Months after he was struck in the face by a rubber bullet during a protest in Beirut, Jean-Georges Prince’s scarred lip still hurts when he speaks.
It took 56 stitches in a six-hour surgery to repair his torn lower lip when a rubber bullet smashed into his jaw and broke six teeth in January .
The injury has stretched and pulled down the right side of his lip.
Some days it goes from uncomfortable to actually hurtful
Mr Prince, 32, wears it as a badge of honour and a reminder of nationwide anti-government protests that started in Lebanon on October 17.
“Today it’s written on my face. This is something I see every day when I look at myself in the mirror. Instead of taking me back to a dark place which is the injury itself, it takes me to a very hopeful place which is the fight we put up on the ground,” he said.
“My lip is skewed so it’s actually not straight anymore. I will have to go through two different surgeries but I’m proud keeping it the way it is. It’s a scar that is a reminder of what happened, and also a scar of what we are still doing.”
The advertising professional was one of a dozen people hit with rubber bullets on January 18 during one of the most violent stand-offs with security forces in Beirut.
He had described to The National the intense pain and loss of blood he suffered after being shot but was back on the streets a month later as soon as the stitches were removed.
Mr Prince has since moved to Dubai to take up a job as a copywriter.
Although back on a regular diet, he continues to avoid food that is tough to chew.
“When they stitched my lip, they had to pull it to the side and it’s an uncomfortable feeling because my lip is constantly pulling to the right side and I can feel it when I speak,” he said.
“Some days when I speak or laugh a lot, it starts pulling badly and goes from uncomfortable to actually hurtful.”
Since his beard does not cover the scar, Mr Prince is often asked about the injury.
“The fact that I got injured within that movement has made it somehow easier for me to cope,” he said.
“It was a big shock but I kept reminding myself that this happened because I was fighting the right fight and the injury was for good reason. So psychologically it made it easier to deal with it.”
“It is still hurts today but it is a constant reminder and that makes it easier to live with.”
Mr Prince’s family and friends will join rallies planned this weekend to observe the one-year anniversary of the protests.
They are part of repeated calls for change amid a deepening economic crisis.
People have raised their voices against corruption, fuel shortages, crumbling infrastructure and limited access to medical facilities.
Like thousands of Lebanese living overseas, Mr Prince will be checking updates on his phone and television.
“I’m going to be extremely worried because I know how things can go out of hand,” he said.
“I worry for my friends and family who are still on the ground in Beirut.”
His anxiety is mixed with pride for the spirit of his countrymen.
“It has been the fight of my life so far and I’m very proud of what we have done and to have been a part of this,” Mr Prince said.
“This is my biggest pride, to know that I’m part of a people that actually decided to sustain this fight.
“My heart is with every single person who will be on the street on October 17. It pains me very much not to be there and that stands for every Lebanese scattered around the world.”
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
DUBAI SEVENS 2018 DRAW
Gulf Men’s League
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Sports City Eagles
Pool B – Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers
Gulf Men’s Open
Pool A – Bahrain Firbolgs, Arabian Knights, Yalla Rugby, Muscat
Pool B – Amman Citadel, APB Dubai Sharks, Jebel Ali Dragons 2, Saudi Rugby
Pool C – Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2, Roberts Construction, Dubai Exiles 2
Pool D – Dubai Tigers, UAE Shaheen, Sharjah Wanderers, Amman Citadel 2
Gulf U19 Boys
Pool A – Deira International School, Dubai Hurricanes, British School Al Khubairat, Jumeirah English Speaking School B
Pool B – Dubai English Speaking College 2, Jumeirah College, Dubai College A, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2
Pool C – Bahrain Colts, Al Yasmina School, DESC, DC B
Pool D – Al Ain Amblers, Repton Royals, Dubai Exiles, Gems World Academy Dubai
Pool E – JESS A, Abu Dhabi Sharks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1, EC
Gulf Women
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Pool B – Emirates Firebirds, Sharjah Wanderers, RAK Rides, Beirut Aconites
Pool C – Dubai Hurricanes, Emirates Firebirds 2, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Transforma Panthers
Pool D – AUC Wolves, Dubai Hawks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers
Gulf U19 Girls
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, BSAK, DESC, Al Maha
Pool B – Arabian Knights, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Kibsons%20Cares
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
65
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Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
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The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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