The Lebanese Fire Prevention Committee (LFPC)as part of its safety campaign for New Year's Eve has promoted the Lebanese Emergency phone numbers. A recent study showed that many people were unaware of the numbers. The Committee has also asked the public to supervise children who use fireworks and not to open fire in the air. It also urged the Internal Security Forces and the Municipal Police to prevent any unruly behaviour during the night.

The Lebanese emergency phone numbers are:

112 for Emergency Accidents,
125 for Civil Defence,
140 for the Red Cross.

The Lebanese pharmaceutical company, Droguerie Phenicia,have sponsored cedar trees for some 3,700 doctors, pharmacists and journalists at the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve.

On behalf of the company, Mr Khaled Haidar presented to Mr Mohammed Baalbacki, the Head of the Lebanese Press Federation, on Friday, 30th December 2005, a certificate recording that a cedar tree had been planted in his name. The event was sponsored by the Minister of the Environment, Minister Yaacoub Sarraf and the aim of the Company initiative is to encourage nature preservation.

Droguerie Phenicia was established in 1967 and specialises in the importation and distribution of both original and generic pharmaceutical products.

On Christmas Eve the midnight Mass at the Saint Sarkis & Bakhous Monastery was cancelled due to the severe weather conditions. Father Superior of the Monastery, Father Nader, held the Mass at Saint George's Church, Ehden. The Mass was celebrated in candle light as there was no electricity power.

It is reported that Ehden has some 50 centimetres of snow and was without electricity for two days, including Christmas Eve. The downside of the snow is that local people are concerned that the roads and streets are not being cleared of snow as regularly as they were last year. It appears that there is some dispute over the labour force which is impacting on the snow clearing of Ehden. Before you set off on your journey to Ehden we suggest that you phone family and friends for a update as to the weather and road conditions.

The photograph shows the Al Midan, Ehden on Christmas Day. View more photographs of Ehden at Christmas by visiting the Galleria - New Photos - 24 to 27 December 2005.Thanks to those who are posting their photos for us to share.

The anticipated launch last week of the website for the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve has been delayed.

On Thursday, 15th December, the Reserve was host to Dr. Berj Hatjian, Director General of the Ministry of Environment, at the Reserve's Ehden office. Those present included General Joseph Maarrawi in his capacity as President of the Reserve's Committee and Mrs Sandra Saba, the Reserve's Manager.

To read more about the Reserve and its management structure click on the Full Story tab. The map shows the area of the Reserve.
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The Christmas Souk Fair in Zgharta, organised by the Al Midan Society has been cancelled because of the severe weather conditions and damage it caused in Zgharta on Friday. The Fair was to take place from Friday, 16th December to Monday, 26th December.

A few days ago there was a meeting in Zgharta of some significance.

The Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council reports that on Tuesday, 13th December, its President, General Joseph Maarrawi in his capacity as President of the Municipal Union of Zgharta District, met at his offices the President of the Municipal Union of Bsharre District, Mr Nawfal Chedrawi. It is understood that this was the first meeting of the two Union Presidents in Zgharta.

The Bsharre President was accompanied by Mr Victor Al Alam, the President of the Abdeen Municipal Council and Mr Nabil Draiby, the President of the Hadchit Municipal Council.

From Zgharta Zawie the following were present Mr William Jabbour, President of the Ardeh Municipal Council; Mr Naji Aweek President of the Fawar Municipal Council; Mr Doumit Qortbawi, representing the Mejdlaya Municipal Council; and Dr. Antoine Dibs,Vice President of the Raskifa Municipal Council.

The Union Presidents discussed topics of mutual concern including the Qadisha Valley Management Plan and environmental issues.

The town of Bsharre is some 1400 metres above sea level. It is at the head of the Qadisha Valley, just below the Cedars and the birth place of Gibran Khalil Gibran.The nearby village of Bqaa Kafra is the birth place of Saint Charbel.The town of Bsharre and surrounding district is part of the North Lebanon 1st Constituency ( Akkar, Denieh,Baharre) and returns two Maronite Members of Parliament . In the 2005 General Election, Mrs Strida Toak Geagea and Mr Elie Keyrouz, were elected.

The photogtaph is of Baharre.

News just in (4pm Zgharta time), that the first snow has fallen this afternoon in Ehden. However people in Ehden are saying that there is no electricity until Saturday.

Also there has been high winds in Zgharta causing some trees to fall down and roofs being blown off.

This evening zgharta.com will have a brazier in Ehden's Al Midan and all are welcomed to come and join the festivities.

NEWS UPDATE: Seems the snow has stop in Ehden but the high winds in Zgharta has caused damage. Trees along Sahel Jdaydé (the road to Ehden) have been damaged.

The Parish of Ehden Zgharta has publicly thanked Mrs Evone Sayegh (née Evone Sarkis El Bayeh) for her donation of a funeral hearse for the benefit of the Parish.

The Parish also thanked the Lebanese Finance Minister, Dr Jihad Azour and Mr George Azar of the Transport Department of the Ministry, for facilitating the free registration of the vehicle.The Minister was born in Sir Denniye, North Lebanon.

Mrs Sayegh is the wife of Michel Sayegh who funded the building of Saint Maroun Church, Zgharta.

The Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council have announced today a one month recruitment drive for eight Municipal Police Officers.

The remuneration package is 440,000 LL ($293 US: € 245) per month plus a transport allowance. Applications are to be submitted to the Council during normal working hours, with a deadline of 12th January 2006.

Applicants need to lodge the following:

1. Documentary evidence not more than three months old showing that they are Lebanese and are aged between the ages of 20 and 40.
2. Medical certificate issued from the North Lebanon Medical Committee.
3. A certificate ( Sjil Addli") not more than one month old showing no criminal convictions.
4. Brevet Certificate or equivalent.
5. Three photographs certified by a Mukthar.

Thereafter the applicant will need to sit and pass an examination at a date to be announced.

There are no job specifications given in the announcement and it not clear if the eight positions are additional to existing officers or they are to fill vacancies. To check if there is an application form to be completed as well or for further details contact the Council, whose telephone number is 6 66 02 48.

The Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council has announced today, Wednesday, 7th December 2005, that water supplies to Zgharta and the surrounding area will be cut off for 48 hours from today.

It is unclear the actual time today the water supply will be cut off and the time it will be re-connected on Thursday. There is no indication what, if any, emergency measures are in place to help those who have no water and which specific villages will be affected.

The reason given is that the northern water authorities need to undertake work at the Rachiine spring.

A phone number has been given for enquiries: 06 66 03 47

The Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council has announced its short term plans for rubbish collection and street cleaning for both Zgharta and Ehden.

For the past year both collection and cleaning has been contracted out to the Lebanese company, Sukleen. To read more click on the Full Story tab.
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Some ten to fifteen stones along four metres of the Kitle have fallen away caused by the heavy rain in Ehden last week.

The Kitle is one of Ehden's most popular tourist spots.

The photograph is of the wall earlier this year.

 Professor Georges Bahr

Professor Bahr received at a special ceremony at his home village of Raskifa on Friday 25th November 2005 a medal from the Raskifa Municipal Council.The medal was in recognition of his work and service in the field of immunology and virology. To read more about the Professor see the News Digest article, "Raskifa famous son to be honoured", 25th October 2005. The Professor also gave a lecture on Bird Flu earlier this month in Zgharta. To see photographs of the medal ceremony go to Galleria - Civic Events - Professor Bahr.

 Zgharta author interviewed by leading Egyptian Arabic newspaper

Zgharta author Rachid El Daif was interviewed for Al Ahram Weekly.The author talks about his childhood in Zgharta and his books.The Al Ahram Weekly is a English language journal published weekly by the Al Ahram Foundation in Egypt. Click here to read the interview.

 Caritas Zgharta spreads Christmas joy

The Caritas branch of Zgharta are erecting Christmas trees in four churches in Zgharta with the aim of collecting children's clothing for the less fortunate. The churches are Saint John's, Saint Joseph's, Saint Maroun's and Saydat Zgharta.

On Sunday, 20th November, in Zgharta, the Zgharta Zawie Rotary, Rotaract and Inner Wheel Clubs organised a commemorative walk in memory of President René Mouawad. The walk began from the home of the President to the Saydat Zgharta Church, where the grave of the President lies. Prays were said at his graveside conducted by Father John Moura and flowers laid by his family. His widow, Minister Nayla René Mouawad, led the procession.

The President was assassinated on 22nd November 1989, seventeen days after he was elected President of Lebanon. Therefore, Independence Day is always a mixture of celebration and sadness for Zgharta Zawie.

There will be a special Requiem Mass said for the President on Sunday, 27th November at Bkerkeh, the Maronite Patriarch official residence. Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Cardinal Sfier will lead the service, which will begin at 11am.

This year also sees the fifteenth anniversary of the René Mouawad Foundation which was created one year after the President's death by his widow, Minister Nayla Rene Mouawad and prominent Lebanese public figures, The Foundation has become one of the leading non governmental organisations in Lebanon. Its partners, both international and local, include the EU, UNDP, USAID, World Bank and many Ministries of the Lebanese Government. Its importance was testified to by the presence at the Foundation's Charity Gala in Washington this month of both the President of the World Bank, Dr Paul Wolfowitz and the former American Ambassador to Lebanon, Ambassador Vincent Battle. As we report, the Foundation has many projects and activities in Zgharta Zawie. The Foundation is something that Zgharta Zawie can be justifiably proud of.

To celebrate the Foundation's anniversary it has produced a 15th Anniversary Review of its work. Click here to see the PDF version of the Review.

On Tuesday, 15th November the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Lebanon announced that it had signed grant agreements with five Lebanese NGO's including the Forum of the Handicapped Association in North Lebanon.The stated aim of the grant USAID's says "is to improve the socio-economic livelihood of handicapped individuals in North Lebanon".

The association serves more than 2,800 handicapped individuals from throughout North Lebanon, including Akkar, Anfeh, Batroun, Chekka, Koura, Tripoli and Zgharta. It will receive $40,000 to purchase equipment for the physiotherapy department, develop the computer-training centre and the speech therapy unit. The association's centre provides medical, educational, social assistance, capacity building and home rehabilitation services for the physically disabled.

The draft chapter of the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) on solid waste has been published.

The plan sets out the disposal cycle for solid waste – collection by municipalities – a holding centre (“Transfer Station”) in a caza – disposal and treatment at a landfill.The plan proposes that that the Caza of Zgharta will have a “Transfer Station “, although there is no indication of its precise location.

To read more about the plan click on the full story tab.
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The Lebanese national press has reported today the press conference on Wednesday of the Minister of State for Administrative Development's launch of the "Simplified Plans for Local Development", which includes Zgharta.

The project is funded by the European Union with the view of improving development in local communities. The project hopes to encourage greater interaction between municipalities and local civil society groups. The project's leader, Paul Kazalonga, said that the project aims to balance development more equally across the country by "........activating the role of municipalities in economic and social development in accordance with modern municipal programs." The project also aims to promote sustainable development in the agriculture sector and strengthen industry in the different municipalities concerned. Those municipalities mentioned included Zgharta as well as Bint Jbeil, Iqlim al-Tuffah, Jezzine, Akkar-Jouma, Higher Chouf, Chouf Suwaijani,Kesrouan, Aley, Higher Metn and Hermel.The project will offer technical assistance to development projects already devised.

As we reported on 30th September 2005, "Data snapshot of Zgharta Zawie" the European Commission in partnership with the Municipal Union of Zgharta District published a report on the Zgharta area as part of the Commission’s “Simplified Plan for Local Development" project.

The Director of the project, Dr. Bashir Ismat, said that "the programme was a success in accomplishing its main goal of opening the door for broad discussions on the development agenda in 12 municipalities in Lebanon." A donors meeting will take place on 15th January 2006 to discuss funding.

Professor Georges Bahr, the world-renowned immunologist - virologist, at the invitation of the Zgharta Zawie Rotary Club, will be delivering a lecture on the subject of bird flu on Friday, 18th November 2005, at the Milad Ghazel Mouawad Cultural & Sport Centre, Zgharta . The lecture starts at 6.pm and is open to the public with no admission fee.

Readers will recall that we featured the Professor in the News Digest, "Raskifa famous son to be honoured", on 25th October 2005. The Professor will be receiving on 25th November 2005 a special medal from the Raskifa Municipal Council and the Municipal Union of Zgharta Zawie.

We commend the Rotary Club for organising such a high level lecture on a subject which greatly concerns the local community.The photograph is of Professor Bahr.

The Lebanese Ministry of the Environment has announced that its National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) will be published on 22nd December 2005. It will set out Lebanon's environmental strategy for the next 10 to 15 years. The plan will cover various subjects including wastewater treatment plants and solid waste management.The chapters to the plan are in the process of being drafted however the chapter on wastewater plants has already been completed in draft form .

To see what villages of Zgharta Zawie will have new wastewater treatment plants click on the Full Story tab.
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Sad news to impart. Last Saturday, 5th November four young men from Zgharta were involved in a car accident at the village of Sakhra, located some five kilometres from Zgharta. In the car were Charbil Baleis, Antonio Masri, Elie Zakhia and Chadi Makdissi.

On Tuesday, 8th November, Charbel died at the Saydat Zgharta Hospital from his injuries. Charbel was 19 years old and the son of Rizk Joussef Baleis and Antoinette Halim née Yammine. He had three bothers, Joussef, Antoine and Sleiman.The funeral will take place on Wednesday, 9th November at St Joseph's Church at 3pm.

Reports say that Antoine Masri, who was also injured, is out of danger and that the other two were not hurt in the accident.

We join the community in sending our condolences to the family of Charbel.

News update: It is now learned that Chadi Makdissi was also injured in the car accident, and it was him and not Antoine Masri, who had at the time of our report, been declared being out of danger.Chadi has had his pancreas removed. Antoine Masri suffered a broken shoulder. 11th November 2005

zgharta.com are redesigning and editing the site so some sections and pages may not appear online. We will not use the infamous phrase of websites "coming soon", but we hope it will be !

To read about Robert Daher from Brazil;the appointment of Antoine Kawal to the Guild responsible for the Garden of the Patriarchs at Qannoubine;and two new websites click on the Full Story tab.
Full Story

The Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council has announced the new property tax bill for the year 2005. It has urged residents to pay their bills on time to avoid penalties and interest surcharges.

To read more click on the Full Story tab.
Full Story

On Friday, 21st October 2005, USAID signed an grant agreement with Friends of Horsh Ehden providing them with $29,000 to enable them to produce signs,brochures and maps to promote eco and rural tourism.

The press release said that "USAID signed agreements with the following organizations.... $29,000 to Friends of Horsh Ehden in Zogharta to produce signage, brochures and maps promoting eco and rural tourism in the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve. The organization is dedicated to the preservation and management of the reserve through reforestation and cleaning campaigns. USAID’s assistance will not only benefit 1,000 individuals per year by spreading awareness, but will also help increase the number of visitors to the Reserve by 25%."

The USAID's (United States Agency for International Development) Lebanon Mission Director, Raouf Youssef, signed seven grant agreements with Lebanese NGO's ( non-governmental organisation) at the US Embassy, including Friends of Horsh Ehden. USAID has worked in Lebanon since 1951 promoting economic opportunities, job creation, good governance and environmental policies and practices in rural Lebanon. It provdes some $35 million assistance a year in Lebanon working in partnership with Lebanese organizations throughout the country.

The Committee of Information and Media of the Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council has published details of its survey of shop and business signs in the Zgharta market area. The reason behind the survey is said to be for the Council to organise the signs and advertisements in Zgharta. It is a common feature of commercial buildings in Zgharta, indeed the whole of Lebanon, to have a multitude of signs and advertisements appearing over the facade of buildings.

To read more click on the Full Story tab.
Full Story

The Municipal Union of the Zgharta District has issued notices banning bird hunting as a precaution against avian influenza more commonly known as bird flu.

The precautionary measures, and we stress that they are only precautionary, are being taken because the bird virus found in nearby Turkey was found to be dangerous to humans.The Lebanese Minister of Agriculture said earlier this week that there has been no trace of such flu in Lebanon. The Minister said that banning hunting and keeping away from migrating birds from Turkey was a important step to prevent human contact in case of infection.

Notices are appearing in the towns and villages of Zgharta Zawie and hunting areas. The notices ask that any dead birds found are reported to the Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council whose main switchboard number is 06 66 02 48.