LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
February 10/09

Bible Reading of the day.
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

Commentary of the day
Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
Exclamation 16 (©Institute of Carmelite Studies)
"As many as touched the tassel on his cloak were healed"
O true God and my Lord! It is a great consolation for the soul wearied by the loneliness of being separated from you to see that you are everywhere. But when the vehemence of love and the great impulses of this pain increase, there's no remedy, my God. For the intellect is disturbed and the reason is so kept from knowing the truth of Your omnipresence that it can neither understand nor know. It only knows it is separated from You and it accepts no remedy. For the heart that greatly loves receives no counsel or consolation except from the very one who wounded it, because from that one it hopes its pain will be cured.
When You desire, Lord, You quickly heal the wound You have caused; prior to this there is no hope for healing or joy, except for the joy of such worthwhile suffering. O true Lover, with how much compassion, with how much gentleness, with how much delight, with how much favor and with what extraordinary signs of love You cure these wounds, which with the darts of this same love You have caused! 0 my God and my rest from all pains, how entranced I am! How could there be human means to cure what the divine fire has made sick? Who is there who knows how deep this wound goes, or how it came about, or how so painful and delightful a torment can be mitigated?... How right the bride of the Canticles is in saying: «My Beloved is for me and I for my Beloved» (Sg 11,6) for it is impossible that a love like this begin with something so lowly as is my love. And yet, if it is lowly, my Spouse, how is it that it is not so lowly in rising from the creature to its Creator?

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Iran must be stopped-By: Jeremy Issacharoff/Washington Times/ 09/02/0
Lebanon needs a real third party, not another version of the current one. The Daily Star 09/02/09
Obama's Mideast ways are pretty similar to Bush's. By: Yossi Alpher The Daily Star 09/02/09

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for February 09/09
Hizbullah Criticizes Frenzy Attacks on Aoun-Naharnet
Phalange Party Supports President Suleiman-Naharnet
Fatah: Hamas Arming Up in Lebanon Camps-Naharnet
Archbishop Matar: Lebanon above all and we cannot create a tailor-made nation-Future News
Sfeir Warns Against Maronite Split -Naharnet
Aoun: The political patriarch boycotts “St. Maroun”-Future News
MP. Atallah: Sfeir' concern is about Lebanon’s fate-Future News
Hezbollah” is concerned of the failure of some opposition symbols in the elections-Future News
Geagea: Why March 8 recalled the Lebanese military institution today only? Future News
Alloush: Reports of Possible Assassination Attempts Are Real-Naharnet
AMAL Demands Resignation of Finance Minister as Council for South Crisis Deepens-Naharnet
Karam: Our Support to the Military Institution is Absolute-Naharnet
LBC Speaks of Intentional Sabotage, Lebanese Forces Reply-Naharnet
Bishop Matar: National Unity is Only Way to Protect Lebanon-Naharnet
Kanaan Warns Jumblat: 'Army is Red Line'-Naharnet
Abu Faour: Pulling Out of Defense Strategy Committee Not Directed Against President or Dialogue-Naharnet
Lebanon to Become Non-Permanent U.N. Security Council Member-Naharnet
Suleiman to Embark on Gulf Tour, Hoping to Get UAE Helicopter Donation-Naharnet
Bassil Warns of Blood for Elections-Naharnet
Geagea Backs Jumblat-Naharnet
Jumblat Rejects Defense Strategy Counterfeit Party-Naharnet
Zahra Hammers Karami Over Patriarch-Naharnet
Berri Warns Against Sectarian Splits-Naharnet
Khamenei: Hamas and Hizbullah Spread the Islamic Revolution's Principles-Naharnet
Sfeir draws fire for wading into electoral waters-Daily Star
Israeli daily fleshes out anatomy of Mughniyeh assassination-Daily Star
Healthy postings not enough to keep Beirut stocks in the black-Daily Star
Burgeoning Lebanese wedding industry struts its stuff at Beirut showcase-Daily Star
Beirut, 13 other cities honor Gaza's martyred children-Daily Star

Sfeir Warns Against Maronite Split
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir on Monday warned Maronite Christians against carrying their differences too far for splits could backfire on them.
"Each time Maronites differ among themselves … they are defeated by greedy persons," Sfeir said during a sermon on the occasion of St. Maroun Day.
"History attests to this," he added. "But if Maronites united ranks and strengthened cooperation among themselves, their wellbeing would flourish and they would gain respect by their fellow citizens regardless of their sects," Sfeir stressed. "It is time to make up our minds and look carefully at what brought us here if we want to get out of this dilemma," he concluded, adding that "this situation would lead many of us to migrate with no return." Beirut, 09 Feb 09, 10:23

Alloush: Reports of Possible Assassination Attempts Are Real
Naharnet/Deputy Mustafa Alloush confirmed Monday reports of possible assassination attempts against some MPs, saying that all precautionary measures have been taken to ward off such threats. "We have been directly informed by the army's command that some Fatah al-Islam members might be preparing for an assassination operation during this period," against some deputies, Alloush told Voice of Lebanon Radio. He added that a number of MPs have been advised to take security measures for their own safety. "Regardless of whether (such threats) are a real possibility or are merely a tactic of intimidation, our past experience has proven that anything is possible. Therefore, all precautionary measures have been taken," he said.
The comments came a week after Arabic media carried reports that Fatah al-Islam might target Lebanese MPs from the north. Reacting to MP Walid Jumblat's decision to withdraw his delegate from the Defense Strategy Committee, Alloush said: "No one knows what the motives are behind MP Walid Jumblat's decision. But certainly any venture into the labyrinth of defense strategy is a waste of time." He said that a national strategy for defense only became an issue because of Hizbullah owns arms "outside the state's legitimacy." He added that "all of Hizbullah's actions imply it will not abandon its own (defense) strategy" even if the group does not publicly acknowledge such intentions."(Such a stance) means that any venture into the labyrinth of defense strategy is considered a waste of time," Alloush said. Beirut, 09 Feb 09, 13:23

AMAL Demands Resignation of Finance Minister as Council for South Crisis Deepens
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri's AMAL Movement has demanded the immediate resignation of Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah over accusations that the government was hindering work rather than performing the required tasks. "This government is closer to a government that is hindering work rather than carrying out the required tasks," Shatah said in an interview with LBC television.AMAL swiftly hit back, calling for Shatah's resignation. "A (Cabinet) minister who describes his own government as one that hinders work should immediately resign," said a statement issued by AMAL's Society for the Protection of Political Environment.
Meanwhile, the Council for the South crisis seemed to be heading toward further escalation as the 10-day deadline for resolving the standoff passed without an agreement. The daily An Nahar on Monday quoted ministerial sources as saying that a possible solution was being discussed that would "put the issue within its institutional framework." The proposal, according to the sources, calls for adopting a mechanism used by the finance ministry with the various funds, councils and public institutions such as they submit their budget requests and funds needed for 2009 for approval. A special session on state budget was postponed for 10 days when Lebanese leaders failed to agree over funding for Council for the South, particularly after Berri submitted a budget request of LL 150 billion for the Council, a demand totally rejected by Prime Minister Fouad Saniora and the majority of Cabinet. President Michel Suleiman had stepped in trying to defuse the tension between Berri and Saniora. He proposed LL 30 billion for the Council for the South. Berri rejected the offer. It was at that point that Suleiman decided to postpone the session for 10 days to give more time for consultations. Beirut, 09 Feb 09, 08:46

Karam: Our Support to the Military Institution is Absolute
Naharnet/Environment Minister Antoine Karam on Monday expressed March 14 coalition's "absolute support" to the Lebanese army. "March 14 Forces support state legitimacy. However, there are some officers whose allegiances are questionable," he told Voice of Lebanon Radio. "But our support for the military is absolute," he added. On the issue of wiretapping, Karam said: "Wiretapping at times is necessary due to the current security situation. Wiretapping should not be deemed appropriate, that is why it is subject to judicial approval." He accused some parties of not wanting wiretapping to be legal. "The minister of telecommunications does not have the right to question the legality of a wiretapping request. He has to unquestionably implement a wiretapping request from judicial authorities," Karam said.
He said he hoped the 2009 state budget would be approved soon. Beirut, 09 Feb 09, 13:37

Bishop Matar: National Unity is Only Way to Protect Lebanon
Naharnet/Bishop Boulos Matar said during a sermon Monday on the occasion of St. Maroun Day that "national unity is the only way to protect Lebanon." "Let us all work for a united Lebanon," Matar stressed, adding that "we have to protect Lebanon and carry out this obligation through unity." "We do not have the right to create a new nation day after day to meet our standards," he said. Matar voiced concern over the upcoming parliamentary elections and expressed hope that polls would be carried out in a "civilized manner." Beirut, 09 Feb 09, 12:19

LBC Speaks of Intentional Sabotage, Lebanese Forces Reply
Naharnet/A studio belonging to the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) was sabotaged on Saturday January 31, 2009.
The corporation accused its own security elements that are known to be loyal to the Lebanese Forces (LF) of carrying out an intentional sabotage against some of its Adma studios and of writing derogatory slogans. LBC issued a statement on Sunday indicating that investigations have revealed that a former dismissed corporation employee who continues to remain in his position by force of arms provoked one of the assailants identified at T.T. to damage the studios. The statement added that LBC is awaiting an official end to the investigation to take legal action. "LBC Chairman of the Board is fabricating stories and issuing statements only to deceive and misguide public opinion to influence the legal conflict with the Lebanese Forces," the LF said in a statement. The Lebanese Forces statement went on to add that LBC Chairman Pierre Daher is working on defaming them. Interior Minister Ziad Baroud told As-Safir newspaper that he was closely following up on this issue "with total neutrality." Baroud explained that the security force present at LBC is under the jurisdiction of the judiciary alone. Beirut, 09 Feb 09, 12:34

Kanaan Warns Jumblat: 'Army is Red Line'
Naharnet/MP Ibrahim Kanaan of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc warned Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat that the "presidency and the army are red lines." Kanaan slammed Jumblat's campaign against the Lebanese army as "part of an intimidation policy aimed at forcing the military institution to succumb to his wishes." Jumblat's statements "remind us of his behavior during the days of the 'National Movement' when he used to pound the army with all sorts of accusations," Kanaan said in remarks published by the daily As Safir on Monday. Addressing Jumblat, Kanaan said: "Be very careful, the presidency and the army are red lines." He also warned of "grave consequences" should the Druze leader decide to cross the red lines. Beirut, 09 Feb 09, 12:02

Abu Faour: Pulling Out of Defense Strategy Committee Not Directed Against President or Dialogue
Naharnet/State Minister Wael Abu Faour said the decision of Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat to withdraw his delegate from the defense strategy committee "was not directed against the president." "This step is not directed against the president nor is it aimed at the national dialogue," Abu Faour said Sunday.
"On the contrary we want the (national) dialogue to continue. We do not wish to sink into theoretical and problematic issues," Abu Faour said. "He (Jumblat) did not bring up these issues to place doubt or to incriminate anyone either at the military institution or any other institution," Abu Faour said about Jumblat's comments on TV during which he placed doubts on military appointments. He went on to add "those jealous for safeguarding the military institution attempted to hinder the military when it heroically fought at Nahr al-Bared. At the time, they stood with (Fatah al-Islam leader) Shaker al-Abssi against the military." Beirut, 09 Feb 09, 10:25

Lebanon to Become Non-Permanent U.N. Security Council Member
Naharnet/The U.N. General Assembly will elect Lebanon as a non-permanent member of the Security Council in September, An Nahar daily reported Monday.
It said Lebanon will serve a two-year term starting Jan. 1, 2010. The Council currently has five permanent members with veto power -- the United States, Britain, Russia, China and France -- and 10 non-permanent members who serve two-year terms and have no power to veto resolutions. The 10 elected members enjoy all other aspects of council membership, including the right to propose resolutions, chair committees and hold the rotating council presidency for one-month periods. Five countries are elected every year by the General Assembly to replace five retiring ones.An Nahar quoted diplomatic sources as saying that Lebanon's non-permanent member status will not help it in forcing Israel to implement Security Council resolutions on Lebanon, particularly resolutions 1595 and 1701.
Article 27 of the U.N. Charter also states that a party to a dispute should abstain from voting on any draft resolution. The sources stressed that Lebanese politicians should stop their bickering and give a positive image of their country which will become a member of the Security Council. They said some leaders continue to violate the Doha Accord either through media campaigns or attacks on national dialogue and the defense strategy or threats to use veto power in the government. Beirut, 09 Feb 09, 09:07

Suleiman to Embark on Gulf Tour, Hoping to Get UAE Helicopter Donation
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman will embark on a Gulf tour on Monday amid reports the United Arab Emirates has intentions to provide Lebanon with ten French-made PUMA helicopters designed for medium troop transport. Suleiman will fly to Bahrain on Monday on the first leg of his tour that would also take him to the UAE.
The daily As Safir said Suleiman and the accompanying delegation would discuss several issues, including support for the Lebanese army and police.
Beirut, 09 Feb 09, 11:06

Bassil Warns of Blood for Elections
Naharnet/Minister of Telecommunications Jebran Bassil on Sunday said the wiretapping issue is part of the election campaigns. Bassil, talking to partisans at his residence in the northern town of Batroun, said documents testify that the U.N. commission probing the 2005 Hariri crime has "received all that it has asked for but they insist on lying." He said the "other party insists on linking the international investigation in the wiretapping issue because they have reached elections and in every election they need blood because they do not know how to hold elections without blood." Beirut, 08 Feb 09, 22:06

Geagea Backs Jumblat
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Sunday declared support for Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat's questions addressed to the Army Command. "Any person has the right to ask questions about doubts he has regarding any state administration," Geagea said. He said March 8 leaders "suddenly remembered that we have a major national military establishment when a party leader and the leader of a parliamentary bloc asked some questions. "However, they had ignored the mere existence of the establishment when the issue at stake was related to weapons possessed by factions outside the frame of the army authority; or weapons outside the (Palestinian refugee) camps and even when the decision to go to war or peace was not under the jurisdiction of the cabinet," Geagea noted. Commenting on the wiretapping issue, Geagea said: "Is the minister of telecommunications the one responsible for applying the law?" "We have a chance to express our opinion on June 7 by heading to balloting centers," he concluded. Beirut, 08 Feb 09, 19:03

Jumblat Rejects Defense Strategy Counterfeit Party
Naharnet/Democratic Gathering leader Walid Jumblat declared Sunday his boycott of a committee assigned to tackle the issue of defense strategy because "I reject taking part in the counterfeit party." "We would not take part in the counterfeit party. That is why we withdrew our representative (retired) Col. Sharif Fayyad from the defense strategy committee," Jumblat told reporters after talks with Premier Fouad Saniora. Jumblat also emphasized on the need to hold parliamentary elections on schedule, saying "let the side that enjoys wider backing for its political, social and development plans win." Democratic Gathering sources were quoted earlier by the daily An-Nahar as saying Jumblat's stand was in response to Defense Minister Elias Murr's stand on appointing a certain army officer to the wiretapping department at the ministry of telecommunications. Last Monday, a ministerial meeting discussed the sensitive issue of government wiretapping during which Murr criticized the role and delegation of Col. Daniel Faris to the Ministry of Telecommunications, the sources said. However, in public remarks made after the meeting, "Murr defended the delegation of Col. Faris," Democratic Gathering sources told An-Nahar. They said more political transparency is needed to better understand what goes on within the military and defense institutions. Beirut, 08 Feb 09, 08:44

Zahra Hammers Karami Over Patriarch
Naharnet/MP Antoine Zahra on Sunday hit back at ex-Premier Omar Karami for having criticized Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir's remarks on the forthcoming elections. "We reject and denounce this stand (expressed by Karami) and any other similar stand," Said Zahra, member of the Lebanese Forces Party's parliamentary bloc. "Karami could not control his temper and asked the Patriarch not to intervene in politics," Zahra said. "Why does Karami accept intervention in politics by all other clergymen, at all levels, starting with (Hizbullah's) Hassan Nasrallah?" he asked. "Henceforth, we would not accept any attacks by minors on our religious and national symbols, especially Bkirki," Zahra declared. Beirut, 08 Feb 09, 17:30

Berri Warns Against Sectarian Splits
Naharnet/Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Sunday said the real threat targeting Lebanon is "sectarian split that can shatter the national unity."
"Results of the (June 8) parliamentary elections would not pose a threat to Lebanon, irrespective of which side harvests the majority of seats," Berri told members of his AMAL Movement's Women Sector. The threat of sectarian split "can only be confronted when all the factions finally realize that the nation can only rise through partnership, consensus and unity; and once they realize that no single faction can finish off others," Berri stressed. He urged voters to "turn out heavily at balloting centers free from all pressures." Beirut, 08 Feb 09, 16:59

Khamenei: Hamas and Hizbullah Spread the Islamic Revolution's Principles
Naharnet/Iran's spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said wars fought by Hamas and Hizbullah against Israel "reflect spread of the Islamic Revolution's principles." "The spread of the Islamic Revolution's principles in the region and the world is part of the changes accomplished by the Islamic revolution" in Iran, according to Khamenei. The Iranian spiritual guide made the remark in addressing Iranian Air Force cadets on the eve of nationwide celebrations marking victory of the Islamic revolution in Iran. "The events in Gaza, and before them the 33-day war in Lebanon, when the Zionist entity's army and its U.S. equipment failed to defeat the unarmed people, reflect the spread of the Islamic revolution's principles," he stressed. Beirut, 08 Feb 09, 16:33

Lebanon needs a real third party, not another version of the current ones
By The Daily Star
Monday, February 09, 2009
Editorial
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir's comments on electoral matters have initiated another helping of the regurgitated gruel that passes for political debate in Lebanon. The particulars of what he had to say are less important, though, than the fact that his comments indicate something of surge in support for the idea of a third party that would defuse tensions between the March 8 and March 14 lineups - and perhaps even displace them.
The notion is a pleasing one, and privately officials from both sides acknowledge that their own studies indicate considerable disaffection from within their respective ranks. But a third party must be more than the combination of a few chips off the same old blocs gathered under the wing of a godfather like Metn MP Michel Murr: The last thing Lebanon needs is another squirming mass of politicians with nothing new to offer the public in terms of well-defined policy proposals. To be sure, we need sustainable consensus positions on defense in general, and on stances regarding Israel and Syria in particular. Crucial to the long-term success of any such endeavors, however, will be the formulation and implementation of domestic policies that forge healthier relationships between the citizen and the state.
To be worth the effort, any third party will have to stress specific priorities that so many Lebanese have recognized for years but which their political representatives have enthusiastically avoided. Sweeping reforms are required to make Lebanon viable in the 21st century if it is to avoid reprises of the crises that plagued it in the 20th. A third party, therefore, should be built on bold ideas to finally rid this country of the slow but steady fratricide known as sectarianism. In addition, it must devise methods of fighting the culture of corruption that has infected the public sector for decades. To make any of this worthwhile, it will need to make the independence of the judiciary something more than a slogan. And for any of it to be possible, the electoral machinery needs to be retooled for proportional representation: Will people like Sfeir and Murr put their money where their mouths are on this score?
In short, offering the Lebanese voter a real alternative to the two choices currently available means going far beyond appearances. The necessary changes are ones of substance, not style. The coming months will reveal whether the country's political class is up the task

Sfeir draws fire for wading into electoral waters
Patriarch warns victory for opposition camp would mean 'historic mistakes'
By Hussein Abdallah
Daily Star staff
Monday, February 09, 2009
BEIRUT: Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir was the target of criticism by March 8 media and politicians over the weekend following remarks to Al-Massira magazine in which he warned against "historic mistakes" if the March 8 Forces win the majority of seats in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
While Free Patriotic Movement MP Camille Khoury told Hizbullah's Al-Manar television on Saturday that he wished Sfeir would issue a statement denying or clarifying his comments, news reports said that the FPM's leader, MP Michel Aoun, would respond by boycotting a traditional Saint Maroun Mass scheduled for Monday.
However, FPM sources said on Sunday that Aoun's decision had nothing to do with the patriarch's recent comments, adding that a number of Aounist lawmakers would be attending the service.
Former Prime Minister Omar Karami, another March 8 politician, also tacitly criticized Sfeir on Saturday, without naming him, urging clerics not to interfere in politics in order to avoid criticism.
Lebanese Forces (LF) lawmaker Antoine Zahra came to the defense of the patriarch on Sunday, accusing Karami of adopting double standards.
"Why does Karami accept intervention in politics by all other clergymen, at all levels, starting with Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah?" he asked. "We don't accept this attack and similar attacks by irrelevant people on our religious symbols."
Sfeir met on Sunday with the commander of Lebanese Armed Forces, General Jean Kahwaji, who attended the regular Sunday service at Bkirki.
In his sermon, the patriarch addressed Kahwaji, asking God to help him in managing his duties and overcoming difficulties.
LF lawmaker George Adwan also visited Sfeir on Sunday, after which he told reporters that the patriarch's worries were always driven by his concern for national interests. Adwan called on all Lebanese to take responsible decisions as they head to ballot boxes on June 7.
Asked whether a seat was reserved for him on the March 14 list in the qada of Chouf, Adwan said that the issue had been settled a "long time ago."
"The Lebanese Forces have reached an agreement on this issue with the Progressive Socialist Party [PSP] and Future Movement," he said.
Adwan currently occupies one of three Maronite seats in Chouf, but he is likely to face competition from allied candidates in the June polls.
Future on Sunday issued a statement in response to Adwan's remarks, stressing that none of the nominations on March 14 lists have been settled. "All nominations are still subject to discussions and consultations," the statement said.
Also Sunday, former President Amin Gemayel told local daily An-Nahar that MP Michel Murr had taken the right decision by extending his hand to the Phalange Party in the upcoming elections. "We in turn are ready to extend our hand to any party that shares our national aspirations," he said.
Murr, who last week declared his candidacy atop an independent Christian list, said that his allies in the qada of Metn were the Phalange Party and the Armenian Tashnak Party.
Sources close to Murr and Gemayel told An-Nahar that the two veteran politicians would meet soon.
Gemayel also defended Sfeir on Sunday, arguing that the patriarch had the right to worry about Lebanon's destiny.
"Patriarch Sfeir does not practice politics in the narrow sense. The Cedar Revolution of 2005 was launched on the basis of his understanding of sovereignty," he said. "The fears expressed by the patriarch are shared by most Lebanese."
Also Sunday, Speaker Nabih Berri said sectarian divisions represented the real threat to national unity in Lebanon.
"The results of the upcoming elections will not threaten the fate of the country, but sectarian divisions can shatter national unity," he told members of his Amal Movement's women's wing. "All factions should realize that this country can only be governed on the basis of partnership and consensus."
On a separate front, PSP leader MP Walid Jumblatt said after meeting Prime Minister Fouad Siniora at the Grand Serial on Sunday that he had decided to suspend his party's participation in a committee designed to discuss a defense strategy for Lebanon. The committee is the result of four rounds of national talks between the country's rival leaders.
Jumblatt had previously named former military officer Sharif Fayyad as his party's representative in the committee.
Minister of State Wael Abu Faour, also a PSP member, justified Jumblatt's decision on Sunday, arguing that committee discussions were only theoretical and would not be able to change the ground situation.
"This decision is not directed against the president or the national dialogue. It is rather a belief by MP Jumblatt that the work of the committee will have no effect on the ground," Abu Faour said.
Hizbullah's arsenal is at the heart of the national talks, which were agreed to in last May's Doha Accords that ended an 18-month power struggle

Israeli daily fleshes out anatomy of Mughniyeh assassination
Mossad 'extracted information' from captured Hizbullah man
By Andrew Wander
Daily Star staff
Monday, February 09, 2009
BEIRUT: Hizbullah military commander Imad Mughniyeh was assassinated by Israeli Mossad agents supplied with information gathered by American CIA officials in Iraq, according to a report published in an Israeli newspaper. The Yediot Ahronot newspaper said it had received new details about Mughniyeh's death from an anonymous Lebanese official who had been charged with investigating the killing, and from Robert Baer, a former CIA case officer.
The report claimed that important details used to plan the assassination were gathered from Ali Moussa Daqduq, a Hizbullah operative who was arrested in Iraq in January 2007, where he was allgedly training members of the Shiite Mehdi Army. He was handed to US intelligence agents, who extracted a wealth of information about Mughniyeh from their prisoner, including his telephone numbers, his physical description, his behavioral traits and the names of his acquaintances.
The US then passed this information to the Israeli intelligence service, which began planning an operation to kill the Hizbullah military mastermind.
The newspaper says a single mistake by Mughniyeh led to his death. Israel received intelligence that he would be attending a reception hosted by Iran's new ambassador to Damascus to commemorate the 29th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Mughniyeh had apparently eschewed his usual security detail for the event, traveling without his bodyguards or chauffeur, and had arrived at the reception alone. He had no idea that a Mossad hit squad was lying in wait for him.
According to the newspaper, Israel had dispatched a team of agents tasked with killing Mughniyeh to Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq before the reception. The team slipped across the border into Syria in three vehicles and began monitoring their target the day before he died.
While Mughniyeh was attending the reception, the assassins broke into his car, a silver Mitsubishi Pajero, removing the headrest on his seat and replacing it with an identical one loaded with explosives.
Rather than setting the explosives on a timer, the agents used a remote controlled charge that they could detonate at the right moment. They lay in wait for their quarry and when he was in the car, they detonated the explosives, killing him instantly.
His death sent shockwaves through Hizbullah, an organization known for being almost impenetrable to hostile intelligence agencies, and the group's leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah immediately pledged revenge.
Almost a year on, no response has come. But during a news conference held at the end of January, Nasrallah reiterated his promise to avenge the assassination. "The Israelis live in fear of our revenge," he said. "The decision to respond to the killing is still on. We decide the time and the place"
His comments have sparked fears in Israel that a Hizbullah revenge attack is imminent. Israeli troops stationed on the border with Lebanon have been placed on high alert, and the Jewish state's counter-terrorism bureau has issued a warning to Israeli nationals that they may be targeted abroad.
Israeli politicians, currently locked in a bitter election race, have pledged a devastating response to any Hizbullah attack. On a visit to northern Israel last week, Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned that Lebanon would be held responsible for Hizbullah's actions.
"Hizbullah is not just a terrorist organization running around the hills but also sits at the cabinet table in Beirut," Barak said. "Therefore, the Lebanese government bears overall responsibility and any attempt to attack Israel will be met with a response

ISSACHAROFF: Iran must be stopped
Israeli diplomat warns of nuclear danger
Jeremy Issacharoff
Monday, February 9, 2009
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL An Iranian woman visits an exhibition at Tehran University on the nation's nuclear program, one of the main obstacles to improving Iran-U.S. ties.
OP-ED:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's calls to wipe Israel off the map are being renewed with different nuances, but are most accurately expressed by the incessant hum of several thousand centrifuges enriching uranium in Natanz. Each day those centrifuges spin bring Iran closer to a military nuclear capability.
The gravity and scope of the Iranian threat will not be confined to Israel, however. A military nuclear capability underwriting Iran's support of terror in the region will threaten moderate Arab countries and enable Iran to project its power in a more dangerous way as well as expand its footprint in the region.
Emblematic of this growing footprint has been Iran's substantial assistance to Hamas in recent years. Hamas, backed by Iran, has been able to maintain its control of Gaza and amass and extend the range of rockets that have been used against southern Israel. Similarly in Lebanon, Iran replenished Hezbollah's stockpiles of short- and longer -range rockets since the 2006 war, tripling their number to 40,000 and threatening northern Israel.
Tehran's major strategic partner in the region is Syria, which impacts the fragile political situation in Lebanon, undermines Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, and has assisted the insurgency in Iraq. Iran's role in Iraq and Afghanistan serves the projection of Iranian power and influence in areas of vital strategic importance. Iran is placing itself in a position where it could severely impact the flow of global energy supplies and pursue a destabilizing, hegemonic role in the region.
All international action should flow from the principle that Iran cannot be allowed to develop and acquire a nuclear-weapons capability. There have been serious diplomatic efforts to engage and bring Iran to the table, but in the final analysis, Iran has been the one to reject or evade these offers. Merely enhancing incentives will not entice Iran to give up its nuclear program, but will validate Iran's hardline policy against any concession in the nuclear arena.
As Iran proceeds to a critical phase of its nuclear program, it will attempt to manipulate the international community with the central goal of gaining more time. Pressure must be intensified as a preamble to any renewed engagement with Iran. The absence of such pressure thus far is the reason Iran has chosen defiance over compliance. Rewarding intransigence will only guarantee its recurrence.
The political resolve to prevent a nuclear Iran must be greater than Iran's determination to continue its efforts to develop nuclear weapons. The international community should insist on Iran's compliance with all relevant Security Council and IAEA resolutions and adopt additional tough sanctions such as forbidding arms transfers to Iran, further designating for sanctions Iranian banks that have been involved in financing terrorism and taking tougher measures in the trade and finance sectors.
Major energy deals with Iran should be banned and sanctions extended to Iran's refined gasoline imports. Although rich in oil reserves, Iran has become heavily dependent on refined gasoline from abroad, making it vulnerable to international pressure, particularly during this global economic crisis and period of low oil prices.
The political will to use all the tools of diplomacy to pressure Iran can change its behavior provided it is credible, focused and sustained. Sanctions have worked in the past in relation to Libya and can work in relation to Iran if they are backed by a determined resolve.
The end of all enrichment and reprocessing activities in Iran must remain a fundamental basis for any dialogue. Iran cannot be allowed to maintain a limited enrichment capability on its soil. Such an arrangement would not stop Iran from developing a nuclear-weapons capability, but will in fact facilitate its covert procurement.
Any overall strategy regarding Iran should be a combination of red-line diplomacy accompanied by an international determination to use other means should diplomacy fail. All options must remain on the table. The consequence of inaction and having to deal with a nuclear-armed Iran will be infinitely worse and far more costly.
Tough and unyielding diplomacy combining deadlines and red lines can still prevent a nuclear Iran, but the countdown continues and critical time is being lost.
Jeremy Issacharoff is deputy chief of mission for the Embassy of Israel in Washington.
Click here for reprint permissions!
Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC

Hezbollah” is concerned of the failure of some opposition symbols in the elections
Date: February 9th, 2009 Source: Future News
“Hezbollah”, the leading opposition party, is currently conducings a survey to assess the percentage of the electoral decline, which affected some of key figures in the opposition particularly Ousama Saad in Sidon circumscription. Reliable information revealed a major decline in Saad’s electoral base threatening his failure to win the second Sunni seat in Sidon.
Hezbollah conducts an intensified study to determine the required number of votes needed to repair Saad’s electoral position. In the meantime, his electoral machine bets on gaining these votes, by raising the level of voting in some popular environments in the city, through offering services.
Sources from Hezbollah assure that Osama Saad’s electoral position is worrisome, and any attempts to repair the balance to make him win the Sunni seat, would be very difficult. To avoid the fall of Saad in Sidon, a better option arises, which is struck a deal with “Future Movement” in other electoral places.
The second circumscription in Batroun is another worrying problem for Hezbollah, where statistical information and surveys showed that Gebran Bassil might lose the second Maronite parliament seat in favor of Antoine Zahra, the “Lebanese Forces” MP and candidate.
Hezbollah sources say the party’s opinion polls show that Gebran Bassil is ranked third after Boutros Harb and Antoine Zahra in a circumscription of two Maronites seats.The sources added that there are two reasons for such a drawback: first, the popularity of “March 14” in the circumscription. Second, the fact that people of “Batroun” insist on holding Hezbollah responsible for the death of Lebanese army pilot, Captain Samer Hanna whose helicopter was shot by Hezbollah elements -while on a training mission over Iqlim al-Touffah mountainous ridge. What outraged the people of Batroun is that head of “FPM” Michel Aoun justified the deed considering it an accident. The third circumscription that concerns Hezbollah is “Zahleh” area in Bekaa where opinion polls show the deterioration of the opposition’s popularity in the city and caza. The polls indicate that Elie Skaff still maintains his popularity among the Roman Catholics but lost most it among the Maronites. Moreover, Aoun’s popularity in the city of Zahle declined considerably and became restricted to some villages in its casa.

The political patriarch boycotts “St. Maroun”
Date: February 9th, 2009 Source: Future News
Even though the marking of St Maroun constitutes an opportunity for inter-Christian reunion, MP Michel Aoun, the self-proclaimed Maronite patriarch, decided not to attend the mass claiming he has a meeting with his electoral machine to launch his campaign all over Lebanon.
Aoun’s decision was a clear response to Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir’s recent statement in which he warned against the transfer of parliament majority to “March 8” which would have negative repercussions on the Lebanese in general and the Christians in particular.
St-Maroun, a religious day in Lebanon was presided by Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch in downtown Gemayzeh. Aoun’s privately-owned OTV broadcast instead the mass held on the same occasion in Syria.
February 14, a double-edged occasion
Four days ahead of the fourth commemoration of the martyrdom of former PM Rafic Hariri, the prestigious An-nahar newspaper said Monday that February 14 this year is a double-edged occasion for “March 14” and its supporters.
An-nahar quoted sources in charge of the preparation of the event in downtown Beirut’s martyr’s square which was later named “Liberty Square” in the aftermath of the assassination, said this year’s marking comes firstly on the eve of the International Tribunal’s launching in The Hagues, Netherlands.
|The Tribunal is set to begin March 1st. It will look into the assassinations and assassination attempts that targeted all those who opposed the Syrian regime in Lebanon.
Secondly the rally will be a show of support for “March 14” for the upcoming elections.
MP Jumblatt stands by PM Siniora
Head of the “Democratic Gathering” MP Walid Jumblatt lashed at those who tried to exploit his previous stance concerning the Saudi grant by visiting the “Grand Serail”, the headquarters of the cabinet, confirming that he always “stands by PM Siniora”, adding that he only aims at “constructive criticism”.
PM Siniora sources told “An-nahar” daily that the meeting covered all current issues and particularly those related to parliamentary elections.
The sources noted that if the government hadn’t frozen the Saudi grant, it wouldn’t have been capable of financing 36 thousand housing units in the south and the southern suburbs of Beirut and that the government acted for all Lebanon equally.
Disruption and forgery
Jumblatt refused to be a “false witness” in the follow-up commission intended to study the defense strategy between the Lebanese Armed Forces and Resistance headed by Hezbollah.
Commenting on the withdrawal of the representative of his party’s member, Jumblatt said “the commission does not need any experts; it seems they have all the necessary specialties to support the march of unity between the LAF and the Resistance, so they said and I personally don’t agree and will not join a party of fraud”.
Sources in March 14 forces, told “An-Nahar” newspaper that Jumblatt put forward some facts concerning the wiretapping file, which will be raised by the ministers of the majority in the next Cabinet session.
In relation, Head of the Executive Commission of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea, backed Jumblatt’s questions addressed to the LAF institution.
He said he was surprised to the reactions made by “March 8” leaders in the aftermath of Jumblatt’s comments. “March 8 have remembered now -after the questions raised by a party leader- that there is a national military institution called the LAF.”
He added that “it is strange how they disregarded this institution in the past concerning the issue of arms outside the army’s authority and the decisions of war and peace”. Meanwhile the issue of the Council for the reconstruction of the South budget remains unsolved, although the ten days period set by the Cabinet upon President Suleiman’s suggestion passed.
It is unlikely that a solution will be reached before the return of President Suleiman from his visit to Bahrain and UAE.
Nabih Berry, leader of the Shiite Muslim Amal movement, insists on the required 60 billion LL for the council, taking into advantage the majority will stay away from disruption and at the same time threatening with the obstructing third.
But Finance Minister Mohamad Shatah said yesterday, “The Cabinet has become obstructive rather than moving forward with its projects”. Shatah was referring to Berry and his team who hindered the parliament’s work for three years.
Berry and his team were annoyed by Shatah’s statements so they reiterated their ‘old song’ that the government was an illegal one, and therefore cannot be received by the Parliament. Electoral preparations
“March 14” forces are keen to keep the electoral preparations sound and easy. A source in “Future Movement” denied the declaration issued by Vice Executive Commission of the “Lebanese Forces” MP George Adwan from Bkirki, that his candidacy for the next elections is determined among “March 14” and its allies.