10 June 2006
BEIRUT: The Center for Lebanese Studies in Britain wrapped up its first international conference here on Thursday. The three-day meeting was held at Al-Bustan Hotel in Beit Mery, and saw the participation of writers and academics from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Lebanon and several Arab countries.
Held under the title, "How to break the circle of violence in Lebanon and avoid civil wars in the future," the final session focused on war prevention.
Nawaf Salam, a professor at the American University of Beirut, spoke on sectarian divisions in the country.
Salam said a number of articles in the Taif Accord should be amended, highlighting the need to "implement administrative decentralization, promote the independence of the judiciary and eradicate sectarianism from politics."
According to the center's president, George Asseily, the 1958 and 1975-90 civil wars were the result of "sectarianism, an unfair electoral system, foreign interference and the lack of cooperation between the Lebanese in their country's economic growth."
Asseily said presentations made by participants during the conference covered such topics as mutual forgiveness, the creation of a modern electoral law, balanced socioeconomic growth and the implementation of a unified education system in private and public schools. Also Thursday, a delegation from the center paid a visit to MP Saad Hari-ri.- The Daily Star
