Rumors are flying. All allegedly emanate from well-placed sources in foreign capitals: DC, Paris, Moscow, Riyadh, Tel Aviv/Jerusalem (I've heard both). I believe very little of what I hear, but that is the usual situation in Lebanon.
The Lebanese political establishment is in complete disarray. Political party leaders have no idea how to respond to this situation. Prime Minister Saniora is in triage mode. He's in constant communication with foreign leaders.
An added element of pressure comes from the wealthy visiting Lebanese from abroad who are now stuck here after the airport was bombed. I've heard one story (probably untrue, which is why I'm not reprinting most of the rumors I'm hearing) that a wealthy Lebanese from Latin America who has given substantially to opposition leader Michel Aoun has given the party leader an earful and is already on the phone to Aoun supporters in the United States trying to get them to keep the General from supporting Hezbollah's actions.
Beirut Life
Life is going on as normal in Beirut, although a bit quieter than usual. I had a few meetings this morning, and am busy working, as usual. I plan on going to the gym later in the day, and then attending a party.
The power is on. The internet is working. The cellular lines are just fine. None of my calls are being dropped, domestically or internationally. Only one phone call I received from Syria was garbled by static.
I am sure the situation is similar anywhere north of Beirut: Metn, Kesrouwan, Coura, Tripoli, Bsherre, and Akkar.
The situation in Beirut's southern suburbs and Southern Lebanon is bad, but not atrocious. It doesn't come close to Israel's 1982 invasion in scale or lives lost. Electricity and phone lines are out, but friends from Saida and Nabatieh tell me their families are tense, but fine.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
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For the benifit of us who are foreign observers with little knowledge of your country would someone give a brief description of all of the factions in the Lebanese government and their public and likely private views on the Israeli military actions.
LP,
Yes, it is pretty much a normal day. Electricity still sucks. Phone lines work (barely), but that's normal. Calls are coming in. Calls are going out. People are checking up on each other and I'm going to have a great fish lunch on the Mediterranean, probably not that far from where you are.
But we're all tense. I'm pissed actually. I have no patience today. When my mind is clear, I'll try and figure out what the hell it is we're supposed to be doing, if anything at all.
I don't even have it in me to vent right now. Maybe later. When the electricity is out.
wise words PR
"would someone give a brief description of all of the factions in the Lebanese government and their public and likely private views on the Israeli military actions."
LOL - Dude, ya got time to read about a dozen books and watch several documentaries? This kind of info takes years to digest - it's not available over the counter, and it's not cheap. Good luck now, ya hear? :)
I can, however, distill some of it down a bit - getting bombed sucks, no matter how you align yourself politically.
Thank for the review about what's currently going on in Beirut. I can tell you that here in Tel Aviv left leaning liberals are tense and disturbed by what seems to be yet another unproportional response. After what had happened in recent weeks in Gaza, I am very worried about what is going on now in Lebanon, and very upset by the fact that Israel has chosen once again to punish civilians for the deeds of a few.
Okay, I've read somewhere that this hit actually took nasralllah off guard.
What about the Beirut airport thing? this is like a complete blockade, ya3ni the only borders are with syria now. this is a disaster for the high season there.
Anyways, I'm no less pissed at watching all this happening. its fucked.
My fingers crossed for u guys.
Does anybody have clues about the best way to leave Beirut right now? I have relatives there vacationing that would stay another week they are deciding to leave earlier due to fears of an israeli airstrike.
Also, could anyone confirm what is the neighborhood that israel airforces dropped leaflets warning citizens of an airstrick? could'nt find this in the media, AP, etc...
Fabio,
The best way to leave Beirut right now is to go to the Charles Helou bus station and get on a bus or in a taxi headed to Tartus, Latakia, or Aleppo (all cities in Syria). The Syrians are offering Westerners visas at the border.
The Syrian and Lebanese authorities advise against going from Beirut directly to Damascus. The border crossing is jammed with people. It takes a few hours to get through, and the Israelis are bombing in the Bekaa Valley.
The area near Beirut that Israel has threatened to bomb is Dahieh (alternative spelling: Dahiyya), which is south of Beirut near the airport. Most likely, your relatives are not in this area.
Dear (lebanon.profile),
Thank you very much for your answer and help. I'll passthrough this info asap.
Best Regards,
Fabio
The Israeli response is apallingly disproportionate, regardless of how unjustified Hezbollah's abduction of the soldiers was. Hang in there, the world is witnessing Israel's aggression against civilians, many of whom do not support Hezbollah. Even in the United States, with its biased media, people are becoming more aware of the situation in that region. I think that this is a major setback for any hopes of stability and democracy in Lebanon. A major question is: Will most Lebanese blame Hezbollah or Israel for this? Both are to blame, but will this situation actually rally the public around Hezbollah because of anger toward Israel, despite the obvious reckless stupidity of the abductions?
i think israel took the situation a step too much...
if their initial aim is to cause a shift in the general population opinion against hizbullah, i think they used too much power. i am afraid the opposite of their expectations will occur. they will end up creating anger and frustration and once again hizbullah will benefit from more popular support....
kappa
For the person who wanted a rundown of Lebanese politics: the Head Heeb researched like crazy a couple of years ago and came up with Lebanese Politics For Beginners, a five-part blog series.
My dad, a Lebanese-American immigrant who returned to live in Beirut and Sidon for ten years after the civil war, read it and said HH got it right.
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