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Attack shocks Lebanese in Saudi Arabia
From Daily Star, Lebanon. EFL:As the bodies of the seven Lebanese expatriates killed in Sundayâs blast in Riyadh are prepared for repatriation on Wednesday night, many are wondering why a mostly Lebanese compound was targeted. Since Sunday, the Lebanese Embassy in Riyadh has operated a 24-hour emergency center, accommodating the needs of families whose homes were destroyed and providing legal papers for those who wish to return to Lebanon. Seven Lebanese were killed in Sundayâs blast when a suicide bomberâs car exploded amid their houses inside the Al-Muhaya residential compound. Among them were three children. At least 35 others were wounded. About 120 Lebanese families live in the Al-Muhaya compound. They make up 60 percent of the households in the compound and most of their homes were located right next to the explosion site. Other residents were either Syrian or Palestinian, with a small number of Canadians. Yup, sounds like the Lebanese were the target According to Alice Nassar, a Lebanese who has lived in Jeddah for over 10 years, an atmosphere of tension has seized the country since the incident. âWeâre not thinking of leaving yet because nothing has happened in Jeddah. But as soon as the slightest incident occurs, we will pack and leave. Thereâs no question about that,â she said. âThe streets are empty and so are shopping malls. Weâre scared; everyone is,â she said. Nassar said that the Lebanese Embassy is holding a party for Lebanese Independence Day on Nov. 22, âbut no one is going. We donât dare to.â When asked if she believed that Lebanese nationals were the target of Sundayâs murderous explosion she said: âIt really looks like it. Perhaps because we are reputed to drink and party too much. No one knows.â Canât have any of that partying in the Holy Kingdom. Posted by: Steve 2003-11-12 |
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