Qornet Shehwan Gathering
Encyclopedia
The Qornet Shehwan Gathering is a Lebanese
political organization, comprising politicians, intellectuals, and businessmen, mostly Christian
and ranging in ideology from the centre-right to the center-left. The organization is not a political party
in the classical sense: its members belong to, and in some cases lead, a variety of political parties. It is more of a loose coalition
, although whether it intends to organize electorally is unclear. The coalition adheres to seven principles and pursues five objectives.
, a town in the Matn District
of the Mount Lebanon Governorate
, and the seat of the Maronite Archbishopric of the district. It was founded on April 30, 2001 by total of 29 individuals, representing political parties and civic organizations, as well as independents, with the blessing of the Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir and under the leadership of the region's bishop Youssef Bechara. Membership (see below) has fluctuated since, as some founding members and parties are no longer affiliated. Even Patriarch Sfeir retreated from his earlier endorsement of the group (under government pressure, some allege) to a less partisan stance. Some who have left continue to work with the coalition informally, however.
As a prelude to a full withdrawal of Syrian troops
, the Qornet Shehwan originally called for their redeployment to the Bekaa Valley and described Israel
as the main danger to Lebanon. In the wake of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri
on 14 February 2005, however, the Qornet Shehwan escalated its campaign to call for the immediate withdrawal of Syrian military and intelligence forces from Lebanon, and for fresh parliamentary and presidential elections to be held, free from foreign interference. Qornet Shehwan member (and now parliamentarian) Samir Frangieh said on March 16, 2005 that parliamentary elections must precede presidential ones, because the current parliament (elected in 2000 and allegedly gerrymandered to produce a pro-Syrian majority), would be likely to elect another pro-Syrian President to succeed Émile Lahoud
, whom the opposition considers to be a Syrian puppet.
The 2005 parliamentary elections results were disastrous for the Qornet Shehwan Gathering, because most of their candidates lost to Free Patriotic Movement
of general Michel Aoun
, whose candidates grabbed 21 seats in the Christian heartland.
Only 14 members of the gathering (Nayla Moawad
, Jawad Boulos Solange Gemayel
, Gebran Tueni
, Samir Frangieh, Boutros Harb
, 2 of the Kataeb candidates and 6 of the Lebanese Forces
candidates) managed to get to the parliament.
Democratic Renewal Movement
Kataeb (Phalangist) Party
Independence Movement - Harakat Al-Istiklal
Maronite League
National Liberal Party
Independents
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
political organization, comprising politicians, intellectuals, and businessmen, mostly Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and ranging in ideology from the centre-right to the center-left. The organization is not a political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the classical sense: its members belong to, and in some cases lead, a variety of political parties. It is more of a loose coalition
Coalition
A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant...
, although whether it intends to organize electorally is unclear. The coalition adheres to seven principles and pursues five objectives.
History
The coalition takes it name from the town of its headquarters, Qornet ShehwanQornet Shehwan
Qornet Shehwan is a small town in the Mount Lebanon area of Lebanon's Matn District. It was little known to the outside world until the year 2000, when it became the headquarters of the Qornet Shehwan Gathering, a mainly Christian coalition of politicians, intellectuals, and businessmen opposed...
, a town in the Matn District
Matn District
Matn , sometimes spelled Metn, is a district in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon, east of the Lebanon's capital Beirut...
of the Mount Lebanon Governorate
Mount Lebanon Governorate
Mount Lebanon is one of the Governorates of Lebanon. Its capital is Baabda. The overwhelming majority of its population is Maronites, Greek Orthodox, and Melkite Greek Catholic Christians...
, and the seat of the Maronite Archbishopric of the district. It was founded on April 30, 2001 by total of 29 individuals, representing political parties and civic organizations, as well as independents, with the blessing of the Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir and under the leadership of the region's bishop Youssef Bechara. Membership (see below) has fluctuated since, as some founding members and parties are no longer affiliated. Even Patriarch Sfeir retreated from his earlier endorsement of the group (under government pressure, some allege) to a less partisan stance. Some who have left continue to work with the coalition informally, however.
As a prelude to a full withdrawal of Syrian troops
Military of Syria
The Syrian Armed Forces are the military forces of Syria. They consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Air Defense Force.-Manpower:The President of Syria is the commander in chief of the Syrian armed forces, comprising some 646,500 troops upon mobilization. The military is a conscripted force;...
, the Qornet Shehwan originally called for their redeployment to the Bekaa Valley and described Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
as the main danger to Lebanon. In the wake of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri
Rafik Hariri
Rafic Baha El Deen Al-Hariri , was a business tycoon and the Prime Minister of Lebanon from 1992 to 1998 and again from 2000 until his resignation, 20 October 2004.He headed five cabinets during his tenure...
on 14 February 2005, however, the Qornet Shehwan escalated its campaign to call for the immediate withdrawal of Syrian military and intelligence forces from Lebanon, and for fresh parliamentary and presidential elections to be held, free from foreign interference. Qornet Shehwan member (and now parliamentarian) Samir Frangieh said on March 16, 2005 that parliamentary elections must precede presidential ones, because the current parliament (elected in 2000 and allegedly gerrymandered to produce a pro-Syrian majority), would be likely to elect another pro-Syrian President to succeed Émile Lahoud
Émile Lahoud
General Émile Jamil Lahoud is a former President of Lebanon. Lahoud is a Maronite-Catholic, as is required for the Lebanese presidency. Under Lebanon's unwritten constitutional agreement, the National Pact, the presidency is earmarked for Maronite_Catholic, the parliament speaker's post for a Shia...
, whom the opposition considers to be a Syrian puppet.
The 2005 parliamentary elections results were disastrous for the Qornet Shehwan Gathering, because most of their candidates lost to Free Patriotic Movement
Free Patriotic Movement
The Free Patriotic Movement , also known as the "Aounist Movement" , is a Lebanese political party, led by Michel Aoun and allied with Hezbollah, The movement was officially declared a political party on September 18, 2005Though most of the party's support comes from Lebanon's...
of general Michel Aoun
Michel Aoun
Michel Naim Aoun is a former Lebanese Army Commander and he is one of the allies of Hezbollah. From 22 September 1988 to 13 October 1990, he has served as Prime Minister of the legal one of two rival governments that contended for power. He declared "The Liberation War" against the Syrian...
, whose candidates grabbed 21 seats in the Christian heartland.
Only 14 members of the gathering (Nayla Moawad
Nayla Moawad
Nayla Moawad is a Lebanese politician. Outside of Lebanon, she is best known as the widow of former President René Moawad, who was assassinated on 22 November 1989. Within Lebanon, she is a high-profile politician in her own right, having served as a member of the National Assembly since 1991...
, Jawad Boulos Solange Gemayel
Solange Gemayel
Solange Gemayel is a political figure and former First Lady of Lebanon. The widow of former President-elect Bachir Gemayel , who was assassinated days before he was due to take office in 1982, she helped to found the Bachir Gemayel Foundation, to keep his legacy alive.Solange Tutunji married...
, Gebran Tueni
Gebran Tueni
Gebran Ghassan Tueni was a Lebanese politician and the former editor and publisher of the mass circulation An-Nahar daily newspaper in Beirut, Lebanon....
, Samir Frangieh, Boutros Harb
Boutros Harb
Boutros Harb , is a Lebanese politician.A lawyer by profession, he first held political office when elected in 1972 as the Maronite deputy for Batroun, in the North Governorate of Lebanon, being appointed Public Transport Minister for Labour and Minister of the National Education and Art Schools...
, 2 of the Kataeb candidates and 6 of the Lebanese Forces
Lebanese Forces
The Lebanese Forces is a Lebanese political party. Founded as a militia by Bachir Gemayel during the Lebanese Civil War, the movement fought as the main militia within the Christian-dominated Lebanese Front...
candidates) managed to get to the parliament.
Principles
The Qornet Shehwan Gathering adheres to the following seven principles:- Lebanon is not an artificial state, but a homeland for all Lebanese people. As such, it is entitled to its independence, and can solve its problems only as an independent nation.
- Differences between Lebanon's political groups and religious sects must be solved by mutual respect and dialogue, not by confrontation.
- The Taif AgreementTaif AgreementThe Taif Agreement was an agreement reached to provide "the basis for the ending of the civil war and the return to political normalcy in Lebanon." Negotiated in Taif, Saudi Arabia, it was designed to end the decades-long Lebanese civil war, politically accommodate the demographic...
and the related subsequent constitutionalConstitution of LebanonThe Constitution of Lebanon was adopted on 23 May 1926.The most recent amendment of the Constitution was for the Charter of Lebanese National Reconciliation , in October, 1989....
amendments must be implemented as written, not manipulated by "external forces to achieve internal gains." (At this point, the Qornet Shehwan differs from some of the more extreme opposition groups, which reject the Taif Agreement). - A modern constitutional structure, based on democracy and committed to the rule of law, guaranteeing equality for all citizens, must be built. The judiciary should be independent of political interference.
- IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
is seen as "the major source of danger to the people and the land." The resistance to the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon (1982 - 2000) is applauded. (In this matter, the Qornet Shehwan does not antagonize the foreign policyForeign relations of LebanonThe foreign policy of Lebanon reflects its geographic location, the composition of its population, and its reliance on commerce and trade. Until 2005, Lebanon's foreign policy had been heavily influenced by Syria. The framework for relations was first codified in May 1991, when Lebanon and Syria...
status quo, thereby avoiding a divisive political issue). - The Syrian occupation of Lebanon must end, and Lebanon and Syria must reconstitute their relationship as equal parties. Sound relations and "brotherly ties" can be achieved only if neither party is controlled by the other.
- Lebanon is an integral part of the ArabArabArab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
world, and wants to play a full part in it as a sovereign state.
Objectives
The Qornet Shehwan Gathering pursues the following five objectives:- The withdrawal of all Syrian forces from Lebanon and the recovery of full sovereignty.
- Formulation of a new electoral law to eliminate gerrymandering, establishment of judicial independence, and limitation of the right of security forces to intervene.
- Comprehensive national reconciliation, the return of exiles, and the release of political prisoners.
- Support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, with its capital in Jerusalem. Palestinian refugees in Lebanon to be moved to the Palestinian state, with Israel and the international community charged with responsibility for their resettlement.
- An Arab-wide "just and comprehensive" peace settlement with Israel to "safeguard Arab rights." No peace settlement is to be made by Lebanon unilaterally.
Membership
The following parties and individuals are or have been members of the Qornet Shehwan Gathering. Parties, and their respective members, are listed alphabetically, except for the leader of the party who, if a Qornet participant, is placed at the top of his or her party's list. Those who are currently members of the National Assembly are tagged (MP).Present members
Lebanese ForcesLebanese Forces
The Lebanese Forces is a Lebanese political party. Founded as a militia by Bachir Gemayel during the Lebanese Civil War, the movement fought as the main militia within the Christian-dominated Lebanese Front...
-
- Habib, FaridFarid HabibFarid Habib is a Lebanese politician and a member of the Lebanese Forces party. He has been an MP in the Lebanese Parliament as a representative of Koura district since the 2005 legislative elections...
(Greek Orthodox; MP) - Abillammaa, EddyEddy AbillammaaEddy Abillammaa is a Lebanese politician and a member of the executive committee of the Lebanese Forces party. He is the head of the LF party in Matn and its candidate for the upcoming legislative election on June 7, 2009 for Northern Matn district....
(Maronite; MP)
- Habib, Farid
Democratic Renewal Movement
Democratic Renewal (Lebanon)
The Democratic Renewal Movement is a reformist, secular political party in Lebanon.At the last legislative elections, in May and June 2005, the party was allied to the anti-Syrian March 14 Alliance, led by Future Movement of late Prime minister Rafic Hariri, that won these elections. was founded...
-
- Lahoud, NassibNassib LahoudNassib Lahoud is a Lebanese-Christian political figure born on 23 November 1944 in Baabdat - Matn, Lebanon. He has held various political posts including Ambassador to the USA, Member of Parliament and Minister of State...
(Maronite; former MP) - Ziadeh, Kamil (Maronite; former MP)
- Lahoud, Nassib
Kataeb (Phalangist) Party
-
- Gemayel, AmineAmine GemayelAmine Pierre Gemayel was President of Lebanon from 1982 to 1988 and is the leader of Kataeb Party.Born in the Lebanese village of Bikfaya, Amine Gemayel is the son of Pierre Gemayel, founder of the Kataeb Party...
(Maronite; former President, 1982-1988) - Gemayel, SolangeSolange GemayelSolange Gemayel is a political figure and former First Lady of Lebanon. The widow of former President-elect Bachir Gemayel , who was assassinated days before he was due to take office in 1982, she helped to found the Bachir Gemayel Foundation, to keep his legacy alive.Solange Tutunji married...
(Maronite; widow of president-elect Bachir GemayelBachir GemayelBachir Gemayel was a Lebanese politician, militia commander, and president-elect...
, MP) - Elie Karame (MelkiteMelkiteThe term Melkite, also written Melchite, refers to various Byzantine Rite Christian churches and their members originating in the Middle East. The word comes from the Syriac word malkāyā , and the Arabic word Malakī...
-Greek Catholic)
- Gemayel, Amine
Independence Movement - Harakat Al-Istiklal
Independence Movement (Lebanon)
The Independence Movement is a neoconservative and secularist Lebanese political party based in Zgharta , founded in 2006 by Michel René Moawad, son of slain Lebanese President René Moawad and MP and former first lady Nayla Moawad.The movement is part of the anti-Syrian Qornet Shehwan...
-
- Moawad, Michel (Maronite)
- Moawad, NaylaNayla MoawadNayla Moawad is a Lebanese politician. Outside of Lebanon, she is best known as the widow of former President René Moawad, who was assassinated on 22 November 1989. Within Lebanon, she is a high-profile politician in her own right, having served as a member of the National Assembly since 1991...
(Maronite; MP) - Boulos, Jawad (Maronite)
- El Douaihy, Youssef (Maronite)
Maronite League
Maronite League
The Maronite League – ML or Ligue Maronite in French is a private, non-profit and ostensibly apolitical organization of Lebanese Christian notables, dedicated mainly to defend the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon in the cadre of a democratic and pluralistic society.-Composition:The League...
-
- Shehab, Hares (Maronite)
National Liberal Party
National Liberal Party (Lebanon)
The National Liberal Party is a center-right political party in Lebanon, established by President Camille Chamoun in 1958...
-
- Chamoun, DoryDory ChamounDory Chamoun is a Lebanese politician who leads the National Liberal Party, and is also a prominent member of the Qornet Shehwan Gathering, a coalition of politicians, academics, and businessmen who oppose the pro-Syrian March 8 Alliance and Syrian influence in Lebanon.Dory Chamoun is the elder...
(Maronite) - Assi, Elias Abou (Maronite)
- Chamoun, Dory
Independents
-
- Bonn, Mansour el- (Maronite; former MP)
- Frangieh, Samir (Maronite; MP)
- Harb, BoutrosBoutros HarbBoutros Harb , is a Lebanese politician.A lawyer by profession, he first held political office when elected in 1972 as the Maronite deputy for Batroun, in the North Governorate of Lebanon, being appointed Public Transport Minister for Labour and Minister of the National Education and Art Schools...
(Maronite; MP) - Honein, Salah (Maronite; former MP)
- Karam, Simon (Maronite; former Lebanese Ambassador to the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
) - Khoury, Michel (Maronite; former minister)
- Nehmeh, Jad (Maronite)
- Souaid, Fares (Maronite; former MP)
- Tueni, GhassanGhassan TueniGhassan Tueni is a former Lebanese Ambassador to the United Nations and publisher of An-Nahar, the leading Lebanese newspaper.- Biography :...
(Greek OrthodoxEastern Orthodox ChurchThe Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
; Chairman of An-NaharAn-NaharAn-Nahar , is the leading Arabic-language daily newspaper in Lebanon.It was first published on August 4, 1933 as a four-page, hand-set paper. The paper provided a platform for various free thinkers to express their views during the years of the Syria occupation of Lebanon. The paper can be best...
; MP, father of former-MP Gebran TueniGebran TueniGebran Ghassan Tueni was a Lebanese politician and the former editor and publisher of the mass circulation An-Nahar daily newspaper in Beirut, Lebanon....
, killed on the 12 December 2005)
Former members
- Democratic Renewal (Lebanon)Democratic Renewal (Lebanon)The Democratic Renewal Movement is a reformist, secular political party in Lebanon.At the last legislative elections, in May and June 2005, the party was allied to the anti-Syrian March 14 Alliance, led by Future Movement of late Prime minister Rafic Hariri, that won these elections. was founded...
- Salem, Nadim (Greek Catholic; former MP and Minister) (Natural Death)
- Kataeb (Phalangist) Party:
- Gemayel, PierrePierre Amine GemayelPierre Amine Gemayel was a Lebanese politician in the Kataeb Party, better known in English as the Phalange Party. Lebanon's second-youngest MP, he was a rising star in his party...
(Maronite; former MP) (assassinated) - Ghanem, AntoineAntoine GhanemAntoine Ghanem was a Lebanese politician and an MP in the Lebanese Parliament. He was also a member of the Kataeb party and the March 14 Coalition. He was killed on September 19, 2007 in a car bomb explosion in the Sin al-Fil suburb of Beirut...
(Maronite; former MP) (assassinated)
- Gemayel, Pierre
- Free Patriotic MovementFree Patriotic MovementThe Free Patriotic Movement , also known as the "Aounist Movement" , is a Lebanese political party, led by Michel Aoun and allied with Hezbollah, The movement was officially declared a political party on September 18, 2005Though most of the party's support comes from Lebanon's...
(led by General Michel AounMichel AounMichel Naim Aoun is a former Lebanese Army Commander and he is one of the allies of Hezbollah. From 22 September 1988 to 13 October 1990, he has served as Prime Minister of the legal one of two rival governments that contended for power. He declared "The Liberation War" against the Syrian...
):- Nader, Sami (Maronite)
- Khoury, Youssef (Maronite)
- Lebanese ForcesLebanese ForcesThe Lebanese Forces is a Lebanese political party. Founded as a militia by Bachir Gemayel during the Lebanese Civil War, the movement fought as the main militia within the Christian-dominated Lebanese Front...
:- Hindi, Toufic (Syriac OrthodoxSyriac Orthodox ChurchThe Syriac Orthodox Church; is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Eastern Mediterranean, with members spread throughout the world. The Syriac Orthodox Church claims to derive its origin from one of the first Christian communities, established in Antioch by the Apostle St....
)
- Hindi, Toufic (Syriac Orthodox
- National BlocLebanese National BlocLebanese National Bloc , is a Lebanese conservative political party founded in 1936.The party's founder, Émile Eddé became president the same year under French protectorate. His son, Raymond Eddé, succeeded him as head of the party...
:- Kleemos, Antoine (Maronite)
- Kortbawi, Shakeeb (Maronite)
- Malak, Samir Abdel (Maronite)
- Salhab, Salim (Maronite)
- independents:
- Khazen, Farid el- (Maronite; Professor of Political Science at the American University of BeirutAmerican University of BeirutThe American University of Beirut is a private, independent university in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded as the Syrian Protestant College by American missionaries in 1866...
, MP) - Tueni, GebranGebran TueniGebran Ghassan Tueni was a Lebanese politician and the former editor and publisher of the mass circulation An-Nahar daily newspaper in Beirut, Lebanon....
(Greek Orthodox; former MP) (assassinated)
- Khazen, Farid el- (Maronite; Professor of Political Science at the American University of Beirut