LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
October 01/09
Bible Reading of the day
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to
Saint Luke 9:57-62. As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to
him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the
Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." And to another he said, "Follow me."
But he replied, "(Lord,) let me go first and bury my father." But he answered
him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of
God."
And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my
family at home." (To him) Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and
looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."
-Naharnet
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
MP. Nawwaf al-Moussawi
(Hezbollah's parliamentary block member) reads in Dr. Geagea's speech/Now
Lebanon/30.09.09
Things are looking up
for formation of the Lebanese new government/Now Lebanon/30.09.09
Merkel's election victory could herald a shift in
Germany's foreign policy/The
Daily Star/30.09.09
Gadhafi, Chavez sign anti-terrorism declaration/The
Daily Star/03.09.09
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for September 30/09
March 14 Slams Syrian Interference in Lebanese Politics-Naharnet
Geagea Not Optimistic About Cabinet Formation, Says he has No Personal Problem
with Bassil-Naharnet
Cassese Presents 6-Month Report-Naharnet
2 Wanted Men Killed in Exchange of Fire with Lebanese Troops-Naharnet
Sfeir
Returns from Rome: Hariri's Success Means Success for Lebanon-Naharnet
Appointment of Election Losers from
Both Sides is Possible Breakthrough in Crisis-Naharnet
Tishrin:
Lebanese Regime Impossible to Patch-Naharnet
Aoun: Let Hariri Appoint
Any Election Loser-Naharnet
Mouallem, Kouchner: Lebanon’s security is
our common goal/Now Lebanon
Muallem:
Majority-Minority Mentality Obstructs Lebanon Cabinet Lineup-Naharnet
Hariri to Expand
Consultations to Include Trade Unions, Civil Society Representatives-Naharnet
Khoja's Beirut Visit
Unconfirmed-Naharnet
Abul Geith Warns Lebanese
against Foreign Meddling, Says Egypt Pays No Attention to Nasrallah Rhetoric-Naharnet
Khoja: Senior Saudi Envoy
in Beirut Soon-Naharnet
Analysis: Assad skillfully plays East
against West/Jerusalem Post
President Cassese presents six-month report on STL/Now Lebanon
Breaking Lebanon's cabinet impasse will require regional, international
influences-Daily
Star
Deliberations continue as Hariri seeks breakthrough-Daily
Star
Mayor
accused of spying for Israel-Daily
Star
Israelis spooked by false report of drone incursion-Daily
Star
IMF
report proposes adding remittances to Lebanon's GDP-Daily
Star
Baroud urges government to grant citizens right to information-Daily
Star
Report: Corruption exacerbates plight of internally displaced-Daily
Star
Chouf
farmers hone skills through NGO program-Daily
Star
Mufti
of Tyre holds multi-confessional ceremony-Daily
Star
Palestinians demand better education-Daily
Star
Bahia
Hariri expresses pride during Francophone Games-Daily
Star
Things are
looking up
September 30, 2009
Now Lebanon
Following five days of parliamentary consultations, things are looking up for
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri as the opposition is showing signs of
moving toward accepting a deal on the cabinet lineup in the wake of the meeting
between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz
in Jeddah last week and a statement by the president over the weekend. An
official close to Hariri told Al-Akhbar that the government-formation process is
“looking good” and will be finalized within the next two weeks. Parliament
Speaker Nabih Berri’s visitors told An-Nahar on Tuesday that Berri has been very
optimistic over the cabinet formation for the past three days.
One of the factors raising hopes in government circles is reports that the
opposition has been showing signs of satisfaction following President Michel
Sleiman’s statement in New York on Saturday that he “does not mind” the
reappointment of candidates who lost their bid in the 2009 parliamentary
elections, according to An-Nahar, which was one of the factors stalling the
government formation. A source from the Christian opposition told the daily that
Sleiman’s statement was a path toward consensus and provided Lebanon with a
framework to begin resolving the cabinet impasse. Al-Akhbar reported that there
has already been an agreement on the reappointment of controversial
Telecommunications Minister Gebran Bassil, who lost his bid in the parliamentary
elections, but not in the same post. However the daily reported that Al-Mustaqbal
newspaper denied any such agreement on Bassil’s reappointment.
Meanwhile, on the Saudi-Syrian front, Saudi Information Minister Abdel Aziz
Khoja denied rumors that he will be visiting Lebanon today in an interview with
NOW, saying such reports are unfounded. But, he added that another high-ranking
official will visit Lebanon and stressed the Saudi king’s visit to Damascus “is
imminent.”
A source told As-Safir that major preparations are taking place for the king’s
visit to Syria, adding that Damascus is preparing a “welcoming schedule.”
While Syria and Saudi Arabia will no doubt be discussing the situation in
Lebanon during their conciliatory meeting, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid
Mouallem stressed that his country is not meddling in Lebanese affairs. During a
meeting with his French counterpart, Bernard Kouchner, in Paris yesterday, An-Nahar
reported that Mouallem assured Kouchner, “No one can walk in the Lebanese
people’s shoes when it comes to the formation of the government.” Yet opposition
sources said that the topics of discussion during the Syrian-Saudi summit may
well expand to include Lebanon. However, the March 14 forces said this is
unlikely, adding that PM-designate Saad Hariri will not visit Damascus prior to
the formation of the government.
Hezbollah Prepared to Hold the US Hostage
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/15125
By Chris Carter Friday, September 25, 2009 -Naharnet
A Middle East terrorism expert has warned that Iran may use a terrorist group to
strike the United States if it becomes threatened. “If Iran’s regime is in
trouble, either from the outside or even from a democratic uprising, it may
order Hezbollah to attack the U.S.” said Dr. Walid Phares during an appearance
on FOX News last week.
This reiterates what Hezbollah themselves have said. “We have 2,000 volunteers
who have registered since last year,” Hezbollah spokesman Mojtaba Bigdeli told
Reuters in a 2006 interview. “They have been trained and they can become fully
armed. We are ready to dispatch them to every corner of the world to jeopardize
Israel and America’s interests. We are only waiting for the supreme leader’s
green light to take action. If America wants to ignite World War III … we
welcome it.”
While many in the U.S. are concerned with al Qaeda, the Lebanese-based and
Iranian-funded Hezbollah poses the greater threat. Excluding the 9/11 attacks,
Hezbollah has killed more Americans than any other terrorist group. Phares has
stated previously that Hezbollah is “well funded, very well organized, and we
assume that their penetration of the U.S. is deeper than al Qaeda’s.”
In addition to their activity in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, Hezbollah
is operating in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, and other
countries in Central and South America.
Following news in 2006 that Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met with
Hezbollah’s military commander Imad Mugniyeh (who until his death would have
likely commanded attacks against Western targets), investigations were conducted
on Hezbollah cells in 14 U.S. cities. FBI and Justice Department probes revealed
about a dozen hard-core supporters of Hezbollah in New York City alone. Another
cell was discovered in Detroit, which has become the center for Hezbollah’s
fundraising operations. San Antonio reportedly has Hezbollah-linked groups.
There have been multiple instances in recent years where personnel from the
Iranian mission to the United Nations were expelled for monitoring New York City
subways, bridges, tunnels, and other potential targets. According to testimony
from former CIA director James Woolsey, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
“says that he knows of the 29 sensitive sites in the U.S. and the west which he
has spied out and is ready to attack in order to, quote: ‘End Anglo-Saxon
civilization.’”
It is likely that the attacks Ahmadinejad mentions would be executed by members
of Hezbollah.
In 2000, members of a North Carolina cell were convicted for providing “material
support” to Hezbollah. In addition to sending profits from a cigarette smuggling
ring to Hezbollah, one group member was ordered by a Hezbollah member in Lebanon
to obtain night-vision equipment, surveying equipment, global positioning
systems, mine detectors, radar, and other dual-use technology to send to
Lebanon.
In Canada, intelligence officials disclosed that Hezbollah mobilized as many as
four of their sleeper cells following Mugniyeh’s assassination last year. Up to
20 Hezbollah suspects were tracked as they conducted reconnaissance on
synagogues and the Israeli embassy in Ottawa. Members of the cells were also
instructed to send their family members back to Lebanon. Toronto has become a
hub of activity for Hezbollah, despite the Canadian government declaring
Hezbollah a terrorist organization in 2002.
A federal indictment recently
If Hezbollah's weapons can go south, what is to stop them from being brought
into the U.S. through a porous border?
In 2006, FBI director Robert Mueller confirmed that the FBI busted a Hezbollah
cell that smuggled operatives across the Mexican border. In 2001, Mahmoud
Kourani, who according to his indictment is a Hezbollah “member, fighter,
recruiter and fund-raiser,” illegally entered the U.S. through Mexico before
being convicted for providing material support to Hezbollah. Kourani’s brother
is Hezbollah’s chief of military security in Lebanon.
Hezbollah operatives also infiltrate the U.S. through the Canada. An associate
of Kourani smuggled 20 to 30 Hezbollah members into the U.S. across the Canadian
border.
In South America, the strategic partnership between Iran and Venezuela have
provided a base of operations for Hezbollah activity in the Western Hemisphere.
Venezuelan cells are part of the “Special Operations Command,” the group tasked
with overseas attacks, such as the 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos
Aires, Argentina and another bombing in 1994 of a Jewish community center in the
same city. U.S. Treasury officials alleged last year that two Venezuelans had
“facilitated the travel” of Hezbollah members and “discussed operational issues
with senior officials” of the terrorist group. The import of operatives and
material were further eased as the State Department noted that Venezuelan border
officials in the airport did not stamp passports and rarely entered passengers
into the immigration database.
Hezbollah operatives and equipment could reach South America through Venezuela,
migrate to the U.S. through Mexico, and await their orders from Teheran.
Although Hezbollah has not yet attacked targets in the U.S., the terrorist group
clearly has the capability, and has announced their intention to strike. Their
presence on our soil serves to hold the American people hostage with the threat
of terrorist attacks in order to protect Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
Therefore, it is essential that America become increasingly vigilant in order to
stop the threat from Hezbollah.
Originally published at the International Analyst Network
Tishrin: Lebanese Regime Impossible to Patch
Naharnet/The official Syrian Tishrin newspaper said the Lebanese regime requires
"a radical savior step after it has become impossible to patch since painkillers
no longer work." It said Lebanon is facing a "regime crisis, not a governance
crisis." Tishrin said that perhaps this was the reason why Prime
Minister-designate Saad Hariri proposed the following question during
parliamentary consultations: "Do you think that the crisis in Lebanon is one of
a regime or governance?" Beirut, 29 Sep 09, 11:51
Sfeir Returns from Rome: Hariri's Success Means Success for Lebanon
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir returned to Beirut on Tuesday and hoped
PM-designate Saad Hariri success in forming the government.
"Hariri's success means success for the country," Sfeir said at Beirut airport
upon his return from Rome. Asked about President Michel Suleiman's remarks to
pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday, Sfeir said: "We agree on everything that the
president says." Suleiman had said that Syria was not interfering or obstructing
cabinet formation, adding that disagreements were restricted to the distribution
of portfolios. About the issue of not giving cabinet seats to those who had lost
the parliamentary elections, Suleiman said the constitution hasn't mentioned
such an issue. "Such practice has been violated several times. So it's better to
commit to national interest."When asked if he was with giving cabinet seats to
election losers, Sfeir said: "As long as the president said this, then there is
no objection to it."Sfeir told reporters that he discussed with Pope Benedict
XVI the situation in Lebanon. Benedict announced a special meeting of bishops
next year to discuss Middle East peace efforts and the role of the Catholic
Church in the region. Addressing bishops and patriarchs from Eastern rite
churches, including Sfeir, Benedict said Saturday that the meeting will take
place Oct. 10-24, 2010, and will be titled "The Catholic Church in the Middle
East: communion and testimony." Beirut, 29 Sep 09, 19:10
Appointment of Election Losers from Both Sides is Possible
Breakthrough in Crisis
Naharnet/Discussions are now underway to find a way out of the Cabinet crisis
that could be found through the appointment of election losers from both the
majority and the Opposition in the new government. However, for those election
losers who will be appointed, they will enter the government as ministers
without portfolios. Recent statements by President Michel Suleiman that he does
not mind the appointment of election losers have paved the way for an exit to
the crisis. Al-Liwaa daily said Wednesday that Suleiman's remarks did not come
from nowhere, but rather came within the framework of throwing the balance of
the game with a Vatican blessing. Well-informed sources told al-Liwaa that the
Vatican's political cover was reflected in comments made by Maronite Patriarch
Nasrallah Sfeir who announced upon his return from Rome on Tuesday that he
supports Suleiman's statements. "As long as the President said this, then I
don't mind," Sfeir said. Sources from the Christian opposition, meanwhile, told
An-Nahar newspaper that Suleiman's remarks have put a consensus agreement on a
Cabinet lineup on the right track through his insistence that national interest
comes first. Sources close from Christian leaders in the majority March 14
coalition told An-Nahar that the Lebanese Forces and the Phalange Party in
particular will notify PM-designate Saad Hariri of their rejection of such
appointments based on two points: the first is related to the principle of
respecting election results. The second is political which underlines the
keenness on the government structure which does not include those who lost the
June parliamentary elections. The daily al-Akhbar, for its part, said a
tentative agreement had been reached to reappoint Jebran Bassil in the new
government, "but that the Opposition would be denied the telecoms ministry which
will be the President's share." Beirut, 30 Sep 09, 08:14
Khoja: Senior Saudi Envoy in Beirut Soon
Saudi Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja denied he will visit Lebanon soon.
Khoja, however, uncovered that a senior Saudi envoy would visit Beirut. He did
not say when the visit would take place. He reiterated Riyadh's support for
Lebanon "without meddling in internal affairs." Beirut, 30 Sep 09, 09:04
Aoun: Let Hariri Appoint Any Election Loser
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun said Tuesday that he did not
mind if the PM-designate appointed a candidate that had lost the elections
adding he was cooperating with Saad Hariri to form a strong government. "Let
Hariri appoint any election loser from his team … We are a victorious party"
anyhow, Aoun said following a meeting with MPs Suleiman Franjieh, Talal Arslan,
Minister Elias Skaff and Tashnag Secretary-General Hovig Mekhitarian. The top
Change and Reform Bloc members met in Rabiyeh to prepare for the second round of
talks with Hariri. Aoun said he will meet again with the PM-designate at 12:00
pm Thursday. "During our first meeting, Hariri asked us questions. We will ask
him questions too," Aoun told reporters. He criticized the description of the
consultations as "non-binding," saying the talks between Hariri and lawmakers
are types of negotiations that could either lead to a solution or deadlock. "In
case we don't reach understanding ... the government won't be a cabinet of
national unity," he said. The FPM leader added that his bloc was cooperating
with the PM-designate to form a strong and balanced cabinet. "This cannot be
achieved unless laws and the constitution are respected."Turning to the meeting
between Syrian President Bashar Assad and Saudi King Abdullah, Aoun said: "No
matter what its nature was, it wouldn't solve our internal problems." The MP
finally denied his team was behind the problem of the telecommunications
portfolio and slammed what he called "mafia" like ways to govern the country.
Beirut, 29 Sep 09, 15:10
Muallem: Majority-Minority Mentality Obstructs Lebanon Cabinet Lineup
Naharnet/Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem confirmed that the "Lebanese
file" will not be discussed during his deputy's visit to Washington and
clarified that the Syrian letter to U.N. General Secretary raised the issue of
Mellis "politicizing" the investigation in PM Rafic Hariri's murder. In an
interview with Arabia TV, Muallem said that the "U.N. General Secretary did not
tackle the issue yet," and went on explaining that "Ban Ki-moon considers that
the investigator is independent in handling his enquiry while we see the
investigator as a U.N. employee at the service of the General Secretary." The
Syrian Foreign Minister clarified that Syria in its letter "has just questioned
whether the investigation had taken a politicized turn during Mehlis handling of
the task." Regarding his deputy Faisal Moqdad 's visit to the States, Muallem
said that it is "upon an American invitation" as it aims at "re-establishing the
American- Syrian relation following a rupture that lasted eight years." Muallem
ruled out discussing the Syrian-Lebanese relations with the Americans during
Moqdad's visit to Washington and reiterated that the problem behind the
formation of the Lebanese Cabinet "lies in the mentality of majority and
minority." Muallem described bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia as being " deeply
rooted and strong since President Hafez Assad presidency," while the
Syrian-Iraqi relations " did not succeed yet despite the Turkish intervention."
On this same topic, he underscored that "mentioning Syria in the U.N. General
Secretary's report in relation to the latest developments in Iraq without
consulting us is not acceptable," and went on saying " especially that Iraq did
not present any proof criminalizing any Iraqi resident in Syria of being
involved in the explosions." In the context of the Syrian position vis-à-vis the
Palestinians factions, "at equal distance from all", Muallem said and ruling out
" exercising any pressure on anybody, " he added " the time is matured for a
Palestinian reconciliation." Finally, the Syrian Foreign Minister confirmed that
the indirect negotiations with Israel are "at halt" as Syria is aiming at "talks
that lead to results." Beirut, 29 Sep 09, 23:12
Dynamite explodes near a residence in Merwahin
Naharnet/September 30, 2009
A dynamite stick exploded at 4 a.m. on Wednesday near the home of Ibrahim
Ghannam in Merwahin injuring his wife. The army cordoned the area, while the
Alma al-Shaab police began investigations.
President Cassese presents six-month report on STL
September 30, 2009 /Now Lebanon
President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Antonio Cassese presented a report
on September 14 entitled “The STL Six Months on: a Bird’s Eye View” to the STL’s
Management Committee. The Report included an overview of the STL’s activities in
the past six months and is different from the annual report to be presented to
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and the Lebanese government in March 2010.
The report went into details of the four organs of the Tribunal – Chambers,
Registry, Office of the Prosecutor, Office of Defense – and included the
Registry’s preparations to establish the infrastructures and to recruit
competent staff; the quick approval by the judges of legal documents for the
functioning of the tribunal; the transfer of jurisdiction by Lebanon and the
issuance by the pre-trial judge of different orders on the previously detained
four Lebanese generals; the stepping up by the prosecutor of his investigations;
the intense contacts of the head of the defense office with the Lebanese bar
associations and lawyers; and the cooperation between the Lebanese government
and the various organs of the tribunal.
In the report, Cassese touched on the challenges the STL must meet and on how to
tackle them. He reiterated that the STL’s intention to bring justice without
politicizations and based on facts. The full six-months report can be downloaded
the three official languages of the STL.
Mouallem, Kouchner: Lebanon’s security is our common goal
September 30, 2009
Naharnet/Following his meeting with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in
Paris on Tuesday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem said, “No one can walk
in the shoes of the Lebanese people when it comes to the cabinet formation,”
adding that Lebanon’s security is France and Syria’s common goal. “As Lebanon’s
friends, we encourage Lebanese parties to intensify dialogue [on the government
formation],” he said. Mouallem described his visit to Paris as “specially
significant,” saying France was one of the first countries that had the “the
courage” to renew its relations with Syria. He noted Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad’s visit to France upon French President Nicholas Sarkozy’s request in
July 2009.
He said that the French-Syrian relationship is a “decisive” factor in the Middle
East’s stability and security. The two men also discussed the situation in Iraq
and the cooperation among the regional states, said Mouallem. Kouchner, in
turn, said that the deliberations on “the exceptional bilateral relations are
not over,” adding that Tuesday’s meeting addressed the main issues, although he
did not elaborate further.
Nawwaf al-Moussawi
September 28, 2009
On September 27, the Lebanese National News Agency carried the following report:
Deputy Nawwaf al-Moussawi sponsored a celebration staged yesterday by Al-Mustafa
school in Nabatiyeh to honor the students who have passed the official
examinations.
“As we have secured victory over the Zionist enemy, we will continue to achieve
victories until we see the full liberation of the land, independence and
national unity... This is the Lebanon whose glory we are seeking. Yesterday,
someone asked whether or not the majority government was a constitutional
government. We say that the Lebanese constitution considers that if the
government enjoys a majority in the parliamentary council, it can earn the vote
of confidence.
However, the Lebanese constitution also says that no power enjoys legitimacy if
it goes against the coexistence pact... The majority government in Lebanon is
one which includes the sectarian majorities and not the majority of a sect or
two, since that is against the coexistence pact. Whoever wishes to form a
majority government should see that the majority is that featured in the pact
and not a majority of numbers.
This certain someone also said yesterday that the parliamentary elections
rendered the Shia representation limited to Amal and Hezbollah, and that
therefore it was only fair for these two parties to represent the Shia in the
government because they won in the parliamentary elections. This is a sound
logic and that is what happened. However, let us implement that on the overall
sectarian representation. What is happening is that he - i.e. Samir Geagea - is
seeking to wage an annihilation war against the Free Patriotic Movement and
General Aoun by using the Sunni majority represented by the Future Movement. The
side that is hindering the government formation today is the person who spoke
yesterday - i.e. Geagea - and who is trying to use one sectarian team as an ally
in his battle against the Free Patriotic movement to represent the Christians in
the government. He is also trying to render the prime minister-designate a
cover, from behind which he could target the Free Patriotic Movement and its
allies... The parliamentary elections showed that the General and the party he
heads represent more than half the Christians. So, why is this war being waged
against him to annul him or embarrass him and get him out of the game? In light
of this attack, even if he were to reach the Cabinet, he will be blockaded, weak
and marginalized.
I have two pieces of advice to put forward with love: The first is that any
conflict between the Christian political forces will weaken the entire Christian
role, and we in Lebanon, regardless of the sect to which we belong, know that
when one sect is weakened, Lebanon is weakened. Therefore, we call for the
representation of the Christians based on the outcome of the parliamentary
elections... As for the attempts to engage in a battle with wind mills, we
condemn these attempts and we have heard talk in the last few days saying that
the Shia were seeking to amend the Taif Accord based on the fact that the
constitution limited the formation of the government to the Maronite president
and the Sunni prime minister... Name one Shia figure who demanded such
amendment. There is no problem in the constitutional content. The problem
emerged when the prime minister-designate took 73 days to conduct consultations
and then gave the president of the republic two days to respond. The problem is
not on our end but elsewhere.
We advise the prime minister-designate to exit this battle which is neither his
nor that of Lebanon. We must help the political powers reach an agreement,
because it is in Lebanon’s interests and in our interests as sects to have an
efficient role. We also advise the prime minister-designate who put forward a
paper featuring 10 important points which he proposed to the members of the
parliamentary blocs for discussion during the past consultations, to add a few
other points which are also important and cannot be settled in one meeting, even
if it were to last an hour. Therefore, our advice is to tackle all these issues
around a new national dialogue table which would include the representatives of
the parliamentary blocs, while keeping the door open before other names if
necessary. We hope that the prime minister-designate will be careful not to fall
in the traps being set for him by his closest advisors and to benefit from the
fact that the opposition has never been more willing to cooperate. If we were to
launch the consultations from where they had previously stopped, we will be able
to form a government that is up to the level of the Lebanese people’s hopes and
expectations.”
Gadhafi,
Chavez sign anti-terrorism declaration
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
PORLAMAR, Venezuela: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Libyan leader Moammar
Gadhafi signed a declaration Monday night decrying what they call attempts by
powerful Western countries to equate struggles against colonialism with
terrorism. In the declaration, Venezuela and Libya “reject intentions to link
the legitimate struggle of the people for liberty and self-determination” with
terrorism, but also adds that they “reiterate the importance of countering
terrorism in all its forms.” Neither of the two leaders commented publicly on
the document. It does not specifically name any Western country, but Gadhafi
mentioned both the United States and Britain during a speech after the signing.
Cheered on by hundreds of supporters at a rally held for the signing, Chavez
praised Gadhafi, comparing him to Venezuela’ s most revered founding father –
19th century independence hero Simon Bolivar. He presented his guest with a
gold-plated replica of a sword that once belonged to Bolivar.“I’m not
exaggerating at all. What Simon Bolivar is for the Venezuelan people, Moammar
Gadhafi is for the Libyan people. He’s the Liberator of Libya,” Chavez said,
prompting applause from the crowd gathered in Porlamar, a Caribbean resort city.
“This is a great honor that I have received,” Gadhafi said. Gadhafi also
criticized the “imperialism” of some wealthy countries, singling out the United
States and Britain, and he repeated his denunciation of last week calling the UN
Security Council an elite club where nations such as Libya have no voice. – AP