Expats divided on blame

Dubai: Lebanese expatriates are split on whether Hezbollah should be blamed for starting the violence that is engulfing their country.

Some have condemned the controversial group for its actions on Wednesday last week when it captured two Israeli soldiers and killed eight others, sparking heavy retaliation from Israel.

Others have rallied behind the organisation, saying it deserves praise for defending Arab interests.

Hezbollah had warned before last week's attack that it would carry out operations against Israel after failing to secure the release of some of its prisoners in the 2004 prisoner exchange.

Rami Turk, a 23-year-old shop worker who is a Sunni Muslim, said he was "not a supporter" of Hezbollah.

"In some ways I understand where Hezbollah are coming from, but I don't feel what they did was necessary at this point. We thought it was a time for going forwards, and now we are going backwards," he said.

Businessman Hatam Nasr, 46, described Hezbollah's actions as "uncalled for" and said there was "no provocation".

"Hezbollah started this and the Lebanese people are suffering the consequences.

"At the same time, Israel is completely unjustified in what it is doing. They should hit Hezbollah and hit them hard, but they don't have to destroy the country and kill innocent people," he said.

Ziad G., a 31-year-old sales director who is a Christian, said Syria and Iran were using Hezbollah as a way of waging war with Israel without exposing themselves to any risk.

"Hezbollah is controlled by Syria and Iran. If Israel wants to strike anyone, it should be Syria and Iran. Syria and Iran are using Hezbollah as a tool. They are the ones responsible," he said.

Rabiah, 27, from Beirut, took a similar anti-Hezbollah line, saying he did not support what the organisation was doing "at all".

"They started this whole mess and it has become too much. Israel and Hezbollah should go to the negotiating table, but Hassan Nasrallah [Hezbollah's secretary-general] would never submit to this. The main issue is that Hezbollah should be disarmed," he said.

Elias, 28, from Beirut, who has lived in Dubai for four years, said he supported Hezbollah "but to a limit".

"I want to go back to my country and live a peaceful life. But, even if Israel has power, now they will know that they are not the only ones with military power in the region.

"Israel has to realise that there will be repercussions for their actions. But, that said, Hezbollah definitely did not choose the right time," he said.

Crystelle, 22, Christian, from Deir Al Amar said Arabs "had to respond to what Israel has been doing".

"Hezbollah are completely justified and I support them. For 30 years this has been going on and we have gotten nowhere. This is the only way to get our prisoners back. Israel only listens to violence," she said.

Although a supporter of Hezbollah, Crystelle admitted that her family was suffering because of the current crisis, since her father works in the port at Beirut, which has been blockaded by Israel.

More support for Hezbollah came from Madyan, a 25-year-old Muslim from Mount Lebanon."Hezbollah are the only ones defending our land and are part of us and part of the Lebanese government. As I see it, we have two choices: we can defend our lands, or Israel will control us and beat us."

Cameraman Patrick Eisa, 24, a Christian, said neither Hezbollah nor Israel have acted sensibly. "I don't like Hezbollah - they are responsible for this - but Israel is not innocent either. They are not innocent at all. There is another way to delete Hezbollah rather than attacking Lebanon," he said.