Updates and Mediations

Hizbullah hit Haifa a couple of hours ago and killed 8 and the number of wounded has gone up to 40. Israel has asked its citizens to be on alert in Tel Aviv. The IDF has been hitting and has increased its shelling of southern villages and of the southern suburbs of Beirut. The death toll in Lebanon has increased tremendously, beyond the 100+ as of yesterday night. Israel has asked its citizens to be on alert in Tel Aviv.

Saudi Arabia has pledged $50 million for aid to Lebanon.

The Lebanese government is stepping up to its duties by being on alert humanitarian wise. The Social Affairs Minister Moawwad is in Beirut working to funnel refugees from the south to Beirut's public schools. She has also called on private schools to open their doors for the refugees.

The Cabinet has also called on all government workers to uphold the role and presence of the Lebanese state.

Two mediation teams are arriving to Beirut today: one headed by Javier Solana of the EU and another from the UN. Lebanon will be a big subject on the G-8 Summit agenda in Russia.

Italy's Prime Minister appears to be playing a mediator role. He was the first European high level official to call directly the Syrian President Assad yesterday. He has called PM Seniora to reiterate Israeli PM Olmert's conditions for cease-fire, namely to return the kidnapped soldiers and to have Hizbullah retreat its forces behind the Litani River. Yesterday, the Israeli Prime Minister has rejected PM Seniora's plea for ceasefire and gave these two conditions.

A lot of information, perhaps I'm sounding less coherent. Check out a new blog by a Swedish friend who's stuck in Beirut (or let's just say, who doesn't want to leave Beirut): Beirut Under Siege.

I will keep you posted of things as they come this Sunday.


"Nobody knows how many rebellions, besides political rebellions, ferment in the masses of life which people earth."