LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
May 26/09
Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 16:29-33. His disciples
said, "Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we
realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone
question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God." Jesus answered
them, "Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each
of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am
not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might
have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have
conquered the world."
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
March 8 accomplishments/Future
News 25/05/09
The Peace Process Industry's Going
to Get You--And Your Little Country,Too!.By: Prof. Barry Rubin 25/05/09
Lebanon and the Hariri murder: all roads lead to
Hezbollah-Examiner.com 25.05.09
Why Syria fuels the Iraqi insurgency.
By Raymond
Tanter 25.05.09
One has to wonder whether Der
Spiegel's allegations are timely and responsible.
The Daily Star 25.05.09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for May
25/09
Israeli document: Venezuela sends uranium to Iran-The
Associated Press
Muslim nations link better Israel ties to peace-Reuters
Lavrov: Russia respects Lebanon poll
choice-BBC News
Syria: Peace talks 'must bear fruit'-Jerusalem
Post
Aoun: Kesrouan Results 2009 Likely to Be Better Than 2005-Naharnet
Baroud: Elections Meet International Standards-Naharnet
Islamic Conference Stressed Need for Israel's Withdrawal from Lebanese Villages-Naharnet
Jumblat Calls for Defense
Strategy to Safeguard Achievements of Liberation-Naharnet
Barak: U.S.-Iran talks have 'very
low' chance of success/Haaretz
'Israel will suffer terror and
missiles in future war'/Haaretz
Bellemare Emphasizes Secrecy, Israel Urges Arrest of Nasrallah after Der Spiegel
Report-Naharnet
Lavrov: Polls Strictly Lebanese,
Results Should be Accepted by All-Naharnet
Nadim Gemayel: a third republic
leads to Wilayat al-Faqih-Future
News
Marouni: Aoun printing electoral
posters in Syria-Future
News
Hajjar: Hizbullah plots to topple
the state-Future
News
Ballots will raze down the “big
prison”; Aoun vs. head of state-Future
News
Parliamentary Elections Claim First Victim-Naharnet
Listening and talking to Syria-Ha'aretz
A Conversation with Hezbollah's Candidate Nawaf al-Musawi-Asharq
Alawsat
Army
Arrests 3 Spies, Including Senior Official in 'Non-Civilian' Institution-Naharnet
State Budget, Appointments
on Tuesday's Cabinet Agenda-Naharnet
U.S.-Lebanese Businessman
Killed in Casablanca-Naharnet
Berri: Error in 1960
Electoral Law Will Not Be Repeated-Naharnet
Franjieh Vows to Bar
Opponents from Running in Elections Again-Naharnet
Aoun Criticizes President,
Vows to Wipe Out Corruption-Naharnet
Jumblat Warns Against Game
of Nations Hariri Affirms Cedar Revolution Principles-Naharnet
Hizbullah Rejects Link to
Hariri Murder-Naharnet
Biden's Beirut Visit
Focused on Lebanese Stability And Regional Settlement-Naharnet
Assiri From Bkirki: We
Continue to Reach For All and Seek Stability-Naharnet
Hizbullah dismisses Spiegel
allegations as 'fabrications-Daily
Star
Rival Lebanese camps hold massive
election rallies-Daily
Star
Analysts say opposition has slim
edge in elections-Daily
Star
March 14, opposition continue
debate over Biden visit-Daily
Star
Oren Barak's new book sheds light
on Lebanon-Daily
Star
Defense minister bans weapons from
voting polls-Daily
Star
Lebanon to get four fire-fighting
helicopters-Daily
Star
Master of carpentry of Lebanese descent Sam Maloof passes at 93-Daily
Star
Analysts question effectiveness of
costly electoral ads-Daily
Star
Hizbullah details how Israel quit
south in 2000-Daily
Star
Army commander calls on LAF to be
vigilant in face of Israeli threats-Daily
Star
Three injured in clash at Shatila
refugee camp-Daily
Star
Ahmadinejad slams presence of
foreign forces in region-Daily
Star
Nadim Gemayel: a third republic leads to Wilayat al-Faqih
Date: May 24th, 2009 Source: ANB
Nadim Gemayel, running for the Maronite seat in Beirut’s first district said
Sunday that the third republic will eventually lead to Wilayat al-Faqih and a
Hizbullah “divine” ruling.
Gemayel pointed that the Free Patriotic Party electoral program did not mention
the prerogatives of the President, asserting that the Kataeb program is a
“patriotic” one. He indicated that the rival list represents the “Thank you,
Syria,” option and expressed belief that “General Aoun is controlling it and not
Issam Abu Jamra.”Gemayel was surprised by “those who consider the American
official and “enemy” when he visited Lebanon but when that official visited
Syria, the same people considered it recognition of the state.”The Maronite
candidate takes pride in his ties with Beirut MP Saad Hariri, asserting that “he
is a patriotic man”.
Release
from the From WCCR
From the WCCR Cabinet (Washington D.C. - May 25, 2009):
As a result of the Der Spiegel article the WCCR brings to your attention the
most pressing issue that affects Lebanon's Freedom, Sovereignty and
Independence.
The Joint Operations Rooms that Syria set up in Lebanon before they left, must
be closed for Lebanon to have a chance at Freedom, Sovereignty and Independence.
There are two Joint Operations Rooms that were set up by Syria that we direct
your attention to today:
1. One is the Joint Operations Room in the Ministry of Interior
and the other is
2. The Joint Operations Room in the Ministry of Defense.
In these Joint Operations Rooms resides two parties the Legitimate Lebanese Side
and the Hezbollah Side.
These Joint Operations Rooms are set up so that everything that goes to these
Ministries is presented to the Lebanese side and fully shared with the Hezbollah
side.
Everything that enters the Joint Operations Room is shared between those two
parties.
Hezbollah is serving the interest of its Master Iran (and as a result Syria) in
their quest to wrestle Lebanon away from the desire of its citizens.
The WCCR calls upon the Lebanese Government to Close these offices.
The WCCR calls upon the World Community to engage leaders around the world to
close these offices.
All Parties in Lebanon should operate under the laws of the land and the
legitimately elected Government. Lebanon's Government shall consist of - One
Constitution, One State, One Parliament, One Army, and One Cabinet. No political
party should be allowed to be armed and to operate above the law.
The WCCR Leadership
(CRNews, Washington D.C. May 25, 2009)
The Peace Process Industry's Going to Get You--And Your Little Country,Too!
Prof. Barry Rubin - 5/25/2009/Global Politician
From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-legged beasties,
things that go bump in the night,
And people with Middle East peace plans
Plus those with degrees in Conflict Management
Good Lord, deliver us!
--Middle East update of old Cornish prayer
Putting your hard-earned political capital into the peace process industry is
like investing with Bernie Madoff. It may look like a good prospect on the
surface but any serious examination shows it's a highway to bankruptcy. Of
course, as with Madoff, many choose not to look too closely.
Among them is U.S. National Security Advisor James Jones who says:
"There are a lot of things that you can do to diminish that existential threat
by working hard towards achieving a two-state solution."
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/090510/usa/mideast_us_israel_iran_diplomacy_nuclear_weapons_1
Yes it would be better to have peace, no question. But would that diminish the
existential threat given the existing realities?
Let's look at the list:
We intend to destroy Israel and we are against peace, says Iran. If Israel makes
concessions, we will use them as a more effective means to wipe it off the map.
And we will also take revenge on anyone who makes peace with Israel.
We intend to destroy Israel and we are against peace, says Syria, even though it
will pretend otherwise to fool the gullible. If Israel makes concessions, we
will use them as a more effective means to wipe it off the map. And we will also
take revenge on anyone who makes peace with Israel.
We intend to destroy Israel and we are against peace, says Hamas. If Israel
makes concessions, we will use them as a more effective means to wipe it off the
map. And we will also take revenge on anyone who makes peace with Israel.
We intend to destroy Israel and we are against peace, says Hizballah. If Israel
makes concessions, we will use them as a more effective means to wipe it off the
map. And we will also take revenge on anyone who makes peace with Israel.
We intend to destroy Israel and we are against peace, says al-Qaida. If Israel
makes concessions, we will use them as a more effective means to wipe it off the
map. And we will also take revenge on anyone who makes peace with Israel.
We intend to destroy Israel and we are against peace, says the Muslim
Brotherhoods. If Israel makes concessions, we will use them as a more effective
means to wipe it off the map. And we will also take revenge on anyone who makes
peace with Israel.
We intend to destroy Israel and we are against peace, says Sudan, Libya, and
assorted others. If Israel makes concessions, we will use them as a more
effective means to wipe it off the map. And we will also take revenge on anyone
who makes peace with Israel.
So far, it doesn't look like making peace will diminish that existential threat.
Nor does it mean that a "two-state solution" will end the conflict either.
We'd like to make peace with Israel but if we do Iran, Syria, Hizballah, and
some of our followers will kill us, say the Lebanese moderates. And any way
we'll probably be out of power soon. We don't dare do anything.
We're really eager to make peace with Israel, says the Palestinian Authority. It
just doesn't want to make peace with us. Our regime is too weak to make peace
and any way much of the leadership is pretty hardline. The difference between
Fatah and Hamas is not so much one of moderation versus radicalism (yes, there
are differences on that point also) but rather whether Palestine will be
nationalist or Islamist.
Of course, our idea of peace is not only the 1967 borders but also we won't end
the conflict. In addition, we demand that any Palestinian who lived in what's
now Israel before 1948 or has any ancestor who did can go live in Israel. What
follows is:
Step 1: Massive internal violence.
Step 2: They either vote Israel out of existence and make it a binational state
or destroy it from within in partnership with attackers from outside. This means
either way we end up with:
Step 3: A one-state solution of Palestine, an Arab and Muslim state from the
Jordan to the Mediterranean.
In other words, peace on the Palestinian Authority's terms or on those of Iran,
Syria, Hamas, Hizballah, or the Muslim Brotherhood is an even bigger existential
threat to Israel than Iran having nuclear weapons.
Iran might not use its nuclear weapons on Israel. But Iran and these other
forces will use every weapon they have.
It shouldn't be that way, but it is. If you don't understand that, not big deal
but please don't become a foreign policymaker, diplomat, journalist covering
international affairs, think tank analyst, or have anything to do with the
Middle East in political terms. Also don't get a degree in "conflict
management," but that's a given.
If you want to understand what it is like to be Israel and hear people talk like
this, imagine a pedestrian trying to cross a street facing dozens of people in
big cars who think that it makes real good sense to drink about three bottles of
bourbon before getting behind the wheel.
But, you might ask, don't Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, along with some other
Arab states want peace? Yes they do but:
A. They don't pose existential threats.
B. They don't want to do much to make a comprehensive peace because:
--Having Israel as an enemy makes for good propaganda.
--Making peace with Israel or at least implementing that peace more fully
exposes them to great risks from radical regimes and movements, at home and
abroad.
--They don't need peace with Israel.
--They can just sit back and demand that the West do all the work and Israel
makes all the concessions.
Finally, what is most amazing is that when I and other people explain these
facts of Middle East life to people over and over again, they look rather
startled as if they have never heard any of this before. They provide no serious
rebuttals. And the next day they are back to the same mischief, having learned
nothing and remembered even less.
There's no way better to put it than the great line from F. Scott Fitzgerald's
The Great Gatsby:
"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures
and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever
it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had
made"
**Prof. Barry Rubin is director of the Global Research in International Affairs
(GLORIA) Center, Interdisciplinary university. His new book is The Truth About
Syria (Palgrave-Macmillan).
You can buy his latest book The Israel-Arab Reader: A Documentary History of the
Middle East Conflict on Amazon.com here.
Published in cooperation with the Gloria Center.
March 8 accomplishments
Date: May 25th, 2009
Future News
Anyone who follows up the “eloquent speakers” within the opposition during their
electoral campaigns, especially when they exempt from the public debt that
burdens the country, would think for a short moment as if we were watching
European news broadcasting politicians in Switzerland or Sweden for instance.
The responsibility of the public debt could not be rested on the shoulder of a
certain political party, because the spending of all state institutions is a
part of this debt. And to prove the theory, all the budgets endorsed in the
cabinet have been approved by the major political parties in the country.
The political rhetorics delivered by “March 8 geniuses” fall down when we refer
to the general budget sessions and the outcome of its vote. We call whoever
voices capricious condemnation to strictly define the destination of his
criticism. We demand the opposition to disclose publically an effective
mechanism to address this public debt.
The political blunder becomes clearly exposed when we answer to a fundamental
question: How did these political forces acted in response to the debts that
eroded the state’s institutions including the Electricity of Lebanon (EDL), the
National Social Security Funds (NSSF) or in the cabinet? Other state
institutions especially those considered the backbone of the “squander
operations” over the past years occurred under the pretext of power-sharing and
co-existence.
In addition to the most challenging issues and major sources of deepening crisis
for the Lebanese economy, still we should not disregard that the operating costs
of the electricity sector amounted to one third of the size of the debt.
The Lebanese would have been ultimately relieved if the March 8 coalition hadn’t
impeded several effective and vital economic procedures aimed at reducing the
public debt.
If March 8 approved on the 2005 draft to privatize the Telecommunication sector,
the country would have succeeded in reducing at least the half of the public
debt which hiked to 11 billion dollars back then. But apparently at that period
the opposition was exclusively preoccupied in funding the “black box” to fund
the network of the joint Syrian-Lebanese security regime, and to help Emile
Lahoud become the president of the Lebanese republic. Do you remember the slogan
“Fuel is a flammable substance” that was raised when PM Marty Rafic Hariri
proposed raising the fuel price to 5000 L.L per gallon to secure additional
funds to the budget? How much is the gallon sold today?
Marouni: Aoun printing electoral posters in Syria
Date: May 25th, 2009 Source: MTV
Minister of Tourism Elie Marouni accused General Michel Aoun of executing
electoral posters and banners at a printing house in Syria and condemned the
recent visit of a member of the Syrian Constitutional Council to Aoun’s offices.
“Members of Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement are designing and executing their
banners at Imad el-Ali printing house in Syria,” Marouni told the Murr
Television on Sunday. He condemned the visit by a member of the Syrian
Constitutional Council to FPM offices and representatives to Zahleh, his
hometown.
“The Syrian regime is obviously attempting to return to Lebanon politically by
interfering in the June 7 parliamentary elections, whether by offering financial
facilities to Aoun or by visiting his offices,” Marouni added. Marouni is
running for the Maronite seat in Zahleh district on the list of March 14
alliance representing the Kataeb party. He warned that “such an interference in
the parliamentary elections means interference in the Lebanese internal affairs
and it also means a return to it through its Lebanese allies.”“The target behind
the electoral battle waged by March 14 in Zahleh is to restore Zahleh from the
hands of the Syrian intelligence affiliates that ruled the city for years,”
Marouni said. “The candidates on the March 14 ‘Zahleh in our heart’ ticket have
proved their loyalty to the March 14 alliance and Almustaqbal Movement is our
ally that had proved a high degree of honesty and straightforwardness,” he
concluded.
Ballots will raze down the “big prison”; Aoun vs. head of state
Date: May 25th, 2009
Future News
With the week ending with a scene combining independence forces from al-Moukhtara,
to Iklim el-Kharroub and Beirut, the week before the last that separates us from
the upcoming elections begins with a similar momentum. Independence leaders will
meet at the same place the Cedars Revolution was launched, the Bristol Hotel,
the place where they reiterated their pledge to the Lebanese that “the track is
ongoing” and that “we won’t return to the big prison”. At the ninth anniversary
of liberation, the March 8 camp stands are murky. Things alter; and the
anniversary which was shared by all Lebanese, has become a stop where the
“liberating arms” turned against the citizens and state which embraced them in
the first place. Some abuse them to accuse all those who disagree, under the
pretext that they are “spies and ponds in the hands of the American project.”
While this team waits a “go ahead” from Tehran concerning the necessity of
“preparation to be capable of ruling the world” as Iranian President Ahmedinejad
stated.
Unwavering Chouf
The start was at al-Mokhtara, where Democratic Gathering leader, MP Walid
Jumblatt announced the March 14 Chouf electoral list that includes: MPs Marwan
Hmade, Mohammad al-Hajjar, Elie Aoun, Nehme Tohme, Alaeddine Terro, George Adwan,
and leader of the National Liberal Party, Dory Chamoun.
Jumblatt cautioned from the “game of the nations, at least some of them that
might want to twist justice and use it against us.”
As for Almustaqbal leader, MP Saad Hariri, he asserted that “we have a long way
to go, but we have unwavering persistence in defending our cause, our Arabism,
coexistence and civil peace. We are committed to Palestine and March 14
constants,” and assuring that “Walid Bek and I will always be together as long
as the sky is blue”
Moderation fortress
In Ketermaya, Chouf candidates met with their supporters. Almustaqbal leader
delivered a speech, responding to politicians who accuse Future Movement of
fundamentalism and sectarianism affirming that the Movement is “an impregnable
fortress against extremism”. He assured that “our project is the state’s
establishment and its stability. March 14 will persist till after June 7. Their
nightmare will persist as long as the sky is blue.”
Democratic Gathering chief, MP Jumblatt, pointed that “in 2000, a jailer turned
prisoner and was released recently told us: you will not triumph. So we came
here, drew all our power from this district and won. Remember, at that time we
were in a big prison, yet we triumphed.”
He added “in 2005, the same man told us you will not triumph. At then, my friend
Rafic Hariri was assassinated and they thought that by assassinating him, his
track has ended. But I tell them that his son, Saad picked up where his father
stopped and together, we established March 14.”
Jumblatt continued, “Our people were murdered but we are still unwavering. With
you, Sheikh Saad, we will triumph and we will not return to the big prison,” and
concluded “as we were with Martyr Rafic Hariri, we will always be with you
Sheikh Saad.”
Our dignity will not be compromised
Meanwhile, Lebanese Forces saluted the memory of its martyr, Ramzi Irani. LF
leader, Samir Geagea, asserted at Saint Gregarious Church downtown Beirut, that
“the martyrdom of Ramzi launched a spark that led us, along with other sparks,
to the Independence Intifada. Therefore, we can never take lightly the Intifada
achievements.”
Geagea asserted “we are proud that the Cedars Revolution granted the Lebanese,
no matter what their affiliation is, equal freedom to say whatever they want,
and move as they please, under the roof of the law, and sometimes above it.”
He asked the Lebanese and Lebanese Forces supporters to vote on June 7, saying
“when you arrive at the ballot boxes, remember the car trunk Ramzi was shoved
into. When your cast your votes, don’t drop along your dignities, hopes,
freedom, sovereignty and independence. Vote for Lebanon.”
March 8…distress
Separately, March 8 was cornered on the electoral wise today as Hizbullah’s
second man in command, Naim Qassem used an old tone of speech, asking March 14
leaders about their stand from the espionage networks. He stressed: “we heard
your stands hailing the efforts of security forces but we haven’t heard you
criticize the networks.”
He didn’t stop there; but expressed belief that the visit “of American Vice
President, Jo Biden, to Lebanon will not win March 14 a single vote because
people already made up their minds and those who have betrayed their conscience
are known.” In his turn, Marada Movement leader, Sleiman Franjieh made an SOS
call to his partisans, saying “not only do we want them to fail in the
elections; we want to deprive them of the right to run again in this region.” As
for MP Michel Aoun, he continued his campaign against the President, this time
striking from what he has called “official administrations intrusion in the
electoral process,” comparing the “state to a fish. It gets spoiled from the
head; and if the head is spoiled, then so is the body.”
Bellemare Emphasizes Secrecy, Israel Urges Arrest of
Nasrallah after Der Spiegel Report
Naharnet/Head of the investigative commission Canadian prosecutor Daniel
Bellemare would not comment on a report by the German weekly Der Spiegel which
said Hizbullah was behind the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri. A
statement issued by Bellemare's office in Lebanon said the prosecutor "had been
and will continue to attach great importance to the support of the integrity of
the investigation, particularly secrecy" of the probe. It reiterated that the
office's work was "evidence-driven, objective, neutral and impartial and leaves
no room for a prejudged outcome."In Israel, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman
called for an international arrest warrant against Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan
Nasrallah after Der Spiegel's report linked his group to Hariri's murder. "The
report in Der Spiegel on Nasrallah's direct involvement in the assassination of
Hariri should raise concern in the entire international community," Lieberman
told reporters in Jerusalem. "He should have an international arrest warrant
issued against him, and if not, he should be arrested by force," he said.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh rejected the report as "totally false."
U.N. officials have not questioned any Hizbullah members as part of their
investigation, Salloukh said from Damascus, where he was participating in a
foreign ministers meeting. Hizbullah MP Nawar Saheli also dismissed the report
as "a big lie." "We are waiting for the international tribunal to react and to
see where the German magazine got its information from," Saheli said. Parliament
Speaker Nabih Berri said the report "was nothing but a new attempt to sow
sedition among the Lebanese." "This is a media fabrication that only lacked the
stamp: 'Made in Israel'," Berri said. Meanwhile, Druze leader Walid Jumblat
urged Lebanese "not to fall into the trap of the vast discord," and considered
that "Israeli fingerprints" were behind the German weekly report. Beirut, 25 May
09, 09:14
Lavrov: Polls Strictly Lebanese, Results Should be Accepted
by All
Naharnet/Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday that it is up to
Lebanese to decide whom they want to choose during the June 7 parliamentary
elections stressing that all those who care for Lebanon's independence should
accept the result of the polls. "The Lebanese people should choose whoever they
want without resorting to a foreign side," Lavrov said after meeting Speaker
Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh. "It is important to accept the results of the
elections not only by the Lebanese society but also by all those who want to see
Lebanon independent and free," he said during his one-day visit to Lebanon.
Lavrov added that Moscow would deal with "the side that the Lebanese people will
choose."
He said he was convinced that "the Lebanese leadership will make everything
possible so that the Lebanese elections are held freely, transparently and
democratically."
Asked about a report by German weekly Der Spiegel which said that Hizbullah was
involved in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination, Lavrov said: "We consider
this an attempt to politicize things." Lavrov met Monday morning President
Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace. He later held talks with Premier Fouad Saniora
at the Grand Serail.
"We will support the Lebanese people no matter what the election results were.
The elections are for the Lebanese people. Let them choose what they want,"
Lavrov said after meeting Saniora. The Russian FM later visited with MP Saad
Hariri the former premier's graveyard in downtown Beirut.
An official statement from the Russian embassy had said Lavrov, who arrived in
Beirut overnight, will express support for Lebanon's stability and the efforts
of the Lebanese authorities to hold free, fair and transparent parliamentary
elections. The daily As Safir said on its front-page headline on Monday that
Lavrov's visit is aimed at examining the repercussions of "Hurricane Biden," a
reference to U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden who was in Beirut last week.
Diplomatic sources, meanwhile, told the Kuwaiti news agency, KUNA, that Russia
"respects" the various Lebanese parties, and would deal with any Lebanese team
that wins the parliamentary elections "away from external interference." Biden's
visit, which also was a show of support for Suleiman, was seen by the opposition
as meddling in Lebanese internal affairs.
"It appears that this visit is part of a U.S. bid to supervise the electoral
campaign of a Lebanese party which feels threatened politically ... in light of
the expected outcome of the legislative vote," Hizbullah MP Hasan Fadlallah had
said of Biden's brief trip.
Lavrov also extended an invitation to Lebanon to participate in Russia's planned
international conference on the Middle East.
Russia announced in January its intention to stage a Middle East conference in
the first half of this year, but the idea has not been received with enthusiasm
in either Israel or its key ally, the United States. Lavrov was in Damascus on
Sunday where he briefed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Moscow's wish to
"organize a conference on the Middle East in order to discuss the peace
process."Syria's news agency, SANA, said Assad responded that "the conference
must be well-prepared" and "set out objectives as well as the positions of those
parties concerned" in the Israeli-Arab conflict. Beirut, 25 May 09, 08:18
Parliamentary Elections Claim First Victim
Naharnet/One person was killed and another injured in clashes between
pro-government and opposition supporters in the western Bekaa, al-Liwaa daily
reported Monday.
The newspaper said that Ibrahim Shouman, from the opposition, was killed during
the fighting in which guns, sticks and sharp objects were used in the town of
al-Swairi. Omar Dib Abou Arab, a majority supporter, was also wounded in the
clash that erupted at around 8:30 pm Sunday. Al-Liwaa said security forces
interfered to calm the situation. In another election-related security incident,
two people were injured in a fistfight between the supporters of Ex-Premier Omar
Karami and Lebanese Forces MP Farid Habib in the town of Dedde in Koura. Beirut,
25 May 09, 09:20
Lebanon and the Hariri murder: all roads lead to Hezbollah
May 25, 2001
By: Aimee Kligman/Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/x-2086-NY-Foreign-Policy-Examiner~y2009m5d24-Lebanon-and-the-Hariri-murder-all-roads-lead-to-Hezbollah
The International Special Court for Lebanon, which has been investigating the
murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, achieved a significant
breakthrough in reaching new surprising conclusions, which it is keeping under
wraps. According to the German newspaper Der Spiegel (05/23/2009), investigators
believe more and more in the culpability of Hezbollah, which would be at the
origin of Hariri's murder.
Der Spiegel has learned from sources close to the Court and verified by the
examination of internal documents, that the Hariri matter is about to take a
sensational turn. Extensive inquiries in Lebanon are converging towards a new
conclusion: it was not Syria, but special Hezbollah forces that planned and
executed the attack against Hariri. The reason for the secrecy from the court
has to do with fear that Hezbollah, now implicated, may go forward in its
killing spree against cumbersome witnesses and even go as far as eliminate some
of the members of the International Special Court.
Much of the credit for the discovery goes to the FSI (Lebanese Internal Security
Forces); a telephone call had been intercepted which implicated a Hezbollah
leader by the name of Abdelmagid Ghamlouch, who had been trained by Iran, and
who had disappeared after Hariri's murder. Captain Wissam Eid headed the FSI
intelligence unit whose group was able to decode telephone conversations, as
well as trace the eight cellular phones purchased in Tripoli and used
exclusively for communications during the six weeks preceding the Hariri murder
on February 14, 2005. Those cell phones were immediately deactivated following
the explosion that killed Hariri. Sensing the danger to itself, Hezbollah simply
decided to murder Wissam Eid.
The eight-cell phone track led to yet another twenty cell phones, whose numbers
all belong to operational members of Hezbollah based in a southern suburb of
Beirut and very close to the party's leaders, and to Nasrallah himself.
Investigators were also able to identify the 'brain' behind the operation
against Hariri: Hajj Salim, aged 45, and commander of a Hezbollah 'special unit'
directly linked to Nasrallah, and receiving direct orders from Iranian general
Kassim Sulaimani. The investigation also identified the Mitsubishi used in the
attack as belonging to Hezbollah, and the types of explosives used were traced
as well.
For Der Spiegel, the motive for Hariri's assassination remains a mystery. Could
the decision have come directly from Hezbollah, or from their Iranian financiers
or Syrian allies?
We are reminded that Hezbollah provoked a war with Israel in 2006 in order to
prevent the establishment of the Special Court, and invaded Beirut in May of
2008, and attempted to overturn the Lebanese government in order to prevent the
international justice from progressing. Thus after having failed in their
attempts to disrupt the investigation, Hezbollah is now placing its bets on the
upcoming elections on June 7th to 'turn the tables' with the aim of escaping
judgment. It will be up to Lebanon to decide. (ed: you may now understand why
Secretary of State Clinton, and more recently Vice President Biden visited
Lebanon). It will be up to Lebanese voters.
In their reporting of this investigation, Der Spiegel may have put themselves in
harm's way, as Hezbollah has many sleeper cells in Germany, as it could exact
vengeance not only directly on its members, but also German members of the
maritime NATO force stationed in Lebanon, or German soldiers deployed in
Afghanistan. Ultimately, German tourists could pay the price wherever Hezbollah
keeps its operatives, such as in Egypt, Morocco, and Yemen.
Berri: Error in 1960 Electoral Law Will Not Be Repeated
Naharnet/Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said it was "wrong" to return to the
past sixty years with regards to the 1960 electoral law. "I am the first
official to acknowledge this mistake," Berri told an election-related rally in
east Lebanon's city of Baalbek. "It is high time Lebanon moves from being a
state of authority to being a state of law," he stressed. Berri urged the
various political parties to team up in order to build a state a law. From Haret
Saidi near the southern port city of Tyre, Berri criticized the nomination of
Prime Minister Fouad Saniora for the upcoming parliamentary elections, and
voiced support for candidate Ossama Saad. Beirut, 25 May 09, 10:57
State Budget, Appointments on Tuesday's Cabinet Agenda
Naharnet/With parliamentary elections behind the corner, the Lebanese are all
eyes for Tuesday's cabinet session which is expected to tackle both the state
budget and the appointments issues. According to the daily An-Nahar, the figures
of private approbations for the Council for the South, already elucidated to the
public by Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah, were still standing. "Government
viewpoints are still not settled on the appointments article which could affect
cabinet's decision on endorsing the agenda," An-Nahar added.
However, Al-Balad daily expressed optimism, saying it expected tension to be
dispelled on Tuesday at political and administrative levels with the endorsement
of the 2009 draft budget.
"The draft budget will be endorsed provided the opposition ministers approved
the Constitutional Council's appointments draft project as discussed formerly,"
Al-Liwaa daily reported.
Former discussions resulted in agreeing on appointing the following magistrates:
Assaad Dib or Rashid Hoteit (Shiite), Suheil Abdel-Samad (Druze), Youssef Soubra
(Sunni), Issam Suleiman or Raymond Eid (Maronite),and Joseph Maamari or Salah
Moukhaiber (Orthodox).
Meanwhile, Speaker Nabih Berri announced from Baalbek that the budget would
indeed be debated during Tuesday's session. Berri said he did not know if the
issue would be raised as agreed or not. "If I breach the agreement, the
opposition will be disesteeming President Michel Suleiman. However, if the other
party breaches the agreement, then I leave it for that party to reconsider its
position," he added. Ministerial sources told An-Nahar they did not properly
understand Berri's statement regarding the budget and whether he was still
intent on allotting to the Council for the South approbations without discussing
the details. They also indicated that any possible change will be revealed
during Tuesday's session at Baabda palace.
The agenda consists of 97 articles, including most importantly two articles
regarding follow-up on the budget draft-project and budgets annexed to 2009, and
the appointment of five members for the Constitutional Council. Beirut, 25 May
09, 13:28
Israel's Ultra-Nationalist Party Tables Loyalty Bill
Naharnet/Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's ultra-nationalist party has
submitted a bill to parliament to require Israelis to take a loyalty oath, in a
move aimed mainly at the large Arab minority. A parliamentary committee is
expected to debate the bill on Sunday, said David Rotem, an MP with Lieberman's
Yisrael Beitenu party who wrote the proposal.
If the committee approves the bill, it will then go before the full Knesset,
where it has to be approved in three votes in order to become law. The pledge of
allegiance was a key element in Yisrael Beitenu's campaigning for the February
general election. The proposed pledge is: "I pledge loyalty to the state of
Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state, to its symbols and values, to
serve the state as much as I am required in military service or alternative
service, as decided by law." Under the proposed law, the interior ministry will
be able to revoke the citizenship of anyone who does not perform his military
service or other civil service. The bill by the secular nationalist party is
aimed mostly at Arab citizens -- some 20 percent of Israel's population -- and
also at the ultra-Orthodox community. Neither group does the military service
mandatory for most Israelis. The Israeli government on Sunday approved a draft
law aiming to ban marking the Naqba, the "catastrophe" the 1948 creation of
Israel represented for many Palestinians, raising a storm of protest from Arab
and left-wing politicians.
Yisrael Beitenu, Israel's third biggest party with 15 of the 120 seats in
parliament targeted Israel's Arab minority during the election campaign,
adopting the slogan "No Citizenship Without Loyalty." The Israeli Arab community
comprises around 1.2 million people of the country's total population of about
seven million. They are descended from 160,000 Palestinians who remained on
their land after the establishment of Israel in 1948. Israeli Arabs have voting
rights and enjoy a better standard of living than Palestinians in the West Bank
or Gaza Strip, but they still face widespread discrimination.(AFP) Beirut, 25
May 09, 11:41
Army Arrests 3 Spies, Including Senior Official in
'Non-Civilian' Institution
Naharnet/Lebanese authorities have arrested three more suspects on suspicion of
spying for Israel, including a senior official in a "non-civilian" institution,
the daily Al-Akhbar reported Monday. It said the suspect was arrested over the
weekend. Al Akhbar gave no further details. The other detainees were identified
as retired army officer H.A.H., 55, from Qantara and Jawdat H., 54, from Ibl el-Saqi.
Both towns are in the Marjayoun-Hasbaya province. Pan-Arab daily al-Hayat said
the retired officer, who owns a grocery store in the town of Braiqeh, confessed
to spying for Israel on the way to the intelligence bureau in Yarze for
interrogation. He led officers to the location where he hid the equipment, al-Hayat
said. It said communication devices, computer sets and timing devices similar to
those used in bombing attacks were seized from Jawdat's house in Aley, in
addition to an R.P.G. and a Kalashnikov rifle. The paper said an army unit later
raided his house in Qsseibeh near the southern town of Nabatiyeh and found a
transmitter and receiver, a camera, a computer and CD-ROMs. His two sons were
also arrested. Security sources, however, told al-Hayat, that their arrest was a
"normal procedure" to clarify family status. Al-Hayat said Lebanese troops also
raided the house of M.Sh.D. in Hadatha near Bint Jbeil early Sunday on suspicion
he worked for the Israeli secret service, Mossad, only to find out that he had
fled. His wife said he left home four days ago, adding that she had no idea of
his whereabouts. The army unit, however, confiscated his four-wheeler and a
computer set. Beirut, 25 May 09, 09:57
Franjieh Vows to Bar Opponents from Running in Elections
Again
Naharnet/Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh vowed Sunday to "forbid" his
opponents from running in elections another time. "Not Only do we want to defeat
them in the elections, but we want to forbid them from running again," he told
an election rally in Zghorta. "Everybody is against us, including American
leaders and their deputies," Franjieh said. "But we will win and we will
safeguard our dignity." Addressing Muslims in Zghorta, Franjieh said: "I tell
you, those coming from oversees do not want what's best for you. They are only
here to score points." eirut, 24 May 09, 19:06
Aoun Criticizes President, Vows to Wipe Out Corruption
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel Aoun criticized President
Michel Suleiman on Sunday, telling him: "You have the right to nominate persons,
but you are not entitled to use public administrations and official institutions
in favor of those candidates." Aoun described the state as a fish. "If the head
of a fish decomposes, then the entire body will rot," he told delegations form
north Lebanon who called on him in Rabiyeh. He pledged to eliminate
corruption."I swear by the sky, whatever its color, that we will wipe out
corruption and establish a third republic," Aoun vowed. The FPM leader ridiculed
reports that said Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah would rule Lebanon if
the opposition wins the elections.
"I have a lust for governance and I will not give Sayyed Nasrallah the pleasure
to rule," Aoun said sarcastically. Responding to a question on Wilayat al-Faqih
and whether it is applicable in Lebanon, Aoun said: "It is impossible to apply
Wilayat al-Faqih in Lebanon because it is only applicable within the Shiite
sect."Aoun said he believed the Christian bloc would be the largest within the
opposition. Beirut, 24 May 09, 15:17
Jumblat Warns Against Game of Nations Hariri Affirms Cedar
Revolution Principles
Naharnet/Democratic Gathering leader MP Walid Jumblat warned against media
leaks, rumors and news that precede the rulings by the Special Tribunal for
Lebanon. "Beware of rumors and press leaks, they could damage the work of
justice and provoke discord and sedition," he said. In a joint electoral
festival on Sunday with al-Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri in Mukhtara,
Jumblat said that the truth behind the murder of Progressive Socialist Party
founder Kamal Jumblat in 1977 [Walid's father] and that of Rafik Hariri in 2005
both call for justice. However, he warned against "the game of nations that
could, God forbid, derail justice and use it for things that we don't believe
in."Jumblat and Hariri together launched the Shouf electoral list composed of
Marwan Hamadeh, George Adwan, Mohammed Hajjar, Nehmeh Tohmeh, Elie Aoun, Dory
Chamoun and Alaa Eddine Tirro. Hariri affirmed the strong relationship with
Jumblat and affirmed his holding to the principles of the Cedar Revolution
saying: "our road is long we hold true to to our cause and Arab identity. Walid
and I shall remain together as long as the sky is blue." Beirut, 24 May 09,
14:08
Hizbullah Rejects Link to Hariri Murder
Naharnet/Hizbullah on Sunday rejected a German magazine report that a U.N. probe
found it was behind the 2005 murder of ex-premier Rafik Hariri as a ploy to
influence Lebanon's election just two weeks away. "This is a pure
fabrication aimed at influencing the election campaign and to deflect attention
from the news about the dismantling of spy networks working for Israel," a
statement from the Shiite Muslim group said. Germany's Der Spiegel reported on
Saturday that the U.N. commission probing the Hariri murder had new evidence
that Hizbullah Special Forces "planned and executed" the Beirut car bombing on
February 14, 2005. The attack killed the former billionaire premier and 22 other
people.
Der Spiegel's claims come ahead of a June 7 election in Lebanon that pits the
U.S.-backed parliamentary majority against an alliance headed by Hizbullah,
which has the support of Syria and Iran. Since January, Lebanon has charged a
total of 18 people with spying for neighboring Israel. Hizbullah, which fought a
devastating 2006 war with Israel, said the Spiegel allegations "harm the
credibility" of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) and called on The
Hague-based court to act to unmask those behind the "lies."
"This is not the first time that newspapers have resorted to such fabrications,"
said the Shiite group.
A spokeswoman for the tribunal prosecutor refused on Saturday to comment on the
Spiegel report, which quoted "sources close to the tribunal" and said it had
examined internal documents. "We don't know where they are getting the story
from. The office of the prosecutor doesn't comment on any issues related to
operational aspects of the investigation," she said.
According to Der Spiegel, the Shiite group is implicated through the discovery
of two linked networks of mobile phones, all belonging to Hizbullah's
"operational arm."
It says a secret unit of Lebanese security forces, led by intelligence expert
Captain Wissam Eid, filtered out the numbers before he was assassinated in
January 2008.
A Hizbullah commando unit is also thought to be behind Eid's killing, Der
Spiegel said.
The U.N. investigative commission has said in the past that there was converging
evidence that Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services were involved in
Hariri's killing.
But Syria has consistently denied any involvement.
"Although the Syrian government is not being declared free of the suspicion of
involvement, at least President (Bashar al-) Assad is no longer in the line of
fire," said Der Spiegel.
The magazine named the suspected mastermind as Hajj Salim, believed to be the
commander of Hizbullah's military wing and resident of Beirut's southern
suburbs, the group's stronghold in the capital. In Jerusalem, Israeli Foreign
Minister Avigdor Lieberman called for an international arrest warrant to be
issued for Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah over the assassination.
"The report in Der Spiegel on Nasrallah's direct involvement in the
assassination of Hariri should raise concern in the entire international
community," Lieberman told reporters.
"He should have an international arrest warrant issued against him, and if not,
he should be arrested by force," he said. Since the July-August 2006 war between
the Jewish state and Hizbullah, Nasrallah has topped Israel's most wanted list
and does not venture out in public for fear of assassination. A spokesman for
the Future party headed by Hariri's son Saad Hariri said it would not comment on
the Spiegel report and there has been no reaction from the Lebanese
government.(AFP) Beirut, 24 May 09, 11:09
Biden's Beirut Visit Focused on Lebanese Stability And
Regional Settlement
Naharnet/The recent visit to Lebanon by U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden
continued to draw hot debate among March 14 and March 8 forces. However,
informed sources told the Arab pan-daily al-Hayat that Biden's visit sought to
guarantee continued stability in Lebanon and exceptional support to President
Michel Suleiman's role in the country while the U.S. administration works in
parallel in finding regional solutions. A March 14 figure told al-Hayat that the
parliamentary majority's meeting with Biden did not address the June 7
elections.
"However, we [March 14 Forces] understood from him that Washington is to going
to follow new practical steps in support of Lebanon and the armed forces,"
source said.
He added that the majority of the time spent with the U.S. vice-president was
used to address continued Israeli violations of U.N. Security Council resolution
1701, the recently uncovered Israeli espionage rings and the national dialogue
process concerning [Hizbullah's] arms, U.S. support to the Lebanese army and
relations with Syria. An official source told al-Hayat: "the exceptional U.S.
support to president Suleiman stems from a keen American interest in sustaining
the president's role as a safety valve in maintaining Lebanese stability as the
administration is currently working on finding a regional settlement." The
source added that Biden focused during his meeting with Lebanese officials on
guaranteeing sustained stability in Lebanon, in via supporting the role of the
Lebanese army and the president, which would create a state of equilibrium
following the legislative elections."The Lebanese elections are drawing Arab and
international interest hence, there are much exaggerated analyses regarding the
Biden visit. I expect a similar situation once Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov
visits on Monday," a government sources told the dialy An-Nahar on Sunday.
Beirut, 24 May 09, 10:13
Assiri From Bkirki: We Continue to Reach For All and Seek
Stability
Naharnet/Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad al Assiri stressed that the
Kingdom is keen on maintaining continued to communicate with all political
forces in the country with the aim of uniting the Lebanese political line.
Following his meeting on Sunday with Maronite Patriarch Butros Sfeir in Bkirki,
Assiri emphasized the importance of stability in Lebanon.
He rejected claims that his country is siding with one political party against
others in Lebanon. "Our hearts are open to all," he said. Beirut, 24 May 09,
Jumblatt: no return into civil strife trap
Date: May 25th, 2009 Source: Assafir
Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has accused Israel of being behind media reports of
evidence proving Hizbullah or Party of God’s implication in the 2005 murder of
former Premier Rafic Hariri, the leftist As-Safir newspaper said Monday.
Jumblatt told the paper: “leakages as such are a reminder of what triggered the
Lebanese civil strife 30 years ago.” A German magazine reported over the weekend
that the UN-backed tribunal investigating Hariri’s massive car bomb has obtained
new evidence proving Hizbullah was behind his murder. Jumblatt warned the
Lebanese not to fall into the trap of strife, saying: “Israel is behind what was
published by the magazine, especially that the Zionist lobby has a broad
influence on German press.” “The Israeli fabricated news leaked by the magazine
also meant to cover up the spying rings recently uncovered in Lebanon.”Jumbaltt
added: “Everyone is occupied with the elections but this would become secondary
compared to the seriousness of what is being plotted.”
Barak: U.S.-Iran nuclear talks have 'very low' chance of
success
By Haaretz Service
25/05/2009
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that new diplomatic overtures made by
the United States to Iran were highly unlikely to halt the Islamic Republic's
nuclear program.
"I believe that the chance the dialogue has of stopping Iran's nuclear efforts
is very low," Barak told Army Radio. "I also believe the Americans understand
this. They only think that there is logic to this, even if the chance is low...
in order to contend with what needs to, or is likely to happen in the future."
Since coming to power in January, U.S. President Barack Obama has made some
diplomatic overtures to Iran that have so far been rebuffed. He said last week
he would not pursue this policy indefinitely and would like to see some progress
on the nuclear issue by the end of this year. Barak added that Iran posed one of
the most "serious potential threats" against Israel. He repeated that Israel
would not take any options off the table with regard to Tehran's nuclear
program. Israel, the United States and other western nations say the program is
aimed at manufacturing nuclear weapons. Iran, the world's forth largest oil
producer, insists the program is for civilian purposes only. Barak's comments
came a day after Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
said Iran could be within one to three years from developing a nuclear weapon
and that time was running out for diplomacy to defuse the problem.
'Israel will suffer terror and missiles in future war'
By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent
25/05/2009
Israel is likely to face simultaneous missile strikes and terror attacks across
the country in the event of a war breaking out, Deputy Defense Minister Matan
Vilnai said Monday.
Vilnai made the comments during a session of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and
Defense Committee, in which he said the Home Front Command would simulate
defending against such an assault as part of a large-scale drill to be held next
week. "This isn't an imaginary situation. This isn't detached from reality and
if there is a war, it's very likely that this is what will happen," said the
deputy minister. The Israel Defense Forces drill, codenamed "Turning Point 3,
has been billed as the largest exercise ever in Israel's history. IDF Brig. Gen.
(res.) Ze'ev Zuk-Rom, the National Emergency Authority chief, also participated
in the briefing. He said the drill will be based on lessons learned in different
exercises held over the last two years, including ones learned during the Second
Lebanon War and Operation Cast Lead, Israel's recent offensive against Hamas in
Gaza.