2

WHERE AND WHEN AL QAEDA WILL HIT US AGAIN?

AT THE SIDE-WALK CAFE IN BEIRUT

Photo: A side-walk cafe in Beirut.

We landed in Beirut International Airport, sometimes  referred to as Khalde Airport. Previous arrangements were made to receive us at the airport and drive us to our hotel located in the area of Al Manarah facing the beautiful Mediterranean sea. Two gentlemen impeccably dressed were waiting for us, as well as a high ranking security officer from the "Al Amn Al Am "(National Security Directorate). One of the gentlemen reassured us that shortly we will be meeting with Mahmood and his friends. The meeting was scheduled for early evening at a cafe located in the region of Ras Beirut, and Sakyet Al Janzeer,  not far away for our hotel. Three hours later, the same two gentlemen who met us at the airport picked us up  in a Mercedes sedan from our  hotel and drove us directly to a designated cafe which served Lebanese food,  American food, French fries and believe it or not American milk shake and New York style bagels. We did not know what to expect, who to expect to see  and who will be attending our interview. But so far so good. Everything appears to be legit and safe. The side-walk cafe was packed. One could not ignore the elegance of the Lebanese women who were drinking, chatting, making jokes and laughing loudly. Ismael, one of our escorts directed us to a table where evidently Mahmood and his friends were seated. A 6 foot tall man, elegantly dressed, wearing a Christian Dior's tie and expensive crocodile shoes stood up, smiled to us, warmly welcomed us and greeted us in English and Arabic: "Welcome, welcome, Ya Ahlan  Wa Sahlan", (meaning in Arabic, you are most welcome). And this striking looking man was nobody else than Mahmood himself. He introduced us to his friends who were equally well-dressed and kept on repeating "Welcome to Beirut, welcome to Beirut." We did feel warmth and sincerity in the way he received us and more particularly in the manner he displayed civility and courteous demeanor toward us.

Photo: A view of Beirut by night.

Without asking us what we wish to order, to drink or to eat,  Mahmood took the liberty to order a fleet of dishes of all sizes and shapes of Lebanese favorite national specialties and appetizers. It was a feast to the eyes. Peggy and I started to count how many dishes were brought up, and if we were not mistaken, no less than 40 dishes were already on the table. It was really something. However, no hard alcohol was served. We ordered two bottles of Perrier. Mahmood and his friends, to our great astonishment, ordered Amstel beer. We thought that Muslims do not drink in public, little we did know, Khaled one of the gentlemen sitting at our table assured us  that "Bon Viveurs Muslims drink as much as Christians do." Mahmood took the initiative to tell us that he is ready for the interview. And the interview began. (Verbatim and unedited. Meaning printed as is without correcting grammatical or linguistic errors).

 

The article continues on the following pages.