LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
December 02/09
Late Syrian
president Hafez Assad admits in a speech delivered in Damascus in 1976 that he sent his Army
into Lebanon with any Lebanese's call or approval. Click on the below link to
listen to the speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=NL&hl=nl&v=MfpHvn_CH5I&feature=related
Bible Reading of the day
Luke10/38 It happened as
they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman
named Martha received him into her house. 10:39 She had a sister called Mary,
who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 10:40 But Martha was distracted
with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that
my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.” 10:41 Jesus
answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
10:42 but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be
taken away from her.”
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Lebanese stability does Syria no good/By
Ferry Biederman/December
01/09
Crisis or not, we need Dubai/The
Daily Star/December
01/09
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for December 01/09
Lebanese
cabinet Expected to Adopt
Policy Statement on Wednesday without Amendments/Naharnet
Bellemare Starts 7 Days Visit to
Beirut Tuesday/Naharnet
Suleiman: Abolishing Political Sectarianism Must Preserve Equal Muslim-Christian
Powersharing/Naharnet
Salameh: Lebanon Not Affected by Dubai Financial Crisis/Naharnet
Nasrallah: Abolishing Political Sectarianism Basic Condition for
Majority-Minority Rule/Naharnet
Cabinet Expected to Adopt
Policy Statement on Wednesday without Amendments/Naharnet
U.S. Embassy: Feltman Not
Visiting Lebanon, Sison Remains U.S. Ambassador/Naharnet
Oghassabian: Nasrallah
Offered Contradictory Positions/Naharnet
Kanaan: It's Useless to
Voice Reservations about Policy Statement
/Naharnet
Alloush: Hizbullah's
Manifesto Abstract/Naharnet
Fatfat Sees No Major
Change in Nasrallah's Positions/Naharnet
Soaid: Hizbullah's
Manifesto Torpedoed National Dialogue/Naharnet
Minister Sayyed Hussein
for Discussing Abolishment of Confessionalism at Dialogue Table/Naharnet
Michigan Authorities Told
to Beware of Lebanese Shooting Suspect/Naharnet
Majority Source:
Hizbullah's Manifesto a Source of Conflict with Lebanese/Naharnet
Mitchell Could Include
Lebanon in his Next Visit to the Region/Naharnet
Jumblat: Sectarian Reality
Reached a Dangerous Advanced Stage That Demands System Development/Naharnet
Pharaon: There is a Trust
Conflict Concerning Weapons/Naharnet
Phalange Party Calls to
Preserve Cedar Revolution Principles/Naharnet
Phone Messages to
Southerners Ask for Info on Missing Israelis/Naharnet
Fadlallah Slams Swiss
Minaret Ban/Naharnet
Hezbollah chief: Armed struggle is best way to
end occupation/Ha'aretz
When it comes to Iran, 'rules must be binding'/Foreign
Policy
Britain open to contacts with Hizbullah/Daily
Star/Daily Star
Nasrallah: Sectarianism impeding democracy/Daily
Star
Jumblatt: sectarianism has reached 'dangerous level/Daily
Star
Berri
adviser calls cluster bombs Israeli attacks/Daily
Star
Sleiman underlines need to strengthen national unity/Daily
Star
Israeli 'missing soldier' phone calls target southern residents/Daily
Star
Miami
police post $10,000 reward as manhunt for Merhige continues/Daily
Star
French banking boss lauds Lebanese prudence/Daily
Star
Mneimneh to push Arabic, French in schools/Daily
Star
Poetry reading helps show solidarity with Palestinians/Daily
Star
Rahhal discusses environment with Norwegian envoy/Daily Star
Journalist Eid charged with slander of judge, fined/Daily
Star
Baroud to boost Charles Helou area parking spaces/Daily
Star
Jrud
Akkar protest forces EDL to grant extra power hours/Daily
Star
Korean UNIFIL contingent welcomes new boss/Daily
Star
UNIFIL's Italian contingent relieves German Navy/Daily
Star
Abi Ramia: Hezbollah’s
political platform “more open”/Now Lebanon
Britain open to contacts with Hizbullah
By Josie Ensor //Daily Star staff
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
BEIRUT: Britain is willing to step-up contact with Hizbullah as they begin to
play a bigger role in Lebanon’s government, Foreign Secretary David Miliband
told The Daily Star in an exclusive interview. Miliband told the paper this week
he believed “carefully considered contact with Hizbullah’s politicians,
including its MPs, will best advance our objective of the group rejecting
violence to play a constructive role in Lebanese politics.” He said that the UK
government was only interested in serious dialogue with members who “value the
political process, not those that seek to undermine it,” and reiterated its firm
opposition to those in Hizbullah supporting terrorism.
The foreign secretary stressed that any talks with the Shiite group, which has
two ministers in the new 30-member unity Cabinet, would be considered on a “case
by case basis,” and would solely concern issues of national importance. Britain
ceased contact with Hizbullah in 2005 and officially listed its military wing as
a terrorist organization last year.
However, Miliband has begun to reconsider Britain’s policy in recent months in a
bid to press Hizbullah to disarm – something the group has refused to do since
its formation in 1982 to fight Israeli occupation of Lebanon’s southern border –
saying there should be no weapons other than those controlled by the Lebanese
state.
Britain sought to meet with Hizbullah MP Ali Amaar for low-level talks in March.
The group’s spokesman Ibrahim Mousawi welcomed the opening of communication,
calling it “a step in the right direction.” However, the move was heavily
criticized at the time by the US administration, which classifies both the
political and military arm as terrorist outfits, with a senior official quoted
saying he was unhappy with Britain’s overtures to the group. Hizbullah’s
increased representation in government has also prompted anger from Israel, who
announced this summer that the entire Lebanese state would be held accountable
for any future militant attacks. When asked by The Daily Star whether he agreed
with Israel’s stance, Miliband answered by saying the best way for the two to
resolve this dispute was through negotiations. “The UK strongly supports a
comprehensive peace settlement to the Arab/Israeli conflict and this will need
to include an agreement between Israel and Lebanon,” said Miliband. He also
urged that they adhere to UN Resolution 1701, which was passed unanimously by
the Security Council in 2006 to end the 34-day war between Israel and the south.
Miliband said that the recent violations of the resolution by both countries
were of serious concern and only served to delay the establishment of a
long-term peace plan. “The UK continues to believe that 1701 is the best way of
achieving lasting stability in Lebanon, [but] there are a number of outstanding
issues and it is crucial for the stability of the region that it is implemented
in full,” he said. He added that he was “extremely concerned” about the group’s
growing military capacity and the impact it has on the security and safety of
Lebanon. He called on all states to respect the UN arms embargo on Hizbullah and
urged President Michel Sleiman to reconvene National Dialogue “at the nearest
opportunity.” Earlier this year, it was reported the Shiite group was
stockpiling up to 400,000 weapons near the border with Israel, including rockets
capable of hitting commercial capital Tel Aviv. Just last month Israel
intercepted an Iranian arms shipment – thought to be the largest ever seized –
reportedly heading for the Lebanese militant group.
We have no illusion about Hizbullah [’s arsenal],” Miliband said, however,
“rather than focusing on hurdles, we are focused on the best way to ensure
political stability in Lebanon, which is vital to peace in the Middle East.
Five British sailors held by Iran
Raphael G. Satter/Associated Press
LONDON: Iran is holding five British sailors after stopping their racing yacht
in the Persian Gulf, the British government said Monday. The move could heighten
tensions between Iran and major world powers, including Britain, that are
demanding a halt to its nuclear program.Oil prices spiked 2 percent to $77.45 a
barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as the news broke.The yacht owned by
Sail Bahrain was stopped on its way from the tiny island country to the Gulf
city of Dubai on Wednesday when it “may have strayed inadvertently into Iranian
waters,” Britain’s Foreign Office said. Sail Bahrain’s website identified the
yacht as the “Kingdom of Bahrain” and said it had been due to join the
Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race, which was to begin November 26.
Cabinet Expected to Adopt Policy Statement on Wednesday without Amendments
Naharnet/The cabinet will hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the policy
statement and adopt it most probably without any amendments despite reservations
by Phalange and Lebanese Forces representatives and Minister Boutros Harb.
Ministerial sources told al-Liwaa newspaper that the stances of the ministers of
either objecting or expressing reservations to the statement won't affect its
adoption during the meeting that is scheduled to be held at 11:00 am at Baabda
palace. The sources expected the first parliamentary session to discuss the
statement to be held either by the end of the week or early next week because,
according to the constitution, the document should be distributed to lawmakers
48 hours before the vote of confidence session. On the eve of the session, most
politicians have expressed belief that the Phalange and LF ministers as well as
Harb would object to the sixth clause which deals with the resistance. Beirut,
01 Dec 09, 09:24
Bellemare Starts 7 Days Visit to Beirut Tuesday
Naharnet/Chief Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Daniel Bellemare
is to begin on Tuesday a visit to Beirut that will last for seven days and will
include visits to top Lebanese officials, his spokeswoman Radia Ashouri said. A
statement issued by Ashouri said that Bellemare "arrives today in Beirut in the
frame of an official visit that will last for seven days."Bellemare will meet
top Lebanese officials "to discuss the means of continuing cooperation between
the Lebanese authorities and STL", according to Ashouri's statement. Tuesday's
visit to Beirut is Bellemare's first as STL's Chief Prosecutor. He left Lebanon
on February 28 after finishing his mission as the Head of United Nations
Independent International Investigation Commission. Beirut, 01 Dec 09, 17:50
Suleiman: Abolishing Political Sectarianism Must Preserve Equal Muslim-Christian
Powersharing, Coexistence
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman on Tuesday stressed that "abolishing
political sectarianism must preserve diversity and equal (Muslim-Christian)
powersharing which leads to the preservation of the coexistence charter that
distinguishes Lebanon and gives legitimacy to all institutions." During
receiving the new council of the Bar Association, Suleiman added: "The space of
internal consensus is necessary and essential for tackling several issues that
demand such a consensus and do not contradict with the last article of the
Lebanese Constitution introduction."Suleiman said that many things have
developed with time and that requires approaching thorny issues such as the
Judiciary's independence, administrational decentralization, all the way to the
newly raised topic of abolishing political sectarianism. The president expressed
his relief over the stances that urged consensus in dealing with the issue of
abolishing political sectarianism. Beirut, 01 Dec 09, 15:57
Salameh: Lebanon Not Affected by Dubai Financial Crisis
Naharnet/Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh on Tuesday reassured that
"Lebanon is away from what is happening in Dubai." "Lebanon won't get affected
with the ongoing financial crisis (in Dubai) because it has a major
overabundance in the balance of payments. The demand for the Lebanese Pound is
on the rise and the Lebanese currency is stable," added Salameh. Salameh told
LBC TV network that "the price of the large reserves of gold existing in the
Central Bank is increasing." Beirut, 01 Dec 09, 16:34
Phalange Party Calls to Preserve Cedar Revolution Principles
Naharnet/Phalange party's stance refuses to compromise between the Lebanese Army
weapon and that of Hizbullah considering that the sovereignty should not be
divided on national ground as it contradicts with Higher Lebanon's interests and
with its international obligations. Phalange party demanded in the statement
issued after its weekly office meeting to "preserve the principles of the Cedar
revolution as they translate the feelings of the majority of the Lebanese in the
Ministerial Statement" which will be discussed in shape and content on
Wednesday.
The statement mentioned the ongoing preparations for the National Dialogue Table
hoping that it will be "well represented and not turning into a political club
or a Babylon Tower". Phalange party believes in "rebalancing some constitutional
authorities especially those of the Lebanese President". Beirut, 30 Nov 09,
19:44
Oghassabian: Nasrallah Offered Contradictory Positions
Naharnet/State Minister Jean Oghassabian said Tuesday Hizbullah chief Sayyed
Hassan Nasrallah has offered contradictory positions in the party's new
political manifesto.
"On one hand, he opens the door to dialogue and encourages listening to the
views of various political leaders, and on the other hand, he speaks of
interaction between the army and the resistance because the state is unable to
face up to Israeli aggression, and stresses at the same time that the resistance
has a separate moral identity," Oghassabian told Future News TV.
He said Lebanon "needs to arms against Israeli threats, but it also needs a
defensive strategy where weapons are only to be used to defend Lebanon." Turning
to the controversial issue of Hizbullah arms in the ministerial policy
statement, Oghassabian said he, too, has "a lot of reservations about" it. "But
I have decided to stick to the principle of Cabinet solidarity," he stressed,
adding that "there is no difference between us and those ministers who had
reservations on the statement." Beirut, 01 Dec 09, 11:55
Alloush: Hizbullah's Manifesto Abstract
Naharnet/MP Mustafa Alloush said Tuesday that Hizbullah's new political
manifesto was abstract." It reiterated its insistence on the continuation of the
status regarding arms and Shabaa Farms," he told al-Jadeed TV. He believed that
a demand to abolish political sectarianism by a "religious" and "armed" party is
"intended to manipulate the majority of people in Lebanon to rule." Beirut, 01
Dec 09, 12:38
Abi Ramia: Hezbollah’s political platform “more open”
December 1, 2009 /Change and Reform bloc MP Simon Abi Ramia told the press on
Tuesday that Hezbollah’s political platform is in line with the latest
happenings and “more open” than the first one in 1985, stating that parties
which traditionally criticize Hezbollah seem to respond to the platform more
positively. Abi Ramia added that Hezbollah’s Secretary General Sayyed Hassan
Nasrallah’s speech on Monday showed there is “no doubt about Lebanon’s
sovereignty and its belonging to the Arab world.” -NOW Lebanon
Fatfat Sees No Major Change in Nasrallah's Positions
Naharnet/MP Ahmed Fatfat said Tuesday "there is nothing new" in Hizbullah's
political manifesto that had been announced by Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan
Nasrallah the day before.
"There have been no major changes in his (Nasrallah's) positions which
reiterated all previous stances in a new form," Fatfat said in an interview with
LBC TV.
He said a draft ministerial policy statement "will be approved as is with some
reservations by Cabinet ministers." Fatfat said reservations to the statement
will not only be voiced by Christian Cabinet ministers, but by Muslims, too.
Beirut, 01 Dec 09, 12:52
Majority Source: Hizbullah's Manifesto a Source of Conflict with Lebanese
Naharnet/A parliamentary majority source considered Hizbullah's new manifesto a
source of conflict with the Lebanese for allegedly failing to consider Lebanon a
nation for all its citizens. The source also told al-Liwaa newspaper that the
32-page document defined sovereignty by announcing enmity towards the United
States and Israel. He said the manifesto, which was announced by Hizbullah
Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, meant that holding onto a consensus
democracy means rejecting parliamentary democracy.
Furthermore, the source expressed fear over Nasrallah's announcement that "the
ongoing Israeli threat forces the resistance to continue to boost its capacity,"
meaning Hizbullah would continue to build up its arsenal. He told al-Liwaa that
the manifesto did not mention international resolutions and described the West
as an enemy. Beirut, 01 Dec 09, 09:50
Soaid: Hizbullah's Manifesto Torpedoed National Dialogue
Naharnet/March 14 General-Secretariat coordinator Fares Soaid said Tuesday that
Hizbullah's new manifesto torpedoed the national dialogue and efforts exerted to
come up with a unified defense strategy. Soaid also told LBC TV network that "Hizbullah
is putting itself in a confrontation with the new world order." The March 14
official criticized Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah for not mentioning
the "Lebanese entity" during his press conference on Monday. Soaid also said
"cohabitation" between Hizbullah and the Lebanese army in a single state as
called for by Nasrallah is impossible to achieve. The new manifesto isn't much
different than the first document issued in 1985, according to Soaid. Beirut, 01
Dec 09, 12:29
Minister Sayyed Hussein for Discussing Abolishment of Confessionalism at
Dialogue Table
Naharnet/Cabinet Minister Adnan Sayyed Hussein warned of the "sensitivity" of
the issue of abolishment of confessionalism in politics but said he supported
discussing it at the national dialogue table. Sayyed Hussein told Voice of
Lebanon radio on Tuesday that the controversial issue should be discussed along
with the defense strategy by top Lebanese leaders at the dialogue table. The
minister reminded Lebanese that the time should be ripe to discuss the topic
particularly that President Michel Suleiman had put the condition of having
national consensus in any attempt to launch reform. He stressed that discussions
to form the committee for the abolishment of confessionalism should be held away
from tension and division of shares.
"Formation of the committee does not mean that confessionalism will be abolished
tomorrow," Sayyed Hussein added. Beirut, 01 Dec 09, 10:56
Nasrallah: Abolishing Political Sectarianism Basic Condition for
Majority-Minority Rule
Naharnet/Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said Monday that the
abolishment of political sectarianism was the "basic condition" for the
establishment of a true democracy in which the majority rules and the minority
opposes. "Political sectarianism is blocking the development of the Lebanese
political regime and standing as an obstacle in the face of a democracy where
the majority rules and the minority opposes," Nasrallah told reporters via video
link from a secret location. He has rarely appeared in public since the 2006
Israel-Hizbullah war, fearing Israeli assassination. The Hizbullah
secretary-general stressed that abolishing political sectarianism is a "basic
condition" for the implementation of the majority-minority rule.
His comments came during a news conference to announce the group's new 32-page
political manifesto, the second since Hizbullah was founded in 1982 to fight
Israel's invading military.
Nasrallah said that the manifesto defines the political vision of the party and
includes its stances and aspirations. Toning down the first manifesto's Islamist
rhetoric, Nasrallah said: "Lebanon is our homeland and the homeland of our
fathers, ancestors, grandchildren, and the coming generations. It is the country
that we gave our most precious sacrifices."
Nasrallah said that Hizbullah rejects any kind of segregation or federalism in
Lebanon, whether explicit or disguised. He added that his party wants Lebanon to
be strong, active, and present in the geopolitics of the region. "Our vision for
the state that we should build together in Lebanon is represented in the state
that preserves public freedoms … the state that is keen on national unity, the
state that protects its land, people, and sovereignty," added Nasrallah. He also
insisted that Hizbullah, which has been accused of acting as a state within a
state, was keen on a united Lebanon that represents everyone. "We want a Lebanon
that is united through its land, its people, its state and institutions,"
Nasrallah said, rejecting any notion of the country being divided along
confessional lines. He said although his party remained committed ideologically
to Iran's brand of Islamic government, that did not contradict its role in local
politics.
Nasrallah also vowed that his party would continue to build up its arsenal to
protect Lebanon against Israeli aggression.
"The ongoing Israeli threat forces the resistance to continue to boost its
capacity ... in order to fulfill its role in liberating occupied territory," the
head of the Shiite group said.
"The Israeli threat ... calls for Lebanon to have a defense strategy built on
the presence of a popular resistance that helps to defend the country against
Israeli aggression and a national army that protects the country and its
stability." Nasrallah accused Washington of being the world's leading exporter
of terrorism and urged nations around the globe to stand up against such a
threat. "There is no question that American terrorism is the origin of all
terrorism around the world," said Nasrallah. In presenting Hizbullah's political
platform, Nasrallah ruled out any chance of ever recognizing Israel and insisted
on the right of the Palestinians to reclaim their homeland. "We categorically
reject any compromise with Israel or recognizing its legitimacy," he said. "This
position is definitive, even if everyone recognizes Israel." Beirut, 30 Nov 09,
18:12
U.S. Embassy: Feltman Not Visiting Lebanon, Sison Remains U.S. Ambassador
Naharnet/The U.S. embassy has denied a media report that U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman would visit Beirut
this week. The embassy also denied al-Markaziya news agency's report that the
Obama administration would most probably replace Michele Sison as U.S.
ambassador to Beirut. Al-Markaziya said Monday that Feltman would visit Beirut
and hold talks with top Lebanese officials and March 14 leaders as part of a
tour to the region. The news agency also said that Sison, who is spending a
two-week holiday in the U.S., would stay in Washington so that she could take
part in the meetings that Lebanese President Michel Suleiman will hold with top
officials in Washington, including President Barack Obama, on December 12. Al-Markaziya
also reported that the U.S. administration was seeking to appoint a new
ambassador to Lebanon. Beirut, 01 Dec 09, 08:55
Kanaan: It's Useless to Voice
Reservations about Policy Statement ]
Naharnet/MP Ibrahim Kanaan on Tuesday described as "pointless" reservations
voiced by Christian Cabinet ministers about the policy statement.
"These reservations are useless at the Constitutional level if the government
won a vote of confidence," Kanaan said in remarks to Future News TV.
He urged political the controversial issue of Hizbullah arms be discussed at the
dialogue table. "Ongoing differences in opinion over the resistance issue
indicate the need for dialogue," Kanaan argued. Beirut, 01 Dec 09, 13:23
Michigan Authorities Told to Beware of Lebanese Shooting Suspect
Naharnet/Authorities in suburban Detroit have been alerted to be on the lookout
for the Lebanese suspect in a Thanksgiving day shooting that killed four people
in Jupiter, Florida, officials said Monday. "Any time we uncover anything about
the suspect's past, we have an obligation to alert authorities in that area,"
said Jupiter Police Department public information officer Scott Pascarella,
talking about Paul Michael Merhige. Merhige allegedly shot dead four people,
including his twin sisters, and wounded two others in Jupiter.
Within the past year, Merhige, 35, had sought treatment from a doctor at
Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Pascarella said.
"We don't have anything specific that says he is in fact heading to Michigan,"
he said.
Farmington Hills is located northwest of Detroit. The doctor lives in nearby
Birmingham, officials said.
"We've talked to the doctor and taken some precautionary measures, but there's
nothing to indicate that he's coming to Birmingham or the state," Birmingham
Police Chief Richard Patterson told CNN on Monday. "Apparently, they had
developed some information a day after the homicide from either the family
members or from a psychologist or psychiatrist that he was out to get everybody
who ever touched his life."Authorities have said that an arrest warrant has been
issued for Merhige and a $10,000 reward was offered for information leading to
his arrest.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people attended a vigil on Monday for the twin sisters.
At the head of that procession, friends carried a poster-sized photograph of the
two 33-year-old twins who were active in the church. On the loudspeakers were
heard recordings of hymns performed by the two sisters, former star singers for
the congregation. As the photo left the church, the 300 or more people in the
pews waved goodbye to them with white napkins, a church tradition. Beirut, 01
Dec 09, 08:06
Mitchell Could Include Lebanon in his Next Visit to the Region
Naharnet/U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell could visit Lebanon and Syria
during his upcoming tour of the region, western diplomatic sources told al-Mustaqbal
newspaper. The sources said Mitchell would travel to the region "very soon" and
could include Beirut and Damascus in his visit following the formation of the
Lebanese national unity government.
The sources told al-Mustaqbal that by the time Mitchell arrives in Lebanon, the
cabinet would have gotten the vote of confidence. This way, he would be informed
about its political and economic plans and would put Lebanese officials in the
picture of the latest U.S. plans on Mideast peace. U.S. Assistant Secretary of
State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman had said that Washington was
limiting visits to Beirut by top officials during the Lebanese government
formation process to avoid accusations of interference in the country's local
affairs.
The envoy could also visit Syria for among other things facilitating the
formation of the Lebanese cabinet, the sources told al-Mustaqbal.
Mitchell is expected to make another attempt to bring the Israeli and
Palestinian sides back to the negotiating table. Last week, top Palestinian
presidential adviser Yasser Abed Rabbo said he hopes Mitchell can bring about
what he called "a real peace process" that would halt all settlement
construction. Beirut, 01 Dec 09, 08:28
Pharaon: There is a Trust Conflict Concerning Weapons
Naharnet/State Minister Michel Pharaon seeks answers to interrogative demanding
issues concerning weapons especially that mentioned in the sixth item of the
Ministerial Statement. The government's weighing decision regarding peace and
war and the Lebanese-Syrian relationship are other matters to which Pharaon
demands immediate answers. Pharaon's declarations came as an outcome after a
meeting amongst March 14 Christian ministers at his residence in Sin el-Fil.
Pharaon called for "unstopping dialogue to clarify misunderstandings and
coordinate stances" concerning the weapon issue which is causing "a trust
conflict". From his part, Information Minister Tarek Mitri related his
participation in the meeting to "inform other minister colleagues of the
different points of view. There isn't more to it. We do not intend any
ministerial blocs inside the government". Mitri added that "the Ministerial
Statement cannot satisfy everybody's demands in each of its items". "There is a
unanimous agreement, however, on the government's unity and it being an
exclusive reference to its decisions and obligations,' said Mitri. Beirut, 30
Nov 09, 19:02
Jumblat: Sectarian Reality Reached a Dangerous Advanced Stage That Demands
System Development
Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat said that "the
sectarian reality in Lebanon has reached a dangerous advanced stage which
demands thorough and calm thinking that enhances the political system and
liberates the Lebanese citizen from the government's bounding decisions".
Jumblat in his weekly stance in al-Anbaa newspaper, stressed on the necessity to
create a senate that allows an even and balanced representation of all sects and
a respect to their rights. According to Jumblat, the senate would deal with the
bigger national and crucial cases and will dissipate the fears of those who
suffer from it. On this front, Jumblat considers that the election system should
be developed to fairly represent all political parties according to their sizes
and put a halt to the financial and sectarian feudalism by enriching the
parliament with different [political] perspectives. "It's time to leave biddings
on crucial matters behind. Bigger national issues are not conducted by
harassment but by a balanced and sober dialogue," said Jumblat. Beirut, 30 Nov
09, 19:26
Hassan Nasrallah
December 1, 2009
Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah announced on Monday,
November 30 his party’s newest political platform, the second such manifesto it
has released since 1985.
Below is a summary of his speech:
Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah announced on Monday his
party’s new political platform—the second such manifesto it has released since
1985—which was adopted earlier November at the end of a Hezbollah’s general
conference. He outlined the party’s vision on international politics and
domestic affairs, saying its philosophy “comes as the result of the
responsibility of the sacrifices that we have experienced.”
Nasrallah started by explaining that the platform comes in the context of “an
exceptional time filled with transformations” reflecting the “decline of US
hegemony.” He added that this decline is leading to a “multi-polar”
international system.
“It is no longer possible to address these changes without noting the special
position our Resistance has reached,” he said.
Nasrallah added that despite the “failure of the enemy’s war strategy, the party
does not underestimate the size of the challenges and risks ahead of us,” and
declared that “the Resistance has reasons to strengthen itself.”
Nasrallah then detailed Hezbollah’s view of the decline of the “unipolar”
system, slamming the US for imposing a “domination project,” which reached its
peak “during the neoconservative gripped administration of [former US President]
George W. Bush.” He added that violence is currently caused by “powers
controlling trans-national monopoly networks” and decried “savage capitalism”
for having militarized globalization into a force “to divide and destroy
identities.”
“The US war on terror has cost millions of lives, in addition to the mass
destruction it wrought,” he said, warning that “the decline and failure of US
strategy does not mean it will stop interfering. Rather, it will make an effort
to protect its strategic interests.”
Nasrallah shifted topics from the perceived decline of US power to the party’s
vision for domestic Lebanese affairs, saying, “We want Lebanon to belong to all
the Lebanese. We reject any form of division and federalism.”
He added that “The elimination of political sectarianism is the main
pre-condition to establish a true democracy and the Taif Accord stipulated the
formation of a national council for this end.” Nasrallah blamed sectarianism
“for being a strong obstacle to achieving a true democracy, whereby the elected
majority can rule and the opposition can exercise its role.”
Despite Hezbollah’s desire for a sectarian-free democracy, Nasrallah said that
until achieving it, his party accepts “consensus democracy” pursuant to the
Constitution and National Pact. “Consensus democracy is a suitable political
formula that ensures the participation of all parties,” he noted.
Nasrallah outlined his party’s vision for the Lebanese state, saying it must
“guarantee public liberties, ensure national unity and protect its sovereignty
and independence with a strong and capable army.” He stressed the importance of
“modern” institutions, an economy built on agriculture and industry and a strong
judiciary.
He also called for a modern electoral law with “accurate electoral
representation” and added that the state needs to cater to its citizens’ needs,
empower the youth and women and prioritize education.
Nasrallah added that non-administrative decentralization must be adopted, but it
cannot become the means to the creation of a federalism.
He mapped out his party’s policy on a national defense strategy, saying that
Lebanon needs to confront Israeli threats with a popular resistance supported by
the people and a national army that ensures the country’s stability and
security. “Adopting the choice of the Resistance allowed Lebanon to achieve real
independence and safeguard its sovereignty,” he added.
Nasrallah also called on the Lebanese to grant Palestinian refugees in the
country “their civil and social rights,” but refuse their naturalization.
Nasrallah also called for “direct Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue.”
Nasrallah addressed Lebanon’s foreign relations, and called for the country to
“maintain its special relations with Syria because it is a political, security
and economic need dictated by the two countries’ interests.” He added that
“negative atmosphere” clouding these relations must be removed.
According to him, Lebanon’s relations with Syria are part of the country’s
overall relations with the Arab world and its confrontation with Israel.
“Lebanon is Arab in nature and belonging” and added that its interests
“necessitate a commitment to just Arab causes.” He called some Arab countries’
disputes with Iran as a “stab to the back of Arab causes that only serves Israel
and the US.”
Nasrallah also stressed the importance of cooperation between Islamic countries
and described Iran as an “important, central state in the Islamic world… which
supports resistance movements in our area and supports Arab and Islamic causes.”
He added that the “fabrications of contradictions” between Iran and Arab
countries is a “stab in the back to the Arab cause, which serves only Israel and
the US.”
He then discussed Israel, saying it is natural “for the Zionist entity to
experience an existence crisis since it is a non-viable entity” and added that
all nations must work to “liberate all the lands occupied [by Israel].” He also
criticized the Middle East peace process diplomacy practiced by US President
Barack Obama.
“Our fight against the Zionist-colonialism project in Palestine is a
self-defense against the Israeli injustice which threatens our existence,”
Nasrallah added.
Nasrallah widened the discussion to the West, saying that the US is responsible
for problems in the “international system” by supporting Israel, dominating
international institutions, interfering in other societies’ affairs and
militarizing the world. He also blasted European policies for “oscillating
between impotence and inefficiency on one hand and unjustified subordination to
US policies on the other.”
“We believe that a more independent, just and objective European approach is
required in order to have Arab-European cooperation,” he added.
He also said Hezbollah has “common ground with the independence and liberation
movements in many countries in Latin America” and added that “the ‘Unity of the
Vulnerable’ will always be a pillar of our political thought and our relations
and positions regarding international causes.”
Nasrallah focused on Palestine in particular, saying the Palestinians have the
right to resist through all forms, primarily armed struggle. He cited the 2000
Israeli withdrawal from the South, their 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, the 2006
July War, the first and second Intifadas as well as the Hamas takeover of Gaza,
and the 2009 Gaza War as victories against Israel.
“We assure our constant and continuous support of the Palestinian people and
cause against Israel,” he added.
Nasrallah also called on “Arab leaders to review their agreements with Israel
and give up the idea of compromising with it, especially those who gambled on US
administration policies.” He added that “Israel has proved that is does not seek
peace and uses negotiations to impose its conditions and to achieve its gains.”
He instead said Hezbollah hopes the Arab and Islamic countries would “unite and
commit to the liberation of the land and reject the alternatives of
naturalization of Palestinians.”
We call on the Arabs to set plans to liberate Palestinians in Israeli prisons,”
he added.
Nasrallah then had a question and answer session with journalists, the content
of which can be read at the following link. -NOW Lebanon
Journalist Eid charged with slander of judge, fined
Daily Star staff/Tuesday, December 01, 2009
BEIRUT: The press court sentenced Lebanese journalist Ghada Marouni Eid on
Monday to three months in prison and a fine of LL20 million for slander against
Judge Afif Shamseddine. The court, presided over by Judge Roukoz Rizk, accused
Eid of slander against Shamseddine during her television show “Al-Fasad” –
Arabic for corruption – when she called the judge “one of the corrupt judges.”
She was also fined along with the television station New TV LL30 million to be
paid to Shamseddine as personal compensations. Rizk demanded as well that Eid
read her accusation during the first episode of her show following the
implementation of the sentence. However, Rizk dropped charges against the
director of New TV’s political programs Maryam al-Bassam for lack of sufficient
evidence. – The Daily Star
Lebanese stability does Syria no good
By Ferry Biederman
Commentary by
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Rare is the occasion on which the anti-Syrian camp in Lebanon agrees with the
regime in Damascus. But even though the Western-backed March 14 bloc’s Saad
Hariri is heading his first government and even though the anti-Syrian
parliamentary majority tries to put the best face on it, many of its people feel
that the outcome of the arduous Cabinet formation is a triumph for Damascus. And
the Syrians are not hiding their satisfaction either.
Undoubtedly the make-up of the government, denying the parliamentary majority an
outright majority of Cabinet seats, is the most direct reason for this shared
assessment. But given Lebanon’s notoriously and serially ineffective governments
and the country’s many other sectarian, regional and political checks and
balances, the actual make-up of any Cabinet cannot be a reason for much
sentiment either way. In any case, some of the ministers who hold the balance in
the new Cabinet, chosen by President Michel Sleiman, can be counted on to
support Hariri. Both sides are, rather, looking at a complex and delicate set of
signals and developments in the country, the region and the world from which
they draw the same conclusions. And if these do not play out in the most
optimistic way possible, the chances for peace and stability in Lebanon in the
coming four years look bleak. Hariri actually did not strike a bad deal on the
face of it. But all depends on the willingness of the minority, and specifically
Hizbullah, to let him govern. That dependency was exactly what he had initially
vowed to avoid.
In Damascus some may point out that the Cabinet negotiations finally meant Saudi
Arabian recognition of Syria’s role in Lebanon and a new status quo. Syria has
given the impression that it has now “allowed” the Cabinet formation in Lebanon
to proceed and it will expect something in return, just as it received the gift
of relative detente after the Doha accords in 2008. The expected quid pro quo is
more of a rapprochement with the United States and possibly and American
blessing for progress on the Israeli-Syrian peace front. Apart from Lebanon,
Damascus feels that it has other aces up its sleeve to force this, particularly
its ability to influence events in Iraq.
Syria has much to gain economically if it is allowed to reintegrate into the
region and the world, see an end to US sanctions, attract investment and trade
more easily. But that may not be the real focus of its diplomatic drive. It now
almost seems as if the Syrian government sees an opportunity to have its cake
and eat it. For years, received wisdom among many observers in the region was
that if Damascus wanted the Golan Heights back and a detente with the West, it
would have to give up on Lebanon and it would have to loosen control at home.
This was never a deal that the Syrian powers that be were going to take and it
seems now they feel that they don’t have to; they can do better. One indication
is that Syria is finally managing to turn the humiliation of leaving Lebanon in
2005 to its advantage. It does not have to be physically present in the country
to demonstrate to all the players there and abroad that it still plays a
considerable role. This was one of the purposes of the maneuvering surrounding
the Cabinet formation. Both Lebanese and Syrians acknowledge that the pre-2005
situation will not be restored, but as far as Damascus is concerned it does not
have to be. Better to disavow responsibility for Lebanon while still exerting
broad political and military influence through Hizbullah.
It is a way of at least reducing the role Lebanon will play in negotiations over
the Golan with Israel, if not take it completely off the table as an issue. Talk
of disarming Hizbullah or cutting off its supplies is fanciful anyway and maybe
Damascus calculates that the Israelis will realize this and move on. This is all
assuming that Syria and the Israelis are not merely interested in negotiations
for negotiations’ sake.
What this means for Lebanon is that it is once again subject to the machinations
of regional and global players, although this does not absolve the local
politicians from the original sin of allowing this to be so. Hariri’s wager for
the immediate future is on stability. If he succeeds in serving out his full
term without war or internal conflict, it would be a real breakthrough even if
he achieves nothing else. Not only would it be positive for the economic
development of the country, it could also in itself strengthen the state and its
institutions and improve his own political position. This would come at the
expense of the parliamentary minority, mainly Hizbullah, and of Syria’s
influence over the affairs of the country. The minority could therefore benefit
from disrupting Hariri’s rule politically, and if needed otherwise. It would not
face much more of a backlash than it suffered over the fighting in May 2008.
Certainly in the absence of an Israeli-Syrian deal, the latter scenario looks
the most likely and all regional and global players know it. Other contingencies
are possible, the Iranian situation may play a role, but this seems the basic
equation. It is a bleak one because it is still unlikely Israel or the US will
deal with Syria on its conditions, leaving it the Hizbullah and probably also
the Hamas and Iraq cards.
**Ferry Biederman is a freelance journalist based in Beirut. This commentary
first appeared at bitterlemons-international.org, an online newsletter.
The reasons of the strongest
Carlos Eddé,
December 1, 2009
Prior to the Doha Agreement, Lebanon was in a state of relative insecurity, and
I insist on the word “relative”, since everyone did not live by the same
circumstances. Those who upheld Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence were
exposed to assassination attempts and were bound to drastic security measures.
In contrast, March 8 politicians were not threatened; they ran no risks leaving
their houses or getting into their cars and had no worries whatsoever.
There was a time when, out of concern for my personal safety, the government
dispatched eight policemen and a warrant officer to protect me. I was receiving
advice regarding my comings and goings, and I was even told it would be
preferable that I leave my family home in Sanayeh because it was said to be
“unsafe.”
And then came the Doha miracle! In a matter of days, I was told that the “danger
had died down” and that I no longer needed personal security. The courageous
policemen who had faithfully remained by my side during the May 7 crisis were
transferred to other postings. When I asked some of my allies about the security
situation, they said that there should be no more killings since the “deal” that
was made in Doha included guarantees in this respect. And they were right
indeed; ever since this famed agreement, there was not one assassination of a
March 14 politician, and we returned to an almost normal lifestyle.
But what about justice for those who were assassinated between 2004 and 2008, or
those who sustained deep injuries that will scar them for life? Let us also not
forget the lives of those who were responsible for the personal safety of the
intended targets, or the passersby who just happened to be at the wrong place at
the wrong time. Is it all a case of “all is fair in love and war”, and does the
end justify the means after all?
Who was behind these assassinations and who gave the formerly targeted
politicians safety guarantees? Due to the lack of evidence, we are compelled to
proceed based on a logical reasoning. Let us use a process of elimination.
Figures close to Hezbollah accused Israel of having carried out the
assassinations. These arguments were automatically adopted by the Aounists. The
Israeli secret services are undoubtedly quite skilled in such procedures and
have a very long history when it comes to eliminating their enemies. However,
those who credit the Israelis with involvement in the assassinations also accuse
those same victims and survivors of being traitors working for the Jewish State.
Obviously, they are either contradicting themselves, or they are putting forward
the thesis that Israel is now assassinating its “allies” in Lebanon rather than
its foes. Furthermore, the Israelis were not represented in Doha and were not
among the beneficiaries of that agreement. Why then did they stop? Accordingly,
this hypothesis can be discarded, and those who uphold it are either insincere
or complete idiots – or when they defend this point of view, they are under the
influence of the illicit substances that are grown illegally in some Lebanese
regions.
The second theory, the origins of which are to be found in the same opposition
circles, is that these terrorist attacks were carried out by Al-Qaeda. This
hypothesis is more interesting than the previous one. But if it were true, and
considering that only one camp was targeted, this would necessarily imply that
there was an alliance, or at least a convergence of interests, between the March
8 forces and Al-Qaeda. If not, why would this organization spare March 8
politicians? What guarantees did those politicians obtain to reassure them that
they were not on Al-Qaeda’s list of targets? Considering General Aoun’s
virulence against Sunni fundamentalists and his theory about the latter’s
alliance with some members of the March 14 coalition, saying that Osama bin
Laden would eliminate us and give March 8 politicians guarantees seems a bit of
a stretch. Moreover, I do not remember seeing Al-Qaeda in Doha, nor do I know of
any incentives it may have obtained in order to stop its terror campaign.
Accordingly, I am absolutely not convinced of this theory, and those who put it
forth are, once again, probably insincere.
For lack of another, more credible hypothesis, I am tempted to go for the
following reasoning: Let us remember the threats targeting the Lebanese
politicians who stand behind their country’s sovereignty, the withdrawal of
Syrian troops and the banning of the Syrian regime’s interference in Lebanon’s
internal affairs. Let us also remember the aggressiveness with which some
Lebanese politicians affiliated with the opposition used to call for violence
and worded their demands in the shape of threats. Actually, those who were
uttering the threats had their demands met and, at the same time, guarantees of
safety were given to those who were targeted by assassinations. I have been told
all this by some of those who were in Doha. This explains how everything changed
following the return of Lebanese delegations from Qatar, why I was told that we
were out of harm’s way and that I would no longer need close police protection.
This would also explain Walid Jumblatt’s “spontaneous and rapid political
revisionism.”
Still, who really cares about justice anymore? Should we not be content with
this relative security under which we are now living on a day-to-day basis? As
the Lebanese saying goes, “kiss the hand that you cannot overcome, and pray to
God that it breaks into pieces.” After all, the Lebanese people have a pretty
selective memory …
“And there, without a jury,
[The wolf] judged, slew, and ate her in his fury.”The Wolf and the Lamb
Jean de La Fontaine
**Carlos Eddé is the head of the Lebanese National Bloc