Could the next President be someone who is “good and nice and works a lot?”
In February of 2006, the American University of Beirut hosted a conference called “How to Become a Leader“. One of the panelists was a young, popular ex-Minister who has a PHD in Strategic Planning. Demianos Kattar started his speech by quoting his own son: A leader “is someone good and nice and works a lot,” who is “able to accomplish things, which depend on self-discipline and empowering others”.
These are words that one should reflect on, since the man who uttered them is highly rumored to be the fabled consensus Lebanese leader everyone desperately wants.
What do I mean by “highly rumored?”
Consider this: The volume of Google searches of “Damianos Kattar” has shot up to the stratosphere in the last few days, and I know because many of them ended up landing in one of my previous posts, where one of the commentators wrote ” The president of Lebanon will be Demianos Kattar. Just remember: you heard it from me first”
I can’t escape the rumors. My parents told me that their friends told them that Damianos Kattar will be the next President, and in general there seems to be is a hint of excitement at the rumor.
What is it about Mr. Kattar that generates so much buzz?
Aside from being likable and intelligent, the man fits politically in that very elusive thin slot that we Lebanese call “consensus”. He is liked by the Aounis, by March 14 (yesterday he made hush-hush statements to the media committing himself to International resolutions and to a defense strategy based on UNSCR 1701), and, most importantly, he can save face for March 8 who see in him a nonthreatening newbie who never antagonized them in public.
If Mr. Kattar does end up being the next Lebanese President, let’s all hope that he lives up to the hype and to his own words at AUB.
Hello, my name is Mustapha and I have been blogging about Lebanese society and politics since February 2005. You can also find me on 
he should be a minister between aoun’s ministers in the future government
I can’t say much about him. I will wait for the newspapers to dig in and find more about him! Regardless, I hope that electing him will stop the Syrian and Iranian meddling in Lebanon, will not be assassinated, and will push for disarming HA!!!
He did a great job as finance minister during the Mikati gvt, he is the one Patriarch Sfeir hinted on a year ago(“a young educated and non partisan candidate”…)and he is also involved with the islamo-christian dialogue. I think he would make a good president provided he has a good team and a clear vision.
I’ve been saying it for a while and mentioned it long ago in the comments section of your post. From what I have seen of Mr Khattar, he certainly has the qualities of a leader with a vision.
vcoderz,
So you don’t think he’s presidential material? Can you explain why?
GK,
Easy on the early confrontation. Let the guy consolidate his powers before using them.
Dania,
He’s indeed a smart and awesome chap. But the question is: Can he rule?
Tony, my prescient reader,
What does DK have that chibli mallat has not?
Mallatt is PSP leaning
There is at least 5 views of the future lebanon and a hardworker must be a big visionnary for his work to pay, or else he will be eaten by our veteran crocodiles.
Yeah…
…for the past six months, every post on the presidential election I’ve put up has had a commentator (most of the time one by then name of tony) pushing Demianos Kattar as a serious presidential candidate.
The reasons are as you outlined, the FPM likes him (a lot) and the M14, Lahoud (i.e. Syria and its people in the Leb Army), and Hizballah people are pretty indifferent about him.
Looking at the guy, I can’t say he strikes me as “Presidential material”: he’s held the post of Minister of Economy under the Mikati transitional gov’t of 2005 (so that lasted about…2 months?). Other than that, I don’t know…theres really nothing else to say.
Having come this far and shed so much blood…should we base the future of the Cedar Revolution on an untested debutante?
Mustapha, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want the guy to get elected. I was merely giving my sources at the time (2 months ago…).
In any case, he is an in the closet Aounist, but it might be better then having the nut case himself.
I’m sorry to say that Kattar is not the solution. His neutrality will not defuse the bomb nor the tensions. If we keep satisfying everybody’s brother, we wouldn’t advance our cause. We need to have somebody who will protect Lebanon from its sworn enemies, Syria and Iran, who care more obout their respective agendas than on the well being of Lebanon. Kattar will only offer himself to manipulation and intimidation. We need somebody who is ready to die for Lebanon.
Enough dying for lebanon
Mustapha,
I have never looked at a DK vs Mallat Presidency. However, based on his professional experience and international exposure, I would guess that Chibli Mallat also has certain qualities that are required in the leader of a nation.
I don’t know about the rest of you but this “election” period has been draining and taken way too long. Let’s elect this President already so that we can try and lay the foundations for a strong, democratic, independent, economically sound, fair and just Lebanon.
Mustapha I am for Chibli Mallat for president 100%. I was merely pointing to Kattar’s eligibility as well and in a greater perspective that there are those who are up for the job unlike what some would have us think “me me me… or no one”.
Mallat and/or DK would have been perfect for a time when Lebanon is prosperous and in need of motivated brilliant civilized individuals. Unfortunately, that time is yet to come. I think Mallat and DK will fall preys to Syrian, iranian and Hizz intimidation almost overnight and we would be left in even greater chaos and dichotomy.
I believe we need an individual who will liberate Lebanon once and for all and then set the stage for truly brilliant intellectuals. Only a M14 hawk who has nothing to lose will be able to take momentous historic and courageous positions that will propel us into a civilized future.
Damianos Kattar is on the list! You might be right Beirut Spring.
He would be a good candidate, we need someone who will be moderate and truly work to help rebuild fix and help Lebanon.
But I don’t know, ‘Aoun has been maneuvering in the past few days so as to please everyone. I know its a long shot, but can we look for a Thanksgiving surprise?
I’m with Damianos, or Joseph Tarably right now. ‘Aoun, Lahoud, or Harb just won’t work. We need someone like Saniora.
I think the lebanese people living in Lebanon and abroad need a strong president, one who abides by all the U.N. security council resolutions concerning Lebanon, one that is an ally of the western world and especially of the United States, one who should unequivocally work on disarming Hezbollah and all palestinian refugees everywhere in Lebanon, and reinstate the rule of law in the country.