Snowfall Surprises the Middle East
A rare storm dumped more than 2 feet of snow on parts of the Middle East, breaking power lines in Lebanon, collapsing a wall near a holy site in Jerusalem and delaying talks between Israelis and Palestinians. At least one person was killed.
In Amman, the Jordanian capital, snowmen lined the streets and children sledded on plastic tubs and bowls. Parts of Jordan received as much as 2 1/2 feet of snow, and more was reported in Lebanon and Syria.
The weather stranded motorists and closed schools and businesses Sunday, the first day of the workweek for much of the region.
Icy roads prompted Israeli and Palestinian negotiators to postpone talks scheduled for Sunday that were to prepare for a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Palestinian Authority counterpart, Ahmed Korei. No new date was set.
In Jerusalem, heavy snow caused an old wall to collapse on the ramp leading to the hilltop holy site known to Israelis as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. No one was injured. Prayers in the adjacent women’s section at the Western Wall were canceled.
In Lebanon, a man was electrocuted Saturday when strong winds snapped a power line in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanese media reported.
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