For the past few days, celebrations are ongoing in Lebanon, people are glad to see an end to the political stalemate which had crippled the economy and drove many of the youngest and brightest minds out of the country to seek better prospects abroad has been broken. The country has a president, stocks are soaring, and Down Town Beirut is finally free of what many called 'Tent City' occupied by anti-government protesters. All in all it promises to be a great summer for Lebanon this year in terms of tourism.

However many fear that this was just a mere band aid rather than a cure. Hopefully our leaders will deafen their ears to outside interferences as only the Lebanese blood was spilled on the streets last week. They should heed the fact that in a war, nothing is predictable, and no side will emerge a winner; As proven by the long civil war that ravaged Lebanon as well as the events that occurred in May.

Winston Churchill once said "Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events".

Now to stop putting a damper on things, one thing remains a certainty is that the Lebanese are always eager to go on with their lives. Lebanon is a country which picks itself up, dusts itself off and bounces back. For now Beirut is back and all is well, hopefully for many many years to come.

May president Michel Sleiman be everything that his predecessor was not, and may he be allowed to fulfill his duties.

By guest writer Sil