Press Release

Lebanese NGOs and citizens gather under the threat of the Israeli bombs to
say stop the bloodshed now

Beirut, July 20, 2006 ­- This morning more than 300 Lebanese civil society and citizens organized a rally in downtown Beirut to strongly demand an immediate ceasefire. This rally took place while Israel continues its collective punishment of the Lebanese people by bombing civilians and
infrastructure, and holding the whole country under siege.
The rally started in front of the UN building in downtown Beirut, and ended at the European Union (EU) house on Port Avenue. During which, various signs
where held up that condemned the Israeli attacks and the US support for such atrocities. Some of these signs read 4 Million Lebanese Hostages, End the Siege Now, and 300 civilians dead. The group of civil society organizations, which organized the rally and call themselves For Life, submitted a memo to the UN secretary General and the EU in which they demanded for ceasefire in sympathy with the innocent civilians and what is left of lives in the country.

Gilbert Doumit, a For Life spokesperson declared, by killing civilians,
Israel is violating international regulations and the UN Human Rights
Declaration with its attack. Up till now more than 300 civilians have been
killed, 1000 injured, and half a million have been forced to leave their
homes and are living in tragic conditions.

Wael Hmaidan, another For Life spokesperson said, We are not taking a
political stand. We are acting purely on humanitarian basis, and what is
happening is a crime against humanity.

As of nine days ago, Lebanon has been held under siege by Israel, who have
blocked all movements by land, air and sea, threatening to strangulate the
whole country. Things are going from bad to worse, and the world is hardly
aware of the extent of the atrocities that are being committed against the
Lebanese people. Hmaidan added, Attacks should stop now.

For more information: Gilbert Doumit (+961-3-227673) and
Wael Hmaidan (+961-3-506313), email: whmaidan@care2.com

Notes to editor:
The systematic destruction of the Lebanese infrastructure and economy has included our airport, all major bridges, roads and highways, water tanks, fuel and gas depots, wheat and grain silos, food storage facilities, ports, communication posts, electrical power plants, civil service centers, and army posts and barracks (despite the fact that the Lebanese army has not been engaged in this conflict).