Gemayel: Mikati halted debate on history texts until consensus reached

Prime Minister Najib Mikati has suspended debate on a controversial history curriculum until consensus can be reached, MP Sami Gemayel announced Tuesday. “We thank the prime minister for his responsiveness with us and [decision to halt the debate on the proposed history curriculum] until there is Lebanese consensus on this item,” Gemayel said following a meeting with Mikati, a statement from the prime minister’s office said. “We think the matter has arrived at its end until a new mechanism is proposed that takes into account Lebanese consensus and the sacrifices by all the Lebanese, without exception,” he added. Gemayel, who held discussions with Mikati accompanied by a Kataeb student branch delegation, thanked the prime minister for his expression of regret over Saturday’s clashes between students and authorities that left 15 people, including members of the security forces, wounded. “We would like to thank the prime minister for the positive manner that he has dealt with the protests that occurred last Saturday and its aftermath wherein he expressed his regrets over what happened,” Gemayel said. Mikati’s statements came a day after the prime minister said he would not approve a new history curriculum unless there was agreement by all Lebanese, adding that he did not seek to trigger new disputes. Gemayel also said Mikati was following up on investigations into the weekend incident. Clashes broke out near the Grand Serail in Downtown Beirut Saturday between security forces and several hundred student supporters of the Kataeb and National Liberal Party over objections by the latter groups to proposed changes to the history curriculum. The Taif Accord of 1989 stipulates the need for unifying textbooks documenting the country’s history. However, over two decades later schools still choose different versions of the past, none of which tackles the 1975-90 Civil War. Speaking to The Daily Star following the meeting, Patrick Richar, Kataeb student branch president, described the proceedings as “very, very positive,” although he stated that it could take a further 10 years before a unified history curriculum is established: “It is a shame but under the [present] circumstances we are unable to gather all Lebanese around one book and [taking the proposed textbook off the agenda] is practical. The curriculum in its proposed form was 100 percent a form of oppression that tries to wipe out important events in the history of many Lebanese.” The Kataeb party argues that in its current form, the proposed curriculum neglects their role in resisting Palestinian forces and Syrian troops in Lebanon during the 1975-1990 Civil War and only addresses resistance against Israel. Further controversy had erupted over the omission of the term “Cedar Revolution” when referring to the 2005 protests – following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri – which led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon.