Al-Ahram Weekly | Region | In with the new

		Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 7 -13 December 2000 Issue No.511
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875		Current issue \| Previous issue \| Site map

In with the new
By Nevine Khalil

photo: Ahmed Reda

Emile Lahoud is probably the youngest statesman in Arab politics today. In September, at age 25, he won a seat in the Lebanese parliament despite much controversy over the fact that he is the president's son. "In hindsight, I believe that being the president's son has been an obstacle," Lahoud admitted with a smile. Championing the cause of the youth, he heads Lebanon's youth and sports legislative committee, but has a wider agenda to serve the Arab world through economic integration and the will of the young.
A self-declared realist, Lahoud lobbies for the younger generation of Arab leaders emerging on the political scene, saying that they embody hope for the future and have the potential to propel their countries across the threshold of the third millennium.
In Egypt last month, Lahoud spoke to ,Al-Ahram Weekly on a plethora of issues which afflict regional politics, the role of youth in Arab politics and his mantra at work: "The solution is just around the corner." While in Cairo, Lahoud met with a number of Egyptian officials. These included Parliament Speaker Fathi Sorour, Minister of Youth and Sports Alieddin Hilal, President Hosni Mubarak's chief political adviser Osama El-Baz, Gamal Mubarak, a prominent member of the ruling National Democratic Party, and newly elected members of parliament. It was an opportunity for Lahoud to visit Egypt for the first time, get a first-hand idea "of the direction of politics here," and establish contact with other young Arab politicians.
Lahoud reflected that a decade ago, it was "impossible" for young Arabs to attain leadership or decision-making posts, but now the younger generation is playing a bigger role in politics. "They are just as patriotic as their predecessors, but the burden of the past 40 years is not upon their shoulders. Dealing with things is easier," noted Lahoud.
He believes that communication with and among youth is easier, "because they are fresh on the scene, and when they sit at a table in an official capacity their feelings are neutral, not marred by previous personal hard feelings. It's like turning a new page." He is optimistic about "mixing old and new blood on the Arab political scene because it is bound to improve the status of Arabs."
Lahoud believes the first task ahead of young Arabs entering politics is to build strong relations amongst themselves through communication. "I believe it is essential to begin our work by creating a network of relations, through direct contact, exchanging viewpoints, agreeing on what the challenges are, where the Arab world is heading, and then sitting down to work out a joint plan to follow," he said. "One of my first goals is to create a network of personal connections."
Lahoud was especially looking forward to meeting the younger Mubarak, because he'd heard "so many good things" about him, and believed their views on many issues, like those of their peers, would be similar. With his family background, Lahoud has an advantage in being introduced to members of the ruling class in the Arab world. He knows Syria's 34-year-old President Bashar Al-Assad and his brother Maher well, and is friends with the sons of Sheikh Zayed, president of the United Arab Emirates. After meeting 38-year-old King Abdullah of Jordan briefly, Lahoud hopes to further cement their relationship. "I am trying to transform my personal relationships into political work ties," he said. Beginning with Lebanon's immediate neighbours, Lahoud hopes to expand his contacts within one year.
Although a blessing in many ways, being the son of a chief executive or a powerful politician when you are initiated in the world of politics has its drawbacks. "Following in the footsteps of a greater man, stepping out of his shadow and proving yourself as an accomplished politician, dealing with misinterpretations of your rise to power, proving that you are in office because of your own merit and avoiding being used as a vehicle of attack against the regime," says Lahoud. "You keep all that in mind when you decide to enter politics, although it will continue being a thorn in your side."
And how do you deal with your detractors? "By working as quickly as possible to establish yourself as an independent politician through your actions when you reach office," says Lahoud, who faces another challenge that is unique to Lebanon. Representing a largely influential Christian constituency in the north, he has to make sure he is seen as serving national goals, not just the interests of his Christian constituency. "I have to prove that I do not just represent the Christians, but serve the country as a whole," emphasised Lahoud.
The young parliamentarian believes he was elected because his programme mainly addressed the 18 to 35 age bracket, who are economically challenged, disillusioned with politics and scarcely represented in the Lebanese political arena.
While in recent years the Arab world has witnessed the rise to power of kings and presidents in their 30s, Lahoud believes that more opportunities should be made available to young men and women to become decision-makers.
"There is a call in Lebanon, and I assume in all Arab countries, that the older generation should begin to step down and make way for the young," he said.
By insisting on staying in power, according to Lahoud, the old guard leaves the young disenchanted and disempowered. "In Lebanon, the young are alienated and disillusioned. We shouldn't hide these facts, but rather address their needs before looking at regional issues." But he is not calling for a "revolution" of any sort. According to Lahoud, young politicians would approach issues with more practicality, new perspectives and more flexibility. "We are willing to work, willing to forget past trivialities and differences, willing to look at things in a new light. The region requires this new blood," he argued. He noted that the younger generation of leaders cannot rely on their parents' relations and alliances because they were made "in another time and under very different circumstances."
Lahoud believes the younger generation have a more realistic understanding of regional conditions, because they have "learnt from previous lessons that hard-line positions were useless and harmed the Arabs as a whole. I believe in real politics, not ideological mantras and theoretical slogans." According to Lahoud, the vision of young Arab leaders is inspired by the older leadership, many of whom are still in power and using new policies. "We would complement the efforts of the previous generation and move on."
So what are his plans for the region? First, Lahoud champions achieving Arab solidarity through economic integration, since it is "the only tie that will be difficult to unravel because it will be at the grassroots level." Lahoud explained that natural and human resources should be amalgamated to cement Arab solidarity and improve living standards in the region.
Second, he believes there are "no justifications whatsoever" for the existence of any conflict between any two Arab countries, since this would only serve the interest of Israel. "President Mubarak has worked very hard to bring viewpoints closer -- this is the correct policy that the younger generations should follow," he stated. Arab countries should overcome political differences, abandon "hollow" slogans, adopt market economy policies, strengthen inter-Arab economic ties, empower the youth and reform political systems, he said.
Third, Arab countries must all rally behind one plan of action on how to achieve peace and present it as a non-negotiable package to Israel. "As long as we are at odds, we cannot reach a just and comprehensive peace with Israel," he stated. "If one member of the group settles for less, this member destroys all we have worked for." Once a "clear and honest agreement is reached and respected, especially by the Israelis, we can have normal relations based on more than ink on paper," said Lahoud, quickly adding that such an endeavour was still out of reach.

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