by Rita Daou, BEIRUT (AFP) - Loretta Beayni works 10 hours a day, six days a week in a Beirut  beauty salon, earning a mere 400 dollars a month, which goes in the blink of an eye on household bills and helping out her parents. Like many Lebanese, she has a hard time making ends meet in a country where inflation is hefty and where many are forced to take on two jobs to survive.

Beayni, 40, has been working at the beauty salon for 15 years, and says she manages to stay afloat largely thanks to tips."But once I pay all my bills, I have nothing left," she says. "I haven't purchased any new clothes for two years and even had to borrow money to buy a black outfit so I could go to my uncle's funeral."Last month, she was even forced to cancel a doctor's appointment because she did not have the money

What a Khazen Means

and How New Generations Perceive it 

10 April 2008 

Already it is known about the enormous contribution which the Khazen family had brought to Lebanon. The name De Khazen is an official name for the tight connection which this family had created with the French authorities. This family was the first and pioneer of such special relationship which is seen and still exists nowadays, in our modern times. Obviously, legend personalities of the Khazen family who achieved this special relationship and support led to Lebanese political parties enjoy its benefits also, mostly nowadays.

It is important to realise a source of luxury as a lesson and reinforcement to carry on with it. Through all history of Lebanon, you come to realise that the Lebanese people are a nation of suffering, survival, and achievements. This nation is clever and stubborn, which relies and lives faith and sector preservation. It will not seemingly, give up any of those, whether for the better or the worse. A person with basic analytic abilities may easily see the main reasons for recent problems in Lebanon and its political infrastructure defects. They still mainly derive from religious basis, and it is unacceptable to say otherwise. Not that much has changed since the Khazen period started and Lebanon still suffers from foreign interference with help of interior powers. While the Khazen period had the Ottoman occupation and the Yamnies' support to it, today the situation is still the same, principally, but the foreign and interior powers changed to others; much of betrayals and much of fights over leadership. It is pathetic.

According to that, it is crucial for any person who is interested in learning the history of Lebanon and analyse conclusions, learn also the history of the Khazens. You cannot differentiate or separate them.

Cheikh Abi Nader El Khazen’s Role in Returning the Christians of Keserwan Back Home 06 April 2008 In 1598, Emir Fakhr Al Din appointed Cheikh …

The Shehab Emirs and the Khazen Lords

03 April 2008

Emir Haidar, grandfather of all Shehab Emirs found on Mount Lebanon, had the Yamnies dismissing him from his position and placing Emir Youssef Elm Al Din instead. Following this, he escaped and disappeared in Hermel caves and sent the rest of his family to the Khazen Cheikhs who  hid them around villages of Kesserwan making sure that they receive all they need; at the same time, they kept in touch with the Emir sending him weapons to defend him self and advices how to act. 

At that time, Emir Youssef Al Yamni sent soldiers towards the Khazen Cheikhs demanding Emir-hood payments. Following this, Cheikh Nader son of Khater son of Abi Nawfal El Khazen turned to Deir El Kammar to settle down the issue leading Emir Youssef exempt them, and promise them special considerations.

A year after, Emir Haidar Shehab and the Khazen Cheikhs were ready for a battle. The Emir arrived in El Metn and the Khazen Cheikhs with their fighters from Keserwan joined him. Their commander was Cheikh Serhan son of Nawfal called Abi Nassif El Khazen. Indeed, the war erupted between the Kaissis and the Yamnies in Jard County which led to the defeat of the Yamnies.

Following this, Emir Haidar was returned back to his previous position and again, he confirmed rule of the Khazen Cheikhs over Kesserwan the county. The Emir's advisors of course were of the Khazen Cheikhs but virtually, they ruled all areas in the country.