‘Lebanon set to recover from near-zero growth’ By Will Rasmussen , Daily Star May 25, 2005 BEIRUT: Lebanon is “on the eve of a historic reform opportunity” which could boost foreign investment and shave the public debt to 130 percent of GDP in four years – down from around 180 percent today. A report released […]

Liberation Day celebrated in South Lebanon

Lahoud says struggle with Israel continues

By Mohammed Zaatari and Nafez Qawas , Daily Star
Wednesday, May 25, 2005

SIDON: Five years after the liberation of South Lebanon from Israeli forces, dozens of Israeli tanks remain scattered in various towns and villages as living proof of the major defeat of the Israeli Army in Lebanon.

Southerners still remember the withdrawal of Israeli troops under the fire of the Islamic resistance party Hizbullah in May 2000 as a turning point and a reason for celebration.

President Emile Lahoud described the event as “an occasion to learn from past experience and consolidate solidarity.”

“Such a unity and solidarity among the Lebanese has in the past helped Lebanon to establish an unprecedented glory by forcing Israeli troops of occupation out of South Lebanon and by liberating the Lebanese territories.” He added: “Liberation would not have been accomplished without the resistance and assistance of sister Syria and other friends of Lebanon worldwide.”

Lebanon election promises sea change

Source : Aljazeera , May 25 , 2005

Free of the shackles of its powerful neighbour Syria, Lebanon votes on Sunday in what is being hailed as the first truly free elections in three decades – with the anti-Damascus opposition set to win.

Many of Syria’s once-powerful allies have already thrown in the towel and key opposition figures including veteran Druze leader Walid Jumblatt and Saad al-Hariri, son of slain ex-prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri, are assured of victory.

The real litmus test for the opposition, which is offering Lebanon’s more than two million voters no real manifesto, will be the turnout – a key indicator of any new government’s legitimacy.

The four-round election, which kicks off on 29 May in Beirut to be followed by three more rounds on consecutive Sundays, is the first to take place under international supervision.

Nine candidates on Saad al-Hariri’s list have already been elected without a single vote being cast, and another 10 are almost assured of victory.

Lebanon