UAE | General
Lebanese expats appalled by violence gripping Beirut
Disappointing and appalling is how Lebanese expatriates in the UAE describe the political unrest in Lebanon.
- By Sunita Menon and Dina El Shamma, Staff Reporters
- Published: 23:56 May 9, 2008
- Image Credit: AP
- Passengers pulling their baggage head towards the terminal building at Beirut's international airport.
Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Grim, disappointing and appalling is how Lebanese expatriates describe the political unrest that has gripped their country.
With flights to Beirut cancelled, Lebanese in the UAE said they have put travel and family reunion plans on hold, as they pray for the safety and security of their loved ones back home.
The majority of the people who spoke to Gulf News preferred not to give their full names.
"I did not sleep last night. Images of guns being pointed at civilians is quite appalling," said Tarek Sabbagh a Lebanese regional sales manager who has lived in the UAE for five years.
"My family are located close to an area where Hezbollah has taken siege," he added.
The scenes of gunmen walking the streets of Beirut, gunfire, civilians running to take cover, a father running with his young son in his arms, television and newspaper offices being shut down, have brought back bitter memories of the civil war that ripped the country from 1975 to 1990.
Related Links
- Telephone network keeps Hezbollah one step ahead
- Gunmen force Beirut TV off air
- Hezbollah fighters control Beirut
- Pro-government gunmen surrender in Beirut
- Saudi seeks emergency Arab meeting
- Protesters block roads in Beirut
- Saudi Arabia warns against further escalation of clashes
- Hariri proposes deal to end conflict
- Lebanon violence spiralling out of control
According to Lebanese expatriates, history is repeating itself in Lebanon. All they can think about now is how to get their family members out of Lebanon if the situation escalates.
"Lebanon is a democratic country and today it is being held by terrorists at gunpoint. Things became critical after the fiery speech of Hezbollah chief Shaikh Hassan Nasrallah. Through his speech he declared war. In my opinion, those who use weapons on innocent civilians are nothing less than terrorists," said Sabbagh who also believes that the current situation was masterminded a long time ago.
Threats
"This was pre-planned by Nasrallah who is pro-Iranian and pro-Syrian ... Even freedom of speech is being curtailed. They have burned down newspaper offices and television channels have gone off the air following threats from Hezbollah."
W.B., a 31-year-old businessman, said the political parties with their vested interests have taken the country back ten years.
"We are trying to build a Lebanon which believes in secularism and a harmonious coexistence but certain vested interests are bent on dismantling all of it. We could not sleep the whole night wondering what was going to happen next," said W.B. who has a family back home. "Hezbollah has turned their weapons on the very people they once protected against the Israelis. Today they want to take control of Lebanon. It is ironic," he added.
A.K., a businessman who left Beirut in the seventies to settle down in the UAE, was planning to spend his retirement in his own country. "The problem is bigger than I thought. Now I will settle down in turmoil. I pray for peace to prevail."
Housewife Nadia Jada said she had planned to go to Beirut this summer to visit her parents. "I cannot risk my children's lives if violence escalates," she said.
Key facts: Lebanese expatriates
- There are an estimated 40,000 Lebanese in the UAE
- 30,000 live and work in Dubai
- Donna Turk, Consul General of Lebanon, said the consulate will function as usual from Sunday to Thursday. "We are functioning as usual," she said.
In turmoil
- Country: The Lebanese Republic
- Prime Minister: Fouad Siniora
- Population: 4.1 million
- Capital: Beirut
- Major language: Arabic
- Major religions: Islam and Christianity
Latest news
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
- Police's secret source scheme reaps rewards
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Mirror, mirror show me the way
- Smart e-Gate system launched
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
