Political tension..

- I`ve just entered my door at home. (Actually it was a few hours ago, but some technical problems occured, and yes, well, anyways. Just pretend it`s still 5:30 PM) Another working day is over. The last hour was spent having security briefing with the Head of the Federation Delegation down here. We shall use the existing communication line, and from now on report all our movements after dark. And we`ve got stricter restrictions to where we can and cannot move. Tomorrow the governmental talks needed to go through with the elections for a new president in the country was supposed to take place, but earlier today the meeting was announced to be postponed. Again. The elections have already been postponed twice due to lack of consensus, and now it`s starting to be dangerously little time to act on. Saturday is the deadline for the sitting president to leave office, and by then the new one should preferably be on place. It`s hard not to notice the deadlock. There`s a lot of tension in the air, and I can feel it myself as well. I`m a little extra on guard when I`m out walking or driving. Hopefully nothing will happen, but still I try to notice little details like strange sounds or where the police has consentrated it`s guarding, and I`m constantly analyzing the situation around me the best way that I can. It`s not paranoia, but a blend of instinct and common sense that`s driving me, I think. And in a tense situation like this there is unfortunately reason to be worried. Everybody remembers the tragic carbomb that killed a minister and several civilians in Beirut just two months ago, and up through the years this county has not been blessed with too much peace and quiet.. The civil and military state of readiness has been tightened up the last days, and there`s more uniformed and armed men and tanks in the streets in my neighborhood. Serious faces with inquiring eyes. Even though people around me would rather avoid talking too much about the situation, and try to go on with their everyday lives as if things were completely normal, there`s no doubt that they are worried, and fed up with the whole political issue. “Will we have a new government?” “Are we ending up with TWO?” “A military one maybe?” It is difficult to predict to outcome of this week, but I dare bet that what most Lebanese want most of all these days is peace and quiet, and political consensus. Inch Allah, they will get what they wish for. As for myself, I`ll keep a low profile, and limit my movements to the Arabic school, nearby coffeeshops with internet connection, and the gym right across the street.