ARMED CLASHES STOPPED IN BEIRUT, CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE REMAINS

Yerkir
13.05.2008 15:29

Yerevan (Yerkir) – Shahan Gantaharian, the chief editor of the Azdak
newspaper published in Beirut, has told Yerkir that the situation in
Lebanon is relatively calm.

He, however, added that while armed clashes have stopped, there still
are signs of civil disobedience. "The army continues to be placed in
mountainous Lebanon and northern Lebanon," Gantaharian said. "This
situation continues to be tense, there are political statements from
both camps and abroad. The statements by US President George Bush are
remarkable where he called for backing the Lebanese government and
that maintaining democracy in Lebanon is in the interests Israel. The
Saudi Arabia embassy has also shut down."

He said that Amr Musa, the secretary general of the Arab League,
is expected to visit tomorrow.

As for the mood in the Armenian community, he said that the situation
in the Christian districts is relatively normal. "Schools continue to
operate, stores are open. The situation is normal in Armenian Anchar
too though some events have happened on the roads leading to Anchar,"
Gantaharian added.

He also said that there are some 40 casualties and about a 100 wounded
according to the Interior Ministry.