LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
February 22/09
Bible Reading of the
day.
Luke 12/49-52/“I came to throw fire
on the earth. I wish it were already kindled. But I have a baptism to be
baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you
think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather
division. For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three
against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against
son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her
mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against
her mother-in-law.”
Free Opinions, Releases, letters &
Special Reports
Security First/Future News
21/02/09
Is Obama Ready for a Hard-Right Israel/TIME
21/02/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for February
21/09
Suleiman: Rocket Attack is a Challenge to National Will-Naharnet
War of
Words Between Saniora, Berri over Council of the South-Naharnet
Lebanese president refuses to retaliate Israel with rocket launching-Xinhua
Kerry, Assad meet in Syria-Ynetnews
Soaid:
Saniora Enjoys the Backing of All Lebanese-Naharnet
Violence flares on Israel-Lebanon border-AFP
Hezbollah denies knowledge of rockets launched
from S Lebanon-Xinhua
Lebanon PM slams rocket attack, Israeli
shelling-AFP
Israel Shells Southern Lebanon in
Response to Firing of Rockets-Naharnet
Hizbullah Says Not Behind Rocket Attack on Israel-Naharnet
Body of
Israeli Surfer Found on Israeli Beach Near Naquora-Naharnet
Armed groups operating in south Lebanon-Reuters
- USA
Hashem: The rocket attack is an
attempt to drag Lebanon into new battles-Future
News
Indyk says
that Israel prefers “Hezbollah” to win: It is easier to deter its government-Future
News
Erslan to
relinquish his seat in Aley if Berry turns down his Two-seat swap-Future
News
Shams Eddine: Berri’s statement
contains an insult not from our culture-Future
News
Lebanese Forces Party: the Aounist
media is keen to defend the militias’ weapons-Future
News
Salloukh: Lebanon is committed
implementing the 1701 resolution-Future
News
Individual Shot Inside Beirut Stock Exchange-Naharnet
Shatah Responds to Berri:
Southerners Interests being Traded-Naharnet
Bellemare Could Provide
Lebanese With Good News At Tuesday's Press Conferene-Naharnet
Central Security Council
To Hold Emergency Meeting Following Internal Events-Naharnet
Berri To Shatah: Liar Like
Your Master-Naharnet
U.S. Embassy Meets
Salloukh's Criticism of Kerry Visit With Silence-Naharnet
Report: Israeli Soldier
Disappears on Border with Lebanon-Naharnet
Zahar: We Won't Be Part of
Any Security Concerns-Naharnet
Kouchner Warns of Dangers
of Delay in Appointing Syrian Ambassador to Beirut-Naharnet
Netanyahu Says Iran
Threatens Israel from Northern Border-Naharnet
Geagea: Attacks Aim to
Drive LF, Allies into Reacting-Naharnet
Gemayel Fears a Hizbullah
Military Control if it Wins Elections-Naharnet
US senator Kerry to meet Syrian leader-AFP
Syria, US explore improving ties as Kerry visits-The
Associated Press
US resumes diplomatic talks with Syria-CNN
US might rethink missile shield if Iran shifts, Clinton signals.CNN
International
Celebrated journalist Kassem Jaafar passes away-Daily
Star
Voting age won't be lowered in time for polls - campaigners-Daily
Star
Gemmayzeh pubs host non-smoking night-Daily
Star
One small step for domestic workers-Daily
Star
Children from troubled homes find refuge in SOS Village-Daily
Star
Saab
seeks legal restructuring in bid to stave off bankruptcy-
(AFP)
Copyright piracy devastates Lebanese cinema industry-(AFP)
'Lebanese agriculture sector must start with the basics-Daily
Star
Riad Salameh calls for creation of Mediterranean bank to spur markets-Daily
Star
Armed groups operating in south
Lebanon
Sat Feb 21, 2009
(Reuters) - At least one rocket fired from Lebanon landed in northern Israel on
Saturday, lightly wounding three people and prompting Israel to respond with a
barrage of artillery shells, the Israeli army said.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility by any group.
Here are some facts about armed groups in Lebanon:
HEZBOLLAH
The powerful political and military group has thousands of well-trained fighters
who stood their ground against an Israeli onslaught in 2006. The group enjoys
strong support from Iran and Syria and is listed as a terrorist organization by
the United States.
Hezbollah is the dominant military force in Lebanon, stronger than any other
faction or the Lebanese army. Its arsenal, estimated to be tens of thousands of
rockets, sophisticated anti-tank weaponry and possibly anti-aircraft batteries
is mostly supplied by Iran via Syria.
Its leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on February 16 that Hezbollah has the
right to acquire air-defense weapons and to use them against Israeli warplanes
that violate Lebanese air space on a daily basis. The remarks were the first
clear sign that the group may have already obtained such a system.
Hezbollah still maintains a stronghold in the south even after a U.N.
peacekeeping force was beefed up to 13,500 along the Lebanese-Israeli border
following the end of the 2006 war. The group also has heavily fortified
positions in the eastern Bekaa Valley.
PALESTINIAN GROUPS
Lebanon is home to 400,000 Palestinian refugees dispersed in 12 refugee camps
across the country, the largest being the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in the
south. These camps are home to several Palestinian groups. The Syrian-backed
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command has bases outside
these refugee camps and in the eastern Bekaa Valley. It has Katyusha rockets as
well as light weapons. The group has in the past three decades launched attacks
against Israel from Lebanon. In the most spectacular attack in the late 1980s a
PFLP-GC guerrilla flew into northern Israel using a hangglider and killed six
soldiers near an army base before being shot dead.
ISLAMIST MILITANTS
The Palestinian refugee camps are also a haven for al Qaeda-inspired Sunni
militants, especially in the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp which is a hotbed for
Islamist militant groups and where the Lebanese army is not authorized to enter.
Some of these groups include members of the Jund al-Sham, Usbat al-Ansar, and
Fatah al-Islam movements. They are believed to have light weapons and some
rockets. The militants, some of whom are Arabs, are suspected to have launched
attacks on UNIFIL in the past two years. The Lebanese army fought Fatah al-Islam
militants at a north Lebanon refugee camp in 2007 but some of these militants
are still hiding in Ain al-Hilweh.(Writing by Yara Bayoumy; Editing by Louise
Ireland)
Lebanon PM slams rocket attack, Israeli shelling
BEIRUT (AFP) — Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora on Saturday denounced a
rocket attack on Israel from southern Lebanon that sparked a retaliatory volley
of shells from the Jewish state. "The Israeli shelling is an unacceptable and
unjustified violation of Lebanese sovereignty," Siniora said in a statement.
"The rockets launched from Lebanon threaten the country's security and stability
and constitute a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701." Resolution
1701 ended the devastating 2006 summer war between the Shiite militant group
Hezbollah and Israel. Siniora's statement came after two rockets were launched
early on Saturday from the south into northern Israel, and the Israeli military
responded with artillery. Israeli public radio said one woman was lightly
injured by flying glass in her home when a rocket hit near the Israeli town of
Maalot close to the border. There were no reports of injuries on the Lebanese
side of the border, where Hezbollah insisted it was not behind the shelling.
Siniora denounced the attacks on both sides as unacceptable and called on the
army and UN peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon to do their utmost to
"prevent Lebanon from sliding into a new cycle of violence."
Hizbullah Says Not Behind Rocket Attack on Israel
Naharnet/Hizbullah said on Saturday that it was not behind a rocket attack on
northern Israel that sparked a retaliatory volley of shells from the Jewish
state.
"Hizbullah has nothing to do with this attack," the party's spokesman Ibrahim
Moussawi told Agence France Presse (AFP). His comments came after two rockets
were launched early on Saturday from southern Lebanon into northern Israel, and
the Israeli military responded with artillery. Israeli public radio said a
rocket hit near the Israeli town of Maalot close to the border lightly injuring
one woman.(AFP) Beirut, 21 Feb 09, 13:19
Body of Israeli Surfer Found on Israeli Beach Near Naquora
Naharnet/The body of a missing Israeli was found on an Israeli beach close to
Naqoura Saturday.
United Nations interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) received a communication on
Friday from the Israeli Army saying that an Israeli citizen has disappeared
while water surfing. Israel requested from the UNIFIL and Marine Unit working
within Lebanese territorial waters to report the surfers whereabouts if found.
Israel reportedly fired flare shells off the town of Naqoura in the south Friday
night amid information that an Israeli soldier disappeared while doing physical
exercise near the border with Lebanon. Al-Arabiya TV network said that Israel
fired the shells off Naqoura. Other information said an Israeli soldier drowned
on Thursday while doing water sports and Israel is still looking for his body.
UNIFIL spokesperson Yasmina Bouziane told Voice of Lebanon Radio station that
U.N. peacekeepers have no information about the disappearance of a soldier and
Israel fired the flare shells 4-6 kilometers off the Lebanese coast. Beirut, 21
Feb 09, 13:59
Individual Shot Inside Beirut Stock Exchange
Naharnet/A dispute erupted Friday night at 10:00 pm inside a building that also
occupies the Beirut Stock Exchange leading to one individual suffering shots.
At the building located at the Verdun district a Lebanese individual named Ahmed
Khoder Baksh entered the stock exchange carrying a hand pistol slandering one of
the individuals present at the bureau named Omar Khaled Baltaji. A quarrel
erupted whereby, Baltaji fired 2 shots from his pistol at Baksh hitting him in
his left foot and injuring his forehead. Baksh was carried to hospital and
Baltaji surrendered himself to police. Beirut, 21 Feb 09, 14:15
Berri To Shatah: Liar Like Your Master
Naharnet/Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah
"a liar like his master", for denying that an agreement was reached regarding
the Council of the South. In an interview with the daily al-Akhbar on Saturday,
Berri expressed his chagrin against Prime Minister Fouad Saniora for backing off
a joint agreement regarding the Council of the South's budget. Berri has
clashed with Saniora over the council's budget. The prime minister is against
allocating LL60 billion in this year's budget while the speaker is for it. "I am
not only insisting on the LL 60 billion for the council, this matter is settled,
my priority now is to regain funds withdrawn by the prime minister from the
Saudi donation given to Lebanon following the July 2006 war. This is a
priority," Berri said. He referred that had cabinet voted on this issue the
March 8 Forces would have won the day, due to the absence of two March 14
minister from the meeting and the support given to the issue by Defense Minister
Elias Murr and ministers belonging to the 'Democratic Gathering' led by MP Walid
Jumblat. Berri added that Transport and Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi saved
the prime minister from "imminent embarrassment, for he could have resigned if
he and minister Shatah failed to secure a budget."
The daily An-Nahar on Saturday said that President Michel Suleiman would attempt
to gather Berri and Saniora and find a common solution to the issue.
The paper denied news that the cabinet committee that is supposed to look into
the issue has been formed. Meanwhile the daily As-Safir, the cabinet committee
has been formed and would begin its work in the next two days. The daily
al-Anwar on Saturday quoted grand serail sources that said the committee is
composed of 6 ministers from March 8 and 14 Forces naming them as: Labor
Minister Mohammed Fneish, Health Minister Mohammed Jawad Khalife, Finance
Minister Mohammed Shatah, Education Minister Bahiya Hariri, Transportation
Minister Ghazi al-Aridiand State Minister Khaled Qabani. Beirut, 21 Feb 09,
11:03
Shatah Responds to Berri: Southerners Interests being
Traded
Naharnet/Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah commented to statements made by
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to the daily al-Akhbar newspaper in which he
called him a liar saying: "If what speaker Berri said was right, all I could say
in this matter is that it is unjust for the southerners that some would continue
to trade politically and for electoral reasons with their rights and issues."" I
won't enter into a game of slander," Shatah said referring to Berri. Beirut, 21
Feb 09, 13:10
Bellemare Could Provide Lebanese With Good News At
Tuesday's Press Conferene
Naharnet/The Special International Tribunal For Lebanon could witness a media
event on Tuesday Feb. 24, in which the United Nations Independent International
Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) head Daniel Bellemare would hold a press
conference. According to the daily al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Saturday, "there
are those that affirm that Bellemare could be preparing for a surprise at the
press conference." The press conference aims to promote the tribunal and is an
opportunity for reporters to pose questions in preparation of March 1 when the
tribunal would officially take effect. The event would be carried live on the
air. The tribunal's Registrar Robin Vincent, and U.N. Under Secretary-General
Patricia O'Brien would also participate at the press conference. The paper
hinted that U.N. Secretary-General could also be one of the participants at the
press conference. The tribunal begins its official work on Sunday March 1 at
14:30 hrs, the tribunal's general prosecutor would 60 days (till April 30) to
request the case from the Lebanese judiciary, after which time the pre-trial
judge would have the sole authority to deal with the Lebanese authorities on
this issue. Beirut, 21 Feb 09, 12:52
Security First
Date: February 21st, 2009 Source: Future News
Security is above all; though, within our current status we cannot talk about a
state and the security of this state.
News updates have become quite concerning lately, finding a murdered man, an
abduction of another, and arresting an Israeli enemy spy... not to mention all
of what happened after the demonstration of Loyalty to freedom, sovereignty, and
independence on the 14th of February and the innocent victims whose only fault
was expressing their opinion.
The magnitude of the security issue isn’t produced by the itinerant crimes, or
the inaccessible sectarian ghettoes, but rather by the atmosphere of political
tension provoked by “March 8” forces. These forces said what would happen if
they won the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled on the 7th of June.
Furthermore, they declared that if they attained the majority of the
parliament’s seats they will offer the forces of the “Cedars Revolution” the
blocking third, and in case the latter turned down the offer they would then
govern Lebanon in their own way.
However “Thank You Syria” forces didn’t say what they would do if they lost and
if the majority declined to grant them the blocking third and refused to endorse
this appalling constitutional heresy. This question is posed due to the awful
experience the Lebanese have had with the violence and indifference of “Thank
you Syria” gang, and the indications are still vividly engraved in the minds of
everyone, despite of the attempts to beautify it.
The voices demanding to conduct elections over more than one phase is most
awkward, as if the security of the democratic issuance is subject to the number
of security and military elements in a certain geographic spot, rather than to
the whole political atmosphere.
In that sense, “security first” is probably the best political slogan to
overcome the tension prevailing over the country. Noting that the required
“security” is that provided by the legitimate authority and not by the “de
facto” forces.
Within the prolongation of hype, the presence of International monitors to
observe the electoral process is more than necessary to guarantee the integrity
of elections. Moreover, their presence would drop out any prior accusation of
using political funds and restrain the will of voters through enticement, as it
places the democratic issuance under the microscope of the international
community and its perceptible standards.
Indyk says that Israel prefers “Hezbollah” to win: It is
easier to deter its government
Date: February 21st, 2009 Source: Future News
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk, stated that the Jewish state
would prefer the coalition backed by "Hezbollah", to win the parliamentary
elections scheduled for next June and form a government.
He also added during a dialogue in Washington the day before yesterday, designed
to analyze Israel's latest elections that “Lebanon does not play a major role in
the accounts of the Israelis or president Barack Obama, except when “hezbollah”
overlooks, and meanwhile, it looks that Hezbollah is deterred”.
Indyk noted that “The question is if "Hezbollah" will win the elections in June,
and form a governmental coalition. This is not terrible for Israel, it's easier
to deter a Government led by “Hezbollah” than to deter it as an armed group”. He
also believed that there is no reason for Lebanon to stay outside the course of
peace negotiations, if Syria got involved, this will give the cover and excuse
to Lebanon to participate.
He also considered that "there are no problems between Israel and Lebanon,
except for Shebaa Farms and the Israeli flights over Lebanon”, adding that “we
have to work to reach an Israeli - Lebanese peace, since Lebanon's independence
is important to us Americans. Israel and Syria don’t mind sacrificing Lebanon's
independence on the altar of the agreement between them”.
Indyk, who served as an ambassador for his country between 1996 and 1999 when
Benjamin Netanyahu took over as prime minister, said, “according to the
Syrian-Israeli agreement, which is nearly reached between both sides, under the
auspices of Syria, Syria gets the land, in return for a strategic repositioning,
which means Syria to break its alliance with Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah”.
Electoral bombs
Date: February 21st, 2009 Source: Future News
Whilst the Lebanese politicians are trying to defuse the budget crisis caused by
allocating more funds to the Council for the South, the bombs series has
returned to occupy the forefront of concerns. 3 bombs target a Kataeb and a
Lebanese Forces center causing material damages.
A Lebanese Forces leader reported in an interview with almustaqbal.org “this
security development is a desperate attempt committed by some who are
electorally marginalized, who struggle to influence the general atmosphere and
seek to cancel the parliamentary elections because they fear its result.”
During a peaceful sit-in organized in Kfour to condemn the assault targeting the
Lebanese Forces, LF leader Samir Geagea expressed his fears to major security
occurrences aimed at disrupting the elections or exert pressure on voters."
Sources in the majority described these incidents as a result of "political
panic in the aftermath of the massive popular participation on February 14, and
an attempt to hold 2-days elections to influence or tamper in the electoral
result.”
Strategic alliances
Head of the Future Parliamentary bloc MP Saad Hariri reviewed with Geagea the
political developments in the country especially the electoral alliances in
various areas, and addressed March 14 candidates’ lists which will be announced
soon.
Geagea strongly ruled out the alleged disputes within March 14 in general, and
the LF-Kataeb in particular.
He reassured that unity within the Cedar Revolution is the base to undergo the
upcoming elections despite the “string-pulling” on the formation of electoral
lists, noting that this issue would remain under our strategic alliance which
will never be affected by any circumstances,” LF leader confirmed.
In a related development, Kataeb leader Amin Gemayel declared a remarkable
position at the conclusion of his visit to Belgium Friday, in which he pointed
"Hezbollah is the major force in March 8, distinguished by its military
capabilities in influencing the Lebanese politics, which if they won the
elections they would definitely control the country's military and security."
Budget string-pulling
While the budget of the Council for the South faces a string-pulling situation,
attention head to the a six-person ministerial committee was formed to save the
budget, as to reach a compromise formula that will lead to approve the
requirements of the Council for the South and therefore the general budget.
President Suleiman proposed that a ministerial committee look into the Council
for South budget as to put an end to this controversial issue. This committee
would include Minister Chatah, Minister Aridi, Minister Bahia Hariri and
Minister Qabbani from the majority, and Ministers Fneish and Khalifa from the
opposition.
Berri emphasized to As-Safir that he is not insistent on the 60 billion LL
budget for the Council for South and that his first priority has become
recovering what was spent by the Prime Minister from the Saudi aid package
endowed to compensate the damages in the aftermath of July war.
Erslan to relinquish his seat in Aley if Berry turns down
his Two-seat swap
By: Sami Farid
Date: February 21st, 2009 Source: Future News
Mediators were apparently faced by a smothering deadlock after their long
endeavors to mend the cracked relations between House Speaker Nabih Berry and
Emir Talal Erslan.
However, the communication channels between Ain El-Tineh and Khaldeh mansion
were completely severed and a deadly silence swept both residencies. According
to mediator: the division occurred!
What exactly happened, and who ignited the spark to cause the division that
erupted between the two leaders, and how the conciliation efforts thawed and
reached a dead end?
All details on these perplexing questions are answered without any reservation
by Mir Talal to the few close people to whom he discloses his secrets.
The story he had read to his fellow about the quandary between him and Speaker
Nabih Berry occurred two weeks before when Mir Talal had sent his envoy to
propose on Berry (two-seat swap) as to defer MP Anwar Khalil’s seat to a close
fellow - Marwan Kheireddine to run for Hasbaya seat.
Mir Talal was taken aback by Berry’s reaction to the proposal, when he
immediately blurted saying "I cannot represent all the opposition in this harsh
electoral battles.” Then he muttered “what is the big difference if the Druze
seat in Hasbaya was represented by Anwar Khalil or by Kheireddine…aren’t’ both
opposition candidate? Isn’t better and more appropriate for the Mir to resort to
March 14 to run Kheireddine, thus he would grant success for both, his candidate
and for the opposition?!
The story added “Berry asked Mir Talal’s envoy in confusion, what is the matter,
Aoun is struggling to improve his electoral Christian situation by claiming a
share of my seats in the south, and now Mir Talal is taking after Aoun. Are they
contesting me or March 14? "
Mir Talal special envoy returned back surprised by Berry’s fiery reaction on the
request. When the messenger briefed Erslan that Berry refused to nominate
Kheireddine instead of Anwar Khalil he rushed and contacted Hezbollah and the
Syrians officials to report his complaint and inform them that the House Speaker
did not understand the specificity of his political situation and refused to
help him to consolidate the opposition within the Druze equation.
It was reported that Mir Talal complained to his guardianship in Syria Colonel
Maher Assad, especially that the opposition endorses him to resume his fight but
unfortunately when Erslan seeks its support; it abstains from paying its
political duties and obligations towards him.
Erslan was tremendously dismayed after he submitted his complaint to the Syrians
as he pinned high hopes on his calls, but Berry’s unchanging situation indicated
clearly that Damascus had not contacted the House speaker.
During the past two days Mir Talal decided to revenge by disclosing to
Hezbollah’s leadership in Haret Hreik information warning “if Berry maintained
his refusal position to run Kheireddine in Hasbaya, then (Mir Talal) would
relinquish his candidacy in Aley constituency to run in Baabda instead.
Hezbollah’s leadership received the information clearly but still did not
response to the Mir’s suggestion, although the party would benefit from this
proposal as to prove a condensed presence against Jumblatt.
Hezbollah’s is quite convinced that Jumblatt wouldn’t trounce the Mir, because
the PSP leader ethically would preserve the historic old Yazbaki Druze
tradition. But it seems that the Mir decided to send a harsh message to the
opposition declaring that he will not undergo his fight Mount Lebanon without a
beneficial political return.
Therefore, Erslan candidacy in Aley is subject to the approval on the nomination
of Kheireddine in Hasbaya, otherwise he will run in Baabda, where he would be
granted a seat due to the condensed Shiite representation. Hezbollah
Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah now bears the brunt of this dilemma,
and the yet unanswered question bewildering Mir Talal is how Hezbollah would
tackle this ordeal?
Shams Eddine: Berri’s statement contains an insult not from our culture
Date: February 21st, 2009/Future News
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora received in the Grand Serail minister of State for
Management and Development issues Ibrahim Shams Eddine who expressed his shock
towards the statement of Speaker Nabbih Berri. “I wish this statement is false,
I know the Speaker does have sarcastic comments but not insults, however what I
read included insults and this is unusual for him and is not from our culture
neither the culture of Sayed Mousa Sader nor Imam Muhammad Mahdi Shams Eddine.”
As for the budget of the Council of the South, the minister said: “I read the
details of what happened in the Cabinet meeting, and we should attain a solution
that preserves the institutions.”
Central Security Council To Hold Emergency Meeting Following Internal Events
Naharnet/Interior Minister Ziad Baroud called the Central Security Council to
hold an emergency meeting on Saturday evening to discuss recent security
measures in light of repetitive security events in the country over the past few
days. In an interview with al-Manar TV on Friday, Baroud said: "recent incidents
are all connected to the election campaign, all this is happening by those who
wish to maintain instability." "No political force can afford to tolerate
breaching the Doha agreement, in terms of using its arms and derailing the
elections," Baroud said. He added that he is studying with Defense Minister
Elias Murr a plan that would require the availability of 30,000 security
elements. Baroud said that this force is ready. Over the past few days a number
of security incidents erupted in Lebanon that included throwing a grenade on the
Lebanese Forces bureau in Kfour-Keserwan, and the discovery of two hand grenades
outside the Phalange bureau in Dbayeh.
Beirut, 21 Feb 09, 11:20
U.S. Embassy Meets Salloukh's Criticism of Kerry Visit With
Silence
Naharnet/U.S. embassy in Lebanon remained silent in the face of criticism made
by Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh against U.S. Senator Foreign Relations
Committee John Kerry, who did not meet with Salloukh during his recent visit to
Beirut, the daily An-Nahar said Saturday. Salloukh accused Kerry of ignoring
diplomatic norms in not visiting him at the foreign ministry. Salloukh did not
limit his attack to Kerry alone but went on to accuse other U.S. officials that
paid him no visit when in Lebanon. He also blamed Lebanese officials who
"continue to act in a manner that encourages this U.S. administration and others
to break away from followed diplomatic norms and laws."Diplomatic sources asked
whether foreign minister Salloukh is also attacking U.S. ambassador Michele
Sison for not arranging a meeting between Salloukh and Kerry. Meanwhile,
European diplomatic sources also expressed their chagrin against Salloukh who
continues to remind them of this issue whenever, he is not visited by a visiting
European official. Diplomatic sources questioned whether Salloukh is also upset
with Prime Minister Fouad Saniora, who preferred to include Information Minister
Tareq Mitri during his recent meeting with Kerry and Sison. Prior to the Doha
agreement, minister Mitri acted as foreign minister when the Shiite ministers
boycotted the cabinet over political differences. Diplomatic sources also
questioned why Salloukh did not blame Arab foreign ministers who prefer to
contact the prime minister. One case in point is the telephone call made by
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit to Saniora on Thursday concerning the
Gaza Aid Conference that would be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, considering the fact
that Salloukh is to represent Lebanon at the event. Sources hoped that Salloukh
should have been more enduring because at Sharm el-Sheikh he would meet a higher
U.S. official participating at the conference, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton. Beirut, 21 Feb 09, 10:08
Zahar: We Won't Be Part of Any Security Concerns
Naharnet/Hamas' Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar said Hamas would not
arm Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and would not create any security
concern for the Lebanese state. "We have expressed our position in affirming
that we won't be part of any security concerns at any state." He added saying:"
We never disturbed the security of any state."A member of the deposed Hamas
cabinet Zahar paid a visit on Friday to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime
Minister Fouad Saniora. Hamas representative in Lebanon Osama Hamdan accompanied
Zahar.
"We asked his excellency (Berri) for more efforts in helping us unite the
Palestinian line in Lebanon and with the Lebanese," Zahar said.
He rejected claims that Hamas is arming Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon,
adding that Hamas' policy and program is to resist and stand up to the Israeli
occupation in Palestine. He reiterated the movement's stance against settling
Palestinian refugees in Lebanon saying: "we are against the settling of
Palestinians in any form, the price we are paying today stems from our firm
policy against settling." Following his meeting later with Prime Minister
Saniora Zahar said: "I have explained to the prime minister the practical steps
taken towards a Palestinian reconciliation with Fatah."He added that the
Palestinian presence in Lebanon is a security-supporting factor in the country.
Saying that the Palestinian street would never be dragged into "past experiences
that weakened it"Zahar said that similar and further visits would take place in
the future to reinforce common efforts for the Palestinian cause. Beirut, 21 Feb
09, 08:39
Kouchner Warns of Dangers of Delay in Appointing Syrian
Ambassador to Beirut
Naharnet/French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner expressed regret that Syria
didn't send an ambassador to Beirut yet, saying the head of mission should have
been appointed last week. "We didn't understand why there was a delay," Kouchner
told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in remarks published Friday. The ambassador
"should have been appointed last week.""Many things have been achieved,
including the establishment of diplomatic relations which is a recognition of
Lebanon … But it's a pity that Damascus did not yet send its ambassador," he
said. "If the delay was for one month or two, then the issue is not important.
But if (the delay) means a review of what has been achieved, then this is a
different issue and it would be very dangerous," Kouchner warned. The foreign
minister also reiterated his country's support to the international tribunal
that will try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's suspected assassins. He revealed that
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has made it clear to his Syrian counterpart
Bashar Assad that there was "no compromise" on the court. "We believe that
everyone should help the tribunal and cooperate with it. France's initial stance
is to support international justice away from political pressure," Kouchner told
his interviewer. Asked if France would send observers to monitor the June 7
parliamentary elections, the foreign minister said: "We are ready to do that.
But I think this should be done as part of the European Union. We are waiting
for Lebanon to make an official proposal in this regard." Beirut, 20 Feb 09,
10:02
Netanyahu Says Iran Threatens Israel from Northern Border
Naharnet/Hawkish Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday named Iran as
Israel's main threat after accepting the task of forming a new government in the
wake of the tight February 20 elections. "Iran is seeking to obtain a nuclear
weapon and constitutes the gravest threat to our existence since the war of
independence," he said at a ceremony at President Shimon Peres' official
residence. "The terrorist forces of Iran threaten us from the north," the
presumptive prime minister said in reference to Lebanon and Syria. "For decades,
Israel has not faced such formidable challenges. "The responsibility we face is
to achieve security for our country, peace with our neighbors and unity among
us," he said.(AFP) Beirut, 20 Feb 09, 15:49
Geagea: Attacks Aim to Drive LF, Allies into Reacting
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea slammed on Friday a grenade attack
on the office of the LF in Keserwan and advised against overreacting.
Late Thursday, unknown assailants threw a hand grand on the Lebanese Forces
office in the Kfour-Keserwan causing material damages. The explosion came a few
days after a similar attack on the LF's office in Sin el-Fil. Reacting to the
incident, Geagea asked LF "partisans and supporters to uphold absolute calm."
The attack could be "an attempt to drag the Lebanese Forces, its friends and
allies into specific reactions," he warned, after meeting with Qatari Ambassador
to Lebanon Saad bin Ali al-Muhannadi. Detailing the attack, Geagea told
reporters a sonic bomb was thrown inside the premises of the LF office in
Kfour-Keserwan "causing massive material damages."He told reporters Interior
Minister Ziad Baroud assured him in a telephone call that "extensive
investigations were underway to identify the culprits." Baroud also asked Geagea
to brief security services if any new information emerges on the attack, the LF
leader said. Slamming "political violence," Geagea said the attacks on the LF
"hold significant implications." He added that the explosions, twinned with
demands by some politicians for upcoming elections to be divided into phases,
"raise questions marks over the intention of some to disrupt the polls." Asked
whether he was fearful of a delay in the elections, he said: "Till now, and
before we receive more accurate information, I can only place the grenade
attacks … in the context of a plan to drive the Forces into reactions that can
only aggravate the security situation." Such aggravation, Geagea added, would
naturally lead to the "postponement of the elections."He refused to speculate
over who he thought was behind the attacks on the LF saying "we have no
indicators allowing us to point fingers. But there is no doubt that these
actions aim to draw a foggy image around the security situation in Lebanon and
are linked, one way or the other, to the electoral process." Beirut, 20 Feb 09,
17:59
Gemayel Fears a Hizbullah Military Control if it Wins
Elections
Naharnet/Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel said Friday that Hizbullah would
military rule Lebanon in case it wins the upcoming parliamentary elections.
If the Shiite party becomes the majority in parliament, it would "military
control (the country) at the expense of democracy," Gemayel said after meeting
Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht. Gemayel discussed with De Gucht the
situation in Lebanon, particularly in the south where a Belgian contingent is
part of U.N. peacekeepers securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah.
Upon his return from Belgium, Gemayel met with French Ambassador Andre Parant,
who said: "I came to visit the head of the Phalange party. We discussed the
current situation and the visits that (former) President Gemayel made to some
European countries."Asked about the upcoming parliamentary elections, Parant
said: "France's stance is clear. It backs the holding of the elections on June 7
with calm, transparency and democracy." He said France informed Lebanese
authorities that it was ready to contribute to the process of monitoring the
elections. "The ball is in the Lebanese authorities' court if they want to have
such a system," Parant said. Beirut, 20 Feb 09, 20:33
Preparing for a Hard-Right
Israel
By Andrew Lee Butters
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1880978,00.html
After weeks of wrangling following the general election earlier this month,
Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu is set to become Israel's Prime Minister for the
second time, putting Israel on a potential collision course with its
Palestinians partners, its Arab neighbors and perhaps even its American ally.
Though Netanyahu's right-wing Likud Party took only second place in the contest,
President Shimon Peres asked Netanyahu to form a government on Friday after a
majority of the country's Knesset members backed the Likud leader for the job.
Israeli politics has taken a dramatic shift to the right since the war in Gaza,
and as a whole, right-wing parties fared better in the election than did the
centrist Kadima Party — which finished first by a slim margin — and the crippled
leftist Labor Party.
Without enough votes to form a government of his own, Netanyahu will have to
build a ruling coalition that will inevitably be fragile. And because Kadima
leader Tzipi Livni has ruled out a national-unity government with Likud,
Netanyahu will probably look to parties even farther to the right than his own,
such as the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party and the extreme Yisrael Beitenu Party of
Avigdor Lieberman, who supports making Israel's Arab citizens take a loyalty
oath or face losing their voting rights. (See a video about Avigdor Lieberman
and his political power base in Israel.)
But even on his own, Bibi would be a bitter pill for the rest of the region to
swallow. Netanyahu ran on a platform that would bring the peace process to a
halt. His stated policies would continue the construction of Jewish settlements
in the occupied West Bank, would brook no discussion of sharing Jerusalem as a
joint capital between Israel and a future Palestinian state and, instead of
negotiating for a two-state solution, would focus on "economic peace," in effect
giving Palestinians jobs but not their land.
Netanyahu's stated agenda would put him at odds with the new Obama
Administration in Washington. While Barack Obama has called for negotiations
with Iran and Syria, Netanyahu would choose confrontation with both. Netanyahu
is against trading the Golan Heights — which Israel captured from Syria in 1967
— in return for a peace treaty with Syria. And instead of talking to Iran about
its nuclear program (which Iran insists is for civilian purposes), Netanyahu has
said he will prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons by any means necessary,
including military strikes.
That Israelis would vote such an agenda into government is a measure of their
country's unwillingness to meet the international consensus that Israel trade
land for peace with its neighbors. Ever since Hamas took control of the Gaza
Strip and began launching rockets into Israel, fewer and fewer Israelis see
trading land for peace as a sustainable option. Nevertheless, during the Israeli
military incursion into Gaza earlier this year, most Israelis were shocked to
find that public opinion in Europe and the U.S. did not automatically support
what they considered an appropriate act of self-defense. A Netanyahu government
may end up merely giving last rites to a peace process that is already almost
dead.