LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
December 22/09

Bible Reading of the day
Jesus Raises a Widow's Son/Luke 7/11-16: "Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."  14 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.  16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea[a] and the surrounding country. 

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Saad Hariri's Sunday's press conference text/NNA/December 21/09
New Opinion: The real test is to come/Now Lebanon/December 21/09
Time for a new perspective/The Daily Star/December 21/09

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for December 21/09
Cabinet Holds 1st Ordinary Session after Vote of Confidence/Naharnet
Jumblat: Hariri's Visit to Damascus Helps in Surpassing Previous 'Black Phase'/Naharnet
Kouchner: Hariri's Visit to Syria Not End of Special Tribunal for Lebanon/Naharnet
Mottaki from Beirut: Lebanon Proved It Doesn't Need Foreign Intervention in Its Affairs/Naharnet
Syria Demands Roed-Larsen's Dismissal, Says it Implemented 1559/Naharnet
Hariri Briefs Cabinet on Results of his Talks with Assad/Naharnet
Pharaon: We are not mercenaries/Future News
Syrian Citizen Killed as Assailants Shoot at Bus in Deir Emar/Naharnet
Bus Carrying Syrians Attacked In Lebanon - Sources/New York Times
Mouallem: Syria should be notified of Deir Aamar investigation results/Future News
Shabaan: Hariri positive and responsive/Future News
LAF arrests suspects of UNIFIL incident in Tyre/Now Lebanon
Hariri to visit Tehran soon/Now Lebanon
Hariri Briefs Cabinet on Results of his Talks with Assad/Naharnet
Geagea: Hariri couldn’t be more positive, the ball is in Syria’s court/Future News
Syria Demands Roed-Larsen's Dismissal, Says it Implemented 1559/Naharnet
Assailants Tear Tires of UNIFIL Employee Vehicles in Tyre/Naharnet
Mottaki: Hariri's Visit to Damascus Consolidates Stability/Naharnet
Franjieh Hails Hariri's 'Bold' Move to Visit Damascus/Naharnet
Berri Sees in Hariri's Visit to Damascus a 'Peace Deal'/Naharnet
Geagea Throws Ball in Syria's Court after Hariri's Damascus Visit/Naharnet
Rescuers Find 6 More Bodies from Shipwreck/Naharnet
Larijani: Iran Backs Hizbullah, Hamas Because they Stood Up to Israel/Naharnet
Jumblat: I Won't Comment on Hariri's Damascus Visit/Naharnet
Jamil between ‘memoirs of persecution’ and ‘ecstasy of intimidation/Future News
Mottaki congratulates Lebanon for the New Cabinet/Future News
Egyptian PM meets Iraqi counterpart on cooperation/Xinhua
Hariri calls for opening 'new horizons' with Syria/Daily Star
Lebanon hosts Iran, France, Jordan officials/Daily Star
Lebanese politicians voice support for Hariri's trip to Syria/Daily Star
Jumblatt pays respects to Druze Prince Arslan/Daily Star
Nasrallah: 'Mercenaries' oppose our arms/Daily Star
Sfeir grateful for 'peaceful period' in country/Daily Star
France extends $323 million loan to Lebanon/Daily Star
Moody's changes outlook on Lebanon's B2 bond ratings to positive/Daily Star
Ghassan Tueni awarded Order of Merit/Daily Star
Man found shot dead under Sin al-Fil bridge/Daily Star
UNIFIL gives Christmas gifts to children in south/Daily Star
Abboud aims to promote tourism outside Beirut/Daily Star
Rainfall double monthly average across country/Daily Star
Rescuers save nearly half of capsized ship's 83 crew/Daily Star

Syrian Citizen Killed as Assailants Shoot at Bus in Deir Emar
/Naharnet/Unknown assailants opened fire on a Syrian bus in Deir Emar in northern Lebanon at dawn Monday, killing a Syrian citizen, the National News Agency reported.
NNA said the assailants shot at the bus, which was carrying 25 Syrian laborers, at 2:30 am in Deir Emar on the Tripoli-Akkar highway, killing 17-year-old Abdullah A.
A security official told Agence France Presse that several other people were injured. Three windows on the driver's side were shattered by the bullets and the tires bore bullet holes, AFP said. The Lebanese army has secured the site of the attack about five kilometers north of Tripoli. Syrian Foreign Minister called his Lebanese counterpart Ali al-Shami and urged him to inform Damascus about the results of the probe, Syria's state-run news agency, SANA, said. Ahmed Eid, the mayor of Deir Emar, also denounced the incident. "This could be an isolated incident but there are some who will try to take political advantage from it," he said. Judge Fadi Sawan was ordered to head to northern Lebanon to investigate the shooting. The attack comes a day after Prime Minister Saad Hariri ended a two-day fence-mending visit to Damascus, his first since the 2005 assassination of his father, former Premier Rafik Hariri.(Naharnet-AFP) Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 08:31

Bus Carrying Syrians Attacked In Lebanon - Sources
Published: December 21, 2009
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Shots were fired at a bus carrying Syrian workers in northern Lebanon on Monday, killing one Syrian, security sources said. The attack occurred a day after Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri completed a two-day visit to Damascus for talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that marked an end to nearly five years of animosity between Damascus and a broad political alliance led by Hariri. Lebanon's ties with Damascus hit rock bottom after Hariri's alliance accused Syria of assassinating Saad's father, Rafik al-Hariri, in February 2005. They also blamed Damascus for attacking and killing other politicians and journalists. Syria denies the allegations. A special court has yet to indict anyone for the killing.
Outrage in Lebanon over the assassination and international pressure forced Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon in April 2005, ending three decades of military presence in its smaller neighbour. (Beirut newsroom; editing by David Stamp)

Syria Demands Roed-Larsen's Dismissal, Says it Implemented 1559
Naharnet/Syria has asked for the dismissal of U.N. secretary-general's envoy on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559, Terje Roed-Larsen, for allegedly making secret visits to Israel to incite the Jewish state against Damascus and oppose the withdrawal from the northern part of the village of Ghajar. According to As Safir daily on Monday, the Syrian mission's third secretary in New York, Yasar Diab, told the General Assembly's fifth committee on administrative and budgetary affairs that Roed-Larsen has written two reports this year on the implementation of 1559 without making any visits to Beirut. On the other hand, he has visited Israel several times. Diab accused the envoy of implementing a "suspicious personal agenda" that has nothing to do with his mission. He also said that Roed-Larsen is violating the U.N. Charter by interfering in Lebanese-Syrian affairs such as border demarcation. Diab reiterated that Damascus has implemented 1559's provisions by withdrawing its troops and intelligence agents from Lebanese territories. He said 1559's remaining articles were a Lebanese issue. As Safir said that the Syrian envoy also criticized the U.N. for considering Roed-Larsen responsible for the implementation of resolution 1680. The U.N. general-secretariat has previously noted that Roed-Larsen's mandate derives not only from 1559 but also from subsequent related resolutions, including 1680 and 1701. Diab finally called for the annulment of a clause in the report on the apportionment of the U.N. envoy's expenses. The clause invites Roed-Larsen to encourage member states to implement resolution 1680.
Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 07:55

Pharaon: We are not mercenaries
Date: December 21st, 2009
Source: Almustaqbal/Minister of State Michel Pharaon has lashed out at Hizbullah Chief Sayed Hassan Nasrallah who described those who question the party’s arms as “mercenaries” saying that anyone who wants to implement the constitution must address the issue of arms, the Almustaqbal newspaper reported Monday.Nasrallah’s rhetoric came couple of days ago as he was addressing a rally of supporters commemorating the anniversary of Ashura. Shiites around the world commemorate annually the anniversary of Ashura, the first ten days of the month of Muharram in the Islamic calendar during which Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, and his followers fought against Khalifa Yazid. Imam Hussein was said to be killed in the battle of Karbalaa on the tenth day of Muharram in the year 61 AH (October 10, 680 AD).“Anyone who wants to implement the constitution must raise the issue of arms. Thus we are not mercenaries,” he said. “The visit of Premier Saad Hariri to Damascus has many positive aspects and the most important of which is that it lays the foundations for new relations that meets the interests of both countries,” he maintained. “The visit is of a special nature with regard to the previous stage,” he added. Pharoan warned against “regional developments that might jeopardize the current stage.”

New Opinion: The real test is to come
December 21, 2009
Now Lebanon/
The road to Damascus was paved with dilemmas for Prime Minister Saad Hariri, both on a national and a personal level. Not only was the Syrian regime instrumental, with Saudi Arabia, in shaping the most recent Lebanese cabinet line-up, one that effectively watered down the March 14 coalition’s victory in the summer elections, it is the main suspect in Hariri’s father’s murder along with a string of subsequent killings and bombings. The visit, allegedly one of the consequences of the Syria-Saudi entente, was always going to be fraught.
Many Lebanese, almost exclusively those who support the ideals of the March 14 movement, will have been uncomfortable by the TV images beamed out of Damascus of Hariri kissing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. They will no doubt see the trip as a setback in Lebanon’s bid to consolidate its sovereignty over its territory and reinforce its democratic credentials. They will have resigned themselves to the fact that Syria still has a role in shaping Lebanese affairs through a loyal, not to mention well-armed, opposition, that it still runs guerrilla training camps in parts of the Bekaa and the southern approaches to Beirut, and that it has armed – or tolerated the rearmament of – Hezbollah through its notoriously porous border.
It’s not ideal; then again it never was. But, as the lyrics to the song remind us, it ain’t what you do but the way that you do it, and Hariri sought, successfully or not, to soften the impact of what many will have seen as the final act of capitulation by March 14 to nearly five years of Syrian pressure.
Firstly, his delegation flew rather than drove to Syria. This was important to stress its geographical “separation” from Lebanon. Secondly, he framed the visit in the context of his government’s ministerial policy statement and as part of a series of regional trips intended to, as he put it, “reunite Arab states and unify Arab positions on regional challenges.” In that way, he underlined that Lebanon’s relations with Syria would not be shaped by his family’s personal beef with the Baathist regime. In short, Hariri was styling himself as an Arab leader doing what an Arab leaders does. Privately, he might admit that there are sacrifices to be made for Lebanon’s stability, but being a lackey, like many of his predecessors were, is not one of them.
If we look at the glass half full, Hariri has passed his first test as prime minister, despite Syrian attempts to mire the visit in controversy with the timely issuing of the extradition notices on senior Lebanese officials. However, the real challenge is still to come. It will be his ability to defend Lebanon’s sovereign gains, which Syria, as demonstrated most recently in Washington and through various other diplomatic channels, is determined to overturn. They include UN Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701, and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, arguably the biggest prize of all. They are, for the time being, secure. Their perpetuity must be his priority.

Saad Hariri
December 21, 2009
On December 20, the Lebanese National News Agency carried the following report:
Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri held a press conference this afternoon at the headquarters of the Lebanese embassy in Damascus to conclude his two-day visit to Syria, in the presence of Lebanon’s ambassador to Damascus, Michel Khoury, and charge d’affaires Rami Murtada. He said: “Yesterday, we launched talks with President Bashar al-Assad who wanted to make sure that the relations are inaugurated in a friendly and honest way between the two sides, especially since all the discussions were made on the basis of joint interests between the two countries, states and people. We thus addressed all the issues of interest and there is nothing we disregarded. We tackled all matters positively and I only saw positiveness from President Bashar al-Assad at the level of the issues of importance to the Lebanese and the relations between the two countries.
“We want to open new horizons between the two countries and look at the situation from a ‘cup half full’ perception. We see positiveness and are trying to resolve the problems in a non-provocative way, thus showing calm and honesty for the benefit of the two countries. Based on that, the talks were good, even excellent, and they were conducted in a clear and honest way. We are wagering on the future to build a better future for the two countries, whether at the level of economy, trade or all other sectors. For his part, and throughout the meetings, President Bashar al-Assad made sure to show that what was important for him on the Lebanese level was to enjoy truthful relations built on common to understanding. As for us in Lebanon, we want the Golan to be returned to Syria, just like it is important for Syria to see the return of the occupied Lebanese territories from Israel to Lebanon. There will be ongoing consultations over this issue.
“We want exceptional relations with Syria and for these relations to be built on honesty and truthfulness. The meetings that were held yesterday upon my arrival and then around dinner and this morning, were all built on honesty and truthfulness. We looked into the interests of the two countries and the way to ensure the development of [our] relations in a positive way. We do not want to look at things negatively or score points against one another. This will not serve our countries. What will serve them however is work on the basis of the interests of the two countries and people, so that we can move forward. We also stressed the necessity to secure economic and trade cooperation on a wider scale, as well as the necessity to facilitate the relations between the institutions and ministries in all areas.”
How will the Lebanese government translate this positive climate politically and economically following your return to Beirut?
This requires several steps on which we agreed with Mr. President. We also agreed on what we will do together to secure practical steps on the ground and to let the people see that these relations are not only personal between two individuals, but are also built on foundations serving the two countries and people.
Will this visit affect your political alliances?
I am the prime minister of all of Lebanon and President Al-Assad wanted to see the formation of a national unity government that would bring together all the Lebanese. In this context, when I entered the national alliance, the concord or the national unity government, my entry was based on the fact that we wanted to bring all the Lebanese together. My allies and all the ministers in this government are ministers for all of Lebanon, just like the prime minister is one for all of Lebanon...
What will you carry to the March 14 alliance which is the ally of the Future Movement following this meeting which was described as being warm between yourself and the Syrian president?
I came here as the prime minister of all of Lebanon, not as the head of the government of a Lebanese political team. Therefore, our concern in this government and the concern of all the political parties is to build friendly relations between the two states and the two people. This is what all the parties in the Lebanese government want and what was featured in the ministerial statement on the basis of which the government earned the vote of confidence of parliament...
On the other hand, we agreed on many things which were addressed yesterday by Dr. Butheina Shaban, whether regarding the demarcation or definition of the border or regarding other things. At this point, I would like to point out that no one here is trying to score points against the other. We want to build truthful and real relations...
There is no doubt there was coldness at a previous stage, but now we have talked and President Al-Assad was very clear in saying that Syria’s interest also required the presence of a climate of honesty between the two countries and people...
What was the Saudi role in the rapprochement between Syria and the Lebanese government? Did you address Al-Ghajar village and the intention of the Zionist entity to withdraw from it?
This visit and all the meetings that were held fall in the context of the Arab reconciliation which was launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in Kuwait, then in Riyadh and Qatar. Today, we are seeing its outcome and with God’s will, there will be future reconciliations to unify the Arab ranks in the face of the regional challenges posed by Israel. There is also the Palestinian dossier and the Israeli obstinacy toward the withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories and from the Golan, as well as toward the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian cause. Today, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia undoubtedly played a major role and we will proceed down that path...
What about Al-Ghajar?
This is a Lebanese affair. We explained to them what is happening and will put this issue forward before the Cabinet so that the right decision is adopted.
Did the Syrian side raise the issue of the international tribunal and the political accusations to Syria of standing behind the assassinations?
We did not address the issue, but there is clear and blunt talk in this regard. What President Al-Assad said in the past was that the international tribunal was in the hands of the international community and we also said the same. The tribunal is doing its job and we all want the truth.
Did you tackle the warrants and lawsuits filed by the Syrian judiciary?
I did not and neither did President Al-Assad. I believe that this issue will be resolved by the relevant apparatuses...
Can you say that the sky is blue at the level of the relations between Lebanon and Syria? And what is the timetable for your future steps?
The sky has been blue for a long time. As you know, we now have a Cabinet and many things will be tackled through contacts between the chairmanships of the Cabinets in both countries to activate the executive steps on the ground on the economic and trade levels, as well as in regard to the border among other issues. At this point, I would like to reiterate an important thing. I am talking to you the journalists who are playing a prominent role: This visit, as it was described by some, is historical and the beneficial talk is based on positiveness... You the journalists should be positive when covering this visit, especially in light of what President Al-Assad did for me and the reception he planned... Every issue that was on the table was met with openness from President Al-Assad, namely the ones of importance to the Lebanese. Finally, I would like to thank President Al-Assad for this visit and the Syrian people as well, and everything will move forward with God’s will. What are the guarantees for that? We are. The sky will remain blue and the relations will be good with God’s will.

Geagea: Hariri couldn’t be more positive, the ball is in Syria’s court
Date: December 21st, 2009/Future News/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s positive attitude during his landmark visit to Syria over the weekend was extraordinary and it is up to Syria now to take an initiative towards Lebanon. Geagea told Annahar newspaper in an interview published on Monday,” the ball now is in Syria’s court to take the initiative, or else Lebanese-Syrian ties will not improve.” The LF leader expected Damascus to put an end to the issue of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons in the next two days, and to work toward shutting down Palestinian military bases outside the refugee camps in Lebanon and to start the Lebanese-Syrian border demarcation process. The March 14 strong ally said that the demarcation process should initiate from South Lebanon, noting the importance of such a step in resolving the controversy over the occupied Shebaa Farms and the Kfar Shouba Hills in south Lebanon. The Shebaa Farms is a limited area of land with disputed sovereignty located on the border between Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan Heights, an area long considered as Syrian. Controversy over that specific area arose following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from occupied territory in Southern Lebanon on May 25, 2000. Syria and Lebanon disputed the United Nations certification that Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon was complete. Hizbullah cites the ongoing occupation of the Shebaa farms as the basis for its continued attacks on Israel. It should be noted that Syria, which claims that the farms are Lebanese, has not presented a single document to the UN to prove it. Moreover, Syria has so far refused to demarcate its borders with Lebanon, a major topic that was thoroughly discussed during Hariri’s 9-hour discussions with President Assad.

Shabaan: Hariri positive and responsive
Date: December 21st, 2009/Source: As-Safir\ As-Sharq Al-Awsat
Political and Media advisor for Syrian President Bashar Assad Buthaina Shabaan has said that Lebanese Premier Saad Hariri was positive and responsive and laid corner grounds for national considerations on top of his talks between the two countries. Shabaan’s comments came in an interview with the As-Safir newspaper published Monday. “Talks between Assad and Lebanese Premier Saad Hariri were characterized with honesty, candidness, friendliness and positivity as well as with a futuristic outlook. “The visit laid the foundations for a new era for progress and development in bilateral relations to the benefit of the common interests of the two brethren people. “The objectors to and affected by the visit must solve their own problems. Assad and Hariri are only responsible toward their people and if anyone has a different agenda or a different interest, it would be his problem. “The outcome of the visit will be tangible and will emerge soon at several levels. “I expect more mutual visits to take place to activate institutional relations between the two countries. The As-Sharq Al-Awsat Saudi newspaper reported Monday that Hariri-Assad talks resulted in maintaining the Lebanese-Syrian Higher Council provided that ways to develop its performance and specify its responsibilities are discussed the aftermath of diplomatic representation between the two countries that was reached last year. The council was established in the mid 1990s to administer Lebanese-Syrian relations. But after diplomatic exchange, its jurisdictions must be reconsidered to evade conflict of authorities between the embassies and the council. A source informed with the visit quoted Lebanese and Syrian officials saying that the results of Hariri-Assad talks will emerge consecutively which would lay the ground for a new stage of bilateral relations based on cooperation, according to the paper. The pan-Arab Al-Hayat newspaper quoted another informed source saying “all pending problems between the two countries were discussed positively and openly. “Moreover, ways to revive economic cooperation between the two countries were tackled and Syrian president raised the issue of complementing projects that were started before,” the source said. The source expected arrangements for Syrian Premier Naji Otari’s visit to Lebanon to start which is the first sign of reconsidering mutual relations.

Assailants Tear Tires of UNIFIL Employee Vehicles in Tyre
Naharnet/Unknown assailants tore the tires of several UNIFIL employees' vehicles in the southern port city of Tyre, the state-run National News Agency reported Monday.
UNIFIL Deputy Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said investigation was underway to find the assailants. Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 13:23

Mottaki: Hariri's Visit to Damascus Consolidates Stability
Naharnet/Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said during his one-day visit to Beirut on Monday that Premier Saad Hariri's trip to Damascus consolidates stability and calm in the region. "Lebanon proved through its quick formation of the government that it has the ability to have a good standing in the region and internationally," Mottaki said during a press conference at Bustros palace following talks with his Lebanese counterpart Ali al-Shami. The Iranian official also praised the "intelligence" of Lebanese officials, who work in their nation's interest.
Mottaki also met with President Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace and later held talks with Hariri at the Grand Serail. Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 11:26

Franjieh Hails Hariri's 'Bold' Move to Visit Damascus
Naharnet/Marada movement leader Suleiman Franjieh has described Prime Minister Saad Hariri's visit to Damascus as "courageous." "The visit (to Damascus) four years after (his father's assassination) is a bold decision in Lebanon's interest," Franjieh told al-Jadeed television on Sunday night. The MP denied that Hariri and Assad discussed ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's murder adding that the PM's visit wasn't aimed at handing over an "innocence deed" to the Syrian president because the latter "doesn't need it and the international tribunal would make the investigation into the case."About a possible visit to Damascus by Druze leader Walid Jumblat, Franjieh said the trip would be made without setting a date for it. "Syria doesn't object to the visit," he added. Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 10:31

Hariri Briefs Cabinet on Results of his Talks with Assad
Naharnet/Prime Minister Saad Hariri is expected to brief the cabinet on Monday on the results of his visit to Damascus over the weekend, the first since ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination in 2005. Sources close to Hariri told An Nahar daily that the premier seemed comfortable with the results of the visit particularly after Syrian President Bashar Assad broke several times with protocol during the welcoming. Assad was even driving Hariri in his own vehicle. The sources said that following Hariri's visit there were huge hopes of turning the page of the past. They also hinted that the PM could make another visit to Damascus at the head of a ministerial delegation to study all bilateral economic and trade agreements between the two countries in addition to the brotherhood and coordination pact. The sources noted that the talks between the two sides led to agreement on several issues including border demarcation and giving priority to economic and trade cooperation. An Nahar said that Hariri and Assad held eight hours of talks during three meetings on Saturday and Sunday. Al-Akhbar newspaper also said that Syria was keen on protecting the resistance, guaranteeing Lebanon's unity and internal accord and consolidating the circumstances of confronting Israel in addition to facilitating consensus in inter-Lebanese ties. As for Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, it said Hariri and Assad agreed that the Lebanese Syrian Higher Council should not be deactivated rather the two sides agreed on defining its responsibilities. Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 09:56

Berri Sees in Hariri's Visit to Damascus a 'Peace Deal'
Naharnet/In his first comment on PM Saad Hariri's visit to Damascus over the weekend, Speaker Nabih Berri said that the Mustaqbal movement leader's trip was a prelude to a "peace agreement." "I see in this visit the signing of the first letters of a peace deal between Lebanon and Lebanon, Lebanon and Syria and between Syria and Saudi Arabia," Berri told An Nahar newspaper. Asked about the repercussions of Hariri's visit to Syria, Berri said: "We as Lebanese and Arabs have to understand and contemplate." The speaker added that Hariri's visit was in the interest of Lebanon, Syria and the Arab world. Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 09:20

Geagea Throws Ball in Syria's Court after Hariri's Damascus Visit
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has said efforts to improve Lebanese-Syrian ties are now in Syria's court following PM Saad Hariri's visit to Damascus over the weekend.
Geagea told An-Nahar newspaper in remarks published Monday that relations between the two neighbors will not improve if Damascus doesn't show the same "positive" attitude that Hariri showed during his trip despite his "wounds and previous disagreements" with the Assad regime. "After such positive (reactions) I expect the issue of Lebanese missing and jailed in Syria to be completely solved in the next few days," Geagea said. The LF leader also hoped the issue of Palestinian armed bases outside refugee camps in Lebanon would be solved in the next few weeks. Geagea added that he expected demarcation of the border starting from southern Lebanon. Assessing Hariri's remarks during his press conference in Damascus, Geagea said two important signs were made. First, Hariri's statement indicates that relations between the two countries are inter-state ties and second, all sides should respect the rulings of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 09:34

Hariri calls for opening 'new horizons' with Syria
Premier holds ‘excellent’ talks with Assad in Damascus
/Daily Star:Monday, December 21, 2009
BEIRUT: Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called on Sunday for a renewal of ties with Syria to the benefit of both states at the end of a fence-mending visit to Damascus. “We want to open new horizons between the two countries,” Hariri told a news conference at the Lebanese Embassy in Damascus. He said his three rounds of “excellent” talks with the Syrian leader were frank and based on clarity. “We tackled all issues positively and I only saw positivity from President Assad side concerning all issues that matter to the Lebanese and the relation between both countries,” Hariri said. Hariri was speaking at the end of a two-day visit to Syria that marked the end to nearly five years of animosity between Damascus and the March 14 alliance he heads. Hariri arrived in Beirut Sunday night ahead of the Cabinet’s first meeting on Monday after gaining the vote of confidence.
Assad had extended a warm welcome to Hariri upon his arrival in the Syrian capital on Saturday. “There will be serious steps from our side and on the part of President Bashar Assad to translate this cordial and serious relationship into steps on the ground in several fields,” Hariri said, without giving details.
It was Hariri’s first trip to Damascus since the 2005 assassination of his father, ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, a killing that he along with political leaders of the parliamentary majority blamed on Syria. Regional commentators and several Lebanese political leaders have hailed the visit as an ice-breaker and step toward healing decades of turbulent ties between the two neighbors. Lebanese analysts say an improvement of ties with Damascus would bridge a political divide in Beirut, easing sectarian tensions and providing Hariri with the necessary clout to push through long-delayed economic and other reforms. “We want privileged, sincere and honest relations … in the interest of both countries and both peoples,” Hariri said.
“We want to build ties with Syria based on positive points,” he added. Syria dominated Lebanon for nearly three decades until April 2005 when it pulled out its troops from Lebanon under international and regional pressure, two months after the assassination of Former Premier Rafik Hariri.
The two neighbors established diplomatic ties for the first time last year, with Syria opening an embassy in Beirut, while Lebanon opened its mission in Damascus in March.
Hariri said his unity government, which includes members of the opposition, including Hizbullah, a close ally to Syria, wanted to take measures with Damascus to develop these ties.
Assad is also “very attached to sincere relations based on common understanding” between the two countries and spoke “positively” of problems that still need to be resolved, Hariri said.
“Foremost is a plan to demarcate the porous border between the two neighbors,” he said.
Other than the demarcation of borders, thorny issues between the two countries include the fate of hundreds of Lebanese missing since the 1975-1990 Civil War, and the military presence of Syrian-backed Palestinian militant groups outside refugee camps in Lebanon. Hariri added that Saudi Arabia had “played an important role” in paving the way for his visit to Syria.
Rapprochement between Syria and Saudi Arabia earlier this year eased tension in Lebanon and allowed Hariri to form a unity government.
The Lebanese premier stressed that the visit was a continuation to Arab reconciliations which Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz started in order to unite the Arab states’ positions.
But Hariri stressed that he did not discuss with Assad a UN-led inquiry into his father’s murder nor the Special Tribunal for Lebanon that has been set up to try the suspected killers.
“The tribunal is doing its work and this is what everybody wishes,” he said. Earlier this month, a Syrian court asked 25 prominent Lebanese, including individuals close to Hariri, to appear for questioning after former Lebanese General Security head Jamil al-Sayed filed a lawsuit against those individuals for giving false testimonies to the STL.
Lebanon’s ties with Syria hit rock bottom after Hariri’s “March 14” alliance accused Syria of assassinating Rafik Hariri in February 2005. They also blamed Damascus for attacking and killing other politicians and journalists. Damascus has denied any involvement. Asked about the influence of the visit on the March 14 alliance, Hariri said he made the trip to Damascus as head of the Lebanese Cabinet rather than the leader of a political party.“We are keen in the government along with all political parties in Lebanon to build friendly Lebanese-Syria ties,” he said. Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said late Saturday that the visit helped make the “atmosphere comfortable” between the two countries, his office said in a statement.
Also on Saturday, Syrian presidential adviser Bouthaina Shaaban told reporters: “There is no doubt that the ice has been broken between the two sides.” Shaaban also described the talks as constructive, cordial and transparent. Commentators and ordinary Syrians, meanwhile, hailed Hariri’s visit to Syria.
Syria’s official Al-Baath newspaper said in a front-page headline on Sunday: “Three positive, honest, friendly hours … break the ice and end the negative phase of the past.”
Samir Musalma, editor-in-chief of the government newspaper Tishrin, agreed.
“The past phase has been painful … but that does not mean we cannot move on,” Musalma told AFP. – Agencies, with The Daily Star

Nasrallah: 'Mercenaries' oppose our arms
Daily Star staff
Monday, December 21, 2009
BEIRUT: Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah slammed as “mercenaries” those who criticize his party’s possession of arms. “Has it become a shame to possess the power of resistance and defense, and own the ability to harm the enemy and create the right balance?” the secretary general of Hizbullah asked during a speech to mark the third night of Ashura.
Nasrallah said certain politicians were still being bribed to continue criticizing the Hizbullah and its weapons.
“If they stop criticizing us they won’t be paid,” he said, adding that the Resistance’s arms were now strong enough to defeat Israel.
Nasrallah also said on the occasion of Ashura that religious and cultural differences could be overcome because the Lebanese have the same fate and common objectives.
The Day of Ashura, which falls on Sunday, is commemorated by Shiites as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, at the Battle of Karbala on the 10th day of the Islamic Calendar of the month of Muharram in the year 61 AH (October 10, 680 AD).
The Hizbullah leader added that racial and ethnic conflicts have long existed, but some people use the tensions to their own advantage.
Nasrallah also commented on Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s landmark visit to Damascus on Saturday, saying it was likely to promote a calm and relaxing atmosphere in Lebanon.
It was Hariri’s first trip to Damascus since the 2005 assassination of his father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri – a killing that he and his allies in Beirut blamed on Syria.
Turning to the United States, Nasrallah accused Washington of launching wars in the region. He also described Israel as the “barracks of the American project” in the Middle East.
Also commenting on the Resistance’s arms, Hizbullah’s second-in-command Sheikh Naeem Qassem said Sunday his party refused to relinquish the “path of resistance and embrace that of failed diplomacy.
He added that without the Resistance, south Lebanon would have not been liberated from Israeli occupation in 2000.
Qassem lashed out at comments by US President Barack Obama, who told Lebanese President Michel Sleiman that Washington was concerned with arms smuggling into Lebanon, “because the arms harm Israel’s security.”
“Are you not worried that Israel possesses 400 nuclear heads and mass destruction weapons?” he asked Obama.
Hizbullah’s number two also warned against targeting the Resistance, and urged all groups to join the Resistance against Israel.
“No one has the right to expose the Resistance, the Lebanese army and people,” Qassem said,
He also called on those “who are not resisting” to take adequate measures and participate in the Resistance.
Last week, signs of disagreement emerged when Sleiman said he had brought up Israel with Obama.
“We also discussed the Israeli threats against Lebanon which are taking place and place obstacles to the economic growth of the country,” Sleiman told reporters in Washington.
Obama later made clear there were some issues on which he and Sleiman would not agree, including Israel, and noted they had discussed the so far partial implementation of the UN resolution on ending Israel’s 2006 war on Lebanon. – The Daily Star

Hizbullah attack bids ‘stoked tension’ with Turkey
The Daily Star
BEIRUT: The series of alleged Hizbullah plots to attack Israeli targets in Turkey were likely behind the tension between Israel and the Shiite party this past summer and fall, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported Sunday.
“The foiled attempts may explain the numerous warnings Israel has issued since August to Hizbullah to abstain from acts the group might regret,” Haaretz said.
The newspaper said that so far there have been reports of at least six foiled attacks against Israeli targets overseas. The plots, according to Haaretz, were in retaliation for the killing of Hizbullah’s top military commander Imad Mughniyeh in a Damascus car bombing in February 2008, which the group blamed on Israel.
The Israeli daily reported that in October, the Turkish media reported that police headquarters had briefed police officers in a number of cities to be on the alert for Hizbullah attempts to attack American and Israeli targets in Turkey.
Haaretz quoted Turkish media as saying that Hizbullah’s planned attacks were extremely ambitious and organized well in advance, reportedly with the help of Syrian and Iranian intelligence. Iranian agents, posing as tourists, were thought to be assisting these potential the attacks, according to the daily.
It is suspected that Hizbullah operatives planned to attack a series of targets linked to Israel and possibly the Jewish community in Turkey, the newspaper said.
According to Haaretz, Turkish security forces managed to uncover the plot after receiving information from a Western intelligence service. The newspaper added that the foiled attempts may explain the numerous warnings Israel has issued since August to Hizbullah to abstain from acts the group might regret.
Israel has threatened to respond against Hizbullah in Lebanon if the organization staged a major attack in Turkey. – The Daily Star


 

LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
December 22/09

Bible Reading of the day
Jesus Raises a Widow's Son/Luke 7/11-16: "Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."  14 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.  16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea[a] and the surrounding country. 

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Saad Hariri's Sunday's press conference text/NNA/December 21/09
New Opinion: The real test is to come/Now Lebanon/December 21/09
Time for a new perspective/The Daily Star/December 21/09

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for December 21/09
Cabinet Holds 1st Ordinary Session after Vote of Confidence/Naharnet
Jumblat: Hariri's Visit to Damascus Helps in Surpassing Previous 'Black Phase'/Naharnet
Kouchner: Hariri's Visit to Syria Not End of Special Tribunal for Lebanon/Naharnet
Mottaki from Beirut: Lebanon Proved It Doesn't Need Foreign Intervention in Its Affairs/Naharnet
Syria Demands Roed-Larsen's Dismissal, Says it Implemented 1559/Naharnet
Hariri Briefs Cabinet on Results of his Talks with Assad/Naharnet
Pharaon: We are not mercenaries/Future News
Syrian Citizen Killed as Assailants Shoot at Bus in Deir Emar/Naharnet
Bus Carrying Syrians Attacked In Lebanon - Sources/New York Times
Mouallem: Syria should be notified of Deir Aamar investigation results/Future News
Shabaan: Hariri positive and responsive/Future News
LAF arrests suspects of UNIFIL incident in Tyre/Now Lebanon
Hariri to visit Tehran soon/Now Lebanon
Hariri Briefs Cabinet on Results of his Talks with Assad/Naharnet
Geagea: Hariri couldn’t be more positive, the ball is in Syria’s court/Future News
Syria Demands Roed-Larsen's Dismissal, Says it Implemented 1559/Naharnet
Assailants Tear Tires of UNIFIL Employee Vehicles in Tyre/Naharnet
Mottaki: Hariri's Visit to Damascus Consolidates Stability/Naharnet
Franjieh Hails Hariri's 'Bold' Move to Visit Damascus/Naharnet
Berri Sees in Hariri's Visit to Damascus a 'Peace Deal'/Naharnet
Geagea Throws Ball in Syria's Court after Hariri's Damascus Visit/Naharnet
Rescuers Find 6 More Bodies from Shipwreck/Naharnet
Larijani: Iran Backs Hizbullah, Hamas Because they Stood Up to Israel/Naharnet
Jumblat: I Won't Comment on Hariri's Damascus Visit/Naharnet
Jamil between ‘memoirs of persecution’ and ‘ecstasy of intimidation/Future News
Mottaki congratulates Lebanon for the New Cabinet/Future News
Egyptian PM meets Iraqi counterpart on cooperation/Xinhua
Hariri calls for opening 'new horizons' with Syria/Daily Star
Lebanon hosts Iran, France, Jordan officials/Daily Star
Lebanese politicians voice support for Hariri's trip to Syria/Daily Star
Jumblatt pays respects to Druze Prince Arslan/Daily Star
Nasrallah: 'Mercenaries' oppose our arms/Daily Star
Sfeir grateful for 'peaceful period' in country/Daily Star
France extends $323 million loan to Lebanon/Daily Star
Moody's changes outlook on Lebanon's B2 bond ratings to positive/Daily Star
Ghassan Tueni awarded Order of Merit/Daily Star
Man found shot dead under Sin al-Fil bridge/Daily Star
UNIFIL gives Christmas gifts to children in south/Daily Star
Abboud aims to promote tourism outside Beirut/Daily Star
Rainfall double monthly average across country/Daily Star
Rescuers save nearly half of capsized ship's 83 crew/Daily Star

Syrian Citizen Killed as Assailants Shoot at Bus in Deir Emar
/Naharnet/Unknown assailants opened fire on a Syrian bus in Deir Emar in northern Lebanon at dawn Monday, killing a Syrian citizen, the National News Agency reported.
NNA said the assailants shot at the bus, which was carrying 25 Syrian laborers, at 2:30 am in Deir Emar on the Tripoli-Akkar highway, killing 17-year-old Abdullah A.
A security official told Agence France Presse that several other people were injured. Three windows on the driver's side were shattered by the bullets and the tires bore bullet holes, AFP said. The Lebanese army has secured the site of the attack about five kilometers north of Tripoli. Syrian Foreign Minister called his Lebanese counterpart Ali al-Shami and urged him to inform Damascus about the results of the probe, Syria's state-run news agency, SANA, said. Ahmed Eid, the mayor of Deir Emar, also denounced the incident. "This could be an isolated incident but there are some who will try to take political advantage from it," he said. Judge Fadi Sawan was ordered to head to northern Lebanon to investigate the shooting. The attack comes a day after Prime Minister Saad Hariri ended a two-day fence-mending visit to Damascus, his first since the 2005 assassination of his father, former Premier Rafik Hariri.(Naharnet-AFP) Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 08:31

Bus Carrying Syrians Attacked In Lebanon - Sources
Published: December 21, 2009
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Shots were fired at a bus carrying Syrian workers in northern Lebanon on Monday, killing one Syrian, security sources said. The attack occurred a day after Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri completed a two-day visit to Damascus for talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that marked an end to nearly five years of animosity between Damascus and a broad political alliance led by Hariri. Lebanon's ties with Damascus hit rock bottom after Hariri's alliance accused Syria of assassinating Saad's father, Rafik al-Hariri, in February 2005. They also blamed Damascus for attacking and killing other politicians and journalists. Syria denies the allegations. A special court has yet to indict anyone for the killing.
Outrage in Lebanon over the assassination and international pressure forced Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon in April 2005, ending three decades of military presence in its smaller neighbour. (Beirut newsroom; editing by David Stamp)

Syria Demands Roed-Larsen's Dismissal, Says it Implemented 1559
Naharnet/Syria has asked for the dismissal of U.N. secretary-general's envoy on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559, Terje Roed-Larsen, for allegedly making secret visits to Israel to incite the Jewish state against Damascus and oppose the withdrawal from the northern part of the village of Ghajar. According to As Safir daily on Monday, the Syrian mission's third secretary in New York, Yasar Diab, told the General Assembly's fifth committee on administrative and budgetary affairs that Roed-Larsen has written two reports this year on the implementation of 1559 without making any visits to Beirut. On the other hand, he has visited Israel several times. Diab accused the envoy of implementing a "suspicious personal agenda" that has nothing to do with his mission. He also said that Roed-Larsen is violating the U.N. Charter by interfering in Lebanese-Syrian affairs such as border demarcation. Diab reiterated that Damascus has implemented 1559's provisions by withdrawing its troops and intelligence agents from Lebanese territories. He said 1559's remaining articles were a Lebanese issue. As Safir said that the Syrian envoy also criticized the U.N. for considering Roed-Larsen responsible for the implementation of resolution 1680. The U.N. general-secretariat has previously noted that Roed-Larsen's mandate derives not only from 1559 but also from subsequent related resolutions, including 1680 and 1701. Diab finally called for the annulment of a clause in the report on the apportionment of the U.N. envoy's expenses. The clause invites Roed-Larsen to encourage member states to implement resolution 1680.
Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 07:55

Pharaon: We are not mercenaries
Date: December 21st, 2009
Source: Almustaqbal/Minister of State Michel Pharaon has lashed out at Hizbullah Chief Sayed Hassan Nasrallah who described those who question the party’s arms as “mercenaries” saying that anyone who wants to implement the constitution must address the issue of arms, the Almustaqbal newspaper reported Monday.Nasrallah’s rhetoric came couple of days ago as he was addressing a rally of supporters commemorating the anniversary of Ashura. Shiites around the world commemorate annually the anniversary of Ashura, the first ten days of the month of Muharram in the Islamic calendar during which Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, and his followers fought against Khalifa Yazid. Imam Hussein was said to be killed in the battle of Karbalaa on the tenth day of Muharram in the year 61 AH (October 10, 680 AD).“Anyone who wants to implement the constitution must raise the issue of arms. Thus we are not mercenaries,” he said. “The visit of Premier Saad Hariri to Damascus has many positive aspects and the most important of which is that it lays the foundations for new relations that meets the interests of both countries,” he maintained. “The visit is of a special nature with regard to the previous stage,” he added. Pharoan warned against “regional developments that might jeopardize the current stage.”

New Opinion: The real test is to come
December 21, 2009
Now Lebanon/
The road to Damascus was paved with dilemmas for Prime Minister Saad Hariri, both on a national and a personal level. Not only was the Syrian regime instrumental, with Saudi Arabia, in shaping the most recent Lebanese cabinet line-up, one that effectively watered down the March 14 coalition’s victory in the summer elections, it is the main suspect in Hariri’s father’s murder along with a string of subsequent killings and bombings. The visit, allegedly one of the consequences of the Syria-Saudi entente, was always going to be fraught.
Many Lebanese, almost exclusively those who support the ideals of the March 14 movement, will have been uncomfortable by the TV images beamed out of Damascus of Hariri kissing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. They will no doubt see the trip as a setback in Lebanon’s bid to consolidate its sovereignty over its territory and reinforce its democratic credentials. They will have resigned themselves to the fact that Syria still has a role in shaping Lebanese affairs through a loyal, not to mention well-armed, opposition, that it still runs guerrilla training camps in parts of the Bekaa and the southern approaches to Beirut, and that it has armed – or tolerated the rearmament of – Hezbollah through its notoriously porous border.
It’s not ideal; then again it never was. But, as the lyrics to the song remind us, it ain’t what you do but the way that you do it, and Hariri sought, successfully or not, to soften the impact of what many will have seen as the final act of capitulation by March 14 to nearly five years of Syrian pressure.
Firstly, his delegation flew rather than drove to Syria. This was important to stress its geographical “separation” from Lebanon. Secondly, he framed the visit in the context of his government’s ministerial policy statement and as part of a series of regional trips intended to, as he put it, “reunite Arab states and unify Arab positions on regional challenges.” In that way, he underlined that Lebanon’s relations with Syria would not be shaped by his family’s personal beef with the Baathist regime. In short, Hariri was styling himself as an Arab leader doing what an Arab leaders does. Privately, he might admit that there are sacrifices to be made for Lebanon’s stability, but being a lackey, like many of his predecessors were, is not one of them.
If we look at the glass half full, Hariri has passed his first test as prime minister, despite Syrian attempts to mire the visit in controversy with the timely issuing of the extradition notices on senior Lebanese officials. However, the real challenge is still to come. It will be his ability to defend Lebanon’s sovereign gains, which Syria, as demonstrated most recently in Washington and through various other diplomatic channels, is determined to overturn. They include UN Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701, and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, arguably the biggest prize of all. They are, for the time being, secure. Their perpetuity must be his priority.

Saad Hariri
December 21, 2009
On December 20, the Lebanese National News Agency carried the following report:
Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri held a press conference this afternoon at the headquarters of the Lebanese embassy in Damascus to conclude his two-day visit to Syria, in the presence of Lebanon’s ambassador to Damascus, Michel Khoury, and charge d’affaires Rami Murtada. He said: “Yesterday, we launched talks with President Bashar al-Assad who wanted to make sure that the relations are inaugurated in a friendly and honest way between the two sides, especially since all the discussions were made on the basis of joint interests between the two countries, states and people. We thus addressed all the issues of interest and there is nothing we disregarded. We tackled all matters positively and I only saw positiveness from President Bashar al-Assad at the level of the issues of importance to the Lebanese and the relations between the two countries.
“We want to open new horizons between the two countries and look at the situation from a ‘cup half full’ perception. We see positiveness and are trying to resolve the problems in a non-provocative way, thus showing calm and honesty for the benefit of the two countries. Based on that, the talks were good, even excellent, and they were conducted in a clear and honest way. We are wagering on the future to build a better future for the two countries, whether at the level of economy, trade or all other sectors. For his part, and throughout the meetings, President Bashar al-Assad made sure to show that what was important for him on the Lebanese level was to enjoy truthful relations built on common to understanding. As for us in Lebanon, we want the Golan to be returned to Syria, just like it is important for Syria to see the return of the occupied Lebanese territories from Israel to Lebanon. There will be ongoing consultations over this issue.
“We want exceptional relations with Syria and for these relations to be built on honesty and truthfulness. The meetings that were held yesterday upon my arrival and then around dinner and this morning, were all built on honesty and truthfulness. We looked into the interests of the two countries and the way to ensure the development of [our] relations in a positive way. We do not want to look at things negatively or score points against one another. This will not serve our countries. What will serve them however is work on the basis of the interests of the two countries and people, so that we can move forward. We also stressed the necessity to secure economic and trade cooperation on a wider scale, as well as the necessity to facilitate the relations between the institutions and ministries in all areas.”
How will the Lebanese government translate this positive climate politically and economically following your return to Beirut?
This requires several steps on which we agreed with Mr. President. We also agreed on what we will do together to secure practical steps on the ground and to let the people see that these relations are not only personal between two individuals, but are also built on foundations serving the two countries and people.
Will this visit affect your political alliances?
I am the prime minister of all of Lebanon and President Al-Assad wanted to see the formation of a national unity government that would bring together all the Lebanese. In this context, when I entered the national alliance, the concord or the national unity government, my entry was based on the fact that we wanted to bring all the Lebanese together. My allies and all the ministers in this government are ministers for all of Lebanon, just like the prime minister is one for all of Lebanon...
What will you carry to the March 14 alliance which is the ally of the Future Movement following this meeting which was described as being warm between yourself and the Syrian president?
I came here as the prime minister of all of Lebanon, not as the head of the government of a Lebanese political team. Therefore, our concern in this government and the concern of all the political parties is to build friendly relations between the two states and the two people. This is what all the parties in the Lebanese government want and what was featured in the ministerial statement on the basis of which the government earned the vote of confidence of parliament...
On the other hand, we agreed on many things which were addressed yesterday by Dr. Butheina Shaban, whether regarding the demarcation or definition of the border or regarding other things. At this point, I would like to point out that no one here is trying to score points against the other. We want to build truthful and real relations...
There is no doubt there was coldness at a previous stage, but now we have talked and President Al-Assad was very clear in saying that Syria’s interest also required the presence of a climate of honesty between the two countries and people...
What was the Saudi role in the rapprochement between Syria and the Lebanese government? Did you address Al-Ghajar village and the intention of the Zionist entity to withdraw from it?
This visit and all the meetings that were held fall in the context of the Arab reconciliation which was launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in Kuwait, then in Riyadh and Qatar. Today, we are seeing its outcome and with God’s will, there will be future reconciliations to unify the Arab ranks in the face of the regional challenges posed by Israel. There is also the Palestinian dossier and the Israeli obstinacy toward the withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories and from the Golan, as well as toward the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian cause. Today, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia undoubtedly played a major role and we will proceed down that path...
What about Al-Ghajar?
This is a Lebanese affair. We explained to them what is happening and will put this issue forward before the Cabinet so that the right decision is adopted.
Did the Syrian side raise the issue of the international tribunal and the political accusations to Syria of standing behind the assassinations?
We did not address the issue, but there is clear and blunt talk in this regard. What President Al-Assad said in the past was that the international tribunal was in the hands of the international community and we also said the same. The tribunal is doing its job and we all want the truth.
Did you tackle the warrants and lawsuits filed by the Syrian judiciary?
I did not and neither did President Al-Assad. I believe that this issue will be resolved by the relevant apparatuses...
Can you say that the sky is blue at the level of the relations between Lebanon and Syria? And what is the timetable for your future steps?
The sky has been blue for a long time. As you know, we now have a Cabinet and many things will be tackled through contacts between the chairmanships of the Cabinets in both countries to activate the executive steps on the ground on the economic and trade levels, as well as in regard to the border among other issues. At this point, I would like to reiterate an important thing. I am talking to you the journalists who are playing a prominent role: This visit, as it was described by some, is historical and the beneficial talk is based on positiveness... You the journalists should be positive when covering this visit, especially in light of what President Al-Assad did for me and the reception he planned... Every issue that was on the table was met with openness from President Al-Assad, namely the ones of importance to the Lebanese. Finally, I would like to thank President Al-Assad for this visit and the Syrian people as well, and everything will move forward with God’s will. What are the guarantees for that? We are. The sky will remain blue and the relations will be good with God’s will.

Geagea: Hariri couldn’t be more positive, the ball is in Syria’s court
Date: December 21st, 2009/Future News/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s positive attitude during his landmark visit to Syria over the weekend was extraordinary and it is up to Syria now to take an initiative towards Lebanon. Geagea told Annahar newspaper in an interview published on Monday,” the ball now is in Syria’s court to take the initiative, or else Lebanese-Syrian ties will not improve.” The LF leader expected Damascus to put an end to the issue of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons in the next two days, and to work toward shutting down Palestinian military bases outside the refugee camps in Lebanon and to start the Lebanese-Syrian border demarcation process. The March 14 strong ally said that the demarcation process should initiate from South Lebanon, noting the importance of such a step in resolving the controversy over the occupied Shebaa Farms and the Kfar Shouba Hills in south Lebanon. The Shebaa Farms is a limited area of land with disputed sovereignty located on the border between Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan Heights, an area long considered as Syrian. Controversy over that specific area arose following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from occupied territory in Southern Lebanon on May 25, 2000. Syria and Lebanon disputed the United Nations certification that Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon was complete. Hizbullah cites the ongoing occupation of the Shebaa farms as the basis for its continued attacks on Israel. It should be noted that Syria, which claims that the farms are Lebanese, has not presented a single document to the UN to prove it. Moreover, Syria has so far refused to demarcate its borders with Lebanon, a major topic that was thoroughly discussed during Hariri’s 9-hour discussions with President Assad.

Shabaan: Hariri positive and responsive
Date: December 21st, 2009/Source: As-Safir\ As-Sharq Al-Awsat
Political and Media advisor for Syrian President Bashar Assad Buthaina Shabaan has said that Lebanese Premier Saad Hariri was positive and responsive and laid corner grounds for national considerations on top of his talks between the two countries. Shabaan’s comments came in an interview with the As-Safir newspaper published Monday. “Talks between Assad and Lebanese Premier Saad Hariri were characterized with honesty, candidness, friendliness and positivity as well as with a futuristic outlook. “The visit laid the foundations for a new era for progress and development in bilateral relations to the benefit of the common interests of the two brethren people. “The objectors to and affected by the visit must solve their own problems. Assad and Hariri are only responsible toward their people and if anyone has a different agenda or a different interest, it would be his problem. “The outcome of the visit will be tangible and will emerge soon at several levels. “I expect more mutual visits to take place to activate institutional relations between the two countries. The As-Sharq Al-Awsat Saudi newspaper reported Monday that Hariri-Assad talks resulted in maintaining the Lebanese-Syrian Higher Council provided that ways to develop its performance and specify its responsibilities are discussed the aftermath of diplomatic representation between the two countries that was reached last year. The council was established in the mid 1990s to administer Lebanese-Syrian relations. But after diplomatic exchange, its jurisdictions must be reconsidered to evade conflict of authorities between the embassies and the council. A source informed with the visit quoted Lebanese and Syrian officials saying that the results of Hariri-Assad talks will emerge consecutively which would lay the ground for a new stage of bilateral relations based on cooperation, according to the paper. The pan-Arab Al-Hayat newspaper quoted another informed source saying “all pending problems between the two countries were discussed positively and openly. “Moreover, ways to revive economic cooperation between the two countries were tackled and Syrian president raised the issue of complementing projects that were started before,” the source said. The source expected arrangements for Syrian Premier Naji Otari’s visit to Lebanon to start which is the first sign of reconsidering mutual relations.

Assailants Tear Tires of UNIFIL Employee Vehicles in Tyre
Naharnet/Unknown assailants tore the tires of several UNIFIL employees' vehicles in the southern port city of Tyre, the state-run National News Agency reported Monday.
UNIFIL Deputy Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said investigation was underway to find the assailants. Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 13:23

Mottaki: Hariri's Visit to Damascus Consolidates Stability
Naharnet/Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said during his one-day visit to Beirut on Monday that Premier Saad Hariri's trip to Damascus consolidates stability and calm in the region. "Lebanon proved through its quick formation of the government that it has the ability to have a good standing in the region and internationally," Mottaki said during a press conference at Bustros palace following talks with his Lebanese counterpart Ali al-Shami. The Iranian official also praised the "intelligence" of Lebanese officials, who work in their nation's interest.
Mottaki also met with President Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace and later held talks with Hariri at the Grand Serail. Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 11:26

Franjieh Hails Hariri's 'Bold' Move to Visit Damascus
Naharnet/Marada movement leader Suleiman Franjieh has described Prime Minister Saad Hariri's visit to Damascus as "courageous." "The visit (to Damascus) four years after (his father's assassination) is a bold decision in Lebanon's interest," Franjieh told al-Jadeed television on Sunday night. The MP denied that Hariri and Assad discussed ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's murder adding that the PM's visit wasn't aimed at handing over an "innocence deed" to the Syrian president because the latter "doesn't need it and the international tribunal would make the investigation into the case."About a possible visit to Damascus by Druze leader Walid Jumblat, Franjieh said the trip would be made without setting a date for it. "Syria doesn't object to the visit," he added. Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 10:31

Hariri Briefs Cabinet on Results of his Talks with Assad
Naharnet/Prime Minister Saad Hariri is expected to brief the cabinet on Monday on the results of his visit to Damascus over the weekend, the first since ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination in 2005. Sources close to Hariri told An Nahar daily that the premier seemed comfortable with the results of the visit particularly after Syrian President Bashar Assad broke several times with protocol during the welcoming. Assad was even driving Hariri in his own vehicle. The sources said that following Hariri's visit there were huge hopes of turning the page of the past. They also hinted that the PM could make another visit to Damascus at the head of a ministerial delegation to study all bilateral economic and trade agreements between the two countries in addition to the brotherhood and coordination pact. The sources noted that the talks between the two sides led to agreement on several issues including border demarcation and giving priority to economic and trade cooperation. An Nahar said that Hariri and Assad held eight hours of talks during three meetings on Saturday and Sunday. Al-Akhbar newspaper also said that Syria was keen on protecting the resistance, guaranteeing Lebanon's unity and internal accord and consolidating the circumstances of confronting Israel in addition to facilitating consensus in inter-Lebanese ties. As for Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, it said Hariri and Assad agreed that the Lebanese Syrian Higher Council should not be deactivated rather the two sides agreed on defining its responsibilities. Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 09:56

Berri Sees in Hariri's Visit to Damascus a 'Peace Deal'
Naharnet/In his first comment on PM Saad Hariri's visit to Damascus over the weekend, Speaker Nabih Berri said that the Mustaqbal movement leader's trip was a prelude to a "peace agreement." "I see in this visit the signing of the first letters of a peace deal between Lebanon and Lebanon, Lebanon and Syria and between Syria and Saudi Arabia," Berri told An Nahar newspaper. Asked about the repercussions of Hariri's visit to Syria, Berri said: "We as Lebanese and Arabs have to understand and contemplate." The speaker added that Hariri's visit was in the interest of Lebanon, Syria and the Arab world. Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 09:20

Geagea Throws Ball in Syria's Court after Hariri's Damascus Visit
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has said efforts to improve Lebanese-Syrian ties are now in Syria's court following PM Saad Hariri's visit to Damascus over the weekend.
Geagea told An-Nahar newspaper in remarks published Monday that relations between the two neighbors will not improve if Damascus doesn't show the same "positive" attitude that Hariri showed during his trip despite his "wounds and previous disagreements" with the Assad regime. "After such positive (reactions) I expect the issue of Lebanese missing and jailed in Syria to be completely solved in the next few days," Geagea said. The LF leader also hoped the issue of Palestinian armed bases outside refugee camps in Lebanon would be solved in the next few weeks. Geagea added that he expected demarcation of the border starting from southern Lebanon. Assessing Hariri's remarks during his press conference in Damascus, Geagea said two important signs were made. First, Hariri's statement indicates that relations between the two countries are inter-state ties and second, all sides should respect the rulings of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Beirut, 21 Dec 09, 09:34

Hariri calls for opening 'new horizons' with Syria
Premier holds ‘excellent’ talks with Assad in Damascus
/Daily Star:Monday, December 21, 2009
BEIRUT: Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called on Sunday for a renewal of ties with Syria to the benefit of both states at the end of a fence-mending visit to Damascus. “We want to open new horizons between the two countries,” Hariri told a news conference at the Lebanese Embassy in Damascus. He said his three rounds of “excellent” talks with the Syrian leader were frank and based on clarity. “We tackled all issues positively and I only saw positivity from President Assad side concerning all issues that matter to the Lebanese and the relation between both countries,” Hariri said. Hariri was speaking at the end of a two-day visit to Syria that marked the end to nearly five years of animosity between Damascus and the March 14 alliance he heads. Hariri arrived in Beirut Sunday night ahead of the Cabinet’s first meeting on Monday after gaining the vote of confidence.
Assad had extended a warm welcome to Hariri upon his arrival in the Syrian capital on Saturday. “There will be serious steps from our side and on the part of President Bashar Assad to translate this cordial and serious relationship into steps on the ground in several fields,” Hariri said, without giving details.
It was Hariri’s first trip to Damascus since the 2005 assassination of his father, ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, a killing that he along with political leaders of the parliamentary majority blamed on Syria. Regional commentators and several Lebanese political leaders have hailed the visit as an ice-breaker and step toward healing decades of turbulent ties between the two neighbors. Lebanese analysts say an improvement of ties with Damascus would bridge a political divide in Beirut, easing sectarian tensions and providing Hariri with the necessary clout to push through long-delayed economic and other reforms. “We want privileged, sincere and honest relations … in the interest of both countries and both peoples,” Hariri said.
“We want to build ties with Syria based on positive points,” he added. Syria dominated Lebanon for nearly three decades until April 2005 when it pulled out its troops from Lebanon under international and regional pressure, two months after the assassination of Former Premier Rafik Hariri.
The two neighbors established diplomatic ties for the first time last year, with Syria opening an embassy in Beirut, while Lebanon opened its mission in Damascus in March.
Hariri said his unity government, which includes members of the opposition, including Hizbullah, a close ally to Syria, wanted to take measures with Damascus to develop these ties.
Assad is also “very attached to sincere relations based on common understanding” between the two countries and spoke “positively” of problems that still need to be resolved, Hariri said.
“Foremost is a plan to demarcate the porous border between the two neighbors,” he said.
Other than the demarcation of borders, thorny issues between the two countries include the fate of hundreds of Lebanese missing since the 1975-1990 Civil War, and the military presence of Syrian-backed Palestinian militant groups outside refugee camps in Lebanon. Hariri added that Saudi Arabia had “played an important role” in paving the way for his visit to Syria.
Rapprochement between Syria and Saudi Arabia earlier this year eased tension in Lebanon and allowed Hariri to form a unity government.
The Lebanese premier stressed that the visit was a continuation to Arab reconciliations which Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz started in order to unite the Arab states’ positions.
But Hariri stressed that he did not discuss with Assad a UN-led inquiry into his father’s murder nor the Special Tribunal for Lebanon that has been set up to try the suspected killers.
“The tribunal is doing its work and this is what everybody wishes,” he said. Earlier this month, a Syrian court asked 25 prominent Lebanese, including individuals close to Hariri, to appear for questioning after former Lebanese General Security head Jamil al-Sayed filed a lawsuit against those individuals for giving false testimonies to the STL.
Lebanon’s ties with Syria hit rock bottom after Hariri’s “March 14” alliance accused Syria of assassinating Rafik Hariri in February 2005. They also blamed Damascus for attacking and killing other politicians and journalists. Damascus has denied any involvement. Asked about the influence of the visit on the March 14 alliance, Hariri said he made the trip to Damascus as head of the Lebanese Cabinet rather than the leader of a political party.“We are keen in the government along with all political parties in Lebanon to build friendly Lebanese-Syria ties,” he said. Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said late Saturday that the visit helped make the “atmosphere comfortable” between the two countries, his office said in a statement.
Also on Saturday, Syrian presidential adviser Bouthaina Shaaban told reporters: “There is no doubt that the ice has been broken between the two sides.” Shaaban also described the talks as constructive, cordial and transparent. Commentators and ordinary Syrians, meanwhile, hailed Hariri’s visit to Syria.
Syria’s official Al-Baath newspaper said in a front-page headline on Sunday: “Three positive, honest, friendly hours … break the ice and end the negative phase of the past.”
Samir Musalma, editor-in-chief of the government newspaper Tishrin, agreed.
“The past phase has been painful … but that does not mean we cannot move on,” Musalma told AFP. – Agencies, with The Daily Star

Nasrallah: 'Mercenaries' oppose our arms
Daily Star staff
Monday, December 21, 2009
BEIRUT: Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah slammed as “mercenaries” those who criticize his party’s possession of arms. “Has it become a shame to possess the power of resistance and defense, and own the ability to harm the enemy and create the right balance?” the secretary general of Hizbullah asked during a speech to mark the third night of Ashura.
Nasrallah said certain politicians were still being bribed to continue criticizing the Hizbullah and its weapons.
“If they stop criticizing us they won’t be paid,” he said, adding that the Resistance’s arms were now strong enough to defeat Israel.
Nasrallah also said on the occasion of Ashura that religious and cultural differences could be overcome because the Lebanese have the same fate and common objectives.
The Day of Ashura, which falls on Sunday, is commemorated by Shiites as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, at the Battle of Karbala on the 10th day of the Islamic Calendar of the month of Muharram in the year 61 AH (October 10, 680 AD).
The Hizbullah leader added that racial and ethnic conflicts have long existed, but some people use the tensions to their own advantage.
Nasrallah also commented on Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s landmark visit to Damascus on Saturday, saying it was likely to promote a calm and relaxing atmosphere in Lebanon.
It was Hariri’s first trip to Damascus since the 2005 assassination of his father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri – a killing that he and his allies in Beirut blamed on Syria.
Turning to the United States, Nasrallah accused Washington of launching wars in the region. He also described Israel as the “barracks of the American project” in the Middle East.
Also commenting on the Resistance’s arms, Hizbullah’s second-in-command Sheikh Naeem Qassem said Sunday his party refused to relinquish the “path of resistance and embrace that of failed diplomacy.
He added that without the Resistance, south Lebanon would have not been liberated from Israeli occupation in 2000.
Qassem lashed out at comments by US President Barack Obama, who told Lebanese President Michel Sleiman that Washington was concerned with arms smuggling into Lebanon, “because the arms harm Israel’s security.”
“Are you not worried that Israel possesses 400 nuclear heads and mass destruction weapons?” he asked Obama.
Hizbullah’s number two also warned against targeting the Resistance, and urged all groups to join the Resistance against Israel.
“No one has the right to expose the Resistance, the Lebanese army and people,” Qassem said,
He also called on those “who are not resisting” to take adequate measures and participate in the Resistance.
Last week, signs of disagreement emerged when Sleiman said he had brought up Israel with Obama.
“We also discussed the Israeli threats against Lebanon which are taking place and place obstacles to the economic growth of the country,” Sleiman told reporters in Washington.
Obama later made clear there were some issues on which he and Sleiman would not agree, including Israel, and noted they had discussed the so far partial implementation of the UN resolution on ending Israel’s 2006 war on Lebanon. – The Daily Star

Hizbullah attack bids ‘stoked tension’ with Turkey
The Daily Star
BEIRUT: The series of alleged Hizbullah plots to attack Israeli targets in Turkey were likely behind the tension between Israel and the Shiite party this past summer and fall, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported Sunday.
“The foiled attempts may explain the numerous warnings Israel has issued since August to Hizbullah to abstain from acts the group might regret,” Haaretz said.
The newspaper said that so far there have been reports of at least six foiled attacks against Israeli targets overseas. The plots, according to Haaretz, were in retaliation for the killing of Hizbullah’s top military commander Imad Mughniyeh in a Damascus car bombing in February 2008, which the group blamed on Israel.
The Israeli daily reported that in October, the Turkish media reported that police headquarters had briefed police officers in a number of cities to be on the alert for Hizbullah attempts to attack American and Israeli targets in Turkey.
Haaretz quoted Turkish media as saying that Hizbullah’s planned attacks were extremely ambitious and organized well in advance, reportedly with the help of Syrian and Iranian intelligence. Iranian agents, posing as tourists, were thought to be assisting these potential the attacks, according to the daily.
It is suspected that Hizbullah operatives planned to attack a series of targets linked to Israel and possibly the Jewish community in Turkey, the newspaper said.
According to Haaretz, Turkish security forces managed to uncover the plot after receiving information from a Western intelligence service. The newspaper added that the foiled attempts may explain the numerous warnings Israel has issued since August to Hizbullah to abstain from acts the group might regret.
Israel has threatened to respond against Hizbullah in Lebanon if the organization staged a major attack in Turkey. – The Daily Star