LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
August 31/09
Bible Reading of the day
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 7:1-8.14-15.21-23. Now when
the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him,
they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is,
unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without
carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on
coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And
there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the
purification of cups and jugs and kettles (and beds).) So the Pharisees
and scribes questioned him, "Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of
the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?" He responded, "Well did
Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors me
with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship
me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.' You disregard God's commandment but
cling to human tradition." He summoned the crowd again and said to them, "Hear
me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile
that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile." From
within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance,
folly. All these evils come from within and they defile."
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Saad
Hariri/Now Lebanon/August 29, 2009
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for August
30/09
Mustaqbal Movement to
Sayyed: Tribunal Not Politicized-Naharnet
Sfeir Describes Late
Senator Kennedy as 'Extremely Brave'-Naharnet
Sakr says cabinet formation obstructionism linked to Special
Tribunal/Now Lebanon
Ashouri: Bellemare Will Return
in a Few Days; Politicians Must Stop Predictions-Naharnet
Majority to Launch
Parliamentary Front to Defend the Republic-Naharnet
Sayyed: Saad Hariri 'You
Are Your Father's Killer until You Punish the Forgers'-Naharnet
Aoun-Hariri Meeting to
Identify Nature of Obstacles; Set Alternatives-Naharnet
Lebanon town makes mincemeat of world record-AFP
UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon hails peaceful mandate since 2006-Xinhua
Sleiman discusses political-security issues with Baroud and Murr-Future
News
Houri: Hariri’s initiative, a
further step for cooperation-Future News
Raad: national consensus, the only
way for cabinet formation-Future News
Baydoun: if Aoun wants political
suicide, he will take Hizbullah along-Future News
Samir
Franjieh questions Aoun’s
stand-Future News
Azour: de facto agreements, now
more important than the constitution-Future News
Bassil: Uncle Sam, the major obstacle-Future
News
Sfeir Describes Late Senator Kennedy as 'Extremely Brave'
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir conveyed during Sunday's sermon his
condolences over the death of U.S. Senatro Edward Kennedy to his wife of
Lebanese origins lawyer Victoria Arayji and to U.S. President Barack Obama.
Speaking from Deeman, Sfeir praised Kennedy as one of the U.S. politics'
"significant faces." "The deceased was known for his brave stances. He had
the courage to speak the truth and earned the title of the Senate's lion. He
also worked on laws that supported the underprivileged, immigrants and health
care," Sfeir said. He also praised Kennedy's wife, who he said, "was extremely
successful and was her husband's best adviser." Beirut, 30 Aug 09, 10:56
Sfeir meets with Geagea, Nadim Gemayel
August 30, 2009 /Now Lebanon/ Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir met
with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Diman on Sunday. The meeting was
also attended by MP Nadim Gemayel. The parties discussed recent developments and
the issue of the cabinet formation.
Franjieh questions Aoun’s stand
Date: August 30th, 2009/Source: Voice of Lebanon
Former MP Samir Franjieh was surprised that at the time the Iranian nuclear
file, American peace process and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon are discussed,
the possibility of re-assigning caretaker Minister Gebran Bassil as minister
ranks a high-priority in Lebanese political life. Franjieh pointed that MP
Michel Aoun’s stance depends on Hizbullah’s and stressed that obstruction has no
political, constitutional or public cover anymore and “is mastered by those who
couldn’t adapt to the new reality”. “The opposition is not unified concerning
government formation,” the former MP noted, asserting that Speaker Nabih Berry
was distinguished in his stand to support reaching a solution of the current
crisis. Franjieh asserted that Premier designate Saad Hariri on one hand
suggested a settlement as a precaution for regional circumstances and that the
opposition on the other hand suggests a bargain to keep the situation as it is,
describing talks on allotment of shares as “insignificant.” “What’s important
now is that Hizbullah, which admitted defeat in the June 7 parliamentary
elections, did not admit the need to change and modify its policies,” said
Franjieh.
Bassil: Uncle Sam, the major obstacle
Date: August 30th, 2009/Source: An-Nahar
Outgoing Telecommunication Minister Gebran Bassil has said that it is the U.S
that is blocking the cabinet formation and not the meeting between Premier
designate Saad Hariri and Reform and Change leader Michel Aoun, the An-Nahar
prestigious newspaper reported Sunday. “It is Uncle Sam blocking the cabinet
formation,” he told the paper. “The meeting that was held between Aoun and a
Hizbullah delegation at the Rabieh tackled all the internal and external
impediments blocking the cabinet entitlement,” An-Nahar quoted a source close to
the Free Patriotic Movement. “The Hizbullah- Aoun meeting has nothing to do with
the expected meeting between Hariri and Aoun,” he said Hizbullah delegation
included Hussein Khalil the party’s Secretary-General political aid, and Wafiq
Safa Hizbullah’s engagement and coordination chief. Bassil considered the
Hariri-Aoun meeting as “a formal solution for a problem that needs a radical
solution,” He did not confirm whether Aoun will respond to Hariri’s initiative
or not saying “you will know tomorrow.” Hariri has launched an initiative toward
Aoun on Friday. He suggested that they meet at the Baabda presidential palace or
at the parliament to discuss Aoun’s demands that are seemingly the main obstacle
blocking the cabinet formation.
Sakr says cabinet formation obstructionism linked to Special Tribunal
August 30, 2009/Now Lebanon
In an interview published in Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper on Sunday, Lebanon
First bloc MP Okab Sakr said that “impeding the cabinet formation is linked to
the progress of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.” He added that “all indicators
show that discussing the outcome of the STL trials is back in the spotlight.”
“Targeting the STL, in addition to the minority’s demand for the
Telecommunications Ministry, which is connected to the investigations being
carried out, proves that the tribunal is the most significant difficulty
preventing the cabinet formation,” he said. Sakr described the upcoming meeting
of majority parliamentarians as “a clear message to the minority that the
majority forces are unified in support of Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri,
to reiterate its commitment to the Taif Accord and to agree on the majority’s
path in the upcoming period which is full of threats and dangers.”“The formation
of the cabinet must not harm the Taif Accord or be influenced by foreign
instructions or domestic blackmail,” Sakr stressed.
Ashouri: Bellemare Will Return in a Few Days; Politicians Must Stop Predictions
Naharnet/The spokeswoman of Special Tribunal for Lebanon chief prosecutor Daniel
Bellmare dismissed Sunday reports that an "indictment" in the 2005 assassination
of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri was expected soon. "Those who are initiating such
reports are mere predictors," Radhia Ashouri told BBC in an interview. She
called on Lebanese politicians "not to jump into conclusions, predict dates for
an indictment or predict the content of such indictment." Ashouri insisted that
investigations into Hariri's murder were "top secret and the tribunal does not
give out information to anyone." She said that Bellemare was expected back in
The Hague in the coming few days. "There is no set deadline for an indictment.
But this does not at all mean that the prosecutor does not see a need to inform
the Lebanese public on whether there is one or not," Ashouri said. She denied
claims the investigation was "politicized." "We are not a political side and we
have never and will never be influenced by politics," she said. Meanwhile, An
Nahar newspaper quoted diplomatic sources as saying that debate surrounding the
tribunal appears as if "some received an order to initiate a campaign against
the tribunal. Beirut, 30 Aug 09, 09:16
Sayyed: Saad Hariri 'You Are Your Father's Killer until You Punish the Forgers'
Naharnet/General Jamil al-Sayyed accused Saad Hariri Sunday of agreeing to four
years of falsification in the international tribunal, in one of his
strongest-worded attacks yet against the premier-designate and his political and
security team. He was speaking at a press conference on the fourth anniversary
of his arrest in connection with the 2005 assassination of former premier Rafik
Hariri. "Saad Hariri lost right in the international tribunal when he
agreed to falsification and the country's ruin during a period of four years,"
Sayyed said.
He said former premier Rafik Hariri was murdered three times. "The first was on
February 14 (2005). The assassins remain at large thanks to some officers and
politicians surrounding (Saad) Hariri," he said. "The second time Rafik Hariri
was killed was when the four generals were arrested after false witnesses were
told what to say by politicians, officers and journalists," he added. "The third
time that Hariri was killed was when the four generals were released," he added.
Sayyed was among four top generals who were released in April after four years
in custody in connection with Hariri's assassination, no one has ever been
formally charged.
The other three are the former head of the presidential guard, Mustafa Hamdan,
53, domestic security chief Ali Hajj, 52, and military intelligence chief
Raymond Azar, 56.
Sayyed said the "criminal state keeps among its ranks people like (public
prosecutor) Saeed Mirza." He called on Hariri to hold accountable those who
committed forgery such as "Wissam al-Hassan, Saeed Mirza and Samir Shahadeh."Addressing
Hariri, Sayyed said: "You are your father's killer until you hold them
accountable."
"If you are brave enough you will place a picture of Mohammed Zuhair al-Siddiq
next to your father's when welcoming your guests," he said in reference to the
main suspect in the investigation into Hariri's assassination. Addressing
President Michel Suleiman, Sayyed said: "It is a shame that you have been made
prisoner. And yes to the amendment of Taef."
He asked MP Walid Jumblat "where was your political voice in the international
tribunal's file." He said those who take Jumblat as an ally were committing a
mistake.
Sayyed also thanked Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir for promoting the cause
of the four generals when they were still in custody. He then criticized
Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani and asked for an apology to his daughter
Sara al-Sayyed for the accusations against her father. Beirut, 30 Aug 09, 12:33
Majority to Launch Parliamentary Front to Defend the
Republic
Naharnet/The parliamentary majority's 71 deputies will meet at 3pm on Monday in
Qoreitem, with the participation of MP Walid Jumblat, to reaffirm their presence
and to offer support for the premier-designate. The broad meeting conveys
"several political messages because it aims to fight a suspected battle against
the Taef and the Constitution," al-Mustaqbal daily reported.
The meeting will reaffirm that "there is a parliamentary majority that won in
June 7 and remains in its place." The paper said the participants will "name
themselves the 'Parliamentary Front' for the defense of the Taef, the
Constitution, coexistence and the political and democratic system of governance.
It is a front to defend the republic."The meeting will provide "strong backing"
for the premier-designate in his "difficult deliberations with Hizbullah and MP
Michel Aoun," An Nahar daily said. Participants are expected to stress that the
constitution had stipulated rules for the formation process and must be
respected. An Nahar expected the meeting to end with "an announcement on the
formation of a broad parliamentary bloc, which will be the biggest in Lebanon's
history and the most diverse." The paper added the bloc will be based on "the
Cedar Revolution's principles."The launching of the bloc will be accompanied by
preparations for "a new start by March 14 based on a roadmap and
decentralization in order to achieve goals that will be accurately defined."The
focus will be on the need for the state to "have the sole authority to decide on
war and peace, the implementation of international resolutions and to commit to
unanimous Arab positions." In an interview with the pan-Arab daily Ashar al-Awsat,
MP Oqab Saqr said the meeting will convey "a clear message that the majority are
united in their support of the premier-designate. It will also reaffirm
commitment to the Taef and will reach an agreement on how to deal with the
upcoming phase and the threats and dangers it might bring." Beirut, 30 Aug 09,
10:10
Saad Hariri
August 29, 2009
Now Lebanon
During a Ramadan banquet in Qoreitem, Designated Prime Minister Saad Hariri told
representatives from the economy and media sectors: “You must have been
wondering about the voices that are stating that this country is functioning
fine without any convening government.”
“Well, to those I say we have decided in the wake of the parliamentary elections
to follow the path of wisdom and calm and extend our hand to the minority asking
it in all honesty to share with us in a national unity government under one
agenda with the primary tasks of confronting the plots of our Israeli enemy and
dealing with the social and economic issues domestically.”
“However, it doesn’t mean that the country can function without a government. We
have decided from the first moment in trying to form the government, and in
cooperation with the Lebanese President Michel Sleiman, to trace the road of
silence and calm in the face of defaming campaigns. Our aim behind our silence
and calm was to prevent the normal political differences which come with forming
any government in any democratic system from spreading to the economic and
financial sectors and poisoning the ‘world record breaking’ tourist season that
Lebanon witnessed.
“We and nobody else since the first moment following the assassination of our
martyr prime minister Rafik Hariri, have put stability as our focal point. We
have proved that domestic stability is in our view and in the long term more
important than all the harm and obstacles put in our way in the short term.
“Dear attendees and in frankness I say that the saying which states that the
country is functioning fine despite the delay in forming the government is a
fallacy which expresses the minimum and doesn’t build nations or raise economies
nor strengthen institutions.
“What we aspire to through a national unity government based on a harmonious
program of action is to build a strong state and reinforce the Lebanese army and
the security forces and thus invest in the stability of Lebanon and its ability
to defend its lands against any Israeli aggression.
“What we aspire to do in the next government is a complete program focused on
treating the chronic problems like the electricity, water, environment, and
traffic as well as reviving the public administrations and cleansing them from
corruption because these are the issues that obstruct the daily lives of the
citizens.
“Also, we want the government to expand its range of development programs to
reach all the regions in Lebanon and thus meet the needs of all the citizens in
health, education, and infrastructure, as well as allowing the social security
net to cover the most vulnerable economically in our society.
“We aim at reducing the economic and social disparity among Lebanese; and
propping up the middle class and empowering it because it has always been the
main backer of democracy, moderation, intellectual diversity and openness to the
world.
“We need to go along with the initiatives of the private sector and encourage it
in order to create job opportunities for our youth and setting them up for
staying in Lebanon as well as recruiting our skilled expatriates,” he added.
Hariri pointed out that this is an ambition that is worth sacrificing for,
managing to bear our troubles, and transcending our wounds “because it is an
ambition that guaranties our national gains, our independence, freedom and
Arabism. This worthy ambition also guaranties our reinforcement of national,
economic, financial, cultural, educational, and military capabilities which in
turn will shore up every common effort put in the service of our Arab causes and
their central cause, that of our Palestinian brothers and their right of return
to a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
“We would continue the efforts to form a national unity government in step with
keeping our promise to make the voices of our June 7 electorate heard loud and
clear, helping to protect stability, and continuing to hold onto our big
ambitions for Lebanon.”