Lebanon Needs A Break!
25 January 2016By Dr. Khaled M.
Batarfi
The Lebanese guard at a main entrance to Al-Najma plaza in Soldier, Beirut,
was depressingly sad as he told us that we cannot enter the famous district.
He explained to my wife and me that the whole area has been shut down to
business and visitors a year ago for security reasons.
''But this is the main tourist attraction rebuilt after it was totally
destroyed in the 15-years Civil War (1975-1990) by late Prime Minister Rafik
Hariri. It took years of hard work and billions of dollars to build, and is
owned by a public company (Solidere)! How could it be closed for so long, and
what happened to the many restaurants, cafes, offices and shops?'' my wife
asked.
''They all moved out!'' came the answer. ''As you know the area is too close to
the parliament and is surrounded by sensitive government ministries and
departments. After a series of bombings in Beirut, it was decided that the
whole area should be closed down,'' the man explained.
''But this would badly affect business and tourism,'' I argued.
''What business? What tourism? Look around you! This area is supposed to be
downtown Beirut. Does it look so?'' He pointed to the slow traffic and movement
in the streets and shops on the other side of where we stood. ''Most businesses
and restaurants in Solidere moved to that side, but they may soon close down,
too. They are not making enough money to survive the downturn.
''After the bombings, the demonstrations and other security concerns, not even
Lebanese are coming out to shop and entertain — not even on weekends. Saudi,
GCC tourists and Lebanese abroad are rarely visiting the country. They now go
to Turkey, UAE and other safer countries in the region. Why would they take
their families to trouble zones? Only Iraqis and Syrians are visiting now, but
mostly as refugees. Business has not been this down since the Civil War,'' the
guard concluded.
My wife admired Lebanon, as much as I did, and had visited Beirut a few years
ago, when tourism was thriving and Solidere was so popular that her family
would wait for cafe patrons to leave before they got a table. She prayed,
''Hope all of this passes away soon. Lebanon was the Switzerland of the East.
It has always been an oasis of democracy, free speech and high lifestyle. Rich
and poor — people of all tastes and needs found refuge in its heavens. We need
Lebanon back. No place in Earth can takes its place in our hearts and minds.''
The man shot back, ''We don't care to be any Switzerland, now. We don't care
for the image of a European country or to have many of life luxuries. We just
need our basics — to be left alone, to be separated from regional conflicts,
to live in peace!''
It was our first day in Beirut — a Wednesday. We chose not to accept this
depressing image. Lebanese had managed to dance their way through the hell of
the Civil War. They are too resourceful and spirited to allow the recent
setbacks to hold them down. We were right.
On Thursday, we took off to Faria, on the 2,465m-high, 50km-away Lebanon
Mountain, for skiing. Even though it wasn't a weekend, yet, we enjoyed the
usual top professional and friendly service. Many others shared our experience
from Kuwait, Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, as well as US and Europe. Most were local
families, though. They came to enjoy their national beauties and treasures.
Life was as normal, if quieter, as I always experienced it there.
Back to Beirut, back to politics. My friends in the media, government and
business, explained to us, each in his own way, why Lebanon is not thriving.
''We live in a rough neighborhood. Our politicians get their cues not from the
public that voted them in, but from Arab and foreign masters. Some play
constructive roles, like your country, some seed conflict, like Iran,'' said a
journalist. A businessman showed more optimism, ''With no president, united
government or parliament, you may expect a failed state! Still, you get a
reasonable public and private service and security is not bad.''
But no one denies that fear is permeating the air. Iran and its stooge,
Hezbollah, is a dark force strangling the country. Without their cooperation,
elections have been on hold, tension is high with Israel and competing
terrorists, and relations are strained with the Arab world. As a result, the
environment is less welcoming for tourists and investors.
Lebanon needs a break from interference, but especially so from Iran and
company. Arabs and the world community must help.
Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached
at kbatarfi@gmail.com. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
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