Lebanese Democratic Party
Encyclopedia
The Lebanese Democratic Party (Hizb al-democraty al-lubnany; Arabic:الحزب الديمقراطي اللبناني) is a political party in Lebanon established by Prince Talal Arslan in 2001. Prince Talal is the son of Druze
leader L'Emir Magid Arslan
and has presided the party ever since its establishment.
The Lebanese Democratic Party is officially secular and has members from all Lebanese sects, but most of its support comes from the Druze
, who support the Arslan family. It is part of the March 8 Alliance
.
The party was represented in the Lebanese parliament in 2000 and in 2009. Emir Talal Arslan won a seat in the Parliament representing the Aley district, and three others representing the Baabda district.
In July 2011, Emir Talal appointed his brother-in-law Marwan Kheireddine
as minister of state
to represent him and the party in the newly formed cabinet
.
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
leader L'Emir Magid Arslan
L'Emir Magid Arslan
Emir Majid Toufic Arslan was a Lebanese Druze leader and head of one of the two traditional feudal Druze ruling families, the Arslans against the rival family, the Jumblatts. Emir Majid Arslan was the leader of the Yazbaki faction...
and has presided the party ever since its establishment.
The Lebanese Democratic Party is officially secular and has members from all Lebanese sects, but most of its support comes from the Druze
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
, who support the Arslan family. It is part of the March 8 Alliance
March 8 Alliance
The March 8 Alliance is a coalition of various political parties in Lebanon. It has been the ruling coalition since January 25, 2011 when the alliance managed to nominate Najib Mikati as the new prime minister.-History:...
.
The party was represented in the Lebanese parliament in 2000 and in 2009. Emir Talal Arslan won a seat in the Parliament representing the Aley district, and three others representing the Baabda district.
In July 2011, Emir Talal appointed his brother-in-law Marwan Kheireddine
Marwan Kheireddine
Marwan Salim Kheireddine, born in 1968, in Hasbaya, Lebanon serves as Minister of State; named by Prince Talal Arslan to represent him and the Lebanese Democratic Party in the Lebanese government since July 2011...
as minister of state
Minister of State
Minister of State is a title borne by politicians or officials in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a "minister of state" is a junior minister, who is assigned to assist a specific cabinet minister...
to represent him and the party in the newly formed cabinet
Lebanese government of June 2011
The formation of a new government led by Najib Mikati follows five months of negotiations after the fall of the Saad Hariri government. Mikati formed a 30 minister cabinet.-Background:...
.