LCCC NEWS BULLETIN
JANUARY 22/2006
Below news from
miscellaneous sources for 22.1.06
Religious decrees 'Fatwas' are blunt infringements on the International Covenant
of Human Rights. By: CLHRF Spokesman Elias Bejjani 23/1/06
Jumblat Rejects Dialogue with Hizbullah Outside Cabinet-Naharnet
22.1.06
Defiant Assad Rejects Unconditional Cooperation with U.N. Probe-Naharnet 22.1.06
Assad Clings to Syria's Influence in Lebanon-Naharnet 22.1.06
Ghassan Tueni Succeeds Gebran in Parliament-Naharnet 22.1.06
Nasrallah and Berri Hold Talks with Iranian President-Naharnet 22.1.06
Child Suspected of Bird Flu Now Clear-Naharnet 22.1.06
Syria's
Assad says will not bow to pressure on UN probe-Reuters 22.1.06
Targeting Syria and Lebanon Is a Part of an Integrated Project, al-Assad
Stresses-sana 22.1.06
Syria accuses Israel of assassinating Arafat-Reuters
22.1.06
An Open Scheme. By:
Jihad el Khazen Al-Hayat - 21/01/06
Iran President wraps up Syria visit, returns home-IranMania.com
22.1.06
Ahmadinejad
stresses Lebanese unity Damascus-IRNA 22.1.06
Assad pledges reforms for Syria-BBC
22.1.06
Iran Pres. meets Lebanese Muslim Alims Group-IranMania.com
22.1.06
Syria's Assad says will not bow to pressure on UN probe
21 Jan 2006 -By Suleiman al-Khalidi-DAMASCUS, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad said on Saturday a U.N. inquiry into the murder of a
Lebanese ex-premier was determined to blame Syria regardless of the facts but
vowed it would not bow to international pressure. Speaking at the opening of an
Arab lawyers' conference, Assad said that Damascus was still willing to
cooperate with U.N. investigators but not at the expense of its national
sovereignty. "They have created a condemnation committee, not an investigation
committee," Assad told the conference, convened in Damascus under the headline
"Defending Syria". "They identified a perpetrator even before any accusation was
made and from there they identified a single suspect, Syria, instead of several
suspects, and then began searching for evidence to condemn Syria."
A U.N. inquiry has blamed Syrian security officials and their Lebanese allies
for the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri in
Beirut last February.
Syria has repeatedly denied any role in the killing but promised full
cooperation after a Security Council resolution passed in October demanded it
cooperate with the investigation or face unspecified further action. Damascus
has allowed U.N. investigators to question several Syrian officials but has
rejected a request to question Assad himself, threatening a new showdown with
the Security Council.
Assad did not address the issue specifically but said Syria would not act
against its own national interests. "When we say the investigation is based on
national sovereignty that means we have set a limit ... They propose limitless
cooperation ... that we simply cooperate against our national interests," he
said. "For any patriotic person, national sovereignty comes higher, not Security
Council resolutions nor anything else ... We must not concede the issue of
national sovereignty. Even if the situation requires that we be prepared to
fight for our country we must be prepared to do this."
INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE
Syria pulled its troops out of Lebanon in April, ending a 29-year military
presence amid intense international pressure and Lebanese protests following the
truck bombing that killed Hariri and 22 others and plunged the country into
crisis.
Many Lebanese immediately blamed Syria for the murder of Hariri, who had fallen
out of favour in Damascus, which had dominated its smaller neighbour's politics
since the war.
Relations between the two countries have since sunk to all-time lows, with Assad
assailing leading Lebanese politicians in another speech last year.
This time, Assad's tone was less hostile, though he blamed Lebanese officials
for the failure of a Saudi Arabian initiative to defuse tensions between the two
countries. Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora rejected the Saudi proposal
this week, complaining that it reflected Syrian wishes and fell short of
Lebanon's aspirations for independence.
The United States accuses Syria of continuing to interfere in Lebanese affairs
and supporting terrorism by backing Lebanese Hizbollah guerrillas and
Palestinian groups sworn to Israel's destruction. Assad defended Arab rights to
resist Israeli occupation and rejected international efforts to put pressure
Syria, slamming two U.N. interim reports issued so far as full of holes. "Anyone
who accepts ... something to be above his national sovereignty in any country or
place in the world, should swap his nationality and sacrifice it and take in its
place an international one from the United Nations," he said.
Israeli planes enter south Lebanon
Beirut, Jan. 21 (BNA) Two Israeli planes coming from the occupied lands entered
the Lebanese zones at the south part of the country. Lebanese News Agency quoted
a statement by the Lebanese army saying today that the two planes head to the
south part and then left from the sea side. A third supervision plane entered
Shabaa villages.
Syria will continue cooperation on Hariri assassination -- president
DAMASCUS, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad on Saturday
re-affirmed Syria's readiness to cooperate fully with the international
commission investigating assassination of the former Lebanese premier Rafic
Al-Hariri a year ago.
Al-Assad, addressing the opening session of the 22nd Conference of the Arab
Lawyers Union, said Syria would continue cooperating with the international team
for sake of "revealing the truth on basis of maintaining the national
sovereignty," clearly indicating that he rejected being questioned by the
commission.
He assailed "some opportunists and traitors" who have been trying to deviate the
investigation process from its original track.The issue of national sovereignty
cannot be compromised, he said, warning Syria "is ready to fight if
circumstances warrant so.
Targeting Syria and Lebanon Is a Part of an Integrated Project, al-Assad
Stresses
DAMASCUS, Jan. 21 (SANA)
President al-Assad said that the current developments in Lebanon seem to be an
outcome of the new international situation starting from the issuance of
resolutions 1559 and ending at the assassination of Premier Hariri and the
formation of the international investigation commission and what has followed of
new international resolutions targeting Syria and her stances.
“Targeting Syria and Lebanon is a part of an integrated project to blow up the
identity of the region in order to reshape it under new titles to meet the
Israeli aspirations to impose its hegemony on the region and on its resources,”
The president added.
“ Syria has been in the heart of the event not because of its geographic
location or because of her political, social and human link to the main conflict
areas but because of her role, history and position,” the President pointed out.
President Al-Assad underlined that Syria has been crystal-clear regarding the
investigation of Premier Hariri’s assassination, stressing Syria’s cooperation
with the investigation until the doers are known, and Syria will continue
cooperating currently and in the future with the investigation for reaching the
truth on the basis of sovereignty and national interests.
In his address at the Arab Bar Association Conference, The president added: “
Syria’s interest meets with investigation interest when the investigation is
honest but if there is somebody who thinks that politicizing the investigation
and diverting it from its natural course can push Syria to do what they want, he
will be wrong and wasting time and an opportunity to establish stability in the
region and consequently he will be affected negatively,”
“ All attempts will not succeed in preventing Syria from extending support in
all that is connected with Lebanon's independence and rejection of foreign
intervention and to ensure honorable future for its citizens.” Al-Assad said.
The President went on to say that Syria would remain Lebanon’s big brother who
stands by Lebanon, the patriot, whenever need arises.
He indicated that there is nothing to be concerned of regarding the
Syrian-Lebanese relations because, in spite of the many wounds, there are in
Lebanon those who work to make the wounds heal and there are in Syria those who
work to make the wounds heal, on the one hand. On the other hand there is also
nothing to be concerned of regarding relation among the Lebanese as depicted by
some people in the media in spite of the presence of many gaps, thank to the
consciousness of the Lebanese people who are fully aware of the volume of the
conspiracy and understanding of the canned sedition.
Regarding Shebaa Farms, the President underscored that there is no problem
between Syria and Lebanon regarding Shebaa Farms.
“If we ask who is the biggest beneficiary of demarcation at Shebaa Farms and who
is the most harmed while under the Israeli occupation, it is pure Israeli demand
and purely against the resistance. The demarcation causes harm to the resistance
and serves good to Israel,” He added.
He went on to say: “ For that reason they (Israel)refused to begin demarcation
of the border from the north and wanted to start demarcation from Shebaa Farms,”
Syria accuses Israel of assassinating Arafat
DAMASCUS, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accused Israel on
Saturday of assassinating former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, the cause of
whose death 14 months ago remains a mystery.
"Of the many assassinations that Israel carried out in a methodical and
organised way, the most dangerous thing that Israel did was the assassination of
President Yasser Arafat," Assad told a gathering of Arab lawyers.
"This was under the world's gaze and its silence, and not one state dared to
issue a statement or stance towards this, as though nothing happened."
Arafat died in Paris on Nov. 11, 2004 at the age of 75 after being rushed from
his West Bank compound to a French military hospital.
Israel has denied being responsible for the deterioration in Arafat's health
before his death and has denied poisoning him.
Israeli officials said he had access to medical treatment, food, water and
medication during the two years he spent in his battered compound in Ramallah,
which was besieged by Israeli troops for months in 2002.
French doctors denied rumours that Arafat was poisoned but have refused to
publish his medical reports, citing strict privacy laws.
Arafat aides had quoted doctors as saying he had a low count of platelets, which
help the blood to clot. They later said he had gone into a coma, suffered a
brain haemorrhage and lost the use of his vital organs one by one. But no
definitive cause of death was announced.
Ayoon Wa Azan (An Open Scheme)
Jihad el Khazen Al-Hayat - 21/01/06//
I enlist my support for everything Mr. Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General
of Hezbollah, said in an interview with colleague Ghassan Charbel published by
"Al Hayat" in two episodes and I add:
I read the interview in the morning and then I went to see my friend Abdulelah
Al Khatib, the Jordanian Foreign Minister, and I found that he read the
interview too. I noticed while talking to him that he heavily focused on the
dialogue between the Lebanese, between Lebanon and Syria, and between the
countries of the region. Dialogue is a revered word by the Lebanese, especially
by Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
Mr. Hassan insistently warned against attempts to stir up a strife between the
Sunnis and Shiites and warned of attempts to ignite an intense struggle. He
criticized the talks about a Shiite Crescent and said it is only present in the
imagination of those who speak of it.
King Abdullah of Jordan talked about a Shiite crescent. However, Mr. Al Khatib
asserted to me that the King was talking about a political, and not religious,
situation, and he is after all a Hashemite and his relation with the Shiites is
always strong and cordial.
Jordan seeks a solution in Lebanon through dialogue between the Lebanese, and a
role for the UN and its specialized bodies in solving problems in the region
because the situation cannot stand the flare-up of another crisis. As for Iran
in particular, Minister Al Khatib hoped for the establishment of positive
constructive relations with all Arab countries, especially the brothers in the
Gulf.
I don't have any problem with a Shiite or Sunni crescent, since I once wrote
about a Shiite arrow, after I found a flat line extending from Iran through
Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon (Hezbollah). I uphold it as long as it is directed
towards Israel to help the Palestinians establish an independent nation. I hope
that this issue crowns the agenda of Presidents Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and Bashar
Assad.
My problem lies in the US stance and its organic connection with Israel, which
has been summed up by the Deputy Spokesman of the Department of State, Adam
Ereli, in a statement on "Al Hurra" TV, following the visit of Vice President
Dick Cheney to Egypt and Saudi Arabia. He said that "the Deputy Minister
conveyed to the officials in the two countries the seriousness of the US and the
International Community to proceed with holding those responsible for Hariri's
assassination accountable, starting with President Assad until the bottom of the
ladder."
I urge the reader to replace the word "International Community" with "Israel"
and then proceed with me. This talk utterly confirms the recurrent warning of
Mr. Nasrallah of the attempt of the US (and France) to politicize the
international investigation. When Cheney condemns Syria and its President before
the investigation is completed, it means that the US does not want to punish the
killers of Rafik Hariri but rather wants to punish Syria. The reasons are almost
all of the same importance. There is the Syrian-Iranian alliance, the alliance
of Syria and Iran with "Hezbollah", and Syria's persistence as a country that
opposes Israel. There is also the US failure in Iraq, which the Bush
Administration is trying to make Syria bear part of the responsibility with
respect to the borders and infiltration therein.
The leaders in Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are driven by national
responsibility and interests. Therefore, they won't state any of the things I
mentioned, but they will take action without making a statement. In fact, the
Egyptian and Saudi intermediaries, though the Arab League, are merely a
reflection of the concern that the investigation on PM Harri's assassination
will be used to achieve long-term goals. They are also a reflection of the
concern of leaving Syria behind while it has only one ally Iran, and the concern
over the buildup of the Iranian power in Iraq, and its extension to Syria.
At this point, I might have added up my personal concern that the Likudian gang,
which snatched the US foreign policy, destroyed Iraq, and killed thousands of
its citizens, is now heading towards Syria to implement another part of an open
scheme that does not end in Damascus but continues towards Egypt and Saudi
Arabia, with the possibility of being preceded by Iran because of its nuclear
program. Thus, thwarting the scheme in Iraq secures that it is not followed
through in Syria, and its thwarting in Syria secures its impediment elsewhere.
This is where the danger lies. I noticed throughout this crisis that the
Lebanese disagree but do not fight. None of them wants the return of the civil
war. However, any strike inflicted on Iran, whether by the US or Israel, will
lead to a confrontation between "Hezbollah" and Israel, which will drag all of
Lebanon with it.
This scenario is at the heart of the current Lebanese crisis. Is Hezbollah
present with its arms to liberate Shebaa farms and Kfarchouba mountains or to
defend Lebanon?
I believe that the party tried to foresee a situation wherein Israel withdraws
from Shebaa farms, without deciding upon whether they are Lebanese or Syrian
territories, and then calls for the disarmament of "Hezbollah" to deny any
reason for this armament.
The Cabinet of PM Fouad Siniora refused to issue a statement requested by the
Shiite tandem and held on the Cabinet statement. The resistance arms are an
internal Lebanese affair and the subject of a dialogue between the Lebanese
people and not the UN. However, the parliamentary majority considers that
Lebanon has no interest in confronting the International Community and its
resolutions.
Dialogue is required because the other alternative would be Beirut's
destruction. But with the escalation between Iran and the US, there is no
logical reason to be optimistic about the return of the Shiite Ministers to the
Siniora Cabinet. However, the situation did not yet reach the point of no
return, whereby there will be resignations from the parliament to impose new
parliamentary elections to curb the current majority.
Despite that, there remains a very puzzling matter: all the Lebanese agree on
dialogue. In fact, it is the slogan of this era and PM Siniora made dialogue the
cornerstone of his work. Following the long interview of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
with Al-Hayat and his focus on dialogue, he appeared on a television show
leaving the door wide open for dialogue with everybody, including Walid
Jumblatt. Speaker Nabih Berri had launched an initiative to start a national
dialogue, and Michel Aoun is one of the advocates of dialogue.
Nevertheless, the situation remains at a standstill. Everyone talks about
dialogue, but there is no serious dialogue between the parties and the
disagreement points remain unchanged to the point that we have come to fear that
an explosion will precede dialogue and will not be planned by anyone. When this
happens, we shall deeply regret it.
Many of the Lebanese political actors have acquired much political experience,
wisdom, and patriotism. Thus, they should dig into the source of this experience
to solve their problems by themselves away from any Syrian, Western or Arab
tutelage.
Iranian President arrived home Friday night after
wrapping up a two-day visit to Syria
LONDON, January 21 (IranMania) -
Talking to reporters at Mehrabad International Airport upon his arrival,
Ahmadinejad assessed his visit to Syria as "very useful."
"During my visit, which took place upon the official invitation of the Syrian
president, various cultural, political and economic issues were discussed by the
two sides. The talks produced good results," he said.
He said that during his meetings with senior Syrian officials, various economic,
trade and interest groups stressed the importance of bolstering cooperation,
particularly in the economic sector.
Referring to the agreements on trade and economic investment signed by the two
countries, he expressed hope they would be speedily implemented, adding that the
next Iran-Syria Joint Economic Commission session is to be held in Damascus next
month under the chairmanship of Iranian First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi and
Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Najial-Utri.
"Iranian and Syrian officials also held discussions on political and cultural
topics. During a meeting with with various members of the country's elite, we
talked about bilateral and regional developments," Ahmadinejad informed.
He noted the similar views of Tehran and Damascus on political issues and
developments, and stressed the two countries' determination to defend their
common stances on political issues.
The president cited developments in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon as the main
topics discussed with Syrian officials.
The two sides also stressed the need to consolidate stability and unity in Iraq,
Ahmadinejad said, adding that they were also united in their firm belief that an
independent state for Palestine, return of Palestinian refugees and
materializaion of their goals was the only way to solve the Palistinian issue.
On Lebanon, he said, the two countries supported establishment of peace and
reinforcement of unity.
Referring to his "important" meetings with the Lebanese ulema and President of
the Syrian National Assembly Nabih Berri, he said the two sides' common stances
on regional issues were highlighted in those meetings.
Syria backs Iran's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, he stated.
President Ahmadinejad was seen off on his departure by Syrian Foreign Minister
Farouq al-Shara.
Assad pledges reforms for Syria
BBC 21/1/06:
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said he has decided to carry out political
reform.
But he gave no details, other than to say he rejected any outside interference
in the matter.
His address, to lawyers in Damascus, follows the early release of five leading
political prisoners.
Mr Assad repeated criticism that the UN investigation into the killing of former
Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri was biased against Syria.
He said the investigators had reached their conclusions first and looked for the
evidence afterwards.
And he strongly hinted that he would refuse the commission's request to give
evidence in person in the case.
Instead, President Assad supported a call for a commission to investigate what
he described as the assassination of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who died
in a French hospital just over a year ago.
The speech was regularly interrupted with angry chants of support from the
audience of Arab lawyers, but our correspondent says the Syrian leader himself
was strangely downbeat.
He said Syria and the Arab world were being targeted by what he called outside
forces who wanted to control their resources.
There has been much talk of reform since Mr Assad came to power in 2000, but
little action to show for it, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Damascus.
Grip on power
Mr Assad said he was studying projects designed to free up the party system and
to draw more Syrians into the political process, adding that the government was
working towards making the judiciary independent.
"The road is long, and perhaps reforms are being done slowly, but we want to
accelerate them as fast as possible, without harming [the nation's] stability,"
he said.
But reforms had to be "consistent with domestic requirements, and we refuse to
accept them being imposed from abroad", he said.
At the moment the Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, is banned in Syria,
and there are estimated to be up to 1,500 political prisoners.
On Wednesday five leading dissidents, including MPs Riad Seif and Mamoun Homsi
were released from prison, after 45 months of their five-year prison sentences.
The human rights group Amnesty International has also been allowed into the
country for the first time since 1997.
But there is still no sign of the major changes that seemed possible when
President Assad took office in the year 2000, our correspondent says.
There has been no sign that the members of the ruling circle are willing to give
away much of their power.
Ahmadinejad stresses Lebanese unity Damascus,
Jan 21, IRNA -Visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Friday evening that
Lebanese unity was the major reason for the failure of global arrogance to
normalize the Zionist regime's position in the region and eventually led to
their departure.
At a meeting with the President of the Syrian National Assembly Nabih Berri
prior to his departure from the Syrian capital, Ahmadinejad said Syria-Lebanon
friendly relations had been disturbing the enemy's tranquility.
"The enemies of Islam have been attempting to destabilize Lebanon by sowing
discord among different groups," he said, and underlined the need to consolidate
stability, security and peace in Lebanon in order to confront the enemies.
Referring to developments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Occupied Palestine, the
Iranian president said latest developments in these countries indicate that the
enemy is vulnerable to patience and resistance among Muslims.
Describing Ahmadinejad's visit to his country at this sensitive time as "very
crucial," Berri said the pressures being exerted on the Islamic Republic of Iran
to end its nuclear activities is indirectly directed at the resistance movements
in South Lebanon and Syria.
He reiterated his belief that solidarity among Muslim nations and regional unity
can neutralize the plots and conspiracies of enemies.
Berri further lauded Iran's firm position regarding the Palestinian issue.
Ahmadinejad arrived in Damascus on Thursday for a two-day official visit during
which he held talks with senior Syrian officials on key bilateral, regional and
international issues.
Iran Pres. meets Lebanese Muslim Alims Group
Saturday, January 21, 2006 - ©2005 IranMania.com
LONDON, January 21 (IranMania) - ran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met with
the members of the Board of Directors of the Lebanese Muslim Alims Group at his
residence in Damascus, IRNA said.
Ahmadinejad said during the meeting, "Today we are going through one of the most
sensitive eras of the Islamic history, since the authentic Mohamedan mentality,
that had been segregated for many centuries, is vivaciously at the scene and the
sprouts of Islamic awareness are nurturing and rapidly growing."
He added, "Today the buds of hope for nobility, prevalence of justice, and
revival of spirituality have blossomed in many hearts, but this sapling is too
young yet, and in dire need of careful nurturing, since the slightest
abandonment of it might lead to casting aside Islam for long years one more
time."Iran's president referred to the significant role of Islamic awareness in
driving Lebanon out of the tough era of the civil war and Israeli occupation,
reiterating, "The solidarity among Alims and Lebanese nation's revolutionary
movement provided such conditions that Lebanon that was weak at the time and on
the verge of disintegration managed to inflict heaviest losses against the
occupier regime of the Holy Qods.
The Iranian President referred to the efforts made by the enemy to transfer its
internal problems into the inside circles of the Islamic front in the region and
to flicker the flames of tension and internal clashes in Lebanon.
He added, "Maintaining the peaceful atmosphere and remaining calm under such
circumstances in order to secure the stability and integrity of Lebanon is a
very precious and revolutionary move today, and we pray to Almighty Allah to
grant success to all forces, particularly to the Lebanese Alims, to pass through
this sensitive era quite victoriously."
Before President Ahmadinejad's address, the head of the Lebanese Alims Group
while elaborating on his group's activities, that is comprised of Lebanese Shi'a
and Sunni Alims, said, "We, too, believe the Europeans need to accept the
establishment of a Jewish state within their own borders to make up for the
mistakes they confirm they have committed."
He added, "We strongly support the precious comments of the President of the
Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the illegitimate nature of the Zionist
regime, since we consider that regime the only remaining racist state in the
world."
The prominent Lebanese Alim at the end confirmed Iran's natural right to take
full advantage of the nuclear toxicology for peaceful purposes and condemned the
West's double standards on the issue.
UN investigator arrives to take over Hariri probe
www.chinaview.cn 2006-01-21 15:41:59
BEIJING, Jan. 21 -- The new head of the U.N. commission into the assassination
of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri arrived in Lebanon on Thursday.
Serge Brammertz, a Belgian who was a deputy prosecutor in the International
Criminal Court, takes over from Detlev Mehlis, who stepped down last month to
return to his job as a senior prosecutor in Germany.
Brammertz's first challenge is likely to be to gain full co-operation from
Syria.
But UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says Syria would like to cooperate in the
investigation.
"I haven't spoken to President Assad lately but Foreign Minister al-Sharaa
called me two days ago to assure me that his government is going to co-operate
and co-operate fully with the new prosecutor, and they look forward to meeting
with him as soon as is practicable. " Annan said. The commission has implicated
the Lebanese and Syrian intelligence services in the killing of Hariri, who died
along with 20 other people in a truck bombing in central Beirut on February 14,
2005.
While Lebanon praised the commission's interim reports, Syria rejected its
findings and tried to discredit its witnesses.
Annan says security situation in Lebanon fragile
ww.chinaview.cn 2006-01-21 05:34:52
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that
the political and security environment in Lebanon continues to be fragile, UN
spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Friday.
Dujarric told reporters at the daily briefing that the secretary-general, in a
report to the Security Council, said that the political and security environment
in Lebanon continues to be fragile, with a Hizbollah attack across the Blue Line
in November being the greatest cause of recent concern. Annan also warned that
the rocket firing incidents by unidentified armed elements, which took place in
August and December, carried significant potential for military escalation, the
spokesman said, adding that persistent Israeli air incursions remain a matter of
deep concern. However, the secretary-general is encouraged by Lebanon's
commitment to hold perpetrators of such attacks responsible so as to avoid their
recurrence, Dujarric noted.
According to the spokesman, the secretary-general recommended a six-month
extension of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.
The Security Council is scheduled to discuss Lebanon next Wednesday.
U.S. to push for Hizbullah disarmament
Washington, Paris mulling draft UN resolution calling on Lebanon to comply with
Resolution 1559 and disarm Hizbullah
Yitzhak Benhorin (Washington) U.S. intensifying diplomatic efforts to have
Hizbullah disarmed: The United States is set on Monday to present to the United
Nations Security Council a draft resolution calling on Lebanon to implement a
past resolution demanding Hizbullah and other militias be disarmed. Issued on
September 2, 2004, resolution 1559 calls for the disarmament of armed groups,
namely the Hizbullah and Palestinian armed factions. The move comes in light of
the Lebanese government’s failure to implement the resolution after the
withdrawal of Syrian troops from the country in April 2005, under a clause in
resolution 1559, which also demanded all foreign troops leave Lebanon. U.S. and
French diplomats are reportedly penning the new resolution. The move comes days
after the January, 17, visit to Beirut by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
David Welch, who reported to Washington the readiness of the Lebanese government
to comply with the demands of the international community. The disarmament of
Hizbullah will allow the Lebanese Army to control south Lebanon, an area from
which the Shiite group and Palestinian terror organizations occasionally launch
rocket and other attacks at Israel.
Syria and Iran – Joint Statement
Friday, January 20, 2006 - 09:05 PM
DAMASCUS, (SANA)
Iran strongly backs Syria’s principled stances to restore her occupied
territories to the 4th of June line 1967, a Syrian-Iranian joint statement at
the end of Iranian President’s visit to Syria said Friday.
Syria and Iran underlined the necessity of the Israeli pullout of all occupied
Arab territories including the Syrian Golan, the Palestinian lands and of the
Lebanese lands which is still under the occupation.
Both sides underscored rights of the Palestinian people to liberate their lands,
return home and to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its
capital .
The two sides expressed relief over the high level of the political relations
between them and stressed care for developing economic relations and making use
of the available potentials of both Syria and Iran.
The two sides reiterated condemnation of former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri
assassination, stressing care that the international investigation should take
its course on professional, legal and neutral basis away from any attempt to
exploit this vicious crime for political ends that aim at pressuring Syria and
breaking away from reaching the truth which is the original task of the
international investigation commission.
The two sides expressed concern over continuation of foreign intervention in the
internal affairs of the countries in the region drawing attention to the
negative repercussions of such intervention on stability and security of the
region.
The two sides reiterated their support to the current political process in the
region, stressing the necessity to achieve security, stability and national
reconciliation among all spectrums of the Iraqi people welcoming in this context
all the efforts exerted by the united Nations, the Organization of the Islamic
Conference, Iraq neighbouring states and the Arab Initiative for National
Reconciliation.
The two sides welcomed holding the Iraqi elections to form a national assembly
and an Iraqi government in which all the Iraqi spectrums will take part,
stressing readiness to extend all forms of support the new Iraqi government.
Syria and Iran stressed the necessity of preservation of the Iraqi unity of land
and people, and condemned all the terrorist acts targeting the Iraqi citizens
and establishments, demanding the urgent need for a time table whereby the
occupation troops would pullout of Iraq so that the Iraqi people will be able of
achieving their aspirations of security, stability, growth and prosperity.
The two sides stressed the necessity for the implementation of the UN.
resolutions stipulating having the Middle East free of Weapons of Mass
Destruction and most of all the nuclear arms.
They demanded the international community to act for the subjugation of the
Israeli nuclear installations to the Atomic Energy International Agency, and
force Israel to join Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty NPT.
Syria and Iran stressed all countries right including Iran to peaceful use of
technology and nuclear energy in line with NPT away from selectivity policy and
double standards which are being practiced by some international circles.
The two sides expressed hope that an atmosphere of justice and equality prevail
international relations away from hegemony and selectivity and resorting to
dialogue as the best method to solve the issues.
Syria and Iran exchanged viewpoints over the regional and international
developments and issues of mutual concern.
Iranian President Ahmadinejad thanked President Bashar al-Assad for the warm
welcome and hospitality he received during his visit to Syria along with his
accompanying delegation.
Ahmadinejad extended an invitation to President al-Assad to visit Iran, which he
accepted gratefully.