Jumblatt applauds youth protest, says sectarian system must end

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt stated on Monday that the time has come to eliminate the “dark” sectarian system in Lebanon that “has infiltrated every aspect of our political, economic, social, and educational life.” (more…)

STL: Sfeir says justice must take its course

Commenting on the Hezbollah-led campaign against the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) , Maronite Patriarch Boutros Nasrallah Sfeir said on Sunday: Even if the indictment may cause some repercussions in the local arena, justice is justice and must take its course.”
He added: “We want to put an end to the assassinations and make sure that every criminal is punished”. (more…)

Berri: Sectarianism is eating the country

Speaker Nabih Berri told An-Nahar newspaper in an interview published Saturday that Lebanon cannot rise without eliminating political sectarianism and stressed that sectarianism is eating the country.

Berri said that Lebanon will not be revived until political sectarianism is abolished.

“We should act and confront this monster before it’s too late,” the house speaker added. (more…)

Why Does Lebanon Pretend To Have a Presidential System?

By Ghassan Karam
Quick, can you name the presidents of the following countries: Germany, Italy, Turkey, Iraq, Israel and Lebanon?

In Lebanon, a Campaign to Get God Out of Politics

The few thousand people who gathered in Beirut on Sunday to march on the country’s parliament made for an unusual sight.

Analysis: Lebanon’s confused secularism

The author says the confessional system in Lebanon has failed, but if secularism is to succeed we need to add clarity to the language surrounding it.

Berri welcomes Sfeir statement on sectarianism

Speaker Nabih Berri issued a statement on Friday that Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir’s Thursday address in which he said that sectarianism should be abolished as a whole and not just political sectarianism , is a starting point to work toward having all the Lebanese agree on the matter.

“Let us form the national committee to abolish political sectarianism to suggest how sectarianism can be abolished completely ,” Berri added. (more…)

Aoun: Sectarian system was established in Lebanon for a reason

Change and Reform bloc leader MP Aoun said following the meeting of his bloc that they discussed the taxation system , the budget and the rental laws
He defended his opposition to lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 and denied that he linked this issue to the issue of granting citizenship to people of Lebanese decent who live abroad . He said the “Lebanese have been emigrating for over 200 years because of poverty and security issues and if we offer them citizenship, they will have a reason to remain more attached to their roots.”
Commenting on abolishing political sectarianism he said :
A sectarian system was established in Lebanon for a reason, and I supported Hezbollah’s weapons for a reason, adding “disarming Hezbollah cannot take place without a valid reason.”
He added: “A pluralistic state should promote the culture of pluralism”

Sfeir concerned over abolishing of political sectarianism

Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir expressed concern on Tuesday that abolishing of political sectarianism could lead to the domination of one group over the other.
“Sectarianism is intolerable, but we fear that once it is abolished, one party would dominate the other,” Sfeir said in remarks to the Voice of Lebanon radio station.
Asked if plans to visit Syria anytime soon , Sfeir said: “We don’t see a reason to visit Damascus at present.”

Jumblatt defends Berri’s stances

In an interview with al Nahar newspaper Democratic Gathering leader MP Walid Jumblatt criticized attacks on Lebanon’s parliament Speaker Nabih Berri over his stance on abolishing political sectarianism.
“We feel sorry for the attack on Speaker Berri from all sides,” Jumblatt said.
Jumblatt added : “The attack is aimed at preventing participation in political life in a civilized manner”
Jumblatt also defended Berri’s call for a parliament session to amend article 21 of the constitution, by voting on lowering the voting age from 21 to 18.
Jumblatt said his Progressive Socialist party MPs are in favor of lowering the voting age to 18 .
“Historically, the Progressive Socialist Party has been with the lowering of the voting age to 18″ Jumblatt said
Jumblat added : “I Won’t Impose Anything on Democratic Gathering MPs but we are with Lowering Voting Age”. About half of the Democratic Gathering MPs are not PSP members.
Jumblatt left for London this afternoon on a private visit