URGENT CALL FROM MIRSAD
URGENT ACTION IS A MUST, PLEASE HELP LEBANON
YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED - PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR CONTACTS

MIRSAD: Beirut 25 May/2000: It has been reported by many sources and printed in Lebanese and international newspapers that many incidents of looting and taking of private property have taken place in the villages of South Lebanon that were recently evacuated by the Israeli army. Everything goes: cars, TV sets, cash money, personal belongings etc...It is particularly alarming that there is a confessional accent on these unlawful acts, as most of them appear to target absent Lebanese Christians.We have received and we continue to receive numerous phone calls from frightened citizens telling us that they are on the verge of leaving their villages.
It is deplorable that such acts some times took place in the presence of local policemen who were unable to intervene.MIRSAD views with mounting concern the growing evidence of the reluctance
of the Lebanese central government to exercise its authority and responsibility in the newly liberated areas of South Lebanon by refusing to quickly reinforce the limited police presence and to backing up with a substantial deployment of the regular Lebanese army.
The newly liberated territories of South Lebanon are under the de facto control of half a dozen armed militias. This should not last long. Unfortunately, the Lebanese government seems to be in a state of paralysis on this issue and prefers to wait until it hears further from the United Nations and obtain the necessary consents from the Syrian government which, itself, appears to be equally paralyzed and in a state of shock over the events of the last few days.
It is extremely important and urgent that we act NOW. Please send emails and faxes calling on the Lebanese government to promptly shoulder its constitutional and legal responsibilities by taking firm control of the security situation in South Lebanon without further hesitation or delay in order to insure the safety of Lebanese citizens and their property and end the de facto rule of the militias, thus proving beyond any shadow of doubt that Lebanese law is supreme over all Lebanese territory. We count on your support.

Name, Title, Fax, e-mail
- General Emile Lahoud, President of the Republic, +961-5-451217,
opendoor@presidency.gov.lb
- Dr. Salim el Hoss, Prime Minister, +961-1-354.929, marasem@pcm.gov.lb
- Ms. Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights, +41-22-917-9016,
webadmin.hchr@unog.ch
- The Lebanese Embassy or Consulate near you.

MIRSAD secretariat
secretariat@mirsad.org.lb
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