LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
December 18/08

Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 1,1-17. The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.  After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah. Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

Rupert of Deutz (c.1075-1130), Benedictine monk
De Divinis Officiis 3, 18 (trans. De Lubac, Catholicism, p.408)/"In your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing" (Gn 28,14)

The genealogy of Jesus Christ from St. Matthew's Gospel is read to us. It is a custom handed down by holy Church with a beauty and mystery of its own. For behold how in truth this reading puts before us at dead of night that ladder which Jacob saw at night in his sleep (Gn 28,12). Supported on the topmost rung of the ladder where it reached heaven the Lord appeared to Jacob and promised him that his posterity would inherit the earth... Now, as we know, "all these things happened to them in figure" (1Cor 10,11). The ladder by which the Lord appeared to be supported prefigured the family-tree of Jesus Christ which the holy Gospel-writer so drew up as to come through Joseph. It is by Joseph that our Lord as a small child is supported. Through the gate of heaven (Gn 28,17)..., that is, through the Blessed Virgin, our Lord, a tiny child for our sake, comes crying... The words that Jacob in his sleep heard the Lord say, "And in thy posterity shall all the nations of the earth be blessed", are fulfilled by the birth of Christ.
The divine writer, bearing in mind this very point, put the names of Rahab the prostitute and Ruth the Moabite into his genealogy. For he saw that Christ was made flesh not for the Jews alone, but also for the Gentiles, inasmuch as he deigned to accept ancestors from among the Gentiles... Sprung therefore from two races, Jew and Gentile, as from two sides of the ladder, the ancestors from their different rungs support Christ our Lord emerging from heaven. The holy angels come up and go down and all the elect are first humbled to receive faith in his Incarnation that they may be afterward lifted up to see the glory of his divinity.

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Neighbors / Showtime for General Aoun.By Zvi Bar'el 17/12/08
Bush's record and the soles of Arab folk-By Marc J. Sirois 17/12/08
Mideast awaits new leaders, direction in 2009-By Nicholas Blanford.Christian Science Monitor 17/12/08
UNRWA takes aim at violence in refugee schools-By IRIN News.org 17/12/08
Outwitting a hostile West may be about to get harder for Iran- The Daily Star  17/12/08

Throwing shoes doesn't help Iraq-By Arsalan Iftikhar. CNN 17/12/08

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for December 17/08
U.N. Extends Hariri Investigation Working Mandate for Two Months-Naharnet
Parliamentary Majority Calls on Minority to End its Bets on Reversals-Naharnet
Jumblat: Dialogue is Necessary and Lebanon is Committed to Taef Accords-Naharnet
Israelis could hit Syria, Iran without leaving their own airspace-WorldNetDaily
Hale: Hizbullah Could Ignite Demolishing Confrontation with Israel-Naharnet
Army Communications Network Sabotaged-Naharnet
Washington Warns UNIFIL Against Qaida Attack-Naharnet
Parliament Discussions Focus on Implementing Doha Agreement-Naharnet
Lebanese Forces: Arslan's Party Strongly Linked to Syria
-Naharnet
Zaki: Palestinians are Cooperating with Army to Prevent Another Nahr al-Bared
-Naharnet
Gemayel: Solidarity with Patriarch, President Shields Lebanon
-Naharnet
Russia to Deliver 10 MiG Fighter Jets to Lebanon
-Naharnet
Israel Promises Quick Victory in Next War with Hizbullah
-Naharnet
Bellemare Briefs Security Council on Hariri Murder Probe
-Naharnet
Michael DeBakey Back to Marjayoun
-Naharnet
Israeli diplomat: No more talks with Syria at this time-Ha'aretz
Berri warns both sides to respect terms of Doha pact-Daily Star  
From Russia with love: Murr extracts promised gift of 10 fighter-bombers-Daily Star
Top Israeli officer says Hizbullah will be destroyed in five days 'next time'-Daily Star
Lebanese construction activity increases by almost a third-Daily Star
Najjar appoints new heads of Higher Judicial Council and Shura Council-Daily Star
Weekend getaway promotes Bsharri's Cedars-Daily Star
'Broken arm and ribs' for Iraqi who 'shoed' Bush-(AFP)
Security Council urges Palestinians, Israelis to press search for peace-(AFP)
Major powers say they will stick to guns on Iran sanctions-(AFP)
Russians in talks with Israelis to buy unmanned reconnaissance drones-(AFP)

 LIC Praises Congressman Ackerman's Statements on Lebanon
December 15, 2008
The Lebanese Information Center is profoundly grateful to Congressman Gary Ackerman for the statements he made during his recent visit to Lebanon. His clear reaffirmation of continued American commitment to a free and sovereign Lebanon mitigated concern among pro-democracy Lebanese that the change at the White House may bring about a change in US policy toward Lebanon.
Indeed, similar positions on Lebanon by US leaders who share Congressman Ackerman’s views play a significant role in alleviating concern that a US-Syrian entente would come at the expense of Lebanon’s sovereignty. Moreover, such statements reassure the Lebanese people that the potential end of Syria’s international isolation will not entail a repeat of the mandate to control Lebanon. Congressman Ackerman’s remark that “Lebanon is not only a place, it is a concept”, attests to his appreciation of Lebanon’s pluralism and of its role in that part of the world as a beacon of moderation, freedom and democracy.
While the enemies of freedom and democracy exploit the uncertainties precipitated by the imminent transition in Washington to intimidate the Lebanese people with the specter of abandonment by the US, Congressman Ackerman’s statement that "Lebanon’s future is not for sale", was very timely and reconfirmed that the United States’ commitment to Lebanon is solid and that Lebanon will not be sacrificed.
The Lebanese Information Center is fully confident that, under the leadership of Congressman Ackerman, the bipartisan convergence on the issue of Lebanon will continue unabated and that the correct policies will be advanced to serve the national interests of the US by allowing freedom, sovereignty, prosperity and peace to flourish in Lebanon and the Middle East.

U.N. Extends Hariri Investigation Working Mandate for Two Months
Naharnet/The United Nations Security Council unanimously approved on Wednesday, to extend the working mandate of the International independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) till February 28, 2009. UNIIIC head Canadian Commissioner Daniel Bellemare addressed the Security Council requesting the extension for logistic preparation of the International Tribunal's launch next March.
Bellemare said the commission has achieved many improvements since his last report, adding that more information surrounding the individual that committed the attack on for Prime Minister Rafic Hariri is now available. The international commissioner affirmed that evidence would be made available to the judiciary and not to the media. He also said that the commission is in possession of more information that connects the Hariri assassination to other attacks in Lebanon.
Regarding the issue of the four arrested generals in Lebanon on suspicion for their involvement in the Hariri attack, Bellemare said that Lebanese judicial authorities enjoy all the rights governing their status in the case. "No one has the right to intervene in their work," Bellemare said.
Lebanon's Ambassador to the U.N. Nawwaf Salam said in turn, that the Lebanese government has welcomed all the progress made in the case by UNIIIC so far.
"We wish to extend the commission's mandate, to know the truth and for the perpetrators to face justice," Salam said.
He reiterated Lebanon's official position in committing to the establishment of the international tribunal. He referred to President Michel Suleiman's address to the U.N. General Assembly. He thanks the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon for his efforts in accompanying the process of the investigation for the sake of justice and safety to Lebanon and the Lebanese. Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 20:49

Parliamentary Majority Calls on Minority to End its Bets on Reversals
Naharnet/March 14 Forces General Secretariat openly called on parliamentary minority (March 8 Forces) to end its bets on any possible reversals, whether by arms or via entering into regional axis hostile to Lebanon's Arab depth. Following its weekly meeting on Wednesday, the March 14 Forces General Secretariat affirmed its refusal to the principle of threats and intimidation following by March 8 Forces. "Some government members belonging to March 8 Forces, have threatened to pull out of cabinet, while others are hinting of a return to the past May 7 (violent) events," statement said. It went on to praise Russia's decision in providing Lebanon with MIG-29 fighters, saying it reinforces trust in the Lebanese state and the armed forces. "This strategic development comes in addition to an established Russian position in support of justice in the form of the international tribunal," statement said. The General Secretariat vowed to continue confronting social and living issues in Lebanon. It paid tribute to parliament's resolution in increasing wages, paying past retroactive differences on wages. Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 16:52

Russia to Give Lebanon 10 Mig Fighters
Naharnet/Russia is to deliver to Lebanon 10 MiG fighter jets for free, the head of the Russian defense cooperation body said Wednesday.
"Russia's defence ministry has decided to deliver to Lebanon, as part of defense cooperation, 10 MiG 29 fighter jets from our existing contingent," the Interfax news agency quoted Mikhail Dmitriyev as saying. The fighter jets would be modernized before delivery and the Russian defence ministry would pay for the transport of the jets, he confirmed, following a visit to Moscow by Lebanese Defence Minister Elias Murr. "Military-technical assistance, this means assistance in budgetary funds," he said. He said the warplanes would be covered by a limited warranty period and the parties would later have talks on a service agreement for after the warranty period expires. The leader of the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority in Lebanon, Saad Hariri, welcomed the move as support for Lebanon's "legitimate institutions."
His parliamentary majorities are at odds with the Iranian and Syrian backed Shiite militant group Hezbullah, which has its own militia that is still holding on to its weapons arsenal. "Russia gives a good example of how to deal with Lebanon's cause, and we hope that all those calling for Lebanon's independence and sovereignty would do the same," he said. Dmitriyev said Russia could also supply ground equipment to the Lebanese army. "We consider the Lebanese army a key element of political stability and we are ready to provide it with arms." The United States has given 410 million dollars in military aid to the Lebanese army since 2006 but this has been limited to light weapons and vehicles. (AFP) Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 19:06

New bombs change Middle East dynamics
Israelis could hit Syria, Iran without leaving their own airspace

Posted: December 16, 2008
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
A new bomb technology developed by Australia and the United States will allow Israel's jet fighter pilots to strike inside Syria or Lebanon without ever leaving their own airspace, should there be another conflict in the region., changing the dynamics of the Middle East conflict, according to a report from Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.
It is called the JDAM-ER, or Joint Direct Munitions-Extended Range, and essentially takes a dumb bomb and turns it into a smart bomb.
Among the modifications that are made is the addition of a set of folding wings that extend the range to more than three times the range of a baseline JDAM, or Mk-84 2000-pound bomb, reportedly increasing the range from 15 to some 55 nautical miles.
Another modification converts existing unguided bombs into bombs that are directed to their targets using GPS technology.
Even before the JDAM is released, it begins to receive data while still attached to the computer inside the aircraft.
Upon release, a satellite then guides the bomb to its target. The aircraft and crew then don't have to remain in enemy territory to "ride the bomb down" to its target, according to officials.
Keep in touch with the most important breaking news stories about critical developments in the Middle East with Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, the premium, online intelligence news source edited and published by the founder of WND.
This enhanced capability allows the bomb to hit its target accurately regardless of weather conditions, day or night.
The ER kit also is designed to be installed in the field to existing JDAM weapons.
JDAM bombs already are available for all the fighting aircraft of the U.S. inventory. They include the B-1B, B-2A, B-52H, F-16C/D, F/A-18C/D, F/A-18E/F, F-15E, F/A-22, F-35, A-10A, S-3, F-117, AV-8B, and F-14A/B/D. They also are available for aircraft in development and for foreign aircraft.
While the kits are available now to attach to existing JDAMs, a JDAM-ER bomb is expected to enter into production in 2010 as a joint effort of the Australian Air Force and Boeing.
"We have demonstrated the impressive capability enhancement that an affordable modular wing kit can bring to JDAM weapons, while simultaneously setting the engineering foundation that will facilitate the fielding of an Australian-designed wing kit to JDAM users around the globe," said Bart Volpe, Boeing JDAM International program manager.
A number of Boeing's 16 international JDAM customers reportedly are showing interest in acquiring the extended range capability for their own JDAM bombs.
For Israel, the ER version of the JDAM also is seen as giving Israel a longer-range capability of striking Iranian nuclear sites. Pilots could release the bombs from afar and avoid anti-aircraft defense missiles.
The Israeli version is said to be capable of using laser guidance as well as standard GPS. Its version of the JDAM also is protected against electronic jamming.
Israel recently upgraded its F-15 fleet to carry the JDAMs.
For the complete report and full immediate access to Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, subscribe now.

Hale: Hizbullah Could Ignite Demolishing Confrontation with Israel
Naharnet/U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale warned that rearmed Hizbullah could ignite a confrontation with Israel that would demolish Lebanon. Hale, in an interview with the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat, said Washington shares the ongoing rapprochement by France and Europe towards Syria, saying it aims at achieving Lebanon's "freedom, sovereignty and independence.""We all want to put an end to Syria's intervention in Lebanon's affairs and we all want to end Syria's support for terror. We agree with European states on these issues," Hale said.
"Maybe our methods differ sometimes," Hale noted. "What matters for the United States is that Syria should not believe that it can be treated as a normal member of the international community as long as its policies are subject to opposition," he added. Syria, he said, should implement "in deeds not words" UNSCR 1701, demarcate the borders with Lebanon and halt the smuggling of weapons to Hizbullah in Lebanon." Settling the issue of the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms is "not possible prior to demarcating the Lebanese-Syrian borders," Hale noted. Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 11:50

Army Communications Network Sabotaged
Naharnet/Unidentified assailants disconnected communication cables of the Lebanese Army in the Bekaa Valley town of Majdal Anjar overnight prompting a major search operation by the regular force on Wednesday for culprits. Sources in the area said army patrols set up checkpoints in Majdal Anjar and launched house raids in search of the culprits. No arrests were reported, however. One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said no tension was reported in the town, a reputed Sunni Muslim stronghold that commands the Masnaa border crossing into Syria. The assignment in Majdal Anjar is the first reported by the Lebanese Army since withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon in 2005. Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 13:58

Washington Warns UNIFIL Against Qaida Attack
Naharnet/Two newspapers on Thursday published conflicting reports on a possible attack by al-Qaida terrorists targeting the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).The daily al-Akhbar said the United States had warned UNIFIL of an imminent terrorist attack on Dec. 10.  The report quoted an unnamed European diplomatic source as saying the United States provided UNIFIL with information that al-Qaida would probably launch a "suicide attack" against UNIFIL convoys, which led to a state of alert by the peacekeepers, the Lebanese Army and security agencies. As-Safir also carried a similar report, saying the Lebanese Army was informed by UNIFIL of the alleged threat. "Visits to south Lebanon by European officials were called off in light of the threat," the report said. However, as-Safir said the alleged terrorist attack would probably be launched in the transition between the George Bush and Barak Obama administrations. It predicted an operation similar to the Mumbai attacks or the targeting of NATO equipment in Pakistan. The attack would probably be carried out in the Sidon region, along the seafront, the report said. Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 10:14

Parliament Discussions Focus on Implementing Doha Agreement
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday stressed the need to abide by the Doha Agreement, especially with regard to not blocking government decisions or boycotting its sessions. "I want to reiterate the commitment of all the parties that participated in Doha not to block (cabinet decisions) or to withdraw from it," Berri said during a parliamentary session.Premier Fouad Saniora also stressed that his government has been committed to three issues since the adoption of the Doha Agreement: Commitment not to hinder the work of the government, rejecting violence in all its forms, including rhetoric and third, ending all forms of provocation.
Tuesday's parliamentary session was convened to question the Cabinet on a variety of issues.
Al Mustaqbal MP Mohammed Qabbani said that the Taef accord did not aim to limit presidential powers, but rather worked on providing group leadership.
MP Hassan Fadlallah criticized the Higher Relief Council, saying that some regions in Lebanon received aid while others did not.
MP Elias Atallah criticized government behavior regarding inter-Arab relations.
MP Azzam Dandashi pointed to lack of government coordination, saying what was achieved in northern Lebanon and in particular in Akkar was based on personal initiatives. "The government did nothing," he said. MP Ammar Houry attacked those who continue to oppose the government, asking: "What are you opposing? Yourselves in government?" MP Samir Jisr accused the Syrians of standing behind the inflow of arms to Palestinians outside refugee camps in Lebanon. "We oppose this and Syrian military presence on our borders," Jisr said. Speaker Berri adjourned the session to 10:30 am Wednesday. Beirut, 16 Dec 08, 22:09

Zaki: Palestinians are Cooperating with Army to Prevent Another Nahr al-Bared
PNaharnet/alestine Liberation Organization (PLO) representative in Lebanon Abbas Zaki said Palestinians are cooperating with the Lebanese army to protect refugee camps and prevent a repetition of the Nahr al-Bared battle. Following his meeting on Tuesday with President Michel Suleiman, Zaki said there are ongoing efforts to deliver wanted fugitives to Lebanese authorities "without causing any bloodshed."A statement issued by his office said Zaki informed European Commission delegation head Patrick Laurent on the status of Palestinians in refugee camps. The statement said Zaki assured Laurent that Palestinian camps wouldn't be a threat to civil peace in Lebanon. Zaki called on the European Union to support Lebanon's stability and sovereignty which would reflect positively on the Palestinians.
He stressed that the EU should support the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Laurent affirmed EU's support for rebuilding the Nahr al-Bared camp in the north. Beirut, 16 Dec 08, 20:40

Gemayel: Solidarity with Patriarch, President Shields Lebanon
Naharnet/Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel has considered Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir and President Michel Suleiman a basic authority for Christians.
Following a visit to Sfeir in Bkirki on Tuesday, Gemayel said: "The beginning of the road for saving Lebanon under these difficult circumstances lies in standing behind both authorities." He refused to comment on MP Michel Aoun's position regarding what he called the dual authority. "I don't want to analyze this. Public opinion is clear about this. We speak of our convictions and it is up to public opinion to balance things out and make up its mind." Gemayel said he regretted what happened during the Cabinet meeting on Saturday concerning the formation of the electoral monitoring commission, adding that some parties had a better way to deal with such matters. Beirut, 16 Dec 08, 17:33

Russia to Deliver 10 MiG Fighter Jets to Lebanon
Naharnet/Russia has agreed to deliver 10 Russian MiG-29 fighter jets to Lebanon, Defense Minister Elias Murr said on Tuesday. "Russia has agreed to deliver to Lebanon 10 MiG-29 fighter jets," Murr said following talks with his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov. Serdyukov said that Russia "had received a list of the requirements of the Lebanese armed forces and is ready to examine them in the near future." Murr on Monday discussed with Russia's military cooperation chief, Mikhail Dimitriev, details of a list that Lebanon's army command had delivered to the Russian side.A statement by his office said Moscow expressed "full readiness to upgrade the army's defense capabilities."(AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 16 Dec 08, 14:46

Israel Promises Quick Victory in Next War with Hizbullah
Naharnet/Israel has reiterated its threats against Lebanon amid talk about practical scenarios where the Israeli army would occupy the area south of the Litani and end its war with Hizbullah in a "quick and decisive victory." The Jerusalem Post, quoting Israeli military sources, said the elite Golani Brigade has only recently concluded a one-week maneuver on the Golan Heights amid talk about the possibility that Israel could wage war both on Syria and Hizbullah.
A senior Israeli officer told the daily that since Israel considers Hizbullah as a "partner" in the Lebanese government with veto powers, there is no reason to separate targets belonging to the Shiite group from others belonging to Lebanese areas in the next war. Consequently, any assault to be launched by Hizbullah on Israel is "basically" a Lebanese attack on the Jewish state. The sources said the Israeli army has put in place "practical plans" that should lead to "quick and decisive victory" within four or five days in its next war on Lebanon. They said Israel's chief of staff Lt. Gen. Gaby Ashkenazi has urged the Cabinet to give its "green-light" to the army to heavily bombard the Lebanese infrastructure "so long as Hizbullah is a partner in the government." The sources said the Israeli plan called for two phases: The first to destroy Hizbullah infrastructure by means of aerial attacks hoping this would end the war, while in the second the Israeli army would resort to launching a large-scale ground assault into the Litani River where the majority of Hizbullah-owned short-range missiles are believed hidden. The Jerusalem Post quoted the same sources as saying that no date has been set for launch war.Beirut, 16 Dec 08, 09:18

Bellemare Briefs Security Council on Hariri Murder Probe
Naharnet/Chief U.N. investigator Daniel Bellemare on Wednesday will brief the Security Council on his last report on progress made in the probe into the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri. The Council will also vote in favor of a two-month extension of the mandate of the commission investigating Hariri's Feb. 2005 assassination. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has said the international tribunal that will try Hariri's suspected assassins is on track to start operations in March.
Bellemare will become the tribunal's prosecutor once the probe into the Hariri and related cases is completed. Beirut, 16 Dec 08, 11:29

Michael DeBakey Back to Marjayoun
Naharnet/AFP photo shows a woman pointing towards the statue of Michael DeBakey, the world-famous cardiovascular surgeon who pioneered such now-common procedures as bypass surgery, after an unveiling ceremony held in his family's hometown of Marjayoun in south Lebanon. DeBakey died on July 11, 2008 of natural causes at The Methodist Hospital in Houston. He counted world leaders among his patients and helped turn Baylor College of Medicine in Houston from a provincial school into one of the nation's great medical institutions. Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 08:42

Neighbors / Showtime for General Aoun
By Zvi Bar'el
Damascus offers more than just falafel - when General Michel Aoun was there two weeks ago, he went for the good ice cream. But Aoun wasn't there to lick only ice cream. This was the culmination of the rollercoaster ride the 73-year-old Christian Lebanese general launched the moment he returned to Lebanon in May 2005, after Syrian forces withdrew. At that time, the exiled chief of staff and former prime minister's return was regarded as a personal closing of accounts with Syria.
This account began with the Lebanese Civil War, which raged from 1975 until 1990, when Aoun was forced to surrender by a Syrian attack on his enclave in western Beirut. He sought asylum at the French Embassy, and from there was exiled to Paris. At the time Aoun accused then-U.S. president, the elder George Bush, of having handed over Lebanon to Syria because he needed Damascus' cooperation in the first Gulf War. Now the younger Bush is handling the account with Syria, and Aoun has become its ally.
The moment he arrived in Paris, Aoun started to establish a "command headquarters" for his loyalists and for the opponents of Syria in Lebanon. For Lebanese political activists passing through Paris, Aoun's home was an obligatory stop. Aoun also established an intelligence network inside Lebanon and gained considerable support. In a 1995 Lebanese public opinion poll, Shi'ite respondents said they admired Aoun even more than Shi'ite leader Nabih Beri. Syria considered to regard Aoun as a major enemy and several thousand of his supporters were arrested - as Aoun had expected - by the Syrian security forces.
This was the case until the assassination of Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri in February 2005. The ensuing protests and international pressure forced Syria to withdraw from Lebanon. Aoun saw this as a historic opportunity not only to return to his country, but also to politics and perhaps the presidency as well. In the town of Rabiya, north of Beirut, he established splendid headquarters with a private army, as is the norm for senior Lebanese politicians, adopted the manner of a senior military commander, inspecting his troops' weapons each morning and parading his military vehicles while making intricate political calculations - which led him into the arms of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
This partnership between the Shi'ite militia leader and the Christian general has served them - and Syria - well. It enabled Nasrallah to say he objected to the government of the popular Fouad Siniora not due to sectarian or religious motives - after all, his ally Aoun is Christian. Aoun, for his part, assured himself political support that could lead to the presidency. Syria could not have wished for a more useful partnership. Via Aoun, Syria could undermine the claim that "all" Lebanese Christians oppose Syria, deny its old enemy the Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir the role of exclusive Christian representative, and force the Siniora government to acknowledge that not all Christians supported it.
Aoun, who had been a victim of Syria and the Lebanese Christian pillar of fire against the Syrian invasion, became Syria's front against the Siniora government. When he visited Damascus two weeks ago, with the pomp and circumstance Syria reserves for those it seeks to honor, he was asked whether he considered Syria's hospitality as an apology for its past sins. Aoun replied that Lebanon's citizens should demand an apology from their own government before demanding an apology from Syria.
In Lebanon, his remarks were understood to mean that the Lebanese should apologize for their attitude toward Syria. In any case, the embraces and the kisses in Damascus, the extensive media coverage with President Bashar Assad and Aoun's statements are the first public expressions of next summer's election campaign.
These may be the most important elections in Lebanon's history, because if Hezbollah's predictions are true, they may put Hezbollah and its partners, including Aoun, in charge of the country, and let Syria reclaim Lebanon, its greatest political loss.
Symbol of opposition to Syria
Jubran Tueni was murdered three years ago. He was not the only Lebanese journalist killed in the past three years who had suspected that Syria was responsible for the assassination of Hariri and other Lebanese public figures. Half a year before Tueni was murdered, journalist Sami Kassir was assassinated, and journalist and television presenter May Chidiak lost an arm and a leg in a foiled assassination attempt.
Tueni, however, was a symbol of opposition to Syria. As editor of the important An-Nahar newspaper, he allowed Syrian oppositionists to publish articles harshly critical of the Syrian regime, and ran the first Syrian intellectuals' petition demanding Assad adopt the principles of democracy and allow freedom of speech. Tueni waged a consistent journalistic war not only against the Syrian army's presence in Lebanon, especially after Israel withdrew in May 2000, but also against Hezbollah.
An-Nahar and Al-Mustaqbal, the Harari family's newspaper and television station, have since then become the anchors of Lebanese opposition to Syria. When it comes to enemies, the Syrian regime makes no distinction between an enemy who wields a weapon and an enemy who wields a pen. Syria acted, and brutally.
This February will mark four years since Hariri's murder, and there is still no international indictment naming the Syrian figures believed responsible for the assassination of Lebanese public figures, and no international court has been established. Apparently, this does not trouble the United Nations officials responsible for the issue.
In Beirut a central square has already been named after Samir Kassir, and the International Association of Journalists awards an annual Jubran Tueni prize for courageous writing.
But these are no substitute for trying suspects, and it is doubtful that a trial will ever be held. When thoughts of dialogue with Iran are stirring, when Syria is an interlocutor of Israel and perhaps soon of the United States as well, and when Lebanese elections are approaching in six months, who feels like trying Bashar's regime?

Throwing shoes doesn't help IraqStory Highlights
By Arsalan Iftikhar

Special to CNN
The journalist who threw shoes at Bush got 15 minutes of fame
He says the incident was a sign of brazen contempt for the president
Iftikhar says shoe-throwing does nothing to improve the situation in Iraq
He says a journalist's job is to bring truth and information to his audience
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Not since Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev's famous footwear pounded into a table at an October 1960 United Nations session have we seen a shoe create such a global political firestorm.
Alas, we now have an Iraqi journalist entering into the annals of political history with his contribution to the ongoing historical saga entitled "Shoes Heard Around the World."
Some regional TV channels in the Mideast have aired the footage from the "shoe" press conference "more than a dozen times in several hours," according to The Associated Press. The infamous scene has now bounced around Internet networking sites like YouTube and Facebook, showing Iraqi journalist Muntadhar Al-Zaidi standing, hurling both his shoes at President George W. Bush and shouting in Arabic: "This is a farewell kiss, you dog....This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."
Mr. Al-Zaidi, 29, a journalist for private Iraqi television channel Al-Baghdadia, was swiftly overpowered by Iraqi security forces after he threw the shoes at Bush in a gesture described by Agence France Presse as "the supreme mark of disrespect in the Muslim world."
Let it be made clear that no shoes should have been thrown at President Bush. Aside from being patently childish (and simply bad manners), notwithstanding the global public's distaste for President Bush's policies, the job of a journalist is to be a purveyor of truth and information to his or her audience.
Mr. Al-Zaidi's job as a journalist is to report the news to his citizens, who otherwise would have little or no access to information. Thus, as a journalist, Al-Zaidi failed miserably in his profession by not keeping his shoes firmly on his feet. Although many people are applauding the "15 minutes of fame" achieved by the shoe incident, there is simply little excuse for such childish and silly behavior by Mr. Al-Zaidi.
Throwing a shoe at someone in the Muslim world is a patently insulting gesture. The context of the incident would have been completely different had it been a cream-filled pie (a la Bill Gates or Ann Coulter) as the projectile in question. Within its cultural context, simply showing the soles of your shoes to someone, let alone tossing your shoes at them, is a sign of brazen contempt.
For example, when Saddam Hussein's statue was toppled in April 2003, Iraqi protesters in Baghdad pelted the toppled statue with shoes and sandals. A CNN report on the April 2003 statue toppling called the throwing of shoes "a grave insult in the Arab world".
For these reasons, this latest Iraqi shoe incident is taking away focus from the actual plight of the Iraqi people and is being wrongfully applauded by many people in certain parts of the world.
According to ABC News, a wealthy Saudi citizen named Hasan Muhammad Makhafa has apparently offered $10 million for one of the shoes thrown by the Iraqi TV journalist. Mr. Makhafa, described as a landowner and retired teacher, told Dubai-based Arabic satellite TV station Al-Arabiya that Al-Zaidi's shoes were "a symbol of freedom, not just footwear."
"They represent a victory for those who have disgraced the Arabs by occupying their lands and killing innocent people," he said.
Hey, Mr. Makhafa. Why don't you take your $10 million and donate it directly to the Iraqi people to help build more water wells, educate Iraqi women or help resettle Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan?
How does it help the plight of an impoverished nation when you are willing to spend millions on eBay for these infamous shoes rather than figuring out a way to help the nation of Iraq rebuild into a functional and prosperous society?
The answer is that the shoe story does not help the plight of the Iraqi people in any way. Instead of perpetuating the stereotype that Arabs and Muslims are less-than-civilized shoe-throwers, perhaps we need to propagate the more accurate stereotype of Muslim and Arab hospitality around the world.
A well-known Islamic parable deals with the Prophet Mohammed and the story of his interaction with a female neighbor who used to throw garbage on him every day from her window whenever he walked by her house.
One day, when the woman was not present to throw garbage out her window, the Prophet inquired about her whereabouts and visited her inside her home when he found that she had fallen sick.
This genteel act of kindness toward unfriendly neighbors is the Muslim Ubuntu standard that should be used in our collective lives; not the silly example of an overzealous Iraqi journalist with "size 10" shoe missiles.
As our global community transitions from the ill-fated presidency of George W. Bush to the much-anticipated presidency of Barack Obama, we can take comfort knowing the gigantic imprint of history's "shoe" will leave a much more humiliating mark on the Bush legacy than a pair of misguided size 10 Iraqi shoes thrown in his general direction.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Arsalan Iftikhar.
Editor's Note: Arsalan Iftikhar is an international human rights lawyer and contributing editor for Islamica Magazine in Washington. He is the founder of TheMuslimGuy.com, a Web site focused on Islamic issues, and is former national legal director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Arsalan Iftikhar says the journalist who threw his shoes at Bush wasn't doing his job.

Mideast awaits new leaders, direction in 2009
By Nicholas Blanford | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
from the December 17, 2008 edition
Beirut, Lebanon - Exhausted by years of conflict and political stagnation, the peoples of the Middle East are looking to President-elect Barack Obama to help shape a new direction for the region after he assumes office next month.
But it is a former US president that is pushing once more for a renewed effort to resolve the festering Israeli-Palestinian conflict that many believe lies at the heart of the region's woes.
On a recent tour of Lebanon and Syria, former President Jimmy Carter urged a back-to-basics approach to one of the world's most intractable political predicaments.
"I don't consider myself an oracle or authority on the subject… but the minimum message I bring is that peace is necessary not only for Israelis and Palestinians but the entire region and indeed the entire world," he told an audience at the American University of Beirut last week.
Mr. Carter has remained deeply involved in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts since helming the Camp David peace talks in 1978 during his presidency which led to a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt.
Despite the optimism engendered by those breakthrough talks 30 years ago, the Israeli-Palestinian track has grown increasingly complicated and bitter.
Israeli settlements continue to expand on territory earmarked for the Palestinians. Despair among Palestinians has given rise to increased militancy and two intifadas, further eroding goodwill on both sides. Some analysts say the Israeli Palestinian peace track is almost blocked for now, given the distrust between the two sides, the rising popularity of Hamas (which rejects a two-state solution), and the inherent weakness of Israel's unwieldy coalition governments.
"The situation on the ground is really terrible," says Ousama Safa, director of the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies in Beirut. "The Palestinian house is in complete disorder… and the Israelis are not in a position to make decisive conclusions."
Still, Mr. Carter recommends a return to several key proposals that he says present a mutually acceptable basis for a durable peace. They include:
• United Nations resolutions such as 194 and 242, which deal with Palestinian refugees' right of return and exchanging land for peace.
• The proposal of the International Quartet – the US, the European Union, Russia, and the UN – which has called for Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab territory and recommended that Jerusalem be a shared capital for Israel and Palestine.
• The Arab Peace Initiative, unveiled in 2002, in which Arab countries agreed to recognize Israel in exchange for the return of Arab territory occupied in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
• The Geneva Initiative, an unofficial agreement in 2003 between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, which called for a viable Palestinian state in the West Bank, with minor land swaps allowing Israel to keep some of the larger settlement blocs. Israel would also decide how many Palestinian refugees could return to Israel, with the rest moving to the Palestinian state or being financially compensated.
The Middle East is in a limbo period while it awaits the arrival of the Obama administration and the outcome of several key elections in the first half of 2009, which could define the future course of the region.
In February, Israelis head to the polls to choose new leadership. Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the hawkish Likud Party, appears to be the favorite to head the next government, probably a right-wing coalition. That does not augur well for continued peace talks with the Palestinians and Turkey-brokered indirect negotiations with Syria.
Parliamentary elections in Lebanon slated for May will determine if the country remains a US ally or returns to the orbit of neighboring Syria.
US-Iranian relations also could hang in the balance if Mahmoud Ahmadinejad secures a second term as president of Iran in June.
Given the complications of the Palestinian process, some policymakers view an agreement with Iran as the main regional goal.
Even the Israeli-Syrian track is a simpler prospect for peace, especially after it was given a boost this year with the revelation that the two countries were negotiating via Turkish mediation.
"I agree with everything Carter said in diagnosing the situation, but I just don't think the circumstances are propitious right now," says Rami Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Center for Lebanon, which invited Carter to speak at the AUB. "I think [the Obama administration] should grab the Iranian issue by the horns, get an agreement and then work backwards to Syria and then to the Palestinians."
Carter articulates his peace ideas in a new book, "We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work," whose publication is timed to Obama's inauguration next month.
"I found that the American president has great influence with the leaders of Israel. That has grown and still holds, in my opinion, the foremost opportunity for progress," he says.
But success, Carter said, largely hinges on Obama's commitment to Middle East peace, especially given the "tremendous pressure in the US to side completely by Israel."
"It's not a hopeless case, but it depends on the commitment and political courage of the next president of the United States," he said.