Just a mass email to let everyone know I'm safe. A bomb exploded on Monday afternoon killing the former Prime Minister of Lebanon. The blast occurred about 2 kilometers away and there was no damage to the school. I do have a new respect for the power of explosives though. I was in the cafeteria at the time and heard a loud explosion, watched the windows rattle, saw dust settle from the rafters and felt the air compress around my chest. And I was indoors more than a mile away.
It was lunchtime so we directed the students back to their homerooms and after ten minutes or so sent them to their afternoon classes. Closing school early didn't make sense because traffic was going to be snarled anyway. The students would also be safer at school in case there were any secondary explosions. We were in contact with the US Embassy immediately and knew that it wasn't a western target. Many parents showed up to pull their kids anyway. An announcement came out before the end of the school day stating that ACS would be closed until next Monday the 21st.
There were some rumors of looting in Hamra, my neighborhood, but I've seen no evidence of this. The rumors likely stemmed from reports of rioting and tire burning in Saida, a town 30 miles south of Beirut. My local Lebanese co-workers are emotionally distraught. Harari, the former PM, was well liked and symbolized Lebanon's rebirth. He is credited for single handedly bailing out the economy, repairing the infrastructure and reconstructing Beirut's beautiful downtown area. (He's a multi-billionaire.) He lead the country from 1990 until October 2004 when he resigned along with several cabinet and parliamentary members in protest. The constitution had been changed to extend the pro-Syrian president's term by three years. The perception here is that Syria largely controls the Lebanese government and any opposition to Syria will be crushed. This latest assassination is just another example for the Lebanese people that they will never be out from under Syria's control.
A three day mourning period has set a somber mood. I walked around the neighborhood today and everything is closed. Very little traffic as well.
The blast site is barricaded and the police are keeping about a half block perimeter. Even from that distance I could see a huge crater in the road and the facade of the St Georges Hotel lying in the street. What struck me the most though was the broken glass. Every window within sight of the blast area was shattered. The Phonecia Hotel, a quarter mile away, is easily 20 stories and 10 rooms wide. Every window is gone. Drapes flutter outside and mangled aluminum window frames hang from gaping holes. Debris from the explosion didn't break all those windows, moving air did. The Monroe Hotel, the Bayview Hotel, the Expo Center, car dealers, restaurants, any glass within a half mile, shattered.
The mood can best be described as unsettled. Within fifteen minutes people were talking about economic collapse, Syrian invasion, even civil war. Some were crying, others were talking seriously and everyone was on their cell phones. The Lebanese have a natural tendency towards the dramatic under normal circumstances so things get out of control quickly during a crisis.
I think the three day mourning period is a good idea because it allows people to calm down. Hopefully there won't be major ramifications, but, as the US State Department's website consistently urges, I remain vigilant.
Thanks for your emails of support. I'll keep you posted.
Stu