Latest news with #Assaad
Nahar Net
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Lebanon's civil war fighters working for reconciliation, 50 years on
by Naharnet Newsdesk 11 April 2025, 11:20 Near front lines where they once battled each other, former fighters in Lebanon's civil war now gather to bear the same message, half a century after the devastating conflict erupted: never again. The war killed 150,000 people, destroyed the country and left an indelible mark on the Lebanese psyche. Years after it ended in 1990, some buildings in the freewheeling capital remain riddled with bullet holes, and 17,000 people who went missing were never found. "It was a useless war," said Georges Mazraani, a Christian who took up arms in Beirut's working-class neighborhood of Ain al-Remmaneh, where the conflict started. The Christian district is separated from the Muslim neighborhood of Shiyyah by just one street that went on to become a key front line. On April 13, 1975, members of the right-wing Christian Kataeb Party machine-gunned a bus of Palestinians, leaving 27 dead, hours after assailants opened fire outside a nearby church, killing one of theirs. The incident that ignited the war remains seared in Lebanon's memory. - 'Reconciliation' - The country had been on a knife-edge, with Palestinian fighters, and their Lebanese leftist and Muslim allies preparing for a confrontation against Christian groups, who were doing the same. For 15 years, a country once known as "the Switzerland of the Middle East" was ravaged by war along sectarian lines, with alliances shifting year after year with warlords building and breaking loyalties. And while the civil war ended in 1990, Lebanon has never recovered its former glory, remaining until 2005 under Syrian control, and with part of the country under Israeli occupation for two decades. Now gray, Mazraani was just 21 when he and other young men in his neighborhood took up arms. He later went on to command hundreds of fighters. "I lost 17 years of my life and 14 family members," he said, now 71 and ill. Near him plaques commemorating the "martyrs" of the Christian "resistance" adorn street corners. Today, "some people are encouraging civil war in Lebanon," Mazraani said. "They should be quiet and open up to reconciliation, so we can be finished with this problem." - 'Ask for forgiveness' - With Mazraani is Nassim Assaad, who fought for the Lebanese Communist Party, a onetime foe. "It's the poor" on both sides "who paid the price," not the militia leaders, said Assaad, who was 18 when the war began. He and Mazraani are now part of Fighters for Peace, which brings together former enemies for peace-building activities including community outreach and awareness-raising at schools and universities. Assaad said many people were worried about a possible return to civil war in the country still reeling from a recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. "Today, the circumstances are even more conducive for it than in 1975," he said. The key issue dividing Lebanon today is the arsenal of Hezbollah, the only group which refused to surrender its weapons to the state after the civil war ended. In Shiyyah, the fighters of old have disappeared. Israel's 1982 invasion and siege of Beirut dislodged Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and his fighters, while the leftist presence was replaced by Hezbollah, created with Iranian backing that year to fight the Israeli troops. The civil war ended with the Saudi-brokered Taif agreement, which established a new power-sharing system between Lebanon's religious sects. An amnesty for war crimes left victims and their families without justice, and the country has chosen collective amnesia in order to move on. "We must go back over our experience of war and ask for forgiveness in order to reach a real reconciliation," said Ziad Saab, president of Fighters for Peace. The power-sharing system was meant to be temporary, but in practice has enshrined the control of some former warlords, who swapped their military fatigues for suits, or their family members. Still today, periodic violence shakes the fragile balance. - 'Lessons of the past' - In the town of Souk al-Gharb, overlooking Beirut, former fighters from different backgrounds walk through grass covering the old front line to an abandoned bunker. The strategic town saw ferocious battles during the Mountain War between Christians and Druze that began in the wake of the Israeli invasion. "When I walk here, I'm afraid -- not of mines, but because the ground is stained with the blood of my comrades," said Soud Bou Shebl, 60, who fought with Christian militia the Lebanese Forces. Karam al-Aridi, 63, who led Druze fighters from the Progressive Socialist Party, said "war only causes death and problems," saying his village of Baysour alone lost 140 men. "We must learn the lessons of the past," he said. "No party must feel stronger than another, otherwise our country will be lost."
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lebanon's civil war fighters working for reconciliation, 50 years on
Near front lines where they once battled each other, former fighters in Lebanon's civil war now gather to bear the same message, half a century after the devastating conflict erupted: never again. The war killed 150,000 people, destroyed the country and left an indelible mark on the Lebanese psyche. Years after it ended in 1990, some buildings in the freewheeling capital remain riddled with bullet holes, and 17,000 people who went missing were never found. "It was a useless war," said Georges Mazraani, a Christian who took up arms in Beirut's working-class neighbourhood of Ain al-Remmaneh, where the conflict started. The Christian district is separated from the Muslim neighbourhood of Shiyah by just one street that went on to become a key front line. On April 13, 1975, members of the right-wing Christian Phalange militia machine-gunned a bus of Palestinians, leaving 27 dead, hours after assailants opened fire outside a nearby church, killing one of theirs. The incident that ignited the war remains seared in Lebanon's memory. - 'Reconciliation' - The country had been on a knife-edge, with Palestinian fighters, and their Lebanese leftist and Muslim allies preparing for a confrontation against Christian groups, who were doing the same. For 15 years, a country once known as "the Switzerland of the Middle East" was ravaged by war along sectarian lines, with alliances shifting year after year with warlords building and breaking loyalties. And while the civil war ended in 1990, Lebanon has never recovered its former glory, remaining until 2005 under Syrian control, and with part of the country under Israeli occupation for two decades. Now grey, Mazraani was just 21 when he and other young men in his neighbourhood took up arms. He later went on to command hundreds of fighters. "I lost 17 years of my life and 14 family members," he said, now 71 and ill. Near him plaques commemorating the "martyrs" of the Christian "resistance" adorn street corners. Today, "some people are encouraging civil war in Lebanon", Mazraani said. "They should be quiet and open up to reconciliation, so we can be finished with this problem." - 'Ask for forgiveness' - With Mazraani is Nassim Assaad, who fought for the Lebanese Communist Party, a onetime foe. "It's the poor" on both sides "who paid the price", not the militia leaders, said Assaad, who was 18 when the war began. He and Mazraani are now part of Fighters for Peace, which brings together former enemies for peace-building activities including community outreach and awareness-raising at schools and universities. Assaad said many people were worried about a possible return to civil war in the country still reeling from a recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. "Today, the circumstances are even more conducive for it than in 1975," he said. The key issue dividing Lebanon today is the arsenal of Hezbollah, the only group which refused to surrender its weapons to the state after the civil war ended. In Shiyah, the fighters of old have disappeared. Israel's 1982 invasion and siege of Beirut dislodged Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and his fighters, while the leftist presence was replaced by Hezbollah, created with Iranian backing that year to fight the Israeli troops. The civil war ended with the Saudi-brokered Taif agreement, which established a new power-sharing system between Lebanon's religious sects. An amnesty for war crimes left victims and their families without justice, and the country has chosen collective amnesia in order to move on. "We must go back over our experience of war and ask for forgiveness in order to reach a real reconciliation," said Ziad Saab, president of Fighters for Peace. The power-sharing system was meant to be temporary, but in practice has enshrined the control of some former warlords, who swapped their military fatigues for suits, or their family members. Still today, periodic violence shakes the fragile balance. - 'Lessons of the past' - In the town of Souk al-Gharb, overlooking Beirut, former fighters from different backgrounds walk through grass covering the old front line to an abandoned bunker. The strategic town saw ferocious battles during the Mountain War between Christians and Druze that began in the wake of the Israeli invasion. "When I walk here, I'm afraid -- not of mines, but because the ground is stained with the blood of my comrades," said Soud Bou Shebl, 60, who fought with Christian militia the Lebanese Forces. Karam al-Aridi, 63, who led Druze fighters from the Progressive Socialist Party, said "war only causes death and problems", saying his village of Baysur alone lost 140 men. "We must learn the lessons of the past," he said. "No party must feel stronger than another, otherwise our country will be lost." at/lg/it/ser
CairoScene
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
The ‘Sleek' Edit With Kuwait-Based Fashion Agency Owner Farah Assaad
Farah Assaad knows sleek. The fashion-forward Byffr founder is serving up sharp, powerful looks in this Scene Selects. Farah Assaad's influence extends far beyond the realm of a typical style maven—blending a sharp agency mindset with a dash of culinary flair. As the Kuwait-based founder of The Byffr, a fashion agency redefining the regional style scene, and Bespoke Culinary, a catering company crafting dining experiences for fashion brands, her work moves seamlessly between fashion, branding, and gastronomy. From curating campaigns for global heavyweights like Harvey Nichols, Bvlgari, COS, Netflix, Swarovski, and Stella McCartney to orchestrating fashion-forward events (and menus), her signature direction is sleek, powerful, and effortlessly refined. But how did she get here? With an interior architecture degree from Marbella, Spain, and a pandemic-era pivot to the London College of Fashion, Assaad turned her lifelong passion into a thriving business, remotely earning certificates in editorial styling and art direction. She launched Byffr nearly four years ago, and since then, she's been styling, directing, producing fashion campaigns and activations, and leading an all-women team. 'I firmly believe that success in fashion doesn't rely solely on formal education,' Assaad tells Scene Styled. 'Fashion, to me, is a deeply embedded passion.' Every look she curates is an extension of her mood—bold, daring, and distinctly individual. 'I lean towards formal designs that combine elegance with powerful silhouettes.' Whether it's sculptural tailoring, commanding power suits, or minimalist accessories that make a statement, her wardrobe is less about trends and more about intuition. In this exclusive Scene Selects, Assaad brings her refined eye to four curated outfits that embody her love for clean lines, sharp tailoring, and effortless sophistication. 'These four looks represent different facets of my style, from effortless elegance to bold experimentation,' she shares. Look One | The Power Cape Crusade 'This outfit speaks to my love for clean, sculptural silhouettes,' Assaad explains. 'The structured cape-inspired jumpsuit is a statement piece that feels powerful yet understated.' Assaad paired it with pointed-toe heels that add a twinge of contrast while still keeping the look refined. 'For me, this outfit embodies quiet luxury where simplicity speaks volumes.' Chats By | Seren Coat Alaïa | Le Teckel Small Leather Shoulder Bag In Ivory Jennifer Fisher | Puffy Cushion 10kt Gold-plated Earrings Neous | Matar In Cream Look Two | Suits & Sass 'Tailored pieces are a cornerstone of my wardrobe, they make up 90 percent of what I wear,' she shares. 'No matter the occasion, you'll always find me in a tailored suit, and this outfit reflects my love for classic yet contemporary power dressing.' The Kuwait-based director sees this look as a mirror of her style; strong, structured, and an effortless statement. 'I styled this with minimalist black accessories—sleek heels, a clutch, and subtle earrings—because I wanted the focus to remain on the clean lines.' Alaïa | Poplin Shirt Bodysuit Jacquemus | Le Pantalon Ovalo Wide-leg Pants Jacquemus | La Veste Ovalo Alaïa | Le Teckel Medium Calf Hair Shoulder Bag Bottega Veneta | Fin Large Sterling Silver Earrings The Row | Liisa Leather Pumps Rick Owens | Rectangular Sunglasses Look Three | A Little Zebra Mania This look taps into the bolder side of Assaad's personality. 'I seem to always gravitate toward bold prints that make a statement, and I believe zebra is a print that'll never die out or not be in season.' To soften the wild pattern, she paired it with a baby blue blouse, a nod to her love for unexpected contrasts. 'Squared toe ballerinas have my heart, and they make this outfit perfect for days when you want to feel comfortable yet stylish,' she adds. 'If I'm feeling extra playful, I'd throw on some baby blue stockings to tie it all together.' Alexander Wang | Cotton Shirt Jacquemus | Tozzi Zebra-print Calf Hair Midi Skirt Jacquemus | Les Ballerines Ballet Flats Loewe | Flamenco Small Faux Fur Clutch Alaïa | Sphere Cuff Bracelet Look Four | On a Monochromatic Mission 'When in doubt, always go monochromatic,' she advises. 'This outfit represents my belief that less is more, and it's a reminder of how simplicity can be the most striking choice.' Victoria Beckham | Pleated Ribbed-knit Gown Toteme | Patent Leather Knee-high Boots Ascher | X-large Baguette Bubble Hoops Jil Sander | Small Sphere Clutch Bag
