Beirut Celebrations, Nasrallah Speech

Lebanese citizens packed Beirut's downtown. It's the most packed I've ever seen it; even more than during the 2005 and 2006 protests, although the area was smaller this time, and the people were more densely packed.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nassrallah spoke earlier in the evening. His speech was truculent and non-conciliatory. It was liberation of the south day, thus a day for tough speeches, but at this crucial moment in Lebanese history, Lebanese people need guidance from their leaders. Men and women of influence need to encourage their followers not to take violent action.

Unfortunately, no Lebanese leader has risen to call for true national reconciliation. The celebrations in the downtown were marred by clashes. Youths fought each other over silly political identities. As these hooligans chanted their silly Hariri, Amal, Hezbollah slogans, no members of their political coalitions stepped in to say, "Bala taefiyyeh, bala siyasiyeh. This is a time for unity and celebration." These youths bullied the crowd, and no one stopped them. When they fought, the Army had to step in.

Sadly, stray bullets after Nasrallah's speech severely injured many Lebanese who currently lie in critical condition in hospital. Clashes broke out between Sunni and Shia in Corniche al Mazraa.

This summer will be profitable, but the peace is superficial.

Regardless, the economic effects of the reconciliation is already being felt. Workers are asking for increased salaries. The downtown is packed with restaurants, which are hiring workers to clean the establishments, and hiring many workers and waiters. Four friends who are waiters tell me that they can make $2,000 a month as waiters in downtown Beirut. They can make $450 an hour at certain pubs and nightclubs on Friday and Saturday nights. They could make even more at places like Sky Bar and Crystal, especially if the Gulf tourists return to Beirut.

Also, downtown appears as a Lebanese (not a Gulf tourist) place. I've never seen so many working class and middle class Lebanese in Beirut's downtown before. In the past, the criticism of the downtown was that the vast majority of Lebanese could not even afford a coffee in the over-priced area. That is no longer true. Aramoun Mini Market between the clock tower and the Greek Catholic Church (currently being rehabilitated) sells reasonably priced merchandise to those who don't want to pay $5 for a Diet Pepsi in one of the downtown's "see and be seen" cafes. It was the most crowded and popular place.