Sfeir Rejects Campaign against President, Says Doing his Job in Best Manner
/Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir defended President Michel Suleiman on Friday, saying he backed the head of state and the country's legal institutions. After talks with former MP Ghattas Khoury in Bkirki, Sfeir said that he rejected everything that harmed the seat of the presidency and constitutional authorities. On Thursday, Sfeir said the head of state was "doing his job in the best manner." "Every time they search for someone to attack him and now is the turn of the president," Sfeir said. Suleiman "needs some help and we should stand by him," the patriarch stressed. Earlier in the week, Tawheed Movement leader Wiam Wahab called on the head of state to resign, saying "there is a flaw in the president because after two years into his presidency, it feels as if we have arrived at the end of his term.""If domestic parties care for the interests of their neighbor rather than those of their nation, constructive efforts will always prove in vain," the prelate said. Beirut, 19 Mar 10, 08:10

Cabinet Ministers Laud Abboud's Tourism Plan
Naharnet/The cabinet has welcomed Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud's 2010-2014 plan to activate the tourism sector in Lebanon, ministerial sources told An Nahar newspaper.
Premier Saad Hariri, who also lauded the plan, told the cabinet on Thursday that similar moves should be made by other ministries for discussion by the council of ministers. Abboud's 15-page plan includes suggestions to activate the sector and ways to contribute to the national economy. The proposal also calls for establishing an authority that would promote Lebanon's image abroad. The cabinet formed a ministerial committee to follow-up on the implementation of the plan. Tourism in Lebanon is expected to grow by 25 percent in 2010 after setting a record-breaking year in 2009 when it contributed a quarter of the country's GDP, Abboud said on Wednesday. Beirut, 19 Mar 10, 08:31

Report: Hariri in Damascus April 4-5
Naharnet/Ministerial sources have confirmed to As Safir newspaper that Prime Minister Saad Hariri will travel to Syria on the first week of April. The sources said Hariri will be accompanied by a large ministerial delegation during his visit to Damascus on April 4-5. Syrian President Bashar Assad will welcome Hariri, they said, adding that the Lebanese and Syrian sides would hold the first large scale ministerial work session in 6 years to discuss agreements signed between the two countries. As Safir noticed that a date for Druze leader Walid Jumblat's visit to the Syrian capital hasn't been set yet. Beirut, 19 Mar 10, 09:

Geagea: My Visit to Syria Conditioned by Solving Pending Bilateral Issues
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Thursday said that "the calls for the resignation of President Michel Suleiman are beyond those launching them – those who don't possess the needed popular and political weight to launch such stances." In an interview with the al-Arabiya satellite TV network, Geagea added: "The reasonable alternative for the president's resignation -- demanded by some – is the election of a president from the parliamentary majority." "Suleiman and PM Saad Hariri are being targeted by campaigns because they are considered the symbols of stability in this period," he added, wondering "if the other group doesn't want stability in Lebanon anymore." "Lebanese-Syrian relations have not become normal yet, and the president and the premier are exerting major efforts in this direction. Therefore, my visit to Syria is conditioned by solving the pending issues between the two countries and establishing normal and balanced relations," Geagea said in response to a question. He identified the pending issues as "the presence of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons and of (Syrian-backed) Palestinian military bases outside (refugee) camps … that breach the legitimacy and sovereignty of the Lebanese State, in addition to procrastination in (Lebanese-Syrian) border demarcation." Answering a question on his comparison of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to March 8 Alliance, Geagea said: "This is not a joke, there are two approaches on the Lebanese and regional levels: The approach that believes in political action and March 8's approach that doesn't believe in any solutions outside the frame of war and confrontation."
Beirut, 18 Mar 10, 22:32

Wave of Defense Against Campaign on Suleiman
Naharnet/Although the cabinet abstained from issuing a stance on verbal attacks against President Michel Suleiman, ministers have unleashed a wave of defense against the head of state's critics. Informed sources told An Nahar daily in remarks published Friday that "consensual unity" with Suleiman during the cabinet session the day before was a sign that forces accused of launching the campaign were not behind the criticism. Ministerial sources said that following Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar's statement on attacks on Suleiman and the presidency, the session witnessed a series of reactions in favor of the head of state. Ministers Gebran Bassil, Mohammed Fneish and Youssef Saadeh also reiterated that the campaign against the president should not be exaggerated, An Nahar said. However, when several ministers suggested issuing a cabinet statement on the topic, Suleiman said that he didn't want to get involve in the campaign against him and rejected the release of a communiqué. Officials from across the political spectrum defended Suleiman on Thursday against Tawheed Movement leader Wiam Wahhab's call on the president to resign and other criticism targeting him. Beirut, 19 Mar 10, 09:15

Jordanian PM in Beirut to Sign Several MoUs
Naharnet/Jordanian Prime Minister Samir al-Rifai was in Beirut on Friday at the head of a high-level ministerial delegation to sign memorandums of understanding with Lebanon in several fields. The Jordanian delegation includes the agriculture, education and transport ministers in addition to assistants and advisors. Premier Saad Hariri welcomed al-Rifai at Rafik Hariri International airport. Present were several ministers and Jordan's ambassador Ziad al-Majali. Hariri later met with al-Rifai at the Grand Serail and discussed details of the talks that will be held between the Lebanese and Jordanian sides on Friday afternoon. After holding talks with his Lebanese counterpart, al-Rifai met with President Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace. Beirut, 19 Mar 10, 11:24

Quarrel at Roumieh Prison as Inmates Demand Longer Visiting Hours
Naharnet/A verbal brawl erupted Friday at Roumieh jail between guards and prisoners demanding longer visiting hours with their parents/families. State-run National News Agency, which carried the report, did not give further details. Beirut, 19 Mar 10, 13:06

Plane Crash Victims' Committee Meets Najjar
Naharnet/Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar has met with the follow-up committee of families of the victims of the Ethiopian plane crash to set in motion recommendations that were approved in meetings held by Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri with plane crash victims' families. The meeting was attended by Committee members, lawyers Waddah al-Shaer, Shaker Raad, Ali Issawi, and Haitham Arnaout.  The attendees were briefed on all the procedures that have been agreed upon by the health and interior ministries with regards to issuing individual death certificates for each crash victim. Committee members were handed over documents that had been prepared in collaboration with judicial authorities in a bid to set up a Social Association of Ethiopian Plane Crash Victim Families to facilitate judicial follow-up consultations. Beirut, 19 Mar 10, 10:21

President: Israeli Threats Necessitate Unity
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman has said that Israel's intransigence in building settlements in East Jerusalem clearly indicates that threats by the Jewish state against Lebanon "necessitate unity" to confront aggression. Suleiman pointed to the importance of National Dialogue meetings, expressing hope that constitutional institutions, mainly Parliament and Cabinet, will continue to be able to carry out their roles. He called for "greater unity and solidarity" in Lebanon and urged Lebanese to commit to the national fundamental principles in order to face up to of any external threat. Suleiman reiterated that internal stability at all levels and in various fields is a "key incentive" for attracting investment as well as tourists and expatriates to promote social and economic development. Beirut, 19 Mar 10, 11:03

Samir Geagea
March 19, 2010
On March 18, the Lebanese National News Agency carried the following report:
The head of the Lebanese Forces Executive Committee, Samir Geagea, considered in an interview on Al-Arabiya channel on the show Studio Beirut hosted by journalist Gisele Khoury, that the calls “demanding the resignation of President of the Republic Michel Suleiman extend beyond those issuing these calls.
“With all due respect to them as people, they do not enjoy the necessary popular and political weight to launch such positions. What is more dangerous than their calls are the reasons on which they based them, saying for example that President Suleiman was a consensual president at a time when the country mostly needs a consensus president. It is based on that that he was elected in 2008 since the consensual character of President Suleiman is seeking to bring the different viewpoints closer together. For our part, we had certain reservations over some of the positions of President Suleiman but were logical in the way we approached the situation and moved forward to serve higher national interests. The logical alternative to the calls issued by some to see the consensual president resigning is the arrival of a president from the majority. For their part, President Suleiman and Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri have been subjected to these campaigns because they are the headlines of stability at this stage, i.e. since 2008 and until this day. This is why, along with other legitimate institutions, they have been subjected to a fierce attack for around two weeks. Therefore, we cannot help but wonder whether or not the other team wanted stability in Lebanon.
“Stability is the most important achievement which we the Lebanese accomplished during the last couple of years, thus preventing our political disputes from being reflected on the ground and considering that all the problems could be resolved around the dialogue table and via the constitutional institutions. The calls for the resignation of the president of the republic are undoubtedly finding a fertile ground within the March 8 forces, since had this not been the case, the people issuing these calls would not have been able to do so seeing as how they are unprepared or unqualified to adopt such positions. We hope in this context that the major parties in March 8, especially Hezbollah and Amal, are not somewhere behind these calls and I have my doubts in this regard..."
Asked about the circumstances which could make him visit Damascus following the visit of Prime Minister Al-Hariri who said it took place for Lebanon’s interest, and the expected visit of Deputy Walid Jumblatt who said it will be in the best interest of his sect, he stated: “The interest of the Christians in Lebanon is that of the Lebanese state and I do not believe that any sect in Lebanon can enjoy an interest by itself. Either it is the interest of all the Lebanese, both the Muslims and Christians, or there is no interest for one team.
“The relations between Lebanon and Syria are not yet normal and the president of the republic and the prime minister are deploying massive efforts in this regard. Therefore, my visit to Syria is linked to the resolution of the pending dossiers between the two countries and the establishment of normal and balanced relations between them. Syria is the closest country to us but the Syrian brothers must realize that their interests cannot be secured at the expense of the Lebanese interests...What is obstructing the establishment of such relations until now is the presence of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons, the presence of Palestinian military posts outside the camps constituting security pits undermining the legitimacy and sovereignty of the Lebanese state and the slacking [off of work] affecting the demarcation of the border. This in our opinion undermines national sovereignty while there is a committee ready to demarcate the border whether from the North or the Bekaa, although we would rather see it beginning its work from the Shebaa Farms if Syria has the good intention of liberating it from Israel.” Regarding the March 14 forces meeting at the Bristol Hotel and what was said about Geagea’s monopolization of these forces, he stated: “I completely reject that talk. [Former] Prime Minister Fouad al-Siniora was present and he is among the prominent figures in the country, which is why he is subjected to campaigns and slander...”
Asked whether or not his statement during the Bristol meeting which was considered by some as being issued by an Arab nationalist, marked the repositioning for the Lebanese Forces on the Arab arena and the weaving of certain Arab alliances, he said: “What I said was not necessarily linked to our friendship and our good Arab relations. Our cause is not an isolated one. It is connected to the Middle East region. Therefore, we should closely monitor what is happening in the region...” He then believed that the Lebanese and Palestinian people were the ones suffering the most in the region, stressing the necessity for these people who do not have a state to start enjoying a strong and independent state, and adding: “The resolution of the Middle East issue has become urgent.” Asked whether he placed himself within the axis of the states wishing to negotiate to reach peace or in the axis of the states wishing to resist, Geagea said: “I do not want to talk about the resistance in general. It is a fascinating and enticing concept and I have personally lived it. I will rather talk about the resistance axis extending from Iran to Hamas and Hezbollah and which I believe is incapable of regaining one inch of the Palestinian soil. Quite the contrary, the entire world is against this resistance and it is impossible for an axis showing hostility to the entire world to achieve palpable progress. In my opinion however, President Mahmoud Abbas and what he represents, has more chance of reaching a solution and establishing a Palestinian state than this resistance axis...”
Asked about the ways to resist Israel if Hezbollah is disarmed, Geagea assured: “We desperately need a clear and blunt announcement by all the Lebanese parties and especially Hezbollah, placing the peace and war decision in Lebanon in the hands of the Lebanese government solely. The threat lurking around Lebanon has nothing to do with Lebanese causes. Israel has no detainees in Lebanon and is involved in a confrontation with Iran which is organically linked with Hezbollah. I am afraid that Iran will activate Hezbollah in Lebanon to respond to any Israeli attacks on Iranian interests, since this will lead Lebanon toward the unknown... The defense strategy is necessary to avoid seeing our people led into conflicts that do not serve their interests. The war which the Israelis are seeking to launch is related to their own interests and enjoys regional dimensions that do not particularly concern Lebanon unless it is dragged into it. Therefore, it is necessary to divest the Israelis of any pretext that would allow them to drag Lebanon into a war it does not want.
“If the destruction which some might bring upon Lebanon can lead to the liberation of one Palestinian village, we would not mind. However, for the country to be destroyed without any results, this is completely unacceptable. What I am proposing is a simple step placing the peace and war decision in the hands of the government to render our position stronger than it is right now.” Geagea then concluded saying that he had security information pointing to the fact that he was personally pursued, adding that he had no fears over the Lebanese Forces Party.”


On forgiving and forgetting
Ziad Majed, March 19, 2010
March 16, 1977 was not only the date of the assassination of Kamal Jumblatt, it also opened a new page in the Lebanese civil war and paved the way for a regional force to have a direct hand in the management of the war. This hand first carried out a political assassination, then acted as if the assassination was a deterrent against the victim, or a way to avoid the damage that could be caused had he been allowed to keep living!
It was then up to his kin to accept that and get over it, if they wanted to preserve their own souls and prevent matters from getting even worse, in their own “homes”. More than that, it was up to them to apologize for the actions of the victim and for his own blood spilled, and to stop summoning his memory in order not to harm the “reputation” of his killer.
It is in this sense that one can interpret what Syrian officials told Walid Jumblatt after the ceremony marking forty days since his father’s assassination: that Kamal wanted a military resolution in Lebanon and would not accept Syrian intervention (and mediation), having described Syria as a “great prison”… In this sense as well, one can interpret the leaks provided by various sources close to the Syrian regime that claimed that Rafik Hariri was conspiring with Marwan Hamadeh and others to issue UN Security Council Resolution 1559 and dispel the Syrian army from Lebanon. Similarly in this sense it has been said that Samir Kassir crossed the line when he wrote about Syrian internal affairs and linked independence in Lebanon to democracy in Syria… All of these are examples of what supposedly necessitated, time and again, “punishments” or “measures” to be taken in order to prevent things from going too far…
On this basis of either “preventative or retaliatory violence”, the choice of “blood or surrender” was given to Lebanon for three full decades. And if March 14, 2005 achieved something (apart from any discussion over its political or sectarian characteristics), it was that it dispelled with that choice, overcame the fear mongering and refused to acquiesce to the notion that the deceased, not the killer, was the guilty one, and that shutting up and surrendering were the best ways to avoid further killings and tumult.
… Today, on March 16, 2010, 33 years since the foundational crime (of Kamal Jumblatt), and five years since the choice, built on that foundation, was defeated, it is perhaps worth emphasizing one single thing regardless of all of the back and forth bickering, excuses, satire and innuendo: forgiving and forgetting does not solve the problem, nor does it offer any new choices.
Forgiveness could only be possible after the trial or after the killer admits his crimes and apologizes for them.
As for forgetting, it does not change what has happened. It would, in the best of circumstances, allow anyone to conveniently forgo his/her memory of an event without negating the event itself or its effects and circumstances. More important, it does not negate the fact that there are those who will not forget and will always prefer justice to forgiveness, even if it takes some time…This article is a translation of the original, which was published on the NOW Arabic site on Tuesday, March 16

Big spectacle, little substance
Friday, March 19, 2010
Editorial/Daily Star
The last week or so of Lebanese politics, if we can call it that, has had several moments of political fireworks, while seeing a few meaty issues arise.
Last weekend, of course, saw a three-way drama: Walid Jumblatt gave his “long-awaited” interview and offered a mea culpa, of sorts, to his official Syrian audience. Naturally, the focus was on how Jumblatt explained his earlier polemics, but the side items were notable. Incorporate the resistance into the Lebanese Army? Yes, but at some point down the road. How to get there? No idea, we’re just beginning the process.
It was the kind of interview in which Jumblatt had no problem talking up his core beliefs, namely forward-minded secularism, and his core principles, namely backward-looking sectarianism, as he went on and on about the Druze of Lebanon, Syria and Israel.
And then there was Michel Aoun, holding forth on Saturday night at a banquet, also broadcast live on television. Aoun offered some interesting rhetoric, about how his Free Patriotic Movement does its business and holds its own accountable. But he managed to get into trouble yet again with the judiciary, for commenting on an ongoing court case while claiming he wouldn’t comment on it. Aoun also sniped about the country’s defense strategy, and the state’s inability to agree on anything yet. Aoun gave us the usual dose of rhetoric, instead of facts and figures about the Army’s performance and capabilities, and how much it might cost to upgrade them to truly defend Lebanon. Aoun and many other figures have, unfortunately, a tendency to sound like opposition politicians, despite their presence in the Cabinet.
Finally, the March 14 coalition assembled to tell us about its plan: defend Lebanon. Just like countless other times, they offered bullet points, with no details, along with a plea to the Arab League – the Arab League – to guarantee Lebanon’s defense.
There were other fireworks, such as the campaigns against President Michel Sleiman, and the Internal Security Forces training program with the US.
Some domestic issues have been in play, such as an effort to craft a tourism-sector strategy, and consultations on using merit to make appointments to the state bureaucracy. However, while these policies have yet to be fully elaborated, we’re left with spectacle, and no substance.
Citizens listen to the polemic, which is rarely backed up by useful debate on how things really work, and how they can be changed. Are they supposed to be energized by such ultimately meaningless drivel? Some might yawn, and others might, with considerable despair, agree with Jumblatt, and realize that we’re just at the beginning of a long process. Even more depressingly, no one seems to have a workable road map for how we’re supposed to make the journey.