2011 Lebanese protests
| 2011 Lebanese protests | |
|---|---|
| Part of <-- influenced by: 2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests--> | |
 Location of Lebanon | |
| Date | January 12, 2011 – Ongoing |
| Location | |
| Goals | Political and economic changes |
| Methods | demonstrations, online campaign |
| Status | Ongoing |
The 2011 Lebanese protests have been influenced by the 2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests. The main protests focus on the call for secularism and political reform especial to the political system of Lebanon.
Background
Political system
Lebanon is a republic within the overall framework of confessionalism, a form of consociationalism in which the highest offices are proportionately reserved for representatives from certain religious communities. The constitution grants the people the right to change their government. However, from the mid-1970s until the parliamentary elections in 1992, civil war precluded the exercise of political rights. According to the constitution, direct elections must be held for the parliament every 4 years. The last parliamentary election was in 2009.[1] The Parliament, in turn, elects a President every 6 years to a single term. The President is not eligible for re-election. The last presidential election was in 2008. The president and parliament choose the Prime Minister. Political parties may be formed; most are based on sectarian interests.
2011 fall of government
On January 12, 2011, the government collapsed after Energy Minister Gebran Bassil announced that all ten opposition ministers had resigned following months of warnings by Hezbollah that it would not remain inactive should there be indictments against the group. The New York Times suggested the resignations came after the collapse of talks between Syria and Saudi Arabia to ease tensions in Lebanon. However, Suleiman-appointee, Minister of State Adnan Sayyed Hussein,[2] resigned later. The resignations stemmed from PM Hariri's refusal to call an emergency cabinet session over discussion for withdrawing cooperation with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL),[3] which was expected to indict Hezbollah members in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.[4] Preliminary indictments were issued January 17 as expected,[5]) though they were pending STL approval.[6]
President Michel Suleiman is constitutionally responsible for the formation of a new government, He accepted the resignations saying: "In line with clause one of article 69 in the Lebanese constitution on the circumstances under which the government is considered to have resigned...as the government has lost more than one third of its members...the cabinet [is requested to] act as a caretaker government until the formation of a new government."[7]
Protests
27 February
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2011) |
On 27 February, hundreds of Lebanese rallied in the capital Beirut against the country's political system, known as Confessionalism, in a march named "The Laique pride", calling for reform. A peaceful sit-in in Saida also took place.[8]
6 March
In a follow up rallies to the 27th of february demonstration, Around 8,000 people marched from Dora to Beirut in the second round of a campaign to “topple the sectarian regime” and its leading symbols and to call for secularism based reforms. Similar protests took place in Baalbek and in Sidon.[9]
See also
- Democracy in the Middle East
- Freedom in the World (report)
- List of freedom indices
- List of modern conflicts in the Middle East
References
- ^ Pro-Western coalition declares victory in Lebanon - The Globe and Mail
- ^ Bakri, Nada (12 January 2011). "Resignations Deepen Crisis for Lebanon". New York Times. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ The Hindu : International : Lebanese government falls
- ^ "Hezbollah and allies topple Lebanese unity government". BBC. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ Hariri indictments set for Monday - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
- ^ US welcomes Hariri indictment - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
- ^ "http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=169956&language=en
- ^ "Lebanese protest against sectarian political system". Af.reuters.com. 2011-02-27. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
- ^ http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_125693#axzz1G0xiKbQd
External links
- Down with the Sectarian Regime Template:Ar
- Lebanese protest against sectarian political system
- Lebanon protest sectarian political system
- Lebanese youth protest to overthrow the sectarian regime
