When the Lebanese forget politics and politicians
Anyone who looks at the political, economic, social and security situation in Lebanon will realise that this is a country with its own story, not a Greek myth. There is something amazing about it that leaves one in a state of constant astonishment.
In the last session of the Parliamentary Public Works and Transport Committee, the situation exploded between the representatives, leading to the exchange of accusations, insults and water bottles over who bears responsibility for the power outage. For more than thirty years, Lebanon has not enjoyed electricity 24 hours a day, as in most countries of the world. Despite the huge sums of money spent over the decades on this sector, Lebanon is still drowning in darkness for long hours.
Despite the worsening crises of this small country, you feel that the people of one nation are no longer able to understand and dialogue, which is the ugly face of Lebanon. But thank God, there is another face to this small nation. The educated and cultured people of Lebanon are its true wealth, and they alone are capable of removing the worries and sorrows of the political class that holds the people’s breath and prevents them from breathing except to smell the odor of organic and political waste. Last week, a scientific conference on pediatrics was held in Athens, which included a large number of Lebanese doctors in addition to Greek doctors and other nationalities. In celebration of the Lebanese doctors, the Lebanese Ambassador to Greece, Mirna Al-Khawli, held a large dinner party at her residence, to which she invited the doctors. The Lebanese participants in the conference, in addition to Lebanese doctors residing in Athens and a number of doctors participating in the conference, and despite the difference and diversity of the sects and political affiliations of the invitees, the Lebanese abroad turn into one bloc united by the love of Lebanon.
With her diplomacy, spontaneity and courtesy, Ambassador Mirna Al-Khawli used to talk to everyone and make them feel that the ambassador’s home is the home of all Lebanese. She used to repeat, “This is your home.” Due to the prevailing spirit of love, the attendees sang traditional Lebanese songs and concluded the evening by singing the Lebanese national anthem... They used to talk and exchange laughter, jokes, and good and social conversations, far from politics and politicians.
Every time I say that there is no hope and that the situation in Lebanon is more complicated than any glimmer of optimism, I say again that hope may be renewed and regional and local winds may appear on the horizon that will restore joy to this small country. The Lebanese quarrel and fight, but they know that Lebanon is their country that they cannot do without.