FHHRL's observers' Report No 2 from South Lebanon
May 23, 2000

Not all the reports of the FHHRL members who are monitoring the Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon are in yet. The foundation shall be better informed following the reporting and assessment session which is scheduled for this evening.
A brief run down on the situation reads as follows:
1- The central zone, purely Shi'ite, collapsed on the first day. The take over by Hizbullah and other armed elements was smooth and nobloodshed or looting are reported.
2- The more heterogeneous western zone, with a substantial Maronite and Melkite Catholics presence fell on the second day but displayed scenes on looting especially of cars, vehicles, electronic devices and valuable in the residences of Christians in Nakoura, Alma alShaab, Iyta al Shaab, Rmeish, Ayn Ibl and Qawzah. The FHHRL's observers did not witness nor heard of violations of more violent nature with the exception of the abduction of Nicholas Haddad and Atallah al Hasrouni in Ayn Ibl. The two young males were whisked away by Hizbullah elements. So far nothing is known about their where aboutbut it is generally assumed that they are being interrogated by Hizbullah before turning them to the Lebanese authorities.
3- The highly complicated and more heterogeneous Eastern zone passed to the control of Hizbullah this morning and 15 minutes ago the FHHRL monitors reported the transfer of authority is very much like the other two zones only that shooting is taking place in Qlay'a, a Maronite border village known for its zeal coupled with violence in supporting the SLA, and which Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, the Hizbullah leader, lashed out against on a number of occasions.
4- The stations indicated by the Lebanese authority for the SLA elements who wish to turn themselves in are, so far, unoperational, according to the FHHRL's observers.
More shall follow later
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