Lebanese greet capture of 2 “Israeli” troops with spontaneous celebration

Source: Daily Star, 13-7-2006
BEIRUT: Thousands of Hizbullah supporters took to the streets on Wednesday to celebrate the capture of two "Israeli" soldiers, setting off fireworks and honking car horns throughout the South, the Bekaa Valley and Beirut`s southern suburbs.
Fireworks blended with celebratory gunfire in the suburbs and the nearby Bourj al-Barajneh Palestinian refugee camp, which were draped in Hizbullah`s signature yellow flags with a smattering of Amal Movement green, as supporters paraded by car, bicycle, mini-van and on foot.
Abu Ali Moqdad, 62, said he joined the spontaneous demonstration "to show support for the resistance and to celebrate the morning`s victory."
Moqdad told The Daily Star that as long as the "Israelis" continue to threaten Lebanon, "we have the right to make them live in fear and under threat as well."
Hajja Nabiha Abbas, 57, who is originally from the South but now lives in the southern suburbs, stood on the side of the road and ululated and clapped for the young men and boys who were lighting fireworks.
"May God bless [the resistance fighters`] souls and protect them; may they capture more "Israelis" to show them that we can fight for our land, and we are efficient in doing so," she said.
Some celebrations threatened to turn violent as automatic-weapons fire forced several residents to stay home for fear of stray bullets.