They are talking

The port and airport are open, the roadblocks removed, and representatives of all the parties have jetted off to Qatar for talks mediated by the Arab League. I never thought it could be so wonderful to be stuck in traffic in Beirut--a sure sign that things have returned to normal.

Now we all wait to hear the outcome of the talks. Some give it a 50-50 chance of success, others are more hopeful. I am working on unpacking the evacuation suitcase.

On an overpass near the airport, a group of people in wheelchairs held banners in Arabic, English and French for the departing politicians to see:

"If you don't reach a solution, don't come back!"