LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS
BULLETIN
October 25/08
Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to
Saint Luke 12,54-59. He also said to the crowds, "When you see (a) cloud rising
in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain--and so it does; and
when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going
to be hot--and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the
appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the
present time? Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to
go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter
on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the
judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I
say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."
Vatican Council II
Decree on Ecumenism, §4/Discerning the signs of the times
Today, in many parts of the world, under the inspiring grace of the Holy
Spirit, many efforts are being made in prayer, word and action to attain that
fullness of unity which Jesus Christ desires. The Sacred Council exhorts all the
Catholic faithful to recognize the signs of the times and to take an active and
intelligent part in the work of ecumenism. The term "ecumenical movement"
indicates the initiatives and activities planned and undertaken, according to
the various needs of the Church and as opportunities offer, to promote Christian
unity. These are: first, every effort to avoid expressions, judgments and
actions which do not represent the condition of our separated brethren with
truth and fairness and so make mutual relations with them more difficult; then,
"dialogue" between competent experts from different Churches and Communities. At
these meetings, which are organized in a religious spirit, each explains the
teaching of his Communion in greater depth and brings out clearly its
distinctive features. In such dialogue, everyone gains a truer knowledge and
more just appreciation of the teaching and religious life of both Communions. In
addition, the way is prepared for cooperation between them in the duties for the
common good of humanity which are demanded by every Christian conscience; and,
wherever this is allowed, there is prayer in common. Finally, all are led to
examine their own faithfulness to Christ's will for the Church and accordingly
to undertake with vigor the task of renewal and reform.
When such actions are undertaken prudently and patiently by the Catholic
faithful, with the attentive guidance of their bishops, they promote justice and
truth, concord and collaboration, as well as the spirit of brotherly love and
unity. This is the way that, when the obstacles to perfect ecclesiastical
communion have been gradually overcome, all Christians will at last, in a common
celebration of the Eucharist, be gathered into the one and only Church in that
unity which Christ bestowed on His Church from the beginning.
Free Opinions,
Releases, letters & Special Reports
A
message from Ban Ki-Moon to mark United Nations Day
.By Ban Ki-moon
24/10/08
Walid Phares explains al-Qaeda 'endorsement' of
McCain-American Thinker - 24/10/08
Tehran via Beirut-Al-Ahram
Weekly 24/10/08
Fraternal but independent-Al-Ahram
Weekly 24/10/08
Any
Iraqi deal with America can wait for Bush's successor to take office.
The Daily Star
24/10/08
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for October
24/08
Final Bellemare Report Coming in
November-Naharnet
US Imposes Sanctions on Russia, China for Supplies
to Iran-Bloomberg
'I won't rest until Israel destroyed'-Jerusalem
Post
Political Considerations Might Further Complicate Abu Jamra's Withdrawal from
Cabinet-Naharnet
U.N.
Investigation Team Hears Testimonies of New Witnesses in Hariri Case-Naharnet
Solana, Assad Discuss
European Role in Peace Process-Naharnet
Bush Reiterates Support
for Moderation in Lebanon on Occasion of 25th Anniversary of Attack on Marines-Naharnet
3 Suspects in Pipes Case
Released on Bail-Naharnet
Saniora to Attend
Lebanese-Egyptian Higher Committee Meeting in Cairo-Naharnet
Conference for Boycotting
Israel Expresses Solidarity with Lebanon's Demand for Full Israeli Pullout-Naharnet
U.S. Embassy Supports
Training for General Security to Fight Trafficking in Persons-Naharnet
Abu Jamra: We Have No
Problem with Saniora-Naharnet
Berri Wants Arab
Ministerial Meeting in Mosul to Defend Christians-Naharnet
Sleiman encourages formation of bloc to serve
national interests ...Daily
Star
Iranian official: Tehran proud of its support
for Hezbollah and Hamas-Ha'aretz
Security services draw up list of possible
targets of Hezbollah ...Ha'aretz
AJC Remembers Victims of 1983 Hezbollah Bombings in Beirut-MarketWatch
Construction work uncovers grotto, graves in
South-Daily Star
Hezbollah denied a report that its leader was
poisoned and by Israel.-Jewish
Telegraphic Agency
Hezbollah refuses to comment on press
speculation-Al-Arabiya
Lebanese President to visit Egypt early November-African
Press Agency
Lebanese would be better off had reforms been
implemented - Shatah-Daily Star
Visiting founder of EU think tank lauds Turkey's strides toward democracy-Daily
Star
Hizbullah denies involvement in Colombia drug ring-Daily
Star
Judge releases three suspects in 'terror plot-Daily
Star
Berri urges Arabs, Muslims to protest against attacks on Iraqi Christians-Daily
Star
Reading the tea leaves on Israel's 'non-belligerence' gambit-Daily
Star
Women's forum in Beirut gets off to awkward start-Daily
Star
Al-Hayat journalist passes away-Daily
Star
AUB president sheds light on female pharaoh-Daily
Star
Construction work uncovers grotto, graves in South-Daily
Star
Kontar vows no let-up in struggle against Zionism-(AFP)
Lessons of
Beirut
By Timothy J. Geraghty
New York Post | Friday, October 24, 2008
It was 25 years ago on October 23 that a suicide bomber blew up the Marine
compound in Beirut, killing 241 men. My men.
The 21,000 pounds of explosives caused the largest single-day loss of life for
the Corps since Iwo Jima in 1945. It marked the start of a series of carefully
coordinated attacks - initiated largely by Iran - that have plagued Americans in
that region ever since. And the threat continues today.
The recent revelations that Tehran is providing sophisticated weaponry that is
killing US Marines and soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan should come as no
surprise. Iran has been waging war against the United States for well over a
quarter-century - from the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979 to today. Over the
years, it has generously supported terrorist groups from al Qaeda and Hezbollah
to Hamas and the Palestianian Islamic Jihad.
Examples of Iran's war-making abound. It has supported Hamas' rocket launches
and other attacks into Israeli villages across the Gaza border. It has supplied
weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon - not only to challenge the legitimacy of the
duly elected government there, but to prepare for the next Arab war with Israel.
It has supported Syria in incessant efforts to destabilize Lebanon and Iraq. It
has supported the Taliban in Afghanistan against NATO forces. And it has used
the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force to help train, equip and
finance Iraqi Shiite and Sunni extremist militias warring on Coalition forces.
Just recently, Hezbollah instructors trained Shiite militiamen in remote camps
inside southern Iraq and planned some of the most brazen attacks against US-led
forces.
Iran has evolved as a major player in the Middle East, with growing influence.
Its proxy war with Israel - only one front in a larger conflict - has increased
Iranian popularity throughout the Arab world. (Nor does Tehran's ability to
cause trouble with impunity augur well for the peace process.)
With its links to the Taliban and its weapons-smuggling in Iraq and Afghanistan,
Iran has been able to wreak havoc via its insurgent proxies while avoiding any
blame or retribution itself. Such diversions also draw attention from Iran's
primary objective of developing a nuclear weapon.
Here's how to connect the dots on Tehran's involvement in such efforts:
In August 2005, Mustafa Mohammad-Najjar (who'd been commander of the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard expeditionary force that supported the Beirut attack in
1983) was named the new defense minister of Iran. In that job, he is most
certainly involved in global terrorist attacks and the acquisition of nuclear
weaponry.
Iran will likely use its favorite proxy, Hezbollah, to carry out future attacks
against the West, including the United States. Najjar's long association with
the late terrorist mastermind Imad Fayez Mugniyah lends credence to this
probability. We could well find ourselves the target of a weapon of mass
destruction right here in the United States that was planned and executed by
some of the same players who carried out the '83 Beirut attacks.
Soon after Najjar became defense minister, Brig. Gen. Ahmad Kazemi was appointed
to lead the Guard's ground forces. He is Najjar's close confidant and fellow
alumnus of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Lebanon contingent.
Today, Lebanon has again become a battlefield for insurgents to settle their
disagreements. The state-within-a-state that the Palestine Liberation
Organization created in the late 1970s has been replaced. The Iranian model,
establishing Hezbollah as a proxy, has proven more successful.
Hezbollah's development and growth suggest that Iran and Syria settled in 1983
on a long-range strategy to increase their influence in the region and the
world. The operational and training base established by the Iranian
Revolutionary Guard that year remains a hub of activity.
As the nation remembers the 1983 attacks on the Marine compound, Americans
should also keep in mind how the tragedy came about, and who was - and still is
- responsible for preventing the peace that has never come.
Iran isn't just another harmless bully in the Middle East. It's an impediment to
peace - and a threat to the United States.
**This article is adapted from the October issue of Proceedings, the flagship
magazine of the US Naval Institute.
Construction work uncovers grotto, graves in South
By Mohammed Zaatari /Daily Star staff
Friday, October 24, 2008
KFARSIR, South Lebanon: A grotto containing seven graves was discovered in the
southern village of Kfarsir near Nabatieh on Thursday. Ali Badawi, an official
at the Directorate of Antiquities in Tyre, told The Daily Star that preliminary
investigations have shown that the graves belong to the Roman-Byzantine period.
"This belief is based on the fact that between the fourth and sixth centuries,
people started to practice Christian rituals that consist of burying the dead
without their jewels and precious possessions," he said.
According to Badawi, the graves were unearthed when a large rock impeded the
work of a bulldozer that was digging in preparation for the construction of a
building.
"After several attempts to remove it, it turned to be a cover to a grotto
containing sevengraves," he said. "Security forces rushed to the place and
ordered the bulldozer to stop operating.""We have also discovered human remains that will be inspected by a medical
examiner to determine the date of death before launching an expanded campaign to
fully discover the grotto next week," he added.
Bush Reiterates Support for
Moderation in Lebanon on Occasion of 25th Anniversary of Attack on Marines
Naharnet/U.S. President George Bush, on the occasion of the 25th
anniversary of the attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut, reiterated that his
country strongly backs the voices of moderation in Lebanon.
"We reiterate our strong support for the voices of moderation and justice in
Lebanon," Bush said in a statement on Thursday.
"We remember the 241 American Marines, soldiers, and sailors who lost their
lives in that attack, and we pay tribute to their families and loved ones. The
U.S. forces in Lebanon were serving as part of the Multinational Force working
to bring peace and security to that country, torn by years of civil war," he
said.
"On the anniversary of this unconscionable attack, we honor the memory of those
brave servicemen and women through our commitment to succeeding in the war on
terror. We express our gratitude to those serving abroad to protect America and
promote peace and freedom around the world," Bush added.
His statement came as about 1,000 Marines and others at Camp Lejeune in North
Carolina honored those who died when suicide bombers attacked the U.S. barracks
in Beirut in 1983. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway told visitors on
Thursday that none of the victims thought they would die on a mission for peace.
The attack was the deadliest single-day death toll in Marine Corps history since
the Battle of Iwo Jima. It was the deadliest single attack on Americans overseas
since World War II. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama also paid
tribute to the victims.
"It is fitting that we meet today on the mall of the American Legion, surrounded
by monuments to our nation's heroes," Obama said at the start of a campaign
rally in Indianapolis. "On this day, 25 years ago, the Marine barracks in Beirut
were bombed. Two hundred-and-forty one Americans laid down their lives for this
country and for the peace they were there to protect. "We revere their service,
we honor their sacrifice and we keep their families in our prayers. We will
never forget them."(AP-AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 24 Oct 08, 05:21
WCCR Press Release: WCCR Remembers the Victims and the
Families of the 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing
Written by WCCR /Thursday, 23 October 2008
October 23, 2008 – Washington D.C. – The WCCR remembers the regrettable and
tragic Bombing of the US Marines Beirut Barracks on October 23, 1983, exactly
twenty-five years ago today. And also the French Barracks Bombing on that day
that claimed 58 French Soldiers.
The World Council of the Cedars Revolution
Press release Washington DC, CRNews: On this day 25 years ago in Beirut 241
Americans were killed in a terrorist attack on the U.S. Marine barracks. 58
French soldiers also were killed in a simultaneous attack. The Terrorists and
their sponsor states tested the United States and the West on that day to see if
they could stomach the loss of their solders and continue the mission.
Unfortunately, the terrorists on that day succeeded.
The WCCR pays tribute to those who gave their life, and especially to those
family members left behind that continue to grief the days that go by.
The fact that the bombing took place coupled with the response of the west to
eventually pull out, sent the wrong message to the terrorists and their sponsor
states - that terrorism works. This led to 911 being ultimately executed by
Al-Qaeda. It is a completely different question today - post 911. The West,
behind the leadership of President George W. Bush has redefined the boundaries
that the terrorists once enjoyed. The terrorists under President Bush now take
another consideration before striking. It is not over, for the perpetrators of
that tragic event are hard at work in all parts of the world today, from the 4
corners of S. America, to America, Canada, Europe and others parts of the Globe.
The only way to stop terrorism is to go after the terrorists, and their
supporters and bring justice to them. Unless the loop is closed and closed with
an overwhelming determination, the terrorists will consider that they enjoy a
space to freely plan, arm, train and strike.
To those brave soldiers that gave their ultimate sacrifice - their life, to
their families, the American people and the French as well, the WCCR sincerely
regrets that the 1983 bombings occurred at all, especially on the shores of
Lebanon. We fight this fight together, and we stand together against evil.
Editor, CRNews.
3 Suspects in Pipes Case
Released on Bail
Naharnet/Military Investigating Judge Rashid Mizher has released three people
arrested on charges of planning terrorist operations.
Mizher released the men after finding no evidence against them, a judicial
report said Thursday. The suspects were arrested while carrying pipes that were
suspected to contain an explosive substance. Rifaat al-Qadiri, Mustafa Bakour
and Mohammed Amer were released on LL200,000 bail, banned from travel and placed
under surveillance. The judiciary has said tests revealed that the pipes
contained no radioactive materials. But still Mizher decided to send them to
overseas laboratories for further analysis. Beirut, 24 Oct 08, 09:46
Saniora to Attend Lebanese-Egyptian Higher Committee
Meeting in Cairo
Naharnet/Prime Minister Fouad Saniora will take part in the
Lebanese-Egyptian Higher Committee meeting that will take place in Cairo Oct.
27-28.
Pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat on Friday said talks between Saniora and his Egyptian
counterpart are aimed at boosting cooperation between the two countries.
The bilateral cooperation includes, in addition to trade, developing energy and
education as well as scientific research, according to the paper.
It said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will meet with Saniora, who will be
accompanied by a number of cabinet ministers, including Labor Minister Mohammed
Fneish, at the end of the committee meeting. Senior Egyptian diplomatic sources
said the Lebanese issue, which is given much attention in Cairo, will be high on
the agenda. Beirut, 24 Oct 08, 10:07
Final Bellemare Report Coming in November
Naharnet/Exclusive information obtained by Naharnet uncovered
that the final report by the United Nations International Independent
Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) into the assassination of former Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri and his colleagues will be issued next November.
The commission head Daniel Bellemare will not wait till the end of the
designated six months period in December to present his report to U.N Secretary
General Ban Ki-Moon.
According to U.N. practices, the drafting and finalization exercise of reports
takes up to a three-week to a month period before it is issued. Therefore, one
can expect that the UNIIIC has not even started to draft its report during the
month of October and would only start this exercise by the first week of
November.
From statements made by Bellemare himself in his last report and in briefings to
the Security Council that:
First: The report will not point to any defendant, witness, or concerned
individual related to the investigation from near or far. As Bellemare stated in
April 2008, when he presented his first report to the U.N. Security Council, no
names will be disclosed by the Commission throughout the duration of its
mandate. Names would only be made known when indictments will be issued by the
Special Tribunal for Lebanon when and if sufficient evidence is established for
issuing indictments.
Second: The report will provide an overview on the investigations' details that
will only be disclosed via a mechanism placed by the tribunal.
Phases of the Investigation:
Information indicates that the investigation has covered four phases:
1- FitzGerald Phase: which is a fact-finding phase that was distinguished by
collecting information about the local investigation and exploring the political
and security situations, get familiar with the circumstances surrounding the
crime and investigate them. It is also a phase that was not governed by accurate
legal safeguards and formalities, but rather was a surveillance mission to put
the U.N. and the Security Council in the picture, thus allowing them to take the
appropriate decision regarding dealing with the crime.
2- Mehlis Phase:The function during which was governed by the rules and norms of
the UNIIIC, meaning that Mehlis was not forced, under the nature of his legal
mandate and role, to verify the summaries, conclusions and results with tangible
and material evidence, since at this point no decision to set up a special court
on Lebanon was yet taken.
3- Brammertz Phase: A phase known for assigning Brammertz to the probe and
agreeing to a set time frame for his task that would be followed by a clear path
for setting a Special Tribunal for Lebanon in line with a U.N. Security Council
agreement. This is made Brammertz expand his investigation and go into a lot of
technical details without having to go back to square one or ignoring data
collected by his predecessor, Mehlis. Brammertz focused on gathering whatever
possible to back up the various scenarios.
4- Daniel Bellemare Phase: This phase dealt with building legal foundations
designed to move the probe dossier to the international court and to collect
solid facts and evidence acceptable by the court. This silence, however, does
not at all mean that the investigation has lost fruitful elements or that
Bellemare wished to keep data to himself and deprive the public of access to the
information.
Reasons for Bellemare's silence:
Information indicates that Bellemare takes into consideration a number of
givens, most of which is his position as head of the UNIIIC charged with a
double mission, starting with his leadership and ending with him becoming
general prosecutor of the International Tribunal for Lebanon. This particular
position of Bellemare makes confidentiality requirements even more compelling,
since he has to preserve not only the integrity of his work as Commissioner and
a Prosecutor, but also the safety and security of people whose lives could be
threatened since criminals are still out there and might make use of any
information that comes out of the Commission to intimidate terrorize or kill
them.
Bellemare understands the "sensitivity" and influence of his role on the
Lebanese situation. The philosophy of the International Tribunal is based on
helping Lebanon in putting an end to a period where criminals escaping justice,
for Lebanon to rise from its problems, to help Lebanese institutions and in
particular those concerned with the investigations and with justice to walk in
parallel with international development in this field. Hence, he is keen not to
take any step that might negatively impact on the credibility of the process of
seeking the truth and of the ultimate aim of the investigation and the tribunal
to help putting an end to the "culture" of impunity and restore faith in justice
and the rule of law.
Bellemare is working in a responsible way on the basis of protecting his file
from any penetrations or holes that could harm the work of the international
tribunal at a later stage. His full silence is but a part of this rule. However,
this silence is not "eternal." It has been known that Bellemare is studying with
his concerned assistants the ideal and responsible method to gather between
keeping his word to the Lebanese general public opinion in its right to know and
be informed of his accomplishments with the success of his double mission as
investigator now and general prosecutor at a later stage.
Information points that in general it is important for Bellemare to preserve the
independence of the Commission in its work and to prevent its use in political
debates to serve political agendas that have nothing to do with the essence of
the work of the Commission or its objectives, which are essentially to be part
of the solution in Lebanon and not part of the problem -- a solution that could
complete and consolidate what the Lebanese are trying to achieve through
dialogue, reconciliation and reforms by promoting justice and ending impunity.
Information disclosed that part of the silence is probably to remain even during
the work of the tribunal, since available information points that some of the
testifying witnesses will not have their identity exposed even after ending
their testimony. Some of the court sessions will be confidential in testimonial
content and the identity of those testifying.
Circulated information:
Information regarding the content of the investigation affirms that a lot of
published statements by some Lebanese figures over the past few weeks, that they
or others were summoned for questioning, or concerning accusations directed
against them, or were attempted to be directed to them, does not in any way
relate to reality. The fact that many of the mentioned figures were never dealt
with by the commission by far and near under any investigative form. They were
not questioned, summoned to testify, nor contacted or accused by the Commission.
The Commission's data base does not include their names, a fact that will be
proved in the future by the facts. Speculations and using the media to spread
fabricated news and misinformation about the work of the commission are useless
and time will tell soon. If Bellemare has chosen not to reply to any of the
speculations published in the press it is because throughout his long career in
prosecution he has always used a tribunal as a vehicle of communication and what
he has to say will be heard by all. Beirut, 24 Oct 08, 13:56
Hizbullah Denies Poison Attempt on Nasrallah
Naharnet/Hizbullah has denied that its leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has been
the victim of a poison attack and has been saved by Iranian doctors rushed to
his bedside. "The story is fabricated and is a rumor," Hizbullah's politburo
member Ghaleb Abou Zeinab told al-Arabiya satellite TV network Thursday night.
The only party that benefits from "such rumor is the intelligence service of the
Israeli enemy," Abou Zeinab added. His comments were the first by a Hizbullah
official, An Nahar daily said Friday, adding that the Shiite group was preparing
an official statement on the issue. The alleged poisoning by a strong chemical
substance was first reported by Iraqi website Almalaf. Quoting "high ranking
diplomatic sources" in Beirut, Almalaf said that Nasrallah was in critical
condition until a team of 15 Iranian doctors was hastily scrambled from Tehran
to save his life. Beirut, 24 Oct 08, 06:04
Political Considerations Might Further Complicate Abu
Jamra's Withdrawal from Cabinet
Naharnet/Informed sources told An-Nahar daily on Friday that the
issue of Deputy Prime Minister Issam Abu Jamra's withdrawal from the recent
cabinet meeting might receive further attention and complicate the issue due to
other political considerations. This comes despite a 'friendly' meeting on
Thursday afternoon at Baabda Palace between Prime Minister Fouad Saniora, Abu
Jamra, and Minister of Administrative Development Ibrahim Shamseddine who is
acting as a mediator.
An-Nahar sources stated that Thursday's talks might possibly usher a solution
that could be discussed at a similar meeting to be held later on Friday.
However, if both Saniora and Abu Jamra held to their positions, matters could
get complicated, the paper said.
It said that while Saniora insisted that a solution be reached "under the
constitution," Abu Jamra's demands for further powers to his office "under the
constitution, political norms and the law" were not met. This might provide
forces within the opposition to adopt a position supporting the deputy prime
minister and, hence, widening the circle of the issue. Sources close to Saniora
affirmed to An-Nahar that the prime minister is moving towards settling this
issue "under the constitution and within the scope of institutional
cooperation."'
On Thursday evening Abu Jamra was hosted by Marcel Ghanem on a talk show on the
Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation in which the deputy prime minister described
the meeting with Saniora as "accidental," stating that the results of the
meeting were neither "positive nor negative."
Abu Jamra expressed hope that Saniora would respond to his demand that powers
pertaining to the deputy prime minister be discussed by the cabinet. Abu Jamra's
feeling is that Saniora is "afraid of something that he is hiding."On Friday,
al-Hayat newspaper learned that a settlement could be reached without touching
on the powers of the prime minister. This settlement would involve providing the
deputy prime minister with a bureau and authorizing him "if need be" to head
cabinet committees studying proposed laws that need to be revised.
Meanwhile, the daily as-Safir, citing sources close to Thursday's
Baabda meeting, said that the talks were calm.
The sources said that both parties expressed a desire to settle this
issue in a dignified manner which does not contradict with constitutional
considerations, adding that no final resolution was reached. A follow-up meeting
is likely to be held Friday, the sources said. As Safir said Shamseddine sought
to tackle issues separately, while Saniora was keen on holding to the role of
the deputy prime minister, only to provide him with an "added value" via making
certain files available to Abu Jamra to work on. This means that an old equation
might be adopted as previously demonstrated with former deputy prime ministers
Issam Faris and Michel Murr in heading cabinet committees. This crisis erupted
earlier when the Saniora cabinet was formed. Abu Jamra refused to accept a
bureau outside of the Grand Serail and challenged the prime minister to hand him
more power. Beirut, 24 Oct 08, 12:00
U.N. Investigation Team Hears Testimonies of New Witnesses
in Hariri Case
Naharnet/Investigating Judge Saqr Saqr has received documents
from the International Independent Investigation Commission, including
testimonies of new witnesses in the assassination case of former Premier Rafik
Hariri. Press reports on Friday said Saqr was likely to summon the new witnesses
successively.
They said that the commission will not include names of suspects in its final
report which is expected to be issued by year's end. Beirut, 24 Oct 08, 08:51
Conference for Boycotting Israel Expresses Solidarity with
Lebanon's Demand for Full Israeli Pullout
Naharnet/The meeting of liaison officers of the Arab Bureau for
Boycotting Israel has expressed solidarity with Lebanon in its demand for
Israeli withdrawal from the rest of occupied territories, Syria's state-run SANA
news agency reported. In a statement issued after the end of its deliberations
in Damascus, the 81st conference urged the international community to pressure
Israel into lifting its siege off the Palestinian people and "allow aid, food
and medicines to reach" them.
It also stressed Syria's right "to regain the Golan Heights" and called for
ending expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territory and Israel's
seizure of its water resources.The conference rejected sanctions imposed on
Syria and the so-called Syria accountability Act, the news agency said.
The statement stressed the need to respect unity, sovereignty and independence
of Iraq and urged "respect for its people's will to decide its own political
future."
The conferees, according to SANA, expressed solidarity with Lebanon's demand
"for Israeli withdrawal from the rest of occupied Lebanese territories."
They hailed "the resistance of the Lebanese people to the Israeli
aggression."The statement finally said that the conferees backed Sudan against
any plans that aim at targeting its sovereignty and national unity. Beirut, 24
Oct 08, 07:33
U.S. Embassy Supports Training for General Security to
Fight Trafficking in Persons
Naharnet/Deputy Chief of Mission Bill Grant has participated in a
ceremony to honor 52 General Security investigators who took part in a U.S.
Department of State-sponsored course on "Human Rights and Investigation
Techniques with Victims of Trafficking," a U.S. embassy press release stated.
The ceremony was held at the headquarters of General Security. The embassy said
that the training course is part of the continued U.S. government support to
Caritas Lebanon's Safehouse for Victims of Trafficking. Since 2005, the U.S.
Government has provided $1 million to Caritas to help victims of trafficking.
The course increased the investigators' knowledge about trafficking issues and
their awareness of migrants' rights. It also provided them with information on
ways of identifying victims so that they may be referred for assistance at the
Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center. The center works in partnership with the General
Directorate of General Security and the International Catholic Migration
Commission (ICMC). More than 552 victims of trafficking, a majority of whom were
women, have been assisted, the statement added. The partnership has resulted in
a number of breakthroughs for victims of trafficking. Trafficking victims
receive social, medical, and legal assistance, as well as shelter, trauma
counseling, recreational activities, informal vocational training, repatriation
and sustainability grants because of the U.S. funding. Beirut, 24 Oct 08, 08:17
Sleiman encourages formation of bloc to serve national interests in Parliament
By Hussein Abdallah /Daily Star staff
Friday, October 24, 2008
BEIRUT: President Michel Sleiman said on Thursday that he was not planning to
form a parliamentary bloc of his own in next year's parliamentary elections, but
he would not mind seeing the formation of an independent bloc that gives
priority to national interests.
"I am not looking for a parliamentary bloc, but I will not stand in the [way] of
candidates who decide to run independently with the aim of forming a national
bloc that gives priority to national interests," he told a delegation of
Lebanese University graduates.
"These candidates need not be close to the president in any sense ... All they
need to do is side with their country," Sleiman added.
The president also assured the delegation that the elections would be held on
time.
Sleiman's possible backing of some candidates in next year's elections could
have a great effect on election results in predominantly Christian electoral
constituencies.
He also told his visitors that reconciliation efforts in the country were making
progress "despite some difficulties."
Sleiman confirmed that the second round of national dialogue would be at the
Presidential Palace on November 5, adding that expanding participants depended
on the approval of the parties that attended the first dialogue session in
mid-September.
He was referring to the 14 politicians who signed last May's Doha Agreement.
Sleiman received Premier Fouad Siniora at the palace later on Thursday.
Siniora said afterward that he was ready to cooperate with Deputy Premier Issam
Abu Jamra, who has threatened to boycott Cabinet sessions unless his bid to
increase the powers of his office is taken seriously.
"Abu Jamra is an added value for the government and I am willing to cooperate
with him within constitutional limits," Siniora said.
Asked if he expected Abu Jamra to boycott next week's session, Siniora said such
a move would be a clear violation of Doha. Rival parties agreed in the Qatari
capital not to take any measure that paralyzes the government or reflects
negatively on its performance.
Earlier Thursday, Siniora met Abu Jamra and Minister of State for Administrative
Development Ibrahim Shamseddine.
Abu Jamra told reporters after the meeting that his withdrawal from Tuesday's
Cabinet session did not necessarily mean he was planning to boycott the coming
sessions.
"Withdrawing from a session is not the same as boycotting all Cabinet sessions,"
he said, adding that his meeting with Siniora at the Grand Serail had been
mediated by Shamseddine.
Abu Jamra left the Cabinet meeting Tuesday because his proposal to boost his
powers was not discussed. He argued that his proposal was being ignored.
But Abu jamra told reporters after Thursday's meeting that he had exchanged
views with Siniora "and we will continue our discussions tomorrow."
Shamseddine also said Siniora was open and serious throughout the meeting.
Also Thursday, former President Amin Gemayel said after meeting UN special envoy
Michael Williams that it was not the best time to discuss amending the deputy
premier's privileges.
"I am not against discussing such privileges ... Even the president's privileges
need to be discussed, but this is neither the right time nor the right
approach," Gemayel said.
"We should get done with the parliamentary elections first before looking into
amending our Constitution," he added.
Commenting on the efforts to reconcile rival Christian leaders, Gemayel said the
parties that are supposed to reconcile were not securing the desired atmosphere
for such reconciliation to take place.
"We hear them speak of wanting reconciliation, but their political rhetoric does
not serve this aim," he said.
"As far as the Phalange Party is concerned, we have good relations with all
other parties despite political differences ... yet we are ready to do all that
is necessary to facilitate reconciliation wherever needed," he added.
Gemayel told Williams that the Phalange Party had some fresh ideas to help
resolve the issue of the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms.
Also on Thursday, news reports quoted Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh
as saying Geagea should quit politics after reconciling with his rivals, further
underlining the unlikelihood of reconciliation talks between the two leaders.
An unidentified member of the Maronite League, which is mediating between the
rival leaders, reportedly told Al-Akhbar newspaper that Franjieh's supporters
were still not ready to "forgive" Geagea for his role in the Ehden massacre of
1978.
The 1978 slaying of Franjieh's family was blamed on the Phalange Party, when
Geagea was a fighter in its ranks.
Geagea has admitted that he was among the "military squad" that was in charge of
the operation, but he denies taking part in the massacre, arguing that he was
shot before making it to the family's residence.
In a related statement, Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra said on Thursday that
Franjieh's "refusal" to reconcile with Geagea was related to next year's
elections.
"Franjieh wants to keep for himself the privilege of attacking Geagea during the
elections," Zahra added.
Iranian official: Tehran proud of its support for Hezbollah, Hamas
By DPA
Iranian speaker of parliament Ali Larijani on Wednesday declared that Iran was
proud of its support for the Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah movements,
rejecting claims that it could be considered support for terrorism.
He said the support was part of Iran's commitment in the region to assist its
neighbors in fighting occupation, and he accused the United States, the West and
Israel of contradicting the values of freedom and democracy.
"They are freedom fighters fighting to defend their country and independence,
that is not terrorism," he said about Hamas and Hezbollah.
Larijani, who is on a two-day official visit to Bahrain, also accused the U.S.
of trying to incite border and sectarian conflict among the countries of the
region to use it as an excuse to increase military sales for what he said was an
effort to re-take the oil sales revenues.
He reiterated Iran's call to neighboring Gulf states not to allow U.S. and
Western military bases to be erected on their soil, insisting that Iran was
never a threat to its neighbors.
"It was the Americans who encouraged Saddam to attack Iran and despite some of
the regional countries support for him we nevereza Rice in a personal manner,
referring to her not having had children.
"The West needs to reconsider what they say. The top U.S. diplomat Condoleezza
Rice, during the Israeli aggression against Lebanon which lasted 33 days,
described the war as 'the birth pangs of a new Middle
East'," Larijani was quoted as saying by Al Wasat.
"As a woman who did not try the experience of pregnancy she seems to not have
known that a birth needs longer time than that," he said.
Larijani also said that of the two candidates in the U.S. presidential race,
Barack Obama seemed be 'more rational' than his opponent John McCain.
"The Democratic candidate Barack Obama seems to be more rational than the
Republican John McCain, but the test in deeds, not words," he said.
Larijani, a powerful politician with close ties to the country's supreme
leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, criticized the U.S. for exaggerating some
minor issues between the countries of the region so that the differences
appear to be insurmountable.
He added that Iran was ready to enter into security and economic agreements with
neighboring countries.
Meanwhile the Saudi daily Al-Watan reported that Larijani was due to travel to
Iraq and Lebanon in the next few days.
Larijani will convey messages from Iraqi Ayatollah Ali Sistani to Hezbollah
Secretary General Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, the daily quoted unnamed sources from
Iran as saying.
The sources said that the letter carried by Larijani reveals Sistani's position
on the security agreement between Iraq and the United States.
The report on the visit coincided with one published by the Iraqi Web site
Almalaf on Wednesday that Nasrallah was poisoned last week and that his life was
saved by Iranian doctors who were rushed to Lebanon to treat him.
The website quoted diplomatic sources in Beirut as saying that a particularly
poisonous chemical substance was used against the Shi'ite militia leader
Last update - 17:02 23/10/2008
Security services draw list of Israel officials liable to be Hezbollah targets
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Israel's intelligence community has drawn up a list of dozens of former senior
security officials who are liable to be targets of Hezbollah attacks.
The list was prepared in response to Hezbollah's threats to avenge the
assassination of its "operations officer," Imad Mughniyeh, last February.
Hezbollah blames Israel for the killing.
A senior security source said that following the assassination, the
Counterterrorism Bureau, which works out of the Prime Minister's Office, called
a series of meetings on Hezbollah's likely response. The meetings were attended
by representatives of all the intelligence agencies - the Shin Bet, the Mossad
and Military Intelligence - as well as the Foreign Ministry and the police. The
main goal, he said, was to try to prevent another incident like Hezbollah's
abduction in 2000 of Elhanan Tennenbaum, a former senior Israel Defense Forces
officer who went into business after retiring from the army.
The meetings resulted in a decision that every security agency should draw up a
list of former senior officials who might be vulnerable to a Hezbollah
assassination or kidnapping. "Each organization was asked to define those of its
retirees on whom an attack might be viewed as equivalent in value to the
assassination of Mughniyeh," the senior source said.
The criteria for inclusion on this list include the person's seniority in his
organization, his current public prominence, and the risk to which his current
occupation is likely to expose him.
Each security agency drafted a list of a few dozen names. The agencies then
devised procedures for exchanging information on subjects such as those
individuals' trips abroad, potential threats, and intelligence warnings of
planned attacks. In a few cases, people on the list have been assigned
protection by either Israeli security agencies or local agencies in the
countries to which they traveled.
Since Mughniyeh's assassination, Israel has received numerous intelligence
warnings of Hezbollah's plans to avenge the killing by attacking Israeli or
Jewish targets overseas. A few attempted attacks have already been foiled by
cooperation between Israeli and foreign security services.
About six weeks ago, the media reported that the defense establishment had
warned various former senior security officials who do business in Muslim
countries with which Israel does not have diplomatic relations about the threat
of a Hezbollah kidnap attempt. A few months earlier, Israeli businessmen active
in western Africa were warned of a Hezbollah plot to kidnap or kill them.
AJC Remembers Victims of 1983 Hezbollah Bombings in Beirut
Last update: 12:30 p.m. EDT Oct. 23, 2008
NEW YORK, Oct 23, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The American Jewish
Committee (AJC) recalls the tragic events of October 23, 1983, exactly
twenty-five years ago today.
It was the day 241 Americans were killed in a terrorist attack on the U.S.
Marine barracks in Lebanon.
The perpetrators? Hezbollah.
Their backers? Iran.
The goal? To drive the Americans, who were part of a multinational peacekeeping
force, out of Lebanon.
Tragically, they succeeded.
In what turned out to be a grievous strategic blunder, the United States
withdrew its forces from Lebanon. It sent a clear message to terrorists and
their supporters that terrorism worked, and it left the impression that the
United States did not have the determination to meet this emerging threat
head-on.
We at AJC honor the memory of the 241 servicemen who wore the uniform of the
United States with such pride and valor.
We also honor the memory of the 58 French soldiers who were murdered on that
same blood-soaked day in Beirut, in a separate truck-bombing by Iranian-backed
Hezbollah.
We remember that the mission of these troops was to help bring peace and
stability to a troubled land.
We think of the families and friends of those who lost their lives. The pain
they have endured has no statute of limitation.
We watch with profound concern as Hezbollah continues its terrorist activity,
with the steady support of Iran. Meanwhile, regrettably, the European Union to
this day has been unable to agree among its member countries on designating
Hezbollah as a terrorist group. The United States long ago put Hezbollah on our
country's terrorist list.
And we pray for the well-being of American servicemen and servicewomen in harm's
way today, as they face those who, like Hezbollah, wish to inflict grievous
harm, subvert freedom, and sap the will of those they confront.
SOURCE American Jewish Committee
http://www.ajc.org
Iraqi report: Israel poisoned Nasrallah
JTA/Published: 10/23/2008
Hezbollah denied a report that its leader was poisoned and by Israel.
The state-affiliated Iraqi Web site Almalaf reported Wednesday that Hassan
Nasrallah was poisoned last week and Iranian doctors rushed to Lebanon Sunday to
save him.Israel was responsible for the assassination attempt, the site said, citing its
sources.
The report said Nasrallah continues to feel ill after being in critical
condition for several days.
Rumors of attempt to kill Lebanon's Hezbollah leader
Hezbollah denies poisoning attempt on Nasrallah
Hassan Nasrallah may have been the victim of a poisoning attempt (File)
DUBAI (AlArabiya.net)
Rumors that an assassination attempt was made on Hezbollah leader Hassan
Nasralleh, which circulated in the Arab and Israeli media, were denied for the
first time on Thursday by a top Hezbollah leader.
Ghaleb Abu Zeinab told AlArabiya.net that an official statement will be issued
by Hezbollah soon on this regard. He stressed that the rumors were fabricated
and completely false.
"The only one to have benefitted from such rumors is the intelligence of our
enemy Israel," he said.
According to a state-affiliated Iraqi website, Hassan Nasrallah was poisoned
with a highly toxic chemical and would have died without the intervention of
Iranian doctors, the U.A.E. newspaper al-Bayan reported Thursday.
A Hezbollah-affiliated website said the Iraqi website that initially reported
the rumors is related to an Arab intelligence service, though it did not specify
which country.
Diplomatic sources in Beirut said Nasrallah was in critical condition after
being poisoned whenan Iranian medical team of 15 doctors flew to Beirut on a
fully equipped plane and saved his life, according the Iraqi website. The
sources added that Nasrallah was still suffering from the after-effects of the
poison.
According to media reports, three days ago there was unusual activity at the
Rafik Hariri International Airport when the doctors arrived on Russian-made
Antonov 74 military aircraft. There was tight security on the way from the
airport to the Southern district of Beirut, where Nasrallah reportedly lives.
Western diplomatic sources commented on the rumors, saying that Israel was most
likely behind the plot.
The sources added that the poisoning might have been through food or touching
and that chemicals like organic phosphorus or chlorophenol could have been used.
A toxic chemical like sodium peroxide or sodium oxide might have also been
sprayed in his bedroom or places where he spends a lot of time.
A senior Hezbollah official called the rumors "fabrications" and said, "I
haven't seen him in a week, but I know he's in good health."
(Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid)
Lebanese President to visit Egypt early November
APA-Cairo (Egypt) Lebanese president Michel Suleiman will visit Egypt early
November for the first time since his election early this year.
Ambassador Abdel Rahman Salah, Assistant Egyptian Foreign Minister made the
disclosure Thursday and noted that the Prime Minister of Lebanon Fouad Siniora
will also visit Egypt on Sunday.Siniora’s visit fall within the framework of the presidency of Lebanon in the
Egyptian-Lebanese Supreme Committee, which begins its meetings in Cairo on
Sunday.
The Supreme Committee meetings in its sixth session will focus on the
development of economic, trade and energy issues among other, between the two
countries
Judge releases three suspects in 'terror plot'
Daily Star staff
Friday, October 24, 2008
BEIRUT: Military Investigating Judge Rashid Mezher released three people who
were arrested earlier this week on charges of planning terrorist operations, as
there was no evidence against them, a judicial report said Thursday. The three
were arrested while carrying pipes that were suspected to contain an explosive
substance. But the judiciary said on Monday that tests had revealed that the
pipes contained no radioactive materials. The suspects were released on
LL300,000 bail, banned from travel and placed under surveillance. - The Daily
Star
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three Algerian Christians Face 3 Years in Prison for "Blasphemy"
You are free to disseminate the following news. We request that you reference
ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address
www.persecution.org. Contact Jonathan Racho, Regional Manager for Africa,
1-800-ICC (422)-5441, jonathan@persecution.org
(October 23, 2008) The Washington-DC based human rights group, International
Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org has learned that on October 21,
2008, an Algerian court held a hearing on the case of three Christians who face
three years of prison and a fine of 500 euros. The Court held the hearing in Ain
Turk, a town 267 miles away from Algiers, the capital of Algeria.
The three Christians are Youssef Ourahmane, Rachid Seghir and Hamid Ramdani. The
public prosecutor accused them of "insulting Islam, its prophet and threatening
the former professing Christian that complained against them."
Earlier, a lower court agreed with the prosecutor and handed down a 3 year
prison sentence and 500 euro fine. The defendants were not present at the time
of the decision. The defendants then appealed the decision of the lower court on
July 15, 2008. The appeal court postponed the hearing until October 21, 2008.
The case against the three Christians was brought by the public prosecutor with
the help of Mr. Shamouma Al-Aid. Mr. Al-Aid "converted" from Islam to
Christianity for a period time during which he also attended a Bible school.
According to Compass Direct News, Mr. Al-Aid continued to maintain relations
with radical Muslims while attending churches and the Bible school.
Later he "reconverted" to Islam and alleged that the three Christians were
blaspheming Islam and its prophet Mohammed. He also alleged that the Christians
were threatening him for "reconverting" to Islam.
In a positive development, a lawyer who represented the Algerian Ministry of
Religious Affairs said that the rights of Algerian religious minorities should
be respected.
The Judge, after hearing the arguments of the parties, scheduled to decide the
case on October 29, 2008.
ICC's Regional Manger for Africa, Jonathan Racho, stated, "As a member of the
international community, the Algerian government has the obligation to respect
the freedom of religion for its Christian minorities. It is time for Algerian
officials to carry out their obligations by ceasing to interfere with freedom of
worship of the country's Christian minorities."
ICC calls upon Christians to pray for their Algerian brothers and sisters who
are going through persecution. Please pray that the three Christians in this
case will be cleared of the false accusation made against them. Please contact
ICC for more information on how to help Christians in Algeria.
# # #
ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help
persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and
Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for
an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.
Walid Phares explains al-Qaeda 'endorsement' of McCain
Rick Moran/American Thinker
October 23, 2008
Liberal blogs and websites were falling all over themselves yesterday,
breathlessly and gleefully reporting that an al-Qaeda sympathetic website had
come out and "endorsed" John McCain for president.
The reason they did this is because back in 2004, John Kerry said his loss to
George Bush was not because he was one of the most boring, flip flopping, far
left liberal candidates in history but because Osama Bin Laden released a tape a
few days before the election that echoed many of the same talking points being
pushed at the time by Democrats.
Well the simple minded fools now believe that this "endorsement" of McCain will
have the same effect. Aside from the laughably ridiculous notion that anyone
believes John McCain would be a better president for al-Qaeda than Barack "root
causes" Obama, frequent AT contributor Dr. Walid Phares gives us the real reason
behind this move by the terrorists:
If McCain is elected, al Qaeda knows that there will be different teams of
advisors to wage a different type of campaign. The Jihadists are very
knowledgeable about American and European intellectual debates. They also know
the thinking process of the counterterrorism teams under Obama. Hence, there is
a difference between what al Qaeda's decision-makers and their analysts know,
and what their propagandists wish to instill in the U.S. election debate. What
they state should be translated and understood only within the greater picture
of what they want to achieve.
3) Al Qaeda's propagandists operate within the realm of what the Jihadi machine
has created in terms of political culture over the years. The main ideas are
that the U.S., under President Bush, tried but failed to destroy al Qaeda;
hence, the Jihadist narrative says that any next U.S. President who continues
the policies of the Bush Administration will give victory to al Qaeda. Inserting
their arguments in the ongoing Presidential debate, this means that the
candidate who advances Bush strategies will be better for the goals of Bin
Laden. Hence the site's assertion that al Qaeda welcomes a McCain victory (in a
sarcastic style).
4) But this tactic used by the Jihadi propagandists is part of a reverse
psychology. It aims at sending a message to the American voters: if you want al
Qaeda to win, vote for McCain. The Jihadi web sites cannot state it otherwise,
such as if you want the U.S. to win, vote for Obama, because in Jihadi war
doctrines there cannot be a victory for America, under any President. Hence,
what al Qaeda seems to be attempting to achieve is to affect the perception of
the undecided voters by stating to them that the strength of McCain in the war
on terror is not really strength. Therefore, in the end, the move is aimed at
sinking the chances of the former U.S. Navy Pilot by crumbling the support among
undecided voters who might ultimately have come to his camp as late as D Day.
Of course, such subtleties are too much for our leftist friends on the internet.
It won't alter either their political perception nor would any of this change
their belief that a McCain election actually would be inimicable to our efforts
to destroy al-Qaeda - that is, if destruction of the terrorists is what they
want. They would much prefer to send them food, educate them, teach them how to
improve their economies - all the things al-Qaeda could care less about. What
they want are dead westerners and anything that furthers that goal - say,
endorsing the stronger candidate believing it will adversely affect his chances
thus electing someone weaker than McCain - seems to escape our leftist friends
who are doing a victory dance over the terrorists endorsing McCain.
A message from Ban Ki-Moon to mark United Nations Day
By Ban Ki-moon /Daily Star
Friday, October 24, 2008
On this 63rd anniversary of our organization, I join you in celebrating United
Nations Day.
This is a crucial year in the life of our United Nations. We have just passed
the midpoint in the struggle to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) -
our common vision for building a better world in the 21st century. We can see
more clearly than ever that the threats of the 21st century spare no one.
Climate change, the spread of disease and deadly weapons, and the scourge of
terrorism all cross borders. If we want to advance the global common good, we
must secure global public goods
Many countries are still not on track to reach the MDGs by the target date of
2015. I am also deeply concerned about the impact of the global financial
crisis. Never have leadership and partnership been more important.
This makes our success at the high- level MDG event in September all the more
remarkable. We brought together a broad coalition for change: governments, CEOs
and civil society. We generated unprecedented commitment in pledges and
partnerships to help the world's poor. The final tally is not in yet, but the
total amount pledged at the MDG event may exceed $16 billion.
Partnership is the way of the future. Just look at the advances on malaria. Our
global malaria effort has brought us within range of containing a disease that
kills a child every 30 seconds. It is doing so through focused country planning,
greater funding, coordinated global management, top-notch science and
technology.
We need models like these to tackle other challenges, including climate change,
as we approach the conferences in Poznan and Copenhagen. We need them to achieve
all the other Millennium Development Goals.
**Ban Ki-moon is secretary general of the UN.
Tehran via Beirut
By: Dina Ezzat
Al-Ahram Weekly
What is Egypt up to in Lebanon? Dina Ezzat looks for an answer
The situation in Lebanon is stable but not beyond relapse and Iranian influence
over internal Lebanese affairs should be carefully balanced else it could
trigger a new round of civil tension. This is the message that Egyptian
officials are giving in response to questions on a sequence of visits by
Lebanese politicians to Cairo and the time and attention accorded them by
President Hosni Mubarak.
This week, Mubarak met with Druze leader Walid Jumblatt. The meeting came two
days after a reportedly extensive telephone call with parliament majority leader
Saad Al-Hariri and only a week following a meeting with controversial Christian
leader Samir Geagea who is known for a precarious history of lethal fanaticism
and conspicuous associations with Israel.
For Egyptian officials, the blurred political history of Geagea is part of the
sad history of the Lebanese Civil War. It is the future of Lebanon that Egypt is
interested in. To prevent a new round of internal civil tension (armed or
verbal), Egypt believes that it has to counter the Syria-supported Iranian
influence extended to the Shia-dominated opposition headed by Hizbullah in
alliance with Maronite Christian leader Michel Aoun.
Sources tell Al-Ahram Weekly that Geagea's request for a meeting with Mubarak
during his visit to Egypt (on the invitation of the Egyptian Embassy in Beirut)
was only confirmed at the last minute when Aoun arrived to Tehran. It is not
political vengeance against Tehran, which is publicly accused by Cairo of
inciting instability in the Arab world, but political balancing that prompted
the decision to accord Geagea a meeting with the president.
Egypt's increasing attention to Lebanon started in August when Mubarak received
Lebanese Sunni figure Omar Karami, who is associated with opposition and who
pleaded for Egyptian support for Lebanon's unsteady civil peace. It was followed
by an unplanned visit of Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit to Beirut where he
met with representatives of all Lebanese political factions, majority and
opposition, but excluded an encounter with Hizbullah's influential leader Hassan
Nasrallah.
In official press statements and in talks with political figures of the
opposition in Lebanon, Egyptian officials and diplomats try to play down the
impression -- much emphasised by statements of visiting Lebanese majority
figures -- that Egypt is seeking to give the majority government of Lebanese
Prime Minister Fouad Al-Siniora a new boost ahead of the countdown to
legislative elections due in spring 2009.
Egyptian officials are not hiding their political sympathy with the Lebanese
majority, which wishes to keep Lebanon away from any political or military
confrontation with Israel. Leaders of the opposition, especially Hizbullah, deem
such confrontation unavoidable as long as Israel is occupying Lebanese
territories and threatening the security of Lebanon. Nor are Egyptian officials
shy about expressing their unease, shared with other regional powers, especially
Riyadh, over Iran's influence in internal Lebanese affairs. Egyptian and
Cairo-based Saudi diplomats argue that if Syria and Iran are holding extensive
meetings with their allies in Lebanon to prepare for legislative elections, it
is the right of other political powers to play a balancing game.
As such, following his meeting with Mubarak Monday, Jumblatt said he received
Egypt's support for the demands of the majority to get Syria to acknowledge in
writing that the Shebaa Farms area, taken and occupied by Israel from Syrian
troops during the 1967 war, is Lebanese territory, "to allow for the Israeli
handover of the farms to the UNIFIL (pending a peace agreement with Lebanon) or
to Lebanon". Like Geagea last week, Jumblatt spoke confidently of Egyptian
support to "Lebanon's full sovereignty" -- a typical euphemism for the
elimination of Syrian and Iranian support to the Lebanese opposition in its
defiance of Israel.
In its pursuit of exercising a certain presence on the Lebanese political scene
(in harmony with the marked presence of like- minded Saudi Arabia), Egypt does
not seem to be planning to bolster the Sunni community per se in a country
sensitive to its ethnic composition. It is rather trying to confront Iran's
rising political influence, as it has recently been doing in Iraq.
Last week, Egypt's mufti visited Lebanon for the inauguration of a mosque and
for talks with Sunni and Shia leaders, including prominent Shia clergyman Hassan
Fadlallah.
Iranian diplomats speaking privately to the Weekly suggested that Tehran is keen
to improve relations with Cairo and that it wishes to "discuss all issues"
related to Lebanon or Iraq with Egypt. However, they concurred that it is very
difficult for the two capitals to agree on a unified agenda of interests in view
of the contrasting political agendas that each capital adopts, especially on
relations with the US.
Still, neither Egypt, a close ally of the US and a member of the US-Arab
anti-Iranian influence mechanism known as 6+3+1, nor Iran, which is playing a
tough diplomatic game with the US, are interested in mutual confrontation.© Copyright Al-Ahram Weekly. All rights reserved
Fraternal but independent
By: Raed Refai
Al-Ahram Weekly
Syria and Lebanon have taken another step towards fraternal but ultimately
sovereign relations between them, writes Raed Refai
Lebanon and Syria's official sealing of diplomatic ties for the first time since
their independence was an important symbolic step towards paving the way for
more customary bilateral relations, politicians and analysts say. But according
to many observers the prospects of Damascus respecting Lebanon's sovereignty
after three decades of direct political influence over it remains uncertain.
"There has been a deep crisis of trust between the two countries," said Future
Movement MP Nabil De Freige. "We think the establishment of diplomatic relations
is a good step, but we need to see first how it would translate on the ground,"
he added.
Last Wednesday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Muallem and his Lebanese
counterpart Fawzi Salloukh signed in Damascus a joint document establishing
diplomatic relations between the two countries. According to the Syrian national
news agency, SANA, this statement stipulates the determination of both parties
"to reinforce and consolidate their relations on the basis of mutual respect,
the sovereignty and independence of each, and to preserve privileged fraternal
relations."
As a first response, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Al-Siniora said in a
statement that he hoped the move was "a prelude to a new page that will benefit
both Lebanon and Syria, having learned from lessons and experiences of the
past."
Already in August, after a meeting in Paris, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad
and his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman pledged to establish ties at the
embassy level. Wednesday's step was hailed by the United Nations as a "historic"
move and welcomed by the international community.
"Opening an embassy is good. But who will the ambassador be? Are the Syrians
going to use diplomatic channels in their relations with Lebanon?" asked Osama
Safa, director of the Lebanese Centre for Policy Studies, a Beirut-based think
tank. "It remains to be seen whether this entails real change in Syrian
attitudes and not mere window dressing."
Syrian-Lebanese relations have been sour since the assassination of former prime
minister Rafik Al-Hariri in 2005, which was largely blamed on Damascus. Syria
denied any involvement and withdrew its troops from Lebanon shortly after.
Although the international tribunal formed on the assassination of Al-Hariri is
yet to determine the culprits, Lebanon's parliamentary majority decided to
separate the trial from the issue of bilateral relations with Syria.
"The tribunal is in the hands of the UN today," said De Freige. "We agreed from
the beginning not to link our relations with the Syrians and the formation of
the tribunal. We understand that the interest of the country is more important
than anything else."
Contacts between Lebanon and Syria have dramatically improved since an accord
was sealed in Doha between Lebanese feuding parties with the support of the
Syrians. Syria was pushed by the French to help stabilise Lebanon and was pulled
out of international isolation as a reward.
Observers say that Syrians feel reassured today with regards to the Lebanese
government after their allies have gained more political strength. The election
of Michel Suleiman as head of state also helped ease tensions.
"President Suleiman is someone who reassures the Syrians," said Fadia Kiwan,
head of the Political Science Department at Beirut's Saint Joseph University.
"His recent visit to Damascus was an indication that relations were heading
towards a normal course."
The improvement of relations between the two countries is also noticeable with
signs of cooperation between the two countries emerging on security matters,
especially after the two states were victim recently of bomb attacks believed to
be perpetrated by extreme Islamist movements.
"There is a shift in the official Lebanese stance towards Syria, from
accusations of fostering instability to an understanding that both countries are
facing common dangers," Kiwan said.
But despite a sense of rapprochement between Lebanon and Syria, several issues
of dispute are still pending. Although Damascus has agreed to demarcate borders
between the two countries, it has not yet been willing to help provide proof of
Lebanon's sovereignty over the Shebaa Farms area. This small patch of land is
occupied by Israel, which claims it is part of Syrian territory.
Following an official visit to Cairo Monday, Druze MP Walid Jumblatt, who had
been one of the fiercest foes of Syria in Lebanon in past years, said that "the
rapprochement [with Syria] was started by setting up diplomatic ties and we wait
for the border demarcation."
There is also the file of hundreds of Lebanese who went missing during the
Lebanese Civil War and who are believed to be detained or dead in Syria. A joint
committee was established to look into cases of the disappeared, but conclusive
results are still to be announced.
Another complicated issue is the revision of a friendship and cooperation accord
that has been tying the two countries together at the economic, political and
security levels since 1991. Anti-Syrian politicians in Lebanon have criticised
these treaties as serving the interests of Syria over those of Lebanon.
No matter how relations between Lebanon and Syria will be shaped, some observers
believe that Damascus as a foreign power will continue to have the upper hand in
Lebanon for geographical, historic, demographic and sociological reasons.
"Syria will remain the strongest foreign powerbroker in Lebanon," said Ghassan
Al-Azzi, professor of political science at the Lebanese University. "Lebanon is
much smaller than Syria and it's weaker on the military level. Syrians also have
strong allies in Lebanon," he added.
Azzi added that there were two major developments that prompted the return of
Syria as a regional power. First, there was the launching of indirect peace
talks, via Turkish mediation, between Syria and Israel. Second, there was the
French decision to use soft power and diplomacy with the Syrians, which appears
to have paid off.
"Syria has been successful so far in striking a deal with the West," Azzi said.
"The Syrians are gaining time. They are waiting for a new US administration and
a new Israeli government, to see what the new regional prospects will be."
© Copyright Al-Ahram Weekly. All rights reserved
Any Iraqi deal with America can wait for Bush's successor to take office
By The Daily Star
Friday, October 24, 2008
Editorial
US officials have tried to bully Iraqi leaders into accepting a controversial
agreement that would govern the presence of American troops in the country until
2011. They have warned that failure to conclude the deal would have disastrous
consequences and might bring about a reversal of the security gains that the
country has witnessed in recent months. But the Iraqis would be better off to
ignore these hysterical warnings and simply refuse to negotiate any deal with US
President George W. Bush.
First, the danger of not signing the deal has been wildly exaggerated, because
the Iraqis would in all likelihood be able to convince the Security Council to
extend the current United Nations resolution that authorizes the foreign
military presence in the country. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has
already said that his country would support such a request from Iraq, and the
Chinese and other Security Council members have no reason to oppose it.
Likewise, the Americans would be forced to approve of the extension, lest they
find themselves in the uncomfortable position of being recognized by the world
body as illegal occupiers.
Second, the Bush administration has shown colossal incompetence at virtually
every step of the way through its Iraq misadventure, and there is little reason
to believe that they are showing better judgement at this juncture. Are we to
believe that the same team that sparked an insurgency by disbanding the national
army, excused the plundering of Iraq's archeological treasures by saying "stuff
happens" and brought us horrors such as Abu Ghraib is now skillfully looking out
for the interests of the Iraqi people?
The Iraqis would be wise to err on the side of caution and simply wait for this
administration to leave office before concluding a direct pact with the
Americans. By refusing to grant Bush a deal, they will send a strong signal that
Iraq is a sovereign nation that cannot be bullied into submission. And they may
also be able to negotiate a less controversial pact with the next American
president, who will hopefully show better judgement - and more regard for the
lives and dignity of the Iraqi people.
Reading the tea leaves on Israel's 'non-belligerence'
gambit
By Marc J. Sirois /Daily Star staff
Friday, October 24, 2008
The latest rumblings out of Israel communicate that country's possible desire to
negotiate a "non-belligerence agreement" with Lebanon. Given that the current
Israeli government is fast approaching the end of its shelf life, it is tempting
to dismiss such talk as an irrelevant distraction. But while Tzipi Livni may or
may not succeed in forming a new coalition that would permit her to take over
the prime minister's office from the indelibly tainted Ehud Olmert, Israel
itself will still be around for a while yet, making it useful to examine the
possible motivations for the release of its latest trial balloon.
First off, it can safely be assumed that the chatter is not to be taken at face
value: Israel was born by an act of belligerence, and it has never honored
either the letter or (especially) the spirit of any agreement previously signed
with any Arab entity.
Unless Livni cannot take her seat and the job goes to someone else, presumably
the fanatical and congenitally belligerent Benjamin Netanyahu, that leaves
several possibilities.
One is that Israel is genuinely interested in some form of normal relations in
Lebanon, but it is no secret that this country is in no position to break with
its Arab brethren by striking a separate peace. Refreshingly, at least one
Israeli official has addressed a small part of this issue by opining that any
pact with Beirut would have to be preceded by one with Damascus. Realistically,
however, any formula that did not also include the Palestinians could only lead
to disappointment in anything beyond the extreme short term.
Another is that some members of the current Israeli leadership are concerned
that the window of opportunity for a "two-state" solution is closing - and with
it the possibility that Israel can survive as a Jewish state in the long run.
Considered in this light - and alongside continuing direct talks with the
Palestinians, indirect ones with the Syrians, and long-overdue recognition of
the obvious utility of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative - the "non-belligerence"
idea can start to look more like one component of a comprehensive Arab-Israeli
agreement than a standalone, bilateral arrangement.
If one considers the crisis of the two-state approach from another angle,
though, there is also the possibility that the Israelis are returning to a
strategy practiced openly until the 1990s, that of seeking to coerce and/or
placate the Arabs while isolating the Palestinians in order to extinguish any
hope of their achieving independence. That would not make much sense because
even if one could take all the Arab players off the board, the Israelis would
still have several dilemmas, chief among which is the fact that while a single
state between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea can be many things, it
cannot be both "Jewish" and democratic at the same time. It would have too many
Palestinians, so the choice would be between accelerating the current policy of
piecemeal ethnic cleansing or doing away with pretense and installing an openly
apartheid model. Either way, even fully "tamed" Arab regimes like Egypt's would
not be able to turn a blind eye, the Palestinians would certainly not be
quiescent, and the other regional powerhouse, Iran, would not sit on its hands.
Washington might even express "concern."
Other possibilities exist, too.
It may be, for instance, that Israel's goal is simply to widen existing
divisions among Lebanon's political parties, which are sharply at odds over the
question of what role (if any) this country should play in the Arab-Israeli
conflict. By doing so, it might hope to spark another round of internal
confrontation by heightening the suspicions of Hizbullah and its March 8 allies
that their March 14 counterparts are ready to stab them in the back. Wisely,
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has repeatedly declared that Lebanon will be "the
last Arab country to make peace with Israel," a pledge expressly formulated as a
prophylactic against this particular brand of pot-stirring.
Alternatively, the goal could be to goad Hizbullah into a military action, one
aimed at preventing the possibility of any Lebanese-Israeli agreement but which
would also draw massive retaliation. This would lead almost inevitably to a
crisis of intra-Lebanese confidence of the sort that followed the 2006 war - or
worse.
Or it could be to burnish Israel's tattered credentials as an honest seeker of
peace in order to reduce the diplomatic fallout from a prospective air campaign
against Iran designed to cripple that country's nuclear program. Some Sunni
regimes might already relish such an attack, fearing as they do that Shiite
Iran's influence has increased to uncomfortable levels.
It could be any one of these, others that escape me, or some combination
thereof. Each might be on the table as a contingency, even if some Israeli
officials haven't thought all of the potential implications through.
One certainty is that Beirut would risk serious peril if it chose to seriously
entertain the Israeli "overture" absent unambiguous backing from key regional
powers - and a clear pre-condition that Hizbullah's weapons are a matter for
domestic discussion, not external exigencies. Another is that while the
Israelis' musings might not deserve to be entertained, they cry out for careful
study, if only to figure out what the neighbors might be getting up to next.
**Marc J. Sirois is managing editor of THE DAILY STAR. His email address is
marc.sirois@dailystar.com.lb.