Most Lebanese expatriates welcome 'win-win accord'

Dubai: Lebanese residents in the UAE described the pact, which political factions reached in Qatar on Wednesday, as a positive change.

Businessmen and residents who conveyed their reactions to the agreement through Gulf News mostly believed that it will last for several years and are optimistic about it.

Elias Abu Saab, Vice-President of the American University of Dubai, said everybody seems to be optimistic over this agreement which is a win-win situation and should have prevailed a long time ago.

"The pact will last until next year's parliamentarian reactions... by then things will change in Lebanon because a new phase is expected," said Abu Saab.

He stressed that there is one way to govern Lebanon and that's for everyone to understand and accept the other party.

Abu Saab said: "I saw the settlement happening about two months since the Iranian President's visit to Baghdad... everyone should solve their differences through internal dialogue."

He expects a huge turnover of visitors to Lebanon during the summer and the Lebanese will also be preparing for next year's elections.

Lawyer Joseph Nahra, President of the Lebanese Business Council in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, said: "This agreement is very positive because Lebanese should live together equally and in harmony. Compromises have always worked with the Lebanese because Lebanon is a country of understanding between different communities living in equal rights and opportunities."

The recent state of insecurity and bloody days which hit the country two weeks ago brought back bad memories and the people were haunted with images of civil war and the fear of it happening again, he explained.

"Confronting political parties negotiated in Qatar until they reached a no-conqueror, no-conquest settlement," said Nahra. He expects an unprecedented turnout of tourists and Lebanese expatriates to visit the country this summer.

Sa'ad Al Zein, Managing Director of Abraj Property Developers, said almost every Lebanese citizen had been waiting for this pact to go through.

"We woke up yesterday morning on a very positive note with this agreement... our hearts have been hooked to Qatar over the past five days because we sincerely want this conflict to end and for Lebanon to foster and prosper," he said.

"We have a prayer for this agreement to ... last long because we cannot live in such uncertainty and such misery anymore... we want a strong and free Lebanon. God bless Lebanon, God protect all Lebanese and God forgive us all," concluded Al Zein.

Wahab Haj Hassan, 29, who is optimistic about the agreement described it as a win-win situation for both parties.

"However, the involvement of Hezbollah politically and militarily is crucial for a stable Lebanon provided both sides engage in civilised dialogue," he said.

Core issue

One resident expressed his pessimism towards the agreement reached and did not foresee prolonged peace.

"The agreement is a cosmetic change to a horrible picture... it's a no-win, no-lose situation," said 24-year-old Rami Atme.

It's pointless, 'today they agree, tomorrow they clash again on who will take which position', added the project engineer who does not foresee a prolonged peaceful situation and believes that the issue of Hezbollah's disarmament is the core of the problem which has to be addressed.

Hassan, a legal adviser, does believe that the agreement will last for at least a few years.

"In principal, this agreement gives the Lebanese a break to decide what future they want and to free them for a while from tensions, which recently only led to violence," said Ali Al Mais.

The 22-year-old financial analyst said a time of peace and stability will take place in Lebanon at least until the next parliamentary elections in 2009.

"No one is better than or can cancel the other. They all exist and this is how it should be. They just have to learn how to coexist and live in harmony," he concluded.

Have your say
Do you think the peace deal will last? Will this encourage you to travel to Lebanon for the summer? How do you see the future of the country? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

For the Lebanese people to be equal, the arms of hizballah must not be above discussion anymore. As nobody else has arms, and this was agreed on in DOHA. This is the most important issue, knowing that it has to be discussed in the right place "the Lebanese state institutions", the main change is requested from the Lebanese community on how they want their country to be, and they can decide that when they vote in the next elections. Until then I believe this agreement was the best to reach. GOD BLESS LEBANON.
naim
abu dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 22, 2008, 14:18

Firstly Congratulations on this Special achievement, the Doha Achievement!Secondly, Compromise or Agreement?? It doesn't matter! Even though it is temporary!!It is extremely important to all the Lebanese people and factions to get a chance to re-build their country and return to normal life and to stability! And to have a president representing the nation!The major point is that finally no more violence is on the streets!.I am sure it is a start and as soon as peace and stability return in Lebanon, many Lebanese and expats respectively tourists will be spending their holidays in this beautiful country. Lebanon can only survive with peace and dialogue, not with violence!
C. Widmann
Basle,Switzerland
Posted: May 22, 2008, 13:29

Sure it will not last.It is only because U.S and Israel can do nothing to rescue the government in the decisions they took against HezboAllah. July06 defeat of Israel, the recent negotations between Syria and Israel, the U.S sinking in Iraq mud,U.S stress with Iran, all made things go in a dormant phase for a while. Sooner or later it will be again activated. One shell at the borders or one assasination is enough to launch "part II". It all about the real players decision not the poor Lebanese. We are only a catalyst for a chemical reaction prepared by others.
Khaled
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 22, 2008, 11:02