LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
June 14/09
Bible Reading of the day
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ
according to Saint Matthew 5:33-37. Again you have heard that it was said to
your ancestors, 'Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that
you vow.' But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God's
throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is
the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make
a single hair white or black. Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean
'No.' Anything more is from the evil one.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Hezbollah: No Questions Asked.By
Mshari Al-Zaydi 13/06/09
International Christian Concern
(LCC): A Christian was Murdered in Pakistan for Drinking Tea from a Muslim Cup
13/06/09
US Continues Charm Offensive With Syria/By:CHIP
CUMMINS/Wall Street Journal
13/06/09
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for June
13/09
Senior EU official holds talks with Hezbollah-The
Associated Press
Solana Says Hizbullah Part
of Lebanese Political Life, Praises Climate of Accord-Naharnet
Mitchell Cites Syria's Role in Mideast Peace
Effort-New York Times
Syria welcomes Ahmadinejad win, looks to
stronger ties-Khaleej Times
Hezbollah, allies to boycott government without
veto-Reuters
Islamic Leader Fathi Yakan
Dies/Naharnet
INSTANT VIEW: Iran's election
result staggers analysts/Reuters
Ahmadinejad wins Iran election,
opponent cries foul. Reuters
Lebanon's PM hopeful Hariri
seeks compromise/Reuters
A majority for Lebanon -Future News
Franjieh: the majority exposed
Aoun’s lie -Future News
Solutions start from Lebanon…
Hizbullah’s positivity excludes Fneich -Future News
After the legislatives…Phase of
possible solutions -Future News
Siniora launches an economic
workshop -Future News
Pilot Samer Hanna's Killer Tells
Story Behind Helicopter Incident-Naharnet
Ahmadinejad Lead a Blow to US-Arab Allies-Wall
Street Journal
Solana: Europe and USA determined
for progress in ME -Future News
US envoy talks Middle East peace with Syria's
Assad-Reuters
Hariri
from Baabda: Lebanon's Interest First in Lebanese-Syrian Ties-Naharnet
Syria:
Our Doors Open to Hariri-Naharnet
Islamic
Action Front: Yakan in Critical Condition-Naharnet
Egypt:
Members of Egypt's Hizbullah Cell Received Training in Iran-Naharnet
Bomb
defused at Lebanon's General Security headquarters-Daily
Star
Lebanese Cabinet approves $10
billion budget for 2009-Daily Star
Hariri
says he's ready for 'dialogue with all parties-Daily
Star
Mitchell: No peace deal at Lebanon's expense-Daily
Star
Lebanon's parliamentary elections: an international affair-By
Inter Press Service
Political struggle mounts over selection of next speaker-Daily
Star
Young
citizens want new MPs to create jobs-Daily
Star
Fenish
says Sfeir disrespecting Shiite beliefs-Daily
Star
Lebanon
needs low-cost tourism infrastructure-Daily
Star
Army
restores order after clashes in Sidon-Daily
Star
Saadeddine Hariri, prime minister of Lebanon-The
Daily Star
Ahmadinejad wins Iran election, Mousavi cries foul
By Parisa Hafezi and Fredrik Dahl
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won re-election by a
thumping margin, official figures showed Saturday, but his moderate challenger
rejected the tally as a "dangerous charade" that could lead to tyranny.
The scale of Ahmadinejad's victory -- he took nearly twice as many votes as
former Prime Minister Mirhossein Mousavi with counting almost complete after
Friday's poll -- upset widespread expectations that the race would at least go
to a second round.
Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli said Ahmadinejad won 62.6 percent of the vote
and Mousavi 33.75 percent. Turnout was a record 85 percent of eligible voters.
Mousavi protested against what he said were many obvious violations.
"I'm warning I will not surrender to this dangerous charade. The result of such
performance by some officials will jeopardize the pillars of the Islamic
Republic and will establish tyranny," Mousavi said in a statement made available
to Reuters.
He had been due to hold a news conference, but police at the building turned
journalists away, saying it was canceled.
Iranian and Western analysts abroad greeted the results with disbelief. They
said Ahmadinejad's re-election would disappoint Western powers aiming to
convince Iran to halt work they suspect is aimed at making bombs, and could
further complicate efforts by U.S. President Barack Obama to reach out to
Tehran.
"It doesn't augur well for an early and peaceful settlement of the nuclear
dispute," said Mark Fitzpatrick at London's International Institute for
Strategic Studies.
A bitterly fought campaign generated strong interest around the world and
intense excitement inside Iran. It revealed deep divisions among establishment
figures between those backing Ahmadinejad and those pushing for social and
political change.
Ahmadinejad accused his rivals of undermining the Islamic Republic by advocating
detente with the West. Mousavi said the president's "extremist" foreign policy
had humiliated Iranians.
Friday night, before official results emerged, Mousavi had claimed to be the
"definite winner." He said many people had been unable to vote and ballot papers
were lacking.
He also accused authorities of blocking text messaging, with which his campaign
tried to reach young, urban voters.
State election commission figures showed Ahmadinejad had secured a second
four-year term with 61.6 percent of ballots against 32.5 percent for Mousavi
with 39 million votes counted. It put the turnout at 80 percent of 46 million
eligible voters.
Trita Parsi, president of the Washington-based National Iranian American
Council, expressed disbelief at the wide margin in Ahmadinejad's favor. "It is
difficult to feel comfortable that this occurred without any cheating," Parsi
said.
Ali Ansari, who heads the Institute for Iranian Studies at St Andrews University
in Scotland, said: "People will wake up today in Iran in shock, not that
Ahmadinejad has won, but that he has won on such a dramatic scale."
STREET SCUFFLES
Western capitals had hoped a victory for Mousavi could help ease tensions with
the West, which is concerned about Tehran's nuclear plans, and improve chances
of engagement with Obama, who has talked of a new start if Tehran "unclenches
its fist."
Now they must again deal with Ahmadinejad, who has refused talks with six world
powers over Iran's nuclear program.
The three-week election campaign was marked by mudslinging, with Ahmadinejad
accusing his rivals of corruption. They said he was lying about the economy.
Inflation, officially put at 15 percent, and unemployment were core issues in
the debate.
It was unclear how Mousavi's supporters, who thronged the streets of Tehran
nightly during the campaign, might react to Ahmadinejad's victory. U.S.
strategic intelligence group Stratfor called the situation "potentially
explosive."
Scuffles broke out overnight between police and chanting Mousavi supporters in a
Tehran square, a Reuters witness said. Police said they had boosted security
across the capital. All gatherings have been banned until final results are
declared.
Ahmadinejad draws his bedrock support from rural areas and poorer big city
neighborhoods. Mousavi enjoys strong backing in wealthier urban centers,
especially among women and the young.
Two other candidates attracted only tiny voter support.
Ahmadinejad, 52, won power four years ago, vowing to revive the values of the
1979 Islamic revolution. He has expanded the nuclear program, which Iran says is
only for electricity generation, and stirred international outrage by denying
the Holocaust and calling for Israel to be wiped off the map.
"If there was a shadow of hope for a change in Iran, the renewed choice of
Ahmadinejad expresses more than anything the growing Iranian threat," Israel's
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said in a statement. "The international
community must stop a nuclear Iran and Iranian terror immediately."
Ahmadinejad, who has cultivated relations with U.S. foes around the world,
received telephoned congratulations from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the
Fars news agency said.
Mousavi, 67, rejects Western demands that Iran halt uranium enrichment, but
argued for a different approach to Iran-U.S. ties and nuclear talks -- although
these are policy areas ultimately controlled by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei.
The United States has had no ties with Iran, the world's fifth biggest oil
exporter, since shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Obama said his
country had "tried to send a clear message that we think there is the
possibility of change."
(Additional reporting by Hossein Jaseb, Hashem Kalantari, Zahra Hosseinian in
Tehran and Alistair Lyon in Beirut; Writing by Dominic Evans and Fredrik Dahl;
Editing by Alistair Lyon)
INSTANT VIEW: Iran's election result staggers analysts
Sat Jun 13, 2009
(Reuters) - Hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defeated moderate challenger
Mirhossein Mousavi by a surprisingly wide margin in Iran's presidential
election, official results showed on Saturday. Mousavi derided the tally as a
"dangerous charade."
Here are some analysts' views on the outcome of Friday's vote:
KARIM SADJAPOUR, ANALYST AT CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR
INTERNATIONAL PEACE:
"I don't think anyone anticipated this level of fraudulence. This was a
selection, not an election. At least authoritarian regimes like Syria and Egypt
have no democratic pretences. In retrospect it appears this entire campaign was
a show: (Supreme Leader) Ayatollah (Ali) Khamenei wasn't ever going to let
Ahmadinejad lose."
ALIREZA NADER, RAND CORPORATION:
"Ahmadinejad has of course won the election. What is surprising is his share of
the vote -- 64 percent according to some estimates. The opposition in Iran may
protest this election as being fraudulent. Mousavi's supporters were hopeful
that he had a great chance of winning and that his presidency would lead to much
needed reforms. Their enthusiasm may turn into frustration, and perhaps even
active opposition against the government. Although the president is not the
chief decision-maker, Ahmadinejad's win is a sign that Iranian politics is in
stage of flux.
"The power of the traditional ruling elite -- men such as Ayatollah Rafsanjani
-- has been effectively challenged by Ahmadinejad and his supporters, including
top-ranking and fundamentalist members of the Revolutionary Guards.
"Another Ahmadinejad term may translate into continued social and political
repression, economic mismanagement and more assertive foreign policies,
especially on the nuclear program. It is not clear how Ahmadinejad's victory
will affect U.S.-Iranian engagement. There is still some room for limited
engagement on specific issues, such as Afghanistan. But Ahmadinejad's victory,
and renewed sense of confidence, may make U.S. engagement with Iran more
difficult than many had expected. Regardless, the ultimate decision will be made
by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the top echelon of the
Revolutionary Guards."
MARK FITZPATRICK, SENIOR FELLOW FOR NON-PROLIFERATION AT INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE
FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES IN LONDON:
"I'm surprised at the regime's audacity in declaring such a large margin for
Ahmadinejad, given that in the run-up, the momentum seemed to be in the other
direction. The hardliners in the regime seem to have exercised all their levers
of power to keep Ahmadinejad in place. Undoubtedly, one of the key reasons was
their concern about losing control of the country through policies such as
willingness to engage with the United States.
"All of the candidates wanted U.S. engagement, including Ahmadinejad and the
Supreme Leader, but the Supreme Leader wanted it to be on his timetable and his
agenda. So Ahmadinejad's victory does not mean there cannot be engagement. He
just wants credit for it. What it does mean is that there will be no change in
the management of the nuclear portfolio. Ahmadinejad wants engagement with the
United States without making any concessions at all in the nuclear program. So
it doesn't augur well for an early and peaceful settlement of the nuclear
dispute."
ALI ANSARI, DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTE FOR IRANIAN STUDIES AT
UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS IN SCOTLAND:
"The election results are incredible. It's just nonsense ... If it was a genuine
election landslide, surely people should be out on the streets in euphoria
The potential for unrest is high. People will wake up today in Iran in a state
of shock, not that Ahmadinejad has won, but that he has won on such a dramatic
scale ... The scale of the election victory that they have given Ahmadinejad
means he must have won big in the cities. That is simply not borne out by what
people were saying in the major cities (before the vote)."
ELLIOTT ABRAMS, FORMER SENIOR BUSH ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL
NOW WITH THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS:
"Both the apparent victory and the apparent fraud greatly complicate the Obama
strategy. My advice is that they had better be thinking about more sanctions.
The one hope might be that if a new Ahmadinejad government is viewed as
illegitimate by many Iranians, that government might be anxious to avoid further
economic distress. In that context, sanctions that bite might be a powerful tool
and might push the regime into a serious negotiation. But it is more likely that
the engagement strategy has been dealt a very heavy blow.
"At this point one has to wonder about vote fraud. The two-to-one margin for
Ahmadinejad may well appear to millions of Iranians as bizarre and unlikely, and
meant to avoid a run-off he might lose. If that's what millions of voters think,
especially young voters in this very young country (70 percent of the population
is under age 30), there could well be large demonstrations. And the legitimacy
not only of an Ahmadinejad second term, but of the whole regime, would be in
question in the eyes of many Iranians."
TRITA PARSI, PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL IRANIAN AMERICAN COUNCIL:
"I'm in disbelief that this could be the case. It's one thing if Ahmadinejad had
won the first round with 51 or 55 percent. But this number ... just sounds
tremendously strange in a way that doesn't add up ... It is difficult to feel
comfortable that this occurred without any cheating.
"If there is a fight in Iran and there are accusations of fraud and Mousavi
declares himself a winner and you have numerous leading clerics and other
figures recognizing Mousavi, you are going to have paralysis and significant
infighting in Iran. That will complicate (U.S. President Barack) Obama's
engagement. It will be more difficult to deal with Ahmadinejad because he has
been discredited at home. He may not be able to deal with anyone because there
is paralysis in Iran. It will cause the Obama administration to lose very
precious time. Obama is already trying to win time within Washington and from
Washington's allies. There are already pressures from Congress, from pro-Israeli
corners, from Israel itself, from some of the Persian Gulf Arab states, for a
strict timeline for these efforts. Their patience for how long Obama can pursue
this is strictly limited.
"For this year, the Democrats in Congress will give him the benefit of the
doubt, but that means he needs to get things started. Already under normal
circumstances, you wouldn't have the new president take power until August. He
would need to get his cabinet approved by parliament. You are talking already
early October before the Iranians are really ready to deal. That's under normal
circumstances, which gives Obama very little time. The last thing he needs is
indecisiveness in the election result that will cause things to be delayed even
further."
SHIBLEY TELHAMI, PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND:
"The most important element in this election is in domestic politics. People may
interpret it as a rejection of international pressure, but I don't think that is
correct."
(Reporting by Alistair Lyon and Sue Pleming, editing by Andrew Dobbie)
Hezbollah: No Questions Asked
13/06/2009
By Mshari Al-Zaydi
Asharq Al-Awsate and the
13 June/09
It was only natural that Hezbollah would be upset at the parliamentary victory
achieved by its March 14 rivals in Lebanon. The movement was shocked and
speechless but the truth is that many of those who have watched Lebanon
carefully over the past two years were themselves sceptical about the victory of
the March 14 Alliance. These people thought that if the movement did win, it
would do so by a very slight margin. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the
leader of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc Mohammad Raad or MP Hassan Fadlallah
made contradictory statements after it became clear that the Future Movement,
the Kataeb Party, the Progressive Socialist Party and the independents [that
along with others make up the March 14 Alliance] were winning.
With a frown on his face, Mohammad Raad told Agence-France Press (AFP) that,
“The crisis will continue unless the current majority decides to change its
attitude.” He added a few more basic principles that the majority must abide by
to overcome this crisis. He stated that the majority should either give
guarantees or secure the obstructing third in the cabinet.
Raad went on to specify these guarantees: “The majority must commit not to
question our role as a resistance party, the legitimacy of our weapons arsenal
against the Zionist enemy and the fact that Israel is an enemy state and that
those who work with it are not the most honourable of people.”
This is funny. Not a single Lebanese, politician or not, would say that agents
working for Israel are honourable let alone the most honourable of people! This
is more of a preachy demand than a political necessity or real guarantee!
There is something even more interesting about Raad’s statement. He volunteered
to present his explanation for the March 14 Alliance’s great victory over the
divine party. The MP attributed the victory to “sectarian fanaticism, political
funding and religious sermons that served as a political lever,” according to
the news piece carried by Al Manar and AFP.
Al Manar quoted Hezbollah’s MP Hassan Fadlallah as telling AFP that the results
of the elections “must not upset the delicate balances of power that exist in
the country. We rule in partnership.” There is nothing significant in this
statement but what’s important to notice is Fadlallah’s lack of confidence in
the election results changing the current political structure. He argues that
Lebanon is based upon a sectarian balance and believes that whoever has the
majority has the majority of all sects. He points out that according to today’s
figures General Michel Aoun still has the Christian majority, whereas Hezbollah
and Amal Movement have the Shia majority. Then he asks: “How can we form an
authority in light of the existence of sectarian majorities that are not in
power?”
In the same televised interview broadcast by Al Manar, Raad said: “Hezbollah
believes that Lebanon is built on diversity and multiplicity rather than
majorities and minorities because no party is capable of winning the majority of
the votes of all sects.”
He is confusing us. He said that Amal and Hezbollah constitute the majority
within the Shia sect, which is true, and says the same about Aoun with the
Christian sect, which I don’t think is true especially after the clear defeat
suffered by the Aoun current in the elections. Yet Fadlallah says that no party
is capable of winning the majority of the votes of all sects. Does this apply to
Amal and Hezbollah? Reality contradicts so and shows that the main entities
representing Lebanon’s Shia are Hezbollah and Amal.
In any case, that is not the point here. The aim here is to warn against getting
carried away with this electoral victory by changing the well-entrenched nature
and role of Hezbollah both inside and outside of Lebanon. Its state of confusion
and contradiction is clear from its political position and the justifications
that it presents. MP Mohammad Raad condemns sectarianism and the religious
discourse that encouraged the supporters of the Sunni Future Movement to vote in
droves. So this must mean that Raad is against religious discourse and
mobilization based on doctrines. So how can Hassan Fadlallah, Raad’s colleague
boast that no one is capable of surpassing the Shia sect and that Hezbollah
constitutes the majority within the sect? How can Hezbollah maintain such
predominance within the Shia sect if it does not resort to using doctrinal
“appeal” at least within its internal discourse aimed at the sect? How else can
we interpret the speeches delivered by the Secretary General of the “divine”
party that are loaded with blatant doctrinal references and ardent references to
the Waliyat al Faqih and promises of receiving the blessings of the Supreme
Leader, and whilst banners marked with clear doctrinal slogans surround the
Secretary General as he makes his speeches?
Is it doing what it forbids others from doing?
I agree with Mohammad Raad that doctrinal and sectarian mobilization played a
significant role in gaining “mass appeal”. This was clearly the case with the
Shia and the Sunnis and then the Christians joined in and what helped them was
the defiance and nonchalance of Hassan Nasrallah who proudly declared his
allegiance to the Waliyat al Faqih party at a time when Muslim countries were
suffering from doctrinal and sectarian tension. It would have been better for
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and all leaders of fundamentalist movements to try and
put out the fire rather than start it.
Despite the victory achieved by the March 14 Alliance, we are facing a new
crisis in Lebanon. I wonder what makes the majority this time so different from
the majority last time. Didn’t the March 14 Alliance also form the largest
entity over the past period even if Nasrallah, Aoun and their allies called it
the “illusionary majority,” and claimed that it rose to power on the back of the
brutal assassination of Rafik Hariri? This is merely defamation.
Hezbollah along with Michel Aoun and Nabih Berri ruined everything during the
rule of the majority, from parliament to government, all the way down to the
public. So why would the majority think that they have changed, and what would
make this majority capable of changing the attitude of the “divine” party and
its supporters?
Does the renewal of the majority’s legitimacy raise the important question once
again; is Hezbollah above the state? Mohammad Raad was very clear in his
explanation or should I say threat. No matter what the election results might
be, Raad would think that even if the March 14 Alliance were to win 90 percent
of the Lebanese votes, the armament of the “divine” party should not be
questioned.
Our criticism of Hezbollah and its negative role in consolidating sectarianism
and the culture of fanaticism, as well as its contribution to instigating
counter-sectarianism, comes out of concern. Due to this concern we have always
criticized all Sunni fundamentalist currents whether armed or unarmed. They all
belong to the same kind of narrow-minded salvational ideology and create more
problems in analyzing the ills of Arab societies.
Would it be fair to say that what happened in Lebanon has kindled national
sentiment? It is difficult to say, but it could be the case that this is a
prelude to that because there is no doubt that there was fanatical
counter-sectarianism amongst Hezbollah’s rivals.
But what reduced the vehemence of this counter fanaticism was the fact that it
did not mobilize around an ideological and organizational structure and a closed
network of services and guardianships that are difficult to escape, which is the
case with the Hezbollah statelet. Moreover, it comes as a reaction to
Hezbollah’s increasing influence over the past few years and not as deliberate
action that aims to create a sectarian state.
Hezbollah was defeated in the elections, but the issues of its armament,
information and role are still not to be questioned until further notice. Any
attempts to do so would anger the “divine” party because today it is licking its
wounds, unless, of course, the others succeed in establishing a model that is
enticing to Hezbollah based on the consideration that Lebanon is for everybody
and that it is a civil state and not a state for “the most noble, the most
honourable and the greatest of people,” as Sayyed Nasrallah once said.
Lebanon's PM hopeful Hariri seeks compromise
By SAM F. GHATTAS –
BEIRUT (AP) — The pro-Western politician favored to become Lebanon's next prime
minister is setting aside the explosive issue of disarming the Shiite militant
group Hezbollah, saying Friday he hopes for unity with his political foes in the
sharply divided country.
The comments by Saad Hariri in an interview with The Associated Press reflect
the tough choices facing his U.S.- and Saudi-backed coalition after its victory
against Iranian-backed Hezbollah and its allies.
His faction maintained its majority in parliament, handing a blow to Syria's and
Iran's attempts to strengthen their influence in Lebanon. A Hezbollah victory
could have been a serious obstacle to President Barack Obama's search for
Mideast peace.
But the heavily armed, staunchly anti-Israeli Hezbollah remains a potent force
in Lebanon, and past attempts to rein in its power have nearly pushed the
country into civil war. Hariri has signaled he is willing to form a national
unity government including Hezbollah, but it will probably take weeks of
negotiations to work out the balance of power.
The 39-year-old Hariri, a billionaire businessman, struck a conciliatory tone
Friday, telling AP he wants to focus on what unites rather than what divides
Lebanon's factions.
"Today, we came out with a majority and there is an extended hand to everyone,"
he said. "I think what's best for the country we need to work on unifying all
our efforts toward making sure that what we do all of us is for the benefit of
the people of Lebanon."
Despite political differences between the two camps, he said, it "should not
make us stop from working and achieving big projects and big issues for the
Lebanese people."
He said the issue of Hezbollah's powerful arsenal of weapons — including rockets
— would remain an issue for a "national dialogue" that the parties have been
conducting periodically the past three years but has made almost no progress on
the issue of weapons.
"We had this dialogue table on how to work on the defense strategy of Lebanon.
We will see where it goes from there," he said.
The referral to the dialogue signaled that a Hariri government would not make a
major push to disarm Hezbollah. Some Hariri supporters — particularly in the
Christian community — want the Shiite guerrilla force's weapons taken away, as
does the United States and United Nations.
But governments led by Hariri ally Fuad Saniora the past four years have avoided
tackling the weapons issue and even formally backed Hezbollah's role as
"resistance" to Israel, fearing a confrontation with the powerful militant
group. Hezbollah's forces, backed by some 30,000 rockets, were able to fend off
Israel's military in a 2006 war and are considered more powerful than Lebanon's
military.
A move by Saniora to curb the group's military communications network in May
2008 led to street battles in which Hezbollah gunmen swept through Sunni
pro-government neighborhoods of Beirut, raising fears the country could fall
into a new civil war.
Hariri was vaulted to the leadership of Lebanon's pro-Western factions after his
father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, was assassinated in 2005.
Hariri is favored to be the next prime minister, and told AP he is ready to take
up the job, though he said "it's only fair" to discuss it with his political
allies before a final decision is made.
"I will not shy away from it this time," Hariri said. "I've gained the
experience ... I will not shy away from it. So it means I'm ready." Hariri
passed on the premiership after his coalition won a parliament majority in 2005
elections, and Saniora took the post.
Saniora's was the first government after Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon
amid the uproar over Hariri's assassination, ending 29 years of Damascus'
domination of the country. But Saniora's government was largely paralyzed by a
power struggle with the Hezbollah-led opposition.
In a compromise after the 2008 clashes, Hezbollah was brought into the
government, with enough power to veto major decisions.
One possible dispute in forming the next government will be whether Hezbollah
and its allies retain that power. Hariri's allies don't want to give the
opposition that much say, while Hezbollah's main Christian ally insists on
keeping veto power. The two sides, however, may be posturing amid what is likely
to be heavy wrangling over political positions.
Many in Lebanon are hoping for an end to government paralysis. Hariri, whose
family made its fortune in construction and telecoms, said he will focus on
easing restrictions on business, attracting investment, building infrastructure
and the security forces.
"I think what we need to concentrate on is what the people really need ... being
able to get out of their homes safely, go to their jobs safely and get back
also," he said.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Franjieh:
the majority exposed Aoun’s lie
Date: June 13th, 2009
Source: As-sharq
Former MP, Samir Franjieh told As-sharq daily that the majority put a stop to MP
Michel Aoun’s lie. Leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Aoun has always
said that he represents Lebanese Christians but the June 7 parliamentary
elections proved this lie wrong. Franjieh assured that by winning the majority,
March 14 thwarted the opposition’s coup attempts over the Cedars Revolution. He
believes that Hizbullah, by buying Aoun’s lie, will now have to pay for its
alliance and has to draw lessons from it. Franjieh was surprised by Labor
Ministry, Mohammad Fneich’s attack on Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros
Sfeir and asked “is it okay for the Wilayat al-Faqih state to interfere in
Lebanese politics and spiritual figures of Lebanon it’s not?” "Since Sfeir is
insisting on getting involved in politics and taking biased and accusatory
stances, then he will be answered through politics," Fneish said. He told Al-Manar
television on Friday that the patriarch doubts the loyalty of a certain party, a
reference to Hezbollah.
Sleiman: no need for obstructing third
Date: June 13th, 2009 /Source: As-safir
As-safir daily quoted a source close to President Michel Sleiman as saying that
the President sees no need for the obstructing third granted to the opposition
by the Doha Agreement, to continue in the next cabinet. The President has asked
the Lebanese on Saturday to set a consensual atmosphere enshrined by the June 7
parliamentary elections.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity pointed that President Sleiman
proposes to be the “guarantor” instead of restoring the right of a blocking
third to the opposition, “under the roof of the Taëf Agreement”. “He is ready to
be the guarantor”, said the source who noted the President’s call for calm and
sensibility in reaching a solution of the blocking third dilemma.
According to the daily, the latest phone call between President Sleiman and
Syria’s President Bachar al-Assad addressed the visit of US special envoy to the
Middle East, George Mitchell.
Al-Assad commended the efforts of the Lebanese interior ministry, headed by Ziad
Baroud for their unprecedented organization of the one-day parliamentary
elections in all the Lebanese districts. Recently, Syria has adopted a calm
speech when mentioning Almustaqbal bloc leader, MP Saad Hariri and Democratic
Gathering leader, MP Walid Jumblatt, affirming that “Damascus has its doors wide
opened for MP Hariri”.
A majority for Lebanon
Date: June 13th, 2009 /Future News
What in the world prevents the Lebanese political forces from forming a united
parliamentary bloc while preserving each ones’ rural, cultural and social
privacy, knowing that all of those forces renounce in their rhetoric all sort of
rigidity, sectarianism confessionalism, segregation and isolation?
Each of those forces is bragging about its alliances with multi-confessional and
diverse doctrine, and is perfectly aware that Lebanon will never be on the right
track unless it is based on a national vision of a trans-national mixed
community. But surprisingly after the electoral storm has receded they
relinquished the political slogans they voiced fervently during the electoral
campaigns, they cocooned into their caves claiming privacy and raised cautious
level to the maximum declaring extreme vigilance and alert from the “other” –
the ally.
What happened in Lebanon since the assassination of martyr PM Rafic Hariri and
is happening now asserts that the country is divided into two different camps
with different visions and directions of the future of Lebanon and its role, at
all levels.
The division includes different groups despite its varying rates, but the
majority of the two groups says it acts according to the vision it is convinced
with regarding their country and claims it a majority for "Lebanon."
Since this is the case, what then prevents those forces from forming a
parliamentary bloc on the basis of developing the functions of the
parliamentary, political and institutional system, as a first step on the path
to overcoming the psychological barriers towards achieving the national unity
that would preserve the most prominent accomplishments of the "Cedar
Revolution?"
The cedar revolution honorable endeavors which all the Lebanese view as popular
reconciliation tantamount to the Taëf accord and a completion to what the Syrian
regime during its tutelage over the country prevented the Lebanese from
realizing.
The major parliamentary blocs achieve a minimum balance of legislative and
political stability to the country.
The distribution between these blocs wipes out the sharp divisions since it
works on the pace of democratic institutions and within its framework.
Solutions start from Lebanon… Hizbullah’s positivity
excludes Fneich
Date: June 13th, 2009 /Future News
Within regional wariness and the active international endeavors towards Lebanon
after it has successfully accomplished the June 7 polls, “truce” which all
counterparts have committed to remains the title of the upcoming phase. ‘March
8’ opposition alliance has been trying to introduce openness to its political
speech, especially Hizbullah except for some slips which the Shiite party’s MPs
have been used to.
While the international reactions continue congratulating Lebanon for getting
out of the ‘June 7’ polls in a civilized manner which all the democracies of the
world have recognized, the US envoy in the Middle East George Mitchell toured
over the Lebanese leaders prior to his visit to Damascus.
Mitchell’s visit to the region is perceived by some as an attempt by the US to
send a message to “whom it may concern” that “there is no deal in the region and
that there will be no bargain at Lebanon’s expense.”
International Support
During his visits, Mitchel congratulated the Lebanese for conducting successful
legislative elections stressing that the “US will remain committed to supporting
Lebanon’s sovereignty, freedom, and independency.”
He added that Lebanon will play a main role on the long term to establish a
comprehensive permanent and stable peace in the Middle East. Meanwhile, leader
of Almustaqbal parliament’s bloc MP Saad Hariri received a telegram from
France’s foreign Minister Bernard Kushneir to congratulate him for his victory
along with ‘March 14’ pro-government coalition in the polls. Kushneir pointed
that the success of the electoral process “shall enhance the democracy and the
state of law.”
EU support
The higher representative of the foreign policy in the European Union Khafeeir
Sulana hinted that during his two-day visit to Lebanon he will discuss with the
different Lebanese counterparts the post-elections period.
Arriving at the Rafic Hariri International airport, Sulana asserted he will
deploy serious efforts to consolidate the relation between Lebanon and the EU.
He praised the role of the Lebanese government in directing the parliamentary
elections and the civilized manners of the Lebanese citizens.
Approaching dialogue
Back to the domestic field, MP Hariri hoped that all counterparts would maintain
the consensual atmosphere that had prevailed throughout the electoral period,
and that dialogue would be resumed among all movements and parties “to
consolidate democracy and preserve the interest of every citizen”. Hariri called
the Lebanese to cherish their right to vote and to free expression, pointing
that many people in the world are deprived of this right.
Fneich blunder
Amidst the reiterated calls for forming a government without the blocking third,
which was also repeated by Grand Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Rachid Kabbani, the
Minister of Labor Muhammad Fneich, member of the Loyalty to the Resistance
parliament’s opposition bloc, smeared Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros
Sfeir.
Fneich said Sfeir’s statement, which was published Thursday, through which he
“ignored the US-Israeli part in the region either reflects his lack of knowledge
or his compliance with the dual role.”
For his part MP Muhammad Raad, another member of the Loyalty to Resistance bloc
said “today we hear a new tone that reflects positivity and contains some verbal
reassurance we shall now wait for the actions, and we are ready for every
positive endeavor, if intention were sincere.”
Booby-trapped package
On the security level and as the security forces and the Lebanese Army begin
implementing a wide deployment plan, the General Security service seized a post
package that was destined for Lebanon and contained explosive material. The
package was detonated, as the ISF and LAF began their investigations.
“The booby-trapped package was destined for Lebanon and was meant to be sent to
Libya through the DHL service. The Prosecutor General consigned the GSF to
conduct its investigations to uncover the perpetuators and arrest them”, a
judicial source affirmed.
Siniora launches an economic workshop
Date: June 13th, 2009 /Future News
Amid worldwide efforts to curb the afflicting repercussions of the global
economic crisis, Lebanon continues to launch economic workshops and makes every
effort to maintain its economic stability. According to almustaqbal.org Prime
Minister, Fouad Siniora, will launch workshop and dialogue sessions in the Grand
Serail to identify the cooperation mechanisms between the public and private
sectors beginning next week, the website reported Saturday. The step was
initiated in light of the cabinet decision, which adopted economic programs to
take proactive measures in order to address the repercussions of the global
economic crisis, and set a development vision for regions in Lebanon.
Prominent political, economic, private economic experts and senior economic
journalists will attend the workshop to contribute in a substantive debate that
would develop a formula to implement the economic program approved in the
cabinet. Significant additional liquidity will be available in the domestic
market due to several factors and steps taken by the government which is
preparing to launch the public investment program for the years 2009-2012 at an
economic conference. The Council for Development and Reconstruction will present
a work program for the next four years during the conference.Resident and
expatriate Lebanese contractors will be invited to the conference that would
contribute to create an atmosphere of trust and confidence in the future of the
economy, maintain vitality and ability to overcome difficulties thus ensuring
the sustainability of high growth rates.
After the legislatives…Phase of possible solutions
Date: June 13th, 2009
Future News/Huda Al-Husseini Fayed
Encouraging indicators supporting an optimistic political atmosphere in Lebanon
emerged throughout the parliamentary elections as well as after announcing the
results.
These indicators point that Lebanon will likely cross the threshold into a new
phase that oversteps the crisis witnessed since the resignation of the Shiite
ministers from the government during Fouad Siniora’s mandate, up to the famous
sit-in in Down Town Beirut that paralyzed the country to the May 7 incidents.
Lebanon was able to hold its one-day legislative elections immaculately, knowing
that the percentage of participation was the highest compared to previous
elections that were conducted over several days. This indicator proves that the
state was able to carry out its national obligations regardless of the
impediments it faced.
International and regional state leaders congratulated Lebanon on the democratic
elections, welcoming the results. This reflected international and regional
consensus to give Lebanon a chance to put together its new plan for a sovereign,
independent and stable state set by March 14 alliance. Consequently, this pushed
the regional axes that blocked such a plan for some while, to hand over the
matter and deal with it on the ground of reality.
The election results were welcomed in Lebanon. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah,
Secretary-General of the Hizbullah party, accepted the victory of the majority
represented by the March 14 alliance in an attempt to prove that the party does
not use its weapons to impose a political status. Nasrallah’s talk was
interpreted in international forums as a rectification to his famous speech when
he described the May 7 incidents as a glorious day.
House Speaker, Nabih Berry treated the election results in the same positive
manner pointing to the need to overcome the past and work for the benefit of a
new phase of a State in Lebanon, through the solidarity of its institutions and
the unity of its leaders and political forces.
Only General Michel Aoun was against the tide, he appealed against the elections
results thus undermining the constitutional council’s authority, the only
authorized body to take a decision on such appeals.
All these stances were based on MP Saad Hariri’s initiative shortly after the
victory of the March 14 alliance. He called for openness and genuine partnership
with the minority.
These positive stances would lead to consensus among the Lebanese to re-elect
Nabih Berry as House Speaker and agree on MP Saad Hariri for Prime Ministry.
Opponents and supporters of MP Saad Hariri believe that his anticipated position
would hold the banner of calm, partnership in addition to positive effects on
the economic and financial level.
Some compare the upcoming phase with MP Saad Hariri as the next prime minister
with the phase when his father, the late martyr Prime Minister Rafic Hariri,
assumed office in 1993. They believe that the same could be repeated if Hariri
accepted to preside the next government because of Arab and foreign confidence
in him.
Political and economic advisors say that Lebanon has crossed the threshold to a
positive optimistic phase away from complexities that blocked ways of
development.
Christian Murdered for Drinking Tea from a Muslim Cup
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 12, 2009) - International Christian Concern (ICC) has
learned that radical Muslims running a tea stall beat a Christian man to death
for using a cup designated for Muslims on May 9. The young man, Ishtiaq Masih,
had ordered tea at a roadside stall in Machharkay village, Punjab, Pakistan,
after his bus stopped to allow passengers to relieve themselves.
When Ishtiaq went to pay for his tea, the owner noticed that he was wearing a
necklace with a cross and grabbed him, calling for his employees to bring
anything available to beat him for violating a sign posted on the stall warning
non-Muslims to declare their religion before being served. Ishtiaq had not
noticed the warning sign before ordering his tea, as he ordered with a group of
his fellow passengers.
The owner and 14 of his employees beat Ishtiaq with stones, iron rods and clubs,
and stabbed him multiple times with kitchen knives as Ishtiaq pleaded for mercy.
The other bus passengers and other passers-by finally intervened and took
Ishtiaq to the Rural Health Center in the village. There Ishtiaq died as a
result of spinal, head, and chest injuries. The doctor who took Ishtiaq's case
told ICC that Ishtiaq had excessive internal and external bleeding, a fractured
skull, and brain injuries.
Makah Tea Stall is located on the Sukheki-Lahore highway and is owned by Mubarak
Ali, a 42-year-old radical Muslim. ICC's correspondent visited the tea stall and
observed that a large red warning sign with a death's head symbol was posted
which read, "All non-Muslims should introduce their faith prior to ordering tea.
This tea stall serves Muslims only." The warning also threatened anyone who
violated the rule with "dire consequences."
A neighboring shopkeeper told ICC on condition of anonymity that Ali is a
fundamentalist Muslim and all his employees are former students of radical
Muslim madrassas (seminaries). Ali kept separate sets of cooking-ware for
Muslims and non-Muslims at his stall.
Ishtiaq's family said that they immediately reported the incident to the police
and filed a case against Ali. Though the police registered their case, no action
has been taken to apprehend Ali or his employees.
When ICC asked the Pindi Bhatian Saddar police station about the murder, the
police chief said that investigations were underway and they are treating it as
a faith-based murder by biased Muslims. When asked about Ali's warning sign,
police chief Muhammad Iftikhar Bajwa claimed that he could not take it down.
However, the constitution of Pakistan explicitly prohibits such discrimination,
and the police could take strong action against the warning sign. But because
the police are also Muslim, Ishtiaq's father claims that they are being derelict
in their duties to prosecute the murderers who are still freely operating the
tea stall.
Would you call the Pakistani embassy in your country to protest this heinous
crime?
Pakistan Embassies:
USA: (202) 243-6500, info@embassyofpakistanusa.org
Canada: (613) 238-7881, parepottawa@rogers.com
UK: 0870-005-6967, hoc@phclondon.org
# # #
ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help
persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and
Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for
an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.
You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC
(International Christian Concern) and include our web address,
www.persecution.org.
Fenish
says Sfeir disrespecting Shiite beliefs
'As long as he involves himself in politics, we shalL respond through political
means'
Daily Star staff
Saturday, June 13, 2009
BEIRUT: Labor Minister Mohammad Fneish said Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros
Sfeir overlooks the resistance's role in liberating Lebanon's occupied
territories and establishing state institutions. He told Al-Manar television on
Friday that the patriarch doubts the loyalty of a certain party, in a reference
to Hizbullah. "Our stance toward Sfeir has nothing to do with our stance toward
the Maronite Patriarchy, which we respect," Fneish said.
"However," the minister said, "as long as he [Sfeir] involves himself in
politics and sides with the March 14 alliance, we shall respond to him through
political means."
He added that attacking the concept of "Wilayat al-Faqih" was considered an
abuse against Lebanon's Shiites, adding that such criticisms were "a violation
of the freedom of belief."
Fneish stressed that "Hizbullah cannot govern the country alone," adding that
the party remains "part of the opposition."
The Maronite patriarch, meanwhile, said in comments published Friday that the
outcome of the polls had averted takeover by Iran and Syria.
Had the opposition won parliamentary elections, Syria and Iran would have taken
control of our country," Sfeir told Al-Massira magazine.
"The opposition wanted to take over Lebanon," the patriarch said. "They can say
what they want, but now the president rules Lebanon."
Asked whether he was pleased to see that the political weight did not go to
March 8 forces, Sfeir said: "Don't you know that weight transfer means that
Iran, Syria and the Palestinians in the opposition would have gained the upper
hand in the Lebanon situation."
Sfeir said Syria "still has an ambition in Lebanon" even after it withdrew its
troops from Lebanon in 2005.
He stressed that the presence of pro-government forces and the opposition in the
same government is "not encouraging in light of [threats] of obstruction and
veto."
One day before the elections on June 7, Sfeir said Lebanon faced a threat to its
existence, appearing to take sides against Hizbullah on the eve of an election
whose outcome was partly decided by the Christian vote.
Sfeir had earlier warned that it may be a "mistake" if the Islamist group and
its allies were to win the election, and spoke of "a threat to the Lebanese
entity and its Arab identity."
Sfeir, 89, has a stormy relationship with Hizbullah's main Christian ally,
Michel Aoun, who currently heads the largest Christian bloc in Lebanon's
128-seat Parliament.
Sfeir has previously echoed March 14's calls for a state monopoly on weapons - a
challenge to the heavily armed Hizbullah.
He also has a record of opposition to Syrian influence in Lebanon, which is
central to the agenda of the March 14 Forces.
"We must be alert to the schemes being plotted for us and thwart the intense
efforts which, if they succeed, will change the face of our country," Sfeir
said. - The Daily Star
U.S. Continues
Charm Offensive With Syria
George Mitchell, Obama's Mideast Envoy, Lands in Damascus for Latest Outreach as
Hopes Rise for Productive
CHIP CUMMINS
President Barack Obama's Mideast envoy, former Sen. George Mitchell, touched
down Friday in Damascus, in the latest outreach by the U.S. to Syrian President
Bashar Assad.
Just a little more than a year ago, Syria was viewed as a pariah state, even
among some of its Arab neighbors. But in recent months, Mr. Assad has emerged as
a potentially important partner for Washington in the Middle East's suddenly
shifting political and diplomatic landscape.
Sen. Mitchell's short trip -- it's unclear if he will meet Mr. Assad on Saturday
-- is the latest push in a diplomatic charm offensive by Washington across the
region.
Analysts say that outreach, including Mr. Obama's speech to the Muslim world in
Cairo last week, may be having a positive effect on sentiment toward the U.S.
across the Middle East.
In Lebanon elections last weekend, an American-backed coalition of politicians
beat back a challenge by an opposition bloc led by Hezbollah, despite some polls
predicting victory for the Iranian-backed group. Sen. Mitchell flew into
Damascus after a stopover in Beirut, where he met officials, including Saad
Hariri, son of the slain prime minister and leader of the Western-leaning
coalition.
Lebanese politics are as much about family and clan loyalty as they are about
policy. But several analysts attributed the surprise victory at least partly to
Mr. Obama's outreach, and a general cooling of tensions between Washington and
its regional irritants, Iran and Syria.
A big part of the thaw has been the dramatic rehabilitation of Syria's Mr. Assad
in the eyes of many Western and Arab officials.
The Bush administration and its Western and regional allies spent years
isolating Syria. Western officials suspected a Syrian role in the assassination
of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. The U.S. recalled its
ambassador to Syria, and a popular outpouring in Lebanon forced Damascus to end
its long occupation of the country. Washington also accused Syria of
facilitating the flow of insurgents into Iraq, and the United Nations atomic
watchdog is investigating evidence that Damascus was building a nuclear reactor
before Israeli jets destroyed the site in 2007. Syria has denied the
accusations.
But Mr. Assad also proved instrumental in a Qatar-backed peace plan last spring
that ended a long political standoff in Lebanon. Shortly after, he entered into
indirect peace talks with arch-foe Israel.
Mr. Assad's hands-off approach in recent months in Lebanon has encouraged some
Western officials and analysts into thinking he is eager to play a supporting
role in cooling Mideast tensions further.
The Lebanon elections, though they went against Syria, may help pave the way for
more productive talks with Washington, says Joshua Landis, co-director of the
University of Oklahoma's Center for Middle East Studies . "This is a real
strategic opening, this is an opportunity," said Mr. Landis. "Things were on
hold until the Lebanon elections."
If Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad holds onto power in Friday's elections,
Mr. Assad could be a useful ally for Washington in pressuring Iran into
meaningful talks. Sen. Mitchell's stopover follows lower-level visits by U.S.
diplomats in recent weeks. U.S. officials are pressing for help stabilizing the
Iraq-Syria border and in Arab-Israel peace efforts. They also want Damascus to
clamp down on Hezbollah and Hamas.
Ian Kelly, a spokesman for the State Department said Sen. Mitchell's trip was
part of crafting a "broad-based, comprehensive peace, dealing with all the
different players in the region."Damascus, meanwhile, is seen as pushing for the return of Golan from Israel as
part of any comprehensive peace deal. Syria also wants the U.S. to loosen
economic sanctions imposed on it for alleged links to terror financing. An
ease-up of sanctions is seen as especially important because Syria's
state-controlled economy is suffering from high budget deficits and dwindling
oil revenue.
**Write to Chip Cummins at chip.cummins@wsj.com
Pilot Samer Hanna's Killer Tells Story Behind Helicopter Incident
Naharnet/The Hizbullah member, who opened fire at an army helicopter killing
pilot Samer Hanna last year, told the military court that he mistook the chopper
for an Israeli aircraft.
Mustafa Hassan Muqdim, 23, who is a member of Hizbullah's military wing, told
the court on Friday that he was in a room when he heard a chopper and gunshots
in Sujud hills on August 28, 2008. Muqdim said he went outside thinking the
helicopter was Israeli and fired five rounds from his Kalashnikov rifle from a
distance of 250-300 meters.
"Then I saw people heading towards the helicopter and I stopped shooting," the
man told the 10-minute hearing. "We were three in the room when the chopper
came. My friends did not take part in the shooting because they didn't have
guns." He said he didn't see the Lebanese flag on the chopper and the sun's rays
possibly blurred his vision. The 23-year-old added that he was at the party's
post the day before and wasn't informed about the possibility of having a
Lebanese helicopter flown in the region. "We weren't in a state of alert at the
time in the area. We had instructions to shoot in case of self-defense. That is
obligatory," pan-Arab daily al-Hayat quoted Muqdim as telling the court. Beirut,
13 Jun 09, 08:10
Hariri from Baabda: Lebanon's
Interest First in Lebanese-Syrian Ties
Naharnet/MP Saad Hariri said Saturday that both Beirut and Damascus should
benefit from Lebanese-Syrian ties and stressed that he was open to dialogue with
everyone.
"The most important thing for the Lebanese state is to benefit from the
relations between the two countries. I believe that both Syria and us would
benefit from this," he said after meeting President Michel Suleiman when asked
about press reports that Damascus was opening its doors to him. "We want
Lebanon's interest first," Hariri stressed. On the electoral process, he said
the Lebanese voted for the majority and other parties. But the March 14 alliance
and al-Mustaqbal movement "should hear all those points of views….Our
responsibility is to find ways to unite the Lebanese."He called for calm and
dialogue that could reflect positively on the country particularly ahead of the
tourism season. "I am open for dialogue with everyone." Hariri said the
parliamentary elections were a major challenge and lauded the efforts of the
interior ministry, the army and security forces during the polls. "There are a
lot of reform programs that should be adopted by parliament," he told reporters
at Baabda palace. "Our youth are emigrating because there is no real reform in
the country." Beirut, 13 Jun 09, 13:27
Islamic Action Front: Yakan in
Critical Condition
Naharnet/The Islamic Action Front denied on Saturday that its leader Fathi Yakan
had died. But the front said that he was in critical condition. Media reports
said Saturday that Yakan died at Hotel Dieu Hospital where he was hospitalized
the night before. Yakan was born in the northern port city of Tripoli in 1933.
He became involved in Islamic work in Lebanon in the mid 1950s and was a pioneer
in the establishment of the Islamic Movement. Yakan was elected a member of
parliament in 1992.
Egypt: Members of Egypt's Hizbullah Cell Received Training in Iran
Naharnet/Palestinian members of the so-called Hizbullah cell in Egypt have
admitted to receiving training for several months at an Iranian camp in the city
of Bushehr, prosecution sources told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat. The
suspects also reportedly said that they moved between Cairo and Tehran through
Damascus by changing passports with the help of Hizbullah members. The suspects'
lawyers, however, denied that the men had received training in Tehran to carry
out attacks in Cairo, the Suez Canal and some Red Sea resorts that welcome
Israeli tourists. "The prosecution didn't accuse the men," the lawyers told
Asharq al-Awsat. In his turn, lawyer Rida Merhi said "investigations ended and
the accused will be referred to court within hours." Beirut, 13 Jun 09, 08:46
Syria: Our Doors Open to Hariri
Naharnet/The Syrian leadership has reportedly informed Lebanon that its doors
were open to MP Saad Hariri and welcomed Druze leader Walid Jumblat's calm
political rhetoric, As Safir daily reported Saturday. "Our doors are open to him
(Hariri) and to all those who are keen to have a (good) relationship with us. We
appreciate his circumstances and things depend on him and not us," Syria has
informed Lebanon, according to sources following Syrian-Lebanese coordination.
The Syrian leadership has also reportedly expressed relief at the consensus
atmosphere prevailing in Lebanon following last Sunday's parliamentary elections
and at Jumblat's clam tone. As Safir also said that Syrian President Bashar
Assad has discussed in a telephone conversation with President Michel Suleiman
the visit of U.S. peace envoy George Mitchell and the need for continued
coordination on regional issues.
Assad reportedly lauded the role of the interior ministry led by Ziad Baroud and
the army and security forces in providing good voting conditions for the
Lebanese. Beirut, 13 Jun 09, 09:11
Israeli General Sees Some Progress
on Issue of Soldiers Missing in Sultan Yacoub
Naharnet/Eyal Ben Reuven, an Israeli general in the reserves, has said that
efforts continue to find three Israeli soldiers missing in a battle with Syrian
troops in Lebanon in 1982.
"Some progress has been made," Reuven told the Yedioth Aharonoth website Friday.
The general is with the "Born To Freedom" organization and maintains contact
with the families of the three soldiers. The organization has offered a $10
million reward to anyone who comes forward with information concerning the
missing soldiers. About twenty Israeli soldiers were killed and Yehuda Katz, Zvi
Feldman and Zachary Baumel were allegedly captured in the battle of Sultan
Yacoub during an ambush by Syrian troops on June 12, 1982. Baumel's father, Yona,
died two weeks ago. Since the soldier's capture, Baumel did everything he could
to learn what his son's fate, and tried to verify reports that his son and the
other two soldiers were being held captive in Syria. Beirut, 13 Jun 09, 07:38
Jumblat for Integrating Hizbullah's
Arms Into State, Says Berri Most Suitable Speaker
Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat stressed Friday that
Speaker Nabih Berri was the most suitable candidate for the speakership and
called for integrating Hizbullah's armed capabilities into the Lebanese army.
Berri should keep his post because he "enjoys popular and political legitimacy,"
Jumblat told France 24 TV channel. "It is important to enter into dialogue with
Berri and make him a political partner in finding suitable solutions for
Lebanese issues." The Druze leader also said that veto power in the upcoming
cabinet was useless. "There is no such thing in the Lebanese constitution,
Jumblat told his interviewer, adding "the solution comes only through dialogue
with the future parliament speaker while stressing that veto power is useless."
On Hizbullah's arms, the Druze leader called for holding onto truce and
upgrading Lebanon's defense by integrating the resistance into the Lebanese
army.
"MP Mohammed Raad can not reach conclusions that the arms are not a subject open
to discussion…There is no consensus on concealing discussion on the resistance
arms. That's why the best way to protect the resistance weapons is to
incorporate them into the state," Jumblat said during the interview.
Raad warned the March 14 coalition that won Lebanon's parliamentary elections
last weekend that Hizbullah's weapons arsenal was not a subject open to
discussion.
The Druze leader also lauded Syria for "dealing positively with Lebanon" after
agreeing to establish diplomatic relations with Beirut.
"It seems that Syria and us have entered a stage of lowering tensions and
accusations … As we await the international tribunal's decision, we have to
normalize ties with Damascus based on the Taef accord," Jumblat told France 24.
On al-Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri's plans to become the country's next
prime minister, Jumblat said: "If MP Saad Hariri has the desire to become the
premier, then I will naturally support him." Beirut, 12 Jun 09, 20:45