Inside, a pot of tea is brewing and about 25 shareholders sit puffing narghilehs. Their children run, shrieking, around the building lobby. These haggard shareholders, coming from some of the poorest sectors of society, have invested their life savings in Co-op shares that brought them a steady monthly income and discount vouchers. On Tuesday, Hmaydi held extensive talks with Assad. Abandoned building sites and empty properties still litter the country almost a year after Prime Minister Rafik Hariri returned to office on a promise of economic recovery.
Properties are for sale, but buyers are reluctant to part with their cash.
This year is much worse than last. A Palestinian delegation visiting Syria plans to discuss the possibility of direct flights between Gaza and Damascus to boost tourism and trade. If agreed, this will enable thousands of Palestinians to come to Syria, either for leisure or work, and enable Syrians to visit Palestine. The summit will give Lebanon a rare opportunity to showcase itself to nearly a third of the United Nations' member states and to wave off ominous reports on the country's finances and politics. Though both countries have had shortages of funds and rain recently, Jordan tends to suffer more from a dearth of the wet stuff, while Syria has a greater financial problem.