LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
May 30/09
Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 21:15-19. When they had
finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love
me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He
said to him, "Feed my lambs." He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of
John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He
said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of
John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third
time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know
that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you,
when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but
when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress
you and lead you where you do not want to go."He said this signifying by what
kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him,
"Follow me."
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Iranian hideous insolence/Future
News 29/05/09
Interview with Michael Young/The
Consequences of a Hezbollah-Led Opposition Victory.Council
on Foreign Relations 29/05/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for May
29/09/Future
News
Obama: We must get
Israel-Palestinian peace moves 'back on track' .Haaretz
Iranian Media: 19 Killed in Blast
at Shi'ite Mosque in Iran.VOA
Aoun lies to Ashrafieh… and
Hizbullah re-glorifies May 7
Najjar: No information on release
of Lebanese prisoners from Syria/Future
News
U.S.
Readies for Judicial Confrontation with Hizbullah over Files, Including Hariri's
Murder-Naharnet
French Report: Iran Seeking to Strengthen Shiite Political Influence in Lebanon-Naharnet
Jumblat Warns against Discord,
Urges Calm if Tribunal Decision was Cause for Internal Unrest-Naharnet
Spy
Arrested with Israeli Passport, Probe Could Lead to Persons 'Above Suspicion'-Naharnet
1st Syrian Ambassador
Presents Letter of Credence to Suleiman-Naharnet
Report: Syria Releases 20
Lebanese Prisoners-Naharnet
Abul Gheit: I Am Not
Interested in Nasrallah's Speeches-Naharnet
Aridi: Berri, Jumblat
United over Strategic Matters-Naharnet
Hariri: I Will Not Take
Part in Government if Opposition Wins-Naharnet
Top Lebanese Officer
Admits Spying on Hizbullah, Syria for Israel-Naharnet
Suleiman: President should
Develop Balanced Solutions-Naharnet
Higher Judicial Council
Elects New Members Abu Nassif and Mansour-Naharnet
IMF: Talks with Hizbullah
Focused on Reforms Not Loans-Naharnet
Syria-US Friendship Blossoms, Cautiously-CBS
News
Aoun
vows to halt corruption if opposition wins elections-Daily
Star
Lebanese
man released in Brazil 'not Al-Qaeda,' say prosecutors-(AFP)
IMF
denies reports it negotiated with Hizbullah-Daily
Star
US
cracks down on alleged Hizbullah financiers-Daily
Star
Colonel 'confesses' to spying since 1997-Daily
Star
Salameh sees Lebanon's growth rate at 4 percent by end-2009-Daily
Star
AUB
business school lecture suggests' authentic leadership' lacking in Lebanon-Daily
Star
Lebanon set to launch HSPA plus high-speed Internet-Daily
Star
UK
television show looks to give British teens taste of Lebanese family values-Daily
Star
Family
names count for women vying to get elected-By
Inter Press Service
Amnesty: More progress needed on rights-Daily
Star
The Consequences of a
Hezbollah-Led Opposition Victory in Lebanon's Elections
Interviewee: Michael Young, Opinion Editor, Daily Star, Beirut
Interviewer: Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org
May 28, 2009
As Lebanon heads for its parliamentary elections on June 7, Michael Young, an
editor for Beirut's Daily Star newspaper and a leading observer of the Lebanese
political scene, says U.S. policymakers should hope for a draw. "The least
destabilizing option would be essentially a stalemate" between the Hezbollah-led
opposition and U.S.-backed candidates, Young says. American politicians have
made it clear that a victory by the Hezbollah-led coalition would be counter to
western interests, and during a visit to Beirut on May 22, Vice President Joe
Biden said future American aid could be tied to the outcome (WashPost). Young
says Biden's message was simple: "If Lebanon votes right," as Washington sees
it, "then there would be advantages to Lebanon." Though Hezbollah is a major
force in Lebanese politics, the United States defines the Shiite Muslim
political group as a terrorist organization. In 2008, following a wave of
violence, Lebanon's parliament approved a national unity cabinet, giving
Hezbollah and its allies eleven of thirty cabinet seats. Young says that if the
opposition wins, Lebanon would also likely lose economic support from Saudi
Arabia, Egypt, and the Persian Gulf states.
Lebanon holds its election for its 128-seat parliament on June 7. Both Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton on April 26 and Vice President Joseph Biden on May 23
made short but highly publicized visits to the country talking of the importance
of free elections. Biden in fact strongly suggested that American aid to Lebanon
might depend on whether the pro-American government is returned to office.
Why is this election so significant?
It's significant because there is question as to whether, if the Lebanese
opposition wins, this will give Hezbollah decisive control over policy in
Lebanon. And of course, while Hezbollah will only really win this election in
alliance with other groups in the opposition, including the Christian followers
of Michel Aoun [leader of the Free Patriotic Movement Party], the fact that
Hezbollah has significant weapons arsenal, a private militia, and considerable
influence over the commanding heights of the Lebanese state, would give it an
advantage that other groups don't have. That's the big fear--that if the
opposition wins, Hezbollah would have considerable say over the future policy of
Lebanon.
What would a Hezbollah-led government be like? Would it be closely aligned with
Syria and Iran? That's the great fear in Israel and the West, right?
That's the fear. It would be a bit more complicated though because it would not
be just a victory of Hezbollah. It would be a victory of Hezbollah and its
political allies. What would actually make a victory of the Lebanese opposition
possible is that Hezbollah's Christian ally, Michel Aoun, a former general,
would need to get well over thirty seats in the new parliament. He now has about
twenty-two. So in a way, assuming the opposition wins--and I'm not at all
convinced that this is necessarily going to happen--Hezbollah would not govern
directly. It would participate in the government, it would play a key role in
forming the government, but at the same time, I don't think it would form a
majority in the government. It would probably use others, political allies of
Syria, as well as allies of Michel Aoun. This would indeed be a much friendlier
government to Syria, no doubt about it, but we have to also ask a key question:
How easy will it be for the opposition to form a legitimate government? Because
in Lebanon the prime minister is by common agreement a Sunni. It would be very
difficult for the opposition to find a legitimate Sunni to sit at the top of an
opposition government.
Now explain that a bit.
From the time of independence in 1943 and even before then, Lebanon has
basically enshrined a sectarian system of government whereby the president of
the republic is a Maronite Christian [currently Michel Suleiman, former
commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Army], the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim
[currently Fouad Siniora], the speaker of parliament is a Shiite Muslim
[currently Nabih Berri], and on down the line you have certain posts which are
for certain communities or traditionally reserved for certain communities. The
Taif Accord of 1989, which ended the civil war in Lebanon, changed the ratio in
the Lebanese parliament, which had been 6 to 5 in favor of the Christians, to a
50-50 ratio [between Christians and Muslims].
What are the chances that Siniora will be reelected?
The question of Hezbollah’s arms will not be resolved locally by the Lebanese.
It would have to be resolved regionally, and even then I’m very skeptical at
this point that there will be any progress on this front in the foreseeable
future.
Siniora is very unlikely to be the future prime minister. If the Hezbollah-led
opposition wins, Saad Hariri [a Sunni], leader of the so-called March 14
Alliance, which came into office after the assassination of his father-- former
Prime Minister Rafik Hariri-- has already said quite firmly that he would not
participate in a future government. And he would certainly not lead such a
government. Not only Hariri, but also his political allies, and particularly his
Sunni political allies, would probably be very reluctant to join or to head an
opposition government. If the opposition wins, Hezbollah and its allies will
have to find legitimate Sunnis to be in their government. They'd have to find a
legitimate Sunni prime minister, which I believe will be virtually impossible.
Any Sunni who sits at the head of an opposition government will probably find
himself isolated within his own community.
So this will be a fascinating time then. Is this going to cause some political
chaos or take months to get an agreement?
If the opposition wins, Lebanon will indeed enter into a period of long
instability. If there is a substantial victory by the March 14 forces, in
alliance with so-called independent candidates, you'll also have a period of
instability. The "independents" are primarily Christians who have said they are
neither with March 14 nor with the opposition.
A large victory by either side would be destabilizing. The least destabilizing
option would be essentially a stalemate, which would mean a modest victory by a
coalition of March 14 with the independents, in which any future government
would be probably headed by Saad Hariri or by one of his political allies. But
at the same time, given that this victory would have been modest, you would have
to give the opposition some kind of role in the government--it would be a
national unity government of some sort.
What is the difference between the government, the majority, and the opposition
right now?
Ever since 2005, when the Syrians were forced to withdraw their forces from
Lebanon, Lebanon has been caught in a big dilemma: what to do with Hezbollah.
Here you have an armed militia that is in many respects more powerful that the
state itself militarily and that controls essential aspects of the state. The
fundamental problem has been: How do you arrive at a new social contract where
Hezbollah agrees to disarm? Hezbollah has refused to disarm. This has thrown the
system into great instability because what it really says is that a sovereign
Lebanese state cannot emerge.
What has complicated matters is that Lebanon, in a way, is a window for the
region. Hezbollah, as a local ally of Iran and of Syria, has also allowed both
Syria and Iran to continue to influence the situation in Lebanon. At the same
time the March 14 Alliance has aligned itself much more closely to the United
States. So Lebanon is a microcosm of regional rivalries.
So if the current government, the March 14 Alliance, wins the election with just
a small majority to keep stability, nothing would really change as far as
Hezbollah is concerned.
There is very little doubt that the United States, while it wouldn’t cut its
diplomatic relations with Lebanon, would certainly downgrade them.
We should not expect a victory by March 14 and the independents to alter the
situation with respect to Hezbollah. The question of Hezbollah's arms will not
be resolved locally by the Lebanese. It would have to be resolved regionally,
and even then I'm very skeptical at this point that there will be any progress
on this front in the foreseeable future. Lebanon will continue to be buffeted by
the contradiction inherent in Hezbollah's presence. Lebanon cannot be a
sovereign state, or even begin to function as a sovereign state, or begin to
talk about political reform and about a new social contract in the country while
one party, Hezbollah, continues to hold weapons.
Why do you think Secretary Clinton and Vice President Biden made personal visits
to Lebanon? Does the United States see the election as holding a big stake for
U.S. influence in the region?
They understood that it was important to come to Lebanon and to encourage
voters, and particularly voters in the Christian community, because that's where
the election is going to really take place. The majority of the Sunnis are with
Saad Hariri and March 14; the vast majority of the Shiites are with the
opposition. The final balance in parliament is going to be a function of the
vote in the Christian community. Secretary Clinton and Vice President Biden came
to Beirut both to send a message that if the Lebanese chose to vote for the
opposition, and particularly if the Christians chose to vote for Michel Aoun,
and help the opposition score a victory, then this will have very negative
consequences for Lebanon.
There is very little doubt that the United States, while it wouldn't cut its
diplomatic relations with Lebanon, would certainly downgrade them. They sent the
world a message that Lebanon would find itself isolated even within the Arab
world because countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, but particularly the Gulf
countries who have economically helped Lebanon, would be much less likely to
help Lebanon in the event of an opposition victory. The message they were
bringing is a fairly simple one. If Lebanon votes right, as they see it, then
there would be advantages to Lebanon. After all, Biden was the highest U.S.
official sent to Lebanon in decades [Vice President George H.W. Bush visited in
1983]. The idea was we're willing to help you and we're willing to help you at a
high level. Remember also that even before the Clinton and Biden visits,
President Obama called President Suleiman on February 27.
Has there been much polling of Christians or of the whole electorate?
There has been polling, but the polling is inaccurate. I don't think that
ultimately one should rely too much on polling. The vote in the Christian
community is volatile, it can go either way. There is a large percentage of
Christians who don't necessarily like Michel Aoun, and who don't necessarily
like March 14 but who are in a way undecided, who don't know who they should
vote for, or who in a way would vote for both sides. Lebanon has a list system
so you can mix your candidates. But by and large, many Christians find
themselves lost between March 14 and the Aounists.
Why is Michel Aoun, a former general, a leader of Lebanon in the past, throwing
in his lot with Hezbollah?
Aoun is basically an opportunist. He wants to be president of the republic, and
he failed at that when the Doha agreement [worked out by Qatar to end fighting
in Lebanon] in May of last year stipulated that the president would be Michel
Suleiman. This was a very bitter defeat for Aoun whose entire strategy, since he
came back to Lebanon in 2005 from exile, was that he would become president. He
now believes that if he can get a decisive victory he would have one of the
largest blocs in parliament. He feels that would give him the legitimacy to
constitutionally challenge Michel Suleiman's election and take his place.
Weigh in on this issue by emailing CFR.org.
Iranian hideous insolence
Date: May 29th, 2009 Source:
Future News
We all thought that the slogan of the “Islamic revolution in Lebanon” has
collapsed eventually with the adoption of Taëf agreement, but this theory was
downturned when the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the opposition
victory in the Lebanese parliamentary elections will "change the face of the
region."
Ahmadinejad said "The opposition victory in the parliamentary elections will
strengthen the resistance and change the face of the region” which prompts the
Lebanese to mull over the detrimental consequences that might occur if the
“Thank you Syria” and “Wilayat al-Faqih” gangs won the parliamentary elections
on June 7.
Ahmadinejad’s rhetoric is a sequel to his “master” Ali Khamenei’s doctrine and a
completition to the latter luscious determination to defeat the United States in
Lebanon. His project is essentially a part of the Iranian rudeness that is
deeply entrenched and rooted in Lebanon since 1982 and falls within the logic of
“exporting the revolution concept."
Remarkably, the geniuses of the minority and its eloquent orators did not let
slip a word in response to the issue, and became irrelevant to their commercial
sovereignty and yellow-orange shiny banners raised all the way through the
airport road.
The most astonishing is that Iran is determined to engage and launch its war
only via Lebanon. The U.S. forces that surround its borders from Afghanistan to
Iraq are intact and not exposed to any jeopardy, but indeed the Iranian border
is providing a most secure climate to these foreign forces that Iran has always
fought verbally and considered its eternal arch-foes.
The Persian Empire shows up every single day with a different test on long-range
missiles, and bluntly brags about its mass destruction contraptions, while on
the other hand the Iranian military inventions do not impinge on the Jewish
state with any harm whatsoever.
Ahmadinejad's comments could have been surmounted only if one voice of the
Minority commented on his rude rhetoric, other than "Hizbullah" who decided long
time ago that the Iranian presence and interference in the Lebanese affairs is a
prerequisite and a must.
The question is: Will the Lebanese succumb to the dreams of the fanatic Persian
President? Stay tuned because the answer is in June 7.
Aoun lies to Ashrafieh… and Hizbullah re-glorifies May 7
Date: May 29th, 2009
Future News
While the electoral lists of the two main parties in the country were finalized,
it seems that the 10 days remaining to the democratic competition would include
inflammatory rhetoric by the pro-Syrian minority in the aim of regaining the
losses it suffered during the past four years. This team is using again the
treason language filled with threats while the “leader of change and reform” is
evoking the Lebanese civil war in the way that suits his time and place.
If the “reformer” who claims changing and reforming is specialist in the
provocative speeches, then the question is: Was this provoked by his bad
electoral situation?
And as the “Rabieh General” was using a warring speech at Ashrafieh in Beirut,
where he named unfamiliar figures to the area and its inhabitants, his ally
Hizbullah re-glorified May 7 asserting that the use of his arms domestically
wasn’t a political mistake but is on purpose, and comes as part of his
principles.
Sleiman… and the constitution
Meanwhile, the speech of President Michel Sleiman on the occasion of his 1st
year in office gained a lot of attention within the political circles as it
contained indications to the reforms he aims at achieving in the post-elections
period.
And less than 24 hours later, the President addressed the Lebanese again and
called them to apply the constitution explaining that the past year was
difficult on economic and security levels. He also said that “we prevailed in
spare Lebanon the Arab conflicts,” and asked: “It is weird to accomplish
liberation (from Israel) and fail in preserving the local security?” considering
the tripartite principle unconstitutional and that the mandate of the President
is decided by the Parliament.
June 7 for Taëf… not for the sects
At mean time, MP Saad Hariri, leader of the Almustaqbal Movement, is pursuing
his electoral meetings in the Bekaa valley where he asserted that “June 7 will
be a day for the Taëf agreement not fort the communities,” urging his supporters
to vote for the project of the state establishment. The leader of the majority
said as well that that “our slogan is Lebanon first while theirs is Lebanon
last,” asserting that the tutelage era won’t be allowed to return in spite of
the sacrifices that would be made.
The return of the tutelage era would be under the cover of March 8’s lists,
added Hariri, considering that the effective sedition project was on the day of
the assassination of martyr Prime Minister Rafic Hariri adding that it was
contained as the May 7 events.
Furthermore, Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir said while receiving the
candidates on March 14 list in Zahle that “the country is for all its citizens
and we have to learn how to live together in peace and love.” On the other hand,
MP Nicola Fattoush informed the Patriarch that the inhabitants of Zahle are
subject to several temptations, so he commented: “The citizens shouldn’t be
taken with temptations; they are the masters of their country.”
Hizbullah… and May 7
Separately, Shiekh Naim Kassem, Hizbullah’s vice secretary general, tried to
provide excuses for the statement of Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad
regarding the Lebanese elections. So he considered that it is his personal
interpretation that does not regard the party.
In addition, MP Muhammad Raad, head of the Loyalty to the Resistance list,
considered that two sides are competing in these elections, and expressed
Hizbullah’s commitment to the development. He also considered that the other
side intends to make Lebanon a part of the new Middle East and a gate to the
application of the Zionist project.
Additionally, MP Hussein El Hajj Hassan, member of the same bloc, asked: “Wasn’t
May 7 a glorious day that prevented sedition?”
Aoun… and the elimination war
As for MP Michel Aoun who finally visited Asharafieh, he recalled the civil war
considering himself innocent, forgetting that he opened fire on this region
during the elimination war. He said: “Those who killed each other signed the
amnesty law, and their children came today to ask us to take vengeance.”
While Aoun asserted that he fought for Lebanon, he simply added: “We forgive the
criminals but they have to quit working in politics, and those who kill their
brothers in the resistance cannot claim defending Lebanon,” adding that he is
dealing with “idiots” who want a continuous state of war.
Report: Syria Releases 20 Lebanese Prisoners
Naharnet/There were conflicting reports Friday on the release of Lebanese
prisoners jailed in Syria on criminal charges. An informed Syrian source said
that judicial authorities released 20 Lebanese on Thursday, but denied reports
that 300 Lebanese were freed. An Nahar daily said that neither Lebanese nor
Syrian official sources confirmed the report on the 300 prisoners. Justice
Minister Ibrahim Najjar and head of the Higher Syrian-Lebanese Council Nasri
Khoury also denied that Lebanese authorities had been informed about such a move
by Damascus.
"The number is much less. It doesn't exceed 20 prisoners," the Syrian source
said, adding that three Lebanese detainees were released several days ago at the
end of their sentence in central Adra jail. "The number of Lebanese prisoners at
Adra jail is less than 30." They are all serving criminal sentences, the source
added. Beirut, 29 May 09, 08:20
1st Syrian Ambassador Presents Letter of Credence to Suleiman
Naharnet/Syria's first-ever ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Abdel Karim Ali,
presented his credentials to President Michel Suleiman on Friday. Suleiman
received Ali's letter of credence at Baabda palace in the presence of Foreign
Minister Fawzi Salloukh. Ali arrived in Beirut on Wednesday to assume his duties
12 days before the scheduled parliamentary elections. He presented his
credentials to Salloukh on Thursday. Ali, who was born in 1953, has been
ambassador to Kuwait since November 2004 and has also served as the head of
Syrian state radio and television and the official SANA news agency.Lebanese
career diplomat Michel el-Khoury took up his post as Lebanon's first ambassador
to Syria in April. Beirut, 29 May 09, 10:42
Abul Gheit: I Am Not Interested in Nasrallah's Speeches
Naharnet/Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit says he ignores the comments
of Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Cairo adding that investigation is
ongoing on the so-called Hizbullah cell held in Egypt. "I am not interested much
in such speeches. Egypt is much higher than any person or party. Time will teach
those who don't know this fact," Abul Gheit told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat in
remarks published Friday. He said "some new issues are being discovered about
the cell," adding that when the investigation is complete, the state prosecutor
will present the case to the state security court and everything will be made
public. The daily al-Mustaqbal quoted an Egyptian judicial source as saying
Thursday that he expects Egypt's state prosecutor Abdel Majid Mahmoud to issue
the decision to refer the suspects to the court at the beginning of next week.
Sources confirmed that the number of suspects in the Hizbullah cell has reached
27. They include Sudanese, Palestinians, Egyptians and Lebanese. They said 22
other suspects remain at large. The newspaper also said that Cairo was mulling
making direct charges against Nasrallah. Abul Gheit lauded improvement in his
country's ties with Syria and told al-Hayat that Cairo doesn't see any "negative
effort" by Damascus on the Palestinian cause. "On the contrary, Damascus is
speaking with openness about its desire to help." Beirut, 29 May 09, 09:28
U.S. Readies for Judicial Confrontation with Hizbullah over
Files, Including Hariri's Murder
Naharnet/News reports on Friday said all signs indicate a "significant change"
in the U.S. administration dealing with Hizbullah, pointing that the next
confrontation would be through the judiciary as well as local and international
courts.The daily Al Akhbar, which carried the report, said the face off between
Washington and Hizbullah would be via reviving old files such as the case of the
two African-based alleged financial backers of Hizbullah – Qassim Tajideen and
Abed al-Menhem Qobaisi. The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday imposed
sanctions on the two men and said it had designated Tajideen and Qobaisi under a
law that freezes the assets of alleged terrorists and their backers and
prohibits Americans from having any transactions with them. Al Akhbar, according
to information obtained from The Hague, said preparations were underway by the
office of Special Tribunal for Lebanon Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare to summon
Hizbullah officials to hear their testimonies regarding facts in judicial cases
sent from Lebanon. It said Bellemare, together with investigators, were looking
at the "most successful method" for carrying out their work "without causing
tension on the internal political scene or having to resort to the U.N. Security
Council." Beirut, 29 May 09, 12:05
Jumblat Warns against Discord, Urges Calm if Tribunal
Decision was Cause for Internal Unrest
Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat warned that Israel is
seeking to sow Sunni-Shiite discord in Lebanon and urged calm in the event that
the international tribunal ruling was cause for internal unrest. Jumblat, in an
interview with Marcel Ghanem on LBCI TV's Kalam el Nass talk show late Thursday,
described as a "nuclear bomb" a report by the German weekly Der Spiegel
implicating Hizbullah in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik
Hariri.
"The relation between Der Spiegel magazine and Israel is known. Israel is
seeking to sow Sunni-Shiite discord in Lebanon," Jumblat charged.
"But when wise men led by MP Saad Hariri meet, we would spare Lebanon civil
strife," he stressed.
Jumblat expressed concern in the event the ruling by the Special Tribunal for
Lebanon implicated a domestic political party and urged the Mustaqbal Movement
leader to settle for the truth.
"I plead with MP Saad Hariri to simply find satisfaction in the truth if the
court decision is to be cause for internal unrest," the Druze leader
recommended, stressing that "the interests of the country are more important
than the court ruling." Jumblat believed there was no longer consensus on the
resistance issue "since mutual bickering has submerged them (Hizbullah) in the
Lebanese mud." Turning to Hizbullah, Jumblat asked: "Who will protect you from
that Lebanese mud? Is it better for you to be singled out as a party and sect by
Israel (for attack), or have the Lebanese unanimously vote to protect you?" He
called for giving the president "greater powers," including veto power. Jumblat
expressed willingness to visit Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel Aoun
in Rabiyeh "if he wins the parliamentary elections." Beirut, 29 May 09, 08:35
French Report: Iran Seeking to Strengthen Shiite Political
Influence in Lebanon
Naharnet/A report by a French parliamentary mission has uncovered what it said
were Iran's "schemes" in the Middle East. The 200-page report, published by the
daily An Nahar on Friday, said Iran was seeking to reinforce the political
influence of the Shiite community in Lebanon. The report was based on the
outcome of the mission's visits to Iran, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain as
well as Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. It was also based on
meetings with officials, diplomats and French experts, in addition to officials
concerned with the Iranian dossier. The report pointed out that the relation
between Iran and Lebanon "pass through Hizbullah, and not the government."
It described Hizbullah as the "main pillar" of the strategic Syrian-Iranian
alliance, adding that the party's weapons "give it the ability to hit Israel in
the event vital Syrian or Iranian interests were subject to any threat or
danger."With Iranian financial backing, Hizbullah, according to the report, was
currently buying land southeast of Lebanon "to create a bridge between the
Shiites of the south and the Shiitese of the Bekaa." The report said Iran now
has influence among Lebanon's Shiites.
It said, however, that the alliance between Hizbullah and MP Michel Aoun "is
likely to help Iranians expand their influence and reach Christian areas." The
report revealed that Iran's goal in Lebanon was to "create a new balance between
the sects for the benefit of the Shiites such as this accompanies the promotion
of Shiite political power in the country."It quoted Ali Ahani, former Iranian
ambassador to Paris who is close to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as saying that "it
is not possible to achieve any progress in Lebanon as long as some (parties) in
the country refuse to acknowledge a change in the balance of power among the
different communities that make up Lebanon." Ahani said Iran supports the "more
flexible and moderate" members in Hizbullah, adding that Hizbullah chief Sayyed
Hassan Nasrallah represents a "realistic, open and reasonable trend, compared to
others." The report also quoted an Arab foreign minister as saying that Iran
played a "key role" in cutting the Doha deal in May 2008 after "it realized that
Hizbullah committed a grave mistake when it used its arms in May 7, 2008 while
these weapons should have been used against any possible Israeli aggression."
The mission confirmed that Iran backs and finances Hamas, adding that Tehran was
responsible for encouraging Hamas to carry out its coup against the Palestinian
state. The report also warned that Iran possesses a nuclear, military program
and cautioned that "access to nuclear weapons makes the Middle East region face
threats and big risks."The head of the French mission also warned against the
possibility that Israel could "strike Iran's nuclear facilities." Beirut, 29 May
09, 12:39
Spy Arrested with Israeli Passport, Probe Could Lead to
Persons 'Above Suspicion'
Naharnet/Lebanese authorities have arrested three more alleged spies, including
one carrying an Israeli passport, as investigation with Israel-linked espionage
networks was likely to lead to persons "above suspicion."Media reports on Friday
identified the new detainees as Ali Gh. And Youssef H., both brothers of Nasser
Nader already in police custody on charges of spying for the Israeli secret
service, the Mossad. One of the brothers was carrying an Israeli passport,
according to the reports. They said the arrested were made on Thursday in the
southern port city of Tyre. The daily As Safir, citing a security source, said
Friday that Nader had recruited his brothers to work for Israel. Ali Gh.
admitted to possessing an Israeli passport. He said he had traveled to Israel
via Germany where he underwent training for the use of some devices. The third
suspect was identified as Anwar S., brother of the personal bodyguard of Fatah
official in Lebanon Sultan Abul Ainayn. Media reports said a police patrol late
Monday raided Anwar's house in Wadi al-Zaineh in Iqlim al-Kharroub province and
confiscated a computer set and several pieces of apparatus as well as CD ROMs
and a scope-equipped rifle. The daily An Nahar quoted security sources as saying
the interrogation of new suspects could lead to "persons above suspicion." "This
could cause an earthquake in the Lebanese arena," the source said. Meanwhile, Al
Akhbar newspaper quoted security officials as denying rumors that MPs, clergymen
and other political and security officials had been arrested in connection with
the spy networks. Police chief Gen. Ashraf Rifi told As Safir Israel would no
longer be able to "build (spy) networks with ease."Surete Generale Director
General Wafiq Jezzini said many of those arrested were re-recruited by Israel in
recent years, particularly after the July 2006 war on Lebanon. Beirut, 29 May
09, 10:10
Aridi: Berri, Jumblat United over Strategic Matters
Naharnet/Public Works and Transportation Minister Ghazi al-Aridi on Thursday
said that MP Walid Jumblat and Speaker Nabih Berri have been "cooperating" to
bridge the gap in the country over several fundamental matters. Berri and
Jumblat are in agreement on "many of the basic, fateful and strategic matters,"
Aridi said after talks with the speaker in Ain al-Tineh.
Both leaders "have been cooperating to bring opposing sides closer toward a
unified position over fundamental and fateful matters," he said.
Aridi praised political comments on recent "significant political developments
in the country." He singled out the reactions of Jumblat, Hizbullah leader
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and MP Saad Hariri to a Der Spiegel report implicating
Hizbullah in the murder of former-premier Rafik Hariri. "What we have achieved
so far is significant and must be preserved, shielded and developed," he said.
Aridi voiced hope the upcoming elections will be held in a "calm, secure and
stable" atmosphere. Following the polls, political leaders must abide by the
results and work to "maintain the atmosphere I just mentioned," he added.
Beirut, 28 May 09, 18:48
Hariri: I Will Not Take Part in Government if Opposition
Wins
Naharnet/MP Rafik Hariri reiterated that he will not take part in a new
government in the event the Hizbullah-led Opposition wins parliamentary
elections.
"I'm doing everything possible to avert a sectarian rift in Lebanon," Hariri
told Al Jazeera television network.
"We were the ones who quelled a sectarian rift that was sowed against Lebanon
during the early days following the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik
Hariri. And we were the ones who quelled the May 7 (2008) discord," Hariri said.
He said if the majority March 14 coalition wins the June 7 elections, he would
give President Michel Suleiman the right to be an arbitrator. Hariri rejected
veto power, stressing on partnership without veto power. "I will not take part
in the government if the opposition wins, even if I were tasked with forming a
new government," he told Al Jazeera. Beirut, 28 May 09, 14:06
Boulos says Franjieh receives Iranian-Syrian funds
Date: May 28th, 2009 Source: NNA
Zogharta MP Jawad Boulos criticized Thursday former minister Sleiman Franjieh
for receiving financial donations from Syria-Iran earmarked to fund his
electoral campaign while he spares his personal wealth. Boulos said “the act of
importing money from Syria and Iran is not a fiscal issue only; it is a
political choice that urges the receptive to succumb to his debitor’s
decisions.”Despite the fact that new reforms in the election law have introduced
regulations on campaign finance, including a first-of-its-kind ceiling on
campaign spending, many people involved in elections say that nothing has
changed on the ground. The new law mandates that all candidates running for
elections open an “electoral campaign account” with a bank in Lebanon through
which all electoral contributions and expenses of the campaign are to be made.
The account, to be monitored by a certified auditor, would not be subject to
Lebanon’s famous bank secrecy laws. Article 59 of the electoral law stipulates
that “financial donations – including service provision or paying voters, such
as in-kind and cash donations and support for individuals, charity, social,
cultural, family, religious organizations or other, or sports clubs and all
non-public institutions – shall be prohibited during the campaign period.”
Boulos, who is a March 14 deputy in the Lebanese parliament and a candidate on
the electoral list of Zogharta-Zawieh district along with Youssef Duwaihi,
praised the position of head of Almustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri for granting
the "obstructing third to the President of the Republic Michel Sleiman.”
Zogharta MP Boulos pointed out that "the insistence of the Christians in the
opposition at that time kept the obstruction third within Hizbullah’s hands in
return for temporary interests and some ministerial seats."He noted “if March 8
won the parliamentary elections on June 7 and Hizbullah took over the
government, “the international community is likely to boycott Lebanon on the
social and economic levels,” Boulos warned.He commented on the speech of the
Iranian President Ahmadinejad saying “it is a direct interference with the
choices of the voters in Lebanon to influence the outcome of
elections.”Ahmadinejad said lately "the opposition victory in the parliamentary
elections will strengthen the resistance and change the status in the region.”
Ahmadinejad intervention motivates the Lebanese to mull over the detrimental
consequences that might occur if the “Thank you Syria” and “Wilayat al-Faqih”
won the parliamentary elections on June 7.