LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
November 19/09
Bible Reading of the day
John 8/39-48 They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If
you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now
you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God.
Abraham didn’t do this. You do the works of your father.” They said to him, “We
were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.” Therefore
Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out
and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me. Why
don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word. You are of
your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a
murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no
truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and
its father. But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me. 6 Which of you
convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? He who
is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are
not of God.” Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a
Samaritan, and have a demon?”
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Crime, corruption edging out politics/The
Daily Star/November 18/09
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for November 18/09
Aoun: 'Change and Reform' Begin by
'Changing' Those Refusing to Comply Inside FPM
/Naharnet
March
14 Wants 'Defensive Strategy' as Sole Discussion Topic on National Dialogue
Table
/Naharnet
Reconciliation between Jumblat, Franjieh at Baabda Palace
/Naharnet
Berri:
Resistance the Only Political Card against Naturalization
/Naharnet
Official Confirms
Contamination of Veggies, Fruits, Particularity Strawberries
/Naharnet
Fourth Meeting Over
Ministerial Policy Statement Draft Taking its Course
/Naharnet
Gemayel: Wahab Brought
Message of Hope from Syria to Discuss Controversial Issues/Naharnet
Qahwaji: A Strong Army is
Essential to a Strong State/Naharnet
Abu Jamra Objects Aoun's
Cabinet Appointments, Threatens 'All Options are Open'/Naharnet
March 14 Wins AUB Student
Elections/Naharnet
Sarkozy,
Abdullah Laud Formation of Lebanese Unity Cabinet/Naharnet
Lebanese Ambassador
Attends Security Council Sessions as Observer/Naharnet
Body Found in Eastern
Lebanon Thought to be Missing British Journalist/Naharnet
Beirut wrangles over Hezbollah's weapons/United
Press International
Israeli PM warns about nuclear Iran on navy tour/The
Associated Press
Hope in search for remains of Briton kidnapped during Lebanon civil war/Jerusalem
Post
Sarkozy: Ready to mediate between Syria, Israel/The
Associated Press
IAEA inspects nuclear research reactor in Syria/AFP
Baroud:
better to postpone polls until reforms ratified/Daily
Star
Search
for missing British journalist unearths two bodies in Bekaa/Daily
Star
Brief
policy statement expected/Daily
Star
Fadlallah sets November 27 date for Eid al-Adha/Daily
Star
Lebanon
public debt hits $48.5bn as banks change investment tactics/Daily
Star
Nahhas
expresses reservations over plans to privatize telecom/Daily
Star
March 14
wins lion's share in AUB student elections/Daily
Star
Group
wants Palestinian rights in ministerial statement/Daily
Star
Magistrate sentences escaped prisoners to hard labor/Daily
Star
Four
wounded in Rashidiyeh camp shooting/Daily
Star
Baalbek
clashes leave two people injured/Daily
Star
Judge
charges 10 people with espionage, terror acts/Daily
Star
Russian
delegation to inspect military airports/Daily
Star
Italian
UNIFIL troops mark Armed Forces Day at Kaslik Officers Club/Daily
Star
Ain al-Hilweh
offers best Independence Day deals/Daily
Star
Rampant
corruption claims as Lebanon slips down graft ratings/Daily
Star
March 14 wins lion's share in AUB student elections
By Farah-Silvana Kanaan
Special to The Daily Star
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
BEIRUT: Students supported by the March 14 Forces coalition won the majority of
seats in Tuesday’s Student Representative Committee (SRC) elections of the
American University of Beirut (AUB). Two main student groups, the March 14 and
the opposition were contesting the elections. This year’s vote, however,
witnessed a surge in independent candidates and voters.
AUB’s elections are believed to mirror the power struggle in Lebanese politics
and their results are much anticipated by various political groups so as to
assert their popularity.
Preliminary results showed that a significant number of independent candidates
made it to the SRC Tuesday. AUB strictly forbade obvious manifestations of
allegiances with political parties. Consequently, flags of political parties,
signs, and slogans were glaringly absent on campus. Students supported by the
March 14 coalition who dubbed themselves “Students at Work” wore yellow jerseys,
while the opposition “Student League” were garbed in red. The platforms
presented by the “Student League” and “Students at Work” were largely similar.
High on the agenda was increasing the number of printers in AUB’s central
library Jaffet. Students from both camps also called for the creation of more
internship opportunities and student-fee reductions. However, AUB’s student body
seems to agree voting is primarily based on political affiliations rather than
clear agendas. “Most people vote for political affiliation rather than platform
bullets, qualified candidates, or even their own friends,” said Economics
student and Student League candidate Mohammad Sheet. Unlike the past five years,
when independent candidates were sparse, this year saw the revival of the
independent camp. Independent candidates formed a coalition dubbed “Alternate
Route,” and submitted elaborate platforms tackling all angles of student life.
Alternate Route consists of leftist student cluster “No Frontiers,” members of
the university’s “Secular Club” and another student group which calls itself
“Project Independent.” Alternate Route candidate Michael Oghia describes the AUB
student polls as “a random assortment of symbolic clothing rather than a
creative approach to making positive changes in the lives of AUB students.”
“It’s the politics that supersede crucial issues; most students don’t even seem
to know what these issues are. And sadly the AUB student population is a
microcosm of Lebanon,” Oghia added. The independent coalition tackles issues
such as AUB’s “frustrating” bureaucratic procedures, the issuance of elaborate
guidelines for graduate students and the promotion of transparency across the
university campus. No Frontiers member Jamal al-Awar believes that one of the
main challenges at AUB is to give students “more tangible power,” adding that
“most core issues that concern students are not within the powers allotted to
them.”Awar suggested that independent candidates were being “bribed and
intimidated” to withdraw from the race, and alluded to interference by political
parties in the AUB elections. In an effort to prevent potential student
violence, the AUB administration took a number of measures which included
separating the two main coalitions with metal barriers. However, throughout the
day, students of both “camps” were mingling without any significant incidents,
contrary to the expectations of most of those interviewed.
“I expect a lot of problems after the election results come out because tensions
are rising,” Students at Work candidate Faisal Serdar told The Daily Star.
Outside the AUB campus, Bliss Street was swarming with members of the Internal
Security Forces and the Lebanese Army, a necessary state of affairs considering
the crowds of supporters of both major alliances outside AUB voicing their
support to the rival groups. At the end of a long day of electioneering, the
Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), one of the major parties represented by the
Student League coalition, issued a statement congratulating the Future Movement,
and its allies, which endorse Students at Work for winning the AUB elections.
The FPM also voiced hope that the winning group would “concede defeat” in last
week’s USJ elections. Both the FPM and the March 14 Forces claimed they won the
majority of seats in the USJ elections.
Lebanese Ambassador Attends Security Council Sessions as
Observer
Naharnet/Lebanon began attending U.N. Security Council sessions as an observer
pending the end of Libya's term as a non-permanent member beginning next year.
An Nahar daily said Wednesday that Lebanon's ambassador Nawaf Salam was seen
attending all open and closed-door Security Council meetings. Lebanon was
elected a non-permanent member in September for the years 2010-2011. It will
replace Libya as the only Arab country in the Council. An Nahar said, however,
that countries elected by the General Assembly as non-permanent members have the
right to attend Security Council sessions as observers six weeks prior to the
official start of their term. The Council currently has five permanent members
with veto power -- the United States, Britain, Russia, China and France -- and
10 non-permanent members who serve two-year terms and have no power to veto
resolutions. The 10 elected members enjoy all other aspects of council
membership, including the right to propose resolutions, chair committees and
hold the rotating council presidency for one-month periods. Five countries are
elected every year by the General Assembly to replace five retiring ones.
Beirut, 18 Nov 09, 08:16
March 14 Wins AUB Student Elections
Naharnet/March 14 forces scored a sweeping victory in Tuesday's student
elections at the American University of Beirut, crushing the Opposition in five
of seven faculties.
The faculties won byMarch 14 are: Business Administration, Agriculture, Health
Sciences, Engineering and Architecture, and Arts and Sciences. The Opposition
won the School of Nursing, while 9 independent students won uncontested the
Faculty of Medicine. Beirut, 18 Nov 09, 11:18
Body Found in Eastern Lebanon Thought to be Missing British Journalist
Naharnet/British experts searching for the body of journalist Alec Collett, who
was kidnapped and killed 25 years ago, recovered human remains outside the
eastern town of Aita al-Fakhar, An Nahar reported Wednesday. Medical examiner
Ali Salman said two decomposed bodies have been found in craters within a
distance of 20 meters.
Security sources in Lebanon said that the two bodies were sent to Beirut for DNA
analysis. Collett went missing in 1985 at the height of Lebanon's civil war and
was reported to have been killed a year later. Sixty-four years old at the time,
he was on assignment in refugee camps for the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency (UNRWA) near Beirut airport when taken hostage. The Abu Nidal
Organization (ANO), an offshoot of the Palestinian Fatah Movement, claimed
responsibility for the abduction and killing. Beirut, 18 Nov 09, 08:46
Fourth Meeting Over Ministerial Policy Statement Draft
Taking its Course
Naharnet/The Committee tasked with drafting the ministerial policy statement has
started its fourth meeting headed by PM Saad Hariri.
Hariri pointed out to reporters on Wednesday that the negotiations taking place
in the meetings is a true reflection of Lebanon and of all the issues concerning
the Lebanese people. "This needs time," he added. Hariri told reporters that the
outcome of the previous session [on Tuesday] was "very positive" and was sure to
reach a consensus signed by all parties.
During the session on Wednesday the draft will address the relationship with
neighboring Syria in what will be considered a harmonized narration of the
concurrent Lebanese and Syrian events. The Palestinian case is expected to hold
a fair part of the draft with two personalized sections over settlements and the
refugees.
PM Hariri assured that "the 12-member committee wants a brief draft. The
"political" section will not exceed five pages".
This comes after going over other pending issues during the session on Tuesday.
It was dedicated to economic policies highlighting four main headlines of which
Paris III and privatization took the largest part. A viable and efficient
economic approach as well as the public debt completed the mentioned headlines.
Hariri welcomed the reconciliation meeting in Baabda between Movement leader MP
Suleiman Franjieh and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt.
Beirut, 18 Nov 09, 19:14
Aoun: 'Change and Reform' Begin by 'Changing' Those Refusing to Comply Inside
FPM
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun said that "Change and
Reform" begin through "changing" those who are "refusing to comply inside the
Free Patriotic Movement", Aoun was answering a question about the latest wave of
objections, led by Maj. Gen. Issam Abu Jamra, inside FPM.
After the weekly meeting of Change and Reform bloc, Aoun said that "posts in
parties are rare and their claimers are numerous", he added that FPM does not
only allocate its sworn members to certain posts and that the allocating compass
includes supporters.
"FPM reckons on the freedom of submission and respects the choices of its
members regarding parliamentary elections," said Aoun, adding that "there is a
workshop of Change and Reform inside the (Free Patriotic) Movement that will
finish before the end of the year."
On the other hand, Aoun said that agreeing on the clauses of the ministerial
Policy Statement is not suffering from any basic dispute and that everything is
going positively.
"I can go to Damascus whenever I want and I'm not racing with Hariri over this,"
said Aoun answering a question about a possible visit to Syria.
Aoun said he is living in peace with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir "but
each according to his political line."
"The gathering of Christians is possible through the restoring of Bkirki's
constants and the other side signing on the pact that FPM had signed on before,"
answered Aoun to a question.
Aoun hailed the reconciliation meeting held in Baabda between MPs Walid Jumblat
and Suleiman Franjieh, adding that he does not personally oppose to meet with
Jumblat but according to an agenda that gives the meeting a national meaning.
"Transgressions inside the Internal Security Forces institution have reached an
unacceptable level and I demand for an investigation in all transgressions,"
said Aoun expressing dismay at how things are going inside the ISF.
"The leader of police was threatened and he is not an ordinary government
employee. Things have reached an unacceptable level of transgressions and
intimidation," added Aoun.
Earlier, Abu Jamra strongly objected Cabinet appointments by Aoun and threatened
that "all options are open" if there was no respond to his objection.
In an interview published Wednesday by the daily Al-Mustaqbal, Abu Jamra
described as a "mistake" Aoun's ministerial appointments.
He said the FPM is one of the biggest movements in Lebanon "and we have
potentials and skills enough to form a government, and not just one government."
"Consequently, we cannot understand why people were selected for ministerial
posts from outside the FPM," Abu Jamra asked.
He said this issue "affects the morale of the FPM." "You cannot have someone in
the government who is outside your movement," he complained.
"What if the only FPM (Cabinet) minister was absent from a meeting? Do we
guarantee others acts? Abu Jamra wondered. Beirut, 18 Nov 09, 19:08
March 14 Wants 'Defensive Strategy' as Sole Discussion Topic on National
Dialogue Tab
Naharnet/March 14 forces general-secretariat urged to keep the defensive
strategy of the state -- in its two phases of defending the borders and
safeguarding domestic peace -- as a sole topic of discussion on the national
dialogue table. After its weekly meeting held on Wednesday, the
general-secretariat said: "The government is called to put on the track of
implementation the resolutions of the previous dialogue table related to
Palestinian arms outside the camps, and border demarcation between Lebanon and
Syria." The general-secretariat called on all of March 14 forces and
parliamentary majority to more awareness, solidarity, and clarity in their
vision for the future. March 14 forces stressed they will monitor the work of
the coalition government and will hold it to account using all democratic means
according to government's commitment to Taef Accord implementation, imposing its
sovereignty on all territories and residents, respecting international
resolutions, close cooperation with the Arab group, and competent economical
policies. "The real meaning of forming the government -- after all the pressures
and intimidation for five months -- is the retreat of the plan of constitutional
paralysis and obstruction in its internal and external forces after being faced
by the steadiness of Lebanese independence forces, represented by (PM Saad
Hariri) the head of parliamentary majority," stressed the statement of March 14
general-secretariat. The general-secretariat considered March 14 electoral
victories in syndicates and universities as "a massive response to all of those
who are taking turns in mourning March 14 Movement."
Beirut, 18 Nov 09, 16:55
Reconciliation between Jumblat, Franjieh at Baabda Palace
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman hosted Wednesday a reconciliation meeting
between Druze leader Walid Jumblat and Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh.
Jumblat and Franjieh arrived at Baabda palace at midday where Suleiman will
throw a banquet in their honor. Both leaders left Baabda Palace without making
any statement. Press reports said it was unlikely that a similar reunion will
take place on Wednesday between Jumblat and Free Patriotic Movement leader
Michel Aoun. Jumblat told the daily An-Nahar in remarks published Wednesday that
the reunion is part of a bid to "drop the old barriers and move forward with
efforts to achieve national reconciliation … and forge a relationship of trust
and understanding with the various parties." Press reports said the
reconciliation -- the first between the two men in five years – would help
bridge the gap between Mukhtara and Rabiyeh. MP Istefan Douwaihi told the Voice
of Lebanon radio station on Wednesday that the Jumblat-Franjieh meeting is "part
of openness on all forces and part of attempts aimed at national
reconciliation." Beirut, 18 Nov 09, 13:38
Berri: Resistance the Only Political Card against Naturalization
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri said from Baabda palace on Wednesday that the
resistance is the only political card against naturalization of Palestinians.
Berri also announced following talks with President Michel Suleiman that a
project on administrative decentralization would be launched in parliament and
the committee on the abolishment of sectarianism would resume its functions. The
speaker stressed that Baabda is where all Lebanese meet. On the cabinet policy
statement, Berri refused to discuss details but said: "There are no fundamental
differences" over its articles. Beirut, 18 Nov 09, 12:51
Official Confirms Contamination of Veggies, Fruits, Particularity Strawberries
Naharnet/Agriculture Minister Hussein Hajj Hasan confirmed that "some" locally
grown vegetable products and fruits, particularly strawberries, were
contaminated.
Hasan confirmed the contamination after results of a study conducted by a
university student caused panic among Lebanese.
The study confirmed the presence of toxic pesticides in strawberries, apples,
grapes, cherries, potatoes and zucchini. Beirut, 18 Nov 09, 12:07
Gemayel: Wahab Brought Message of Hope from Syria to Discuss Controversial
Issues
Naharnet/Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel has uncovered that Tawheed Movement
leader Wiam Wahab relayed to him a message of hope from Syria to discuss the
various controversial issues. Gemayel said he did not receive an invitation to
visit Syria, but added that Wahab "wants to open a new page between Lebanon and
Syria through discussion of all the controversial issues."His remarks came in an
interview with OTV late Tuesday. On Hizbullah arms, Gemayel admitted that the
clause concerning "resistance weapons is one of the fundamental issues in the
Cabinet policy statement and requires a lot of discussion." He said Kataeb wants
a "constructive dialogue on the arms issue," adding that there are
"contradictions between the resistance and respect for Resolution 1701 and the
Blue Line." Beirut, 18 Nov 09, 09:08
Abu Jamra Objects Aoun's Cabinet Appointments, Threatens 'All Options are Open'
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement member Maj. Gen. Issam Abu Jamra strongly
objected Cabinet appointments by FPM leader Michel Aoun and threatened that "all
options are open" if there was no respond to his objection. In an interview
published Wednesday by the daily Al-Mustaqbal, Abu Jamra described as a
"mistake" Aoun's ministerial appointments.
He said the FPM is one of the biggest movements in Lebanon "and we have
potentials and skills enough to form a government, and not just one government."
"Consequently, we cannot understand why people were selected for ministerial
posts from outside the FPM," Abu Jamra asked. He said this issue "affects the
morale of the FPM." "You cannot have someone in the government who is outside
your movement," he complained. "What if the only FPM (Cabinet) minister was
absent from a meeting? Do we guarantee other's acts? Abu Jamra wondered. Beirut,
18 Nov 09, 11:08
Sarkozy, Abdullah Laud Formation of Lebanese Unity Cabinet
Naharnet/Saudi King Abdullah and French President Nicolas Sarkozy praised the
formation of the new government in Lebanon saying it consolidates national
unity.
The two leaders "lauded the formation of the new Lebanese cabinet which would
lead to strong support and consolidation of Lebanese national unity," the Saudi
Press Agency said.
Sarkozy arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday for talks with Abdullah. Abdullah greeted
Sarkozy late in the afternoon at King Khalid International Airport and the two
then headed for the king's desert farm in Riyadh's outskirts, where Sarkozy
spent the night. Beirut, 18 Nov 09, 10:16
Lebanon public debt hits $48.5bn as banks change investment
tactics
Daily Star staff/Wednesday, November 18, 2009
BEIRUT: Figures released by the Finance Ministry indicate that gross public debt
continued its increase for the third month in a row in August. The trend is a
U-turn from the reductions seen in April, May and June, according to Bank Audi’s
Weekly Monitor. Gross public debt reached LL 74.144 trillion ($48.5 billion), at
end-September 2009, up by 1.2 percent from $48.8 billion at end-August 2009.
This has resulted in year-to-date increase of 4.6 percent in gross public debt
in the first nine months of 2009, as compared to 8.7 percent in the same period
of 2008. The decrease in gross public debt in April, May and June mirrors a
decline in Treasury bill sales, and is due to the fact that during the
aforementioned three months, banks were investing heavily in 5-year Certificates
of Deposit (CD), which yield higher interest than T-bills. “At end-June 2009,
the Central Bank stopped issuing 5-year CDs, and thus, banks went back to
investing in T-bills, which explains the resumption of growth in gross public
debt in July, August, and September 2009,” Audi said.
Net public debt, which deducts public-sector deposits at commercial banks and
the central bank, from gross public debt, rose by 5.1 percent from end-December
2008 to end-September 2009 to reach LL65.753 trillion. Net public debt increased
by 2.2 percent during August. The increase in gross public debt in the first
nine months of 2009 was triggered by a 7.6 percent growth in local currency debt
– The Daily Star
Nahhas expresses reservations over plans to privatize telecom
Lebanese minister refuses to turn state monopoly into private monopoly
By Osama Habib/Daily Star staff
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
BEIRUT: Newly appointed Telecom Minister Charbel Nahhas on Tuesday clearly
voiced his rejection of the government’s bold privatization program when he
explicitly said he won’t turn the state monopoly to a private monopoly. Speaking
to reporters after taking his position from predecessor Minister Jebran Bassil,
Nahhas said: “Some people think of selling the state owned monopoly to a private
monopoly and this will never happen.” This is the first clear indication that
Nahhas, who was named by leader of the Free Patriotic Movement Michel Aoun, will
not facilitate the transfer of the lucrative telecom sector to private companies
The previous government of former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora failed to auction
off the two cellular networks in 2007 and 2008 due to the acute political
discord, security incidents and the Israeli war on Lebanon in the summer of
2006. Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his team are keen to implement the
remaining clauses of Paris III donor conference and one of the key elements in
this program is the privatization of the telecom and electricity. Some
pro-privatization telecom experts argue that Lebanon can generate up to $6
billion if Lebanon sold the two cellular networks to private companies.
All the proceeds from privatization will go to reduce the country’s $48.5
billion public debt, or 150 percent of Lebanon’s GDP.
The ministers are still debating the ministerial statement and one of the top
items in the agenda is the endorsement of the privatization program.
Nahhas said his efforts will focus on raising the value of the telecom sector
because telecom is a productive sector.
“The duty of the minister is to set regulatory rules for this sector by
guaranteeing operation and dismantling all the pile ups resulting from the
intertwining of prerogatives,” the minister said. He added that the telecom
sector has an economic and service purpose and all the formulas are nothing more
than means to achieve certain tasks.
Nahhas suggested that he may consider reducing the telecom tariffs further,
arguing that some of these tariffs are nothing more than taxes. Among the few
tasks Nahhas will work on during his term is guaranteeing operation, maintenance
and investments in the telecom sector. The second task is to separate or
dissolve the authority in the telecom sector.
“Behind these prerogatives there are interests and this by itself exceeds the
matters with the individuals,” Nahhas said. He stressed that the ministry should
set a balance between urgent and important. Sources wondered whther the Telecom
Regulatory Authority (TRA) will face problems with Nahhas, especially since
Bassil refused to hand over responsibilities to the TRA.
It is worth noting that revenues from cellular networks and fixed lines are
generating more than $1 billion each year for the treasury.
At present, there are 2.4 million mobile subscribers in Lebanon from 1.4 million
more than a year ago.
Bassil for his part said that the impost important part in the telecom policy
which he presented few months ago is the liberalization of the sector and all
the way to privatization.
Bassil has always argued that the state and the Lebanese public should retain a
stake in the telecom if a chunk of the telecom was sold to a private firm.
He enumerated some of the achievements at his ministry during his term such as
reducing the mobile bill from an average of $75 in August 2008, one of the
highest in the world, to less than $50 a month. “My goal originally is to reduce
the monthly bill between $30 to $35 in 2010,” Bassil said. He added that mobile
penetration in Lebanon rose from 32 percent to 50 percent and the number of
subscribers jumped from 1.2 million to 2.286 million while capacity increased to
an additional 1 million subscribers. Bassil said that despite this reduction in
tariffs the Telecom Ministry saw revenues from this sector rise by $139 million
up to September 2009.
Brief policy statement expected
Mitri: Discussions fruitful as no ideological stances divide committee
By Elias Sakr and Nafez Qawas /Daily Star staff
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
BEIRUT: The ministerial committee tasked with formulating the Cabinet’s policy
statement discussed during its third meeting Tuesday the economic policies of
the new government. On Wednesday it is to conclude deliberations over the
statement’s political aspects. A well-informed ministerial source told The Daily
Star that the meeting was held in a positive atmosphere, adding that serious
dialogue covering a wide field of topics took place. The source said the
ministerial statement was likely to be concise and brief, rather than a covering
all discussions.
Following the meeting held at the Grand Serail in Beirut – presided over by
Prime Minister Saad Hariri – Information Minister Tarek Mitri said discussions
concerning economic policies were fruitful as no “ideological” stances divided
the attendants. “The committee tasked with drafting the statement convened to
discuss the second part of the first draft, which tackled the Cabinet’s
economic policies rather than the details governing every ministry’s work. The
discussions were fruitful and we made a lot of progress,” Mitri said.
Mitri added that a second draft on the government’s economic policies would be
ready to be discussed on Thursday; the committee is to convene on Wednesday to
discuss the second draft covering the political aspects of the statement. “It is
possible to conclude deliberations on Thursday,” Mitri told reporters when asked
about deliberations regarding the political aspect.
Earlier Tuesday, Hariri told reporters that the cabinet members had worked in
harmony, adding that the committee tasked with drafting the ministerial was
working to finalize its efforts as fast as possible. “However, it is of key
importance to implement the principles of the ministerial statement and focus
all efforts to achieve such end,” Hariri added.
Meanwhile, the Future Bloc urged on Tuesday the members of the statement
committee to pursue the ongoing positive dialogue concerning all issues.
Following its weekly meeting headed by former Premier Fouad Siniora the bloc
issued a statement underscoring the need to quickly conclude proceedings, adding
that the attendants had discussed law drafts passed to the new Cabinet regarding
Paris III donor conference projects. The bloc also called on security forces to
deploy across the country and crack down on perpetrators, regardless of their
political affiliations. Earlier Tuesday, Minister of State Wael Abu Faour sad
that the committee would eventually reach an agreement on the ministerial
statement which would “please” all parties.
Jumblatt and Franjieh to end four-year stand-off
Daily Star/BEIRUT: A reconciliation meeting between Progressive Socialist Party
leader MP Walid Jumblatt and Marada Movement leader MP Sleiman Franjieh is
expected to take place on Wednesday under the auspices of President Michel
Sleiman at the Baadba palace. Press reports said that the president offered to
host a “political reunion” for Jumblatt and Franjieh, who have been at odds
since the 2005 assassination of Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Reports added that the president will try to set up a reconciliation meeting
between Jumblatt and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun as part of
efforts to achieve political breakthroughs ahead of national dialogue. – The
Daily Star
Crime, corruption edging out politics
By The /Daily Star/Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Editorial
As the long-awaited Cabinet of Saad Hariri was in the process of being formed,
there was a lot of talk about “S and S,” or Syria and Saudi Arabia, and the
impact of their relationship on the battle to cobble together a working
executive branch of government. We now have this government, and it’s busy
putting together its policy statement. Our officials will have much to deal
with, but if recent events are any guide, it’s a season of “C and C,” or crime
and corruption, and these phenomena have just an important an impact as S and S.
Transparency International has reminded us we need to do much more to fight
corruption; Lebanon fell a whopping 28 places in this year’s report,
highlighting our dire straits. Earlier reports have highlighted the lack of a
state-level national anti-corruption strategy; we have slogans and some
half-hearted efforts, but little else. We suffer from endemic corruption and its
various manifestations are well-known. The thousands of tourists and visitors
who showed up here this summer probably didn’t need more than a week’s stay to
come away with tales of this corruption, if not actual run-ins with “the system”
themselves. Corruption impedes foreign investment, which has an impact on our
national economy. Transparency identified what everyone knows needs to be done:
strengthen state oversight and general accountability, which require an
independent judiciary. Politicians have battled hard to stake out their places
in the new government, but irrespective of who’s in this government, it won’t
wield effective authority in our society unless it has a plan to fight
corruption. And this plan won’t have much of an impact unless we have a solid
judiciary and accountability mechanisms. On the crime front, people are getting
antsy. They pass around the news of where the latest carjackings are taking
place, or they learn about robberies and attempted robberies, or worse, every
day in the media.
The police are mounting a counter-attack with their available resources. This
worrying phenomenon is an outgrowth of the political stalemate we’ve just
experienced. It’s not just that “nothing happens” when there’s no government;
it’s that things don’t stand still, but actually get worse. While corruption
might frighten foreign investors, crime hurts our domestic economy itself. And
people who worry about their physical safety every day aren’t the best
candidates to suddenly hearing their political leaders say that everything is
now fine, and that former rivals are now trusted colleagues in government. When
citizens’ needs aren’t being met, they will be less likely to have faith in
their politicians and government officials in the first place, and perhaps just
write off the entire system. The C and C that we’re experiencing today might
make us even long for hearing more about S and S.