LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
August 01/09
Bible Reading of the day
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ
according to Saint Matthew 13:54-58. He came to his native place and taught the
people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man
get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his
mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his
sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?" And they took offense at
him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his
native place and in his own house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there
because of their lack of faith.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Understanding the Wiam Wahhab
factor.By: Michael Young, NOW Lebanon. 31/07/09
Where is Joseph Sader, and why is
no one telling us? By: Matt Nash, NOW Lebanon 31/07/09
Gebran Bassil’s possible
re-appointment. By: Hazem al-Amin , Now Lebanon 31/07/09
Hassan Nasrallah.www.Wa3ad.org
/July 31, 2009
Syria's cautious approach-GulfNews
31/07/09
A non-divisive policy
initiative awaits Lebanon’s next cabinet-
The Daily Star
31/07/09
Obama is serious about
peace, so Arabs should help him.
By Akram Baker
31/07/09
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for July
31/09
Obama extends Syria sanctions-AFP
Sleiman: Lebanon would participate
in any peace conference based on Arab Peace Initiative-Now Lebanon
Iran activists dread midnight knock of police raid-The
Associated Press
Berri: New Government Will Soon Be
Born with No Veto, No Neutral Minister-Naharnet
Franjieh-Geagea Reconciliation Soon-Naharnet
Geagea
Greedy for Public Works Ministry which Jumblat Clings on To-Naharnet
Officials Await Swine Flu Test in Lebanese Teenage Death-Naharnet
Kanaan: FPM relationship
with patriarchy was never broken-Now Lebanon
Bassil: Aoun-Sleiman
relationship is more than excellent-Now
Lebanon
Zahra: Cabinet Lineup
Process Hinders Geagea-Franjieh Reunion-Naharnet
Franjieh Boycotts FPM
Meetings after Advising Aoun to Abandon Demand for Bassil's Appointment-Naharnet
Cabinet Lineup Completion
Derailed By Aoun , Imminent Hariri-Bassil Meeting-Naharnet
Nasrallah: New Government
Is One of 'Real Partnership' and 'May' Be Finalized Soon-Naharnet
Obama Extends Sanctions
against Syrian Personalities for Provoking Instability in Lebanon-Naharnet
Qahwaji Orders Army to
Remain on High Alert-Naharnet
Bassil: We Want 13
Portfolios, including Interior Ministry-Naharnet
Rush for Cabinet Formation
Ahead of Army Day as Officials Wrangle on Services Portfolios-Naharnet
Iran
police break up prayer session for slain protesters-Daily
Star
Qahwaji
orders troops on high alert to face any Israeli threat-Daily
Star
Turkish
minister underscores positive ties with Lebanon-Daily
Star
Nasrallah: New cabinet will be one of true partnership-Daily
Star
Christian talks may lead to Franjieh-Geagea thaw-Daily
Star
Turkey
strives for a better common future in the Middle East-Daily
Star
Sfeir
reiterates call for optimism-Daily
Star
Fadlallah okays killing of stray dogs-By
Agence France Presse (AFP)
Lebanon
selects deputy prosecutor for Special Tribunal-Daily
Star
Lebanese politics takes another turn after
agreement on veto powers-The
National
Cleric okays killing stray dogs-The
Australian
Lebanon records first H1N1 death-Reuters
Syria arrests top human rights lawyer, group
says-Reuters
Diplomats: Hezbollah 'embarrassed' by arms cache
blast-Ynetnews
Bank of
Beirut profits drop by 3.3 percent to $29.4m-By
Regional Press Network (RPN)
Security
prevails near Blue Line – UNIFIL-Daily
Star
Sfeir reiterates call for optimism
By Maroun Khoury /Daily Star correspondent
Friday, July 31, 2009/DIMAN: Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir
reiterated his call for optimism on Thursday "despite the recent developments in
the region,” adding that Lebanese need to be “aware of others’ agendas that are
endangering Lebanon’s unity, notably Israel and Iran’s ongoing mutual threats.”
Sfeir commended soldiers on the occasion of Army Day on August 1, voicing hope
that “army officials would keep thinking in terms of the country’s interests and
that Lebanese continue to appreciate the army’s sacrifices
Obama Extends Sanctions against
Syrian Personalities for Provoking Instability in Lebanon
Naharnet/U.S. President Barack Obama Thursday extended sanctions against Syrian
or pro-Syrian personalities for provoking instability in Lebanon, despite some
positive recent signs from Damascus, the White House said. "In the past six
months, the United States has used dialogue with the Syrian government to
address concerns and identify areas of mutual interest, including support for
Lebanese sovereignty," Obama said in a statement. He said there have been "some
positive developments in the past year, including the establishment of
diplomatic relations and an exchange of ambassadors between Lebanon and Syria."
But he said "the actions of certain persons continue to contribute to political
and economic instability in Lebanon and the region and constitute a continuing
unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of
the United States."As a result, he said, he decided to extend for one year
sanctions decreed August 1, 2007 by former president George Bush who froze the
assets of individuals accused of undermining Lebanon's sovereignty on Syria's
behalf. Since coming to office, Obama has moved cautiously to improve relations
with Damascus, mindful that it plays or could play an influential role in the
region, whether in Lebanon, Iraq or in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The
Obama administration recently eased trade sanctions against Syria in one recent
gesture toward Damascus.(AFP) Beirut, 31 Jul 09, 06:37
Sleiman: Lebanon would participate in any peace conference
based on Arab Peace Initiative
July 31, 2009 NOW Staff
President Michel Sleiman met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on
Friday and said that Lebanon would participate in any international conference
aimed at achieving “a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East” if it
were based on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and the 1991 Madrid Conference. The
president reiterated his call for fully implementing UN Security Council
resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 July War, and Resolution 425, which calls
for the unconditional withdrawal of Israel from occupied Lebanese territory. He
also called for respecting the Palestinians’ right of return. Sleiman thanked
Davutoglu for Ankara’s support for Lebanon, saying that the relations between
the two countries would improve after the formation of the new cabinet. The
president also praised the Turkish UNIFIL contingent on duty in South Lebanon.
Davutoglu in turn told the president that his visit to Lebanon comes as part of
Ankara’s efforts to speed up the Mideast peace process and to help resume peace
negotiations between Israel and Syria.
Understanding the Wiam Wahhab factor
Michael Young, NOW Contributor ,
July 31, 2009
Syria ally and Tawhid Movement leader Wiam Wahhab.
There is something somewhat reassuring in watching the former Minister Wiam
Wahhab meet March 14 or opposition politicians on Syria’s behalf. If he is the
best the Syrians have, then this only confirms how weak Damascus has become in
Lebanon.
That doesn’t mean that the Assad regime cannot order people killed, plant bombs
or obstruct political progress. Its decline in Lebanon remains a relative
concept. However, Syria has few means to build a sympathetic order in the
country; and even when it did have the means, during its military presence, it
was unable to establish enduring institutions of hegemony. Once the Syrian army
left Lebanon, the control exercised by Damascus disintegrated into a lower form
of intimidation carrying within itself the seeds of its own destruction. The
more brutal Syria’s actions, the greater became the momentum in Lebanon to break
free from Syria.
Contrast this with Iran. Though the Iranians never sought to control Lebanon
before 2005, mainly because their ally Syria was in charge, they did create
lasting institutions – the most significant one being Hezbollah. Iran anchored
Hezbollah in the Lebanese Shia reality, so that the party’s future became
entwined with that of the community, and vice versa.
The Iranians also understood early on the importance of integrating Hezbollah
and its supporters into state institutions, in order to shield the party. For
example, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei granted Hezbollah permission to participate in
the 1992 parliamentary elections. This was the traditional Iranian proclivity
for the state talking, in contrast to the behavior of a Syrian regime that has
always been about abusing the state and transforming it into the fiefdom and
cash cow of the ruling elite.
Take the fate of Sleiman Franjieh, once among Syria’s closest allies. It is no
coincidence that he is today embracing the notion of reconciliation with his
former Christian adversaries. The reality is that Franjieh, although he narrowly
won the elections in Zgharta, has realized the extent to which his power has
deteriorated. To his north he is surrounded by predominantly Sunni pro-Hariri
districts; and in Batroun, Koura, and Bcharre, those in control are from the
March 14 majority, most significantly his main northern rival, Samir Geagea.
For as long as Syria was in Lebanon, Franjieh’s position was protected. But with
them gone he has had to face the mood of a society far less inclined to welcome
the actions of his allies Syria and Iran. Inter-Christian reconciliation is his
only real option to break out of his isolation. As for Franjieh’s recent
decision to move to a residence nearer to Beirut, this shows that he grasps the
extent to which the political center of gravity has shifted to the capital, well
away from Damascus.
Oddly enough, one of Syria’s bitterest enemies between 2005 and 2009 is also
facing the reality of what Syria’s growing weakness means. Like Franjieh, Walid
Jumblatt was once a prime beneficiary of the Syrian system in Lebanon. His
political weight was magnified by the fact that he retained a privileged
position in Damascus. He revolted against the Syrians when that position was
threatened – following Bashar Assad’s effort to renew the mandate of Emile
Lahoud, whom the traditional leaders saw as a Syrian tool to undermine their
political authority. Jumblatt won out when the Syrians withdrew, but he also saw
that he would now have to fight twice as hard to retain his predominance,
because there no longer was someone to safeguard his interests.
Today, Jumblatt is returning to the Syrian fold. However, things are different
than before. The Druze leader can afford to move closer to Damascus precisely
because he understands that Syrian power has eroded. Other than public words of
remorse for what he said about the Syrian regime in recent years, Jumblatt has
relatively little to surrender. He can point to the Saudi-Syrian reconciliation
to justify his shift, and can also plainly see that because Syria’s army is not
in Lebanon, Assad has less of a hold over the country, therefore over Jumblatt
himself.
Of course, the Syrians can kill Jumblatt, but at this stage that seems a waste.
The Druze leader is of more use alive. They know that he can help Syria restore
some of its depleted resources and will work against the Special Tribunal. His
death would be deeply destabilizing, would harm Syria’s opening to the United
States, and would precipitate a Shia-Druze confrontation that Iran and Hezbollah
do not welcome.
Therefore, there are limits even to Syria’s power of the bomb. It’s never a good
idea to underestimate Damascus, but it would also be a mistake to assume that it
can return to what it had in Lebanon before 2005. Ironically, among those most
resistant to a full Syrian restoration is Hezbollah, with Iran behind it.
Hezbollah sees no advantages in allowing Bashar Assad to use containment of the
Shia party as a strong card in his negotiations with the West. The party will
assist Syria, but no more.
That 29 years of Syrian rule should end up with Damascus being represented most
forcefully by Wiam Wahhab means something. The mountain has given birth to a
mouse. That’s what it means.
**Michael Young is opinion editor of the Daily Star newspaper in Beirut.
Kanaan: FPM relationship with patriarchy was never broken
July 31, 2009 /NOW staff
Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan said on Friday that the relationship
between the Free Patriotic Movement and Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros
Sfeir “was never broken,” stressing on the national and historical role the
Maronite Church plays. He said that previous differences with Bkirki, a
reference to the patriarchy, were a result of “some people’s efforts to exploit
Sfeir and achieve political gain,” adding that “having a different approach or a
point of view does not mean cutting ties completely.” Kanaan also said that
accusing FPM leader MP Michel Aoun and his bloc of delaying the new cabinet
formation “is useless and cannot fool Lebanese.”
Now Lebanon:
For July 31, 2009 /*Now that the 15-10-5 formula has been agreed upon, it looks
like actually assigning ministers to their seats will take a bit longer than the
August 1 deadline for which Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri was reportedly
aiming. Meetings among and between majority and opposition parties have been
taking place nearly non-stop to decide on who will get which portfolio. *The
battle over seats begins
Where is Joseph Sader, and why is no one telling us?
Matt Nash, NOW Staff , July 29, 2009
Joseph Sader, 56, was kidnapped in February, and his grieving family has yet to
hear where he is or why he was taken. (AFP/Mahmoud Zayat)
Salma Sader has neither seen nor heard from her husband, Joseph, in nearly six
months.
Masked kidnappers grabbed the Information Technology Operations Manager for
Middle East Airlines as he walked to work at the airport on February 12. As
usual, that day Sader, 56, drove from his hometown of Maghdouche the few minutes
down the mountain into Saida, parked his car and took a van to work. He got out
of the van on the highway outside the airport and made the short journey to the
employee’s entrance on foot. As he approached it, in full view of the Lebanese
Armed Forces manning a checkpoint on the approach to the airport, three men
threw him into a black SUV and drove away.
The army gave chase, but, by all accounts, turned around because they lost the
vehicle in traffic.
“Why did [the army] get stuck in traffic when the kidnappers didn’t?” a doubtful
Salma asks. “What, they had wings and flew away?”
“I ask everyone about that, and they tell me they investigated [the army’s
actions],” she says, wiping tears from her cheeks as she sits with Joseph’s
parents in the small, three-story house they share in Maghdouche. She has not
been told the results of the investigation.
Salma meets every few days with either the head of the Internal Security Forces,
the head of Army Intelligence, the chief of General Security or the Interior
minister. They say they’re working hard to find her husband but have no news for
her. She’s not even sure who exactly is leading the search for her husband.
Officials have not given public updates on the case in months. In early March,
Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said investigators “lack leads” in the case though
he and other security officials have remained mostly silent on this issue, not
wanting to compromise the search. One of Baroud’s military aides did not return
a half dozen calls seeking comment.
In the weeks right after Sader’s kidnapping, several Lebanese media outlets
(including, regretfully, NOW Lebanon) carried unconfirmed reports that Sader was
involved in spying, accusations the family insists are baseless. Sader’s mother,
upon inviting this reporter into the family home, initially said she didn’t want
to talk because journalists twist the family’s words, writing what they want
instead of what they’re told.
Salma said she can’t understand what anyone would want with her husband.
He started working for MEA in 1982, and Salma says his job was technical. He did
not have access to sensitive information, passenger manifests or flight records,
and she sees no connection between his work and his disappearance.
Echoing Maghdouche residents and Sader’s brother, Antoine, Salma insists that
Joseph has no enemies and is not overtly political. He cares most about “work
and family, work and family,” loves gardening and would lend Salma a hand with
anything she needed around the house.
“I miss him in every single detail,” she says as Sader’s mother weeps quietly
beside her. Salma has known Joseph since childhood, having grown up just down
the street from the Sader family home, and they have three children: Sofia, 23,
Ralph 17, and Tina, 10.
Sader is popular in the mostly Melkite Catholic town of around 8,000. He is
president of the local rose and orange blossom water cooperative and played a
key role in guaranteeing the sale of a large part of the town’s staple products
to the Hariri Foundation. The purchase took so much of the supply, producers
this year sold their goods for over three times the price they sold the water
for last year, Salma says. People in Maghdouche blocked the main road through
town the day Sader was kidnapped to demand his release, and a banner imploring
God’s help in securing his release still hangs on a church not far from his
house.
Many of Maghdouche’s residents and Sader’s former students – he taught part-time
in Saida for a decade starting in 1985 – still visit daily, Salma explains,
waving hello to a neighbor who came to the door as if on cue.
Since February the family has heard almost nothing. No one has called to demand
money. No group has claimed responsibility. Salma did, however, recently receive
some strange news from Maghdouche’s bishop. “He was very secretive,” she says.
The bishop told her that a “religious man” paid Joseph a visit and said that he
is alive and well. The visitor did not elaborate, and it seems Salma is taking
little comfort from the vague report.
“Our Lady’s still waiting for her son,” Salma says, referring to Our Lady of
Mantara, a shrine to the Virgin Mary, who, legend has it, waited in Maghdouche
while Jesus preached in Saida. A 28-meter statue of mother and child stands at
the entrance to the town, facing the sea below.
“The hardest part is that he’s missing. I don’t know where he is. I lay awake at
night and think of all the possible scenarios. We don’t even know if he’s
alive.”
Gebran Bassil’s possible re-appointment
By: Hazem al-Amin , Now Lebanon
July 31, 2009
It is truly disgraceful that the issue of Gebran Bassil’s ministerial
appointment, or lack thereof, has come to be the talk of the moment in Lebanon.
Indeed, it is an insult to the intelligence of both Free Patriotic Movement
supporters and the Lebanese in general. Bassil was defeated in the parliamentary
elections, and saying that there are other competent people in the FPM is as
self-evident as it is true and well-founded. But what’s really at work behind
the insistence on Bassil’s ministerial appointment has do to with ideas linked
to the FPM, spurred on by the movement’s leader General Michel Aoun, throughout
the past four years.
“Aounism” is not a freak incident in the political awareness of Lebanon’s
Christians. By Aounism, we mean far more than the general’s mood swings,
faux-pas and narcissism. Rather, it is a form of collective awareness, a
reaction and a picture of oneself and of others as well. The ideas themselves
provide room for disagreeing with Aounism or, alternatively for adhering to it.
It would be naïve to say – as the prevailing opinion within the March 14
coalition currently posits – that “Aounism” is but a fleeting outburst, a lapse
or a vengeful act.
The case against “Aounism” should not have been rooted in what we imagine it to
be, that is, as an aberrant and transient phenomenon, for it is undoubtedly far
more than that. Instead, the problem with “Aounism” over the past four years
begins with “Aounism” itself, or be more precise, with its “general.” It has
been the general who has done the most to undermine Aounism, not the movement’s
foes. The FPM was entrusted with safeguarding the value of the ideology and, as
such, it was far greater than the intelligence of a general who came to the
political arena to inherit a past that started with late National Bloc leader
Raymond Eddé, including former President and National Liberal Party leader
Camille Chamoun, and the Kataeb, to name just a few. Let us imagine that such a
mission is entrusted to General Aoun in light of his insistence to appointing
his son-in-law, who lost the elections, as a minister! Would this not be
tantamount to tampering disastrously with this mission? Trading off the
objective of carving out a space for Lebanon’s Christians on the Lebanese stage
and of finding a way to restore their social, political and economic function
for the issue of Gebran Bassil’s ministerial appointment reflects the size of
the abyss in which the Free Patriotic Movement is falling with its eyes wide
open.
**This article is a translation of the original, which was posted on the NOW
Arabic site on Friday July 31
Hassan Nasrallah
July 31, 2009
On July 30, the Hezbollah mouthpiece www.Wa3ad.org website carried the following
report:
Hezbollah’s Secretary General [Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah] appeared on Thursday
during a cultural occasion and spoke briefly about the political situation. In
his comments on the government formula, he corroborated the continuation of calm
and believed that the content and the core were more important than the name,
assuring the bases and forces of the opposition that the real partnership that
was seen could not be undermined by formalities. While he expected the
allocation of the seats based on the spirit of national responsibility to be
imminent, he placed the priorities of the Lebanese people ahead of all others,
especially the external ones among them. In that same spirit, Hezbollah’s
secretary general promised to proceed with the reconciliations even after the
formation of the government.
“We have achieved a very important step and I do not wish to stop at the
formalities. However, I want to assure the bases and forces of the opposition
that the government which will be formed will indeed be one of true partnership.
I do not wish to address formalities, so let us leave them aside. Let us head to
the reality and to the real national responsibility which says that a government
of true national partnership should be formed. This was achieved at the level of
the political aspect. Now we will engage in the second phase, that of the
allocation of the portfolios and the names. This could take some time because
this issue is quite important, but the general track seems to be a positive one
and with God’s Will, we will be able to form a government very soon… When the
new government is formed, the outside world will have priorities, the Americans
will have priorities, Israel will have priorities and the so-called
international community will have priorities. On the other hand, the Lebanese
people will also have priorities and we in the government should listen to those
priorities and not to what the others ask of us. If we listen to the priorities
of the Lebanese people, I believe that the coming government will last long and
will achieve numerous accomplishments.
Overall, I would like to corroborate the continuation of dialogue, calm and
communication between all the political forces in Lebanon, as well as some
actions which we launched a while ago in the direction of some parties and
sects, during the coming stage and following the formation of the national
partnership government which will help calm the spirits. We will continue this
action in these different directions.”
These statements were delivered by Hezbollah’s secretary general during a
celebration held by the party to honor the graduate students for 2009 from the
womens' institute of Sayyeda Al-Zahra… For his part, Sayyed Nasrallah praised,
during the celebration, the important role played by the religious institutes
and their graduate students in raising a cultivated society which is resisting
ignorance, deprivation and attacks and is holding on to the land, the human
values and the moral principles...
Berri: New Government Will Soon Be Born with No Veto, No
Neutral Minister
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri said a new government will "soon" be announced
without veto power or a so-called "neutral" minister. "A new government will
soon be born with neither a one-third blocking (vote) nor a neutral minister,"
Berri said in remarks published Friday by pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat. "We have
entered true partnership with a national government based on trust among the
parties and faith that the President is not a party," he added. Berri stressed
that he is "playing the role of facilitator" in the Cabinet lineup. He said that
some of the credit for positive developments goes to Syrian-Saudi harmony.
Beirut, 31 Jul 09, 08:32
Geagea Greedy for Public Works Ministry which Jumblat
Clings on To
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has reportedly informed Prime
Minister-designate Saad Hariri during a recent meeting that he wants the public
works ministry in the new government, a portfolio MP Walid Jumblat is not
willing to abandon. The daily As Safir on Friday, which carried the
report, described talks Wednesday evening between Geagea and Hariri as "stormy."
It said Geagea continued to hold on to the LF's three ministerial portfolios,
including a key ministry like the public works. Hariri, however, informed Geagea
that he wishes to grant both the LF and the Phalange party one share consisting
of three seats. The PM-designate was said to have told Geagea that it would be
difficult to give him the public works ministry, which has been a Jumblat
demand. While inner LF circles reportedly called on Geagea to "turn the table"
and boycott a new Cabinet in which the party does not get hold of appropriate
representation that would be suitable to both its political and electoral
weights, the Phalange party continued to hold on to two ministers – Sami Gemayel
(Maronite) with hopes he would be granted the industry ministry, and Salim
Sayegh (Catholic) or a minister representing the Orthodox sect or the
minorities, As Safir said. Beirut, 31 Jul 09, 09:12
Franjieh-Geagea Reconciliation Soon
Naharnet/Progress has been made in efforts to reconcile Lebanese Forces leader
Samir Geagea with Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh, well-informed sources
told Naharnet. They said Franjieh's visit to Diman is likely to take place "very
soon'" and is expected to "coincide" with a visit by Geagea to the
Patriarchate's summer headquarters. Mediators were trying to bring the two men
together "coincidentally" under the patronage of Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir. The
sources said talks will kick off between the two leaders with a handshake in
Diman.
Beirut, 31 Jul 09, 12:42
Officials Await Swine Flu Test in Lebanese Teenage Death
Naharnet/Lebanese officials expect to find out later Friday whether the swine
flu virus was the cause of death of a 18-year-old man.Health Minister Mohammed
Jawad Khalife told a news conference before midday Friday that there was no
proof yet that the death of Elias Antoine Nihmatallah was swine-flu related. He
denied reports that said the victim, who died in hospital on Thursday, had
caught the virus while receiving treatment for leukemia. "We are in the process
of testing the specimen taken from the victim," Khalife said. "The results are
expected to be announced either tonight or tomorrow." He said an autopsy will be
carried out if needed. Khalife had earlier said that Lebanon has registered more
than 100 cases infected with the H1N1 virus. He warned that the virus will gain
ground in the fall when children go back to school. "A double responsibility
thus falls on the government and citizens," Khalife said in remarks published by
several Beirut dailies on Friday. "The health ministry, however, continues to
manage the ongoing process which will be different during this period," Khalife
added. He assured that between 15 and 20 swine flu cases a day is "very
normal."France also announced the first H1N1 death of a teenage girl who had
contracted swine flu but also suffered from another serious illness complicated
by a severe lung infection. It was the first fatality in France of a patient
suffering from A(H1N1), but the national health monitoring agency cautioned that
the tests showed the 14-year-old's death was not "directly linked to the virus."
The teenager had tested positive for the virus earlier this year and died more
than a week ago in hospital in the northern city of Brest. If confirmed as a
swine flu death, France would join Belgium, Britain, Spain and Hungary as
European countries with fatalities linked to the virus. France has registered
1,022 cases of swine flu, far fewer than in Britain, Europe's hardest hit
country, where some 110,000 people have been infected by the virus that first
surfaced in Mexico in April. A total of 31 people have died in Britain and
health officials there said they believe the pandemic may be leveling off. More
than 800 people have been killed around the globe by the A(H1N1) virus and the
World Health Organization has warned the pandemic is now unstoppable. Beirut, 31
Jul 09, 08:02
Franjieh Boycotts FPM Meetings after Advising Aoun to Abandon Demand for
Bassil's Appointment
Naharnet/Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh has decided to boycott Free
Patriotic Movement meetings, but would maintain contact with MP Michel Aoun.
Pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat said Franjieh has expressed caution over the FPM meeting
management "which is mostly limited to MP Michel Aoun's intervention." It said
Franjieh was the first to warn his ally, Aoun, to back down on his demand for
Bassil's appointment in the next government given that he lost parliamentary
elections. Beirut, 31 Jul 09, 12:07
Zahra: Cabinet Lineup Process Hinders Geagea-Franjieh
Reunion
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra announced that progress has been made
to reconcile LF boss Samir Geagea and Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh.
In remarks published Friday by the daily al-Balad, Zahra said "what is delaying
the reunion is that everybody is preoccupied with the new government structure."
On the relationship with the Free Patriotic Movement, Zahra stressed that "there
is no boycott, but rather political distance." Beirut, 31 Jul 09, 11:22
Cabinet Lineup Completion Derailed By Aoun , Imminent
Hariri-Bassil Meeting
Naharnet/Efforts were underway to resolve the obstacle in the completion of a
Cabinet lineup that revolves around Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel
Aoun through his insistence on appointing his son-in-law Jebran Bassil in the
new government. Opposition leaders have held a meeting to discuss in detail
distribution of ministerial portfolio. Al-Liwaa daily said Friday that a meeting
in Rabiyeh between Aoun and Speaker Berri's aide MP Ali Hasan Khalil as well as
Hizbullah official Hajj Hussein Khalil failed to take place on Wednesday
evening.
It said the meeting, however, had been replaced by another that took place at
Hajj Hussein Khalil's residence in Beirut's southern suburbs and was attended by
MP Khalil and Bassil. Al-Liwaa said Bassil informed the conferees Aoun' has
abandoned his demand for the health ministry post in favor of current Health
Minister Mohammed Jawad Khalife on condition for preserving the ministries of
telecommunications, energy and social affairs or another. FPM sources,
meanwhile, told As Safir newspaper that the meeting led to a "full
understanding" on the shares of each of party in the new Cabinet. The sources
ruled out a Cabinet lineup would be completed by the end of this week. Beirut,
31 Jul 09, 10:17
Nasrallah: New Government Is One of 'Real Partnership' and
'May' Be Finalized Soon
Naharnet/Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said Thursday he
was certain that the new government will be one of "real national partnership"
calling on allies not to stop at mere "formalities.""We have achieved a very
significant step," Nasrallah said in a brief televised addressed during a
cultural event hosted by Hizbullah. "I do not want to stop at formalities. But I
want to assure all opposition forces that the emerging government, God willing,
will be one of real partnership," he said. "Let us not go into formalities. Let
us put them aside. Let us go to what is true," the Hizbullah chief said.
"Serious national responsibility dictates that we form a government of real
national partnership. Politically, this has been achieved," he assured allies.
The Hizbullah leader said the formation process "will now enter a second stage –
nomination of ministers and distribution of portfolios - which may take some
time."However, he said, "the general direction is positive and we might reach a
final shape-up soon." Nasrallah pledged to continue with reconciliations steps
with different sides after a formation has been completed. "I want to reaffirm
the path of dialogue, appeasement and communication with all political forces in
Lebanon," he said. "We have already communicated with some parties and sects a
while ago," he added, "and we will continue to do the same in different
directions." He called on Lebanese leaders to place the priorities of the people
above external considerations. "The Americans have priorities for when a new
government is formed, Israel has priorities and what is called the international
community has priorities as well," he said. "If we want a long-term and
successful government, we must listen to the priorities of the Lebanese people
and not to what the outside world is asking of us," Nasrallah concluded. Beirut,
30 Jul 09, 21:04
Bassil: We Want 13 Portfolios, including Interior Ministry
Interim Telecoms Minister Jebran Bassil said Thursday the Change and Reform
parliamentary bloc wanted 13 ministers in the new government, including the
interior minister portfolio.
"Thirteen ministers is our real share. This is proportional representation,"
Bassil said in an interview with al-Ousbou al-Arabi magazine and The Magazine.
The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) is asking for the interior ministry portfolio
in order to "place its hand on the security services, which must not be
factional," Bassil said. He said his nomination as a minister in the new
government "was not a topic of discussion, but a final decision is up to General
Michel Aoun." The young minister underlined the need for the presidency not "to
play circumstantial and seasonal roles but to acquire a fixed role in the
Constitution." "The presidency is a constitutional position that we can bolster
by strengthening its constitutional privileges," he added. On demands for veto
power, Bassil said: "The FPM wants guarantees: to prevent the naturalization (of
Palestinians in Lebanon), to participate in decision-making and to allow the
return of effective Christian participation in the Lebanese administration." "We
want guarantees for our role and we can only acquire them by our participation
on the inside, through the constitution," he added. Bassil said: "We showed the
president, on many occasions, that we want to support him, but he also must
stand by everyone." Beirut, 30 Jul 09, 19:52
Nasrallah: New cabinet will be one of true partnership
Aoun says nobody consulted him on government formula
By Elias Sakr-Daily Star/Friday, July 31, 2009
BEIRUT: Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Thursday the next
government would guarantee true partnership, adding that the formation process
had reached the final steps. Speaking during a graduation ceremony, he stressed
that the cabinet’s formation course “may take some time, however, we are on the
right track.” Nasrallah underscored the need for the next government to tackle
the “Lebanese people’s pressing priorities, rather than the priorities of
foreign powers.”
Meanwhile, the cabinet’s formation process moved to the stage of distributing
ministerial portfolios and assigning ministers following an agreement on a
15-10-5 cabinet shape-up, opposition and governmental figures told The Daily
Star on Thursday.
However, the expected announcement of the government’s shape within a few days
could be delayed given conflicting reports by opposition groups on the agreed
cabinet’s structure.
While Amal Movement and Hizbullah expressed optimism about the probable
formation of the government within the next few days, Free Patriotic Movement
(FPM) officials said talks with party leader MP Michel Aoun on the cabinet’s
structure had not yet taken place.
Both Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri said Wednesday
that Lebanese politicians have agreed on the shape of a new national unity
cabinet and will complete the allocation of ministerial portfolios within days.
But Aoun said Wednesday night that not a single official had consulted him on
the agreed government formula.
Amal Movement MP Ali Bazzi told The Daily Star on Thursday that Lebanese groups
reached an agreement on the 15-10-5 cabinet shape-up, adding that only technical
issues remained regarding the distribution of ministerial portfolios.
Bazzi, who highlighted the opposition’s unified stance regarding the cabinet’s
formation course, expressed optimism that the process would be completed “within
a day or two.”
The Amal MP also stressed that opposition groups agreed on the allotment of
shares.
The 15-10-5 formula grants the March 14 coalition 15 ministers, the opposition
10 and the president five, which ensures that Sleiman would hold the tipping
voice while neither the March 14 Forces nor the opposition would be granted an
absolute majority or veto power.
A well-informed government source told The Daily Star on Thursday that Sleiman
would be granted the interior and defense posts.
Ziyad Baroud, a Maronite, and Elias Murr an Orthodox would retain their
respective posts as interior and defense ministers as part of the president’s
share, the source said.
The source added that the president’s share would include three other ministers
of state, a catholic, a Sunni and a Shiite.
Meanwhile, FPM MP Nabil Nicholas told The Daily Star on Thursday that no
proposals regarding either the cabinet’s shape or the distribution of
ministerial portfolios has been discussed with Aoun. Nicholas denied that the
15-10-5 cabinet’s formula was proposed to Aoun, adding that deliberations on the
cabinet’s structure were ongoing.
When asked if Hariri came forward to Aoun with any proposals, Nicholas stressed
that no discussions with the premier-designate on the cabinet’s structure or the
distribution of ministerial portfolios took place. Avoiding to comment on the
FPM’s demand for proportional representation, Nicholas, echoing Bazzi,
underscored the opposition’s united stance.
Nicholas added that opposition groups have agreed on the “political headlines”
for the upcoming period. “The negotiations on shares and portfolios are
secondary; the priority is to reach an agreement [with the parliamentary
majority] on the political headlines which would lead to an accord on the
cabinet’s formation,” Nicholas said. The FPM MP also denied circulating media
reports on Thursday claiming that Aoun’s insistence that caretaker
Telecommunication Minister Gebran Bassil retains his post, remained the last
obstacle to the cabinet’s formation.
Qahwaji orders troops on high alert to face any Israeli
threat
Daily Star staff/Friday, July 31, 2009
BEIRUT: The commander of the Lebanese Army, General Jean Qahwaji, ordered the
Lebanese Armed Forces on Thursday to stay on high alert in anticipation of any
Israeli aggression on Lebanon. In a statement to celebrate the Lebanese Army’s
64th anniversary on August 1, Qahwaji urged the military establishment to
preserve its unity in order to face upcoming threats and challenges. He praised
the army’s efforts in preserving national-unity, and securing the country’s
stability and the citizens’ security. Addressing the Lebanese soldiers, Qahwaji
said their efforts prevented national strife and secured the country’s
stability, “which helped restore the role of Lebanon’s constitutional
institutions.” “You fulfilled your role in national defense and security when
you helped in maintaining order during the [June 7] parliamentary elections,”
Qahwaji said. He also praised the soldiers’ efforts to preserve the environment
by combating forest fires. Qahwaji saluted the army’s efforts, “alongside the
Internal Security Forces,” in uncovering Israeli spy cells. Qahwaji also vowed
to work to meet the army’s defensive and security needs. In his “Order of the
Day” to soldiers, the army commander slammed the Israeli violations of Lebanese
territories and the ongoing occupation of Shebaa Farms, Kfar Shuba Hills and
northern part of Ghajar village. Tackling the implementation of Security Council
Resolution 1701, Qahwaji highlighted the close cooperation between the Lebanese
Army and the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), adding that
Israel continued to breach the resolution. – The Daily Star
Turkish minister underscores positive ties with Lebanon
By Elias Sakr and Cagil Kasapoglu /Daily Star staff
Friday, July 31, 2009
BEIRUT: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu underscored during talks with
top Lebanese officials Thursday Lebanon’s positive ties with Turkey and its
significant role in contributing to regional stability. Davutoglu discussed
Turkish-Lebanese bilateral ties as well as regional developments with Parliament
Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri. Following his
meeting with Berri in Ain al-Tineh, Davutoglu told reporters that “Lebanon’s
stability would impact stability in the Middle East.”
Davutoglu, who highlighted Turkey’s “excellent” ties with all Lebanese groups,
expressed his country’s desire to cooperate with Lebanon’s political players so
as to consolidate the country’s stability and security.
Tackling regional concerns, the Turkish minister stressed that both Lebanon and
Turkey shared the same views regarding several issues in the Middle East
especially the Palestinian cause.
Davutoglu added that he discussed with Berri the situation in Lebanon and
exchanged views on the government’s make-up as well as the country’s future.
Later on Thursday, following talks with Hariri, Davutoglu reiterated that good
relations between Turkey and Lebanon would have a positive impact on regional
stability. After talks with Hariri in Qoreitem, Davutoglu voiced hoped that the
premier-designate’s efforts to form a national-unity cabinet would pay off.
Tackling Syrian-Lebanese ties, Davutoglu said Turkey was willing to help resolve
any pending issues including the demarcation of the common border, given that
“Lebanon, Syria and Turkey share a common destiny in the past and future.”
He also stressed on the need to improve ties between Lebanon and Syria, and the
need for a comprehensive regional peace. Davutoglu also said Turkey was ready to
cooperate with Lebanon to support any economic or cultural developmental
project. On behalf of Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Davutoglu also
expressed Turkey’s support for the Lebanese people and their government. He is
scheduled to meet Friday with President Michel Sleiman.
Christian talks may lead to Franjieh-Geagea thaw
By Dalila Mahdawi /Daily Star staff
Friday, July 31, 2009
BEIRUT: Burgeoning political reconciliation between Lebanon’s Christian parties
could result in rapprochement between long-standing foes the Lebanese Forces and
the Marada Movement, head of the Maronite League Joseph Tarabay said on
Thursday. In the hopes of settling decades of inter-religious discord, the
league last week organized a meeting that gathered representatives from
Lebanon’s rival Christian parties. The move was boosted by a meeting Sunday
between Marada leader MP Suleiman Franjieh and Phalange Party head Amin Gemayel.
“The reconciliation taking place between the Phalange and Marada will herald a
similar reconciliation between Marada and the Lebanese Forces” of Samir Geagea,
Tarabay told reporters after holding talks with Gemayel. “The date of the
reconciliation is drawing nearer.”
Animosity between the Phalange and Franjieh, whose family has traditionally
represented the Northern town of Zhorgta in Parliament, can be traced back to
Lebanon’s 1975-1990 Civil War. Relations came to a head in June 1978, when
Suleiman’s father and former MP Tony Franjieh was assassinated along with his
mother and four-year old sister by militia men belonging the Phalange party.
Geagea, who was then part of the Phalange, was reportedly one of the assassins,
though he maintains he did not take part in the killings. A number of political
analysts have argued the Franjieh family murder, known as the Ehden Massacre,
gave impetus to the bitter divisions that have come to characterize Lebanon’s
Christian politicians. Geagea on Wednesday expressed his willingness to meet
Franjieh. “We are open to any advanced communication” with Franjieh, he told
reporters.
Well-informed sources from the Maronite League told the Central News Agency
(CNA) on Thursday that its executive committee will visit Franjieh’s residence
in Bnashi soon in order to see whether he is ready to meet Maronite Patriarch
Nasrallah Butros Sfeir at his summer residence in Diman, and whether a date for
the meeting can be scheduled.
The sources recalled Sfeir’s comments on Wednesday stressing his willingness to
engage with all Lebanese leaders. “The patriarchate’s door is open to all
Lebanese, especially Maronites, including Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman
Franjieh,” Sfeir said at the time. Sfeir’s mention of Franjieh boosted Christian
reconciliation efforts, the sources told CNA.
Change Party leader Elie Mahfoud on Thursday issued a statement warning that any
Christian reconciliation would be incomplete if it excluded Sfeir or Geagea.
In addition to last week’s group meeting, the Maronite League also held separate
meetings Wednesday with Michel Aoun of the opposition-aligned Free Patriotic
Movement and with Phalange Party leader Gemayel on Thursday. Both meetings were
“positive,” according to the sources, who said Lebanon’s Christian leaders
shared many common interests. The league is due to meet with Geagea Monday.
Fadlallah okays killing of stray dogs
By Agence France Presse (AFP)
Friday, July 31, 2009/BEIRUT: Senior Shiite cleric Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammad
Hussein Fadlallah issued a fatwa on Thursday authorizing the killing of stray
dogs after some were blamed for attacking residents in southern villages. “The
rule is to protect animals and preserve their lives,” Sayyed Fadlallah, who has
followers throughout the Shiite Muslim world, said in a statement containing the
religious edict. “But if their behavior represents a danger for the lives of
people … as is the case with stray or fierce dogs, then killing them is
authorized,” he said, according to the statement. Sayyed Fadlallah was
responding to a question sent to him by residents of Nabatiyeh, where they said
“several people had been seriously injured by stray dogs.” The residents said
that their village is infested by “hundreds of stray dogs who represent a danger
for villagers,” the statement added. – AFP
Lebanon selects deputy prosecutor for Special Tribunal
Identity of citizen to be kept secret for now
By Michael Bergman /Daily Star staff
Friday, July 31, 2009
BEIRUT: Lebanon has chosen the deputy prosecutor for the Special Tribunal for
Lebanon, although authorities will not reveal the individual’s name until early
next week for security reasons, sources at the Justice Ministry and the tribunal
told The Daily Star on Thursday.
The Lebanese citizen will move to the tribunal’s headquarters in a suburb of
Holland’s The Hague as soon as possible, while tribunal prosecutor Daniel
Bellemare remains home in Canada receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed
illness, said tribunal acting registrar Herman von Hebel. The tribunal was
created by the UN Security Council in May 2007 and was officially established on
March 1 this year, in order to try suspects in the February 2005 assassination
of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri as well as suspects in related political
violence.
Bellemare, who previously headed the international commission investigating
Hariri’s killing, has not fixed a date for his return, which depends entirely on
his health, von Hebel added. Bellemare’s absence and the lack of the Lebanese
deputy prosecutor have not adversely affected the course of the investigation,
which Bellemare has supervised from Canada, von Hebel said. “All work is going
on as scheduled,” von Hebel said in his first interview as the tribunal’s acting
registrar. The tribunal recently received approval from its management committee
to hire some 30 to 40 more staff for the prosecutor’s office, which employs the
majority of the court’s staff of roughly 180 people, he said.
“We are intensifying our recruitment, in particular for investigators for the
prosecutor’s office,” he added. “For the time being, the focus is really on the
investigative side.”
Tribunal officials have never commented on the status of the investigation, but
no one is in custody in connection with any of the incidents under the
tribunal’s jurisdiction, which stretches from the October 2004 assassination
attempt on former Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh to the January 2008
killing of Internal Security Forces Captain Wissam Eid.
The tribunal, meanwhile, is proceeding with plans to finish by February 2010 the
construction of a courtroom to try prospective defendants, von Hebel said.
Demolition has begun of the gymnasium in the former Dutch intelligence building
which houses the tribunal, and construction of the courtroom in that space
should commence soon, he added. The building project includes a public viewing
area, a media center for journalists and a holding area for defendants, von
Hebel said.
“The expectation is that by the end of January we will have a courtroom,” he
said, adding that equipment testing would occupy the first part of next
February. “I’m quite confident that we are very much on track.”
UN officials continue raising funds for the tribunal’s $65 million budget for
2010, 49 percent of which will come from the Lebanese state, as stipulated in
the tribunal’s charter, von Hebel said. The tribunal has received more than $10
million in pledges for next year, led by a $6-million pledge from the US. The
registrar said he expected other members of the court’s management committee –
which includes the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands – each to contribute
at least $1 million. “We are quite confident that we will have sufficient funds
available next year,” said von Hebel, adding that this tribunal differed from
his previous post as registrar of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, where he
witnessed an annual challenge to raise contributions. “The financial condition
of this court is much sounder than what I was used to.”
Von Hebel, a Dutch lawyer who also spent five years with the International
Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), is serving as acting
registrar between the July 1 departure of former registrar Robin Vincent and the
August 26 arrival of new registrar David Tolbert. Von Hebel, who also helped
with the establishment of the International Criminal Court during his 10 years
at the Dutch Foreign Ministry, will stay on at the tribunal as deputy registrar
after the arrival of Tolbert, an American who also worked at the ICTY and served
as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s special expert on UN assistance to the
Special Tribunal for Cambodia.
Security prevails near Blue Line – UNIFIL
Peacekeeping force sees no evidence of ‘heightened tensions’
By Patrick Galey ظDaily Star staff/Friday, July 31, 2009
BEIRUT: There has been no deterioration in the security situation surrounding
the Blue Line, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) source said on
Thursday. UNIFIL spokeswoman Yasmina Bouziane told The Daily Star there was no
evidence of “heightened tensions” between groups operating on either side of the
de facto boundary between Lebanon and Israel. She added that UNIFIL continues
“to carry out our tasks with respect to the community” in south Lebanon.
Bouziane said that Monday’s meeting between UNIFIL, LAF and southern
municipality representatives “was a chance to address issues and voice concerns”
following events at Khirbet Silim, in which a team of investigators probing the
series of explosions at a suspected arms cache were accosted by scores of
locals, angry at how the inquiry was being conducted. Protesters hurled rocks,
lightly injuring over a dozen UNIFIL troops and damaging vehicles. She said
Khirbet Silim was an “isolated incident,” adding that the investigation into the
events there was ongoing “in conjunction with the LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces).
“As soon as it’s completed the parties and the Security Council will be
informed,” she said.
The Jerusalem Post quoted Wednesday an Israeli military source critical of
UNIFIL’s meeting with Hizbullah officials. “UNIFIL should focus on cracking down
on Hizbullah instead of meeting with representatives of the terrorist
organization,” said the source.
Bouziane reiterated that UNIFIL does not comment on media reports but stressed
that the meeting took place with legitimately elected politicians and security
officials.
The spokeswoman said several security force and peacekeeping delegates had gone
to meet constituent members in the south “to maintain good relations with those
involved.”
Hizbullah deputy Sheikh Naim Qassam told Nahar Ash-Shabab Thursday that there
was no rift developing between the party and peacekeeping forces.
“There are no problems between Hizbullah and the peacekeeping forces, and the
party will take the necessary measures to confirm this issue,” he was quoted as
saying.
Former long-term UNIFIL adviser Timor Goksel told The Daily Star that the
Israeli accusations were unfounded.
“They know full well that UNIFIL needs to speak with all parties. This is just a
knee-jerk reaction to the name Hizbullah,” he said.
He added that any deterioration in UNIFIL-Hizbullah relations was unlikely as
long as security remained stable.
“Hizbullah has decided not to challenge UNIFIL and the [Lebanese] army since
2006,” Goksel said.
Four Israeli tanks moved from the Arqoub region Wednesday and were deployed
100 meters from the Hassan Gate in the occupied Kfar Shuba region, marking the
latest escalation in tensions near the UNIFIL-administered Blue Line. UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed his concern over recent saber-rattling
from the two sides but said he couldn’t see any looming conflict. “I’m not aware
of any imminent Israeli plans. But whatever the situation may be, again, it was
a source of great concern that there were serious violations of Resolution
1701,” he told reporters in New York. Resolution 1701 was drafted to end the
2006 conflict between Lebanon and Israel and UNIFIL has patrolled the northern
side of the Blue Line – the marker of Israeli military withdrawal – with
increased numbers ever since.
Ban continued with his support for the resolution: “All the parties concerned
should fully cooperate, so that this fragile peace and political stability
should be able to maintain its own course.”
Even as reports of Israeli military mobilization were filtering through on
Wednesday, Israeli Army Chief of General Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said there were
currently no “winds of war” blowing between Lebanon and Israel. Goksel said
that although UNIFIL could count on political and military engagement, more work
was needed in order to win complete support of the people in south Lebanon.
“[UNIFIL] cannot see every side as a threat,” he said. “What’s really missing
here is communal engagement. If [UNIFIL] could meet with the communities in the
south more and show their work then incidents such as [Khirbet Silim] would not
have happened.” Bouziane said all UNIFIL operations were conducted with the
blessing of regional officials. “We meet with local authorities and continue to
carry out our mandate. Part of it [includes] humanitarian and civil affairs and
these are decided through municipalities,” she said.
A non-divisive policy initiative awaits Lebanon’s next
cabinet
By The Daily Star /Friday, July 31, 2009
Editorial
The “train” of the next Lebanese cabinet looks set to leave the station soon,
judging by recent developments, even though several issues must still be worked
out, such as drafting a policy statement. We’re all aware of the minefields,
such as how to launch political reform and ensure judicial independence. There’s
also a disturbing lack of policy proposals on job creation and the economy, at
least proposals that we as a public are aware of. But as politicians undergo
their transformation into government ministers in the near future, they could do
us all a great service by catching another train. One non-divisive policy awaits
the form of the UAE’s Masdar Initiative, which supports energy security and
sustainability and fights climate change. Various benefits flow from such this
massive undertaking: in water and soil quality, carbon emissions, and producing
new energy technologies and the skilled workforce to manage them.
The Masdar Initiative, spearheaded by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammad
bin Zayed, is something that we desperately need to help jump-start our economy
and make our natural environment healthier.
Masdar-backed projects could help us create alternative energy sources at a time
when our environmental degradation continues unchecked. We all see the hills of
waste, whether the notorious dumps of Sidon and Bourj Hammoud, or others
elsewhere. Safely disposing of the 4,000 tons of waste we produce annually has
proven beyond our own, local capacities; we need help in turning this waste into
an energy source. Our mountainous country’s natural wind tunnels could be put to
use; the Yammouneh fault line in the Northern Bekaa is an ideal source of
geothermal energy and is relatively shallow – we don’t have to dig very deep for
the benefits. The field of solar energy in Lebanon remains unexploited as well.
Those who want a healthier environment would be served by the basket of options
offered by Masdar; those who want a stronger economy should remember that in
five or six years, such projects could lead to a 25 percent reduction in energy
consumption costs. Since we have one of the world’s highest rates of per
kilowatt prices (at 21 cents), going green and producing energy more efficiently
are a win-win proposition, both for Lebanon and the UAE. The next cabinet will
have its hands full with the usual smorgasbord of divisive issues. If its
members can agree on a forward-looking arrangement with Masdar, to save our
environment and promote our economy, they’ll be thanked by future generations,
who are in danger of never knowing the beautiful Lebanon of old. Divisive
political issues receive a lot of attention in Lebanon; a policy issue that’s
non-divisive doesn’t mean it’s boring. It might be just as radical and
explosive, in the positive sense, as the “sexier” ones.
The Western Diversion from
Lebanon - General Michel Aoun
General Michel Aoun
Rabieh, 27 of July 2009
Disraeli – one of England’s nineteenth century Prime Ministers – once said:
“England has no permanent friends and no permanent enemies. England has
permanent interests”. Based on this principle implemented in international
politics, every state has a prioritized set of interests it tries to maintain.
If incidentally the state has to choose between two interests, it will surely
sacrifice the lesser interest to safeguard the one of greater value. Without
knowing the interests of the countries with which we deal, we will not be able
to know what the stances of these countries would be toward us should a conflict
arise between us and other countries.
The interests of countries can be summed up in three: political, economic and
security-military. If we assume that military supremacy, controlling energy
resources and monetary control are at the heart of the US triangle of strategic
goals, we will then find that Israel, being integrally linked to the United
States in all its interests and constituting one of the essential US political,
economic and military components, ranks first within this triangle. As for the
oil-producing Arab countries, they rank second considering their enormous oil
production and reserves and the fiscal surplus they are unable to invest in
their own markets and depend on the United States in investing and ‘squandering’
it in the stock exchange.
Lebanon, on the other hand, does not exist within this triangle of American
interests because, in comparison to its surroundings, it does not represent an
important interest to the US. Lebanon, instead, is in the crosshair of its
surrounding countries that seek to transform it into a solution to the
Palestinian refugee problem or a consolation prize given to those who might get
harmed by a resolution of the Middle East conflict.
Rejecting the return of the Palestinians and fearing the Arab population
increase within its borders, Israel is first to demand that the Palestinians be
naturalized in the countries of their current presence and that all who remain
from them be deported from Israeli land. Israel enjoys, in its demands, the full
support of the United States since, as previously mentioned, it is integrally
linked to US interests. Consequently, the European countries that tow the United
States policies are also among the supporters of Israel’s demands.
We are a people who are fond of freedom, respect human rights and love peace. We
do not seek hostility toward the United States or Europe but it’s rather them
who do; and the worst part of the issue is that they keep on pretending to
embrace and care for Lebanon while they know well that their actions will lead
to Lebanon’s implosion and fragmentation. This hostility toward Lebanon started
with the creation of the state of Israel on Lebanese borders with the wars it
precipitated and all their repercussions the burden of which Lebanon had to
bear, from the flow of refugees and destabilization to the internal clashes with
the Palestinian organizations. Our internal and Arab problems have been feeding
on these clashes and have not ended yet. We are today in a worse shape than we
were in the 6-day war period. At the time, Lebanese governments used to be
formed in Lebanon whereas today we cannot tell where a government is actually
being formed or who is forming it.
That era witnessed the start of confrontations between the Lebanese Army and
Palestinian organizations, retaliatory Israeli raids on Lebanon and the Cairo
agreement, in addition to continuous American pressure to control the
Palestinians. Under these conditions, the situation escalated quickly and
finally exploded on April 13, 1975 between the Palestinians and Lebanese
factional militias.
As soon as that event took place, the western media started feeding the
international sentiment with news of a “civil war” in Lebanon, keeping away from
the world public opinion the true identity of the participants in this war as
well as its catalysts and motives. What was happening on the ground was much
different from what was being broadcast on radio and TV. The western media never
reflected the true image of the Lebanese war: the more Palestinian groups
arrived in Lebanon from Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and other Arab countries, the
more the western media emphasized the talk about a “civil war” in Lebanon thus
disregarding the identity of the participants in this war, its financiers from
oil-producing Arab countries and the Israeli interventions. Once the incoming
Palestinian forces got the upper hand in Lebanon, the US envoy Dean Brown came
and proposed to Presidents Frangieh and Chamoun evacuating the Christians away
from their country. This was the only option he offered them.
Every Lebanese in general, and every Christian in particular, has to understand
that if they want to preserve their country and themselves, the only choice
available to them today is to unite, reinforce their national strength, immunity
and solidarity, and steer away from the burning maneuvering of the greater
powers rather than throwing themselves into its flames.
General Michel Aoun