Lebanon diary: The Cedar Revolution has gone “Citrus“

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

By Trish Schuh
Online Journal Contributing Writer

http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_1679.shtml

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A bull's eye on Beirut
January 17, 2007

BEIRUT -- Beirut is a city on edge tonight, in a region tensely waiting.

To the north of Lebanon, the US is sending F-16 fighter jets and early warning systems to Incirlik, Turkey, for the coming attack on Iran. To the east, American warships are taking up positions in the Persian Gulf, and Iran has recently shot down a US spy drone invading its airspace.

At Lebanon's airport south of Beirut, American C-17 cargo planes have begun delivering a billion dollar shipment of military aid "to assist the Lebanese police and army" concerning "Al Qaeda" -- aka Hezbollah/civil war. In west Beirut, tanks are stationed on quiet, tree-lined street corners. Increasing numbers of army and police are on sidewalk patrol, with AK 47s at the ready. Helicopters fly over the city and port, in case.

In Beirut's city center, I spoke to Christians from the Free Patriotic Movement about the situation. Insurance sales manager Henry Hamra, 39, reflected on the brutal rule of the Syrians in his country, and America's granting of democracy to Lebanon. "The US gave Lebanon to Syria as a gift 29 years ago. The first thing the Syrian dictators did was to appoint their own puppet government officials and administrators to further their interests. Now the Americans are doing the same thing in Lebanon." He said he felt America looked at Lebanon as a disposable asset to leverage their agenda in the Middle East. "We don't care anymore what all of you do outside this country. Just get the hell out of here and leave us alone. We want to live a normal life."...