Showing posts with label Lebanon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lebanon. Show all posts
12/18/08
Christmas Concert Lebanon (Dec./07)
The Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music
Choir: the Antonine University Choir, the NDU Choir and the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory Choir
Choir Direction: F. Khalil Rahme
Under the Direction of Dr. Walid Gholmieh
National Lebanese Orchestra
6/1/08
A Light From Lebanon
A new Maronite Order, Maronite Servants of Christ the Light, has been founded in America by Sister Marla Maria Lucas .
(h/t Dawn Eden )
5/25/08
"The Fall of Lebanon"
Perspective on the Lebanon accord:
"May 21, 2008, is a date--like December 7 (1941) and September 11 (2001)--that should now live in infamy. Yet who will notice, mourn, or act the wiser for it?
On that day, the Beirut spring was buried under the reign of Hizballah...
On every point, Hizballah, Iran, and Syria, got all they wanted from Lebanon's government: its surrender of sovereignty. They have veto power over the government; one-third of the cabinet; election changes to ensure victory in the next balloting; and they will have their candidate installed as president.
The majority side is not giving up but is trying to comfort itself on small mercies. The best arguments it can come up with are that now everyone knows Hizballah is not patriotic, treats other Lebanese as enemies, and cannot seize areas held by Christian and Druze militias. It isn't much to cheer about.
Nevertheless, as in 1938, a lot of the media is proclaiming it as a victory of some kind, securing peace and stability in Lebanon.
Not so. If Syria murders more Lebanese journalists, judges, or politicians, no one will investigate. No one dare diminish Hizballah's de facto rule over large parts of the country. No one dare stop weapons pouring over the border from Syria and Iran. In fact, why should they continue to be smuggled in secretly? No one dare interfere if and when Hizballah, under Syrian and Iranian guidance, decide it is time for another war with Israel.
This defeat was not only total, it was totally predictable."
(h/t 'FreedomZone')
"May 21, 2008, is a date--like December 7 (1941) and September 11 (2001)--that should now live in infamy. Yet who will notice, mourn, or act the wiser for it?
On that day, the Beirut spring was buried under the reign of Hizballah...
On every point, Hizballah, Iran, and Syria, got all they wanted from Lebanon's government: its surrender of sovereignty. They have veto power over the government; one-third of the cabinet; election changes to ensure victory in the next balloting; and they will have their candidate installed as president.
The majority side is not giving up but is trying to comfort itself on small mercies. The best arguments it can come up with are that now everyone knows Hizballah is not patriotic, treats other Lebanese as enemies, and cannot seize areas held by Christian and Druze militias. It isn't much to cheer about.
Nevertheless, as in 1938, a lot of the media is proclaiming it as a victory of some kind, securing peace and stability in Lebanon.
Not so. If Syria murders more Lebanese journalists, judges, or politicians, no one will investigate. No one dare diminish Hizballah's de facto rule over large parts of the country. No one dare stop weapons pouring over the border from Syria and Iran. In fact, why should they continue to be smuggled in secretly? No one dare interfere if and when Hizballah, under Syrian and Iranian guidance, decide it is time for another war with Israel.
This defeat was not only total, it was totally predictable."
(h/t 'FreedomZone')
5/23/08
Cardinal Sfier Reaches Out
The Lebanese Cardinal, Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Pierre Sfier, visited George Bush in the Oval office "to discuss the unique and important role of the Maronite Christian community in Lebanon. They discussed their common vision of an independent, sovereign and peaceful Lebanon.
"They also acknowledged the agreement signed by Lebanese leaders today in Doha is a step in the right direction. The president reiterated his commitment to supporting Lebanon, and to the full implementation of the Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701 meant to bring it peace and security." more....
5/21/08
Peace at What Cost?
The Lebanese have negotiated a 'solution' to the state of near civil war that has been plaguing them since last year:
"Naturally, the initial comments are positive. Prime minister Fouad Siniora emphasises that 'we cannot have a future without domestic unity", and the leader of the majority, Saad Hariri, affirms that he is "always ready to make concessions for the sake of coexistence, and to turn a new page of reconciliation". For the head of the Lebanese armed forces, Samir Geagea, "the accord was the best we could come up with", while the Hezbollah member of parliament Mohammed Raad speaks of "high hopes for the Doha Accord which will rescue us from this crisis. No one in the world can cure our wounds if we don’t cooperate with one another". From the same front of the opposition, Michel Aoun maintains that "the accord is not ideal for any of the parties; I hope that safeguards are put in place for decent relations between the majority in the opposition'."
I was in Beirut, coiincidentally, on the first anniversary of Rafik Hariri's assassination. Hundreds of thousands rallied in oppostition to Syrian interference in Lebanese politics. It was an impressive show of unity. Now, the Lebanese have incorporated Syrian interference into their gov't via a 'veto' for Hezbollah.
Can 'peace' be lasting?
5/10/08
Lebanon Struggles On
What do North Americans know or care about the struggles of Lebanon? How has the perception of that struggle changed ovr the last 10, 20, 30 years? Why?
There are a lot of significant events to take interest in around the world, nearly all of which I am totally unqualified to comment upon. However, since I visited Lebanon as a Catholic pilgrim in Feb. 2006 during a window of stability, I am interested.( We were one of THREE pilgrim groups in 30 years, a particular mission of Fr. Augustine Aoun to show Lebanon as the holy land of the bible.)
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