LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
January 05/10
Isaiah 66/14-18:
66/14"You will see it,
and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like the tender
grass: and the hand of Yahweh shall be known toward his servants; and he will
have indignation against his enemies.
66:15 For, behold, Yahweh will come with
fire, and his chariots shall be like the whirlwind; to render his anger with
fierceness, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
66:16 For by fire will Yahweh
execute judgment, and by his sword, on all flesh; and the slain of Yahweh shall
be many.
66:17 “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens,
behind one in the midst, eating pig’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse,
they shall come to an end together,” says Yahweh,
66:18 “For I know their works and their thoughts:
the time comes, that I will gather all nations and languages; and they shall
come, and shall see my glory.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Iran Expands Its Target List/By
TIMOTHY J. GERAGHTY/The Wall Street Journal/January
04/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for January 04/09
Lebanese Passengers Among Citizens
of 14 Nations to Face Tougher Checks on U.S.-bound Flights/Naharnet
New Political Scene after
Jumblat-Wahab Meeting? or the MP Remains a Centrist/Naharnet
Security Situation,
Appointments Under Spotlight as Cabinet Convenes Tuesday/Naharnet
Jumblat: No Alternative to
Power Sharing/Naharnet/Naharnet
Berri Suggests Judicial Committee
on Appointments/Naharnet
Alain Aoun: Appointments Should be
in Harmony with Size of Political Parties in Cabinet/Naharnet
Mustaqbal Minister: No Political
Deal on How to Approach Issue of Appointments/Naharnet
Rayess: Jumblat Keen on Good Ties
with FPM/Naharnet
Hamadeh: It's Not Surprising to Be
alongside Jumblat in Jahliyeh/Naharnet
Rahhal: Jahliyeh Gathering Purely a
Druze Meeting/Naharnet
Chamoun: National Dialogue
Unconstitutional/Naharnet
Suleiman to Sarkozy: Any Tension on
Iran Badly Affects Lebanon/Naharnet
Lebanon not to surrender to threat against
Hezbollah's arms: FM/Xinhua
Mechanic files first civil suit linked to 2nd Lebanon War/Ha'aretz
Starting Monday, overseas passengers on
US-bound flights face 'enhanced screening/Los
Angeles Times
Tougher US air screening for
'terror-prone' countries/BBC News
Jumblatt plans Syria
visit, denounces UNSCR 1559
/Daily Star
Sleiman, Sarkozy stress
need to implement Resolution 1701/Daily
Star
Baroud: Interior
Ministry ready for municipal elections/Daily
Star
Former Premier Hoss
holds talks with Assad/Daily
Star
Sayyed ready to halt
lawsuit for Sleiman or Hariri/Daily
Star
Hamas vows to fight
with Hizbullah in next war/Daily
Star
Maronite bishop accepts
Saudi Arabian apology/Daily
Star
'Psychic' sees 'blood'
at Israel border in 2010/Daily
Star
Foreign parties 'exporting'
extremists to camps: Fatah/Daily
Star
Five wounded in New Year's Eve
celebratory gunfire/Daily
Star
LF, Phalange, Hizbullah
supporters in Zahle brawl/Daily
Star
Tourism, culture ministers pay
visit to Sidon/Daily Star
Skirmish near Tariq al-Jdeideh
wounds four/Daily Star
The year of missed opportunities/Daily
Star
Army rescues seven skiers
trapped in Cedars/Daily
Star
Man confesses to murder of
Austria envoy's housekeeper/AFP
Hamas vows to fight with Hizbullah in next war
Daily Star staff/Monday, January 04, 2010
BEIRUT: Hamas official in Lebanon Ali Baraka vowed on Sunday to fight alongside
Hizbullah in the next Israeli war on Lebanon. “We are guests in Lebanon and our
policy will not change,” Baraka said during a memorial service to mark one week
since the death of two Hamas members in a mysterious explosion in Beirut’s
southern suburbs. “However, we are committed to resisting Israeli occupation”
forces,” he added. “Israel should know that if it launched a new attack against
Lebanon, we will not stand handcuffed. We will face the aggression side by side
with our brethren in Lebanon – be they the resistance, the army, or the people,
to repel the aggression,” Baraka warned. – Naharnet
Lebanese
Passengers Among Citizens of 14 Nations to Face Tougher Checks on U.S.-bound
Flights
Naharnet/U.S. government officials have reportedly said that Lebanon is among 14
"terror linked" nations whose citizens will undergo mandatory enhanced screening
at U.S. airports.
U.S. officials Sunday toughened security measures for all U.S.-bound airline
passengers, and warned those traveling from or via the 14 "state sponsors of
terrorism" and "countries of interest" will undergo the screening. The new
measures came in the wake of the botched Christmas Day bombing of a Northwest
Airlines plane heading from Amsterdam to Detroit which has forced many airports
and airlines to boost already tight security. All passengers flying into the
United States from abroad will be subject to random screening or so-called
"threat-based" screens, the Transport Security Administration (TSA) said in a
statement. But it further mandated that "every individual flying into the U.S.
from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state
sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go
through enhanced screening."
The tough rules go into effect from midnight Sunday (0500 GMT Monday) and follow
the failed plane attack blamed on a 23-year-old Nigerian who had recently
traveled to Yemen to train with al-Qaida. Suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab
reportedly boarded the flight at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport after flying in
from Lagos, Nigeria. Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria are currently the only four
countries designated state sponsors of terrorism by the State Department. But a
senior administration official told Agence France Presse the mandatory stringent
measures, which would include pat-downs and enhanced screening, would apply to
all passengers traveling from or via a total of 14 countries, including
Afghanistan, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. He refused to reveal
the remaining four nations on the list but The New York Times and Washington
Post quoted government officials naming them as Algeria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia
and Iraq. "Passengers holding passports from those nations, or taking flights
that originated or passed through any of them, will be required to undergo
full-body pat downs and will face extra scrutiny of their carry-on bags before
they can board planes to the United States," The New York Times said. Before the
incident took place on Christmas Day, a U.S. Transportation Security
Administration document had already said individuals from several countries,
inducing Lebanon, should be given additional screening.(AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 04
Jan 10, 09:22
New Political Scene after Jumblat-Wahab Meeting? or the MP Remains a Centrist
Naharnet/The meeting between Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat
and Tawheed movement chief Wiam Wahab on Sunday with the attendance of officials
from around the political spectrum raised the specter of new coalitions among
rivals. As Safir quoted sources who attended the talks as saying that the
meeting "reflected the image of a new political scene" that analysts said was
the beginning of cooperation between MPs Michel Aoun, Suleiman Franjieh, Jumblat,
Hizbullah and Amal and al-Mustaqbal movements. The meeting "reflects the true
parliamentary and ministerial majority and the changes that could take place in
the country," the sources said. However, Ad-Diyar daily quoted political sources
as saying that it was too early to discuss about a new coalition deal between
Jumblat and another party. The Druze leader has stressed that he would neither
tilt towards the March 14 coalition nor towards the March 8 forces. Jumblat has
said he remained in a strong alliance with Premier Saad Hariri and stood next to
President Michel Suleiman in his efforts to establish dialogue among different
politicians. The Druze leader told As Safir that he visited al-Jahliyeh to turn
the last pages of May 7 and heal the remaining wounds. Jumblat also noted that
reconciliation in Shweifat is almost complete, unveiling that a large-scale
meeting will be held in the town at 4:00 pm Sunday in the presence of former
Minister Talal Arslan and Hizbullah representatives. The meeting will be
followed by another reconciliation gathering in Deir Qoubel, Jumblat told As
Safir. Beirut, 04 Jan 10, 11:28
Hamadeh: It's Not Surprising to Be alongside Jumblat in Jahliyeh
Naharnet/MP Marwan Hamadeh said Monday efforts have been underway over the past
few months to "restore harmony" among the divided communities within the same
society.
"This was strengthened during yesterday's meeting in Jahliyeh" between Druze
leader Walid Jumblat and former Cabinet Minister Wiam Wahab," Hamadeh said in an
interview with Voice of Lebanon radio station. Hamadeh himself attended the
meeting. "It is not surprising that I went along with Jumblat to eliminate
repercussions of the May 7 events," he said. "There is a big difference between
responding to Wahab's invitation and visiting Damascus," Hamadeh explained. He
said no date has yet been set for Jumblat's visit to Damascus. However, the long
awaited reunion between Jumblat and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun
is scheduled for next week, Hamadeh uncovered. Beirut, 04 Jan 10, 09:02
Security Situation, Appointments Under Spotlight as Cabinet Convenes Tuesday
Naharnet/The government resumes its functions on Tuesday after a three-week
holiday, a period that witnessed a blast in Haret Hreik and behind the scene
discussions on controversial administrative and security appointments. The
cabinet is scheduled to hold a session at the Grand Serail under PM Saad Hariri
on Tuesday afternoon. It has 47 administrative and financial items on its
agenda. Although the adoption of the 2010 state budget will be the cabinet's top
priority this month, An Nahar daily said Monday that the issue of appointments
of 79 state employees has been under the spotlight lately although involved
officials haven't yet reached an understanding on the mechanism to be adopted on
the appointments. The newspaper expected security appointments to be prioritized
because they are less complicated than administrative appointments. During the
session, March 14 ministers are expected to bring up the issue of the mysterious
blast at the Hamas offices in Haret Hreik last month. The explosion has also
brought back into the spotlight the issue of Palestinian arms outside refugee
camps. As for Lebanese-Syrian ties, a ministerial source told al-Liwaa daily
that the premiership sent circulars to cabinet ministers asking them to send
their remarks on agreements and protocols signed between the two countries.
Beirut, 04 Jan 10, 08:20
Berri Suggests Judicial Committee on Appointments
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri said administrative and security "appointments are
a major test for the government" and hoped only qualified people would be
appointed to state institutions "away from power sharing." In remarks published
by An Nahar and As Safir dailies on Monday, Berri proposed the formation of a
committee with 5 or 6 judges as members to choose the administrative state
employees. The committee should later propose the names of the most suitable
candidates to the government, Berri said. The speaker told As Safir that the
administrative appointments should be made as soon as possible to avoid their
negative repercussions on the functions of the state and its ties with the
citizens. He warned "there would be a massacre" if beforehand officials do not
agree on a mechanism to choose the employees. They will then realize the
importance of my proposal to set up the committee on the abolishment of
confessionalism in politics, Berri told As Safir. Beirut, 04 Jan 10, 10:02
Alain Aoun: Appointments Should be in Harmony with Size of Political Parties in
Cabinet
Naharnet/MP Alain Aoun said the Free Patriotic Movement believes that any
agreement among politicians on administrative appointments should take into
consideration the size of political forces in the government. The lawmaker told
As Safir daily in remarks published Monday that FPM leader Michel Aoun says it
is time to adjust the situation of Christians in the Lebanese administration
after the level of Christian representation improved following the amendment of
the electoral law. Christian representation was also strengthened in the cabinet
through the consolidation of partnership, Aoun said. Beirut, 04 Jan 10, 09:39
Mustaqbal Minister: No Political Deal on How to Approach Issue of Appointments
Naharnet/A Mustaqbal movement cabinet minister has described administrative and
security appointments as "delicate" but confirmed reports that there was still
no political agreement on how to approach the issue. The mechanism that should
be adopted to make the appointments is still "mysterious," the minister told As
Safir daily in remarks published Monday.
The official wondered whether the concept of rotation among different
confessions would be adopted in the appointments. The minister also asked
another question, saying: "Are the appointments going to be made in a single
stage or in separate stages?" Beirut, 04 Jan 10, 12:16
Rayess: Jumblat Keen on Good Ties with FPM
Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party spokesman Rami Rayess on Monday said Druze
leader Walid Jumblat was keen to establish "good relations" with Michel Aoun's
Free Patriotic Movement. In an interview with al-Jadeed TV, Rayess said the
longed-for meeting between Jumblat and Aoun will take place "very soon."
"A date for the meeting is currently being discussed," he said, adding that the
reunion will take place in Rabiyeh. Beirut, 04 Jan 10, 12:33
Chamoun: National Dialogue Unconstitutional
Naharnet/National Liberal Party leader Dori Chamoun described as
"unconstitutional" all-party talks which are expected to resume soon at Baabda
Palace "Weapons, title of the national dialogue, should normally be under
Lebanese state control, particularly under the wings of the military
institution, which is not a matter that requires Lebanese dialogue on its fate
outside the framework of Parliament," Chamoun said in remarks published Monday
by the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Anbaa. Chamoun believed that the dialogue
table "abolishes" the role of Parliament and Cabinet at the same time. "On the
long run, it would give it a constitutional character," he added. Beirut, 04 Jan
10, 10:36
Suleiman to Sarkozy: Any Tension on Iran Badly Affects Lebanon
/Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman told his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy
over the weekend that any tension linked to Iran has negative repercussions on
Lebanon, pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported Monday. The newspaper also quoted
Suleiman as telling Sarkozy that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is
the real danger on Lebanon. "This is what I have informed (U.S.) President
Barack Obama about," the Lebanese president told his French counterpart.
Suleiman reiterated to Sarkozy that Hizbullah is committed to calm and Lebanon
was implementation Security Council resolution 1701. "Israel is the one
violating it," al-Hayat quoted him as saying. The president held talks with
Sarkozy at the Elysee palace on Saturday. Both men stressed the importance of
implementing resolution 1701 and improvement of Lebanese-Syrian relations.
Beirut, 04 Jan 10, 12:32
Jumblatt plans Syria visit, denounces UNSCR 1559
By Elias Sakr and Nafez Qawas /Daily Star staff
Monday, January 04, 2010
JAHLIEH: Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader MP Walid Jumblatt said Sunday
he would visit Damascus when the time and circumstances were right for both him
and the Syrian leadership. Jumblatt was one of the major figures of the
parliamentary majority who accused Syria of plotting the assassination of former
Premier Rafik Hariri’s assassination in 2005.
The PSP leader completely broke ties with Syria during the past four years,
after Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon in 2005 due to pressure from UN
Security Council Resolution 1559.
Jumblatt’s statement followed a meeting with Syria’s close ally in Lebanon,
Tawhid Movement leader Wiam Wahhab. The move was part of the PSP leader’s recent
rapprochement with opposition figures, after his withdrawal from the March 14
alliance. The meeting was attended by representatives of the opposition
including Hizbullah MP Ali Ammar and politburo member Mahmoud Qomati, Amal
Movement MP Ali Bazzi and Free Patriotic Movement MP Alain Aoun.
Jumblatt was accompanied by Democratic Gathering bloc MP Marwan Hamade who
accused Syria of attempting to assassinate him during an explosion in Beirut in
2004.
Following the June 7, 2009 elections Jumblatt said his alliance with March 14
was driven by necessity and was no longer viable. The PSP leader also emphasized
the importance of political dialogue among the Lebanese while denouncing UN
Security Council Resolution 1559. Resolution 1559, which calls for the
disarmament of all groups in Lebanon has been at the center of controversial
debate recently, as opposition leaders stress that the resolution was fully
implemented saying that Hizbullah’s weapons were not subject to debate.
“I stressed my commitment to the Taif Accord on December 1, 2004 in France, when
Resolution 1559 was issued,” Jumblatt said. “The meeting aimed to eliminate the
repercussions of the May 7 incidents and will be followed next Sunday by a
meeting with Hizbullah in Chouaifat and with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP
Michel Aoun next week,” Jumblatt said.
On May 7, 2008, bloody clashes broke out between pro-government and opposition
gunmen mainly in the Sunni areas of Beirut before spreading to the Chouf
Mountains to involve Druze supporters of Jumblatt and Hizbullah factions,
following the Cabinet’s decision to dismantle Hizbullah’s telecommunication
network.
The clashes ended with the Doha Accord which led to the election of President
Michel Sleiman and the formation of a national unity cabinet, which granted the
opposition veto power.
The formation of the Cabinet in 2008 followed two years of political stalemate
after the withdrawal of Amal Movement and Hizbullah’s Shiite ministers from the
government and the failure to reach an agreement over the election of a
president following the end of former President Emile Lahoud’s term.
Jumblatt stressed that Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s visit to Damascus was a
major step which benefited Lebanon and underlined the need for special ties with
Damascus in accordance with the Taif Accord. “Jumblatt will visit Damascus since
he speaks righteously while Syria has a big heart,” Wahhab said, adding that
Hariri’s steps toward Syria established the foundations which could promote
strategic ties between both countries. “Syria is our second home and has
historically supported the Druze,”said Wahhab. “Syrian President Bashar Assad
has a special affection for Lebanon and the Druze community and I hope the
relation with Jumblatt returns to the way it was.” Wahhab also voiced
support for the Resistance while hoping that Jumblatt’s understanding with
Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah turned into a strategic
alliance, saying the Tawhid Movement “will be the first to resist in case of
Israeli aggression against Lebanon,”
Sleiman, Sarkozy stress need to implement Resolution 1701
Daily Star staff/Monday, January 04, 2010
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to tackle a series of
pending issues in what is likely to be its first controversial meeting following
its formation. Meanwhile, President Michel Sleiman, who returned from France on
Sunday, is expected to start planning for the national dialogue to be held
starting in March.
Sleiman and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy stressed during talks on
Saturday the need to fully implement UN Security Council resolution 1701 while
highlighting the positive progress in Lebanese-Syrian relations.
Sleiman discussed with Sarkozy Lebanon’s internal problems, bilateral ties and
the latest Mideast peace efforts in a meeting at the presidential Elysee Palace
in Paris.
Sleiman told reporters afterward that Lebanon’s two-year term as a non-permanent
member of the UN Security Council was alo tackled during his meeting with the
French President.
The visit to France was Sleiman’s second since his election. He made a three-day
state visit to France in March.
“Lebanon is interested in fully implementing Resolution 1701,” Sleiman said,
adding that “relations with Syria are very good as Lebanon was looking forward
to improving ties with Syria.”
An-Nahar quoted French presidential sources on Sunday as saying Sleiman’s visit
aimed to seek assurances from Sarkozy that Israel would not launch a war against
Lebanon.
Separately, Foreign Minister Ali Shami said Sunday Lebanon would hold on to its
right to liberate its occupied territory and defend itself against Israeli
aggression.
“The constant threats against the Resistance’s weapons will not lead Lebanon to
surrender its rights to liberate its territories and defend itself against
aggression,” Shami said.
Shami added that the international community should pressure Israel into
implementing Resolution 1701, which put an end to the summer 2006 war with
Israel.
“We hope this New Year leads to the liberation of occupied territories in the
Shebaa Farms, Kfarshouba Hills and the occupied part of the Ghajar village to
regain Lebanese sovereignty over all territories based on Resolution 425,” Shami
said.
Meanwhile, March 14 Christian parties slammed over the weekend Hizbullah’s ties
with Iran, saying the party’s weapons constituted a danger to Lebanon.
Social Affairs Minister and Phalange Party official Selim Sayegh said delay in
reaching an agreement over a national defense strategy would grant Israel a
strong alibi before the international community by portraying Lebanon as a
missile launch pad outside the state’s authority.
Similarly, Lebanese Forces boss Samir Geagea warned on Thursday against an
Israeli war on Lebanon as he slammed Hizbullah for serving Iranian interests and
putting Lebanon in danger given the party’s possession of arms. “What would be
the reasons behind an Israeli unjustified attack against Lebanon if Hizbullah
handed its weapons to the Lebanese Army,” Geagea asked, while noting stability
on the Syrian-Israeli border. On Sunday, Hizbullah MP Nawwaf Moussawi said that
the current Israeli threats and escalation would be faced with more resistance
and an increase in the parties’ capabilities to face Israeli aggression. – The
Daily Star
Baroud: Interior Ministry ready for municipal elections
Daily Star staff/Monday, January 04, 2010
BEIRUT: Interior Minister Ziyad Baroud said Saturday his ministry was ready on
the “logistical level” to carry out the municipal election in the spring but
stressed that the electoral law for those elections ought to be amended for them
to be held. “Certain articles could be amended during a single parliamentary
session to hold elections on time,” he said during a news conference in Tripoli
following a meeting for security apparatuses in the north Lebanon governorate.
Baroud held the conference to announce that security forces have arrested the
members of a major car theft network. He stressed that security forces, in
cooperation with the Lebanese Army, were exerting important security efforts.
Baroud also describing the security situation that Lebanon witnessed on New
Year’s Eve as “exemplary.” Baroud said his ministry was committed to holding the
municipal elections on time, adding that preparations were currently under way
to make sure that elections could be carried out in May 2010 as scheduled.
The minister added that any postponement of scheduled elections would
necessitate the approval of both the Parliament and the Cabinet.
Baroud stressed that he did not possess the authority to force the Cabinet to
hold the municipal elections on the agreed upon date.
“My duty is to prepare for those elections,” he said. In 1998 Lebanon held its
first municipal elections in 35 years. These elections are held every five
years.
According to a recent study by the International Foundation for Electoral System
(IFES), the current electoral system used for electing members of municipal
councils in Lebanon is known as the “bloc vote” system, the same as is used for
parliamentary elections. In a nutshell, the bloc vote system can be used in
multi-member districts, voters have as many votes as there are seats to be
elected, the candidates who win the highest number of votes win, and finally
voters can vote for candidates from different lists or party affiliations.
Political and public debate has now begun to focus on the possibility of
introducing an alternative electoral system for municipal elections. Suggestions
have included introducing proportional representation. The IFES report cites the
electoral dominance by one political group as of the major disadvantages of the
bloc vote system. It adds that the bloc vote system also leads to the dominance
of one group in the municipality, undermining the possibility of accountability
and oversight of council members. The adopted electoral system thus undermines
public confidence in the credibility of the council, it says. As with all
majoritarian systems, the IFES study argues, the bloc vote system has “systemic
limitations in promoting the role of women to be elected,” since no effective
quotas can be imposed. – The Daily Star
Sayyed ready to halt lawsuit for Sleiman or Hariri
Daily Star staff/Monday, January 04, 2010
BEIRUT: Former head of the General Security Department Major General Jamil al-Sayyed
expressed his readiness on Sayyed to withdraw a lawsuit filed in Damascus
against Lebanese officials if President Michel Sleiman or Prime Minister Saad
Hariri personally asked him to do so. In an interview with OTV, Sayyed said he
would withdraw the lawsuit if Sleiman or Hariri asked him to do so in order “to
preserve and inter-Lebanese entente and Lebanese-Syrian rapprochement.” Sayyed
also warned he would sue Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar if the latter
“continues to obstruct the judicial summons” by not informing the Lebanese
politicians, journalists, and security and judicial figures of the Syrian
lawsuit. Sayyed added that following Prime Minister Hariri’s visit to Damascus
last month, he felt it would be appropriate to withdraw the lawsuit, however, he
added that people would probably think that he backed down under Syrian
pressure. – The Daily Star
Maronite bishop accepts Saudi Arabian apology
Newspaper and embassy say sorry for story
Daily Star staff
Monday, January 04, 2010
BEIRUT: Okaz Saudi daily issued an apology to Beirut Maronite Bishop Boulos
Matar on Friday after journalist Abdel Aziz Bartawi criticized him in an article
published by the paper regarding Matar’s sermon on Christmas day. “Bartawi’s
article contradicts the principles and the foundations of the paper and alters
the path of honesty which the paper has adopted and still holds on to,” the
paper said. Matar said the issue with Okaz came to an end after Saudi Ambassador
to Lebanon Ali Assiri and the paper both apologized to him.
“The writer understood in my sermon a call to Christianize [society] despite the
fact that it is not present in the text or any of our other writings,” Matar
said.
The bishop said Bartawi was not aware that the speech was in framework of the
Lebanese domestic situation and did not hold any other meanings.
“We consider that it is a mistake from the writer and was corrected when the
apology was made,” Matar added.
Tackling Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s call on the
Christians to refrain from foreign affiliations, Matar said he was sure
Nasrallah held “deep inside himself respect for Christians.” Sunni Mufti of the
Republic Mohammad Rashid Qabbani and Higher Islamic Shiite Council Deputy Sheikh
Abdel Amir Qabalan condemned the piece and expressed support for Matar during a
phone conversation. Meanwhile, the Christian-Muslim dialogue committee stressed
that the Maronite Church was the cornerstone of national unity in Lebanon.
The committee, which held an urgent meeting at the Bishop’s headquarters in
Beirut after the Okaz story was published, underlined that Matar was entrusted
with conveying a message of national unity and that his Christmas day speech had
reflected his commitment to national coexistence between Christians and Muslims.
“We came to congratulate Bishop Matar on the occasion of Christmas and New Year
and stress that he and the Maronite Church were the backbone of national unity
in Lebanon,” said Mohammad Sammak, general secretary of the Christian-Muslim
dialogue committee .
Sammak added that Lebanon’s pivotal foundations granted its citizens the right
to practice their beliefs openly and freely.
“If there were individuals who do not understand the picture and explain it
differently then it is their problem,” Sammak added.
In a sermon on the occasion of New Year on Friday, Mattar called for a rejection
of violence among the Lebanese, while promoting coexistence and dialogue.
“Every one of us is an essential partner in forming this country … we should not
address each other as Christians and Muslims, but rather as Lebanese with equal
rights and responsibilities toward a nation that embraces us all,” said Matar.
Separately, Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir voiced hope Friday that peace
would reign in Lebanon in 2010, adding that he was optimistic regarding the
positive impact of the recent and also ongoing political reconciliations.
Sfeir’s statements followed a mass at Bkirki on the occasion of New Year during
which he stressed the importance of preserving the environment. Similarly,
Orthodox Bishop Elias Audi said safeguarding the environment was a shared
responsibility between all nations as he urged to promote the use of alternative
energy in Lebanon and expand the country’s green surface. Also as part of the
sermons held to celebrate the New Year, Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim
stressed that President Michel Sleiman would succeed in guaranteeing Lebanon
stability only if all the Lebanese were true in their loyalty to the country. –
The Daily Star
Iran Expands Its Target List
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704152804574628334107697564.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
I was the Marine commander in Beirut in 1983. I've seen these tactics
before..ArticleComments
By TIMOTHY J. GERAGHTY
The Wall Street Journal
04/01/10
The nagging question of the nuclear age has been what if a madman gets hold of
an atomic bomb? That question is about to be answered as Iran's defiance puts it
on a collision course with the West.
On Nov. 4, 2009, Israeli commandos intercepted an Antiguan-flagged ship 100
miles off the Israeli coast. It was carrying hundreds of tons of weapons from
Iran and bound for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Since the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah war,
Iran has rearmed Hezbollah with 40,000 rockets and missiles that will likely
rain on Israeli cities—and even European cities and U.S. military bases in the
Middle East—if Iran is attacked. Our 200,000 troops in 33 bases are vulnerable.
Shortly before this weapons seizure, Hamas test-fired a missile capable of
striking Israel's largest city, Tel Aviv.
Iran is capable of disrupting Persian Gulf shipping lanes, which could cause the
price of oil to surge above $300 a barrel. Iran could also create mayhem in oil
markets by attacking Saudi oil refineries. Moreover, Iran possesses Soviet made
SS-N-22 "Sunburn" supersonic antiship missiles that it could use to contest a
naval blockade.
Iran could unleash suicide bombers in Iraq and Afghanistan or, more ominously,
activate Hezbollah sleeper cells in the U.S. to carry out coordinated attacks
nationwide. FBI, CIA and other U.S. officials have acknowledged in congressional
testimony that Hezbollah has a working partnership with Mexican drug cartels and
has been using cartel smuggling routes to get personnel and contraband into the
U.S.
While Iranian centrifuges continue to produce low-enriched uranium, the mullahs
and their henchmen have been carrying out a campaign of deception. In October
2009, Iran rejected a plan to ship its low-enriched uranium out of country,
primarily to Russia and France, to be highly enriched and then sent back to Iran
for "peaceful medical purposes."
On Nov. 28, 2009, reacting to increased pressure from the International Atomic
Energy Agency, Iran warned it may pull out of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty. This would seriously undermine international attempts to stop Iran's
nuclear weapons program. Two days later, Iran announced plans to build 10 new
nuclear plants within six years.
In another sphere, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Venezuelan
President Hugo Chávez are openly cooperating to "oppose world hegemony," as Mr.
Ahmadinejan has said, while weekly flights between Iran and Venezuela are not
monitored for personnel and cargo. Meanwhile, Russia is building an arms plant
in Venezuela to produce AK-103 automatic rifles and finalizing contracts to send
53 military helicopters to the country.
I have seen this play before. In 1983, I was the Marine commander of the U.S.
Multinational Peacekeeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon. Iran's Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Lebanon contingent trained and equipped
Hezbollah to execute attacks that killed 241 of my men and 58 French
Peacekeepers on Oct. 23, 1983.
Today, Hezbollah directly threatens Israel, destabilizes Lebanon, and undercuts
the Israeli-Palestinian peace accords. Something similar is underway in
Venezuela. Remember Hezbollah used the Beirut truck-bomb model for the attack on
the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires on March 17, 1992 and the July 18, 1994
attack on the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association that killed 85 and wounded
200.
The man directly responsible for those bombings was the commander of the IRGC's
Quds Force, Gen. Ahmad Vahidi. He is listed on Interpol's most wanted list and
was a key operative in the 1983 attacks on peacekeepers in Lebanon. In August
2009, he was named Iran's minister of defense. He succeeded Gen. Mostafa
Mohammad Najjar, who was the commander of the IRGC Lebanon contingent and the
chief organizer of the 1983 Beirut bombings. Both have Beirut peacekeepers'
blood on their hands and are the same key leaders who today are orchestrating
Iranian deception and defiance as they march lock-step toward their ultimate
goal—nuclear weapons.
**Col. Geraghty, USMC (Ret.), is the author of "Peacekeepers at War; Beirut
1983—The Marine Commander Tells His Story" (Potomac Books, 2009).