| Two-day transportation strike begins |
| 19 Nov 2008 |
| A pre-announced two-day transportation strike has begun in Lebanon; many bus driver and taxi union members are participating in the labor action to demand better benefits from the government. It is not known what percentage of drivers are observing the strike, but it is expected to cause some ground transportation disruptions in the country, including in Beirut. Additionally, striking union members were scheduled to hold peaceful sit-in protests from 0900-1100 local time on 19 and 20 November 2008 outside National Social Security Fund (NSSF) offices in several cities, including in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and Nabatieh.
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| Two U.S. nationals who were confirmed missing in Lebanon on 8 October are currently being detained in Syria |
| 09 Oct 2008 |
| Syrian officials announced on 9 October 2008 that two U.S. nationals who were confirmed missing in Lebanon on 8 October are currently being detained in Syria. The two journalists arrived in Lebanon on 29 September from Jordan and were expected to return following their vacation. They checked out of their Beirut hotel on 30 September and were reportedly planning to visit the northern port city of Tripoli and possibly take a day trip to neighboring Syria. It was not until they failed to return to Jordan on 4 October that they were reported missing. Syrian authorities stated that the two U.S. citizens were arrested after they attempted to illegally cross the Lebanon-Syria border with the help of smugglers and that they would be turned over to the U.S. Embassy in Damascus after "necessary measures" were completed. The U.S. Embassy is currently working to confirm the two U.S. nationals' identities.
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| Syrian soldiers have been deployed near the southwestern border with Lebanon |
| 08 Oct 2008 |
| Reports on 8 October 2008 indicate that an unknown number of Syrian soldiers have been deployed near the southwestern border with Lebanon. Eyewitnesses in Lebanon stated that several military encampments and vehicles could be seen just across the border in Syrian territory. Although there have been no indications that the Syrian soldiers are preparing for a cross border incursion, U.S. and Lebanese officials have warned that the new deployment could spark conflict. The Syrian government claims that the military operation near the border was ordered to combat smuggling from Lebanon. Military analysts in the region told reporters that the new deployment coupled with the car bombing last month in Damascus raises serious concerns of a potential border incursion by Syrian troops.
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| Car bomb explodes near a bus carrying soldiers in the city of Tripoli |
| 29 Sep 2008 |
| On 29 September 2008 a car bomb exploded near a bus carrying Lebanese soldiers in the northern port city of Tripoli. The bus was the apparent target of the attack, which occurred during the morning rush hour commute in the Buhsas area, which is located at the city's southern entrance; at least five people were killed and 35 others were injured, while several nearby vehicles and buildings sustained heavy damage. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
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| Member of opposition party assassinated |
| 11 Sep 2008 |
| On 10 September 2008 a senior member of the opposition Lebanese Democratic Party was assassinated via a car bombing outside his home in the village of Baissour, located near the resort town of Aley and approximately 11 mi/17 km southeast of Beirut. Sheik Saleh Aridi was reportedly a high-ranking advisor to pro-Syrian Druze leader Talal Arslan, who is a main rival to the anti-Syrian Druze leader and member of Parliament Walid Jumblatt. Authorities stated that the bomb -- which was comprised of approximately 1.5 lb/0.7 kg of explosives -- was placed underneath the driver's seat of Aridi's Mercedes and was detonated as he began driving by either remote control or a motion sensor. Aridi was the only passenger in the vehicle and the only fatality; however, three other persons were injured in the bombing.
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| Syria & Lebanon agree to establish diplomatic relations |
| 14 Aug 2008 |
| On 13 August 2008 Syria agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon after nearly 60 years. President Michel Suleiman of Lebanon traveled to Syria on 13 August to meet with President Bashar Assad. The agreement was reached after Syria acknowledged that Lebanon has created a unity government that gave Hizballah a large part in decision-making in the country. The two presidents agreed to open embassies in each other's capitals; however, an exact date for the opening of the embassies was not given when. Lebanese Parliament members have been pressing for diplomatic relations with Syria, which would signify that Syria accepts Lebanon as a sovereign nation.
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| Update on Tripoli bomb |
| 13 Aug 2008 |
| On 13 August 2008 a bomb exploded at a bus stop frequented by Lebanese soldiers in the northern port city of Tripoli, located approximately 40 mi/70 km north of Beirut. The incident occurred on Masarif Street in Nour Square, (located in the busy commercial district). The device was hidden inside a bag and exploded at approximately 0745 local time (0445 UTC), during the morning rush hour. Authorities stated that a bus returning to Tripoli from the northern Akkar region and carrying mostly soldiers was the apparent target of the attack, which killed at least 18 people (both solders and civilians) and injured more than 40 others.
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| Bomb Blast in centre of Tripoli |
| 13 Aug 2008 |
| Since 2004 a number of Lebanese politicians and officials have been assassinated. Civilians have also been killed and wounded in these attacks as well as in random bombing incidents. You should be aware that in the current tense political climate, places where members of the public and Lebanese officials congregate may be at increased risk of attack. The most recent attack was on 13 August 2008, when a bomb in the centre of the northern city of Tripoli killed and injured a number of people.
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| Lebanese leaders have reached an agreement on a national unity government |
| 11 Jul 2008 |
| After weeks of anticipation, it was reported on 11 July 2008 that Lebanese leaders have finally reached an agreement on a national unity government. As agreed in a Qatar-brokered peace initiative in May 2008 that ended a long-standing political crisis, the Hizballah-led opposition has received veto power, which will allow it to block any government initiative that it opposes. The formation of the new 30-member Cabinet was officially announced via a presidential decree.
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| Sectarian clashes start up again in Tripoli |
| 09 Jul 2008 |
| Renewed sectarian clashes occurred during the evening hours of 8 July 2008 in the northern port city of Tripoli after several hand grenades exploded on a street that separates the city's Bab Tibbaneh and Jabal Mohsen districts. The districts are divided along sectarian lines, with Sunnis (who support the ruling government coalition) predominantly residing in Bab Tibbaneh and Alawites (who are pro-Syrian and support the opposition) residing in Jabal Mohsen. The grenade explosions prompted rival gunmen to take to the streets while snipers took up positions along a main road. At least two people were killed in the violence that followed, and more than 40 others were injured.
Authorities were deployed to the area to quell the latest outbreak of violence between residents of the two districts. The main highway between the Badawi Palestinian refugee camp and Tripoli (which is located approximately 50 mi/80 km north of Beirut) was temporarily closed due to reports that snipers were shooting at passing vehicles. Tripoli, specifically the Bab Tibbaneh and Jabal Mohsen districts, has experienced sectarian unrest on several occasions during the past month. The army continues to maintain a noticeable presence in an effort to prevent violence, but sporadic clashes between rival political supporters continue to occur. Further outbreaks of violence are possible in the area.
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| FCO - Update on Political situation |
| 01 Jul 2008 |
| Lebanon remains in a high state of tension following violent clashes in Beirut and other areas of the country between 7 - 12 May 2008. A political agreement was reached on 21 May 2008 to elect a new President and form a unity government. On 25 May Michel Sleiman was elected as President. This has alleviated some tensions, but they remain particularly high in the area around Tripoli and in parts of the Beka'a valley. Since mid-June there have been a series of clashes in northern Tripoli that have killed and injured several people.
Be aware that the security situation could change quickly and could affect your ability to move around safely and severely limit your options if you need to depart Lebanon at short notice. During this period of high tension you should exercise particular vigilance, ensure that you are content with your personal security arrangements and keep yourself up to date with developments, including by regularly monitoring this travel advice.
We advise against all travel to Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, which remain in a state of tension. Until early September 2007 there was heavy fighting between the Lebanese Army and militants, which largely destroyed the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli, Northern Lebanon
There has been continued tension in other Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, with frequent violent clashes in particular in Ein El Helwe camp near Sidon in southern Lebanon. There is a risk that instability in the nearby Ein El Hilwe Palestinian Refugee Camp could directly affect Sidon itself.
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| Bomb incident could further fuel sectarian tensions |
| 30 Jun 2008 |
| On 28 June 2008 a bomb exploded in an apartment complex in Tripoli, located approximately 43 mi/70 km north of Beirut. The explosion killed one person, seriously injured more than 28 others and caused heavy damage to the building and the surrounding area. The explosive device -- equipped with a timer -- was reportedly placed inside an elevator in the complex, which is located on Syria Street in the Bab Tabbaneh district; it exploded at approximately 0530 local time (0230 UTC). The neighborhood is predominantly Sunni (who typically support the ruling government coalition) and has been the site of recent unrest between supporters of rival political groups. Shortly after the explosion occurred, several people were injured by sniper fire, which reportedly came from a nearby neighborhood where opposition supporters reside. An investigation into the bombing continues, but no one has claimed responsibility for it as yet.
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| Clashes occur in eastern Bekaa valley village |
| 09 Jun 2008 |
| During the overnight hours of 8-9 June 2008, supporters of the pro-Western ruling coalition and the Hizballah-led, Syrian-backed opposition clashed in the village of Saadnayel, located in the eastern Bekaa Valley. The incident occurred following an altercation between a Sunni and a Shiite in Saadnayel, and escalated as rival supporters became involved. During the fighting, participants fired machine guns, mortar rounds and rockets at one another. As many as four people were injured. The army was deployed to the area early on 9 June, but did not attempt to intervene.
ASI Comment: Although a deal was brokered in late May 2008 to end a longstanding political standoff between the ruling coalition and the opposition in Lebanon, incidents of unrest have continued to occur in the country. As previously discussed in HOT SPOTS, the implementation of a political agreement ended a large-scale opposition-led civil disobedience campaign and temporarily defused political tensions, but the sectarian tensions that were stoked during the early-mid-May 2008 violence remain inflamed. Additional, sporadic and/or isolated incidents of violence instigated by individuals/supporters of various groups can be expected for the foreseeable future.
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