Lebanese Living Abroad Ponder Stalled Presidential Election, Fate of Nation

Source from:  dailystar.com.lb Monday, December 17, 2007 12/17/2007

Apple and grape-scented tobacco from narguile fills the air at a Lebanese restaurant as conversation about Lebanon's political crisis and presidential election mingles with an Arabic song, a usual scene in every day life. But unlike any other restaurant located in Lebanon, this eatery is in the booming southern Chinese city of Guangzhou where Lebanese men have come to set up businesses. A group of young friends dine, puff narguiles, or water pipes, and have their say about the more than one-year-old crisis which has catapulted with the latest wrangling over the presidential election. Other Arab customers recline on couches, sipping tea and smoking narguiles at the "Lebanese Nights" restaurant. Heated debate over the political tumult is what Lebanese Nights is lately witnessing among those men as they worry about their country's future. Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel "Aoun's initiative was a historic initiative that no one knew how to take advantage of," said Bassam Khnayzer, 25. "It was rejected in half an hour," he told Naharnet as he took a puff from the narguile next to him. Khnayzer was referring to the initiative which had called for an interim president for a term of less than two years pending general elections in the summer of 2009 in line with a new election law. It also had called for the naming of a consensus premier. About efforts to elect army commander General Michel Suleiman as head of state, Khnayzer said: "If elected, he will continue the path to reach full independence because he will not accept to rule without financial auditing." On Monday, the Lebanese Parliament will yet make another attempt to choose a new president. The top post has been left vacant since Emile Lahoud's term ended on November 23. While Khnayzer expressed optimism, Ahmad Nesr, 22, was more pessimistic. "Even if they bring a new president the situation will remain the same. There will always be problems," he said. "Our country will not be free from troubles. It's impossible," he added. Khnayzer's 24-year-old brother Jebran said the situation prevents him from living in Lebanon as more and more youths are emigrating to look for better job opportunities and to escape the unstable situation in their country. "I'd love to go back and live in Lebanon when things become better," he said. Enditem