Those interested in domestic Lebanese politics might want to look at this piece of mine on the current debate over how to subdivide the Mount Lebanon muhafaza (governorate) in the 2005 parliamentary elections.

The debate has been provoked largely by President Emile Lahoud and former Interior Minister Michel al-Murr, who are looking for ways (a) to ensure that Lahoud's presidential mandate, which ends next year, will be extended or renewed (through manipulation of the constitution); and (b) to water down the Christian protest vote in the Metn region, which gave them a spanking in a by-election last year for the seat of the late Albert Mukheiber.