Subscribe to newsletter

Custom Search 1

You are here

Home

News

English

Minister Zeiater promises to restore banana exports to Syria

5-9-2018

After a delegation of South banana farmers urged Hizbullah-led bloc MP Nawwaf Mousawi to ask Hizbullah head Nasrallah to intervene in order to remove obstacles impeding the entry of their products to Syria (c.f: https://goo.gl/4EExaW) , Mousawi contacted on Monday the minister of agriculture in the caretaker government Ghazi Zeiater and discussed with him the crisis. He raised the problem of marketing Lebanese bananas to Arab countries due to the continuing closure of the border crossing via neighboring Syria because of lack of coordination between the two governments. Zeiater promised to discuss the matter with Syrian officials during his expected visit to Damascus. Concerning the opening of Nassib Crossing, Zeiater and Mousawi stressed that the Syrian government is awaiting the Lebanese side to raise the issue in order to reach a convenient solution as soon as possible given the fact that the agricultural season has already started. (Al Diyar 4 September 2018)

Share on

Local development of Arkoob

4-9-2018

In coordination with the Union of Arkoob Municipalities, IDAL and UNDP, Tamadun association organized on Saturday a workshop in Ibel al Saki, Marje3yoon, under the title, ‘Development in Arkoob… Problems and Solutions’. The workshop, according to the president of Tamadun, Ziad Daher, aims to reach a plan that includes drawing a development roadmap, in addition to identifying the priorities of proposed projects. The following recommendations were issued at the end of the workshop: 1) The development of road network connecting the villages and the environs, 2) stepping up the completion of the sewage system, 3) establishing a vocational school specialized mainly with agriculture, as well as a branch for the Lebanese University, 4) preservation of the agricultural sector, 5) implementation of the Cluster Development program launched by IDAL for the creation of dried fruit and nuts processing business, 6) preservation and maintenance of archeological sites and activation of religious tourism, 7) finding a solution for the random dump sites and landfills, 8) the launch of alternative and renewable energy production systems, 9) support for touristic festivals and events, 10) investment in the environmental resources, including the production of olives, olive oil and the construction of a specialized factory to this end, 11) the activation of eco-tourism, 12) the development of a field survey for the villages within the Union, 13) placing the area on the public transportation map, and finally 14), the launch of the Development Gathering for Arkoob to follow up above recommendations. (Al Mustaqbal, September 4, 2018)

Share on

Vatican places Lebanon on global tourism map

4-9-2018

In its issue of today, Al Akhbar newspaper drew attention to the Vatican Initiative aimed to restore Lebanon as a main destination for global religious tourism, pointing to the careless attitude of the Lebanese government towards this type of tourism. To note, the Lebanese Charge d’Affaires to the Vatican, Ambassador Khalil Karam, has notified official circles of the Vatican’s decision to place Lebanon back on the list of pilgrimage destinations issued annually by the Holy See, beginning 2019, after 12 years of absence. The list, to recall, is used as a reference by thousands of pilgrims around the world. On the subject, the head of the Catholic Information Center, Father Abdo Abu Kassem, explained that the Vatican’s new initiative maintains that Lebanon is a safe country, and therefore tourists can be reassured to visit. “Should we exclude religious tourism, what remains of this sector?” Abu Kassem said, pointing to the archeological sites and ruins that suffer from neglect as well as from poor maintenance and infrastructure. In turn, George Arab, the director of the Comprehensive Cultural Survey for the Heritage of the Holy Valley of Qanubin, pointed out that the major part of what is being achieved in the field of religious (mainly Christian) tourism in the country is the outcome of efforts by the Church, as the government is completely negligent. Also, university professor in religious tourism and anthropology, Dr. Nour Farra Haddad, noted sarcastically that in February, the foreign and tourism ministers Jibran Bassil and Avidis Guidanian, have announced the year 2018 as the year for religious tourism, but this never went anywhere. Haddad said that this past June she launched the Holy Lebanon website, the first electronic portal for religious tourism in Lebanon. She revealed that the tourism ministry during the term of minister Michel Pharaon has asked her to work on the project, but has not provided any technical or financial support to this effect, not even the current ministry. (Al Akhbar, September 4, 2018)

Share on

President Aoun promises to work on reopening border crossings for Lebanese exports

3-9-2018

President Michel Aoun stressed that the interests of the Lebanese is an utmost priority, promising to continue negotiations to ensure the restoration of exports by land to Arab countries. Aoun was speaking on August 31st during his meeting with a delegation of the Importers and Exporters of Vegetables and Fruits in Lebanon Syndicate who came to express their anguish and suffering as a result of the closing of the border crossing with Syria. The head of the Syndicate, Saleh Khalil, supported Aoun’s stance and efforts to reopen Nassib Crossing, as well as the Tanaf and Bu Kamal crossings between Syria and Iraq. In turn, the head of the Beqaa Farmers Association, Ibrahim Tarshishi, warned it is unacceptable to keep Nassib closed in the face of made-in-Lebanon goods destined to Arab countries. In the same context, a delegation of the Banana Farmers in the South visited Hizbullah led bloc MP, Nawaf Mousawi, in Tyre to ask Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah to mediate in order to remove obstacles impeding the entry of their products to neighboring Syria. Mousawi clarified that while there are regional political reasons preventing some officials from seeking to restore relations with Syria that will positively impact the lives of the Lebanese, other officials have no objection. He suggested in this respect that the Lebanese foreign minister visits his Syrian counterpart to discuss bilateral cooperation to ensure a legal and political framework in light of which concerned ministers, in the field of agriculture or industry could act. (Al Diyar, September 1, 3, 2018)

Share on

Saida and Bkassine festivals close, events kick off in Shuf

3-9-2018

Bkassine, Jezzine, concluded last Saturday its summer festivities with a musical concert celebrating the third annual festival held in the town, which recalling, has also won the ‘favorite village’ competition for 2018 organized by L’Orient Le Jour (c.f: https://bit.ly/2PWqJNj). Saida, for its part, ended its summer festivals on Sunday with four consecutive musical nights. Meanwhile, MP Farid Bustani launched the tourism season in the Shuf with the presence of the president of owners of travel agencies and concerned bodies in the area. Boustani, on the occasion, underlined the importance of developing tourism in the villages and towns of Shuf, promising to turn the area into one of the top internal tourism destinations in the country. He disclosed that he will submit a draft bill to parliament next week to set up a fund for the development of the Shuf area, similar to funds allocated to the South and Beqaa regions. In the same vein, PlayBack weddings & events hosted its Food Expo 2018 at Rashid Karami International Fair under the patronage of tourism minister in the caretaker government, Avedis Guidanian. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, August 30, 31, September 1, 3, 2018)

Share on

Lebanon at Seoul 2018 Tourism and Culinary Festival

3-9-2018

The Lebanese Embassy in South Korea was present last Saturday at the Seoul 2018 Tourism and Cuisine Festival organized by the Municipality of Seoul. The Lebanese pavilion was devoted to showcase traditional handicrafts and distribute flyers about tourism in Lebanon. This year’s exhibition aims to introduce international cuisine to the Korean community with the participation of some 80 countries from around the world and an estimated 150,000 visitors. The Lebanese pavilion had a remarkable presence, with a Phoenician spirit, displaying statues of Phoenician sailors of various sizes, in addition to paintings engraved with the Phoenician alphabet and models of ships built by Phoenicians. To note, that the Lebanese embassy is taking part in various activities throughout September aimed to provide courses in traditional Lebanese cuisine by the embassy chef to his Korean peers in order to familiarize them with Lebanese cooking. These activities are part of efforts by the embassy and the Lebanese foreign ministry to promote made-in-Lebanon products of olive oil, wine and agri-food products, in the framework of minister Jibran Bassil’s initiative ‘Tasty Lebanon’. (Al Diyar, September 3, 2018)

Share on

First time in Tunisia: A single woman allowed to adopt a child

31-8-2018

In a precedent in Tunisia, the judiciary overturned in a ruling issued on August 12 the conditions of adoption permitting a single woman to adopt a child. The district court in the Tunisian capital agreed to allow a single woman to adopt an unknown child girl, noting that chapter 9 of the relevant act requires that the adopting party be married. The court decision maintained that the child in question suffers a severe health condition (amputated leg) and that no family has requested her adoption so far, noting that the 4 year old girl has been at the National Institute for Child Protection (INPE) since November 3, 2016. The ruling added, that as the woman expressed her willingness to take care of the child and provide the necessary treatment for her disability, the court considered this as sufficient for conceding the request, while noting that it is contrary to the text of the law in effect. The ruling made clear that despite violation of one condition of the adoption law, which is marriage, the request has secured other requisites, including integrity, good conduct and financial convenience. (Lebanon 24, 30 August 2018)

Share on

Increased duties for Syrian women but no improvement in their legal status

31-8-2018

In a special article today on Syrian women breadwinners, Al Akhbar newspaper pointed out to the present emergency and disastrous situation that have challenged the traditional reproductive roles of women. Conservative communities, the newspaper wrote, were forced to accept the idea of women working in a mixed environment to provide for their families in the absence of male wage earners. Breaking taboos was not the result of feminist movement activities, but rather due to growing responsibilities on women, however, their status in Syrian laws did not improve, Al Akhbar said. It stressed that the arrival of a number of women to top leadership positions in the country did not generate any civil progress. No real efforts have been made to amend or change the personal status laws, despite its obvious injustice vis-à-vis the rights of Syrian women, Al Akhbar wrote. In the details, the newspaper mentioned that with the arrival of Hadiya Abbas to the presidency of the people’s assembly a few years ago, there was some optimism at first but which was not based on solid grounds. This achievement made by Syrian women, compared to neighboring countries, did not have positive impact on her daily reality, as senior posts have rarely been given to human rights advocates or activists campaigning for the civil rights of women, the newspaper concluded. The feature can be found on the following link: https://goo.gl/pcyAdb. (Al Akhbar, August 31, 2018)

Share on

First time in Lebanon: Women participate in world golf tournament

31-8-2018

The Lebanese women’s golf team participated for the first time in the six day World Championship for women hosted by the Irish capital, Dublin. Lebanon will be competing with 58 countries, including two other Arab states, Tunisia and Morocco, noting that the Lebanese team is the youngest in the tournament. It includes, Vanessa Richai (16) and Lea and Sarah Assaf (15) in addition to Captain Akram Richani and coach Hussein Assaf. This is the first appearance at this level and will be unique and useful for Lebanon. To note, the new federation, commissioned at the end of 2016, developed a vision under the title 2020 with the aim to create teams of youth and women to take part in various tournaments. The team has also received a special greeting from the president of the International Golf Federation (IGF) who welcomed the Cedar Ranks for their first appearance. (Al Mustaqbal, August 31, 2018)

Share on

Divorced Lebanese women allowed to included children in their personal registry

30-8-2018

The general Director of Personal Status at the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, General Elias Khouri, issued yesterday a memorandum allowing divorced Lebanese women to include their children in their civil register. The move was justified as being within the framework of ensuring gender equality in access to official documentation within and beyond the civil register. The memorandum further added that “all heads of civil register offices are required to provide divorced women, upon demand, with a civil register which includes the name of their children, and their register numbers and that is after coordination with the civil register in question”. The statement further added that “divorced Lebanese women, should they want to, may obtain a civil register with the names of all her children from pervious divorce/s. The request is to be made by the person in question or through her legal representative to the general Director of Personal Status.” Laila Awada, activist lawyer working with Kafa, noted that this will benefit women who were denied this right . Coordinator of My Nationality is a Right for Me and My Family, Karima Chebbo, welcomed this step by called for bolder actions to maintain the full citizenship if women as independent beings namely a broader reform of family laws. Karima further lamented that this move excludes women whose children are not nationals. (Al Mustakba and Al Akhbar, August 30th 2018)

Share on

Pages


Subscribe to RSS - News