LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
June 22/09
Bible Reading of the day
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ
according to Saint Mark 4:35-41. On that day, as evening drew on, he said to
them, "Let us cross to the other side."Leaving the crowd, they took him with
them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall
came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling
up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him,
"Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind,
and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great
calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"
They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom
even wind and sea obey?"
Minister Cannon Condemns Use of Violence Against Protestors in Iran
June 21, 2009 No. 168
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, today made
the following statement condemning the use of violence against protestors in
Iran:
“Canada condemns the decision of the Iranian authorities to use violence and
force against their own people. Although the scale of the casualties is unclear,
it is evident that Iranian security forces are using deadly force on citizens
and deaths have occurred. Millions of Iranian civilians have taken to the
streets in the past week in Tehran and throughout the country protesting what
they consider a fraudulent election. The government’s reaction has been to
silence the voices of its own people through brutality. “The Iranian people
deserve to have their voices heard, without fear of intimidation or violence.
Canada condemns the use of force to stifle dissent, and we continue to call on
Iran to fully respect all of its human rights obligations, both in law and in
practice, and to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the fraud
allegations. The Government of Canada continues to support freedom, democracy,
human rights and the rule of law in Iran.”
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Amin Gemayel:On June 18, the
Lebanese National News Agency carried the following report 21.06.09
The responsibility of March 14/Future
News 21.06.09
The power relations in
parliament.An overview of what has changed and what it means.By: Maya Khourchid,
21.06.09
WALID PHARES: Iran — The Uprising Is On and There's
No Turning Back/FOXNews 21/06/09
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for June
21/09
Geagea: Berri Vote on The
Basis of a Clear Program in Harmony With LF Proposals-Naharnet
Adwan: Time to Complete
the Reconciliation With Suleiman Franjieh-Naharnet
Tehran Tense, Quiet, After Week of
Violent Protests.VOA
Sfeir:
We Thank Those Who Understood Our Stance-Naharnet
Allouch: Lebanon’s defense strategy
decision in Iran’s. Future News
Zoghbi: March 14 will not
disintegrate.Future News
Druze in Israel protestors warn of
intifada.Ynetnews
Elected 2009 Parliament Officially
in Power, Saniora Cabinet Care Taker Government-Naharnet
Aoun
Wants Six Christian Ministers in Cabinet-Naharnet
FMP insists on obstructing third.
Now Lebanon
Geagea: LF will not vote
for Berri unconditionally.Now Lebanon
Nasrallah meets Tashnaq
officials.Now Lebanon
Raad: Speaker election
almost finalized, cabinet formation still underway .Now Lebanon
Adwan: Time to Complete the Reconciliation With Suleiman Franjieh-Naharnet
Hizbullah: Nasrallah-Hariri
Meeting Seriously Possible-Naharnet
Al-Mustaqbal:
Quasi-Unanimity Over Hariri Heading New Cabinet-Naharnet
Time Repeats Itself in 56
Years: Zein Elder Speaker, Tueni Youngest MP-Naharnet
Marouni: March 14 Forces
Began Preparations for Municipal Elections-Naharnet
Jumblat Calls for
Electoral Law that Allows Minorities to Reach Parliament-Naharnet
Soaid: We Will Take
Appropriate Measures if Attacks Against Sfeir Continue-Naharnet
Lebanon Informs U.N. About
its Stance from Implementation of Resolution 1701-Naharnet
Suleiman Asks Cabinet to
Carry out Caretaking Mission as New Parliament Mandate Begins-Naharnet
Eight Men Guilty of
Plotting Attacks on U.N. Troops-Naharnet
Lebanon marks fourth anniversary of
Georges Hawi killing-Naharnet
Sfeir: We
Thank Those Who Understood Our Stance
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir issued his thanks on Sunday to all
those who understood his stances regarding the elections and had expressed their
sympathy and denounced all that was thrown at him by individuals harboring
well-known intentions. In his Sunday sermon from Bkirki Sfeir prayed to God to
guide the Lebanese to all that is good for their country.
Following mass the patriarch received a delegation from Ashrafieh, the mother of
killed Lebanese army captain Samer Hanna and a delegation from the town of Fghal.
Beirut, 21 Jun 09, 12:10
Zoghbi: March 14 will not disintegrate
Date: June 21st, 2009 Source: Voice of Lebanon
March 14 member, Elias Zoghbi assured in an interview on Saturday that March
14’s political body, formed over the past years, will not disintegrate.
Zoghbi lauded the meeting between Hizbullah Secretary General, Sayyed Hassan
Nasrallah and Progressive Socialist Party boss, MP Walid Jumblatt. The surprise
meeting held on Thursday addressed the need to work for a comprehensive
reconciliation that would lead to cooperation among all Lebanese parties. Recent
hard-line "threats" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also
discussed. Concerning the June 7 parliamentary elections, he believes that the
issuance was a conclusive response to the May 7 attacks when armed supporters of
Amal and Hizbullah started street fights and disrupted stability. On the
Armenians’ position in the elections, Zoghbi said “Armenians who are not
affiliated with Tashnag Party have jolted up in number Achrafieh to more than
35% although Tashnag boasts about possessing 80% of the total number of
Armenians in the district.”He expected Tashnag to re-consider its political
alliances after the loss it incurred in the elections. Tashnag, a March 8 ally,
expected to win five seats but could only attains two, given to the party by
settlement.
Allouch: Lebanon’s defense strategy decision in Iran’s
hands
Date: June 21st, 2009 Source: ANB
Former MP Mustapha Allouch said Sunday the weapons of Hizbullah, the Shiite
opposition party backed by Iran and Syria, “is not local but it is connected,
according to the convictions of its leaders, to the only reference in
Iran.”Allouch pointed that the decision of changing Lebanon’s defense strategy
“is in the hands of Iran and its supreme leader.”
He added that the ‘dialogue committee’, assigned to carry out dialogue sessions
between Lebanese counterparts, “is an attempt to delude people that the issues
of dispute are being discussed. “We know that Hizbullah is the group mostly
concerned with the defense strategy but Hizbullah insists on keeping the status
as it is”, Allouch concluded.
Kanaan: There is new movement among political alliances
June 21, 2009
Now Lebanon/Free Patriotic Movement MP-elect Ibrahim Kanaan told OTV on Sunday
that there was “movement” among political alliances and that he could not
anticipate the results of these new relationships. “The constitution does not
prevent the cabinet being formed on the basis of proportionality. If the March
14 alliance does not want to form a national unity cabinet, we will commit to
the constitution and democratic laws,” he said, reiterating that his bloc
represented the largest Maronite political grouping. “The meeting between
Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun
and Speaker Nabih Berri occurred prior to the 2009 parliamentary elections in
Jezzine and the dispute was resolved. We are facing a new phase on the level of
alliances within March 14,” he said. Kanaan stated that it was the four-party
alliance that previously obstructed the parliament. -NOW Staff
The responsibility of March 14
Date: June 21st, 2009 Future News
As the mandate of the current parliamentary council approaches expiry date
paving way for the new council to emerge, the political scene maintains a status
quo waiting for the return of MP Saad Hariri to Lebanon to shape up the new
government after electing a new house speaker.
Meanwhile, the Hizbullah-led March 8 opposition alliance, maintains silence
concerning the obstructing third -veto powers to obstruct government decisions-
because of the contradiction that emerged between its leaders on the vision of
the new government. The only thing that gives momentum to the political scene is
the meeting that was held Thursday between Druze Leader Walid Jumblatt –of the
March 14 alliance- and the Secretary-General of the Hizbullah party Sayyed
Hassan Nasrallah –leader of the March 8 opposition alliance.
The meeting was considered an encouraging policy adopted by the March 14
alliance to reinforce the internal situation and stability, in light of the
escalating regional events starting with Israel and Iran. As the parliament’s
mandate begins at midnight Saturday, President Michel Sleiman expressed in a
statement issued by the presidency’s Directorate-General, his gratitude to Prime
Minister Fouad Siniora.
Berry… calm and cooperative
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nabih Berry said that the speech of the Israeli Prime
Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, showed that the Arabs have no choice to resist.
Berry said he told the U.S. Ambassador Michele Sison, who was on a visit to
Lebanon inquiring the opinion of the Lebanese on Netanyahu’s speech, that
“Israeli extremism places the region in face of dangerous possibilities.”Berry
emphasized “internal consensus” and “real cooperation” among the parties
regardless of how many shares and seats would the opposition win in the next
government.
Syrian Iranian attacks against Bkerke
In another context, attacks against the Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros
Sfeir were condemned, mainly after it has taken a serious turn when Sayyed
Hassan Nasrallah criticized the Patriarch.
Fares Souaid, Coordinator of the general secretariat of March 14, said that the
attacks against the Patriarch were planned by March 8 and supported by Iran and
Syria.
MP Michel Pharaoun said that religious authorities in Lebanon have taken
important national stances when needed.
Approach to openness
MP Marwan Hamadeh, commented on the meeting that was held between Jumbaltt and
Nasrallah, he said: “Jumblatt did not and will not move away from March 14. He
is one of its founders.”He assured that Jumblatt looks forward to have a new
government capable of keeping Lebanon away from regional confrontations.
Hamadeh added that the meeting, which joined Jumblatt and Nasrallah, was
intended to reduce tension that emerged after the May 7 attacks, and in the
aftermath of the Israeli Prime Minister’s speech Benjamin Netanyahu. He
concluded that the meeting was the result of a set of understandings and may
pave way for more even with General Michel Aoun.
FMP insists on obstructing third
June 21, 2009
Now Lebanon/Al-Hayat’s Sunday edition quoted an opposition source saying that
meetings were held between high-level party officials from the Free Patriotic
Movement, Hezbollah, and the Amal and Marada movements to pave the way for
meetings between their leaders. The source revealed that the Free Patriotic
Movement insisted on being granted the third obstructing vote in the cabinet,
while the Amal Movement made no such request. Previous meetings between
Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and opposition leaders were
intended to evaluate the periods before and after the 2009 parliamentary
elections and to discuss plans to help Lebanon overcome its crisis, the
newspaper reported. The source said that during the meetings between Marada
Movement leader Sleiman Franjieh and Nasrallah, and between Syrian Socialist
Nationalist party leader Assad Hardane and Nasrallah, the leaders discussed the
formation of the cabinet, the opposition’s position regarding the obstructing
third vote and the distribution of ministerial seats between the March 8
coalition. Franjieh assured Nasrallah during their meeting that he agreed to
give Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun control of the Christian
cabinet portfolios, if this facilitated the formation of the cabinet, Al-Hayat
reported. The leaders also discussed the necessity of improving the relationship
between Speaker Nabih Berri and Aoun following tensions related to the
opposition list in Jezzine, where they ran competing lists. The source added
that opposition members discussed its role and its future positions in line with
the Syrian-Saudi talks. -NOW Staff
Elected 2009 Parliament Officially in Power, Saniora
Cabinet Care Taker Government
Naharnet/The constitutional deadline for the 2005 parliament expired at midnight
Saturday June 20, making the 2009 elected parliament officially in power and
changing the Saniora cabinet into a de-facto care taker government two weeks
following the legislative elections. Parliament's eldest member is MP Abdel
Latif el-Zein, who now has 15 days to call parliament to session to elect a new
speaker. The only serious candidate for this post at the moment is Speaker Nabih
Berri. If confirmed, this would be Berri's fifth term as parliament speaker. He
has been in this post since 1992. Zein told the daily An-Nahar that he plans to
assume his duties in parliament Monday morning. "I am not required to conduct
consultations, I will call parliament to convene the soonest possible within the
required 15 days to pave the way for forming a new cabinet," Zein said. Zein
told the daily pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat: " I won't call parliament to convene
immediately. However, I won't exceed the deadline for doing so."Adding: " I
won't call parliament to session unless matters mature." Beirut, 21 Jun 09,
07:31
Aoun Wants Six Christian Ministers in Cabinet
Naharnet/Informed sources told the daily Sada al-Balad on Sunday that 'Change
and Reform' leader MP Michel Aoun is calling for 6 Christian ministers in a
cabinet having 15 Christian ministers.The parliamentary majority and
independents are to receive 9 Christian ministers according to the principle of
proportional representation.
The paper added that Aoun is demanding a major cabinet portfolio for his
parliamentary bloc.Leading opposition sources told the daily pan-Arab al-Hayat
on Sunday of meetings being held between the Free Patriotic Movement, Hizbullah,
Amal and the Marada figures prior to a meeting that would gather the leaders of
these parties who would decide on the opposition's share in government. The Amal
Movement is not holding on to having veto power in cabinet, the Free Patriotic
Movement is insisting on this issue. An alternative to veto power is to provide
the parliamentary minority with specific guarantees concerning specific
political issues, or with specific major cabinet portfolios. The daily al-Mustaqbal
newspaper said on Sunday that March 14 Forces are scheduled to hold a major
meeting this week headed by al-Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri. Beirut,
21 Jun 09, 10:44
Adwan: Time to Complete the Reconciliation With Suleiman Franjieh
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces (LF) Deputy leader MP George Adwan said that the LF has
a priority in reconciling differences with Marada leader MP Suleiman Franjieh.In
an interview with the daily Sada al Balad on Sunday, Adwan said: "This
reconciliation was postponed by Franjieh's request following the parliamentary
elections.""Today the elections are over and I believe it is high time we
complete this reconciliation," Adwan said. He pointed that the LF is in a stage
of holding a dialogue with all parties. Beirut, 21 Jun 09, 09:25
Hizbullah: Nasrallah-Hariri Meeting Seriously Possible
Naharnet/Hizbullah's politburo member Mahmoud Qamati said that a meeting
gathering between the party's Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and al-Mustaqbal
movement leader MP Saad Hariri is seriously under consideration. In an interview
on Saturday evening with the al-Jadid TV, Qamati said: "our channels are open to
the other side particularly to al-Mustaqbal." He added: "we are currently
holding bilateral meetings among opposition figures, this could include former
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri who might meet with opposition leading figures."
The process might include he head of the 'Change and Reform' parliamentary bloc
MP Michel Aoun. Qamati said that the recent meeting between Nasrallah and
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat "was an independent meeting.
The meeting did not aim to send message through Jumblat for discussing bilateral
issues."
"Hizbullah's stance on whether we participate in government or not, is a matter
that is being discussed but not yet decided, all our options are open in
cooperation with our allies. Moreover, the issue of whether our allies would be
represented in government is also being studied. " Qamati referred to all of the
above as "a basket of understandings."
He rejected the existence of any verbal quarrels between Maronite Patriarch
Nasrallah Sfeir and Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah "we don't want
to reach this stage." Qamati said. Beirut, 21 Jun 09, 09:12
Al-Mustaqbal: Quasi-Unanimity Over Hariri Heading New
Cabinet
Naharnet/There is a quasi unanimity among parliamentarians to nominate al-Mustaqbal
Movement leader Mp Saad Hariri to head a new "effective and capable Lebanese
government that can shield Lebanon's unity and security." Said the daily al-Mustaqbal
on Sunday. The paper added that amidst current regional tensions represented by
a stubborn Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and apparent concerns following the
Iranian presidential elections- an effective Lebanese government [under Hariri]
"could provide the proper atmosphere for lifting Lebanon by solving its
socio-economic situation and providing development." Beirut, 21 Jun 09, 08:33
Time Repeats Itself in 56 Years: Zein Elder Speaker, Tueni
Youngest MP
TNaharnet/he 2009 parliament is repeating history. Following the 1953
legislative elections the eldest Member of Parliament at the time was Yueesf el-Zein
who headed the opening parliament session for electing the parliament speaker.
The youngest elected Member of Parliament in that year was Ghassan Tueni. 56
years later elected MP Abdel Latif el-Zein (79 years) is parliament's eldest
member who is scheduled to play the same role his father Youssef did in 1953. In
an additional coincidence elected Beirut 1 MP Nayla Tueni is now one of
parliament's youngest members as her grandfather Ghassan was in 1953. Hence,
history repeats itself 56 years later. Beirut, 21 Jun 09, 07:55
Marouni: March 14 Forces Began Preparations for Municipal
Elections
Naharnet/Tourism Minister Elie Marouni said that March 14 Forces have already
begun preparations for next year's municipal and mayoral elections in all cities
and regions.
"Lets turn past pages and open a new one in which we extend our hand to every
citizen," Marouni told the daily An-Nahar on Sunday. He added that the March 14
movement is one characterized of standing on principles, martyrs and
comprehensive Lebanese options regardless of political alliances." Beirut, 21
Jun 09, 10:53
Jumblat Calls for Electoral Law that Allows Minorities to
Reach Parliament
Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat on Saturday demanded
partnership and called for a new electoral law that allows political minorities
representation in parliament.
Jumblat hoped for "a change in the electoral law, which is an old demand, and
which would allow political minorities to be represented in parliament."
The Druze leader also hoped during a meeting with a PSP campaign delegation from
Marjayoun-Hasbaya district that the "qualified person be given a chance to reach
parliament."
The MP called for partnership and said the June 7 parliamentary elections were
based on rejection of the other. "It's true that we succeeded this time. But
unfortunately success wasn't based on partnership. It was based on rejection of
the other and on confessional fanaticism," he told his visitors in Mukhtara. "We
want partnership," he said, urging his visitors from the south to be united and
cohesively confront Israel and its agents. Beirut, 20 Jun 09, 18:02
Soaid: We Will Take Appropriate
Measures if Attacks Against Sfeir Continue
Naharnet/March 14 general-secretariat coordinator Fares Soaid warned on Saturday
that the coalition would take appropriate measures if officials from the
opposition continue to criticize and attack Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir. Attacks
against Sfeir mean "overstepping the red line," Soaid told al-Markazia news
agency. "We as a national political team and as a Christian team will have the
appropriate stance and (take appropriate) measures if this moral decadence
continues," Soaid warned. "The Syrian-Iranian pair is trying to attack him
through authorities that are loyal to Syria and Iran before being loyal to
Lebanon," he told the agency. The March 14 official added that Sfeir was being
attacked by the March 8 team because he is the only authority that defended
Lebanon's sovereignty and independence during the Israeli occupation and Syrian
tutelage. Soaid stressed that Sfeir "represents Lebanon's conscience" and seeks
to prevent "any coup attempts against Lebanese values."He said the March 14
forces will stand by the patriarch, adding despite their differences with the
March 8 alliance they never attacked Christian or Muslim spiritual authorities.
Beirut, 20 Jun 09, 20:38
The power relations in parliament
An overview of what has changed and what it means
Maya Khourchid, NOW Staff , June 19, 2009
The Lebanese parliament, where a somewhat different crowd will be setting up
shop soon. On June 7 the Lebanese took to the polls in large numbers and elected
a new parliament.
In the incoming parliament, the proportions among the two opposing coalitions
have not changed greatly, though this year’s House will look much different from
that that was elected in 2005. The two sides are starkly divided due to internal
changes within each coalition, such as the strengthening of the Christian blocs
in each alliance and an influx of a younger generation of MPs. The March 14
coalition took the majority in the June 7 elections, winning 71 seats as
compared to the 57 for the opposition. This is similar to their win in 2005,
when they took 72 seats, although this number was later reduced to 68 after four
deputies were assassinated. The opposition had 53 seats in the 2005 House, while
the remaining three MPs were independents – a classification that does not exist
this year, as all members are wholly aligned with one side or the other.
But according to Osama Safa, Head of the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies,
this does not change much in terms of how parliament will function.
“Independents have always been not so independent, so to speak; they have always
been part of blocs to which they have lost independence,” he told NOW.
The same is true for March 14-affiliated independents, a category of
representatives that are aligned only with the larger coalition and not its
sub-blocs or parties. In 2005, only Ghassan Tueni was part of this category.
This year the tradition is continued by Ghassan Tueni’s granddaughter Nayla, who
took the Greek Orthodox seat in Beirut I, and eight others.
This decentralization of the majority could theoretically provide a balance
between the opposing camps, although this is not expected, as independents will
not be able to do much in terms of individual action, according to Imad Salamey,
assistant professor of Political Science at the Lebanese American University.
“At the moment with the current circumstances, these semi-independent
parliamentarians can’t do much on their own. Their room for maneuvering is very
limited… they don’t have much ability to break rank,” said Salamey.
March 14
March 14’s parliamentary seats are essentially divided between the coalition’s
primary allies: the Future Movement bloc (35 seats), the Democratic Gathering
bloc composed of MP Walid Jumblatt’s Progressive Socialist Party members and
their allies (11 seats), the Lebanese Forces (6 seats) and the Kataeb (5 seats).
While the Future bloc gained one seat and Jumblatt’s Democratic Gathering lost
three, the Christian parties have gained significant strength. The Lebanese
Forces expanded by two seats, and the Kataeb now has five members in parliament,
whereas in 2005, only three Kataeb members won seats and two were assassinated,
leaving only Solange Toutounji representing the party in parliament.
According to Salamey, this collective gain indicates that the Christians of
March 14 will play a bigger role both in the general work of the parliament and
the cabinet formation.
But this Christian strengthening comes at the cost of the Qornet Shehwan
Gathering, a loose coalition founded in 2001 by mainly Christian political,
religious, intellectual and business figures.
The bloc began to disintegrate when the distinct March 14 and March 8 coalitions
emerged and Qornet Shehwan moved toward the former. But the gathering still had
four members elected to parliament in 2005.
This year the bloc does not exist, and Boutros Harb, a Batroun MP, the
gathering’s sole member to be re-elected, has instead been relegated to the
March 14-affiliated independent camp. The remaining seats previously held by the
gathering have been re-distributed among the Kataeb and the LF - whose new
strength is a sign of the growing rift in the Christian community between the
coalitions.
“It has been polarized ever since Aoun came back [in 2005]. It’s more than a
dichotomy, its total polarization,” said Safa.
In this respect, the leaders of the established Christian parties have certainly
played a tough tug of war for support; and although the March 14 parties have
gained seats, the opposition has done well for itself.
Aoun’s Change and Reform is not only the biggest bloc within the March 8
alliance, it is the biggest Christian bloc in parliament. Composed mainly of
members of Michel Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement, the Armenian Tashnaq Party and
allies, the Change and Reform bloc has 23 seats - far more than the Kataeb and
LF combined.
The other side of the aisle
Although still smaller than March 14, the opposition gained three seats this
year, holding 57 in total. The same main allies feature prominently in March 8’s
parliamentary representation this year as in 2005: MP Michel Aoun’s Change and
Reform bloc (23 seats), the Development and Liberation bloc headed by MP Nabih
Berri (15 seats), the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc (12 seats) and the smaller
but ferocious ally, the Syrian Socialist National Party (2 seats).
Still, there are few changes in March 8’s parliamentary blocs. The SSNP and the
Development and Liberation bloc - an alliance among Amal, the Baath party and
non-party MPs loyal to Nabih Berri – won the same amount of seats as in 2005.
The Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, essentially Hezbollah and its allies, shrank
slightly, from 14 seats in 2005 to 12 seats this year.
The only really notable change in March 8’s parliamentary representation is the
appearance of the Marada bloc. The largely Christian and pro-Syrian party based
in North Lebanon has gained MPs in parliament, which it has not been able to
claim since 2001, when it only held one seat. This year party members Sleiman
Franjieh and Salim Youssef Karam, as well as ally Stephan Douaihy, were all
elected in Zgharta. Emile Rahme of the Solidarity Party allied with Marada
shortly after the elections, bringing the bloc’s total number of seats to four.
But Marada’s growth does not mean that the new parliament, or the March 8
coalition, will see any significant political changes, according to Safa.
“Marada [did not] run their members on a policy platform; they ran them as an
opposition to the majority, and they will act in this way,” he said.
This new addition to the March 8 forces in parliament in part replaced Elias
Skaff’s Popular Bloc and the Popular Nasserite Organization, neither of which
have any representation in the new House following the defeat of their
candidates to the March 14 lists in Zahle and Saida, respectively.
Yet despite these tweaks in the power arrangements among the political parties
represented in the new parliament, little is expected to change. Each party
falls under the control of its umbrella coalition, which in turn is led by and
follows the policies of the politicians that control them – Hariri and Jumblatt
spearheading March 14, while Berri, Nasrallah and Aoun share power over the
opposition.
While party representation may make no tangible difference in terms of the
manner in which the parliament will function, the increase in young
representatives could. This new generation of MPs – which includes 27-year-old
Nadim Gemayel (Beirut I), 26 year-old Nayla Tueni (Beirut I) and 29 year-old
Sami Gemayel (Metn) – may usher in reform.
“The young people will definitely bring in dynamism, a certain will to reform
and a certain closeness to society, and I expect this to do something. I think
this is probably the only significant change,” said Safa.
Amin Gemayel
June 19, 2009
Now Lebanon
On June 18, the Lebanese National News Agency carried the following report:
The leader of the Lebanese Kataeb Party President Amin Gemayel received Michael
Williams, the personal envoy of the United Nations Secretary General. Following
the meeting President Gemayel stated:
“The naturalization dossier will be put forward before the government,
especially in light of the dangerous statements that were issued by Netanyahu.
Naturally, these statements undermined a series of international resolutions and
stances related to peace in the Middle East and the dossier of the Palestinian
refugees.
"Moreover, the issue will be discussed with the different international
references at the United Nations, as well as with the accredited ambassadors,
and will be a priority during the coming stage following the election of
President Obama and the important international action toward the Middle East
and peace in the region.”
He then stressed the necessity “to confront the negative statements emerging
from Israel with a real national unity and not just with slogans. We must
reinforce the Lebanese state and its national institutions to be able to
confront the imminent developments…
“Yesterday, we heard the statements of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and were
surprised by their negative content. A religious man from another religion was
talking about Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, who constitutes to many
Lebanese (both Muslims and Christians) the conscience of Lebanon and the speaker
in the name of a wide faction among them... Moreover, Sayyed Nasrallah addressed
the issue of Wilayat al-Faqih. We will not discuss the religious aspect of this
issue, since we respect all spiritual beliefs which enhance the strength of the
Lebanese people. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has the right to have a position
vis-a-vis the Wilayat al-Faqih but we must not mix things together.
"We are not objecting the spiritual facet of Wilayat al-Faqih, but we the
Christians are attached to the Vatican without it funding a certain team in
Lebanon, controlling the political scene or interfering in any facet of Lebanese
political affairs as in Iran’s case. This is due to the fact that the spiritual
leadership in Iran is the one controlling political life in the country and is
directly connected with some Lebanese parties. We know exactly who is providing
arms and training and who has placed a Lebanese team in the face of the other.
This was clear in the last parliamentary elections and we thank God that the
confrontation remained on the political level and did not reach the level of
what happened on May 7…
“The Patriarch and the Vatican were very clear about the fact that they do not
interfere in politics or support one team against the other. However, they
pointed to a series of threats on the Lebanese arena and warned against
supporting the policy of the axes at the expense of national interests.
Therefore, we do not consider the Patriarch’s statements and positions to be an
interference in domestic politics. It is a mere pinpointing of the national
threats that have been ongoing since the year 2000 until this day. The Patriarch
was the one who launched the Cedar Revolution with the Maronite Bishops
statement at the time and he is still telling the truth about the repercussions
of the May 7 events, the Nahr al-Bared events and the assassination of martyr
Samer Hanna. In this context, we have seen an unprecedented heresy with the
release of the killers of Samer Hannah, as though we were rewarding those who
killed an officer in the Lebanese army…
“On the other hand, we are worried about the arms issue and there is a Lebanese
faction which considers that any arms which are not under the control of the
Lebanese state and the legitimate powers constitute a threat to the safety of
the state and undermine national sovereignty. No one can claim, especially after
what happened on May 7, that these are the arms of the Resistance. “These arms
have become connected with Lebanese internal politics and require
clarifications.” Gemayel thus called for a “courageous, transparent and serious
national dialogue that would place all the issues on the table. This is the only
way to reach true partnership and not through obstruction of the prevalence of
one team over the other... As I mentioned, we have many reservations over Sayyed
Hassan Nasrallah’s statements, but do not mind looking at the future and placing
all the thorny issues on the table, so that we can seriously look into the
identity of the country we want to build and turn the page of the recent
past...”
Druze protestors warn of intifada
Ynetnews/Hundreds of Druze, Circassians rally outside Prime Minister's Office to
protest 'years of rights violations.' Communities' leaders warn of impending
unrest within sector
Ynet reporters Published: 06.21.09, 11:58 / Israel News
Hundreds of Druze demonstrated across from the Prime Minister's Office in
Jerusalem Sunday, demanding their rights be recognized.
The rally turned into a riot and seven police officers were lightly hurt.
Several protesters were arrested on suspicion of assaulting police officers.
Druze and Circassians leaders presented three major demands during the rally:
Writing off their communities' debts, reinstating funds meant to equate local
authorities' expenses and revenues – according to the preset Interior Ministry
formula, and creating new income sources for their communities.
"A Druze is as good as a Jew in war, but when it comes to budgets, 10 Druze
children are equal to one Jewish child," read one of the signs.
The protest took place just as the weekly cabinet meeting was underway, with
demonstrators using air horns in an attempt to disrupt the meeting.
Protestors then attempted to barge into the Prime Minister's Office, but were
stopped by Border Guard and Central Control Unit officers.
Sajur Local Council Head Hamud Jabar, warned against a Druze intifada (civil
unrest): "I'm ashamed of serving this country for 22 years. This is a racist
country run by politicians who don’t care about the street. We are not
mercenaries, we are this country."
The northern community head said that he knows that the Jews are sympathetic to
his sector: "The Jewish people stand by our side and appreciate us. The problem
is the government."
Another of the rally's organizers added that "we are here to protest years of
discrimination by the Israeli governments. We demand (Prime Minister Benjamin)
Netanyahu's government rectify these wrongs."
*Roni Sofer, Daniel Edelson, Ronen Medzini and Sharon Roffe-Ofir contributed to
this report