OMEN
09-08-2006, 10:19 AM
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Israel's decision to end its air and naval blockade did little to lift the gloom from Beirut's streets, with many Lebanese saying uncertainty over the future overshadowed their relief that the embargo is over.
The scale of death and destruction that engulfed Lebanon during a 34-day war between Israel and Hizbollah rekindled memories of the 1975-1990 civil war and left many residents fearing that the worst was not over even after a U.N. truce halted the fighting on Aug. 14.
Around 1,200 Lebanese were killed, 1 million displaced and many villages, towns and city suburbs were destroyed along with parts of the country's infrastructure, setting back Lebanon's recovery many years at a cost of billions of dollars.
The eight-week blockade made matters worse, restricting the movement of people and goods to and from Lebanon. Finance Minister Jihad Azour said it cost the country around $45 million a day in lost trade activity alone.
So when news emerged that Israel was set to lift the embargo on Thursday, Dania Atrouni did not know how she felt.
"I am lost like many others," said the 25-year-old who lost her trainee job at a bank after the war erupted when Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a July 12 cross-border raid.
"I hope this means the war is over in Lebanon ... but I no longer have faith that nothing (bad) will happen," she said as she walked through a commercial district in western Beirut.
Atrouni, who says she is politically neutral, fears that armed factions in the country can drag Lebanon to another war.
"No one knows what will happen. Who would have expected that this war would erupt? she asked.
No Favours
Some Lebanese fear that Hizbollah has gained political strength in withstanding the massive Israeli onslaught that will help the Shi'ite Muslim group keep its weapons.
But some others, like Wael Samaha, a 28-year-old who works at a transport company, say the real danger facing Lebanon comes from the Jewish state, not from within.
"This is an enemy that you can't feel secure with. They are known for their crimes," he said. Asked about his reaction to the blockade's end, Samaha said he was indifferent.
"It is a foregone conclusion. It is our right and the Israelis are not doing us any favour by doing this," he said.
Israel said it imposed the embargo to prevent Hizbollah from rearming. At least 157 Israelis, mostly soldiers, died in the fighting.
The Jewish state said on Wednesday it had decided to lift the blockade after assurances from the United States and the United Nations that "international forces are ready to take over control posts over the sea ports and airports of Lebanon".
Mohammed Zarour, a 45-year-old taxi driver, was among the few people who painted a rosy picture of the future.
"Today, God willing, everything will start improving again," said Zarour, who lives in Beirut's southern suburb, a Hizbollah stronghold battered by fierce Israeli air strikes.
"There will not be another war. Israel will think 1,000 times before going to war in Lebanon again," he said.
Reuters
Israel's decision to end its air and naval blockade did little to lift the gloom from Beirut's streets, with many Lebanese saying uncertainty over the future overshadowed their relief that the embargo is over.
The scale of death and destruction that engulfed Lebanon during a 34-day war between Israel and Hizbollah rekindled memories of the 1975-1990 civil war and left many residents fearing that the worst was not over even after a U.N. truce halted the fighting on Aug. 14.
Around 1,200 Lebanese were killed, 1 million displaced and many villages, towns and city suburbs were destroyed along with parts of the country's infrastructure, setting back Lebanon's recovery many years at a cost of billions of dollars.
The eight-week blockade made matters worse, restricting the movement of people and goods to and from Lebanon. Finance Minister Jihad Azour said it cost the country around $45 million a day in lost trade activity alone.
So when news emerged that Israel was set to lift the embargo on Thursday, Dania Atrouni did not know how she felt.
"I am lost like many others," said the 25-year-old who lost her trainee job at a bank after the war erupted when Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a July 12 cross-border raid.
"I hope this means the war is over in Lebanon ... but I no longer have faith that nothing (bad) will happen," she said as she walked through a commercial district in western Beirut.
Atrouni, who says she is politically neutral, fears that armed factions in the country can drag Lebanon to another war.
"No one knows what will happen. Who would have expected that this war would erupt? she asked.
No Favours
Some Lebanese fear that Hizbollah has gained political strength in withstanding the massive Israeli onslaught that will help the Shi'ite Muslim group keep its weapons.
But some others, like Wael Samaha, a 28-year-old who works at a transport company, say the real danger facing Lebanon comes from the Jewish state, not from within.
"This is an enemy that you can't feel secure with. They are known for their crimes," he said. Asked about his reaction to the blockade's end, Samaha said he was indifferent.
"It is a foregone conclusion. It is our right and the Israelis are not doing us any favour by doing this," he said.
Israel said it imposed the embargo to prevent Hizbollah from rearming. At least 157 Israelis, mostly soldiers, died in the fighting.
The Jewish state said on Wednesday it had decided to lift the blockade after assurances from the United States and the United Nations that "international forces are ready to take over control posts over the sea ports and airports of Lebanon".
Mohammed Zarour, a 45-year-old taxi driver, was among the few people who painted a rosy picture of the future.
"Today, God willing, everything will start improving again," said Zarour, who lives in Beirut's southern suburb, a Hizbollah stronghold battered by fierce Israeli air strikes.
"There will not be another war. Israel will think 1,000 times before going to war in Lebanon again," he said.
Reuters