Khazen – Page 961

On arms, Hizbullah accepts nonnegotiable dialogue

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OPINION

On arms, Hizbullah accepts nonnegotiable dialogue

By Amal Saad-Ghorayeb

Following the withdrawal of Syria’s military and intelligence services from Lebanon, attention was riveted on the fate of Hizbullah’s armed wing, the Islamic resistance. Bereft of the political cover its military activity received from the Assad regime, the party now finds itself in the position of having to persuade its compatriots of the advantages of what it calls the “unique formula of resistance and army” that Lebanon has at its disposal to combat Israel.

While Hizbullah can count on domestic support for its resistance in the short to medium term, it may not be able to do so it in the long term, once Israel evacuates the Shebaa Farms and a regional settlement is reached. In post-Syria Lebanon, where sectarianism has resurfaced with a vengeance, the question is no longer one of “Why do we need a resistance?” but “Why do the Shiites get to keep their arms?” International pressure from the United Nations, the European Union and the United States in particular could feed on such sensitivities, obliging the Lebanese government to work toward disarming the party.

Hizbullah may find itself cornered domestically, having to choose between backing down at the last minute and giving up its weapons or fighting a losing battle to retain its arms. If it chooses the first option, it will become an emasculated shadow of its former self, operating in a political space demarcated by the very forces which brought about its demise. If it goes for the second, it will find itself isolated domestically and delegitimized.

Hizbullah is attempting to avert the likelihood of such a dilemma by rationalizing its resistance role and underscoring the need for strategic defense. It has been both constrained and galvanized by the U.S.-led campaign to disband its armed resistance. It regards this and the wider U.S. regional goal to militarily constrain Iran, Syria and Palestinian Islamists as part of a “neoimperialist strategy.” It also considers the “democratizing” thrust of the Bush administration a flimsy pretext to shape the Middle East to its own benefit, and that of Israel.

A Human Rights Agenda for the Parliamentary Elections

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A Human Rights Agenda for the Parliamentary Elections in Lebanon

Source : Amnesty International USA

Introduction
On the eve of the Lebanese parliamentary elections scheduled for 29 May to 19 June 2005, Amnesty International is seeking to promote debate over how human rights in Lebanon may be more effectively promoted and protected. Elections provide an opportunity for consolidating democracy and justice in a post-conflict situation or a situation characterised by insufficient attention to human rights protection. Amnesty International believes that human rights should be at the heart of the proposed agenda of each candidate, and of the future government.

Lebanese laws and the constitution are generally conducive to protecting human rights, and Lebanon prides itself on the role its representative played in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human rights, 1948. There continues to be a lively community of human rights organisations and defenders in the country, Lebanon has a reputation for being a regional media and cultural centre, and there is a Parliamentary Human Rights Committee. For years Amnesty International has had a good, open and frank dialogue with the Lebanese authorities who have permitted the organisation to carry out numerous human rights-related activities in the country. Amnesty International has also established its regional office for the Middle East and North Africa in Beirut. The organisation hopes that further cooperation continues after the elections and with the formation of the new parliament and government.

However, there continue to be human rights concerns in Lebanon, and the forthcoming elections provide an important opportunity for Lebanese citizens to raise their human rights concerns with candidates.

For over a decade Amnesty International has conducted numerous research visits to Lebanon, interviewed victims of human rights violations and their relatives, observed trials of political prisoners and held talks with government officials, members of the judiciary, lawyers and prosecutors. Although there is a noticeable awareness about human rights issues at both official and non-official levels, Amnesty International has documented gross human rights violations since the end of the civil war in 1990, committed by agents of the state or non-state actors. The organisation has communicated its findings and concerns in confidential correspondence with the authorities or published them in public reports and through the media. However, the bulk of the organisation’s concerns and recommendations do not seem to have been properly addressed, or even taken seriously by the Lebanese authorities.

In 1997, and after a lapse of 14 years since the submission of its first report, Lebanon presented its second periodic report to the Human Rights Committee (HRC), the body of experts entrusted with monitoring implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Lebanon ratified in 1975. The HRC examined Lebanon’s report and urged the Lebanese government to undertake a number of reforms and measures to bring its laws and practices in conformity with its obligations under the ICCPR. As with the case with recommendations submitted by Amnesty International, none of the HRC concluding observations appear to have been heeded by the Lebanese authorities.

In this document, Amnesty International is highlighting several key human rights areas: the need for reform of the justice sector; ending discrimination against women and marginalised communities; declaring a moratorium on executions as a step towards the abolition of the death penalty; ending impunity for past

Canada to send election observers to Lebanon

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Canada to send election observers to Lebanon

OTTAWA (AFP) – Canada will send 20 observers to monitor Lebanon’s May 29-June 19 parliamentary elections, officials announced.

Ten will join the European Union Electoral Observation Mission and 10 will form an independent Canadian mission that will observe only the first round of the election in Beirut on May 29.

The deployment marks the third Canada Corps mission to observe elections abroad. Canada provided election observers to support the second Ukrainian presidential runoff elections that were held in December 2004 and contributed observers for the Palestinian presidential elections held in January.

Syria will not influence Lebanon poll-PM Mikati

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Syria will not influence Lebanon poll-PM Mikati

By Mariam Karouny

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon’s forthcoming parliamentary elections, the first for 33 years without Syrian troops in the country, will be fair and free of Syrian influence, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Thursday.

He said his government, installed last month to organize the polls that run from May 29 to June 19, would act impartially.

“There is no more Syrian influence on Lebanon’s daily political life,” Mikati told Reuters in an interview.

“Damascus decided to leave Lebanon,” the Sunni Muslim politician said. “I’m sure it is as far as it can be from influencing the elections. Syria left Lebanon not to interfere.”

The Beauty and the sea

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Today’s photo The Beauty and the sea Miss Universe 2005 contestant Nadine Njeim of Lebanon takes a minute to enjoy the beach after a pool side photo shoot on the Thai resort island of Phuket May 19, 2005. The Miss Universe 2005 pageant will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 31, 2005. REUTERS/Adrees Latif

Christians in Lebanon divided as elections draw near

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Christians in Lebanon divided as elections draw near

By Mitchell Prothero , THE WASHINGTON TIMES

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Former Lebanese Army commander Michel Aoun paid a shock visit to his jailed former rival Samir Geagea in what was seen as a bid to unite Lebanon’s Christian community just 10 days before landmark parliamentary elections.

But sharp divisions remain within the coalition that formed after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri to force an end to 29 years of occupation by Syrian troops.

A party now led by Mr. Hariri’s son, Saad, has emerged as a favorite, taking nine of the 19 parliamentary seats in Beirut by acclamation after several challengers withdrew yesterday. But the pro-Syrian party that ruled until its resignation this spring also remains a factor.

Geagea, who was blamed for a wave of political assassinations and bombings when he led the Lebanese Forces militia during Lebanon’s long civil war, has spent most of the past 11 years in solitary confinement in an underground cell for his actions, while other former warlords were rewarded with Cabinet posts.

Lebanon and its message

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Lebanon and its message

By R. Moses Reiss

Lebanon’s elections are scheduled to start on May 29, and will continue for the following three Sundays.

Lebanon is estimated to be 95% Arab. In the last election, in 2000, 50% of the electorate voted for Christian parties. How much of the population is Muslim and how much is Christian is unknown. Estimates range from slightly more Christians than Muslims, to 2-1 favoring Muslims. The 450,000 Palestinians in Lebanon are not counted as they have no rights and are forbidden to hold citizenship. The last census was taken in 1932.

Lebanese are believed to originate from the ancient Phoenicians. King Solomon, in building the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem approximately 3,000 years ago, purchased timber from Lebanon, according to the Bible (1 Kings 5:30-31).

Later came the Armenians, who spoke Aramaic, the language of Jesus. The Armenians claim to be the first Gentile group to convert as a result of Constantine’s conversion in the fourth century; they are still called the Malkites. The word is Semitic and its Hebrew root is the word for king. The Hebrew name for Lebanon is Laban, which also means “white”. Laban was Jacob’s father-in-law for both of his wives (Leah and Rachel), and he is at times called the Armenian.

Ragheb Alama promises a heated summer for Lebanon

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Ragheb Alama promises a heated summer for Lebanon

Lebanese superstar Ragheb Alama has promised this summer season in Lebanon to be filled with celebrations and concerts, offered by him and others from the music industry. The singer called on Arabs throughout the region to overlook the recent tragedies that Lebanon has faced, and to have faith in the country that has been one of the most desirable tourist destinations for years.

Ragheb claims that

Lebanon bank sues ex-Syrian intelligence boss for fraud

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Lebanon bank sues ex-Syrian intelligence boss for fraud

BEIRUT – The head of Lebanon’s Al-Madina Bank, which collapsed two years ago in one of the country’s biggest banking scandals, has sued the former Syrian intelligence chief in Lebanon for alleged embezzlement.

Al-Madina president Adnan Abu Ayyash accuses General Rustom Ghazaleh and three brothers of spiriting away 72 million dollars from the bank between 2000 and 2003, his lawyer Jean Azzi told AFP Thursday.

Ghazaleh headed the much-feared Syrian intelligence which left Lebanon last month as part of a troop withdrawal that ended Damascus’s 29-year military and political grip on its smaller neighbour.

U.N. Warns of Fragile Situation in Lebanon

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U.N. Warns of Fragile Situation in Lebanon

By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer

UNITED NATIONS – The U.N.’s top political official warned that despite recent progress the situation in Lebanon is fragile and violence between Israelis and Palestinians is steadily increasing.

Kieran Prendergast, the undersecretary-general for political affairs, called Wednesday for an end to bombings and acts of intimidation as Lebanon prepares for parliamentary elections starting May 29. The elections are happening under a new government that was installed following the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri.

Prendergast also urged Israel and the Palestinians to meet on a continuing basis to address the rising violence that is “compounding a corresponding deterioration in trust and confidence between the two sides.”