Lahoud: Our strength lies in the unity of our state, army and resistance…(1)
"Lahoud promises security and improved services for residents Hundreds of people flocked to Jezzine on Sunday in their first visit to the town since the SLA* pulled its militiamen out Thursday.

"The flood of visitors arrived just a day after President Emile Lahoud paid a surprise visit Saturday, during which he reiterated assurances that Jezzine would be as “safe as any other town in Lebanon,” and receive its share of government attention in the form of social and other services.

"His visit, during which he met Jezzine notables and mingled with residents, was the first by a head of state since before 1982, and took place only two days after the SLA withdrew from the enclave.

"In a characteristically low-key arrival, Lahoud drove unannounced into Jezzine shortly after 8 am in a convoy of two Mercedes and four Range Rovers without only limited security measures.

"As soon as word spread, residents flocked to the streets to greet the president. Lahoud was showered with rice and rose petals from the hundreds of cheering people lining both sides of the road, with many holding his picture and waving national flags.

"Constantly smiling, Lahoud shook hands with members of the crowd and even paused to have his picture taken with some well-wishers. The president then went directly to the office of the qaimaqam, where he met local officials and politicians, including MPs Samir Azar and Suleiman Kenaan, former MP Edmond Rizk, south governor Faisal Sayegh, Jezzine qaimaqam Nabih Hammoud and Father Boulos Khawand of the Mashmousheh monastery.

“Our strength lies in the unity of our state, army, resistance and the complete understanding with our Syrian brethren,” he told the officials.

"He added that the SLA militiamen who surrendered to the authorities would be tried in court, and called upon the remaining defectors to turn themselves in.

“Young men who joined Lahd in the past must quickly turn themselves in to the judiciary, which will examine their cases without being influenced by anything,” Lahoud said.

Assuring those present for the impromptu briefing that the state would tend to the infrastructure and other social needs, Lahoud said he had instructed officials to start providing the residents of the region with better public services.

"Lahoud cited Premier Salim Hoss’ visit to Jezzine the day before as further proof of the government’s concern, and added that he had made necessary contacts to ease traffic congestion on the Kfar Falous crossing after he saw more than 50 cars jamming the checkpoint when crossing into the Jezzine area.

“I’ve given the necessary instructions that will ease traffic for residents and asked that pedestrians not to be subjected to searches,” Lahoud said.

“Crossing from one village to another must be free. Caution must be exercised however while crossing in or out of an occupied village,” the president added. “We will provide the residents with as much assistance as is within our reach. Jezzine will be safe just like Baabdat, like any other town in Lebanon,” Lahoud said, refer-ring to his own Metn hometown. “All we want is for the residents of Jezzine to return to their region.

“They may wait, if they wish, to observe developments on the ground but they will be very satisfied after seeing with their own eyes the positive and encouraging results,” he said.

Samir Azar described Lahoud’s visit to Jezzine as “an important step following 17 years of occupation, which encourages the rest of the occupied villages to resist and hope for liberation.”

The president then visited the town’s Public Hospital where he instructed officials to offer citizens all the help required.

"Afterward, Lahoud went to the offices of the Jezzine Municipality, where he waved to the crowd to the accompaniment of patriotic songs from loudspeakers. He then inspected progress on the new serail on Tallet Rouways.

"Lahoud then walked through the throng to the Shallal area where a boy offered him flowers and he was given a traditional hand-made sword. There he met with French ambassador Daniel Jouanneau who accompanied him on part of his tour". "The visit coincided with a nearby "Israeli" air raid on the edge of the village of Jibaa in the Iqleem al-Toffah. Two warplanes dropped two bombs into a hillside in what was the first air raid staged by the "Israelis" since the SLA completed its retreat from Jezzine on Thursday".

"Israeli" Aggressions…(2)
The "Israeli" occupying troops launched the following aggressions on the Lebanese areas as mentioned in a statement issued by the IR:
Between 00:05 and 00:25, the area between Jibal El-Botom and Zibqeen villages was bombarded by twenty 155mm missiles.
7:05, eight 155mm missiles fell on the west of Yater village and four others on the road of Hamra area.
11:20, five 120mm smoke shells struck the surroundings of Qantara compound.
14:40, the outskirts of Aita El-Jabal subjected to three 120mm shells.
15:10, four 120mm shells were fired at Haddatha forest.
16:45, the perimeters of Mlikh village exposed to four 120mm shells.
Between 19:10 and 20:15, the perimeters of Majdal Zoun came under fifteen 120mm shells, four of which are smoke ones, and three tank rounds.
19:25, the area between Chaitieh and Zibqeen villages was bombarded by ten 155mm missiles.
19:40, Jib Soweid area was targeted by four 120mm shells, whereas the surroundings of Shamaa position subjected to a barrage of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets.
Between 19:45 and 20:20, six 120mm shells were fired at Hassan ravine.
19:55, the "Israeli" warplanes staged a sortie into the north of Zibqeen.
20:05, Hassan ravine was targeted by 12.7mm heavy machine gun fire.
20:07, the "Israeli" warplanes reiterated targeting north of Zibqeen.
20:20, seven rounds fell on Sfarjal ravine near Majdal Zoun and four others on north of Zibqeen.
20:25, Majdal Zoun came under three 120mm shells and two smoke missiles.
20:30, the “Israeli” jets fired one air-to-surface rocket into the road of Zibqeen - Henneih, while at the same time, a volley of 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets struck Hassan ravine.
22:15, one 81mm round landed Slouqi Valley.
22:50, the peripheries of Majdal Zoun and Mansouri subjected to heavy machine gun fire.

Military Operations…(3)
The IR squad of martyrs Mohammad Hassan Bachir and Youssef Ali Nassereddine attacked, at 14:30, enemy movements near Haddatha compound. The militants, who used the adequate arms, managed to chalk up direct goals.

Also, the IR squad of martyrs Rodwan Sami Rashid and Khalil Ibrahim Said attacked, at 19:30, enemy movements near Tair Harfa outpost with the suitable weapons. The mujahedeen managed to chalk up direct goals.

Happy return for Roum families…(4)
"After 17 years of forced absence, more than 270 former residents of Roum flocked to the village Sunday to see old friends and their former homes.

"Over 60 Shiite and several Christian families who had left the mixed village following "Israel's" 1982 invasion returned in a long convoy of cars.

Car horns blared and children waved flags out of the windows on the drive to the hilltop village, 23 kilometers east of Sidon.

"Traditionally the region’s second summer resort after Jezzine, Roum originally had a population of 5,000 people, of whom only 650, predominantly Christians, remained after the invasion 17 years ago.

Ahmad Merhi, 25, returned to the village Sunday for the first time since the occupation began.

“This is where I used to play when I was a young boy,” he said pointing to a nearby yard.

Labib Ahmad arrived in the village and immediately went to his grandfather’s grave where he recited a prayer".

"Ali Ahmad, 70, told his nephew, Labib, “This is where you will grow up and go to school from now on.”

"The Merhi family drove their car to the abandoned militia outpost at the top of the hill in the center of the village. Climbing out of their car, they kneeled to kiss the ground".

Their children only knew Roum by name, having never seen their hometown before.

“I can’t wait to meet my old friends. I cannot describe my emotions at this time,” Nabil Merhi said.
Ghada Haddad, a 50-year-old Christian who remained in Roum, said she had remained in touch with her Muslim neighbors in the interim, insisting that her newly-returned neighbors stay for lunch on their first trip home in almost two decades.

“I’m very happy that they have returned. We are brothers and sisters and we shall always remain so,” Haddad said.