The Lebanese independence day

Published Thursday, November 22, 2007

This should be a day were everyone was celebrating, with military parades in the street and with the flags waving in the sky. But the streets today are very quiet, or at least the streets we’ve been in. The presidential election that was supposed to be yesterday, has been post pond again. The election has been post pond until the coming Saturday, and the situation is very tensed. After a security briefing with the head of delegation, IFRC, we have gotten some security restrictions to keep a low profile, and report any movement out of neighbourhood. I can see that the streets are being filled up with military and police patrolling and observing, especially around the various parliament buildings. The Lebanese I am in contact with are busy continuing their everyday life, and they rather don’t want to speak about what’s going on. The questions arise, will they reach a consensus? Will we get to governments, or will we get an ad-hoc military regime? It is hard to give an analysis of what is going to happen. Up to now, no one knows. I really hope that a consensus will take place, and that Lebanon will get a peaceful end. Anyway I would like to congratulate Lebanon with its independence day, despite the political situation.