LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
June 08/09
End Results of
the Lebanese Parliamentary Elections
14th March 68 seats
8th March 57 seats
Independents 3 seats
Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 28:16-20. The eleven
disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When
they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said
to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore,
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports.
Analyst Paul Salem on prospect of
Hezbollah election win-Los
Angeles Times 07/06/09
Mullahs & Marijuana.Sunday
Herald 07/06/09
A house
to die for. bY: Patrick Martin 0706/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for June
07/09
Lebanon's
pro-Western majority declares victory/The
Associated Press
Hezbollah's
main ally acknowledges election defeat/Africasia
March
14 Maintains Parliamentary Majority in Record Turnout-Naharnet
Syria,
Israel air concerns as Lebanon polling begins.AFP
Lebanon's
election day relatively calm despite some minor security incidents-Daily
Star
Poll
observers cite over 900 'critical violations' of lawDaily
Star
March
14 coalition retains majority after parliamentary elections-Daily Star
Hariri
casts ballot, says 'voting is a good feeling-Daily Star
Exit
polls show March 14 candidates making clean sweep in Beirut-Daily Star
Major
challenges await newly elected parliament-Daily Star
March
8 polls strongly in southern districts-Daily Star
Key
facts about Lebanon's 2009 elections-AFP
Chouf
sees massive Christian participation in vote-Daily Star
FPM
trumps Amal in opposition battle over Jezzine-Daily Star
Most
citizens with disabilities face difficulties accessing polling stations-Daily
Star
Siniora
calls vote in Sidon 'memorable day-Daily Star
Kesrouaun
turnout of 70 percent highest in country-Daily Star
Jbeil
sees heavy voting, fierce competition for seats-Daily Star
Baabda
stations see flood of citizens eager to shape Lebanon's future.Daily
Star
Metn
voters turn out in droves for elections-Daily
Star
Hundreds
of thousands head for polling stations in north-Daily Star
March
14 wins in Batroun and Koura-Daily Star
Observers:
Some Organizational Problems But Vote Appears Fair
Jumblat
Warns against 'Deadly' Isolation Mistake if March 14 Win
53%
of Eligible Voters Cast Ballots in Crucial Parliamentary Elections-Naharnet
Polls
Close Across Lebanon as Vote Counting Starts-Naharnet
Syria
Sees Lebanon Vote As Chance To Boost Hezbollah - Report-NASDAQ
Divided
Christians fear trouble after Lebanon vote.Reuters
Lebanon
looks for a new balance of power-euronews
In
pictures: Lebanon votes.BBC News
Tehran
taps Nasrallah as strongman for reforming Lebanon as second ...DEBKA file
Lebanon
at the crossroads.Australia.TO
Baroud:
Voter Participation Intensity in Election Healthy Sign fo...
Murr:
Elections Determine Lebanon’s Fate, I voted For The Lebanon...
Berri:
Polls Are a Referendum on Resistance, Unity and Liberation
Ossama
Saad: Voting for the State of the Citizen
Syria
Sees Lebanon Vote as Chance to Boost Hizbullah
Mirza
Orders Arrest of Voters Using Fake IDs
Israel:
'Lebanon Will Become a Terror State' if Hizbullah Wins
Sfeir:
Lebanese Should Use their Conscience and Vote for Most Competent
Lebanese
Vote in Crucial Parliamentary Elections
Polls
Open in Lebanon Sunday for Critical Election-Voice of America
Baroud:
Electoral Process Successful on Many Levels-Naharnet
Raad:
Overcrowding Caused by Unprecedented One-Day Polls-Naharnet
Gemayel:
Lebanese Voting without the Presence of Foreign Forces-Naharnet
Israel:
'Lebanon Will Become a Terror State' if Hizbullah Wins-Naharnet
Sfeir:
Lebanese Should Use their Conscience and Vote for Most Competent-Naharnet
March
8 Forces Tried to Prevent the Broadcast of Sfeir's Stance-Naharnet
March 14
Maintains Parliamentary Majority in Record Turnout
The March 14 alliance clinched around 70 out of 128 seats, maintaining its
majority in parliament after defeating the Hizbullah-led alliance in Sunday's
crucial elections.
Celebrations broke out in several cities as television stations began airing
preliminary results.
The opposition confirmed defeat. "We have lost the election," said a senior
politician close to the March 8 alliance. "We accept the result as the will of
the people."
MP Hassan Fadlallah reiterated Hizbullah's calls for "national partnership" and
said the March 8 alliance is reacting "positively" to the outcome of the
elections.
"Hizbullah considers Lebanon to be founded on diversity and pluralism not on
majority and minority. No side can obtain majority in all the sects," Fadlallah
told Agence France Presse.
Counting of votes continued well past midnight in Metn, Kesrouan and Baabda
districts.
More than half the country's 3.2 million eligible voters queued at polling
stations to cast their ballots. Preliminary estimates put turnout at more than
54%, well above the 45.8% recorded in the 2005 election.
"Voter turnout exceeded all expectations," Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said
after polls closed at 7:00 pm.
The highest turnout was in Kesrouan district at 70%. Turnout was at 65% in Metn
and Jbeil, 60% in Batroun and 63% in Akkar, Baroud said.
The vote that started at 7:00 am took place amid heavy security measures with
the army and police deployed in force throughout the country to prevent any
outbreak of violence.
President Michel Suleiman was among the first to cast his vote in Amsheet.
"I call on all citizens to exercise their democratic role quietly and happily,"
he said. "The president backs all candidates…we have to preserve democracy."
A steady stream of vehicles headed south, north or east from Beirut on highways
to outlying parts of the country early Sunday morning, carrying voters to
hometowns. Some vehicles had flags of political groups fluttering to show
loyalty.
More than 200 international observers from the European Union, the Carter Center
and other institutions and countries oversaw the election.
Speaking at a polling station in Ashrafiyeh, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
expressed hope the U.S., Iran and other countries "will accept the results of
the election and not try to interfere in the process."
There were widespread complaints about delays in the process, forcing voters to
stand in lines. Baroud asked people to be patient.
He said he was satisfied with the way polling had proceeded but would be even
happier if all political parties accepted the outcome once it is announced.
"Grosso modo I am satisfied with the way the vote took place," he said. "But I
will be more satisfied if everything goes well once the results are in.
"The election was a challenge that many doubted would take place. But Lebanon's
political factions and the Lebanese met the challenge."
In the outgoing parliament, the pro-Western March 14 bloc had 70 seats and
Hizbullah's alliance had 58.
Voters chose 125 candidates after 3 contenders have won the elections
uncontested. Beirut, 07 Jun 09, 07:21
Anti-Syrian bloc celebrates Lebanon election win
By Laila Bassa
BEIRUT (Reuters) - An anti-Syrian coalition defeated Hezbollah in Lebanon's
parliamentary election on Sunday in a blow to Syria and Iran and a boost to the
United States.
"Congratulations to Lebanon, congratulations to democracy, congratulations to
freedom," the coalition's leader Saad al-Hariri said in a victory speech at his
mansion in Beirut.
The outcome was also welcome news for Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which back
Hariri's "March 14" alliance - the date of a 2005 rally against Syria's military
presence in Lebanon.
"We have lost the election," conceded a senior politician close to the bloc of
Shi'ite groups Hezbollah and Amal and Christian ally Michel Aoun.
"We accept the result as the will of the people."The vote will be viewed as a
stinging setback to Aoun, who held the biggest bloc of Christian MPs in the
outgoing assembly and had hoped to seal his claim to speak for the Christians. A
source in Hariri's campaign predicted a decisive victory, with his bloc taking
at least 70 of the assembly's 128 seats.
Perhaps 100 of the seats were virtually decided in advance, thanks to sectarian
voting patterns and political deals, with Sunni and Shi'ite communities voting
solidly on opposing sides.
The real electoral battle centered on Christian areas, where Aoun was up against
former President Amin Gemayel's Phalange Party, Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces
and independents.
Lebanon's rival camps are at odds over Hezbollah's guerrilla force, which
outguns the Lebanese army, and ties with Syria, which dominated Lebanon for
three decades until 2005.
The likeliest outcome of the poll is another "national unity" government,
analysts say.
SINIORA WINS SEAT
According to unofficial results, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, who has enjoyed
Western and Arab support, won a parliamentary seat in the mainly Sunni southern
city of Sidon.
Siniora, 66, has headed the cabinet since the Hariri-led coalition won the 2005
parliamentary election. He led the government through 18 months of political
conflict with Hezbollah and its allies, but is not expected to keep his post.
Voting was relatively trouble-free across Lebanon, although there were many
reports of vote-buying before the poll, with some Lebanese expatriates being
offered free air tickets home. The United States, which lists Hezbollah as a
terrorist group, has linked future aid to Lebanon to the shape and policies of
the next government. Hezbollah, which says it must keep its arms to deter
Israel, is part of the outgoing cabinet.
The anti-Syrian coalition has enjoyed firm backing from many Western countries
since the 2005 assassination of Hariri's father Rafik al-Hariri. The coalition
took power in an election following Hariri's killing, but struggled to govern in
the face of a sometimes violent conflict with Hezbollah and its allies.
Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said any new government had to be based on
partnership, not on one side monopolizing power. "Whatever the results of the
election, we cannot change the standing delicate balances or repeat the
experiences of the past which led to catastrophes on Lebanon," he told Reuters.
"Whoever wants political stability, the preservation of national unity and the
resurrection of Lebanon will find no choice but to accept the principle of
consensus."
Hezbollah and its allies insisted on being given veto power in a unity cabinet
-- a demand that caused an 18-month political deadlock until it was granted
under a Qatari-brokered deal that followed street fighting in Beirut in May
2008. Leading anti-Syrian politician Walid Jumblatt said he opposed the idea of
veto power for the opposition.
Asked if they should be in the government, he told Reuters: "Yes, but I cannot
decide on my own. I am part of a coalition and it should be a unanimous
decision."
Tensions in Lebanon have mostly been kept in check since the Qatari-mediated
accord dragged the country back from the brink of civil war. A thaw in relations
between Saudi Arabia and Syria has also helped maintain stability in recent
months. Security was tight, with 50,000 troops and police deployed across
Lebanon, especially in the most contested districts.
Security sources said one person was wounded by gunfire in the northern city of
Tripoli and there were brawls between rival supporters elsewhere, but no reports
of serious fighting.
Baroud said preliminary figures showed a turnout of more than 54 percent, a high
figure for Lebanon, where hundreds of thousands of the 3.26 million eligible
voters live abroad.
(Writing by Alistair Lyon; Additional reporting by Nadim Ladki, Tom Perry and
Yara Bayoumy; editing by Janet McBride)
53% of
Eligible Voters Cast Ballots in Crucial Parliamentary Elections
Naharnet/Polls closed at 7:00 pm Sunday with an estimated voter turnout of more
than 50% as counting started in the high-stakes parliamentary election. Interior
Minister Ziad Baroud announced in a press conference that preliminary rate
showed 52.35% of voter turnout, a 20% rise from the 2005 elections. "The 2005
election reached 45.8 percent," Baroud said. The highest turnout was in Kesrouan
district at 70%. Turnout was at 65% in Metn and Jbeil, 60% in Batroun and 63% in
Akkar, Baroud said. "Electoral machines are expected to issue preliminary
results after midnight or early morning hours," he added. The vote that started
at 7:00 am took place amid heavy security measures with the army and police
deployed in force throughout the country to prevent any outbreak of violence.
President Michel Suleiman cast his vote in Amsheet at around 8:25 am.
"I call on all citizens to exercise their democratic role quietly and happily,"
he said. "The president backs all candidates…we have to preserve democracy."
A steady stream of vehicles headed south, north or east from Beirut on highways
to outlying parts of the country early Sunday morning, carrying voters to
hometowns. Some vehicles had flags of political groups fluttering to show
loyalty. More than 200 international observers from the European Union, the
Carter Center and other institutions and countries oversaw the election.
Speaking at a polling station in Ashrafiyeh, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
expressed hope the U.S., Iran and other countries "will accept the results of
the election and not try to interfere in the process." There were widespread
complaints about delays in the process, forcing voters to stand in lines. Baroud
asked people to be patient.
He said he was satisfied with the way polling had proceeded but would be even
happier if all political parties accepted the outcome once it is announced.
"Grosso modo I am satisfied with the way the vote took place," he said. "But I
will be more satisfied if everything goes well once the results are in. "The
election was a challenge that many doubted would take place. But Lebanon's
political factions and the Lebanese met the challenge."The Lebanese Association
for Democratic Elections, which had 2,200 observers monitoring the vote, said
there were no flagrant violations. The race for a majority appears too close to
call. In the outgoing parliament, the pro-Western bloc had 70 seats and
Hizbullah's alliance had 58. There are some 3.2 million eligible voters out of a
population of 4 million. They voted for 125 candidates after 3 contenders have
won the elections uncontested. Beirut, 07 Jun 09, 07:21
March 14 Maintains
Parliamentary Majority in Record Turnout
The March 14 alliance clinched around 70 out of 128 seats, maintaining its
majority in parliament after defeating the Hizbullah-led alliance in Sunday's
crucial elections.
Celebrations broke out in several cities as television stations began airing
preliminary results.
The opposition confirmed defeat. "We have lost the election," said a senior
politician close to the March 8 alliance. "We accept the result as the will of
the people."
MP Hassan Fadlallah reiterated Hizbullah's calls for "national partnership" and
said the March 8 alliance is reacting "positively" to the outcome of the
elections.
"Hizbullah considers Lebanon to be founded on diversity and pluralism not on
majority and minority. No side can obtain majority in all the sects," Fadlallah
told Agence France Presse.
Counting of votes continued well past midnight in Metn, Kesrouan and Baabda
districts.
More than half the country's 3.2 million eligible voters queued at polling
stations to cast their ballots. Preliminary estimates put turnout at more than
54%, well above the 45.8% recorded in the 2005 election.
"Voter turnout exceeded all expectations," Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said
after polls closed at 7:00 pm.
The highest turnout was in Kesrouan district at 70%. Turnout was at 65% in Metn
and Jbeil, 60% in Batroun and 63% in Akkar, Baroud said.
The vote that started at 7:00 am took place amid heavy security measures with
the army and police deployed in force throughout the country to prevent any
outbreak of violence.
President Michel Suleiman was among the first to cast his vote in Amsheet.
"I call on all citizens to exercise their democratic role quietly and happily,"
he said. "The president backs all candidates…we have to preserve democracy."
A steady stream of vehicles headed south, north or east from Beirut on highways
to outlying parts of the country early Sunday morning, carrying voters to
hometowns. Some vehicles had flags of political groups fluttering to show
loyalty.
More than 200 international observers from the European Union, the Carter Center
and other institutions and countries oversaw the election.
Speaking at a polling station in Ashrafiyeh, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
expressed hope the U.S., Iran and other countries "will accept the results of
the election and not try to interfere in the process."
There were widespread complaints about delays in the process, forcing voters to
stand in lines. Baroud asked people to be patient.
He said he was satisfied with the way polling had proceeded but would be even
happier if all political parties accepted the outcome once it is announced.
"Grosso modo I am satisfied with the way the vote took place," he said. "But I
will be more satisfied if everything goes well once the results are in.
"The election was a challenge that many doubted would take place. But Lebanon's
political factions and the Lebanese met the challenge."
In the outgoing parliament, the pro-Western March 14 bloc had 70 seats and
Hizbullah's alliance had 58.
Voters chose 125 candidates after 3 contenders have won the elections
uncontested. Beirut, 07 Jun 09, 07:21
Jumblat Warns against 'Deadly'
Isolation Mistake if March 14 Win
MP Walid Jumblat on Sunday firmly warned against a policy of "isolation against
the others" in case of a March 14 victory and called for the "joint"
implementation of the Taef Accord.
In an interview with LBC, Jumblat said: "We voted and we still have faith in the
project of the state and aspire for its success. But in case of a March 14
victory we must not isolate the others. Beware of the deadly mistake of
isolation."
Jumblat described the use of veto power in government as "an invention that does
not exist in the constitution."
"The last time we made a mistake by accepting veto power for the president. Let
us abide by the joint implementation of the Taef's provisions," he said.
"The president cannot fulfill his role if he does not have the power to sack a
minister by a unilateral decision," Jumblat added.
"The Taef must not remain a means to cripple the government," he said.
Jumblat said a government of national unity was a "necessity and was conditioned
by a March 14 victory."
He said the Chouf did not witness "an electoral battle rather a vote for a
political platform."
Jumblat cautioned against the breakout of tensions in Aley "regardless of the
outcome of the elections." Beirut, 07 Jun 09, 22:40
Observers: Some Organizational Problems But Vote Appears Fair
International and local observers said on Sunday that Lebanon's general election
appears free of any flagrant violations despite some organizational problems and
isolated security incidents.
"The issues that were raised are not dissimilar from those raised in any
election," said John Sununu, a former U.S. senator overseeing the election with
the National Democratic Institute headed by former Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright.
Authorities appeared overwhelmed Sunday by the crowds of people who lined up at
polling stations by early morning, with many Lebanese complaining of long waits
of up three hours to cast their ballots. "There were
certainly long waiting lines because turnout was high," Sununu told Agence
France Presse. "But there don't seem to have been any grave violations, and I'm
not aware that any monitors were made to feel uncomfortable or intimidated in
any way."
While no major incidents were reported, three people were arrested for using
fake IDs and the army intervened in the mostly-Christian eastern city of Zahle
after some voters traded insults and blows. The
Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE), which had 2,200 observers
monitoring the vote, said six of their monitors had been taunted out of polling
centers and one of their staff was threatened at gunpoint, also in Zahle."One of
our monitors was held at gunpoint in a center in Zahle, which threw everyone
into panic," LADE secretary general Ziad Abdul Samad told AFP.
Retired French diplomat Yves Aubin de la Mesuziere, who headed a delegation by
the International Organisation of the Francophonie, said voting had been smooth
in the polling centers he and his team visited in Beirut.
"We didn't notice any fraud but some shortcomings as far as organization
in some stations," he told AFP.Some observers said that in areas where the vote
is down to the wire, there could be challenges to the result.Former U.S.
president Jimmy Carter, who is heading a team of international observers, said
he hopes Lebanon's political parties and their foreign backers will accept the
election outcome."We don't have any worries over the conduct of the elections,"
Carter said. "We have concerns over the acceptance of the results by all the
major parties."More than 200 international observers, including over 100 EU
observers, oversaw the election.(AFP) Beirut, 07 Jun 09, 22:34
Gemayel:
Lebanese Voting without the Presence of Foreign Forces
Naharnet/Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel described elections day as a
"significant" event for Lebanon after he cast his ballot in Bekfaya's public
school.
"The elections are taking place in positive circumstances, following the
withdrawal of all foreign forces. This is the first time that the people are
able to express their opinion without the presence of a non-Lebanese army,"
Gemayel said. He said the elections will "determine which Lebanon we want:
Lebanon-Gaza, Lebanon-totalitarian parties or Lebanon-openness-role-message.
Both Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir and President Michel Suleiman warned about
this."The former Lebanese president called on the public and partisans to
"accept the results with an open spirit and to avoid clashes and confrontations
…" "There is a need for the Lebanese people to realize their responsibility.
Tomorrow will be a new day in Lebanon's life," he added.
Raad:
Overcrowding Caused by Unprecedented One-Day Polls
Naharnet/Over-crowding in polling stations is caused by a high turnout of voters
but not enough centers, Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad said as he toured the
district of Nabatiyeh. "The main problem is the high number of voters in each
station twinned with a decrease in the centers … as a result of insistence on
holding one-day elections," Raad said. He said a high turnout coupled with
"unprecedented" measures by the government in each polling center "has led to
such overcrowding."
The head of Hizbullah's parliamentary bloc added that citizens were "paying the
price of (one-day elections) by waiting in long queues in front of polling
stations."
Raad said that in the rest of the regions "we have reports of a new tsunami that
has invaded some centers in favor of opposition forces."
Baroud: Electoral
Process Successful on Many Levels
Naharnet/Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said Sunday that despite overcrowding at
polling stations the ministry's security plan was a success.
Many Lebanese were complaining of long waits of up three hours to cast their
ballots. "The positive aspects of the electoral process are numerous," Baroud
said at a press conference. "Our traffic plan has been successful traffic plan;
no one was late reaching polling stations. The security plan was also a success
because security forces managed to contain several minor skirmishes and there
has been no use of forged identity cards which implies that our measures
worked," he said.
Baroud also said the army managed to control a shootout that erupted outside
Future News building in Qantari. He said that turnout dwindled in the afternoon,
after voters grew weary of waiting. Those who did not vote can cast their
ballots now … until 7pm as long as they are at the station before the deadline,"
he said.
Baroud said registrars will decide on an extension of the voting deadline
depending on turnout in each center. He said results will be announced midnight
Monday.
Divided Christians fear
trouble after Lebanon vote
Sun Jun 7, 2009
By Yara Bayoumy
DIKWANEH, Lebanon (Reuters) - Outside a polling station in the Lebanese Metn
district, supporters of rival Christian groups camp out amicably under umbrellas
urging voters to cast ballots in a parliamentary election on Sunday.
But ask Christian voters what will happen if the party they support loses, and
the answers are instantly less friendly, with both sides accusing each other of
dragging the country toward a bleak future. Most of the 3.2 million Lebanese
eligible to vote in Sunday's election cast their ballots based on sectarian
affiliations.
Sunnis are voting overwhelmingly for Saad al-Hariri's pro-Western alliance,
Shi'ites for Syrian and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, but the mainly Maronite
Christians are divided between the two camps, making them the key voters in this
closely contested election.
Leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, Michel Aoun, who has the largest
Christian parliamentary bloc, has sided with Hezbollah while his opponents from
the Lebanese Forces and Phalange parties support Hariri. "There is no division
in the Christian vote. Eighty percent ... support (Aoun), and the remaining 20
percent are in the minority," said Aoun-supporter Rana, 27. "In the end, they'll
just come running back to us."
While campaigners from both Christian camps tried to portray their side as the
winner, it was far from clear which would come out on top as opinion polls are
banned in Lebanon until after voting has finished. Hezbollah and its allies, or
the "March 8" alliance, are trying to erase a slender majority held by Hariri's
anti-Syrian "March 14" coalition. No side is expected to win by a large margin
and a national unity government is expected.
WEAPONS, IRAN DIVISIVE ISSUES
Aoun's critics say Hezbollah's weaponry, which is much more sophisticated than
the army's, serve to undermine the state.
But the group and its allies see the weapons as a necessary defense against
Israel and say the best way to deal with Hezbollah is by engagement, not
isolation and confrontation.
"I am voting against the opposition and Hezbollah and terrorism. Let him (Aoun)
go with Syria and Iran," said employee Elie Abu Aboud, 27. "If they lose, they
will create trouble."
Expectations that there will be trouble are worrying particularly since the
country was pushed last year to the brink of civil war after Hezbollah and its
allies took over parts of Sunni western Beirut and routed Hariri's supporters.
Party supporters are out in force in the divided Christian districts. Eight
seats are up for grabs in Metn, which the anti-Syrian coalition won in the last
elections in 2005. The streets of Metn neighborhoods Dikwaneh, Bourj Hammoud and
Sin el-Fil are lined with party supporters wearing the rival orange and blue
shirts; handing out caps and scarves, helping elderly voters into the polling
station and urging those waiting in the exceedingly long queues to be patient
We, the Lebanese Forces, are urging everyone to vote, to save this country that
needs to be saved. The atmosphere is charged, there's a possibility that once
the election is over, there will be trouble," said Jean Geagea, 35, who wore a
white shirt with a green cedar tree, the party's logo. But one man who had just
voted for the Hezbollah-led alliance, said Christians had nothing to fear from
Hezbollah.
"Aoun loves his country, the other side are only looking for their personal
gain. Hezbollah is not against the Lebanese, they are only against the Israeli
enemy."
SLA
veterans hope moderates will win Lebanon elections
South Lebanese Army veterans living in Israel watch for result of Beirut's
parliamentary elections, say if Hizbullah wins all chances of them returning
home will be lost
Hagai Einav Published: 06.07.09, 14:45 / Israel News
As Lebanese voters elect their new government and with the prospect of Hizbullah
growing stronger sparking worldwide attention, South Lebanese Army veterans
living in Israel are concerned. The 2,600 former SLA servicemen and their
families, who relocated to Israel after it pulled out of south Lebanon in 2000 –
mostly for security reasons – know that if Hizbullah sweeps Beirut's parliament,
their last chances of returning to their homeland will essentially disappear.
Election Day
Lebanon votes with Hizbullah seeking upper hand / Reuters
200 international observers monitoring vote in which Shiite group trying to
overturn majority held by Western-backed rivals; taxi driver: There won't be any
major problems today, but when the result is announced tomorrow, there could be
a big problem
"The Lebanese people must realize the ramifications of having the Shiite bloc,
headed by Hizbullah, taking the parliament," a former SLA officer told Ynet. "It
would be detrimental to the economy and education and it will ruin Lebanon's
chances of independence and rehabilitation."
"Lebanon is our homeland. We hope that even if we can’t go back, our children
could," one of the SLA wives said. "Israel has done right by us, but we will
never give up on our home. Today's elections will decide if Lebanon is heading
towards openness and modernization or if it slides back to darker times, under
the patronage of Syrian President Bashar Assad and his ally, Hizbullah Chief
Nasrallah." The Lebanese electoral race is expected to be extremely close, with
analysts predicting that the Christian vote would be the deciding one.
Saniora: We Should Send a Message of Our Ability to
Practice Our Right Peacefully
NaharnetظPremier Fouad Saniora said after casting his
vote on Sunday that election results should be accepted no matter who wins,
adding that the Lebanese should also send a message to the world that they can
practice their democratic right peacefully. Saniora stressed that the government
is determined to let “people practice their rights without any rumor.” “The
deployment of security and military forces is carried out by concerned officials
and I am comfortable with such a procedure,” Saniora said in Sidon.
“No matter what the results were, we have to bow to (voters’ decision).
The winner has to appreciate the people’s vote and those who don’t win should
respect the people’s opinion,” the premier said. “We want to send a message to
the world that we are able to practice our right and democratic duty
peacefully,” Saniora added.
Berri: Polls Are a Referendum on Resistance, Unity and
Liberation
Naharnet/ Speaker Nabih Berri and his wife Randa cast their votes in their
hometown of Tibnine Sunday morning amidst wide popular support by town
residents.
After casting his vote Berri told reporters: “Polls will serve as a referendum
on the options of resistance, unity and liberation.”He added that “national
unity should be the winner.” Berri later visited his mother’s tomb and offered
prayers Beirut, 07 Jun 09, 13:57
Mirza Orders Arrest
of Voters Using Fake IDs
Naharnet/Four people were arrested Sunday in different regions for trying to
cast their votes using fake identity cards. Examining Magistrate Said Mirza
ordered the arrest of two men in Burj Hammoud and three others in Metn and
Tripoli for using forged IDs. Separately, a man was arrested in the southern
town of Abbasiyya for the illegal possession of documents belonging to one of
the candidates inside the polling station. Beirut, 07 Jun 09, 13:55
Syria
Sees Lebanon Vote as Chance to Boost Hizbullah
Naharnet/Syria's official Al-Baath daily said the Sunday's election in Lebanon
was a chance for voters to throw their weight behind the anti-Israeli resistance
as represented by Hizbullah. "Lebanon has achieved great victories over Israel
by liberating its occupied territories, recovering its hostages and repatriating
the remains of its martyrs," Al-Baath said. These "victories" have "proved the
effectiveness of the resistance, of its arms and the popular support which it
commands," it said, also referring to the devastating 2006 war between Hizbullah
and Israel.
"The Lebanese could today, through the ballot box, consolidate this policy line
which has held aloft Lebanon's torch."
The Shiite Muslim movement Hizbullah, which is backed by both Tehran and
Damascus, was leading an alliance in Sunday's parliamentary vote which could
defeat the Western-backed ruling majority. "Whatever the results of the Lebanese
election, Lebanon will remain an independent, sovereign state whose strength
comes from national unity and the peaceful coexistence of its people," said
Al-Baath. It called for "democratic, free and transparent elections, free of
pressures, outside influences and fraud of any kind."(AFP)
Lebanese Vote in Crucial Parliamentary Elections
Lebanese voters began casting their ballots on Sunday in a high-stakes
parliamentary election.
The 7:00 am to 7:00 pm vote was taking place amid heavy security measures with
the army and police deployed in force throughout the country to prevent any
outbreak of violence.
President Michel Suleiman cast his vote in Amsheet at around 8:25 am. "I call on
all citizens to exercise their democratic role quietly and happily," he said.
"The president backs all candidates…we have to preserve democracy."A steady
stream of vehicles headed south, north or east from Beirut on highways to
outlying parts of the country early Sunday morning, carrying voters to
hometowns. Some vehicles had flags of political groups fluttering to show
loyalty. More than 200 international observers from the European Union, the
Carter Center and other institutions and countries will oversee the election.
Speaking at a polling station in Ashrafiyeh, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
expressed hope the U.S., Iran and other countries "will accept the results of
the election and not try to interfere in the process." The race for a majority
appears too close to call. In the outgoing parliament, the pro-Western bloc had
70 seats and Hizbullah's alliance had 58. There are some 3.2 million eligible
voters out of a population of 4 million. They will vote for 125 candidates after
3 contenders have won the elections uncontested. Early unofficial returns were
expected late Sunday and official results as early as Monday afternoon. Beirut,
07 Jun 09, 07:21
LEBANON: Analyst Paul
Salem on prospect of Hezbollah election win
Los Angeles Times:
Lebanese voters head to the polls Sunday morning in elections that could
determine their nation's future direction and strategic position in the Middle
East.
Paul Salem, Lebanon analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,
is in the unique position of having access not only to major players in the
Lebanese political game, but contacts in Washington that help him understand how
Lebanon fits into the geopolitical picture.
Salem recently spoke to The Times about Sunday's elections, and whether a
victory by the Hezbollah-led opposition, called the March 8 alliance, over the
pro-U.S. March 14 coalition would have major regional repercussions.
Los Angeles Times: Do you think it's a foregone conclusion that the opposition
will win?
Paul Salem: No, I think it's still up in the air. There is a good chance it will
be a hung parliament and no one will win a majority, there is also a good chance
March 8 might win, but March 14 could also still eke out a majority. Obviously
the West is more concerned with one of those possibilities, which is March 8
winning.
LAT: What do you think the U.S. reaction will be if March 8 wins?
Salem: I think it will be a bit complex. It won't be similar to Gaza [controlled
by Hamas]. I think things are a bit more nuanced now and the situation is
different.
In the U.S. there will definitely be a negative reaction from Congress and
certain corners of the press but I think the administration will await the
formation of the government. I think they are going to express concern but put a
lot of emphasis on the formation of the government after the elections.
If it's a coalition government similar to the one we have now, it may be
paralytic and weak but it won't be a radical departure; the government will be
able to make a responsible and moderate statement that the West could deal with.
There still could be a reduction in economic and military support, but it won't
be a dramatic collapse.
LAT: How much would this reduction really affect Lebanon?
Salem: It's true that the aid to the Lebanese military is perhaps less than what
Lebanon wanted. I think they have delivered $250 million over the past three
years with more in the pipeline, but like you said that isn't a lot.
But what's important is that the Lebanese army has aligned itself with the West
in terms of training and equipment. If this kind of aid is no longer feasible,
March 8 could turn to Iran, as [Hezbollah's Sheik Hassan] Nasrallah has said
they would do.
LAT: Could Iran provide more than what the U.S. does currently?
Salem: Iran could definitely provide much more, and they would be happy to do
it. The obstacles would be more internal than international, since there is no
way the U.S. could stop such a thing from happening.
But no matter who wins the elections, Lebanon is a confessional system, a
diverse country, and it would be difficult for them to push that through on
their own. And I don't think Hezbollah really wants to do that. Hezbollah
benefits from a Lebanese state that is close to the West and an army that is
innocuous against it — it provides protection.
And besides, Hezbollah relies on its own weapons, not the state's ... I think
Hezbollah would prefer to form a coalition government, so they don't want to win
by too much because it would make them vulnerable.
LAT: Do you think pro-American Sunni leader Saad Hariri will make good on his
promise to boycott the government, and if so, how much of March 14 will go with
him?
Salem: I don't know, but it will certainly be a big part of the discussion that
will include the Saudis, the French and the U.S. The French have said they want
a coalition government, and the Saudis have not made their position clear. It
would certainly be in the U.S. interest to have a coalition government with a
blocking third. [Pro-Hezbollah Christian leader Michael] Aoun is expected to be
the biggest Christian bloc in parliament.
LAT: How do you think Aoun will behave once his party is finally in power?
Salem: If March 8 takes the majority it will be because Aoun gave it to them.
Aoun's main demand will relate to the presidency, which is a point of great
conflict with Amal and Hezbollah who don't really want to change the president.
But the presidency would be Aoun's main objective that could put him in conflict
with his allies.
It's not really definite that Hezbollah wants to win the elections; it's quite
possible that they would be more comfortable with a hung parliament because if
they win then they have to deliver to Aoun a lot of things that they don't
really want to. Even if Aoun is the biggest Christian leader in government, I
don't think that's going to be enough for him.
LAT: If March 8 wins and Hezbollah doesn't give Aoun the presidency, do you
think Aoun will turn against Hezbollah?
Salem: I don't think so, because Aoun hasn't got anywhere else to go. He's
burned his bridges with March 14, he's burned his bridges with the US, if he
burns the bridge with Hezbollah, he's out of bridges.
— Meris Lutz in Beirut
A house to die for
Patrick Martin
Moukhtara, the Chouf Mountains residence of Walid Jumblatt, godfather of
Lebanon’s Druze, may be the home I covet more than any place I’ve ever seen.
It’s a series of square stone buildings built onto the side of a rather steep
mountain sometime in the late 19th century. There are patios with formal chairs,
fountains, and one landing has a large stone sarcophagus on display.
Stone stairways, some beneath arches, run between the buildings, linking them in
all sorts of ways – a perfect place for kids to play hide-and-seek.
Several of the two and three-storey buildings have small balconies built out
from the upper floors with panoramic views of the Chouf valley below and
mountains so close you’d swear you could shoot across to them (some have tried),
but take more than an hour to reach by car.
Through the whole compound, in a concrete and stone channel, runs a bountiful
and fast-moving spring, its rushing water adds a soothing natural sound to the
place, like camping beside rapids in a stream..
I’ve only been in two of the six or seven main buildings, but what I’ve seen is
a classic Ottoman layout, with high-ceiling rooms, generous hallways, dark,
private corners.
Mr. Jumblatt’s office, with a large round table in the middle, houses a superb
collection of antique pottery in glass cases.
All the public rooms contain large oil paintings depicting Jumblatt ancestors,
rugged landscapes of the Chouf, and Druze battle scenes.
On Saturday mornings, Mr. Jumblatt holds an open house, a diwan, for his people,
and a couple dozen show up, many dressed in traditional Druze costume. They wait
their turn, are ushered into the presence of the “godfather” by a wonderful
private secretary named Nasser, and convey whatever greeting or request they
have come to make.
Considerately, Mr. Jumblatt invites a visiting journalist or two to come by as
well and they are ushered in ahead of all but the most distinguished of the
Druze visitors.
Back in time?
Jumblatt, Hariri, Aoun, Geagea … if the names of Lebanon’s political leaders
have a familiar ring, and make you think you’ve gone back in time, you’re not
alone. The principal characters in Lebanese politics have either been around for
a long time, or have inherited the mantle from their fathers.
Walid Jumblatt has been the chief leader of Lebanon’s Druze, and head of the
Progressive Socialist Party, since 1977. His father Kamal Jumblatt ruled as
godfather to his people and party leader until he was assassinated that year.
The Jumblatts, leaders of a minority in Lebanon, have always been versatile in
choosing their political partners. That’s the only way to survive in these
parts, acknowledges Mr. Jumblatt, by making yourself useful, if not
indispensible to the ruling power.
Saad Hariri, leader of the governing Future Movement (or party) which has a lot
at stake in this weekend’s election, is the son of Rafik Hariri, a two-time
prime minister of Lebanon, who was assassinated by a bomb in February 2005.
The blast shocked the Lebanese people and its aftershocks led to the departure
of Syrian forces in the country, and to the election of Mr. Hariri junior, and
his allies.
Michel Aoun, is the same Aoun who was head of Lebanon’s military in the 1980s
and who tried to take over the government in 1989. He set himself up in the
president’s residence and declared an alternative government to that of prime
minister Salim el-Hoss.
Eventually defeated by the Syrians, he was forced into exile where he remained
until 2005, returning only after the Syrians left the country.
Since then, he has embarked on a major, legal campaign to run the country,
allied himself unexpectedly with Hezbollah, and stands to gain the most this
weekend if the opposition coalition, dubbed March 8, wins.
Samir Geagea, is the same man who ran a Christian militia called the Lebanese
forces in the 1980s. Convicted of war crimes committed in the 1975-90 civil war,
he served 11 years in solitary confinement until freed by an act of the Saad
Hariri-led government to which he then pledged his political party.
In addition to these folks, there still is a Gemayel, (Amin Gemayel, the former
president) at the head of the Christian Phalange group, now much smaller and
less influential than in the 1970s and 80s. Mr. Gemayel’s son Pierre was a
member of parliament until assassinated in 2006.
And there is Nabih Berri, still head of the other Shia party, Amal, since 1980.
Mr. Berri, the speaker of the parliament, is said to be grooming his son for the
job.
Prince Saad
Saad Hariri, leader of Lebanon’s Future Movement, has taken on a distinctly
Saudi look these days. His thick, dark goatee is cut exactly the way you’ll find
the beards of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal
and countless other royal family members. But the Saudi look shouldn’t come as a
surprise.
Saad’s father made his fortune in Saudi Arabia, constructing palaces and other
projects for the royals. He brought that fortune to Lebanon, where he funded, as
well as built, many of the country’s finest football stadiums and mosques.
Son Saad, who took the helm in 2005, when his father was assassinated, also has
come to rely on the Saudis for funds.
Throughout this election campaign, enormous sums have been spent on behalf of
his Future Party, including bringing thousands of people, sometimes entire
families, back to Lebanon from Canada and other countries in order to vote,
preferably for his party.
One other device reportedly used to help the cause is to offer money directly to
voters.
In some cases, it was described to me, a donor will offer an individual, known
to favour the other coalition, $500 for his or her vote. If the person agrees,
the donor asks ask for the person’s voter card, paying him $250 in advance, with
the rest to be paid on voting day.
If they are at all suspicious that the person will not actually vote for their
list, the donors will apparently hold onto the card and not return it.
That way, I was told, they can at least be sure of one less vote for the other
party, at a cost of $250.
Bureaucracy with a twist
Getting credentials can be tiresome, especially in places that learned from the
Ottomans and the French about bureaucracy. But my efforts to get a press card
Friday had an unusual twist.
When I first visited Lebanon in 1992, I dutifully reported to the Ministry of
Information for a local press card. It took hours, required that I spend a
painful time interviewing the minister, soliciting answers I knew I’d never use.
And, then, I was never again asked to produce the card. I interviewed countless
political figures in and out of office, and people everywhere. What was the
point I asked myself, and never again sought press credentials in Lebanon. Until
yesterday.
It was at the Hezbollah media relations centre, of all places, that I found
myself admitting guiltily that I didn’t have a local press card. Without a
government press card, I was told, I couldn’t complete the application for the
Hezbollah press card, without which I couldn’t hope to see the people I had
sought to interview.
So off to the Ministry of Information I went, fearing a long lineup of
journalists like me, in town for the election. There was no one there, but the
official in charge and two staff members.
They happily gave me the form to fill in, took two pictures from me, then
stopped. Where was the letter from my employer vouching for my bona fides.
Without that …
Back to my hotel I went, called up the ubiquitous letter of introduction I had
on file from the foreign editor, put in today’s date and printed it out at the
hotel’s business centre.
Back to the ministry, where I was quickly given the completed permit, but then
told I had now to take this to the Ministry of the Interior for the special
permit to allow me to cover “the election.”
Down the road I went, through more security checks, searching for the person to
provide me with this document. I ignored the person telling me it was too late
to get the permit, and the person who said my company in Canada should have
applied for this weeks ago. Who knew?
Finally I found the person who took my hand and led me through the maze, filled
in forms in Arabic for me, as I filled in the English.
We went from building to building and finally had things in motion. Only one
person remained to be seen, and she was busy with the minister. I was told to
wait.
I ducked out for a couple hours to meet with someone from the Hariri campaign
down the road, and returned. No one missed me. Eventually I got it, and went
happily on my way. But before I left I took advantage of the ministry’s fax
machine to send Hezbollah my permit. Of course, they then informed me that,
permit or no permit, I couldn’t see anyone until after the election.
At one point while waiting, I told the Interior ministry official that in the
many trips I’d made to Lebanon, I had never needed a permit until now. He was
surprised. But he was completely bowled over when he heard it was Hezbollah that
followed the law and forced me to abide by the regulations.
A Forrest Gump moment
It was while waiting for the Interior Ministry to provide my credentials that I
had a pleasant surprise.
I was on my way out the door of the ministry at one point, when a gaggle of
foreign security men and a horde of local television cameramen converged on the
porch, heading for the door. There was no escape, so I went back inside,
standing a respectful few paces back.
As the cameras backed past me, I could see it was former U.S. president Jimmy
Carter that was the centre of attention. He had just arrived in Lebanon to be a
monitor of the elections. Close beside him was his wife Rosalyn.
Seeing me, he let go of his wife’s hand and reached out to shake mine.
Somehow he had mistaken me for the official Interior Ministry greeter.
As he stopped I said “Hello, Mr. President. I’m Patrick Martin from Canada.”
Then I turned and shook Mrs. Carter’s hand. A little perplexed, the former
president looked to his handlers, who shrugged a bit, but then were saved by the
arrival of the Interior Minister’s emissary, who probably should have been where
I was standing when the group came in.
We all had a little laugh and upstairs they went.
The security men were not amused.
Charte Fondatrice du Hezbollah
Je viens de recevoir un message qui disait que c’était faux de prétendre que le
Hezbollah voulait instaurer une République Islamique au Liban.
J’ai donc été faire quelques recherches, dont voici un condensé :La Charte
Constitutionnelle Fondatrice* du Hezbollah mentionne clairement les objectifs de
réaliser une République Islamique au Liban.
Voici quelques extraits de la Charte Constitutionnelle Fondatrice* du Hezbollah
:
La Constitution Islamique: (Page 1):
“…ont abouti à un projet de Constitution Islamique pour le Liban calqué sur le
modèle de la Constitution iranienne…”.
Préambule (Page 1):
” …la création d’une république islamique au Liban sera donc dans l’intérêt de
tous les Libanais.»
Système Judiciaire (Page 2):
“…Le système judiciaire est musulman.”
Objectifs: (§ N° 4):
“….Nous les invitons à opter pour le régime islamique qui seul est apte à
assurer la justice et la dignité à tous. Seul, le régime islamique pourra
empêcher toute nouvelle tentative d’infiltration impérialiste dans notre pays….”
A l’adresse des Chrétiens du Liban: (page 4):
“…Nous ne vous voulons aucun mal. Nous vous appelons à embrasser l’Islam afin
que vous soyez heureux dans cette vie et dans l’autre….”
(Page 4):
“… l’Islam est une solution définitive et universelle…
….si le but ultime reste la constitution d’une république islamique, cet
objectif n’est pas à réaliser immédiatement…”
Le Hezbollah a un objectif, un plan, les moyens, et du temps pour réaliser sa
République Islamique au Liban !
Ainsi :
1 – le Hezbollah est l’armée de l’Iran au Liban ;
2 – Le Hezbollah veut instaurer au Liban une République Islamique.
Elections' Supervision Body Bans Statement Made by Sfeir
Manar
06/06/2009 A few hours ahead of the beginning of the "fateful" polls, an
"electoral silence" prevailed in the country according to the electoral law...
However, the electoral silence was "broken" with a statement made by the
Maronite Patriarch, a statement that was read by observers as a "violation" of
the electoral law and somewhat an "attempt to influence" voters on the eve of
the elections. According to press reports, the elections' supervision committee
wasn't "pleased" with Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir's statement and raised question
marks over its "suspicious" timing. The Commission overseeing the elections was
reportedly set to withhold Sfeir's statement and ban it from being broadcast in
various forms of media. However, the press reports said that interventions by
March 14 forces prevented the commission from taking such resolution. But the
commission issued a statement in which it reminded the media outlets of their
duty to stop broadcasting any political position.