LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
March 14/2010

Bible Of the Day
Mark3/1-6: " He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered. 3:2 They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him. 3:3 He said to the man who had his hand withered, “Stand up.” 3:4 He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?” But they were silent. 3:5 When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other. 3:6 The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. 3:7 Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples, and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea, 3:8 from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came to him. 3:9 He spoke to his disciples that a little boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they wouldn’t press on him. 3:10 For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him. 3:11 The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, “You are the Son of God!” 3:12 He sternly warned them that they should not make him known.".

Question: "Why is "You shall not covet" in the Ten Commandments?"
Answer: The key to understanding this commandment is in the definition of the word “covet.” Two different Hebrew words are used in the passages condemning coveting (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:12), and both mean to lust after or to long for with great desire. Since the commandments are given as “you shall not’s,” the desire in this case is for something that is not the property of the desirer and not rightfully his to long after. In this commandment, the Israelites are told not to lust after his neighbor’s possessions—his house, land, ox or donkey, or the people in his life—his wife or servants, both male and female. The Israelites were not to desire, long for, or set their hearts on anything that belonged to anyone else.
Whereas several of the commandments prohibit certain actions, such as murder and theft, this is one of the commandments that addresses the inner person, his heart and mind. As James 1:15 tells us, the inner person is where sin originates and in this case, covetousness is the forerunner of all manner of sin, among them theft, burglary, and embezzlement. At its root, coveting is the result of envy, a sin which, once it takes root in the heart, leads to worse sins. Jesus reiterated this very thought in the Sermon on the Mount when He said that lust in the heart is every bit as sinful as committing adultery (Matthew 5:28). Envy goes beyond casting a longing glance at the neighbor’s new car. Once dwelled upon, envy of the neighbor’s possessions can turn to feelings of resentment and hatred for the neighbor himself. That can turn into resentment against God and questioning Him: “Why can’t I have what he has, Lord? Don’t you love me enough to give me what I want?” God’s reasons for condemning covetousness are good ones. At its very core, envy is love of self. Envious, selfish citizens are unhappy and discontented citizens. A society built of such people is a weak one because envious malcontents, as stated before, will be more likely to commit crimes against one another, further weakening the societal structure. Furthermore, the New Testament identifies covetousness as a form of idolatry, a sin which God detests (Colossians 3:5). In the end, envy and covetousness are Satan’s tools to distract us from pursuing the only thing that will ever make us happy and content—God Himself. God’s Word tells us that “godliness with contentment is great gain” and that we should be content with the basic necessities of life (1 Timothy 6:6-8), because true happiness is not attained by things, but by a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. By this alone do we gain that which is worthy, true, solid, satisfying, and durable—the unsearchable riches of God’s grace.

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports 
Neutrality now, de-confessionalism later/By: Walid Maalouf/March 11, 10
Pakistani Muslim Man Allegedly Rapes, Burns Christian Girl to Death/ICC?March 13/10 

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for March 13/10 
Lebanese-Syrian Quarrel after Security Council Session/Naharnet
Salam questions Cairo Agreement reference in Syrian letter to Ban/Now Lebanon
UN worried by war of words between Israel and Lebanon/Ha'aretz
2 French Peacekeepers Killed, 3 Injured in Personnel Carrier Accident/Naharnet
Williams Hopes Lebanese Political Factions Would Agree on National Dialogue Timeframe/Naharnet
Hariri: Any Regional War Direct Result of International Community Inaction/Naharnet
Christian-Muslim clash in Eg
ypt injures 24/Reuters
Lebanon to snub Arab League summit: official/AFP
UN plays down risk of renewed Lebanon-Israel strife/AFP
Soueid accuses parties of portraying Lebanon as unstable/Now Lebanon/Now Lebanon
Geagea: State, army & people It is a combination no history could tolerate/Now Lebanon
Geagea: Weapons Outside State Control Sign of Abnormality/Naharnet
Moukheiber says he was never part of March 8/Now Lebanon
Bazzi says Moussa should focus on Palestinian cause rather than be distracted/Now Lebanon
Qawouk: Resistance will not stop enhancing its capabilities/Now Lebanon
March 14 to Unveil Vision on Lebanon's Protection/Naharnet
Special Tribunal for Lebanon Appoints New Chief of Investigations
/Naharnet
Berri Says Possible Participation in Libya's Arab Summit Challenges Judicial Verdicts Against Gadhafi
/Naharnet
Suleiman Will Not Attend Arab Summit in Libya
/Naharnet
Two Israeli Tanks Cross Fence at Wazzani Point but Not Blue Line
/Naharnet
MP Hamade slams Rifi media reports/Daily Star
ISF adjutant questioned over Franjieh killing/Daily Star
Linking Lebanon to Iran-Syria axis at heart of dispute - Zahra/Daily Star
Briton appointed chief of investigations at STL/Daily Star
Jumblatt to cement exit from March 14 during TV interview Al- will begin to speak/Daily Star
Lebanese support on Iran sanctions 'unlikely'/Daily Star
Tycoon Carlos Slim discusses local projects with Lebanese/Daily Star
US rights report: corruption still plagues Lebanon/Daily Star

Christian-Muslim clash in Egypt injures 24
CAIRO (Reuters) - At least 24 people were injured in northern Egypt in fighting between Christians and Muslims over land, officials told state media Saturday. Fires were started during the fighting between Coptic Christians and Muslims in Marsa Matrouh governorate after Christian villagers built a fence around land next to a church-run building, the state news agency MENA reported. "Security was able to control fires that erupted in three homes and two cars," state governor Ahmed Hussein told Egyptian television. Hussein Fekry, head of security at the governorate, said Muslim residents of the village objected to the fence which blocked a main road, MENA reported. Police surrounded the area where the fighting broke out and the Marsa Matrouh governor asked the priest of El Shahedeen church to have the fence removed, MENA said. Relations between Egypt's Muslims and Christians, mainly Copts, are usually calm but can become strained and sometimes erupt into violence over issues such as inter-faith relationships and land.Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's roughly 78 million people. The rest are mostly Sunni Muslim. (Writing by Shaimaa Fayed; Editing by Charles Dick)

Assyrian Genocide Recognition Creates Political Crisis in Sweden
 3-13-2010 /Assyrian International News Agency
Sweden (AINA) -- The historical decision by the Swedish parliament recognizing Seyfo as a de facto genocide on Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians is creating a considerable political crisis in Swedish politics. The issue has dominated the headlines in Swedish media for several days.The Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, in a taped interview with Afram Barryakoub for Hujĺdĺ, the magazine of the Assyrian federation in Sweden, said he recognized the genocide one week before winning the national elections in Sweden in 2006. This fact is set to create problems between Reinfeldt and his foreign minister, Carl Bildt, one of the most pro-Turkish European foreign ministers. Bildt has said he will not consider the decision of the parliament but will do everything he can to avoid it becoming official Swedish foreign policy (AINA 3-13-2010). The response to his remarks have come from Hans Linde, the foreign policy spokesman of the Left Party, who said his party will consider pressing charges against Carl Bildt with the national constitution committee.


Pakistani Muslim Man Allegedly Rapes, Burns Christian Girl to Death

Pakistani Muslim Man Allegedly Rapes, Burns Christian Girl to Death/ICC?March 13/10 
http://www.persecution.org/suffering/newssummpopup.php?newscode=11923&PHPSESSID=adee26a5768c7ca5da4e08b81ad871d0

Washington, D.C. (March 12, 2010)–International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Pakistani Muslim man allegedly burned a Christian teenage girl to death in Lahore, Pakistan. Pakistani police have not yet arrested the suspect and his accomplice. The victim, Kiran George, had been working as a house servant at the family home of suspected killer Muhammed Ahmed Raza. Raza repeatedly raped Kiran over the period of several months. On March 9, when Raza attempted to rape Kiran once again, she threatened to call the police. Raza and his sister then poured gasoline on Kiran and set her on fire. “That little girl was caught in flames from head to toe”, an anonymous neighbor said, “Kiran was shouting for help.”
An eye-witness called Kiran’s family who took her to the Mayo Hospital. Doctors examined her and said that she had sustained severe burns over eighty percent of her body.
After battling with the severe burns, Kiran succumbed and died at Mayo Hospital on March 11. Her family and the Christian community in the area gathered before Punjab Assembly Hall and protested the heinous crime committed by the Muslim family. The protesters also called upon the police to arrest the suspects. The Muslim family alleged that Kiran suffered the burns after her clothes caught fire while she was working in their kitchen. ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, Jonathan Racho, said “We are outraged by the continuous abuse that Pakistani Christians are suffering at the hands of Muslims. The failure by the police to arrest the suspects who burned Kiran to death also shows the total lack of justice for Christians in Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to end its discriminatory laws and practices against its Christian minorities.”


Egyptian Court Acquits Muslim Who Beheaded a Christian

Maech 3, 2010 /By Mary Abdelmassih
(AINA) -- An Egyptian court in the southern city of Assuit acquitted this week four Muslims accused of killing 61-year-old Farouk Attallah on October 19, 2009. In broad daylight and in full view of witnesses, the killers fired 31 bullets to his head before beheading him, in the busy village market place of Attaleen, near Dairout, 313 kilometers south of Cairo. The dead body was then dragged in the street, accompanied by shouts of victory. Free Copts website published a video of the disfigured body (warning, violent graphic content: video).
The judge presiding over the court on February 22, said that he was not satisfied that the testimony of the witnesses established that the imprisoned men were the killers. After the acquittal of Mohamad, Ashraf, Osama and Ahmad Hassouna, there was jubilation in the court room, with shouts of 'Allah is Great' and congratulations from all Muslims, including members of the state security forces who were present. Christians were enraged over the acquittal, since similar cases would result in life imprisonment or execution for a Copt if the victim was a Muslim.
The verdict came as another wake-up call to many Copts, according to Peter Sarwat, the plaintiff's attorney. "It sends a clear message that Coptic blood is extremely cheap." he told Mariam Ragy of Katiba Tibia Coptic site. "This acquittal will make permanent the present culture of impunity enjoyed by Muslim aggressors against Copts.". Sarwat said the ruling was inadequate, as it acquitted the accused but did not say who the perpetrators are. "If these men did not kill, so who killed? The ruling should have referred the case to the general prosecution to present the perpetrators." The Court based its ruling on quasi non existent proof, as well as the absence of "positive evidence" testimony versus the presence of "negative evidence" testimony. "The judge refused to take into consideration the testimonies of the dead man's daughter who said she only saw one killer and not four, as well as the testimony of the Muslim man who was wounded in the shootings," said Sarwat.
According to media reports, most people who witnessed the shootings in the market place refused to come forward for fear of vengeance from the assailants' family. There were false witnesses who confirmed that the killers were present at work. "It is not enough to get a conviction based only on police reports which are full of legal loopholes and weak prosecution investigations," said Sarwat. Legal observers have always claimed that the police purposely deliver to prosecution reports full of inadequacies and loopholes, thereby getting from the courts acquittals for Muslims. What prompted the killing of Farouk Attallah was an alleged illicit sexual relationship between his son Romany and a local Muslim girl, Hagger Hassouna. A rumor that intimate photos of Hagger together with her lover Romany were circulating on cell phones in Dairout lead four members of the Hassona family to kill Romany's father, after failing to locate his son, who had fled. Besides the killing of Farouk Attallah, the arrest of the Hassouna perpetrators sparked on October 24, 2009, Muslim riots and collective punishment against all Copts in Dairout. Christian-owned shops, pharmacies, and homes were looted and burned (AINA 10-27-2009).
Although several hundreds Muslims participated in those riots, the police only detained 19, and these were acquitted on December 13, 2009 because of the lack of eyewitnesses and conflicting statements between the accused and the victims. The majority of Copts believe the reason for the acquittal of Muslims is that although Egypt claims to be a secular state, in reality it applies the Sharia law which dictates .that a Muslim who kills a non-Muslim must not be killed, because it is not reasonable to equate a Muslim with a "polytheist" (a Christian). Commenting on the acquittal, Dr. Naguib Gobraeel, President of the Egyptian Union of Human Rights, said: "What is the solution? The same happened with regards to Al-Kosheh Massacre [21 Copts were slaughtered in 2000 and not one Muslim was indicted], the attack on the Copts in Alexandria were blamed on a mentally unstable person; even the assailant who beheaded Abdo Goerge Younan in Menoufiah is now in a mental hospital [AINA 9-21-2009]. Heavenly Justice is our last resourt." He stated that he will appeal this week's verdict.
The victim's family was greatly shocked and saddened by the acquittal. "In spite of the blood of their slain family head filling the street, the Muslim killers got away literally with murder," Sarwat said "It just shows how cheap Coptic blood can be." Sarwat asserted that he will appeal the ruling. "We cannot remain silent over this verdict as it has very serious implications for all Copts in Egypt." He added: "It is not safe for Copts now, as any Muslims who wants to get rid of a Copt, would kill him, knowing well that in the end he will be acquitted."

UN worried by war of words between Israel and Lebanon

By Reuters /Last update - 12/03/2010
A recent wave of bellicose rhetoric between Israel and Lebanon has fueled fears the two hostile neighbors could be headed for another conflict, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon said on Friday.
Exchanges of threats between Israel and neighboring Lebanon "have generated concerns of a renewed confrontation," Michael Williams told reporters after briefing the 15-nation Security Council on compliance with resolution 1701, which called for an end to Israel's war against Hezbollah in the summer of 2006. "This rhetoric and brinkmanship contravenes the very spirit of 1701 and is utterly unhelpful," he said. "I have called, and still call, on all relevant parties to desist from inflammatory statements." Williams said that Israeli and Lebanese officials have told him privately that they remain committed to peace. Lebanese and Syrian officials have been accusing Israel of pushing for a new war in the Middle East against the backdrop of an Iranian nuclear program that Israel considers a threat to its very survival. Iran rejects Israeli and Western allegations that its nuclear program is a covert plan to acquire an atomic weapons capability. The oil-producing nation says its nuclear ambitions are limited to the peaceful generation of electricity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this year that Israel was not planning any imminent attack on Lebanon, from where Hezbollah launched some 4,000 rockets at it during a 34-day war in 2006. Defense Minister Ehud Barak, said recently that Hezbollah now has some 45,000 missiles and rockets in Lebanon, higher than previous estimates. "We don't need this conflict but if it is imposed upon us, we will not run after every individual terrorist but we will take... the Lebanese government and the Lebanese infrastructure as part of the equation facing us," he said.
Violations
The leader of the Lebanese militant guerrilla group Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, said last month that his Shi'ite organization would hit Israel's Ben Gurion airport if the Israel once again attacked Beirut's international airport in any future war. Hezbollah, a Shi'ite Islamist group backed by Syria and Iran, is in Lebanon's government. Lebanese authorities have also complained about Israeli espionage in Lebanon and have arrested dozens of people on suspicion of spying for Israel. The 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah broke out after the group captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid. Some 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, were killed and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers, died.
Williams said that although situation along the "blue line" - the U.N.-monitored border between Israel and Lebanon - remained calm, there were continued apparent violations of resolution 1701 by Israelis and Lebanese. He said Israel was guilty of regular intrusions into Lebanese airspace and needed to stop them. "These violations raise tensions and may trigger an incident that I remain convinced the parties do not want," he said. Lebanon, Williams said, needed to look into its side's violations of a U.N. arms embargo. Israeli and other Western officials say Hezbollah continues to receive illegal arms shipments from Syria and Iran.

Qawouk: Resistance will not stop enhancing its capabilities
March 13, 2010 /No matter the threats against Lebanon, the Resistance will not stop enhancing its capabilities, said Hezbollah official in South Lebanon Nabil Qawouk, who also said that the Resistance’s focus remains preparing to face Israel. Liberating the Shebaa farms and Kfar Shouba are preliminary steps in establishing a sovereign and independent country, added Qawouk. -NOW Lebanon

2 French Peacekeepers Killed, 3 Injured in Personnel Carrier Accident

Naharnet/Two French peacekeepers were killed and 3 others wounded when their vehicle tumbled off the main road in Rashaya al-Fakhar, the National News Agency reported Saturday.
The bodies of the dead and the injured were transported to UNIFIL's field hospital in Sahl Blat, according to NNA. Peacekeepers from the French, Spanish, Indian and Malaysian contingents in addition to Lebanese soldiers, staff from the Red Cross and the Civil Service Department inspected the scene of the accident. UNIFIL opened an investigation into the incident, NNA said. Beirut, 13 Mar 10, 14:00

Salam questions Cairo Agreement reference in Syrian letter to Ban

March 13, 2010 /Now Lebanon/In an interview with An-Nahar newspaper published on Saturday, Lebanon’s permanent representative to the UN, Nawaf Salam, discussed the letter sent from Syria to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council on Friday, which requested no mention of Damascus in any report on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Salam said the letter meets several Lebanese demands. However, he questioned what he said was the letter’s continuous reference to the 1969 Cairo Agreement, which he said has not been applicable for 25 years. The Cairo agreement states that Palestinian forces are allowed to use Lebanese territory to combat Israel. Meanwhile, Salam said the Lebanese cabinet is working on controlling its borders in coordination with Syria. He added that Lebanese-Syrian relations have improved since Prime Minister Saad Hariri visited Syria in December. Earlier in the week, Hariri announced he will make a second trip to Damascus in April. Lebanon’s permanent representative to the UN also said he is concerned about Israeli breaches of Resolution 1701 through violations of Lebanese airspace, territory and water. He said that Israel has not hesitated in the past to threaten the Lebanese infrastructure.
-NOW Lebanon

Lebanese-Syrian Quarrel after Security Council Session

Naharnet/Lebanon's ambassador to the U.N. Nawaf Salam issued rare criticism to Syria after a Security Council session on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's report on the implementation of resolution 1701. There is a clear clause "in resolution 1701 on the issue of the border between Lebanon and Syria," Salam told reporters when asked about a Syrian letter of complaint to Ban and the Security Council president for this month about the inclusion of Damascus in the U.N. chief's report on 1701. "I am surprised by continued references in the Syrian letters to the Cairo agreement as if it still regulates Lebanese-Palestinian ties. Lebanon annulled the Cairo agreement more than 25 years ago," Salam said. Syria's ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari snapped back saying that Ban's report on the implementation of resolution 1701 should focus on Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty rather than including Syria in it.
"Any condition linked to Lebanese sovereignty is an internal Lebanese issue in which Syria does not interfere," he said.  When asked to answer a question on Lebanon's abolishment of the Cairo agreement, Jaafari said: "Lebanese-Palestinian contacts are a Lebanese-Palestinian issue." "The situation of Palestinians in Lebanon is governed by agreements" between the two sides, the Syrian ambassador added. Friday's Council session was the first to be fully devoted to the Lebanese issue since Lebanon became a non-permanent member of the Security Council on January 1. "Things on issues related to Lebanon are now different," Salam told An Nahar newspaper. "We are now interfering in all issues related to us. This without any doubt influences the nature of discussions in the Council." Beirut, 13 Mar 10, 09:12

Geagea: It is a combination no history could tolerate…

March 13, 2010 /Now Lebanon/In an interview with As-Sharq radio station on Saturday, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea criticized groups who say “Lebanon is formed by its state, people, army and Resistance.” Geagea called it a combination that no history could tolerate. The LF leader also said the national dialogue is meant to discuss all weapons outside of the state’s control, whether it be the Palestinian’s or Hezbollah’s arms. “No state in the world could co-exist with a revolution,” Geagea added. Critics attempting to isolate the LF are also targeting the March 14 alliance, he said. Geagea said that there have been various attempts throughout history to isolate the Christian church, but they have failed. He added that the Bkirki initiative undertaken by Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir in 2007 to reach a consensus among Christians on a candidate to replace then-outgoing President Emile Lahoud – did not fail, because the Christians are united by the national dialogue. There are no personal conflicts among Christian parties, according to the LF leader. They just have different perceptions, he said. Geagea said the annual March 14 alliance meeting set to happen at the Bristol Hotel on Sunday is a routine meeting that the coalition has held since 2005. Earlier in the week, General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soueid said the March 14 alliance would re-launch a unified political vision during the conference. “When it comes to the LF and Future Movement relationship, it is not just [intended] to form a Sunni-Maronite coalition, but rather [it is] because of sharing a common view of Lebanon,” he said. -NOW Lebanon

Geagea: Weapons Outside State Control Sign of Abnormality

Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Saturday that weapons outside the control of the state either in Palestinian camps or in bases outside the shantytowns or with Hizbullah are a sign of abnormality. In any place in the world, "the state cannot coexist with revolution," Geagea told al-Sharq radio. The suggestion of the state, its army and resistance should defend Lebanon "is nonexistence in any other place and could not be found in the history of humanity." On all-party talks at Baabda palace, the LF leader said: "It would be better to continue with dialogue even if practical results were not achieved." The situation could reflect negatively on the country's stability if dialogue comes to a standstill, he said.  He warned from the fragile security situation in the Middle East, saying the Lebanese government should come up with a plan to protect the country. "The dangerous situation compels us to look for what unites us and not what divides us. Only state institutions could unite us," Geagea told his interviewer. About the March 14 general conference that will be held at the Bristol hotel on Sunday, the LF leader said the meeting will be a step forward in implementing the coalition's political project. Beirut, 13 Mar 10, 11:47

Soueid accuses parties of portraying Lebanon as unstable

Now Lebanon/March 13, 2010
March 14 General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soueid said in an interview with Free Lebanon radio station on Saturday that the “language of treason” being used by some parties in the media is creating an impression that Lebanon’s internal situation is still unstable. He pointed out that attempts to create this atmosphere are happening just prior to the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams’ visit to New York to meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon this month. Soueid said that the national dialogue, which held its first session on March 9, proves that all issues can be discussed through discussion, which means Lebanon is stable. Regarding Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt’s anticipated interview with Al-Jazeera television on Saturday, the General Secretariat coordinator said no one should try and predict what Jumblatt is going to say. According to some reports, the PSP leader is expected to give his final statement on Damascus during the interview, before putting the issue to rest. Soueid added that Jumblatt was a main supporter in the formation of the March 14 alliance. Meanwhile, in a possible reference to Hezbollah, Soueid said anyone who believes Lebanon can be protected with rockets or through press conference threats is wrong. He said the country can only be guarded through its institutions, the Taif Accord and UN Security Council resolutions. -NOW Lebanon

Bazzi says Moussa should focus on Palestinian cause rather than be distracted

March 13, 2010 /Now Lebanon/Moussa should ensure the Arab League holds open-ended sessions to support the Palestinian people in the face of Israeli threats rather than be distracted by other issues, said Development and Liberation bloc MP Ali Bazzi in response to Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa’s rhetoric on Saturday. Bazzi’s statement comes after As-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper quoted an anonymous diplomatic source in Beirut as saying that Moussa told Libyan officials that failing to invite Lebanon—as diplomacy norms oblige –to the Arab summit later in the month is a mistake. “No one is asking for help,” said Bazzi, who added, “Beirut does not beg for its dignity from the kidnapper of Shia leader Imam Moussa Sadr,” in reference to Libya. Several figures, including Speaker Nabih Berri, have objected to Lebanon’s participation in the summit, still holding Libya responsible for Sadr’s disappearance in 1978.-NOW Lebanon

Ibrahim Kanaan

March 12, 2010
On March 11, the website of the Free Patriotic Movement, tayyar.org, carried the following report: The parliamentary finance and budget committee headed by Deputy Ibrahim Kanaan, ratified in its session today the decision to allow the displaced to build on property which has not met all the conditions and began looking into the municipal elections law. Deputy Kanaan said in this regard: “We addressed the bill related to the displaced and the decision to allow them to build on real-estate property that does not meet the required conditions.
“In other words, the displaced will be allowed to build on the property from which they were ousted based on certain stipulations and with the help of the Ministry of the Displaced. The law was ratified today by the Finance committee and, I believe, by the Displaced Committee as well. Therefore, it is ready and I do not think it requires joint committees, but rather to be placed on the agenda of the general committee.
"We thus call on Speaker Nabih Berri to act at this level and I am certain that he is as concerned as we are about the issue of the displaced. The second issue we addressed was the municipal law. As you know, the interior minister whom we thank for his efforts is meeting with all the committees. Until now, he is still with the administration and justice committee and seeing a number of deputies. I believe there are also members of the defense and municipalities committee and maybe [some] from the finance and budget committee.
“Although I wanted to meet with him, I spoke to him and we will hold this meeting next week with God’s will. Nonetheless, the issue now requires a solution.
“We are facing an internal statute since Article 46 stipulates that the committees must complete their discussions and raise their reports in regard to the bills, suggestions and all the dossiers placed before it within a month. As for the urgent bills such as the one we received from the government, they should be discussed and the reports should come out within two weeks... Hence, the 15-day deadline is imposed on us and the article in this regard is clear. If we wish to introduce reform, we must find a way to deal with the matter at hand against the backdrop of reform which was defined in a previous decision issued by the government and the interior minister.
“However, the deadline was extended until June 30. Why? The term of the municipal councils was extended to give a chance to the parliament to carry out its tasks today. However, the backdrop should be one of reform not one aiming at toppling the deadline. The issue is clear and can be resolved either through joint committees or by taking into consideration that there will be a current law tomorrow.
“So, what are we doing? We are directly and indirectly forcing the interior minister to summon the voting committees on April 2 on the basis of the current law and without reforms... Do you want the quota or not? This is a simple issue and as we understood, it is the object of consensus. So, what is the problem? It is a settled matter. As for proportionality, it simply ensures the representation of most of the portions in the municipal councils while maintaining a majority. It is not true that proportionality prevents coherence. Yes, it does secure the representation of most of the portions but with a 51% majority held by the head of the municipal council, thus allowing the majority to rule. So do you want it or not? I believe that seven weeks of discussion in the Cabinet were sufficient for all the parliamentary blocs [to make up their minds] as our credibility is as stake. They must choose between a majority or a proportional system and not go back to square one at this point in time...
“We want reform and we want to work against the backdrop of reform instead of placing the issue of the elections and the date of the elections in the face of reform. Why is this being seen? If we want it, reform is easily achieved and requires studying and the amendment of minor formulations. There is no problem... If these reforms are not introduced right now, we will have to wait another six years and no one knows for sure that after all this time we will still enjoy the same political circumstances, agreements and capacities. Civil society and all the people are ready to engage in this, so let us deal with the deadlines and try to come up with a joint mechanism to get it over with the required amendments without creating additional complications which I believe are misplaced.”

Neutrality now, de-confessionalism later

Walid Maalouf, March 11, 2010
There is renewed debate going on in Lebanon about ending the confessional system that reserves certain political positions for representatives of certain religious communities, as stipulated in the 1989 Taif Accord between the Muslims and the Christians of Lebanon under the patronage of Syria, Saudi Arabia and the United States. It reminds me of the agreement between the Christians and the Muslims in 1920 in the presence of the power brokers, who at the time were France and the United Kingdom, at the famous Versailles Conference in 1919, which led to the French proclamation of independent Lebanon.
On both occasions the Lebanese sought to disengage from the regional conflicts and push ahead with a sovereign, independent, democratic and unique state in the Middle East. In 1943 the Christians agreed that Lebanon is an independent country with an Arab culture, and the Muslims accepted the idea of a greater Lebanon, and together they forged a neutral unwritten National Pact. In 1989 in Taif, Saudi Arabia, the Christians of Lebanon agreed to give up some of their power to the Muslims on a 50/50 basis in exchange for full sovereignty and the removal of Syrian and other militias from Lebanon, a clearly neutral compromise.
After 30 years of instability, wars and destruction in Lebanon, the world community finally stood up for its sovereignty, independence and stability by voting for three United Nations Security Council resolutions (1559, 1680 and 1701), which directly support the institutions of Lebanon’s government. The resolutions are also steering Lebanon toward a neutrality status. The Lebanese themselves now need the courage to call for Lebanese territorial neutrality in the Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, which will allow Lebanon to be a modern state.
The 1989 Taif Accord has not been fully implemented. There are still militias in Lebanon in control of some areas and streets of the country. 1. Hezbollah maintains its heavy arms and regional military status to fight Israel. 2. The 11 Palestinian camps are full of weaponry and continue to have an Arab military status based on the 1969 Cairo Accord. 3. Weapons continue to flow from Syria to its allies in Lebanon, and its political will over the Lebanese government continues to interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs. 4. UNSCRs 1559, 1680 and 1701 have yet to be fully implemented. 5. The Israelis still occupy Shebaa, Ghajar, the hills of Kfarshouba, and continue their over flights and intelligence activities in Lebanon.
So what should come first? The political deconfessionalism suggested by some of the March 8 coalition and their new allies, or the implementation of the three United Nations resolutions to remove illegal weaponry, militias and to finally and conclusively end Syria’s political interference in Lebanon as demanded by the March 14 coalition?
The road map toward Lebanon’s neutrality
If Lebanese neutrality is implemented, Lebanon’s territory will be free from any military use by Syria, Iran, Israel and armed Palestinians. There will also no longer be militias attached to any of those countries operating on its territory.
Unilateral declarations of neutrality need the backing of other powers, in the region or internationally. There are three successful neutralities around the world, and each one has its unique circumstances and raison d’etre. The first one was Switzerland, located in the very heart of Europe and bordered by Germany, Austria, Italy and France. Before its neutrality status, Switzerland, like Lebanon today, was used to wage wars and was a pawn between the rival European countries. The Swiss institutions were not able to function independently. In 1815 the Congress of Vienna fully re-established Swiss independence and its people asked for the country’s positive neutrality. On November 20, 1815, Austria, Britain, Spain, Prussia, Russia and France signed an act recognizing and guaranteeing Switzerland's perpetual neutrality and the inviolability of her territory.
Just like Lebanon’s relations with its neighbors, Costa Rica has had testy relations with neighboring Nicaragua, with much of the friction stemming from the personal rivalry between Costa Rica's "Don Pepe" Figueres and Nicaragua’s "Tacho" Somoza. The Costa Ricans realized that the only way out was through their unity and military disengagement. In 1948 Costa Rica abolished its army and declared unilateral neutrality, which was recognized by the neighboring countries. But because it did not have a strong foundation, Costa Rica lost its neutrality in the 70s and 80s until President Oscar Arias Sanchez restored it in 1983.
When Turkmenistan established its independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union, its citizens decided to pursue a neutral foreign policy in the region. At the global level Turkmenistan was able to establish full diplomatic relations with great powers such as the US, Russia, the EU and China. At the regional level Turkmenistan established friendly relations with neighboring countries, including large regional powers like Iran, Turkey, Pakistan and India. At a December 12, 1995 session of the United Nations General Assembly, Turkmenistan requested neutrality status and all 185 members of the United Nations responded by unanimously adopting a special resolution, "On the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan.”
All three neutralities came about from the united will of the people. Switzerland and Costa Rica have neutrality understandings that enjoy regional respect and acceptance, and Turkmenistan is the only neutrality that was voted on by the United Nations General Assembly. Other countries recognized as neutral are: Austria, Finland, Ireland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malta, Sweden and the Vatican.
Lebanon’s Territorial Neutrality
There are two ways for Lebanon to proclaim neutrality status. 1. Since the question of neutrality has to be unilaterally and formally proclaimed as a foreign policy position, the Lebanese factions, free from any type of foreign pressure, could decide to come together based on their 66-year experience of instability, wars and interference from neighbors, and realize that the best path to long-term stability and security for Lebanon is to proclaim its neutrality and follow Turkmenistan’s example by asking the United Nations General Assembly for international and regional recognition. 2. If the Lebanese inside the country are not free to act, Lebanese in the Diaspora can lobby for a UN resolution on the Territorial Neutrality of Lebanon on their behalf. This resolution would enforce the disarmament and disbanding of militias and armed groups operating in the territory of Lebanon through the United Nations Security Council. It would also implicitly cut off the militias from their irregular foreign alliances and their suppliers of arms and training. It could also lay the groundwork for the Lebanese government to eventually adopt a formal "permanent neutrality status," as a basis of its foreign policy in order to ensure that the country will not be entangled in any future Middle East conflict. By adopting such a permanent neutrality status, Lebanon will no longer be dangerously committed by existing agreements and understandings with Syria and Iran. A neutrality status would also greatly help to stop the over flights of Israeli warplanes and stabilize and secure the Lebanese-Israeli border/Blue Line even if a formal peace treaty may still be far away. A permanent neutrality status for Lebanon may ultimately constitute the best guarantee for its long-term stability.
Reform from bottom up
With neutrality first we are giving the Lebanese politicians the opportunity to have a buffer zone where they are able to mend fences between the different groups, make their own decisions without foreign interference and start to think and act only in the interests of their constituencies and of Lebanon. When the Lebanese start trusting each other and respecting one another’s uniqueness, then Lebanese deconfessionalism is the answer not only politically, but also socially and culturally. From there, other reforms such as confederations, decentralization and most importantly the re-writing of a Lebanese constitution that reflects a modern state of Lebanon can easily take place.
The rights and duties of a neutral power are defined in sections 5 and 13 of the Hague Convention of 1907. A permanently neutral power is a sovereign state bound by international treaty to be neutral toward the belligerents of all future wars. The concept of neutrality in war is narrowly defined and puts specific constraints on the neutral party in return for the internationally recognized right to remain neutral.
**Walid Maalouf, former US Public Delegate to the United Nations and former Director of Public Diplomacy at USAID, has been a professional businessman and diplomat in the metropolitan Washington DC area for more than 20 years and tackles international issues on the cultural, educational and political levels.

Williams Hopes Lebanese Political Factions Would Agree on National Dialogue Timeframe

Naharnet/U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams said the Security Council will closely follow up Lebanon's national dialogue on a defense strategy and hoped political factions would agree on a clear mechanism and a timeframe through which progress could be measured. Lebanon's political factions held a new round of national talks Tuesday. So far, several rounds of talks have made no progress on the formation of a national defense strategy that could integrate Hizbullah's weapons into the regular armed forces. Williams, who briefed the Security Council on Friday on the latest Secretary-General's report on the implementation of resolution 1701, played down risk of renewed fighting between Israel and Hizbullah but urged the two sides to refrain from further "inflammatory" words. He told reporters in New York that he briefed the Council "on the recent rise in rhetoric and public threats between Israel and Lebanon which have generated concerns of a renewed confrontation" and are "utterly unhelpful." "This public rhetoric and brinkmanship contravenes the spirit of (Security Council) Resolution 1701 and is utterly unhelpful," he noted. Williams said that in his private talks with Israeli and Lebanese officials, both sides, in contrast to some of their public utterances, "continue to express their commitment to the prevailing cessation of hostilities and to the full implementation of Resolution 1701." "I believe that it is these private statements, rather than the public rhetoric, that convey their true intentions and I have called on all relevant parties to desist from inflammatory statements," he added. Williams welcomed Lebanon's moves to improve the management of its borders, which he hopes will also receive a boost from the country's improved relations with Syria. In that report, Ban writes that the foundation for a permanent ceasefire has been laid by the new strategic environment and the relative stability in southern Lebanon, which UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces helped establish.
Beirut, 13 Mar 10, 08:21

Hariri: Any Regional War Direct Result of International Community Inaction

Naharnet/Prime Minister Saad Hariri said any future war in the region would be the direct result of international community inaction and failure to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"War in the region has never been due to a decision taken by Lebanon. Any war is a direct result of inaction on the part of the international community and the failure to move seriously on the peace process," Hariri told the German Press Agency dpa in an exclusive interview. "All wars with Israel, in which Lebanon has been the victim of, have been launched by Israel, not by us, and Lebanon is the one who paid a very high price, in human lives, displaced people and destroyed infrastructure," Hariri said. "The problem is that we live in a volatile region. It all boils down to what got us to be in this situation of regional instability, and the answer to that is failure to do anything on the peace process," he told dpa.
Asked about Israeli threats to hold the Lebanese government responsible for any attack by Hizbullah on Israel, the premier said: "This is not the first time that Hizbullah has been part of the government. This goes to show how the Israelis are always looking for pretexts. The Shiite party is represented in parliament as a result of democratic elections, he said.
Hariri said he will make a three day visit to Germany on Sunday to "discuss the regional situation and how to protect Lebanon from regional conflicts." He told his interviewer that talks in Berlin will tackle ways to boost cooperation with Germany which contributes to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. The prime minister also warned of growing political extremism given the failure of the peace process. "Today fighting extremism is not the responsibility of one country alone. It is the responsibility of the whole world. In our region, for instance, extremists are unfortunately gaining audience, at the expense of moderates," he said. On relations with Syria, Hariri told dpa that ties "are on the right track."
"We are approaching them in a very positive attitude, and we are met with a very positive attitude by Damascus. We are two neighbors, united by Arab identity," he said.
Hariri said he will be visiting Damascus again "in the coming weeks for more in-depth discussions on all these issues." Turning to the issue of the international tribunal that would try his father's suspected assassins, Hariri said: "I have complete faith in the Tribunal. Whatever the results from it, I will accept." "This has always been my position, and it will remain the same," he added. Beirut, 13 Mar 10, 09:41

EU Official in Beirut to Discuss Prospects for Peace

Naharnet/EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton will visit Beirut March 16 as part of a four-day regional tour, press reports said. They said Ashton is to discuss with Lebanese officials prospects for Mideast peace as well as Lebanese-European relations. Beirut, 12 Mar 10, 12:08

Special Tribunal for Lebanon Appoints New Chief of Investigations

Naharnet/The Office of the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on Friday announced the appointment of Michael Taylor, a British national, as its Chief of Investigations.
"Taylor has extensive experience in criminal investigations, starting in February 1979 with the London Metropolitan Police Service, where he served primarily within the Criminal Investigation Department and Specialist Operations," a press release issued by the Office of the Prosecutor said. "Taylor brings a wealth of expertise in counter-terrorism investigations. The highlights of his career in this field include his tenure as Detective Superintendent, Head of Intelligence, Counter-Terrorism Command at New Scotland Yard from March 2004 to August 2006, following which he was promoted to the post of Senior Investigating Officer and Detective Chief Superintendent at the Metropolitan Police's Counter-Terrorism Command," the statement added. Prior to his appointment as the OTP's Chief of Investigations, Taylor took an active part as Senior Investigator in the OTP Investigation Division, designing and developing the Office's investigative strategy that he will now lead under the supervision of the Prosecutor. Commenting on his appointment, Taylor stated: "I am honored that I was selected for this very important position, particularly at a time when our investigative efforts are running full-steam and significant and promising progress has been registered." "I am fully committed to investing everything I can offer to ensure that we succeed in our endeavor of uncovering the truth and helping ensure that justice is done," Taylor added. Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare welcomed the appointment of Taylor and stated: "Taylor's professionalism and expertise are very well established and recognized in the policing and counter-terrorism investigation communities.""Not only is Taylor the right person for the job, but his appointment ensures a seamless transition in the leadership of the investigation team and, more importantly, the continuity in the investigation process he himself helped design and carry out," Bellemare added. Beirut, 12 Mar 10, 18:44

Berri Says Possible Participation in Libya's Arab Summit Challenges Judicial Verdicts Against Gadhafi

Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri on Friday warned against Lebanon's participation in the upcoming Arab League Summit in Libya, stressing that "participation is unacceptable under any alibi" and warning it would "jeopardize the current political status quo." In an interview with al-Manar TV network, Berri noted the presence of Lebanese judiciary verdicts against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in the case of the disappearance of Imam Moussa Sadr and his companions, wondering: "Doesn't participation represent a challenge against the Judiciary?" The speaker addressed "those keen on Lebanon's presence in international forums" by asking "where was their keenness when (ex-PM) Fouad Saniora's government boycotted the Damascus summit." Answering a question on Libya's possible extradition of Lebanese expatriates in case Lebanon boycotts the summit, Berri noted "an exaggeration about their numbers not to mention Libya's need for them," stressing that "national dignity comes first." Berri admonished the approval of Arab nations to hold the summit in Libya. On the other hand, the speaker reiterated his call for finding a mechanism for administrative appointments "that prevents political interventions."As to the anticipated visit of Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat to Syria, Berri noted "the importance of what Jumblat will say" on Saturday in his interview with the pan-Arab al-Jazeera satellite TV network, expressing his confidence that the Druze leader will visit Damascus "very soon." Beirut, 12 Mar 10, 22:02

Suleiman Will Not Attend Arab Summit in Libya

Naharnet/Information Minister Tareq Mitri has unveiled that President Michel Suleiman will not attend the Arab summit in Libya end of this month following demands by the Shiite community to boycott the meeting. Sources from Speaker Nabih Berri's Development and Liberation bloc told An Nahar daily that "Lebanon's participation in the summit is a very dangerous issue and would worsen the situation in the country." Shiites have been demanding Lebanese authorities to boycott the summit over the disappearance of Imam Moussa al-Sadr. In 1978, the Shiite religious leader flew to Tripoli for a week of talks with Libyan officials. He was never seen or heard from again. Meanwhile, Arab League chief Amr Moussa told An Nahar that he hasn't been asked to deliver any invitation to Lebanon to participate in the summit. It is the responsibility of the host country to do so, he said. "When I last visited Beirut, I agreed with officials that Lebanese representation at the summit should be (at the level of) responsibility and that the government would decide on the level."
Moussa is expected to visit Beirut on March 18 to attend USEK's celebration of the establishment of the Arab League.
Beirut, 12 Mar 10, 09:17