ARMENIAN PARTIES IN LEBANON ISSUE STATEMENT

Yerkir
May 12 2008
Armenia

Yerevan (Yerkir) – The three Armenian political parties in Lebanon –
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the Ramkavar Azatakan party
and the Hnchak Social Democratic Party – held a meeting on May 9 in
Beirut in connection with the recent civil unrest, Shahan Kandaharian,
the chief editor of the Armenian-language newspaper Aztag, has said.

During a phone conversation, Kandaharian told Yerkir that the parties
have called on the conflicting sides to engage in a dialogue and stop
the bloodshed.

"The recent events remind us of the civil war in Lebanon," Kandaharian
said. "The clashes are mainly between the pro-government and the
opposition forces. The clashes have resulted in the opposition forces
taking control over the western districts of Beirut. The situation
is tense in the northern and mountainous parts of Lebanon where the
opposition has taken control too. Clashes occur at the Syrian border
as well and the highway to Damascus often gets blocked." He added
that the opposition has blocked the roads to the airport, and all
flights have been delayed.

Kandaharian said that the Armenian-populated districts of Beirut
are mainly unharmed. The roads to the Bekaa region are blocked but
the Armenian village of Ainjar has been saved since no clashes have
occurred there. He said that the Armenian air carrier Armavia has
suspended its flights to Beirut.

"The Armenian community has found itself in a new situation since
many were planning to travel to Armenia; because of the current
situation, it was impossible to celebrate the Shushi liberation
anniversary. However, before those events, the ARF youth organizations
and committees managed to hold several events dedicated to that
date. Some cultural events have been delayed," Kandaharian said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress