LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
May 04/12

Bible Quotation for today/Servants of God
01 Corinthians 03/10-23: "You are also God's building. Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and someone else is building on it. But each of you must be careful how you build. For God has already placed Jesus Christ as the one and only foundation, and no other foundation can be laid. Some will use gold or silver or precious stones in building on the foundation; others will use wood or grass or straw. And the quality of each person's work will be seen when the Day of Christ exposes it. For on that Day fire will reveal everyone's work; the fire will test it and show its real quality. If what was built on the foundation survives the fire, the builder will receive a reward. But if your work is burnt up, then you will lose it; but you yourself will be saved, as if you had escaped through the fire. Surely you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you! God will destroy anyone who destroys God's temple. For God's temple is holy, and you yourselves are his temple. You should not fool yourself. If any of you think that you are wise by this world's standards, you should become a fool, in order to be really wise. For what this world considers to be wisdom is nonsense in God's sight. As the scripture says, God traps the wise in their cleverness; and another scripture says, The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are worthless. No one, then, should boast about what human beings can do. Actually everything belongs to you: Paul, Apollos, and Peter; this world, life and death, the present and the future—all these are yours, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Latest analysis, editorials, studies, reports, letters & Releases from miscellaneous sources
War crimes in Syria: Talking to HRW head in Beirut Nadim Houry/Ana Maria Luca/May 03/12

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for May 03/12
Saudi Arabia warns Iran: Will not tolerate threats to Gulf state
Saudi Arabia: The world’s finest in counter-terrorism
IMF rejects call to cut ties with Iran
EU's Ashton plans Israel visit to update Netanyahu on Iran nuclear talks
Barak: Elections would not alter Iran plans
Israeli politicians scramble for posts ahead of an election date
Haaretz poll: Netanyahu the clear favorite heading to Israel's upcoming elections
Livni: We must replace Netanyahu's gov't
UNSMIS head says truce in Syria not holding
Syria committed war crimes before truce-rights group
India to cut back on Iran oil purchases
Lieberman Hopes Syrian Crisis Won’t Affect Lebanon, Slams Lack of Support for Opposition
Feltman Meets Berri, Geagea, Stresses U.S. Support of Democratic Governments in Region
Feltman: U.S. for democracy, pluralism in Arab world
Berri Meets Feltman, Informs MPs of his Rejection of Ongoing Govt. Spending Dispute
Feltman: U.S. for democracy, pluralism in Arab world
Geagea Says March 14 to Submit 'Conditional' Extra-Budgetary Spending Law
Lebanon braces for GLC strike over fuel prices
2 Dead as Families Clash with Machineguns, RPGs in Fnaideq
Report: Cabinet to Fail in Finalizing Mechanism on Expats Vote
Cabinet Delays Discussion of Public Sector Wages, Miqati Hails Arms Ship Seizure
Miqati Holds Talks with Iranian Vice President on Improving Agreements with Lebanon
Hezbollah official accuses March 14 of corruption
Lebanese Cabinet approves amending wage increase law
Hachem: Lieberman’s visit ‘suspicious, inciting’
Geagea: Hezbollah, FPM implicated in assassination bid
Feltman discusses developments with Lebanese officials
Iran to insist Lebanon implement signed deals within 3 months: sources
Nahas: Free trade with Iran possible
Arab spring slogans, family battles set by-elections’ tone
Israeli army performs contingency exercises as it builds border wall
Gulf states behind weapons ship bound for Syria, Ali says

Feltman Meets Berri, Geagea, Stresses U.S. Support of Democratic Governments in Region
Naharnet/02 May 2012/U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman held talks on Wednesday with Speaker Nabih Berri, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, Maronite Archbishop of Beirut Boulos Matar and a number of officials, a day after arriving in Beirut on a two-day visit. He expressed during his talks “the United States’ steadfast support for pluralistic and democratic governments in the region that protect the rights of all citizens, including ethnic and religious minorities,” announced the U.S. Embassy in a statement. He renewed the United States’ commitment to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon. Following talks with Feltman, Geagea said discussions tackled “the situation in the region, especially the events and developments in Syria, without discussing a specific date for the end of the crisis.”Feltman first met with Matar and left after the one-hour meeting that was attended by U.S. Ambassador Maura Connelly without making any statement. He later headed along with Connelly to Ain el-Tineh to meet with Berri. Voice of Lebanon radio station (93.3) said the U.S. official will hold talks with President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati on Thursday. Feltman and Connelly also headed to Baaqlin where they conveyed their condolences for the passing of the head of the Druze spiritual authority Sheikh Abu Mohammed Jawad Walieddine. He also visited Monsignor Mansour Labaki and toured the Kfar Sama Orphanage. Earlier on Wednesday, March 14 opposition lawmaker Butros Harb told VDL: “It is in our interest in Lebanon to be informed about the American viewpoint on the events in the region.” “We don’t live on an island and we should interact with others,” he added.But he stressed that there was no agenda for the talks between the two sides.An Nahar daily said Tuesday that the U.S. diplomat will meet with several March 14 officials over dinner at Harb’s residence. Feltman met with Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat in Clemenceau on Tuesday night. Sources close to Jumblat told the Central News Agency that the MP’s talks with Feltman tackled the local and regional political situation. They both stressed the importance of stability in Lebanon given the critical regional situation. Jumblat also addressed the Syrian crisis and the importance of maintaining the unity of its people, revealed the sources. They denied that the two officials had discussed the arms smuggling ship that was heading to Syria that was intercepted by the Lebanese navy last week.

2 Dead as Families Clash with Machineguns, RPGs in Fnaideq
Naharnet/02 May 2012/Two people were killed and five others wounded on Wednesday as a dispute between two families erupted into a full-blown armed clash in the Akkar town of Fnaideq in northern Lebanon.“Brothers Ahmed and Khaldoun al-Tarsha (aka Taleb) were killed and their father Mohammed and brother Ali were wounded in an exchange of gunfire between members from the families of Taleb and al-Kik in the Akkar town of Fnaideq,” reported state-run National News Agency.“A lady belonging to the Taleb family was also lightly injured,” NNA said.“The situation is still tense in the town, although the Lebanese army and all the security agencies have taken security measures,” the agency added.Meanwhile, LBC television reported that the two families used machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades in their fight.

Saudi Arabia warns Iran: Will not tolerate threats to Gulf state
By Reuters/The warning comes following Ahmadinejad visit to an Island claimed by both Tehran and UAE. Saudi Prince: Any harm to any of the countries touches us all. Saudi Arabia repeated on Wednesday that it would not tolerate threats to the Gulf Arab states' sovereignty, the latest warning to Iran after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to an island claimed by both Tehran and the United Arab Emirates. The warning, the third in as many weeks by a member of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comes amid increased nervousness in the region over Iran.
Shi'ite-led unrest is resurgent in Bahrain a year after the ruling Al Khalifa family brought in Saudi and UAE troops to help suppress an uprising seen by Sunni Muslim Gulf rulers as sectarian in nature and driven by Shi'ite giant Iran. "Any harm that comes across any of our countries is harm that touches us all," Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Nayef said in a speech at a meeting of GCC interior ministers in Riyadh. Nayef also condemned what he called Iran's "occupation" of the island and its role in events in Bahrain.
"We stress that Saudi Arabia and the rest of the council countries are standing in a unified line with Bahrain and the UAE to protect sovereignty and stability, considering their security a part of the council's security as a whole." Ahmadinejad made a rare visit on April 11 to Abu Musa, one of three Gulf islands also claimed by the UAE and located near oil shipping routes at the mouth of the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz. Bahrain's Formula One race last month drew fresh attention to ongoing clashes between Bahraini security forces and mostly Shi'ite protesters, although the main Shi'ite Islamist Wefaq party denies any links with Iran. Tensions with Iran have increased since the Gulf Arab countries' western allies tightened sanctions over Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program. Tehran says its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful. Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said in a speech over the weekend that Gulf Arab states are pushing ahead with plans for a political union that would involve joint foreign and defense policies, an idea floated by Saudi King Abdullah last December. After Ahmadinejad's visit to Abu Musa, some 60 km (40 miles) off the UAE coast, the Islamic Republic said its sovereignty over the three islands was not negotiable but it has also called for talks with the UAE to clear up "misunderstandings". Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, quoted by the student news agency ISNA, said Iran wanted to "have the best possible relations with the UAE, as our trade and economic relations are significant."

Barak: Elections would not alter Iran plans
Reuters/05.03.12/Ynetnews
Defense minister says use of force still an option as Washington, Europe urge restraint. Talks between powers, Iran to resume in Baghdad this month.The prospect of an imminent election in Israel will not affect its strategy for tackling Iran's nuclear program, including plans for a possible preemptive war, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Wednesday. Rifts in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition over military conscription and budget cuts have prompted parties to mobilize to bring forward the ballot to as early as September, a year ahead of schedule. That has raised questions about whether an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites - long threatened, although viewed by some Netanyahu critics as a bluff - might now be shelved due to government reluctance to send potential voters to bomb shelters.
"Elections will not affect deliberations of the professional echelon in everything regarding the Iranian issue," Barak said on his Facebook page, adding that Israel still saw military force as among "options on the table". Israel, reputed to have the region's sole atomic arsenal, has long said it would strike Iran to prevent it from getting nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful.
The United States and European Union have sharply tightened economic sanctions on Iran this year, and have called on Israel to show restraint to give the new measures a chance to bite. Washington says it too would be willing to strike Iran as a last resort, but the White House believes it is too early to give up on diplomacy.
Nuclear talks between major powers and Iran, which broke down last year, restarted in Istanbul on April 14 and are expected to continue later this month in Baghdad.
Netanyahu's national security adviser, Yaakov Amidror, was touring European capitals this week to hear arguments in favor of the six world powers' negotiations with Iran.
"We are telling him (Amidror) that we need time," a Western diplomat told Reuters, saying the goal was "verifiable compliance" by Iran with nuclear anti-proliferation safeguards.
Netanyahu and Barak have maintained a continuously hawkish stance in public towards Iran, but there are signs that the Israeli security establishment may not be keen on war.
In a rare public rebuke on Friday, Netanyahu's former internal security chief accused the prime minister and Barak of having a "messianic" policy, and of overstating their belligerence. "A barking dog doesn't bite," Yuval Diskin said. Surveys show Netanyahu's Likud party is likely to win the most seats in an election, but most Israelis would oppose going solo in an attack on Iran. Israel could be vulnerable to cross-border missile salvoes from Iran and its guerrilla allies in retaliation for any strike. Fortification drives overseen by its Civil Defense Ministry have lagged, with the current minister, Matan Vilnai, due to step down in August and no successor in sight.

Israeli politicians scramble for posts ahead of an election date
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report May 2, 2012/A bill for dissolving the Knesset was tabled by the Likud MK Zeev Elkin on behalf of the government coalition Wednesday, May 2. The presumed date is Sept. 4, 2012. But before the Israeli prime minister even had a chance to fix the date for the snap poll rushing toward Israel in the fall, politicians of many hues from a whole range of veteran, small and new parties were already staking their claims for jobs in the post-election government. Defense Minister Ehud Barak led the pack with a news conference Wednesday, announcing he would run at the head of his Independence Party (which last year split from Labor) to fill the same portfolio in the future government because he was sure Binyamin Netanyahu would never find a better candidate for the job.
With election fever rising, the defense minister had nothing to say at his news conference about the three possibilities confronting Israel on the Iranian nuclear question:
1. A deal under which the US and five world powers let Iran carry on with its nuclear program in curtailed form.
Two days earlier, Barak said he did not believe their negotiations would lead anywhere, which led to the premise that Israel faces two choices: Go to war against Iran either alone or with the United States. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz suggested the second possibility on March 26 when he spoke of “other nations” preparing with Israel to stop a nuclear Iran.
For now, the defense minister is busy with another urgent task: campaigning for his party against a host of new and old challengers. He should not find it hard to retain, or even add to, its five Knesset seats, because many centrist voters in search of the stability offered by the Netanyahu administration, who may be reluctant to cast their vote for his right-of-center Likud, would have less qualms about the highly experienced Barak, a former Labor prime minister himself, carrying on in the defense ministry where he has Netanyahu’s ear. Independence might therefore do surprisingly well.
Barak would have two obvious rivals to beat for defense: Likud Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Strategic Affairs Moshe Ya’alon, and the new opposition leader, Shaul Mofaz of Kadima, a former chief of staff and defense minister.
Ya’alon is Barak’s most dangerous rival for defense, because this post would give him a straight shot in the Likud infighting for the position of Netanyahu’s heir. Mofaz will give them both a hard fight – that is if he is invited to join the next government – because from that august position he would hope to arrest Kadima’s steady plunge in the polls and prove he can succeed where Tzipi Livni whom he ousted in the party primary failed. At least one new face is making waves: After weeks of campaigning through Facebook, the youngish former broadcaster Yair Lapid unveiled his new party, Yesh Atid (There is a Future), with a speech which recalled some of Barack Obama’s mannerisms.
Although his platform is fuzzy, he is very clear on one issue: He has no intention of “rotting on the opposition benches” of the Knesset. He is going into politics to be part of government.
Another former journalist, Shelly Yachimovitch, who too faces her first election at the head of Labor, is reported by her associates as equally determined to take her party across the aisle. The word going around is that she aspires to the job of finance minister, but dare not go public on this ambition because it might cost her the potential support of the “Social Justice” protest movement, which blossomed last summer in several Israeli towns.
Some say she is already quietly negotiating with Prime Minister Netanyahu for a cabinet post. She too is challenged: Student leader Itzkik Shuly, who made his mark last summer as a steady and balanced leader of the protest movement, is reported to be weighing joining Labor as the quickest route to a ministerial seat at the age of 32. This wold make him a spring chicken on Israel’s political scene. That is if he doesn’t get a better offer from Yair Lapid who would definitely aim to pull the rug from under Yachimovich.
This scramble for jobs is already underway before the campaigning. None of the bidders appears to doubt that Likud will win the election with roughly 30 seats (in the 120-strong Knesset) and its leader Netanyahu his third term as prime minister. They are all eager to break up the right-of-center factions’ grip on government and parliament.
When it comes to handing out jobs, therefore, Netanyahu will be hard pressed between the safe choice of leaving enough to pass around his own party and Israel Beitenu and the ultra-Orthodox Shas and Torah Judaism - the right-of center allies serving in his current government - or bring in fresh, more youthful faces and talents.
Caught on the horns of this dilemma, Netanyahu may go the modular course: Defense for Barak; social welfare portfolios for Yachimovich (Likud will keep finance) and Yair Lapid as a possible deputy prime minister, a device he has used lavishly to duck pressures by giving aspiring politicians a seat at the cabinet table and the semblance of high office - but not much to do.
However, the process is only just beginning. The campaign, the vote and the post-election bargaining for a new government are yet to come.

Saudi Arabia: The world’s finest in counter-terrorism
02/05/2012/Asharq Al-Awsat
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat – Saudi Arabia, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Crown Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz, has taken a strong and firm stance against all forms of terrorism, on both the domestic and international front. Acts of violence and terrorism on a domestic and international front have decreased, as Saudi authorities have taken action to confront terrorism domestically and condemn it in the media, whilst the international community has become convinced regarding Saudi Arabia’s efforts and expertise in combatting terrorism. Riyadh has focused many of its government agencies to protect society from the threat and evil of terrorism, detaining a large number of terrorist operatives across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has confirmed its rejection and condemnation of terrorism, regardless of its source, motivations or objectives. This can be seen in the Kingdom’s contribution and cooperation in international efforts against terrorism, financing terrorism, and its active commitment and implementation of international resolutions issued by the UN Security Council with regards to combatting terrorism. Riyadh has also effectively participated in regional and international meetings to discuss the issue of combatting terrorism, and criminalizing terrorist acts and those who support it based upon false Islamic rulings. Saudi Arabia considers such rulings to be criminal and subject to the harshest penalties; Riyadh has taken action to develop and strengthen its counter-terrorism organizations and agencies, along with all security agencies involved in counter-terrorism operations, as well as providing counter-terrorism training for all security personnel, and establishing an open line of communication between the Saudi Interior Ministry and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency [SANA] in order to facilitate cooperation and communication in combatting terrorism financing.
Actively and pre-emptively combatting terrorism
Saudi Arabia has combatted terrorism via two methods, active security operations and pre-emptive operations.
As for security operations, Saudi security authorities have achieved huge victories in dealing with acts of violence and terrorism. They succeeded after recognizing the justness of their cause and the nobility of their battle in confronting the “deviant” group, namely Al Qaeda. The Saudi authorities have clamped down on deviant ideology, detaining those espousing this, without endangering the lives of citizens who live in neighborhoods where these terrorist members are hiding. Saudi security authorities have achieved unprecedented successes in preventing terrorist acts, foiling 95 percent of all terrorist operations in the planning stages thanks to the security strategy adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has garnered international plaudits. Riyadh has also worked to address those who may not be terrorists themselves, but actively aid and abet them. These affiliates are no less dangerous than those who physically carry out the terrorist acts themselves, and Riyadh has worked to bring charges against and imprison anybody who serves in this capacity.
Saudi Arabia’s experience in combatting terrorism and uncovering terrorist operations before they can be carried out has won unprecedented international acclaim and achievements, outstripping the counter-terrorist operations of developed countries who have suffered from the blight of terrorist for decades.
From a humanitarian standpoint, and in appreciation of the sacrifices that have been made in this regard, Saudi Arabia has also focused on the security officers who are fighting this battle against terrorism on the front-lines, making sure that the family and children of slain officers are well-looked after. As for officers who are injured in the line of duty, they are also looked after and visited by government figures such as the Saudi Interior Minister and the Emir of their home governorate amongst others, in order to pay tribute to their efforts, achievements and sacrifices for the security of the homeland.
During a recent cabinet session, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz confirmed his complete confidence and trust in the Saudi security authorities and officers in all fields. King Abdullah praised the Saudi security officers’ dedication in the service of their religion, homeland and people, and their efforts – with the grace of God – in combatting terrorists and foiling terrorist operations.
The Saudi Interior Ministry has also strived to raise the morale of the security apparatus that defends the homeland from the blight of terrorism by providing material and moral support. The families of security officers killed or injured in the line of duty are provided with everything they could need, not to mention families of victims who lose their lives in terrorist incidents or counter-terrorist operations.
Religious scholars and the general public have also contributed to combatting terrorism by providing moral support and encouragement to the security forces, whilst also condemning terrorists and terrorist act. These religious scholars and the general public express their support that the Saudi security apparatus is protecting the nation, foiling terrorist plots and pursuing those who would target national security.
As for pre-emptive operations, Saudi Arabia has carried out a number of initiatives in this regard to clamp down on extremist ideology and prevent terrorist operations. The most important such initiative was the one-month amnesty announced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz for all Al Qaeda members who surrender themselves to the authorities in the allotted time-period. The Saudi monarch pledged that anybody who surrendered themselves to the Saudi authorities in the allotted time-period would be treated in accordance with Islamic Sharia law.
A large number of those who hold “deviant” ideology that surrendered themselves to the authorities benefited from this amnesty, including figures that were present outside of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Combatting ideology with ideology
Saudi Arabia has adopted a unique approach to treating the extremist ideology that is held by certain Saudi citizens, namely by combatting ideology with ideology. The Saudi ministries of Interior, Culture, Information, Islamic Affairs, Endowment and Dawa and Education have all worked jointly in this regard to combat extremist ideology. The Saudi Interior Ministry established the Munasha rehabilitation initiative, which is made-up of intellectuals, scholars and religious figures, with the objective of correcting misconceptions and misinformation believed by those who had been detained on terrorism charges, informing them of the correct teachings of Islam, and ultimately rehabilitating their extremist views. This takes place at the Prince Muhammad Bin Naif Care Rehabilitation Center, which is a facility that helps re-integrate former jihadists into mainstream culture, explaining and eliminating their misinformed hardline views and providing them with correct Islamic teachings. This Center is staffed by Islamic Sharia law scholars, sociologists, psychologists, and other experts; whose main objective is to correct the misconceptions and wrong beliefs held by those who hold “deviant” ideology. This process is based upon open dialogue and transparency; the majority of those who attend this facility or go through the Munasha program renounce their former beliefs and convictions.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has established a comprehensive approach in dealing with the threat of terrorism which focuses on refuting terrorist ideology, arresting those who espouse and promote such views, whilst also clamping down on those who fund and finance terrorism, attempting to prevent recruitment and radicalization of Saudi youth. As for terrorist cells, Saudi security apparatus work hard to uncover and eliminate any and all terrorist cells and networks, whilst all those who are arrested go through the rehabilitation program in order to correct their misinformed views.
Perhaps the most noticeable achievement in this context is the sharp decline of those who hold the takfirist ideological doctrine, as well as the sharp decline in the issuance of religious fatwas that can be used by terrorist groups to justify their crimes. Indeed many sheikhs and clerics have come out to retract their fatwas in this regard, admitting that they were wrong and repenting their former views.
Saudi Arabia, in coordination with the International Institute of Counter-Terrorism, established a joint-campaign to combat terrorism in various regions of the country, in which all Saudi security apparatus and education departments participated. This campaign aimed to increase public awareness about the threat of terrorism and facilitate cooperation amongst different segments of Saudi society to combat terrorism and strengthen national belonging and defense of the homeland against extremism.
A set of regulations, instructions and rules were issued with regards to the use of the internet, with the objective of combatting online crimes and cyber terrorism, in addition to organizing training sessions on how to combat computer crimes.
In addition to this, Saudi Arabia also works to cooperate with families of fugitives linked to terrorist operations, ensuring that they are not held responsible for the crimes of their wanted family-member. The state has also worked hard to place a stranglehold on terrorism financing by reorganizing how charitable and fund-raising organizations operate in the country, as these could be exploited for non-legitimate means. Riyadh established a supervisory body to monitor and regulate all charitable organizations and work, with the objective of organizing the charity sector in Saudi Arabia, and ensuring that people with evil intentions and objectives are not allowed to exploit charitable or humanitarian organizations.
International community engagement
The achievements that have been made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in combatting terrorism, not to mention the security victories secured by the Saudi security apparatus in thwarting terrorist plots, have been the subject of international praise and acclaim. Saudi Arabia continues to lead the way in counter-terrorism, and stands with all peace-loving countries in the fight to root out and eradicate the evils of terrorism. Riyadh has called for the international community to adopt comprehensive framework to combat terrorism, safeguarding the lives of the innocent, not to mention preserving national security, stability and sovereignty. The 2005 Counter-Terrorism International Conference was held in Riyadh, and demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s relentless efforts to combat and eradicate the blight of terrorism, particularly as Saudi Arabia believes that effective counter-terrorism can only occur with strong international cooperation.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia exerted great effort to ensure that the Counter-Terrorism International Conference was a success, and the 2005 conference’s closing statement – called the Riyadh Declaration – has served as a rallying call against terrorism. This closing statement stressed that terrorism represents an ongoing threat to international peace, security and stability, and that there is no justification or excuse for terrorist acts whatever the circumstance or motives.
The Riyadh Declaration stressed the importance of promoting the concept of tolerance, dialogue, pluralism, mutual understanding and rapprochement between different peoples and cultures, whilst rejecting the logic of the clash of civilizations and all ideologies that promote hatred and violence and condone terrorist crimes as something that is unacceptable to all religions and laws.
This Riyadh Declaration also asserted that terrorism is not tied to any specific religion, race, nationality or geographic region; rather this represents a threat to the entire world which can only be combatted with mutual understanding and cooperation based upon shared values and inter-faith dialogue.
It also confirmed commitment to UN resolutions relating to counter-terrorism, whilst calling on the international community to promote counter-terrorism in all fields and by all means, in accordance with the UN Charter, particularly as terrorism represents a threat to global peace and stability.
Saudi Arabia confirmed its condemnation of all forms and manifestations of terrorism, as well as its commitment to its ongoing national campaign to combat terrorism and extremist ideology in Geneva in March 2009. Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to achieve success in combatting terrorism by way of stimulating dialogue via conferences, summits and workshops, promoting a true understanding of the Islamic religion. Riyadh has also supported regional and international initiatives in this regard. The Saudi experience has been used as a template to establish initiatives which promote dialogue, and a number of countries have benefited from this. However Riyadh has also expressed its commitment to fight against terrorism in all its forms by whatever means available, as well as its support to the international community in combatting this scourge.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz has also thrown his backing behind the Madrid Declaration, which was issued by the 2009 World Conference on Dialogue, organized by the Muslim World League. Saudi Arabia expressed its commitment to achieving worldwide justice, security and peace, seeking to strengthen mutual understanding and coexistence between different peoples of the world, despite differences in religion, race, language and culture. This declaration called for spreading virtue, wisdom and mutual understanding, whilst rejecting extremism and terrorism.
The 2009 World Conference on Dialogue invoked the disasters that mankind has suffered through and survived throughout the twentieth century, stressing that terrorism is one of the most prominent obstacles to dialogue and coexistence. Terrorism was described as an international phenomenon that requires joint-international effort to confront and combat, via a serious international agreement that first defines what terrorism is, addresses its root causes, and achieves international justice and stability by combatting this terrible phenomenon.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed the Arab anti-terrorism agreement during a meeting of Arab foreign and justice ministers on 22 April 1998. This remains the most prominent counter-terrorism security agreement to have been signed in the Arab arena, whilst it also set a world precedent with regards the establishment of a regional counter-terrorist agreement.
Saudi Arabia also signed the Organization of the Islamic Conference [OIC] convention on combatting international terrorism on 7 May 2000. Saudi Arabia was the first OIC member-state to sign this convention. Riyadh is also a signatory of the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] agreement on counter-terrorism.
Ideological security
The Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz Chair for Intellectual Security at the King Saud University was established to promote and integrate the efforts of various agencies and authorities to address dangerous ideologies and prevent ideologies that do not exist in Islamic culture or religion from being promoted, either out of misinformed or for ulterior motives.
Since its inception, the Prince Naif Chair for Intellectual Security, has succeed in this regard and has been described as one of the most important and influential research bodies at the domestic or regional level, thanks to the activities and events it hosts which are attended by a large number of those interested in ideological and intellectual security issues, whilst many Saudi citizens have also benefited from this.
This has also contributed to promoting a culture of intellectual and ideological security, and promoting this on a broad-scale, whilst also aiding scientific research in the promotion and consolidation of correct ideology and behaviour, strengthening Saudi society against deviant ideology and behaviour. The Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz Chair for Intellectual Security has organized a large number of lectures, workshops, training sessions and seminars to promote intellectual and ideological security and condemn terrorism and extremist ideology.
At the level of legislation and the judiciary, Saudi Arabia established a special court to deal with national security and terrorism cases, named the Special Criminal Court which is based in Riyadh. In addition to this, the Saudi Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution established a specialist department to deal with national security cases in order to ensure that legal defendants in such cases are given all their legal rights, including the right to a fair trial, the right to defend themselves in court, as well as compensation for those who are found innocent.
The Prince Naif University for Security Sciences has also worked hard to organize seminars to address terrorist ideology and combat terrorist recruitment of youth, as well as identity the methods is used to promote such ideology. This has served to raise awareness to the threat that such ideology represents, particularly to the youth. The Prince Naif University for Security Sciences has exerted effort researching the best means to combat deviant and terrorist ideology, promoting intellectual, sociological and psychological means of addressing this. In addition, the university has researched the role and guidance that family and the media can play in combatting ideological deviation, as well as social methods of combatting terrorism and the Saudi experience and expertise in this regard, not to mention what makes such deviant ideology attractive to certain segments of society and the psychological characteristics of those who may be taken in by such ideology.
Since September 11, 2001, Saudi Arabia has questioned more than 1,500 individuals, arresting hundreds of suspects and succeeded in practically eliminating terrorism from Saudi soil. The Kingdom has also audited its charitable organizations, enacting strict financial measures to ensure that terrorists cannot take advantage of the generosity of Saudi citizens. Saudi Arabia today is the home of some of the toughest counter-terrorism laws and regulations in the world.

War crimes in Syria /Talking to HRW head in Beirut Nadim Houry
Ana Maria Luca, May 2, 2012
Group executions, 95 civilians killed—three of them children—women who found their husbands and sons’ bodies lying in the streets, hundreds of political detainees, people vanishing into thin air, destroyed towns. All after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed to UN envoy Kofi Annan that the Syrian army would stop targeting civilians and agreed to implement a six-point peace plan.
A new Human Rights Watch report released today reveals accounts based on a field investigation conducted the towns of Taftanaz, Saraqeb, Sarmeen, Kelly and Hazano in the Idlib governorate in late March and the beginning of April. The researchers managed to find their way into Idlib and document first-hand the humanitarian situation and the human rights abuses committed by the government forces against civilians. HRW also called on the UN Security Council to ensure accountability for these crimes by referring the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.
NOW Lebanon spoke with Nadim Houry, HRW’s head of office in Beirut, to discuss the report and how it can impact the international community’s approach on Syria.
This is not the first report on Syria that HRW releases.Houry: This is probably the fifth. The first one was on Daraa, we also released one on Homs, then we also wrote one on the command and the orders they were receiving. We released a report on executions, called “In Cold Blood,” and we just released this one.
What makes this one different from the previous ones?
Houry: Each report has looked at different things and different areas. Even in some cases we documented similar patterns. This latest report I think is different because we had researchers on the ground. Another point to highlight is that these killings took place while at the same time there were very active negotiations for a ceasefire and there were serious commitments that the ceasefire would be enacted. At the same time we were seeing the Syrian army rushing from town to town. We could see it very clearly: They spent two days in one town and then moved to another town for another two to three days, leaving a trail of destruction behind, trying to crush the opposition, including the armed opposition in these towns, before enacting the ceasefire.
How did the researchers get in, and why did they choose Idlib?
Houry: Because it’s easier to get in. I can’t talk too much about how they made it there. But I think that Idlib was chosen because it was most affected. It is not the only one, but it is one of the areas that has been most affected over the last two months. It is also an area where we know there have been serious violations committed, and we had already reported on them around the city of Idlib, and we wanted to investigate what happened after the Syrian army had actually moved north from Idlib city to these towns. We also had a network of activists and refugees we had talked to [whom we had met] in Turkey. We felt it was important to go investigate these claims on the ground, where they happened.
Were the researchers in any danger while documenting for the report?
Houry: There is always a risk in going in places like Syria, and that risk is mostly posed by the fact that the Syrian government has been targeting activists, local and international, who are trying to document and spread information. We have seen what has been happening to many Syrian activists who have been filming the protests. Of course there is risk. We approached the mission with great care; we planned it very carefully, not just because there is a risk for HRW staff but for anyone who helps HRW staff. We tried to take all the precautions and work in a way that minimizes the risks. Unfortunately, there is always a risk, and this is why one of our key demands has been and will be—we have written to the Syrian government multiple times—access for human rights groups.
And the answer was?
Houry: We haven’t gotten an answer. Ultimately, if the Syrian government wants to be taken seriously in front of the international forums, it will have to start allowing human rights groups, the UN commission of inquiry, journalists to go in and work unhindered.
The report recommends the UN Security Council refer the case of the towns in Idlib to the International Criminal Court. Is there enough proof for a prosecutor to build a case?
Houry: We feel very strong that there is evidence to prosecute crimes against humanity and even war crimes. The difference is that war crimes take place in an armed conflict. It is not just international NGOs that have documented crimes against humanity. The two reports of the UN commission assigned by the Human Rights Council to investigate human rights violations in Syria also came to the conclusion that there is evidence of crimes against humanity. Ultimately, after more than 9,000 people have been killed, after systematic and rampant torture, after numerous cases of executions, I think it’s clear that there is enough evidence to refer the case to the ICC. I think there are enough indications that these violations deserve a trial.
This article was edited for length