Another Bomb

Beirut is quite a small city, area-wise. About an hour ago, just as Dom and I were preparing to go out, we heard a boom from some way off. Of course, after a gap of about 2 weeks, it turned out to be a bomb, very near to where I used to work for Time Out Beirut (so about a mile away). Of course, this came just as things had been returning to some sort of normality here. Thankfully, not many were hurt, and no fatalities have yet been reported, but it looked like a pretty big bomb from the TV pictures we can see now.

Just as an aside, it is incredible how close the TV cameras are allowed to get here. They literally walk right up to the bombed bus/car and have a peek inside. Surely that is likely to contaminate any forensics? And with army/residents/internal security forces swarming all over the place, I am amazed that anyone will be able to collect any evidence after about 10 minutes.

So our evening is to be spent indoors. And we were going to meet famous Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram tonight! (picture follows below - the lovely Ms Ajram is a friend of a friend). Obviously Dom is rather annoyed about not meeting her...

It's ironic, but I was going to blog tonight about how the troubles in the camps (or "The Situation" as it is now called) seemed to be quite far removed from life here in Beirut - I think because the camps are not really the domain of Lebanese, and obviously the Army, or other forces connected with the Lebanese authorities, cannot enter them. Although it's obviously worrying that there is now trouble in Ain El Helweh near Sidon, normally considered to be the most dangerous camp in Lebanon, and that the fighting continues near Tripoli. Friends of mine in Tripoli report that although they can hear the fighting, it is really confined to the camp, and the city, although quiet, remains quite safe for them.

The twins remain well, however, and are growing by the day. I need names so get those suggestions coming in!!!