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The [Pre-]Taif Agreement - Part I of III
By Samer Issa & Rashad Abou Ghaida, Staff Writers

 

Beirut, Lebanon - This issue sheds light on how the Taif agreement has shaped and molded our country, but first, we have to understand the uneasy road that led us to where and what our constitution stands for today.

Before the Taif agreement, in precise the twenty years preceding the civil war, Lebanon was considered to be one of the most, if not the most, stable democratic country in the Arab world. The Lebanese system enjoyed a relatively stable and impressive average rate of economic growth during the 1950’s and most of the 1960’s. But as time passed this showed to be untrue, for the decmocracy of the system seemed to be far-fetched. Internally, socio-political polarization among the Lebanese increased, and there was a growing migration of the rural population to Beirut, moving into poverty belts around the city, and suffering from rising inflation and cost of living. Lebanon’s political system before the Taif agreement was seen as a democratic system lacking efficiency because it was known for unequal advantages for citizens and problems in political accountability and political responsibility of officials and institutions. During this type of political structure, it was realized that Lebanon had some kind of sectarian system, something close to the one we have today. But this was seen more after the unofficial agreement of the National pact (1943) made between President Beshara al-Khouri (Maronite), representing the Christian, and Prime Minister Riad al-Solh (Sunnite), representing the Muslims. Three points came out of this all. First, it was agreed to view Lebanon as an Arab country with a neutral, independent and sovereign entity.  Second, it was agreed that Lebanon would not seek unity with any eastern or western country in general. Third, this Pact built a confessional formula putting Christians and Muslims in a six-to-five control ratio throughout the government.

The office of President was assigned to the Maronites, Prime Minister to the Sunni sect and Speaker of the House to Shiite sects respectively. The National Pact established a confessional formula providing for the representation of Christians and Muslims in a six-to-five ratio throughout the government. This formula was made according to the census of 1932. The pact gave the Maronite president ultimate executive authority while not providing a mechanism for presidential accountability, especially since parliament could question the cabinet, but not the president. Moreover, in addition to the presidency, Maronites held other key positions in the government. Members of this sect were to occupy major positions in key ministries, in the army and in the courts. This particular distribution of power faced challenges in subsequent years because of changes in the internal and regional balance of forces leading to the devastating war in Lebanon that lasted 16 years.

All these events caused all sides to look for new ways of distributing power. This, along with the demographic changes among the sects in Lebanon, was the main causes of the civil war. After 16 years of bloodshed, a stole mate was reached between the warring factions who then paved the way for the Taif Agreement. This pact highlighted the new method of equal cooperation and power sharing between Christians and Muslims practiced in the Government in today’s Lebanese law.

Survey:  Do you think that the Taif agreement has taken a positive role since the pre-war era in Lebanon?
24% Yes, 76% No

Al Nabad thanks Dr. Hassan Krayem for his cooperation