Easy come, easy go

I have to be honest with you, the whole recent so-called positive event in Lebanon, the whole finally agreeing on something, the opposition and the government who have been dissing, offending, disrespecting and threatening each other for the past year and a half, this whole recent event only makes me worry.

I wonder, how can such deep, rooted, stereotypical thoughts, be ruled out in one Qatari Dialog? I just don't get it.

I heard that today, there were no available place in Beirut's Downtown's restaurants and that it is back to life. Yes, congratulations for that.

But the solution we have is superficial, our problem is not the president or the electoral law or the tents that were in Beirut since December 1, 2006 and up until yesterday night. Our problem is us.

Are you one of those who are happy? or in grief and mourning

Let's not forget, that while Lebanon is celebrating (I personally smell something fishy about it, I can't help but be "pessirealistic" here), others are mourning their lost ones.

Some people died in the mini-war that happened in the second week of May, what happens to them? What happens to their folks? Why did they put themselves in such a situation you might wonder, they may be right, they may not be right, nevertheless their lives were lost.

Either ways, alla yer7amkoun w yer7amna.

Rejoice, Lebanon`s savior is here

Now that the Doha agreement between the opposition and the government has took place, it appears to be a day of rejoice and celebration for the Lebanese. Because on Sunday, Lebanon will not be presidentless anymore. Both factions agreed on General Michel Suleiman as a president, and agreed on an electoral law, thanks to the opposition and their "sacrifice".

Tents are doing down, no more sit-in in Beirut Central District (Downtown). That's a good thing at least, this town is beautiful and hopefully some life will come back to it.

As we have gotten used to things by now, nothing is as simple as it appears, dialog has been called for since ever in Lebanon, they have had many attempts so far, 20 times the presidential elections has been postponed as well, and in 1 week, in Qatar, solution has been found. Is it a permanent solution or just a temporary one? On the regional scale, is something going to happen between Iran and Israel/US? We'll wait and see.

Dialog in Qatar and Berri in Pyjamas

Apparently, it's not going well. All I saw yesterday on the news was that Berri was in the Qatari tradiotional outfit, known as "Dishdesheh", I think. But that's not all, he was also wearing slippers. I am thinking he feels more comfortable in Qatar. Hopefully, others will join him, and they all stay there.

We are back to square zero, because even if both factions, the opposition and pro-government have agreed on a president, General Michel Suleiman, they still disagree on the electoral law that will be used in the next parliamentary elections. How will Beirut's district be divided? For those who don't know, it is a simple matter of math, each faction is giving the division that it will win for it more seats at the parliament. I have no idea, how they can actually find a solution for that. I am sure no faction will sacrifice for the other, because after all, it is not Lebanon that it matters for them, it apparently is their own benefits.



Today, an organization named KHALAS organized a gathering along the road of the airport to call for the leaders not to come back in case they don't agree. Talk about improbable things.

Not wanting to sound pessimistic, yet it seems like the day the opposition and the government agree will be when we won't have a Global Warming problem. At least there is hope.

Let us at least stay Friends

This is a group that has been created on Facebook. Its main purpose is to tell the Lebanese people to stay friends despite what's going on.

At first you might think this is a ridiculous group, but let me tell you it actually is a pretty out of the box idea. It is because it's true. Luckily my friends and I already can forsee the consequences of talking politics, and that's why we just don't. Some might disagree and recommend communication, however that is precisely the problem here. The thing is, politics in Lebanon has become so intertwined with personal issues that we will definitely end up arguing, yelling at each other and possibly stop talking to each other, and it happened with some folks.

That is why, refrain from talking politics because:
1- You won't change anything
2- You will end up losing good friends of yours

Of course, when you decide to talk about the well being of your country and people, instead of talking about Aoun, Geagea, Jomblat, Nasrallah, Berri, Hariri, etc... Ideas vs People.... Just remember!

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.

Hariri threw back the ball to Hezbollah`s court

In summary, the speech that Hariri gave tonight at 8:10 pm, in response to Nasrallah's press conference this afternoon, concluded in 4 main points which Hariri believes if Nasrallah complies by them, then he does mean well.
1- Within the army regime, there will be ones assigned to investigate the Chief Shoukair issue
2- Reopen the road to the airport and free Beirut from its siege
3- Elect General Michel Sleiman as President
4- Sit together and try to talk things thru led by the newly elected president.

Hariri also highly insisted that he does not want a war and turmoil erupting between sunnist and chiite, and their sole enemy is Israel, and that the airport will not become a base for CIA, FBI and Mossad, and the issue with the communication was not a problem if it is about 3, 4 or 5000 lines, but when it reached 99000 and 999000 then it is a threatening issue for the government and they need to maintain national security.

Now, this kinds of seems like the government is willing to give and take, they did not exactly answer Nasrallah's two demands to make things better, but I believe this is how negotiations go.

Let's cross our fingers.

Nasrallah threw the ball in the government`s court

Or at least, this is how he made it appear. No one denies the power of convincing this man has, but there were a lot of flaws in his press conference. I will get into them later.

But in a summary, he spoke about 3 main points:
1- The private communications central
2- The airport and Chief Wafik Shoukair
3- The crisis

The major points were the following:
1- Sheik Nasrallah explained that a major part of a resistance or army's weapons are the communications, and they need a safe one as unwired and mobile phones are breached and will allow Israel to know their tactics.
2- He called this government to be Walid Jumblat's government, whom is an employee working for Condoleeza Rice
3- The airport step, is to prevent from any clashes in the future with the army and national security, because Hezbollah has no desire in clashing with the army, showing much respect to them
4- Nasrallah threatened anyone who approaches their weapons, will get his hand cut off. Even though he promised before that Hezbollah's weapons won't be used inside Lebanon, he said when the government crossed the line and declared war by taking the decision that Hezbolla's communications are illegal and a national threat
5- Narallah said that they have no interest in taking over the country, the government or any political stand.
6- The don't want Chief Wafik Shoukair to be removed, because they don't want the airport to become an FBI, CIA and Mossad base, which is near their homes.
7- Nasrallah told others to stop using the "Civil war erupting between sunnist and chiite" anymore, as it will not happen!
8- He finally said that there are two things the government can do that will solve the recent issues in Lebanon, which is taking back the decisions in confiscating Hezbolla's communication (which is a big part of their weapons), and answering Berri's call for dialog.

There has been heard some gun shooting as a joyful response to Nasrallah's press conference once it finished, which later led to armed clashes in the streets of Beirut, in principal in Kornishe Al Mazraa, Ras Al Nabaa, Aisha Bakkar, Karakol el Druze.



It has moved from just burning tires, throwing rocks, blocking roads and occasional gun fire in the air, it is now officially a battle between members from Hezbollah and members from the Future Movement, using AK47, RPGs, B7 and Bombs...

Some minutes pass by when it is relatively calm, and only after a couple of minutes to reintiate the gunfire between the two groups. Some persons are wearing masks, and hiding behind buildings, and stealing a moment every minute to shoot at the others, and at buildings. Smoke can be seen from as far as Mount Lebanon.

The party has just begun, Saad Hariri will have another press conference tonight, and now that the ball is in the government's court, I do not see any atom of hope that they will calm things down, as a matter of fact, there is a high probablity that they will only escalate things. Which will translate into the streets as more shootings, bombs and rockets.

The army at this point is not getting involved, I believe they cannot do anything right now, due to the fact that the leaders of both parties did not try to halt anything. The army gave a statement that things cannot be solved by guns, but only by dialog.

Armed clashes for now are between Sunni members and Shiite members, no christian existence yet. If by any shroud of bad luck, christians do get involve, there is a risk that the clashes will reach christian regions, which then officially declares a civil war in Lebanon.

We hope, by a miracle from God, that everything stops today.

For a minute to minute update, check Tayyar.org.
For Sheik Nasrallah's today's press conference in English, check this article on NowLebanon.com

Update: There is a fire in one of the residential areas, and they're shooting at the fire department so they do not put the fire down!

This is bad, very very bad

I've been meaning to sum up what happened starting yesterday and uptill now, but I just can't seem to focus. I can sincerly say, I am scared.

Now that its is being screamed from the top of the roofs that yesterday was a well orchestrated subordination. While the Labors Syndicate Union decided to halt their demonstration and postpone it to another time, the opposition continued their subordination!
The union said that the government was not ready to protect them. What the Union failed to mention was that the ones who closed their roads was the opposition. I believe, the army did a fine job considering the danegrous individuals they were dealing with.

The union, could've done a normal demonstration taking place in one sole location, holding some whiteboards with few slogans on them. But no, they decided to paralyze and open up the opportunity for others to paralyze the capital. Slogans and peaceful gathering were few yesterday. Yes, there were few innocent people really asking and demonstrating against the government for a better living.

After that, the opposition continued to close roads, and the infamously airport road. Many flights were cancelled, no flights departed from Lebanon except empty airplanes. The people who arrived yesterday waited and sat on the ground, some who insisted on leaving the airport had to cross on foot a couple of meters with the help of the army.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we the Lebanese, are being dissected and torn apart by two major evil forces, the Haririst and the Hezbollah!

The coming days will unveil the upcoming war, not necessarily a typical civil war which we are used to, but when RPGs, Snipers and bombs are used in a supposedly "peaceful" demonstration, then it is an ugly battle taking place to say the least.

Uuntil now, some of the Future movement members have closed the road in Saadneyil and also in Masnaa, which is the crossing border between Lebanon and Syria in response to the closing of the road to the airport by Hezbollah. The first, claimed that once the airport road is open, they will open the roads on their ends.

What is funny, is how Tayyar.org refers to Future movement members as "Militia" (which maybe they are), but fails to calls the Hezbollah ones (who are doing exactly the same thing, even though they started it, but it's irrelevant at this moment) militias as well.

Congratulations to propaganda, stupidity and cowardness of the Lebanese people.

Israel closed down our aiport in July 2006, and now Hezbollah closes down the same airport in May 2008.

P.S. When Hezbollah was accused of using spy cameras on the road to the airport, they said if anyone removes those cameras are spies for Israel! Seriously?
Moreover, I don't want to be terrorized into doing or believing something, and at this point Hezbollah is terrorizing the government and the people into succumbing into their own demands.

Kudos for all the political parties for ruining Lebanon just when I thought it couldn't get worse.

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?

Regional Updates, negative vibes

With the most recent assault by Isarel on Palestine, and more than a hundred killed with barely 1 week, we can only think of how much human rights are being violated by Israel. Countries such as India, Iran and China are condemning the use of force excercised by Israel on Ghaza and are demanding them to stop it. (Click here to sign a petition for a ceasefire) [1]

The Palestine Human Rights Campaign abhors the escalation of attacks and ground incursions Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) against Gaza in recent days. Today the attacks killed 31 Palestinians; including 8 children. Among the civilian casualties are thirteen who were killed INSIDE their homes. In the past five days IOF killed over 100 people have been and approximately 150 injured. At least a third are children according to medical sources and most of the casualties are civilians.

Meanwhile, US warships, a guided missile destroyer and USS Cole have resided on the Lebanese cost last Thursday 28 February. US claims that it is there because they are worried about the situation in Lebanon. Other explanations by other sides declare that they are here because of Syria and Iran. [2]

The United States has ordered a warship to take up position off the coast of Lebanon in a show of support for the country's embattled government.
The deployment of the USS Cole is being seen as a warning to Syria which - along with Iran - backs the opposition.

Lebanon remains without a president. The presidential elections has been postponed 15 times so far, and is due to take place on March 11.[2]

Lebanon has not had a president since 24 November, when pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud left office. Parliament has repeatedly failed to elect a successor amid an ongoing row over candidates.

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.

Breaking news: Explosion in Baabda

Explosion in Baaba (South Metn), near the municipality building, on Wednesday early morning. The explosion possibly caused by a bomb planted in a car, causing fire as well. Although not confirmed, the casualties so far are 4, including Head of Operations in the Lebanese Army Francois El Hajj. Wounded victims have been moved to hospitals in Baabda.

You guys don`t care!!! You have no president?!

Maz Jobrani (Hollywood actor and comedian) in one of his shows in Lebanon, with The Axis of Evil, started his set with this sentence: "You guys don't care! you really don't! You have no president! and you are partyyyyinnnnng!"

He's right, besides him being very funny, making fun of arabs and muslims, and people who stereotype arabs and muslims as terrorists, and sending a message of peace! We have been without a president for more than three weeks, and weird enough, on the ground, it doesn't really manifest negatively, it's a bit neutral.

We were supposed to elect a president on 23 November 2007, but they postponed the parliament session for another week, as they still haven't chosen a president who all agree on. Again on November 30th, the session was postponed again till December 7th, but talks about General Michel Sleiman were starting, guessing that the next week, a session would be held to adjust the constitution in order to be able to elect him, but some obstacles were blocking the elections again, so it was postponed again till next Tuesday.

December 1st, coincided with several occasions, first it was World's AIDS Day. I heard a statistics that younger men in Lebanon are not using protection. So to everyone out there, we have over 1000 case in Lebanon since the early eighties, relatively the number is small, let us try to keep it this way.

Moreover, it has been one year since the opposition camped in Downtown Beirut.

Today, it was the second annual Gibran Tueni for reporting, and in 3 days, it's his two years memorial anniversary.

On the other hand and away from politics, many Lebanese people are coming back to Lebanon on the holidays. So kudos, in hope that politics do not ruin the holidays.

Last month, two electro house DJs have visited Lebanon and held successful concerts. In conclusion, seems like citizens are bored from politics, waiting to go to more events, they don't care and they want to party, as Maz Jobrani put it.

Finally, traffic is as usual around holidays, the whole month of December appears to be like those drivers have escaped the mental instituation and are driving around. Shopping spree, everything becoming expensive and not just because christmas and new year's are around the corner.

Happy December, enjoy traffic, take it easy, and stay away from politics.

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

The long wait has finished

Lebanon's army crushed the last remnants of a militant group in a ferocious gunbattle Sunday that killed 39 of the fighters, ending a bloody three-month siege at a Palestinian refugee camp that was the country's worst internal violence in years. Nearby villages celebrated with fireworks, drumming and dancing after the government declared victory.

[...]

The army said three soldiers were killed in Sunday's fighting and two on Saturday, raising to 158 the number of troops who have died in the conflict — Lebanon's worst internal fighting since the 1975-90 civil war. More than 20 civilians and more than 60 militants have also been killed.

Reactions:

Prime Minister Fuad Saniora called Sunday's final battle the "greatest national victory for Lebanon over the terrorists in Nahr el-Bared."

President Emile Lahoud said the army "has achieved what superpowers could not in confronting terrorism."

Continue reading here.

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 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?

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.

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..

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.

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?

Breaking news: Explosion in Alay

9:14 - Explosion in a commercial Area in Alay - Mount Lebanon. (Source: LBCI)
9:56 - Update, 5 wounded so far. No information on the bomb's size, however they said it was planted beneath a building's stairs.

Alay's explosion came after 3 days of the first explosion this week in Ashrafieh (Beirut), on Sunday night, and 2 days after the second explosion in Verdun also in Beirut on Monday night. Alay is situated in Mount Lebanon, and the majority of its habitants are druze, most of them supporters of Walid Jumblat. Alay in summer gets very busy where it receives a lot of Arab tourists.

Explosions in Ashrafieh and Verdun also happened near commercial areas that attract a lot of Lebanese people and tourists.

Stay tuned.

Breaking news: Explosion in Verdun

While the minister Ghazi Al Aridi was stating the decisions of the exceptional session of the government that took place tonight, an explosion happened in Verdun (Beirut), a commercial and inhabited location. Material losses so far.

Update: 7 wounded, 2 of them are kids. The explosion, said to possibly weight more than 15kg, was planted below a black car, which still remains until now unidentifiable.

Note that this explosion came after yesterday's (Sunday 20 May 2007) explosion in Ashrafieh (Beirut), behind ABC mall, in a parking that killed a 65 year old woman.

Update on North: Clashes and fires are still on going in North Lebanon, in Nahr Al Bared camp, between members of FatH Al Islam and the Lebanese Army, with many palestinian civilians stuck in the middle. It's been almost 2 days. No progress. A cease-fire was decided from 4 pm to 6 pm today (Monday 21st of May) in order for the red cross and palestinian red hilal to enter and bring the casualties and wounded, however members of the FatH al Islam, broke the cease-fire.