Round up about the latest clashes in Beirut

While someone thinks they've seen it all in Lebanon, and in Beirut in particular, the day and night carries with them another type of attack, another type of distress and another form of disappointment.

Yesterday, 6 institutions of media have been closed, and not just had their doors closed, in fact they're doors are wide open, but everything inside is either burned or broken to pieces. These institutions belong to the Future TV, Radio and Newspaper, and their variety of offices. The whole TV building has been burned by members belonging to the opposition factions.



This is a video of Sahar Al Khatib, a reporter from Future TV talking with a genuine voice about what happened to Future insitutions, on Kalam Al Nas show with Marcel Ghanem on LBCI.

Journalists and media personnel gathered at the Bourj Al-Ghazal Tower in Tabaris to express their rejection of yesterday’s forced closure of media institutions by opposition factions.

Yesterday's images have been scary, empty roads of residential areas with armed men walking and shooting in the air, scaring off anyone who thinks of going out to the balcony and checking out the weather. People were not able to get to Beirut or Leave to Beirut. Schools and Educational institutes, shops, banks, everything is closed in Beirut. Beirut is under siege.

Today, all locations that have been "occupied" by our own Lebanese brothers, have been handed over to the Lebanese army.



Moreover, the clashes and gunfire reached out to Aley, a druze region in majority. All in all, clashes, blocades and victims were not only in Beirut, but some parts of Bekaa, both Lebanese-Syrain borders, Masnaa and North Lebanon, Aley, Shouweyfat, Saida, Khaldeh, etc...

Below is a video about a real and spontenaous reaction for a kid and woman to gunfire near them in Beirut, this was broadcasted on Al-Arabia TV.



After Moorab's meeting yesterday for March 14, its outcome according to Lebanese-Forces leader Samir Geagea, that the recent events led by the opposition is an armed manner to overthrow the government. Read more about it here.

In the last three days and according to the Media, the toll is 18 casualties.

The most recent clashes are in Halba - Akkar, and word that there are 2 victims so far. For minute to minute news, check Tayyar.org, LebanonFiles.com and NowLebanon.com for more opinions and coverage.

Lebanon, good or bad change?

Yesterday while I was driving to work, I had my car's sun roof open, and there was a pickup in front of me throwing diesel from its exhaust, I couldn't breathe anymore! And this made me realize that it has been a couple of weeks since breathing for me has been hard and not quite joyable anymore! We are not breathing oxygen alone, I am not sure what kind of mutant we might become due to this so much pollution in the air, but I know it's bad. We need a solution badly!



There has been some more installation of traffic lights along Jdeideh to Dekwaneh Highway, and amazingly people are respecting it. Maybe not 100%, but a good 85% or so. I love this, us, the Lebanese people, the unorganized chaotic rebellious people, are respecting those lights, and why? Because if we don't, while everybody else is, we die... Or if we don't die, we get a ticket.



This is the end of April, May is usually a great month in Lebanon, the best weather, because it's not too hot or humid, and it's not cold, it's perfect. But what happens to the Tourism in Lebanon? Are tourists going to come to Lebanon this year? I've heard that many countries have warned their citizens from coming to Lebanon, this was a couple of months ago, I am not sure if this is the case. The reason why they are spreading this warning, is because they fear of another war in Lebanon.

War in Lebanon? No way Hosey! 12 days ago, it was April 13, the commemoration of the civil war that erupted in 1975. A war that no body wants, but everybody fears.
But the real war that scares most of the Lebanese, is July 2006's daughter. Will she give birth this summer? I surely hope not. It is definitely the case that Israel has been on their toes lately, especially since Mughnieh was assassinated last winter. However, will they attack? Will Hezbollah do another operation that would tick the Israelis off and bring them to war? I guess not, there is this thing we call surprise, and if they do attack, it won't be a surprise, and one of the best elements of war (not that I encourage it), but in the Art of war, when you want to win something, you ought to surprise your enemy and give it to them when they least expect it.

Alas with the presidential elections, nothing yet. And I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but we hardly notice this emptiness. The real deal is that our life-long complexe insecure leaders finally agree on something, because this is very pathetic. Yes we know, it's not just about Lebanon, but it's also a regional thing, but enough is enough, I sometimes feel while Lebanon was on the top in the middle east, the Switzerland of the east, the paris of the arabs, all those things that are happening to it, only blooms and improves other countries such as UAE, Qatar or Jordan. While we dig deep and sink, they rise and fly. Who's fault is this?

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.

2008, rough start, 2007 bad year

It isn't completely surprising that another year in Lebanon starts out very defectively. Needless to try to go back in time and state history, it is utterly perplexing to decide whether the civil war days, the syrian presence days or the post-hariri assassination days are the worst.
It's a rough start with 2008 beginning by an explosion (January 15, 2008) mainly targetting a US embassy convoy taking the American Ambassador from the airport to celebrate his last days in Lebanon, which turned out to be a decoy, nonetheless resulting with 4 casualties and more than 20 wounded in Karantina Bridge, near Dora Highway.

What happened in 2007 really that is so different than 2006 and worth mentioning? Let us try to recap!


The year 2007, and most probably predicted by Michel Hayek, our 21st century Nostradamus, started out violently specifically on January 23 when a general strike by the opposition took place, leading to burning tires, conflicts between opposing parties, closing roads, traffic and pollution!

Two days later on January 25, a riot, a result to a clash between students in Arab University (most probably a quarrel concerning who's right and who's wrong for what happened two days before), erupted between residents of the surrounding area to the University in beirut, calling for reinforcements from the Lebanese Army to calm things down and call for a curfew.


In response to all this, many non sectarian, non political, non religious movements appeared, far from any color and only embracing the black, white or grey, to call upon the Lebanese to stop being sheep and followers and start working for the better of this country, they were against the pathetic bipolarism in Lebanon.

To save you the suspense, almost a year later, I can tell you the end of this movie. They did not succeed.

If you think this movie started out strong, wait for the next unfortunate event, which I naively recollected that it happened in 2006, but no, it was on 13 February the explosion and sad death of 3 and a number of casualties in Ain Alak.

The reason behind my weak memory is far from it being weak than for the fact that too much is occuring in this damned country that we think it is taking placing during a long period of time.

14 February, once a Valentine's day a celebration of Love, now...


A short while later, a war of Billboards splashed across the nation with the famous "I Heart Life", then "I heart Life with dignity", etc.. etc.. leading to many shops and companies taking advantage of it for their own good.

Despite it all, Lebanese still have their humour.

Throughout the year we hear politicians and political leaders (most of whom were once warlords) give speeches, in general they are all bad at it except one, whom I don't support or agree with most of the time, however acknowledge his articulate way of giving a speech, Hizbollah general secretary, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah.

Nevertheless, what is beautiful about Lebanon, remains beautiful, and this is why:


Lebanon at one point had two presidents representing it in the Arab Summit.


May 20 to May 27 in 2007 was undoubtedly one of the worst weeks of the year when clashes between the Lebanese Army and Fatah Al Islam started in the Palestinian Nahr el Bared camp in North Lebanon, leading the the infamous war with Fatah Al Islam, resulting with many martyrs and casualties from the Lebanese Army.
Also on Sunday May 20, an explosion killed a woman in Ashrafieh (Beirut).
Monday May 21 recorded an Explosion in Verdun (Beirut).
Wednesday Mar 23, an explosion in Alay (Mount Lebanon).

Meanwhile, Draft resolution 1757 was adopted by the Security Council, declaring a decision in forming an international tribunal under the 7th chapter in order to investigate the assassination of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.

A while later, and as the Lebanese always cope with the horrible situations that Lebanon goes through with jokes, a long line of jokes started spreading and what better than in a Facebook group.

Another Explosion in Sid El Bouchrieh on June 4 (Eastern Beirut Suburb).
And another in Zouk Mosbeh (Mount Lebanon), three days later.

Due to all the saddening and agonizing events that occured, School year ended early.

The 7th explosion in 2007 took place on June 13 in Al-Manara (Beirut) and this time it was a direct hit and unfortunately a successful attempt of assassination of MP Walid Eido.

As a consequence to the series of unfortunate occurences, festivities in Lebanon were cancelled.

On June 25, UNIFIL troops have taken their share of the explosion where a car bomb killed 6.

As a replacement to the late MP Sheikh Pierre Gemayel, there was elections in Mount Lebanon, where Former President Amine Gemayel ran against Kamil Khoury from the opposition's FPM. The outcome of this elections although at one point both were winners, turned out in favor for Kamil Khoury.


September 2007, started out a bit more positif than the previous months where the Naher AL Bared's war ended, with the Lebanese Army rising victorious.

Yet, it did not continue well when on September 19 a bomb in Horsh Tabet exploded killing MP Antoine Ghanem and 6 other casualties, including the young Charles Chikhani.


As not to leave things metaphorical such as Lebanon being on fire, a fire did happen across most of the forests of mountains in the country.

Jealous for not breaking a record, Lebanon broke its own record, reaching the highest number yet of car accidents. 830 casualties and more than 10000 wounded.

While preparing for the presidential elections, which (to also save you the suspense) have been delayed 12 times by this date, people were not coping so well, delaying big purchases and trying to put some money on the side, especially that everything was getting more expensive.


Emile Lahoud leaves Baabda, becoming a former president, assigning no one behind him, making Lebanon presidentless during the holidays.

At the final days of the year and on the same day Gibran Tueni died 2 years ago, there was an explosion in Baabda (South Metn) on 12/12/2007 killing the Head of Operations in the Lebanese Army Francois AL Hajj with 4 others, making it the 10th explosion this year.

2007
830 car accidents casualties
100+ casualties and injured from explosions
10 Explosions
3 Assassinations
1 Draft Resolution
1 war
0 President

The End.

Seriously, what is with voting by SMS?

The whole voting by SMS has just gone too far in Lebanon. The most recent is this, an ad in the local Al Balad Newspaper, today's edition:



We previously joked about how much Lebanon is getting obsessed with voting by sms, that the afternoon of the Explosion in Horsh Tabet, when it was still unclear who was assassinated, with hints such as "The political figure who got assassinated is someone running for the presidential elections", so we thought as they (I don't know who they are) are becoming so obsessed with Voting by SMS, they might've as well sent us the following question that afternoon, seizing the opportunity to make more money:

"Guess who was assassinated today?"
Send 1 for Michel Aoun
Send 2 for Samir Geagea
Send 3 for Boutros Harb
Send 4 for Amin Gemayel
Send 5 for Walid Junblat
etc...

And they say it's for statistics... yeah right

Some festivals are still on-going

Different from what I wrote a while back about the fact that there are no festivals in Lebanon this summer, it turns out that some festivals are still on-going such as Byblos Festivals. Small concerts and gigs are taking place in several pubs and restaurants. And unlike what a lot predicted for Lebanon's summer to be dead and boring, night-life in Gemmayze street (Beirut) is back, and wild hot beach days are getting hotter and hotter. Several local radion stations are hosting the music in several resorts, creating an environment of strong dancing on house and electro music.
In conclusion, a lot of events are taking place, beach parties, many organizers are hosting games and such, concerts and gigs and so on. It's not as wild as previous years, nevertheless it is still more than anyone expected and Lebanon is still fun.

What happened since July 12, 2006?

A year since the damned July war between Israel and Hezbollah (although some prefer to say between Israel and Lebanon, however last time I checked for a country to be in war, it should've at least had an opinion or known about it), anyway things have only got worse since.

Political conflicts, a new war between the Lebanese Army and the Islamic Militants Fatah Al Islam in Naher el Bared palestinian camp in North Lebanon (started on 20 May, and is still on going), a lot of martyrs (RIP) civilians, red cross and soldiers, a lot of tension, two UN resolutions, the 1701 to end the July 2006 war and 1757 declaring the decision to hold an international tribunal to investigate the Hariri assassination, one camping of Lebanese opposition (Hezbollah, FPM, Marada and others) in Downtown Beirut since December 1, 2006 in order to topple the Saniora government, another two assassinations of MP Pierre Gemayel in November 2006 and MP Walid Eido in June 2007, several explosions occured in many regions, in Ain Alak, Verdun, Ashrafieh, Alay, Sid El Bouchrieh and Zouk Mousbeh, more and more division among the Lebanese politicians, more and more groups having no color trying to bring the Lebanese together such as March 11 and other.

Tourism is almost dead, schools ended early this summer, some Lebanese are here for a vacation, great weather, people are starting to go out again, but you can still feel the tension as we know that this time a year traffic would be much more severe (yes we measure life in Lebanon by traffic). Usually in summer the prices of prepaid lines, clothes, shoes, luxury items go up, however this year they barely went up (prepaid lines prices did double, but usually their price reach an increase by 80% taking advantage of our fellow Arab Tourists, who by the way, did not come this year, how do we know? well they usually come to Lebanon by land using their cars, therefore we can see the plate numbers of these many cars on which is written Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, UAE...), I can also see discounts on clothes and shoes just about everywhere (Reminder to self, should go shopping, take advantage of bad situation in Lebanon).

Bashar Al Assad, Syrian President, has demanded from all syrian workers to go back to Syria before July 15 as he expects the situation to get worse.

Lebanese presidency election is right around the corner, scheduled to take place in September 2007.

And of course, immigration of Lebanese youth increased even more. Prices of houses (due to increase in cost of building materials) have also increased. In general, there are a lot of weddings in Lebanon during the summer, however, and this is measured by how much honking we hear on Saturdays and Sundays afternoon, this year seems less. Why? Still asking Why?

P.S. For more details, check the archive of this blog.

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.

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.

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.

Draft Resolution 1757 adopted

Security Council has adopted the draft resolution 1757 which declares the decision in forming an international tribunal under the 7th chapter to investigate in late prime minister Rafic Hariri's assassination, to bring justice to Lebanon and punishment to the criminals. 10 countries in the council voted for the resolution, none voted against and 5 abstentiated and none voted against. Among those who abstentiated were South Africa, Russia and Indonesia, who claimed that the council should try and fix the solution instead of imposing an international tribunal on a country that is divided in 2 sections, those who are for and those who are against. They said this could create more problems and that it is an internal affair, which Lebanon should deal with on its own.

A statement for Saad Hariri, a member of the parliament, and the son of Rafic Hariri, was immediately broadcasted after the adoption of the resolution, saying that this is not for revenge but only for accounting the responsibles and criminals, and to bring justice and peace to Lebanon.

Despite what everyone outside Lebanon might think, celebrations were not held when the Security Council adopted the draft resolution 1757, as the government had already set a curfew for small vehicles and motorcycles from 8pm to 5am of the next day, as well as forbidding people to set fireworks or gun-fires tonight, as they will be held accountable for breaking this rule. While I am sure that deep inside, many people are celebrating.

A new chapter is going to be written and its first words started tonight. Will more explosions, assassinations and perhaps a civil erupt in those up-coming weeks? Or will the Lebanese finally agree.

Lebanese are not asleep

Tonight, Wednesday 30 May 2007, the Lebanese people are waiting at their homes. With a curfew set by the government for motorcycles and small vehicles between 8 pm and 5 am, the roads are not only empty of the latter, but also from cars and people. The reason behind this semi-curfew is the International Tribunal investigating in Rafic Hariri’s Assassination. 800 days later, the truth behind who the criminals and executioners are, is going to appear.

During the last 10 days, several explosions occurred, as well as attacks and gun-fire between an Islamic militant group in North Lebanon hiding in a Palestinian refugee camp and the Lebanese army. These attacks resumed yesterday night and have been described as the strongest and most severe hour and a half of fights since a week. All this adds to tonight's tension.

On the social level, those last 10 days were not busy at night as it is usually. Malls, movie theaters and restaurants had no waiting lines, empty parkings and innocent traffic jams. Lebanese are not afraid as much as they are sick of the situation. Delivery and DVDs are the Lebanese’s best friend those last few days. There are always exceptions of those who go out and party whatever the situation is, but these people are rare.

In 2 to 3 hours, a decision by the International Tribunal will be announced. Lebanese are waiting and will not go to sleep before they know. Over many decades, dozens of assassinations happened, and in the past 2 years and since Hariri’s assassination there has been 5 others that have targeted politicians as well as journalists and media persons. In Lebanon, people have become accustomed to not knowing who did what. Is tonight the turning point in Lebanese History?

Peretz to U.N. Chief: Lebanon Ceasefire is in Jeopardy

Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz has told U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon that Security Council Resolution 1701 is endangered by Hizbullah fighters, who continue to hold two captured Israeli soldiers and receive arms shipments from Syria.

[...]

The resolution authorized deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force of up to 15,000 troops to help Lebanese troops police the southern border with Israel. It also calls for a halt in arms shipments to Hizbullah, and demands the "unconditional release" of the two Israeli soldiers.

"This is an unequivocal demand by the state of Israel," Peretz said Saturday. "We see it as the key to continuing the precise implementation of resolution 1701."

Source: AP

Click here to read full article.

Bomb hits U.S. Embassy convoy in Kabul

By FISNIK ABRASHI, Associated Press Writer

KABUL, Afghanistan - A car bomb exploded near a three-vehicle U.S. Embassy convoy on a busy road in Kabul on Monday, wounding several people, one seriously, officials said.

The blast, witnessed by an Associated Press reporter, badly damaged the front of one black SUV that was shunted to the other side of the road. First aid was administered to at least two people at the scene.

Click here to read full article.

Two months ago, on January 17 2007, an attack also occured of the US Embassy in Greece.

Resolve it: Solve it, Human Chain

In a previous post, we mentioned the new movement called "Resolve it: Solve it", to read again, please click here.

On Saturday, February 10, 2007, they had planned to form a humain chain as a peaceful protest in order to urge the politicians into talking again and solving the issue.

This weekend, more than 100 Lebanese took to a former flashpoint in Beirut in a peaceful demonstration to demand an immediate solution to the current political impasse. The rally was part of a growing grassroots movement that is trying to lend a hand - or several hands - to ensuring civil peace and stability and prevent civil war.

Several organizers of the event expressed their opinion and frustration, they are just young people who saw that things are going downhill and want to do something about and make themselves heard. Reem, who is 24, said:

"We want to send a message to all politicians - from every party - and have them sit down and figure out a peaceful solution."

Another continued:

"Compromise is not failure," Mobassaleh said. "It's time that politicians start acting like public servants again."

To read full article, please click here. Source: The Daily Star

Amal to participate in anniversary of Hariri murder

It's nice to see some sort of nationalism in certain actions and objectivity.

اكد النائب علي حسن خليل ان “حركة “امل” ستشارك في ذكرى الرئيس رفيق الحريري عبر تنظيم مهرجان لها في الجنوب”. وقال: “ان هذه الذكرى لا تخص فئة من اللبنانيين، ومن الخطأ ان يحصر شخص الرئيس الحريري. وشدد في حديث اذاعي امس على “وجود قرار واضح للمعارضة، بتسهيل الامور الى اقصى الحدود لتمر هذه الذكرى بالطريقة المناسبة”.

Rough Translation: Parliament member Ali Hassan Khalil assured that "Amal movement will participate in the 2 year anniversary of PM Rafic Hariri's murder by organizing a festival in South Lebanon", he added: "this aniversary does not belong to one part of the Lebanese, but all, as it is wrong to limit Hariri for on section. He insisted in a speech on the radio that "there is an obvious decision for the opposition to facilitate issues in order for this memorial to pass by with the least problems".

Continue reading article here. Source: Al Balad

14 February a day off and Martyrs` square divided

14 February is an official day off (this year?), while I am happy to add one more day off from work, nevertheless I am 100% sure they will make us go to work anyway. Moreover, the real question that I asked is: "Why?" Why is it a day off? It should just be a memorial day and that's it.

"Public institutions will take a day off work on Wednesday, February 14 on the second anniversary of the martyrdom of Rafiq Hariri and his companions," according to a government decree carried on Saturday by state news agency ANI.

Needless to remind here that the Opposition campers are still camping in both El Solh and Martyrs' square, and now we have a new function for the Lebanese Army, which is to play the referee, thus dividing the squares among opposition and Hariri's tribute payers on February 14. Will this day add to its description beside being Valentine's day and the day Rafic Hariri was assassinated, a day like Tuesday 23 or Thursday 25 January? Nah... no way!

The pro-government coalition has called for a huge gathering on Wednesday in central Beirut, where Hariri is buried, next to where the pro-Syrian opposition has been staging an ongoing sit-in since December 1.

Click here to read full article. Source: AFP

Hezbollah weapons did not go in vain

A couple of days ago and after the truck that has entered from Syria through the borders into Lebanon, which was not searched obviously, full of weapons, which Hezbollah later on claimed that it belonged to them, the army confiscated those weapons and did not accept to deliver them to the resistence. The point is not this, however it is the fact that the Lebanese army is quite a maximizer, and will not let go of these weapons or just keep them confiscated, but will actually use them themselves in case of any offense with Israel.

"The truck and its content are now with the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon," Murr said in reference to a truck carrying Hezbollah arms -- including Grad rockets -- seized east of Beirut on Thursday.

"If Israel carries out another violation, we will use these weapons to confront it," he told reporters on Friday after a meeting with the commander of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, Major General Claudio Graziano.

Moreover, the role of the Lebanese Army which is deployed in the south, is starting to become inclusive of more responsibilities and expanding.

Murr said he told Graziano that "the Lebanese army deployed in southern Lebanon has orders to confront Israeli forces in case of any new violation" of Lebanese sovereignty.

This is definitely the first time in decades which the Lebanese Army is actually useful and functional as an army and not just security forces.
Click here to read full article. Source: AFP

As 14 February is getting closer

As 14 February is approaching, 14 March, and especially Future Movement with Saad Hariri as their leader, are calling for a public presence in Martyr's square, for the memorial of the late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri's assassination that took place on 14 February 2005. With this coming along,

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations signed an agreement on Tuesday as a first step in creating a tribunal that would try suspects in the 2005 murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and other anti-Syrian figures. (Full article)

What has been happening to Lebanon for the past two years, with assassinations, explosions, war, potential war, shiites ministers resignation, vote for an International Tribunal in Hariri's assassination, etc... is a long story, with many factors, local, regional, and international.

The tribunal has become one of several contentious issues for the anti-Syrian government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, which backs the court. Opposing the tribunal are pro-Syrian factions that include President Emile Lahoud, parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri and the Shi'ite Hezbollah movement.

We all know, that if the Internatinal Tribunal is stopped, things will be better. Bachar Al Assad had warned in one of his speeches that Lebanon will reminisce to the days Syria occupied Lebanon as better days. Are we reminiscing already?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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