LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
July 30/09

Bible Reading of the day
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 11:19-27. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. (But) even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."-Naharnet

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Shalom: LAF is main supporter of Hezbollah after Syria and Iran. Now Lebanon 29/07/09
Lebanese press round-up For July 29, 2009/Now Lebanon
Final formula (for the new Lebanese Government) reached. NOW Lebanon 29/07/09
A passion for fireworks, a generic fondness for war. By: Hazem Saghiyeh/Now Lebanon/July 28, 2009
Americans No Longer See Terrorism as Threat. By: Dr. Paul L. Williams/Canada Free Press 29/07/09
Micro-financing would likely bring huge payoffs to Arab countries. The Daily Star 29/07/09
Canada: Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) Supremacist Group to Meet in Govt-Managed Community Center. By R.E.A.L. Organization. CFP 29/07/09

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for July 29/09
Sfeir: Bkirki's Doors Open for Everybody, Including Franjieh-Naharnet
Hariri: Government Formula Almost Final and We Are Seriously Working on Portfolios-Naharnet
Israel Slams Graziano for Meeting with Hizbullah which Reportedly is Avoiding all-out War-Naharnet
March 14 Wants Government Formation Decrees to Reflect People's Will-Naharnet
Egypt sets August 2 for trial of alleged Hezbollah operatives-GulfNews
In Obama's Mideast Push, a Message to Tehran-TIME
US makes new gesture to Syria-The Associated Press
Syria, Turkey and Russia ask Hamas to allow Fatah members to leave ...Palestine News Network
Israel might talk with Lebanon by reviving 1949 armistice commission-Ha'aretz
Cairo Hits Back at Jumblat: He is Making Advances to Syria, Hizbullah-Naharnet
Chamoun demands Aoun’s apology-Future News
Berri after Meeting Hariri: Deal Finalized on Cabinet Formation-Naharnet
Lebanon Disputes Israel on Khirbet Selm Blast-Naharnet
Cabinet to Be Announced before Aug.1 if Leaders Overcome Obstacle over Bassil's Appointment-Naharnet
Jumblat Got 'Good News' from Berri, Arslan Out of Cabinet-Naharnet
EU Worried About Incidents in the South-Naharnet
Druze Council: UNIFIL Was Never an Enemy to the Lebanese and Must Never Turn into One-Naharnet
Raad from Baabda: No Obstacles in Cabinet Formation-Naharnet
U.N. Warns Against Deteriorating Security Situation in South-Naharnet
Israeli Chief of Staff Rules Out Confrontation with Hizbullah-Naharnet
Shibani: Iran Wants to Help Lebanon Reach Consensus-Naharnet
4 Israeli Tanks Move South amidst UNIFIL, Lebanese Army Alert-Naharnet
Wahhab Appreciates Jumblat's Insistence on Druze Opposition Participation in Cabinet-Naharnet
Franjieh: Opposition Holds Onto Veto Power-Naharnet
Rival Lebanese factions close to an agreement on cabinet-The National
Mitchell, Netanyahu upbeat despite rift on settlements-Daily Star
Iran hurts Hezbollah but not at home-United Press International, Asia
Israeli tank redeployment raises tensions in Lebanon-Daily Star
Franjieh: Geagea’s current stance will likely lead to reconciliation-Daily Star
Al-Hayat report claims Nasrallah personally tasked Egypt cells-Daily Star
Israeli spy cells aimed to destroy Hizbullah-Daily Star
Lebanon’s letter to UN denies army delayed probe into Khirbet Silim blasts-Daily Star
Cabinet formation hits snares over distribution of portfolios-Daily Star
Work begins on $800 million BeitMisk housing project-Daily Star
Cash transfers to and from Lebanon up 32 percent to $1.4 billion in 2008-Daily Star
Daring designs make Lebanon fashion capital of Middle East-Daily Star
Civilians must now ‘take up task’ of breaking Gaza siege-Daily Star
Morrocan artisans visit Saifi village for cultural exchange-Daily Star
Beirut to host Arab Forum for Environment and Development-Daily Star
Report identifies political discord as aggravators for water shortage-Daily Star
Lebanon 4th least undernourished Arab state-Daily Star
Arab health-care systems mired in bureaucratic inefficiency-Daily Star
Lebanese stability hinges on ‘lasting peace in Middle East’
UNDP report pinpoints challenges facing Arabs-Daily Star-Daily Star
Everything’s just fine, thanks very much.By Ali Beydoun-Daily Star

Al-Hayat report claims Nasrallah personally tasked Egypt cells
Daily Star staff/Wednesday, July 29, 2009
BEIRUT: Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah personally tasked the head of the Hizbullah cell in Egypt to carry out attacks in the country, pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat reported Tuesday. The newspaper, based on records of investigations, said Nasrallah ordered the leader of the network, Mohammad Qabalan, currently on the run, to prepare for attacks in Egypt, and the man in turn tasked Lebanese Mohammad Youssef Mansour to plan for such operations. The two men agreed that they would carry out an attack while Nasrallah was making a speech on the occasion of Ashura. The green light, according to Al-Hayat, would be given when the Hizbullah chief states the words “armed forces” in his address. But the arrest of members of the cell thwarted the planned operation, the daily said, citing the Egyptian investigation. The probe also revealed that Qabalan and Mansour, who is known as Sami Shehab, were pushed by the Hizbullah leadership to organize the network in Egypt. The men were able to recruit members who were divided into small groups that functioned under their orders, Al-Hayat said. Egypt’s prosecutor general on Sunday officially charged 26 suspects, including two Lebanese and five Palestinians, for spying for the militant group Hizbullah, as well as plotting terrorist attacks and aiding militants in the Gaza strip. Egyptian security officials had been tracking the case, now known in the press as “the Hizbullah Cell,” since April when they said they uncovered Hizbullah plots to destabilize Egypt. Nasrallah at the time rejected the accusations of intending to harm Egypt’s security, but did admit to sending an agent to supervise weapons shipments to Hamas in Gaza. Prosecutor Abdel-Meguid Mahmoud referred the suspects, who also include a Sudanese, to trial in the State Security Emergency Court, a special tribunal where trials are swift and verdicts cannot be appealed. He also called for the immediate arrest of senior Hizbullah official Qabalan, and three Egyptians who are all still large. Legal sources told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat Tuesday that several members of the network could be hanged if convicted by the court. Charges include conspiracy to murder, spying for a foreign organization with the intent of conducting terror attacks and weapons possession. – The Daily Star, with AP

Chamoun demands Aoun’s apology
Date: July 28th, 2009 Future News/MP Dory Chamoun demanded that MP Michel Aoun must apologize from his supporters and the National Liberal Party for the insult he caused, refusing the formation of a new Christian trade market or being a part of any “gathering” which does not express sectarian plurality. Chamoun condemned during a televised interview Tuesday “Aoun’s refusal to cooperate with us and considering that we o not exist, because he previously had an agreement with Syria that its allies in Lebanon will elect him as President.” Chamoun called for the formation of a government of internal coherence, which represents the guarantee and protection for Lebanon, especially in the light of the regional changes. He supported giving President Michel Sleiman the obstructing third, especially that the 5-10-15 formula gives him the responsibility of making the government an active one. But he expressed his fear that President Sleiman would be “a victim of chaos, because he lacks the political cleverness.” Chamoun hoped that the recent meetings and contacts would prevent the repetition of events similar to May 7, praising the reconciliation between MPs Walid Joumblat and Talal Ereslan. Leader of the National Liberal Party considered that the constitution is the only guarantee for the resistance, and called to respect the law and make the decision-making of war and the peace in the hands of the state, pointing the he does not exclude an Israeli attack over Lebanon to delay the peace process.As for Premier-Designate Saad Hariri’s expected visit to Syria, Chamoun pointed that the visit must take place after the formation of the government on condition that Syria “would prove its seriousness towards the Lebanese-Syrian relations and respects its independence,” calling Syria to improve its behavior starting from stopping its support and aid to specific Lebanese groups.

Shalom: LAF is main supporter of Hezbollah after Syria and Iran
July 29, 2009 /-NOW Staff
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom told Al-Hayat newspaper on Wednesday that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are the main supporter of Hezbollah and its arsenal after Syria and Iran. He said that the LAF is supposed to disarm Hezbollah according to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, but instead, it facilitates the flow of weapons to the party, since the LAF is not confiscating military equipment that arrive in Beirut via Damascus Airport and Latakia Port from Iran. Shalom also said that Israel expected Lebanon to be the second Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Tel Aviv following Egypt. However, “Lebanon witnessed several conflicts, which obstructed the possibility of holding peace talks,” he said, adding that “Christian extremism in Lebanon increased, because they felt they are a minority in the country.”He said that Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s speech, which preceded the 2009 parliamentary elections and in which he said he rejects peace with Israel, was only aimed at ensuring stability in Lebanon for the time being. Shalom called on Syria to make “core and strategic changes,” and to publically announce that it will sever its close ties with Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah before talking about peace negotiations with Israel.

Israel might talk with Lebanon by reviving 1949 armistice commission
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Last update - 05:38 29/07/2009
Haaretz/Israel is considering negotiating with Lebanon by reestablishing one of the 1949 armistice commissions that ended Israel's War of Independence.
Israeli officials have been discussing the matter with the United States, United Nations and European Union.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Foreign Ministry to present its opinion on the issue to the cabinet in the coming weeks.
U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell has said that the Obama administration is keen to see Israel renew negotiations with the Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. While there have been talks in recent years with Syria and the Palestinians, the Israeli-Lebanese track has remained quiet. Israel's main contact with Lebanon has been over implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war with Hezbollah.
The 1949 armistice commission regularly functioned until 1967, but was disbanded at Israel's initiative.
The Lebanese-Israeli commission convened at border crossings at Rosh Hanikra and Metula with the participation of two Israeli representatives, two Lebanese and a chairman from the UN.
Combined agenda
The two sides were represented by both diplomats and military officials, reflecting the commission's combined military and political agenda. Decisions were taken by majority vote, with the UN representative breaking the tie when necessary. Lebanon has repeatedly declared that it would be the last Arab country to sign a peace agreement with Israel.
Nonetheless, the Lebanese have said the armistice commission could serve as a channel for diplomatic talks with Israel as a precursor to peace negotiations.
Netanyahu has also asked the Foreign Ministry to present to the cabinet an updated position on the disputed Shaba Farms area and on a possible withdrawal from the northern part of the village of Ghajar, which straddles the Lebanese border. The UN's envoy to Lebanon, Michael Williams, raised the Shaba Farms issue in a visit to Israel last week. He suggested that Israel send a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressing a willingness to enter negotiations on all pending issues involving Lebanon, especially Ghajar and Shaba Farms.

Cairo Hits Back at Jumblat: He is Making Advances to Syria, Hizbullah
Naharnet/A crisis broke out between Cairo and Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat over the Druze leader's criticism of the Egyptian government for hosting Israeli leaders to the July 23rd Revolution anniversary. Jumblat, in his weekly editorial in al-Anbaa, attacked Egypt for hosting Israeli President Shimon Peres and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a ceremony last Thursday to commemorate the July 23rd Revolution. "It is worth mentioning that Jumblat, a leader in the March 14 coalition and who had received Egyptian support, said things like this on Egypt, which had welcomed him more than once," said Egypt's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Husam Zaki. "We categorically reject any speculation on Egyptian stances or Egyptian history," Zaki said in remarks published by pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat on Wednesday. "We are fully aware of the objectives behind Jumblat's remarks," he added.
Zaki would not say more. Al-Hayat, however, quoted official Egyptian sources in Cairo as saying that Egypt was "not surprised" by Jumblat's statements. "We are aware that Jumblat has for sometime now been undertaking political re-positioning and is making advances to Syria and Hizbullah," one source said. The sources downplayed Jumblat's statements "after it became clear that he is a sectarian leader and his rhetoric is filled with political slogans, without any real convictions." Beirut, 29 Jul 09, 08:33

Lebanese press round-up: July 29, 2009
Now Lebanon/July 29, 2009
Press round-up for Wednesday, July 29th from the morning edition of Lebanon’s An-Nahar, Al-Akhbar, As-Safir, and Ad-Diyar newspapers.
Opening Titles
Berri is to emphasize his optimism today in Baabda following a meeting with Hariri; Hezbollah speaks of “additional progress in the coming days.”
The formation of the government is underway; information is leaked on a wide scale; the [only] constant is the relinquishment of the obstructing-third vote.
The government is to be formed prior to Army Day, if the obstacle of Aoun’s setting Bassil’s ministerial appointment as a condition is removed.
Berri: The Kfar Shouba incident is about to be resolved.
Local News
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri may reportedly visit the Baabda Presidential Palace in order to discuss [with President Sleiman] the progress achieved regarding the formation o the government.
According to majority sources, the formula granting 15 ministers for the majority, 10 for the opposition and five for the president is not yet a definitive one. The sources stressed at the same time that the results of the elections will be consolidated.
An-Nahar asked Speaker Berri prior to his meeting with PM-designate Hariri yesterday on whether he is truly optimistic. The parliament speaker said, “For my part, my positions remain the same,” adding, “Names have yet to be discussed, but the formula has been settled.”
An-Nahar has learned that Speaker Berri and MP Walid Jumblatt had a phone conversation yesterday during which the parliament speaker said, “Since portfolios have been settled, and an agreement on the ministerial statement has been reached, then it is [about] time that the formation of the government is settled.”
The opposition indicated that bringing up Adnan Sayyed Hussein’s name as the sixth Shia minister “appointed in consignment” within President Sleiman’s share is not accurate, arguing that if he is appointed, he will be like ministers Baroud and al-Murr.
The opposition has agreed on the proposed cabinet formula and the Shia minister, whose candidacy is backed by the president. According to sources, all that remains is the obstacle of Gebran Bassil’s appointment as Telecommunications minister, a condition set by General Aoun.
The obstacle of MP Talal Arslan’s ministerial appointment has yet to be removed. MP Walid Jumblatt wants his appointment to be out of the opposition’s share rather than out of his Druze share, whereas the Shia community refuses to relinquish any seats.
Well-informed sources said that Aoun’s demands will be followed up by Hezbollah who displayed a predisposition in yesterday’s visit by a Hezbollah delegation to President Sleiman.
An-Nahar has learned that MP Boutros Harb and LF Executive Committee leader Samir Geagea are likely candidates for membership of the government. Also, MP Akram Chehayeb’s name will be proposed if MP Talal Arslan is not reappointed.
According to diplomatic sources, the latest phone conversation between presidents Michel Sleiman and Bashar Al-Assad has affected the course of events pertaining to the formation of the government. This was manifested by the opposition’s opening up to the broad prospects regarding this issue.
Opening Titles
The Hariri government is to be formed soon.
An agreement is reached on the composition [of the government] and guarantees; portfolios and [ministers’] names are to be discussed.
Local News
A MP close to Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri asserted that “the president, the parliament speaker and the prime minister are now truly optimistic regarding the formation of the government soon based on the fact that the president’s share is a guarantee for all parties.”
Opposition sources asserted that the opposition has dropped [the idea of] Talal Arslan’s reappointment as minister [in the coming government]. It is thus throwing the ball in MP Walid Jumblatt’s court by implying that Arslan’s appointment should be out of Jumblatt’s own share.
MP Sleiman Franjieh stressed that “the opposition will not take part in the formation of the government without the guaranteeing-third vote.”
Egypt reiterated its support yesterday for a government headed by MP Saad Hariri, stressing its attachment that ensues the success of the efforts aiming to form the new government.
Opening Titles
As-Safir publishes [a probable] 30-seat cabinet: The Lebanese Forces and the Kataeb covet key service-yielding ministries.
The formation of the government is hastened by keeping things as they are … and is delayed by “haggling” over portfolios.
The “two-hour meeting” between Berri and Hariri promotes positive developments; Sleiman is striving to form [the government] before August 1.
Israel mitigates the tone of its latest threats; Ashkenazi: The winds of war are not blowing from Lebanon.
Local News
Speaker Berri proposed to “keep things as they are” with regard to the distribution of ministerial portfolios in an attempt to facilitate and speed up the formation of the government. The opposition and the majority would then decide what changes should be made.
March 14 Christians were appalled by this suggestion. A member of the March 14 General Secretariat told As-Safir that it is as though the elections have not taken place.
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s visitors quoted him as saying yesterday that he will not recant his earlier intention to include women and youths in the government and not to appoint as ministers those who have lost in the elections.
A meeting was held yesterday evening in Ain al-Tineh between Speaker Berri and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, followed by a business dinner. Afterward, the prime minister-designate left Ain al-Tineh without giving any statements to the press.
Israeli Chief of Staff Major General Gabi Ashkenazi made an appeasement gesture yesterday, saying that the winds of war are not blowing from Lebanon and that he does not expect the calm prevailing along this front to be disrupted anytime soon.
Opening Titles
The Berri-Hariri meeting touched on [ministers’] names and the formation [of the government] before Army Day.
Hezbollah advises his allies to accept the 15-10-5 formula; Franjieh is attached to the guaranteeing-third vote.
Aoun refuses to be represented by three ministers; the Tashnaq are to be left out of the government.
Local News
According to observers, Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz is to visit Damascus following the formation of the [Lebanese] government and meet with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. PM-designate Saad Hariri is expected to join the meeting.
Sources told Ad-Diyar that the probable governmental formula is 15-10-5, but the names mentioned in the media are mere leaks.
Sources close to PM-designate Saad Hariri said that a definitive decision has yet to be made regarding the 15-10-5 formula. In addition, the Lebanese Forces are to be represented by two ministers compared to one for the Kataeb and two for Jumblatt. Boutros Harb is also likely to be appointed.
According to confirmed reports, “there is ongoing communication between Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement and no solutions will be adopted without General Michel Aoun’s approval.”
Sources noted that “the March 8 coalition has recanted the guaranteeing-third vote [demand] and the ‘super minister’ formula”, and went on to say “the March 4 forces are still attached to their 16-minister share and will not relinquish it.”

Berri after Meeting Hariri: Deal Finalized on Cabinet Formation
Naharnet/Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced that a deal has been finally finalized on the formation of a national unity government. The announcement came in remarks published by several Beirut dailies on Wednesday. Berri's remarks came following Tuesday night talks in Ain el-Tineh with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri. Berri said that he still holds onto much optimism about a Cabinet lineup soon. "We have not yet entered the name game, but an acceptable deal has been struck," he told the daily An Nahar.
He gave a similar statement to As Safir newspaper. "The important and difficult stage of Cabinet formation was nearing its end," Berri said. Beirut, 29 Jul 09, 08:00

Lebanon Disputes Israel on Khirbet Selm Blast
Naharnet/Lebanon accused Israel of trying to pre-empt an investigation into a recent explosion in a building containing weapons and ammunition by blaming Hizbullah for storing the arms cache in violation of a U.N. resolution. In letters to the Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon circulated Monday, Lebanon's charge d'affaires Caroline Ziade said the Lebanese army has concluded that the weapons and munitions were left over from the 34-day war between Hizbullah and Israel in the summer of 2006.
That's because they included 100mm Israeli tank shells with Hebrew writing and ammunition for 130mm artillery, which Hizbullah does not possess but which was used by a Lebanese militia that collaborated with Israel prior to its withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, she said. All weapons and munitions at the site were also "of types used during the July 2006 war."
Ziade said Israel's allegation that Hizbullah was putting civilians at risk by storing weapons in residential areas "is intended to justify intentional targeting of Lebanese civilians by Israel in the future." She said a joint investigation by the Lebanese army and UNIFIL began two days after the July 14 explosion in the village of Khirbet Selm because explosives experts from the two bodies determined the site was not safe to approach the following day. "That refutes false Israeli allegations that the Lebanese army deliberately delayed the deployment of UNIFIL at the explosion site and the start of the investigation," she said. Lebanese army officers in the investigating commission determined that the building where the explosion took place contained a variety of munitions and weapons "and that the cause of the explosion had been a fire that broke out in the unfinished non-residential building," Ziade said. "In view of the close cooperation between the Lebanese army and UNIFIL in investigating the cause of the explosion, Israel has attempted to pre-empt the results of the investigation by leveling accusations of arms smuggling in the force's area of operations south of the Litani River," she said. "Those accusations are false and a blatant attempt to interfere with the investigation in order to influence its conclusions," she said. Ziade did not address UNIFIL's statement that the explosion was a "serious violation" of resolution 1701 which bans Hizbullah and other militias and their weapons from the area south of the Litani River. Her letter was sent before U.N. peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy told the Security Council Thursday that a "number of indications suggest that the depot belonged to Hizbullah" and that "it was not abandoned but, rather, actively maintained." But he said there is no evidence suggesting the weapons and ammunition had been smuggled into the UNIFIL area of operations since 2006.(AP) Beirut, 29 Jul 09, 10:28

Cabinet to Be Announced before Aug.1 if Leaders Overcome Obstacle over Bassil's Appointment
Naharnet/The daily An Nahar on Wednesday predicted that the Cabinet lineup is likely to be announced before Army Day on Aug. 1 if political leaders overcome an obstacle over the appointment of Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun's son-in-law Jebran Bassil. It said several deals were proposed, most significantly a 30-strong Cabinet that includes 15 ministers for the majority, 10 for the Opposition and 5 for President Michel Suleiman. Sources from the majority March 14 coalition, however, told An Nahar that this formula was not "final." They said latest contacts have resolved the veto power issue after the Opposition has reportedly dropped its demand for a minority of one-third-plus-one which can block any Cabinet decision. An Nahar said the issue of a "neutral" minister was also no longer in the cards. "If discussions carry on as in line with the plan, Cabinet will be established before Army Day, one source said. Opposition sources, meanwhile, told An Nahar that the key obstacle to government formation was Bassil whom Aoun holds on to. Pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat said Aoun is seeking the interior ministry portfolio despite agreement beforehand that both the interior and defense ministries are President Michel Suleiman's share. Beirut, 29 Jul 09, 11:16

Jumblat Got 'Good News' from Berri, Arslan Out of Cabinet
Naharnet/Democratic Gathering bloc leader Walid Jumblat has reportedly received "good news" from Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri during an overnight telephone conversation between the two leaders, Progressive Socialist Party sources said Wednesday. They said Berri stressed that the "difficult stage related to the number game … was nearing its end."
An Nahar newspaper, for its part, quoted Berri as telling Jumblat that "when all of you were pessimistic, I was optimistic."
"Now you are all optimistic while I'm silent," he added. An Nahar said a proposal by Jumblat suggesting appointment of former Druze MP Talal Arslan has been turned down by the Opposition. As Safir said Arslan had received a formal apology from the Opposition leadership in this regard. Beirut, 29 Jul 09, 09:49

EU Worried About Incidents in the South
Naharnet/The European Union congratulated the Lebanese people on the successful holding of parliamentary elections last month and expressed concern at the recent developments in the south. The EU stance came during a Security Council debate on the situation in the Middle East. Sweden's representative, Anders Liden, spoke on behalf of the EU.
He said the European Union expected Syria and Israel to resume peace negotiations, and congratulated the Lebanese on the successful holding of parliamentary polls on June 7.
In the light of worrying recent developments in south Lebanon, the EU reiterated its call to all parties to fully abide by Security Council resolution 1701. Beirut, 29 Jul 09, 09:48

Druze Council: UNIFIL Was Never an Enemy to the Lebanese and Must Never Turn into One
Naharnet/The Druze Religious Council advised Tuesday against the international peacekeeping force in the south becoming an enemy for the Lebanese people, underlining the strong ties between the two sides. "UNIFIL forces in the south was never an enemy for the Lebanese people and must never turn into one," the council said after its regular meeting presided by Sheikh Naim Hassan.The peacekeeping force "aids the people with a lot of their daily needs in cooperation with the specialized United Nations agencies. It also helps the state spread security and sovereignty," the statement added. The council expressed hope for a renewal of UNIFIL's mandate without "the amendment of Security Council Resolution 1701 despite the latter's confusing language and its flaws." It called for more attention to be paid to "Israel's daily violations of the resolution, including repeated show of force, interferences and acts of espionage and intimidation." The statement called on the Lebanese government to continue to push for "Israel to be held accountable for its actions at the United Nations."
The council said recent events in the country, including the discovery of Israeli spy cells and tensions in the south, should "motivate the Lebanese to reach a deal as soon as possible on a future government." It called on political leaders to "abide by the democratic principles that have been enshrined in our constitutional system of governance since the era of independence and that have been adopted in the formation of consecutive governments."The statement praised recent inter-Muslim rapprochement and steps to achieve national unity.
"Efforts to put the house in order will consolidate this unity. There can never be a Muslim arena or a Christian arena in the absence of an all-encompassing national unity embodied in national integration and coexistence," it said. Beirut, 28 Jul 09, 18:49

Raad from Baabda: No Obstacles in Cabinet Formation
Naharnet/Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad on Tuesday denied there were obstacles facing formation of a national unity government. "I sensed progress somewhere and there is a chance to build on this progress," Raad said following a meeting in Baabda with President Michel Suleiman. "We want a coherent government that reflects the aspirations of the Lebanese and that would fortify Lebanon against the risks and challenges," he told reporters. Raad said Hizbullah's share in the new government would be fulfilled when a national unity government is achieved in a harmonious atmosphere. Beirut, 28 Jul 09, 13:50

U.N. Warns Against Deteriorating Security Situation in South
Naharnet/The United Nations has warned against the deteriorating security situation in south Lebanon in view of the Kfarshouba and Khirbet Selm incidents which "represent a threat to stability in the region." The warning was made by Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, during a Security Council meeting on the Middle East.
Taranco urged both the Israeli and Lebanese sides to "end" their violations of Security Council Resolution 1701 which halted a 34-day war between the Jewish state and Hizbullah in the summer of 2006. In Lebanon, he said, investigations into violations of Resolution 1701 in south Lebanon were ongoing, while Israeli air violations took place almost daily.
Taranco said that in meetings with Lebanese and Israeli officials and political leaders in the past week, Michael Williams, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, had stressed the gravity of violations of Resolution 1701. "To defuse the situation, the Special Coordinator had also visited Israel, where he had raised the question about the newly erected watchtower in Kfarshouba and requested its removal," Taranco added. Gabriela Shalev of Israel read an excerpt from a letter appearing in al-Mustaqbal on 16 July on the explosion of the arms depot in Khirbet Selm. Written by residents of the town, the letter addressed President Michel Suleiman and the leaders of Hizbullah. A line from the letter stated: "If you, as you claim, tie your activity with the religion and with Allah, then you must empty the residential areas of weaponry and ammunition, and of all else that threatens our lives."
She said the explosion had demonstrated that Hizbullah, together with its two sponsors, who were members of the United Nations, continued to operate south of the Litani River in overt violation of Resolution 1701. "It had demonstrated the volatile reality on the ground and that there were challenges to the implementation of resolution 1701, including an un-enforced arms embargo along the Lebanon-Syria border and the presence of Hizbullah on the ground," Shalev said. She said Hizbullah threatened Israel, Lebanon and the wider region, while continuing to build its military infrastructure north and south of the Litani River. "Hizbullah's repeated breaches of the Council's demands indicated the danger posed by Iran," she believed. "From southern Lebanon to Gaza, the arming, training and financing of terrorists bore the same certificate of origin: Tehran. Moreover, Iran continued to pursue the development of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, which was a clear threat to peace and security. "Israel called on the Council to act urgently and effectively to end the Iranian nuclear threat and stem Iran's terrorist interference. The Council must consider more effective ways to impose its arms embargo along the Lebanon-Syria border, strengthen UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces and establish clear benchmarks to disarm and dismantle Hizbullah," Shalev added. Beirut, 28 Jul 09, 08:20

A passion for fireworks, a generic fondness for war
Hazem Saghiyeh , July 28, 2009
Now Lebanon
Contrary to the common perception, the Lebanese are arguably not a peace-loving people, and the reason for this contention lies far beyond politics. The proof backing this assertion has to do with fireworks. A few days ago, Beirut’s sky went ablaze with fireworks following the announcement of the “brevet” examination results, [the brevet being a set of official exams determining whether or not students pass from Grade 9 to high school in Lebanon]. One wonders what would have been done had it been about the results of Ph.D. examinations? This phenomenon is also a recurrent feature of weddings and other celebrations.
I am not talking about when this craving becomes so uncivilized that live ammunition is used to celebrate the engagement of one leader or another’s appointment to some high-ranking position, resulting in casualties and causing damage to cars and public/private property. Rather, I hereby contend that fireworks are but an alleviated expression of this uncivilized craving.
For a people that is living in constant fear of war and constantly asserting how much we loathe it and its potential resurgence, we should be highly sensitive to the whizzing of bullets or any sounds that remind us of it. Yet this sensitivity is foreign to the average Lebanese, as though they are saying: “Since celebratory gunfire is not allowed, let us turn to fireworks instead.” Fireworks displays are thus similar to boastful zajal [traditional oral strophic poetry], except for the magnified noise, which – in this case – replaces the ostentation of declaimed verses.
This phenomenon is ultimately part of a culture backed by backward shared values based on “virility”, “dignity” and “asserting oneself vis-à-vis another group”. When partisan indoctrination is added in to this system of civil values, then “patriotism”, “resistance” and other modern values provide yet another source of inspiration for such “self-important” behavior.
The Lebanese, at first glance, love peace; that much is true. In so doing, they are no different than the rest of mankind who, in principle, would prefer not to kill or be killed. However, it is also true that they love war. This explains why they tended – and still tend – in decisive moments to take sides with the armed men belonging to their respective confessions. How else would it be possible to explain the fact that they initiated a war in 1975 even though it was plainly detrimental to their interests, and that they went on destroying an experience which, according to all Middle Eastern criteria, was successful and promising?
By extension, these deep-running partialities and religious cravings provide some explanation, albeit a partial one, of the reasons that have prevented the emergence of a peaceful popular movement in Lebanon. Still, going back to our present times, what is even more dangerous is that this described awareness hides an unlimited fondness for violent policies and symbols of strength. For instance, one may well hear many people say: “In spite of everything, Saddam Hussein was a brave man who defied America.” Even among Hezbollah’s critics and foes, there is this desire that “we” be the Resistance instead of “them”, a desire that takes the shape of almost irrepressible envy.
In this low-grade cultural system, fireworks are comparable to a crime plot lacking sufficient presumptions. Indeed, those who disturb other people’s quiet with fireworks do not care about other people. And those who are unable to convince [others] using their individual voices have recourse to fireworks through which they gain a collective voice allowing them to “act like giants” at the expense of other people and groups. This expresses, exclusively and inevitably, sensitivity to civil wars.
**This article is a translation of the original, which appeared on the NOW Arabic site on July 27

Americans No Longer See Terrorism as Threat
By: Dr. Paul L. Williams
Canada Free Press
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/13214
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
-The Last Crusade
If you can’t beat them…
Forget 9/11.
Forget the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.
Forget the fatwahs of al Qaeda and its sister organizations.
Forget the scores of attacks that have occurred or been thwarted on American soil during the past eight years.
Americans, according to a Gallup poll, are less concerned about terrorism than at any point since August 2004 – with only 36% saying they are very or somewhat worried that they or a family member will become a victim of a terrorist attack.
Americans’ collective level of worry about terrorism is the lowest recorded since August 2004 (34%) and down sharply from the all-time high of 59% recorded in October 2001, just after the Sept. 11 attacks. 30% now say they are not too worried about the threat of another terrorist attack and 34% say they are not at all worried.
In a separate Gallup Poll, a scant 1% of the Americans surveyed mentioned terrorism as the most important problem facing the United States.
Although President Obama, apart from Bubba Bill Clinton, is the only U.S. Commander-in-Chief never to serve in the Army, 73% of Americans say they have a great deal or fair amount of confidence in the Obama Administration and the Democrat majority in the House and Senate to protect them from future acts of terrorism — unchanged from 2006.
Two-thirds of the liberals in America, according to a recent ABC poll, maintain that Islam is a peaceful religion that poses no threat to the country. Sixty-two percent of the registered Democrats and Independents concur.
Islam, the ABC pollsters discovered, is more apt to be seen unfavorably by less-educated adults, Southerners and senior citizens than by their counterparts. Compared with the ABC poll of October 2001, unfavorable views of Islam have increased by 23 points among senior citizens, 19 points among conservatives, 18 points among Republicans and 12 points among Southerners. There’s one group – liberals – among whom unfavorable views of Islam have declined, by 11 points.
These findings are supported by the collapse of the market for books dealing with terrorism. Harry Crocker of Regnery, the publisher of such works as Stealth Jihad by Robert Spencer and America Alone by Mark Steyn, says that books on terrorism no longer sell well.
The new attitude of the American people goes a long way to explain the failure to drum up a substantial number of protestors to decry the convention of Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamic group with espouses terror attacks against Israel and the United States, at the Oak Lawn Hilton Hotel on the outskirts of Chicago. The subject of the gathering was “The Fall of Capitalism and the Rise of Capitalism.” The event, according to the Chicago Sun Times, attracted 800 Islamists but less than fifty people showed up to protest.
Hilton Oak Lawn General Manager Rick Harmon said Hizb ut-Tahrir (Arabic for “the Party of Liberation”) used its own name when it reserved the room for the conference, but the hotel was not aware of the content of the event, which includes lectures entitled “Capitalism is Doomed to Fail,” “The Global Rise of Islam,” and the “Role of Muslims in America,” until after the contract was signed.
Harmon said the hotel is open to all kinds of meetings, including presumably gatherings of Muslims who are intent upon the destruction of America and its economic system.
Hizb ut-Tahrir, according to Islam expert Walid Phares, offers indoctrination that prepares al Qaeda and other terrorist groups for the jihad against Israel and the United States. It is a global Sunni network.
Some prominent members included 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed; Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the commander al Qaeda in Iraq; Asif Muhammad Hanif, a British jihadi who blew himself up outside a bar in Tel Aviv, killing four people (including himself) and wounding more than 50; and Omar Bakri Mohammed, a imam currently banned from Britain who praised the 9/11 attacks, raised funds for Hezbollah and Hamas and called for attacks on the Dublin airport where U.S. troops transferred there en route to Iraq.
In his book, “How the Khilafah Was Destroyed,” Sheikh Abdul Qadeem Zalloom, the former global leader of Hizb ut-Tahrir, says anyone who rules by a non-Islamic system should “either retract or be killed … even if this led to several years of fighting and even if it led to the killing of millions of Muslims and to the martyrdom of millions of believers.”
Hizb ut-Tahrir’s official ruling on the permissibility of hijacking planes says, “If the plane belongs to a country at war with Muslims, like Israel, it is allowed to hijack it, for there is no sanctity for Israel or for the Jews in it.” Interestingly for Americans, one of the organization’s more recent leaflets, published in March, calls for the declaration of “a state of war against America.”
Former member Ed Husain, who left the Muslim organization and denounced it in his book The Islamist, says: “The only difference between Islamists from Hizb ut-Tahrir and jihadists, is that the former are waiting for their state and caliph before they commence jihad, while the latter believes the time for jihad is now.”
Hizb-ut-Tahrir is outlawed in Russia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and numerous Muslim countries (including Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia) that regard it as a radical, subversive, terrorist organization that spreads “hate and violence” and seeks to overthrow their governments.
But the group remains off the State Department’s terror watch list and remains free to expand its operations throughout our country.

Israeli spy cells aimed to destroy Hizbullah
By Dalila Mahdawi and Carol Rizk
Daily Star staff
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
BEIRUT: The guiding objectives behind Israel’s spy network in Lebanon were to “destroy” the Hizbullah-led resistance and kill its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, As-Safir newspaper quoted well-informed sources as saying on Tuesday. Though Israeli spy operations first emerged shortly after Tel Aviv declared independence in May 1948, Israel’s failure to obliterate Hizbullah when the two engaged in a 34-day war in July-August 2006 apparently prompted Tel Aviv to step up its covert operations in Lebanon.
Israel considered “the only way to make up for the 2006 defeat and to avoid a third war with Lebanon was to get rid of [Hizbullah chief Sayyed] Hassan Nasrallah” and to destroy “everything related to” Hizbullah, sources studying the spy networks told As-Safir. Those recruited not only reported on Hizbullah operations but also delivered information about the group’s ties with Syria and Iran and Lebanese national security measures, a Lebanese security source said. Collaborators were also expected to renew relations with former spies and reactivate dormant networks.
Lebanon has arrested more than 70 people since January on suspicion of spying for Israel’s intelligence service, Mossad, in a high-profile campaign to dismantle spy cells operating in the country. Around 40 of those individuals – 37 Lebanese, two Palestinians and one Egyptian – are now in custody, according to AFP, including a number of Lebanese government officials.
Poor coordination between Lebanon’s military and security services have allowed a number of spies to flee, the security source told the paper. Lebanese authorities admit that a handful of suspected collaborators have crossed into Israel.
According to the unidentified sources, Israel recruited spies by placing job adverts in local newspapers, through Lebanese collaborators who sought refuge in Israel in 2000, or by luring them in with money and women. Once initiated, collaborators would meet with their Israeli liaison officers in Lebanese towns or further afield such as in Cyprus, Hong Kong or Belgium. Spies mostly communicated with cell phones and emails.
In May, Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces displayed what appeared to be sophisticated espionage equipment, including a water cooler equipped with a mapping device, a stereo concealing USB storage capabilities and hi-tech cameras and detection gadgets. Lebanon’s civil and political sectors should “immunize themselves to the highest degree because the spies recruited came from various backgrounds: military officers, housewives, farmers, immigrants, taxi drivers,” and so on, one security source urged.
“Social burdens weigh upon everyone, but the fate of these spies will serve as a lesson to those thinking about working for Israel. Everyone should be on the lookout,” the source warned, citing national unity as the best way to combat covert Israeli operations in Lebanon.
Beirut considers itself in a state of war with Israel, and Lebanese citizens are prohibited from having contact with Israelis or from visiting Israel. Those convicted of spying or high treason in Lebanon can be sentenced to death or life imprisonment with hard labor.

Lebanon’s letter to UN denies army delayed probe into Khirbet Silim blasts
By Carol Rizk /Special to The Daily Star
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
BEIRUT: A letter sent by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry to United Nations said the explosions which took place in the southern town of Khirbet Silim earlier this month were due to “a fire breaking out in an abandoned building that housed unexploded munitions from the summer 2006 war with Israel.”
The letter was addressed to UN chief Ban Ki-Moon and the head of the UN Security Council for the month of July Ugandan Ruhakana Rugunda.
The full text of the letter was published Tuesday by the state-run National News Agency (NNA) on Tuesday.
The letter stressed that cooperation between the Lebanese Army and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was “strong,” adding that Lebanon was “fully” committed to the implementation of Resolution 1701, which put an end to the summer 2006 war with Israel.
The Foreign Ministry said an investigation committee of Lebanese Army and UNIFIL officers was formed after the July 14 explosion in the southern village of Khirbet Silim. “The committee worked with the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL to permanently supervise the scene of the explosion,” the letter
According to the letter, investigations had been launched the day after the explosion, “because experts judged working the first day to be too dangerous since explosions continued until late July 14.”
The letter said Lebanese soldiers stayed on location “despite possible hazards,” adding that one soldier had been injured.
“This contradicts Israel’s accusation that the Lebanese Army deliberately delayed investigations and the deployment of UNIFIL troops,” the letter said.
The Foreign Ministry said investigations had revealed that the unexploded ammunitions bore writings in Hebrew and were of the type used during the summer 2006 war.
The letter slammed Israel’s claims that Hizbullah endangered civilians by storing its weapons in populated areas.
“Israel is trying to justify any future deliberate attack on Lebanese civilians,” the letter said.
Regarding the July 18 incident in which a UNIFIL team investigating the blast was hampered by civilians from the village, the Foreign Ministry’s letter revealed the Lebanese Army had decided to investigate leaks that unexploded ammunitions might have been transferred to three houses in Khirbet Silim.
“UNIFIL was informed and decided to crack down on the three houses without being escorted by the Lebanese Army,” the letter said. “Clashes with the residents ensued,” it added. As a result, 14 UNIFIL personnel were lightly injured.
On Monday, UNIFIL commander Major General Claudio Graziano met with the mayor of Khirbet Silim as well as Amal Movement MP Ali Bazzi and Hizbullah MP Hassan Fadlallah in a bid to maintain relations between parties involved in Security Council Resolution 1701.
“Israel is always trying to instigate confrontations between Lebanon and UNIFIL to cover up its ongoing occupation of Lebanese land and its daily violation of Lebanese sovereignty and of Resolution 1701” the Foreign Ministry said in its letter to the UN.
“Israel’s failed attempts to create rifts between the Lebanese and the peacekeepers also aim to cover up its spy networks and its latest violation of Lebanese sovereignty by erecting a surveillance tower in the [occupied] Kfar Shuba Hills” the Ministry added.
Earlier in July, Israel erected an unmanned observation post in the disputed Kfar Shuba Hills. The ministry’s letter demanded that Israel’s latest violation be removed “immediately.” The letter stressed that Lebanon was committed to the implementation of Resolution 1701, adding that this was the main reason it asked the UN secretary general to extend UNIFIL’s mandate.

Final formula reached
July 29, 2009
NOW Staff
It looks like things are finally shaping up and the formula for the division of seats within the new cabinet may have been agreed upon.
Following rumors in the press over the past few days that the formula granting 15 ministers to the majority, 10 to the opposition and five to the president has almost definitely been settled upon, Speaker Nabih Berri told reporters after meeting with President Michel Sleiman in Baabda on Wednesday, “The political process related to the cabinet formation has reached its end, which means that we agreed on forming a national-unity cabinet, supporting President Sleiman’s role and defining a general policy to be adopted.”
But the matter of the division of portfolios and the names of the ministers still has to be settled, he added.
Berri’s confident statement today is in line with his history of unwavering optimism since negotiations began a month ago, when Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri was appointed and charged with pulling together a national-unity government before Army Day on August 1. He even told An-Nahar newspaper on Tuesday prior to his meeting with Hariri that “names have yet to be discussed, but the formula has been settled.”
The paper also cited in its Wednesday morning edition a phone conversation apparently held between Berri and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt on Tuesday, during which the parliament speaker reportedly said, “Since portfolios have been settled and an agreement on the ministerial statement has been reached, then it is past time that the formation of the government is settled.”
Now, however, begins the nitty-gritty of sorting out which party gets which seat.
Ad-Diyar reported Wednesday that the Lebanese Forces are to be represented by two ministers, compared to one for the Kataeb and two for Jumblatt. MP Boutros Harb is also likely to be appointed, the paper predicted.
In an interview with the Voice of Lebanon radio station on Wednesday morning, however, Kataeb MP Samer Saadeh said that his party wanted to be granted two ministers within the new government, but added that it will not cause any obstruction if not granted its demand, because “what really matters is the ministerial statement that should meet the people’s aspirations.”
The opposition has been pushing for having a Shia minister sit as part of the president’s share, and Dr. Adnan Sayyed Hussein, a teacher at the Lebanese University, has been singled out. An-Nahar reported that the opposition indicated that if Hussein does receive a seat, he will not simply be a vote, but will head a key ministry.
But several issues may prolong the process of assigning cabinet seats, one of which is the reappointment of current Telecommunications minister Gebran Bassil, a condition set by Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, who is Bassil’s father-in-law.
Then there is Youth and Sports Minister Talal Arslan’s reappointment, as MP Jumblatt wants Arslan to be a member of opposition’s share in government rather than of his Druze share, whereas “the Shia community refuses to relinquish any seats,” An-Nahar reported.
Al-Akhbar, however, said that March 8 sources “asserted that the opposition has dropped [the idea of] Talal Arslan’s reappointment as minister” in the coming government, and that it is “thus throwing the ball in MP Walid Jumblatt’s court by implying that Arslan’s appointment should be out of Jumblatt’s own share.”
If Talal Arslan is not named, An-Nahar said, MP Akram Chehayeb could be a possible candidate as a minister in the Druze share. The paper also said that MP Boutros Harb and Lebanese Forces Executive Committee leader Samir Geagea are likely candidates for membership in the government.
Regardless of who gets what seat, though, as As-Safir noted, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s visitors quoted him as saying Tuesday that he will not recant his earlier intention to include women and youths in the government and not to appoint as ministers those who have lost in the elections.

Cabinet formation hits snares over distribution of portfolios
Government source says selection of ministers will ‘take some time’
By Elias Sakr and Nafez Qawas /Daily Star staff
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
BEIRUT: The cabinet is not likely to be formed before the end of the month due to problematic issues regarding the distribution of ministerial portfolios, a prominent governmental source The Daily Star on Tuesday. “Although progress has been made concerning the cabinet’s formation, a number of problematic issues are yet to be discussed,” the source said.
The governmental source stressed that the distribution of ministerial portfolios and the choice of ministerial candidates would “take some time.”
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri held talks Tuesday night with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. As The Daily Star went to press, no statement was issued about the meeting at Berri’s residence in Ain-al Tineh.
Tackling the cabinet’s formation, Hizbullah’s Loyalty to Resistance bloc MP Mohammad Raad stressed on Tuesday that no obstacles were hampering the formation process.
“I sense progress [with regard to the government’s formation] which can be built upon to achieve further positive steps,” Raad said following a meeting with President Michel Sleiman at the Baabda presidential palace.
Raad said Hizbullah was keen on maintaining full cooperation with Sleiman “so as to ensure the formation process runs smoothly amid an atmosphere of national solidarity.”
When asked about Hizbullah’s demand for veto power in the next cabinet, Raad said his party called on for a national-unity cabinet “that answers the Lebanese people aspirations and strengthens Lebanon so as to confront upcoming challenges.”
Meanwhile, Phalange Party head Amine Gemayel called on Hariri to form a majority cabinet if his efforts to reach an accord with the opposition on a national-unity government fails.”
He said the March 14 Forces’ victory in the June 7 parliamentary polls gave it the right to form a cabinet regardless of the participation of the opposition.
Media reports on Tuesday indicated that the Shiite minister among five ministers to be named by Sleiman in the proposed 15-10-5 cabinet formula would have to be approved by Hizbullah. The 15-10-5 formula grants the March 14 coalition 15 ministers, the opposition 10 and the president five, which ensures that Sleiman would hold the tipping voice while neither the March 14 nor the opposition would be granted an absolute majority or veto power.
Echoing Raad, Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) MP Alain Aoun called on Tuesday for the formation of a national-unity government that comprised all Lebanese groups in order to face future threats.
But FPM ally Marada Movement leader MP Sleiman Franjieh reiterated on Tuesday the opposition’s demand for veto power. After talks with French Ambassador Andre Parant, Franjieh stressed that the cabinet formation was delayed due to “its content and not form,” a reference to disagreement on ministerial candidates rather than on the cabinet’s formula.
“The opposition has to approve of its eleventh minister; we will not participate in the cabinet if we are not given the guaranteeing third,” he said.
Franjieh explained that the opposition had no problem if the eleventh minister was part of the president or the parliamentary majority’s share as long as he was approved or nominated by the opposition.
For his part, Parant said France wished for a quick formation of the Lebanese cabinet.
Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Shibani voiced optimism on Tuesday with regard to the cabinet’s formation.
After talks with Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh, Shibani said Iran was “ready to exert all efforts and capabilities to help the Lebanese political groups reach a consensus.”

Canada: Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) Supremacist Group to Meet in Govt-Managed Community Center
By R.E.A.L. Organization • on July 27, 2009
http://www.realcourage.org/2009/07/canada-supremacist-group-to-meet/

On Friday, July 31, 2009, the Islamic supremacist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir will be holding another public conference, this time in the Ontario, Canada city of Mississauga. Unlike the July 19, 2009 Hizb ut-Tahrir conference which was held at a private facility in Chicago suburb Oak Lawn’s Hilton Hotel, the Canadian Hizb ut-Tahrir meeting will be held at a Canadian government-managed public facility, the Mississauga Valley Community Center.

1. Hizb ut-Tahrir Seeks to Promote Supremacism in Canada
The Islamic supremacist Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) Canadian event is publicized on the Hizb ut-Tahrir web site as being sponsored by “Hizb ut-Tahrir Canada” as part of HT’s “2009 Khilafah Campaign,” which included the July 19, 2009 HT event in the Chicago Oak Lawn, IL suburb. HT has advertised this event to be held at the Canadian govt-managed facility in Mississauga for: “Friday, July 31st, 6.30PM to 8.30PM, Frank Bean Lounge — Mississauga Valley Community Center, 1275 Mississauga Valley Blvd, L5A 3R8.” The HT Canada event has also been promoted by a Toronto, Canada website called “TorontoMuslims.com”. (R.E.A.L. contacted this Toronto Muslim website to ask why they were promoting such a supremacist organization’s event, and received no reply.)

The Hizb ut-Tahrir web site promoting the July 31 event in Canada also promotes a pamphlet (page 62) that supports killing those individuals who leave Islam as guilty of “treason and a political attack on the Khilafah.”

According to the Canadian Criminal Code Section 318:

“318. (1) Every one who advocates or promotes genocide is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.”
“(2) In this section, ‘genocide’ means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy in whole or in part any identifiable group, namely,”
“(a) killing members of the group; or”
“(b) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction…”
“(4) In this section, ‘identifiable group’ means any section of the public distinguished by colour, race, religion, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.”

Researcher Madeleine Gruen believes that U.S. member of HT Mohammad Malkawi may speak at the Canadian conference, because Mohammad Malkawi has previously given speeches in Canada. HT’s Mohammad Malkawi moderated the July 19 HT conference in Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn.

2. Efforts to Alert Canadian Government Agencies to HT Supremacist Meeting at Govt-Managed Facility
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has attempted to contact the Mississauga government to make them aware of the supremacist nature of the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization that it has rented use of the Mississauga Valley Community Centre Frank Bean Lounge facility to for their July 31 conference. After speaking to a representative at the Community Centre (905-615-4670), we were re-directed to the Mississauga government agency involved in booking the Frank Bean Lounge facility, the Mississauga government recreation and parks department (905-615-4100, choose “facility booking”).

R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm spoke to a manager with the Mississauga recreation and parks department on this, and she stated that they are “looking into this.” The Mississauga recreation and parks manager also stated the person who made the booking of the Frank Bean Lounge facility for the Canadian Hizb ut-Tahrir meeting had held “previous meetings” there, and Mississauga “never had any problems or issues” with them. On the Mississauga web site regarding renting such facilities, one of the primary concerns is the use of such facilities in terms of serving alcoholic beverages.

In addition, R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm contacted the diversity relations unit of Mississauga local law enforcement — highlighting that the group promoting the Canadian HT event - is also promoting a brochure that calls for the death penalty for Muslims who leave Islam as guilty of “treason and a political attack on the Khilafah” (page 62).

3. Contact Canadian and Mississauga Legislators

We urge those concerned about the growing threat of the Hizb ut-Tahrir supremacist movement and its efforts to justify violence against those who seek freedom of religion to contact Canadian and Mississauga legislators to voice their outrage about this supremacist group using a Mississauga facility. Apparently, this is not the first time such proponents of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s supremacist ideology have used Canadian public facilities either. Contact Canadian and Mississauga government officials to get an answer as to why Canadian public facilities are being used to spread such supremacist hate.

Contact Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion
Email: mayor@mississauga.ca
Phone: 905-896-5555

Contact Mississauga City Council - see list

Contact Mississauga Valley Facility Rentals:
Phone: 905-615-4670 — Fax: 905-615-4671

Contact Mississauga Valley Tourism:
Phone: 905-896-5998

Web Page to Contact Ombudsman Ontario

Contact Mississauga News

Check back at this posting to see if we get any additional Canadian government officials to contact.

4. Canada Supremacist Meeting Part of Global Efforts Against Freedom
The Islamic supremacist Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) group has been seeking to have international meetings to promote the creation of an international, Islamic supremacist caliphate. In addition to the July 31 scheduled conference in Mississauga, Canada, HT has met on July 19 in the United States, had a meeting on July 26 in London, and has another upcoming meeting on August 2 in West Bromwich, UK.

At the July 19 meeting at the Chicago Oak Lawn suburb, HT publicly promoted its goal as the “supremacy” of its view of Islam. HT speaker Dr. Jaleel Abdul-Adil called for conference attendees to achieve such an Islamic supremacist caliphate, work towards making Islam “supreme on this earth,” or to “die in the attempt.” HT justified its supremacist views by stating “every group tries to expand its influence,” while distributing a pamphlet to conference attendees that justified killing Muslims who choose to leave Islam.

The pamphlet ” ‘Islamic Reformation’ - Exposing the Battle for Hearts and Minds” distributed by the HT at the July 19 Oak Lawn, IL conference is also being distributed at the same HT website promoting the Canadian conference scheduled for July 31.

The HT pamphlet mocks human rights, freedom, equality, and justifies killing Muslims who choose to leave Islam. It is designed to reject the concept of any type of “Islamic reformation” demanding instead the creation of an Islamic supremacist caliphate. The HT pamphlet mocks the efforts by Canadian Islamic reformer Irshad Manji (page 6), condemns “Women’s groups engaged in gender equality campaigns” (page 13), claims that challenging the Taliban’s rejection of human rights was merely a ploy “to attack Islam” (page 16), mocks “The Fallacy of Western Universalism” (page 21), mocks “allegedly universal values of secularism, freedom, democracy, Human Rights, pluralism, and the rule of law” (page 23), calls for “Shari’ah rule” (page 39), and demands separate laws for men and women.

The HT brochure defends the death penalty for so-called “apostates” - who leave Islam (pages 62 and 68). On page 62, HT justifies killing other Muslims who leave Islam because HT views such Muslims as guilty of “treason.” (W. Heffening and others have stated that such calls for killing ex-Muslims is based on the opinions of others, not based on direct calls from the Qu’ran.)

The HT brochure rejects human equality stating (page 64), “Equality is not the basis of Islam and never has been in the history of Islamic jurisprudence. This is a term alien to Islam.”

In the most recent July 26 London meeting, HT claimed that “thousands” attended its London conference, where HT attacked U.S. President Obama as seeking to “reinterpret the Qu’ran.” In August 2007, Barack Obama identified as America’s enemies those who would create “a repressive caliphate.” Such an Islamic supremacist caliphate is the primary organizational objective of Hizb ut-Tahrir.

5. Supremacist Hizb ut-Tahrir Groups Condemned by Muslims

The Islamic supremacist Hizb ut-Tahrir group has also been condemned by various Muslims around the world.

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, President of The American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) has stated that “Hizb ut-Tahrir’s actions, ideologies and mission are unacceptable” to Muslims.

Junaid Afeef, executive director of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, has stated that Hizb ut-Tahrir is “antithetical to what we believe.”

British Muslim Ed Husain, a former member of the Hizb ut-Tahrir, states in his book “The Islamist” that “Hizb ut Tahrir calls for an expansionist, violent, totalitarian Islamist state” and that HT’s “mindset”… “does not recognize the sacred nature of human life.” Ed Husain says that, under HT’s ideology, “entire populations would submit to an army of the caliph, or face extinction.” Ed Husain’s book quotes Hizb ut-Tahrir founder Taqiuddin al-Nabhani: “The Islamist does not flatter the people, is not courteous to the authorities or care for the people’s customs and traditions, and does not give any attention to whether people will accept him or not.”

6. R.E.A.L. on the History of Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT)
At the July 19 Oak Lawn, IL pro-freedom conference challenging Hizb ut Tahrir, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s Jeffrey Imm spoke to Chicago area protesters about Hizb ut-Tahrir’s history and goals. He explained Hizb ut-Tahrir’s (HT) history since 1953 in seeking to develop an international organization to implement an Islamic supremacist caliphate, and how Hizb ut-Tahrir has been building an organization for the past 10 years covertly in America. The July 19 Oak Lawn conference, Imm stated, represented Hizb ut-Tahrir America’s (HTA) belief that they can now begin their more public “Stage Two” (as described in the HT manifesto) of their process of developing an Islamic supremacist caliphate. This “Stage Two” represented HT’s belief that a public outreach to their objectives for promoting such a caliphate should now be initiated.

Imm also pointed to the ultimate objective of the HT’s Islamic supremacist caliphate to create a multi-national “state” that would allow them to further promote and enforce Islamic supremacist rule through this “caliphate.” To that end, HT’s manifesto rejects what they call “Democratic Capitalism,” which is how HTA managed to manipulate the public and the press into believing their July 19 Oak Lawn conference was merely about “economics,” by titling their conference “The Fall of Capitalism and the Rise of Islam.”

In fact, Imm addressed that HT is opposed not only to capitalism, but also to democracy itself. Referencing direct quotes from the HT’s manifesto, Imm pointed out that HT states that:

– “the democratic system… is a Kufr [infidel] system” (page 25)

– rejects democracy because it “is the rule of people, for the people, by the people” (page 24)

– “Democratic Capitalism” … “is a Kufr ideology and its ideas are Kufr ideas, and its systems are Kufr systems, and they contradict Islam” (page 24)

– “freedom of belief, freedom of speech, freedom of ownership of capital and personal freedom”… “are in conflict with Islam” (page 24)

– “personal freedom does not exist in Islam” (page 24)

– “liberty and democracy, and the Capitalist and Socialist systems… totally contradict with” Islam (page 7)

– freedom of religion is denied by HT, whose manifesto states the “Muslim is not free in the matter of his belief because if he apostasizes from Islam, he is asked to return. If he does not, the punishment is death” (page 24)

Regarding HT’s support for an Islamic supremacist caliphate, Imm pointed out that while the immediate stated goal of HT was the creation of an Islamic supremacist caliphate in so-called “Muslim countries,” the longer term goal was to use this international caliphate to further spread Islamic supremacism around the world. To that end, Imm pointed out the goals of the HT are to create an Islamic supremacist caliphate army, and calls for “every Muslim male at age 15 must be given jihad training” (page 37). Moreover, as HT has told the press, once the Islamic supremacist caliphate was in place, nations “allowed” to continue to be “non-Muslim” would have the choice of paying a tax to the Islamic supremacist caliphate, or according to HT “if non-Muslim countries refused to pay the tax, the caliphate would launch military attacks against them.”