Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for December 14/12
Iran: Patriot missiles in Turkey risk 'world war'
Iran warns Turkey over NATO's missile system
Egyptians vote on divisive constitution
Egyptian movie star Adel Imam fearful over country's future
Egyptian army’s “national dialogue” postponed following presidential pressure - Source
Egyptians vote on an Islamist-backed constitution that has polarized their nation
Violence flares in Cairo following referendum
Lieberman to run in Israeli election despite graft charge
US-Iranian nuclear talks fail. Iran has plutonium for 24 Nagasaki-type bombs
UN contingency plan to deploy up to 10000 peacekeepers in Syria – reports
Syria opposition forms body to preserve state institutions
NATO says Syrian Scuds hit "near" Turkey
Syrian jets strike rebels around Damascus
Syrian FM blames West for suffering of his people
Clinton sustains concussion, testimony postponed
Mikati: Syria arrest warrant against Hariri political
Violence flares in Cairo as Egyptians vote
Press round-up: December 15, 2012 /Now Lebanon
Bodies of four killed in Syria ambush to return to Lebanon
Commander: Lebanese army’s mission not hindered by politics
Lebanese opposition MPs slam interior minister on security
Lebanese PM denounces Syrian warrants, criticizes opposition
UN, EU urge more Syria aid as conflict enters new phase 

Killing Innocent Children   in Connecticute is savagity itself
By: Elias Bejjani
http://www.10452lccc.com/elias%20arabic11/elias.connecticute14.12.12.htm
John 11/25.26
 “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die;  and those who live and believe in me will never die. The crazy and criminal shooting that targeted today an elementary school in Connecticute, USA, and caused the killing of  27 people, including 20 students is an act of mere savagity.
God bless the souls of the victims and His endless and unlimited mercy be with all those injured to help them recover soon.
Our warmest condolences to the families of all the victims and the injured.
In hard, sad and difficult times one can not but keel, raise his hand up and pray asking almighty God for mercy, patience and hope.
God Bless Their Souls

 Elias Bejjani*
Canadian-Lebanese Human Rights activist, journalist and political commentator
Email phoenicia@hotmail.com
Web sites http://www.10452lccc.com & http://www.clhrf.com
Mailing phoenicia group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Phoenicia/
Elias Bejjani's Face Book site http://www.facebook.com/home.php 

UN, EU urge more Syria aid as conflict enters “new phase”
Now Lebanon/EU and UN aid chiefs called in Beirut on Saturday for urgent funds to help internally displaced and refugee Syrians, in a new phase of a "brutal conflict" that has killed tens of thousands and affected hundreds of thousands more. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres told reporters in Beirut that "this is not a conflict like many others. This indeed became a brutal conflict in the context of dramatic humanitarian tragedy."
He called on the world to step up financial support for countries hosting Syrian refugees, saying they require "massive support." The UNHCR says the number of refugees in neighboring Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq has now reached more than 500,000, and is projected to jump to 1.1 million by June. EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Kristalina Georgieva said her agency is trying to provide assistance to Syrians inside their country "so they don't need to flee to neighboring countries." But that "is becoming increasingly difficult, and in some parts of the country impossible," she added. The two officials spent Saturday morning in Lebanon's eastern Beqaa Valley, visiting refugees, a third of whom are hosted by Lebanese families, according to the UN. "While all the refugees we talked to prefer to stay in their home country, they are reporting atrocities and fighting of a magnitude that pushes them out," said Georgieva, adding that "unfortunately the conflict has entered a new phase." Syria has authorized the UN to open eight new field offices to aid the displaced but, "for the first time since the beginning of this conflict, the number of international humanitarian staff inside Syria is decreasing." "We rely more and more on local staff and on the social fabric of the Syrian society and community organizations that deliver assistance," Georgieva said. "But the problem is for this assistance to cross battlefield lines, and that is becoming very, very difficult," she said. The impact of fighting on the economy has compounded the problems facing those who remain in their country. "Aleppo used to produce medicines and also chemicals for treatment of drinking water. That production capacity is gone," she said, referring to Syria's former commercial hub and second city. "Many people are killed or wounded, but on top of it hospitals are destroyed and medical services to the population are gone in many places." "We just talked to a family who said the price of bread jumped 12 times in the place they came from. In these conditions, unfortunately there is a new strong push that leads to an increase in refugees and that is where our alert has to be high."
For his part, Syria's Muallem told visiting UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos that US and EU sanctions "are responsible for the suffering of Syrian citizens."He told her the world body "must intervene to ensure [US and EU sanctions] are lifted," according to state news agency SANA. Muallem also called on the United Nations to "contribute its efforts to rebuild infrastructure and hospitals that were destroyed by armed terrorist groups," a reference to rebels. Amos said the UN "will continue to provide humanitarian assistance in coordination with the Syrian government," SANA reported. The United States and European Union have imposed sanctions on Syrian individuals and companies with ties to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. The EU has also imposed an oil and arms embargo. A total of more than 43,000 people have been killed since the uprising against Assad's rule erupted in March 2011, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists and medics on the ground.

Commander: Lebanese army’s mission not hindered by politics
Now Lebanon/Lebanese Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji said that his forces were committed to maintaining peace in the country regardless of increasing political tension.
“The army will remain the guarantor of civil peace and will remain attached to its military and patriotic principles regardless of changes in political circumstances,” Qahwaji was quoted as saying by the National News Agency during a meeting with army officers in a base in Metn’s Roumieh. His comments followed a Lebanese troop deployment early in the week to the northern city of Tripoli after fatal clashes tied to the Syrian conflict broke out.
Longstanding tensions in Tripoli escalated in early December after 22 Sunni men from the Tripoli area planning to join rebels fighting against the Syrian regime were ambushed by regime forces in the Syrian town of Tal Kalakh.

Bodies of four killed in Syria ambush to return to Lebanon
Now Lebanon/Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdel Karim Ali informed Lebanon’s foreign affairs minister that his country will hand over the bodies of four of the men killed in an ambush in Syria. According to the National News Agency on Saturday, the Syrian ambassador informed Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour that the bodies will be repatriated on Sunday morning. Mansour also said in an interview with New TV that the bodies belonged to three Lebanese nationals and a Palestinian national. Meanwhile, LBC television reported that three of the bodies that will be returned on Sunday were identified as Lebanese nationals Mohammad al-Ayyoubi, Bilal al-Ghoul, Ahmad Nabhan. It also said that the fourth body was that of Palestinian national Mohammad al-Haj. A report emerged in late November that 21 young Lebanese men from the city of Tripoli were killed in the Syrian border town of Tal Kalakh.  The Lebanese men were allegedly on their way to join rebel forces fighting the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The bodies of only three of the Lebanese nationals who had been killed in the ambush were repatriated on Sunday, the NNA reported, amid conflicting reports concerning the number of bodies and the fate of any survivors. The incident increased concern about the involvement of some Lebanese factions in the fighting gripping Syria amid a split in the Lebanese political landscape between supporters of the Syrian regime represented by the March 8 alliance and Western-backed forces associated with the March 14 coalition.

Lebanese opposition MPs slam interior minister on security
Now Lebanon/Lebanese opposition MPs sharply criticized Interior Minister Marwan Charbel's remarks urging politicians living in fear of assassination to rely on private security firms. In an interview with NOW, Future bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat said that Charbel’s solution would have the same effect as assassination, as politicians unable to afford private security would be forced into hiding. “This statement is not serious and provides an incentive for 'political assassinations' - in which politicians are not killed but are forced hide in their own houses.”“There are some MPs who...cannot afford this kind of protection.”Another Future bloc MP also spoke to NOW, saying that if Charbel was serious about his suggestions he should not obstruct any attempt by politicians to set up a private security company. “We hope that Charbel stays true to his word; if he does, we will establish security companies that he should not reject,” Mouin al-Merhebi said. Meanwhile, Kataeb bloc MP Elie Marouni deemed the interior minister’s remarks “unacceptable.”He also warned that Charbel’s stance might encourage the establishment of armed militias to protect politicians. “I am concerned that we are nearing a day when we will be told it is necessary to establish armed militias to protect us.” “This weakens the integrity of the state.” Charbel’s remarks came after Future bloc MP Ammar Houri called on the Higher Defense Council to review a list of assassination targets, including opposition MPs and political figures, forwarded to Prime Minister Najib Miqati. Fears of political assassination returned to Lebanon with the October 19 killing of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Chief Wissam al-Hassan in a car bombing in Beirut’s Ashrafieh.

Lebanese PM denounces Syrian warrants, criticizes opposition
Now Lebanon/Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati spoke out against arrest warrants issued by the Syrian authorities against Lebanese opposition MPs and criticized members of the opposition coalition, the National News Agency reported. “These arrest warrants are strictly political and carry no legal weight,” Miqati said during a meeting with Minister of Justice Shakib Qortbawi on Saturday.
On Tuesday, Syria issued arrest warrants against Lebanon’s Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri and Future bloc MP Okab Sakr as well as a spokesperson of the Free Syrian Army, Louay Almokdad, for allegedly arming Syrian rebels. The Lebanese premier also criticized members of the opposition coalition’s persistent boycott of government activities. “The insistence of some on boycotting government institutions and escalating political attacks amounts to political suicide.”  He added that the “suitable solution” to the current political crisis lay in “agreeing on a new electoral law and forming a new government to oversee the upcoming parliamentary elections.”
Asked whether Lebanese Armed Forces in the northern city of Tripoli were deployed to prevent the city from becoming an Islamic principality, Miqati said that Tripoli would not separate from the rest of the country.
“Tripoli was and will always remain part of this country, and its loyalty is to the state.” Tripoli has been the scene of recurrent sectarian clashes linked to the Syrian conflict between groups of rebel Syrian fighters and the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Fatal clashes in Tripoli took place earlier this month between pro- and anti-Syrian regime gunmen from the rival Sunni and Alawite neighborhoods of Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen, respectively.The Syrian crisis and the recent assassination of Brigadier General Wissam al-Hassan have heightened tension throughout Lebanon, with the pro-Western March 14 opposition group calling for the resignation of the current cabinet.

Press round-up: December 15, 2012 /Now Lebanon
Note: There is no press round-up on Sundays.
An-Nahar
• Opening Titles:
Siniora criticizes Miqati: Like someone selling snow.
• Local News:
The issue of the Lebanese nationals killed and missing in Tal Kalkh shot back to the forefront amidst protests held in Tripoli yesterday. The families of the victims threatened to step up their action at the start of the coming week.
An-Nahar quoted sources informed of the negotiations in this respect as saying: “Up until yesterday, seven bodies have been identified, six of them belonging to Lebanese nationals and the seventh to a Palestinian from the Baddawi camp, knowing that the victims’ families had given the Syrian authorities fourteen pictures.”
According to the source, “a member of the group from the Hassan family took part yesterday in the protest organized by the victims’ families in Tripoli. The seven bodies can be recovered and the Syrians previously said that they want to settle the process once and for all, but the timing is hinges on ‘technical reasons.’”
The source denied that the Directorate General of General Security has set for the victims’ families any date for receiving the bodies.
Former PM Fouad Siniora lashed out yesterday against PM Najib Miqati’s saying that an [Islamist] emirate would have been established in Tripoli had the Lebanese Armed Forces not deployed in the city.
Former PM Siniora said that this statement is “strange indeed” and accused Miqati of “providing the Syrian regime with the pretext it needs to claim that Tripoli is the city of extremists and fanatics.”
Siniora also criticized the prime minister’s proposal to link cabinet change to the electoral law, saying: “By insisting on staying in office, the prime minister is squandering chances for himself and for Lebanon as the situation is deteriorating on various levels.”
Siniora went on to say: “Miqati is like someone selling snow these days without realizing that snow melts and if it does melt, we will have a different situation at hand.”
It is almost certain now that the General Secretariat of the March 14 Coalition will recover its full structure as the Kataeb, the National Front and the Democratic Renewal Movement will once again take part in the secretariat’s periodical meetings as of this Wednesday.
This comes as a result of Coordinator of the March 14 General Secretariat Fares Soueid’s meetings with the parties involved.
A Kataeb source told An-Nahar that an agreement was reached on three other demands expressed by the party:
- First, representation will be calculated and carefully chosen among all political parties, movements and bodies as well as civil society representatives.
- Second, the General Secretariat is to be activated and take on the responsibility of organizing meetings and celebrations.
- Third, the General Secretariat is to undertake coordination among various March 14 forces and parties.
Al-Akhbar
• Opening Titles:
Bassil: No election based on the 1960 law.
• Local News:
Against a backdrop of mounting political and security tensions, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is set to make an appearance tomorrow in order to define Hezbollah’s stance on [current] developments.
Meanwhile, the fate of the electoral law remains unknown as the Change and Reform bloc is categorically opposed to the 1960 law.
Energy Minister Gebran Bassil asserted that “no elections will be held based on the 1960 law.”
Minister Bassil said: “Let no one think that they can force us under pressure to hold the elections based on this law like they did in 2005 and tried to do in 2009 before we went to the Doha Agreement. We will use all peaceful means so as not to cave in to this pressure.”
Bassil went on to say: “It would be better not to make any such attempts because no elections can be held with half the country against their being held based on this law.”
Bassil reminded that all Christian [factions] have rejected this law in theory and in practice, saying: “We represent the barrier protecting Bkirki so that no one exerts pressure on [the patriarch] and gives [him] a choice between not holding the elections and holding them according to the 1960 law. Bkirki sets the general principles and it has [already] rejected the law. We are trying to protect and take on all the pressure.”
As-Safir
• Opening Titles:
US military telecommunications station in Lebanon?
• Local News:
Informed official sources told As-Safir that the “US Army filed through the US Embassy a request to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to obtain a license for a massive telecommunications station in Lebanon, probably within the geographical perimeter of the US Embassy in Awkar.”
When As-Safir attempted to obtain a clear answer from the Ministry of Telecommunications, a relevant source merely said that “the issue is being discussed in the Ministry and will be transferred to the Council of Ministers.”
As-Safir quoted a source in a main Christian majority party as saying that one of the relevant ministers told him “the Americans filed this request in Lebanon and may have filed similar requests in other Arab countries in the Middle East without receiving any positive answer. Accordingly, we – as Lebanese – have to check the technical nature, range and use of this station, whether it could be used for espionage purposes and whether or not it can impact negatively on free telecommunications in Lebanon.”
The source called for “examining the issue from a strictly technical angle before addressing its intelligence and security dimensions.”
Official sources said that the salaries’ and wages’ scale is unlikely to make it on the agenda of the Council of Ministers’ session.
A minister close to a key official figure told As-Safir that the proposals to increase the investment factor (known as the “Miqati floor”) and increase electricity fees “hinge on the authorization to access the respective empires of the minister of Public Works and the minister of Energy.”
As-Safir quoted National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt as asserting that his “meeting with French President Francois Hollande will be held in mid-January as Hollande is due to visit Algeria.”
Al-Joumhouria
• Opening Titles:
Sources to Al-Joumhouria: Hezbollah is promoting political offers before the elections.
• Local News:
Sources told Al-Joumhouria that Hezbollah, which is living in the shadow of the Syrian crisis and its repercussions and is afraid of having the March 14 coalition back in power as a result of the elections, has started to promote some political offers, the adoption of which allows for holding the elections safely.
These ideas come in the form of a comprehensive “package,” including:
- First, an agreement on an electoral law that is different from the current law or one that guarantees the opposition will not gain the majority needed to form a unilateral cabinet.
- Second, an agreement of the form of the upcoming cabinet with equal shares for March 8 and March 14 forces and a casting centrist bloc, the backbone of which would be MP Walid Jumblatt, in addition to an agreement on its ministerial statement, which should include the “Army-People-Resistance” equation.
- Third, striking an agreement today on the identity and specifications of the president.
When Hezbollah realized that these conditions, which it considers a matter of life or death, cannot be realized and started thinking of its situation following the fall of its Syrian ally, the sources expressed fears that it will seek to impose them through a “mini-May 7” or some kind of equivalent event in order to drag March 14 forces to the negotiations table.

US-Iranian nuclear talks fail. Iran has plutonium for 24 Nagasaki-type bombs
DEBKAfile Special Report December 15, 2012ظThe secret, one-on-one nuclear negotiations President Barack Obama launched with Iran have run into a blank wall. A senior Iranian team member, Mostafa Dolatyar, said Friday, Dec. 14 in New Delhi that the diplomatic process for solving the nuclear issue with Iran was in effect going nowhere, because the demand that Tehran halt its 20-percent enrichment of uranium “doesn’t make sense.”
He went on to say: “They [the world powers] have made certain connections with purely technical issues and something purely political. In so far as this is the mentality and this is the approach from 5 + 1 (the Six World Powers) - or whatever else you call it - definitely there is no end for this game.”
debkafile: The phrase “or whatever else you call it” may be taken as Iran’s first veiled reference to the direct talks with Washington that were launched Dec. 1 in the Swiss town of Lausanne.
Mostafa Dolatyar is not just a faceless official. He is head of the Iranian foreign ministry’s think tank, the Institute for Political and International Studies, as well as a senior member of the Iranian team facing US negotiators in Lausanne. His remarks were undoubtedly authorized by the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who, through him, posted a message to Washington: If the enrichment suspension demand stands, the game’s over.
After more than 15 years of on-and-off, largely aimless, nuclear diplomacy with world powers and evasive tactics with the UN nuclear agency, Tehran is for the first time showing signs of impatience and not just is usual disdain. This is because two things have changed:
1. For all those years, Tehran availed itself of every diplomatic opening for protracted bargaining about its nuclear program for the sake of buying time, free of pressure, to push that program forward. Now, the Iranians are telling the US and Europe that they have arrived at their destination. For them, time is no longer of essence, as it may be for the West.
2. The second development was revealed on Dec. 5 by The Wall Street Journal in a short leader captioned “From Bushehr to the Bomb.” This revelation was not picked up by any other Western - or even Israeli - publication despite its sensational nature.
Drawing on US intelligence sources, the paper suggested that the withdrawal of 136 fuel rods from Iran’s nuclear reactor at Bushehr in mid-October – on the pretext of wandering metal bolts – and the rods’ return in the last week of November “could have been a test run for the Iranians should they decide to reprocess those rods into weapons-grade plutonium.”
American, Russian and Israeli nuclear experts have always maintained that the technology for extracting plutonium from fuel rods was too expensive and complicated to be practical - and certainly beyond Iran’s capacity.
The Wall Street Journal begs to differ: “…experts tell us that the rapid extraction of weapons-usable plutonium from spent fuel rods is a straightforward process that can be preformed in a fairly small (and easily secreted) space.”
This means that Tehran can easily manufacture plutonium bombs without building a large plutonium reactor like the one under construction at Arak.
The paper goes on to reveal that, by this method, Iran could extract 220 pounds (just under 100 kilos) of plutonium, enough to produce as many as “24 Nagasaki-type bombs” – a reference to the World War II bombing of the Japanese city on Aug. 9, 1945.
One of those bombs – nicknamed “Fat Man” (after Winston Churchill) – is equal to 20 kilotons.
debkafile’s military and intelligence sources note that if this disclosure represents the true state of Iran’s nuclear program, the game really is over. The diplomacy-cum-sanctions policy pursued by the West to force Iran to abandon enrichment and shut down its underground facility in Fordo has become irrelevant. So, too, have the red lines Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu drew so graphically before the UN Assembly on September 27.
What Mostafa Dolatyar was saying in effect is that Iran has outplayed its adversaries up to the game’s finishing line.

Syria opposition forms body to preserve state institutions
Reuters) - Syrian government defectors and opposition figures formed a body on Saturday that would step in to prevent the collapse of state institutions if President Bashar al-Assad is overthrown.
The Free National Gathering was formed largely by members and supporters of Syria's opposition coalition, which was recognized this week by 114 countries as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
Among them are several high-level defectors such as former Prime Minister Riyad Hijab who are concerned that, were Assad to fall, his opponents would turn upon government employees who did not take part in the country's 21-month uprising, causing the disintegration of the state. Hijab, the highest level official to desert Assad so far, was chosen to head a seven-member executive council that will manage the Free National Gathering for now, organizers said. "This is to protect state institutions in the event of the fall of the regime and to prepare for this from now," said former deputy oil minister Abdo Husameddin, who defected in March.
"There will be contacts with officials to ensure state institutions are protected," said Husameddin. "We want to bring down the regime but we do not want the collapse of the state or its institutions and the workforce employed."
He said there were at least 1.5 million people employed in Syrian state bodies and enterprises. Assad's opponents have struggled to form a united front to end his family's 42-year rule, mirroring Syria's conflicting sectarian and ideological allegiances. But countries including the United States and the 27 states of the European Union rallied round the coalition at a Friends of Syria conference in Morocco this week, signaling that more than four decades of Assad family rule over Syria might be nearing an end. With fighting raging in the capital not far from Assad's palace and rebels rapidly gaining ground across the country, opposition leader Mouaz al-Khatib said a negotiated exit for Assad may still be possible. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Tom Pfeiffer)

Egyptians vote on an Islamist-backed constitution that has polarized their nation
By Aya Batrawy And Sarah El Deeb, The Associated Press | The Canadian Press
..CAIRO - With their nation's future at stake, Egyptians lined up Saturday to vote on a draft constitution after weeks of turmoil that have left them deeply divided between Islamist supporters of the charter and those who fear it will usher in religious rule. The referendum caps a nearly two-year struggle over the post-revolutionary identity of Egypt after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak's authoritarian regime.
The vote has turned into a dispute over whether Egypt should move toward a religious state under President Mhoammed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and ultraconservative Salafi allies, or one that retains secular traditions and an Islamic character. But many Egyptians said they were mainly looking for stability.
Many also fear the newly empowered Muslim Brotherhood and more ultraconservative Islamists are taking advantage of their current political dominance to adopt a charter that will be nearly impossible to amend.
According to the draft, articles 217 and 218 state that the president and parliament have the right to make a "request" to "amend an article or more," then parliament must discuss the request within 30 days. Two thirds of parliament members are needed to pass the request. Then parliament has 60 days to finalize the amended articles, and a third of parliament is needed to pass the final text before putting them to a national referendum.
Highlighting the tension in the run-up to the vote, nearly 120,000 army troops were deployed on Saturday to protect polling stations. Clashes between Morsi's supporters and opponents over the past three weeks have left at least 10 people dead and about 1,000 wounded.
"The times of silence are over," bank employee Essam el-Guindy said as he waited to cast his ballot in Cairo's upscale Zamalek district. "I am not OK with the constitution. Morsi should not have let the country split like this."
El-Guindy was one of about 20 men standing in line. A separate women's line had twice as many people. Elsewhere in the city, hundreds of voters waited outside polling stations for nearly two hours before stations opened at 8 a.m.
"I read parts of the constitution and saw no reason to vote against it," said Rania Wafik as she held her newborn baby while waiting in line. "We need to move on and I just see no reason to vote against the constitution."
Morsi, whose narrow win in June made him Egypt's first freely elected president, cast his ballot at a school in the upscale Heliopolis district. He did not speak to reporters, but waved to dozens of supporters who were chanting his name outside.
In Cairo's crowded Sayedah Zeinab district, home to a revered Muslim shrine, 23-year-old engineer Mohammed Gamal said he was voting "yes" although he felt the proposed constitution needed more, not less, Islamic content.
"Islam has to be a part of everything," said Gamal, who wore the moustache-less beard that is a hallmark of hard-line Salafi Muslims. "All laws have to be in line with Shariah," he said, referring to Islamic law.
Critics are questioning the charter's legitimacy after the majority of judges said they would not supervise the vote. Rights groups have also warned of opportunities for widespread fraud, and the opposition says a decision to hold the vote on two separate days to make up for the shortage of judges leaves the door open for initial results to sway voter opinion.
The shortage of judges was reflected in the chaos engulfing some polling stations, which by early afternoon had led the election commission to extend voting by two hours until 9 p.m.
Mohammed Ahmed, a retired army officer from Cairo, said bearded men he suspects of being Muslim Brotherhood members were whispering "vote yes" to men standing in line outside a polling centre in Cairo's poor district of Arab el-Maadi. "The Brotherhood wants to turn Egypt into its own fiefdom," he said. "I have no confidence in the whole process and I know they will be able to forge the results," he said.
In Cairo's Darb el-Ahmar, judge Mohammed Ibrahim appeared overwhelmed with the flow of voters, many of whom had to wait for close to two hours to cast their ballots. "I'm trying hard here, but responsibilities could have been better distributed," he said.
Egypt has 51 million eligible voters, half of whom are supposed to cast their ballots Saturday and the rest next week. Saturday's vote is held in 10 provinces, including Cairo and the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, the country's second largest and scene of violent clashes on Friday between opponents and supporters of Morsi. "I am definitely voting no," Habiba el-Sayed, a 49-year-old house wife who wears the Muslim veil, or hijab, said in Alexandria. "Morsi took wrong decisions and there is no stability. They (Islamists) are going around calling people infidels. How can there be stability?"
Another female voter in Alexandria, 22-year-old English teacher Yomna Hesham said she was voting 'no' because the draft is "vague" and ignores women's rights.
"I don't know why we have become so divided ...now no one wants to look in the other's face," said Hesham, who also wears the hijab, after voting. "This will not end well either way. It is so sad that we have come to this."
Another newspaper, the pro-opposition al-Watan, published photographs of Morsi's supporters in Alexandria armed with knives, swords and sticks on the front page of its Saturday edition. "A referendum on their constitution," read the headline, alluding to the Islamists. Egypt's latest crisis, the worst since Mubarak was ousted in a popular uprising in February 2011, began when Morsi issued a decree on Nov. 22 giving himself and the assembly writing the draft immunity from judicial oversight so the document could be finalized before an expected court ruling dissolving the panel.
On Nov. 30, the document was passed by an assembly composed mostly of Islamists, in a marathon session despite a walkout by secular activists and Christians from the 100-member panel.
If the constitution is approved by a simple majority of voters, the Islamists empowered when Mubarak was ousted would gain even more clout. The current upper house of parliament, dominated by Islamists, would be given the authority to legislate until a new parliament is elected. If it is defeated, elections would be held within three months for a new panel to write a new constitution. In the meantime, legislative powers would remain with Morsi.
The opposition has called on its supporters to vote "no," while Morsi's supporters say the constitution will help end the political instability that has roiled Egypt since the autocratic Mubarak was overthrown. Clerics, from the pulpits of mosques, have defended the constitution as a document that champions Islam.
Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei wrote Saturday on his Twitter account: "Listen to your conscience and the voice of reason and say 'no.'"
Morsi's opponents say minority concerns have been ignored and the charter is full of obscurely worded clauses that could allow the ruling Islamists to restrict civil liberties, ignore women's rights and undermine labour unions.
"At one point in our history, Cleopatra, a woman, ruled Egypt. Now you have a constitution that makes women not even second-class but third-class citizens," said businesswoman Olivia Ghita. "This constitution is tailored for one specific group (the Muslim Brotherhood). It's a shame. I am very upset."
**El Deeb reported from Alexandria, Egypt. AP writer Maggie Michael contributed to this report.

Lieberman to run in Israeli election despite graft charge
Reuters –..JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Avigdor Lieberman confirmed on Saturday that he would run in next month's Israeli election, despite a corruption charge that prompted him to resign from the post of foreign minister.
Authorities have said Lieberman will be charged over alleged irregularities in the promotion of an Israeli diplomat who leaked information to him about a police investigation into his activities.
"He is only resigning his post as foreign minister and deputy prime minister, but not as chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu or number two on the Likud Beiteinu list," Lieberman's spokesman Ashley Perry said.
Lieberman's right-wing party Yisrael Beiteinu (Our Home is Israel) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud merged into one list ahead of the January 22 poll to form Likud Beiteinu, which opinion polls have predicted will win the election. Lieberman is second on the party list after Netanyahu and, before his indictment, was widely expected to retain a top cabinet position if the alliance won the election.
A conviction could disqualify him from serving as a minister, but the law does not prohibit Lieberman from running in the election. On his Facebook page, Lieberman wrote that he hoped his case would be settled before the vote and that he would return to public office. It is highly unlikely a trial could be concluded in little over a month and some commentators have said he might seek a swift plea deal instead. An aide to Lieberman said he would hand in his letter resigning as foreign minister on Sunday, and that it would take effect 48 hours later.(Writing by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

Syrian chess: The latest move!
By Tariq Alhomayed/Asharq Al-Awsat
The past few days of the Syrian crisis have seen what appears to be a chess game with all pieces moving to surround al-Assad and Russia, and indeed all of al-Assad’s allies, in a comprehensive manner. This is something that has caused the Russians to become emotional and confused. After we heard reports that the Russians and Americans were meeting in Geneva, along with Lakhdar Brahimi, to discuss the Syrian crisis, US President Obama announced Washington’s recognition of the Syrian National Coalition as the representative of the Syrian people. This took place on the eve of the Friends of Syria summit in Marrakesh, which for its part also recognized the Syrian opposition coalition as the sole representative of the Syrian people. Whilst during this summit itself, Saudi Arabia announced that it would be donating $100 million to support the Syrian people.
The American recognition of the Syrian National Coalition, by itself, forced the Russian Foreign Minister to issue a statement that betrayed his frustrations. This statement read that Moscow was “surprised to learn that Washington has recognized the national coalition of Syrian revolutionary forces as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people” adding “we therefore conclude that Washington has decided to bet on this coalition securing victory by force of arms!” This statement suggests that Moscow is feeling deceived and embarrassed; for at the same time that the Russians were meeting the Americans to negotiate over Syria, President Obama announces his recognition of the Syrian National Coalition which means that Washington is only interested in negotiating with Moscow over one issue, namely the departure of al-Assad! So here we see the moves that have been made on the Syrian chessboard: US recognition of the Syrian National Coalition, as well as that of the Friends of Syria in Marrakesh, the public Saudi donation, which means that Riyadh is prepared to do everything in its power to help the Syrians against al-Assad’s crimes. All of these moves have surrounded al-Assad politically, in the same manner that he is besieged in Damascus by the Syrian rebels, whilst Moscow has been embarrassed at all levels; it set the conditions for negotiations over the Syrian crisis, whilst al-Assad’s value – for the Russians – is plummeting!
The story does not stop here, for the latest moves on the Syrian chessboard perhaps pushed Russia to issue the most remarkable statement of all. This was issued by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister [Mikhail Bogdanov] who acknowledged that al-Assad is losing control of the country “more and more”, adding “the victory of the Syrian opposition cannot be excluded.” Al-Assad’s impending fall is something that is confirmed by two very important statements; one was issued by NATO Secretary-General [Anders Fogh Rasmussen] who said that “the Damascus regime is approaching collapse” adding “this is only a matter of time”. As for the second statement, this was issued by Iraqi Finance Minister [Rafa al-Essawi] who said that the al-Assad regime will likely fall within a matter of “weeks”. When we compare what is happening to a game of chess, then this is best confirmed by the manner in which the US State Department rushed to highlight the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister’s statement that the rebels will ultimately emerge victorious in Syria, saying “we want to commend the Russian government for finally waking up to the reality and acknowledging that the regime’s days are numbered.” The US State Department spokesperson added “the question now is: will the Russian government join those of us in the international community who are working with the opposition to try to have a smooth democratic transition?” Of course, this is an American move to embarrass the Russians and surround them on the Syrian chessboard in order to push Moscow to stop supporting al-Assad, who requires $1 billion a month to withstand the Syrian rebels and their revolution!
In conclusion, al-Assad is under siege, Moscow is embarrassed, whilst Iran – whether we are talking about its Supreme Guide or president – is keeping silent, which tells us that we are facing the final stages of the Syrian chess game.

Will EU heed Washington’s calls to ban Hezbollah?
By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL, JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENT 12/15/2012
Analysis:
Hezbollah is "not only an Israeli or Jewish issue" but also affects Americans, Syrians and Europeans, says US expert. ...WASHINGTON – US senators urged the European Union last week, in a resolution sponsored by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Connecticut), to take sanctions action against Hezbollah in Europe.
The contentious difference of opinion between the Europeans and the Americans on a ban of Hezbollah has not evaporated from the media and political radar screens in the United States. Sensing shifts in Europe’s openness to outlaw the Lebanese Shi’ite organization, over 50 senators joined Lieberman to push European governments to criminalize Hezbollah.The US effort to persuade the EU to ban Hezbollah is taking the shape of a similar spat in 2003, when Washington exerted pressure on a reluctant Europe to outlaw Hamas. Responding to a Hamas suicide bomb attack in Jerusalem that year, which murdered 22 people, then-British foreign secretary Jack Straw said “given the outrage perpetrated by Hamas and which killed so many innocent people and for which there was no conceivable justification, we’ve taken a political decision to freeze the assets of Hamas and other actions.”France and Germany initially resisted the EU ban of Hamas in 2003. The two countries both – following the pattern of 2003 – show no appetite for listing Hezbollah as a terrorist entity.
Speaking with The Jerusalem Post in Washington, Mark Dubowitz, executive-director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said “European leaders do not fully grasp the extent to which American policy makers, counter-terrorism officials, military personnel and the general public see Hezbollah as a severe danger to our national security.
“This is not only an Israeli or Jewish issue. Hezbollah is seen here in America as a murderous terrorist organization and as a partner of an Iranian regime which has waged war against the West and its own people,” he said.“Americans have not forgotten the American and European blood that Hezbollah and Iran have shed and the continued threat that they both still represent to our safety.”
Dubowitz, a leading expert on transatlantic counter-terrorism policies targeting Iran and its proxy Hezbollah, added, “If Europe is unwilling to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, after the Obama administration and Democrats and Republicans in Congress have implored their European counterparts to recognize the nature and gravity of the Hezbollah global threat, it raises reasonable concerns that a transatlantic partnership that defeated previous threats to Western democracies in the 20th century may not be capable of defeating the deadly ones of the 21st century.”
With the exceptions of a small number of continental European politicians, there has been no groundswell of members of parliament across Europe – in contrast with the US – looking to outlaw Hezbollah within the borders of the EU. The notable exceptions are Italian MP Fiamma Nirenstein and German MP Philipp Missfelder, the spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party in the Bundestag, who have both advocated that the EU include Hezbollah into its terror list. Josh Block, a former Clinton administration official and CEO of The Israel Project, a US pro-Israel organization based in Washington, told the Post “Iran’s terrorist army Hezbollah has killed more Americans than any terrorist group except al-Qaida, and according to intelligence officials, in the past year has been more active in plotting and conducting terrorist attacks outside of the Middle East than in the last 20 years, including in Europe, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Thailand, and North America.
“When the White House counterterrorism chief says that the EU’s ‘failure to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization makes it more difficult to defend our countries and protect our citizens,’ one wonders if the European Union understands or cares,” he said. “The EU’s failure to define the global terrorist organization for what it is calls into question the EU’s commitment to fighting terrorism and supporting peace in the Middle East, their interest in the welfare of innocent Syrian victims of Hezbollah, Iran and [Bashar] Assad’s sadistic partnership, and general ability of the EU to function in a serious manner.”
European diplomats from Spain and France have told the Post that blacklisting Hezbollah is contingent on the outcome of the Bulgarian investigation into a July bombing in Burgas which killed five Israelis and their Bulgarian bus driver. American and Israeli intelligence officials believe a joint Hezbollah-Iran operation executed the suicide bombing. Europe has held the line on its ban of Hamas in 2003. Hezbollah’s terrorism is equally deadly and there are no shortage of compelling reasons to evict Hezbollah from European soil.
Benjamin Weinthal is a European affairs correspondent for The Jerusalem Post and a fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Egyptian movie star Adel Imam fearful over country's future
By Saha al-Sharqawi/Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat – Well-known Egyptian movie star, Adel Imam, last week attended a special tribute held in Erbil to celebrate his expansive career. The popular Egyptian movie and stage actor remains one of the biggest and most beloved stars in the Arab world. Imam starred in a number of well-known plays and movies, including Madrassat al-Mushaghabeen [The School of Troublemakers], Salam Ya Sahby [Goodbye, My Friend] and The Yacoubian Building. Speaking exclusively to Asharq Al-Awsat upon his return to Cairo, the Egyptian movie star revealed that he is overwhelmed by the political crisis that is engulfing Egypt.
Recalling his welcome in Erbil, Imam revealed that “the celebrations began with a traditional dance with a walking stick, and at this moment I thought of everything that was happening in Egypt and felt my eyes well up with tears because the people of Egypt are in no mood to dance now due to what the country is experiencing. I cannot bear what is happening to my beloved country, and I did not stop for a moment from following up on events during my time in Kurdistan.”
He added “when they presented me with the award I asked all those present to pray for Egypt, and they said in one voice: God preserve Egypt!”
The Egyptian movie star announced his complete rejection of President Mursi’s constitutional declaration, saying that it is unacceptable for any president to possess complete power in this manner.
As for the likelihood of him taking to the streets to join one of the demonstrations protesting against this issue, Imam told Asharq Al-Awsat “if I felt compelled to do so, I will take to the streets without hesitation!” He added “somebody sitting at home does not mean that they accept what is happening, for there are many ways to oppose, and my works and views are proof of this, not to mention talking to ordinary people and the elite, including politicians, writers and intellectuals.”
Adel Imam has always had something of a cult status within Egypt for his willingness to stand up to the status quo, albeit indirectly. One of his most famous plays, “Al-Zaeem” [The Leader] tells the story of a corrupt president who is secretly replaced by his doppelganger, an ordinary man. The play sends up the relationship between the ruler and the people, and was viewed by many as an implicit criticism of then president Mubarak.
As for the forthcoming constitutional referendum that is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Imam told Asharq Al-Awsat “we have become a country of referendums, not [academic] certificates.” Demonstrating his trademark wit, he mocked the manner in which this constitution was drafted saying “we don’t even know how to draft a constitution! However this is not a shame for the people, the shame is on the so-called elite, drawing up a document that the politicians can accept, but that the people cannot.”
He stressed that the Egyptian people possess a “popular tradition and culture within every single person” adding “based on this, they therefore cannot accept being ruled by a single faction; they will not submit to this whatever happens and they will continue to refuse regardless of the circumstances.”
Imam also condemned the Islamists’ attack on Egypt’s media, describing this as an “ignorant political attack.” He stressed the importance of the role played by Egypt’s media, particularly under the present circumstances.
He said “the media has progressed in an unprecedented manner, and those involved in this have made huge gains…for now the news reaches the viewers as it happens, and there is analysis from every viewpoint regarding everything that is happening, so the viewer can choose what he wants to hear and see. Nobody can deceive the Egyptian viewers, for in the past Egyptian state television was the sole source of news, but now there are many channels and this is something that promotes freedom of choice.”
As for reports that he may leave Egypt, particularly following the legal troubles he found himself in last year with regards to accusations of blasphemy – charges he was eventually completely cleared of – Imam told Asharq Al-Awsat “I will never leave my country under any circumstances regardless of what happens, and I will continue to defend Egypt with all of my power. The Egyptian people gave me all of my fame…and they are the best of all people.”
He stressed that “I am sad about what is happening in my country, and I am not alone in this, for my wife is suffering from chronic depression due to the extent of her sorrow regarding what is happening in the Egyptian street, particularly as she strongly supported the revolution.”
As for his view of the protests that have broken out recently, Adel Imam said “I pray to God Almighty that we do not see any more bloodshed” adding that he has had difficulty sleeping following the recent events, particularly the clashes that occurred outside the presidential palace. He said “I say to the martyrs…your reward is with God Almighty and your blood will not be in vain.”
Adel Imam called on the Egyptian people to return to work “so that the country does not experience destruction in all economic, social and cultural fields” adding “every second that passes has a cost in terms of destruction and devastation.”
He also addressed a message to the Muslim Brotherhood, saying “you must sit and negotiate and come to an understanding with the opposing political forces so that we can reach a solution that satisfies all parties.” He called on the Brotherhood to benefit from the experience of the “liberal” forces, saying “we are in a dark tunnel, but I still see a glimmer of light.”
In spite of this “glimmer of light”, Adel Imam expressed his fear of Egypt entering a state of civil war, saying “we have begun to see attacks on everything in the country on a daily basis; attacks on women, attacks on cars, as well as other clear attacks being carried out by some parties. Therefore I call for everybody to follow the example of the spirit of the 25 January Revolution youth who dazzled the world with excellent and noble protests.”
As for his acquittal on charges of defaming religion, Imam told Asharq Al-Awsat “these accusations were painful for everybody in my family” adding that accusations of apostasy are saddening to anybody.
He also revealed that his next work will be a series entitled “The Soothsayer”, asserting that “this will be a comedy so that I can amuse the Egyptian people who have forgotten how to laugh in light of current events.”
He added that this series will address the events of the 25 January Revolution from afar without going into specific details. As for his intention to work on a film or television series dealing with the 25 January Revolution directly, Imam said “I hope to do this, but the time is not right, for the revolution until now has not been completed; but it will be completed in the forthcoming period.

Egyptian army’s “national dialogue” postponed following presidential pressure - Source
By Mohamed Abdu Hassanein and Hiba Al-Qudsi
Cairo/Washington, Asharq Al-Awsat – Well-informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the “national dialogue” called for by Egyptian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief General Major General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was postponed following pressure by Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi. Egyptian Defense Minister, Major General al-Sisi, had called for all political parties to conduct “national dialogue” in order to avoid Egypt entering a “dark tunnel”. The dialogue had been scheduled to take place on Wednesday but was postponed at the last minute. Sources informed Asharq Al-Awsat that Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi had pressured the military to postpone this in light of the Muslim Brotherhood’s refusal to respond to the armed forces call for dialogue, viewing this as interference on the part of the military in politics.
The Egyptian military had initially issued a statement affirming that “the armed forces…realize their responsibility to preserve the higher interests of the country and to secure and protect vital targets, public institutions and the interests of innocent citizens.” It added “the armed forces affirm that dialogue is the best and only way to reach consensus. The opposite of that will bring us to a dark tunnel that will result in catastrophe and that is something we will not allow.”
However the Egyptian Armed Forces issued an official statement on Wednesday announcing the postponement of the national dialogue, citing the unenthusiastic response by the concerned political parties. Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi had confirmed that he would attend this meeting, as did senior National Salvation Front figures Amr Moussa, Mohamed ElBaradei and Hamdeen Sabbahi. The official statement asserted that the military-backed national dialogue would be postponed until a later date.
However a well-informed source, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity, claimed that this dialogue had not been postponed, but cancelled, following pressure by Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi. The source added that this move represents a huge insult to the Egyptian public, who respect and appreciate the role of Egypt’s armed forces to protect Egyptian national unity.
For his part, Dr. Gamal Heshmat, a member of the Freedom and Justice Party’s National Committee, stressed that the Muslim Brotherhood’s political party was the first to respond to the military’s call for national dialogue. He added that the Muslim Brotherhood and Freedom and Justice Party had no objection to this national dialogue, and had nothing to do with its postponement.
In an official statement on the Freedom and Justice Party’s website, Dr. Heshmat claimed that political opponents were spreading false rumors that the Brotherhood was responsible for the national dialogue’s postponement and that the Muslim Brotherhood General Guide was interfering with the operations of the presidency, however he stressed that this was completely untrue. He said that anybody making such claims must produce evidence, adding that many parties are seeking to embarrass and insult the presidency by spreading false rumors and lies.
For its part, the Egyptian presidency completely denied exerting any pressure on the armed forces to postpone or cancel the national dialogue.
Whilst the US State Department warned Cairo to exercise restraint in the face of widespread protests against the draft constitution. US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said “we continue to have deep concerns about the situation in Egypt. Our Ambassador and our other officials there are talking to all of the different stakeholders. We again call on those who are demonstrating to do so peacefully. We call on Egypt’s leaders and security forces to respect the right of peaceful express and to exercise restraint.”
She added “we want to see these issues resolved democratically, we want to see them resolved consensually, we want to see them resolved through a process of consultation, without any preconditions, that result in more national unity in Egypt, more democracy in Egypt, and a sense of belonging for all Egyptians.”