LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
June 09/09
The People in
Lebanon said No to Hezbollah, No to Terrorism, No To Syria, No to Iran. They
said loudly YES TO PEACE & Democracy and an astounding yes to the State and a
courageous no to the Hezbollah mini state. MABROOK , congratulations to peace
lovers and advocates in Lebanon
Elias Bejjani
Bible Reading of the day.
congratulations
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:1-12. When he saw the
crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came
to him.
He began to teach them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be
comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who
hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the
merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they
insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely)
because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in
heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Canada Congratulates Lebanon on Successful Elections
June 8, 2009 (11:15 a.m. EDT)No. 153
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the
following statement congratulating the people of Lebanon on their June 7, 2009,
parliamentary elections:
“Canada congratulates the Lebanese people for the peaceful, orderly manner in
which the country’s 2009 parliamentary elections were conducted. We also
congratulate Sa’ad Hariri and the members of the 14 March coalition on their
victory.“Canada recognized the importance of these elections by sending observers,
providing electoral support and working with civil society organizations on
voter education and access.
“Canada and Lebanon have a strong bilateral relationship and share a vision of
peace and security in Lebanon and throughout the region. We hope that the
Lebanese people will remain patient during the post-election process and support
their democratically elected members as the nation faces the challenges in
ensuring stability, security and the implementation of all pertinent UN
resolutions.”
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports.
A victory for Lebanon/Future News
08/06/09
Stunning Victory at the Polls for Democracy in
Lebanon. By Rick Moran. American Thinker 08/06/09
SCENARIOS - After election, what next for
Lebanon?Reuters 08/06/09
Obama's Challenge to Both Arabs and JewsMiddle East
Online 08/06/09
Analysis: Hizbullah's struggle to change the
regime.Jerusalem Post 08/06/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for June
08/09
Lebanon Moderates Turn Attention to Forming New
Government-Wall
Street Journal
ANALYSIS-Lebanon's post-election fate seen tied
to region-Reuters
Hizbullah: Our Weapons Not
Subject to Discussion-Naharnet
March 14 Wins Elections, Challenge
Now Lies in Avoiding Political Crisis-Naharnet
Israel says new Lebanon government
must prevent attacks-Future
News
Marouni called the minority to
believe in democracy-Future
News
Majdalani: The Lebanese chose the
state not the mini-states-Future
News
Azaour: Thanks to his allies, Aoun
won in some districts-Future
News
Tueini dedicates the victory to her
father and Lebanese-Future
News
Israel: March 14 Win is Important News, Hizbullah Must be Disarmed-Naharnet
Hezbollah handed a stinging defeat-Asia
Times Online
Lebanon's American-Backed Government Holds on to
Power-TIME
Hizbullah: Opposition
Dealing with Results Positively-Naharnet
Lebanon's pro-Western coalition
declares victory/Toronto Star
Facts on Lebanon's economy-Reuters
Syria: Vote-buying Changed
Lebanese Poll Results-Naharnet
Official Election Results
by District-Naharnet
Mubarak Congratulates
Hariri and Saniora, Calls for Continued Dialogue-Naharnet
FPM Acknowledges Election
Defeat-Naharnet
Hariri Congratulates
Lebanese over March 14 Victory-Naharnet
Moussa: Large Coalition
Government is in Lebanon's Interest-Naharnet
Hariri: Political Beginner
Turns Election Winner-Naharnet
Hizbullah Admits Election Loss-Naharnet
March 14 Maintains
Parliamentary Majority in Record Turnout-Naharnet
Jumblat Warns against 'Deadly' Isolation Mistake if March 14 Win-Naharnet
A victory
for Lebanon
Date: June 8th, 2009
Future News
The Lebanese as always were wonderful on elections day. At the peak as always in
the victory for their values and concepts.
The panorama of victory in this democratic conduct was not less beautiful than
Lebanon. What will come after this victory is different than what preceded it.
Yesterday Lebanon won with ‘March 14’ coalition and the Cedar Revolution at its
heart, hereby a new responsibility falls upon its leaders who should carry out
the promises they enlisted in their electoral programs.
Words remain short from giving this people its right for the loyalty it showed
to its values and the values of its revolution which was launched four years
ago.
The people were wonderful in their loyalty for all those who fell on the altar
of building the unified state.
They were great in their nobility and in how they triumphed for their dignity
which the others tried to defeat in the attacks of 23 and 25 January and on the
7th of May, when they tried to hamper its parliament representatives from
carrying out their duties at the parliament and the cabinet, and when they tried
to obstruct them from electing a president and from establishing the
international tribunal.
This great people won, and its victories are uncountable, but perhaps recalling
some of it might urge those who are betting on the Syrian intelligence and its
bloodiest ways to reconsider:
-consolidating the Syrian troops’ withdrawal, even if Syria’s allies tried to
get it back.
-huge leaps based on wisdom and patience, most prominently avoiding getting
dragged into sedition which some have attempted to prompt.
- avoiding slipping into the trap of electing a president through the half plus
one equation thus evading the division of the country and shielding its civil
peace.
- attaining the International Community’s recognition to Lebanon’s independence.
- dedicating democracy as a concept and a practice through a peaceful revolution
which the region has never encountered.
-shielding the achievement of the international tribunal.
-Lebanon has won for democracy against the heresy of the ‘obstructing third’
which paralyzed the country and hampered any political, developmental, or social
achievement.
Today Lebanon is re-launched through a special democratic experience based on
recognizing the others this is why we will listen to those who have voted
against us to prove what we achieved.
Lebanon won through peace against weapon, through politics against war, and
through democracy against totalitarianism, and through unity against division.
This victory is the right of all those who have fallen in the streets, and not
of those who die in shelters or those who trade our blood on negotiation tables.
Lebanon has won for building the state and not against anyone.
Official
Election Results by District
Naharnet/Interior Minister Ziad Baroud announced Monday official results in 15
out of the 26 electoral districts:
The winners are:
Tyre (4 Shiite seats): Abdel Majid Saleh, Mohammed Fneish, Nawaf al-Moussawi and
Ali Khreis.
Sidon (2 Sunni seats): Bahia Hariri and Fouad Saniora.
Zghorta (3 Maronite seats): Suleiman Franjieh, Estephan Douweihi and Salim Karam.
Bint Jbeil (3 Shiite seats): Hassan Fadlallah, Ali Bazzi and Ayoub Hemayed.
Sidon villages: Michel Moussa (Roman Catholic), Nabih Berri and Ali Oseiran
(Shiites).
Jbeil: Walid Khoury and Simon Abi-Ramia (Maronites) and Abbas Hashem (Shiite).
Koura (3 Greek Orthodox seats): Farid Makari, Farid Habib and Nicolas Ghosn.
Batroun (2 Maronite seats): Antoine Zahra and Boutros Harb.
Aley: Akram Shehayeb, Talal Arslan (Druze), Henri Helou (Maronite), Fouad al-Saad
(Roman Catholic) and Fadi al-Habr (Greek Orthodox).
Kesrouan (5 Maronite seats): Michel Aoun, Farid Elias al-Khazen, Youssef Khalil,
Nehmatallah Abi Nasr and Gilberte Zouein.
Baalbeck-Hermel: Ali Miqdad, Nawar Sahili, Hussein al-Hajj Hassan, Ghazi Zoaiter,
Hussein al-Moussawi, Assem Qanso (Shiites), Kamel al-Rifai and Walid Succarieh
(Sunnis), Marwan Fares (Roman Catholic) and Emile Rahme (Maronite).
Nabatiyeh (3 Shiite seats): Mohammed Raad, Yassine Jaber and Abdel Latif Zein.
Jezzine: Ziad Aswad, Michel Helou (Maronites) and Issam Sawaya (Roman Catholic).
Beirut, 08 Jun 09, 11:48
Mubarak Congratulates Hariri and Saniora, Calls for Continued Dialogue
Naharnet/Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak telephoned MP Saad Hariri and Premier
Fouad Saniora on Monday to congratulate them on the March 14 alliance's election
victory, Middle East News Agency reported.
MENA said Mubarak stressed in his conversations with both Lebanese leaders that
"Egypt welcomes the results of the elections and their reflection of the
people's will and its choices."
The Egyptian president also said he was looking forward to the continuation of
national dialogue sessions in order to reach understanding that backs stability.
Mubarak's stance came after the March 14 forces emerged victorious from Sunday's
parliamentary elections. Beirut, 08 Jun 09, 11:56
Hariri Congratulates Lebanese over March 14 Victory
Naharnet/Near-final results showed the March 14 coalition won parliamentary
majority over the Hizbullah-led alliance in Sunday's crucial polls.
"This is a big day in the history of democratic Lebanon," MP Saad Hariri told
cheering supporters in Qoreitem after midnight.
"Congratulations to you, congratulations to freedom, congratulations to
democracy," said a triumphant Hariri.
The majority in the old parliament won 71 seats in the new 128-seat assembly
against 57 for Hizbullah and its Christian and Shiite allies, according to
Future TV.
Celebratory gunfire erupted and fireworks exploded into the sky as jubilant
Hariri supporters took to the streets after the election results tilted toward
March 14 victory. ,
Police and Lebanese troops were out in force in sensitive areas for fear of
fighting between rival political parties. Beirut, 08 Jun 09, 08
Hizbullah: Our Weapons Not Subject to Discussion
Nahanet/Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad warned the March 14 coalition on Monday that
the group's weapons were not a subject open to discussion.
"The majority must commit not to question our role as a resistance party, the
legitimacy of our weapons arsenal and the fact that Israel is an enemy state,"
Raad told Agence France Presse.
He warned that the outcome of Sunday's vote signaled further political
turbulence.
"The results indicate that the crisis will continue, unless the majority changes
its attitude," said Raad, an MP who kept his seat in the new parliament.(AFP)
Beirut, 08 Jun 09, 12:21
Israel: March 14 Win is Important News, Hizbullah Must be Disarmed
Naharnet/An Israeli cabinet minister called on Monday for Hizbullah to be
disarmed after the defeat of its alliance in Lebanon's parliamentary elections.
"The victory of pro-Western forces in Lebanon over the pro-Iranian and
pro-Syrian forces led by (Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan) Nasrallah signals
important tidings for the region and Israel," Transport Minister Yisrael Katz
told public radio.
"We must now move to disarm Hizbullah in accordance with agreements made in the
past," he said.
The Israeli foreign ministry also said Monday that the new government in Lebanon
must act to prevent attacks from its territory after the March 14 forces
clinched victory.
"It is incumbent upon any government that is formed in Beirut to ensure that
Lebanon will not be used as a base for violence against the state of Israel and
against Israelis," the ministry said in a statement.
"The government of Lebanon must act to strengthen the country's stability and
security, to stop arms smuggling into its territory and to implement the
relevant Security Council resolutions."The ministry added that Israel considers the Lebanese government responsible
"for any military or otherwise hostile activity that emanates from its
territory."(AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 08 Jun 09, 11:28
March 14 Wins Elections, Challenge Now Lies in Avoiding Political Crisis
Naharnet/The March 14 coalition remained a majority with 71 deputies as the Hizbullah-led
opposition got 57 MPs after Lebanon's old parliamentary majority claimed
election victory on Sunday, but now Lebanon faces a tough battle ahead to shape
up a government of national unity.
The election scene did not seem to have changed much since 2005 when the current
majority swept to power on a wave of popular anger following the assassination
former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Celebratory gunfire rattled through Beirut around midnight following news that
March 14 scored victory in Lebanon's crucial elections and fireworks exploded
and the champagne flowed.
Newspapers on Monday said elections dealt a blow to the March 8 alliance.
"They were broken ... Lebanon wins," read a headline in pan-Arab daily Asharq
al-Awsat, in reference to the Hizbullah alliance.
"The majority is back," screamed al-Akhbar newspaper, which is close to
Hizbullah. "The opposition suffered a great defeat."
Al-Akhbar believed Lebanon now stood at a crossroads that could lead to a
political crisis similar to the one that brought the country close to civil war
in May 2008.
"The opposition lost the elections and remains in the opposition," it said. "The
March 14 won and retains the majority."
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper, for its part, said March 14 had won 71 seats in the
128-seat parliament and Hizbullah and its allies had won 57 seats.
Official results were due at midday Monday.
"Elections once again lead to a parliament of national divisions," was the
headline in the pro-opposition daily As-Safir.
"The majority managed to convince a great number of voters, especially
Christians, by using propaganda and catchy slogans," it said.
As-Safir, however, questioned whether the two opponent camps will now be able to
form a national unity government.
"What kind of government will emerge from these elections?" it asked. "Will the
opposition insist once again on having a blocking minority and will the majority
refuse once again to give it to them? "Should we already brace ourselves for a
new political crisis?" As-Safir added. Beirut, 08 Jun 09, 08:46
Syria: Vote-buying Changed Lebanese Poll Results
Naharnet/Syrian newspapers on Monday said massive vote-buying and fraud deformed
Lebanon's parliamentary election which was won by the March 14 forces.
The March 14 coalition "has been accused of having bought votes and using
bribery," said Syria's ruling Al-Baath party daily, adding that "this could pave
the way to large-scale falsification of the election." Al-Baath said Sunday that
the election was a chance for voters to throw their weight behind the
anti-Israeli resistance as represented by Hizbullah.
Syria's independent Al-Watan daily commented: "The most important political
ballot in Lebanon's history... and politically-tainted money has had the last
word."
The March 14 coalition got 71 seats in the 128-member parliament, with Hizbullah
and its allies getting 57 seats."Election cash played a decisive role in the
election result, because the (pro-Western) loyalists allocated a huge budget for
vote-buying, for spending money in the polling booths... and in bringing
expatriates to vote," the mass circulation newspaper said. Al-Watan concluded
that these steps had fundamentally changed the election day figures compared to
those forecast by opinion polls.(AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 08 Jun 09, 13:10
Moussa: Large Coalition Government is in Lebanon's Interest
Naharnet/Arab League chief Amr Moussa has hoped that the new Lebanese
parliamentary majority would form a coalition government.
"I think it would be best to have a large coalition government in which all
political parties participate," Moussa said in an interview with al-Safwa TV
network. "It is in Lebanon's interest (that the country) be for all.""The
important thing is that whoever wins will form the government and has to … work
to restore the economy, security and preserve Lebanon's security and stability,"
he said. Beirut, 08 Jun 09, 09:44
Stunning Victory at the Polls for Democracy in Lebanon
By Rick Moran
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/06/stunning_victory_at_the_polls_1.html
American Thinker /June 08/09
It wasn't supposed to happen like this. While no formal polling is allowed close
to the election, many analysts still gave a slight edge to the Hezb'allah backed
Development and Resistance bloc to emerge with a plurality of seats in the
nation's 128 member parliament, beating out the Sunni-Christian March 14th
forces. In any event, neither side was expected to dominate the election.
But if elections were decided by analysts, there would be no such thing as
democracy. This, the Lebanese people proved when they shocked themselves and the
world by giving a stunning, convincing victory to the forces of democracy
represented by the March 14th coalition.
From the Lebanese news portal Now Lebanon:
The March 14 alliance appears headed for a decisive victory in Sunday's
parliamentary elections, with poll results, as of early Monday morning,
indicating the alliance took around 70 seats, roughly the same number they held
in the last parliament.
Speaking at a victory rally around 1 a.m., Future Movement leader Saad Hariri
thanked all Future and March 14 supporters, in addition to the security forces,
the army, and Arab and international observers, "all[ of whom] contributed to
this glorious national day and establishing democracy."
"These elections have no winner or loser, because the only winner is democracy
and the biggest winner is Lebanon," Hariri said.
"No victor, no vanquished." That's the motto of Lebanese political society. So
even though the March 14th forces outpolled Hezb'allah substantially (they may
have won up to 58 seats), they will still be invited to participate in the
government.
And that includes the participation of the Christian Free Patriotic Movement
party who cast their lot with pro-Syrian Hezb'allah and divided the Christian
community. Their leader, Michel Aoun, stands humiliated if the results hold up.
Once an anti-Syrian hero in Lebanon, a reputation earned by fighting for
Lebanese independence against the Syrian occupiers, Aoun's triumphant return
following the expulsion of Syrian troops in 2005 raised hopes that the Christian
community could rally behind his banner.
Hariri and the Sunnis didn't trust Aoun and refused to give him what he coveted
most; their endorsement of his candidacy for the presidency. He then shocked the
nation when he signed a memorandum of agreement with pro-Syrian Hezb'allah and
joined their coalition. This has resulted in some awkward moments over the years
as Aoun has been forced to take positions inconveniently opposed to ones had
taken previously.
Naharnet has the opposition's response:
Hizbullah MP Hassan Fadlallah reiterated late Sunday the party's calls for
"national partnership" and said the March 8 alliance was reacting to the outcome
of the elections with a "positive attitude."
In an interview with AFP, Fadlallah said Hizbullah's 11 candidates won seats in
the new 128-member parliament.
"Lebanon's specificity is in its diversity and there is no majority or
minority," Fadlallah said. "No party can claim to have won the majority among
all communities."
"Hizbullah has accepted the public will. The opposition handles the outcome of
the polls and the people's choice with a positive attitude," he said.
Will that "positive attitude" extend to accepting the result and a reduced role
in the cabinet?
For 18 months, Hezb'allah held the nation hostage by besieging the Grand Serail,
Lebanon's government house. During that time, several March 14th politicians
were assassinated -- probably by Syrian security -- including Pierre Gemayel
whose family is extremely prominent in Lebanese politics. The question on
everyone's mind is will they accept anything less than what they achieved last
year at Doha, Qatar following what Prime Minister Siniora referred to as "an
attempted coup?"
As always, Hezb'allah has one advantage not enjoyed by their opposition. They've
got the guns and the will to use them if they feel threatened. They proved that
in May of 2008 when, following a challenge to their communications network, they
easily brushed aside disorganized Sunni militias and entered the Sunni enclave
in West Beirut. That action triggered a crisis conference in Doha where the
March 14th government gave in to most of Hezb'allah's demands and reorganized
the cabinet, giving the Shias and their Christian allies a virtual veto over
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government.
Lebanon can ill afford a repeat of that military-political exercise by
Hezb'allah. Nor can it afford another Hezb'allah war with Israel, which is
always a possibility now that they have been fully rearmed and resupplied by
Syria and Iran after the 2006 conflict. But March 14th is stuck with integrating
the opposition into the government and trying to keep them happy.
It is in Hezb'allah's long term interest to cause trouble for the March 14th
majority. But there is a possibility they will go along for awhile and accept a
reduced role as a result of the election. Their spiritual and military leader
Hassan Nasrallah is a shrewd operator and has demonstrated a gambler's instinct
when he thinks the odds are in his favor. But given the fact that the Lebanese
people seem to have spoken clearly about their future, we might see Hezb'allah
laying low for the time being.
The key to March 14th's success was found in the Christian members of the
coalition and their victories in hotly contested districts against FPM
candidates.
Now Lebanon has the details:
According to unofficial results, March 14 swept Zahle, which was widely seen as
one of the more tightly contested districts in the nation. Nicholas Fattouch and
Antoine Abu Khater took the two Greek Catholic seats, Elie Marouni took the
Maronite seat, Joseph Maalouf took the Orthodox seat, Assem Aaraji took the
Sunni seat, Okab Sakr took the Shia seat, and Chant Gengenian took the Armenian
Orthodox seat.
In Beirut I, another hard-fought district, March 14 candidates won all five
seats, with Nayla Tueni taking the Greek Orthodox seat, Michel Pharaon the Greek
Catholic seat, Nadim Gemayel the Maronite seat, Serge Torsarkissian the Armenian
Catholic seat and Jean Ogassapian the Armenian Orthodox seat.
March 14 also prevailed in Batroun, winning both the district's seats. Current
Telecommunications Minister Gebran Bassil, who was a candidate in the race,
lost, as MPs Antoine Zahra and Boutros Harb took the district's two Maronite
seats.
In race after race where there was a competitive contest (about 100 seats were
safely apportioned to the various religions), March 14th surged to victory. A
change in the electoral law pushed on the government by Hezb'allah at the Doha
conference was thought to favor them over March 14th, but in the end, appeared
to make little difference.
Now comes the hard part; forming a working government that won't provoke
Hezb'allah into a ruinous confrontation. Although current Prime Minister Fouad
Siniora won his race going away, he is not expected back. It would be helpful if
whoever emerges from the coming scrum for Prime Minister would be acceptable to
Hezb'allah but it is not vital. For the moment, March 14th has the votes. That
should cinch the proposition in Parliament.
Sa'ad Hariri, son of the slain ex-Prime Minister, has now engineered two
election victories for his coalition. Considering the fact that March 14th
appeared dead in the water following their surrender at Doha, he has pulled off
a political coup by outmaneuvering Michel Aoun in almost all the competitive
districts while infusing his supporters with hope for an independent Lebanon
with a strong central government. Not a bad trick if you can pull it off. And
Hariri did.
**Rick Moran is associate editor of American Thinker.
Comments on "Stunning Victory at the Polls for Democracy in Lebanon"
Lebanon's pro-Western coalition declares victory
HUSSAM SHBARO/REUTERS
Jun 07, 2009 08:
Comments on this story (4)
SAM F. GHATTAS
Associated Press/Toronto Star
BEIRUT–Lebanon's pro-Western coalition declared victory early Monday, as local
television stations reported the faction had successfully fended off a serious
challenge by the Shiite militant group Hezbollah and its allies to grab the
majority in parliament.
Official results for Sunday's election were not expected until later Monday, but
the winners were already celebrating by shooting in the air, setting off
fireworks and driving around in honking motorcades.
The election was an early test of President Barack Obama's efforts to forge
Middle East peace. A win by Hezbollah would have boosted the influence of its
backers Iran and Syria and risked pushing one of the region's most volatile
nations into international isolation and possibly into more conflict with
Israel.
"I present this victory to Lebanon," Prime Minister Fuad Saniora said on
television after stations projected his pro-Western coalition was winning. "It
is an exceptional day for democracy in Lebanon.''
OTV, the television station of one of Hezbollah's key Christian allies, former
army chief Michel Aoun, conceded that the party's candidates who challenged
pro-Western competitors in several Christian districts had been defeated,
preventing a victory for the Hezbollah coalition. But Aoun was able to hang on
to his representation in other districts.
Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation, a leading private Christian TV station,
projected the pro-Western coalition to win 68 seats in the next parliament, with
57 for Hezbollah and its allies and three for independents.
That would almost replicate the deadlock that existed in the outgoing
parliament, in which the pro-Western bloc had 70 seats and an alliance of
Hezbollah and other Shiite and Christian factions had 58.
The leader of the largest bloc in the pro-Western coalition, Saad Hariri, said
early Monday in a televised speech that he extends his hand to the losing side
"to work together and seriously for the sake of Lebanon." He urged supporters to
celebrate without provoking opponents.
But despite the conciliatory tone, Lebanon was at risk of sliding again into a
political crisis over formation of the next government similar to the one that
buffeted the country for most of the last four years.
Hezbollah had veto power in Saniora's Cabinet for the last year, which it won
after provoking the worst street clashes since the 1975-1990 civil war. The
pro-Western coalition had vowed not to give Hezbollah and its allies a blocking
minority in the new government if they won.
The battle in Christian districts was the decisive factor. Lebanese generally
vote along sectarian and family loyalties, with seats for Sunnis and Shiites in
the half-Christian, half-Muslim, 128-member parliament already locked up even
before the voting started.
Christians in the pro-Western coalition warned that Hezbollah would bring the
influence of Shiite Iran to Lebanon. The Maronite Catholic Church made a
last-minute appeal, warning that Lebanon as a state and its Arab identity were
threatened, a clear reference to Hezbollah and its Persian backer, Iran.
Sunnis were also driven to vote for the pro-Western coalition to get back at
Shiite Hezbollah gunmen for seizing the streets a year ago in Beirut from
pro-government supporters.
Some 3.2 million people out of a population of 4 million were eligible to vote,
and the interior minister said after polls closed that the turnout nationwide
was about 52.3 per cent, an increase over the 2005 figure of 45.8 per cent.
Saniora won his first parliamentary seat in the southern port city of Sidon,
defeating a pro-Hezbollah Sunni incumbent, according to TV projections.
The race for the parliament is the first major event in the Middle East since
Obama reached out to the Arab and Islamic worlds last week in his speech in
Cairo in which he called for a "new beginning between the United States and
Muslims." Obama challenged Muslims to confront violent extremism across the
globe and urged Israel and the Palestinians along with Arab states to find
common ground on which to forge peace.
Hezbollah, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization, has been one of
the staunchest opponents of U.S. policy in the Middle East and a sworn enemy of
Israel. It fought the Jewish state in southern Lebanon in 2006 in a devastating
war and has tried to smuggle weapons to the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza
through Egypt.
Obama's speech did not resonate in the election campaign. But warnings by the
United States that it could reconsider aid depending on the election's outcome
have sparked Hezbollah accusations of U.S. interference. The U.S. has given
around $1 billion (U.S.) to Lebanon's pro-Western government since 2006.
In his Cairo speech, Obama said the United States "will welcome elected,
peaceful governments, provided they govern with respect for all their people.''
Former President Jimmy Carter, in Beirut to monitor the elections, expressed
hope that the United States, Iran and other countries will recognize the results
"and not try to interfere in the process.''
Hezbollah's coalition includes the Shiite movement Amal and Aoun's Christian
faction. Opposing it are the overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim supporters of current
majority leader Hariri, allied with several Christian and Druse factions.
Hezbollah tried to strike a moderate tone in the election campaign. The group
only fielded 11 candidates and must work with its various political allies.
The group's Christian allies argue that involving Hezbollah more deeply in the
political process – rather than shunning it – is the only way to bridge the
country's sectarian divides.
Their opponents counter that the heavily armed Hezbollah would be driving
Lebanon into the arms of Iran, which could use it as a front in the Islamic
republic's confrontation with Israel.
In Israel, government officials were concerned about gains by Hezbollah.
Israeli Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom said last week a victory by Hezbollah
would be "very dangerous for the stability of the Middle East, and by that, the
stability of the entire world.''
The voting was largely peaceful, with complaints of long waits at polling
stations from voters, many of whom had to travel across the country to cast
their ballots. Army troops in armoured personnel carriers and trucks took up
positions on major highways, part of a 50,000-strong security force deployed for
voting day.
President Michel Suleiman, among the early voters, cast his ballot in his
hometown of Amchit on the coast north of Beirut. He set the political tone for
the post-election period irrespective of who won, hoping for a national unity
government, a prospect both sides have already raised.
Lebanese-Canadians rejoiced the election results Sunday night as they trickled
in throughout the evening.
"The achievement is this went peacefully," said Elias Bejjani of the Lebanese
Canadian Coordinating Council, adding that as many as 400 Canadians may have
travelled to Lebanon to vote in the tight race. "Everyone was afraid of a
Hezbollah majority," he said. "Everyone is happy now."
**With a file from the Star's Jasmeet Sidhu
Analysis:
Hizbullah's struggle to change the regime
By SHIMON SHAPIRA AND YAIR MINZILI
JPost.com/
Jun 8, 2009 0:04
The recent publication of Hizbullah's subversive plans against Egypt and the
exposure of a Shi'ite group headed by a Hizbullah activist that was preparing to
act against Egyptian targets diverted attention from the challenge Hizbullah is
posing to the very foundations of Lebanese governmental authority.
On April 3, 2009, Hizbullah published its political platform in advance of
Sunday's Lebanese parliamentary elections. The document calls for the abolition
of sectarian politics and for the enactment of a new election law that would
alter the equation of sectarian forces in the country.
In this manner, Hizbullah seeks to destroy the foundations of the sectarian
regime agreed upon in the National Pact of 1943 and preserved by the Lebanese
state ever since. The abolition of the existing political system will advance
Hizbullah toward its fundamental goal: the establishment of an Islamic state and
a complete Iranian takeover of the country.
The scholarly analyses that define Hizbullah as a Lebanese national movement are
baseless. What Lebanese national interests are served by subversive activity in
Egypt? What Lebanese interests seek the transfer of Iranian arms from Sudan and
Sinai to Gaza? What national Lebanese ideology seeks to subvert the delicate
sectarian structure upon which the modern Lebanese state is predicated?
The responses to these questions may be found in the framework of relations
between revolutionary Iran and its protégé in Lebanon, and between Iranian
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his loyal and obedient representative
Hassan Nasrallah.
The essence of the tie between them is not simply religious, but has
far-reaching political implications for the range of Hizbullah behavior in the
Lebanese arena and beyond, and symbolizes the growing influence of Iran in the
Arab world.
One can safely assume that Hizbullah activity in Egypt was undertaken with the
full knowledge of Iran. The weapons shipment that departed Iran for Gaza was
dispatched with Teheran's blessing. Iran was undoubtedly aware that the Egyptian
security authorities could uncover Hizbullah's subversive activity, but believed
that the Egyptians would prefer to turn a blind eye and allow the passage of the
weapons inventory to Gaza.
Even if this was not the case, the Iranians posited military assistance to Hamas
as a supreme interest of the Islamic Revolution and were prepared to pay the
price of a deterioration in relations between the countries. The attacks by
Hassan Nasrallah against Egypt, including a call to the Egyptian army to
overthrow the Mubarak regime during Israel's Gaza operation, would not have been
made had Nasrallah not understood that in this fashion he was serving the wishes
of his masters in Teheran.
Ever since the disclosures of the activity in Egypt, the media in the Arab world
and in the West has been preoccupied with the dispute that has erupted between
Hizbullah and Cairo, and have almost totally ignored the struggle that Hizbullah
has initiated to change the face of the Lebanese regime.
While Britain took the questionable decision to open a dialogue with the
"political wing" of Hizbullah, and in practice recognized Hizbullah as a
legitimate movement, it would appear that the artificial distinction drawn by
the UK between the political and the military wings of Hizbullah has totally
collapsed with the discovery of Hizbullah's subversive activities in Egypt,
which merely compounds what was previously discovered in Morocco. In that Sunni
Arab kingdom, King Muhammad VI severed ties with Iran in March 2009, accusing it
of supporting Shi'ite missionary activity.
The unequivocal call to abolish sectarian politics and the enactment of a new
election law were placed at the very top of Hizbullah's 2009 election platform
in order to emphasize the group's priorities. In its electoral platform of 2000,
Hizbullah had called for establishing a national body for the abolishment of
political sectarianism, but only in the fourth section of the document.
It is assumed that in this manner Hizbullah seeks to advance its aspiration to
destroy the foundations of the sectarian regime in Lebanon agreed upon in 1943
that has been preserved ever since, despite repeated crises. The abolition of
the existing political system will advance Hizbullah toward its fundamental
goal: the establishment of an Islamic state that provides political expression
to the Shi'ite majority and a complete Iranian takeover.
What is missing in the new Hizbullah platform? There is no reference to its
militia and weapons, or to the call from inside Lebanon to dismantle Hizbullah's
military capability and to integrate it into the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Hizbullah ignores this aspect and insists on keeping its independent military
wing as a "resistance" force against Israel.
However, it is clear that the preservation of Hizbullah's military strength is
intended primarily to allow the movement to translate its martial power and
demographic weight into a fundamental change of the Lebanese political system.
In addition, and no less important, Hizbullah's military power serves as the
cutting edge of Iran on Israel's northern border, enabling the Islamic republic
to employ the armed force that it built in Lebanon to serve its strategic
interests.
In recent years, and in the course of the severe political crises that have
struck Lebanon since the murder of former prime minister Rafik Hariri in March
2005, Hizbullah has not concealed its intentions to realize the mission
entrusted to it by the Iranian revolutionary regime. The movement is to seize
power in Lebanon and thus create another stable and trustworthy link in the
Shi'ite axis of evil under Iranian leadership.
In the Lebanese political realm, Hizbullah has labored to reinforce "the (Shi'ite)
opposition camp" by aligning with powerful factions beyond the Shi'ite community
against the Sunni-Shi'ite coalition headed by Sa'ad Hariri. Hizbullah scored a
major success by attracting to its side the Christian Free Patriotic Movement
headed by Gen. Michel Aoun, and has strengthened its alliance with extremist
Salafist Sunni groups. In a show of force, Hizbullah undertook an unprecedented
brutal action when it effectively took over Beirut on May 7, 2008, in response
to a government attempt to bring about the dismantling of Hizbullah's
independent
Hizbullah's call for ending political sectarianism, coupled with the enactment
of a new election law, came after this demonstration of power and
self-confidence, and constitutes the apogee of its indefatigable efforts to
attain power in the country. The formulation of an electoral program in a manner
that awards Hizbullah the deceptive image of an authentic Lebanese party
operating on the basis of Lebanese interests was calculated to attract maximal
representation and perhaps even a majority in parliament. However, its political
rivals at home will seek to exploit Hizbullah's recent entanglements in
subversion against Egypt to expose Hizbullah as a disruptive force operating in
the service of Iran and Syria.
SCENARIOS - After election, what next for Lebanon?
Sun Jun 7, 2009
BEIRUT (Reuters) - A U.S.-backed alliance of Lebanese factions successfully
defended its parliamentary majority in an election on Sunday, defeating an
alliance including the Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah.
Led by Sunni politician Saad al-Hariri, the anti-Syrian "March 14" coalition won
a majority in parliament, according to politicians in his alliance and the rival
bloc. The new parliament convenes for the first time later this month.
According to Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system, the parliament will elect
a Shi'ite speaker. It is expected to extend the term of Hezbollah ally, Nabih
Berri.
President Michel Suleiman, a Maronite Christian, will then consult lawmakers on
their choice for the post of Sunni prime minister. He is obliged to go with the
choice of the majority.
The prime minister-designate then holds consultations on the new government.
Following are scenarios on how the new government may shape up:
HARIRI NOMINATED PM, REJECTS OPPOSITION VETO
Hariri, who has Saudi backing, is designated prime minister by a majority of
legislators. Though not against the participation of Hezbollah and its allies in
government, he refuses to meet their demand for effective veto power, setting
the stage for political tension.
March 14's refusal to yield to the opposition's call for effective veto power in
2006 triggered a political crisis that last year pushed the country to the brink
of civil war.
The U.S.-backed alliance finally agreed to the demand as part of a deal brokered
by Arab mediators to end the worst civil strife since the 1975-90 war.
In an attempt to avoid a confrontation, Hariri might instead propose that
President Suleiman be allowed to appoint a bloc of ministers with effective veto
power, enhancing the head of state's role in government. Hezbollah and its
allies, including Christian politician Michel Aoun, may not agree.
The dispute could drag on and a resolution would likely require the intervention
of regional states.
HARIRI DECLINES PM NOMINATION
Hariri declines the nomination for prime minister, avoiding a potential
confrontation with Hezbollah and its allies over the issue of veto power. He
nominates an alternative candidate.
The alternative to Hariri may also propose a wider role for the president in the
new cabinet, expanding the number of ministers that he appoints so the head of
state effectively holds the balance of power in government.
One compromise solution could be a three-way split of government posts between
Hariri's coalition, Hezbollah and its allies and the president.
PRESIDENT EMERGES MORE INFLUENTIAL
President Suleiman could emerge a winner from the election if negotiations over
the new cabinet result in a greater say for him. Suleiman was elected head of
state last year by parliament. He was seen as a candidate acceptable to both the
rival sides at the time and supported by Saudi Arabia and Syria.
(Writing by Tom Perry; editing by Michael Roddy)
Hezbollah handed a stinging defeat
By Sami Moubayed
Asia Times/Jun 9, 2009
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KF09Ak03.html
DAMASCUS - The results of Sunday's Lebanese parliamentary elections were
unexpected, with early results showing the pro-Western March 14 coalition
scoring a landslide victory. The coalition has retained its majority by
capturing anywhere between 68 to 70 seats of the 128-seat parliament.
The Hezbollah-led opposition, which had been expected to take the majority,
emerged with only 50 seats, although eight seats are still to be announced in
the Metn region. Early results show that of these eight seats, only two were
taken by March 14 coalition candidates - Michel al-Murr and Sami Gemayel - while
the remaining six went to Hezbollah.
Even with an additional six seats, meaning the opposition bloc
would control 56 seats, March 14 would still have a clear majority. According to
the Taif Accords, hammered out by Syria and Saudi Arabia to end the Lebanese
civil war 20 years ago, parliament is divided along the following lines: 27
seats (Sunnis), 27 seats (Shi'ites), 34 seats (Maronite Christians), while the
remaining 40 seats are allocated to Druze, Greek Orthodox and Alawites.
There were no surprises in this regard on Sunday. Hezbollah and Amal candidates
captured all 27 seats allocated to the Shi'ites. The Saad al-Hariri bloc took
the majority of the 27 seats allocated for Sunnis. The real tipping point was
the Christian vote, divided between former army commander Michel Aoun on one
front, and a coalition of Christian leaders, headed by ex-president Amin Gemayel
and ex-warlord Samir Gagega, on the other. The Christian vote emerged as more
united behind March 14 than it was around Michel Aoun, explaining the 20-seat
difference between the camps.
It is unclear how regional players will react to the results. The Iranians are
too busy, planning for their own elections, scheduled for Friday. The Syrians
have promised to support whatever choice is made by the people of Lebanon. They
would not interfere, they repeatedly said to American and European guests over
the past two weeks. During a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Saud al-Faisal,
Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem also pledged to work with Riyadh to carry out
smooth elections in Lebanon.
Hezbollah, campaigning directly with 11 candidates, won all of its allocated
seats, taking the towns of Nabatiyeh, Marjeyoun, Hasbaya, Tyre and Bin Jbeil.
None of its candidates lost. Its ally, former minister Suleiman Franjiyeh, took
his native town of Zghorta, a leading Christian stronghold. The Free Patriotic
Movement of Aoun took Christian strongholds such as Kesrouan, Jbeil, Baabda and
Jezzine.
Meanwhile, the electoral list for Hariri, who returns to head the parliamentary
majority, scored a clean sweep in Beirut, Batroun, Koura, Bsherri and Tripoli.
March 14 also swept districts like al-Shouf, where Druze leader Walid Jumblatt
ran unopposed. Many of the old faces of March 14 returned to the front,
including Hariri, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, his two allies Ghazi al-Aridi,
former information minister, and Marwan Hamadeh, former minister of
telecommunications.
They Hariri candidates allied themselves with newcomer Tammam Salam, the current
minister of culture who is scion to one of the heavyweight Sunni families of
Beirut. In the northern city of Tripoli they sided with ex-prime minister Najib
Mikati, who headed a caretaker cabinet for 90 days to supervise the elections of
2005.
The elections are important for many reasons:
1. These are likely to be the last elections for Aoun, 74. Although he won a
seat with ease in Keserwan, he was eyeing a parliamentary majority, and did not
get it. Likewise, he wanted to become president in 2007-2008, but also failed at
securing a seat at Baabda Palace. The next time the Lebanese go to the polls,
Aoun will be 78 - too old for the presidential office, and probably too frail
for parliament.
His aging ally Issam Abu Jamra, a retired officer, won no more than 8,882 votes
in these elections, while young candidate Nayla Tweini, in her mid-20s, came out
with 13,230. As these candidates become older, voters are naturally, becoming
younger.
2. A rising generation of young politicians is emerging, like Tweini and Sami
Gemayel, both in their 20s, who are likely to set the trend for young Lebanese.
Although hailing from leading political families, both are complete newcomers to
the political scene.
Tweini is the daughter of slain An-Nahhar publisher Gibran Tweini, and
granddaughter of the veteran journalist Ghassan Tweini. Gemayel's father is
ex-president Amin Gemayel. His uncle is slain president Bashir Gemayel, while
his brother is slain minister, Pierre Gemayel. Despite their ancestry, both MPs
are young, fresh and hold no responsibility for any of the mistakes of the past
carried out by their fathers and grandfathers.
3. These elections will lead to a cabinet change. The two names earmarked to
replace Fouad Siniora as premier are Hariri and Tripoli MP and ex-prime minister
Najib Mikati. Although 15 years apart, the two men are among the richest in
Lebanon. According to Forbes magazine, they are among the richest in the world
as well, with Mikati worth US$2.6 billion, while Hariri is worth $5.1 billion.
Mikati is self-made, having personally turned his telecommunications company
into a giant empire in the early 1980s. Hariri, who inherited his fortune after
the killing of his father in 2005, also inherited his political position. Mikati
worked for his, starting up the ladder as minister of public works in 1998. He
then became a deputy in parliament in 2000, and in 2005 served as interim prime
minister.
Using their 50 seats, the Hezbollah-led opposition will never allow Hariri to
become prime minister, meaning the post is likely to go to Mikati, who is
acceptable to all parties, and is friends with the Syrians.
In Lebanon's neighborhoods, the election results came as a surprise to many. The
Saudis and Americans had both implicitly warned Lebanese voters that if they
voted for Aoun or the Hezbollah-led opposition, it would mean an investment
crisis for Lebanon.
In an joint interview with the London-based al-Hayat on Saturday, US Assistant
Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Jeffery Feltman said: "The election's
outcome will naturally affect world's stance towards the new Lebanese government
and the manner in which the United States and Congress deal with Lebanon."
He added, "I believe the Lebanese are smart enough to understand that there will
be an effect. When Hezbollah claims that there won't be any effect, when it
claims that it is not interested in the matter, I tend to believe that the
Lebanese with their intelligence would think otherwise."
He then criticized Aoun, who has been saying that the Christians of Lebanon
should not rely on the United States, saying: "One of your politicians is
proposing that Christians shouldn't depend on the United States. I hope the
Lebanese had accurately listened to the president's [Barack Obama] speech that
specifically pointed to the widest Christian religious minority in Lebanon, the
Maronites. The president spoke about the need for respecting all peoples in the
region including minorities ... I hope the Lebanese would ask themselves: do we
want to be on the side of the international community and close to the stances
that President Obama made? I hope they would say yes."
**Sami Moubayed is editor-in-chief of Forward Magazine in Syria.
(Copyright 2009 Asia Times Online (Holdings) Ltd. All rights reserved. Please
contact us about sales, syndication and republishing.)
Lebanon Moderates Turn Attention to Forming New Government
By CHIP CUMMINS and NADA RAAD
BEIRUT -- After widening its majority in weekend parliamentary elections, a
Western-backed coalition here now must form a new government, a task almost a
fraught as the election itself.
Lebanese Muslim women lined up to cast their votes at a polling station in the
northern city of Tripoli.
The March 14 movement won 71 seats in Lebanon's 128-seat body, increasing its
parliamentary hold by one. The Hezbollah-led opposition came away with 57 seats,
according to official results released by the interior ministry Monday
afternoon. Many pollsters had expected the opposition to make gains--if not
capture an outright majority-- because of redistricting since the last polling
in 2005.
From Washington and across the Middle East, the vote was seen as a proxy battle
between the influence of the West and its Arab allies on one side, and Iran and
Syria on the other. But the smooth formation of a new government here could be a
more important test of March 14's political strength.
Saad Hariri, the son of slain Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and leader of March
14, has said he plans to invite the Hezbollah-led opposition into the next
government. But he and his allies want to remove the veto power the opposition
now wields over most government policy.
Hezbollah is backed by Iran and Syria. The group and its Shiite and Christian
allies won the veto after a deal in Doha, Qatar, which ended a brief Hezbollah
uprising in Beirut in May 2008. March 14 leaders have complained bitterly that
the veto has hobbled the government.
Christian Rocker Stirs Up Hornet's Nest In Lebanon
3:19
A Christian rocker politician who supports Hezbollah vies for a seat in
Lebanon's parliament.
"I do not believe a blocking minority is constitutional," said Mr. Hariri in an
interview before the vote. "A blocking minority is something that came out after
the Doha agreement, and it came out of a duress situation."
Lebanon apportions parliamentary seats and top government posts by sect,
requiring compromise and consensus between the country's Muslim Sunni, Shiite
and Christian politicians. While beaten at the polls, Hezbollah and its allies
still wield significant influence over the composition of the next government.
The March 14 victory surprised many because it came despite some polls
predicting gains for the opposition. Analysts and pollsters credited Mr.
Hariri's campaign organization for delivering crucial swing votes.
Lebanese Vote in Tight Contest
2:11
Iranian-backed Hezbollah and its allies are looking to defeat Lebanon's ruling
U.S.-backed coalition in a fiercely contested general election.
"This was a do-or-die election for them," said Rami Khoury, director of the
Issam Fares Institute, a Beirut-based think tank.
High turnout in Christian battleground districts also appeared to benefit Mr.
Hariri's candidates, amid an apparent backlash against Hezbollah's Iranian tilt.
On Saturday, an influential Maronite cleric suggested Lebanon's Arab identity
was threatened by the vote, a clear swipe at Hezbollah. Election officials
reprimanded him for speaking so close to the Sunday vote. Some analysts said the
comments might have been enough to swing some close Christian races.
"There was an underestimation of the politics of fear" among Christian voters,
said Karim Makdisi, a professor at the American University of Beirut.
Wall Street Journal