More than 1,000 people marched in Beirut on Sunday calling for the
establishment of a secular state in the country which is ruled by a system of
power-sharing along religious lines.
"Secularism is the solution," and "The people
demand a civil state," the crowds chanted as they marched in Beirut
streets waving Lebanese flags.
The demonstration was dubbed "Seculars March towards
Citizenship."
Many Lebanese blame the current power-sharing system along
religious lines for the majority of problems facing the country, home to 18
religious sects.
Lebanon's system of government is rooted in the National Pact, a
1943 power-sharing agreement adopted after the country won its independence
from France.
Aimed at maintaining a balance between the 18 religious
communities, the agreement calls for the president to be a Maronite Christian,
the prime minister to be Sunni Muslim and parliament speaker a Shiite.
Other government jobs are also allocated according to religious
affiliation.
Many Lebanese believe that this power-sharing arrangement is
responsible for most of the country's problems, including corruption, cronyism
and the devastating 1975-1990 civil war.
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