The Armenian community of Lebanon, like the entire Lebanese society, has just started recovering from the war, unleashed by Israel, editor-in-chief of the Azdak, the largest Armenian newspaper of Lebanon, Shahan Kandakharyan stated in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. In his words, although hostilities did not touch towns and blocks, populated by Armenians, the huge damage and economic crisis had their impact on the community. We do not have statistical data yet, however, for sure the emigration of the Armenian community was not of mass character. Nevertheless, many members, having dual citizenship, left the country. We believe most of them are absent temporarily. A country, which has experienced a war, finds itself in a situation, in which emigration increases and economy falls into decay. The Armenian community cannot stay and live under those conditions. All organizations of the community work jointly to end this situation. We work to create a future for the country and Armenians of Lebanon.

Kandakharyan underscored that unless the Middle East crisis gets is political solution, forecasting the developments is difficult. «It is not clear whether there will be an attempt to solve the issue by military and political tools. At present the international community and superpowers should be interested in establishment of peace in the region. This is the only way to put into effect programs on restoration of the destroyed infrastructure of Lebanon, to revive the economy,» the editor-in-chief of the Azdak underscored.

Full text of the interview