LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
August 10/09
Bible Reading of the day
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ
according to Saint John 6:41-51. The Jews murmured about him because he said, "I
am the bread that came down from heaven," and they said, "Is this not Jesus, the
son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, 'I
have come down from heaven'?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Stop murmuring
among your selves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,
and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: 'They shall
all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him
comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God;
he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal
life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but
they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it
and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will
live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the
world."
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Oh God! Lebanon with Oil?!By Tariq
Alhomayed/Asharq Al-Awsa 08/08/2009
Jumblatt’s Stance: What it Means and What
it Warns Of .By:
Raghida Dergham, 09/08/09
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for August
09/09
Israel warns Hezbollah over assassination report-Washington
Post
Add as friend? Hezbollah chief becomes Facebook star-AFP
Safieddine Vows Tougher
Response than 2006 if Israel Attacks-Naharnet
Israeli Deputy FM Warns
Hizbullah against Targeting Diplomats Abroad-Naharnet
Gemayel: Christians will not be
scapegoats, Jumblatt’s problem is extremism-Now
Lebanon
Wahhab: Bellemare is Dying…Achouri
Affirms His Good Health-Naharnet
Israeli
Official: New Hizbullah Arms May Alter Balance-Naharnet
LBC
Bureau Shut Down in Jeddah-Naharnet
Lebanese reports: Obama wooing Syria-Ha'aretz
Report: Israeli internet server found in Lebanon-Ynetnews
Report: Israeli internet server found in Lebanon-Ynetnews
Syria: US to let in new tech items-Ha'aretz
French
Irked, U.S. Shocked by Jumblat Stances-Naharnet
Add As Friend? Hizbullah
Chief Becomes Facebook Star-Naharnet
Wahhab: All parties in
the mountain region now embody the correct Arab position-Now
Lebanon
Suleiman Receives
Invitation to Visit Riyadh, Calls for Non-Convulsed Political Speech-Naharnet
Abidjan Deports Imam
Accused of Funding Hizbullah-Naharnet
A Lebanese and Syrian Dead
in Northern Border Incident-Naharnet
Aoun Wants to Meet Jumblat
in One of the Chouf's Maronite Churches-Naharnet
Gemayel Snaps Back at
Jumblat on Christians-Naharnet
Elie
Mahfoud: Jumblatt’s main problem
with his deputies and popular base-Future News
Aoun settles accounts with
President Sleiman-Future News
Aoun:
We Cannot Do Without Integration With Our Surrounding, Lebanon Rejects Settling
Palestinians-Naharnet
Opposition To Adopt Steps
If Government Formation Delayed-Naharnet
Israel warns Hezbollah
over assassination report
Sunday, August 9, 2009; 8:34 AM
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel will hold Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah and
Lebanon itself responsible for any attempt to assassinate Israelis abroad, and
will retaliate, Israel's deputy foreign minister said Sunday.
Hezbollah blamed Israel for the Feb 12, 2008 killing of its military mastermind,
Imad Moughniyeh, in Syria and vowed revenge. Israel has since reported failed
bids by Hezbollah agents to target its citizens in Africa and Central Asia.
An Egyptian newspaper Saturday reported the capture of several men linked to al
Qaeda -- an exclusively Sunni Muslim group -- intent on assassinating Israel's
ambassador to Cairo.
But Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said the alleged plot was "certainly"
the work of Iranian-backed, Shi'ite Hezbollah.
"And I have one message here: If, God forbid, one hair falls off the head of any
Israeli representative abroad, or of even an Israeli who is not an official
representative, tourists, etc., we will consider Hezbollah responsible," he told
Israel Radio.
"The outcome, for Hezbollah, will, I think, be of the utmost gravity," Ayalon
said. "For Lebanon too."
"It is important ... to relay this warning to Lebanon, which is responsible for
Hezbollah -- that they will suffer the consequences if they carry out
assassinations of Israelis."
Egypt's independent daily Al Masry Al Youm reported that the al Qaeda-linked men
had been arrested and confessed to monitoring the Israeli embassy and
ambassador's house with a view to killing him, but had been foiled by tight
security.
Egyptian officials could not immediately be reached for comment and the report
could not be independently confirmed.
Hezbollah had no comment on Ayalon's remarks.
Asked how he could assert that it was Hezbollah who were behind the plot rather
than al Qaeda, Ayalon told Israel Radio:
"I don't want to get into the intelligence or operational issues here, but
certainly there is both an ideological connection and a professional connection
of sorts here."
Al Qaeda, which follows Osama bin Laden's strict interpretation of Sunni
militant Islam, considers Shi'ites heretics. The group is widely blamed for
deadly attacks against Shi'ites in Iraq and it has repeatedly criticized
Hezbollah. Hezbollah in turn regularly condemns al Qaeda for its attacks against
Iraqis.
Egypt, one of two Arab countries to have made peace with the Jewish state, sent
shockwaves across the Middle East in April by accusing Hezbollah of planning
attacks against Israeli targets on Egyptian soil.
Hezbollah denied that charge, saying only that it had run agents in the Egyptian
Sinai to provide arms and other support to Palestinians in the neighboring Gaza
Strip.
Israel drove Hezbollah from its southern Lebanon strongholds in a 2006 war but
has since complained that the militia has been secretly regrouping, despite a
beefed-up U.N. peacekeeper force.
Hezbollah has also boosted its political base in Beirut, and some analysts
believe any threat it could pose to Israel would be as a retaliatory arm of
Iran, should that country's nuclear facilities come under pre-emptive Israeli
strikes.
(Additional reporting by Aziz Kaissouni in Cairo and Nadim Ladki in Beirut;
Editing by Patrick Graham)
Hezbollah chief becomes Facebook star
By Rana Moussaoui (AFP)
BEIRUT — Love him or loathe him, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has earned
himself celebrity status -- at least on Facebook, where a good 20 forums are
dedicated to the Lebanese Shiite militant leader.
Many are favourable to Nasrallah but others are extremely hostile to the
controversial figure, whose organisation is claimed by Israel to have a
stockpile of 40,000 rockets.
"May God bless you Nasrallah", "Nasrallah deserves to burn in hell" and "God is
with you, oh symbol of dignity and the resistance" are just some of the comments
posted on forums dedicated to the charismatic 49-year-old, who has headed
Hezbollah since 1992.
He has not appeared in public for over a year and resides in an undisclosed
location in Beirut but his visibility on the social networking site could hardly
be higher.
The Facebook groups have titles ranging from "Fans of Hassan Nasrallah" to
"Support the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah," and they are loaded with
fervent comments in English, French, Hebrew, and Arabic, many from subscribers
identifying themselves as Lebanese or Israelis.
In July 2006, Israel launched a devastating 34-day war against Hezbollah after
the militant group kidnapped Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev in
a cross-border raid. Three years on, the "July War" remains a hot topic for the
online forums.
A French-language forum entitled "For the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah,"
demands the Israeli government get rid of Nasrallah "to avenge the blood of Ehud
and Eldad," whose remains Israel reclaimed in 2008 in a comprehensive prisoner
swap with Hezbollah.
Visuals, too, send strong messages: some groups show a softer side of the Shiite
leader, posting pictures of the child Nasrallah smiling in a garden by a bowl of
fruit, or carrying a little girl in his arms. Others display cartoons of
Nasrallah dressed in abikini, portrayed as a cockroach or at the centre of a
target.
People are 'free to express what they want'
Hezbollah maintains that people are "free to express what they want. If they
want to express their love for Sayyed Nasrallah, the party will not forbid them
to do that."
The Lebanese themselves are divided on how they feel about Nasrallah.
For some Facebook members, the Hezbollah leader is "fighting to protect the
fatherland against Americanisation, Zionism.""He is the cedar in our Lebanese flag, the master of all," reads one post, in a
reference to the symbolic tree of Lebanon.
But on a forum called "Hezbollah out of Lebanon right now!" members using screen
names openly express their hostility towards the pro-Iranian group, which they
say is "a major threat to Lebanon".Israelis, too, have much to say on Hezbollah, which is blacklisted as a
terrorist group by the Jewish state and Washington though its political wing
forms a bloc of 13 MPs in Lebanon's 128-seat parliament following elections in
June.
"Take the advice: Kick Nasrallah out and you can have living standards like we
have in Israel," writes one subscriber, who identifies himself as an Israeli
soldier.
"Look, before 2006, Lebanon was booming," writes Avi. "Your economy was good,
many tourists came and so on. After 2006 Lebanon was wasteland because of
Nasrallah."A rush of heated reactions flowed in moments after Avi's post surfaced, accusing
his country of having "destroyed Lebanon" and slamming Israel as Lebanon's
"first enemy"."Avi, shut up and find yourself a hole where you can hide! May God protect
Nasrallah!" writes Nihal.
The 34-day July War killed some 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 160
Israelis, mostly soldiers, and destroyed much of Lebanon's major infrastructure.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
Oh God! Lebanon with Oil?!
08/08/2009
By Tariq Alhomayed/Asharq Al-Awsat
Without oil, Lebanon was not safe from its own people, neighbors and enemies. So
what would the situation be if it is proved that Lebanon is not only a beautiful
country but it also has oil and gas deposits (as claimed recently), especially
after hopes have been raised in Beirut after Israel announced that it discovered
gas?
Yes, we have every right to say ‘Oh God’ in this context. What will we say to
the Syrians who are keen to have custody over Lebanon in every way? What will we
say to Hassan Nasrallah who will tell his opponents and supporters, ‘Didn’t you
decide to let us make sacrifices in the south? Well the oil and gas is in the
south and we are in the south now!’
Without oil, Lebanon is already one of the most complex states politically. So
what would a Lebanon with oil be like, especially as we have witnessed and
listened to those fierce battles over donations received by Lebanon following
the 2006 war, despite promises of pure money etc?
Today, all indicators in Iran state that no pure money will appear easily. In
addition, a Gulf official previously conveyed to the Lebanese [the message] that
the economic crisis has had a big impact on everybody and we cannot donate money
to you in front of our own people whilst you are engaging in feuds, point
scoring and absurd wars.
But the most striking of all statements, or rather let us say the most striking
of the Lebanese clashes over Lebanese oil and gas before their existence is even
verified, came from a Lebanese official. He spoke about the arguments over
pessimism or optimism [over the existence of oil] and hastening or delaying the
search for natural gas and petrol. Commenting on the Israeli announcement that
it had discovered natural gas off the Haifa coast, which is an extension of
South Lebanon, the official said, “Israel is willing to make every effort to
ensure its autonomy over the energy because it is facing an Arab embargo in this
context. As for us, our situation is different.” This “different situation” is
Lebanon’s problem.
In this regard, Arab donor countries, or countries that lend money or provide
aid to Lebanon – whichever way one describes them – must deal with Lebanon and
its politicians in the same way they deal with companies in the fields of
exchange and accountancy. Even if petrol and gas are extracted from Lebanon,
which is what we hope for them of course, every penny paid must be accounted
for.
It makes no sense for Arab countries to race to give Lebanon money whilst the
country is inoperative without a government. Even if there is oil and gas, the
political wrangling will not stop and most importantly, Hezbollah will have the
chance to arm itself however much it wants until we find ourselves embroiled in
a new “divine war” even before the houses that were destroyed in the last war
could be rebuilt or before cars could once again drive over the bridges
re-erected with the money provided by donor countries.
Deal with Lebanon financially in the same way you deal with your own people
where there is no extravagance and no over-indulgence. Account for every penny;
this is not out of stinginess or to be condescending but rather for the sake of
guaranteeing the interests of a country without a government. When it did have a
government it became a hostage in its own official headquarters for over a year
because the person hiding in the suburbs wanted to practice his democratic right
of civil disobedience.
Therefore, hold Lebanon to account until its petrol and natural gas appears and
at that point, we will enter another phase of the Lebanese conflict
Report: Israeli internet server found in Lebanon
Al-Manar reports Lebanese army found and confiscated server wired to antennae
aimed at Israel
Roee Nahmias Published: 08.08.09, 23:13 / Israel News
Lebanese security forces discovered an Israeli internet server hidden in a small
town in Lebanon's Chouf District, the Hezbollah-owned al-Manar network reported
Saturday.
The report said the server was wired to antennae aimed in the direction of
Israel, and that all of the equipment was confiscated. The Lebanese OTV network,
owned by politician Michel Aoun, reported that the army had broken into a
structure in Jabal al-Baruch in April and found equipment suspected of serving
Israeli intelligence. The report said the army had intervened after receiving
intelligence regarding an "illegal internet company" operating within its
borders. The alleged discovery is the most recent victory claimed by Hezbollah
in its current battle against what it claims are Israeli espionage rings
operating in Lebanon. The organization also boasts the arrest of dozens of
alleged spies, one of whom was recently sentenced to life in prison by a
Lebanese military court.
Gemayel:
Christians will not be scapegoats, Jumblatt’s problem is extremism
August 8, 2009 ظNOW Staff
Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel told LBC TV on Saturday that the “Christians
will not be a scapegoat in Lebanon,” adding that “on the contrary we are the
basis of this country, and if some people are looking for excuses or someone to
blame, then let them look elsewhere because in the worst situations we always
had clear positions and preserved Lebanon, its sovereignty and its Arabism.”The
Kataeb Party president also said that any new positions that Progressive
Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt takes cannot come at the expense of the
Christians in Lebanon. He added that the reconciliation that took place in Mount
Lebanon, beginning with the pact signed between him and Jumblatt, and
consummated by Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir’s visit to the
Mountain, opened new horizons for Jumblatt. Gemayel also said that Jumblatt’s
comments do not facilitate reconciliation or strengthen Lebanon, saying that the
main problem with the PSP leader is his extremism. He
added that the country can only be saved if the Lebanese find common ground to
face threats, noting that he was the first to call for good relations with
Syria. He said that a new page should be opened between the governments of Syria
and Lebanon, and not between Lebanese political parties and Syria.Gemayel called
on Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to return to cabinet deliberations soon
as possible. He said that Jumblatt’s comment that he is aligned with President
Sleiman remains “unclear to me. Gemayel also said that
it is not acceptable to have a prior agreement on key decisions before forming
the cabinet because they reduce the parliament’s powers. He concluded that there
should be true participation in decision making and that the Ministerial
Statement should be clear on national sovereignty.
Wahhab: All parties in the mountain region now embody the correct Arab position
August 9, 2009 ظNOW Staff
Tawhid Movement leader Wiam Wahhab said during a visit to the village of
Qornayel in the Chouf on Sunday that all the parties in the mountain region,
including MP Walid Jumblatt’s Progressive Socialist Party, are now in the “right
Arab and resistant position.” “Political disagreements on some issues were the
only barriers that stood between us in the mountain, however, they have now been
resolved and we have become stronger,” Wahhab said. He
emphasized the necessity of strengthening the role of the Druze sect in the
upcoming period, not only in Lebanon but across the broader Levant region.“The
Druze cannot be protected away from Syria, since it has supported us in the most
difficult circumstances,” Wahhab said, adding that the coming period will
strengthen the Druze position in Lebanon and the region.
Report: Cell plotted to kill Israel's ambassador to Egypt
Egyptian newspaper reports al-Zeitoun cell planned to assassinate Shalom Cohen,
bomb his home, Israeli embassy in Cairo last year. Three suspects arrested; say
plan failed due to tight security
Ynet Published: 08.08.09, 21:16 / Israel News
A plot to assassinate Shalom Cohen, Israel's ambassador to Egypt was uncovered,
Egyptian newspaper al-Masry al-Youm reported on Saturday.
According to the report, operatives of the al-Zeitoun cell admitted to having
plotted to kill the ambassador, bomb his home and the embassy in Cairo last
year.
The Egyptian State Security Prosecution announced that in addition to
surveillance members of the cell conducted on Cohen and the embassy, the
suspects were also allegedly involved in other acts against police and state
bodies, including attempts on officials' lives by taking over their weapons.
Three of the suspects, Yasser Abdel-Kader Abdel-Fateh, Faraj Rajwan al-Ma'ani
and Ahmad al-Sayyed al-Shaarawi, said in their investigation that the plans to
assassinate Cohen and bomb the Israeli embassy in Cairo were meant to be
executed last year. They said they managed to follow Cohen on a number of
occasions and planned to carry out the assassination either by an explosive
device or direct confrontation. According to the report, the plot failed due to
the tight security around Cohen's home and the Israeli embassy.
The suspects also admitted that the plot to kill the Israeli ambassador and blow
up the embassy were planned as part of larger Jihad operations the cell planned
to execute.
They said that if the operation had been carried out as planned, it would have
boosted the Jihad both in Egypt and abroad. They also admitted to scoping out
tourist sites in the Sinai Peninsula. They said they were in contact with
members of the al-Qaeda organization, and in particular with a man who goes by
the name of Abu Hamdan al-Libi, and discussed with him the details of the
execution of the attacks before leaving to Iraq to join his men. Meanwhile,
Egyptian state paper al-Ahram reported that the cell caught was the same cell
that carried out an attack in a Cairo market last February. According to the
report, the cell planned to bomb other religious sites in Egypt including Muslim
and Christian holy places as well as tourist sites. They also planned to bomb
the gas pipe line between Egypt and Israel. Al-Ahram said the suspects confessed
to their membership in the cell and said they trained in camps belonging to the
"Palestinian Army of Islam in the Gaza Strip" and that they helped smuggle
activists across the border to carry out their attacks.
Israeli Official: New Hizbullah Arms May Alter Balance
Naharnet/A top Israeli defense official has told The Jerusalem Post that
increasing tensions between Israel and Hizbullah are the result of growing
concern that Syria will transfer "balance-altering" weaponry to the
Iranian-backed group in the event of a new conflict with Israel. "Our assumption
is that whatever Iran and Syria have, Hizbullah could one day also have," the
official said this week. The impact on Israeli army operations is that
surveillance planes fly at higher altitudes out of fear that Hizbullah has
obtained advanced air defense systems, and Israeli navy ships patrol further
from the coast out of fear that the group has obtained advanced anti-ship
missiles. Israel's navy also recently tested an upgraded version of the Barak
missile defense system - which can intercept anti-ship missiles - amid concern
that Hizbullah may soon receive an advanced anti-ship missile system. Earlier
this week, an Italian newspaper revealed that an Iranian plane crash last month
had been caused by the explosion of sophisticated explosive fuses that were on
their way to Hizbullah. The paper pointed to Globalsecurity.org that claimed,
Damascus is known to have a significant arsenal of Scud ballistic missiles that
are capable of hitting targets with fair accuracy throughout Israel. Syria also
has advanced anti-aircraft systems, according to the Web site. "A truck carrying
a launcher and a missile can leave Damascus and arrive in the Bekaa Valley
Hizbullah stronghold in just a few hours," the Israeli official said.
On Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Barak warned in the Knesset that Israel
would consider military action if Hizbullah altered the military balance with
Israel.
"We have relayed messages to different authorities, and if the balance is
altered, we will consider our next steps," he said. Israeli officials said that
Barak's remarks had been made because of worries that Iran and Syria were
considering transferring advanced military equipment to Hizbullah in Lebanon.
Earlier this year, he issued a similar threat to Syria and Lebanon after Israel
grew concerned that Damascus was planning to transfer advanced technology to
Hizbullah. Barak said Thursday that if another war erupted along the northern
border, the Israeli army would have more operational freedom to target Lebanese
infrastructure than it had three years ago. During the Second Lebanon War in
2006, Barak said, there was tacit agreement with the United States to avoid
targeting state infrastructure such as roads, power stations, airports and other
state institutions. Beirut, 09 Aug 09, 09:4
Wahhab: Bellemare is Dying…Achouri Affirms His Good Health
Naharnet/Spokesperson Radhia Achouri, refuted claims that Special Tribunal for
Lebanon (STL) Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare is dying. 'Tawheed Movement' leader
Wiam Wahhab earlier charged that Bellemare is dying of cancer. Achouri told the
daily pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat on Sunday saying Wahhab's claim concerning
Bellemar'e sickness "is baseless" adding the STL prosecutor is in "good
health.""He is in a state of recovery in his country and this is a very normal
thing…there is no cancer or anything other than cancer," Achouri said. She added
that the Canadian prosecutor would resume his duties soon over the coming weeks,
saying there is no specific date for him to resume his duties. Achouri expressed
her hope that others would stay away from issues of this kind, first because
health issues are of a personal nature and second because the prosecutor's
office was very transparent from the very beginning when it announced that
Bellemare will be off for a while. In an interview with Asharq al-Awsat on
Sunday Wahhab said that he recently heard that Bellemare is on the brink of
death, that he was urgently transferred back to Canada for cancer treatment.
"This means that in case he dies, matters would take longer for his successor to
read up on all the files in the case," Wahhab said. Last July 8 Bellemare's
bureau issued a statement saying he left to Canada on a sick leave. Beirut, 09
Aug 09, 08:42
LBC Bureau Shut Down in Jeddah
Naharnet/Saudi Ministry of Information shut down the Lebanese broadcasting
Corporation (LBC) satellite channel bureau in Jeddah over the controversial
issue of a Saudi citizen Mazen Abdul-Jawad who was arrested for boasting about
sex life on television. He had participated in segment on LBC TV's "Red Line"
program presented by Malek Maktabi.
Defense attorney Suleiman al-Jumaie told the daily pan-Arab al-Hayat on Sunday
his client complained against LBC for portraying him in a "unrealistic manner."
Jumaie said that his client is suing because the program was aired without
receiving his consent. He added that a lot of what his client said was
fabricated. Abdul-Jawad said on the program, which is also popular in Saudi
Arabia, that he first had sex with a neighbor when he was 14 and described in
detail some of his later adventures. He also explained how he uses the Bluetooth
function on his cellphone to try to pick up Saudi women, who are forbidden to
mix with or reveal their faces to men who are not relatives. He has publicly
apologized for the show, saying that the producers had tricked him into some of
his account and promised not to reveal his name or show his face. Beirut, 09 Aug
09, 10:46
French Irked, U.S. Shocked by Jumblat Stances
Naharnet/French diplomatic sources in Beirut disclosed its great displeasure and
irk over the recent political stances of 'Democratic Gathering' and Progressive
Socialist Party Druze leader MP Walid Jumblat. According to the daily Ad-Diyar
on Sunday sources said that Jumblat's stances shocked French officials adding
that his statements reshuffled French efforts in facilitating the formation of a
Lebanese national unity government. French sources described Jumblat as
inconsistent and uncommitted to an established stance. It went on to state that
the Americans were also greatly disappointed by Jumblat's stances; who conveyed
their dismay to the French saying his recent stance affected regional contacts.
Beirut, 09 Aug 09, 11:18
Suleiman Receives Invitation to Visit Riyadh, Calls for Non-Convulsed Political
Speech
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman, called for non-convulsed and sharp political
speeches in a manner that would keep all options open for continued
communication and understanding among all political leaderships. Suleiman
received an invitation on Saturday from Saudi Arabian monarch Andullah Bin Abdul
Aziz presented by Ambassador Ali Assiri to attend the official inauguration of
the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology. Assiri conveyed his
hope that the new government would be formed soon in the coming few days "so
that stability would remain in Lebanon and because the formation of a new
government would benefit the Lebanese economy." He told reporters that his
meeting with president Suleiman was a golden opportunity to review recent
developments in Lebanon and the region. "Saudi Arabia shall continue with its
support and aid to Lebanon on all levels," Assiri said. Beirut, 09 Aug 09, 09:19
Abidjan Deports Imam Accused of Funding Hizbullah
Naharnet/Cote di'Ivoire authorities deported a Lebanese Imam Abdel Momen
Qobaissy due to "security reasons". The head of the al-Ghadir Cultural Society
Ali Badir told the Agence France Presse (AFP) the deportation took place on
Thursday once Qobaissy arrived to Abidjan from Beirut. "He was arrested by
police at the airport, his passport was confiscated and then deported back to
Beirut," Badir said. Last may the United States imposed economic sanctions on
Qobaissy –45 years, and another Lebanese- Sierra-Leone national, accusing them
of supporting Hizbullah. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, Qobaissy
received high-level Hizbullah officials in Abidjan to help raise funds for the
party in Africa.
The Lebanese community amounts to tens of thousands in Cote d'Ivoire, the
largest in Africa. Beirut, 09 Aug 09, 09:02
Gemayel Snaps Back at Jumblat on Christians
Naharnet/Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel on Saturday slammed Progressive
Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat for criticizing some Christian political
parties.
"Some of the statements made by Jumblat on Christian parties do not consolidate
(positive) steps taken in the Mountains and do not safeguard Lebanon against
threats that Jumblat fears such as the Israeli danger or (threats) on the
international tribunal," Gemayel told LBC TV network. "The problem with Jumblat
is extremism in everything … We (the Christians) are the basis of this country …
We have preserved the country, its sovereignty and Lebanon's Arabism," he
stressed. The former president told LBC that the country could only be saved
through finding common grounds to face threats. He said he was among the first
politicians who called for improved relations with Syria. According to Gemayel,
a new page with Syria should be opened through the state and not bilateral ties
between Lebanese parties and Damascus. On cabinet formation, the Phalange leader
told LBC: I hope "Premier-designate Saad Hariri returns (to Lebanon) as soon as
possible because things require a lot of efforts." Beirut, 08 Aug 09, 21:40
A Lebanese and Syrian Dead in Northern Border Incident
Naharnet/Farmers from the Lebanese border town of Ersal and others from the
Syrian town of al-Maara opened fire at each other Saturday over the disputed
ownership of agricultural property resulting in a single fatality on each side.
The daily pan-Arab al-Hayat on Sunday said that the exchanged shooting resulted
in the killing of Lebanese national Muhammad Hussein al-Hujairi, the paper added
that a Syrian fatality was also reported on the other side of the border but
provided no names. The daily Ad-Diyar on Sunday said that rocket propelled
grenades were launched between Bab al-Tabaneh and Baal Muhsen districts in
Tripoli on Saturday evening. The Lebanese army intervened to contain the
situation.
Beirut, 09 Aug 09, 10:17
Aoun: March 14 Could Absorb Shock, But Jumblat Departure Over and Done With
Naharnet/MP Michel Aoun said Saturday that March 14 forces might be able to
"absorb" the shock caused by MP Walid Jumblat's recent actions but they cannot
"reverse" what happened.
"March 14 forces might be able to absorb the shock caused by Jumblat's
departure, but they cannot absorb the action itself," Aoun told Sawt al-Mada
radio station in an interview. "The majority is no longer a majority. It is now
a group of minorities and forming a coalition is inevitable in the country," he
said on the impact of Jumblat's move on March 14.
On a possible meeting with Jumblat, Aoun said "circumstances are starting to
ripen. It won't be long before we meet." He added he did not have any
preconditions for such an encounter.
Press reports said on Saturday Aoun was preconditioning that a meeting with
Jumblat take place in one of the Chouf's Maronite churches, a demand the Druze
leader has rejected.
Aoun said Jumblat's move "resembles in general what we did in 2005." He said the
Progressive Socialist Party leader came across the "same vacuum that I found
because the scope of the majority is limited to individuals and does not include
the people as a whole." He said Jumblat can afford to change directions "without
paying the price politically, inside his party and with his public. But this is
not possible with all parties." Aoun said Christian members of the majority "do
not know which direction to go. It is like riding a ship without a compass."
"They are against Hizbulah's weapons arsenal but they do not have any blueprint,
at the same time they want to negotiate with Israel," he added. Beirut, 09 Aug
09, 12:08