The Ministry of Social Affairs and Its Beneficiaries

Between Islamic and conventional commercial banking

LBP 252 billion paid to private hospitals September 2010 | Ministry of Environment 98 The Monthly interviews ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Raana Rahim

issue number www.iimonthly.com • Published by Information International sal THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND ITS BENEFICIARIES

4 The Ministry of Social Affairs and its beneﬁciaries

14 The Ministry of Environment

16 New Headquarters for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants

17 LBP 252 billion paid by the Ministry of Public Health to private hospitals

18 The Liberation Party

19 Child Custody

20 Function infringement Page 14 21 Between Islamic and conventional commercial banking

23 Property ownership by non-Lebanese in qada’a of Jbeil

25 Is There Any Relation Between Australian Camels And Saudi Arabian Ones? 27 Syndicate of Owners of female beauty salons Page 16 Page 34 in Beirut

29 Lycée de Ville 42 Walid Jumblat and Syria

31 Levels of Medical Evidence by Dr. Hanna 43 July 2010 Timeline in Lebanon Saadah 45 Animal Rights in the Middle East 32 Is intelligence a single entity independent from the brain? by Antoine Boutros 47 Real estate index in Lebanon- July 2010 33 Nicotine teases and entices the adolescent brain by Dr. Samar Zebian 48 Food Price Index - July 2010

34 The Monthly interviews ambassador of the 50 Cinemas worldwide Islamic Republic of Pakistan Raana Rahim 50 Beirut Raﬁc Hariri International Airport - 36 Popular culture July 2010

37 Myth #37: Beginning of Shi’ism between 51 Lebanon stats Lebanon and Iran

38 Must-read books: “Return of the Bird to the Sea”

39 Must-read children’s book:“Mo’nes’ Colors”

40 Lebanon Families: Chiha Families

41 Discover Lebanon: Houch Al-Harimeh Editorialﹺ | 3 THE OPPRESSIVE, THE MARGINALIZED AND THE MISSING THIRD *

One can safely argue that the Lebanese society, in the A $20 billion in bank deposits that aftermath of the civil war, has been heading toward are attributed by 0.5% of depositors a two-society segmentation: the oppressive “elite”, (2002 statistics). comprised mainly of warlords, merchants and bankers; A $450 million only paid in corporate and the marginalized, representing over 95% of the taxes. population. A $8.2 billion banking sector profit over the past 12 years Laws are made and broken for the sole purpose of A $410 million tax on the bank interest serving the first category, while the second category A $2.1 billion spent on people who were not displaced is left with unemployment, emigration, poverty and or displaced who did not return. crime. The majority of those are destined (every decade or so) for chaos and sectarian and tribal feuds. Recent One can further argue that both groups often intersect Information International polls show that the Lebanese and sometimes certain mobility is allowed or gained. The are split around sectarian lines on issues such as UN oppressive “elite” often plays the role of the marginalized, Resolution 1559, support for this Zai’m and that Zai’m. in its attempt to explain its failure to administer the In addition, the poll seemed to indicate that allegiances country. On the other hand, the marginalized can also are forgotten as quick as they are made. Respondents’ become aggressive and oppressive by infringing on answers (most of the time) varied, not according to age, public property or refusing to pay water and electric bills gender, education, or income, but rather to which sect to a state it feels it does not belong to. The hypothesis, they were born into. however, is not complete without a third missing segment that is neither oppressive, nor marginalized. This is The Lebanese tend to forget that the second and largest made up of independent individuals that come from all group (the marginalized) is made up of all the sects and sections of society. Should these individuals continue to has a common destiny: fail to work together, they will eventually dissolve into A More than 500,000 immigrants in 20 years. one or the other category. It is high time for the Missing A $10,000 is each individual’s share of the public debt Third to unite. by the end of the year 2009. A More than 250,000 are unemployed. A 25,000 university graduates and citizens are looking *An Nahar newspaper published this piece on 3 August for jobs each year. 2002. The Monthly chose to re-publish it in its issue A 500 million tranquilizer pills are consumed number 32 of February 2005. The situation since then has annually. grown worse. The Monthly republishes it again and the A 700 homicides took place in 2009. figures have been updated with the year 2009 as a basis. A LBP 620 billion was the deficit of the NSSF Sickness, Maternity and Family Compensation Funds in 2009, funds that all of the Lebanese benefit from.

The oppressive “elite” share the following spoils: A 3.5 million m2 of illegal coastal property. A 5.2 million tons of fuel that is imported exclusively by a cartel setup, in violation of existing laws. A $43.7 billion in interest on the public debt since 1993 until the end of 2009 (attributed to few hundred individuals).

issue 98 - September 2010 4 | Leader The Ministry of Social Affairs and its beneﬁciaries THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND ITS BENEFICIARIES

he ministry was established in the first years following independence, but was either part of the Ministry of Public THealth or the Ministry of Labor. It was only in 1993 that it became a separate entity.

Establishment The Ministry of Social Affairs was first created by Riad el-Solh during Bechara el-Khouri’s presidency in January 14, 1946. Kamal Jumblat was appointed Minister of Social Affairs (as well as Minister of Agriculture). The ministry was absent from the following four governments but returned during Abdullah al-Yafi’s tenure as Prime Minister to President Khouri in 1951. A law issued on June 5, 1958 named the Ministry of Social Affairs “the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs”. On October 7, 1959, former Minister Maurice Zwein was appointed the first Minister of Labor and Social Affairs in Rachid Karami’s government under President Fouad Chehab. Legislative decree #155, issued on June 12, 1959, AiAiddiinng fammililies in Jully WaWar 202 066 created the Authority of Social Welfare. Legislative ININMAA decree # 91, issued on November 3, 1983, amended the name of Ministry of Public Health to “Ministry of Public Health and Social Affairs”, and the Authority of Social A To draft a social development plan for the country Welfare turned into the Directorate General of Social and supervise its implementation. Affairs. In the government formed on April 30, 1984 A To execute social projects undertaken solely by the by Rachid Karami during Amine Gemayel’s presidency, state. Pierre Gemayel was named Minister of Social Affairs. A To offer aid for ongoing social projects and to Later governments named a Minister of Social Affairs contribute to the realization of new social projects until the government formed by Solh during Elias based on the principles and systems set in place by Hraoui’s presidency on May 16, 1992 adopted the the ministry. previous name, “Ministry of Public Health and Social A To care for the affairs of the disabled and related Affairs”, and named Marwan Hamadeh its Minister. establishments. Law 212, issued on April 2, 1994, amended the name of A To handle the social outcomes of the war, including the Ministry of Public Health and Social Affairs to the providing social care for the families of victims, Ministry of Public Health and introduced the Ministry injured or disabled. of Social Affairs. It separated the Directorate General of A To care for the affairs of orphans and orphanages. Social Affairs, including its equipments and personnel, A To care for family affairs. from the Ministry of Public Health and Social Affairs, A To care for the affairs of juvenile delinquents and transforming it into a separate ministry. prisoners by allowing them to participate and develop skills in crafts, especially rural ones. Tasks A To monitor demographic movements and underlying The law specifies many tasks ranging from social causes, organize state efforts in coordination with development planning to offering care for orphans and civil society. the underprivileged. Because of a specified budget and A To provide emergency response care in the form of its administrative structure, the ministry is capable of social aid and relief. performing only a small part of these tasks. The law A To create social rehabilitation and training programs specifies the following tasks: and to supervise their implementation.

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A To propose awarding social establishments and Directorate of Social Development charities the trait of public utility and to supervise A Authority of Social Development: Department of their commitment to it. Volunteer Work - Department of Rural Development A To participate, on all levels, in the organization of – Department of Urban Development. campaigns to combat addiction. A To offer social welfare to the families of martyrs A Authority of Crafts and Handicrafts: Department who died in Israeli attacks and detainees in enemy of Crafts Development – Sales Department. prisons. A Authority of Development Services: Department The Ministry of Social Affairs monitors the services of Equipping and Workers’ Affairs – Department of of non-profit social institutions, including retirement Center Affairs. homes and homes for the disabled, orphans and the underprivileged, health and social centers and similar The ministry has 470 positions, distributed by group as establishments which are sponsored by recognized shown on Table 1: confessions, charitable associations and organizations, and individuals who work in the field. Positions by group within the ministry Table 1 Group Number Structure and Personnel First 1 According to Law 212/93 and its amendments, the Second group 16 ministry consists of: Third group 208 The Directorate General of Social Affairs Fourth group 222 A The Bureau Authority: Department of Secretariat Fifth group 23 and Archives- Department of Legal Studies – Total 470 Department of Administrative Affairs – Department of Public Relations and Conferences. A The Authority of Planning and Research: Department of Planning and Programs – Department Successive Ministers of Social Affairs of Statistics and Information Technology – Department of Social Training – Population Department. Since its establishment in 1993 and until the current A The Accounting Authority: Department of government (formed on November 9, 2009), the ministry Administrative Accounting – Department of Joint was headed by 11 ministers distributed by confession as Projects Accounting – Department of Development follows: Services Accounting. A Shia’a: 5 A Maronite: 4 Directorate of Social Services A Catholic: 1 A The Authority of Disabled Affairs: Department A Armenian Orthodox: 1 of Specialized Care – Department of Specialized Establishments – Department of Operating and President Elias Hraoui Usage. Chahe Barsoumian, Astfan al-Douaihi and Ayoub A Authority of Social Welfare: Department of Social Hmayyid. Welfare – Department of Social Welfare Institutions – Department of Juvenile Protection – Department of President Emile Lahoud ,Michel Moussa, Assa’ad Diab (twice), Ghazi Za’aitir ﹴ.Specialized Social Welfare A Authority of Civil Society Associations and Mohammad Jawad Khalifeh and Nayla Mouawwad. Organizations: Department of Volunteer Associations and Organizations – Department of President Michel Suleiman Joint Projects – Department of Associations and Alain Aoun and Salim al-Sayigh. Organizations of Public Utility. A Authority of Family Affairs: Department of Family Affairs – Department of Women Affairs.

issue 98 - September 2010 6 | Leader The Ministry of Social Affairs and its beneﬁciaries Who benefits from the Ministry of Social Affairs? Associations linked to political and confessional authorities

The search for squandering public funds could Signing of joint contracts seem difficult but in the Ministry of Social Affairs The ministers of finance and social affairs prepared a joint it is apparent through studying the figures and the decree specifying the mechanism for contributions in the beneficiaries see how rapid it is. expenses of joint social and health projects with civil society associations. The Council of Ministers approved According to the 2009 draft general budget, the ministry’s the decree and issued it with the Number 3 on February 5, budget is LBP 107.4 billion, or 0.65% of the general 2009. It includes: budget. 95.5% of the ministry’s budget, or LBP 102.5 billion, is allocated for contribution to social projects Article One: In December of each year, the deadline is distributed as follows: specified to apply for joint projects with the Ministry of Social Affairs is set, according to a decree issued by the A LBP 87 billion for establishments and associations director general of social affairs. caring for orphans, the needy, senior citizens and Article Two: Applications submitted by civil society the disabled. Each establishment receives a certain or religious associations related to the implementation contribution for every under-privileged person it cares of joint projects with the Ministry of Social Affairs are for or teaches (these expenses will be the subject of a registered with the bureau’s (diwan) registry. separate article in the coming issues when all the data Article Three: The director general of social affairs will becomes available). refer the aforementioned applications to the Directorate of A LBP 4 billion for projects to protect from delinquency Social Services, which will refer them to the authority of A LBP 1 billion in allocations for development services civil society associations and bodies within a maximum centers and their branches in the Lebanese regions of three days. A LBP 1 billion in allocations for a project to guarantee Article Four: The contracting application undergoes the rights of the disabled. a field study by a team consisting of at least two social A LBP 1 billion in expenses for development projects workers appointed by the head of the authority of civil A LBP 600 million in contribution to Caritas. society associations and bodies. The team is to draft a report A LBP 300 million in contribution for Sa’adat al-Sama’ based on its study showing the status of the association association (it was established on February 22, 2008 or body, and specifically whether or not it is qualified to and is based in A’amcheet, qada’a of Jbeil). execute the joint project. The report is submitted within a A LBP 100 million in allocations for a project to improve maximum deadline of one week. living conditions. Article Five: The complete file, along with the report, is A LBP 7.5 billion in expenses for joint social and health referred to the director general of social affairs. Within projects with civil associations. These contracts will be one week, the file will be accompanied by the reasoned the subject of this article. opinion of the Directorate of Social Services. Article Six: Management must decide on whether or not Joint Projects it accepts [the application] within a maximum period of The Ministry of Social Affairs, based on what is permitted 15 days as of the date of submission of the complete file under the founding law, signs annual contracts with a by the directorate of social services. The applicant is to be number of civil society and religious associations to notified of the management’s decision according to due manage joint projects that cover fields such as healthcare process. and education on the condition that the ministry covers Article Seven: In case the administration okays the part of the expenses resulting from these contracts. While application, the applicant is requested to provide the it is true that the ministry’s contribution to some of these following documents: projects appears minimal, as tables 2-7 show, it become A A statement of all the names of the members of the larger and a source of squandering when the majority of association or organization, accompanied by individual these projects are fictional and exist only “on paper”. As identification cards and judicial record for each one of for the services and grants, they are non-existent in most them. of the contracting associations. A A mandate for representation before specialized authorities A A Mandate for contracting

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A A Draft contract signed by the person mandated to example, to the Maronite Patriarchy or the Higher Shia’a proceed with the contract Council? A A receipt for the financial contribution which will be specified by a decree issued by the director general for As for the remaining required measures and documents, social affairs they are administrative matters that tell nothing of the A A receipt for LBP 1 million paid to one of the treasury project which is the subject of the joint contract. coffers A A request to renew contract in case of renewal A A statement of registration at the directorate of revenues Audit Bureau Approves at the Ministry of Finance The Ministry of Social Affairs presents these contracts to A Clearance from the National Social Security Fund the audit bureau for approval. The bureau does not have the ability on the ground for investigation into whether or not Article Eight: Renewal applications are subjected to an these associations exist and whether or not their services annual evaluation process based on a mechanism specified are legitimate. It approves the contracts based on the file by a decree issued by the director general for social affairs. submitted after requesting some administrative documents In case of administration’s approval, the application for and stating some remarks, such as: contract renewal is submitted to the authority of civil society associations and organizations accompanied by A Not awarding the contracts retroactive payments above-mentioned documents A The administration’s certainty of the position of the Article Nine: The authority of civil society associations representatives of these establishments signing the and organizations refers decrees related to granting project contracts and the authenticity of the mandate contributions for the execution of joints projects by decrees in addition to the need to be certain that the sequence to the director general for social affairs. representative of the association at the government has Article 10: The director general for social affairs is to the right to sign on project contracts either based on the study the file, propose a contribution amount and refer association’s constitution or by mandate. draft decrees to the minister of social affairs as a prelude A Completion of warrant for financial guarantees until for giving them the executive wording based on due the end of the contracts’ term. process A To acquire statements from the Ministry of Interior Article 11: A joint committee, in which both teams are with the names of the members of the administrative equally represented, supervises and oversees the execution board of each association and organization valid to of joint projects. It is formed and its tasks specified based cover the contract’s term on a joint contract for social services. A To Recommend the administration to work on issuing a special decree on regulatory criteria for contracting The committee is to draft a periodical report referred to with civil society associations and reevaluating joint the department of joint projects which, in its part, studies projects and their purpose. (This recommendation these reports and refers them, by administrative sequence, is not followed. Rather, the contracts with the same to the director general for social affairs, within the 15 days associations are renewed regardless of whether or not that follow each season of the year. The committee also they are vital or purposeful) drafts an annual report, which is referred by administrative A To Place draft contracts with the bureau to enable it to sequence to the minister of social affairs in January of each supervise it beforehand during the deadlines specified year for the works in the previous year. by the law.

A review of the above articles, especially articles four and Contracts in 2009 11, and a comparison to civil society associations under The Ministry of Social Affairs agreed in 2009, following contract and their confessional and political affiliations the approval of the audit bureau, to sign 207 joint contracts show a difficulty or the impossibility of implementing these at the value of LBP 7,376 million with civil society and two articles unless the association was “not supported” religious associations across Lebanon, according Table both in terms of confession or politically. Therefore, it will 1 (total contracts reached 236 at the value of LBP 7,514 not receive help from the ministry in the first place. million but The Monthly obtained the names of only 29 Can the employees object to and prevent, based on a of them which received contributions at the value of LBP report, a contract with one of the associations linked, for 138 million).

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Number of Associations and their values in millions LBP by Mohafaza Table 1 Muhafaza Number of association Value of amounts (in LBP) Beirut 22 785 Mount Lebanon 74 2,388 North Lebanon 44 1,820 Beqa’a 18 745 South 35 1,191 Nabatiyeh 14 447 Total 207 7,376 Source: Ministry of Social Affairs

NGOs in Beirut Table 2 Value of Name Type of project Place contribution (Million LBP) Association for the Cultured Islamic Youth Center for social services Aaisha Bakkar 35 Nahda Women Social Association Day care Tareeq el Jdeedeh 50 Rabitat Ahali Ras Al-Nabei Al-Ijtimaaiah Day care Borj Abi Haidar 75 Association for Social Rehabilitation Health and social center Tareeq el Jdeedeh 30 Association for Family Planning Center for family planning Beirut 45 Catholic Club for the youth Health and social center Achrafieh 20 Mahaba Women’s Association Day care Achrafieh 90 Al-Rabita Al-Ijtimaaiah Li Mahalat Tareeq el Jdeedeh Health and social center Tareeq el Jdeedeh 45 Al-Nasra Nuns - Rmeil Day care Rmeil 35 Maronite Charity Association - Achrafieh Health and social center Achrafieh 60 Cultural Association for Charity Health and social center Beirut - Zaydenieh 25 Youth Association for the Blind Library for the blind Beirut 55 Ark Said Sial Center for the disabled Beirut 90 Lebanese Union for the Disabled Center for the disabled Beirut 20 Health center, day care and home for Maronite General Council the elderly Beirut 25 Druze Charity Association in Wata Mssaitbeh Health and social center Wata Mssaitbeh 15 Center for research and Lebanese Council for Women documentation about women Beirut 8 Special Association Sports Club for the Mentally and Physically Disabled Sports programs for the disabled Beirut 15 Union of Alumni and Trainers of the National School of Management Center for research and and Development documentation Beirut 10 Al-Mufti Al-Sheikh Hassan Khaled Educational and Cultural Association Health and social center Beirut 15 Armenian Educational Clinic Charity Association Health and social center Beirut 12 Al-Saq Association for Research and Development Training, rehabilitation and studies Beirut 10

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Mount Lebanon NGOs Table 3 Value of contribution Name Type of project Place (Million LBP) The Maronite Archbishop of Beirut Health and social center Sheraton 20 The Maronite Diocese of Jounieh Health and social center Hrajel 20 Charity Association for the people of Hay El-Selom Health and social center Hay El-Selom 20 Lebanese Association for Health care Health and social centers Chiah - Sabra 55 Druze Charity Association in Maaser Al-Chouf Health and social center Maaser Al-Chouf 35 Islamic Charity Association in Almat Health and social center Almat/Jbeil 20 Women’s Charity Association - Iqleem Al-Kharoub Center for social services Cheheem 30 Training Association for training of hearing and speech therapy Health and social center and day care Biaqout - Ain Aar 115 Women’s Charity Association Health and social center Semqanieh - Chouf 25 Huda Charitable Society - Aabadieh Health and social center Aabadieh 30 Association of Fraternity family cultural charities Health and social center Borj Hammoud 35 Benevolent Association - Ain Zhalta Health and social center Ain Zhalta 40 Lebanese Child Welfare Association - Barouk Health and social center Barouk 25 Social and Cultural Club - Hadath Health and social center Hadath 40 Armenian Catholics Charity Association Health and social center Borj Hammoud 45 The Maronite Diocese of Jounieh Health and social center Aramoun 70 Women’s Association of Choueifat Health and social center Chouifat 55 Young Women’s Christian Association Day care Hadath 55 Druze Women Development Association Health and social center Majdel Balna 50 Rabitat Kfour Al-Ijtimaaiah Health and social center Kfour 45 Relief Association for the miserable Health and social center Kfar Thebian 30 Women’s Association of Rawdah Health and social center Rawdah 45 Al-Zahraa Charity Organization Social services center and day care Borj Barajneh 120 Lebanese Child Welfare Association - Niha Health and social center Niha - Chouf 45 Torch Association Day care Borj Hammoud 60 Charity Association for Assisting the Blind Center of the blind and health center Jal el- Dib 20 Women’s Association of Baourtah Health and social center Baourtah - Aley 30 Commission of Women Charity - Sahel Almah Health and social center Sahel Almah 50 Social and Cultural Club - Barja Health and social center Barja 60 Cultural, Health and Social Union Club Health and social center and day care Haret el-Naameh 50 Imam Hussein Bin Ali Charity Organization Health and social center Ouzai 30 Lebanese Maronite Priesthood - Baskinta Health and social center Baskinta 20 Permanent Care Center Social services center Hazmieh 25 Muslim Women Organization Day care Ouzai 20 Hay El-Selom, Khyam, National Association of Public Works (AMEL) Health and social centers Shmestar 85 Benevolent literary Association Health and social center Majdel Maaoush 20 Socio-Cultural Symposium - Qmatieh Day care Qmatieh 70 Women’s Association in Ras El-Matn Health and social centers Ras El-Matn 20 Baaqlin Charity Association Health and social centers Baaqlin 18

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Mount Lebanon NGOs Table 3 Value of contribution Name Type of project Place (Million LBP) The Lebanese Foundation for socio-economic development Health and social centers Baabda 30 Association of social solidarity - Mazraat El-Chouf Health and social centers Mazraat El-Chouf 25 Association of Charitable Institutions Health and social centers Doha 55 Assembly of the Armenian Cross Relief Health and social centers Borj Hammoud 25 Charity Association of awareness and sympathy Health and social centers Katermaya - Chouf 35 The Women’s Development Association Health and social centers Kfarnabrakh - Chouf 30 Higher Islamic Shia’a Council Health and social centers Kayfoun 30 Sisters of the Holy Eucharist transmitters Health and social centers Beit Jbaq 25 Assembly of care and child welfare Child care Yarzeh 25 Al-Zaorak Association Center for the disabled Fanar 30 The Catholic Diocese - Beirut Health and social centers Kfar Ouqab - Kfar Tieh 35 The Maronite Diocese of Ghosta Health and social centers Ghosta 35 Sports and Culture Forum Health and social centers Rmeileh 25 Association for the Assistance of Mother and Child Health and social centers Naameh 15 Association for the Assistance of Mother and Child Health and social centers Atshanah 8 Association of Lebanon Charitable Giving Social services center Sawfar 20 Foundation for Rural Affairs and its environs - Abieh Health and social centers Abieh 15 Charity Organization for women with disabilities Center for the disabled Borj Hammoud 10 Saint Vincent de Paul Association Health and social centers Bikfaya 12 Islamic Charity Organization for the People of Jbeil and Keserwan Health and social centers Maaisrah 15 Social Services organization in Iqleem Al-Kharoub Center for the disabled Anout 10 Sports Club in Monsef Health and social centers Mounsef 15 Ghabon Women’s association Health and social centers Ghabon 15 The Archbishop Malkite Catholics Health and social centers Furn El-Chbbak 15 Islamic Charity Organization - Borj Barajneh Health and social centers Borj El-Barajneh 15 Our Lady of Deliverance Assembly Operator Center for social services Dekwaneh 10 Association of parenting and work Center for social services Chiah 10 Friends of Public School Association Day care Jounieh 15 Ayadina Association Club for the elderly Sin El-Fil 10 Traffic accidents prevention and Youth Association for Social Awareness awareness Hazmieh 15 Mar Khayel Social Association Health center and club for the elderly Shheileh 10 House of Assembly needy Club for the elderly Hadath 15 Women’s Charity Organization Health and social centers Batkhanieh 15 Saida and Deir Al-Amar Diocese for Catholics Health and social centers Serejbal 15 Care of the disabled and children with National Center for Development and Rehabilitation special needs Abieh 10

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North Lebanon NGOs Table 4 Value of contribution Name Type of project Place (Million LBP) Young Women’s Christian Association Social services center Tripoli 30.00 Association of Social Solidarity Social services center Tripoli 85.00 Women’s Association for Social Welfare Health and social center Tripoli 25.00 Humanitarian and social services association Halba - Mashta - Hassan - in the North (4 branches) Health center Borj - Meshmesh 25.00 Al-Mahaba Charity Organization Day care and services center Mqaite - Akkar 20.00 The Orthodox Diocese of Zahrieh Health and social center Zahrieh - Tripoli 100.00 Prosecution of the Maronite Patriarchate in Batroun Health and social center Yaqsamaya 20.00 Al-Nahda Charity Organization Health and social center Beit Faqs 30.00 Islamic Women Organization Day care Tripoli 30.00 Orthodox youth organization Health and social center Tripoli 35.00 Al-Tadamon Social Organization Day care Tripoli 50.00 Christian Youth Association Health and social center Hadadeen - Tripoli 30.00 Organization for charity services Day care Tripoli 65.00 Social development charity organization Day care - Health and social center Tripoli 90.00 Social aid organization Health center - Day care - Elderly club Zgharta - Zawya 85.00 Feeh- Beshmezeen - Kfar The Orthodox Diocese of Koura Health and social centers Hata - Kfar Hebo 125.00 Social Movement -Zgharta Health and social centers Zgharta - Ehden 65.00 Doma Club Health and social center Doma 35.00 Aris Franjieh Association for the Physically disabled Center for Physically disabled Zgharta 130.00 Al-Nahda Social Charity Organization Health and social center Minnieh 45.00 Humanitarian Development Movement Health and social centers Halta - Chekka 65.00 Association of Guidance and Social Solidarity Health and social center Tripoli 40.00 Sports and Cultural Charity Club Health and social center and Day care Harf Ardeh 60.00 Islamic Charity Organization and Aiding the Needy Health and social center and Day care Tripoli 60.00 Tripoli Ras El-Sakher - Vista Center for the disabled Miniara 25.00 Public Aid Association Health and social center Kwashra - Akkar 35.00 Women Works Organization Social services center Tripoli 25.00 Youth Charity Organzation Health and social center Ras Masqa 40.00 Association of Awareness and Charity Works Health and social center Minnieh 25.00 House of Zkat in Tripoli and North Lebanon Health and social center and Day care Tripoli 30.00 Social and Health Works Organization Health and social center Tripoli 25.00 Charity Organization to Revive the 5 villages Health and social centers Banharan - Bahboush 90.00 Organization for the aid of Lebanese national crescent in the North Health and social center Tripoli 30.00 Association to support emergency Health and social center Tripoli 25.00 Lebanese Maronite Nuns Health and social center Jarbata 15.00 Charity Organization for Women’s meetings Health and social center Dahr El-Mahr 15.00 Basma Health Association Health and social center Majdelia 15.00

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North Lebanon NGOs Table 4 Value of contribution Name Type of project Place (Million LBP) Social Awareness Movement Health and social center Arda 15.00 Muntada for the disabled in North Lebanon Rehabilitation of the disabled at home Tripoli 12.00 Association for Charity Services Health center Tripoli 8.00 Association of the Reform Path Center for drug addicts Kora 8.00 Students’ Club Youth club Zgharta 10.00 Association for Development Cooperation and Health Health and social center Tripoli 15.00 Waqf Committee of St. Doumit Health and social center Mazraat Toufah 12.00

South Lebanon NGOs Table 5 Value of contribution Name Type of project Place (Million LBP) Imam Sader Foundation Day care Sour 50 Imam Sader Foundation Health and Social Center Sidiqine 35 Higher Islamic Shia’a Council Health and Social Center Batoulieh 20 Lebanese Maronite Order Health and Social Center Mashmousheh 25 The Catholic Archbishop of Saida Health and Social Center Al-Mieh Mieh 45 Toufahta - Teir Filsieh - Borj Women’s Association of Jabal Amel Health and Social Center Rahhal 60 South Lebanon Artisana Association Arts center Saida 50 Maarouf Saad Kindergarten Day care Saida 80 Al-Bar and Ihsan Association Health and Social Center Ghazieh 125 Al-Mousawat Organization for Social Services Social services center Saida 70 Association for the Assistance of Mother and Child Day care Saida 150 Lebanese Welfare Association for the Handicapped Center for the disabled Sarafand 60 Southern Woman’s House Day care Zrarieh 20 Lebanese Red Cross Health and Social Center Saida 50 Humanitarian Charity Organization Health and Social Center Kfar houna 20 Higher Islamic Shia’a Council Health and Social Center Barish/Sour 25 Basilian monastic Almakhlsip Health and Social Center Salhieh 25 Children of Saida Public Library Organization Day care Saida 40 The Maronite Archbishop of Sour Health and Social Center Ain Ibl 25 Higher Islamic Shia’a Council Health and Social Center Irki 15 Higher Islamic Shia’a Council Health and Social Center Shhour 15 Higher Islamic Shia’a Council Health and Social Center Kawthariet El-Riz 15 Higher Islamic Shia’a Council Health and Social Center Deir Ames 15 Al-Risala Association for Health Assistance Health and Social Center Teir Debba 15 Al-Risala Association for Health Assistance Health and Social Center Halousieh 14 Al-Risala Association for Health Assistance Health and Social Center Aiteet 15 Association of Cooperation and Development Center for the disabled Saida 10 Hiram Club Social services center Hanawieh 15 Youth Association of Marwahin Health and Social Center Marwahin 15 Cultural and Social Development Association Day care Ghazieh 12 Association of Islamic Guidance and Counseling Health and Social Center Saida 15 Charity Front for the People of Srifa Social services center Srifa 10

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South Lebanon NGOs Table 5 Value of contribution Name Type of project Place (Million LBP) Childhood Land Association Day care Saida 15 Center for protection from Al-Rahma Social Services Organization delinquency and club for elderly Saida 10 Lebanon Scouts Association Elderly club Rmeich 10

Nabatieh NGOs Table 6 Value of contribution Name Type of project Placet (Million LBP) Al-Bar wal Ihsan Islamic Organization for the people of Jbaa Health and social center and day care Jbaa 35 Solidarity Charity Organization in Nabatieh Day care Nabatieh 100 Al-Risala Association for Health Assistance Health and social center Houmiv n Tahta 20 Association for Woman Advancement Day care and club for the elderly Nabatieh 130 Dar al-Jaafari Health and social center Yater 25 Southern Association for the Blind Center for the blind Nabatieh 25 Higher Islamic Shia’a Council Health and social center Jmaijmeh 25 Dar al-Jaafari Center for social services Toulin 20 Higher Islamic Shia’a Council Health and social center Kfarkila 14 Al-Nour Association for Health and Social Welfare Health and social center Kfeir 13 Cultural Club Day care Mayfadoun 10 Social Solidarity Fund in Nabatieh Health and social center Nabatieh 10 Charity Organization Center for the elderly Nabatieh 10 Socio-cultural Organization for the People of Bint Jbeil Health and social center Bint Jbeil 10

Bekaa NGOs Table 7 Value of contribution Name Type of project Place (Million LBP) Health and social Dawras, Baalbeck, Hosh Hala, Lebanese Army centers Riaq, Fawar, Tripoli 85 Al-Iman Social Organization Health and social center Ali Nahri 50 Health and social Hzarta, Hadath Baalbeck, Shaat, Lebanese Organization for Health and Social Welfare centers Hosh Rafqa, Younin 50 Torch Club Health and social center Tamnin Tahta 25 Health and social center Torch Organization and day care Ain Kfar Zabad 95 Health and social center Health and Social Organization Center and day care Wadi Arayesh-Zahle 110 Social Movement Health and social center Jdeideh 45 Organization of Child Welfare in Rachaya Day care Dahr Al-Ahmar 30 Socal Guidance Organization Health and social center Arsal 35 Lebanese Welfare Association for the Handicapped Physical theraphy center Baalbeck 65 Diocese of Baalbeck - Maronite Deir Al-Ahmar Health and social center Deir Al-Ahmar 20 Druze Women Development Association Health and social center Bekfaya 25 Mithaq Association Health and social center Shmestar 45 Higher Islamic Shia’a Council Health and social center Hermel 10 Higher Islamic Shia’a Council Health and social center Yamouneh 10 Al-Roayah Association for Development, Rahabilitation and Center for the Welfare handicapped and elderly Dahr El-Ahmar, Ghazza 15 Women’s Association of Deir Al-Ahmar Social services center Deir Al-Ahmar 15 Bassel Al-Assad’s Cultural and Social Organization Center Health and social center Baalbeck 15

Who beneﬁts from the Ministry of Social Affairs? issue 98 - September 2010 14 | Public Sector The Ministry of Environment THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT Extensive Powers and Limited Resources

s a result of environmental crises and problems endangering human life and nature, nations (including Lebanon) began awarding the environmental issue the attention it deserves. One of the significant steps in that regard Awas the establishment of ministries and administrations specializing in the environment and fighting pollution. The Ministry of Environment was established in Lebanon in 1993, but the environmental challenge has persisted, and has even aggravated. Though a necessary entity, it seems the ministry has contributed little to the containment of pollution.

A Specify the kinds of wild animals that can be hunted, Establishment their hunting seasons and venues. On April 2, 1993 Law 216 was issued to create the A Specify the appropriate locations to establish natural Ministry of Environment, which was preceded by the reserves. establishment in 1988 of the Higher Council to Protect the Environment. Personnel and Structure Decree #2275 issued on June 15, 2009 specified the Tasks ministry’s personnel and the appointment conditions The ministry has several responsabilities specified by related to some of the posts. The ministry has 182 posts, Law 690, August 26, 2005: distributed according to degree as shown by Table 1. A Draft general policy, projects, and short, medium (see following page) and long-term plans concerning anything related to the safety of the environment and the preservation of natural resources, in addition to proposing Budget executive steps to implement them and supervise The ministry’s budget in 1994 reached LBP 7.47 billion, that implementation. forming 0.18% of the general budget. In the 2009 A Prepare the legislation, qualifications, criteria and budget, the ministry’s own budget dropped to LBP 5.7 indicators necessary to guarantee the safety of the billion, or 0.03%. environment. The increase in the general budget during this period A Prepare legislation related to economic incentives in reached 297%, while that of the Ministry of Environment the environmental sector, in cooperation with certain dropped by 23.7%. bodies. A Specify environmental conditions to license the The ministry’s most significant expenses, according to investment and construction of establishments of all the 2009 budget law, are distributed as follows: classes, in addition to other development projects A Real estates’ rent and maintenance: LBP 389 million that have an impact on the environment and the A Salaries, wages, and related expenses: LBP 1,289 perseveration of natural resources. million A Specify environmental conditions for general guiding A Contributions to associations: LBP 800 million and detailed schemes to categorize various regions in A Environmental projects in towns: LBP 100 million cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works and A Rehabilitation of quarries locations: LBP 1,000 Transport. million A Draft strategies, schemes, programs and general assessments for the integrated management of With such a limited budget the ministry cannot hope to dangerous and non-dangerous solid, household, and perform any of its duties, which means its failure is due industrial liquid waste, in addition to supervising to the lack of resources. their implementation. A Specify environmental conditions to protect shores and the courses of rivers, springs, lakes, swamps and valleys. A Specify the environmental conditions related to the use of lands.

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. The Ministry of Environment Public Sector | 15

The structure of the Ministry of Environment and distribution of posts by administrative degree Table 1 First Degree Second Degree Third Degree Fourth Degree Fifth Degree Total Directorate General 1 - 1 2 2 6 Bureau -1 -3 48 Department of Administrative and Documentation Affairs -- 14 16 Department of Human Resources, Financial Affairs and Requirements -- 11-2 Department of Human Resources - - 1 1 - 2 Financial Affairs section - - 1 2 - 3 Requirements section - - 1 1 - 2 Department of Legal Affairs - - 3 1 - 4 Department of Foreign Affairs and Public Relations -- 31-4 Department of Environmental Guidance - 1 - 1 2 4 Department of Guidance and Awareness - - 4 1 - 5 Department of the Private Sector - - 3 - - 3 Department of Environmental Media - - 3 - - 3 Department of Housing Environment - 1 - 3 2 6 Department of Protecting Housing Environment - - 10 - - 10 Department of Combating Housing Environment Pollution - - 10 - - 10 Department of Natural Resources - 1 - 3 2 6 Department for the Protection of Natural Resources - - 10 - - 10 Department of Ecological Systems - - 8 - - 8 Department of Environment Technology - 1 - 4 2 7 Department of Chemical Safety - - 6 1 - 7 Department of Air Quality - - 6 - - 6 Department of Integrated Environmental Systems -- 6- -6 Authority of Planning and Programming - 1 - 1 1 3 Department of Environmental Policies - - 6 - - 6 Department of Environmental Monitoring and Statistics -- 42-6 Department of Information Systems - - 6 - - 6 Authority of Regional Departments and Environmental Regulator - 1 21 15 Regional Departments - - 14 7 7 28 Total 1 7 110 40 24 182 Source: Decree #2275 issued on June 15, 2009 Ministers of environment From 1990 to the current government (2010), the President Elias Hraoui ministry saw 14 ministers. Hagop Jokhadrian (Minister of State for Environment Affairs), Samir Moqbel, Joseph Mgheizel, Pierre They are distributed by confession as follows: Far’oun and Akram Chehayeb A Maronite: Two ministers A Greek Orthodox: Three ministers President Emile Lahoud A Catholic: Four ministers Arthur Nazarian, Michel Moussa (twice), Fares Boueiz, A Armenian Orthodox: One minister Wi’am Wahhab, Tarek Mitri and Ya’aqoub al-Sarraf. A Armenian Catholic: One minister A Sunni: One minister President Michel Suleiman A Druze: Two ministers Antoine Karam and Mohammad Rahhal

issue 98 - September 2010 16 | Public Sector New Headquarters for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND EMIGRANTS An unfair exchange for the State and an increase in cost to USD 17 million

he Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants is 1,748 square meters. As such, the state would have waived headquartered in a rented complex in Ashrafiyeh a total of 5,366 square meters to Solidere (3,618 square T(Bostros Palace). As a result of work expansion over meters + 1,748 square meters). In return, Solidere would the past years, an adjacent building was also rented. In give up estate # 1076/Saifi, with an area of 5,366 square 1993, after the introduction of the Ministry of Emigrants, a meters. building was rented for its use in the area of Bir Hassan- The Council of Ministers decided by Decree # 126, on Jnah. Though the ministry was subsequently abolished, May 5, 2008, to assign to CDR the construction of the a number of employees remain and work in the building, new building on estate # 1076/Saifi. Once again, work was which costs the Lebanese government LBP 400 million delayed pending procedures to finalize the trade between in annual rent—a sum paid without flinching, since the the state and Solidere. A committee of experts, in charge building is owned by the son of a presidential advisor. of surveying the estates in question, thought the trade was unfair to the state. Under the agreement, the state traded its In 1996, work started to establish a headquarters for the land, which contained no zoning or limits on construction, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in Ba’abda, for an estate with the same area but which contained near the Presidential Palace. However, the complex was construction restrictions. However, the project went ahead, turned into a base for the presidential guard and other though experts claimed they were unable to estimate the offices linked to the presidency (by Decree # 9 issued by size and value of the injustice against the state. the Council of Ministers on May 17, 2001). Thus started the search for a new ministry building. Constructed Area The constructed area of the ministry’s building extends The New Building over 13,000 square meters. Amid the search for a new location for the ministry, the cabinet agreed, by Decree # 13, on May 24, 2001, to a Cost proposal by the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation. When the project was discussed the cost was estimated It stipulated that Solidere waive an area of 3,618 square at LBP 12,000 billion. As the execution was delayed and meters in a location chosen by the state for the construction prices increased, the cost rose to the current USD 17 of the building in agreement with the company. (This area million. (LBP 255,000,000.00) is the result of the reconfiguration of public property, Once again, the case of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the amendment of the system, the arrangement of the Emigrants building can serve as an example of how state commercial Downtown area of Beirut, the amendment of affairs are poorly managed and in-depth analysis of the its detailed master plan, and the regulation of its maps. It outcome is inexistent. was then clear, by regulating the areas that are considered The main headquarters designated for the ministry in public property, that the company had to give up 3,618 Ba’abda were turned into a base for the presidential guard square meters for the state). The ministry has offices in several buildings, including one Estate 1519, with an area of 2,103 square meters and separate from the rest. The purpose of renting this building located in the real estate area of Bashoura, was selected. was to benefit the son of one of the presidential authorities The Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) A swap took place between an estate owned by the state was contracted. However, work on the project did not start and one owned by Solidere but the exchange is in favor of for almost four years—the estate was too small and could the latter. However, nothing stops the operation and no one not accommodate the aspired building. cares for the interest and rights of the state as opposed to On May 18, 2005, the Council of Ministers issued Decree those of the company. # 28, approving a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign The project was ratified, the funds allocated, but the Affairs and Emigrants to return property # 1519/Bashoura execution was delayed for around 10 years as the cost to Solidere to waive estate # 1085/Saifi, with an area of increased by 116% or more.

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. LBP 252 billion paid Public Sector | 17 LBP 252 BILLION PAID by the Ministry of Public Health to private hospitals

he Lebanese Ministry of Public Health frequently signs Credits distributed on the muhafazas and qada’as Table 1 annual contracts with public and private hospitals to Muhafaza/ Qada’a Number of Hospitals Credit value (LBP billion) Tprovide health care for the Lebanese, more than half of Beirut 11 24.3 whom are not covered by the national social security fund or Baabda 13 25.5 the civil servants co-op. Matn 12 10.3 In this case, government spending is not a solution because Chouf 4 9.2 A’aley 5 4.1 from time to time, hospitals, especially major ones, refuse Kesserwan 4 3.7 to admit patients whose medical bills are covered by the Jbeil 2 5.2 Ministry of Public Health. There are several reasons for such Trablous 9 15.3 conduct, including the ministry’s unsettled, accumulating Minyeh 1 1 debt. The total amount owed to hospitals by the Ministry of Akkar 3 7.1 Public Health is estimated to have reached LBP 150 billion. Koura 3 5.2 Zgharta 4 8.9 Financial Cost Batroun 1 2.2 The Public Health Ministry’s budget earmarks annual credit Saida 7 17.6 lines to fund public healthcare in both public and private Sour 6 12.3 Nabatiyeh 4 3.4 hospitals. In the 2004 budget, credit value reached LBP Bint Jbeil 1 1.2 229.8 billion and climbed to LBP 252.1 billion in 2009. Rashaya 1 0,650 Zahle 8 15.8 Distribution of Credits In Muhafazas and Qada’as Western Bekaa 2 1.6 In 2009, ministry credits were distributed to 110 hospitals Ba’albeck 6 11.8 across Lebanon’s muhafazas (provinces) and qada’as Hermel 3 2.3 (districts) as demonstrated in Table 1. Some qada’as received Total 110 188.6 a larger share compared to others based on the number of Source: Information International based on the annexed table to decree number 2203 dated June 2009. hospitals and inhabitants. Distribution on hospitals Table 2 Distribution of Credits on hospitals Hospital Credit value (LBP billion) Major hospitals, in Beirut and other cities, received the Hammoud (Saida) 8,504,400,000 largest share of credits, as shown in Table 2. Hospitals such Ain w Zein (Chouf) 7,020,000,000 as Hammoud Hospital and Ain w Zein Hospital received Al-Islami Al Khairi (Trablous) 5,095,800,000 substantial amounts of credits from the ministry. Rassoul Al A‘azam (Southern Suburbs) 4,968,000,000 American University Hospital 4,708,200,000 Al-Zahra‘a 4,674,000,000 The government is spending signiﬁcant mounts of money Riaq 4,594,200,000 to provide healthcare for citizens who do not have health Jabal Amel (Sour) 4,514,400,000 insurance. These patients, however, are not receiving the Sayyidat Al Ma‘ounat (Jbeil) 4,483,800,000 appropriate medical care. The method used by the Ministry Markaz Al Shamal Al Istishfa‘i (Zgharta) 5,737,800,000 of Public Health to distribute credits in regions and hospitals Al-Maqasid al-Khayria 4,275,000,000 therefore, does not take into consideration the medical needs Al-Khouri Al A‘am (Zahle) 3,192,000.000 of the patients; but rather, the political and confessional Markaz Al Youssef al-Tobbi (Akkar) 3,836,600,000 needs based on the concept of “dividing spoils”. Markaz Labib Al Tobbi (Saida) 3,785,800,000 Saint George 3,762,000,000 Can the Ministry provide a reasonable, logical explanation Hotel Dieu 3,762,000,000 Al-Nini (Trablous) 3,389,400,000 for the method used to distribute credits, either by region or Dar Al Hikma (Ba‘albeck) 3,364,000,000 by hospital? Dar Al Amal Al Jami’i (Ba’albeck) 3,898,000,000 Al-Haikalia (Koura) 3,146,400,000 Al Lubnania (Je‘itawi) 3,009,600,000 Source: Annexed table to decree number 2203 dated 6-6-2009

issue 98 - September 2010 18 | Legislation The Liberation Party THE LIBERATION PARTY Licensed and aiming to establish an Islamic caliphate

edia outlets and Lebanese officials are preoccupied with the government’s position on the Liberation Party (Hizb Al-Tahrir) and the possibility of rescinding its license and barring it from holding its Mconference, “The Liberation Party’s Position on Hot International and Regional Causes,” on July 18 at the Bristol Hotel. What is the party’s ideology, how was it licensed, by whom and why are calls surfacing now to ban it?

Establishment through enlightenment, bring back of the Interior and Municipalities The party was established in 1954 its past glory, and lead the struggle (after then Minister Bassem el- (1372 AH) in Jerusalem by Palestinian with infidelity, its systems and Saba’a abandoned his post in protest) judge and religious scholar Taqieddin ideas until Islam reins the earth. the political association known as al-Nabahani. A The goal of the party is to return Liberation Party was licensed by to the Muslim way of life and to notification # 182/2006 . However, in Party Emir convey the Islamic message to the notification, there was no mention Based on the Islamic pattern, the party the world. Muslims would return of the party’s main goal, which is to is headed by an emir. Nabahani was to the Muslim way of life in the revive the Islamic Caliphate, follow succeeded by his aide, Abdul Qadeem house of peace (Dar al-Salam) the Islamic Sharia rules and establish Zaloum. Since 2003, the party leader and in a Muslim society where all an Islamic state. has been A’ata bin Khalil Abou al- life’s affairs are managed based on Such contradiction between the Roshtah, from Hebron in Palestine. Sharia rules and where the point of party’s ideology, principles and main He was born in 1943 and graduated view is based on the idea of halal goals and between those declared from Cairo University in 1962 with a and haram under an Islamic state. places the Lebanese state between two BA in civil engineering. The party has The state is that of the caliphate, positions: It can either overlook the several chapters in various Arab and where Muslims choose a caliph, party’s activities, which contradict its Muslim countries. pledge allegiance to him, pledge declared principles, or it can withdraw and follow the rule of the book the notification and thus end the danger Ideology, Principles and Goals and the sunnah, and promise to posed by the party. Here the matter The party identifies itself as: spread Islam to the world through turns into a political and confessional A A political party with Islam as its invitation and jihad. discussion, since it is related to an principle. It works through the A The democratic system is a system Islamic party of Sunni character, and government and among the people of infidelity and governance based cannot be easily banned. At this point to establish Islamic principles. on this system means governing the issue becomes highly sensitive on A The party’s establishment came through infidelity. the confessional level, especially since in response to the Qur’anic verse: the voices calling for outlawing the “Let there arise out of you a band The Banned is Now Licensed party are Christian, specifically from of people inviting to all that is Since the party calls for the return of the Free Patriotic Movement. good, enjoining what is right, and the Islamic Caliphate, in contradiction forbidding what is wrong: They are with the principles of the Lebanese the ones to attain felicity.” It aims to, constitution, and since it represents After his election in 1924 as in its words, help the Muslim nation an extension to parties abroad, the president of the Turkish republic, rise from its severe regression, Liberation Party was barred from Mustafa Kamal Ataturk abolished the liberate it from the control and working in Lebanon and did not win Muslim Ottoman Caliphate, which is influence of infidel states, and work a license, despite its many followers. the Islamic Caliphate considered an to revive the Islamic caliphate state However, what was banned for the extension of the caliphates since the for governance to return to what past decades has become legal and death of the Prophet Mohammad. God ordered. licensed. The Caliphate of Bani Othman lasted A The party wishes to achieve a When Minister of Youth and Sports for 625 years. correct renaissance of the nation Ahmad Fatfat became interim Minister

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Child Custody Legislation | 19 WHO SHOULD HAVE CUSTODY OF THE CHILD POST-DIVORCE?

divorce often creates several problems, notably child custody, the rights of the wife and alimony. The article will tackle Athe topic of child custody according to Christian, Muslim and Jewish confessions. Definition of child custody Child custody is the responsibility for the upbringing of a For Others child, caring for him/her and managing his/her affairs until Custody primary goes to the mother. However, if the court a certain age. decides that the child should be taken away from her, then custody goes to a male relative to the father’s side. The Who has the right to child custody? custodian does not have the right to inherit the child. For the Sunni confession Women are more favored for child custody than men. The Period of custody mother has the primary right to custody, which next goes The period of custody differs according to confession. to the child’s female relatives (grandmother, aunt). If the However, the main determiner is that when the child no child’s parents are relatives, custody goes to the child’s longer requires the care. The period is: maternal family. A For the Sunni confession: Seven years for boys, and nine years for girls. For the Shia’a confession A For the Shia’a confession: Six years for boys and seven The Shia’a relies on the same principles as the Sunni years for girls. confession with the difference being that the father has the A For the Catholic confession: The period of custody is right to custody after the mother. For Muslims in general not specified and is left for the spiritual court’s authority. (depending on religious scholars), custody is considered But generally it is seven years for boys and nine years among the mother’s rights, and she can, in some cases, for girls. refuse to assume that responsibility. Furthermore, in specific A For the Orthodox confession: Seven years for boys and situations, she has mandatory custody and cannot forsake nine years for girls. that duty. But in all cases, the custodian does not have the A For the Jewish confession: Six years for boys and until right to forbid the other party from seeing the child. marriage for girls.

For Catholic confessions Child custody for Catholics goes to the father, who has full paternal authority over the child. He is responsible for the children’s education and upbringing, except in three cases: A When there is a need for the mother’s custody until the age of nine for girls and seven for boys. A In case the divorce is caused by the father. A In case of legitimate reasons such as the incompetence of the father to raise the children. A In case both parents are incompetent, the court can decide to place the child with a court appointed guardian.

For Orthodox confessions Custody goes to the mother on condition that she is not married to someone other than the father, she is responsible and well behaved. In case of the mother’s death, or in the absence of the conditions that make her qualiﬁed for custody, that right goes to the father.

issue 98 - September 2010 20 | Legislation Function infringement FUNCTION INFRINGEMENT

unction infringement is an act done by employees that show their neglectfulness; the act may or may not be harmful to Fpublic interest.

Art 373 of the Lebanese Penal Code stipulates that “if infringement or bad use of power is sentenced to prison or an employee at public administrations or institutions shall pay a fine of no more than 500 Egyptian pounds. They or municipalities neglects his obligations without any would be sentenced to prison for a minimum of one year justifications and disobeyed the legal orders given to him by and a maximum of six, and would have to pay a fine not his chief shall be sentenced to two years of prison and shall exceeding 1,000 Egyptian pounds if the crime affects the pay a fine of 200,000 to LBP One million or to one of these economic center of the country or a national interest. penalties. If his act harms the interests of the administrations or institutions or municipalities, the sentence is raised from Misuse of power the third to the half, and he may have to pay a fine equal to Employees can profit from their administrative positions the value of the damage.” to perform actions hindering the application of the laws or regulations; this is called a misuse of power. Art 371 According to Art 374 “is as well sentenced to prison from of the Lebanese Penal Code stipulates that “any employee one month to one year any officer or individual or element who directly or indirectly uses his power to hinder the of the public force as well as any site of platoon leader who application of laws and regulations or the execution of a disobeys a legal demand of the judicial or administrative judicial decision or any order of the related authority shall authority”. be sentenced to prison for three months up to two years”. According to the Jordanian Penal Code, this crime leads to Art 376 states that “any employee who perpetrates any act prison from one month to two years. which is not mentioned in the law but that contradicts his duties, in order to achieve personal gain or to harm someone If the employee who misuses his power is not a public else, shall be sentenced to prison from one month to three employee, the sentence would not exceed one year of prison years plus a fine of 20,000 to LBP200,000.” in both Lebanese and Jordanian laws.

Any employee who has been fired or any person who was In Egypt, any public employee who uses his power elected or nominated to a certain function and finishes their to disobey the orders of the government or the laws’ mandate shall be sentenced to three months to three years of provisions or doesn’t collect money and taxes, or hinders prison if he carries on his function in opposition to the law. the execution of a decree or order given by the court or any relevant authority shall be sentenced to prison and In Jordan, the sentence for function infringement is isolation. The same sentence has been adopted by the penal less important. Article 183 stipulates that any employee legislator in the Emirates in case of misuse of power. Any that neglects their obligations without justification, and public employee who doesn’t execute an order or what has disobeyed their chief’s orders -as long as they’re legal-, been previously listed eight days after he gets a warning if shall be sentenced to prison from one week to three months the order is related to the employee’s duties shall be under and shall pay a fine of 10 to 50 Dinars. If his acts harm the prison and isolation sentence. government’s interests he shall be under one month to one According to art 246 of the Emirates Penal Code, “shall year of prison sentence until he pays back the value of the be sentenced to prison any public employee who uses the damage. Any officer or element of the police who doesn’t power of his function to hinder the execution of the laws comply with a legal order from the judicial or administrative provisions or the regulations or decisions or orders of the authority shall be sentenced to prison from one week to one government or any judicial instance, or who doesn’t collect year or shall pay a fine of 5 to 50 Dinars, or sometimes is money or taxes or fees for the government”. under both sentences. In France, anyone who impedes the execution of the law is In Egypt, any public employee who commits a mistake sentenced to five years of prison and to pay a fine of 75,000 leading to a great harm of the interests of his employing party euros. Sometimes the sentence is raised to 10 years of or of the party he is in contact with, or the interests of others, prison and a 150,000 euros fine depending on the severity whether is it resulting from his neglectfulness, function of the case.

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Between Islamic and Conventional Commercial Banking Private Sector | 21 BETWEEN ISLAMIC AND CONVENTIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKING

What is Islamic Banking? Islamic finance has been witnessing a huge boom for terms used in Islamic banking include Qard Elhasan the past 40 years. Many Islamic Banks have sprouted (benevolent loan), Murabahah (cost plus), Ijarah up over the last few years. Its industry size is estimated (leasing), Sukuk (bonds), and Wadiah (safekeeping). at about $822 billion1, with a predictable future growth of 15% to 20% per annum. So, what is Islamic banking What do these terms indicate? and in what ways does it differ from conventional Islamic banks lend their money to companies by issuing commercial banking? floating rate interest loans. The floating rate of interest Islamic banking has the same purpose as conventional is pegged to the company’s rate of return. Thus, the banking except that it operates in accordance with bank’s profit on the loan is equal to a certain percentage the rules of Shari’ah, known as Fiqh al-Muamalat of the company’s profits. Once the principal amount (Islamic rules on transactions) andi s guided by Islamic of the loan is repaid, the profit-sharing arrangement is economics. concluded. This practice is called Musharaka. Shari’a prohibits the payment of interest fees for the Mudaraba is a venture capital funding of an entrepreneur lending of money (Riba) for specific terms, as well as who provides labor while financing is provided by the investing in businesses that provide goods or services bank so that profit is shared on a predetermined basis. considered unlawful (Haraam). The loss is also shared; the bank loses the capital, while the entrepreneur loses his provision of labor, ensuring A Brief History that the borrower is not bearing all of the risk/cost of The re-organization of banking on the basis of profit a failure. and loss sharing rather than interest started in the late 1940s. In an Islamic mortgage transaction, instead of loaning In 1962, a first experiment with a hidden Islamic bank the buyer money to purchase the item, a bank might buy was initiated in Egypt but lasted only for three years. the item itself from the seller, and re-sell it to the buyer The early 1970s experienced the de facto institutional at a profit, while allowing the buyer to pay the bank in involvement with the boost of financial resources in oil- installments. However, its profit cannot be made explicit producing countries. and therefore there are no additional penalties for late The first private interest-free bank, the Dubai Islamic payment. In order to protect itself against default, the Bank, was set up in 1975 by a group of Muslim bank asks for strict collateral. The goods or land is businessmen. registered to the name of the buyer from the start of the Since then, many interest-free banks came into being, transaction. This arrangement is called Murabaha. going beyond Muslim countries to Europe and North Qard Elhasan is a loan extended on a goodwill basis America: in Denmark, Luxembourg, Switzerland, UK, where the debtor is only obliged to return the amount Canada and the United States. borrowed. Sukuk are Islamic bonds that prohibit the charging/paying of interest. Ijara is a lease where the Islamic Banking Principles bank provides the use of a service of(or?) assets for a While Islam employs various practices that do not fixed period and price. involve charging or paying interest, the Islamic bank In Wadiah, the depositor is guaranteed being refunded promotes the concept of participation in a transaction the entire amount deposited or any part of it when he backed by a collateral, utilizing the funds at risk on a demands it and might be rewarded with a Hibah (gift) in profit-and- loss-sharing basis. Such modes used by an appreciation for the use of the funds by the bank. Islamic banks are known as Musharakah (joint-venture) Differences between Islamic and Conventional and Mudarabah (profit-sharing). Some other common

1 - According to a survey performed by the Banker Magazine and a unit of HSBC

issue 98 - September 2010 22 | Private Sector The Ministry of Environment Banking Conventional banking is essentially based on the debtor-creditor relationship between the depositors and the bank on one hand, and between the borrowers and the bank on the other. In theory, in Islamic Banking, the creditor should not take advantage of the borrower. That is, there should not be any reward without taking a risk. The main differences of functions and operations are summarized in Table 1.

Main Theoretical Differences between Islamic and Conventional Banks Table 1 Conventional Banks Islamic Banks The operations of conventional banks rely on fully man-made principles in The operations of Islamic banks rely on the principles of Islamic Shariah which the investor is guaranteed a fixed interest rate. whereby risk sharing is promoted between the provider and user of capital. They aim at maximizing profit without limits. Lending money and being They also aim at maximizing profit abiding by the Shariah restrictions repaid with compounding interest is the basis of profit. They are mainly taking into account the importance of participation and understanding of concerned with the elimination of risk. partnership with loss-and-profit sharing. They can charge additional money (penalty and compounded interest) in Islamic banks have no condition in charging any extra money from the case of defaulters. defaulters. Since income from the advances is fixed, they give little importance to Since it shares profit and loss, Islamic banks pay greater attention developing expertise in project assessments. These banks emphasize on to developing project evaluations and emphasize on the feasibility of the credit-worthiness of customers. projects. Islamic banks can only guarantee deposits for deposit account, which A conventional bank has to guarantee all its deposits. is based on the principle of wadiah, thus the depositors are guaranteed repayment of their funds. However if the account is based on the mudarabah concept, the client has to share the loss.

Islamic Banks in Lebanon Open-Ended Questions In the hope of attracting new deposits and investors, the Is not the lack of standard ﬁnancial contracts and Lebanese Parliament approved in February 11, 2004 products created by unresolved Fiqh issues a basis of the law # 575 which gives legal permission for the vagueness? Are the Shari’ah offered frameworks really establishment of Islamic banks in Lebanon. According applied? to this law and similar to the other Lebanese traditional What about corporate governance? banks, the foundation of an Islamic bank requires an Islamic jurisprudence presents its own structure for the authorization from the Central Council of the Central implementation of contracts and transactions. So isn’t Bank. This Central Council is summoned to issue special the presence of a standard legal, institutional (what?) a regulations concerning the operations of the Islamic basic requirement for creating sound ﬁnancial markets? banks. Every Islamic bank is obliged to employ at least And what is being done by Islamic banks with excess 50% of the assets’ and rights’ of its balance sheets’ items liquid funds which cannot be appropriately exploited in investments and placements inside Lebanon. Besides, due to non-availability of Shari’ah compliant products these banks are requested to send to their clients, every and instruments? three months, a written form specifying the kind, risks, results, and their size of contribution in the undertaken projects. According to the decision # 8829 issued in August 2004, the minimum capital of Islamic banks licensed to operate in Lebanon is set at LBP 150 billions (USD 100 million) to be fully paid in cash at the Banque du Liban. Four Islamic Banks exist in Lebanon. Two of these four are Lebanese and were both established in 2005 namely, Lebanese Islamic bank, which is promoted by Credit Libanais and Blom Development bank, which is a member of Blom Bank. The other two banks are Arabic banks and they are Al-Baraka bank (a member of the Albaraka banking group in Bahrain) and Arab Finance House, (the result of a merge between the Arab Finance House commercial bank and the Arab Finance House investment bank in 2006). Arab Finance House Photography by Mohamed Mashlab

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Property ownership by non-Lebanese in qada’a of Jbeil Private Sector | 23 PROPERTY OWNERSHIP BY NON- LEBANESE IN QADA’A OF JBEIL 0.12% of the area

Ownership in Qada’a of Jbeil Jbeil goes through property ownership activity at a slower pace than other qada’a. Activity is mainly focused in the towns of Halat, Barbara, Blat, Nahr Ibrahim, Qartboun and A’aqoura among others. This qada’a has an area of 395 million square meters and is one of the medium-size qada’a (districts). Non- Lebanese own around 486,000 square meters in the qada’a or 0.12% of the total area (including valleys, mountains, roads and inhabited areas). Table 1 shows the areas owned by non-Lebanese in Jbeil by governmental decrees since ownership exceeds the legal limit. Ownership of apartments or estates measuring less than 3,000 square meters is not listed in the table.

Table 1 shows that Emiratis top the list of non-Lebanese acquiring properties in Lebanon at 66,926 square meters, followed by Qataris at 56,160 square meters, Americans at 54,058 square meters and Saudi Arabians at 33,430 square meters.

The most popular areas are in Nahr Ibrahim (60,748 square meters), A’aqoura (56,160 square meters), Blat (52,022 square meters), Qartboun (49,128 square meters), Barbara (48,417 square meters) and Halat (46,297 square meters).

Table 1 lists details of non-Lebanese ownership in qada’a of Jbeil.

Non-Lebanese ownership in qada’a of Jbeil Table 1 Region Name and nationality Date Area m 2 Purpose Saqi Rechmaiya + 3,755+ 14,658+ Barbara + Monsef Basil Omar Ziad Jaafar al-Askari (UAE) September 20, 2008 6,862 (25,275) Real Estate Investment Manufacturing of paper and Edde PuriPlast Liban SAL January 18, 2008 6,899 cardboard Hosrayel Saudab Lebanon SAL November 24, 2007 7,492 Retain ownership Saqi Rechmaiya + 3,755+15,613+10,765 Barbara + Monsef Mariam Omar Ziad Jaafar al-Askari (UAE) November 13, 2007 (30,133) Residential Saqi Rechmaiya + Mohsen Marzouk Ghazi al-Mutairi Aamshit (Kuwait) June 12, 2007 15,237+158 (15,395) Residential Halat Sanita SAL August 30, 2006 17,808 Warehouses and buildings Rafed Abdel Mohsen Badr al-Kharafi Aamshit (Kuwait) June 14, 2006 5,584 Residential Unipack - Industry Association of paper Halat and corrugated cardboard SAL March 6, 2006 6,352 For company use Barbara Amir Abdul Amir al-Tamimi (UAE) January 16, 2006 2,063 Residential Adonis and Snour Mohamed Khalifa Bakhit Al Falasi (UAE) November 29, 2005 9,455 Residential Abdul Aziz Mohammed Jaffar Mohammed A’aqoura al-Thani (Qatar) November 29, 2005 56,160 Residential Halat D.M.N. company for Furniture SARL June 20, 2005 7,269 Use by the industrial company

issue 98 - September 2010 24 | Private Sector Property ownership by non-Lebanese in qada’a of Jbeil

Non-Lebanese ownership in qada’a of Jbeil Table 1 Region Name and nationality Date Area m 2 Purpose Ibrahim Khalifa Mohammed al-Sharif Mishmish (Libya) February 26, 2005 6,375 Residential Khaled Suleiman bin Abdullah al-Khilyawi Bentael + his wife Fatima Sulaiman al-Douyan February 4, 2005 16,350 +17,080 Residential (Saudi Arabia) Design and manufacturing Nahr Ibrahim Cables Lebanon for Packaging SAL June 30, 2004 3,579 of all types of materials for packaging Manufacturing of wires and Nahr Ibrahim Cables Lebanon for Packaging SAL June 30, 2004 49,691 cables Manufacturing of wires and Nahr Ibrahim Cables Lebanon for Packaging SAL June 30, 2004 7,478 cables Manufacturing and sale of Hosrayel Snaidero Middle East SAL 18 2003 June 18, 3,346 kitchen cabinets and office 2003 furniture Blat + Fitri Lebanese Swiss Real Estate Company May 20, 2003 1,155+450 (1,605) Use by company 17,698+8,533 Ehmej + Annaya Lebanese Swiss Insurance Company May 20, 2003 (26,231) Use by company Salim Ahmed Mohiuddin al-Mlulybari Ras Osta (Saudi Arabia) May 20, 2003 1,820 Residential Blat Lebanese American University (USA) October 9, 2002 1,852 Educational Halat D.M.N. company for Furniture SARL September 25, 2002 6,685 Industrial investment Blat Lebanese American University (USA) August 8, 2002 1,455 Educational Halat Dounnapit Mikredj Najarian (Syria) January 18, 2002 6,625 Industrial investment Blat Lebanese American University (USA) September 1, 2001 40,953 Educational Jrayil Clifford John Nelson (USA) February 2, 2001 2,036 Residential Jbeil Metropolitan Bank SAL March 15, 2000 118 Retain ownership Jbeil BLC Bank SAL May 7, 1999 181 Retain ownership Blat Lebanese American University (USA) June 15, 1998 7,762 Educational Tourism and Real Estate Development Qartaboun Company SAL July 6, 1996 49,128 Touristic project General Real Estate Company SAL Use as a branch of Jbeil “Sugivon” March 21, 1996 238 Francebank SAL Barbara Intraco Lebanon SAL December 23, 1995 16,083 Offices and warehouses Lehfed Gabriela Valdovctoria (Argentina) September 22, 1994 900 Residential Used to receive college’s Blat Beirut University College July 27, 1994 294 guests Edde Puriplast Liban SAL November 4, 1981 1,794 Edde Puriplast Liban SAL April 24, 1980 5,042 Unipack - Industry Association of paper Halat and corrugated cardboard SAL April 24, 1980 1,558 Jbeil General Real Estate Company SAL October 12, 1979 1,081 Stated the total area of Hosrayel + (Baouchriye) Claude-Maurice Stefan Meyer (France) February 26, 1975 5,140 only Kfarmeshon Company Midleist Blankets SAL January 31, 1975 12,550 Marie-Louise Germain Lucian Bazan Zibdin (France) July 1, 1974 700 Source: Prepared by Information International from the Official Gazette

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Australian Camels And Saudi Arabian Ones. Private Sector | 25 IS THERE ANY RELATION BETWEEN AUSTRALIAN CAMELS AND SAUDI ARABIAN ONES?

urrently, two species of camels exist in the world. The first is the one-humped dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) of the hot deserts of Africa, Arabia, Australia, and India. The second species is the two-humped CBactrian (Camelus bactrianus) of the seasonally cold deserts of Iran, central Asia, China and Mongolia. Dromedaries represent about 90% of the world’s 17 million camels and constitute the majority of camels in both Australia and Saudi Arabia. We will therefore confine our topic to dromedaries.

Despite some major differences in size, all of the camels riding dromedary. Dromedaries were first associated in the world share the same basic structure. Because with nomadic Semitic cultures and did not become they live in a semi-desert environment, they have important until the rise of the Arabian culture. developed complicated physiological adaptations for The Arabian camels exhibit a high polymorphism in coping with both high temperatures and dehydration. size, number, and intensity of groups. Their color varies Contrary to common belief, a camel does not store from creamy to almost black. The camel population in water in its hump. The hump is a pile of fat which the Saudi Arabia approximates around 600,000 (around animal transforms into energy when it is hungry. In 4% of the worldwide population). fact, this hump stores up to 80 pounds (36 kilograms) Arabian camels are agile, long-legged, slender animals of fat. This hump also allows the camel to travel up to made for racing , with fine limbs and a long head. 100 desert miles (161 km) without water. The camel population has decreased because oil Camels are strong animals; they can stay for almost has threatened the nomadic lifestyle. (Recently, the a week with no food and water and resist severe dromedary is living a renaissance in the United Arab dehydration. They need to drink very little if their Emirates). The Maghaeim are camels of central Arabia diet contains the standard amount of water. When and one of the four major ecotypes in Saudi Arabia. water is available, camels can drink 30 gallons (135 Domesticated thousands of years ago by frankincense liters) of water in thirteen minutes. The camel’s diet is traders, camels were likely used as beasts of burden. constituted of dates, grass and grains but it can eat a The dry interior of Arabia is traversed by well-worn tent when excessively hungry. A working camel can camel tracks, many of which pass by springs and hold 600Kg, and his maximum weight can reach 700 wells. Only the camel is apt for travel in such harsh Kg. conditions. Camels rarely sweat, even in desert temperatures that In technologically-advanced Saudi Arabia, even the can reach 120°F (49°C), so when they absorb fluids Bedouin are not as dependent on the camel as they they can preserve them for long periods of time. once were. These days, camels are valued more as Camels in Saudi Arabia thoroughbred racing animals and sentimental vestiges Expressing their esteem to the animal that has of the past than as a means of transportation. accompanied them in past and present, the Bedouins On the borders of Buraydah in Al-Qassim lounges in Saudi Arabia name the Arabian camel “Ata Allah” the largest camel market in the world. Every day, the or God’s Gift. Buraydah camel market reanimates as vendors and buyers exchange money for camels and other animals. One-humped dromedary In this noisy market, thousands of camels are destined The Bedouin name for Camelus dromedarius, is the for the slaughter house, for camel meat is extremely “one-hump” dromedary, also known as the Arabian valuable. Others will be sent to the diary--most Saudi camel. Camels are thought to be brought to Arabia Arabian camels are females reared for their milk in about 4000-2000 BC. They then spread to North diary herds. Only a very few—the finest specimens--are Africa, East Asia, and India. The term “dromedary” sold to those in the business of breeding and racing. is derived from the term dromos (Greek for “road”) It is essential to note that humid environments with and thus is directly applicable only to the racing or static water are a suitable place for flies and insects that

issue 98 - September 2010 26 | Private Sector Australian Camels And Saudi Arabian Ones. distress camels and expose them to death every year. homes in search of food and water. In fact, out of the This factor plays a considerable part in the decline of 350 or so plant species that grow in the Australian the camel population in Saudi Arabia, especially when desert, camels are thought to eat 325. the wild Camelus dromedarius is taken into account. Australia’s wild camel population is the biggest in Camels in Australia the world. This is threatening for Australians to the Camels in Australia are the only feral herds of their native ecologic system, and measures are to be taken kind in the world and are estimated to number more to control their increasing number. One suggestion than 1,000,000 with the possibility of doubling in size was to kill some of them. Another was to develop a every nine years. new export market to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Shipments came largely from India, Muscat, Yemen, of Emirates, Brunei, and Malaysia, where disease-free Iraq and the Canary islands in the 1840s to provide wild camels are prized. Australia’s camels are also transport for explorers who wanted to discover the exported as breeding for Arab camel racing stables. It harsh deserts. Therefore, the ancestors of Australian is interesting that in our time, one of the best markets feral camels were dromedary camels imported into for the Australian breeder is Saudi Arabia! Australia. Imports also included the large, ﬂeece- bearing, two-humped Bactrian camel of China and Mongolia, in addition to others imported from North Africa, Arabia, and India.

The feral dromedary camel of Australia is considered a mixture of these two breeds. Nowadays, the one- humped camel is the only feral species in Australia. It weighs between 450 and 650 kg. It is grey brown or dun with a darker hump, shoulders, and back of the neck. Thousands of camels were imported between 1840 and 1907 to launch the settlement of the arid areas of central and Western Australia. Camels were used in Australia for the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line; they carried pipe sections for the Goldﬁelds Water Supply and supplied goods to inland towns, mining camps, sheep and cattle stations and Aboriginal communities. Two-humped Bactrian Camel-pulled wagons moved wool from sheep stations www.nationalgeographic.com to railheads and helped in the construction of dams. The use of camels was mainly used in the “Dry Areas” of Australia. It was the camels, and the camel drivers or cameleers that opened up the Australian Outback. With the introduction of motorized transport in the 1920’s, the need for camels subsided. Large herds of Camels were set free and established “free-range” herds in the semi-arid desert areas of Australia. Since then, many herds have wandered unchecked through much of central and western Australia. The Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Commission estimated a camel population of more than 1,000,000 in 2009. This population is distributed throughout Australia; approximately 50% in Western Australia, 25% in the Northern Territory, and 25% in the Northeastern state of Queensland. Camels began to destroy sacred sites and fragile ecosystems. Traveling in large, threatening groups, they compete with cattle One-humped dromedary www.nationalgeographic.com for food, squashing vegetation and ruining residents’

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Syndicate of Owners of female beauty salons in Beirut Private Sector | 27 SYNDICATE OF OWNERS OF FEMALE BEAUTY SALONS IN LEBANON

The Syndicate of the Owners of Female Beauty Salons in Lebanon was established in 1946 by Decree # 3506/4 issued by the Ministry of Labor. Some of the objectives of the syndicate are:

To protect the profession and work on developing it To ﬁnd a legal body to represent Lebanon at international events and exhibitions, consequently putting Lebanon on the world map of beauty salons To keep up to date with international change in this domain and to bring experts to Lebanon in order to improve it

There are around six female beauty salon syndicates across Lebanon, but the most active and widespread is the Syndicate of Owners of Female Beauty Salons in Lebanon. All of these bodies are grouped under the Union of Beauty and Creativity Pioneers. Membership The syndicate includes around 1,250 members, all owners of salons. Applicants should meet the following conditions: A Must be Lebanese A Must enjoy full civil rights A Must be practicing three months prior to the Hi-Sam Salon application and provide proof to that effect Photo by Mohamed Mashalb A Must be at least 18 years old A Must not be convicted of a crime or a felony General assembly The general assembly consists of around 1,250 As for the membership of foreigners, legal rulings, members. It has the power to carry out anything related especially Article 92 of the Labor Law, are applied. A to fulﬁlling the syndicate’s goal and purposes, especially foreign applicant must also have a legal work permit, a the following: valid residency card and must meet the aforementioned conditions (except for the citizenship status). A Election of board members A Amendment of bylaws by a two-third majority of The membership fee is set at LBP 30,000 while the those present annual subscription fee is LBP 50,000. A Studying and adopting the budget Ratiﬁcation of the syndicate’s closing account (by a Syndicate structure majority of those present) The syndicate is formed of: A Discharging board members after ratifying the A A general assembly closing account A A syndicate board A Deciding on how to use syndicate funds A Coordination committees A Signing group work contracts A Deciding on dissolving the board A Deciding on dismissing board members

issue 98 - September 2010 28 | Private Sector Syndicate of Owners of female beauty salons in Beirut

Spatacular Salon for Kids Natnac Photography: www.natnacphotography.com

A Proposing the dissolution of the syndicate standards for those who wish to practice this A Agreeing on signing loans and approving donations profession or to open a beauty salon according to due process A Absence of a regulatory body to monitor the A Setting the membership and subscription fees competency of people working in this field, which A Making decisions to settle internal conflicts reflects badly on the profession itself A Absence of a specific mechanism to organize the Syndicate Board opening of beauty salons and monitor their abidance The board consists of 12 members, elected by the to technical and health requirements general assembly. They are in charge of following up on the syndicate’s affairs. The board includes the following Syndicate Work positions: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, Some of the most important activities that the syndicate and deputy secretary, four members from the technical has carried out: committee, heads of committees and the head of foreign A Membership in the international beauty organization relations. A Participation in international beauty festivals A Hosting festivals in Lebanon in order to keep up with Coordination Committees the ongoing change and to introduce the latest styles These committees are distributed across Lebanon and new trends to salon owners who are not able to and act as a link between the syndicate and member travel hairdressers or salon owners. Each committee is formed A Organizing travels to Europe to participate in of 12 members who are elected under the supervision international competitions of the syndicate, which officially informs them of the A Hosting the international beauty exhibition in results. These committees carry out their activities in Lebanon in 2004 coordination with the syndicate. A Introducing the mutual fund and health security for those in need Challenges A Coordination with embassies for those who want to A Absence of a state academy to train and teach this acquire a visa profession and to award degrees A Providing salon owners with new statements proving A Absence of an organization and clear and mandatory their membership to international beauty institutes

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Lycée de Ville Private Sector | 29 Schools in Lebanon LYCÉE DE VILLE

History of the School Lycée de Ville is an independent private school situated in Adonis- Zouk Mosbeh, founded in 1995.

In 2005, the school began the accreditation process with the French Ministry of National Education and is considered today a French school in Lebanon; it is part of the “AEFE” schools network (L’Agence pour l’enseignement français à l’étranger or the Agency for French curriculum in Foreign Countries) which is Lycee de Ville - Entramce constituted of 35 schools in Lebanon, and 465 worldwide teaching around 250,000 students out of which 50,000 are enrolled in Lebanon. Access to the club is free of charge for students during their free time in between class hours, and a minimal Curriculum and Education fee is required for entrance after hours (for students and Lycée de Ville teaches three languages (Arabic, French graduates). The idea behind the club is to become the and English). English is taught as a third language community attraction in the area, create a social cultural beginning grade three. The option of learning Spanish center and bring people together around convivial is also available. activities.

Lycée de Ville offers its students the option to sit Cultural extra curricular activities such as theatre, art either for the Lebanese baccalaureate or the French work, cinema club, etc. take place in the afternoon baccalaureate, and provides necessary help, outside and are open to all students, graduates, teachers and school, for students who want to sit for both. parents.

Two programs are taught for the French baccalaureate: The Scientific series as well as the Economics/Sociology Number of Students, Faculty and Staff series. Two programs as well are taught for the Lebanese The number of students which was around 300 in 2005, baccalaureate: Life Science and the Economics/ witnessed an increase of approximately 50% during the Sociology series. past five years, to reach 436 students in 2010, which is just about 30% of the school’s capacity amounting to The new French academic program adopted by Lycée 1,500 students. de Ville allows the students to choose whether they want to go into the Economics/ Sociology section or the It is important to note that the school has a permit for Scientific sections right after the brevet, and offers five accepting 2,200 students, but the administration believes hours of electives per week to be chosen by the students that 1,500 is the perfect number for optimal education, themselves, promoting therefore better orientation. and for delivering the best quality which insures an excellent reputation for the school. The older classes are Extra curricular Activities already full; the free capacity is mostly for the younger The school campus includes a sports club open to students. students, containing a heated and covered swimming pool and other facilities for diverse athletic activities, The number of students in each classroom does not such as: ballet, karate, boxing, taekwondo, basket – ball, exceed 25 students per class (while having 4 classes football, badminton, table tennis, athletics and modern by level), which allows the teachers to focus on every dancing as well as martial arts. individual. Furthermore, the school has a system of focusing on all students, and taking care of their gaps

issue 98 - September 2010 30 | Private Sector Lycée de Ville

Main Characteristics of Lycée de Ville Being part of a network of French schools, Lycée de Ville is considered as a school in France and thus it is monitored by the French Ministry of Education through the French embassy. Any student, enrolled in any of the 465 schools under the AEFE network, can switch schools across countries without any examination since they all follow the same educational program and this leads to interesting student diversity as the school welcomes students from France, Belgium, Italy, Paraguay, Chile, and Brazil which encourages multicultural exchange amongst students. Beginning to learn English at early stage allows the student to go to universities that follow the French, Library American or English system. Top universities in Lebanon visit students during their in order to bring them back to required level and this is the main reason behind the students’ high scores in both baccalaureates, which are allowing them to pursue their studies abroad. Lycée de Ville believes in teamwork. Its team is made of 49 highly motivated and dynamic teachers, of which 27 are full-timers while the administrative team is formed of 25 persons, in addition to 1 pedagogical counselor, 1 psychologist, 1 orientation counselor, 1 librarian, and 1 laboratory agent. Noteworthy, is that half the teachers attend training on a yearly basis within the French system of continuous education in Lebanon and in France. In addition, training sessions also take place inside the school.

Tuition Fees Indoor Pool Section The tuition fees for the academic year 2009-2010 are as follows: graduating year in the purpose of orienting them and discussing their career opportunities. Level Tuition Fees per year ($US) Besides academics, the school focuses on the students’ Nursery and KG 1,800 personalities and their development by teaching them Elementary 2,000 about citizenship, human rights and other important topics. Intermediate 2,400 The architecture of the school buildings and campus is Secondary 2,600 also special as the concept is from “Le Corbusier” who is a pioneer in modern architecture. The surface of the A 10% deduction is offered for the 2nd child enrolled land occupied by the school is around 5,000 m2, and the from the same family as a form of financial aid, and built area is around 20,000 m2. The spaces are very well 20% for the 3rd child. organized and the campus looks very interactive. Moreover, financial aid is offered for families facing In addition to the facilities mentioned above, the school financial problems, varying between 10% and 30% has a theatre with 500 seats, a computerized and up-to- depending on the case. date science laboratory, as well as 3 computer centers Another form of financial assistance offered by the for students, 2 libraries, a gymnasium, and a cafeteria. school is the scholarship for excellence, which reaches The campus as a whole is designed in a comforting way up to 50% in the case of a student scoring 17 out of 20 that helps students be functional, efficient and creative. as a general GPA.

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. 3 Health | 31 LEVELS OF MEDICAL EVIDENCE Dr. Hanna Saadah

Doubting Confirmed Truths The Placebo Effect It is the duty of science to periodically doubt its own Which, translated from Latin means ‘I shall please’ is confirmed truths and to subject them to re-examination the delight of all those who cannot stand the exacting whenever new data conflicts with old findings. As a result scrutiny of science. It turns out that the placebo effect of this periodic self-monitoring, old truths continue to is a most powerful healing potion especially for non- become refined over time. life-threatening, self-limited, or otherwise self-healing disorders. The power of belief in ‘alternative therapies’, Indeed, newer studies have now confirmed that lowering which is an all inclusive term for therapies unsanctioned cholesterol protects against heart attacks mainly if the by scientific scrutiny, produces enough healing stories lowering affects the LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) to sustain their popularity in spite of their abject lack of cholesterol fraction. If the lowering affects the HDL (High published, scientific evidence and sometimes in spite of Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol fraction, it may indeed strong scientific evidence to the contrary. encourage heart attacks. Moreover, the same degree of Another feature common to practitioners of ‘alternative lowering, when achieved by different types of medications, therapies’ is their un-openness or unwillingness to self does not provide the same degree of protection, which examine or doubt the scientific validity of their own means that the choice of medicine is as important as is the practices and also their rejection of scientific evidence when degree of lowering. it goes against their therapeutic ideas. The high prevalence of such misconstrued beliefs lead the British philosopher Recent studies have also confirmed that lowering blood A. C. Grayling (1949- ) to explain in his book, What Is pressure does protect against strokes. However, they also Good, that “The durability of unscientific views might be revealed that not all blood-pressure-lowering medicines variously explained, but one main historical reason is that perform equally in all races and under all conditions, most people are naturally superstitious and insufficiently even when they achieve the same degree of lowering. reflective.” Consequently, using certain medicines for certain races or under certain conditions does influence the stroke- In his book, The Mystery of Things, A. C. Grayling observes protection rate. that, “Science is a minority sport. It requires skills that are Other revolutionary studies have now confirmed that neither within everyone’s reach nor to everyone’s taste. It ulcers are not due to high stomach acid; rather, they are due requires a facility in mathematics and an imaginative ability to a specific bacterial infection with an organism called to see the world in unexpected and often counter-intuitive Helicobacter pylori. Consequently, the current treatment ways. It also requires endless patience, and the lack of of ulcers no longer depends on long-term anti-acid dogmatism. The scientific mentality is almost exactly medicines. Ulcers are now curable with a short course of the opposite of the belief mentality. Science is open, complex antibiotics. skeptical, and eager to submit its tentative claims to test. Belief is dogmatic, final, closed, knows all the answers, As Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) stated in Act I of his 1895 and dismisses as ignorant anyone who asserts otherwise. play, The Importance of Being Earnest, “The truth is rarely If the two mentalities resemble each other in any respect, it pure and never simple.” is in their wonderment in the face of the universe.”

Consequently, given that the placebo effect is powerful, pervasive, and as much a part of human nature as breath and speech, it is perfectly reasonable to harness it in the service of healing as long as it causes no harm. Surely, all those who profess the art of healing should at least agree on the sound directive of ‘primum non nocere,’ which means, first do no harm.

www.hannasaadah.com - www.information-international.com - [email protected] issue 98 - September 2010 32 | Eyeing Horizons 4 IS INTELLIGENCE A SINGLE ENTITY INDEPENDENT FROM THE BRAIN? Aristotle: The heart is the mind and the brain is a mere cooling system Antoine Boutros ristotle was born in 483 BC. His father was the physician of the king of Macedonia, the grandfather of Alexander the Great. He grew up with the rich scent of medicines and from the start had the opportunity to develop his Ascientific inclination becoming later on the “founder of science”. Aristotle lived loud, squandered his fortune to the point of science for a long period of time that extended from that he was forced to join the army to avoid going hungry 600 BC until the 17th century. There was nothing more and practiced medicine in his hometown before leaving to supreme to his teachings except for the Holy Bible. The Athens at the age of 30 to study philosophy at the hands of Catholic Church adopted his philosophy and gave it a holy Plato. He was the great philosopher’s student for 20 years status to the point that any deviation was considered an act while at the same time teaching. When Plato died, Aristotle of sacrilege and heresy. As a result, his ideas dominated built an altar in his honor and idolized him. He then left human intellect for 2000 years. Athens travelling, studying and researching science until Science is indebted to Aristotle for being the first to organize he was summoned by Philip of Macedonian to become the the knowledge of nature in human history and to set its rules tutor of Alexander. According to Will Durant, the greatest and methodology. He is primarily distinguished, almost monarch of that age searched for the greatest mentor of with no predecessor, for inventing, with his intellect, a new that age to become the tutor of the forthcoming master of science; the science of logic. While Plato’s “Academy” the world. specialized in mathematics, philosophy and politics, the Alexander was mad and perhaps even savage; easily Lyceum specialized in generally teaching sciences and irritated, epileptic and alcoholic. His hobby was to tame especially teaching biology. horses that others could not tame. The tutoring lasted only three years after which Alexander ascended to the When Aristotle used to suffocate animals to conduct his throne and was occupied with his great world adventures. experiments by slicing open the veins with his scalpel, he Alexander was quoted as saying that his father gave him used to find air with a bit of blood. His finding led him to life but Aristotle gave him the art of life. In both cases believe that the air in the veins was in fact nothing other the philosopher’s efforts aimed at cooling the fire of this than the soul which moved to the body from the world of raging volcano apparently proved fruitless. planets (heaven) via the windpipe, to the veins and then to the heart giving life to the body. At 53, Aristotle returned to Athens and established the Intelligence originates from the highest form of souls; the Lyceum school. He continued to teach for 12 years until rational soul. Since the soul is based in the heart, and since Alexander’s death in 323 BC. He then left Athens due to its the soul is the center of a sane person’s perception, this citizens’ indignation toward the Macedonians. He returned means that the base of the mind is the heart. Therefore, it is to his homeland and died shortly at the age of 62. in the heart, not the brain, that intelligence is based.

Aristotle occupied a prestigious position that was almost Aristotle’s point of view was dominant for many centuries. unique in history. Italian poet Dante called him “master of When Alexander the Macedonian built the city of Alexandria, those who know” but among his most important titles was he established a famous library that was considered, for five “the first master” because, , he was “the greatest philosopher centuries, as one of the most important scientific hub in the who combined all the branches of human knowledge ancient world. It was managed by Aristotle’s students and in all of humanity’s history” according to philosopher contributed to spreading his teachings and consolidating its Abdel Rahman al-Badaoui. The Encyclopedia Britannica dominance on the then civilized world. The Arab translation considered him as the one and only one who sketched the movement, led by Christian scholars, during the Abbasid path followed by the Western civilization in the context era (750-850 AD), helped convey Aristotle’s theories to the that it did. In reality, there is no argument that Aristotle West, where it remained widespread until the beginning of was one of the most influential figure in the West’s history the modern age.

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. www.irthsumer.com - www.information-international.com - [email protected] The Amazing Brain | 33 NICOTINE TEASES AND ENTICES THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN and exploits their readiness to engage in repetitive pleasurable behavior: Yet another reason to ban the purchase of tobacco to youth. Dr. Samar Zebian

daunting 60% of Lebanese youth between the ages of Although researchers do not yet fully understand why 13-15 use tobacco. We have the highest youth rate in teens are more susceptible to addictions, it probably has to Athe Arab region and the prevalence among Lebanese do with profound brain changes (as well as psycho-social men and women is also very high (35-45%) suggesting that changes). Their brains are being re-wired but the connections most of our adolescents continue to smoke into adulthood. between different areas of the brain are still immature. One According to Dr. Rima Nakkash, a Professor in the Faculty of theory suggests that teens have a fully developed reward Health Sciences and a member of the AUB Tobacco Control and motivational system but immature connections to the Research Group, the prevalence of tobacco use is largely prefrontal cortex-an area critical for controlling impulsive due to the Lebanese government’s inability to introduce and and repetitive behavior. This contributes to intense emotions modify tobacco control laws, which is in large part due to but less control over them. Other researchers have found pressures from national and transnational tobacco industry that adolescents react more intensely and positively to novel lobbyists and allies. and pleasurable experiences compared to adults. Nicotine, which produces the pleasurable feelings associated with Tobacco control advocates in Lebanon are calling for a smoking (10-20 seconds after lighting up) stimulates the comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, a ban on its use release of dopamine and also slows its breakdown. In in closed public places, the mandatory use of large pictorial essence nicotine keeps the brain in state of pleasure for health warnings against smoking and age restrictions on a longer time. These are some of the brain processes that tobacco purchase. It is estimated that if the status quo contribute to adolescents’’ heightened feelings of pleasure remains, “150,000 children and youth and 350,000 adults and the surge to repeat the behavior. with die prematurely in Lebanon because of first and If we want to look even more closely at the causal second hand smoking”*. There are mountains of research relationship between nicotine and brain processes we have which reveal the consequences of first and secondhand to do it in a rather indirect way. Research on rodents (mainly smoking but like many complex social issues it is helpful rats) offers causal evidence. Nicotine in the “adolescent” to approach them from multiple perspectives. In this article animal brain causes neuronal damage in the hippocampus we consider research about how youth develop nicotine which is involved in memory and learning while the same dependence and how it affects their brain. dose does not damage the adult rodent brain. Nicotine also seems to depress rodent brain growth spurts and has Adolescent smokers are more likely to develop an addiction in long term consequences for brain development. Of course, a shorter period of time compared to first time adult smokers. this evidence cannot be directly generalised to the human Among teens, the symptoms of addiction (withdrawal, adolescent brain, yet it shows the effects of nicotine on craving for cigarettes and failed attempts to quit) can appear an evolved brain that is anatomically similar to the human within the first weeks of smoking. Adolescent smokers are brain. also more likely to become heavy smokers and find it more The psychology and brain science of smoking clearly difficult to quit later in life and are more likely to die of shows that youth are particularly susceptible to addiction smoking related illnesses. In comparison to adult first time and that nicotine dependence has long term consequences smokers, teens also have a higher risk of developing physical for brain functioning and growth. Choosing to smoke is a and psychological dependence on nicotine and most other personal choice but maintaining the legal, economic and psychoactive drugs. social conditions for increasing its prevalence, especially among youth, is an unethical health policy. *Nakkash, R. (2010). Research, Advocacy & Public Policy-Making. Research and Policy Memo #1. April 2010. Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs.

[email protected] - www.information-international.com issue 98 - September 2010 34 |Interview

The Monthly interviews AMBASSADOR OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN RAANA RAHIM

When did the Pakistan Embassy first open its doors in Lebanon? How big is the Lebanese community in Pakistan and Pakistani community in Lebanon?

Pakistan Embassy first opened in Lebanon in 1956 and we closed during civil war and reopened in 1992. The Pakistani community in Lebanon is not very large. There are people working in the UN Institutions, Multinationals and in the Banks. We also have Habib Bank of Pakistan in Lebanon. The total number Pakistani families is about 10- 15. We also have some Pakistani labour in Lebanon.

What are the Milestones that enhanced the development of diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Pakistan?

We had very close relations between Lebanon and Pakistan. There have been exchange of visits at the President and Ambassador of Pakistan Rana Rahim Prime Minister level. Pakistan also offers training to Lebanese armed forces. We do have trade though it is not as much as I like it to be. The trade is basically in textile, starting Saturday there are doctors and professors arriving rice and carpets etc. from Pakistan for a conference marking the launch of an inexpensive and effective treatment of Hepatitis C. So we There was a time when Pakistan International Airlines was are gradually progressing to enhance cooperation between flying to Beirut directly. People were coming in to study the two countries. We are also working to export Pakistani here specially at AUB which was very popular. A Pakistani mangoes to Lebanon by next season. graduate of AUB, Mr. Khairi started the Muslim Boy Scouts Movement in Lebanon later a prominent Lebanese went to Pakistan to launch a similar movement. Similarly How do you view the future relationship of the two we had political and cultural exchanges. It stopped when countries? How are you helping to develop it? the Embassy closed during Lebanese civil war. We opened it again in 1992. There is a generation in Pakistan who There is a tremendous potential for a greater cooperation knows Lebanon very well. Now a days people don’t between Lebanon and Pakistan. We hope to have high level come here as much as they have less information about exchanges between our two countries. As I mentioned the Lebanon. potential to expand trade is tremendous. Tourism is also important Pakistanis love to travel during summers and Lebanon could be a very good destination. It is not known Are there any specific initiatives undertaken by the for all the wonderful places in it so we are going to try to Embassy to foster the cooperation between Lebanon & re-introduce Lebanon to Pakistanis and vice versa as we Pakistan? also have very beautiful sites for tourism in Pakistan, such as some of the highest mountains in the world. I have been here for less than a year. We have taken a varied number of initiatives, like we held a very successful cultural As a female, what are the advantages and disadvantages show “From the Land of Sufis”, a Pakistani dress exhibition of being an ambassador? How are you overcoming the with a live music performance which introduced Pakistan in challenges if any? the Lebanese Society. The Lebanese women showed great interest and many of them bought the dresses. Now I’m The advantages are many, as in Lebanon I find it easy to planning a furniture exhibition in October/November and function as an ambassador. It is very open and there are many enlightened women here so as a woman ambassador issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Interview|35 a very positive role in this organization. So basically it has been a challenge but our policy has always been to support “There is a tremendous stability in the region. potential for a greater How do you see the role of Pakistan in the Middle East cooperation between region? Pakistan is traditionally a very good friend of all countries Lebanon and Pakistan. in the Middle East, supporting and maintaining close We hope to have high level relations with the countries of the ME is an important element of our foreign policy. We have reached out and exchanges between our two helped a large number of Arab countries in the training of their armed forces and we have also helped to build countries. infrastructure and provide professional and technical manpower. At the international level Pakistan has always been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and their I can reach out to them.” I have talked to them about how right to establish an independent state. we handle women issues in Pakistan and the Lebanese women are very interested to learn from the experience of Pakistani women. I don’t think there is any disadvantage What about the floods, what did you do to cope with unless the fact that as an ambassador, a mother and such a disaster? a housewife, I have to perform all duties myself. It is a difficult balancing act. It is a very major disaster and we are now moving very fast to help to reduce the misery of the people and activating the international community also to come to the help of What do you like most/least about Lebanon? Pakistan.

Everybody knows you have a beautiful country, beautiful landscapes, wonderful mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The climate is very nice but what I like the most is the people. I found them, always willing to be friends, willing to help and that’s very nice specially for a foreigner. There is nothing that I like least about Lebanon. “Pakistan has been hit by torrential rains and unprecedented floods since last week of July 2010… The unprecedented When did you arrive in Lebanon? What positions did you hold during your diplomatic career before coming natural disaster has resulted in tragic to Lebanon? loss of lives and extensive damages to the houses and infrastructure including I arrived in Lebanon in August 2009. I have been roads, bridges, electricity transmission and Ambassador in Central Asia and I was then a Consul General in Los Angles. I have been posted in our consulate telecommunication networks etc. The floods in Dubai. Before that I served in Paris where I started my of this magnitude had hit the region once career by doing a course and training as well. In Pakistan before in 1929. Approximately 1,129 people I have been working in our Ministry where a major part have lost their lives and 1,207 have been of my stay was dealing with our relations with the United States. injured as of August 7, 2010.”

What is the role of Pakistan in the regional dynamics of South Asia? Pakistan Embassy press release Pakistan has a very important role in South Asia. In August 9, 2010 Afghanistan the situation has been volatile since 1979 when the Soviet forces came and occupied it. Pakistan played a crucial role during this period leading to the withdrawal of the Soviet forces. Pakistan has been trying to play a very stabilizing role specially at our borders. We are a member of SAARC, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation which includes all South Asian countries, and now Afghanistan has been added to it. Pakistan has played

issue 98 - September 2010 36 |Art & Culture Popular Culture POPULAR CULTURE

What is the color of the school car?

Listen Ridha! You ask me about the color of the car that used to take me to the village school… listen carefully! Your father never heard the word “car” in his youth. Your father never saw a car in his life until he left the village. We were happy going walking to school with routine shoes that had thorns in the summer and allowed cold water through in the winter. When it snowed, or it was too cold, we had a holiday because of the shoes. No Ridha, we never went to school in a car…

We woke up one day and we children went to the village square. There was an abnormal movement there: the allies were being swept, which doesn’t happen unless in the big Eid… and I heard a word I never understood because the language used was strange: The Consul is coming to the village in a “ﬁre car”…!

“Fire car!” Oh God, what is this? …Our village was not on the main road, so no carriages passed through. But “ﬁre car!” The next morning, us children were called to meet the ﬁre car in a faraway place… suddenly, towards noon, Oh Ridha, we heard a strange and strong sound, a scary sound we had never heard before. We were shocked when we saw a strange ghost passing by so fast, we couldn’t recognize it properly. It all happened in a minute, and the ghost passed, and the sound started fading and we stood there looking at nothing.

Oh God! Where did this come from? When I grew up, I found out that people from other villages all came by to see this scene and to take a glance at the ﬁre car and a peak at the Consul!...

If you please, open the cover to see the place of the ﬁre and devils! Said the Sheikh. The driver opened the cover and I heard the sheikh saying: “Glory of the creation of the manufacturers who manufacture! God save us!”

Sources translated from: Anis Freiha, Isma’a ya Rida - First Edition 2006, Dar Nawfal, Beirut

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Debunking Myths Art & Culture|37 Myth #37 BEGINNING OF SHI’ISM between Lebanon and Iran

Myth: Iran is the pioneer in spreading Shi’ism in Lebanon. Abi Thar Al-Ghafari http://najaf.org/najaf org

: The Shia’a of Jabal A’amel are responsible for the spread and strengthening of Fact:Shia’a roots in Iran. It is commonly thought that Iran is responsible for the growth and Egypt. It sometimes hosted meetings jurists, speakers and increasing piety of the Shia’a community in Lebanon. and writers. Jabal A’amel was also close to education centers However, according to history, Shi’ism has been present in in Sham, Ramleh, Gaza and Jerusalem. During that era, Jabal Jabal A’amel for centuries, and the immigration of its ulamas A’amel played the role of a place for those seeking various (scholars) to Iran contributed to the implantation and cultivation kinds of knowledge—it was linked to the capitals of science of the religion there. and it was a destination for scholars. Culture in Jabal A’amel, The book “Amal al-Amel fi O’lama’ Jabal A’amel”, written previously purely religious, also took scientific significance by Al-Hurr Al-A’amili, states that the oldest Shia’a roots are when the intellectual movement took base there and spread in those in Jabal A’amel. The religion was started by the devout the seventh century through scientific trips and schools in the companion of the Prophet, Abi Thar al-Ghafari (since mid-first A’ameli environment. century) who was banished to Sham by Khalifa Othman bin Many scholars such as Al-Mawlaoui Abdullah al-Tustari from A’affan where he was then forced by Moa’awiya to leave to Iran immigrated to Jabal A’amel. Jeba’a, Mayss, Jezzine, nearby villages, one of which was Jabal A’amel. Mashgara, Kark Nouh and others were filled with schools, In his book “Al-Tashayyo’ bayna Jabal A’amel wa Iran”, Ali and thousands of the most important Shia’a scholars graduated Mroueh reviews the history of Shi’ism in Jabal A’amel, the from these establishments, roamed the land, rich with science origin of many of the scholars who immigrated to Iran to spread and knowledge and contributed to civilization with innovative Shi’ism. In his opinion, these scholars of Jabal A’amel worked ideas. to consolidate the foundations of Shi’ism among the Persian Iran’s population was subjugated to many succeeding empires people and to strengthen the idea that the wilaya (guardianship) and converted to Shi’ism under the Buyid dynasty (10th and belongs to Amir al-Mo’mineen (Leader of the Faithful) Ali bin 11th centuries AD). However, when the Seljuk Empire (11th Abi Taleb and to the people of his house. and 12th centuries AD) adopted the Sunni confession, the Shia’a The people of Jabal A’amel developed ties with the Shia’a were persecuted. In the 13th century the Mongols invaded scholarly movements in Iraq because their adoption of the Iran and converted to Islam, adopting the Sunni confession. Ja’afari confession (in relation to Imam Ja’afar al-Sadiq) meant Finally, the Safavid Empire (1501–1736 AD), spread the Shia’a that they had to seek the opinion of more than one jurist in matters confession to the land, using the help of Jabal A’amel scholars of religion. As such, Iraqi religious groups focused much of as well as scholars from the Sham and Iraq regions. To teach their scholarly attention on Jabal A’amel to help develop Shia’a the Shia’a beliefs and consolidate its principles in the minds of jurisprudence and to facilitate religious matters. Under the Iranians, the founder of the Empire invited scholars fom Jabal Fatimid rule in the fourth and fifth centuries AH, Jabal A’amel A’amel. strengthened their bonds with the Imami jurisprudence of Al- Sheikh Mohammad bin Al-Hassan Al-Hurr Al-A’ameli says: Azhar. As a result, Sour emerged as a distinguished scholarly “No one preceded the people of Jabal A’amel to Shi’ism except center in the fifth and sixth centuries AH. for a limited group of people from Medina.”1 The Jabal A’amel region kept pace with, was influenced by and 1 - Mohammad bin Al-Hassan Al-Horr Al-A’ameli: Amal al-Amel (two borrowed from scholarly movements in Damascus, Baghdad volumes) – Mo’assassat al-Wafa’, Beirut 1983 AD, Vol. 1/P: 13

issue 98 - September 2010 38 |Art & Culture Must-Read Books “RETURN OF THE BIRD TO THE SEA”

“Emotion is used in the novel Return of the Bird to the Sea It is the story of Palestine, who is kidnapped to highlight human awareness of tragedy”, said Edward by Zionism on her wedding night and Saeed of Haleem Barakat’s novel, which represents the whose husband carries the riﬂe in 1948 suffering of the Arab world in the aftermath of the 1967 to save his bride. But he fails, leaving his nakssa (setback), or what is known as the “Six-Day War” bride in the cave. He tries once again in waged by Israel against Egypt, Jordan and Syria with the 1967 but is overcome by the adversary logistical cooperation of Lebanon, Iraq, Algeria, Saudi and wanders off. And so Palestine, much Arabia and Kuwait. The war ended in Israel’s victory and like the Flying Dutchman referenced to the occupation of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Sinai and in the book, returns to the sea, “carrying the Golan Heights. Return of the Bird to the Sea describes sufferings with no names on the surface the bitter reality of what took place in that war and carries of the lonesome and deserted water…” The Palestinian the symbolism of a narrative text rich with poetry, music also returns to sea with his body, his shrine after having and mythology. been rejected by both life and death.

Barakat’s novel is a representation of the defeated and It is the story of Taha Canaan, who finds himself burnt by incapable Arab society in the aftermath of 1967. Ramzi Napalm and who cannot close his eyes as he remembers his al-Safadi, the hero of the novel and a professor at the family burnt while escaping Jericho. It is the story of Azmi American University of Beirut, links the eve of the June Abdul Qader, who forgets his family in his Jerusalem home war’s breakout to the past and reaches the conclusion that as he prepares weapons for the battle at the municipality’s history is repeating itself. The Arab national continues to center, only to return home to remove them from under the live a fossilized life, reeling under the load of a vacuum— rubble. As for Khaled Abdul Haleem, confident of victory, the absence of an identity, leading to a situation similar to he finds himself homeless, in a refugee camp. that of 1948 and, even more painful, that of a distant past between Jews and Arab Canaanites. Pamela, an American It is the story of an Arab who feels a flooding of grief, a painter and friend, recounts this story from the book of revolution with no arms… without an enemy to be seen Genesis. Dinah, the daughter of the Israeli Prophet Jacob, and killed … no action only words: “Nothing resists the went to the fields and was seen by Shechem son of Hamor, aircrafts. [Taha Canaan] does not believe what is happening Palestinian-Canaanite prince of the land. He liked her and in his homeland. He thought about all the speeches he had intercourse with her. used to hear on the radio stations. Why was his country deceiving him? He does not believe. He now only believes After he spoke to his father, the latter asked the people in the bodies that are scattered in the fields.” of Jacob for her hand so that the two civilizations could In the end, there is hope in resistance: “The human being become a single people marrying each other and living refuses to compromise his rights, and with time his refusal in the land together. The people of Jacob agreed on the turns into a symbol, and the symbol turns into a great condition that the young Canaanite men be circumcised. cause that uses all of his potentials. And in the name of this As the Canaanites suffered the pains of circumcision, the symbol he wages war…” people of Jacob killed them, took their women prisoners and occupied their land. To Safadi, there is no difference In the words of Dylan Thomas: between the ancient Palestinian and the modern Palestinian, “And death shall have no dominion. between the ancient Israeli and the modern Israeli who Dead mean naked they shall be one hides his true intentions. With the man in the wind and the west moon; The novel paints the reality of the Arab society, its members When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones marginalized, living in a strange world with no hope for gone, change. It depicts the Arab world as “a land that only lives They shall have stars at elbow and foot; in the 20th century through appearances … it does not have Though they go mad they shall be sane, the will nor the determination, it dreams of yesterday not Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again; of the future”. Though lovers be lost love shall not”

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Must-Read Children’s Books Art & Culture|39 “MO’NES’ COLORS” “I’m the Red”, “I’m the Green”, “I’m the Yellow”, “I’m the Blue”

The collection “Mones’ Colors” contains four books—“I’m the red”, ”I’m the green”, “I’m the yellow” and “I’m the blue”–with each one talking about a speciﬁc color in the form of riddles.

The collection is recommended for preschool children for its simple and short sentences, which teach new words related to a speciﬁc color. Adults can ask the children after each page “what color am I?” and encourage them to guess the color, keeping them engaged.

“Mo’nes’ Colors” written by Jordanian author Mo’nes Al-Razzaz, ﬁrst published in 2006 by “Moassasat Tala Lelwasael Altarbawiya” in Beirut.

issue 98 - September 2010 40 |Art & Culture Lebanon Families CHIHA FAMILIES

Chiha is a Syriac word meaning “glorious.” The Chiha family immigrated to Damascus from Mesopotamia in the 17th Century. They worked in trade and were well respected by the rulers at that time, and so were called

“Chiha” or “glorious.” Some members of the Chiha family Trablous who were living in Baghdad immigrated in 1895 to Egypt. Zgharta Balamand Roads They belonged to the Syriac Manofesti confession (the A‘arjes ideology that believes in the one spiritual nature of Jesus). Ehden Becharre The Cedars Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck Some members of the Chiha family came from Damascus Deir el Ahmar to Beirut after the 1860s. Michel Chiha was later known Maqne Qasr el-Banat for drafting the constitution in 1926 in cooperation with Jbail Hadath Petro Trad and Omar Daouk. Michel Chiha was also owner Iaat Baalbeck and manager of Faroun and Chiha bank and was MP in the Jounieh Ghazir Beirut district of the minorities seat in 1925. Niha

BEIRUT Zahle The total size of the Chiha family is around 477, distributed Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-Baidar among different confessions and regions in Lebanon as Bhamdoun Anjar follows: Deir el-Qamar Meshref Beiteddine Maronites: 223 members Moukhtara Qaraoun Lake Yanta A Hasroun – Bcharri: 84 members A Ban – Bcharri: 109 members Saida Jezzine Libbaya Aiha A Kfariacheet – Zgharta: 8 members A Ghadir – Keserouan: 22 members Hasbaya Nabatiye Sunni: 117 members Marjayoun Beaufort Castle A Minaa – Tripoli: 77 members A Mazraa: 33 members A Beereh – Akkar: 11 members

Latin: 43 members A Ghadir – Keserouan: 24 members A Saiﬁ – Beirut: 7 members A As well as Achraﬁeh (3), Bachoura (3), Kfarchima (1) and Deir Al-Amar (5)

Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox: 26 members in Mssaitbeh (Beirut) and Zouk Mkayeh (Keserouan).

Shia’a 8 members in Horch Hala (Zahle)

Catholic and Syriac Catholic: 22 members in Achraﬁeh and Zouk Kharab (North Matn)

Protestant and Syriac Protestant: 16 members in Mssaitbeh (Beirut)

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Discover Lebanon Art & Culture|41 HOUCH AL-HARIMEH Qada’a of West Beqa’a Etymology There are several possible origins for the name: A A name combined from 2 parts: First part means a fenced pen for cattle or a house and the second part is Trablous the root word for “deprived” which means prohibition Zgharta Balamand Roads and then sanctiﬁcation. A‘arjes Ehden Becharre A A holy place (in Aramaic or Phoenician) The Cedars Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck A A house prepared for ladies (Arabic) Deir el Ahmar Maqne Qasr el-Banat

Hadath Jbail Iaat Location Baalbeck The town of Houch Al-Harimeh is located in the qada’a of Jounieh Ghazir Niha

West Beqa’a in the Mohafaza of Beqa’a at an altitude of BEIRUT Zahle 860 meters above sea level. It lies 55 kilometers away from Baabda Shtaura Houch Al-Harimeh Aley Dahr el-Baidar Bhamdoun áÁô◊G ¢TƒM Beirut and 20 kilometers from the center of the qada’a and Anjar Deir el-Qamar Meshref Beiteddine occupies an area of 566 hectares. It can be reached via Moukhtara Chtaura – Bar Elias and Marj. Qaraoun Lake Yanta

Saida Jezzine Libbaya Aiha Population There are an estimated 2,658 registered residents, mainly Hasbaya Nabatiye Marjayoun Sunni, living in 550 houses. Beaufort Castle Voters In 2000, the number of registered voters was 1,704, 969 of whom cast their ballots. In 2005, the number of registered voters increased to 1,986, and out of those 1,279 voted. In 2009, the number reached 2,232, and 1,582 cast their Local authorities ballots. They belong to the following families: There is a municipal council currently headed by Ahmad Mohamad Al-Ahmad and consists of 12 members. There Sunni are also 2 mukhtars, Ahmad Kassem Ayoub and Mariam A Rbah: 296 voters A Yammine: 21 voters Hussein Adwi, and a three-member ikhtiyariah body. A Ahmad: 162 voters A Ameiri: 16 voters A Amine: 116 voters A Douch: 15 voters Education A Issa: 117 voters A Yassine: 26 voters The town has one public school with 384 students A Farou: 116 voters A Ghatmi: 8 voters registered in the 2005-2006 academic year, compared to A Nadi: 78 voters A Khodor: 15 voters 370 registered the following year. The school also has 22 A Hammoud: 112 voters A Askari: 11 voters staff members, 19 of whom are contracted. The town has A Abou Adileh: 80 voters A Sharﬁe: 4 voters Al-Qadrieh Public Primary school that had 200 students in A Handous: 80 voters A Ibrahim: 9 voters the 2006-2007 academic year with 17 staff members, 16 of A Janbieh: 62 voters A Salameh: 7 voters whom are contracted. A Askar: 72 voters A Awada: 74 voters Economy A Ghazawi: 64 voters The town’s main source of income is agriculture, especially A Chahine: 75 voters the cultivation of wheat, potatoes and other kinds of A Adwi: 59 voters vegetables. A Kasmas: 40 voters A Saleh: 32 voters Archeological sites A Aslani: 12 voters There are no archaeological ruins in the village. A Yousef: 9 voters

issue 98 - September 2010 42 |Media When Politicians talk WALID JUMBLAT AND SYRIA I forgive but wouldn’t forget… I forgive and forget nstable” is the word that can be used to describe the relationship between Walid Jumblat and Return to the Past “USyria. After a long period of alliance and total A “None went as far as what I said about Assad and from agreement that extended from 1977 after the assassination a personal level also. The wound of the tongue cannot be of his father Kamal Jumblat and his taking over of the party healed. I would like to get over the issue because I believe and the Druze confession, up until 2004, the relationship that Lebanon has no way out of good relations with Syria between the two sides began to take a different course and for historic and geographical reasons and because Syria veered towards hostility. After that stage, Jumblat returned is the heart of our Arabism.” (Al-Akhbar 12-6-2009) to his prior position by seeking cooperation and alliance with A “Syria is the natural extension. Now we speak more freely Syria, adopting the same slogans he had previously used. about the special relations. I am against neutralizing The Monthly had published in its June 2009 issue Jumblat’s Lebanon.” (Al-Akhbar 11-11-2009). stance toward Syria that is worth highlighting again after A “We have decided to bury the old trenches. It is time to Jumblat’s most recent switch. say: We will proudly write the history of March 14 that led us to our independence, while at the same time, we Hostility have a strong neighbor named Syria with which we have A “The master is a lion in Lebanon and a rabbit in Golan” a historical relationship.” (Interview with France Press (Al-Akhbar 15-8-2006) 17-12-2009).

A “We will not unite neither today, or tomorrow with the A “Stepping over the black phase that relations between the Syrian regime that is morally, politically and financially two countries witnessed and that crossed all red lines, responsible for the series of assassinations that befell is equally the responsibility of the Lebanese and Syrian on Lebanon when Bashar al-Assad took over… and I leaders... As for the assassinations case it is in the custody apologize from you only, Kamal Jumblat, on the phase of the international tribunal.” (Al-Akhbar 22-12-2009). of settlement made with the Syrian regime.” (Al-Akhbar A “The Damascus road is now politically open. The tension 25-9-2006) is gone and we have confirmed our grounds with Syria… A “I apologize to you only, Kamal Jumblat, on the phase of ...In 2005, we were at the height of the frenzy…are we settlement made with the Syrian regime.” (Future 25-9- to forget our extension in the Druze Mountain in Syria?” 2006) (Al-Akbar 15-1-2010) A “The international tribunal will stop the Syrian regime A “In the year 1982 during the siege of Beirut, and at the from committing more crimes and will summon senior peak of the Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian national, officials. I hope the ruler of Damascus would be among I told Hafez al-Assad: We are with Syria and we will them to face justice.” (Future 2-11-2006) resist. And today, at the peak of the Israeli madness and A “The Syrian regime should shut up because the problem rabid threats, I say to the Syrian people and through its is not in Lebanon but in Bashar al-Assad.” (24-1-2007) leadership: We are with you above all consideration.” A “Let Nasrallah go to Damascus to tell its madman: (As-Safir 6-2-2010). Enough.” (24-1-2007) A “It is illogical for me to call for the invasion of Syria, I never A “Reconciliation with Syria will take place after the called for the invasion of Syria and if what I said then was demise of the Syrian regime because with this regime, understood by the Syrian leadership and the people that I there is no room for reconciliation with the Syrian people did call for the invasion of Syria, then I hope my clarifying - no room.” (Al-Akhbar 12-2-2007) words today will erase all abuse toward the Syrian people A “Our accusation is political because these crimes are and the Syrian leadership.” (As-Safir 9-2-2010) political committed by this [Bashar] and his father [Hafez A “I said things that were unusual and beyond the political al-Assad]. This is why we want justice and we will get decorum and the decorum of political quarrel, and it was a justice.” (Al-Akhbar 28-5-2007) moment of abandonment and I say to the Syrian leadership A “How patient we have been, how silent we have been, for the sake of the national interest and for the sake of the how much we have struggled, suffered, humiliated, yes objective relationship, is there a possibility to step over humiliated and how many tears we have held back, but the issue? ... Previously, I said I would forgive but would never cried, between March and March and the wait was not forget. Today, I say I forgive and I forget.” (Al-Jazira long, no settlement, no conciliation and no apology. (Al- station 13-3-2010) Akhbar 16-2-2009)

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. July 2010 Timeline Media|43

July 2010 Timeline in Lebanon HEZBOLLAH LEADER SAYYED HASSAN NASRALLAH CONSIDERS THE INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION’S DECISION TO INDICT HEZBOLLAH PREMEDITATED; the Saudi king and the Syrian president visit Lebanon together; the Qatari prince tours the south; Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah and Kamel al-Assa’ad are deceased.

he month of July witnessed several significant events July 7 that will undoubtedly leave their marks on the near Tens of thousands of mourners take part in Fadlallah’s funeral Tfuture, especially when it comes to the international during an official day of mourning. tribunal and the possible indictment of Hezbollah or “undisciplined” members of the organization in the murder July 8 case of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The tribunal was without An indictment in the attempted murder case of Samir a doubt the main focus of the joint trip to Lebanon by the Chehadeh of the information branch, who was targeted on Saudi king and the Syrian president. September 5, 2006. The ruling accuses Al-Qaeda of being behind the operation. July 2 An agreement between Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the The monthly statement of the Maronite bishops expresses fear League of Secondary and Vocational Teachers to award them that Palestinian refugees will turn into permanent residents. 4.5 degrees, ending their boycott of public secondary exam corrections for all four branches. July 9 Hezbollah calls on UNIFIL to commit to its mission as An extensive meeting takes place in Tibneen between heads stipulated by Resolution 1701, following disagreements of southern municipalities, the leaderships of each of UNIFIL between the force and residents of a number of villages that force? The Lebanese army to put an end to the previous perhaps Hezbollah was not very far from. week’s disagreements. July 3 July 10 Arab League secretary general Amr Moussa visits Lebanon, General Michel Aoun demands the creation of an international saying: “We are cautious but there is no civil war at the fund to finance housing for the Palestinians. doors.” Lebanese Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rachid Qabbani visits Nasrallah for their first meeting in a very long time. July 5 LF leader Samir Geagea in an interview says: “I am with Muslim reference, Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah dies on anything that can improve the humanitarian living conditions Sunday (July 4) at the age of 75. He is to be buried on Tuesday of the Palestinians in Lebanon, as for Hezbollah’s weapons in the Imam Hassanein Mosque in the southern suburb of I consider the issue can only be solved through dialogue and Beirut (Dahieh). slowly.” Clashes between UNIFIL and southerners continue in a The Syrian Social Nationalist Party, its members dressed number of villages. The latest clash takes place in the town in military outfits, commemorate the 61st anniversary of of Touleen. the death of its founder Antoun Sa’adeh in Dhour Choueir Square The celebration included marches and semi-military July 6 parades. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak meets Hariri in France.

issue 98 - September 2010 44 |Media July 2010 Timeline July 14 A hearing by General Gamil Sayyed and his lawyer Akram including US Ambassador Michele Sison. A’azouri before the international tribunal’s pre-trial judge The first Druze expatriate conference opens with the Daniel Francine regarding the Sayyed’s false witnesses case. participation of 400 personalities from 36 countries, including Francine is to issue his ruling in September over whether or Druze from Israel. not Sayyed can obtain the documents that led to his arrest. Lebanon First (Mustaqbal Movement) MP Riad Rahhal says: Hariri heads a meeting at the Rafik Hariri International “All the statements have caused doubts among the Lebanese Airport to discuss airport security following a Lebanese over the role of Hezbollah and its involvement in the citizen’s death after he hid in the box of a Saudi airplane’s assassinations since 2004 being the only one to have raised wheels. the bar and pre-accused itself.” July 15 July 20 Nasrallah meets visiting Aoun and Minister of Energy Gebran Bassil. Nasrallah’s political aide Hussein al-Khalil and Hariri continues his visit to Damascus and meets Assad in Hezbollah head of security Wafiq Safa attend the meeting. the presence of Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Aoun tours Keserouane. Davutoglu. Council of Ministers discusses the security agreement with July 21 France and decides to give the displaced fund a LBP 90 Suleiman starts a round of deliberations with the heads of million loan. parliamentary blocs to contain tension. On the first day Minister of Justice Ibrahim Najjar inaugurates the Judicial he meets with Aoun, former PM Fouad Siniora and MP Studies Institute, to which USAID had contributed. US Mohammad Raad. Ambassador to Lebanon Michele Sison attends. Minister of Public Health Mohammad Jawad Khalifeh announces that the ministry is covering 55%-60% of hospital July 16 cases. A Parliament general assembly ratifies a number of laws and postpones until August 17 voting on a draft law to amend the July 22 social security law in order to cover Palestinians. Council of Ministers session in the presidential palace decides Minister of Telecommunications Charbel Nahhas says: to submit a detailed report on the Israeli espionage networks “The Israeli breach of the telecom sector is huge and there to the Security Council as a violation of Resolution 1701. are measures to protect the two operating companies of the Nasrallah meets Jumblat in the presence of ministers Ghazi mobile phone.” al-Aridi, Akram Chehayyeb and Wafiq Safa. Speaking at the opening of the Lebanon Summer 2010 Forum, July 17 Qatari Minister of Energy Abdullah al-Atiyyah says: “There Nasrallah, in a speech on the day of the injured, says: “The are tourists who describe Lebanon as being more expensive Israelis are betting on another Israeli project called the that Europe.” international tribunal’s indictment, which they are preparing for the next months to accuse Hezbollah.” He mentioned July 23 Charbel Qazzi, who is accused of spying for Israel through Speaking at a press conference, Nasrallah declares that Hariri his work for Alfa, and asks whether the information branch informed him, before his trip to the United States in May, knew of his arrest before the army did. He considers that the that the indictment will accuse “undisciplined” members tribunal’s decision on May 5, 2008 was Israeli-influenced. of Hezbollah of assassinating PM Rafik Hariri. Nasrallah announces his rejection of such an indictment and calls on July 19 March 14 of self-evaluation as Jumblat did. Hariri, heading a ministerial delegation, visits Syria expecting Jumblat, in an interview with Al-Jazeera, says: “I pushed the signing of 17 agreements and MOUs, and meets Assad the government to take the May 5 decision because of an with the accompanying delegation. The delegation leaves intelligence memo which was a trap for me.” for Beirut and Hariri stays behind for more meetings with Assad. July 24 Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir visits the parish of Aoun visits Zahle and meets public figures, including MP Ftouh-Keserouane on his third tour after Akkar and Zahle. He Nicholas Fattoush, and the rupture with Elias Skaff continues, will conclude his Keserouane tour with a lunch at the home of the two merely shaking hands during a church event. former MP Mansour Ghanem al-Bon in H Jouret Ba’adran in Suleiman continues meeting politicians, including MP Talal the presence of a number of political and diplomatic figures, Arslan, Samir Geagea and MP Assad Hardan.

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. July 2010 Timeline Media|45

July 26 July 29 Al-Mustaqal Movement founding conference concludes its American General James Mattis, who is the candidate to work by electing Hariri its president in a no-contest vote, head the US central command, answers questions by the electing the vice president and members of the politburo as Senate Armed Forces Committee saying: “Our goal is to well. help Lebanon preserve a democratic government with fair Nasrallah, in his third speech in less than ten days, calls for representation for all 18 confessions in Lebanon, and to the creation of a Lebanese, parliamentary, judicial, ministerial achieve Lebanon’s sovereignty which is facing a challenge or mixed committee to interrogate false witnesses, including of activities by Hezbollah that undermine stability. Our goal Mohammad Zuheir al-Siddiq. is to build the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces Former Speaker Kamel al-Assad dies and will be buried in to achieve equal balance with the influence of Syria and Sayyedah Zeinab shrine in Damascus. Hezbollah.” July 27 July 30 Israeli Minister of Defense, speaking from Washington: Israel’s Channel One television channel points out that “Response to Hezbollah will be by striking at the Lebanese Hezbollah member Mustafa Badreddin, who is accused government.” of assassinating Hariri, cannot carry out such an operation French Ambassador Doni Pieton meets Hariri at the Grand without? the approval of Nasrallah. Serail and announces that Hariri informed him of the Suleiman Franjieh visits his relative, former MP deployment of a complete Lebanese army unit today in the Samir Franjieh, to wish him well despite their political south. disagreements. Union Party, headed by former minister Abdul Rahim Murad, UN special coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams, after hosts a celebration in the town of Khiara on the anniversary meeting Geagea, says: “The international tribunal affects of the Egyptian revolution. The civil defense and scout teams the stability of Lebanon but there are many things that can which presented a military parade without any weapons, happen either because of the tribunal or because of other participated in the festivities. matters.” July 28 July 31 Hariri visits MP Suleiman Franjieh in his Binsha’aya. A joint trip to Lebanon by Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and Syrian President Bashar Assad with the public aim Minister Mohammad al-Safadi visits Aoun in Rabieh, saying: of easing tensions caused by the international tribunal. A “Any accusation of Hezbollah is unacceptable.” lunch banquet in Ba’abda excludes former presidents, heads of confessions and heads of parties who are not MPs. Among the prominent absentees are Sfeir, former President Amine Gemayel and Geagea. Abdullah visits the home of Hariri in downtown Beirut and meets representatives of confessions and a number of politicians.

Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani arrives in Lebanon for a three-day visit.

issue 98 - September 2010 46 | Arab World Focus ANIMAL RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

ccording to activists, animal trafficking is the third largest illegal trade in the region after weapon and drug Asmuggling. Chronological order of date of entry into force to CITES Table 1 Animal smuggling in the Middle East has a very special of the Arab and other countries nature. Many sheikhs, particularly in UAE, raise prize Order Country Date of Entry falcons in desert camps. Other rich Gulf residents enjoy into Force 1 United States of America (USA) 1-Jul-75 adding exotic species of parrots, chimpanzees, gorillas and 2 Nigeria 1-Jul-75 leopards to their private collection. These powerful people 3 Switzerland 1-Jul-75 will pay a high price to obtain these prized possessions, 4 Tunisia 1-Jul-75 often participating in the black market and consequentially 19 Morocco 14-Jan-76 encouraging it. 22 Germany 20-Jun-76 29 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern 31-Oct-76 Ireland However, in March 2010, the United Nations held the 30 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 1-Nov-76 international animal rights Convention on International 41 Egypt 4-Apr-78 Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) for the first time in 47 Jordan 14-Mar-79 the Middle East, in Qatar. CITES’ objective is to ensure that 57 Japan 4-Nov-80 international trade of wild animals and plants species does 75 Malawi 6-May-82 76 Sudan 24-Jan-83 not threaten their survival. Table 1 shows the chronological 81 Algeria 21-Feb-84 order of date of entry into force of some of CITES’ 175 88 Afghanistan 28-Jan-86 members, including all participating Arab countries. 89 Somalia 2-Mar-86 90 Spain 28-Aug-86 As indicated in table 1, the first countries to join CITES 104 United Arab Emirates 9-May-90 were USA, Nigeria, Switzerland, and Tunisia in July 1975 110 Mexico 30-Sep-91 112 Russian Federation 1-Jan-92 and the last were Armenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in 113 Djibouti 7-May-92 January and April 2009, respectively. As for Arab states, 128 Comoros 21-Feb-95 the first to join after Tunisia was Morocco in January 1976. 132 Saudi Arabia 10-Jun-96 The last were Syria in July 2003 and Oman in June 2008. 134 Turkey 22-Dec-96 Surprisingly, Bahrain and Lebanon are the only Arab states 138 Yemen 3-Aug-97 who have not yet signed the convention. 154 Qatar 6-Aug-01 158 Kuwait 10-Nov-02 160 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 28-Apr-03 Although CITES is legally binding – in other words 161 Syrian Arab Republic 29-Jul-03 members must implement the Convention – its stipulations 173 Oman 17-Jun-08 do not constitute any kind of enforceable national laws 174 Armenia 21-Jan-09 protecting animals, which in most Arab countries are 175 Bosnia and Herzegovina 21-Apr-09 feeble, when they exist. For example, in Lebanon, anyone Source: CITES website: www.cites.org who purposely harms an animal has to pay a fine as low as USD 15. In Egypt, thousands of animals suffer from terrible are viewed as slightly extreme and their demands for reform acts of cruelty on a daily basis because of the absence of a are often sidelined or dismissed. modern and comprehensive animal protection system that would replace the outdated law currently in place. Bahraini The first step to solving this problem is to implement authorities cannot stop illegal trade of exotic pets without harsh penalties in order to discourage animal smuggling. animal trade resoutions. Otherwise, smugglers will simply observe the fines as added cost of doing business, and not as a disincentive. Moreover, Governments, media, and the public at large simply dismiss education of the general public is crucial to “correct” this issue. People are unaware of, or unconcerned by, the people’s “wrong” perceptions of animal rights. Animal sometimes strenuous circumstances animals must endure. rights protect animals as living beings that should not be Many regard animal rights as a western idea which has no abused or tortured, and caging, smuggling, treating them relation to or place in the region. And if it is western, it is bad. as property, and slaughtering them in a way that causes the Unfortunately, in the world at large, animal rights activists animal pain is torture.

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Index|47 REAL ESTATE PRICE INDEX IN LEBANON– JULY 2010

ecovery, stagnation, recovery and then stagnation; this represents the Lebanese real estate market for the past few months. However, the prices in both cases have maintained their level and registered a slight Rincrease, especially those of some estates and residential apartments in Beirut and its suburbs given the demand versus the supply. Last July, the real estate market witnessed an unexpected stagnation during this time of the year. The danger is that the traditional period growth during summer months may be affected by Ramadan, which is during August this year. This raises the question: are the prices going to continue on the same level, or will they decrease? It is hard to project the price trend, though many expect the prices to remain the same. Tables 1 and 2 show the prices of some estates and apartments sold during July 2010.

Prices of some estates sold in July 2010 Table 1 Prices of some constructed estates sold in July 2010 Table 2 Location Area m2 Price (USD) USD/m2 Location Area m2 Price (USD) USD/m2 Beirut Beirut Achrafieh (Sassine) 1,240 7,936,000 6,400 Achrafieh 210 651,000 3,100 Achrafieh (Mar Meter) 460 2,806,000 6,100 Kornish Al-Mazraa 100 150,000 1,500 Saifi 1,100 13,200,000 12,000 Zarif 260 665,600 2,560 Baabda Tallet Khayyat 300 1,000,000 3,333 Hadath 1,000 1,000,000 1,000 Tallet Khayyat 180 630,000 3,500 Form Al-Chebbak 7,000 14,000,000 2,000 Mar Elias 170 527,000 3,100 Baabda 1,780 1,424,000 800 Ras Al-Nabei 160 480,000 3,000 Hazmien (Mar Taqla) 1,650 3,465,000 2,100 Ramlet Al-Bayda 250 1,500,000 6,000 Matn Korietem 200 800,000 4,000 Mtayleb 1,000 1,250,000 1,250 Watwat 180 342,000 1,900 Broumana 1,900 912,000 480 Ain Al-Tineh 300 1,500,000 5,000 Baabda Fanar 600 378,000 630 Mar Taqla) Raboueh 1,180 1,357,000 1,150 Hazmieh) 200 320,000 1,600 Awkar 1,040 728,000 700 Baabda (Brazil 150 180,000 1,200 Dbayeh 560 632,800 1,130 Embassy) Hadath - Jamous 160 240,000 1,500 A’aley Mreijeh 150 121,500 810 Deir Qoubel 1,200 210,000 175 Sfeir - Raya 170 170,000 1,000 Doha Hoss 3,200 800,000 250 Matn Kahallah 1,200 1,200,000 1,000 Zalqa 150 217,500 1,450 Bchamoun (Yahoudieh) 900 432,000 480 Mansourieh 190 237,500 1,250 Keserouan Antellias 140 177,800 1,270 Farayya 800 320,000 400 Jal El-Dib 180 261,000 1,450 Ghadras 1,600 288,000 180 Ain Saadeh 175 376,250 2,150 Shananeer 1,200 480,000 400 Broumana 200 300,000 1,500 Balouneh 1,640 885,600 540 Sin El-Fil 190 370,500 1,950 Fatka 900 351,000 390 A’aley Jeita 1,480 932,400 630 Bchamoun 160 160,000 1,000 Source: Information International July 2010 Source: Information International July 2010

issue 98 - September 2010 48 |Index

TOWARD A LEBANESE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: JULY 2010

uly is the month of stability in the majority of the Prices of consumer and food products in July 2010 items that are displayed on a monthly basis. The (in LBP) Table 1 price of 60 items was stable, 13 items decreased J Prices Prices and 27 items increased in prices. This stability in prices beginning beginning % of price is due to 3 reasons: Item and brand of June of July change A The stagnation in the market 2010 2010 A The competition between the supermarkets and Dairy Products commercial shops A The decline of the Euro against the US dollar Candia full cream milk (1 liter) 2,450 2,500 2+ A Consumers are watching out for the month of August Candia full cream yoghurt (2 kg) 4,500 5,200 15.5+ with Ramadan expecting to start either on the 10th or Bonjus labneh (1 kg) 3,750 3,750 0 11th. The month of Ramadan is usually accompanied by an increase in prices, especially in vegetables, Taanayel labneh (500 g) 5,400 5,400 0 whose indicators have already started to move in that Candia labneh (500 g) 5,250 5,200 0.95- direction. Table 1 shows the prices of 100 food and Taanayel yoghurt (1 kg) 2,750 3,250 18.18+ consumer products in July 2010. Smeds cheese (400 g) 4,250 4,250 0 Picon cheese (360 g) 3,500 3,500 0 Prices of consumer and food products in July 2010 (in LBP) Table 1 Picon cheese (160 g) 1,700 1,700 0 Prices Prices Double-crème cheese (1 kg) 8,000 8,000 0 Item and brand beginning beginning % of price Fresh country cheese (1 kg) 7,950 8,450 6.29+ of June of July change 2010 2010 Khashkawan cheese (1 kg) 11,750 11,750 0 Oil Lurpak butter (200 g) 2,500 2,500 0 Afia corn oil (3.5 liters) 12,750 12,750 0 Tatra butter (200 g) 2,100 2,100 0 Mazola corn oil (3.5 liters) 12,950 12,950 0 Al-Maalaqtain margarine (2 kg) 7,950 7,950 0 Mazola corn oil (1.8 liters) 6,690 5,550 17- Al-Baqara al-Haloub margarine (2kg) 25,850 25,850 0 Slim corn oil (2 liters) 7,000 7,000 0 Vegetaline margarine (2 kg) 15,000 14,950 0.33- Wesson corn oil (2 liters) 7,250 7,250 0 Nido full cream milk (bag) (2,250 Ghandour soya oil (3.8 liters) 10,500 10,500 0 g) 19,000 19,000 0 Alfa corn oil (4 liters) 12,700 11,800 7- Nido full cream milk (2,500 g) 23,100 23,100 0 Al-Wadi Olive Oil (1/2 liters) 6,250 6,250 6,250 Tatra full cream milk (1,800 g) 17,500 17,500 0 Ketchup and Sauces Cereals Libby’s Ketchup (567 g) 2,960 2,960 0 Khater white lentils (1 kg) 3,650 3,650 0 Extra Ketchup (340 g) 980 980 0 Khater chick-peas fahli (1 kg) 2,950 2,950 0 Extra Ketchup (2.2 kg) 5,500 5,540 0.72+ Khater beans (1 kg) 1,990 1,990 0 Dolly’s Mayonnaise (500 ml) 3,900 3,950 1.28+ Peeled wheat (1 kg) 1,550 1,950 25.8+ Al-Wadi Mayonnaise (500 ml) 4,250 4,250 0 Pineal Lima Bean (1 kg) 3,250 3,750 15.38+ Al-Bsat Tahina (900 g) 6,490 6,490 0 Brown Fine Burgul (1 kg) 1,950 1,850 5.12- Al-Bsat Tahina (450 g) 3,500 3,500 0 Egyptian rice (1 kg) 1,900 2,250 18.42+ Taous tomato sauce (70 g) 650 660 1.53+ American rice (1 kg) 1,750 2,000 14.28+ Taous tomato sauce (425 g) 3,250 3,250 0 Italian rice (1 kg) 3,200 3,250 1.56+ Tala tomato sauce (675 g) 3,000 3,000 0 Al-Wadi Hommos Tahina (380 g) 1,000 1,100 10 Chtaura Hommos Tahina (380 g) 1,100 1,000 9.09- California Gardens beans (450 g) 1,100 1,250 13.36+ Al-Wadi beans (450 g) 1,000 1,250 25+ Chtaura beans (480 g) 1,000 1,250 25+ Libby’s corn (340 g) 1,550 15,540 0.64-

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Index|49 Prices of consumer and food products in July 2010 Prices of consumer and food products in July 2010 (in LBP) Table 1 (in LBP) Table 1 Prices Prices Prices Prices beginning beginning % of price beginning beginning % of price Item and brand of June of July change Item and brand of June of July change 2010 2010 2010 2010 Pasta Coffee and Tea Barilla spaghetti (500 g) 2,100 2,100 0 Najjar coffee (1kg) 12,000 12,000 0 Antonio Amato spaghetti (500 g) 2,200 2,200 0 Brazil coffee (1 kg) 11,000 11,000 0 Monte spaghetti (500 g) 2,150 2,150 0 Al-Hisan tea (180 g) 2,400 2,400 0 Sugar and Salt Nestle (250g) 2,500 2,500 0 Sugar (2 kg) 2,500 3,000 20+ Halvah and Jam Al-Ousra Sugar (5 kg) 7,250 7,750 6.89+ Al-Wadi halvah (454 g) 3,850 3,850 0 Salt (700 g) 475 280 41- Al-Bsat halvah (450 g) 3,000 3,000 0 Box of salt (738 g) 1,250 1,250 0 Chtaura apricot jam (1 kg) 4,250 5,000 17.64+ Meat, Fish and Eggs Al-Wadi apricot jam (1 kg) 4,350 4,750 9.19+ Zwan chicken (200 g) 2,500 2,500 0 Tissues and Detergents Zwan beef (200 g) 2,250 2,500 11.11+ Mimosa tissues (500 g) 2,800 2,800 0 Luncheon meat beef (198 g) 1,150 1,150 0 Fine tissues (200 tissues) 1,500 1,350 10- Al-Mona chicken (200 g) 2,100 2,100 0 Primo tissues (200 tissues) 1,100 1,200 9.09+ Al-Taghzia beef (200 g) 1,925 1,925 0 Gipsy tissues (300 tissues) 2,400 2,550 6.25+ Al-Taghzia chicken (200 g) 1,750 1,750 0 Mimosa toilet papers (4 rolls) 2,750 2,250 18.18- Geisha sardine (125 g) 1,000 1,400 40+ Yes detergent (900 g) 2,300 2,300 0 Deli sardine (125 g) 1,100 1,100 0 Clorox (1 liter) 1,500 1,500 0 Milo sardine (125 g) 990 990 0 Persil (4 kg) 18,200 18,200 0 Geisha tuna (200 g) 3,500 3,950 12.85+ Ariel (4 kg) 18,000 18,000 0 White Bell tuna (200 g) 2,150 2,150 0 Fruits and Vegetables White Diamond tuna (200 g) 2,250 2,250 0 Orange (1 kg) 1,500 1,500 0 Skipper tuna (185 g) 1,750 1,750 0 Tomatoes (1kg) 1,000 1,000 0 Eggs (30 eggs) 5,750 3,950 31.3- Cucumbers (1kg) 700 1,000 42.85+ Beef (1 kg) 15,000 15,000 0 Bananas (1kg) 1,250 1,250 0 Sheep (1 kg) 22,000 22,000 0 Lemons (1 kg) 800 800 0 Apples (1 kg) 2,250 2,000 11.11- Potatoes (1 kg) 500 800 60+ Source: Information International July 2010

issue 98 - September 2010 50| Did you know that?

Statistics from around the World Cinemas worldwide

There are 125,689 cinemas worldwide.

A 38,415 is the total number of cinemas in the USA, compared to 37,753 in China, 11,183 in India, and 5,362 in France.

A There are 218 cinemas in Egypt, 202 in the United Arab Emirates, 150 in Lebanon and 58 in Israel.

A 1,736 cinemas have 8 screens or more in France, compared to 260 in Mexico.

A 37% of the cinemas in Italy have only one screen.

A 2,860,000,000 is the total number of admissions into Indian cinemas in 2006. American cinemas registered 1,449,000,000 admissions and French cinemas, 188,710,000.

A 577,333 is the number of admissions per cinema in Singapore.

A Every Icelandic on average watched 5 cinema movies in 2006,which is double the average in Lebanon that same year.

A 529 distribution companies for feature films are located in Malaysia. These are all nationally controlled.

A 190 out of the 239 film distribution companies in the Philippines are foreign- controlled. All of the 5 distribution companies in Cyprus are foreign-controlled.

A 1,091 national films were produced in India in 2006, while 480 were produced in the USA, 417 in Japan and 203 in France.

Sources: UNESCO Institute for Statistics: http://www.uis.unesco.org/

Beirut International Airport Rafic Hariri International Airport - Traffic July 2010 Significant passenger increase in seven months

The airport traffic (arrivals, Airport traffic in July 2010 compared to June 2010 and July 2009. Table 1 departures, and transit) % of change % change registered an increase in the Traffic Jun-10 Jul-10 Jul-09 June/July July 2009/ 2010 July 2010 month of July compared to Arriving airplanes 2,871 3,234 2,892 12.6+ 11.8+ June. The traffic increased Departing airplanes 2,862 3,235 2,882 13+ 12.2+ by 37.4% compared to Total # of airplanes 5,733 6,469 5,774 12.8+ 12+ July of last year where it Arriving passengers 299,162 383,105 361,626 28+ 5.9+ had increased by 10.1%. Departing passengers 195,570 297,439 257,450 52+ 15.5+ the number of passengers since the beginning of 2010 Transit passengers 3,185 3,800 2,446 19.3+ 58.6+ until the end of July reached Total # of passengers 497,917 684,344 621,522 37.4+ 10.1+ 3,113,905 compared to Imported goods (per ton) 3,422 3,944 3,558 15.2+ 10.8+ 2,711,392 during the same Exported goods (per ton) 2,960 2,875 2,542 2.8- 13+ time last year--an increase Total amount of goods (per ton) 6,382 6,819 6,100 6.8+ 11.7+ of 14.8%. Table 1 shows Source: Information International and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation the airport traffic.

issue 98 - published by Information International s.a.l. Stats & Numbers | 51

StatsNumbers&

A LBP 2 million was paid in monthly wages to each state lawyer (70 lawyers, including 10 arbitrators and 60 barristers) although prominent lawyers can be designated for critical lawsuits and are paid accordingly. A percentage of either the funds collected by the state or the settlement the lawyer helped the plaintiff obtain is specified and can vary between10% (for funds reaching USD 50,000) and 1% (for funds between USD 2 million and USD 5 million).

A LBP 527 million was paid by the Ministry of Finance to Standard and Borders in exchange for services in 2010.

A LBP 770 million was paid by the Ministry Sunset at Barja of Finance to Liban Post in exchange for the Photo by Alaa Damaj collection of taxes and fees for the ministry.

A LBP 2,218 million is the cost of rescue and relief work outsourced by the government to foreign companies in the Publications search for survivors in the Ethiopian airplane Other publications by Other publications by INMA (in Arabic): crash off the Lebanese coast on January 25, Information International: 1-“I am Responsible, All of Us are Responsible” 2010. 1-Salaries and Remunerations in the Public Sector 2-“Our Environment is Our Home” 2-Public Seaside Properties 3-“My Society is My Responsibility” A USD 23.3 million is the cost of 3-Lebanon’s Parliamentary History 1920-2000 4-“My Society is My Responsibility” Workbook rehabilitating and asphalting the Khaldeh- 4-Taxes and Fees 5-“I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards Rmeileh highway in the year 2010, though 5-Lebanon in Figures 1992-2002 State Building” 6-Lebanon in Figures 2003-2004 6-“I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards the road is in very good condition except 7-Lebanon in Figures 2005-2006 State Building” Workbook certain sections, which are no more than one 8-Lebanon’s MPs and Lebanese Parliamentary 7-“Lebanon Wars, why?” kilometer long in total. Elections 1960 - 2009 8-Discrimination in Lebanon 9- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, A USD 3,052 million worth of petroleum candidate and confession-North District products were imported by Lebanon in 2009, 10- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, compared to USD 3,863 million in 2008. candidate and confession-Beirut District 11- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, The decline is due to a drop in international candidate and confession-Mount Lebanon prices. However, the imports have increased District in quantity by 27.4% from 2008 to 2009. 12- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, candidate and confession-Beqa’a District 13- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, candidate and confession-South and Nabatiyeh To subscribe: District Al-Borj Building, 4th Floor, Martyrs Square Beirut Central District 14- Municipal Elections 2010 Telephone: 961-1-983008/9 961-3-262376 Fax: 961-1-980630 [email protected] www.iimonthly.com www.information-international.com © Information International SAL All rights reserved License No. 180/2003 Responsible Director: Hala Saghbini Lebanon in Figures 2007-2008

ebanon in Figures 2007-2008”, “Lfrom Fact Series published by Information International, soon in bookstores. The book comes after “Lebanon in Figures 1992-2002”; “Lebanon in Figures 2003-2004” and “Lebanon in Figures 2005- 2006”. It puts forth ﬁgures and indicators related to the different Lebanese sectors in 2007-2008. Information and issues that appeared in the book include those on population growth, education, 2008 - 2007 NGOs, Legislative authority, commerce, commercial and industrial institutions and price index. It also contains sections on the banking sector in Lebanon, the stock exchange, municipalities, cooperatives, trafﬁc accidents and many more. Information International’s 2009 report will be published in the coming months.

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