LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS
BULLETIN
May 21/12
Bible Quotation for today/The
Peaceful Kingdom
Isaiah 11/01-09: " The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut
down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new king will arise
from among David's descendants.
The spirit of the Lord will give him wisdom and the knowledge and skill to rule
his people. He will know the Lord's will and honor him, and find pleasure in
obeying him. He will not judge by appearance or hearsay; he will judge the
poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless. At his command the people
will be punished, and evil persons will die. He will rule his people with
justice and integrity. Wolves and sheep will live together in peace, and
leopards will lie down with young goats. Calves and lion cubs will feed
together, and little children will take care of them. Cows and bears will eat
together, and their calves and cubs will lie down in peace. Lions will eat straw
as cattle do. Even a baby will not be harmed if it plays near a poisonous
snake.
On Zion, God's sacred hill, there will be nothing harmful or evil. The land will
be as full of knowledge of the Lord as the seas are full of water.
Latest analysis, editorials, studies,
reports, letters & Releases from miscellaneous sources
Lebanon’s Policewomen/By:
Nadine Elali,/Now Lebanon/ May 20,/12
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for
May 20/12
Lebanese
Army kills Sunni cleric at North Lebanon checkpoint
Mikati: Disciplinary, criminal procedure to be applied
in Abdel Wahed case
Akkar mufti: Murder of sheikh aims to confuse Lebanese
Saqr begins investigation into Abdel Wahed’s murder
Grand Mufti condemns death of Shiekh of Abdel Wahid
LF condemns murder of Abdel Wahed, bodyguard
Sleiman “disappointed” by Halba incident
Hariri tells Akkar residents not to be dragged into
strife
Siniora warns of confrontation between Lebanese
people, army
Jumblatt warns Lebanese of falling into Syrian traps
LBC: Halba residents blame army for Abdel Wahid’s
death
Daher: Akkar incident ‘deliberate assassination’
Media Against Violence condemns Abdel Wahed’s murder
Akkar sheikhs threateh to establishing “Free Lebanese
Army”
Druze sheikh condemns murder of Sunni cleric
Hariri, Jumblatt discuss Akkar situation
Berri discusses Abdel Wahed’s death with grand mufti
Future Movement to participate in Monday’s general
strike
Future bloc MP calls on Kahwaji to resign
Minnieh sheikhs: Murder of Abdel Wahed harms army
reputation
Hariri, Gemayel discuss Sheikh Abdel Wahed murder
FPM voices support for Lebanese army
Aswad: Future Movement, Salafis aim “to harm” military
institution
Daher: No confidence in Lebanese army
Diab denies reports schools, universities to close on
Monday
Protesters close roads in Zahle, Bekaa Valley
Protesters over sheikh’s murder block roads in Beirut
International road in Bekaa reopened
Daher: Halba rally called for by residents, not Future
Movement
Wahhab: Lebanon ruled by group of ‘cowards’
Gemayel calls for immediately trying Islamist
detainees
Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya denounces killing of Shiekh Abdel
Wahid
Hobeich says there is “a lot” of tension in Akkar
Tripoli figures call for transferring sheikh’s murder
investigation to Justice Council
Protesters block Al-Marj road again
Rai “disappointed” by murder of Sunni cleric
Israel to Hizbullah: Next Time We Fight to Win
Obama at G8:
We are united on Iran
Sheikh killed at army checkpoint
in Akkar
May 20, 2012 /Army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Ahmad Abdel Wahed and his
bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein Merheb, when his convoy failed to stop at a
checkpoint in North Lebanon. (NOW Lebanon) The National News Agency reported on
Sunday that an “armed convoy” carrying Lebanese citizen Shiekh Ahmad Abdel Wahid
to the northern Lebanese town of Halba to participate in a rally refused to stop
at a Lebanese army checkpoint in Akkar. The report added that the Lebanese army
opened fire when the convoy failed to stop, which led to the death of Sheikh
Abdel Wahid and a bodyguard identified as Mohammad Hussein Merheb, both from the
town of Al-Beri. The Lebanese army later issued a statement saying a
“tragic incident” took place at an army checkpoint in the northern Lebanese
village of Koueikhat in Akkar during which Abdel Wahid and his bodyguard were
shot and killed. The army offered its condolences to the families of the victims
and said that it immediately formed a committee comprised of high-ranking
military officers to investigate the incident. MTV earlier cited an unnamed
security source as saying that shots were fired at the Lebanese army, but that
the army did not open fire on Abdel Wahid. Two separate rallies are
expected to take place today in Halba to commemorate those who were killed
during the May 7, 2008 clashes.
One rally was organized by the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), and the
other by families of some people who were allegedly killed by SSNP members.
-NOW Lebanon
Lebanese Army kills Sunni
cleric at North Lebanon checkpoint
May 20, 2012 /Army troops shot dead a Sunni cleric on Sunday when his convoy
failed to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes
linked to the uprising in Syria, a security official said. He told AFP that
another religious figure in the car of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed, known for his
support of the anti-regime uprising in neighbouring Syria, was also killed.
The Lebanese National News Agency identified the man accompanying Abdel Wahed as
Mohammad Hussein Merheb. Abdel Wahed's convoy failed to stop at a
checkpoint in Koueikhat town, in the Akkar region. The incident took place
following a week of intermittent clashes in the northern port city of Tripoli
between Sunnis hostile to the Syrian regime and Alawites who support President
Bashar al-Assad. The clashes in Lebanon's second largest city left 10 people
dead. Prime Minister Najib Miqati appealed for calm in the wake of the cleric's
killing, as the army said it "deplored... the regrettable incident that took
place near a checkpoint" and that it had opened an investigation. Local
residents set fire to tyres to cut off several roads in northern Lebanon in
protest, including a road leading to Syria.
"We will not allow ourselves to be targeted like this," warned Khaled al-Daher,
a Sunni MP and member of the anti-Assad opposition in Lebanon, accusing the army
of "targeting" the cleric.
Daher also called on television for the fall of the Lebanese government,
branding it "a collaborator government for Syria and Iran." However, Lebanese
opposition chief Saad al-Hariri called on "residents of Akkar to remain calm,
and not to fall into the trap of igniting sectarian tensions." Hariri's March 14
movement will push to ensure that those who killed the cleric "and those who
ordered the killing" are held accountable, he said in a statement. Some Lebanese
Sunnis have accused the Lebanese army of toeing the Syrian regime's line.
Following the clashes in Tripoli, Miqati expressed concern that the Syrian
crisis may spill over into Lebanon, where tensions have been exacerbated by the
15-month revolt.
Lebanese politics is divided into pro-and anti-Damascus camps.
-AFP/NOW Lebanon
Grand Mufti condemns death of Shiekh of Abdel Wahid
May 20, 2012 /Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic Sheikh Mohammad Rashid
Qabbani said on Sunday that the death of Shiekh Ahmad Abdel Wahid at a Lebanese
army checkpoint in North Lebanon’s Akkar “was surprising and contemptible.” He
also called for launching an investigation into the incident as soon as
possible, according to a press statement. Mufti Qabbani also said that Dar al-
Fatwa will close its doors for three days to mourn the death of Shiekh Abdel
Wahid. -NOW Lebanon
Saqr begins investigation into Abdel Wahed’s murder
May 20, 2012 /Government Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr
began interrogating the army members who were present at the check point where
Sunni cleric Ahmad Abdel Wahed was killed, the army command said in a statement
on Sunday. “Saqr headed to North [Lebanon] where he checked the scene of the
incident and looked at the evidence. He also began investigation alongside army
members [who were present at the checkpoint] in order to reveal the
circumstances of the incident and employ the [appropriate] legal procedure,” the
statement added.
Army troops shot dead Sheikh Abdel Wahed on Sunday when his convoy failed to
stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to the
uprising in Syria, a security official said according to AFP. The sheikh’s
bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein Merheb, was also killed.-NOW Lebanon
Sleiman “disappointed” by Halba incident
May 20, 2012 /President Michel Sleiman voiced his disappointment over the Halba
incident which led to the death of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard,
Mohammad Hussein Merheb, the National News Agency reported on Sunday. “Sleiman
voiced his deep sadness over their loss,” the report said, adding that he also
commended the “national role of the army.”Sleiman also said that he was
“reassured” that the Lebanese army established an investigation commission to
reveal the circumstances of the incident and take the appropriate measures as
soon as possible.
The report added that the president followed up with the situation in Akkar and
contacted political and security officials to voice the importance of
maintaining calm and avoiding “deterioration of the security [status].” Army
troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed on Sunday when his convoy failed to
stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to the
uprising in Syria, a security official said according to AFP. The sheikh’s
bodyguard was also killed.-NOW Lebanon
Hariri tells Akkar residents not to be dragged into strife
May 20, 2012 /Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri condemned the killing of
Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahid and his bodyguard and called on Akkar residents to not
allow themselves to be dragged into strife.“I call on Akkar residents to
maintain calm and not [allow themselves to be] dragged into the trap [that aims
to cause] strife,” Hariri said in a statement issued by his press office.
Hariri also said that the Future Movement and the Future bloc will not stop
calling for holding accountable “the [army] members who opened fire and the
[members] who gave orders to open fire.”
The former premier said that he did not hold the entire army responsible for the
“murder,” adding, however, that there were “some [members] involved in the
[murder] and who aim to [use] the [military] institution to import the crisis of
the Syrian regime to Lebanon.”Hariri also warned that there was a “scheme”
aiming to harm Lebanese areas by “causing problems in them” that serve the
Syrian regime and “its tools,” and called on Akkar residents to not be dragged
into “reactions that transfer chaos to their city.”The former premier also
commended Abdel Wahid saying he “was known for his patriotism and his
[positions] supporting what is rightful. This was shown [through] his stance
[calling] for justice in the [case] of former premier Rafik Hariri as well his
stance standing by the Syrian people in their struggle against the [Syrian]
regime.”The statement also said that Hariri contacted Abdel Wahid’s family and
offered his condolences, adding that he also contacted President Michel Sleiman
and Lebanese army commander General Jean Kahwaji and called for an “immediate
investigation” into the murder of Abdel Wahid.The NNA reported earlier on Sunday
that an “armed convoy” carrying Abdel Wahid to the northern Lebanese town of
Halba to participate in a rally refused to stop at a Lebanese army checkpoint in
Akkar. According to the report, the Lebanese army opened fire when the convoy
failed to stop, which led to the death of Abdel Wahid and a bodyguard identified
as Mohammad Hussein Merheb, both from the town of Al-Beri.-NOW Lebanon
Siniora warns of
confrontation between Lebanese people, army
May 20, 2012 /Future bloc leader MP Fouad Siniora said on Sunday that there was
a conspiracy aimed to drag Lebanese people into a confrontation with the army.
“[Last week], Lebanese citizen Shadi al-Mawlawi was arrested in Tripoli to
[cause problems] in the city. Today, Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed was killed at a
Lebanese army checkpoint. This is a strife that we will not be dragged into,”
Siniora said in a statement. “Conspirators are trying to drag the residents into
a confrontation with the army which is supposed to protect the [residents],”
Siniora, who condemned the murder of Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard, added. He
also said that the incident’s circumstances should be “revealed as soon as
possible,” adding that “Sheikh Ahmad’s blood will not be wasted.”“We must know
who stands behind the crime, who planned it and who gave the orders [to open
fire at the sheikh] because what happened makes us suspicious that there is
someone [planning something] evil for Lebanon,” the former premier said and
called for a “quick and immediate investigation.”“[We] completely trust the army
and [we] therefore have to support it more than before because the army and its
role are targeted [in order] to [eventually harm] the state and the country,”
Siniora added.Army troops shot dead Abdel Wahed on Sunday when his convoy failed
to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to
the uprising in Syria, a security official said according to AFP. -NOW Lebanon
Daher holds army command responsible for sheikh’s murder
May 20, 2012 /Future bloc MP Khaled al-Daher held the Lebanese army command, the
cabinet and Prime Minister Najib Mikati responsible for the murder of Sheikh
Ahmad Abdel Wahed.
“The army command, the cabinet and [Mikati] are responsible… because they are
not protecting Lebanon,” the National News Agency quoted Daher as saying.
“We were expecting gunfire from the Syrian Social Nationalist Party not from the
Lebanese army,” he said, and calling for “a quick investigation” into the murder
of Abdel Wahed and for “severely punishing” the perpetrators.“They did not open
fire in the air to warn [the sheikh’s convoy], and they did not shoot at legs.
Sheikh Ahmad was [shot] in the neck.”
Meanwhile, Future bloc MP Mohammad Kabbara said the army command should “quickly
answer” as to who made the decision to open fire on Sheikh Abdel Wahed.
The NNA reported earlier on Sunday that an “armed convoy” carrying Abdel Wahed
to the northern Lebanese town of Halba to participate in a rally refused to stop
at a Lebanese army checkpoint in Akkar. According to the report, the Lebanese
army opened fire when the convoy failed to stop, which led to the death of Abdel
Wahed and a bodyguard identified as Mohammad Hussein Merheb, both from the town
of Al-Beri.-NOW Lebanon
Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya denounces killing of Shiekh Abdel Wahid
May 20, 2012 /Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya on Sunday condemned the shooting which led to
the death of Shiekh Ahmad Abdel Wahid at a Lebanese army checkpoint in North
Lebanon’s Akkar.
The Islamist group also rejected in an issued statement the “daring to open
fire, especially on religious men.” Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya also called on the
Lebanese army to immediately open a “fair” investigation into the incident.The
National News Agency reported that an “armed convoy” carrying Lebanese citizen
Shiekh Ahmad Abdel Wahid to the northern Lebanese town of Halba to participate
in a rally refused to stop at a Lebanese army checkpoint in Akkar.The report
added that the Lebanese army opened fire when the convoy failed to stop, which
led to the death of Sheikh Abdel Wahid and a bodyguard identified as Mohammad
Hussein Merheb, both from the town of Al-Beri.-NOW Lebanon
LF condemns murder of Abdel Wahed, bodyguard
May 20, 2012 /The Lebanese Forces in Akkar condemned the murder of Sheikh Ahmad
Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard Mohammad Hussein Merheb and warned of a conspiracy
aiming to cause strife, the National News Agency reported on Sunday.“[We] warn
Akkar residents against being dragged into a conspiracy aiming to incite
strife,” the LF said. It also called on the Lebanese relevant institutions to
bear their responsibilities and launch an investigation into the murder of Abdel
Wahed. Army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed on Sunday when his convoy
failed to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes
linked to the uprising in Syria, a security official said according to AFP. The
sheikh’s bodyguard, Merheb, was also killed.-NOW Lebanon
Mikati: Disciplinary,
criminal procedure to be applied in Abdel Wahed case
May 20, 2012 /Prime Minister Najib Mikati chaired a ministerial and security
meeting at the Grand Serail on Sunday following the murder of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel
Wahed and his bodyguard and said the cabinet was committed to addressing the
issue via a “disciplinary and criminal procedure.”“What is [very] painful is
that a force from the Lebanese army [was involved] in this incident, which
[happened under] unfortunate circumstances that must be clarified through the
investigation that the relevant judicial military [body] is handling,” Mikati
said.
He added that the relevant judicial military body handling the investigation
will take the “appropriate measures against those who will be proven to have
been involved [in the incident],” the premier added.
He also said that Akkar residents “cannot consider the Lebanese army as their
rival,” adding that the army as well “cannot deal with its sons in Akkar in a
hostile [manner] because it was concerned with their stability and
security.”“Lebanese security bodies cannot be working against a [certain]
Lebanese party or implementing the will of [a certain party]. If some mistakes
happen when security operations are being conducted, the judiciary will [address
them].”Mikati also said that “targeting security bodies through political
campaigns yields negative results.”
“I call on my brothers in Akkar and Tripoli to not allow Lebanon’s enemies to
achieve their goals [to harm Lebanon], and I confirm to them that the cabinet
and I will pursue the investigation [of Abdel Wahed’s murder] until the end.”The
premier also called for reopening roads that some residents had blocked in some
northern areas. Mikati also said that any calls for a foreign army to enter
Lebanon were “totally rejected,” adding that he also rejected statements against
the entry of the Lebanese army to certain areas.
Army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed on Sunday when his convoy failed
to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to
the uprising in Syria, a security official said according to AFP. The sheikh’s
bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein Merheb, was also killed. -NOW Lebanon
Jumblatt warns Lebanese of
falling into Syrian traps
May 20, 2012 /Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt condemned the
murder of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed and called on Akkar residents to not fall
into traps being set by the Syrian regime.“During a phone conversation with
[Future Movement leader MP] Saad Hariri, Jumblatt condemned the murder of Abdel
Wahed and his bodyguard,” a statement issued by the PSP’s press office said.The
PSP leader also called on Akkar residents to be responsible regarding the
incident of Abdel Wahed’s murder and called on them not “to fall into traps set
by the Syrian regime.”
He also called for launching an “immediate investigation” to punish the
perpetrators.Army troops shot dead Abdel Wahed, on Sunday when his convoy failed
to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to
the uprising in Syria, a security official said according to AFP. The sheikh’s
bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein Merheb, was also killed.
-NOW Lebanon
Akkar mufti: Murder of sheikh aims to confuse Lebanese
May 20, 2012 /Akkar’s Sunni Mufti, Sheikh Osama Rifai, said on Sunday that the
incident in which Sheik Ahmad Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard Mohammad Hussein
Merheb were killed aimed to confuse the Lebanese.“The incident [seeks] to
confuse Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the Lebanese arena,” Rifai told Future
News television station.Rifai also said that Akkar officials were trying to
control the situation, adding that it was unacceptable to reach settlements at
the expense of people’s interests.Following the murder of Abdel Wahed and Merheb
protesters blocked many roads in Beirut, Tripoli, Akkar and other Lebanese
regions.According to AFP, a security official said army troops shot dead Sunni
cleric Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard, when his convoy failed to stop at a
checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to the uprising
in Syria.-NOW Lebanon
Daher: No confidence in
Lebanese army
May 20, 2012 /Future bloc MP Khaled al-Daher said on Sunday that he had no
confidence in the Lebanese army. “There is no confidence in the Lebanese army
after today,” Daher told Future News television after Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed
and his bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein Merhed, were killed. “We, in Akkar, will
only [embrace] honorable officers concerned about their people, not officers who
serve the Syrian regime and work against Lebanon’s interest,” he added. “If the
army command does not act responsibly, the situation will get out of our control
as the people in Akkar [have] a lot of resentment.” According to AFP, a security
official said army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard,
when his convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of
deadly clashes linked to the uprising in Syria.-NOW Lebanon
Hariri, Gemayel discuss Sheikh Abdel Wahed murder
May 20, 2012 /Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri called Kataeb Party leader
Amin Gemayel on Sunday to discuss the murder of Sheikh Ahmed Abdel Wahed and his
bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein Merheb, according to a statement issued by Hariri’s
press office.“Hariri contacted Gemayel to discuss the efforts made to thwart
attempts seeking to incite strife in Lebanon,” the statement added.
According to AFP, a security official said army troops shot dead Sunni cleric
Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard, when his convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint in
North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to the uprising in Syria.-NOW
Lebanon
Minnieh sheikhs: Murder of Abdel Wahed harms army reputation
May 20, 2012 /Minnieh sheikhs and political figures said on Sunday that the
incident in which Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard Mohammad Hussein
Merheb were killed harmed the army’s reputation, the National News Agency
reported.“This is a very dangerous incident, and it harms the army’s reputation
and its relation with citizens in the North,” they said following a meeting on
Sunday at Future bloc MP Kazem al-Kheir’s residence in Minnieh, and called for
considering Monday a day “of national mourning.” They also offered their
condolences for the death of Abdel Wahed and Merheb and called for an “immediate
investigation to reveal the circumstances of the incident by transferring the
case file to the military judiciary and punishing those who gave the order [to
open fire] and commit the crime.”The participants also called on Lebanese people
“to be patient and prevent the [implementation] of the conspiracy planned by the
Syrian regime and its regional allies.”
According to AFP, a security official said army troops shot dead Sunni cleric
Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard, when his convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint in
North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to the uprising in Syria.-NOW
Lebanon
Future Movement to participate in Monday’s general strike
May 20, 2012 /The Future Movement announced on Sunday that it will participate
in the general strike that Akkar Sunni clerics called for on Monday to protest
the murder of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein
Merheb.“[We] call on our supporters to strike in a peaceful manner,” the
movement said in a statement.The movement also condemned the blocking of roads
in Beirut and said that these actions were “suspicious” and done by “groups,
which serve as tools of the Syrian regime.”It also said that the cabinet must
assume its responsibility to protect citizens, adding that the government must
“strike those tampering with the country’s security with an iron fist.”Following
the murder of Abdel Wahed and Merheb protesters blocked many roads in Beirut,
Tripoli, Akkar and other Lebanese regions.According to AFP, a security official
said army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard, when his
convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly
clashes linked to the uprising in Syria.-NOW Lebanon
Protesters block Al-Marj road
again
May 20, 2012 /Protesters blocked the Al-Marj-Jib Jenin road in Western Bekaa
with burning tires, the National News Agency reported on Sunday. Earlier on
Sunday, protesters blocked the international road of Al-Marj but it was reopened
hours later.Protesters blocked roads in Beirut, Tripoli, Akkar and other
Lebanese areas to protest the murder of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed and his
bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein Merheb. According to AFP, a security official said
army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard, when his
convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly
clashes linked to the uprising in Syria.-NOW Lebanon
Tripoli figures call for
transferring sheikh’s murder investigation to Justice Council
May 20, 2012 /Political and Islamic figures held a meeting in Tripoli and called
on the cabinet to transfer the investigation file into the murder of Sheikh
Ahmad Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard to the Justice Council, the National News
Agency reported on Sunday. “The participants call on the cabinet to immediately
transfer the investigation file to the Justice Council considering that the
assassination [may have aimed to cause strife],” a statement read by Future bloc
MP Mohammad Kabbara said. They also called on the cabinet to own up to its
responsibilities and prevent strife, as well as work hard to hold accountable
those behind Abdel Wahed’s murder. “The task of security forces is to [maintain]
people’s security, not kill and humiliate people.”According to the NNA, the
meeting was held at Kabbara’s Tripoli residence, and it was attended by State
Minister Ahmad Karami and Ahmad Safadi, a representative of Finance Minister
Mohammad Safadi, as well as Future bloc MPs and religious figures. According to
AFP, a security official said army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed and
his bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein Merheb, when his convoy failed to stop at a
checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to the uprising
in Syria.-NOW Lebanon
Rai “disappointed” by murder of Sunni cleric
May 20, 2012 /Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai voiced his
disappointment over the murder of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard,
Mohammad Hussein Merheb, and called on the Lebanese people to resolve issues
through dialogue.“[I] call on the Lebanese people to control themselves and
resolve issues calmly, through dialogue, not violence,” Rai, who is currently in
the United States, said.Rai offered condolences to the families of Abdel Wahed
and Merheb and also voiced hope that security prevailed in Lebanon.
According to AFP, a security official said army troops shot dead Sunni cleric
Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard, when his convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint in
North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to the uprising in Syria.-NOW
Lebanon
Diab denies reports schools, universities to close on Monday
May 20, 2012 /Education Minister Hassan Diab denied media reports according to
which he had announced that classes were suspended in schools and universities
on Monday, Al-Jadeed television reported.Tension spread in several Lebanese
areas following the murder of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard
Mohammad Hussein Merheb and protesters blocked roads in Tripoli, Akkar and
Beirut.According to AFP, a security official said army troops shot dead Sunni
cleric Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard, when his convoy failed to stop at a
checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to the uprising
in Syria.-NOW Lebanon
Protesters close roads in Zahle, Bekaa Valley
May 20, 2012/The National News Agency reported on Sunday that protesters closed
the Deir Zaynoun-Al-Faour road in the eastern city of Zahle using burning
tires.Meanwhile, OTV reported that protesters had also closed the road between
Chtoura and Taalabaya in the Bekaa Valley.Many roads were closed in Beirut,
Tripoli, Akkar and other Lebanese areas as a sign of protest over the murder of
Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard Mohammad Hussein Merheb.According to
AFP, a security official said army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed and
his bodyguard, when his convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon,
the scene of deadly clashes linked to the uprising in Syria.-NOW Lebanon
International road in Bekaa
reopened
May 20, 2012 /The international road of Al-Marj in the Western Bekaa reopened
after it was blocked by burning tires, the National News Agency reported on
Sunday.Protesters blocked roads in Beirut, Tripoli, Akkar and other Lebanese
areas to protest the murder of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard
Mohammad Hussein Merheb.According to AFP, a security official said army troops
shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard, when his convoy failed to
stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to the
uprising in Syria.
-NOW Lebanon
FPM voices support for Lebanese army
May 20, 2012 /The Free Patriotic Movement in North Lebanon’s Koura voiced its
disappointment over the developments in the North, as well as its support for
the Lebanese army, the National News Agency reported on Sunday.“We completely
support the Lebanese legitimacy represented by the Lebanese army,” the FPM said.
It also called on “everyone to support the army, which is in the only hope for
protecting Lebanon.”The statement also slammed those criticizing the army saying
“there is no Lebanese state without the army.”Tension spread in several Lebanese
areas, mostly in Akkar and Tripoli, following the murder of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel
Wahed and his bodyguard Mohammad Hussein Merheb.According to AFP, a security
official said army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard,
when his convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of
deadly clashes linked to the uprising in Syria.-NOW Lebanon
Kanaan calls for waiting for investigation into Abdel Wahed’s
murder
May 20, 2012 /Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan said on Sunday that those
who want the truth behind the incident in which Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed was
killed should wait for the investigation’s results.“He who wants to know the
truth should wait for the investigation, place all his trust in the military
institution and not politicize [the issue],” Kanaan told OTV.
“Those targeting the army are targeting [Lebanon’s], institutions and the
country’s unity,” he added.The MP also offered his condolences to the families
of Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard.
Army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed on Sunday when his convoy failed
to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to
the uprising in Syria, a security official said according to AFP. The sheikh’s
bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein Merheb, was also killed.-NOW Lebanon
Aswad: Future Movement, Salafis aim “to harm” military institution
May 20, 2012 /Change and
Reform bloc MP Ziad Aswad commented on Sunday on the murder of Sheikh Ahmad
Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard and said that the Future Movement and the Salafis
aimed to harm the military institution. “Some MPs’ statements that
responsibility falls on certain members of the Lebanese army, not on the
command, shows stupidity,” Aswad told OTV.“There is an attempt to divide power
in the North between the Future Movement and the Salafis. Their goal is one, and
it is to [harm] the military institution,” Aswad added.He added that the army
implements the orders of its command. Army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel
Wahed on Sunday when his convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon,
the scene of deadly clashes linked to the uprising in Syria, a security official
said according to AFP. The sheikh’s bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein Merheb, was also
killed. -NOW Lebanon
Berri discusses Abdel Wahed’s death with grand mufti
May 20, 2012 /Speaker Nabih Berri called Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic,
Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani, and discussed with him the incident that led to
the death of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed, according to a statement issued by
Berri’s press office.“Berri contacted Qabbani and offered his condolences for
[the death] of Abdel Wahed and informed him of the efforts made by President
[Michel Sleiman], Prime Minister [Najib Mikati] and Lebanese army Commander
General [Jean Kahwaji] to speed up the investigation into the incident and
maintain [national] security,” the statement said.
Army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed on Sunday when his convoy failed
to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to
the uprising in Syria, a security official said according to AFP. The sheikh’s
bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein Merheb, was also killed. -NOW Lebanon
Young men block road in
Western Bekaa
May 20, 2012 /Young men blocked the Al-Marj road near the municipality in
Western Bekaa to protest against the murder of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed, the
National News Agency reported on Sunday.
Army troops shot dead Sunni cleric Abdel Wahed on Sunday when his convoy failed
to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to
the uprising in Syria, a security official said according to AFP. The sheikh’s
bodyguard, Mohammad Hussein Merheb, was also killed.-NOW Lebanon
Safadi condemns murder of
Abdel Wahed
May 20, 2012 /Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi condemned on Sunday the murder of
Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard and said that Akkar residents will
confront any attempts to cause strife.“[I understand] the angry reaction of
Akkar residents, and I call for a quick, serious and transparent investigation
into the incident and for punishing those responsible,” Safadi said in a
statement.
He added that he was “confident” that Akkar residents will confront “any
[attempt] to cause strife,” and called on them to maintain calm in order to
preserve stability.
Safadi also called for avoiding “inciting rhetoric.”Army troops shot dead Sunni
cleric Abdel Wahed on Sunday when his convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint in
North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to the uprising in Syria, a
security official said according to AFP. The sheikh’s bodyguard, Mohammad
Hussein Merheb, was also killed.-NOW Lebanon
Media Against Violence
condemns Abdel Wahed’s murder
May 20, 2012 /Media Against Violence condemned the murder of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel
Wahed and his bodyguard and accused the Syrian regime of attempting to cause war
in Lebanon.
“[We] condemn the assassination of Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard and [we] call
for holding accountable [those responsible for the incident],” the group said in
a statement. It also called for establishing an investigative committee to
issues a report by tomorrow morning.The group also accused the “Syrian regime
and its followers of attempting to cause war in Lebanon.” “The biggest proof to
this is that as soon as it became [calm] in Tripoli, it was ignited in Halba,”
the statement added.Army troops shot dead a Abdled Wahed on Sunday when his
convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly
clashes linked to the uprising in Syria, a security official said according to
AFP.-NOW Lebanon
Assir: Syrian regime followers killed Abdel Wahed
May 20, 2012/Salafi Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir said on Sunday that followers of the
Syrian regime killed Sunni Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed. “The followers of the
Syrian regime killed Abdel Wahed. These followers are the ones trying to
dominate Lebanon and some of its security bodies, and they are the ones who
incited strife in Tripoli by detaining [Lebanese citizen] Shadi al-Mawlawi as a
favor to the Syrian regime,” Assir said in a statement.He also condemned the
murder of Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard, and called on Tripoli and Akkar
residents to be careful of what was being planned for their areas.
Army troops shot dead Abdel Wahed, on Sunday when his convoy failed to stop at a
checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly clashes linked to the uprising
in Syria, a security official said according to AFP. The sheikh’s bodyguard,
Mohammad Hussein Merheb, was also killed. -NOW Lebanon
Akkar sheikhs threaten to establishing “Free Lebanese Army”
May 20, 2012 /Sunni Sheikh Ahmad Rifai warned on Sunday that if relevant
authorities did not work to solve the murder of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed, the
sheikhs in Akkar will have to form a “Free Lebanese Army,” the National News
Agency reported. “[We] call on the army command, Prime Minister [Najib Mikati]
and the [relevant] figures to work quickly to solve the case because if not so
the sheikhs will have to form a Free Lebanese Army [since] it is unacceptable
for the situation to remain as such,” Rifai, who was speaking on behalf of a
delegation of Akkar sheikhs, said.
“People [in Akkar] will not calm down. We are not used to living in humiliation.
We are not used to [having] our dignities insulted,” Rifai added. He also
requested Higher Defense Council Secretary General Adnan Merheb, also a major
general and “a friend” of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed, to call on the council to
take a position. “We call on them to bring us our rights because what happened
was an attack on… the Islamic nation and its sons. Everyone must understand this
and forewarned is forearmed.” Army troops shot dead Abdel Wahed on Sunday when
his convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint in North Lebanon, the scene of deadly
clashes linked to the uprising in Syria, a security official said according to
AFP. -NOW Lebanon
LBC: Halba residents blame
army for Abdel Wahid’s death
May 20, 2012 /LBC television station reported Sunday that residents of the
Lebanese northern town of Halba are accusing the Lebanese army of “killing”
Lebanese citizen Shiekh Abdel Wahed and his bodyguard.The LBC report also said
that residents in Shiekh Abdel Wahid’s village of Al-Beri have blocked the
area’s main road.
The National News Agency reported on Sunday that an “armed convoy” carrying
Shiekh Abdel Wahid to the northern Lebanese town of Halba to participate in a
rally refused to stop at a Lebanese army checkpoint at the Tal Abbas al-Gharbi
intersection. The report added that the Lebanese army opened fire when the
convoy failed to stop, which led to the death of Sheikh Abdel Wahid and a
bodyguard identified as Mohammad Hussein Merheb, both from the town of Al-Beri.
-NOW Lebanon
Gemayel calls for immediately
trying Islamist detainees
May 20, 2012 /Kataeb party leader Amin Gemayel called on the Lebanese judicial
authorities Sunday to immediately begin trying Islamist detainees, the National
News Agency reported. Gemayel, who said that he “understood the security and
legal circumstances surrounding the case of the Islamist [detainees],” suggested
two proposals for resolving the situation. First, a sufficient number of
judicial investigators would be chosen and tasked with carrying out
investigations inside Roumieh Central Prison.As for the second proposal, “trial
courts would be set up inside the [prison], or near it, in order to hasten the
investigative operations and trials, [thus paving the way toward] the release
[of the Islamist detainees] who are found innocent.” “Through this method a
number of flaws, which are obstructing investigations, can be avoided,” Gemayel
said during a meeting with Lebanese citizens who visited him at his residence in
Bikfaya. He also called on the Lebanese government to adopt this mechanism.
The case of Islamist detainees arrested without charge has been one of the core
points of recent events in Tripoli, where deadly clashes broke out May 12. -NOW
Lebanon
Wahhab: Lebanon ruled by
group of ‘cowards’
May 20, 2012 /Arab Tawhid Party leader Wiam Wahhab said on Sunday that Lebanon
was being ruled by “a bunch of cowards.” “[We are losing our grip on our
country], and we have a bunch of cowards who are ruling the country and [acting
like spectators],” Wahhab told NBN television station. Wahhab also said that
Lebanon was “in the eye of the storm,” adding that the current government was
the “most preferable possible government.” As for the situation in the northern
Lebanese city of Tripoli, the Arab Tawhid Party leader said: “What the city of
Tripoli is witnessing is clear, and the role of the Future Movement, [on the
ground], is marginal.” He also said that Prime Minister Najib Mikati should
“cover the Lebanese army [in Tripoli’s events].” Sectarian clashes in Tripoli
over the past week have left 10 people dead and sparked fears that the deadly
revolt sweeping Syria since March 2011 could spill over into Lebanon. Asked
about reports saying that some MPs called for expelling the Lebanese army from
Akkar in North Lebanon, Wahhab said: “ If I was in the place of the army I would
have put those lawmakers in the trunks of cars and brought them to jail.”As for
the Syrian situation, Wahhab said: “There won’t be a civil war in Syria. The
government is doing fine and President [Bashar al-Assad] is capable of fighting
on many fronts.” Nearly 12,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in
Syria since an anti-regime uprising erupted in mid-March last year, according to
a rights group.-NOW Lebanon
Daher: Akkar incident ‘deliberate assassination’
May 20, 2012 /Future bloc MP Khaled Daher told Al-Jazeera Sunday that the death
of Lebanese citizen Shiekh Ahmad Abdel Wahid at a Lebanese army checkpoint in
North Lebanon “was a deliberate assassination operation.” Daher also said that
Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Former Premier Saad Hariri and Future bloc leader
MP Fouad Siniora telephoned him following the incident.
-NOW Lebanon
Hobeich says there is “a lot”
of tension in Akkar
May 20, 2012 /Future bloc MP Hadi Hobeich told MTV on Sunday that there was a
lot of tension in Akkar following the murder of Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahid.“There
is a lot of tension in [Akkar], and the area’s [officials] and MPs are making
efforts to calm people down,” Hobeich said.He added that it was “unacceptable”
no matter what the circumstances were to open fire toward Abdel Wahid and kill
him and his bodyguard.The NNA reported earlier on Sunday that an “armed convoy”
carrying Abdel Wahid to the northern Lebanese town of Halba refused to stop at a
Lebanese army checkpoint in Akkar.
According to the report, the Lebanese army opened fire when the convoy failed to
stop, which led to the death of Abdel Wahid and a bodyguard identified as
Mohammad Hussein Merheb, both from the town of Al-Beri.-NOW Lebanon
Obama at G8: We are united on Iran
Yitzhak Benhorin Published: 05.19.12/Ynet news
WASHINGTON- The fact that Iran has violated international regulations and is far
from proving that it is not trying to achieve nuclear weapons capability is
"very worrying for all of us," US President Barack Obama said Saturday at the G8
meeting at Camp David.
Obama stressed that the G8 leaders were united in their stance on Iran: "I think
all of us agree that Iran has the right to peaceful nuclear power, but that its
continuing violations of international rules and norms and its inability thus
far to convince the world community that it is not pursuing the weaponization of
nuclear power is something of grave concern to all of us," the US president
said. The president spoke a day before International Atomic Energy Agency head
Yukia Amano was due to arrive in Tehran to try and hammer out the final details
of an agreement that would allow the IAEA to continue probing whether Iran is,
in fact, developing nuclear weapons.
An official statement from the IAEA said only that Amano "will discuss subjects
of mutual interest with senior officials." Amano's visit is slated to last one
day only, and includes a meeting with Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili.
The G8 meeting is taking place days before the next round of international talks
on Iran is due to kick off in Baghdad.
The G8 leaders taking part in the summit were also in broad agreement on the
need for rapid action on a plan to facilitate political transition in Syria. "We
all believe that a peaceful resolution and political transition in Syria is
preferable. We are all deeply concerned about the violence that's taking place
there and the loss of life," Obama said.
However, the G8 summit is focused mainly on the ramifications for the world's
economy if Greece leaves the euro bloc. In a meeting Friday, Obama and new
French President Francois Hollande aligned themselves in support of increased
incentives for depressed European economies, as opposed to the tough austerity
programs that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is calling for.
Obama's stance reflects his concern that a spiraling crisis in the euro bloc
could harm the fragile economic recovery of the US and in turn his chance for
re-election in November.
After meeting with Hollande, Obama said that they agreed that dealing with the
euro bloc crisis was "an unusually important issue, not only for Europeans, but
also for the entire global economy."
Israel to Hizbullah: Next Time We
Fight to Win
Posted by P. David Hornik Bio on May 18th, 2012
FrontPage
This week AFP published an important report that shouldn’t slip under the radar.
It quotes a “senior military official in Israel’s northern command” saying that,
while Hizbullah may not want another war with Israel, Iran would order it to
attack Israel in case of an Israeli strike on Iran. In that case, says the
official, the Israel-Hizbullah clash would go “much faster” than the 2006Second
Lebanon War.
That conflict, which lasted 34 days, ended with Hizbullah somewhat shaken by the
prowess shown by Israel’s air force, mainly in the war’s opening days when it
took out Hizbullah’s long-range rocket launchers in Beirut.
But it also ended with Hizbullah still essentially in control of southern
Lebanon. Since then—despite halfhearted efforts by a beefed-up UNIFIL—Hizbullah
has only tightened its grip not only over the south but over Lebanon as a whole.
And most problematically, it has kept importing Iranian rockets, missiles, and
other weaponry via Syria, and now—UNIFIL or no UNIFIL—has over 50,000 rockets
and missiles that, as Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah boasts, can hit any part
of Israel.
Those considerations—the inconclusive results of the 2006 war and the power
Hizbullah has amassed since that time—are undoubtedly what leads the senior
military official to tell AFP that another conflict would be “much shorter, much
faster…. The most important mission today is to win decisively in any kind of
war in Lebanon. If you win, you win—everybody sees it.”
The official then cites what he says will be Israel’s “biggest challenge,”
namely:
Hezbollah’s positioning of weapons in the heart of civilian areas in around 100
Lebanese towns and villages along the border.
“In the villages there are three-story houses: on one floor there are rockets,
then there is a family on the next floor, then a (military) headquarters then
another family. The people that live there are human shields….
“Every Shiite village has become such a compound. The great challenge will be to
deal with all these compounds.”
Indeed, last year Israel released declassified maps to the Washington Post
showing part of Hizbullah’s network of military facilities in southernLebanon.
It was a way of signaling that Israel knows where these are and is capable of
hitting them if necessary.
But apart from the operational aspect, what Hizbullah means to confront Israel
with—by ensconcing itself in the homes of families, thereby dissolving any
distinction between fighters and civilians, gun-toting warriors and mothers and
babies—is a “moral” challenge.
Seemingly, an organization so depraved that it turns ordinary houses into
military bases on the one hand, and—should such a war break out—a hail of lethal
projectiles on all parts of Israel’s civilian population on the other, would
conduce to the conclusion that Israel’s only moral responsibility at that point
would be to salvage its own people, not those whom its enemy, Hizbullah, has
reduced to fodder in a manner that is in no way Israel’s fault.
But the problem is that Hizbullah knows all too well what it is doing, and that
when it comes to the blame game, all the precedent will be on its side.
Thus, in the winter 2008-2009 Gaza War, Hamas—while it did not use the
human-shield strategy with the utter, systematic depravity now demonstrated by
Hizbullah—greatly bolstered its own fortunes by ensconcing its fighters in
mosques, schools, and hospitals.
Lebanon’s Policewomen
Nadine Elali, May 20, 2012/Now Lebanon
Women in Lebanon will be contributing to policing.
The Internal Security Forces (ISF) took the decision to expand its ranks to
Lebanese women almost three years ago, but it wasn’t until early this year that
the female cadets began receiving their training. Out of the 11,000 female
candidates who applied, 610 were accepted. The women, who will comprise the
first cadre of female professional police officers, demonstrated their skills
Thursday at a ceremony held at the ISF’s training center in Dbayeh, north of
Beirut.
The new cadets began training in March, and still have another four months to go
until they can graduate as sergeants. They are scheduled to begin their service
later this year.
The move to allow women to perform police work, which is traditionally reserved
for men, left many wondering whether it was appropriate to hire women for “male”
assignments. Over the years, the country’s military institutions, such as the
Lebanese army and General Security, employed women but only to do “womanly”
jobs, such as administrative and clerical work and nursing, with only a few
exceptions. But today, these first women to join the ISF will have a bigger role
to play in police enforcement, and their performance is expected to match that
of men.
Captain Susan al-Haj, who was one of only two female officers previously in the
ISF and who oversaw the training process, says that the sergeants-in-training
are very promising. “Because women continuously feel the need to prove
themselves, and because this position poses a major challenge for them, being
the first round of women within the ISF, the cadets are giving it their all.
They are proving that they are efficient, strong-willed, determined and very
disciplined,” she told NOW Lebanon.
During the ceremony, the female sergeants-in-training demonstrated their skills.
One group of women marched holding up their guns, another group demonstrated
their fighting skills using Tonfa—a 15-to-20-inch-long stick used in
combat—while a third group conducted a mock police chase. Others demonstrated
rappelling skills, fighting, gliding, raiding and shooting.
American law enforcement professionals have been training the cadets as part of
the three-year Civilian Police Training Program Partnership between the United
States and Lebanon.
According to Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and
Law Enforcement Affairs Todd Robinson, who was present at the ceremony, the
initiative was made to assist the ISF develop into a modern, professional police
force that serves and protects all of Lebanon’s people.
“It was a decision both on the part of the Lebanese government and the United
States government that women needed to be part of the solution of security in
Lebanon. The women had the strength and the intelligence to do it, so it was
important to bring them on and have them as part of the program,” said Robinson.
“Security is not a one-gender thing; it is important that everybody feels that
they have the opportunity to protect the Lebanese society.”
The program lasted nine weeks, seven of which were for basic cadet training and
two for a supervisor course. The courses cover human rights, democratic
policing, firearms and defensive tactics.
“The women receive the exact same training that the men receive,” Deputy
Contingent Commander and instructor of the program Tanya Gonser said. “I’ve been
training them both, and the ladies are phenomenal. They are very bold, they have
physical agility, and they are strong—physically and mentally.”
Brigadier General Robert Jabbour, commander of the patrol forces, stresses that
the ISF is in dire need of women members. He stressed that they will be treated
as equals to their male counterparts and will be assigned to the same tasks with
no discrimination.
“They will be assigned to police work, such as inspections and investigations.
They will be deployed as patrol officers in prisons, in police stations, and in
many other cases where women’s presence is of more added value than a man’s.
These women will cause a major shift in the ISF’s work and capabilities; they
will be able to fill many gaps, especially relating to children’s issues and
domestic violence.”
Sergeant-in-training Mona Fahs, a-22-year-old from Nabatiyeh, said that she
found it hard to adapt to the military life at the start. However, during
training she was able to discover capabilities within herself that she didn’t
know existed. “I learned how to be disciplined, how to push my physical
capabilities to the limits, and to not be afraid. I didn’t know I had it in me,”
Fahs said. “Now I know if anything was to ever happen to myself, my family, my
country, I can fight and defend it.”