LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
May 29/09

Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 17:20-26. I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me.  I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them."
 

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
A Scenario for Military Exercises and the Lebanese Arena. By: Zuheir Kseibati 28/05/09
Hezbollah and the Opinions of Others. By: Hassan Haidar 28/05/09
ِِِHezbollah Employs The Politics Of Fear. By: Linda S. Heard/The Bulletin 28/05/09
Iran-Syria Alliance in Harmony. By:Jonathan Spyer 28/05/09
Analysis: Hizbullah builds up its might-Jerusalem Post 28/05/09
What do Muslims stand to gain from bombings like the one in Lahore? The Daily Star 28/05/09
Our approach…and theirs/Future News 28.05.09

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for May 28/09-Future News
Hiz
bullah and Amal intimidate voters supporters of Assaad-Future News
Hizbullah supports the Aounist electoral machine-Future News
Geagea slams Ahmedinijad’s statement-Future News
Chamoun: ‘March 8’s victory puts Lebanon on “black list”-Future News
Eddeh warns of the Iranian project-Future News
Suleiman: President should Develop Balanced Solutions-Naharnet
Sleiman: Tripartite against constitution…reducing my term in the parliament’s hands-Future News
March 14 united to prevent costly mistakes on June 7-Future News
Netanyahu calls for 'normalized' Arab-Israeli ties-Daily Star
Hezbollah Had Talks With the EU and the IMF-New York Times
Hezbollah Supporters Targeted in Africa-Counterterrorism Blog
US cracks down on alleged Hezbollah financiers-The Associated Press
Israel worries about UNIFIL fate after Lebanon elections-Jerusalem Post
Tests Point to Spread of Weapons Trade-Wall Street Journal
Lebanon charges four more spy suspects-AFP
Hizbullah Cell Off for Trial as Egypt Mulls Making Direct Charges against Nasrallah-Naharnet
Bomb Defused Near Debaal
-Naharnet
Williams: U.N. to Respect Election Results No Matter the Outcome
-Naharnet
Hashish-Marijuana Essence Sold in Lebanese Market
-Naharnet
IMF: Future Loans Not Discussed with Hizbullah
-Naharnet
Monday's National Dialogue Devoted to 'Calm' Elections
-Naharnet
Washington Imposes Sanctions on Hizbullah Financial 'Backers'
-Naharnet
Lebanese Thought to Be Qaida Member Released in Brazil
-Naharnet
Khoja: Saudi Warned Hariri to Leave Lebanon before His Assassination
-Naharnet
Army, UNIFIL on High Alert ahead of Israeli Exercises
-Naharnet
Skaff Announces Popular Bloc's List in Zahle
-Naharnet
MP Sethrida Geagea asks Aoun to apologize from Christian voters-iloubnan.info
Sleiman: 'Vote for whomever you believe is most competent'-Daily Star
Hariri: We are not against Iran or Syria-Daily Star
UNIFIL's S.Korean contingent to extend mandate-Daily Star
Najjar sees Constitutional Council appointments as gift-Daily Star
Lebanon, Syria re-open long-closed border crossing-Daily Star
UNIFIL, Lebanese Army ready for Israeli maneuvers-Daily Star
No Tribunal officials talked to Der Spiegel journalist-Daily Star
US House delegation criticizes meddling in polls-Daily Star
Slain leaders' heirs using family legacies to vie for votes-Daily Star
Plight of Palestinian refugees remains ignored - NGO chief-Daily Star
Recent burst of espionage arrests leaves Lebanese wary-(AFP)
Trade liberalization would make Lebanon vulnerable-Daily Star
Lebanon ranks 122nd in financial health index-Daily Star
Bassil proposes new plan for privatizing telecoms sector-Daily Star
Interior Ministry launches elections website, hotline-Daily Star
Jabal Moussa receives Unesco's coveted biosphere reserve designation-(RPN)
Probe looks into how colonel spying for Israel was recruited-Daily Star
Top Lebanese Officer Admits Spying on Hizbullah, Syria for Israel-Naharnet
Hariri: Lebanon is heading towards more stability after the elections-Future News
Hariri: I Will Not Take Part in Government if Opposition Wins-Naharnet

Hizbullah and Amal intimidate voters supporters of Assaad
Date: May 28th, 2009/Future News
Ahmad Al-Assaad leader of the Lebanese Option Current and candidate for one of the Shiite seats in Marjaeyoun-Hasbayya district accused Hizbullah and Amal movement of executing an “intended plan" to terrorize voters in the area.
These assaults are not in the dark, people of the South and Bekaa villages, whether supporters to Al-Assaad or opposed to him are exchanging such news. For example, a supporter of the Lebanese Option says that members of a certain party threatened him that the Syrian Intelligence will not have mercy in dealing with him if he votes for Asaad. And it appears that the direct threaten targets doubtful voters, so that bombing cars of the supporters became a routine”.
Ali Eid the secretary general of the Lebanese Option said that “Amal and Hizbullah do not want an opinion different of theirs, and do not want anyone to share their kingdom.”“We are assaulted daily, and not sure if it is safe to send our delegates to polling stations, according to the Lebanese electoral law. Amal and Hizbullah members are blocking the roads to prevent our patrols from crossing. They are executing armed demonstrations to put pressure on people and prevent them from participating in any activity we organize. And in the absence of the state, the citizen is afraid because he is unprotected. The Lebanese army and security forces cannot interfere or confront Hizbullah and Amal in the South” Eid said.
He explained an incident that took place in the South: “Three weeks ago, we organized a meeting at Assad’s residence which was destroyed by Amal movement in Taybeh area. When our supporters arrived, we were surprised with a statement broadcasted from the town mosque, requesting people to block roads and destroy everything around the meeting location. When Ahmad Al-Asaad from another road to avoid them, armed crowds surrounded the place. The official security group accompanying Al-Asaad couldn’t prevent them. After three and a half hours, a force from the army and internal security interfered and couldn’t open the road, but finally succeeded by negotiating with the armed members. They accused us and called us American and Saudi people who want to divide the Shiite community. They wrecked 23 cars in the location.”Village people say that Al-Asaad supporters are not welcome. They are rejected by the people of their towns. People make it clear that there is no place between them from people out of Amal and Hizbullah. Akil Houssein says that a school director in Al-Taybeh was warned that he will be punished if he does not expel a teacher from Houla area who supports Al-Asaad. Houssein was kidnapped after attending a meeting for the Lebanese Option Party in the Southern suburbs of Beirut and was detained for hours in Borj-Al-Barajneh camp, and beaten and threatened with a knife. His detainees told him that he is a criminal because he supports Al-Asaad.
In Kheyam area, Khalil Awada’s car was bombed in front of his house, and his wife cannot talk with the neighbors and relatives who told her: why did your husband involved in something that annoys Amal and Hizbullah? Wouldn’t it be better for him if he remained silent?

Hizbullah supports the Aounist electoral machine
Date: May 28th, 2009/Future News
Reports say that preparations by the pro-Iranian Hizbullah or Party of God for the June 7 parliamentary elections have intensified ten days before the scheduled event.
Unlike any other, the electoral machine preparations of the Iranian-backed Hizbullah Shiite party are similar to none in the world. They are forming teams, groups and organizational structures similar to military compositions more than that for elections, according to sources familiar with the organizational structure of Hizbullah.
Publicly, the deputy assistant Secretary-General of Hizbullah Sheikh Naim Qassem heads the machine, but in fact, the actual head are a group of leaders in the party’s mobilization commission, a regulatory body responsible for organizing events, festivities, and demonstrations. The electoral machine is not a make-shift body but an active round-the-clock even when there are no election preparations. Its duties are to train delegates, graduate coordination electoral cadets that would collect information on the demographic distribution of voters in Lebanon, in addition to conducting surveys on Lebanese immigrants outside the country and monitor their geographic distribution. Sources pointed that since an understanding was reached between General Michel Aoun and Hizbullah, a special office named after Aoun was established in the leadership offices of Hizbullah under the banner of electoral support for the Free Patriotic Movement leader. Hizbullah has allocated some 5,000 delegates and full-time activists and specialists for this task. Ghaleb Zainab apparently heads that office, while it is actually run by a member in the motivation commission of the party. The Aounist office constantly complained about the incompetency of the Free Patriotic Movement’s electoral machine, describing it as unsystematic. This has prompted its office, to conduct instructive sessions under the auspices of Hizbullah. According to inside information, there are some 20,000 activists, representatives and employees, 70% have been supplied with a portfolio that contains all the necessary documents that a representative might need during the election campaign. About 3,000 vehicles, 4,000 motorcycles and hundreds of computers distributed in 700 offices have been allocated and put under the Aounist electoral machine’s disposal. On its part, Hizbullah has slated 300 representatives to assist the Aounist machine in different districts. It also purchased about 1000 advanced computers for this purpose, and a special protection unit composed of 70 members to protect the Aounist leaders during their movements.

Our approach…and theirs
Date: May 28th, 2009 /Future News
After the July 2006 Israeli aggression against Lebanon, Almustaqbal movement and the ‘March 14’ coalition worked hard for the Stockholm conference to raise funds and collect donations to heal the repercussions of the “Divine Victory”. Meanwhile, the adventurers, who ventured through the war, were centering their efforts to amplify political tensions, mistrust, and obstruct institutions thus targeting all what supports Lebanon and its people.
‘March 14’ coalition spared no effort and expended its international relations to achieve Paris 3 conference, which allocated for Lebanon more than 7 billion dollars. Whereas ‘March 8’ alliance was pulling exceptional efforts, which reached the extent of spilling the blood of the Lebanese, in order to shut down the parliament, pull out from the cabinet, siege the Grand Serail, doubt the legitimacy of the constitutional institutions, and invade Beirut and Mountain Lebanon.
‘March 14’ coalition with Almustaqbal movement at its core, has presented a serious and comprehensive political and economic program to all of the Lebanese along with detailed mechanisms of implementation. On the contrary, the eloquent leaders of ‘March 8’ opposition alliance have exhausted their throats shouting out commercial electoral slogans and promises to trade the people and their causes. Just for the record, the ‘March 8’ alliance governed Lebanon between 1998 and 2000, inconsiderate of the ‘partnership’ they now demand. What came out of these two years is: the public debt increased by more than 33%, the highest rate in the history of the country.
The public debt has never increased in any two other years as it did during those two years. Strangely enough, this boost was accompanied by an increase in the taxes and an alarming economic downturn.  This entire breakdown was sheltered by the ploy of the “heavy inherited load”, as if he who inherited a war-torn country did not undertake the heavy load and the tremendous challenge and confronted it with all his efforts and available contacts. It is our approach based on construction, development, honesty, loyalty to the pledge, against theirs which is set up on destruction, obstruction, and the blood-stained ‘divine days’. But who pays the toll except for the Lebanese?

Eddeh warns of the Iranian project

Date: May 28th, 2009 Source: NNA
Leader of the national bloc Amid Carlos Eddeh warned of the dangerous Iranian project which Hizbullah tries to execute in Lebanon. Eddeh stressed during an electoral meeting in Keserwan that “Keserwan - Ftouh list has great luck in victory”, pointing that he feels the popular respond day after day, and the people of Keserwan are supporting the list.”Eddeh, a Maronite running on the March 14 alliance and independents ticket in Kesserwan-Ftouh district, said that the opposition’s victory in the elections will lead the state into a place that the Cedars revolution and even Aoun’s supporters refuse to reach, stressing on the Lebanese sovereign path, plurality and democracy in the state that includes all communities.”

Chamoun: ‘March 8’s victory puts Lebanon on “black list”
Date: May 28th, 2009 Source: LBC /Leader of the National Liberal Party Dori Chamoun warned Thursday that the victory of the ‘March 8’ opposition alliance in the June 7 parliamentary elections “would put Lebanon on the International black list and block out assistance from it.”Chamoun reiterated the refusal of ‘March 14’ pro-government coalition to participate with the current opposition in governing Lebanon after elections. NLP leader and candidate in the upcoming elections for one of the three Maronite seats in Chouf district on the March 14 ticket told the LBC in a televised interview “if the opposition won the majority of the parliament it will be led by Hizbullah”.He added that in that case the ‘March 14’ coalition will not participate in the government via the ‘obstructing third’, veto share of the government, which he said is “against the constitution”. “Let them (March 8) handle full responsibility”, Chamoun firmly stated.

Geagea slams Ahmedinijad’s statement
Date: May 28th, 2009 Future News/Samir Geagea, Head of the Executive Commission of the Lebanese Forces said Thursday that some groups from the March 8 alliance believed that the visit of the US Vice-President Joe Biden to Beirut aimed to affect and fabricate more votes in favor of the majority. Geagea told almustaqbal.org: “The minority thought Biden’s visit was to affect the elections, they cannot comprehend that not all international relations are conducted the same. Biden’s visit only made our rivals create fictitious victories.”Geagea was referring to the relations between Syria and its Lebanese allies running for the June 7 parliamentary elections.
Geagea, of the March 14 alliance, addressed the people of the northern Zghotra-Zawyeh region he said: “I call on the people to vote for freedom, sovereignty and independence, which the Lebanese forces and the March 14 alliance have always called for.”Geagea also referred to the words of the Iranian President, who said that the opposition would win the elections, Geagea said: “Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has supported his Christian ally- in reference to General Michel Aoun- but these supports would go in vain although the Iranian President Ahmedinijad has said the opposite. “The statement issued by Ahmedinijad reflects the real nature of the ongoing confrontation.” He concluded asking the people to vote massively in favor of the March 14 alliance, which would open horizons for a new better era.

IMF: Future Loans Not Discussed with Hizbullah
Naharnet/The International Monetary Fund denied media reports that it had discussed possible loans with Hizbullah as Lebanon gets ready for the June 7 parliamentary elections.
The Financial Times and the New York Times reported Wednesday that Hizbullah has held talks with the IMF and the European Union to try to secure financial support for Lebanon if the group and its allies win the polls. "The IMF has not negotiated with Hizbullah members or sympathizers in Lebanon over a possible loan," the IMF said in a statement.
It said an IMF mission visited Beirut in March for annual consultations on economic policies and met with Lebanon's main political parties as part of standard outreach activities that also include talks with non-governmental organizations. During the talks, it met with Abdel Halim Fadlallah, then deputy director of an economic research center that has close ties with Hizbullah, to explain the IMF's visit and "gather support toward economic reforms," according to the statement. "By no means were future Fund arrangements discussed," it added. Ali Fayad, a Hizbullah candidate who also heads the party's think-tank, told the Financial Times that his party was considering the economic risks of a possible punishment for Lebanon if Hizbullah wins the elections. The party is also discussing such prospects with the EU and the IMF, he said. The EU says it makes no distinction between Hizbullah and other parties in Lebanon, and will work with any democratically elected government. The EU provides about $84 million a year to Lebanon and the IMF provides about $114 million. Beirut, 28 May 09, 08:16

Suleiman: President should Develop Balanced Solutions

Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman said the head of state should be able to develop "balanced solutions," assuring that Lebanon was no longer an arena for international conflicts.
The president is not required to "manage" a balance of power between the branches of the government, Suleiman said, "but rather to develop balanced solutions."
"Lebanon is your country, and the decision is yours, only yours," Suleiman told a dinner banquet in Jbeil late Wednesday celebrating his one year in office.
Suleiman said relations with Syria were deeply rooted. "Our present faces the same challenges and our bright and promising future lies in our determination and willpower," Suleiman said during a televised speech. Suleiman said Israel was crushed in May 2000 and July 2006 as a result of the unity of the Lebanese people.
"The Lebanese Army and citizens are an example for fighting the Israeli enemy," he stressed. "Once again, we were able to prove that only a just, strong and capable state can protect everyone with no exceptions." Suleiman voiced dissatisfaction with the current election law. "Such system will keep our youth away from sectarian affiliations and political tensions ... thus, fulfilling the requirement of authentic citizenship," he explained. Suleiman urged the Lebanese to "vote for whomever you believe is most competent," stressing that outcome of polls should be "accepted" no matter who wins. Beirut, 28 May 09, 10:03

Hariri: I Will Not Take Part in Government if Opposition Wins
Naharnet/MP Rafik Hariri reiterated that he will not take part in a new government in the event the Hizbullah-led Opposition wins parliamentary elections.
"I'm doing everything possible to avert a sectarian rift in Lebanon," Hariri told Al Jazeera television network. "We were the ones who quelled a sectarian rift that was sowed against Lebanon during the early days following the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. And we were the ones who quelled the May 7 (2008) discord," Hariri said. He said if the majority March 14 coalition wins the June 7 elections, he would give President Michel Suleiman the right to be an arbitrator. Hariri rejected veto power, stressing on partnership without veto power. "I will not take part in the government if the opposition wins, even if I were tasked with forming a new government," he told Al Jazeera. Beirut, 28 May 09, 14:06

Top Lebanese Officer Admits Spying on Hizbullah, Syria for Israel
Naharnet/Col. Mansour Diab admitted to investigators that he spied on Hizbullah and the Syrian army for Israel's secret service, the Mossad, since 1997 in exchange for hefty cash rewards.
The daily An Nahar on Thursday said security forces arrested Diab's wife and brother-in-law overnight. It gave no further details. But Diab's wife, in a telephone interview with Asharq radio station, denied that she or her brother had been arrested. Diab, according to As Safir newspaper, pleaded guilty to spying for the Mossad since 1997 when Israeli officers recruited him as he took part in a military training program in the United States in exchange for large amounts of money. He admitted providing information about Hizbullah and Syrian troops before their withdrawal from Lebanon in 2005, the paper said. It said Diab, from the northern town of Idbil in Akkar, also has "provided services to the Israelis within the task set to him."
As Safir said the Intelligence Directorate confiscated communications equipment from Diab's home and other places frequently visited by the detained officer.
An Nahar said two more suspects were arrested overnight Tuesday on suspicion of links to the Israeli espionage networks. It identified the new detainees as Saeb M.A., 66, from the border town of Kfar Shouba and 50-year-old R.M.A. from nearby Rmeish. On Wednesday, the Intelligence Directorate arrested A.H. from the border town of Khiam. He worked as a taxi driver in Beirut's southern suburbs. According to the daily Al Akhbar, the suspect admitted to spying on Hizbullah for Israel since 2002. Meanwhile, Al Liwaa newspaper said Lebanese troops have arrested Lebanese soldier F. Nasereddine and another man from Rmeish identified as Tanios Karam. Beirut, 28 May 09, 08:11

Hizbullah Cell Off for Trial as Egypt Mulls Making Direct Charges against Nasrallah
Naharnet/The case of the so-called Hizbullah cell held in Egypt has reached the final stages as Cairo was mulling making direct charges against Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
The daily al-Mustaqbal quoted an Egyptian judicial source as saying that he expects Egypt's state prosecutor Abdel Majid Mahmoud to issue a decision to refer the suspects in the Hizbullah cell to the state security court at the beginning of next week. Sources confirmed that the number of suspects in the Hizbullah cell has reached 27. They include Sudanese, Palestinians, Egyptians and Lebanese. They said 22 other suspects remain at large. As Egyptians await the prosecution's decision, which include names of leading Hizbullah officials, observers feared this issue "could ignite a genuine political crisis." According to international diplomatic sources, al-Mustaqbal went on to say, Egypt was "seriously mulling" whether charges against the Hizbullah cell should openly include an accusation that Hizbullah planned a coup d'état in Cairo upon personal instructions by Nasrallah. Beirut, 28 May 09, 09:04

Bomb Defused Near Debaal
Naharnet/Security forces and U.N. peacekeepers defused a bomb that was not set to explode in the area between Baflay and Maarakeh in south Lebanon. The bomb, which was 1.5 kilograms, was found at the entrance to the road that leads to Debaal town, east of the city of Tyre. Beirut, 28 May 09, 12:48

Williams: U.N. to Respect Election Results No Matter the Outcome
Naharnet/Michael Williams, Special Advisor to the U.N. Secretary-General for the Middle East, stressed that the international body would "respect" election results no matter who wins.
"The U.N. will respect the vote of the Lebanese people no matter the results," Williams said in an interview published by the daily Al-Akhbar on Thursday.
He stressed U.N. cooperation with both March 8 and March 14 forces. Williams expressed satisfaction on Lebanon's preparations for the elections "away from violence and trouble."
While he expressed "cautious satisfaction," Williams believed that formation of a new government "would take longer than expected" in light of the political and electoral alliances between various sects and forces. The U.N. official denied external meddling in Lebanese elections. Beirut, 28 May 09, 10:19

Hashish-Marijuana Essence Sold in Lebanese Market

Naharnet/"Jad – Youth against Drugs Association" has warned about the presence of the essence of hashish in medicine containers that were being sold in the Lebanese market. It said the containers, which clearly carry the hashish leaf on its cover, are being sold under the name "Cannabis stimulator." Beirut, 28 May 09, 12:

Monday's National Dialogue Devoted to 'Calm' Elections
Naharnet/The upcoming national dialogue session will be fully devoted to the preparations for holding secure and calm parliamentary elections on June 7, informed sources told An Nahar newspaper.The sources said the latest reactions to the Der Spiegel report proved that Lebanese leaders were with calm and with holding the elections away from rattling events. The report, which was published last Saturday, said Hizbullah was involved in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's Feb. 2005 assassination. The next dialogue session will be held at Baabda palace next Monday. Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat will call for calm during a speech on Wednesday and will deal with the conditions that preceded last year's May 7 events, the same sources told An Nahar. They said comprehensive support for security and military agencies that are uncovering spy networks has also positive effects on the general situation in the country. Beirut, 28 May 09, 09:17

Washington Imposes Sanctions on Hizbullah Financial 'Backers'

Naharnet/The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on two African-based alleged financial backers of Hizbullah.
The Treasury Department said it had designated Qassim Tajideen and Abed al Menhem Qobaisi under a law that freezes the assets of alleged terrorists and their backers and prohibits Americans from having any transactions with them. A Treasury statement said Tajideen was "an important financial contributor to Hezbollah who operates a network of businesses in Lebanon and Africa." It accused him of channeling the funds through his brother, which it claimed was a Hizbullah commander in Lebanon.
Tajideen and his brothers were also alleged to have run "cover companies" for Hizbullah in Africa. In 2003, Tajideen was arrested in Belgium in connection with fraud, money laundering and diamond smuggling, the statement said. Qobaisi, an Ivory Coast-based Hizbullah supporter, is a personal representative of the group's secretary general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and has hosted senior Hizbullah officials traveling to Africa to raise money, the statement said. Qobaisi also allegedly helped establish an official Hizbullah foundation in Ivory Coast used to recruit new members for the group's military ranks in Lebanon. "We will continue to take steps to protect the financial system from the threat posed by Hizbullah and those who support it," said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey. "Not only is Hizbullah itself a terrorist organization with global reach, it also recently acknowledged publicly that it provides support to Hamas," he said. Hamas -- a multi-faceted Islamist political, social and armed movement which controls the Gaza Strip in the Palestinian territories -- was designated a terrorist organization by the United States in 1995.(AFP) Beirut, 27 May 09, 22:03

Lebanese Thought to Be Qaida Member Released in Brazil
Naharnet/A Lebanese man held in Brazil for three weeks for making anti-U.S. comments on the Internet is not a member of al-Qaida, as one Brazilian newspaper reported, federal prosecutors said Wednesday. The man, identified only as "K", is a self-employed computer technician with permanent residency in Brazil, where he lives with his Brazilian wife and daughter, officials and his lawyer said. He was released after being arrested three weeks ago in Sao Paulo and investigated for possible links to al-Qaida or other extremist organizations because of his inflammatory comments in an online forum. Federal prosecutor Ana Leticia Absy said in a statement that the investigation "did not show that the detainee in Sao Paulo was a member of al-Qaida." Absy added that Brazilian police had been alerted to "K" by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which had detected his "discriminatory and anti-U.S. messages" written in Arabic on the Internet. The Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo newspaper had reported Tuesday that an alleged senior member in "the international communications sector of al-Qaida" was being held by Brazilian police. It did not give a source for its report, but its repeated reference to the FBI in the story suggested the U.S. agency gave the information.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, questioned about the report on Tuesday, said "I don't know anything" about an al-Qaida member in custody.
He confirmed "K" had been probed, but "for all that, there are no grounds to accuse this person of anything." In a swipe at those who initiated the newspaper story, Lula also expressed irritation at unidentified "people outside of Brazil to give opinions on what goes on inside here." "K"'s lawyer, Mehry Daychoum, told Wednesday's edition of Folha de S. Paulo that his client "has no ties whatsoever with any paramilitary or terrorist organization." He simply "made the unfortunate mistake of commenting on the Internet without every imagining that that might be a crime in Brazil," Daychoum said.(AFP) Beirut, 27 May 09, 21:14

Khoja: Saudi Warned Hariri to Leave Lebanon before His Assassination

Naharnet/Saudi Information Minister Abdel Aziz Khoja on Wednesday revealed that Riyadh had warned former Premier Rafik Hariri to leave Lebanon before his assassination due to threats against his life. Khoja, in a television interview late Wednesday, believed that accusations against Saudi claiming the Kingdom was "distributing money in Lebanon has election motives." Responding to a question whether he considered May 7, 2008 as a "glorious day" as dubbed by Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Khoja said: "May 7 was a very sad day."Khoja urged Nasrallah to "remain a symbol of resistance only." Beirut, 27 May 09, 20:45

Army, UNIFIL on High Alert ahead of Israeli Exercises

Naharnet/The Lebanese army and UNIFIL were on high alert Wednesday in anticipation of large-scale Israeli military maneuvers expected to begin on Sunday
Lebanese soldiers and international peacekeepers were deployed along the southern border and on the outskirts of the Shebaa Farms in anticipation of any emergency, the National News Agency reported. In parallel, tens of Israeli tractors and other heavy machinery, under heavy security, were fortifying military outposts located off the Lebanese territories, it added.
The five-day exercises will simulate simultaneous rocket strikes from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and missile attacks from Syria and Iran, Defense Ministry spokesman Shlomo Dror told AFP. The Israeli army was also working on raising a new wired fence around surveillance tower overlooking the town of Shebaa and providing it with new equipment, the NNA said.
In addition, new military posts were erected in the villages of Tallat al-Ramta, al-Summaqa, Rwaissat al-Alam, all of which overlook al-Arqoub region. Exercise Turning Point 3 will also simulate rescue and medical services' conduct during earthquakes and epidemics.(Naharnet-AFP

Skaff Announces Popular Bloc's List in Zahle

Naharnet/Minister Elias Skaff on Wednesday unveiled the Popular Bloc's ticket in Zahle and warned that the fate of Lebanon was "at stake" at the elections.
In addition to Skaff, the list includes deputies Salim Aoun, Hassan Yaaqoub, George Qassarji, Kamil al-Maalouf and candidates Fouad al-Turk and Rida al-Mayss, who replaced Issam Araji. "Lebanon's fate is at stake and each citizen is a designated guardian of the ancestors' heritage which was built on mutual respect and amiability," Skaff told crowds of supporters in front of his residence in Hay al-Midan-Zahle. He accused political rivals of "cheating and building their policy on lies" and vowed not to surrender the "seven deputies to the other team."
He said the opposition and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon were behind the release of four top generals after nearly four years in detention without charge. They were suspected of being involved in the 2005 murder of former Premier Rafik Hariri. Skaff also said opponents were "using money in their electoral campaign." He called for "accountability and asked each candidate for honesty, stability and commitment."Beirut, 27 May 09, 20:10

American Task Force for Lebanon Still Going Strong After 22 Years

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, May-June 2009, page 56
FORMER SECRETARY of Energy Spencer Abraham was a noble master of ceremonies at this year’s American Task Force for Lebanon’s (ATFL) Gala Awards Night, held March 13 at the Fairmont Washington, DC Hotel. He and ATFL president Peter Tanous introduced the many Lebanese-American awardees from past years seated in the audience. ATFL has much to be proud of: it not only has helped purchase 13 new ambulances for the Lebanese Red Cross, but has strongly urged the State Department to add $2,325,000 to the funds already allocated to dispose of unexploded ordnance in Lebanon following Israel’s 2006 bombardment.
ATFL chairman Thomas Nassif, a former U.S. ambassador to Morocco, described the organization’s many legislative successes, including its continuing efforts to ban landmines and cluster bombs. Dr. George Cody, ATFL’s executive director, showed the audience a cluster bomb, which resembled a toy and which children are still finding nearly three years after Israel dropped 1.2 to 4 million of them in southern Lebanon during the last days of its invasion. (Spencer told him, “I wish you’d mentioned that was that there was a cluster bomb under the podium!”)
Calling the U.S. position regarding the international Convention on Cluster Munitions “incomprehensible,” Nassif said, “The U.S. should not be selling cluster bombs and munitions.” [On March 11, President Barack Obama made permanent a ban on nearly all cluster bomb exports by the United States. ATFL is now working to build support for S. 416, which prohibits U.S. use of cluster bombs where civilians are normally present.]
Awardee Rony Seikaly, a 6 ft. 11 inch former National Basketball Association (NBA) star, joked about meeting other Lebanese during his basketball career who inevitably asked him, “But what do you do?” His fame was “less exciting” for his parents, who wanted him to become a businessman (which is what he is today, now that he has retired from the NBA).
William Hanna, managing director of Jacobs Capital Group and founding president and director of Cedars Bank, also accepted an award. For all his success in business, he modestly said, the current financial crisis should teach us we’re all the same: “We all came on a steamer.” As his business mentor Joseph Jacobs, a founder of ATFL, used to say, Hanna quipped, “Don’t break your arm patting yourself on your back.”
Superstar singer Gloria Estefan introduced her Cuban/Lebanese-American husband, awardee Emilio Estefan, a successful songwriter and recording producer. “Lebanese stand out,” Emilo said, because wherever they are thrown they grow and thrive. America isn’t a melting pot, he elaborated—immigrants don’t melt down to nothing here. They keep their roots. “I am proud of my heritage,” he concluded, to great applause.
—DelindaC. Hanley

Iran-Syria Alliance in Harmony
Jonathan Spyer, Ph.D. - 5/28/2009
Global Politician
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran and President Bashar Assad of Syria reconfirmed the close alliance between their two countries during the Iranian president's visit to Damascus this week.
Ahmadinejad's visit came on the eve of the return of two senior US officials, Jeffrey Feltman and Daniel Shapiro, to Damascus. Their visit is part of ongoing US efforts at engagement with Syria. The tone struck by Ahmadinejad and Assad this week, however, did not suggest a mood for compromise.
Syrian President Bashar Assad, in his address to the joint press conference held by the two presidents after their meeting, accurately summed up the Iranian-Syrian alliance as based upon both "principles and interests."
It is sometimes suggested that the Syrian-Iranian alliance is a marriage of convenience between two essentially incompatible regimes. This view is incorrect. The alliance is of long standing, is rooted in shared interests and expresses itself in a shared ideological conception - that of the idea of muqawama (resistance) to the supposed ambitions of the West and Israel in the region.
Ahmadinejad's and Assad's statements following their meeting offer evidence of the depth and nature of the alliance.
The Iranian president mocked US attempts at engagement, saying "We don't want honey from bees that sting us. Efforts must be made to rid the region of the presence of foreigners." He went on to demand US withdrawal from "Afghanistan and the borders of Pakistan."
Ahmadinejad's speech radiated the sense that Iranian defiance was bringing results. The Iranian president noted that those who once sought to put pressure on Syria and Iran were now obliged to seek the assistance of these countries.
"Harmony and steadfastness," he said, "are the secret of victory." He went on to demand reform of the United Nations, reiterating a claim he made in his recent Geneva speech that the international body failed to reflect a world in which the balance of forces was changing.
The Syrian president struck a similar tone. Assad said that Ahmadinejad's visit confirmed once more the "strategic relationship" between the two countries. He expressed the support of Syria and Iran for Palestinian "resistance."
Assad then detailed Syria and Iran's common satisfaction regarding current developments in Iraq, and noted Syria's support for the Iranian nuclear program. He also cast an eye over the history of the relationship between the two countries. He noted that Syria had supported Iran at the time of the Islamic Revolution and in the subsequent Iran-Iraq War, and that Damascus had in return benefited from Iranian support when under pressure in recent years.
The words of the two presidents, for those listening closely, are instructive in grasping both the principles and the interests underlying the Syrian-Iranian alliance.
Regarding principles - the two speeches reflect the joint adoption of a secular language of nationalist, anti-Western assertion which is reminiscent of earlier times.
These ideas may have faded from view in the West in recent years, but they retain popularity among broad populations in the Arab world. The Iranians - non-Sunnis and non-Arabs - want to enlist this appeal to their own banner, presenting themselves as the natural representative of all those countries and forces opposing the West in the region.
Syria, meanwhile, has long been the chief guardian among the Arabs of the archaic slogans of third-worldism and defiance. Iranian rhetoric of this kind sits well with the Syrians. The Assad regime, of course, is committed ultimately to its own survival, and not to any ideological path. But there is no sense that an alliance based on an appeal of this kind is in any way unnatural or uncomfortable for the Syrians. On the contrary, it fits perfectly the defiant stance that has enabled the Syrian Ba'athists to punch above their weight in the region for a generation.
Regarding interests, Assad's whistle-stop tour through the history of the relationship reminds us of its longevity.
The mullahs in Teheran and the Ba'athist family dictatorship in Damascus have stuck together for a long time.
The Syrian dictator's expressions of quiet satisfaction at the current turn of events in Iraq, and Ahmadinejad's characteristic tone of triumphalism confirm that the partnership continues to bear fruit.
The next arena for the meeting point of Syrian and Iranian principles and interests is Lebanon, which may shortly be added to the regional alliance headed by these countries. Next month's Lebanese elections formed the backdrop to Ahmadinejad's visit, and perhaps explain the hurried return of Feltman and Shapiro. No doubt the two US officials will reassert the need for noninterference in the upcoming polls, which the Hizbullah-led alliance is favored to win.
Lebanon has long been the ideal arena for the meeting of Iranian and Syrian principles and interests. It is worth remembering that as far back as 1982, it was Syrian facilitation of the entry of 1,500 Iranian Revolutionary Guards into the Lebanese Bekaa which made possible the subsequent foundation of Hizbullah. This long investment may be about to pay off.
In any case, the general direction of events in the region appears to the liking of the two good friends from Damascus and Teheran - offering the prospect of many good years of friendship to come.
**Jonathan Spyer is a senior research fellow at the Global Research in International Affairs Center in Herzliya, Israel.

Hezbollah Employs The Politics Of Fear
By Linda S. Heard, For The Bulletin
Thursday, May 28, 2009
A May 15 speech by Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has triggered dismay and outrage. Addressing graduating university students, he referred to the events of May 7, 2008 as “a glorious day for the resistance in Lebanon.”
A year ago, in response to a government decision to shut down Hezbollah’s communications network, Mr. Nasrallah violated his sworn promise never to turn his guns on his own people. On that day, offices of the March 14 alliance were stormed by his militia, while thousands of West Beirut residents were driven from their homes at gunpoint. For the families of the 87 Lebanese killed and the 250 injured, Mr. Nasrallah’s characterization of May 7th as “glorious” is shocking.
Mr. Nasrallah’s glorifying of May 7 without any regard to the fallen — and the implication that if Hezbollah is thwarted again it wouldn’t hesitate to use the same tactics — has stunned Lebanese politicians, clergy and the public alike.
The International Lebanese Committee (ILC) for the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559 has now sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. It states that Mr. Nasrallah has acknowledged he gave the order to “attack, murder and destroy innocent people of Beirut and the Shouf Mountains of Lebanon on that fatal day May 7, 2008.” The letter calls for the U.N. Security Council to “investigate.”
“Hassan Nasrallah by his own admission is guilty of terrorism, aggression against the sovereignty of a member state in the U.N. as well its army and security forces, which opted to avoid any confrontation that might deteriorate into civil sectarian strife much worse than the previous civil war in Lebanon that killed 200,000 civilians, in addition to a similar number of injured and homeless,” the letter reads.
According to the Kuwaiti Arabic-language daily Al-Seyassah, the ILC call is strongly supported by French, U.S. and British parliamentarians. The paper quotes a spokesman for Chairman of the Senate Committee for Foreign relations John Kerry, as saying, “such a confession should be considered by international bodies fighting crimes against humanity and push the UNSC to establish an international independent investigation committee which does not report to any other entity in the world. Such committee must investigate the confessions and bring the one [Hassan Nasrallah] who has made them to justice for the crimes against humanity, the instigation of civil strife, and the driving of tens of thousands of people out of their homes under threat of death.”
Maronite Politician Antoine Zahra accused Hezbollah of seeking a “state that subjugates itself to their weapons and visions. They want a state that doesn’t resemble Lebanon,” he said. Mr. Zahra is no doubt alluding to the fact that Hezbollah is financed and armed by Iran, which Mr. Nasrallah does his best to gloss over.
However, he is unable to wish away his organization’s 1985 manifesto, in which the Hezbollah leadership pledged their loyalty to Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini and to a goal of Lebanon becoming an Islamic state and neither can he hide the giant billboards depicting images of Iranian leaders starting along the road from Beirut International Airport and scattered around Hezbollah strongholds in the southern suburb of Beirut.
Moreover, when he addresses his followers, his fiery anti-Western rhetoric sounds as though it has been crafted by Iranian mullahs, but when he reaches out to the nation, he presents himself as a Lebanese patriot, who roots for all irrespective of their religious beliefs.
June 7 is the day the Lebanese will go to the polls to decide the shape of their new government. The battle is between the March 14 alliance that currently holds power and the March 8th opposition — a strange marriage between Hezbollah and Amal and Gen. Michel Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement Party.
This is arguably the most important election in Lebanon’s history because it will define not only the country’s direction but also the political face of the region. The question is this: will the Hezbollah-led March 8th alliance gain more power, as some polls suggest?
Certainly, Mr. Nasrallah believes victory is within his grasp. In the meantime, he is attempting to threaten the nation with predictions that Israeli military exercises signify that it might be gearing up to launch a new war. His military wing as the country’s sole protector, he warns. In this respect, he is capitalizing on his military success against Israel in the summer of 2006, which he triggered when he ordered his men to capture and kill Israeli soldiers. However, a conflict that resulted in the sacrifice of more than 1,200 Lebanese innocents as well as the destruction of infrastructure to the tune of billions of dollars was no “win” for Lebanon, however it is billed, and it was indeed a blatant defeat for Hezbollah.
Although Mr. Nasrallah is a smooth-talking master manipulator, the Lebanese should resist being seduced by his promises of security. With a perceived Iranian proxy at the helm, the risk of an Israeli attack on Lebanon is exponentially greater because Israel’s new hard line Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, currently itching to strike Iran, could take the fight to Israel’s northern border.
Mr. Nasrallah has proved to be ruthless when it comes to getting his own way, as we saw when he held the capital hostage with a year-long tent city in Downtown Beirut that stifled business, damaged the economy and hampered day-to-day government. The protest eventually delivered the Hezbollah-Aoun alliance 11 ministerial posts and an all-important power-of-veto.
Lebanese voters should think long and hard before they cast their ballots. If Hezbollah is perceived as the hand that rocks Lebanon’s cradle, this will undoubtedly have negative implications for Lebanon and beyond.
Certainly, Lebanon’s relationship with the U.S. and Europe would suffer as Hezbollah has been branded a terrorist organization by six Western countries, including Britain, which has legitimized Hezbollah’s political wing while declaring its military wing “terrorist.” This seems like a cop out. Hezbollah is one organization with one overall leader, and one destructive agenda. At present Washington and London are taking a cool “wait and see” attitude just as they did during the run up to the landslide victory of Hamas in 2006. Then, after congratulating the Palestinians on free and fair elections, they wasted no time in punishing them for an unwise choice.
A Lebanon with Hassan Nasrallah pulling the strings from his underground bunker could also face strained relations with Egypt and Saudi Arabia and the entire Arab world, Egypt has accused Hezbollah of plotting attacks on its soil, while Saudi Arabia firmly backs the March 14th Hariri-led alliance. It could also frighten potential investors and discourage tourism.
Lebanese voters should avoid being intimidated by Mr. Nasrallah’s scaremongering and hold to their own vision. Do they want a country that is peaceful, open and at ease with the international community or one that is fearful, isolated and plagued by conflict? It’s their choice.
**Linda S. Heard is a British syndicated columnist based in Egypt.