(26 Aug 2000) Arabic/Eng/Nat
XFA
Lebanon is gearing up for parliamentary elections on Sunday only months after Israeli troops withdrew from a border strip inside Lebanon.

For the first time Lebanese people inside the strip can vote.

This time the election are centering around the state of the economy rather than the influence Syria and its 30,000 troops stationed in Lebanon - have in the country.

Lebanon's parliamentary campaign has been short on issues and has done nothing to shake Syria's grip on the country.

But it has not been without drama.

As is typical of Lebanese elections held since the end of a 15-year civil war in 1990, there have been calls for a boycott, violence and charges of government meddling and vote-buying.

What makes the balloting this Sunday and next (September 3) different, is that for the first time in nearly three decades, residents of the former Israeli-occupied border zone in southern Lebanon get a chance to cast their ballots.

Israeli troops vacated in May after more than 20 years spent occupying the border strip in an attempt - so they said - to prevent Israel from being attacked.

Nearly 600 candidates are running for 128 seats in the legislature and some two and three quarter million Lebanese are eligible to vote for them.

The government has promised fair balloting but complaints are coming from all sides.

The Shiite Muslim Hezbollah, which is popular for its successful guerrilla war against Israel, has complained that votes are being bought.

Hezbollah chief Sheik Hassan Nasrallah said some candidates are offering 100 to 200 dollars a vote, and an even higher price on election day.

For the voters the economy is uppermost in their minds.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"We want to work. We want an economy. Our economy is very bad in this country."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"From start to end, I am not going to take part in these elections. I will not vote".
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop

Four years ago Syrian Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam was said to have been closely involved in drawing up electoral lists, and Lebanese officials and candidates travelled to Damascus to seek Syrian blessing.

But since Syrian President Bashar Assad took over Lebanon policy for Syria recently such open intervention has subsided.

Bashar Assad became Syrian president earlier this year upon the death of his autocratic father and predecessor, Hafez Assad.

Bashar Assad's technique may be more subtle, but the result is expected to be the same: a Lebanese Parliament for the next four years packed with pro-Syrian legislators.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The electoral district of Baabda Aley witnesses a lot of poverty and some under-development. I think that it's essential for us - if we win the elections of course - that we go into the development of these areas."
SUPER CAPTION: Salah Harake, Baabda Aley candidate

With Israeli troops out of Lebanon and the Syrian factor a non-issue - no candidate is even mentioning the 30,000 Syrian troops posted in Lebanon.

Instead the focus has shifted to the economy and candidates' merits.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We have a lack in all kinds of facilities starting with water, electricity, roads, schools, housing."
SUPER CAPTION: Salah Harake, Baabda Aley candidate

Among newcomers are President Emile Lahoud's 25-year-old son, the race's youngest candidate, and the 29-year-old son of former President Amin Gemayel.

Despite Lebanon's violent past, trouble has been limited in the run-up to the election.



Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ] ​​
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]


You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]

свернуть