LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
March 14/2010
Bible Of the
Day
Mark3/1-6: " He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who
had his hand withered. 3:2 They watched him, whether he would heal him on the
Sabbath day, that they might accuse him. 3:3 He said to the man who had his hand
withered, “Stand up.” 3:4 He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to
do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?” But they were silent. 3:5
When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of
their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out,
and his hand was restored as healthy as the other. 3:6 The Pharisees went out,
and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy
him. 3:7 Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples, and a great multitude
followed him from Galilee, from Judea, 3:8 from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond
the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing
what great things he did, came to him. 3:9 He spoke to his disciples that a
little boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they wouldn’t
press on him. 3:10 For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases
pressed on him that they might touch him. 3:11 The unclean spirits, whenever
they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, “You are the Son of God!” 3:12 He
sternly warned them that they should not make him known.".
Question: "Why is "You shall
not covet" in the Ten Commandments?"
Answer: The key to understanding this commandment is in the definition of the
word “covet.” Two different Hebrew words are used in the passages condemning
coveting (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:12), and both mean to lust after or to
long for with great desire. Since the commandments are given as “you shall
not’s,” the desire in this case is for something that is not the property of the
desirer and not rightfully his to long after. In this commandment, the
Israelites are told not to lust after his neighbor’s possessions—his house,
land, ox or donkey, or the people in his life—his wife or servants, both male
and female. The Israelites were not to desire, long for, or set their hearts on
anything that belonged to anyone else.
Whereas several of the commandments prohibit certain actions, such as murder and
theft, this is one of the commandments that addresses the inner person, his
heart and mind. As James 1:15 tells us, the inner person is where sin originates
and in this case, covetousness is the forerunner of all manner of sin, among
them theft, burglary, and embezzlement. At its root, coveting is the result of
envy, a sin which, once it takes root in the heart, leads to worse sins. Jesus
reiterated this very thought in the Sermon on the Mount when He said that lust
in the heart is every bit as sinful as committing adultery (Matthew 5:28). Envy
goes beyond casting a longing glance at the neighbor’s new car. Once dwelled
upon, envy of the neighbor’s possessions can turn to feelings of resentment and
hatred for the neighbor himself. That can turn into resentment against God and
questioning Him: “Why can’t I have what he has, Lord? Don’t you love me enough
to give me what I want?”
God’s reasons for condemning covetousness are good ones. At its very core, envy
is love of self. Envious, selfish citizens are unhappy and discontented
citizens. A society built of such people is a weak one because envious
malcontents, as stated before, will be more likely to commit crimes against one
another, further weakening the societal structure. Furthermore, the New
Testament identifies covetousness as a form of idolatry, a sin which God detests
(Colossians 3:5). In the end, envy and covetousness are Satan’s tools to
distract us from pursuing the only thing that will ever make us happy and
content—God Himself. God’s Word tells us that “godliness with contentment is
great gain” and that we should be content with the basic necessities of life (1
Timothy 6:6-8), because true happiness is not attained by things, but by a
personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. By this alone do we gain
that which is worthy, true, solid, satisfying, and durable—the unsearchable
riches of God’s grace.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Neutrality now, de-confessionalism
later/By: Walid Maalouf/March 11, 10
Pakistani Muslim Man
Allegedly Rapes, Burns Christian Girl to Death/ICC?March 13/10
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for March 13/10
Lebanese-Syrian Quarrel after Security Council Session/Naharnet
Salam questions Cairo Agreement
reference in Syrian letter to Ban/Now
Lebanon
UN worried by war of words between Israel and
Lebanon/Ha'aretz
2 French Peacekeepers
Killed, 3 Injured in Personnel Carrier Accident/Naharnet
Williams Hopes Lebanese Political
Factions Would Agree on National Dialogue Timeframe/Naharnet
Hariri:
Any Regional War Direct Result of International Community Inaction/Naharnet
Christian-Muslim clash in Egypt
injures 24/Reuters
Lebanon to snub Arab League summit: official/AFP
UN plays down risk of renewed Lebanon-Israel strife/AFP
Soueid accuses parties of
portraying Lebanon as unstable/Now Lebanon/Now Lebanon
Geagea: State, army & people It is
a combination no history could tolerate/Now Lebanon
Geagea: Weapons Outside
State Control Sign of Abnormality/Naharnet
Moukheiber says he was never part
of March 8/Now Lebanon
Bazzi says Moussa should
focus on Palestinian cause rather than be distracted/Now Lebanon
Qawouk: Resistance will
not stop enhancing its capabilities/Now Lebanon
March
14 to Unveil Vision on Lebanon's Protection/Naharnet
Special Tribunal for
Lebanon Appoints New Chief of Investigations/Naharnet
Berri Says Possible
Participation in Libya's Arab Summit Challenges Judicial Verdicts Against
Gadhafi/Naharnet
Suleiman Will Not Attend
Arab Summit in Libya/Naharnet
Two Israeli Tanks Cross
Fence at Wazzani Point but Not Blue Line/Naharnet
MP
Hamade slams Rifi media reports/Daily
Star
ISF
adjutant questioned over Franjieh killing/Daily
Star
Linking Lebanon to Iran-Syria axis at heart of dispute - Zahra/Daily
Star
Briton appointed chief of investigations at STL/Daily
Star
Jumblatt to cement exit from March 14 during TV interview Al- will begin to
speak/Daily
Star
Lebanese support on Iran sanctions 'unlikely'/Daily
Star
Tycoon Carlos Slim discusses local projects with Lebanese/Daily
Star
US
rights report: corruption still plagues Lebanon/Daily
Star
Christian-Muslim clash in Egypt injures 24
CAIRO (Reuters) - At least 24 people were injured in northern Egypt in fighting
between Christians and Muslims over land, officials told state media Saturday.
Fires were started during the fighting between Coptic Christians and Muslims in
Marsa Matrouh governorate after Christian villagers built a fence around land
next to a church-run building, the state news agency MENA reported. "Security
was able to control fires that erupted in three homes and two cars," state
governor Ahmed Hussein told Egyptian television. Hussein Fekry, head of security
at the governorate, said Muslim residents of the village objected to the fence
which blocked a main road, MENA reported. Police surrounded the area where the
fighting broke out and the Marsa Matrouh governor asked the priest of El
Shahedeen church to have the fence removed, MENA said. Relations between Egypt's
Muslims and Christians, mainly Copts, are usually calm but can become strained
and sometimes erupt into violence over issues such as inter-faith relationships
and land.Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's roughly 78 million
people. The rest are mostly Sunni Muslim. (Writing by Shaimaa Fayed; Editing by
Charles Dick)
Assyrian
Genocide Recognition Creates Political Crisis in Sweden
3-13-2010 /Assyrian International News Agency
Sweden (AINA) -- The historical decision by the Swedish parliament recognizing
Seyfo as a de facto genocide on Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians is creating a
considerable political crisis in Swedish politics. The issue has dominated the
headlines in Swedish media for several days.The Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik
Reinfeldt, in a taped interview with Afram Barryakoub for Hujĺdĺ, the magazine
of the Assyrian federation in Sweden, said he recognized the genocide one week
before winning the national elections in Sweden in 2006. This fact is set to
create problems between Reinfeldt and his foreign minister, Carl Bildt, one of
the most pro-Turkish European foreign ministers. Bildt has said he will not
consider the decision of the parliament but will do everything he can to avoid
it becoming official Swedish foreign policy (AINA 3-13-2010). The response to
his remarks have come from Hans Linde, the foreign policy spokesman of the Left
Party, who said his party will consider pressing charges against Carl Bildt with
the national constitution committee.
Pakistani Muslim Man Allegedly Rapes, Burns Christian Girl to Death
Pakistani Muslim Man
Allegedly Rapes, Burns Christian Girl to Death/ICC?March 13/10
http://www.persecution.org/suffering/newssummpopup.php?newscode=11923&PHPSESSID=adee26a5768c7ca5da4e08b81ad871d0
Washington, D.C. (March 12,
2010)–International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Pakistani Muslim
man allegedly burned a Christian teenage girl to death in Lahore, Pakistan.
Pakistani police have not yet arrested the suspect and his accomplice.
The victim, Kiran George, had been working as a house servant at the family home
of suspected killer Muhammed Ahmed Raza. Raza repeatedly raped Kiran over the
period of several months. On March 9, when Raza attempted to rape Kiran once
again, she threatened to call the police. Raza and his sister then poured
gasoline on Kiran and set her on fire. “That little girl was caught in flames
from head to toe”, an anonymous neighbor said, “Kiran was shouting for help.”
An eye-witness called Kiran’s family who took her to the Mayo Hospital. Doctors
examined her and said that she had sustained severe burns over eighty percent of
her body.
After battling with the severe burns, Kiran succumbed and died at Mayo Hospital
on March 11.
Her family and the Christian community in the area gathered before Punjab
Assembly Hall and protested the heinous crime committed by the Muslim family.
The protesters also called upon the police to arrest the suspects.
The Muslim family alleged that Kiran suffered the burns after her clothes caught
fire while she was working in their kitchen.
ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, Jonathan Racho, said “We are outraged by
the continuous abuse that Pakistani Christians are suffering at the hands of
Muslims. The failure by the police to arrest the suspects who burned Kiran to
death also shows the total lack of justice for Christians in Pakistan. We call
upon Pakistan to end its discriminatory laws and practices against its Christian
minorities.”
Egyptian Court Acquits Muslim Who Beheaded a Christian
Maech 3, 2010 /By Mary Abdelmassih
(AINA) -- An Egyptian court in the southern city of Assuit acquitted this week
four Muslims accused of killing 61-year-old Farouk Attallah on October 19, 2009.
In broad daylight and in full view of witnesses, the killers fired 31 bullets to
his head before beheading him, in the busy village market place of Attaleen,
near Dairout, 313 kilometers south of Cairo. The dead body was then dragged in
the street, accompanied by shouts of victory. Free Copts website published a
video of the disfigured body (warning, violent graphic content: video).
The judge presiding over the court on February 22, said that he was not
satisfied that the testimony of the witnesses established that the imprisoned
men were the killers. After the acquittal of Mohamad, Ashraf, Osama and Ahmad
Hassouna, there was jubilation in the court room, with shouts of 'Allah is
Great' and congratulations from all Muslims, including members of the state
security forces who were present. Christians were enraged over the acquittal,
since similar cases would result in life imprisonment or execution for a Copt if
the victim was a Muslim.
The verdict came as another wake-up call to many Copts, according to Peter
Sarwat, the plaintiff's attorney. "It sends a clear message that Coptic blood is
extremely cheap." he told Mariam Ragy of Katiba Tibia Coptic site. "This
acquittal will make permanent the present culture of impunity enjoyed by Muslim
aggressors against Copts.". Sarwat said the ruling was inadequate, as it
acquitted the accused but did not say who the perpetrators are. "If these men
did not kill, so who killed? The ruling should have referred the case to the
general prosecution to present the perpetrators." The Court based its ruling on
quasi non existent proof, as well as the absence of "positive evidence"
testimony versus the presence of "negative evidence" testimony. "The judge
refused to take into consideration the testimonies of the dead man's daughter
who said she only saw one killer and not four, as well as the testimony of the
Muslim man who was wounded in the shootings," said Sarwat.
According to media reports, most people who witnessed the shootings in the
market place refused to come forward for fear of vengeance from the assailants'
family. There were false witnesses who confirmed that the killers were present
at work. "It is not enough to get a conviction based only on police reports
which are full of legal loopholes and weak prosecution investigations," said
Sarwat. Legal observers have always claimed that the police purposely deliver to
prosecution reports full of inadequacies and loopholes, thereby getting from the
courts acquittals for Muslims. What prompted the killing of Farouk Attallah was
an alleged illicit sexual relationship between his son Romany and a local Muslim
girl, Hagger Hassouna. A rumor that intimate photos of Hagger together with her
lover Romany were circulating on cell phones in Dairout lead four members of the
Hassona family to kill Romany's father, after failing to locate his son, who had
fled. Besides the killing of Farouk Attallah, the arrest of the Hassouna
perpetrators sparked on October 24, 2009, Muslim riots and collective punishment
against all Copts in Dairout. Christian-owned shops, pharmacies, and homes were
looted and burned (AINA 10-27-2009).
Although several hundreds Muslims participated in those riots, the police only
detained 19, and these were acquitted on December 13, 2009 because of the lack
of eyewitnesses and conflicting statements between the accused and the victims.
The majority of Copts believe the reason for the acquittal of Muslims is that
although Egypt claims to be a secular state, in reality it applies the Sharia
law which dictates .that a Muslim who kills a non-Muslim must not be killed,
because it is not reasonable to equate a Muslim with a "polytheist" (a
Christian). Commenting on the acquittal, Dr. Naguib Gobraeel, President of the
Egyptian Union of Human Rights, said: "What is the solution? The same happened
with regards to Al-Kosheh Massacre [21 Copts were slaughtered in 2000 and not
one Muslim was indicted], the attack on the Copts in Alexandria were blamed on a
mentally unstable person; even the assailant who beheaded Abdo Goerge Younan in
Menoufiah is now in a mental hospital [AINA 9-21-2009]. Heavenly Justice is our
last resourt." He stated that he will appeal this week's verdict.
The victim's family was greatly shocked and saddened by the acquittal. "In spite
of the blood of their slain family head filling the street, the Muslim killers
got away literally with murder," Sarwat said "It just shows how cheap Coptic
blood can be." Sarwat asserted that he will appeal the ruling. "We cannot remain
silent over this verdict as it has very serious implications for all Copts in
Egypt." He added: "It is not safe for Copts now, as any Muslims who wants to get
rid of a Copt, would kill him, knowing well that in the end he will be
acquitted."
UN worried by war of words between Israel and Lebanon
By Reuters /Last update - 12/03/2010
A recent wave of bellicose rhetoric between Israel and Lebanon has fueled fears
the two hostile neighbors could be headed for another conflict, the UN special
coordinator for Lebanon said on Friday.
Exchanges of threats between Israel and neighboring Lebanon "have generated
concerns of a renewed confrontation," Michael Williams told reporters after
briefing the 15-nation Security Council on compliance with resolution 1701,
which called for an end to Israel's war against Hezbollah in the summer of 2006.
"This rhetoric and brinkmanship contravenes the very spirit of 1701 and is
utterly unhelpful," he said. "I have called, and still call, on all relevant
parties to desist from inflammatory statements." Williams said that Israeli and
Lebanese officials have told him privately that they remain committed to peace.
Lebanese and Syrian officials have been accusing Israel of pushing for a new war
in the Middle East against the backdrop of an Iranian nuclear program that
Israel considers a threat to its very survival. Iran rejects Israeli and Western
allegations that its nuclear program is a covert plan to acquire an atomic
weapons capability. The oil-producing nation says its nuclear ambitions are
limited to the peaceful generation of electricity. Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this year that Israel was not planning any
imminent attack on Lebanon, from where Hezbollah launched some 4,000 rockets at
it during a 34-day war in 2006. Defense Minister Ehud Barak, said recently that
Hezbollah now has some 45,000 missiles and rockets in Lebanon, higher than
previous estimates. "We don't need this conflict but if it is imposed upon us,
we will not run after every individual terrorist but we will take... the
Lebanese government and the Lebanese infrastructure as part of the equation
facing us," he said.
Violations
The leader of the Lebanese militant guerrilla group Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan
Nasrallah, said last month that his Shi'ite organization would hit Israel's Ben
Gurion airport if the Israel once again attacked Beirut's international airport
in any future war. Hezbollah, a Shi'ite Islamist group backed by Syria and Iran,
is in Lebanon's government. Lebanese authorities have also complained about
Israeli espionage in Lebanon and have arrested dozens of people on suspicion of
spying for Israel. The 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah broke out after the
group captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid. Some 1,200 people in
Lebanon, mostly civilians, were killed and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers, died.
Williams said that although situation along the "blue line" - the U.N.-monitored
border between Israel and Lebanon - remained calm, there were continued apparent
violations of resolution 1701 by Israelis and Lebanese. He said Israel was
guilty of regular intrusions into Lebanese airspace and needed to stop them.
"These violations raise tensions and may trigger an incident that I remain
convinced the parties do not want," he said. Lebanon, Williams said, needed to
look into its side's violations of a U.N. arms embargo. Israeli and other
Western officials say Hezbollah continues to receive illegal arms shipments from
Syria and Iran.
Qawouk: Resistance will not stop enhancing its capabilities
March 13, 2010 /No matter the threats against Lebanon, the Resistance will not
stop enhancing its capabilities, said Hezbollah official in South Lebanon Nabil
Qawouk, who also said that the Resistance’s focus remains preparing to face
Israel. Liberating the Shebaa farms and Kfar Shouba are preliminary steps in
establishing a sovereign and independent country, added Qawouk. -NOW Lebanon
2 French Peacekeepers Killed, 3 Injured in Personnel Carrier Accident
Naharnet/Two French peacekeepers were killed and 3 others wounded when their
vehicle tumbled off the main road in Rashaya al-Fakhar, the National News Agency
reported Saturday.
The bodies of the dead and the injured were transported to UNIFIL's field
hospital in Sahl Blat, according to NNA. Peacekeepers from the French, Spanish,
Indian and Malaysian contingents in addition to Lebanese soldiers, staff from
the Red Cross and the Civil Service Department inspected the scene of the
accident. UNIFIL opened an investigation into the incident, NNA said. Beirut, 13
Mar 10, 14:00
Salam questions Cairo Agreement reference in Syrian letter to Ban
March 13, 2010 /Now Lebanon/In an interview with An-Nahar newspaper published on
Saturday, Lebanon’s permanent representative to the UN, Nawaf Salam, discussed
the letter sent from Syria to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the Security
Council on Friday, which requested no mention of Damascus in any report on the
implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Salam said the letter
meets several Lebanese demands. However, he questioned what he said was the
letter’s continuous reference to the 1969 Cairo Agreement, which he said has not
been applicable for 25 years. The Cairo agreement states that Palestinian forces
are allowed to use Lebanese territory to combat Israel. Meanwhile, Salam said
the Lebanese cabinet is working on controlling its borders in coordination with
Syria. He added that Lebanese-Syrian relations have improved since Prime
Minister Saad Hariri visited Syria in December. Earlier in the week, Hariri
announced he will make a second trip to Damascus in April. Lebanon’s permanent
representative to the UN also said he is concerned about Israeli breaches of
Resolution 1701 through violations of Lebanese airspace, territory and water. He
said that Israel has not hesitated in the past to threaten the Lebanese
infrastructure.
-NOW Lebanon
Lebanese-Syrian Quarrel after Security Council Session
Naharnet/Lebanon's ambassador to the U.N. Nawaf Salam issued rare criticism to
Syria after a Security Council session on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's report
on the implementation of resolution 1701. There is a clear clause "in resolution
1701 on the issue of the border between Lebanon and Syria," Salam told reporters
when asked about a Syrian letter of complaint to Ban and the Security Council
president for this month about the inclusion of Damascus in the U.N. chief's
report on 1701. "I am surprised by continued references in the Syrian letters to
the Cairo agreement as if it still regulates Lebanese-Palestinian ties. Lebanon
annulled the Cairo agreement more than 25 years ago," Salam said. Syria's
ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari snapped back saying that Ban's report on the
implementation of resolution 1701 should focus on Israeli violations of Lebanese
sovereignty rather than including Syria in it.
"Any condition linked to Lebanese sovereignty is an internal Lebanese issue in
which Syria does not interfere," he said. When asked to answer a question
on Lebanon's abolishment of the Cairo agreement, Jaafari said:
"Lebanese-Palestinian contacts are a Lebanese-Palestinian issue." "The situation
of Palestinians in Lebanon is governed by agreements" between the two sides, the
Syrian ambassador added. Friday's Council session was the first to be fully
devoted to the Lebanese issue since Lebanon became a non-permanent member of the
Security Council on January 1. "Things on issues related to Lebanon are now
different," Salam told An Nahar newspaper. "We are now interfering in all issues
related to us. This without any doubt influences the nature of discussions in
the Council." Beirut, 13 Mar 10, 09:12
Geagea: It is a combination no history could tolerate…
March 13, 2010 /Now Lebanon/In an interview with As-Sharq radio station on
Saturday, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea criticized groups who say “Lebanon
is formed by its state, people, army and Resistance.” Geagea called it a
combination that no history could tolerate. The LF leader also said the national
dialogue is meant to discuss all weapons outside of the state’s control, whether
it be the Palestinian’s or Hezbollah’s arms. “No state in the world could
co-exist with a revolution,” Geagea added. Critics attempting to isolate the LF
are also targeting the March 14 alliance, he said. Geagea said that there have
been various attempts throughout history to isolate the Christian church, but
they have failed. He added that the Bkirki initiative undertaken by Maronite
Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir in 2007 to reach a consensus among Christians
on a candidate to replace then-outgoing President Emile Lahoud – did not fail,
because the Christians are united by the national dialogue. There are no
personal conflicts among Christian parties, according to the LF leader. They
just have different perceptions, he said. Geagea said the annual March 14
alliance meeting set to happen at the Bristol Hotel on Sunday is a routine
meeting that the coalition has held since 2005. Earlier in the week, General
Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soueid said the March 14 alliance would re-launch
a unified political vision during the conference. “When it comes to the LF and
Future Movement relationship, it is not just [intended] to form a Sunni-Maronite
coalition, but rather [it is] because of sharing a common view of Lebanon,” he
said. -NOW Lebanon
Geagea: Weapons Outside State Control Sign of Abnormality
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Saturday that weapons outside
the control of the state either in Palestinian camps or in bases outside the
shantytowns or with Hizbullah are a sign of abnormality. In any place in the
world, "the state cannot coexist with revolution," Geagea told al-Sharq radio.
The suggestion of the state, its army and resistance should defend Lebanon "is
nonexistence in any other place and could not be found in the history of
humanity." On all-party talks at Baabda palace, the LF leader said: "It would be
better to continue with dialogue even if practical results were not achieved."
The situation could reflect negatively on the country's stability if dialogue
comes to a standstill, he said. He warned from the fragile security
situation in the Middle East, saying the Lebanese government should come up with
a plan to protect the country. "The dangerous situation compels us to look for
what unites us and not what divides us. Only state institutions could unite us,"
Geagea told his interviewer. About the March 14 general conference that will be
held at the Bristol hotel on Sunday, the LF leader said the meeting will be a
step forward in implementing the coalition's political project. Beirut, 13 Mar
10, 11:47
Soueid accuses parties of portraying Lebanon as unstable
Now Lebanon/March 13, 2010
March 14 General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soueid said in an interview with
Free Lebanon radio station on Saturday that the “language of treason” being used
by some parties in the media is creating an impression that Lebanon’s internal
situation is still unstable. He pointed out that attempts to create this
atmosphere are happening just prior to the United Nations Special Coordinator
for Lebanon Michael Williams’ visit to New York to meet with UN Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon this month. Soueid said that the national dialogue, which
held its first session on March 9, proves that all issues can be discussed
through discussion, which means Lebanon is stable. Regarding Progressive
Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt’s anticipated interview with Al-Jazeera
television on Saturday, the General Secretariat coordinator said no one should
try and predict what Jumblatt is going to say. According to some reports, the
PSP leader is expected to give his final statement on Damascus during the
interview, before putting the issue to rest. Soueid added that Jumblatt was a
main supporter in the formation of the March 14 alliance. Meanwhile, in a
possible reference to Hezbollah, Soueid said anyone who believes Lebanon can be
protected with rockets or through press conference threats is wrong. He said the
country can only be guarded through its institutions, the Taif Accord and UN
Security Council resolutions. -NOW Lebanon
Bazzi says Moussa should focus on Palestinian cause rather than be distracted
March 13, 2010 /Now Lebanon/Moussa should ensure the Arab League holds
open-ended sessions to support the Palestinian people in the face of Israeli
threats rather than be distracted by other issues, said Development and
Liberation bloc MP Ali Bazzi in response to Arab League Secretary General Amr
Moussa’s rhetoric on Saturday. Bazzi’s statement comes after As-Sharq al-Awsat
newspaper quoted an anonymous diplomatic source in Beirut as saying that Moussa
told Libyan officials that failing to invite Lebanon—as diplomacy norms oblige
–to the Arab summit later in the month is a mistake. “No one is asking for
help,” said Bazzi, who added, “Beirut does not beg for its dignity from the
kidnapper of Shia leader Imam Moussa Sadr,” in reference to Libya. Several
figures, including Speaker Nabih Berri, have objected to Lebanon’s participation
in the summit, still holding Libya responsible for Sadr’s disappearance in
1978.-NOW Lebanon
Ibrahim Kanaan
March 12, 2010
On March 11, the website of the Free Patriotic Movement, tayyar.org, carried the
following report: The parliamentary finance and budget committee headed by
Deputy Ibrahim Kanaan, ratified in its session today the decision to allow the
displaced to build on property which has not met all the conditions and began
looking into the municipal elections law. Deputy Kanaan said in this regard: “We
addressed the bill related to the displaced and the decision to allow them to
build on real-estate property that does not meet the required conditions.
“In other words, the displaced will be allowed to build on the property from
which they were ousted based on certain stipulations and with the help of the
Ministry of the Displaced. The law was ratified today by the Finance committee
and, I believe, by the Displaced Committee as well. Therefore, it is ready and I
do not think it requires joint committees, but rather to be placed on the agenda
of the general committee.
"We thus call on Speaker Nabih Berri to act at this level and I am certain that
he is as concerned as we are about the issue of the displaced. The second issue
we addressed was the municipal law. As you know, the interior minister whom we
thank for his efforts is meeting with all the committees. Until now, he is still
with the administration and justice committee and seeing a number of deputies. I
believe there are also members of the defense and municipalities committee and
maybe [some] from the finance and budget committee.
“Although I wanted to meet with him, I spoke to him and we will hold this
meeting next week with God’s will. Nonetheless, the issue now requires a
solution.
“We are facing an internal statute since Article 46 stipulates that the
committees must complete their discussions and raise their reports in regard to
the bills, suggestions and all the dossiers placed before it within a month. As
for the urgent bills such as the one we received from the government, they
should be discussed and the reports should come out within two weeks... Hence,
the 15-day deadline is imposed on us and the article in this regard is clear. If
we wish to introduce reform, we must find a way to deal with the matter at hand
against the backdrop of reform which was defined in a previous decision issued
by the government and the interior minister.
“However, the deadline was extended until June 30. Why? The term of the
municipal councils was extended to give a chance to the parliament to carry out
its tasks today. However, the backdrop should be one of reform not one aiming at
toppling the deadline. The issue is clear and can be resolved either through
joint committees or by taking into consideration that there will be a current
law tomorrow.
“So, what are we doing? We are directly and indirectly forcing the interior
minister to summon the voting committees on April 2 on the basis of the current
law and without reforms... Do you want the quota or not? This is a simple issue
and as we understood, it is the object of consensus. So, what is the problem? It
is a settled matter. As for proportionality, it simply ensures the
representation of most of the portions in the municipal councils while
maintaining a majority. It is not true that proportionality prevents coherence.
Yes, it does secure the representation of most of the portions but with a 51%
majority held by the head of the municipal council, thus allowing the majority
to rule. So do you want it or not? I believe that seven weeks of discussion in
the Cabinet were sufficient for all the parliamentary blocs [to make up their
minds] as our credibility is as stake. They must choose between a majority or a
proportional system and not go back to square one at this point in time...
“We want reform and we want to work against the backdrop of reform instead of
placing the issue of the elections and the date of the elections in the face of
reform. Why is this being seen? If we want it, reform is easily achieved and
requires studying and the amendment of minor formulations. There is no
problem... If these reforms are not introduced right now, we will have to wait
another six years and no one knows for sure that after all this time we will
still enjoy the same political circumstances, agreements and capacities. Civil
society and all the people are ready to engage in this, so let us deal with the
deadlines and try to come up with a joint mechanism to get it over with the
required amendments without creating additional complications which I believe
are misplaced.”
Neutrality now, de-confessionalism later
Walid Maalouf, March 11, 2010
There is renewed debate going on in Lebanon about ending the confessional system
that reserves certain political positions for representatives of certain
religious communities, as stipulated in the 1989 Taif Accord between the Muslims
and the Christians of Lebanon under the patronage of Syria, Saudi Arabia and the
United States. It reminds me of the agreement between the Christians and the
Muslims in 1920 in the presence of the power brokers, who at the time were
France and the United Kingdom, at the famous Versailles Conference in 1919,
which led to the French proclamation of independent Lebanon.
On both occasions the Lebanese sought to disengage from the regional conflicts
and push ahead with a sovereign, independent, democratic and unique state in the
Middle East. In 1943 the Christians agreed that Lebanon is an independent
country with an Arab culture, and the Muslims accepted the idea of a greater
Lebanon, and together they forged a neutral unwritten National Pact. In 1989 in
Taif, Saudi Arabia, the Christians of Lebanon agreed to give up some of their
power to the Muslims on a 50/50 basis in exchange for full sovereignty and the
removal of Syrian and other militias from Lebanon, a clearly neutral compromise.
After 30 years of instability, wars and destruction in Lebanon, the world
community finally stood up for its sovereignty, independence and stability by
voting for three United Nations Security Council resolutions (1559, 1680 and
1701), which directly support the institutions of Lebanon’s government. The
resolutions are also steering Lebanon toward a neutrality status. The Lebanese
themselves now need the courage to call for Lebanese territorial neutrality in
the Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, which will allow Lebanon to
be a modern state.
The 1989 Taif Accord has not been fully implemented. There are still militias in
Lebanon in control of some areas and streets of the country. 1. Hezbollah
maintains its heavy arms and regional military status to fight Israel. 2. The 11
Palestinian camps are full of weaponry and continue to have an Arab military
status based on the 1969 Cairo Accord. 3. Weapons continue to flow from Syria to
its allies in Lebanon, and its political will over the Lebanese government
continues to interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs. 4. UNSCRs 1559, 1680 and
1701 have yet to be fully implemented. 5. The Israelis still occupy Shebaa,
Ghajar, the hills of Kfarshouba, and continue their over flights and
intelligence activities in Lebanon.
So what should come first? The political deconfessionalism suggested by some of
the March 8 coalition and their new allies, or the implementation of the three
United Nations resolutions to remove illegal weaponry, militias and to finally
and conclusively end Syria’s political interference in Lebanon as demanded by
the March 14 coalition?
The road map toward Lebanon’s neutrality
If Lebanese neutrality is implemented, Lebanon’s territory will be free from any
military use by Syria, Iran, Israel and armed Palestinians. There will also no
longer be militias attached to any of those countries operating on its
territory.
Unilateral declarations of neutrality need the backing of other powers, in the
region or internationally. There are three successful neutralities around the
world, and each one has its unique circumstances and raison d’etre. The first
one was Switzerland, located in the very heart of Europe and bordered by
Germany, Austria, Italy and France. Before its neutrality status, Switzerland,
like Lebanon today, was used to wage wars and was a pawn between the rival
European countries. The Swiss institutions were not able to function
independently. In 1815 the Congress of Vienna fully re-established Swiss
independence and its people asked for the country’s positive neutrality. On
November 20, 1815, Austria, Britain, Spain, Prussia, Russia and France signed an
act recognizing and guaranteeing Switzerland's perpetual neutrality and the
inviolability of her territory.
Just like Lebanon’s relations with its neighbors, Costa Rica has had testy
relations with neighboring Nicaragua, with much of the friction stemming from
the personal rivalry between Costa Rica's "Don Pepe" Figueres and Nicaragua’s "Tacho"
Somoza. The Costa Ricans realized that the only way out was through their unity
and military disengagement. In 1948 Costa Rica abolished its army and declared
unilateral neutrality, which was recognized by the neighboring countries. But
because it did not have a strong foundation, Costa Rica lost its neutrality in
the 70s and 80s until President Oscar Arias Sanchez restored it in 1983.
When Turkmenistan established its independence following the collapse of the
Soviet Union, its citizens decided to pursue a neutral foreign policy in the
region. At the global level Turkmenistan was able to establish full diplomatic
relations with great powers such as the US, Russia, the EU and China. At the
regional level Turkmenistan established friendly relations with neighboring
countries, including large regional powers like Iran, Turkey, Pakistan and
India. At a December 12, 1995 session of the United Nations General Assembly,
Turkmenistan requested neutrality status and all 185 members of the United
Nations responded by unanimously adopting a special resolution, "On the
permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan.”
All three neutralities came about from the united will of the people.
Switzerland and Costa Rica have neutrality understandings that enjoy regional
respect and acceptance, and Turkmenistan is the only neutrality that was voted
on by the United Nations General Assembly. Other countries recognized as neutral
are: Austria, Finland, Ireland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malta, Sweden and the
Vatican.
Lebanon’s Territorial Neutrality
There are two ways for Lebanon to proclaim neutrality status. 1. Since the
question of neutrality has to be unilaterally and formally proclaimed as a
foreign policy position, the Lebanese factions, free from any type of foreign
pressure, could decide to come together based on their 66-year experience of
instability, wars and interference from neighbors, and realize that the best
path to long-term stability and security for Lebanon is to proclaim its
neutrality and follow Turkmenistan’s example by asking the United Nations
General Assembly for international and regional recognition. 2. If the Lebanese
inside the country are not free to act, Lebanese in the Diaspora can lobby for a
UN resolution on the Territorial Neutrality of Lebanon on their behalf. This
resolution would enforce the disarmament and disbanding of militias and armed
groups operating in the territory of Lebanon through the United Nations Security
Council. It would also implicitly cut off the militias from their irregular
foreign alliances and their suppliers of arms and training. It could also lay
the groundwork for the Lebanese government to eventually adopt a formal
"permanent neutrality status," as a basis of its foreign policy in order to
ensure that the country will not be entangled in any future Middle East
conflict. By adopting such a permanent neutrality status, Lebanon will no longer
be dangerously committed by existing agreements and understandings with Syria
and Iran. A neutrality status would also greatly help to stop the over flights
of Israeli warplanes and stabilize and secure the Lebanese-Israeli border/Blue
Line even if a formal peace treaty may still be far away. A permanent neutrality
status for Lebanon may ultimately constitute the best guarantee for its
long-term stability.
Reform from bottom up
With neutrality first we are giving the Lebanese politicians the opportunity to
have a buffer zone where they are able to mend fences between the different
groups, make their own decisions without foreign interference and start to think
and act only in the interests of their constituencies and of Lebanon. When the
Lebanese start trusting each other and respecting one another’s uniqueness, then
Lebanese deconfessionalism is the answer not only politically, but also socially
and culturally. From there, other reforms such as confederations,
decentralization and most importantly the re-writing of a Lebanese constitution
that reflects a modern state of Lebanon can easily take place.
The rights and duties of a neutral power are defined in sections 5 and 13 of the
Hague Convention of 1907. A permanently neutral power is a sovereign state bound
by international treaty to be neutral toward the belligerents of all future
wars. The concept of neutrality in war is narrowly defined and puts specific
constraints on the neutral party in return for the internationally recognized
right to remain neutral.
**Walid Maalouf, former US Public Delegate to the United Nations and former
Director of Public Diplomacy at USAID, has been a professional businessman and
diplomat in the metropolitan Washington DC area for more than 20 years and
tackles international issues on the cultural, educational and political levels.
Williams Hopes Lebanese Political Factions Would Agree on National Dialogue
Timeframe
Naharnet/U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams said the Security
Council will closely follow up Lebanon's national dialogue on a defense strategy
and hoped political factions would agree on a clear mechanism and a timeframe
through which progress could be measured. Lebanon's political factions held a
new round of national talks Tuesday. So far, several rounds of talks have made
no progress on the formation of a national defense strategy that could integrate
Hizbullah's weapons into the regular armed forces. Williams, who briefed the
Security Council on Friday on the latest Secretary-General's report on the
implementation of resolution 1701, played down risk of renewed fighting between
Israel and Hizbullah but urged the two sides to refrain from further
"inflammatory" words. He told reporters in New York that he briefed the Council
"on the recent rise in rhetoric and public threats between Israel and Lebanon
which have generated concerns of a renewed confrontation" and are "utterly
unhelpful." "This public rhetoric and brinkmanship contravenes the spirit of
(Security Council) Resolution 1701 and is utterly unhelpful," he noted. Williams
said that in his private talks with Israeli and Lebanese officials, both sides,
in contrast to some of their public utterances, "continue to express their
commitment to the prevailing cessation of hostilities and to the full
implementation of Resolution 1701." "I believe that it is these private
statements, rather than the public rhetoric, that convey their true intentions
and I have called on all relevant parties to desist from inflammatory
statements," he added. Williams welcomed Lebanon's moves to improve the
management of its borders, which he hopes will also receive a boost from the
country's improved relations with Syria. In that report, Ban writes that the
foundation for a permanent ceasefire has been laid by the new strategic
environment and the relative stability in southern Lebanon, which UNIFIL and the
Lebanese Armed Forces helped establish.
Beirut, 13 Mar 10, 08:21
Hariri: Any Regional War Direct Result of International Community Inaction
Naharnet/Prime Minister Saad Hariri said any future war in the region would be
the direct result of international community inaction and failure to solve the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"War in the region has never been due to a decision taken by Lebanon. Any war is
a direct result of inaction on the part of the international community and the
failure to move seriously on the peace process," Hariri told the German Press
Agency dpa in an exclusive interview. "All wars with Israel, in which Lebanon
has been the victim of, have been launched by Israel, not by us, and Lebanon is
the one who paid a very high price, in human lives, displaced people and
destroyed infrastructure," Hariri said. "The problem is that we live in a
volatile region. It all boils down to what got us to be in this situation of
regional instability, and the answer to that is failure to do anything on the
peace process," he told dpa.
Asked about Israeli threats to hold the Lebanese government responsible for any
attack by Hizbullah on Israel, the premier said: "This is not the first time
that Hizbullah has been part of the government. This goes to show how the
Israelis are always looking for pretexts. The Shiite party is represented in
parliament as a result of democratic elections, he said.
Hariri said he will make a three day visit to Germany on Sunday to "discuss the
regional situation and how to protect Lebanon from regional conflicts." He told
his interviewer that talks in Berlin will tackle ways to boost cooperation with
Germany which contributes to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. The
prime minister also warned of growing political extremism given the failure of
the peace process. "Today fighting extremism is not the responsibility of one
country alone. It is the responsibility of the whole world. In our region, for
instance, extremists are unfortunately gaining audience, at the expense of
moderates," he said. On relations with Syria, Hariri told dpa that ties "are on
the right track."
"We are approaching them in a very positive attitude, and we are met with a very
positive attitude by Damascus. We are two neighbors, united by Arab identity,"
he said.
Hariri said he will be visiting Damascus again "in the coming weeks for more
in-depth discussions on all these issues." Turning to the issue of the
international tribunal that would try his father's suspected assassins, Hariri
said: "I have complete faith in the Tribunal. Whatever the results from it, I
will accept." "This has always been my position, and it will remain the same,"
he added. Beirut, 13 Mar 10, 09:41
EU Official in Beirut to Discuss Prospects for Peace
Naharnet/EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton will visit
Beirut March 16 as part of a four-day regional tour, press reports said. They
said Ashton is to discuss with Lebanese officials prospects for Mideast peace as
well as Lebanese-European relations. Beirut, 12 Mar 10, 12:08
Special Tribunal for Lebanon Appoints New Chief of Investigations
Naharnet/The Office of the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on
Friday announced the appointment of Michael Taylor, a British national, as its
Chief of Investigations.
"Taylor has extensive experience in criminal investigations, starting in
February 1979 with the London Metropolitan Police Service, where he served
primarily within the Criminal Investigation Department and Specialist
Operations," a press release issued by the Office of the Prosecutor said.
"Taylor brings a wealth of expertise in counter-terrorism investigations. The
highlights of his career in this field include his tenure as Detective
Superintendent, Head of Intelligence, Counter-Terrorism Command at New Scotland
Yard from March 2004 to August 2006, following which he was promoted to the post
of Senior Investigating Officer and Detective Chief Superintendent at the
Metropolitan Police's Counter-Terrorism Command," the statement added. Prior to
his appointment as the OTP's Chief of Investigations, Taylor took an active part
as Senior Investigator in the OTP Investigation Division, designing and
developing the Office's investigative strategy that he will now lead under the
supervision of the Prosecutor. Commenting on his appointment, Taylor stated: "I
am honored that I was selected for this very important position, particularly at
a time when our investigative efforts are running full-steam and significant and
promising progress has been registered." "I am fully committed to investing
everything I can offer to ensure that we succeed in our endeavor of uncovering
the truth and helping ensure that justice is done," Taylor added. Prosecutor
Daniel Bellemare welcomed the appointment of Taylor and stated: "Taylor's
professionalism and expertise are very well established and recognized in the
policing and counter-terrorism investigation communities.""Not only is Taylor
the right person for the job, but his appointment ensures a seamless transition
in the leadership of the investigation team and, more importantly, the
continuity in the investigation process he himself helped design and carry out,"
Bellemare added. Beirut, 12 Mar 10, 18:44
Berri Says Possible Participation in Libya's Arab Summit Challenges Judicial
Verdicts Against Gadhafi
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri on Friday warned against Lebanon's participation in
the upcoming Arab League Summit in Libya, stressing that "participation is
unacceptable under any alibi" and warning it would "jeopardize the current
political status quo." In an interview with al-Manar TV network, Berri noted the
presence of Lebanese judiciary verdicts against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in
the case of the disappearance of Imam Moussa Sadr and his companions, wondering:
"Doesn't participation represent a challenge against the Judiciary?" The speaker
addressed "those keen on Lebanon's presence in international forums" by asking
"where was their keenness when (ex-PM) Fouad Saniora's government boycotted the
Damascus summit." Answering a question on Libya's possible extradition of
Lebanese expatriates in case Lebanon boycotts the summit, Berri noted "an
exaggeration about their numbers not to mention Libya's need for them,"
stressing that "national dignity comes first." Berri admonished the approval of
Arab nations to hold the summit in Libya. On the other hand, the speaker
reiterated his call for finding a mechanism for administrative appointments
"that prevents political interventions."As to the anticipated visit of
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat to Syria, Berri noted "the
importance of what Jumblat will say" on Saturday in his interview with the
pan-Arab al-Jazeera satellite TV network, expressing his confidence that the
Druze leader will visit Damascus "very soon." Beirut, 12 Mar 10, 22:02
Suleiman Will Not Attend Arab Summit in Libya
Naharnet/Information Minister Tareq Mitri has unveiled that President Michel
Suleiman will not attend the Arab summit in Libya end of this month following
demands by the Shiite community to boycott the meeting. Sources from Speaker
Nabih Berri's Development and Liberation bloc told An Nahar daily that
"Lebanon's participation in the summit is a very dangerous issue and would
worsen the situation in the country." Shiites have been demanding Lebanese
authorities to boycott the summit over the disappearance of Imam Moussa al-Sadr.
In 1978, the Shiite religious leader flew to Tripoli for a week of talks with
Libyan officials. He was never seen or heard from again. Meanwhile, Arab League
chief Amr Moussa told An Nahar that he hasn't been asked to deliver any
invitation to Lebanon to participate in the summit. It is the responsibility of
the host country to do so, he said. "When I last visited Beirut, I agreed with
officials that Lebanese representation at the summit should be (at the level of)
responsibility and that the government would decide on the level."
Moussa is expected to visit Beirut on March 18 to attend USEK's celebration of
the establishment of the Arab League.
Beirut, 12 Mar 10, 09:17