Holiday Truce

Amr Moussa's ' holiday truce ' arrangement brokered in Moscow, Riyadh and Damascus between the Seniora government and the opposition, is just another line in Lebanon's satirical political history. So we slow down the degradory rhetoric for now, assemble heavy-duty winter tents, postpone plans to storm the Serail, and put up a few christmas trees with political demands so we can all have a Merry Christmas.Great!
So it seems the Seniora government will survive at least 2 more weeks, and enter 2007 with a grace period- breather to recollect their thoughts, ideas and new defensive strategies. The opposition will just have to wait out the holidays, hold ground in their new winter resistant tents, and go back to the drawing board in hopes of instigating a stronger offense to topple their democratically elected governement. Lets just hope we don't get any shocking surprises in the next few days, which will ruin the Arab Leagues so called ' holiday truce'.

Holiday Lottery Seat...

Its funny when you think about the concessions that are in the works to end Lebanons political gridlock which has literally paralysed the entire country for two weeks or so. The ruling majority, or Seniora government as it is refered to today, won't maintain its two-third seat control, whereas the oppostion also won't achieve its one-third blocking demand, thus leaving a neutral floating seat so-to speak left for grabs. I really don't see any sign of a realistic solution in this Arab endeavor to end the country's stalemate and encourage a united government to take form. Who will this lottery pick be offered to ? someone loyal or connected to this or that camp, or someone imposed from abroad be it the United Nations or Arab league. Will it simply be left empty to keep the goverment from being able to function normaly, as a means to buy time and watch regional developments unfold?
The streets will eventually tone down, the Serail won't be stoned any time soon and the solution at hand will be played in a game of tug of war, with both sides jumping from side to side eyeing down that Holiday Lottery Seat to be won.

Arab League to the Rescue

Amr Moussa's handshakes and smiles at The Grand Serail, Koreitem, Ain El Teenie, and Baabda won't change much with the political gridlock facing Lebanon today. We always resort to involving the Arabs or its league as a last resource, once insults and words have been traded, and nothing else is left to be said or done. Stubborn stances and rude rhetoric eventually tone down, goals and demands gradually drop to a point where we come to ask ourselves was there a purpose for all this in the first place? Once the cold weather, monotonous speeches and boring nights set in, people will eventually realize that nothing is to change. Resumption of the National roundtable talks is the only viable solution to this crisis, take it weeks, months or years. March 14's, Camp Freedom failed in oustering and conquering the presidential seat months back, so too will the March 8's opposition in toppling the Serail. Lahoud is still in Baabda, as Seniora will remain in Beirut. Lahoud's term will end in 2007, and so too will the present government's reign once elections come along. The current protest's point has been made, recorded by the media, to be archived in the long history of Lebanon's struggle to be heard. Enough wave flagging for now on both sides. Lets pick up and move on.

Protest Procedure Updates

Peaceful Protest Procedures....? you decide

1. Utilizing floodlights to visually disturb those inside the parliament
2. Setting up tents in the hundreds in number on private property and on public streets
3. Burning whatever is at disposal or available to make fireballs and keep warm at night
4. Importing of military uniforms and distributing them to some political party in the opposition (may be a rumor)
5. Taking down a lebanese flag and replacing it with a politcial party one (see youtube.com)
6. Setting up 2 different camps one in riyad el solh, another in martyrs square -to keep the oppositions unity?
7. Obstructing private buisinesses from opening and functioning normally
8. Calls for storming the The Grand Serail if demands aren't met?
9. Placing of masonry blocks near tents, to fortify a barricade or smash into small pieces? (whos got a slingshot)
10. Blocking off roads leading to the Grand Serail on several occasions.
11. Denying the right to celebrate the holidays, 2 down, first summer is blown now its Christmas.
12. And the list can go on and on.....

I just hope something will come out of sleepless nights put into the protests, or else you're going to have alot of unhappy campers thinking what went wrong- back to the drawing board.

Tribute to Gebran

Gebrans Soldiers

Was March 14th a dream, did it really happen?
Who did it join, or separate or give a dramatic history standing moment to?
What did it symbolize, what did it achieve, what did it change in the likes of me and you?
Has Lebanon undergone a surgical change in the 18 months that passed?
Or has the same somber routine refilled the sick minds of a few clinging to the past
March 14th was a split second in time, now lost, yet ‘to survive’ it could…..
Was the ‘1 million show up’ enough to make this bitter-sweetness last for good
1 million in 1 second was just too much to swallow, all at a time
With Gebrans monumental words ringing in 1 million eardrums every letter, every word and every line
At half passed 3 Lebanons new constitution was read and revealed
Islam and Christianity united, signed, then stamped and it was finally sealed
Did it have to take us 30 years to come to understand one another
Living under a foreign tutelage pitting brother against a brother
Whats to be learnt in these history making monumental gatherings
Whats left to be burnt of the pasts’ infamy and want to be forgotten happenings
It’s like trying to light a candle in the wind, on a cold yet gloomy day
Lebanon s vicious wind from the east has ceased, its getting warmer day by day
Warm enough to keep national unity, warm to keep away the cold wrath of civil wars pity
To be Lebanese today means to accept change, strive for unity and offer a warm hand longing for peace
The future soldiers of intellect, hope, vision, of tomorrow will build their army of a society
With pens and papers symbolizing the pillars of peace for Lebanon’s multi-ethnic citizen variety.

Latest Line.

A Lebanese person is someone who buys something he doesn't need, with money he doesn't have to show off to somebody he doesn't know.

A Typical day in Baabda

A typical day in the life of Emile Lahoud

5:00 am wakes up and goes for a jog around the palace
6:00 am is driven up to yarze country club for a swim
7:00 am has a royal breakfast at the palace
8:00 am reads syrias tishreen daily and watches Tele Liban to catch the latest news
9:00 am gets his hair trimmed and is clean shaven
10:00 am he gets a manicure and pedicure done
11:00 am he chooses the daily flowers for his office we see behind him at the 8 oclock news
12:00 am he hits the tanning bed to work on his tan
1:00 pm he has a royal lunch at the palace
2:00 pm he calls bashar assad to see who he should meet today
3:00 pm he confirms with rafik shlela on who is to visit him after confirmation from damascus
4:00 pm he meets with a group of people from the south or affiliated with the opposition
5:00 pm he goes for an evening jog then hits the gym to work on the arms
6:00 pm he meets with some foreign journalist either from kazazkstan, vietnam or iran for an interview
7:00 pm receives a call from wiam wahab, nasser kandeel, or wadih el khazen
8:00 pm has a royal dinner at the palace
9:00 pm watches the news on Tele Liban
10:00 pm calls bashar to fill him in on the days whereabouts and wishes him a good nights sleep
11:00 pm has a long talk with Aoun or Nasrallah and informs them what to do the next day
12:00 pm goes to sleep surprised he survived another day in the palace

Political Power

Credentials of a Politican in Lebanon

1. Must be a good liar
2. Must be a good actor
3. Must dress well coordinating suit, tie, belt and shoes
4. Must know reporters names and who they are affiliated with
5. Must make time to attend work at parliament at least once a year
6. Must read the obituaries page on a daily basis, and pay condolences wherever and what time it is
7. Must enjoy sitting in cafes, coffee shops and restaurants hours on end
8. Must know the name of the town or village he represents
9. Must give atleast one speech at a demonstration wherever, whenever and whatever its about
10. Must know how to hum the Lebanese national anthem, well atleast the chorus part
11. Must be able to forge alliances and drop them overnight
12. Must be able to get his name on a list prior to election time, at whatever price.
13. Must be able to provide his hometown at least one truck load of asphalt prior to election time
14. Must be able to contradict what he says so noone will know what the hell hes talking about
15. Must be prepared to wear scarfs, or pins, or pj's when the time calls for it.

14.3.2005 Revisited

A Martyrs Baby: 14/3/2005

This Valentines Day was quite short, it actually never came, there wasn’t much to say
About the celebration that was to be destroyed by the devastation
I guess there really was quite alot to say
A lot to demand a lot to scream, what had happened on this February the 14
Why, where, what who is hiding the real truth
Why did the day of Universal love turn into the day of Lebanon’s grief
A horrendous brutal crime to which the whole of Lebanon was shockingly beyond belief
Was the future supposed to die our fate just way too tough
Wasn’t 15 years of bloodshed, death and suffering enough?
No it seemed, the 15 years of peace needed a disturbance
Just a reminder that Lebanon was not to survive
Its as if true leaders aren’t given a place a truthful stance
Just the followers of family feuds stay politically alive
With their corrupt vision of playing the musical chair dance
10 to 1 and in a loud flash and bang ……all was quiet. all was done
Beirut grew shockingly silent, not a hiss not a sound, a letter, not a word was to be heard
In the back of Lebanon’s mind
The truth of the reality of what occurred was going to be impossible to grind
What had just happened? Why did the sky fall down on us on that sunny afternoon
An Ambassador of power from Hometown Saida to the world to the Saudi desert sand
Was Mr. Lebanon just too big for the 10, 452km of heart fought land?
Or was he just too good, too kind, to be always lending out a helping hand
His last walk into parliament was to ensure his vision was to be free and taken as our national stand
His last talk was with trustful fellow leaders ensuring that freedom was our national demand
His last wave and smile was to the city and clock that had witnessed the capitals destruction then rejuvenation, Thanks to his Excellency; Beirut was now fine
It withstood Beirut’s enduring history, but with every tick of every second, every tick, every last tick, it’s power just couldn’t stop the time
His last gaze was into the sunny sky, a final farewell as if to call out for his surreal departure
Fate loomed in the immediate distance, and with a blink of an eye, the bang, he became Lebanon’s Martyr

A new baby was conceived at noon on that February the 14th, born into a new reality yearning for freedom, sovereignty, and independence
The baby was named Lebanon to be loved, cared, shared by all, and brought into this world as a symbol of nationalistic unity for the world to see.
Born on March 14th, at 3 p.m, in Martyrs square, with its eyes open wide and teary
It received its first smile, blessing, and love from Lebanon’s late father Rafic B. Hariri.

Fourteen Heads

What did the National dialogue mean to the fourteen heads gathered at the round table?
Another missed chance to set their differences aside and agree at least on one thing.
The meeting was to be a success, no matter the consequences opposing opinions would bring
Frenzy media covered the arrivals, departures, handshakes and smiles of those involved
Yet the meeting was camera shy about what was argued or agreed pending issues to be resolved
30 years of careless rule could not be mediated in 30 minutes, 30 hours or even 30 days
Pitting former friends and foes face to face with reason instead of rifles offered hope and praise
The merging of the two streets, March 8 and 14 could be a start for a national reunification
To sit down and build a strong viable state, before the tables adjourned then we’d be too late.

Baabda v.s Beirut

Whats happening in downtown Beirut today, is the consequence of a failed master plan that was in the works for the past two years. Its no coincidence that the todays events are a payback to a previous protest that didn't bring about presidential change. Why is it that when the March 14 camp tried to topple Lahoud from Baabda last year, noone really supported the move from within; camp freedom, as it was termed, lost its aggressive focus and determination. The opposition didnt support the removal of Lahoud and neither did most of the forces within the March 14 alliance including Bkerke, due to the lack of agreement on who will reign after. Now jump a year forward to December 1st we have the same scenario, yet this time, Lahoud, with the help of Syria's allies in Lebanon, is gaining revenge on the majority by trying to stab back at PM Seniora. Its almost as if Aoun, Lahoud's mouthpiece was to say, I wasnt anywhere near becoming the president of the republic, now why should Seniora stay... Trying to remove Lahoud and failing at doing so has backfired at the Majority, and now they face the long battle to stay put and play stubborn as Lahoud has done so well. Why do Hizbullah, Amal, Aoun and the other minorities expect Senoira to resign anyways? don't they see the two way battle going on between Baabda and The Grand Serail ( Beirut). Sadly the tragic events of today are much larger than the issue of the oppositions demand for a 1/3 political share, or the overall performance of the Saniora government, it is a personal fued battling between the rulers of Baabda and Beirut.

Kamal Phone Home....

The sign reads- The prison is open for walking

I found this Interesting picture from the archives of the summer war which i'd like to share. During our visit to the Khiam Prison in Southern Lebanon(August 06), our dear friend Kamal tries to make a phone call back home to Beirut, but upon raising the handset, the entire booth collapses and cracks open to his shocking surprise. Yet Kamal eventually gets to make his memorable phone call of the year with a souvenir snapshot.

The Duel of Dates

Why its Cooler to be with March 14 then March 8:

1. March 14 took the flaws of the March 8 protest and didnt repeat them.
2. March 14 wore fashionable scarfs in red and white, March 8 were looking for a fight
3. We have Loud- mouth know it all George Adwan, you have L.M.K.I.A Ibrahim Kenaan
4. We arent restricted to drinking bottled water with orange caps, but you are.
5. We had cool creative personalized posters, you had photocopied bundled handouts.
6. We did it in Martyrs square, you did it with Riyad el Solh?
7. We had the better downtown view of the city, you got the uptown boring view.
8. We used to meet in 5 star Bristol Hotel, you used to meet in Ain El Teenie?
9. We strive for Lebanese Independence, you strive for Syrian dependance.
10. We are supported by the World Community, G8, Nato, European Union, Commonwealth of
of Nations, Arab World and the United Nations, you are supported by Syria and Iran.
11. We had a million- plus pure Lebanese, you had a million plus the Syrians, Iranians, and
palestinians.
12. We have T.V stations such as LBC and Future, you have NBN and Al-Manar.
13. When we travel to NewYork or Paris we are sure to have a good time, when you travel to
Damascus and Tehran your lives are on the line.
14. We have the older wiser Samir Franjieh, you have the younger womanizer Sleiman Franjieh.
15. At March 14 we were covered by CNN and the world, At March 8 you were smothered and
literally unheard.
16. At March 14 we had camp freedom, at March 8 you had camp-Nasrallah lead them.
17. At March 14 we had the Lebanese forces, Future movement, and Socialist democratics,
At March 8 you had the Party of God, Party of Hope, and Syrian Socialists.
18. At March 14 we had Posture in Saad, Youth in Pierre, and Poetics in Gibran, At March 8 you
had anger in Hassan, failure in Najah, and flab in Wahab.
19. In Fuad Seniora we find a leader whos well- read , In Emile Lahoud you find a swimmer on a
tan bed.
20. At March 14 we support Lebanons national army, At March 8 you support Hizbullahs shiite
Resistance.
21. Fuad Seniora meets with Bush, Chirac, and Blair, Lahoud meets with...well, who cares?
22. March 14 includes all non-armed political parties, March 8 includes a 30,000 missle strong
Hizbullah.
23. At March 14 we all believe in one Lebanese state, At March 8 you are a state within a state.
24. At March 14 our flags have the Cedar tree, At March 8 your flags have a Klashnikov.
25. At March 14 our girls are attractive and hot, At March 8 your army of men are definately not.
26. At March 14 we lent out an honest helping hand, At March 8 you flaunted Syrian demands.
27. March 14 thanked Lebanons Rafiq Hariri, March 8 thanked Syrias Bashar Assad.
28. March 14 put on a World Wide Show, March 8 put on show to go.
29. At March 14 we believe in persistence, At March 8 you believe in resistance.
30. March 14 will pursue the Lebanese dream, March 8 will always be Syria's Bait.

Made in Haret Hreik

While driving through the Haret Hreik suburb of Beirut, two days into the aftermath of the bombardment, this interesting image caught my eye. It somewhat goes to show you the irony in how people mix their frustration, anger and comprehension of a tragedy in their utmost creativity. It is common practice to see Building information on a large billboard at a new construction site, whereas in this case bad credit is given to those who toppled this once standing building to dust and rubble.

Bridge Beating

I compiled these images together from archives of the summer war on lebanon 2006

The Ghazir Bridge linking the Highway towards the Maameltein was the first of four bridges targeted on that dreary morning.


The Maameltein - Casino Bridge was struck next and remained intact with serious structural damages.


The Fidar Bridge on the Coastal highway heading northwards was third in line to be flattened to pieces.

The Madfoun Bridge was the last bridge to be targeted which left it in total ruins.


The lanes of the Beirut- Damascus highway on the 'Highest Bridge in the Middle East' at El Mdeirij lay in ruins, after another day of Bridge bombing east of Beirut.

Does Size Really Matter?

When you look back and think about all of the protests and demonstrations we have witnessed since February 2005, all have been massive in size, but size hasn't reaped any returns. You had the sea of heads, waves of flags, and play of words. What was the intention of every protest and what were their accomplishments, heres a rundown:

February 14 2005 -A huge public funeral mass for the Late Rafiq Hariri, Bassil Fleihan and Partners. A reported 1 million attend.

March 8 2005 -A Hizbullah Pro- Syrian rally to thank Syria for its 30 year doings in Lebanon. A reported 1 million attend.

March 14 2005 -An Anti-Syrian and Pro-Independence Protest in response to the March 8 rally. A reported 1 million plus attend.

Summer 2005 - Mass funerals for Samir Kassir and George Hawi. Tens of thousands attend.

Winter 2005 -Mass funeral for Gebran Tueni. Tens of thousands attend.

February 14 2006 -A One Year Tribute to Honour the Late Rafiq Hariri and his Martyrs. A reported 1 million attend.

September 22 2006 -A Divine Victory Rally organized by Hizbullah to celebrate their victory over Israel. A reported 1 million attend.

December 1 2006 -A Hizbullah led sit-in protest to topple the Pro-Independence Saniora government. A reported 1 million plus attend.

With over 1 million people hitting the streets more than 7 or 8 times in two years you'd expect some kind of unity, understanding or mere accomplishments, sadly i dont see any. People should really think hard and far before they head back down to one of those squares, or atleast know why they are there. I dont think sending 8 million people (twice Lebanons population) down to the streets has accomplished anything. Maybe if we just sat home and thought hard of one another and what we wanted as Lebanese, we'd actually get something done. So you see Size doesn't matter.

Political Obsession

20 Signs that show your Obsessed with Lebanese Politics.

1. You know every name of the 128 Mp's in Parliament.
2. You know how many were,are and will be pro-Syrian or anti-Syrian by January.
3. You know every color of every flag, every chant or every tune of every political party in the country.
4. You'd rather go to a demonstration then down to Gemmayze for a drink.
5. Your top 3 Favorite websites are Naharnet, Dailystar, and Tayyar.org.
6. Your favorite T.V show is Kalaam Il Naas.
7. You have Hassan Nasrallahs remixes blasting out of your car stereo and on your cell phone.
7. You actually know or care how old Michel Aoun is.
8. You are actually waiting for the Truth to be revealed.
9. You actually take the time to turn your T.V on and listen to Sleiman Franjieh.
10. Your lucky number is either 8 or 14.
11. You have a flag holder attached to your car window.
12. You think Walid Jumblatt has become a new-born Christian.
13. You start to think that Wiam Wahab is Syrias ambassador to Lebanon.
14. You can predict who Emile Lahouds daily visitors to Baabda will be; khazen, wahab or kanso.
15. You actually believe that Shebaa exists, or that anyone gives 2 shits about it.
16. You have participated in March 8, March 14, September 22, and December 1 and have no clue who's who
17. You watch the New tv news at 7:30, flip between Future and LBC at 8:00, tune to NBN during commercials and
actually retune your T.V signal to watch Al-manar at midnight.
18. You then download and rewatch what you missed online.
19. You dont know who the real Minister of Interior is: Ahmed Fatfat, Hasan Sebaa, or if that Ministry exists?
20. You actually think that Emile Lahoud is Lebanese.

Message in White

Like out of a surreal scene of a war movie, young men, spectators of Beiruts' Hillside suburbia, eye down their city with amazement, and confusion as it pays a dreary price of heavy Israeli bombardement during the summer of 2006. Maybe it was just a coincidence, that the group of men to the left were all wearing white t-shirts, as if they were trying to send a message of peace and prayer to their beloved capital.

Demonstrators R Us.

The Lebanese have been known as the 'Jack of all trades' due to their war survival instincts of the past 3 decades or so. Every now and then we get caught up with trends that we come to enjoy, abuse, overkill, drop and then look for the next big thing. The burning passion of 'To See and be Seen' whether through the pages of Mondanite, or in one of Beirut's infamous square gatherings has become the norm of today. It just seems that in Lebanons' complex society where nothing or nobody can be taken seriously people have come to resort to 'follow the leader' status, whatever the outcome, whatever the consequence. With too many demonstrations, too many dates to remember, and too many leaders to listen to, we have become infatuated with taking our happiness or sadness out on to the streets. We have become quite good at putting on a political show, a fashion statement, another milestone in lebanons paradox history. We gather in mass numbers in full costumes of red, white and green, flags from every spectrum of the rainbow dressed from head to toe, with the most daring and creative body, poster and picture art imaginable. From protest to protest, gathering to demonstration, we've always raised the notch a little higher with the slogans we chant, or with the sea of orchestrated flags we wave, street protests have become Beiruts lastest fad. Lets just hope this two and a half or so 'public investment' into our nation brings about real change once and for all.