News

The Association for the Protection of Jabal Moussa (APJM) held an opening ceremony last Saturday and introduced a series of new hiking trails starting from Shwan- Ftouh Kesrwan east of Beirut as part of its ecotourism program. The event was held in the presence of Minister of Tourism Michel Pharaon and the Special UN Coordinator in Lebanon Sygrid Kag. After completing two treks on the newly inaugurated trails, the opening ceremony was held at the ecotourism lodge showcasing the traditional ‘Mouneh’ of Jabal Moussa, its handicrafts, seedlings and APJM publications. The center it will be recalled was renovated and equipped by the Association with the support of the Swiss Drosos Foundation. Speaking at the event, APJM Chief Pierre Doumit stressed the need to expand the geographical scope of the Association’s development activities to cover additional towns and villages. (Al Diyar, 24 June 2015)

The Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the Agricultural Center in Koura, North Lebanon, organized an extension seminar on the development of avocado planting at the Church Hall of Batroumine. Agricultural expert, Ibrahim Hariri elaborated on the various types and sources of avocado as well as the features and methods of growing, pruning and spraying them. He also described ways of preparation of land for cultivation while stressing the importance of soil quality and protection of the avocado orchard against the wind. Hariri also demonstrated with pictures the proper methods of topping and fertilizing avocado, underlined the importance of identifying diseases and learning about ways of treating these diseases. (Al Diyar, 24 June 2015)

A report prepared by the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon IDAL revealed that USD 2.5 to 4 million in monthly government subsidies toward the cost of sea transport of agricultural and industrial exports to Gulf countries and Jordan, are needed, as a temporary alternative to land transport. According to the study, nearly 98% of Lebanese agricultural exports are headed to Arab countries, 73% of which go to Jordan and GCC states. Statistics also indicated that while 84% of above exports used to be transported in 2011 by land, only 5% were shipped by sea. However, in 2015, and after the closure of Nassib Crossing on the Syrian Jordanian borders, the size of land exports dropped to 25 points against an increase by one fourth in maritime shipments. For 2015, IDAL estimates the size of agricultural exports to the above mentioned countries at 300 thousand tons against 76 thousand tons in food processed exports and 62 thousand tons for industrial exports. The report went on to say that some 11 thousand trucks are needed to ensure transportation during 2015. Furthermore, and based on its sources IDAL estimated the additional cost of maritime shipping at 25%. As such, the cost of one truck will average between USD 1500 and  USD 2500, thus brining the total to USD 2.5-4 million per month that will need to be covered by the Lebanese government. According to the current scenario, 3 ro-ro vessels will need to be hired; each accommodating some 100 trucks and that is for a period of 7 months. In a similar vain, the Minister of Agriculture, Akram Chehayeb, visited the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Zahleh and Beqaa and met with tens of exporters and farmers who announced heir intention to stage a wide strike and a day of wrath on Saturday June 27 if the Cabinet fails to adopt a decision to support exports. A further discussion meeting will be held next Monday between Chehayeb, exporters, farmers and IDAL. (As Safir, L’Orient Le Jour, 22 & 23 June 2015)

Wheat cultivation remains one of the key pillars of agriculture in the northern area of Akkar similarly to tobacco and grapes despite all challenges. However, local farmers are now demanding the concerned ministry to support this year harvest by raising the delivery price paid to farmers to LBP 800 from LBP 450. Wheat growers told Al Mustaqbal newspaper they were satisfied with the quality of this year’s season despite the lower than expected quantity. The lower production is due to the decline in the total area of cultivation resulting from reduced delivery prices which barely covers the increasing costs of pesticides, irrigation and labor, especially with the new restrictive government measures regarding the entrance of Syrian seasonal workers. Lebanese farmers point out to two main problems facing wheat cultivation: the low delivery price adopted by the Ministry of Economy, poor and inadequate storage conditions which affect the quality of the harvested crops. One farmer, Khudr Zahraman told the newspaper that the age old problem lies in government’s failure to adopt a clear timetable for receiving the harvest which causes problems in storage. “Today we harvest, but where and how do we store the yield, and in which conditions?” he noted before adding that the government seems not to be concerned with the plight of the farmers. He concluded that farmers have no option but to wait for the announcement of the wheat pricing list, noting that the premium rate quality is normally priced at LBP 595, the first rate at LBP 580, the second and third at LBP 570, with prices sliding down to as low as LBP 450. (Al Mustaqbal, 23 June 2015)

The presidency of Saint Joseph University in Beirut disclosed a deed of agendum with celebrated author and novelist Emily Nasrallah by which the latter grants USJ the rights of over 17 documents of her literary works to the University’s Oriental Library. The works include articles in the press over the period of 15 years in addition to unpublished research and studies by Nasrallah and all that has been written about her. USJ President Professor Saleem Dakkash described the moment as “very dear” to the academic institution owing to the cultural value in Lebanon and the Arab region of an author whose works portrayed the spirit of the Lebanese village. To be noted, Nasrallah’s works have been translated into several languages, mainly, German, Finnish, English, Thai and Spanish among others. Pleased and relieved with this step, Nasrallah said “these manuscripts are now in safe hands”. Dakkash on the other hand announced the hosting of a ceremony to inaugurate the pavilion devoted for the author at the Oriental Library. (An Nahar, 23 June 2015)

In Lebanon’s southern border areas, where Syrian labor provides the backbone of the agricultural sector, landowners and investors are sounding the alarm, concerned that government recent restrictions have decreased the number of available workers, with potentially dire consequences for their harvests. General Security’s decision to restrict the entry and residency permits of Syrians in Lebanon hit both farmers and investors, with the much needed Syrian workers becoming subject to a constraining “Kafala” sponsorship system. It is to be remembered that large numbers of Syrian workers were seasonal, who would stay in Lebanon for only a couple of months. But many Syrian laborers now see the high cost of entering Lebanon as a result of the new government regulations as outweighing the benefits and are more hesitant to come. It is also to be noted that the Lebanese government also barred Syrians who register for refugee status with UNHCR from working in the country, forcing them to sign pledges not to work. The domestic workforce has been so far unable to compensate for the loss. Agriculture ventures often require hundreds of workers, and landowners say the sector is facing a major shortage of labor which can affect all of the agriculture cycle. During harvests, fruits and vegetables will perish if not be picked quickly enough, and farmers stand to lose a significant portion of their crop and income as a result. Riad Khalifeh, the local representative of the Agricultural Workers Syndicate, explained that members of the National Union for Agricultural Associations in Lebanon met recently with General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim to express their concerns. Khalifeh said that a number of options for bringing in more Syrian workers were currently under study, adding that Agricultural Associations will meet soon to review the situation. “If no solution is found, agriculture in the south will be ruined,” he warned. (The daily star, 22 June 2015)

The President of the Federation of Lebanese Chambers, Chief of Chamber of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, Mohamad Shucair visited the town of Aley upon the invitation of the Union of Mount Lebanon Merchants headed by Nassib Gemayel and Aley Merchants Association chaired by Samir Shehayeb where he was briefed on the region’s commercial and economic situation as well as its developmental needs. The first stop in Shucair’s tour was at the Aley Municipality where he stated the purpose of his visits to different Lebanese districts namely to show support for traders and business people and listen head on to their demands. Shucair then discussed with Aley Mayor Wajdi Murad the setting up of a branch of the Lebanese Food Safety Training Center in the town catering to workers in this sector. Finally, he called for a wide participation in the upcoming civil protest action which is planed to take place next Thursday at the BIEL center in Beirut and which will be organized under the motto ‘June 25 Declaration… for a Decision against Suicide’. Parties expected to attend include major economic institutions, the General Trade Union, syndicates of liberal professions and various civil society organizations. (Al Diyar, June 22, 2015)

Another call for protest launched by civil society organizations, including the main economic institutions, the General Trade Union and the Unions of Liberal Professions. The protest call which will be held next Thursday, at 11:30 in the International Exhibition Center of BIEL in Beirut, is organized under the slogan of  ‘June 25 Call… for a decision against suicide’.  This new call targets the political elite which have indulged in its quarrels while turning a blind eye to more fundamental national issues, according the organizers, such as the presidential elections. Organizers of the above event promised further actions based on the outcomes of Thursday’s protest. (Al Diyar, 20 & 21 June, 2015)

The regular General Assembly of the Order of Nurses in Lebanon held its special session yesterday at Beit al Tabib in Beirut to discuss and endorse the financial and administrative statement in the presence of Antoine Romanas, representing the Health Minister. Former Order president Helen Samaha Nuwaihid outlined in her speech the Order’s accomplishments in the past three years and congratulated the newly winning President by acclamation Dr. Nuhad Yazbik Dumit. The session then moved to discuss the agenda by citing and discussing the administrative report and passing the 2014 budget followed by announcing the names of candidates and beginning the electoral process. After counting the votes, the ballot office announced the results as follows:
- Order Council membership, university degree holders: Shams Hassan Issa and Rabia Sakht Sidi and technical degree holders Abir Saleh Edelbi
-Disciplinary Council membership of university degree holders, Mariette Wehbeh Majdalani and university professor of nursing by acclamation Lina Afif Younan.
- Pension and Financial Aid Fund membership of university degree holders, Christia Shakib Suaibi, Tamar Ohanes Mkardashian, Nazik Antounios Azar and Gizelle Chemali Hajal, and of technical degree Rula Iskandar Adem and Gladis Maroun Antakli. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, 22 June 2015)

Lawyer Ghadeer Alayli signed yesterday his book entitled ‘The Right of the Lebanese Woman to pass nationality to her children’ at the Beirut Bar Association following a seminar on the subject. Alayli presented the highlights of his Master's dissertation on the acquisition of the Lebanese Nationality as stipulated in the last paragraph of Article 4, Decree No. 15 “1925/s”, which he included in his book. “Jurisdiction has a role in protecting families and disadvantaged groups, and has the remit to prevent discrimination against women, and therefore against their children, particularly in the event of the legislator’s abstention from practicing his role in amending or revising laws in line with society’s evolution,” Alayli wrote. According to Al Akhbar newspaper, Article 4 comes in two parts, one involving minor children's entitlement to the Lebanese nationality, be they of a Lebanese mother or father. Alayli, however, bases his study on the second part of above article, focusing mainly on two important legal facts: first, the extent of public commitment to the right of women to pass their nationality to their children, and secondly the permissible edge of jurisdiction in this specific text. Alayli asserts that the content of this text is controversial, while arguing that jurisprudence is not restrictive and can sanction the right of women to transmit her nationality to her underage children. He also argued that the current legal text was drafted in a patriarchal spirit which considers the father to be the ‘breadwinner’, pointing out that many developments since then have disproved this statement. Finally, Alayli put forward three levels of interpretations regarding the last paragraph in Article 4 which can largely facilitate the work of justice. (Al Akhbar, 19 June 2015)