What are we still doing in Lebanon?

Last Monday (25 June 2007), a car bomb killed 6 Unifil troops. For details please click here and here.
Almost a month after the clashes happened between Fatah Al Islam militants and the Lebanese army, they finally came to an end. All in all 300 militants were killed or wounded.
PM Sanioura accused Syria of sending arms to the Palestinian camps through the Syrian/Lebanese borders.
Huge worries about Lebanon due to the repetitive breach of the 1701 resolution especially with the arming continuing through the borders thus the borders being unsafe, creating more dangerous militants inside Lebanon.

All in all, what are we still doing in Lebanon?

What happened to festivities and fun?

This time previous years, there would be several festivals, concerts and exhibitions planned throughout the summer. Starting with the traditional Circuit Planete theaters "Festival de ciné", lasting for usually 10 days, with cheap fees and a big variety of movies to watch, tremendous amount of movie lovers, barely finding a seat, running into half the people you know, it is really a classic event of the year.
The richest and loudest would be "Festival de la musique" which usually takes place in Downtown Beirut, Gemmayze street and Monot street, on the 21st of June. It usually contains several bands spread all over the streets playing all kinds of music, or performances of the traditional Lebanese Dabke, Jazz bands, percussion music, blues, arabic, metal... In case you get tired standing, you can just sit in any of the trottoir's restaurants and cafe, have a drink, a bite and if you want an arguileh.
Later in the summer, there would be Baalbeck Festival, also throughout almost a month, and always having the Diva Fairuz singing, international singers and performers, plays for giants like Caracalla and others. Two other famous festivals are Beiteddine and Byblos. All three are actually in touristic regions.
Moreover, many smaller events take place all over the Lebanese villages, each exhibiting their own traditional and annual event.

This year? There is none.

Why was Walid Ido assassinated?

Many Lebanese citizens said that being in a state of war is actually easier to deal with than what is happening right now in Lebanon. In a war, a citizen will know which areas to avoid, but explosions at random periods, random times and random areas are unpredictable, so how can the Lebanese resident avoid them? They seem to be more dangerous, inflicting fear and a sense of worry at all times.

It might appear that Lebanese people are becoming paranoid; however there was another proof this afternoon. An explosion in Al-Manara situated in West Beirut, exploded a little after 6 pm targeting the Parliament Member Walid Ido and killing him along with his eldest son, two of his bodyguards and 7 civilians. The bomb was planted in a Mercedes car which exploded when the late martyr's car was passing by.

This is the 6th explosion and first assassination this year. They say 7 is a lucky number, however not for the unfortunate late Walid Ido. 7 assassinations starting with late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri on 14 February 2005, with the 7th being Walid Ido. Two years later, and more assassinations are still happening.

Walid Ido, like Pierre Gemayel, Gibran Tueni, Samir Kassir, George Hawi, Bassel Fleihan and Rafic Hariri, has been killed in order to be silenced. The side that killed all those martyrs does not want a Lebanon of peace and independence. They want a Lebanon that only imports and exports wars and explosions, a Lebanon stranger to tourism, a poor Lebanon with a low economy. The late parliament member Walid Ido, member of the Future Movement of which Rafic Hariri was president, was also a member of March 14, a group that was formed based on the demonstration that had over a million Lebanese commemorating back then the one month memorial of Rafic Hariri (14 March 2005) and asking for a Lebanon free of Syrian presence, and an independent Lebanon.

The assassination of Walid Ido, came two weeks after the International Tribunal to investigate the assassination of Rafic Hariri has been voted for, resulting in the draft resolution 1757.

Whatever the person's belongings are, it is a sad day on everyone. It is outrageous to see another political figure get assassinated and innocent people die. Security is practically non-existent, nevertheless the army are trying their best, toggling several things at once, securing the roads, running checkpoints for potential "exploders", fighting Fatah Al Islam in Nahr el Bared, guarding the borders and the protesters who have been camping in Downtown Beirut since December 1st, 2006.

The recorded speech we hear every time an assassination happens, saying that Lebanese should unite in order to fight the terrorizing hand and stop it from ruining, killing and dividing. It continues by expressing their sadness for the big loss, praising the martyr and calling for unity and dialog.

Yet everytime hate steps over sadness, selfishness wipes principles, power overrules patriotism.

Explosion in Al-Manara. Assassination of Walid Ido

A little after 6 pm, another bomb exploded in Al-Manara in Beirut, killing the Parliament Member Walid Ido member of the Future Movement, his eldest son, two of his bodyguards and civilians.

No information about the bomb weight and details yet. The explosion did not happen on a main road, but in a private alley.

Stay tuned.

Update: The number of casulaties increased to 10.

Update: The bomb was said to be planted in a car of type Mercedes parked on the side of the street between the Nejme playground and the Theme park, and it exploded when the car of late Walid Ido was passing by.

Statement: Condolences to the families of today's martyrs. It is utterly outrageous the way they have died, hope their souls rest in Peace. Whatever the Lebanese citizen's siding is, it is a sad day for everyone. Witnessing an assassination of a political figure only shows how disturbed and troubled our country is.

School year is already over

In Lebanon, educational institutes have welcomed the summer before it's even summer. At the beginning of the school year, political figures asked educational institutes to hasten with the school program in order to finish early. Consequently, this demand has been made official by the Ministry of High Education.

Last weekend, I was asking my brother's wife: "When will your son's school year end?". And to my surprise she replied that it already did.

Usually school years in Lebanon begin late September (or early October, depending on the grade) and end mid to late June. On the other hand, this year, school and universities have closed their doors early June.

The reason behind all this rush is the fear of another war erupting this summer similar to last year's July war in 2006 that happened between Hezbollah and Israel. Moreover, a war is not necessarily what Lebanese officials are worried about, but matters such as Nahr Al Bared's which was not something to account for. They keep saying Lebanon is on the brink of another Civil War. Well in case one does happen, thank god schools have closed so early in summer so it can provide such a long bloody and disastrious summer for everybody to enjoy in their homes while watching it on TV.

Red Cross Martyrs

[L'Orient-Le Jour] L’indignation était à son comble hier, aussi bien à l’ONU qu’au Liban, après la mort à Nahr el-Bared de Boulos Maamari, 25 ans (à gauche sur la photo), et Haytham Sleimane, 26 ans, les deux secouristes martyrs de la Croix-Rouge libanaise. Tous deux étaient membres du secteur de Halba et tous deux auront vécu jusqu’au bout le slogan de la CRL : « Au-delà du devoir ».

Once again humanitarians die for the sake of saving others. They did their duty and more. May Boulos and Haytham's souls rest in peace. We offer our condolences to their families and friends.

Who is Lebanon`s enemy?

Battles and fights are getting more and more severe in Naher Al Bared. The Lebanese troops are increasingly controlling more and more locations in the camp. Shootings and gun-fire are heard constantly.

Since May 20, 5 explosions have occurred so far. The first was in Ashrafieh (East Beirut) on May 20, the next day was the second in Verdun (West Beirut) on May 21, the third on May 23 in Alay (mostly inhabited by Druze). After a break for 10 days, a forth explosion happened in Sid El Boushrieh, location in the eastern suburbs of Beirut last Monday on June 4, and the most recent was yesterday June 7 in Zouk Mosbeh, located to the south of Jounieh.

In consequence, we can generalize that 3 out of 5 explosion happened in Christian cities, 1 Druze and 1 Muslim. In addition, 3 of these places (Verdun, Ashrafieh and Alay) in addition to being residential areas, they are also commercial having malls and centers, and receive many tourists, especially Alay which gets busy in summer visited by a lot of Arabs, and so does Ashrafieh having malls and restaurants and also is a 3 minutes drive to Gemmayze and Monot, a large clubbing and pubbing scene. Lebanese alone fill those areas like if there was a demonstration going on, during winter as much as summer, and Saturday is not different from Monday.

Therefore and it is obvious that whoever is putting those explosions is not trying to kill people, nevertheless his attempt is to kill the touristic season. And as tourism is the field with the most yearly income for Lebanon, thus killing the economy. Funny sad is the fact that we say "Thank God for putting explosions at certain times when not many people are present on the streets".



Perhaps a pattern might appear here, maybe there isn't a definite one, however one thing is for sure, the tourism is Lebanon has been put asleep once again. People do not go anywhere unless it's necessary. Going clubbing and shopping have become luxury.

Most Lebanese people try to avoid going out at night and focus more on day outings to the beach or lunches or such during the weekend. In general, the movement at night has decreased drastically, traffic is unnoticeable, and no need to make reservations in restaurants and pubs.

Last summer the July war was a killer for Lebanon on so many levels. For many Lebanese, and this might seem selfish for people who lost a lot during the war last summer with Israel, having their summer ruined is devastating. However, we live and work all year to enjoy our summer in Lebanon because they are truly on the high scale of amazing fun and awesome things to do and ways to spend your days and night. Many immigrant Lebanese living abroad come back during the summer, a lot of weddings, beach, barbecues, parties, nature adventures, concerts, festivals, anything fun that comes to mind is present in Lebanon.

Aside for our economical problems, brain drain, lack of job opportunities, political agony, people looked forward for our Lebanon summers. Yet with last year's saddening war, and this year's severe political division, Naher El Bared battles, army martyrs, explosion and more, Lebanese don't know what to do or think about. We are lost people.


I for one know many who are not sure whether they should buy a house in Lebanon, if they should work on building a future in Lebanon for them and their families. What kind of life are we going to give to our children? Many are considering leaving after being loyal for Lebanon for so long. Patriotism is being doubted. What patriotism? What are we fighting for? Who are we fighting with? Who is our enemy? We don't know.

If we Lebanese are torn between each other, then what reason would any Lebanese have if he's going to have his Lebanon but disappoint his Lebanese brother and sister.

An important question asks itself: "Who is Lebanon's enemy?" To win, you have to know who your enemy is. And in Lebanon, we don't know who the real enemy is.

Explosion in Zouk Mosbeh

Explosion in the industrial city of Zouk Mosbeh around 9:50pm on Thursday night. Zouk Mosbeh is in Mount Lebanon, a little to the east suburbs of Beirut. There are no injuries or casualties.

This explosion is the 5th in 3 weeks.

Update: 1 dead and 3 injured.
A big fire has been caused, later extinguished..

ODYLIC at Galerie Surface libre d`art

Away from the politics and the bad things that have been going on in Lebanon, galerie surface libre d'art in Jal El Dib (before Jardin de Chine restaurant to the right) is hosting an exhibition for the Lebanese professional painter Sally Khoury (check her website) The exhibition is from June 6 to June 23, 2007, Monday to Saturday from 10h to 19h.

The exhibition is wonderful, Sally's work is unique and beautiful. For all you paintings lovers and appreciators out there, it's the right place to be.

I was there tonight, and seeing it live is even more exquisite. These are some low-res pictures I took with my phone.

Explosion in Sid Al Bouchrieh

A little bit before 8:30 pm tonight, Monday 4th of June, an explosion blasted in Sid El Bouchrieh, East Beirut, wounding 14 persons, but said to be light injuries.
The region is full of residents, and the exact location of the blast was in front of a commercial center. The bomb was said to be near a public bus.
An unconfirmed story about a lonely passenger, who did not pay his fare, left the bus and was followed by the bus driver, until he was caught at a near by checkpoint. This passenger is a suspect and has been caught.

Counter Strike in Nahr Al Bared

The North Lebanon battles in the Nahr Al Bared surroundings between our army and the Islamic Militant of Fatah Al Islam continue. It is really shocking and breath-taking, at least for me, to see our Lebanese army fighting. This is not a sight we are accustomed to. The Lebanese army has been on hold since decades, due to occupations, belief that they are still not strong enough to defend the country, division... When we say the Lebanese army we mean by it Lebanon's army, not political, not biased and not sided to anyone but all Lebanon.
The Lebanese army today are a source of pride and strength for many Lebanese of whom the majority are showing support by several means, on msn, facebook, display pictures, stickers on cars and more.

The Lebanese army have received reinforcements from the US a week ago, and the battles are getting more and more severe. The Islamic militants are not willing to surrender (yet).

What was more weird, is the live coverage of these battles and the description of them. When I am listening on the radio and hearing the reporter describe how the army took over a building and responded with gun-fire to locations from which militants have been shooting, blocking roads and entrances, taking over the train rail, etc... I couldn't help but think it was a game, like Counter Strike if you are familiar with it. Counter strike is a game to be played on the pc, it has two teams, the terrorists and the counter terrorists, and has maps of an italian neighborhood, in a plane, near a deserted research lab, even a map of Beirut. In this game, the terrorists are actually holding hostages, for the counter terrorists to win, they have to either rescue the hostages or kill the terrorists. Sounds too familiar in Nahr Al Bared's situation doesn't it? All of this seems so unreal.

I might sound crazy and too optimistic, however, I need to get this off my chest, I have a good feeling about the situation. Let us wait and see.