LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
November 09/09
Bible Reading of the day
John10/22-31: It was the Feast of the
Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in
Solomon’s porch. The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, “How long
will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus
answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my
Father’s name, these testify about me. But you don’t believe, because you
are not of my sheep, as I told you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and
they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and
no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to
me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Samir Geagea/The Lebanese Forces
leader says FPM leader MP Michel Aoun’s Wednesday
speech was unacceptableNovember
08/09.
Now Lebanon/The electoral battle at
Université Saint-Joseph/November
08/09
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for November 08/09
Nadim Gemayel: cabinet will not be
victim of regional interests/Future News
Fouad Saad: Aoun, in a vital need
for treatment/Source: AL-Dar
March 14 win Dentist Syndicate
elections-North/Future News
Hezbollah gears up for new
war/Future News
Netanyahu heads to US
hoping for Obama meet/Now Lebanon/Future News
Saudi Arabia 'bombs'
rebels inside Yemen again/Now Lebanon
STL measures indicate significant
progress/Now Lebanon
NNA: March 14 alliance wins North
Lebanon Bar Association elections/Now
Lebanon
ٍSami
Gemayel:
Bkirki is Red Line, Talks
on Kataeb's Shares Not Yet Over/Naharnet
Raad hopes ministerial statement
would be drafted without complications/Future News
Fneish:
Previous Cabinet Policy Statement is Still Valid/Naharnet
Cabinet Deal Looms for Lebanon as
Majority, Opposition Mull Names/Naharnet
MP Sami
Gemayel Demand Education Ministry/Naharnet
Hizbullah Appeased by
Ministerial Policy Statement/Naharnet
One Cluster Bomb Exploded
in South Lebanon, Another was Found/Naharnet
Adwan Afraid of Ambiguity
Regarding Hizbullah Arms Policy Statement Clause/Naharnet
Suleiman: Government a
'Lebanese Product' for the First Time/Naharnet
Lebanese Army: Ship was
Loaded at Egypt Port and Weapon-Free/Naharnet
Report: Special Tribunal
for Lebanon is Surveying All Crimes Between 2004-2009/Naharnet
Marine Mine with Hebrew
Writings Found Off Byblos Coast/Naharnet
Cabinet Policy Statement
New Point of Contention/Naharnet
British Ambassador: Arms
in the South Are a Problem, Both Sides are Violating 1701/Naharnet
Spanish Troops Mark Blue
Line Near Fatima Gate all the Way to Adaisseh/Naharnet
Berri to 'Break his Fast'/Naharnet
Aoun: Shiites Don't Want
the Faqih Rule, al-Qaida Killed Hariri/Naharnet
Army Arrests More People
with Ties to Sikamo/Naharnet
Sfeir Won't Renounce Last
Stances in 'Al-Massira' Despite 'Christian Demands'/Naharnet
Bkirki is Red Line, Talks on
Kataeb's Shares Not Yet Over
Naharnet/MP Sami Gemayel said Sunday that PM-designate Saad Hariri had made a
"lot of concessions and compromises" at the expense of the majority March 14
forces.
"We don't blame him for that," Gemayel told the Voice of Lebanon radio station.
"We blame the weapons that are being used as means to impose what they want on
the Lebanese," Gemayel added. He said there was no problem within March 14
Christians regarding distribution of portfolios, adding that the Phalange party
insists on having the education ministry.
Gemayel, however, said a problem revolves around who from March 14 Christian
figures would take charge of the labor ministry, "given its location in the
southern suburbs."
Gemayel cited security factors and threats against Christians in the March 14
coalition as reasons for making them reject the labor ministry. Regarding
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, Gemayel said the Cardinal was a "red line
and the use of weapons domestically, whatever the excuse is, is also a red
line." Beirut, 08 Nov 09, 11:43
MP Sami Gemayel Demand Education Ministry
Naharnet/Phalange Party MP Sami Gemayel demanded on Sunday to have a share in
the leadership of the Education Ministry as he considered it essential in
influencing the decision of the Lebanese youth to stay in their country. "It is
our party's priority to re-write the history book since it needs a lot of
changes regarding the sacrifices made by all parties to form this government,"
Gemayel added. MP Gemayel manifested his worries over the Cabinet lineup which
he considered is bound to face some difficulties especially with the inclusion
of the obstructing-third vote, which gives veto power to the opposition. Another
of Gemayel's exponential worries has been the party led by Hassan Nasrallah.
"The Ministerial Statement will not legitimize Hizbullah's use of weapons," he
said. Gemayel fears that this issue will grant Hizbullah the right to decide
over war or peace. Gemayel also said that Free Patriotic Movement leader MP
Michel Aoun is giving up his principles in exchange for his alliance with the
Resistance. He added that Hizbullah and Aoun are benefitting from their
alliance; however, this should not be at the expense of the Lebanese state and
its institutions. Another of the issues uncovered by Gemayel was the
opposition's stances against Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir. He
invited them to go visit the Patriarch in person rather than attack him on
television. "There are some red lines that have been crossed; one of them is the
use of weapons inside the country and another is insulting the Patriarch Sfeir,"
he added. Beirut, 08 Nov 09, 17:19
Hezbollah gears up for new war
Date: November 8th, 2009/Future News
Hizbullah is rapidly rearming in preparation for a new conflict with Israel,
fearing that Benjamin Netanyahu's government will attack Lebanon again prior to
any assault on Iran's nuclear facilities, The Observer British daily reported
Sunday. The Observer has learned that Hezbollah fighters have been busy
reinforcing fixed defense positions north of the Litani River.
Having lost many of its bunkers in the south, Hezbollah is preparing a new
strategy to defend villages there. "Sure, we are rearming, we have even said
that we have far more rockets and missiles than we did in 2006," said a
Hizbullah commander, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We had to blow up or
leave some of our bunkers and fighting positions, but we still have plenty of
capabilities in the south. We expect the Israelis to come soon, if not this
winter, then they will wait until spring, when the ground isn't too soft for
their tanks." "It's clear that Hizbullah no longer controls the border, due to
the presence of UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon] troops," said
Andrew Exum, a military expert on Hizbullah at the Centre for New American
Security. "They appear to be hardening the villages for this next round of
fighting, while pushing their fixed positions north away from Unifil to protect
the approaches to Beirut and the Bekaa Valley,’ he added.
March 14 win Dentist Syndicate elections-North
Date: November 8th, 2009/Future News/March 14 list won Sunday the Dentist
Syndicate elections north of Lebanon. By acclamation, three new members were
voted to take up posts at the syndicate council. The first council meeting in
which winners partook in chiefly discussed the general budget. Winners are:
Ahmad Ismail and Toni Chahine of Future Movement and Toni Saade of Lebanese
Forces.
Saad: Aoun, in a vital need for treatment
Date: November 8th, 2009/Source: AL-Dar
The Democratic Gathering bloc MP Fouad Al-Saad told the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Dar
he has proved to be right once again when he described the Change and Reform
Bloc Leader MP Michel Aoun as mentally ill, and in need of a treatment. Al-Saad
told the daily that the Pope Benedict XVI stressed the status of Patriarch Sfeir
and his important posture in the East and Lebanon, assuring the Vatican is at
the Patriarch’s side and fully supports him, contrary to all the gossip that had
been marketed. In response to the Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir’s reasonable
view that genuine democracy cannot flourish as long as Hizbullah holds onto its
weapons, the former army commander responded by asking the head of the Maronite
Church if those weapons have ever harmed him. Al-Saad assured Aoun is in a vital
need for treatment more than ever, wishing the FPM Leader would have really
fought against Israel when he had the arms, instead of exploding a war against
the Muslims, Syrians, and even Christians, referring to Aoun's "War of
Liberation" in 1989. On March 14, 1989, Aoun launched what he termed a "war of
liberation" against the Syrians and their Lebanese militia allies. As a result,
Syrian pressure on his Lebanese Army and militia pockets in East Beirut grew.
Still, Aoun persisted in the "war of liberation". Militarily, this war did not
achieve its goal. Instead, it caused considerable damages to East Beirut and
provoked massive emigration among the Christian population.
Raad hopes ministerial statement would be drafted without complications
Date: November 8th, 2009/Source: NNA
‘Loyalty to the resistance’ bloc MP Muhammad Raad hoped the productivity of the
upcoming government “would be worth the four months wasted in its formation,”
and hoped the ministerial statement would be drafted without complications.
Speaking at the one week remembrance of the mayor of Kfarkala town Southern
Lebanon, Raad said “Lebanon needs a national unity government to recollect the
chattered Lebanese groups after their severe division over the differing
national choices.”Raad underlined the “hazard of the Israeli threat”; noting
that all groups and powers should be united to confront this continuous danger.
March 14 achieves sweeping victory in the Bar syndicate
Date: November 8th, 2009/Source: NNA
The March 14 achieved a massive win in the Bar Syndicate elections at
Tripoli-North Lebanon Sunday. The list, supported by former Prime Minister Najib
Mikati’s AL-Azm association Lawyers included the Lawyers Samir El-Hassan and
Joseph Abdo.The number of electorates reached 761 out of 901 Lawyers. The vote
count results came as follows: March 14 candidates: Samir El-Hassan 404 votes,
Joseph Abdo 434 votes. March 8 candidates: Fadi Estfan 298 votes, Tony Khoury
107 votes. The independent Lawyer Toufic Basbous 294 votes, 18 white papers, and
6 votes canceled. El-Hassan dedicated his triumph to the spirit of the martyr
President Rafic Hariri, saying "such a victory would motivate our professional
dedication, promote our syndicate and strengthen our alliance with the March 14
forces.
Aswad to Sfeir: did weapons
impair the Christian role?
Date: November 8th, 2009/Source: Kuwaiti al-Anbaa
Change and Reform bloc member, MP Ziad Aswad criticized the stands of Maronite
Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir concerning Hizbullah artillery, asking: did weapons
impair the Christian role in Lebanon after giving it up and conspiring to remove
General Michel Aoun from the political equation in 1990? Parliamentarian Aswad,
in an interview with the Kuwait al-Anbaa daily on Sunday, recalled the UN
Charter chapter which gives people the right to liberate their land from
occupation and added that possession of arms is the means to achieve it. Aswad
assured that the Free Patriotic Movement led by MP Aoun “will be the first to
demand the handover of Hizbullah weapons the day UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
vows to protect the Lebanese from Israeli aggression and compels it to enforce
international resolutions.” He demanded the Lebanese who protest Hizbullah’s
weapons to propose a substitute to prevent ongoing Israeli breaches. “As long as
the Premier designate has conviction in true partnership, controversial issues
would be solved,” asserted the FPM lawmaker.
Cabinet Deal Looms for Lebanon as Majority, Opposition Mull Names
Naharnet/A Cabinet deal is looming on the horizon after Lebanese political
leaders finally agreed on a distribution of seats and were now mulling names for
the new government.
Press reports said a meeting is likely to take place on Sunday between Prime
Minister-designate Saad Hariri and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun
who will notify him of the people he wants in the new government. An-Nahar daily
said Aoun did not yet name the person to be in charge of the telecoms ministry
which is currently run by his son-in-law Jebran Bassil who would be heading the
energy portfolio in the new Cabinet. A statement on the new government was
expected within 48 hours, officials from both sides said, after Hizbullah and
its allies agreed to Hariri's latest government line-up. Hizbullah said in a
statement that opposition leaders met late on Friday and agreed to the latest
distribution of portfolios proposed by Hariri. Beirut, 08 Nov 09, 08:30
Hizbullah Appeased by Ministerial Policy Statement
Naharnet/As a new government agreement loomed on the horizon, the next brawl
appears to be over the Cabinet policy statement, particularly over the clause
about arms. Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's political aide Hajj Hasan
Khalil ruled out a dispute over the policy statement "unless someone wants to
create a certain coup.""Things look good and I don't think that the ministerial
statement will take a long time," he told al-Manar TV. Beirut, 08 Nov 09, 07:40
Fneish: Previous Cabinet Policy Statement is Still Valid
Naharnet/Labor Minister Mohammed Fneish warned Sunday that the previous Cabinet
policy statement was still valid. "I don't need to talk about the ministerial
policy statement as we do not give a lot of attention to the clause concerning
the resistance and its weapons since ministerial statements have already been
agreed upon," Fneish said in the southern port city of Tyre. "We will not accept
anything less than what has been mentioned in the previous ministerial
statements," he warned. "Resistance is more of a necessity and more of a need,"
he stresses. Fneish said a Cabinet lineup "is a victory for all," adding that
the government will be formed sooner or later. "If not within the coming few
hours, then within the coming day or two," he said. Beirut, 08 Nov 09, 11:54
Adwan Afraid of Ambiguity Regarding Hizbullah Arms Policy Statement Clause
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan raised fears of uncertainty regarding
the Cabinet policy statement clause dealing with Hizbullah arms. "I'm afraid
that the ministerial policy statement would come out with a lot of ambiguity,
leading to many interpretations," Adwan said in remarks published Sunday. He
stressed that "there is disagreement over disarmament among the Lebanese and we
plunged into elections on this basis." Beirut, 08 Nov 09, 07:28
Cabinet Policy Statement New Point of Contention
Naharnet/With cabinet on the verge of formation following more than four months
of attempts by PM-designate Saad Hariri to broker a deal, the government policy
statement seems to be the new subject of contention. An Nahar daily said
Saturday that some majority forces have been asking not to mention the
resistance arms in the policy statement. Such a demand has been met with an
insistence by the opposition not to bring up the issue of Lebanon's commitment
to international resolutions. Al-Liwaa, newspaper in its turn, said a new war
has erupted between majority and minority over Hizbullah's arms. It said
Christians in the March 14 forces insist on discussing the issue of Hizbullah's
weapons during national dialogue sessions headed by President Michel Suleiman
rather than mentioning them in the policy statement. According to al-Liwaa,
Hizbullah has informed Hariri that it would propose not to bring up the issue of
resolutions 1559 and 1701 if there was no mention of the party's arms. The
newspaper, said, however, that contacts made on Friday led to a decision to
include the article of the previous policy statement as a middle ground solution
that satisfies all parties. Beirut, 07 Nov 09, 10:53
One Cluster Bomb Exploded in South Lebanon, Another was Found
Naharnet/A cluster bomb, left over from the Israeli offensive in 2006, exploded
on Sunday and injured a 44 year old, Imad Sheitani, while he was working on his
land in Eastern Zawtar village in southern Lebanon. Sheitani was transferred to
Nabatieh Public hospital where he was attended after suffering face injuries. On
the other hand, another cluster bomb, left over from the Israeli offensive, was
found next to Habboush National school. Internal forces and a bomb expert worked
on dismantling the device. Beirut, 08 Nov 09, 15:41
Suleiman: Government a 'Lebanese Product' for the First Time
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman was quoted as saying that the new government,
and for the first time, is a "Lebanese product". The president's visitors told
the Central News Agency that Suleiman stressed "the national unity government
would see light in the next 48 hours according to the 15-10-5 formula." Suleiman
was quoted as saying that the time spent on forming the government was not in
vain, rather it was so important to gather the Lebanese and rebuild trust among
them. The sources also mentioned that President Suleiman pointed at the
importance of the role played by PM-designate Saad Hariri in terms of contacts
he made with all parties where he managed to establish trust that can facilitate
the role and function of the cabinet in the coming period. Beirut, 07 Nov 09,
18:29
Lebanese Army: Ship was Loaded at Egypt Port and Weapon-Free
Naharnet/The Intelligence Directorate in the Lebanese Army continued its
interrogations with the crew of the ship Francop which arrived in Beirut's port
Friday afternoon after its release by the Israeli navy. According to the
confessions of the crew, the ship was fully loaded at Egypt's Damietta port.
According to a communique released by the Army command, the ship was supposed to
unload consecutively at the ports of Limassol, Beirut, and Latakia. Before the
ship's arrival to the Cypriot Limassol port, it was subjected to Israeli piracy
and forced to head to Israeli Ashdud port. The crew was seized in Ashdud, and 97
containers of the ship's load were confiscated, a part was returned to the ship,
and 36 containers were kept in the aforementioned port. The communique added
that the inspection of the containers in Ashdud did not happen in front of the
crew's eyes, knowing that the 36 containers still confiscated by Israel were
bound to be unloaded at Syria's Latakia port. Earlier, the crew has denied that
the vessel was carrying Iranian weapons destined for Hizbullah, security sources
told An Nahar newspaper. According to the source, Israel would have arrested
Francop's crew if it had found arms aboard the ship. The Jewish state should
have also called for an international probe into the incident if its allegations
were true, the source told An Nahar. Francop entered on Friday Lebanese waters
where authorities are questioning its crew, the army said.
"The Francop ship entered Lebanese territorial waters at noon today and, upon
its arrival off Beirut port, the navy in cooperation with U.N. naval forces
searched the vessel," an army communiqué said."Military intelligence began
interrogating the crew on the motives for the seizure of the vessel while the
concerned authorities... will take all the necessary measures to ensure it does
not carry banned goods," it said. Israel said the ship which it intercepted
around 100 nautical miles from the Israeli coast overnight Wednesday was
carrying "hundreds of tons" of weapons. Israeli media reported the military
tracked the containers from Iran to the Egyptian port of Damietta, where they
were transferred onto the German-owned Francop vessel en route to Syria.
However, the security sources told An Nahar that investigation carried out by
the Lebanese army intelligence on Friday showed that the vessel was heading from
Iran to Syria with foodstuff on board and stopped in Damietta. Then it continued
its journey to Syria before being stopped by Israel. The sources wondered why
Israel didn't seize the ship's cargo in Damietta if it was carrying weapons as
the Jewish state alleges. Beirut, 07 Nov 09, 09:03
Report: Special Tribunal for Lebanon is Surveying All
Crimes Between 2004-2009
/Naharnet/The Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the crime of assassinating former
Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri is conducting a thorough survey for all crimes recorded
since 2004 up till now. Lebanese well-informed sources told the Kuwaiti daily
al-Watan that the survey "does not only include assassinations" starting by MP
Marwan Hamade assassination attempt, but also all criminal activity recorded
since that date. Such activities include unveiling operations of explosives or
weapons. The survey has started since the international investigation team left
Lebanon, and is being followed up by the reduced team still practicing its work
in Lebanon. According to the same sources, the international investigation is
interrogating those involved or detained in crimes as well as those who were
bailed out and all witnesses in crimes with unknown perpetrators. "The
investigation is being conducted according to legal standards -- through the
Prosecutor General," added the sources describing it as a very comprehensive
investigation. The sources revealed that STL asked the Lebanese authorities to
provide it with lists of all students attending Lebanese University classes
between the years 2003-2006. Beirut, 07 Nov 09, 17:50
Marine Mine with Hebrew Writings Found Off Byblos Coast
Naharnet/A suspicious object was found Saturday afternoon with the shape of a
big gas bottle and appeared later to be a marine mine.
Military experts from the security forces worked on pulling the large marine
mine to land. It reportedly had Hebrew writings and is the type usually used to
target ships. Experts agreed that the relatively old and rusty mine was active
and set for detonation. The area hosting the pulled mine was delimited and all
safety measures will be taken Sunday before detonating it by the military
experts. Beirut, 07 Nov 09, 21:14
Samir Geagea
November 6, 2009
On November 5, www.14march.org carried the following report:
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said that Free Patriotic Movement leader MP
Michel Aoun’s Wednesday speech responding to Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah
Boutros Sfeir’s latest statement that weapons and democracy cannot coexist was
“unacceptable in form and content.” He also said that the government-formation
issue is not hanging on “this or that portfolio,” adding that Aoun wanted to be
Lebanon’s “Napoleon.”
Following his meeting with Sfeir on Thursday, Geagea said he doubted that the
cabinet would soon be formed; adding that the last offer came from the
opposition and was then rejected by it. He also said that Hezbollah “does not
want to see the formation of a government and is hiding behind Aoun.” He called
on President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to meet and
find a solution.
Why are things back to square one at the level of the government formation?
I believe that the problem extends beyond this or that portfolio. Four months
ago, the issue started when the president of the republic and the prime
minister-designate said that Gebran Bassil should not be appointed as minister
since he lost the elections, while on the other hand, the prime
minister-designate believed that the Telecommunications Ministry should not go
to the Change and Reform bloc. Based on the developments witnessed during the
past stage and following negotiations, consultations and meetings, it was agreed
that March 14 would take one step forward and March 8 would do the same. An
agreement was thus reached over the appointment of Bassil as minister, in
exchange for the majority getting the Telecommunications Ministry. However, even
this formula did not work out.
A second formula was thus reached to appoint Bassil as minister and to allow the
Change and Reform bloc to get the Telecommunications Ministry. This also did not
work. I believe that the problem extends beyond all that, because had this not
been the case, the matter would have proceeded as normal and the two main
obstacles placed on the table of discussion throughout the last four months
would have been overcome. General Aoun’s allies are unfortunately placing this
‘poor man’ in the forefront, are sitting back and putting all the blame on him.
Things are much deeper than that and extend beyond General Aoun.
On the other hand, the March 8 group does not want the constitutional
institutions to become properly operational, whether in terms of the presidency
of the republic or the parliament. They are acting based on regional issues. In
other words, the priorities of the main group in March 8 are distant from the
social, economic and livelihood issues which came in second, third or even
fourth place for them. Their priority is the greater confrontation which is
taken into consideration by this team when adopting each and every step. It
seems in this context that the formation of the government is part of this
confrontation, which is why it is currently being obstructed.
Until when do you expect the blackmail of the opposition to continue?
The issue is not just about blackmail. There are strategic and regional
calculations, which to me personally have become more than clear. I would like
to point out that the last offer was made by the March 8 team and not the prime
minister-designate, and this team later recanted it and turned against it.
To what extent is the majority team facilitating the formation of the
government?
We are not the ones rejecting the proposals. In light of the consultations, we
saw there were certain things that were logical, and others that were illogical.
We believed that the Telecommunications Ministry should be with the majority in
the absence of any specific problems with the Change and Reform bloc. Yet, the
prime minister-designate agreed to give it to [Aoun’s] bloc. We are not the ones
hindering the government formation, recognizing the fact that we approved the
offer of the March 8 forces. I believe that this group is very lucky to have
General Aoun who can fill up the scene and conceal the real reasons [behind the
obstruction] which are both strategic and regional.
Whenever a problem emerges, the Christian arena is immediately divided between
you and General Aoun. If he is Napoleon, who would you be?
I am Samir Geagea. When General Aoun wins, it is through his own strength. But
when he loses like what happened in Saint Joseph University, the justification
is that the university is corrupt and the students are corrupt.
Will we soon see the formation of the government?
I doubt it, at least for the time being.
Is it Hezbollah that does not want a government in Lebanon?
I believe so, or else the government would have been formed.
Does the absence of a government herald a regional confrontation?
I do not know. However, in light of the cloudy regional climate, I understand
this decision although I do not approve it. Nonetheless, it does exist in their
logic.
The electoral battle at
Université Saint-Joseph
Vote has symbolic and concrete value for Lebanon’s feuding coalitions
Maya Khourchid , November 6, 2009
Lebanese students hold up the flags of the Kataeb Party (L), the Lebanese Forces
(C) and the Free Patriotic Movement (R) during the second anniversary of the
assassination of journalist Gebran Tueni. The battle between these opposing
parties continues at USJ. (AFP/Joseph Barrak)
This week Lebanon’s premiere French-language university, Univerisité
Saint-Joseph, held its annual student elections.
Because of the predominantly Christian student body, estimated at 70 percent,
all the country’s major Christian parties enjoy strong support on campus and,
just as Lebanon’s larger Christian community is split between those supporting
March 8 and March 14, the Christian vote at USJ hinged on the divide between the
March 8 allied Free Patriotic Movement and the March 14 aligned Lebanese Forces.
The university’s official election results do not include the candidates’
political affiliation, and it remains unclear which side actually prevailed.
Both are claiming victory. But if the two sides cannot agree on who won the
majority of seats at USJ, or almost anything else for that matter, there is at
least one point of consensus: that winning the vote at USJ is essential.
For one, it is in the universities that the country’s political parties spread
their beliefs to the next generation, recruiting future members through
affiliated student parties. As USJ is the leading French-language university in
Lebanon, winning the student body’s vote carries with it both symbolic and
concrete value for Lebanon’s long feuding Christian parties.
“USJ students are the next elite in Lebanon, so it was always important to us in
the FPM” said Elias Abou Chibel, an FPM official responsible for electoral
matters at Beirut universities.
The words were mirrored on the other side of the aisle by Nadim Yazbeck, a
Lebanese Forces officer responsible for all of Lebanon’s French-language
universities, who said, “First of all [it is important] because the St. Joseph
[University] is the elite in Lebanon on an academic level… and second because it
is a thermometer of the Christian community.”
That significance helps explain the adamancy with which both sides are claiming
victory.
“Our victory is very clear,” said Nadim Yazbeck, adding that the March 14
alliance won 134 seats, 93 went to the opposition and 36 went to independent
candidates.
Those seats are spread across 26 faculties, each of which will elect a faculty
president next week. According to Yazbeck, March 14 won a majority in 15
faculties, the opposition in five, while two are tied, and three went to
independent candidates (one small faculty has no representation).
The FPM is equally confident that their side won. According to Abou Chibel, 106
seats went the FPM and its allies, which include Hezbollah and Amal, while 102
went to March 14 and 61 to independent candidates.
“The problem is that they are saying that the independents are with them,” said
Abou Chibel, when asked about the LF’s claim that they won, claims he insisted
were “totally, totally, totally wrong.”
The opposition won a majority of the faculties, with 11 going to March 8, nine
to March 14 and six to independent candidates, Abou Chibel said.
“The FPM are trying to cover their defeat… it is the first year where March 8
loses USJ,” Yazbeck shot back, echoing the sentiments of LF leader Samir Geagea,
who on Wednesday told a visiting student delegation from USJ that the LF intends
to bid the opposition farewell at a national level in the same manner that the
USJ students did in the campus elections.
Even so, Geagea added, that “this not as simple as it sounds… the opposition
refuses to accept that it was defeated in the 2009 parliamentary elections.”
FPM leader Michel Aoun, for his part, refused to entertain any suggestion of a
defeat at USJ, and in a press conference also held on Wednesday, said that his
coalition won both the popular vote and the majority of faculties.
Who really won should start to become clear by next week, when those elected
meet to vote for the 25 faculty presidents.