The divided Lebanese

Born and raised in Lebanon, where I have lived in my entire life, I have been through civil wars, regional wars, conflicts, economy break-down, assassinations, demonstrations, occupation and recently sit-ins to topple the current government. Even the meaning of the colors in the Lebanese flag carries the red as the Lebanese martyrs blood and white as the color of peace.

If you meet any Lebanese person, politically active or not, this person will speak to you about politics, and not just the Lebanese politics but also the regional one. It is not because it is in our blood, or hereditary, but it is because when you live through such things as mentioned above, and you have to literally survive on many occasions from rockets, explosives or simply the expensive life-style, you tend to become political.

Lebanon in nature is a beautiful place, we have ruins and cultural monuments that have footprints of romans, ottomans, phoenicians and many more. More to come on how beautiful and cultural Lebanon is, for now enjoy a small summary I have written not so long ago about Baalbeck and Byblos (Jbeil).

Moreover, we are blessed to have a small country of only an area of 10452 km2. If you want to know more about Lebanon's history, surface, demography, diversity of sects, anything, just visit wikipedia's page on Lebanon.

The benefits of living in a small country, is the fact that a person can go from the shore of Jbeil for example to Faraya where a skiing resort exists, in almost an hour. Of course, swimming and skiing in the same season is not very probable unless you either enjoy swimming in cold waters or skiing on sands. However if you make it to Lebanon during the winter there are 6 skiing resorts that you can visit, or to enjoy the warm sun, hot weather and beautiful water, drop by in late spring and summer, which after a long hot day, you can still go back to Faraya and enjoy the moderate weather, barbecuing with friends and family and more.

Lebanese people who live abroad come back to Lebanon on two occasions, new year's period and summer, and they also bring their friends with them. The crazy and energetic night life that rocks Lebanon when the sun sets, like in Gemmayze or Monot street, is what attracts tourists as well, there are pubs, restaurants, night-clubs, the whole nine yards!

I bet by here you are wondering, with such a heaven in Lebanon then why on earth did she put such a title to such a story. Well, for the reason that as soon as political debates start, a brother turns against his brother, a sister against her mother, a friend against his best friend, and a wife against her husband.

Unfortunately, and as sad as this may sound, we disagree on so much when it comes to politics, and which party to follow, that you wouldn't believe we were having so much fun the previous minute. However nothing a tasty dinner, a great drink and a local enternainement show cannot make us forget.

Loving Lebanon so much and having too many people meddling in our internal affairs is a part of the problem. Nevertheless it is not really that simple, the politics I mean. It's a long story which I will tell you about in the coming future, but now I can tell you one thing, Lebanese people have been through 16 years of war, 29 years of occupation, 16 assassinations, martyrs, freedom demonstrators, rioters, economic drop-down and this is only in the last 30 years, however, they never give up, they tend to get frustrated from time to time, but that's a natural reaction to such horrible events.

The Lebanese are divided because they look outside more than they look inside, they all want a better Lebanon, they all want to live a good life and provide a good future for their families, but as long as they keep believing that a political leader, who was once a warlord, is the one who will provide them with a peaceful country and better economics then they will only be making the same mistake again! And sadly, we have too many warlords, whom we follow blindly, and we just cannot get out of our system.

Posted on NowPublic.com

Anta Akhi Valentine Package

Anta Akhi offers a cute embroidered towel and small box of chocolate from Sesobel for Valentine for 15,000 LL.

Anta Akhi: A small participation from you end will help us face the economic crisis that has landed on our home and our handicapped youth.

To know more about this, please check in English or French.

Find a middleground, arraftouneh!

First of all, it is only degrading to tell someone to be more resourceful, and you yourself managed to ingore reading a fully available document such as the reform plan.

Below is only directed to the extremist ones and not in general!

Just because you're an FMPer, does not mean you have to completely dismiss the reform plan and if you did do you have an alternative?

Just because Aoun suddenly allied with Hezbollah, you don't have to love shiite. Can you be a bit deeper?

Anyway, don't get so excited, you too LFers, stop thinking Federalism and Con-federation are the answer.

Lebanese are Lebanese, we are one, shiite, christian maronite, christian greek orthodox, catholics, armenians, sunni, druze... Forget about religion and start thinking intellect and education. (This message is not only directed to LFers but to everyone).

The cross, which is your symbol, is the symbol of a man, a son of god (in christianity), a prophet in islam, who carried the sins of all men and asked people to love, forgive and give. So much for applying his words!

I read once in the Kuraan that (please excuse my memory and lousy translation), "No man can think of himself better than another but with faith." Surprisingly, people mistake selfishness and fear of going to hell with faith.

Hezbollah supporters, stop intimidating people! and stop believing what Al-Manar is telling you, Al-Manar is living in war and so much hatred and provocation you would think it is World War II all over again! Oh, and get Iran out of the picture and Syria!

Future movement supporters, I don't know, tell your TV to stop being so biased!

Everyone! Start finding the good about the others, because there is good in all, and being so stubborn is not helping the country.

Here, I said it in the mshabra7 arabic!

Geagea, Aoun and Nasrallah

Geagea
On Friday (January 26), Geagea held his press-release, which even my co-workers dumped their work in order to watch it, where he clearly stated the Jbeil incident and that one of the people who were shot (by an unknown) is a Lebanese Forces supporter, and that Aoun shouldn't think that they were the only victims.

He also mentioned the "Stands" of Hezbollah on Tuesday night (January 23), declaring that the reason why they stopped is not really why they did stop but because Lebanese Forces stood against March 8. Which later at night, Hezbollah office sent a reply to him appearing on the news saying that they did not declare such stands and that he should check his sources better.

And that happened after he had asked for a Media Truce. Ironically though, you cannot ask from the other what you yourself did not do. Nevertheless, wish there would be a Media Truce.

Aoun
Also on Friday (January 26), Aoun appeared on Al-Manar all calm and relaxed. But again, he always does when the talk-show host is on his side, and he has no press jumping at him with critical questions.

To read about what Aoun spoke about and said that Friday, visit Tayyar.org and search for it.

After what happened on Tuesday (January 23) and on Thursday (as a popular reaction and not an opposition plan), Aoun should have calmed things down instead of saying: "We will keep going to the streets, burning tires and blocking roads as excercising our democratic rights"... right!!!!

Nasrallah
Unlike Aoun, tonight (Sunday January 28) Nasrallah was not calm or relaxed at all in a public appearence broadcasted on Al-Manar. I truly sensed this guy was much more logical and had better reacted to what happened last week than Aoun did. He was angry and disapointed with what happened on Thursday (January 25) especially. He believes there was a plot in order to lead for a turmoil between the shiite and sunni. He said it is understandable for a problem to occur between students and then their parents and friends joining in, but snipers and gun holders, this is no longer a reaction, but a previously planned set-up to create riots in the country. As martyrs fell, it still was not reason enough to fire an uprising in Lebanon. He urged everyone not to fall for this.

Why speak while no one is listening

Why speak? Those who agree already know;
And those who don't know, they never listen.

Wel3aneh... bhannikoun ya 7adarat al zou3ama

First of all, I would like to congratulate all journalists who report in Lebanon, I think over the past decades they have been the most to report from a recurring dangerous zone than any other journalist in the world.

Second of all, congratulations to our politicians who have been attacking each other for the past years, until finally the people - their supporters - are no longer listening to them. It is easy to get people to the street, but difficult to get them out of it.

Third, congratulations to the media who has been despicably distorting the truth, moreover loyal viewers of their channels have thought a war has been already happening for the past year, inticing them to hate the others.

And finally, congratulations to our ennemies, who we once stood against believing that they will never be able to fire up a war amongst the Lebanese, alas they are starting to succeed.

However, if and only if the politicians call for an urgent meeting where cessation of war of words on TV and agreeing on finding a mid-solution by compromising a bit, then there will not be a war in Lebanon.

It is not too late to have control over things yet!

Breaking News: Arab University (Photo)

الجيش اللبناني يحيط بمبنى الجامعة العربية في بيروت والمنطقة المحيطة بها بعد إشكال طلابي بين أنصار "المستقبل" و "أمل" و "حزب الله"

Translation: The Lebanese army is surrounding the Arab University in Beirut and the near area after a clash occuring between students supporters of "Future", "Amal" and "Hezbollah".

Source: LBC

Edited: Also heard from colleagues who made phone calls to near by residents that there are several injured (5 so far), and gun-fire by the Lebanese Army in order to warn watchers on the roofs of the neighboring building to stay far.

Photo below taken from work, sources said that they are burning cars and tires, and the smoke seen is caused by the fire.

The conflicts keep expanding to more areas, they have now reached the Sports Stadium. Now that the weapons have been confiscated, they are throwing stones on each other.

The road to the International Beirut Airport has been closed, and parties leaders call for the people to calm down and get out of the streets.

The Lebanese University declares that all courses will be stopped until next Monday.
16:01 Reuters: 1 dead and many injured.
16:08 According to NewTV, gun shooting at the Lebanese Army.
16:18 One of the public busses has been set on fire.
16:28 Shooting again between the Lebanese Army and anonymous individuals
16:31 Reuters: The person who died is from the opposition forces and has been shot in the head
16:32 Beirut Fire department is working on putting the fire down, and the conflict moves to the neighborhood of the Arab University
16:41 The President of Lebanese Cabinet is urging both the opposition and pro-government supporters to step out of the streets immediately
16:42 Stores closing in Mar Elias area and the near by streets
16:51 Reuters: 4 dead until now
16:56 The Lebanese Army has things under control in the surrounding area of the university
17:00 Fleeing the students from the campus by cars
17:16 Renewal of fires and clashes near the Arab University

Updated:
Between 6 p.m and 7:30 p.m., things calmed down after the Lebanese Army took control and declared a curfew to start at 8:30 p.m. to end the next day at 6 a.m. Sheik Nasrallah spoke and asked everyone to clear the streets, he also called for the Lebanese Army and persecution to arrest all who possessed weapons, and also expressed his concern that "snipers are back". The SSNP (Syrian Social Nationalist Party) was burned in Tarik al Jadidah.

Moreover, Walid Jumblat holds Syria responsible for what happened today in Lebanon. All the public and private schools and universities will close their doors on Friday and Saturday based on a request by the Minister of Education.

Source: Tayyar.

p.s. This post will keep being updated, keep checking for any news.
Note that people are panicking




Burned car due to the clash earlier this afternoon between students in the Arab University


Reinforcements for the Lebanese Army

Aoun`s press conference

Yesterday, Wednesday 24 January, the day after the general strike, Aoun held a press conference and not just to answer questions. However the reason behind this post is not to discuss Aoun's reply to what happened on Tuesday, as Aoun may have appeared stable at the beginning when he was reciting, accusing and explaing the reason why he took the decision of putting the strike on hold, however when the questions started raining on him, he lost his zen.

Anyway, what I have been wondering about is how come Sheik Nasrallah, the general secretary of the Islamic Resistence in Lebanon, the biggest part of the opposition camp today, haven't still made an appearance. It is soon to know why, and many conclusions can arise, but one fact remains, when an opposition having several leaders for several parties allied together declare a general strike (gone bad), the next day they should all make statements, which haven't happened.

U.S. to more than triple aid to Lebanon

As Paris III started, and the Lebanese Government led by Prime Minister Fouad Saniora had presented the reform plan in order to receive aid from several countries and contributors to the conference, U.S. is to triple aid to Lebanon:

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the Bush administration is seeking $770 million in new aid for Lebanon. The money, which must be approved by Congress, would fund long-term redevelopment and immediate rebuilding from the devastating summer war between Hezbollah militants and Israel. [1]

Paris III took place the next day of the General Strike led by the opposition on Monday 23rd of January which have turned into riots, fist-fights, deaths, injuries, blockade on the Airport and polluted skies.

Top American business executives are also detailing private investment in Lebanon as part of the Paris session. As one example, Citicorp has pledged $120 million to underwrite mortgage and commercial lending by three Lebanese banks, Assistant Secretary of State Dina H. Powell said.

Chambers has already pledged $10 million to expand computer training in Lebanon and there are other plans to vastly improve national Internet capability, place 500 Lebanese interns in U.S. companies and generate up to 3,000 new jobs in Lebanon over the next few years. [1]

More aids from France and Europe will amount to 900 Million Euro.

French President Jacques Chirac announced a 500-million-euro (650 million dollars) loan as part of the aid package while the European Commission for its part pledged 400 million euros (519 million dollars). [2]

The aids that Lebanese will most probably be receiving, are to help Lebanese Economy and find ways to reduce the debt that has become more than $41 Billions.

Its public debt has reached 41 billion dollars (32 billion euros), more than 180 percent of gross domestic product. [2]

The Saniora government has made a study on how to solve the debt problem in Lebanon which can be found in the reform plan.

Reactions and opinions to this plan and to Paris III in Lebanon are mixed, which some people agree to and support the government in any of its moves, and others believe that this step is going to plunge Lebanon into more debt.

Please click here to read full article [1] and here to read article [2].

[1] AP
[2] AFP

Is 2007 the year Lebanon has another civil war?

Since the assassination of Former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri on Monday, February 14, 2005, resulting with a big hole in the road, death of his bodyguards, Minister Bassel Fleihan and several by-passers, Lebanon has been on the edge.

[...]

One thought went through the minds of the Lebanese people who were at home watching TV reporting live from the area of the clashes on the night of 25th January, and it was, will there be another civil war?

Lebanese people are scared, worried, and angry that there is a possibility of a war if things don't get under control by all political parties leaders. Is this period similar to the one that occurred before the 1975 Lebanese civil war? Could the Lebanese do the same mistake twice?

Click here to read full article.

P.S. My second story at NowPublic.com

Join Saturday's Global Peace March...Without Leaving Your House

Be an Internet Marcher on Saturday:

This Saturday, hundreds of thousands of Americans will march on Washington DC to demand peace and justice in Iraq and the Middle East. We can be there too, raising a global voice of solidarity -- through our own worldwide virtual march. Time is short, so add your voice and join the march today!

http://www.avaaz.org/en/global_peace_march/act.php

[...] We will carry the flag of each country that generates more than 500 internet marchers, so tell your friends.

Can we get 75,000 - even 100,000 people from round the world to join the march before Saturday? Click here to join the march:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/global_peace_march/act.php

With hope,

Ricken, Paul, Tom, Rachel, Galit, Lee-Sean and the rest of the Ceasefire Campaign (now Avaaz.org! ) Team

Opposition supporters harrassed my friend

I would like to congratulate those opposition supporters for their exquisite job in expressing their democratic opinion and right for a better Lebanon, and excercizing these rights by harrassing a 21 year old female just driving back to her house at 4:30pm in Al Siyad - Hazmieh. They ran towards her, and not just 3 or 4 men, we're talking dozens, tried to open her car door, verbal abuse, blocking her way and making her go back.

Congratulations, I sure am very proud to be a fellow citizen.

So what happened yesterday?

Main Headlines:

1- Opposition's General Strike begins at 3am (Reason: To topple Saniora's government)
2- Burning tires, blocking roads and causing traffic
3- Smoke rising all over Lebanese converting the blue sky to grey
4- Lebanese Forces and Pro-Government supporters decided to go down and open the roads
5- Gun-fire, fistfights and stone-throwing
6- Lebanese Army and Special Forces only got orders till 2pm to open the roads and deal with the rioters
7- Roads to the airport claused, locking arrivers in and travellers out, leading to cancellation of flights, no army was present at that location
8- 5 dead and more than 100 wounded
9- Opposition leaders during the day called the strike "Civil and peaceful"
10- Around 10pm, Opposition halt the strike

Response:

1- Democratic right
2- Democratic right NOT. "My freedom ends when the freedom of others begin"
3- Thank you for the pollution
4- Their right
5- Not Civil. P.s. Palestinians throw stones at their occupier (Israel), Lebanese threw stones at each other and at their Army!
6- Why this late?
7- Why weren't the army present there? And once again, thank you for sending this beautiful image to international community
8- Peaceful?
9- What?
10- Three explanations for this.

First Explanation: As the strike has turned violent and into what appears as overthrowing, the opposition decided willingly to halt the strike preventing more problems and clashes in Lebanon.

Second Explanation: A meeting for an agreement has been set between the government and the opposition

Third Explanation: Again, Lebanese issues discussed by foreigners who have either found a solution themselves, or at least decided to stop things before getting worse, thus order coming from outside to the opposition in order to stop the strike.

Breaking news: Opposition to halt strike

Breaking news: Opposition to halt strike (Source: LBC)

Day 1 of the opposition escalation

5 Deaths.
More than 100 wounded.

Is it worth it?

Update: Roads Status

The Lebanese Army has been working on opening the highway in Nahr El Mot, in both direction to and from Beirut, while until this hour they still aren't letting cars passing, not before they make sure it is safe. The Lebanese Army received orders for this job around 2pm.

More roads in Keserwan have been opened. While in Jbeil, proud protestors took pictures of themselves throwing a tire into the already burning tires.

The Lebanese opposition still insists that today's strike was only peaceful and civil, and not only till the Pro-Government supporters and the Lebanese Forces have come problems started.

Until this hour, no word from Nasrallah about the situation and today's events.

In Batroun, clashes occured between Lebanese Forces supporters and Marada supporters, while one of the latter shot another Lebanese Forces supporter who is seriously injured. Until now, the Army was able to break the two groups, however the road is still closed.

Until now, more than 15 persons got injured in today's clashes, from both groups.

The Airport is still blocked, no aerial movement, few people were able to get out of the airport walking, those who arrived to Lebanon today are stuck inside, few airport workers were able to arrive to the airport, and until now, the road to the airport is still closed.

Update: Smog near Airport and throwing stones

- Around 11am, I received this picture from my cousin in Kfaraaka in North Lebanon.


- 11:25am Near the Airport perimeter, tires burning and smog rising in the sky prohibiting travellers from arriving to the airport.




- 11:30am Near Al Mazraa region, opposition supporters were throwing stones at the army, and the habitants of the region are answering back with throwing stones as well.




P.S. Again with a phone call to LBC, Franjieh repeated that today's protest is civil and peaceful. (No comment, watch the pictures).

Photos & Updates of today`s Escalation and Smog

Dear Reader,

This album of today's photos will keep being updated as soon as I see anything new.

L

p.s. Newest photos taken in the Horizon of Dekwaneh, I am pretty sure near Dallas Gas Station.



This one is in the Industrial City in Sid El Bouchrieh (or in the area)



And the rounded building is The Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences II.


Edited: To view pictures from inside the protests and tire burning, click here.

Update:

• - 10:00am People who are travelling today, are going walking to the airport according to Al-Arabiyyah


• - 10:20am Most Schools and Universities have closed their doors today


• - ~10:30am Military Police is now on the ground, as re-enforcements to the Lebanese Army


• - ~10:30The army has opened the road going to Beirut, but not the one going from Beirut, and people are stuck in their cars immobile.


• - 11:03am In Al Koura, Miryata and Zgharta, some gun fire occured against some protestors of Al Marada and FPM (after some provocations) resulting some injured persons who have been moved to a near hospital


• - 11:05am Some arab airlines have reschedule flights going from and to Lebanon, to another day because of the General Strike called upon by the Opposition


• - 11:08am Franjieh described today's protests civilized (isn't he watching the TV?)


• - 11:50am One casualty so far


• - 11:50am Armed Lebanese Forces and Phalange supporters went to the gathering in Nahr el Mot near Jdeideh, resulting with 1 injured from the opposition

Regular day or Pollution day?

Personally, I woke up at probably 6 a.m., staying in bed and listening to the road's noise. Usually, I hear a lot of honking, School bus engines, and normal engines. Unlike today, I heard one engine every once in a while, maybe one school bus, and barely any honking (something very strange for Lebanon). I decided to finally get out of bed at 8 a.m. So I went straight to the balcony, and I saw this:



I put on the TV, LBC of course, as Future TV is always in denial, and New TV too biased, and no need to say what Al Manar is. They were reporting live from Nahr El Kalb, basically everyone coming from Jounieh, Zouk, Jbeil, Keserwan, any place from the north to the Capital Beirut, cannot make it. This is the main entrance!

Drove to work, everything was smooth, there is a college beside us, so there were 5 or 6 groups of 5 to 10 people standing in corners. I arrived to work, and my first joy was finding a place to park my car so near. The bank that is in the center where my job's office is, is empty, only 8 people or so were there, gathering together and laughing, probably about how awkward for a bank to be empty.



I arrived the work and took some pictures where you can see in the horizon the smoke of the fire caused by burning wheels in order to block roads. It's a 360 degree view.

Click here to view more horizons filled with smoke.

Update from Sawt Al Ghad Radio Station

Right now, I am litening to the radio "Sawt Al Ghad", that some assaults have occured in Keserwan while the General Forces did not interfere, and the victims have been taken to Notre Dame of Lebanon hospital. As for Batroun, Shekka and Tripoli, the highway from Batroun to Shekka is closed on both ends (only road), some inside roads in Tripoli have been closed too.

Sleiman Franjieh thinks it's a normal day, and that this step was not what they have wished for, but it needed to be done, and more escalation will occur. He also pointed that the Lebanese Army should provide protection, and only protection from the "naughty" Lebanese Forces political party.

Franjieh continued, that if the government doesn't comply, the protest today will continue to more days.

In Matn, Public Schools and Universities have closed their doors, after some students have shown up, in order to protect their students. Some faculties such as The Sciences and Literature, their student bodies have declared support to the opposition and close the doors.

Zalka is basically closed, roads from Jounieh is closed as protesters have blocked the main entrance to the capital which is Nahr El Kalb.

Near the Lebanese National Museum, apparently many opposition supporters have answered their leaders call and went down to protest in that area.

Between Zgharta and Tripoli, the roads have been blocked due to burning wheels.

In Jbeil, the General Forces have tried to bring down from the protestors enthousiam, however it is not affecting the protestors.

Wall, here we come!

Even if today was still under control for all Lebanese, one topic is on every person's mind and leading all groups discussions, which is: "What will the opposition do tomorrow?"

There are only two things the opposition can do:
1- Peaceful protest
2- Violent protest

In case it's peaceful, with the Lebanese army keeping everything smooth and open roads to all citizens who want to continue living a regular day by going to their jobs, schools and universities... But of course, will not really have a useful result.

And in case it's violent, the Lebanese army as well will try to keep things under control and keep the protesters under the law. However if the army fails to do so, and this only can happen if they are in opposition with civilians who are armed (and dangerous).

If by any unfortunate chance the opposition may get armed, harrass people, throw oil on the roads (which can cause accidents), burn wheels, vandalize properties etc... then things will get nasty and illegal.

The latter idea is perhaps an exaggeration. Perhaps the opposition are bluffing, and it's April Fools. However this is what is on our minds, this is the fear that has been inflicted on us, and may I say, the opposition has succeeded to make an impact. The opposition, especially Aoun will say: "We warned civilians to stay home, but they went out and got hurt."

Wait a second, didn't Israel do the same thing during the war? Warn people, kill people, then say "we warned them". And our reply was that their excuse is invalid?

In addition, why would anyone who is not the government (liked or not) tell us to stay home? We have the right to go to work, or go walking, or do anything (legal) and no one has the right to forbid us unless there is a curfew by the government.

I am sitting here in my house, in my bedroom, on my desk thinking: "Do we need any more reasons to threaten the weak peace we have? Do we need more intimidation from fellow citizens? Do we need more trouble-making?"

We have work tomorrow, just another regular working day. I will be going, if not by car, then walking.

Opposition`s first played card

I found this paper on the car front window tonight. Nothing surprising there, but I really wanted to point out the importance of one sentence mentioned in it. As lately I have been really intrigued with the "propaganda maquinista" and how it works. The rough translation of the expression is: "The Lebanese opposition calls the citizens to stay home and avoid transportation unless crucial" and of course this to be done on Tuesday January 23rd, 2007!

Let the games begin.

P.S. Doesn't this type of behaviour remind us of something Israel used to do during the wartime when they threw flyers from the sky to warn towns from being in a certain place?

Bi-Polarism, wrong!

If the reader remembers, more than a month ago, I had decided to go on strike against politics. Back then I wasn't talking about politics of life, politics of surviving or politics of the nation you live in, I was talking about the leakage of our politics, the fungus, the mold that our politics have become and resulted into. I needed to get a bit far, and look at things from above, from a different perspective, a non-subjective one, to try and understand what is happening, instead of being sucked into it and drown into a sea of ignorance and hatred.

Until recently, I had finally found where I stand in this chaos, I had chosen to stand outside of it; do my best of course, to help this country in my own simple way.

So yesterday, I watched a bit of news, for me news are somewhat like a tape that keeps getting repeated everyday. Suddently while listening to Samir Geagea, and after I thought he has become a bit wiser after being in jail for 11 years reading philosophy and meditating, he tripped. He told the Lebanese people - and by told I mean gave them 2 choices, cornered them and imposed on them one of two choices - to choose between an independent, free and sovereign Lebanon which are the demands of March 14 or a "Death to America" Lebanon. I was shocked (well not really, we Lebanese expect anyone to say anything) when I heard this.

Samir Geagea made a mistake! If there are two political sides in this country, this does not mean all the Lebanese people have to be divided. And I believe this has gone too far.

Remember the days, during 1st and 2nd grade, while us the children wanted to play a game that was composed into two teams, afterward two leaders (kids of course) would go to an oppposing side, raise their hand and point their palm down, then the rest of us would choose which side to join, by actually putting our index finger perpendicular to the leader's palm, and by this manner we would officialy belong to one team and then let the games begin.

The difference now is that we are not children, although I wish we still have the innocence and hope the child has, we now are mature and have been deceived and certainly betrayed, we now understand that we do not have to choose what the Slave Factory Owners and the Kings impose on us, this is not Dictatorship as last time I checked, this is a democratic country, and I choose neither!

New Template

Hope this new template is more comfortable to the reader, as we realized with time that a complete black background can be harmful to the eye. Therefore we redesigned this blog by doing a compromise (something our politicians should do), by adding black on the sides, and putting the peaceful white as background for the posts in the middle. More to come.

Till then,

L

I heart blogs

Nowadays as everyone is full of love, love for life, aimer la vie, even the opposition agreed to it, and some people made their own slogans from the "I Love" campaign, it crossed our minds that why can't Independence05.com share the love in its own way.

World Vision Assists 150,000, but Continued Instability Threatens Lebanon`s Healing Process

By Brian Jonson, Lebanon Communications Manager

Just hours after the conflict ignited between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon on July 12, World Vision staff and volunteers risked their lives to provide urgently needed relief supplies to displaced, terrified families and their children.

[...]

In spite of the mounting crisis, including frequent air strikes and the targeting of heavy equipment and work vehicles, local staff -- supported by our Global Rapid Response Team -- continued to expand relief operations to all areas of the country, delivering food, clean water, hygiene kits, cooking implements, fuel and medical supplies to assist some 150,000 war-devastated people -- many of them children.

[...]

A visit from Elvo the Clown helped hundreds of children smile again; Elvo also taught them how to protect themselves from the hidden dangers of landmines or unexploded ordnance in their neighborhoods.

To read full article, please click here.

More on World Vision, an International organization to help build a better world for children all around the world.

Love love love, all you need is love

I got this drawing from Mazen Kerbaj's blog, I found it to be really "Khalsouna ba2a", moreover very nicely drawn.

Lebanon Aggregator Update

I've been meaning to update and add more features, links and information to the aggregator, and finally I have done so. Please check out the Lebanon Aggregator, if you have any constructive suggestion I would be more than happy to know about. Thanks for reading.

Pressure mounts on Olmert to resign

After Israeli Lieutenant General Dan Halutz Halutz's resignation, public and political pressure continues to mount on PM Ehud Olmert.

When asked whether Olmert, his ratings approaching single digits and facing a criminal corruption probe, would follow Lieutenant General Dan Halutz's example and quit, a senior aide told AFP Thursday: "No, he has no such intention." Source: AFP

Reaction in Lebanon was a sky lit up with fireworks, as Hezbollah celebrated the resignation of Halutz "after allegations of mismanaging the summer war between Israel and the Shiite group" (Source: Naharnet).

A little bit too late taking responsibility of the allegations of the failure in war between Israel and Hezbollah last July, however in the right timing to lift Hezbollah's moral.

This act looked at in a certain ways, and written with selective words would implicate that Hezbollah had succeeded in the last war.

However, if the failure that Halutz took responsibility for was not being able to stop Hezbollah Rockets from landing in Israel, than Hezbollah has failed too, as they did not stop rockets, soldiers, merkavas, aeral and naval equipments from entering and landing in Lebanon.

Iran warns it's ready for nuke standoff - Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight

The title for this post is actually a combination from two articles. As it says, first article is Iran warns it's ready for nuke standoff and the second article is Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight.

These two articles are not here by coincidence, they are in fact related. Keep reading to know why.

From Article 1:

TEHRAN, Iran - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday that Iran was prepared for any possibility in the standoff with the West over its controversial nuclear activities

"Today, with the grace of God, we have gone through the arduous passes and we are ready for anything in this path," state-run television quoted Ahmadinejad as saying Thursday.

Click here to read full article.

Source: AP

From Article 2:

LONDON - The world is nudging closer to nuclear or environmental apocalypse, a group of prominent scientists warned Wednesday as it pushed the hand of its symbolic Doomsday Clock closer to midnight.

The clock, which was set two minutes forward to 11:55, represents the likelihood of a global cataclysm. Its ticks have given the clock's keepers a chance to speak out on the dangers they see threatening Earth.

It was the fourth time since the Soviet collapse in 1991 that the clock ticked forward amid fears over what the scientists describe as "a second nuclear age" prompted largely by standoffs with Iran and North Korea. But urgent warnings of climate change also played a role.

Click here to read full article.

The Art of War: Armed Conflict

This is an extract of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" which I found to be a bit reflective of the current situation in Lebanon and how things should be handled.

Sun Tzu said:

Everyone uses the arts of war.
You accept orders from the government.
Then you assemble your army.
You organize your men and build camps.
You must avoid disasters from armed conflict.

Seeking armed conflict can be disastrous.
Because of this, a detour can be the shortest path.
Because of this, problems can become opportunities.

Use an indirect route as your highway.
Use the search for advantage to guide you.
When you fall behind, you must catch up.
When you get ahead, you must wait.
You must know the detour that most directly accomplishes your plan.

Undertake armed conflict when you have an advantage.
Seeking armed conflict for its own sake is dangerous.

Opposition protesting for truth, action or reaction?

Article about the opposition's protest near the Justice Palace on Saturday January 13, 2007 in Arabic on Albaladonline.com

2 days late to talk about this event, nevertheless still valid. The opposition's act can be explained in two manners.

As they haven't heard the end of it concerning the fact that only March 14 are asking for the truth of who did all those assassinations for the past 2 years and that March 8 (July 12?) aren't asking for this truth which means they either don't care or they did it.

Therefore they have decided to act. They could've not protested for the truth on Saturday and kept hearing criticism, or they could've protested (as they did), and heard other kind of criticism.

The first idea that comes to mind is, why this late?
The second idea, better late than never.

I personally am torn between the two ideas, is that a cheap shot? or is it really genuine?

Their act can also be understood in another way. As their sit-in for the past month and more has not resulted in anything yet, and even their "escalations" haven't led anywhere, and even with their promise to escalate even more, it can only be ruled out as another failed attempt.

So why did they protest last saturday?
- Is it because they want to say that they also want the best for Lebanon (this way they can win the "torn" audiance that haven't decided who to rule for by showing them that they are moderate)
- Or by playing their cards right (this way they won't be accused and pointed at as a team that haven't done their job right)

This is definitely not a genuine action, it's a reaction.

A final thought, which will be elaborated more about soon, is the fact how the government is winning by ignoring the opposition, and the opposition are trying their best to draw attention and look just & caring. I am not sure I agree with how the government is handling the situation, afterall it is bashing out a big portion of the Lebanese and not listening to them, which will back-fire at them in the future.

The opposition resigned from the government in November 2006 thinking it will disable the government, but the government kept going, moreover seizing the opportunity to file for the International tribunal in Hariri's assassination and now Paris III conference.

Things have gotten personal between the two parties, fair demands are being proposed, however as soon as 1 party (i.e. opposition) joins this demand, it gets ruled out by the other party (i.e. the government).

So finally who is the loser? Our fellow Lebanese labor is the only loser!

Several boys die copying Saddam hanging

By ANNA JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer

CAIRO, Egypt - The boys' deaths — scattered in the United States, in Yemen, in Turkey and elsewhere in seemingly isolated horror — had one thing in common: They hanged themselves after watching televised images of Saddam Hussein's execution.

[...]

The experts say such graphic images can severely affect youngsters who do not yet understand the consequences of death and violence — especially because Saddam's death received intense international attention.

[...]

A day after Saddam's execution, a 10-year-old boy in Texas hanged himself from a bunk bed after watching a news report on the execution. Police in the Houston suburb of Webster said the boy, Sergio Pelico, tied a slipknot around his neck while on the bed but had not mean to kill himself.

"I don't think he thought it was real," Julio Gustavo, Sergio's uncle, said afterward. "They showed them putting the noose around his neck and everything. Why show that on TV?"

[...]

Click here to read full article.

I am too outraged to comment on this ... I had already warned in this post. This is just too sad.

Internet filtering still exists!

I have only recently learned that there is Internet filtering in China, I have had heard about Internet filtering in some Arab countries (i.e. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia) or Islamic countries (i.e. Iran) though, but still not in depth. A little bit too late till I looked it up, and surprisingly, the filtering remains till today.

It is a serious issue though to see that some people in some countries are being deprived from truth about things. That is propaganda in itself. Every person has the right to know about anything he desires. I understand in some cases, hiding a very dangerous truth from the public in order not to cause panic and chaos, but preventing the people from know about anything, anywhere at any time is just immoral and unethical.

Having said that, technically speaking, after of course making a special "Google" for China, and not with the purpose or concept of the Google for Holland or France or any country, but in the purpose of "hiding" facts and only showing China (communism) appropriate events and history, it is still quite remarkable to see such technologies. Nevertheless, sadly used.

Fortunately, despite the large amount of problems and political craziness Lebanon endures, and even though sometimes certain books were banned from entering Lebanon, such as "The Satanic Verses" and "The Da Vinci Code" (which actually intices people into buying them more, and eventually they were snuck in to the country), we have access to anything we want on the Internet, and I believe this is a bliss.

China facing major gender imbalance

BEIJING - China will have 30 million more men of marriageable age than women in less than 15 years as a gender imbalance resulting in part from the country's tough one-child policy becomes more pronounced, state media reported Friday. Traditional preferences for sons has led to the widespread - but illegal - practice of women aborting babies if an early term sonogram shows it is a girl.

Click here to read full article.

They lack girls because of their preferences for sons hence the abortion when finding out mothers are carrying girls in their womb! We lack guys, because many are immigrating to find a better life abroad, with better job opportunities. We as in Lebanon. However, I think this problem is being fixed, as the female gender in Lebanon is now also immigrating for a better life abroad and better job opportunities. Soon enough only elderly and children will live in Lebanon.

Blast at U.S. embassy called terrorism

By NICHOLAS PAPHITIS, Associated Press Writer

ATHENS, Greece - The U.S. Embassy in Athens came under fire early Friday from a rocket that exploded inside the modern glass-front building but caused no casualties in an attack police suspect was the work of Greek leftists.

[...]

Greece's Public Order Minister said police were examining the authenticity of anonymous phone calls to a private security company claiming responsibility on behalf of Revolutionary Struggle, a militant left-wing group.

[...]

Polydoras said Greece "strongly condemns" the attack.

"We believe it is a symbolic act," he said. "It is an attempt to disrupt our country's international relations."

Click here to read full article.

Camouflage! The little pawns have started being moved. Interesting location.

How do you know you are Lebanese? Part I

Do you have the flu? Because if you don't then you are not Lebanese!

Zou3ama fallo min libnan are my thoughts

I find myself listening to this song over and over again, not because the music is very catchy (which it is), but because of the lyrics, how we simple they are yet how expressive. I dream that our "zou3ama" leave us alone, and our world will become a heaven in deed!

If you share my feelings and you're at work frustrated, then click here to listen to it, courtesy of Rampurple.

Not being able to post a comment

I have been informed lately by several bloggers of not being able to post comments, and perhaps this started since I have moved Independence05 from the old blogger to the new one. All bloggers who have moved will not face any problem commenting, but I suspect old bloggers will face problems, so I re-added Anonymous access.

Hope this helps.

Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform

To read more about the document that will be presented in the "International Conference for Support to Lebanon" which will be held in Paris III on January 25, 2006, you can click here for the English version of the document, or here for the Arabic version of the document.

For more info concerning the Ministry of Finance, you can visit their website.

Lebanese Government links

It would be a nice thing to have links to all the government's websites concerning general information, ministries and governmental institutions.

For all sorts of information concerning official paper work, passport, identity card, etc... the website to check is The Lebanese Government Portal for Information & Forms: www.informs.gov.lb

• The General Directorate of General Security: www.general-security.gov.lb


• Internal Security Forces of Lebanon: www.isf.gov.lb


• Lebanese Army Official Website: www.lebarmy.gov.lb


• Civil Service Board - Government of Lebanon: www.csb.gov.lb


• Central Administration for Statisticswww.cas.gov.lb


• Official site of the President of the Lebanese Republic: www.presidency.gov.lb


• Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR): www.omsar.gov.lb


• Lebanon Under Siege: www.lebanonundersiege.gov.lb


• Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport: www.beirutairport.gov.lb


• Lebanese Ministry of Tourism: www.destinationlebanon.com


• CDR Council of Development and Reconstruction: www.cdr.gov.lb


• Central Bank of Lebanon: www.bdl.gov.lb


• Lebanese Parliament: www.lp.gov.lb

Ministries:

• Ministry of Agriculture: www.agriculture.gov.lb


• Ministry of Higher Education: www.higher-edu.gov.lb


• Ministry of Finance: www.finance.gov.lb


• Ministry of Economy & Trade: www.economy.gov.lb


• Ministry of Industry: www.industry.gov.lb


• Ministry Of Telecommunications: www.mpt.gov.lb


• Ministry of Justice: www.justice.gov.lb


• Ministry of Information National News Agency: www.nna-leb.gov.lb


• Ministry of Public Works and Transport: www.public-works.gov.lb


• Ministry of Environment: www.moe.gov.lb


• Ministry of Public Health: www.public-health.gov.lb


• Ministry of Social Affairs: www.socialaffairs.gov.lb

For more, please click here.

Democrats to Bush: Time to end Iraq war

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Congress's new Democratic leaders warned President George W. Bush that surging more troops into Iraq would fail and it was time to end the war, days before his expected unveiling of a new US strategy.

[...]

Pelosi and Reid called on Bush to start a phased redeployment of US forces within four to six months.

"After nearly four years of combat, tens of thousands of US casualties and over 300 billion dollars, it is time to bring the war to a close," the two leaders wrote.

Click here to read full article.

Apparently, and preventing to call this war a failure, it still had become a failure. It seemed from the first moment that it's a war only promising more deaths and battles, yet which war doesn't? But to keep investing in this war as Bush continues doing is a hopeless decision, moreover the Bush administration has squeezed themselves in one crazy situation, if they leave, a sectarian war will prevail and if they stay, well the same thing will and is happening.

Eventually, another solution should be found for Iraq, probably UN Peacekeepers with authorities will be sent to Iraq to maintain "Peace", the US troops to redeploy, with time end their presence in Iraq and to finally end their extravagant spending which they can probably use in a more useful way.

Germans get incentives for having babies

I couldn't believe my ears when I heard that the German government was giving incentives (financial ones) to German couples in order to have more babies as by a certain study, the population will severly decrease by 2050, thus creating a problem with the work force. Do they think for the far future or what?

Concerning Lebanon's population, even though we're barely 3.5 millions (not counting the Lebanese living abroad who are triple that), the number is fair in proportion with Lebanon's economics and demographics, therefore the population shouldn't be increasing, at least not quickly.
As Lebanon already has more applicants than job opportunities, more people are travelling to the Gulf countries, Africa, Europe and the US, almost everywhere. No accurate information are present at the moment for the reason that this issue relies on more than one factor which I will hopefully write another post about in the near future.

Anyway, the first thing that came to my mind when I heard the news was to go to Germany, become a German (if that's possible), get married and have babies there.

It also made me think about how several European countries have these amazing approaches into solving problems.

France offers additional help to some families who need in-home care. The Swedes give either moms or dads 80 percent of their salary for a total of 480 days in a parental leave.

Britain introduced a so-called "baby bonds" scheme in 2004, giving a $490 voucher to every newborn to start a trust fund, while a new Russian law entitles families to a bonus of $9,600 following the birth of a second child and any subsequent children.

Click here to read full article

Saddam execution video leads to arrests

By STEVEN R. HURST, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi authorities reported the arrests Wednesday of two guards and an official who supervised Saddam Hussein's hanging and said the guard force was infiltrated by outsiders who taunted the former leader and shot the video showing his body dangling at the end of a rope.

The unauthorized video, which ignited protests by Saddam's fellow Sunni Arabs in various Iraqi cities, threatens to turn the ousted dictator into a martyr. Saddam was shown never bowing his head as he faced death, and asking the hecklers if they were acting in a manly way.

[...]

Click here to read full article.

Apparently the Iraqi authoraties delt with this in a good way, they could at least save face by showing some objectivity and justice in the manner. As much as the man was a heart-colded criminal, he is still a human being and has rights. The room should not have been infiltrated by people who had no business being there during the execution.

Saddam execution video draws criticism

By ANITA CHANG, Associated Press Writer

Grainy cell phone video of Saddam Hussein's execution triggered international criticism Tuesday, with Britain's deputy prime minister calling the leaked images "unacceptable" and the Vatican decrying the footage as a "spectacle" violating human rights.

[...]

The unofficial video showed a scene that stopped just short of pandemonium, during which one person is heard shouting "To hell!" at the deposed president and Saddam is heard exchanging insults with his executioners. The inflammatory footage also showed Saddam plummeting through the gallows trapdoor and dangling in death.

The grainy video appeared on the Internet and Al-Jazeera television late Saturday. On Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered an investigation into the execution to try to uncover who taunted the former dictator, and who leaked the cell phone footage.

Click here to read full article.

I was surprised to see LBC also showing the whole movie (AL Jazeera already did so) of Saddam's execution that was captured on a cellphone. I had previously seen it on the internet (willingly), but still it was kind of shocking to show a man dying on TV, I remember the persons beside me were startled, and not ready to see such thing. I think there is no more respect to anything in the media anymore, even if he is a bad person and an enemy, they still lose respect when they (and we) don't mind seeing and showing such footage on TV. What if a child was watching it? It was only 8:30pm! I don't recall them even giving a warning.

This is no longer good journalism, this is plain greed for money.

Michel Hayek Expectations

Common mistake is we say predictions while they are expectations. I have noticed that a lot of visitors land on this blog by querying "Michel Hayek", and as I do not want to disappoint anyone, I am writing this post.

For those who live in Lebanon, they will be repeating tonight at 8:30 pm on LBC the episode of which Tony Khalife interviewed Michel Hayek where he stated 50 expectations mostly about Lebanon and the world.

I can summarize it and say that he said everyone will either die or get assassinated or someone will attempt to assasinate them! So please, don't believe everything he said.

Anyway, I will try to write them down and post them here later tonight.

Everyone who is eager to know more about Michel Hayek, they can visit www.michelhayek.com after 3 weeks as it will be launched then, according to Michel Hayek.

Edited: I have found a blog that lists Michel Hayek's 2007 expectations in Arabic and a summary in English.

Last day of 2006 and first day of 2007

Every year on 31st of December, what do we do? We either go see a musical concert, or go to a restaurant that has a "one-man show", or rent a chalet in the mountains surrounded by snow, play our own beat to dance on and eat, or just go to a friend's place and also eat, watch local TV programs, call but never get on line to actually win anything. As a matter of fact, I stayed up till 4 am on my own waiting for the draw, but, alas, did not win.

In Lebanon that same night starting at 11:55 pm for a whole 15 minutes, people start shooting guns, fireworks, red dots flying in the skies, even plates flying in the air and breaking up on the asphalt. I know I almost broke a car window!

Although Michel Hayek's predictions and Maguy Farah astrology's measures do not promise 2007 to be a good year, I believe it is up to us everyday to make a choice to make things better for us and those around us.

Wish you a good health, for you and those you love, success in your studies/career/business, and happiness!

May 2007 be the year Lebanon has a real peace, far more reasonable politicians, and faith instead of religion.

Cheers to you!

Liliane