LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
May 31/09
Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ
according to Saint John 21:20-25. Peter turned and saw the disciple following
whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, "Master, who is the one who will betray you?" When Peter saw him,
he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "What if I want him
to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me." So the word
spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not
told him that he would not die, just "What if I want him to remain until I come?
(What concern is it of yours?)" It is this disciple who testifies to these
things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are
also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described
individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would
be written.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Hitler of Lebanon. Future News
30/05/09
Aoun says Lebanese people are
corrupt/Future
News 30/05/09
Did Hezbollah Kill Hariri?By:
Michael J. Totten 30/05/09
Bought democracy.By: Lucy
Fielder/Al-Ahram Weekly 30/05/09
Partners in distrust/By: Bassel
Oudat/Al-Ahram Weekly/May 30/05/09
The
Saudis have a chance to demonstrate leadership during Obama's visit
-The
Daily Star 30/05/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for May
30/09
Geagea Accuses March 8 of
Seeking to Transform Lebanon into a Banana Republic-Naharnet
Hariri Slams Political
Extremism and Calls for Christian-Muslim Division of Power-Naharnet
Lebanon Confirms 3 Swine Flu Cases-Naharnet
Sfeir hopes for calm elections-Future
News
Christian public opinion turns from
Aoun to Sleiman-Future
News
Nawfal: Aoun became a militia
leader-Future
News
Hariri from Bekaa: remember Rafic
Hariri and all martyrs on June 7-Future
News
Abu el-Gheit: We accept the results
of free elections-Future
News
Agha revealing Aoun’s secrets:
Hobeika killed Toni Franjieh upon Syrian instructions-Future
News
National Liberals: to stop trading
with quadripartite alliance-Future
News
Lebanon:
Rifi Denies Arresting
Politicians and Media Personnel for Espionage-Naharnet
Jumblat:
National Dialogue Must Continue and Possibly Expanded-Naharnet
Terrorist Flees to Lebanon, FBI Confirms-Naharnet
Paris to Deal Normally
With Hizbullah if it Wins Elections-Naharnet
Hizbullah Cell on Trial in
Cairo Next Week-Naharnet
Man Arrested in Sidon for
Carrying Hand Grenades-Naharnet
UNIIIC Investigator in
Beirut Questioning Ayoub and 2 Former Ministers-Naharnet
Aoun: They Lived on Blood,
Crime and are Against Consensus-Naharnet
New Dalloul-Skaff Alliance
Emerging in Zahle-Naharnet
Geagea from Koura: Vote
Because the Republic is in Danger-Naharnet
Nasrallah: Iran Ready to
Aid Lebanon Army-Naharnet
Security Incidents in
Jbeil During Election Rallies Result in Wounded-Naharnet
Aoun: I Will Be Leader of
Largest Parliamentary Bloc in Lebanon's History-Naharnet
LF:
Aoun is
reviving the dark era due to his political bankruptcy-iloubnan.info
Exclusive: Tribunal Leak Blackens Hezbollah's Eye-Family
Security Matters
Nasrallah rejects calls for Hezbollah to disarm-Ha'aretz
Hezbollah says Iran ready to aid Lebanon's army-Al-Arabiya
Hezbollah: Israel planning to kill leader-United
Press International
Hezbollah worried over post-election funds-United
Press International
Infamous terrorist flees to Lebanon-The
Associated Press
One
of FBI's 'most-wanted terrorists' flees to Lebanese city of Tripoli-Daily
Star
Elections race heats up as rival politicians trade accusations-Daily
Star
French report lists Iranian 'schemes' in Lebanon-Daily
Star
Officials deny 300 Lebanese prisoners in Syria were freed-Daily
Star
One-day
elections likely to test flexibility of security forces-By
Nicholas Kimbrell and Richard Hall
NGO
wants top party leaders prosecuted-Daily
Star
Campaigns fail to meet basic advertising standards-Daily
Star
No butts
about it, Lebanon a smoker's paradise-(AFP)
Children 'abused' during political campaigning, says rights coalition-Daily
Star
LF: Aoun
is reviving the dark era due to his political bankruptcy
iloubnan.info - May 29, 2009, 20h13 BEIRUT – In a statement issued on Friday,
the Lebanese Forces said that “Aoun’s revival of the dark era of the part is due
to his political bankruptcy.”Lebanese Forces statement came following the Change
and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun’s Thursday Speech during a rally in
Ashrafieh. The statement added, “Aoun has run out of big national slogans after
his alliance with Hezbollah and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.” The
statement also said that the speech of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
“reveals clearly that Aoun has turned into a political and electoral instrument
in the hands of the Islamic Republic, which aims to turn Lebanon into an open
battlefield to serve its nuclear ambitions, and its conflict with the west and
the international community.”
Hizbullah
arms LAF before elections… Aoun says Lebanese people are “corrupt”
Date: May 30th, 2009
Future News/By the political editor
The political scene changes day after day 10 days before the parliamentary
elections, and is likely to reach its peak as both ‘March 8’ and ‘March 14’
alliances realize that the judgment hour has loomed.
Thus each of the two teams is working in its own contradicting way to win the
battle, as they both are presenting two totally different projects to the
Lebanese which only agree on “the necessity of appealing the public opinion”.
The majority continues to use the reasonable speech based on a comprehensive
vision of Lebanon’s future, which was launched on February 14 in the political
charter of ‘March 14’ coalition and continued as the pledge was renewed at the
Bristol gathering few days ago.
The minority, however, seeks to heal its numerous scars through provocative and
moody speeches that topple the nation and its constitution. These speeches
change according to the domestic circumstances imposed by the electoral race and
to the distance between the public and the policy of the leaders of ‘March 8’
alliance which is struggling to win an ‘almost impossible’ majority so it could
legalize its “errors” against the nation and its citizens.
Some of the so-called opposition promotes its electoral campaign through polling
“the resistance weapons” and “fighting the American project in the region”
without offering the Lebanese any tangible proof that expresses a flourishing
vision of Lebanon’s future except for asserting that Lebanon will remain an open
battle field. Moreover, their allies who brag about “Change and Reform” remain
captives of their own “outdated and self-inflicted” views, as they described the
majority of the Lebanese as “corrupt”.
In memory of our martyrs
At another different level, the last week before the “fateful” elections is
expected to be jammed with speeches, festivals and public vigilance. Leader of
Almustaqbal movement MP Saad Hariri continues his visit and his public
gatherings at the Bekaa region, where he served his Friday prayer with Mufti of
Zahleh Sheikh Khalil el Mayss at Majdal Anjar town. Hariri then went to El Marj
where he visited the residence of leader of the Socialist Arab Union party Omar
Harb in the presence of the candidates of the Dignity of Western Bekaa and
Rachaya list. Leader of the parliamentary majority visited Kamed el Lawz where
he met public delegations and addressed them stressing the importance of voting
for the complete ‘Dignity of Western Bekaa and Rachaya’ list in the June 7
elections. “We have to remember martyr Premier Rafic Hariri and all the martyrs
on the 7th of June, and we will triumph with God’s will”, Hariri said.
Sfeir’s wisdom
Meanwhile, the Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir described the
elections as “fateful”. Sfeir addressed his visitors saying “each voter must
know for whom he is voting, because he must vote for the future of his homeland
and his children”.
Sfeir hoped elections “will be conducted in a calm atmosphere”, and that
elections would bring about a government capable of managing the country.
Beware… Republic at risk
In the meantime, chief executive of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea visited
Koura region and addressed its people stressing that “if the opposition won the
elections, as Iranian president Mahmud Ahmed Nejad said, things will not be the
same in the region, and new fronts will be formed to support the resistance in
the region.”
“This is the awaited Change and Reform if ‘March 8’ won the elections. We are
the real reformists, because no reform can be made within the establishment of
new fronts that support resistance in the region”, Geagea said.
Sidon... for Father and Son
In the electoral issue, the Minister of Education and Higher Education Bahia
Hariri asserted from Sidon that the city will prove on the 7th of June its
loyalty to its son martyr Rafic Hariri and its loyalty to MP Saad Hariri”.
“Sidon deserves to live in peace, security, and stability and it is not
intimidated because it is the city of mediation, diversity and coexistence”,
Minister Hariri said, she added that Sidon will keep its arms wide open for all
of Lebanon because it believes in unity, civil peace, supporting resistance, and
the state draft.
Nasrallah arms LAF
Meanwhile, Hizbullah Chief Hassan Nasrallah reiterated that elections are a
“poll in favor of the resistance”. He indirectly responded to the statement of
leader of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt saying “no resistance ever
existed unless supported with national consensus”.
Nasrallah criticized “those who want to disarm resistance”, as he called them,
pointing that the United States as well as most of the Arab countries are not
ready to armrest the Lebanese Army. He added “no one is waiting for Iran to arm
the LAF but any government that appeals to Iran asking it to arm the LAF, I know
that Iran, led by Imam Ali Khamenei will not spare Lebanon the military support
without imposing conditions and if the opposition wins the elections it will
meet its promises and arm the LAF.”
Aoun disagrees with…himself
MP Michel Aoun continued his gatherings with the public which he only remembers
in the battle of parliamentary seats, as he visited Jbeil district. He addressed
the residents saying “they did not understand that the understanding policy is
the only way of the natural development of peace, they lived on blood and
crime”.
After he had been accusing the majority of dragging the expatriates to
participate in elections, Aoun changed his speech as usual because his Armenian
ally was trying to save him in all districts saying “they do not want to put an
end to sectary provocations, they do not want expatriates to practice their
electoral right.”
Aoun did not stop at this range; he added “the government has developed a
corrupted public that fights for it and supports it” as he considered the real
government is the “Construction and Development Council”. He pointed that the
other team in 2005 went through elections on the basis of protecting the
resistance’s weapon, while he asked “what are they evading their pledges today?
Is it because resistance won the July war 2006 so they are intimidated by its
power?
Hitler of Lebanon 2009
Date: May 30th, 2009
Future News
The Lebanese are aware that their country is afflicted by wild political winds
from various directions which put its chances of survival at stake. Our concern
about our destiny results from the consecutive multi-national crusades by
countries that do not want Lebanon to become an actual state. They want to fuel
war in Lebanon at any price inconsiderate about the Lebanese’s blood, living, or
children. They are just seeking to hamper the establishment of the state and
obstruct the Lebanese from making progress in their life styles and educational
levels. All their concern is to strike out the Cedars Revolution of 200, which
achieved a public reconciliation among the different sects and prevailed over
the outrageous Lebanese-Syrian security regime which used “sectarianism” to
scare the Lebanese from each other. The precursors of that same sectary war are
looming at the horizons under the apparitions of “nationalization”, which the
Lebanese have agreed to reject. Almustaqbal movement lead the refusal of
“nationalization” as its deputies presented a political charter and a draft law
to curb this “scarecrow” which is often used for sectary and electoral
mobilization. One of the precursors to the war they seek to embark is the
‘novelty’ of reform which targets the political system and the President of the
Republic, through suggesting reducing the ruling term of the President and
applying tripartite governance instead of equal sharing. The political facts
assert that some Lebanese political leaders instinctively reject democracy and
adore dictatorship and autocracy just like their commanders in Syria and Iran.
Thus, we cannot assume that Lebanon’s domestic political aspects will
impulsively resist any hegemony in governance, seeing that Germany was at the
peak of its democracy during Weimar’s republic, but still couldn’t rein in
Hitler’s wild tendency to transform it into the homeland of Nazism. Our biggest
fear is the emergence of a new Hitler from Lebanon in 2009, a man who provokes
sectarian partisanships under living and social titles, which in this case are
not more than electoral merchandises.
Nawfal: Aoun became a militia leader
Date: May 30th, 2009 Source: Diyar daily
Former MP Emile Nawfal expressed belief that MP Michel Aoun has become a militia
leader rather than a political movement head, according to the Diyar
daily.Nawfal pointed that Aoun brought crowds to Jbeil and Achrafieh “to give
the illusion that he has plenty of partisans.”“The Aouni attack on the
independent list in Jbeil led to the clash between Free National Party
supporters and supporters of Former MP Emile Nawfal.”A Diyar source revealed
that “Aoun’s speech was translated by an attack on Nawfal’s offices where arms
were fired,” and pointed that “roads leading to Nawfal’s offices and some exit
roads have been closed down.”
Christian public opinion turns from Aoun to Sleiman
Date: May 29th, 2009
Future News/Addiyar daily newspaper mentioned that observers noticed that the
President Michel Sleiman speech in Jbeil was the spark that ignited change in
the Christian public opinion. This public opinion turned from MP Michel Aoun’s
extremism and tension towards supporting the moderate President General Michel
Sleiman whose policy is compatible with the Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir.
The newspaper pointed that municipality geads in Jbeil district and Mount
Lebanon especially in Keserwan and Maten preferred to support Sleiman’s policy
of moderation and the lists of independents.
Agha revealing Aoun’s secrets: Hobeika killed Toni Franjieh
upon Syrian instructions
Date: May 29th, 2009
Future News/Leader of the Free Lebanese Movement, Bassam Agha revealed in a
press conference Friday that MP Michel Aoun exposed the mystery of the death
Toni Franjieh. Aoun, while exiled to France, disclosed information that Minister
Elie Hobeika committed the Ehden massacre and killed former Minister Toni
Franjieh and his family upon Syrian orders.
Agha pointed that Aoun “worked with resourceful Israeli figures to issue an
accountability law against Syria at the American congress, assuring that Aoun
used to consider Hizbullah “a militia that will drive Lebanon into
devastation.”He said “as for Aoun, the Syrian regime is number one godfather for
terrorism,” and added that Aoun received one million dollars as a gift from the
Iranian regime which instructed Aoun to withdraw his ally in elections, Nizar
Youness, running in the north, in favor of Telecommunications Minister, Gebran
Bassil.
During Civil War, the clashes between Gemayels, who head the Kataeb Party, and
the Franjiehs, who head the Marada Movement led to the murder of Toni Frangieh,
his wife, Vera el-Kordahi,and his four year old daughter Jihane, ( his
son,Suleiman, who is currently the Marada leader, was in Beirut during the
murder). On June 13, 1978 the Franjieh familiy was attacked by militamen led by
Elie Hobeika.
National Liberals: to stop trading with quadripartite alliance
Date: May 29th, 2009
Future News/Supreme Council of the National Liberal Party wondered "is it not
time to stop trading with Quadripartite alliance and hiding behind it to justify
the coup against principles and positions?”The Council requested in a statement
issued after its periodical meeting headed by the party leader Dory Chamoun and
the attendance of the members “all the Lebanese to be aware of Hizbullah General
Secretary Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah about his relation with MP Michel Aoun and his
movement, and giving Hizbullah’s voters for the latter during the 2005 elections
except Baabda-Aley district. The council warned from “the schemes planned by
March 8 who undermine principles and religious figures due to their craving for
power and control and following their regional alliances.” The party called the
Lebanese people to grasp the messages sent by the Iranian President Mahmud
Ahmadinejad when he said that March 8’s victory and its positive reflection on
the regional policies of his country. The council expressed its cooperation for
“completing the appointment of the Constitutional Council’s members which we
consider one of the electoral basis requirements and a condition for its
transparency, in addition to monitoring the laws and its task as an independent
judicial association.”
Lebanon
Confirms 3 Swine Flu Cases
Naharnet/Three cases of swine flu have been diagnosed in Lebanon, the first in
the country, Health Minister Mohammad Jawad Khalife announced on Saturday.
"One Lebanese currently living in Spain and two Canadians who arrived in Lebanon
a week ago are suffering from swine flu," Khalife told Agence France Presse (AFP).
"We put them in quarantine and the blood samples we have taken every day proved
to be positive. "They were given the proper medical treatment in time and they
are well now."
Khalife added that the virus was not homegrown and came from the outside. "We
are going to have to take additional measures," he later told reporters at a
press conference. "We are going to take more precautions at the airport." He
said health authorities might use thermal scanners at the airport to detect
passengers with fever. "The situation is under control," he said. Figures
released Friday by the World Health Organization showed that the A(H1N1) virus
had infected 15,510 people in 53 countries since it was first uncovered last
month in the United States and Mexico.(AFP) Beirut, 30 May 09, 11:52
Geagea from Koura: Vote Because the Republic is in Danger
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea sated that the Lebanese
republic is in danger from known and unknown matters. "Yes, the republic is in
danger because some wish to place it in the path of elephants in the midst of a
struggle by giants,' Geagea said. He stressed to his supporters on Friday in
Koura region to vote heavily next Sunday."This is first time in which koura
residents regained their freedom, they did so in 2005 and shall do so again on
June 7 2009," Geagea said. He called on supporters to listen well to statements
by Iranian Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when he said that things would change in the
region and new fronts would open to strengthen the resistance [Hizbullah] in the
region if March 8 Forces win the parliamentary elections. "Lebanon is calling us
because it is being taken into an illusive reform that would change its natural
and historic role," the LF leader said. Beirut, 29 May 09, 21:40
Nasrallah: Iran Ready to Aid Lebanon Army
Naharnet/Iran is ready to give Lebanon military equipment, such as an
air-defense system, to support its armed resistance against Israel, Hizbullah
chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Friday. "The Islamic Republic of Iran, and
in particular Ayatollah (Ali) Khamenei, will not hold back on anything that will
help Lebanon be a strong and dignified state, and without conditions," Nasrallah
said. "So far, Lebanon has not requested arms and Iran will not offer them
unless asked," he said in a televised address to mark the ninth anniversary of
Israel's troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon after 22 years. "But Iran will
help any Lebanese government that requests military aid," he told a crowd of
thousands gathered in the eastern Lebanon Hizbullah stronghold of Baalbek.
Nasrallah also dismissed as farcical U.S. aid to the Lebanese army, which
amounts to close to half a billion dollars in training and armament since 2005
but does not include anti-aircraft defense. He urged his supporters to vote for
his Hizbullah-led opposition alliance in the June 7 parliamentary election,
saying his coalition would ensure the army was well equipped to defend Lebanon
against Israeli. "Air defense systems are necessary for the army to face
Israel," he said. "Who can secure these weapons for Lebanon? Vote for the
opposition and I will point you in that direction," he said in an apparent
reference to Iran, which backs the Hizbullah-led opposition alliance. The June
election will pit the Sunni-led Western-backed parliamentary majority against
the Hizbullah-led alliance, which is also supported by Syria. In 2006, Hizbullah
and Israel fought a 34-day war that left over 1,200 Lebanese dead, mainly
civilians, and more than 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.(AFP) Beirut, 29 May 09,
21:21
Rifi Denies Arresting Politicians and Media Personnel for Espionage
Naharnet/Internal Security Forces Director General, Gen. Ashraf Rifi denied
reports that some political figures have been arrested in relation to the recent
uncovered Israeli spy cells in Lebanon. Rifi affirmed to the daily As-Safir on
Saturday that a national cause in hunting Israeli spies should not be mixed up
with personal issues. Adding that any hearsay regarding preparations to arrest
or made arrests against any political or media figures are not true. "Rumors of
this kind cause a lot of damage in the country. The investigation is ongoing. No
one is allowed to place doubts. The Lebanese are good people and so is our
society," Rifi said. In statements to the daily An-Nahar on Saturday, Rifi said
that Lebanon is witnessing an unprecedented development in the Arab-Israeli
conflict." Lebanon has given Israel a good punch in uncovering its cells, that
is why it is in Israel's interest to show that our society is dysfunctional,
while in reality our society is steadfast."Rifi added that security forces have
arrested "between 30 to 35 spies in the country so far working for Israel."
Beirut, 30 May 09, 11:28
Jumblat: National Dialogue Must Continue and Possibly Expanded
Naharnet/'Democratic Gathering' leader Walid Jumblat said that his priority lies
in continuing the national dialogue sessions. The progressive Socialist Party (PSP)
leader added that he does not mind expanding the national dialogue. In an
interview with the daily As-Safir on Saturday, Jumblat said that following the
June parliamentary elections he would consider whether some current national
dialogue participants would continue to sit and the national dialogue table
saying: "this matter is to be discussed following the elections. However, I
don't mind expanding the number of dialogue participants." He stressed the
importance of the process of dialogue saying it remains to the sole mechanism
for removing obstacles in the country regardless of any considerations. As-safir
reported that both President Michel Suleiman and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri
agree with Jumblat notions. Beirut, 30 May 09, 10:51
Terrorist Flees to Lebanon, FBI Confirms
Naharnet/A master bomb maker who once targeted commercial airliners and was
suspected of aiding the Iraq insurgency has fled to Lebanon, an FBI official has
confirmed.
There is information that 73-year-old Abu Ibrahim was reportedly in Tripoli, a
city in northwest Lebanon, the official said earlier this week. The official
spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation continues. The
Palestinian terrorist is accused of bombings in the 1980s. He was indicted in
the 1982 bombing of Pan Am Flight 830. The explosion killed a 16-year-old boy
and wounded more than a dozen passengers as the plane headed to Honolulu from
Tokyo. The FBI has been looking to catch Ibrahim for decades and has recently
increased its efforts to arrest him. In April, an FBI committee recommended
Ibrahim be placed on agency's list of most wanted terrorists.
The FBI is also trying to tap a State Department reward program to boost the
bounty for his capture to millions of dollars. Ibrahim's real name is Husayn al-Umari.
Ibrahim has remained out of reach for decades while living in Baghdad. With the
help of the Iraqi Intelligence Service, Ibrahim ran a feared terrorist
organization called "15 May," according to federal court documents and terrorism
experts. The group is named for the date Israel was founded. Ibrahim, a devout
Sunni who was born in Tripoli, is suspected of carrying out more than two dozen
attacks on mainly American, Israeli and Jewish targets in a career that spans
decades. The Iraqi government also used him to conduct terrorism operations
against Syria and Iran. In his book, former CIA spy master Duane R. Clarridge
wrote that Ibrahim had a "talent for constructing ingenious machines of death,
such as refrigerator trucks whose cooling pipes were filled with liquid
explosives." He's accused of training a slew of operatives in the art of bomb
making whose expertise metastasized across the Middle East, including Mohammed
Rashed and Abu Zyad. Rashed is behind bars at the Supermax maximum-security
prison in Florence, Colo. He's scheduled to be released in less than four years.
Some still remain unaccounted for, like Zyad. Zyad, 60, was born in the West
Bank city of Bethlehem. He assisted Ibrahim in Baghdad in the early 1980s,
according to CIA investigative notes obtained by The Associated Press. The notes
say Zyad lived in Sudan for two years before leaving for Algiers, Algeria, in
1989. His current whereabouts are unknown.
A former senior CIA official who was stationed in Baghdad after the Iraqi
invasion in 2003 said there were serious suspicions that Ibrahim had helped the
insurgency.
The official said Ibrahim had recently slipped into Lebanon through Syria after
coalition forces began to increase efforts to drive insurgents out of the Mosul
area and the Saladin Province in Iraq, where Ibrahim had been operating. The
former CIA official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he still
works in the Middle East, said that Ibrahim had also gone to Tripoli. Ibrahim's
second wife, Selma, is from Tripoli. "He's got a lot of resources there," the
official said. Ibrahim's family also has connections to the Badawi Palestinian
refugee camp on the northern fringes of Tripoli, according to the CIA notes. The
U.S. does not have an extradition treaty with Lebanon.(AP) Beirut, 30 May 09,
08:04
Paris to Deal Normally With Hizbullah if it Wins Elections
Naharnet/A French diplomatic source told the daily As-Safir on Saturday his
country prefers to see a March 14 victory on June 7. However, it would deal
normally with Hizbullah as it does with any other Lebanese party if the
parliamentary opposition wins the electoral race. "Hizbullah won't be alone in
power, there is enough diversity in Lebanon to ensure a proper equilibrium among
the next parliamentary majority regardless of who wins the election," French
source said. He added that Paris has no qualms concerning its relations with
Beirut "for we have deeply solid and well established state to state relations."
According to As-Safir the French source went further in not considering the
issues of respecting U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 and the issue of the
Special Tribunal for Lebanon 'a red line'. The French source added that these
issues are considered a red line by Washington not Paris. However, he added that
France would recommend from Beirut to continue with respecting its international
commitments. France expects a thin parliamentary majority come Monday June 8,
that won't provide any political group a wide margin of power to foster
deep-rooted change in Lebanon. He disclosed that if the current parliamentary
minority wins the elections, the 'Hamas experience' wouldn't be repeated in
Lebanon as some might think "boycotting Hamas was a major mistake that prevented
us from engaging and influencing the group. This action alone further pushed
Hamas to Iran. Furthermore, Hizbullah is not Hamas." "Hizbullah is not on the
European list of terrorist groups as Hamas is," he said. The French diplomat
said that Paris is certain that Hizbullah would not act as Hamas did "they would
respect the game plan" He also denied news of using Paris-3 resolutions to press
the next Lebanese government "paris-3 is a group of mechanisms that works on
organizing donor nation commitments to Lebanon." Beirut, 30 May 09, 09:46
Hizbullah Cell on Trial in Cairo Next Week
Naharnet/Informed Egyptian sources said that Egyptian Public Prosecutor Abdel
Maguid Mahmoud would refer all arrested suspects belonging to the Hizbullah cell
to trial days before the beginning of the Lebanese parliamentary elections on
June 7. The Egyptian daily independent As-Shorouq quoted informed sources on
Saturday that cell suspects are to stand trial in a state security emergency
court early next week. 27 suspects have been interrogated so far by Egyptian
authorities, the include Egyptians, Sudanese, Palestinians and one Lebanese. 22
others are now fugitives from Justice. Public prosecutors office said it would
provide evidence and testimony detailing suspect's movements, intentions and
material evidence.
Earlier this year authorities in Cairo announced the arrest of Sami Shehab a
Lebanese belonging to Hizbullah accusing him of forming a working cell on
Egyptian territories in preparation of carrying out terror activities and
spreading Islamic Shiite thought in the country. Beirut, 30 May 09, 08:35
UNIIIC Investigator in Beirut Questioning Ayoub and 2 Former Ministers
Naharnet/United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC)
has returned some of its investigators to Lebanon questioning a journalist and
two former cabinet ministers. The team has begun a round of questioning at the
Ministry of Justice of Ad-Diyar editor in Chief Charles Ayoub and two former
unidentified cabinet ministers.
It was reported that Ayoub was question for three long sessions. Ayoub denied
news that he was questioned by UNIIIC at the Justice Ministry adding to the
National News Agency (NNA): "I only have my previous statement which I provided
in 2005 to Commissioner Detlev Mehlis." Ayoub later told the daily An-Nahar on
Saturday: "the new thing I noticed during my questioning is the fact that the
tribunal has already started its work, that they may soon call me to The Hague
to testify." The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) said on Friday that the
team would also question previously interviewed individuals. Beirut, 29 May 09,
20:39
Man Arrested in Sidon for Carrying Hand Grenades
Naharnet/Lebanese armed forces arrested a person in the southern coastal city of
Sidon on Friday evening for carrying two hand grenades. The military said the
two hand grenades were connected to wires. Police said the arrest was made on
Natasha Saad Street. The arrested individual was held for interrorgation.
Beirut, 30 May 09, 12:23
New Dalloul-Skaff Alliance Emerging in Zahle
Naharnet/A new alliance seems to be emerging between Agriculture Minister Elias
Skaff and former cabinet minister Mohsen Dalloul in Zahle as members of
Dalloul's former political machinery visited Skaff's staff placing themselves at
their disposal the daily As-safir reported on Saturday. Skaff had previously
rejected any political alliance with Dalloul, who also did not accept the idea.
Dalloul bowed out of the electoral race following disagreement with March 14
Forces that favored journalist Oqab Saqr on their list. This fact caused both
Skaff and Dalloul to reconsider their options. This de-facto electoral alliance
in Zahle could forge future political alliances between both men in the Bekka in
future parliamentary races.
Beirut, 30 May 09, 09:00
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
Security Incidents in Jbeil During Election Rallies Result
in Wounded
Naharnet/Supporters of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and others supporting
parliamentary candidate Emile Naufal clashed in Jbeil on Friday resulting two
wounded Lebanese army elements. The Free patriotic Movement's web site said that
Jirjis Makhoul a known supporter of Naufal fired his gun against FPM supporters
in Jbeil wounding two soldiers.
The LF website accused FPM and Hizbullah members of conducting continued
security rounds while baring arms close to Naufal's residence leading to the
incident.
Later at Jbeil's market an incident broke out between internal Security Forces
and Hizbullah elements, the LF claimed. Naufal made a statement saying he will
cooperate with the authorities to benefit the investigation. Beirut, 29 May 09,
21:55
Aoun: I Will Be Leader of Largest Parliamentary Bloc in
Lebanon's History
Naharnet/MP Michel Aoun on Friday said that following the June 7 elections "I
will be the leader of the largest parliamentary bloc in the history of the
(Lebanese) Republic."In an interview with al-Binaa newspaper, Aoun said any talk
about shortening the president's term is tantamount to "conspiracy and
coup."Aoun believed the majority of those engaged in politics "do not politics
very well." He described as "fabrication" Der Spiegel's report that suggested
Hizbullah was behind the murder of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri. Beirut, 29 May 09,
18:07
Hezbollah Kill Hariri?
Michael J. Totten
commentarymagazine.com
29/05/09
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/did-hezbollah-kill-hariri--15155
The German magazine Der Spiegel dropped one heck of a political bomb on Lebanon
a few days ago when it reported that United Nations investigators are now
fingering Hezbollah, rather than Syria, for the former Lebanese Prime Minister
Rafik Hariri's assassination with a car bomb in downtown Beirut on Valentine’s
Day in 2005.
The story is based on information from anonymous sources “close to the tribunal”
and documents of unknown authenticity. We don’t know yet if the lead is
accurate. Intriguingly, though, the UN’s spokesperson for the Special Tribunal
for Lebanon neither confirms nor denies Der Spiegel's report. If a potentially
explosive accusation like this one were false, I’d expect the UN to deny it
emphatically.
Someone in Lebanon's anti-Hezbollah “March 14” coalition may be hoping to use
disinformation in Der Spiegel as a political weapon. These things happen. I’ve
been lied to in Lebanon by people I trusted. It’s also possible that someone
inside the UN thinks the people of Lebanon have a right to know what Hezbollah
has done before they go to the polls next month and place assassins in the
saddle in Beirut.
One of my own well-connected sources in Lebanon had this to say over email: "A
rumor that the tribunal is going to end up issuing its indictments against
Hezbollah, not Syria, has been floating around Beirut for the past month or so,
and among highly credible sources. The impression I've gotten is that it would
be largely a political move, a way to nail Hezbollah – and by association Iran –
while largely letting Syria off the hook in the interests of promoting this
fantasy-world 'rapprochement' with Damascus. Everyone I've heard discussing this
still believes Syria did it. It's a no brainer [sic] even if Hezbollah did play
a role in carrying out the assassination."
It is strange that, according to the Der Spiegel report, the evidence no longer
points toward Syrian President Bashar Assad. That doesn’t quite pass the smell
test. It’s possible, I suppose, that the UN may want to whitewash or downplay
Assad’s involvement for diplomatic reasons, to promote “rapprochement” with
Damascus, as some Lebanese seem to think. What is far less likely – and, in my
opinion, almost impossible – is a UN plot to indict Hezbollah on false
pretenses. Either Der Spiegel’s sources are taking the magazine for a ride, or
the evidence against Hezbollah is authentic.
Hariri’s son and Future Movement party leader Saad Hariri is being
extraordinarily careful. “We will not comment on any press leaks that do not
directly come from the Special Tribunal for Lebanon,” he said. Druze leader
Walid Jumblatt, Hezbollah’s fiercest critic since Syria's ousting in 2005, is
cautious too. “We cannot allow what the Der Spiegel magazine released on
Saturday to become another Ain el-Remmaneh incident,” he said, referring to the
Lebanese civil war’s trigger in 1975.
Leaders of the “March 14” bloc could hardly ask for a more effective political
weapon against Hezbollah during the run-up to the election next month, but they
also couldn’t ask for one that’s more dangerous. Jumblatt is right to invoke the
incident that ignited the worst war in his country’s history. Accusing Hezbollah
of assassinating Hariri – and, by implication, of assassinating a number of
journalists and members of parliament in the meantime – could easily do to
Lebanon what Al Qaeda’s Samarra mosque bombing in 2006 did to Iraq.
“[I]f (the majority) uses the report against Hezbollah,” said former Carnegie
Endowment scholar and Hezbollah expert Amal Saad-Ghorayeb, “then of course we're
going to see instability in Lebanon, and that's putting it mildly.” “One word,”
said Fadia Kiwan at Saint Joseph University, “could set the streets on fire.”
“If the Special Tribunal for Lebanon comes out and confirms the report,”
Carnegie Middle East Center Director Paul Salem said, “we could be facing an
all-out civil war.” “If these rumors are true,” my own source in Lebanon added,
“expect some extremely dark times ahead in Lebanon. After all, the Sunni street
hates Hezbollah enough to begin with. Once Hezbollah is officially accused of
assassinating Hariri, all bets are off.”
All this raises the question: if Lebanon could plunge into war should “March 14”
cite an unsourced report prematurely, what might happen if the UN officially
indicts Hezbollah later?
A furious revolution drove out Syrian occupation soldiers when Assad was the
suspected culprit. It was possible, though, to revolt against Syria without
using violence. Assad’s army was foreign and could be pressured to go home.
Hezbollah lives in Lebanon. Hezbollah is already home. Hezbollah cannot
withdraw. Hezbollah can only be disarmed or destroyed. And undefeated armies
rarely, if ever, surrender their weapons.
Lebanese are good at compromise. “No victor, no vanquished” is the formula used
to break deadlocks. The system breaks down, of course, when one faction tries to
vanquish another. If Hezbollah is indicted for murdering Hariri and others, the
country will be thrown into crisis. For it is neither possible nor desirable to
compromise with, or compete in democratic elections with, a terrorist army that
“votes” by murdering its political opponents with car bombs.
Bought
democracy
By: Lucy Fielder
Al-Ahram Weekly
Abdullah has just a few days to decide who to work for in the coming general
elections: majority leader Saad Al-Hariri or opposition leader former Prime
Minister Omar Karami. He supports the former, but that is irrelevant. It is all
down to who pays the most. As a coffee shop owner in one of Tripoli's most
deprived areas, he says he is offered up to $2,000 to hang posters and influence
customers. "Then, a few weeks later, the other side pays me to take those down
and put up their posters," he says in his flat, where he has agreed to speak
anonymously about the dirty business of Lebanese elections. So far, he says, he
has pocketed about $4,000 ahead of the 7 June poll.
Clustered on a hill rising steeply from the Abu Ali River, the poor districts of
Tripoli form a gallery for the battling billionaires. Thousands of posters of
the zaims, or strongman leaders, cover balconies, roofs and walls; some are four
storeys high. Inside the winding streets of Bab Al-Tabbaneh, one of Lebanon's
most deprived areas where few state services reach, it is easy to see, amid the
rotting piles of rubbish, why residents will accept $100 to hang a poster.
"I call it the photography studio," says a woman who has allowed me onto her
apartment block roof to take in the view. The ancient, feudal practice of
clientelism is alive and well in all of Lebanon, nurtured by the sectarian
system. But it is most stark amongst such poverty.
Abdullah's coffee shop has become an "office", an informal centre for
distributing services and free coffee and swaying voters with cash. About 10-15
youths work for him. "We work with the members of parliament," he says. "They
pay us and we help them buy votes. This year, the price of a vote has reached
$500." And that's just an individual vote. More commonly -- Tripolitans and
observers say -- votes are bought in blocs.
Nasir Warwar, a trader in Bab Al-Tebbaneh's vegetable market, says he supports
Karami, and as a senior member of a fairly large family holds sway over about
100 votes. "Yesterday, another zaim 's people came to me and offered me $5,000
to switch sides and bring my votes with me," he says, in his flat in Tripoli.
"But I won't sell my vote."
Vote buyers say they expect the real work to start mid- afternoon on 7 June,
about three hours before poll-stations close. That's when many of the undecided
can be persuaded to auction their ballot to the highest bidder. "They pay more
for the last voters," Abdullah says.
Last year's election law, a cobbled-together compromise that was part of a deal
hatched in Doha to end 18 months of violence, attempted to curb campaign
spending, and with it corruption. But it encouraged voting along sectarian lines
by creating small electoral districts, thereby increasing the likelihood that
people vote mainly for seats reserved for their sect, given that co-religionists
tend to live in clusters or dominate whole regions. Observers say it thereby
fuelled clientelism and corruption, and undermined platform-based politics.
And along with the difficulty of enforcing spending limits in lawless Lebanon,
there were several loopholes. "The main loophole is bank secrecy," explains
Ammar Abboud, policy advisor to the Lebanese Association for Democratic
Elections, a Beirut-based non-government organisation. "A candidate now has to
open an account that can be monitored, but his private accounts remain private."
And campaigners lost the battle to push through another simple but crucial
reform, the pre-printed ballot paper. Parties, zaims and the vote-buying mafia
remain able to print, or even hand-write, their own ballots on any piece of
white paper. So a "key voter", someone who can bring a bloc of votes with them,
such as a community leader or family head, will be given a ballot printed with a
particular font, say, or with the names in a particular order.
"During vote-counting, the campaign machines of each candidate not only count
votes, but also the different templates they distributed," Abboud says. "So they
can track how everyone has voted and pay the exact sum. If there was a
pre-printed ballot, those who want to buy votes would have to do so without
having any guarantee that those they paid did actually vote for them." As is, if
a vote-buyer like Abdullah is paid up front but fails to deliver the agreed
votes to the right leader, he can be found out.
Clientelism in Lebanon is not always in the form of outright vote buying. This
year's vogue among political parties is buying plane tickets to bring expatriate
Lebanese home, on condition of casting a favourable ballot. Most voters are
swayed more subtly, through the provision of services where the state falls
short. Mahmoud Al-Aswad runs another electoral "office" in Bab Al-Tebbaneh.
Counting prayer beads, he describes how he works with deputies to "help" the
people. "If there's an MP we trust, who we think will work with us throughout
his four-year term, we cooperate with him on the basis of offering people
services," he says. He explains that usually people bring hospital bills and he
stumps up most of the sum on the politician's behalf. Local residents often save
their requests, where possible, for election time, knowing they are much more
likely to be answered.
Above him, Najib Mikati smiles from a gilt frame. He is one of the richest of
the city's leaders and widely seen as the most popular and influential zaim
among Tripolitans, above even Al-Hariri. Many expect Mikati to be Lebanon's next
prime minister if the opposition coalition led by Hizbullah wins the elections,
which are expected to be close. Clientelism is common practice both among
opposition forces and those who hold the current parliamentary majority, the
pro-Western "14 March" movement.
Al-Aswad refers to this arrangement as being "like a charity". But he is under
no illusions concerning the city's strongmen.
"We're the poor, the downtrodden, and we're just numbers in the elections," he
says. "People don't want help, they want jobs, health services, education." But
for politicians who profit from providing "charity" to the poor in the run up to
the elections, there is little incentive to reform the system and improve
people's lot. "Don't forget it's the politicians who corrupted the people, not
the other way round," Al-Aswad says. "They've got us all used to running around
chasing $100 bills."
© Copyright Al-Ahram Weekly. All rights reserved
Partners in distrust
Al-Ahram Weekly/May 28/05/09
By: Bassel Oudat
Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, addressing the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference a few days ago, has said that peace talks with Israel, which started
with the Madrid Conference in 1993, have done more harm than good to the cause
of peace. "Israel has exposed its true face to the world," the president said,
adding that peace is "as distant as ever".
The real situation may not be that desperate. The leaders of both countries
still regard peace as a priority, but their opinions on how to go about it have
changed. Over the past few years, the Syrians maintained that they could make
peace if Israel pledges to withdraw from all of Syria's occupied territories.
The Israelis, until recently at least, didn't contest this point. Indeed,
Israeli governments starting with Rabin's in 1993 and including Barak's in 2000
said they would withdraw from the Golan.
Only a year ago, former US president Jimmy Carter said that Syria and Israel
agree on 85 per cent of the issues in contest and that a lasting settlement was
within reach. Now, hopes for immediate progress seem to be waning.
Back in 2000, negotiators had to tangle with three sticking points. One was
Israel's withdrawal from the Golan Heights. Talks went generally well, except
for differences that persisted over 44 square kilometres of land situated near
Lake Tabaria, or Tiberias. There, due to the shifting of the water level, the
shores have moved away from Syrian borders, giving rise to a dispute over what
land belongs to whom.
Then there was the issue of disarmament. Syria didn't want to disarm any of its
territory unless Israel disarmed an area equal in size on its side. The Syrians
and Israelis also disagreed on what security and surveillance measures to apply
on the borders, and of who will take charge of their monitoring.
The third point was the western slopes of Gabal Al-Sheikh, or Mount Hermon.
Israel had created major tourist facilities there and wanted to keep running
them, and the Syrians wouldn't allow that.
Negotiations between the countries were resumed in 2008. So far, four rounds of
talks have been held in Istanbul and Ankara. By the end of the fourth round, the
Syrians said they were ready for direct talks if the Americans joined in as
guarantors. Damascus turned down an offer by some EU countries to step into the
talks, insisting that only the Americans are powerful enough to make a deal
stick. When Israel waged its war on Gaza early this year, talks were
discontinued.
The Syrian government says that only US sponsorship of the talks could make the
negotiations credible. Damascus has said this to the Americans several times but
has gotten no answer as yet. With a new administration in place, the Syrians
have no way of knowing which way the wind will blow, and so far the Obama
administration has not spelt out its regional policy in full detail.
The Syrians, meanwhile, have been introducing new ideas with regards to Middle
East peace. They say Turkey should continue to mediate, even after the Americans
join. More importantly, Damascus wants Hizbullah and Hamas to take part in
preliminary negotiations. A few weeks ago, President Al-Assad suggested
Hizbullah be included in the Syrian-Israeli talks, if and when they resume in
Ankara. He said that he could persuade both Hamas and Hizbullah to come to the
talks. Speaking to reporters, he affirmed that, "major parties should take part
in the peace process."
The Syrians want a peace that leads to Israel's withdrawal from all Arab
occupied territories and not Syria's alone. Damascus has made it clear that the
peace it seeks should be in keeping with the Arab peace initiative. Israel, for
its part, wants Syria to stop supporting and arming Hizbullah in Lebanon and to
expel the leaders of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad from Damascus. Israel also
wants Syria to lower its level of strategic cooperation with Iran. Damascus has
not accepted any of these terms.
With a far right government installed in Israel, the question of full withdrawal
from the Golan has come up for discussion once more. Israeli Prime Minister
Binyamin Netanyahu, speaking following talks in Washington, said that his
country was willing to negotiate with Syria "without preconditions". But the
Syrians are still worried that Israel is reneging on pulling out of the Golan.
"We have it on record that successive Israeli governments have, since 1993,
promised full withdrawal from the Golan, all the way to the borders of 4 June
1967," Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Muallim said recently. The minister
wanted the Americans to remind the Israelis of their commitments. "Without the
US pressuring Israel to make peace, what's the point of negotiating?" Al-Muallim
asked.
Days before the Organisation of the Islamic Conference met, President Al-Assad
made a subtle threat to the Israelis. The lack of progress in Turkish-sponsored
talks, he said, justifies resistance. "The failure of political effort is what
entitles the resistance to carry on with its duties." Obviously, he wasn't
talking about a possible war between Syria and Israel.
The Syrian president said that, "everyone now knows that the course of war
[waged] to achieve political objectives has brought nothing but pain to all who
choose this option." Blaming the Israelis for the failure of the peace
negotiations, Al-Assad was telling the Israelis that unless some progress is
made towards peace, he would unleash resistance groups against them.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon wasn't happy with Al-Assad's tough
talking. According to Ayalon, Al-Assad doesn't want a peace deal with Israel,
but is staging a charade to improve his relations with the West. The Syrians
only want negotiations as a way of ending their international isolation, the
Israeli official said.
As the two sides failed to reach a compromise, the situation became more
complicated. At present, it seems that each side is bringing new positions to
the negotiating table. President Al-Assad said, "when a partner in available,
we'll talk about a time to start the peace talks." Tough talking aside, it is
obvious that a new scene is emerging. With a far right government in Israel, and
with Obama exploring new ways to deal with the Middle East, the future looks not
exactly grim, but ambiguous.
© Copyright Al-Ahram Weekly. All rights reserved