2011 Lebanese protests

Uprising of Dignity November 2019 2011 Lebanese protests the Arab Spring LocationLebanon.svg Location of Lebanon yes 2011 01 12 – yes 2011 12 15(01 12 2011 12 15 2011) Lebanon Confessionalism Fall of the Hariri-led government Assumption of the Mikati-led government Observance of Nakba Day Finished Political reform Resignation of the Mikati-led government Demonstrations Online campaign The 2011 Lebanese protests, also known as the Uprising of Dignityhttp://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/4006 Naharnet Newsdesk The Uprising of Dignity is Against Oppression and Assassination 13 March 2011 6 July 2018 6 July 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180706134048/http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/4006 live were seen as influenced by the Arab Spring.https://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFLDE71Q08L20110227 https://web.archive.org/web/20111124030156/http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFLDE71Q08L20110227 dead 24 November 2011 Reuters Lebanese protest against sectarian political system 27 February 2011 The main protests focused on calls for political reform especially against confessionalism in Lebanon. The protests initiated in early 2011, and dimmed by the end of the year. In another aspect of the Arab Spring, Lebanese pro and anti-Assad factions descended into sectarian violence, which culminated in May–June 2012. Background Political system Lebanon is a parliamentary republic within the overall framework of confessionalism, a form of consociationalism in which the highest offices are proportionately reserved for representatives from certain religious communities. The constitution grants the people the right to change their government, however, from the mid-1970s until the parliamentary elections in 1992, a civil war precluded the exercise of political rights. According to the constitution, direct elections must be held for the parliament every 4 years. The last parliamentary election was in 2018.https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/lebanon-elections-2018-politics-usual-180501091710689.html All you need to know about Lebanon's elections 15 January 2020 13 January 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200113225456/https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/lebanon-elections-2018-politics-usual-180501091710689.html live The parliament, in turn, elects a president every 6 years to a single term, he is, however, not eligible for re-election. The last presidential election was in 2016. The president and parliament choose the prime minister. Political parties are grouped with either the March 8 alliance or the March 14 alliance. (the Progressive Socialist Party of Walid Jumblatt is ostensibly independent but strongly leans towards March 14 even after their withdrawal from the March 14 alliance due to political views towards Syria and Iran). Lebanon demographics is roughly split amongst Sunnis, Shias and Christians (most of whom are Maronite). Due to the demographic concerns, amid fears the country could be a powder keg, a census has not been carried out since 1932. Since then the government has only published rough estimates of the population.Lebanon Population https://web.archive.org/web/20171010224335/http://www.country-studies.com/lebanon/population.html 10 October 2017 . Country-studies.com. 2011 new government Lebanese government of November 2009 On 12 January 2011, the government collapsed after Energy Minister Gebran Bassil announced that all ten opposition ministers had resigned following months of warnings by Hezbollah that it would not remain inactive should there be indictments against the group by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.Hezbollah and allies topple Lebanese unity government https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12170608 12 January 2011 BBC 12 January 2011 13 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110113042200/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12170608 live Preliminary indictments were issued 17 January as expected,Hariri indictments set for Monday - Middle East https://web.archive.org/web/20110629215312/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/2011115181151959973.html 29 June 2011 . Al Jazeera English.) President Michel Suleiman's appointed Minister of State, Adnan Sayyed Hussein,Bakri Nada Nada Bakri Resignations Deepen Crisis for Lebanon https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/13/world/middleeast/13lebanon.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 12 January 2011 The New York Times 12 January 2011 10 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121110084949/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/13/world/middleeast/13lebanon.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 live resigned later bringing the total number of ministers who quit to 11 thus causing the fall of the government. The New York Times suggested that the resignations came after the collapse of talks between Syria and Saudi Arabia to ease tensions in Lebanon. The resignations stemmed from PM Hariri's refusal to call an emergency cabinet session over discussion for withdrawing cooperation with the STL.http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/14/stories/2011011467772400.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20110119164300/http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/14/stories/2011011467772400.htm dead 19 January 2011 Chennai, India The Hindu Lebanese government falls 14 January 2011US welcomes Hariri indictment - Middle East https://web.archive.org/web/20110629215341/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/2011117171436837590.html 29 June 2011 . Al Jazeera English. Suleiman, who is constitutionally responsible for the formation of a new government, accepted the resignations.September 2025 The March 8 alliance then nominate Najib Mikati to form a government in line with the accepted norms that a prime minister must be a Sunni (even though most Sunnis are supporters of March 14). On 13 June, a new government was formed. Protests 27 February March 2011 aIRjkcRPboY Hundreds of Demonstrators Call for Revolution in Lebanon The protests began on 27 February 2011, with hundreds of Lebanese citizens marching along the old demarcation line in Beirut, symbolizing their opposition to the country’s sectarian political structure. While the protests were initially small, they reflected a deep-seated frustration with Lebanon’s confessional system and political stagnation. Demonstrators called for the creation of a secular state that would abolish sectarian quotas and promote equal citizenship regardless of religious affiliation. A peaceful sit-in in Saida also took place.27 February 2011 Lebanese protest against sectarian political system https://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFLDE71Q08L20110227 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111124030156/http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFLDE71Q08L20110227 24 November 2011 6 March 2011 Af.reuters.comLebanon protests turn violent https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/1/25/lebanon-protests-turn-violent 2024-10-08 Al Jazeera en 6 March By early March, the protests gained momentum. On 6 March, an estimated 8,000 protesters marched from Dora to Beirut, marking one of the largest anti-sectarian protests in Lebanon's history. The protesters marched from Dora, a district northeast of Beirut, to Martyrs' Square in central Beirut. Martyrs' Square is historically significant as the site of demonstrations during the 2005 Cedar Revolution, which had led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon. Demonstrators carried banners to "topple the sectarian regime" and the establishment of a secular state. Similar protests were held in other cities, including Baalbek and Sidon, demonstrating that the movement had widespread support across the country. At this stage, the protests were still largely peaceful, and there was hope among the demonstrators that their demands for political reform would be heard.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_125693#axzz1G0xiKbQd August 2022Cassel Matthew Lebanon convulses on 'Day of Rage' https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2011/1/27/lebanon-convulses-on-day-of-rage 2024-10-08 Al Jazeera en 13 March A rally was organised by the in which several hundreds of thousands supporters attended in commemoration of the start Cedar Revolution 6 years earlier. The main slogan of the rally was calling for the disarmament of Hezbollah and to renew support for the ideals of the revolution.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=125927#axzz1GUpYlbcn www.dailystar.com.lb https://web.archive.org/web/20070105195337/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1 5 January 2007 The protests took a different turn on 13 March 2011, when the March 14 alliance held a large rally in Beirut to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the Cedar Revolution. Unlike the previous protests, which focused on ending sectarian rule, this rally was organized by the March 14 political coalition, which included parties like the Future Movement led by Saad Hariri. The coalition called for the disarmament of Hezbollah, which remained a heavily armed political and military force in Lebanon even after the 2006 war with Israel.2011-03-13 Thousands in Beirut demand Hezbollah disarm https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2011/03/13/thousands-in-beirut-demand-hezbollah-disarm/ 2024-10-08 San Diego Union-Tribune en-US The rally attracted hundreds of thousands of supporters, making it one of the largest demonstrations in Lebanon in recent years. The main slogan of the rally was "No to arms, yes to sovereignty," reflecting the alliance's stance against Hezbollah's military influence. While the protest was distinct from the anti-sectarian demonstrations, it highlighted Lebanon’s broader political and sectarian tensions, as many Sunni and Christian groups opposed Hezbollah's role in Lebanon’s government.The Consequences of Hezbollah's military intervention in Syria on the Lebanese Shia population and Relations with Israel :: Observatoire of Arab-Muslim World and Sahel :: Foundation for Strategic Research :: FRS https://www.frstrategie.org/en/programs/observatoire-du-monde-arabo-musulman-et-du-sahel/consequences-hezbollahs-military-intervention-syria-lebanese-shia-population-and-relations-israel-2017 2024-10-08 www.frstrategie.org en 20 March Thousands of Lebanese took to the streets to protest against the sectarian nature of the governing system.http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/03/lebanon-politics-women-middle-east-sectarian-.html Lebanon: Thousands rally against sectarian leaders Los Angeles Times Lutz Meris 20 March 2011 22 March 2011 28 July 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130728192811/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/03/lebanon-politics-women-middle-east-sectarian-.html live This was the third protest against the sectarian political system. On 20 March 2011, the protests entered their third week, with thousands of demonstrators returning to the streets to voice their demands for political reform. The protesters, emboldened by the larger turnout earlier in the month, sought to maintain pressure on Lebanon’s political elite. The third protest saw demonstrators marching through the streets of Beirut, demanding an end to the confessional political system. Chants of "No to sectarianism, yes to citizenship" could be heard throughout the capital.2011-03-06 Beirut protesters demand end to sectarianism https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-03-07/beirut-protesters-demand-end-to-sectarianism/1968926 2024-10-08 ABC News en-AU The 20 March protests were noteworthy because they occurred against the backdrop of escalating sectarian violence in Tripoli and other northern cities. Demonstrators faced increasing hostility from political elites, with some factions accusing the protesters of destabilizing the country. In Tripoli, clashes between supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and those opposing his regime began to escalate, leading to fears that Lebanon could once again be drawn into sectarian conflict.2024-10-08 Lebanon - Factional Wrangling, Hezbollah, Politics Britannica https://www.britannica.com/place/Lebanon/Factional-wrangling-over-Hezbollahs-role-in-Lebanon 2024-10-08 www.britannica.com en 17 June In interfactional clashes in Tripoli, Seven people were killed and 59 were wounded, on Friday, 17 June. Armed clashes erupted in following a rally in support of Syrian protesters. Fighting broke out between gunmen positioned in the rival neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen (mainly Alawites who support the Syrian government) and Bab al-Tabbaneh (mainly Sunnis, supporting the Syrian uprising). Among the dead were a Lebanese army soldier and an official from the Alawite Arab Democratic Party.Lebanon... Perils of the Syrian Quake Aftershocks https://web.archive.org/web/20121027133752/http://studies.aljazeera.net/ResourceGallery/media/Documents/2011/7/28/201172894328667734Lebanon-Perils%20of%20the%20Syrian%20Quake%20Aftershocks.pdf 27 October 2012 . (PDF) . 26 June On 26 June, hundreds of people marched towards the parliament in Beirut demanding the end of Lebanon's confessional system.http://nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=285787 Rally for secularism commences in Beirut nowlebanon.com 26 June 2011 26 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110628013259/http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=285787 28 June 2011 dead dmy-all 12 October What the local press considered might be the largest general strike in its history had been called for this date.Largest general strike looms https://web.archive.org/web/20160416101239/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Oct-11/150985-largest-general-strike-looms.ashx#axzz1aThgEQqg 16 April 2016 . The Daily Star (11 October 2011). The General Labor Confederation is demanding higher wages, among other things. The cabinet acceded to these demands,http://www.lebanonews.net/mainhl.asp?hlid=8156 Lebanon News - FPM Ministers Clash with Khalil as they Slam 'Tranquilizing' Wage Deal www.lebanonews.net https://web.archive.org/web/20120425063722/http://www.lebanonews.net/mainhl.asp?hlid=8156 25 April 2012 and the marches were "suspended. However, the teachers' union refused to accept this, went on strike anyway, and paralyzed the nation's education systemhttp://www.lebanonews.net/mainhl.asp?hlid=8158 Lebanon News - Strike Creates Chaos in Schools, Union Slams GLC Deal 12 October 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120523035110/http://www.lebanonews.net/mainhl.asp?hlid=8158 23 May 2012 15 December 5,000 protesters filled the streets of Downtown Beirut as part of a teachers' strike, which is said to be a precursor of a general strike planned for the following week."Teachers threaten to step up strike action" https://web.archive.org/web/20151025192355/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Dec-15/156960-teachers-hold-nationwide-strike.ashx#axzz1gWFrU9Nq 25 October 2015 . The Daily Star (15 December 2011). Aftermath and spillover from Syria (2011-12) Syrian Civil War spillover in Lebanon On 5 and 6 October 2011, the Syrian army briefly invaded (killing one person) before retreating again across the border, causing instability in the Mikati government.March--8 MPs slam local reaction to incursion by ‘sisterly state’ https://web.archive.org/web/20181020073714/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Oct-07/150658-march-8-mps-slam-local-reaction-to-incursion-by-sisterly-state.ashx#axzz1a2i2LdCB 20 October 2018 . The Daily Star (7 October 2011). "I am not being silent about this, we are dealing with the issue normally", Mikati said, noting the permeability of the border. Further incursions by the Syrian military onto Lebanese territory occurred in December 2011, resulting in more deaths. More Syrian incursions into Lebanon (also to Turkey) followed in March 2012. In addition to the Tripoli clashes in March between Alawites and Sunnis, several border penetrations increased fears of Syrian uprising affecting Lebanon. The clashes greatly escalated in May and June, leaving dozens dead and hundreds wounded. See also Lebanon Politics List of modern conflicts in the Middle East Cedar Revolution 2006–08 Lebanese protests 2015 Lebanese protests References External links Down with the Sectarian Regime ar Lebanon Category:2011 in Lebanon Lebanon Category:Politics of Lebanon Category:Protests in Lebanon Category:Secularism in Lebanon Lebanese