LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
February 14/2010
Bible Of the
Day
Luke12/49-59" “I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already
kindled. 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am
until it is accomplished! 12:51 Do you think that I have come to give peace in
the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. 12:52 For from now on, there
will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
12:53 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.”
12:54 He said to the multitudes also, “When you see a cloud rising from the
west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it happens. 12:55 When a
south wind blows, you say, ‘There will be a scorching heat,’ and it happens.
12:56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and
the sky, but how is it that you don’t interpret this time? 12:57 Why don’t you
judge for yourselves what is right? 12:58 For when you are going with your
adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from
him, lest perhaps he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the
officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 12:59 I tell you, you will by no
means get out of there, until you have paid the very last penny.”
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Canada Marks Fifth Anniversary
of Hariri Assassination/February
13/10
The
US is right to allow Iran’s regime to hang itself/By
David Ignatius/February
13/10
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for February 13/10
Austria willing to take part in UNIFIL/AFP
US official: We want to boost Syria ties/Ha'aretz
Under Secretary Burns Travel to Lebanon, Syria,
Turkey, and Azerbaijan/US
Department of State
Editor's Notes: If he got it,
would he use it?/Jerusalem
Post
Majority Gears up for Feb. 14 Rally
Amid New Status Quo/Naharnet
Hariri: Only Death Would
Separate Me from March 14 Allies
/Naharnet
Obama Stresses to Hariri
Support for International Tribunal/Naharnet
Aoun in
Mukhtara on Feb. 20/Naharnet
Murr
to Ban: Some Incidents in South Cannot be Compared with Thousands of Israeli
Violations
/Naharnet
Burns in Beirut Next Week/Naharnet
Accused Canadian-Lebanese
Bomber to Face June Extradition Hearing/Naharnet
Qassem: We Will Avenge Mughniyeh's Assassination 'at the Appropriate Time/Naharnet
Franjieh: Our Participation in Aleppo Mass Paved Way for Maronite Church
Expansion/Naharnet
Ban: U.N. Committed to
Uncovering Truth in Hariri Slaying/Naharnet
Fate of Proportional
Representation Unknown Amid Clear Cabinet Divisions over Electoral Reforms/Naharnet
Report: Syria Transfers
Long-Range Fateh-110 Missiles to Hizbullah/Naharnet
Issawi: Tribunal Won't Ignore its Mandate No Matter What/Naharnet
The White House Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
February 12, 2010 Read-out by The Press Secretary on The President's Call with
Prime Minister Hariri of Lebanon
President Obama spoke with Prime Minister Hariri on the morning of February 12,
2010. The President expressed his strong support, and that of the American
people, for the Prime Minister and the Lebanese people as they mark the upcoming
anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. The
President said the American people admire and appreciate the Prime Minister’s
commitment to carrying on his father’s work. The President and Prime Minister
agreed on the importance of supporting the work of the Special Tribunal for
Lebanon to bring those responsible for this terrible crime to justice.
The President emphasized the United States’ continued support for Lebanon’s
sovereignty and independence and said he looks forward to working with Prime
Minister Hariri to advance peace and opportunity in the region. President Obama
and Prime Minister Hariri also discussed bilateral issues on which the United
States and Lebanon are cooperating, including U.S. support for the Lebanese
Armed Forces. The President said the United States remains committed to the full
implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1559, 1680, and 1701, and
affirmed that the United States looks forward to working with Lebanon as a
partner on the United Nations Security Council for the next two years. The
President said he looks forward to meeting with Prime Minister Hariri.
Canada Marks Fifth Anniversary of Hariri
Assassination
http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2010/066.aspx
(No. 66 - February 12, 2010 - 4:45 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement marking the
anniversary of the February 14, 2005, assassination of Rafik Hariri, former
prime minister of Lebanon:
“Rafik Hariri was a courageous and highly respected statesman committed to a
pluralistic and modern Lebanon. We share the Lebanese people’s grief over the
loss of their leader who was tragically murdered five years ago along with 22
others. We extend our sincere sympathies to his son, Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri
and the rest of Rafik Hariri’s family, and to the families of all the victims.
“The Special Tribunal for Lebanon was launched on March 1, 2009. This was an
important sign of the international community’s determination to bring to
justice those responsible for financing, planning, and carrying out this tragic
crime.
“Canada is confident that the Special Tribunal will succeed. We also recognize
that the decisions on whether and when to request indictments remain matters of
prosecutorial discretion. We fully support the work and independence of the
Tribunal.
“Canada also supports the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon, and
encourages the country’s leaders to continue seeking the peaceful resolution of
political differences. Canada continues to call for the full implementation of
UN resolutions aimed at strengthening Lebanon’s democratic development and
guaranteeing its security and sovereignty.”
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Loubier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
Obama Stresses to Hariri Support for International Tribunal
Naharnet/U.S. President Barack Obama Friday told Lebanese Prime Minister Saad
Hariri that he strongly supports bringing to justice the killers of his father,
ex-premier Rafik Hariri, the White House said. Obama gave the assurance in a
telephone call, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, adding the president
also emphasized U.S. support for Lebanon's "sovereignty and independence." The
call came as Lebanon gears up to mark the fifth anniversary of Hariri's
assassination, but also as the United States gets ready to name a new ambassador
to Syria. The previous administration of President George Bush recalled the U.S.
ambassador from Damascus and put relations with Syria on hold in 2005, following
Hariri's killing. His death in a massive bomb blast on the Beirut seafront in
February of that year was widely blamed on Syria although Damascus has denied
any involvement.
"The president said the American people admire and appreciate the prime
minister's commitment to carrying on his father's work," Gibbs said in a
statement.
"The president and prime minister agreed on the importance of supporting the
work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to bring those responsible for this
terrible crime to justice."
An international tribunal based in The Hague was set up by a U.N. Security
Council resolution in 2007 to try suspects in the murder. A U.N. commission of
inquiry initially said it had found evidence to implicate Syrian and Lebanese
intelligence services but there are no suspects in custody. The Obama
administration has already picked its first ambassador to Syria in five years
amid a drive to engage Damascus as part of efforts to promote Arab-Israeli
peace. U.S. officials have said they were waiting to find out whether Syria has
accepted the unnamed nominee.(AFP) Beirut, 13 Feb 10, 09:03
Hariri: Only Death Would Separate Me from March 14 Allies
Naharnet/Premier Saad Hariri has said that a mass rally scheduled for Sunday in
Beirut's Martyrs Square to mark his father's 5th assassination anniversary would
prove that the March 14 forces "still exist."In an interview Friday evening
broadcasted live on MTV and Future TV, Hariri stressed "the popular force of the
March 14 (coalition) still exists." "Sunday is coming," he said. Hariri stressed
that "only death" would separate him from his allies in the March 14 Forces.
Hariri described his visit to Damascus late last year as part of efforts to
build relations between two states and two peoples. "There are positive contacts
with (Syrian) President Bashar Assad" who also wants state-to-state ties. Hariri
said Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat remained a "main ally" to
al-Mustaqbal movement, adding it was his "democratic right" to hold a different
political opinion. Hariri also vowed to follow in his father's footsteps. "Rafik
Hariri opted for the path of coexistence between the Lebanese and was keen on
preserving the unity, stability and development" of the country, he told
visitors Friday. Urging supporters to participate in the downtown event on
Sunday, he said the mass rally "will show that we are keen on continuing Rafik
Hariri's path." Beirut, 13 Feb 10, 10:14
Majority Gears up for Feb. 14 Rally Amid New Status Quo
Naharnet/The March 14 forces are gearing up for the mass rally that will be held
at Martyrs Square on Sunday in commemoration of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's 5th
assassination anniversary.
Sources from Premier Saad Hariri's al-Mustaqbal movement told pan-Arab daily
Asharq al-Awsat that the PM's speech would reflect the new political status quo
– a national unity government headed by him, Arab-Arab reconciliation and a
historic visit he made to Damascus late last year. An Nahar daily also said that
there was a new economic status quo under which the unity government is working
on an economic agenda. While Druze leader Walid Jumblat has decided not to make
any statement this year and participate in the rally as an "ordinary citizen,"
all eyes are turned to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea who once told the
rally that "the enemy is in front of you and the sea is behind you," in
reference to Syria, Asharq al-Awsat's sources said. This year, Geagea will tone
down his rhetoric, they said. When asked what he would say during Hariri's 5th
killing anniversary, Geagea said: "I will say that the objectives remain the
same … and will not change." Former MP and al-Mustaqbal member Mustafa Alloush
told Asharq al-Awsat that Hariri has coordinated with the leaders who will
address the crowds on Sunday. The speeches will not include attacks on Syria
like in previous years, he said. The leaders will stress in their statements
that improvement in relations with Syria should continue and that such progress
couldn't have been achieved without the sacrifices of the March 14 forces,
according to Alloush. The former MP said only Hariri, ex-PM Fouad Saniora,
Geagea and Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel will address the crowds.
Meanwhile, in light of huge crowds which are expected to flock to Martyrs
Square, the Internal Security Forces issued a communique indicating which roads
would be blocked, diverted or cleared from vehicles during Sunday's rally. The
communique also urged Lebanese citizens to abide by the instructions of the ISF,
and by the banners posted to facilitate transportation and prevent traffic jams.
Beirut, 13 Feb 10, 09:32
Aoun in Mukhtara on Feb. 20
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun will visit Progressive
Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat in Mukhtara on February 20, the FPM's media
office announced Saturday.
The visit comes in response to an invitation from Jumblat, the terse statement
said. The two leaders last met in Rabiyeh in January. During a joint press
conference Jumblat said the talks were in the interest of the country and
national unity. Aoun, for his part, said the reconciliation was "aimed at
removing the psychological and social barriers between citizens, after having
removed the natural barriers." Beirut, 13 Feb 10, 12:38
Burns in Beirut Next Week
Naharnet/Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns will visit
Beirut and Damascus mid next week, informed U.S. sources told An Nahar
newspaper.
Burns will discuss with Lebanese and Syrian officials bilateral ties and series
of regional issues such as tensions between Israel and Syria and between the
Jewish state and Lebanon, Iraqi elections and Iran's role in the region. Burns'
stop in Beirut before his visit to Damascus indicates that Washington will
continue in its commitment to Lebanon despite efforts to improve ties with
Syria, the sources said. Beirut, 13 Feb 10, 11:50
Murr to Ban: Some Incidents in South Cannot be Compared with Thousands of
Israeli Violations
Naharnet/Defense Minister Elias Murr rejected in a meeting with U.N. chief Ban
Ki-moon attempts to compare some incidents in southern Lebanon with thousands of
Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace and sovereignty. An Nahar said that Ban
expressed satisfaction with the Lebanese government's commitment to Security
Council resolution 1701. He also lauded the performance of the president and the
prime minister and the role played by the Lebanese army in the area of UNIFIL's
operations. Ban also discussed with Murr "violations of resolution 1701 by the
Lebanese side" referring to the Khirbet Selm, Tair Felsey and Khiam incidents.
However, An Nahar said Murr snapped back by saying that "these incidents cannot
be compared in any form with the thousands of Israeli violations of Lebanese
sovereignty and resolution 1701." The minister told reporters following his
one-hour meeting with Ban that discussions focused on "consolidating the
functions of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL in southern Lebanon."
Murr said that he told Ban Lebanon was committed to 1701 and the army was ready
to cope with the change in UNIFIL's leadership.
1701 "is well implemented and we want it to be implemented in a better way,"
Murr told reporters. He said U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell will visit the
region soon to make another attempt to restart indirect talks between the
Israelis and Palestinians and between Syria and Israel. Asked by An Nahar's
reporter if Mitchell has asked Lebanon to hold indirect negotiations with
Israel, Murr said: "No, never." "Our stance is clear. This issue is not up for
discussion before the Syrian and Palestinian (peace) tracks are over," the
minister said. About U.S. military assistance to Lebanon, Murr said Defense
Secretary Robert Gates has vowed to provide Lebanon with $267 million in
military equipment. "We thank them for that," the minister said. "However, we
all know that there are arms that the U.S. cannot provide us with for several
reasons including the Israeli situation and its ties with Israel," Murr said.
The minister was in Washington for talks with top Obama administration officials
before his trip to New York. Beirut, 13 Feb 10, 11:01
Qassem: We Will Avenge Mughniyeh's Assassination 'at the Appropriate Time'
Naharnet/Hizbullah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed that
"the pledge of (Hizbullah leader) Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to avenge the
assassination of martyr Imad Mughniyeh still stands." "We won't define the time
and place, but we consider that our responsibility is to fulfill the pledge by
the appropriate means and at the appropriate timing," Qassem vowed in an
interview with the Hizbullah-affiliated Al-Intiqad electronic magazine. "The
Zionists believe in our credibility, and we have noticed that they are always
living in the shadow of this apprehension as they are conducting various
measures, threatening, and intimidating in fear that the revenge may happen at a
timing they don't want and with results they can't bear," added Qassem. "Anyhow,
this pledge affected the Zionists, which is an important step. The full results
await, and this is a matter of circumstances and timing, and God willing, they
will take place at the right moment."Mughniyeh was killed on February 12, 2008
by a car bomb blast in the Kfar Suseh neighborhood of Damascus, Syria. He had
been the target of Israeli Mossad assassination attempts since the1990s, but
Israel officially denied being behind the killing. On the other hand, Qassem
ruled out an imminent war with Israel as he reiterated readiness and
preparedness "even if the war starts tomorrow.""Hizbullah will be in a defensive
position and will not be the one to wage an attack or start a war, and the same
thing applies to others: Iran, Syria, and Hamas." Qassem stressed that "Israel
alone decides whether there will be a war in the region or not."As to the
internal political spectrum, Qassem said that the varied points of view do not
affect the consolidation of the opposition over the issue of forming a
commission to abolish political sectarianism. Beirut, 12 Feb 10, 19:30
Report: Syria Transfers Long-Range Fateh-110 Missiles to Hizbullah
Naharnet/Syria reportedly transferred the mobile surface-to-surface Syrian-made
Fateh-110 (range 250km) missile to Hizbullah.
DEBKAfile, a renowned Israeli open source military intelligence website,
reported that Israel warned Syria through at least two diplomatic channels
against Hizbullah using this "lethal weapon," which is capable of "reaching
almost every Israel city." "Syria pulled thewool over Israel's eyes for the
transfer by openly training Hizbullah on the use of SA-2 and SA-6
surface-to-surface missiles," DEBKAfile reported. Israel had warned it would
deem their passage into Lebanon as a major Syrian provocation. "The Fateh-110 is
still more lethal, accurate and dangerous than the SA-2 and SA-3." It weighs
three tons with a half-ton warhead and a range of 250 kilometers. "It is not
deployed in surface batteries but fired from mobile launchers before returning
to the fortified underground silos Hizbullah has sunk in mountain areas across
Lebanon," added the website. These features make the Fateh-110 a very tough
target for Israeli bombers to strike, according to DEBKAfile. Beirut, 12 Feb 10,
16:59