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.

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.

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?

Lahoud Tla3 Barra Video

Photos from February 14, 2007

Click here to view album.

14 February 2007, an anniversary and more

To view more pictures of today's events please visit this album. Pictures courtesy of moi.

After yesterday's explosion at Ain Alak, our speculations were if another explosion of a different kind will blast in today's event commemorating the 2nd anniversary of Hariri's assassination. A lot of questions have been asked, and today we have the answers.



The politicians might haven't openly escalated the situation but they sure have spoken with a rough tone, especially Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Abou Taymour, the Progressive Socialt Party leader. Jumblat called Lahoud a whale that the sea has rejected, and that is probably the nicest thing he said about him, as later on he continued that Lahoud will make the history of garbage. Of course, there is always an interesting piece for Syria, its regime and its leader Bashar Al-Assad, whom got a real bashing by Jumblat. Geagea remembered all the martyrs naming them one by one, and called them the resistence of the nation.



Hariri thanked everyone for coming, thanked the martyrs, the people, the patriotic... In general, the politicians asked for the issue to be solved outside the streets, for it to be discussed in a civilized manner around the discussion table.



Hundreds of thousands of people have come from all over Lebanon, even by sea, and in a large number. Convoys made of hundreds of vehicles moved towards the capital, when the traffic starts, they park and continue by walking. Today's mass of people might not have been as large as March 14, 2005, but it certainly was the second biggest.



Lebanese Army divided the square into two between the opposition campers - who have been camping in downtown Beirut since December 1, 2006 in order to topple Siniora's government - and today's marchers who want to pay respect for Rafic Hariri and condemn the criminals who assassinated him 2 years ago, asking the international community for the truth of who those criminals might be.



The distance was wide, and not a single fight arised. The opposition security forces asked the for people to be present in the tents, in order to avoid any clash.

To view more pictures of today's events please visit this album. Pictures courtesy of moi.

Lebanon on 14 February 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007

2004 and before



2005



2006





2007

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Gebran Tueni: Martyr of the Lebanese Resistence

Annahar online (online version of the local newspaper known as An-Nahar = The day) has made this page about Gebran Tueni, you can click here to hear the oath that Gebran said on March 14, 2005. In the webpage you can read about his childhood, his life, his dreams, his assassination, his father Ghassan Tueni, pictures, basically everything you would want to know about him.

In this period especially, I have been really wondering what the great journalist and thinker would have said about the current situation in Lebanon. I understand why they assassinated him, rare people said wise words and he was one of them and now he is gone, and no wise words are being said. I wish the strength for his daughter Nayla, hope she continues his message.

I remember his articles in the newspaper, when no one dared to say the name "Syria", he would just lay it out on the table. When no one dared to defend Aoun, he was the first to back up all this youth who thought Aoun's exile is unjust... w mitloun mteyil

Hope he rests in peace, Gebran Tueni is the martyr of the LEBANESE RESISTENCE!

Di3anak ya Gebran bi hal balad, walla di3anak