issue number 141 |April 2014 PERIOD FOR FINALIZING THE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT LEBANON’S KEY INDICES FOR 2013 THE MONTHLY INTERVIEWS MOHAMMAD KHALED QAWBAR www.iimonthly.com Published by Information International sal

DRUG USE AND TRAFFICKING IN LEBANON

Lebanon 5,000LL | Saudi Arabia 15SR | UAE 15DHR | Jordan 2JD| Syria 75SYP | Iraq 3,500IQD | Kuwait 1.5KD | Qatar 15QR | Bahrain 2BD | Oman 2OR | Yemen 15YRI | Egypt 10EP | Europe 5Euros April INDEX 2014

4 DRUG USE AND TRAFFICKING IN LEBANON

12 PERIOD FOR FINALIZING THE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT IN LEBANON (1960-2014)

15 LEBANON’S KEY INDICES FOR 2013

17 GAS PIPELINE AT LBP 685 BILLION

18 DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF CADASTRAL AFFAIRS

21 PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA

22 MARRIAGE OF FEMALE MINORS BETWEEN LAW P: 28 P: 24 AND RELIGION

24 FOUAD CHEHAB

26 CHOLESTEROL TREATMENT: DR. HANNA SAADAH

27 HOW TO FLY WITHOUT FEAR?: DR. MICHEL NAWFAL

28 INTERVIEW: MOHAMMAD KHALED QAWBAR HEAD OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF SIBLINE

30 LEBANON’S ANIMAL ENCOUNTER CENTER

32 POPULAR CULTURE P: 22 33 DEBUNKING MYTH#80: THE GENETIC FACTORS BEHIND BREAST CANCER 46 ON THE BELIEFS AND PLOTS 34 MUST-READ BOOKS: TURN THE PAGE, FELLOW OF AL-QAEDA

35 MUST-READ CHILDREN’S BOOK: I LOVE FRUIT 49 REAL ESTATE PRICES- FEBRUARY 2014

36 LEBANON FAMILIES: FAMILIES DENOTING 50 DID YOU KNOW THAT?: NATURAL LEBANESE TOWNS (13) DISASTERS

37 DISCOVER LEBANON: QABEET 50 RAFIC HARIRI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TRAFFIC - JANUARY 2014 38 DISCOVER THE WORLD: REPUBLIC OF GUYANA 51 LEBANON’S STATS 39 FEBRUARY 2014 HIGHLIGHTS

43 THIS MONTH IN HISTORY- LEBANON THE GOVERNMENT OF AMIN AL-HAFEZ CONFIDENCE SESSION NOT CONVENED

45 THIS MONTH IN HISTORY- ARAB WORLD REVOLUTION OF RASHID ALI EL-KEILANY IN IRAQ- APRIL 1941 |EDITORIAL

THE LEBANESE ARE BETTER THAN WE THINK THEY ARE

How do we balance between what we know in theory How close are we to that state and how can we and how we live in practice? Ironically, the powers and prevent it? We have the willingness, the capabilities technologies that have transformed the world into a and the opportunities. And with brains in our head global village have partly contributed to our segregation and feet in our shoes, there shouldn’t be room for into separate clans, tribes and sectarian groups. How despair. Unfortunately, our media’s preoccupation can we satanize and eliminate the other person? How with mediocre politics and entertainment has thrust can we reduce him into nobody, into a bitter enemy, numerous success stories into the shadows. Em Sherif, despite our knowledge that the self and the self of the owner of a renowned gastronomic restaurant in Beirut, other are one? How dare we speak of “coexistence” and is one of many such stories. She owes her success to “civil order” while we fail to have the simplest dialogue none of the Zu’ama “We, the Lebanese, are second to none,” we repeat to off the handle if someone begs to differ with us. Where ourselves, taking pride in what’s not ours. Soon after, is our scale of values? What is our point of reference? we switch into a state of frustration and complain Do we use the same standards in evaluating issues and saying “we’ve never been good enough.” politicians irrespective of our personal interests? The fact of the matter is that we are neither as great nor Let us go back to the riverbed. Let us recall the days as degraded as we think we are. We are better than we when we had a school on the scenic banks of that river. The days when cascading rivers existed. Let us to comprehending our history and ourselves. Let us look go back to 3000 years BC when there were archives, up to South Africa and draw lessons from how it was ownership systems and governing laws from Sumer able to attain social cohesion, rather than “coexistence”, to Ugarit to Babylon and let us ponder what went through notions of confession and forgiveness. Inside us wrong. Let us contemplate why we awaited the arrival lies far more virtue than we could ever imagine. of Western missions to start organized schools in the nineteenth century and why we waited that long to see Amidst this living hell, and despite the absence of the females enroll in schools. Let us ask ourselves how state and the decline of its services, from electricity can we live in a country where the sick and the injured to water to public education and transport to lack of are left to die on the doorstep of the hospital due to legislation, we have managed not to err, clinging to lofty poverty and to lack of health coverage and where the intrinsic norms and values that we have chosen to self- youth aspire to nothing but emigration? Is the havoc enforce of our own volition. Theft rates for instance are in which we are wallowing today an eternal doom? As far lower in Lebanon than in many countries that enjoy the centenary of World War I approaches, let us recall far better security and living conditions. Imagine the the words of Gebran Khalil Gebran 100 years ago: !" amidst continuous blackouts and in the absence of “My people died on the cross… ## They died while their hands stretched toward the East police. We have adapted and adopted a self-critical and West, while the remnants of their eyes stared at system that has outplayed the depleted state system. the blackness of the Firmament. Yet, our generations, old and young, strive for change They died silently, for humanity had closed its ears not adaptation. Let us then explore our history through to their cries. facts and documentation and cease to view it as a residue of tales of patron saints versus devils. If we are They died because they did not befriend their enemy. to herald real change and state-building, we ought to They died because they loved their neighbors… They remember that paying allegiance to sects and Zua’ma died because they placed trust in all humanity. They # died because they did not oppress the oppressors. #"$O# to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.” and not the crushing feet. They died because they were peacemakers. They perished from hunger in a land rich with milk and honey.” 4 | LEADER DRUG USE AND TRAFFICKING IN LEBANON

The prevalence of substance abuse seems to be increasing with time. Despite the huge awareness campaigns and the laws that impose sanctions on both the drug !" # # unreported could be twice as high as those that lead to arrest and prosecution.

! The police recorded 1225 incident reports relating to the misuse of illegal drugs in 2013, up by 5.4% from '()')(*+/'((+)678*

The 2013 reports on drug dealing totaled 860 compared to 703 in 2012 and 545 in 2005, up by 22.3% and 57.8% respectively.

)### 2005 and 2013:

Number of offences resulting from the misuse of drugs and their trafficking between 2005 Table 1 and 2013 % of change % of change Incident reports 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2012/13 2005/2013 Drug use 1369 820 873 834 908 1323 960 1162 1225 +5.4 -10.5

Drug trafficking 545 437 611 593 781 763 680 703 860 +22.6 +57.8 Source: Internal Security Forces records

$%& Studies conducted on a sample of detained drug Between 41 and 50: 14% users in the past few years revealed that the most Between 51 and 60: 10% consumed substances are: Above 60: 3% Cannabis (available at affordable prices): 39% Heroin: 30% With respect to their social status, 43% of addicts Cocaine: 18% were married against 57% who were single. There Narcotics: 13% was an overwhelming majority of men among substance abusers, 80%, while females accounted By age, most drug addicts across samples were for 20% of the sample. According to their socio- between 21 and 30 years of age. economic status, a large number of addicts, 47%, Under 20 years of age: 25% came from a low socio-economic background, Between 21 and 30: 32% against 25% from a middle class and 28% from a Between 31 and 40: 16% high social background.

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Unveiling major drug smuggling cases (2012-2013)

$'*+,*% Security forces arrested two to having swallowed 55 capsules of cocaine, Lebanese men and a woman on drug use and weighing around 800 grams, and to have taken a smuggling charges. 41.6 grams of cocaine and "`# heroin were found on the drug mules. capsules, all in exchange for USD 7500.

$ */ *+,*% Security forces found 4 ** *+,/% Airport Security arrested a narcotics stuffed inside a potato while inspecting Lebanese national holding a Venezuelan passport the luggage of a prison inmate in the Nabatieh after seizing 4300 grams of cocaine from his two prison. double-padded bags. The detainee said that the drugs had been sent from a Brazilian man to his 4 ,5 *+,/: Airport Security arrested nephew in Tunisia and that he had been assigned J O P Q to smuggle them from Tunisia to Lebanon in Airport for attempting to smuggle 4730 grams exchange for USD 20,000. He was supposed to of narcotic pills into the Kingdom of Saudi swap the bags with a member of Al-Masri family Arabia. The smuggler claimed that he had been from the town of Kfartaala for USD 140,000. given the bag containing the drugs by another He also admitted to smoking cannabis and to Syrian, who had moved with him from Syria to obtaining the drug from a Lebanese dealer living Chtoura and had paid for his ticket to deliver the in Baalbeck in the Sherwani neighborhood. baggage as a gift to a Saudi. 4*8*+,/% A 27-year-old Lebanese female 4 *6 *+,/: Security forces arrested was arrested in Dahr el-Baidar for possessing 3 two Egyptian nationals and one Lebanese after grams of weed. foiling their attempt to smuggle 5530 Tramadol pills weighing 2200 grams from Lebanon to ",/*+,/% Two Syrians, known by R##OPQV* their initials K.K. and F.K., were arrested for attempting to smuggle approximately 50 pills of 7 ,/ *+,/: Airport Security thwarted an Captagon to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. attempt to smuggle 7,750 grams of heroin packed in three nylon bags to Belgium. X-ray " /+ *+,/% Security forces arrested ### ## # two Lebanese, known by their initials M.G. and packed in the smuggler’s bags as “suspicious” W.G. in Bhamdoun on charges of manufacturing and upon checking them out, it turned out that and smuggling drugs and seized 940 kilograms they contained 3,850 grams of heroin stuffed of cocaine and 1580 Captagon pills from a third * accomplice A.S. who was arrested the next day. smuggle the drugs in order to pay off a sum of Investigations revealed that the detainees had USD 40,000 he had borrowed at a 10% interest imported their Captagon ingredients from Syria rate from a Lebanese residing in Belgium, and used a special machine to manufacture the following the decline in his car business. drug. The creditor allowed him to settle his debt by smuggling bags of drugs from Belgium to 9,:*+,/% Airport Security arrested a Germany in exchange for 10,000 Euros. Lebanese woman with the initials D.K.D. for attempting to smuggle 165 grams of weed to the 7 ,8 *+,/% Security agents arrested a Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in her underwear. The [\OPQ woman was allegedly promised USD 150,000 Airport on drug smuggling charges. After his from a man with the initials W.T. to carry out ] V^# _ the operation so that she could pay off her bank abdominal radiography, the detainee admitted debts.

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DRUG FACTS

I- SYNTHETIC DRUGS:

1. HEROIN

=>& 9 *, *+,/% Security forces seized two Heroin is a toxin synthesized from morphine, more truckloads of weed in the houses of T.S. and R.T precisely through the acetylation of morphine. It in Ainata, Al-Arz. )8th century and is known for suppressing the central nervous system. 9 /, *+,/: Airport Security arrested a The dry heroin base is a solid material colored Syrian national for attempting to smuggle 2765 between grey and brown, whereas pure heroin Captagon pills in a double padded bag on his is a white powder that can be sniffed, smoked or way to Kuwait. The smuggler who worked injected after being dissolved and heated. for a delivery service in Kuwait was given the bag by a Syrian national in Damascus and was supposed to await a call upon his arrival in Kuwait to deliver it to the intended recipient.

; ,< *+,/: Airport security agents arrested a Kuwaiti national for attempting to smuggle 136,000 Captagon pills packed in a box of coffee beans destined for Kuwait.

; *+ *+,/: Security forces arrested eight Syrian nationals and two Lebanese on charges of possessing 626 Captagon pills.

$**+,/% Customs agents thwarted an attempt to smuggle 6850 grams of cocaine from Brazil into Lebanon and arrested the suspect, a Brazilian national who was supposed to swap ?@> the cocaine with a Lebanese accomplice for Skin redness and heat. USD 10,000 dollars. Constricted pupils Nausea and vomiting $ ,6 *+,/% Security agents seized Itching 3.4 kilograms of Captagon from the Jordanian Eyeball protrusion national S.S. who was intending to smuggle the Over-production of tears pills into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for USD Runny nose 3000. Dry mouth Heavy limbs

Later, heroin addicts drift into a state of slumber # heartbeats and lower blood pressure. Thinking becomes foggy.

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7@> Heroin is primarily used to evoke euphoria and Cocaine can be taken in many ways. Either it is ecstasy. The feelings of euphoria vary depending # on the amount of the drug consumed. When heroin thin lines (3 to 5 cm long) for snorting or injected is injected, the feeling of euphoria reaches the brain intravenously, in which case it is called “coke”. in seconds; when smoked, the effect takes about 10 When smoked, it becomes known as “crack”, a minutes. name inspired from the sound created when the sodium bicarbonate residues heat up. A>B If consumed on a daily basis, heroine can lead to @C addiction in a matter of a few weeks. The effects of cocaine appear almost immediately "* within a few minutes- sometimes less- of the drug " PQ[ being injected, and last between 30 minutes and due to injections performed with unsafe needles. two hours. The effects are not as quick to appear Heroin overdose leads to death. when the drug is snorted but they linger much longer. Among these effects we might mention: Euphoric feelings that leave the addict elated 2. COCAINE and feeling powerful. Hyper-energy. =C& Boost in concentration. Cocaine was discovered in the mid 19th century. Anxiety and insomnia. It is a stimulant extracted from the Erythroxylum Headache. coca plant native to South America. This medium Loquacity. sized Coca is cultivated in the Andes Mountains, "* located along the western coast of South America Decline in appetite. # #V# R " Chile, Columbia, Venezuela and the Amazon Larger doses of cocaine induce additional effects Basin. The drug, which was used in the past for the such as hallucination, muscle spasms and shivering. purposes of local anesthesia, is now considered one of the most expensive toxins. ACB Cocaine consumption takes its toll on several body functions. It accelerates heartbeats and increases blood pressure. It also tightens the blood vessels carrying oxygen to the heart, thus raising the possibility of a heart attack. Sudden death might occur if cocaine and alcohol are taken simultaneously. It narrows the brain’s blood vessels, thus raising the possibility of a stroke or an epileptic seizure. Snorting the drug harms nasal tissues and cavities and crack cocaine can damage the lungs. It narrows stomach and intestinal blood vessels, thus leading to gastric ulcers. High blood pressure and muscular degeneration impair the kidneys. It reduces sexual desire for both men and women.

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" @@? HIV due to injections performed with unsafe Induced euphoria. needles. Hyperactivity and agitation. Weight-loss due to lack of appetite. Higher levels of alertness. Decline in exhaustion. Addiction Incredibly high spirits. With the frequent use of cocaine, the brain begins Loquacity. to adapt and the individual becomes needful of ever Superpower illusions. higher doses of the drug to register the same level Engagement in reckless and hostile behavior, of pleasure experienced during initial use, until regardless of the consequences. * ] both physical and mental and users often face grim Brain imaging reveals that ecstasy alters the brain symptoms when they try to quit. These symptoms chemistry by increasing the levels of Serotonin, include: which translates into extreme mood swings, hostile Weakness and fatigue ## Anxiety and depression and irregular pain sensitivity. Lack of concentration Shivering The effects of ecstasy on the brain are felt within Suicidal tendencies one hour and the normal dose lasts about 4 to 6 hours. However, the come-down from ecstasy use may take several days- sometimes weeks- before 3. ECSTASY PILLS it subsides. In some cases, it causes permanent physical and mental disorders. Ecstasy is considered a relatively modern drug. It is commonly known among users and dealers The dehydration and hyperthermia associated with by its shortened names of “E” or “X”. Ecstasy is ecstasy are a main cause of death. usually manufactured by a number of clandestine unlicensed European factories and is often available as pressed tablets and capsules, some of them 4. MARIJUANA embossed with designs and logos, or as crushed powder that can be snorted or dissolved and =7F& then injected. The components of this drug were When the concentration of THC, the principal )8'()8€( active compound in the cannabis plant, is too low that it was manufactured and marketed. Ecstasy to obtain hashish, the leaves of the plant are dried, production is not a complicated process. rolled and crushed to derive marijuana. This drug is usually smoked but it can be mixed with food or brewed as a tea. Marijuana effects are felt within minutes and may linger for 3 to 4 hours.

?@7F The effects observed in marijuana users are numerous. We single out the following: Accelerated heartbeats. Higher blood pressure. Red eyes. Slurred speech. Higher respiratory rates. Xerostomia (dry mouth).

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Slower reaction time. 5. LSD Increased appetite. ="$& 7@7F LSD, an abbreviation of Lysergic Acid Euphoria. Diethylamide, is a colorless and odorless drug most Losing all notions of time. notorious for inducing hallucinations. It may be "* delivered in a liquid form through injections, in Irrationality. tablet form, or orally usually on a blotting paper. Short-term memory loss. Less commonly, it is administered as eye drops. Anxiety. Depression. A dose of no more than 40 micrograms of !J ## The effects last usually for a few hours, but some of hallucinations. The primary effect of the drug is them may linger until the following day. then to stimulate changes in the user’s mental state, *# # doses, lacing stickers and postage stamps with the hallucinogen, so that users can lick or them.

A7FB However mild it seems when compared to other drugs, the excessive use of marijuana can have a number of serious implications: Heavy use of marijuana reduces men’s testosterone levels, thus lowering sperm "$@ production and harming fertility. LSD effects are unpredictable and vary from one V* person to another. They appear within 30 minutes Contrary to the popular belief, withdrawal from and may last for 12 hours. They include: marijuana may lead to depression, anxiety, loss Hallucinations, whereby the user perceives of appetite and aggressive tendencies. imaginary images and sounds as real. Amotivational syndrome whereby the person Delusions. exhibits apathy towards everything losing the Sharpened senses. drive to work, learn, eat or even groom. Retrieval of old memories. Using marijuana during pregnancy increases the Accelerated heart rate and higher blood risk of spontaneous abortions and may affect the pressure. baby’s growth and health. Xerostomia (dry mouth).

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Insomnia and irregular sleep patterns. Fever. Excessive sweating. Loss of appetite. Dilation of the pupils. Loss of notions of time.

A"$B Although LSD is non-addictive, it is known to cause chronic brain damage, even if only used once. LSD exposes the brain to: " sensory perceptions, delusional beliefs and thought disorders. Flashbacks where the user relives the symptoms he experienced upon initial use of the hallucinogen. Flashbacks may occur for days and sometimes years.

6. MORPHINE Currently, morphine is only recommended in the event of advanced cases of cancer, severe heart Morphine is the primary active chemical component attacks, major burns or traumas. It is usually * Q prescribed in small doses for a short period of time. nineteenth century but it wasn’t until 1817 that the drug was marketed and given its present name by a $"@7 German scientist. This analgesic is named after the Euphoria, self-contentment, lack of physical Greek god of dreams, Morpheus. pain. Calm, indolence and the urge to sleep. The process of extracting crude morphine base from Abundant nasal discharge and mouth dryness. opium involves dissolving opium in boiling water Itching all over the body. then adding lime (calcium oxide) and ammonium # * Q CG" be extracted directly from the poppy straw and Nausea, vomiting and spasms. from the dried poppy capsules still holding opium. Neuronal agitation, insomnia and anxiety. Crude morphine base is a coffee-colored powder. Chronic diarrhea. High blood pressure. According to scientists, morphine is among the Fluctuating blood sugar levels. drugs that may become habit-forming, causing Urinary disorders and sexual weakness. mental and physical dependence. Acute withdrawal Deterioration of the socioeconomic status and symptoms are likely to appear in case of abstinence, decline in productivity. which requires careful treatment and medical supervision. Users who abstain from morphine suffer from a slew of symptoms that last between 24 and 48 It is agreed among scientists that there are many hours. These symptoms include anxiety, excessive legitimate uses of morphine in the medical and sweating and an overriding craving for the drug. #*‚# Addicts also report severe pains in bones and perilous substance that can cause quick and severe muscles and many of them resort to taking lethal addiction, which is why strict medical measures )((#7)' have been taken to limit its use and marketing. hours after withdrawal.

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II- NATURAL DRUGS: The fake feelings of well-being, mental alertness and excitement induced by khat intake are replaced a few hours later with mental inactivity, depression 1. CATHA EDULIS (KHAT) *Q Khat is an ever-green perrenial shrub that adapts khat addiction increases blood glucose and exposes to different soil conditions and resists diseases and users to the risk of diabetes. climate variability. Its young leaves are a crimson- green, later turning to yellowish green. Khat 2. OPIUM grows wild in the humid mountainous regions of East and South Africa, in the southern part of the Opium is a drug extracted from the opium poppy V " „ R* Q and processed to produce heroin. According to UN is cultivated in Yemen and Ethiopia. Khat is not sources, Afghanistan is currently the main producer subject to international control although two of its of opium. Opium has several street names and it is psychoactive ingredients, Cathinone and Cathine, extracted from the seed capsules of the opium poppies are scheduled substances under the Convention on by making shallow incisions around the center of the "J)8€)* pod in the early morning. A milky liquid will form droplets around the incision. It will coagulate slowly Khat leaves are chewed slowly and intermittently from contact with the air, thickening and turning into a ball, which is kept for a while in the cheek to brown at the same time. Opium is an anesthetic release the active components in the juice, which substance used to deaden the pain, particularly during is then swallowed with saliva. Chewers drink cold surgeries or while administering cancer treatment. It water during their chewing sessions, which usually contains 25 different substances including, morphine, occur in groups. Chewers consume khat indoors narcotine, papverine, codeine, etc. ## sensation of cold caused by the plant.

$"@9 Euphoria and delusional feelings of comfort. Relief of pain and anxiety and loss of tactile sensation. H Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Ulcers develop in the mouth of khat addicts, at the base Fast heart rate that soon changes into slow heart of their gums and tongues, which can cause an offensive rate with low blood pressure. ## Narrow pupils and conjunctivitis. well as teeth problems. Indigestion, loss of appetite, constipation and malnutrition are all observed in Khat CG" addicts, which explains the weakness and debility of Mental slowness and hesitation in decision making. most of them. The chemicals present in Khat lead to Respiratory depression, which may lead to death. tachycardia and tighten blood vessels which may result Lack of immunity and higher risk of developing in higher blood pressure in hypertension patients and pulmonary tuberculosis. in hypertension in healthy people. Occasional rash and skin itching.

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PERIOD FOR FINALIZING THE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT IN LEBANON (1960-2014) FROM ONE DAY TO ONE MONTH

,+ ,+ C ?7" " # ,< *+,: *: $ 9C ? C?

#\ ##" on Friday, March 14th, 2014, 28 days after the formation of the Republic should initiate new parliamentary of the Cabinet. But how long did it take previous consultations to decide on a new- or the same- governments to concoct their policy statements? designate to form a Cabinet; the other opines that, in case of agreement, this period may be overstepped and ?$7" ministerial statement discussions may continue, but the Cabinet, which remains in power, may not convene. While the Constitution has no explicit articles that bind the prime minister designate to declare the formation ]V Previous Governments 7 #O" Since 1960, 42 governments have succeeded to power †" in Lebanon. For various reasons and considerations, involved in forming a Cabinet. He shall sign, with some of these governments (3 governments in "  # ]* addition to the Aoun government formed by the end Cabinet must present its general statement of policy to of Amine Gemayel’s presidential term) failed to "# present a statement of policy while others completed of the day of issuance of the Decree. The Cabinet shall theirs at record speed within 1 to 5 days. Yet, several # " governments, especially those that came to power in # times of crises, took up the entire period to which the as having resigned, except in the narrow sense of ‡)ˆ managing affairs.” illustrated in the following Table 1.

This binding period was introduced into the Constitution At face value, the ministerial statement is the mainstay following the 1990 Taif Accord. Subsequently, the of the government work as it outlines its policy in current Cabinet whose Decree of formation was issued ^ on February 15 should complete its statement of policy administrative- and calls it to account accordingly. "†)7'() * However, in Lebanon, governments are rarely held What awaits the government should this period be responsible for the extent of the commitment they violated? exhibit toward their ministerial statements and these statements remain ink on paper, even as far as major The Constitution does not provide express answers to and critical subjects are concerned. this question and jurists hold two dissenting opinions about it: one camp believes that the government would

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Ministerial statement preparation periods by government (1960-2014) Table 1 Time between the formation of Date of the Cabinet Formation Decree Prime Minister the Cabinet and the delivery of the Confidence in government ministerial statement in Parliament

August 1, 1960 Saeb Salam 18 days 78 ayes, 7 nays and 1 abstention

May 20, 1961 Saeb Salam 10 days 46 ayes, 44 nays and 1 abstention

October 31, 1961 Rashid Karami 17 days 63 ayes, 18 nays and 1 abstention

The Cabinet did not appear before February 20, 1964 (last government Hussein Al-Oueini Parliament until May 21 following 75 ayes, 7 nays under President Fouad Chehab) parliamentary elections September 25, 1964 (first government Hussein Al-Oueini 5 days 54 ayes, 33 nays and 1 abstention under President Charles Helou)

November 18, 1964 Hussein Al-Oueini 15 days 85 ayes, 5 nays and 7 abstentions

July 25, 1965 Rashid Karami 19 days 61 ayes, 33 nays and 1 abstention

April 9, 1966 Abdullah al-Yafi 19 days 55 ayes, 20 nays and 13 abstentions

December 6, 1966 Rashid Karami 15 days 51 ayes, 16 nays and 23 abstentions

February 8, 1968 Abdullah al-Yafi 8 days 85 ayes and 4 nays

The government resigned after only one October 12, 1968 Abdullah al-Yafi week of formation and did not appear - before Parliament

October 20, 1968 Abdullah al-Yafi 12 days 65 ayes, 2 nays and 2 abstentions

January 15, 1969 (this government Rashid Karami 16 days 60 ayes, and 30 nays resigned on April 25, 1969)

November 25, 1969 Rashid Karami 20 days 58 ayes, 30 nays and 3 abstentions

October 13, 1970 (first government Saeb Salam 5 days 76 ayes, 1 nay and 4 abstentions under President Suleiman Frangieh)

May 27, 1972 Saeb Salam 12 days 77 ayes, 15 nays and 1 abstention

April 25, 1973 Amin el-Hafez It did not appear before Parliament -

July 8, 1973 Takieddine Solh 18 days 78 ayes, 1 nay and 2 abstentions

October 31, 1974 Rashid Karami 22 days 67 ayes and 14 nays

This was a military government that did May 23, 1975 Noureddine Rifai - not appear before Parliament

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Ministerial statement preparation periods by government (1960-2014) Table 1

Time between the formation of Date of the Cabinet Formation Decree Prime Minister the Cabinet and the delivery of the Confidence in government ministerial statement in Parliament Unanimous vote of confidence July 1, 1975 Rashid Karami 15 days (80 ayes) December 9, 1976 (first government Unanimous vote of confidence Salim el-Hoss 15 days under President Elias Sarkis) (72 ayes)

July 16, 1979 Salim el-Hoss 24 days 54 ayes and 9 nays

October 25, 1980 Chafik al-Wazzan 23 days 41 ayes, 6 nays and 11 abstentions

October 7, 1982 (first government Chafik al-Wazzan 26 days 58 nays and 1 abstention under President Amine Gemayel) 31 days (a national unity government April 30, 1984 Rashid Karami 53 ayes, 15 nays and 3 abstentions formed to put an end to the Civil War) November 25, 1989 (first government Salim el-Hoss 1 day Unanimous vote of confidence under President Elias el-Hrawi)

December 24, 1990 Omar Karami 17 days 37 ayes and 3 nays

May 16, 1992 Rashid Solh 14 days 76 ayes, 5 nays and 3 abstentions

October 31, 1992 Rafic Hariri 12 days 104 ayes, 12 nays and 3 abstentions

May 25, 1995 Rafic Hariri 12 days 76 ayes, 18 nays and 5 abstentions

November 7, 1996 Rafic Hariri 13 days 102 ayes and 19 nays

December 4, 1998 (first government Salim el-Hoss 11 days 85 ayes and 31 abstentions under President Emile Lahoud)

October 26, 2000 Rafic Hariri 8 days 95 ayes, 6 nays and 17 abstentions

April 17, 2003 Rafic Hariri 8 days 85 ayes, 13 nays and 13 abstentions

October 26, 2004 Omar Karami 10 days 59 ayes, 23 nays and 25 abstentions

April 16, 2005 Najib Mikati 8 days 109 ayes, 1 nay and 2 abstentions

July 19, 2005 Fouad Seniora 10 days 92 ayes, 14 nays and 2 abstentions

July 11, 2008 (first government under Fouad Seniora 29 days 100 ayes, 5 nays and 2 abstentions President Michel Suleiman)

November 9, 2009 Saad Hariri 30 days 122 ayes, 1 nay and 1 abstention

June 13, 2011 Najib Mikati 23 days 86 ayes and 2 abstentions

February 15, 2014 Tamam Salam 28 days 96 ayes, 4 nay and 1 abstention

Source: Decrees of Cabinet formation as reported in the Official Gazette and dates of ministerial statement delivery as reported in the Parliament’s minutes of meeting.

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LEBANON’S KEY INDICES FOR 2013 LEGISLATIVE FAILURE, TRADE DEFICIT AND INCREASE OF DEBT

7*+,/ ;F77*+,/ ,+ ? J; *+*+,:C KF*+,/

%* With lawmakers passing only two bills, the past year Foreign trade movement (2012-2013) #*V of fact, the paucity of laws has never been more pronounced than it was in 2013, not even during the Civil War. The two enacted laws were the following: Law No. 245 dated April 12, 2013 regarding the 2013 suspension of all grace periods stipulated under 21.228 Law no. 25/2008 regarding parliamentary elections. 3.936 Law No. 246 dated May 31, 2013 regarding the 2012 " 21.279 until November 20, 2014. 4.483 #%B"$,8/ billion The value of the goods and commodities imported into Lebanon stood at USD 21.228 billion in 2013 compared to USD 21.279 billion in 2012, i.e. down by USD 51 million or 0.2%. Exports on the other hand amounted to USD 3.936 billion compared to USD export partners at USD 398 million followed by the 4.483 billion in 2012, which translates into a decline of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at USD 347 million, the 12.2% or USD 547 million. The trade balance would United Arab Emirates at USD 331 million and Iraq at ŠJ)€*'8'* USD 272 million.

With the value of commodities imported from China C%/5+++ reaching USD 2.282 billion, China topped the list of The number of vehicles shipped to Lebanon in 2013 Lebanon’s trading partners, followed by Italy at USD totaled 36,109 compared to 35,477 in 2012, up by 632 1.789 billion and France at USD 1.534 billion. The US vehicles or 1.78%. With 9310 units sold, the Korean ranked fourth at USD 1.5 billion. Kia brand has recorded the highest sales, accounting for 25% of the total imports. In terms of exports, Syria was the major destination for Lebanese products. Exports to Syria stood at USD 523 Second-hand car imports amounted to 31,391 units, million. South Africa ranked second among Lebanon’s constituting 46.5% of the total imports.

issue 141 | April 2014 16 | PUBLIC SECTOR

%<,/ 1,365,845 in 2012 to 1,274,362 in 2013, i.e. down by ' ‹€^ 91,483 visitors or 6.7%. in 2013. These accidents caused the deaths of 513 people and the injury of 2128 others compared to 530 By nationality, visitors were distributed as follows: and 5200 respectively in 2012. French: 117,688 visitors (most of whom were Lebanese expatriates) G%5< Germans: 61,123 visitors (most of whom were O P Q V Lebanese expatriates) 6,462,414 passengers in 2013, up by 5.1% from the British: 48,504 visitors (most of whom were #'()'* Lebanese expatriates) Iraqis: 141,986 K % B"$ ,:, Jordanians: 78,018 billion Egyptians: 63,578 !Œ" ' ‹*' ‡ŠJ Saudis: 40,958 164.8 billion) in 2013, up by 8.5% from 2012. Deposits Kuwaitis: 29,598 increased by 9% from USD 127.7 billion to USD 139.2 Emiratis: 6,709 billion. Americans: 103,483 (most of whom were Lebanese expatriates) In turn, loans registered an increase of 9.8%, jumping Canadians: 71,841 (most of whom were Lebanese !Œ"6€*‹!Œ" )*+*" expatriates) estimated at roughly USD 1.6 billion. Iranians: 16,130

?%B"$5/: Population Lebanon’s public debt increased by USD 5.78 billion 95,246 was the number of births- 49,064 male and or 10.5% in 2013 reaching USD 63.46 billion. The 46,182 female- recorded in Lebanon in 2013. Deaths growth in public debt stood at USD 4 billion in 2012. totaled 24,013, thus bringing the population growth to 71,233. Assuming that the Lebanese population stands K % B"$ ,, at roughly 4.9 million people, the percentage of growth billion would then be 1.4% to 1.5%. ŠJ 1.13 billion compared to USD 1.54 billion in 2012. The areas licensed for construction by the Orders L\%\5:N of Engineers and Architects in Beirut and Tripoli Lebanon’s growth rates stood at 1% in 2013 and the stretched along 12,924,764 m2. Mount Lebanon was 7* /* the Mohafaza with the largest licensed construction areas at 6,064,286 m2, accounting for 47% of the KJ issued construction permits. The number of traded shares in the Beirut stock exchange amounted to 55,033,926, of which K? 10,658,653 (18.3%) were Solidere shares. The worth Œ"')) '()6 of traded shares reached approximately USD 408.5 to 2125 in 2012, i.e. down by 0.5%. The total number of million. containers was 1,117,334 in 2013 up from 1,041,756 in '()'€*'/*"'+* / Tourism in revenues, bringing in USD 219 million. The closure Statistics issued by the Ministry of Tourism revealed of land routes between Lebanon and Syria is likely to that the number of tourists and visitors dropped from *

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PUBLIC SECTOR | 17 GAS PIPELINE AT LBP 685 BILLION

$4*,*+,+ consisted of a number of projects among which was the construction of onshore- and K;" FJ =F FO&

Pipeline The prospective pipeline is 175 kilometers long and need 93.6 million square meters of gas per year worth has a diameter of 36 inches. It is to be installed either around USD 1.215, i.e. down by USD 1.033 billion within the railway zone, so as to dispense with the from the cost sustained if the plants were powered by need for land acquisition, or in the sea if necessary. diesel fuel. "#+#$ " ,% 36 kilometers extending from the Deir Ammar power plant to Salaata at a cost of L" USD 87.817 million. According to the Ministry of Energy and Water, Lebanon gets its main gas supply through the Arab "*% 42 kilometers extending from Salaata "#R# to the Zouk power plant at a cost of USD 70.961 Gulf region. The country can also depend on gas million. imports from Russia via Turkey and now with the "/% 36 kilometers extending from Zouk to possibility of having offshore gas in Lebanese waters, Naameh at a cost of USD 157.383 million, which !* is a relatively high cost given that the pipelines will be laid in the sea. However, the unrest that broke out in Syria and Egypt ":% 33 kilometers extending from Naameh # ! to Zahrani at a cost of USD 66.951 million. means that the pipeline installation is worthless as "<% 30 kilometers extending from Zahrani the gas is unavailable to begin with. Hence, any talks to Tyre at a cost of USD 60.863 million. about saving and economic feasibility are deemed futile for the time being, for the funds would be spent The sector extending from the Syrian borders to the on a pipeline that transports nothing. Deir Ammar station has already been covered by the Tripoli Oil Installations.

A study issued by the Ministry of Energy and Water revealed that converting the power plants # !Œ" )(6' ^## #* According to the Ministry’s statistics, the annual diesel fuel consumption of Lebanon’s power plants is estimated at 2.2 million tons translating into roughly USD 2.248 billion, the ton being at USD 1019. Conversely, generating power by natural gas would

issue 141 | April 2014 18 | PUBLIC SECTOR DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF CADASTRAL AFFAIRS BUDGET AT LBP 15 BILLION AND 550 JOBS

7GKC $$ General in 2002 proved futile in ameliorating the dreadful situation plaguing this administration @Q #$LCG @ The Directorate General of Cadastral Affairs was established pursuant to Law No. 424 dated June 6, 2002. It is mandated to administer and regulate the Land Registry’s work and cadastral surveying as well as to manage the disposition and sale of the state’s immovable properties, the foreign acquisition of title deeds and the cadastral information system.

It was not until 2007 that Decree No. 70 effective as of February 22, 2007 was issued to organize the structure of the Directorate General.

"" The Directorate General of Cadastral Affairs consists of: Al-Diwan Department A Central Cadastral Secretariat at the center of each Mohafaza Land Surveying Department J"Q" IT Department

There are 550 staff members at the Directorate General of Cadastral Affairs distributed as follows: Grade 1: 1 (the Director General is Maronite by convention) Grade 2: 11 (3 heads of department and 8 heads of the central cadastral secretariats) Grade 3: 86 jobs Grade 4: 395 jobs Grade 5: 57 jobs

The following table illustrates the detailed structure of the Directorate General and the distribution of employees by grade.

The detailed structure of the Directorate General and the distribution of employees by grade Table 1

Department Office Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Total

Administrative Office 151 7 Al-Diwan Accounting and Supplies Office1 1 4 - 5 Foreign Property Acquisition Office 1 2 - 3

Total positions at Al-Diwan 1 3 11 1 16

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PUBLIC SECTOR | 19

The detailed structure of the Directorate General and the distribution of employees by grade Table 1

Department Office Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Total Maintenance and Development State’s Private Immovable Property Office 131 5 Department 1 Investment Office 1 3 - 4 Total positions at the State’s Private Immovable Property Department 126110

IT Department - - 3 24 1 28

Beirut’s Central Cadastral Secretariat - 1 1 10 1 13

Baabda’s Central Cadastral Secretariat - 1 1 10 1 13

Zahle’s Central Cadastral Secretariat - 1 1 8 1 11

Saida’s Central Cadastral Secretariat - 1 1 8 1 11

Nabatieh’s Central Cadastral Secretariat - 1 1 8 1 11

Tripoli’s Central Cadastral Secretariat - 1 1 8 1 11

Baalbeck-Hermel’s Central Cadastral Secretariat - 117110

Akkar’s Central Cadastral Secretariat - 1 1 6 1 9

Jounieh’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 7 1 10

Aley’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 7 1 10

Hermel’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 4 1 7

Bint Jbeil’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 4 1 7

Hasbaya’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 4 1 7

Rashaya’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 4 1 7

Bsharri’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 4 1 7

Mennieh-Dennieh’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 4 1 7

Matn’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 8 1 11

Beiteddine’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 6 1 9

Jbeil’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 6 1 9

Jezzine’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 6 1 9

Jeb Jennine’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 6 1 9

Tyre’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 6 1 9

Marjeyoun’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 6 1 9

issue 141 | April 2014 20 | PUBLIC SECTOR

The detailed structure of the Directorate General and the distribution of employees by grade Table 1

Department Office Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Total

Zgharta’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 6 1 9

Amioun’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 6 1 9

Batroun’s Cadastral Secretariat - - 2 6 1 9

Total 8 44 165 26 243

Final Fees’ Office 351 9 1 Cadastral Improvement Office 1 5 1 7 Land surveying offices in Beirut, Baabda and Tripoli (each of the 3 offices comprises 11 employees, 327333 1 holding a grade 1 job, 9 holding grade 4 jobs and 1 a grade 5 job) Land surveying offices in Zahle, Nabatieh, Saida, Baalbeck, Aley, Jounieh and Matn (each of the 7 756770 Land Surveying Department offices comprises 10 employees, 1 holding a grade 3 job, 8 holding grade 4 jobs and 1 a grade 5 job) Land surveying offices in Beiteddine, Jbeil, Jeb Jannine, Jezzine, Marjeyoun, Tyre, Zgharta, Halba, Amioun, Batroun, Hermel, Bint Jbeil, Hasbaya, Rashya, 16 96 16 128 Bsharri and Mennieh-Dennieh (each of the 16 offices comprises 8 employees, 1 holding a grade 3 job, 6 holding grade 4 jobs and 1 a grade 5 job) 248+4 engineers Total 1 30 189 28 classified at the Grade 3 level Grand total 11 82 395 57 549

K The budget of the Directorate General of Cadastral Affairs is listed under Chapter 4 within the Ministry of ‘#*Q'()'#!Œ")+$ J$!Œ" )'+ ‘$!Œ"'€(( _$!Œ")+(( "$!Œ")+(( Q’$!Œ")(7( J#$!Œ")((( R’$!Œ"€+( _$!Œ"€(( ‘$!Œ"+((

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. ELECTORAL LAWS | 21 PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA PREFERENTIAL VOTING

GKJ GG W@Q!!

Its merger between British and American statutes 25% of votes: B, C, D, A is one of the attributes that distinguishes the 20% of votes: C, D, B, A Australian political system, which is premised on 15% of votes: D, C,B, A notions of democracy, freedom of expression, rule of law and religious and ethnic tolerance. Australia’s The candidate with the fewest votes- candidate D in parliamentary experience exhibits distinctive features. our case- would be excluded. These votes (15%) are then transferred to candidate C, who then becomes the Parliament holder of 35% of the total votes. If still no candidate Australia’s legislature consists of: still enjoys an absolute majority, again the remaining The Senate, which is made up of 76 senators candidate with the fewest votes- candidate B in our and is vested with the capacity to block the case- would be excluded and these votes would be government’s legislation. It is elected for 6 transferred, once more to candidate C. Candidate C, consecutive years. having gathered more than half of the total votes cast The House of Representatives (60%) would then rank higher than Candidate A and would be declared the winner. House of Representatives Australia’s House of Representatives or the lower Most recent elections house consists of 150 members elected in a direct Australia’s most recent elections were held on secret vote. The coalition winning a majority of September 7, 2013. Over 14.720 million voters seats forms the government and the head of the were invited to take part in the elections. The "†* opposition Liberal-National coalition emerged ##‹8"# Voting age ++!"* The legal age at which a person can qualify to vote in Australia is 18. Voting is compulsory and The results broke down as follows: non-voters should either provide a valid reason for 2013 Australian elections’ results Table 1 failure to vote or pay a USD 20 penalty. No. of seats No. of seats Party gained in the gained in the Difference 9 2010 elections 2013 elections The House of Representatives is elected for three Australian 72 55 -17 #"†# Labor Party Liberal to dissolve the chamber and call for early elections. 44 58 +14 Socialist Party @ Green Party 1 1 - Liberal National Australia is divided into 8 regions each of which 21 22 +1 consists of 148 electoral districts. Since 1918, it has Party National Party adopted a plurality preferential voting system, under 79+2 which voters number their favorite candidates in of Australia the order of their preference. Assuming there are 4 Independents 4 4 - candidates named A, B, C and D and the preference Liberals 1 1 - of voters might come out as follows: 40% of votes: A, B, C, D Total 150 150 -

issue 141 | April 2014 22 | ACTIVITIES

INFORMATION INTERNATIONAL’S ROUND- TABLE DISCUSSION MARRIAGE OF FEMALE MINORS BETWEEN LAW AND RELIGION

! ! Q = 7 < *+,: O7#7AP Q K

4 4 WQQ, former head of the " J ] V Beirut Court of Cassation emphasized the need to develop and update legislation because laws, like everything else, have expiry dates and what was once effective does not seem *P# age of marital commitment is 18, pointing to Article 215 of the Obligations and Contracts Code, which places consent at the heart of this commitment. Consent cannot be tarnished by QQ’ of marital contracts can by no means come to fruition unless the requirements for consent are respected. “However, when it comes to implementation, we are confronted by the sad realization that some marriages have been performed according to certain sectarian From left to right: Sheikh Youssef Sbeiti, Father Abdo Raad, Judge Jean al-Qazzi, Sheikh Mahdi Chalak particularities and have been governed by " J # citizen grappling with duality,” he said. Establishing a Ministry for Family Affairs. Establishing a court specializing in family cases. When it comes to family affairs, Judge al-Qazzi noted R#* that many sects have started to raise the age of custody for children and the same should apply for the age of marriage, In his remarks, Father Abdo Raad, Director of the Saint which, in his opinion, should be standardized at 18. A lower Savior College, underlined the perils associated with the age may be agreed upon as a preface to eventually reaching marriage of female minors branding the phenomenon as a 18. Currently, females are being wed at the age of 10 or social plague that threatens children, women and the society 11. What does the civil law have to say about it? The civil at large. Underage marriage inhibits the physical and mental law prohibits and punishes underage marriages and Article development of young female spouses and can in some cases ‹6"]O# cause death. In Yemen, nearly 90,000 females die annually due scholar who solemnizes the marriage of a female below 18 to early marriages, a number that exceeds by far the fatalities years of age without registering the consent of her guardian of the so-called Arab Spring. Against the backdrop of the •#!Œ" J!## +((((!Œ"+(((((*P now on the table more publicly than ever before.

Al-Qazzi highlighted Articles 485 and 514 which touch on “In Christianity, 18 is the recognized age for marriage. Yet, polygamy and bride abduction respectively and concluded in the legal context, this age varies according to varying by proposing a number of steps to address the issue of laws and sects. It may be set at 14 for females and 16 for underage marriages: males and marriages performed below this age are deemed

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. ACTIVITIES | 23

to be null and void by the Catholic Church. Marrying off a persons. In this context, it is legitimate to marry off a female female who has not yet reached adulthood (18) can only be minor and the guardianship would be a privilege of the father, accepted in exceptional cases, save that parental consent has then the grandfather and then of relatives. Religious judges been obtained. This is perhaps the reason that Lebanese law have authority over those who do not have a guardian. has not prescribed an express age for marriage, while it has set the age for legal capacity at 18 and the age for voting, A father’s objection to marrying off his daughter could be ')P‘O* well-grounded or invalid. If the father offered a sound reason # He then proceeded to indicate that the Children’s Bill of should have the right to marry her off. If he, on the other Rights views all those under the age of 18 as children and hand, failed to provide a valid reason to disapprove the therefore it is not permissible to marry children off. Father #`# Raad urged the acquittal of God from all religious disputes right to solemnize the marriage. saying that the age for marriage should be determined # A mature virgin can get married without the consent of her do not focus on sexual puberty alone, but take into account guardian if her spouse is suitable. Should he prove to be the mental and economic maturity of the concerned parties. incompetent, the guardian can request the judge to annul the According to him, underage marriages, for both males and marriage, a solution which is applicable in our religious courts.” females, should be approached through modern perspectives ###` Sheikh Mahdi Chalak’s speech closed with a reiteration that for opportunists. Rumor has it that the Virgin Mary got nobody is allowed to marry off a male under the age of 17 or engaged to Joseph when she was 13 or 14 and the marriage a female under the age of 9. He did not object to setting the " † 8^^V #^ marriage age for females at 17. established story but that does not signify that what worked out then is going to work out now. Even if a 10-year-old "_"O child happened to be exceptionally bright and enrolled in the Cleric Sheikh Muhammad Hassan Fadlallah, also attended university prematurely, entering university at the age of 10 is the round-table discussion. He said that he was utterly unlikely ever to become the accepted norm. provoked by the latest events that had unfolded in the past few weeks and were ascribed so brusquely to Islam, arguing Concluding his speech, Father Raad encouraged the that Islam and Islamic religious courts do not legitimize authorities to impose stern sanctions against the violators of the abduction of a female minor and marrying her under this law, be it the judges or the guardians of females, and the pretext that she had consented to the act of her own to increase the level of interest in a general social culture volition in the absence of her guardian- usually the father that keeps violence against females at bay and protects both or the grandfather if the father were deceased. “The rumors minor and adult women. suggesting that some Muslim jurists authorize the marriage of a female who has reached puberty without the consent of " 7 C a retired Sunni Religious Court her guardian are all groundless. The late Reference Cleric Judge, noted that marriage is a legal contract that permits Sheikh Muhammad Hassan Fadlallah held that for a female sexual intercourse between a man and a woman. It is a to get married without the permission of her guardian, she purely civil contract that occurs through offer and consent not only needed to be at the stage of puberty, but she also # #* #* Girls are not necessarily mature when they begin puberty at ages 11 to 13. Even 17-year-olds can still lack maturity He elucidated the meaning of Al-Wilayah (guardianship) and therefore a father’s opinion should not be undermined Q#OV^## because marriage is a huge responsibility and responsibilities allows Al-Wali custody of things or persons, guardianship require maturity. Still, I have no objection to adopting a law over their affairs, and supreme authority and right of that prohibits the marriage of female minors even with the disposition over them, whether forcibly or willingly. Al- consent of the father in order to end this state of tumult,” he Wilayah is a privileged right accorded to kinsfolk, from the concluded. closest to the most remote in line, according to the order of inheritance. Custody could be of sons then parents then Lawyer Bouchra Khalil, Dr. Mohammad Al-Moughrabi, Dr. siblings. Al-Wilayah is practiced by choice over mature, Mohammad Saleh, Dr. Elias Al-Barraj, lawyer Mashhour virgin and non-virgin females while it is compulsory over Haidar, lawyer Fadia Ghanem and journalist Hadeel Farfour ’*V^ have all acknowledged the need to match the age of marriage Wilayah intended in our discussion today is Al-Wilayah over with the age of legal capacity, namely, 18.

issue 141 | April 2014 24| PROMINENT FORGOTTEN FIGURES FOUAD CHEHAB POOR, BUT...

% ? A#CB,'<6,'5: F# C,< _ * K k 7 !q J

K Emir Fouad Chehab was born in Ghadir, Kessrouan, on March 19, 1902 to a family of noble ancestry- Chehabi Emirs. In 1907, his father, Emir Abdullah Chehab, decided to emigrate in order to escape poverty and provide for his wife, Sheikha Badi’a Hbeish and their three children, Fouad, Farid and Shakib. Accounts of his destination were contradictory varying from Egypt to Turkey to the US. After nearly two years, news no longer came from Emir Abdullah and speculation was rife about his fate. He was last seen in Marseilles but whether he drowned while attempting to relocate elsewhere, was murdered, or died of natural causes, nobody could tell. Fouad Chehab was left fatherless.

After losing contact with the father, the family slid into deeper poverty. Sheikha Badia’a returned to live with her father, Sheikh Taleh Hbeish, and her four siblings, Wadeeh, Badeeh, Isabel and Nabiha, at their home in Jounieh.

With the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, schools were closed. Fouad Chehab and his two brothers moved into a small school located by the "•# teacher, the priest Louis Al-Khazen.

However, abject poverty forced Chehab to drop out Fouad Chehab of school and start working as a bailiff in the Court of Jounieh for two years, thanks to support from his uncle, Wadeeh Hbeish.

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PROMINENT FORGOTTEN FIGURES |25

G " ] # In September 1919, Fouad Chehab enrolled session held on July 31, 1958. However, Chamoun himself in the French-run Syrian Cavalry retained his position until the expiry of his Regiment in the Levant. He left it one year later constitutional term on September 23. `# Military Academy of Damascus. He graduated as a Chehab served until 1964 and rejected all attempts J'()8'6 aimed at renewing his term, an option advocated by was gradually promoted to the rank of Captain by `†"* December 1929.

In early 1944, the French Army general George Marriage Catroux elevated him to the rank of ‘colonel’. In 1924, while still a Lieutenant, Fouad Chehab met Negotiations had started in 1943 to transfer the O O " # ‘ Special Forces of the Levant, which included killed in the First World War, and fell in love with her. enlisted Lebanese personnel, from the French OO Mandate to the Lebanese authorities. The Lebanese late husband’s cousin, Colonel Hubert Noiret. As a units were turned over to the Lebanese authorities member of the French Army, Noiret was relocated on August 1, 1945, thus constituting the nucleus of to the Levant together with his wife and two step the Lebanese Army. daughters who grew to love him like their real father. ]OO On July 26, 1946, the Lebanese government crossed. The two got married on December 27, 1926 appointed Zai’im (a military rank of that time) in the Carmelite Church in the town of Qbayyat Fouad Chehab as Commander of the Lebanese Akkar, where Chehab worked and his in-laws resided. V*])' ]OO * " O # to head the state. Attributes Chehab was prone to introversion and preferred During his 12-year tenure as Commander, Chehab nature and quiet to commotion and noise. Integrity developed the Lebanese Army by restructuring its and disinterest in wealth were perhaps his most lines and enlarging its weaponry thus empowering distinctive features. Although he assumed the the army to protect the republic. He was hailed as highest-ranking position in the state and proved to the ‘builder of the Lebanese Army’. be a political weathervane, Chehab died poor, just as he was born, with no riches or real-estate wealth. ?A By the time of her death, his wife’s possessions Despite his wish to remain out of the public eye, were a small dilapidated house, an old vehicle and Fouad Chehab drew uncontested attention during less than a thousand dollars in the bank. his term as Commander of the Army. In 1952, he disassociated the army from the uprising staged to "ŒR^„# @ "† After leaving his presidential position, Chehab #" distanced himself from public affairs but remained a who would turn out to be Camille Chamoun. * He died on Wednesday, April 25, 1973, following Against the backdrop of the regional unrest in Iraq acute heart failure; his wife died 19 years later and Egypt which accompanied the 1958 Lebanon on February 18, 1992. Although gone, Chehab’s Crisis against Chamoun and the subsequent imprint was never forgotten and continues to American intervention, Fouad Chehab, being a remind the Lebanese of the heyday of the state and # its institutions, although many criticize him for the "O# # order to the country. 2ème Bureau.

issue 141 | April 2014 26| HEALTH

CHOLESTEROL TREATMENT |Dr. Hanna Saadah| (THE NEW GUIDELINES)

C*++* *+,/ # ? kqxkqkqCkq

Since none of the other cholesterol-lowering-medicines, narrowed leg arteries that limit walking- should receive which were often added to statins to further lower high-intensity statin therapy regardless of cholesterol cholesterol, have been shown to further improve levels, age, or risk calculation. However, patients with cardiovascular outcomes, the guidelines no longer certain liver or kidney troubles, age >75, and intolerance recommend combination therapies with such augmenting to statins, should be given intermediate-intensity statin medications. therapy instead. The major message emerging from the new guidelines c) Those with diabetes, age 40-75, and LDL cholesterol is that lowering cholesterol does not necessarily lead 70-189 mg/dl, if their calculated risk is 7.5% or more, to improved cardiovascular outcomes, such as reduced should receive high-intensity statin therapy. If the risk is strokes and heart attacks. The reasons why statins < 7.5%, moderate-intensity statin therapy is substituted. improve cardiovascular outcomes have more to do with improving the inside health of arteries by other means, d) Those who do not have diabetes, are 40-75 years which have little to do with lowering cholesterol. old, have an LDL cholesterol of 70-189 mg/dl, and a calculated risk of 7.5% or more should receive moderate- Hence, the new guidelines emphasize the statin-treatment- intensity statin therapy. However, if their calculated risk intensity rather than the after-treatment cholesterol levels. is <7.5%, they will require no therapy. Treatment is either high intensity, which uses maximal doses of statins. Or it is medium intensity, which uses e) Those with LDL cholesterol of 190 mg/dl or more moderate doses of statins. Low intensity treatment, which should receive high-intensity statin therapy regardless of uses small doses of statins, is no longer recommended. other factors. A cardiovascular risk calculator is used to determine The guidelines derive from controlled studies, which cardiovascular risk. The calculator, which can be # accessed on the Internet by using the address: http:// uncommon risks of muscle injury, liver injury, and new- my.americanheart.org/cvriskcalculator uses nine factors *P -age, sex, race, total cholesterol, HDL (bad) cholesterol, there are no guidelines for those >75 years old, if they systolic blood pressure, taking medicines for high blood have no clinical cardiovascular disease. pressure, diabetes, and smoking- to determine the ten- To conclude, the guidelines do not support the use of non- year risk of heart attacks and strokes. If the risk is 7.5% or statin cholesterol lowering medications in statin-intolerant more, the guidelines recommend treatment with statins, patients nor do they support giving them combined with even if the cholesterol is not high. statins to further lower cholesterol levels. Also, the Based on these guidelines, doctors are now supposed to guidelines no longer support re-evaluating cholesterol screen all persons 21 years or older by measuring their levels after treatment is given because cholesterol LDL cholesterol, questioning them about cardiovascular target-levels are no longer the goal. Moreover, the risk factors, and calculating their ten-year cardiovascular traditional use of coronary calcium scores and C-reactive risk by using the above formula. When this is properly protein as cardiovascular disease markers is no longer ##$ recommended. The guidelines will greatly increase the number of patients who will be treated with statins. a) Those with no cardiovascular risks-such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and sedentary life This major shift in cholesterol-treatment-strategy is being style-and whose calculated ten-year risk is below 7.5% actively debated. Agreement is by no means unanimous will need no treatment, but they do require surveillance. of new data. Nevertheless, evidence-based-science b) Those with clinical cardiovascular diseases-such as has issued its edict, which will affect a major change in completed strokes, reversible mini stokes, heart attacks, how we understand, prevent, and treat atherosclerotic angina pectoris, arterial bypass surgeries or stents, and cardiovascular diseases.

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. www.hannasaadah.com - www.information-international.com - [email protected] EYEING HORIZONS |27

HOW TO FLY WITHOUT FEAR? |Dr. Michel Nawfal| MD Mental Health Professional

!pink elephant !OP ?J Things that are ignored and overlooked cause much Watch a movie/Listen to music/ less anxiety even if they are in fact dangerous. Read Do your work/homework/ # essays Take pictures * V # from going on vacation, visiting family and friends \ who live abroad, and it can cripple the career of a R# # businessperson by preventing them from traveling realities of air travel can considerably diminish on work-related business trips. concern about physical safety. Learning how V‡#ˆ other aspects of aviation can assist people with a or more of the following: Claustrophobia, fear of ##* V # †# Agoraphobia, fear of open spaces. ## their fear of the unknown. #›†`# love to travel and play with airplanes. Most people " › # anxious equates “arousal” with “fear”, and believes realize the possible risks that could arise. Ignorance that if he or she feels scared, then there has to be ›# #* Q scared. Statistics show that airplanes are way safer cockpit, the pilot’s comfortable facial response to than other common forms of transportation. Only an unexpected noise or motion would adequately the crashes are reported by the media hence the prove the absence of danger. But when information overall impression created may be that air travel is in the cabin is unknown, it is impossible to know dangerous, which is untrue. Successful landings are for sure whether there is danger or not. Stress › hormones continue to be released. As levels rise, anxiety increases and the urge to escape becomes ‘ # paramount. Since physical escape is impossible, * Q # panic may result unless the person can escape ignorance of how planes operate. Misunderstandings psychologically through denial, dissociation, or ` distraction. #*‘ believe that the engines of a jet airliner support it in In the cognitive approach, the passenger learns to **Q^# separate arousal from fear, and fear from danger. aircraft glide naturally, and the engines serve only to Cognitive therapy is most useful when there is no ##*V# *Œ^# ## rapidly, often through processes which the person in the air, thus a person’s understanding of the physics has no awareness of, conscious measures may ##* neither connect with - nor match the speed of - the unconscious processes that cause panic. P#$ !# Sometimes medications can reduce the bodily Focus on the purpose of the trip rather than on reaction to fear. Medication decreases the person’s # * V ‡ #ˆ Talk to people around you in the aircraft ›

issue 141 | April 2014 28| INTERVIEW

THE MONTHLY INTERVIEWS

MOHAMMAD KHALED QAWBAR

THE HEAD OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF SIBLINE

As part of its municipal tour initiated to shed light on the outlook of the development of Lebanon’s municipalities and to highlight the milestones they have achieved and the challenges that hinder their local prosperity, The Monthly made a stop at the Municipality of Sibline and conducted the following interview. Mohammad Khaled Qawbar

="& cement manufacturers in Lebanon, providing approximately 400 jobs for the residents of Sibline is an ancient town in the Shouf district. The Sibline and the Eqlim El-Kharroub vicinity and town extends across 5737 m2 along the coastal contributing to the economic cycle of the town area of Shouf. In the past, the town’s economy !#*Q" was predominantly agricultural, producing wheat, chocolate factory, the Grand South Mills and a corn and olives, and it also had craft production. number of state and international agencies. Over the years, its inhabitants have left agriculture for educational pursuits in diverse academic and > * # F stands at 3500, the residents amount to 22000, & (/"7(/! originating from different Lebanese regions. Sibline’s municipal council consists of 9 members Sibline is divided into the ancient village and and the municipality hires 7 full-time workers, 25 the coastal area, which is home to approximately daily employees and 7 night guards. We have tried 17000 people. our best to meet the exigent needs of the inhabitants and we have achieved some things at the realms The town is famed for its tourist sites and its of construction and infrastructure. In addition commercial and industrial institutions such as the to paving and repairing internal roads extending J ] "* # nearly 54 kilometers, we have constructed a

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. INTERVIEW |29

number of retaining walls on the sides of the streets Luckily, our active collection system, coupled with ###*" the local community’s co-operation, allows us to generators have been provided with the area of collect nearly 65% of taxation from individuals and the old village to supply residents with electricity corporations. according to the cost prescribed by the Ministry of Energy and Water. The agricultural outlook of the = F town was also high on our agenda. We established & a plant nursery and gave a meticulous attention to forestation, planting roughly 3000 seedlings in The sewer network is not yet connected to every collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and household, which exacerbates the environmental the Social and Cultural Development Association- situation and the dilemma of residents, let alone INMA. We also cultivated 5000 carob trees and that the absence of an irrigation network in the 2000 pine trees. coastal area of the town necessitates the drilling of wells, which in turn affects the salinity of water and In the coastal area, the completion of the UN-funded *"# drainage network project is fast approaching. In a serious phenomenon in Sibline and enforceable addition, we have received approval from the steps should be taken to halt the pollutants and dust †" emitted by the cement factory. The collaboration is the 22000 m2 remaining from the land acquired ongoing between the municipality and the factory’s to build the coastal highway into public parks management to solve this problem. that would enhance the entrance to our town and that of Eqlim El-Kharroub. In this context, it is V## noteworthy that the Union of Municipalities of of Syrian refugees. 7000 Syrians have registered Eqlim El-Kharroub has assisted us in drilling a # well to irrigate these parks and a water storage tank and medical assistance we offer and many others of a 100 cubic meter capacity has also been built remain unregistered, which makes us unsure about for the same purpose. their numbers, whereabouts and state of affairs. The misuse of resources by refugees has also over- The municipality has also launched free vaccination strained public utility services and translated into campaigns in collaboration with the Ministry of higher energy and water consumption and larger "P* amounts of garbage. In collaboration with the Higher Relief Committee, the UN organizations ! and the Red Cross, the municipality is trying its best & to supply the refugees with social and medical aid, _ # is extending to several humanitarian cases- Syrian, not to derail local development on account of "!^^ lack of funds. The share we are assigned from J"P* the Independent Municipal Fund is set for the registered population only- 3500 people- but the municipality is actually catering for approximately 22000 residents, not to mention that 75% to 80% of our revenues are being deducted for Sukleen. Our legal share of mobile phone revenues has not been released either.

issue 141 | April 2014 30 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART

LEBANON’S ANIMAL ENCOUNTER CENTER A STAUNCH PROTECTOR OF WILDLIFE AND ECOLOGICAL BALANCE

Overview "# of wildlife and by the wanton human destruction of nature, university professor Mounir Abou Said and his wife Diana took the initiative to start up an educational center for wildlife conservation in 1993. #\'((( #œ*)6V onto Lebanon’s animal diversity and helps visitors understand and enjoy wildlife through educational programs and guided tours aimed at introducing them to wild species and debunking the popular fallacies and misconceptions surrounding them. The center shelters animals and birds that are native to Lebanon # is active in monitoring, documenting and tracking the evolution of protected species.

In early stages, the founders of Animal Encounter used to receive wildlife enthusiasts- visitors and schoolchildren- in the backyard of their house where animals sat protected behind bars and Dr. Abou Said would deliver his educational lectures inside the *## relocated to bigger premises in the Ras El-Jabal area, at Aley, to better accommodate the guests. The plot of land was donated by the Aley municipality with Canadian assistance.

Objectives The Center, which is home to nearly 35 species helped conserve endangered species and release them of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, into their natural habitat. In addition, the Center’s has been widely acclaimed over the past two commitment to conduct wildlife research has yielded decades for raising environmental awareness and the discovery four new species of bat and three spreading knowledge of the importance of wildlife species of rat endemic to Lebanon. These have been rehabilitation. Its quick response in rescuing sick, documented and published in international journals. injured and orphaned animals and birds has made it a noteworthy place for reporting distressed wildlife engage all age groups in ecological responsibility, populations and its captive breeding programs have Lebanon’s Encounter Center has earned its reputation as a pioneer in biodiversity conservation.

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 31

Having proved itself to be a successful example in the only contribution they offer is paying lip service or the wildlife conservation landscape, around 40,000 transferring vulnerable animals to receive care at the ^ ^ Center rather than sharing part of the responsibility. to the facility every year to take live tours in the center and to assist in caring for both vulnerable and that limits an expansion of their activities, especially captive creatures before their reintroduction into the since the entrance to the center is free of charge and wild. Over the years, students and researchers alike the organization relies wholly on voluntary donations ] made bu visitors. Overhead expenses have jumped to to conduct studies on biodiversity and ecological USD 4500 per month, all of which are covered by Dr. balance. Said and his wife from their personal funds. Through ## Activities a staunch protector of wildlife and ecological balance, Due to ecological imbalance and to prejudice against people often subject the facility to thoughtless acts of hyenas, these creatures appear to be under threat of an vandalism and theft, exacerbated all the more by the extinction. Wishing to give hope for this endangered lenience in implementing the legislation pertaining species and to alter the mistaken notions held about to environmental protection and the conservation of them as dangerous and ferocious animals, Animal wildlife and natural habitats. Encounter has released around 30 hyenas into the vast forest. The center also shelters the black bear, a species that was last seen in 1958. The black bears, which used to inhabit the Al-Makmel Mountain, ! in 1826 and their extinction is said to be attributed to severe forest degradation. Among the other wild ###\ which has died out due to hostile hunting practices and deforestation. The last reported sighting of this species was in 1902.

As previously mentioned, the Animal Encounter Center has a good record of discovering new species # journals. The dipolidae, a rodent that lives in areas exceeding above 2000 meters is one example of the several rat and bat species discovered by the center. In order to raise awareness of the vital function of night-dwelling bats, the Animal Encounter Center has made it an annual tradition to organize and celebrate the International Bat Night event, which is the only one of its kind in the Middle East.

Challenges Lack of state involvement is at the base of the #*! concern is exhibited by the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture over the conservation of wildlife and

issue 141 | April 2014 32 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART POPULAR CULTURE

US TRIP

It was a trip to remember. The Fabre Line barge company was operating small vessels between the Mediterranean and the US. The rooms assigned for passengers were few. I booked a room with my friend Najib Doumit and paid 125 dollars for the ticket. The trip 6)›‚6)› QO›

O"Œ• where scores of young Jews, males and females, were eager to kick off their summer trip to Romania. “All rooms are booked. Where will the crowd sleep?” we inquired. “On the top deck. They will dine and sleep on the top deck’”, they answered.

Œ#Q\"*]#\# company- music, dancing and singing. I could never really understand how amicability surfaces so fast among boat passengers, as though the heart of the mighty sea opens up to bond all men with ties of love and friendship, then when the time comes to say goodbye, a pang of sadness awakes in travelers as each goes their separate ways.

We were informed that we were going to spend the entire day in Izmir and that the security agents may *Q\†!#* From Izmir, we sailed toward Constantinople, the solemn state’s capital whose name used to frighten people during the First World War. We traversed the Sea of Marmara toward the straits then towards Constantinople. “You have an entire day for sightseeing,” they told us. We needed some rest after hours of touring and some of us ordered coffee. We were later told: to Yildiz.

Yildiz was the name of an Ottoman palace that used to make one’s blood run cold. Whenever the J`"‚\# of the Bosphorus. This is what had clung to our memories upon mentioning of the palace. Yet, the vast complex had transformed into a coffee shop teeming with excited tourists. O God, you change ##›

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. DEBUNKING MYTH #80 CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 33

DEBUNKING MYTHS: THE GENETIC FACTORS BEHIND BREAST CANCER

7% It is commonly speculated that women who have had a history of breast cancer in their families, are at a high risk of developing the disease themselves. With breast cancer being the most common type of cancer across the world, it has become and that women with no history of the disease in their family do not need to worry as much. Hereditary breast cancer is most often considered to be linked with the maternal line while a history of this cancer on the father’s side of the family is not taken as seriously.

Fact: It is important to highlight the fact that the highest risk factor is the aging process as `#*_ the disease, the majority do not have it in their family. According to the magazine Health, €(/ * P^## parent or sibling, the chances that this person might develop it do become higher. This is not to say however that people with no history are at a lesser risk since the contributing factors are numerous. All aging women are equally at risk. While a history of cancer on one’s mother’s side of the family could be a serious risk factor, the history of the father’s side of the family is equally as important. Though it is not the main factor, cancer does occur in some families more than in others on account of their genetic makeup. And hereditary breast cancer does not only descend from the maternal side. The inherited mutated gene that causes hereditary breast cancer could be inherited from the mother or the father. Moreover, hereditary cancer can also skip a generation; meaning that if a person’s grandparents had it, they are also susceptible. A family history of ovarian cancer *’*" incidences in their families are at equal risk with those who do. And those who do have it in their family need to examine both paternal and maternal lines for two generations back.

issue 141 | April 2014 34 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART MUST-READ BOOKS

TURN THE PAGE, FELLOW

“Turn the page, fellow”, Gebran Khalil Gebran # or a painting and embarked on a new project. From his cache of treasures, the lovers and devotees of Gebran unearthed a number of authentic works and manuscripts, written in his own handwriting. They were assembled over two years of extensive effort into a book that was published in 2010. The Gebran National Committee, the Gebran Museum and the Ministry of Culture are all credited for bringing this book to light.

It is an absolute delight to probe into the sentiments of your favorite poet and become acquainted with how he poured his thoughts into a scratch on a sheet of paper in their initial form prior to rethinking, Throughout the book, we trace his life with Gebran, # ^# from his early attempts to learn French through the and passages full of veracity and sincerity. Equally conjugation of verbs to his excellence in poetry delightful is to see the sketches of running men and during his youth, to his emigration from Lebanon ## right up to his participation in the Golden Links the utmost freedom and spontaneity and to imagine Society. Although not a politician, nor aspiring to # be one, Gebran Khalil Gebran addressed the rebels charcoal pencils, leaving readers to wonder whether and the Syrians and reproached the Zionists. For the Lebanese, he foresaw a sectarian revolution saying moment of unadulterated inspiration that the poet “he, who lives long enough, will see.” Music and refused to let go. art were the most sublime in his eyes and he likened ## “I was born 40 years ago. Yet, with every new day I of men. feel that I am reborn. I spent my four decades loving, rebelling, aching, writing and painting.” This is how To what extent it was morally acceptable to permeate Gebran introduces himself in his writing. Gebran, the the intimate realm of Gebran which for long had # remained under wraps, was a fundamental question ’ * that imposed itself on those who coordinated this Q literary work. Some believed that the book should # not be released on the grounds that it would be a keep the secrets. Gebran, the staunch rebel who blatant intrusion upon the privacy of Gebran while dissented from the frivolous and worn-out traditions others begged to differ, arguing that the publication inculcated to torment people, rises up to warn them: contained nothing remote from or unfamiliar in “you will wake up but only after my body has been the intellectual riches of the author or to the major # concerns that he often addressed through prose, poetry souls.” Gebran, the emigrant who had felt estranged #*P#` long before his emigration from Bsharri to Boston as had always wished to keep aside material worthy of a young adult and his endurance of the hardships of being published, the deliberations concluded with emigration, which are best manifested in the nostalgic agreement to publish the book and full pardon was letters he used to send to his family and friends. extended in advance to the late poet.

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MUST-READ CHILDREN’S BOOK CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 35

I LOVE FRUIT

I Love Fruit is a short story designed to teach children over 8 years of age about the * by Nabiha Mouheidly, illustrated by Lina Merhej and published by Dar Al-Hadaek, I Love Fruit introduces kids to ‘Abou el-Fawakeh’ (Arabic equivalent for ‘Father of Fruit’) who has a strong liking for fruits in their diverse forms and rainbow colors.

In the story, Abou el-Fawakeh sets out to explain how red fruits promote heart health and memory and how orange-colored fruits are good for the eye sight and the immune system. He teaches kids that yellow pigments reduce the risk of heart strokes and that green ones strengthen the bones and the teeth. Blue and purple-colored fruits can improve memory and promote the health of children when they grow up.

Abou el-Fawakeh loves equally clustered, lunar and circular-shaped fruits and eats them all with great appetite. Whether they grow in tropical or temperate climates, on a tree or on a plant, he craves fruits throughout all seasons and encourages kids to eat them unpeeled and unseeded when needed.

Yes. He has such a strong craving for fruits that he was named ‘Abou el-Fawakeh’.

issue 141 | April 2014 36 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART LEBANON FAMILIES

FAMILY NAMES DENOTING LEBANESE TOWNS (13)

Tripoli

!J Zgharta Balamand Roads A‘arjes 7 Ehden Becharre The Cedars Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck Deir el Ahmar Maqne Jbail Qasr el-Banat

Hadath Iaat " Ghazir Baalbeck Jounieh Niha

BEIRUT Zahle Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-Baidar Bhamdoun Anjar Deir el-Qamar Meshref Beiteddine _%'6< Moukhtara This family is named after Yahfouf, a town located Qaraoun Lake Yanta Saida Jezzine in the Qada’a of Baalbeck, 80 km from Beirut, at an Libbaya Aiha

altitude of 1100 m above the sea level. Yahfouf is home Nabatiye Hasbaya Marjayoun to 1000 people all of whom are Shia’a. Beaufort Castle Sour ‚#J mostly present in the Nahle town of Baalbeck. They account for 20% of its population. Nahle: 930 members Maronites constitute 30% of Arsoun’s population Baalbeck: 30 whereas Druze and Catholics make up 50% and 20% V$)‹ respectively. KkGKq%<<5 The Arsouni family consists of 20 Maronite members This family name is inspired from the town of settled in: Beiteddine in the Qada’a of Shouf, which is situated 45 Hosh Hala, Zahle: 12 km from Beirut, at an altitude of 860 m above the sea Rmeil, Beirut: 8 level, with a predominantly Maronite population (80%). Beiteddine is home to 2580 people, of which 10% are KkGKq%5+ Catholics and Greek Orthodox. This family name is derived from the town of Bteghrin, which is situated in the Qada’a of Matn, 35 km from The Btaddinis belong to the Druze community and are Beirut at an altitude of 930 m above the sea level. Of distributed in: Bteghrin’s population, 70% are Greek Orthodox, 20% Baawerti, Aley: 30 members are Greek Catholic and 10% are Maronite. The town is Kfarnabrakh, Shouf: 281 home to 4850 people. Dahr el-Ahmar, Rashaya: 111 Breeh, Shouf: 60 All of the Bteghrinis are Greel Orthodox settled in Baadaran, Shouf: 55 Saadnayel, Zahle. AkGAq%65< Kahlouni: 35 members This family name is derived from the town of Rasheen, The Kahloun family name is traced back to either the which is situated in the Qada’a of Zgharta, 100 km Shouf town of Kahlounieh, which is situated 48 km from Beirut, at an altitude of 130 m above the sea level. from Beirut, or to the town of Kahlounieh w Haret Rasheen’s population is made up of a large Maronite Hamza, which is located in the Qada’a of Baabda, 25 community (85%) and Sunni and Greek Orthodox km from Beirut, at an altitude of 840 m above the sea minorities. The town is home to 5360 people. level. Both towns are entirely Druze.

The Rasheenis are Shia’a settled in three main towns in The Kahlounis belong to the Druze community as well the Qada’a of Hermel: and are present in Ain w Zain (8 members) and Ain Sharbeen: 225 members Zhalta (25 members) in the Shouf area. El-Hariqa: 524 Houmeiri: 80 G%/+ The family is named after the Akroum town of Akkar, Arsouni: 20 members which is located 160 km from Beirut at 880m above the The Arsouni family is named after Arsoun, a town sea level. Akroum’s population consists of 2500 Sunni. located in the Qada’a of Baabda, 33 km from Beirut at an altitude of 750 m above the sea level. The Akroumis are also Sunni settled in the town of Meshti Hassan, Akkar.

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. DISCOVER LEBANON CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 37 QABEET POVERTY AND DEPRIVATION

The boat tragedy that unfolded off the Indonesian Abdullah(Al-Abdullah): 26 Mostafa: 13 coast, claiming the lives of several Lebanese nationals Abla: 25 Abdo: 13 originating from Qabeet during their attempt to illegally Awad: 24 Fattah: 13 enter Australia in search of better living conditions, Al-Sheikh: 20 Abbas: 12 brought the town of Qabeet under the spotlight. Hoping Abdul Hamid: 18 Sheikh Hussein: 5 Abdul Latif: 14 Al-Hajj: 5 more than 42 Qabeet residents sold all their belongings and set sail for Australia, only to meet a terrible fate G that dealt their dreams the toughest blow. The Qabeet municipality was formed pursuant to Decision No. 55 issued by Minister of Interior and @ Municipalities Elias el-Murr on January 23, 2004. The The word ‘Qabeet’ is said to derive from Syriac words share its 15-member municipal council enjoyed of the meaning the ‘acorn cup’. The town is likely to have Independent Municipal Fund revenues stood in 2008 at been thus named on account of its abundant oak trees. !Œ" )+7 * Q !Œ" '(‹ !Œ"'++'((8'()(* Q '()) !Œ" ''7 * Qabeet is located in the mountainous area of the Qada’a Qabeet has 2 Muktars and a 3-member Ikhtiyariyah body. of Akkar at an altitude of 600 meters above the sea level and 120 kilometers from Beirut. It stretches across 720 NGOs hectares and may be reached via one of two roads: Qabeet is home to the 9 NGOs and agricultural co- Tripoli-Halba-Berkayel- Bzal-Qabeet ops as listed below: Qoubayyat-Hrar-Qabeet. The Nour El-Shams Charity established in 2010 The Education and Development Foundation Population established in 2010 The town’s registered population is estimated at The Akkar Environmental and Charity Foundation 4400, all of whom are Sunni. They are distributed in established in 2009 750 households. The Co-operative Society for the Development and Industrialization of Agriculture established in 2007 Voters The Social Culture Association established in 2006 According to electoral records, the number of registered ! " ]^ voters stood at 942 in 2000, 526 of whom cast their established in 2005 ballots. The number rose to 1,568 and 1,864 voters in The Qabeet Agricultural Co-operative established in 1997 2005 and 2009, of whom 1,095 and 1,227 cast their The Bounyan and An-Nour Association established in 1992 votes respectively. In 2013, Qabeet recorded 1,942 The Reform and Guidance Association established in 1988 voters, i.e. an increase of 106% or 1000 voters over 13 years. Compared with the 25.6% increase in voters that @! Lebanon has seen during the same period, the percentage The town has three schools, whose combined number registered in Qabeet is considered to be relatively high of students is 1114 with 77 teachers. and indicative of a fast-growing population. ž_J$+7+ ( Voters in Qabeet are distributed between the following „_J$)€')‹ families: Œ V^œ " J$ 6€€ students and 19 teachers Darweesh: 220 voters Mohammad: 55 Khodr: 137 Ali: 54 @ Hamza: 110 Ahmad: 50 The majority of Qabeet residents suffer from dreary Tradiyeh: 160 Chahadi:40 economic conditions. With 7 to 8 members per Assad: 103 Qassem: 35 household on average (the average family size in Jdeed: 85 Deeb: 35 ! ˆ # Hussein: 80 Mahmoud: 32 agricultural activities can hardly meet the basic Ismail: 66 Hassan (El-Hassan):28 needs of Qabeet’s large families and residents rely Etleb: 65 Abboud: 28 heavily on remittances from expatriates and from Othman: 58 Kanaan: 27 employment in the military.

issue 141 | April 2014 38 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART DISCOVER THE WORLD

REPUBLIC OF GUYANA 4 PEOPLE PER KM2

=:OCAL k :,+OqL L%$L"#L #KLF

Guyana is located on the northern coast of South America and it makes up part of the Caribbean mainland territories. It is bordered by Surinam to the east, Brazil to the south, Venezuela to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the north and has a tropical and hot climate.

Republic of Guyana > J 1494 followed by the Dutch in 1620. Guyana was later ceded to the British who colonized the entire area in 1814 following the withdrawal of the Dutch. In May 1966, Guyana gained its independence from Britain.

Area Guyana extends across 215,000 Km2. Its capital is Georgetown.

Population @ Guyana is home to approximately 875,000 people,  " ŠJ 6*‹ * Q +(/Q"6+/V economy is based on three main pillars: the rest are from European, Chinese and American V# 6'/ "* Diasporas. Agricultural products include sugarcane, rice, corn and coconut. Religion †#')/" 60% of Guyana’s population is Christian, either puts Guyana among the top producers of some ]"*P6(/ metals such as bauxite, aluminum, uranium and the inhabitants and Muslims amount to nearly 60,000 gold. or 7% of the total population. Tourism and service industries make up 48% of "* Having been under the British colonial rule for several ?"  # R# " language. Some Guyanese speak Indian languages elected by a 67-seat National Assembly and vested and Spanish. with appointing the government.

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MEDIA |39 FEBRUARY 2014 HIGHLIGHTS #, "†^# J V# †" A suicide bomber blows himself up in a receives representatives of the Tashnaq J œ Œ # "†^ Grand Cherokee Jeep near a petrol station "# designate Tamam Salam not to rush in in Hermel, leaving 4 dead and 27 injured. government situation. the formation of the Cabinet. The An-Nusra Front claims responsibility The Special Tribunal for Lebanon VQ# for the attack and the residents of Hermel continues its sessions and hears the of weapons in the town of Aidamoun. condemn the explosion. testimony of retired Brigadier General The warehouse belongs to a Syrian 1 dead and 2 injured in an armed Abdul Karim Al-Sousi, who denies national who used the warehouse to arm clash between two families in the old having tampered with the crime scene. gunmen sneaking into Syria. neighborhoods of Tripoli. A number of Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs shops were also set ablaze. #: Emma Bonnino arrives in Lebanon on Minister of Justice Shakib Qortbawi Military Investigative Judge refers the civil marriage draft law to Nabil Wehbi interrogates detainee downsizing of the Italian Contingent "* Omar Al-Atrash, and issues an arrest operating within UNIFIL is not at present and does not predetermine that the sect warrant for him. under consideration. be omitted from the Identity Card. Bahiya Hariri’s supporters take to the " † J streets and block the road near the Awali "† œ` † #* River in protest at her photo-shopped " R As part of his political endeavor to image aired during “Hayda Haki,” a Lahoud over the death of the sister of ] "†^# # †[*†" Judge Nassri Lahoud. Salam calls General Michel Aoun and Bahiya Hariri announces her intention to †" Œ P Speaker Nabih Berri after having met sue the TV channel for the offense. against MTV for airing a photo- both Minister Gebran Bassil and Hussein General Michel Aoun slams #†" Khalil, the political aide of Hezbollah’s incomplete parliamentary consultations Mohammad Raad and Adel Karam, host Secretary General. and bids national partnership farewell of the MTV weekly satirical program ]"†œ`† following the weekly meeting of the Hayda Haki, apologizes to her sincerely. during the International Security Change and Reform Bloc. A secret witness who was a former Conference in Munich that the Syrian "†J member at the Internal Security Forces crisis has cost Lebanon USD 7 billion. he has given instructions to write his J The acquittal of Rola Yaacoub’s farewell speech and hand over his post Tribunal for Lebanon that the Syrian husband who had been accused of to a newly elected president. Intelligence Chief in Beirut, Jameh beating his wife to death causes a number # Jameh, had requested to be informed of protests. residence of LF leader, Samir Geagea, about the data gathered at the Hariri in Meerab draws media attention. The crime scene. #/ Minister of Interior and Municipalities A suicide bomber detonates himself `#†" #5 inside a passenger van in Choueifat, Antoine Zahra says the Iranian-made Efforts to form a Cabinet falter again, killing himself and injuring the van drone will be shot down if spotted again negating the positivism that had emerged driver and a passer-by. Military experts near the residence of Geagea. earlier today and circulating talks point report that the suicide vest contained 5 The STL prosecution reveals that out the possibility of forming the Cabinet kilograms of explosives and the An- ##VV early next week following the return of Nusra Front claims responsibility for Adas were found at the Hariri crime scene "†J* the attack; claiming that the operation which refutes his alleged involvement in STL secret witness No. 566 claims occurred in front of one of the Hezbollah the assassination, as evidenced by the that there was a lack of coordination checkpoints and killed all the Shia’a testimony of Internal Security Forces between the Lebanese Army and the passengers in addition to all the members Brigadier General Asaad Nohra. Internal Security Forces at the crime who were at the checkpoint. scene the day Hariri was assassinated. Truck drivers protest calling for #< The Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc changing the circulation schedule of Following their regular monthly reiterates that anything short of an all- trucks. meeting, Lebanon’s Maronite Bishops embracing Cabinet would be considered Minister of Energy and Water Gebran issue a National Charter document a violation of the national pact. The aide Bassil announces that the energy project #" to Hezbollah’s Secretary General, Hajj contracts have been awarded and that the Republic should be treated as a priority Hussein Khalil, reports to Al-Liwaa Lebanon will enjoy a continuous power and calling for Lebanon’s neutrality and that Hezbollah will not abandon its supply by the end of 2015. for reconsidering the Taif Accord. allies, stressing that the rapprochement

issue 141 | April 2014 | 40 MEDIA FEBRUARY 2014 HIGHLIGHTS

between the Future Movement and the O # women tasked to deliver the second car ‘ " † ministerial position. to suicide bombers were arrested. The country. French newspaper, Le Figaro, reports \ The recent Bkerki document receives that the Marshall Islands has nominated in the towns of Saadeyat and Debiyyeh. acclaim from several political groups former General Security head Jamil al- Marshall Islands withdraws al- while Hezbollah responds with silence. Sayyed as their envoy to UNESCO, Sayyed’s UNESCO nomination. which gives al-Sayyed immunity from The STL Trial Chamber suspends #8 prosecution at the STL, although he has its trial sessions following the joinder of " † J not been accused. the Merhi case to those of the four other to Beirut after having participated in Lebanon bids farewell to the convicted fugitives to allow the defense Tunisia’s new constitution ceremony renowned Lebanese poet Joseph Harb team enough time for preparation. and met his French counterpart François who wrote the lyrics of many songs for Former head of the Internal Security Hollande and Ali Larijani, Head of Iran’s the Lebanese Diva, Fairouz. ‘ †`  V O Shura Council. accuses generals Jamil al-Sayyed, Ali ] "† œ` † #,, el-Hajj and Mostafa Hamdan of direct "# † " V^O involvement in the Hariri assassination. Russia to attend the opening ceremony for Rome and announces at the airport ! ] " of the Winter Olympics in Sochi. # " orders a two-month jail term for Jean Army Commander General Jean O "†^# V#" ž` # prevents them from forming a Cabinet Republic. strife. * ]"†œ`†’ The Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Telecommunications Minister Nicolas #6 Geagea supports the Bkerki document Sehnaoui to retract the illegal licenses MTV’s CEO, Michel Gabriel during his press conference and urges granted to internet service provider El-Murr, apologizes personally to all parties to follow in his footsteps, companies to work and invest in the †" Œ P stressing that the document has cancelled cellular sector. controversial sketch. the theory of the resistance. Commander of the Lebanese Arab The STL decides to put the Merhi case #,/ Army during the Civil War, First at the trial of the four alleged Hezbollah " † J Lieutenant Ahmad Al-Khatib passes away. suspects accused of plotting the a security meeting at the Baabda Head of the Shura Council, former OP* presidential palace to discuss the security Judge Saadallah Khoury passes away. is likely to result in the adjournment of situation in the wake of the latest army the Tribunal’s sessions. achievements. #' Naked pictures of the Lebanese Informed sources reveal that the " † J Olympic skier Jackie Chamoun spark terrorist Naim Abbas confessed to all the #† crimes he committed in less than half an St. Maroun Church in Gemmayze. Youth and Sports, Faisal Karami, orders hour, which caused surprised reactions. "V^OŒ an investigation. Jackie apologizes and The phobia of car bombings sweeps in the presence of General Michel Aoun explains that the photographs were taken across Beirut, Saida and Beka’a and the and his bloc members and advocates for a calendar 3 years ago and the footage !V their rightful demands. which found its way onto the internet the cars reported as suspicious. was never supposed to be made public. " #,+ ]"†œ`† O A group of young men stage protests an explanation from Telecommunications Hariri’s assassination. in Al-Qebbeh, Tripoli, in response to Minister Nicolas Sehnaoui over the the insults directed at Omar Al-Atrash alleged illegal licenses issued to internet #,: during an earlier protest on Sunday companies. March 14 Forces commemorate the when one sheikh from al-Msheik family Ethiopian domestic worker kills her OPŒQR! $O_›P employer Nawal Halabi in Hlalieh, near his son, Saad Hariri, delivers a televised A member of the Internal Security Saida. speech from Riyadh, reiterating the ‘ J moderation of the Future Movement and Tribunal for Lebanon that he was ordered #,* its opposition to both the Islamic State of to the Hariri crime scene to oversee the The Lebanese Army Intelligence Iraq and Syria and Hezbollah, stressing removal of cars to the Helou barracks, arrests terrorist Naim Abbas, a top that the Future Movement refuses a without having been given the reasons. V^ž^V presidential vacuum and all attempts to Following his visit to Tripoli’s Azzam Brigades, who helps uncover J Maronite archdiocese to congratulate a car loaded with 100 kg of explosives Hezbollah and al-Qaeda. He makes no Bishop George Abou Jaoudeh on St. in the Corniche al-Mazraa district of mention of the government. Maroun Day, former head of the Internal central Beirut and another one with Security Forces, Major General Ashraf explosives near the town of Arsal. Three

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. | FEBRUARY 2014 HIGHLIGHTS MEDIA 41

Residents take to the streets of Tripoli Intelligence Branch Chief Brigadier Mansour emphasizing that he will not in protest at the competition for labor General Imad Othman brings together accept a presidential vacuum and that J#*  V O P\ "^OO J " "† ’ J hear his opinion on the matter. Saad Hariri. O V  " aimed at reopening the channels of #,< communication and defusing the Abdul Rahman Diab, and issues a 48- Lebanon announces the formation sectarian tensions. hour ultimatum to authorities to arrest of its long-awaited Cabinet under the * premiership of Tamam Salam and #,6 in Tripoli leaving one person dead and 6 ministers pose for a group photo, which ] others injured. was later doctored to include Speaker Œ " The Syrian judiciary sentences œŒ*"†J committee to formulate the ministerial Mohammad Zouheir As-Seddiq and the national unity Cabinet. statement. Mourad Akram to 20 years in prison for Lebanese poet and writer Ounsi el- false testimony in the Hariri case. #,5 Hajj dies at the age of 77. "† J # The Lebanese Army chases a Q with a number of Arab diplomats suspicious Toyota Rav 4 on the outskirts about an alleged meeting between Aoun including the Syrian ambassador and the of the town of Ham and manages to and Hariri in France about a month ago. J# * capture the vehicle, which was rigged General Michel Aoun celebrates his †"J#!‘ with 240 kilograms of explosives. The 79th birthday. leader, Samir Geagea, will one day be driver escapes. "!O Hezbollah’s Secretary General #,' Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah underlines in a Two suicide bombers blow up their #*, televised speech aired on al-Manar TV cars near the Iranian Cultural Center " ^O "† that Hezbollah is warding off the attacks early this morning, killing 8 people J P †" J # and injuring 130 others. The Abdullah advisors in Rome. The discussion covers Azzam Brigades claim responsibility for presidential elections and Hariri says government strips it of its unity. Nasrallah the attack saying it was in retaliation for O" reiterates the need for accord among all Iran and Hezbollah’s involvement in the all in our power to prevent a vacuum.” parties and urges the confrontation of killing of Syrian children. The Lebanese "† terrorism. Hezbollah’s supporters greet V meeting in the presence of Tripoli’s #* "œP^ ministers to discuss the security situation Speaker Nabih Berri arrives in Kuwait Mughayer and Marwan Hamadeh. The in the city. „"JJ cars were rigged with 165 kilograms of ‘"†‘J Ahmad al-Sabah. explosives. infrastructure projects in Saida and urges ‘ " V  "† J Hezbollah to retreat from Syria and to "^V^O meeting for the committee tasked with drop all the pretexts it is using to justify equation has fallen apart. formulating the ministerial statement at terrorist acts. •V^JO Œ"* Speaker Nabih Berri returns to Beirut appointment to the Ministry of Justice ‘ "† J P after concluding his Albania trip. and cuts off his co-ordination with the ] The Lebanese Army arrests a woman March 8 Forces. including Defense Minister Field named Em Jamal in Nabi Sheet for trying Marshal Abdel Fattah Sisi. to recruit females to perform terrorist #,8 "† J ‘ [ acts for the An-Nusra Front. Outgoing ministers hand over their †" J ‘# # +"† Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, adding that if # " V^ Salam meets a number of ambassadors 8 ministers tendered their resignations, Mayadeen TV, whether from March 8 or J* he would follow suit. March 14 Forces. In his weekly statement to Al- Speaker Nabih Berri arrives in V†"• V* #** presidential election ranks highest on the Outgoing minister Chakib Qortbawi A suicide bomber blows himself up new government’s agenda, adding that hands over his position as Minister of in a Grand Cherokee Jeep at a Lebanese the political dispute should be withdrawn •VO* Army checkpoint in Hermel. The from the streets. bombing kills 3 people, including an Celebratory gunshots heard in Beirut #*+ `)€* following the speech of Speaker Nabih Death toll rises to 10 in the Beer The An-Nusra Front claims responsibility Berri. Hassan explosion. for the attack and the Lebanese Army A conciliatory meeting brokered "†JP] estimate that 125 kilograms of explosives by Colonel Houssam Tanoukhi and # " V were used in the explosion.

issue 141 | April 2014 | 42 MEDIA FEBRUARY 2014 HIGHLIGHTS

Refaat Eid reports that the #*< The Special Tribunal for Lebanon 48-ultimatum to hand over the assassins Once again, the ministerial statement announces in writing the joinder of the V  " committee convenes and fails to reach Merhi case to the trial of the other four Abdul Rahman Diab was announced agreement over the controversial suspects. to calm down the agitated residents of clauses of the resistance and the Baabda Jabal Mohsen. declaration. #*8 The Lebanese Army’s crackdowns in During a luncheon she hosted for “Believe me, those who are currently Saida result in the death of one of Nidal the March 14 Forces’ Secretariat at challenging the Baabda Declaration will El-Moughir’s relatives at the Ein El- "† J P start calling for its implementation later Helweh Camp.  Œ †" Œ on,” Suleiman says in an interview with Haria receives the annual report of the the al-Nashra magazine, published by #*/ Secretariat for the year 2013 and stresses the Beirut Bar Association. “Speaker ‘ " J P that the state should punish crime, not Nabih Berri recited the resolutions and Future TV “I will be at the heart of the seek revenge. the amendments, and despite all this, it presidential electons.” Tensions rise in the town of Baisariyeh is being said that the Declaration was not † " ^O after the scorching of the car of the father discussed and that the paper was only Lebanon’s Army Commander Jean of Marwan Hamadeh, a suspect in the distributed to the conferees,” Suleiman Qahwaji in Rome. Bir Hassan and Hermel explosions. complains. Residents of Ersal march in support L’orient le Jour celebrates its 90th ‘ "† ‘ J of the Lebanese Army and call for the anniversary as a francophone magazine. the Special Representative of the UN ### Secretary General at his residence of civil peace. #*5 and hands him a petition signed by 64 Hezbollah issues a statement †" ’# #*: #Q assassination crimes against the Cedar Three inmates escape from the stronghold and vowing to hit back at the Revolution leaders to the powers of the Roumieh prison and the Lebanese Army #*"J Special Tribunal for Lebanon. manages to re-arrest two of them. urges the Minister of Foreign Affairs Israeli border troops maintain high Sources report that Israeli airstrikes Šœ J alert following Hezbollah’s retaliation targeted a Hezbollah stronghold in the Council. threats. border town of Nabi Sheet in Beqa’a. Following the weekly meeting chaired "†J The ministerial statement committee by Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Committee for fails to reach agreement over the †"’Œ#OŒ ‘#"œJ controversial clauses of the resistance Declaration and the army-people- the Islamic Consultative Assembly of and the Baabda declaration and adjourns resistance formula should be part of the Iran, Alaeddine Boroujerdi. its session until tomorrow. policy statement or that the settlement AUB students stage a protest against American actress and UNHCR should include both” and stressing the raise in tuition fees. Special Envoy, Angelina Jolie, arrives in that four Arab Summits emphasized Lebanon on a humanitarian mission and Lebanon’s right to resistance. #*6 takes a tour of Syrian refugee camps. By the end of its 6th meeting, the During a speech at the Holy Spirit •"O ministerial statement committee reaches Š „ " † "†* a satisfactory formula over the Baabda Suleiman implicitly urges Hezbollah to In a statement posted on their Twitter  † " cede ground over the divisive tripartite account, the An-Nusra Front urges the Health, Wael Bou Faour, hopes that “army, people, resistance” formula, rational Lebanese to stay out its battle Friday’s meeting will be the last. saying all sides needed to avoid clinging against Wilayat al-Faqeeh and not to help During an interview on the NBN ’ the persecutor against the oppressed, †" † V OQ birth of the policy statement. accusing Hezbollah of putting the advocate Hezbollah’s right to resistance The ministerial statement committee Lebanese Army in the front line so that but I am not an adversary of the Future adjourns its meeting till Monday after ##J* Movement.” failure to reach consensus over the First military investigative Judge “The decision about withdrawal from resistance and the Baabda Declaration Riad Abou Ghaida issues an arrest Syria is not in Hezbollah’s hands”, says clauses. warrant in absentia for Ali Eid. Refaat Walid Jumblat on the Future TV. Syrian airstrikes in Ersal leave 2 dead Eid reports that they have lost the battle Al-Jamaa Al-Islamiya awaits the and 7 injured. The Islamic State of Iraq #VO* # and the Levant claims responsibility for A mild earthquake hits the city of of Marwan Dimashqiya, a party member the grad rockets launched against Brital. Tyre. best known for his link to a provocative First Military Investigative Judge parody song attacking Hezbollah over its Riad Abou Ghaida orders the death ongoing battle in Yabroud. penalty for fugitive Sunni cleric Ahmad al-Assir.

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MEDIA |43

THIS MONTH IN HISTORY- LEBANON THE GOVERNMENT OF AMIN AL-HAFEZ CONFIDENCE SESSION NOT CONVENED

L conventions; the Prime Minister refrains from assuming his duties and curbs C?A ?7 GJ _ ,'8/G G>Q<,

"W ‘)87€"# #†"† armed presence in Lebanon. With the signing of the JJ#"J‘# )878]V##" dismiss the Army Commander or else, he would guerillas the freedom to operate in Arqoub, the tender his resignation. " ## pronounced. This, coupled with the entry of _ " V thousands of gunmen into Lebanon after the failed ]#"†JJ coup in Jordan in 1970, led to an exacerbation words into action and resigned the premiership on "† April 10, 1973. " O "!* GGG>Q "# On April 10, 1973, thirty Israeli Mossad agents for the Army and its commander, former premiers landed on Lebanese shores and then drove in cars and prominent Sunni dignitaries, including Saeb toward Verdun, where they murdered three of the JO„V‚ #^"!_$V‚œ`` "# Kamal Nasser and Kamal Adwan, along with 9 he took earnest measures to appease those Muslim "* ' ! sectors angry at the army’s failure to protect were also killed and 9 other civilians were injured. "* News of the operation did not reach the then Army Commander, General Iskandar Ghanem, until 1:50 ‘ † # " am, at which time the agents were already at sea, ‘# # " sailing back to Israel. grant him full liberty to nominate the next premier during parliamentary consultations, which became Initially, security organizations mistook the #V*" 40-minute operation for clashes among rival was vacillating between two candidates: Amin Al- " * Hafez, the representative of Tripoli, and Suleiman Muslim leaders to hold the Christian-backed Ali, the representative of Akkar. The choice fell on Lebanese Army accountable for the violation. the former, for he had run under the list of Rasheed Subsequently, since defusing the growing tension Karami in 1972.

issue 141 | April 2014 44| MEDIA

Post-formation The government took shape on April 25, 1973. it on July 16 and requested Al-Hafez to assume Amin Al-Hafez himself enjoyed modest popularity caretaker responsibilities until the formation of among the Sunni community but his agreement to a new government, which emerged under the chair the government triggered a wave of large- premiership of Takieddine Al-Solh on July 18, scale protests especially because the two Sunni 1973. ministers, Bahij Tabbara and Zakariya Nsouli, were equally disagreeable to the general public. The government of Amin Al-Hafez was thus nipped in the bud without having had the opportunity to Attempts of mediation by Grand Mufti Sheikh # Hassan Khaled to persuade Al-Hafez to resign were would have been guaranteed had it not been for the unsuccessful. Yet, with the mounting pressures, Al- zeal of Al-Hafez’ keenness to respect the “sectarian P\#† sanctity”. ‹ ’ " Frangieh and efforts began to guarantee a majority Government line-up "* The government consisted of 17 ministers from different sectarian backgrounds: Voting session V V^P\ ‡Jˆ$ " † J#" # † Q " on May 31st Health. ‡_ˆ$" •)'*"‘# Minister and Minister of National Defense. of 63 members, thus thwarting the attempts of Al- Bashir Al-Awar (Sunni): Minister of the Interior Hafez’s opponents to prevent the needed quorum of Kathem Khalil (Shia’a): Minister of Justice 51. 32 members boycotted the session and 4 others Joseph Skaff (Greek Catholic): Minister of * Electrical and Hydraulic Resources More noteworthy was the absence of the two Sunni Khatchiq Babakian (Armenian Orthodox): ministers, Bahij Tabbara and Zakariya Nsouli and †"# the boycott by 16 Sunni deputies out of 20. The œ`V ‡\ˆ$ † " minimal Sunni attendance drove Amin Al-Hafez to Works and Transport adjourn the session saying: Khalil Abou Hamad(Greek Catholic): Minister “We have come here today to discuss the ministerial of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants statement and read it to the esteemed chamber of Fouad Naffaa (Maronite): Minister of Finance #*Q Michel Sassine (Greek Orthodox): Minister of morning, we were taken aback by the absence of Housing and Cooperatives two ministers, which led me to urge the adjourning Edmont Rizk (Maronite): Minister of National of the session, out of keen support for the principle Education and Fine Arts of participation.” ‘# ‡†ˆ$ † " Telegraph and Telephone The session was adjourned at 12:00 pm, one hour Emille Rouhana Sakr (Maronite ): Minister of and 45 minutes after its opening. Labor and Social Affairs Fahmi Chahine (Shia’a): Minister of Agriculture Against the backdrop of increasing Muslim Ali Al-Khalil (Shia’a): Minister of Tourism pressures, the two Sunni ministers were persuaded Bahij Tabbara (Sunni): Minister of Economy to tender their resignations the next day. In turn, and Commerce Amin Al-Hafez submitted his resignation to Zakariya Nsouli (Sunni): Minister of Industry "‘#•) * and Oil

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. ARAB WORLD FOCUS|45

THIS MONTH IN HISTORY- THE ARAB WORLD REVOLUTION OF RASHID ALI EL-KEILANY IN IRAQ- APRIL 1941

H#!!HLQ!!O KC?GA B==!!,'/'K# L!O?7;"L G!O,'/+K

In the opposite camp, chief of staff Hussein Fawzi # " chaired a political and parliamentary opposition the government decided to maintain a sensible and that aspired to reconstruct Iraq and to reinforce its balanced stance by agreeing to implement the clauses autonomy far from the treaties that tied it to British relating to the transit of military forces only while interests. The opposition consisted of a number keeping Iraq out of the war. leadership of Rashid Ali el-Keilany. As the political Regent Abdullah and his British allies started to escalate demands for the resignation of Rashid Ali O#"V#"†œ el-Keilany. In such a highly sensitive situation, el- al-Said to form a new government. Al-Said seized the „# opportunity to wreak his vengeance by dismissing to spare the country from the unrest and bloodshed his rival Hussein Fawzi and his supporting military and handed power over to Taha el-Hashimi who was leaders. This exacerbated the wrath of nationalist known for his nationalist inclinations. Yet, as soon as movements and those sectors wanting to loosen the he assumed his premiership duties, Regent Abdullah tight grip exercised by Britain on Iraq’s ministries, requested him to stamp out all the opponents of economy, currency and oil resources. British policy. Having thus exposed the plot they were brewing against him, el-Keilany set his mind Faced with Nouri al-Said’s drastic decline in to overthrowing the Regent and the government popularity among infuriated crowds, the Regent in collaboration with four generals of the Iraqi resorted to deposing the government in a bid to revolutionary army. defuse the tension. He appointed Rashid Ali el- „"†*R^„# In April 1941, the military besieged the royal court terms with all parties, for he belonged to the national and seized power in Baghdad amidst unparalleled school of King Ghazi before the latter’s tragic death poplar support. Taha el-Hashimi was forced to resign in an enigmatic car accident. He was also the King’s O# V # Œ O]*Q protection, whence he was taken to safety in Jordan. to contain the situation, Rashid Ali el-Keilany formed As Iraq reached the juncture of constitutional vacuum, a national coalition government consisting of rival el-Keilany took the initiative to form an interim # œ government to handle exigent matters and to safeguard al-Said as Minister of Foreign Affairs. As military the unity of the country, holding Regent Abdullah operations expanded in Europe and following *"V Germany’s occupation of France and Italy’s alliance deposed and was replaced by Sherif Sharaf as the new with Germany, a vehement outcry was raised to put Regent and a new government was formed consisting ŒQ’# ^Œ#* 1930 treaty. Unsurprisingly, Britain refused to recognize the new Fearing to lose its grip on Iraq and therefore lose the government and upped the stakes by enlarging its numerous strategic and petroleum interests it had fought military forces in Iraq in the hope of reinstating Regent so hard to control, Britain urged the Iraqi authorities to Abdullah and Nouri al-Said. The revolutionaries open their bases and to employ their transport facilities declared war on Britain in May 1941, which resulted for the passage of the reinforcements coming from in the dismissal of the government and el-Keilany’s India and the Arab Gulf to support the British armed taking refuge in Italy and then in Germany from ## R # # # with of the provisions of the 1930 treaty. Following British occupation.

issue 141 | April 2014 46|ARAB WORLD FOCUS ON THE BELIEFS AND PLOTS OF AL-QAEDA PROFITING FROM OIL FORTUNES

GWQGW ! ! G ? L >"GWF F 9J !@KGGQQK GW GW and the ideologies that inspire its members. In what follows, we shed light on how Al-Qaeda perceives matters related to oil and how it believes #*‘# into the Al-Qaeda mindset will be offered in future issues, as reported to us from informed sources.

The Oil Fortune

The First step A media group including specialists in political 1- A concise summary of the study prepared by the economy conducts a study aimed at gauging the economic cadre with special focus on the extent of value of petroleum resources and the real prices of crude oil in order to prove that, despite the failure petroleum products and a demonstration revealing ## that, however scanty, the amounts yielded from the oil the time being, the prices of this substance remain industry throughout the decades, were not employed negligible as compared to others, to the point that to build the nation but were transferred into the bank a joke by a comedian on stage was said to be more accounts of a bunch of Western puppets from Arab expensive than a thousand barrels of oil. The study and Islamic regimes. Only leftovers were given to should specify the real or approximate price of the nation in a bid to throw dust in the people’s eyes. a barrel of oil according to the proper economic The new prices to be set per barrel must be mentioned standards while pinpointing the importance of the and it is to be understood that these prices have been oil industry in politics as well as the injustice that arrived at as the result of a careful economic study the nation has suffered for tens of years due to low distributed to several economists, politicians and price rates. The study would then be handed to a media elites in our Islamic world. #` statements so that he may devise a statement free 2- An announcement to all the countries importing oil from all excuses against any claim purporting to from Muslim countries urging them to abide by the assert that we are disturbing the oil sector because it prices dictated by both the study and the statement, # with Muslims retaining their right to claim for the is susceptible to numerous interpretations that might difference between the previous and the current expose us to a media controversy that would derail prices for all the past years. Let those seeking to our work. The statement must include the following: negotiate prices know that these are the prices that

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. ARAB WORLD FOCUS|47

Muslims want in exchange for their possessions and "" those unwilling to pay these rates had better refrain We will make it sure that the study reaches the largest from purchasing altogether. As of this day, the returns segments of the economic, political and media yielded from selling Muslims’ oil will no longer elites, both inside and outside the Islamic world, so land in regime treasuries pierced with holes that that everybody can learn how oppressed our poor # nation has been. This would also encourage oil- in Switzerland. Rather, popular committees would be rich countries elsewhere in the world to follow suit responsible for the disposition of funds, distributing by increasing petroleum prices. As for the concise them to needy nations once they have paid the summary, it must be delivered to every nook and salaries of the industry’s workers. These committees corner of every house in our nation by any means would consist of Muslim traders and dignitaries who necessary, even if we have to kidnap a Christian had proved themselves worthy of trust. crusader- preferably a petroleum engineer or director- and stipulate, as a condition for his release, 3- V## that the statement in its entirety be carried by all the levels of responsiveness to the statement and to newspapers and TV channels. The abduction may pave the way for earnest steps to be taken by the be carried out in Nigeria or Senegal or any Islamic concerned parties. Should no positive response be oil country, even elsewhere if future operations are forthcoming, attacks will be launched on petroleum scheduled to take place in other regions such as facilities, more precisely on pipelines so as to avoid the Gulf region. Should the abduction of a Western human casualties, or on the oil tankers operated by crusader falter, we can replace him with a Christian *Q`#† Arab or a foreign journalist or whatever person #* whose abduction might serve our purpose, even if # they were from outside the petroleum sector. The treated as traitors and shown no mercy. As for those abduction scheme may be dropped altogether should employed by security companies, they will come an alternative operation emerge to draw the world’s under attack only if they try to kill or detain a jihadist attention to our statement. #* Many would be taken aback, however, if I were to say 4- It is worthwhile reassuring our people that, should that our primary goal is not the demands contained things deteriorate and should the petroleum sector in the statement. The chances are that the West and cease to operate, they would not lose out. First, the its puppet regimes will not respond to any of the bulk of our petroleum income is piling up in the bank demands and might even play down the threats. accounts of the puppet rulers and their henchmen, and the scanty part assigned to our people is aimed It is also likely that our small-scale operations at misleading them. Second, when sales stop, we scheduled to begin at the expiry of the ultimatum will still have plenty of petroleum reserves to sell present in the statement, will fail to stop the pumping later at a multiple of times the current price. The of oil to the West. But at least, they are guaranteed to push up oil prices, even if just enough to cover cover the reparation of any damage that might befall the expenses of the electronic security systems the facilities. This, in the short term if Allah wills. and the guards and soldiers who will be deployed In the long term, we hope that the status quo of the all along petroleum pipelines and on the premises nation will change and that it will restore its volition of huge petroleum facilities and their ancillaries. and the rights and aspirations that the West and its The prices will most probably soar a little further treacherous agents have plundered will be restored. following the political crisis that the operations will We are doing all this for no other sake than that of trigger. However, the best-case scenario predicts an the nation and we expect our people to challenge immediate rise in prices even before the operations and silence all the trumpets that the injured regimes kick-off, upon the mere issuance of the study and might blow to distort our purpose and disrupt our the statement. This may grant us favorable media mission. With a little bit of patience, the nation could advantage by proving us capable of hiking oil prices redeem its decision-making and its dignity. twice: once through a simple statement and once

issue 141 | April 2014 48|ARAB WORLD FOCUS

through minor operations against petroleum targets To those taking pity on us because of the media lacking in security. distortions and campaigns that we may encounter in response to our operations against economy or Some of you would be further amazed to hear that petroleum resources, I say that they need to take it all of the above- be it the foreseen negativity or the easy and to gear up for worse news that is yet to unexpected response to our demands- matters little come. Without this resolve, our jihad will never rise to us. What we care about most is to have the enemy up. If we start to wail and lament so soon, we had rally its forces, in overwhelming numbers, towards * the protection of economic sites. Stationing the most eyes to these distortive campaigns and prepare for capable troops to guard thousands of petroleum the enemy, for if not now there will never be a right and economic hubs inside a country would vacate time. its peripheries and overcrowded cities or, at best, leave them with feeble forces that are easy to Let him who sets foot on the path for jihad know confront when needed, thus enabling us to seek out the people in those areas and recruit them by virtue up- Oh Allah, we ask you for your pardon and well- of a verbal agreement, for we refuse to sign any being in our religious and worldly affairs, in this life # # and the next- and we will see millions of displaced #* # ## # they grant us the liberty to call on the Muslims of regimes or against the crusaders or the Jews, just as the populated cities and the peripheries to join Al- in the cases of Afghanistan and Chechnya, when the Qaeda and to train and recruit them. Otherwise, battles intensify, erudite scholars from among the we would pursue them with our swords. In such a leaders of Islamic movements will come on board. way, we would be taking huge strides towards the Fingers may be pointed at us for causing this frenzy management of savagery phase, which begins by # allowing the impotent apostate troops stranded in kill thousands, so we had better be ready. While the outskirts and the populated areas- since elite one of the Afghan leaders was sitting with the late fully-equipped troops would be deployed to protect Sheikh Abdullah Azzam- may the mercy of Allah be rulers, crusaders and economic and tourist hubs, to upon him- he learned of the death of more than 20 choose one of three possible options: die, join our members of his family during a raid on their town. #* Unfazed, he passed the news on to the Sheikh as if he # was speaking to him of how Haroun al-Rashid used gangs and unrest. to be a pilgrim one year and a raider the next and picked up the conversation normally as if nothing "*J$ had happened. This is war and peoples should get gangs, are de facto-and by Sharia- better than used to it, or else when and how will we resist being allowing the dominion of certain powers over the led astray? We must be prepared as far as is feasible status quo and placing people under the humiliation to ward off tarnishing campaigns. If we were fully of police departments and coercing them to accept devoted to our work, our words would touch the blasphemy or resort to humanly posited laws or hearts of people and they would be patient with us succumb to tyrants, for these wreak far more havoc provided that we were patient with ourselves. But on security. Furthermore, the presence of gangs will if we started to complain and lament right now, the not go unrestrained and people will start rallying people would have the full right to be frightened. towards armament to defend themselves, rather than yielding to the former state of capitulation to I bring to your attention once more that what I have the troops of tyrants. Citizens will act on the advice mentioned here regarding petroleum is intended of Muslim scholars by regulating their affairs in to only hone the mind. However, the strategy of accordance with Sharia following the judicial targeting the enemy in general is well-thought out vacuum, which will inevitably surface when powers at both political and military levels and it has been collapse or wane. emphasized by jihadist leaderships in several studies and statements.

issue 141 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PRICES |49

REAL ESTATE PRICES - FEBRUARY 2014

Towards *+,/ Prices of some apartments sold in February 2014 Table 2 2 2 G Region Area m Price (USD) USD/m Beirut ! Sanaeh 160 432,000 2,700 Tallet el-Khayyat 210 651,000 3,100 *+,: 4 # Tareeq el-Jadideh 100 130,000 1,300 Tayyouneh 270 513,000 1,900 Mar Elias 250 575,000 2,300 OJ Verdun, Concorde 230 920,000 4,000 price levels and modest transactions. Tables 1 and 2 Karakas 200 700,000 3,500 illustrate the prices of some estates and apartments Ashrafieh, Rizk 180 648,000 3,600 #*+,: Ashrafieh, Roum 160 320,000 2,000 Baabda Prices of some estates sold in February 2014 Table 1 Baabda 200 400,000 2,000 Region Area m2 Price (USD) USD/m2 Hazmieh, Rotana 160 248,000 1,550 Beirut Hazmieh, Baladiyeh 180 288,000 1,600 Ashrafieh, Saydeh 320 2,240,000 7,000 Hazmieh, Mar Taqla 280 644,000 2,300 Hamra 400 4,800,000 12,000 Yarzeh 250 750,000 3,000 Rmeil 480 4,080,000 8,500 Ain Roummaneh 170 221,000 1,300 Monot 380 4,940,000 13,000 Hadath 150 217,500 1,450 Baabda Matn Baabda, Brazilia 2,120 5,088,000 2,400 Mansourieh 230 287,500 1,250 Hazmieh 750 1,575,000 2,100 Mansourieh 200 200,000 1,000 Jomhour 1,250 750,000 600 Sin el-Fil, Sayydeh 180 360,000 2,000 Matn Awkar 210 399,000 1,900 Ain Saadeh 1,650 2,145,000 1,300 Rabweh 160 224,000 1,400 Monteverde 1,000 1,200,000 1,200 Broummana 220 341,000 1,550 Zalqa 150 270,000 1,800 Awkar 950 475,000 500 Aley Sin el-Fil, Horsh Tabet 580 1,972,000 3,400 Aley 150 150,000 1,000 Aley Aramoun 320 320,000 1,000 Aley 800 400,000 500 Bshamoun 140 154,000 1,100 Bshamoun, Madares 1,350 702,000 520 Doha Hoss 270 364,500 1,350 Bhamdoun 3,500 420,000 120 Doha Aramoun 140 161,000 1,150 Kessrouan Kessrouan Jeita 1,430 786,500 550 Zouq Mosbeh 190 209,000 1,100 Faitroun 1,500 570,000 380 Haret Sakhr 150 288,000 1,920 Ajaltoun 680 272,000 400 Adonis 140 182,000 1,300 Faraya 1,600 560,000 350 Zouq Mikhael 165 222,750 1,350 Source: Compiled by Information International. Source: Compiled by Information International.

issue 141 | April 2014 50| Did you know that?

Natural Disasters

1.2 million people have been killed between 9,330 people were killed by natural disasters the years of 2000 and 2012 due to natural in 2012. disasters according to the United Nations 1,901 fatalities were registered in the Philippines Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. In this time in 2012, making it the country with the highest frame, 2010, the year of the Haiti earthquake, number casualties for that year. registered the highest number of casualties. 587 people were killed across Europe, and 2.9 billion people were also affected by natural 480 people in Pakistan. disasters over this period. People suffered the 12.9 million most from natural disasters in 2002, where people were affected by 659 million incurred losses. This was a year of the drought in Chad, Gambia, Niger, Mali, major flooding in China and India. Mauritania, and Senegal. 1.7 trillion US dollars was the worth of losses between 2000 and 2012. The highest amount was recorded for 2011 with 371 billion dollars, mostly due to strong earthquakes that year.

Beirut International Airport 

Beirut International Airport Rafic Hariri International Airport Traffic -  January 2014

The number of passengers Rafic Hariri International Airport traffic in January 2014 compared to December 2013 and Table 1 using the Rafic Hariri January 2013 International Airport decreased % of change % of change December January January from 510,367 in December Traffic December 2013/ January 2013 2014 2013 2013 to 450,476 in January January 2014 2013/14 2014, i.e. down by 11.7%. As compared to the same period Arriving airplanes 2,647 2,473 2,462 - 6.6 + 0.5 last year, the passenger traffic Departing airplanes 2,661 2,463 2,451 - 7.5 + 0.5 decreased by 2.9%. Total no. of airplanes 5,308 4,936 4,913 - 7 + 0.5 This decline in passenger traffic is attributed to the Arriving passengers 268,941 200,024 201,507 - 25.6 - 0.7 security unrest and the terrorist Departing passengers 239,742 249,498 261,195 + 4 - 4.5 explosions that have been shaking the country recently. Transit passengers 1,684 954 1,270 - 43.4 + 24.9 Forecasts had expected a slight increase of 3%. Total no. of passengers 510,367 450,476 463,972 - 11.7 - 2.9 Imported goods (per ton) 5,752 4,407 3,683 - 23.4 + 19.6 The following table illustrates the Rafic Hariri International Exported goods (per ton) 3,196 2,502 2,625 - 21.7 - 4.7 Airport traffic in January 2014 compared to December 2013 Total amount of goods 8,948 6,909 6,308 - 22.8 + 9.5 and January 2013. Source: Information International based on the Directorate General of Aviation Stats & Numbers |51 Stats& Numbers Publications

LBP 40 billion is the Publications by Publications by Kutub (in Arabic): Information International (in Arabic): advance granted to OGERO 1- May Ziadeh, Evolution of a Free Female Thinker 1- Salaries and Remunerations in the Public Sector at the end of 2013 to enable 2- Mission in Hijaz - Lion Roche 2- Public Seaside Properties it to carry out the tasks 3- Aleppo Cuisine 3- Lebanon’s Parliamentary History 1920-2000 requested by the Ministry of 4- From An-Nabk to Florida 4- Taxes and Fees Telecommunications. 5- Institution of Aesthetic Discourse -Saad el-Kassab 5- Lebanon in Figures 1992-2002 6- Al A’mal Al She’rya Al-Kamila -Kamal Keir beik 6- Lebanon in Figures 2003-2004 LBP 3.2 billion are the 7- Majhoulat Gibran 7- Lebanon in Figures 2005-2006 credits allocated to the Council 8- Lebanon in Figures 2007-2008 8- Shweir and Its Hills, A phtographic record for South Lebanon to pay the 9- Lebanon’s MPs and Lebanese Parliamentary 9- The Wars of Lajat 1837-1838 increase in the cost of living Elections 1960 - 2009 10- New Funerary Phoenician Stelae, Private Collection owed to its employees for 10- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, candidate and confession-North District the period between 1996 and 11- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, 1998. It is noteworthy that candidate and confession-Beirut District

many public employees have 12- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, not received the cost of living candidate and confession-Mount Lebanon District 13- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, credits owed to them. candidate and confession-Beqa’a District

14- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, candidate and confession-South and Nabatiyeh District LBP 58 billion is Lebanon’s 15- Municipal Elections 2010 share of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon budget for 2013. Its share constitutes 49% of Publications by INMA (in Arabic): the budget, which stands at 1- “I am Responsible, All of Us are Responsible” roughly LBP 118.4 billion or 2- “Our Environment is Our Home” USD 79 million. 3- “My Society is My Responsibility”

4- “My Society is My Responsibility” Workbook To Subscribe: LBP 400 million is 5- “I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards Al-Borj Building, 4th Floor, Martyrs Square State Building” Beirut Central District Lebanon’s contribution to the Telephone: 961-1-983008/9 961-3-262376 6- “I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards Fax: 961-1-980630 United Nations Development State Building” Workbook [email protected] 7- “Lebanon Wars, why?” www.iimonthly.com Programme in 2013. www.information-international.com 8- Discrimination in Lebanon © Information International SAL All rights reserved License No. 180/2003 MARRIAGE OF FEMALE MINORS BETWEEN LAW AND RELIGION

Wishing to provide a venue for open communication, Information International organized on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, a roundtable discussion entitled “Marriage of Female Minors between Law and Religion”. The event attracted high participation and was marked by insightful speeches by Judge Jean al- ž\\ J‚J ! ] Sheikh Muhammad Hassan Fadlallah, Sheikh Mahdi Chalak, a retired Sunni Religious Court judge and Father Abdo Raad. Lawyer Bouchra Khalil and other attendees enriched the discussion with their input and acknowledged the need to raise the age of marriage to 18.

From left to right: Sheikh Youssef Sbeiti, Father Abdo Raad, Judge Jean al-Qazzi, Sheikh Mahdi Chalak

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