LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
January 17/10

Bible Of the Day
The Good News According to Matthew 5/1-12: "5:1 Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 5:2 He opened his mouth and taught them, saying, 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.* 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.* 5:5 Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. 5:10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 5:11 “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Mr. Berri is playing another nasty game/By: Hanin Ghaddar/Now Lebanon/January 16/10

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for January 16/10
Reports: Jordan Arrests Suspect in Attack on Israeli Ambassador, Hizbullah among Top Suspects/Naharnet
Suleiman: Lebanon, Iran to Coordinate in U.N. Security Council /Naharnet
Qassem: The Resistance is a National Need, Not a Political Tactic/Naharnet
Army Officer Found Dead in Western Bekaa/Naharnet
Military Source: We Won't Give Israel Alibi for Its Aggression/Naharnet
Baroud: Lowering Voting Age to 18 Requires Amending Constitution's Article 21/Naharnet
Lebanese Navy Extinguishes Fire Which Damaged 3 Yachts in Jounieh/Naharnet
Nasrallah Vows to Change the Face of the Region in Any Coming War with Israel/Naharnet
Hariri to Visit UAE Sunday, France Next Week/Naharnet
Sami Gemayel Says Federalism a Guarantee for Christians in Case of Abolishing Sectarianism/Naharnet
Nasrallah: Israel faces defeat in new conflict/Daily Star
Top Lebanese officials press for increased US assistance/Daily Star
March 14 wants to shelve talks on ending political sectarianism/Daily Star
Jumblatt seen as eager to reconnect with Syria/Daily Star
Tribunal president signs procedural documents/Daily Star
Hariri's UAE visit Sunday to focus on developments/Daily Star
Hassan rules out privatization this year/Daily Star
Ring of fire' eclipse longest of millenium/Daily Star
Baroud to champion 30 percent women's quota in politics/Daily Star
Galloway credits Beirut for his love of Arab causes/Daily Star
ISF announces drop in crime rates across country/Daily Star
Khalifeh under fire over herbal 'energy' drug/Daily Star
Car accident claims lives of two people in south/Daily Star
Tourism minister visits Gemmayzeh after complaints/Daily Star
AUB professor wins King Faisal prize/Daily Star
First results announced for southern waste facilities/Daily Star

Question: "Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?"
Answer: Why does God allow earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones, mudslides, and other natural disasters? Tragedies such as the 2004 tsunami in Asia, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the 2008 cyclone in Myanmar, and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti cause many people to question God’s goodness. It is distressing that natural disasters are often termed “acts of God” while no “credit” is given to God for years, decades, or even centuries of peaceful weather. God created the whole universe and the laws of nature (Genesis 1:1). Most natural disasters are a result of these laws at work. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornados are the results of divergent weather patterns colliding. Earthquakes are the result of the earth’s plate structure shifting. A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake.
The Bible proclaims that Jesus Christ holds all of nature together (Colossians 1:16-17). Could God prevent natural disasters? Absolutely! Does God sometimes influence the weather? Yes, as we see in Deuteronomy 11:17 and James 5:17. Numbers 16:30-34 shows us that God sometimes causes natural disasters as a judgment against sin. The book of Revelation describes many events which could definitely be described as natural disasters (Revelation chapters 6, 8, and 16). Is every natural disaster a punishment from God? Absolutely not.
In much the same way that God allows evil people to commit evil acts, God allows the earth to reflect the consequences sin has had on creation. Romans 8:19-21 tells us, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” The fall of humanity into sin had effects on everything, including the world we inhabit. Everything in creation is subject to “frustration” and “decay.” Sin is the ultimate cause of natural disasters just as it is the cause of death, disease, and suffering.
We can understand why natural disasters occur. What we do not understand is why God allows them to occur. Why did God allow the tsunami to kill over 225,000 people in Asia? Why did God allow Hurricane Katrina to destroy the homes of thousands of people? For one thing, such events shake our confidence in this life and force us to think about eternity. Churches are usually filled after disasters as people realize how tenuous their lives really are and how life can be taken away in an instant. What we do know is this: God is good! Many amazing miracles occurred during the course of natural disasters that prevented even greater loss of life. Natural disasters cause millions of people to reevaluate their priorities in life. Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid is sent to help the people who are suffering. Christian ministries have the opportunity to help, minister, counsel, pray, and lead people to saving faith in Christ! God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans 8:28).
**Recommended Resource: Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey.

Reports: Jordan Arrests Suspect in Attack on Israeli Ambassador,
Naharnet/Hizbullah among Top Suspects
Media reports on Friday said that the Jordanian authorities arrested Thursday a suspect in the failed bomb attack which targeted an Israeli embassy convoy in Amman, and that Hizbullah and al-Qaida jihadists represent the top suspects until further investigation. The Jordanian news agency Ammoun reported that the Jordanian security services managed to arrest the suspect right after the incident and that a chase happened between the security forces and the car of the suspect. "The modus operandi in the attack is reminiscent of roadside attacks carried out by Hizbullah in Lebanon," reported the mass-selling Israeli daily Yediot Ahraonot, citing sources close to the investigation. "Israeli security sources believe the attempt was a well-planned ambush, which failed due to inaccurate timing. Initial findings collected by the Jordanian authorities show that one or two roadside bombs were used in the attack," added Yediot Ahraonot.
The devices were planted on the side of the road from Amman to the Allenby Bridge. Sources close to the investigations believe it is not unlikely that the bomb was operated by remote control, and that the vehicle was under surveillance from the moment it left the Israeli embassy in Amman. Jordanian officials declined to confirm whether the attackers operated on behalf of Hizbullah, al-Qaida, or Hamas. Israeli diplomats often travel home on Thursdays, the start of the Muslim weekend in Jordan, and return on Sundays to Jordan, which has had a peace treaty with the Jewish state since 1994. Israeli diplomats in Jordan usually use rental cars. There have been several attacks or attempted attacks against Israelis in Jordan since the signing of the peace treaty between the two countries, but such incidents have been rare in recent years. In 2003, a Jordanian driver crossed the southern border with Israel and opened fire at a group of foreigners in the transit zone. He was shot by Israeli soldiers. A non-Israeli tourist was killed and five others were wounded.
Israeli analysts said there was excellent security coordination between Jordan and Israel and that Jordan had foiled several attempts to attack Israeli targets in the past.
"I'm sure this was a surprise for the Jordanians. These people are probably Islamic or al-Qaida that pose a danger to the Hashemite Kingdom too. As in the past they will try and deal with violent elements in their society," Ephraim Inbar, the Israeli director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, told AFP.(Naharnet-AFP) Beirut, 15 Jan 10, 20:37

Suleiman: Lebanon, Iran to Coordinate in U.N. Security Council
Naharnet/resident Michel Suleiman on Saturday told the visiting Iranian Vice President Mohammed Reza Tajeddini that Lebanon and Iran must coordinate their stances inside U.N. Security Council. On his part, Tajeddini said his government fully supports the "unity and independence" of Lebanon. "The Iranian official conveyed President (Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad's appreciation for President (Michel) Suleiman's efforts to strengthen the atmosphere of consensus in Lebanon and emphasized President Ahmadinejad's full support for the unity, sovereignty and independence of Lebanon and its territory," a statement released by Suleiman's office said. Suleiman described the Lebanese-Iranian relations as "good on all aspects," and asked Tajeddini to convey his regards to the Iranian president and his wishes of prosperity and stability to the Iranian people. Beirut, 16 Jan 10, 15:05

Qassem: The Resistance is a National Need, Not a Political Tactic
Naharnet/Hizbullah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem on Saturday called for "the adoption of the resistance option, because it is the best choice for liberating the land."
In a lecture at the Lebanese University's Faculty of Science, Qassem said: "The (peace) settlement is an illusion that won't lead to any results, but rather would squander what is left of our land because Israel needs the peace process to annex lands and extend occupation." "The resistance is not a local, regional, or international political tactic. It is not a part of deals among nations, and not a negotiation tool on political gains … and it will persist because it is a part of Lebanon's strength." Qassem added that "all tangible evidences proved Lebanon's need for the resistance," calling those who have another choice to deter Israel to demonstrate it. Beirut, 16 Jan 10, 17:05

Army Officer Found Dead in Western Bekaa
Naharnet/Lebanese Army First Lieutenant H. A. Nassr was found dead Saturday noon with two gunshot wounds in the chest inside his car near Kamed al-Louz western entrance in Western Bekaa.The state-run National News Agency reported that "a forensic investigation was started to identify the reasons."The body was moved to Farhat Hospital.
Beirut, 16 Jan 10, 16:32

Military Source: We Won't Give Israel Alibi for Its Aggression
Naharnet/A well-informed Lebanese military source expressed his relief for the current status-quo in the South, adding that the Lebanese Army is performing its mission to the fullest, especially in areas near the borders. The source told As Safir daily in remarks published Saturday: "The South is enjoying an unprecedented state of calm, and there are no problems. All of the Lebanese parties are keen on this calm and on preserving it." Answering a question, the military source stressed that "Lebanon is committed to UNSCR 1701 and to the rules of engagement governing the relation between (Lebanese Army) and UNIFIL forces south of Litani." "There is no doubt that Israel represents the greatest and permanent threat to Lebanon, but we won't give it an alibi for its aggression, especially the resistance. However, that doesn't mean that we are not alert or enjoying readiness as an army, people, and resistance. We have all determination to deter any aggression." Beirut, 16 Jan 10, 11:07

Baroud: Lowering Voting Age to 18 Requires Amending Constitution's Article 21
Naharnet/Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said that the next step on the way to lower the voting age in Lebanon to 18 years -- after Parliament adopted it in principle last year -- is achieved through amending article 21 of the Lebanese Constitution. "According to the Interior Ministry's numbers, there are 283,000 people in the age category 18-21 and adding their names to the electoral rolls is possible before two weeks from February 10, conditioned that a law gets adopted to amend article 21 of the Constitution," Baroud told An Nahar daily in remarks published Saturday."Since both the parliament and the government have agreed on this move, the next step will be adopting a law to amend article 21 of the Constitution before two weeks from February 10. Beirut, 16 Jan 10, 10:24

Lebanese Navy Extinguishes Fire Which Damaged 3 Yachts in Jounieh
Naharnet/The Lebanese navy on Saturday said it extinguished, in cooperation with the Fire Department and Civil Defense, the fire which damaged three yachts at ATCL Yacht Club in Jounieh. A statement issued by the Orientation Directorate of the Lebanese Army said a Lebanese navy patrol, in collaboration with members from the fire department and civil defense, managed to pull the burning yachts outside the club's port and to control the fire which caused severe damages to two yachts and minor damages to the third. The statement added that the investigation in the incident is ongoing in order to identify the causes. The fire started at one of the yachts and then spread to the other two, according to the army command's statement. Beirut, 16 Jan 10, 12:49

Nasrallah Vows to Change the Face of the Region in Any Coming War with Israel
Naharnet/Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday said that "the resistance is being subjected to a psychological warfare," but vowed to defeat Israel and change the face of the Middle East in case of any confrontation. "I promise you, as I have always promised you: In any coming confrontation, we will foil the aggressions' objectives, defeat the enemy, achieve a great historical victory, and change the face of the region," said Nasrallah in a speech via video link before the Arab International Forum for Supporting the Resistance at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut. "The future of this region is the resistance, dignity, and freedom," Nasrallah told an audience that included representatives from Iran, Syria and other countries, as well as Hamas' Syria-based Supremo Khaled Meshaal. "And inshallah (God willing), Israel, the occupation, hegemony and arrogance are in the process of disappearing."
"Lebanon has abandoned the myth saying 'Lebanon's strength is in its weakness' to adopt the truth saying 'Lebanon's strength is in the solidarity of its army, people, and resistance.'"
Nasrallah said that Israel, which fought a devastating conflict with Hizbullah in 2006, was again beating the drums of war to try to restore its military's reputation as an invincible regional force. Israel has repeatedly warned in recent months that any attack by Hizbullah would be met with a strong response.
"Israel is living today a real dilemma: The dilemma of leadership and command, the dilemma of the invincible army which was defeated on the hands of the resistance fighters, and the dilemma of trusting the future," added Nasrallah. Hizbullah number one said that Israel is trying to cover up its "dilemmas" through daily threats "which scare only advocates of defeat and cowards.""Israel is leaning today on intimidation attempts and on settlements' building with the help of some countries, however, for the first time, it fears the military option."
"We overcame the most dangerous periods in our region when the U.S. was trying to transform the region into the new Middle East," added Nasrallah. He said that the resistance made its achievements amid the worst Arab situation and "despite being stabbed in the back" by some forces."The resistance is still facing many threats topped by defaming attempts through accusations of committing crimes, drugs trafficking, and blind submission to Iran and Syria," added Nasrallah. Beirut, 15 Jan 10, 17:14

Sami Gemayel Says Federalism a Guarantee for Christians in Case of Abolishing Sectarianism
Phalange Party's MP Sami Gemayel on Friday stressed that "abolishing political sectarianism will lead to the rule of the sect having the most members," demanding in case political sectarianism was abolished "to move to a federal system as a guarantee to Christians." However, Gemayel added that he was not in favor of both regimes, but more in favor of developing the current political system. "We won't submit to the challenging approach imposed by Speaker Nabih Berri," added Gemayel. Tackling the issue of March 14 coalition's consolidation, Gemayel said: "(MP) Walid Jumblat walked away, and al-Mustaqbal Movement may abandon it, but we remain (a part of March 14)." "Phalange Party will not resign from the government, but will object on some articles in the ministerial Policy Statement from inside the government," added Gemayel. Gemayel considered that the unity of the Christians and their agreement represent essential factors for their survival. However, Gemayel stressed that Christian unity does not contradict with national unity nor with "Lebanon, the country of diversity which is a homeland for 18 sects." Beirut, 15 Jan 10, 21:42

Hariri to Visit UAE Sunday, France Next Week
Naharnet/Premier Saad Hariri will head Sunday to the United Arab Emirates on an official visit that is expected to last two days. Hariri will meet with UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan and a number of top Emirati officials. The talks are expected to tackle the latest developments in the region and the means to fortify and develop bilateral ties.
On the other hand, Hariri's visit to Paris next week is expected to witness consolidation of French support for Lebanon and the already strong relations between the two countries, An Nahar daily reported Friday. Hariri travels to Paris next Wednesday and is scheduled to meet with President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday. The talks will include a lunch banquet thrown in the Lebanese premier's honor at the Elysee palace. French Prime Minister Francois Fillon will also host Hariri for lunch on Thursday. Hariri will kick off his two-day visit with talks with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Parliament Speaker Bernard Accoyer. French Senate President Gerard Larcher will later throw a dinner banquet in Hariri's honor.
An Nahar said that the premier's trip to Paris will be his first to a Western country since he became premier last year. Media reports said Hariri will discuss with French officials Lebanese-Syrian ties, border demarcation, armed Palestinian bases outside refugee camps and the issue of missing Lebanese. Hariri is also expected to discuss with his French counterpart the reforms that the Lebanese government is planning to undertake. The economic talks will focus on the Paris 3 conference and the French loan that Sarkozy had promised. An Nahar said the two sides will sign security, justice and scientific research agreements during Hariri's visit. A delegation from the interior, justice, foreign and social affairs ministries will accompany the premier to Paris. Al-Hayat, however, quoted sources as saying that Hariri's visit to the French capital was of high significance "even if new (economic) agreements wouldn't be signed" between the two sides. Furthermore, An Nahar quoted diplomatic sources as saying that France wants to inquire about Hariri's point of view on the national dialogue and the defense strategy. The sources said that neither Israel nor Hizbullah have an interest in starting a new confrontation in southern Lebanon. Beirut, 15 Jan 10, 21:04

Jones Discusses U.S.-Lebanese Cooperation on Combating Terror with Lebanon's Leaders
Naharnet/U.S. National Security Advisor James Jones arrived in Beirut on Friday for talks with top Lebanese officials mainly on strategic cooperation between the two countries on ways to eradicate terrorism in Lebanon and the region.
Jones held talks with President Michel Suleiman upon arrival to Beirut. The U.S. official later met with Speaker Nabih Berri and Premier Saad Hariri.
According to Voice of Lebanon radio, Suleiman brought up the issues of tight security screenings recently introduced by the U.S. against travelers from Lebanon and a measure calling on U.S. President Barack Obama to monitor Arab news stations that were viewed as inciting violence against the United States, including Hizbullah's al-Manar TV.
Suleiman also discussed with Jones Israeli violations of U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 and the situation in the Middle East.
"The National Security Advisor reiterated the United States' continued support for a sovereign and independent Lebanon and stressed that our efforts to achieve our goals in the Middle East, especially a comprehensive regional peace, will not come at Lebanon's expense," said a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy.
The talks between the two sides will most probably include U.S. military assistance to Lebanon, An Nahar daily had said.
Al-Liwaa daily quoted diplomatic sources as saying that the meetings between top Lebanese officials and Jones will be an extension of Suleiman's latest visit to Washington where he stressed on the necessity of providing military assistance to Lebanon, including high-tech weaponry enabling it to combat terrorism and spreading its sovereignty on all Lebanese territories.
The sources distinguished between the missions of Jones and U.S. special Middle East envoy George Mitchell. They said the National Security Advisor kicked off his trip to the region with a visit to Riyadh that also took him to the Palestinian territories and Israel. Jones carries with him U.S. views on ways to deal with security problems and terrorism in the Middle East, the sources added. Mitchell, on the other hand, is working on bringing the Palestinians and Syrians on one hand and the Israelis on the other to the negotiating table in two separate peace tracks. The envoy arrives in Beirut on Monday. Jones concluded his visit to Lebanon at the U.S. Embassy where he greeted Embassy staff and retired personnel.
A statement issued by the U.S. Embassy said: "The National Security Advisor, who served as the 32nd Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, conveyed the President's (Barack Obama's) appreciation for the employees' service and dedication. General Jones also honored those who sacrificed their lives, laying a wreath at the Embassy's memorial where the names of the 337 people killed in service to the United States government in Lebanon between 1976 and 1995 -- including the victims of the 1983 and 1984 Embassy and Marine Barracks bombings --." Beirut, 15 Jan 10, 17:48

Mr. Berri is playing another nasty game
Hanin Ghaddar, Now Lebanon
January 16, 2010
Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri gestures as he addresses the public from the parliament in Beirut on January 13 (AFP photo/HAS).
Abolishing political sectarianism is the goal of secular Lebanese, who believe that sectarianism in all its forms is the biggest problem for Lebanon. If the Lebanese were able to reach that goal, secularists believe, the state would gain more power as the different sectarian factions melt into one national identity.
Now that the country has entered a phase of relative stability with the formation of the national unity government and the reconciliatory meetings between rival political leaders, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri decided to start his latest term with a campaign to abolish political sectarianism from the constitution, referring to Article 95 of the Taif Accord and President Michel Sleiman’s call to implement the document.
In as much as Berri’s demand is valid and constitutes an opportunity for secular Lebanese to fulfill their dreams of a civil state, the context of his campaign raises a number of concerns.
Berri’s political history does not reveal an aspiration to abolish sectarianism, he being the sectarian leader of Amal, a Shia militia. On the contrary, in his 18 years as speaker of the house, Berri has abused state institutions for both sectarian and personal purposes. He has attempted to boost his popularity among the Shia by providing state jobs and services to his followers, and has put the parliament at the service of his ally, Hezbollah, and its regional backers. Notably, Berri closed the parliament for 18 months between 2006 and 2008 to protest against what he said was Shia underrepresentation in the government, thereby paralyzing state institutions and blocking the election of the president for months.
Yet this Wednesday, Berri told reporters that it is now time to establish a national committee to abolish political sectarianism in the wake of the formation of the national unity cabinet and considering the current political stability in Lebanon.
Who is he fooling? The primary benefactors of the abolition of political sectarianism would be the Shia, demographically the largest community in Lebanon, who overwhelmingly side with Hezbollah and Amal. Despite the urgency of eliminating sectarianism from both Lebanese society and the country’s official texts, it would be hard to accept that the largest community, the one controlled by the Hezbollah-led opposition and its arsenal, would be then able to control the country, its institutions and decisions, including UN Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701.
Hezbollah is not only armed, it has ideological connections to the Wilayat al-Faqih, or the Guardianship of the Jurist, the religious institution of the Islamic state of Iran. Abolishing political sectarianism would in essence enable an armed Islamic party to control Lebanon and its institutions.
Berri’s timing is also questionable. He decided to launch his campaign, despite objections from other political leaders, right before preparations for the national dialogue, in which Lebanese leaders are to sit down to discuss Hezbollah’s arms and the national defense strategy. As more March 14 Christians raise the call to disarm Hezbollah, and despite the consensus on the ministerial statement, Berri – and by extension Hezbollah – thought it might be a good idea to warn the Christians with the anti-sectarian mantra, as it threatens them directly.
Christians in Lebanon are already divided and are thinning demographically. Moreover, the Taif Accord transferred many of the Maronite president’s privileges to the Sunni prime minister. If the current equal division of power in the parliament between Christians and Muslims were abolished, the Christians would lose even more of their standing. It is not a coincidence that only Shia figures supported Berri’s initiative, while others objected to it.
Berri’s selectiveness is another concern. The speaker noted that the Taif stipulated the formation of the committee. However, he ignored other Taif requirements that are part of abolishing sectarianism, such as guaranteeing the state’s sovereignty and control over all its territory, disarming all militias, and implementing administrative decentralization.
It is also ironic that the speaker stated that this initiative “does not require consensus”, while he made it abundantly clear over the past five years that Lebanese institutions can only be built on consensus, the latest example of which is the national unity government that both Berri and Hezbollah fought for.
Although Berri said that forming the committee does not mean an immediate abolition of political sectarianism, and that it would take decades for its cancellation to be complete, he did not hesitate to use his usual bullying tone. He told reporters that obstructing one constitutional article will affect other ones, such as those related to the formation of a senate and a new election law. He added that there are relevant issues that will also be stalled, such passing a law to allow members of the Lebanese diaspora to vote and administrative decentralization.
It is understood that the senate is associated with the formation of the committee. But why would it affect the implementation of other requirements? Berri has picked a valid cause but his logic is unsound.
On the other hand, the speaker’s campaign emphasized the fact that no one, whether politicians or civil society activists, has a clear plan of how to end political sectarianism. All reactions to his proposal were based on sectarian-fuelled fears of some parties losing power and of Hezbollah gaining more. No one has addressed the issue with a call for a national plan, where it is tackled at a grass-roots level.
Abolishing political sectarianism is a necessary step, but it should not be imposed on Lebanon by one sect or sectarian party. It will be a long process that should take into consideration ways to develop the Lebanese political system, without causing any party fears.
Obliterating political sectarianism requires erasing it on every level, from the education system and civil society to discriminatory laws. It requires eliminating the power of religious figures, coming up with a unifying civil law and forbidding the formation of religious parties. Is Berri willing to go through with this process?
He only called for the formation of the committee, and dialogue among all groups would be its main pursuit. But dialogue requires equality, and it is not possible to debate such a sensitive issue between an armed group and the rest of the country. The May 7 events are still fresh in the collective memory of the Lebanese.