Hariri’s son enters Lebanon election race amid Christian warnings

BEIRUT (AFP) – Saadeddin Hariri, son of the slain former premier Rafiq Hariri, has thrown his hat into the ring for elections which Christian bishops warned could upset Lebanon’s delicate religious coexistence.

Hariri, whose father was killed on February 14, planned to unveil his electoral list Tuesday night but delayed the move amid cracks within the anti-Syrian Lebanese opposition.

The government, under pressure from the international community, said elections for a 128-seat parliament will take place on four consecutive Sundays starting May 29, a month after Syria pulled its troops from Lebanon.

The polls will be based on a Syrian-tailored law used in the last polls in 2000 that breaks Lebanon into large constituencies, seen as unfavourable to the large Christian minority which is demanding smaller voting areas.

Lebanon bishops say elections to weaken Christians

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon’s Maronite Christian bishops warned on Wednesday that elections starting this month would under-represent their community in favour of Muslim politicians and upset the country’s delicate sectarian balance.

“Insisting on holding parliamentary elections under this unfair law will have detrimental consequences that we do not want or wish for,” the Council of Maronite Bishops said in a statement after an emergency meeting.

“We call on all Christian and Muslim officials to look at this delicate situation and put national interests ahead, holding onto the coexistence that brings together Muslims and Christians on an equal footing,” it said.

Lebanon’s political system carefully distributes political offices among myriad religious minorities who fought a 15-year war that split the country into Christian and Muslim enclaves.

The Taif Accord that ended the 1975-1990 civil war grants half the seats in parliament to Christians and half to Muslims.

Geagea’s release becomes political bargaining chip

Legislators accused of supporting LF leader’s freedom bid in hope of gaining votes

By Karine Raad

BEIRUT: Strida Geagea had been assured by a number of legislators and opposition members that Parliament would hold a legislative session before the May-June elections to endorse the release of her husband, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea who has already served 11 years in prison at the Defense Ministry in Yarze.

Former Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh said Geagea’s case has become an electoral bargaining chip for some legislators and opposition members who had promised his release to the Bsharri constituency, where the Lebanese Forces represent more than 80 percent of the voters.

Asked if he could play a mediation role with the Karami family to facilitate Geagea’s release, Franjieh said: “Every person loyal to the country should play such a role, but I believe discussions on the issue should not be held one day before the draft bill for the amendment of the General Amnesty law is discussed, as this only invites reproach.”

Time to end the bickering and re-examine Taif

Do Lebanon’s woes lie in the failure to implement the accord, or within the agreement itself?

By Adnan El-Ghoul , Daily Star staff

ANALYSIS

BEIRUT: Despite receiving “verbal” approval from most Lebanese politicians, the Taif Accord has so far failed to produce an accurate representation of Lebanese voters, and many Lebanese have begun to doubt whether their politicians are actually committed to building a republic based on the the 1989 peace agreement.

One of the accord’s major setbacks was the establishment of the “troika” system, which led to one of the country’s top three leaders – the house speaker, prime minister and president – overpowering the other two. The speaker has the power to decide on most legislative issues.

Accordingly, some political circles have not bothered to hide their disappointment, claiming Taif has deepened the sectarian divide instead of solving the questions of equality and coexistence between Lebanon’s different sects and religious groups.

Others believe Taif too ambiguous, subject to interpretation and fails to offer the minimum requirements upon which to build and sustain a genuine national reconciliation.

New political movement gives voters an alternative
‘Hayyabina’ aims to put an end to sectarianism

By Raed El Rafei , Special to The Daily Star

BEIRUT: A new political movement announced here Monday is aiming to offer voters an original alternative when casting their ballots during parliamentary elections slated for later this month. For voters who wish to make a statement this election, instead of abstaining from voting or submitting a blank ballot they will now be able to cast a ballot detailing a political program rather than a list of candidates.

Behind the initiative is Hayyabina, a small group of independent individuals rallied under the slogan “Let’s go for a secular republic.”

During a press conference held Monday at Zico House in central Beirut, the members of Hayyabina expressed their belief in the right of all citizens to participate in the public arena outside the boundaries imposed by current political parties.

Tent protesters await release of Geagea
‘He is getting out, there is no doubt about it’

By Rym Ghazal , Daily Star staff

BEIRUT: Although the Lebanese government has yet to vote on the parole bill for the jailed former Lebanese Forces commander Samir Geagea, to his supporters protesting at Martyrs’ Square, Geagea has already been pardoned and is coming home.

“He is getting out, there is no doubt about it,” said 17-year-old George Espire, sitting in one of the blue tents erected at Martyrs’ Square. In recent months, the site has been renamed “Freedom Square” as it has become “the place” for voicing discontent with the government and staging sit-in protests.

Only seven tents remain from what used to be a dense and lively “village of tents” of more than 30 shelters representing various opposition groups.

Lebanon