide bomber remains uncovered albeit northern Lebanon in December 2004, where it was sold. the commission has reached a substantive progress in The Commission has recently acquired information identifying his Middle Eastern origins without reporting regarding the sale of the van to individuals who could any details in that respect. The commission asserted be involved in the final preparation of the van for the that the unrevealed evidence regarding the attacks on attack on Rafik Hariri. Hariri and others, including the assassination of MP , demonstrates that the perpetrators Regarding the identity of the suicide bomber, the did and still possess advanced and extensive operational commission’s findings remain that the suicide bomber capabilities in Beirut. The commission pointed its need was a male, probably between 20 and 25 years old, with to maintain confidentiality of its information to avoid short dark hair. The commission’s experts also reached jeopardizing the integrity of the investigation as well as the conclusion that “this individual lived in an urban the safety of the witnesses and reiterated its call for the environment for the first ten years of his life and in a establishment of a witness-protection program. rural environment during the last 10 years of his life.” The report further mentioned that its current frame of Bellmare’s first report: March 28, 2008: work is focusing on Hariri as an advocate of Resolution Syrian cooperation 1559 which urged the withdrawal of Syrian troops and Bellmare assumed his duties as commissioner of the the dissolving of militias in Lebanon. The report added investigation on January 1, 2008 (he was appointed that “while the events surrounding the adoption of on 16 October 2007) and delivered his first report, the Resolution 1559 still need further investigation, it is the commission’s tenth, on March 28, 2008. The report

issue 112 | November 2011 8 | LEADER THE UNIIIC AND THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON asserted that there is evidence of connection between The evidence compiled throughout the investigation the Hariri murder and the other killings committed including witness statements, documentary evidence ever since assassination attempt at and Call Data Records (CDR) for mobile phones in the end of 2004. The commission highlighted Syrian Lebanon has led to the identification of the persons cooperation and described it as “generally satisfactory” implicated in the assassination and the investigation and attention was drawn to past crimes such as the traced five covert and open mobile-phone networks. assassination of General Francois el-Hajj and Major Wissam Eid. After drawing extensively on telecoms evidence, the indictment reaches its conclusion and the report Bellmare’s second report: December 2, 2008: mentions 12 times the sentence: “it may be reasonably Further findings concluded”. The report pointed that the commission has received new The indictment claimed that the TNT explosives information that would implicate new individuals in the weighed 2500 kg rather than 1800 as was previously network that carried out the assassination in addition reported and the identity of the suicide bomber remains to further findings that would assist in determining the unknown. geographic origins of the suicide bomber. The report also highlighted factors attesting to a connection After six years of consistent investigations, and the between the Hariri murder and the other killings and publication of 11 reports leading to the indictment, it and the commission underlined Syrian does not seem that the investigations relied on solid cooperation and requested to extend its mandate until evidence. While fingers were pointed to the Syrian February 28, 2009 (the mandate expires on January 31, and Lebanese intelligence bodies during Mehlis 2008) to complete consistent investigations. mandate, confidentiality prevailed when Brammertz took office until Bellmare’s report which implicated The indictment: August 17, 2011: Phone calls members of Hezbollah building on telecoms evidence link Hezbollah members to the assassination that gained little if any attention in earlier stages. On June 10, 2011, the prosecutor Danielle Bellmare Ironically, the Lebanese are awaiting the tribunal to submitted his indictment to the tribunal which unsealed know the truth! it on August 17, 2011 after six years of investigation. The indictment contained the following: The individuals implicated in the assassination are the four Hezbollah members Mostafa Badreddine, Saleem Ayyash, Hassan Oneissi, and Assad Sabra and the case against the Accused was built in large part on circumstantial evidence.

According to the indictment, “circumstantial evidence which works logically by inference and deduction, is usually more reliable than direct evidence which can suffer from first-hand memory loss or eye-witness distortion. It is a recognized legal principle that circumstantial evidence has similar weight as direct evidence and can be even stronger sometimes.”

The report summarized the respective roles of the Accused as follows: “Badreddine served as the overall controller of the operation. Ayyash coordinated the assassination team which was responsible for the physical perpetration of the attack while Oneissi and Sabra had the task of preparing the false claim of responsibility to mislead the investigation thus shielding the conspirators from justice.”

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. THE UNIIIC AND THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON LEADER | 9

“It May Be Reasonably Concluded” “It is reasonable to conclude from the last Green mentioned 12 times in the Indictment Network call that Badreddine issued the final authorization to carry out the attack.” Prosecuter Daniel Bellemare submitted his indictment to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) “It may be reasonably concluded from these Pre-Trial judge Daniel Franseen on August 10, 2010. communications that the assassination team Significant parts of the indictment were unsealed on member on Red informed Ayyash and another August 17, 2011 and contained the 12-time repeated member on Red of the departure of Hariri from phrase “It may be reasonably concluded.” Parliament so that the van could assume its final position for attack.” “It may be reasonably concluded from the said instances (the usage of Red Network phones, as “It may be reasonably concluded that Badreddine well as other phones, including a Green Network and Ayyash had the capability of executing the phone and blue phones, at the same place, on the February 14, 2005 attack.” same date, and within the same timeframe) that one person is using multiple phones all at once, “It is reasonable conclusion that the aim of the when over a lengthy period of time, the patterns of conspiracy sustained by all the accomplices is use for each phone never vary in an inexplicable committing a terrorist act by detonating a large manner.” quantity of high explosives in a public place to assassinate Hariri.” “It may be reasonably concluded that the activity of the Red Network phones on February 14, 2005 shows the execution of the attack on Hariri.” Tribunal and Investigation cost: LBP 143.5 billion “It is reasonable to conclude that phone use in the Red Network doesn’t suggest innocent or Ever since the establishment of the UN International coincidental communications.” Independent Investigation Commission, followed by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the Lebanese “It may be reasonably concluded that the financial contribution to the tribunal has reached movement of the Mitsubishi Canter van within LBP 95 billion distributed as follows: two minutes of the arrival of the convoy cannot be coincidental.” - LBP 16.1 billion covering the commission’s residence and transportation expenses. These allocations “It can be reasonably concluded that the were provided pursuant to decrees approved by the background of Badreddine as a man experienced cabinet. The decrees suggested allocating funds from in committing terrorist acts corroborates that his the Budget Reserve to the commission through the alias is Sami Issa.” budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the clause “Internal Delegations and Conferences”. The “It is reasonable to conclude that Ayash was said funds included a LBP 1.1 billion allocation to the responsible of monitoring the false claim Ministry of Justice in favor of the Court of Cassation preparation.” as well as the installation of cameras facing the houses of all individuals concerned with the STL. “It is reasonable to conclude by comparing the movements of Rafik Hariri and the synchronic -79 billion financial as Lebanon undertakes 49% movements of the Blue Phones and Red Network of the total budget allocated for the tribunal. These Phones that these observational periods were amounts were paid pursuant to decrees granting the preparatory steps for the assassination.” Ministry of Justice treasury loans to be paid from the General Budget allocations. Lebanon is now due to “It is reasonable conclusion from these calls that pay his 2011 LBP 32.2 billion share. Badreddine authorized Ayyash to purchase the Mitsubishi Canter van.”

issue 112 | November 2011 10 | PUBLIC SECTOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS DRAFT LAW PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS DRAFT LAW: PART 1: PROPORTIONALITY, WOMEN’S QUOTA, PRE-PRINTED BALLOTS AND OPTIONS ON ELECTORAL DISTRICTS nterior Minister Marwan Charbel announced during a press conference held on October 10, 2011, his electoral draft law for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Charbel handed the draft law to the President, the Prime IMinister and the Speaker as a preliminary step towards its approval as is, or amended, in the Cabinet although the final word remains that of the Parliament. Apparently, issuing the law won’t be anytime soon and its approval is not a sure thing in the presence of other potential options including the 2009 electoral law.

Minister Charbel reported that his draft law is second Holding the entire elections in all electoral districts to none in both form and content. over a single day as stated in former electoral laws. What’s in the electoral proposal? Resetting a ceiling for electoral expenditures The proposal suggested by Minister Charbel contained whereby every candidate has right to LBP 100 a few new things that were not present in former million in addition to a movable amount of LBP 3 electoral laws including: thousand for every registered voter. Adopting proportionality rather than the majority voting system which was the norm in the Several options on electoral districts parliamentary elections held in the past decades in The draft law did not adhere to specific electoral districts Lebanon. and left the door open for several options granting the Adopting an open-list system with two preferential cabinet and the parliament the freedom to either pick one votes which allows voters to choose the candidates or set other options. Each option, if adopted, will yield they want without due consideration to the order set different outcomes. However, the common denominator by the head of the list. Thus, victory might favor the among these options is that they all maintained the two candidate chosen by voters and not necessarily the districts, Beirut-Baalbeck- and -Bsharri one at the head of the ballot. –koura- as they are. Ensuring women a 30% quota since most candidates are usually men. This quota is restricted for candidature, Option 1: 14 electoral districts not representation, for there is no legal provision that This option suggests the division of each of the four grants women 30% of the parliament i.e. 38 seats. governorates (Beqa’a-North-Mount Lebanon-South Establishing a mechanism that allows Lebanese and Nabatiyeh) into three districts while the capital is expatriates to take part in the polls provided that divided into two districts as shown in table 1. they register themselves prior to November 20, 2011. Expatriates’ voting would kick off no later 14 electoral districts Table 1 than 15 days before the . Number Number  Electoral Parliamentary seats of The lists must be registered 40 days before the district of by confession elections. Former electoral laws did not necessitate deputies electors list registration and it has been customary to reveal the Tripoli- 8 Sunni lists a few days before, or on the eve of, the elections. 1 Maronite Minnieh- 11 1 Alawi 298,184 Early list registration might be one of the obstacles that Dinnieh 1 Greek Orthodox would cripple the issuance of the new electoral law. Zgharta- Voting will take place by virtue of pre-printed 3 Greek Orthodox Bsharri- 10 7 Maronite 234,916 ballots prepared by the Ministry of Interior and Koura- Batroun featuring the names and photos of the candidates. 3 Sunni Establishing an independent electoral committee 1 Alawi Akkar 7 2 Greek Orthodox 230,646 tasked with supervising the Parliamentary elections 1 Maronite in coordination with the Ministry of Interior. This 6 Shia’a committee will comprise a wide range of prominent - 10 1 Maronite 264,486 cultural and legal figures. Hermel 2 Sunni 1 Greek Orthodox issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS DRAFT LAW PUBLIC SECTOR | 11 14 electoral districts Table 1 Option 2: 14 electoral districts Number Number This option preserves the districts in the North, South Electoral of Parliamentary seats district by confession of and Beirut governorates. Jbeil and Kesrouan will form deputies electors a single district likewise Baalbek and Hermel which 2 Sunni means that 10 districts remain as they are while the Rashayya- 1 Maronite 6 1 125,076 remaining four districts undergo the change. Zahle will West Beqa’a 1 Shia’a join Rashayya and West Beqa’a to form one district. 1 Greek Orthodox Chouf will form a single district after separating it from 2 Greek Catholic which will join and part from Metn which 1 Maronite in turn becomes a single district as illustrated in table 2. Zahle 7 1 Shia’a 1 Armenian Orthodox 159,341 1 Greek Orthodox 14 electoral districts Table 2 1 Sunni Electoral Number of Parliamentary seats Number of Tyre 7 7 Shia’a 284,974 district Deputies by confession electors 5 Shia’a 3Sunni Nabatiyeh- 1 Sunni Marjeyoun- 8 266,468 Zahle- 2 Greek Orthodox 1 Druze 2 Shia’a Hasbaya 1 Greek Orthodox Rashayya- Western 13 2 Maronite 284,417 2 Sunni Beqa’a 1 Greek Orthodox Saida- 2 Shia’a 1 Druze - 8 204,910 2 Greek Catholic Zahrani 2 Greek Catholic 2 Maronite 2 Druze 2 Sunni 7 Maronite Chouf 8 183,086 2 Shia’a 3 Maronite 1 Druze 1 Greek Catholic Baabda- Metn 14 324,104 2 Greek Orthodox 4 Maronite 1 Armenian Orthodox 8 2 Greek Orthodox 1 Greek Catholic Metn 1 Greek Catholic 171,262 1 Armenian Orthodox Jbeil- Kesrwan 8 7 Maronite 165,858 1 Shia’a 5 Maronite Baabda- 2 Shia’a 5 Maronite 11 270,164 4 Druze Aley 1 Greek Orthodox Chouf- Aley 13 2 Sunni 301,008 3 Druze 1 Greek Catholic 1 Greek Orthodox Option 3: 14 electoral districts Electoral districts in the governorates of Beirut, the Beirut 1: 3 Armenian Orthodox Ashrafieh- 1 Maronite South, Mount Lebanon and Beqa’a and the district Rmeil- 1 Greek Catholic of Zgharta- Bsharri- Koura- Batroun remain as set in Mdawwar- 9 1 Greek Orthodox 195,428 1 Sunni option 1. However, Tripoli will form one single district Marfa’a- Saifi- and Minnieh and Dinnieh will be grouped with Akkar. Bashoura 1 Shia’a 1 Armenian Catholic Thus, Tripoli would include 198,540 electors and 8 Beirut 2: Ras 5 Sunni deputies against 330,290 electors and 10 deputies in Beirut- Dar 1 Shia’a Akkar- Minnieh- Dinnieh. Mrayse- 1 Druze Mina’a 10 255,407 1 Evangelical Option 4: 13 electoral districts Hosn- Zqaq 1 Christian Minorities Blat- Mazra’a- 1 Greek Orthodox Districts in Beirut and the North and districts of Jbeil- Msaytbeh Kessrouan and Baalbek- Hermel remain as set in option 34 Maronite 1. The remaining six districts will be altered so that 27 Sunni Zahle- Western Beqa’a and Rashayya are grouped in 27 Shia’a 14 Greek Orthodox one district. Chouf and Metn would form one district 8 Druze each and another district comprising Aley and Baabda. Total (14) 128 8 Greek Catholic 3,310,806 Tyre will be grouped with Saida, Zahrani and Jezzine 2 Alawi and will join , Marjeyoun and 5 Armenian Orthodox 1 Armenian Catholic Hasbayya as illustrated in table 3. 1 Evangelical 1 Christian Minorities

issue 112 | November 2011 12 | PUBLIC SECTOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS DRAFT LAW

13 electoral districts Table 3 10 electoral districts Table 4 Parliamentary Electoral Number of Number of Parliament seats by Electoral Number of Number of district deputies electors seats by confession district deputies electors confession 3 Sunni 11 Sunni 2 Greek Tripoli- Orthodox 3 Greek Minnieh- Zahle- 2 Shia’a 18 Orthodox 528,830 Dinnieh- Rashayya- 2 Maronite 2 Maronite 13 284,417 Akkar Western 1 Druze 2 Alawi Beqa’a 1 Armenian Orthodox 3 Sunni 2 Greek 2 Greek Catholic Orthodox 5 Maronite Zahle- 2 Shia’a 2 Shia’a Baabda- Rashayya- 2 Maronite 11 1 Greek 270,164 13 284,417 Aley Western 1 Greek Orthodox Beqa’a Orthodox 3 Druze 1 Druze 2 Druze 3 Maronite 2 Greek Chouf 8 2 Sunni 183,086 Catholic 1 Greek 8 Maronite Catholic 5 Druze 4 Maronite 2 Sunni 2 Greek Baabda- Aley- 2 Shia’a Orthodox 19 453,850 Metn 8 1 Greek 171,262 Chouf 1 Greek Catholic Catholic 1 Armenian 1 Greek Orthodox Orthodox 6 Shia’a Saida- 11 Maronite 2 Maronite Zahrani- 2 Greek 12 2 Sunni 364,182 Jezzine- Orthodox 2 Greek Jbeil- Tyre 1 Armenian Catholic Kessrouan- 16 337,120 8 Shia’a Orthodox Nabatieh- Metn 1 Druze 1 Greek Marjeyoun- 11 1 Greek 392,170 Catholic Hasbayya- Orthodox Bint Jbeil 1 Shia’a 1 Sunni 6 Shia’a Option 5: 12 electoral districts Saida- 2 Maronite Districts in the governorates of Beirut, Mount Lebanon Zahrani- 12 2 Sunni 364,182 and the North and the Baalbek- Hermel district remain Jezzine- Tyre 2 Greek as stated in option 1, i.e. 9 electoral districts. Three Catholic districts would go through modification. Zahle will 8 Shia’a Nabatieh- join Rashayya and Western Beqa’a to form one district. 1 Druze Marjeyoun- Saida- Zahrani- Jessine and Tyre will form one district 11 1 Greek 392,170 Hasbayya- and Nabatieh- Marjeyoun- Hasbayya and Bin Jbeil will Orthodox Bint Jbeil be grouped into one district as suggested in option 4. 1 Sunni Option 6: 10 electoral districts Each governorate will be divided into two districts while Next issue: number of electors according to Beirut districts (2), Baalbek-Hermel, Zgharta- Bsharri- confession Koura, will remain as suggested in option 1. The remaining 6 districts will be subject to change as shown in table 4.

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. JUDGES’ SALARIES: 95 % PAY HIKE PUBLIC SECTOR | 13 JUDGES’ SALARIES: 95% PAY HIKE ost Lebanese judges complain about their salaries and deem them unfair considering their competencies and the several responsibilities they assume. Further, they bemoan the wretched conditions of the Moffices at Justice Palaces and the shortage of the means necessary to facilitate their work. On the other hand, the litigants voice their dissatisfaction with 1 million to LBP 1.7 million i.e. an average of 70%, while the slow judicial process and the flaws in verdict which lead second year judges’ salaries increased from LBP 1.053 them to question the conduct and efficiency of several judges. million to LBP 1.850 million i.e. around a 75.6% average. In both third and fourth years, the salaries soared from LBP Mindful of the above, the successive governments 1.106 million to LBP 2 million i.e. around 80.8% and the grade endeavored to make judicial reforms a priority on their value jumped from LBP 53 thousand to LBP 150 thousand. agendas. The current government has also offered devoted attention to this issue and its ministerial statement committed Judges in courts of justice: to help the judicial body regain its self-confidence and the The salary of first grade judges (fresh law graduates) trust of people. Furthermore, the government promised to would increase from LBP 2.1 million to LBP 4.1 improve the judges’ financial status and to enhance judicial million i.e. an average of 95.2% while that of highest inspection and verdict acceleration. grade judges (22nd grade) will reach LBP 9.350 million up from LBP 5.418 million, i.e. an increase of 72.5 %. Salary boosts were therefore the first step in judiciary reform which will hopefully include further practices in the future. The difference in monthly salary between two grades increased from LBP 158,000 to LBP 250,000 noting Number of Judges that judges receive a one grade promotion following Current acting judges are around 682 and they are two years of service. distributed as follows: 560 judges in the courts of justice Judges in the auditing department, the Shura council and 52 judges in the Shura Council the religious Islamic courts will benefit equally from the 30 judges in the Auditing Department pay boost likewise the retired judges whose salaries would 40 judges in the Sunni, Jaafari and Druze religious courts soar from LBP 7.5 million to LBP 9.3 million since such judges will have attained the highest grade by the age of 68. Salary boost The parliament approved the salary boost by virtue of Additional revenues law number 173 which was issued on August 29, 2011 Besides the salaries stipulated by the new law, the Judges’ and contained the following: Fund for Mutual Aid grants the judges several benefits. The pay hike includes all retired and acting judges in These benefits are usually determined in light of the the courts of justice, the Shura council, the Auditing revenues that the fund collects from the fees paid for the Department and the Sunni, Jaafari, and Druze religious cases, the traffic fines and other donations and resources. courts as well as the starting judges (still training at the On average, judges receive around a one-month salary institute for judicial studies) and the administrative judges. every two or three months, i.e. 18 monthly salaries per year.

Acting judges are to receive a one-time pay jump of In addition to the abovementioned advantages, the two grades (i.e. each judge is granted a LBP 500,000 Fund provides medical assistance and scholarships. monthly increment besides the new salary.) In order to well-deserve these advantages, it is of the utmost Minister of Finance, Mohammad Al Safadi reported importance that judges increase their productivity, speed that the pay hike amounts to LBP 27 billion per year but up in rendering their verdicts and refrain from all practices former Prime Minister Fouad Seniora asserted that the real that jeopardize their reputation. Finally, it is noteworthy expenses are ten times the number given by Mr. Safadi. to mention that the judges’ pay hike will pave the way for several demands from other sectors such as the Lebanese New salaries University teachers and the question remains: “would the The increments differed according to the judges’ grades: government be capable of meeting these demands or is a Starting judges: new wave of strikes looming in the horizon?” The monthly salary of first year judges jumped from LBP

issue 112 | November 2011 14 | PUBLIC SECTOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 2013 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 2013 The upcoming parliamentary elections are supposed to take place on a date that would be determined later and would probably fall between April, May and June 2013. New law proposals are being laid down under the banner of “equal and fair representation.” As of this issue, The Monthly will kick off a series of articles and investigations to shed light on the parliamentary elections. PART 1: THE CHARTER AND THE NUMBER OF VOTERS AND DEPUTIES

Distribution of deputies according to Should the parliamentary seats be distributed according confession: to the number of voters, the current representation It is common knowledge that the parliament is made up would change. The Sunni would obtain 8 extra seats of 128 deputies distributed equally between Muslims and the Shia’a 7. would lose 6 seats, Greek and Christians. These deputies are distributed according Orthodox Christians 4 seats, Greek Catholics 4 seats to their confession as follows: and Armenian Orthodox Christians 2 seats. As for the Maronite: 34 Druze and the Alawis, they would each lose one seat Greek Orthodox: 14 and the Evangelicals wouldn’t be represented at all. Greek Catholic: 8 Therefore, it is the keenness on the national charter Armenian Orthodox: 5 and coexistence that binds the Lebanese to equal shares Armenian Catholic: 1 in the Parliament and allows them to accept equality Evangelical: 1 regardless of the sizes and numbers. Christian minorities: 1 Sunni: 27 Table 1: Electoral distribution according to confession Shia’a: 27  Druze: 8 Electoral distribution according to confession Alawi: 2 Confession Number Percentage Disparity in voter numbers and equality in Sunni 889,161 27.2% parliamentary representation Maronite 713,098 21.8% The registered voters in 2009 reached 3,266,074 Greek Catholic 161,783 5.0% distributed between 60.3% Muslims and 39.7% Greek Orthodox 245,903 7.5% Christians which should bring about 77 Muslim Shia’a 872,237 26.7% deputies and 51 Christian. Druze 183,775 5.6% Alawi 25,019 0.8% According to these numbers, the distribution according Armenian Orthodox 87,427 2.7% to confession shall be as follows: Syriac Orthodox 7,619 0.2% Maronite: 28 Armenian Catholic 19,075 0.6% Greek Orthodox: 10 Christian Minorities 49,771 1.5% Greek Catholic: 6 Evangelical 6,913 0.2%  Armenian Orthodox: 3 Israeli 4,293 0.1% Armenian Catholic: 1 Total 3,266,074 100 % Sunni: 35 Shia’a: 34 Part two: number of electors and voters (1960-2009) Druze: 7 Electoral distribution according to confession in 2009 Alawi: 1 elections

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MINISTRY OF FINANCE PUBLIC SECTOR | 15 MINISTRY OF FINANCE: SOUGHT BY ALL AND RESERVED FOR THE SUNNI he Ministry of Finance is one of the most important ministries in Lebanon and most decrees have to be countersigned by the Minister of Finance in addition to the President and the Prime Minister. TThe ministry assumes several responsibilities ranging from the salaries of government employees to taxation and real estate affairs, which makes this portfolio subject to fierce competition among all sects.

Establishment The Directorate of Customs (will The Directorate of Expenditures: The Ministry of finance is one of the undergo a detailed study) Administrative Bureau original ministries that were recognized Audit and Disbursement Bureau following the establishment of the Directorate-General of Finance Salary Disbursement Bureau State of in 1920 and The Directorate-General of Finance Retirement Disbursement Bureau the promulgation of the Lebanese consists of: Constitution in 1926. On May 31, The Directorate General: The Directorate of Treasury: 1926, judge Auguste Adib Pasha A Director General Administrative Bureau appointed a Minister of Finance and a A Government Commissioner at Collection Control Bureau Prime Minister during ’ the Central Bank Accounting and Cashiers Bureau presidential term and the fifth article of A Bureau Chief Central Cashier decree number 5 (organization of the Central Treasurer ministries of the Lebanese Republic) The Directorate of Administrative Budget Payment Order Bureau determined the functions of the Affairs: Central Cashier Ministry of Finance: “The Ministry of Administrative Bureau Beirut Collection Bureau Finance is responsible for managing Archiving Unit Cash Flow Administration Bureau and safeguarding public resources. Legal Studies Bureau Thereupon, it shall keep revenues Personnel/ Accounting and The Directorate of Public Accounting and pay expenditures and preserve Stationary Bureau Financial Control of Public treasury funds… and draft the general Institutions Bureau budget… and examine taxes and bills The Chief Commissioner Office Financial Controller and revenues and monitor fiduciary Financial Accounting Bureau circulation and reimburse retirement The Directorate of Budget and Central Cashier salaries and draft financial laws…” Expenditures Control: Administrative Bureau The Directorate of Public Debt Structure Expenditures Control Bureau (established in 2008): By virtue of decree number 2868 Expenditures Contract Controller Financial Markets Department dated 16-12-1959 and its amendments, Budget Bureau Strategic Planning and Risk particularly the 2485 decree dated 30-6- Management Department 1992, the 10631 decree dated 13-8-2003 The Directorate of Revenues: Operations Department and the 2501 decree dated 6-7-2009, the Audit Control System Ministry of Finance shall manage and Administrative Bureau The IT Center keep public funds and be responsible Tax Legislation Bureau for the budget, treasury, customs, real Income Tax Bureau The Directorate of Value Added Tax estate and cadastral affairs and national Tax roll Bureau (established in 2001 and including lottery as well as any other matters that Deduction at Source on Salaries 351 posts distributed according to might be entrusted to it stipulated by Bureau employee grades as follows: existing laws and regulations. Large Taxpayers Office Grade 2: 5 posts Built Property Tax Bureau Grade 3: 184 posts The Ministry of Finance consists of: Land Tax Bureau Grade 4: 583 posts The Directorate-General of Finance Inheritance Tax Bureau Grade 5: 55 posts The Directorate of Real estate Affairs Indirect Taxes Bureau The Directorate of National Lottery Land Improvement Tax Bureau The Legislation and Tax (will be subject to further highlight) Tax Compliance Bureau Policies Department including

issue 112 | November 2011 16 | PUBLIC SECTOR MINISTRY OF FINANCE

42 posts distributed as follows: The Department consists of the Mount-Lebanon Regional Grade 2: 1 post following: Department: 240 posts Grade 3: 30 posts Field Audit Bureau North-Lebanon Regional Grade 4: 11 posts Senior Taxpayers Audit Unit Department: 156 posts The Department consists of: Examination Group Beqa’a Regional Department: The Legislation and Tax Quality and Examination 107 posts Policies Bureau Review Unit South Lebanon Regional The Tax Research and Analysis Unit Tax Control and Reclamation Department: 123 posts Legal Affairs and Bureau Nabatyeh Regional Department: Implementation Circulars Unit Office Examination Group 94 posts The Publications Unit Tax Defaulters Follow-up Unit Akkar Regional Department: Pleading and Verdict Analysis Tax Refunds Examination Unit 54 posts Unit Quality Review Unit Baalbeck-Hermel Regional Risk Analysis and File Department: 55 posts Selection Unit The Financial and Administrative These posts are distributed Audit Programming Unit Planning and Coordination according to the following Audit Follow-up and Reporting Unit Department including 36 posts grades: Objections and Appeals Bureau distributed according to employee Grade 2: 7 posts Objections Follow-up Unit grades as follows: Grade 3: 184 posts Appeal Follow-up Unit Grade 2: 1 post Grade 4: 583 posts Grade 3: 21 posts Grade 5: 55 posts The Operations Department Grade 4: 14 posts including 56 posts distributed The Department consists of the The Directorate of Real Estate Affairs according to grades as follows: following: (it became a directorate in 2002 and Grade 2: 1 post Personnel Affairs and Training includes 495 posts distributed according Grade 3: 27 posts Unit to employee grades as follows: Grade 4: 28 posts Document and Record Grade 1: 1 post Taxpayer Services Bureau Management Unit Grade 2: 10 posts Registration Unit Policy and Procedure Grade 3: 10 posts Information Unit Management Unit Grade 4: 369 posts Publication Distribution Unit Public Services Unit Grade 5: 29 posts Postal Unit IT Bureau The Directorate of Real Estate Data Processing Bureau Programming Unit Affairs consists of the following Statement Processing Unit Technical Services Unit departments and bureaus: Revenue Processing Unit Operating System Support Unit Al Diwan Department: Tax Reclamation Processing Unit Financial and Administrative Administrative Bureau Tax Issuance Unit Coordination Bureau Accounting bureau Quality Review Unit Complaint Processing Unit Foreign appropriations bureau Collection Bureau Internal Audit Unit State-owned Immovable Property Collection Follow-up Unit Planning Unit Department Tax Refunds Unit Accounting Unit Investment Bureau PR and Quality Bureau Maintenance and Execution Bureau Media Relations Unit The District Regional and Central Real Estate Register in Citizens and Taxpayers Financial Departments: district centers including real Awareness Unit Administrative Bureau estate registers in province centers. Taxpayers Services Bureau The Audit and Tax Reclamation Tax Compliance Bureau Cadastral Department Department including 206 Collection Follow-up Bureau Real Estate Improvement Bureau posts distributed according to Objections Bureau Final Mapping Bureau employee grades as follows: Data Processing Bureau Cadastral Bureau in all district and Grade 2: 1 post Other Scheduler Taxes Bureau province centers Grade 3: 89 posts The Departments include 829 IT Bureau Grade 4: 117 posts posts distributed per district:

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MINISTRY OF FINANCE PUBLIC SECTOR | 17

The Ministry Budget The ministry is also responsible for Fouad Shihab presidential term (1958-1964): The 2010 draft budget which hasn’t been reimbursing retirement salaries whose Rafik Naja- (Prime Minister)- passed to date, granted the Ministry of Finance cost was included in the budget of the Amine Bayhoum- Pierre Gemayel (2)- Rashid LBP 443.7 billion distributed as follows: Finance Ministry and later in the 2010 Karami (Prime Minister)- Amine Bayhoum Office supplies (stationery- books…): budget draft under a new entry and with a LBP 478 million LBP 1400 billion cost. presidential term (1964- Electricity, water and telecoms: LBP 1970): Amine Bayhoum- Othman al-Dana- 4.874 million Ministers Rashid Karami (Prime Minister)- Abdallah Office rent and maintenance: LBP 2.770 78 ministers took office since the 1943 el-Yafi (Prime Minister)- Rashid Karami million independence to date (Mid October 2011.) (Prime Minister)- Abdallah el-Yafi (Prime Printed matter: LBP 3,500 million These ministers will be mentioned hereafter Minister followed by Pieere Eddeh as Minster Computer equipment: LBP 12,500 million according to the presidential terms and it of Finance)- Pierre Gemayel- Abdallah el-Yafi Remunerations for services: LBP 5,250 may be noted that: (Prime Minister)- Pierre Gemayel- Rashid million Most Prime Ministers maintained Karami (Prime Minister)- Rashid Karami Computer maintenance: LBP 3000 million Premiership alongside the Ministry of (Prime Minister) Cleaning expenses: LBP 1,300 million Finance until 1979. Furniture: LBP 3,200 million Since the 1943 independence to July 1979 Suleiman Fangieh presidential term Salaries, wages and remunerations: LBP (during Elias Sarkis term and Salim Al (1970-1976): Elias Saba- Fouad Naffa’a (2)- 39,9 million Hoss premiership), not one Shia’a came Takieddine Saleh (Prime Minister)- Khaled Financial contribution to the Basil Fuleihan to office and the Ministry of Finance was Jumblatt- Lucien Dahdah- Rashid Karami ( Economic and Financial Institute: LBP then run by minister and MP Ali Al Khalil. was a Prime Minister and was followed by 1,400 million The (1989) adopted a George Skaff as Minister of Finance) Financial contribution to the UNDP: LBP new tradition reserving the Ministry of 2,100 million Finance for the Shia’a. Accordingly, Elias Sarkis presidential term (1976-1982) Financial contribution to the Investment Ministers Ali Al-Khalil and Assaad Diab Farid Raphael- Ali al-Kalil (2) Insurance Institution: LBP 300 million ran the ministry for two consecutive times Subscriptions in regional and international from 1989 till 1992 when Mr. Rafik Hariri Amine Gemayel presidential term (1982- institutions and organizations formed his first government and revived 1988): Adel Hamiyeh- Kamil Chamoun- Rental compensations for property the old tradition. Thus, he withheld the Joseph al-Hachem- Edgard Maalouf (in occupation by the international emergency said portfolio and introduced the new General government which forces in South Lebanon …. post of the Minister of State for Financial assumed office after the expiry of Gemayel’s Directorate General of Customs: Affairs which was assumed by Mr. Fouad term without the election of a successor) LBP 54,9 billion . The directorate Siniora who held this position for so long expenditures cover the salaries, wages and and left his mark on the ministry. This presidential term (1989-1998) remunerations amounting to LBP 48,5 change was compensated by granting the Ali al-Khalil (2)- Asaad Diab- Rafik Hariri billion as well as a LBP 1,2 billion office Shia’a the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Prime Minister) and Fouad Seniora (Minister rent and maintenance cost and another 1,2 of the State for Financial Affairs) for electricity, water and telecoms utilities. Bishara el-Khoury presidential term Directorate General of Real Estate (1943-1952): Riad Solh (Prime Minister)- Emile Lahoud presidential term (1998- Affairs: LBP 11,9 billion. The directorate Hamid Frangieh- Abdul Hamid Karami- 2007): George Qorm- (2)- expenditures cover the salaries, wages and Emile Lahoud(2)- Kamil Chamoun- Elias Saba- Demianos Qattar- Jihad Azour monetary rewards amounting to LBP 4,3 Mohammed el-Aboud- Hussein al-Oueini(3) billion as well as a LBP 1,5 billion office (was also a Prime Minister the third time)- Michel Suleiman presidential term (2008- rent and maintenance cost and LBP 2,7 Philippe Takla- Emile Lahoud- Moussa …): Muhammad Shatah- Rayya al-Hassan- billion remuneration for services. Mubarak (2)- Trad Bassil Muhammad al-Safadi Cadastral Department: LBP 2,2 billion Erection of new buildings for the ministry: presidential term LBP 9 billion (1952-1958): Rafik Naja- Rashid Karami- The number between parentheses Appropriations for road building and road- Pierre Eddeh-Abdallah el-Yafi (Prime represents the consecutive times the works: LBP 150 billion Minister)-Muhyiddin el-Nsouli- Jamil minister took office. Building establishments: LBP 100 billion Shihab-George Karam (2)- Nassri al- Saying that one minister succeeded Cadastral survey expenses: LBP 1,5 Maalouf- Jamil Makari followed by Farid another means that a ministerial billion Kozma- Pierre Eddeh amendment took place.

issue 112 | November 2011 18|PRIVATE SECTOR MAR DOUMIT SECONDARY SCHOOL MAR DOUMIT SECONDARY SCHOOL STABILITY IN STUDENT POPULATION The purpose Student population According to the school’s administration, the Antonine There were 930 students in the school in the scholarly Sisters schools aim at helping children grow up into year 1999-2000. This number included 461 students mature, wise and thankful adults. The administration in primary and pre-school, 248 in middle school and joins hands with teachers and parents to provide 221 in high school. This number increased slightly in students with guidelines on learning how to learn so the scholarly year 2009-2010 to reach 961 students they can embark on life’s journey with steady steps and including 557 in primary and pre-school, 190 in middle use their best judgment to tell right from wrong. school and 214 in high school. This approximate stability in student population is indicative to the Establishment parents’ confidence in this school at a time where The Mar Doumit School for the Antonine Sisters was student population in other private schools continues established in early November 1932 alongside Mar to diminish. Doumit monastery in Roumieh for which the Antonine sisters headed after they had left Mar Antonios Following the 1975 bloody strife in Lebanon, many monastery in Jezzine. The sisters began admitting day families flocked to the vicinity of Roumieh in search and boarding female students for elementary school for shelter. Therefore, the high school obtained paving the way for the first girls’ school in the region. accreditation to set up unisex classrooms in all its education cycles and admit both, the school girls and On July 14, 1954, the day and boarding elementary their brothers. school evolved into a high school by virtue of the decree 5605 and started accommodating unisex Mission classrooms, while single-sex education remained the The Antonine Sisters deem education as an ecclesiastic, norm in middle and high schools. national and civilized mission and believe that “every

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MAR DOUMIT SECONDARY SCHOOL PRIVATE SECTOR|19 human being has the right to be educated without classes short of the tri-lingual system will complete regard to his gender, age, condition, religion, race and schooling in and French and receive an average ideological and political stance. To them, education is of three English sessions per week. a serious responsibility to be assumed by the family on the first hand and by the state, the civil society and the The high school administration grants scholarships to church on the other.” Mindful that education should every student whose average throughout the scholarly be open to the world Cultures, the Antonine sisters year is: outlined suitable means and plans for that end and dealt 18/20 for elementary and middle school students with competent and honorable individuals. 17/20 for high school students

The administration regards the Sister Antonine schools Several extra-curricular activities including sports and as laboratories wherein students learn their heritage art are also provided every Friday afternoon. alongside human, national and Christian values and adapt to coexistence as the world shrinks down to a School unions: global village. Hereby, there was a consistent endeavor Mar Doumit high school consists of the two following to teach languages, new technology and diverse unions: civilizations in an atmosphere that promotes restrained liberty, respect and love. The Mar Doumit Secondary Teachers’ union: it is elected by members of the School embraced all of the above and employed all instruction committee and it represents them in requisite means to place the student at the heart of social occasions and speaks on their behalf before the school activity and provide his success on all levels. administration. There were 60 teachers in the scholarly year 2009-2010 including 32 permanent teachers and Structure 28 contractual teachers in addition to 13 permanent The school structure is composed of the following administrative members and 7 contractual members. boards: Old students’ union: the union was established Administrative board: it consists of the principal and pursuant to a notification numbered 38/ad and issued heads of departments and convenes once a week to by the Ministry of Interior on 20-1-1994. All graduates monitor and evaluate the educational process. are entitled to join the union which serves as a linking point between them. The union works on arranging Education board: it consists of the principal, the sisters meetings and conferences to raise awareness and heading the departments, delegates of the instruction provide scholarships for students with high distinctions. committee and other appointees by the principal. The Furthermore, the union plays a pivotal role in all aspects board meets on a regular basis, twice a month leastwise, of region development and perseveres in spreading the to discuss school general issues and make appropriate high school values and maintaining its fine reputation recommendations and decisions. in every possible way.

Parents’ board: pursuant to the laws in effect, the parents elect a board to represent them (parents’ board) and carry out the following: Examine and approve the annual budget prepared by the school administration Participate in all school activities Contribute to the solidarity fund and the school book bank. Curricula, education and activities The high school has adopted since the scholarly year 2008-2009 three education languages: Arabic, French and English. The said languages are taken from nursery to grade 1 and evolve gradually to reach all classes. The

issue 112 | November 2011 20 | HEALTH CHRONIC LARYNGITIS CAUSED BY CHRONIC-THROAT-TO-VOICE-BOX-REFLUX Dr. Hanna Saadah Whenever anything but air is Several diseases may mimic this type of chronic laryngitis and aspirated from the throat into the should be ruled out before the diagnosis of chronic-throat-to- voice box it causes cough and throat voice box reflux is made. Chronic sinus infections, upper and irritation. What is aspirated could be lower airway allergies, voice box tumors, vocal cord nodules, food, saliva, mucus from the nose or voice box tuberculosis, chronic stomach-to-esophagus reflux, sinuses, allergic or infected secretions cigarette smoke irritation, work environment irritations, and from the throat or nose or sinuses, neurological conditions that interfere with proper swallowing— acidic secretions from the stomach, yellow bile from the should all be considered in the differential diagnosis. This is liver, certain irritating gases such as smoke, and all kinds of necessary because the diagnosis of chronic-throat-to-voice-box- dust or annoying particles such as pollens or animal dander or reflux is ultimately a diagnosis of elimination since there are no insects. The voice box (larynx) only likes to conduct moist, specific diagnostic findings that are pathognomonic and that do clean air into the windpipe (trachea); anything else besides not overlap with other diseases. In several studies, laryngoscopic moist, clean air causes voice box irritation (laryngitis), which findings in asymptomatic participants were similar to those seen in turn may cause the five cardinal symptoms of chronic- in chronic-throat-to-voice-box-reflux patients. throat-to-voice box-reflux, namely: a) cough, b) throat clearing, c) hoarseness, d) throat Because the causes of this type of chronic laryngitis are poorly irritation, and e) feeling of a false lump in the throat. understood, the treatments for this chronic-throat-to-voice- box-reflux are not always effective and could take up to 3 to The current medical term for chronic-throat-to-voice box-reflux 6 months to show benefit. Consequently, seasoned clinicians (chronic, laryngo-pharyngeal reflux) is a misnomer because it have developed their own theories and methods of treatment indicates that the reflux occurs from the voice box (larynx) into that circumvent the shortcomings of our current scientific the throat (pharynx) instead of the opposite. The causes behind uncertainties. When deemed appropriate, a therapeutic trial this chronic-throat-to-voice-box-reflux are complex, poorly that produces quick results (after months or years of suffering) understood, and are not directly related to the reflux of stomach is readily welcomed by most patients. I tend to provide secretions into the esophagus (chronic, gastro-esophageal this therapeutic trial after a thorough history and physical reflux). For example, in a series of about 900 patients, throat examination and before I embark on extensive investigations. clearing occurred in 87% of those with chronic-throat-to-voice If patients improve within two weeks, further investigations box-reflux in contrast to 3% of those with chronic, stomach-to- will have been avoided. However, if patients do not improve, esophagus reflux. Moreover, only 20% of those with chronic- then appropriate investigations become mandatory. throat-to-voice box-reflux had heartburn in contrast to 83% of those with chronic, stomach-to-esophagus reflux. My current therapeutic regimen involves taking together the following four, daily, over-the-counter medications— A post-infectious presentation of this inscrutable, chronic laryngitis which are safe, inexpensive, and highly effective. is very common. Typically, one suffers a viral respiratory infection Famotidine (Pepsid) 20 mg with breakfast and at bedtime. with cough and congestion, which endures the usual 2 to 3 weeks Omeprazole (Prilosec) 20 mg with breakfast and dinner. and then resolves leaving in its wake the symptoms of chronic- Loratadine (Claritin) 10 mg with breakfast. throat-to-voice box-reflux such as cough, throat clearing, throat Cetirizine (Zyrtec) 10 mg at bedtime. irritation, and hoarseness. When these symptoms continue for If by taking this regimen patients improve within two several weeks and are often made worse by eating or reclining, weeks, I ask them to stay on the treatment until they are one seeks medical attention and is first treated with antibiotics to totally well and then to try to stop it when their body no avail. Then one is referred to an Ear-Nose-Throat subspecialist, allows and to use it intermittently to control seasonal who after scoping and x-raying the patient makes the diagnosis of or episodic symptoms. The logic behind this treatment chronic, laryngo-pharyngeal reflux and treats the patient with a has to do with obstructing stomach acid secretion while stomach-acid-pump inhibitor such as Nexium for three months. If simultaneously blocking the airways’ histamine-1 and this treatment fails, the patient is told to return for further follow- histamine-2 receptors, which reduces airway secretions up and investigation. It is not uncommon for patients to continue and allergic inflammations. suffering from this type of chronic laryngitis for a year or longer saadah.net regardless of the treatments provided. Evaluation & Management of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. Charles N. Ford, MD. JAMA, Sep. 28, 2005-Vol. 294, No. 12 issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. www.hannasaadah.com - www.information-international.com - [email protected] THE AMAZING BRAIN | 21

BACK TO SCHOOL AND BACK TO THE BOOKS: HELPING CHILDREN STUDY SMART Dr. Samar Zebian We live in an oral culture. with what one is learning. Researchers have confirmed Orality requires skilled memory: that connecting new information with what is already to site proverbs, for bantering, to known ensures that students accumulate stable memories narrate our lives, to tell stories which are connected to existing knowledge. and invoke texts in speeches and rhetorical exchanges. It is Research has also shown that it is important not to study important in poetic dueling and repartee and other oral new information in a short period of time but to space out improvisations. Even in schools today, where we aim to study sessions. This strategy allows time for forgetting. manufacture literate young adults, the oral tradition is alive Counter intuitively, the process of forgetting is necessary and strong in Lebanon. Myself and collaborators, who for effective relearning because it provides an opportunity were engaged in a national video study of mathematics for encoding the information in new ways-something education, were amazed at how little public and private absolutely essential for long term retention. school teachers wrote on the board and the extent to which teachers expected students to learn mathematics orally. It is best not to study in the same spot. Some parents set This occurrence is common in a historically oral culture up a quiet study place and encourage their children to even in Lebanon with its relatively high literacy rate study only in this place. Considerable research however (compared to countries in the region). suggests that variation in the physical context (given that the contexts are relatively quiet and conducive to Living in an oral culture requires memory –it is a survival studying) results in higher recall and also less retroactive skill and when it is honed it has significant social currency. interference—that is , less forgetting of previously Given this, one may ask whether Lebanese students, who learned information. Researchers encourage students to have been socialized in this oral tradition, have good study indoors, outdoors, with friends, alone, with/without memory skills and whether these skills serve them in the background noise. This strategy maximizes the number of school context (setting aside other contexts for the time retrieval cues. being)? A final researched technique for improving study habits Let’s consider a common scene especially during the BAC and memory is to make honest and real assessments of exam period: students repeating texts aloud, often with how much one knows and does not know. This can be done some repetitive motion; pacing, tapping, rocking. This by doing problems without looking at the answers or the memory strategy is pervasive especially in oral cultures text. It may seem like a simple technique but what it does and is likely supported by a folk (intuitive) theory of mind is counteract the all too common “illusion of knowledge”- which goes like this: memories are consolidated with our belief that we know more than we actually do. repetition. But, the catch is that the quality of the memories Focusing on what you don’t know, in an objective non- acquired through rote repetition is not very good. The judgmental way, has been shown to improve studying. information might get in, but it is hard to retrieve it without a specific cue. Also the amount of information that can be The memory skills and strategies (some borrowed some stored with rote recall is limited unless an individual has invented anew) acquired by children growing up in developed elaborate memory schemas and is motivated to historically oral cultures currently in transition to new remember and if the memory task is buttressed by a social forms of orality and literacy may serve them well in some context. Researchers have also found that rote memories settings and for some practices. Rote rehearsal, however, fade quickly and do not easily get connected to already is not necessarily an effective all-purpose strategy. Orality stored/learned knowledge. studies have shown that rote rehearsal is but one among many memory strategies used by proficient reciters. Other Cognitive scientists who study how people member and strategies involve use of meter & rhyme, images that form learn, have found more effective strategies for students. thematic plots and alliteration and so on. If you a looking to make substantive changes in the way your children Those who study well and remember with ease, know that learn, the above might offer you some starting points. it is necessary to elaborate and make personal connections [email protected] - www.information-international.com issue 112 | November 2011 22 | EYEING HORIZONS HOW DOES INFORMATION PASS FROM ONE CELL TO ANOTHER? Antoine Boutros

n 1969, the Swiss Biochemist Friedrich Miescher succeeded in isolating an enigmatic chemical substance in the nucleus of the cell. Heedless of that substance’s Isignificance, Miescher did not complete his research and the substance remained in the shadow alongside several discoveries waiting to be brought to light.

It wasn’t until after half a century that researchers scientists to realize that gene activity is influenced realized that the said substance, known today as the primarily by amino acids rather than proteins. Deoxyribonucleic Acid or DNA, is the core of living organisms and consequently the material on which The discovery came contrary to all expectations and life is built as well as the active agent of heredity. even Avery exhibited hesitation in accepting the However, the exact position of the gene on the new findings. Eight years later, Alfred Hershey and chromosome wasn’t specified until 1968. his assistant Martha Chase noticed that when viral DNA penetrates bacteria, it cancels their genetic The long term Mendelian results remained unveiled for information and imposes its own, thus putting an a long time and there was no such science as genetics indisputable end to the controversy. when they were discovered. All that was known at the time was that the gene is responsible for passing Another milestone was achieved in the early fifties inherited traits from one generation to the next. when molecular biology swept over by leaps and bounds and seemed reliable, unlike its antecedents, Science reached a major milestone in genetics in in unfolding life mysteries and providing biology the year 1915 following experiments conducted at with new approaches for research and interpretation. Columbia University by scientist Thomas Morgan Back then, scientists did not restrict themselves with a fruit fly known as Drosophila Melanogaster. to determining the hereditary role of the gene but The fly was chosen for the experiment thanks to embarked on the tiresome mission of identifying the large size of its chromosomes which can easily the molecular structure that explains hereditary be seen under microscope in bead-like structures. mechanisms and molecular biology supplied them Morgan and his team were able to identify the with all the means necessary. location of the genes on the fruit-fly chromosomes. In 1915, he and his colleagues joined hands to publish A team of scientists presided by British Biophysicist “The Mechanism of Mendelian Heredity”, the first Maurice Wilkins initiated a research aiming at book to provide a solid and thorough explanation for identifying the DNA composition in order to figure Mendel’s laws. However, the mysteries surrounding out its operation mode. The team believed that the the tangible and physical nature of the gene were yet secret of life must present an opportunity to clone or to be unfolded. recopy the cell. The team used X-ray Crystallography, a 1938 technique in which a beam of X-ray strikes In 1917, American scientist Sewall Wright came a a crystal from different angles producing reflecting long way in understanding the gene structure and patterns that land on a detector to expose its geometric realized that the gene is responsible for controlling structure and internal composition. the reactions of enzymes (proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions in the body) although science Although Wilkins concluded that the DAN resembles a could not isolate any enzyme until the year 1926. braided rope, he failed to provide answers with regard to the method in which it makes identical copies that At that time people believed that the gene is made allow the transmission of genetic material from one up of proteins and amino acids and that the latter are cell to the next. It is noteworthy to mention that this of minor importance. However, a series of intriguing historical achievement was a feather in the cap of two experiments held by Oswald Avery in Rockefeller obscure scientists unfitted for such a great discovery. Institute in the early forties of last century propelled (To be continued)

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. www.irthsumer.com - www.information-international.com - [email protected] INTERVIEW|23 THE MONTHLY INTERVIEWS THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO LEBANON WU ZEXIAN The Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon WU Zexian held on the 26th of September 2011 a reception ceremony at the Phenicia hotel on the occasion of the Chinese National Day on one hand and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomacy relationships between Lebanon and China on the second. The Monthly conducted an interview with WU Zexian and inquired about his resume and the relationships between the two countries. To begin with, can you brief us on your personal life, education and career? I was born in 1952 in a town near Shanghai. I spent my youth there and I studied languages. I obtained a diploma in French language and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1978. My first mission abroad was at the Chinese embassy in France where I spent 15 intermittent years before I left for good in 2006. I worked at the Department of European Affairs during my presence in the ministry and my first post as an Ambassador was in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where I spent four years. Dispatching me to Kinshasa was a pleasure for it offered me the opportunity to meet a new world with unique measures and standards. Right after that, I moved to Beirut and I have been here since 2011. I am married and I have one 24 year old daughter who lives in china. What about your hobbies? I like travel and tourism and I have visited various Lebanese landmarks during my relatively short stay in the country. I’ve been to Tyre, Baalbeck (4 times) and Jbeil and I like natural and historical sites equally. I also have a penchant to the rich Lebanese cuisine and I like sports. Let’s now move to the diplomatic relationships between Lebanon and China. How did these THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO LEBANON WU ZEXIAN relationships evolve during a 40 year span? These relationships were not out of nowhere. On the contrary Dr. Hatem worked at the Health Ministry. He waged a fight they rest on solid grounds dating back to ancient decades. against Leprosy which prevailed in China back then and he These relationships were woven first thanks to several men succeeded at eliminating the disease. This man is an example like Dr. Georges Hatem who is considered a highly prolific of the friendship and cooperation binding our countries. figure in China for he was among the very few foreigners There were also other men interested in China long before who partook in the revolution and put their lives at risk at the the diplomatic ties. Of these, I mention the former minister camps. He used to rush to help people out and soothe their Adnan Qassar who flew to China in the fifties to investigate pain and he was present at all places to heal their wounds the possibility of a commercial exchange between the two with very limited facilities. Dr. Hatem was obsessed with countries. China was isolated at the time and that’s why we social equality and when the Communist Party of China bestowed honor upon Mr. Qassar in 2007 on the occasion came to power in 1949, he married a Chinese woman and of the 50th anniversary of cooperation. Former minister became a Chinese national. I still have an old photograph of Michel Eddeh is another friend of China. He knows the Dr. Hatem and his son with president Maw and his daughter. names of the Chinese figures by heart and he’s in light of

issue 112 | November 2011 24|INTERVIEW the matters of our country since time immemorial. Mr. Hekmat Qassir is also worthy of being mentioned for he’s a businessman and an old friend who first came to China in 1964 upon the invitation of Lucien Burque, the first French ambassador to China on the occasion of the establishment of diplomacy between France and China. Mr. Qassir is still a friend and he is living in China today. These relationships evolved and expanded to different levels and we exchanged a series of visits wherein we received high-ranking officials and several delegations from the army, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Education Ministry. Why weren’t the diplomatic relationships between Lebanon and China forged long before the 1971? We may attribute the reasons to the cold war and the conflict between the east and the west. China was isolated then and wasn’t recognized except by a few countries including first and foremost the Eastern Bloc. Meantime, changes started to take shape in France which played a pivotal role in breaking China’s isolation thanks to the efforts exerted by French President Charles de Gaulle. Some western countries like Switzerland, Norway and Finland preceded France in recognizing China. Normally the banning had to include the countries under Western power and that is perhaps the reason why Lebanon did not recognize China as a state which resulted in delaying the diplomatic relationships until 1971. China also witnessed a series of events in 1966 including the Cultural Revolution which lasted over 10 years and yielded many reactions worldwide. In the early 1970’s there has been a change on the international stage and China fell out with the Soviet Union which altered its standing and the opinions held by many. After all, China is not just another country revolving in the orbit of the Soviet Union. Back then, the United States also displayed a policy shift and wanted to approach China and thus the diplomatic relationships between Lebanon and China came to light. In any case “better late than never”. I reiterate that these relationships existed long before diplomacy and were maintained throughout the years and shall always flourish. There are trade ties between Lebanon and China but there’s a deficit in the commercial balance in favor of your country. How can China help in diminishing this deficit and bridging the trade gap? I couldn’t agree more. There is a huge imbalance indeed and it is not to the advantage of Lebanon but I must say that economic ties don’t rely on trade exchange solely. We should not forget the exchanged investments and the joint economic projects. I believe that tourism may also be an auxiliary factor in bridging the trade gap. In 2009, Chinese tourists were estimated by around 57.4 millions, 90% of which travel for leisure and the rest for business. Lebanon can certainly attract a large portion of tourists thanks to its captivating nature and historical heritage. Chinese tourists spend big on their trips and most of the Euro-tourists are now in areas neighboring Lebanon such as Turkey and Egypt. When

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. INTERVIEW|25 the Egyptian crisis broke out, 3000 Chinese tourists were How large is the Lebanese population in evacuated in one week. This touristic movement enforces China? the human ties and the friendship between our peoples and I don’t have an accurate answer in this respect but I am exerting my efforts in that direction. The Lebanese- all I know is that we are granting around 40-50 visas Chinese Friendship Association is scheduling visits for everyday and many Lebanese stay for a long period the Chinese travel and tourism offices to Lebanon in there. We adopt easy and flexible visa policies in China November and the Lebanese offices shall also visit China and the visas granted annually in Lebanon are estimated in later stages to make a tour and explore the country. by 11 thousand. It is of the utmost importance that we stop labeling Lebanon as a war-stricken and a conflict-ridden country How many workers are there in the embassy? and introduce it in a brand new image similar to that of There are 20 diplomats and some Lebanese employees. Turkey which grew from a small population to a large and powerful community. I know this is not a walk in the You have been in Lebanon for almost 10 park and serious efforts must be employed for that end months now, what are the things that you including publicity campaigns promoting the beautiful liked and disliked about our country? image of Lebanon. I believe that tourism will serve as a There is not a thing that bothers me. Even the traffic starting point in attracting Chinese investments as well as jam that gets on people’s nerves is worthless compared proficient infrastructure companies. In Libya for instance, to the congestion we have in Beijing. Everything is there were over 30.000 experts and employees working in delightful, the nature, the historic and artistic riches, the area when the crisis exploded there. These companies the food, the hospitality of the people. Lebanon has all are in the area and they can head for Lebanon to work the ingredients necessary to become a superior country in different sectors including electricity, oil exploration, enfolding high development rates and better lifestyles. water dams and telecommunications. The one project Despite all the blows and the conflicts inflicted upon this run by a Chinese company right now is the expansion country, the Lebanese are still dynamic and seeking the of Tripoli’s port which will be finished by the end of best. The private sector is forever on the go. Lebanon this year. There was a suggestion to start a permanent can become one of the wealthiest countries on earth. Chinese products exhibition in Tripoli but the project China deals with the deadliest natural disasters every was up in the air due to July war. We will hopefully bring year, it endures droughts and floods and earthquakes this project back to attention in the future. The embassy and wastes tons of billions while Lebanon does not have is working on similar projects elsewhere. Jordan for to worry about anything of the like. This is a real fortune instance hosts a China fair every September and many that may place the country on a par with Switzerland Lebanese businessmen attend this exhibition. 12 Chinese and Luxembourg. businessmen were sent to Lebanon this year to explore the investment opportunities in the country. Commercial exchange between Lebanon and China (2007-2011) Language is one of the major obstacles The following table illustrates the huge gap in the impeding the communication between commercial balance between Lebanon and China. Lebanon and China. What are you doing in China is the second largest exporter to Lebanon after the this regard? United States of America. 10.5% of the total Lebanese Eliminating this obstacle is not among the embassy’s imports come from China. On the other hand, Lebanon’s duties. Chinese students are given English courses from export to China is estimated at 1.6% of total exports. an early age to facilitate the communication. The USJ and the Embassy signed a partnership agreement to Year Chinese exports to Lebanese exports establish the Confocius’ Institute aiming at teaching the Lebanon to China Lebanese youth the Chinese language. There are five 2007 1,018 58 teachers entrusted with teaching the language and many 2008 1,391 56 schools are wishing to teach Chinese but we don’t have 2009 1,440 32 the necessary means to respond to their requests. 2010 1,638 50 2011 1,062 33 How large is the Chinese population in Source: the Directorate General of the Lebanese Customs Lebanon? It is a very small population. There are barely 20 to 30 Chinese most of whom are women married to Lebanese men.

issue 112 | November 2011 26 | ART,ART &CULTURE CULTURE & RELIGION PATRIARCH AL-RAI WHEN WILL PATRIARCH AL- RAI BECOME A CARDINAL? ollowing the resignation of the Maronite patriarch, His Beatitude Cardinal Mar on February 11, 2011 and the election of his successor FPatriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai on March 15, 2011, the new patriarch modeled different approaches in terms of political opinions and patriarchal visits. Al-Rai launched a series of visits which covered all Lebanese villages housing Maronites as well as any and all other villages that differ in their sectarian belonging. Al-Rai also exhibited a significant stand during his France visit and his meeting with President Nicolas Sarkuzi in September when he endorsed Hezbollah’s right to keep his weapons until the liberation of occupied Lebanese territories and expressed concerns over the Christians if the Assad regime is toppled. Some greeted his stances by heaps of criticism and deemed them a deviation from the line taken by Al-Rai’s predecessors- particularly Patriarch Sfeir- while others judged them harmonious with the Synod for Eastern Christians and devoted to protecting Lebanese and Eastern Christians. News are circulating that the Vatican supports al-Rai’s statements while counter news assert that his statements are wholly refused. The controversy lead Pope Benedict XVI to postpone al-Rai’s promotion to a Cardinal which is a routinely custom at the Vatican. To which extent is that true and were there similar precedents on record? Cardinal Meoushi Patriarch al-Rai On June 13, 1948, and due to Patriarch Antoine Arida’s On March 25, 2011, Archbishop of Jbeil Beshara al-Rai advanced age (85), Pope Pius XII appointed an apostolic was elected the 77th patriarch of the Maronite church commission to assist him in performing his duties. The to succeed Nasrallah Sfeir who resigned the seat of commission was headed by the bishop of Sour Boulos patriarchate on February 11, 2011. Meoushi and consisted of the bishop of Cairo Botrous Dib and the bishop of Abdallah Khoury who died in February Given the aforementioned, it is unlikely to name al- 1949 and was succeeded by Bishop Aghnatios Ziade. Rai Cardinal in the few coming months or even years Bishop Arida died on May 19, 1955. Nine days later, but should that be case, it would only signify further Pope Pius XII ordered the dissolution of the commission Vatican appreciation to and confidence in the patriarch. and the promotion of Archbishop Boulos Meoushi to The delay does not necessarily imply an undermining patriarchy in accordance with the Ecclesiastical Law and of the patriarch who is usually held by Maronites in a 1742 precedent when Pope Benedict XIV appointed higher regard than the Cardinal, a rank which they Bishop Samaan Awad as a Patriarch. Thus, Patriarch deem no more than a token of appreciation from the Meouch became the 74th patriarch of the Maronite church Vatican to the patriarch and the Maronites. and Pope Paul VI granted him the rank of Cardinal on February 22, 1965, after 10 years of serving as patriarch. The Cardinal Cardinal Khreish A Cardinal is a title granted by the pope to some Cardinal Meoushi died on January 11, 1975 and senior ecclesiastical officials whose mission is to the bishop of Saida Antonios Boutros Khreish was help him in running the church and elect a successor elected the 75th patriarch of the Maronite church. He on the day of his death, a right that is limited to was promoted to a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II on cardinals who are not 80 years old. There are now February 2, 1983, 8 years after his election as patriarch. a total of 193 Cardinals, of whom 113 are under 80 years old and have the right to elect. The Cardinals Cardinal Sfeir are distributed as follows: Owing to his advanced age (79), Cardinal Khreish resigned 58 Cardinals appointed by the current pope. 48 of the seat of patriarchate in 1986 and the bishop of Saida these 58 have the right to elect. Ibrahim Helo was appointed a patriarchal administrator 131 Cardinals appointed by former Pope John until April 19, 1986 when the bishop of Sarba Mar Nasrallah Paul II. 65 of these 131 have the right to elect. Boutros Sfeir was elected 76th patriarch of the Maronite 4 Cardinals appointed by Pope Paul VI. None of church. Sfeir was named a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II these 4 has the right to elect. on November 26th 1994 after an 8 year patriarchal tenure.

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. DAR AL-IFTA’ ART, CULTUREART && CULTURERELIGION | 27 DAR AL-IFTA’: FROM ELECTIONS TO APPOINTMENTS AND TERM EXTENSIONS The Sunni Muslim confession is among the major confessions recognized by virtue of decision 60 issued by the French Governor on January 13, 1936 but its actual existence dates back to several decades before.

The Ottoman law issued on April 13, 1329 organized Electoral committee: the Sunni affairs until March 13, 1955 when the The Mufti is elected by an electoral committee, the legislative decree No.18 pertaining to Ifta and Islamic Islamic Electoral Council, which consists of: Awqaf was issued. Article one stipulates that “Muslim Current Prime Minister or whoever replaces him, Sunni run all their religious affairs independently in his absence, to represent the Sunni in executive and enjoy utter freedom to control and manage their power charityable Awqaf in conformity with the Sharia’a and Former Sunni Speakers and Prime Ministers all the rules and regulations emerging therefrom with Current Sunni ministers or whoever replaces them, the assistance of high-ranking religious scholars” when they’re absent, to represent the Sunni in executive power The decree believes that the Mufti of the Lebanese Current Sunni Ministers or whoever replaces them, Republic is the “religious leader of Sunni Muslims and in their absence, to represent the Sunni in legislative their representative before public authorities. He enjoys power the same respect, rights and prerogatives of grand Head and members of the Higher Sunni Islamic religious leaders with no exceptions whatsoever.” Court and Sunni religious judges and Muftis in the Lebanese Republic Duties of the Mufti Sunni judges of the highest 8 grades in justice and The Mufti of the Lebanese Republic is the direct administrative courts leader to all Muslim religious scholars and the Vice president and members of the Higher Islamic highest authority at the Awqaf and Ifta departments. Religious Council and presidents and members of He manages the Muslims’ affairs and monitors their the administrative Awqaf in the Capital and the religious and social welfare throughout Lebanon. The Mohafazat centers. Grand Mufti holds meetings with the Muftis at several Sunni mayors and members of municipal boards in governorates and districts when needed to discuss the Capital and the Mohafazat centers. matters pertaining to the social and religious standing Three Sunni delegates for each of Beirut Bar of the Muslims in their areas as well as the Awqaf and Association, the Syndicate of Doctors, the Dental Ifta affairs and he gives them the instructions necessary Association, and the unions of pharmacists, in that respect. engineers, teachers, journalists and editors as well as the Makassed philanthropic Islamic associations How does one become a Mufti? of Beirut and Saida and the Islamic association for The Mufti must be a Lebanese Sunni Muslim scholar charity in Tripoli. One Sunni delegate for each of over 40 years old. He must hold a high religious the recognized trade union federations for Lebanese degree or no less than a 15 year experience in religious workers and employers. judiciary. A Mufti is elected for lifetime and shall never Sunni University teachers and PHD holders in relinquish his post except for health reasons impeding Lebanon’s universities. his performance. Orators, Imams and Ifta teachers holding a religious degree or a 10-year experience and any Lebanese Beirut Mufti: the Mufti of the republic having a high religious diploma without necessarily Decree No.291 dated July 9, 1932 and issued during practicing religion. Charles Helo presidential term gave Beirut Mufti the name of “Mufti of the Lebanese Republic” and granted Election of the Mufti in Muslim regions him the authority to investigate and manage the duties The decree managing the Sunni confessional system of Sunni Muftis throughout Lebanon. stipulated that there should be a local Mufti holding Sheikh Muhammad Toufic Khaled was the first to be a religious diploma from Al-Azhar, or its equivalent named “Mufti of the Lebanese Republic.” degree, at the center of every Mohafaza or Qada’a

issue 112 | November 2011 28 | ART,ART &CULTURE CULTURE & RELIGION DAR AL-IFTA’

housing a large number of Muslims. Should he not take place (save the election of the Mufti of Tripoli hold a diploma, the Mufti should have practiced Sheikh Malek Sha’ar in 17-1-2008) and the Higher religious judiciary for no less than 10 years or served Islamic Religious Council issued a recommendation as an orator or scholar for no less than 15 years. These in 2003 entrusting the Grand Mufti with maintaining Muftis are elected by an electoral committee consisting the Muftis whose terms have expired in their posts of the Sunni Muslims of the region: until new Muftis are elected. Therefore, the term of Local Mufti the living Muftis was extended while new appointed Members of the Higher Islamic Religious Council Muftis replaced the deceased ones. Members of the administrative board of Islamic Awqaf including: Higher Islamic Religious Council The current Prime Minister and the former Prime The Higher Islamic Religious Council is in charge Ministers of the region of several functions and responsibilities. It supports The current representatives of the region in the the Grand Mufti and has a one-of-a-kind authority to Cabinet and the Parliament issue the decisions and instructions needed to organize The elected and appointed members of the Higher the Sunni affairs. It is responsible of managing all Islamic Religious Council charitable Awqaf and auditing and approving their The local Sunni Mufti (to elect the members of the budgets. It also handles the arrangement of religious religious council and the administrative boards in and administrative posts, the swapping of the Awqaf the region) real estates and the control of the General Directory The Fatwa authority in the region if any, the of Awqaf. The Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic secretary of the Grand Mufti, the Director General presides over the council and the vice president is of Dar el-Fatwa, the Sunni Fatwa teachers and the elected from the council’s members (former Minister Quran reciters if any. Omar Mesqawi holds this post currently). The council The elected members of the Awqaf board or serves for four years and may be dissolved before its the committee assuming the functions of the term expiry for critical reasons. administrative board (to elect the religious board and the local Mufti) according to article 63 of the Natural members amended decree No. 18 issued in 1955. The current and former Sunni Speakers and Prime The General Director of the Beirut Islamic Awqaf Ministers and the Secretary General of the Higher Islamic Religious Council and the heads of the Awqaf Elected members (24): departments 8 members from the Beirut Mohafaza, 8 members The regular, contractual or commissioned Imams from the North including 1 from Akkar, 4 members whose contract or designation period surpasses from the South including 3 from Saida, 1 from the three consecutive years. These Imams shall be Hasbaya and Marjeyoun Qada’as and 2 members holders of MAs in Islamic studies and shall obtain from Mount Lebanon and Beqa’a. Every region equivalency diplomas from the committee for elects its members via the committee in charge of equivalent religious diplomas set up by the Grand electing the local Mufti. Mufti. The members appointed by the Mufti of the The justice, administrative and financial judges and Republic are one third the elected members and the members of the constitutional council as well as are selected within one week after the approval of the region’s first grade public servants. electoral results. These members include: The Sunni head and members of the municipal Sunni religious judges, of the highest 8 grades, in board in the center of the Mohafaza and the heads the courts of first instance and the Supreme Court of municipal boards in the affiliated Qada’as. Sunni religious judges, of the highest 5 grades, The permanent Imams and scholars and teachers in the justice and administrative courts holding a degree from Al-Azhar or any accredited Highly competent figures religious institute or having proved themselves Muftis worthy of their post for over 10 years without necessarily having a degree. The Council’s elections took place in 25-12-2005 and its term expired in the year 2009. However, The elections of Muftis in Muslim regions did not no elections were conducted and the Mufti of the

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Republic issued decision No. 60 dated 21-11-2009 that 11-2010 and Sheikh Ahmed el-Ladan succeeded extended the council’s term for another year from 1-1- him after he was commissioned by Mufti Qabbani 2010 till 31-12-2010. This scenario was repeated anew in May 2011. by virtue of another decree No.44 dated 6-11-2010 Grand Mufti Qabbani appointed the religious judge extending the term for another year from 31-12-2010 in Saida, Sheikh Mohammed Dali Balta, Mufti of till 31-12-2011. The decree justified this extension Tyre after a post vacancy that lasted many years. stating that “given the unusual circumstances that the Sheikh Balta died in November 2010 and and country is witnessing nowadays, we deem it advisable Sheikh Medrar el-Hallab succeeded him after he to postpone the elections’ date in favor of the highest was commissioned by Mufti Qabbani in July 2011. Islamic interest” and meanwhile we wonder: “will Following the death of Mufti of Hasbaya and there be an election or another extension in 2012?” Marjeyoun, Sheikh Mustafa Ghaderm, Grand Mufti Qabbani commissioned religious judge Hassan The Muftis Dalah to take office. Four Muftis took office since the year 1932 to date: Following the death of Mufti of Saida, Sheikh Sheikh Mohammed Toufic Khaled was the first to Mohammed Salim Jalal, the Grand Mufti Qabbani be named “Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic”. issued a decision commissioning the head of the He was appointed Mufti of Beirut on February 6, Islamic Awqaf Department of Saida Sheikh Salim 1932, following the deceased Sheikh Mustafa Naja, Sousan to take office. and stayed in office until his death in 1951. Grand Mufti’s decision No. 77 dated September 25, Sheikh Mohammed Alaya was appointed “Grand 2007, Mufti of the Lebanese Republic” and head of the In October 2007, Grand Mufti Qabbani appointed Higher Islamic Religious Council on August 21, Sheikh Khaled Saleh Mufti of Baalbeck and el- 1951, and stayed in office until his death in 1966. Hermel Sheikh Hassan Khaled was named “Grand Mufti In October 2006, Grand Mufti Qabbani appointed of the Lebanese Republic” on December 24, 1966, Sheikh Osama Al-Rifai Mufti of Akkar after the and stayed in office until his assassination in 1989. post was vacant for around 32 years. Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani was elected Grand Mufti on December 28, 1996. On May 18, Elections of the Mufti of Tripoli 1989, the Higher Islamic Religious Council chaired by Following the resignation of Tripoli Mufti Taha al- Prime Minister Salim el-Hoss convened an immediate Sabounji for health reasons and the ensuing vacancy as and urgent session at Dar el-Fatwa following the of October 2005, elections were conducted on Sunday, assassination of Mufti Hassan Khaled and designated January 27, 2008 and resulted in electing Dr. Sheikh the fatwa cleric Mohammed Rashid Qabbani Mufti of Malek Sha’ar Mufti of Tripoli. the Republic until his election in 1989. The electoral committee consisted of 138 members including: Extension and appointment Current and former Prime Ministers: 3 The Mufti of the Republic and the head of the Higher MPs: 6 Islamic Religious Council Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Ministers: 2 Qabbani issued throughout the past years several Members of the Higher Islamic Religious Council: 8 decisions extending the term of the Muftis of Lebanese Fatwa teachers: 2 regions or designating successors for deceased Muftis. Quran Reciters: 2 Among these decisions are the following: Working religious judges: 2 Decision No. 57 dated April 17, 2011: the Mufti Members of the administrative board for Tripoli’s of Zahleh and Western Beqa’a Khalil el-Mays Awqaf: 9 shall stay in office for another year starting April Head of Triploi’s Awqaf Department: 1 22, 2011 “due to the impossibility of conducting Regular Sunni Imams: 16 elections and the inappropriateness of keeping a Contractual and commissioned Sunni Imams: 9 post vacant.” Administrative and financial justice judges: 21 Decision No. 49 dated April 10, 2010: the Mufti Grade 1 employees: 5 of Sheikh Ahmad Raouf el-Qadiri shall Head and members of the municipal board of remain in office for another year starting 23-12- Tripoli: 22 2009 till 31-12-2010. Sheikh el-Qadiri died on 27- Municipality mayors: 30

issue 112 | November 2011 30 | ART,ART &CULTURE CULTURE & RELIGION HOW DOES ONE BECOME A CLERGYMAN HOW DOES ONE BECOME A CLERGYMAN IN THE SUNNI CONFESSION? Several Sunni youths take the choice of becoming clergymen to achieve Islamic ends that serve Islam and refine its image. A few groups may have an income likewise clergymen in other confessions. Education terms and conditions The Da’wa College for Islamic Studies: the There are no terms or conditions imposed on the college is headed by Sheikh Abd Nasser al-Jabri students who are wishing to pursue an Islamic and it was established in 1986 in cooperation education. They shall only have a good reputation and with the late Syrian Mufti, Sheikh Mohammed a virtuous nature and they shall attach an attestation of Kaftar and the Islamic Da’wa faculty in Libya. a clean judicial record to their admission applications. This college was accredited in 1999 and it grants licenses, master’s degrees and doctorate Education degrees. Education is close to free for the fees The student may obtain an education in Islamic studies do not exceed LBP 300 thousand and the student in Lebanon or overseas. may reside and eat at the college at no cost. An average of 15 students graduates every year. Education in Lebanon: The Islamic education in Lebanon is provided by: Al Imam Al Ouzai College for Islamic Studies: Lebanon Azhar Institute: it is a school affiliated the college was established in 1979. It is with Dar Al-Fatwa and it has branches in Saida, affiliated with the Islamic Education Center. It Beqa’a and Tyre. Holders of the brevet degree may also grants licenses, masters and doctorates and join the Azhar Institute for three years after which it graduates around 20 students every year. they receive a religious secondary degree that allows them to sit for the Lebanese Baccalaureate The High Institute for Islamic Studies: the institute official exams in humanities. Education at the is affiliated to the Makassed Islamic Charitable Azhar Institute is free of charge and the school Association in Beirut. It was established in 1982. provides residence and food services for foreign It grants licenses, masters and doctorates and it students. graduates around 12 students every year. The institute annual fees reach LBP 500 thousand for licenses and University faculties: graduates from Lebanon masters and LBP 1.5 million for doctorates. Azhar Institute wand holders of the Lebanese Baccalaureate degree or its equivalent may proceed Islamic institutes affiliated to small Islamic parties with their studies at the faculty they choose. and associations including the Salafi Islamic University education lasts for four years after which associations. There are around 30 institutes the the student obtains a Master in religious studies or most important of which is the Imam al-Boukhari in other majors such as comparative jurisprudence, Institute in Akkar. Admissions to these institutes do principles of jurisprudence and Islamic studies. The not necessitate any degrees for any literate person student may also pursue a doctorate degree if he so who has finished the elementary cycle may join the wishes. Education in these faculties is almost free institute. A large number graduates every year. of charge and some Islamic faculties may provide residence and food services as well. Islamic It is noteworthy that Lebanese faculties and Lebanon University faculties that teach Islamic and religious Azhar Institute admit Lebanese students (70% of the studies in Lebanon are the following: students) as well as students from Syria, Jordan, Arab Gulf, Malaysia and Indonesia. The Faculty of Sharia’a at Beirut Islamic University: this faculty is affiliated with Dar Overseas education Al-Fatwa. It was established in 1996 and it Overseas education is usually pursued in: grants licenses, master’s degrees and doctorate Al-Azhar University in Egypt degrees. An average of 25 students graduates Umm al-Qora University in Makkah / University of every year. The annual fees reach LBP 2 million Madina Al-Munawara in KSA and the needy may benefit from financial aids. Islamic University in Syria

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Islamic universities in India including Al-Falah Teaching Islamic studies at private and official schools University and Dar Al-Uloom University Delivering orations in mosques Praying Curriculum Praying for the dead Students at Lebanon Azhar Institute and other Islamic Teaching Arabic or any other subject they are faculties study the following courses: acquainted with Arabic language Performing marriages and divorces which do Foreign languages including English or French in not enter in effect except after the approval of a addition to German and Persian as a second foreign religious judge language Explaining religious rules to Muslim citizens Qur’an studies Qur’an recital Revenues Librarian studies The financial revenues differ between clergymen Oration according to the duties performed by each of them. Sociology Clergymen who work in teaching are paid according Psychology to the hours, the courses and the levels they teach. Translation Those who perform prayers and oration in the mosques Introduction to legal sciences affiliated with Dar Al-Fatwa are paid a monthly salary Introduction to Sharia’a that is somewhere between LBP 500 and LBP 800 Science of Hadith depending on the location of the mosque. The salaries of The jurisprudence of the prophetic biography those who perform the aforementioned but in mosques Principles of jurisprudence within the four schools of affiliated with other independent associations also differ law including first and foremost the Shafi’i and the Hanfi depending on the financial resources of the mosque or schools followed by the Hanbali and the Maliki schools. the association. These associations provide residence and Worship jurisprudence including fasting and prayer accommodation for clergymen performing prayer and Islamic views oration because most of them live on subsistence levels Ritual impurity and limited means and do not have health insurance or The jurisprudence of personal status scholarships unlike religious judges and Muftis who have Introduction to economics substantial resources. Most clergymen have families and Common liberties and human rights they are often urged to get married and have babies. As Comparative religion (Christianity and Judaism) for the other practices such as praying for the dead and performing marriages and divorces, they are delivered Religious costume in exchange of a symbolic amount paid according to the Students at the Azhar Institute and religious faculties financial status of the persons in question. may wear the regular religious costume (white turban and jubbah).Only religious students are entitled to this clothing and article 391 of the penal code punishes whoever wears this costume ineligibly. Dar Al-Fatwa’s authority over clergymen Dar Al-Fatwa has no authority whatsoever over Sunni clergymen except for those who work at Dar Al-Fatwa departments and receive their salaries therefrom and the judges at the Sunni religious courts. Number There are around 890 Sunni clergymen. Duties Sunni clergymen perform several duties of which: Teaching at Islamic institutes and colleges particularly the holders of high degrees (Masters and Doctorates) issue 112 | November 2011 32 | ART,ART &CULTURE CULTURE & RELIGION GEORGES FREM FOUNDATION GEORGES FREM FOUNDATION The Monthly conducted an interview with Mrs. Rania Frem El-Khoury, Executive Director of Georges Frem Foundation on the projects and activities of the Foundation. Establishment According to Mrs. Frem El-Khoury, “Georges Frem by volunteers, parents and donors, the school Foundation is the result of a personal conviction serves as a model and resource for public education by a social entrepreneur who devoted his life to the institutions. It started with 30 students and today it has Lebanese community and individual.”. Georges N. 1,664 students in 3 branches. Over 500 students have Frem, founder of INDEVCO, started his business graduated in the area of Keserouane. The tuition fee is with a belief that its success is directly related to the about LBP 300,000. absolute good it provides to the community. This belief and dedication accumulated to over 50 years of social Free Rural Transportation: started in 2002 and service through an increasing portfolio of diverse the objective was to keep the youth living in their and fundamental activities and programs which have rural areas and to allow them to attend higher public benefited over 120,000 beneficiaries to date. education. This program consists of an average of 15 buses that provide transportation for around 600 Mission and vision students from 40 villages and serves different branches The Georges N. Frem Foundation is committed to: of the Lebanese University and Foster economic development for job creation. Dekwaneh Technical School, Nurture a pluralistic, democratic society that Kafaat and CNAM in Bekfaya. promotes civic education. This program has benefited approximately 3,000 students to Funding date. “Most of the funding, more than 90%, comes from the Frem family and we have a few projects that are co-funded by international and local donors like an agricultural program that was co-funded by USDA as well as an educational children’s performance co- funded by the EU,” said Mrs. Frem El-Khoury. Programs and activities Education: Georges Frem Secondary School ( Sanawiyat Georges Frem) was founded in 2001. Georges Frem sought with the ministry of education to open a public school in Keserouane and have it be in the morning given that most secondary public schools are in the afternoons. The school now has 220 students and the tuition fee is only LBP 100,000 as registration fees. What distinguishes it from the rest of the public school is its activities and students’ improvements. They have sports facilities among many others. It is also the only public school that has a youth parliament in coordination with USJ.

“Paradis d’enfants”: a community school founded in 1997 as a non-profit community based elementary school committed to providing high quality education to children of low income families. Further supported

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Theatre Athenee Jounieh: opened in 2002 and in USDA but now is solely funded and operated by the 2009 it was designated as a permanent children theatre Foundation. with the aim to disseminate civic messages, family and national belonging. The theatre has featured above 500 Development performances of 42 plays to over 100,000 viewers to LBN: launched in 2002, the Lebanon Business Network date. Around 1,400 children attend the plays, with (LBN) is a business matching website provides a entrance and transportation covered by the Foundation, virtual marketplace for Lebanese businessmen living from all over the regions including north, south and in Lebanon and abroad. The goal of LBN is to boost from public schools and orphanages. economic growth in Lebanon by facilitating import and export activity, directing foreign investment in Frem Civic Center: inaugurated in June 2011 but Lebanon and establishment of productive and profitable was founded initially in 2004. Its purpose is to foster business relationships between Lebanese businessmen civic society by organizing and hosting events and living in Lebanon and those operating abroad. Today, academic courses on civic responsibility, leadership, we have over 3,500 members which have generated transparency, ethical and sound governance practices well over 1,500 trade leads. to strengthen the pluralistic democracy of Lebanon and develop a deeper understanding of the responsibilities INMAA: microcredit program is being implemented of citizens in nation and institution building. in partnership with http://www.adr.org.lb/Association for the Development of Rural Capacities (ADR), and Agriculture projects: provides small entrepreneurs and micro enterprises Lebanon Orchard Modernization: to improve access to funds for the specific purpose of assisting the cost and income structure of the food sector by businesses in financing new ventures, improvements modernizing fruit orchards in Lebanon with high and expansions that will result in a better operating quality of stocks. This started in 1998 and have business that will generate more income. INMAA also distributed over 350,000 trees of apple, cherries, plums provides loans to individuals for personal endeavors and pears. In addition to a nursery in the Bekaa that such as financing education and home improvement is being operated by the Foundation. There are over that may improve quality of life of the borrower and his 1,500 growers all over Lebanon. For the agriculture family. In only its first two years, Inmaa has granted an program, the Foundation is in the 5 Mohafazas, in 9 average of 55 loans per year in Matn, Keserouan, Jbeil cazas and in 70 localities. and Batroun with value ranging between LBP 450,000 to 10,000,000 each and an interest rate of 12%. Agriculture Extension Services: started in 1999 and it increases market opportunities and income to In addition to the aforementioned, the Georges N. food growers by assisting them in the production and Frem Foundation also sponsors many activities by establishing a mechanism for market intelligence. and projects throughout the year that contribute to The Foundation helps them through newsletters, education, agriculture economic and community SMS and hotline, field visits, seminars and trainings. development. Approximately 1,500 growers and stakeholders in the industry and all over Lebanon are being served under this program each year.

Increased Revenue from Safe Healthy Agriculture Development (IRSHAD) started 2 years ago to increase market opportunity and improve quality and marketing of food crops. The Foundation is working with a cluster of growers across Lebanon and assisting them from the production to the market. This year the Foundation has increased the number of growers and the value. Last year for example, around 200,000 kg were sold and the growers achieved a 21% increase in prices as compared to their traditional non-IRSHAD products. This project was initially co-funded by

issue 112 | November 2011 34 | ART,ART &CULTURE CULTURE & RELIGION POPULAR CULTURE POPULAR CULTURE

Listen O Rida!

When you were young, barely 10 years old, I told you the stories of ourr village. You used to inquire about our lifestyle: our food, our drinks, ourr clothes, our toys, the color of my school bus and many more matters too which I replied honestly and sincerely. I never told you a thing about myy personal life nor the misfortunes that befell me and the blows I’ve beenn dealt. Here you are today, a doctor and a family man who knew Lebanonn in its golden age much as you know it today in turmoil. When your kids grow up and the old Lebanon drifts far from them, it is myy wish that you read them the biography of their grandfather.

I had better write an account of my life before my time comes. I’m awaree I’m not a leading figure or a man of fame and my name did not reverberatee throughout the globe. I’m an ordinary guy after all and I always deemedd myself a poor “darwish” from a Lebanese village. I was born and raised in a poverty-strickenttikfild family and my father used to teach the students of the village. That’s how I grew a liking to teaching and I hoped to become a teacher one day which is what happened.

My daughter Mia came home from school crying one day. I was worried and I asked her what was wrong so she answered: “daddy, my teacher gave me zero on parsing. She said you are a dork in that field.” This teacher who claimed I was dummy was a student of mine in the American University and was aware of my linguistic insights and my call for a necessary shift in the ways of instruction. It is okay, I shall greet her judgment with tolerance and patience.

After the judgment was passed against me, I thought to myself that I might finally gain the fame I’m yearning after if I attacked and crushed Sibawayh. Sibawayh is one great grammarian whose logic, principles and rules were the cornerstone of Arabic teaching for over a millennium. He had a great influence on Arabic but he used to address intellectuals, philosophers and scholars rather than events in middle school…

The work that is labeled “descriptive” within linguistics suggested that language teaching should be through descriptive rather than philosophical means because the language bears no logic and descended from caves and caverns when the man was first introduced to manhood…

If I succeeded at persuading people to give up philosophy and logic in Grammar and teachers to deliver it in a new fashion, I would have reached fame.

I wrote a book titled “Simplifying Arabic Grammar and Teaching on Descriptive Bases”. The book was printed at the expense of the education department in the American University. It was distributed for free to all the Arab education ministries. A booklet addressed to inspectors and teachers in quest of their feedback was also attached to the book. I received one letter only from teacher Marakshi Fadel who said that my book hit the head of the nail and my ideas are aligned with his. He ended the letter stating that my call would fall on deaf ears, but perhaps people will remember me and regret not listening to my words a century from now.

I faltered in my pursuit for glory. My dream was shattered and I couldn’t destroy Sibawayh nor strip him of his throne.

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. DEBUNKING MYTH #51 ART, CULTUREART && CULTURERELIGION | 35 ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS: SAFE OR RISKY?? Myth: Antidepressants are UNCONDITIONALLY safe A prevalent myth related to antidepressants is that their use is unconditionally safe and leads only to positive results (Passer & Smith, 2010). Reality: Antidepressants CAN have serious side effects Antidepressant drugs are often used with depressed patients to help them overcome their depression. These drugs are of three major categories: Tricyclics (e.g., Elavil, Tofranil), Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (e.g., Nardil, Parnate) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) (e.g., Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil) (Passer & Smith, 2010). Antidepressants within the tricyclic and MAO inhibitors categories work by increasing the excitatory effect of the two neurotransmitters: Serotonin and norepinephrine (Passer & Smith, 2010). SSRIs increase the activity of just one neurotransmitter, serotonin. Serotonin and norepinephrine are two excitatory neurotransmitters whose lowered levels of activity, in certain areas of the brain responsible of positive emotions and motivation, lead to depression. These drugs, though most of the time effective, might have serious side effects and withdrawal symptoms. The above stated myth is definitely faulty, since antidepressants, like most other drugs, cause secondary effects. In fact, MAO inhibitors can have serious side effects; when taken with certain food, like cheese and wine, they may cause dangerous elevations in blood pressure (Passer et al., 2010). Some patients taking SSRIs report insomnia, joint pain, nervousness, sweating, and even sexual dysfunction (Hellerstein et al., 1993; Rotenberg & Vadim, S., 2010). Other patients complain of having experienced a lessened array of emotions, apathy, loss of creativity, difficulties in concentrating, and even increased anger (Madelon & Kohlenberg, 2004). Others have noted various ocular problems due to the use of antidepressants (Richa Sami, Yazbek Jean-Claude, 2010), and even negative immunoregulatory effects (Maes et al., 1999). Moreover, some patients also experience the discontinuous syndrome, which may include several problems including: sensory, somatic, gastrointestinal, and sleep. These patients may also witness irritability and anxiety (Robinson, 2006). Some researchers also noted that the abrupt discontinuation of antidepressants can result in the return of depression within few months (Baldessarini, Tondo, Ghiana, & Lepri, 2010). Sometimes even the gradual discontinuation results in negative effects. In fact, the discontinuation of drugs can result in poor maintenance of the acquired positive effects of the drugs (Passer et al., 2010). Other patients due to continuous use of antidepressants witness drug dependence effects (Frank et al., 2002). A more worrisome side effect of antidepressants is the increased risk of suicide ideations and even suicide attempts (Stone et al., 2009). This effect seems more threatening for patients under the age of 18. Nowadays, increasing number of studies are examining the effects of antidepressants and trying to ameliorate the available products. Furthermore, psychotherapists and psychiatrists encourage the combination of antidepressant drugs and psychotherapy, especially for patients under 18 years of age, to accentuate the validity of the offered help, decrease any risk of suicide, and sustain the positive effects of the drugs for a longer period of time after drug discontinuation.

References Baldessarini RJ, Tondo L, Ghiana C, Lepri B (2010). Illness risk following rapid versus gradual discontinuation of antidepressants. American Journal of Psychiatry, 167:934–941 Frank van Broekhoven, Cornelis C. Kan, Frans G. Zitman (2002). Dependence potential of antidepressants compared to benzodiazepines. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry 26, 939– 943 Hellerstein, D., Yankowitch, P., Rosenthal, J., et al. (1993). A randomized double-blind study of fluexetine versus placebo in the treatment of dysthemia. American Journal of Psychiatry, 150, 1169-1175. Michael Maes, Cai Song, Ai-Hua Lin, Sci, Stefania Bonaccorso, Gunter Kenis Ing, Raf De Jongh, Eugene Bosmans, & Simon Scharpé (1999). Negative Immunoregulatory Effects of Antidepressants: Inhibition of Interferon- and Stimulation of Interleukin-10 Secretion. Neuropsychopharmacology. 20(4):370-9. Passer, W.M., & Smith, E.R. (2010). The bran and behavior Psychology: In the Science of Mind and Behavior (5th edition). New York McGraw-Hill International Edition Richa Sami, Yazbek Jean-Claude (2010). Ocular adverse effects of common psychotropic agents: A review. CNS Drugs, Vol 24(6), Jun 1, 2010, 501-526 Robinson, D.S. (2006). Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Primary Psychiatry, 13, 23-24. Rotenberg, Vadim, S. (2010). Sexual disorders caused by antidepressants: Consideration in the context of hemisphere functions. Activitas Nervosa Superior, 52(2), 47-61. Stone, M., Laughren, T., Jones, M.L., Levenson, M. et al (2009). Risk of suicidality in clinical trials of antidepressants in adults: Analysis of proprietary data submitted to US Food and Drug Administration. British Medical Journal, 339, b3066.

issue 112 | November 2011 36 | ART,ART &CULTURE CULTURE & RELIGION THE TICKS OF THE CLOCK STORIES AND PICTURES In his book “The Ticks of the Clock”, Amine Al-Basha embarks on writing a series of short stories (21 stories) and adds vivid drawings to better illustrate their events. Writer and painter Amine Al Basha had published these stories in An-Nahar newspaper (Beirut) and Al Arabi magazine (Kuwait) and he chose to re-include them in this book published by Nelson Publishers in April.

The book is named after a story portraying recounts of a group of old men who grew the habit of visiting a café and were anchored to the same corner and the same seats. Succumbent to the inescapable fate of aging and detesting the ticks of the clock for reminding them of the course of time, some of them talk too incessantly while others remain silent, hearing often but rarely listening. Their voices are loud for they are hard of hearing. At the café, everyone knows their tales, the same old tales replaying every morning, at the same table and at the same time. They dwindle bit by bit, as if their time is coming one after the other. “X hasn’t arrived yet. The clock is ticking. They detest its sound. It counts the hours. The hours pass by and X seems to never appear. He always shows up likewise everyone. They all come every day but X didn’t today. These stories were written with inimitable simplicity and challenging ease described by Sleiman Bakhti (head of Nelson Publishers) in the preface of the book as follows: “You can’t really tell whether the visual image forming in your imagination owes more to the colorful drawings or to the sensational Clarification words and you stand wondering: are The Monthly is pleased to publish the following clarification by Dr. Georges they words in color or colors in words? Corm on his book “A History of the Middle East. From Antiquity to Present” “Amine Basha experiences his stories that was published in The Monthly in its issue number 111 of October 2011. in much the same way he writes them. Our magazine regrets the error in the translation from the Arabic text which Rather, he experiences and writes and held the same viewpoint of the author who argued that Western powers draws his stories all at once” adds Mr. should have regards for the rule of law in their dealing with Middle Eastern Sleiman. countries rather than interfere in their interbal affairs. In addition to “The Ticks of the Clock”, the book includes the I thank “The Monthly” for having reviewed my book A History of following stories: the Middle East. From Antiquity to Present. However, I believe the A Painter and a Model reviewer did not grasp the main message of the book conclusion. I did The Sun of the Night not call for the West to enforce a modern democratic law or a modern Nature and Art State in the Middle East, especially after criticizing so much Western A fragment Sentence hegemony and interventions in the region. But what I called for was a A Room in Barcelona balanced and equal implementation of international law and democratic Dot the I’s and Cross the T’s principle in the Middle East by Western powers, instead of continuing to Night from the Thousand and apply double standards in the implementation of such principles which One Nights allows Israel to continue expanding settlements in occupied territories on The Beach Talk one hand; and allows some Arab political regimes no less authoritian than Words Words Words others to escape any type of criticism for not applying human rights and The Experience the rule of law while others regimes less subservient to Western interest The Moon and the Three Friends are sharply criticized, harassed in the media and subject to international This is not a story sanctions. God preserve the Arabs from more Western imperial and military A meeting at the café intervention or political influence in our region. Since the time of Napoleon The room as the book shows we have suffered from this Western hegemony that I A date with Fedrico Garcia Lorca have denounced constantly in all my writings. So I was surprised that your Who cut Van Gogh’s ear off reviewer would state in its concluding phrase that I advocate that the West Words dialogue should implement and enforce modern democratic law in the Middle East. A dialogue between a painter and Kindly note that an English edition of this book is available to non Arab a musician readers under the same title and published by Garnet in England. A Dream With my best regards I feel like a poet G. Corm

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. ART, CULTUREART && RELIGIONCULTURE | 37 “THE ANIMALS TELL THEIR STORIES”: “SABER THE TALKATIVE DONKEY”, “POOR ARNOOBA”, “RUFU THE LAMB” “The Animals Tell their Stories” collection is recommended for children aged from 4 to 8 because the sentences are easy to read and the storylines are short. “Saber the talkative donkey” Saber the donkey is very talkative therefore, his friends avoid him. One day, the horse Ameen gives him an advice and tells him that if he keeps talking a lot, he will lose his voice. What Ameen predicted happened. When Saber regained his voice back, he learned to talk only when necessary. “Poor Arnooba” Arnooba the rabbit was taking a walk in the garden when she stepped on a needle. She suffered alone until the porcupine came to the rescue and helped her remove the needle. “Rufu the Lamb” Rufu searched in vain for a place in the shade to protect him from the sun and the heat. A dog showed him a place full of water-jets to rescue him from the heat.

The stories teach children the importance of helping others. Sentences are both short and rhymed which helps children easily read and memorize them. Each book is designed and cut in the shape of the character of the story with each page containing a colorful illustration.

*The collection “The Animals Tell Their Stories” was originally published in English by “Grandreams Books Limited” in U.K. It was firstly published in Arabic by “Mo’asast Al-Ma’aref” in Beirut in 2005 and was translated by Zeina Zein. The collection includes: Kharboosh the Kitten, Aseel the Horse, Nabbah the Ambitious Dog, The Lonely Porcupine, Touta the Scared Duck, Annood the Hungry Goat and Dafdoo the Lazy Frog

issue 112 | November 2011 38 | ART,ART &CULTURE CULTURE & RELIGION LEBANON FAMILIES THE HARIQA FAMILY Maronites from Zahle to Tannourin

Origin This family originates from the Tarabay family from Tannourin. The grandfather of the family is Youssef Tarabay who killed a person in Tannourin and fled with his seven siblings to Zahleh in the nineteenth century. He gained the name “Hariqa” because he burnt a large number of trees in Zahleh to build a house and a shop for himself and his siblings. Thus, the village became Zgharta Balamand Roads known as the Hariqa village and its inhabitants the A‘arjes Ehden Hariqa sons. It did not take long before the grandfather Becharre The Cedars returned to Tannourin and was called again by his Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck original family name. Deir el Ahmar Maqne Qasr el-Banat

Hadath The grandfather of Hariqa family in Zahleh is Ibrahim Jbail Iaat Hariqa father of priest Ostfan Hariqa who was killed Baalbeck in 1860. Jounieh Ghazir Niha

BEIRUT Zahle The families deriving from the Hariqa family Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-Baidar Bhamdoun include: Anjar The Hareeq family in Bteghreen Deir el-Qamar Meshref Beiteddine The Kharrat family in al-Mrouj Moukhtara The Dba’a family in Jdita Qaraoun Lake Yanta  The Sham’oun family in Deir al-Qamar (not Saida Jezzine confirmed) Libbaya Aiha

The Hariqa members Hasbaya The members of this family are around Nabatiye 550 all of whom are Maronite. They are Beaufort Castle distributed as follows: 412 in Wadi el-Arayesh (Zahle) 59 in el-Hazmieh (Baabda) 20 in Hawsh al-Omara (Zahle) 20 in Baskenta (Northern Matn) 14 in Baabda 13 in Ghazir (Keserwan) 4 in al-Barbara (Zahle)

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. DISCOVER LEBANON ART, CULTUREART && RELIGIONCULTURE | 39

composed of 12 members and is headed by BTORRAM Kamal Salem. The municipality’s budget from Municipal Fund Trablous A village in Koura Balamand Zgharta Roads A‘arjes reached LBP 102,324 million in 2008. Btorram Ehden  Becharre The Cedars Etymology: In his book, “Name of Lebanese Towns and There is also a Mukhtar, Ibrahim Elias Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck Deir el Ahmar Maqne Villages” Aniss Freiha mentions that the word might date Melki, and a 3 member ikhtiyariah Qasr el-Banat Jbail Hadath Iaat Baalbeck back to Syriac times, where the word “Bet-tur-ram” meant body noting that a new post was Jounieh Ghazir

“the high village house”. However, the fact that the town currently introduced for Imad Niha BEIRUT Zahle Baabda Shtaura stands at low altitude does not consolidate this possibility. Abdou, the Mukhtar of Dhour el- Aley Dahr el-Baidar Bhamdoun Anjar

Deir el-Qamar Hawa which was affiliated with Beiteddine Meshref Moukhtara Location: Btorram is located in the Qada’a of Koura in the Btorram. Qaraoun Lake Yanta Saida Jezzine Mohafaza of the North at an altitude of 275m above sea level. Libbaya Aiha

Hasbaya It was known as “Green Btorram” thanks to the plentitude of Educational institutions Nabatiye Marjayoun trees and shrubs that encircled it. The village lies 75km from (2009-2010) Beirut, 5km from the qada’a center in Amyoun, and 25km Btorram has three public from Tripoli. It spreads across 488 hectares. schools: Btorram rests at the center of the Qada’a of Koura and is “Khalil Salem Official Secondary School” with 257 bordered by Aba and Badba to the north, Bshemzin and students and 50 members in the educational and Amyoun to the south, Bsorma and Kfar to the east and administrative committee. Fayh and Afsadik to the west. “Khalil Salem Official Elementary School” with Btorram may be reached through two different roadways: 413 students and 50 members in the educational and Beirut-Shekka -KfarHazir- Bshemzin- Btorram or Dahr administrative committee. ayn (Tripoli)-Btouratij-Aba-Btorram. “Universal School of Lebanon” with 370 students and 50 members in the educational and administrative Population: The number of registered inhabitants committee. at the town’s Personal Status Register is estimated at 2,400 inhabitants who are mostly Greek Orthodox. Economic Activities Btorram accommodates around 250 houses in addition Btorrram inhabitants rely heavily on agriculture, to some small trade and industry institutions. particularly olive tree agriculture, to make a living while some of them work as civil servants. Immigrants’ money Voters: In 2000, there were 1,908 voters, of whom 331 transfers also constitute a major income for many families. cast their ballots. That number decreased in 2005 to 1,954, 480 of whom cast their ballots. By 2009, the number of Archeological sites voters reached 979, 570 of whom cast their ballots. Btorram contains a historical convent, “Dayr Ashnamout,” that dates back to the year 110 after Christ’s birth and is Voters are distributed according to families as follows: engraved on rocks underground. Sarhan: 174 voters, Malek: 145 voters, Salem: 160 voters, Khoury: 140 voters, Dib: 120 voters, Sarkis: Challenges 104 voters, Jabbour: 69 voters, Kelsh: 58 voters, Likewise other Lebanese towns and villages, Btorram Tanous: 52 voters, Srour: 57 voters, Nasr: 39 voters, suffers from a lack of electricity and a shortage of water. Nehme: 31 voters, Yazbek: 33 voters, Abboud: 33 However, its biggest problem is the immigration of over voters, Melki: 12 voters 50% of its inhabitants to the North and South of America Orthodox families: Khawli, Sakr, Falah, S’oud, Jarjoura, and the consequent void and property sale in town. Farah, Lakkis, Qottan, Assaf, wehbi, Daghel, Mousa, Anbour, Endraous, Kafa, Youness, Greyj, Sassine, Makhoul, Science town Hajjeh, Farj, Achkar, Ibrahim, elias, Daoud, Hosni, Saliba. Btorram gained popularity as the town of science owing to the doctors, attorneys, engineers and professors who Local Authorities: The municipality of Btorram was built a good reputation like the Lebanese Minister and established by virtue of Decree No.161 dated December intellectual Charles Malek, the President of the University 27, 1932. Mershed Neemeh, who was the first mayor of of Balamand Elie Salem and the Director of the Ministry the village, resigned in 1932 and appointed Salim Afandi of finance Khalil Salem (kidnapped and murdered during Deeb as his successor. The municipal council is currently the Lebanese civil strife.)

issue 112 | November 2011 40|MEDIA HARIRI’S OUSTER FROM PREMIERSHIP HARIRI’S OUSTER FROM PREMIERSHIP ebanon’s national unity cabinet chaired by Prime Minister collapsed following the resignation of the opposition ministers as well as State Minister Adnan Sayyed Hassan on January 12, 2011. The March 8 alliance Lresolved not to nominate Hariri for Premiership particularly after Jumblat and some of his deputies sided with the opposition alongside MPs Nicolas Fattoush, Ahmad Karami, and Minister Mohamad Safadi. This move turned the minority into majority and was described by the opposition as a normal practice in democracy while March 14 forces slammed it and deemed it a Hezbollah-led coup.

Below are some of the supportive and opposing Opposing: statements: Nabil De Freij: “whoever refuses to nominate Hariri for premiership is seeking strife in the country.” Supportive: (Annashra- 13-1-2011) Wiam Wahhab: “Minister Saad Hariri may not assume office again and the opposition will not nominate him Saad Hariri: “I was never pursuing power and if I were for premiership… I personally believe that his presence to choose between power and the dignity of my people in premiership is insulting to all Lebanese and his I would go for the latter. The dignity of every party and persistence in these practices will lead the country every sect in Lebanon is part of my own dignity and no one astray.” (Annashra- 12-1-2011) would ever push me to trample it.” (Annashra- 14-1-2011)

Mikhael Daher: “limiting Premiership to Prime Michel Faroun: “whoever aborts Hariri’s arrival to Minister Saad Hariri is an offence to the Sunni which premiership is looking after strife.” (Annashra- 14-1- includes several prolific figures.” (Annashra- 15-1- 2011) 2011) Mohamad Kabbara: “the issue is not only linked to Emile Rahme: “Prime Minister Saad Hariri has Prime Minister Saad Hariri but to the dignity of the received the final blow today and I wish if he would Sunni and to coexistence. The opposition may bring learn to accept failure like many noble predecessors. any despicable being to premiership but this will only Al-Hariri lost in the consultations and on the ground.” happen when hell freezes over. (Annashra- 14-1-2011) (Annashra- 12-1-2011) Samir Geagea: “not nominating Hariri for Premiership Alain Aoun: “Prime Minister Saad Hariri is no longer a fuels the fire of strife and violates the long-standing consensual candidate. A new figure shall emerge today principles. Prime Minister Saad Hariri is the candidate and we should all join hands to trespass this critical of the largest parliamentary bloc and his exclusion period.” (Annashra- 27-1-2011) would provoke the Sunni.” (Annashra- 14-1-2011)

Ali Hassan Khalil: “Hariri must admit that his Ziad Qadri: “the nomination of another candidate experience in running the country was a bad one and is impossible and the move of March 8 forces have it resulted in the collapse of his government and his weakened Lebanon’s immunity to the indictment. exclusion from premiership. Hariri must work as a head We refuse any statements that place Hariri outside of a political movement and abandon his conviction the Serail and we need not jeopardize the country’s that the country may be ruled in a jungle-like fashion security and stability by inciting sectarian sentiments.” because Lebanon has several institutions and a (Annashra- 15-1-2011) renewable political life.” (Annashra- 14-1-2011) : “not naming Prime Minister Saad Hariri Mohamad Fneish: “Lebanon survived many crises will harm the public opinion of Sunni and countries do but some Lebanese refuse to resign to the fact that they not flourish through oppression.” (Annashra- 23-1- lost premiership and they will have to live with it. They 2011) even made a fuss about it and took it as far as offending the Islamic Republic of Iran which is an insult to all Ghattas Khoury: “Hariri could have figured out ways Lebanese who exhibit appreciation and gratitude for and offered strategic compromises if he had wanted to stay this country.” (Annashra- 17-1-2011) in power but he refused to do so.” (Annashra- 14-4-2011)

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. SEPTEMBER 2011 TIMELINE MEDIA|41 APPROVAL OF THE ELECTRICITY PROJECT Al-Rai endorses Hezbollah’s weapons and expresses fears of a Syrian downfall; A spiritual summit at Dar al-Ifta; Berri in Wikileaks: “striking Hezbollah is a pleasure”; Sleiman and Mikati in New York; Seizure of arms set for smuggling to Syria; Jumblat: “what would you do if you were threatened at gunpoint?”; Visa-free access to Iranians; A Syrian religious delegation in Bkerke; Mikati committed to funding the tribunal September 2 Lebanon presides over Security stability at a time.” Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman and Council meetings in September 2011 Minister of Interior and saying that Berri had encouraged Mikati attends the Friends Municipalities Marwan Carbel the Israeli military blitz against of Lybia conference in France presides over the first-in-a-long- Hezbollah on July 17, 2006 and and maintains commitment to time meeting for the Directory Berri denies the accusations. international legitimacy. In a letter of Internal Security Forces after addressed to President Sarkozy, appointing new members. September 7 Mikati urges France to maintain its MP Walid Jumblat accompanied presence in the UNIFIL and promises September 5 by Minister of Social Affairs to protect the French forces. On the Military court sentences retired Wael Bou Faour returns from his sidelines of the conference, Mikati General Karam to two years in Banghazi trip where he held talks meets with French Minister of prison on charges of collaborating with Mustafa Abdul Jalil, head of the Foreign Affairs, Alain Juppe. with Israel and the verdict ticked National Transitional Council and MP Sami Gemayel in a press the off. serious Lybian endeavor to unravel conference: “Hezbollah’s practices are General Director of General the mystery of Sadr’s disappearance. no different than the Syrian army’s and Security Brigadier General Abbas In response to Wikileaks documents its doctrine is similar to that of Israeli Ibrahim hosts MP Walid Jumblat published by the Future movement Berri Zionists and the state shall never be and his ministers as well as MP says: “you will read a literal diary of built by intimidation and force.” Mohamad Raad and some Hezbollah what happened in July war.” The communist party’s and Amal figures for dinner to tailor Fouad Seniora presides over Secretary General Khaled Hdadeh a solution for the electricity project. a Future Movement meeting to meets with Gemayel at the A Beqa’a religious meeting in discuss Fayez Karam verdict. Phalanges Central House in Saifi the presence of Sheikh Khalil Al- 17 injured in a dispute between Mays, representative of al-Mufti, September 8 two families in Al- Marj in Beqa’a urges the expulsion of the Syrian The Cabinet approves (allegedly over a commercial shop) ambassador from Lebanon. Bassil’s electricity plan and forms Clashes in Deir el-Qamar over a committee tasked with the September 3 a basketball match between Deir amendment of the electricity law “Big Sale” store shuts down el-Qamar team and supporters of and to set up a council to manage after citizens rallied outside in former minister Wiam Wahhab electricity. protest for selling shoes adorned from Al-Jahliyyi team. The cabinet gives Iranians with crosses and the Shia’a store MP Walid Jumblat reiterates Visa-free access to Lebanon owners apologize for inadvertently his opposition to relativity in provided that Lebanese are treated offending the Christians. Parliamentary elections and asserts likewise. Conflict between Hezbollah that the government cannot escape and the Lebanese Intelligence over from financing the tribunal. September 9 phone calls data and people arrested At the end of his official visit to for spying for Israel. September 6 France, Al-Rai resumes his pastoral Grand Mufti Mohamad Rashi Al-Rai continues his tour in visit and reports that Hezbollas’s Qabbani, arriving by an army France and meets Sarkozy who weapons will remain until the helicopter to Marjeyoun, kicks off confers upon him a Legion of Honor. liberation of the land and Christians unprecedented visits to Shabaa and Al-Rai expresses Christian concerns will suffer the consequences of Al-Arqoub. There was a noticeable over a potential Syrian downfall the Muslim Brotherhood’s rule in absence of the Future Movement The Future Movement Syria. officials and Qabbani reiterates that publishes a Wikileaks cable filed In response to Wikileaks “we don’t want to lose justice and by former U.S. Ambassador to documents published by the

issue 112 | November 2011 42|MEDIA SEPTEMBER 2011 TIMELINE Future Movement, MP Mohamad In an interview for Al-Shark future with the liberation of Shebaa Raad says: “Berri’s role in July radio station, Seniora calls for a farms and the regional conflicts. war shielded the resistance and better understanding for Hariri’s President Michel Suleiman maintained national unity”. Raad circumstances and security opens the Second Meeting of State attacked Future Movement figures precautions and urges him to return. Parties to the Convention on Cluster for fabricating lies and resorting to Al-Rai returns from France Munitions hosted by Lebanon upon malicious means. and criticizes his statements’ request of the Ministry Foreign Lebanese activists stage a interpretations saying that they Affairs and Emigrants. protest at the Samir Qassir Square aren’t serious enough and they are in support of the freedom and restricted to reading the title only. September 14 dignity of the Syrian people. 14 Security forces arrest one of Aoun accuses Mikati of March figures, including Marwan three inmates who escaped from violating the law by keeping Suheil Hmadeh, were present and security Halba prison and injure the other two. Bouji in office and asserts that his forces managed to prevent a clash Al-Safir publishes via Health words do not target the Sunni and between the rival rallies. Minister political Mikati is protecting violators. Aoun In his interview on LBC’s dialogues before and during July reiterated his refusal of STL funding. “Kalam al-Nass” show, Aoun asserts war that accuse March 14 forces Following his meeting with that the Syrian regime won’t fall and of collaborating with Israel against Aoun, minister Wiam Wahhab Assad will proceed with reforms Hezbollah and the resistance. states: “the tribunal is behind us. No and stresses that the independence, An armed clash during a funding shall occur and let Mikati the resistance and the country shall Football match between Bakhoun finance the tribunal from his own all perish if corruption lingers. Aoun (Dinnieh) and Al-Watyeh yields two pocket if he so wishes.” also stresses that Wissam Hassan dead people and five wounded. Gun Al-Rai makes a tour in and Ashraf Rifi established a system shooters are allegedly supporters of Southern Matn (Baabda) and asserts that violates the law. former MP Jihad Samad who denies that his statements were taken out Head of the STL Defense Office so and urges the unraveling of the of context and that he will not drag to “Al-Safir”: “we are longing for truth and the arrest of the doers. himself into any sectarian conflict the indictment appeal and I advise neither in Lebanon nor abroad. the four accused not to absent September 13 Russian President Envoy themselves.” Michel Aoun, Nayla Mouawwad Mikhael Margelov arrives in and MPs Marwan Hmadeh, Fouad Lebanon for meetings with officials September 10 Sayyed, Henry Helo as well as May and MP Walid Jumblat. Al-Rai statements yield support Chidiac and Joyce Gemayel pay During his visit to the Druze from Aoun and opposition from the consecutive visits to Rai upon his spiritual leader, Sheikh Naim Lebanese Forces and Islamic Jama’a. return from France. Hassan, president Amine Gemayel MP Walid Jumblat reports Fierce clashes in Burj Barajne reports that Jumblat persists in that the government is incapable of between an armed Palestinian group maintaining national stances and his challenging international resolutions and elements from the Southern adaptation to certain circumstances and it is necessary to speed up the Suburb which results in several in a certain phase does not imply administrative appointments. injuries. Hezbollah denies association that he gave up his principles. with these elements and reports that Former MP Elie Ferzli offers September 12 his intervention was to end the clashes. a proposal for an electoral law In his interview on Al-Jadeed, Lebanese Defense Minister which considers Lebanon as one Mikati commits himself to funding visits Syria and meets with President electoral district, with proportional the STL and pleads Hezbollah to Bashar Assad. representation where each sect can appoint attorneys for his defendants. In his weekly statement to vote for its deputies. He reports that Wikileaks documents Al-Anbaa, Jumblat says that are inaccurate and admits saying intimidation talks heralding the rise September 15 that Hezbollah is a tumor but not a of Salafi currents are inaccurate Transport sector adjourns malign one. and serve as scarecrows. He adds the strike scheduled today after Hezbollah praises al-Rai that minority alliances destroyed an overnight meeting between statements over the weapons and Lebanon and that he’s against Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the events in Syria. associating Lebanon’s fate and representatives of transport sectors.

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. SEPTEMBER 2011 TIMELINE MEDIA|43 The French Ambassador to “Assad won’t quit slaughtering Aramta in the Jezzine district. Lebanon Dani Pieton voices his until someone stops him and cuts Patriarch al-Rai resumes his surprise and disappointment in al- the hand holding the knife.” pastoral visit to Baalbeck and Rai statements and asserts that he Hermel and receives a warm shall visit the Patriarch to discover September 17 welcome from Hezbollah. Al-Rai his real standing. Prime Minister Najib Mikati reiterated that he only conveyed the The cabinet convenes at the meets with Patriarch al-Rai in the Christian concerns and he does not Grand Serail for a regular session presence of Patriarch Sfeir and a wish to get rid of rigid regimes to and adjourns talks on transport group of Maronite bishops and monks ones exhibiting more rigidity. issues while Mikati urges the and nuns and talks were held on the Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohamad abandonment of verbal violence. Christian frustrations from state posts Rashid Qabbani states prior to his On the 29th memory of Bachir to land purchase. Mikati asserts that visit to Saudi Arabia for a conference Gemayel’s assassination, MP Nadim al-Rai’s statement in France was not that “Muslims have always protected Gemayel states that owning weapons on the spur of the moment and was Christians even during fierce conflicts” by one group paves the way for the uttered out upon reflective wisdom. and stamps out the possibility of arming of all people. He also denies Two Intelligence Branch officers meeting Hariri for he’s returning the legitimacy of Hezbollah weapons were injured in an ambush in Jlala before the end of the conference. and reiterates his call for the ouster nearby Chtaura and the kidnappers Liberation Party media official, of the Syrian Regime that “displaced of the seven Estonians are probably Ahmad Qassas, holds the Vatican and killed us.” responsible after hijacking the car responsible for al-Rai’s statements Lebanese newspapers release of Dr. Salam Rophael Massad and and for impeding the nation from publications issued by the tribunal burning it afterwards. regaining its Islamic identity. and containing photographs of and An-Nahar reports a current The Syrian army combs the biographical information about the 4 meeting in Paris between borderline in Wadi Khaled and accused in Hariri’s assassination and Secretary General Ban Ki Moon gunfire hits houses in Al-Knayse urges whoever holds clues on their and Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Hnayder provoking fears whereabouts to contact the tribunal. who undertook the payment of among inhabitants. University teachers vow to strike Lebanon’s share in the Tribunal. 15 days as of 17 September to protest Beirut declares during the September 20 the delay in boosting their salaries. cluster munitions convention President Michel Suleiman that “we aim at rendering an leaves for New York to attend and September 16 ammunition-free world.” preside over the Security Council President Suleiman visits Lebanese army intelligence seizes and the General Assembly meetings. Patriarch al-Rai and argues that al-Rai in Tarik al-Jadida a Jeep set for Joint Parliamentary Committees laid down the Christian frustrations smuggling weapons to Syria and adjourn their meeting till Wednesday in France and his statements were arrests the smugglers. to vote on the electricity plan. integral and for the benefit of Mikati chairs a cabinet session Lebanon’s interest which is always at September 19 at the Grand Serail to tackle the the heart of Bkerke’s practices. A clash between FPM supporters transportation plan and approves The departure of Future and Phalanges MP Samer Saadeh in the demarcation of the economic Movement deputies in the Faraya erupted over the installation of maritime zone. parliamentary session on the electricity poles on Saadeh’s property Said Mirza hands an STL electricity law lead to the loss (from his maternal uncles) said to be delegation the monthly report of quorum and adjournment till necessary for providing power to a outlining the Lebanese efforts exerted Monday. cross located on a hill in Faraya. It to implement the arrest warrants On the International is said that the attempt to build new issued by the tribunal for suspects Democracy Day, Hariri reports to poles was in preparation for an earlier in Hariri’s assassination as well the his press office that the prevalence of ceremony held under the patronage investigations into ’s weapons poses threat on democratic of Bassil. MP Saadeh filed a lawsuit assassination and the attacks on regimes and that he supports power against Aoun and Bassil. Marwan Hmadeh and Elias el-Murr. alternation in Syria. A brother kills his mother and The UN High Commissioner In his press conference, MP five siblings in the neighborhood of for Refugees reports that over 3,500 Mohamad Kabbara says that Basta. The family originates from Syrian refugees fled to Lebanon

issue 112 | November 2011 44|MEDIA SEPTEMBER 2011 TIMELINE Four thousand mobile-phone Resolutions, notably Resolution 1701, Hezbollah official (Abou Abd Salim) users will enjoy free 3G services and endorses the recognition of a fled to Israel three months ago and to provide their feedback before Palestinian State. Suleiman also meets Hezbollah denies the allegations making it available to the general Jordan’s king Abdullah and head of the asserting that the named person was public in the upcoming months. Libyan Transitional Council Mustafa never a Hezbollah official. Abdel Jalil. September 21 Patriarch al-Rai receives MP September 24 An Intelligence pastor in Sami Gemayel and the French Maronite leaders meet Patriarch Ghaza- Western Beqa’a kills two Ambassador to Lebanon Dani Pieton al-Rahi in Bkerke to resume talks accomplices (Kinan Yassin from and the French embassy stresses in over the best electoral formula and Majdal Anjar and Mounir Jaloul) in a statement following the meeting the discussions were to no avail. the Estonian kidnap operation and that the controversy over al-Rai’s However, there was a wish to persist other terrorist acts at the expense visit to France was unjustified and in discussions and sources point of two injured officers. Interior underlines the profound ties to the that the formula swings between Minister Marwan Charbel reveals Maronite church. giving each sect the right to elect its that the accomplices were planning representatives according to relativity to kidnap other foreigners. September 23 in a one district Lebanon and adopting Maronite Patriarch Beshara A regular Parliamentary session proportionality in the largest district. al-Rai and Ignatius IV Hazim, approves several laws including the Riots break out in Roumieh Greek Orthodox Patriarch stress electricity bill and General Michel prison after Fath Islam inmates the importance of dialogue and the Aoun expresses reserve but opts for took several soldiers hostage. 8 rejection of strife in their meeting approval in respect of ministerial security elements including officers at the HQ of the Greek Orthodox solidarity. Aoun deems the law and 9 inmates were injured and the patriarchate in Balamand. tailored by Minister Jobran Bassil a hostages were set free afterwards. Prime Minister Najib Mikati meets victory for all Lebanese and looks Allegations that President General Ashraf Rifi accompanied by forward for water law. The Parliament Nicolas Sarkozy voiced, during his Information Branch Chief Wissam also passes a public transport subsidy meeting with Patriarch al-Rahi, the Hassan at the Grand Serail. plan for a three month period and willingness of France and Europe to President Michel Suleiman approves officers’ promotion. receive Eastern Christians and the stresses from New York that Lebanon Bassil in a press conference: French embassy denies the news. will host the Investment Encouragement “we aborted all the attempts aiming Telecom Minister Nicolas Conference on November 24 and at putting a minister, a movement, Sahnaoui breaks into the second floor holds meetings with Iranian President and a sect down on their knees.” of Adlieh telecom switch which was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Palestinian President Michel Suleiman guarded by security forces following President Mahmoud Abbas, Austrian chairs the UN preventive diplomacy the dispute between former Minister President and Slovanian President. session and addresses a speech Charbel Nahhas and Ogero’s General Fires sweep over Nahr el- underlining Lebanon’s commitment Director Abdul Mounem Youssef. Kalb Valley and Akkar forests and to international resolutions and to consume over 187 green dunums. fighting terrorism. Suleiman urges the September 26 Security forces arrest two international community to force Israel Patriarch al-Rai kicks off people attempting to smuggle 200 into implementing Resolution 1701. a pastoral visit to the south and rifles to Syria. A parliamentary clash leads attends a lunch banquet held by Future Movement holds Hezbollah to verbal skirmishes between Mrs. Randa Berri in Sour in his accountable for Ras Nabeh crime Minister Nicolas Fattoush and honor. The patriarch resumes his Lebanese Forces MPs and others tour throughout Saturday, Sunday September 22 over Fattoush’s proposal to amend and Monday and receives warm The Cabinet convenes at the Article 93 of the Shura Council’s welcome from Hezbollah, Amal Serail and approves a regular agenda bylaws. The proposal suggests Movement and the Druze villages. and Mikati praises the Information finding a mechanism to implement President Michel Suleiman Branch achievement in Beka’a. the Shura Council decisions and back to Beirut and Prime Minister In his word before the UN General many considered it a means to serve Najib Mikati off to New York. assembly, President Suleiman emphasizes Fattoush’s personal interest. Former Patriarch Sfeir attends Lebanon’s commitment to International Alleged statements reveal that a a ceremony held at

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. SEPTEMBER 2011 TIMELINE MEDIA|45 stadium in Jounieh in memory of Alawi and Muslims were mistakenly is the accused of the assassinations. the Lebanese Resistance Martyrs broadcast and an investigation is under Following a 4-hour meeting, and Dr. Samir Geagea stresses in his way to know whether the leakage Maronite Bishops appealed to speech that Hezbollah’s weapons are occurred deliberately or inadvertently. support the Patriarch and have faith burdening both, the people and the Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairs in his leadership and hoped that all state and that the fear from extremism a Security Council session during his peoples would enjoy freedom and does not justify the radical change in New York visit. Mikati holds meetings equality of rights. all Christian and human values in a with several Foreign Ministers and An inauguration ceremony covert criticism of al-Rai’s statements. states that the tribunal has become a in Nahr al-Bared for the first 269 In a press conference in al- fact and avoiding its funding serves no houses delivered to displaced Hilaliya-Saida, Seniora states that one but Israel in the first place. families in Nahr al Bared camp. “changing the Syrian regime causes In an interview on Egyptian extremism and allowing each sect to Dream TV, Jumblat reveals that he September 30 elect its representatives is the quickest advised President Assad to find a President Michel Suleiman recipe for further problems.” political solution because bloodshed calls for adopting overthrows regimes and demanded electoral law. The President’s word September 27 the accommodation of Israel Druze came in the context of decorating Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Egyptian Universities but former former Minister Fouad Boutros holds meeting in New York with President Mubarak denied his with the national cedar medal in American and Russian Foreign request. In response to a question appreciation of his giving. Ministers and the Secretary General over his ever changing stances, he Internal Security Forces shut of the Arab League and Clinton says: “What will you do if you were down roads near ESCWA as part reveals that Mikati promised not to threatened at gunpoint?” of measures to protect the building bypass International Resolutions. General Michel Aoun: “Geagea following a series of attack on the Patriarch al-Rai concludes invented the minorities’ ally” UN. his visit to the South with a lunch A dispute over the exemption President Bashar Assad meets banquet held by Speaker Nabih of Iranians from Lebanese entry- Former Prime Minister Omar Berri in Al-Msayleh in the presence Visa requirements: Mikati says that Karami accompanied by his son in of President Michel Suleiman Hariri’s Cabinet took the decision to Damascus. and General Jean Kahwaji. In exempt Iranians and his Cabinet only LU teachers’ league decides to his speech, Berri praises al-Rai’s approved it and Hariri fires back in continue the strike. statements which bear similarity to denial. Samir Geagea states that the Imam Mousa Sadr’s. The lunch was The UNHCR reports: “until last Syrian religious visits to Bkerke boycotted by former Prime Minister week, 4,000 have flocked en masse to aim at plunging Patriarch al-Rai Fouad Siniora and Bahiya Hariri. Lebanon, and each week witnesses an in alien stances and the reception The inappropriate timing to increase of 200 refugees.” of Lebanese leaders in Syria is an arrange a meeting with President attempt to convey that things are Obama leads Patriarch al-Rai to September 29 normal in the country. skip Washington in his pastoral tour Damascus Mufti Sheikh Adnan to America on November 1. Afiuni arrives in Bkerke on the head of October 1 a delegation of Christian and Muslim Speaker flies to September 28 religious figures accompanied by the Iran to attend the international Christian and Muslim Leaders Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali conference in support of the stress the importance of coexistence Abdul Karim Ali and Syriac Orthodox Palestinian intifada and visits and dialogue, the refusal of foreign Bishop of Damascus Jean Kawak to Armenia afterwards on board of meddling in Lebanese affairs and the meet with Maronite Patriarch Beshara a private jet belonging to Prime pledge to maintain safety and security Rai who inquired about the relations Minister Najib Mikati. in an Islamic-Christian spiritual between Alawis and Muslims. A U.S. congressional summit at Dar al-Fatwa in Beirut. Syrian President meets with delegation chaired by David Dreir Patriarch al-Rai’s statements over his former Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss visits Lebanon to continue the meeting with French President, his in Damascus and al-Hoss asserts that cooperation in the promotion of stance on Hezbollah weapons and Syria’s regaining its stability. Democracy and Parliamentary Syria and his fears of a war between 14 March statement: Hezbollah practices.

issue 112 | November 2011 46|ARAB WORLD FOCUS WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT IN THE ARAB WORLD WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT IN THE ARAB WORLD ccording to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Arab The lack of party support; States have the lowest percentage of women The lack of contact and co-operation with other Arepresentation in the world. The average of public organizations such as trade unions and women in Parliament for the region stands at 12.5%, women’s groups; while it drops to 8.4% in the Senate. In contrast, the The absence of well-developed education and average of women in Lower Houses of Parliament in training systems for women’s leadership in general, the Americas reaches 22.4% and 21.9% in Europe and for orienting young women toward political life (OSCE member countries). Table 1 below lists data in particular; on women in each of the 22 Arab parliaments. The electoral system. Women in Parliament by country (as of Table 1 January 31, 2011) Socio-economic: Rank* Country Parliament Illiteracy and limited access to education; Elections Seats Women %W Poverty and unemployment; 32 Tunisia 10/2009 214 59 27.6% Financial constraints;  38 Sudan 4/2010 446 114 25.6% The dual burden of domestic tasks and professional 40 Iraq 3/2010 325 82 25.2% obligations. 50 UAE 12/2006 40 9 22.5% 52 Mauritania 11/2006 95 21 22.1% Ideological: Patriarchy and tribalism; 86 Djibouti 2/2008 65 9 13.8% Lack of confidence to run for elections; 90 Egypt 11/2010 512 65 12.7% Images of women in the media. 92 Syria 4/2007 250 31 12.4% 98 Jordan 11/2010 120 13 10.8% The way forward 99 Morocco 9/2007 325 34 10.5% A number of mechanisms exist to the problem at hand 115 Algeria 5/2007 389 30 7.7% but only two will be mentioned here. The first is the 115 Kuwait 5/2009 65 5 7.7% introduction of a quota system, whereby the electoral 115 Libya 3/2009 468 36 7.7% law reserves a number of parliamentary seats to women. 119 Somalia 8/2004 546 37 6.8% This has been done in a number of Arab countries so 127 Lebanon 6/2009 128 4 3.1% far, including Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain. 128 Comoros 12/2009 33 1 3% Although such a system would allow women access 130 Bahrain 10/2010 40 1 2.5% into politics, it is argued that “quotas or reserved seats 132 Yemen 4/2003 301 1 0.3% are not meant to be permanent measures, but temporary 133 Oman 10/2007 84 0 0% ones until such time as women do not require them.” The 133 Qatar 7/2010 35 0 0% danger of this system is what some refer to as tokenism, 133 Saudi Arabia 2/2009 150 0 0% whereby the seats reserved for women are occupied by Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union website. “the ruling establishment deems to be ‘safe’ (i.e. not *Worldwide rank in a list of 180 countries. likely to make trouble for the leading parties).” It is important to note that most members of the The second is the introduction of proportional Second Chamber are either appointed (Jordan, representation, which has been done in some countries, Bahrain, Yemen and Oman) or indirectly elected. including Algeria, Tunisia and Jordan. Proportional representation means that each party has a greater number Challenges of seats per district. With a larger number of seats, a While religion and culture might be a hindering party does not have to choose one candidate to represent factor, especially in those States where Sharia’a law it (most likely to be a male) but can accommodate its is strictly applied, it is important not to exaggerate candidates according to what it sees fit, thus increasing their influence and consider the other determinants. the chance of women being chosen. It has been said that “changing the electoral system often represents a far Political: more realistic goal to work towards than dramatically The prevalence of the “masculine model” of changing the culture’s view of women.” political life;

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PRICES |47 REAL ESTATE PRICES – SEPTEMBER 2011 Prices of some apartments sold in September Table 2 he passivity that marked the real estate market 2011 in the past few months continued in September. Region Area m2 Price USD USD/m2 However, the prices that maintained stable levels T Beirut after experts had forecasted potential increases have moved in a descending direction in September Rawche 220 550,000 2,500 and the price decreases differed from one region to Clemenceau 150 465,000 3,100 another. The estimated percentages stand roughly between 3% to 7% amid fears over this downward Achrafieh (Sassine) 130 344,500 2,650 movement during the current events in Lebanon and Achrafieh (Rizk) 160 440,000 2,750 the region, particularly Syria. Verdun 270 877,500 3,250 Badaro 200 410,000 2,050 Koreitem 180 630,000 3,500 Ramlet Baida 400 1,720,000 4,300 Tables 1 and 2 list the prices of a number of estates and apartments sold in September 2011. Kentari 140 448,000 3,200 Borj Abi Haidar 110 236,500 2,150 Prices of some estates sold in September Mar Elias 140 355,600 2,540 Table 1 2011 Baabda Region Area m2 Price USD USD/m2 Hazmieh (Mar 220 550,000 2,500 Beirut Taqla) Achrafieh 380 2,432,000 6,400 Jamous 140 210,000 1,500 Basta Tahta 510 2,499,000 4,900 Hadath (Roum) 180 180,000 1,000 Nouiry 730 3,650,000 5,000 Baabda 275 742,500 2,700 Baabda Baabda 150 195,000 1,300 Yarze 1,050 1,890,000 1,800 Forn El Chebbak 160 248,000 1,550 Hammana 800 160,000 200 Matn Hazmieh 700 1,225,000 1,750 Beit Mary 170 238,000 1,400 Matn Antellias 100 125,000 1,250 Broumana 160 232,000 1,450 Kornet 1,560 592,800 380 Shehwan Dekwaneh 170 323,000 1,900 Ain Saadeh 2,500 1,900,000 760 Mansourieh 250 462,500 1,850 Broumana 3,000 1,650,000 550 Jal el Dib 160 216,000 1,350 A’aley Rabweh 150 247,500 1,650 Aramoun 2,500 525,000 210 A’aley A’aley 1,750 350,000 200 Doha Hoss 150 225,000 1,500 Khaldeh 800 560,000 700 Aramoun 120 150,000 1,250 Keserouane Doha Aramoun 160 208,000 1,300 Faraya 750 337,500 450 Khaldeh 190 256,500 1,350 Adonis 1,000 1,500,000 1,500 Bchamoun 160 160,000 1,000 Ajaltoun 1,350 243,000 180 Keserouane Adma 1,000 1,150,000 1,150 Sahel Alma 230 322,000 1,400 Source: Information International – September 2011 Adma 350 770,000 2,200 Zouk 200 280,000 1,400 Adonis 170 170,000 1,000 Ballouneh 150 165,000 1,100 Source: Information International – September 2011

issue 112 | November 2011 48| PRICES PRICES OF 100 FOOD PRODUCTS: SEPTEMBER 2011 f the 100 consumer goods and food Price of products during September 2011 (in LBP) Table 1 products we mention every month, Prices Prices O68 items maintained stable prices in beginning of beginning % of September while there were 21 higher-priced items Item and brand September of October price and 11 lower-priced items. Cucumber was among 2011 2011 change the goods whose price soared significantly (by 108 %) alongside tomatoes (by 33.4 %) eggs (by 9 %) and Dairy Products dairy products. Meat prices headed downward while Candia full cream milk olive prices remained stable. (1 liter) 2,450 2,450 0 Candia full cream yoghurt (2 kg) 3,000 3,250 +8.4 Table 1 lists the price of products in September 2011 compared to the prices in October 2011. Bonjus labneh (1 kg) 4,250 4,250 0 Taanayel labneh (500 g) 5,700 5,800 +1.7 Price of products during September 2011 (in LBP) Table 1 Candia labneh (500 g) 4,950 5,100 +3 Prices Prices beginning of beginning % of Taanayel yoghurt (1 kg) 3,700 3,750 +1.4 Item and brand September of October price 2011 2011 change Smeds cheese (400 g) 4,450 4,450 0 Oil Picon cheese (360 g) 3,850 3,850 0 Afia corn oil (3.5 liters) 16,950 16,950 0 Picon cheese (160 g) 1,950 1,950 0 Mazola corn oil (3.5 Double-crème cheese 7,250 8,100 +11.7 liters) 17,250 17,250 0 (1 kg) Mazola corn oil (1.8 Fresh country cheese 9,500 11,000 +15.8 liters) 8,250 8,250 0 (1 kg) Khashkawan cheese Slim corn oil (2 liters) 8,500 8,500 0 (1 kg) 12,500 12,500 0 Wesson corn oil (2 liters) 8,500 8,500 0 Lurpak butter (200 g) 2,750 2,750 0 Ghandour soya oil (3.8 Tatra butter (200 g) 2,750 2,750 0 liters) 15,250 15,250 0 Al-Maalaqtain Alfa corn oil (4 liters) 15,500 15,500 0 margarine (2 kg) 8,000 8,000 0 Al-Wadi Olive Oil (1/2 Al-Baqara al-Haloub 35,000 35,000 0 liters) 7,000 7,000 0 margarine (2kg) Vegetaline margarine Ketchup and Sauces (2 kg) 16,850 16,850 0 Libby’s Ketchup (597g) 1,500 1,500 0 Nido full cream milk (bag) (2,250 g) 21,850 21,850 0 Extra Ketchup (340 g) 980 980 0 Nido full cream milk 26,250 26,250 0 Extra Ketchup (2.2 kg) 5,500 5,500 0 (2,500 g) Dolly’s Mayonnaise Tatra full cream milk 20,100 20,100 0 (500 ml) 3,950 3,950 0 (1,800 g) Al-Wadi Mayonnaise Cereals (500 ml) 4,500 4,500 0 Khater white lentils (1 kg) 3,850 3,750 -2.6 Al-Bsat Tahina (900 g) 6,860 6,860 0 Khater chick-peas fahli 3,650 3,650 0 Al-Bsat Tahina (450 g) 3,850 3,850 0 (1 kg) Taous tomato sauce Khater beans (1 kg) 1,750 1,900 +8.5 (70g) 770 770 0 Peeled wheat (1 kg) 2,250 2,250 0 Taous tomato sauce 3,425 3,425 0 (425 g) Pineal Lima Bean (1 kg) 3,850 3,850 0 Tala tomato sauce (675g) 3,250 3,250 0 Brown Fine Burgul (1 kg) 1,800 2,000 +11.1

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PRICES |49

Price of products during September 2011 (in LBP) Table 1 Price of products during September 2011 (in LBP) Table 1 Prices Prices Prices Prices % of beginning of beginning % of Item and brand beginning of beginning price Item and brand price September of October September of October change 2011 2011 change 2011 2011 Egyptian rice (1 kg) 2,000 1,750 -12.5 Beef (1 kg) 15,000 13,000 -13.4 American rice (1 kg) 1,750 1,750 0 Sheep (1 kg) 22,000 21,000 -4.5 Italian rice (1 kg) 2,750 2,500 -9 Coffee and Tea Al-Wadi Hommos Najjar coffee (1kg) 17,000 16,000 -5.9 Tahina (380 g) 1,450 1,450 0 Brazil coffee (1 kg) 16,000 14,500 -9.3 Chtaura Hommos 1,450 1,450 0 Tahina (380 g) Al-Hisan tea (180 g) 2,750 2,750 0 California Gardens beans (450 g) 1,100 1,250 +13.6 Nestle (250g) 2,350 2,350 0 Al-Wadi beans (450 g) 1,100 1,100 0 Halvah and Jam Chtaura beans (480 g) 1,250 1,250 0 Al-Wadi halvah (454 g) 4,100 4,100 0 Libby’s corn (340 g) 1,750 1,750 0 Al-Bsat halvah (450 g) 3,100 3,100 0 Pasta Chtaura apricot jam (1 kg) 6,000 6,000 0 Barilla spaghetti (500 g) 2,200 2,250 +2.2 Al-Wadi apricot jam (1 kg) 5,250 5,250 0 Antonio Amato 2,100 2,200 +4.7 spaghetti (500 g) Tissues and Detergents Monte spaghetti (500 g) 2,250 2,250 0 Mimosa tissues (500 g) 2,750 2,750 0 Sugar and Salt Fine tissues (200 1,250 1,300 +4 Sugar (2 kg) 3,750 3,500 -6.7 tissues) Primo tissues (200 Al-Ousra Sugar (5 kg) 10,500 10,500 0 tissues) 1,100 1,100 0 Salt (700 g) 275 275 0 Gipsy tissues (300 tissues) 2,850 2,850 0 Box of salt (738 g) 1,450 1,450 0 Mimosa toilet papers (4 rolls) 3,750 4,000 +6.7 Meat, Fish and Eggs Yes detergent (900 g) 2,200 2,200 0 Zwan chicken (200 g) 2.45 2,500 +2 Clorox (1 liter) 1,550 1,550 0 Zwan beef (200 g) 2,450 2,450 0 Persil (4 kg) 18,750 18,000 -4 Luncheon meat beef 1,900 1,900 0 (198 g) Ariel (4 kg) 18,800 17,500 -6.9 Al-Mona chicken (200 g) 2,250 2,250 0 Fruits and Vegetables Al-Taghzia beef (200 g) 1,950 1,950 0 Orange (1 kg) 1,500 1,500 0 Al-Taghzia chicken (200 g) 1,750 1,750 0 Tomatoes (1kg) 750 1,000 +33.4 Geisha sardine (125 g) 1,100 1,200 +9 Cucumbers (1kg) 1,200 2,500 +108.4 Deli sardine (125 g) 1,100 1,200 +9 Bananas (1kg) 1,250 1,250 0 Milo sardine (125 g) 1,100 1,100 0 Lemons (1 kg) 2,000 1,500 -25 Geisha tuna (200 g) 3,600 3,600 0 Apples (1 kg) 2,000 2,000 0 White Bell tuna (200 g) 2,500 2,500 0 Potatoes (1 kg) 750 800 +6.7 White Diamond tuna Source: Information International (200 g) 2,250 2,300 +2.3 Skipper tuna (185 g) 2,000 2,200 0 Eggs (30 eggs) 5,500 6,000 +9

issue 112 | November 2011 50| Did you know that? Top 10 Languages by Internet Users

536.6 million people use the internet in English language. 444.9 million people use the internet in Chinese language. 153.3 million people use the internet in Spanish language. 99.1 million people use the internet in Japanese language. 82.5 million people use the internet in Portuguese language. 75.2 million people use the internet in German language. 65.4 million people use the internet in Arabic language. 59.8 million people use the internet in French language. 59.7 million people use the internet in Russian language. 39.4 million people use the internet in Korean language. 350.6 million people use the internet in other languages. Source: www.internetworldstats.com (2010).

Beirut International Airport Rafic Hariri International Airport Traffic- September 2011 Increase of 0.6% Rafic Hariri International Airport witnessed a slight Airport traffic in September 2011 compared to August 2011 and September 2010 Table 1 increase in passenger August September September % of change % of change traffic in September 2011. Traffic 2011 2011 2010 August 2011/ September 2010/ Passengers reached a total September 2011 September 2011 of 3,859, i.e. an increase Arriving airplanes 3,026 2,947 3,010 -2.6 -2 of 0.67% compared to last month. Traffic in September Departing airplanes 3,029 2,940 2,991 -2.9 -1.7 2011 has increased by 5.15% Total No. of airplanes 6,055 5,887 6,001 -2.8 -1.9 compared to September Arriving passengers 261,866 250,869 252,023 -4.2 -0.45 2010 i.e. an average of 28.363 passengers. Thus, Departing passengers 308,752 323,442 295,177 +4.7 +9.5 the number of passengers Transit passengers 4,306 4,472 3,220 +3.8 +38.9 over the last nine months Total No. of reaches 4,295,333 passengers 574,924 578,783 550,420 +0.67 +5.1 compared to 4,242,777 Imported goods (per during the same period of ton) 3,214 3,210 3,575 -0.12 -10.2 last year i.e. an increase of Exported goods (per 52,556 passengers or a 1.2 ton) 3,100 30,10 3,068 -2.9 -1.8 %. Table 1 illustrates airport traffic in September 2011 Total amount of goods 6,314 6,220 6,643 -1.4 -6.3 compared to August 2011 (per ton) and September 2010. Source: Information International and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation 2011

issue 112 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. Stats & Numbers | 51

StatsNumbers&

LBP 4.2 billion granted to the High Relief Commission by virtue of decree number 6191 issued on August 24, 2011 to pay the Middle East Airlines to airlift Lebanese nationals out of Ivory Coast following the events that troubled the country in April 2011. It is worth mentioning that the Lebanese evacuated were around 1500, which hangs a question mark on the reasons behind such a high cost that reached around USD 2000 for every person.

LBP 2.3 billion worth of credits allocated last September from the budget reserve to the budget of the Ministry of Finance- Photo by: Alaa Sakr Directorate for Finance. LBP 800 billion of that sum are spent on postal services and LBP 1.5 Publications billion on advertising. Publications by Publications by INMA (in Arabic): LBP 150 million cost for Information International (in Arabic): 1- “I am Responsible, All of Us are Responsible” hosting the Regional Agrico- 1- Salaries and Remunerations in the Public Sector 2- “Our Environment is Our Home” 2- Public Seaside Properties 3- “My Society is My Responsibility” Industries Forum in Lebanon. 3- Lebanon’s Parliamentary History 1920-2000 4- “My Society is My Responsibility” Workbook 4- Taxes and Fees 5- “I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards LBP 5600 billion expenditure 5- Lebanon in Figures 1992-2002 State Building” 6- Lebanon in Figures 2003-2004 6- “I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards on salaries, wages and pension 7- Lebanon in Figures 2005-2006 State Building” Workbook disbursements in the 2012 budget 8- Lebanon in Figures 2007-2008 7- “Lebanon Wars, why?” proposal. This cost is likely to 9- Lebanon’s MPs and Lebanese Parliamentary 8- Discrimination in Lebanon Elections 1960 - 2009 increase in the event of approval 10- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, of new pay hikes or of admission candidate and confession-North District of new civil servants and security 11- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, candidate and confession-Beirut District members. This cost represents 43 12- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, % - 45 % of the estimated revenues. candidate and confession-Mount Lebanon District 13- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box,  candidate and confession-Beqa’a District USD 440 thousand annual rent 14- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, for the new Ministry of Agriculture candidate and confession-South and Nabatiyeh building in Al Mousaitbeh. District 15- Municipal Elections 2010 USD 426 million profit Publications by Kutub (in Arabic): achieved by the first three 1- Trablous Al-Sham To Subscribe: 2- Jeniyat Al-Nabi Al-Borj Building, 4th Floor, Martyrs Square leading banks (Bank Awdeh- 3- Mokhber Al-Konsoliya BLOM Bank- Bank) in 4- Antoun Saadah 1932-1949 Telephone: 961-1-983008/9 961-3-262376 Volume 1. The Youth Years the first half of 2011. 5- Antoun Saadah, A Biography, Fax: 961-1-980630 [email protected] www.iimonthly.com www.information-international.com © Information International SAL All rights reserved License No. 180/2003 Responsible Director: Hala Saghbini

INMA Holds a Workshop With Iranian Journalists on “Media and Human Rights”

The Social and Cultural Development Association (INMA) held in its conference room “Al- Muntada” in Beirut, a workshop for 12 Iranian journalists on “Media and Human Rights” from the 26th till the 30th of September 2011.

Journalist Sanaa al-Jack held discussions with the participants throughout the 5 days over the Iranian media practices with regard to laws and human rights. She also highlighted the obstacles faced as well as the facilities and means necessary to promote further media openness and state and self-censorship. Al-Jack drew attention to the stereotyping exchanged between the East and the West and accentuated the media approach towards religious, sectarian and ethnic issues that spark controversy. The participants shared their experiences and drew the similarities and differences between Iranian media on one hand and Lebanese and Arab and International media on the other. Executive Director of Institute (SKEYES), Ayman Mhanna, laid down the rights of journalists from a legal angle and provided a general scope of the basic principles that protect journalists’ rights and how these principles evolved. Dr. Hoda Rizk underlined equality between men and women and shed light on the means necessary to develop societies and achieve gender equality. Researcher Mohammad Chamseddine from INMA mentioned the basic patterns and models held by the international media in their view of Iran and demonstrated that these negative views are often summoned and used by western media when needed. For better illustration Chamseddine pointed the instances of the Iraqi-Iranian war, the imposing of Hijab, the controversial nuclear file and the attack on the American embassy in Tehran. Journalist Iman Chammas stressed media ethics and career values and labor laws. Activist and expert in social communication means, Maya Rahhal, briefed the participants on the role of social media in improving the Iranian society which is offering an alternative form of media. She also broached issues pertaining to media censorship, information obscuring and distorted news and underlined the attempts performed to employ social communication means in the control system and the media revolution throughout the Iranian elections. Najat Charafeddine, Future TV anchor, was invited to share her experience in Future TV and offer insights regarding the view and vision of the television. The workshop included field trips to ’ offices, Al-Jadeed TV and As- Safir newspaper.

For more information Al-Borj building, 4th oor, Martyrs Square, Beirut Telephone: 961 - 1 - 983008/ 9 www.inmadevelopment.org