After Nasrallah`s speech, where does this leave us?

On 14 February 2008, it was not only another commemoration of Rafic Hariri's assassination 3 years ago, when tens of thousands of people gather in Central Beirut District, Martyr's square to pay tribute and respect to this man, and of course to show once again that they are against the Syrian regime, and most importantly show a big number to the opposition.


On the other hand, that day also was dedicated to the burial and funeral of Imad Moughnieh, an important member of the Hezbollah organization. "Mugniyah has been implicated in the 1983 bombings of the U.S. Embassy, and U.S. Marine and French peacekeeping barracks, which killed over 350, as well as the 1992 bombings of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires" [1]. He was assassinated only 2 days before (12 February 2008) in Damascus, in a car-bomb explosion.

Sheik Hassan Nasrallah offered his condolences, but also Hezbollah's preparation for retaliation and revenge for losing Moughnieh, sending a clear and assertive message to Israel, that this time there will not be just one Moughnieh, but hundreds. By "this time" he meant, the next war. He told Israel that if they wanted another war, then let it be.
He also criticized 14 March's speeches in Hariri's commemoration that same day, angrily declaring that they should stop with the low and disrespectful way of talking.

One of the many similar responses that came yesterday to Nasrallah's speech was Samir Geagea's, in which he acclaimed that Nasrallah does not have the right to include all of Lebanon in his war on Israel, such an action can only be decided by the government itself.

Moughnieh is regarded as a master terrorist in the whole world. The US and Israel welcomed his assassination, also leaving Israel on high-alert. Iran and Syria condemned it. Lebanon, on the other hand is divided in two opinions:
1 - The first cannot really say that they welcome it (because that would be a very very bad move), nevertheless imply that they do not agree at all with Hezbollah's actions (dragging them into an unwanted war)
2 - And the second clan are deeply saddened for Moughnieh's loss, considering him as a hero, moreover angered and ready for war and revenge.

Where does this leave Lebanon? Presidentless, open for war, and open for more assassinations and explosions, drowning in debt, high prices in almost everything. This is where Lebanon is.

IN HELL.

Earthquake of 5 degrees hit South and East Lebanon

مدير مركز "بحنس": قوة الهزة بلغت 5 درجات/ريختر وارتداداتها طالت دمشق
أعلن مدير مركز "بحنس" للأبحاث العلمية ورصد الزلازل اسكندر سرسق ان الهزة الأرضية التي ضربت جنوب لبنان وشرقه عند الساعة 12:37 من بعد ظهر اليوم هي الأقوى في سلسلة الهزات التي شهدها لبنان في الأٍسبوع الجاري. وبلغت قوتها 5 درجات على مقياس ريختر. وأبلغ اسكندر اذاعة "صوت لبنان" ان ارتدادات الهزة طالت العاصمة السورية دمشق.
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"الجديد": الهزة خلفت أضرارا وجرحى في الجنوب وشعر بها سكان بيروت وزحلة
ذكر تلفزيون "الجديد" ان الهزة الأرضية التي ضربت المناطق اللبنانية أحدثت أضرارا في بلدتي ميس الجبل وصريفا الجنوبيتين، وأوقعت جرحى في منطقة "البص" في صور. وشعر سكان بيروت وزحلة بها.

An earthquake of 5 degrees (Richter) hit south and east Lebanon at 12:37pm today. The after-shocks reached the Syrian capital Damascus. The earthquake resulted in a few wounded people in Tyr.

14 February 2008

On this day marked as a holiday (although I personally think it shouldn't, we have much more than 1 assassinated person, should we declare all these days as holidays?), where all schools and universities, official institutions and some private sector companies are closed, people have started to gather coming from North Lebanon, Akkar, Shikka, Anfeh, Kobayet and others, hundreds of cars and dozens of buses, with Hariri and other Lebanese martyrs pictures, Lebanese Forces and Phalanges flags. This gathering is intended to go participate in the 3rd commemoration of Rafic Hariri's assassination in 14 February 2005.

More groups from Zgharta are holding Rene Mouawad pictures as well while coming to Beirut District to the participation.

Expatriates have come from abroad to participate in today's gathering (14 March), and some of them have one message, they are asking for a president for Lebanon.

At the same time, today at 2pm and in the southern suburb of Beirut, a public march will be held for the burial of Imad Moughanieh who was assassinated in an explosion near the Iranian school in Damascus Syria on Tuesday, February 12, 2008. Imad Moughanieh is a senior member in Hezbollah accused of being in charge of the 1983-94 bombings of the American Embassy only at 19 years old and the 1992 bombings of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aeris killing hundreds of people. He is on top of the wanted list in Israel, considered as a fugitive and terrorist. The US administration welcomed this assassination, saying the world is safer with one less dangerous man.
Saad Hariri, Rafic Hariri's son, said only the grief united 8 and 14 March on this sad day.

Sad day or Valentine's day? No body knows in Lebanon anymore.

Worries of clashes between the two clans, even though at separate locations, however people will be coming from all over Lebanon to both gatherings.

Stay tuned for more news and updates on today's commemoration of Hariri and Burial of Moughanieh.



Update 9:57am:
- Many convoys are stuck in the high mountains because of the snow.
- A Lebanese Forces convoy starting from Jbeil to Batroun is preparing to arrive to Martyr's square

Update 11:30am:
- A huge traffic on the roads that lead to the central Beirut district, especially those coming from North. It has been advised to park in Dora and continue walking.
- A flame has been lit in the memory of Rafic Hariri in Saint George, the area where he was assassinated 3 years ago. Bahia Hariri, the ex-prime minister's sister has been present on the uncovering of the memorial statue of Rafic al Hariri.
- Till now many speakers have addressed the large presence in the Martyr's square, paying tribute to all the assassinated in the last 3 years, be it the Politicians, Government members, Forces and Army, Journalists: Rafic Hariri, Bassel Fleihan, Samir Assir, George Hawi, Gibran Tueni, Pierre Gemayel, Antoine Ghanem, Walid Eido, Francois el Haj, and the latest Wissam Eid.

When you hear ambulance sirens, move away PLEASE

This is a humane call to everyone out-there, whether you have a car or you're just a passenger.

Make sure you move your car to the right when you hear ambulance and fire trucks sirens.

Yesterday there was this massive traffic due to a big accident between a bus that had flipped on its side and an SUV car, on the road to Beit el Shaar, Elissar. And what did people do? They did a 5th line (on the way up) leading to two things:
- Blocking the road for the ambulance vehicles and the fire truck to arrive to the accident area and save the wounded people
- Blocking the road for the ambulance vehicles to leave with the severly wounded people back to the hospital

And what for? Only for selfish people not to get stuck in the traffic.

People, I urge you to think that it could've been someone you know, be human and think about others, and move away to the right side of the road, and most importantly do not block either side! PLEASE tell others about this, raise awareness, do not sit idle and let people die because of a matter of seconds and minutes!

Real Estate, Rise up! Disaster on its way

In addition to the events that have been happening in Lebanon recently, the shootings, the riots, the electricity issue, the no president, etc... Average Lebanese couple also worry about their future. That is one problem (the future in Lebanon has the form of a problem) that many have faced, are now facing and will continue to face whereas the country's situation is not getting better.

One of the major set backs and obstacles couples, who are on the doors of marriage, confront is buying a house. Real estate has gone madly expensive in Lebanon that people are rushing faster and faster into finding a house and buying it before it gets even more expensive.

"Worldwide energy prices are being driven up as China's industrialization hits full speed." The steel demands of China, in the past two years, have grown very fast, making China become the net importer of steel, causing the raw materials to become rare thus expensive. Consequently, and on a local basis, new buildings are becoming more pricy. But this is not the whole story, even buildings that are more than 2 years old, which have not cost as much as building would do now, have also gone up in prices.

Therefore, a normal 3 bedroom apartment, ranging between 140 sqm and 170 sqm, in Beirut Suburbs for example, is now being sold for more than 100k*, while it was 75k* a couple of years ago.
In north metn (North Beirut suburbs and part of mountain Lebanon), the closer to the capital the more expensive evidently, the prices have risen up as well, by an average of 15 to 30k*.

The housing bank and the housing coop, give special loans up to 80k, that should be paid in 10 or 15 years, followed by the same number of years (total of 20 or 30 years), to pay up the interest which differs depending on the bank in question.

A small reminder, that the minimum wage in Lebanon is 200$* still. Dairy consumption: a small example, a medium milk box (powder) costs more than 7$, while it was a little bit more than 4$* a year ago. Fuel costs between 16 and 18$ for 20 liters (depending on the type).

The average household pays electricity, and also what we Lebanese refer to as "moteur", which is a private electricity provider, in addition there is the water, the phone bill, and the cellphone (god forbids we live without a cellphone in Lebanon), and the luxurious stuff, such as the TV cable, and Internet connection, and insurance for ourselves (few do, and only thanks to their workplaces), and the cars.
A movie theater ticket, is 6,7$.
A Burger King meal is 7$.
A drink is 8$.
A beer is 3$.
A normal restaurant, would cost you a 15$, you need a soda to wash it all down.
A 1kg of yellow cheese costs 7$, you can always buy the cheap kind anyway.
Vegetables, cereals, fruits, dairy, etc... now cost more!

I am stating these numbers in order for people abroad be able to make comparison with their own local prices. In order for them to see and imagine how father with a 350$ salary, can actually pay for a house rent (or not, if he's lucky to have owned it), house bills, kids school tuition, food, transportation, and not to forget, health hazards (municipality fees, taxes and such are not even mentioned here).

A couple, a lucky one, makes 1600$ together. Let's say, they both hold degrees, but nothing fancy. How could they buy a 100k house? How many years do they need to save up in order to pay the first payment, be it 10, 20 or 30% (depends on the bak)? Do they need to stop going out for 5 years? Stop living any sort of life? Just sit at home, make a cheese sandwich, and watch a movie on a local TV channel? And that is all to afford buying a house with a loan. What about the next steps? Such as the furniture? The wedding? Bills? Kids? How will they afford to raise children and send them to schools?

Life in Lebanon is getting ridiculously expensive, all prices are rising up, except for our salaries. Minimum wage remains 200$, and there is no talk about any increase at all, except for our taxes (Check Lebanon reform plan).

God Bless Lebanon, and our procrastination. I believe the above is a GOOD reason to demonstrate! or Not? Should we wait to starve to death?

* k = 1000 USD
* $ = USD