Posted on 06/30/2004 7:55:21 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Lebanese poll: 56% consider Syrian presence ''illegitimate''
29-06-2004, 11:36
A public opinion poll published Tuesday demonstrated that 56% of those polled rejected the Lebanese regime's contention that Syrian presence in the country was 'legitimate and provisional,' with 40% supporting that concept.
In addition, 69% of the Lebanese oppose an extension or renewal of President Lahoud's term in office and 90% reject the concept of Syria appointing the president of Lebanon.
The poll was conducted by the Beirut weekly Ash Shiraa, whose three consecutive polls in 1998 convinced the late Syrian President Hafez Assad to back then army commanding Gen. Emile Lahoud for Lebanon's top post, An Nahar reported.
Ash Shiraa's new poll covered 1,000 Lebanese, 550 Muslims and 450 Christians from various walks of life across Lebanon.
Rejecters of Syria appointing Lebanon's president were 92% Sunnis, 78% Shiites, 100% Druze, 97% Maronites and 96% Christians in general, An Nahar noted.
As for the favorites for the presidency, 26% supported parliament member Nassib Lahoud, 12% rallied behind legislator Butros Harb and 10% were for Suleiman Franjieh.
In Ash Shiraa's poll, what was especially of interest was that 63% of the Christians, 77% of them Maronites, supported a change of the system to have the president elected by direct public vote provided all the runners are Maronite, An Nahar concluded. (Albawaba.com)
Ping!
Ping!
Syria's occupation of Lebanon is hardly ever a news item, but Israel's "occupation" of the Judea and Samaria - their own territory - seems to be the focus of the whole world.
In response to this poll, do you think American liberals will call for Syria to get out of Lebanon like they're calling for the US to get out of Iraq? Doubtful.
If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.
They call Lebanon the France of the MidEast... but I guess it´s just because of it´s relative large Christian minority (30%) and the many Francophones there...
As far as I know, Maronite Christians and French go all the way back to Crusade days of Middle Age.
So, will we hear UN security council called in about the illegal Syrian occupation of a neighbouring country??
Don't hold your breath unless you like a very blue skin colour...
GOOD rack Lebanon voters
Yeah that worst mistake allow Syria miltants in everybody know they turn Poor Lebanon into terrorist nation
GOOD rack Lebanon voters
Yeah that worst mistake allow Syria miltants in everybody know they turn Poor Lebanon into terrorist nation
uhm.. they actually used to call it the switzerland of the middle east.. not anymore. and uhm there's no official statistics.. but it's more or less 45% Christians. When it comes to power it's 50-50.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.