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Lebanese Politicians Use Twitter to Expose Their Secrets

-- Taking to Twitter in service of their own ends, Lebanese politicians use the platform to expose secrets previously kept exclusive to political echelons. But unlike the average citizen, Twitter-active politicians enjoy immunity. Maj. Gen. Jamil al-Sayyid said that posting on Twitter was a simple daily habit he practiced with no expectations whatsoever for his account to pick up a following of over 300,000. “In the past, I was obsessed with the notion of expression, and made frequent contacts with televisions and newspapers to convey my stances,” he said.

“But with Twitter, it’s like I have my own radio podcast, television broadcast and a newspaper right at home. It takes one sentence to make an impact," he added. In another muscle flexing Twitter spat, Environment Minister Tarek Khatib scolds Lebanese journalist Charles Ayoub over the latter’s prodding around affairs of the caretaker Foreign Minister, Gebran Bassil. In an Arabic tweet, Khatib tells Ayoub that his “harassment of great warriors will not take him any higher, and that Gebran Bassil will not stoop down to his level and grant him the privilege of response.” “You need a mental hospital,” Khatib slams Ayoub.

Sociology Professor Dr. Talal Atrissi deplored double standards practiced in Lebanon that see to politicians getting off scot-free with blasting rivals, while the average citizen is dragged into investigations. A politician posts whatever comes to his mind on Twitter with minimal accountability. Unlike interviews and debates that are moderated by journalists, social media does not constrain the politician, Atrissi criticized. “The Lebanese see Twitter as an escape, and simply don’t care about filtering what they say because they do not personally know the reader or responder,” he added. “But if we assume that politicians are leaders and a role model for the public, then hearing an official cursing and using denigrate language makes way for others doing the same,” Atrissi said on the poorly, at times rudely, phrased tweets. Atrissi remarked that a politician is responsible whenever he or she speaks, explaining that an elected representative is not an ordinary person that can act freely and in an unbalanced manner. On social media, Lebanese politicians have not been shy in expressing hostility, brazenly lambasting their rivals. “The issue with Lebanese behavior is facing each other edgily and aggressively on Twitter-- as if there is hostility harbored against anyone who is not me,” Atrissi added. “We need a lot of time to change this culture of resentment, through deliberate steps that contribute to eliminating provocation.” This article has been adapted from its original source.

Lebanon vows no more taxes on civilians to fund gov't projects

BEIRUT, (Xinhua) -- Lebanese caretaker Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said Tuesday that people cannot bear any further increase in taxes in Lebanon, local media reported. "People cannot pay more taxes to finance the government's projects. What we really need right now are real reforms whereby all political parties assume their full responsibilities in this regard," Khalil was quoted by the National News Agency as saying. Khalil also said that no new taxes will be adopted in the 2019 budget. Khalil's remarks came a day after news about possible tax hikes were published by Al Akhbar local newspaper. According to the newspaper, Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh proposed an increase of 5,000 Lebanese pounds (3.31 U.S. dollars) in the price of fuel and a hike in value added tax to solve the housing loans crisis in Lebanon. "Salameh refused to impose more taxes on the banking sector in a bid to secure funds for housing loans," it said. It added that Salameh's new proposal came during his meeting last week with the national economic, trade and industrial parliament committee to discuss ways of solving the housing loans crisis in Lebanon. Khalil said earlier that the Finance Ministry is in the process of holding discussions with the political powers and parliamentary blocs over the 2019 budget draft so that it can be ready to get approval once the new government is formed. The new cabinet must discuss and approve the draft state budget before referring it to the parliament for endorsement. Enditem

Lebanon to start drilling oil wells in Mediterranean Sea in 2019

by lebaneseexaminer.com -- RABIH K -- Exploration drilling of oil and gas in the Mediterranean Sea will begin in 2019, Lebanese Minister of Energy and Water Cesar Abi Khalil said in an interview with the Russian news agency Sputnik. The minister also held a news conference in Dec. 2017 announcing plans to begin exploratory drilling in 2019. “If commercial drilling does not take place as we plan, we will continue the exploration of the oil fields,” Abi Khalil told the news outlet. If the country begins successfully drilling for gas and oil, the Energy Minister said it could be used to fulfill Lebanon’s energy needs, or be delivered to Europe “by sea, through Egypt or via the Arab pipeline.” Hydrocarbons, an early indicator if oil exists in an area, were originally discovered near Lebanon in the eastern Mediterranean in 2009. In August of this year, Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil asked his Russian counterpart to encourage Russian energy companies to take part in the upcoming bidding round of foreign investments. Sputnik reported that tensions have grown between Lebanese and Israeli governments over territorial claims of the oil reserves.

AUB ranks in top 50 universities worldwide for employability

by lebaneseexaminer.com -- The American University of Beirut is among the top 50 universities worldwide for producing the most employable graduates, according to 2019 rankings released by education researcher Quacquarelli Symonds. AUB was ranked 45 in the list of top 50 universities around the world for employability. The top five universities include: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Harvard University, The University of Sydney The new ranking marks the third year in a row AUB is listed above every accredited university in the Arab region. “AUB’s continued dominance in the QS ranking of graduate employability is evidence of AUB’s success in achieving its mission of producing outstanding graduates,” said Lokman Meho, director of AUB University Libraries.

St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church opens in Michigan

by lebaneseexaminer.com -- Named after a saint known for his miracles around the world, St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church announced its opening of a 29,000-square-foot church in Clinton Township, Michigan. The church is home to one of the largest Maronite communities in the United States. It was formerly located in Warren, but moved to Clinton Township as part of a major expansion and construction project. “We are delighted to welcome our parishioners to their new home,” said Chorbishop Alfred Badawi, pastor of St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church. “This beautiful new church helps accommodate our growing parish, which is a testament to the vibrancy of the Maronite Catholic faith in Michigan.” The church features architectural influences from among the world’s most historic churches in Lebanon, where St. Sharbel was born and lived as a solitary hermit. St. Sharbel was beatified Dec. 5, 1965, and canonized Oct. 9, 1977. “It is humbling to build an honor for St. Sharbel, who has performed dozens of miracles right here in metro Detroit, and who inspires devotion among Christians of all denominations, “Chorbishop Badawi added. “This move to Clinton Township secures the foundation of our future and safeguards the mission of the Maronite community, allowing us to preserve the treasures of our traditional values and culture for decades to come.” For more than three decades, St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church has served a diverse population of parishioners in southeastern Michigan, including a large population who immigrated to Detroit from Lebanon and other Middle Eastern countries.

Lebanon strongly rejects any derogatory remarks directed at Kuwait, its Amir

MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BEIRUT, Sept 16 (KUNA) -- Lebanese Foreign Ministry Sunday strongly rejects any derogatory remarks directed at Kuwait and its leader His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is not be accepted. A statement by the ministry said, "we should not be directing such harmful remarks at such a close friend, saluting the State of Kuwait and its Amir who has been a sincere and loyal friend of Lebanon, and holds Lebanon in his heart and conscience to not abandon Lebanon in its darkest circumstances, and the Kuwaiti people who consider Lebanon as their second home." On behalf of all the Lebanese people, the ministry expressed, "noninterference in the affairs of the countries that stood up and supported Lebanon during its crisis, putting the interest of their country and Lebanon in mind." Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri, as well as a wide range of political, popular, religious, and economics bodies issued statements condemning the remarks slandering Kuwait and its Amir during an interview in Al-Manar TV. Lebanese State General Prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud has asked judicial authorities to follow up on the interview and release it in preparation for legal proceedings. (end) wsm.aq

NADIM GEMAYEL ON 36TH COMMEMORATION OF BACHIR GEMAYEL'S MARTYRDOM: FOR BUILDING STATE WITH NOBLE CAUSES

By Lina Younis - NNA -- The Bachir Gemayel Foundation and the Kataeb Ashrafieh District Branch on Friday marked the 36th commemoration of the martyrdom of President Bachir Gemayel and his comrades, during a ceremony in Ashrafieh attended by MP Nadim Gemayel and his sister, Yumna, and martyrs' families. Attending the ceremony had also been MP Imad Wakim at the top of a delegation of the Lebanese Forces, Kataeb Party's Secretary General Nizar Najarian, on top of a party delegation, as well as the Executive Director of "Bachir Gemayel Foundation" Alfred Madi. Candles were lit and wreaths were laid on the martyrs' tomb at the Kataeb House's yard. Attendees stood a minute of silinece on the souls of fallen martyrs of September 13, 1982.

In his delivered word, MP Gemayel called for building a state enjoying much more noble causes than temporal and superficial ones, such as power-sharing quotas and positins. "It is due time to build a homeland and give real meaning to freedom, independence and equality that Bachir craved for every citizen," MP Gemayel said, adding that "the sole thing that brings us together is a state that has a vision and a project." Gemayel called for overcoming fear and working for political equality and balance, deemed as the pillars of the nation away from intimidation and threats. The Lawmaker also saluted the judiciary and brave judges who worked on the indictment against the killers of Bachir Gemayel and his companions.