LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
September 30/09
Bible Reading of the day
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to
Saint John 1:47-51. Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here
is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him."Nathanael said to him, "How
do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, I
saw you under the fig tree."Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of
God; you are the King of Israel."Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater
things than this." And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see
the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of
Man."
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Iran's Missiles are its oldest and
current top priority/By: Dr. Walid Phares/September 29/09
Release/Canada Condemns
Iranian Missile Launch/September
29/09
Iran: lost trust and a closing
window/By: Hazem Saghieh/Now Lebanon/September 29, 2009
Nawwaf al-Moussawi/Now
Lebanon/September 28, 2009
Third member of so-called
Toronto 18 pleads guilty in plot to attack Cdn targets/The
Canadian Press/September
29/09
The Lebanese need a diplomatic barrier to ward off the Israeli threat/The
Daily Star/September
29/09
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for September 29/09
3 Objectives Behind
Fillon's Beirut Visit/Naharnet
Aoun: Let Hariri Appoint Any
Election Loser/Naharnet
Lebanon’s sovereignty will not be
subject to settlement, Biden/Future News
Biden says no settlement at
Lebanon’s expense/Future News
Syrian press expects “a Lebanese
explosion”/Future News
Ezzeddine’s case: Al Akhbar, Bassil
among victims/Future News
Hariri to Expand Consultations to
Include Trade Unions, Civil Society Representatives-Naharnet
Tishrin:
Lebanese Regime Impossible to Patch-Naharnet
Khoja's
Beirut Visit Unconfirmed-Naharnet
Abul
Geith Warns Lebanese against Foreign Meddling, Says Egypt Pays No Attention to
Nasrallah Rhetoric-Naharnet
3 Objectives Behind Fillon's
Beirut Visit-Naharnet
Hariri to hold another round of FPM
negotiations-Daily
Star
French PM urges speedy salve in
cabinet quandary-Daily
Star
Sfeir prays for blessings in
Lebanon-Daily Star
France exalts organization of
Francophone Games-Daily
Star
Anger in Lebanon over Israel's actions at Al-Aqsa mosque-Daily
Star
Lebanese banks pressed for new
investments-Daily
Star
NGO calls for marine reserves-Daily
Star
Eleven get food poisoning in Barja-Daily
Star
US university offers Rihani course-Daily
Star
Police urged to vote for Jeita Grotto-(AFP)
Report: Ezzedine handed over to
military intelligence-Daily
Star
Najjar seeks to implement prison
reform-Daily Star
Baroud stands behind civil society
associations-Daily
Star
Fadel presents Hariri with full
package to improve state institutions/Now Lebanon
FPM leader MP Michel Aoun holds a
press conference in Rabieh/Now Lebanon
Hajjar: Geagea’s rhetoric, open/future
news
Harb: Hariri raised level of
consultations/future
news
Alloush: To denounce Fatah Al Islam official’s identity/future
news
Canada Condemns Iranian Missile Launch
September 28, 2009 (8:30 p.m. EDT)
No. 280
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs,
today issued the following statement regarding Iran’s September 28 test launch
of a medium-range ballistic missile:
“Canada calls on Iran to immediately cease its ballistic missile programs,
which, together with Iran’s clandestine nuclear activities, pose a grave threat
to international peace and security.
“We call on Iran to cooperate fully and comprehensively with the International
Atomic Energy Agency investigation of the country’s entire nuclear program,
including its illegal enrichment activities.
“Canada will work in concert with its allies to resolve this issue as long as
Iran remains in non-compliance with its international obligations.
“We also call on Iran to address its illicit nuclear activities with the
international community when it meets with the Permanent Members of the UN
Security Council and Germany in Geneva on Thursday, October 1, 2009.”
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
Iran's Missiles are its oldest and current top priority
By: Dr. Walid Phares
29 Sep 2009
"After claiming to successfully test-fire two short-range missiles during drills
Sunday by the elite Revolutionary Guard, Iran will test-fire a missile on Monday
that could have the capability to hit Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf region,
Reuters reported" -Reuters- September 26, 2009
This week's Reuter's reports are triggering additional concerns over Iran's
forthcoming missiles tests: the new long range "rockets" can reach Israel, other
targets in the region and US bases. The question at hand is: Are Iranian
missiles' strategies new, are Tehran's plans coming out of the blue? In this
memo I invite analysts and commentators to go back in time and rediscover Iran's
strategic plans evolving for years, if not decades. In my mind I'd ask a
different question: why are we surprised? In fact a small number of experts on
Iranian strategies have been warning about the long standing Khomeinist doctrine
on ballistic missiles for years. I have modestly been calling attention on this
menace for years, decades. Here are some of my previous warnings.
1987
Back in 1987, I published a book (in Arabic) outlining the future strategies of
Iran: The global strategic capabilities were already embedded in the Khomeinist
war doctrines.
Cover of the Book: "Readings in the Khomeini Revolution and his Islamic
Republic: What's coming
2006
Twenty years later, Iran's regime hasn't changed its strategies. A report was
published by the weekly al Muharrer (in Arabic) under the title "Iran future
plans are to deploy missiles in Syria and Lebanon." Hamid Ghuriafi wrote:
"Iranian missiles in Syria and the Bekaa capable of reaching France, Great
Britain and Germany. The analysis of Dr Walid Phares, Senior fellow at the
Foundation for the Defense of Democracies in Washington, presented to US and
Western defense circles, demonstrate that the ultimate strategic aim of the
Ahmedinijad regime is to deploy its missiles in Syria, and in some locations in
Lebanon as a way to put a number of European countries and the Sixth Fleet under
its reach.” The article says it has confirmed this analysis with sources from
Western defense in the US, Britain and within moderate Arab countries. Arabic
-(July 1, 2006) [ Visit Website ]
2007
In an article titled "Misestimating Iran's Nuclear Strategies" published in the
Counter Terrorism Blog and several outlets on December 7, 2007 I wrote: "The NIE
(National Intelligence Estimate) failed to see and explain that the 2003
decision was a change of strategy not a halt to a strategy; for the Ahmadinejad
plan was to ensnare the US in Iraq so that it couldn’t destroy the process of
Iran’s shifting the balance of power in its crucial early stages. Tragically,
what was missed in Washington is that Tehran was building the missiles before
completing the fissile. While attention was focused on the uranium enrichment
process, the Pasdaran were setting up the delivery system, i.e., the actual
threat system." I argued in short: "It is the missiles not the fissile." http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/12/misestimating_irans_nuclear_st.php
2008
In 2008, I presented briefings to the US House Caucus on Counter Terrorism and
at the European Parliament, warning about the long range missiles "intentions"
of Tehran. On October 30, 2008, I published an article under the title "EMP: The
Next Iranian strategic threat to the US Mainland?" Eventually I argued, Iran's
regime wants to possess the ability to affect US national security and Western
stability, let alone the region's security. [ Visit Website ] and here on
November 9, 2008 [ Visit Website ]
2009
In 2009, I continued to brief US and European legislators on the long term
projection of the Iranian strategic command: covering the Middle East and
eventually uncover missiles which can reach points on US mainland. Here is an
interview with NewsMax Review on "Iranian missiles eventually reaching the US,
the outreach to the Muslim world and other issues." [ Visit Website ] Apr 13,
2009.
On Canada's World Tonight CHQR on April 15, 2009 I addressed the Iranian
forthcoming missiles threat [ Visit Website ]. On April 16, I argued that Iran's
missiles capability already covers the Middle East and US bases, and eventually
parts of the West. [ Visit Website ]
On June 9, 2009, I argued on Fox News TV that Iran has a missiles strategy
"which by now covers the Middle East and Europe." In short they are ready on the
missiles front. I added that Tehran is already acquiring the counter-missiles
capacity as well. They are already thinking of how to defend their missiles with
anti-missiles, even before the US and the West would make the initial decision
to confront Iranian capabilities. They are ahead in the game.
On June 13, 2009 I projected in an interview with Newsmax Magazine that the
intention of Khamenei is to transform Iran into a "Jihadist Soviet Union." I
argued that "this regime will waste America's time as long as possible, so that
we begin our next cycle of elections. And they will try to waste another cycle –
that's another four years. … That's eight years, basically, for them to become a
nuclear power with nuclear missiles and ability to be invincible in the sense of
what was the case in the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United
States.” [ Visit Website ]
On September 7, I told Jennifer Griffin on the Fox News Special Report that "Ahmedinijad
wants to talk with President Obama as the head of a nuclear Iran not the head of
a non nuclear Iran." Ahmedinijad feels he had his so-called election behind him,
that he crushed the opposition, that he has the support of Khamenei and that the
US and the West will not go far in their sanctions or actions. That is why he is
moving forward on all tracks: gradually building the weapon, developing the
missiles and acquiring launching territorial pads."
On September 14, I told Russia Today TV that "Iran's most urgent priority is
gaining time to build its missiles strategic capability. " [ Visit Website ]
Today's Reuters reporting on the Iranian missiles tests only confirm what has
been a permanent, steady and expanding Iranian strategy, which unfortunately was
not confronted in its early stages. The last question now is: what can the
United States and its allies do about it? While we may be able to muster some
support for a sanction regime against the development of fissile material, it is
unlikely that these sanctions will stop Khamanei and Ahmedinijad from quitting
their relentless missiles development program. And time is not our ally in
responding to this conundrum.
----------------------
Dr Walid Phares is the author of The Confrontation: Winning the War against
Future Jihad and the Director of the Future Terrorism Project at the Foundation
for Defense of Democracies. He teaches Global Strategies in Washington DC.
Ezzeddine’s case: Al Akhbar, Bassil among victims
Date: September 29th, 2009/Source: Middle East Transparent
Middle East Transparent news website published Tuesday that Al Akhbar daily
might be one of the victims of businessman Salah Ezzeddine’s investments, and
that the current funds of the newspaper would be sufficient for five to seven
months. On the other hand, Hizbullah asked outgoing Telecommunications Minister
Gebran Bassil to provide $30 million from joint investments in two months as
Bassil will have to liquidate belongings and real estate especially in the
Batroun district. A well informed source added that the Shiite party is
gathering up funds previously invested here and there in order to hafe the
biggest amount of money in order to compensate damaged investors from
Ezzeddine’s case. This source also said that Ezzeddine’s case is not a result of
recklessness but aims at decreasing Hizbullah’s funding sources as a part of an
international campaign against the party. The same source asserted that the
United Arab Emirates is playing a major role in fighting the funding sources of
Hizbullah as it exiled 48 families that used to send money to the Shiite party
with no repercussions in Beirut of Abu Dhabi where the authorities stopped $1.5
billion on the way to Hizbullah.
Biden says no settlement at Lebanon’s expense
Date: September 29th, 2009/Source: NNA
President Michel Sleiman received a phone call from US vice president Joe Biden
during which the two men discussed bilateral relations, the National News Agency
reported.
The state-run NNA quoted Biden as reiterating US President Barack Obama’s stance
saying that “no solution will be at the expense of Lebanon,” and hoped the new
government would be formed soon.
Third member of so-called Toronto 18 pleads
guilty in plot to attack Cdn targets
Mon Sep 28, /By The Canadian Press
BRAMPTON, Ont. - A third member of the so-called Toronto 18 pleaded guilty in a
plot to attack Canadian targets because he felt it was the "right thing to do,"
his lawyer said Monday. Saad Gaya, 21, pleaded guilty to intending to cause an
explosion for the benefit of a terrorist group. He was among 18 men and youth
rounded up in 2006 and charged in a plot to wreak havoc on several targets,
including Parliament and RCMP headquarters. Outside court, his lawyer Paul
Slansky said his client expressed remorse to him and wanted to do the right
thing and plead guilty. Last week, Ali Dirie, 26, pleaded guilty to his role in
the plot and faces a maximum 10-year sentence. Earlier this month, Saad Khalid,
23, was handed a 14-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in May. Khalid
was given seven years credit for time already served and could be released on
parole in less than three years.
"I think it would be highly unusual for my client to get a sentence as much as
Mr. Khalid got. He would probably get somewhat less, maybe significantly less,"
Slansky said. "To some extent, (Gaya) was duped." Gaya's sentencing hearing is
scheduled for Dec. 21 and the judge is to hand down sentence Jan. 6. "Certain
people had certain plans that were not communicated to Mr. Gaya," Slansky said.
"Mr. Gaya will be taking the position that he did not know their plans. He in
fact had asked for assurances that there would not be harm to people." Only one
case involving the Toronto 18 has gone to trial so far, resulting in a
conviction. Last September, a judge found Nishanthan Yogakrishnan guilty of
participating in, and contributing to, a terrorist group. Although 17 at the
time of the offences, he was tried as a youth but received an adult sentence of
2 1/2 years before being released in May in light of his time served before
trial. In the summer of 2006, an intense investigation involving Canada's spy
agency and the RCMP ended with the arrests of 18 people in the Toronto area and
the seizure of apparent bomb-making materials. The case took a stunning turn
when allegations surfaced that the ringleaders had talked about plans to storm
Parliament, take MPs hostage and behead the prime minister. Seven men, including
the alleged leaders of the group, remain in custody awaiting trial. Seven of the
18 people arrested have since had their charges dropped or stayed.
Sfeir prays for blessings in Lebanon
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
BEIRUT: Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir led mass in Saint Maroun
Church in Rome, Italy on Sunday, on the occasion of the opening of the church’s
pastoral year. At the end of his pastoral duty the patriarch wished – before the
Lebanese community in Rome – that God would cast His grace upon Lebanon and let
the Lebanese live altogether in cooperation, peace and understanding. Sfeir
received before the mass a delegation from the Future Movement and some of the
Muslim Lebanese community in Rome, who gave him their best wishes for the
church’s ceremony. – National News Agency
Tishrin: Lebanese Regime Impossible
to Patch
The official Syrian Tishrin newspaper said the Lebanese regime requires "a
radical savior step after it has become impossible to patch since painkillers no
longer work."It said Lebanon is facing a "regime crisis, not a governance
crisis." Tishrin said that perhaps this was the reason why Prime
Minister-designate Saad Hariri proposed the following question during
parliamentary consultations: "Do you think that the crisis in Lebanon is one of
a regime or governance?" Beirut, 29 Sep 09, 11:51
Khoja's Beirut Visit Unconfirmed
Naharnet/There were conflicting reports as to whether or not Saudi Information
Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja will visit Beirut. As-Safir daily said Khoja is likely
to arrive in Beirut as early as Tuesday to attend Saudi Arabia's National Day at
Biel. It said his arrival could reflect "positively" on Lebanon and put the
country before two possibilities: Government formation based on the 15-10-5
formula before the arrival of Saudi King Abdullah in Damascus or a Cabinet
lineup after his visit. But in either case, As-Safir went on to say,
PM-designate Saad Hariri is surely to meet King Abdullah in Damascus. Pan-Arab
daily Al-Hayat, however, quoted political circles following up on the Arab
rapprochement, particularly between Syria and Saudi Arabia, ruled out Khoja's
visit to Beirut. Beirut, 29 Sep 09, 09:12
Hariri to Expand Consultations to Include Trade Unions,
Civil Society Representatives
Naharnet/Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri concludes Tuesday official
parliamentary consultations to form a new government, only to kick off a new
round of two-day talks that would include trade unions and civil society
representatives for the first time. Hariri's talks on Wednesday and Thursday
would include, in addition to meetings with a number of parliamentary blocs from
both the majority and the Opposition, representatives of trade unions, economic
bodies, NGOs as well as the civil society.
An-Nahar daily said broadening the talks is indication of further delay in a
Cabinet lineup. Hariri will launch consultations on Wednesday in a meeting with
Liberation and Development bloc leader MP Anwar al-Khalil to be followed by
meetings with the Lebanese Forces and Phalange party blocs. On Thursday, Hariri
will meet head of the Change and Reform bloc Michel Aoun. Al-Liwaa newspaper
said talks on Wednesday and Thursday will not include Hizbullah's Loyalty to the
Resistance bloc. Parliamentary sources believed that the second round of talks
could shape the picture of the new government. Meanwhile, Hariri on Tuesday will
end his official parliamentary consultations after separate meetings with MPs
Michel Pharaon, Dory Chamoun, Robert Fadel and Nayla Tueni. Beirut, 29 Sep 09,
08:18
Abul Geith Warns Lebanese against Foreign Meddling, Says Egypt Pays No Attention
to Nasrallah Rhetoric
Naharnet/Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit warned Lebanese against
foreign meddling and the "dangers of allowing foreign parties to play on the
Lebanese arena."
Abul Gheit believed that external powers are capable of playing an influential
role in Lebanese internal affairs "that could affect Lebanon's personal
interests with Western powers."
In an interview published Tuesday by pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat, Abul Geith also
called on the Lebanese people to "look to the future" and look into Lebanon's
interests from the perspective that represents people's interest only.
Turning on Hizbullah, Abul Geith said Egypt pays no attention to Sayyed Hassan
Nasrallah's rhetoric.
He said Cairo will "confront anyone who carries out illegal action on Egyptian
soil or take the right to use Egyptian territory under the pretext he is
fighting for national cause, whether it was the Hizbullah cell or another one."
Beirut, 29 Sep 09, 08:47
Biden to Suleiman: No Regional Deals at Lebanon's Expense
Naharnet/U.S. Vice President Joe Biden made a phone call to President Suleiman
Monday evening that revolved around bilateral relations.
Biden reconfirmed to the Lebanese head of state, the American administration's
firm and continuous support to Lebanon's sovereignty and integrity.
He conveyed to Suleiman President Obama's message, reiterating the fact that the
U.S. will not undertake any action or make any regional deal at the expense of
Lebanon's interests.
At the end of his phone conversation with President Suleiman, the American Vice
President called for speeding the cabinet formation. Beirut, 28 Sep 09, 23:19
Fillon: Lebanon's Problems Can't Be Solved without Dialogue
with Syria
Naharnet/French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said Monday that France is
committed to protecting Lebanon's sovereignty and will continue to support its
stability, but cautioned Lebanon that its problems cannot be solved without
dialogue with Syria. "It is illusionary to think that all regional problems,
including Lebanon, can be solved without dialogue with the Syrians or with
countries that have influence over the situation," Fillon said at the end of his
Lebanon visit. "Our dialogue with Damascus is honest and uncompromising," he
told reporters at a press conference. Fillon expressed his admiration over the
success of the opening ceremony of the Sixth Francophone Games at Beirut's
sports city stadium. He stressed that France remains keen on Lebanon's security
through its participation in UNIFIL and its support of the full implementation
of Resolution 1701.Fillon also expressed France's support for the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon, adding that Paris is committed to providing economic
assistance to Lebanon. Regarding ongoing consultations to form a national unity
Cabinet, Fillon encouraged current efforts aimed at dialogue among the various
Lebanese political leaders and hoped that a new government will be soon
announced "so it could continue to work on reform."
Fillon, who arrived in Beirut on Sunday to take part in the opening ceremony of
the Francophone Games, met Monday with President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih
Berri and PM-designate Saad Hariti who then hosted lunch for him. Beirut, 28 Sep
09, 17:32
Hariri to hold another round of FPM negotiations
By Elias Sakr
-Daily Star staff
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
BEIRUT: No progress was made on cabinet formation front on Monday, as opposition
and majority groups clung to their stances as Premier-designate Saad Hariri
resumed his deliberations with parliamentary blocs.
As part of his efforts to break the cabinet deadlock, Hariri is expected to hold
another round of deliberations with a delegation of the Free Patriotic Movement
(FPM) headed by MP Michel Aoun on Thursday as well as the Lebanese Forces (LF)
and the Phalange Party.
Hariri met at Parliament on Monday with the Armenian Tashnaq party bloc, al-Jamaa
al-Islamyia MP Imad Hout and independent MP Boutros Harb.
After the meeting, the Tashnaq party stressed its support for Hariri as well as
the necessity to form a national-unity cabinet that guarantees partnership given
the upcoming challenges.
Meanwhile, opposition parties including Hizbullah and Amal Movement reiterated
their support for the resumption of negotiations over the cabinet based on the
15-10-5 formula.
Conversely, the LF stressed Monday that the legitimacy of any cabinet should be
evaluated according to the Constitution, a reference to Hizbullah’s criticism of
LF head Samir Geagea’s call to form a majority cabinet.
Hizbullah’s Loyalty to Resistance bloc chief MP Mohammad Raad stressed on Monday
that the foundations of a national-unity cabinet were in place and awaited the
premier-designate to coordinate the distribution of portfolios and candidates.
“The fundamentals of a national-unity cabinet are available and only lack the
premier-designate’s will to creatively manage the distribution of portfolios and
names to bring to light a government that would save Lebanon ahead of upcoming
challenges,” Raad said.
Raad reiterated his party’s support for the 15-10-5 formula, adding that given
the current domestic challenges and the ongoing Israeli threats, the structure
was the best to guarantee national partnership.
Similarly, Amal Movement MP Ali Hassan Khalil called on Monday to form a
national unity cabinet based on the 15-10-5 formula, adding that Lebanon should
seize the opportunity that emerged as a result of Syrian-Saudi rapprochement.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Monday that Saudi King Abdullah bin
Abdel -Aziz received on Sunday an undisclosed invitation from Syrian President
Bashar Assad.
The agency added that Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal delivered the
message to Saudi Information and Culture Minister Abdel-Aziz Khoja.
“The recent inter Arab contacts created a new dynamic; we should seize the
opportunity… and take responsibility for the cabinet’s formation rather than
toss the burden on foreign powers with regard to details linked to the
distribution of portfolios,” Khalil said.
Khalil praised President Michel Sleiman’s insistence to form a national-unity
cabinet while he slammed statements by certain political groups contradicting
the principles of partnership and coexistence.
Also, Liberation and Development bloc MP Ali Bazzi said Assad’s visit to Saudi
Arabia had a positive impact on inter-Arab ties, which reflected positively on
Lebanon and the region.
“However, this positive atmosphere does not liberate the Lebanese from their
responsibility to work in order to re-establish warm relations among each
other,” Bazzi added.
Echoing Geagea, Parliament Deputy Speaker and Future Movement MP Farid Makari
called on Sleiman and Hariri to from a cabinet in accordance with constitutional
norms if negotiations to reach an agreement over a national-unity government
failed.
In a speech on Saturday, Geagea urged Hariri and the president to form a
majority cabinet if the opposition does not relinquish its conditions concerning
the government.
“The time has come to reach a conclusion; if it turns out that we would hit a
deadlock and another round of stalled deliberations, then the premier-designate
along with the president should form a cabinet in accordance with constitutional
norms in order to keep the country from being a hostage to obstruction,” Makari
said.
In response to Hizbullah’s criticism, LF MP Antoine Zahra stressed on Monday
that the legitimacy of any government or power in Lebanon should be evaluated
based the Constitution and the implementation of its laws.
“Geagea’s statement was an attempt to prevent the ongoing provoked series of
crisis for five consecutive years including the obstruction of presidential
elections and the cabinet’s formation which threatens to abolish the
Constitution and thus Lebanon’s presence and entity,” Zahra added.
LF ally the Phalange Party expressed hope on Monday that the minority transform
its talk about the positive atmosphere with regard to the cabinet formation into
deeds so as to facilitate the process. Following a meeting of the party’s
politburo, the Phalange issued a statement calling on Hariri to form a cabinet
that reflects the outcome of the June 7 elections and the Phalange’s true
representational size.
The statement also denied that the Phalange bloc tackled during talks with
Hariri the expected portfolios to be allotted to the party or the candidates to
be nominated.
In other news, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit said in remarks
published in Ash-Sharq al-Awsat on Monday that his country supported the
designation of Hariri for the post of premier-designate while denying claims
saying otherwise.
“Claims that Egypt does not want Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to form a
cabinet in Lebanon are inaccurate,” Abu al-Gheit said, adding that “we expressed
back then our belief that he would face obstacles.” Abu al-Gheit added that
foreign obstacles hampered the formation of the government as he stressed that
Saudi Arabia plays a very supportive role while Egypt was keen to see a
government formed as soon as possible. The Egyptian foreign minister hinted to a
significant Iranian influence in Lebanon, adding that Syria has also historic
and strategic interests in Lebanon.
Lebanese regime ‘on its deathbed’ says syrian paper
BEIRUT: 29/09/09/Lebanon’s political regime in its current shape is no longer
viable, the Syrian state-run newspaper Tishrin reported in remarks published on
Monday.
The paper added that the Lebanese regime was on its “deathbed” and needed
radical changes to revive it. “How can we claim that a sectarian regime is a
democratic one, if loyalty to religions exceeded loyalty to the nation; thus the
country faces a regime crisis rather than a government crisis,” the report said.
– The Daily Star
French PM urges speedy salve in cabinet quandary
Talks should include damascus, domestic parties: Fillon
By Patrick Galey and Carol Rizk
Daily Star staff
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
BEIRUT: French Prime Minister Francois Fillon urged Lebanon on Monday to reach a
rapid decision on forming a national-unity cabinet. Addressing reporters in
Beirut following a morning of meetings with top Lebanese politicians, Fillon
spoke of France’s concern over the ongoing political impasse which has left
Lebanon without a government for almost four months.
“I stressed that France is keen on a government being formed quickly,” he said.
“It is urgent that a unity government be formed.”
Fillon met individually with President Michel Sleiman, caretaker Prime Minister
Fouad Siniora, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri and Parliament Speaker Nabhi
Berri after flying in to Beirut on Sunday to attend the opening ceremony of the
2009 Francophone Games, which Lebanon is hosting.
He reiterated France’s “support for Lebanon and for the country’s unity,
independence and stability,” but warned that a national-unity cabinet would be
difficult to form without consultations with all interested regional and
domestic parties.
Citing Syria in particular, Fillon stressed that talks were required with all
countries in the region to facilitate a stable political situation within
Lebanon.
“It is illusory to think that all regional problems, including Lebanon, can be
solved without dialogue with the Syrians or with countries that have influence
over the situation,” he said, adding that France’s dialogue with Damascus was
“honest and uncompromising.”
Fillon praised the conditions under which Lebanon’s June 7 elections were
conducted.
“The parliamentary elections were held under conditions that we have to admit
were exemplary,” he said.
Although allegations of anomalies at polling stations were reported at the time,
the June vote was monitored by international observers and has since attracted
praise from the international community.
Fillon said that a cabinet should be formed in order for Lebanon to continue
making diplomatic progress, including the implementation of a number of sorely
needed constitutional reforms.
“Forming the government will set an example for the countries in the region
concerning the importance of democracy,” he said. “The people have voted and are
now waiting that a government be formed in order to engage in the reforms
Lebanon needs. I have asked the French delegation to maintain the current spirit
of dialogue.”
Turning to security, Fillon reiterated France’s support for the UN Interim force
in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and for UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
“France will stay a part of UNIFIL, given that it is the second-largest
contributor in this force that is helping maintain stability in the south,” he
said. “We will stay by Lebanon’s side and guarantee its security in all
situations.” UNIFIL has endured a summer of altercations and planned attacks on
soldiers operating close to the Blue Line – the UN-demarcated boundary of
Israeli military withdrawal – in the country’s south. More than a dozen troops
were injured in July when accosted by protesters near the village of Khirbet
Silim, and several members of suspected extremist cells have recently been
indicted for plotting to kill UNIFIL soldiers.
Fillon said that Resolution 1701 – drafted to end the 2006 summer war between
Lebanon and Israel and extended last month until 2010 – should be “fully
enforced,” calling it a “primary reference” for lasting peace between the two
nations. He expressed admiration for Lebanon’s apparently resilient economy and
promised to continue building trading ties with Beirut. Lebanon has avoided much
of the global downturn, owing largely to its well capitalized banking system and
a record-breaking summer that saw tourists flock to the country in their
millions.
“Lebanon faced the world economic crisis in a great manner, and we wish for
economic relations between our two countries to keep on progressing,” said
Fillon.
He added that he had faith in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), stressing
that it “should continue its work independently as to ensure justice.” The STL
was established to try the killers of former Premier Rafik Hariri, who was
killed along with 22 others by a Beirut car bombing in 2005. The tribunal has
been plagued by accusations of politicization and has not filed any indictments
since being ratified by the Security Council in 2007. When asked about further
UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, Fillon said that France was
aiming “to take part in establishing peace in this region through a diplomacy
which must be firm … but at the same time hold out a hand to dialogue.”
The Lebanese need a diplomatic barrier to ward off
the Israeli threat
By The Daily Star
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Editorial
One of the unfortunate consequences of the ongoing delay in forming a government
in Beirut is that no progress has been made toward reaching agreement on one of
the most contentious issues in Lebanese politics: Hizbullah’s arsenal. This need
not be the case. Although an internal deal among Lebanese factions on the
resistance’s weapons will take time to produce, plenty can and should be done in
advance of such an agreement, especially on the diplomatic level. And diplomatic
moves with allies like the United States, France and Turkey need not wait for
the formation of a new unity government.
Such moves would need to be aimed at creating a diplomatic barrier that would
protect this country from unwarranted Israeli aggression. As it stands, Israel
is exploiting the existence of Hizbullah’s arsenal in order to justify what
ought to be viewed as unjustifiable hostility toward Lebanon. What other state
in the modern world can get away with openly threatening to destroy its neighbor
without fear of facing censure?
One aspect of the long-term solution to this problem is obviously to have
Hizbullah’s weapons placed under the control of the Lebanese state. The problem
with imposing such a solution now though is that Hizbullah’s response to demands
to hand its weapons over to the state has been, “What state?”
The party makes a strong point when it offers this response, even if the “
absent state” argument is merely a pretext for maintaining its arsenal. Since
its creation in 1948, Israel has committed thousands – if not more – of
violations of Lebanese territory. Repeated incursions and invasions, many of
which predate the existence of Hizbullah, have prompted no response whatsoever
from the Lebanese government. The people of south Lebanon have every reason to
fear that relinquishing Hizbullah’s arsenal will leave them dangerously exposed
to Israel’s criminal barbarity.
This is precisely where active Lebanese diplomacy can make a difference. For
decades, Israel has operated in Lebanon with a de facto green light from the
international community to wreak as much havoc as it pleases. Although there
have been multiple UN resolutions condemning Israeli aggression, there has been
little real effort to back these words with action.
It’s time for the Lebanese state and its elected leaders to seek to change this
situation. Lebanon lacks the military might to ward off Israeli threats on its
own. But it has allies near and far who can make it too costly for Israel to
keep committing crimes in Lebanon. If the Israeli threat is removed, Hizbullah
would no longer have such a good reason to cling to its weapons.
Report: Ezzedine handed over to military
intelligence
Daily Star staff
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
BEIRUT: Businessman Salah Ezzedine was reportedly transferred from Roumieh
prison to the headquarters of the Lebanese military intelligence after initial
investigation showed that the financial losses from his investments were less
than the amount of cash given to the financier. Pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat on
Monday quoted judicial and security sources as saying the Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF) intelligence will now investigate the fate of the unaccounted-for money,
as well as money transfers and investments in several countries, including
Algeria, China, Brazil and Morocco.
Ezzedine is now making puzzling confessions about the amount of savings given to
him by people, including citizens of Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq, the report said.
The financier made limited financial transactions via two Lebanese banks, and
the amount does not make up two percent of the savings entrusted with him, the
report added.
The sources said military intelligence will investigate whether there was
embezzlement or Ezzedine had huge financial losses as a result of bad
investments in oil, gas and iron.
A third possibility, said the sources, is a security and financial “ambush” by
foreign parties, a clear reference to Israel.
Ezzedine has been charged with fraud and is being called the “Lebanese Bernie
Madoff” in local newspapers.
Bankers say it is the biggest fraud of its kind this country has ever seen, and
media coverage has fed on Ezzedine’s links with Hizbullah.
Hundreds of Lebanese sold land or drained their retirement savings and handed
over hundreds of millions of dollars to Ezzedine, whose investment company
promised as much as 40 percent in annual returns.
Ezzedine and his partner, Youssef Faour, have been arrested on suspicion of
cheating investors out of hundreds of millions of dollars – perhaps up to $1
billion, prosecutors say.
Earlier this month, they were charged with fraudulent embezzlement, a crime
punishable by 15 years in prison. Alleged victims included well-off Shiites but
also smaller investors who sold land or pulled out savings to bundle the cash
and give it to Ezzedine.
The Ezzedine, 47, was well-known for his religious works and charity in the
southern port city of Tyre and surrounding Shiite villages. He owns the Dar
Al-Hadi Publishing House.
Among his charitable works was largely financing a giant mosque in the center of
his hometown of Maaroub. – The Daily Star
FPM leader MP Michel Aoun holds a press conference in Rabieh
September 29, 2009
Now Lebanon
- During our first meeting with the PM-designate, he asked some questions. We
still have some questions to ask, too. The consultations will either reach a
solution or a deadlock.
- I have to no problem if the PM-designate appoints any minister who lost his
bid in the 2009 parliamentary elections. Anyway, our party won the elections,
and our parliamentary bloc is bigger.
- We will meet again with the PM-designate on Thursday at 12 noon.
- The PM-designate is the pilot in the cabinet-formation process. He defines its
direction.
- We have not caused the [problems with the] Telecommunications Ministry. -
Regardless of the nature of the Saudi-Syrian meeting, it does not resolve our
domestic problems… The true problem is the naturalization of the Palestinians. -
We do not feel guilty for not forming the cabinet. Our position is that we
refuse the naturalization of the Palestinians.
- At the domestic level, there is a huge problem: the mafia-like way of managing
the country’s affairs. If you want a country that you can live in, you should
support us… and support our reform project… We refuse the current situation, and
everybody should shoulder their responsibilities. - We are cooperating with the
PM-designate in order to reach a strong and balanced cabinet, which can only be
done through respecting the constitution and protocol.
Aoun: Minority should not lose its rights, though it may not be entitled to
impose conditions
Now Lebanon/September 29, 2009
In an interview with Emirati newspaper Al-Bayan published on Tuesday, Change and
Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun said that the “minority should not lose its
rights in light of Lebanon’s conciliatory system, even though it may not be
entitled to impose conditions.” He added that the cabinet formation is being
delayed because no party is satisfied with its “normal size.” Aoun said that the
15-10-5 formula – in which the majority gets 15 ministerial seats, the
opposition 10 and the president five – is still valid, and that “any other
formula that ensures fair representation and participation of all parties” is
negotiable. He added that the nature of the obstacles encountered during the
cabinet-formation process raise the question of whether the country is facing a
crisis of its system or of its governance. Aoun added that he is “comfortable”
with the outcome of his bloc’s consultations with Prime Minister-designate Saad
Hariri last week, commending Hariri’s “approach during his second tenure in the
post.” The MP also said that amendments to the Taif Accord will be discussed
following the cabinet formation. Aoun mentioned “the campaign” against his
son-in-law ,Telecommunications Minister Gebran Bassil, which he said sought to
impose a “moral defeat,” on him and noted that the “security forces were only
able to unveil the Israeli espionage networks during Bassil’s tenure.”Aoun also
voiced support for the Resistance, saying that “classic armies” cannot defeat
Israel. “As former army chief, I cannot deny the role of the regular army, but
the Resistance is indispensable for Lebanon’s defense,” he said.
Fadel presents Hariri with full package to improve state institutions
September 29, 2009/Now Lebanon
Following his meeting with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri at Nejmeh Square
on Tuesday, Lebanon First bloc MP Robert Fadel said he presented the
PM-designate with a “full package” that if adopted would improve state
institutions. Fadel also said that they discussed domestic issues, especially
the problems in Tripoli, adding they agreed to create a plan to further develop
the city.
Iran: lost trust and a closing window
Hazem Saghieh , September 29, 2009
Now Lebanon
Once again, the issue of trust headlines the crisis surrounding Iran. It has
been well-established that it was Iranian exiles that exposed the existence of
the uranium enrichment site in Natanz to the West and the rest of the world.
That happened in 2002, and subsequently it was revealed that the Iranian
government had begun work on this project 18 years prior and, throughout those
years, was keeping the project out of sight. Because of what was uncovered by
those exiled oppositionists, the Iranian regime was compelled to submit Natanz
to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), beginning in
2003.
What happened a few days ago increased suspicion and further reduced trust in
the Iranian government. True, it was the Iranian authorities who delivered a
letter to the IAEA informing it of the construction of a second site for
enriching uranium. However, the New York Times reported that Western
intelligence agencies had previously discovered the site before the delivery of
that letter. As such, was the goal of the letter to preempt the West’s
announcement of the discovery of the site and avoid being held accountable?
What makes matters even more complicated is the following: The Iranian regime
insisted that the site was still in its initial and experimental phase. However,
according to Western sources, both intelligence and media, the site’s work had
indeed surpassed that stage. Furthermore, when Iran said that it had informed
the IAEA about the new site 180 days before work had begun in it, the IAEA
responded that the period of time within which the agency must be informed
should be longer, according to the side convention signed by both sides. To this
Iran has said it is no longer a party to that convention since its parliament
annulled it. For its part, the IAEA countered that it is impossible, by
definition, to unilaterally nullify such an agreement.
The issue of trust, or lack thereof, has been implicitly exacerbated by the
non-constitutional structure of the Iranian regime, just as it has been
explicitly exacerbated by the stances, opinions, threats and promises that
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has put forward.
This loss of trust has been expressed, with complete honesty, by US President
Barack Obama. Obama, who had promised to jump-start the process of ridding the
world of nuclear weapons, has indicated that the size and scope of this new
project is inconsistent with Iran’s avowed peaceful objectives. It is widely
known that Iran denies that it is striving to produce a nuclear bomb, assuring
that, to the contrary, it seeks only to produce fuel for peaceful energy
purposes.
As such, the United States and its Western allies have begun to push for
increased sanctions against Iran beyond the modest sanctions currently imposed
by the UN Security Council. They are no longer satisfied with merely targeting
sectors related to nuclear and ballistic-weapons activity, but seek to target
Iran’s oil and gas industry as well.
Avoiding such an outcome has but one chance to succeed. This chance lies in the
talks which will take place in Geneva on October 1 where President Obama will
lay out a proposal for cooperation and assistance with Iran on the condition it
abandons its enrichment activities.
Will Iran accept this? Will it reject it? Will they likewise widen the already
existent breach of trust?
It is still too early to tell. However, what can be said at this time is that
the margin of maneuverability is narrowing. Russia, as was revealed in Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev’s recent speech at the UN, no longer appears to be so
steadfastly opposed to harsh sanctions. On the contrary, many analysts think
that Russia, in return for the US’ recent abandoning of its missile-shield
program, will comply with these sanctions. Whereas in Iran, public opinion and
that of the opposition forces has become clearer and more forthcoming, not only
in their rejection of President Ahmadinejad’s legitimacy, but also in their
rejection of nuclear weapons. Thus, in Tehran on the last Friday of Ramadan,
opposition demonstrators recited a line from Iranian poet Mochini: “Throw down
your rifle. I hate this bloody instrument in Lebanon and in Jerusalem, just as
in the streets of Tehran.”
The article is a translation of the original, which appeared on the NOW Arabic
site on September 28.
Nawwaf al-Moussawi
September 28, 2009
Now Lebanon
On September 27, the Lebanese National News Agency carried the following report:
Deputy Nawwaf al-Moussawi sponsored a celebration staged yesterday by Al-Mustafa
school in Nabatiyeh to honor the students who have passed the official
examinations.
“As we have secured victory over the Zionist enemy, we will continue to achieve
victories until we see the full liberation of the land, independence and
national unity... This is the Lebanon whose glory we are seeking. Yesterday,
someone asked whether or not the majority government was a constitutional
government. We say that the Lebanese constitution considers that if the
government enjoys a majority in the parliamentary council, it can earn the vote
of confidence.
However, the Lebanese constitution also says that no power enjoys legitimacy if
it goes against the coexistence pact... The majority government in Lebanon is
one which includes the sectarian majorities and not the majority of a sect or
two, since that is against the coexistence pact. Whoever wishes to form a
majority government should see that the majority is that featured in the pact
and not a majority of numbers.
This certain someone also said yesterday that the parliamentary elections
rendered the Shia representation limited to Amal and Hezbollah, and that
therefore it was only fair for these two parties to represent the Shia in the
government because they won in the parliamentary elections. This is a sound
logic and that is what happened. However, let us implement that on the overall
sectarian representation. What is happening is that he - i.e. Samir Geagea - is
seeking to wage an annihilation war against the Free Patriotic Movement and
General Aoun by using the Sunni majority represented by the Future Movement. The
side that is hindering the government formation today is the person who spoke
yesterday - i.e. Geagea - and who is trying to use one sectarian team as an ally
in his battle against the Free Patriotic movement to represent the Christians in
the government. He is also trying to render the prime minister-designate a
cover, from behind which he could target the Free Patriotic Movement and its
allies... The parliamentary elections showed that the General and the party he
heads represent more than half the Christians. So, why is this war being waged
against him to annul him or embarrass him and get him out of the game? In light
of this attack, even if he were to reach the Cabinet, he will be blockaded, weak
and marginalized.
I have two pieces of advice to put forward with love: The first is that any
conflict between the Christian political forces will weaken the entire Christian
role, and we in Lebanon, regardless of the sect to which we belong, know that
when one sect is weakened, Lebanon is weakened. Therefore, we call for the
representation of the Christians based on the outcome of the parliamentary
elections... As for the attempts to engage in a battle with wind mills, we
condemn these attempts and we have heard talk in the last few days saying that
the Shia were seeking to amend the Taif Accord based on the fact that the
constitution limited the formation of the government to the Maronite president
and the Sunni prime minister... Name one Shia figure who demanded such
amendment. There is no problem in the constitutional content. The problem
emerged when the prime minister-designate took 73 days to conduct consultations
and then gave the president of the republic two days to respond. The problem is
not on our end but elsewhere.
We advise the prime minister-designate to exit this battle which is neither his
nor that of Lebanon. We must help the political powers reach an agreement,
because it is in Lebanon’s interests and in our interests as sects to have an
efficient role. We also advise the prime minister-designate who put forward a
paper featuring 10 important points which he proposed to the members of the
parliamentary blocs for discussion during the past consultations, to add a few
other points which are also important and cannot be settled in one meeting, even
if it were to last an hour. Therefore, our advice is to tackle all these issues
around a new national dialogue table which would include the representatives of
the parliamentary blocs, while keeping the door open before other names if
necessary.
We hope that the prime minister-designate will be careful not to fall in the
traps being set for him by his closest advisors and to benefit from the fact
that the opposition has never been more willing to cooperate. If we were to
launch the consultations from where they had previously stopped, we will be able
to form a government that is up to the level of the Lebanese people’s hopes and
expectations.”
Biden says no settlement at Lebanon’s expense
Date: September 29th, 2009/Source: NNA
President Michel Sleiman received a phone call from US vice president Joe Biden
during which the two men discussed bilateral relations, the National News Agency
reported.
The state-run NNA quoted Biden as reiterating US President Barack Obama’s stance
saying that “no solution will be at the expense of Lebanon,” and hoped the new
government would be formed soon.
Lebanon’s sovereignty will not be subject to settlement, Biden
Date: September 29th, 2009/Future News
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri received a phone call late Monday from US
vice-President Joe Biden during which he stressed that “Lebanon’s independency
and sovereignty will not be subject to any settlement.” Biden praised all the
efforts to form a new government, conveying his country’s support to the
government formation process.
Hajjar: Geagea’s rhetoric, open
Date: September 29th, 2009/Source: Alkalima online
Deputy Mohammad Hajjar of the Almustaqbal parliamentary bloc described the
latest rhetoric of the Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea as “open” and the
reply of the Loyalty to the Resistance member Nawaf Mousawi as “aiming to score
points in politics,” the Alkalima online website reported Tuesday. “There is no
item in the constitution that prohibits assigning losers in parliamentary
elections to ministerial posts but the Lebanese did not witness such cases
before and after the Taëf Agreement especially in the governments formed
directly after legislative elections,” he said. “Gebran Bassil whose
reassignment blocked cabinet formation during Hariri’s first designation was one
of the most aggressive attackers of assigning former minister Nassib Lahoud to a
ministerial post after he lost in the parliamentary elections,” he added.
“Demanding to assign losers to ministerial posts is a challenge to the will of
the people who did not put there confidents in a certain person. Shall we tell
people that we will disregard their opinion?” he wondered. “Moreover, there are
many files that prove shortcomings in Bassil’s performance in the
Telecommunication ministry,” he added. “All Lebanese want the cabinet to be
formed as soon as possible because the major challenges that they are facing
require going beyond personal interests and facilitating the mission of Premier
Saad Hariri,” he maintained. “Geagea’s rhetoric since he went out of prison was
always characterized with openness and with going beyond narrow confessional and
sectarian fanaticism,” he concluded
Harb:
Hariri raised level of consultations
Date: September 29th, 2009/Source: Future News
Deputy Boutros Harb said Tuesday that Premier Saad Hariri raised the level of
parliamentary consultations to issues and worries of the nation and problems
experienced by citizens looking for means to solve them. Harb’s comments came in
a televised interview with the Future News. “Hariri is devoted to form a new
cabinet as soon as possible. He fulfilling his task with an open mind and an
outstretched hand to all political groups of the minority,” Harb said. He
pointed to external influences that play a basic role in the formation process,
praising the visit paid by the Syrian President Bashar Al-Asaad to Saudi Arabia,
emphasizing the necessity to have a follow-up to this visit. Harb added: “The
understanding and harmony between President Michel Sleiman and Premier Saad
Hariri is the only way to solve all existing problems. However if parliamentary
blocs kept clinging to impossible demands then the cabinet will not be formed,
and the other way around would facilitate the formation.”
Syrian press expects “a Lebanese explosion”
Date: September 29th, 2009
Future News/Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri concludes on Tuesday the
‘prolonged’ parliamentary consultations with the different blocs, and awaiting
the second round of consultations, the country remains captive of a local calm
amid regional development and tensions, beginning with the Saudi-Syrian
rapprochement and reaching Iran’s nuclear controversy.
Meanwhile, the Syrian press continues to criticize Lebanon’s situation with
multi-directional “veiled” messages.
Following its sturdy campaign against the PM-designate, which was halted with
the Syrian President’s visit to the KSA, the ‘Techreen’ pro-regime daily has
returned analyzing Lebanon’s regime, as it stated “the Lebanese regime with its
current formula is not viable and is currently resting in a clinical death.”
The state-run newspaper reminded the Lebanese that the “political class
perceives Lebanon as a ‘milking cow’ or a ranch which profits are divided among
them, proclaiming that Lebanon is ahead of a “big explosion.”
French support
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon stressed during meetings with senior
Lebanese officials the importance of the cabinet formation in order to confront
the challenges that face Lebanon and carry on with the necessary reform of the
political and administrative systems.
Speaking during a press conference at the French Embassy on Monday before
returning to France, Fillon voiced France’s support to Lebanon and the
implementation of resolution 1701.
Siniora: reaches out
Locally, caretaking PM Fouad Siniora Siniora said the 2009 parliamentary
elections were the “most democratic elections for the past 50 years.”
Siniora hoped a new government will be formed soon, stressing the need for
adopting the ‘extended arm’ approach during the cabinet-formation process.
Karam’s novelty
Hizbullah maintains a positive rhetoric, with MP Nawaf Moussawi announcing that
the party “is ready for a positive cooperation in order to attain a national
unity government,” while ‘United Free Lebanon bloc member Salim Karam, came out
with a novelty saying the cabinet share of the bloc is not included in the share
of the parliamentary minority.
Karam demanded that the bloc be given an independent seat in the government
aside from the oppositions share.
Terrorism: Hizballah's Brand is
Tarnished
By Jonathan Spyer*
http://www.gloria-center.org/Gloria/2009/09/brand-tarnished.html
September 24, 2009
A famous Hizbullah marching song, "Hizbullah ya ayuni" (Hizbullah - my eyes),
contains the following verse: "And today through the blood of the brave, the
merciful creator has given us victory, and the whole world and all people have
begun to speak of our glory." Unfortunately for the Lebanese Shi'ite Islamist
movement, the main world news story in which it currently features concerns
matters of a distinctly inglorious type, with which it would undoubtedly prefer
not to be associated.
The revelations concerning the activities of the so-called Lebanese Bernie
Madoff - Salah Ezz el-Din of the south Lebanese village of Ma'aroub - are
serving to tarnish the image of selflessness and idealism in which Hizbullah
likes to present itself. The movement has long sought to differentiate itself
from the notoriously corrupt, distinctly nonidealistic political and financial
practices with which Lebanon is often associated. Ezz el-Din's activities
suggest that on close observation, Hizbullah may be less different from its
surroundings than its admirers (especially in the west) like to think.
Ezz el-Din, a Lebanese Shi'ite in his 50s, is accused of embezzlement and
defrauding investors of hundreds of millions of dollars. The means by which he
chose to part his victims from their money are familiar. He promised quick
returns on investments in what he claimed were construction, oil and gas
projects outside of Lebanon. He is reported to have guaranteed investors 20
percent-25% profits within 100 days on certain investments.
It now appears that Ezz el-Din was running a Ponzi scheme - paying clients with
funds gleaned from newer investors. The sums involved are large - though nowhere
near Madoff-like proportions. He is believed to have defrauded investors of
around $500 million.
But Ezz el-Din was no ordinary financier. Rather, he enjoyed close links to
Hizbullah. He ran a variety of enterprises associated with the group - most
importantly the Dar al-Hadi Publishing House - named after Hadi Nasrallah. Hadi
Nasrallah was the son of Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah who was killed
fighting the IDF in southern Lebanon, and is somewhere near the top of the
movement's pantheon of "martyrs." The publishing house which bore his name was
responsible for the publication of a number of books by senior Hizbullah
officials.
THE PERCEPTION of Hizbullah patronage was a major factor in encouraging
investors to place their trust in Ezz el-Din. As one disappointed client put it,
"people put money with him because he was wearing the Hizbullah cloak." The
presence of people like him does not fit with the puritanical image of Hizbullah.
But it is not especially out of place with the broader pattern of the movement's
activities.
As a major Lebanese political force, Hizbullah offers patronage to powerful
families and individuals from the Lebanese Shi'ite community. The organization
effectively operates a state within a state. Its areas are off limits to the
army and police. This is particularly useful for individuals close to the
movement engaged in criminal activities.
The lucrative hashish trade in the movement's heartland in the Bekaa Valley in
eastern Lebanon offers an example of this patronage. Families engaged in this
trade receive the protection of Hizbullah, ensuring that neither the authorities
nor their rivals interfere with their activities. In return, Hizbullah takes a
generous helping of the considerable profits.
The movement controls 13,000 acres in the Bekaa, which produce at least 300 tons
of hashish annually. Hizbullah is reckoned to rake in profits of $180 million
annually from this trade.
Most of the hashish is exported to Europe. Not all, though. The problem of drug
abuse among residents in the Hizbullah-controlled Dahiyeh area of south Beirut
is well known in Lebanon. Not all residents of the Dahiyeh are Shi'ite puritans.
Hizbullah is not reinventing the wheel. Rather, it is behaving in the manner of
other Lebanese political forces. These activities are not particularly demonic -
though the less powerful members of the various Lebanese communities are most
likely to be hurt by them. But they serve to indicate the extent to which
Hizbullah's pose of purity and incorruptibility and standing above the base
practices of its rivals is largely a product of good public relations, rather
than any observable reality.
The gradual tarnishing of the Hizbullah brand is, of course, good news for
Israel. With past enemies - Arab nationalist regimes, the Yasser Arafat-led PLO
- it was in the end the unbridgeable gap between proclamations and reality which
served to initiate their slow decay and decline more than any single military
defeat.
In this regard, another explanation for the Ezz al-Din affair is predictably
doing the rounds in southern Lebanon. Haj Kamal Shour, who lost $1.03 million
investing with the financier told reporters that he was sure that the "Israeli
Mossad and Zionist lobby" were in some unaccountable way behind it all.
The reliable Zionist foe is enlisted to explain away failures and corruption
scandals. But wasn't that exactly the political style that Hizbullah, with its
selfless martyrs and its blood-curdling marching songs, was supposed to be doing
away with? As Lebanon's former colonial governors might have put it - the more
things change, the more they stay the same.
*Jonathan Spyer is a senior research fellow at the Global Research in
International Affairs (GLORIA) Center, Herzliya, Israel