They undoubtedly contributed to the melee! You can be sure the expatriates are waving their flags in solidarity. We welcome the Patriarch to the US and pray that his visit with President Bush will bear fruit.
The 900K Maronnites are spread not only in Lebanon but also in Syria (10% of Syria is Christian and they are treated pretty well over there) and around the world
All communities were strongly represented, christians, druze and...sunnis! while there was a minority of shiites who dared to defy the Hizbollah and Amal.
I look forward to going to Syria and Lebanon soon. No kidding. With every passing day, the area looks safer for Americans, though acquaintances from Syria have assured me I would have been safe traveling there all along.