Lebanon in the Period of Cheikh Abi Nawfal El Khazen
22 March 2008
After death of Cheikh Abi Nader, Cheikh Abi Nawfal became his successor where his governing was known to be effective and powerful. He continued concentrating on the Catholic faith, and made sure that it spreads around the country and becomes an inspiration for generations to come. Because of this, in 1656, the Pope Alexander the seventh granted him and his sons a Roman-Royal reward which became one of the Khazens’ symbols. On the other hand, King of France rewarded him
In 1658, Cheikh Abi Nawfal transferred Akkar, and Batroun’s treasure to the government, at time where the state could not trust any one else’s obligation. At the same year, Emir Melhem Maa?n died and Emir Ahmed and Korkomas became his successors, sons of Emir Ali son of Emir Fakhr Al Din maa’n. Again, Cheikh Abi Nawfal had his mission to occupy the management of the country’s matters, as his grand fathers did.
BEIRUT (AFP) 
Persepolis, the graphic novel turned Oscar-nominated movie by Marjane Satrapi, has been shown in two cultural centers in Tehran but it will not be seen any time soon in Lebanon, where the censor fears its critical portrayal of Iran’s Islamic revolution might upset the Shia population. By RITA BAROTTA and GERT VAN LANGENDONCK BEIRUT, March 13, 2008 (MENASSAT) 
Beirut – Lebanon’s anti-Syrian ruling "March 14 Forces coalition" started Friday its first official convention with the aim of declaring a comprehensive political platform for the country. The convention also marks the third anniversary of a massive demonstration often credited with stoking the international pressure that brought an end to Syria’s 29-year military presence in Lebanon following the assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri in 2005. 
by Khalil Fleyhan, BEIRUT (AFP) – Syria on Thursday officially invited Lebanon to the Arab summit, a move seen as a bid to ease tensions with Arab countries who had hinted they might boycott the meeting should Beirut be excluded. The Syrian invitation was addressed to Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, but there were doubts on whether he would accept.
By Mike Sergeant, Their faces are covered in dirt. Their hands are tough and grimy. Their eyes have been hardened by years of adult labour. Lebanon’s child workers lost their playfulness a long time ago. According to some estimates, up to 100,000 children – some as young as eight years old – work in Lebanon. The problem is getting worse because of the long-running political crisis in the country, and growing economic uncertainty here. Stroll down some of the inner city streets in Tripoli and you can see young boys sawing, painting, hammering and welding. During what should be school time, there are children hard at work in almost every workshop, garage and cafe. 
by Rana Moussaoui, BEIRUT (AFP) – Lebanese women may be known as the Arab world’s most liberal but they are by no means the region’s most liberated considering antiquated laws that reduce them to second-class citizens. "The law in this country still considers a woman as being inferior," complained sociologist Rafif Sidaoui. From domestic violence to rape to adultery, the rights of women often fall by the wayside in this multi-confessional sectarian society, nonetheless deemed avant-garde in the mostly conservative Middle East. "One of the absurd laws on the books allows a rapist to be exempt from prison if he marries his victim," said Ezzat Mroue, vice-president of the Women’s Rights Committee (WRC). "A few years ago, there was a major scandal when a young man, who was after his cousin, kidnapped her from her university," she added. "He raped her and then brought her before a sheikh who married them. "The result was that he was not guilty in the eyes of the law," Mroue said.
