ASIA/LEBANON - “The situation is extremely difficult. There is destruction everywhere. People are frightened and demoralised”, says local Superior of the Paulist Fathers

Beirut (Agenzia Fides) - The Superior of the Society of Saint Paul in Lebanon, Paulist Father Elias Aghaei told Fides about the situation in Beirut: “Things are very difficult. There is destruction everywhere. The people are frightened and demoralised. The number of refugees continues to grow. So far Catholic Religious Houses and Institutions have suffered no damage and many are sheltering homeless families. But war continues to take lives and destroy indispensable infrastructures. Innocent civilians suffer the consequences of bombing. At least 4,000 refugees from the south have arrived in the area of Harissa, where we have our House. We are trying to meet their needs, shelter, food, but our provisions, medicines especially are insufficient, life is extremely difficult for everyone. Yesterday, Sunday, prayers for peace were said in all the churches. We hope the international community and the political leaders at the Conference in Rome this week will succeed in stopping the bombing of Lebanon. Then they must discuss once again the old question of how to settle the conflict in the Middle East which has lasted for fifty years”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/7/2006 righe 24 parole 241)