Mary Achkhanian, Staff Reporter Dubai: There’s finally a Lebanese president, but in Brazil not in
Lebanon, Lebanese expats have said after Vice-President Michel Temer
assumed the role of president in Brazil early this month.

As Lebanon marks its
second year without a head of state, Lebanese expatriates in the UAE
commented on the irony of Brazil having a president of Lebanese descent
while Lebanon is still struggling to appoint one.Due to the ongoing political drift in the country, parliamentarians’ efforts to elect a president has remained on hold.The expatriates said the appointment of Temer brought both happiness and sadness to the Lebanese people.

Diana John, 30, a
teacher, said, “I personally felt proud that Lebanese people are
achieving and doing well and are prominent outside their country, but at
the same time it upset me that they have to leave our country to be
able to achieve something,” she said.

John said that the reason why expats do well outside their country is
“because they are abiding by the law and respect each other regardless
of religion or political affiliation, whereas when they go back to
Lebanon that’s not the case any more”. On whether the political
situation back home affects her, she said, “I haven’t lived in Lebanon,
so it doesn’t directly affect me that we still don’t have a president,
but I also have come to understand that even if we did have one, his
power is very minimal.”

Hikmat Abdul Baki, 47, a
sales director at a car service company, said Brazil was lucky to have a
president with Lebanese roots. “Lebanese people are able to succeed
outside and reach the highest positions in society but in their home
country they are faced with many obstacles as a result of the political
and sectarian differences. Many Lebanese people have not been able to be
productive in Lebanon even though they are capable of achieving so
much. Outside their country they have all the tools and opportunity to
succeed.”

“It doesn’t matter to me
when the next president of Lebanon will be appointed because I have
been living outside Lebanon for the past 18 years. It’s only the image
of Lebanon that changes if we have a president, or else I don’t think he
can do much even if we he had one.”

Adham K., 29, an auditor
in Abu Dhabi, said, “Everyone was quick to point out the irony of the
situation, whether they were Lebanese or not. It’s really embarrassing
for us Lebanese expats when people ask us why our country is still
without a president. We don’t even find the words to explain it to them
and have to respond by saying, it’s a long story.”

Adham also believes the
Lebanese community in the UAE is hardly affected by the situation of
having no president. “I don’t believe Lebanon’s economy or security
would improve if there was a president appointed. Neither will the
standard of living improve after his appointment.”

They said Lebanese
citizens should stop voting on sectarian lines and elect someone who
they think is capable of making a difference.