Blogging Lebanon
since 2005
Blogging Lebanon since 2005
A couple of photos to mark this dayWhite balloons are released in Martyr square to celebrate the return of life to Beirut (Seriously, who comes up with all these gimmicks?)
Mustapha Hamoui · May 21, 2008
Here’s a map that shows the districts of the 1960s electoral law that will be used for the next general elections in Lebanon.
Mustapha Hamoui · May 21, 2008
The Doha agreement diffuses the current crisis and everyone will immediately feel the benefits. But the real issues remain to be solved.
Mustapha Hamoui · May 21, 2008
My facebook friends are a varied bunch with all sorts of political views. But today they are all relieved that things got settled in Qatar. Here’s a slice of their facebook status updates in the last few hours:Ibrahim is DOWN TOWNImad is happy and going to BeirutBashar: SO 2DAY @ LAST BEIRUT IT SMILES’’SHUKRAN QATAR’’IT’LL B DONE…..Yasmine is :)Rana: Mabrouk Lebanon!Samer is mabrouk Libneen & waiting for tonights match, GO MAN UNITED…Hani: alf mabrouk for our beloved country……………Karim is distributing free bananas to the monkeys who finally agreed on something…. ooh-ooh!!Jamal: ?? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ????????. Nour: ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????Rabih: Nchallah ma yetkhana2ou henneh we raj3ine.!!!:)Why don’t you share with us some of the more creative stuff your own friends have put up?
Mustapha Hamoui · May 21, 2008
According to the Jerusalem Post, Israeli Army Radio quoted top Israeli politicians about Bush’s intent to bomb Iran in the next few months.
Mustapha Hamoui · May 20, 2008
Basing the electoral law on temporary alliances is ill advised and unsustainable.There are rumors that the Lebanese parties in Doha are trying to carve a self-serving electoral law. It is being said for instance that Mr. Aoun is proposing Beirut divisions that allow the Shiaas to vote for the Christians and that Mr. Hariri would love to keep (Christian) Zgharta in the embrace of (Sunni) Tripoli.That short-sightedness would be a big mistake, as it would be an admission that the Lebanese will never be able to manage things on their own. Every time new alliances emerge between the dominant players, a new Doha will have to be found to carve up a matching electoral law.The arguments made in Doha should not be about politics. A fairer electoral division, even if it costs March 14 some seats, should not be portrayed as an attempt by the opposition to “harvest their military gains politically”, as Mr. Jumblatt is fond of saying. Mr Ghassan Tueni who embraced the draft law of the Lebanese commission for electoral reform should not feel pressured to follow March 14’s lead and should try to persuade them of the law’s long-term merits.The electoral law they should be coming up with is one that can last at least another 50 years (where demographic changes could dictate some necessary tinkering and gerrymandering), a law that has enough moral clarity and weight to impose on politicians their electoral platforms. Anything else would be tantamount to treating cancer with an aspirin.
Mustapha Hamoui · May 20, 2008
The New York Times reports on grizzly details of Lebanon’s latest ordeal.
Mustapha Hamoui · May 17, 2008
The tiny Arab emirate of Qatar is actively seeking to become a land where extremes coexist.
Mustapha Hamoui · May 16, 2008
The Democratic presidential candidate revisits his previous statement on the events in Lebanon.When Hezbollah begun its punitive actions against the Seniora government, Sentaor Barack Obama released a statement that Left many Lebanese bloggers unimpressed. Abu Kais spoke for many when he wrote:
Mustapha Hamoui · May 16, 2008
The latest issue of The Economist has a helpful, nuanced and aptly-titled 4-page briefing on the events that took place in Lebanon in the last three years. Also, while you’re at it, you should check their leader on the current situation…
Mustapha Hamoui · May 15, 2008