A Lebanese flag with a hint of Scotland. A cedar tree cut out of a piece of tartan – the centre piece of this beautiful flag – dual heritage at play showing our Scottish and Lebanese roots. The dark red velvet scraps were leftover from a child’s dress made in Beirut in happier times. Now the fabric creates the brilliant red of the national flag; pieced together with meaning, lovingly stitched by our daughter Zelfa for yesterday’s Palestinian march in London.

While the horrors of Gaza and Palestine continue unabated, Lebanon is waiting. The past week’s assassinations in Beirut and Tehran by Israel have ramped up the anxiety in Lebanon. Embassies urge people to leave on any flight available – adding to the stress as flights are full. It’s holiday season. People who come once a year to spend the summer with friends and family, having saved up for an expensive ticket, are now urged to leave. Those with no visas, funds, with elderly relatives to take care of, with businesses and land to look after can’t leave. They wait.

The trauma of psychological warfare is compounded this weekend. Today on 4th August, Lebanon remembers the port blast which killed at least 240 people, injuring and scarring the lives of the nation. Images of the blast will circulate on social media and add to the deep anxiety being felt in the country.

No one has been held responsible for the blast. The Lebanese deserve justice.