The Monthly” Interviews Mahmoud Obaidi

issue number 119 |June 2012 AUDIT BUREAU TELECOMS BUDGET: LBP 2843.3 BILLION “THE MONTHLY” INTERVIEWS MAHMOUD OBAIDI

www.iimonthly.com Published by Information International sal

SALARIES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WIDENING GAP

4 SALARIES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

11 TELECOMS BUDGET: LBP 2843.4 BILLION

12 AUDIT BUREAU

16 THE 1972 LEBANESE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS (2)

18 WHEAT SUBSIDIES

19 PERSONAL/CIVIL STATUS MATTERS P: 18 P: 23 20 ANTIBIOTIC PROPHYLAXIS: DR. HANNA SAADAH

21 MISTAKES AND DISASTERS: ANTOINE BOUTROS

22 ALF, BA, TA…..AND NEUROALPHA-LEARNING TO READ PROGRAM: THE ILLITERATE MIND: DR. SAMAR ZEBIAN

23 INTERVIEW: MAHMOUD OBAIDI

25 MAYHEM SUFFOCATES

26 NOBEL PRIZES IN MEDICINE (1) P: 30 30 EMKAN FINANCE

32 POPULAR CULTURE 41 ARTICLE 60 OF THE 1999 BUDGET 33 DEBUNKING MYTH #58: THE CONTROVERSIAL MARIJUANA 42 APRIL 2012 HIGHLIGHTS

34 MUST-READ BOOKS: NORMALIZATION RUNS IN 45 MOROCCAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS YOUR BLOOD 47 REAL ESTATE PRICES IN LEBANON - 35 MUST-READ CHILDREN’S BOOK: THE CAR AND APRIL 2012 THE TRAFFIC POLICEMAN 48 FOOD PRICES - APRIL 2012 36 LEBANON FAMILIES: M’OUSHI FAMILIES 50 AGRICULTURE IN THE WORLD 37 DISCOVER LEBANON: ANQOUN 50 BEIRUT RAFIC HARIRI INTERNATIONAL 38 CIVIL STRIFE INTRO (4) AIRPORT - APRIL 2012

51 LEBANON STATS |EDITORIAL LEBANON’S WARS: WHY? In what follows, we publish the introduction of the book Lebanon’s Wars: Why? from the series “Bee” for civil education, published in 2007 by Information International and The Social and Cultural Development Association (INMA).

Lebanon is standing today at the brink of an abyss, and institutions”, will continue to drag never-ending but this is nothing new. This country has survived 1 enacted amnesty law, which gave absolution to the the nineteenth century. The main problem lies in the warlords themselves. political and socio-economic system, which generates crises but which we embraced willingly, compulsorily It is about time we learned that we are all losers in the or helplessly and sometimes even all three. end. The Zu’ama dream of maintaining a mediocre power and end up being killed, while the people keep The citizen does not feel concerned about reasons '''*' related to the absence of the state, so he delegates a politician who, in turn, surrenders to an external We hope that Information International and The power and thus legitimizes foreign forces to run the Social and Cultural Development Association (INMA) will succeed, through this book and many (beginning of Lebanon’s Civil War) was never a other publications, in refreshing the memory of the question of “naturalization of the Palestinians” or Lebanese so that history will not repeat itself. a “fear of their weapons” nor was it a “treason” in favor of Israel’s interests. Similarly, the issue today O" #P O"%#P “liberty, sovereignty and independence” or that of the “resistance weapons”. It all really boils down to the profundity of this system, which uses us as fuel to be able to operate. The survival of the Lebanese system necessitates a huge waste in human resources through displacement, emigration and killing, and a misuse &' * corruption and this is how our system regenerates itself. It fails to operate without a “conductor” who is usually a foreign force or coalition of forces. Although they are the makers of this vicious circle, the so called “Zu’ama” or “lords”, like their followers, are also the victims of it.

The diagnosis and the recording of historical events cornerstone in building a new Lebanon, alongside + / to toss the long civil war, which one might argue is still ongoing, behind our backs and pretend it never existed. The killing, kidnapping, destruction, occupation and systematic looting that took place after the appeasement of the fronts under the guise of “reconstruction” and building the “state of law 4 | LEADER

SALARIES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WIDENING GAP

Salaries and wages are a never-ending global dilemma that spares no country. Employees keep on demanding salary increases to be able to put up with the soaring prices and meet the basic requirements for life, while employers and governments hesitate in approving the hikes in order to restricted to the incessant decline of their purchasing power but also lies in the steep gap between the public and private salaries on the one hand, and between the salaries within each sector on the other, trivial salaries. Despite the conspicuous disparity between the salaries of public servants and those of private employees, this article will only touch on the gap between the salaries in the public sector. Bridging the gap 3%3**4' ?'*='R from one public sector to another, which created a huge gap * 5 ?' 9 9< between employees’ salaries and entailed the approval of law Judges were given a pay increase of 2 steps, which translates 5"%658 ''9RR 99:** show the evolution of judicial salaries in the past few years. criteria that determined salaries and wages according to sectors, The judicial salary boost prompted the Lebanese University grades and steps. These laws were a preliminary attempt to professors to follow in the judges’ footsteps and call for & 4 ?H59<8"9<9 public employees, hoping that further laws falling under the granted LU professors a one-time pay increase of two steps umbrella of reform and justice would follow later. Law No. ''888R%R9 8 ; 9<<% * shows the evolution of LU professors’ salaries by step. salaries and the adjustment of grade and salary scales as shown in the following tables. Therefore, the increases were balanced The latest salary scale was approved by virtue of law No. among all the employees, each according to their grade and 99?*99<9'4 the new law was considered an amendment to its predecessor elementary and middle public school teachers as well, according to the same criteria, but it still failed to provide and it granted them a one-time pay increase of four steps: =+44 *G9<< *G9< Amendments Elementary and middle school teachers were also given Amid the teachers’ constant demands and pressure for one year of service in advance. Their pay raise differs better wages, the government resorted to granting them depending on the step value which stretches between LBP **>&5 <<<HJ39%<<* ?'9<*@' public secondary teachers and public vocational and 4*4 E 9 * established balance, opening the door for similar demands distributed as follows: from the military and security personnel and the rest of civil *G9<< servants in other public agencies. No matter how long it *G9< prolongs the matter, the government cannot turn its back on these rightful demands and will have to deal with them sooner Teachers were also given one year of service in advance . or later. Approving pay raises for the rest of the employees in Their pay raise differs depending on the step value which public service would induce a dramatic increase in government HJ3%<<<HJ3%<<<* *' ''4 ' ' * entails further borrowing, thus increasing the public debt. And from a gradual decrease in the required weekly teaching H'4 8 4 @ ' which there seems to be no escape, except with a miracle, in a load reaches its lowest after 28 years in service. world where little, if any, miracles are happening.

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94*'* teachers and military personnel.

Salaries of judges in the courts of Justice (Amounts in LBP) Table 1 a Salary in force on Salary following pay Current step value Current salary Step 1-1-1999 Step value New step value hike as of 1-5-2008 (September 2011) (September 2011) 1 1,900,000 150,000 158,000 2,100,000 250,000 4,100,000 2 2,050,000 150,000 158,000 2,258,000 250,000 4,350,000 10 3,250,000 150,000 158,000 3,522,000 250,000 6,350,000 11 3,400,000 150,000 158,000 3,680,000 250,000 6,600,000 21 4,900,000 150,000 158,000 5,260,000 250,000 9,100,000 22 5,050,000 150,000 158,000 5,418,000 250,000 9,350,000

Salaries of the Shura Council judges (Amounts in LBP) Table 1 b Salary in force Salary following pay Current step value Current salary Step on 1-1-1999 Step value New step value hike as of 1-5-2008 (September 2011) (September 2011) 1 1,900,000 150,000 158,000 2,108,000 250,000 4,100,000 2 2,050,000 150,000 158,000 2,266,000 250,000 4,350,000 10 3,250,000 150,000 158,000 3,530,000 250,000 6,350,000 11 3,400,000 150,000 158,000 3,688,000 250,000 6,600,000 21 4,900,000 150,000 158,000 5,268,000 250,000 9,100,000 22 5,050,000 150,000 158,000 5,426,000 250,000 9,350,000

Salaries of the Audit Bureau judges (Amounts in LBP) Table 1 c Salary in force Salary following pay Current step value Current salary Step on 1-1-1999 Step value New step value hike as of 1-5-2008 (September 2011) (September 2011) 1 1,900,000 150,000 158,000 2,100,000 250,000 4,100,000 2 2,050,000 150,000 158,000 2,258,000 250,000 4,350,000 10 3,250,000 150,000 158,000 3,522,000 250,000 6,350,000 11 3,400,000 150,000 158,000 3,680,000 250,000 6,600,000 21 4,900,000 150,000 158,000 5,260,000 250,000 9,100,000 22 5,050,000 150,000 158,000 5,418,000 250,000 9,350,000

Salaries of judges in the Sunni, Jaafari and Druze religious courts (Amounts in LBP) Table 1 d Salary in force Salary following pay Current step value Current salary Step on 1-1-1999 Step value New step value hike as of 1-5-2008 (September 2011) (September 2011) 1 1,900,000 150,000 158,000 2,100,000 250,000 4,100,000 2 2,050,000 150,000 158,000 2,258,000 250,000 4,350,000 10 3,250,000 150,000 158,000 3,522,000 250,000 6,350,000 11 3,400,000 150,000 158,000 3,680,000 250,000 6,600,000 21 4,900,000 150,000 158,000 5,260,000 250,000 9,100,000 22 5,050,000 150,000 158,000 5,418,000 250,000 9,350,000

Salaries of starting judges (still training at the Institute for Judicial Studies) Amounts in LBP Table 1 e Salary in force Salary following pay Current step value Current salary Year on 1-1-1999 step value New step value hike as of 1-5-2008 (September 2011) (September 2011) Fist year 800,000 50,000 53,000 1,000,000 150,000 1,700,000 Second year 850,000 50,000 53,000 1,053,000 150,000 1,850,000 Third year 900,000 50,000 53,000 1,106,000 150,000 2,000,000

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Salaries of Lebanese University professors (Amounts in LBP) Table 2 Salary in force Salary following pay Current step value Current Salary Step on 1-1-1999 Step value New step value hike as of 1-5-2008 (1-11-2011) (1-11-2011) 1 1,875,000 135,000 142,000 2,075,000 225,000 3,700,000 2 2,010,000 135,000 142,000 2,217,000 225,000 3,925,000 10 3,090,000 135,000 142,000 3,353,000 225,000 5,725,000 11 3,225,000 135,000 142,000 3,495,000 225,000 5,950,000 21 4,575,000 135,000 142,000 4,915,000 225,000 8,200,000 22 4,410,000 135,000 142,000 5,057,000 225,000 8,425,000

Salaries of Grade One public administrations’ employees (Amounts in LBP) Table 3 Salary in force on New step value Salary following pay hike as of 1-5-2008 Step 1-1-1999 Step value (currently) (currently) 1 2,500,000 100,000 105,000 2,700,000 2 2,600,000 100,000 105,000 2,805,000 10 3,400,000 100,000 105,000 3,645,000 11 3,500,000 100,000 105,000 3,750,000 21 4,500,000 100,000 105,000 4,800,000 22 4,600,000 100,000 105,000 4,905,000

Salaries of Grade One public employees serving in the Civil Service Council (CSC), Central Inspection and the Disciplinary Council (Amounts in LBP) Table 4 Salary in force on Salary following pay hike as of Step 1-1-1999 Step value New step value 1-5-2008 (currently) 1 2,900,000 100,000 105,000 3,100,000 2 3,000,000 100,000 105,000 3,205,000 10 3,800,000 100,000 105,000 4,045,000 11 3,900,000 100,000 105,000 4,150,000 21 4,900,000 100,000 105,000 5,200,000 22 5,000,000 100,000 105,000 5,305,000

Salaries of Grade Two public employees (Amounts in LBP) Table 5 Salary in force on 1-1- Salary following pay hike as of Step 1999 Step value New step value 1-5-2008 (currently) 1 1,030,000 60,000 63,000 1,230,000 2 1,090,000 60,000 63,000 1,293,000 10 1,575,000 60,000 63,000 1,803,000 11 1,640,000 60,000 63,000 1,872,000 21 2,330,000 60,000 63,000 2,602,000 22 2,405,000 60,000 63,000 2,681,000

Salaries of Grade Two public employees: Head of the CSC research and orientation department, inspectors, supervisors and auditors at the CSC, the Central Inspection Table 6 and the Accountability Bureau (Amounts in LBP) Salary in force on 1-1- Salary following pay hike as of Step 1999 Step value New step value 1-5-2008 (currently) 1 1,270,000 60,000 63,000 1,470,000 2 1,330,000 60,000 63,000 1,533,000 10 1,835,000 60,000 69,000 2,067,000 11 1,900,000 60,000 69,000 2,136,000 21 2,630,000 75,000 79,000 2,906,000 22 2,705,000 75,000 79,000 2,985,000

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Salaries of Grade Three public employees: Assistant inspectors, supervisors and auditors at the CSC, the Central Inspection and the Accountability Bureau (Amounts in LBP) Table 7 Salary following pay hike as of Step Salary in force on 1-1-1999 Step value New step value 1-5-2008 (currently) 1 996,000 34,000 36,000 1,196,000 2 1,030,000 40,000 42,000 1,232,000 10 1,374,000 48,000 51,000 1,595,000 11 1,422,000 48,000 51,000 1,646,000 21 2,010,000 60,000 63,000 2,264,000 22 2,070,000 60,000 63,000 2,327,000

Salaries of Grade Three public employees (Amounts in LBP) Table 8 Salary following pay hike as of Step Salary in force on 1-1-1999 Step value New step value 1-5-2008 (currently) 1 860,000 34,000 36,000 1,060,000 2 894,000 34,000 36,000 1,960,000 10 1,190,000 40,000 42,000 1,408,000 11 1,230,000 48,000 51,000 1,450,000 21 1,770,000 60,000 63,000 2,020,000 22 1,830,000 60,000 63,000 2,083,000

Salaries of Grade Four public employees (first rank employees) Amounts in LBP Table 9 Salary following pay hike as of Step Salary in force on 1-1-1999 Step value New step value 1-5-2008 (currently) 1 550,000 26,000 28,000 750,000 2 576,000 26,000 28,000 778,000 10 800,000 30,000 32,000 1,018,000 11 830,000 34,000 36,000 1,050,000 21 1,190,000 38,000 40,000 1,430,000 22 1,228,000 38,000 40,000 1,470,000

Salaries of Grade Five public employees (Amounts in LBP) Table 10 Salary following increment as Step Salary in force on 1-1-1999 Step value New step value of 1-5-2008 1 375,000 20,000 21,000 575,000 2 395,000 20,000 21,000 596,000 10 565,000 25,000 27,000 776,000 11 590,000 25,000 27,000 803,000 21 870,000 30,000 32,000 1,103,000 22 900,000 30,000 32,000 1,135,000

Salaries of Grade One employees of the diplomatic corps (Amounts in USD) Table 11 Salary following increment as Step Salary in force on 1-1-1999 Step value New step value of 1-5-2008 1 2,600 140 147 2,880 22,7401401473,027 10 3,860 140 147 4,203 11 4,000 140 147 4,350 21 5,400 140 147 5,820 22 5,540 140 147 5,967

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Salaries of Grade Two employees of the diplomatic corps (Amounts in USD) Table 12 Salary in force on 1-1- Salary following increment as Step 1999 Step value New step value of 1-5-2008 1 2,000 120 126 2,390 2 2,120 120 126 2,516 10 3,080 120 126 3,524 11 3,200 120 126 3,650 21 4,400 120 126 4,910 22 4,520 120 126 5,036

Salaries of Grade Three employees of the diplomatic corps (Amounts in USD) Table 13 Salary in force on 1-1- Salary following increment as Step 1999 Step value New step value of 1-5-2008 1 1,500 100 105 1,850 2 1,600 100 105 1,955 10 2,400 100 105 2,795 11 2,500 100 105 2,900 21 3,500 100 105 3,950 22 3,600 100 105 4,055

5JX4+*#'Y4*=@ “a living-away-from-home allowance” that differs from one country to another and stands somewhere between R

Salaries of Generals (Brigadier General- Major General- General) Amounts in LBP Table 14 Salary in force on Salary following increment Step 1-1-1999 Step value New step value as of 1-5-2008 1 (Brig. General) 2,140,000 80,000 84,000 2,340,000 11 (Brig. General) 3,020,000 90,000 95,000 3,268,000 1 (Major General) 3,020,000 90,000 95,000 3,268,000 7 (Major General) 3,560,000 90,000 95,000 3,838,000 1 (General) 3,900,000 100,000 105,000 4,100,000 5 (General) 4,300,000 100,000 105,000 4,520,000

Salaries of Senior Officers (Major- Lieutenant Colonel- Colonel) Amounts in LBP Table 15 Salary in force on Salary following increment as Step 1-1-1999 Step value New step value of 1-5-2008 1 (Major) 1,125,000 40,000 42,000 1,325,000 13 (Major) 1,725,000 60,000 63,000 1,957,000 1(Lieutenant Colonel) 1,205,000 40,000 42,000 1,409,000 13 (Lieutenant Colonel) 1,785,000 70,000 74,000 2,094,000 1 (Colonel) 1,335,000 50,000 53,000 1,546,000 12 (Colonel) 1,995,000 70,000 74,000 2,242,000

Salaries of Junior Officers (Second Lieutenant- First Lieutenant- Captain) Amounts in LBP Table 16 Salary in force on 1-1- Salary following increment Step 1999 Step value New step value as of 1-5-2008 1(2nd Lieutenant) 825,000 35,000 37,000 1,025,000 12(2nd Lieutenant) 1,275,000 45,000 48,000 1,499,000 1 (1st Lieutenant) 895,000 35,000 37,000 1,099,000

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Salaries of Junior Officers (Second Lieutenant- First Lieutenant- Captain) Amounts in LBP Table 16 Salary in force on 1-1- Salary following increment Step 1999 Step value New step value as of 1-5-2008 14 (1st Lieutenant) 1,410,000 45,000 48,000 1,643,000 1 (Captain) 965,000 35,000 37,000 1,173,000 13 (Captain) 1,455,000 45,000 48,000 1,691,000

Salaries of non-commissioned officers (Sergeant- Sergeant First Class- Adjutant- First Adjutant- Warrant Officer- Chief Warrant Officer) Amounts in LBP Table 17 Salary in force on Salary following increment as Step 1-1-1999 Step value New step value of 1-5-2008 1 (Sergeant) 556,000 26,000 28,000 756,000 20 (Sergeant) 1,170,000 38,000 40,000 1,408,000 1 (Sergeant First Class) 582,000 26,000 28,000 784,000 20 (Sergeant First Class) 1,208,000 38,000 40,000 1,448,000 1(Adjutant) 608,000 26,000 28,000 812,000 20 (Adjutant) 1.246.000 38.000 40,000 1,488,000 1 (1st Adjutant) 634,000 26,000 28,000 840,000 20 (1st Adjutant) 1,284,000 38,000 40,000 1,528,000 1 (Warrant Officer) 660,000 30,000 32,000 868,000 20 (Warrant Officer) 1,322,000 38,000 40,000 1,568,000 1 (Chief Warrant Officer) 690,000 30,000 32,000 900,000 20 (Chief Warrant Officer) 1,360,000 38,000 40,000 1,608,000

Salaries of enlisted men (Soldier- Soldier First Class- Corporal- Corporal First Class) Amounts in LBP Table 18 Salary in force on Salary following increment Step 1-1-1999 Step value New step value as of 1-5-2008 1 (Soldier) 455,000 22,000 24,000 655,000 20 (Soldier) 986,000 33,000 35,000 1,224,000 1 (Soldier First Class) 477,000 22,000 24,000 679,000 20 (Soldier First Class) 1,019,000 33,000 35,000 1,259,000 1 (Corporal) 499,000 22,000 24,000 703,000 20 (Corporal) 1,052,000 33,000 35,000 1,294,000 1 (Corporal First Class) 521,000 22,000 24,000 727,000 1 (Corporal First Class) 1,085,000 33,000 35,000 1,329,000

Housing allowance to which all married members are Military equipment allowance amounting to 9RR R*+HJ3 &HJ3%8<< 89<' ?= # \ ' ]8RR 9RHJ38<< HJ3<%<<

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5JX#*44**6*:* '*6*99:?** with the last one according to the total steps of each rank.

Salaries of Grade Three public secondary teachers Table 19 Salary following increment as Step Salary in force on 1-1-1999 Step value New step value of 1-5-2008 1 860,000 40,000 42,000 1,088,000 2 900,000 40,000 42,000 1,130,000 10 1,260,000 50,000 53,000 1,510,000 11 1,310,000 50,000 53,000 1,563,000 21 2,390,000 80,000 84,000 2,699,000 22 2,470,000 80,000 84,000 2,783,000

Salaries of Grade Four public secondary teachers Table 20 Salary following increment Step Salary in force on 1-1-1999 Step value New step value as of 1-5-2008 1 440,000 27,500 29,000 640,000 2 467,500 27,500 29,000 669,000 10 697,500 32,500 35,000 913,000 11 730,000 32,500 35,000 948,000 21 1,110,000 50,000 53,000 1,351,000 22 1,160,000 50,000 53,000 1,404,000

Indemnities and allocations assigned to presidents, ministers and deputies Table 21 Allocations and President of Parliament Prime Minister Minister and indemnities the Republic Speaker and deputy Prime Minister deputy Minister Deputy Allocations 4,500,000 3,500,000 3,500,000 3,500,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 Representation indemnity 4,500,000 3,400,000 3,400,000 3,400,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 Car indemnity -- 1,125,000 1,125,000 1,125,000 1,125,000 1,125,000 -- Car and phone indemnity -- -- 1,800,000 1,800,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 Driver and Secretary indemnity -- 1,800,000 ------Protocol indemnity 3,500,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 Total 12,500,000 11,825,000 11,825,000 11,825,000 8,625,000 8,625,000 8,500,000

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TELECOMS BUDGET: LBP 2843.3 BILLION TELECOMS TRANSFERS TO THE TREASURY: LBP 1,923 BILLION

! great momentum and growing at a very fast pace, thanks to the milestones and " which once constituted the smallest share in government income, might soar # ' * ' HJ3 HJ394 'HJ3< 'HJ39%''R However, after introducing mobile phones to Lebanon of the total estimated revenues. 4''*/ %'&HJ38 Detailed revenues HJ3<<* 4 HJ3 8 ''%8R HJ3 9% % 9<9 public revenues. The telecoms budget increased to owing mainly to the shares provided from the mobile HJ3 <9 9<< HJ3 < * billion being channeled to the government and making *4

Distribution of telecoms revenues Table 1 1998 2004 2012 Revenues (LBP billion) (LBP billion) (LBP billion) Local calls 199,2 592,6 357,6 International calls 264 229,2 342,3 Telex 4,2 715 (LBP million) 11,1 (LBP million) Mobile calls 123 576 1980 Others 85 70,5 163,3 Total 675,4 1,469 2,843,3 Source: Public budget laws in the corresponding years

49<9'HJ3%84'X /_XHJ3 3*_XHJ3<%% `?XHJ3 >XHJ399< 4X9

issue 119 | June 2012 12 | PUBLIC SECTOR AUDIT BUREAU SHRINKING ROLE AND FURTHER STATE SPENDING $%!& different state apparatuses. However, the new legislative amendments, the introduction of many $ % resulting in post- inspection only, and the maneuvering of the rules and regulations were all reasons that curtailed the function of the bureau in a drastic manner.

Over and above, the lack of competent human resources Nabatieh- Zgharta and Ehden- Tyre- Abbasiya- JR' J@+5+E~+?+Y++J= for the issuance of inadequate provisions such as the Hammoud- Dekwaneh- Zalqa- Amaret Chalhoub- approval of exorbitant expenditures at odds with the Ghoubeiry- Baalbeck- Jdaydeh- Bouchrieh- Saida and prevalent prices to rent or buy a property abroad in Zahrani municipalities’ union- Byblos municipalities’ order to accommodate the Lebanese embassy, not to union- Chqif municipalities’ union- north, coastal mention the multitude of tasks entrusted to the limited "+ } *R + administrative and judicial staff, which also cripple the #*R++Y*R work of this body. union- Bouhaira municipalities’ union. The remaining *= Establishment the Audit Bureau. The Audit Bureau was established pursuant to 3- State public agencies, which were narrowed down '45G963 to include the Lebanese University and the Lebanese Accountability Law), as an administrative judicial National Higher Conservatory of Music, while other body associated with the Prime Minister. bodies such as the Council for Development and Reconstruction, the Council for South Lebanon and Functions > # ;* = According to the law, the Audit Bureau is responsible to deferred supervision, noting that a large amount of for managing public funds by supervising the use public money goes through them. and disposition of the money and ensuring the adequacy of accounting records and the legality of The assignment of revenues and the transactions # ' ** 4 HJ3 with prosecuting all those responsible for breaking the fall under the supervision of the Audit Bureau, which relevant rules and regulations. The rule of law stipulates is also tasked with overseeing the following spending that the Audit Bureau should preserve all records and processes: \@4HJ3 records cannot be disposed of unless approved by the Y44HJ39 Bureau. Consensual agreements including rental contracts 4HJ3< Agencies under the Bureau’s supervision 3* * 4 HJ3 << The agencies falling under the control of the Audit million Bureau are the following: ; 4 HJ3 1- State ministries million 2- Large municipalities or those that the Cabinet chooses to subject to the authority of the Bureau. The current Personnel supervised municipalities are: Beirut- Tripoli- Mina- The initial personnel of the Audit Bureau included at its Saida- Zahle, Beit Mery- Burj Barajneh- chiyyah- *X Hadath- Baabdat- Bekfaya- Mazraat Yachouh- Beyt 9=' Y+#+=+?+}+?=+ *4 Byblos- Shekka- Batroun- Jezzine- Bkassine- 94

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However, as state agencies grew larger and as more Audit Bureau Report municipalities were subjected to the Bureau’s control, it was imperative to impose new amendments to the ? ? J 1' H personnel to meet increased demand. The current stipulates that: “The Audit Bureau shall draft at the personnel consist of: end of every year a report detailing the outcome of < ='X ? J 6: * its supervisory mission and the reforms that should *6:6%:46: be introduced into the various laws and regulations in **6: ** <*4 be approved by the Bureau’s general assembly after < listening to the attorney-general.” 4X Administrative department: 2 However, against the backdrop of Lebanon’s status Y*X quo and the alarming number of vacancies in public Public prosecution department: 8 = * + /'*X rank positions (Bureau’s President and Heads of ?4*X Departments), the Audit Bureau failed to issue its due * 9<<8 9<< 9<<% Budget Nevertheless, an extensive report, including all three The estimate budget of the Audit Bureau according to reports of the aforementioned years, was issued in May 9<9'HJ38 9<'*** follows: the Bureau, noting that this date should have witnessed ]**XHJ3 9<<9<<* XHJ3 The report contained a review of the processes that the XHJ38< Bureau had overseen and the decisions it had made in ]XHJ39% addition to a number of studies regarding the work of >'4XHJ39< some public agencies. This article will highlight the \'XHJ3< main issues discussed in the report. ;'XHJ3< YXHJ3<< Audit Bureau’s decisions ? J 9< 9<<8 The milestones achieved in the management and 2007 and 2008 that were distributed by year and type + ' ' * dated articles of the public accountability law an % * **4 obstacle against administrative development and 2008 under the pretense of exceptional circumstances, *= a contrivance that the Bureau seemed to have engaged rather than closing down the Bureau as suggested by itself in to justify public money squandering, since only ** war and disasters may be considered as exceptional and engage in imprudent spending, thus menacing the and Lebanon is experiencing neither right now. Audit Bureau’s decisions 2006 2007 2008 Total approval of disbursement 979 1,087 1,053 Conditional approval 486 702 546 Partial approval 8 15 13 Approval under exceptional circumstances -- -- 81 Disqualification announcement 43 22 20 Disapproval 56 39 59 Total 1,572 1,865 1,772

issue 119 | June 2012 14 | PUBLIC SECTOR

Disapproval decisions The Audit Bureau’s decisions disapproving fund Drafting a consensual agreement to purchase a * _*' product that has no single exclusive agent. performance of state administrations and how they maneuver the rules and regulations. Cabinet at odds with the Bureau Assigning the cadastral measurements and the The Cabinet may take decisions approving disbursements procedures of determining land plots and preparing against the will of the Audit Bureau and shall justify *' its judgment after hearing the opinion of the Bureau’s one region is a violation of the law. *4@9<<8 Not issuing the amendments made to the terms and 2007 and 2008 which were at odds with those of the conditions of a certain bid after it is launched breaches Bureau without listening to the President, and this has H4 become an annual repeated occurrence. principle of fair competition between bidders. Below are some of the Cabinet’s decisions that went The Cabinet’s decision approving the signing against those of the Audit Bureau: of consensual agreements to meet needs of Contracting for the restoration of cadastres for the imprecise importance or type contradicts the public cadastral register accoutability law which requires that agreements be Signing a conciliatory agreement to pay for the studies signed by means of a public tender. of marketing and selling Lebanese products in Sweden The ambiguity of the tender’s terms and conditions Paying the annual dues to Midwear to buy and use and the vagueness of its provisions violate the Microsoft copyrighted software and programs principles of bidding, equality and competition. E' H The contracting committee’s consent to offers over LBP 5'>4"9<<8 <<''* E'* Imposing a temporary guarantee for the bid on 9<<+9<<8 @''''< University regulatory law that authorizes the ?# &**' Contracting for the organization of the cadastral suite for the residence of the LU’s President registry warehouses in Baabda The Ministry of Public Health’s purchase of Omnitrope Purchasing the real-time RT-PCR device to detect by virtue of a consensual agreement although the drug 4 was not listed in the price survey it had conducted, contradicts the legal processes of drug purchasing. Questionable approval Requiring ownership of construction mixers leads Despite the question marks surrounding the exorbitant to restricting competition among construction mixer amounts that the government granted to some associations owners and excluding other bidders. and cultural and sports organizations that are, for the Infringement over the Tenders Committee and * ' '* taking decisions in the absence of a number of its the Audit Bureau agreed to acquit those responsible for members. passing the funds, a move which needs reconsideration in E'HJ3<<* order to monitor the disposition of public money and curb < 4 9<< ' squandering so that the Bureau does not become a false *<49<<' witness approving and attesting to dubious spending. the aforementioned association another inexplicable J'X HJ3<<' LBP 200 million channeled from the Ministry of The Ministry of Public Health’s contracting with Public Health to the Chronic Care Center the Nabatieh public hospital to conduct medical HJ3%* imaging by means of a PET scan, a device that the to the BIEL’s sports club hospital does not have. A share allocated by the Ministry of Public Health Inviting offers rather than launching a tender under to the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) the pretense of emergency circumstances although A share allocated by the Ministry of Public Health the subject of the bid is of no immediate urgency. to Al-Shahid Association

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PUBLIC SECTOR | 15

LBP 2.7 billion channeled from the Ministry of Ministry of Finance Automated Center’s study Public Health to the Lebanese Cross According to the study conducted by the Audit Bureau, HJ3 " ?>"# Culture to Bassel El Assad Social and Cultural '~5< Center in Baalbeck which amended the personnel of the Ministry so as to HJ38'" hire permanent employees for the Center. And despite J#4> the great progress achieved in the work of the Center HJ3 < ' " 4 * 9 * and Sports to Al-Ansar Sporting club working on a contract basis and are being paid around HJ3 9 ' " HJ3' Y*H># to operate this center given the exclusive incentives HJ3 < ' " granted to its employees, unlike their counterparts in Y*H"# other public administrations. This study also sheds HJ3'" ' 4 * *4' Y*HY''# >'* HJ3<'" and Sports to the Social Welfare Institutions – Dar '$R Al Aytam Al Islamiya. The Special Accounting Team was established pursuant HJ3 < ' " 459<Y Y*H1'# '#"#Y; 9% National Social Security Fund (NSSF) study G%*''* ?J5YY# of employees from the accounting department to control encompassed a set of suggestions and reforms that the operations of tax collection from banks. should be introduced into its system to secure the rights *8' _4'*' a chief, an accountant, two data entry employees, a clerk 4' and a correspondent, but expanded over the years to 5YY#X @9<<<9<< ' an overall approximate cost of LBP 2.8 billion. The study viewed the establishment of this team as incompatible * within the law as it grew from a small technical team formed by virtue of a ministerial memo to become a key Y '' player in implementing the Audit system and managing (Bint Jbeil and Tebnine - Dawra and Burj Hammoud) the relations with banks and the huge funds resulting and some of the employees are being paid salaries from the collection of taxes. exceeding by far the services provided by their Despite the delay in issuing the report, it remains essential 6J : # in revealing past spending mechanisms, pointing out *4'YR ' * @ * << 9 Y; 8<<<< '_*'** * ' 'R *4@'*'* 9< * 4 8< 9 halt them in the future especially after improving and Y; <<< JR +'JR* 1Y;8<<<<< in harmony with the state developments that the Lebanese 49<JR aspire to but still are too far to reach. Y;9<<<* 4%<93_' NB: the report also included a study covering the @@?J collection of public funds through private institutions 5YY# * 4 *' like the banks, Liban Post and money transfer revealed the presence of malpractices as to the companies and the legality of such a practice. Given paperwork of pharmacies and hospitals, not to mention its importance, we chose not to touch it in this study '_ but rather approach it in a stand-alone article in our 5YY#* next issue.

issue 119 | June 2012 16 | PUBLIC SECTOR

THE 1972 LEBANESE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS (2) BEQA’A ELECTIONS "%+R/0 were earmarked by the heat of competition and the multitude of candidates, especially in the Baalbeck-Hermel district. Zahle district Baalbeck-Hermel district 4 * Seven seats were allocated for the Baalbeck-Hermel representing one of the following sects: Greek Catholic, district, four of which belonged to the Shia’a while the Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Sunni and Shia’a. The remaining three represented the Sunni, Maronite and '48< E@>*4%% 9< R G* Y@ '48R' key player during Zahle elections and it was a sure bet 84' that his list would claim victory and outshine all other J@+' lists. As for the few individual candidates who ran for electoral contests that translated to nine electoral lists election, the votes they gained, however numerous, and a good few candidates running as individuals. '* Parliament Speaker Sabri Hamadeh won all the seats The chances of Joseph Skaf winning the elections were which were on his electoral list save that assigned for 4G*?} Natheer Jaafari who lost against Abdul Moula Amhaz, had announced his unwillingness to participate in the #; Y " 6G* J }R ally) had joined Skaf’s list. The list won in its entirety Sabri Hamadeh’s list *'8R4 Y6YR:X99984 as follows: 6YR:X94 G*Y@6E@>:X99<4 5G6YR:X984 6":X94 16Y:X84 "6YR:X9<<4 @6":X984 +"6Y:X94 ?"6E@>:X4 Y"6E@]_:X%<%4 Y'6YR:X99<84

4'4 as follows: E'6E@]_:X<<4 ?"6Y:X4 "J6YR:X984 ?"6YR:X%4 E'?6":X<4 5"@6E@>:X<<4

G#6":X9884 %+R/0 1&16E@>:X84 56E@>:X%94 +??=6Y:X88<4 "+6Y:X<84 ?"@6E@]_:X4 E6":X9984 ]?E6Y:X<4

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PUBLIC SECTOR | 17

National Union list 4! #;6YR:X<%%4 5=G6YR:X<4 "?'6YR:X<%4 "6YR:X84 ?"?~6YR:X984 "6YR:X%8%4 }"6YR:6*5 Y@J6Y:X%%4 :X%84 ">6":X%4 Y=6Y:X<4 J}~6":X%4 Popular Awareness list YR1*6E@>:X4 Y]6YR:X4 "6YR:X994 Awareness list @16YR:X<<84 16YR:X<9%4 GY6Y:X984 ?>6YR:X<4 ;;6YR:X<94 & }6YR:X99<4 Y6YR:X%4 =6YR:X%<4 ?J6Y:X94 ?6":X94 6YR:X%<4 >"6E@>:X<4 #6Y:X4 5""6YR:X94 Popular Wishes list Y6YR:X894 Western Beqa’a-Rashaya district "56YR:X89<84 The competition was narrowed down to only two lists in 5~6YR:X884 \J&R+1 ' * G]6YR:X84 and rivalry between Nathem al-Qadri and Abdul Qader al- YY6Y:X<94 '4< Y#@6":X994 9< 9R "=?R6E@>:X8%<4 allocated for this district were three, each belonging to one of the following sects: Sunni, Druze and Greek Orthodox. Popular Awakening list }6YR:X4 4% headed by Nathem al-Qadri won 6YR:X%4 all three seats and it included the following members: Y6YR:X4 5+6Y:X9%4 /6YR:X<<4 YY6;~:X94 ?#6Y:X984 ""6E@]_:X84 JY@@6":X4 "6E@>:X4 !5 headed by Abdul Qader + ' 6%8 4: Haydar Zoueiter’s list % 4 ' 9 G6YR:X<4 winning list. ";R6YR:X84 ?+6Y:X94 E~Y6YR:X%4 >+?6;~:X<4 Y+"6YR:X94 #~6E@]_:X<%994 16Y:X4 G*}~6":X4 '4X "3};=6E@]_:X9%84 Baalbeck’s Development list }?H6;~:X84 ?Y6YR:X%4 #&+G6;~:X94 E6YR:X9%4 Mostafa Murad (Sunni): 280 votes "?"6YR:X<84 /'}?H" ?Y@@6Y:X84 Murad had set up the National Labor list with Simon al- 6":X94 Hajjar, but the withdrawal of al-Hajjar dissolved the list. ?"6E@]_:X4

issue 119 | June 2012 18 | PUBLIC SECTOR WHEAT SUBSIDIES SQUANDER OR IMPETUS FOR AGRICULTURE?

Heedful of the importance of wheat as one of the world’s original staple ! ! Wheat subsidy cost ?'45 The Cabinet set the purchase price of a ton of wheat at G9** HJ3<<<HJ398%<<< and functions of the General Directorate of Cereals and 'HJ3 Sugar Beets operating under the Ministry of Economy Y;9<< and Trade and entrusted it with the expansion of cereals and sugar beets production and the management of In light of the soaring wheat prices in the international the selling process at encouraging prices aimed at market, the framers hurried to sell the largest bulk of promoting and protecting the consumer interest. In their crops and refrained from delivering them to the accordance with the above, the General Directorate Y]?H'4' of Cereals and Sugar Beets used to purchase local % 9<< * 8% wheat at encouraging prices higher than those of the 9<<849<<% international market. of wheat subsidies was thrust to the forefront again 9<<9<<9<* Cancellation of subsidies between the wheat production size in the Lebanese / 9<< > *' market and the quantities that the actual planted areas gradual three-year decrease in wheat subsidies as from should prospectively provide, thus revealing the 9<<84 *'''Y in Lebanon at subsidized prices where the government During the cancellation period, the cereals and sugar *' HJ3 <<< ' HJ3 **''' 9<<<< ' @ ' '' the assistance based on the size of the wheat-planted wheat was for the most part not suitable for grinding area rather than the size of wheat production and to * grant farmers full liberty to dispose of their crops, with grains. It is fair to say that the current consensus is that the Ministry’s readiness to purchase whatever yield the subsidy plan has derailed from its objectives and they fail to market. has become a lucrative industry that might cost the '4 Y; < 9<9 ?' 9<< the smuggling persists, without actually providing the should have came to a halt by the end of 2008, but the _*?* government revoked the decision and re-established to promote agriculture and spur it further translate once the previous contribution based on the size of the crops, again to another form of squandering public money. not that of the planted area.

9<<*< *88 distributed over the regions as follows:

Planted area Wheat production Submitted Region (acres) (tons) applications Beqa’a 116,937 35,095 637 North 11,382 1,009 38 South 6,111 583 13 Total 134,430 36,687 688

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. LAW |19

PERSONAL/CIVIL STATUS MATTERS 6 78 !R 9 & : ' ;<0=>??@>? ' that has been underlying the personal status legislations of the Sunni sect and therefore, it is paramount that we stop at its approval mechanism and examine the nature of the authority responsible for its issuance in order to understand ! Decision background The decision emerged following a draft law that the Cabinet It is noteworthy that this step might have paved the way to ** 3 4 5 < a new mechanism that stirs the Sunni legislative personal "9<<''' status matters in an opposite direction to that of the ?99'YG prevalent civil judgment in this respect, which maintains ' 689: that “Islamic sects, unlike their Christian counterparts, and parameters that Sunni and Jaafari judges use to issue do not have any special legislative or judicial authority their decisions, so that the law would encompass further over their community members”, since “the Islamic provisions related to custody and dowry, in order to “protect legislative capacities are restricted pursuant to legislative the rights and curb the negative consequences resulting 5 % ' ' from the practices adopted by the relevant courts in light of of Ifta, in addition to Awqaf and religious matters”, the absence of express legal texts in this regard”. The draft and “the Lebanese government maintains, from a legal law included provisions that should have been added to the perspective, or theoretically to say the least, the right to ?99*'' take the initiative of amending any civil status law…” '= O#1'?_* Assessment of the decision to the age matter, and the custody age was commonly set at 7 The decision was greeted with positive reactions from '' the legal and social spheres and gained the support of it was realized that, in practical terms, this practice has had the civil agencies concerned with children’s rights, negative effects on the object of the custody which focuses given the importance of vesting the mother with longer *'*P custody terms. And although the draft law had set a longer duration than that approved by the Higher Controversy over the authority tasked with Islamic Council, this move still constitutes a huge approving amendments stride towards a better and safer climate for the child. The draft law proposed by the Cabinet did not pass in Parliament However, the major controversy that has arisen in this regard owing to the objection registered by MP Samir Jisr during the lies in the evaluation of the role that the civil Lebanese discussion held by the Justice and Administration parliamentary '*4*/ committee to study the law. Jisr argued that the capacity to we supposedly accepted that Parliament should not practice examine such a law rests solely with the Higher Islamic Council any legislative powers as regards the Islamic personal ?'45%'' status matters but should rather guarantee and promote the Ifta and Islamic Awqaf, which stipulates that “the Sunni sect authorities granted to the Islamic sects, like in the case of enjoys full independence as to its religious matters and charity Sunni family provisions where it refrained from meddling Awqaf and is authorized to manage and regulate them by itself into the sect’s affairs on the one hand and resigned to according to the Sharia Law and all the rules and regulations boosting the capacities of one of its religious bodies on the derived thereof and agreed upon by religious scholars and other, we cannot but re-ask a key question, which concerns intellectuals.” Therefore, the committee proposed to amend the a great segment of the Lebanese religious and non-religious draft law without enclosing any provisions in relation to custody, **XH' dowry and all such matters under the article, thus putting the to them through a civil status law that helps them practice their power of legislation in the hands of the Higher Islamic Council. rights inside their country ? Is it admissible to limit the role # ' of the civil Lebanese legislator to protecting and furthering Council a primary source of legislation without touching on the the capacities of other legislative sects, while he, himself, has 58 been failing to live up to his own for many decades?

issue 119 | June 2012 20| HEALTH

ANTIBIOTIC PROPHYLAXIS |Dr. Hanna Saadah| BEFORE DENTAL & OTHER CONTAMINATED SURGERIES

Antibiotics can be used either to treat or to prevent bacterial infections. While treatment takes many days and is given after the infection is established, prevention takes only one < & situations, giving a single dose of the appropriate antibiotic one-hour before dental or other contaminated surgeries provides enough antibiotic tissue concentration to prevent post-surgical infections.

Bacteria normally live on our skin and in all the cavities canals and gum surgeries cause transient bacteremias and that communicate with our skin such as the mouth, nose, 4=**# throat, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, and genitals. prophylactic antibiotics were given before dental procedures These bacteria, which inhabit our cavities, are our normal *4= *4' Over time, however, the accrued evidence revealed that the health. The spilling harms from such preventive antibiotics far exceeded all blood (bacteremia) is a common, daily affair and occurs *' colitis, yeast infections, and bacterial resistance occurred in have sexual intercourse, strain, exercise, blow our noses, substantial numbers of patients and some even died from sustain physical trauma, etc. Such normal bacteremias are severe allergic shock (anaphylaxis). Consequently, the harmless because our immune systems, which include the recommendations were revised to minimize harm and 4*@spilled bacteria as _~ > ** soon as they enter our blood. **4 There are certain conditions, however, that render us '44= vulnerable to these bacteremias and it is these very few only after dental or other contaminated surgeries, which do conditions that require preventive antibiotics (antibiotic not include routine dental cleaning. prophylaxis) before contaminated surgeries. When The risk for bacterial heart valve infections has been '44 <<<<< (contaminated surgeries), more bacteria might spill into million invasive dental procedures, which means that up to our blood than during normal, daily activities. Surgeries on one million patients will have to be subjected to potential the mouth, teeth, nose, sinuses, stomach, intestines, colon, antibiotic harms in order to prevent one heart valve infection. uterus, etc. require antibiotic prophylaxis because these areas /

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. www.hannasaadah.com - www.information-international.com - [email protected] EYEING HORIZONS |21

MISTAKES AND DISASTERS |Antoine Boutros|

&##G6$ we wouldn’t be surprised by the occurrence of some anomalies resulting from the errors in the DNA base pairs’ order or the composition of the genetic code thus leading to wrong instructions in heredity ' errors occur owing either to the exposure of the cell to excessive radiation or heat or to environmental reasons including the type of foods we eat. Mutations could also be a hereditary phenomenon.

X-rays and Gamma rays, which result from the falling with Down’s Syndrom and they usually have oblong eyes, nuclear dust and the spatial radiation, may penetrate anything swollen tongue and mental retardation. that happen to stand in their way, and may pass through it Not all mutations are fatal and some of them only affect and pierce into thousands of millions of molecules without the appearance, which allows the transmission of the new subjecting them to any change. However, the opposite might characteristics from one generation to the next. The Japanese happen sometimes, and the rays might strike directly at the genetics scientist Yoshichi Matsui showed a great interest DNA and damage a part of the genetic code thus leading in an old Chinese manuscript where he read the story of a to incomplete instructions that manifest in malign diseases, ''''' * # _* ' a swarm of Chinese black carps. He concluded that millions occur in the part which commands the production of the ' protein necessary to lengthening life span, hemoglobin, thus found in most aquariums for their astonishing beauty, had prompting a catastrophic disaster. Hemoglobin is a highly '_* complicated component and it is made up of no less than color. He wanted to prove himself right and he managed to /@* do so after 20 years of experiments performed on no less missions: transporting oxygen to all body tissues through ' blood capillaries. Scientists credited Matsui for reverting the evolutionary The radiation might also provoke the relocation of a certain '@@<<<*4** amino acid, thus moving it to an inappropriate position and '*44' producing a commonplace disease known as the Sickle-Cell *'/' Anemia. The disease is given its name because the almost- that during his experiments, Matsui had bred, perhaps round blood cells become crooked and assume a sickle 4'' shape. Biologists try to treat this fatal disease by replacing found its way eventually to the circle of amateurs. Nothing the impaired DNA with a synthetic one that facilitates the @' re-writing of the message and the relocation of the amino ancestor of future off-springs that might appear somewhere. acids to their original place, thus curbing the development # of the disease. has evolved from primitive forms to its current complicated The cell can become home to many types of disasters forms thanks to these mutations, for it is impossible for due to one coding error that, although simple on the face the DNA to keep copying itself for millions of times, until *#' forever, without the occurrence of any mistakes in the the X sex chromosome (Monosomy X) may subject a replication or the dictation process. These mutations are + ' responsible for the creation of diverse forms and types of abnormality is known as Turner’s Syndrome and can target only females. On the other hand, the presence of not for continuity and proliferation. an extra X chromosome in male fetuses, exposes them Mutations that cannot serve the specie become extinct and this }R Y 4*' could have happened to the albino kangaroo, which appeared in feminine traits. Likewise, the presence of an extra regular Australia as a result of a mutation, and could not have survived non-sex chromosome causes Down’s Syndrome (Trisomy if it had not been isolated in a private farm of an amateur. The 9:~ homogenous light coloring of this animal does not assist in the heart diseases and hyper-sensitivity. Individuals with ''*@'* ;RY' and exposing it to an inevitable extermination. an early age. The term “mongol” was applied to children www.irthsumer.com - www.information-international.com - [email protected] issue 119 | June 2012 22| THE AMAZING BRAIN

ALF, BA, TA…..AND NEUROALPHA-LEARNING TO READ PROGRAM: THE ILLITERATE MIND |Dr. Samar Zebian| PART 3 OF 3

&I & a neuro-psychologically inspired reading program can help adults learn to read.

51]?H#?'++ learner’s name). The letters of increasingly complex words are is an adult literacy program that is based on analyzed and the idea that words are formed by discrete sounds is knowledge of how the illiterate perform in neuropsychological tests. reinforced. Emphasis is also placed on the relationships between Although learning to read and write is a socio-cognitive practice, that phonemes and graphemes. Each program was administered to 20 is, it is something we do with cultural artifacts (books, computers etc.) illiterate participants all of whom were physically and mentally and with other people, it is also is an internal thought process which healthy with normal intelligence. A positive attitude towards ' 4 * ' learning was emphasized in all three programs. 6? 9<<: 51]?H3? ' Before each program was implemented, the illiterate cognitive challenges involved in learning to read. These challenges are research participants were administered a Spanish version steep for adult learners because the rate of neuro-plasticity (the brain’s of a well known neuropsychological assessment battery ability to change in response to new demands) drops for most people (NEUROPSI). NEUROPSI assesses several cognitive '<*' domains (attention, motor coordination, verbal memory, an understanding of the cognitive challenges experienced by adult comprehension of oral texts, orientation to time and place) learners should, in theory, contribute to the success of such programs. and notably it does not assess skills directly related to reading 51]?H#?'*'*** and writing. NEUROPSI was also administered at the end of 4*'*'44 the study. Also, at the end of the study, two reading tests were to differentiate the performance of the literate and the illiterate administered; one to assess oral and silent reading and the *' / *4 * other to assess the reading of individual words. '4 51]?H3? 4 * Results of the study showed some improvement in __*~*' neuropsychological test performance and reading performance awareness including phoneme discrimination, phonological for all three learning-to-read methods, however the illiterate in the similarity, decomposition of words into sounds and letters NEUROALPHA group showed the most improvement in more and grouping words with common phonemes. Another set of '464+**' exercises includes thinking about the semantic associations semantic and phonemic similarity and language comprehension) between words and how these associations change depending and their reading performance showed most improvement. on which words are compared. The third group of exercises These results suggest that direct training and reinforcement of requires learners to focus on the spatial orientation of words basic cognitive abilities contribute to success in adult literacy and the spatial discrimination of letters. The fourth group of programs. The improvement in neuropsychological performance exercises involves proverb interpretation (i.e. the interpretation was also correlated with post-reading test performance (but not of proverbs such as, “As soon as they hear thunder they want pre-test reading scores) thus suggesting that learning to read zucchini”). The last set of exercises emphasizes the learners’ **'4 ability to recall sentences of increasing length and complexity. The results of study reveal an important and almost entirely 51]?H#? ' *' @ **_ overlooked perspective on literacy education in the Arab world, *44'<+@ that is, improving basic cognitive skills underlying reading and To examine the effectiveness of NEUROALPHA, a study was writing will improve the rate of learning and the effectiveness of conducted which compared NEUROALPHA to two traditional adult literacy programs. Based on this study and several others, literacy programs implemented at the National Institute of Adult 51]?H#?*4 "_?**_9< teaching-to-read adult program at the National Institute of Adult *'449%8R Education in Mexico. The development of NEUROALPHA read. NEUROALPHA was compared to the “Global Method” attests to the possibility of applying neuropsychological which involves exploring written materials that the learner principles to improve adult literacy education. 4 6 ** ** ? 69<<: O/X 5*' etc.).The other method, “Method Express”, relies on developing of cognition without reading”, Archives of Clinicial phonological awareness, starting with the most familiar words (i.e. 5*'9**8%+9

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. [email protected] - www.information-international.com INTERVIEW |23

THE MONTHLY INTERVIEWS MAHMOUD OBAIDI

Mahmoud Obaidi /& traditions, has been losing the glories of old days due 4 and have taken their toll on its cultural life. Although How do you assess the current status of the Iraq is relatively safer today than it was in the bleak era &+ J $ 4@ " &+ *'' "=''"9& conservatism and lacking the state support they once G$0J enjoyed. The rule of Saddam Hussein, however oppressive and Iraq hasn’t recovered yet from the successive wars tyrannical, accorded attention to the art movement it has suffered, and that’s why I believe that there is and his government used to commission paintings and no Iraqi art movement for the time being, but rather sculptures and to fund orchestras and theaters to honor a group of Iraqi artists working on both individual the nation and its dictator. But many artists refused to and collective levels in different countries around the succumb to the brutality imposed by Saddam Hussein world, including Iraq. and deemed the sanctions and constraints he imposed The availability of a number of conditions is essential an infringement of their right to freedom of expression for any artist, or group of artists, to be able to trigger or /&* induce any art movement. Unfortunately, none of these The situation of artists deteriorated further after conditions is provided for Iraqi artists. The artists who Saddam’s fall and the art movement started losing its still live in the country suffer from dire living conditions *'' and are too busy bringing home the bacon to devote any clerics deem enjoying painting, sculpture and music time to art, which, under such circumstances, becomes a sin thus provoking Iraqi intellectuals to emigrate as an unnecessary luxury, not to mention the dreadful they cannot stand against other tides. state of security in the country. The Monthly conducted an interview with the Iraqi As for those scattered abroad, the majority of them artist Mahmoud Obaidi, living currently in Qatar, on are either breadwinners struggling to provide for the status quo of the Iraqi art and his latest activities. those living inside Iraq or busy searching for a stable

issue 119 | June 2012 24| INTERVIEW

shelter in the West or seeking patronage to renew their commercial perspective, as most collectors (individual residency in the Arab countries. and institutions) prefer that the artist have one pattern The artworks of Iraqi artists are being forged due to or one identity that helps him stand out. I personally the absence of the state and the inexistence of a formal 4'R@' Iraqi authority to follow up on this issue and identify *@4 fraudulent marks and signatures. and curbs the innovation process.

9&+ Considering the materials that are used in your "J works, how do you choose the technique that It certainly has. The environment and surroundings of "J the countries we encounter during our travels affect I usually start with the idea or the theme and then I = employ the material or the technique to serve the from the research and the knowledge we amass as we idea. It all really boils down to the “concept”. The wander around. * To me, leaving Iraq was not only a result of the then or technique to fuse into your work, whether it was prevailing political climate, but rather an important step through painting or sculpture or any other means. that helps the artist grow and enrich his experience. I would have left anyway even if Baghdad had been heavenly at the time. And what about your presence, do you seek the communication with the art connoisseur buying Many artists reiterated in more than one your works as an individual or as group of occasion that they did not want their art work J 0 #@ G $J K"J I am not involved in any activities currently but I’m I align myself with those artists who refuse planning to embark on potential projects in the future. categorization in all its forms. Categorization limits I believe that every artist needs a lengthy cessation of ' work every now and then in order to assess the previous becomes too hard to escape from. However, non- phase and plan for the coming one. @

Paintings by Mahmoud Obaidi

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 25

TRAFFIC SUFFOCATES

The roads are closing in, little by little, until we factories, companies, and other become completely trapped! Lebanon, the place money-seeking facilities will once known as the country of landscape, the land # people once wished to live in, is becoming a place longer unite, people won’t even ** 4 bother visiting others, and the a phenomenon that all people experience in their whole premises created for the everyday life, but Lebanon takes it to a whole new people’s freedom, will lack its 4 4R ' creators. In addition to that, '4**'_ people will become more and more depressed; trapped this unbearable situation, and thus we have reached inside a shell, shunned away from the outside world, the stable state of just “living with it”. Other countries and eventually commit suicide. face this dreadful plague but in much less gravity than Luckily, there are plenty of solutions to overcome Lebanon. If all the citizens of this nation joined hands, these dreadful results. spoke in one voice, and marched together, they could '_*'' persuade the government to take a stand and enforce the width of most of the roads in Lebanon. People will @ * then be able to move more freely, thus eliminating many problems and issues, which will be discussed ' * ' below. the time spent in it. Widening the roads will increase \''*' the space between vehicles, so people will endure people will involuntarily weaken their bodies. They the minimum of fumes entering the atmosphere, thus will inhale in their systems an extreme amount of 4'*5 fumes and toxins exited by vehicles. These toxins road-rage and a decrease in the stress levels so people will have a negative effect on their bodies and will will become friendlier, and more tolerance will be develop overtime, including numerous numbers achieved. Citizens will then get to work sooner, and of pathogens, diseases, and allergies, such as lung _* cancer and asthma, which can be fatal. Also after Another solution is the construction of underground ' ~ parking spaces for every building. Vehicle owners home, experiencing massive headaches and dizziness, will no longer have to park on the side of the roads, which will affect their comfort and sleep. After a long for they have the option to park in a safer and closer period of time, their bodies will have weakened and *'4' eventually give in. more room for passing cars. People will have the great Moreover, another one of the Devil’s work is that parking space they dream of, and will also have wider employees, workers and anyone with a job or task, roads, clearer heads and a happier drive. They will _ @ # R scarcely feel that the task of driving is a burden, but @ @ ' Y will consider it as a joy and a pleasure to do, with a they’ll start cursing, shouting, and inevitably engage smile on their faces. in bad behavior. Third, they’ll drive out of there at #**'* an excessive speed, and God forbid, might harm as expanding roads and construction of underground 4 # *@' * * * safely, they’ll arrive late beyond expectations; their should not scare us off. We should face it head to head, boss will have had enough of their excuses, and will take it on, and overcome it with sheer determination, *4'* making us proud of what we have accomplished, in for people who have families to raise. It also means that our and in the eyes of every other country who failed more people will be unemployed, roaming the streets to succeed. This will raise our road rankings from looking for shelter, which leads to more poverty, an \ > 4 increase in the number of homeless people, and a Country roads. This is a triumph for our people, and decrease in the country’s economic status. our hard work should be a prize of its own. After ?'**' achieving this but a small victory to some, it serves leave their houses but instead stay at home. Every a much higher purpose which goes without saying is time they think about leaving, they’ll remember the that these citizens can once more be united. 4' by exhaust fumes, besides the dangerous atmosphere created by road-rage, so they’ll probably decide to $0L$' stay home. This means that shops, department stores,

issue 119 | June 2012 26 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART

NOBEL PRIZES IN MEDICINE (1)

& 6 40 " 4 / >OT? ?@>> 0 The Monthly’s #

Physiology or Medicine (1952-2011) Year Name Nationalitiy Born Division of Prize Purpose Bruce A. Beutler USA 1957 One half jointly to Bruce A. For their discoveries concerning the Beutler and Jules A. Hoffmann activation of innate immunity 2011 Jules A. Hoffmann Luxembourg 1941 The other half to Ralph M. For his discovery of the dendritic cell Ralph M. Steinman Canada 1943 Steinman and its role in adaptive immunity 2010 Robert G. Edwards UK 1925 For the development of in vitro fertilization Elizabeth H. Blackburn Australia 1948 Was awarded jointly to For the discovery of how chromo- 2009 Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Carol somes are protected by telomeres and Carol W. Greider USA 1961 W. Greider and Jack W. the enzyme telomerase Jack W. Szostak UK 1952 Szostak One half awarded to Harald zur For his discovery of human papilloma Harald zur Hausen Germany 1936 Hausen viruses causing cervical cancer 2008 Françoise Barré- The other half jointly to Sinoussi France 1947 For their discovery of human immuno- Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and deficiency virus Luc Montagnier France 1932 Luc Montagnier Mario R. Capecchi Italy 1937 For their discoveries of principles for Was awarded jointly to Mario introducing specific gene modifica- 2007 Sir Martin J. Evans UK 1941 R. Capecchi, Sir Martin J. tions in mice by the use of embryonic Oliver Smithies UK 1925 Evans and Oliver Smithies stem cells Andrew Z. Fire USA 1959 2006 Was awarded jointly to Andrew For their discovery of RNA interference - Craig C. Mello USA 1960 Z. Fire and Craig C. Mello gene silencing by double-stranded RNA Barry J. Marshall Australia 1951 For their discovery of the bacte- 2005 Was awarded jointly to Barry J. rium Helicobacter pylori and its role in J. Robin Warren Australia 1937 Marshall and J. Robin Warren gastritis and peptic ulcer disease Richard Axel USA 1946 For their discoveries of odorant recep- 2004 Was awarded jointly to Richard tors and the organization of the olfac- Linda B. Buck USA 1947 Axel and Linda B. Buck tory system Paul C. Lauterbur USA 1929 2003 Was awarded jointly to Paul C. For their discoveries concerning mag- Sir Peter Mansfield UK 1933 Lauterbur and Sir Peter Mansfield netic resonance imaging Sydney Brenner South Africa 1927 Was awarded jointly to Sydney For their discoveries concerning ‘ge- 2002 H. Robert Horvitz USA 1947 Brenner, H. Robert Horvitz and netic regulation of organ development John E. Sulston UK 1942 John E. Sulston and programmed cell death’ Leland H. Hartwell USA 1939 Was awarded jointly to Leland For their discoveries of key regulators 2001 Tim Hunt UK 1943 H. Hartwell, Tim Hunt and Sir of the cell cycle Sir Paul M. Nurse UK 1949 Paul M. Nurse Arvid Carlsson Sweden 1923 Was awarded jointly to Arvid For their discoveries concerning signal 2000 Paul Greengard USA 1925 Carlsson, Paul Greengard and transduction in the nervous system Eric R. Kandel Austria 1929 Eric R. Kandel For the discovery that proteins have 1999 Günter Blobel Poland 1936 intrinsic signals that govern their transport and localization in the cell Robert F. Furchgott USA 1916 Was awarded jointly to Robert For their discoveries concerning nitric 1998 Louis J. Ignarro USA 1941 F. Furchgott, Louis J. Ignarro oxide as a signalling molecule in the Ferid Murad USA 1936 and Ferid Murad cardiovascular system

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 27

Physiology or Medicine (1952-2011) Year Name Nationalitiy Born Division of Prize Purpose For his discovery of Prions - a new 1997 Stanley B. Prusiner USA 1942 biological principle of infection Peter C. Doherty Australia 1940 Was awarded jointly to Peter For their discoveries concerning the 1996 C. Doherty and Rolf M. specificity of the cell mediated immune Rolf M. Zinkernagel Switzerland 1944 Zinkernagel defence Edward B. Lewis USA 1918 Was awarded jointly to Edward For their discoveries concerning the 1995 Christiane Nüsslein- Germany 1942 B. Lewis, Christiane Nüsslein- genetic control of early embryonic Volhard Volhard and Eric F. Wieschaus development Eric F. Wieschaus USA 1947 Alfred G. Gilman USA 1941 For their discovery of G-proteins and 1994 Was awarded jointly to Alfred the role of these proteins in signal Martin Rodbell USA 1925 G. Gilman and Martin Rodbell transduction in cells Richard J. Roberts UK 1943 1993 Was awarded jointly to Richard For their discoveries of split genes Phillip A. Sharp USA 1944 J. Roberts and Phillip A. Sharp Edmond H. Fischer China 1920 Was awarded jointly to For their discoveries concerning 1992 Edmond H. Fischer and Edwin reversible protein phosphorylation as a Edwin G. Krebs USA 1918 G. Krebs biological regulatory mechanism Erwin Neher Germany 1944 1991 Was awarded jointly to Erwin For their discoveries concerning the Bert Sakmann Germany 1942 Neher and Bert Sakmann function of single ion channels in cells Joseph E. Murray USA 1919 Was awarded jointly to Joseph For their discoveries concerning organ 1990 E. Murray and E. Donnall and cell transplantation in the treat- E. Donnall Thomas USA 1920 Thomas ment of human disease J. Michael Bishop USA 1936 Was awarded jointly to J. 1989 Michael Bishop and Harold E. For their discovery of the cellular origin Harold E. Varmus USA 1939 Varmus of retroviral oncogenes Sir James W. Black Scotland 1924 Was awarded jointly to Sir For their discoveries of important 1988 Gertrude B. Elion USA 1918 James W. Black, Gertrude B. principles for drug treatment George H. Hitchings USA 1905 Elion and George H. Hitchings For his discovery of the genetic 1987 Susumu Tonegawa Japan 1939 principle for generation of antibody diversity Stanley Cohen USA 1922 1986 Was awarded jointly to Stanley For their discoveries of growth factors Rita Levi-Montalcini Italy 1909 Cohen and Rita Levi-Montalcini Michael S. Brown USA 1941 Was awarded jointly to Michael 1985 S. Brown and Joseph L. For their discoveries concerning the Joseph L. Goldstein USA 1940 Goldstein regulation of cholesterol metabolism Niels K. Jerne UK 1911 For theories concerning the specificity Georges J.F. Köhler Germany 1946 Was awarded jointly to Niels K. in development and control of the im- 1984 Jerne, Georges J.F. Köhler and mune system and the discovery of the César Milstein Argentina 1927 César Milstein principle for production of monoclonal antibodies For her discovery of mobile genetic 1983 Barbara McClintock USA 1902 elements Sune K. Bergström Sweden 1916 Was awarded jointly to For their discoveries concerning 1982 Bengt I. Samuelsson Sweden 1934 Sune K. Bergström, Bengt I. prostaglandins and related biologically John R. Vane UK 1927 Samuelsson and John R. Vane active substances One half awarded to Roger W. For his discoveries concerning the Roger W. Sperry USA 1913 Sperry functional specialization of the cerebral 1981 hemispheres David H. Hubel Canada 1926 The other half jointly to David For their discoveries concerning infor- Torsten N. Wiesel Sweden 1934 H. Hubel and Torsten N. Wiesel mation processing in the visual system Baruj Benacerraf Venezuela 1920 Was awarded jointly to Baruj For their discoveries concerning geneti- Jean Dausset France 1916 cally determined structures on the cell 1980 Benacerraf, Jean Dausset and surface that regulate immunological George D. Snell USA 1903 George D. Snell reactions

issue 119 | June 2012 28 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART

Physiology or Medicine (1952-2011) Year Name Nationalitiy Born Division of Prize Purpose Allan M. Cormack South Africa 1924 Was awarded jointly to Allan For the development of computer as- 1979 Godfrey N. M. Cormack and Godfrey N. sisted tomography Hounsfield UK 1919 Hounsfield Werner Arber Switzerland 1929 Was awarded jointly to Werner For the discovery of restriction 1978 Daniel Nathans USA 1928 Arber, Daniel Nathans and enzymes and their application to prob- Hamilton O. Smith USA 1931 Hamilton O. Smith lems of molecular genetics Roger Guillemin France 1924 One half jointly to Roger For their discoveries concerning the Guillemin and Andrew V. peptide hormone production of the 1977 Andrew V. Schally Lithuania 1926 Schally brain The other half to Rosalyn For the development of radioimmuno- Rosalyn Yalow USA 1921 Yalow assays of peptide hormones Baruch S. Blumberg USA 1925 Was awarded jointly to Baruch For their discoveries concerning new 1976 S. Blumberg and D. Carleton mechanisms for the origin and dis- D. Carleton Gajdusek USA 1923 Gajdusek semination of infectious diseases David Baltimore USA 1938 Was awarded jointly to David For their discoveries concerning the 1975 Renato Dulbecco Italy 1914 Baltimore, Renato Dulbecco interaction between tumour viruses Howard Martin and Howard Martin Temin and the genetic material of the cell” Temin USA 1934 Albert Claude Belgium 1898 Was awarded jointly to Albert For their discoveries concerning the 1974 Christian de Duve UK 1917 Claude, Christian de Duve and structural and functional organization George E. Palade Romania 1912 George E. Palade of the cell Karl von Frisch Austria 1886 Was awarded jointly to Karl For their discoveries concerning or- 1973 Konrad Lorenz Austria 1903 von Frisch, Konrad Lorenz and ganization and elicitation of individual The Nikolaas Tinbergen and social behaviour patterns Nikolaas Tinbergen Netherlands 1907 Gerald M. Edelman USA 1929 Was awarded jointly to Gerald 1972 M. Edelman and Rodney R. For their discoveries concerning the Rodney R. Porter UK 1917 Porter chemical structure of antibodies Earl W. Sutherland, For his discoveries concerning the 1971 Jr. USA 1915 mechanisms of the action of hormones Sir Bernard Katz Germany 1911 was awarded jointly to Sir for their discoveries concerning the Ulf von Euler Sweden 1905 humoral transmittors in the nerve 1970 Bernard Katz, Ulf von Euler and terminals and the mechanism for their Julius Axelrod USA 1912 Julius Axelrod storage, release and inactivation Max Delbrück Germany 1906 was awarded jointly to Max for their discoveries concerning the 1969 Alfred D. Hershey USA 1908 Delbrück, Alfred D. Hershey replication mechanism and the genetic Salvador E. Luria Italy 1912 and Salvador E. Luria structure of viruses Robert W. Holley USA 1922 Har Gobind Khorana India 1922 was awarded jointly to Robert for their interpretation of the genetic 1968 W. Holley, Har Gobind Khorana code and its function in protein syn- Marshall W. and Marshall W. Nirenberg thesis Nirenberg USA 1927 Ragnar Granit Finland 1900 was awarded jointly to Ragnar for their discoveries concerning the 1967 Haldan Keffer USA 1903 Granit, Haldan Keffer Hartline primary physiological and chemical Hartline and George Wald visual processes in the eye George Wald USA 1906 for his discovery of tumour-inducing Peyton Rous USA 1879 was divided equally between viruses 1966 Peyton Rous and Charles Charles Brenton Brenton Huggins for his discoveries concerning hor- Huggins Canada 1901 monal treatment of prostatic cancer François Jacob France 1920 was awarded jointly to for their discoveries concerning 1965 André Lwoff France 1902 François Jacob, André Lwoff genetic control of enzyme and virus Jacques Monod France 1910 and Jacques Monod synthesis

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 29

Physiology or Medicine (1952-2011) Year Name Nationalitiy Born Division of Prize Purpose Konrad Bloch Poland 1912 was awarded jointly to Konrad for their discoveries concerning the 1964 Bloch and Feodor Lynen mechanism and regulation of the cho- Feodor Lynen Germany 1911 lesterol and fatty acid metabolism Sir John Carew for their discoveries concerning the Eccles Australia 1903 was awarded jointly to Sir John Carew Eccles, Alan Lloyd ionic mechanisms involved in excita- 1963 Alan Lloyd Hodgkin UK 1914 Hodgkin and Andrew Fielding tion and inhibition in the peripheral Andrew Fielding Huxley and central portions of the nerve cell Huxley UK 1917 membrane Francis Harry UK 1916 Compton Crick was awarded jointly to Francis for their discoveries concerning the James Dewey Harry Compton Crick, James molecular structure of nucleic acids 1962 Watson USA 1928 Dewey Watson and Maurice and its significance for information Maurice Hugh Hugh Frederick Wilkins transfer in living material Frederick Wilkins New Zealand 1916 for his discoveries of the physical 1961 Georg von Békésy Hungary 1899 mechanism of stimulation within the cochlea Sir Frank Macfarlane was awarded jointly to Sir Burnet Australia 1899 for discovery of acquired immunologi- 1960 Frank Macfarlane Burnet and cal tolerance Peter Brian Medawar Brazil 1915 Peter Brian Medawar Severo Ochoa Spain 1905 for their discovery of the mechanisms 1959 was awarded jointly to Severo in the biological synthesis of ribonucle- Arthur Kornberg USA 1918 Ochoa and Arthur Kornberg ic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid George Wells Beadle USA 1903 one half jointly to George Wells for their discovery that genes act by Edward Lawrie Beadle and Edward Lawrie regulating definite chemical events Tatum USA 1909 Tatum 1958 for his discoveries concerning genetic Joshua Lederberg USA 1925 The other half to Joshua recombination and the organization of Lederberg the genetic material of bacteria for his discoveries relating to synthetic compounds that inhibit the action of 1957 Daniel Bovet Switzerland 1907 certain body substances, and especially their action on the vascular system and the skeletal muscles André Frédéric Cournand France 1895 was awarded jointly to André Frédéric Cournand, Werner for their discoveries concerning heart 1956 Werner Forssmann Germany 1904 catheterization and pathological Forssmann and Dickinson W. changes in the circulatory system Dickinson W. Richards Richards USA 1895 for his discoveries concerning the 1955 Axel Hugo Theodor Sweden 1903 nature and mode of action of oxidation Theorell enzymes John Franklin Enders USA 1897 Thomas Huckle was awarded jointly to John for their discovery of the ability of po- USA 1915 Franklin Enders, Thomas 1954 Weller liomyelitis viruses to grow in cultures Huckle Weller and Frederick of various types of tissue Frederick Chapman Chapman Robbins Robbins USA 1916 Hans Adolf Krebs Germany 1900 for his discovery of the citric acid cycle was divided equally between 1953 Hans Adolf Krebs and Fritz for his discovery of co-enzyme A Fritz Albert Lipmann Russia 1899 Albert Lipmann and its importance for intermediary metabolism for his discovery of streptomycin, 1952 Selman Abraham Ukraine 1888 the first antibiotic effective against Waksman tuberculosis

issue 119 | June 2012 30 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART

EMKAN FINANCE A BRIGHT SPOT IN A BLEAK ECONOMY

& struggles to survive dreadful economic conditions against the backdrop of soaring L in tiny businesses to accumulate assets and raise household income and welfare. V" ' ! Overview Emkan has had two main objectives since its initial '9J@G9< @#++@'+ to-door campaigns and social media platforms in order Clientele to enhance its outreach and serve the largest possible The majority of commercial banks do not provide segment of the population. To this end, it operates six *_*4 branches distributed in the regions of Akkar, Tripoli, enterprise. One can make a lot more money on a large Chtoura, Beirut, Saida and Tyre, thus covering the R@* whole Lebanon. holding savings accounts with very little funds in them. Y*@ According to Dr. Mayada Baydas, Executive General providing services to those who already have the cash, "' @ # Y + while the sweeping majority remains marginalized and +4 +4* follow-up with the clients. Therefore, Emkan exerts providers in putting more spending power in the hands '* of families and individuals who lack access to credit services and carry out the lending process which starts from banks but still hope to take a chance of starting a ' ' + business or improving their living conditions. Emkan ~ grants loans for people to help them primarily grow a their repayment capacity, appraise the loan and process business and provide for their families, educate their disbursement and repayment. *_@@ #4+ @R ' HJ3 owners and makes no distinction as to the gender of the <<<<<HJ3<<<<<<*X

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 31

Business expansion loans: these loans are given Repayment for start-up entrepreneurs or for small and medium Dr. Baydas believes that the key to a successful micro- sized businesses that might need assets, equipment, O ** supplies, materials, working capital, etc... to expand much as they can repay”. Luckily, and thanks to the their scope of business. wise and conscious judgment of Emkan’s staff and management in performing the lending operations, Home improvement loans: these loans target those '* _ * 4 R 4 * other additions or repair works to their houses. <R & Emkan has lent to date a growing portfolio of over Personal loans: some borrowers resort to personal Y; %<<<<<< loans to buy a new laptop or pay for college. to the fact that people do pay on time and abide by the Personal loans help the non-banking segments turn terms of the loan once they are given access to credit their dreams into reality. and suitable opportunities and economic stimulants.

Geographically speaking, Emkan’s lending activities \J@8<** 4'J&R 4*'4 Akkar. The majority of clients are usually breadwinners 4 'Y;<<Y;<<<* ?' 8 ' 4**@ that, on average, the loan amounts to LBP 2,000,000 around the world, and in Lebanon, have expanded to paid over twelve-month duration. include the growing masses at the bottom of the income *4

issue 119 | June 2012 32 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART POPULAR CULTURE

A YEAR OF LIFE IN CHOUEIFAT SCHOOL

“Hurry up Eid. This boy needs a ride to Choueifat,” she said. My uncle Eid, the best-in-town muleteer replied: “Anis is most welcome but we must take off early. Choueifat is a long way off and I must return before it is dark.”

And so, we departed before daybreak and managed to reach Ibadiyya by sunrise. We advanced towards Choueifat and arrived there in the evening. My uncle stood helpless as he laid eyes upon the packed houses stretching along the side of the mountain. How are we going to get to that hill upon which the school is resting? Uncle Eid addressed a solemn Druze sheikh inquiring about its location: “Why don’t you construct your houses among the olive *' these narrow roads?” So the Sheikh showed him the way and said: “It wouldn’t be wise to cut the olive trees that the Romans once planted! The scenery is prettier and more vivid up here.”

The principal welcomed us, then called on Wadih, the school keeper, and gave him the commands, so he offered us a helping hand unloading the mattress, the box, and the bag of roasted chickpeas, raisins, and milk bagels. He then ushered me to a large room including a number of students and said: “you will be sleeping here, and here’s the key of your locker.”

My bed was near that of a Qmatiyye student named Zaher Hamza. I took to him in no time and we became friends immediately. As I ''+4@ @XO\'?#1+"P “There he is”, Zaher replied. She greeted me warmly and added: “Do not spare me should you need anything”. Once she left the room, I turned to Zafer and asked him who she was, so he answered: “Lucky you. She’s the wife of the priest.” And I recall that I admired that woman and respected her.

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. DEBUNKING MYTH #58 CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 33

THE CONTROVERSIAL MARIJUANA

Marijuana is a drug produced from the cannabis plant. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the major active chemical in marijuana. THC increases the activity of GABA neurotransmitter which is responsible of decreasing the level of activity of the nervous system, thus producing the relaxing effects of the drug. It also increases the activity of dopamine neurotransmitter **''/4H6R' H:6Y@9<<:?*4*=' ''63Y9<<:

5/ harmful drug

/=4**'_*'*/'

/**'*4**1* use of marijuana leads to the development of tolerance, and at classic doses, some heavy users would also experience mild *'X_**63Y9<<:

#*'**4**@*"4 come to depend on marijuana use for relaxation and social purposes. The psychological dependence can be very serious if the drug users don’t know nor learn more effective coping mechanisms to adjust to the life challenges; they would solely rely on marijuana to solve their problems.

# =R '4 ' ' experiencing fatigue, anxiety, disorientation, sensory distortions, and even possible psychotic reactions, and impairing 6;'9<<: Using marijuana also increases exposure to carcinogens. In fact, marijuana smoke includes more cancer-causing substances than tobacco; it is correlated with various lung diseases and even cancer.

Two other misconceptions about marijuana are worth mentioning. The chronic marijuana use does not result in amotivational syndrome, causing the users to become unmotivated and apathetic. Moreover, it is also a misconception that marijuana use can lead the user to start using more dangerous drugs (i.e. cocaine and heroine). These two misconceptions =**4

References

Anthony, J.C. (2006). The epidemiology of cannabis dependence. In R.A. Roffman & R.S. Stephens (Eds)., Cannabis dependence: Its nature, consequences and treatment. Cambridge, England: Cambridge. Hall, W.., & Degenhardt, L. (2009). Adverse health effects of non-medical cannabis use. The Lancet, 37, 1383-1391. Passer, W.M., & Smith, E.R. (2010). Psychology: the Science of Mind and Behavior (5th edition). New York McGraw-Hill International Edition. http://www.skoun.org/drugs2.html http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-teenage-mind/201012/is-marijuana-addictive http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-about-addiction/201001/is-marijuana-addictive-you-can-bet-your-heroin

issue 119 | June 2012 34 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART MUST-READ BOOKS

NORMALIZATION RUNS IN YOUR BLOOD

In his book, Normalization Runs in Your Blood *;?9<<?Y' up a debated issue that has been subject to many controversies in the past few years: the normalization of ties with Israel. The author pours his insights onto paper in an attempt to correct the misconceptions held by many people about normalization. The author attributes the attempts at normalization to the conspiracy woven by the West and the Zionist entity against the Arab world and warns of the perils and adversities of normalization while making a close analysis of the historical, social, cultural, political and economic climate that accompanied it and reiterating the need to resist it and adopt the “awakening project” instead. “Challenging normalization is the *'4 modernization and post-modernization. Hence, refusing disconcerting the enemy until becoming able to launch normalization is a humanitarian duty against three an awakening project or an armed resistance. Achieving elements: the capitalist center in the globalization liberation requires popular participation in opposing era, the Zionist entity and its expansions, and the normalization.” comprador regimes installed in the Arab states against In addition to the wars and barbaric attacks launched the Arab nation. Refusing normalization is a revolution by the Zionist entity ever since its formation, this entity confronting the counter-revolution. ' ? The book explores normalization from all its angles * and insists that making peace with the enemy and and economic powers through the “soft war” and the thus allowing normalization to take over is out of the incessant endeavors to abort all development attempts. question. There is no other solution but defense and Adel Samara believes that “normalization is a conspiracy confrontation and those who refuse this option would made by the capitalist center (mercantile capitalism be compromising the rights of the people. '~ Challenging normalization is a duty imposed, not respectively).” The Zionist entity is aware that it might only on the Palestinians, but on the Arab nation at large be impossible to settle in Palestine or confront the in order to protect our societies and preserve their roots. whole Arab nation when it is united, and this is why To this end, Adel Samara tries to raise awareness against they resort to dividing and separating and allying with normalization and the hazards it might generate on the international community in order to weaken the Palestine and the whole Arab and national community. Arabs and sap their strength. The author claims that “the prevalence of normalization The analysis provided by Adel Samara rests on the theory is further nourished by the ignorance of the simplest O~ ' ? G@' of the appeasement policy as if the national belonging '/'+*P has become a matter of luxury and choice on the other.” Normalization manifests in two ways: commercial The journey against normalization is still very long. It normalization that results in development stagnation and is sadly lacking the consensus of all the concerned parties ideological, mental and cultural normalization resulting in and it needs more awareness and deviation from the “dormancy and intellectual passivity”. *=5~ Refusing normalization goes beyond the individual, Runs in Your Blood raises a series of questions such as: social class and nation. It is a geographic expansion on an “Are we willing to come up with a cultural project to international level, as it is such an international cause… resist intellectual normalization? A project of awareness Refusing normalization is a stand against extortion, *4 * violation and mainly against globalization including not colonization and capitalism and explains the reasons only its economic interests but also its culture, ideology, behind the formation of the Zionist entity?

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MUST-READ CHILDREN’S BOOK CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 35

THE CAR AND THE TRAFFIC POLICEMAN By Hanadi Dayya and Manal Shamma. Illustrations by Thimar Halawani. Published by Asala for 3';9<<6: The Car The Car is a story about an old grey car, so dear to the heart of the father but less dear to the son’s. The son hated the car for it kept breaking down and wanted to have a new one similar to that of the father of his Y] the car stopped suddenly in the middle of the road and would not move until a few children pushed it forward. The second day, the tire exploded and the boy was late for play. On the third day, there was a rise in the engine’s temperature and the car needed water so the boy arrived late and hungry to his grandma’s place in the village. On day four, the car window was stuck and would not close so everybody was soaked from father bought a new car like that of Samer’s dad. However, the tire of the new car exploded again on the way to school so the boy realized that all cars, old and new, are at risk of breaking down, even the car of his friend’s father. This story aims at teaching children the difference between old and new and instilling contentment into them.

“Dad’s car is outdated and archaic. It has a grey color. Dad loves it dearly and does not want to sell it despite its old age. The car’s roar is so annoying that everybody notices it the moment it runs into the neighborhood, not to mention its loud horn and the exhaust’s condensed smoke. I detest this old car.” The tells the story of Mahboub, a kind and cheerful policeman who adores his job and wishes to become the best policeman on earth. However, Mahboub believes that luck is not favoring him, for he, unfortunately, keeps making mistakes. He either forgets his hat or gloves or loses his'*], Mahboub forgot to put on his uniform. The second day, the wind blew away his hat so he started running after it while the cars moved at their own discretion, which caused a terrible accident. On day three, he was jovial and sure that he would be the best policeman in the whole world but suddenly soap bubbles started popping out of his whistle and everybody laughed at him so his happiness withered into sadness and disappointment. On day four, ''''leaving him watching from afar. The next day however, the '**@' took control over the '* This story aims at teaching children patience and perseverance in order to achieve their aspired goals.

“Mahboub stood alone in '@' lights. Those lights can replace the best policeman on earth. And suddenly the ''~ @''red while the drivers stared at them helplessly. Mahboub raced to the center of the road, held his whistle, turned to the left and ordered the cars to stop. He then turned right and waved to the drivers to move. '*the lights.”

The above stories are part of the series Step by Step for Children which also includes: The Street Sweeper

issue 119 | June 2012 36 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART LEBANON FAMILIES

M’OUSHI FAMILIES A MARONITE M’OUSHI AND A MUSLIM M’OUSH

Narrators are divided over the origins of the M’oushi families and have two contradicting opinions:

Some believe that the M’oushis hail from Al Abou Serhal from Aqoura and that they moved in "=+"R> dispersed throughout Jezzine, Beirut and Barja.

Others claim that the M’oushis originated from the Bechara families from Majdal el-M’oush. A Bechara member called Youssef Bechara headed for Hasbaya and was called Youssef M’oushi after the village he came from. Bechara’s grandchildren returned to Majdal el- M’oush carrying the new family name, while a number of them moved to Jezzine and other regions. Tripoli

Zgharta The M’oushis are a small family including a Maronite Balamand Roads A‘arjes majority (M’oushi) and a few Sunni members (M’oush). Ehden <<<4 Becharre The Cedars Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck following Lebanese regions: Deir el Ahmar Maqne Qasr el-Banat

Maronite members Hadath Jbail Iaat "=+"R6>:X< Baalbeck Jounieh Ghazir G~~6G~~:X8 Niha }@6:X BEIRUT Zahle ?+16J:X Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-Baidar Ain Zhalta (Chouf): 8 Bhamdoun Anjar ?6J:X% Deir el-Qamar Meshref Beiteddine Jdita (Zahle): 8 Moukhtara Qaraoun Lake Yanta

YJ=6>: Saida Jezzine members in Jiyyeh (Chouf). Libbaya Aiha

Nabatiye Hasbaya There were many M’oushi members who rose to Marjayoun

prominence in political, judicial and religious arenas Beaufort Castle '"* Sour >JJ"R4 @ 4 President of the Republic, Camille Chamoun. G'E"R''' at the criminal court in Beirut.

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. DISCOVER LEBANON CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 37

ANQOUN 9<<HJ3999<<%' HJ3999<<HJ399<< A VILLAGE WITH MANY SCHOOLS "@"?1# "}?R+/@ Etymology In his book Names of Lebanese Towns and Villages, Educational institutions ?#***' Anqoun gained popularity because of its many schools, ?&@ most of which date back to old times such as the compound Syrian word “in qun”, where “in” means “eye” religious school for teaching the Quran, established by and “qun” means “statue”, hence the meaning “eye of the "?? Y@ H@ ? statue”, while the second suggests that the word originated Charity Association in Beirut obtained the approval to from the word “in quna”, where “in” also means “eye” while *4* “quna” means “dark blue, hence the meaning “blue eye”, ?&'4X which is the most likely since the town overlooks the sea. ?&]/YX 99<<+9<< ! ?&]'YX99 Anqoun is located in the Qada’a of Saida in the %9<<+9<< "~ Y H < `YX9< 44@J 9<<+9<< @ R / * 3YX8%9 9<XJ+ 9<<+9<< Saida- Tanbourit- Anqoun or Nabatieh- Arabsaleem- ?&]`Y Sarba- Anqoun. There are three main neighborhoods in Licenses were also obtained to establish another four ?&X+#&?+"1+Y private schools. Population Mosques The number of registered inhabitants in the village’s ?& 4 & 3 Y 1' %<< ** Shrine of the Prophet and a Hussainia. belonging to the Shia’a sect. There are about 800 houses 9<*?& Archaeological sites Anqoun has evidence of pottery remains, rock Voters inscriptions, paintings and weapons that date back to / 9<<< 4 9 ancient times. The village also includes a shrine called %9 the Shrine of the Prophet or the Shrine of Mohammad 9<<8/9<< Zareef whose exact date of construction is not known. 988<' Voters are distributed amongst the following Shia’a families: Economic activities %% 4 $ < / 8 Anqoun’s residents count on expatriate remittances as their [R8G899%\"0 main source of income. They also make their living in public << ] \ 8% /"" 8% and private sector jobs and in commerce and free professions. \" 8 '" < 6 9 Agriculture provides hardly any revenue as most of the addition to the Assaf, Faqih, <, Haydar, Rida, villagers neglected this sector and instead left to settle in Kessrouani, & and Melhem families. Beirut or abroad. However, olive trees are grown in Anqoun. ! Problems Anqoun municipality was established on December 27, The challenges in Anqoun are no different to those 845999* faced by most of the Lebanese villages and they include * constant power cuts, waste management problems and }#//*"*# severe water shortage although the village was popular HJ3%%%9<</HJ3%9< for its many springs. But unfortunately, their condition 9<<8HJ3% worsened due to pollution and agricultural neglect.

issue 119 | June 2012 38 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART

CIVIL STRIFE INTRO (4) MILITARY GOVERNMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LEBANON

Following the Ain Remmaneh bus incident and the resignation of PM Rashid Solh after blaming the 44! deemed by many an attempt to avoid civil war. Formation endeavors ' the deployment of the army in the streets. It had been in this direction since noon, for informed parliamentary mentioned that calling on the army should only happen sources ruled out the possibility of appointing Rashid following the formation of a government that would take }''4'* upon itself such a responsibility or the appointment of a 4 ' @ Y? Prime Minister who would provide a political cover for it. source revealed that President Camille Chamoun was Meantime, the clashes started intensifying and ** '' expanding in an escalating manner, labeled by many as government, followed by the Army Commander and al- OP * ' Rifai respectively. Although the “rumor” had leaked into '> the councils and meetings of the different political parties, and Ain Remmaneh. they refused to believe the hearsay, especially in light of the talks that MP Zaki Mazboudi might be heading the Surprising announcement military government. This was probably the reason why The country had woken up to an announcement by the benevolent mediations continued to force their way between +''#+>@? && +J 61 }R : J 1 > 4 Msaytbeh (Saeb Salam’s residence). Those who called or which provoked panic and led to the closing of all stores 4**'**} although store-keepers had decided to suspend the strike or Saeb Salam resigned to the fact that many obstacles should the security status be convenient. In light of these that might take long or be hard to surmount hindered this developments, the President of the Republic summoned appointment. At least the image was conveyed as such. Brigadier General Noureddine Rifai to the palace preceded Thus, speculations and assumptions arose and a good few ? > ? started heralding the formation of a military government sudden momentum activated the Baabda Palace after including the members who were mentioned in the periods of quiet and calm. The palace teemed with visitors **?R'4 ? "3 }@ J@ Y } "@ ?' \ 4 X< * > Meanwhile, developments were shaping up fast and >Y"3}~} leading to the solution, namely, the formation of a J>@J"@"~ military government: * 8X<* ? > intense political pressure on the President of General Iskandar Ghanem accompanied by Brigadier 1* * ** } E#E'@ without any prior agreement or conditions to assign the to avoid the journalists. How and when Brigadier General maintenance of the army security. Noureddine Rifai arrived remained unknown. ' counter pressure to surpass the appointment }Y'* < the army on the streets. According to the constitution, and pursuant to making calls and holding meetings with the 5<<9"99*' Arab ambassadors in order to reach a truce which the the appointment of the retired Brigadier General government would announce responsibly and would Noureddine Rifai as the Prime Minister, the President entrust joint Lebanese-Palestinian committees with of the Republic decided the following: the execution of this truce independently from the Pursuant to the proposition of the Prime Minister: Phalanges and its allies, which would facilitate indirectly Article one: PM, the retired Brigadier General

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 39

Noureddine Rifai was also appointed as the Minister of about their lives and honor. This measure is going to be Justice, Public Health, Industry and Oil, while Moussa 4HE'/4 }*;*3" that he who took the responsibility, had weighed the as well as the Minister of Media, National Education stakes and considered all the data at hand before taking #? E /@ E 4 this decision and I hope it will favor Lebanon and the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Water Palestinian cause which has become part and parcel of and Electrical Resources while the Ministry of Interior our country. I am pretty sure that this practice was done and that of Housing and Cooperatives were reserved to with the best of intentions for the best of everyone and EY5J'E#~} the upcoming days shall attest for or against this action. was granted both the Ministry of Economy and Trade and But for now, we, the Lebanese who lived in the streets, "33'E#4 are thirsty for security and stability, which constitute Jinadi was appointed the Minister of Labor, Social Affairs, Lebanon’s most valuable fortune.” Postal Services, Telegraphs and Telephones. The Ministry #'?'H Raymond Eddeh draws comparison between two ;'"# histories and Colonel Zein Makki was appointed the Minister of “Our fathers approved the Constitution of the Lebanese Public Works and Transportation and Agriculture. 1*9"9?" 9<3 The political leaders reacted immediately to the Republic has discarded all the answers to the questions formation of the military government and their he asked to the representatives of the people during statements are highlighted below: the most recent consultations and proceeded with the formation of a military government.” :: “The Lebanese National Bloc has always struggled to “This is the one and only solution given the status quo. preserve the parliamentary system and protect democratic It is a reasonable settlement aimed at restoring order and liberties. I shall summon the executive committee to a reestablishing the stability and the fraternal sentiments we meeting today to determine our party’s stance.” had lost among the members of this country as well as its natural resources and the status it represented in the world.” Saeb Salam condemns aggression “I congratulate the President for restoring security as “I deem the formation of this military government as a taking any other measure would have been considered beginning of a serious historical crisis that no sane human '4 ' being can imagine how it will end. I, painfully, believe it value.” to be a direct violation of the democratic parliamentary system, which we have always considered the only system Kamel Asaad waiting to hear the reasons H'4' “I shall not make any comments before meeting of the liberties at the core of the Lebanese community 3#'' and promises to harm the genuine Lebanese interests. pushed him to take such a decision.” Not only does the risk menace our Palestinian brothers as some like to think, but it poses threats to every liberal '9 Lebanese aspiring for a better tomorrow. “What matters most is that the government receives Lebanon has been through hell recently and we have unanimous support, for the satisfaction of one party and been making concerted efforts to surpass all the crises the dissatisfaction of another might be perilous. What’s we suffered. Therefore, I appeal, from the very bottom of **''' my heart, to all the Lebanese to maintain high levels of used to ruling the country, they can initiate a military coup '*=' whenever they want, noting that there were wide complaints ''?/*' */ God and to my fellow citizens to pay with my life if need for sensitivity because what’s happening is no joke”. be to keep Lebanon free, democratic and independent.

4< 5\' “Given the conditions we have reached, security has “What’s happening in Lebanon today is a well thought- become a major concern for all the Lebanese worried out scheme whose dimensions and repercussions are

issue 119 | June 2012 40 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART

' $L_ government which fails to agree with the principles “What matters to me above all is to know the stance of democracy and constitution. Those in power seem of the new government regarding the Palestinian to have had a hand in the bloody incidents in order to resistance, and we will then play it by the ear.” reach this settlement, which stands at odds with the ambitions of the Lebanese and their aspirations for a MP Othman al-Dana free country striving for progress and development. “May God keep Lebanon safe. We will meet our This is a sad ending and a painful ordeal and I pray to fellow parties and coordinate our interests in favor of the Lord Almighty to help our people surpass this crisis this country and the Palestinian cause.” peacefully.” MP Mikhael Daher refuses the coup \=$ “The victories that Lebanon has achieved throughout O#4 the years in the arenas of democracy and national unity which entail that the appointed Prime Minister refer have become part and parcel of his special identity, and to the highest representative power i.e. the Parliament the people that stood honorably against covert military to make the necessary consultations with all the blocs rule in the past few years and got things back on track and parties in the country. Therefore the formation < 4 * of this government is deemed an infringement of the ' _* ' * constitution and not one President dared to make such a an action contradicts the nature of the Lebanese and transgression during the mandate period. negates the National Pact embraced by all of us. Second, this government is encouraging military This government has disrupted the Lebanese ruling '*' formula, and insisting on it might destroy the basic military governments. elements that this country rests upon as home of liberty Third, we are against any military rule in Lebanon for and coexistence.” it is the parties, the syndicates and the civic and political '*H Former PM Rashid Solh against crippling the people. We have always prided ourselves for being the constitution only Arab country with a democratic parliamentary “This military government cripples the constitution and system enjoying full liberties and adopting the principle encroaches on every rule and regulation in this country. of popular sovereignty. * ' #4 parliamentary system. This government shall not come an alarming manner, especially given our knowledge to light and this is a challenge for the Muslims.” that the majority considers it a direct slap to their national will and their right to full participation and to /499 *"'*@ “Since its inception, the Movement of the Deprived of the national current in Lebanon and expresses the has committed itself to: will of the Muslims. Defending the democratic parliamentary life and the # 4 44 public liberties as part of preserving the national unity authorities in the Phalanges’ operations in preparation of the Lebanese people. for the rise of military power. Defending the Palestinian cause and hailing it as Sixth, the military rule would pose a threat to the the cause and conscience of the Movement until the existence of the Palestinians in Lebanon and to the Palestinians achieve their legitimate rights. ** Supporting the demands of the deprived and the rights of ''_'* the disadvantaged areas until the very end and at any cost. H' Seventh, the formation of this government would Therefore we cannot but reiterate our previous 4'4 commitments and challenge the formation of this with the Arab world, as most of the Arab governments government as it strikes a deathblow to the democratic would be harboring fears from any internal abuse system and the parliamentary norms and threatens against the Palestinians, the resistance and the majority national unity.” of the Lebanese who are crucially correlated to them.”

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MEDIA |41

ARTICLE 60 OF THE 1999 BUDGET A NEED OR A STIMULANT FOR SQUANDERING? &! over public budget and the squandering of expenditures as well as the preparation of accounts and the "$8@>OOO " <R>OOO ?%?#>E in some projects, not to mention that externally- Emile Lahoud was elected President of Lebanon as a funded projects were always monitored and managed predecessor for President Elias Hrawi. Salim Hoss was according to the terms imposed by the donors, and their 4*_'1& inspection was equal, and even superior sometimes, ''' ?J?8< '4* not legalize squandering or escaping supervision on that the new ruling class believed that Hariri’s term spending. was marred by the squandering of public funds and the lack of transparency and sound management in Corm’s political allies who supported him in challenging *?"# R*@''?8< E' > * * and considered that this article offered great chances to '#Y escape supervision, namely the post-inspection of the ?JOOO _* *= JR ?8<5<G9* oversight. Therefore, the successive governments the following: resorted to ensure this small external share to their “The spending associated with the external loan local internally-funded projects to avoid surveillance, agreements signed with several public agencies and which resulted in lavish and imprudent squandering. municipalities shall be subjected to the methodical provisions of the lender, regardless if this spending Correcting this fault entails the cancellation of this article was made from internal or external funds, and shall be from all future budgets and opening an investigation exposed to the post-inspection of the Audit Bureau.” into the projects that were partly or wholly funded from foreign or external sources or rather imposing The text of this article was reiterated in all successive and maintaining tight supervision on the internal fund '**4'9<< provider so as not to scare the donors away.

The Audit Bureau believes that this article has facilitated the disbursement of many funds without its prior supervision, as the major share of the projects’ *4 '4 _* the small amounts channeled from external sources, which lead to extravagant spending and waste of public money.

# " # E' > this article necessary to attract external funding for certain projects and believed it was irrational to subject such funding to the will of the Lebanese government as it should succumb to that of the lender or donor. Regarding the internal share of project funding, Corm reported that there were scarce internal contributions

issue 119 | June 2012 42| MEDIA APRIL 2012 HIGHLIGHTS

FREE DSL INTERNET IN NON-PEAK HOURS 5`<`4!'` 4`V#L`$L ship intercepted on its way to Syria. April 2 H # midnight and 7:00 am. The PM Najib and the abuse of people’s dignity. celebration at BIEL in Downtown Mikati hosts a dinner for his ministers Syrian President Bashar Assad Beirut in commemoration of the ' >R < receives a former MP Osama Saad. anniversary of dissolution of the while the citizens of Ain- Saadeh and MP Akram Chehayeb accuses the H#3 Mansourieh hold sit-ins to protest the Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon of The President of the Republic decision. kidnapping the Jasem brothers and heads a meeting at the Baabda Palace General Michel Aoun reports, Shibli Alayssami. in the presence of the PM, the Minister following the Change and Reform Bloc of Interior and a group of experts to meeting, that he supports proportionality April 7 discuss the parliamentary elections with Lebanon as one district, urging the # J "3 ? # and the Minister of Interior stresses Presidency of the Republic to practice expresses surprise over Hezbollah’s that the government will tackle the its powers and approve any draft law 4#~}R electoral law once it resumes sessions should Parliament fail to do so within with Israel in a celebration in Dennieh. after the Easter holiday. the legal period. Comments and investigations Y \ } Having completed his term behind continue following the assassination in Akkar in the presence of Sheikh bars, and particularly following the attempt of Samir Geagea and Ahmad al-Assir and Dai al-Islam al- reduction of jail term in Lebanon, General H # * Shahhal and the former stresses in his #~ } 4 that withholding telecoms data speech that “the US does not want to Michel Aoun away from the cameras. facilitated the path of assassination. eliminate the Assad’s regime”. The } President of the Republic General # "4 # 3 "4 Michel Suleiman participates in the participating in the demonstration. protest against his release by staging sit- ceremony of burial of Jesus at the Minister of Energy and Water ins in front of the court building. }@4 Gebran Bassil accuses PM Najib Another batch of Roumieh inmates Mikati of acting sometimes as a are released after Parliament approves $>@ #"4' the reduction in the jail sentence from Italian PM Mario Monti arrives in 9 H4 April 3 “Talks regarding the proportionality- H#" Judge Sir David Baragwanath, ' #J@@ President of the Special Tribunal for Walid Jumblat,” Ghazi Aridi says. Pope Benedict XVI is to visit Lebanon Lebanon, arrives in Lebanon for talks Y*Y*8 with the President of the Republic, April 5 # 3" # Y 4 the Prime Minister and a number of H #R amazement at how some remain silent 4 Executive Committee reveals that 4 #~ } STL at the La Sagesse University. he was the victim of an assassination reference to Hezbollah. In his weekly statement to the Al Anbaa attempt executed by a sniper from The New TV cameraman Ali newspaper, MP Walid Jumblat compares @ Chaaban is killed by the Syrian army the Syrian regime to Zionist gangs. strolling in his Maarab garden. Geagea ' \ } refused to name those responsible for Syrian border. $7 the attack emphasizing that they have The Islamic Gama’a rallies in Saida A Cabinet session at the Grand Serail huge resources and expecting a return against the Syrian regime in the presence approves compensation for citizens of political assassinations. #Y? affected by the Mansourieh high-voltage In their monthly statement, the the participation of Sheikh al-Assir, and power line and makes the internet Maronite bishops express concerns protesters play out a mock trial of the services free in non-peak hours between over the escalation of political rhetoric Syrian President Bashar Assad.

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MEDIA |43

April 11 government, Hezbollah, Syria and Iran. of a government that neither March 8 PM Najib Mikati meets the British President Michel Suleiman continues #"# #'Y\'H his visit to Australia and states that The deputy head of the Special “Lebanon will not be a platform for April 21 HR;] sabotage and attacks against Syria.” President Michel Suleiman Alia Aoun, resigns her post intending concludes his visit to Australia and to return to practice as an attorney. April 18 returns to Lebanon after having held O#~}*@ Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros meetings with the Lebanese diaspora. and he is most welcome in Rabieh,” al-Rai visits Al-Makassed Islamic The Cabinet convenes at the Grand General Michel Aoun says. Charitable Association. Serail and endorses draft amendments Parliament convenes to question to the lease law. It also decides to keep April 12 the government and the political *HJ3<< The Independent Judiciary rhetoric used during the session Contract teachers’ protest in front Committee refuses to provide the annoys the Lebanese. of the Grand Serail ends with clashes /Y#' Hezbollah’s Secretary General with the security forces. telecoms data, which has been withheld Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah tells Wikileaks G89<9 founder Julian Assange on “Russia April 23 H ? Today” that Arab and non-Arab countries “The priority right now is departure of two of its members to live are providing money and weapons ''8< in Syria and rumors circulate over their against Assad’s resistant regime. law,” President Michel Suleiman #Y? ?+Y** April 19 Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros April 13 The Special Tribunal for Lebanon al-Rai leaves for Mexico on a one- H"#'? issues a decision stipulating that month tour covering a number of South Adnan Mansour denies all rumors only relevant documents that may American countries. Patriarch al-Rai suggesting that the remains of Imam explain why Jamil Sayyed had been reiterates that Bkerke takes no sides as to Moussa Sadr were found in Libya. detained or why he should have been proportionality and endorses any electoral MP Walid Jumblat meets a delegation released must be disclosed by the law that secures fair representation. from the Islamic Gama’a in Lebanon. *"% MP Walid Jumblat arrives in Jeddah “The government will not be present in Y $>7 9<P"3" “Proportionality would cost us President Michel Suleiman says after meeting Samir Geagea.

issue 119 | June 2012 44| MEDIA

Injuries and casualties result from an “Gaining the presidency of the $}@ explosion that targeted a restaurant in republic has never occurred to me, and # "4 '~ Tyre for serving liquor. this is not how I work,” the Lebanese celebration in Tariq Jdideh in Beirut in #YE'?#3 support of the Syrian opposition and April 25 “This day is full of hope for the speakers Ahmad Hariri and Ammar General Michel Aoun states Syrian people as it promises them that Houry ascertain that the Syrian regime following the Change and Reform Bloc Bashar Assad will one day stand trial for is gasping for its last breath and will meeting that he supports proportionality, the heinous crimes he has committed collapse very soon. stressing that the President of the against his people”, former PM Saad President Michel Suleiman and MP Republic has no right to nominate a head Hariri comments following the verdict Michel Aoun engage in verbal skirmishes for the Supreme Judicial Council as this issued against the Liberian President on social networking sites. Aoun says that falls under the Cabinet’s jurisdiction. Charles Taylor. the past experience does not encourage ># MP Walid Jumblat meets the Health the approval once again of a consensual Al-Islam leader Abdul Ghani Jawhar "?}~ President and that every President must had died during an armed clash in Syria. Secretary General Sayyed Hassan own an “imposing” parliamentary bloc # 3" # Y Nasrallah’s political aide, Ali Hassan to earn presidency. Suleiman hits back # J ' J } by saying: “a consensual president does for the formation of a parliamentary ?R 3 ~ # not beg for the presidency but it is rather investigation committee to audit the 4H4 offered to him.” 4 H #R %% April 28 Executive Committee, Samir Geagea, tackle the issue of power-generating ships, The Lebanese army marine corps 4*9< and states that Hezbollah is replaying the intercept a ship, off the Lebanese northern elections are critical, stressing that they experience of its Syrian ally. shore, smuggling weapons to Syria in would lose power in Lebanon like they The Armenian community holds support of anti-Assad protesters. The ship lost it in Syria. 4 had set sail from Alexandria in Egypt. #54'5@ of the Armenian massacres and the Lebanon bids farewell to the highest } ?+5 ** protesters head towards the Turkish spiritual leader in the Druze community, that the available evidence regarding embassy to condemn the massacres. Sheikh Abou Mohammad Jawad 1@ ' \'8 beyond telecoms data. $?8 An explosion blasts at the The Israeli army starts building a # 3" # Y headquarters of the Arab Tawheed wall along its southern border with the former President Amine Gemayel Movement headed by Wiam Wahhab Lebanon near the passageway of the at the Phalanges headquarters and in Bekaata- Chouf and Wahhab points H#E the two reiterate their opposition to a ' 3Y3 ' proportionality-based electoral law. Lebanese Army Chief General Jean May 1 The Cabinet approves ex-pat voting Qahwaji had warned him that he is #3"1&4 mechanism and keeps the price of bread threatened by Al-Qaeda. H"8 unchanged but reduces the standard MP Michel Aoun visits Elias Awde, as stated by the Al-Akhbar newspaper. 4<<' the Greek Orthodox bishop of Beirut. “We would carry weapons if the state PM Najib Mikati arrives in Belgium General Jamil Sayyed reveals to al- fell apart,” Geagea reports. 4J' Manar TV that he will run for the next “Proportionality aims at reviving counterpart. parliamentary elections as a March 8 the Anjar era,” Wali Jumbalt says in STL President Judge Sir David # * his weekly statement. Baragwanath answers via Twitter that candidate in the Nabatieh district. ; ] political assassinations are within the Sayyed stresses that the new STL for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon tribunal’s jurisdiction. prosecutor is not convinced by the 6YH: # 1_ ?+ indictment issued earlier by Bellemare Nahar newspaper that defense attorneys April 27 and might withdraw it. received thousands of documents from Lebanon’s public transport sector < ]_ ' * holds a strike blocking the roads and establishing a supreme council for in examining other documents. '=J the Orthodox sect.

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MEDIA |45

MOROCCAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ?@>> / 6 ?T 0" and transferred them to the government, thus furthering the position of Parliament.

The elections were characterized by a relatively high turnout 8'49< and resulted in the victory of Islamist forces (Equality and 89 R Development Party) who won the majority of seats. ballots. V Results " 3 The Islamic Justice and Development Party emerged elected directly through a proportional representation 4=< '4'4+ it to form the post-elections government. The term. Parliament members are distributed as follows: government was headed by the JDP Secretary General <99 and representative of the Salé district, Abdullah bin 898 } /* 3 competing lists in these districts. representative of Bin Mseik district was elected as < ' Speaker of Parliament. *' ?' the law, two thirds of the national district seats are ' allocated for women and the remaining one third is parties and districts: <

The distribution of seats according to the parties and districts Table 1 Party Total seats National district seats Local districts’ seats Justice and Development Party 107 24 83 Independence Party 60 13 47 National Rally of Independents 52 12 40 Authenticity and Modernity Party 48 12 36 Socialist Union of Popular Forces 39 9 30 Popular Movement 32 8 24 Constitutional Union 23 6 17 Party of Progress and Socialism 20 6 14 Independent Parliamentary Group 4 - 4 Labor Party 4 - 4 Center Coalition Parliamentary Group 6 - 6 Total 395 90 305

'*"**X JDP: Islamic Independence Party: national conservative National Rally of Independents: liberal Authenticity and Modernity Party: social democratic Y3*#X Popular Movement: social liberal Constitutional Union: rightist Party of Progress and Socialism: leftist

issue 119 | June 2012 46|ARAB WORLD FOCUS

Electoral districts and their respective seats Table 2 Electoral districts and their respective seats Table 2 Electoral district # of seats Electoral district # of seats Rabat- el Mouhit 4 Al Qnetra 4 Rabat- Sheila 3 El Gharb 3 Salé 4 Sidi Qassem 5 Modern Salé 3 Sidi Suleiman 3 Al Sukhairat- Tamara 4 Al-Oyoun 3 Khemisset- Oulmes 3 Boujdour 2 Tiflet- Roummani 3 Tarfaya 2 Dar al Baida- Anfa 4 El Madina- Sidi Youssef Bin Ali 3 Alghada- Mers Sultan 3 Gliz- Nakhil 3 Ain Sebaa- Hay Mohammedi 4 Manara 3 Hay Hassani 3 Chichaoua 4 Ain Sheq 3 Al-Haouz 4 Side Bernoussi 3 Kelaat Sraghna 4 Bin Mseik 3 Essaouira 4 Moulay Rashid 3 Rhamna 3 Al-Nawaser 3 Meknes 6 Mediouna 2 El-Hajeb 2 Mohammedia 3 Ifrane 2 Agadir- Adawtnan 4 Khenifra 3 Enzkan- Ait Melloul 3 Al-Rashidiya 5 Chtouka- Ait-Baha 3 Midelt 3 South Taroudant 4 Wadi Dahab 2 North Taroudant 3 Aousserd 2 Tiznit 2 Oujda Angad 4 Ouarzazate 3 Jerada 2 Skoura 3 Berkane 3 Tinghir 3 Taourirt 2 Sidi Ifni 2 Figuig 3 Al Hoceima 4 Nador 4 Taza 5 Daryoush 3 Tawnat- Tissa 3 Safi 6 El-Qarya- Gifsay 3 El-Jadida 6 Gursef 2 Sidi Bennour 4 Bani Mellak 6 Youssoufia 2 Bzou- Wawizguet 3 Settat 6 Azilal- Demnate 3 Khouribga 6 Faqih- Bin Saleh 4 Bin Sulaiman 3 Northern Fes 4 Berrechid 4 Southern Fes 4 Tanja-Asliah 5 Moulay Yaacoub 2 Fahs Anjra 2 Safro 3 Tetouan 5 Bolman 3 Madiq-Fnaydia 2 Guelmim 2 Larache 4 Tata 2 Chefchaouen 4 Assa-Zag 2 Wazan 3 Semara 2 Total 92 Tan Tan 2

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PRICES |47

REAL ESTATE PRICES Towards APRIL 2012

" $ Prices of some apartments sold in April 2012 Table 2 slight decline in the prices of apartments due to Region Area (m2) Price (USD) USD/m2 the abundance of offers against the scarcity of Beirut demand, especially after many banks had refrained from granting housing loans through the Public Ashrafieh 185 462,500 2,500 &9" Ashrafieh - Sassine 160 480,000 3,000 0 ~ 'G }@@@@@ Ashrafieh- Rizk 175 455,000 2,600 entered almost a state of passivity, similarly to that of Tallet Khayyat 170 527,000 3,100 luxury apartments which have been declining for a Clemenceau 185 712,250 3,850 couple of months amid a drastic shrinking demand. Hamra- Maqdissi 210 840,000 4,000 & $ # Malla 180 450,000 2,500 narrow decline in property prices, but it is still too soon to forecast the activity in the few coming Mar Elias 130 370,500 2,850 months, especially that the summer is approaching. Baabda ! Hazmieh- Mar Taqla 280 560,000 2,000 Beirut and the suburbs. Yarzi 350 1,050,000 3,000 >? Furn Chebbak 200 330,000 1,650 $?@>? Haret Hreik 140 217,000 1,550 Hadath- Al-Amerkan 220 319,000 1,450 Prices of some estates sold in April 2012 Table 1 Hadath- Al-Amerkan 250 400,000 1,600 2 2 Region Area (m ) Price (USD) USD/m Matn Beirut Antelias 150 210,000 1,400 Ashrafieh- Hotel Dieu 430 2,150,000 5,000 Dekwaneh 130 156,000 1,200 B Bechara Koury 680 5,644,000 8,300 Zalqa 150 255 000 1,700 Basta Tahta 1,000 7,000,000 7,000 Rabiya 200 500,000 2,500 Baabda Rabiya 240 360,000 1,500 Awkar 260 650,000 2,500 Hazmieh- Mar 930 2,511,000 2,700 Taqla Jal el-Ddib 190 342,000 1,800 Baabda 1,100 2,310,000 2,100 Broumana 210 380,100 1,810 Matn Beit Mery 180 311,400 1,730 Ein Saadeh 1,200 540,000 450 Aley Broumana 830 788,500 950 Khaldeh 265 291,500 1,100 Awkar 800 464,000 580 Doha Aramoun 220 220,000 1,000 Aley Doha Hoss 210 273,000 1,300 Bshamoun- 1,400 770,000 550 Bshamoun- Madares Madaress 170 153,000 900 Khaleh 1,500 2,400,000 1,600 Kessrouan Kessrouan Adoniss 150 210,000 1,400 Kfardebian 2,630 526,000 200 Adma 160 208,000 1,300 Faitroun 1,200 192,000 160 Zouq Mosbeh 170 204,000 1,200 Sarba 810 850,500 1,050 Source: Information International 2012

issue 119 | June 2012 48| PRICES

PRICES OF 100 FOOD Towards PRODUCTS IN APRIL 2012

'" >@@ Prices of food products in April 2012 (in LBP) Table 1 with 55 items maintaining the same price levels Prices Prices % of Item and Brand beginning of beginning of price registered last month. On the other hand, modest April 2012 May2012 change Dairy Products remaining commodities with 9 witnessing a slight Candia full cream milk }8 (1 liter) 2,500 2,500 0 Candia full cream tomatoes and lemons while the increases included yoghurt (2 kg) 3,000 3,000 0 potatoes and salt. Bonjus labneh (1 kg) 4,890 5,200 +6.3 >$ Taanayel labneh ?@>?~!%4 (500 g) 5,500 5,700 +3.6 Candia labneh (500 g) 5,250 5,250 0 Prices of food products in April 2012 (in LBP) Table 1 Taanayel yoghurt Prices Prices % of (1 kg) 3,900 3,900 0 Item and Brand beginning of beginning of price April 2012 May2012 change Smeds cheese (400 g) 4,850 4,800 -1 Oil Picon cheese (360 g) 3,900 3,900 0 Afia corn oil Picon cheese (160 g) 1,975 1,975 0 (3.5 liters) 16,000 16,000 0 Double-crème cheese Mazola corn oil (1 kg) 10,000 10,000 0 (3.5 liters) 18,000 17,500 -2.7 Fresh country cheese Mazola corn oil (1 kg) 9,500 10,000 +5.3 (1.8 liters) 9,400 9,500 +1 Khashkawan cheese Slim corn oil (2 liters) 8,750 8,750 0 (1 kg) 11,850 12,250 +3.4 Wesson corn oil (2 liters) 8,750 8,750 0 Lurpak butter (200 g) 2,200 2,250 +2.3 Ghandour soya oil Tatra butter (200 g) 2,000 2,100 +5 (2 liters) 12,100 12,500 +3.3 Al-Maalaqtain 7,850 7,850 0 Alfa corn oil (4 liters) 15,500 16,000 +3.2 margarine (2 kg) Al-Wadi olive oil Al-Baqara al-Haloub 35,000 35,000 0 (1/2 liters) 6,500 7,000 +7.7 margarine (2kg) Ketchup and Sauces Vegetaline margarine (2 kg) 18,950 18,950 0 Libby’s Ketchup (597 g) 1,600 1,700 +6.2 Nido full cream milk (bag) (2,250 g) 21,850 21,850 0 Extra Ketchup (340 g) 1,100 1,150 +4.5 Nido full cream milk Extra Ketchup (2.2 kg) 5,250 5,500 +4.8 (2,500 g) 26,250 26,250 0 Dolly’s Mayonnaise 4,000 4,100 +2.5 Tatra full cream milk (500 ml) (1,800 g) 20,250 20,250 0 Al-Wadi Mayonnaise (500 ml) 3,650 3,850 +5.5 Cereals Al-Bsat Tahina (900 g) 6,800 7,000 +2.9 Khater white lentils (1 kg) 3,750 4,050 +8 Al-Bsat Tahina (450 g) 3,650 3,900 +6.8 Khater chick-peas Taous tomato sauce fahli (1 kg) 5,000 5,000 0 (70g) 700 750 +7.1 Khater beans (1 kg) 1,900 2,000 +5.3 Taous tomato sauce (425 g) 3,400 3,400 0 Peeled wheat (1 kg) 2,350 2,500 +6.4 Tala tomato sauce 3,250 3,250 0 Pineal Lima Bean (675g) (1 kg) 3,750 3,850 +2.7

issue 119 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PRICES |49

Prices of food products in April 2012 (in LBP) Table 1 Prices of food products in April 2012 (in LBP) Table 1 Prices Prices % of Prices Prices % of Item and Brand beginning of beginning of price Item and Brand beginning of beginning of price April 2012 May2012 change April 2012 May2012 change Brown Fine Burgul Skipper tuna (185 g) 2,250 2,250 0 (1 kg) 1,950 1,950 0 Eggs (30 eggs) 7,400 7,000 -5.4 Egyptian rice (1 kg) 2,100 2,100 0 Beef (1 kg) 15,000 15,000 0 American rice (1 kg) 1,750 1,750 0 Sheep (1 kg) 25,000 22,000 -12 Italian rice (1 kg) 2,350 2,250 -4.2 Coffee and Tea Al-Wadi Hommos 1,500 1,500 0 Tahina (380 g) Najjar coffee (1kg) 17,500 16,500 -5.7 Chtaura Hommos Brazil coffee (1 kg) 15,500 15,500 0 Tahina (380 g) 1,450 1,450 0 Al-Hisan tea (180 g) 2,750 2,750 0 California Gardens 1,250 1,400 +12 beans (450 g) Nestle (250g) 2,500 2,500 0 Al-Wadi beans (450 g) 1,250 1,350 +8 Halvah and Jam Chtaura beans (480 g) 1,500 1,500 0 Al-Wadi halvah 4,150 4,200 +1.2 Libby’s corn (340 g) 1,750 2,000 +14.3 (454 g) Pasta Al-Bsat halvah (450 g) 3,250 3,500 +7.7 Barilla spaghetti Chtaura apricot jam 6,250 6,500 +4 (500 g) 2,200 2,250 +2.3 (1 kg) Antonio Amato Al-Wadi apricot jam 6,000 6,000 0 spaghetti (500 g) 2,150 2,250 +4.6 (1 kg) Monte spaghetti Tissues and Detergents (500 g) 2,300 2,300 0 Mimosa tissues 2,450 2,750 +12.2 Sugar (500 g) Fine tissues Sugar (2 kg) 3,200 3,200 0 (200 tissues) 1,400 1,400 0 Al-Ousra Sugar (5 kg) 9,450 9,450 0 Primo tissues (200 tissues) 1,400 1,400 0 Salt (700 g) 270 350 +29.6 Gipsy tissues Box of salt (738 g) 1,650 1,650 0 (300 tissues) 2,850 2,850 0 Meat, Fish and Eggs Mimosa toilet papers (4 rolls) 4,250 4,850 +14.1 Zwan chicken (200 g) 2,700 2,700 0 Yes detergent (750 g) 2,600 2,600 0 Zwan beef (200 g) 2,500 2,500 0 Clorox (1 liter) 1,550 1,550 0 Luncheon meat beef (198 g) 2,000 2,000 0 Persil (4 kg) 19,750 20,000 +1.3 Al-Mona chicken Ariel (4 kg) 18,750 19,250 +2.7 (200 g) 2,150 2,150 0 Fruit and Vegetables Al-Taghzia beef 1,950 1,950 0 (200 g) Oranges (1 kg) 1,500 1,500 0 Al-Taghzia chicken Tomatoes (1kg) 750 500 -33.3 (200 g) 1,950 1,950 0 Geisha sardine (125 g) 1,150 1,150 0 Cucumbers (1kg) 2,000 750 -62.5 Deli sardine (125 g) 1,200 1,200 0 Bananas (1kg) 1,000 1,000 0 Milo sardine (125 g) 1,100 1,100 0 Lemons (1 kg) 700 500 -28.6 Geisha tuna (200 g) 2,700 2,700 0 Apples (1 kg) 2,000 2,000 0 White Diamond tuna Potatoes (1 kg) 600 800 +33.3 (200 g) 2,800 2,800 0 Source: Information International White Diamond tuna (200 g) 2,750 2,750 0

issue 119 | June 2012 50| Did you know that?

Agriculture in the World

91.32% is the percentage of the agriculture land 118,000,000 tons of rice is produced annually in out of the total land area in Burundi in Central Africa, China. Australia produces 358,000 tons of rice. whereby agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable, under permanent crops, 206,000 tons of cereals are produced annually on and under permanent pastures. 0.57 % is the average in the United Arab of Emirates. percentage of agriculture land in Suriname in South America. 104,500,000 tons of wheat is consumed in China per year. 28,710,000 hectares is the land area under corn in the United States. In Poland, 360,000 hectares is USD 1,389 million worth of bananas are imported the area of corn. to the United States of America.

46,000,000 tons of corn is exported by the United 39,604,670 tons of fertilizers are consumed States annually. in China in a crop year. Fertilizer products cover nitrogenous, potash, and phosphate fertilizers. 7,790,000 hectares is the land area under cotton in India. 90,000 hectares is the area of cotton in Spain.

Beirut International Airport Stats & Numbers |51 Stats& Numbers

LBP 803 million is the value of the credits transferred from the budget reserves to the Ministry of Youth and Sports to cover the expenses of the maintenance of Tripoli’s playground and scout land.

LBP 110 million is the advance granted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Photo by Alaa Sakr Emigrants to buy a car for the transportation of the Minister.

LBP 3,974 million is the Publications amount allotted for the General Security secret Publications by Publications by INMA (in Arabic): expenses in 2012. Information International (in Arabic): 1- “I am Responsible, All of Us are Responsible” 1- Salaries and Remunerations in the Public Sector 2- “Our Environment is Our Home” 2- Public Seaside Properties 3- “My Society is My Responsibility” 3- Lebanon’s Parliamentary History 1920-2000 4- “My Society is My Responsibility” Workbook LBP 1,783,962 4- Taxes and Fees 5- “I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards is the number 5- Lebanon in Figures 1992-2002 State Building” of the various bank cards 6- Lebanon in Figures 2003-2004 6- “I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards 7- Lebanon in Figures 2005-2006 State Building” Workbook used in Lebanon in 2011. The 8- Lebanon in Figures 2007-2008 7- “Lebanon Wars, why?” value of the payments and 9- Lebanon’s MPs and Lebanese Parliamentary 8- Discrimination in Lebanon Elections 1960 - 2009 cash transactions made via 10- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, these cards reached LBP 2.3 candidate and confession-North District 11- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, billion inside Lebanon. candidate and confession-Beirut District 12- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, candidate and confession-Mount Lebanon District 13- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, LBP 300 million is the candidate and confession-Beqa’a District 14- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, cost of hosting the general candidate and confession-South and Nabatiyeh assemblies of the studies District center of Tax managing 15- Municipal Elections 2010 directors . Publications by Kutub (in Arabic): 1- Trablous Al-Sham To Subscribe: 2- Jeniyat Al-Nabi Al-Borj Building, 4th Floor, Martyrs Square 3- Mokhber Al-Konsoliya Beirut Central District 4- Antoun Saadah 1932-1949 Telephone: 961-1-983008/9 961-3-262376 5- Antoun Saadah, A Biography, Volume 1. The Youth Years Fax: 961-1-980630 [email protected] www.iimonthly.com www.information-international.com © Information International SAL All rights reserved License No. 180/2003 BOOK SIGNING OF ALONE TOGETHER

To celebrate the release of Alone Together by Mishka Mourani and Aida }@''4E E"9<9

@<** Lebanon, Mishka’s home country, and Washington and Greece, where Aida lives. The two ladies use both English and Arabic to convey ideas that are closely related to the human and the world.

The event was attended by politicians, journalits, cultural and educational ' @ * ' '4 \ Mishka Mourani. The recitation was greeted with enthusiasm and admiration and the event concluded with the signing of the books of the attendees who _9<**

Alone Together is available in major bookstores and through the following websites: www.kutubltd.com and www.abebooks.com. For more details, contact us on 01-983008/9 or via email [email protected]

Mrs. Mishka Mourani and Mrs. Wadad Hoss

Mrs. May Mikati and Mrs. Mishka Mourani Mr. Raed Mohsen and others MP Nouhad Mashnouq