Miqati: Achieving Democracy is Not an Easy Process
Premier Najib Miqati warned on Wednesday that the path to democracy is not an easy task, saying Lebanon is still improving its democratic system despite being a harbinger of freedom in the Arab world.
At the opening of the 27th ministerial session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Miqati said: “The uprisings and the popular movements demanding democracy are part of the historic development in the Arab region.”
But he warned that democracy can’t be achieved only through regime change or elections. It “is not an easy process ,” he said.
“Lebanon, which could be seen as the typical historical example of freedom, democracy and cultural interaction, … is still improving its democracy system and putting at the top of its priorities administrative reform, governance, citizenship, the adoption of laws that would guarantee more freedoms, human rights and equality,” he added.
The theme of the 27th session is "The role of participation and social justice in achieving sustainable and balanced development.”
“The significant changes that the region is going through are a sign that social justice is linked to sustainable development,” Miqati said in his speech.
“There can’t be sustainable development if the policies (of governments) fail to integrate the livelihood, cultural and humanitarian demands of the people,” he added.
ESCWA comprises 14 Arab countries in Western Asia but it is currently working on expanding its membership.
Miqati said Lebanon supports requests by Tunisia, Morocco and Libya to join it. “We see this step as another proof of the faith of the region’s countries in ESCWA and their commitment to Arab and regional interaction.”
almost 12 years
No kidding Najib....especially when you are under the control and influence of an armed tribe that has no respect for human rights and/or democracy!
almost 12 years
How can we have democracy with Hizb is armed to the teeth and have clowns dancing to his commands.
almost 12 years
Would you give up your arms if the "authority" was a racist regime that called itself Taef Accord, National Accord, equality, diversity, democracy? Wouldn't it better be the other way around: acknowledge equal rights and then work out details? Like Israel should, too? "Racist" is not the best word, just as with Israel: confessionalism, when it is not linked to an accurate census (far from it), is both racism and theocracy: discrimination against people on the basis of both ethnicity (biology) and religious affiliation (chosen identity). If you want to keep confessionalism, at least do a census so we can see the costs in terms of inequalities.
almost 12 years
Who would we trust to do the census? I say "we" as someone with no ethnic link or personal affiliation with Lebanon.
If Lebanon severed all ties with outside forces, from Iran to France to the UN to the US all the way to Israel, then we could say it was prepared to come together as a group of people to define its social life.
A census is a later step in the process, albeit you'd still have the rigidity of supposing, say, a Druze can only be represented in Parliament by a Druze--why, what do you mean by "Druze"? This is Israel's legal problem in its "Jewish state".
I propose the formula: the only safeguard for personal liberty and security is a civil rights regime: strict equality of political opportunity. Once you agree on that, "one man, one vote" follows automatically. If you don't agree on that, who are you to think otherwise: someone special?
almost 12 years
you have to take care of corruption
almost 12 years
"democracy"? hahaha! how can lebanon be democratic with a terrorist militia dictating everythg to the gvt? when a terrorist milita takes arms against its people when they disagree with the gvt decisions? when they respect no laws if these aws are against them?
democracy? lebanon is not a democracy but a middle age tribal country! and its citizens are proud of it....
Well said. Hope to see some action in accordance with this on the ground.