The Rene Moawad Foundation held its 15th Annual Washington Gala Dinner on Saturday 25th October 2008 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Pentagon City. There were some 425 guests including members of the Lebanese-American Community, American friends of Lebanon, members of the Arabic diplomatic corps and of the American NGO community.

Honorary President and Founder, Mrs. Nayla René Moawad attended and presented the Foundation’s awards.

To read more about the Gala and see photographs of the Gala go to the Full Story page.
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The René Moawad Foundation is holding its 15th Annual Fund Raising Washington Gala on Saturday, 25th October 2008.

The proceeds of this year’s gala are dedicated to the Foundation's, "Adopt a Student Programme," which provides Lebanon’s youth with the opportunity for a better education in semi-public schools by covering the cost of their tuition and school supplies.

For reservations and donations contact details are: tel - (202) 338-3535; fax - (202) 338-3534; email: rmf@dc.net

On the local level the Foundation is undertaking a joint programme with the, Save the Children, for the protection of children in schools. Last week it held a conference at its centre in Mejdlaya. The programme will initially cover schools in Zgharta Zawie, Akkar, Tripoli and Beirut; eventually also covering the Chouf and South of Lebanon. The press release and photographs of the conference can be viewed on the Full Story page.

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On Monday, 15th September 2008, sees the introduction in Lebanon, of the compulsory wearing of seat belts in cars. This also applies to old cars not originaly built with seat belts.

Wearing a seat-belt reduces the risk of being ejected from a vehicle and suffering serious or fatal injury by between 40%-65%.

Time will tell if the Lebanese will comply with the new law; we fear not unless backed up by police enforcement without exception. Our sentiments are echoed by the Editor of the Lebanese English language newspaper, The Daily Star, who writes today that the introduction of the new law and its enforcement is a step in re-establishing the Lebanese State. The editorial is reproduced on the Full Story page.
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The Lebanese website, Now Lebanon, has focussed on the question of civil marriage in Lebanon and the role which the Facebook group supporting the issue has.

The article can be read on the Full Story page. If you are a member of zgharta.com you can post your comments on the issue.
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The Zgharta Zawie village of Kfarsghab was mentioned in the Lebanese English language newspaper, The Daily Star, today when it reported that it is estimated that some 30,000 Australians will have visited Lebanon by the end of the summer.

Kfarsghab is the summer village of the community, Morh Kfarsghab, being the winter village. Kfarsghab is located on the road from Ehden to Bsharri in the northern part of the Qadisha Valley.

The article can be read on the Full Story page.

The main photograph shows Kfarsghab from Ehden.
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The Ehden Lebanese American Club, established in 1915, holds this forthcoming weekend, its 49th Mahrajan - Lebanese Heritage Festival.

The Festival is being held over Saturday, 9th to Sunday 10th August 2008, with a mixture of music, dancing and food, in whatever order you enjoy most.

The Club was established by those from Ehden who found themselves in a strange land, some due to force of circumstances, but who wished to preserve their Ehden heritage and to pass it onto future generations.

The full history of the Club is recorded on their website www.ehden.org which also gives further details of the Mahrajan and how to buy tickets.

For readers comments go to the Full Story page.
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While Bishop Samir Mazloum, Vicar Patriarchal of Ehden-Zgharta, was in Australia, he was the guest of honour of a dinner held by the Association of Zgharta (Youssef Bey Karam Batal Lebnan) Australia, in conjunction with the Zgharta Ladies Committee and St. Joseph Soccer Club.

Among the other guests were: the Lebanese Consul-General Robert Naoum and his wife; Bishop George Abu Jawdeh; Bishop Shoukrallah Harb; Fr Antoine Tohme; Fr Joseph Mouawad; Fr Youwakim Njeim; Fr Sleiman Yammine; Sister Germane Bechara; Antoine Kazzi, Editor in Chief of El-Telegraph; Joseph Khoury, Editor in Chief of al-Mustaqbal; Association President Sarkis Maksisi and his wife; Ladies Committee President Alia Halabi; St. Joseph club President Peter Bacha and his wife.

President Sarkis Maksisi presented Bishop Mazloum with a Golden Eucharist Cup on behalf of the Zgharta community. He also presented the guest Bishops and the Consul-General with medallions of Patriarch Estephan Douaihy and copies of the book, “Youssef Bey Karam” by Sarkis Chahine Karam.

Symbolic gifts were also exchanged with the Association Chairperson Sarkis Jlailaty presenting the al-Yanabee magazine Editor with a gift. Mr. Peter Bacha presented Sister Bechara with a Cross while Mrs Halabi presented Fr Mouawad with religious gifts.

On his part, Bishop Mazloum presented gifts to the his hosts and extended to them his sincere thanks and hoped that they would all meet in Ehden or Zgharta.

The speech of welcome to Bishop Mazloum can be read on the Full Story page.


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Among the clergy accompanying Patriarch Sfeir on his recent visit to Australia was Ehden's bishop, Bishop Samir Mazloum, Vicar General Patriarchal of Zgharta.

During his visit, Bishop Mazloum, was guest of honor at a dinner held by, El Marada, Australia. The hosts in their welcome address thanked the Bishop for his contribution to the Ehden Zgharta Parish and dedication to the Maronite Church and its peoples. In reply the Bishop stressed the importance of faith and the need to encourage children to attend church and to learn its values. He also praised those parishioners of Ehden Zgharta who are committed to serve their Church and nation.

Bishop Mazloum was presented with the symbolic gift of an Cross, who thanked the members of El Marada, Australia for their kind gift and welcome.

The photograph, courtesy of Australia, shows Bishop Mazloum with Mrs. Sandra Jeitani, who had presented the Cross on behalf of the party.

Bishop Mazloum was born on 10th September 1934, in the village of Kaakour situated in the district of Metn, Mount Lebanon. He was ordained a priest on 7th June 1964 and was appointed Bishop on 11th November 1996, with his ordination taking place on 11th January 1997. The Bishop succeeded the office of Vicar General Patriarchal of Zgharta, from Bishop Paul Emile Saade, now Bishop of Batroun, the Diocese being created in 1999.

Other photographs of Bishop Samir Mazloum while in Australian can be seen on the Full Story page.
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The Association of Zgharta (Youssef Bey Karam Batal Lebnan) Australia along with the Zgharta Ladies Committee, St. Joseph Zgharta Soccer Club and a number of Zgharta community members paid a protocol visit to the Maronite Eparchy to greet Patriarch Mar Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, in Sydney.

The Zgharta delegation was headed by Bishop Samir Mazloum, Vicar Patriarchal of Ehden-Zgharta. The Association’s Vice President, George Douaihy, welcomed the Patriarch on behalf of the Zgharta Community in Australia.

The Association Secretary, Attorney Rimon Mouawad, delivered an address on behalf of the Association President Sarkis Maksisi, who was absent due to receiving medical treatment at hospital.

Patriarch Sfeir thanked the large Zgharta delegation and wished its members all the very best, praying for a quick recovery for the Association President.

The address of the Association of Zgharta

His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Sfeir.

Lordships the Bishops.

We came tonight to welcome you on behalf of the Zgharta Community in Australia and to wish you a very successful trip.

You are welcome as a very dear guest to our hearts, hoping that you r presence, wisdom and leadership will boost the position of the Maronites as result of the World Maronite Week.

This occasion would not have been possible without the guidance and direction of His Lordship Ad Abikaram whom we enormously respect and coordinate with at every opportunity, especially in matters concerning the canonisation case of Patriarch Estephan Douaihy. The case we are proud to manage in Australia after being nominated by the Patriarch Douaihy Foundation.

There will be a Church Mass to back the case in coordination with the Maronite Diocese on 27 July 2008. His Lordship Bishop Mazloum will celebrate the Mass.

We pray so that God protects you and grant you health.

Photographs of the visit can be seen in the Galleria

The website, Naharnet, carried on Saturday, 19th July 2008, an interview with former Minister Mrs. Nayla René Mouawad (68), where she is reported saying that her son, Michel (36), would represent the Mouawad family in Lebanon's 2009 General Election.

As to her future, the article wrote that, "her future political effort would focus on allowing Lebanese immigrants to be 'part of Lebanon's decision-making process'."

Minister Mouawad was born on 3rd July 1940 in Bsharri, the daughter of Nagib Issa El Khouri and Evelyne Roch. Her father came from a prominent Maronite family and was related to Bechara El Khoury, Lebanon's first post-Independence President. She was educated at the Ecole des Franciscaines Missionnaires de Marie, Rue du Musee, and subsequently graduated from Saint Joseph's University with a B.A. degree in French Literature and History. From 1962 to 1965, she worked as a journalist for the Lebanese French language newspaper, L'Orient Le Jour.

In 1965 she married President René Mouawad (1925-1989). The marriage at the time cause some consternation in both towns owing to the historic discord between them. They had two children, Rima born in 1966, a graduate of Harvard University and Michel born in 1972, a graduate of Sorbonne University. He is married to Mariel and they have a son, René and two daughters, Nayla and Yara.

Following the assassination of her husband on 22nd November 1989, she founded the René Mouawad Foundation.

She has been one of three Member's of Parliament of Zgharta Zawie since 1991, when at a time when there was no possibility of elections being held, she was appointed Member of Parliament in place of her late husband. She stood and was elected in the 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2005 General Elections. In July 2005 she was appointed Minister for Social Affairs, which office she held until the creation of the new Lebanese Government this month.

One of the enduring memories in Zgharta's history is the funeral procession of President Mouawad when his son, Michel then age 17, walked with the, then age 24, former Minister Sleiman Tony Frangieh*, who lost his father in 1978, at the age of 12. Minister Frangieh was appointed Member of Parliament in 1991, age 25, the legal age under the Lebanese Constitution to become a Member of Parliament.

On a lighter note another image, which seems to shock her younger, but apparently, conservative distracters, is the Minister riding passenger on a motor bike in Harissa, 2006.



[*Born 18 October 1965; death of father 13 June 1978; appointed MP 7 June 1991]
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Somewhat amazingly later this year in Texas, the subject of the Koura-Zgharta Aquifer will be discussed at the International Year of Planet Earth.

The event will be held between 5th to 9th October 2008, at the George R. Brown Convention Centre, Houston, Texas. It is organised by the Geological Society of America (GSA), Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies with the Gulf Coast Section of SEPM (GCAGS). During the five days there will be scientific papers, exhibits, and lectures.

The Koura-Zgharta Aquifer will be discussed on 8th October 2008 and the speakers will be Isam E Amin, of the Department of Geological & Environmental Sciences, Youngstown State University; Ziad Khayat; Wisam M. Khadra and Mohmamad M. Hamzeh Hamzeh of the Department of Geology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.

The International Year of Planet Earth is a joint initiative by UNESCO and the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). It aims to use the accumulated knowledge of the world's 400,000 Earth scientists. The Year's goals are expressed in its slogan, "Earth Sciences for Society." The International Year runs in fact from January 2007 to December 2009, the central year of the triennium (2008) being declared by the United Nations as the year of its international observance.

The Year's main activities are contained in its Science and Outreach programmes. The Science Programme consists of ten themes one of which is groundwater, hence why Zgharta's aquifer is being discussed.

The press release for the talk on 8th October 2008 highlights the threat to Zgharta's aquifer and the conclusions of the discussion will be clearly of great interest to all who live in and indeed visit Zgharta Zawie. It appears on the Full Story page.


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The members of Lebanon's new Government were announced this afternoon, 11th July 2008.

It comprises of 30 members and in accordance with the Doha Agreement, seats have been allocated between the majority (16 seats) and opposition parties (11 seats) and the President of the Republic (3 seats).

For the first time since the early 1990's there is no Member of Parliament of Zgharta Zawie in the Lebanese Government. We trust that in the corridors of power the voice of our community's leaders will be heard and heeded, mindful that they did not press their claim for office and that elections are due in 2009.

The Members of the new Cabinet are:

Prime Minister: Fouad Siniora ( Sunni )
Deputy Prime Minister:Issam Abou Jamra (Greek Orthodox)

Administrative Reforms:Ibrahim Shamseddine (Shiite)
Agriculture:Elias Skaff (Catholic)
Culture:Tammam Salam (Sunni)
Defence:Elias al-Murr (Greek Othodox)
Displaced:Raymond Audi (Greek Orthodox)
Economy and Trade:Mohammad Safadi (Sunni)
Education:Bahia Hariri (Sunni)
Energy and Water:Alain Tabourian (Armenian Orthodox)
Environment:Antoine Karam (Maronite)
Finance:Mohammad Chatah (Sunni)
Foreign Affairs:Fawzi Salloukh (Shiite )
Health:Mohammad Jawad Khalifa (Shiite)
Industry:Ghazi Zoayter (Shiite)
Information:Tarek Mitri (Greek Orthodox)
Interior & Municipality:Ziad Baroud (Maronite)
Justice:Ibrahim Najjar (Greek Orthodox)
Labour:Mohammad Fneish (Shiite )
Social Affairs:Mario Aoun (Maronite
Telecommunications:Gebran Bassil (Maronite)
Transport and Public Works:Ghazi Aridi (Druze)
Tourism:Elie Marouni (Maronite)
Youth and Sports:Talal Arslan (Druze )
Minister of State:Wael Abou Faour (Druze)
Minister of State:Nassib Lahoud (Maronite)
Minister of State:Khaled Qabbani (Sunni)
Minister of State:Ali Qanso (Shiite)
Minister of State:Jean Ogassapian (Armenian Orthodox)
Minister of State:Youssef Taqla (Greek Catholic)

Looking to 2009, Zgharta Zawie will return 3 members of parliament, under whatever electoral law the next general election will be held under. Whether the 3 will be all of one party, or divided between parties, is for the ballot box. Under the Lebanese Constitution, out of 128 Members of Parliament, 64 are Christian and within that number 34 are Maronites. What, if any, voice our 3 Maronite members of parliament will have in or out government will depend on the outcome of the General Election - the closeness of the result and how influential their support was in other constituencies.

On the Full Story page we reproduce the profiles of the Cabinet members, which appear on the websites for, Now Lebanon, and, L'Orient Le Jour.


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When Patriarch Estephan Douaihy was declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI, we were uncertain how we should formally refer to the Patriarch. Reading the various articles written on the declaration we found there to be a number of variations in the English language press and websites, so we contacted the Rev. Dr. Peter Joseph, Chancellor of the Maronite Diocese, Sydney, Australia.

We were delighted to hear from him by return and with his kind permission we reproduce his reply to us. We express our sincere thanks to him for sparing the time to answer our request, especially at this busy time for him and the Diocese.

Dear zgharta.com

Greetings in the Lord.

In reply to your email asking how you should now refer to Patriarch Estephan Douaihy, since being declared Venerable by the Holy Father.

Often, after a title of holiness is conferred, previous ecclesiastical titles are not used when referring to the person in question. For example, we now refer to ‘Blessed John XXIII’, or ‘Saint Pius X’. Although, if you wish, you can still refer to the title of Pope, such as for ‘Pope Saint Pius X’.

Another example is that of Padre Pio (‘Father Pio’). As he was so well-known by this name, even after his canonization many still referred to him as ‘Saint Padre Pio’. Strictly, it is more formally correct to omit the title ‘Padre’ and refer to him as ‘Saint Pio of Pietrelcina’, mentioning his birthplace to identify him.

The canonisation process involves a series of titles, which means that a new title, in effect, replaces the previous one. The titles are:

1. Servant of God: Where the cause of the candidate has been opened and is being investigated.

2. Venerable: The Servant of God has been found to have practised heroic virtue, the examination of his life having being completed and evaluated.

3. Blessed: After a miracle is approved (not needed if the person is a martyr), the candidate is beatified, and local and restricted cult is thus authorised.

4. Saint: After a second miracle, the Blessed is canonized, and universal cult is authorised.

In the case of Patriarch Douaihy, when he was declared a ‘Servant of God’, you could refer to him as ‘Servant of God, Patriarch Estephan Douaihy.’

On being declared Venerable, it would be somewhat awkward to say Venerable Servant of God, so the latter title can be omitted and one can refer to him as, ‘Venerable Patriarch Estephan Douaihy.'

Once he is declared Blessed, you would refer to him as ‘Blessed (Patriarch) Estephan Douaihy.’

On being canonised he would be referred to as ‘Saint (Patriarch) Estephan Douaihy.’

The title ‘Patriarch’ becomes optional in ordinary usage.

God bless.

Fr Peter Joseph
"Beit Maroun"
Sydney
New South Wales
Australia

The Lebanese French language newspaper, L'Orient Le Jour, reports on Wednesday, 2nd July 2008, the findings of a survey by the University of Saint Joseph, called "The emigration of young Lebanese and their future plans."

The report appears on the Full Story page, but in summary it says that almost half a million Lebanese, or 10.3% of the population, have left the country between 1992 and 2007 and that 26% of youths aged 18 to 35 years, are considering to emigrate. It further says that Mount Lebanon (excluding the suburbs of Beirut) and North Lebanon are the major hotbeds of departure. Main destinations are 25.8% Arab countries; 19% Western Europe; 31% USA and Canada; 12.4% Australia.


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The Lebanese General Federation of Bakeries announced on Wednesday, 25th June 2008, an increase in the price of a packet of bread from 1500 LL ( $1.00) to 2000 LL ( $1.33) effective from Thursday morning.

Price increases for basics are increasingly not uncommon throughout the world, whether for bread, milk or petrol. For some the price increase is a merely a matter of loose change. For others it is not so simple.

The public face of the Lebanon, is like the holiday advert, ski in the morning, swim in the afternoon; one of extremes. In Lebanese society there are extremes; the Cristal champagne drinkers and the family where father and mother have to work to make ends meet. Even those in the middle are not immune from the struggle.

This summer will see the same rituals as before. The family visitor will not be asked or expected to dip into his/her pocket; the often heard expressions, but somehow still annoying, of, "oh how cheap"; the question whether there is a problem with the light bulb as there is no light in the "guest" room (read nephew's bedroom); what's wrong with the tap, there's no water, even worse, no flush; the incredulity of there being no broadband connectivity.

So summer family visitor, welcome. But, do not compare; do not judge; do not criticise, as you are not staying to adapt. You are returning to where you have to pay, where you will say: " its so expensive, but I will have it", "oh, change the bulb", "call the plumber, now!", " I want to upgrade to 24000 Kbps x 24 hours unmetered ."

NEWS UPDATE 26.06.08: The Ministry of Economy and Trade has announced today that as of Friday, 27th 2008, a subsidised ton of flour will be sold to bakers for 330,000 LL, or 200 US dollars, for the manufacture of bread. Thereby ensuring that the sale price of bread would remain at 1500 LL . for a packet of bread weighing 1120 grams. The Ministry will re-calculate the price of subsidised flour at the end of each month, based on fluctuations in fuel prices, to preserve the current weight and price of a packet of bread.

We have nominated, Horsh Ehden, in the, New 7 Wonders of Nature, campaign organised by the New 7 Wonders Foundation.

The Foundation was established by Swiss-born Canadian filmmaker, author and adventurer Bernard Weber in 2001, and is based at the at the Heidi-Weber-Museum in Zurich, Switzerland. This is the second campaign held by the Foundation, this time with the focus on nature. The first campaign,The New & Wonders of the World, focused on buildings, such as Petra, Jordan; Christ Redeemer, Brazil; Colosseum, Italy, with over 100 million votes cast for nominated buildings.

The website for the campaign, www.new7wonders.com quotes President Bernard Weber saying, "We are finding the New7Wonders of Nature campaign to be excitingly different from the first one. So many breathtakingly beautiful, natural places are still quite unknown to many. From waterfalls to fjords, rainforests to mountain peaks, freshwater lakes to salt flats, we are discovering together the incredible beauty and variety of our planet.”

When we visited the website we were surprised that the Horsh Ehden had not been nominated so far and therefore we stepped in and did the honours. The nomination has yet to go online as it seems that a checking process is carried out and a site page opened with a short description. We will let you know once the Horsh Ehden is listed so you can vote for it.

Lebanese natural sites nominated so far are the Cedars of Lebanon and Jeita Grotto.

However for a nominated site to become a finalist an Official Supporting Committee has to be formed, which seems a simple process; hopefully the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve can take over and do this.

Voting for nominee sites is open until 31st December 2008. A panel of experts will then select 21 finalists from the top ranked nominees which have Official Supported Committees. The finalists will be announced in January 2009, with voting open until 2010. The seven winners will be declared in the summer of 2010.

Whether or not the Horsh Ehden is selected as a finalist, is immaterial. Being associated with such a wide world campaign will bring kudos to the Reserve as well as bringing it to the attention of millions.

Already there has been press coverage of Jeita Grotto's nomination.

We are please to report that the designer of our ZTv logo, and Zghartawien, Amado Batour, and his New Jersey company, Switch2Health (S2H), are attracting media attention. As well, the Company has received a grant of $50,000 by the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology, to assist development of the Company's programme to combat overweightness and obesity.

The Company was featured in the current issue of, Tech News, the publication of the New Jersey Technology Council, which features new technology companies amongst its pages. In the June issue it features the most innovative companies of 2008, with S2H in lead place. As well, splashed on the front cover is the headline, Switch2Health (S2H) winners of the 'Most Innovative Product of the Year,' featuing a photograph of Amado.

The publication says of the Company,

"Switch2Health Corporation founders believe they really are at the cutting edge of a revolution in the making. The company is commercializing innovative products based on patent pending technology integrated with a rewards based interactive website to motivate individuals of all ages to begin, maintain, and or increase their level of physical activity and ultimately lead a healthier lifestyle.

Switch2Health is creating “The New Currency of Health,” which will enable individuals to build value and to benefit from their own physical activity. Switch2Health aims to change the behavior and improve the health of individuals which is partially responsible for an obesity epidemic in the U.S. and around the world.

This early stage developer of unique technologies and programs plans to challenge the epidemic of overweight and obesity and was awarded a $50,000 grant by the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology (NJCST) to accelerate the business development process and produce significant value for the company."

To read Tech News and the feature click here. Amado is the guy on the right of the cover.

The wide ranging nature of the René Moawad Foundation's activities were shown in recent celebrations on the conclusion of two successful projects undertaken by it. Both projects concentrated on helping women to maximize their business acumen in the rural areas of Bekaa and South Lebanon.

To read about the projects go the Full Story page.


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This weekend sees the, Inter-Lebanese Dialogue, in Qatar, which aims to resolve Lebanon's immediate political problems.

Among those attending the Dialogue is Zgharta Zawie Member of Parliament, Jawad Simon Boulos.

Jawad was born in Zgharta, 1966 to Simon and Elizabeth (née Hanna) Boulos and he has two sisters Maria and Alissar. He studied at the College des Fréres at Kfaryachite then going onto the American University of Beirut (1984-1990) obtaining two degrees, Bachelor of Science - Biology and Bachelor of Arts-Business. In 1991he attended Saint Joseph University, Beirut where he obtained a Bachelor of Law. This was followed by studies in France at the Sorbonne, Paris where he received a Bachelor of International Law and at the graduate business school INSEAD, Fontainebleau, where he obtained a MBA. In 1992 he married Randa Iskandar Ghebril in 1992 and they have three children, Simon ,Elizabeth and Farid.

His family has been involved in Zgharta Zawie political and public life for many years. His father, Simon Boulos, was an influential, though discreet figure, in both regional and national politics during his lifetime, who died in 1992. Jawad is the great-nephew of former Minister and Member of Parliament Jawad Boulos (1899 - 1982) who he is named after. His great uncle was Member of Parliament for the years 1937 to 1939 and was appointed respectively Minister of Foreign Affairs, of Health and of Public Works during the presidency of President Ayoub Tabet in 1943.

In the General Election of 2005 he was one of the three elected Members of Parliament for Zgharta Zawie. On the convening of the new Parliament in June 2005 to elect its principal officers, he was elected as one of the Parliamentary Secretaries. He is also a member of the Parliamentary Budget & Finance Committee; Economy, Trade, Industry and Planning Committee.

The, El Marada, Australian website reporting on those attending, says that, "It is worth noting that a number of key Lebanese leaders are not involved in the talks since representation was based on Parliamentary distributions rather than popular representation. Key Lebanese leaders missing from the Doha talks are El Marada leaders Sleiman Frangieh, former MP Talal Arslan and former PM Omar Karami."

Notwithstanding any issues concerning representation it must be of pride that a Zghartwien is taking part in such a pivotal and milestone event in Lebanon's history.

The names of those attending can be seen on the Full Story page.

NEWS UPDATE: We now learn that Michel René Moawad has travelled to Doha for the conference.
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The Lebenase media is reporting today that the national carrier, Middle East Airlines, MEA, will be resuming commercial flights on Thursday. An Beirut Airport spokesperson was reported as saying that, "An MEA flight from Paris is scheduled to arrive from Paris at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) and will depart to Larnaca, Cyprus at 8:30 pm."

The comments of Lebanese Tourism Minister Joseph Sarkis, made on Wednesday, were reported this morning, saying that he was pinning his hopes on Lebanese expatriate's coming this year in the same numbers as in previous years. He said that in the summer of 2007, more than 80,000 Lebanese expatriates visited Lebanon. The Minister also said that tourism in Lebanon generates more than $2 billion each year.

Let us hope that those travelling from Zgharta this summer will have return tickets.

Go to the Full Story page to read more about MEA and see some old memorabilia.


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Many workers from Zgharta are still not making the daily journey to work in central Beirut. Some are going as far as Jounieh and the northern and eastern suburbs of Beirut to work.Those who have businesses in Beirut and Tripoli are also not opening.

For young people, the Ministry of Education's announcement that the official exams, due to start this week, are postponed to a date to be announced, is a mixed blessing. Putting off the "evil" day but eating into summer's free time to be spent with visiting cousens.

The Lebanese website, Now Lebanon, reporting today on the attitude of the general public in Lebanon, writes under the headline, "Life in Lebanon on hold," which captures the mood of some in Zgharta.

Events in Tripoli, some seven kilometres from Zgharta, and elsewhere, are impacting on Zghartawiens, with the fear that another summer is a write off.

On the festival front we have heard nothing on the grapevine that Ehden will be having a festival this summer. The last festival was the Ehdeniyat, held in 2005, which with its composite parts - Biiyat, Cinemaiyat, Tarabiyat - was organised and funded by the Al Midan Society, as was the 2004 festival. The Society's website is under construction, with no forthcoming announcements. There has been no public announcement by the Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council, of what, if any, events they are planning to hold. Traditionally summer starts on 21st June, this year being eleven days after the scheduled convening of Parliament to elect the President of the Lebanese Republic.

We hear rumours that Ehden's nightclub, Ehden Chaos, will not be reopening, after two seasons, this summer.

The Lebanese media reported today the visit of Minister Mrs. Nayla René Moawad to the USA, mentioning that she had attended the 3rd Annual Charity Gala Dinner in Miami last Saturday, of the René Moawad Foundation. Her attendance at the Gala had not been announced beforehand for security reasons.

The, An Nahar, writing of her visit and her various political engagements during her visit, said that the Gala was to support the Foundation's many activities. It further said that more than five hundred guests attended the Gala, representing all sections of the American Lebanese community, as well as senior officials from American economic and social institutions.

Whether you support the Minister's political views or not, it is good that the Foundation has had added publicity both in the USA and Lebanon.

The proceeds of the Gala will be donated the Foundation's, "Adopt a Student Program," which provides young Lebanese with the opportunity for a better education in semi-public schools, by covering the cost of tuition and school supplies.

The Gala was also the occasion to honour, Lebanese American's, Sam and Laurice Hachem of Tampa, Florida, who received the RMF Distinguished Lifetime Achievement and Community Service Award, for their generous philanthfopic work in support of education all over Lebanon. They fund the education of around 450 students in Lebanon.

The keynote speaker at the Gala was the Lebanese Ambassador to the US HE Ambassador Antoine Chedide. This was followed by Minister Mrs. Nayla René Moawad, who thanked the audience for their continued support of those less fortunate in Lebanon.

The Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Thomas Abraham, and whose 97 year old father, Anthony Abraham, the Honorary Lebanse Consul in Miami, also attended.

As part of evening there was a fashion show by the Lebanese designer, Jamil Khansa, whose Finale featured a model wearing a dress of the Lebanese Flag, which was received by rapturous applause and a standing ovation by the audience. Mr. Khansa received the RMF Outstanding Talent Award.

Photographs of the Gala can be seen in the, Galleria,