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Lebanon bishops say elections to weaken Christians

Lebanon bishops say elections to weaken Christians


BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon’s Maronite Christian bishops warned on Wednesday that elections starting this month would under-represent their community in favour of Muslim politicians and upset the country’s delicate sectarian balance.


“Insisting on holding parliamentary elections under this unfair law will have detrimental consequences that we do not want or wish for,” the Council of Maronite Bishops said in a statement after an emergency meeting.


“We call on all Christian and Muslim officials to look at this delicate situation and put national interests ahead, holding onto the coexistence that brings together Muslims and Christians on an equal footing,” it said.


Lebanon’s political system carefully distributes political offices among myriad religious minorities who fought a 15-year war that split the country into Christian and Muslim enclaves.


The Taif Accord that ended the 1975-1990 civil war grants half the seats in parliament to Christians and half to Muslims.

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Geagea’s release becomes political bargaining chip

Geagea’s release becomes political bargaining chip


Legislators accused of supporting LF leader’s freedom bid in hope of gaining votes


By Karine Raad


BEIRUT: Strida Geagea had been assured by a number of legislators and opposition members that Parliament would hold a legislative session before the May-June elections to endorse the release of her husband, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea who has already served 11 years in prison at the Defense Ministry in Yarze.


Former Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh said Geagea’s case has become an electoral bargaining chip for some legislators and opposition members who had promised his release to the Bsharri constituency, where the Lebanese Forces represent more than 80 percent of the voters.


Asked if he could play a mediation role with the Karami family to facilitate Geagea’s release, Franjieh said: “Every person loyal to the country should play such a role, but I believe discussions on the issue should not be held one day before the draft bill for the amendment of the General Amnesty law is discussed, as this only invites reproach.”

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Time to end the bickering and re-examine Taif

Time to end the bickering and re-examine Taif


Do Lebanon’s woes lie in the failure to implement the accord, or within the agreement itself?


By Adnan El-Ghoul , Daily Star staff


ANALYSIS


BEIRUT: Despite receiving “verbal” approval from most Lebanese politicians, the Taif Accord has so far failed to produce an accurate representation of Lebanese voters, and many Lebanese have begun to doubt whether their politicians are actually committed to building a republic based on the the 1989 peace agreement.


One of the accord’s major setbacks was the establishment of the “troika” system, which led to one of the country’s top three leaders – the house speaker, prime minister and president – overpowering the other two. The speaker has the power to decide on most legislative issues.


Accordingly, some political circles have not bothered to hide their disappointment, claiming Taif has deepened the sectarian divide instead of solving the questions of equality and coexistence between Lebanon’s different sects and religious groups.


Others believe Taif too ambiguous, subject to interpretation and fails to offer the minimum requirements upon which to build and sustain a genuine national reconciliation.

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New political movement gives voters an alternative

New political movement gives voters an alternative
‘Hayyabina’ aims to put an end to sectarianism


By Raed El Rafei , Special to The Daily Star


BEIRUT: A new political movement announced here Monday is aiming to offer voters an original alternative when casting their ballots during parliamentary elections slated for later this month. For voters who wish to make a statement this election, instead of abstaining from voting or submitting a blank ballot they will now be able to cast a ballot detailing a political program rather than a list of candidates.


Behind the initiative is Hayyabina, a small group of independent individuals rallied under the slogan “Let’s go for a secular republic.”


During a press conference held Monday at Zico House in central Beirut, the members of Hayyabina expressed their belief in the right of all citizens to participate in the public arena outside the boundaries imposed by current political parties.

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Tent protesters await release of Geagea

Tent protesters await release of Geagea
‘He is getting out, there is no doubt about it’


By Rym Ghazal , Daily Star staff


BEIRUT: Although the Lebanese government has yet to vote on the parole bill for the jailed former Lebanese Forces commander Samir Geagea, to his supporters protesting at Martyrs’ Square, Geagea has already been pardoned and is coming home.


“He is getting out, there is no doubt about it,” said 17-year-old George Espire, sitting in one of the blue tents erected at Martyrs’ Square. In recent months, the site has been renamed “Freedom Square” as it has become “the place” for voicing discontent with the government and staging sit-in protests.


Only seven tents remain from what used to be a dense and lively “village of tents” of more than 30 shelters representing various opposition groups.

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Aoun reconciles with former LF foes

Aoun reconciles with former LF foes


By Majdoline Hatoum


BEIRUT: One day after his historic return from exile, former Lebanese Army General Michel Aoun called on his former political foes to “look ahead to the future, but keep an eye on the past.” After meeting on Sunday with Strida Geagea, the wife of jailed Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea who fought a bloody battle with Aoun toward the end of Lebanon’s civil war, Aoun said: “We hope Geagea will be free with us soon, and I will try to meet with him as soon as possible, even if that means I visit him in his jail.”

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Developers move ahead with Lebanon’s $1bn Sannine Zenith project

Developers move ahead with Lebanon’s $1bn Sannine Zenith project
Company CEO expects crews to begin work this year on the first phase of what will be the country’s largest tourism development


By Habib Battah , Daily Star staff


BEIRUT: Plans to build a billion dollar ski resort on Lebanon’s Sannine mountain range have not been affected by the unraveling of Lebanon’s delicate political fabric over recent months, with developers telling The Daily Star that excavation work on the mammoth project could begin as earlier as this summer.


Sannine Zenith mountain resort, expected to be the largest tourism project the country has ever seen, will have a final master plan by the end of May, according to company CEO Tony Abi Rached. Notwithstanding any future political earthquakes, this means crews will get to work on the 50 million square meter phase one of the project in a matter of weeks or months.

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Pope Calls on Media to Report Responsibly

Pope Calls on Media to Report Responsibly


By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press Writer


VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday that the media can spread peace but also foment violence, and he called on journalists to exercise responsibility to ensure objective reports that respect human dignity and the common good.


Benedict made the comments during a brief appearance at his studio window to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square below, following in the beloved Sunday tradition of Pope John Paul II.


Draped underneath the window for the first time was the red tapestry bearing Benedict’s papal coat of arms, which includes traditional elements from his native Bavaria and a nod to St. Augustine.


Noting that Sunday was the world day of social communications, the pope praised the media for what he called the “extraordinary” coverage of the death and funeral of John Paul.

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