Charles L. Cotton wrote:Welcome back; I'm glad you had a safe trip albeit somewhat discouraging. I remember when Lebanon was a safe haven for believers of all faiths.
Chas.
Least to wish for, Lebanon got a new President, a new election law but the elections was pushed back 1 more yr till 2018.
Oh, Lebanon is hosting 2.2 million Syrian refugees and still Lebanese pound (lira) is stable at 1,500 to 1 USD since 1994.
On the other hand, taxes and cost of living are suffocating the economy and widening the gap between the rich and poor and smashing the middle class to oblivion. Only mafias, militias, and corrupt politicians are living the dream stepping over dead bodies and the junky heads of the youth.
The Parliament of Lebanon (Arabic: مجلس النواب Majlis an-Nuwwab; French: Chambre des députés)[1] is the national parliament of Lebanon. There are 128 members elected to a four-year terms in multi-member constituencies, apportioned among Lebanon's diverse Christian and Muslim denominations. Lebanon has universal adult suffrage. Its major functions are to elect the President of the republic, to approve the government (although appointed by the President, the Prime Minister, along with the Cabinet, must retain the confidence of a majority in the Parliament), and to approve laws and expenditure.
On 15 May 2013, the Parliament extended its mandate for 17 months, due to the deadlock over the electoral law. And, on 5 November 2014, the Parliament enacted another extension, thus keeping its mandate for an additional 31 months, until 20 June 2017,[2] and in 16 June 2017 the Parliament in turn extended its own mandate an additional 11 months to hold elections according to a much-anticipated reformed electoral law.