Could Lebanon ever be free of the civil war traumas?

Every time, the country escapes from a situation where a 'mini-civil war' could have broken out. The scenes from Sassine Square may be sufficient to convey the situation as is.

After Morocco defeated Portugal on Saturday night to advance to the World Cup semifinals, a group of young men on about 50 motorbikes rode to Sassine Square in Ashrafieh to celebrate the win. They carried the flags of Morocco and Palestine and chanted religious slogans near a Christmas market, which incensed the locals and led to a dispute.

Thus, security sources explained that these young men gathered between Cola and Tariq el-Jdideh, where they were watching the match in several cafes, and went towards Qasqas, then to Ras al-Nabeh, then Sodeco, and finally to Sassine Square.

Security sources also confirmed that although these young men came from Cola and Tariq el-Jdideh, they are Palestinians and Kurds, some Lebanese.

Sources added that it was confirmed during investigations that there was no partisan or religious political background for what occurred.

Whatever the case, what happened is a constant reminder that we failed to create a nation free from the traumas of war. We failed to create a country where citizens are free to enter, move, and celebrate in all its regions without fear of attack while respecting others' privacy and convictions.