Lebanon: Political group called "Itihad al Ishtirakih al Arabi," its activities in the El-Marj area of West Bekaa; faction leaders Omar Harb and Abdel (Abdul)-Rahim Murad (Mrad)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 22 November 2001 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBN37932.E |
| Reference | 4 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Lebanon: Political group called "Itihad al Ishtirakih al Arabi," its activities in the El-Marj area of West Bekaa; faction leaders Omar Harb and Abdel (Abdul)-Rahim Murad (Mrad), 22 November 2001, LBN37932.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be5c0.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No mention of a political organization in Lebanon called al-itihad al Ishtirakih al Arabi could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
However, in neighbouring Syria, there is a pro-Egyptian left-wing party called Ittihad al Ishtiraki al-Arabi (Political Handbook 1999 1999, 948; PoliSci.com Apr. 2001). In Lebanon, there is a party called Union Party whose president is Omar Harb (IDREL n.d.). Omar Harb ran as a Sunni candidate in the third district of the Bekaa province (Rashaya and West Bekaa) in the 2000 parliamentary elections (Lebvote 2000a), but failed to get elected (Lebvote 2000b). However, another Sunni candidate, Abdul (Abdel) Rahim Mrad, was among the five elected in the third district (Lebvote 2000b) and was appointed education minister in the Lebanese cabinet headed by Rafik Hariri in October 2000 (RafikHariri.net 20 Oct. 2000). According to an "autobiography", Abdel-Rahim Mrad was born in Ghazzeh (West Bekaa) in 1942, is married with four children (one deceased) and holds degrees in business administration and law (Lebvote 2000c). He led the Union Party from 1977 to 1982, was appointed Western-Bekaa-Rashaya MP in 1991 and was elected in that constituency in the 1996 and 2000 parliamentary elections (ibid.) . Abdel-Rahim Mrad was first appointed Minister of Education in 1996 (ibid.).
Further information on the Union Party of Lebanon and factional divisions could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
IDREL n.d. "Lebanon Political Parties."
Lebvote. 2000a. "The Candidates"
_____. 2000b. "List of Winning Candidates."
[Accessed 22 Nov. 2001]
_____. 2000c. "Autobiography: Abdel-Rahim Mrad."
Polisci.com. April 2001. "Syria."
Political Handbook of the World 1999. 2000. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications
RafikHariri.net. 20 October 2000. "Cabinet Policy: The New Lebanese Government."
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB databases
LEXIS/NEXIS
Internet sources including:
Center-Right/Conservative Political Organizations
Governments on the www: Political Parties
Leftist Parties of the World
World News Connection (WNC)
Search Engines:
MetaEureka
