JUDICIARY REPUBLIC OF LEBANON

Transcription

1 2010 public budget: Public debt LBP 83,182 billion issue number 95 June Published by Information International sal Lebanese emigrants from Property ownership by non-lebanese in the qada a of Baabda The Monthly interviews Jan Čížek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Lebanon JUDICIARY REPUBLIC OF LEBANON Lebanon 5,000LL Saudi Arabia 15SR UAE 15DHR Jordan 2JD Syria 75SYP Iraq 3,500IQD Kuwait 1.5KD Qatar 15QR Bahrain 2BD Oman 2OR Yemen 15YRI Egypt 10EP Europe 5Euros

2 INDEX 4 LEADER: Judiciary between sectarianism and new appointments public budget 8 Lebanon Radio Lebanese emigrants from Ministry and Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants 14 Ministry and Ministers of Justice 18 Marriage 20 Illegal arms possession 21 Property ownership by non-lebanese in the qada a of Baabda Page Syndicate of Bakery Owners in Beirut and Mount Lebanon 29 Greater Beirut Evangelical School 31 Shortness of Breath or Dyspnea by Dr. Hanna Saadah Page 20 Page Is intelligence a single entity independent from the brain? by Antoine Boutros 33 Neuronal Bench Pressing for Lifelong Health by Dr. Samar Zebian 34 The Monthly interviews Jan Čížek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Lebanon 36 Popular culture 37 Myth #34: Oldest City in the World: BYBLOS? 38 Must-read books: The Human, the Homeland, the Freedom 39 Must-read children s book: First Rhymes 40 Lebanon Families: Afram (Fram) Families 41 Discover Lebanon: Al Qunaitra 42 Aoun-Geagea (1/2) 43 April 2010 Timeline in Lebanon 45 Iceland Volcano Erupts 46 Islamic movements in the Arab world 47 Real estate index in Lebanon- April Food Price Index - April The Palestinian Demographics around the World 50 Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport - April Lebanon stats 51 Proportions of Lebanese by confession through obituaries

3 Editorial 3 NANCY AJRAM AND THE MUNICIPALITIES Who remembers? On that day in the mid-nineties, individuals from the so-called civil society, and most of whom with good intentions and some with a purpose and a strategy, organized the campaign my country, my hometown, my municipality. Funding of course is western and the reasoning is change from through the bottom-up approach. With those of purely good intentions there is no discussion, but for those who claimed they had a strategy and views of change involving civil society and 12 years after the first postcivil war municipal elections, the time is ripe for a serious discussion. My country: Divided horizontally and vertically between five heads, and sponsored by the Ta ef and Doha agreements and jubilantly celebrated in the ceremony held at the Syrian Arab Republic s Embassy in Beirut. My hometown: No electricity, no sewage, no water, and pollution everywhere. No public schools, no preventive health care, lack of awareness for rights and obligations and no accountability for those elected to the municipal council. My Municipality: A miniature replica of the public sector and the Council of Ministers with every family being represented by a person irrespective of how corrupt or ignorant he is and with the head of municipality controlling all decisions. The saying goes: The municipality is a president and a policeman. Squandering of public funds, outright theft, construction of roads and retaining walls even when they are not needed, and the ambition of families for their sons to be hired as municipality policemen. The solution? The solution lies in the dissolution of all the municipal councils and the implementation of the laid out and paid for schemes, plans and strategies including (Lebanon s urban and rural master plan and the strategies of social and economic developments, among others), holding elections after the integration of the municipalities to minimize their number to less than quarter, allowing residents to vote in their place of residence rather than their place of birth and placing them under the jurisdiction of the Court of Audit. Considering that all of this is not in the horizon, it is therefore recommended to raise Nancy Ajram s picture in their so-called municipality palaces and to start the day with her song baladiyat literally meaning municipalities or from the same hometown. Following are the lyrics: Very very good I am also naïve, I thank him, there is no one else to make my hours happy I am a part of him as he is also a part of me he is also from the same hometown he is my baladiyat. Since Nancy is the United Nations goodwill ambassador, we can here celebrate the so-called international legitimacy partnership with the private and public sectors and celebrate our success in raising Lebanon s name high in the world of art and democracy. A lie called civil society! Yes, I am a part of him and he is also a part of me! as Nancy says. issue 95 - June 2010

4 4 Leader Judiciary between sectarianism and new appointments JUDICIARY BETWEEN SECTARIANISM AND NEW APPOINTMENTS 52% Christian, 42% Muslim; A large gap, especially in the middle grades The judiciary authority in Lebanon is one of the three powers along with the legislative authority (Parliament) and the executive authorities (the presidency and the government). Article 20 of the Constitution stipulates: Judicial power is to be exercised by the tribunals of various levels and jurisdictions. It functions within the limits of an order established by the law and offering the necessary guarantees to judges and litigants. The limits and conditions for the protection of the judges are determined by law. The judges are independent in the exercise of their duties. The decisions and judgments of all courts are rendered and executed in the name of the Lebanese People. The judiciary is independent and the rulings of judges are issued and executed in the name of the Lebanese people. However this constitutional text has not prevented the establishment of judicial power along sectarian lines, as is the case within the legislative and executive authorities. The appointment of judges has been based on the criteria of sectarian balance (over the past few years some judges have been chosen based on their merit, but sectarian balance remains the overruling factor in rounds to select judges despite being weakened in certain rounds as will be demonstrated). The formation of courts is also carried out after paying full consideration to the judges confession, and essential posts in the judiciary are reserved for certain confessions. Number of judges There are 561 judges (as of March 2009) in the Lebanese judicial sector. They are distributed as follows: 481 judges in the judicial system 53 judges in the State Shura Council 27 judges in the Court of Audit The distribution of main positions according to confession According to custom, certain posts have been reserved to specific confessions: Ministry of Justice director general: Sunni Head of the Higher Judicial Council: Maronite (with one exception to the rule when A atef al-naqib, a Sunni, was appointed as head of council in 1990 to 1992). Furthermore, the ten-member council is formed based on confessional criteria: the three top members are: president (Maronite); vice president (general prosecutor a Sunni) and the head of judicial investigation commission (Sunni), in addition to seven members: two Shia a, two Maronites, one Druze, one Catholic and one Greek Orthodox. General prosecutor: Sunni (the post was reserved for Maronites before the Ta ef Accord) Head of the Judicial Inspection Commission: Sunni Head of the permanent Military Court: Shia a Head of the State Shura Council: Maronite Head of the Court of Audit: Shia a (the post was reserved for the Sunni confession before the Ta ef) There have been nine ministers of justice from 1991 to date (mid-april 2010): four Sunni, two Maronite, one Armenian Orthodox, one Catholic and a current Greek Orthodox minister, with a notable absence of Shia a ministers in the recent period. Furthermore, their presence over the past few decades has been very limited, since the dominant confessions are generally Sunni and Christians. Confessional distribution of judges The total number of judges is 561, with 291 Christians compared to 270 Muslims. In their confessional distribution, Maronites rank highest, forming 70% of Christian judges and 36% of judges in Lebanon. Graph 1 shows the confessional distribution of judges. Distribution of heads of chambers by confession According to Decree #1465 on March 6, 2009 (judicial transfers and appointments, which are the most recent decree in this field) the heads of chambers in the courts of cassation and appeal are distributed according to the following confessional criteria: Ten chambers are distributed equally between Muslims and Christians: Maronite: Three heads of chambers Greek Orthodox: One head of chamber Catholic: One heads of chamber Sunni: Two heads of chambers Shia a: Two heads of chambers Druze: One head of chamber issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

5 Judiciary between sectarianism and new appointments Leader 5 [Graph 1] Distribution of judges by confession Source: Compiled by Information International based on judicial appointment decrees as published in the official Gazette Maronite Greek Orthodox Catholic Various Christians Total of Christians Sunni Shia a Druze Total of Muslims % 8% 7% 1% 5 52% 20% 22% 6% 48% Cassation Chambers: All 45 chambers are located across the muhafazat and are divided into 21 chambers for Christians and 24 for Muslims: Maronite: Eleven chamber heads Greek Orthodox: Six chamber heads Sunni: Eleven chamber heads Shia a: Eleven chamber heads Druze: Two chamber heads Chambers of the first degree court: All 22 chambers are located across the muhafazat and are divided equally between Christians and Muslims. Maronite: Seven chamber heads Greek Orthodox: One chamber heads Catholic: Three chamber heads Sunni: Six chamber heads Shia a: Four chamber heads Druze: One chamber heads Public prosecution offices: The post of public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation is reserved for the Sunni confession (currently occupied by Magistrate Sa eed Mirza). The appeals public prosecution offices in the muhafazat are equally divided between Christians and Muslims, with a difference in the significance of the post: Beirut: Greek Orthodox Mount Lebanon: Maronite North: Sunni South: Shia a Nabatiyeh: Druze Attorney generals: There are 36 attorney generals across the muhafazat with 17 Christian lawyers and 19 Muslim: Maronite: Eleven attorney generals Greek Orthodox: Four attorney generals Catholic: Two attorney generals Sunni: Eight attorney generals Shia a: Ten attorney generals Druze: One attorney general First investigation magistrates: They are distributed across the muhafazat and are equally divided between Christians and Muslims: Beirut: Sunni Mount Lebanon: Greek Orthodox North: Maronite Beqa a: Shia a South Catholic Nabatiyeh: Shia a Investigating magistrates: There are 24 investigating magistrates across the muhafazat divided between 11 Christian judges and 13 Muslim: Maronite: Seven investigating magistrates Greek Orthodox: Two investigating magistrates Catholic: Two investigating magistrates Sunni: Five investigating magistrates Shia a: Seven investigating magistrates Druze: One investigating magistrate New judges The main challenge judges encounter is a backlog of lawsuits due to their high number in light of the number of crises in Lebanon over the past decades, and the dwindling numbers of judges after competition at the Academy of Judicial Studies came to halt for a long time during the war. Judges reached retirement age without being replaced by new judges. Since 1989, the state started holding competitions to choose trainee judges from the Academy of Judicial Studies (they are trained for three years before becoming judges). Table 1 shows the number of judges who were appointed between 1993 and 2009 and concludes that their numbers were chosen by confession: 171 Christian judges with a priority for Maronites) and 172 Muslim judges. Furthermore, Law # 304 issued on March 21, 1994 allows the government to appoint judges among lawyers in order to accelerate the process and increase the number of judges (there is disagreement among lawyers and judges alike over the success or failure of this practice). As a result, 39 lawyers were appointed judges while the total number of judges who were appointed from 1993 until 2009 is 343 (120 judges retired during this period) forming 61% of current judges, which signals a huge gap in the degree, since they are either first degree judges of in the last upper degrees, creating a noticeable lack of mid-degree judges. issue 95 - June 2010

6 6 Leader Judiciary between sectarianism and new appointments The number of new judges ( ) by confession Table 1 Year Number of appointed Maronite Greek Orthodox Catholic Sunni Shia a Druze Other Christians judges Total Source: Compiled by Information International based on judicial appointment decrees as published in the official Gazette Salaries, compensation and privileges According to the 2009 draft budget law the Ministry of Justice s budget reached LBP billion, including LBP 78 billion allocated as Lebanon s contribution to the expenses of the international Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, compared to LBP 22 billion in the 2008 budget. The actual budget of the ministry has reached around LBP 54.3 billion, mostly allocated to salaries and compensation funds for judges and employees in courts estimated at LBP 43.3 billion. Salaries of judges Under Law 63 of December 31, 2008 (which increased the minimum wage) the salaries of judges were set as follows: Trainee judges: First year: LBP 1 million, Second year: LBP million,third year: LBP million, The value of a single degree was set at LBP 53,000 Judicial Judges: Degree 1: LBP 2.1 million, Degree 2: LBP million, Degree 11: LBP million, Degree 22: LBP million, Degree B was set at LBP 158,000. Court of Audit judges: Degree 1: LBP 2.1 million, Degree 8 (head of chamber): LBP million, Degree 12 (head of Court of Audit-public prosecutor): LBP million, Degree 22: LBP million, The value of a single degree was set at LBP 158,000. State Shura Council judges: Degree 0 (assisting advisor): LBP million, Degree 7 (advisor): LBP million, Degree 10 (head of chamber): LBP million, Degree 12 (head of Shura Council-government commissioner): LBP million, Degree 22: LBP million. The value of the degree was set at LBP 158,000 Compensation funds Judges benefit from compensation funds in return for their membership in some judicial committees or for additional judicial work. These funds include only judges who carry out extra work and between committees. Here are some examples: Compensation funds for the head and advisors of the appeals court handling banks lawsuits. Judges in the Judicial Council receive a monthly compensation fund of LBP 500,000 for the president and LBP 350,000 each for the attorney general, the advisor and the investigating magistrate. Judges are compensated for membership in objection committees to the monetary stamp fee and the objection committees to the income tax and the transport fee. Judge members of registry and counting committees in electoral processes are also compensated for their work. Privileges Judges are exempt from the retirement age (64 years old) that other employees are subject to. Judges retire at the age of 68. Other privileges include A one month and 20 days paid vacation from August 1 until September 20 Exemption from car registration fees and annual mechanic fees after receiving special license plates with. ع the Arabic symbol Exemption of some judges, especially investigating magistrates and cassation courts magistrates, from telephone fees. Judges benefit from full medical services for them and their families through the judges mutual fund. Judges benefit from full coverage of tuition fees through the mutual fund. Judges receive periodical financial aid from the mutual fund reaching sometimes to a month s salary every two or three months depending on availability. Judges are exempt from real estate registration fees and municipality fees. Judges can receive a 20-year housing loan at an annual 7% interest rate. Judges receive a retirement grant from the judges mutual fund. The amount is set based on years of services and the salary. It reaches the total of a judge s salary in 30 months; varying between LBP 100 million and LBP 200 million. The judges mutual fund has an annual budget of LBP 20 billion funded by 5% of a judge s salary as a subscription. State budget allocates fees for some judicial transactions that go towards the fund (in 2009 it reached LBP 4.5 billion). issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

7 2010 public budget Public Sector public budget PUBLIC DEBT LBP 83,182 BILLION AND LBP 6,557 BILLION TO SERVICE IT The Ministry of Finance has finally completed the 2010 draft public budget and transferred it to the Council of Ministers for approval. It then went to the Parliament to be discussed, ratified, and issued as a law, at a time when constitutional text stipulated that the ministry completes the draft budget by the start of last October (2009). Ratification by both the Council of Ministers and then Parliament could take time which means that the 2010 public budget may not be ratified before the second half of Before discussing and ratifying the 2010 public budget, Parliament must discuss and approve the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 budgets in addition to the accounts of the budgets of 2006, 2007 and 2008 which were spent based on the twelfth rule and includes many violations. So what does the 2010 budget involve? Deficit The total budget expenditures reached LBP 18,652 billion with a LBP 2,347 billion increase from the 2009 budget. Estimated revenues reached LBP 12,977 billion compared to LBP 11,389 billion 2009, so the deficit marks a slight increase at 30.43%, compared to 30.15%. Based on budget and Ministry of Finance figures for the end of 2009, general income reached LBP 12,036 billion compared to expenses at LBP 16,180 billion with a LBP 4,144 billion deficit or 25.6%. Revenues Revenues are estimated at LBP 12,977 billion marking a 941 billion increase from the actual revenues in 2009, which is difficult to achieve because tax increases in the 2009 draft budget was very limited and does not achieve this increase. Increasing the tax on bank deposits interests from 5% to 7% increases the revenues of this tax to around LBP 800 billion, with a LBP 200 billion increase. However, there as been an increase in real estate fees, imposed constructed property taxes on unoccupied constructed estates, imposed 3% fees on positive differences resulting from the process of an extraordinary reevaluation of the fixed principles and of present estates within companies and an increase in real estate registration fees from 5% to 7% for the part that exceeds LBP 750 million; all of these factors lead to only a slight rise in revenues due to the possibility of the manipulation and corruption that is rampant in administrations concerned with these taxes. Expenditures Setting the ceiling for budget expenditures (excluding treasury expenses) at LBP 17,659 billion appears false, especially since the size of expenditure over the past few years relied on the 12th rule. This year there will be an increase in expenditures by opening additional credit lines in the budget. For example, the draft budget expects that the file of the displaced will be closed in 2011 at the cost of LBP 380 billion, while some officials have stated that the case s cost is estimated at LBP 750 billion. Public debt and its service according to official figures The issue of public debt remains an essential and important part of the draft budget. When the draft budget is unable to identify concrete and serious ways to reduce the size of public debt, and consequently reducing its cost, the following official figures appear: public debt increased from LBP 77,024 billion in 2009 to LBP 83,182 billion in 2010, while the cost of servicing this debt reaches LBP 6,540 billion compared to LBP 6,087 billion in These figures, as serious as they are, are inaccurate. They are even more serious since public debt by the end of 2009 reached LBP 77,024 billion but increased in 2009 by LBP 6,136 billion. The current draft budget expects the public debt to increase in 2010 by LBP 6,158 which is equivalent to last year s increase based on the reduction of the interest rate. This is a wrong assumption because the impact of the reduction of the interest rate that took place at the start of 2010 will only be apparent by next year since most current debts depend on a high interest rate, therefore servicing the debt will be higher than the estimated amount. The budget s deficit alone will increase the public debt to LBP 82,692 billion and any increase in expenditures or drop in revenues which is forecast will increase the debt to more than what is being estimated. The Lebanese have waited for the budget for more than four years. However, after it was completed the budget appears ordinary, its figures inaccurate and unfeasible and 91% of its expenditures are already earmarked towards debts, salaries, wages and retirement funds. It is true that the draft budget did not increase, the Value Added Tax that was circulated reduced some fees. On the other hand, it did not increase taxes on revenues and profits and only timidly addressed the manner that state property revenues are collected (especially for maritime properties). issue 95 - June 2010

8 8 Public Sector LEBANON RADIO Absent from the airwaves at the cost of USD 110 million Lebanon Radio It was established in 1938 by the French mandate under the name of Radio Orient. In 1946, its ownership was transferred to the Lebanese state. It was the sole local radio station and remained as such until the breakout of the Lebanese war. At the end of the 1970 s it was renamed and today it has a very limited audience in light of strong competition from private stations. It is the Lebanese Radio or Lebanon Radio. The station is almost entirely absent and some Lebanese do not even know it exists although its cost is expensive both in terms of salaries and wages, and in terms of maintenance, rehabilitation and equipment. Annual budget In 2009, the costs of Lebanon Radio reached LBP 7,208 million (USD 4.8 million) compared to LBP 6,552 million in Graph 1 shows the distribution of the cost. [Graph 1] Cost distribution of Lebanon Radio (in million LBP) Source: Laws and draft budget laws from the mentioned years Technical Equipement Electricity Telephone Fuel and Oil for generators Public Relations and advertisements Salaries of permanent employees Salaries of contractors and freelancers Family compensation and other compensation funds Contribution to association of writers, composers and music distributors in Lebanon ,000 1,500 2,000 2, ,155 1,600 2,128 This appears to be an ordinary budget that does not include funds to produce programs. It only ensures that the main daily affairs are running and that the daily salaries, wages and operating expenses are paid. Expenses (according to laws and draft budget laws) during reached around LBP 116 billion distributed by years as shown in Graph 2. Rehabilitation and development cost In 1996, Law 560 was issued on July 24 allocating credit lines at the value of USD 33.2 million to develop Lebanon Radio. The project includes: [Graph 2] Distribution of Lebanon Radio costs from (in million LBP) Source: Laws and draft budget laws from the mentioned years ,816 5,725 5,970 5,567 6,525 6,347 5,830 9,933 9,379 5,740 6,963 8,145 8,734 7,714 6,858 6,552 7, Establishment of a transmission station on short wave frequencies transmitted via three transmission systems each with the power of 500 kilowatts with their accessories. 2. Establishment of a transmission station on the medium wave frequency via two transmission systems each with the power of 600 kilowatts with their accessories. 3. An advanced power plant with its accessories. 4. Four short wave frequency stations each with the power of 10 kilowatts with their accessories. Many of these equipment were not completed and the Israeli warplanes during the 2006 July war destroyed the Aito and A amchit station. Furthermore, the Hamat station was closed down for health reasons. All of these reasons, in addition to the absence of an attractive radio substance for listeners, led to a drop in the percentage of audience but the expenditure continued with the Lebanese paying more than 110 million for a station they do not tune to. issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

9 Lebanese emigrants from Public Sector 9 Lebanese emigrants from ONE MILLION OR 60,000? There are different opinions about the benefits of emigration from Lebanon, or lack thereof. Advocates of emigration consider it to be a contributing factor to economic prosperity. Others see it as a dangerous phenomenon that is causing brain-drain and consequently the aging of Lebanese society. Neither camp, however, possesses accurate data on the scale of this phenomenon, the ratio of male to female emigrants, the age groups or the countries of destination. Are they leaving permanently or temporarily? How many emigrants are there annually? Considering the significance of the topic, The Monthly looks into the estimation of emigrants over the past eight years, from Number of departures and arrivals Analysis of the number of arrivals and departures, including how many are Lebanese, is one of the methods to determine the size of emigration, as is shown in Table 1. Number of arrivals and departures, including Lebanese Table 1 Year Arrivals Lebanese arrivals Departures Lebanese Total of arrivals Total of Lebanese arrivals departures compared to departures compared to Lebanese departures ,706,879 1,907,894 2,897,726 2,094, , , ,866,647 1,965,300 3,125,939 2,210, , , ,349,728 2,321,336 3,493,721 2,462, , , ,504,839 2,413,357 3,726,125 2,629, , , ,015,639 2,652,169 4,163,252 2,796, , , ,609,958 2,286,496 3,638,689 2,414, , , ,140, ,716 2,188, ,888-47,947-12, ,566,874 2,421,516 5,353,414 2,383, , ,330 Source: General Directorate of the General Security The above figures indicate that the number of departures surpassed the number of arrivals by 826,249 passengers during this period. It also shows that the number of Lebanese departures surpassed that of arrivals by 1,035,692 passengers, indicating an emigration movement of 1,035,692 Lebanese citizens. This is a significant number for the short period of eight years, which indicates errors most likely caused by inaccurate registration of the cross-border traffic. Lebanese departures to Syria are registered but the same is not done for returning Lebanese due to their high number. Every weekend many Lebanese spend the weekend in Syria (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), with the vast majority returning Sunday evenings, causing an overcrowding at General Security posts. This leads to stamping return tickets without registering them, which is a possible explanation for the high number of Lebanese departures compared to that of returning Lebanese. [...] the number of departures surpassed the number of arrivals by 826,249 passengers during this period. [...] the number of Lebanese departures surpassed that of arrivals by 1,035,692 passengers[...] Airport - Beirut Photo by Mohamed Mashlab 2010 issue 95 - June 2010

10 10 Public Sector Lebanese emigrants from Number of airport departures and arrivals For more accurate data, The Monthly relied on passenger traffic at Beirut s Rafic Hariri International Airport. Traffic at the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport Table 2 Year Arrivals Departures Total arrivals vs. departures ,090,164 1,124,624-34, ,185,699 1,187,357-1, ,255,107 1,258,325-3, ,352,243 1,365,382-13, ,598,726 1,601,226-2, ,579,004 1,600,749-21, ,464,433 1,366, , ,677,322 1,649, ,090 Source: General Directorate of the General Security outcome of airport departures and arrivals as shown in Table 2 since there is no justification for the substantial increase in the numbers of foreign and Arab residents in Lebanon, and the outcome of Lebanese departures and arrivals as shown in Table 1 in 2006). As such, the most accurate number is not one million emigrants over eight years because a million emigrants would translate into the departure of almost a third of Lebanon s residents, which would have left a noticeable vacuum. Adopting the 61,000 emigrants estimation might seem, for some, a low number, but it forms a valid basis for estimating a more accurate figure as compared to one million. A comparison of the number of departures and arrivals during eight years shows an increase of 49,684 passengers in the latter. These figures force us to only compare overall airport traffic and that by land and sea. Airport figures might be more accurate, but due to its closure during the July 2006 war and the departure of a high number of Lebanese and foreigners via land and sea, these numbers might not be correct. This further forces us to rely on figures from all ports in 2006, as shown in Table 1, allowing us to estimate the number of immigrating Lebanese at some 61,000 (the [...] the most accurate number is not one million emigrants over eight years because a million emigrants would translate into the departure of almost a third of Lebanon s residents, which would have left a noticeable vacuum. Passengers at Beirut Airport Photo by Mohamed Mashlab 2010 issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

11 Ministry and Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Public Sector 11 MINISTRY AND MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND EMIGRANTS The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants is one of the so-called sovereign ministries and is in charge of foreign relations and the affairs of the expatriate community. The results, however, do not match the tasks and expenses. The law, which went into effect by Decree #1306 on June 18, 1971, put in place a system which was later amended several times. Among the most significant articles is Article One which defines the tasks of the ministry as: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants is in charge of Lebanon s foreign policy in terms of preparation, coordination and execution and handles the affairs of the expatriates. Ministry personnel The ministry consists of: The diplomatic corps (diplomatic and consular) The administrative corps The central administration consists of the following units: The Directorate of Political and Consular Affairs The Directorate of Economic Affairs The Directorate of Emigrants Affairs The Directorate of Protocols The Directorate of International Organizations, Conference and Cultural Relations The Directorate of Administrative and Financial Affairs The Center for Legal Studies, Research and Documentation Inspection Office Directorate of Cipher Directorate of Archives Cabinet Press Office Tables 1 and 2 show the posts in the diplomatic and administrative corps. Diplomatic corps posts Category Group One Group Two Group Three Total Occupation General secretary- ambassador, director or commission minister Advisor or general consul Secretary, consul attaché or deputy consul Table 1 Number Source: Decree of the structure of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Administrative corps occupations Table 2 Category Occupation Number Director of president of an 2 authority Group Two Archives secretary 1 Researcher Total 5 Board director 4 Department head 8 Head supervisor 4 Assistant researcher 2 Group Three Assistant archives secretary 4 Library keeper 1 Assistant library keeper 1 Archivist 3 Translator 2 Total 29 Accountant 16 Controller 1 Editor or writer 60 Group Four Depot secretary 1 First or second clerk 27 Calls distributor and telecommunications employee 3 Total 108 Driver 5 Group Five Concierge 30 Guard 2 Housekeeper 18 Total 55 General total 197 Source: Decree of the structure of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants system Establishment of Ministry of Emigrants In 1993, Law 213 was issued on April 2 introducing the Ministry of Emigrants and amending the name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Emigrants was in charge of activating the role of the Lebanese expatriates issue 95 - June 2010

12 12 Public Sector Ministry and Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants community, handling the affairs of emigrants, working to strengthen ties between expatriates and Lebanon, developing mutual cooperation with them and with affiliated bodies and participating in international activities related to emigration affairs. The ministry consists of: General Directorate of Emigrants Emigrants Attachés Authority Emigrants and Emigration Authority Property and Registry Authority Emigrants Public Relations Authority Media and Culture Authority These significant tasks that the law set for the ministry were not met with the appointment of qualified and trained personnel. It was unable to carry out its main work to handle the affairs of emigrants because the task was undertaken by the emigrants attaché (21 attaches) for whom the ministry was only able to find embassies abroad after arguments among officials over the definition and tasks of these employees and their ties to the embassies and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is why the missions and role of these ministries ended in 2000 with the issuing of Law 247 on August 7, 2000 (integration, cancellation and establishment of ministries and councils) under which the ministry was cancelled and its employees transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which regained its name as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants. Ministry budget In 1994 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs budget reached LBP 69,421,174,000 billion while that of the Ministry of Emigrants was LBP 2,760,000,000 reaching a total of LBP 72,181,174,000 forming 1.75% of the public budget s total. In the 2009 draft budget the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants figures reached LBP 136,685,750,000 forming 0.83% of the public budget s total. These figures in the 2009 draft budget are distributed on the following expenditures: LBP 16 billion in offices rent and maintenance including around LBP 12 billion in rent for ESCWA headquarters in Beirut. LBP 2.7 billion in salaries and wages and other expenses for employees in the central administration in Lebanon LBP 21.4 billion in offices and residences rent for ambassadors abroad LBP 549 million in rent for the headquarters of the Ministry of Emigrants which was abolished but the rent is still being paid and the office is occupied by only three employees Ministry of Foreign Affairs Photo by Mohamed Mashlab 2010 LBP 5.5 billion in administrative and office supplies for embassies abroad LBP 50 million in financial contribution for the Lebanese ambassadors forum Salaries of employees abroad Budget figures showed that the cost of diplomats and employees abroad represents 47% o the ministry s total expenses due to the relatively high salaries and compensation funds as shown in Table 3. The salaries of workers in the diplomatic corps Table 3 Category USD Degree One-Grade One 2,880 Degree One-Grade 22 5,967 Degree Two-Grade One 2,390 Degree Two-Grade 22 5,036 Degree Three-Grade One 1,850 Degree Three-Grade 22 4,055 Source: Law 63 issued on December 31, 2008 and attached tables 14, 15 and 16 In addition to these salaries the ministry pays the residence allowance, which is different from one country to the other and ranges between 175% and 230% of the salary. Workers in the diplomatic corps are also paid compensation funds for moving, housing and family compensations. (See the book of Salaries and Renumerations in the Public Sector - published in Arabic by Information International 2001) issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

13 Ministry and Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants 84 ministers, the minister was not always Shia a In 1993, under Law 213 issued on April 2, the Directorate of Emigrants Affairs was separated from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, and the Ministry of Emigrants was introduced on the condition that the Shia a control it and so the ministry became the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2000, after the Ministry of Emigrants appeared useless, it was abolished and integrated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which regained the name Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants under Law 247 issued on August 7, 2000 (integration, abolishment and establishment of ministries and councils) and this formed the basis for the ministry to be controlled by the Shia a. Number of ministers Since the 1943 independence to date (the government formed on November 9, 2009), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has had 80 ministers, while the Ministry of Emigrants had 4 ministers. Remarkably, some ministers held on to their posts for long periods of time despite changing governments. Confession of ministers The ministers are distributed by confession, as shown in Graph 1, with the Maronite ministers being the majority (25 ministers). Since 2000, the ministry, according to the distribution of sovereign ministries, became the share of the Shia a while before this date there had been no Shia a minister of foreign affairs except on one occasion (Ali Arab who served as minister for eight days during the premiership of Abdullah al-yafi from October 12, 1968 until October 20, 1968). As such, Ambassador Mahmoud Hammoud became the first Shia a to actually occupy the post of minister of foreign affairs and emigrants after the abolishment of the Ministry of Emigrants which was controlled by the Shia a and its integration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Public Sector 13 December 9, 1976 until October 7, 1982 or 5 years and 10 months. Consecutive ministers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Ministry of Emigrants Term of Bechara el-khouri: Salim Taqla (three), Henry Faroun (two), Hamid Franjieh (three), Philip Taql (three), Hussein al- Oueini (one), Charles Al Helou, Nazem A akari (two) and Saeb Salam. Term of Camil Chamoun: Moussa Mubarak, Khaled Chehab, George Hakim, Alfred Nakkach (three), Hamid Franjieh, Salim Lahoud (four) and Charles Malek (three). Term of Fouad Chehab: Philip Taqla (six), Hussein al- Oueini and Fouad A amoun. Term of Charles Al Helou: Fouad A amoun, Philip Taqla (two), Hussein al- Oueini (two), George Hakim (two). Fouad Boutros (two), Ali Arab, Rachid Karami, Youssef Salem and Nassim Majdalani. Term of Suleiman Franjieh: Khalil Abou Hamad (two), Khatchek Babakian, Fouad Nafa a, Philip Taqla (two), Loussian Dahdah and Camil Chamoun. Term of Elias Sarkiss: Fouad Boutros (three). Term of Amine Gemayel: Elie Salem, Rachid Karami, Michel Aoun and Mohammad Nabil Qoreitem. Term of Elias Hraoui: Salim Hoss, Fares Boueiz (five) and Nasri Ma alouf, Minister of emigrants, Ridha Wahid, Ali Khalil and Talal Arslan. Term of Emile Lahoud: Salim Hoss (two), Mahmoud Hammoud (three), Jean Obeid and Fawzi Salloukh. Term of Michel Suleiman: Fawzi Salloukh and Ali Chami. [Graph 1] Distribution of ministers of foreign affairs and emigrants by confession Source: Decrees on formation of the government Longest term Among the 84 ministers of foreign affairs and emigrants, Philip Taqla was the longest serving minister for a continuous 9 years and 2 months. The longest continuous period was during the presidency of Fouad Chehab from May 14, 1960 until April 1, Minister Fares Boueiz comes second since he was minister of foreign affairs for most of Elias Hraoui s presidency (except at the beginning of Hraoui s term from November 25, 1989 until December 24, 1990 and for a month and a half from September 16, 1992 until October 31, 1992 when he resigned in protest over the parliamentary elections) serving from December 24, 1990 until September 16, 1992 and from October 31, 1992 until December 4, 1998 or 7 years, 9 months and 25 days. Minister Fouad Boutros comes third since he was minister of foreign affairs and emigrants during the entire presidency of Elias Sarkiss from Maronite Catholic Sunni Greek Orthodox Shia a Druze Armenian Orthodox Note: The number in parentheses indicates the number of times the minister served in the post during the specified presidency. issue 95 - June 2010

14 14 Public Sector Ministry and Ministers of Justice MINISTRY AND MINISTERS OF JUSTICE The Ministry of Justice is one of the essential and so-called semi-sovereign ministries. What are this ministry s tasks, structure and annual budget? Tasks The Ministry of Justice is in charge of the following: Regulating the affairs of the judiciary and monitoring the implementation of laws and regulations. Preparing draft laws and regulatory texts assigned to it. Giving opinion on matters that it is consulted for. Representing the state before courts. Regulating the affairs of prisoners and misdemeanor juveniles. Taking care of the affairs of notaries, experts, agents of bankruptcy, and observers of preventative reconciliation. Budget The Ministry of Justice s budget reached around LBP 49 billion in 2001 and increased to LBP 132 billion in the 2009 draft public budget (but in reality it did not increase since the amount included the expenses of the International Tribunal for Lebanon to try the killers of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri). These expenses were estimated at LBP 78 billion, which means that the actual budget reached LBP 54 billion and Graph 1 shows the development of this budget. [Graph 1] Ministry of Justice budgets from 2001 until 2009 (in thousands LBP) Source: Budget of Ministry of Justice ,000,000 60,000,000 90,000, ,000, ,000,000 49,813,478 44,214,745 49,053,902 51,165,325 75,266, ,283,300 These expenditures are distributed as shown in Graph 2. [Graph 2] Distribution of expenses of the Ministry of Justice s budget Central Administration Civil Courts State Shura Council Source: Budget of Ministry of Justice ,000,000 20,000,000 30,000,000 40,000,000 2,405,000 2,681,500 14,685,825 14,587,000 35,976,000 36,565,800 Ministry s structure Under Decree # 151 issued on September 16, 1983 (amended by legislative decree # 23 issued on March 23, 1985), related to regulating the ministry, the Ministry of Justice includes: The general directorate The justice courts The administrative courts Under Decree # 23 issued on March 23, 1985, the general directorate consists of: Legislation and consultations commission Cases commission Judicial Studies Institute Directorate of judges and employees affairs Audit authority Directorate of prisons Forensics and criminal evidence authority The legislation and consultations commission is headed by a justice magistrate of the seventh degree, or by an administrator of an equivalent degree, and is appointed by a decree taken by the Council of Ministers. The cases commission is headed by a judge from the judicial system s personnel of the seventh degree, or by an administrator of an equivalent degree. issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

15 Ministry and Ministers of Justice Public Sector 15 The general directorate s personnel consist of 146 positions as shown in Table 1. The ministry s general directorate s personnel Table 1 Groups Occupation Number First Director general 1 Second Director general 2 Second Head of an authority 3 Third Head of department 26 Fourth Editor or writer 53 Fourth Accountant 5 Fourth Dissection assistant 2 Fourth Clerk 16 Fifth Concierge 30 Fifth Telephone distributor 6 Fifth Driver 2 Total 146 Source: Decree of the structure of Ministry of Justice There are 20 judicial assistants with degrees varying from the first degree to the tenth degree. Under a decree issued on October 13, 1993, the general directorate introduced a special department to handle judicial and legal informatics called the Judicial and Legal Informatics Center with 37 employees. Judiciary system It consists of civil and criminal courts which include around 500 judges. 1. Civil courts Courts of first degree The courts of first degree consist of chambers, each with a president and two members, in addition to departments managed by individual judges. The first degree court chambers are called trial chambers for which only individual judges of the second degree and above can be appointed. Any president of a first degree court chamber should be a judge of the fourth degree and above. The chamber is considered the ordinary court with a comprehensive specialty in civil and commercial cases, with the exception of what is specified in a special text to be among the specialty of another court. The trial chamber looks into cases that do not have a specified value and in cases with a specified value of more than LBP 1 million, except for what is included with the expertise of an individual judge or that of a special court. In return, the individual judge exclusively participates in the following civil and commercial cases: Personal lawsuits and lawsuits related to liquid assets and fixed assets that do not exceed LBP 100 million. Registry lawsuits except those related to the nationality. Inheritance requests unless it is obstructed by disagreement over the appointment of heirs or the settling of shares to be inherited. Lawsuits related to liquid and fixed rent contracts and free business no matter what the cost is in addition to lawsuits related works with all the applications and payments that accompany these lawsuits. Ownership lawsuits. Lawsuits related to freedom of expression. Lawsuits related to consensual agreement rights. Border demarcation lawsuits. Lawsuits to settle emergency matters. The expertise of the real estate magistrate is taken into consideration. Appeals courts The court of appeal consists of a president and two advisors and is located in the province s center in principle. Only a judge of the sixth degree can be appointed head of chamber at the court of appeal and only a judge of the fourth degree and above can be appointed advisor at the court of appeal. What is the appeal? An appeal is one of the regular contestation ways presented to a second degree court in order to revoke or amend a ruling by a first degree court. Each court of appeal has a first president, who normally heads the first chamber and can only be of the tenth degree or above. He oversees work in the departments within his authority. Courts of cassation The court of cassation is the higher court which tops the justice courts and is located in Beirut. It consists of several chambers, each with a president and two advisors. Only a magistrate of the tenth degree and above can be appointed president of a court of cassation chamber and only a magistrate of the eighth degree can be appointed advisor. The civil chamber works in the following civil and commercial cases: Cassation requests for peremptory rulings issued by the courts of appeal in civil and commercial matters. Requests for the transfer of a lawsuit from one court to another if the court s body was not formed due to The absence of the adequate number of judges. The impossibility for the court to carry out its work due to a force majeure. If there is kinship between one of the adversaries and the individual judge, the two judges who form the court or its president, to the fourth degree. Due to the presence of a reason that raises doubt into the court s neutrality. To preserve general security. issue 95 - June 2010

16 16 Public Sector Ministry and Ministers of Justice The cassation court is headed by a first president, who is appointed by decree taken by the Council of Minister based on a proposal by the minister of justice. Only a judge of the fourteenth degree or above can be appointed first head of the court of cassation. He is the head of the higher judiciary council, the justice council, the public body for the court of cassation, the judges disciplinary council and the higher council to try president and ministers. He and the president of the shura council, head by rotation, the court to settle disputes. The court of cassation also includes the public body of the court of cassation and it looks into: Lawsuits against the state concerning responsibility resulting from the work of magistrates. Every settled case that provokes the determination of an important legal principle or that paves the way to contradict previous rulings. Requests to appoint a reference when there is a positive or negative disagreement over a specialty. Objection to a decision issued by a confessional or religious court due the non expertise of this court or because it violates essential provisions linked to the public system. Rescission of judgement for the benefit of law submitted by the General Prosecutor at the court of cassation. The public body rulings can only be issued on behalf of the president and four members at least and in case there is a tie in votes, the president s vote is decisive. 2. Criminal courts include 1. Ordinary courts consist of an individual criminal judge, the court of appeal for misdemeanors and violations, the court of crimes and the criminal cassation court. It handles civil lawsuits which includes lawsuits for damages and civil requirements resulting from a public suit. 2. Exceptional criminal courts is formed of: Higher council to try presidents and ministers Justice council Publications court Court looking into cases of fraud and monopolization Juvenile court The criminal lawsuits pass through three phases before reaching the courts: Prosecution judiciary Investigation judiciary Ruling judiciary Administrative judiciary The administrative judiciary structure developed in a consistent manner since its establishment and many of its rulings are adopted from the French legislation. The administrative judiciary in Lebanon is pyramidal and on two levels: administrative courts at the base of the pyramid and the state shura council at the top. State shura council: Under article four of the current constitution issued by Decree # 10434/75 amended by Law 227/2000, the council consists of a president, a government commissioner, heads of chambers, advisors and assistant advisors. The council provides opinion on administrative and legislative affairs in all draft laws, draft legislative decrees, regulatory decree, draft international treaties, draft circulars, privileges, public interests and general conditions books. In the judicial matters, the council is considered the appeals reference for all rulings issued by administrative courts, appeals or cassation reference in administrative cases for which a special law has been assigned, the first and last degree court for some of the cases determined by Article 64 and also has expertise in ruling in emergency cases. Administrative courts: They are ordinary courts for administrative cases. It consists of a president and two members. The head of the court is like a head of a chamber at the State shura council and the member is equivalent to an assistant advisor at the council. The law established six administrative courts for each of the six provinces. Administrative courts mainly look into: Requests for compensation for damages caused by public works or execution of public interests or damages resulting from administrative work at Parliament. Administrative cases related to contracts, deals, commitments or administrative privileges conducted by public administrations or administrative departments at Parliament to ensure the work complies with public interests. Employee cases and individual disagreements linked to Parliament employees. Cases in which the administrative authority goes back to employees in case they committed a mistake that caused the lawsuit against them. Such a decision has yet to be issued by the minister of justice and administrative courts remain unformed to date. Military judiciary The military judiciary consists of: the military court of cassation, the permanent military court and the individual military magistrate. It also consists of special military administrative bodies: issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

17 Ministry and Ministers of Justice Public Sector Disciplinary council: It is an administrative body that issues enforceable decisions and has a judicial status. The council looks into grave behavioral violations committed by officers. Its decisions can be appealed before the military court of cassation with a fifteen-day grace period as of the date of notification for both the government commissioner and the sentenced officer. 2. Investigation committee: It is appointed by the national defense minister based on a proposal by the military council at the beginning of every year and it consists of three officers. The committee looks into major violations by ranking officers and individuals. The committee s report cannot be revised or appealed and does not have a judicial status such as the case with the decisions of the disciplinary council. The report of the disciplinary council can be challenged by the officer in question, by a request presented to the army command before the minister of defense has the final decision on the matter. 83 ministers of justice, with Bahij Tabbara being the longest serving minister Since 1943 to date, the Ministry of Justice has had 83 ministers, including five ministers who have served three or more times: Adel Osseiran (three times), Bashir al-a aouar (three times), Bahij Tabbara (four times), Sami Solh (five times) and Gebran Nahhas (six times). They are distributed by confession as follows Maronites: 16 ministers Sunni: 24 ministers Shia a: 10 ministers Druze: 4 ministers Armenian Orthodox: 2 ministers Greek Orthodox: 20 ministers Catholic: 7 ministers Tabbara is the longest serving minister of justice, having occupied the post continuously from October 31, 1992 until December 4, 1998, and then from April 17, 2003 until October 26, 2004 or seven years and seven and a half months. The ministers are divided according to presidential terms as follows: Term of Bechara el-khouri Habib Abu Shahla (two), Salim Taqla, Henry Faroun, Sa adi al-manla, Sami Solh, Ahmad al-hosseini (two), Abdullah al-yafi, Riyadh Solh, Gebran Nahhas (three), Charles Helou, Boulos Fayyad, Rachid Karami, Fouad Khouri, Moussa Mubarak (two) and Bassil Trad. Term of Camil Chamoun Khaled Chehab, Mohieddine Nsouli, Bashir al-a aouar (two), Alfred Naqqach (two), Charles Al u, Sami Solh (four), Gabriel Murr, Fouad ghosn, Salim Lahoud and Emile Etian. Term of Fouad Chehab Youssef al-soda, Hussein al-oueini, Philip Taqla, Gebran Nahhas (two), Nassim Majdalani, Philip Boulos and Fouad Boutros. Term of Charles Al Helou Gebran Nahhas, Nassim Majdalani, Emile Etian, Philip Taqla, Abdullah al-yafi, Fouad Rizq, Rachid Baydoun, Suleiman Franjieh, Majid Arslan, Hussein al-oueini, Chafiq al-wazzan and Adel Osseiran. Term of Suleiman Franjieh Jamil Kebbi, Bashir al-a aouar, Kathem al-khalil, Adel Osseiran (two) and Noureddine al-rifa ai. Term of Elias Sarkiss Farid Rofael, Youssef Gebran and Khatchek Babkian. Term of Amine Gemayel Roger Shikhani, Nabih Berri, Lotfi Jaber and Issam Abu Jamra. Term of Elias Hraoui Edmond Rizq, Khatchek Babakian, Nasri Ma alouf and Bahij tabbara (three). Term of Emile Lahoud Joseph Shaoul, Samir al-jisr, Bahij Tabbara, Adnan A addoum, Khaled Qabbani and Charles Rizq. Term of Michel Suleiman Ibrahim Najjar (two). Note: The number in parentheses indicates the number of times the minister served in the post during the specified presidency. issue 95 - June 2010

18 18 Public Sector Marriage Personal status laws discriminate between the Lebanese MARRIAGE Article 7 of the Lebanese Constitution stipulates: All Lebanese are equal before the law. They equally enjoy civil and political rights and equally are bound by public obligations and duties without any distinction. However, the system s reliance on confessionalism in terms of the distribution of government posts, especially senior ones, and the recognition of the constitution of the rights of confessions, their right to establish schools and adopt a special personal status system makes the Lebanese unequal. Each of the Lebanese 18 officially recognized confessions has its own personal status code (some confessions rely on the same code such as the Catholic ones which rely on the same law) that determines matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption among others. Starting this issue, The Monthly publishes a series of articles that cover the personal status issue and the laws that regulate it. The first article focuses on marriage. Recognized confessions in Lebanon There are 18 officially recognized confessions in Lebanon determined by decision # 60 (L.R.) issued by the French high commissioner Damien de Martel on March 13, They are: The Christian confessions (12 confessions) Maronite patriarchy Greek Orthodox patriarchy Melkite Catholic patriarchy Syriac Orthodox patriarchy Syriac Catholic patriarchy Assyrian-Caledonian (Nestorian) patriarchy. The name was amended by a law issued on December 21, 1962 and became the Eastern Nestorian confession. It was also changed by Law 341 issued on June 16, 1994 to become the Eastern Assyrian Orthodox confession The Caledonian patriarchy The Latin Church (it was added by Article 28 of Decree#146 issued on November 18, 1938) The Coptic Orthodox Church (it was added by Law 553 issued on July 14, 1996) The Muslim confessions (five confessions) Sunni Shia a A alawi Druze Ismaili (it does not have a legal presence in Lebanon) The Israeli confessions Aleppo Knesset (does not have a legal presence in Lebanon) Damascus Knesset (does not have a legal presence in Lebanon) Beirut Knesset Sources of legislation on which Muslim and Christian religious courts rely Researching courses of legislation for the Muslim and Christian confessions requires many pages, as such we will limit our study to a summary of these sources. Sources of legislation for the Christian confessions The main sources of legislation for Christian confessions are: The Bible, including the New Testament (the four Bibles: Mathew, Lucas, Mark and John) and the Old Testament or the Torah using what is on conformity with the Bibles. Scriptures by prophets. Resolutions by church groupings, which are meetings held by the church clergymen and are either international or domestic and private. Orders issue by the patriarchs and the bishops. Writings by church clergymen. Custom. Islamic sources of legislation The main source of legislation is the Quran, which includes texts regulating a lot of the Muslims personal status matters unlike the Bibles which only covered very specific points such as marriage. The Sunnah: A collection of the Prophet s sayings, actions or rulings. There is no consensus among Muslims on some of these sayings. Consensus: An agreement among Muslim scholars on certain rulings. This is used when the Quran or the Sunnah is silent on certain matters. Qiyas: This is sought in the absence of a text or a consensus. It relies on appraisal based on reasoning. Jewish sources of legislation There are three main sources: The Torah, which the first source and includes the book that descended on Moses and the Five Books. The Talmud, which is the second source and includes the rulings that descended on Moses. Custom, which is the third source. Courts Each Lebanese confession has a special court to settle personal status disputes. Christian spiritual courts The eastern Catholic confessions follow a unified trials law that is applied by the spiritual courts. These courts are: issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

19 Marriage Courts of first instance Appeals court The Roman Rota court, based in the Holy See in Rome. The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura Islamic religious courts They handle the personal status affairs of the Sunni, Ja afari and A alawite confessions. They are regulated by the religious judiciary law issued in These courts consist of: Court of first instance, which consists of an individual judge Higher religious court, which consists of a president and two advisors Druze courts The Druze judiciary is regulated by a law issued on March 5, 1960 and ensuing amendments. Like the Muslim confessions, the Druze courts consist of: Court of first instance, headed by an individual judge An appeals court, which consists of a president and two advisors Marriage Marriage was defined as the wedding a person to another and their commitment after each was separate from the other. In order for a marriage contract to be valid, several conditions should be met and they vary according the numerous laws of the religious confessions. Age: It is determined based on the issue of adulthood which varies as shown in Table 1. Age of marriage by confession Table 1 Confession Husband Wife Notes Catholic 16 years 14 years Church heads have the right to impose an older age for marriage Orthodox 18 years 18 years A marriage contract can be made if the husband is 17 and the wife is 15 years old Evangelist 18 years 16 years Sunni 18 years 17 years Shia a 15 years Nine years Druze 18 years 17 years Those of younger age can get married on condition they have reached puberty A marriage for those who are younger is allowed Puberty is an essential condition The sheikh can change the age to 16 for the husband and 15 for the wife Israeli 18 years 12 years A man can be married at 13 years old Source: Laws of personal statuses for the mentioned sects The concept of marriage: There is a radical disagreement between Muslims and Christians over the idea of marriage, with the former believing it is founded on unity with no possibility of separation while for the latter there is the possibility of separation and polygamy (except for the Druze). Public Sector 19 Gender differences: Marriage should be between two individuals of the opposite sex and cannot be between two homosexuals. This is a matter of consensus between the Christian and Muslim courts. Acceptance: Both the Christian and Muslim courts agree that a marriage should take place after the acceptance of both sides without anger or coercion. Parents consent: Most personal status codes set the parents consent as a precondition for the marriage of minors. However, courts often request the consent of the bride s parents even if she is not a minor and this is considered a transgression with the aim of caring for and protecting the girl from an unsuitable marriage in the future. Impotence and infertility: Impotence forbids and invalidates a marriage in case it is permanent. As for infertility it neither forbids nor invalidates the marriage. Religious difference: Religious difference is a forbidding factor for marriage among the Christian confessions because marriage is a secret of the Church and should take place between two individuals who have baptized. But in case the individual who had not been baptized agrees to do so then the marriage is rendered possible. As for the Muslim confession, a Muslim is allowed to marry a woman of the book (i.e. a Christian or a Jew who are considered people of the holy book) and she is not required to convert. However, in case of the husband s death she does not inherit him since she is a non-muslim. This is why some women of the book who marry a Muslim man convert for this reason. A Muslim woman, however, is not allowed to marry a man of the book unless he converts to Islam. Kinship: Among the Muslim confessions, a man cannot marry the mother, the maternal mother and the paternal mother, the daughter, the daughter s daughter and the son s daughter, the sister, the sister s daughter, the brother s daughter, the aunts from both sides in addition to the woman s daughters, her daughters daughters and her sons daughters. Two individuals who have been breastfed by the same woman cannot get married. The same preventive reasons are found among the Christian confessions since a person is not allowed to marry anyone of his origins. Furthermore a godfather cannot marry his grandchild since they develop a spiritual kinship that forbids marriage. Being widowed: Muslim confessions do not forbid marriage for a fourth time after being widowed in the third marriage but for the Christian confessions this is an issue that forbids and invalidates the marriage. issue 95 - June 2010

20 20 Legislation ILLEGAL ARMS POSSESSION Punishment ranges from a prison sentence to the death penalty Different legislations penalize carrying weapons without a license as well as producing or smuggling of explosives. However, these legislations are often violated in many countries, especially in Lebanon. The Weapons and Munitions law organizes the arms issue in Lebanon; in fact, Article 24 stipulates that it is forbidden for anyone to transport or own weapons or munitions mentioned in the fourth category, in the Lebanese territories without an authorization given by the Army commandment. The governor is allowed to give licenses for hunting weapons. The license to carry and transport a weapon from the fifth category is personal and given once. It doesn t expire unless in case of death or if the owner no longer fulfills the requirements stated in this legislative decree. The license to own and transport weapons from the fourth category is given for one year and can be renewed. This law penalizes as well anyone who, without authorization, produces or transports arms, military munitions or parts of them; he shall be given a prison sentence of six months to three years. Illegal arms possession In comparison, Jordanian law is more strict concerning the production of weapons; Article 11 of their Weapons and Munitions law states that anyone who produces, imports, transports, sells, buys, or mediates a deal for selling or buying any artillery or automatic weapon without a license for illegal purposes shall be sentenced to death, and the arm would be confiscated. Anyone who produces, imports, exports, or tries to export weapons or munitions without a license shall be sentenced to at least 15 years of forced labor, and the arm would be confiscated. In Egypt, the sentence for carrying a weapon without a license varies from three years of prison to life forced labor, depending on the kind of weapons carried. The sentence imposed is death if the weapons or munitions were owned or produced for any activity harming the general security, the government, the constitution s principles, the social instance s basic status, national unity or social peace. In France, the defense law imprisons anyone who owns a weapon without a license for three years. The sentence can be raised to five years if the owner has a precedent. Illegal arms possession Source: issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

21 Property ownership by non-lebanese in the qada a of Baabda Private Sector 21 Property ownership by non-lebanese in the qada a of Baabda 2.77% OF THE AREA Baabda has been one of the most active areas in terms of property ownership by non-lebanese for several years, and this ownership is concentrated mainly in the towns of Qornayel, Falougha, Baabda, Al A abadiyeh and others. The area of the qada a of Baabda is 190 million square meters and is considered to be one of Lebanon s small aqdiyah in terms of area. The total of non-lebanese ownership in this qada a reaches 5.3 million square meters which constitutes 2.77% of its total area (including valleys, mountains, roads and unoccupied places). Table 1 shows the areas owned by non-lebanese in the qada a of Baabda under the government decrees, which is more than the legal allowed area. Apartments or property of less than 3,000 square meters, are not shown in the table. Table 1 shows that Kuwaitis are the majority of the non-lebanese property owners in this qada a with an area of 1,442,633 square meters, followed by Saudi Arabians with 300,755 square meters, Emiratis with a total area of 203,818 square meters, and a total area of 164,584 square meters for the Qataris. The main towns with non-lebanese ownership are Falougha with an area of 808,878 square meters, Qornayel with 723,674 square meters, Baabda with 374,141 square meters, and Al A abadiyeh with an area 267,099 square meters. Table 1 shows the details of non-lebanese ownership in the qada a of Baabda. Non-Lebanese ownership in the qada a of Baabda Table 1 Region Name and Nationality Date Area m2 Purpose Al A abadiyeh Mohammad Jasem Al Hamed Al Sakr (Kuwait) June 17, ,468 Residential Qornayel Khaled Khodeir Misha an Al Khodeir (Kuwait) June 15, ,279 Residential Al A abadiyeh Abdullah Abd Al Nassar (Kuwait) June 15, ,517 Residential Furn Al Chebbak ABC SARL June 5, Management and investment of commercial malls Tahwitet Al Ghadeer MEA SARL June 3, ,584 Corporate Baabda Mohammad Ali Vouladford (UK) September 17, ,261 Real estate and touristic Al Shabaniyeh Real Estate Company for Lebanon and Abroad SARL May 5, ,798 Real estate Baabda NATCO SARL May 5, ,083 Showroom Bourj Al Brajneh Mariam Nasser Sabah Al Nasser Al Sabah (Kuwait) May 5, ,081 Real estate Qornayel Al Sadir for Trading and Contracting LLC March 18, ,190 Touristic and model village projects Al A abadiyeh Faysal Saoud Al Sabah (Kuwait) March 18, Residential Bourj Al Brajneh Mountaser Mousa Sha aeb (Kuwait) March 18, Residential Al A abadiyeh Jasem Badr Yousef Jasem Ahmad Al Majed (Kuwait) March 18, ,694 Residential Al Shabaniyeh Suzan Mohammad Khaled Hamdoun (KSA) March 18, ,445 Residential Al A abadiyeh Lou lou a Khaled Al Zayd Al Khaled (Kuwait) January 18, ,081 Residential Baabda Saoud Hashem Mohammad Al Khalaf (Kuwait) January 18, ,135 Real Estate Falougha - Al Kala a Abdullah Rashed Al Saif (Kuwait) January 18, ,065 Residential Al A abadiyeh Mohammad Eid Mohammad AL Marikhi (UAE) November 24, ,359 Residential Al A abadiyeh Nabil Ahmad Ibrahim Ahmad Al Mana I (Kuwait) November 17, ,705 Residential Falougha Mohammad Abdallah Ali Al Wazzan (Kuwait) November 17, ,132 Real Estate Baabda Mac for Touristic Investments SARL (Lebanon) November 17, Real Estate Ras Al Haraf Adnan Hassan Hajji Salman Al Bouksami (Kuwait) November 6, ,616 Residential Hammana Mansour Mohammad Hamad Al A akil (KSA) June 17, ,383 Real Estate Bimreem Mansour Mohammad Hamad Al A akil (KSA) June 17, ,918 Real Estate Qbe i Hassan Abdullah Al Hamadi (UAE) June 5, ,448 Residential Qornayel Abdul Rahman Abdullah Mohammad Majan (UAE) August 28, ,890 Residential Al Shabaniyeh Khaled Abd Al Aziz Hammoud AL Saleh Al Naghimshi (Kuwait) August 22, ,365 Residential Al A abadiyeh Jasem Badr Yousef Jasem Ahmad Al Majed (Kuwait) August 22, ,790 Residential Ba alashmeih Melhan Bin Khaled Bin Mashari Ibn Basees (KSA) August 22, ,931 Residential Baabda Embassy of Kuwait July 31, ,191 Building of embassy, residence for ambassador and diplomatic mission Baabda Development of Dahyeh SARL July 31, ,012 - Falougha Abdulrahman Nasser Abd Al Mohsen Abdullah Al Said (Kuwait) July 3, ,770 Residential Qornayel Abdulrahman Nasser Abd Al Mohsen Abdullah Al Said (Kuwait) July 3, Residential issue 95 - June 2010

22 22 Private Sector Non-Lebanese ownership in the qada a of Baabda Table 1 Region Name and Nationality Date Area m2 Purpose Ba alashmeih Mohamamad Abd Al Aziz Mohammad Hammoud Al Shaye i (Kuwait) July 3, Residential Ba alashmeih Mohamamad Abd Al Aziz Al Mohammad Al Shaye i (Kuwait) July 3, Residential Ba alashmeih Zeinab Abd Al Aziz Al Mohammad Al Shaye (Kuwait) July 3, Residential Ba alashmeih Mohamamad Abd Al Aziz Mohammad Hammoud Al Shaye (Kuwait) July 3, Residential Al Shouweit Moutlak Bin Mohammad Bin Al Moutlak (KSA) July 3, ,830 Residential Qbe i Al Badr Real Estate SARL June 16, Residential, touristic, and real estate Qbe i Nayef Abd Al Mohsen Raja Al Mouweishir (KSA) June 16, ,395 Residential Dar Al Haref + Shemlan (qada a of Aley) Abdullah Ismail Abd Al Latif Abd Al Razzak (Kuwait) May 21, , Residential Qornayel Thuraya Hamed Youssef (Kuwait) May 21, ,296 Residential Falougha Fouad Abdullah Abd Al Aziz Al Omar (Kuwait) May 21, ,487 Real Estate Ras Al Metn Al La ali Real Estate SARL April 5, ,900 Corporate Al A abadiyeh Abd Al Aziz Saad Abd Al Aziz Al Rashed (Kuwait) April 5, ,063 Residential Falougha Abd Al Wahab Saleh Ali Al Sahye I (Kuwait) April 5, ,625 Real Estate Ba alashmeih Abd Al Wahab Saleh Ali Al Shaye i (Kuwait) April 5, Real Estate Baabda Algerian Embassy April 5, ,142 Residential Al A abadiyeh Saoud Abd Al Aziz Al Mohammad Al Shaye i April 5, Real Estate Ba alashmeih Mazaya Lamartine SARL February 22, ,002 Real Estate Al Shabaniyeh Abdullah Houshman AL Majed (Kuwait) February 22, ,291 Residential Baabda Lebanese General Financial Company SARL February 22, ,915 Real Estate Al Hadath Madar Ghassan Shawkat (Iraq) February 22, ,035 Residential Falougha Ahmad Khalfan Kherbash Abdullah Kherbash (UAE) February 22, ,255 Residential Falougha Sheikha O onoud Ahmad Jaber Sabah (Kuwait) February 22, ,200 Residential Falougha Mohammad O okab Mohammad Khatib (Kuwait) February 22, Residential Al Shabaniyeh Sherifa Suleiman Al Jasem Al Jabar Al Ghanem (Kuwait) November 1, ,451 Residential Al Shiyah Al Badssam for Trading & Investment SAL October 11, Corporate (General Trading) Baabda Al Badssam for Trading & Investment SAL October 11, Corporate (General Trading) Baabda Iyad Hashem Hussein A alawi (Iraq) September 25, ,348 Residential Al A abadiyeh Mona Hassan Mashari Al Hussein (KSA) September 25, Residential Btebyet Khaled Jabar Sultan Tawar Al Kawari (Qatar) July 19, ,050 Residential Al Qaria Al Mokhles for Investment SAL July 15, ,661 Corporate Falougha Mohamamd Khalfan Bin Kherbash Al Mari (UAE) July 15, ,912 Residential Al A abadiyeh Abdullah Mohammad Abdullah Al Dabbagh (Qatar) July 15, ,984 Building Baabda Center Point SARL July 11, ,602 Corporate Al Shiyah Baabda Ahmad Ali Abdullah Al Thani (Qatar) June 14, ,186 Residential Baabda Salman Khaled Salman Al Sabah (Kuwait) June 14, Residential Al Shabaniyeh Salman Khaled Salman Al Sabah (Kuwait) June 14, Residential Qbe i Nayef Abd Al Mohsen Raja Al Mouweishir (KSA) June 8, ,146 Residential Al Qaria Mou ayyed Hammoud Al Rawdan (Kuwait) June 8, ,879 Residential A araya Mohammad Raji Al Tabashi (KSA) May 29, ,167 Residential Ba alashmeih Mazaya Lamartine SARL May 29, ,813 Real Estate Falougha Khalfan Kherbash Abdullah Kherbash Al Mari (UAE) May 15, ,831 Residential Falougha Abd Al Mohsen Naser Abd Al Mohsen Said (Kuwait) March 30, ,865 Residential Baabda National Company for Insurance SARL March 30, ,060 Corporate Shoueit Thamar for Real Estate SAL March 6, ,593 Residential Baabda Ibrahim Hammoud Al A anjari (Kuwait) March 6, ,400 Residential Kfarshima Lebanese Ceramic Industries Co. (Lecico) LLC March 6, Production and trade of Al A abadiyeh Lebanese International Company for Tourism & Real Estate SARL March 1, Al A abadiyeh United International Real Estate Group LLC February 27, 2006 Al A abadiyeh Al Izdihar Real Estate Company (corporation) February 27, 2006 Property ownership by non-lebanese in the qada a of Baabda 9, (10,214) 10,260 + sanitary ware and tiles Residential and touristic Residential and touristic Real Estate 767 (11,027) Al Shabaniyeh Abdullah Houshan Abdullah AL Majed (Kuwait) February 10, ,775 Residential Falougha Mohammad Abdullah Qarawi (UAE) January 16, ,432 Residential Hammana Mohammad Abdullah Qarawi (UAE) January 16, ,430 Residential Qobeyet Mohammad Abdullah Qarawi (UAE) January 16, ,028 Residential Falougha Ismail Abdullah Qarawi (UAE) January 16, ,433 Residential Falougha Ismail Abdullah Qarawi (UAE) January 16, ,430 Residential Al A abadiyeh Saoud Abd Al Aziz Al Mohammad Al Shaye i January 16, ,062 Residential issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

23 Property ownership by non-lebanese in the qada a of Baabda Private Sector 23 Non-Lebanese ownership in the qada a of Baabda Table 1 Region Name and Nationality Date Area m2 Purpose Baabda Hammoud Ibrahim Al Nasser Al Saqa abi (Kuwait) January 16, Residential & commercial Al Qaria + Al Mansourieh & Ain Al Marj (qada a of Aley) Al Mokhles for Investment SAL January 16, ,107 (only total area stated) Residential compound Baabda Erdwar SARL December 23, ,025 - Qornayel Rakan Tarek Badr Salem Abd Al Wahab (Kuwait) November 29, ,105 Agricultural Falougha Badr Nasser Abd Al Aziz Hameidi (Kuwait) November 29, ,860 Residential Al A abadiyeh Mona Bint Hassan Bin Mashari Al Hussein (KSA) November 9, Residential Qornayel Khaled Bin Salem Ali Kholaisi (KSA) October 17, ,470 Residential Al A abadiyeh Hamad Nasser Hamad Abdullah Al Thani (Qatar) October 17, Residential Haret Hamza Adnan Abd Al Kader Mohammad Mousallam Al Mousallam (Kuwait) October 7, ,212 Residential Baabda Mohammad Ibrahim Hammoud Al A anjari (Kuwait) October 5, ,671 Residential Al A abadiyeh Abdullah Mohammad Abdullah Al Dabbagh (Qatar) October 5, ,261 Residential Ras Al Metn Youssef Bin Shamsan Bin Abd Al Wahab Al Souheibi (KSA) October 5, ,465 Residential Qbe i Ahmad Ali Ahmad Al Fardan (UAE) October 5, ,090 Residential Hammana Abdullah Abd Al Aziz Kanadi (Kuwait) September 23, ,234 Residential Falougha Ismail Youssef Sa aidi (Syria) August 16, ,095 Residential Al A abadiyeh Faysal Saoud Al Sabah (Kuwait) August 16, Residential Ras Al Metn Al Salama International Company SARL August 16, ,745 Real Estate Al Hadath Abdullah Jassem Al Darwish Fakhrou (Qatar) August 16, ,291 Residential Al Louize Al Ta awoun Company & General Trade and Contracting - Sheikha Fadia Al Sabah & Co. July 1, ,388 Real Estate Baabda Lebanese General Financial Company SARL July 1, ,878 Residential Hammana Abdullah Fahed Abd Al Aziz Al Noufeisi (Kuwait) June 20, ,063 Residential Falougha Youssef Abdullah Takie Rhida Takie Ashkanani (Kuwait) June 20, ,193 Residential Falougha Shehab Ahmad Gholoum Rhida Ashkanani (Kuwait) June 20, ,193 Residential Falougha Abdel Rahman Nasser Abd Al Mohsen Abdullah Said (Kuwait) June 20, ,026 Residential Falougha Layla Abd Al Karim Mohammad Yameesh (Kuwait) June 20, Residential Falougha Fouad Abdullah Abd Al Aziz Al Omar and wife, Samira Abd Al Latif Abdullah Saad (Kuwait) June 20, ,595 Residential Falougha Sheikh Ahmad Jassem Fahd Nakhe I (Qatar) June 20, ,749 Residential Al A abadiyeh Mohammad Saleh Youssef Behbahani (Kuwait) June 20, ,878 Residential & commercial Baabda Mohammad Bin Nawwaf Bin Abd AL Aziz Al Saoud (KSA) June 20, ,422 Residential & commercial Baabda Mansour Bin Hamdan Bin Hamed AL A arawi Al Balawi (KSA) June 20, ,413 Residential Ras Al Metn Mohammad Abd Al Wahab Bin Shamsan June 20, ,015 Residential Al A abadiyeh Jassem Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani (Qatar) June 20, ,417 Residential Al A abadiyeh Fahd Saif Fahd Al Khiyarein (Qatar) June 20, ,709 divided Residential Al A abadiyeh Abdullah Khalifa Abdullah Al A atiyeh (Qatar) June 20, ,467 Residential Establish new embassy Baabda Government (USA) May 24, ,008 Ba alashmeih Mohamamd Abd Al Mohsen Mohammad Ibrahim Al Sayegh (Kuwait) February 26, , (5,000) Residential Qornayel Ousama Badr Salem Al Moutawwa a (Kuwait) February 7, ,509 Residential Qornayel Suleiman Hamad Ali Qadi February 7, ,851 Residential A araya Mouta ab Bin Abdullah Bin Abd Al Aziz AL Saoud (KSA) February 7, ,857 Residential Al Shabaniyeh Sabah Al Ahmad AL Jaber Al Sabah (Kuwait) February 7, ,743 Residential Al Shabaniyeh Arabian Company for Real Estate Invesment SARL February 7, ,599 Residential & touristic Baabda Feryal De ij Salman Hammoud Al Sabbah (Kuwait) February 4, , (3,175) Residential Al Shabaniyeh Mohammad Habib Al Mawer Al Mousailem (Kuwait) February 4, ,200 Residential Baabda Latifa Bin Fahd Bin Abd Al Aziz Al Saoud (KSA) October 4, ,492 Residential Al A abadiyeh Mohammad Saleh Youssef Behbahani (Kuwait) September 10, ,228 Residential Haret Al Sit Ibrahim Hammoud Al A anjari (Kuwait) September 10, ,580 Residential Baabda Embassy of Qatar September 10, Residential Baabda Ibrahim Hammoud Al A anjari (Kuwait) September 10, ,275 Residential Al A abadiyeh Faysal Ali Abd Al Wahab AL Moutawwa a (Kuwait) September 10, ,170 Residential Haret Hamza Mohammad Bin Ali Bin Rashed Al Noa aimi (UAE) September 10, ,009 Residential A araya Souad Hamad Al Saleh Al Houmaidi (Kuwait) September 10, ,521 Residential Falougha Lebanese Mineral Water Company SARL August 27, ,725 Water investment Al A abadiyeh Jassem Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani (Qatar) August 27, ,752 Residential Qbe i Fee Real Estate Company SARL August 27, Residential & touristic Hammana Shayma Abdullah Ibrahim Nasser Houjeiri (Kuwait) August 5, ,718 Residential Al A abadiyeh Mohammad Jasem Abd Al Aziz Abd Al Wahab Al Qoutami (Kuwait) August 5, ,919 Residential issue 95 - June 2010

24 24 Private Sector Non-Lebanese ownership in the qada a of Baabda Table 1 Region Name and Nationality Date Area m2 Purpose Qornayel Sadir (Kuwait) July 17, ,300 Touristic and model village projects Al Khirbeh Sultan Rashed Ali Al Shamisi (UAE) July 17, ,800 Residential Hammana Hamad Abd Al Aziz Mohammad Hammoud Shaye I (Kuwait) June 30, ,727 Residential Al A abadiyeh Al Izdihar Real Estate Company (corporation) June 30, Real Estate Bimreem Mansour Bin Hamad Bin Al O oqeil (Kuwait) June 30, ,718 Real Estate Hammana Ayman Abd Al Latif Ali Al Shaye I (Kuwait) June 30, ,357 Residential Hammana Abd Al Wahab Saleh Ali Al Shaye i (Kuwait) June 16, ,357 Residential Falougha Sheikh Fahd Bin Ali Bin Jasem Al Thani June 16, ,000 Residential Al A abadiyeh Ali Jasem Al Darwish Fakhrou (Qatar) June 16, ,579 Residential Al A abadiyeh Jasem Bin Hamad Khalifa Al Thani (Qatar) May 19, ,920 Residential Qornayel Dubai Islamic Bank (UAE) April 30, ,270 Touristic Ras Al Metn Abdullah Bin Abd Al Karim Bin Ibrahim Al Nasla (KSA) April 5, ,923 Residential Kfarshima Lebanese Ceramic Industries Co. (Lecico) LLC March 17, Corporate Al Shabaniyeh Abd Al Aziz Youssef Abd Al Wahab Al Bassam (KSA) March 17, Residential Baabda Abd Al Rahman Bin Khaled Bin Salem Bin Mahfouz (KSA) March 8, ,303 Residential Al Shiyah Dana Real Estate LLC February 25, ,000 Touristic and commercial Al Shiyah Mouta ab Bin Abdullah Bin Abd Al Aziz AL Saoud (KSA) (purchase of shares in General Company for Tourisitc Projects SARL) January 12, ,634 (26.2% from shares of company) Touristic Falougha Sayyah Al Shaye I Sayah Abou Al Sheybeh (Kuwait) December 15, ,035 Residential Qornayel Dubai Islamic Bank (UAE) November 3, ,185 Residential & touristic Qornayel Abd Al Aziz Abdullah Al Ali Al Rabe I (Kuwait) November 3, Residential Hammana Abd Al Aziz Abdullah Al Ali Al Rabe I (Kuwait) November 3, Residential Qobeyet Abd Al Aziz Abdullah Al Ali Al Rabe I (Kuwait) November 3, ,400 Residential Al A abadiyeh Khaled Nahazi Fahd AbdAl Aziz Al Noufeissi (Kuwait) 3,188 Residential Qornayel Ghazi Badr Salem (Kuwait) July 25, ,208 Residential Al A abadiyeh Noura Nahazi Fahd Abd Al Aziz Al Noufeissi (Kuwait) July 25, ,074 Residential Baabda Mohammad Jama an Mohamamd Al Shamrani (KSA) July 25, ,553 Residential Al Shabaniyeh Issa Bin Abdullah Abd Al Aziz Al Othman (Kuwait) July 16, ,344 Residential Al Shiyah General Company for Touristic Projects SARL July 16, ,460 - Al Qala a Ahmad Al Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah (Kuwait) June 28, Al A abadiyeh Tali Abdullah Al Thani Jasem Al Thani (Qatar) June 28, ,044 - Baabda Martakla Palace SARL June 28, ,129 - Qornayel Sadir May 20, ,200 Residential Harel Al Sit Al Habtour Real Estate LLC May 20, ,764 - Baabda Imad Mohammad Bin Al Rahman Al Bahr (Kuwait) May 5, ,867 - Qornayel Faysal Mashari Hilal Najman Mteiri (Kuwait) March 5, ,747 Touristic Qornayel Omar Ibrahim Ghareer (Kuwait) January 30, ,747 Touristic Qornayel Abdullah Ismail Abd Al Latif Abd Al Razzak (Kuwait) January 30, ,746 Touristic Hammana Abd Al Wahhab Saleh Ali Al Shaye I (Kuwait) January 30, ,837 Real Estate Al Shiyah Dana Real Estate LLC November 25, ,000 - Qornayel Abd Al Rahman Abdullah Abd Al Aziz Moutawwa a (Kuwait) November 8, ,982 Residential Baabda Lebanese General Financial Company SARL November 8, Al A abadiyeh Hala Bint Abdullah Abd Al Rahman AL Sheikh and minor children: Salma, Abd Al Aziz, Haya, and Abdullah Bin Saoud Bin Abd Al Mohsen Al Saoud (KSA) Property ownership by non-lebanese in the qada a of Baabda November 8, ,684 (for mother) + 1,263 (for each of the children) (6,735) Al A abadiyeh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Saoud Al Kabeer Al Saoud (KSA) November 8, ,023 Residential Qornayel Dubai Islamic Bank (UAE) October 16, ,627 Real Estate Falougha Dubai Islamic Bank (UAE) October 16, ,875 Real Estate Qornayel Sheikh Masha al Al Ahmad Jaber Sabbah (Kuwait) October 16, ,014 Residential Al A abadiyeh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Saoud Al Kabeer Al Saoud (KSA) October 16, Residential Falougha Sheikha O onoud Ahmad Jaber Sabah (Kuwait) August 29, ,800 Residential Al A abadiyeh Youssef Abd Al Latif Al Shaye I (Kuwait) August 29, Real Estate Ba alashmeih Zeinab Abd Al Aziz Al Mohammad Al Shaye (Kuwait) August 29, Real Estate Ba alashmeih Saoud Abd Al Aziz Al Mohammad Al Shaye I (Kuwait) August 29, Real Estate Ba alashmeih Abd Al Aziz Mohammad Hammoud Al Shaye I (Kuwait) August 29, Real Estate Ba alashmeih Mohammad Abd Al Aziz Mohamamad Hammoud Al Shaye I (Kuwait) August 29, Real Estate Al A abadiyeh Abd Al Wahhab Saleh Ali Al Shaye I (Kuwait) August 29, Real Estate - issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

25 Property ownership by non-lebanese in the qada a of Baabda Private Sector 25 Non-Lebanese ownership in the qada a of Baabda Table 1 Region Name and Nationality Date Area m2 Purpose 2,200 + Al Shiyah Maher, Khaled, Amer, and Amal Mohammad Mehdi Al Tajer & father Mohammad Mehdi Al Tajer (right to benefit) (UAE) August 16, ,300 (for father) Real Estate (5,500) Al A abadiyeh Hassan Jasem Darwish Fakhrou (Qatar) August 7, ,088 Residential Baabda + Al 2,057 Residential, Shouweit Lou lou a Al Jabal SARL August 7, ,073 commercial and (11,130) touristic Al A abadiyeh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Saoud Al Kabeer Al Saoud (KSA) June 14, ,699 Residential Al Shiyah Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Said Badeeb (KSA) June 7, Residential Hammana Ilham Abdullah Mashari Abdullah Rawdan (Kuwait) April 30, ,401 Residential Al Louize Fahd Saad Al Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah (Kuwait) April 15, Residential Qortada Bated Bin Mohammad Bin Abd Al Aziz Al Youssef (KSA) January 3, ,772 Residential Al A abadiyeh Sara Bint Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Saoud Al Kabeer Al Saoud (KSA) December 21, ,088 Residential Al A abadiyeh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Saoud Al Kabeer Al Saoud (KSA) December 21, ,152 Residential Haret Al Sit Diamond Lays LLC November 5, ,276 Touristic Al A abadiyeh Sheikha Kasem Al Marzouk (Kuwait) November 5, ,008 Residential Al Shiyah Lebanse Company for International Touristic Projects LLC November 4, Corporate & trading Kfarshima Lebanese Ceramic Industries Co. (Lecico) LLC September 12, ,996 Residential Al A abadiyeh Ahmad Abd Al Wahhab Al Marzouk and wife, Dalal Khaled Zeid Al Khaled (Kuwait) August 30, ,535 equally Residential Al A abadiyeh Jebreen Jasem Bin Jabar Bin Mohammad Al Thani (Qatar) August 30, ,923 Residential Qornayel Sadir (Kuwait) July 20, ,723 Touristic and model village projects Manufacturing & Baabda Uniceramic SARL July 17, trade of ceramic and sanitary products Al Kneiseh M.A.A. SARL July 9, 2001 (correction of error in decree number 5353, date 21 April 2001) 9,997 Rehabilitation center Al A abadiyeh Al Jawhra Bint Saad Bin Abd Al Aziz Al Saoud (KSA) February 8, ,553 Residential Hammana Safcorp Company/ Saoud Abd Al Aziz Al Ghouzan & Co. January 26, ,434 Trading Al Shiyah Boubian Real Estate Company LLC January 26, ,849 Residential, touristic, and commercial Al Shiyah Christine Boujdan Doorback (USA) January 23, Residential Haret Hreik Commercial Center for Perfumeries LLC January 9, Commercial Baabda Emile Salim Nejmeh (USA) November 24, ,059 Residential Al Shiyah Mohammad Ali Foulan (UK) (correcting of name of region - date January 26, 2001) September 11, ,358 Residential Baabda Embassy of Yugoslavia August 25, Offices Al Shiyah Boubian Real Estate Company LLC May 21, ,072 Residential, touristic, and commercial Al Shiyah Rhida Mohammad Mahdawi (Iran) May 4, Residential Baabda March 27, Residential Baabda Erica Frenz (Switzerland) March 13, Residential Baabda Al Nassajoun Al Shaqeyyoun SARL (Egypt) December 28, ,200 Manufacturing & trade of automatic carpets Baabda Piatro Nabia and wife Kabrati Olympia Nabia (Italy) July 16, divided Residential Baabda Beirut Bank of Commerce SARL May 7, Retain ownership Baabda Ruth Joseph Zemboul (Switzerland) November 23, Residential Al A abadiyeh Lebanese International Company for Tourism & Real Estate SARL Baabda Company for Development of Dahyeh SARL July 18, 1998 November 23, ,984 Residential & touristic 14, ,035 (34,120) Retain ownership + new properties (20035) (14085) Baabda Helmot Frantz Karl Kukh (German) July 9, ,107 Corporate Al Shiyah Arab Islamic Insurance Company (UAE) June 15, Offices Baabda Embassy of Qatar May 16, Residential Al Shiyah Warba Real Estate LLC March 6, ,252 Real estate, touristic & commercial Baabda Embassy of Ukraine December 26, Residential Al A abadiyeh United International Real Estate Group LLC December 19, ,646 Residential & touristic Al Shiyah American Life Insurance Company (USA) July 14, 1997 (correction of mistake in decree number 9847, date February 6, 1998) 127 Offices issue 95 - June 2010

26 26 Private Sector Property ownership by non-lebanese in the qada a of Baabda Non-Lebanese ownership in the qada a of Baabda Table 1 Region Name and Nationality Date Area m2 Purpose Al Shiyah (total Hammana Dana Real Estate LLC April 21, 1997 area stated Residential & only) commercial Al Shiyah Lebanese Company for International Touristic Projects LLC February 18, Corporate Al A arbaniyeh Nouf daughter of Mesha al Bin Abd Al Aziz Al Saoud (KSA) February 6, ,960 Residential Al A arbaniyeh Bandar Bin Mesha al Bin Abd Al Aziz (KSA) January 29, ,720 Residential Al A arbaniyeh Sultan Ibn Mesha al Bin Abd Al Aziz Al Saoud (KSA) January 29, ,000 Residential Al A arbaniyeh Sultan Ibn Mesha al Bin Abd Al Aziz Al Saoud (KSA) January 14, ,995 Residential Al A arbaniyeh Sultan Ibn Mesha al Bin Abd Al Aziz Al Saoud (KSA) January 14, ,370 Residential Al A arbaniyeh Sultan Ibn Mesha al Bin Abd Al Aziz Al Saoud (KSA) December 31, ,900 Residential Baabda Ganeva Real Estate Company SARL October 25, (1,200 shares) Offices & warehouses Touristic & commercial Al Shiyah Dana Real Estate LLC October 25, ,750 Baabda Bimalek Real Estate LLC October 8, (1,200 shares) Offices & warehouses Baabda Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan July 21, ,993 - Baabda Embassy of Kuwait July 15, Residential Falougha Tamdeen Real Estate LLC (Kuwait) July 5, ,000 - Baabda Fee Real Estate Company SARL June 29, ,540 - Baabda Czech Republic June 16, ,299 - Al Shiyah Cote Dazer Hotel Company LLC November 27, ,512 - Baabda Government of Kuwait May 20, Residential Baabda United Company for Food & Supplies SARL October 15, Trading Baabda Embassy of the People s Republic of Bulgaria January 21, Offices Baabda Government of France September 21, ,725 Offices Baabda Government of France June 16, ,029 - Baabda Government of France March 14, Haret Hreik Banque du Liban SARL May 25, Baabda + (Kfour 6,457 (only Keserouane & Assembly of the Sisters of Charity - Besancon - (France) April 29, 1982 total area - Baabdat - Metn) stated) Al Shiyah Fouad Adnan Alice (Argentina) December 30, Al Hadath Lebanon Technology SARL May 24, ,353 - Al Shiyah Embassy of Libya June 30, ,216 - Al A arbaniyeh HP Fuller Lebanon SARL May 17, ,000 - Al Shiyah Embassy of Morocco March 2, ,260 - Al Shiyah Embassy of Yemen February 4, ,833 - Al Shiyah Roland Francain Bernaquy (France) May 26, ,488 - Wadi Shahrour Lebanese Carton Company (Maalouf Ghanem & Co.) December 30, ,131 - Baabda Embassy of Romania April 10, ,687 - Al Hadath Foaud Salim Saad SARL January 2, ,174 - Baabda Aurbanisa Durakades LLC (Columbia) October 3, Al Shiyah Government of Yugoslavia July 25, ,346 - Al Shiyah Sayfo Real Estate SARL July 1, ,670 - Al Shiyah Assembly of the Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries June 15, ,748 - Baabda Aurbanisa Durakades LLC (Columbia) June 15, Baabda Embassy of Iran May 29, ,405 - Kfarshima Gabriella Ibrahim Hajjar (UK) April 25, ,318 - Baabda Marie-Therese Marcel Sapanes (French) November 24, Baabda Embassy of Iraq June 5, ,161 - Al Shiyah Embassy of Poland June 5, ,544 - Baabda Embassy of Japan March 19, ,050 - Baabda Embassy of Japan March 2, ,924 - Baabda Embassy of Germany February 10, ,247 - Baabda Dar Al Sayyad or Press, Printing and Publishing SARL December 1, Falougha Lebanese Mineral Water Company SARL July 28, ,970 Factory Al Shiyah American Life Insurance Company SARL July 11, ,560 - Bsaba Lebanese Deir of Mercy July 4, ,087 School Al Hadath Embassy of Spain July 4, ,590 Real Estate Baabda Embassy of Tunisia October 24, ,320 - Baabda Ibrahim Naccache & Co. (Turkey) July 25, issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

27 Syndicate of Bakery Owners in Beirut and Mount Lebanon Private Sector 27 SYNDICATE OF BAKERY OWNERS IN BEIRUT AND MOUNT LEBANON The Syndicate of Bakery Owners in Beirut and Mount Lebanon was established in Structure The syndicate includes close to 52 members who form the general authority from which the 12 members of the executive authority are elected. The executive authority includes a president, a vice-president, a secretary general, a report drafter, and seven other members. The Syndicate of Bakery Owners in Beirut and Mount Lebanon along with other syndicates form the Union of Bake Houses and Bakeries Syndicates in Lebanon. The other four include: The Syndicate of Bakery Owners in the South (based in Saida) The Syndicate of Bakery Owners in the North The Syndicate of Arab Bakery Owners The Syndicate of Bread Industry Owners The union consists of the presidents of the five syndicates and includes all the bakeries in Lebanon. Elections are held every two years for the syndicate and the union together. The union falls within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labor and is represented in the General Labor Union. Members do not pay a subscription fee in either the syndicate or the union, but large bakeries are asked to pay an amount of money, when necessary, to compensate for the fact that smaller bakeries do not have the financial capacity to do so. The Syndicate and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) The NSSF covers all owners and workers in bakeries. Unlike other public agencies, the NSSF follows a specific system with bakeries by which bakery owners pay a subscription fee of LBP 25,000 for each ton of flour consumed daily. Since most bakery workers are non-lebanese and therefore have a high turnover rate, it is difficult for employers to register every wage earner they hire or who quits. This system is flawed in how there is an absence of a regulatory mechanism for the NSSF to monitor the actual amount of flour being Fresh Bread consumed, allowing manipulation by some bakery owners. Despite how when the syndicate president signs the form submitted by the bakery owner to the NSSF remarks that the actual amount of flour being consumed is different than that declared, the NSSF overlooks the information. The situation has however changed since the government stopped subsidizing flour. The Ministry of Economy now monitors the consumption of flour and submits its information to the NSSF therefore almost entirely eliminating any chance of manipulation by bakery owners. In the past, when flour was being subsidized, bakeries could take much more flour than needed due to political interferences and preferential treatments. Those bakeries used to sell the excess flour in the market thus harming the other bake houses. Although this particular situation is more under control, manipulation of the law is taking on other forms. Under the law, bakery owners can register their bakeries as establishments and therefore follow the mechanism applied to establishments by the NSSF in terms of subscription fees or they can also declare and register their businesses as a bakery and follow the system applied to bake houses. In reality, however, owners of large bakeries, employing 100 workers for example, issue 95 - June 2010

28 28 Private Sector declare themselves as a bakery since the value of subscription to the NSSF based on flour consumption is cheaper than that of an establishment. Smaller bakeries conversely brand themselves as establishments since it is cheaper than paying fees based on flour consumption. Works The Syndicate of Bakery Owners in Beirut and Mount Lebanon worked effortlessly with the other syndicates to develop and improve the work of bakeries at the request of bakery owners by attending international exhibitions and conferences. Challenges Some of the main challenges the bakery sector in Lebanon faces are: The Value Added Tax VAT is not imposed on bread, but on fuel oil, yeast and nylon. The Ministry of Finance is legally required to refund the VAT to the Syndicate of Bakery Owners in Beirut and Mount Lebanon bakery owners, but it is often late in payment. For example, the Ministry of Finance has yet to refund the revenues for the past two years. The uncollected funds are considered idle capital. Bakery owners and the union are planning to raise the issue with the ministers of finance and economy in their next meeting. Elecrtricité du Liban s (EDL) decision to retrieve counters for industrial purposes from some bakeries while keeping the regular counters (each bakery has the right to two counters, one to operate equipment and another for lighting). EDL justified its decision saying that some bakeries were manufacturing other products in addition to bread such as cakes and sweets. The manufacturing of cakes and sweets are not covered by an exemption clause which allows bakeries to benefit from lower prices on kilowatts. 95% of a typical bakeries production is bread; only 5% is cakes and sweets. Accordingly, the union will also discuss the matter with the minister of economy to reach a settlement with EDL. Traditional Bread Baking issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

29 Greater Beirut Evangelical School Schools in Lebanon Private Sector 29 GREATER BEIRUT EVANGELICAL SCHOOL History of the School Greater Beirut Evangelical School-G.B.E.S- is located in Sioufi, Ashrafieh, Beirut. It was founded in 1929 by the Rev. Vartan Atchinak and his wife Mrs. Asma Trad. They started this work with the purpose of educating the youth of Lebanon and introducing them to the Lord Jesus Christ. Mission of the School The mission of Greater Beirut Evangelical School is to create the appropriate educational, spiritual, and cultural environment for the students to develop their learning potential and guide them into self fulfillment. This is accomplished through attaining high academic standards while simultaneously developing morally and socially. The Curriculum Greater Beirut Evangelical School prepares its students for one of two tracks: The Lebanese Program, which leads to the official Lebanese Baccalaureate diploma. Arabic, English, and French are taught throughout the school. However, English is the language of instruction for Maths, Sciences, and some of the Social Sciences. The Foreign program, which leads to a High School diploma and which is geared to non Lebanese students and to Lebanese students exempt from studying the Arabic language. This program prepares them to join the freshman class at university after graduating from G.B.E.S. The secondary classes are systematically exposed to the different specializations at the universities and to the job market. They are also subjected to testing that helps them discover what best suits their personalities and talents. Thus, the students are shepherded towards their goals and given the necessary tools and encouragement to expand to their full potential. Almost all of them pass the official exams and join the universities of their choice. Greater Beirut Evangelical School Number of Students and Teachers The school community comprises a student body of 300 students and 38 teaching and administrative staff. The program diversification, as well as the policy of Greater Beirut Evangelical School that respects differences, creates an enriched student body of varied ethnic and religious backgrounds. The school has students from a wide mix of countries such as Australia, Canada, the Philippines, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S.A. Tuition Fees The tuition fees at G.B.E.S. range from LBP 3,050,000 for the Nursery and KG classes to LBP 4,800,000 for the Baccalaureate class. Extra Curricular Activities Art, drama, music, social work and sports are integrated into the school s curriculum. However, the school also has extracurricular activities in these areas, as well as a scouts and a youth group. issue 95 - June 2010

30 30 Private Sector Greater Beirut Evangelical School Greater Beirut Evangelical School encourages its students to join these activities and make use of the spacious playgrounds and the green campus that is easily accessible in the midst of the city of Beirut, according to the school management. Main Characteristics of the school Greater Beirut Evangelical School believes in the formation of the human being in all aspects whether academically, spiritually, socially or morally. Mrs. May Hunaykaty Schoucair, the principal of G.B.E.S., says our motto is We Teach and Care. At Greater Beirut Evangelical School, assuming responsibility for young lives is a privilege and a challenging opportunity to accept students for what they are, irrespective of their different affiliations or varied abilities. According to the interviewee, Greater Beirut Evangelical School tries to work with people nurturing their minds and souls, thus helping them become critical thinkers and promoting their capacities to develop into learners throughout their life time. The community of staff and students are noted for their care and loving acceptance of each other, making the environment friendly and reassuring. Students Talk A student in Grade 12 says: Greater Beirut Evangelical School has a student friendly environment. The teachers teach because they care and they teach us more than what books can provide. They make us better people. Another student in grade 10 says: I like Greater Beirut Evangelical School for it teaches the word of God, for its really great teachers, great classmates, and diverse activities. A new student in grade seven, says: At Greater Beirut Evangelical School, I feel looked after and that nearly everybody cares for me. I feel like I am at home. I feel like everybody at school is my family. Greater Beirut Evangelical School issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

31 Health 31 SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR DYSPNEA Dyspnea is always serious, especially if it gets worse with time. Dr. Hanna Saadah The word dyspnea or shortness of breath comes to us from the compound Greek word duspnoia where dus means difficult and pno means breathing. It is one of the most ominous medical signs because it can feel like choking and is often accompanied by a sense of dread. Although not all the causes of dyspnea are dangerous, the fear that accompanies it can elicit great alarm and urgency in both doctor and patient. The common denominator is oxygen hunger or the lack of enough oxygen to the body, muscles, and brain. Dyspnea may not be noticed initially except with exertion but as it progresses, it becomes noticeable even at rest and that makes it much more serious. The common causes of dyspnea are twelve: 1. Lung diseases such as infections, asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis are invariably accompanied by cough, which points to the lungs as the potential source. Giving oxygen, relieving the airway spasm, clearing the mucus, and treating the infection provide relief in most cases. 2. Conditions that cause fluid to accumulate around the lungs, pleural effusion and pleurisy, cause dyspnea by restricting respirations. Here, giving oxygen may not help but draining the fluid does. 3. Blood clots that travel to the lungs block the lungs blood flow and prevent the blood from becoming oxygenated. These pulmonary emboli commonly occur after surgery or trauma and are not visible on chest x-rays. Oxygen may not help much because the blood flow through the lungs is restricted but thinning the blood and clearing the clots is life saving. 4. Diseases that reduce heart pumping or cardiac output and cause heart failure-such as bad valves, clogged arteries, sick heart muscle, or abnormal heart rhythms-decrease blood supply to the body and brain, which reduce the available oxygen and cause the feeling of dyspnea. 5. Diseases of muscles, which cause the muscles to weaken and shrink or atrophy, make it harder for the involved muscles to pull oxygen out of the circulating blood. When these muscles are exercised, as in walking or moving, their inability to extract enough oxygen to satisfy their needs results in the feeling of dyspnea. 6. Deconditioned states, where after major surgery or a prolonged illness our bodies grow out of shape or atrophy, causing our heart and skeletal muscles to have similar trouble extracting enough oxygen out of our circulating blood. Consequently, dyspnea results from the slightest activity but it may be reduced or eliminated with gradual reconditioning. 7. Overweight, especially when accompanied by deconditioning, overloads the heart and body muscles. This imbalance causes easy exhaustion and dyspnea just like one feels while carrying a heavy load or while running uphill. 8. Smoking and smoke inhalation, even in the absence of lung disease, reduce the oxygen carrying capacity of the hemoglobin by blocking it with carbon monoxide. This reduces the effectiveness of the oxygen delivery to tissues and leads to dyspnea at the slightest exertion. 9. Pulmonary hypertension, or high lung blood pressure, is a consequence of many diseases such as lung infections, lung blood clots, and autoimmune diseases. The increase in lung blood pressure makes it harder for the blood to pass through the lungs. This decreases the amount of oxygenated blood reaching the tissues, thus causing dyspnea. 10. High altitude dyspnea occurs in those who are not acclimatized or conditioned to mountain living and is caused by the low oxygen concentration in the thin mountain air. In extreme cases it can lead to lung swelling or edema, which requires rapid mountain descent for resolution. 11. Anxiety and panic states, when triggered by an adrenaline rush, lead to dyspnea in spite of adequate tissue oxygenation. That dyspnea is caused by the rapid heartbeats and the rapid respirations, both consequences of the high adrenaline, which causes a feeling of alarm with accompanying dyspnea. 12. Esophageal acid burn caused by acid reflux may trigger a reflex that gives us the false feeling of dyspnea. This pseudo-dyspnea is mostly present at rest and causes us to take in frequent but unsatisfying, deep sighs. Unlike true dyspnea, esophageal pseudo-dyspnea disappears with exercise, reappears with rest, and responds to antacids such as Malox and to acid suppressants such as Pepsid and Prilosec. I discovered this entity by coincidence when I suffered from it a few years ago. Having learned to recognize it, I now see and treat it frequently in my medical practice. I do not know if it has ever been described in the published medical literature. As a general rule, any dyspnea that worsens with time constitutes an emergency and should be brought to medical attention without delay hannasaadah@hotmail.com issue 95 - June 2010

32 32 Eyeing Horizons 1 IS INTELLIGENCE A SINGLE ENTITY INDEPENDENT FROM THE BRAIN? Antoine Boutros Recently, readers of science were surprised by new emerging theories implying that intelligence is a single independent entity falling outside the brain s framework, and that thinking itself does not take place in the brain. US scientist Burrhus Skinner of the behavioral school, believes that thinking perhaps takes place across the body and not just in the brain. Furthermore Daniele Hillis, pioneer in Artificial Intelligence, says thinking takes place in the lymphatic glands Norman Geschwind, a Harvard neurologist, says that Freud s teacher, Meinert, was the one to give the brain a mind. Richard Bergland says in his book The Fabric of Mind that research over the past 20 years has raised doubt that thinking occurs in the brain and that the brain, contrary to what we have believed for 2000 years of scientific and philosophical thought, is no more than a protruding gland that was given by scientists and through the ages a role exceeding reality The quest for the relationship between the brain and intelligence is a fascinating journey that will not only lead to how the brain gained prominence but also how scientific thought developed through the ages. The first leg in our exploratory trip is the realm of Pythagoras, the scientist who grabbed from nature the foundations of art and science. According to Will Durant, he laid the foundations for natural and philosophical sciences in western philosophy.. He visited Syria and India, and perhaps Egypt where he studied with the priests and learned a great deal about astronomy and theoretical engineering. Historian and philosopher Abdul Rahman Badawi saw that he was influenced by the ancient thinkers especially the Babylonians, who gave numbers virtues and secrets related to the universe. In fact Pythagoras laid the foundation of the science of music and developed theories that influenced the devlopment of science in general. The exciting thing is that with Pythagoras everything started from music.it appears that our celebrated scientist while passing through the alleys and shops in the small island of Samos in Greece, his hometown, was attracted to the regular vocal beats coming from the strikes of the blacksmith s anvil. And because hammers have different weights, he concluded that the tones relied on numerical percentages. He then brought a music instrument of that age, the lute, and took two strings, equal in thickness and frequency, and he pulled them. He found that if the length of one of them was twice that of the other, they produced a harmonious sound of the first pitch. And if one of them was longer by one and a half than the other, they produced a harmonious sound of the fifth pitch. And if one of them was longer by one and a third they produced a quarter. He also found that any other length of a tightened and trembling string produces an off key sound. With this simple experiment, Pythagoras discovered the scientific principles of harmony and grabbed from nature a secret that had long confused musicians over the ages. Pythagoras discovered also a relationship between angles and numbers. He noticed that the angle used by masons reveals the presence of a constant digital relationship between the three sides of a triangle.. No matter what the size and form of the angle, the square of the hypotenuse (multiplying the longest side by itself) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. This allowed masons and architects more accuracy and even economy in primary material. And with a series of amazing leaps of logic, science took interesting steps forward. Pythagoras concluded that number was the basis for everything and his discovery of the link between the vibrations of the string and the musical note led to the conclusion of a connection between numbers and physics and between physics and sensation. Hence the harmony of the spheres. And from this moment on human thought appeared capable of explaining the human being s passion for the universe and for exploring its depths. Since then no one could imagine celestial bodies traveling in space without music. And 2000 years later this theory found tribute in Arther Clarks Space Odyssey against the background of Strauss Blue Danube. issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l aboutros@inco.com.lb

33 NEURONAL BENCH PRESSING FOR LIFELONG HEALTH Dr. Samar Zebian The Amazing Brain 33 Have you heard the expression, Stretch the plastic? It s brain science shop talk for exercise your brain. When the brain is sufficiently challenged, research shows that it gets bigger and faster, and under the right conditions, one can turn back the clock 10 years without surgery or drugs-just neuronal bench pressing. Interest in non-medicinal brain boosting methods is on the rise because the effects are comparable and last longer than drug based enhancers but without the negative side effects. Just imagine what you could do with a turbo brain-learn Chinese in 3 months, fast track through school, learn to dance even if you have two left feet, rule the world after you ve change bad lifetime habits. Although I am very skeptical of mind over matter zealots, some of the brain science research is showing us when Mind has the chance of winning over Matter. For example researchers, looked at addicts who completed an intensive four-week drug rehabilitation program BUT relapsed after a year. The unsuccessful addicts, compared to those who kicked their addictions, did not do well on analytical and decision making tasks and found it difficult to quickly adjust to new rules. Brain scans showed less brain activity in the prefrontal cortex which plays an important role controlling impulsive behavior. The inevitable physical changes to the brain which start in early adulthood and continue throughout life is another reason to stretch the plastic. Brain atrophy which is the dying off of neuronal connections results in approximately a 0.5-1% loss of brain volume each year after the age of 60. The brains of Alzheimer patients shrink about twice as fast, while the brains of highly stressed or traumatized individuals show altered functioning in the hippocampus and also the prefrontal cortex-the seat of planning, decision making, short term memory and sustained attention. Physical changes to the brain can be slowed down with brain training and the effects are more dramatic than the proven positive effects of physical exercise. Brain fitness will become a foolish thing to balk for the aging, learning disabled, chronically ill and those in the fast lane-all of whom can capitalize on the brain s natural process of creating new neurons and neural connections throughout life. This is called neurogensis and it occurs across the lifespan with tens of thousands of neurons generated daily in the adult brain. The catch is that if you don t use the new neurons you loose them. There are 4 main brain fitness methods, all of which require good nutrition, stress and mental health management and exercise- an essential package for neurogenisis but not sufficient for improving specific brain functions like memory. Software based brain training involves structured computerized activities that lead to observable changes in behavior and intellectual competence in both computer based and everyday tasks. Doing things like crossword puzzles or fixing broken gadgets, although extremely beneficial, challenge only a narrow set of mental skills and are not effective in modifying brain decline. Given that there are thousands of commercial programs and pseudo-brain boosting gadgets, users beware! For stubborn or maladaptive thoughts and habits there is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Research shows that CBT is useful for improving planning skills and mental flexibility, relieving symptoms of some mental disorders and insomnia. It also seems successful for long term weight loss and recovery from brain injury. Mediation, which creates a balanced state of relaxation and focused attention, is helpful although there is little empirical evidence which tells us which types of techniques really work; mindful meditation or body-based relaxation. Biofeedback programs make use of hardware devices to measure mental alertness. Although their application is still limited, they have been tested on stock brokers to help them monitor whether they are in optimal condition or becoming too emotional to make profitable decisions. It is likely that the brain training age is here to stay. Video gaming giants are marketing brain based programs and brain training centers are mushrooming. What s next? Brain Health Clubs, overnight brain recharging consoles, or brain based dating services. If you are laughing, check this out: OUT with Aunt Salwa s match making and OUT with internet dating nightmares and old fashioned DNA-based dating and IN with brainbased dating. samar.zebian@lau.edu.lb - issue 95 - June 2010

34 34 Interview The Monthly interviews JAN ČÍŽEK, AMBASSADOR OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO LEBANON Can you give us a brief summary of the history and the establishment of the Czech Republic? In October 1918, an independent state of Czechs and Slovaks, called the Czechoslovak Republic, was founded. It was occupied by the Germans between 1939 and 1945 and was taken over by the Communist regime in 1948 until its fall in November On January 1, 1993, the Czechoslovak state was peacefully divided and the independent Czech and Slovak Republics were founded. Václav Havel was elected its first president. In the following years the Czech Republic joined the Organization for economic cooperation and development OECD in 1994, after having signed the Association agreement in 1995with the European Union, became EU member country in 2004 and joined the NATO in When did the Czech Embassy first open its doors in Lebanon? How many staff members do you have in the Embassy (Czechs and Lebanese)? The diplomatic relations between Czechoslovakia and the Republic of Lebanon were first established in In the same year the Czechoslovakian Diplomatic mission at the Consulate level was opened in Beirut and it was granted the Embassy s status in In 1993, after the dissolution of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, the newly emerged state, the Czech Republic was recognized by Lebanon on January 1st 1993 and diplomatic relations were established immediately. As for the Lebanese Embassy in the Czech Republic, it opened in Just now, it is represented on the level of Chargé d Affaires a. i. We currently have around 13 to 15 staff members altogether at the embassy including me, 8 of which are Czechs sent from the capital including administrative and supporting staff and the rest are Lebanese who work either on a full or part time job basis. In fact only 4 diplomats are responsible for political, cultural, commercial, consular and visa matters. Are there any specific initiatives undertaken by the Embassy to foster the cooperation between Lebanon and the Czech Republic? We have put forth initiatives that cover different fields from economic cooperation to cultural and educational ones. Positive bilateral relations have been reinforced in the past Jan Čížek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Lebanon by the humanitarian aid provided by the Czech Republic to Lebanon. Moreover, several bilateral agreements exist between the two countries in tourism, education, science, energy, culture and air transport. The Czech Republic would like to focus on cooperation in the sphere of energy since there is a long lasting tradition in the energy sector in the Czech Republic and we have something to offer for needed rehabilitation of the Lebanese energy infrastructure. In this respect the presence of several Czech companies during this year Project Lebanon Fair is of great importance. It is worthy to note that an increase in the trade activity between the Czech Republic and Lebanon is important for in 2009, imports to Lebanon reached a value around USD 47 million only and exports from Lebanon were not more than USD 250 thousand. issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

35 Interview 35 When did you arrive to Lebanon? What positions did you occupy during your diplomatic career before coming to Lebanon? I presented my credentials on September 1st, 2006 to His Excellency Emile Lahoud, President of the Lebanese Republic. I have been in Lebannon for almost 4 years now and will be leaving back to Prague most likely towards the end of September In the past, I was counselor and consul at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington D.C. between 1994 and Between 1998 and 2000, I was head of the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Unit of the Protocol Department of the MFA in Prague, and between 2000 and 2003, I was Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in The Hague, the Netherlands. Before coming to Lebanon, I was the legal director of the International Law Department for 3 years. What is your academic background? I am a lawyer by education. I studied for my law degree at Charles University in Prague and also participated in several training programmes and internships such as with the Commission of European Communities and with the French and International Relations. What are the major political and economic obstacles that the Czech Republic faces? No major political obstacles as the Czechs are in the process of completing the transformation of the formerly centralized state system into a full fledged market economy and standard parliamentary democracy. Economically, we were affected by the global economic crisis like the rest of the European countries but to a somewhat lesser degree due to the previously undertaken revision of the banking sector. Our GDP has decreased as a result mainly of a decrease of exports as other countries are demanding less. We mainly export to Germany. This made us in a way adapted to the situation by not just focusing on classical production but also moving into advanced technologies and the services sector such as tourism and creating a balance between them. How big is the Lebanese community in the Czech Republic? Around 200 composed mainly by people who have studied in the Czech Republic and have stayed there after their graduation. Some have their own business now. For example, we have about 2 Lebanese restaurants in Prague now. How big is the Czech community in Lebanon? Also, there are around 200 Czechs in Lebanon, mostly wives of Lebanese students of the Czech universities. These students have established a well organized Association of former students of the Czech and Slovak universities which is active not only in the sphere of culture but also in organizing some seminars, lectures and supporting Czech language studies of its members. The members of the Association and especially their committee are valuable partners of the Czech Embassy. CZECH REPUBLIC FACTS & FIGURES Area: 78,864 km2 Population: 10 million Political System: Parliamentary republic What do you like most about Lebanon? The people are nice, frank and hospitable. I also enjoy the nature in Lebanon and the weather where you have fair and not extremely hot or cold seasons. Moreover, Lebanon has a breathing side which is the seaside unlike the Czech Republic that is surrounded by land from all sides. What do you like least about Lebanon? Environment especially is not preserved well in Lebanon. You see garbage everywhere; paper, cans, etc. Another thing is the traffic. What are your hobbies? I enjoy reading literature like novels even though there is a lack of time for this plus I like listening to music, skiing, cycling, and jogging. What are your comments about the ongoing municipal elections in Lebanon? I have visited two polling stations myself, and I have noticed one thing in particular that the polling rooms are separated for each political party sometimes and some have separate rooms for men and women. This is like a separation of the people of the same town which starts in the polling station and which will be reflected in real life as well. Another issue which surprisingly was not addressed as a reform is that people vote according to their place of birth, but many people do not still live in the town they were born in. So I think it would be better to vote according to your place of residence where you have direct contact with the municipality and its work and where you are mostly affected. Any other subject you would like to discuss? I wish Lebanon to live in peace and stability and to preserve its diversity and at the same time to avoid dominance of one group which leads always to internal conflicts. I wish also prosperity to all Lebanese people. issue 95 - June 2010

36 36 Art & Culture Popular Culture POPULAR CULTURE The mla slipped - Falat al As we say, the bowl is lost Da t al taseh, mla we also say with the same meaning that the mla slipped. Our fathers used to fill oil and take it in the envelopes made of the skin of calves. They used to strip off the skin, without splitting it in order to dye it and to fasten its hands and feet well. After filling it from the place of the neck, they would tie it with bond made of wool, which they called mla. It was said that the mla is the wooden wedge where the mentioned bond is fastened. The donkey driver, al makari, avoids the contamination of the mla with oil, lest it becomes prone to loosening, when he is transporting the envelope on the back of the donkey,. If the mla slipped, it becomes difficult to re-fasten, because of cord compression on the envelope when it is on the back of the donkey. This was possibly one of the problems faced by donkey drivers at that time, so whenever a situation was bad and chaos had spread they would say that the mla slipped. Living Tarkhana- Ayesh If we mention a man without any worries Tarkhana on his mind, and with all of life s necessities such as eating, drinking and sleeping, easily provided for him, we say that he lived Tarkhana. The word Tarkhana is of Turkish origin, since the Turks called the Keshek (1) Tarkhana. For example, as the saying goes, the cake is prohibited to the dogs, there are also those who say, the Keshek is forbidden to the lazy tanabil As is well known, the making of the Keshek is accomplished through the cooperation of neighbors and friends Those who are lazy do not contribute to this work, due to lack of willfulness mrowweh, and so it was said that Keshek is forbidden to the lazy. When we say that a man is living Tarkhana, we assume that the man is lazy, with no troubles o n his mind, and is only interested in filling his stomach,. It can be primarily intended when we say, This man lives Tarkhana, that he is lazy and still he takes from the Keshek. (1) Dried foods based on a fermented mixture of grain and yoghurt or fermented milk, usually made into a thick soup with water, stock, or milk. Dinner on the Roof Listen O Rida!... If you remember our old house, you will remember dinner on its roof. The roof of the old house was the temple of your grandfather Bou Najem At sunset, your grandfather used to climb to the sole roof of the house, as the roof is closer to the sky. The roof overlooks the mountains and valleys. Your grandfather enjoyed the trembling lights emitted from the mounds and valleys. He used to say: The roof is more amiable! The surface opens the chest; makes you feel fresh. Your grandfather, at the arrival of summer, used to carry the bed up to the roof. When people from the neighboring quarter saw your grandfather s bed, they would say, Summer is here, and if they saw that the bed is no longer on the roof, they would say, Autumn is here. So, your grandfather s bed was like a barometer... He was fluent in chanting psalms and hymns, and was keen to bring us together during the evenings; we are the zaghaleel, in his temple on the roof, joining him in singing and chanting the Bible. Your grandmother Sharifa hated the roof as much as much as your grandfather Bou Najem loved it... for two reasons. She used to say, Every year we need new mattresses and blankets... and Bou Najem never sets the bed aside or covers it. The second reason is carrying dinner, the abacus, the pitcher and the basket of grapes to the roof. After the hassle of the day, it was difficult for her to carry all of them to the roof, with the ladder being long and sometimes trembling under her feet, while she was carrying the dinner. Have dinner and then go up to the roof, your grandmother would say. Walaw! You are stringy with us on a dinner on the roof! your grandfather would say He would say: Bring dinner up, woman! Bring the cyclamen plant to eat suhoor! Bring the basket of grapes and figs to get cold! Come up and sit with me, sons! We used to go up and set up our dinner with the pitcher and a basket of grapes and figs... I was young, my pillow was my mother s lap, and the most delicious thing for me was to fall asleep to the sound of Byzantine music in the bosom of my mother after dinner on the roof... compiled from Salam Al Rasi- The complete works, Beirut, Dar Nawfal. issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l. Sources translated from: Anis Freiha, Isma a ya Rida - First Edition 2006, Dar Nawfal, Beirut

37 Debunking Myths Myth #34 OLDEST CITY IN THE WORLD: BYBLOS? Art & Culture 37 Damascus in Syria, Byblos in Lebanon and Jericho, all claim to be the world s oldest continuously inhabited city. The Levant region of the so-called Fertile Crescent has been continuously inhabited since the Copper Age, but that has been archeologically difficult to prove for several cities, like Jericho, Byblos, and Damascus. Myth: The oldest continuously inhabited city is Byblos. Fertile Crescent map Source: ancienthistory.about.com The oldest and most continuously inhabited cities in the world are in Fact: the Fertile Crescent. The oldest proof of inhabitance in Jericho dates to 9000 BC, and its fortifications date all the way back to 6800 BC, making it the oldest walled city. However, some artifacts also indicate that it was abandoned several times, that it underwent multiple expansions, and that it was even rebuilt several times. This would eliminate it from the running, making Byblos to be the world s oldest continuously inhabited city, if it weren t for Damascus. Experts often cite Damascus as the world s oldest continuously inhabited city. Excavations at Tel Ramad in Damascus suggest that Damascus could have been inhabited as early as 10,000 BC. However, Damascus only became an important city when the Arameans began settling there around 1400 BC. As for Byblos, people began to settle in the city back during the Neolithic period. Carbon-dating tests place the earliest settlement at around 7000 BC. It became a town in the 3rd millennium BC and has been continuously inhabited ever since. Therefore, it would be perhaps safe to say that the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world is somewhere in the Fertile Crescent. Sources Jeich-city.org cpamedia.com worldreviewer.com issue 95 - June 2010

38 38 Art & Culture Must-Read Books THE HUMAN, THE HOMELAND, THE FREEDOM The Memoirs of Father Boulos Na aman Feeling indebted to history and comrades, Father Boulos Na aman began to write his memoirs about painful events that threatened the Maronite existence, which saved Lebanon from drought and doom. He writes of Lebanon that has been attacked since the crisis of the Palestinians and in the second half of the 1960 s and until the martyrdom of Sheikh Bashir Gemayel on September 13, 1982 when Father Boulos was dean of the Faculty of Arts at the Holy Spirit University (1972) and after that general president of the Maronite Order (1980) and a member of the Lebanese Front. In 1975 clashes breakout and 1976 changes the Syrian position On April 13, 1975, the incident of A ain el-rummeneh announced the beginning of the civil war followed by escalating events including blocking roads, putting up blockades and gun shots. In 1967, there was a need to own weapons by the Christians, according to Father Boulos. Moreover, there was a noticeable shift in the Syrian position regarding the events in Lebanon after the United Nations asked for the Syrians help to impose order in Lebanon, which was supported by the Christian public opinion. In February, President Suleiman Franjieh declared the Constitutional Charter which was doomed to fail. The army began to disintegrate and the early presidential election, with American support, led to the alienation of the dean of the National Bloc party, Raymond Eddeh, and the election of Central Bank governor, Elias Sarkiss, as president. In October, the Riyadh summit approved the role of the Arab preventive forces in Lebanon. Sadat promises Middle Eastern peace with Israel in 1977; 1978 and 1979 witness brutal clashes The members of the Lebanese Front agreed to propose a new formula for the Lebanese system represented in political decentralization, in which the Muslim side saw an open call for partition. In March 1977, the president of the Progressive Socialist Party Kamal Jumblat was murdered. In November, a speech in Israel by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and his desire for peace with it formed a source of relief for the Christian side. The year 1979 saw the breakout of the Fayyadieh events between the Lebanese and Syrian armies and in Shiyah-A ain Rummeneh and Martyrs Square between the Lebanese forces and the Palestinian forces. Furthermore, competition arose between Christian organizations over power and money, as narrated by Father Boulos, and this was apparent by the many clashes between its sides which culminated by the Ehden massacre. The Syrian artillery returns to hit Christian neighborhoods in July in what was known as the 100-day war. At the beginning of 1979, Father Boulos meets Major Sa ad Haddad, the commander of the Southern Lebanese Army and describes him as the steadfast man. From 1980 until 1982: The birth of hope that was soon martyred In February of 1980, Bashir s 18-month old baby was murdered amid a Christian reality shredded by disagreements. At the end of 1980, the situation escalates in Zahle after the Syrian army encircled it. Bashir s efforts in 1981 to pave roads to the area caused Syrian dismay and the breakout of the Zahle infamous war. Israel then intervenes in the confrontation with the Syrians. On June 4, 1982, Israel begins its invasion, which Bashir was aware of and which Father Boulos described as promising the turning of a painful page in the history of Lebanon and the opening of a new page of hope that led Bashir to the president on August 23, But this hope soon wore off and was replaced with disappointment after the martyrdom of the new president in an explosion targeting the Phalange base on September 14. issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

39 Must-Read Children s Books Art & Culture 39 FIRST RHYMES * First Rhymes is a compilation of all-time favorite rhymes for children. It contains 22 short rhymes which can be read in the form of a story or a poem, or can be sung to the child. The book is appropriate for children at pre-school and elementary levels. The book enjoys many positive specifications. For example, the book is covered with a rubber material that is pleasant to the touch which protects the book and does not harm the child. The book also includes a bookmarker where the child can mark their favorite poem. Each rhyme is illustrated by a colored image. The short rhymes motivate children to read and memorize because children enjoy song-like texts. * First Rhymes was published by Parragon Book in the United Kingdom in It includes the following rhymes: Humpty Dumpty Mary Had a Little Lamb Rub-a-Dub-Dub Wee Willie Winkie Cock a Doodle Doo! Jack Be Nimble Little Bo-Peep Jack Sprat Old Mother Hubbard Little Miss Muffet Cobbler, Cobbler There Was an Old Woman issue 95 - June 2010

40 40 Art & Culture Lebanon Families AFRAM (FRAM) FAMILIES Saints from Syria Etymlogy Linguistically, Afram is a Syriac word given as a title to some saints and Christian clergies, which means holy and fruitful. It also means incense and the Holy or pure land. Batroun Trablous Zgharta Balamand Roads A arjes Ehden Becharre The Cedars Hadet Hasroun Ras Baalbeck Deir el Ahmar Maqne Qasr el-banat Family origins The origins of these families go back to Syrian countries, as is the case of many Christian families who have fled to parts of Lebanon and settled there. The most prominent of those families, according to the Encyclopedia of Language and Communication, is Afram Al Syriani ( ), a saint from the fathers of the church, who was born in Nisibain (nowadays within the Turkish territory near the Syrian border) and who taught the Christian religion. He is the author of religious educational publications and poems. Historians did not give any specific date for the arrival of these families to Lebanon but it is likely to be in the sixteenth century, although this date remains uncertain. There are families of Abi Afram and Abou Afram, although the link between them and the families of Afram could not be found. Number and registries The number of Afram (Fram) family members is around 1,650 distributed in the regions mentioned below and according to the following sects: the overwhelming majority are Maronite with minority of Roman Orthodox (in Al Berbara and Zahle), Syriac Orthodox (in the west province of Zahle, Blat in Jbeil, Bourj Hammoud, and Musaitbeh in Beirut), Armenian Catholic (in Al Bashoura in Beirut), and Syriac Catholic (in Ashrafieh in Beirut). Among the most prominent figures of these families, coming from Haret Al Sakher, are the late ( ) Deputy and Minister, George Na amatallah Afram and his son Na amat, the President of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists. Al Mazareeb - Jbeil: 220 individuals, the most numerous among all regions Majdaloun - Baalbeck: 32 individuals Joun Al Shouf: 22 individuals Al Furaydes Al Shouf: 12 individuals Sara eita - Jbeil: 135 individuals East province - Zahle: 10 individuals Al Bashoura - Beirut: 12 individuals Zaytoun - Keserouane: 26 individuals Saida BEIRUT Jbail Jounieh Zahle Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-baidar Bhamdoun Deir el-qamar Meshref Beiteddine Moukhtara Qaraoun Lake Nabatiye Jezzine Beaufort Castle Ghazir Marjayoun Libbaya Hasbaya Aiha Ashrafieh: 35 individuals East province - Zahle: 15 individuals Hawsh Al Zara ana - Zahle: 52 individuals Hareit Sakher - Keserouane: 40 individuals Al Saifi: 12 individuals Deir Al Qamar: 10 individuals Bourj Hammoud: 15 individuals Bzouhal - Keserouane: 35 individuals Kfar Saghab - Zgharta: 25 individuals Halat - Jbeil: 10 individuals Musaitbeh: 25 individuals Al Gheeneh - Keserouane: 14 individuals Ghbaleh - Keserouane: 80 individuals Sarba - Keserouane: 30 individuals Sin El Fil: 25 individuals Rmeil - Beirut: 28 individuals Yanouh - Jbeil: 18 individuals Al Berbara - Zahle: 13 individuals Ghazir - Keserouane: 55 individuals A abrine - Batroun: 15 individuals Harharia and Al Qatine - Keserouane: 26 individuals Al A ayshiyyeh - Jezzine: 28 individuals Afram families are also located in other regions, in small numbers, such as Bekfaya, Al Mansourieh, and Majdal Tarshish in Metn, Jdeidet Ghazir in Keserouane, Mar Antonius and Al Moa aqah in Zahle, Blat and Al Monsef in Jbeil, and Marja ayoun. Anjar Niha Hadath Yanta Iaat Baalbeck issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

41 Discover Lebanon Art & Culture 41 AL QUNAITRA IN AL JOULAN AND IN LEBANON TOO Al Qunaitra is a famous city in the Syrian Joulan that was occupied by Israel in 1967 and destroyed after they withdrew from it in The city is still devastated to date. The same name is carried by the town of Al Qunaitra in southern Lebanon. Etymology In Arabic, the word Qunaitra is the abridged form of Qantara, and the Qantar of a man or of a piece of land means to own a lot of money or a piece of land with an abundant yield. The origin of the name therefore has two logical explanations: The existence of carved shrines in the rock in the form of small arches. The abundance of fruit and crops in the town. Location The town of Qunaitra is located in the qada a of Saida in the south at an altitude of 220 m above sea level, 13 km from Saida and 53 km from Beirut. It covers an area of one hectare, so is a relatively small town. It can be reached via Saida Al Ghaziyeh A aqtanit - Qunaitra. Population The estimated number of registered residents in the town s records of personal statuses of is 660, all belonging to confession. The town has around 80 houses and 15 commercial establishments or craft shops. Voters In 2000, the number of registered voters was 349 out of whom 222 cast their ballots. The number rose to 406 registered voters in the 2005 elections, out of whom 254 voted compared to 442 in 2010, resulting in a 10-year increase of 93 voters or 26.6%. The town inhabitants include the large Diab (Thiab) family that accounts for 70% of voters, in addition to other families. The voters belong to the following families: Diab (Thiab) 200 voters Mekki 107 voters Issa 22 voters Younis 13 voters Saida BEIRUT Batroun Jbail Jounieh Zahle Baabda Shtaura Aley Dahr el-baidar Bhamdoun Anjar Deir el-qamar Meshref Beiteddine Moukhtara Qaraoun Lake Jezzine Al- Qunaitra القنيطرة Nabatiye Beaufort Castle Trablous Ghazir Marjayoun Zgharta Balamand A arjes Libbaya Hasbaya Becharre The Cedars Hadet Hasroun Aiha Ehden Niha Deir el Ahmar Hadath Iaat Yanta Roads Maqne Qasr el-banat Baalbeck Ras Baalbeck Local authorities There is no municipality, and the local authority is represented by a mukhtar and a three-member ikhtiariah body. Education There is no school in the town; students go to Al Ghaziyeh and other neighboring villages to receive their education. Economy Agriculture is the primary source of income for most residents of the town, in addition to working in Saida and in the craft shops and commercial establishments of the town. Challenges The town suffers from numerous problems, notably its poor roads and the state of destitution of residents suffering from decreasing agricultural incomes. issue 95 - June 2010

42 42 Media When Politicians talk AOUN-GEAGEA (1/2): THE NEVER-ENDING CONFLICT Geagea: The Change and Reform Bloc of the Bloc of Jamel el-sayyed and Rostom Ghazaleh? In 1989 and 1990, Michel Aoun, who held the position of army general and prime minister, and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea engaged in a brutal war that ended with a loss on both sides: the first was exiled to France and the second was imprisoned. After Aoun s return in May 2005 and Geagea s release in July of the same year, the two leaders witnessed calm relations only to return to their old animosity. Geagea accused Aoun of obstruction, and of providing a Christian cover for Hizbullah. For his part, Aoun accused the Lebanese Forces leader of exporting the rights of Christians, giving them to the Al-Mustaqbal movement, and wishing to divide Lebanon. Their policies have been founded on two opposing projects: the pro-western viewpoint supported by Geagea and the pro-hizbollah project defended by Aoun. Each leader has a personal idea of how Lebanon s future should be, and each has a Muslim ally and partner. Geagea Michel Aoun wants to cancel us in any way possible be it positive or negative. (An Nahar on February 13, 1990) General Aoun is determined to destroy this society and all of Lebanon s enemies have crossed ways with General Aoun because he executes what they want. (An Nahar on February 16, 1990) The Lebanese who opposed Hezbollah s strategy are today clearer in expressing their opinions and positions. As for Hezbollah s allies, of the Christians in specific (General Aoun and his movement), their base has been weakened. (Al-Akhbar on September 5, 2006) Their (General Aoun and the Free Patriotic Movement) domestic and foreign policy is responsible for what has become of the Christians in terms of marginalization and exclusion from power and decision-making. (An Nahar on April 24, 2007) We wish Aoun had spared us on New Year s Eve of his theories, reproach and demagogy. He polluted this day with his statements that are devoid of a real focal point this is not the first time that Aoun states false facts and this time he has gone to the extent of falsifying a photo. (An Nahar on January 1, 2008) [Aoun] raises the roof each time only to benefit Syria and Hezbollah I suggest he calls this bloc the bloc of Jamil al- Sayyed and Rustum Ghazali. (An Nahar on June 19, 2008) General Aoun considers himself as the sole representative of the Christians and that he has to manage the main Christian share in the government. The rest, however, can settle for the leftover bones. But Aoun is mistaken and we will not accept this diagnosis because it does not reflect the reality on the ground the prime minister designate Fouad Saniora represents the Christians more than Aoun does. (An Nahar on June 26, 2008) Is Hezbollah s political agenda in tune with the aspirations of Aoun s [popular] base? I leave evaluation to each member of the Free Patriotic Movement and to each Christian and Lebanese citizen. (An Nahar on August 26, 2008) The biggest corruptors in the country are his (Aoun) allies here and in the region, specifically the Syrian supporters in Lebanon Aoun has always sought, by bringing up the issue of corruption, to trade in politics and the media, that s all. I wish he would once take a practical step to form a parliamentary or judicial committee to tackle the issue [of corruption]. (November 12, 2008) Aoun did not benefit from this trip [to Syria] on the domestic and popular levels. It resembled a moral defeat for his bases in Beirut. (An Nahar on December 11, 2008) I tried to sit with Michel Aoun but despaired because Aoun simply does not accept the opinion of the other and does not accept the presence of a parliamentary bloc other than his own. (Now Lebanon website on June 4, 2009) Aoun claims to defend the rights of Christians. Maybe this was his intention but on the ground he acts in a manner that guarantees the rights of Hezbollah and Iran, not of the Christians. (Asharq al-awsat on October 4, 2009) the relationship with [General Michel] Aoun is very difficult for reasons linked to performance and character. No one has tried approaching him as much as I did but Aoun cannot approach anyone who does not have a political position or status that does not melt in him. He competes with the LF over the same foundation. (As Safir on October 24, 2009) Any portfolio that Aoun will take will be used to serve Hezbollah s agenda. (Al-Akhbar on October 28, 2009) Aoun wants to occupy the country because he wants to be the Napoleon of Lebanon while he is the forefront of Hezbollah which decided against the formation of a government. (November 6, 2009) Next issue: Aoun-Geagea (2/2) issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

43 April 2010 Timeline Media 43 April 2010 Timeline in Lebanon DEFENSE OF THE RIGHT IN A YOUN ORGOSH IS LEGITIMATE, KILLING THE KILLER IN KITRMAYA T he month of April did not witness any significant events, especially in its second half with preparations underway for the municipal and ikhtiyariah elections. Three events can be awarded special importance in April: The murder crime in Kitrmaya and the subsequent lynching of the killer by town residents, soccer game between MPs and ministers and the incident in A youn Orgosh and Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir s statement about it. April 2: In A youn Orgosh rockets are fired on a number of residents and conflicting stories emerged over the incident. A statement by the Lebanese Forces indicates that the guards guarding the land in that area were the ones who shot the rockets on people who were carrying out suspicious activities. However, sources close to Hezbollah say that the guards fired the rockets on hikers from Ba albeck. The army carries out raids in the area in the aftermath of the accident, confiscates weapons and hashish and arrests two people of the Tawq family for interrogation. They were later released by judicial order. PM Saad Hariri visits the UAE to pay his condolences to the president for the death of his brother Ahmad ben Zayed. Hariri tells a delegation from the Lebanese Press Syndicate that Syria is a brotherly country for Lebanon and personal relations with President Bashar Assad will be used to serve the best joint interests of the two countries. MP Walid Jumblat, at a press conference after his first visit to Damascus and talks with Assad, says: I agreed with President Assad on a series of fundamentals and we sketched together the political outline which starts by supporting the resistance and bilateral relations. He stresses that the meeting with Assad was very friendly, frank, positive and honest adding that leaving the past was not easy and the future is more important. April 6: Jumblat, in his weekly statement to the Anba newspaper, insists that his visit to Damascus laid the foundation for new ties. Assad separately meets Mir Talal Arslan and General Jamil Sayyed. April 7: Minister of Defense Michel Murr, after meeting Sfeir, issues a statement on the A youn Orgosh incident saying: There is no need to politicize the matter and for now it is limited to drug dealing and there are no political backgrounds or certain parties standing behind the accident which is now in the control of the judiciary and the army. The president of the republic visits Qatar. A youn Orgosh prominent figures say: The confiscated weapons in the region are remnants of the Lebanese war. April 8: Armed clashes between Popular Front-Command members in the towns of Qousaya and Kfar Zabad. Popular Front press officer, Anouar Raja, accuses intelligence of scheming to infiltrate a group into the Front s position to cause clashes. He claims the group is detained by Internal Security Forces deny. The Parliamentary Media Committee finishes deliberations on the security agreement with the United States and refers the case to Parliament s presidency. Some Lebanese newspapers publish the full text of the report, which considers requests by the American Embassy from the Ministry of Interior to be highly sensitive information and endanger Lebanon. April 9: Hariri visits Spain and meets his Spanish counterpart. April 10: Jumblat meets Nasrallah and stresses that the Ta ef defines the friend and the enemy. April 12: MP Sami Gemayel in a closed meeting of the Phalange Party: The problem is not with Hezbollah but with its weapons. And the day will come when, no matter how much they wave their finger, the airport highway will be closed down by weapons, missiles and armory pointed at the Ministry of Defense. And that day will be the day that Hezbollah will hand over its weapons to the Lebanese state. Sfeir tells a delegation of A youn Orgosh residents: We know that in the past you defended and you are defending your right and your land and this is a legitimate [right] for you. We regret that such incidents take place among your neighbors and your compatriots but we all have to defend his right and this is legitimate. April 13: Council of Ministers ratifies mechanism for Grade One appointments. Jumblat asks the government to reconsider the Lebanese-American security agreement. April 14: A soccer game at the Beirut Sports City takes place between the MPs and the ministers, including PM Hariri. French National Assembly president Bernard Accoyer visits Lebanon. April 16: Announcement of the 2010 draft budget: Expenses at LBP 18,652 billion, revenues at LBP 12,977 billion and deficit at 30%. National dialogue convenes in Ba abda Palace, headed by President Michel Suleiman. Discussions covered the neutralization of the resistance s weapons while maintaining the defense strategy as the sole article on the agenda. Next session is scheduled for June 3. issue 95 - June 2010

44 44 Media April 17: Samir Geagea announces at a press conference the draft bylaws of the LF and declares the start of preparations for the LF s first conference. A abassiya residents, led by MP Qassem Hashem, remove the Israeli violations by taking down barbed wires placed by Israel on the outskirts. UNIFIL insists that the Israeli action was not a violation. April 19: Former PM Omar Karami visits Suleiman for the first time since the former s election. April 20: The Syrian Embassy hosts a ceremony at BIEL to celebrate the anniversary of the Syrian independence. Among the prominent guests were Marwan Hamadeh, Jumblat and representing delegations of the LF and the Phalange. A delegation of the Lebanese director generals, led by Minister Jean Ogasapian, visits Damascus and discusses mutual agreements and preparations for Hariri s visit. Hariri arrived in Italy on an official visit and states that Israeli reports on Syrian Scud missiles being delivered to Hezbollah was the same scenario that was used in Iraq. April 22: Council of Ministers ratifies the courtesy right to residency for the husband and children of a Lebanese woman for three years. Announcement of the economic calculations in Lebanon for 2008: Per capita income is at $8,500 a year and the GDP at $30 billion. Suleiman begins a trip to Brazil. April 23: Public transportation drivers go on strike to protest high fuel prices and set June 17 as a date for demonstrations and general strike. A Hezbollah delegation, headed by MP Mohammad Raad, visits Qatar and meets Prince Hamad ben Khalifa Al Thani April 24: UNIFIL commander General Alberto Asarta says: I did not see Scud missiles and war is unlikely. April 25: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmad Abul Gheit visits Beirut and says that Israeli claims about Scud missiles were a big lie aiming to cause provocation. April 26: A telephone call between Hariri and French President Nicholas Sarkozy, who stresses that France is closely watching the situation in the region and will not allow any attack on Lebanon. MP Oqab Saqr says there is a black room managing the Ministry of Telecom and calls for the resignation of Minister Charbel Nahhas following a technical report on the Lebanese-American security agreement. April 27: Arslan meets Suleiman Franjieh and Jumblat at his Khaldeh residence. Suleiman wraps up his trip to Brazil and returns to Lebanon. April 28: Hariri meets the Egyptian president in Sharm el Sheikh. Speaker Nabih Berri, meeting a visiting delegation of bishops, representing Christian confessions, calls for the exemption of Church endowment from paying direct and indirect taxes and to consider it public administrations like the Muslim endowment is. A murder crime in the town of Kitrmaya-Chouf. The victims four members of a family: Youssef Najib Abou Mer i (75 years old), his wife and their granddaughters, Rania (seven years old) and Amina (nine years old). April 29: The Egyptian judiciary the higher state security court emergency issues its verdicts against the so-called Hezbollah cell. It sentenced Lebanese national Mohammad Mansour, a April 2010 Timeline Hezbollah member, to 15 years in prison and Lebanese national Mohammad Qabalan, who is on the run, to life in prison. Hezbollah secretary general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah describes the verdicts as unjust. Middle East Airlines pilots go on strike. Qatar s prime minister arrives in Lebanon on an official visit. Special Tribunal for Lebanon president, Antonio Cassese, refers a request by Sayyed to pursue false witnesses to the pre-trial judge. A delegation from the State Department and the American Embassy in Beirut checks the Masna a point at the Lebanese-Syrian border. April 30: Visiting Qatari Prime Minister Hamad ben Jassem Al Thani meets Berri, Hariri and General Michel Aoun in A ain el-tineh. - Nasrallah, in a television interview, calls for the arrest of Mohammad Zaher al-siddiq as a false witness in the murder case of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Two men from Kitrmaya kill and drag across the streets the body of Egyptian national Mohammad Salim Moslem, who is accused of killing four members of a family in the town. He was killed as he was being escorted by the ISF near the site of the crime explain some details linked to the murder. May 1: The American Embassy in Beirut insists that a visit by an American delegation to the border Masna a point was carried out in coordination with the army, general security, customs and the Ministry of Interior, in response to criticism caused by the trip especially after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied prior knowledge to the visit. Qatar s prime minister visits Jumblat in Mokhtara, where a welcoming ceremony was held and attended by Druze and Christian clergymen and prominent Chouf figures. issue su 95 - published dby Information on International na tion al s.a.l. al.

45 International Media ICELAND VOLCANO ERUPTS Scientists find it difficult to predict volcano behavior Washington Post, Joel Achenbach, Wednesday, April 21, 2010 Media 45 The year of the earthquake has suddenly become the year of the volcano. The eruption in Iceland is not large as volcanoes go, but the cloud over Europe has shed light on the awkward overlay of human commerce and a hot, churning, unpredictable Earth. It raises the question of what governments can do to prepare for -- and adapt to -- wild-card geological events that not only affect airliners but can also alter the planet s climate for years at a stretch. The volcano with the difficult name of Eyjafjallajokull is not powerful enough to change the climate -- it has ejected material only as high as about 20,000 feet and would need to launch the ash to at least 33,000 feet to have global climatic effects, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Now airports are beginning to open again in Britain and the Netherlands, but no one can be entirely sure what will happen next in Iceland. Eyjafjallajokull could incite an eruption of its larger neighbor, Katla One National Weather Service scientist, Gary Hufford, told reporters in a conference call Tuesday that it can be difficult to tell with satellite imagery how much ash is in the air and whether the airspace is safe for jetliners. Asked whether he would be comfortable flying in Europe, Hufford paused and said, I would be cautious. The lengthy shutdown of many European airports continues to surprise travelers and scientists. Volcanic risk is actually rising, not because we re not doing our jobs, but because people are putting themselves nearer volcanoes, particularly with air travel, said Marianne Guffanti, a geologist with the USGS. Said volcanologist Michael Rampino of New York University: We live under the constant threat of some geological hazard. The more we all become technologically dependent upon others in other parts of the world, the more the problem shows up. World aviation body to conduct ash probe The Independent, AP, Wednesday, 21 April 2010 The International Civil Aviation Organisation said it will start work on setting global standards for the concentration of ashes that could affect airplane engines. Raymond Benjamin, secretary-general of the UN agency responsible for aviation safety, said that ICAO has nine stations around the world that monitor ash from volcanos like Iceland s Eyjafjallajokull, which erupted on April 14 causing the cancellation of thousands of flights and creating chaos for travelers. But he said the agency has not established any standards for volcanic ashes. Mr Benjamin said ICAO s governing council decided to convene a group including representatives from industry, manufacturers, governments, scientists, and the International Air Transport Association. The crowd at Heathrow Wordpress.com issue 95 - June 2010

46 46 Arab World Focus Islamic movements in the Arab world REFORMIST, FUNDAMENTALIST OR TERRORIST? Definition of the Islamic movement In his book Islamic movements, Abdul Wahab Al Afandi defines the Islamic movement as those movements that are active in the political arena calling for the observance of Islam and its laws in public and private life. It is a name launched by the Islamic movements on themselves. Sheikh Rashid Al Ghannushi, leader of the Islamic Renaissance Movement in Tunisia, defines the term as the collective and individual efforts of the tens of thousands of men and women and of those who believe in the message of Islam all around the world to guide mankind to God. As for Mr. Abdullah Al Ghariffi, the Bahraini Shia a scholar, he views it as an expression of the Islamic awakening in response to the exclusion of religion from the political and social fields. On the other hand, the general view of the west limits any Islamic movement to be under the context of Islamic fundamentalism, and the expression used to describe Muslim individuals and groups who call for the replacement of the state s secular laws that are incompatible with Islamic Sharia a and its implementation in the governing system. Islamic movements, the three most prevalent in the Arab world The Muslim Brotherhood They are a group of Muslims that call for the application of the Islam based on the Sunna or practice of Prophet Muhammad. The group was created by young individuals in Al Isma ilia, Egypt, headed by Sheikh Hassan Al Banna in 1928 as a religious association. Sayyed Qutb and currently Yusuf Al Qaradawi are of the most prominent Muslim Brothers. The group determines the following main objectives: An Islamic state established in the Arab world which follows and applies the provisions of Islam, the Islamic world liberated from all foreign authority, and they believe that every nation that infringes on Islamic homelands is an oppressive country that must be fought. Salafi Wahhabism It was initiated by Muhammad ibn Abd Al Wahhab around the year 1703 to revive and disseminate Salafi ideology of Ibn Taymiyyah in the Arabian Peninsula. Its major goal is to spread the unification and purification of Muslim beliefs that are perceived as intrusive heresies. Salafi Wahhabism defines for itself scientific bases such as refusal of interpretation and the adoption of the Salaf sayings. Wahhabism widely spread and quickly reached most parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Jihad Salafi (al Qaeda) The term Jihad Salafi is used to denote the Islamist groups that follow the curriculum of Salaf of Muslims and where Jihad is one of its pillars. They believe in the need to fight the governments that are not governed by Islamic law, and also those that ally themselves with non-muslim countries. Of the most prominent of these movements, is al-qaeda which was founded by the Palestinian Sheikh Abdullah Youssef Azzam in August 1988, when he met Dr. Ayman Al Zawahiri in Egypt and other followers of Sayyed Qutb. Azzam adopted his ideology which became the scientific reference of al Qaeda. Azzam was also the teacher and mentor of al Qaeda s current leader Osama bin Laden, a Saudi citizen, who was a Wahhabi conformer. They believe in violence as the best way to achieve change. They share as well as the mainstream Salafi view and have adopted the heritage of Ibn Taymiyyah. The Islamic movements, whether radical, reformist or terrorist movements are those that believe that Islam encompasses all aspects of life. Some are reformists which tend to work within the prevailing political and social system and seek to change with the spirit of reform rather than revolution. Some are Salafis that are traditional with an educational guidance orientation. Politics was not its focus, but due to social and political developments it has became more politicized. Others are revolutionary jihadists with Salafi thought who believe in violence and who differ from the Salafi traditionalists in their attitude towards rulers, for they submit to reality and consider that there is no substitution to bad reality. Sources - Islamic movements and the Sept. 11 attacks. Differences and backgrounds, Mohamed Ben Mokhtar Shanqeeti, knowledge, Al-Jazeera issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

47 Index 47 REAL ESTATE INDEX IN LEBANON- APRIL 2010 R eal estate transactions have marked a general case of paralysis during the month of April 2010, after they have witnessed a remarkable recovery during the previous month of March. This paralysis is attributed to the negative atmosphere which dominates Lebanon and to the talks about a coming war and that has caused stagnation in most economic sectors. Moreover, observing bank interest rates had an impact in introducing this paralysis into the market, for a reduction in them and a promotion of a stable climate will lead to growth in the coming months. Rates listed or that have been traded remained on the same level, with the confirmation of an upward direction as with the previous months. Tables 1 and 2 show the prices of some estates and apartments sold during the month of April Prices of some estates sold in April 2010 Table 1 Location Area m2 Price (USD) USD/m2 Beirut Jal Al Bahr 800 9,600,000 12,000 Al Bashoura 620 5,115,000 8,250 Ashrafieh 250 1,000,000 4,000 Ashrafieh - Sassine 420 2,688,000 6,400 Hamra 490 3,675,000 7,500 Bshara Al Khoury 310 1,860,000 6,000 Baabda Hazmieh 2,210 3,978,000 1,800 Ain Al Roummaneh 615 2,060,250 3,350 Metn Ain A ar 1,450 1,087, Ba abdat 1,500 82, Sin El Fil - Hersh Tabit 2,500 8,625,000 3,450 Broumana 1, , Bahr Saf 2,100 1,281, Bekfaya 1, , Dbayeh , Masqa 2, , A aley Dhour Al A abadiyeh 1, , Dawhit AL Hoss , Bshamoun , Al Mansourieh 1,000 90, Rwiesat Sawfar 2,700 94, Keserouane Al Qulaya at 1, , A ashqout , Faraya , Adma 1,000 1,100,000 1,100 Ballouneh 1, , Source: Information International April 2010 Prices of some constructed estates sold in April 2010 Table 1 Location Area m2 Price (USD) USD/m2 Beirut Ashrafieh ,000 1,500 Geitwai ,000 2,050 ABC Ashrafieh ,000 3,100 Al Saifi - Solidere 250 1,355,000 5,420 Ashrafieh - Sassine ,000 2,300 Al Sanayeh ,000 3,000 Ras Al Naba a - Al Tobbiyeh ,500 2,350 Al Basta Al Tahta ,900 1,630 Al Ramleh Al Bayda ,000 4,300 Ras Beirut ,000 3,600 Baabda Al Hadath - Al American ,000 1,700 Mar Taqla ,000 2,200 Al Yarze ,500 2,500 Al Yarze ,000 1,900 Metn Broumana ,000 1,000 Al Fanar ,600 1,440 Al Rabweh ,500 1,510 Sin El Fil - Hirsh Tabet ,600 1,620 Jal Al Deeb ,400 1,540 Al Motaileb ,200 1,680 Al Naccache ,650 1,810 Antelias ,600 1,420 A aley Bshamoun - Al Madares ,000 1,000 Dawhet A aramoun ,700 1,020 Khaldeh ,000 1,200 Dawhet Al Hoss ,750 1,250 Keserouane Zouq Mosbeh ,000 1,000 Ballouneh ,000 1,025 Adma ,000 1,100 Sahel A alma ,400 1,330 Adonis ,000 1,200 Ghedras ,000 1,000 Al Kaslik ,000 2,000 Sarba , Source: Information International April 2010 issue 95 - June 2010

48 48 Index TOWARD A LEBANESE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: APRIL 2010 S imilar to the previous month of March 2010, the prices of the majority of the 100 consumer and food products that we display every month have remained stable. The prices of 55 items are stable compared to the prices of 29 items that have fallen and 16 items that have witnessed an increase in prices. The decline or stability is due to several factors, including the stalemate dominating the markets locally and globally in addition to the fierce competition of the domestic market. Table 1 shows the prices of consumer and food products in April Prices of consumer and food products in April 2010 (in LBP) Table 1 Prices Prices Item and brand beginning of beginning of % of price April 2010 May 2010 change Oil Afia corn oil (3.5 liters) 11,500 12, Mazola corn oil (3.5 liters) 13,250 13,250 0 Mazola corn oil (1.8 liters) 6,900 6,900 0 Slim corn oil (2 liters) 7,200 7,200 0 Wesson corn oil (2 liters) 8,500 8,500 0 Ghandour soya oil (3.8 liters) 10,500 10,500 0 Alfa corn oil (4 liters) 12,750 13, Al-Wadi Olive Oil (1/2 liters) 6,650 6,650 0 Ketchup and Sauces Libby s Ketchup (567 g) 3,000 3, Extra Ketchup (340 g) 1,000 1, Extra Ketchup (2.2 kg) 4,830 5, Dolly s Mayonnaise (500 ml) 4,200 4, Al-Wadi Mayonnaise (500 ml) 4,250 4, Al-Bsat Tahina (900 g) 9,000 6, Al-Bsat Tahina (450 g) 4,850 3, Taous tomato sauce (70 g) Taous tomato sauce (425 g) 2,625 3, Tala tomato sauce (675 g) 2,550 3, Fruits and Vegetables Orange (1kg) 1,000 1,000 0 Tomatoes (1kg) 1,450 1, Cucumbers (1kg) 1,500 1, Bananas (1kg) 1,000 1,000 0 Lemons (1kg) Apples (1kg) 2,000 2,000 0 Potatoes (1kg) Pasta Barilla spaghetti (500 g) 2,050 2,050 0 Antonio Amato spaghetti (500 g) 2,850 2,850 0 Monte spaghetti (500 g) 2,150 2,150 0 Prices of consumer and food products in April 2010 (in LBP) Table 1 Item and brand Prices Prices beginning of beginning of % of price April 2010 May 2010 change Dairy Products Candia full cream milk (1 liter) 2,500 2,500 0 Candia full cream yoghurt (2 kg) 5,000 5,000 0 Bonjus labneh (1 kg) 3,750 3,750 0 Taanayel labneh (500 g) 5,000 5,000 0 Candia labneh (500 g) 5,000 5,000 0 Taanayel yoghurt (1 kg) 2,750 2,750 0 Smeds cheese (400 g) 4,400 4, Picon cheese (360 g) 3,250 3,250 0 Picon cheese (160 g) 1,725 1,725 0 Double-crème cheese (1 kg) 6,500 7, Fresh country cheese (1 kg) 8,450 9, Khashkawan cheese (1 kg) 13,750 12,900-9 Lurpak butter (200 g) 2,250 2, Tatra butter (200 g) 2,250 2, Al-Maalaqtain margarine (2 kg) 8,100 7, Al-Baqara al-haloub margarine (2kg) 25,950 25, Vegetaline margarine (2 kg) 13,750 13,750 0 Nido full cream milk (bag) (2,250 g) 19,500 19, Nido full cream milk (2,500 g) 23,100 23,100 0 Tatra full cream milk (1,800 g) 17,500 17,500 0 Tissues and Detergents Mimosa tissues (500 g) 2,750 2, Fine tissues (200 tissues) 1,250 1,250 0 Primo tissues (200 tissues) 1,500 1, Gipsy tissues (300 tissues) 2,300 2,300 0 Mimosa toilet papers (4 rolls) 2,750 2,750 0 Yes detergent (900 g) 2,300 2,300 0 Clorox (1 liter) 1,450 1,450 0 Persil (4 kg) 18,100 18,100 0 Ariel (4 kg) 18,250 18,250 0 issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.

49 Index 49 Prices of consumer and food products in April 2010 (in LBP) Table 1 Item and brand Prices Prices beginning of beginning of % of price April 2010 May 2010 change Cereals Khater white lentils (1 kg) 3,600 3, Khater chick-peas fahli (1 kg) 3,300 3,100-6 Khater beans (1 kg) 2,000 1,900-5 Peeled wheat (1 kg) 1,900 1, Pineal Lima Bean (1 kg) 3,650 3, Brown Fine Burgul (1 kg) 1,950 1, Egyptian rice (1 kg) 2,100 2,100 0 American rice (1 kg) 2,500 2,500 0 Italian rice (1 kg) 2,500 2,500 0 Al-Wadi Hommos Tahina (380 g) 1,100 1,000-9 Chtaura Hommos Tahina (380g) 1, California Gardens beans (450g) 1,250 1,250 0 Al-Wadi beans (450 g) 1,200 1,200 0 Chtaura beans (480 g) 1,200 1,200 0 Libby s corn (340 g) 1,450 1,450 0 Sugar and Salt Sugar (2 kg) 2,750 2, Al-Ousra Sugar (5 kg) 8,450 8, Salt (700 g) Box of salt (738 g) 1,000 1,000 0 Coffee and Tea Najjar coffee (1kg) 12,000 12,000 0 Brazil coffee (1 kg) 10,500 11, Al-Hisan tea (180 g) 2,450 2,450 0 Nestle (250g) 2,500 2,500 0 Prices of consumer and food products in April 2010 (in LBP) Table 1 Item and brand Prices Prices beginning of beginning of % of price April 2010 May 2010 change Meat, Fish and Eggs Zwan chicken (200 g) 2,500 2, Zwan beef (200 g) 2,250 2,250 0 Luncheon meat beef (198 g) 1,140 1, Al-Mona chicken (200 g) 2,100 2, Al-Taghzia beef (200 g) 2,000 1, Al-Taghzia chicken (200 g) 1,750 1,750 0 Geisha sardine (125 g) 1,000 1,000 0 Deli sardine (125 g) Milo sardine (125 g) Geisha tuna (200 g) 3,850 2, White Bell tuna (200 g) 2,100 2, White Diamond tuna (200 g) 2,250 1, Skipper tuna (185 g) 1,750 1, Eggs (30 eggs) 6,250 6,000-4 Beef (1 kg) 12,000 12,000 0 Sheep (1 kg) 18,000 18,000 0 Halvah and Jam Al-Wadi halvah (454 g) 3,850 3,850 0 Al-Bsat halvah (450 g) 3,250 3,250 0 Chtaura apricot jam (1 kg) 4,620 4,620 0 Al-Wadi apricot jam (1 kg) 4,350 4,350 0 Source: Information International - April 2010 issue 95 - June 2010

50 50 Did you know that? The Palestinian Demographics around the World 12 million is the approximate world population of Palestinians, some of whom were displaced after the creation of Israel, others after the displacement of 1948, and many more after the displacement of % of Palestinians still live in Palestine. 2,345,000 Palestinians live in the West Bank. 1,416,000 Palestinians live in the Gaza Strip. 1,318,000 Palestinians live in territory occupied by Israel. 50% or more of the displaced Palestinians are stateless refugees, either lacking citizenship in any country, or having limited citizenship rights in Jordan. 573,000 Palestinians live in Syria and 500,000 live in Chile. Chile represents the largest concentration of Palestinians outside the Arab world. 4,255,120 Palestinian refugees live inside and outside camps in Lebanon as claimed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (representing around 10% of the population in Lebanon). According to the Monthly 1, the number of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon does not exceed 220, official refugee camps for Palestinians are located in Lebanon. These camps have very poor living conditions. Some figures disclosed by UNRWA are: Only 30 primary health care facilities are available Only 81 schools exist in the camps Only 34,516 students are enrolled Only 1,014,599 annual medical and dental patient visits occur 48,506 refugees are registered with UNRWA s special hardship program Only one community rehabilitation center is available 250,245 Palestinians live in Saudi Arabia, and 70,245 live in Egypt. 600,000 Palestinians are thought to reside in the Americas. Many Palestinians have settled in the United States, particularly in the Chicago area. The rest of the Palestinian refugees and immigrants are spread between Honduras (54,000), Kuwait (50,000), Brazil (50,000), Iraq (34,000), Yemen (25,000), Canada (23,975), Australia (15,000), and others. 6% of the Palestinian population worldwide is Christian. Sources: people#cite_note-jpostfigs Review Debunking Myth: Half a Million Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon. The Monthly. Feb 2008, issue # 67. Beirut International Airport Traffic at Rafic Hariri International Airport- April % monthly increase Passenger traffic at Rafic Hariri International Airport recorded during the month of April 2010 an increase of 20.3% compared to the previous month and of 11.6% in comparison with April Moreover, the number of arriving and departing passengers has risen by 17% and 24% respectively as shown in Table 1. April traffic in April 2010 compared to March 2010 and April 2009 Table 1 Traffic March 2010 April 2010 April 2009 % of change March/ April 2010 % change April 2009/ April 2010 Arriving airplanes 2,459 2,526 2, Departing airplanes 2,444 2,524 2, Total # of airplanes 4,903 5,050 4, Arriving passengers 187, , , Departing passengers 173, , , Transit passengers 2,933 3,906 3, Total # of passengers 364, , , Imported goods (per ton) 4,220 3,781 3, Exported goods (per ton) 2,628 2,392 2, Total amount of goods (per ton) 6,848 6,173 5, Source: Information International and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation issue 95 - published by Information International s.a.l.