Lebanese Army (2013-2015) 91 Martyrs in Two Years

issue number 153 |April 2015 STATE-OWNED PROPERTY IN BEIRUT SUFFICIENT FOR ALL ADMINISTRATIONS; WHY RESORT TO RENTING? IS LEBANON STILL A FRANCOPHONE COUNTRY? THE MONTHLY INTERVIEWS BARBARA BATLOUNI

www.monthlymagazine.com Published by Information International sal AMIDEAST COUNTRY DIRECTOR

LEBANESE ARMY (2013-2015) 91 MARTYRS IN TWO YEARS

4 THE LEBANESE ARMY (2013-2015): 91 MARTYRS IN TWO YEARS

11 STATE-OWNED PROPERTY IN BEIRUT SUFFICIENT FOR ALL ADMINISTRATIONS; WHY RESORT TO RENTING? 17 1014 MUNICIPALITIES IN LEBANON 20 IS LEBANON STILL A FRANCOPHONE COUNTRY? 22 PROFITS OF MERCHANTS- ESTABLISHED BY LAW BUT UNENFORCED DUE TO ABSENCE OF GOVERNMENT 24 LBP 11 BILLION: TO ESTABLISH A COURTROOM P: 29 P: 24 IN ROUMIEH PRISON 25 SUDAN’S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 26 WAJDI MALLAT: FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL 28 HOW TO GAIN WEIGHT HEALTHILY: MAYA NAHOUL 29 INTERVIEW: BARBARA BATLOUNI AMIDEAST COUNTRY DIRECTOR P: 20 31 WORLD VISION LEBANON

33 POPULAR CULTURE 34 DEBUNKING MYTH#92: CATS AND PREGNANCY 46 THIS MONTH IN HISTORY- ARAB WORLD THE BAHR EL-BAQR MASSACRE: 45 YEARS ON 35 MUST-READ BOOKS: ISLAM HELD HOSTAGE- WHO STOLE AL-JAME’E AND WHERE DID FRIDAY GO? 47 TERRORIST GROUPS PRETENDING TO BY ASSADEQ AL-NAYHOUM STAND FOR ISLAM (3) ANSAR BAIT EL-MAQDES (CHAMPIONS OF 36 MUST-READ CHILDREN’S BOOK: LIMATHA HIYA... JERUSALEM) LIMATHA HOUWA? 48 REAL ESTATE PRICES - FEBRUARY 2015 37 LEBANON FAMILIES: TOHMAZ FAMILIES 49 TRAFFIC THROUGH BEIRUT’S AIRPORT 38 DISCOVER LEBANON: HILAN IN THE LAST TEN YEARS: 48.6 MILLION USERS BETWEEN 2004 AND 2015 39 DISCOVER THE WORLD: SINGAPORE 50 DID YOU KNOW THAT?: TOP 5 CITIES WITH 40 FEBRUARY 2015 HIGHLIGHTS MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY 44 THIS MONTH IN HISTORY- LEBANON 50 RAFIC HARIRI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE 73 OF THE LEBANESE TRAFFIC - FEBRUARY 2015 CONSTITUTION ON APRIL 10, 1976 51 LEBANON’S STATS |EDITORIAL

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE YOUNG AND ARAB*?

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

issue 153 | April 2015 4 | LEADER THE LEBANESE ARMY (2013-2015): 91 MARTYRS IN TWO YEARS

Over the past two years, from February 2013 to February 2015, the Lebanese troops have engaged !"# $ % % &# # '%"()*+ -./46 7#668$9)+#)*: 6

$, the Lebanese Army martyrs died in By age, a majority of 32 martyrs were in the age group the following places: 26 to 30. The fatalities by age broke down as follows: Ersal: 31 martyrs 21 and below: 14 martyrs Tripoli: 20 Between 22 and 25: 23 martyrs Saida and Abra: 20 Between 26 and 30: 32 martyrs Ras Baalbeck: 14 Between 31 and 35: 13 martyrs Different areas between Akkar and Anjar: 6 Above 35: 9 martyrs

$, the predominant majority of fatalities $ , more than half of the martyrs, 52, were soldiers, a total of 30 out of 91. Table 1 illustrates were unmarried. Those who were married broke down the rank of the Lebanese Army martyrs killed in battle. as follows: Married with no children: 11 martyrs Married with one or two children: 23 martyrs Rank of the Lebanese Army martyrs Table 1 killed in battle Married with three or more children: 5 martyrs Military rank No. of martyrs $ , the majority of the victims Lieutenant colonel 2 were from the Qada’a of Akkar, then the Qada’a of Captain 3 Baalbeck as illustrated in Table 2. First Lieutenant 4 Lieutenant 2 Number of martyrs by Qada’a Table 2 Warrant officer 1 Qada’a No. of victims Adjutant 2 Akkar 24 Sergeant First Class 3 Baalbeck 22 Sergeant 12 Zahle 10 Corporal 9 Tripoli 8 Soldier first class 4 Rashaya- Hermel- Mennieh/Dennieh- Tyre 3 victims for each Qada’a Soldier 30 Zgharta- Baabda- Aley- Nabateh 2 victims for each Qada’a Recruit 19 Beirut- Bint Jbeil- Shouf- Bsharri- Saida- Koura- Marjeyoun 1 victim for each Qada’a Total 91

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. LEADER | 5

Lebanese Army victims by name, birthplace, rank, social status, place of death and military unit Table 3

Rank & Social Date and Name Birthplace Date of birth Military unit date of enrollment status place of death

Pierre George Mach- Married with Ambush in Ersal on 1 Mrayjet/Zahle 4/7/1982 Captain 15/1/2002 - aalany a child 1/2/2013

Hokr Sheikh Taba/ Sergeant First Class Married with Ambush in Ersal on 2 Ibrahim Zahraman 3/4/1981 - Akkar 27/11/2000 2 children 1/2/2013

Tripoli’s clashes on Kawthariyat Al-Rezz/ Soldier Married with 22/3/2013. 12 th Infantry 3 Wissam Adham Diab 17/10/1974 Brigade- Tyre 27/12/2008 2 children The perpetrator has Battalion 122 been convicted.

Ali Hassan Beit Abi Salibi/ Soldier First Class Tripoli’s clashes 12 th Infantry 4 15/9/1984 Single Brigade- Shahadeh Shmostar 15/9/2006 20/5/2013 Battalion 121 Soldier on ex- Omar Mahmoud Tripoli’s clashes 12 th Infantry 5 Fekha/Baalbeck 16/1/1991 tended duty since Single Brigade- Haj Omar 20/5/2013 11/9/2009 Battalion 122

Mohammad Radwan Soldier Wadi Hmayed, Ersal 6th Infantry 6 Berqayel/Akkar 1/3/1987 Married Brigade- Sharafeddine 3/11/2008 28/5/2013 Battalion 62 Soldier on ex- Mostafa Khaled Beir Al-Feqs/ Wadi Hmayed, Ersal 6th Infantry 7 11/6/1990 tended duty since Single Brigade- Hayek Mennieh-Dennieh 28/5/2013 24/1/2012 Battalion 62

Soldier on ex- Wadi Hmayed, Ersal 6th Infantry 8 Ali Adnan Monther Hosh Hala/Zahle 4/7/1992 tended duty since Single Brigade- 28/5/2013 24/1/2012 Battalion 62 1st Infantry First Lieutenant Abra Brigade- 9 Samer Jerjes Tanios Rmaich/Bint Jbeil 19/6/1985 Single 10/10/2003 23/6/2013 Brigade Commander Ras Baalbeck/ Lieutenant Married with Abra 10 George Abou Saab 23/2/1970 Commando Baalbeck 1/3/1987 4 children 23/6/2013 Regiment

Tony Youssed Khorbet Al-Jerd/ Sergeant First Class Married with Abra 11 25/6/1984 Commando Al-Hazoury Akkar 16/2/2004 a child 24/6/2013 Regiment

Omar Haitham Sergeant Abra 12 Tripoli 1/2/1986 Married Commando Youssef 24/4/2005 24/6/2013 Regiment

Ibrahim Mouder Sergeant Married with Abra 13 Barja/ Shouf 29/8/1985 Commando Al-Barraj 15/9/2006 a child 24/6/2013 Regiment

Sergeant Abra 1st Infantry 14 Ali Adnan Al-Masri Al-Khodr/ Baalbeck 1/12/1987 Single Brigade- 4/12/2007 23/6/2013 Battalion 14 Sergeant Abra 15 Ali Adnan Hamzah Al-Khodr/ Baalbeck 16/3/1989 Married Commando 18/8/2008 24/6/2013 Regiment

Abdul Karim Corporal Married with Abra 8th Infantry 16 Kfarzabad/ Zahle 18/2/1980 Brigade- Qabalan Touaimy 26/2/2008 2 children 23/6/2013 Battalion 83 Soldier First Class Abra 1st Infantry 17 Taleb Hassan Mama Tripoli 3/1/1980 Married Brigade- 4/9/2006 24/6/2013 Battalion 12

issue 153 | April 2015 6 | LEADER

Lebanese Army victims by name, birthplace, rank, social status, place of death and military unit Table 3

Rank & Social Date and Name Birthplace Date of birth Military unit date of enrollment status place of death

Soldier First Class Married with Abra 8th Infantry 18 Rami Ali Al-Khabbaz Qalamoun/ Tripoli 24/8/1981 Brigade- 26/2/2008 a child 23/6/2013 Battalion 82 Soldier Married with Abra 1st Infantry 19 Bilal Ali Saleh Brital/ Baalbeck 6/4/1985 Brigade- 3/11/2008 2 children 23/6/2013 Battalion 12 Wissam Saleh Soldier Married with Abra 8th Infantry 20 Ain Ata/ Rashaya 5/2/1975 Brigade- Hamdan 26/12/2009 4 children 23/6/2013 Battalion 82 Mohammad Habib Soldier Abra 21 Hermel/ Hermel 1/1/1989 Single Commando Husseini 25/9/2009 24/6/2013 Regiment

Johnny Antoine Soldier Abra 22 Bsharri 17/1/1991 Single Commando Nqoula 16/7/2009 23/6/2013 Regiment

Soldier Abra 23 Elie Nqoula Rahmeh Tyre 20/1/1991 Single Commando 9/2/2011 23/6/2013 Regiment

Beqa’a Sofrin/ Soldier Abra 24 Ibrahim Khodr Deeb 1/4/1991 Single Commando Mennieh-Dennieh 9/11/2011 26/6/2013 Regiment

Soldier Abra 25 Ahmad Ali Gharib Akkar Al-Atiqa/ Akkar 1/7/1992 Single Commando 1/4/2011 24/6/2013 Regiment

Recruit on extended Abra 8th Infantry 26 Bilal Abdulla Edris Knaisseh/ Akkar 20/11/1986 Single Brigade- duty 23/6/2013 Battalion 83 Walid Raafat Nabi Yousha’a Soldier Married with Shot dead in Tripoli 12 th Infantry 27 1/9/1979 Brigade- Alameddine Oubeid Mennieh-Dennieh 14/8/2008 a child 29/6/2013 Battalion 125 Charbel Youssef Soldier Shot dead in Anjar 28 Ebleh/ Zahle 16/4/1993 Single Beqa’a Hatem 14/11/2011 31/7/2013 Intelligence

Shot dead by a Reinforcement Sergeant 29 Youssef Kamal Tripoli 1/3/1983 Married sniper in Tripoli Brigade- 15/9/2006 Anti-armor 28/10/2013 Regiment Soldier Abra 30 Ibrahim El-Aqleh Yarine/ Tyre 16/4/1986 Single Commando 5/10/2010 1/11/2013 Regiment

Majdelyoun near Sergeant Married with 31 Samer Youssef Rizk Al-Qa’a/ Baalbeck 19/5/1985 Saida - 12/9/2005 a child 16/12/2013

Corporal Married with Tripoli’s clashes 8th Infantry 32 Fadi Saqaan Kwasbeh/ Rashaya 11/8/1973 Brigade- 26/12/2009 2 children 16/3/2014 Battalion 81 Attack against army Mahmoud Ibrahim Soldier 12 th Infantry 33 Shmostar/ Baalbeck 9/9/1990 Single checkpoint in Ersal Brigade- Hajj Hassan 30/7/2013 29/3/2014 Battalion 63

Recruit on ex- Attack against army Hussein Souheil Burj Al-Barajinah/ 12 th Infantry 34 22/6/1991 tended duty since Single checkpoint in Ersal Brigade- Hamdar Baabda 3/11/2010 29/3/2014 Battalion 63

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. LEADER | 7

Lebanese Army victims by name, birthplace, rank, social status, place of death and military unit Table 3

Rank & Social Date and Name Birthplace Date of birth Military unit date of enrollment status place of death

Recruit on ex- Attack against army Harat Al-Fawar/ 12 th Infantry 35 Abdul Qader Oueik 1/2/1989 tended duty since Single checkpoint in Ersal Brigade- Zgharta 29/11/2012 29/3/2014 Battalion 63

Warrant Officer Married with Shot dead in Tripoli 36 Fadi Ali Joubeily Haddadine/ Tripoli 1/1/1974 Directorate of 15/7/1997 4 children 27/3/2014 Orientation

Shooting in Fawzi Ibrahim Sergeant First Class 12 th Infantry 37 Aytit/ tyre 20/10/1982 Single Qammoua Brigade- Abd Ali 9/5/2011 8/4/2014 Battalion 21

Shooting in Hokr Sheikh Taba/ First Lieutenant 12 th Infantry 38 Joe Farfour 18/8/1992 Single Qammoua Brigade- Akkar 25/10/2010 8/4/2014 Battalion 21 8th Infantry Noureddine Mehied- Lieutenant Colonel Married with Ersal Brigade- 39 Beirut 28/10/1966 dine Al-Jamal 12/2/1990 3 children 3/8/2014 Commander of Battalion 83 Tahwitat Nahr/ Lieutenant Colonel Married with Ersal 8th Infantry 40 Dany Joseph Harb 21/3/1967 Brigade- Baabda 12/2/1990 2 children 3/8/2014 Battalion 83 5th Intervention Dany Fouad Captain Married with Ersal Regiment- 41 Mina/ Tripoli 14/10/1984 Khairallah 10/10/2003 a child 4/8/2014 Armor Brigade Commander Ali Mohammad Adjutant Married with Ersal Commando 42 Fnaideq/ Akkar 17/8/1984 Al-Kik 17/6/2005 a child 6/8/2014 Regiment

Sergeant Married with Ersal 8th Infantry 43 Yehia Ali Dirani Qasarnaba/ Baalbeck 1/6/1984 Brigade- 26/2/2008 2 children 3/8/2014 Battalion 83 Nader Hassan Mashta Hammoud/ Corporal Married with Ersal 8th Infantry 44 12/1/1981 Brigade- Youssef Akkar 26/2/2008 a child 2/8/2014 Battalion 82 Walid Nassim Corporal Married with Ersal 8th Infantry 45 Kfarzabad/ Zahle 20/12/1987 Brigade- Majdalani 26/2/2008 a child 2/8/2014 Battalion 82 Jaafar Hassan Corporal Ersal 8th Infantry 46 Al-Ain/ Baalbeck 18/3/1986 Single Brigade- Nasereddine 27/12/2008 2/8/2014 Battalion 82 Ibrahim Mohammad Corporal Ersal 8th Infantry 47 Qeb Elias/ Zahle 10/1/1984 Single Brigade- Amouri 24/12/2011 2/8/2014 Battalion 82 Souheil Mohammad Corporal Ersal 8th Infantry 48 Tripoli 10/6/1987 Single Brigade- Hassan Donnawi 26/12/2006 2/8/2014 Battalion 83 Mashta Hammoud/ Corporal Ersal 8th Infantry 49 Omar Walid Nouhaily 1/3/1991 Single Brigade- Akkar 11/3/2013 2/8/2014 Battalion 82 Soldier First Class Married with Ersal 8th Infantry 50 Abdul Hamid Nouh Houeish/ Akkar 20/1/1978 Brigade- 26/2/2008 2 children 2/8/2014 Battalion 82 Ahmad Ali Haj Soldier Ersal 8th Infantry 51 Shawagheer/ Hermel 5/10/1986 Single Brigade- Hassan 26/12/2009 3/8/2014 Battalion 83

issue 153 | April 2015 8 | LEADER

Lebanese Army victims by name, birthplace, rank, social status, place of death and military unit Table 3

Rank & Social Date and Name Birthplace Date of birth Military unit date of enrollment status place of death

Hussein Melhem Soldier First Class Married with Ersal 8th Infa ntry 52 Al-Khodr/ Baalbeck 12/1/1987 Brigade- Hamzeh 27/12/2008 a child 3/8/2014 Battalion 83 Ali Mohammad Soldier Ersal 8th Infantry 53 Tal Hmaira/ Akkar 4/8/1989 Single Brigade- Khadaro 28/4/2014 4/8/2014 Battalion 83 Soldier Ersal 8th 54 Hassan Ali Hamieh Taraya/ Baalbeck 1/2/1994 Single Infantry 20/6/2014 2/8/2014 Brigade

Soldier on ex- Hassan Walid Jdaidet Al-Fakiha/ Ersal 8th Infantry 55 2-9-1992 tended duty since Single Brigade- Mouhieddine Baalbeck 2/8/2014 5/12/2013 Battalion 82

Soldier on ex- Mohammad Ali Jdaidet El-Qayteh/ Ersal 8th Infantry 56 31/7/1993 tended duty since Single Brigade- Al-Ejel Akkar 2/8/2014 5/12/2013 Battalion 82

Soldier on extended Khaldoun Raouf Ersal 8th Infantry 57 Al-Aqbeh/ Rashaya 22/11/1995 duty since Single Brigade- Hamoud 2/8/2014 6/12/2013 Battalion 82

Sergeant Married with Executed by ISIS 8th Infantry 58 Ali Ahmed Sayyed Fnaideq/ akkar 15/7/1985 Brigade- 4/9/2006 a child 28/8/2014 Battalion 84 Ali Ahmad Hamadi Soldier Explosion in Ersal 6th Infantry 59 Saida 25/7/1977 Single Brigade- Al-Kharrat 30/4/2009 19/9/2014 Battalion 63 Mohammad Assem Soldier Explosion in Ersal 6th Infantry 60 Aidamoun/ Akkar 26/3/1992 Single Brigade- Daher 20/6/2014 19/9/2014 Battalion 63 Recruit on ex- Explosion in Ersal 6th Infantry 61 Mahmoud Ali Fadel Younin/ Baalbeck 9/3/1995 tended duty since Single Brigade- 19/9/2014 29/3/2014 Battalion 63

Shooting against Mohammad Khaled Soldier army post in 10th Infantry 62 Tekrit/ Akkar 1/1/1988 Married Brigade- Hussein 27/12/2008 Beddawi, Tripoli Battalion 103 22/9/2014

Defusing a bomb Soldier 1st 63 Alaeddine Oueik Fawar/ Zgharta 1/1/1984 Single in Tripoli Intervention 26/12/2009 Regiment 7/10/2014

Shot dead in Milad Mohammad Soldier Army’s 64 Rihanieh/ Akkar 28/1/1991 Married Rihanieh, Akkar Administrative Al-Issa 4/2/2010 8/10/2014 Office

Gunfire targeting a Lebanese Army Soldier 65 Jamal Jean Hachem Qbayyat/ Akkar 22/7/1995 Single bus on Bireh way - 3/7/2013 in Akkar 17/10/2014

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. LEADER | 9

Lebanese Army victims by name, birthplace, rank, social status, place of death and military unit Table 3

Rank & Social Date and Name Birthplace Date of birth Military unit date of enrollment status place of death

Captain Tripoli 66 Jihad Nabih Habr Ain El-Marj/ Aley 12/11/1985 Single - 8/10/2004 24/10/2014

Firas Mahmoud First Lieutenant Tripoli 67 Mesherfi/ Aley 5/12/1988 Single - Hakim 14/10/2008 24/10/2014

Nadim George Lieutenant Tripoli 68 Kaftoun/ Koura 17/2/1993 Single - Semaan 13/10/2011 24/10/2014

Mohammad Ali Sergeant Tripoli 69 Al-Ram/ Baalbeck 11/5/1983 Single - Noun 15/9/2006 24/10/2014

Ibrahim Fawzi Sergeant Tripoli 70 Hosh Hala/ Baalbeck 1/4/1990 Single - Salhab 20/6/2014 24/10/2014

Dib Mohammad Corporal Tripoli 71 Qerqouf/ Akkar 17/1/1990 Married - Tahsh 9/11/2011 24/10/2014

Safinat Al-Qaiteh/ Soldier Tripoli 72 Ahmad Said Asaad 22/8/1981 Married - Akkar 26/12/2009 24/10/2014

Mohammad Ali Soldier Tripoli 73 Kfatebnit/ Nabatieh 6/11/1992 Single - Yassine 20/6/2014 24/10/2014

Soldier Tripoli 74 Ihab Ali Hellani Baalbeck 6/6/1991 Single - 1/12/2012 24/10/2014

Soldier on extended Tripoli 75 Jaafar Ali Asaad Tripoli 1/10/1988 duty since Single - 24/10/2014 8/2/2011

Soldier on extended Abbas Hikmat Tripoli 76 Shmostar/ Baalbeck 26/6/1993 duty since Single - Ibrahim 24/10/2014 1/7/2014

While defusing 8th Infantry Mahmoud Ali Adjutant 77 Kfarreman/ Nabatied 1/1/1988 Married a bomb in Ersal Brigade- Noureddine 23/4/2005 Reinforcement 3/12/2014 Battalion

Mohammed Ali Soldier Ras Baalbeck 2nd 78 Hnaider/ Akkar 1/10/1989 Single Land Border Suleiman 13/9/2014 2/12/2014 Regiment

Soldier on ex- Mohammed Hussein Ras Baalbeck 2nd 79 Bouday/ Baalbeck 26/9/1992 tended duty since Single Land Border Slim 2/12/2014 Regiment 29/11/2012

Sergeant Married with Ras Baalbeck 2nd 80 Ali Saado Yazbek Shmostar/ Baalbeck 15/4/1981 Land Border 19/4/2001 a child 2/12/2014 Regiment

Moushhad Abbas Soldier Married with Ras Baalbeck 2nd 81 M’allaqa/ Zahle 12/4/1988 Land Border Farah 27/2/2012 a child 2/12/2014 Regiment

Soldier on ex- Ras Baalbeck 2nd 82 Rabih Hussein Hoda Iyat/ Akkar 28/9/1994 tended duty since Single Land Border 2/12/2014 Regiment 15/7/2014

issue 153 | April 2015 10 | LEADER

Lebanese Army victims by name, birthplace, rank, social status, place of death and military unit Table 3

Rank & Social Date and Name Birthplace Date of birth Military unit date of enrollment status place of death

Recruit on extended Ali ahmad Ras Baalbeck 83 Habshit/ Akkar 7/12/1994 duty since Single - Mohammad 2/12/2014 1/7/2014

Ahmad Mahmoud First Lieutenant Ras Baalbeck 84 Dawras/ Baalbeck 15/1/1987 Married - Tabeekh 6/11/2006 23/1/2015

Mohammad Niazi Sergeant Married with Ras Baalbeck 85 Al-Kwakh/ Hermel 20/6/1983 - Nassereddine 14/11/2006 a child 23/1/2015

Recruit on ex- Hassan Ramadan Ras Baalbeck 86 Tekrit/ Akkar 25/3/1992 tended duty since Single - Deeb 23/1/2015 18/6/2011

Recruit on extended Mohammad Ali Ras Baalbeck 87 Jdaideh/ Marjeyoun 11/2/1995 duty since Single - Alaeddine 23/1/2015 4/12/2013

Soldier Married with Ras Baalbeck 88 Bilal Khodr Ahmad Shan/ Akkar 1/11/1986 - 20/9/2010 a child 23/1/2015

Soldier Ras Baalbeck 89 Ahmad Yehia Danni Saadnayel/ Zahle 20/11/1988 Single - 30/7/2013 23/1/2015

Soldier Ras Baalbeck 90 Hassan Ali Wehbi Nabha/ Baalbeck 11/4/1991 Single - 13/9/1994 23/1/2015

Recruit on extended Mojtaba Imad Ras Baalbeck 91 Meqneh/ Baalbeck 1/1/1993 duty since Single - Amhaz 23/1/2015 2/7/2014

Source: Al-Jaysh Magazine

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PUBLIC SECTOR | 11 STATE-OWNED PROPERTY IN BEIRUT SUFFICIENT FOR ALL ADMINISTRATIONS; WHY RESORT TO RENTING?

$ 6 6! #67

These rents increase periodically according to rent laws that authorize landlords to impose the rental increases The state-owned plots of land in Beirut Table 1 Real-estate zone No. of plot Owner vacate their units, which adds further costs to the state. Solutions are not as complicated as one may think. As Ashrafieh 1517 Lebanese State a matter of fact, the administrative bodies charged with "$' Ashrafieh 1773 Lebanese State and Guidance Administration, have brought forward the Directorate General of Telephone Ashrafieh 3755 $$* Authority owned land or using state-owned buildings. Ashrafieh 4129 Lebanese State

Table 1 illustrates the state-owned plots of land in State’s private property- Ministry Ashrafieh 4365 Beirut. Some of these plots are vacant; some include of Education and Higher Education $ Ashrafieh 4746 Lebanese State + Ashrafieh 4886 Lebanese State The state-owned plots of land in Beirut Table 1 Ashrafieh 4887 Lebanese State Real-estate zone No. of plot Owner Ashrafieh 4888 Lebanese State Ashrafieh 518 Lebanese State Ashrafieh 4889 Lebanese State Ashrafieh 584 Banque du Liban Ashrafieh 4890 Lebanese State General Directorate of Islamic Ashrafieh 859 Awqaf Ashrafieh 4891 Lebanese State

Ashrafieh 905 Treasury Ashrafieh 4892 Lebanese State

Ashrafieh 975 Banque du Liban Ashrafieh 4893 Lebanese State

Ashrafieh 976 Banque du Liban Ashrafieh 4894 Lebanese State

Ashrafieh 1027 Ministry of Finance Ashrafieh 4895 Lebanese State

Ashrafieh 1028 Ministry of Finance Ashrafieh 4930 Lebanese State

Ashrafieh 1350 Lebanese State Ashrafieh 5201 Banque du Liban

Ashrafieh 1351 Lebanese State Ashrafieh 5269 Ministry of Finance

Ashrafieh 1352 Lebanese State Ashrafieh 5487 Lebanese State

issue 153 | April 2015 12 | PUBLIC SECTOR

The state-owned plots of land in Beirut Table 1 The state-owned plots of land in Beirut Table 1

Real-estate zone No. of plot Owner Real-estate zone No. of plot Owner

State’s private property- Ministry Bashoura 154 Al-Marfaa 1264 Lebanese State of Education and Higher Education Al-Marfaa 1265 Public port properties Ministry of Education and Higher Rmeil 1258 Education Al-Marfaa 1311 Lebanese State Al-Saifi 1117 Ministry of Finance Al-Marfaa 1312 Lebanese State Al-Saifi 529 Ministry of Finance Al-Marfaa 1337 Lebanese State Al-Saifi 1085 Lebanese State Al-Marfaa 1339 Lebanese State Al-Mdawwar 162 Public port properties Al-Marfaa 1340 Lebanese State Al-Mdawwar 167 Public port properties Lebanese 1341 Lebanese State Republic Al-Mdawwar 183 Public port properties Al-Marfaa 1343 Lebanese State Al-Mdawwar 184 Public port properties Al-Marfaa 1345 Public port properties Al-Mdawwar 190 Public port properties Al-Marfaa 1346 Lebanese State Al-Mdawwar 245 Ministry of Finance Al-Marfaa 1374 Banque du Liban Al-Mdawwar 297 Lebanese State Al-Marfaa 1378 Banque du Liban Council of Construction Projects - Al-Mdawwar 805 Lebanese Republic Al-Marfaa 1378 Banque du Liban Council of Construction Projects - Al-Mdawwar 809 Lebanese Republic Al-Marfaa 1378 Banque du Liban

Council of Construction Projects - Al-Mdawwar 823 Al-Marfaa 1378 Banque du Liban Lebanese Republic Al-Marfaa 1378 Banque du Liban Council of Construction Projects - Al-Mdawwar 830 Lebanese Republic Al-Marfaa 1378 Banque du Liban Al-Mdawwar 1382 Lebanese State Al-Marfaa 1378 Banque du Liban Al-Marfaa 186 Ministry of Finance Al-Marfaa 1378 Banque du Liban Al-Marfaa 441 Lebanese State Al-Marfaa 1378 Banque du Liban Government of the Lebanese Al-Marfaa 1158 Republic Al-Marfaa 1378 Banque du Liban

Al-Marfaa 1230 Lebanese State Al-Marfaa 1385 Lebanese State

Al-Marfaa 1261 Lebanese State Lebanese State- Public port Al-Marfaa 1414 properties Al-Marfaa 1262 Public port properties Al-Marfaa 1436 Lebanese State Al-Marfaa 1263 Public port properties Al-Marfaa 1442 Public port properties

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PUBLIC SECTOR | 13

The state-owned plots of land in Beirut Table 1 The state-owned plots of land in Beirut Table 1

Real-estate zone No. of plot Owner Real-estate zone No. of plot Owner

General Directorate of Islamic Al-Marfaa 1444 Lebanese State Al-Mazraa 3529 Awqaf Al-Marfaa 1445 Lebanese State Al-Mazraa 3652 Banque du Liban Al-Marfaa 1446 Lebanese State Al-Mazraa 4203 Ministry of National Defense The Association for Mosque Al-Mazraa 116 Construction and Renovation Al-Mazraa 4204 Ministry of National Defense

Al-Mazraa 425 Banque du Liban The Association for Mosque Al-Mazraa 4313 Construction and Renovation Ministry of Interior- Directorate headed by the Grand Mufti Al-Mazraa 623 General of General security Al-Mazraa 4332 Ministry of National Defense Al-Mazraa 624 Ministry of Interior Al-Mazraa 4350 Banque du Liban Al-Mazraa 643 Lebanese State Al-Mazraa 4902 Ministry of National Defense General Directorate for Islamic Al-Mazraa 752 Awqaf Al-Mazraa 5244 Banque du Liban General Directorate for Sunni Al-Mazraa 797 Ministry of Postal Services, Islamic Awqaf in Beirut Al-Mazraa 5264 Telegraph and Telephone Ministry of Postal Services, Telecommunications Al-Mazraa 1114 Telegraph and Telephone Al-Mazraa 5585 Lebanese State Telecommunications

State’s private property- Ministry Al-Mazraa 5586 Lebanese State Al-Mazraa 1230 of Education and Higher Education Al-Mazraa 5587 Lebanese State State’s private property- Ministry Al-Mazraa 1619 of Education and Higher Education Al-Mazraa 5588 Lebanese State State’s private property- Ministry Al-Mazraa 1619 Al-Mazraa 5742 Lebanese State – Cité Sportive of Education and Higher Education

Al-Mazraa 1923 Lebanese State Al-Mazraa 5802 Lebanese State- Ministry of Interior General Directorate of Islamic Al-Mazraa 1934 Ministry of National Defense Al-Mazraa 5803 Awqaf General Directorate of Islamic Al-Mazraa 2144 Lebanese State- Ministry of Postal Awqaf Al-Mazraa 5829 Services, Telegraph and Telephone State’s private property- Ministry Telecommunications Al-Mazraa 2205 of Education and Higher Education General Directorate of Islamic Msaytbeh 294 Al-Mazraa 2391 Banque du Liban Awqaf in Beirut Msaytbeh 406 Banque du Liban Al-Mazraa 2549 Lebanese state Msaytbeh 406 Banque du Liban Al-Mazraa 2920 Ministry of National Defense

Lebanese State- Authority of Msaytbeh 523 Banque du Liban Al-Mazraa 3240 Electricity and Public Transport Msaytbeh 582 Lebanese State

issue 153 | April 2015 14 | PUBLIC SECTOR

The state-owned plots of land in Beirut Table 1 The state-owned plots of land in Beirut Table 1

Real-estate zone No. of plot Owner Real-estate zone No. of plot Owner

Msaytbeh 1486 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 4002 Banque du Liban

Msaytbeh 1576 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 4054 Banque du Liban

Msaytbeh 1602 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 4266 Banque du Liban

Directorate General of Telephone Msaytbeh 1737 Msaytbeh 4395 Ministry of National Defense Authority Msaytbeh 4437 Banque du Liban Lebanese State- Ministry of Msaytbeh 1755 National Defense Msaytbeh 4511 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 2003 Lebanese State Msaytbeh 4625 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 2043 Lebanese State Msaytbeh 4661 Lebanese State Msaytbeh 2045 Lebanese State Msaytbeh 4662 Lebanese State General Directorate of Islamic Msaytbeh 2087 Awqaf Msaytbeh 4761 Lebanese State

Msaytbeh 2082 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 4941 Banque du Liban

Msaytbeh 2083 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 2321 Banque du Liban

Msaytbeh 2455 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 2321 Banque du Liban

Msaytbeh 2968 Ministry of National Defense Ras Beirut 2321 Banque du Liban

General Directorate of Islamic Msaytbeh 2969 Ministry of National Defense Ras Beirut 2410 Awqaf Msaytbeh 3097 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 2838 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 3154 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 2974 Lebanese State Msaytbeh 3154 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 2977 Lebanese State Msaytbeh 3422 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 2980 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 3652 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 2990 Lebanese State Msaytbeh 3652 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 3139 Lebanese State Msaytbeh 3661 Banque du Liban State’s private property- Ministry Ras Beirut 3190 Msaytbeh 3898 Banque du Liban of Education and Higher Education

Msaytbeh 3838 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 3438 Banque du Liban

Msaytbeh 3899 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 3500 Banque du Liban

Msaytbeh 3901 Banque du Liban Ministry of Postal Services, Ras Beirut 3661 Telegraph and Telephone Msaytbeh 4002 Banque du Liban Telecommunications

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PUBLIC SECTOR | 15

The state-owned plots of land in Beirut Table 1 The state-owned plots of land in Beirut Table 1

Real-estate zone No. of plot Owner Real-estate zone No. of plot Owner

Ras Beirut 3675 Banque du Liban Mina Hosn 1428 Lebanese State

Ras Beirut 3675 Banque du Liban Mina Hosn 1433 Lebanese State

Ras Beirut 3675 Banque du Liban Mina Hosn 1434 Lebanese State

Ras Beirut 3754 Banque du Liban Mina Hosn 1435 Lebanese State Ras Beirut 3754 Banque du Liban Mina Hosn 1436 Lebanese State General Directorate of Islamic Zqaq Blat 1046 Awqaf Msaytbeh 4985 Banque du Liban Ain Mrayseh 181 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 4985 Banque du Liban Ain Mrayseh 181 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 4985 Banque du Liban Ain Mrayseh 181 Banque du Liban

Msaytbeh 4985 Banque du Liban Ain Mrayseh 705 Lebanese State

Ain Mrayseh 706 Lebanese State Msaytbeh 4985 Banque du Liban

Ain Mrayseh 996 Lebanese State Msaytbeh 4985 Banque du Liban

Ain Mrayseh 1039 State’s private property Msaytbeh 4985 Banque du Liban

Ain Mrayseh 1042 Lebanese State Msaytbeh 4985 Banque du Liban

Mina Hosn 657 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 4985 Banque du Liban Mina Hosn 661 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 4997 Banque du Liban Mina Hosn 675 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 5022 Banque du Liban Mina Hosn 675 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 40 Banque du Liban Mina Hosn 675 Banque du Liban Msaytbeh 62 Lebanese Republic Lebanese State- Ministry of Postal Mina Hosn 773 Services, Telegraph and Telephone Telecommunications Ras Beirut 84 Banque du Liban

Mina Hosn 1400 Lebanese State Ras Beirut 208 Banque du Liban

Mina Hosn 1428 Lebanese State

issue 153 | April 2015 16 | PUBLIC SECTOR

The state-owned plots of land in Beirut Table 1 The state-owned plots of land in Beirut Table 1

Real-estate zone No. of plot Owner Real-estate zone No. of plot Owner

State’s private property- Ministry Ras Beirut 287 Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban of Education and Higher Education

State’s private property- Ministry Ras Beirut 288 Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban of Education and Higher Education

State’s private property- Ministry Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 289 of Education and Higher Education Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 500 Lebanese State

Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 586 Lebanese State

Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 631 Lebanese State

Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 730 Banque du Liban

Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban

Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban Lebanese State- Authority of Ras Beirut 846 Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban Electricity and Public Transport

Ras Beirut 1359 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban

Ras Beirut 1359 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban General Directorate of Islamic Ras Beirut 2205 Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban Awqaf in Beirut

Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban Ras Beirut 2321 Banque du Liban

Source: Cabinet’s minutes Ras Beirut 771 Banque du Liban

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PUBLIC SECTOR | 17 1014 MUNICIPALITIES IN LEBANON: LBP 4500 BILLION FROM THE INDEPENDENT MUNICIPAL FUND LBP 1600 BILLION FROM TELECOMS REVENUES

6 6 ;6< # 7 67# ; # &6 #6

= A municipality is formed by virtue of a decision issued by the Minister of Interior and Municipalities upon an <+$$$ $+$$=>@ VXZ@"Z@XVXX>$VX[\]X@^$_@@^+&_@V@" the number of municipalities stood at 964 before it reached 1014 at the end of February 2015. By Qada’a, these municipalities are distributed as illustrated in Table 1. It may be noted that the largest number of new municipalities was in the Qada’as of Jbeil, Akkar, Mennieh-Dennieh, Tyre and Baalbeck.

Distribution of municipalities by Qada’a and Mohafaza (1970-2015) Table 1 No. of Municipalities No. of Municipalities No. of Municipalities No. of Municipalities No. of Municipalities Qada’a currently 1970 1998 2004 2010 (End of February 2015) Beirut 1 1 1 1 1

Baabda 39 44 45 45 45

Jbeil 10 21 36 37 39

Aley 49 52 55 55 57

Shouf 57 70 72 73 74

Metn 43 43 48 51 54

Kessrouan 30 39 48 52 53

Mount Lebanon - Total 228 269 304 313 322

issue 153 | April 2015 18 | PUBLIC SECTOR

Tripoli 3 3 3 3 3

Zgharta 21 29 31 31 31

Mennieh-Dennieh 10 18 25 33 34

Bsharri 10 10 11 11 12

Batroun 17 19 22 24 29

Koura 21 30 34 34 34

Akkar 23 48 86 102 122

North Lebanon - Total 105 157 212 238 265

Saida 24 30 42 46 47

Tyre 16 20 56 60 61

Jezzine 29 29 35 35 36

South Lebanon - Total 69 79 133 141 144

Nabatieh 25 31 38 39 39

Bint Jbeil 20 22 36 36 36

Marjeyoun 12 14 26 26 26

Hasbaya 14 14 15 15 16

Nabatieh - Total 71 81 115 116 117

Zahle 25 26 28 29 29

Baalbeck 35 43 53 64 71

Western Beqa’a 19 25 28 30 31

Rashaya 25 26 26 26 26

Hermel 2 2 4 6 8

Beqa’a - Total 106 122 139 155 165

Grand Total 580 709 904 964 1014

Source: Decisions issued by the Minister of Interior and Municipalities- Official Gazette

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PUBLIC SECTOR | 19

R8 Municipalities’ share of the To cover expenses, the municipalities obtain their funds Independent Municipal Fund between Table 2 from different sources: 1993 and 2012 Direct collection of fees (fees for granting construction Year Amount (LBP billion) licenses, public works license fees, fees on houses and institutions) 1993 and 1994 87.5 Fees collected by the government for the account of 1995 51.2 municipalities including: 1996 47.5 An increment on the value of consumed water on subscribers within the boundaries of each 1997 182.9 municipality. Municipalities obtain those fees from 1998 and 1999 385 the Ministry of Energy and Water. 2000 447.4 An increment on the value of used electricity on 2001 191 electricity subscribers within the boundaries of each municipality. However, municipalities are not 2002 191 receiving their share from electricity bills because 2003 238.7 they are indebted to Electricite du Liban. 2004 193.3

An increment on the value of communications on 2005 209.8 telephone subscribers. 2006 277.2

Other fees (customs fees, etc) collected by the state 2007 267.7 for the account of municipalities and allocated to each municipality depending on the size of its direct 2008 286.8 collection and the number of its residents. Decree 2009 382.4 no. 1917 of 1979 and its amendments established the manner of distribution and these amounts are 2010 447.4 deposited in the Independent Municipal Fund. 2011 398.6

Since the introduction of mobile phones, a share of their 2012 468.4 mobile revenues has been assigned to municipalities. Grand Total 4.544

However, the dispute over the allocation of the said Source: Decrees on the distribution of IMF funds- Official Gazette revenues- since mobile phone communications are $ $ * $ the distribution of the funds. Thus, the Ministry of Telecommunications used to transfer these funds to the Treasury without determining the share owed to municipalities and it turned out, according to audits, that this share has amounted to LBP 1,600 billion between 1994 and 2014. Negotiations are currently under way over the payment mechanism and whether the funds should be paid directly to municipalities by the Ministry of Telecoms or transferred to the Ministry of Finance to be paid.

The Independent Municipal Fund allocations amounted to LBP 4,544 billion (roughly USD 3 billion) between 1993 and 2012. Table 2 illustrates these allocations by year. Beirut Municipality

issue 153 | April 2015 20 | PUBLIC SECTOR IS LEBANON STILL A FRANCOPHONE COUNTRY?

')*#par excellence6%;' (#66?6# 6" ($)*)+#" (!"!

= Between 1996 and 2013, the number of pre-university students increased from 829,338 to 975,695, i.e. by 146,357 students or 17.6%, with students in public schools accounting for 30% of the total student population. If measured by language, however, the percentage of students studying French as their primary foreign language dropped from 69.71% to 56.16%. Conversely, the percentage of students learning English rose from 30.29% to 43.95%. Should $"_@__* 2023 would be English rather than French as illustrated in Table 1.

Evolution of numbers of pre-university students by foreign language Table 1 French as the 1st English as the 1st Scholarly year Number of students % % foreign language foreign language 1995-1996 829,338 578,185 69.71 251,153 30.29

1996-1997 864,087 600,955 69.55 263,132 30.45

1999-2000 877,120 591,667 67.5 285,453 32.5

2003-2004 918,611 595,151 64.8 323,460 35.2

2006-2006 911,314 579,402 63.6 331,912 36.4

2007-2008 908,201 567,081 62.5 341,120 37.5

2009-2010 942,391 553,407 58.7 388,984 41.3

2010-2011 937,930 542,029 57.8 395,901 42.2

2011-2012 937,930 542,029 57.8 395,901 42.2

2012-2013 975,695 547,878 56.15 428,817 43.95

Source: Educational Center for Research and Development

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PUBLIC SECTOR | 21

' In the scholarly year 2012-2013, public school students totaled 299,245, of which 187,300 learned French as their "[_+[{$$+|$% 111,945, making 37.4% of the student community.

Conversely, private sector schools accommodated 516,627 students, of which 55.6% - 287,661 students- were Francophone and 44.4%- 228,966- were Anglophone.

As for private free schools, the total population of 127,846 students was divided between 71,279 students learning French and 56,567 learning English, accounting for 55.7% and 44.2% respectively.

In contrast, the Francophone student population ten years ago, in the scholarly year 1995-1996 was distributed as follows: 78.1% of the total student population in public schools, 65% in private free schools and 66.3% in private schools.

}$~[_+[{]" proportion goes down to 55.7% both in free and fee-paying private schools. However, the decline in the number of $$ |+

issue 153 | April 2015 22 | PUBLIC SECTOR PROFITS OF MERCHANTS ESTABLISHED BY LAW BUT UNENFORCED DUE TO ABSENCE OF GOVERNMENT

%'% 6## 6 '/@ 66'66 #6

A close examination of this issue shows that the Article 6 of Legislative Decree no. 73 dated September 9, $ " 1983 established that the Minister of Economy and Trade is merchants take advantage of the absence of supervision eligible to determine the maximum fees charged in exchange and accountability to overstep them. Ironically, all for services and the maximum prices of goods, materials this happens in a country that takes pride in its free $$$$ economic system, which, in principle, should pave way $+ for free competition rather than monopoly and reduce prices rather than raise them. Article 7 of the said Decree also stipulated that the goods, materials and crops produced locally or imported, to which A $$" Lebanon has several legislations (laws, decrees and may not be sold at more than double the prime cost at best. decisions) to prevent monopoly, promote market $$+ Maximum allowed profit rates in whole- Of these is Decision no. 277 dated June 15, 1972, sale trade, semi wholesale and retail by Table 1 which was issued by Anwar Sabbah, the then Minister category (%) | $ Semi Commodity Wholesale wholesale Retail $$ they were being sold: wholesale, semi-wholesale or Oils and fatty substances retail (see Table 1). Butter 7 7 10 Food fats and lipids 7 7 10 The decision stipulated that ‘local producers and major Margarine 7 7 10 merchants, whether they are importers, agents or $$ Hydrogenated oils 7 7 10 rate set for wholesale trade.’ Some commodities such as Edible Oils 7 7 10 fuel, bread and medicines were excluded from Decision _ZZ$ Yogurt 7 7 10 determined by special decisions. Unfortunately though, Cheese 7 7 10 Decision 277 was never taken seriously and a strategy Dried milk powder 7 7 10 of free prices prevailed instead. Meat and Canned Fish On October 16, 2006, Decision 263 AD came out to Frozen meat 5 5 10 repeal Decision 277 and lay down different rates, but Canned meat 5 5 10 Minister Mohammad Safadi issued Decision 193/1/A.T on October 26, 2010 reinstating Decision 277. Canned Sardines 5 5 10

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PUBLIC SECTOR | 23

Maximum allowed profit rates in whole- Maximum allowed profit rates in wholesale trade, semi wholesale and retail by Table 1 sale trade, semi wholesale and retail by Table 1 category (%) category (%) Semi Semi Commodity Wholesale wholesale Retail Commodity Wholesale wholesale Retail Canned Tuna 5 5 10 Confectionary and sweets

Fresh meat 5 5 10 Chocolate 10 10 15

Cereals and derivatives/Fodder cereals Dragée 10 10 15

Wheat 5 5 10 Drops/sweets 10 10 15

Flour 5 5 10 Caramel 10 10 15

Rice 5 5 10 Biscuits 10 10 15 Oriental sweets 10 10 15 Lentils 5 5 10 Western pastries 10 10 15 Chickpeas 5 5 10 Soap and derivatives

Dry beans 5 5 10 Locally made soap 7 10 15 Detergents and Haricot beans 5 5 10 washing powder 7 10 15 Dry peas 5 5 10 Imported soap 7 10 15 Fodder (barley, Shaving cream and maize, cracked toothpaste 7 10 15 barley, wheat bran, 5 5 10 ervil seeds) Textiles and clothing Fruit, vegetables and their derivatives Cotton underwear 10 10 15

Fresh vegetables 7 10 15 Silk underwear 10 10 15

Fresh fruit 7 10 15 Socks 10 10 15

Potato 7 10 15 Towels 10 10 15

Red onions 7 10 15 Grey/raw fabrics 10 10 15

White onions 7 10 15 Footwear 10 10 15

Garlic 7 10 15 Handbags 10 10 15

Canned vegetables 7 10 15 Miscellaneous

Canned jams 7 10 15 Coffee beans

Tomato paste 7 10 15 Tea 7 10 15

Nuts Alcohol 7 10 15

Walnuts 10 10 15 Vinegar 7 10 15

Almonds 10 10 15 Local liquors 7 10 15

Cashew nuts 10 10 15 Imported liquors 7 10 15

Pine seeds 10 10 15 Toilet paper 7 10 15 Pistachio 10 10 15

Peanuts 10 10 15 These maximum rates include the general costs and Seeds 10 10 15 are calculated based on the sale price, taking into Roasted chickpeas 10 10 15 account legal taxes on goods and transport fees.

issue 153 | April 2015 24 | PUBLIC SECTOR LBP 11 BILLION TO ESTABLISH A COURTROOM IN ROUMIEH PRISON FOT THE TRIAL OF FATAH AL-ISLAM DETAINEES

Prison overcrowding is becoming a serious concern for both the inmates and the state !% 6 8#'R# .':C**#6+DE 8.6&**

6 Since 2007, the government has been pondering %" solutions for the overcrowding problem affecting most began in September 2013, six years after the government of Lebanon’s prisons: had decreed the establishment of the courtroom. It is not to be overlooked that although this measure solved the Deporting the foreigners who have served their problem of Fatah Al-Islam suspects and other Islamist terms (1250 inmates) inmates, overcrowding remains a huge concern in other Implementing the enforcement of law on sentencing prisons and extra billions should be earmarked to set up obstructed by the lack of judges new premises. Establishing more prisons and expanding existing ones Reducing the prison year to nine months (law approved in 2012)

(!/ In the course of examining the situation in Roumieh prison, a security problem stood out, namely the presence of 223 Fatah Al-Islam suspects arrested during the 2007 Nahr El-Bared clashes along with other Islamist inmates. These inmates place a serious security burden because their terror network extends beyond the Lebanese borders. The head of the central brigade for prisons proposed the construction of a special building within Roumieh Prison for the Fatah Al-Islam inmates, to avoid their interactions with other inmates. The building was to include a courtroom designed to avoid the stern security measures that would otherwise be needed to transport them outside the prison, let alone the delays in starting trials.

"- The Council for Development and Reconstruction was designated to build the new premises including a courtroom, at an estimated cost was of LBP 11 billion.

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. ELECTORAL LAWS | 25 SUDAN’S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 450 MEMBERS, PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION AND WOMEN’S QUOTA

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Much like other countries around the globe, legislative power in Sudan is not limited to a unicameral house. The Sudanese National Assembly consists of 450 seats. Rather, it is vested in two chambers: the National 60% of those (270 seats) will be divided to represent 270 Assembly and the Council of States. geographical constituencies at the level of the republic. The national dividend is calculated by dividing the total Voting age and requirements population of Sudan (35 million) by the number of seats The Sudanese law allows its nationals to practice their _Z@]+$$ voting right from the age of 18 and above, provided that then divided by the national dividend to determine the they register themselves in the electoral register three number of constituency in each of Sudan’s 18 states. months prior to elections and receive an electoral card The candidate who amasses the highest number of votes from the National Elections’ Commission. in each constituency wins the seat.

25% of the seats (113) will be allocated to female The National Elections’ Commission is an independent candidates elected from closed party lists according to entity tasked with supervising the elections. It consists proportional representation in the states. of nine members selected by the Sudanese President of 15% will be allocated to candidates of closed and '$*+ separate party lists in the states according to proportional renewable only once. The Commission was established representation. pursuant to Article 141 of the Sudanese Constitution Any list must have at least 5% of the total vote to qualify and is responsible for putting forth and renewing for the competition. voters’ register, holding presidential and parliamentary elections as well as the elections of the walis (governors) % of states and conducting referendums. +

Candidacy requirements To qualify for the National Assembly, candidates must Sudan’s most recent elections were held in April 2010. be Sudanese and literate of at least 21 years of age. Out of 19.5 million voters, registered voters totaled 15.7 million. The National Congress snatched a majority of 322 seats followed by the Sudan Popular Liberation Candidates running for Parliament must pay a security Movement at 99 seats. The remaining 29 seats were deposit of 100 Sudanese pounds (USD 18) to the distributed over different parties. National Elections’ Commission. The amount shall be refunded to those candidates who amass at least 10% Sudan is expecting new parliamentary elections in of the vote or who withdraw at least 30 days before the April this year, a process that reinforces the path of date of the elections date. democracy despite the economic, political and security crises suffered in the country.

issue 153 | April 2015 26| PROMINENT FORGOTTEN FIGURES

WAJDI MALLAT (1919-2010) FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL

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Birth Wajdi Mallat was born to Chebli Mallat and Marie Elias Chekrallah on November 22, 1919 in Baabda. He had two brothers, Chawki and George. His father, commonly known as the Poet of the Cedars, was born in 1875 and had a career in journalism after studying at the Sagesse and the Thalathat Aqmar School. Chebli Mallat worked for several newspapers such as Al-Arz, An-Naseer and Ar-Rawda and published also his own called Jaridat Al-Watan. He represented Lebanon’s authors in different cultural and literary conferences, including above all the ceremony that paid allegiance to Ahmad Chawki as The Prince of Arabic Poetry where he read his famed poem, Famou el-Mizab, awarding him the title “Poet of the Cedars”. Chebli Mallat died on February 8, 1961.

" Wajdi Mallat studied at the Université Saint Joseph in Beirut and stood out for his mastery of both Arabic and French and the many prizes he received. He later pursued law studies at the French Institute of Law and obtained his degree in 1942. Wajdi Mallat Career $ appointed Minister of Labor and Social Affairs in the renowned jurists, Edmond Kosbar and Youssef Rashid Karami government under President Charles Sawda. In 1949, he started practicing independently _=" VX[= " April 9, 1966. $ Lebanon and the wider Arab World. In 1972, he was elected Head of the Bar Association of Beirut. Two years later, together with prominent Positions Arab lawyers, he helped in the founding of the Arab During his lifetime, Wajdi Mallat earned high-level Organization for Human Rights in Beirut in 1974. political, judicial and unionist positions. He was On May 23, 1993, Parliament elected him to the

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. PROMINENT FORGOTTEN FIGURES |27

membership of the Constitutional Council. He was Wajdi Mallat compiled all his stances and articles voted President of the Council later in 1994, thus into one book entitled Wajdi Mallat’s Stances. It was } $ published by An-Nahar and was divided into three Council. parts:

8 Wajdi Mallat tendered his resignation in 1997 about ? - half way through his six-year term. His resignation - came in protest of the Council’s dismissal of some of “ and that Lebanon is yet to reach the $$$VXX[ parliamentary elections, as a result of the political 6 pressure practiced on its members, let alone the eight- + ; to be a false witness in this newly-born judicial and constitutional entity, which was expected to rectify ” the judicial path in Lebanon and on which the Lebanese were pinning high hopes. He stated that % tackled legal and juristic matters and the Constitutional Council had been prematurely addressed issues such as human rights yesterday and formed and that Lebanon is yet to reach the political today, democracy, the injustices caused by landlords, maturity and democratic development that make way the constitutionality of the Parliament’s extension of for the establishment of an independent constitutional its own term. judiciary. % covered public affairs including A great deal was said about his resignation. Some lawyers, elections, Kamal Jumblat, economy, reported that Wajdi Mallat was fully convinced that government and reform and ways to save democracy three MPs would lose deputyship to be replaced by in Lebanon. other three MPs, but the Constitutional Council’s members bent under pressure and backed down % was dedicated to literature from their position. It was also rumored that Mallat and poetry. Amongst the topics were: the distinction used to face threats whenever he took a decision to of Amine Rihani, Jawad Ousseiran and the judicial dismiss an MP, an allegation which he denied, saying $" that he simply could not get along with the Council’s presence and the generosity of Michel Zakkour. members. ‘There was no intellectual harmony between me and some of the members. They are all ( excellent in terms of morality, mentality and gallantry He married Nouhad Diab and had four children with but there simply was not intellectual, judicial and her: Shibli, Manal, Rayya and Jinan. constitutional compatibility between us’ he said. Death < He died on April 17, 2010 at the age of 91. His Wajdi Mallat published several legal references as funeral ceremony was held at the Maronite Mar well as a compendium on his father entitled The Poet Jerjes Church in Downtown, Beirut, and he was laid of the Cedars: School of National Identity. He also to rest at the family’s cemetery in Baabda. Much like oversaw the publishing of A Collection of Poems, he labored and succeeded quietly furing his lifetime, a compilation enclosing the poetry heritage of his Wajdi Mallat also retreated from life quietly. great-uncle Tamer.

issue 153 | April 2015 28| HEALTH

|Maya Nahoul| HOW TO GAIN WEIGHT HEALTHILY Nutritional Consultant /66# #" 6/R66# 6666### %66#6

Being slightly underweight is not necessarily a : " A lot of our healing, problem. “If you are comfortable, able to function repair and regeneration takes place while we sleep. and exercise, weighing a little less than your ideal A great option that won’t leave you feeling stuffed body weight is not a problem and studies show it is might be a small bowl of pasta salad made with associated with good health outcomes.” 100 percent whole-grain pasta (wheat or a gluten- free alternative), vinaigrette made with extra-virgin Everyone can increase their weight but it takes certain olive oil, chopped or shredded veggies, and a lean eating strategies to get the weight needed without all protein such as beans, chopped chicken breast or an the fat which can accumulate in some places if we eat organic crumbled cheese. sugary and fast food. Tips to Whet Your Appetite Follow these tips to ensure proper weight gaining: When eating just does not appeal to you, there are AR 6 some tricks of the trade that can help stimulate your Your body needs a continuous supply appetite. of energy since it is like an engine that’s always turned on (your heart is always beating, blood is Taking a little walk before eating is one of the many circulating, your brain and muscles are working). $$$$+ hungry, choosing your favorite comfort foods may ) " Always aim for at help. So can jazzing up foods with spices and herbs to least three food groups. Instead of just a banana + or handful of nuts, top a few slices of whole grain toast with peanut butter and bananas, along with a <" " $+ % glass of organic skimmed milk or a milk substitute liquids separately to help make room for nourishing (soya, hemp, etc.). A wider varied diet provides foods. your body with a broader spectrum of nutrients to work with throughout the day.

+ " # The best way to rack up extra nutrition without having to eat huge quantities of food or resort to junk is to choose nutrient-rich foods that pack a lot of carbs, protein or fat into a small serving.

If you have a normal cholesterol level, you can enjoy extra calories by choosing full-fat dairy products.

E A< food, so when you are trying to gain weight, they can add nutrition without making you feel stuffed or bloated.

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. [email protected] INTERVIEW |29

THE MONTHLY INTERVIEWS

BARBARA BATLOUNI

AMIDEAST COUNTRY DIRECTOR

<6/A"%' 6-AI AMIDEAST, as an organization, started in 1951, and $ VX[>+ in Lebanon non-stop ever since and we are one of the few American organizations that stayed during the entire period of the war in order to continue serving people in Lebanon all of those years. As you can see, we have deep roots in Lebanon. I have been Director of AMIDEAST/ Lebanon since 1998, and It has been an incredible journey. I feel fortunate to have a role in so many diverse projects and services that help young students and professionals in achieving their ambitions, and I have a chance to meet many great people all over the country. Barbara Batlouni

?6/A"%' JI researching the institutions that might offer scholarships Helping people who are interested in higher education " a growing need. We have helped many students not just the organization was opened in Lebanon. We have win admissions to leading US universities, but also win helped several generations of Lebanese access colleges $+ and universities in the US, which number over 4500 accredited institutions. The strength of the US system is K 6 6 ' $R @ - %"" or their diverse interests, such as combining two or three &I different majors to develop a certain expertise. In fact, we administer more than 27,000 tests each year, both computer- and paper-based. Most people know us The Education USA Center at AMIDEAST is one for the college admission tests, but one of the trends I of over 400 centers supported by the US government have seen over the time I have been Country Director is around the world to make sure there are professional $} and unbiased advisors available to help everybody. * So we have professional advisors who help students Accountant (CMA®), Project Management navigate all stages of the university application Professional® (PMP®), United States . Medical system. One key feature that distinguishes our work is |""& that we are not an agent of any one school. We work System Auditor (CISA), etc. There are literally hundreds based on what we believe is the right option for all $ " $+ are delivered through the computer based test centers represent them all and help them connect with the right which we host. GRE®, MCAT®, TOEFL® and SAT® schools. This professional counseling service is free are the most widely known academic tests. People are to everybody. Our Advisors travel all over the country often surprised to know that even though we administer to provide workshops, and individuals can come and the tests AMIDEAST does not have access to students’ $ scores; they are linked to privacy laws in the US where questions about the application process. We also help in the tests are developed.

issue 153 | April 2015 30| INTERVIEW

<"I 583 school principals in a 9-month leadership curriculum) We began offering English language courses in 1980 and and Extra-curricular Activities (117 schools have been have served many different types of people over the years. served so far). A new program, Improved Basic Education We have courses open to the public based on each person’s Services Program, was just launched a few months ago, current level of English . Usually we have a very interesting and will focus on early grade reading literacy for students and diverse mix in classes, from housewives to doctors, in elementary school and access for students who are not from bank employees to engineers, in fact, people from all in school, both Lebanese and refugee children. walks of life and backgrounds. Some of the English courses are sponsored by different companies or institutions for Other programs we are proud of include the professional their employees. We offer training for different companies, training programs we offer. We have a very popular institutions and NGOs which have a target pool of people workshop on social media and other workshops on project +% management, Human Resource management, and several the Institute of Finance, training employees in the Ministry soft skills workshops. We also have a really strong program and, more broadly, in the public sector where we provide $$ " the English training at their premises. years ago, as part of a global initiative with the technology company Cisco. We are helping people in Lebanon who Among the English programs we have launched is an want to start or grow their businesses. We offer very hands- important program with the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon: $%$$$ the English Access Microscholarship Program, which of establishing a business from the business plan process, provides English training each year for 1160 teenagers registration requirements, legalities, marketing, and all key -- all of them public school students -- in 58 different aspects of running a business.. And all of the curriculum villages throughout Lebanon. This project is designed $ R + $ $ provide ongoing support, mentoring and linkages, and have Lebanon in a two-year adventure of learning and already helped several hundred aspiring entrepreneurs. empowerment. AMIDEAST has just graduated the 9th "$ ?66I to be very helpful for their future studies and careers. If you look at the map where AMIDEAST works, you will see that many of the countries we work in have faced / unrest and war including Lebanon. But we have a long- $#6" term commitment to these countries. Certainly security I problems affect our work. For example, we launch a There are some public schools that teach languages very project and have a clear work plan but when security well, and there are others that don’t. Most importantly, just problems erupt, we have to make a plan B, and sometimes because a school is private, it does not necessarily mean the a plan C. With the Access program for example, we plan school is better. One has to look school by school to determine activities throughout the year where we try to bring the language competencies. It is important not to generalize students from all regions together but sometimes, unrest about public and private schools, and instead to look at key forces some students to miss these activities if parents issues that affect the quality of the education, such as the feel it is not safe for their children to come. leadership of the school, the abilities of the teachers, and the level of community support there is for the school. <I $ < M; $+" I million dollars per year. AMIDEAST is proud to implement Each AMIDEAST program has its own timeline, budget, a number of programs with funding from the US government "}+& and US embassy, and this represents approximately half of is a pool of about two dozen programs and services every our annual revenue. The other half comes from corporations, year. Typically, the large-scale development projects foundations and private donors. Our work to help entrepreneurs have bigger budgets, and we are currently working on is a good example of how other donors are allowing us to three different USAID-funded projects in the country in contribute to this important need in the country: We are in the partnership with other organizations. One is supporting 4th year of an entrepreneurship program supporting women 150 local organizations with capacity building and "" training. Another, D-RASATI 2, works with the Ministry of Foundation. The AMIDEAST Entrepreneur Institute is funded Education to support public schools nationwide. Our role by the members of our Advisory Board, who are all successful in this project is focused on three components: the School Lebanese business and civic leaders, who want to help aspiring Improvement Program (we worked directly with 205 entrepreneurs start their own businesses and create jobs for schools and 630 school leaders), Leadership Development others living here. Such private support is critical for launching Program (we worked with Lebanese University to train new initiatives that allow AMIDEAST to expand its impact.

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 31 WORLD VISION LEBANON

/;K#6 # ; # ## <N6:*# Q&#&6 ##'"#'

development and training, education and health. ** %% plains submerging many neighboring villages, World Vision intervened to compensate farmers, coffee shop owners and restaurants for their loss.

Programs and services " World Vision programs are catered to the varied World Vision began its operations in Lebanon in needs of disadvantaged children and communities 1975, providing shelter, food and medication to across different sectors. The organization spent children and their communities during the Civil War. V"@V>"\^@$XVVZ$$ It did not have a formal setting or center to operate its Education and Life Skills Program. Another from at the time and kept on helping downtrodden USD 659,981 was allocated for the Health and segments of the society until the early eighties and partnered with orphanages and schools.

World Vision Lebanon has 201 staff members who help implement the organization’s programs in cooperation with local entities. The organization reaches out to 18 sites across Lebanon. It has so far served 293,000 people and 150,000 children through its development programs and 21,100 children through care and welfare programs. In 2013, World Vision spent USD 31,336,032 on child-centered activities and programs.

In cooperation with local communities and civil society, World Vision researches marginalized areas to identify and assess their needs, before tailoring an adequate 15-year action plan that best $}+&% with child-related affairs allowed World Vision $ " %

issue 153 | April 2015 32 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART

Food Program, which served 5361 children. This Tyre, Western Beqa’a, Zahle, Central Beqa’a, program raised the national rates of breastfeeding Bsharri and Akkar, in addition to its regular from 16% in 2010 to 27% in 2013 and the assistance to Syrian and Palestinian refugees. It number of baby-friendly hospitals from 18 to provides child-friendly spaces and entertainment 28. The Advocacy Program raised policy reform activities for children both in Beqa’a and South recommendations that covered an elaborate legal Lebanon, as well as education courses covering analysis of the conditions of children of ‘unknown reading and Maths. In-kind food donations, nationality’ (maktumi al-qayd) and the impact of detergents and fuel and food vouchers have been +$ distributed to 65,519 households. cost USD 441,369 in 2013. Security unrest comes foremost among the R challenges hampering World Vision’s execution of perturbations, World Vision launched a Peace its functions because it restricts the movements of Building Program engaging 10,500 children in its team and minimizes its outreach. peace-building activities and camps. Participants in the Economic Development Program were trained on individual skills and given micro-loans to become part of the labor market such as the popular market inside Al-Buss Palestinian camp in Tyre. The refugee crisis entailed an urgent humanitarian response from World Vision, which carried out water, hygiene and sanitary projects for about 16,000 Syrian refugees in the camps of Beqa’a and the South and offered food vouchers V\["@@@ + assistance rose to USD 23,084,170.

World Vision’s Children’s Council brought together children from different Lebanese regions to raise their awareness about their rights and responsibilities. Children were given the opportunity to write recommendations on the problems and challenges facing the Lebanese $ it to the UN.

Other programs included irrigation and waste water recycling projects in Bsharri, Saida and Bint Jbeil, training ISF personnel and journalists on ways to $ agricultural activities including the promotion of organic farming, an apple juice factory in Bsharri and a facility to process products in Roumieh.

Currently, World Vision is engaged in development projects in the Qada’as of Marjeyoun, Bint Jbeil,

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. POPULAR CULTURE CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 33

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TÜBINGEN

The idea was very appealing to me. I bade farewell to the woman I used to call ‘Milady’ and rented a car that dropped me off at the Gunpowder Factory. The countryside was so exquisite that I found the name of the locality, Gunpowder Factory, very remote from the beauty of the site and the bliss of living there.

Back to my host, von Brunn. She was a tall and reverent seventy- " face and dressed in folkloric attire. She used to throw her grey hair into a bundle on the top of her head and to fasten a belt from which a ring of keys, both large and small, dangled. She wore "$++~" i.e. Milady.

&$~+"+ me to the other students. There were eleven students, including two girls, a British and an American. There were also an Italian and a French student, the rest were all American.

We were placed in different classes, depending on our level of knowledge of German. I was put in the beginner’s class. We used to share meals with General von Shmuller and his wife; $%++% to his right during mealtimes and would laugh at my audacity in German, for I did not mind mistakes. What mattered was that I spoke. He once asked me during a meal to tell them an +%$$++++ “One day, a neighbor of Nasreddine came to him and asked to borrow his donkey to go on a short trip to the town. Nasreddine regretted he could not lend him the donkey, saying that the animal was not there. At this very moment, the neighbor heard the animal hee-hawing in the stable. ‘How can you claim that the donkey is not there, I just heard him braying in the stable,’ said the neighbor. ‘You’re a funny one, my friend. How can you believe a donkey and disbelieve me!?’

issue 153 | April 2015 34 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART DEBUNKING MYTH #92

DEBUNKING MYTHS: CATS AND PREGNANCY

R Women who are pregnant should get rid of their cats to avoid toxoplasmosis.

(R Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that can be transmitted to any warm-blooded animal. The danger with this disease is that it can cause severe birth defects, retardation or death to an unborn baby in certain situations. Cats belong to the family of animals (felid) which is mostly prone to the toxoplasmosis infection. For this reason, pregnant women are always told to stay away from or get rid of their cats at the time of their pregnancy. Is this step really necessary?

Fact is, this whole process of kicking the furry friend out is unnecessary. Cats can either inherit this disease from their mothers or catch it from being exposed to dirty outdoor cat activities or from raw foods. What most women aren’t aware of is that there’s a higher chance of a pregnant woman catching the disease from ingesting raw or semi-raw foods than from their cats.

Fortunately, due to some easy measures, cat loving women do not have to face the dilemma of “To keep the cat or the baby?” Cats can be tested for the disease; they might not even have it in $"$$ some previous point in their lives, chances are they’re already immune to the disease and therefore should not worry about passing the disease on to their babies.

However, for the worst case scenarios sake, certain precautions and measurements can be taken to avoid the harm that could be the cause to both the cat and the baby. First step would be avoiding the litter box (where all the toxo oocysts are found within the cat’s feces) which would lead to direct transmission of the infection. Second step would be abstaining from feeding the cat any raw (or not well cooked) meats. Third and most essential step is constant sterilization and disinfection of all surfaces, objects, and personal hygiene.

Resources: http://www.healthyhomesforkidsandpets.com/articles/toxo.html http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/humanpregnancy.htm

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MUST-READ BOOKS CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 35

ISLAM HELD HOSTAGE WHO STOLE AL-JAME’E AND WHERE DID FRIDAY GO? BY ASSADEQ AL-NAYHOUM

Islam Held Hostage is yet another controversial book by Assadeq Al-Nayhoum, a prominent Libyan writer and a & % for challenging the traditional Arab mindset and revolting against obsolete norms and cannons. The book, which was $"VXXV VXX^"$$& from metaphysical thinking, in a bid to promote a culture of democratic Islam that can keep up with the times.

“Democracy, where it prevails, means that decisions can only be made after vote count... a principle that automatically serves the capital... However, any talk about democracy in a community lacking both workers and capital is nothing but an unnecessary babble among unnecessary such as the promotion of virtue, prohibition of vice and people that nobody cares to gain round; voiceless people protection of the vulnerable to the inferred pillars, noting with worthless voices.” This is how the author eliminates that Muslims can never preserve neither the established the term of capitalist democracy from the Arabic lexicon nor the added pillars of Islam unless they are legitimate and weds the concept to the West exclusively. Al-jame’e, partners in governance. in his perception, is the opposite of al-masjid- the mosque- depicted by Muslims. The al-jame’e he called for is a place The author directed rebuke at the Arab World, holding that where all the people divided and scattered in mosques, the Arab countries are yet to tap into the age of science. churches and temples may gather and practice their Although there are Arab engineers, physicians and soldiers freedom of expression and religion. Instead of exporting " Western culture, Al-Nayhoum urged the revival of the true outside the realm of science: deserts are still those same *}R"$ dry and arid terrains the Arabs knew thousands of years and administrative perspective without disregard to the ago and farmers still fail to identify the gender of date palm freedom of religion. His urge was not driven by the critical trees until after the trees have grown. Al-Nayhoom said comments on Western culture but by the factual notion that the Arab countries may have to stand at the doorstep of Arabs can never be like Westerners. science for another 1000 years, or as long as their research Assadeq Al-Nayhoum aimed to release the Friday’s drawing on foreign expertise. gathering from the yoke of religious authority and jurisprudence, so that democratic Islam can arise. He All claims suggesting that the Quran mandates hijab are revolted against archaic Arab and Muslim doctrines and quashed in the book. The author says there is no mention elucidated their origins, thus allowing citizens to regain of hijab in the Quran and explains that the veil was used the voices they had been lost amidst the roar of sermons $ and preaching. He wanted the Arabs to reassess their path world. When hijab became common among people of the after 14 centuries, keeping the debate open with his critics, desert, an Islamist preacher, speaking in the name of Allah, yet allowing himself to exercise the right to reply. decided to transform this habit into a religious obligation, banning women from uncovering their faces except in % $ front of their kinship. of Islam were not originally present in Quran; rather, Umayyad scholars inferred them from the Prophet’s Although bashed as revolutionary and eccentric, Al- hadith and tailored them to the size of weak-kneed people Nayhoum did not intend to abet insurgency among Arabs who were deprived of their political rights and forced to as much as he wanted to draw their attention to the captivity gain power by serving the interests of the feudal system. into which Islam has fallen in the hands of scholars and Al-Nayhoom maintained that the pillars of Islam are far clerical groups that have derailed it from its moral and humanitarian path.

issue 153 | April 2015 36 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART MUST-READ CHILDREN’S BOOK

LIMATHA HIYA... LIMATHA HOUWA? (WHY HE...WHY SHE?)

Limatha Hiya... Limatha Houwa? tells the story of a little girl who has started to ask herself lots and lots of questions about the different observations she makes in her day to day life.

“Why is the face of mom soft as silk while the face of dad tickles me with its beard and big moustache? Why do I and mom wear both skirts and pants while dad wears only pants? Why did my brother’s body look different from mine when I saw mom bathing him the other day?”

These are a few examples of the numerous questions raised by the little girl and to which readers \ [ + '" % % themselves of the proper answers, thus fostering their critical thinking skills. Written by Samar Mahfouz Barraj Al-Mukhtar and illustrated by Bahij Jaroudi, Limatha Hiya... Limatha Houwa? was published in 2011 by Yuki Press in the series Anais.

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. LEBANON FAMILIES CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 37

TOHMAZ FAMILIES SHIA’A IN BEIRUT AND THE SOUTH

Opinions diverge on the origins of Tohmaz. Some believe that this small Lebanese family descends from Ottoman roots; others assure that it is originally Arabian, arguing that it sprang from the Arab Peninsula towards Iraq and the Levant and from there to Lebanon in the early twentieth century.

In Turkish language, tohmaz is an arrogant self- centered person who lacks the real qualities that make one worthy of pride and self-esteem.

Tripoli = Zgharta The Tohmaz family has roughly 650 members, Balamand Roads A‘arjes all of whom Shia’a. They are scattered in the Ehden Becharre The Cedars South and in Beirut and its suburbs. Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck Deir el Ahmar Maqne Bashoura, Beirut: 375 Jbail Qasr el-Banat Hadath Deir Zahrani, Nabatieh: 43 Iaat Ghazir Baalbeck Adloun, Saida Qada’a: 10 Jounieh Sarafand, Saida Qada’a: 32 Niha

Nabatieh city in the Midan, Bayyad and BEIRUT Zahle Saraya neighborhoods: 67 Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-Baidar Bhamdoun Sharqieh, Nabatieh Qada’a: 65 Anjar Deir el-Qamar Ghoubairy, Southern Suburbs: 41 Meshref Beiteddine Mazra’a, Beirut: 8 Moukhtara Qaraoun Lake Yanta

Saida Jezzine Libbaya Aiha

Nabatiye Hasbaya Marjayoun

Beaufort Castle Sour

issue 153 | April 2015 38 | CULTURE, RELIGION & ART DISCOVER LEBANON HILAN

Hilan ﺣﻴﻼﻥ OWNED BY A MARONITE AND HOSTING Tripoli

Zgharta Roads BOTH SUNNI AND ORTHODOX Balamand A‘arjes Ehden Becharre The Cedars Batroun Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck Deir el Ahmar ?6SR Maqne Jbail Qasr el-Banat

Hadath 4 6 Iaat Ghazir Baalbeck Q& 6 Jounieh 6 9 )*E 6 Niha BEIRUT Zahle #!!6!=( Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-Baidar Bhamdoun Anjar #6 Deir el-Qamar Meshref Beiteddine '/ Moukhtara Qaraoun Lake Yanta

Jezzine Saida Libbaya Aiha " Nabatiye Hasbaya The Arabic hilan means an old wooden thresher with Marjayoun Beaufort Castle iron rings inside, which was used at some time in the Sour past to separate grains, namely wheat, from stalks and straws. Chances are the town acquired its name because the residents had a knack for making threshers. Another assumption by The author Anis Fraiha suggests in his book Q& The Names of Lebanese Towns and Villages that the word Laqis: 63 voters Toulaije: 60 means ‘the powerful and sturdy’. It could be that these Habaq: 60 Sawan: 51 features were distinct qualities of the town’s inhabitants. Nqoula: 47 Barbara: 45 Hayek: 30 Rizk: 20 Location Zeina: 11 Wehbi: 10 Hilan is situated in the Qada’a of Zgharta towards the Mennieh and Dennieh side, near Wadi Jhannam. It rests at an altitude of 300 meters above the sea level Shamma (largest family): 567 voters and stretches across 492 hectares. It is 100 kilometers Al-Mir: 125 Ismail: 115 from Beirut and seven kilometers from Zgharta. It may Hawa: 75 Akoumi: 64 be reached through Tripoli to Erdeh and from there to Halloum: 61 Skaff: 46 "+ Ahmad : 40 Adouj: 30 Al-Massri: 21 Al-Sheikh: 12 . Rashid: 10 Rabah: 7 Hilan’s registered population is estimated at 2800, the majority of whom, i.e 75%, are Sunni while the ' Orthodox make up the remaining 25%. Having suffered The town is administered by a Mukhtar, currently displacement in the 1975 Civil War, and the residents Abboud Khodr Shamma, and a three-member of Hilan, particularly the Christians, are yet to return to ikhtiyariyah body. their town, which currently has only 100 residential units. The largest portion of Hilan’s plots of land belongs to the "/ Zgharta’s former Maronite MP, Semaan Doueihi, which R hampers the possibility of further urbanization of the town. had to enroll at the neighboring schools, mainly those in the town of Meryata. Voters Hilan’s registered voters amounted in 2000 to 1236 of "' whom 512 turned out for the elections. The number rose Residents live off agriculture as the town’s coastal in 2009 to 1611, of whom 817 voters cast their ballots. location has made it ideal especially for growing fruit Voters are distributed over the following families: and vegetables.

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. DISCOVER THE WORLD CULTURE, RELIGION & ART | 39 SINGAPORE ASIAN TIGER AND LEADING TRADING HUB

-%#!6 T $ !%R #6#6 6+)D UR%W

Location and area This small yet heavily urbanized island is located in Southeast Asia at the end of the Malayan Peninsula between Malaysia and Indonesia. Despite land reclamation projects, Singapore still covers a modest surface area of 718 square kilometers. Although small in size, Singapore has an enormous footprint in Asia and rest of the world.

. Singapore’s population stood at roughly 5.4 million people in mid-2014, of whom the Chinese made up a majority of 70%, followed by the Malays and the Indians who made up much of the remainder. Of the city’s 5.4 million people, about 40% are foreigners (The Diplomat). With its falling birthrate, Singapore has to rely on foreign workers who seem to have overcrowded the small city, raising concerns about the rising rental costs of rent and the physical limitations felt at the level of housing and transport. cash savings. For much of the past decade, its economy has grown at an average of 5-7%. Housing affordability Language and widening income gap are the main two challenges *|"" facing Singapore’s economy. and Tamil, and a campaign was launched to encourage Singaporeans speak good English. . Although an alleged multi-party democracy, Singapore’s 8 politics have been dominated by the People’s Action Party Due to its diverse ethnic mix, Singapore is seen as a multi- (PAP) since it gained independence on 9 August 1965. religious city-state with Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism During the 2006 election the PAP won 82 out of 84 seats being its predominant religions. in the nation’s Parliament. The President is elected by the $"" " for a term of six years. It is noteworthy that Singapore’s It is not for nothing that Singapore is called an economic founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, has died recently at the tiger. The city state enjoys a successful free-market age of 91. economy and a remarkably open and corruption-free environment. Its low corporate taxes and political Works Cited stability have lured foreign investment, turning the city Grant, Jeremy. “Southeast Asia: Singapore Tests Its Success.” The Big Read. into an undisputed business node and the largest trading 26 Nov. 2014. Retrieved from: center in Asia. Its economy is driven by electronics Fenn, Mark. “Singapore’s Foreigner Problem”. The Diplomat. 21 February, 2014. Retrieved from: http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/singapores-foreigner- several regional crises. Singaporean economy has the problem/ Versi, Anver. “Singapore: The Little Red Dot’s balancing act”. African Business. world’s seventh largest GDP per capita (USD 55,000) 23 September 2014. Retrieved from: http://africanbusinessmagazine.com/ and more than one in six households have $1 million in special-reports/singapore-little-red-dots-balancing-act/4/

issue 153 | April 2015 40| MEDIA FEBRUARY 2015 HIGHLIGHTS

February 1 protest including the closure of the who said he would send to Iraq, Syria An explosion rips through Casino du Liban. and Lebanon special groups of Iranian a Lebanese bus carrying Shia’a Grand Mufti Abdul Latif Deryan pilgrims in Damascus, killing at least ends his visit to Egypt by meeting against enemies.” six people and injuring 24 others. Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Sisi. Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Minister of Social Affairs Rashid February 5 Geagea, goes on TV and denies the Derbas states that the government has Ministry of Interior’s campaign rumors circulating about an alleged started to fall apart, stressing that the ends by bringing down all political and attempt on his life. The Lebanese Forces salvation is by returning to the voting religious signs and posters in Beirut, point out that the source of the rumor is mechanism. Saida and Tripoli. a student who supports the party. First Military Investigator Riad R% Abou Ghaida issues indictment over for failing to meet safety standards February 2 the attacks against Dahr El-Baidar and vendors protest at the decision by Owners of public trucks stage and Tayyouneh convicting the Emir of blocking the road outside the market. a protest at the Port of Beirut in the Al-Qaida-linked Abdullah Azzam President of the Lebanese University, R Brigades Sirajeddine Zureiqat and Dr. Adnan Sayyed Hussein, withdraws fourth basin and urge the referral of the suspect Mahmoud Ahmad Abu Abbas. the appointment of Dr. Antoine Tannous matter to the Cabinet. A Syrian national Ahmad Fayez Haidar as Director of the Lebanese University’s Casino du Liban’s sacked employees carried out the Dahr El-Baidar attack. Business Faculty in the north following suspend their protest and return to Truck Owners Syndicate suspends protests by the Future Movement and work after promises to reconsider their its strike upon the request of Bkerki. Al-Azm Wal Saadah who objected working conditions. to his appointment on the grounds of Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq (E his being a Christian belonging to the chairs a security meeting in preparation The Cabinet condemns the attack in Marada movement. to remove all political posters and Damascus against Lebanese pilgrims In the English editorial of Al-Anbaa banners from Beirut to Tripoli, starting and the burning of Jordanian pilot and online newspaper, MP Walid Jumblat Thursday. adjourns discussion on the points of reveals that he sheltered the renowned Finance Minister Ali Hassan contention such as civil marriage, the Swedish spy Stig Bergling and his Khalil refers an employee at the Liban R wife for four years (1990-1994) at his } the municipalities’ share of telecom tax residence in Mukhtara upon the request Financial Prosecutor on charges of revenues. of the Soviet intelligence. Jumblat says embezzling public funds. French envoy Jean François Girault he could not turn down the request from The Ministry of Public Health issues continues his visit to Lebanon and the Soviets because they provided him a list of food safety standards for food meets Fouad Seniora, Michel Aoun, with the equivalent of $500 million institutions. + worth of weapons and ammunition from &" Former PM Saad Hariri receives in 1979 until the late 1980s for free, trained Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq Riyadh former Minister Faisal Karami the militia of the Progressive Socialist requests married couples whose who expresses his gratitude to Hariri Party and offered the Party hundreds civil marriages were registered with for his condolences over the death of of scholarships. The couple was given Lebanon’s public notary to settle their his father. marriages at civil courts, stressing “Lebanon’s crisis will not be solved house of the former MP Nehme Tohme. support for optional civil marriage. except by implementing the Baabda PM Tammam Salam heads for Declaration,” says former President of Germany to participate in the Munich February 3 the Republic Michel Suleiman in his Security Conference. French envoy Jean François Girault speech at Beit Al-Mouhami, adding that those who boycotted the presidential (D to discuss presidential elections. elections should not extend their own The Justice Council sentences 12 Hezbollah and the Future Movement term and the president is elected by a people belonging to Fatah Al-Islam to two-thirds majority vote and when this death. is not possible, by a simple majority. The Army Intelligence raids the and also stress their commitment to the The March 14 General Secretariat Zaatariyeh neighborhood in Al-Fanar removal of political slogans and pictures. urges the summoning of Iran’s in search of the wanted fugitive Mourad Families of the captives visit MP ambassador to Lebanon to seek Zaiter who dies in the shootout. The Walid Jumblat and give the government &R accident prompts the Zaiter family to 24 hours to act before escalating their Higher Spiritual Leader, Ali Khamenei, $+

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. FEBRUARY 2015 HIGHLIGHTS MEDIA |41

During his presence at the Munich Gemmayzeh on Saint Maron’s Day and him to pay monthly amounts ranging Security Conference, PM Tammam Bishop Youness Matar reiterates the between USD 55,000 and USD 67,000 Salam highlights the burden that the need to elect a president and not to tie to Rustom Ghazali. He kept on paying Syrian crisis has placed on Lebanon and + these amounts, which totaled roughly meets the Qatari and Bahraini foreign MP Khaled Daher says in a press USD 10.5 million according to the ministers as well as the Saudi Deputy conference that his words were taken calculation of the Judge, from 1993 Foreign Minister. out of context and that he did not call until Ghazali’s assassination in 2005. A delegation of Hezbollah headed for the removal of Christian crosses Other payments were assigned to equip by Mahmoud Qmati visits the Free and statues for he is against removing his house and buy him a car. Patriotic Movement leader, MP Michel all religious signs, both Muslim and Minister of Public Health and Aoun, at his residence in Rabieh Christian. Minister of Labor agree to put the and renews holding on to the 2006 MPs from both March 8 and March $$ Understanding Document between the 14 camps deplore the statement of force starting on March 1. The Lebanese two sides Khaled Daher. Order of Physicians awaits the approval General Security Chief Major Maronite Patriarch al-Rai meets the of the National Social Security Fund to General Abbas Ibrahim inspects the French envoy to Lebanon Jean François start printing the prescriptions. General Security’s headquarters in Girault in Vatican where they discuss Cabinet session sees a row between Naqoura and extends condolences the issue of presidential election. Ministers Boutros Harb and Minister to the UNIFIL over the death of the Elias Bou Saab over the signing of Spanish soldier, reiterating Lebanon’s February 10 decrees and Minister Rashid Derbas commitment to the 1701 Resolution. In his testimony before the Special protests at the failure to appoint Major General Abbas Ibrahim also " '% R members for the administrative council visits MP Bahiya Hariri in Saida. aide Abdul Latif Shamma’a says that of the economic zone of Tripoli, which Hariri used to appreciate Nasrallah for drives PM Tammam Salam to adjourn February 7 MP Khaled Daher announces at to broker an understanding with Syria, not discussions take place. Tripoli’s Allah Square his objection to to confront it. Shama’a adds that Assad The Lebanese Army dismantles 25 taking down the Islamic signs in the informed Hariri that he shall decide who kilograms of explosives in Ersal. city unless ‘the Christ the King statue Lebanon’s president would be. and the pictures of some saints who are A statement issued by speaker February 13 opening their arms wide’ are removed Nabih Berri brands the allegations over Former PM Saad Hariri arrives + & the death of Imam Moussa Sadr as false in Beirut to participate in the 10th from varied political currents participate fabrications and denies that DNA tests commemoration ceremony of his father. in the protest. Interior Minister Nouad Mashnouq be that of Imam Sadr. checks the security plan in Brital noting (C A storm called Johan hits Lebanon that some suspects have left for Syria PM Tammam Salam returns to bringing wind speed up to 100 and cannot return. Lebanon after having met in Munich kilometers per hour. Delegated by MP Walid Jumblat, Iran’s Foreign Minister and sought his Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Minister of Public Health Wael Bou assistance in facilitating the election of shakes hands with Hezbollah’s deputy Faour visits General Michel Aoun. a president as well as France’s Foreign chief Sheikh Naim Qassem during the $ Iranian National Day ceremony. (E batch of the Saudi-funded weapons Former PM Saad Hariri delivers a shall be handed over to Lebanon in February 11 speech in the ceremony held in BIEL on early April. MP Khaled Daher withdraws his the 10th anniversary of the assassination MP Walid Jumblat calls for pulling membership from the Future Movement '%" the presidential election out from the and the latter accepts the withdrawal Syria, Iran and Hezbollah, yet holding narrow Christian context to the larger reiterating commitment to coexistence on to dialogue with the latter. Hariri national context. and moderation. reiterates support for the Lebanese US Ambassador to Lebanon, PM Tammam Salam launches a government and urges speedy election David Hale, hands the Lebanese Army strategy for rural tourism and urges the of a president. a donation worth USD 25 million reinforcement of the Lebanese regime Minister of Justice calls on the covering artilleries, ammunitions by the election of a new president. General Prosecutor to arrest those $ Accompanied by a security $ terrorism. delegation, Interior Minister Nouhad Hariri’s speech. Mashnouq heads for Jordan where he Speaker Nabih Berri and PM ( meets the Jordanian King Abdullah. Tammam Salam discuss a new PM Tammam Salam and a number '% R mechanism for governmental work, of ministers and MPs attend the mass Shamma’a continues his STL testimony particularly with respect to the signing held at the Saint Maron Church in '% of all 24 ministers on the decrees.

issue 153 | April 2015 42| MEDIA FEBRUARY 2015 HIGHLIGHTS

Former PM Saad Hariri hosts dinner Bait Al-Wasta in the presence of Nader ( at Beit al-Wasat in the presence of LF Hariri. Hariri also holds meetings with A heavy snow storm hits Lebanon leader Samir Geagea and his wife and a number of ambassadors and chairs the with snow falling on 500 meters above Dr. Ghattas Khoury. meeting of the Future Bloc. the sea level. Telecoms Minister Boutros Harb The Special Tribunal for Lebanon February 15 says after meeting PM Tammam Salam announces the election of Judge Ivana Hezbollah’s Secretary General that there won’t be a Cabinet session 6% '$ Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah urges his amidst lack of accord over a mechanism successor to President Judge Sir David supporters to refrain from shooting in for governmental work. Baragwanath of New Zealand. Judge the air after his speech tomorrow. “Don’t wash your dirty linen in Ralph Riachy of Lebanon has been re- A drone coming from Lebanon $" ' elected as Vice-President. penetrates the Israeli airspace and, response to Nasrallah. Former PM Saad Hariri receives according to estimates, ends up going The family of Michel Samaha Arab ambassadors to Lebanon in his down in Dair Mimas. denies the death plot reported by Bayt Al-Wasat residence and notes “I will not call on Cabinet to convene ' that the election of a president is the before accord on mechanism,” says PM his statement an attempt to prevent the right prelude to the implementation *+ release of Samaha. of an anti-terrorism strategy through the Lebanese Army. Hariri also meets (D (C a delegation of security leaders and In his speech during the annual Sixth dialogue session between another of governors. commemoration of Hezbollah’s Hezbollah and the Future Movement Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara martyrs, Hezbollah’s Secretary General tackles the national strategy to combat Boutros al-Rai returns from Rome and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah applauds terrorism, the issue of celebratory announces that both Aoun and Geagea Hariri’s call for a national strategy to $$$ are under the Bkerki umbrella. security plan in northern Beqa’a. with the Future Movement. Nasrallah Speaker Nabih Berri adjourns the February 20 urges all those demanding his party’s session scheduled to elect a president Speaker Nabih Berri receives former retreat from Syria to join the battle in until March 11 due to lack of quorum. PM Saad Hariri accompanied by Nader Syria and Iraq against ISIS. Contrary &*" Hariri at his residence in Ain Tineh in "$$ Commander Jean Qahwaji addresses the presence of Finance Minister Ali release yellow helium balloons as General Michel Aoun saying “your Hassan Khalil. Nasrallah delivered his speech. problem is not with me.” Delegated by General Michel Former PM Saad Hariri chairs the Former PM Saad Hariri receives Aoun, MP Ibrahim Kanaan visits LF Future Movement politburo’s meeting General Michel Aoun accompanied by leader Samir Geagea in his residence and reiterates the state’s responsibility Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil at Bayt in Meerab and the two hold a two-hour + El-Wasat in the presence of former MP meeting in the presence of MP Strida Failure to pay the salaries of Ghattas Khoury and hosts a dinner for Geagea and Melhem Riachi. $'% his guests. The monthly statement of Maronite Hospital prompts the employees to The Lebanese General Security Bishops calls for disassociating close the entrance to the emergency arrests Sheikh Bilal after his deportation Lebanon from regional axes and ward in protest. from Turkey and hands him over to the holding presidential elections as soon ' Lebanese Army on different charges as possible. that he foiled an attempt to kill former including hiding a cache of weapons at Former PM Saad Hariri continues Minister Michel Samaha on his way to his house. his meetings in Beirut and receives the hospital because he had information Speaker Nabih Berri urges the Grand Mufti, Bishop Boulos Matar implicating Syria in alleged plans to PM Tammam Salam to call for an representing Patriarch al-Rai and a carry out attacks in Lebanon. extraordinary Cabinet session and Press Syndicate delegation. voices his concern over the paralysis of MP Walid Jumblat attends the Druze February 17 constitutional institutions as transpired Council meeting chaired by Shaikh Free Patriotic Movement leader from Wednesday’s gathering. Al-Akl Naim Hassan and reiterates MP Michel Aoun announces that he is The Lebanese Forces leader Samir support for amicable relationships with Geagea wishes General Michel Aoun a Saudi Arabia and of a swap operation to Minister Samir Moqbel after the Happy Birthday and Aoun thanks him. release the captives. extension of the term of Higher Defense Grand Mufti Abdul Latif Deryan Major General Rustom Ghazali Council Chief Mohammed Khair and requests the Minister of Justice to announces through al-Entishar website Brigadier General Edmont Fadel. In that he will start writing his memoirs of response, Moqbel assures that the Prosecutor against director Charbel Lebanon from 1977 to 2005. extension falls within his jurisdiction. Khalil for publishing a photo that Former PM Saad Hariri receives MP allegedly defames Islam and incites Walid Jumblat and his son Taymour in religious strife.

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. FEBRUARY 2015 HIGHLIGHTS MEDIA |43

February 21 including US Ambassador to Lebanon A sit-in near the Embassy of France Public Health Minister Wael Bou David Hale and Sayyed Ali El-Amin. in Beirut calls for the release of George Faour announces that his ministry has Hariri calls for standing by the Grand Abdalla from a French prison. terminated its contract with Hotel Dieu Mufti to advance the position of Dar Hospital after the hospital refused to El-Fatwa. February 27 admit disabled patient Laurice Khalil. The Future Bloc calls for halting the Minister of Defense Samir Moqbel, The hospital’s management responds improvisation of constitutional norms accompanied by Army Commander arguing that they did not turn Laurice that further the existing complication. General Jean Qahwaji, inspects the down but delayed the surgery since the The Change and Reform Bloc states outskirts of Ras Baalbeck where clashes patient was not deemed to be in urgent after its meeting that governmental between the Army and the militants need of the operation and arrangements work must go on and refuses to look at erupted. had to be made in coordination with the presence of a President or the lack Former PM Salim El-Hoss addresses the physicians’ schedules and the thereof indifferently. the Lebanese urging them to cling to the availability of rooms. Taef Accord and to elect a President. El- PM Saad Hariri says before a February 25 Hoss says some have taken advantage delegation of economic committees PM Tammam Salam says at the of PM Tammam’s Salam national that the dialogue with Hezbollah aims Arab Forum for Food Safety that the good will, which he expressed when to provide the minimal political and disruption of governmental work is the he subjected the Cabinet’s decisions to security stability. result of presidential void. consensus. Speaker Nabih Berri urges the Minister of Public Works and February 22 government to convene and to cling to Transport vows to take all measures Patriarch al-Rai urges the creation of the Constitution with respect to right to necessary to ensure the safety of mechanisms that do not contradict the vote. the Freight Department at Beirut’s Constitution and calls for the election Former PM Saad Hariri heads for Airport, after EU airlines’ decision to of a President today, not tomorrow. '+ stop transporting goods from Lebanon Speaker Nabih Berri quoted to have Former President Amine Gemayel effective from March 1. described the meeting with Hariri as host the ministerial consultative Public Health Minister Wael Bou excellent. meeting at his residence in Sin el-Fil in Faour warns of a withdrawal of license the presence of former President Michel from the Mennieh Hospital if it fails to February 23 Suleiman and seven ministers. Minister meet the safety standards in two months. Former PM Saad Hariri visits PM Michel Feraoun does not attend due to Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail, travel commitments and the statement ()C receives a delegation of the families of at the end of the meeting supports the PM Tammam Salam proceeds the captives as well as former President efforts of PM Tammam Salam towards with discussions towards convening a Amine Gemayel and his son Sami. a productive governmental structure. Cabinet session. The Internal Security Forces’ Drug Locals and civil society activists ()D stage a protest in Tripoli to denounce attempt to Cyprus. The attempt included The Lebanese Army succeeds a proposal to build a large underground 1.8 tons of drugs. in capturing two hills in Ersal, thus parking lot in the city’s historic Al- Investigative Judge Nada Asmar dismissing the threat of radical Tal square. The project, championed listens to the testimony of director Charbel militants. by the Future Movement and rejected Former Speaker Hussein al- by former PM Najib Mikati, was the Grand Mufti and refers the case to the Husseini proposes after meeting the unanimously rejected by the municipal Public Prosecutor after releasing Khalil former PM Slaim el-Hoss the election council during a vote earlier this month, with a proof of residency. of a transitional president temporarily. but after suspected lobbying and Former President Amine Gemayel } pressure, the council voted on Friday in visits Patriarch al-Rai in Bkerki General Rustom Ghazali was injured favor of the parking lot. and announces that there can not be $} An-Nusra Front has reportedly legislation in the absence of a President. hometown Qarfa and is being treated in handed Sheikh Mostafa Houjeiry a list Damascus. of the names of inmates that should be ()E Finance Minister calls on Customs released in exchange of releasing the Lebanon launches a USD 2.2 billion to send back a shipment of cell phone Lebanese Army captives. sovereign Eurobond, the largest single covers from China after tests revealed People rally near the ESCWA’s issue in the history of the country that they were radioactive. headquarters in Downtown Beirut in support with an interest rate of 6.2% (10 year The committee tasked with tackling of the Assyrians and condemn the massacres maturity) and 6.65% for 15 year the issue of the Casino du Liban’s &&+ maturity, Finance Minister Ali Hasan sacked employees decides to reinstate The General Security celebrates Khalil announces. ^Z $ the graduation of an additional 500 Former PM Saad Hariri receives 144. members.

issue 153 | April 2015 44| MEDIA THIS MONTH IN HISTORY- LEBANON AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE 73 OF THE LEBANESE CONSTITUTION IN 11 MINUTES ON APRIL 10, 1976

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$$$ after 1948 was during the Lebanese Civil War in 1976. shells that fell near the Mansour Palace, 90 MPs The alteration targeted Article 73, which had been attended the session and approved it in11 minutes. amended earlier in 1927 as well. Speaker Kamel Al-Asaad signed the amendment and passed it to PM Rashid Karami who in turn approved Z+ it and submitted it to the President of the Republic. “One month at least and two months at most before the ~ $ Republic, Parliament shall be convened by its Speaker to elect the new President of the Republic. However, Q 6 “& should it not be convened for this purpose, Parliament .8#. shall meet automatically on the tenth day preceding the $R+ 6 . 8 ?6# # T . In 1976, Lebanon was in a state of war and sectarian & and political divides were deepening. One of the main .R $ ” President of the Republic Suleiman Frangieh. While "$ some voices called for shortening the President’s 24, 1976 and read as follows: “One month at least and term and electing a successor as soon as possible, the six months at most before the expiration of the term of majority of Christian forces wanted him to remain '$" $ + " be convened by its Speaker to elect the new President developments that unfolded at that time and the fear of the Republic. The amendment shall remain effective of a potential vacuum in the presidency necessitated until September 23, 1976. ” the amendment of Article 73 and the shortening of the deadline for the election of a President. This has allowed President Suleiman Frangieh to On Saturday, April 10, 1976, Parliament convened while at the same time legitimizing the election of in its temporary headquarters at the Mansour Palace a new president six months before the expiration of in Mathaf to approve the Constitutional amendment. presidential term to avoid potential void. Pursuant to

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. MEDIA |45

this amendment, Parliament convened on Saturday, May 8, 1976 and elected the Central Bank Governor, Elias Sarkis, as President of the Republic.

.8[6 “Q#. 6 Lebanon and have proved worthy P” Positions on amendment This session was deemed ‘historical’ by Speaker Kamel Al-Asaad who said ‘Parliament convenes today with its varied blocs and currents to wrap up a constitutional amendment as a prelude to end the existing crisis. This is a proof that the people of Lebanon, through their authenticity, aspirations and unity, have proved to be stronger in times of ordeal.”

PM Rashid Karami viewed that ‘by voting today, MPs have placed the country on track towards a political Elias Sarkis solution to build future Lebanon and have proved worthy of trust in times of hardships.”

Camille Chamoun (who was a potential presidential MP Kamal Jumblat did not attend the session and candidate) said “the session assured that problems can revealed that the Syrian Brigade 91 had entered only be solved through dialogue and that the Lebanese Rashaya. He called on the President to approve the amendment so that Parliament can convene in a one- legislative power.” week time and elect a new candidate to the presidential + $ $$ $ long as our ports and airports are occupied.” in a journey of a thousand miles whereby MPs proved that Lebanon would remain united. Maronite Patriarch Mar Antonios Boutros Khreich applauded the Parliament’s move, hoping that it would MP Raymond Edde (who was also a potential be a prelude to reverting Lebanon back to security. presidential candidate) boycotted the session because he wanted the amendment to also target Article 49, This parliamentary, political and religious unanimity not only Article 73. He thus absented himself from among the Lebanese over the amendment of the the session in order not to break unanimity over the Constitution in the hope that it would accelerate the amendment. Edde held that the President had a period election of a president and resolve the crisis was a mere of thirty days to approve (sign) the amendment and wishful thinking because the Civil War had already expected him to delay his signing in order to pick the trespassed all this and become a regional matter that was right timing to elect the candidate he liked. too knotty for a constitutional amendment to untie.

issue 153 | April 2015 46|ARAB WORLD FOCUS THIS MONTH IN HISTORY- EGYPT THE BAHR EL-BAQR MASSACRE: 45 YEARS ON

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A total of 130 children aged 6 to 12 attended the single- ambush against them on the Suez Canal front, killing " + three Israeli soldiers and injuring six others. However, Despite its small size, the school was hit by two &$ ** the military. Rather, it chose to avenge the attack by &R *+ % targeting innocent victims. Prior to the Bahr El-Baqr immediately the lives of 30 students and caused heavy Massacre, the Zionist entity had committed yet another injuries to more than 50 others, with some sustaining atrocity when it bombed on February 12 the Abou permanent impairments. The atrocity went both un- Zaabal factory in Cairo, killing 70 innocent workers condemned and unpunished and Israel has since spared and injuring another 69. no children in its attacks against Arab territories. Close to 500 children were killed during Israel’s war on Gaza in 2008; In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes against Qana resulted in the death of 30 children who had sought refuge in a UN headquarters in the town. Not only does Israel bomb Arab children, it also holds them captive in its prisons.

& Israeli pilots hit their military targets precisely but added that Israel would conduct a probe into the matter. Israel did not disclaim responsibility for the brutal attack and Chief of Staff Moshe Daya shamelessly absolved the Israeli forces of guilt arguing that the children were wearing khaki clothing and receiving military training. The wave of accusations against Egyptian children continued on Israeli Radio, which claimed that the students were members in a subversive military organization.

|$& " as it was called by Abdul Nasser and conducted an

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. ARAB WORLD FOCUS|47 TERRORIST GROUPS PRETENDING TO STAND FOR ISLAM (3) ANSAR BAIT EL-MAQDES (CHAMPIONS OF JERUSALEM): FIGHTING THE EGYPTIAN ARMY TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER FIGHTING ISRAEL

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Founders Ansar Bait el-Maqdes regards the current Egyptian President, Palestinian Hisham As-Saadani is thought to be the source of Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, as an apostate tyrant who must be fought ideological inspiration to the Ansar Bait el-Maqdes’ members. along with the Egyptian Army supporting him. For them, He had trained in Jordan and Iraq under the Jordanian terror combating the Egyptian Army comes before combating Israel. leader Mosaab Al-Zarqawi before returning to Gaza where Since the day the army waged war against the group’s members, he was assassinated by Israel in 2013. battling the army has been a top priority for Ansar Bait el-Maqdes in order to ‘protect the gas and oil resources of the Muslims, $ which those in power are planning to hand over to Israel.’ formation of Ansar Bait el-Maqdes are Momtaz Dagjmash, the Commander of the Gaza-based Jaysh el-Islam and Abdul Latif Although it holds the ideologies and beliefs of Al-Qaeda, Moussa, the leader of the Jihadist group Jund Ansar Allah. Ansar Bait el-Maqdes operates as an independent group and $ elevates the word of God and promotes the rule by the Quran. <I<I The Ansar Bait el-Maqdes group has roughly 2000 members Ansar Bait el-Maqdes refuses democracy on the grounds that who are from Gaza, along with Egyptians from the Tawhid it incites disbelief and polytheism. The group believes it is and Jihad Group, which was established in 2001 in Sinai not permissible to share power or law enactment with God. and conducted terrorist operations against tourists in Sinai in It maintains that the constitutions are all man-made and can 2003 and 2004. never replace the divine Law of God, i.e. the Holy Quran. It believes the current situation can only be resolved by the sword and jihad shall not aim to seize land but to spread / & & $ Prior to the ousting of the Egyptian President Mohammad tyranny and occupation. Moursi, the group’s name was ‘the Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem’. After Moursi had been On November 10, 2014, the Ansar Bait el-Maqdes group ousted, the name was changed to ‘Champions of Jerusalem’- declared that it has joined Al-Baghdadi’s Islamic State and English for Ansar Bait el-Maqdes-, which is indicative of the changed its name to ‘Sinai Province’. group and their belief that the said cause is an Islamic one. & " $ The group claimed responsibility for several military " *< operations, some of which are labeled as ‘terrorist’. ""} Bombing the pipelines that carry gas from Egypt to Israel activity. Assassination attempt on Egypt’s Minister of Interior Contrary to the mistaken yet widespread belief about a Mohammad Ibrahim in Cairo connection between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Ansar Bombing the security directorate in Daqahliya and Bait el-Maqdes, members of the latter criticize the Muslim leaving 16 people dead Brotherhood for failing to enforce God’s Law on earth, the ultimate goal of Ansar Bait el-Maqdes. They believe that Attacking a police station near the Karam Abou Salem the Muslim Brotherhood has also failed to dissolve Egypt’s "%V[ agreements with Israel and to lift the siege on Gaza when their Iftar during Ramadan. their member, Mohammad Moursi, was elected President. However, there are some who maintain that the clear Attacking two buses that were transporting soldiers back escalation in the operations of Ansar Bait el-Maqdes after to their base in Rafah near Gaza, killing 25. the ousting of Moursi proves the existence of a connection Car bombings at a security post in Karm el-Qwadis, killing "$+ \=|$+

issue 153 | April 2015 48| PRICES REAL ESTATE PRICES – FEBRUARY 2015

8 Towards ( )*: %)^#6 6 66 Prices of some apartments sold in February 2015 Table 2 ;. Region Area (m2) Price (USD) USD/m2 moved in two directions in February 2015, going 66&U:^*^W6 Mar Elias 200 440,000 2,200 6 Cola 120 216,000 1,800 @ Ashrafieh (Sassine) 270 837,000 3,100

%) Ashrafieh (Sioufi) 250 675,000 2,700 ()*: Aisha Bakkar 150 450,000 3,000 Baabda Table 1 Prices of some estates sold in February 2015 Baabda (Brazilia) 210 441,000 2,100 Region Area (m2) Price (USD) USD/m2 Furn Chebbak 145 174,000 1,200 Beirut Kahhaleh 160 192,000 1,200 Tareeq Jdideh 750 3,150,000 4,200 Hazmieh (Mar Roukuz) 180 333,000 1,850 Ashrafieh (Sassine) 320 4,320,000 13,500 Baabdah (Antounieh) 150 240,000 1,600 Baabda Kafa’at 110 110,000 1,000 Baabda 1,100 3,300,000 3,000 Chiyyah 140 203,000 1,450 Metn Hadath (Debbas) 120 180,000 1,500 Bekfayya 2,100 1,890,000 900 Metn Ain Saadeh 3,500 3,500,000 1,000 Naqash (Tallet Srour) 175 239,750 1,370 Aley Monteverde 200 320,000 1,600 Choueifat 1,300 260,000 200 Broummana 160 248,000 1,550 Kessrouan Antelias 200 330,000 1,650 Faraya 2,700 351,000 130 Fanar 240 408,000 1,700 Jounieh 1,400 2,380,000 1,700 Mansourieh 210 409,500 1,950 Source: Compiled by Information International- February 2015 Zalqa 160 216,000 1,350 Aley Prices of some apartments sold in February 2015 Table 2 Bshamoun 100 100,000 1,000 Region Area (m2) Price (USD) USD/m2 Bshamoun 250 187,500 750 Beirut Doha Aramoun 200 240,000 1,200 Mathaf 150 570,000 3,800 Kessrouan Ras Nabe’e 110 220,000 2,000 Sahel Alma 170 212,500 1,250 Russian embassy 185 582,750 3,150 Jeita 100 140,000 1,400 Sodeco 250 1,125,000 4,500 Adonis 145 217,500 1,500 Ain Tineh 240 960,000 4,000 New Shaileh 165 211,200 1,280 Source: Compiled by Information International- February 2015

issue 153 | The Monthly is published by Information International s.a.l. |49 Beirut International Airport  TRAFFIC THROUGH BEIRUT’S AIRPORT Beirut International Airport  IN THE LAST TEN YEARS 48.6 MILLION USERS BETWEEN 2004 AND 2015

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Passenger traffic at Rafic Hariri International Airport between 2005 and 2014 Table 1 Departing Year Arriving passengers Transit passengers Total % of change passengers 2005 1,600,749 1,579,004 105,323 3,285,076 -

2006 1,275,119 1,464,487 85,532 2,825,138 -14

2007 1,649,109 1,677,324 82,401 3,408,834 +20.6

2008 2,014,013 2,025,552 45,774 4,085,339 +19.8

2009 2,460,695 2,492,204 32,600 4,985,499 +22

2010 2,752,961 2,759,474 40,311 5,552,746 +11.4

2011 2,780,809 2,815,225 58,113 5,654,147 +1.8

2012 3,018,007 2,895,418 47,189 5,960,614 +5.4

2013 3,219,316 3,030,187 15,629 6,265,132 +5.1

2014 3,332,327 3,222,742 14,400 6,569,469 +4.8

Total 24,103,105 23,961,617 527,272 48,591,994 -

Source: Compiled by Information International

issue 153 | April 2015 50| Did you know that?

Top 5 Cities with Most Advanced Technology

Tokyo-Japan: this city is on the top of the list of electronic momentum is evident through the spread highest technology countries in the world. It is of smart phones and tablets. It is no surprise that distinguished for its companies and institutions Microsoft and Fuji have branches and offices in which develop advanced technologies including Singapore. smart phones, tablets, robots, computers and household appliances not to mention that it is Hong Kong- China: the residents of Hong Kong home to several tech giants such as Sony, Nikon, crave interaction with crazy technologies. One Panasonic and Nintendo. example of such interaction is the use of robots to take orders in many restaurants and coffee shops Seoul- South Korea: this city ranks second for across Hong Kong. Wi-Fi is available in all shops and being one of the most technologically advanced stores and many schools use fingerprint verification cities in the world. In addition to hosting the two technologies to recognize students. rival tech giants LG and Samsung, South Korea has been voted on the list of countries with the fastest San Francisco Bay Area- California which came internet speed in the world. Koreans have unlimited to be known as the Silicon Valley, a nickname that access to the internet anywhere in the country and originally referred to the region’s large number of can use it underground. They are also known for silicon chip innovators and manufacturers, but their passion for video gaming on the internet. eventually came to refer to all high-tech businesses in the area including Google, Yahoo and Intel. Singapore: Singapore also stands out for its high speed internet connection and its high tech and

Beirut International Airport 

Beirut International Airport  Rafic Hariri International Airport Traffic- February 2015 Annual increase of 4.9%

Passenger traffic at the Rafic Hariri International Airport traffic in February 2015 compared to January 2015 and February 2014 Table 1 % of change % of change Airport declined in February January February February Traffic January/ February 2014/ 2015, compared to the 2015 2015 2014 previous month. The February 2015 2015 decline comes as no Arriving airplanes 2,553 2 ,215 2,160 -13.2 +2.5 surprise in a month that Departing airplanes 2,551 2,215 2,159 -13.2 +2.6 has only 28 days, not to mention that traffic starts Total no. of airplanes 5,104 4,430 4,319 -13.2 +2.5 to show downward trends Arriving passengers 225,479 193,890 180,375 -14 +7.5 after the strong momentum Departing passengers 275,432 199,693 194,465 -27.5 +2.7 it sees in December and January. Passenger traffic Transit passengers 1,130 1,192 1,266 +5.5 -5.8 declined by 21.3% and Total no. of passengers 502,041 394,775 376,106 -21.3 +4.9 the number of passengers Imported goods (per ton) 3,608 3,827 4,437 +6 -13.7 decreased from 502,041 to 394,774. Compared to Exported goods (per ton) 2,171 1,946 2,551 -10.3 -23.7 February 2014, passenger Total amount of goods (per ton) 5,779 5,773 6,988 -0.1 -17.4 traffic increased by 4.9%. Source: Information International based on the Directorate General of Aviation Stats & Numbers |51 Stats& Numbers Publications

LBP 353 billion is the budget Publications by Publications by Kutub (in Arabic): Information International (in Arabic): of the Lebanese University for 1- May Ziadeh, Evolution of a Free Female Thinker 1- Salaries and Remunerations in the Public Sector 2014-2015, its largest ever 2- Mission in Hijaz - Lion Roche 2- Public Seaside Properties budget, noting that it only has 3- Aleppo Cuisine 72,000 students. 3- Lebanon’s Parliamentary History 1920-2000 4- From An-Nabk to Florida 4- Taxes and Fees 5- Institution of Aesthetic Discourse -Saad el-Kassab 4855 is the number of the 5- Lebanon in Figures 1992-2002 6- Al A’mal Al She’rya Al-Kamila -Kamal Keir beik residential units destroyed in 6- Lebanon in Figures 2003-2004 7- Majhoulat Gibran Nahr El-Bared Camp in the 7- Lebanon in Figures 2005-2006 2007 war. Only 1700 have 8- Lebanon in Figures 2007-2008 8- Shweir and Its Hills, A phtographic record been reconstructed. 9- Lebanon’s MPs and Lebanese Parliamentary 9- The Wars of Lajat 1837-1838 Elections 1960 - 2009 10- New Funerary Phoenician Stelae, Private Collection 63,000 is the number of 10- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, 11- Harakat Al Hadasa fi Al-She’r Al-Arabi Al-Mo’aser candidate and confession-North District housing loans- worth LBP 7000 -Kamal Keir beik billion- given to the Lebanese 11- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, 12- Al Tanassot Ala Al Hatef fi Lebnan 1947-1958 candidate and confession-Beirut District 13- Beirut Daw’ Ala Warak 1850-1915 through the Lebanon Housing 12- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, 14- Shukri Al-Asali Articles and Documents Authority. candidate and confession-Mount Lebanon District

13- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, USD 148 billion is the candidate and confession-Beqa’a District amount of the deposits in both 14- 2009 Parliamentary Elections by ballot box, candidate and confession-South and Nabatiyeh District Lebanese pound and foreign 15- Municipal Elections 2010 currency held in the Lebanese banks at the end of 2014, Publications by INMA (in Arabic): compared to USD 140 billion 1- “I am Responsible, All of Us are Responsible” at the end of 2013. 2- “Our Environment is Our Home” 3- “My Society is My Responsibility” USD 12 billion is the worth of 4- “My Society is My Responsibility” Workbook contracts signed by the CDR 5- “I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards State Building” between 1992 and November To Subscribe: 6- “I am a Student, I am a Citizen: Ways Towards Al-Borj Building, 4th Floor, Martyrs Square 31, 2013 to carry out projects State Building” Workbook Beirut Central District Telephone: 961-1-983008/9 961-3-262376 in Lebanon. Contracts worth 7- “Lebanon Wars, why?” Fax: 961-1-980630 [email protected] USD 7.8 billion have been 8- Discrimination in Lebanon www.monthlymagazine.com completed. 9- Najma men Biladi www.information-international.com © Information International SAL All rights 10- Aklam men Biladi reserved License No. 180/2003 MOST RECENT PUBLICATIONS BY KUTUB

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