LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
February 16/09

Bible Reading of the day.
Luke 16:19-31 (New International Version)The Rich Man and Lazarus
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' " 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Vicars of Loyalty… it’s your win-Future News 15/02/09
Who won the war?By: Mamdouh El-Adl/Al-Ahram Weekly 15/02/09

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for February 15/09
Sfeir Criticizes Hariri Rally Violence that Left 1 Dead, 30 Injured-Naharnet
Patriarch Sfeir : Recalling the martyrs is a devotion to their memory-Future News
Army Chasing Suspects in Hariri Rally Clashes-Naharnet
Jumblat Calls for Restraint after Slaying of PSP Member-Naharnet
PSP announces cavalry of one of its members in Beirut attacks.AP
Hariri laments the martyr Zeineddine-Future News
March 8 militia responds to the success of today’s commemoration with…terror-Future News
I Dead and 30 injured as Sfeir Criticizes Aggression.Future News
Lebanese Rally Backs UN Tribunal Looking Into ’05 Killing of Ex-Leader-New York Times
Names of top Syrian officials crossed out from charge sheet in Hariri’s assassination
Nayla Tueni: I Want to Put Young People's Voice in Parliament -Naharnet
Bassil: 'Engagement' Between FPM And Hizbullah is Not Eternal -Naharnet
Lebanese Source: UNIIIC Visit to Damascus Affirms Syria's Connection to Tribunal -Naharnet
Soaid Called For Cooperation Between March 14 Forces and Independents at Keserwan-Naharnet
Feb. 14 Rally: A Show of Force Ahead of June Elections-Naharnet
President Suleiman Condemns Sader's Abduction-Naharnet
Ghattas Khoury : The march of the million demonstrators is a break to the barrier of fear-Future News
Tueini: Participants in Hariri’s commemoration renewed confidence in March 14 leaders-Future News
Atallah: the International Tribunal to chastise the assassinates-Future News
Hariri: The martyr’s march is a precious treasury that will stay in your hearts.Future News

Lebanese Rally Backs U.N. Tribunal Looking Into ’05 Killing of Ex-Leader
BEIRUT, Lebanon (Reuters) — A huge rally on Saturday marking the fourth anniversary of the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri turned into a show of support for a United Nations court that will pursue the case.
Rafik HaririAnti-Syrian politicians also urged supporters who engulfed central Beirut to vote for them in force in a parliamentary election in June that will decide whether their coalition will retain its slim majority, or lose to an alliance led by the militant group Hezbollah.
“Today we come again to Freedom Square to tell the martyr Rafik al-Hariri and all the martyrs of the uprising of independence: the international tribunal is at the doorstep,” Mr. Hariri’s son and political heir, Saad Hariri, told a crowd of supporters. “The time for truth has come and justice will come,” he said. “Every flower on the gravesite, every young child’s tear, and every prayer for Lebanon participated in paving the way to The Hague.”
Mr. Hariri and 22 others were killed on Feb. 14, 2005, by a car bomb explosion in Beirut. Some anti-Syrian politicians have blamed Syria for the blast, but the Syrian government denies involvement. The United Nations tribunal is due to open in The Hague on March 1.
The killings elicited an international outcry that led Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon after 29 years.
After more than three years of inquiries in Lebanon, a United Nations investigative team has yet to identify any suspects. The team leader, Daniel Bellemare, has said the opening of the tribunal does not mean that legal proceedings will start immediately.
Since Rafik Hariri’s killing, Lebanon has suffered a wave of political assassinations, mostly of anti-Syrian figures.
Mr. Hariri’s killing intensified anti-Syrian sentiment, helping Saad Hariri’s alliance win the last legislative election in 2005.
The coming vote, on June 7, is expected to be a close contest between Mr. Hariri’s Sunni Muslim, anti-Syrian coalition, which has support from the United States and Saudi Arabia, and the Hezbollah-led Shiite alliance supported by Syria and Iran.
“June 7 is a defining chapter in Lebanon’s democratic life,” Mr. Hariri said. “It is an occasion to raise your voices for the sake of establishing an independent and free country, a nation that is able and responsible for running its own affairs.”
A prolonged power struggle led to armed conflict between the alliances last May, Lebanon’s worst violence since the 1975-90 civil war. The crisis ended when a unity government was formed in July in which the Shiite-led opposition holds effective veto power.

PSP announces cavalry of one of its members in Beirut attacks
Date: February 15th, 2009 Source: AFP
The Progressive Socialist Party declared the martyrdom of one of its members on Sunday suffering from wounds during the attacks of “March 8” forces against the participants in “February 14” commemoration in Ras El Nabaa. The PSP announced in a statement the martyrdom of Lutfi Zein El dine who died Sunday morning suffering from wounds inflicted upon him due to the attacks by opposition supporters against the participants in the 4th annual commemoration of the assassination of martyr Premier Rafic Hariri yesterday, Saturday, after the rally”. 30 people were injured and several cars crashed due to the attacks of “March 8” forces before and after the commemoration.

Hariri laments the martyr Zeineddine
Date: February 15th, 2009 Source: Future News
President of “Almustaqbal bloc” MP Saad Hariri lamented the death of Lutfi Zeineddine -a citizen who participated in the march that took place yesterday in Liberty Square, on the fourth anniversary of the martyrdom of PM Rafic Hariri, MP Bassel Fleihan and their companions.
MP Hariri said, “The martyr Lutfi Zeineddine is one citizen belonging to the large population of “March 14” forces, who will not abandon their national commitments refusing sedition, and emphasizing the establishment of the State to assume full responsibility in attaining justice and enforcing the rule of law”.
He added, “On this sad occasion, I call upon the security and judicial authorities to carry out their responsibilities and hunt down the aggressors on the peaceful demonstrations, particularly the riot elements that were responsible for Zeineddine’s loss”.
Hariri expressed sympathy for Zeineddine’s family and the people of his hometown on this painful incident, wishing quick recovery for all those who were wounded.

March 8 militia responds to the success of today’s commemoration with…terror
Date: February 14th, 2009 Source: Future News
All entrances to Beirut were blocked Saturday morning as the Lebanese flocked to Martyrs’ Square to mark the fourth commemoration of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, and to prove their inflexible adherence to the Lebanese state but unfortunately March 8 militia refused to succumb to the free Lebanese determination therefore resorted to force to obstruct the convoys’ ways in a conspicuous attempt to prevent them from participating in this national anniversary.
The Syrian Social National Party (SSNP) and as usual resort to practicing force in Beirut vicinity especially in Hamra Street and Rawcheh where it was noted the flow of heavy weapons at the intersections of each road and in every corner. However the SSNP elements rallied in an attempt to spread fear and confusion.
March 14 alliances waved flags and chanted their loyalty to the slain leader and his vision of Lebanon, men, women and children walked the final stretch into Beirut’s Central District from all entries to the city while March 8 coalition assembled in several streets in Beirut, Watwat, Zkak el-Blat, Barbour, Bishara el-Khoury, Khandak el-Ghami’e, Msaytbeh, Tayouneh, Dannawi and Ouzai to terrorize citizens, as they had already attacked the Lebanese convoys heading to the Freedom Square and pelted them with stones, they pulled the Lebanese flags and threw them on the floor especially in Barbour, they also jousted verbal insults against the martyr President Rafic Hariri.
Two anonymous persons riding a motorcycle lured Ali Hamadeh and his family from Bishara al-Khoury to Khandak el-Ghami’e after he lost his way while heading to the Martyrs Square. We were told that Hamadeh a citizen from (Barr Elias) pulled out his car on the side road to inquire where the Martyr’s Square is located when suddenly the assailants severely attacked him and his family, as well as their cars was totally broken.
The National Liberal Party also issued a statement saying Hezbollah members pelted a convoy of party members’ vehicles with stones and broke the glass in the car windows near the Salim Slam tunnel.
The NLP condemned the attack on the participants in the Hariri commemoration while the Security forces stood helpless.
Sawfar region – a village located in Mount Lebanon was not spared from the attack when anonymous fired on the convoys led to injuring Khalid Ghanem, a Lebanese citizen.
Sabotage acts were also committed in Sidon Street – Haddath old road – when
March 8 partisans deliberately spilled diesel oil in the early morning on the road, drove rearward exploiting the holy visits as pretext to obstruct the way.
Buses boarding Hezbollah and Amal members departed from Beirut to al-Masnaa pretended heading to the holy shrine of Zeinab in Damascus in an attempt to block March 14 en route to Beirut.
After the celebration, March 8 partisans assaulted the Lebanese citizens in Mar Mikhail area, Khandak el-Ghami’a, Dannawi, Mar Elias street and many others places while on their ways back from the commemoration.
Is noteworthy to mention that March 8 militia supporters in particular Amal movement sent calls via “Facebook” two days prior the anniversary, urging them to gathered in the vicinity of Beirut and other areas in order to attack the crowd heading to the Freedom’s Square and counter them on their ways back.
Mohammad Fouad Chbaro

President Suleiman Condemns Sader's Abduction
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman on Saturday criticized the abduction of Middle East Airlines IT official Youssef Sader near Beirut Airport. Suleiman told a delegation representing the Sidon-Zahrani municipalities the abduction, which took place earlier in the week, is an act "against humanity." Sader, 50, is a citizen of Darb al-Seem village southeast of Sidon, provincial capital of south Lebanon.
Suleiman told the team, headed by MP Michel Moussa, he is hopeful Sader would be freed and his kidnappers would be brought to justice. Beirut, 14 Feb 09, 18:18

I Dead and 30 injured as Sfeir Criticizes Aggression
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir said that remembering all that were killed are a sign of loyalty, saying: "their memory did not pass without some expression of violence by some who attacked those that participated in the event."
During his Sunday sermon Sfeir at Bkirki asked: "When would the Lebanese learn that Lebanon is for all of them, they as brothers must cooperate together in raising its status."Lutfi Zeineddine died suffering from injuries inflicted yesterday following a Saturday rally by March 14 Forces commemorating the fourth anniversary for the assassination of Lebanon's ex-premier Rafik Hariri and others. A Hizbullah media official denied in a statement on Saturday evening "any connection by the party to the troubles that took place in Beirut today." The statement also regretted the fact that Hizbullah's name was connected to these incidents. Adding, "the official parties know fully well that such claims are false." March 14 members including Phalange leader Amin Gemayel, State Minister Wael Abu Faour, MPs Marwan Hamade, Akram Shuhayeb and Faisal el-Sayegh broke the "their own security barrier" and decided to sit among and with citizens at Saturday's 4th anniversary for the assassination of ex-premier Rafik Hariri and others in downtown Beirut said the daily An-Nahar on Sunday.
However, following Saturday's rally by March 14 Forces a chain of incidents took place as many Lebanese headed back from downtown Beirut to their various towns and villages. Some suffered injuries and insults. Many vehicles were attacked and damaged. Convoys of the National Liberal Party (NLP) were attacked at the Salim Salam tunnel. Young men yielding sticks and hurling stones attacked the convoy, causing material damage. The NLP denounced the attack adding that the incident took place while members from the security forces were visibly present at the vicinity. Similar attack incidents were reported in Beirut and other regions.
Beirut, 15 Feb 09, 08:52

Nayla Tueni: I Want to Put Young People's Voice in Parliament
Naharnet/An-Nahar newspaper Assistant General Director Nayla Tueni said that she is running at the next legislative elections to provide new blood to Lebanon's political life and to continue on the path of those who died for the country's cause. In an interview on Sunday with Voix du Liban (VDL), Tueni said: "I want to put young people's voice in parliament, my real legacy is An-Nahar." "I shall announce my electoral program at the end of February, which would include the Lebanese university, the health card and issues that are of interest to young people," Tueni said.
She added that she is in the process of forming a team of young people that would work together on this, saying: "young people can foster change and they must move."
Tueni described the current political parole as "poor", criticizing that attack on the media by some who threaten to "cut tongues and hands" and placing doubt in their popularity. "What is wrong in having a centrist bloc close to the president, to provide him with support and to place his voice at parliament," she said.
"Those that attack centrism fear it," Tueni said. She described the march 8 Forces program as a Syrian-Iranian program, adding that we are fighting against the return of tutelage while stressing the need to emphasizing Lebanon's independence and free decision with equal relations with neighboring states.
Tueni rejected the saying that those that died for Lebanon are being used to build the country. She also rejected having some Lebanese possessing arms "when there is a military institution that we are proud of." "This faction has fought the enemy and its over," she said. Adding: "no one is keen on Lebanon more than the Lebanese army, that defends the country against the enemy." "How could we live in Lebanon in peace with one armed faction that has used its arms internally," Tueni called for an inter-Christian reconciliation under the auspices of Bkirki, saying that the Maronite Patriarch words express his understanding of matters. Beirut, 15 Feb 09, 13:27

Bassil: "Engagement' Between FPM And Hizbullah is Not Eternal
Naharnet/Telecommunications Minister Jibran Bassil said the "engagement" between the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and Hizbullah is "not absolute and not eternal". He denied that the events of May 7, 2008 has pushed the FPM to review its alliance with Hizbullah, "because revising a stance is the concern of the mistaken."
Bassil previously told reporters while he accompanied President Michel Suleiman to the United Arab Emirates said: "our alliance with Hizbullah does not mean we cannot form an alliance with some other Lebanese parties in the future."
He pointed that the issue of Colonel Daniel Faris, who was accused by Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat of involvement in the phone wiretapping issue, Bassil said: "this officer receives his order from the military institution and not from the ministry of Telecommunications."
He added that Faris was handpicked for his current duty due to his good merit in extending the authority of the law. "Antoine Qahwaji is the officer legally authorized by the ministry of defense to work with the wiretapping team at the ministry of telecommunications," Bassil said.
The minister said since working with Faris he has succeeded in terminating 300 illegal phone lines including some at the southern suburbs of Beirut. Adding that phone-scanning machines were also confiscated from the same area. Bassil said that Hizbullah is not above the law saying: "any international phone call made outside the scope of the ministry's legal network is deemed illegal. There is no need to play around the law."
He rejected the idea that a sweeping election victory by Hizbullah on June 7 would change cause an imbalance in the Lebanese political makeup, saying the success of Hizbullah would not breach constitutional limits. Bassil said that March 14 Forces continue to barge the work of the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) that is looking into the 2005 assassination of ex-premier Rafik Hariri into the wiretapping issue for electoral reasons only.
He rejected claims that he is not cooperating with UNIIIC saying: "if cooperation means that I have to accept dictates by March 14 Forces then I am not cooperating."
Bassil explained that UNIIIC has not complained of that he is not cooperating. Regarding the issue of Turkish mediation between Syria and Israel, Bassil said: "If negotiation with Israel would settle the issue of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon then why not?" Beirut, 15 Feb 09, 12:33

Lebanese Source: UNIIIC Visit to Damascus Affirms Syria's Connection to Tribunal
Naharnet/The United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) headed to Damascus to further investigate the 2005 assassination of Lebanon's ex-premier Rafik Hariri, and sought to question Syrian officials two weeks prior to the launching of the International Special Tribunal for Lebanon, a Lebanese source told the Saudi daily Ash-Sharq al-Awsat on Sunday. "The UNIIIC delegation went to Damascus to conduct an investigation and not to tour the city," the source said. He added that the Syrian officials were questioned on data and facts dealing with the Hariri assassination. Some of whom were questioned before.
"For the UNIIIC team to travel to Damascus and question Syrian officials two weeks prior to the launching of the tribunal affirms that Syria is connected to the tribunal, contrary to past and repeated Syrian claims that Syria is not concerned with the tribunal," the Lebanese source said.
He went on to add that cooperation by all states with the commission and the tribunal is mandatory, every state has an interest in cooperating with the commission and in not being accused of hindering justice. The source added that Damascus fully understands this and has worked with the commission to "facilitate their mission."
Beirut, 15 Feb 09, 10:49

Soaid Called For Cooperation Between March 14 Forces and Independents at Keserwan
Naharnet/March 14 Forces Secretariat General Coordinator Faris Soaid called on Christians to actively cooperate with all independent election candidates against others at the Kesrwan, Metn and Jebiel regions. "February 14 is a decisive day, we are 119 days away from the next legislative elections. This is important because the Christian electoral scene has moved from being a receiver to being an initiator," Soaid said.
He added that Christians must take the initiative to Keserwan, Metn and Jebiel and "work with all loyal independent candidates that together share with them the principles of the cedar revolution.""Prior to February 14 Christians at Keserwan, Metn and Jebiel were looking for ways to confront the (Free Patriotic) Movement of General Michel Aoun, now they have to take the initiative and clearly declare their participation under the march 14 Forces banner at all three governorates and extend their hand to independent candidates," Soaid said. Beirut, 15 Feb 09, 10:09

Feb. 14 Rally: A Show of Force Ahead of June Elections
Naharnet/Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese flocked to Beirut's Martyrs' Square on Saturday to mark the fourth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination as Lebanon gears up for parliamentary elections. Demonstrators carried Lebanon's flag as well as party flags of Hariri's al-Mustaqbal Movement and political allies. Some held pictures of Hariri and his son and political heir, Saad Hariri.
Others had stickers reading "We won't forget you" on their shoulders. Giant screens showed pictures of the slain leader and a choir sang patriotic and Arab national songs. The crowds fell silent around 1:00 p.m. to mark the time when Hariri was killed. The silence was interrupted only by the sound of church bells and the call for prayers from mosques in a show of Christian-Muslim unity.
The slain leader was buried at al-Amin mosque that oversees Martyrs' Square, popularly renamed Freedom Square after Hariri's death.
Endless bus convoys poured into the capital coming from all around Lebanon to take part in the commemorative event. Entrances to the square were clogged with a sea of marchers.
The rally took place as final preparations are underway in The Hague for the launch of the international tribunal set up to bring Hariri's killers to justice.
It also came as the country prepares for legislative elections in June.
Politicians of the March 14 alliance dedicated their speeches to Hariri and other figures killed in a series of blasts.
The March 14 officials also promised victory in the June 7 elections and vowed "not to kneel."
"We move forward with the Lebanese towards the 7th of June -- Our date with free choice," Saad Hariri addressed the crowd from behind bullet-proof glass.
"Parliamentary elections are fateful because they provide an opportunity to build a free state," he said.
"Today we stand at the threshold of the international tribunal," Hariri told the cheering crowd. "The hour of truth and justice has come and your voice will overcome that of the oppressors and we will know the truth."
Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel said the elections will mark a "choice between our camp which wants freedom, sovereignty and independence and the other camp which wants a return to hegemony and foreign tutelage."
"We promise victory in the upcoming legislative elections," Gemayel told the rally.
"We shall never kneel," vowed Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. "We shall achieve that last scene of the March 14 dream."
At Saturday's rally, there was also hope that Hariri's killers could eventually be brought to trial, as the international tribunal prepares to begin its work in The Netherlands on March 1.
In his speech, Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat vowed there will be "no compromise on the international tribunal."
Mustaqbal MP Bassem Sabaa and National Liberal Party leader Dory Chamoun also addressed the crowds.
"Our hopes are pinned on you to continue the march. All martyrs are looking up to you … June 7 is coming up so don't put Cedars' martyrs down," Chamoun said.(Naharnet-AP-AFP) Beirut, 14 Feb 09, 09:05

A million messages for the Tribunal’s “justice” and the elections’ “account”
Date: February 15th, 2009 Source: Future News
The people of March 14 declared their choice and left peacefully awaiting the 7th of June, the date of the real chastisement for those who were stabbing them with weaponry. Intimidation didn’t prevent them from performing their annual religious ritual at the Martyr Square, to send a million messages to the “justice” of the anticipated International Tribunal.
From all of Lebanon, the people of the Cedars Revolution, Muslims and Christians met at the heart of Beirut. They proved with their some million crowds yesterday, at the 4th annual commemoration of Premier Rafic Hariri’s martyrdom, that they are still loyal to the martyrs. Those people asserted that the spirit of March 14 is always renewable, for the sake of Lebanon, its freedom, sovereignty, and independence.
What comes after February 14, 2009 is different than what preceded it. A new era has begun, and the mass of the crowd was the Lebanese’s reaction to “May 7” incidents.
Prominent sources in the majority asserted to An-Nahar that from the moment the panorama at the Martyr Square was complete, a comprehensive reform process began among the pillars of March 14 “in order to handle their responsibilities before the human sea that broke the intimidation barrier, and to present a unified program for the elections”.
The speeches of “March 14” leaders were characterized by truce at the local level, but severe positions towards the Syrian command, and asserting the necessity of the upcoming Parliamentary elections now as the launch of the International Tribunal has become imminent.
Every rose and every tear paved the way for The Hague
Head of the Future Movement MP Saad Hariri, whose appearance on the podium enchanted the crowds, addressed them saying “ every rose placed at the shrine, and every tear of a child participated in paving the way to The Hague…you wanted the hegemony era to end and it ended”.
Hariri asserted to the martyrs that the “tribunal is imminent, and your blood will triumph over the oppressors”.
In an interview to Al Arabiya channel, MP Hariri thanked all who participated in the commemoration “to remember the martyrs and emphasize the freedom, independence, and Arabism, and remember Gaza and look forward to the future of Lebanon”.
He pointed out that these principles are the course of Rafic Hariri “which is the course I am looking forward to complete” adding “to me Lebanon and the Lebanese will remain first”.
In a statement he gave to his media bureau, MP Hariri expressed his appreciation and the future Movement’s to this massive crowd and to the commitment of the Lebanese to the spirit of “March 14” forces and their loyalty to the blood of Martyr Rafic Hariri and all of the martyrs of the Independence Revolution”, praising the collaboration within “March 14” forces.
We do not Compromise or apologize
Head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt praised the crowds of “March 14” that “expelled the tutelage troops, of the regime of grudge, ignorance, and blood, and imposed the Tribunal”. He asserted that there is “no compromise” on the International Tribunal and the decisions of the dialogue conference and the defense strategy.
“We do not have an enemy on the inside, and dialogue is above all”, Jumblatt said, adding that “between March and March it is a long wait, no compromise, no truce, and no apology”.
Judgments will be as horrific as the felonies
Chief Executive of the Lebanese Forces Sameer Geagea quoted El Mutanabbi saying that the judgments will be as horrific as the felonies were. He answered those who wonder “what are the achievements of the Cedars Revolution?” saying that if it weren’t for the Cedars Revolution, Lebanon wouldn’t have survived as he added that despite the revolution, some groups locally and abroad are trying to hamper the establishment of Lebanon the strong state that has the land, the borders, the weaponry, and the decision”.
Geagea vowed not to let Lebanon “fall off again”.
Head of the Kataeb party President Amine Gemayel considered that the upcoming parliamentary elections are not a choice between candidates affiliated with two patriotic groups, “but it is a choice between candidates affiliated with two conflicting projects”.
MP Bassem EL Sabaa said elections are imminent, calling the crowds to demand “March 14” forces “a unified electoral program and unified electoral lists”.
Head of the National Liberal Party Dori Chamoun attacked those who changed their stances “after they’ve took Gebran’s vow (referring to the vow martyr MP and journalist Gebran Tueini took before the crowds on March 14, 2005), they denied it and profaned and violated the sanctities and taboos, through conquering squares and covering the weaponry that deviated from its direction”.
The speeches of March 14 leaders were preceded by statement describing Martyr Premier Rafic Hariri, by each of Former French President Jacques Chiraq, Arab League Chief Amr Moussa, and former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.
“March 8” revenge
The followers of “March 8” were determined to muddle up the commemoration, thus they attacked a number of motorcades and citizens returning to their regions after the ceremony ended.
Nearly 17 people were injured in separate intimidation attacks in Zkak El Blat, Ras el Nabaa, el Khandak El Ghameeq, Bashoora, and Bhamdoun.

Vicars of Loyalty… it’s your win
Date: February 15th, 2009 Source: Future News
The panorama of the Lebanese at the Martyr Square is not less beautiful than Lebanon itself.
The incidents to follow are definitely different than what preceded it.
Yesterday the people of March 14 won, the Cedars Revolution was revitalized, and placed the March 14 leaders facing the responsibility of fulfilling the promises they made on the 14th of March 2005.
Words cannot repay this people for its loyalty and its commitment to the values of the revolution they launched four years ago.
This people proved being amazing for its sincerity to all of those who fell along the road of building the One state.
This people proved being great for its nobility, and great for avenging for its dignity. The dignity that was victimized during the attacks of 23 and 25 January, and on “May 7” 2008, and when the representatives were prevented from practicing their duties at the parliament and the Cabinet, and when they were prevented from electing a President for the Republic and during the attempts to hamper the International Tribunal.
This great people won, and the phases of their victory are uncountable, but recalling some of them might urge those who are counting on Syrian intelligence and it’s bloodily maneuvers to reconsider:
- Fixing the departure of Syrian troops, even though its extensions have tried to bring it back.
- Massive leaps based on wisdom and patience, most prominently avoiding getting dragged into sedition which some has tried to provoke.
- Succeeding in avoiding slipping into electing a president with the half-plus-one formula, thus avoiding division and maintaining civil peace in the country.
- Succeeding in attaining the International Community’s support to Lebanon’s independence.
- Endorsing democracy as an idea and a practice through an exceptional peaceful revolution matchless in the region, which has only witnessed bloodily overthrows parallel to the arrogance of the Baath party and its criminal history of torture and execution.
- Paving way before the launch of the International Tribunal, for justice to prevail and not for vengeance.
The people of the Cedars Revolution have won with their bare chest against weapons. They won with peace against their war, with democracy against their tyranny, with unity against their division.
This victory is the right of a revolution that sacrifices its leaders in the streets and not in shelters, while they trade with our blood to attain extra playing cards for their negotiation games.
You, the Vicars of loyalty, have triumphed over “May 7”; you have crashed its terrorist and terrorizing fallouts.
Together we shall walk to June 7. Let us declare the historic victory of establishing the state and not our victory over one of our people.

Hariri: The martyr’s march is a precious treasury that will stay in your hearts
Date: February 14th, 2009 Source: Future News
Leader of Al Mustaqbal parliamaentary bloc MP Saad Hariri, showed his deep thanks and appreciation to all the Lebanese people who participated in the revival of the fourth anniversary of the martytdom of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, MP Basil Fleihan and colleagues, expressing his “personal appreciation and Al Mustaqbal movement’s gratitude” to the crowd that congregated in the arena of freedom, where they showed their commitment to the spirit of March 14, and the fulfillment of President Hariri’s blood and all the martyrs of the independence revolution”. MP Hariri said: “The march of the martyr President Rafik Hariri, will remain an expensive treasury in the heart of this noble people, which confirms once again its adherence to the principles of freedom and national sovereignty and independence”. Hariri noted in particular the solidarity of March 14 forces, in the revival of this historic day, and the organizational and cultural level of the celebration, emphasizing the meanings of national and political trends in the commemoration of the spokesmen. Hariri also called on all supporters and lovers of martyr President Rafik Hariri, to lift immediately all the manifestations that accompanied the revival of this anniversary, as pictures, banners, slogans, or flags in Beirut and other areas, renewing his commitment to the Lebanese citizens in continuing the path of maintaining sovereignty and independence, and the advancement of the homeland for the better.

Who won the war?
By: Mamdouh El-Adl*
Israeli atrocities in Gaza will live on across generations, giving birth to new waves of resistance. This is the essence of defeat,
Psychological warfare is as old as mankind but has developed over the years from a natural and simple human behaviour to an important weapon guided by science and technology. Mind control is a broad range of psychological tactics to subvert an individual's control of his own thinking, emotions, behaviour and decisions. Propaganda is a deliberate and systematic attempt to influence perceptions, cognition and behaviour to achieve the response desired by the propaganda maker. Psychological warfare (PSYWAR) is defined by the US Defense Department as "the planned use of propaganda and other psychological action to influence the opinion, emotions, attitudes and behaviour of the enemy in such a way to support achieving national objectives."
Propaganda or psychological warfare was used as far back as Alexander the Great. He used to leave some of his men in conquered cities to control them, introduce Greek culture, oppress dissident views, and to interbreed. This influenced the psyche of occupied people to conform. Genghis Khan, who conquered more territories than any other leader in the human history, placed as his top priority defeating the will of the enemy. When attacking a city or village he used to demand submission with the threat of total destruction if they refused to surrender. In modern times, Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill both made use of propaganda. Recently, psychological warfare was used in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and in the Israeli war on Gaza.

GAZA'S PROTAGONISTS: An important question: Who was more successful in the Gaza psychological war -- Hamas or Israel? I expect the majority would be inclined to answer Israel, as a well-developed state should be alert to this important weapon, assuming that Hamas, a group of fighters using primitive arms and home-made rockets, do not pay attention to this strategic tool. Nonetheless, the war did not finish yet and its military results have not been evaluated. Before examining the question above more closely, we may benefit from a brief review of both Hamas and Israel.
Israel, the nuclear Zionist state, was established on the land of Palestine in 1948. The Israeli army (the so-called Israeli Defence Forces, or IDF) fought in 1948, 1956, 1967, 1973, 1982 and 2006. In composition, Israel is made up of immigrants from all over the world. It is the only nuclear power in the region. Israeli officials have regularly called for Israel to be a purely Jewish state, requiring driving the remaining Palestinian citizens who live within 1948 borders (so-called Arab Israelis) off their land.
Hamas, the Islamic resistance movement, was established in 1987 and is considered related to the well known Islamic movement, the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas's founder, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, was wheelchair bound and assassinated by the Israeli army in 2004. Hamas's main political leaders include Khaled Meshaal, Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud Al-Zahhar. Hamas runs extensive social programmes and gained high popularity in Palestine by establishing hospitals, education systems, libraries and other services.
THE PROPAGANDA WAR STARTS: Israeli Foreign Minister and ex-Mossad spy Tzipi Livni visited Egypt invited by President Hosni Mubarak 25 December 2008 and threatened military action to change the situation in Gaza. On Saturday 27 December, Israel started its war against Gaza.
Israel planned the war on Gaza for between six to eight months earlier with four main goals: to end Hamas control and the firing of home-made rockets on Israeli settlements; to lift the morale of the Israeli army defeated in the 2006 Lebanon War and to restore its image as invincible -- one of the most important Israeli propaganda ploys used to scare Arab leaders for decades; serve towards winning pending Israeli elections; prepare the stage to end forever talks about a Palestinian state and to evacuate -- or "transfer" -- 1948 Arab citizens from their occupied Palestinian land (currently called Israel) as repeatedly stated by Israeli leaders, including Livni. To be sure, Israel succeeded in inflicting very heavy civilian casualties in the densely populated Gaza Strip and huge damage to its infrastructure. However, the real question is: Did Israel break Palestinians' will to resist and regain occupied Palestine? Did Israel succeed in the use of psychological warfare?
Before the war on Gaza, Israel maintained a prolonged siege on Gaza, with the closure of Rafah Crossing between Egypt and Gaza used to strengthen the siege. It refused to speak to Hamas unless it recognises Israel. It engaged in frequent meetings with Mahmoud Abbas -- Hamas's main Palestinian political foe. It worked to present Israel to the international community as a victim of terrorism, identifying Israel as an extension of Western democratic civilisation. It made its declaration of war on Gaza from Cairo, de facto capital of the Arab world. And it announced that some Arab rulers requested that Israel finish off Hamas, inferring an alliance between Israel and those Arab rulers.
During the Gaza war, Israel engaged in indiscriminate air strikes and heavy artillery bombing of civilian homes and mosques in an attempt to break the will of the people and force them to surrender. It bombed Al-Aqsa TV station (Hamas TV) to silence it. It also dropped propaganda leaflets addressed to Gazans and asking for their help, stating: "We are not fighting you but fighting against Hamas". Phone calls made by Israeli army staff urged Palestinians to inform on Hamas fighters. Selecting personnel to speak to the Western media, to ensure they are of Western sensibility and speak the language in question, Israel attempted to gain acceptance for its actions. It presented Hamas rockets as a dangerous weapon terrorising Israeli "civilians" (mostly settlers). Israel also repeatedly claimed that its army was doing its best to avoid civilian casualties, regretting that some were unavoidable as Hamas militants were hiding amongst civilians.
HAMAS'S STRATEGY: On Hamas's side, six months of truce that ended on 19 December 2008 was counterproductive (crossing points remained blocked, the siege on Gaza continued, Israeli attacks on Gaza continued, Palestinian prisoners remained in detention and custodial sentences were served on Hamas members of the Palestinian parliament). All this would normally be expected to weaken the position of any resistance movement in face of its supporters and public opinion. However, it did not break Hamas and its will to resist.
Hamas remained persistent and accepted no compromise on any of its main aims including: an end to the siege, recognition of the right to fight the occupation, the realisation of Palestinians' right to return to their land. Hamas remained realistic about the UN Security Council, Arab League, the heads of Arab states, and the Arab summit. Rather, Hamas counted on public opinion (Arab, Islamic and worldwide).
In Gaza, fighters from all groups stood together fighting the Israeli army. In the West Bank, Palestinians -- including most of the Fatah movement -- announced their support of Hamas and demonstrated in its support. Hamas rockets continued firing even during the aggressive Israeli bombing of Gaza. Al-Aqsa TV continued to broadcast despite being hit by Israel air strikes. Hamas supporters worldwide used websites and blogs to expose Israeli crimes.
BASIC RULES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WAR: The development and progress of events indicate that Israel failed. It lost track on some of the basic rules of psychological warfare, which can be summarised as follows:
- True economy of force entails an indirect approach where psychological defeat is achieved without ever having to engage the opponent in direct combat (according to Liddel Hart). Israel did the opposite.
- Supreme excellence is not to win 100 victories in 100 battles, but to subdue your enemies without even having to fight them (according to Sun Tzu). Israel always seeks military victory at any price, as seen in the Gaza war and in previous wars.
- A wise man learns from his experience; a wiser man learns from the experience of others (according to Confucius). The Gaza war indicated that Hamas learned from the 2006 Lebanon war while Israel did not appear to learn anything.
Indeed, in its war on Gaza, Israel used all its possible means of psychological warfare to no avail. Moreover, some of Israel's tactics were directly counter-productive, lending support to Hamas in the propaganda war and with public opinion worldwide. For example, Israel prevented foreign media correspondents from entering Gaza to ensure no coverage of its crimes during the war. This inevitably made Al-Aqsa and Al-Jazeera TV the main source of Gaza news coverage. It was a huge blow to Israel when public opinion internationally saw the huge damage and civilian casualties caused. Wesley Clark, a retired US general and prominent military analyst, believes that restricting press coverage of the war was a big mistake.
Livni, Israeli foreign minister, instructed senior Foreign Ministry officials to engage in an aggressive international public relations campaign to gain support for Israeli operations in Gaza. In addition to Israeli officials in Israel, in its embassies and consulates, Livni requested recruiting people who speak Arabic, Italian, Spanish and German, opening an international media centre in Siderot to which foreign media and diplomats would be invited. Livni said, 27 December: "Israel expects the support and understanding of the international community as it confronts terror and advances the interest of all those who wish the forces of peace and co- existence to determine the agenda of this region.
So far, Hamas did not yield to the Israeli, regional or international pressure that either supported the occupier or made no differentiation between the powerful occupying aggressor and its vulnerable victims. Hamas remained persistent and determined to resist. Hamas gained much popular support and respect from the Palestinians, Arabs and public opinion worldwide. Israel secured a major moral defeat, and undermined its propaganda about being democratic, civilised and fighting terror, as witnessed in demonstrations around the world. On the diplomatic front, this was the first time calls to expel the Israeli ambassador were heard in the UK from the British public and from members of parliament. Mauritania and Venezuela cut relations with Israel.
Another Israeli mistake was their wish to press Palestinians under siege to turn against Hamas. It is well known in psychology that when a group is at risk people become more integrated and supportive of each other, rather than turning against one another, and are likely to take more risks and extreme decisions. This has been seen in Gaza when all factions stood together to fight the Israeli army. In the West Bank, all Palestinian groups, including Fatah, did the same. All over the Arab world popular demonstrations shaming and pressing so-called moderate Arab regimes increased. Demonstrators believed that Hamas represented their will, their dignity and right to resist. All feel that Hamas belongs to them and they belong to Hamas. In the UK, about 150,000 demonstrated in front of the Israeli embassy, 10 January, shouting loudly: "We all belong to Hamas!" Remember, this is London, not Cairo.
Phone calls by Israeli army staff to Palestinians urging them to inform on Hamas fighters also failed. One derisive Palestinian called the Israeli army. A recording of this is floating around the blogosphere, making fun of the Israeli tactic and constituting a Palestinian counter-offensive (you can listen to this recording on: http:// tinyurl.com/cn9bef ).
WHO WON, WHO LOST: Evidence of Israeli moral, strategic and PSYWAR failure in Gaza equals that during its 2006 war on Lebanon. Israeli stated aims changed over the time, from ending Hamas to weakening Hamas to stopping rockets to reducing rocket numbers. Israeli officials pretended not to target civilians and to minimise civilian casualties. The media and human rights organisations exposed Israeli crimes, documenting that they killed civilians, including women, children and non- combatants, with abandon. By the end of the Gaza war, the Israeli army had killed about 1,400 and injured some 5,500. Remember, before this war and by the illegal siege around 300 ill civilians died due to lack of medicine -- nearly 25 per cent of those killed by direct Israeli attack.
Israel mistakenly believes that by time new generations of Arabs will forget about the occupation of Palestine and Israel will be accepted. But the memory of nations does not forget like the memory of individuals getting older. New Arab and Muslim generations are more determined to fight to end the occupation. Throughout history, no military power defeated a resistance group that had faith. Freedom fighters forced colonial powers to yield and accept defeat, not the opposite. Israel, however, does not want to understand and insists on moving against the tide of history.
* The writer is a consultant psychiatrist in the UK and secretary of the British Arab Psychiatric Association (BAPA).
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