Post-crisis life in Beirut

Since my last posting, many wonderful events have taken place in Lebanon.

It all started with a deal that was finally struck between government and opposition in Doha one month ago. The same day, Hezbollah supporters began immediately to lift their 16 month siege on the downtown area of Beirut where the Parliament and Prime Minister's office are located. I had the chance to be among them while they dismantled their tents.

Five days later, Presidential elections took place in Beirut and General Michel Suleiman was elected as president. Let us hope he can bring peace and stability to Lebanon, even though a cabinet has still not been appointed completely. Michel Suleiman is somewhat of a hero due to his successful battle against Fatah al-Islam radical group inside the Nahr el-Bared camp last summer.

In the mean time, things have been hectic at work, especially with the upcoming Donor Conference in Vienna. This conference was organised by the Government of Lebanon in order to raise 455 million USD for UNRWA to rebuild Nahr el-Bared camp and for the GoL to assist the neighbouring communities and the so called Adjacent Area of the camp. This is the conference document for which I spent endless meetings with the World Bank and Prime Minister's office including long nights drafting UNRWA's contribution:
http://www.lpdc.gov.lb/Uploads/2008-06/NBC-Donor-Conference-Final.pdf