Peace task force hits streets, By Edmund Tadros
December 14, 2005 - 12:36PM

A task force of more than 60 community groups will take to the streets to counsel young Lebanese men and teens in a bid to avert more racial violence in Sydney this weekend. Lebanese mothers will also be asked to use their influence and "lovingly" lock up their sons at home this weekend, to keep them out of trouble. The plan is the result of last night's unprecedented meeting of Australia's Lebanese leaders at Lakemba Mosque, held after two weeks of racial unrest across Sydney's beachside suburbs. Eman Dandan, from the Lebanese Muslim Association, told smh.com.au: "Basically we are developing a working group to hit the streets and start talking to boys, notably the young males [who are] disrupting society or whatever. "[This will be done] in collaboration with clerics and young people in the welfare field."

The task force will involve more than 60 community organisations, both Arab-Lebanese and non-Arab Lebanese. "[They will go] wherever these young boys are and talk to them. "[We want to] help them understand that there are different places for them to go without it resulting in any problems and to give them an opportunity to have their voices heard and make an impact in a positive way." The counselling groups will be used when parents feel their sons are beyond their control. "If these kids are listening to their parents, we can address this in another way," she said. "If parents know they can't speak to their child, they can contact these youth workers and get it from that sort of angle."

Ms Dandan said Lebanese leaders were in discussions with community organisations and local councils in the Sutherland Shire There are also plans for Lebanese Australian leaders to meet the NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney tomorrow. "Let's initiate this building of bridges," she said. "These [young people who are fighting] from both sides are coming from an ignorant point of view." Ms Dandan said the plan was a first step towards a longer-term project of mediation and reconciliation between the fighting youths.