LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
April 24/08

Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 15,1-8. I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Lebanon: Back to Square One-By Diana Mukkaled-Asharq Alawsat 23/04/08

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for April 23/08-Daily Star
Victims of Zahle shooting laid to rest amid rampant speculation on motives-Daily Star
Kuwait summit nets cautious support for Iraq-AFP
Intruders strike home of judge tied to Hariri court - again-Daily Star
Western, Arab states urge immediate election of Lebanese president-Daily Star
Berri puts off 18th scheduled session to elect president-Daily Star
US Embassy: Media misinterpreted Welch remarks-Daily Star
Sayyed lawyer says Beirut is meddling in Hariri probe-Daily Star
Fadlallah urges 'productive' dialogue-Daily Star
Leading Lebanese banker slams international rating agencies-Daily Star
Analysts downplay Al-Qaeda call to strike UNIFIL-Daily Star
Zahleh Victims Buried, Gemayel Vows Punishment for Killers-Naharnet
Funeral for two slain Christians, while the UN asks in vain for ...AsiaNews.it
Gemayel Accuses Skaff of Involvement in the Zahle Crime-Naharnet
Qassem Accuses Majority of Planning to 'Finish Off' Opposition-Naharnet
Berri Postpones Presidential Election Session Again-Naharnet
Moussa Planning Damascus, Beirut Visits
-Naharnet
Muallem Attacks Kuwait Conference on Lebanon
-Naharnet
Hizbullah chases away UNIFIL monitors-Jerusalem Post
Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Postpones Election for 18th Time-Voice of America
Lebanon parliament fails to elect president again-Reuters
France resumes contacts with Syria-Monsters and Critics.com
French, Syrian FMs meet on Lebanon-AFP
US State Department Renews Lebanon Warning, Cites Tensions-Bloomberg
Western, Arab powers urge end to Lebanon crisis-Reuters
Lebanon heading toward a new civil war?Middle East Times
Kouchner, Muallem Meet on Lebanon-Naharnet
Ban Urges Immediate Presidential Election, Disarming of Hizbullah-Naharnet
Lebanon Crisis to be Discussed in Kuwait as No Breakthrough Seen in Election Crisis-Naharnet
UN: UNIFIL uncovers Hezbollah arms cache in S. Lebanon-Ha'aretz
Welch Warns of Another Hot Summer-Naharnet
New Lebanon Travel Warning for U.S. Citizens
-Naharnet
Police Dogs Track Killers of Phalangist Victims in Zahle
-Naharnet
Bush, Abdullah II to Discuss Lebanon
-Naharnet
Mitri to Attend Kuwait Meeting on Lebanon
-Naharnet
Hizbullah Sets Up New Phone Network in Sidon
-Naharnet
Israel: Carter Mission Failed
-Naharnet

Zahleh Victims Buried, Gemayel Vows Punishment for Killers
Naharnet/Lebanon's ruling coalition on Tuesday buried two slain members of the Phalange Party in the eastern town of Zahle amidst tight security measures and a pledge by ex-President Amin Gemayel that the crime would not go unpunished. "We know who committed the Zahle crime … and it would not go unpunished," Gemayel told mourners at the provincial capital of east Lebanon's Bekaa valley. Salim Assi and Nasri Marouni were gunned down by an assailant identified as joseph Zouki after celebrating the inauguration of a Phalange Party office in Zahle. Gemayel, who lost his son industry minister and anti-Syrian MP Pierre in an assassination attempt in November 2006, embraced the daughter of the one of the victims as tears rolled down his cheeks. Portraits of the two victims were hung all over Zahle, which had observed a national mourning on Monday and where stores were closed for the funeral. Zouki was described as a supporter of Christian opposition Zahle MP Elie Skaff who is close to the Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun. Security forces are searching for Zouki and his brother, Toomi, who is thought to have also taken part in the attack.Meanwhile, police launched a massive manhunt for the two suspected killers throughout the Bekaa and mount Lebanon.Beirut, 22 Apr 08, 18:16

Gemayel Accuses Skaff of Involvement in the Zahle Crime
Naharnet/Ex-President Amin Gemayel on Tuesday accused MP Elie Skaff of "advance knowledge" of the Zahle crime and urged him to turn the culprits in to justice. Gemayel, in a radio interview, said the Zahle crime that resulted in gunning down two Phalange Party officials and wounded three people on Sunday was "pre-planned. It is a major plan and some of Zahle's leaders are involved in it."Addressing Skaff, Gemayel said: "I look you in the eyes Mr. MP Skaff and I tell you: don't get yourself, your clan and the Zahle area involved in a battle that is much bigger than you. Do not try to play with fire for you know what the Phalange Party is.""We behave with a sense of responsibility, but our responsibility also is to protect ourselves and our families. That is why I ask you to turn the culprits in, without delay, and we will be ready to confront anything," Gemayel added. Beirut, 22 Apr 08, 13:29

Victims of Zahle shooting laid to rest amid rampant speculation on motives
By Anthony Elghossain -Daily Star staff
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
BEIRUT: The victims of a politically controversial shooting were laid to rest during a joint funeral held Tuesday at Our Lady of Salvation Cathedral in Zahle, as feuding parties continued to offer differing interpretations of the killing and potential political undertones. Nasri Maruni and Salim Assi, both supporters of the Phalange party, were gunned down Sunday as the party opened a new bureau in Zahle. According to a security source, the Internal Security Forces (ISF) have named Joseph Zouki as the prime suspect and his brother Thome as a possible accomplice, basing much of the case on eye-witness reports and the testimony of the suspects' cousin Walid Zouki. Pro-government factions argue that the killing is, in addition to being politically motivated, a premeditated act aimed at destabilizing Lebanon, whereas opposition parties have sought to distance themselves from the incident, countering that the murder resulted from an altercation that spiraled out of control.  After the funeral Mass, Phalange leader and former President Amin Gemayel stressed that the Phalange expected justice to be brought against the perpetrators, saying: "We do not know who assassinated Pierre [Gemayel's son and former Industry Minister] and Antoine [Ghanem, a former MP], but we know who committed this act and will not let it pass."
During a Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation morning television show, Gemayel warned Popular Bloc chief and Zahle MP Elie Skaff against "dragging himself, his family and the city of Zahle into a struggle he cannot handle, a struggle greater than him or any of us. Zahle has nothing to do with this, but may pay the price."
"Do not play with fire," added Gemayel while addressing Skaff. "[Facilitate] the hand-over of the criminals in order to begin solving this crisis ... The stability of Zahle is all that matters to us now." Skaff's six-member Popular Bloc is part of an opposition coalition that also includes Amal, the Free Patriotic Movement and Hizbullah.
Phalange party officials, including Gemayel himself, have alleged that the Popular Bloc chief had been aware of what transpired in Zahle beforehand.
Asked about these allegations, Skaff told The Daily Star that he has "no idea where [the suspects] are. In any case, I am doing all that is possible to help turn these men in ... The ISF has informed me that the criminals' whereabouts may have been determined. If this is the case, I am willing to contact the men and help in turning them in."The Zahle boss added that he believed the shooting to be "an isolated incident. The people involved were provoked, as initial investigations by the judicial authorities indicate ... These provocations were blown out of proportion, [resulting in the shooting]."
Skaff also said he "personally spoke with President Gemayel, agreeing with him on the need to calm the situation. Unfortunately, some people are making this into a national or even regional crisis ... There has been a lot of foul language - even threats - directed toward me." Arguing that the killings have been exploited politically, Skaff said that "what happened [Tuesday] was not a funeral - it was a festival. There seems to be little respect for the dead

Intruders strike home of judge tied to Hariri court - again
By Hussein Abdallah -Daily Star staff
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
BEIRUT: Justice Minister Charles Rizk said on Tuesday that veteran Judge Ralph Riachi's home in Al-Douwar, Mount Lebanon, had been vandalized by unknown individuals late Sunday in an apparent attempt to intimidate the jurist. Riachi is one of two judges assigned by the Lebanese government to cooperate with United Nations officials in setting up the international tribunal to try suspects in former Premier Rafik Hariri's murder.
The vandals reportedly broke into Riachi's house and shattered most of its furniture without stealing anything, as none of the house's contents were reported missing.
Well-informed sources told The Daily Star that the vandals wrecked some closets in what seemed to be an attempt to find a specific item. Fingerprints were lifted from the crime scene, the sources added. Speaking to reporters after meeting Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir on Tuesday, Rizk urged UN chief Ban Ki-moon to speed up the appointment of Canadian Judge Daniel Bellemare as prosecutor general on the tribunal in a bid to protect the Lebanese judges by exempting them from their current duties. Bellemare, the chief investigator on the Hariri murder case, has yet to be appointed as prosecutor general.
Rizk argued that delaying the appointment was putting the lives of Riachi and other Lebanese judges at risk. "What are we waiting for? Does a Lebanese judge have to get killed before Bellemare takes full charge of the case?" Rizk asked. Judicial sources said that Riachi's house had been invaded twice in less than a year

Berri puts off 18th scheduled session to elect president
Speaker reiterates call for dialogue

By Hussein Abdallah -Daily Star staff
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
BEIRUT: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday announced the postponement of the latest scheduled session to elect a new president for Lebanon amid continuing political deadlock in the country. The speaker did not assign a date for the next session. Berri made the announcement on state television but reiterated an invitation to the country's rival factions to hold talks on the formation of a national unity government and a new electoral law under his auspices.
"If they agree to dialogue, together we will set a date for the vote," Berri said, adding that he would set the date for a new session himself if he did not get a positive response to his appeal. The 18th attempt to elect a president was postponed despite the presence in Parliament of a number of MPs from the rival groupings, which Berri said did not reach the required two-thirds quorum to hold the vote. Tuesday's session had not in any case been expected to lead to a breakthrough in the 16-month standoff. Before the announcement, Berri had held a closed-door meeting with Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt, a key figure in the ruling coalition. "We hope for a positive response to Berri's initiative, and if they don't want the dialogue, they should tell us what our other options are," said Ali Bazzi, an MP of Berri's Amal Movement.
But March 14 Forces lawmaker and Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh told AFP after Tuesday's announcement that "this is not an invitation to dialogue, it is setting preconditions for the presidency ... This invitation is a masquerade."The ruling coalition has previously rejected Berri's offer to host talks, saying that as a leading member of the opposition, the speaker is not capable of being an impartial mediator.
The ruling alliance said dialogue should only be held under the auspices of a new president. Lebanon has been without a president since late November when Emile Lahoud stepped down at the end of his mandate. The parliamentary majority, backed by the West and most Arab states, is demanding the immediate and unconditional election of the consensus candidate and commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Michel Suleiman, while the opposition, backed by Syria and Iran, insists on reaching agreements on forming a national unity government and drafting a new electoral law for the 2009 elections before electing Suleiman.
Hizbullah MP Nawwar al-Sahli reiterated on Tuesday the opposition's demand for a "package" deal to go with Suleiman's election.
"We have told the majority that if they want the election of a president to be carried out, they should agree to hold a dialogue to discuss the government and the electoral law," Sahli told journalists. Also on Tuesday, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea commented on Berri's call for dialogue after meeting US Charge d'Affaires Michel Sison at his residence in Maarab.  Geagea said that Berri was not serious about electing a new president, accusing the speaker of pretending as if he was not blocking the presidential vote.
"If Berri was serious, he would have at least walked in along with members of his parliamentary bloc into the Parliament hall," Geagea said. He added that the speaker's call for holding dialogue before the election of a new president was irrelevant. Meanwhile, Arab League chief Amr Moussa was quoted by the Saudi daily Al-Madinah on Tuesday as saying that he was planning to visit Beirut and Damascus soon to discuss facilitating the implementation of the Arab League's three-point initiative to end the Lebanese crisis.Moussa said the discussion of the Lebanese crisis in Kuwait on the sidelines of a conference of Iraq's neighbors would not result in any decisions. "The discussion only aims at exchanging ideas regarding the Lebanese crisis," he added.
Also on Tuesday, Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh met with Iranian Ambassador Ali Reza Shibani to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon.
Shibani said after the meeting that Iran was ready to play a mediatory role between Syria and Saudi Arabia in order to facilitate a settlement in Lebanon.
Riyadh and Damascus are at odds over the Lebanese crisis. Saudi Arabia, which backs the anti-Syrian ruling coalition, had earlier blamed Syria for blocking Lebanon's presidential elections. For its part, Syria has urged Saudi Arabia to pave the way for a settlement in Lebanon by exerting pressure on its allies

Qassem Accuses Majority of Planning to 'Finish Off' Opposition
Naharnet/Hizbullah's second in command Sheikh Naim Qassem on Tuesday saluted the opposition for "protecting Lebanon against foreign hegemony."
Qassem, in an address on the 30th anniversary of the capture by Israel of Samir Quntar, accused the majority of wanting "a president to be used as a launching pad to finish off the opposition in Lebanon." "If we elect a consensus president without agreement on other conditions, the majority would form a cabinet without our participation," Qassem said. "After appointing a government they refer a hybrid election law to parliament and ratify it," he added. "How would Syria be served if we formed a national unity government and adopted a just election law?" he asked. Beirut, 22 Apr 08, 19:00

Muallem Attacks Kuwait Conference on Lebanon
Naharnet/Western and Arab states called on Tuesday for the immediate election of a president in Lebanon and the "redefining" of Beirut's relations with Damascus.
The call was made at an international meeting in Kuwait from which Syria was excluded, drawing warnings from its foreign minister that the participants were creating the risk of an "internationalization" of the crisis in Lebanon, which has been without a president for five months. "We call for the immediate election of the consensual candidate General (Michel) Sleiman as president without prior conditions," a statement said, referring to Lebanese army chief.
The participants called for "establishment of a national unity government, and the holding of general elections in conformity with an electoral law agreed by all parties," in accordance with an Arab League plan to break the deadlock.
They also voiced support for "the legitimate Lebanese government."The meeting, which was orchestrated by France, was held on the sidelines of a conference on Iraq.
Representatives of Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, as well as the United Nations, the Arab League and the European Union attended the meeting.
"Three years after Syria's military withdrawal from Lebanon, time has come for Syria and Lebanon to redefine and normalize ties ... in mutual respect for their sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence," the statement said. The participants called for "the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria" and "the delineation of their shared border."
Muallem told a news conference in Kuwait that the meeting might result in "internationalizing" the crisis in Lebanon.
"We fear that given the way in which the meeting is being held, it is aimed at taking the Lebanese crisis out of the hands of the Arab League secretary general (with the aim of) internationalization," he said. "We fear for brotherly Lebanon from such internationalization," said Muallem, whose country, along with its Lebanese opposition allies, has been blamed by several Arab and Western states for the deadlock in Beirut.
"This meeting complicates the crisis because the interests of major powers will play a role in derailing the solution in Lebanon," Muallem said, claiming the United States was "the only country which did not support the Arab initiative" on Lebanon.
Election of a president was postponed on Tuesday for the 18th time amid an ongoing rift between the Western-backed cabinet and the Syrian and Iranian-backed opposition. Muallem met earlier Tuesday with French counterpart Bernard Kouchner for the first time since Paris suspended high-level contacts with Damascus in December, accusing it of failing to match with deeds its words about wanting a settlement. The French foreign ministry said Kouchner's meeting with Muallem enabled them to take stock of "a number of regional issues," including Lebanon."Muallem described that meeting as "cordial."
(AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 22 Apr 08, 18:43

Berri Postpones Presidential Election Session Again
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday postponed a planned parliament session to elect a new President for Lebanon without setting a new date. The Speaker reiterated his invitation to the feuding political parties to hold talks under his auspices. "If I do not get a positive response to the dialogue, I will set a date for another session," Berri told reporters from Parliament building. "A serious dialogue is needed to determine what election law is to be adopted," Berri said. Before the announcement, Berri held a closed door meeting with Druze leader Walid Jumblat. No details were immediately available about their meeting.
Beirut, 22 Apr 08, 13:41

Moussa Planning Damascus, Beirut Visits
Naharnet/Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said he would visit Damascus and Beirut soon to discuss facilitating implementation of the Arab initiative on Lebanon. Moussa told the Saudi Medina daily consultations were "underway between the Arab League and Damascus to set the date for the visit, which would be followed by a visit to Beirut."The visits, according to Moussa, aim at "proceeding with tackling details of the Lebanese crisis and trying to eliminate obstacles that prevent implementation of the Arab initiative."He said the discussion of the Lebanese crisis in Kuwait on the sidelines of a conference by Iraq's neighbors would "not result in decisions. It only aims at exchanging views regarding the Lebanese crisis." Beirut, 22 Apr 08, 14:49

Welch Warns of Another Hot Summer
Naharnet/U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch has said that Lebanon will witness another hot summer. "Another hot summer awaits the Lebanese after political efforts to settle the Lebanon crisis reached a deadlock, including the Arab League initiative," Welch was quoted as telling a news conference in Abu Dhabi on Monday. "Tourism (in Lebanon) is expected to drop due to tensions in the country," Welch warned. Beirut, 22 Apr 08, 10:34

Ban Urges Immediate Presidential Election, Disarming of Hizbullah
Naharnet/U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has called for an immediate presidential election in Lebanon without foreign interference, underlining concerns over the political stalemate that has kept the post empty since November. Ban also warned Monday that Lebanon will not be a fully sovereign, democratic state until Hizbullah is disarmed. He told Syria and Iran they must support efforts to disarm the group.
The secretary-general's six-month report to the Security Council focused on the implementation of Resolution 1559 that calls for presidential elections under the constitution and the disbanding of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias. "Parliament, which has not met in more than a year, must be allowed to convene urgently to fulfill its constitutional duties in order to elect a president ...," Ban said. "A free and fair presidential election, without foreign interference or influence, must take place immediately." Ban urged all parties to cooperate with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa to immediately implement a three-point plan adopted by Arab foreign ministers in January calling for Army Chief Gen. Michel Suleiman's election, formation of a national unity government in which no single party has veto power and adoption of a new electoral law.Although the majority and the opposition have accepted Suleiman as a consensus candidate to succeed Emile Lahoud as president, the election has been snarled by their disagreement over power-sharing and the shape of the future cabinet. He said that "Hizbullah's maintenance of a paramilitary capacity poses a key challenge to the government's monopoly on the legitimate use of force." He reiterated that disarming and disbanding militias in accordance with the 2004 resolution should be done through a political dialogue that addresses the political and economic interests of all Lebanese.
"In this context, the Syrian Arab Republic and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which maintain close ties with the party (Hizbullah), bear a significant responsibility in supporting such a process, for the sake of both Lebanon's and the wider region's security, stability and welfare," Ban said.
He also called on Beirut and Damascus to normalize their relations three years after Syria ended nearly three decades of military occupation of Lebanon.
"Time has come for a re-definition and formulation of ties between the two historically close neighbors, in mutual respect for their sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence," Ban said.(AP-Naharnet) Beirut, 22 Apr 08, 03:53

Kouchner, Muallem Meet on Lebanon
Naharnet/French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem held talks in Kuwait on Tuesday that focused on the crisis in Lebanon. The meeting was the first since Paris suspended high-level contacts with Damascus in December. "We hope relations between France and Syria would renew over Lebanon," Kouchner said after the meeting on the sidelines of a conference on Iraq. The talks covered "the situation in Lebanon," Kouchner said. Lebanon has been without a president for five months amid deadlock between the government and the Hizbullah-led opposition.
(AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 22 Apr 08, 11:44

Lebanon Crisis to be Discussed in Kuwait as No Breakthrough Seen in Election Crisis
Naharnet/The political crisis in Lebanon will be discussed on the sidelines of a conference on Iraq on Tuesday, only a few hours after Parliament is scheduled to meet to vote for a new President with no breakthrough seen in the election crisis. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she will discuss the Lebanon crisis in Kuwait. "There was a very strong commitment to a Lebanon that can discharge its affairs in an atmosphere of sovereignty and democracy without outside interference," Rice told a news conference in Bahrain on Monday. Local media reported heavy traffic around downtown Beirut due to tight security ahead of the parliament session scheduled for 12:00 pm. The daily An Nahar on Tuesday quoted the French foreign ministry as confirming that Iran and Syria will not attend the meeting on Lebanon in Kuwait. It said French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner will hold separate meetings with his Syrian and Iranian counterparts -- Walid Muallem and Manouchehr Mottaki. Rice will join Arab nations and other G8 countries for the conference of Iraq's neighbors in Kuwait, which is due to take place at 3:00 pm. The conference is expected to back Iraq's drive to disarm militias and urge more embassies to open in Baghdad. Beirut, 22 Apr 08, 08:15

Police Dogs Track Killers of Phalangist Victims in Zahle
Police investigators established on Monday that two assailants were involved in opening fire at a Phalange Party office in Zahle that resulted in killing two party officials and wounding three people. Ranking security officials said the culprits, identified as Joseph Zouki and his brother, Toomeh, used an assault rifle and a pistol in the Sunday attack. The culprits' cousin, Walid, turned himself in to police on Monday and testified to have driven the culprits out of the crime scene, a security official told Naharnet. "I live within minutes from the crime scene. Joseph and Toomeh showed up at my home and Toomeh forced me to drive them out of the area," Walid was quoted by the security official as telling investigators. The official, who asked not to be further identified, said police dogs were sent to the location set by Walid "first to establish if he is telling the truth and, if so, to track the culprits."Meanwhile, schools, shops and other businesses closed in Zahle on Monday in mourning for Salim Assi and Nasri Marouni, who would be buried Tuesday. Two other Phalange party members and a passerby were wounded in the shooting.
The security official said Joseph Zouki was a member of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, Lebanon's chapter of President Bashar Assad's ruling party in Syria.
Toomeh, the official said, is a member of a Lebanese security agency. Zouki was also in charge of Zahle opposition MP Elie Skaff's security, the source added.
The shooting took place shortly after Sami Gemayel, son of former President and Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel, left a Phalange Party ceremony in the area.
The elder Gemayel called for calm, and urged the government as well as security authorities to bring the culprits to justice without delay.
"The criminal is not (Fatah al-Islam leader) Shaker Abssi. He is known. We demand that the government and the security forces put their hands on the criminals as soon as possible," he added. Gemayel said he believed the Zahle shooting was not a personal attack, but rather a plot aimed at sparking discord. Beirut, 21 Apr 08, 17:26

Funeral for two slain Christians, while the UN asks in vain for the election of Sleiman
04/22/2008 14:50
Today, for the 19th time, the parliament meets to elect the president of the republic. The report of the United Nations once again asks for the disarmament of the militias. Accusations exchanged over the assassination of two young members of the Falange party.
Beirut (AsiaNews) - The great tension that reigns in Zhale today, with the funeral for two young Christians of the Falange party - a component of the parliamentary majority - killed on Sunday has spread throughout all of Lebanon, which today, for the 19th time, will try to elect a head of state. In vain, according to all expectations.
On account of this situation, UN general secretary Ban Ki-moon has asked for the immediate election of the president of the republic, without foreign intervention, and the implementation of those parts of the Taef accords and UN resolution 1559 that demand the disarmament of all the militias, "Lebanese and non-Lebanese", present in the country. But the reality is that the militias, Hezbollah first among them, continue to arm themselves. "Some countries", says UN envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, "seem to corroborate the affirmation according to which Syria is facilitating the passage of arms and fighters over its border with Lebanon".
Ban Ki-moon has also asked all the parties in question to cooperate with the secretary of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, to adopt the three-point plan that provides for the immediate election as head of state of the commander of the army, Michel Sleiman, the formation of a national unity government in which no party would have veto power, and the adoption of a new electoral law.
Confirming the international scope of the Lebanese crisis, it will be discussed today at the conference on Iraq taking place in Kuwait, which will also see the participation of U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner. The topic will also be addressed in the talks that the king of Jordan, Abdullah II, will hold tomorrow in Washington with president Bush.
In Lebanon, meanwhile, a large crowd is expected today in the Greek-Melkite cathedral of Our Lady of Zahle, for the funeral of the two men killed. Yesterday, Greek-Melkite archbishop Andre Haddad made a series of attempts to facilitate the handover of the alleged assassin.
In a statement to AsiaNews, the Maronite archbishop of Zahle, Mansour Hobeika, called the murders on Sunday the result of the state of hatred and lack of charity that reigns in hearts, and expressed his closeness to the relatives of the victims, without wanting to accuse anyone. He issued an appeal to leaders, that they spare no efforts to help the city of Zahle emerge from the current crisis, because the rescue of the country is worth sacrifice.
Meanwhile, the controversy continues over the killings. General Michel Aoun has expressed his lively condemnation of "the incident", asking president Gemayel, leader of the Falange party, to wait for the results of the investigation before charging the alleged assassin, who was prevented from entering his house near the party headquarters. Aoun has also asked judicial officials to be impartial.
President Amin Gemayel has denied statements about the possible responsibility of the party in the murders, which he has called a response against the demonstrations of labour unions in the villages of Bakka, in favour of the election of General Sleiman. (JH)

Lebanon: Back to Square One
By Diana Mukkaled
Asharq Alawsat
22/04/2008
It has been 18 years since the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990) ended. The significance of the recent April 13 anniversary, the official day in which the civil war erupted, is profoundly felt by the Lebanese people today.
The grave crisis that the state has endured over the past three years and the rampant civil and sectarian clashes have brought back memories of the Ain al Rummaneh [incident], evoking images of the atrocities of war. This has developed into a fear that those days will return, which is why the reassurances issued by some politicians and Lebanese figures stating that there will be no infighting do not guarantee that the fragile peace that governs the Lebanese arena today will persist.
This year, the April 13 anniversary gained a lot attention from Arab and Lebanese media, which dedicated special coverage on a number of levels, and from numerous civil associations and cultural authorities that sought to undertake a different and deeper interpretation of what happened during the Lebanese war. Never before has this issue been met with such deep examination by the Lebanese.
But Lebanon is not the only country in the world to have endured a civil war. Some other countries, most notably South Africa, have examined and confronted the crimes that had been committed [during civil war]. In these assessments, which incorporate public confessions and discussions regarding what had taken place in the war, the media plays a fundamental role; it is one of its most important forums. There are also seminars, closed sessions and conciliation meetings that are conducted away from the media.
Assessment endeavours can take on many forms; as well as discussions and interviews with people who survived the war, a new approach has emerged which tends to interpret the Lebanese infighting from a cultural or archival angle, for example, by collecting political posters from the war and organising them in chronological order through the slogans that had been raised by Lebanese groups and parties. From a creative standpoint, there have been video recordings, writings and diaries that narrate real-life experiences of the absurdity of war.
In Lebanon, this kind of assessment was delayed. In 1990 the political framework that ended the war imposed a swift transition that entailed overlooking the war years. Thus, the Lebanese had been immersed in war but were unable to understand what they had endured and why.
Today, fears that the Lebanese could become embroiled in another war have driven some into undertaking a practical assessment of the war that ravaged the country for 15 years. However, we must not forget that such assessment, or the attempt of conducting an assessment, is desperately needed by other Arab countries such as Iraq and Palestine, both of which are witnessing a state of division and crises that could drive them down the same path as Lebanon.
But let us not exaggerate; the inclination towards assessing the Lebanese war is still at an early stage. The media, which is responsible for motivating and developing these assessments and which should not misuse them as exclusives, is also responsible for creating assessments that aim to protect Lebanon, and other countries, from the possibility of history repeating itself.