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LEBANON 2005
For better or for worse, Lebanon came back into the spotlight this year when
its star politician and former prime minister Rafiq Al-Hariri was assassinated
on 14 February. Accusations, both international and Lebanese, fell on Damascus,
and Syrian troops -under heavy US pressure- were forced to totally withdraw from Lebanon. The
Syrian-backed government was replaced by a more moderate interim cabinet,
installed to oversee the May-June elections.
Meanwhile, Lebanon celebrated the 30th anniversary of the April 1975 events
which led to the bloody civil war. The celebrations, originally the brainchild
of Al-Hariri, were held under the banner of celebrating national unity. All
round, politicians and the population alike spoke of ensuring they would never
return to that era of violence which so deeply scarred Lebanese society. The
process of so-called national reconciliation also included the reintegration and
the empowerment of various figures already familiar in the Lebanese political
scene, including the until recently exiled Michel Aoun.
As the elections continue to progress, the final result of this
reconciliation remains to be seen. So far, Lebanon seems to be divided as ever,
and at the same time homogenous as ever on the degree of its people's
involvement and fervour for politics.
Browse Al-Ahram Weekly's Lebanon 2005 archive for a comprehensive,
investigative perspective on the the year's events.
ELECTION
Aoun's hour Enter Michel Aoun. Omayma Abdel-Latif reports from the Lebanese capital on the implications for Lebanese politics
Bombs before the ballotThe assassination of Samir Kassir exposes the fragility of Lebanon's security
as the country continues its four-stage elections, reports Omayma
Abdel-Latif from Beirut
A
vote to veto 1559The second round of Lebanese elections was a vote against disarming
Hizbullah, Omayma
Abdel-Latif reports from south Lebanon
Winner
takes allWinning the elections may be the easiest of Saad Al-Hariri's tasks, reports
Omayma
Abdel-Latif from Beirut
INTERIM GOVERNMENT AND THE WITHDRAWAL OF SYRIA
As
the old symbols toppleLebanon's antiquated confessional political system could well prove an
obstacle to reform, reports Mohalhel Fakih from Beirut
Jockeying
in Lebanon 19 - 25 May 2005
Although electoral alliances guarantee the victory of the opposition, cracks
emerged in the anti-Syrian camp, writes Mohalhel Fakih
Unlikely
alliances 12 - 18 May 2005
Two weeks before Lebanese elections, a clear picture has yet to emerge,
writes Mohalhel Fakih
How
the cookie crumblesAlliances are shifting in Lebanon ahead of crucial legislative elections next
month, reports Mohalhel Fakih from Beirut
End
of an era 28 April - 4 May 2005
It is now up to the Lebanese to rebuild their polity, writes Mohalhel
Fakih from Beirut
Divided
we fall 21 - 27 April 2005
At the crossroads of a profound and complex political crisis, a new cabinet
is finally formed under the auspices of Najib Miqati. But, is longer-term
national unity really possible? Serene Assir investigates
Redefining
HizbullahAs the Lebanese political map is redrawn, shifts in Hizbullah's direction
grow increasingly imminent, writes Serene Assir
Sort
it out 7 - 13 April 2005
Larsen emphasises the urgent need for free and fair elections in Lebanon and
Syria, reports Mohalhel Fakih from Beirut
Still
on the edge 31 March - 6 April 2005
The disarmament of Hizbullah seems off the agenda, at least for now, as
Lebanon struggles in political turmoil, writes Mohalhel Fakih
COMMEMORATING THE CIVIL WAR
On 13 April 1975 Phalangist gunmen ambushed a busload of Palestinians in
Beirut. The incident marked the beginning of a bloody civil war which lasted 15
long years and claimed the lives of 150,000. Since 1990, the Lebanese have been
trying to simultaneously come to terms with the legacy of war and to forget.
Ironically it was Rafiq Al-Hariri -- whose assassination last February
threatened to revive the ghosts of the past -- who had planned to mark the
occasion with a series of festivities celebrating Lebanese national unity. This
week, Al-Hariri's sister, Bahia, inaugurated the celebrations which her brother
had planned. But will Lebanon truly heed the lessons of the war? Serene
Assir , in Beirut, seeks answers from some of Lebanon's most prominent
past and present players on the political arena
Interviews:
The
politics of youthNader Naquib, president of the Future Youth Association -- the youth
branch of Rafiq Al-Hariri's political movement
Still
goingThe eldest son of Pierre Gemayel, Amin Gemayel was elected president by
the disintegrating Lebanese parliament in a bid to fill the void created by the
assassination of his brother, Bashir.
In
the spotlightWalid Jumblatt is the son of Kamal Jumblatt, the charismatic leader of
the Lebanese Progressive Movement; he is now spearheading the call for Syria's
pullout from Lebanon.
Warlords,
politicians and martyrsAs Lebanon struggles to overcome a new crisis, a look into its recent
past reveals that while a number of those who played a key role in shaping --
and often destroying -- the country are by now dead, others are still actively
engaged in today's battles. As, yet again, Lebanon is being now torn along
ideological and sectarian divisions; some of its leaders are trying to transcend
the divisions, while others are not. The following biographies are listed in
alphabetical order, not according to historical relevance. Readers should note
the predominance of ruling families.
Contrary
forcesPro- and anti-Syrian groups in Lebanon continue to vie, in a delicate
balance, over the future of the country, writes Mohalhel Fakih
Life
after Hariri 24 - 30 March 2005Lebanon's Sunnis are still reeling from the shocking death of their leader
Rafiq Al-Hariri. But what does this mean for Lebanese politics? Omayma
Abdel-Latif seeks some answers
Raising
the stakes 17 - 23 March 2005
The mass demonstration in Beirut on Monday was not just to protest against
Syria's lingering presence in Lebanon: It was to announce the Lebanese
opposition as a major political force, writes Graham Usher in
Beirut
Neither
victor nor vanquished 17 - 23 March 2005
In an interview with Graham Usher Salim Al-Hoss discusses
the conflict in Lebanon, its potential dangers and what he believes is its
"only" solution
'First
things first' 17 - 23 March 2005
The Bush administration, satisfied with initial reports of Syria's withdrawal
from Lebanon, has stipulated that disarming Hizbullah comes next, Khaled
Dawoud reports from Washington
The
'other' Lebanon 10 - 16 March 2005
The Lebanese opposition has some serious explaining to do, says Hizbullah
chief. Omayma
Abdel-Latif looks into the knotty relations between the resistance
movement and the Lebanese opposition
Damascus
holds its ground 10 - 16 March 2005
Troop withdrawal is one thing but complete withdrawal is another thing
altogether, writes Sami Moubayed from Damascus
What
next, Lebanon? 3 - 9 March 2005
By toppling Omar Karami's government, the defiant Lebanese opposition has
scored one major victory but is it capable of providing a consensual vision for
change in the country? In Beirut Omayma
Abdel-Latif seeks some answers
Mostly
grey 24 February - 2 March 2005
In Lebanon, colours black and white are not popular, writes Antonio
Ferrari from Beirut
Voices
of dissent 24 February - 2 March 2005
Al-Hariri's assassination has galvanised and strengthened anti-Syrian
opposition in Lebanon, Mohalhel Fakih reports from Beirut
Trying
times for Damascus 24 February - 2 March 2005
Some in Syria call for an immediate pullout from Lebanon, given the surge in
opposition activity, while others choose patience. Sami Moubayed
writes from Damascus
Spotlight
on Syria 24 February - 2 March 2005
US officials will escalate pressure on Syria to pull out its troops from
Lebanon ahead of upcoming spring elections, Khaled
Dawoud reports from Washington
A
city mourns 17 - 23 February 2005
Lebanon is in shock following the assassination of Rafiq Al-Hariri, reports
Mohalhel Fakih from Beirut
Man
with a mission 17 - 23 February 2005
Serene Assir recounts the life story of one of Lebanon's
most influential and forward-looking leaders
All
eyes on Damascus 17 - 23 February 2005
News of Al-Hariri's assassination took the Syrian capital by storm, and
accusations that Damascus ordered his elimination are empty, writes Sami
Moubayed
Far
and wide 17 - 23 February 2005
The consequences of Al-Hariri's assassination go beyond Lebanon's borders.
Dina
Ezzat reports on the concerns of many
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