'Everyone sticks to his own side, so there's no unity in their opinion'
By Zoe Holman Special to The Daily Star
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles that will examine attitudes toward the presidential issue by interviewing private citizens in and around Beirut.
BEIRUT: As the proposed date for the presidential election in Parliament draws nearer, scant progress has been made toward a resolution of the debate over the rules for the process. With the continuing stalemate between the ruling majority and the opposition over the selection procedure, The Daily Star went to the Beirut neighborhood of Achrafieh for a local perspective.
Respondents expressed pessimism about the prospect of stability in Lebanese politics. It seems the ongoing conflict has fueled disinterest in all presidential candidates, and even in Lebanese politics generally.
As Aimee, 23, explained, "I'm not involved in these things because everything is just so shattered. And everyone sticks to his own side so there's no unity in their opinion. So that's why I prefer not to think about any of them."
Georges, 45, could not see a simple outcome. "I don't see a solution right now. They are they same, the opposition and the majority. We need someone who is one of us, impartial. I would prefer the candidate Samir Geagea.'
For some, this disillusionment extended to a belief that Lebanese politicians were incapable of resolving matters in a peaceful and efficient fashion, and for this reason, required more effective, forceful government.
"We need a consensus candidate, but it needs to be someone with a military background' explained Fadi, 24. "There's corruption all over the place and no respect for laws, so I don't think we're ready for real democracy. I think it should be balanced - democracy and brutal application of law - and we need someone strong to do that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not speaking about a new Castro, I'm just saying you need someone who's really principle-based."
Many respondents indicated a preference for a president who could transcend political divisions. Young and old alike expressed a desire for a leader who had national, rather than political, strategic or regional concerns at heart.
Nicolas, 64 said that "I'm a Lebanese guy and I want a Lebanese decision, not a decision from another country."
Ramzi, 39, echoed this view.
"I think that the election on September 25 will go ahead, but as for the general ambience of the country, I don't believe this will pass," he said. "There is no single presidential candidate now who can really serve the people. There's an ongoing battle between personalities, but I believe we need someone who can work well, above all, for the people, not other countries. Just someone who can serve the Lebanese people - all Lebanese - not Syria, Iran or Israel." http://www.dailystar.com.lb
Despite the common theme of ending interference by regional powers, the prospect of either camp offering a candidate who could fulfill this goal was widely seen as slim. Isam, 24, saw the simplest solution to the deadlock in a candidate from the ruling majority.
"There's not really any candidate I care for but I think they should take one from March 14 because they're the ruling coalition," he said. "I guess that's it, the fact that they have more seats in the chamber means that they get to choose the president."
Yet many others disagreed.
"I don't want anyone from March 14 or March 8," said Jad, 23. "I prefer someone who can take the responsibility of being the president of Lebanon - I don't want a militant - just someone who can take this responsibility seriously."
For Melanie, 21, a key aspect of this responsibility was realizing Lebanon's potential.
"I don't really mind who will be the president, I just want someone who can make this country better - the economy and everything, because it's getting worse and worse," she said. "They're fighting with each other just for their own interests. So we want somebody who can change. Compared to other Arab countries, we're way ahead, if I can say this, so we don't want to get back to old things. I think we should be more open to European countries and not go backward.'
This sense of stasis or regression was of particular concern to younger respondents.
As Elie, 24, described the situation, "it's a real tragedy what's happening in Lebanon at the moment. The best solution's a bit difficult. I'm not really sure whether there's gonna be a presidential election any time soon. I hope that some kind of negotiation will happen to get somebody who is good enough to implement reforms in the government, boost the economy, give confidence to the people and inject money into the country, so that we have a prosperous and wealthy country."
For Jamale, 22, these improvements were not possible in the near future: "Lebanon needs a lot of changes, and I don't think they will happen it in a year or two or three. We need a lot of time."
Many youths seemed to want a president who could facilitate peaceful coexistence.
"What's really sad is that in Lebanon we have all cultures," said Jamal. "We need a president, first of all, who's not religious, because we have Muslims, Christians - everything. So we need someone who is neutral, and we don't have it right now."
BEIRUT: As the proposed date for the presidential election in Parliament draws nearer, scant progress has been made toward a resolution of the debate over the rules for the process. With the continuing stalemate between the ruling majority and the opposition over the selection procedure, The Daily Star went to the Beirut neighborhood of Achrafieh for a local perspective.
Respondents expressed pessimism about the prospect of stability in Lebanese politics. It seems the ongoing conflict has fueled disinterest in all presidential candidates, and even in Lebanese politics generally.
As Aimee, 23, explained, "I'm not involved in these things because everything is just so shattered. And everyone sticks to his own side so there's no unity in their opinion. So that's why I prefer not to think about any of them."
Georges, 45, could not see a simple outcome. "I don't see a solution right now. They are they same, the opposition and the majority. We need someone who is one of us, impartial. I would prefer the candidate Samir Geagea.'
For some, this disillusionment extended to a belief that Lebanese politicians were incapable of resolving matters in a peaceful and efficient fashion, and for this reason, required more effective, forceful government.
"We need a consensus candidate, but it needs to be someone with a military background' explained Fadi, 24. "There's corruption all over the place and no respect for laws, so I don't think we're ready for real democracy. I think it should be balanced - democracy and brutal application of law - and we need someone strong to do that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not speaking about a new Castro, I'm just saying you need someone who's really principle-based."
Many respondents indicated a preference for a president who could transcend political divisions. Young and old alike expressed a desire for a leader who had national, rather than political, strategic or regional concerns at heart.
Nicolas, 64 said that "I'm a Lebanese guy and I want a Lebanese decision, not a decision from another country."
Ramzi, 39, echoed this view.
"I think that the election on September 25 will go ahead, but as for the general ambience of the country, I don't believe this will pass," he said. "There is no single presidential candidate now who can really serve the people. There's an ongoing battle between personalities, but I believe we need someone who can work well, above all, for the people, not other countries. Just someone who can serve the Lebanese people - all Lebanese - not Syria, Iran or Israel." http://www.dailystar.com.lb
Despite the common theme of ending interference by regional powers, the prospect of either camp offering a candidate who could fulfill this goal was widely seen as slim. Isam, 24, saw the simplest solution to the deadlock in a candidate from the ruling majority.
"There's not really any candidate I care for but I think they should take one from March 14 because they're the ruling coalition," he said. "I guess that's it, the fact that they have more seats in the chamber means that they get to choose the president."
Yet many others disagreed.
"I don't want anyone from March 14 or March 8," said Jad, 23. "I prefer someone who can take the responsibility of being the president of Lebanon - I don't want a militant - just someone who can take this responsibility seriously."
For Melanie, 21, a key aspect of this responsibility was realizing Lebanon's potential.
"I don't really mind who will be the president, I just want someone who can make this country better - the economy and everything, because it's getting worse and worse," she said. "They're fighting with each other just for their own interests. So we want somebody who can change. Compared to other Arab countries, we're way ahead, if I can say this, so we don't want to get back to old things. I think we should be more open to European countries and not go backward.'
This sense of stasis or regression was of particular concern to younger respondents.
As Elie, 24, described the situation, "it's a real tragedy what's happening in Lebanon at the moment. The best solution's a bit difficult. I'm not really sure whether there's gonna be a presidential election any time soon. I hope that some kind of negotiation will happen to get somebody who is good enough to implement reforms in the government, boost the economy, give confidence to the people and inject money into the country, so that we have a prosperous and wealthy country."
For Jamale, 22, these improvements were not possible in the near future: "Lebanon needs a lot of changes, and I don't think they will happen it in a year or two or three. We need a lot of time."
Many youths seemed to want a president who could facilitate peaceful coexistence.
"What's really sad is that in Lebanon we have all cultures," said Jamal. "We need a president, first of all, who's not religious, because we have Muslims, Christians - everything. So we need someone who is neutral, and we don't have it right now."
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