A small Tribute to Palestine's sufferings

Tell our Leaders to ACT NOW in Israel/Palestine!

The world cannot allow the conflict in Israel/Palestine to continue. Thousands of civilians have been killed and wounded in a conflict which threatens regional and global peace and security. We call on UN Security Council members, the Prime Minister of Israel, and the President and Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority to implement an immediate ceasefire and restart the Middle East peace process.

Help Palestine, click to sign petition: CeasefireCampaign.org

Dahyeh, August 25, 2006. Arofish Stencil Graffiti - Lebanon.

The text in the picture reads:

"When Ramallah, in Palestine, is put under curfew by the Israeli Army, nobody goes outside for days. The streets look completely deserted. But from a tall building, if you look out over the city, you can sometimes see hundreds of many-coloured kites, flown from the roof-terraces by the children of Ramallah. The children you can see here are flying kites to celebrate the spirit of the people of Dahyeh. Some kites you can see are flying away. These are for the children who are no longer here; they are no longer held down to the Earth."

Thanks to our friend Marianna Azouri for the above link.

Click here to view a segment from Arundhati Roy's documentary about the Palestine/Israel history. Click for more.

Click here to view another segment from "Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land", to watch full documentary concerning what is happening in Israel, and how sometimes the media hides it, click here.

Israel reminds me of kids

Well in general most politicians do, but in particual it is Israel that reminds me of kids everytime I hear a new statement or press release or whatever reply coming from them.

Today it sounded to me like a tiny little boy saying: "We will stop when they will stop." In fact it was Olmert replying to Annan's demand that Israel lifts the blockade off Lebanon.

Israel will lift the blockade and withdraw completely from the regions where IDF is still present in south of Lebanon till today when all points of cease-fire 1701 resolution have been applied...

Where to go when you visit Lebanon - Site I: Baalbek

Every now and then I will post a small paragraph and pictures about a place in Lebanon that I recommend for tourists (next year?) to visit.

I will start with the famous Baalbek ruins, where the special Baalbek International Festival happens every summer, with an exception this summer 2006 due to the war between Israel and Hezbollah.


Temple of Jupiter in Baalbek, Source: National Geographic

Description: The Temple of Jupiter in Baalbek, Lebanon, was the largest Roman temple ever constructed. Although much of the temple was destroyed under the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius, 6 of its original 54 columns still stand today.

First established as a holy site by the Phoenicians, Baalbek, once known as Heliopolis, became a Roman colony in 47 B.C. There the Romans constructed three temples in honor of the gods Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury. The complex that includes the well-preserved ruins of these temples is a major archaeological site in Lebanon.

Source: NationalGeographic.com


Temple of Bacchus in Baalbek, Source: National Geographic

Description: The Temple of Bacchus, which many historians consider the best-preserved Roman temple of its size, is part of Baalbek's immense semiruins. Its peristyle of forty-two unfluted Corinthian columns (nineteen still standing) embraces sturdily preserved exterior walls. The approach to the cella or worship room proclaims grandeur with its powerful scale...The inner side walls of the nave are divided into bays by projected Corinthian half-columns to produce a series of superimposed niches, round-headed below, angled (pedimented) above, the latter originally with statues. The temple was roofed with cedar trusses."

"The temple, however, is but a single aspect of the vast complex. Baalbek is unequaled for boldness of concept and skill in utilizing Herculean masonry."
— G. E. Kidder Smith. Looking at Architecture. p34.

Nasrallah: Lebanese shouldn't be afraid of Hezbollah

In Sheikh Nasrallah's interview on New TV yesterday Sunday August 27, he specified that the weapons exist to protect the Lebanese and Lebanon from the enemy and the attacker, and will never be used to threaten the Lebanese.

He addressed the christians, and the rest of the muslims, not to fear Hezbollah and not to let anyone scare them using the Hezbollah card. This action is an American-Israeli procedure.

Nasrallah implied Hezbollah will not keep their weapons forever...

Nasrallah explained that concerning the help that Hezbollah is providing for rebuilding houses is dedicated to all people who's homes were destroyed and not just the chiite, although naturally they're the majority as they live mostly in Southern Suburb of Beirut and in the South.

About why Hezbollah have rushed into rebuilding Lebanon and not leaving this job for the government, he said that he had pledged to the people that he will rebuild their homes, and he couldn't wait for the government to start yet he doesn't mind helping the government.

Nasrallah was asked by the interviewer from where he is getting money, he said that not to worry, the source of the money is "halal" (good), and there are no political restrictions on them, so she asked: "Is Iran providing you with the money? Are you asking for help from Iran? What if Iran will apply political restrictions?"

Nasrallah: "The money being spent, and the resistance, were never put under any conditions that could harm the general interest of Lebanon..." and he continued that Iran will probably send an Iranian team to help rebuild the bridges and to check other fields where they could help as well.

The interviewer asked him: "Why the money they own are in the U.S. Dollars?"

However Nasrallah didn't answer this question.

The money and donations received to help Lebanon according to Nasrallah are not enough and are not close to the amount needed to rebuild the huge destruction that happened in Lebanon.

Sheikh Nasrallah said that Syria, Iran, any political party or organization or media or reporter, poet, artist or anyone who wrote, spoke, cried, stood by hezbollah can claim victory and not just a partner in victory.

"Will I dedicate this victory to the christians?" Nasrallah rhetorically asked, he responded that a large part of the christians are partners in this victory, such as General Aoun, also a large part of the muslims are also partners, it was their battle too, so no need to dedicate it. All people who were related in one way or another are partners in this victory, if they weren't related and their scared from this victory, then what can he do for them...

...

Source: New TV

What's your religion? A question I will stop answering

I want religion to be no more than personal belief, not a criteria to judge, or a criteria that either opens a door to friendship or not, or a door to hatred or not. I am not saying everyone judges by religion! For those who don't, then I assume this won't be hard to apply, and for those who do? Then learn no to!

From now on if someone asks me: "What is your religion?" or an even more subtle question: "Where are you from?" (you see the latter basically reflects the religion to a certain point as well, combined with the name of the person).

I will answer: Humanity, and I am from Lebanon.

What is your religion? and where are you from?

Beirut's Haret Hreik, a 360° panoramic view of destruction

Click on the movie to activate it, position the mouse on the movie and drag it in order to view the whole 360°.


(Please wait for the movie to load)
This is how Haret Hreik looks after the recent July war on Lebanon, Haret Hreik is situated on the southern suburb of Beirut, it shows the destroyed buildings.

This Quicktime VR movie was received by email, and no source was specified, if you own this please let us know in order to put your name.

The Lebanon I want

I extracted this paragraph from a previous post I've written:

...Today, “August 14, 2006”, is not just a new chapter, it’s a new book, a sequel! It’s not possible for politicians to keep playing hide and seek! It’s about time they work, and I presume it’s about time the Lebanese citizens wake up, and demand that their politicians do their job!

Rebuilding Lebanon is not just rebuilding the homes of those brave people, not just engineering and building the destroyed infrastructure, it’s not about building cities only! Because as the proverb says “Men, not walls, make a city.” Therefore I think, it’s about time to re-educate everyone, to care for every girl and boy in this country, to make sure they all get the proper education, to make sure they all grow to respect others' religions but realize it’s not a criteria to judge, love or hate the other! To make sure when they’re grown they receive the right orientation and guidance, to make sure they all get a chance at jobs and that Lebanon has more job opportunities than job applicants!

It’s time to think of Lebanon as a strong and capable country, why can't Lebanon for once be an example for the whole world?

Khalil Gibran's words in 1933 apply today...

Among so many others of his writings that apply today, I specifically selected this segment from The Garden of the Prophet that was written by Gibran Khalil Gibran in 1933, and I will leave it to you, precious reader to extract your favorite quote.

...Then he said: "My friends and my road-fellows, pity the nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion.

"Pity the nation that wears a cloth it does not weave, eats a bread it does not harvest, and drinks a wine that flows not from its own winepress.

"Pity the nation that acclaims the bully as hero, and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful.

"Pity the nation that despises a passion in its dream, yet submits in its awakening.

"Pity the nation that raises not its voice save when it walks in a funeral, boasts not except when its neck is laid between the sword and the block.

"Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox, whose philosopher is a juggle, and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking.

"Pity the nation that welcomes its new ruler with trumpetings, and farewells him with hootings, only to welcome another with trumpetings again.

"Pity the nation whose sages are dumb with years and whose strong men are yet in the cradle.

"Pity the nation divided into fragments, each fragment deeming itself a nation."
...

Now everyone wants to send troops to Lebanon?

Seems like it's World Cup 2006 Final all over again, is France or Italy to the leadership of the UNIFIL. Just wait and see, the results will be out soon, let's hope they don't get to the penalty shoot, Lebanon already had a big penalty over its head.

What changed? France wants to send 2000 men to enhance UNIFIL, Spain wants to send between 1000 and 1200 men, and Poland up to 500. Dost Blazi says that the European participation in UNIFIL forces might reach 7000. [1]

Things seem to be catching up to a certain extent, possibly a private agreement far from public has been settled which caused the whole excitement about UNIFIL, and possibly with it Israel might end their aerial and maritime blockade, thus the airport will open completely.

[1] Source: LBCI

Still got the sense of humour... Johnnie Walker

I received the below images by email, no source for the first one. Well, Johnnie walker sure took advantage of the situation.
Click on images to view large size

Billboard on Nahr El Mot (Jdeideh - Lebanon)

Ad in Al Balad Newspaper 8/18/2006

Video: Amnesty offers Evidence for Israeli's collateral damage...

Evidence Points to Israel's Policy of Deliberate Destruction of Lebanese Infrastructure, According to Amnesty International is an article that shows evidence that Israel was not actually applying a strategic military plan at all times, but as a matter of fact in some points, they just wanted to "destroy" the Lebanese infrastructure, just to limit survival sources for residents in certain areas.

To watch this video, click on the image above.

"The evidence strongly suggests that the extensive destruction of public works, power systems, civilian homes and industry was an integral part of the military strategy, rather than 'collateral damage' or the result of lawfully targeting military objectives," added Goering.

The evidence presented in this publication includes the following:

• Massive destruction by Israeli forces of whole civilian neighborhoods and villages
• Attacks on bridges in areas of no apparent strategic importance
• Attacks on water pumping stations, water treatment plants and supermarkets despite the prohibition against targeting objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population
• Statements by Israeli military officials indicating that the destruction of civilian infrastructure was indeed a goal of Israel's military campaign designed to press the Lebanese government and the civilian population to turn against Hizbullah.

Click here to read more.

Report on Israeli Deliberate Destruction of Lebanese Infrastructure.

Source: http://www.amnestyusa.org/

All Lebanese should ask for PEACE!

They say Peace is the non-existence of strom, the calmness after the war, the quietness, the acceptance of the new situation, well I think this is wrong. I think Peace is a peace of mind, peace of morals, peace among the Lebanese, peace that there won't be another war! I think right now in Lebanon everyone should speak up. In war they spoke, why don't they speak up now, for Peace?

The Lebanese should do just like what they did on the 14th of March in 2005, when over a million Lebanese marched down to the martyrs square and asked for sovereignty and freedom. This time we should do it for Peace.

Lebanon is for every Lebanese, for my mom, for my father, for my neighbor, for the grocer, for everyone and for me, and I refuse that any politician, Lebanese or whatever nationality, to decide the fate of my country. I get to at least express my opinion and say that I want long lasting peace in Lebanon! Nobody asked me if I wanted this last war!

But even if it's over, I will ask for Peace, because we still don't have it.

Lebanon is my country as much as it is Lahoud's or Murr's or Nasrallah's or Aoun's or anyone else's! And I have a say in this. And what I will say is that I want PEACE in Lebanon, a long lasting one.

If we don't say it soon enough... then I'm afraid it won't happen, only its opposite will.

Does anyone want another war?

If you want peace, then ask for it.

Oil spill cleaning may take up to 1 year; Greenpeace

The massive oil spill on the Lebanese shore and sea was caused by the Israeli air-strikes on a fuel depot. Its cleaning, according to Greenpeace may take from 6 months to 1 year in case an assessment and cleanup has been done and start respectively as soon as possible.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that between 10,000 and 15,000 Tons (11,000-16,500 tons) of fuel oil leaked from an electric power plant bombed south of Beirut by Israel last month.

It polluted about 150 kilometers (93 miles) of the Lebanese coast and spread north into Syrian waters, officials said.

Click here to read more.

The Nairobi-based UN Environmental Program (UNEP) said Israeli authorities had given it safety assurances for aerial UN surveillance missions flights on the Lebanese coast that would soon be getting underway in a bid to prevent the spill from causing further damage.

Click here to read more.

Click here for more photos.

Since cease-fire, politicians are playing while Nasrallah's gaining popularity

Monday August 21, 2006

Well unlike what is stated in resolution 1701 put by the UN and voted for in the security council on Saturday August 12, Israel has been following the rules in this resolution, by violating them.

Israel is risking the truce, claiming last saturday that the reason for their "commandos" operation near Baalbeck is that they suspected weapons being smuggled into Lebanon for Hezbollah.

Elias el Murr, Lebanese defense minister, has warned Israel of this violation, and ordered not to repeat such actions, he also vowed to punish any group that violates ceasefire amid a plan to tighten security in all regions (Naharnet.com).

In today's dual press conference with Prince of Qatar, President Lahoud's speech, unlike his last speech (Friday August 18), was improved, moreover he thanked thoroughly the reporters that have risked their lives in order to report the truth, he in particular complimented Al-Jazeera TV for their "objective" reporting in a world where the truth have been hidden or twisted.

Prince of Qatar believes that Israel's attacking any arab country is no more possible and the peace seems to be applicable nowadays more than ever. He added that it is not acceptable to forbid weapons from Lebanon and allow them to Israel. He insisted that Israel should start applying the 1701 UN resolution and stop the blockade on Lebanon, because as he put it, they needed to take permission in order to come to Lebanon.

Finally, the Prince of Qatar acted as a messenger bringing an invitation to visit Damascus from the Syrian President to Saniora.

After last week's rough and harsh replies that have come from Hariri and Junblat (Thursday August 17), even Gemayel, Fares Soueid and others to the Assad's speech last week (Wednesday August 16), as it seems like the latter wants to smooth things between Syria and Lebanon. The reason for this, is tricky as always, as Assad knows he's in a bad position with the US, especially after his attempt of stealing the victory last week by praising the resistence's victory over Israel and taking a stand as if Syria was the one who won and not Lebanon.

Since then, Sheikh Nasrallah has not given any press conference, probably because he wants to show the world that he follows his own advice which is the fact that it is not time to blame or disarm or talk, it is time to rebuild Lebanon. This way he can also lay low and let the kids play, while he strengthens Hezbollah's position in Lebanon and increases his popularity.

Last but not least, Bush held a press conference today, besides from sending aid to Lebanon, it can be said in summary that he repeated what he always said, no step forward, no step backward. For the U.S. they're still in the same position as before July 2006 war.

Although Iran is back to the game of Uranium, and seems to be persistent of it this time. But is this time any different?

Source: Lebanese Media, Al Jazeera TV

Charging for Internet? Pay to visit blogs?

I know this is way out of the subject of the war on Lebanon and the recent events in the middle east and such, however, please follow my logic and you will see the link.

If the Internet, by that they mean visiting websites and using online services, will not be free anymore, we, the bloggers from Lebanon, wouldn't have been able to transmit our thoughts to abroad and the other way around.

I recommend you check this video out, it explains in a very clear, visual and informative manner how cooperations are looking to charge for the Internet to make even more BUCKS! The presenter is a bit too cheery, nonetheless a movie worth seeing.

"We used to campaign against wars, for peace, for anything THROUGH the internet, now we have to campaign FOR the internet?"

Scared to send International troops to Lebanon?

What is the reason behind the declination of Germany and The Netherlands from sending their troops to Lebanon?

Moreover France has decreased the number of the troops they want to send to Lebanon from thousands to just 200.

UNIFIL forces said that they will not be involved with any disarming of the resistance, but just help the Lebanese troops.

Many explanations can be given to this behavior, either they're afraid from the whole "disarming" the resistance deal in the South, although the Lebanese army General has specified no disarming will occur saying: "if Israel wasn't able to do it, we will not do their job".

The second explanation is that, perhaps they are predicting another war, a round two, to happen again soon and they do not want to be on Lebanese lands when it happens.

Lahoud's late speech

The Lebanese president Emile Lahoud spoke about the events that have happened since the war, praising the patriotic and united Lebanese army to continue deployment in the South, their strength due to the support of the Lebanese.

He added that the victory was not only for Lebanon but for all arab nations. Lebanon has come up as a winner by preserving his sovereignty and unity.

"It is time for work", he added, declaring that it is time for the Lebanese to rely and depend on themselves in these periods.

Unfortunately, the speech came in late and useless.

Beirut airport partially opens, and the Lebanese troops deploy in South

The Lebanese troops along with tanks and armored vehicles have moved today to the south, in particular South Litani river. This move that has been waited for since almost 40 years, and finally it had happened. Hopefully the fears that have been for sending the troops to the border are no longer valid.

Video here, source: AP.

As for the blockage on the Lebanese Air, has been partially lifted to allow commercial flights only from and to Amman. The airport has been closed since July 13, 2006.

Video here, source: AP.

Is Lebanon to be re-born or re-torn? It's up to Nasrallah

Today Walid Junblat (Leader of the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party) has given a press conference in reply to Nasrallah's speech 3 days ago (Monday 14th of August) and Syrian President Bashar El Assad on Tuesday 15th of August, so did Minister Saad Hariri.

Starting with Junblat, which many consider, to be unstable. I am not sure of this description, however I have to admit that I like the way he answers. He did not provoke or accuse Nasrallah's resitence of anything, he precisely was proud of the brave men who have fought against Israel in the South of Lebanon. However he did imply that none of the national discussion have known or been informed of Nasrallah's intentions concerning the most recent war in Lebanon, nonetheless he expressed that he had his doubts that something was bound to happen.
Nasrallah said on Monday they will rebuild the destroyed homes and they will not wait for the government due to some complications, and Junblat commented by saying that the money that Hezbollah will use are actually money coming from Iran.

Consequently, Junblat suggested that Hezbollah becomes a part of the army.

Moreover Junblat sent questions to Sheikh Nasrallah, asking him what is his stand from the Taef agreement, and who will he dedicate his vitory to, the Lebanese, or the Syrian / Irani governments? He also criticized harshly the Syrian President, saying that he is trying to create a conflict inside Lebanon.

Agreeing with him on the latter part was Saad Hariri, adding to it a saying: "A criminal always goes back to the crime scene". Saad Hariri accused Assad of provoking a turbulance among the Lebanese.

He added: "Standing in the face of Israel is a famous Lebanese production".

Saad Hariri accused Israel of "living off the blood" of Palestinian, Lebanese and other Arab people. He also accused Syria of trying to sow strife in its weaker neighbor, where it kept an occupation force for 29 years. Source: AP

Now that the Syrian President wants to play the game of: "You deserve this. Look at what happened to you when Syria left Lebanon!" and other silly sentences. Politicians such as Hariri, Junblat, Gemayel, Aoun and most of March 14 who were accused of being Israeli agents, will not remain silent, they will answer back.

I am curious to see what Sheikh Nasrallah will reply, I think it's all in his hands, it depends on what he will answer, either a real problem will be created in Lebanon, or a new dawn. He already offered to help rebuild Lebanon, that's good, but how good? Will it affect the regime in Lebanon?

Source: Lebanese Media

Illegal use of Depleted Uranium by Israel on Lebanese civilians

Esteemed depleted uranium expert Dr. Doug Rokke is pointing the finger at Israel for using deadly and illegal depleted uranium munitions against the Lebanese people which were sold to them by the U.S. government - and calls for an immediate halt to the practice.

"What we know from first hand experience and what happened to those of us in Gulf War I and when we did our research for the US Army - the first thing that hits you is respiratory problems, then you have the rashes, then you start having permanent lung damage within a few months because of radiation and chemical toxicity, then you have neurological problems, then you have gastrointestinal problems."

"You have decalcification of the bones and the teeth - then you have all the eye problems due to the alpha and beta damage to the eyes - and then the cancers, the leukemia and everything else," said Rokke.

"We've got all the Lebanese being effected, all the women and children being affected, all the Israelis being effected, and the areas over there are so small you're going to have the whole region effected and contaminated."

Rokke expands on Israeli use of depleted uranium mission in an article in which he states that, "the use of uranium weapons is absolutely unacceptable, and a crime against humanity. Consequently the citizens of the world and all governments must force cessation of uranium weapons use. I must demand that Israel now provide medical care to all DU casualties in Lebanon and clean up all DU contamination."

Source: Israelis Rain Down Deadly DU On Lebanese Civilians, July 28, 2006

Okay this is what I found also that DU (Depleted Uranium) in high doses can cause adverse health effects.
- http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/faq_17apr.htm
- http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs257/en/
- Several articles about the use of DU in Iraq, Europe to ban, DU Dangers Known before Gulf war...

We. Unauthorized Arundhati Roy - Abuse of power

I recommend to watch the full documentary, if you're interested please click here.

To check website: http://www.weroy.org.

We is a fast-paced 64 minute documentary that covers the world politics of power, war, corporations, deception and exploitation.

It visualizes the words of Arundhati Roy, specifically her famous Come September speech, where she spoke on such things as the war on terror, corporate globalization, justice and the growing civil unrest.

Witty, moving, alarming and quite a lesson in modern history.

*Edited: The following two links are also parts that were cut from the documentary in case the connection was slow and can't view the full movie.
Arundhati Roy on the Palestinian / Israeli Conflict
Unauthorized Arundhati Roy - America & the world

Blockade on Lebanese air and sea, still on going

No information have been given on the reason of why the blockade by Israel on Lebanese air and sea is still on going, nonetheless the UN resolution has been voted for since 5 days and cease-fire has took place 3 days ago.

Talks say that the International Airport of Lebanon should open on Monday, 21 August. Elias El Murr, Lebanese minister of defense, has insisted that opening the airport and seaport in Lebanon will not require the enemy's permission.

Ghazi Aridi, Lebanese minister of information, said that until now there is still no update or reason of why the blockade is still on.

Perhaps Israel's excuse of keeping the blockade is to get insurance that there will be no smuggling of weapons from syria to the resistance.

So what happens Thursday 17th of August

Saniora and the Lebanese Cabinet have agreed to send Lebanese troops to south The government ordered the army, which has been assembling north of the river, to "insure respect" for the Blue Line, the U.N.-demarcated border between Lebanon and Israel, and "apply the existing laws with regard to any weapons outside the authority of the Lebanese state."

That provision does not require Hezbollah to give up its arms, but rather directs them to keep them off the streets. "There will be no authority or weapons other than those of the state," said Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said.

Click here to read more

That is a good point to discuss, Aridi insisted that the only authority and weapons in Lebanon will be those of the state of Lebanon, what I did not understand, is that a definite way of saying we will be disarming Hezbollah, or was this just a way to silence the security council that Lebanon does really want to apply 1701 and the Taef agreement, however deep inside no body will be disarming Hezbollah?

Is there a private agreement between Sheikh Nasrallah and the Lebanese government about Hezbollah's weapons; they tell the world something, and they do something else on the ground?

Click here to watch a video showing how the displaced are going back to their houses and land, and the graffitis they hanged in their streets. Source: AP

Even the cedars have left Lebanon

I received this caricature by email, and ... it made me sad.
Click on image to view larger size.

Lebanon rising from the ashes

Click on image to see larger size. Cartoon made by Latuff.

Take an hour and watch the atrocity of Israel on Palestine

Until now it appears that more than half the visitors to our blog are Americans, and I will take this opportunity to tell the americans to watch this footage! Americans in particular must see this video, to see how their beloved government is hiding the truth from them. I doubt anyone watching this movie, will still think the same afterwards.

IDF soldiers and officers have declined and signed a petition of not wanting to serve in the occupied territory, because it required starving, humiliating and patronizing the palestinians, and some of these soldiers have paid the price by going to jail and being called "traitors".

Jews who have believed that Palestine should be given a state of their own, were called "self-hating jews", and "traitors".

Everyone in the world should see this footage, for all other bloggers, make sure you put a link to this!

Click here to watch "Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land"

To IDF: Good Job, thumps up!

Israel's first purpose of attacking and attempting to invade Lebanon, is to free their two kidnapped soldiers, finish Hezbollah or at least finish their military ability for years to come and make the Lebanese people and government hate Hezbollah.

And Israel... did nothing of this! Unless killing civilians and children was their purpose!

So Olmert, Bravo! you're the man, keep up the good work!

Lebanon lego... let go

Sometimes Lebanon feels like a Lego, after being put together... it gets kicked and pieces fall to the ground. And then we rebuild it, but it's still made of pieces that might still fall to the ground on any sensitive move.

I can't help but keep wondering about the future of Lebanon, more like, the shaky future of Lebanon. I am sure that they will rebuild Lebanon. Obviously after the speech Sheikh Nasrallah gave on Monday, August 14, calling all the youth of Lebanon to volunteer and put their differences aside, and focus on the rebuilding of our country.

Lebanon will surely receive many aids, and perhaps international companies from UAE or Kuwait will adopt the project of rebuilding the southern suburb of Beirut, a project that is similar to what happened in downtown, allowing people to go back and live in new houses.

I am torn between several feelings. At one side, I can see the future in Lebanon, on the other side... I don't. It's not the first time this happens in Lebanon, I can go back in history and list how after each war, after each attack, even earthquakes, Lebanon got back on its feet. Everyone who came to Lebanon can testify its beauty, its vibrant roads; if you get stuck in traffic, it’s actually a good thing, because you know you're going to the right place!

I can keep going about the night life, about the adventures you can do in the nature, the beach, the sunny weather all summer, the chilly breeze at night in the mountains, the barbecues in your grandma’s house, everything is close to each other, and not to forget the amazing appetite Lebanese people have, thus the delicious food!

What's funny is that so many people used to tell me about the greatness of Lebanon and that I should appreciate it more. What's more funny (funny sad, not funny haha), is that it what took me to realize how much I love my country is to get stuck outside Lebanon without being able to go back, watching on the Reality TV a new movie called “Israeli war on Lebanon”, that came to a theater near me on July 12, 2006 and lasted for 33 whole days! a non stop movie which resulted so much destruction, damage and death tolls.

I ate fruits here, I ate cucumbers, they don't have a taste!
The houses are beautiful, roads are clean, trees on the side, but there is no one on the streets, what's the point? You would think the area I live in is abandoned.

I am so angry and so mad because every time Lebanon is about to develop, for more companies to invest in our country, for the economy to progress, for tourists to start visiting by thousands, what happens? A war, a political crisis such as the assassination of Hariri followed by 13 other explosions all over Lebanon.

It's definitely not fair, and it's definitely not something we want to see happen again. I would like to live in my country, in my home. I want to do this without worrying if in 2 or 3 years Lebanon will be destroyed again.

What is the true solution? Who is really the one to blame? I observe the politicians in my country, and I don't see good coming from them. This is an honest opinion. I can't trust any of them, they seem to all be working for their good and only their own good! They think of themselves as celebrities, as hot shots, but “snap out of it and see the truth, you actually serve the country”, or at least they should.

A famous wise man once said that the master is the server. The politicians should put aside politics, and just work. They should be like every other employee. Go and do their job, with work ethics! If they don’t know how, then why the hell are they in their positions? They can always go and attend project management classes.

Today, “August 14, 2006”, is not just a new chapter, it’s a new book, a sequel! It’s not possible for politicians to keep playing hide and seek! It’s about time they work, and I presume it’s about time the Lebanese citizens wake up, and demand that their politicians do their job!

Rebuilding Lebanon is not just rebuilding the homes of those brave people, not just engineering and building the destroyed infrastructure, it’s not about building cities only! Because as the proverb says “Men, not walls, make a city.” Therefore I think, it’s about time to re-educate everyone, to care for every girl and boy in this country, to make sure they all get the proper education, to make sure they all grow to respect others' religions but realize it’s not a criteria to judge, love or hate the other! To make sure when they’re grown they receive the right orientation and guidance, to make sure they all get a chance at jobs and that Lebanon has more job opportunities than job applicants!

It’s time to think of Lebanon as a strong and capable country, why can't Lebanon for once be an example for the whole world?

L.A.

Truce?!?!

Cartoon made by Latuff, click on image to view larger size.

Nasrallah and El Murr both call for Unity among the Lebanese

Nasrallah's word today was dedicated to all the martyrs that have lost their lives during this war, their families, the civilians, the reporters, the volunteers who helped the displaced, the Lebanese Red Cross and every Lebanese, complementing them for their patience, faith, and endurance.

To the displaced people who's homes were slightly destroyed, he promised that starting tomorrow morning (Wednesday, August 15), their brothers will go and help them rebuild the houses.

As for those who's homes were completely destroyed, he told them not to fear that his promise at the beginning of the war was only talk in order to quiet them. It was real and their Lebanese brothers will go and help them starting tomorrow morning, and they don't even need to ask for the help.

Nasrallah said that some points he would rather discuss with the Lebanese government directly, such as his weapons, and called some parties not to rush or provoke.

Finally Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah called for the youth in Lebanon and all those who can, to volunteer in the rebuilding of Lebanon, and to put their differences aside at this moment. He has claimed that Hezbollah has achieved strategic victory and dedicated it to all Lebanese.

Minister of defense Elias El Murr, in the show "Kalam el Nass" on LBCI with Marcel Ghanem tonight, has called the reserve from 2 to 3 years for optional joining of the army, as they will do a civil and patriotic help to their country, by enrolling in the area where they live. He assured by a 90% that they will not oblige the reserve to join the army, based on the answer that the General of the Lebanese army had given.

El Murr has said that the General has asked technical questions of how the disarming of the resistance will occur, as they do not want to give Israel any opportunity to attack the resistance in anyway. The minister of defense also added that they do not want their orders to come from the UNIFIL or any other international forces; any order in the South, should be agreed on by the government.

The Lebanese army needs 48 hours to prepare since a cease-fire had occured, as bridges and roads to the South are destroyed, and they will need to prepare their military equipment and troops to arrive there.

El Murr insisted that there should be a formula agreed upon in the Security Council concerning the disarming of the resistance in the South.

Concerning the airport, El Murr said they will not submit for the enemy's blockade and wait for them to give them the permission to open the airport and seaport! They will do it anyway after a national decision.

Finally El Murr called for all the leaders in Lebanon and responsibles to stay united in this in order to rebuild Lebanon.

Source: Al Jazeera TV, LBCI TV

8 a.m. Beirut time, has the fire ceased?

Just before the time for cease-fire, Israel is trying to pull off its last air-strikes, last on Baalbeck - Zahleh road, in Baalbeck and others in southern Sidon. Resulting injuries and death among the Lebanese civilians again.

Hezbollah has fired 250 rockets to North Israel, the highest since the beginning of war, killing one and injuring more than 50. The Israeli army estimates that Hezbollah has lost almost 530 of its militants during the war.

Israel admitted that 75 soldiers were injured during Sunday's ground combats. Also it had thrown leaflets on central Beirut warning them that it will retaliate in case any offensive is launched from Lebanon on Israel.

Both sides have expressed that if the other attacks, they will respond. Is the cease-fire going to last and lead to peace? or is the only thing that is going to cease is life?

Source: Reuters and Lebanese Media

Could Saniora have done things better?

The vibes that Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Saniora has sent were caused by statements he gave such as: "The important thing now is to restore full Lebanese sovereignty in the south, dismantling any armed militia parallel to the national army."

Also Saniora said that Hizbullah has created a "state within a state" in Lebanon and must be disarmed in an interview in an Italian Daily magazine.

Moreover he said that Chebaa Farms are to claim from Israel, and Lebanon needs international help to convince Israel to withdraw from these farms, that were being used by Hezbollah as a pretext to attack Israeli forces.

"The international community must help us in (getting) an Israeli withdrawal from Chebaa Farms so we can solve the problem of Hezbollah's arms," Saniora said. Source: JP.

In Haaretz, Saniora was described as a man who runs his government on three tracks: "He deals with Hezbollah through Beri, with the Lebanese public through Information Minister Ghazi Aridi, and with the world through Hariri's son, Saad Hariri, who spent the last week in France."

Saniora was referred to as a man who is highly skilled in negotations, and this "compliment" has been given to him due to the decision of sending the Lebanese troops to the South of Lebanon, which could have resulted from Saad Hariri, or both together. Therefore deciding to run this option by France and see their reaction. This option was suggested after revising the proposal coming from France and the US concerning the cease-fire, and knowning that the Lebanese President of the Parliament and Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah will not agree to it.

Which finally lead to the resolution 1701 that has been decided on, and then voted in favor of on Friday, August 11, at 7 pm New York time. This resolution that most of the world leaders welcomed, American, French, Israeli, Arab, almost all but Nasrallah; nonetheless he did abide by it, although refrained from commenting on several points, and with which to deal after the cease-fire happens, with the various Lebanese power figures.

The question is, could Saniora have done things better? Or is this exactly how he wanted them!

The war in Lebanon has just began

As Israel conducted more battles and combats in the south of Lebanon just hours after the UN Security Council adopted a cease-fire plan under the 1701 resolution. Israeli troops surged into Southern Lebanon on Saturday August 12th, and reached the Litani river.

Saturday, August 12th, has the highest death tolls for the day, where 19 soldiers have died in heavy combats with Hezbollah militants, 5 were missing and 70 injured.

Counting the hours till Monday the 14th, 8 a.m. Beirut time, both leaders in Israel and Lebanon have agreed on the time for a cease-fire. But until then, a new war has begun as Israel needs to do what they wanted to do when they got into Lebanon in the first place, in the first war.

Hezbollah's militants have shot down a military transport helicopter in South Lebanon that contained 5 people aboard, that are all missing.

Israel said that their IDF have killed 40 Hezbollah militants, however Hezbollah only stated the death of 3.

U.N. Deal Moves Forward, But Strikes Continue
As Lebanon and Hezbollah militants move forward with a U.N. peace deal, the nation's deadly conflict continues, claiming more civilian lives. (Aug. 12)
Click to watch video, source: Associated Press.

"We must not make a mistake, not in the resistance, the government or the people, and believe that the war has ended. The war has not ended," Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah declared.

Before the sun comes up on Sunday dawn, Israeli warplanes have reached Syrian borders and struck a bridge near the town of Halba, and a target that remains unidentified around Ali Nahri in East Bekaa Valley. Sources Lebanese Media.

Finally, the cease-fire is not adopted yet, and those 2 days and a half will probably seem to be the longest on the Lebanese as Israel has decided to begin a new war on August 12 to finish the business that the first war was supposed to on July 12.

Pie of Peace

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Israel's unfinished ''business'' in Lebanon

What's happening today in the south of Lebanon is too much like what happened in 1973 war. After 16 days of conflict, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution with the number of 338, which calls for a cease-fire. (Contrary to the 1701 resolution, it defined a starting date, on the 22nd of October). Both conflicting countries accepted the resolution, still the fighting continued.

By the time the 1701 resolution is waiting for the acceptance of the two governments of Lebanon and Israel to take effect. (And it looks like they both are going to approve it). Israel has an "unfinished job" in the south of Lebanon. Hezbollah, for the past thirty-two days maintained a routine in shelling the same amount of rockets on north of Israel, and on a daily basis.

Many experts and strategy analysts reported lately in the medias that Hezbollah had not been defeated yet. In a recent report by Stratfor team cited that: "Hezbollah has certainly achieved an extraordinary degree of success. It has fought IDF to a draw". Adding also that: "Hezbollah's strategy has worked thus far, establishing it as the most effective force ever to confront the Israelis."

It is notable to say unlike all other wars Israel has fought against Arabs, this was the longest, and probably the first to be won by diplomatic and political efforts; IDF could not profit from a strategic military surprise to have a decisive influence on the subsequent course of the war. In the 1956 war it surprised the Egyptian army by choosing the Zero hour. Again in the 1967 war in an extraordinary and well coordinated surprise smashed the Egyptian air force and returned to refuel, leaving behind more than 17 completely destroyed airfields, and around 300 aircrafts. Just a day before President Abed-el-Nasser was receiving envoys from the United States convincing him that there will be no war if he does not make the first move. In 1973 war, the Egyptian turned the table, even through President Al-Sadat has been repeating that the status Quo and the situation of "No War, No Peace" is not acceptable and must be changed by force. The Israeli military intelligence knew about doubtful movements on the Egyptian side and did not take them seriously. This time Surprise was fighting with the Egyptians against the Israelis. After one week of intense fighting, Israel had to call for help from its patron the United States. The supplies and aids did not take much time; the aerial bridge soon was replacing all the damaged military equipments. Israel shifted to plan B, it had to gain a striking military advantage to give it a comfortable place on the negotiating table. The Plan B, lead by Ariel Sharon, secured a twenty kilometer wide corridor to the canal with the purpose to surround the Egyptian third army and cut off its supplies. When Al-Sadat figured it out, it was too late, and this operation achieved after the UNSCR 338 has been adopted, affected directly the rest of the war, and thus the winning side.

"The “cease-fire in-place” portion of UNSCR 338 was criticized by Israeli officials who complained it would not allow them to “finish the job” in the Sinai. Kissinger responded by asking how long it would take to complete encirclement of the Egyptian army. Upon hearing “two or three days,” Kissinger is reported to have responded: “Well, in Vietnam the cease-fire didn’t go into effect at the exact time that was agreed on."

Similar to what happened in the 1973 war, Israel needs more time, probably few more days, till 14th of August. It is trying to deploy a noteworthy number of troopers (30,000 leaked to the newspapers) in the south of Lebanon, trying to invade as much as it can, and bear for few days the resistance of Hezbollah. Monday will come; Israel had fulfilled its public opinion and showed the world and the Arabs its invincibility and that Hezbollah could not prevent the IDF from occupying Lebanon's Land.

Pascal Assaf
August, 12th 2006

Nasrallah will keep RE-acting to all Israeli hostile ACTs

Nasrallah said that the "resistance" is a reaction, and if Israel's attacks and acts keep going on Lebanon, the resistance will react naturally.

Nasrallah continued: "As long as Lebanon is occupied, we will keep resisting and defending Lebanon, as this is our right".

He considered the fact that Security Council held Hezbollah responsible for this war, as unjust and unfair, and afterwards explained that after the kidnap of the 2 Israeli soldiers, it was Israel who attacked civilians in South Lebanon, and hence Hezbollah have replied by launching rockets to Israel's cities.

Israel's attacks and ground operations are ongoing in Lebanon, for today, tomorrow and Monday, and he insisted that the resolution had given this chance to keep their hostility occuring in Lebanon.

He said many points should be discussed on the discussion table inside Lebanon and among the Lebanese leaders, and concerning other few points he will stay reserved about as it is not time to talk about them, and he will deal with them in the future.

Nasrallah requested from the Lebanese to stay united as they have for the past month, he added that the priority at this moment is a cease-fire and for the displaced and immigrants to come back.

Is Resolution 1701 a diversion till the next war in Lebanon

UN Security Council just called for "and end to the bloodshed" between Israel and Hezbollah, and for the deployment of 15000 international peacekeeping troops to prevent further conflict.

Is this resolution just a diversion? a way to convince people that it is the first step for ceasefire? Well probably it is, probably by the time the 15000 international troops are ready to come, or come for that matter, and join the Lebanese Army, to all go together and get deployed on the borders, "South Litani River", to "prevent" from further conflict.

IDF will only leave Lebanon when the international / Lebanese troops are deployed. Although, Israel has been asked to retreat. Therefore and until then as Israel has precisely said: "they will NOT halt their attacks and air-strikes on Lebanon, not YET".

The council called for "a full cessation of hostilities based upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hezbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military operations."
Source: Yahoo! News

So basically, the above means that Hezbollah must stop all attacks and Israel would stop all "offensive" attacks but not "defensive" ones?

Moreover, the resolution states to return the 2 Israeli kidnapped soldiers by Hezbollah.

What about Shebaa Farms? What about the Lebanese prisoners in Israel?

Finally, if the resolution 1701 doesn't change to a better one, one that makes sense and does really help Lebanon, because this one seems to be in favor to Israel much more than to Lebanon. Then I guess Lebanon will still face the same problem, if not maybe a worse one.

Why? Because they did not do anything that will really give Hezbollah a reason to disarm. And who will be responsible to disarm them? The international troops and the Lebanese army?

Perhaps they liked the blogs about the war on Lebanon so much, that they want us to keep going.

Agreement on Mideast Resolution, vote at 7pm EDT

• France and the United States reached a deal Friday on a final draft resolution aimed at ending the monthlong conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with a likely vote by the U.N. Security Council later in the day.
• Britain's Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said: "You never get a deal like this with everybody getting everything that they want".
• The two sides sent the new text to the governments of Israel and Lebanon, but a French diplomat said the vote would go ahead whatever the response. The council was likely to vote on the document about 7 p.m. EDT, the diplomat said.
• An individual close to the Israeli government said there's a "good chance" Israel will a accept the new cease-fire proposal.
• Washington has supported Israel's insistence on staying in southern Lebanon until a robust international force is deployed.
• The latest draft appears to eliminate the prospect of a new, independent multinational force that would patrol a buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon

Source: Yahoo! News, click here to read more.

Hezbollah not to blame for war, reports show (BigNewsNetwork.com)

This is an article that mostly cites the history of Hezbollah, what happened at the beginning of the war and even before this war. It is very informative and is based on reports researched carefully.

One of the central issues in this conflict is the status of Hezbollah. Israel has branded Hezbollah as a terrorist group, and successfully persuaded the United States to do likewise. Britain and Australia fell in behind the U.S. and so too did Canada and the Netherlands. Of the 192-member nations of the United Nations however, only six have listed Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

...

The Lebanese government regards Hezbollah as a legitimate resistance group. It operates exclusively within Lebanon, was set up as a result of the 1982 invasion and occupation by Israel, and is largely credited within Lebanon, and internationally, as playing a major part in bringing the Israeli occupation to an end.

Click here to read this article that was published on August 4, 2006 in BigNewsNetwork.com

After reading this article it will surely end any confusion or misinformation that a reader has towards Hezbollah, their history, their status, and their role at the initiation of the July 2006 war.

It's a new dawn, one month for the war

Friday, August 11, 2006 and one month of this war. John Bolton says today: "No decision has been reached yet concerning the UN resolution for cease-fire in Lebanon".

The dawn of Friday was a very busy one for Israeli air-strikes. One attacked Hissa Bridge in Akkar, which connects Lebanon to Syria in north Lebanon, where until now sources say 11 dead and 8 injured. Also several other air-strikes, 3 on Zahrani river, consecutive ones on southern suburb of Beirut, more on Baalbeck road to Homos (Syria), also aiming for Ras Baalbeck bridge, another on Masnaa' also Lebanese-Syrian border, on a public road in Rashaya and many in Tyre.

One month, and more than 1000 dead in Lebanon, where most of them are civilians, and one third are children under 12.
One month, and more than 915'000 displaced.
One month, and more than 3600 are injudred.
One month, and 5 UNIFIL are dead.
One month, and 30 Lebanese soldiers have become martyrs.
One month, and dozens Mirkavas have been destroyed.
One month, and Lebanese infrustructure: 97 Roads, 75 Bridges, 4 Airports including the International Rafic Hariri Airport, 7 Seaports... destroyed.
One month, and almost 8000 buildings, 14 factories, 27 petrol stations, 9 Barracks destroyed and 5 Hospitals attacked.
One month, and almost 40 Israeli civilians have lost their lives.
One month, and dozens of Israeli soldiers have been killed.
One month, and two kidnapped Israeli soldiers.

Russia is going to offer their project for a 72 hours of humanitarian ceae-fire today.

350 Lebanese forces remain detained in Marjaayoun by IDF since yesterday.

What was Israel thinking when they bombed Lebanese military bases?

While I was watching a report on TV today about the Lebanese Industry in Lebanon, about the financial loss and how long it will take to fix it and to recover and rebuild Lebanon, they said that there were more than 30 factories in Lebanon that were destroyed due to the Israeli air-strikes and attacks on Lebanon since July 12, 2006.

So I wondered, if Israel was merely targeting Hezbollah militants, if all their goal was to finish Hezbollah or at least make them retreat to the back by 20KM from the Lebanese-Israeli borders, then what were they thinking when they bombed factories? What were they thinking when they bombed military bases in Jamhour? What were they thinking when they bombed a Lebanese Red Cross ambulance vehicle? What were they thinking when they bombed international ambulance vehicles arriving to Lebanon to offer aid? What were they thinking?

It is so upsetting to watch TV! They said it will take 6 months to 1 year to rebuild small to medium bridges, and from 1 to 2 years to rebuild the large bridges, the sight of all the tourists fleeing from Lebanon.

When I wacthed tourists leave Lebanon on TV the 2nd and 3rd day of war, I said to myself: "Why are they leaving, this is not a war, something like that happened before, and immediately a solution was found! Israel is not going to bomb all Lebanon! Why would there be a war in Lebanon, we're through with war, that was 16 years ago, come on, war? in Lebanon?"

I didn't believe it was a war, as a matter of fact, I kept packing, because I was leaving to Lebanon on July 15.

Funny... how naive was I! I really thought no more war will happen in Lebanon, and even if a war does happen, I thought: "no body in the world would let it go on".

Boy, was I wrong.

L.A.

News from New York, good or bad?

Russia: Failure to reach a decision concerning the UN resolution for cease-fire in Lebanon. Russia will ask for a humanitarian cease-fire.

The White House said divisions between council members, Lebanon and Israel made it impossible to set a date for a vote, but it warned the warring parties against any "escalations" in a conflict that has killed more than 1,000 civilians in Lebanon in a month and nearly 40 in Israel.

But in Paris, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said a deal was imminent on a draft resolution to end the conflict.

"We are expecting an agreement in New York from one moment to the next," he said. "Every hour counts."

French Forein Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said that he has seen some positive developments over the past 24 hours. He said: "Things are moving today in New York. I hope they move even faster in the coming hours."

Douste-Blazy said the primary concern for Paris remained the cessation of violence, which would allow the "progressive withdrawal of the Israeli army" back to the border.

And in London, a Downing Street source said British Prime Minister Tony Blair believes an agreement could be reached over the next 24 hours.

"The Americans used to be on one side and the French on the others. Now their efforts are joint," the Lebanese official said.

Click here to read more

The story of the red color in the Lebanese Flag

Click here to read more about the Lebanese flag description.

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Is Thursday, August 10, the first step for cease-fire?

The United States expressed criticism of the latest escalation of IDF, their expansion of the ground operations in Lebanon. This is probably the strongest criticism that the United States has showed towards Tel Aviv since the beginning of July War 2006.

Moreover, Israel has just declared the suspension of their expansion of ground operations on Lebanon in order to give a chance to the diplomatic efforts. This came right after the news that the leader of the Galile troop in the Israeli Troops has been injured, so was Golani's (source: aljazeera.net) during the ground operations.

The move can either be interpreted as it is, that Israel really wants to give Diplomacy a chance, or it is playing a trick to win some more time in order to exercise another plan, by picking theirselves up and re-grouping as two of their leaders have been injured and 15 soldiers today have died due to the ground confrontations with Hezbollah militants. Also, a thrid explanation, Olmert will not be able to confront the pressure in the coming hours caused by the injuries of two important militants in the IDF.

Can Israel afford this much loss? What is the next move? End of war, or just a recess.

Nasrallah says the truth, Wednesday, 9 August

Nasrallah in a televised word on Al-Manar today requested the Arab people of Haifa to flee to a safer place, as he feels for them and worries of hurting them, which is holding back the rocket launching towards Haifa, meanwhile Israel's air-strikes are increasing by the minute on the Southern suburb of Beirut.

Sheikh Nasralla also holds Bush responsible for the cause of delay in the UN draft for a resolution concerning the cease-fire in Lebanon.

Moreover he adds, that while Hezbollah are targeting soldiers and military in Israel, IDF are targetting civilians to pressure the Lebanese people and their government.

After nearly 1 month of the Israeli attack on Lebanon, the resistance is still fighting from the front line, which proves their success until now in this war.

Watch video where a part of it shows a reaction to today's Nasrallah's televised word. Courtesy of Yahoo! News and Associated Press.

Day 29 - August 9, 2006: Israeli war continues

Israel Decides to Widen Operations in Lebanon

Israel's security cabinet met for more than six hours to consider, and ultimately approve, a plan to send large numbers of troops to push as far north as the Litani River, about 15 miles within Lebanon.

Afterward, Eli Yishai, the minister of industry and trade, told reporters that the military’s assessment was that the expanded offensive "will last 30 days."

Click here to read more

No progress on UN resolution: Lebanon PM Saniora

"There is no progress so far. We are still at the same place," he told reporters in Beirut on Wednesday after meeting US Middle East envoy David Welch who arrived earlier Wednesday on a surprise visit to the war-torn country.

Parliament speaker Nabih Berri agreed "with Prime Minister Siniora that there is no progress until now."

"The contacts engaged by the Arab delegation in New York did not achieve anything until now," he said.

French President Jacques Chirac insisted Wednesday on an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon but admitted the United States had "reservations" over the wording of the draft resolution.

Click here to read more

Demonstrations in Berlin

 


Israeli war continues on Lebanon, more children are dying, more extensive bombardments over the southern suburb of Beirut, more ground invasions near the borders, and more air-strikes in South Lebanon.

Israeli bombardment wears on fraught Lebanese nerves

Many Lebanese are still trying to forget the horrors of the country's 1975-1990 war. "If people were traumatised before then the stress does not need to build up, they go straight into panic or flight."

Some have seen loved ones killed or homes destroyed. Others may be less close to the violence but jump at every blast and weep at bloody news footage.

UNICEF, the United Nations children's agency, said on Wednesday it was trying to help displaced children cope with memories that may prompt them to wet their beds, cry at the sound of bombing and cling fearfully to their parents.

Click here to read more

More than 900 lives ago

The White House: The United States is willing to consider a proposal to use Lebanese troops as a peacekeeping force in Hezbollah-controlled areas but is convinced that Lebanon is not equipped to handle the job on its own.

Israel: Israel's representative in Security Council Gillerman said Israel had "the right and the duty to act in self-defense. And it will spare no effort to bring its abducted soldiers home."

Three-member Arab League delegation: Qatar's foreign minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani, representing> said "If we adopt the resolution without fully considering the reality of Lebanon, we will face a civil war, instead of helping Lebanon, we will destroy Lebanon."
"Lebanon would erupt into a civil war unless there was an immediate cease-fire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the country's south."

Lebanon: The international affairs minister Mitri emphasized that Beirut would welcome an international force and hoped it would be a U.N. force, albeit with a mandate less robust than the council envisions.
"More than 900 lives ago, we asked for an immediate cease-fire," Mitri told the council on Tuesday. "More than 3,000 injured civilians ago, we asked for an immediate cease-fire."

United Kingdom: Prime Minister Tony Blair said today he hoped to see a UN resolution for a Lebanon ceasefire agreed "by tomorrow" . "We need to take account of the reasonable representations made by the Arab League and the Lebanese.
We need to get the resolutions down tomorrow and then....deal with the underlying problems.
After the UN had mandated an international force, it would be crucial to restore the Lebanese Government's control over the south of the country."

Lebanese Army calls for reserve

الجيش اللبناني يستدعي الى الخدمة الاحتياط الذي لم تمضِ على تسريحه 5 سنوات

رويترز نقلاً عن مصدر لبناني: الجيش يستدعي الاحتياط من أجل انتشار محتمل في الجنوب

Translation:

The Lebanese army calls for reserve soldiers who have been laid off in the past 5 years.

Reuters from a Lebanese source: The Lebanese army calls reserve for possible distribution in the South.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora said Lebanon stands ready to deploy 15,000 soldiers and accept a 2,000-member international force led by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, until a political settlement can be worked out and a more substantial international peacekeeping force can be assembled and deployed to Lebanon.

"This can be done quickly," he said.
Click here to read more

What is happening on the Lebanese Ground?

This article is not to talk about the Israelis operations and invasions and how Hezbollah is putting up a strong fight, this article will be shedding some light on what is happening with the Lebanese people. At this point, the Lebanese people can be divided into several categories, and there are just many of them.
But I will only cite one of them, the category that I will be talking about today, a category that nobody is really mentioning.

The people in this category need to build a future, who are my age, who are young and ready to work hard to buy a house and have a family or maybe continue their education, and who are afraid to do so in Lebanon.

I fall in this category along with so many other Lebanese people. I am currently outside Lebanon, supposedly on my vacation and got stuck outside. I’ve never wanted to be in Lebanon more than now. But I also don’t know if this is where I want my future to be, because I am scared this war is nothing but a battle and there will be more battles in the future. Hatred only brings hatred, and war never leads to peace.

Keeping in touch with my friends, I've come to know that several of them have fled to outside Lebanon; they went to Cyprus, Switzerland, U.S.A., France, Kuwait, Jordan… And several are starting to search for work outside Lebanon. One friend said to me: "There is nothing here anymore for me, I might as well leave, to Qatar, to Dubai, it's better than here."

Some of the companies in Lebanon are even thinking of relocating their offices, I know the company I work for will divide their offices among Jordan and Qatar, and I know of a company which one of my friends works for who might relocate to Japan.

I guess you get the idea, not only financially and economically is our country losing its opportunities and chances, but also the generation that is one day to rule our country and make it stand on its feet, will be living to invest their energy and intelligence in other countries, and this is called immigration.

We have had this problem long ago, and just when people started believing in Lebanon and deciding to come back, the war happened; like a friend of mine who lives in Toronto, Canada, who was seriously thinking of coming back to live in Lebanon in summer 2007, but on 12th July 2006, she changed her mind.

What are they doing now? The Lebanese people! They are trying to cut down on driving their cars, barely they go to work, as some of them still have work, lucky them, because they don’t know when is the next time they can fill their cars with gas.

Speaking of work, I know several persons who got “excused” from work, they were given their salaries and been told: “do no come back”.

My friend works in a travel agency, so I asked her: “How is work?”
She replied: “Well I still go to work, but I have no work!” obviously because no one is traveling from or to Lebanon at this moment due to the airport being still shut down. My friend is afraid she might lose her job as well.

Everyday I am worried my brother might drive while going to his work on a bridge that suddenly Israel might assess as a road that leads to Syria and bombs it.

At the end the question is: “Should we go back and try to lead a normal life in Lebanon ignoring the possibility that another war might take place on our playground?”

L.A.

August 4, 2006 Round up

Early this morning Israeli warplanes bombed three bridges north of Beirut, in "Christians" areas of Lebanon. Five people were dead including a Lebanese army soldier, and another 40 civilians wounded.




Watch video "Bridge Attack Report", courtesy Kevin Sites in the Hot Zone

Hezbollah reported its forces destroyed an Israeli tank and a bulldozer in Markaba town, and destroyed another one in Aita Al-Saab.

Al Arabiyya TV Station reported Hezbollah killed five Israeli soldiers during the combat today. An Israeli spokesman confirmed there have been some causalities.

Around 250,000 of Iraqi Shia showed support for Hezbollah in a rally in Baghdad today.

Saad Al Hariri in a meeting today with Russian national security Chief Igor Ivanov called on Russia to use its influence on Israel to accept an immediate cease-fire.

Kula Lumpur is finalizing plans to dispatch 1000 troops for peacekeeping efforts in Lebanon once a cease fire is in place.

Reuters reported that tomorrow August 5, US assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch will visit Lebanon in an effort to end the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict.

Human Rights Watch Accuses Israel of War Crimes

To all of those who have time and want to read something very interesting about Israel war crimes against Lebanon and "serious violations of international humanitarian law (the laws of war) by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Lebanon between July 12 and July 27, 2006, as well as the July 30 attack in Qana," just follow this link, or at least take a look at the summary. Note that the summary is also available in Arabic.

According to a 50 pages report titled "Fatal Strikes, Israel's Indiscriminate Attacks against Civilians in Lebanon", without being able to distinguish between Hezbollah fighters and the civilians in the military campaign in Lebanon, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have committed war crimes. The report listed more than twenty detailed cases of Israel Attacks against Lebanese civilians.

"By consistently failing to distinguish between combatants and civilians, Israel has violated one of the most fundamental tenets of the laws of war: the duty to carry out attacks on only military targets,"
The report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW), called on the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Anan to establish a commission to investigate Israeli war crimes and also Hezbollah's rocket attacks against Israel.