In light of the adversities that Lebanon endured, and as a confirmation of the country’s determination to host international events, the Beirut Marathon Association will stage the BLOM Bank Beirut Marathon on November 26, 2006.

The event has always proven that success can be achieved when determination and effort are combined. In 2005, more than 20,000 participants from 70 countries took part, including several elite athletes.

This year, the BLOM Bank Beirut Marathon will signify the strength of Lebanon’s foundation despite all political hurricanes, all human loss, and material damages. The participation of the Lebanese immigrants is encouraged and will reinforce the spirit of continuity.

More information about the Beirut Marathon can be found at www.beirutmarathon.org

For 2006 the Beirut Marathon Association has decided to undertake a new initiative for helping victims of cluster bombs. So far, these bombs have claimed 14 lives and injured 91 others all of them being children, and the number of these victims is increasing by the day. Donations can be made to the following account number:

Account Name: Beirut Marathon Association (Children Donation)

BLOM BANK- Main Branch, Beirut/ Lebanon

A/C# 040/01/304/1184815/1 (LBP) / 040/02/304/1184815/1 (USD)

Swift Code; BLOMLBBX

On the 26th of September 2006, the Ambassador of Lebanon Mr.Massoud Maalouf hosted a reception in his Residence at Wilanów, to thank all the “Friends of Lebanon” who have expressed their support for his country during the Israeli aggression.
Ambassador Maalouf thanked all those who contacted the Embassy by phone, fax or e-mail to express their indignation and their support as well as those who contributed to the humanitarian efforts for the relief of the Lebanese victims of the Israeli attacks.
Special thanks were expressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, the City of Łódź, the Silesian Fathers and Polish Airlines “LOT” Company for sponsoring the visit of 30 children from Lebanon. The Lebanese children spent two weeks in Poland and were grateful for the opportunity given them to see such a beautiful country. The Ambassador expressed also the gratitude of Lebanon to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland for sending 3 plane loads of humanitarian assistance and for donating 1 million Euros in the framework of the Stockholm meeting and mostly for increasing the Polish participation in the International Force in South Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The First Secretary – Consul of the Embassy of Lebanon in Poland Mr Ziad Itani left Warsaw on 20/8/2006 upon completion of his tenure at the Embassy. Mr Itani has been transferred to the Embassy of Lebanon in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

His Successor Mr Kabalan Frangieh arrived in Warsaw on 20/9/2006 and has assumed his responsibilities as First Secretary – Consul of the Embassy of Lebanon in Poland. Mr Frangieh’s previous assignment was at the Embassy of Lebanon in Austria.

Mr Kabalan Frangieh – CV

On the 5th of September 2006, the Polish Chamber of Commerce and “Foreign Markets” Magazine organized a Seminar on the Reconstruction projects in Lebanon and the possibility for the Polish companies to participate in these projects. The main speakers at the Seminar were the Ambassador of Lebanon Mr. Massoud Maalouf, the former Polish Ambassador to Lebanon Mr. Waldemar Markiewicz and Mr. Leszek Walczuk, the Head of the Committee for Cooperation with the Arab Countries in the Polish Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Andrzej Arendarski, President of the Polish Chamber of Commerce opened the Seminar and Mrs. Marzena Zielińska-Schemaly was the moderator.
The Seminar was attended by many Polish enterprises and it was very well covered by the Polish media.
In his presentation, Ambassador Maalouf spoke of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and the magnitude of the destruction it inflicted on the civilian infrastructure. He then encouraged the Polish business community to participate in the reconstruction projects in Lebanon, and he underlined the potential for business and commercial relations between Lebanon and Poland.
Ambassador Markiewicz commented on the positive business environment available in Lebanon, stressing the fact that Lebanon enjoys the same freedoms as any European country and that business can be done in US dollars as well as in Lebanese Lira.
Mr. Walczuk’s presentation focused on the importance of the Lebanese market as a gateway to the Gulf and other Arab countries.
The presentations were followed by a “Question and Answer” session which showed the interest of Polish companies in exploring the potentialities of the Lebanese market.
Ambassador Maalouf closed the meeting, thanking the Chamber of Commerce, “Foreign Markets” and all the participants for their interest in Lebanon.

Polish Humanitarian Organisation
Szpitalna Street 5/3
00-031 Warsaw                                                                            Warsaw, August 2006.

PHO reconnaissance mission to Lebanon
4-10 August 2006

   Ongoing military conflict which resulted in about 900 000 Internaly Displaced People (IDP) made Polish Humanitarian Organisation focused on humanitarian situation in Lebanon. From 4th to 10th of August 2006 Polish Humanitarian Organisation conducted reconnaissance mission to Lebanon. The main goal of this mission was to assess needs of affected people, but also to provide emergency relief by buying and distributing relief products.

IDP’s camp in Amchit – PHO provided aid there

   PHO activity focused on Jbeil region (Mohafaza: Mont Liban, Kadaa: Jbeil), where more than 21.000 IDP’s has been located in schools (and other public buildings) and in families. Exept PHO there were no other foreign or international organization present in the area. Most of the foreign and international NGOs focused on Beirut and its area. However the majority of IDP took shelters in northern Lebanon, which seemed to be safer.

Mother and her child in Amchit IDP’s camp

   Emergency relief for IDP was carried out in parallel with the assessment, in close cooperation with Salesians Don Bosco. People in 12 IDP’s centers (located in public buildings most of which were schools) and 8 locations in families received from PHO (supported by Salesians) aid. In total 293 families (more than 1.100 people) were helped (for instance IDP’s camps in: Jbeil, Fidar, Hboub, Amchit, Ehmej, Annaya, Halat, Kartaboun, Kfarmassoun, Mastita, Jouret Bedran and Mar Yousef).

Child in Don Bosco School in Hossoun

   Relief packets consisted from: – kitchen kits (pots, gas stoves, etc.), – hygene kits (detergents, washing powders, dish-washer detergents), – personal hygene kits (soaps, shampoos, sanitary towels, towels), – children kits (toys, notebooks, pens, chalks, etc.), – baby kits (diapers, moistened napkins, milk, toys, etc.), – other relief items such as: buckets, bowls, basins, dishes, mattresses, blankets, sheets, pillows, medicaments etc.

One of the IDP with his son in Hossoun

   The aid was different in different location and it was adapted to the IDP’s situation. Total value of help provided by PHO is 53.000 USD. Changing political situation and ongoing truce made most of the IDP come back to their homes. PHO by its partners – Salesians Don Bosco – is making an assessment on the south to adapt aid to the new conditions. The current data showes that there are severe damages in infrastructure in the south. After people came back to their houses they are still suffering, because the lack of water. Water-sanitation sector is the one in which PHO wants to specialize, that is why PHO will try to provide emergency relief in this sector. The aid is still in progress.

wer. Polish

By His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP
Primate, Antochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, July 31, 2006

Cana (modern spelling is “Qana”) is a little village in South Lebanon which was blessed by the presence of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, his Holy Mother and his disciples. Cana is the village where Christ performed his first miracle by changing the water into wine at the marriage feast. ( John 2: 1-11). Thus, Cana is deeply rooted in our Christian history.

Unfortunately, in modern times and due to the conflict between Israel and Arab nations, including Lebanon, Cana has been the victim of Israeli aggression twice: once in April 1996, when an Israeli rocket killed 105 Lebanese men, women and children. And second, on Sunday morning, July 30, 2006, when an Israeli rocket killed 60 people, including 37 children. This indiscriminate killing is against the Geneva Convention, the United Nations Charter and all laws of civilized nations.

This savage war is between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon has no air force, no navy and no large military force.

As a matter of fact, the Lebanese army is not involved in this war at all. This war, then, is between Israel and Hezbollah. Why is Israel bombing Lebanese cities, villages, bridges, roads and killing innocent men, women and children – in the south and north, east and west of Lebanon? According to UN statistics, more than 800 civilians have been killed, many of them children, and more than 800,000 Lebanese have been made refugees in their own country. Israel knows very well where Hezbollah is. Why doesn’t Israel fight Hezbollah on its own turf? Why is Israel bombing civilian cars, motorcycles and pickup trucks carrying food for hungry people and medical supplies for the wounded? Lebanon is a poor country; the devastated infrastructure will cost billions of dollars to rebuild.

We deplore the killing and destruction on both sides. We know that Hezbollah has some weapons which are causing some unfortunate killing and destruction in Israel. But Hezbollah does not have American weapons such F-16s, F-15s, Apaches and smart bombs, etc…

When I saw the Lebanese Red Cross retrieving the tender dead bodies of little children from underneath the rubble and I looked at their innocent faces and iconic eyes, I wept. I was indeed ashamed to see the extent of the cruelty and barbarism of our world. This morning, when the Lebanese Broadcasting Company showed pictures of the city of B’int-Jbeil which was completely leveled by the Israeli air force, I was reminded of the destruction of Stalingrad and Berlin during the Second World War. We and the whole world, with the exception of the United States, Great Britain, and Israel, are calling for an immediate cease fire. If we allow the law of the jungle to prevail, and if we allow our moral principles to be trodden on by barbarian feet, what will be left of our civilization?

The behavior of Mr. Ehud Olmert in this war reminds me of the behavior of his ancestor of old, Joshua, recorded in the Book of Joshua 6:21. “And they (Joshua’s army) destroyed all that was in the city (Jericho) both man and woman, both young and old, and ox, and sheep and ass with the edge of the sword.” Thanks to Mr. Olmert, nothing is left in B’int- Jbeil except some starving dogs feeding on corpses.

Wersja polska

www.help.lebanon.pl