lebanon aps

8/13/2019 Lebanon APS

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Lebanonwww.carnegieendowment.org/arabpoliticalsystemswww.fride.org/eng/Publications/Publication.aspx?Item=787

LEBANON

UPDATES AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS ............................................................................................3

UPDATES AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS ............................................................................................3

!"#$I%&'()"*.....................................................................................................................................+L,I-L($I%&'()"*...................................................................................................................................7#I"I('0.....................................................................................................................................................1L2"(L,2%')3)$ ...............................................................................................................................44

RIGHTS .........................................................................................................................................................12

RIGHTS .........................................................................................................................................................12

P'-2)(LLI&'$I-..................................................................................................................................45L,I-L($I2)',#L($I),$*!'"I-26'I,*$-................................................................................4

POLITICAL FORCES.................................................................................................................................16

POLITICAL FORCES.................................................................................................................................16

P2LI$I"(LP('$I- ....................................................................................................................................4"I%IL-2"I$0.............................................................................................................................................41

ELECTION RESULTS.................................................................................................................................21

ELECTION RESULTS.................................................................................................................................21

CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION................................................................................................................23

CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION................................................................................................................23

CORRUPTION..............................................................................................................................................24

CORRUPTION..............................................................................................................................................24

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace91779 Massachusetts Ave. NWWashington .C. !""#$%!1"#www.carnegieendowment.org

&undaci'n (ara las )elaciones Internacionales * eli+logo E,terior-C &eli(e I/- 9 % 10 dcha. !"12 Madrid.www.fride.org

At A Glance

Population9 uly 5:: est. 915+9+:5

,P Per "apita ;PPPelopment Index 'an9 #)P9 5:: 78 ;out of 477 countriese been paralyCed since D)ational ialogueE

meetings aimed at easing political tensions collapsed on )o>ember 449 5::.Political leaders @ad initiated t@e meetings on 3arc@ 59 5:: to discuss pressingissues t@at @a>e di>ided t@e Lebanese political scene since t@e 6ebruary 4A9 5::+assassination of former Prime 3inister 'afiF *ariri. $@e meetings broug@t toget@ert@e leaders of 4A political groups including Prime 3inister 6ouad -iniora9 6uture3o>ement parliamentary leader -aad *ariri9 ruCe leader Galid umblatt9 Lebanese6orces leader -amir ,eagea9 6ree Patriotic mo>ement leader 3ic@el (oun9 P@alangeParty leader (min ,emayel9 *iCbolla@ leader *assan )asralla@9 and -peaer ofParliament )abi@ &erri.

$@e tals collapsed after t@e go>erning maHority reHected demands from *iCbolla@ andits allies to be granted onet@ird of cabinet positions. -ix ministers ;fi>e from -@iBapolitical parties *iCbolla@ and (mal< wit@drew from t@e 5Amember cabinet inprotest. *iCbolla@ accused t@e go>erning maHority led by Prime 3inister 6ouad-iniora of failing to bac it during t@e uly war wit@ Israel and of supporting #.-. andIsraeli demands for its disarmament. $@e maHority coalition stated it was willing toinclude 3aronite leader ;and *iCbolla@ ally< 3ic@el (oun in t@e cabinet but refusedto surrender a t@ird of cabinet posts9 w@ic@ would gi>e *iCbolla@ >eto power. $@ego>erning maHority accused *iCbolla@ of seeing to >eto a statute appro>ing aninternational tribunal to prosecute suspects in t@e assassination of former Prime3inister 'afiF *ariri in 6ebruary 5::+.

2pposition protesters affiliated wit@ *iCbolla@ and its allies @a>e demanded t@e

resignation of t@e current go>ernment since ecember 5::.

$@e #) -ecurity "ouncil appro>ed on 3ay 49 5::7 t@e creation of an international

court to try suspects in t@e murder of former *ariri. $@e resolution was adopted by 4:>otes to Cero9 wit@ fi>e abstentions from 'ussia9 "@ina9 -out@ (frica9 Indonesia andJatar. $@e establis@ment of t@e tribunal @as to be ratified by t@e parliament but t@e

parliamentary speaer9 )abi@ &erri9 w@o is part of t@e opposition alliance9 @as refusedto con>ene a session so t@is can tae place.

6i>e 3Ps belonging to t@e 3arc@ 4A anti-yria coalition @a>e been assassinated since

*aririBs murderK (ntoine ,@anim in -eptember 5::79 Galid ido in une 5::79 Pierre,emayel ;also 3inister of Industry< in )o>ember 5::9 ,ibran $ueni in ecember5::+9 and &asil 6lei@an in (pril 5::+. $@e 3arc@ 4A coalition now @as a dwindlingmaHority of 7 in t@e 458seat parliament.

2n 6ebruary 5+9 5::8 t@e Lebanese parliament postponed for t@e fifteent@ time t@e

session to elect a new president to 3arc@ 44. (rab League -ecretary ,eneral (mr3oussa left Lebanon on 6ebruary 1 after failing to brea t@e deadloc between t@e

Gestern and -audibaced maHority and t@e pro-yria opposition. $@e two sidesagreed on (rmy "ommander ,eneral 3ic@el -uleiman as president9 but are now

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Lebanon

di>ided on t@e composition of a new go>ernment. Lebanon @as been wit@out apresident since pro-yrian mile La@oud stepped down on )o>ember 59 5::7.

2n 6ebruary 4A9 5::89 t@ousands of Lebanese too to t@e streets in two separate

ralliesK *iCbolla@ supporters lined t@e streets of &eirut to watc@ t@e funeral procession

of *iCbolla@ militant Imad 3ug@niya@9 illed 6ebruary 45 in a car bombing inamascus. uring t@e funeral9 *iCbolla@ c@ief *assan )asralla@ warnedt@at t@egroup is ready for Dopen warE wit@ Israel. -upporters of t@e go>ernment meanw@ilegat@ered in 3artyrs -Fuare to mar t@e t@ird anni>ersary of t@e assassination offormer Prime 3inister 'afiF al*ariri. %iolent street clas@es later erupted in se>eralmixed -unni-@iBi areas of &eirut on 6ebruary 49 lea>ing at least fourteen peopleinHured. 2n 6ebruary 459 Lebanese prosecutors c@arged nineteen soldiers9 includingt@ree officers9 in t@e case of t@e fatal s@ooting of se>en -@iBi protestors in &eirut onanuary 57.

Upcomi! Po"i#ic$" E%'(

Parliament will attempt again to elect a president9 3arc@ 449 5::8



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State Institutions/ Separation of o!ers

Lebanon is a parliamentary republic. Its political system is based on t@e

apportionment of parliamentary seats9 @ig@ political offices9 and senior administrati>epositions among t@e countryBs 47 recogniCed religious communities.

$@e first Lebanese "onstitution9 on w@ic@ t@e present one is based9 was adopted on

3ay 59 415 ;nglis@ $ext9(rabic $extember 559 41A. $@e constitution was furt@er amended in411: as a result of t@e $aBif (ccord ;see belowil war9

reaffirmed t@e confessional arrangement9 but introduced se>eral c@anges. $@esec@anges resulted in constitutional amendments enacted in 411:. $@e $aBif (ccordK

istributed parliamentary seats eFually between "@ristians and 3uslims. stablis@ed a cabinet di>ided eFually between "@ristians and 3uslims. 'educed t@e power of t@e 3aronite president. Prior to t@e $aif (ccord9 t@e -unni

Prime 3inister was appointed by and responsible to t@e 3aronite President. $@e(ccord made t@e Prime 3inister responsible to t@e legislature9 as in a traditional

parliamentary system.

E"ecutive #ranch

$@ep)&'i*is t@e @ead of state. *eK

Is elected by a twot@irds maHority of parliament. If no presidential candidates areable to meet t@e twot@irds maHority reFuirement in t@e first round of >oting9 asecond round of >oting is sc@eduled in w@ic@ absolute maHority suffices.

-er>es a sixyear term wit@ consecuti>e terms forbidden. $@is law @as beenbypassed by onetime constitutional amendments twice in recent years ;passed bya twot@irds maHority in parliament


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"an con>ene9 in agreement wit@ t@e prime minister9 t@e council of ministers to anextraordinary session.

*as t@e rig@t to reFuest t@e council of ministers to re>ise any decision it taes. Ift@e council maintains its position9 its decision is automatically considered to be inforce.

"an reFuest t@e council of ministers to dissol>e parliament before t@e end of itsmandate only if t@e parliament fails to meet in two successi>e parliamentarysessions or fails to >ote on t@e entire budget wit@ t@e obHecti>e of blocing t@ego>ernmentBs actions.

"an pardon by decree. Is t@e commander in c@ief of t@e armed forces.

&ased on t@e unwritten )ational Pact of 41A9 t@e president is always a

3aronite "@ristian. mile La@oud became president on )o>ember 5A9 4118. *is term was due to

expire in )o>ember 5::A but t@e Lebanese Parliament >oted on -eptember 9

5::A to enact a Donetime9 exceptional amendmentE of article A1 of t@e"onstitution to extend it by t@ree years. )inetysix of 458 members ofParliament >oted for t@e extension9 fulfilling t@e twot@irds maHority reFuiredto amend t@e constitution. La@oudBs term will now end on )o>ember 5A95::7. (fter t@e assassination of former Prime 3inister 'afi *ariri on6ebruary 4A9 5::+9 t@e formation of an anti-yrian maHority in parliament andt@e arrests of senior presidential aides o>er t@e illing9 La@oud @as come undergreat pressure to resign.

$@e p)im& mii'#&) is t@e @ead of go>ernment. *eK

Is appointed by t@e president in consultation wit@ parliament. 3embers ofparliament also suggest candidates for t@e position.

*eads t@e council of ministers and sets its agenda. "onducts t@e parliamentary consultations reFuisite to forming a cabinet. 3ust countersign all decrees along wit@ t@e president of t@e republic9 wit@ t@e

exception of t@e decree accepting t@e resignation of t@e go>ernment. Is reFuired to sign international treaties.

&ased on t@e unwritten )ational Pact of 41A9 t@e prime minister is a

-unni 3uslim.

6ouad -iniora became prime minister on une :9 5::+ after beingendorsed by 45 out of 458 members of parliament.

$@eCo+ci" o, Mii'#&)'K

Is appointed by t@e prime minister9 in consultation wit@ t@e president andmembers of parliament. "abinet seats are allotted to sects in proportion to t@eirnumbers.

'eFuires a >ote of confidence from t@e parliament in order to remain in power.( >ote of no confidence is rarely exercised in practice.

"ontrols t@e armed forces.

Proposes legislation.


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-ubmits t@e annual budget plan to parliament. "an dissol>e t@e parliament upon reFuest of t@e president if parliament9 for no

compelling reasons9 fails to meet during one of its regular periods and fails tomeet t@roug@out two successi>e extraordinary periods9 eac@ longer t@an onemont@9 or if it reHects an annual budget plan wit@ t@e aim or paralyCing t@e

go>ernment ;(rticle +ote of members present at t@e meeting. "ertain Dnationalissues9E @owe>er9 reFuire t@e appro>al of two t@irds of all t@e members of t@ecouncil. $@ese includeK amending t@e constitution9 declaring and ending a state ofemergency9 declaring war9 signing peace agreements9 signing internationaltreaties9 t@e annual go>ernment budget9 longterm de>elopment proHects9 t@eappointment of @ig@le>el go>ernment employees9 t@e dissolution of parliament9electoral laws9 nationality laws9 personal status laws9 and t@e dismissal ofministers.

$@e current cabinet was appointed on uly 419 5::+.

"lic @erefor a list of current ministers.

Legislative #ranch

$@e )ational (ssembly is a unicameral legislati>e body composed of t@e "@amber ofeputies.

$@e 458member C-$m&) o, D&p+#i&' ;3aHlis al)uwwabote for fi>eyear terms on t@e basis of proportionalrepresentation for t@e >arious confessional groups. -ee t@e table below.

Proposes legislation. Le>ies taxes and appro>est@e budget. "an impeac@ t@e prime minister and ministers for @ig@ treason or for

serious neglect of t@eir duties. $@e decision to impeac@ can only be taenby a twot@irds maHority of t@e total members@ip.

"an Fuestion ministers on policy issues. "an wit@draw confidence from certain ministers.

"an be dissol>ed by a Hoint decision of t@e President and t@e "ouncil of3inisters if itfails to meet during one of its regular periods and fails tomeet t@roug@out two successi>e extraordinary periods9 eac@ longer t@anone mont@9 or if it reHects an annual budget plan wit@ t@e aim or paralyCingt@e go>ernment. )ew elections must be @eld wit@in t@ree mont@s ofdissolution.

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i'#i$

'

3aronites

,ree2rt@odox

4

,ree"at@olic

8

(rmenian2rt@odox

+

(rmenian"at@olic

4

Protestant

4

2t@er"@ristianminorities

4

M+'

"im'

6

-unni

5

-@iB

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ruCe

8

(lawite

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$@e $aBif (ccord stipulates t@at a @ig@er c@amber or a senate ;3aHlis al -@uyu@arious sects9 w@ile t@e



8


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"@amber of eputies must be nonsectarian. $@is stipulation was incorporated intot@e constitution in t@e 411: amendments ;(rticle 55< but t@e c@amber was ne>er setup.

$@e Sp&$/&) o, P$)"i$mK

Is elected by t@e parliament. *as considerable power9 because @e can delay t@e presentation to

parliament of t@e draft laws prepared by t@e executi>e branc@. $@is createsa situation in w@ic@ t@e prime minister andt@e council of ministers areforced to bargain wit@ t@e speaer to ensure t@at draft laws are placed9wit@in a reasonable amount of time9 on t@e agenda of t@e rele>ant

parliamentary commissions.

&ased on t@e unwritten )ational Pact of 41A9 t@e speaer of parliament is

always a -@iBi 3uslim. )abi@ &erri9 leader of t@e -@iBi (mal party was reelected on une 589

5::+ for a fourt@ term in office. *e was pre>iously elected in 41159 4119and 5:::.

$udiciar%

LebanonBs constitution was written before extensi>e pro>isions for Hudicial bodies

became common. G@ile it @as been amended9 t@ere @as been no attempt to detailpro>isions for t@e Hudiciary. (s amended in 411:9 LebanonBs constitution @as only

two articles on t@e Hudiciary. (rticle 41 calls for t@e establis@ment of a "onstitutional"ouncil and (rticle 5: states t@at DHudicial power is to be exercised by t@e tribunals of>arious le>els and HurisdictionsE. (n additional article9 (rticle 8:9 deals wit@ tryingministers and presidents.

LebanonBs regular court system is based on t@e )apoleonic code.

$@ere is also a separate system of specialiCed confessional courts wit@ Hurisdiction

o>er personal status matters ;rules on marriage9 di>orce9 and in@eritance< in t@eirrespecti>e communities. $@e s@aria courts are di>ided into -unni and -@iBa units.$@ere are also courts for t@e >arious "@ristian sects9 ruCe9 and ews.

(rticle 5: of t@e constitution pro>ides for an independent Hudiciary. In practice9 t@e

Hudiciary is subHect to political pressure9 particularly in t@e appointments of eyprosecutors and in>estigating magistrates.

0+*ici$) Co+ci"'

$@e"onstitutional "ouncil9 created by t@e411: constitutional amendments9 Hudgest@e constitutionality of laws and arbitrates conflicts t@at arise from presidentialand parliamentary elections. It is composed of ten members9 @alf of t@em selected

by t@e "@amber of eputies and t@e ot@er @alf by t@e "ouncil of 3inisters. $@e



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President9 t@e speaer of parliament9 t@e prime minister9 and ten members ofparliament @a>e t@e rig@t to consult t@is council on matters t@at relate to t@econstitutionality of laws. $@e officially recogniCed @eads of religiouscommunities @a>e t@e rig@t to consult t@e "ouncil concerning laws relating to

personal status9 t@e freedom of belief and religious practice9 and t@e freedom of

religious education. ;6renc@ $extof t@e Law go>erning t@e "onstitutional"ouncilal.

Co+)#'

R&!+"$) Co+)#'

( t@reetiered @ierarc@y existsK

Co+)#' o, Fi)'# I'#$c& ;ma@aim bidaBiyyail andcriminal cases.

Co+)#' o, App&$" ;ma@aim istiBnafernorate.

$@e Co+)# o, C$''$#ioin &eirut ser>es as t@e final court of appeal for alllower court cases in t@e regular court system. It also adHudicates in t@e e>entof Hudicial disputes between special and regular courts9 or between two typesof special courts.

Sp&ci$" Co+)#'

$@e 3ilitary "ourt tries cases in>ol>ing military personnel and ci>ilians insecurityrelated issues ;suc@ as espionage9 treason9 weapons possession9 and drafte>asion casese international standards of criminal procedure.



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$@e "ourt of (udit9 w@ic@ is attac@ed to t@e Prime 3inisterBs office9o>ersees cases related to public funds.

$@e udicial "ouncil is a permanent tribunal of fi>e senior Hudges t@atadHudicates t@reats to national security. #pon t@e recommendation of t@e 3inister

of ustice9 t@e cabinet decides w@et@er to try a case before t@is tribunal. %erdictsfrom t@is tribunal are irre>ocable and may not be appealed.

In addition9 t@ere are se>eral FuasiHudicial or arbitration bodies for labor9real estate9 and customs disputes.

R&,o)m +*&) Di'c+''io(

Juestions of political accountability9 corruption9 and independence @a>esurfaced in Lebanon after t@e assassination of former Prime 3inister 'afi*ariri on 6ebruary 4A9 5::+ and t@e conseFuent wit@drawal of -yrian

troops from Lebanon. 6or t@e first time since t@e 417+411: ci>il war9Fuestions about t@e independence of t@e Hudiciary and t@e professionalismof t@e security forces are being debated not only by ci>il society acti>ists

but by many parliamentarians.

Local Government

LebanonBs go>ernment is @ig@ly centraliCed.

Lebanon is di>ided into six go>ernorates ;mo@afaCaternorate is administeredby a go>ernor ;mu@afiC< appointed by t@e council of ministers upon a proposal fromt@e 3inistry of t@e Interior.

$@e go>ernorates are furt@er subdi>ided into districts ;Fadater by a district c@ief ;FaBem maFamice mayors. $@ere are 77+ municipalities. "lic-&)&for a complete list of municipalities. espite t@e fact t@at t@ey @a>e elected

councils and t@at 3unicipal Law 448 of 4117 ;A)$ic T< maes t@em financiallyautonomous9 municipalities @a>e >ery little power.

(ll local go>ernment officers ser>e fouryear terms.



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&ights

ersonal li#erties

$@e constitution formally guarantees a broad array of rig@ts and liberties. In practicesome of t@ese rig@ts are >iolated.

$@e constitution guarantees freedom of speec@9 and association Dwit@in t@e limits

establis@ed by law.E

$@e "onstitution pro>ides for freedom of assembly9 but t@is rig@t is restricted in

practice. Public demonstrations are not permitted wit@out prior appro>al from t@eInterior 3inistry9 is arbitrary in its decisions. #ntil t@e assassination of former Prime3inister 'afiF *ariri in 6ebruary 5::+9 security forces routinely beat and arrested

citiCens demonstrating against t@e -yrian presence in Lebanon.

$@e constitution includes pro>isions for freedom of conscience and t@e free exercise

of all forms of wors@ip9 as long as t@e dignity of t@e se>eral religions and t@e publicorder are not affected. -tate recognition is not a legal reFuirement for religiouswors@ip or practice9 and denominations t@at are not recogniCed officially are allowedto practice t@eir fait@ wit@out go>ernment interference. *owe>er9 t@eir personal status

pro>isions are not legally recogniCed.

$@e "onstitution does not specifically pro@ibit torture. $@ere are reports t@at security

forces occasionally abuse detainees and in some cases torture @as been used to extract

confessions.

Lebanese security forces are reFuired by law to obtain warrants before maing arrests9

but arbitrary arrests and detentions are commonplace. $@e 5::A report by t@eParliamentary "ommission for *uman 'ig@ts estimated t@at of t@e approximately+9::: persons being @eld in prison at t@e time9 one t@ird @ad not been con>icted of anycrime.

$@e "ode of "riminal Procedure pro>ides legal protection to suspects9 including t@e

rig@t to a lawyer9 to a medical examination9 and to inform next of in. #nder t@ecode9 arresting officers are reFuired to refer a subHect to a prosecution wit@in A8 @ours

of arrest. Lengt@y pretrial detention and long delays in trials remain problems.

(rticle A7 and A7A of LebanonBs penal code mae public blasp@emy and publicly

insulting a religion a crime punis@able by a maximum of one year in Hail.

Palestinian refugees li>ing in Lebanon face restrictions on woring9 building @omes9

and purc@asing property. (ccording to t@e #) 'elief and Gors (gency ;#)'G(e inselfgo>erned refugee camps.



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$@e )ew 0orbased organiCation *uman 'ig@ts Gatc@ pro>ides a compre@ensi>e

o>er>iewof @uman rig@ts de>elopments in Lebanon. "lic@erefor a complete list ofpublications on Lebanon by (mnesty International.

Legislation regulating the e"ercise of rights

Po"i#ic$" P$)# L$'

Political parties in Lebanon are go>erned by t@e 41:1 Law of (ssociations ;seebelowernment oft@eir establis@ment and of t@e bylaws of t@e association.

E"&c#o)$" L$

(ccording to t@e constitution9 eac@ electoral district s@ould be allotted apreestablis@ed number of confessional seats in order to maintain t@econfessional balance in t@e 458member parliament. *owe>er9 Lebanonlacs a fixed9 stable legislati>e electoral law t@at specifies t@e siCe and

boundaries of t@ese electoral districts.

( new law is drafted before most elections9 c@anging t@e number and siCeof electoral districts. $@e $aBif (ccord tried to sol>e t@e problem bydeclaring t@at t@e go>ernorate ;mu@afaCa< would be t@e exclusi>e basis for

electoral districts. $@is system @as not been followed.

"urrently9 t@e lectoral Law of 5::: go>erns t@e procedures for legislati>eelections ;nglis@ $ext9 (rabic $extides Lebanon into 4A districts9w@ose boundaries are ad @oc.

$@e number of >otes needed to win a parliamentary seat according to t@e5::: law >aries from approximately 459::: to A79:::.

lections are monitored by t@e 3inistry of t@e Interior. $@ere is noindependent election commission to o>ersee t@em.

'eform #nder iscussion

$@e problems of LebanonBs election law are widely acnowledged andt@ere is a growing consensus t@at t@e electoral law needs immediatere>ision. G@ile t@ere is a general consensus on t@e need for a new law9

politicians are deeply di>ided o>er se>eral issues9 primarily electoraldistricting. In t@e aftermat@ of *aririBs assassination9 political actors couldnot agree on t@e content of new law and ended up settling on an old law.

$@e parliament elected in 5::+ promised to gi>e t@e issue priority9 and on(ugust 89 5::+ t@e go>ernment establis@ed an independent national



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commission to discuss t@e electoral law. $@e 45member nationalelectoral law committee ;eFually di>ided among 3uslims and "@ristiansernorates ;mu@afaCat< and 773Ps by maHority >ote in t@e smaller districts ;Fadaoting age from 54 to 489 allowing Lebaneseexpatriates to >ote9 instituting a Fuota for female candidates9 and @oldingelections t@roug@out t@e country on t@e same day instead of t@e existingmont@long process. In an attempt to increase transparency in elections9t@e draft also proposes creating an independent electoral commission9

pro@ibiting cabinet members from running in legislati>e elections9 andpre>enting amendments to t@e law in an election year. (fter re>iew in t@ecabinet9 t@e law will be submitted wit@in one mont@ to parliament9 w@ere it

is expected to be t@e subHect of @eated debate.

L$ o A''oci$#io'

$@e "onstitution pro>ides for freedom of association. G@ile t@e go>ernment doesnot interfere wit@ most organiCations9 it does impose limits on t@is rig@t.

$ec@nically9 associations in Lebanon are subHect to t@e 41:1 2ttoman Law on(ssociations. $@is law reFuires only t@at any DassociationE ;defined as Da groupcomposed of se>eral indi>iduals w@o unite t@eir information and efforts in a

permanent fas@ion and do not aim to di>ide profitE< inform t@e 3inistry of t@eInterior of its existence. )o permits or licenses are needed to form t@e association.*owe>er9 t@e 3inistry of Interior sometimes >iolates t@is law by transforming t@enotification procedure into an appro>al process. $@e 3inistry sometimes alsosends notification to t@e security forces w@o t@en conduct inFuiries regarding t@eorganiCationBs founding members.

2rganiCations must in>ite ministry representati>es to any general assembly w@ere>otes are @eld for bylaw amendments or elections are @eld for positions on t@e

board of directors. $@e ministry also reFuires e>ery association to obtain its

appro>al for any c@ange in bylaws. 6ailure to do so could result in t@e dissolutionof t@e association.

$@e 41A Labor Law pro>ides for t@e rig@t of association and t@e rig@t toorganiCe9 strie9 and bargain collecti>ely. (ll worers except t@ose ingo>ernment may establis@ and Hoin unions.

M&*i$ L$'

(rticle4 of t@e "onstitution guarantees freedom of t@e press. *owe>er9 t@e

go>ernment limits t@ese rig@ts in practice by intimidating Hournalists andbroadcasters.



4A


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( 4114 treaty between -yria and Lebanon includes an explicit pledge by Lebanonto ban all political and media acti>ity t@at mig@t @arm -yria. $@is treaty allows

Hudges to censor foreign publications and to indict Hournalists for critical reportingon -yria9 t@e Lebanese military9 t@e security forces9 t@e Hudiciary9 and t@e

presidency. In practice suc@ laws rarely result in t@e imprisonment of Hournalistsor t@e closure of media outlets. Permanent closure of licensed media outlets wasrare until t@e closure of 3urr $ele>ision ;3$%< in 5::5.

-trict defamation and security laws pro@ibit criticism of top leaders.

$@e go>ernment may prosecute offending Hournalists and publications in t@ePublications "ourt9 a special tribunal empowered to try suc@ matters.

$@e -urete ,enerale9 part of t@e state security apparatus in t@e 3inistry of t@eInterior9 is aut@oriCed to censor all foreign magaCines9 boos9 and films before

t@ey are distributed in Lebanon.

Lebanon enHoys a di>ersity of media outlets. It @as doCens of newspapers and@undreds of periodicals9 many of w@ic@ publis@ regular criticism of politicians.(ll of LebanonBs national daily newspapers are pri>ately owned9 many by politicalinterests. $@ere are six maHor tele>ision stations and o>er A: radio stations9 mostof w@ic@ are pri>ately owned.

( go>ernmental decision in 411 drastically reduced t@e number of tele>isionstations. (bout fifty stations @ad proliferated during t@e ci>il war.

Internet access is broadly a>ailable and not restricted.

(ccording to t@e annualGorldwide Press 6reedom Indexby 'eporters wit@out&orders9 Lebanon rans 18 of 41 countries. $@e index runs from 4 ;most pressfreedom< to 41 ;least press freedomorce9 c@ild custody9 and in@eritance.

-ome areas of womenBs personal status are go>erned by t@e ci>il code. $@is codeguarantees t@at women can own businesses and t@at t@eir testimony will be gi>eneFual weig@t to menBs in court ;t@is does not apply to t@e s@aria courtsil marriage9 alt@oug@ ci>il ceremonies performedoutside t@e country are recogniCed by t@e go>ernment.



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olitical Forces

olitical parties

Lebanon @as numerous political parties9but t@ey are of a different nature t@an found

in most parliamentary political systems. Political blocs are usually based onconfessional and local interests or on personal and family allegiance rat@er t@an on

political affinities. 3any of t@e parties are simply lists of candidates endorsed by aprominent figure.

Loose coalitions are formed for electoral purposes by negotiation among clan leaders

and candidates representing >arious religious communities. It is not unusual for aparty to Hoin an electoral ticet in one constituency w@ile aligned wit@ a ri>al party in

anot@er constituency.

$@e largest political parties are confessional based. uring t@e ci>il war most parties

@ad militias.

3ain parliamentary groupsK

"urrent for t@e 6uture ;$ayyar al3ustaFbalement ;$ayyar alGatani al*urred as Prime 3inister of one of two go>ernments t@atcontended for power in t@e final years of t@e Lebanese ci>il war ;4188 411:il war9(oun led t@e mo>ement fromParis until @e returned to Lebanon in 3ay 5::+.

Its constituency is composed mainly of LebanonBs "@ristian

community9 but many 3uslims also support t@e 6ree Patriotic3o>ement because it claims to be t@e only prominent party in Lebanont@at is not based on a religion.

In 5::+9 it won 54 seats in parliament.

Progressi>e -ocialist Party ;*iCb al$aFadummi alIs@tirai


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(mal 3o>ement ;*araat (males are to ac@ie>e respect for Lebanons long

alienated -@iBi population and a fairer distribution of resources for-out@ Lebanon. #nlie *iCbolla@9 it does not call for an Islamic state

in Lebanon. Gas a strong supporter of -yria after 411: and endorsed -yrias

military presence in Lebanon. *as been represented in parliament and go>ernment since 411:. Is led by t@e parliamentary speaer )abi@ &erri. In 5::+9 it won 4+ seats in parliament.

*iCbolla@K Is a political party wit@ a military wing establis@ed to fig@t Israeli

occupation of -out@ Lebanon. 2ne of t@e main obHecti>es of *iCbolla@ at t@e time of its establis@ment

in t@e early 418:s was to spread t@e Iranian 'e>olution. -ince t@en9 t@eparty @as publicly declared t@at it will suspend its attempts to create anIslamic state in Lebanon.

Is regarded by many in t@e (rab world as a legitimate militant -@iBipolitical party in Lebanon and by many in t@e #.-.9 urope9 and Israelas a terrorist organiCation.

It @as come under increasing international pressure to disarm after #)-ecurity "ouncil 'esolution 4++1 of -eptember 59 5::A called for t@edisarmament of all militias in Lebanon.

It Hoined t@e cabinet for t@e first time in 5::+ w@en *iCbolla@ member3o@ammad 6neis@ became 3inister of nergy.

In 5::+9 it won 4A seats in parliament.

Lebanese 6orcesK Is officially secular9 but in practice @as always been supported almost

exclusi>ely by "@ristians9 especially 3aronites. Its acti>ities were se>erely restricted by t@e pro-yrian go>ernment

until t@e wit@drawal of -yrian troops in 5::+. 6ormed part of t@e 'afi *ariri 3artyr List t@at won t@e 5::+

parliamentary elections. Is led by -amir ,eagea9 w@o was arrested in 411A on c@arges of

attempting to undermine go>ernment aut@ority by Dmaintaining amilitia in t@e guise of a political party9E of instigating acts of >iolence9and of committing assassinations during t@e Lebanese "i>il Gar. *ewas pardoned on uly 489 5::+.

In 5::+9 it won seats in parliament.

Jornet -@e@wan ,at@eringK

Is not a political party in t@e standard senseK its members belong to9 andin some cases lead9 a >ariety of political parties. It is a loose coalitionof "@ristian9 mainly 3aronite9 groups.

Gas formed in 5::4 in opposition to -yria and to t@e Lebanesego>ernment aligned wit@ -yria. $@e group reflected a widespread



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sentiment among t@e "@ristian community of postwardisenfranc@isement.

Includes t@e P@alangist or Nataeb Party ;*iCb alNataeb< Is supported by t@e @ead of t@e 3aronite "@urc@9 Patriarc@ "ardinal

)asralla@ &utros -feir.

In 5::+9 it won seats in parliament.

-yrian -ocial )ationalist Party ;al*iCb alJawmi alIHtimai al-uriocates t@e establis@ment of a

,reater -yrian national state. Is supporti>e of t@e current -yrian go>ernment. In 5::+9 it won 5 seatsin parliament.

emocratic Left 3o>ementK Gas founded in -eptember 5::A by leftist intellectuals9 acti>ists w@o

@ad pre>iously split from t@e Lebanese "ommunist Party and leftist

student groups. (d>ocates a uropean style social democracy to reduce t@e gap

between t@e ric@ and t@e poor wit@out compromising freedom oreconomic producti>ity.

Is one of t@e few parties in Lebanon t@at call for a secular nonconfessional state.

2t@er PartiesK

&aat@ (rab -ocialist Party

"@ristian emocratic Party "ongress Party emocratic -ocialist Party 6ederation of Popular Leagues and "ommittees Islamic (mal 3o>ement Islamic "@aritable ProHects (ssociation Islamic ,roup Lebanese "ommunist Party Lebanese emocratic 3o>ement Lebanese 3o>ement Lebanese Peoples 6ront

Lebanese Popular "ongress Lebanese 'epublican Party 3o>ement of "@ange )aHade@ Party )asserite #nification mo>ement )ational &loc Popular )asserite 2rganiCation 'amga>ar Party -ocial emocrat *unc@aian Party as@na Party ;(rmenian 'e>olutionary 6ederation< Nurdis@ emocratic Party



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"lic @erefor a complete list of political parties in Lebanon.

'ivil societ%

Lebanon enHoys one of t@e most acti>e and least restrained ci>il societies in t@e (rab

world. $@ere are more t@an 49::: ),2s registered in &eirut alone

$@e strengt@ of LebanonBs ),2 sector stems from t@e maHor role ),2s played

during t@e 417+1: ci>il war. 2rganiCations filled t@e >acuum of state aut@ority andcompensated for t@e breadown in public ser>ices.

'eflecting t@e confessional nature of Lebanese society9 most ),2s are organiCed by

religious affiliation9 but t@ey often reac@ across t@ese lines to pro>ide ser>ices formany outside t@eir confessional communities. $@ere are also many professionalassociations and ad>ocacy groups t@at cross confessional lines.

$@e Lebanese ),2 6orum and t@e "ollecti>e of Lebanese %oluntary ),2s

coordinate social de>elopment wor.

-e>eral womenBs rig@ts organiCations exist. $@ese includeK t@e Lebanese (ssociation

for "ombating %iolence against Gomen9 t@e "ommittee for Political 'ig@ts ofGomen9 t@e Lebanese GomenBs "ouncil9 t@e Lebanese (ssociation of GomenLawyers9 and t@e "ouncil for Lebanese GomenBs 2rganiCation ;acts as a coordination

body between different groupsoters9 and to suggest impro>ements for Lebanese electoral

laws.

*uman 'ig@ts 2rganiCationsK

-e>eral local @uman rig@ts groups operate freely wit@out o>ert go>ernmentrestriction.

$@e largest @uman rig@ts group is t@e Institute for *uman 'ig@ts inLebanon w@ic@ is part of t@e &eirut &ar (ssociation. It focuses onstrengt@ening and implementing laws rele>ant to freedom of expressionand association.

2t@er groups include t@e Lebanese (ssociation for *uman 'ig@ts9 t@e

6oundation for *uman and *umanitarian 'ig@ts9 and t@e )ational(ssociation for t@e 'ig@ts of t@e isabled.

(mnesty International was gi>en a regional office in &eirut in 5::: by t@eLebanese aut@orities.

$rade #nions and -yndicatesK

$rade #nionsK

"onfederation of ,eneral Gorers of LebanonK main labor union federation.It is t@e only organiCation recogniCed by t@e go>ernment as a representati>e of



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worers. Its acti>ities are mainly limited to negotiating wages and ot@er socialbenefits.

International "@amber of "ommerce in Lebanon. &eirut "@amber of "ommerce and Industry. (ssociation of Lebanese Industrialists.

-yndicatesK

Lebanese ngineers (ssociation. Lebanese Press (ssociation. Lebanese &ar (ssociation. Lebanese P@ysicians (ssociation. Lebanese entists (ssociation. "lic @erefor a detailed list of Lebanese syndicates.



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Election &esults

#ni>ersal suffrage9 54 years and older.

'esults of elections for t@eC-$m&) o, D&p+#i&'@eld in four rounds between 3ay

51 and une 41K

&locs -eats

'afiF *ariri3artyr List

"urrent for t@e 6uture ;$ayyar al3ustaFbal<

Progressi>e -ocialist Party ;*iCb al$aFaddumi alIs@tirai< 4

Lebanese 6orces

Jornet -@e@wan ,at@ering

- Nataeb ;P@alange partyelopment&loc

(mal 3o>ement 4+

*iCbolla@ 4A

-yrian -ocial )ationalist Party 5

2t@ers A

(oun

(lliance

6ree Patriotic 3o>ement 4A

-aff &loc +3urr &loc 5

- $@ese were t@e first legislati>e elections in : years to tae place wit@out-yrian military presence.

- $@e elections were conducted according to t@e electoral law of 5::: e>ent@oug@ most political leaders consider it unfair in terms of t@e distribution ofelectoral districts.

- A5 candidates competed for 444 of 458 seats9 wit@ 47 seats uncontested.

- "@ristian political groups t@at @ad boycotted t@e 411 and 5::: elections

participated in t@e elections9 most notably ,eneral 3ic@el (ounBs 6reePatriotic 3o>ement and -amir ,eageaBs Lebanese 6orces.

- $@e elections were c@aracteriCed by unprecedented alliances across t@epolitical spectrum t@at made it >ery difficult for independent candidates towin.

- In general9 t@e main contest was between groups opposed to -yria and toPresident La@oud and parties loyal to La@oud.

- %oter turnoutK A5.1 O.

"lic -&)&for details of t@e 5::+ legislati>e elections.



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'esults of m+icip$" &"&c#io'in 3ay 5::AK

(s municipalities @a>e limited powers9 t@e significance of municipal elections

usually lies in t@eir role as a test of political factionsB strengt@ a@ead of

parliamentary elections. $@e e>ent produced two important results in t@is regard.- "andidates baced by former Prime 3inister 'afiF *ariri @ad mixed

success. *ariris slate won all 5A seats of &eiruts municipal council9defeating candidates baced by @is ri>al9 President mile La@oud. $@e>ery low turnout9 @owe>er9 cast doubt on t@e extent of *aririsinfluence in t@e capital. 2bser>ers at t@e time predicted t@att@eseresults would weaen *ariris ability to bloc an extension of PresidentLa@oudBs term9 as in fact @appened.

- -@iBi party *iCbolla@ made gains against its -@iBi ri>al9 (mal.*iCbolla@ won about : percent of municipalities in t@e -out@ ;8A of4A5 municipalitiesoted across confessional lines for closed party lists wit@ proportional

representation for t@e different confessional communities.

$@e 4118 municipal elections were t@e first in + years. $@ey were postponed 5

times before being @eld in 4118.



55


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'onstitutional &evision

$@e constitution may be re>ised upon t@e reFuest of t@e President of t@e 'epublic or

t@e parliament. ( twot@irds maHority of seats is needed to initiate amendmentprocedures ;(rticle 777enant9 w@ic@ pro>ided t@at t@e ratio of seats in parliament would be six "@ristianseats for e>ery fi>e 3uslim seats9 and t@at ot@er go>ernmental posts would be allottedon a similar basis. $@e 41A amendments also remo>ed all references to t@e 6renc@mandate and designated (rabic as t@e official language.

$@e 4181 )ational 'econciliation (ccord ;commonly nown as t@e $aBif (ccorde or accept a bribe. $@e penalty isimprisonment for up to t@ree years9 wit@ @ard labor in some cases9 in addition to a fine

eFual to at least t@ree times t@e >alue of t@e bribe. &ribing a go>ernment official isalso a criminal act. $@e "entral Inspection irectorate is responsible for combatingcorruption in t@e public sector9 w@ile t@e public prosecutor is responsible forcombating corruption in t@e pri>ate sector.

uring 5::A9 t@e Hudiciary too actions against public officials allegedly in>ol>ed in

corruption. xamples include an in>estigation into t@e Lebanese(merican(griculture "ooperation ProHect at t@e 3inistry of (griculture9 as well asin>estigations resulting in legal actions for mismanagement of t@e energy sector9including allegations of sFuandering public funds9 abuse of power9 corruption in fueltenders and contracting9 and neglect of duty.

$@eLebanese $ransparency (ssociation;L$(e Lebanese organiCation in>ol>ed in promotingtransparency and fig@ting corruption.



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&atification of International 'onventions

International "o>enant on "i>il and Political 'ig@ts ;""P'< on )o>ember 9 4175.

International "o>enant on conomic9 -ocial and "ultural 'ig@ts ;"-"'< on

)o>ember 9 4175.

$@e "on>ention on t@e limination of (ll 6orms of $orture and 2t@er "ruel9 In@uman

or egrading $reatment or Punis@ment ;"($< on 2ctober +9 5:::.

$@e International "on>ention on t@e limination of (ll 6orms of 'acial

iscrimination ;"'< on )o>ember 459 4174.

$@e "on>ention of on t@e limination of (ll 6orms of iscrimination against Gomen

;"(G< on (pril 549 4117.

$@e "on>ention on t@e 'ig@ts of t@e "@ild ;"'"< on 3ay 4A9 4114.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peacewww carnegieendowment org

&undaci'n (ara las )elaciones Internacionales * eli+logo E,terior

5+
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lebanon aps

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