LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
April 20/09
Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus
Christ according to Saint John 20,19-31.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where
the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his
hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (Jesus) said
to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the
holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain
are retained." Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when
Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he
said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger
into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Now a
week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came,
although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be
with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and
bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but
believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"Jesus said to
him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who
have not seen and have believed." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence
of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that
you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that
through this belief you may have life in his name.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters &
Special Reports
Assad’s spiral/Future
News 19/04/09
Why did the Muslim
Brotherhood Retreat?By:Tariq
Alhomayed/Asharq
Al-Awsat 19/04/09
Lebanese Armenians and the ‘Madness' of
Political Alignment. /Asharq
Alawsat 19/04/09
Egypt: Hezbollah and the
Confrontation.By:
Diana
Mukkaled
Asharq Al-Awsat 19/04/09
A Major
Embarrassment!.By:
Hussein Shobokshi/
Asharq Al-Awsat 19/04/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for April
19/09
Suspect in Hariri murder case arrested in UAEGulfNews
Lebanon's Law-and-Order Regime: Can a
Broken-Windows Policy Work?TIME -
USA
Orthodox Christians Mark 'Holy Fire' of Easter in Jerusalem-Naharnet
Egypt working to remove Hizbullah
TV /Israeli News
Egyptians mulling death sentence
for head of terror cell/Israeli News
Egypt's Prosecution to Ask for
Death Penalty for Shihab, Lawyer Says Defendant 'Coerced'-Naharnet
Saniora: It Is Time for Sidon to Have a United Front-Naharnet
Raad: No One Presented Us with an Alternative to Resistance-Naharnet
Israeli Heroin Market Continues to Fund Hizbullah
Terrorism-Arutz Sheva
Al-Ahram: Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah tried to overthrow
Egypt?s Mubarak?Ha'aretz
Hezbollah cell reportedly aimed at Israel-United
Press International
Awdeh: You Risk Losing
Lebanon if You Do Not Agree on Respecting It-Naharnet
Report: Three Hizbullah
Members Involved in Spy Ring-Naharnet
Geagea Cedar Revolution
Removed Syrian Army Out of Lebanon-Naharnet
Arsalan: Our Alliance With
Aoun Dates to 2005 Prior to His Return to Beirut-Naharnet
Karami: Saniora's
Nomination to Parliament Goes Against Spirit of Doha Agreement-Naharnet
Conference on Lebanon
Syrian Relations Stresses Respect of Sovereignty and Independence-Naharnet
March 14 Announces its
Electoral List in Batroun-Naharnet
Berri Says Hizbullah is
Keen on Egypt's Interests-Naharnet
Syria Asks Sharjah to
Arrest Siddiq and Extradite Him-Naharnet
Hizbullah Cell in Egypt: A
Race of Mediations and Trials-Naharnet
Jumblat Meets with
Hizbullah in Sunday's Shweifat Reconciliation-Naharnet
Hariri Launches Majority
Lists Starting Monday-Naharnet
Ahmadinejad: Iran like a train
without brakes/Israeli News
Suspect in Hariri
murder case arrested in UAE
Gulf News/Staff Report/April 19, 2009, 20:28
Dubai: A suspect in the investigation into the murder of former Lebanese Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri has been arrested in Sharjah.
Media reports claimed on Sunday that Mohammad Zuhair Al Siddiq was taken into
custody by UAE security agents.
The former Syrian intelligence officer has been missing since leaving France in
March 2008. He was arrested in Paris four years ago on an international warrant
after being charged with murder by Lebanese prosecutors. However, French courts
refused to extradite him as they feared he would face the death penalty and
subsequently released him in 2006. Hariri, and 22 other people, died on February
14, 2005, when his convoy was hit by a bomb in the centre of Beirut. The blast
prompted a massive series of protests and increased political pressure which
eventually led to Syria withdrawing its troops from Lebanon. Many anti-Syrian
Lebanese politicians believe the bomb to have been the work of Damascus, a
charge which has been consistently denied by the Syrian government. A UN
investigation was set up into the blast, and an international court has recently
convened to try four suspects - generals who were commanders in Lebanon's
pro-Syrian security establishment – in connection with the killing.
Orthodox Christians Mark 'Holy Fire' of Easter in Jerusalem
Naharnet/Thousands of Orthodox Christians converged on Jerusalem's Church of the
Holy Sepulchre on Saturday for the "Holy Fire" ceremony on the eve of Orthodox
Easter. The Old City was jammed with pilgrims from the eastern Orthodox faiths
including Greeks, Copts, Russians and Assyrians, seeking to reach the church,
one of Christianity's holiest sites. For believers, the Greek Orthodox patriarch
enters the Holy Sepulchre, recites special prayers and waits in the darkened
church at Jesus's tomb for the Holy Fire to light an oil lamp. The light is then
shared by candles to the crowd. Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said
about 10,000 worshippers were crammed inside and another 30,000 remained outside
the church, built on the sites where Christians believe Jesus was crucified,
entombed and resurrected.(AFP) Beirut, 18 Apr 09, 16:11
Awdeh: You Risk Losing Lebanon if You Do Not Agree on
Respecting It
Naharnet/Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elias Awdeh in Sunday's sermon warned the
Lebanese they risk to lose Lebanon if they do not unite over "respecting" and
"safeguarding" their homeland. "The absence of agreement among the Lebanese to
respect their homeland and their army and to safeguard (Lebanon's) foundations
will cause them to lose this country. If they do they will not be able to find
an alternative homeland," Awdeh said during Easter mass.
Recalling Monday's deadly ambush on an army convoy, Awdeh wondered why the
Lebanese failed to "join hands to help the army command bring the perpetrators
to justice despite having agreed to condemn the attack."On the upcoming
elections, Awdeh told Lebanon's youth that the polls can be "their chance to
express themselves" and urged the public to practice their "national duty" by
voting. "The law, which allows 25-year olds to run for parliament, applies to
all the Lebanese equally and is not limited to one person or one group," he
said. He asked voters to "listen to the voice of conscience" when they cast
their ballots. Awdeh said parliamentary representatives must be chosen based on
their integrity not on "who pays more or who makes the most promises."
Awdeh encouraged Lebanese women to "thrive in all fields" alongside men. The
archbishop underlined the importance of accountability and reminded contenders
that public services "are a years-long process and must not be limited to
electoral campaigning."An ideal governor, he said, is one who "places public
interest above all other, be that sect, religion or family."
Assad’s spiral
Date: April 19th, 2009 Source: Future News
The statement of Syrian president Bashar Assad during which he refused to
demarcate the borders between Lebanon and Syria in the Israeli occupied Shebaa
farms, totally contradicts with the allegations of his regime which deny that he
seeks to renew his hegemony over Lebanon. Assad’s statement is considered a
withdrawal from the stance he declared during the Lebanese-Syrian summit, as it
halts the possibility to attain resolution 1701; in addition to that it
contradicts with the stance of the Lebanese leaders over the “dialogue
table”.Last summer, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman met with President Assad,
and the two agreed to demarcate the Lebanese-Syrian borders; however the
statement issued then did not mention that the borders will not be demarcated
before the end of the Israeli occupation, which is a new development in Syria’s
stance towards this issue. Assad justified his stance saying that his country
does not want to facilitate Israel’s problem in the Shebaa farms issue, being an
Arab occupied land. This justification appears to be valid, however its content
leads to keeping Shebaa farms under the occupation, in other words it aims at
keeping the region a portal to heave bargains within the negotiation with
Israel. The stance of the Syrian regime’s leader connects demarcating the
Syrian-Lebanese borders with ending the Israeli occupation knowing that the
condition to ending the occupation is to prove that the Shebaa farms belong to
Lebanon through demarcating the borders. Thus, the only interpretation to
Assad’s statement is that it aims at keeping the Israeli occupation, and at
replaying that same old “weapon” symphony. Keeping the Shebaa farms under
Israel’s occupation and the refusal of the Syrian regime to demarcate it shows
the collusion between the Syrian regime and Israel to keep things as they are in
Lebanon, especially in the South. Probably it is hopeless for Lebanon to get out
of Assad’s spiral. While some of us insist to “Thank Syria” for the crimes it
committed in Lebanon and others insist to their commitment to Vilayat el Faqih,
the rest seek a seat at the parliament, and none of the three is seeking a free
and independent Lebanon.
Abul Gheit: No settlement over Hizbullah’s group
Naharnet/Date: April 18th, 2009 Source: Al Watan Ahmad Abul Gheit, the Egyptian
Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Saturday that the case of Hizbullah’s group is
being investigated by the Egyptian justice and that “the rumors over political
settlements are not backed with facts.” Egypt announced last week that its
authorities had arrested in October close to 50 persons affiliated to Hizbullah
working on destabilizing the country. Hizbullah’s secretary general Hasan
Nasrallah asserts this group was working to support logistically the
Palestinians of the neighboring Gaza Strip. Abul Gheit told “Al Watan”, the
Saudi newspaper, that he is following closely the investigations results with
the Attorney General, adding that the case will be transferred to the tribunal
at the end of these investigations. “The investigations assert that Hizbullah
tried to interfere in the Egyptian local affairs, which is an issue we fully
refuse,” concluded the minister.
Report: Three Hizbullah Members Involved in Spy Ring
Naharnet/State investigations into an espionage network working for Israel have
revealed the involvement of three Hizbullah members, An Nahar daily reported
Sunday. The intelligence bureau of the Internal Security Forces has informed
Hizbullah of the findings and said the three suspects "were trailed for a while
before taken into custody for questioning," the paper said. It added that
findings were made possible after the forces "were allowed unlimited access to
the database (in the Telecoms Ministry), something Hizbullah had opposed in the
past."The three suspects are the latest in a string of arrests that included a
former security officer, detained on Saturday, and retired Lebanese army general
accused of being the ring leader of the network. Army intelligence said the
security officer, identified only as G.M., worked at the General Security
Department and operated a bus to transport people between the southern town of
Rmeish and Beirut, the daily As Safir said on Saturday. Sources told the
newspaper that the man was locked up for 3 months in the notorious Khiam
detention center in the mid 1990s. The Army on Tuesday disclosed the arrest of
retired army general, Adib al-Alam saying he was seized at his office near
Beirut. Alam's wife Hayat and his nephew, Joseph, a General Security Department
Corporal, were also taken in custody for questioning. Sources told pan-Arab
daily al Hayat that Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi and
head of the intelligence bureau Wissam al-Hassan informed Hizbullah official
Wafiq Safa last week that the ring leader Alam had made "infiltrations into
Hizbullah ranks."The sources said that Hizbullah took extra measures and
precautions upon receiving information about the network's achievements. The
group also decided to arrest any suspect involved in the spy ring. Al Hayat said
security forces decided to arrest Alam after monitoring his moves for more than
18 months for fears that his spying activities would put the security of
Hizbullah and its leadership at risk. Beirut, 19 Apr 09, 11:35
Egypt's Prosecution to Ask for Death Penalty for Shihab,
Lawyer Says Defendant 'Coerced'
Naharnet/Egypt's High State Security prosecution has asked for the death penalty
for a Hizbullah member on charges of plotting attacks in the country with the
purpose of "overthrowing the regime," according to Sunday press reports.
Defendant Mohammed Youssef Mansour, also known as Sami Shihab, was among 49
suspects arrested over the past five months and accused of plotting attacks in
Egypt on behalf of Hizbullah. A claim the Lebanese group denied saying Shihab
was responsible for helping transport arms to the Gaza Strip. The pan-Arab daily
al Hayat reported Sunday that during a hearing on Saturday Egypt's High State
Security prosecution "officially charged Mansour with joining a secret and
illegal organization with the aim of overthrowing the regime, endangering public
peace and abusing the law."
The charge sheet added that the "secret organization used terrorism as a means
to achieve its goals," the paper reported. The group was also accused of "being
in contact with a foreign organization identified as Hizbullah, providing it
with censored information without prior authorization, receiving military and
financial aid from a foreign party in violation of the law in addition to owning
weapons and explosives with the aim of sowing fear among the public and
committing crimes listed under the law." The prosecution said it has completed
quizzing Mansour and will complete its investigation with the remaining members
of the cell at a later time before filing charges and referring them to trial.
Lawyer Montasser al-Zayat, who represented Mansour at the hearing, said the
investigations were "null and void" since they were conducted at night with each
session lasting for more than ten hours with no regard to the defendant's
"mental and physical state." "The charges must be nullified since they were
extracted under coercion against the defendant, who was jailed for more than
five month in an illegal detention center," Zayat added. He said Mansour was not
permitted to meet in private with his lawyer during the interrogation process.
Two other main suspects in the case identified as Nimr Fahmi and Nasser Abu Omar
"have confessed to providing information about five Egyptian towns on the border
with Egypt to Shihab and another Hizbullah fugitive Mohammed Qabalan," the pan
–Arab al Sharq al Awsat said quoting sources.
The date included land and population surveys of the five towns in addition
details on hospitals, schools and most prominent residents.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Geith said the case "will be dealt with by
the Egyptian judiciary and will not be subject to political interference or
mediation attempts." For its part, the daily reported that Egypt has filed a
lawsuit against al Manar demanding the Hizbullah-owned station to "stop using
Egyptian broadcasting satellite Nilesat." Nilesat is managed by the Egyptian
Company for Broadcasting Satellite, which is controlled by the Interior
Ministry. The lawsuit also criticized Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
for "insulting the government, the president and the people by allowing al Manar
to broadcast fabricated news about Egypt." Beirut, 19 Apr 09, 09:52
Saniora: It Is Time for Sidon to Have a United Front
Naharnet/Prime Minister Fouad Saniora on Sunday arrived in Sidon on a two-day
tour to meet with the city's public figures and influential families as part of
his electoral campaign. "The time has come for Sidon to have a united front when
it comes to decision making," Saniora told a social gathering. "We are at the
doors of a national event: the elections. Each one of us must carry out his
(her) right because it is the only means to practice democracy away from
tensions," he added. He said that opposition was "essential" in a democratic
system of governance. Beirut, 19 Apr 09, 13:33
Raad: No One Presented Us with an Alternative to Resistance
A senior Hizbullah member said Sunday there has never been an "alternative to
resistance" to ward off the Israeli threats adding that the only other "option"
was to seek the help of Israel's allies. "I have yet to hear of an alternative
to the resistance," said MP Mohammed Raad during the inauguration of a Mosque in
the town of Kfartibneet. "I have heard of an option – not an alternative - to
protect Lebanon. The option is to depend on Israel's friends around the world to
push it to stop threatening Lebanon," said Raad, who heads the Loyalty to the
Resistance bloc in Parliament. "The international alliances that some people are
betting on to protect Lebanon are essentially based on states that we believe to
be friendly and that want eliminate a strategy to … ensure Israel's strategic
superiority in the region… No one can convince us of the usefulness of such a
bet," he added. Raad told his audience that Lebanon has been coming under
pressure "not to invest in its ground and fresh water resources." "Israel can no
longer forbid us from investing in our land, water and maybe we can see our
airspace anymore," he said. Raad also warned that Israel "is waiting for the
right moment" to attack Lebanon. He then reiterated the minority's support for
"a state built on partnership not monopoly of power."
Beirut, 19 Apr 09, 13:13
Geagea Cedar Revolution Removed Syrian Army Out of Lebanon
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said that the cedar revolution
removed the Syrian army out of Lebanon. "this was a dream for us, the decision
to do so was Lebanese." Geagea added that an exchanged diplomatic relation
between Lebanon and Syria is another major accomplishment of the cedar
revolution.
"The presence of embassies is an official recognition by the Syrian Arab
Republic of the Lebanese Republic," Geagea said. During his participation in
launching the electoral machinery in the town of Beshari on Saturday, Geagea
detailed the achievements of his political opponents saying: "March 8 Forces
achievements are the July 2006 war, paralyzing the Saniora government, hindering
the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, hindering parliament and attempting to hinder
presidential elections while closing downtown Beirut.""These are our achievement
and theirs, the political confrontation continues," he said. Geagea told his
audience "when I used to call you to death you did not delay. How is it today
when I call you to vote?" Beirut, 18 Apr 09, 21:52
Arsalan: Our Alliance With Aoun Dates to 2005 Prior to His Return to Beirut
Youth and Sports Minister Talal Arsalan said that the alliance and coordination
with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun "dates back to 2005 prior to his
return from Paris to Beirut." Arsalan disclosed that electoral lists would be
announced soon following consultations with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
Following his meeting with Aoun in Rabieh on Saturday, Arsalan said: "[I hope]
all in the opposition [March 8 Forces] would realize their responsibilities,
over the past 4 years the opposition protected the country and saved democratic
life…we must abandon ant form of selfishness and look at the overall national
project."
Aoun told reporters: "[current] problems in forming the electoral lists are
present in the Baabda and Aley regions due to the presence of more than two
parties. We are working on getting rid of the obstacles."He added that lists
would be announced soon. Beirut, 18 Apr 09, 21:28
Karami: Saniora's Nomination to Parliament Goes Against
Spirit of Doha Agreement
Naharnet/Former Premier Omar Karami said that current Prime Minister Fouad
Saniora's election bid to parliament is against the spirit of the Doha
agreement.
"Because what was necessary was the idea of creating a neutral government that
would prepare the country for the parliamentary elections," Karami said.
Saniora is running for the Sunni seat in his hometown of Sidon. "When the prime
minister suddenly descends on Sidon the way he did…this violates the Doha
agreement," Karami said. He added that Saniora competitor Ossama Saad is from a
well known family that has a long history in the city. Adding that "Sidon
appreciates his stances and those of his family to Lebanon. Their engagement in
political work enriches the patriotic political line in the country."
Karami commented on the recent withdrawal of State Minister Nassib Lahoud
from the electoral race saying: "Mr. Lahoud is a very well respect person, he
enriches parliamentary life. In democracy you cannot force all people to believe
the way you do. I believe his withdrawal from the race is a loss to political
life in Lebanon. However, I salute him. I expected this to happen, because
Lahoud is a respectful person; the issues between him and Michel Murr lead to
this.""Who said I am going to form an electoral list? We are going to study, all
options, and circumstances, no decisions are made yet. The polls are simply
numbers, we shall move on with what deems us victorious.," Karami said. Beirut,
18 Apr 09, 20:58
Conference on Lebanon Syrian Relations Stresses Respect of
Sovereignty and Independence
Naharnet/The first conference on Syrian-Lebanese relations ended its working
session on Saturday in Damascus in which it stressed that "the only true path
for real bilateral relations between both countries must begin with the respect
of each country's sovereignty, freedom and independence."Conference participants
affirmed Syria and Lebanon's as two independent states each of which is
independent, sovereign and free. The conference's final communiqué pointed that
both countries "must hold diplomatic relations as a solid condition against all
accusations, mistakes and tensions." Over 150 intellectuals, academicians and
researchers attended the conference. The event was attended by Syrian Vice
President Najah al-Attar. eirut, 18 Apr 09, 20:37
March 14 Announces its Electoral List in Batroun
Naharnet/March 14 Forces launched its electoral list for the Batroun region on
Saturday. The list is composed of current MPs Bitros Harb and Antoine Zahra (who
was nominated by the Lebanese Forces). Harb addressed his supporters saying:
"our battle is that of independence and not exploitation. We were all accused…we
called for raising the Lebanese flag and nothing else."He added: "we won't allow
anyone to humiliate Lebanon, the Lebanese are proud, our country carries a
humanitarian message." Harb explained that March 14 Forces does not believe in
having a state within a state adding: "we cannot allow arms to all Lebanese."
Zahra charged his political opponents saying: "They obtained veto power
following the Doha agreement and paralyzed the state and all achievements; they
won't take it again." Beirut, 18 Apr 09, 20:28
Berri Says Hizbullah is Keen on Egypt's Interests
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri said Saturday that Hizbullah is keen on Lebanese
and Egyptian interests, stressing that the resistance would never plan for
attacks in Egypt. "We guarantee and stress that the resistance in Lebanon is
keen on the nation's national security. It forms one of the nation's defense
lines," Berri said during a ceremony marking the 13th anniversary of the Qana
massacre. Hizbullah is also "keen on the security of Egypt. It wouldn't get
involved in plans to strike any tourist or strategic facilities" in the country,
the speaker stressed. His comment came in response to Egyptian allegations that
Cairo uncovered a cell of 49 members that was planning "hostile operations" in
Egypt at the behest of Hizbullah. Some 25 members of the cell have been
arrested. Egyptian police have been searching for other members of the alleged
Hizbullah cell. Turning to Israel, Berri said the Lebanese know that their sole
enemy is the Jewish state which invaded their country and committed massacres in
it. Berri also urged Palestinians and Arab and Islamic countries to be cautious
because the way the Netanyahu government was formed in Israel is a preparation
for new wars. "When will Lebanon file a lawsuit against Israel? Will it be when
all people are dead?" Berri wondered.
eirut, 18 Apr 09, 12:32
Syria Asks Sharjah to Arrest Siddiq and Extradite Him
Naharnet/Mohammed Zuhair Siddiq, a Syrian army deserter often described by the
Arab media as the 'King Witness' in the Hariri murder case, was reportedly
arrested in the United Arab Emirates. Reliable sources told As Safir newspaper
that Syria lately asked the authorities of the Sharjah emirate through Interpol
to arrest Siddiq and extradite him. The sources said the man had a forged Syrian
passport and was living in the city of Sharjah. As Safir on Saturday quoted
sources following the Siddiq case as saying several arrest warrants were issued
in Lebanon and Syria against the man for providing false testimonies in the
assassination case of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri. The sources also said that Siddiq
had lately become a burden on the political sides that at one stage were
providing cover for him. Even sources in the Lebanese majority expected Siddiq
to be jailed after it turned out that he was a "big lie." Justice Minister
Ibrahim Najjar told LBC TV station that the Lebanese government has no
information about Siddiq's arrest. Siddiq, who was under an international arrest
warrant requested by a Lebanese prosecutor, was detained in October 2005 in a
Paris suburb on grounds he gave false evidence to U.N. investigators. He had
been living in France under house arrest until he disappeared a year ago.
Newspaper reports in 2006 quoted Siddiq as saying that Syrian President Bashar
Assad and his then Lebanese counterpart Emile Lahoud ordered Hariri's killing in
a massive Beirut car bombing. King witness legally means an accomplice in a
crime who turns against his partners, revealing their role in exchange for state
pardon. Beirut, 18 Apr 09, 08:47
Hariri Launches Majority Lists Starting Monday
Naharnet/Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri will head to northern Lebanon on
Monday to participate in the announcement of parliamentary majority lists.
An Nahar newspaper said Saturday that the Western Bekaa list will be announced
on Monday, the Akkar ticket on Tuesday while the Minyeh-Dinniyeh and Tripoli
lists will be unveiled the next day in the presence of Hariri. The daily said
Beirut would follow after a final agreement is reached with Jamaa Islamiya.
The grouping's official Asaad Harmoush has reportedly said that negotiations
with Hariri led to an agreement to give the Jamaa Islamiya two seats with a
right to have single-seated candidates in some districts. As-Safir newspaper
said a scheduled meeting between Hariri and the grouping was cancelled on Friday
after the MP asked for postponing it. Sources following the contacts said Jamaa
Islamiya's leadership was surprised by Hariri's call to postpone the meeting in
such short notice.
As Safir said although the Minyeh-Dinniyeh list will be announced on Wednesday,
some obstacles continue to face the ticket. As for Tripoli, Minister Mohammed
Safadi's alliance with Mustaqbal hasn't been finalized yet. Beirut, 18 Apr 09,
10:21
A political democratic battle...and the Christian vote
determines the “Lebanese identity”
Date: April 18th, 2009 Source: Future News
The parliamentary elections dominated again, while the Lebanese army continues
to expand its operations in North Bekaa reaching the eastern border in the hunt
for wanted men, accused of attacking the military institution. The crisis
between "Hezbollah" and Egypt is constant, although the escalating pace that was
taking place is now calm. the media outlets reported that Speaker Nabih Berry is
trying to resolve this “crisis” away from media, as he declared before, and
requested to ask for an appointment to meet the Egyptian President Hosni
Mubarak, but his request may refused from the Egyptian side that welcomed a
meeting between Berry and the chairman of the People's Assembly Fathi Sorour,
but this was denied by the chairman of the Council’s Information Office.
In a related context, the position issued by the Prime Minister of the ousted
Palestinian Government Ismail Haniyeh was prominent, which is the first position
to be issued by "Hamas", which “Hezbollah” allege that the unit subject to it is
to support Hamas fighters in Gaza.
Haniyeh said that he is following up the “the crisis and the issue taking place
in the media between Egypt and Hezbollah, with great interest and deep concern."
He pointed out that "we respect the stability of Arab States and the security of
its people, because the security of the Arab States means the security of the
Palestinian people".
Lahoud quits
Back to the electoral issue, and the “parade” of preparations and finishing the
regulations in all regions of March 8 and March 14 forces, it was prominent and
surprising at the same time, the declaration of Head of the Democratic Renewal
Movement Minister Nasib Lahoud, who has decided to withdraw from the electoral
battle in the Maten area.
Lahoud opposed on the management of the electoral battle “by allocating the
shares at the account of the political context”, pledged the citizens of Maten
to carry on his efforts to achieve the national targets and the ethics, with
everyone who is committed to establishing a democratic modern state, and a free
public society, and a sovereign independent and flourishing homeland, according
to the principles of the cedars and the independence revolution.”
Coordinator of March 14 secretariat former MP Fares Soueid pointed that the
“Christian vote in the elections is the base of the electoral campaign and
determines the Lebanese identity.”
Siniora’s Democracy
Sidon entered the electoral battle intensively, as PM Fouad Siniora moved to the
city and started meeting the families, responding to those who criticized his
candidacy, by turning the path of the elections back to its reality and
democratic style, stressing that his candidacy is not “Provocation to anyone and
not directed against anybody, and it wasn’t due to foreign decision and of
course not from Al-Riyadh, and it was not upon request from MP Saad Hariri or
Minister Bahia Hariri, but because of the popular will that requested my
candidacy, and I represent the path of the Martyr President Rafic Hariri.”
Siniora stated after his visit to Dar Al-Jaafari advisory center, in Sidon:
"This nomination will not put the security situation in Sidon in risk or
semblance", noting that "I have no objection to meet any group in Sidon, and of
course Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya", stressing that "everyone has the right to
candidacy and the decision in the end is for Lebanese voters.”
Resolving the Western Bekaa list
In a related context, an informed source declared to almustqbal.org, that “the
electoral list of March 14 in western Bekaa and Rashaya will be announced next
Monday, after resolving the issue of the six seats and its candidates,
specifically the Shiite seat, after nominating candidate Amin Wehbeh of the
Democratic left”.
Member of the political bureau of the Jamaa al-Islamiya former MP Asaad Harmoush
stressed that the public atmosphere indicates an alliance with Al-Mustaqbal
movement, adding that “the issue of the electoral alliances in Deniyeh will be
finalized during the next 24 hours.”
Egypt working to remove Hizbullah TV
Petitions submitted to Egyptian court asking to revoke al-Manar's national
broadcasting license, accuses it of promoting sectarianism
Roee Nahmias Published: 04.19.09, 10:05 / Israel News
In the latest round between pro-establishment forces and Hizbullah
representatives in Egypt, a petition was submitted to an Egyptian court asking
to revoke the license of the organization's television station - al-Manar,
London-based Arabic-language al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reported Sunday.
Egypt vs. Hizbullah
Report: Egypt considers indicting Nasrallah / Roee Nahmias
Lebanese daily reports group of Egyptian jurists drafting document that may lead
to indictment of Hizbullah leader and his deputy over terror plot; sources say
Cairo may ask Interpol to arrest Nasrallah, Sheikh Qassem, extradite them to
Egypt
The petition maintains that the Shiite-affiliated station recently began
broadcasting false news reports about Egypt. Among these, al-Manar was said to
have accused Egypt of collaborating with the United States, promoting Jewish
interests and trying to "implement the Zionist agenda."
The broadcasts, provided by the Egyptian satellite service 'Nilesat', make al-Manar,
along with hundreds of other Arab-language channels, available to millions in
the country.
"This constitutes a national humiliation, creates confusion with our neighbors
and sectarianism about different groups," the petition claimed.
On Saturday, the state-sponsored daily al-Ahran blamed al-Jazeera for
collaborating with Arab sources attempting to "create chaos within Egypt to push
forth a revolution."
"Al-Jazeera, as usual, abandoned neutrality and attempted to unify public
opinion in Egypt and the Arab world, to stir up public opinion and grossly
influence them with the claim that Egypt had tied ties with Israel and the US
against Hamas."
In the report, it claimed that al-Jazeera, along with Hamas, Iran, Syria and
Qatar, was part of a plot to aid the Muslim Brotherhood and a Hizbullah cell in
Egypt to bring about a coup. Three weeks prior, Egypt boycotted an Arab League
summit in protest of similar coverage by al-Jazeera, whose headquarters are
located in the summit's host nation of Qatar.
Egyptians mulling death sentence for head of terror cell
Al-Hayat newspaper reports leader of Hizbullah organization in Egypt, Sami
Shehab, to be charged with contacting a foreign agent, illegal possession of
weapons. Maximal punishment: Execution. Meanwhile, Cairo continues deploying
dozens of security officers along Philadelphi Route in bid to fight smuggling
Roee Nahmias Published: 04.19.09, 09:07 / Israel News
The investigation against Sami Shehab, head of the Hizbullah terror cell in
Egypt, is about to be completed and he may be executed if convicted, the
London-based Arabic-language al-Hayat newspaper reported Sunday.
According to the report, Shehab will be charged with contacting a foreign agent
and illegal possession of explosives.
Evil Doers
Egypt: Arab nations plotting against us / Roee Nahmias
Cairo's government daily al-Ahram says Hizbullah cell part of larger scheme to
'bring Egypt to the brinks of chaos and facilitate a coup.' Paper names Iran,
Syria, Qatar, Hamas, Muslin Brotherhood and al-Jazeera television as
co-conspirators against regime
The Egyptian law authorities are considering prosecuting him for violating
clause 86 in the penal code, which bears the maximal punishment of execution.
A meeting held by Egypt's public prosecutor's office following the
investigation, the report said, revealed that the Egyptians plan to accuse
Shehab of "joining an illegal secret organization with the aim of carrying out a
coup against the government, threaten public peace and violate the law, through
terror."
The investigations launched against the other suspects in this affair are also
about to be completed.
Fatah dispute: Cooperate with Hizbullah?
Meanwhile, Ynet has learned about a dispute in one of Fatah's armed groups in
regards to the involvement of some of its members in the Hizbullah
infrastructure in Egypt.
It turns out that the cell which was part of the organization and was comprised
of Fatah members was operated by Kayes Ubeid, a former Israeli Arab and Fatah
member who moved to Hizbullah, became the organization's operations officer and
was behind the kidnapping of Israeli businessman Elhanan Tennenbaum.
Two days ago, the "Ayman Juda Brigades", one of the armed groups of Fatah's
military wing, the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, announced that it was severing its
ties and halting its cooperation with Hizbullah following the Lebanese
organization's involvement in armed activity in Egypt.
According to a senior Fatah member in the Strip, the announcement stirred a row
among the group, as it was released by members of its political wing and was
unaccepted by members of its military wing, some of whom declared that they
would continues cooperating with Hizbullah.
A group source confirmed that the members arrested in Sinai were operated by
Kayes Ubeid, but rejected the claims that they had planned to carry out attacks
on Egyptian soil.
"The cell was slated to execute terror attacks against Israeli targets and
inside Israel, and not against Egypt," he said, adding that the attacks were
meant to take place in the past few weeks but that the operation was delayed
after the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Tunnels destroyed
Egyptian newspaper al-Gomhuria also reported that the investigation against the
Hizbullah organization is at its final stages and that its findings will be
presented to Egypt's public prosecutor, Abdulmajeed Mahmoud.
Sources involved in the investigation said during the weekend that the Hizbullah
network had planned to smuggle explosives and explosive belts using Israeli
Arabs in order to carry out terror attacks inside Israel.
According to al-Gomhuria, Palestinian sources reported that the Egyptian
security forces continue to deploy dozens of security officers along the
Gaza-Egypt border, focusing on the Rafah area, in a bid to thwart the smuggling
of arms into the Gaza Strip.
A security official said Saturday that Egyptian security forces had discovered
five tunnels used to smuggle contraband to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. The
tunnels were found north of the Egyptian border town of Rafah over the past few
days and would be destroyed, he said.
"There were motorbikes, food and computer parts found in the tunnels," he said.
In addition to the deployment of forces along the Philadelphi Route, armored
personnel carriers and other Egyptian military vehicles were also deployed. The
Egyptians recently fortified the area along the borderline and are working
intensively against the smuggling, focusing on an area opposite the Brazil
neighborhood in southern Rafah.
Various sources have reported hearing a series of explosions along the border,
particularly near the Brazil neighborhood. According to estimates, the blasts
originated in the destroying of tunnels uncovered by the Egyptian forces. The
same sources estimated that the Egyptians are also searching for infiltrators
who have managed to cross into the country through the tunnels.
**Ali Waked and AFP contributed to this report
Australia, Holland join Durban II boycott
Foreign ministers say won't attend upcoming UN conference on racism due to
concerns that it would be used as platform for anti-Semitic views
News agencies Latest Update: 04.19.09, 12:18 / Israel News
Australia and Holland joined the United States and Canada on Sunday in
boycotting a United Nations conference on racism scheduled to start Monday,
saying it was concerned the conference would be used as a platform for
anti-Semitic views.
The United Nations organized the forum in Geneva to help heal the wounds from
the last such meeting, in Durban, South Africa. The United States and Israel
walked out of that 2001 conference when Arab states tried to define Zionism as
racist.
World Body
'Durban II' to ratify condemnation of Israel / Yitzhak Benhorin, Reuters
Declaration for next week's UN conference on racism in Geneva omits references
to Israel, Zionism, Middle East conflict and other divisive issues, but will
ratify concluding document of 'Durban I', including harsh condemnation of
Israel. US State Department 'still has some concerns'
"Australia has decided not to participate in the Durban Review Conference,"
Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said in a statement.
"The 2001 Declaration singled out Israel and the Middle East. Australia
expressed strong concerns about this at the time," he said.
"Regrettably, we cannot be confident that the Review Conference will not again
be used as a platform to air offensive views, including anti-Semitic views."
Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen said he was boycotting the anti-racism
conference because some nations were using it as a platform to attack the West.
The minister said in a statement Sunday that some countries were planning to use
the summit to put religion above human rights and rein in freedom of speech.
He has called the proposed closing declaration "unacceptable."
The US State Department said on Saturday that Washington would boycott the
conference, citing objectionable language in the meeting's draft declaration.
The Obama administration has come under strong pressure from Israel not to
attend.
Canada has said it will not go next week because of fears of a repeat of the
"Israel-bashing" that occurred at the last conference. The European Union is
still deliberating.
The Czech Republic, which holds the rotating EU presidency, has called a meeting
for Sunday evening to evaluate the bloc's stance on attending. Britain, however,
will send a delegation to the conference, albeit without a high-level official.
Human Rights Watch said the meeting in Geneva would lack needed diplomatic
gravitas without Washington's presence.
A draft declaration prepared for the conference removed all references to
Israel, the Middle East conflict and a call to bar "defamation of religion" – an
Arab-backed response to a 2006 controversy over Danish cartoons of the Prophet
Muhammad that Western states see as a way to quash free expression.
The United States said there had been improvements to the document, but not
enough.
**Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report
Ahmadinejad: Iran like a train without brakes
Several hours before leaving for UN conference on racism in Geneva, Iranian
president says 'all the enemies' attempts' to hurt his country are doomed to
fail
Ynet Published: 04.19.09, 13:45 / Israel News
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday that his country's development
and progress were like "a train without brakes and without reverse gear."
The Iranian leader made the remark several hours before leaving for Geneva to
attend a United Nations conference on racism.
Durban II
'Don't shake Ahmadinejad's hand' / Roni Sofer
Israeli officials upset over planned meeting between Iranian leader, Swiss
president; there is no reason in the world to meet with Holocaust denier,
exporter of terrorism and anti-Semitism, official in Jerusalem says
Speaking at a conference of senior police and government officials, Ahmadinejad
stressed that Iran's enemies' attempts to hurt the Islamic republic's national
sovereignty, independence, security and the choices made by it people – were
doomed to fail.
The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that Ahmadinejad also said that
the Iranian authorities must prepare to block the enemies' schemes.
According to the Iranian report, the Iranian president said his country was
committed to building an exemplary moderate society, based on values of justice,
peace and friendship. He praised Iran's influence in the international arena,
saying it was a leading country in the fields of science, research, culture,
ethics, politics and economy.
On Saturday, in a speech delivered in Tehran in honor of Army Day, Ahmadinejad
stated that "there's no one threatening us."
In his speech, which was particularly short and did not include the usual
threats appearing in his previous addresses, the Iranian president stressed,
"Our country is one of the strongest in the region, and there is no one who
dares threaten us. The courage to pose a threat to the Iranian nation has been
terminated for good," he said.
The London-based Time newspaper reported Saturday that while Iran and the United
States continue to draw closer on the diplomatic level, Israel continues to
prepare with full force to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. According to a
senior defense official quoted in the article, "Israel wants to know that if its
forces were given the green light they could strike at Iran in a matter of days,
even hours. They are making preparations on every level for this eventuality.
The message to Iran is that the threat is not just words.”
Israeli Heroin Market Continues to Fund Hizbullah Terrorism
by Yehudah Lev Kay
(IsraelNN.com) The Israeli heroin market, worth half a billion dollars in 2008,
is largely supplied by channels running through south Lebanon, according to
estimates by the Anti-Drug Authority. Police, who were able to stop only a
fraction of the drug smuggling in the past year, said a significant portion of
the funds made their way to Hizbullah.
The Authority recently estimated that almost five tons of heroin entered Israel
in 2008, most of it from Lebanon, according to the Associated Press. The total
haul was worth $125 million at the border, and would have been worth some $500
million by the time it hit the streets of Israel.
In Lebanon, the drug trade is centered mostly in the Bekaa Valley, where some of
the opium is grown. Many of the smugglers are Shi'ite Muslims from border
villages where the Hizbullah terrorist organization has authority. Police said
that the group takes a portion of the drug profits and uses them to finance
terrorism.
In addition, smugglers sometimes provide the terrorist organization with
sensitive military information. Concealed border spots, which in the past were
used as drug drop points, later became the locations where Hizbullah ambushed
and captured Israeli troops.
On the Israeli side of the border, Lebanese smugglers are met by Israeli Arabs
working for Israeli Arab crime families. From there, drugs make their way onto
the Israeli street. In the end, the approximate 15,000 Israeli drug users help
fund organized crime and terrorism.
In the past year, police have succeeded in confiscating a total of 155 kilograms
of heroin and one million dollars in cash at the Lebanese border, but according
to the report, this was a small fraction of the drug trade. In one major bust
last September, police officers captured 55 kilograms of heroin and 10 kilograms
of hashish, as well as $650,000 in cash.
Drugs also enter Israel illegally through other borders. Smugglers have been
foiled at the Syrian border, while on the Jordanian border, smugglers have been
known to row across the Dead Sea. In addition, most of Israel’s marijuana and
hashish enters the country through the Egyptian border. But it is on the border
with Lebanon that drug smuggling has been linked directly with terrorism.
Last month, U.S. officials confirmed that Hizbullah was also operating a
drug-smuggling operation between Mexico and the U.S. Hizbullah is also known to
be involved in drug trafficking in South America.
Egypt Seeks Death Penalty for Hizbullah Terrorist
by Hana Levi Julian
(IsraelNN.com) Egypt's state prosecutor will seek the death penalty against the
head of a Hizbullah terrorist cell that had planned attacks against Israeli
targets in the Sinai Peninsula.
Interrogators are wrapping up their investigation on Sami Shihab, who was
captured while operating in the Sinai Peninsula, according to a report published
on Sunday in the Egyptian newspaper Al-Hayat.
Charges against the terrorist are expected to include attempting to orchestrate
a coup against the government and joining an outlawed organization.
Tip of the Iceberg, Plot to Overthrow Mubarak
The report accused the Egyptian-based Muslim Brotherhood of conspiring with
Iran, Syria and Qatar, as well as the Gaza-based Hamas terrorist organization
and the Lebanon-based Hizbullah terrorist group, both funded by Iran, to
overthrow the government of President Hosni Mubarak.
Each participant had its own part to play in the conspiracy, charged the
state-run newspaper, which held out its fiercest criticism for Hamas, which it
called the "military wing of the Muslim Brotherhood" and which it said was
supported by all conspirators. The article claimed that Hamas has inflicted one
"nakba" (tragedy, in Arabic) after another on the Palestinian Authority Arabs by
dragging Israel into military confrontations.
Iran was tasked with providing arms and manipulating the media, it said, as well
as coordinating with Hizbullah to operate a spy ring in Egypt to incite the
Sinai Bedouin against the government.
Syria, claimed the report, was responsible for harboring Hamas leaders and
helping Qatar organize an illegitimate Arab summit that was used to validate
Hamas and Iran, in violation of Arab League regulations.
Qatar, it said, used its state-owned Al Jazeera satellite television news
network to provide a public platform for Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled
Mashaal, Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah, and Muslim Brotherhood chief Mahdi
Akef.
The Muslim Brotherhood has long been a thorn in the side of the Mubarak
administration, which regularly sends out police to make security sweeps and
arrest its members for incitement against the government.
Egyptian authorities have arrested 49 suspects in connection with the case and
are searching for 13 others, according to the report.
Cairo has increased security near the Gaza border in hopes of stopping weapons
smuggling by Hamas terrorists who rule the region.
An Egyptian security official announced on Saturday that five smuggler tunnels
were uncovered last week north of Rafiah, the town straddling the border with
Gaza.
Authorities plan to destroy the tunnels, which contained "motorbikes, food and
computer parts," according to the source. Egypt has become increasingly invested
in cracking down on smuggling from its territory into Gaza, due to pressure from
the United States and Israel.
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Lebanese Armenians and the ‘Madness’ of Political
Alignment
18/04/2009
Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat
- MP Hagop Pakradounian of the Lebanese Armenian Tashnag Party [Armenian
Revolutionary Federation] was the first Lebanese MP to win a parliamentary seat
in 2009, after winning the Matn district seat uncontested following the
withdrawal of rival candidate Nazaret Sabounjian [prior to the Lebanese
elections]. Pakradounian was quick to emphasize that his victory will not affect
Armenian participation in these elections with regards to voting for the Free
Patriotic Movement [FPM], and for MP Michel Mur.
This assertion does not negate the ‘madness’ of political alignment as seen in
Lebanese politics, which has [recently] affected the Lebanese Armenian
community. On the eve of the Lebanese elections, they have become involved in
the political conflict [by allying with Hezbollah and the FPM, in addition to
maintaining their previous alliance with MP Michel Mur] whereas historically
they were only assigned a proportion of power. The reason behind the madness of
such political affiliation is due to the rapid changes that occurred, which
turned the scene in Lebanon on its head following the sharp divisions between
the March 8 Alliance and March 14 Alliance in 2000. This [new] reality forced
the Armenian politicians away from their [historic] neutrality and moderation
[in Lebanese politics], and resulted in the Tashnag Party – which represents the
majority of Armenians in Lebanon – entering the fray, something they had long
tried to avoid. Indeed this occurred to the extent that some were talking about
an intensive campaign to recall members of the [Lebanese] Armenian Diaspora to
return to [Lebanon] and participate in the elections to ensure that the
Armenians did not lose their parliamentary seats to Muslim candidates.
Such open radical talk began to disturb officials in the Armenian leadership,
especially since they are known for controlling their parliamentary bloc, with a
wave of legitimate options that enable the Armenians to have their voices heard
in support of Armenian interests amongst the myriad communities in Lebanon. This
is why remarks have intensified recently with regards to rejecting the nature of
the Armenian community’s political alliances, which is something that the
Armenian community has not done before, and which Lebanon is not used to. This
work is to achieve an immediate return to normality after the elections,
regardless of the current political alliances. There is also an increased
expectation in the prospect of the return of sectarian politics [i.e. voting
along sectarian lines].
In this context, MP Pakradounian said, “Our concern is to restore Lebanon to
civilized [political] discourse away from internal conflict and [military]
mobilization. As for the [political] formula that we discovered, it suits us.
Armenian MPs will choose a [parliamentary] bloc by deciding themselves so that
Armenian decisions are independent and neutral, and not with one party against
another.”
Before dwelling on the Armenian viewpoint with regards to electoral alliances,
we must take a closer look at the Lebanese Armenian community, which represents
the smallest ethnic minority in Lebanon. The Armenians have been a distinct
community since they adopted Lebanon as their home after being subjected to
massacre at the hands of the Turks during the early years of the twentieth
century. They were able to preserve their Armenian national and cultural
affiliations and their traditions [in Lebanon]. They were also able to maintain
their cohesion and unity [in Lebanon], and it is as if they were not forced to
flee to the historic land of Armenia. It is also worth noting that the majority
of Lebanese Armenians can trace their origins to the city of Cilicia, which now
exists within Turkish borders. Therefore, the Lebanese Armenian community cannot
even trace its origins to the modern state of Armenia, which only a few of their
children have visited or returned to. As for the Lebanese areas that the
Armenian refugees settled in, they are the suburb of Bourj Hammoud in Eastern
Beirut, and the village of Anjer in the Beqaa Valley, not to mention a number of
other suburbs in Eastern Beirut such as Antilyas and Jel El Dib.
Bourj Hammoud is the best place to get a clear picture of the Lebanese Armenian
community, and the extent of its development over successive generations in
Lebanon. When visiting this Armenian district in the 1970s, it was apparent that
many roads and locations had Armenian names, and were written in the Armenian
language. These include Arax Road [named after an Armenian river] and Aragats
Road [named after a mountain in Armenia], as well as Camp Marash [named after an
Armenian city] and Camp Sis [names after an Armenian town]. Today this district
has changed and opened up to Arabs and foreigners, and the Armenian character of
the area is no longer so prevalent. Restaurants selling traditional Armenian
cuisine now serve Halal food. This development was a result of economic
necessity that did not affect the elder population of Lebanese Armenians, some
of whom still cannot speak Arabic fluently.
Asharq Al-Awsat spoke to Gregor, an Armenian Lebanese resident of Bourj Hammoud.
“I came to Lebanon with my mother in 1939. We fled here after the massacres that
wiped out the rest of our family in Armenia. I was about seven years old. We
came by ship to Latakia [in Syria], and from there we travelled to Camp Sanjak
in Bourj Hammoud. They gave us strips of cloth that were like sieves [permeable
to water] to make tents with and we slept on the ground to avoid the rain. We
lived in these tents for seven months. After that they gave us reeds that we cut
to make huts and beds. We bloodied our hands by doing this. They also gave us
kerosene lamps and barrels of water. We began to cultivate the land around us,
and sold onions and parsley. We slept in the midst of mosquitoes and malaria.
Whenever a storm would come, rain would pour down and floor our huts. I remember
hearing the sound of women warning each other to watch out for the children so
that they would not be swept away by the floodwater. The next day we would
inspect and see what the flood had carried away.”
Gregor could not hold back his tears as he spoke about this suffering. He
continued and told Asharq Al-Awsat, “When I was fifteen, I decided to start work
in order to help my mother who knitted bags. I left school, despite her
objection, and began work at a silver factory for which I received two Lebanese
pounds a week.”
Gregor told Asharq Al-Awsat that he does not want to forget his origins saying,
“Our blood is Armenian. But we are Lebanese Armenian. We do not want to live in
Armenia – as some people say we do – we only want to live in Lebanon.” Gregor
justifies the Tashnag alliance with Hezbollah and Michel Aoun’s Change and
Reform parliamentary bloc by saying that “[This is] because the big fish eats
the small fish. I support the alliance of the Tashnag party with Hezbollah and
General Michel Aoun. We want to remain a big fish in Lebanon. We do not want to
become a target for the other [Lebanese political] powers. If it were not for
this alliance we would have been open to attack such as that which took place
against us on 7 May 2008.”
Just like Gregor, the majority of other Lebanese Armenians that Asharq Al-Awsat
spoke to declared their support for the Tashnag party. The Tashnag party was
founded in 1890 in Tbilisi [modern-day capital of Georgia] to liberate the
Armenian people from Ottoman rule. The party is a source of pride to Lebanese
Armenians, which is evident in the statement of one man who told Asharq Al-Awsat,
“Those affiliated to Tashnag know what steps it should take. The student in
school is confident who he should follow, those that do not lie or betray, those
that protect their friends, family and country. The Tashnag are revolutionaries.
As for the Ramgavar party [Armenian Democratic Liberal party] they are bourgeois
and the Hunchag party [Social Democratic Hunchakian party] has chosen communism
and it is finished.”
The Tashnag, Ramgavar, and Hunchag parties are the three Armenian parties in
Lebanon, and the Lebanese Armenian community rely upon them politically and
socially. However, Tashnag has become an institution in itself, and includes
amongst its members a number of important political figures who helped the
revival and unity of the Lebanese Armenian community. Tashnag is socialist in
its political orientation, and is a member of the Socialist International, after
having entered Lebanese politics in 1904 when one of the party’s original
founders, Simon Zavarian, set up a party branch in Lebanon. Tashnag was
originally a student movement comprised of Armenian students from US and Jesuit
universities [that wanted to liberate the Armenian people from Ottoman rule].
Hagop Havkayan, a public relations official in the Tashnag Party, said, “The
Armenians have six MPs in Lebanon. The overall Armenian population is around
160,000. Those who have a prominent role in the Armenian community get
nominated. Therefore, Armenians vote for candidates who have been agreed upon by
the Armenians led by the Tashnag Party. Those looking in from the outside would
not understand this simple fact and would be amazed at this unified bloc. These
people do not understand the popularity of the Tashnag Party and its historical
role and struggle for the sake of Armenians.”
In spite of their ideological and political differences, Armenians give the same
answer when asked about the duality of their inherited nationalism and their
Lebanese identity. They would stress that they endeavoured to form an identity
blending their Armenian origins with their Lebanese nationality in a natural and
harmonious way.
A young Armenian man explained: “Armenia is the mother and Lebanon is the
father.” He rejects the idea that being an “Armenian” deprives him of his
privileges as a “Lebanese” in Lebanon. Armenians are “Christian Armenians” and
not “Christians of Armenian origin”. This must be understood.
Hagop Pakradounian MP rejects any accusation of duality of allegiance in the
case of the Armenians. “It is not true that we are part of some kind of
nationalism and not one of the sects that form Lebanese pluralism. We are
members of the Armenian Church, so we are Lebanese Armenians. There is no
contradiction in that or in us being Armenian and Lebanese. We are Lebanese
citizens, not Armenian citizens. That is the main privilege. We are all for
abolishing political sectarianism in Lebanon. We might then assume high-ranking
positions.”
But the Tashnag Party is an international party, and over the recent period, it
was reported that the international leader of the party, Hrant Markarian, who is
an Iranian Armenian, rejects the idea of Lebanese alliances. The PR official
Hagop Havkayan responded to this saying, “Indeed we are an international party,
the leader of the party is an Armenian holding Armenian nationality even though
he was born in Iran. We have committees in every country in which we are
represented. We are represented in over 50 countries as a party and in
accordance with the regulations of the party the central committee convenes in a
general conference once every four years to discuss common Armenian issues and
not internal political issues related to the committees.
There is no intervention whatsoever from the party’s central committee during
the conference in the internal affairs of Lebanon or any other country. We do
not discuss Lebanese internal issues outside of Lebanon. Our rivals search for
justifications to break our alliances.”
As for Minister of State MP Jean Ogasapian, who is affiliated to the Future
Movement in Lebanon, before anything else, he states his origin. “I am an
Armenian Lebanese. I adhere to my Armenian heritage, my Armenian Church, my
language, my culture and my customs and traditions, just as much as I adhere to
my Lebanese identity and citizenship.” He adds, “Armenians are distinguished by
their nationalism on the one hand and their integration in Lebanese society on
the other. They have clung to their religion, their rites and their culture
which they inherited from their forefathers. And this has not prevented them
from pledging their allegiance to the land that embraced them and opening up to
the people who welcomed them. So they interacted with their surroundings and
their Lebanese environment. They even played a role in building the Lebanese
state.”
During severe crises, they have always been careful not to fall into alliances
that would stir up internal disputes. They have always served as an element of
balance and stability where Lebanese invariables, the political system and
legitimate institution support are concerned.
While Ogaspian highlights the unity amongst the Armenians and continuing efforts
and struggle for the sake of the crucial Armenian cause – for Turkey and
societies the world over to recognise the Armenian genocide – he points out that
the Armenian community is now witnessing political and cultural diversity
manifested in the numerous parties, trends and spectrums it incorporates. There
is no monopoly or exclusivity in Armenian decision making and its political
plurality.
“There is no doubt that the majority of the Armenian community does not want to
set aside its members from the Lebanese political decision-making process. They
are rather keen, at these decisive moments in the history of Lebanon, to have a
strong and effective presence in the domestic political field and to take part
in key political decisions,” said Ogaspian.
It is no secret that the political options for the Armenian spectrums and
parties are now divided between March 14 Alliance and March 8 Alliance. This can
be clearly seen in the election lists that were drafted shortly before the
long-awaited parliamentary elections, which reflect the political presence and
the multiplicity of Armenians that cannot be confined to one group.”
Ogaspian adds, “I reflect a strong Armenian position that adheres to the
sovereignty of Lebanon and its independence. I reject the logic of alliances
that use our country as a battleground to serve the interests of foreign powers.
I strongly believe that it is the responsibility of my Armenian community to
remain an essential part of the Lebanese structure with its diverse concepts. We
do not remain silent in the face of violations, and we do not attempt, in any
way, to distance ourselves from stating the truth.”
Hagop Pakradonian MP, who denies that the Tashnag Party, which represents about
75 per cent of Lebanese Armenians, is aligned with the March 8 Alliance and says
nothing about violations, said: “The current position of the party came as a
response to the policy of marginalizing Armenians and what they represent in
terms of moderation, balance and commitment to dialogue, just as the case was
with Fouad Saniora’s first cabinet. In light of the acute internal rift, we were
supposed to side with certain political parties, but we allied with the free
national current. This alliance however does not negate our particularity and
the independence of our decision.”
Hacop Hafkiyan says that he see no contradiction in his loyalty to his Armenian
culture and his Lebanese nationality. He is not afraid of abolishing political
sectarianism in Lebanon and believes that this would involve all Lebanese sects.
He notes that the merit of the Tashnag Party lies in its rejection of political
inheritance, and its belief in partisan work.
The Armenian population share similar ideas to the Armenian figures in power.
Hacop Khatshikian, who is married to a Maronite, sees no harm in allying with
Michel Aoun: “Who is capable of protecting us from a civil war against the Shia?
People look out for their own interests, and the alliance of the Tashnag Party,
Hezbollah and Aoun secures Armenian interests.”
Hacop is thinking about sending his son to a non-Armenian Lebanese school so
that he may integrate with a wider community. He is primarily concerned with
preserving his Armenian environment at home by speaking the Armenian language
and cooking Armenian food.
Hacop says that he visited Armenia and saw that the Armenians have taken on
European traditions. He prefers eastern familial traditions and the conservative
way of raising children. He knows his history very well, yet he is Lebanese by
identity. He said, “I have two mindsets, the first is Armenian and the second is
Lebanese.”
Hacop came from Iskenderun to Aleppo, and then to Lebanon. He stated that he
could not live in Syria, and prefers the freedom he enjoys in Lebanon, where he
can protest against anything Turkish. In Syria, Armenians cannot do that.
Khatsharian prefers humanitarian work in society rather than partisan
affiliation. He loves Michel Aoun and Hassan Nasrallah, but that does not cancel
his need for protection from Hezbollah’s weapons if chaos breaks loose.
Leon seems to be an exception however; “My father came in 1917. I was born in
Lebanon; I am a Lebanese of Armenian origin. We support all those who love
Lebanon. In the elections, the decision [of who to vote for] is mine alone and
not that of the Tashnag Party. The party does not impose its decision on anyone.
Here in Lebanon we enjoy more freedom than in Syria. My children and I speak
Arabic. I learnt it at school and I teach them it.” Another sensitive issue is
the acquisition of Lebanese nationality by Armenians regardless of their date of
arrival in Lebanon. The Tashnag Party and the Armenians of the March 14 Alliance
together state that Armenians acquired the Lebanese nationality and became fully
recognized as Lebanese citizens when a population survey was conducted in 1924.
But what about those who moved to Lebanon in the late 1930s? There is no answer
but there are claims that the political authority at the time, which was of
Maronite Christian persuasion, did not favour any decrease in the overall number
of Christians compared to that of Muslims. So it added the migrant Armenians to
its lists so as to increase its share of votes in the elections.
However, the considerations of the old days do not suit the new framework of
sects in Lebanon anymore. The results of the upcoming parliamentary elections
might change the equation, thanks to the political participation of the
Armenians following the example of others after it was overwhelmed by the
‘madness’ of political alignment in Lebanon. Through their long-sought
independence and their endeavour to maintain a neutral position between
political rivals, it is hoped that Lebanese Armenians will contribute to curing
others of such ‘madness.’
Why did the Muslim Brotherhood
Retreat?
18/04/2009
By Tariq Alhomayed
Asharq Al-Awsat,
The Muslim Brotherhood [MB] shied away from defending the Hezbollah cell in
Egypt saying that “Egypt comes first.” The MB backed down despite that its
General Guide stated that what had been published in the media about the
Hezbollah organization in Egypt is “unnecessary buffoonery on the media’s part,”
and that “Nasrallah’s comments are 100 per cent true.”
The Muslim Brotherhood [MB] shied away from defending the Hezbollah cell in
Egypt saying that “Egypt comes first.” The MB backed down despite that its
General Guide stated that what had been published in the media about the
Hezbollah organization in Egypt is “unnecessary buffoonery on the media’s part,”
and that “Nasrallah’s comments are 100 per cent true.”
The MB rushed to announce its retraction on every platform; some of its members
wrote to provide an explanation and others delivered speeches to give
justifications after its media apparatus rushed to Nasrallah’s defense, and it
did not stop there. It divided into groups; one team embarked upon accusing
those who defended Egypt’s sovereignty of treason; another team took charge of
fine-tuning the speech in which Nasrallah admitted that Hezbollah was involved
in sending a cell to Egypt, and embarked upon polishing up the image of the
Iranian-affiliated party vis-à-vis public opinion based on the consideration
that it is the sole and legitimate representative of resistance – without
recollecting its role in the Beirut coup of course!
Another team apparent in some Gulf newspapers – Saudi, Kuwaiti and Qatari in
particular – and some Lebanese publications, worked on organized campaigns to
mislead the average Arab who has no ideology and believes in Palestinian rights
and in real resistance but does not accept Iranian interference in our region
The question is: why is the MB backing down and why has it suddenly realized
that “Egypt comes first,” despite that Nasrallah spared them the trouble of
denying [the presence of Hezbollah in Egypt] and admitted that the cell was
affiliated to his party?
An Arab observer who is in contact with some MB leaders said, “The question on
the street in Egypt is no longer are you with or against the regime; the
question is now are you with or against Egypt?” Therefore the MB has become
aware of the danger of clashing with public opinion. This is only natural as the
MB was waging on the Arab and Egyptian publics believing that they will support
Nasrallah and repeat the words of Mehdi Akef: ‘To hell with Egypt!’ But the MB
was shocked to see that the Arabs, before the Egyptians, said ‘Not Egypt.’
If the MB retreat comes in the context of the idea that it is better to follow
the path of truth, will the MB come out and apologize to all those that they
cursed and cast accusations of treachery against, whose names were mentioned in
pro-Iranian newspapers in our region? Or is this merely a tactical move to win
over public opinion? This isn’t the first error of its kind on the MB’s part; it
was the MB that opposed its very own Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi when he demanded that
Iran stop tampering with the issue of religious denomination in our region.
Lastly, will Hamas shy away from solidarity with Hezbollah and follow in the
footsteps of the MB movement that gave birth to it, or will it insist on
solidarity with Hezbollah, especially as available information indicates that
there is an interesting contradiction? A few days ago, a senior official within
the Hamas leadership made an unannounced visit to a Gulf state and visited its
assemblies and some of its media institutions. In front of many attendees, he
swore that he knew nothing about “individuals or groups affiliated to Hezbollah
in Egypt carrying out logistic work in support of Hamas.” These comments
indicate that Nasrallah’s cell was working purely on a subversive mission in
Egypt and not transporting goods to Gaza as Nasrallah claimed. Can Hamas also
retreat? Let us wait and see.
A Major Embarrassment!
18/04/2009
By Hussein Shobokshi
I was very hesitant to comment on what happened recently in Egypt, where state
security announced the arrest of a terrorist cell affiliated to the Lebanese
Hezbollah movement. The cell was planning to carry out armed military operations
and had managed to recruit dozens of people to its ranks. The cell is led by a
young Lebanese national who is officially a member of Hezbollah.
To be honest, I was not too keen to take part in the campaign of attacks against
Hezbollah, and it is clear that Hezbollah has become something of a punch-bag
following its confrontation with Israel in the summer of 2006, due to its
short-sighted actions and policies, which earned the movement the anger of
various trends, and eliminated important popular gains that the party had
secured over many years of work and struggle.
It is difficult to swallow Hezbollah and Nasrallah’s justification that they had
entered Egypt to support the Palestinians because it raises a question that must
be answered rationally and logically in order to explain what happened. Why did
Hezbollah not enter Palestine through the Lebanese borders? There is yet another
question that will not receive an answer but should nevertheless be asked and
that is: why didn't Hezbollah, with all of its weaponry and soldiers, help the
Palestinians by crossing the Syrian border with the occupied Golan Heights? It
is an innocent question for a crafty person to answer.
The Lebanese and Syrian borders are only meters away from Hezbollah’s bases in
South Lebanon and Beqaa Valley, which are, logistically-speaking, closer and far
more effective for transporting supplies rather than shipping all the military
supplies to Sudan and then smuggling them into Egypt, all the way from Upper
Egypt to the north of the country and then to the Sinai Peninsula to cross from
Rafah to Gaza.
The odd relationship between Hezbollah and the Iranian regime is no secret.
These two entities have become inseparable. If the Iranian regime’s main
objective is to export its revolution, then Hezbollah has become Iran’s sole
agent in the region and the party responsible for promoting it. Unfortunately,
however, Iran’s revolution has gone bad and cannot be sold on to others.
Iranian violations are distressing and it is these violations that are diverting
the world’s attention from the most extreme government that has ever been formed
in the history of the hostile state of Israel. Everybody should be observing
this government’s performance and be cautious of its direction, as it might cash
in on the already-tense situation between the Iranian camp and the Arab camp to
commit more violations.
Hezbollah has made a habit of violating state sovereignty in its own country and
has come to believe that all Arab regimes are as fragile as the Lebanese
government. As a result, Hezbollah has sought to take action in some Gulf States
and now it is trying to do the same in Egypt, which brings to mind the
bitterness that the Iranian revolution has always felt towards the Egyptian
state. Ever since Khomeini’s rise to power, the Iranian regime has never been
able to stomach Egypt. Iran has never forgiven late Egyptian President Anwar
Sadat for taking in the Shah of Iran before the collapse of his regime. Iran
gradually continued to increase its hostility towards Egypt on a number of
levels. This was evident in reckless statements at times, and at other times it
would be manifest in irresponsible film productions. The ultimate goal of all
this is to destroy Egypt’s image. This is the situation of the struggling
political, resistance movement that has transformed slowly into a strange,
incomprehensible entity guided by the whims of Iranian policy. Hezbollah is
becoming more and more unpopular. Perhaps what is happening in Egypt affirms
that Hezbollah’s political scandal has transformed into a major embarrassment.
Egypt: Hezbollah and the Confrontation
17/04/2009
Diana Mukkaled
We know how the crisis began but it is difficult to predict how it will end.
This crisis was revealed at first by the Egyptian authorities. Hezbollah
Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah later gave his explanation for the Hezbollah
cell that appeared to be operating on Egyptian territory, the details of which
are unfolding day by day.
Official bodies have not refrained from spreading their own explanations,
criticisms, attacks and threats; but the most prominent attack that has been
launched came from the Egyptian media. Its verbal attack on Hezbollah and its
Secretary General was unprecedented as part of a campaign by state television
programs, newspapers, anchors and websites, all replete with disdain and
accusations that crossed the media line.
The action carried out by Hezbollah and what Nasrallah himself admitted are
extremely dangerous issues, which will have a bad impact on Lebanon and the
Lebanese before Egypt. Apart from violating the sovereignty of another state,
which in actual fact was the case in spite of what is said about supporting the
Palestinians and providing them with weapons, Hezbollah is dragging itself and
Lebanon more importantly, into a regional conflict that Lebanon could not
handle. Hezbollah is dragging the Lebanese people into an exclusive “conflict”
by forcing Lebanon into a military confrontation with Israel. Hezbollah, which
is standing in the upcoming parliamentary elections, will embroil Lebanon in a
great dilemma if it wins and will take over the reins of government by
officially placing Lebanon at the forefront of a regional confrontation – the
consequences of which will undoubtedly be catastrophic.
The step taken by Hezbollah is a dangerous one by all means. Yet the attack
launched by Egypt’s state media is not helping to contain and confront the
danger of Hezbollah’s action. On the contrary, cursing, blatant sectarianism and
the attacks against minorities by officials and commentators as a way of dealing
with such an ultra-sensitive and dangerous issue are as much at fault as
Hezbollah’s action itself.
The failure to think about the consequences of certain actions, such as
Hezbollah’s venture in July 2006 and its recent one in Egypt, must not be
confronted by the “buffoonery” to which some Egyptian reporters have resorted.
Moreover, the different forms of media are involving themselves in issues that
are not related to the nature of the media, especially considering the fact that
Egypt is in possession of a weapon that prevents it from sinking to an even
lower level, which, unfortunately, it is likely to do. The violation of Egypt’s
sovereignty, territory and interests is enough for Egypt to gain the support of
others; it does not need to evoke illusions about the Shiafication of Egypt or
to use street language describing others as “monkeys”, which only adds to the
tension. The issue is more dangerous than where it has already reached. There is
a need to redirect the rivalry as it will lead to unnecessary slip-ups.
Egypt: Dialogue with Iran will not Help
17/04/2009
By Mohammed Abdul Raziq
Asharq Al-Awsat, Cairo - The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday
that Iran’s actions in the region are provoking dispute and confrontation,
especially with regards to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossam Zaki highlighted that from what Egypt has seen
so far, Iran has acted “confrontational” distancing the region from stability
and the potential opportunities for peace.
Asked why Egypt has not sought to engage in dialogue with Iran, the Foreign
Ministry Spokesman said, “It is not a question of dialogue. We are monitoring
this course. Dialogue will not produce the desired results. Dialogue will lead
to nothing; it might result in consolidating the idea of Iran being a superpower
in the region and one that commands people. Nobody accepts this. Therefore, any
talk about engaging in dialogue with Iran is submission to the idea that Iran
has an influential role [in the region] and that I have to limit this role and
open dialogue with it. If I did that, Iran would be able to subdue my foreign
policy and goals in the region so that it could have the upper hand in the
region. I will never let it do this.”
With regards to the Hezbollah in Egypt case, Zaki said that Egypt is not
somewhere that cells can come and act freely nor will it accept violations to
its sovereignty or interference from an external party. He emphasized that Egypt
has laws and international commitments and that it is not a fragile country or a
place where someone can act in any way he wants when he wants.
As for the investigations regarding the Hezbollah-member suspects, informed
sources said Thursday that the main suspect Sami Chehab (Mohamed Yousef Ahmed
Mansour) received a call on his mobile phone from Hezbollah leading figure
Mohammed Qablan half an hour after his arrest. The source only added that “From
the nature of the phone call, Hezbollah realized that Chehab had been arrested.”
Sources stated that Qablan himself is not involved in the case and indicated
that several suspects with code names are being investigated and are yet to be
identified. “It is unknown whether they are Lebanese, Palestinian or of other
unknown nationalities. They are being investigated by the Egyptian security
bodies.”
On his part, Montaser al Zayyat, head of the defence panel for Sami Chehab and a
number of other members of his group, told Asharq Al-Awsat, “Chehab has begun to
regain his strength. We brought him new clothes yesterday and he is regaining
his strength.”
Concerning Hassan Nasrallah’s confession that Chehab is a Hezbollah member and
that he was taking part in logistic work with ten other Hezbollah members, al
Zayyat said, “Nasrallah is not a military commander; he is a political leader.
Therefore, whatever he says about this case will not be accurate
Hezbollah Cell in Egypt" Defendant Confesses
15/04/2009
By Ahmed Al Jazar in Cairo and and Yusri Mohamed in Rafah
Asharq Al-Awsat-The "Hezbollah cell in Egypt" case – and the Egyptian
authorities' pursuit of its remaining members- dominated the Egyptian
parliamentary session held yesterday. In an official statement read out to
parliament by Egyptian Minister of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, the Egyptian
government stressed that it would "strike out with an iron fist at anyone who
dares to seek to harm the security of the state."
The interrogation of the defendants implicated in the "Hezbollah cell in Egypt"
case continued into the early hours of yesterday morning, with 7 defendants
still being questioned [by Egyptian authorities], this includes the prime
suspect in the case, Sami Shehab.
One of the accused, Nasser Abu Omra, admitted to possessing explosive belts, but
denied all other charges made by the Egyptian prosecution. Omra is one of the
seven Palestinian's implicated in the case, and he said that he had intended to
smuggle the explosive belts [from Egypt] into the Gaza Strip. Omra also admitted
to purchasing a house in Rafah, which the [Egyptian] authorities said was going
to be used to store weapons.
Another defendant, Hassan Al Manakhili, admitted that the prime suspect in the
case – Sami Shehab – told him to buy a boat in order to smuggle foodstuff into
Palestine. A third defendant, Ehab Al Qaliyobi, admitted to being a member of
the Muslim Brotherhood organization, however sources in the group say that Al
Qaliyobi is no longer a member.
Abdul Minam Abdul Maqsoud, the lawyer of a number of the defendants [in the
Hezbollah cell in Egypt case] informed Asharq Al-Awsat that "the prosecution's
questions are repeated [again and again] and the interrogation began at 8:30 pm
and continued until 2:30 am yesterday."
The defense team expressed its fear of the case being transferred to military
court, where the verdict is final and cannot be appealed. A source inside the
defense team said that "the defendants in the Hezbollah cell case may be facing
the death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted by the court on charges of
spying against the state, and planning terrorist operations on Egyptian soil."
The source also pointed out that "the case is facing two [different] paths; the
first is that the case will be transferred to the military court which means
that the defendants will face severe sentencing such as the death penalty or
life imprisonment. The transfer of the case to the military courts means that
there is a deliberate intention [to seek] harsher sentencing. The second [path]
is to the normal courts, where perhaps the defendants will face the same fate
[death penalty or life imprisonment].
Egypt has increased the number of security patrols along the border with Israel
as part of its pursuit of the remaining members of the alleged Hezbollah cell,
as well as increasing the police presence along the border regions. An Egyptian
security source said that security cordons had been placed along the mountainous
region near the Egypt – Israel – Gaza borders. The source also said that he had
called for the Bedouin tribes – especially those in the Sinai Peninsula – to
report the presence of any suspicious figures in the region. The source said
that all of these security measures are merely precautionary, and that the
Egyptian authorities do not have any specific information that those being
pursued intend to enter Israeli territory. However the Egyptians authorities do
suspect however that this group is hiding out in the mountainous central region
of the Sinai Peninsula, although they have been unable to locate them so far.
Sheik Abdullah Juhama, President of the Central Sinai Tribes Council said "We
condemn the last remarks made by Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, and his attempts to
violate Egyptian security and stability, especially in the Sinai region."
In a statement yesterday Sheik Juhama said that Nasralla's attempt to violate
Egyptian security and stability is rejected by the Sinai Bedouin. Juhama said
"Terrorists have no place on Egyptian soil in general, and specifically in
Sinai." He added "There is an agreement by all tribes not to allow strangers to
come between them" saying that all tribes also agreed to report anybody breaking
the law to the concerned authorities, as well as immediately reporting any
strangers of suspicious individuals coming into the region. The tribal leader –
speaking on behalf of the tribal elders in Northern Sinai – also spoke of his
national pride in being an Egyptian, and his rejection of any external attempts
on Egypt's national security.
Egyptian parliament yesterday condemned the actions of Hezbollah, and rejected
any attempts for the Egyptian regime to become embroiled in regional disorder.
Dr. Mufeed Shehab, Egyptian Minister of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs read out
a government statement to parliament yesterday saying "This serious case which
affects the national security of Egypt, and its national sovereignty calls for
zero tolerance, and the protection of the state…within a legal framework."
Shehab addressing Nasrallah during this statement said "Your [Nasrallah]
acknowledgement [of the cell] is the strongest piece of evidence, do not
[attempt to] justify your actions against Egypt, as Egyptian law considers these
actions to be crimes of terrorism. This applies to any crimes committed on
Egyptian soil, regardless whether they were committed by Egyptians or
non-Egyptians, because what must be taken into account is Egyptian security, not
the nationality of the offender."
Egyptian Parliamentary Speaker, Ahmed Fathi Sorour also said that the people of
Egypt would not tolerate any violation of their country's sovereignty and
security. He said "Egypt knows how to manage its affairs with vigilance and
preparedness and rejects any interference in its affairs or harm to its
sovereignty." He also confirmed that Hezbollah was planning a sabotage operation
that is considered a criminal act and falls under the [Egyptian] Penal Code.
Saad al-Gamal, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Arab Affairs Committee also
said that "the criminal plans of Hezbollah against Egypt requires all of us, as
individuals, institutions, and organizations, to stand firmly and without
compromise in order to defend the dignity of Egypt and protect its territory"
adding "All Egyptians, regardless of their political and party affiliation agree
that ensuring Egyptian national security is the first priority for Egyptians"
The [Egyptian] Committee for Defense and National Security also strongly
condemned the plans of Hezbollah in Egypt. In a statement by the Committee's
Undersecretary Amin Radi to [Egyptian] parliament yesterday he said that Egypt
is impregnable against any infiltration by regional or external forces due to
its history and nationalist role, and that any plots against Egypt or the
Egyptian people would only serve to unite them. Undersecretary Amin Radi said
that Egypt would not serve as a testing ground for Hezbollah plans, and that
Egyptian security is not to be transgressed by anybody. In view of this Egyptian
security authorities have tightened security measures along the border with
Israel and throughout the Sinai Peninsula, in order to prevent arms smuggling
into the Gaza Strip, which has been ordered by Hezbollah in order to aid in
their infiltration of Israeli territory.