Decentralizing Lebanon

The Daily Star reports that President Michel Sleiman has called on the newly-formed government to implement decentralizing administrative reforms as part of a comprehensive national plan to provide better services and to create public-private partnerships.  “Resisting the enemy is not only through wars but by providing our people with the necessary means of survival and development,” Sleiman said.

As the new cabinet builds its policy statement, the first draft indicates that Hezbollah’s arsenal will not be made an issue. The final statement is expected on November 22.

Lawyers have also elected the first woman, Amal Hadad, to be the head of the Beirut Bar Association.