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June 5, 2009

Security Key Issue in Lebanon's Elections
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=249DC2E:A6F02AD83191E160DBA4DA1825F7A618D937473925D9872C&
 
Desire for stability seems one that every Lebanese wants - challenge for
politicians will be making that dream of security into reality 
Supporters of Nayla Tueni (posters) sit in front of electoral office in
Beirut's Christian Achrafiyeh district, 27 May 2009As voters in Lebanon
go to the polls on Sunday (June 7) , one issue seems to be dominating
the elections more than any other: security. In the tumultuous landscape
of Lebanese politics, the issue of security is of particular importance
to one candidate: Nayla Tueni, whose father Gebran Tueni was
assassinated six months after being elected in 2005 to the seat she now
seeks. Nayla Tueni is candidate for parliament. A stable Lebanon matters
to her more than most. Her father was MP, Gebran Tueni. He was
assassinated in 2005. His murder was widely seen as revenge for his
outspoken criticism of Syria's political control over Lebanon. Nayla
Tueni believes outside forces are still a major threat to Lebanon."We
don't know if they will continue to kill us, continue to kill those who
are not with the Syrian regime, who are not with the Iranians, who are
not with Hezbollah and who are not with all these people because we are
asking for our freedom, sovereignty and independence, maybe they will
kill us, nobody knows," she said. Boutros Harb, a Lebanese member of
parliament up for re-election, also believes that improving security in
Lebanon is key to improving life in the country."Building a country, a
stable country without everyday war and transforming Lebanon away from
continuous struggle will help Lebanon to have a better economy, a more
stable economy and will help people have a better standard of life," he
said. The desire for safety and political stability for the elections is
reflected in the streets of Beirut. This man says as long as there is
safety and security everything even the economy will improve. This woman
says security is the most important, but the Lebanese forces will be out
for the elections so I'm not afraid. Flowers adorn the gravesite of
Rafik Hariri in downtown Beirut (file photo)Lebanon has suffered long
periods!
  of political violence and upheaval. In 1975 the country spiraled into
 civil war that lasted 15 years. Then just 4 years ago, a number of
assassinations saw the former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri killed as well
as Gebran Tueni. Many blame the murders on neighboring Syria, an
accusation that Damascus has always denied. Nayla Tueni says her
father's vision of a strong and independent Lebanon is what inspired her
to run for a parliamentary seat."For him and for my country, because I
love my country, I decided to present myself for the election. I
believed in what he said and what he wanted for the country," she said.
The desire for stability in Lebanon seems one that everyone wants - the
challenge for politicians will be making that dream of security into a
reality.