A very reliable Armenian source in Beirut sent me this: "On the Sham'oun incident: He passed by the Baladiyyeh of Bourj-Hammoud where alot of people were protesting, voting peacefully. His act clearly meant to disturb the process. In the entire bourj-hammoud which I kept walking, the amount of soldiers, and equipment was at max around the baladiyye. The incident ended up closing the (what is called sahat bourj-hammoud) for at least 45 minutes. The case with Gmayyel: The Tashnags have tried to keep options open for a resolution until the last moment. I mean, when Aoun, Michel al-Murr, and Mkhitarian gave the press conference, the latter still said that there was still hope/small chance, which he meant to the other side to still come to an agreement. Yet, the Phalanges refused. I have heard of the incident of the quuat al-lubnaniyyeh in bourj-hammoud which is about a few hundred meters straight from the
belediyyeh. There were also incidents in front of the Mesrobian school in Bourj-Hammoud where at least one Armenian was involved, and released. Today, I will have more clear picture of this. In fact, in these few days so much will be cleared and I will keep you updated."