LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
February 28/09
Bible Reading of the
day.
Mathew 7/13 till 27 “Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad
is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. How
narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those
who find it. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but
inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do you
gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree
produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. A good tree
can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.
Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to me,
‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of
my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t
we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many
mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who
work iniquity.’ “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does
them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain
came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it
didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of
mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the
sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on
that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
Free Opinions, Releases, letters &
Special Reports
Interview from Reuters
with MP. Saad Hariri 27/02/09
No more king of the mountain?Ha'aretz
27/02/09
Candidates in Lebanon's elections have not addressed
the most important issue-The Daily Star 27/02/09
From Lebanon, with style-The
Daily Star 27/02/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for February
27/09
Washington to Provide Lebanese Army
with Unmanned Military Planes-Naharnet
Hariri to shun unity Lebanon govt if Hezbollah wins
poll-Reuters
Lebanon top cleric blasts Saudi over pilgrim
riot.MSNBC
Geagea Says LF-Phalange Deal Almost Complete,
Tashnaq in Picture.Naharnet
4
Generals in Hariri Murder Denied Prison Release-Naharnet
Bellemare Leaves Beirut Vowing to Do Everything for the Truth-Naharnet
Bellemare's Letter to Lebanese: I
Will Do Everything to Ensure that the Truth Emerges-Naharnet
Decision on MOU with Tribunal Delayed to Give Minority Time to Study Proposal-Naharnet
Abu
Jamra Finally Gets an Office-Naharnet
Amnesty: Tribunal Insufficient Without Wider Action to Combat Impunity-Naharnet
Abu Faour: Security
Breaches Likely to Top Agenda at Next Dialogue Session-Naharnet
Qahwaji Met Feltman,
Petraeus in Washington-Naharnet
Ministers Bicker Over
World Tourism Organization, Foreign Diplomats-Naharnet
Paris, Riyadh Support
Tribunal Regardless of Damascus Reconciliation-Naharnet
Aoun's Bloc: Where Was
Church when Christians Were Slaughtered by Christians?-Naharnet
Paraguay Speaker in
Lebanon to visit Land of His Ancestors-Naharnet
Ban: Courtroom Will be
Ready for Use at Beginning of 2010-Naharnet
Lebanese Generals Submit
Request for Release-Naharnet
Phalange, LF Delegations
Meet to Discuss Elections-Naharnet
Moawwad: Why Can Faqih
Meddle in Lebanon But Not Bkirki?-Naharnet
Kuwait's FM Relays Message
from Emir to Suleiman-Naharnet
Berri: Lebanon Is
Sentenced to Consensus-Naharnet
Najjar to the Tribunal:
Lebanon Awaits Justice from You-Naharnet
U.S.: Lebanon's Rights
Record Poor as a Result of Violence, Unlawful Killings-Naharnet
CHRONOLOGY: Events in Lebanon surrounding the
killing of Rafik Hariri-Earthtimes
(press release)
Obama's envoy talks about peace with Netanyahu-(AFP)
Syria upbeat after first senior talks of Obama term-AFP
Syrian ambassador to Washington
meets with Feltman in another sign of thaw in ties.(AFP)
and The Daily Star
Najjar tells Tribunal Lebanon's future 'depends on the battle you wage'-Daily
Star
Army arrests 16 suspects after armed clashes break out in Chekka-Daily
Star
New regulations restrict noise at pubs, restaurants-Daily Star
US raps Lebanon over human rights
abuses-Daily Star
Obama telephones Sleiman to
reiterate America's support-Daily Star
Italy donates $1.5 million for Palestinians, Lebanese in Nahr
al-Bared area-Daily
Star
Lebanon's telecom authority looks
to attract investment-Daily Star
Salameh: Lebanon can see 4 percent growth if security remains stable/Daily
Star
Legal analysts see long road ahead
for Hariri tribunal-(AFP)
Palestinian factions agree to work toward forming unity government-(AFP)
Aoun' Bloc: Where Was the Church when
Christians Were Being ...Naharnet
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Visit Middle East
February 26, 2009 (noon EST)
No. 47
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced
that he will be visiting the Middle East from February 28 to March 2, 2009, to
meet with Jordanian, Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian leaders and ministers.
“I look forward to meeting with my counterparts and others to advance bilateral
issues and to discuss how the international community can best support Middle
East peace efforts,” said Minister Cannon. “I appreciate very much the
constructive approach of key moderate states in the region, such as Jordan and
Egypt. I am pleased to have this opportunity to discuss Canada’s support for
their efforts and the way forward on the peace process.
“My meetings with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders will serve to reaffirm
Canada’s full support for reaching their goal of a comprehensive peace
agreement. We recognize the efforts President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister
Salam Fayyad have made to improve the security situation in the West Bank.
Canada will support only those Palestinian leaders who understand that civil
order and an end to terrorism are essential conditions for the fulfilment of
Palestinian national ambitions. Our government continues to support Israel’s
right to protect its citizens and defend itself.”
On March 2, Minister Cannon will attend the Conference in Support of the
Palestinian Economy for the Reconstruction of Gaza, being co-hosted by Egypt and
Norway in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Egypt has played an important role in bringing
about a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. At this conference, leaders
from the international community will discuss the challenges ahead and offer
their support in achieving the early recovery and meeting the humanitarian needs
of the people of Gaza.
In 2006, Canada committed $300 million in assistance over five years to the
Palestinian people. In January 2009, Canada also provided an additional $4
million in response to pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza.
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
Hariri willing to accept any
verdict
By Lin Noueihed
ABU DHABI, Feb 27 (Reuters) - The son of Lebanon's slain former Prime Minister
Rafik al-Hariri said on Friday he would accept the verdict of an international
tribunal into the murder even if it clears Syria but was confident justice would
be done.
Hariri and 22 others died in a suicide truck bombing on Feb. 14, 2005 that
anti-Syrian Lebanese politicians, including his son Saad, have blamed on
Damascus.
Syria denies the charges but the killing sparked a worldwide outcry that forced
it to end a 29-year military presence in Lebanon.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon will begin operations in The Hague on Sunday, a
political milestone for Hariri's camp, which pressed for its creation amid
opposition from Syria's Lebanese allies, including the powerful Hezbollah group.
"We fought for this tribunal for over four years so it is impossible for us to
oppose the tribunal whether we agree with the results or not," Saad al-Hariri
told Reuters.
"Doubts have been cast on international tribunals before but today we see that
many regimes have been accused of the crimes that they committed... We still
accuse the Syrian regime."
Investigators have yet to name any suspects but the inquiry has implicated
high-level Syrian security officers in the assassination that was followed by a
spree of political murders.
Daniel Bellemare, the U.N. investigator who is leading the Hariri inquiry and
will be the prosecutor, has said he believes the case can be solved, a sentiment
echoed by Hariri."I have full confidence the international tribunal will do its
work and... will find the facts and punish those who assassinated prime minister
Rafik al-Hariri," he said.
"Lebanon has been suffering for 30 years or more from the assassinations of
presidents, prime ministers... journalists. For the first time we are seeing
justice take its course."
POLITICAL INFLUENCE?
Political killing cases in Lebanon, which was torn apart by civil war between
1975 and 1990, have tended to remain unsolved.
But Hariri, who won the 2005 elections on a wave of anti-Syrian sentiment that
followed his father's death, had put efforts to create the tribunal at the
centre of his policies.
The tribunal was initially backed by former U.S. President George W. Bush and
former French President Jacques Chirac, both supporters of Hariri's camp. It has
since been endorsed by both their successors despite speculation that the trial
could lose momentum if a budding U.S.-Syrian rapprochement flowers.
Asked if U.S. President Barack Obama's overtures to Iran and Syria, as well as
Syria's improving relations with his own key ally, Saudi Arabia, could affect a
verdict, Hariri said: "No".
"The issue of the tribunal is now outside of politics. The ... tribunal is with
judges and international justice," he said.
"There are 300 investigators in the tribunal. What will they do with them? Look
what happened with previous international trials. Where did they go? Were they
compromised? What we are seeing is a court that will issue its verdict on
Darfur, an international tribunal to look into the assassination of Benazir
Bhutto and there is an international tribunal for Lebanon." U.N. investigators
have said a likely motive for the assassination was Hariri's support for a 2004
U.N. resolution demanding that Syrian and other foreign troops quit Lebanon.
Syria's allies in Lebanon, led by Hezbollah, have expressed concern the court
could be used politically against them.
"We (the Hariri family) do not consider this a victory because we lost and our
loss is a big one. No tribunal will bring back Rafik al-Hariri... or any one of
our friends or loved ones," he said. "The victory is one for justice. If you are
going to say we achieved anything, we achieved justice for Lebanon." (Editing by
Charles Dick)
Lebanon top cleric blasts Saudi over pilgrim riot
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29426990/
Fri., Feb. 27, 2009/AP
BEIRUT - Lebanon's top Shiite cleric is calling on Saudi Arabia to punish
policemen who beat Shiite pilgrims during a scuffle last week at a revered
Shiite cemetery in the Sunni kingdom. Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah
says "serious" clashes between the pilgrims and riot police at the cemetery in
Medina threaten to inflame sectarian tensions.Shiite witnesses said religious
police — who enforce Saudi's strict code of Sunni Islam — beat a group of Shiite
pilgrims outside the cemetery. Saudi officials blamed the pilgrims for the
disturbances.
Amnesty International
Press Release
27 February 2009
Lebanon: Special Tribunal insufficient without wider action to combat impunity
On the eve of the inauguration of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Amnesty
International is calling on the Lebanese authorities to go beyond the Tribunal’s
narrow mandate of investigating the killing of former Prime Minister Rafiq
al-Hariri and related attacks. The organization is seeking urgent action to
ensure that the perpetrators of other grave human rights violations carried out
in Lebanon are also brought to justice.
“The Special Tribunal alone cannot provide sufficient response to the long
pattern of impunity that has persisted in Lebanon,” said Malcolm Smart, Director
of the Middle East and North Africa Programme. “The establishment of the
Tribunal is a positive step that could help ensure justice for the serious
crimes it is to investigate. But if it is to gain credibility and public
confidence, it must be accompanied by complementary measures that address the
grave human rights abuses of the past, as well as those that continue in the
present.”
The mandate of the Special Tribunal, which is set to start operation on 1 March
2009, is by far the narrowest of any tribunal of an international nature. This
means that it will do nothing to address the enormous number of other grave
human rights abuses committed in Lebanon in recent decades, raising concern that
the justice being promoted is politically selective.
Amnesty International is calling on the Lebanese authorities to open prompt,
independent and impartial investigations into all allegations of serious human
rights violations of recent years not covered by the Special Tribunal’s mandate
and to bring to justice the perpetrators.
These include the killings of civilians at the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp amid
armed clashes there in 2007 and ongoing reports of torture and abusive
detention. The authorities should also address the situation of four men who are
being detained apparently in connection with the investigation into the killing
of Rafiq al-Hariri and whose detentions have been ruled arbitrary by a UN expert
group.
“The resolve to ensure justice in the case of Rafiq al-Hariri contrasts markedly
with the repeated failures of the Lebanese system to deliver justice for other
political killings and human rights abuses,” said Malcolm Smart. “This creates a
perception that some are considered more deserving of justice than others and
presents a clear challenge to the credibility of the Special Tribunal.”
The Lebanese authorities have also done little to tackle the legacy of gross
human rights abuses of the past, notably those committed during and following
the Lebanese civil war of 1975 to 1990, including the killing of tens of
thousands of civilians and the enforced disappearance of thousands more.
Amnesty International urges the Lebanese authorities to establish an independent
commission of inquiry into the abuses of the civil war period and to repeal the
amnesty laws of 1991 and 2005 so that those responsible can be prosecuted.
The international community has an important role to play in supporting such
initiatives.
“Having invested so heavily in the Special Tribunal, the international community
needs now to press the Lebanese authorities to focus their attention on
delivering truth and justice for the full range of victims of human rights
abuses in Lebanon, regardless of the profile of the victims or the presumed
identity of the perpetrators,” said Malcolm Smart.
Background
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon was established by the UN Security Council in
2007 to investigate and prosecute those allegedly responsible for the killing of
former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri and 22 others on 14 February 2005, as well
as a series of other assassinations and attempted killings since October 2004,
if they are found to be linked to the case of Rafiq al-Hariri..
It is a national court with some international components, comprising both
international and Lebanese judges, while applying national law for the
definition of crimes. It is based in The Hague, in the Netherlands, mainly for
security reasons.
The Tribunal’s creation followed the establishment in 2005 of the UN
International Independent Investigation Commission, which the Security Council
entrusted with the task of investigating the killing of Rafiq al-Hariri and 22
others, as well as assisting the Lebanese authorities in their investigation of
some 20 other attacks that have taken place since 1 October 2004. END
Suleiman Renews Vow on
Expatriates Right to Vote
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman pledged to ensure that Lebanese expatriates
cast their ballots in the 2013 elections, during talks Friday with visiting
Paraguayan Parliament speaker Enrique Salyn Buzarquis. "Preparations are
underway in concerned ministries and managements to guarantee that the
expatriates obtain the right to vote in parliamentary elections, to be held four
years from now," Suleiman said. Buzarquis' family is originally from Jounieh and
immigrated to South America several generations ago. He was accompanied on his
week-long trip by his wife, brother, and a number of MPs, as well as prominent
members of Paraguay's Lebanese community.Suleiman and Buzarquis discussed ways
to boost bilateral relations, especially that a large number of Paraguayan
citizens of Lebanese origins occupy prominent positions in Paraguay and are well
established entrepreneurs. Beirut, 27 Feb 09, 16:12
Aoun's Bloc: Where Was Church When Christians Were
Slaughtered by Christians?
Naharnet/A delegation from Gen. Michel Aoun's Change and Reform bloc met
Thursday with Papal Ambassador to Lebanon Luigi Gatti.
Issues related to the Christian community were discussed. MP Nabil Nicola said
after the meeting that "bias demonstrated by religious clergymen might lead to
the explosion and division of the church.""The Patriarchy rises above all
conflicts because it unites all the Lebanese," Nicola added. "Where was the
church when the Christians were being slaughtered by Christians?" he asked. "Why
weren't they excommunicated while now [the Maronite church] wants to practice
this measure against those who give a different opinion?" Nicola asked. He was
commenting on remarks by Maronite Bishop of Jbeil Beshara Rai, in which he said
that those who slander Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir will be punished by
excommunication. Beirut, 26 Feb 09, 20:20
4 Generals in Hariri Murder Denied Prison Release
Naharnet/The examining magistrate on Friday denied a request for the release of
the four generals detained on suspicion of involvement in the 2005 assassination
of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. It was a last chance effort to free the
four generals -- in custody since 2005 on suspicion of premeditated murder,
attempted premeditated murder and carrying out terrorist acts -- before they are
handed over to the international tribunal which starts functioning on March 1.
On Thursday, the generals submitted a request to examining magistrate Saqr Saqr
for immediate release. Saqr on Friday, however, turned down all requests for the
release of former head of the presidential guard Mustafa Hamdan, security
services director Jamil Sayyed, domestic security chief Ali Hajj and military
intelligence chief Raymond Azar. On Wednesday, Saqr released three of seven
suspects held over the murder of f Hariri. But the judge rejected demands for
the release of Sayyed and Hajj. Beirut, 27 Feb 09, 14:21
Bellemare's Letter to Lebanese: I Will Do Everything to Ensure that the Truth
Emerges
Naharnet/Daniel Bellemare, the Head of the U.N. International Independent
Investigation Commission and the Prosecutor Designate of the Special Tribunal
for Lebanon, told the Lebanese people in an open letter that he will do
everything to ensure that the truth emerges and that those responsible for the
investigated crimes will eventually be brought to justice.
The following is the full text of the letter addressed by Bellemare near the end
of UNIIIC mandate and the launching of the tribunal's operations:
The process initiated by the Lebanese Government on behalf of its People with
the support of the international community to put an end to impunity in the
country will soon take a historic turn.
On 28 February 2009, the mandate of the United Nations International Independent
Investigation Commission will come to an end after almost four years of
intensive work,
On that date, an important phase in the history of the promotion of justice and
the rule of law concludes. March 1, 2009, will mark another historical milestone
that is the launching of the operations of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
Both events will undeniably find their place in the history of Lebanese and
international justice. The United Nations International Independent
Investigation Commission is unique. It is the first of its kind and is
precedent-setting in many ways.
Like any new process, it was not perfect. But we adjusted and found solutions
where none existed. And as we close down our doors, we will leave behind a
series of lessons learned for others to benefit if needed. But one thing remains
beyond any doubt: the reason for which it was created, that is to help the
people of Lebanon find the truth and put an end to impunity is a noble cause
that deserves our commitment and collective effort.
On the eve of our departure, I am more aware than ever of the hopes that the
People of Lebanon have entrusted in us. I am also aware of the fears and doubts
that an unknown process generates.
As I have mentioned before, public confidence, both in the process and in the
institution, are essential to the success of our mandate. We will continue our
partnership with the media in promoting public confidence. Our doors will
continue to be open to the media in order to assist its representatives in
conveying accurate facts upon which their public can make up their own mind.
I did not want to leave Lebanon without addressing the People directly to tell
you that the end of the Commission's mandate is simply the end of a chapter. It
is not the end of our mission. Our work continues. With renewed ardor and
determination.
We are strongly committed to the mandate that the People of Lebanon has given us
through the Security Council. We will not be deterred by the obstacles or the
size of the challenge. We are persistent. We will go wherever the evidence leads
us. We will leave no stone unturned.
Our investigative work will now continue from The Hague, in The Netherlands. But
the Office of the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon will have a
field office in Beirut. It will serve as a base for the investigators who will
undertake regular missions to Lebanon to collect evidence and to meet with
Lebanese Officials and witnesses as required.
I want to thank the Lebanese Authorities for the valuable assistance and the
cooperation they extended to the Commission and I know that the Office of the
Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon can count on the same level of
cooperation.
I also want to express my deepest gratitude to the People of Lebanon who have,
since 2005, offered their hospitality and support to the Commission. I want to
salute their courage and resilience in the face of adversity and their resolve
to make a better future for their nation for the generations to come. We learned
a lot from Lebanon and its people. My commitment to you is to serve the cause of
justice on the basis of a principled approach based solely on facts and
evidence. Like the Commission, the Office of the Prosecutor will not be
influenced by any political consideration. Justice can not and should not be
used as a political tool. Like the Commission's work, the findings of the OTP
investigations and the steps I would take as the Prosecutor, as well as the
outcome of the STL should not be prejudged or speculated upon.
The STL is not after revenge: it is after justice. Everybody, be they witnesses,
detainees or accused, will be treated with dignity. Justice requires no less.
Dignity is the hallmark of a credible and humane Justice process. Lastly, I want
to reassure everybody that my team and I will do everything that is humanly and
legally possible to ensure that the truth emerges and that those responsible for
the crimes that fall within our jurisdiction are eventually brought to justice.
This objective should not only be that of the Office of the Prosecutor, but it
should also be the common and resolute goal of the People of Lebanon. Beirut, 27
Feb 09, 12:02
Decision on MOU with Tribunal Delayed to Give Minority More
Time
Naharnet/A decision to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the international
tribunal has been delayed to give March 8 minority cabinet ministers more time
to study the proposal. Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar suggested the signing of
the MOU between the Lebanese government and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
after chief U.N. investigator Daniel Bellemare becomes the court's general
prosecutor. The memorandum calls for organizing relations between the Lebanese
judiciary and the general prosecutor. An Nahar daily said Friday that the
cabinet decided to discuss the issue next week after March 8 ministers demanded
time to study the proposal. The ministers also gave the green light to install
cameras to monitor the homes of officials involved in the court, which will
start functioning on Sunday, and at the Justice Palaces of Baabda, Jdeideh and
Sidon. Following a request from majority ministers, Defense Minister Elias Murr
and Interior Minister Ziad Baroud vowed to present details about other ongoing
investigations into different incidents, including kidnappings and An Nahar's
recent report about the arrival of two convicted men to Lebanon via Syria
without being arrested. During the session, which lasted more than five hours,
the cabinet also gave its approval to a draft law that includes a set of
conditions for demands to have international observers monitor the elections.
Beirut, 27 Feb 09, 09:17
Amnesty: Tribunal Insufficient Without Wider Action to
Combat Impunity
Amnesty International urged Lebanese authorities to go beyond the international
tribunal's narrow mandate of investigating the killing of ex-Premier Rafik
Hariri and ensure that the perpetrators of other grave human rights violations
in Lebanon are also brought to justice.
"The Special Tribunal alone cannot provide sufficient response to the long
pattern of impunity that has persisted in Lebanon," said Malcolm Smart, Director
of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Program.
"The establishment of the Tribunal is a positive step that could help ensure
justice for the serious crimes it is to investigate. But if it is to gain
credibility and public confidence, it must be accompanied by complementary
measures that address the grave human rights abuses of the past, as well as
those that continue in the present," he said.
The mandate of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which is set to start operation
on 1 March 2009, is by far the narrowest of any tribunal of an international
nature, the London-based non-governmental organization said.
This means that the court "will do nothing to address the enormous number of
other grave human rights abuses committed in Lebanon in recent decades, raising
concern that the justice being promoted is politically selective," AI said.
The NGO urged Lebanese authorities to open prompt, independent and impartial
probes into all allegations of serious human rights violations of recent years
not covered by the court's mandate and to bring to justice the perpetrators.
These include the killings of civilians at the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee
camp in northern Lebanon during clashes between the army and Fatah al-Islam
fighters in 2007.
Other human rights abuses, according to Amnesty, include ongoing reports of
torture and abusive detention.
The authorities should also address the situation of four former security
generals who are being detained in connection with the investigation into
Hariri's Feb. 2005 murder, AI said, adding that their detentions have been ruled
arbitrary by a U.N. expert group.
"The resolve to ensure justice in the case of Rafik Hariri contrasts markedly
with the repeated failures of the Lebanese system to deliver justice for other
political killings and human rights abuses," said Smart. "This creates a
perception that some are considered more deserving of justice than others and
presents a clear challenge to the credibility of the Special Tribunal."
Amnesty said that Lebanese authorities have also done little to tackle the
legacy of gross human rights abuses of the past, notably those committed during
and following the 1975-1990 civil war, including the killing of tens of
thousands of civilians and the forced disappearance of thousands more.
"Amnesty International urges the Lebanese authorities to establish an
independent commission of inquiry into the abuses of the civil war period and to
repeal the amnesty laws of 1991 and 2005 so that those responsible can be
prosecuted," it said, adding that the international community has an important
role to play in supporting such initiatives. "Having invested so heavily in the
Special Tribunal, the international community needs now to press the Lebanese
authorities to focus their attention on delivering truth and justice for the
full range of victims of human rights abuses in Lebanon, regardless of the
profile of the victims or the presumed identity of the perpetrators," said
Smart. Beirut, 27 Feb 09, 11:02
Qahwaji Met Feltman, Petraeus in Washington
Naharnet/Lebanese army commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji has met with senior State
Department officials and top military leaders as part of his visit to the United
States.
Local media said Qahwaji met on Thursday with U.S. Central Command Commander
David Petraeus and the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral
Michael Mullen, who held a dinner banquet in his honor. Qahwaji also met Frank
Ruggiero, Acting Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs, as well as
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman,
who expressed continued support for Lebanon and for the development of its
military capabilities. Beirut, 27 Feb 09, 10:14
Paraguay Speaker in Lebanon to visit Land of His Ancestors
Naharnet/Enrique Salyn Buzarquis, Paraguay's parliament speaker, arrived in
Beirut on Thursday on a week-long official visit.
He was accompanied by his wife, his brother, and a number of MPs, as well as
prominent members of Paraguay's Lebanese community.
The speaker said he was in Beirut for two reasons: to revive ties and boost
trade relations between Lebanon and Paraguay, and to visit the land of his
ancestors.
His family, originally from Jounieh, emigrated to South America several
generations ago. Beirut, 26 Feb 09, 22:02
Moawwad: Why Can Faqih Meddle in Lebanon But Not Bkirki?
Naharnet/Member of March 14 Forces' General Secretariat Michel Moawwad on
Thursday wondered why Iran, and not Bkirki, is allowed to interfere in domestic
affairs. "Member of March 14 Forces' General Secretariat Michel Moawwad asked on
Thursday why Iran, and not Bkirki, is allowed to interfere in domestic affairs.
"Is the Faqih rule allowed to meddle in Lebanese affairs… while Bkirki is not
allowed to interfere in politics?" Moawwad asked. His remarks came following a
meeting with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Maarab. Regarding the
participation of Lebanon's Diaspora in upcoming parliamentary elections, Moawwad
asked: "Are immigrants forbidden from taking part in determining the fate of
their country?""Is (the immigrant) only required to provide his family with
financial support? Would he be convicted if he returns to Lebanon to vote?"
Moawwad argued. Beirut, 26 Feb 09, 21:06
Abu Jamra Finally Gets an Office
Naharnet/Deputy Prime Minister Issam Abu Jamra finally got an office at the
cabinet's former headquarters in the Beirut Museum area.
"This will be in the newspaper headlines," Abu Jamra said after Thursday's
cabinet session.Since the formation of the government, Abu Jamra called for the
establishing of his own office at the Grand Serail to keep an eye on Premier
Fouad Saniora. An Nahar daily quoted a cabinet minister as saying the office's
new location will become the deputy premier's "kingdom."Abu Jamra told Naharnet
in August last year that he is interested in increasing the powers of his post
in order to preserve its relevance and authority. He also revealed that he had
turned down a proposal by Saniora to rent property outside the Grand Serail, and
insisted on establishing offices at the government headquarters. Abu Jamra had
threatened to quit his post if his demands were not met. Beirut, 27 Feb 09,
10:02
Syria upbeat after first senior talks of Obama term
WASHINGTON (AFP) — Syria sounded upbeat Thursday after holding its first
high-level talks with the United States since President Barack Obama took
office, saying the "very constructive meeting" will pave the way for more.
Ambassador Imad Mustafa told reporters that he discussed "the way forward"
between the two countries at his meeting Thursday in Washington with Jeffrey
Feltman, the acting assistant secretary of state for the Middle East.
US-Syrian ties were especially tense during president George W. Bush's
administration which accused Damascus of supporting terrorism.
"I think that was a very constructive meeting based on the desire of the United
States of America to engage with the rest of the world, based on what President
Obama has coined as a 'dialog with respect'," Mustafa said.
"We believe that this meeting has explored possibilities that we see with the US
to engage seriously on a diplomatic and political level, and also to discuss all
the mutual concerns of both parties," the envoy said.
"We think this is a first step and we believe there will be many further
meetings. We were discussing things in depth about issues and the way forward,
the vision of the relations between the two countries," he added.
The State Department said in a statement Wednesday that the two diplomats would
discuss US concerns over Syrian links to terrorism and other issues.
"There remain key differences between our two governments, including our
concerns about Syria's support to terrorist groups and networks, Syria's
acquisition of nuclear and non-conventional weaponry, interference in Lebanon
and worsening human rights situation," it said.
"This meeting is an opportunity to use dialogue to discuss these concerns."
Official Syrian sources said that Mustafa had been invited by the State
Department to the talks with Feltman, a former US ambassador to Lebanon.
The meeting was the highest level of direct contact between Damascus and the US
administration since Obama took office in January pledging a fresh approach to
the Middle East and offering dialogue with states such as Iran and Syria that
had been shunned under Bush.
However, this month alone, three separate US Congressional delegations visited
Syria, including a team headed by former US presidential candidate John Kerry,
now the head of the Senate's powerful foreign relations committee.
The Bush administration repeatedly accused Damascus of turning a blind eye to
the arming and funding of insurgents in neighboring Iraq and of supporting
terrorism.
Washington withdrew its ambassador from Damascus after the February 2005
assassination of Lebanese ex-premier Rafiq Hariri in a car bombing widely blamed
on Syria. Damascus has denied any involvement
No more king of the mountain?
By Aluf Benn / Haarewtz 27/02/09
U.S. President Barack Obama wants to create a new order in the Middle East, one
based on diplomacy and dialogue, not on boycotts and bombs. Israel wants to
shatter the threatening "axis of evil," which is headquartered in Iran and has
branches in Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, and is opposed to withdrawal from
the territories. Syria wants to improve its relations with the United States and
strengthen its control of Lebanon, without bowing to Israel.
Is there a formula that can satisfy Israel, Syria and Obama's United States? Is
there any point in trying to move ahead on the Syrian track, after prolonged
stagnation and all the disappointments and failures?
Close associates of prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu are tossing
around the idea of an interim agreement between Israel and Syria, in which the
two countries would declare a "state of non-belligerence" in return for an
Israeli withdrawal from a small part of the Golan Heights.
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On the eve of the election, while visiting the Golan and planting a tree for Tu
Bishvat (Hebrew Arbor Day), Netanyahu declared that, "Gamla will not fall again"
and "the Golan will remain in our hands." According to him, "For 35 years this
has been the quietest border we have because we are on the Golan, not below it."
On other occasions, he has declared that withdrawal from the Heights would turn
it into "an Iranian base." He sees the indirect negotiations Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert conducted with the Syrians as having offered concessions without
recompense, as a useless move that served only to extricate Syrian President
Bashar Assad from international isolation. An agreement that would include only
a limited withdrawal, however, in which Israel would "remain on the Golan," does
not contradict Netanyahu's principles.
All efforts to achieve peace between Syria and Israel since the 1991 Madrid
peace conference have been based on the same formula: Israeli withdrawal from
all of the Golan Heights in return for peace, normalization of relations, and
security arrangements that would distance the Syrian army from the border and
would afford Israel early-warning intelligence.
That formula seemed simple, in comparison with the complex negotiations with the
Palestinians. In the Syrian track, there is no doubt that "there is a partner,"
one that is capable of making and following up on decisions. Furthermore, there
are no fraught emotional and religious issues with the Golan, unlike the
situation with the Palestinians, with thorny issues such as Jerusalem, the
refugees and the Jewish settlements that have been built on biblical sites in
the West Bank. The strategic benefit of the accommodation with Syria also seemed
obvious: Shifting that country from the "resistance camp" into the group of
moderate nations in the region would once and for all obviate the danger of "the
big war" between Israel and its neighbors, and would also afford Syria an
opportunity for modernization and economic development.
Nevertheless, all efforts to achieve a settlement have come to naught. Six
Israeli prime ministers have negotiated directly or indirectly with Syrian
presidents Hafez Assad and his son Bashar: Yitzhak Shamir, Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon
Peres, Netanyahu, Ehud Barak and Olmert. Only prime minister Ariel Sharon did
not want to enter into talks. With the exception of Shamir, all agreed in
principle to withdrawal from the Golan; indeed, in Barak's day, the dispute over
the border boiled down to a 200-meter-wide strip. But the gap was never closed.
The common denominator of all the failed attempts was that both sides hesitated
to take the final step that would burst through the psychological barriers, but
also put them in great political danger. Israel refused to withdraw to the line
that the Syrians demanded, which would have given them control of the
northeastern shore of Lake Kinneret. Damascus refused normalization measures and
public diplomacy, which might have softened Israeli opposition to a withdrawal.
In 1998, Netanyahu held secret negotiations with Hafez Assad, while seeking a
route that would bypass talks with the Palestinians. There is disagreement
concerning the proposals he conveyed to Assad via his envoy, American
businessman Ronald Lauder. Netanyahu and his aides say he received Syria's
agreement to allow Israel to remain on the "cliff line" (overlooking the Hula
Valley), though this too would necessitate evacuation of all Israeli settlements
on the Golan.
Associates of Barak, who succeeded Netanyahu in the Prime Minister's Office and
saw the relevant documents, assert that Netanyahu was more generous, and that he
proposed that the border with Syria be drawn "on the basis of the international
boundary and the 1967 lines" - a rather vague formulation that leaves a lot of
wiggle room for both sides.
According to both versions, Assad asked to see a map, Netanyahu refused, and the
negotiations thus ended inconclusively. Their talks were not publicized, and
came to light only on the eve of the 1999 election, in the television debate
between Netanyahu and the defense minister he had dismissed, Yitzhak Mordechai
(at the time also a candidate for prime minister), who said to him, "Bibi, look
me straight in the eye," in reaction to Netanyahu's response to a question about
the Golan. The details came to light only after Netanyahu fell from power. It is
clear that despite his declarations, however, he was prepared for a significant
withdrawal from the Golan in return for necessary security accommodations.
In the latest attempt to negotiate with Damascus, during Olmert's tenure, the
two sides made do with indirect exchanges via Turkey. The efforts reached a peak
during Olmert's visit to Ankara just prior to the start of Operation Cast Lead,
when his counterpart, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, spoke to
Bashar Assad by phone and tried to figure out a formula for direct talks.
Erdogan claims that he nearly succeeded, but the operation in the Gaza Strip
ruined those chances.
Olmert sought a Syrian commitment to cool relations with Iran and to end its
support of Hezbollah and Hamas. The Syrians refused, hinting that, at most, this
stipulation could be an indirect result of an agreement, but not a precondition.
An interim agreement would bypass the obstacles that thwarted negotiations in
the past, without breaking the basic rules of the Israeli-Arab peace process.
Each side would simply postpone making its maximum demands and make do with
less. Israel would, for the meantime, give up "the plate of hummus in Damascus"
and the Syrians would give up "wading in Lake Kinneret."
Ground rules
How would such an arrangement look on the ground? Israel would withdraw from all
or some of the Druze villages in the northern Golan. Syria could then claim it
was repatriating citizens "liberated from the Israeli occupation," after having
encouraged them "to resist" in recent years. The apples grown by the Druze would
be transported to markets in Damascus without having to pass through United
Nations checkposts, and without Red Cross mediation, as is presently required.
To add to the credibility of the Israeli withdrawal, perhaps the possibility of
evacuating a Jewish settlement or two would be considered. This would be harder
for the right-wing parties to digest. Mount Hermon and its early-warning
apparatus would remain under Israeli control, and the territory Syria would
receive would be entirely demilitarized, the way Quneitra has been since Israel
withdrew from it, in 1974. Israel would certainly offer citizenship to those
Golan Druze who might prefer to remain within its territory.
According to Central Bureau of Statistics data from September 2008, there are
40,000 people living on the Golan Heights: 21,500 Druze in four villages (9,300
in Majdal Shams), and 18,500 Jews (6,500 in Katzrin and the rest in the 31
settlements of the Golan regional council).
The entire area is located in sovereign Israeli territory under the Golan
Heights Law of 1981, but Israel has desisted from implementing some large-scale
development and settlement plans, apparently because the idea of withdrawal is
discussed every few years. There are no diplomatic pressures on Israel to
"freeze the settlements on the Golan." The annual rate of population growth in
the regional council, according to the CBS, is 3.6 percent - higher than the
national average. This amounts to several hundred people, and in a peripheral
area where there are few jobs.
The Golan Referendum Law of 1999 requires a majority of 61 Knesset members to
agree to any concession involving sovereign Israeli territory, and confirmation
of such a decision by national referendum, in accordance with rules that were to
be established in separate legislation (which has not completed to this day).
However, it can be assumed that if Netanyahu agrees to an interim arrangement,
he will obtain a majority for it in the Knesset, with the help of the left-wing
parties - as prime minister Menachem Begin did for the withdrawal from Sinai,
and Sharon did for the pullout from Gaza.
Achievement of an interim agreement and its success would depend on Syria's
willingness to distance itself from its "natural partners" in Iran, Lebanon and
the Palestinian organizations, and to relinquish its central position in the
"resistance camp" vis-a-vis Israel. It also would depend on the willingness of
the United States to offer Syria sweeteners, in the form of recognition of its
status in Lebanon, seeing to the closing of the international investigation of
Syrian involvement in the murder of the former prime minister Rafik Hariri, and
provision of economic aid.
Such a move has a clear precedent: the 1975 Israeli-Egyptian interim accord, in
which the two countries initially agreed that the conflict between them, and in
the entire Middle East, would not be resolved by military force, but rather via
peaceful methods. They also affirmed they were "determined to reach a final and
just peace settlement." Israel withdrew from key strategic points in Sinai - the
Mitla and Gidi passes, which control the routes to the Suez Canal, and the Abu
Rodeis oil field. Security arrangements were made in the evacuated areas, among
them an important early-warning station operated by American crews (a precedent
suggested later vis-a-vis Mount Hermon, in negotiations with Syria).
Ford's 'reevaluation'
The interim agreement was a natural continuation of the 1974 separation of
forces agreements that ended the Yom Kippur War in Sinai and the Golan Heights,
and included a small-scale Israeli withdrawal (from the Suez Canal and from
Quneitra) and security arrangements, but no political requirements. The
negotiations that preceded the agreement with Egypt were indirect, and carried
out via the shuttle diplomacy of then-U.S. secretary of state Henry Kissinger.
The negotiations were difficult and circuitous, and spurred a severe crisis in
relations between Israel and the United States, when Kissinger announced a
"reevaluation" of America's policy in the Middle East as punishment for Israel's
intractability. Prime minister Yizhak Rabin had difficulty dealing with his
defense minister, Shimon Peres, who represented the hawkish line in the
government. The right, headed by opposition leader Menachem Begin and the Gush
Emunim settler organization, led the protest against the agreement, which
involved insulting remarks about Kissinger (who was described as a traitor to
the Jewish people).
The disappointment in Israel was profound. Even Haaretz reporters Matti Golan
and Dan Margalit, who wrote a detailed postmortem about the negotiations and the
agreement, lamented that, "Egypt received nearly everything it wanted, at a
minimal price. The passes and Abu Rodeis are gone - and there is no trace of the
cancellation of the state of war or elements that bring this cancellation any
closer or advance a state of peace."
The accord effectively moved Egypt from the Soviet bloc into the U.S. camp, and
the Soviet Union punished Egypt by canceling outstanding arms deals. From
Israel's perspective, as well, the 1975 agreement presaged a step up in U.S.
military aid and strategic cooperation, which was especially important to Rabin.
One of the sweeteners then-president Gerald Ford offered Rabin at the time was
described in a famous letter, where he promised that the United States would
"give great weight to Israel's position that any peace agreement with Syria must
be predicated on Israel remaining on the Golan Heights." In his second term as
prime minister, Rabin went back to the idea of drafting interim accords as a
prologue to peace. He obtained such an agreement from Jordan's King Hussein (the
Washington Declaration), in which the two undertook to end the state of war
between their countries, a few months before a final agreement was cemented, in
October of 1994.
When the negotiations with the Syrians stalled, Rabin brought up the idea of "Majdal
Shams first" as an interim step. However, Hafez Assad would not hear of it, and
reminded the Americans of "how Kissinger had deceived him" when luring him into
believing, in 1974, that after the separation of forces agreement, he would
eventually be given all of the Golan.
Prof. Eyal Zisser, head of the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African
Studies at Tel Aviv University, believes that the younger Assad, like his
father, will also refuse a partial deal. He thinks Bashar Assad will not be
willing to give up the alliance with Iran, and at most would want to improve
relations with the West while maintaining a close connection to Tehran. In
Assad's view, there is no justification for interim measures that would only
perpetuate and legitimate the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights. Syria
would agree to taking the big step toward rapprochement with Israel only if it
receives in return a full withdrawal to the lines of June 4, 1967.
Maj. Gen. (res.) Uri Saguy - who as head of Military Intelligence identified a
turnaround in Syria's position and a willingness to make peace with Israel, and
was involved in talks with Damascus and in other unofficial contacts - is also
not enthusiastic about an interim agreement on the Golan. Saguy believes that a
peace agreement with the Syrians is possible today, and finds it hard to see how
Israel would benefit from a partial move. Such a move would be difficult to push
through politically, because the public would prefer to support a comprehensive
package including normalization, he observes.
In a situation, though, in which regional diplomacy is focusing on restraining
Iran's mounting strength, and in which Israel will have a government that has
reservations about a comprehensive withdrawal from the Golan, an interim
agreement might be "the third way" that would reduce the danger of a
conflagration and create a platform for progress. Especially in light of the
fact that the comprehensive track has been tried again and again - and has
always failed.
"Moderate" Egypt Imitates Saudi
Arabian Extremism
Six Egyptian Christians Sentenced to Three Years Imprisonment for Not Observing
Islamic Holiday
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Avenue NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006-1846
www.persecution.org /
e-mail: icc@persecution.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Jonathan Racho, Regional Manager for Africa
1-800-422-5441, jonathan@persecution.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 26, 2009) International Christian Concern (ICC) has
learned that Egyptian authorities recently sentenced six Christian brothers to
three years in prison for opening their café during the Muslim fasting season of
Ramadan last September.
Egyptian authorities raided the family-owned café and assaulted the Christians
before arresting them for violating the Islamic holiday and "resisting and
assaulting the authorities."
"The attack was unprovoked and motivated by religious zeal on the side of the
Muslim members of the police force, and was video-taped," according to a report
by the United Copts of the Great Britain. Despite viewing this video evidence,
the judge ignored the unlawful actions of the police and sentenced the brothers
to three years of imprisonment with hard labor. The video can be viewed here:
[http://www.unitedcopts.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3314&Itemid=1]
The decision to detain Christians for running their business in the month of
Ramadan is unprecedented in Egypt. Though Egypt claims to be a moderate Islamic
country, their decision in this case actually follows the principles of the
radical brand of Wahhabi Islam that is enforced by the Saudi Arabian government.
The brothers have appealed their case but they still remain in custody
ICC’s Regional for Africa, Jonathan Racho, stated, “It is outrageous that the
Egyptian authorities punish Christians for violating an Islamic holiday. It is
unacceptable for Egyptian authorities to expect Christians to observe Ramadan.
This case is a clear example of the systematic and growing discrimination
Egyptian Christians face with the further radicalization of Muslims in Egypt. We
call upon the Egyptian authorities to immediately release these Christians.”
Egypt is a major recipient of foreign aid from the United States. US officials
must pressure the Egyptian government to release the six Christians who are
unjustly imprisoned.
Please call the Egyptian embassies in your countries and politely ask the
Egyptian officials to release the Christians. Please pray for the safety and
release of the brothers.
Country Phone Fax E-mail
USA 202 895 5400 202 244 4319 embassy@egyptembassy.net
Canada (613 )234-4931 (613)234-4398 egyptemb@sympatico.ca, egypt4931@rogers.com
UK 020 7235 9777 020 7235 6562 info@egyptianconsulate.co.uk
Australia (00612) 6273 4437-6273 4438 (00612) 6273 4279 egyembassy@bigpond.com
Germany 49 40 413326 49 40 413326
CHRONOLOGY: Events in Lebanon surrounding the killing of Rafik Hariri
Posted : Fri, 27 Feb 2009
Author : DPA
Middle East World News | Home
Beirut More than four years after the February 2005 assassination of former
prime minister Rafik Hariri, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced that the
Special Tribunal for Lebanon would begin functioning on March 1, 2009 in The
Hague. Following is a list of political events in Lebanon shortly before Hariri
was assassinated and after.
- August 26, 2004: Rafik Hariri meets in Damascus with Syrian President Bashar
Assad to discuss the extension of the term of President Emile Lahoud, a strong
ally of Syria, and Hariris staunch critic. According to sources close to Hariri,
the meeting with Assad was stormy and it was reported that Assad told the
Lebanese premier if you do not extend for Lahoud, Lebanon will fall on your
head."
- September 2, 2004: the United Nations Security Council adopts resolution 1559
concerning the situation in the Middle East, calling for the withdrawal of all
foreign forces from Lebanon - meaning Syrian troops.
- September 3, 2004: Under pressure from the Syrian regime, Rafik Hariri's bloc
approves the extension law for President Lahoud.
- September 3, 2004: The Lebanese parliament adopts the extension law for
President Lahoud and forwards it to the Lebanese government for execution.
- September 7, 2004: Economy Minister Marwan Hamadeh, Culture Minister Ghazi
Aridi, Minister of Refugee Affairs Abdullah Farhat and Environment Minister
Fares Boueiz, resign from the cabinet in protest at the constitutional amendment
extending Lahoud's term.
- September 9, 2004: Prime Minister Rafik Hariri indicates to journalists that
he will resign from government in a move to show his protest against the
extension of the term of Lahoud.
- October 1, 2004: Assassination attempt on Marwan Hamadeh, in Beirut, Lebanon.
- October 4, 2004: Rafik Hariri resigns as prime minister.
- October 11, 2004: Syrian President Bashar Assad delivers a speech condemning
his critics within Lebanon and the United Nations.
- October 19, 2004: United Nations Security Council expresses concern that
resolution 1559 has not been implemented.
- October 20, 2004: President Lahoud accepts Hariri's resignation and names Omar
Karami to form a new government.
- February 14, 2005: Rafik Hariri and 20 other individuals are killed in a
massive blast in a seafront area of central Beirut.
- February 25, 2005: The United Nations Fact-Finding Mission arrives in Lebanon.
- February 28, 2005: Pro-Syrian Prime Minister Omar Karami resigns.
- March 14, 2005: A Christian/Sunni-led demonstration demands the withdrawal of
Syrian troops and the arrest of the chief of the security and intelligence
services.
- March 25, 2005: the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission issues its report in
New York.
- April 7, 2005: The Security Council forms the United Nations International
Independent Investigation Commission into the assassination of Rafik Hariri and
20 others on 14 February 2005.
- April 26, 2005: The last Syrian troops leave Lebanon ending a 29- year
military presence.
- April 26, 2005: The United Nations Verification Mission starts its mission to
verify the complete withdrawal of Syrian military and intelligence agents from
Lebanon and its full compliance with resolution 1559.
- May 30, 2005: First round of elections held. The Rafik Hariri Martyr List, a
coalition of Saad Hariri's Future Movement, won the majority of the seats in
parliament.
- June 2, 2005: Journalist Samir Kassir is killed when his car explodes in east
Beirut.
- June 16, 2005: UN investigation into Hariri's killing starts.
- June 21, 2005: Former Lebanese Communist Party leader George Hawi is killed
when his car explodes close to his home in Muslim West Beirut.
- June 30, 2005: Fouad Seniora, former finance minister under Rafik Hariri,
forms a new government composed of 23 ministers.
- July 12, 2005: Defence Minister Elias Murr is wounded and two other people are
killed in a car bomb attack in Beirut.
- September 25, 2005: A car bomb injures prominent news anchor, May Chidiac, in
north Beirut.
- October 20, 2005: UN investigators say high-ranking Syrian officials and their
Lebanese allies were involved in Hariri's killing, in a report to UN Security
Council. Syria denies it.
- December 12, 2005:Jubran Tueni, anti-Syrian member of parliament and Lebanese
newspaper magnate, is killed by a car bomb near Beirut.
- July 12, 2006: Hezbollah captures two Israeli soldiers in cross- border raid,
setting off 34-day war in which some 1,200 people in Lebanon and 158 Israelis
were killed.
- November 11, 2006: Five pro-Syrian Shi'ite Muslim ministers from Hezbollah and
its ally, the Amal movement, resign after collapse of all-party talks on giving
their camp more say in government.
- November 21, 2006: Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel is killed by gunmen. UN
Security Council approves plans for tribunal to try suspects in assassination of
Hariri and subsequent attacks.
- December 1, 2006: Hezbollah, Amal and supporters of Christian leader Michel
Aoun camp outside Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's office in central Beirut in
open-ended campaign to topple government.
- March 8/9, 2007: Talks between parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, also leader of
the opposition Amal movement, and majority leader Saad Hariri to solve the
four-month-old power struggle, end without agreement.
- May 17, 2007: The United States, France and Britain circulate a draft UN
resolution that would unilaterally establish a tribunal to try suspects in the
2005 Hariri murder.
- May 20, 2007: Lebanon's army battle Fatah al-Islam militants accused of
robbing a bank a day earlier. The ensuing clashes kill thirteen soldiers and 19
militants.
- June 13, 2007: Anti-Syrian parliamentarian Walid Eido and five other people
killed by a car bomb near a Beirut beach club.
- September2, 2007: Lebanese troops seize complete control of Nahr al-Bared camp
after months of fighting which kills over 300 people in the worst internal
violence since the civil war.
- September 19, 2007: Car bomb in Beirut kills seven people, including
Anti-Syrian Christian lawmaker Antoine Ghanem.
- November 10, 2007: Parliament postpones a presidential election in a bid to
break a deadlock over a consensus candidate and end the political crisis. France
leads mediation efforts to reach agreement on a presidential candidate.
- November 20, 2007: - Lebanese army tightens security in Beirut as parliament
session meets to elect a successor to Lahoud, delayed for two days to Nov. 23.
- November 23, 2007: Parliament postpones vote again after rival leaders failed
to agree on candidate. New session set for November 30. Lahoud leaves
presidential palace causing a power vacuum in Lebanon. Prime Minister Fouad
Siniora says his cabinet will assume powers of presidency.
- December 12, 2007: Car bomb kills General Francois al-Hajj, who had been
tipped to become army chief.
- January 25, 2008: Captain Wissam Eid killed in a bomb blast. Eid was
responsible for a security branch analyzing sensitive data (phone calls..etc)
that could prove to be used as evidence in the international tribunal.
- May 8-13, 2008: At least 80 people are killed in clashes between Hezbollah and
pro-government factions, sparking fears of civil war.
- May 25, 2008: Parliament elects army chief Michel Suleiman as president,
ending six-month-long political deadlock.
- May 28, 2008: President Suleiman reappoints Fouad Siniora as prime minister,
entrusting to him the task of forming new unity government.
- July 11, 2008: Political leaders reach agreement on make-up of national unity
government.
- July 12, 2008: President Suleiman meets Syrian President Bashar al- Assad in
Paris. They agree to work towards establishing full diplomatic relations between
their countries.
- October 14, 2008: Lebanon establishes diplomatic relations with Syria for
first time since both countries gained independence in 1940s.
- February 23, 2009: UN Chief investigator in the Hariri case Danielle
Bellamare pays farewell visits to Lebanese leaders before he leaves for The
Hague to launch the UN special tribunal for the Hariri case on March 1st.
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