Mysterious Bombings Frighten Lebanese
Beirut (Lebanon):
A recent string of bombings — particularly the last brutal attack that maimed a prominent TV anchorwoman — has left many Lebanese frightened over who could be next and increasingly puzzled about what can be done to stop the mysterious attacks.
Sunday's bombing that injured TV personality May Chidiac — the first woman to be targeted — was the 14th explosion to hit Lebanon in the past year. The bombs have killed 28 Lebanese, including billionaire Rafik Hariri, the former prime minister.
Politicians are bracing for more violence as a U.N. investigation into Hariri's Feb. 14 assassination that is targeting Syria and its Lebanese allies nears its end.
"There is an atmosphere of terror in the country," said Ramonda Jalbout, a 33-year-old mother of two and a lawyer. "One feels afraid of everything, there is absolutely no sense of security, no protection. I've come to feel afraid even of driving my own car and parking it on the street."
"If Hariri and all his power and he could not protect himself, there is nothing I can do to protect myself," the woman said resignedly.
Four security generals are held on suspicion of involvement in Hariri's assassination, in which 21 people were killed, but not a single arrest has been made in any of the other bombings, which have targeted politicians, journalists and other prominent Lebanese.
Commercial centers, industrial and residential areas have also been hit by bombs stuck to the bottom of vehicles, left in bags on street sides or packed into parked cars.
Fear only increases with the government's apparent inability to solve the crimes. Interior Minister Hassan Sabei said the authorities were up against a "phantom" carrying out a plan to destabilize the country. Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, warning of more attacks, has sought — and received — help from the FBI, which sent a team that began investigating Wednesday.
Sept 30, 2005
Zeina Karam, Associated Press Writer
(Afternoon Dispatch & Courier, India)
Beirut (Lebanon):
A recent string of bombings — particularly the last brutal attack that maimed a prominent TV anchorwoman — has left many Lebanese frightened over who could be next and increasingly puzzled about what can be done to stop the mysterious attacks.
Sunday's bombing that injured TV personality May Chidiac — the first woman to be targeted — was the 14th explosion to hit Lebanon in the past year. The bombs have killed 28 Lebanese, including billionaire Rafik Hariri, the former prime minister.
Politicians are bracing for more violence as a U.N. investigation into Hariri's Feb. 14 assassination that is targeting Syria and its Lebanese allies nears its end.
"There is an atmosphere of terror in the country," said Ramonda Jalbout, a 33-year-old mother of two and a lawyer. "One feels afraid of everything, there is absolutely no sense of security, no protection. I've come to feel afraid even of driving my own car and parking it on the street."
"If Hariri and all his power and he could not protect himself, there is nothing I can do to protect myself," the woman said resignedly.
Four security generals are held on suspicion of involvement in Hariri's assassination, in which 21 people were killed, but not a single arrest has been made in any of the other bombings, which have targeted politicians, journalists and other prominent Lebanese.
Commercial centers, industrial and residential areas have also been hit by bombs stuck to the bottom of vehicles, left in bags on street sides or packed into parked cars.
Fear only increases with the government's apparent inability to solve the crimes. Interior Minister Hassan Sabei said the authorities were up against a "phantom" carrying out a plan to destabilize the country. Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, warning of more attacks, has sought — and received — help from the FBI, which sent a team that began investigating Wednesday.
Sept 30, 2005
Zeina Karam, Associated Press Writer
(Afternoon Dispatch & Courier, India)
