Leading the pack is Michel Hayek, who in his youth dropped out of school because of his alleged ability to preview the future.
While many frauds claim such supernatural abilities, Hayek has a track record of predicting tragedies that attracts widespread attention both inside Lebanon and abroad. Hayek previously predicted the surprise deaths of Princess Diana, An-Nahar journalist/parliamentarian Gebran Tueni and the former PM Rafik Hariri.
Many Lebanese remain skeptical of the prophecies, and our readers must keep in mind that most of the predictions made never happen. However given the impact that Hayek and his equivalents have upon Lebanese society, these predictions have been and will be discussed ad nauseum on the street.
For the next 18 months, Hayek predicts a short period of darkness for Lebanon followed by long term success and security.
"Lebanon will enjoy a long period of prosperity and construction," predicted Hayek on December 31 at a gala event hosted by the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC).
Prior to the bright future however, a chain of 38 dreadful predictions will be the hurdle Hayek expects for Lebanon.
Ya Libnan's prediction for 2007? Hayek's bank account will maintain its steady and swift increase.
Hayek's Prophecies
Key predictions for Lebanon include:
The setting up of the Special International Tribunal for Lebanon to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of Hariri.
The arrest of culprits entrusted with an attempt to assassinate Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and his wife MP Strida Geagea.
An incident in the vicinity of Lebanon's Central Bank.
An important event at Beirut port.
Bloodshed at a university in Lebanon.
Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Druze chieftain Walid Jumblat "in the same picture."
A legislator from the Chouf mountains in danger.
A series of light earthquakes hit several districts of Lebanon.
Attack on two clergymen from different sects.
Key Arab World predictions include:
Foreign Military aggression on Syria.
Operations targeting foreign ambassadors in Lebanon and the region.
Two historic visits between Lebanon and Syria.
Military alert following a confrontation along the Syrian-Lebanese border.
An Israeli figure, not Sharon, carried in a casket.
Key international predictions include:
The United Nations' Secretariat-General to be shaken after the new secretary-general and some of his aides come under a sudden shock.
Shock at the While House leads to an embarrassment for Bush.
A U.S. attraction to be destroyed.
Worrying symptoms surround the Pope
Terrorist operations targeting tourism firms in the world.
France, The U.K. and Spain exposed to terror.
Samir Zaayter
Hayek wannabe Samir Zaayter took the path of least resistance in putting together his predictions for 2007 by contemplating every possible scenario in hope of guessing one right. Banking on his selection of Italy to win the 2006 World Cup, Zaayter set the stage for a dark and gloomy 2007.
Some of Zaayter's predictions were practically common knowledge, such as a U.N.-sponsored tribunal will accuse Syria of involvement in the 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and President Bashar Assad will be pressured into turning in the suspects.
Zaayter's most significant predictions:
Lebanon and related:
An expected surprise in the council of ministers that could trigger its downfall.
The death of a major figure of the Shiite community.
A coup inside a political party.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri will refrain from practicing his authority, but will not resign.
The sea of Lebanon will be full of warships.
An ex-minister will be implicated in the Hariri assassination.
A failed attempt on the life of a Sunni religious leader who will deliberately accuse Shiite sources. This will be a Zionist conspiracy to incite intra-Muslim violence.
An Arab country will send Israeli Mossad agents to Lebanon through its airports.
The International tribunal will convene and will accuse Syria of involvement in the Hariri assassination.
A significant event at a foreign embassy in Lebanon – American embassy.
Nasrallah will reveal crucial information for the first time.
A solemn funeral procession in the shouf area that will be attended by international figures.
A major judicial figure will pass away.
Assad will be pressured into turning in Syrian suspects to International courts.
One of the four officers implicated in the Hariri probe will not reach court.
A minister from Zghorta will be implicated in a financial scandal in connection with the Hariri investigation.
Presidential elections will be held and Lahoud will be the last military figure in the presidency.
Lebanese militias will resume governing Lebanon for a short period of time. Some of those militias were dormant and others will be newly-formed.
Saniora will not remain Prime Minister.
The government will collapse.
There will be a conqueror and a vanquished in Lebanon.
Three parliamentarians will pass away.
Many figures will break away from the Free Patriotic Movement.
Millions will participate in demonstrations and many people will be killed.
The Middle East:
Terrorist events in Syria.
A major Syrian figure will pass away.
A major painful incident at an American base in Iraq.
Iraq will be partitioned and heads to all out civil war.
A historic shrine sacred by a major Iraqi sect will come under attack.
A major dispute within the Saudi royal family sparked by succession ambitions.
Terrorist events in Saudi Arabia supported by some members of the Saudi royal family.
A failed attempt on the life of Palestinian President.
The World:
Major announcements will be made in April regarding the Iranian nuclear program, including some space initiatives.
Pakistan will witness a change in the Musharraf regime.
Turkey will launch a major offensive against Kurds.
Sources: Ya Libnan, Naharnet, LBC
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