REPUBLIC of Lebanon

Property ownership by non-Lebanese in the Metn Qada’a

Taxes and fees in Lebanon April 2010 | 2009 Harvest: An election year in which bank 93 deposits increased The Monthly interviews Ambassador of the issue number www.iimonthly.com • Published by Information International sal Philippines in Lebanon, Gilberto G.B. Asuque BANKS REPUBLIC of Lebanon

4 LEADER: Banks Republic of Lebanon

7 Taxes and fees in Lebanon

8 Property ownership by foreigners in the Metn Qada’a

15 Proportional representation

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18 “Electricite du Liban” Employees and Workers Syndicate

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41 Discover Lebanon: Al Mansouri Editorialﹺ | 3 CITIZEN ZERO DECLARES HE IS PHOENICIAN-DRUZE Citizen Zero decided to break the silence. Two local events provoked his sadness and his words. He was taken by a statement by Samir Geagea that he is an Arab nationalist and the jubilation of Fouad Siniora - also an Arab nationalist - with his new comrade. He was also taken by Walid Jumblat’s statement about an “abandonment of reason” (‘Lahthat Takhlee’ in Arabic). Citizen Zero did not know that Geagea, Siniora and of course Condoleezza Rice were up to their ears in their Arab nationalism nor did he know that the Druze enjoyed a special language worthy of a lexicon understood only by the enlightened of the “Arab Druze”. And he wondered about the variances between this lexicon and that of Bsharre when some of its inhabitants, after burning the houses in Ehden, stated in bewilderment: “Who burned Ehden?… Thank God!” At this point, Citizen Zero wonders: what happens if everyone declares they were living in a moment of abandonment?

A Hundreds of thousands of dead, 2006 were declared as soon as there Mubarak, of course seeking to hand missing and disabled in Lebanon’s was a “cessation of hostilities”, in down the reins of power to their civil war had become victims of an an abandonment of reason. sons, in an abandonment of reason. abandonment of reason. A Bad roads and suffocating traffic, However, he read what Dr. Hassan A Billions of dollars worth in public in an abandonment of reason. Sarkis wrote in the Monthly about funds from properties were A A railway without a train, in an “Canaanite-Phoenician cities-states”1 squandered and violated, in an abandonment of reason. and “Phoenicia and the Phoenicians”2: abandonment of reason. A A city without a public park and a “Cities acted completely as independent A Confessions and tribes loathe and public library, in an abandonment states... He/she was either Sidonian then love one another and elect of reason. (from Sidon), Aradian (from Arwad/ zua’ama in moments of love and A Polluted water everywhere and Arados) and so forth. The natives’ hate at the same time - all of course, solid waste in the valley, in an negative reaction to be named in an abandonment of reason. abandonment of reason. Phoenician is caused by the term’s A Citizens protesting and voting after A Audi-Saradar announces the hidden pejorative meaning. Phoenician getting paid, in an abandonment of construction of an “urban dreams” seems to have been derived from a reason. complex after destroying what Greek word for bloody, blood-soaked A A country with no electricity, in an little remained of Phoenicia and and even murderous or criminal.” abandonment of reason. Byzantium, in an abandonment of A Officers, politicians and capitalists reason. Furthermore, he read from Dr. Sarkis: ruled Lebanon and Syria and A LBCI suddenly discovers, after “Phoenicia, as a geographic entity, enriched themselves, in an MTV was reopened, that there is confined to the middle part of the abandonment of reason. had been a squandering of funds central eastern Mediterranean region A Political assassinations and over the past few years and that situated between Ra’s Al Bassit in haphazard killings of students and Solidere had crossed the limit, in Syria, to the north, Mount Carmel in citizens in clashes between March 8 an abandonment of reason. Palestine, to the south and the chain of and March 14, in an abandonment A From “one people in two nations” to Lebanon’s mountains to the east…” of reason. at least two people, two nations and But didn’t the Phoenicians establish A Lebanese soldiers were killed two embassies, in an abandonment Carthage in Northern Egypt as well? and the Nahr El Bared camp was of reason. Maybe it is possible to overcome the destroyed, in an abandonment of A From “the complete liberation Sunni-Shia’a-Christian and Lebanese- reason. of land” to two states: Palestine Syrian-Egyptian-Iraqi-Saudi hurdles, A Public debt with high interest rates for and Israel, in an abandonment of but how? Lebanese banks was accumulated, in reason. an abandonment of reason. A From the “usurped province” Citizen Zero, after all this, deduced A Media outlets were financed (Iskenderun) to the Ottoman that he was a Phoenician in a moment by politicians and states, in an caliphate, in an abandonment of of abandonment. He is therefore a abandonment of reason. reason. Phoenician-Druze and so went the cry A Teachers do not teach and learners A An Arab world ruled by individuals, to the Arabs stretched from “the roaring do not learn, in an abandonment of of whom the oldest ruler is Muammar ocean” (Morocco) to the “rebellious reason. Gadhafi (first worldwide) followed gulf” (Arab or Persian) to join him in A Demands for Hezbollah’s by the Omani Sultan Qaboos ben this new identity. disarmament on Sunday, August 13, Sa’id, then by the Egyptian Hosni 1 - The “Canaanite-Phoenician” city-states by Dr. Hassan Salameh Sarkis, The Monthly, issue number 89 2 - Phoenicia and the Phoenicians by Dr. Hassan Salameh Sarkis, The Monthly, issue number 88 issue 93 - April 2010 4 | Leader Lebanese treasury bonds Lebanese treasury bonds BANKS REPUBLIC OF LEBANON TO COVER USD 11.1 BILLION THIS YEAR

he Lebanese Ministry of Finance’s decision to temporarily suspend the issuing of new treasury bonds raised many questions over the motives behind the move and possible financial and economic outcomes. TDid the government decide to increase taxes and fees to be able to cover public debt without having to borrow funds? Or was there a disagreement over the monetary and financial policies between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank? Or is the purpose of the decision to pressure banks to lower the interest rate in order to lower the cost of public debt? Is it that the government does not currently need new bonds due to the large deposits in its accounts at the Central Bank? Or is the move merely a temporary technical procedure?

Issuance of Lebanese treasury bonds Lebanese treasury bonds Table 1 After the end of the Lebanese war, reconstruction projects Value of issued Value of Total value of bonds Year bonds in LBP Eurobonds (USD (approximately USD and the expansion of state administrative and military (billion LBP) million) billion) organizations were launched. A high increase in expenditure 2010 14,100 1,765 11.1 was required and subsequently increasing deposits were 2011 16,633 1,750 12.8 incurred. Under the circumstances, since 1992, consecutive 2012 11,038 2,168 9.5 governments have tried to cover the deficit by increasing 2013 - 1,525 1.5 taxes and fees and by issuing treasury bonds in Lebanese 2014 1,987 1,559 2.9 pounds. In order to encourage subscribers the state set very 2015 - 750 0.75 high interest rates on these bonds that reached up to 40% 2016 - 1,150 1.2 in 1995. In the following years, and under the pretext that 2017 - 3,926 4 the interest rates on debt in Lebanese pounds was high and 2018 - 765 0.76 costly, the government - as part of a plan to restructure the 2021 - 2,092 2.1 public debt - issued treasury bonds in foreign currencies and 2024 - 0,250 0.25 (Around USD 46.8 with lower interests than those set for the Lebanese bonds Total 43,758 17,700 billion) but they remained several times higher than the London Source: Monthly bulletin- Association of Banks in Lebanon-Issue# 1-2010. Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). As a result, public debt Note: The mentioned value is the nominal value i.e. without the interest at was divided between debt in Lebanese pounds and debt in the time when the actual value of Lebanese bonds is LBP 44,577 billion foreign currencies. The exchange of part of the Lebanese while the value of Eurobonds reached USD 18 billion. currency with foreign currencies despite its risks was carried out under laws that were ratified by Parliament (some were Who are the subscribers? listed as articles within the public budget laws). There are two major subscribers to the Lebanese treasury bonds: the Central Bank and Lebanese banks. Table 2 Current value of Lebanese treasury bonds shows the distribution of these bonds among subscribers The current value of treasury bonds, until end of 2009, and according to currencies. Banks have 62.2% of the value reached LBP 70,400 billion (about USD 46.7 billion). of these bonds with the Central Bank owning 14.2%. They are distributed between Lebanese currency Distribution of bonds among subscribers and according bonds at LBP 43,758 billion, forming 62% of the total to currencies Table 2 Year 2009 value, and foreign currencies at USD 17,700 million, Bonds in Lebanese Eurobonds (USD representing 38% of the total value of bonds. Issued Subscriber pounds (LBP billion) million) bonds in Lebanese pounds mature in five years (2010- Banks 26,376 11,566 2014) while the foreign currencies bonds (Eurobonds) Central Bank 10,043 - extend until 2024. Financial companies 130 - Public agencies 6,078 - Public 1,131 - Table 1 shows the dates of maturity, by year, of these International governments bonds. and agencies - 6,134 Total 43,758 17,700 Source: Monthly bulletin– Association of Banks in Lebanon- Issue #1-January 2010 issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Lebanese treasury bonds Leader | 5 Public debt The issuing of treasury bonds with high interest rates Current situation and the persistence of public deficit, which is the result The Ministry of Finance’s announcement it will stop of expanded expenditure to provide services or the result issuing new bonds seems like a temporary and interim of the cost of public debt, and the issuing of more bonds decision since it has to cover USD 11.1 billion worth brought “the official” public debt to LBP 77,024 billion of bonds which mature in 2010 as previously shown (USD 51 billion) in December 2009 compared to USD (including USD 1,765 million or LBP 14,100 billion). 2.9 billion at the beginning of 1993 (it reached around Furthermore, the continued public budget deficit forces LBP 5000 billion when the average exchange rate to the state to issue bonds in order to re-subscribe in the the dollar was LBP 1,741). The total paid interests on matured bonds and also to issue new bonds to fund this public debt since 1993 and until December 2009 the deficit. This move by the government could lead to reached LBP 65,636 billion or 85.2% of public debt. the imposition of more taxes and fees in the 2010 draft Table 3 shows the annual paid interests on public debt. budget law to cover the deficit or limit expenditure under the pretext that “the government does not want to issue Annually paid public debt interest rates Table 3 new bonds”. The other side of the matter is the fact that Year Public debt interests (billion LBP) the decision will be used by the banks to lower interests 1993 325 on deposits under the pretexts that the [the banks] do 1994 1,595 not need “new bonds”, the “state has stopped issuing 1995 2,155 treasury bonds” and “the markets are facing a stalemate 1996 4,228 that do not allow or demand new loans”. 1997 4,120 However, banks that lower the interests find another source 1998 3,041 to use its money, through subscription in certificates of deposit (Lebanese pounds and foreign currencies) issued 1999 3,905 by the Central Bank to absorb the cash flow and provide 2000 4,175 financial balance. The Central Bank had announced the 2001 4,500 issuing of these certificates for different deadlines and 2002 4,622 with interests varying between 7% and 8.5%. (Bank 2003 4,874 deposits at the Central bank reached LBP 53,228 billion 2004 4,021 in December 2009 including the mandatory reserve and 2005 3,534 deposit certificate worth around 26% of these deposits). 2006 4,557 But the government will resume issuing treasury bonds 2007 4,940 after a while and banks will again subscribe to them while 2008 4,957 the citizen will be the biggest loser. 2009 6,087 Bank officials who from time to time declare they did Total 65,636 not want subscribe in Lebanese treasury bonds are only Source: Ministry of Finance statements on the results of the mentioned years hiding their interests and real wishes. Without these bonds, banks will be stuck with the cash (according State borrows despite having funds to issued figures until December 2009, bank deposits The state issued treasury bonds to fund its needs, cover reached LBP 146,000 billion in return for loans at LBP due bonds and debts and also to preserve a surplus of 86.5,000 billion including LBP 42.7,000 billion in loans the money it keeps at the Central Bank for which it for the private sector or 29.3% of deposits and 49.4% of pays interests for the declared reason of “maintaining loans. Government loans reached LBP 43.8,000 billion monetary stability.” However, this increased the cost of or 30% of deposits and 50.6% of loans). The growth and servicing the public debt and consequently the budget profits of treasury bonds will take a nose dive if they do deficit. The “surplus” has reached around LBP 10,522 not accept new deposits. Treasury bonds have always billion in December 2009 compared to some LBP 8,326 formed a source to enable banks achieve high profit billion in December 2008. Therefore, the net debt at the (exceeded USD 1.2 billion in 2009) at a time when most end of 2009 reached LBP 66,502 billion (around USD economic sectors have witnessed a decline in profits, 44,1 billion) while the existing public debt reached LBP growth and progress. 77,024 billion (some USD 51 billion).

issue 93 - April 2010 6 | Leader Lebanese treasury bonds Interest on treasury bonds Interest on Lebanese treasury bonds varies depending on the currency, bond’s deadline and interest rates. In December 2009, it turned out that treasury bonds in Lebanese pounds with higher interest that than any other category in 36 months and 60 months represent 84.5% of the value of bonds. Percentage from total Percentage of Interest Category (Foreign Percentage from total bonds Percentage of Interest Category (LBP) bonds issued (LBP) Earned from bonds in Earned from bonds in LBP Currencies) issued (foreign currencies) foreign currencies Three months 0.30 4.59 Three years 3.40 4.50 Six months 3.50 5.77 Five years 11.70 4.70 12 months 4.90 5.80 Six years 19.30 5 24 months 6.80 6.40 Seven years 8.50 5.80 36 months 73 7.16 Eight years 19.40 6.30 60 months 11.50 7.77 10 years 5.90 6.80 - - - 15 years 31.80 7 Source: Monthly bulletin - Association of Banks in Lebanon - Issue #1 January 2010 This revenue is unstable since it differs according to date of bond issuing. The 36 month LBP treasury bonds for example represent 73% of total issued bonds with a return of 71.6%.

In its issue number 73 of August 2008, In its issue number 35 of May 2005, The Monthly had interviewed Dr. Charbel The Monthly had published an article on Nahhas, current Minister of Telecommunications, in an indepth analysis of the banking sector in Lebanon titled: Information International’s poll: “The Lebanese and the Monetary Situation.”

“A flourishing sector in times of Dr. Nahhas said: economic stagnation; 11 Families “Answers illustrated in the survey reflect We are in dire need to develop an control 11 Banks and 80% of Deposits” both the sensitivity of the Lebanese education and a better understanding of The article mentioned that “Profits regarding monetary issues and their economics and its dynamics… achieved by banks operating in Lebanon weak understanding of economics. The The increase in bank revenues and amounted to $755 million in 2007 following examples support this statement: profits has lead to an increase in the compared to $658 million in 2006.” The survey encompassed important citizens’ trust in the banking sector. This Furthermore, the following was deducted questions like the relation between the statement is highlighted by more than in the article: increase in fees and taxes and the level 61.4% of the respondents saying that the “The majority of banks were established of trust in the national currency. Only 15% profits scored by their banks is a factor 40-60 years ago of the respondents thought that such an that increases confidence while 75.3% The Lebanese banking sector is mainly increase in taxes and fees would increase of the respondents do not even know controlled by families: Qassar, Shuman, confidence in the national currency, while the exact amounts of such profits. One Tyan, Roufael, Azhari, Hariri, Sehnaoui, more than 50% perceived that such an cannot avoid drawing a parallel between Saab, Assaf, Audi, Saradar, Lati, Pharaon, action would have a negative impact the seemingly bright and modern image Tamari, Bassil, Zard, Abu Jaoudeh, on the currency and might lead to its of the banking sector compared to the Boustani, Ashour, Sabbah, Sfeir, Jammal, collapse, and 20% indicated there is no apparent and obvious sluggish image of Khoury, Obagi, Kheireddine, Itani, Hojeij, relation between the two issues… other organizations. Nemer, and others... The survey illustrates that the …it seems as if the Lebanese, or most of Eleven banks controlled by around performance of the banking sector and them, think of the banking sector as an 11 families form what is the so-called the Central Bank is “very good” (95% of independent income generating entity the Alfa Group (Audi, BLOM, Byblos, the respondents stated so), which depicts isolated from any economic formula or Fransabank, Société Générale, Crédit that there is little awareness of monetary activity, but still supports the national Libanais, BankMed, Bank of Beirut, and economic matters, especially since economy. They fail to trace the reality BBAC, Banque Libano-Française and a big portion of these same respondents that the banking sector acquires its Lebanese-Canadian Bank) control 80% are very worried and concerned about revenues from the economy itself and of deposits and receive 85% of profits the economic and monetary situations. It thus faces the same risks presented realized by the banking sector. These seems, from such contradicting answers, by various economic sectors and other banks’ loans to the government reach that respondents believe that the banking private organizations…” around $17.8 billion or 82% of the total sector in a certain country can be isolated loans which amounts to $20.7 billion. from the economic situation, despite the Profits achieved by the banking sector fact that the value of assets in this sector are mainly from subscription to treasury is directly linked to the national economy bonds issued by the government.” and monetary conditions…

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Taxes and fees in Lebanon Public Sector | 7 Taxes and fees in Lebanon 77% OF STATE REVENUES COME FROM INDIRECT TAXES AND FEES

In order for the Lebanese state (like all states around the A Tax on properties: LBP 702 billion, or 8.52%. world) to function (i.e. paying the salaries of state employees A Other taxes: LBP 368 billion, or 4.46%. and providing services) it must have the necessary funds. They Based on these figures, indirect taxes form 68.5% of tax come from four main sources: revenues, which is very high. Table 1 shows the sections of A Taxes and fees tax revenues. These are only estimates; the actual amount A Revenues from state properties collected differs. Based on the last public budget of 2003, A Collection from citizens in return for state services taken as an example, tax revenues that were actually collected A Donations from members or individuals reached LBP 4,384 billion whereas estimates were LBP 4,726 The debate heats up around the best and fairest form of taxes: billion. direct or indirect? Corporate and income taxes or sales tax? Revenues from corporate, income, capital gains and property What is the cost or capability to collect each form of these taxes reached LBP 1,018 billion, forming 23.2% of collected taxes? tax revenues (the estimated amount is LBP 1,400 billion, or Most people agree that direct corporate and income tax is the 29.6% of estimated tax revenues). Meanwhile, revenues on fairest and most productive form of taxes but it is not enough commodities, services, customs and stamp fees reached LBP to provide necessary resources for the state. Furthermore 3,366 billion, forming 76.8% of tax revenues(the estimated its collection is relatively costly and difficult in light of tax amount was LBP 3,326 billion or 70.4% of estimated tax evasion operations, which raises a need for indirect taxes. In revenues). Lebanon the latter form provide the largest percentage of state revenues (an estimated 68%, as opposed to 77% in real life) Tax revenues according to sections (in billions of LBP) Table 1 which causes unjust taxation. A government proposal to widen Corporate, income, capital gains tax 1,894 Income tax on profits 678 these taxes would turn the taxation system in Lebanon into an Income tax on salaries and wages 306 even more oppressive system and a proposal to increase the Income tax on moved capital gains 278 Value Added Tax from 10% to 12 or 15 % while increasing Income tax on banking interest rates 619 Tax on built properties 702 taxes on banking interest rates from 5% to 7% is an example Tax on built properties 161 of the imbalance of the system. Moving fee 72 It appears that the imposition of more taxes is inevitable in Real estate fees and taxes on properties 469 Internal fees on commodities and services 4,561 light of high spending and an increasing deficit and public Fees on flammables (benzene) 850 debt. The article will cover the 2009 draft budget law as a Fees on tobacco and tanbac 260 Internal consumption fee on cars 361 model of state revenues in the mentioned year. Value Added Tax 2,758 Fees on vehicles 220 The 2009 draft budget Fees for leaving Lebanese territories 100 Estimated budget expenditure reached LBP 16,304 billion in Fees on commerce and trading 714 Fee on monetary stamp 368 return for LBP 11,389 billion of revenues, forming a 30.1% Source: 2009 draft budget law deficit. Tax revenues are estimated at LBP 8,239 billion or 72.3% of total estimated revenues. State estimates in draft public budgets are inaccurate. Expenditures increase and revenues drop leading to higher Tax revenues deficit. Corporate, income, and property form 30%-32% These revenues (LBP 8,239 billion) are distributed as of taxes, but the result forms no more than 23%-24%, follows: thus increasing tax injustice. What makes the matter more A Corporate, income, and capital gains tax: LBP 1,894 complicated is that this tax system reflects the image of billion, or 23% of tax revenues. Lebanon that we see before us today; in terms of increased A Domestic fees on merchandises and services: LBP 4,561 real estate prices, difficulty of purchasing houses in Beirut billion, or 55.3% of tax revenues. and other cities by the Lebanese, increased consumption and A Fees on commerce and international trading: LBP 714 higher prices, and a decline in productive sectors. billion, or 8.66% of tax revenues.

issue 93 - April 2010 8 | Public Sector Property ownership by non-Lebanese in the Metn Qada’a Property ownership by non-Lebanese in the Metn Qada’a 1.34% OF THE AREA

roperty ownership by foreigners has been a subject of disagreement among the Lebanese. Christians used to eye it with concern and even rejection since the ownership was taking place in their regions and since the new owners Pare Muslims and Arabs. Recently, the Shia’a, have also joined the Christians, even if in a more shy manner, in their concern especially that there are possibilities for the naturalization of Palestinians or part of them in Lebanon and they are mostly Sunni which causes a confessional imbalance between the Sunni and the Shia’a in favor of the former. The law permits ownership In 1969, a law was issued by Decree # 11614 on January 4 The qada’s area measures 270 million square meters and permitting non-Lebanese to acquire real estate civil rights it is considered one of the small Lebanese qada’as since in Lebanon. Foreigners, of Lebanese origins and Arabs its area is equal to each of Nabatieh, Saida and A’aley can own built properties or land slated for construction while it exceeds those of Ba’abda, Bcharri, Koura and on condition that the area of properties acquired across Zgharta. Qada’a Baalbeck is the largest with 2.4 billion Lebanon does not exceed 5,000 square meters and in square meters. Beirut does not exceed 3,000 square meters. In case The total of properties owned by foreigners in Metn the area does exceed the legal limit, the foreigners are reaches around 3.6 million square meters or 1.34% of required to seek a license from the Council of Ministers. the qada’s area (including valleys, mountains, roads and Non-Lebanese companies also have the right to own inhabited areas). Table 1 shows the areas owned by non- properties measuring 10,000 square meters. The law was Lebanese in Metn by government decrees since the area amended by Law # 269 on April 3, 2001 when an article exceeds the legal limit. Those who own an apartment of was added forbidding citizens from an unrecognized state an estate measuring less than 3,000 square meters are to own property. The article also forbid any ownership not listed in the table. if it is in conﬂict with constitutional provisions in terms Table 1 shows that Saudis top the list of property owners of the rejection of naturalization and it lowered the legal with 1,013,741 square meters; followed by the Emiratis area for ownership to 3,000 square meters in all Lebanese with 408,404 square meters; the Qataris with 63,522 square regions. Another article was added to the law forbidding meters and the Kuwaitis with 55,155 square meters. the sale of land and properties in any qada’a in case the area owned by foreigners exceeded 3% of the qada’s The most popular regions were Saqiyet El Misk where area and in Beirut 10% of its area. It also stipulated that properties owned by non-Lebanese reached 244,123 properties owned by foreigners since 1969 in all Lebanese square meters; A’ain Sa’adeh with 78,641 square meters; territories must not exceed 3% of its area. Beit Meri with 75,154 square meters, Dahr El Saouan with 62,318 square meters, Bouchrieh with 60,402 Property ownership in Qada’a Metn square meters and Sin El Fil with 48, 158 square meters. Qada’a Metn is one of the region that has seen non- Table 1 shows the details of property ownership by non- Lebanese own properties for many years. Ownership is Lebanese in Metn. mainly focused in Beit Meri, Broummana, Bahr Saf and Saqiyet El Misk among others. Property ownership by non-Lebanese in Qada’a Metn Table 1 Region Name and nationality Date Area Purpose Chouair Sheikha ‘Intissar Salem al-A’ali al-Sabah (Kuwaiti) 1/15/2009 2,830 Construction and residence Al-Hbouss International School 12/23/2008 4,285 School A’ain Safsaf Mohammad Ja’an Salem al-Zuhairi (UAE) 5/5/2008 4,920 Construction and residence Douair Jassem Marzouq Jassem Boudi (Kuwaiti) 3/18/2005 11,105 Construction and residence Sin El Fil Majmoua’at Ouathiqa al-Qabida SAK 2/7/2008 15,179 Real estate investment Bekfaya Abdullah Sa’ad al-Rashed (Saudi Arabia) 2/7/2008 5,205 Construction and residence Hbous International School 11/24/2007 5,203 School Beit Meri Rakeen lil Tatweer (UAE) 11/13/2007 14,478 Real estate investment Jouret El Ballout Khalil ‘Assak Khaled al-Jarrah 11/1/2007 3,300 Construction and residence Beit Meri Lobna Joma’a al-Majed (UAE) 8/28/2007 5,755 Construction and residence Dekoueneh G. Vincenti & Sons SAL 8/22/2007 1,200 Offices and houses for rent

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Property non-Lebanese by foreigners in the Metn Qada’a Public Sector | 9 Property ownership by non-Lebanese in Qada’a Metn Table 1 Region Name and nationality Date Area Purpose A’ain El Safsaf Abdullah Ja’an Salem al-Zuhairi (UAE) 5/21/2007 4,942 Construction and residence Zar’oun Mohammad Abdel Aziz Mohammad al-‘Omran (Saudi Arabia) 5/21/2007 15,122 Construction and residence Beit Meri Al-Sharika al-Ouataniya lil Daman SAL 4/5/2007 281 Complex for the company Saqiyet El Misk – Bahr Saf Saleh ben Ali ben Saud al-Sukari (Saudi Arabia) 3/16/2007 10,942 Construction and residence Mansouryieh Khaled Youssef Ibrahim al-Nasser al-Hojeiri (Kuwaiti) 2/22/2007 1,028 Construction and residence Mteen Fouad Ahmad Daouad Abdel Aziz al-Qabalani (Kuwaiti) 2/22/2007 4,036 Construction and residence Roumieh Khaled ben Saud ben Abdullah al-Chebli (Saudi Arabia) 2/22/2007 821,017 Real estate investment Roumieh Khaled Mohammad Abdullah A’atiya (Qatar) 11/16/2007 3,606 Construction and residence Mheidtheh Fahd ben Abdullah ben Mohammad ben Abdel Rahman Al-Saud (Saudi Arabia) 11/16/2006 1,022 Residence Saqiyet El Misk – Bahr Saf Hamad ben Khalifa ben Hamad Al-Thani (Qatar) 11/1/2006 2,880 Construction and residence Bekfaya Sayyed Ismail Abbas al-Khouri (UAE) 11/11/2006 12,779 Construction and residence Saqiyet El Misk – Bahr Saf Reef al-Sharq al-Awsat SAL 9/25/2006 303 Tourism and commercial project A’ain El Safsaf Sultan Saqr Mohammad al-Qassimi (UAE) 5/29/2006 1,558 Construction and residence Ba’abdat-Sfeili Mohammad ben Mohammad ben Abdullah al-Rached (Saudi Arabia) 5/29/2006 3,035 Construction and residence Construction and real estate A’ain Sa’adeh Osatco Company 5/15/2006 860 investment Beit Meri Tareq Tawfiq Taleb al-Naqib (Kuwaiti) 5/15/2006 288 Construction and residence Anwar A’aqil Mohieddine Abdullah and his wife Kholoud Zar’oun-Mteen Abdullah Mohammad al-A’aouadi (UAE) 6/24/2006 3,795 Construction and residence Abdullah (alone) Zar’oun-Mteen Anwar A’aqil Mohieddine Abdullah 6/24/2006 1,035 Construction and residence Zar’oun A’aqil Mohieddine Abdullah and his wife Khairiyah Abdel Ouadoud Abdel Ghaffar (UAE) 6/24/2006 3,795 Construction and residence Mteen- Mar Moussa+EL Hamad Abdel Karim Nasrallah al-A’aref (UAE) 6/24/2006 4,003 + 101 Construction and residence Daouar Bekfaya Mohammad Abdullah Mohmmad al-Sayah (UAE) 3/30/2006 5,375 Construction and residence Tanoureen Maintain ownership on the That+Dekoueneh Tannourine Natural Spring Mineral Water SAL 3/30/2006 152,078 condition is it used for purposes in the company matter Beit Meri Hashem Sa’id Hashem (Saudi Arabia) 3/22/2006 302 Construction and residence Naqqach Abdullah Ibrahim Abdullah al-Habib (Saudi Arabia) (registered in the name of his underage son Rayyan) 3/8/2006 410 + 152 (562) Residence Dahr El Saouan Mohammad Seif Mohammad ben Sha’afar (UAE) 3/6/2006 3,775 Construction and residence Roumieh Establishment of a real estate Pine Park SAL 3/6/2006 8,830 unit and construct a complex Beit Meri Tariq Taleb Hammoud Ibrahim al-A’anjari (Kuwaiti) 3/6/2006 2,660 Construction and residence Saqiyet El Misk-Bahr Saf Joma’a al-Majed Abdullah (UAE) 3/6/2006 7,768 Construction and residence Manufacturing, production and Jdeidet El Metn LECICO SAL 6/6/2006 28 marketing of sanitary ware and tile Beit Meri Khaled Youssef Ibrahim al-Nasser al-Hajiri (Kuwaiti) 2/10/2006 126 + 245 (371) Construction and residence Saqiyet El Misk-Bahr Saf Executing a residential and com- Sharikat Reef al-Sharq al-Awsat SAL 1/16/2006 20,799 mercial project Mteen Mahmoud Abdel Majid Hussein (Jordan) 1/16/2006 5,100 Construction and residence Mteen Abdel Rahman Mohammad Rached al-Chared (UAE) 1/5/2006 4,860 Construction and residence Saqiyet El Misk-Bahr Saf Khalifa ben Zayed ben Sultan Al Nahayan (UAE) 1/5/2006 2,290 Construction and residence Jdeidet El Metn Manufacturing, production and LECICO 3/6/2006 28 marketing of sanitary ware and tile Maintaining ownership on the Mar Rokoz-Dahr El Has- Spring Hills Country Club SAL 12/6/2005 16,405 condition that the estate is used seen for purposes concerning the company Dahr El Saouan Hamad Mohammad Abdullah al-Hmeiri (UAE) 11/29/2005 1,618 Construction and residence Mar Moussa El Daouar Mustapha Abdel Hameed al-Sani’a (Kuwaiti) 11/9/2005 11,315 Construction and residence Broummana Abdullah ben Mohammad ben Omar al-Jaroushi (Saudi Arabia) 11/9/2005 4,525 Construction and residence Mubarak Sa’ad Mohammad Sa’ad ben Qazla al-Hababi Construction and residence (its Saqiyet El Misk-Bahr Saf (UAE) 11/9/2005 2,660 inclusion with other estates) Establishment of a city on a beach Dbayeh overlooking the port and includes Water Front City 11/9/2005 193,655 a comprehensive tourism, commercial and financial project Antelias Murex Industries and Trading SAL 11/7/2005 164 For an industrial company

issue 93 - April 2010 10 | Public Sector Property ownership by non-Lebanese in the Metn Qada’a Property ownership by non-Lebanese in Qada’a Metn Table 1 Region Name and nationality Date Area Purpose Bekfaya Abdel Rahman Ali al-Wazzan (Bahrain) 10/29/2005 4,336 Construction and residence Ba’abdat- Sfeileh Sara Nasser Hadi al-Hajiri (Saudi Arabia) 10/17/2005 3,440 Construction and residence Mheidtheh Fahd Abdullah Mohammad Abdel Rahman al-Saud (Saudi Arabia) 9/23/2005 3,036 Construction and residence Saqiyet El Misk-Bahr Saf Saud Rached Ahmad al-Ma’alla (UAE) 8/16/2005 3,980 Construction and residence Beskinta Mohammad ben Abdel Aziz ben Mohammad al-Omran (Saudi Arabia) 8/16/2005 14,390 Construction and residence Construction and real estate El Ouyoun Palm Cedra Reality Group SAL 6/28/2006 12,411 investment Sin El Fil Hamad Taleb Hammoud al-A’anjari (Kuwaiti) 6/20/2005 3,351 Construction and residence Beit Meri Tariq Taleb Hammoud Ibrahim al-A’anjari (Kuwaiti) 6/20/2005 2,098 Construction and residence Sin El Fil Talal Taleb Hammoud Ibrahim al-A’anjari (Kuwaiti) 6/20/2005 3,108 Construction and residence Bekfaya Omran ben Mohammad ben Abdel Rahman al-Omran 6/20/2005 12,790 Construction and residence (Saudi Arabia) Construction and real estate Fanar Omar ben Saleh ben Suleiman al-Hamidi (Saudi Arabia) 6/20/2005 1,045 investment Abdullah ben Ali ben Abdel Karim al-Namla (Saudi Dahr El Saouan Arabia) 6/20/2005 5,833 Construction and residence Beit Meri May Hammoud Ibrahim al-A’anjari (Kuwait) 6/20/2005 4,635 Construction and residence Qa’aqour Abdel Aziz ben Suleiman ben Mohammad al-A’afaliq (Saudi Arabia) 6/20/2005 5,030 Construction and residence Jouret El Ballout Sa’id ben Mohammad ben Khalifa Al Nahayan (UAE) 6/20/2005 10,936 Construction and residence Mar Moussa El Daouar Mohammad ben Sultan Sourour al-Dhahiri (UAE) 6/20/2005 17,010 Construction and residence Mteen Issa ben Zayed Al Nahayan (UAE) 6/20/2005 11,095 Construction and residence Maintain ownership on condition Bouchrieh Al-Sharika al A’aqariya lil Mashari’ al-Kobra al-‘Iskaniya that it is used for purposes con- wal Siyahiya SAL 2/26/2005 17,035 cerning the company (real estate and tourism investment) Maintain ownership on condition it is used for company purposes (establishment, investment and Beskinta Bakeesh al-Siyahiya SAL 2/26/2005 1,036,915 development of tourism clubs Mansourieh Ibrahim Khalifa Mohammad al-Sharif (Libya) 2/26/2005 3,361 and institutions in addition to financial, real estate and commercial investment) Construction and residence

For company’s industrial Mar Boutrous Karm El Murex Industries and Trading SAL 2/7/2005 5,375 purposes (manufacturing of Teen bathtubs and toilet seat covers) Mohammad Abdullah Abdel Aziz al-Mdeifer (Saudi Inclusion in another estate that Broumman Arabia) 2/7/2005 2,413 contains his private residence Mubarak Sa’ad Mohammad Sa’ad ben Qithla al-Hababi Saqiyet El Misk-Bahr Saf (UAE) 2/7/2005 3,588 Construction and residence Dahr El Saouan Mohammad ben Bati ben Hamed Al Hamed (UAE) 2/7/2005 6,508 Construction and residence Bekfaya Victor Nazeem Ridha Agha (Qatar) 9/25/2005 12,740 Construction and residence Maintain ownership on condition it Broummana Waha Company SAL 12/20/2004 9,110 is used for company purposes (real estate and commercial activities) Dahr El Saouan Sourour Mohammad Khalifa Al Nahayan (UAE) 9/28/2004 2,030 Construction and residence Beskinta Hoda Youssef Issa al-Ma’ashar (Jordan) 9/28/2004 3,244 Construction and residence Construction of a complex Bekfaya Abdullah ben Sa’ad ben Abdel Rahman al-Rached 9/18/2004 8,185 and installation for summer (Saudi Arabia) residence Dahr El Saouan Seif Mohammad Khalifa Al Nahayan (UAE) 9/10/2004 785 Construction and residence Broummana Rana Anwar Hussein Abdullah Sabri (Qatar) 8/5/2004 245 Construction and residence Dahr El Saouan Hamad Mohammad Abdullah Barouk al-Hmeiri (UAE) 8/5/2004 1,723 Construction and residence Broumman Ali Fahd Ali Saleh al-Zmai’a (Kuwait) 7/17/2004 3,062 Construction and residence Broummana-Dahr El Fahd ben Abdel Rahman ben Rached al-Rmeizan Residence construction and Saouan (Saudi Arabia) 7/17/2004 81 + 950 residence Mohammad ben Nasser ben Abdullah al-Nasser (Saudi Dahr El Saouan Arabia) 7/17/2004 1,420 Construction and residence Beit Meri Rafed Abdel Mohsen Badr al-Khorafi (Kuwait) 7/17/2004 1,975 Residence Dahr El Saouan Construction and residence Mohammad ben Bati ben Hamed al- Hamed (UAE) 6/30/2004 2,110 (inclusion to another estate)

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Property ownership by non-Lebanese in the Metn Qada’a Public Sector | 11 Property ownership by non-Lebanese in Qada’a Metn Table 1 Region Name and nationality Date Area Purpose Establishment of a tourism and commercial project (construction Dbayeh of a tourism hotel and a commer- Marina Village SAL 6/16/2004 81,611 cial center in addition to residential and commercial buildings, various tourism and entertainment outlets) Mohammad ben Abdel Rahman ben Fahd al-Damer Construction and residence Mar Moussa El Daouar (Saudi Arabia) 6/16/2004 7,000 (inclusion in other estates) Beskinta Imad Youssef Issa al-Ma’ashar (Jordan) 6/2/2004 6,340 Construction and residence Qa’aqour Hassan ben Abdullah ben Saleh al-A’afaliq (Saudi Arabia) 3/8/2004 24,940 Construction and residence Jouret El Ballout Sa’id Mohammad Khalifa Al Nahayan (UAE) 3/8/2004 6,670 Construction and residence Mazara’at El Hdeira Residence for one of the em- Bulgarian Embassy 3/3/2004 86 ployees Dahr El Saouan Sourour ben Mohammad ben Khalifa Al Nahayan (UAE) 1/12/2004 183 Construction and residence Dahr El Saouan Mohammad ben Bati ben Hamed al-Hamed (UAE) 12/15/2003 6,868 Construction and residence Beit Meri Mohammad ben Abdullah ben Zayed al-Othman (Saudi Arabia) 12/15/2003 15,475 Construction and residence A’ain Sa’adeh Abdullah Sultan ben Issa (Kuwait) 12/15/2003 3,237 Construction and residence Naqqach-Mezher ABC Company 11/17/2003 895 + 377 (1,272) Commercial investment Saqiyet El Misk – Bahr Saf Abdel Aziz ben Majed ben Abdel Aziz Al Saud (Saudi Arabia) 11/17/2003 4,432 residence Mar Moussa El Daouar Ahmad Salem Bousamnouh al-Ali (UAE) 11/17/2003 3,445 Construction and residence Bouchrieh Maintain ownership for company Al Massa Real Estate company 10/25/2003 3,063 purposes Mohammad Ali Nasser Mansour al-Gaithi al-Sharif Construction of a single real Dahr El Saouan (Saudi Arabia) 10/25/2003 5,606 estate group for residence Dahr El Saouan Mohammad ben Bati ben Hamed al-Hamed (UAE) 9/24/2003 12,686 Construction and residence Dahr El Saouan Residence (inclusion of other Seif Mohammad Khalifa Al Nahayan (UAE) 8/14/2003 1,676 estates) Saqiyet El Misk – Bahr Saf Khalifa ben Zayed ben Sultan Al Nahayan (UAE) 7/16/2003 118 Residence Beit Meri Garam Allah Radad Sa’id a;-Zahrani (Saudi Arabia) 6/5/2003 215 Residence Construction of a commercial center and hyper-market and Naqqach Lebanese Maf company for commercial and real estate 6/3/2003 27,288 execution of a multi-purpose investiment SAL project (residential, commercial and tourism) Construction of warehouses for Mkallis Super Brazil Company 5/23/2003 3,203 company use Bouchrieh+ Antelias+ Al Sharika al-A’aqariya al-Lubnaniya al-Swissraniya 5/20/2003 885+105+123 (1,113) Maintain ownership on condition Mazra’at Yachou’a it is used for company purposes Bekfaya+Naqqach+Jal Al Sharika al-Lubnaniya al-Swissriya lil Daman 5/20/2003 432 + 185 + 42 (659) Maintain ownership on condition El Dib it is used for company purposes Mteen Qorra Bet Haronian Company 5/20/2003 15,456 Construction and sale of buildings Mar Moussa El Daouar Dubai Islamic Bank 5/20/2003 32,290 Tourism and real estate investment A’ain El Safsaf Reem Joua’an Salem al-Zahiri (UAE) 4/15/2003 3,700 Residence Saqiyet El Misk – Bahr Saf Khalifa ben Zayed ben Sultan Al Nahayan (UAE) 3/5/2003 3,580 Construction and residence Fanar Establishment of a storage for Sagona company 2/27/2003 3,284 computers Saqiyet El Misk Hamad Ali Ahmad al-Zahiri (UAE) 1/30/2003 4,620 Construction and residence Saqiyet El Misk Sa’id Ali Ahmad Hamad al-Zahiri (UAE) 1/22/2003 4,620 Construction and residence Dahr El Saouan Sultan Ali Ahmad Hamad al-Zahiri (UAE) 1/22/2003 3,322 Construction and residence A’ayroun+Jouret El Ballout Khalifa ben Zayed ben Sultan Al Nahayan (UAE) 1/3/2003 64,095 + 30,460 (94,555) Construction and residence A’ain Sa’adeh Dubai Islamic Bank 1/3/2003 68,000 Real estate and tourism investment The children of Hamad ben Khalifa Hamad Al Thani Saqiyet El Misk – Bahr Saf (Qatar) 11/28/2002 14,418 Residence A’ain Sa’adeh Minors: Mohammad, Joa’an and Khalifa 10/16/2002 1,850 Residence Adults: Hessa, Mayyassa and Hind Ibrahim Mahmoud Mohammad al-Mahmoud (UAE) Provide additional capitals to ﺍRoumieh Rakan for commerce and investment 8/29/2002 1,806 execute projects Jal El Deeb MEA 8/7/2002 198 Offices for the company Jdeideh Ahmad A’awadi Jaheem al-Jaheem (Kuwait) 6/15/2002 56 Residence Saqiyet El Misk – Bahr Saf Khalifa ben Zayed ben Sultan Al Nahayan (UAE) 6/7/2002 480 Residence A’ain Sa’adeh Ahmad ben Mohammad ben Sa’id Badeeb (Saudi Arabia) 6/7/2002 433 Residence

issue 93 - April 2010 12 | Public Sector Property ownership by non-Lebanese in the Metn Qada’a Property ownership by non-Lebanese in Qada’a Metn Table 1 Region Name and nationality Date Area Purpose Broumman Moodi bent Abdel Mohsen al-A’anqari (Saudi Arabia) 6/5/2002 3,677 Residence Naqqach Establishment of business center Maf Lebanon for commercial and real estate investment 5/10/2002 28,124 and a hyper-market Establishment of a compre- Sin El Fil Metropolitan City Center 4/30/2002 13,595 hensive tourism and business project Beit Meri Saoud ben Saqr ben Mohammad al-Qassimi (UAE) 4/15/2002 1,825 Residence Maintain ownership on condition Bouchrieh Uniter Munelz 4/5/2002 17,316 it is used for its activity and to establish its current position Establishment of a compound Saqiyet El Misk – Bahr Saf Khalifa ben Zayed ben Sultan Al Nahayan (UAE) 11/28/2002 98,066 for luxurious mansions for residence Mohammad Abdullah Abdel Aziz al-Mdeifer (Saudi Residence (inclusion of other Broummana Arabia) 11/21/2001 810 estates) Rectifying real estate borders A’ain Sa’adeh A’ammar Abdel Aziz Ali al-Tweijri (Saudi Arabia) 11/21/2001 53 according to a court order Rectifying real estate borders A’ain Sa’adeh Ali Saleh Abdel Aziz al-Mdeifer (Saudi Arabia) 11/21/2001 53 according to a court order Abdullah ben Abdel Rahman ben Abdullah al-Hamdan Establishment of an commercial Marjaba (Saudi Arabia) 11/5/2001 8,175 investment and private residence Sarouf Lebanon 11/5/2001 6,720 Establishment of residence Bekfaya buildings for sale Establishment of residence Bekfaya Sarouf Lebanon 11/5/2001 6,380 buildings for sale A’ain El Safsaf Hameed Joua’an al-Zahiri (UAE) 10/18/2001 3,700 Residence Saqiyet El Misk and Bahr Saf Children of Hamad ben Khalifa Al Thani 8/2/2001 29,633 Residence Saqiyet El Misk and Bahr Minors: Mohammad, Joua’an and Khalifa 8/18/2001 25,246 Residence Saf Adults: Hessa, Mayyassa and Hind (Qatar) Hanan Joma’a al-Majed (UAE) Beit Meri Christian Otto Marcus Claire (Switzerland) 4/5/2001 56 Residence Beit Shabeb Charles Antoine Monique Rosiee (France) 3/29/2001 166 Residence Beit El Sha’ar Cornelia Vernz Chenyara born Hoffman (Germany) 3/1/2001 75 Residence Hdeira Walid Khaled al-Farkh (Belgium) 3/1/2001 109 Residence A’ayoun Hermaine Gardina Margarita Brahmar (Holland) 2/2/2001 102 Residence Beit Meri Philippe Gabriel Bidawid (Switzerland) 12/30/2000 230 Residence Deir Tamiss Fadeel Youssef Saliba (UK) 10/17/2000 73 Residence Beit Meri Headquarters for the company Moudi al-A’anqari and parteners (MAFKS) 9/11/2000 276 to operate Beit Shabab Marcelio Coronto Dallozio (Italy) 8/11/2000 110 Residence Beit El Sha’ar Maria Rosa Jorje Silawi + Marta mounira Jorje Silawi (Argentina) 8/11/2000 34 (equally) Residence Mazra’at Yachou’a+Haret 552 (only total area is Execution of company purpose El Sakher (Qaza’a Kes- Lebanese SSM for food products 6/30/2000 mentioned) in terms of investment in restau- erouane) rants and the outcome Dekoueneh Francis Adrian Andrew (UK) 6/30/2000 54 Residence Bouchrieh Operating as a headquarters for Adonis for insurance and reinsurance 5/19/2000 271 the company Ouata A’amaret Chalhoub George Khashadour Sadorian (France) 4/25/2000 43 Residences Mansourieh Metropolitan Bank 3/15/2000 28 To maintain ownership Naqqach Carole Giovanni Pedro Sabbagh (Italy) 12/28/1999 105 Residence A’ain Sa’adeh Henry Jean Louis Francois (France) 12/23/1999 218 Residence Sin El Fil American Live Insurance Company 12/17/1999 120 Offices for the company Fanar Bahia Boutrous Sa’aoud (USA) 8/17/1999 101 Residence A’ain Sa’adeh To pay off a loan and dedicate it Energy Supply (France) 6/8/1999 95 for company operations Borj Hammoud+Beit Lebanese Bank of Commerce 5/7/1999 143 + 219 (362) Maintain ownership Shabab Majzoub Moskovan Patriarchy (Russia) 11/19/1998 128 Residence Expand stores on Dbayeh Dbayeh+Naqqach ABC 9/15/1998 7156 +107 (7,263) highway and equip a parking lot for customers Jal El Dib Ralph Michel Berger (Germany) 9/11/1998 29 Residence Jal El Dib Sara Bahsous (Denmark) 9/8/1998 49 Residence Borj Hammoud Expand its financial and com- Lebanon Financial Company 8/1/1998 29 mercial activities

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Property ownership by non-Lebanese in the Metn Qada’a Public Sector | 13 Property ownership by non-Lebanese in Qada’a Metn Table 1 Region Name and nationality Date Area Purpose Residence for embassy military Fanar Cuban Embassy 6/15/1998 746 attache officers Abdel Aziz ben Issa ben Nasser al-Ben Ali (Saudi Chouaya Arabia) 6/15/1998 9,785 Construction of a residence Broummana Flroence Daniel Le Plan (France) 4/21/1998 198 Residence Jal El Dib Hanna Bahsous Sarsour (USA) 1/9/1998 48 Residence Sin El Fil Dubai National Company for Insurance (UAE) 11/12/1997 58 A branch in Lebanon Fanar Stephano Piatro Piotti (Italy) 10/29/1997 78 Residence 14/7/1997 Jal El Dib American Live Insurance Company (USA) (amendment of a decree 246 Private offices for the company 6/2/1997) Embassy headquarters and Naqqach Greek Embassy 6/20/1997 523 ambassador’s residence Qornet Shehwen Carle Eberhard Press (Germany) 5/24/1997 1,542 Private residence Fanar Construction of a complex to Sharikat Assir al-Fakiha al-Lubnaniya 4/21/1997 3,259 expand operations Jdeideh Estephano Maria Rousso (Iraly) 4/21/1997 21 Used as offices for business Mazra’at Yachou’a Walterhanss Wazerman and his wife Gertrude Anna Danengz (Germnay) 2/1/1997 100 Family residence Dbayeh Nestle products exports company (Switzerland) 11/9/1995 8,005 Beit Meri Venus Vera (UK) 7/11/1995 75 Sin El Fil Khalaf Ahmad al-Habtour (UAE) 5/20/1995 3,835 Borj Hammoud Lebanon Financial Company 4/15/1993 117 Company offices Sin El Fil Ericsson 1/30/1993 99 Company office Roumieh Roberto Antonio Mustacci (Italy) 10/15/1992 301 Naqqach Italian Embassy 6/29/1992 2,705 Mansourieh Boutrous Alberto Antonious Winobest (Holland) 6/25/1992 61 Bouchrieh Elie Gergi al-Khouli (France) 10/5/1990 50 Bouchrieh Latex Trade 1/18/1988 160 Dbayeh-Mezher ABC SAL 11/19/1987 5,006 +196 (5,202) Borj Hammoud Al Bank Al Arabi Al Mahdoud (Jordan) 6/30/1986 155 Aoukar The US government 4/18/1985 1,516 Jdeideh Lebanese Banking Company 6/10/1983 167 Bouchrieh Banque Credit Swisse (Middle East) 3/22/1983 196 Qornet Shahwan Ousama Sari Rabat (France) 2/24/1983 1,192 Sin El Fil+Bouchrieh Fransabank 2/23/1982 42 + 518 (560) Borj Hammoud Jesus Christ Convent (France) 1/12/1983 19 Borj Hammoud Bank Al Mashreq 2/5/1983 6 Bouchrieh Al Sharika al-Iqariya al-A’amma 1/5/1983 52 Sin El Fil Fransabank 9/4/1982 84 Ba’abdat+Ba’abda (Qaza’a Ba’abda)+Kfour (Qaza’a Bezanson (France) 4/29/1982 6,457 (only total area is Keserouane) mentioned) Borj Hammoud Sharikat al Petrol al Iqariya wal Tijariya 11/4/1981 377 Ba’abdat Cencia Nicolas Balit and Rinatta Nicolas Balit (Italy) 10/14/1980 34 Borj Hammoud UNIFAR 5/5/1980 527 Rabieh Jesus and Mary Nuns Association (Italy) 2/8/1980 4,642 Mkallis Schindler Company 10/2/1979 2,990 Borj Hammoud Sharikat al Petrol al Iqariya wal Tijariya 10/2/1979 328 Hdeira Bruno Jack de Clark (Belgium) 6/7/1979 1,084 675 (on condition it is Dahr El Saouan Jamyiat Rahibat al Mahabba al-A’azariyat (Mosbeh 11/25/1978 exchanged with an estate Bhannis) (France) measuring 425 in the same area) Sin El Fil Bank al-Sina’a wal A’amal 11/25/1978 132 Jal El Dib Paulatte known as Ivette Abdel Razeq Jarou (France) 3/18/1978 69 Dekoueneh+Bouchrieh Sharikat al Petrol al Iqariya wal Tijariya 3/10/1978 813 + 641 (1454) Bouchrieh Father Muarice Achel Antoine Blueman (Belgium) 2/23/1978 476 Bouchrieh General Real Estate Company S.A.L. 30/12/1975 1,912 Ouata A’amaret Chalhoub Georgette Victoria Gaston Demariz (Belgium) 12/30/1975 1,210 Beskinta Hussein Maktabi (Iran) 12/30/1975 750

issue 93 - April 2010 14 | Public Sector Property ownership by non-Lebanese in the Metn Qada’a Property ownership by non-Lebanese in Qada’a Metn Table 1 Region Name and nationality Date Area Purpose Borj Hammoud Mohammad Moussa Ramadan (nationality under study) 5/15/1975 55 Sin El Fil Herman Gmeiner Fonds- Deutschland (Germany) 5/12/1975 585 Beit Meri Sedrick Ernest Rogot Han (UK) 5/12/1975 8,294 Zouq El Khrab Vitcoria Nasra Brown (UK) 5/12/1975 1,320 Chouaya Rose Marie Helen Schroder (Germany) 3/21/1975 465 Beit El Kecko Audais Crapt Belikian (Russia) 3/21/1975 1,120 Bouchrieh+(Hasr ‘Eel- 5,140 (only total area is Qaza’a Jbeil) Claude Maurice Stephan Meyer (France) 2/26/1975 mentioned) Fanar Nicolas A’afif Kar’ouba (USA) 2/26/1975 639 Mtayleb Slobodan Miro Stoya Novic and his wife Vera Bouzidar Stoya Novic (Yugoslavia) 1/31/1975 581 (Equally) Beit Meri Marie Josette Antoine Schwartz (France) 1/31/1975 2,000 Beskinta Simine Florentine Brinal (France) 1/31/1975 850 Beit Meri Engborg Fredrick Krahnin (Germany) 1/31/1975 4,500 Naqqach Chaki Kifork Naubar Edjorian (UK) 1/31/1975 640 Mar Cha’aya Neil Joseph Waters and his wife Mabel Lanita Moters (Australia) 7/1/1974 590 (Equally) Bouchrieh Henry Jean Hibart Stephanis (Belgium) 7/1/1974 930 Dekoueneh Audette Naoum Mosalli (France) 7/1/1974 896 Jdeideh Ha’ik Michael Korkjian and his wife Hanoush Hagob Korkjian (Iran) 7/1/1974 951 (equally) Hagob Samuel Manoukian and his wife Seryouhi 7/1/1974 1,226 Jdeideh Manoukian (UK) Gaspard Elie Asfahani and his wife Angel Hagob Beit El Cha’ar Abakarian (Parish) 6/16/1974 1,854 Saqiyet El MIsk and Bahr Roger George Cashar (France) 6/15/1974 3,700 Saf Bouchrieh Auvakim Tatigossian (Russia) 6/15/1974 900 Sin El Fil Don Philip Jill Christian and his wife A’afifa Daher (France) 1/30/1974 1,913 (equally) Beskinta Henric Carl Wilham Weltzin (Germany) 11/24/1973 1,085 Beskinta Harold Arminos Noltinious (Germany) 11/24/1973 1,623 A’ain Sa’adeh Emory Charles Frederick Jetzner (France) 11/24/1973 802 A’ain Sa’adeh Laurence Sydney George Curtis (UK) 10/9/1973 1,635 Beit Meri Alexander Kesston Louis Corbo (Belgium) 9/4/1973 1,425 Bouchrieh Sharikat Al-Masani’ al-Muttahida lil Malboussat SAL 3/23/1973 8,462 Mansourieh Fouad Abdel Massih Ramzi (USA) 3/9/1973 10,915 Nabieh Yoland Michel Cabil (Switzerland) 7/26/1972 1,821 A’amaret Chalhoub Lyon N. Berkovic Company 12/17/1971 1,145 Fanar Sharikat A’asser Al-Fakiha al-Lubanniya SAL 10/2/1971 2,067 Mansourieh Mary Elizabeth Sa’abieh (USA) 10/2/1971 1,036 Mansourieh+Beit Meri Near East Baptist Missionary (USA) 7/8/1971 8,364 +800 (9,164) A’ain Sa’adeh Aulis Cesar Peccini (Italy) 5/29/1975 1,225 Broumman Adolf Constantin Albert Ohlamn (Germany) 5/15/1970 4,830 Mtayleb Athena Joseph Yafro (Turkey) 5/15/1970 1,059 Qornet Shahwan Jesus and Mary Nuns Association (Italy) 1/29/1970 20,035 Beit Meri Clementine Andre (France) 10/14/1969 940 Fanar Joseph Matin Tiotos (Germany) 10/14/1969 656 Dahr El Saouan Caroline Roland Eylander (UK) 3/24/1969 4,550 Borj Hammoud Convent of the Franciscan nuns 3/6/1969 487 Zouq El Khrab S. Madi Limited in Bathurst (Gambia) 2/13/1969 3,295 Qornet Shahwan Robert Haydon Camton (UK) 12/19/1968 1,250 Bouchrieh Al Sharika al Lubnaniya li Sina’at al Foulaz SAL 5/31/1967 3,666 Beit Meri Christiane Remi Panis (Belgium) 4/21/1967 6,200 Bouchrieh Assu Stanord (near east) (USA) 3/7/1967 641 Sin El Fil American Embassy 11/30/1966 6,057 Majzoub JADIF SAL 8/26/1966 13,830 Naqqach Audette Mary George Telfian (Iran) 8/10/1966 654 A’ain Sa’adeh Estate # 1833 (area unde- William Durham Payton (USA) 6/22/1966 termined) Mkallis Al Sharika al Mukhtalata lil Tabreed 5/9/1966 34,000 Nabieh+A’ain Sa’adeh Several estates; area unde- ORBACO SAL 4/2/1966 termined issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Proportional representation Public Sector | 15 Municipality Elections: Proportional Representation A GOOD BUT INCOMPLETE STEP he challenge lies in the place of residence and inclusion of towns and villages of joint interests and services under a Tsingle municipality. After reading the draft law for municipal and ikhtiyariah elections, we can point out the following: Number of municipal council Proportional representation Villages and towns under a members and residents’ voting The adoption of proportionality or single municipality The proposed draft amendment kept proportional representation in closed The draft proposal did not take into the number of municipal council tickets raises several problems and consideration when towns and villages members unchanged when compared questions: which share interests and services are to the number of registered residents as A The way the names are listed on the included under a single municipality. stated under the previous law. However, list will likely become a point of This keeps municipal work in its current the number of members should have contention which in turn will lead to fragile state, especially in light of the been increased in order to guarantee the formation of many lists because increasing number of municipalities the highest possible participation a name placed towards the bottom (953 municipalities) in a number of and to diminish the division that is of the list will not be likely to gain villages and small towns that do not reflected in the paralysis of municipal much attention. possess the fundamentals of municipal work in towns where spots are fiercely A The composition of a list by work or do not have the necessary contested. Polarization obstructs the mentioning the president and the financial resources to function. efficiency of work which allows matters vice president first and second will to turn into conflicts and rivalries that be a point of disagreement because Commission to oversee the hinder public interest. Furthermore, agreement over the president or his electoral campaign the draft proposal did not take into deputy is usually difficult. However, A quick revision of the work of most consideration the possibility of voting after the elections, the members can municipal councils, both of those that in the place of residence instead of a reach a consensus on the issue. were elected in 2004 or in 1998 when place of registry especially in the cities A If the number of female candidates the elections were held for the first -most specifically in Beirut. does not meet the quota, which is time since 1963, clearly demonstrates a probability in some village due the extent of chaos, abuse of power Mandate to social and family causes, what and squandering of public funds. Any A decision to decrease the term of office would the solution be? reform of the municipal elections law from six years to five years is good, but A Printing voting cards and that does not also modify the tasks, what could have been better is to limit distributing them via the Ministry of powers and structure of the supervisory it to four years in order to allow for an Interior and Municipalities requires and regulatory agencies would remain adequate rotation of power. This way the presence of a large technical and incomplete. Most municipal council the municipal councils that have carried administrative staff; something that decisions are often reduced to the out their responsibilities successfully is not available despite the minister person of the president while the can be reelected whereas those that are of interior saying it was achievable. members merely act as a choir. incompetent will be ousted after a short A Awarding a list which has won period (four years) instead of waiting a majority of votes 51% of seats Talk about the accomplishments of the for five or six years. is an unfair practice. The goal municipalities is exaggerated. This is behind this percentage is for the why proportional representation may Bank deposit list to maintain more than half the seem like a great step forward but it It is a known fact that municipal council’s members and therefore to remains an incomplete step. The real and ikhtiyarih membership in most guarantee quorum and to keep the challenge in the elections would be in Lebanese towns and villages, excluding president and the vice president in allowing people to vote in their place large cities and towns, is a voluntary, their posts. Does a majority of 25% of residence rather than their place of uncompensated work. Therefore, the of votes or less, for example, really birth and to unify towns and villages imposition of a fee and a LBP 500,000 deserve 51% of seats? Where is the that have joint interests and services deposit may form an obstacle to running proportionality in that? under a single municipality. for some, which is why the new law should abolish the fee and the deposit.

issue 93 - April 2010 16 | Public Sector 2009 harvest 2009 HARVEST An election year in which bank deposits increased

he year 2009 was a “difficult year” ; tensions remained high during the first half up until the parliamentary elections on June 7 which were fueled by confessional incitements and speeches. In the second half, the outcome of the elections Tand efforts to form a new Lebanese government (which saw light on November 9 after a lengthy process) dominated the domestic scene.

This ‘election year’ as some have described it had several interesting characteristics, notably the signiﬁcant increase in the size of bank deposits and the stability of imports as public debt continued to rise. Other important indicators are:

Ratification of laws In 2009, 13 laws were ratified, most significantly:

A Law #69 of April 23, 2009 licensed the government to issue treasury bonds in foreign currency or Lebanese Lira to pay off the state’s debt to contractors which is estimated at USD 250 million. The rise in the price of construction materials has burdened the expenses of contractors. A Law # 75 of May 7, 2009 gave the government legislative control over customs for three years as of December 14, 2008.

Public finance The 2009 public budget has yet to be approved, unlike those of 2006, 2007 and 2008. The current drafted budget contains the following numbers: million), Germany (USD 1,237.4 million), Italy (USD 1,225 million) and Syria (USD 233.6 million). Switzerland A LBP 16,304 billion of expenses with LBP 11,389 came first among importing countries from Lebanon (USD billion of revenue, marking a LBP 4,915 billion deficit, 777 million) (due to the manufacturing of gold in Lebanon or 30.1%. and re-importing it back to Switzerland) , followed by the A Numbers published at the end of the year indicate that UAE (USD 333 million), Iraq (USD 271 million), Saudi actual expenses were LBP 17,167 billion compared to Arabia (USD 273 million) and Syria (USD 285 million). actual revenues at LBP 12,705 billion, marking a LBP Lebanese exports to the United States however did not 4,462 billion deficit, or 26%. Although actual expenses exceed USD 49.5 million, and countries such as France were 5.3% higher than budgeted for, the 11.6% rise in (USD 107.2 million), China (USD 32.3 million), Germany revenue led to a drop in the percentage of deficit. (USD 30.3 million) and Italy (USD 23.2 million) also imported a disproportionally small amount of goods. Import and export The defect in the commercial balance lies in the fact that the Lebanon in 2009 imported USD 16,242 million worth of Lebanon exported only USD 243 million worth of goods to goods compared to USD 16,137 million in 2008, marking the top five countries while importing USD 7,236 million a USD 105 million increase. Meanwhile, exports increased worth of goods. slightly to USD 3,484 million compared to USD 3,478 million in 2008, with a USD 12,758 million deficit, or Beirut Stock Exchange (BSE) 78.5%. The United States ranked first among exporting The value of trading in the BSE dropped substantially to countries to Lebanon (USD 1764.3 million) followed USD 943 million in 2009 compared to USD 1.7 billion in by France (USD 1,570.5 million), China (USD 1,439.6 2008, or by 44.8%.

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. 2009 harvest Public Sector | 17

Switzerland came first Inflation among“ importing countries from Inflation is estimated at 5%, although an independent report by Bank Audi placed it at 2.88%. Meanwhile, the Lebanon (USD 777 million) (due Central Administration of Statistics estimates inflation at to the manufacturing of gold in 3.4% compared to 7.5% in 2008. Lebanon and re-importing it Telecom sector revenues Telecom revenues are among the most significant sources back to Switzerland), followed of revenue for the national treasury. They reached USD by the UAE (USD 333 million), 1,265 million in 2009 compared to USD 1,242 million in 2008. Iraq (USD 271 million), Saudi Airport traffic Arabia (USD 273 million) and The number of passengers who arrived in Beirut via Syria (USD 285 million) the Rafic Hariri International Airport in 2009 reached 4,986,544, compared to 4,085,334 in 2008. Airport traffic in 2009 registered an increase by 901,210 passengers or ” 22%, compared to 20% in 2008.

Tourism The number of visitors to Lebanon reached 1,851,081 Banking sector in 2009 compared to 1,295,085 in 2008, marking a 43% The size of deposits in the banking sector reached USD increase. Here is a breakdown of their nationalities: 95.7 million marking a 23.1% rise from 2008, which itself A Jordanians topped the list of visitors at 223,793 was a record number. Deposits in Lebanese pounds formed A 173,294 Saudi visitors 35.54% of total deposits compared to 30.4% in 2008, A 145,706 Iranian visitors while foreign currency deposits formed 64.4% compared A 120,408 French visitors (mainly Lebanese carrying to 69.6% in 2008. Meanwhile, banking profits increased by French passports) 9% to 10% to some USD 1.2 billion. A 111,901 American visitors (mainly Lebanese carrying American passports) Public debt By December 2009, public debt in Lebanon had reached The actual number of tourists is lower than the announced LBP 77,024 billion (equivalent to USD 51.09 billion) figure which includes Lebanese and Asian workers. compared to LBP 70,888 billion in January 2009 marking Furthermore, Jordanians and Iranians, who accounted for an increase by LBP 6,136 billion (USD 4.07 million) or by 20% of visitors, generally only spend one or two days in 8.6%. The percentage remains lower than in 2008 when Lebanon. public debt increased by LBP 7,510 billion or by 11.8% as such public debt would have increased by LBP 13,646 Car sales billion during two years (USD 9.05 billion). In 2009, around 94,177 cars were registered for the first time, including 32,177 new cars (34.1%), and about 62,000 Balance of payments used cars (65.9%). In comparison, around 76,000 cars were The balance of payments registered a USD 7.9 billion registered in 2008, including 33,428 new cars (44%) and surplus, compared to USD 3.5 billion in 2008. The surplus 42,572 used cars (56%). in 2009 is highest in the past ten years. Nissan still sold the most new cars (6,924, compared to 6,732 in 2008) followed by Toyota (4,463, compared to Economic growth 4,842), Kia (3,922, compared to 4,204), Peugeot (1,486 The Lebanese economy registered according to official compared to 2,413), Hyundai (2,378), Renault (1,496), figures a 7% to 8% growth in 2009 compared to 6% in Chevrolet (1,369), BMW (959), Mitsubishi (945), Honda 2008. By that estimate GDP reached around USD 35 (942) and Mercedes (667). billion according to some estimates, whereas others put the number more around USD 25.3 billion.

issue 93 - April 2010 18 | Public Sector “Electricité du Liban” Employees and Workers Syndicate “ELECTRICITÉ DU LIBAN” Workers and Employees Syndicate

he Electricity of Beirut Employee and Workers Syndicate was established in 1947 by Decree # 3998. In 1954, the name Twas altered to the Syndicate of the Workers and Employees of the Electricity Authority in Lebanon by Decree #11.

Structure The syndicate consists of a general assembly, the council A Syndicate of Workers and Employees of the Workers of delegates and the executive commission. and Employees of Ogero

The general assembly A Syndicate of Workers and Employees of the Workers The general assembly includes the all the workers and and Employees of the Regie employees of Electricité du Liban. The number of EDL workers dropped from 5,021 to 1,900. The assembly Syndicate works cannot hold meetings with all of its members at the same The syndicate’s work produced the following results: time due to the nature of their work that requires them A An increase by four levels of the salaries and 50% to make sure there are no power shortages or technical seniority disruptions. For that reason a council of delegates was created. A The creation of two systems: -A system for collecting revenues by which five Council of delegates thousandths are deducted from total revenue and The council includes one delegate for every 25 distributed to all employees. members, and in some districts one delegate for every 17 members. -A system for reporting revenues where 75% of the report’s fee is deducted and the revenues are Executive commission distributed by hierarchy while giving priority to The delegates elect the commission every four years. employees in certain departments. It manages the affairs of the syndicate. Along with seven others, this syndicate forms the “Union of A A promotion for all degrees of employees, which had Labor Syndicates, Independent Authorities and Public not been done for a while. Agencies”. They are: A A lawsuit for extra hours for 1999 and 2000 was A Syndicate of Workers and Employees of Qadicha won. Electricity A The syndicate joined the International Union of A Syndicate of Workers and Employees of the National Syndicates for Public Services. Authority of Nahr el-Litani A The syndicate won a lawsuit by employees who A Syndicate of Workers and Employees of the Workers were dismissed by previous decisions. They were and Employees of the Public Transportation reinstated. Authority A The syndicate was able to preserve the base of the A Syndicate of Workers and Employees of the Workers social security fund within the establishment. and Employees of the Railway Authority A Settling the affairs of employees regarding A Syndicate of Workers and Employees of the Workers transportation allowance and returning wrongfully and Employees of the Social Security Fund deducted funds.

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. “Electricité du Liban” Employees and Workers Syndicate Public Sector | 19

The main issue now is for “EDL to hire new employees in order to raise the number of syndicate members; otherwise its authority will diminish and become inefﬁcient. ”

A A clause was added to the fourth case stipulating that a compensation fund can be calculated as an advance. Under the clause, any employee has the right to claim his/her compensation fund after 20 years of employment and at the end of their service the amount is deducted. Challenges Among many challenges, the syndicate currently must resolve the following issues:

A There are supposed to be 5,021 EDL personnel, but due to a freeze on hiring the current number of employees has dropped to 1,900. The remaining number of temporary personnel (contractors, collectors or daily workers) and are not counted the personnel. The main issue now is for EDL to hire new employees in order to raise the number of syndicate members; otherwise its authority will diminish and become inefficient. A Work to raise incentives and levels of hazards to become based on the new minimum wage rather than on LBP 118,000. A Work to raise the amount of compensation per kilometer of transport for employees who use private transportation to perform their jobs (collectors, inspectors and workers who install counters, among others). These are paid a mere LBP 190 per kilometer at a time when the price of a tank of gas is LBP 8,000. A Mistreatment of employees by the public while performing their jobs. The state must enforce the law, especially Article 2 of Law 623 which stipulates incarceration and a fine for anyone who assaults an EDL employee at work. A Immediate cessation of privileges such as: A Zahle electricity privilege A A’aley electricity privilege A Bhamdoun electricity privilege A Jbail electricity privilege

The state is deprived of substantial financial income because of these privileges.

issue 93 - April 2010 20 | Public Sector Drug dealing DRUG DEALING An often capital offense Part Three: Drugs Egypt The first and the second parts of the Art. 33 of the Anti-Drugs Law stipulates A If the crime committed is linked to series prepared by “The Monthly” on that “anyone who exports or imports another international crime such punishing crimes focused on murder drugs without a license, anyone who as arms and smuggling or funds and theft. This part will be consecrated produces or extracts drugs for dealing falsification. on drug dealing and addiction. purposes, anyone who cultivates or States fight against drug dealing by exports or gets or produces or buys Saudi Arabia adopting preventative and punitive or sells or transports one of the plants Anyone accused of drug smuggling legislation, and by increasing or grains. At anytime of their growth, or dealing is sentenced to death. The awareness and the power of security for dealing purposes in circumstances sentence for buying drugs varies forces. In some countries, a convicted other than these authorized by the from 5 to 10 years of prison, with an drug dealer can be sentenced to death. law, and anyone who forms, leads additional fine of 10,000 Saudi Riyal. or join a gang even abroad for drug Addiction can be sentenced to two Lebanon dealing purposes or addiction or for years of prison. A Addiction: Art.127 of the Law on the perpetration of any of the crimes Drugs stipulates that “anyone who listed in this article inside the country France gets or buys a minimal quantity of would be under death sentence”. According to French law, anyone who an extremely dangerous substance Buying or selling drugs is sentenced leads or organizes a gathering around without a medical prescription for by a lifetime of forced labor. drug production, export, import, or any addiction purposes would be under drug related issue would be sentenced prison sentence from three months Jordan to life forced labor plus a 7,500,000 to three years”. Art. 7 of the Jordanian law stipulates Euro fine, the drug producer sentenced that “anyone who gets, produces, buys, to 20 years of prison plus a 7,500,000 A Culture: Art.128 stipulates that delivers, or transports, or stocks drugs, Euro fine, the drug importer/exporter “anyone who cultivates, imports or with the intent to sell, under other punished by 10 years of prison plus a exports one of the plants or grains circumstances than those authorized 7,500,000 Euro fine, and any personal producing dangerous substances at by the applied legislations would be use of drugs can be sentenced to 5 anytime of their growth for dealing under a minimum of three months and a years of prison . purposes would be sentenced to a maximum of two years prison sentence.” maximum penalty of five years of According to Art.8, “anyone who The Emirates forced labor.” produces, imports, exports, transports, Art. 39 of the drug law stipulates that or stocks drugs for dealing purposes addiction is punished by a minimum of A Drug dealing and production: under other circumstances than those one year and a maximum of 4 years of Art.15 prohibits “the production of authorized by the applied legislations prison, depending on the kind of drugs. substances as well as its extraction would be under life forced labor for Drug dealers who encourage using and preparation for gross dealing or not less than 15 years sentence”. Art. 9 drugs are sentenced to 25 years of prison for deals on the international level, stipulates that “anyone who encourages (Art. 44). Those who offer premises for or import-export, or industrial or prepares the use of drugs would be the use of drugs are sentenced to 10 to use, unless authorized and within put under a temporary forced labor 15 years of prison (Art. 46). conditions stipulated in this law sentence”. Art.10 specifies that anyone Illegal dealing leads to death penalty. or for medical and scientific who commits any of the crimes listed purposes”. “Anyone who violates in Articles 8 and 9 of this law would The sentence for drug dealing varies Art.15 of this law would be under be sentenced to death in any of the between forced labor and death penalty. forced labor for life sentence and following cases: Although Jordanian, Egyptian and would have to pay a 25 million to A If they were implicated in the crime Saudi laws stipulate that the maximum 100 million Lebanese Lira fine.” together with one of the international sentence for such crime is death, gangs that deals with drugs. Lebanese and French laws resort to forced labor as the harshest sentence.

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Beirut Stock Exchange Private Sector | 21 WITHOUT SOLIDERE, THERE IS NO BEIRUT STOCK EXCHANGE!

he Beirut Stock Exchange (BSE) is the second oldest stock market in the region (The Cairo Stock Exchange was the first, established in 1903) that was established in 1920, by decree of the French Commissioner. The largest number Tof companies listing on the BSE belongs to the banking sector (50%, or 6 companies). The BSE lacks diversification regarding the sectors that listed companies belong to. Graph 1 shows the number and percentage of companies in each sector in the BSE.

Table 1 shows the monthly average trading value and volume for the listed securities on the BSE for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009. Average monthly Trading value and volume for listed securities on the BSE Table 1 Company/Fund Sector 2007 2008 2009 2007 2008 2009 Monthly Average Trading Value (USD) Monthly Average Trading Volume Real Estate and Solidere”A” Construction 36,040,543 70,865,708 42,033,897 2,017,218 2,507,313 1,852,449 Real Estate and Solidere”B” Construction 17,839,525 33,714,860 17,957,490 1,008,897 1,153,026 837,156 Banque Audi Banking 4,823,614 6,006,808 5,303,926 71,227 76,076 82,962 BLOM Bank “GDR” Banking 7,307,525 6,973,476 3,134,217 95,958 73,686 42,978 Banque Audi GDR Banking 3,525,887 8,588,029 2,606,505 53,867 98,317 40,537 BLOM Bank Listed Shares Banking 645,310 1,918,656 2,484,749 8,550 22,335 37,082 Byblos Bank Banking 1,722,013 1,966,773 1,194,932 894,601 830,407 660,490 Byblos Bank priority Banking 1,570,059 1,175,147 1,017,300 798,544 480,031 539,419 Byblos Bank pref. Call. 2008 Banking - 52,585 498,713 529 5,102 BEMO Bank “listed shares” Banking 90,496 166,896 473,246 12,927 35,730 106,986 Banque Audi Pref. Class D Banking 1,989,223 409,478 377,311 1,635 4,040 3,730 Bank of Beirut pref. Call. Class C Banking 637,146 349,656 287,387 21,186 13,788 10,958 Bank of Beirut pref. Call. Class D Banking 201,206 246,707 8,017 9,598 BLOM Bank Pref. Class 2005 Banking 738,126 197,629 216,703 6,107 1,946 2,129 HOLCIM Liban Industrial 423,010 462,238 212,368 20,294 22,982 16,282 BLOM Bank Pref. Class 2004 Banking 374,735 493,065 186,825 3,113 4,874 1,852 BEMO Bank Pref. Banking 2,435,000 279,133 95,154 4,058 2,754 958 Bank of Beirut “listed shares” Banking 105,014 2,038,584 86,390 8,185 136,314 4,694 Beirut Preferred Fund Fund 922,003 250,095 52,644 9,254 2,474 506 Byblos Bank GDR Banking - - 43,711 - - 485 Rasamny-Yonis Motor Co “B” Trading 629,756 325,321 14,817 312,012 182,483 4,715 Ciment Blancs Bearer Industrial 18,060 33,572 1,384 2,508 17,152 625 B.L.C. Bank S.A.L. “listed shares” Banking 16,884,753 4,635,358 968 4,136,776 3,028,835 575 Ciment Blancs Nominal Industrial 2,060 792 938 242 417 469 Beirut Golden Income Fund Fund 644,066 117,237 0 9,006 1,670 0 Uniceramic Nominal “A” Industrial 39,375 2,145 01 8,333 19,500 0 Uniceramic Bearer “C” Industrial 34,000 0 20 1,667 0 0 Banque Audi Pref. Class C Banking 276,676 332,567 - 877 13,087 - Bank of Beirut pref. Call. Class B Banking 66,485 616,574 - 1,927 51,500 - Byblos Bank pref. Callable 2003 Banking 622,314 222,589 - 5,993 2,181 - BLOM Bank Pref. Class 2002 Banking 44,200 10,200 - 108 100 0 Beirut Interbank Fund Fund 99,056 - - 652 0 0 Beirut Global Income Fund 200,621 60,270 - 1,669 589 0 Beirut Lira Fund Fund 164,083 68,854 - 2,402 1,002 0 Total 100,914,734 142,535,501 78,528,282 9,519,792 8,793,154 4,262,737 Source: Company’s calculations based on the Beirut Stock Exchange (http://www.bse.com.lb/ListedSecurities/ListedSecurities/tabid/86/Default.aspx)

issue 93 - April 2010 22 | Private Sector Beirut Stock Exchange

[Graph 2] Trading Value for the sectors of the BSE-Listed Companies [Graph 1] Number and percentage of companies in each sector in the BSE until June 2009 Trading (0%) Funds (0%) Industrial (0%) Funds, 1 company Banking Industrial, 3 companies Real Estate, 1 company

8% Trading, 1 company 23% 8% 25%

77% 50%

Real Estate and Construction Banking, 6 companies

Source: Company’s calculations based on the Beirut Stock Exchange Source: Company’s calculations based on the Beirut Stock Exchange (http://www.bse.com.lb/ListedSecurities/ListedSecurities/tabid/86/Default.aspx) (http://www.bse.com.lb/ListedSecurities/ListedSecurities/tabid/86/Default.aspx)

According to market value: Solidere ranks In 2007, the number of first from 2007 to 2009 “ In 2007, Solidere “A” and “B” ranked first. Solidere “A” shares traded for BLC Bank was had a monthly trading value averaging USD 36 million while Solidere “B” had a monthly trading value of USD the largest (about 4.1 million 17.84 million. In 2008 Solidere “A” and Solidere “B” shares) followed by Solidere “A” also held the first position at a monthly trading value of USD 70.86 million and USD 33.7 million respectively. and “B” (3 million shares) For 2009, Solidere “A” and “B” ranked first at monthly trading values of USD 42.03 millions and USD 17.96 ” millions respectively. According to trading volume, Solidere ranks first from 2008 until 2009 [Graph 3] Trading Value for the sectors of the BSE-Listed Companies In 2007, the number of shares traded for BLC Bank January-June 2009 was the largest (about 4.1 million shares) followed Funds (0%) by Solidere “A” and “B” (3 million shares). In 2008, Industrial (1%) Trading (0%) Solidere “A” and Solidere “B” attracted the most investors with the number of shares traded monthly averaging 2.5 million and 1.15 million (for a total of 3.7 million) respectively. In 2009, the number of monthly transactions for Solidere shares of Class “A” and “B” 36% were 1.85 and 0.84 million. Banks

A general rule of ﬁnance is that the higher the trading volume of a security, the higher the level of interest in 63% this security at that price. Solidere captures 63% of the 79% average monthly trading volume among the BSE listed Real Estate and Construction securities for 2009. Graph 3 shows the trading value for the sectors of the BSE listed securities in 2009. Source: Company’s calculations based on the Beirut Stock Exchange (http://www.bse.com.lb/ListedSecurities/ListedSecurities/tabid/86/Default.aspx)

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Dubai Financial Market Private Sector | 23 DUBAI FINANCIAL MARKET Emaar Properties boasts the highest trading value and volume in 2009 ubai has two stock exchanges; the Dubai NASDAQ (previously known as Dubai International Financial Exchange, or DIFX) which is primarily an exchange between Western Europe and East Asia, and the Dubai Financial Market or DFM. The Dubai DFinancial Market was established by a Resolution from the Ministry of Economy No 14 of 2000. It is located in the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) and began operations on 26 March 2000. The company listed its shares on the Dubai Financial Market on March 7, 2007. Despite its remarkable growth, it only accounts for a very small fraction of the world trade of equities. The DFM’s regulator is the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (ESCA).

The companies that are listed on the Dubai Financial [Graph 1] Different Sectors in the Dubai Financial Market Market are presented in Table 1. These 65 (55 in 2007) Telecommunication (2%) Utilities (2%) companies belong to 9 different sectors; banking, investment and financial services, insurance, real estate and Materials construction, transportation, materials, consumer staples, Transportations telecommunication and utilities. 6% Graph 1 shows the different sectors that the listed companies 21% Investment and 6% Financial Services belong to. It is obvious that these sectors are diversified, with the investment and financial services sector occupying the Consumer Staples 8% largest slice (21%), then the insurance sector (20%) followed by the banking sector (18%). Insurance Real Estate and 17% 20% Listed companies are not only Emirati; there are 22 foreign Construction securities listed on the DFM varying between Kuwaiti(17), Bahraini(2), Sudani (1) and Omani (2). Table 1 presents the 18% average monthly trading value and volume for the listed securities for the years 2007, 2008, and 2009. Banks

Source: www.dfm.co.ac

Monthly Average Trading Value and Volume of the DFM listed securities Table 1 Company Name Trading Value in AED* (Monthly Average) Trading Volume (Monthly Average) 2007 2008 2009 2007 2008 2009 Emaar Properties 6,667,941,169 5,819,032,893 3,986,580,995 543,743,795 685,449,833 1,188,230,988 Arabtec Holding 625,795,900 1,262,250,816 2,281,277,470 97,422,287 132,167,455 1,001,885,941 Dubai Financial Market 4,590,535,166 3,304,559,762 1,818,358,600 1,206,340,616 711,743,449 1,203,663,265 Drake and Scull International NA NA 883,794,695 NA NA 1,000,778,919 Deyaar Development 3,859,984,748 1,566,060,122 650,113,672 1,599,320,946 700,676,101 858,955,618 Air Arabia 2,166,742,913 1,956,557,356 696,605,164 1,402,842,539 1,100,524,074 690,688,553 Dubai Islamic Bank 1,597,601,176 1,452,643,100 634,505,347 177,505,964 172,139,474 247,383,986 Dubai Investments 2,047,480,847 1,394,719,730 496,157,092 420,425,187 328,613,600 392,313,575 Gulf Navigation Holdings 1,907,717,199 951,358,140 357,061,614 1,378,476,181 600,838,599 473,468,837 Union Properties 938,176,256 1,003,621,858 540,216,613 241,339,067 258,407,826 592,589,367 AJMAN BANK NA 1,112,563,061 313,215,679 NA 379,397,748 284,479,330 TABREED 550,653,900 382,984,046 306,270,244 201,687,311 168,176,878 363,866,379 Islamic Arab Ins. 964,861,003 581,995,911 261,647,603 300,002,767 203,333,501 266,684,200 Takaful Emarat NA 311,716,908 172,508,695 NA 77,855,167 106,375,140 ARAMEX 516,701,123 332,154,121 345,581,365 194,083,070 129,064,077 272,096,222 Dubai Islamic Insurance 211,376,361 251,173,341 92,325,105 7,986,531 36,670,053 74,123,342 Al Sagr Insurance NA NA 55,590,275 NA NA 15,263,896 SHUAA Capital 111,760,052 197,432,275 53,083,685 20,603,791 31,537,167 34,877,909 Gulf General Investments 33,521,188 132,558,241 24,375,358 4,303,638 13,781,604 12,357,596

issue 93 - April 2010 24 | Private Sector Dubai Financial Market Monthly Average Trading Value and Volume of the DFM listed securities Table 1 Company Name Trading Value in AED* (Monthly Average) Trading Volume (Monthly Average) 2007 2008 2009 2007 2008 2009 Takaful House NA 71,866,790 37,323,325 NA 13,874,630 16,933,078 Emirates NBD 71,221,143 145,549,391 49,224,702 4,969,067 14,058,640 13,358,335 Al Salam Bank Bahrain NA 44,899,251 11,881,023 NA 19,502,698 10,966,778 AL SALAM BANK Sudan NA 826,436 10,927,786 NA 250,684 4,584,145 Commercial Bank of Dubai 21,071,775 12,744,844 3,606,655 2,445,805 1,219,940 1,010,153 Ekttitab Holding NA 5,941,213 34,392,465 NA 1,532,040 43,469,604 Dubai National Insurance & Reinsurance 654,392 234,989 807,185 185,896 59,347 358,209 Global Investment House 35,326,264 6,683,812 682,654 3,107,922 519,897 2,421,699 National Cement 1,077,524 1,070,627 247,340 104,755 93,576 64,146 Mashreq Bank 7,528,437 4,198,110 130,948 35,846 15,608 955 Arab Insurance Group 3,667,840 770,022 191,764 1,107,424 230,540 96,422 Gulf Finance House 1,196,084 1,384,436 51,776,945 109,754 99,829 31,981,211 Al Firdous Holding 2,517,102 2,594,162 933,409 854,976 1,138,980 648,349 Oman Insurance 1,328,960 2,279,588 NA 135,190 221,400 NA Al Mazaya Holding 1,851,002 986,877 59,368 227,006 93,963 15,198 Gulfa Mineral Water & Processing Industries NA 70,890 176,991 NA 31,000 47,964 Grand Real Estate Projects Company 243,157 572,719 35,584 46,044 151,120 23,471 Int. Financial Advisors 477,397 41,034 NA 42,143 3,821 ACICO Industries 8,288 4,298 19,216 1,246 610 3,251 Kuwait Finance & Investment NA 183,526 24,117 NA 40,699 6,772 Jeema Mineral Water NA 85,038 7,510 NA 16,682 1,635 Dubai Refreshments 60,483 898,475 1,381,240 4,417 54,566 137,858 National General Insurance NA 1,408,883 NA NA 171,579 NA International Investment Group 56,867 3,600 NA 9,917 833 NA Arab Emirates Investment Bank 18,300 2,364,701 NA 14 2,389 NA Amlak Fi0nce 1,992,839,689 1,396,593,804 NA 486,287,750 308,411,089 NA TAMWEEL 1,600,030,283 1,271,961,991 NA 306,076,527 209,549,725 NA Al - Madina for Finance & Investment 27,740,918 842,118 NA 2,710,237 92,859 NA BAYAN Investment 81,506 NA NA 21,459 NA NA Gulf Petroleum Investment 103,650 NA NA 17,575 NA NA National International Holding NA 13,000 NA NA 3,333 NA Alliance Insurance 308,826 NA NA 184,923 NA NA Arab Orient Insurance 96,612 NA NA 20,556 NA NA A. Scandinavian Insurance 1,976,645 999,033 NA 486,533 428,368 NA Dubai Insurance 453,783 246,586 NA 12,471 8,687 NA Dubai Development 2,683 NA NA 1,250 NA NA National Real Estate 20,239 11,986 NA 2,480 1,918 NA Kuwait Commercial Markets Complex NA 48 NA NA 8 NA National Industries Group Holdings 15,069 7,958 NA 1,042 417 NA United Foods NA 7,503 NA NA 1,333 NA Emirate Integrated 62,083,849 NA 99,171,683 6,679,375 NA 34,090,076 Telecommunications Agility 24,681,065 159,885 NA 1,062,609 9,305 NA Total 30,649,588,833 24,991,889,305 14,272,271,183 8,613,035,899 6,302,268,719 9,240,302,370 Source: The data was retrieved from the Dubai Financial Market website (www.dfm.co.ae) with the author’s calculation. No data was available for Emirates Islamic Bank, Arab Heavy Industries, Aljazeera Steel Products, and United Kaipara Dairies co. *USD 1 = 3.67 AED

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Dubai Financial Market Private Sector | 25

A likely indicator of how favorably investors view stocks on the Dubai Financial Market would be how high their average monthly trading volume is.

In 2007 A Deyaar Development held the ﬁrst position with a monthly trading volume of 1.59 billion. A Air Arabia held the second position with a monthly volume of 1.4 billion. A Gulf Navigation Holdings held the third position with a monthly volume of 1.38 billion. A The monthly volume for all the listed ﬁrms was 8.6 billion shares.

Source: New York Daily News In 2008 A Air Arabia held the first position with 1.1 billion shares traded monthly. In 2007 A Dubai Financial market occupied second place with an A Emaar properties encountered the highest equity value of average trading volume per month of 0.71 billion. AED 6.66 billion (USD 1.8 billions) followed by Dubai A Deyaar came third with a value of 0.7 billion. Financial Market of average monthly equity value AED 4.59 A The monthly trading volume for all listed firms is 6.3 billion billion (USD 1.24 billion). shares. A Then came Deyaar Development valued monthly at AED 3.85 billion (USD 1 billion). In 2009 A The average monthly market value was AED 30.65 billion A Emaar held the first position with a monthly trading volume of (USD 8.28 billion). 1.18 billion shares.The UAE-based Emaar Properties reported a 98 % jump in net profit to AED 327 (USD 89.02 million) In 2008 in 2009. The company recorded a profit of AED 165 million A Emaar maintained its highest average monthly valuation of (USD 44.9 million) in 2008. Emaar’s total revenue, however, AED 5.8 billion (USD 1.6 billion). declined 21% to AED 8.41 billion (USD 2.29 billion) in 2009 A Dubai Financial Market also kept its second position by an from AED 10.71 billios (USD 2.91 billion) in 2008. Dubai average monthly stock value of AED 3.3 billion (USD 0.9 Financial Market held the second position for a monthly billion). trading volume of 1.2 billion shares. A Air Arabia held the third position by an average monthly A Dubai Financial Market announced its results for the financial equity value of AED 1.95 billion (USD 0.5 billion). year ending 31st December 2009. The company recorded a A The average equity value of the total companies listed on the net profit of AED 346.6 million for the year 2009, compared DFM was AED 25 billion (USD 6.75 billion), lower than that to AED 605 million in 2008. Total revenues reached to AED of 2007. 502.9 million at the end of 2009, compared to AED 1.01 billion in 2008. In 2009 A Arabtec Holding held the third position with a monthly trading A Emaar kept the highest stock valuation by approximately AED volume of 1 billion shares.Arabtec is an Emirati company 4 billion (USD 1 billion). that mainly investing in the contraction sector. In 2008, the A Arabtec Holding came second by monthly stock valuation of company’s net profits were AED 958 million, encountering a AED 2.28 billion (USD 0.62 billion). 78% increase from 2007. Its net profits announced for 2009 A The third position was held by the Dubai Financial Market by were AED 494.5 million, a 50% fall in net profit the previous a monthly stock value of AED 1.81 billion (USD 0.49 billion). year. This decrease reflects the crisis that the real estate and the A The average monthly valuation of the total listed companies construction sector is going through in the Gulf. in 2009 was only AED 14.27 billion (USD 3.88 billion). This decrease by around AED 16 billion monthly (or USD 4.3 A The monthly trading volume of the total listed companies was billion) from 2007 to 2009 is equivalent to an average yearly 9.24 billion shares in 2009. stock value loss of 192 billions Emirati Dirham or USD 52 billion for the companies listed on the DFM.

issue 93 - April 2010 26 | Private Sector The horseracing track investment THE HORSERACING TRACK INVESTMENT after 50 years: Absence of facilities and low revenues for the state and the municipality he horseracing track, the nearby Horch Beirut and the Sanaya’a garden are considered among the green spaces in Beirut. While the Horch and the Sanaya’a are public picnic places the racing track, by virtue of the Tcontracts between the Beirut municipality and the Society for the Protection and Improvement of the Arabian Horse (SPIAH), has turned into a private investment project benefiting SPIAH but bringing the municipality and Beirut residents insignificant benefits.

Establishment The Council of Ministers decided by Decree #3724 dated had expired, and as a result of CDR’s failure to complete its January 31, 1966 to license Beirut municipality to open task, the municipal council approved a three-year extension and invest in a horseracing track in Beirut. The Beirut as of March 14, 2006. municipality council (headed then by Amine Benham) issued Decree #308 dated May 20, 1969 giving SPIAH Revenues in Lebanon (headed then by Henry Far’oun) the right to Article 62 of the 2001 budget law specified the organization manage the horseracing track which was built on private and distribution of horseracing track revenues and taxes municipality properties number [1919, 1920, 1921, 1924] in favor of the treasury from the betting profits based on on an area of 200,000 m2. The society also had the right to specific quotas varying between 1% of the profits tariff that organize racing contests and supervise bets. The contract are higher than double but do not exceed four times the set the length of the investment at 15 years and specified betting unit and 20% of the profits tariff that are higher than the municipality’s share at 16%, of which 25% went to the 30 times the betting unit. municipality fund, 25% for buildings and new facilities Municipal revenues from the racing track are estimated at and 84% for the society to pay for awards and ctoreate a LBP 80 million a month, which is a low amount compared financial reserve. to the area and location of the track. This is an investment that is over 50 years old from which the Ongoing extension state and municipalities are not receiving the proportional As a result of the April 1975 war in Lebanon and the inability amount of money. The society did not establish significant of the society to perform its duties, the municipal council facilities to compensate for the low revenues therefore issued Decree #15 dated February 20, 1985 extending the the extension is considered an unjust act against the state contract until April 30, 1992. The municipality decided by which seems that to be looking more after private than Decree #88 dated October 24, 1991 to extend the investment public interest. for 15 years as of July 1992 until June 30, 2007. However, the Court of Audit refused to authorize the last extension, Society for the Protection and Improvement but the society continued to manage the racetrack. It notified of the Arabian Horse the municipality that it would stop managing the track if it The society was established by official notification # did not resolve the extension issue. 185/A.D on May 5, 1967. In 1969 it won the right to The municipality then issued Decree #55 dated January 15, manage the horseracing track. Under Decree # 9930 1998 approving that the society continue to administer the dated March 21, 1975 the society became a public utility track according to the original contract # 308/69 until its and has enjoyed substantial governmental and official investment, maintenance and management are handed over support since its creation. to the party that will win the bid through B.O.T. In 1971 and 1972 the Court of Audit – based on two The Council for Development and Reconstruction was expert opinions – considered the contract between the assigned – by Decree #21 dated February 5, 1998 – to prepare municipality and the society to be a lease contract. As a book of conditions for the bid. When CDR submitted such, the society must pay a rental fee. Meanwhile, its report, the municipality asked for its amendment in the cases committee at the Ministry of Justice said the September 2002. Since CDR did not meet its deadline, the contract was not a lease contract thus the society was contract was extended until March 14, 2006. not obliged to pay rental fees. The Council of Ministers At the end of August 2006, six months after the contract adopted the opinion of the cases committee. The society is currently headed by MP Nabil De Freij.

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Saint Mary’s Orthodox College Private Sector | 27 Schools in Lebanon SAINT MARY’S ORTHODOX COLLEGE

Establishment Around 1890, few years after the completion of the “Dormition of the Virgin” church, two elementary schools were founded next to it, one for boys and the other for girls. During the early phase of the independence era, the girls’ school was enlarged and transformed into a mixed secondary school. The boys’ school stayed public till 1979 when it was re-appropriated. Two floors were added to the girls’ school making what we know today as “Saint Mary’s Orthodox College” (SMOC). The school aimed at giving quality education and providing ground for religious blending between different communities- a pursuit which carries on, till nowadays.

Educational system and curriculum According to the school’s Mission Statement, SMOC is a “Christian Orthodox School affiliated to the Greek Orthodox St Mary’s Orthodox College Archdiocese of Beirut. The school’s mission is to serve the members of the surrounding communities in particular, and the nation in general, without discrimination, in the fields of activities and programs are considered an integral part of the education and teaching, and that to build the personality of a academic and educational process. Some of these programs human being who believes in God, who belongs to the nation, are: who is active (is a catalyst) in society and who is qualified to A Cultural and leisure clubs: They aim at developing the attain university academic level. The school’s mission is not physical, artistic and intellectual abilities of the learners, as limited to the simple “transmission of knowledge”; rather it well as instilling such qualities as leadership, initiative, and aims at achieving transformations within the inner self of the fair play. They target all age groups, and cater to the wide person and through that, within the community in the future.” array of learners’ tastes and talents. The list of proposed In its endeavor to actualize its mission, SMOC adopts a activities includes: Advertising, Spanish, Graphic Design, holistic approach to teaching and learning which integrates Chess, Drama, the school band, Folk dance, Ballet and the body, the mind and the spirit of learners, and, as such, various sports (Basketball, Football, Swimming, Ping highlights their uniqueness. The school’s learner-centered pong, Tae Kwando, Tae Bo, Gymnastics, and Badminton) interdisciplinary approach enables them to develop their etc… multi-faceted potentials at their own pace towards the A Outings: Academic outings are intended to provide mastery of basic skills. learners with hands-on experiences of concepts or SMOC is a trilingual school whereby Arabic, English, and themes discussed in class. As to leisure outings, French are taught as early on as Nursery and up till grade 12. which take place twice a year, they provide a needed Its curriculum is aligned with the Lebanese Baccalaureate combination of entertainment and educational benefit. requirements and, consequently, designed to prepare All outings procedures and activities fully comply with its learners to sit for the national official exams- with a the school’s safety policy. considerable 100% success for the past number of years. In A Environmental program: This program offers activities addition, SMOC’s learners take the entrance exams of major such as recycling and reusing, as well as hands on universities with noteworthy ease as they are equipped with applications of the science curriculum, in the context of the universal tools for success, namely, critical and analytical which learners are trained to protect and improve their thinking skills and creative problem solving. environment. A Reading program: This program targets all age groups Extracurricular activities and aims to enhance learners’ reading for leisure through From this holistic perspective, the school adopts a know-how holding regular book signing sessions with renowned approach which enables learners to apply their competencies authors, story writing competitions, etc. and skills in real life situations. In this context, extracurricular

issue 93 - April 2010 28 | Private Sector Saint Mary’s Orthodox College

A Musical: In the context of the without discrimination, on the basis of and human levels of the learners’ “Beirut World Book Capital”, a need and merit. personality. They consolidate learners’ musical is being produced under the communication skills by tackling supervision of a team of professional Professional training discussion and debate topics pertaining script and song writers, as well as A primordial aim of Saint Mary’s to the theme of the year, thereby giving music composers. The school’s Orthodox College is the ongoing learners opportunities to express and resources have been mobilized for development of its faculty and staff by defend their opinions. The Youth this major event, as learners and setting a career path for them, one of Stewardship Program is a 150 hours of teachers are contributing to the its core components being continuous community service program, required stage setting, making the props, training. Thus, the school ensures from Secondary learners in order for them rehearsing for songs and dances... increasing levels of competence, and to graduate, which enhances their sense of A Other activities: Furthermore, ingrains its spirit, through training sessions civic engagement, citizenship, and self- SMOC’s programs feature a pertaining to academic subject matters or esteem. The Career Guidance Program professional choir comprising ones catering to general needs. helps learners, from Grades 10, 11 and learners from different age groups, 12, relate their aptitudes and capabilities as well as sports varsities. In School characteristic to their interests, character traits and addition, the school community SMOC’s holistic approach to teaching, aspirations. It also familiarizes them with participates in nationwide cultural stemming from its vision of education major fields of study in universities in events, as well as sporting ones, as a process of transformation, is the Lebanon, as well as types of tasks and such as “The Beirut Marathon”. main distinctive feature of the school’s responsibilities required in various jobs system. This framework has provided from practitioners in the field. Learners, faculty and staff by year (2008- ground for the institution of a number 2009, 2009-2010) of academic support departments Awards and scholarships Year 2008-2009 2009-2010 and programs which have furthered In order to encourage learners to achieve Learners 1,155 1,195 SMOC’s reputation as a pioneer in the in school and in the community, Saint Teachers and 162 165 educational realm. Mary’s Orthodox College has instituted Academic Support Departments The Department of Assessment, Testing, a system of reinforcement which Learner/ Faculty 7:1 7:1 and Measurement: The school’s curricula aims to acknowledge its learners’ Ratio align objectives and teaching strategies accomplishments, willingness, and with evaluation techniques. In this matter, improvement. The school’s awards Tuition fees by academic level Academic Departments work in close system has been conceived on such for 2009-2010 collaboration with the DATM to closely premises, as a means to acknowledge Tuition fees in LBP: observe and assess the acquisition of learners’ meritorious academic efforts, A Preschool: 5,050,000; competencies, abilities and skills, with community service, citizenship, A Lower and Upper Elementary: careful consideration of the uniqueness of athletics, volunteer service, etc. 5,000,000; each learner, and evaluate the approaches A Intermediate: 5,050,000; as well as the performance of the school’s Additional information A Secondary: 5,650,000. teaching body.The Special Education Being adamant on maintaining open The above listed tuitions do not include Department helps in the early detection and ongoing communication with fees of transportation, extracurricular of learning difficulties and provides its immediate and more extended activities, or school supplements. solutions to improve the achievement of community, particular importance concerned learners. is assigned to the school’s website, Financial aid Moreover, the school adopts an inclusion which spreads the spirit, disseminates Being a Church institution, SMOC’s policy, and implements a comprehensive the image, and conveys the values and tuition fees reflect the school’s financial curriculum which caters to learners with vision of Saint Mary’s Orthodox College policies as a non-profit organization. special needs. Follow up is provided to the larger society. Thus, the school’s Based on this fact, learners are granted by a specialized team which includes Website constantly features updates of deferred payment and financial speech and psychomotor therapists, as its wide array of events and programs aid, from which 10% are currently well as special educators. The Advisory on: http://www.educalys.edu.lb benefiting. Financial aid is granted, and Cultural Programs target the spiritual

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. L’École Supérieure des Affaires (ESA) Private Sector | 29 Universities in Lebanon L’ÉCOLE SUPÉRIEURE DES AFFAIRES(ESA)

Introduction L’Ecole Supérieure des Affaires (ESA) is one of the most A The 21-part program offers the latest innovations in the prominent institutes specializing in business administration fields of corporate finance and capital markets. Classes in the near east. The institute has a reputation for applying the are held three days a week, every three weeks. highest standards adopted in the best business management A Specialized Masters in Marketing and centers in Europe. The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Communication: The program was designed for Industry administers the affairs of ESA, which partners to the professionals in marketing and communication and European business administration institute, ESCP Europe. offers quality training in operational marketing. Students are required to finish 21 hours for each of the 18 modules Partnership between France and Lebanon in order to graduate. Classes are held three days a week, The French and Lebanese governments jointly established every three weeks. ESA in order to provide Beirut with an international-level A Specialized Masters in Hospital and Health center of business administration training. Management. Former French Ambassador to Lebanon, Pierre Lafon, who A Executive Masters in Islamic Financial served in 1995, initiated the idea of establishing an institute Management. for business management based on the French model. A ESA Executive Education In May 1995, the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry A ESA designs and proposes special programs tailored was invited to execute the project in coordination with the for Arab and international companies upon request. Central Bank of Lebanon and its governor, Riad Salamé. A partnership was then created between the French Ministry The Finance and Money Institute (IMEF), affiliated with of Foreign Affairs, the Central Bank of Lebanon and the ESA, also offers programs in the fields of corporate finance Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry. and capital markets. It employs professors and experts from ESA was inaugurated on April 5, 1996 following an European capital markets. It also offers training courses for agreement between the Lebanese and French governments professionals interested in capital markets. and an accord between the Central Bank of Lebanon and the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The inauguration Faculty was attended by former French President Jacque Chirac and The faculty consists of professors from international late Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. academic partners like the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s two higher education establishments: ESCP Programs Europe and HEC in addition to visiting international A Masters in Management: This post-graduate degree experts. ESA’s PhD program has accepted eight students targets students who wish to acquire a more comprehensive over the past three years. vision of management and business-related affairs. A MBA: A general program for graduates who have an Employment cell equivalent of five college years after the Lebanese ESA established an active employment cell to provide a baccalaureate and who want to specialize in applied smooth transition for students into their professional lives management. and to offer career guidance. ESA hosts an annual job fair A Executive MBA: A top-level program in management for Lebanese, Arab and international companies offering designed for company executives who wish to acquire employment opportunities in Lebanon, the Middle East a dual specialization or update their knowledge with and Europe. Furthermore, 90% of ESA post-graduates find in-depth information on business administration employment within three months of graduation by leading disciplines. Evening courses are given during work days companies in Lebanon and abroad. and some are taught through seminars over weekends. A Specialized Masters in Finance and Banking: For Interview with ESA dean of students Mr. people specializing in banking and financial management. Stéphan Attali Applicants are executives with no less than three years In 2008, ESA’s strategic partners – the governor of the experience in banking or financial management. Central Bank of Lebanon and the head of the Paris Chamber

issue 93 - April 2010 30 | Private Sector L’École Supérieure des Affaires (ESA) of Commerce and Industry – asked Stéphane Attali to known and has committed to this project because ESA become the Dean of Students. He arrived in Beirut in 2009 considered among the elite in Lebanon. He has faith in his to assume his responsibilities. Attali, had previously lived country and wants to promote its important resources. He in Lebanon, from 2002 until 2007, when he worked as a dedicates a lot of effort for Lebanon. professor at the institute. What initiatives will you undertake to strengthen the Responsibilities network of students at ESA? How important is this ESA was established in Beirut to allow students and network for you? company executives to continue their higher education The institute today has an alumni association, “ADESA” in their homeland at a time when many Lebanese would and includes 1,500 graduates. Our aim is to help this otherwise have to leave for France, Europe, Canada and the association. United States. The project aimed to encourage them to stay There are two essential factors in an institute as significant in Lebanon by bringing international professors to them. as ESA: selection of prospective students and support for The institute today has 200 to 250 educators from a number graduates. We are determined to work on the selection of nationalities: although most teachers are French, many process in cooperation with the graduates and establishments are Canadian and Lebanese. ESA works with. Old students will be selecting future In parallel, ESA developed relations with the business students and the establishments will be selecting its future sector and worked on organizing seminars to train company employees). executives in production and international finance. It also established the Dubai-based L’Université d’Entreprise to What are the institute’s strengths? train executives from Chalhoub Group. A ESA is capable of providing long term work contracts for international experts What about your commitment to the Chamber of A Maintain strong ties with former professors and Commerce and Industry in Paris? exchanging expertise with them This is a very important point. The Chamber of Commerce A Every foreign professor who comes to Lebanon to and Industry in Paris is almost one of the biggest commerce teach at ESA will want to return due to special relations chambers in the world since it has more than 4,000 staff created in Lebanon. This is the power of ESA members and represents more than 360,000 companies. A ESA stands at crossroads in the partnership between It has always been a significant partner in the French Lebanon and France Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the field of education since A ESA’s campus is one of its strong points: Three acres of half of its activities are focused on training and education. green area alongside the sea, in the heart of Beirut. It is More than half of its budget is allocated for training to help then a beautiful school for the elite in Lebanon companies in the best way possible to train prospective A Graduates are employed upon graduation in companies personnel or who are working on projects for enterprises. that have contracts with the institute. The school Since France has projects abroad, it requests that the is constantly working with French and Lebanese chamber work on them. As such, ESA was established by companies to secure employment for its graduates. a collaborative initiative between the Lebanese and French governments. France offered the land and campus while What will you do to strengthen ESA? Lebanon financed a number of matters through the Central A We will continue our mission and efforts bank of Lebanon. Both governments asked the Paris A Develop relations with companies because they will Chamber of Commerce and Industry to oversee the project employ ESA’s graduates and eventually the institute’s affairs. A Continue with efforts to improve quality through: The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Paris 1 - Training graduates today has a very important incentive. It contributes to the 2 - Strengthening the alumni network that allows funding. The head of the chamber, Pierre Simon, often reunions among different generations of graduates visits Lebanon and is completely committed to enhancing 3 - Enable graduates to meet with their peers from the advanced learning and training in Beirut. school’s branches in France The institute has two presidents: The Central Bank of A Finally, we want our graduates to integrate in tomorrow’s Lebanon governor, Riad Salamé, and the French ambassador society and build it. to Lebanon. The Central Bank of Lebanon’s commitment to ESA is very significant because it represents the Lebanese state. Riad Salamé, as governor of a central bank, is internationally

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Health | 31 ARTHRITIS The more we age, the faster we ache and the slower we move. Dr. Hanna Saadah

he word Arthritis has come to mean any joint ache or deformity. Medically, however, arthritis means a red, hot, Tswollen, and painful joint or else a joint with specific x-ray signs of bone deformity and damage.

Arthralgia, on the other hand, means a painful joint with no by an inflamed joint that cannot tolerate even the weight of physical signs of arthritis. Nevertheless, for the sake of this the bed sheets. Fortunately, the gout attack can be aborted discussion, the word Arthritis will be used as a general term with anti-inflammatory medications such as Cortisone and that encompasses all types. Indomethacin, with anti-Uric Acid medications such as Osteoarthritis, the commonest form, is the arthritis of age. It Colchicine, and with cortisone joint injections. If the attacks can attack any joint but prefers the distal joints of hands and become too frequent, however, medications that lower the Uric feet, the hips, and the knees. The joints are not usually red Acid level in the blood can be given to prevent or reduce the or hot; instead, they present with combinations of swelling, attack frequency. A common cause of gout is overindulgence deformity, and pain. Deformed hand and foot joints may not in rich foods, which is epidemic now among industrialized be painful and may function well although they look knotted. nations. King Henry VIII, Benjamin Franklin, and so many Painful knees and hips may not look deformed or swollen but other famous historical figures have suffered its ravages, can make walking or taking the stairs most burdensome. earning it the nickname, The Royal Disease. The disease attacks the joint cartilages more than the Traumatic Arthritis begins with an accidental joint injury and bones. Morning stiffness, which gets better with activity, is progresses slowly with age in spite of appropriate medical typical. Tylenol, aspirin-like anti-inflammatory medications attention. Treatment is the same as Osteoarthritis and surgical such as ibuprofen and naproxen, and joint injections are repair or joint replacement may become necessary when the common treatments. suffering or dysfunction become intolerable. Frequently, such Joint replacements are the last resort and are only done when victims can tell the weather by the way their joints feel. the patient can no longer tolerate the progressive suffering Infectious Arthritis is usually a surgical complication but may and dysfunction. The blood tests that measure inflammation also occur after penetrating joint injuries. Skin or hospital and arthritis are usually normal. bacteria invade the violated joints, causing fever and local X-rays may look worse than symptoms indicate or symptoms inflammation. Prolonged courses of appropriate antibiotics may be worse than the x-rays indicate. The diagnosis and cure the infections in most situations. However, when foreign treatment decisions are based on the clinical picture more than bodies such as knee or hip prostheses are in place, a cure may on any test. The disease worsens with age and, unlike other not be possible without removing the artificial joints. arthritis, no treatment has been shown to halt its progression Arthroscopic Joint Repair is done by inserting a scope into or induce remission. the joint cavity. Although this procedure is less invasive than Autoimmune Arthritis, the most malignant type, encompasses open surgery it’s widespread use has come under fire lately Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus Arthritis, Psoriasis Arthritis, because of poor, long-term results. Nevertheless, it still has Reactive Viral and Intestinal Arthritis, and so many others. its particular indications and can be very effective in selected These types cause rapid joint destruction and require patients who have damaged joint cartilage. specialized treatments that aim to induce remission and halt Cortisone Joint Injections are most effective, safe, and give disease progression. Here, unlike osteoarthritis, the involved a good assessment of joint prognosis. When such injections joints are red, hot, swollen, and painful. The cause is faulty give prolonged relief, i.e. one or more months, they may be immunity, which incites the body’s immune defenses to attack safely repeated when needed. However, when they help for the body’s joints as if they were enemies. only a few days, they tell us that the joint is beyond salvage Gout is caused by Uric Acid crystals, which precipitate into and that it may be ready for surgery or replacement. The old a joint, causing it to become red, hot, swollen, and very notion—that only one or two joint injections per year are painful. The uric acid crystals usually choose one single joint, safe and that more frequent injections may cause irreparable commonly that of the great toe, and make a surprise attack joint damage—is now considered ultra conservative. In fact, without due cause. The patient awakens from sleep startled studies have shown that more frequent joint injections can still be safe and effective.

www.hannasaadah.com - www.information-international.com - [email protected] issue 93 - April 2010 32 |Eyeing Horizons TIME AND PLACE VS TIME-SPACE Antoine Boutros

reenwich falls on the environs of the British capital. It can be reached by a one-hour bus journey, or by boat. Although it is famous for its astronomical observatory -which was turned into a Gmuseum after it was moved to another location due to pollution in the capital – its large maritime museum and the Cutty Sark Ship sitting at its dock and which is a tourist attraction and a reminder of Britain’s trade and naval glories, it is necessary to visit Greenwich for those who wish to see for themselves the birth of mean solar time to measure standards of time and space. In the observatory’s old yard, where science’s oldest masters, hour is equivalent to 15 degrees and every two points 15 like Isaac Newton, Edmond Halley and John Flamsteed once degrees apart are at an hour’s distance in the time cycle. stood, a visitor sees a line that crosses the yard and divides the On this basis, a system for the standards of space was set. earth in two. An amazing feeling overcome you in the middle As for time, Greenwich was chosen in an 1884 conference of the world at zero degrees of longitude and the central time as a referral point to a new timing system that divided the zone. For a few pounds sterling, you will receive from the ATM world into 24 time intervals which helped put an end to all machine a card that immortalizes your visit. All this, and the the commotion over time differences. With that, the United line is illusionary and the halves of the earth are relative. States was divided into eight time zones compared to 300 What we call lines of longitude and latitude are in fact nothing before the agreement. Implementation was not smooth since a more than a genius, defining addition. It is difficult to picture similar attempt had previously failed when American farmers civilization without it. Neither trade nor communications feared that this new timing will hinder chickens from laying would have been possible. At the beginning, they were used their eggs or cause the milk to dry up in the cows. Chicago to demarcate the globe and to facilitate finding cities, places workers also went on strike because the new system would and distances. After that everything on the earth became force them to work nine extra minutes. identified through a series of curvatures that encircle the This system continued to represent reality until Einstein globe in opposing directions. When astronomy evolved, appeared with his theory of relativity which annulled the scientists used the same method for the celestial sphere to concept of time and space as absolute values. The time length determine the locations of stars and calculate distances. of an event and its space dimension, according to relativity, It was a simple yet magnificent invention. are not constant values and can only be determined according Around 150 AD, astronomer and geographer Ptolemy to the observer. Therefore, the relativity theory replaced of Alexandria challenged this school of inventions in space and time, which are the main pillars of the traditional documented references and translated them into 27 maps system, as two individual factors with one encompassing that formed the first known atlas in the world. But being a factor which is space-time. scientist who shunned travelling, he did not double check The widespread Newtonian conception stipulates that for a light much of what he wrote and prominently said that everything beam sent from one place to another, observers, irregardless of that lives below the equator is at risk of melting due to the how many there are, will agree on the time length for the light heat. When Ptolemy drew the lines of longitude he was free journey, because time, according to Newton, is an absolute. to choose the line that halved all these lines (prime meridian). As for Einstein, this is not true because the theory of relativity He selected the islands, known today as the Canary and does not recognize real time for an event that two persons, one Madeira islands, off the northern-western coast of Africa. of immobile and the other mobile, are trying to intercept each The line then respectively moved between the Azure islands, from their own location and circumstance. Cape Verde islands, Rome, Copenhagen, Jerusalem, Cairo As evidence, Einstein gives the following example: A set of (reference to the Grand Pyramids of Giza), Saint Petersburg, twins, one lives in an earth station and another takes a distant Pisa (reference to its tower), Paris, Philadelphia until it space journey at high speed then reverses course and returns. settled in Greenwich. A degree in the line of longitude at the Of course the twins will disagree over the timing since it is equator is equivalent to its value at the line of latitude i.e. a distant event, meaning that a specific time of an incident 110 kilometers (since it is the outcome of 1 divided by 360 inside a spaceship is determined by the immobile twin in degrees of the earth’s circumference. the earth station with a time difference than that determined At 40 degrees of longitude, which forms a circle that is by the twin in the ship. Since the difference relies on speed, smaller than the line of longitude that crosses the equator, then the difference will not fade away upon the ship’s return a degree equals 84.8 kilometers only while at 60 degrees, a but will double since the return journey is a second trip. degree equals 55.5 kilometers. Meanwhile, at the two poles The result is that when the twins meet they will not be of where all lines of longitude meet, a degree equals zero. Here the same age but the traveler twin will find himself younger also, the value of the longitude lines is similar to the latitude than his brother. This concept turned around science in one lines and each degree is divided into 60 minutes and each of the greatest scientific revolution. What does that signify minutes into 60 seconds. scientifically and what are its consequences? This is what we Since the earth’s rotation around its axis takes 24 hours, this will address in the following issue. means it rotates 360 degrees every 24 hours. As such, one

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. www.irthsumer.com - www.information-international.com - [email protected] The Amazing Brain| 33 AMAZING BRAIN: BRAIN SCIENCE AND SOCIETY The Monthly is pleased to introduce Dr. Samar Zebian who is an assistant professor of cognitive science at the Lebanese American University and who will be contributing regularly to The Monthly under the title of The Amazing Brain. In this series, the latest developments in Brain Science research are presented to provide a fresh perspective on issues of public interest and issues which concern brain health and growth.

The kind of love that sets your neurons on fire BEING MADLY IN LOVE AND STAYING THAT WAY Dr. Samar Zebian

assionate, blissful and lustful love changes the brain—how else can you explain why most of us turn into giddy limerents over night? Explored in timeless Arabic poetry and literature, passionate lovers experience intrusive/ Pobsessive thoughts, pronounced sensitivity to external events, rapidly peaking and plunging emotions, separation anxiety, possessiveness, physical reactions to the lover’s presence (pounding heart, shortness of breath, craving), increased energy and usually a strong admiration for the lover.

Is there a purpose? Is there an economy to this immense feel-good behaviours. Paradoxically the very unique feelings consumption of our energy and brain power? Evolutionary of love activate the same areas of the brain’ that are active researchers suggest that brain and cultural systems have when you think about other ordinary desirable things, such as evolved to promote mating and reproductive success. Focusing food, water or warmth because ALL desirable things activate on the brain, there are 3 systems that help us get it one and the brain’s reward system. It is this system that makes us feel get it right or as close as possible: sex drive/libido, attraction good regardless of what we feel good about, i.e. a piece of cake (present in early stages of romantic love), and attachment or a lover. Notably, these same areas are active in the brains (deep feelings of union and security with a long term partner). of people in the early lustful month of a relationship. Luckily Love can start off with any of these feelings but some have for the older love swans, but not the younger group, the scans argued that romantic love, which depends primarily on the also showed activity in their ventral pallidum, a brain region attachment system, is the strongest and most enduring. associated with feelings of long-term attachment. Increased activity was also observed in the raphe nucleus, which makes What is the longest time you, or someone you know has being the chemical serotonin that’s associated with calm and less blissfully in love? Days, months, years? However long it is, obsession. The experienced love birds seem to have the best many would agree that passionate love declines over time. of both worlds-the comfortable attachment that comes with Most people are biologically predisposed to short bursts of experience without the madness of young love. these feelings giving credence to cynics who argue that love is fickle and cannot leave a lasting impression. But before we A brain on love can be the cause of lots of unexpected close the book on this scientifically grounded but admittedly behaviours beyond the typical lover-mania. For example, harden view of love, consider recent research which shows people in a committed relationship who have been thinking that euphoric love is eternal for some. about their partner actually avert their eyes from attractive members of the opposite sex without their awareness. Those Neuroscientists and evolutionary anthropologists scanned who aren’t in love have “eyes like fish eyes” as we say in the brains of a small group of women and men who had Arabic. It takes them longer to shift their attention away been married an average of 21 years and claimed to still be from attractive faces of the opposite sex. So it would seem madly in love with their spouses. It might be easy for these that the expression, “I have eyes only for you” is neuronally people to fool themselves or fool eager researchers, but the plausible!!! proof is in the brain. The brain can’t lie. When the scientists showed these seasoned self proclaimed lovers photos of With all this perspective on the brain basis of love, the their partners, the fMRIs (a brain scanning device) detected following quote is comforting but is most certainly neuronally intense activity in the ventral tegmental region as well as implausible!, “Love is like an hourglass, with the heart filling the caudate nucleus which produces and receives pleasure- up as the brain empties”. Love is in the brain and it is the brain inducing neurotransmitters. This in turn activates the brain’s that moves the eyes, hands and fills the heart. reward system which then motivates the repetition of these www.information-international.com - [email protected] issue 93 - April 2010 34 |Interview The Monthly Interviews AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, GILBERTO G.B. ASUQUE

When did the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines open in Lebanon? We opened the embassy in October 24, 1996, and on that date the first ambassador was named. Before that, the embassy was represented by the embassy in Egypt and Jordan. Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Lebanon were established on October 24, 1946, but it took long to open the embassy because of the internal developments in Lebanon. At that time, the Philippines was also a developing country after the Second World War, which caused a lot of destruction. We needed time to develop our resources and capabilities to open embassies.

How many staff members do you have? There are 3 sections in the embassy; the diplomatic staff, the Ambassador of the Philippines in Lebanon, Gilberto G.B. Asuque consular section and then the labor section which handles the labor issues. All in all, we have about 21 staff members with a majority of Filipinos and a number of local hires. What are specific milestones that have enhanced the relations Is it true that nowadays it is of difficult for Filipinos to get between the Philippines and Lebanon? visas to come to Lebanon? We have 2 agreements that govern the relations between the Yes, because the Philippines does not have a “no visa agreement” Philippines and Lebanon: the Memorandum of Understanding with Lebanon unlike with other countries in Europe and Asia. (MOU) on bilateral consultations and the MOU on the That is one of the reasons for pushing forward the agreement Establishment of Consultative Committee for Political, on the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic, official and Economic and Cultural Cooperation. We are scheduled special passports, then we can go to the other passports. Those to host the bilateral consultations, the talks between high who want to go to the Philippines have to pass through the visa level officials from both countries, in the Philippines this granting process in the same way that Lebanon requires visas year. These agreements were signed in 2004, and Lebanon for those who want to come here. hosted the first meeting. Based on the agreements, we have consultations over a certain period. We have proposed Are you happy with the way the Lebanese government is agreements for consideration by the Lebanese government in treating Filipinos in Lebanon? economic, trade, tourism and cultural themes. We hope that I have discussed with the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry we can sign these agreements with Lebanon because you can of Interior the need for the Lebanese government to put move diplomatic relations and establish milestones if you have safeguards and protective mechanisms to bring in workers. treaties and understanding between two countries on how we They are intended to work both ways. They would protect the want things to be done especially when it relates to incomes, Lebanese employer because they will get the people who are taxation, investment and manpower. physically, mentally, and emotionally capable. And of course, they will also protect the Filipino workers because their rights Are we on the right track towards that? are guaranteed. We are working closely with the Ministry of It was stalled again because of internal developments here in Labor to find some mechanisms to ensure that the foreign 2006 and 2008, and the proposals were not given the priority guest workers who come here are the ones who are fit and at the moment. When things became stable, the government suited for the job. At the moment we have a total deployment slowly began paying attention to some of these bilateral issues. ban. We advise the nationals not to come here to work because We are confident that the Lebanese government would be able we are waiting for the Lebanese government to put those to enhance bilateral issues between our two countries. safeguards to be sure that those who come here do not say, later on in their work contracts, that they do not want to work. How many Filipinos are there in Lebanon? There should be prior skills testing, and the Ministry of Labor The immigration authorities have given us a list of 40,000 is keen on putting these control mechanisms to ensure that we Filipinos who have work and residence permits. Most of get the right people that the Lebanese really need. them are household service workers, and some are married to Lebanese men and hold dual citizenship.

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Interview|35

How many Lebanese communities do we have in the Do you see any major similarities between our countries? Philippines? There are similarities in terms of religiosity, faith, and The Lebanese I have spoken to said that in the late 1890’s some piousness. In terms of life, we both want to enjoy life and Lebanese migrants were on a ship going to the United States spend time with friends and family. Both countries have very (US). The Philippines was back then colonized by the US, so close family ties. when they arrived in the Philippines, the captain informed them that this is America so they established communities there. What is your diplomatic background? Based on my information, there are about 200,000 Lebanese I am a career foreign service officer, meaning that I went in the Philippines mostly married to Filipinos. The honorary through different ranks and took the entrance foreign service Lebanese consul general in the Philippines is a Filipino- exam and then another exam for the ambassadorial position. Lebanese who holds both Lebanese and Filipino passports. I have been with the Philippines Foreign Service for 25 years now, and this is my first ambassadorial assignment. Before, Is it difficult to become a Filipino national? I was the minister counselor of the Philippines embassy in The Philippines citizenship is in the constitution, saying that London, and before coming here I was the Department of children inherit the citizenship if the father or mother is a Foreign Affairs Spokesman for about two and a half years. citizen of the Philippines. In the case of the Lebanese, they During the 2006 war in Lebanon, I was the Philippine Foreign married Filipinos and then naturalized as Filipinos in the Affairs Spokesman, and we faced the task of bringing around later years. I have met here recently many Filipino-Lebanese 10,000 Filipinos back home. who have set up businesses there. In fact, in the history of Philippine business, you have a lot of Lebanese entrepreneurs When did you come to Lebanon? and industrialists in business, industry, trading, and the import I was here in April 2008. First, I was Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. and export of commodities. There are many Lebanese who and consul general because there was no president at that time import Filipino products and sell them here like furniture and so we could not present our credentials. When things were electronics. We really want to push our businessmen to actively sorted out, and you had a president in May, I was elevated engage with Lebanese businessmen. The Philippines Chamber to the rank of ambassador. I presented my credentials as of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Chamber of ambassador on January 3, 2009. Commerce and Industry and Agriculture of Mount Lebanon are ready to sign a memorandum of agreement to link together What do you like most about Lebanon? the chambers of commerce. The place is very different. It is very European. The weather is nice; you have 4 seasons in the year. The place is really Can you tell me more about the Philippines? marvelous. And for us diplomats, one thing in common which The Philippines is an archipelago with 7,107 islands and 3 main we appreciate, is the politics here. The difficult things are what islands: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. We are a multi-cultural we want to understand. The more challenging, the better it and multi-ethnic society with a majority of Christians in addition is for us, because we have the opportunity to understand the to Muslims in the south. Magellan of Spain rediscovered the dynamics for balancing things here. This is one political system Philippines for the western countries and named the archipelago that is unique on its own. Forus, we have to be on the ground to Philippines, after King Philippe of Spain. We were colonized understand why it is so and why it makes the country tick. We by Spain for almost five centuries and then by the US from 1898 ourselves pick up some lessons on how to deal with this if we until 1945 just after the Second World War. Our culture has a face similar situations in our countries. lot of Spanish and American influences. We have everything; beaches, islands, mountains and ancient What is the one thing that you really dislike about Lebanon? places. In terms of treatment of foreign guest workers, we need There are only 2 seasons in the Philippines since it is along cultural change. I think there is a common understanding the equator: the summer months and the rainy season. Now, it that there needs to be a cultural shift to understand that these is summer until May and in August, September, and October people are giving you a lifestyle that you want and that we you have the typhoon season. are willing to share, but you have to be sharing also and respectful of human rights. What is the population of the Philippines? The population is 81 million out of which 10% or 8 million Is there anything else would you like to address? are working abroad. There are 1.5 million workers in the I hope we can work closely with the Lebanese government to Middle East, out of which 1.2 million are in Saudi Arabia, settle the labor issue immediately by an understanding or signed working as doctors, nurses, engineers, computer data agreement. I think this is the priority for both of us. When this is encoders, architects, and store managers of specialty stores settled, then we can address the other issues. We have proposed and restaurants in malls. The household service worker tourism, cultural, investment, and trade agreements, and I hope sector is only a very small percentage. the Prime Minister will also be able to give the time for the government to look at these bilateral issues.

issue 93 - April 2010 36 |Art & Culture POPULAR CULTURE

. Of the bones of the neck He has his eye on it, “It is said that a woman and her daughter” lived on a deserted“ yet he doesn’t want it island. The woman, seeing no prospects of finding a husband A Bedouin once visited Damascus and” bought a basket of figs for her daughter, prayed to God to create one for her. God for his family. When he went to the khan where he was staying answered the woman’s prayers and, while she was in a deep with his friends, he was worried they might eat the figs. So sleep, he took a bone from her neck and turned it into a man he spat in the basket several times in front of his friends. The who married the daughter. This is why a mother who loves Bedouin stepped out for a while, when he returned he saw her son in law says that he is “of the bones of the neck”. The one of his friends standing in front of the basket, watching saying is applied in Lebanon when speaking of someone who it. When he asked what he was doing, another friend replied: is dear and close. “Damned is the liar. He wants it, yet he doesn’t.”

We are all in the same boat Our food was honey! “There once were two neighbors in a village, ”“Abu Faddoul” and “Abu Makhoul”. Each lived with his wife in two adjacent “I do not think you understood my saying ‘our food was houses separated by a wall. Once night Umm Faddoul honey’. This is a village proverb: eating while hungry is went out of the house to use the rest room but Abu Faddoul honey. Don’t understand my words in their literal meaning. overheard her speaking to someone. When she returned he Your father ate honey twice in his childhood. And the taste asked her who she was talking to she said “with thin air”. of that honey, from both times, is lingering somewhere on Abu Faddoul did not believe her so she said “Abu Faddoul, his tongue. I remember the taste of that honey because I a chaste woman is always vigilant. When I got to the grape hadn’t tasted honey before that… vine behind the wall I heard a voice in Abu Makhoul’s home. I was scared that someone might see me, so I asked if there No, son, our food was not honey, but it tasted like honey. was anyone there”. After that Abu Faddoul was unable to fall No matter what we ate, we did so with great appetite and asleep, and he overheard Abu Makhoul call to his wife who pleasure, because we craved food. Whereas your food is replied she was in the pantry. Abou Makhoul said: better and tastier, I do not doubt that nor am I arguing with -What are you doing in the pantry? you over that. But you do not find honey in it because you - I am covering the bread, I was afraid the cats might come eat while you are full. Food does not taste like honey unless in [you eat] while hungry… - Who opened the door? - The wind We used to hear of these foods you eat today while sitting -What wind? I locked the door. next to the fireplace when the storyteller told one of the -If the wind can uproot a tree, of One Thousand Nights stories: stuffed lamb, grilled fish, course it can open a door. grilled goose, a platter of mshabbak (fried and sweetened - Let us assume it’s the wind; then dough) and another of znoud el banat (Arabian sweets) … what is this shoe doing over the rug? Our food, oh Ridha, was from the village’s rich soil. It was - It’s the wind. rough and strong like rugged rocks in the village: borghol, Abu Faddoul then knocked at lentils, hummus, beans, potatoes and olives… our food was adjoining wall and said: “Abu honey. Makhoul, it’s definitely the wind. My wife saw it and spoke to it.” Your food is better, but ours was tastier, because it we ate Abu Makhoul then sighed and while hungry…” said “we are all in the same boat”

compiled from Salam Al Rasi- The complete works, Beirut, Dar Nawfal. Sources translated as: Anis Freiha, Isma’a ya Rida, 2006, First Edition, Dar Nawfal

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Art & Culture|37 Myth #32 THE FIRST OLYMPIC GAMES: PHOENICIAN OR GREEK?

he modern Olympic Games is an international multi- sport event that has been held regularly since 1896, Tbringing people from all around the world together in the spirit of fair competition, sports, and respect for universal moral principles. However, the history of the Olympic Games dates all the way back to the 8th century BC.

Myth: The ceremonial Olympic Games held in the ancient city of Olympia already existed in Phoenicia, and took place in the stadium of Amrit in now Syria. This stadium proves that the Phoenicians celebrated religious games near the temples before they carried this tradition outside their own territory. The Games were therefore originally introduced in Olympia by the Phoenicians, whereas the ﬁrst true Olympic Ancient Olympia Games took place in Syria around 776 BC. Source: http://www.abc.net.au/olympics/2004/venues/shot_put.htm

The Olympics started some 3,000 years ago in the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. Olympia was Fact: the site of the ﬁrst ancient Olympic Games. According to Greek mythology, Peloponnese is where “Pelops”, the founder of the Olympic Games, is from.

Historical records trace the ﬁrst ancient Olympic Games back to 776. They were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were staged on the ancient plains of Olympia. They then continued for nearly 12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius decreed in 393 A.D. that all such “pagan cults” be banned.

At that time, the Olympic Games were closely linked to the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus but were not an essential part of the rite. Like today, the Games had a secular nature to it that aimed to display the physical qualities, performances, and accomplishments of athletes from the various ancient Greek city-states. More importantly, the Games encouraged peaceful relations between the Greek city-states, which were more often than not at odds with each other. All free male Greek citizens were entitled to participate in the ancient Olympic Games, regardless of their social status. Married women were not allowed to participate in or watch the ancient Olympic Games, but unmarried women could attend the competition.

Today the Olympic Games are an international event that consists of summer and winter sports, where thousands of athletes compete in a wide variety of sporting events. The Games are currently held every two years, alternating between the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Moreover, the modern Games still have many similarities to the ﬁrst Olympic Games held in Olympia, which we can doubtlessly attribute to the ancient Greeks, and not the Phoenicians.

Source: Official Website of the Olympic Movement

issue 93 - April 2010 38 |Art & Culture Must-Read Books BEIRUT, OUR MEMORY A Guide Tour Illustrated With Postcards

In an attempt to revive the memory of Beirut and to bring out Beirut’s mutassarifiya and history hidden in ruins under commercial centers and huge then the seat of the Greater buildings, Fouad Debbas presents in his book “Beirut, Our Lebanon’s government in Memory: A Guide Tour Illustrated with Postcards”, a collection addition to the premiership of postcards of the streets and squares of the city from the end and the presidency until its of the 19th century until the first half of the 20th century. The destruction in 1950. The book is divided into three parts: the first gives a glimpse of collection includes famous the history of photography in the Arab Orient in general, with coffee shops like the a particular emphasis on Lebanon. The second and main, part Parisiana and glass coffee shops. includes a collection of postcards of the city, accompanied by a background review. The third part portrays postcards depicting One of the most important streets in the collection is Emir some prominent events and historical dates. Bachir Street or Al-A’azarieh Street with its clubs, libraries and famous Turkish bath called Zahrat Souriya (Syria’s Flower), Historical glimpse in addition to the 40 Martyrs Poles and the triangle square Ever since the Arab Orient emerged as a source of literary and ‘called the Sour Square’ that used to be visited by Muslims cultural inspiration for the West, and after photography became during religious holidays. Other streets include Patriarch a popular activity for tourists and pilgrims to the Orient at the Houayik Street and the Ottoman-era Bosta office. The Grand end of the 19th century, postcards also became popular in 1869 Serail appears in a strategic place in the city, surrounded with to highlight the essence of the Orient which had previously fortified castles and cannons. been shrouded with myth and imagination. These cards were The pictures take us on a tour of some of the Lebanese old exported to Beirut in 1895, and went through two golden eras, neighborhoods such as Ouadi Abu Jmeel, El-Sanayie including the first from 1903 until 1905 when they became collector’s the Faroun Palace, the Public Hamidieh Garden (also known items. The second golden era was at the end of WWI with post as the Sanayie Garden), Soqaq el-Blat neighborhood where cards becoming a valuable testimony to Lebanon’s barracks, lavish castles were built like the Moussa de Freij castle. Other monuments and celebrations until the country later turned into a neighborhoods include El-Msaitbeh, with its brick houses, El- commercial, administrative and industrial hub. Bashoura with its famous graveyard and the Basta el-Tahta Mosque. El-Bashoura neighborhood saw the construction Beirut: An illustrated history of Sacre Coeur Hospital in 1862. Going further back into The postcards illustrate Beirut’s humble port with its steam ships Beirut’s memory, the postcards show Horsh Beirut, which and boats. The cards show the port’s piers alongside buildings, was planted with pine trees during Emir Fakhreddine’s rule, mosques, khans and stores. located next to the horseracing track which was established The postcards depict Beirut from its time as a small town in 1893. Other featured places include the Damascus Road, of 6,000 through its rapid expanse to becoming a city with a Achrafieyh, including the French Medicine Faculty, the Saint population of over 100,000. The cards lift the veil on Beirut’s Joseph University, which was established by the Jesuit fathers brick houses, most significant mosques such as the Omari in 1875, the Zeitouneh neighborhood, and the Syrian Evangelist Mosque and the mosques of Serail, Badawi and Debbagha in College (now the American University of Beirut) in addition to addition to the city’s fortified towers, main gates such as Bab the Lighthouse (Manara). Idriss family and Bab Yaaqoub, r. Some cards portray the city’s old souks such as the “Fashkha” Souk (part of it is Souk al- Postcards of historical events Franj), Souk Sersok, Souk Al-Nourieh in addition to the most The book also illustrates the city’s most important events, starting significant streets such as the Wegan Street, the Serail Street, with a visit by German Caesar Gallium II, the arrival of foreign, Al-Linbi Street, Foch Street and Maarad Street. Churches also French and American fleets, the 1908 revolution in addition have a prominent place in the collection such as the Saint George to the Italian attack in 1912 following their conflict with the Cathedral, or the Greek Orthodox Saint George Cathedral. Ottomans in Trablous. Other themes include the trades of Beirut The Borj Square, also known as Martyr’s Square, has its share residents, including shoemakers, the vendors of liquorices juice, in the collection along with the Turkish-designed public garden the vendors of eggs and bread, the carriers, the pottery makers and the small Serail which later became the headquarters of and carpet tanners, among others.

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Art & Culture|39 Must-Read Children‘s books

The Adventures of Roba and Woofy: “THE ACCIDENT” AND “SURPRISING GOAL”

“The Accident” Roba decides to go to the park with her dog Woofy, which requires crossing many roads. Despite all the instructions that Roba gave her dog about road safety, he runs excitedly and bumps into a motorcycle. The accident makes them spend the rest of the day at the veterinary clinic instead of the park.

“Surprising Goal” Rami receives two tickets to attend a football game and asks Roba to accompany him. Roba does not want to leave Woofy alone. Since dogs are not allowed there, she hides him under her jacket and asks him to remain quiet. In the middle of the game, Woofy needs to go to the bathroom because he drank a lot, so he tries to find his way through the football field. The ball falls on his head and he mistakenly marks a goal.

The books stress the importance of following the rules and following instructions. They are recommended for elementary level children because of the simple sentence structure and the colorful, captivating illustrations.

The collection “The Adventures of Rouba and Woofy” was published in French by Caramel. They were translated by Reymond Daw to Arabic and were published in 2008 in their first Arabic edition by “Maktabat Istfan” in Lebanon. The collection of 14 books includes:

The Enormous Mess, A Funny Student, The Summer Vacation, Woofy’s Illness, A Good Hint, The Surprising Play, A Love Story, The Inspection Operation, The Lost Dog, Participating in the Circus, Piercing Advertisement, Texas Camp

issue 93 - April 2010 40 |Art & Culture

Lebanon Families BERRI FAMILIES

The Berri families are an average-sized family that has taken center stage in the political scene after one of its members, Nabih Berri, became head of the Amal movement in 1980, minister in 1984 and speaker of Parliament since October 20, 1992. Berri’s term in office Trablous expires in 2013, and with that he would have spent 21 Zgharta Balamand Roads years as speaker, the longest anyone has served in the A‘arjes Ehden position. Becharre The Cedars The Berri family is present in many Lebanese regions Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck and its members belong to the Shia’a, Sunni and A’alawi Deir el Ahmar Maqne confessions. Al-Berri families however, are limited in Qasr el-Banat Hadath place and number. Jbail Iaat Baalbeck Jounieh Ghazir Family origins Niha Al-Barri in Arabic means undomesticated, or is a BEIRUT Zahle wild plant. According to Ahmad Abou Assa’ad’s Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-Baidar Bhamdoun Encyclopedia of Names, Families and Persons, Berri Anjar is an ancient proper name of a group of Arabs in the Deir el-Qamar Meshref Beiteddine Beqa’a known as Al Berri (family of Berri). They lived Moukhtara in the village of Muheen according to the narrative of Qaraoun Lake Yanta Al-Khalidi in his book The History of Fakhreddine. Saida Jezzine Berri was also the name of a faction of Al Jabbour Libbaya Aiha and Tay’ tribes, according to the encyclopedia of Arab tribes. It was also the name of a tribe that lived Hasbaya in Badiyat al-Sham and in Halab (Aleppo). The Berri Nabatiye Marjayoun family of Tibnine originated from Halab. The origins Beaufort Castle of the Berri family of Ghosta go back to Fr. Hanna who was nicknamed Berri because he used to like to spend time alone in the wild.

Number and registries A El-Qobbe, Et-Tabbaneh, El-Haddadine and Mina There are approximately 2,000 members of the Berri (Trablous): Sunni, 38 members family located in the following regions: A Michmich (A’akkar): Sunni, 90 members A Machta Hammoud (A’akkar): Sunni, 10 members Berri A Tibnine (Bint Jbeil) in the neighborhoods of Al Berri, Al-Berri al-Fouqani wal Tahtani: Shia’a, 550 members A Ghosta (Kesrouane): Maronite, 55 members A Hmairé (Sour): Shia’a, 425 members A A’ain A’ata (Rachaiya): Druze, 30 members A Chehour (Sour): Shia’a, 40 members A Hmairé (Sour): Shia’a, 15 members A Ma’araké (Sour): Shia’a, 14 members A Qleia’at (A’akkar): Sunni, 30 members A Halloussiyé (Sour): Shia’a, 60 members A Ouadi Khaled (A’akkar): Sunni, 35 members A A’ain A’anoub (A’aley): Shia’a, 17 members A Beirut neighborhoods of Zqaq El-Blat, Bachoura, Msaitbé and Achrafieh: Shia’a, 20 members A El-Qobbe and Et-Tabbaneh (Trablous): A’alwite, 20 members

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Art & Culture|41

Discover Lebanon AL MANSOURI-QADA’A SOUR

Etymology Researchers believe the name derives from al-Mansoura which later took on the colloquial Mansoura. Mansoura is an Arab name chosen by the Chehabi emirs. Trablous Zgharta Balamand Roads A‘arjes Ehden Location Becharre The Cedars Al Mansouri is located in qada’a Sour in the muhafaza Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck Deir el Ahmar of the south. It is situated at 50 meters above sea level, Maqne 91 kilometers away from Beirut and 51 kilometers away Qasr el-Banat Hadath Jbail Iaat from Saida. It covers an area of 838 hectares. It can be Baalbeck reached via the coastal road from Sour to Naqoura. Jounieh Ghazir Niha

BEIRUT Zahle Population Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-Baidar Bhamdoun There are approximately 2,307 registered inhabitants in Anjar

Al-Mansouri with a Shia’a majority. The town has around Deir el-Qamar Meshref Beiteddine 1,087 houses and 28 commercial establishments. Moukhtara Qaraoun Lake Yanta

Saida Jezzine Voters Libbaya Aiha In 2000, the number of registered voters was 1,479, of whom 692 cast their ballots compared to 1,717 registered Hasbaya voters and 815 votes in 2005. The voters belong to Nabatiye Marjayoun Beaufort Castle the following families: Mdeihli, Zabad, Aalian, Harb, Shouaikh, Zein, Safieddine, Ammar, Srour, Taqi, Jaber, …Qƒ°üæŸGAl Mansouri Zeinni, Hachem, Jihha, Salman, Matar, Mohammed Ali, Mohsen, Masri, Haidar, Thiab, Bashan, Abbs, Khalil, Ahmed, Ayoub, Bandar, Thakar and Chaykhoun. Local authorities Archeological sites The town has a 12-member Municipal Council currently Archeologists uncovered remains of sarcophagi, headed by Mohammed Zabad. It also has a mukhtar, ceramics, ruins of ancient structures and an ancient Sayyed Mdeihli, and a three-member ikhtiariah body. building known as Nabi Mansouri. In 2005, the municipality established a natural reserve covering 600 Education dunums. There is only one public intermediate school in Al- Mansouri with 293 registered students in 2005-2006 Challenges compared to 250 in 2006-2007. It has 22 faculty The mass emigration of around 400 local families to members, of whom 17 are paid on a contractual basis. Germany during the 1982 Israeli invasion was a major problem that the town suffered from. Economy The town’s main source of income is agriculture, especially the cultivation of bananas and oranges.

issue 93 - April 2010 42 |Media Between Rabiyeh and Bkirki Between Rabiyeh and Bkirki AOUN: THERE IS NO HOPE OF RAPPROCHEMENT WITH BKIRKI AS LONG AS SFEIR HEADS THE PATRIARCHY

elations between the Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Sfeir and General Michel Aoun have been marred with tension and mutual dislike. They have reached the point of animosity and estrangement on many occasions Rsince 1988, and Aoun has expressed his feelings in several public statements.

“He [Sfeir] has his personal style and I have mine that “The patriarch is our religious, not political reference” is reflected in the manner of handling [affairs] on the (An-Nahar on August 9, 2009) international and domestic levels. We are a reform movement that exerts pressure and cooperates with the “The patriarch has his own position and this is how people. For example we demonstrate but they don’t he assesses matter. He has become a party because demonstrate” (Ashraq al-Awsat on February 9, 2004). he kept silent to everything in the state and insists on continuing to do so… all of his Eminence’s positions “I feel sorry that a position such as Bkirki and the bishops can be explained except for his stance regarding the has been lured and has slipped into positions that were opposition” (An-Nahar on February 11, 2009). based on error and false rumors. The person who has taken this position [Sfeir] is the one who should clarify “We declared in the past that we disagree with Patriarch it. Adopting political stances by judging intentions is not Sfeir politically, but we did not attack him. Furthermore, a good thing in politics. I was hoping that more focus we have the right to disagree with him over politics would be placed on the authority that has spent funds and yesterday he appeared in a courtesy photo for an and did not bring back the displaced” electoral list in Kesrouane” (May 25, 2009). (Al-Akhbar on October 7, 2006). “There is no real hope for rapprochement with Bkirki as “It is better for him to remain a religious reference for long as Sfeir heads the patriarchy… I am convinced that the confession, not a political reference and to play a Sfeir dislikes me and does not support my positions and national role instead of being someone others can use to the great alienation took place when the memorandum weaken the [Maronite] confession” of understanding with Hezbollah was signed… I do not (Al-Hayat on November 27, 2007). find a justification to the patriarch’s forgiveness to Walid Jumblat’s crimes against the Christians in the mountain, “Was his Eminence elected by the people? We are the his refrain in return to extend the hand of reconciliation ones accountable before the Lebanese people as such his with the head of the largest Christian parliamentary bloc Eminence cannot decide for us. Let him justify this issue or Sfeir’s participation in a game to isolate me from or put to public debate. The double-standards that we are the series of Christian reconciliations, specifically the living today must not last and the Christians must choose Franjieh-Geagea reconciliation” their reference” (An-Nahar on January 1, 2008). (As-Safir on September 19, 2009).

“The patriarch has absolute liberty to express his opinion “The patriarch has joined the Lebanese Forces and but if he is the patriarch of the Maronites, he does not Antoine Zahra” (As-Safir on September 19, 2009). have the right to speak for them” (An-Nahar on February 11, 2009). “Why doesn’t he talk about corruption when he is aware of everything? Why does he support corruption? He is “Sfeir has turned into a political side in the ongoing protecting a group that spreads corruption in the state” conflict in Lebanon because he kept silent on everything (Press conference on November 5, 2009) in the state and shot down the centralism that he supports and it became clear that he is with March 14 forces” (February 13, 2009).

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. February 2010 Timeline Media|43

February 2010 Timeline in Lebanon BEN-GURION AIRPORT FOR RAFIC HARIRI AIRPORT; Aoun in Chouf; February 14 without Jumblat; MPs keep voting age at 21; Nasrallah in Damascus and Assad speaks of changing the Lebanese system

February was marked by six main on the issue of squatting in Dar al February 12: A conference at events, as indicated in the title. Fatwa and accusations against the the Antoniyeh University under the mufti. A statement said there will be patronage of Hariri titled “Premiership February 2: Salim Hoss calls on a report uncovering the facts by end in Lebanon: The position’s problems Mufti Mohammad Rachid Qabbani of February. and its horizons”. The conference was to resign or exonerate himself after In a speech on the 40th day of suspended after the withdrawal of allegations of corruption. mourning for Imam Hussein, Nasrallah sponsor Tareq Mitri after a speech by Israel releases a Lebanese shepherd thanks the Future Movement for their university vice president for cultural two days after kidnapping him from a position towards the kidnapping case affairs Pascale Lahoud at the opening farm in Bastra. of Sheikh Mohammad al-Majzoub in session in which she quoted from the Mikhail Gorbatchov visits Lebanon to Majdal A’anjar and praised the role Leadership Quarterly, the February 21, give a speech titled “Bringing down of security services. He called for 2010 issue, saying “Prime Minister the walls between the present and the “isolating takfiri movements”. Rafik Hariri was a productive and future”. Antonio Cassesse visits Lebanon. He said efficient leader, and he was also corrupt Michel Suleiman declares: “We’d the tribunal prepared a draft agreement but was not more corrupt than other rather hold parliamentary elections for judicial cooperation between it and leaders and certainly was more corrupt under the old law than postpone”. all countries in the region. than his competitor Salim Hoss.”

February 3: Assad meets Emile February 6: Nasrallah Sfeir in an February 13: Barack Obama Lahoud and his two sons, Ralph and interview with Al-Massira: “I will not telephones Hariri on the anniversary Emile. visit Syria unless I have the confession of Rafik Hariri’s assassination with me.” and reaffirms the United States’s February 4: Nabih Berri stated February 8: Berri visits Damascus and continued support for Lebanon’s after meeting the president: “I prefer meets Assad who declares that “Syria sovereignty and their commitment to to boycott the Arab summit in Libya.” is standing next to Lebanon in the face the implementation of UN resolutions Saad Hariri told Monte Carlo Radio: of any Israeli assault”. 1559, 1680 and 1701. “I am in constant contact with Assad February 9: Spanish King Juan Carlos Suleiman arrives in Cyprus for two and I will visit Damascus again.” arrives in Lebanon on a two-day visit. days. Geagea after visiting Hariri: “I put Hariri says in an interview with Al- Hariri in the picture of some of the February 11: Higher Shia’a Council Mustaqbal television and MTV: practices of some security services.” calls for the boycott of the Arab summit “Nothing separates between me and in Libya scheduled in March. March 14 except death. The international February 5: Assad in an interview Jumblat visits the Tashnag Party. tribunal resolves the assassinations and with Seymour Hersh in the New Yorker: Sfeir heads a celebration of the the division of Beirut in the municipal “The civil war in Lebanon could start anniversary of Mar Maroun in the elections is a never ending debate that in days. One cannot feel assured about presence of the three presidents. will not happen”. anything in Lebanon unless they change A celebration in Brad in Syria of Mar Elias Murr, after meeting his US the whole system.” The statement drew Maroun’s anniversary in the presence of counterpart in Washington, says: criticism from Lebanese opposing Syria Aoun, Lahoud and Suleiman Franjieh. “Washington decided to grant leading Damascus to issue a clarification Announcement of the lists of Lebanese Lebanon USD 267 million worth of in Al Hayat newspaper that change is voters who reached 3,326,046. The new military aid.” not imposed by Syria but is born out of number might be amended after the will of the Lebanese. carrying out the necessary correction. A meeting at the Grand Serail of former prime ministers to follow up

issue 93 - April 2010 44 |Media February 2010 Timeline February 15: Rally in Martyrs’ does not want war and does not seek it. Moussa says: “The possibility of Square on the anniversary of Hariri’s But in case of war I tell the Israelis: “If Israel launching an attack on Lebanon assassination. you attack Rafic Hariri International still stands.” Jumblat visits Hariri’s grave with Saad Airport in Beirut we will strike Ben- Hariri but dispatches his son Taymour Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv; if you attack February 21: Aoun visits Chouf and a number of ministers and MPs the ports in Lebanon we will strike your at Jumblat’s invitation and places a to the rally instead. There were only ports; and if you attack the oil refineries wreath at the statue of Sayyidet el-Tal four speakers at the rally: Saad Hariri: we will attack yours and if you attack instead of visiting the graves of Dani “My visit to Damascus is part of a the power stations we will attack your Cham’oun and his family and Kamil wide window opened by the Saudi king power stations and if you attack our Cham’oun in Deir el-Qamar due to the and I am careful to keep this window factories we will strike your factories.” opposition of Dory Cham’oun and his open”; Amine Gemayel: “For a Syrian William Burns meets Suleiman and supporters to this visit. performance based on equal ties”; Hariri, stressing that “his county will Fouad Siniora: “No to naturalization”; not support any progress in negotiations February 23: Parliament rejects Samir Geagea: “Weapons that exist in the region at the expense of a draft law to amend the constitution outside the control of the state are a Lebanon and it is committed to the full to lower the voting age from 21 to burden to Lebanon and we adhere to implementation of resolutions 1559, 18 following the abstention of 66 resolutions 425, 1559, 1680 and 1701.” 1680 and 1701”. MPs with 34 deputies voted for the Gerard Larcher arrives in Lebanon Aoun and Jumblat meet at the Lebanese change and one against it (Serge at the invitation of Berri and visits Embassy in Qatar. Toursarkissian). Sfeir and delivers an invitation to visit France. He describes Sfeir as “the man February 18: The government meets February 25: Suleiman is invited to of tough times”. in the Ba’abda Palace and decides to Moscow in order to look into arming adopt proportional representation in the Lebanese army and exchanging February 16: Loyalty to the the upcoming municipal elections. It promised grants for Russian MiG Resistance bloc visits Hariri. scheduled a session on February 27 to helicopters. Mohammad Ra’ad states: “We heard figure out how to implement it. Jumblat arrives in Turkey and meets Rafik Hariri’s words from his son At the opening of the second conference the Turkish prime minister. Saad.” for heart diseases and digestive system Nasrallah meets Jumblat on Sunday at the Zahra’ University Hospital February 26: A meeting in February 14 with Taymour and Akram Berri calls for the boycott of the Arab Damascus between Ahmadinejad Chehayeb. summit in Libya and calls on “the and Nasrallah. Ahmadinejad leads to A Hezbollah celebration with FPM partners in the homeland to admit that the statement: “Israel today is like a officials and supporters at the Al- the state that used to rule us has fallen snowball on a hot day.” Hikmeh School in Jdeidet el-Metn without return”. provokes an alert among the supporters A’amr Moussa arrives in Beirut on March 1: Suleiman announces in a of Lebanese Forces and Phalange. a two-day visit to discuss Lebanon’s statement the reformation of the national Clashes in the A’ain el-Helweh camp participation at the Arab summit. dialogue body increasing the number between ‘Isbat al-Ansar and Fatah kill of participants from 14 to 19. Members one person and injure another. February 19: Mahmoud who left the old body are: Ghassan Tueni, Ahmadinejad telephones Suleiman Boutrous Harb, Michel Murr and Elie February 17: Nasrallah, in a and Nasrallah and reaffirms his Skaff while the new members are: Najib speech to commemorate the deaths of support for Lebanon against Israel. Miqati, Farid Makari, Elias Murr, Michel Hezbollah leaders, says: “The resistance Council of Ministers declares March Far’oun, Jean Ogassapian, Assa’ad 25, the Annunciation of the Virgin Hardan, Suleiman Franjieh, Talal Arslan Mary, an official holiday. and Fayez al-Hajj Chahine. The decision A military tribunal sentences Israeli provoked opposition in Zahle and from agent Mahmoud Rafa’i to death former PM Omar Karami. during a session that was videoed, Hariri arrives in Qatar on a two-day in the first time ever since the 1962 visit and says in an interview with Al- trial of members of the Syrian Social Raya newspaper: “If I place my hand Nationalist Party. with anyone I keep it. I placed my Hariri meets Pope Benedict in Italy. hand in the hand of President Bashar Assad and I will preserve it.” issueiissussusuue 9933 - publpupubppublishedubluubbblishisheisisheshhheeddbydb bbyy IInInfInformationnnfformaormorormarrmmationttiotiionioonon IntIItInInternationalnntternaeerernrnnaattitiontioiioionononalal s s.a.l..a.l.a.a..ala.laa..ll. International Media Media|45 IRAQ 2010 ELECTIONS Voting under fire for another Western Experiment?

Once again, a nation walks through fire to give the West its ‘democracy’ Democracy doesn’t seem to work when countries are occupied by Western troops The Independent, Robert Fisk, Monday, March 8, 2010

“In 2005 the Iraqis walked in their tens or a “broad alliance” as the television How many Brits would go to the polls of thousands through the thunder of analysts were telling us – among under mortar fire? Or Americans, for suicide bombers, and voted – the Shias whomever of the 6,000 candidates from that matter? It’s not that Muslims don’t on the instructions of their clerics, 86 parties gain seats in parliament. But want freedom or democracy. It’s that the Sunnis sulking in a boycott – to all this means is that the next sectarian “democracy” doesn’t seem to work prove Iraq was a “democracy”. There government will hold power according when their countries are occupied followed the most blood-boltered to the percentage of Shia, Sunni and by Western troops. It didn’t work period in Iraq’s modern history. Kurdish communities in Iraq. in Afghanistan. The withdrawal of Yesterday, the Iraqis walked in their The West has always preferred this system American “combat” troops from Iraq tens of thousands through the thunder in the Middle East, knowing that such doesn’t mean that US forces won’t of mortar fire – at least 24 dead before “democracy” will produce governments remain in great strength… voting stations closed – to prove that according to the confessional power of …Thus yesterday’s election day in Iraq Iraq was a “democracy”. each community... does not represent further proof of the This time, the Sunnis did vote... …This may not be – in the State values of our Western democracies. It …Under Iraq’s new laws, the electoral Department’s laughable excuse – does mean that a courageous people still system has been jiggled to ensure that “Jeffersonian democracy”, but it’s the believes that the system under which it no single party can win power. There best we are going to get… is voting will honour its wishes.” has got to be a coalition, an alliance – …Yes, the Iraqis are a brave people.

In Iraq, a day of votes, violence U.S. PRESIDENT Washington Post, Ernesto Londoño and Leila Fadel, Monday, March 8, 2010 BARACK OBAMA IN A STATEMENT “BASRA, IRAQ -- On a day that began with the thundering explosion of insurgent “We mourn the tragic loss of life mortar rounds and ended with outbursts of celebratory gunfire by hopeful political today, and honor the courage and activists, millions of Iraqis voted Sunday to elect lawmakers who will rule this resilience of the Iraqi people who country for years as U.S. forces withdraw… once again defied threats to advance …Like past Iraqi elections, Sunday’s vote will almost certainly be followed by their democracy.” fierce and protracted jockeying as coalitions recalibrate alliances and wrangle over top jobs. The process is expected to drag on for months, with political fights DAVID MILIBAND, potentially spilling back into the streets and deepening sectarian and ethnic BRITISH FOREIGN divides as Iraqis enter an era in which the United States will be increasingly SECRETARY powerless to shape events… “It is too early to reach a conclusion …Obama reiterated his commitment to withdraw the remaining U.S. combat troops on the freedom and fairness of the from Iraq by the end of August. He added that the roughly 50,000 peacekeeping election or on turnout, but I can say troops remaining should be withdrawn by the end of 2011. Currently, there are that initial reports are encouraging fewer than 100,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. and that we and our EU partners Obama warned that continued violence in Iraq is probable in the coming weeks will be fair and open in our final and months, but he praised Iraqi security forces for showing greater capability to assessment.” manage those problems…. …Despite the day’s grim start, many Iraqis said they cast votes hoping they Reuters, Alistair Lyon, Monday, would usher in something better. Many here still call democracy an “American March 8, 2010 experiment.”

issue 93 - April 2010 46 | Arab World Focus ARAB PRESIDENTS AND KINGS Muammar al-Qadhafi the longest serving ruler!

rab states are either republics or monarchies but the president, the end result is settled. The majority of people vote common trait is continuance, for it is said that an Arab for the same president; for life in some cases. A ruler does not abandon his post unless by death or a coup d’etat. Coup d’etats have become unpopular over the The Monthly sought in this article to shed light on the reigns of past two decades compared to the 1960’s and 1970’s. As power and the terms of heads of the Arab states answering the for presidential elections, they are a mere formality in which question “who is the longest serving Arab president or king in presidents secure their positions with more than 80% of votes modern times?” in some cases. Although competing candidates can run for Table 1 shows the names of Arab presidents and monarchs and the date of their accession to power, starting with the oldest. Arab presidents and kings and the date of their accession to power Table 1 System of Date of Date of last presidential Arab states Last president or king accession to elections (constitutional Official results (% of votes) governance power length of mandate) Libya Republic Muammar al-Ghathafi (revolution leader) 1-9-1969 No presidential elections Oman Monarchy Qaboos bin Said 23-7-1970 Egypt Republic Mohammad Hosni Mubarak 14-10-1981 7-11-2005 88.6 Tunisia Republic Zine El Abidine Ben Ali 7-11-1987 25-10-2009 89.62 Sudan Republic Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir 30-6-1989 20-12-2000 86.5 Yemen Republic Ali Abdullah Saleh 22-5-1990 20-9-2006 77.2 Qatar Monarchy Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani 27-6-1995 Jordan Monarchy Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein 7-2-1999 Bahrain Monarchy Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa 6-3-1999 Algeria Republic Abdel Aziz Bouteflika 27-4-1999 9-4-2009 90.24 Djibouti Republic Ismail Omar Guelleh 8-5-1999 8-4-2005 100 Morocco Monarchy Mohammed VI Ben al-Hassan 23-7-1999 Syria Republic Bashar al-Assad 17-7-2000 10-5-2007 97.62 UAE Monarchy Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan 3-11-2004 Palestine Republic Mahmoud Abbas 15-1-2005 9-1-2005 62 (Gaza Strip) Iraq Republic Jalal Talabani 7-5-2005 7-5-2005 Selected by Parliament majority Saudi Monarchy Abdullah ben Abdel Aziz Al Saud 1-8-2005 Arabia Mauritania Republic Mohammad Ould Abdel Aziz (led a coup 3-8-2005 18-7-2009 52.58 against former president Ould Sid Ahmad Taya) Kuwait Monarchy Sabah Al -Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah 29-1-2006 Comoros Republic Ahmed Abdullah Mohamed Sambi1 26-5-2006 14-5-2006 58.4 Islands Lebanon Republic Michel Suleiman 25-5-2008 25-5-2008 Selected by Parliament majority Somalia Republic Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed 31-1-2009 31-1-2009 Selected by Parliament majority Source: Compiled by the Monthly team

The table above shows that 13 Arab presidents and monarchs The table also shows the following: have spent 10 years or more in power (as of March 31, 2010). Six presidents have spent around 20 years or more in power Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhaﬁ is considered the longest Seven presidents have spent around 10 years or more in power incumbent head of state in the world. He has been in post as Nine presidents have spent less than 10 years in power revolution leader for 40 years and six months followed Sultan Lebanon is distinguished for being one of the Arab states in Qaboos ben Sa’id who has been in power for 39 years and seven which a new president is elected every six years (except when months, by President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang the mandate is extended for an extra three years). However, only Nguema Mbasogo (August 3, 1978), President of Angola, the names of presidents in Lebanon change but the system and Jose Eduardo dos Santos (September 21, 1979), President the deeply-rooted confessional and tribal Lebanese structure of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe (April 18, 1980), and by the remain unchanged. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak who has been in power for 28 years and ﬁve months. 1 - The mandate was extended from four to five years following a constitutional amendment that was approved by a majority of 60 votes out of 84 on March 18, 2009. issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Index|47 REAL ESTATE INDEX IN LEBANON – FEBRUARY 2010

eal estate trading was at a stalemate in February that has been unprecedented for many years, Prices of some constructed properties sold in Table 2 Raccording to a number of workers in the sector. February There are two explanations for the situation: first, some Location Area (m2) Price (USD) USD/m2 believed that the prices were high but were expected Beirut to drop in the coming months which led them to Verdun 180 450,000 2,500 hold off purchasing properties. This is a misleading Wata Msaitbé 250 575,000 2,300 thought since the directions of the market point to an increase especially in Beirut, large cities and summer Raouché 210 651,000 3,100 destinations in light of the low number of displayed real Basta Tahta 120 180,000 1,500 estate and expectations for high demands in the coming UNESCO 300 1,140,000 3,800 months. The second reason for the stalemate is talk of Zarif 200 400,000 2,000 an imminent war in Lebanon and the region, leading A’ain el-Tiné 250 1,000,000 4,000 buyers to wait before purchasing properties. Tables 1 and 2 show the prices of land and apartments Ras Beirut 180 648,000 3,600 sold in February. Tallet el-Khayat 350 1,540,000 4,400 Saqiyet el-Janzeer 220 660,000 3,000 The prices of some of the real estate sold in Table 1 Ja’itaoui 125 250,000 2,000 February Tariq Jdeedé 220 264,000 1,200 Location Area (m2) Price (USD) USD/m2 Ba’abda Beirut Hadath 190 256,500 1,350 Bechoura 1,000 8,650,000 8,650 Mar Taqla 220 407,000 1,850 Zoqaq el-Blat 270 1,687,500 6,250 Ba’abda 170 357,000 2,100 Msaitbé 2,100 17,640,000 8,400 Ba’abda 280 546,000 1,950 Corniche Mazra’a 470 4,042,000 8,600 Yarzé 400 1,000,000 2,500 A’ain Mreissé 1,000 6,800,000 6,800 Metn Ba’abda Mteileb 210 336,000 1,600 Ba’abda 1,250 1,250,000 1,000 Jal el-Deeb 110 187,000 1,700 Mar Taqla 920 1,334,000 1,450 Rabié 350 770,000 2,200 Mar Taqla 800 880,000 1,100 Zalqa 150 150,000 1,000 Hadath 1,100 770,000 700 Mansouriet 200 250,000 1,250 Louayzé 600 480,000 800 Beit Meri 250 275,000 1,100 Metn Broummana 200 300,000 1,500 Beit Meri 1,000 700,000 700 Sin el-Fil 300 675,000 2,250 Broummana 1,700 935,000 550 A’aley A’ain Sa’adé 1,500 900,000 600 Daouhet el-Hoss 200 240,000 1,200 Bahr Saf 1,400 560,000 400 Daouhet A’aramoun 175 157,500 900 Mansouriyet 2,500 1,300,000 520 Bchamoun 150 165,000 1,100 Aoukar 750 487,500 650 A’aramoun 170 119,000 700 Btigreen 1,000 35,000 35 Bchamoun 140 140,000 1,000 Rabié 950 380,000 400 Kesrouane A’aley ‘Adma 240 336,000 1,400 A’ainab 1,000 150,000 150 ‘Adonis 190 190,000 1,000 Bchamoun 1,400 882,000 630 Sahel A’alma 200 240,000 1,200 A’aramoun 1,100 770,000 700 Zouq Mosbeh 160 176,000 1,100 Kesrouane Ballouné 130 156,000 1,200 A’ajaltoun 940 197,400 210 Kfarhbab 150 192,000 1,280 Zokq Mkeyil 700 560,000 800 Source: Information International – February 2010 Zouk Mousbeh 1,750 1,225,000 700 Qlaia’at 1,000 130,000 130 Source: Information International-February 2010

issue 93 - April 2010 48 |Index TOWARD A LEBANESE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: FEBRUARY 2010

nlike prices during January 2010 which were either stable or dropped (88 products), prices in February witnessed a notable increase. The prices of 42 items increased, those of 26 items dropped, and the prices of U32 items remained stable. The change affected all categories of products. The prices of some brands of oil increased whereas those of others remained stable, the same for grains and dairy products. Notably, the prices of pasta, tea, coffee and detergents were stable while those of cucumbers, tomatoes and lemon increased, and the prices of potatoes dropped. Table 1 shows the prices of consumer and food products in February 2010.

Price of consumer and food products in February Table 1 Price of consumer and food products in February 2010 (In LBP) 2010 (In LBP) Table 1 Prices Prices beginning Prices Prices beginning % of price beginning Item and brand of Item and brand of beginning % of price February of March change of March change 2010 February 2010 2010 2010 Oil Dairy Products Afia corn oil (3.5 liters) 11,370 12,750 +12.1 Candia full cream milk (1 liter) 2,600 2,500 -3.8 Mazola corn oil (3.5 liters) 12,500 13,650 +9.2 Candia full cream yoghurt (2 kg) 4,800 4,800 0 Mazola corn oil (2 liters) 6,750 6,900 +2.2 Bonjus labneh (1 kg) 3,900 3,750 -3.8 Slim corn oil (2 liters) 7,250 7,200 -0.68 Taanayel labneh (500 g) 5,250 5,000 -4.7 Wesson corn oil (2 liters) 8,000 8,500 +6.25 Candia labneh (500 g) 5,000 5,000 0 Ghandour soya oil (3.8 liters) 10,500 10,000 -4.76 Taanayel yoghurt (1 kg) 2,575 2,750 +6.8 Alfa corn oil (4 liters) 11,500 12,500 +8.7 Smeds cheese (400 g) 4,100 4,100 0 Al-Wadi Olive Oil (1/2 liters) 9,200 6,650 -27.7 Picon cheese (360 g) 3,525 3,250 -7.8 Ketchup and Seasonings Picon cheese (160 g) 1,725 1,725 0 Libby’s Ketchup (567 g) 2,875 3,000 +4.3 Double-crème cheese (1 kg) 6,400 5,500 14 Extra Ketchup (340 g) 1,500 1,000 -33.3 Fresh country cheese (1 kg) 6,000 8,000 +33.3 Extra Ketchup (2.2 kg) 5,550 4,830 -12.9 Khashkawan cheese (1 kg) 11,000 13,750 +25 Dolly’s Mayonnaise (500 ml) 3,850 3,900 +1.3 Lurpak butter (200 g) 2,500 2,250 10 Al-Wadi Mayonnaise (500 ml) 3,750 4,250 +13.3 Tatra butter (200 g) 2,250 2,250 0 Al-Bsat Tahina (900 g) 8,950 8,950 0 Al-Maalaqtain margarine (2 kg) 10,100 7,950 -21.3 Al-Bsat Tahina (450 g) 4,690 4,690 0 Al-Baqara al-Haloub 24,250 25,300 +4.3 Taous tomato sauce (70 g) 495 495 0 margarine (2kg) Vegetaline margarine (2 kg) 13,950 13,500 -3.2 Taous tomato sauce (425 g) 2,625 2,625 0 Nido full cream milk (bag) 19,250 19,000 -1.3 Tala tomato sauce (675 g) 2,500 2,550 +2 (2,250 g) Fruits and Vegetables Nido full cream milk (2,500 g) 25,250 23,100 -8.5 Orange (1 kg) 750 750 0 Tatra full cream milk (1,800 g) 17,600 17,500 -0.56 Tomatoes (1kg) 1,250 1,450 +16 Sugar and Salt Cucumbers (1kg) 800 2,000 +150 Sugar (2 kg) 2,750 3,450 +25.4 Bananas (1kg) 1,000 1,000 0 Al-Ousra Sugar (5 kg) 7,150 8,450 +18.2 Lemons (1kg) 500 700 +40 Salt (700 g) 500 500 0 Apples (1kg) 2,000 2,000 0 Box of salt (738 g) 1,100 1,100 0 Potatoes (1kg) 700 500 -28.5

issue 92 - published by Information International s.a.l. Index|49 Price of consumer and food products in February Price of consumer and food products in February 2010 (In LBP) Table 1 2010 (In LBP) Table 1 Prices Prices beginning Prices beginning Prices Item and brand of beginning % of price Item and brand of beginning % of price February of March change February of March change 2010 2010 2010 2010 Cereals Pasta Khater white lentils (1 kg) 2,700 3,750 +38.8 Barilla spaghetti (500 g) 2,050 2,050 0 Khater chick-peas fahli (1 kg) 3,100 3,000 -3.2 Antonio Amato spaghetti (500 g) 2,850 2,850 0 Khater beans (1 kg) 1,750 2,000 +14.28 Monte spaghetti (500 g) 2,150 2,150 0 Peeled wheat (1 kg) 1,500 2,000 +33.3 Meat, Fish and Eggs Pineal Lima Bean (1 kg) 3,000 3,500 +16.6 Zwan chicken (200 g) 2,250 2,500 +11.1 Brown Fine Burgul (1 kg) 1,640 2,200 +34.1 Zwan beef (200 g) 2,200 2,200 0 Egyptian rice (1 kg) 2,000 1,500 -25 Luncheon meat beef (198 g) 1,680 1,140 -32.1 American rice (1 kg) 2,100 2,500 +19 Al-Mona chicken (200 g) 1,900 2,100 +10.5 Italian rice (1 kg) 2,300 2,500 +8.7 Al-Taghzia beef (200 g) 1,750 1,925 10 Al-Wadi Hommos Tahina (380 g) 1,200 1,250 +4.1 Al-Taghzia chicken (200 g) 1,750 1,750 0 Chtaura Hommos Tahina (380 g) 950 1,200 +26.3 Geisha sardine (125 g) 1,000 1,000 0 California Gardens beans (450 g) 1,000 1,250 +25 Deli sardine (125 g) 950 990 +4.2 Al-Wadi beans (450 g) 1,000 1,200 +20 Milo sardine (125 g) 990 990 0 Chtaura beans (480 g) 1,000 1,200 +20 Geisha tuna (200 g) 2,250 4,000 +77.7 Libby’s corn (340 g) 1,400 1,450 +3.5 White Bell tuna (200 g) 2,150 2,100 2.3 Tissues and Detergents White Diamond tuna (200 g) 2,050 2,250 +9.7 Mimosa tissues (500 g) 2,500 2,600 +4 Skipper tuna (185 g) 1,750 1,750 0 Fine tissues (200 tissues) 1,200 1,200 0 Eggs (30 eggs) 7,000 7,500 +7.1 Primo tissues (200 tissues) 1,200 1,500 +25 Beef (1 kg) 12,000 12,000 0 Gipsy tissues (300 tissues) 2,450 2,300 -6.1 Sheep (1 kg) 18,000 18,000 0 Mimosa toilet papers (4 rolls) 2,400 2,750 +14.5 Coffee and Tea Yes detergent (900 g) 2,250 2,250 0 Najjar coffee (1kg) 12,250 12,250 0 Clorox (1 liter) 1,450 1,450 0 Brazil coffee (1 kg) 10,500 10,500 0 Persil (4 kg) 17,900 17,900 0 Al-Hisan tea (180 g) 2,450 2,450 0 Ariel (4 kg) 18,250 18,250 0 Nestle (250g) 2,100 2,500 +19 Halvah and Jam Al-Wadi halvah (454 g) 4,250 3,850 -9.4 Al-Bsat halvah (450 g) 4,200 3,250 -22.6 Chtaura apricot jam (1 kg) 6,400 4,620 -27.8 Al-Wadi apricot jam (1 kg) 5,500 4,350 -20.9 Source: Information International

issue 93 - April 2010 Did you know that? Unusual Animal Facts

A Polar bears are left-handed and their livers are extremely poisonous, containing too much Vitamin C. A Sharks seem to be the only animals that are never sick. They are immune to all known diseases, including cancer. A A lion can mate up to 50 times a day. A Cats can sleep up to 16 hours a day. A Rats top the list of animals that can survive without; the camels come second. Another fascinating fact about camels is that their milk does not curd. A The eyes of the donkey enable it to see all four feet of its feet the same time. A The venom in one poison arrow frog can kill approximately 2,200 people. A Crocodiles swallow large stones that remain in their stomachs and are used as ballast in diving. A A cockroach can stay alive for up to nine days without its head, before it dies. A The call of a blue whale reaches up to 188 decibels, which can be heard from hundred of miles underwater, thus entitling it to be the loudest animal on earth. The second loudest animals are http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/photos/ the howler monkeys. A A dolphin consumes the equivalent to 2/3 its weight, every day. A A newborn kangaroo’s is as small as that of a coffee bean. Beirut International Airport Traffic at Rafic Hariri International Airport-February 2010 A 1.6% monthly and 22% yearly increase

Traffic at Rafic Hariri International Airport traffic in February 2010 compared to January 2010 and February 2009 Table 1 Airport dropped by 8.2% in February February % of change % of change February 2010 compared to Traffic January 2010 2010 2009 January/ January/ February February January 2009 due to the fact Arriving airplanes 2,557 2,254 1,748 -11.8 +29 that February is made up of 3 Departing airplanes 2,577 2,258 1,743 -12.4 +29.5 days less than the month of January. The first half of January Total # of airplanes 5,134 4,512 3,491 -12.1 +29.2 has witnessed a large number Arriving passengers 157,174 167,477 139,412 +6.5 +20.1 of departures due to the end-of- Departing passengers 208,514 169,318 137,011 -18.8 +23.6 year holiday season. However, if Total # of passengers 4,006 2,442 2,322 -39 +5.1 31 days are counted for February, Total # of passengers 369,694 339,237 278,745 -8.2 +21.7 the number of passengers would Imported goods (per ton) 2,971 3,342 2,998 +12.5 +11.5 have increased by 1.6%. In Exported goods (per ton) 2,320 2,653 2,230 +14.4 +19 comparison to February 2009, Total amount of goods (per ton) 5,291 5,995 5,228 +13.3 +14.7 traffic has increased by 21.7%. Source: Information International and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

issue 93 - published by Information International s.a.l. Stats & Numbers | 51

StatsNumbers&

A LBP 18 billion were granted by the Lebanese government to the Council for Development and Reconstruction as an advance towards the maintenance and operation of the Rafik Hariri University City in Hadath at an average of USD 1 million a month.

A LBP 44 billion of credit was allocated for the medical care of members and families of Internal Security Forces in 2010. The figure includes a credit of LBP 1.4 billion for the medical care of prisoners. The largest contracts were with each of the Hammoud Hospital in Saida (LBP 2.8 billion), Hotel-Dieu (LBP 2.5 billion), Saint George Hospital (LBP 2 billion), Bahman in the southern suburbs (LBP 1.7 billion), Nini Hospital in Trablous (LBP 1.5 billion) and Train Station- Tripoli Al-Hayat for the medical care of prisoners Photo by Lynn Abdouni 2009 (LBP 700 million). Other publications by Other publications by INMA (in Arabic): Information International: A USD 28.4 billion in loans were issued 1-“I am Responsible, All of Us are Responsible” by the banking sector in 2009 to the private 1-Salaries and Remunerations in the Public Sector 2-Public Seaside Properties 2-“Our Environment is Our Home” sector, for residents and non residents. in 3-Lebanon’s Parliamentary History 1920-2000 3-“My Society is My Responsibility” 2009. 1.8% of borrowers received 75% of 4-Taxes and Fees 4-“My Society is My Responsibility” Workbook loans, which means that most lending was 5-Lebanon in Figures 1992-2002 5-“I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards done to specific groups. 6-Lebanon in Figures 2003-2004 State Building” 7-Lebanon in Figures 2005-2006 6-“I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards Lebanon’s MPs and Lebanese Parliamentary State Building” Workbook A USD 180 million is the value of two 8- 7-“Lebanon Wars, why?” contracts to operate the mobile phone Elections 1960 - 2009 9- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, 8-Discrimination in Lebanon sector for a whole year, awarded to two candidate and confession-North District operating companies, including USD 60 10- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, million as a fixed amount and USD 120 candidate and confession-Beirut District million representing 8.5% of achieved 11- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, revenues (monthly). The latter amount may candidate and confession-Mount Lebanon vary according to revenue. District 12- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, candidate and confession-Beqa’a District 13- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, candidate and confession-South and Nabatiyeh District To subscribe: Al-Borj Building, 4th Floor, Martyrs Square The following statement published in The Monthly, issue number 92, page number 51: “USD 728 million Beirut Central District Telephone: 961-1-983008/9 961-3-262376 was the profit made by the three largest Lebanese banks in 2009 (compared to USD 6,211 million in 2008 Fax: 961-1-980630 marking a 18.9% increase) amounting to 60% of total profit made by the banking sector” is not correct. The [email protected] correct statement is: “USD 728 million was the profit made by the three largest Lebanese banks in 2009 www.iimonthly.com www.information-international.com (compared to USD 621.1 million in 2008 marking a 18.9% increase) amounting to 60% of total profit made © Information International SAL All rights reserved by the banking sector”. License No. 180/2003 Responsible Director: Hala Saghbini Letters of Kahlil Gibran to Josephine Peabody A book by Salim Mujais

utub ltd. has published a new book on Gibran Kahlil Gibran prepared by Dr. Salim Mujais entitled “The Prophet’s Fairy”. The Kbook is a collection of documents and the correspondence between Gibran and his first love, American author Josephine Peabody. It includes letters written in English between 1899 and 1908, and translations by Mujais into Arabic. The book, which contains 82 letters and a collection of private papers for Peabdy, publishes for the first time details on Gibran’s life as an expatriate in America. Mujais thoroughly analyzed these documents which were archived in the Harvard University library.

Since his death on April 10, 1931, books published about Gibran have been numerous. What Mujais accomplished in his book is not just a narration of the relationship between Gibran and Peabody. He went further to explain the circumstances that surrounded this relationship and how it developed until it reached a dead end when Josephine got married, and was severed in 1908.

Peabody destroyed many of the letters that Gibran sent to her but preserved her diaries and parts of a text from the “Spiritual” that sheds plenty of light on this intimate relationship with the person she called “the Syrian boy”. Mujais also relied on Gibran’s main texts to offer an explanation of the relationship in Gibran’s words. He chose excerpts from Gibran’s Complete Works, published in 1964 in Beirut, on Gibran’s first love:

“I was 18 years old when love opened my eyes with its magical rays and touched my soul for the first time with its fiery fingers … what boy doesn’t remember the first girl who exchanged his youth’s negligence for an awakening that is overwhelming with a kindness that is cutting with its charm, fatal with its sweetness?”

Mujais presented the letters in chronological order. He listed Gibran’s letters first according to their dates and then cross-references them with Josephine’s diaries and with texts from her “Spiritual” manuscript. Mujais then included some poems in the narration where he saw it appropriate. He also selected samples from Gibran’s writings that resembled the content of his letters to Josephine or her letters to him.

“The Prophet’s Fairy: Documents and Correspondence of Gibran’s First Love”, without a doubt, adds valuable information about Gibran Kahlil Gibran unknown until Mujais placed it in its historical context and published it. This book, and two others - one by the late Tawfi al-Sayegh about the relationship and correspondence between Gibran and Mary Haskell, and another, “Al-Sho’ala al-Zarqa’a”, containing Gibran’s letters to May Ziadeh - are the most significant primary sources uncovering the intimate relationships between Gibran and his female admirers and lovers.

NOW AVAILABLE ON WWW.KUTUBLTD.COM