By Mario Xuereb
THE West’s Lebanese community is reeling at the latest crisis to beset their former homeland.
As Israeli air strikes target key infrastructure across the small Mediterranean nation, expatriates are left wondering how quickly the conflict has escalated after years of relative stability.
Imam at the Maidstone Mosque, Ravi Baytieh, has struggled to digest news of the conflict as he worries for loved ones still living in Lebanon.
Mr Baytieh’s mother and brother remain in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, where they have intermittent electricity and water.
While the situation is more dangerous in the south of the country, Lebanese in the north remain anxious.
Mr Baytieh said his family had nowhere to flee.
“There are no green zones, nowhere safe in the country to go,” he said.
And while local concern is for Australians caught in the conflict, the imam fears for safety of Lebanese locals.
“They (the locals) have no options – they have nowhere to go.”
Mr Baytieh, who emigrated to Australia 15 years ago, said Lebanon had finally found its feet after the end of its bloody civil war and the withdrawal of Israeli and then Syrian troops in the past two decades.
“In the years since I left the country has grown – the infrastructure was all repaired.
“I never had a chance to see it. Now, it’s destroyed all over again.”
Mr Baytieh said the local Muslim community was incensed at the high number of civilian losses since the start of the air strikes, particularly the number of children killed in the conflict.
With only mobile telephone services functioning, the imam has spoken briefly with his mother, brother and other relatives.
“They are all scared.”
Mr Baytieh said he had struggled to get on with his daily routine during the crisis.
“I’m worried for all my family. No one knows what is going to happen next.”
The imam said it would take years for Lebanon to restore its lost infrastructure.
“But roads and bridges you can rebuild – it’s the people’s safety you have to worry about.”
