Feature: Cleaning streets, first step to reconstruction in post-war Lebanon

Kamal Nasser and his wife are working hard to sweep the street in front of their house in Bint Jbail, once a main battlefield between Israeli soldiers and Lebanon's Shiite group Hezbollah during the 34-day-long conflict.

"We can't only wait for the government, because too many urgent things need the government. We have to try our best to do what we can do by ourselves," Nasser, 34, told Xinhua reporters on Saturday, shrugging his shoulder.

The Israel-Hezbollah fighting erupted on July 12 after two Israeli soldiers were captured and eight others killed by the Lebanese Shiite group in cross-border attacks.

The conflict came to a cease-fire on Aug. 14 thanks to the UN Resolution 1701.

"The situation here is rather better than that of the day when we returned on Aug. 16. But the dust heaps can not be cleaned out until the government send garbage truck to this area to collect," Nasser said, wiping off the sweat on his forehead.

The street before Nasser's house was neat and clean with the dust piling up every some 20 meters, which was the result of days- long efforts made by Nasser and his neighbors.

Nasser's house was completely spared from the Israeli bombardment by a miracle, which allowed him to give a helping hand to his neighbors before the appearance of the government.

But not everyone in Bint Jbail was as lucky as Nasser, because many of the residents here lost their houses totally, who are eager to restore normal life as soon as possible.

Several streets away, a 28-year-old man who gave his name only Talal complained the slow action of the government in this regard.

"Some people from the government drove this lumpish machine a week before, but it did nothing," Talal said angrily, pointing to a bulldozer parking on a pile of rubble.

"What on earth the government is doing? When we don't have to endure all of these?" Talal shouted, apparently losing his temper.

Different from the civilian houses, some municipal infrastructure and institutions have been in reconstruction.

Many bulldozers and grabs could be seen working in and around Bint Jbail and other southern Lebanese towns.

Ziad Ali, driver of a bulldozer that was rolling a newly filled crater, said that they had been working in south Lebanon for almost one week, during which their main work is to fill the craters on the roads.

Under the efforts of the government workers, the roads linking Lebanese capital Beirut to southern towns have improved markedly.

Compared with Xinhua reporters' first trip to Bint Jbail seven days ago, at least one hour was spared on Saturday in their second trip thanks to the better roads condition.

While talking with Ziad, a sudden huge explosion was heard around, which frightened this reporter to a little jump.

"Don't be scared. It's government army who is detonating an unexploded bombs left by Israel," said Ziad in an easy voice.

He further explained that the government army and UN forces are busy removing the unexploded bombs and missiles in south Lebanon in order to guarantee the safety of the local people.

The Lebanese are engaged in reconstruction work though it is just at an initial stage.

Source: Xinhua