LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
ِMay 16/2010

Bible Of the Day
The Good News According to Luke 06/39-49
6:39 He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit? 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 6:41 Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? 6:42 Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye. 6:43 For there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit. 6:44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks. 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say? 6:47 Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like. 6:48 He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock. 6:49 But he who hears, and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Free Opinions, Releases, letters, Interviews & Special Reports
Victories’ of the defeated general (Michele Aoun)/By: Ahmed Al-Jarallah/May 15/10
Syria's arms deal a tragic waste/Daily Star/May 16.10

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for May 15/10
Israeli Deputy Chief of Staff: Calm Should be Cautiously Enjoyed/Naharnet
Gunmen Kidnap Four Lebanese Workers in Nigeria/Naharnet
Suleiman Discusses Regional Issues in Phone/Ynet newss
Do Scud missiles really matter?/Xinhua
Syria accuses Israel of undermining Middle East security/The Guardian
Russia to sell Syria warplanes, air defense systems/Reuters
Let's Wise Up About Who and What We Are Fighting/FOXNews
Eight suspects in custody over lynching /Daily Star
Kuwaiti emir to visit Beirut ahead of Hariri's tour of Arab states /Daily Star
Saqr rebukes dialogue between Iranian, Israeli officials at UN/Daily Star
Gloves come off as poll battles heat up in north Lebanon/Daily Star
Obama seeks $200 million for Israel's rocket defense/Daily Star
Hassan: 2011 budget draft approval imminent/Daily Star
Korean UNIFIL battalion offers medical care to three children/Daily Star
Prosperity eludes war-weary southern Lebanon/Daily Star
Ku
wait's Amir visit to Lebanon aims at re-emphasizing historic ties/Arab Times
'Russia to sell Syria weapons/Jerusalem Post
Municipal election: Aoun may ask Hezbollah chief to abandon Berri/Ya Libnan
Qassem: We Have the Right to Own All Sorts of Arms to Carry Out Our Obligations/Naharnet
Hariri Meets Assad Tuesday Before Talks with Obama on May 24
/Naharnet
Jumblat Warns Lebanese Not to Trust Israeli Assurances, Aridi in Damascus Monday
/Naharnet
17-year-old Tears Tires of UNIFIL Employees' Vehicles in Tyre
/Naharnet
Akkar Awaits Sfeir's Visit Amid Massive Preparations
/Naharnet
Zgharta: Franjieh Considers Electoral Battle is Settled in his Favor in 25 Towns
/Naharnet
Sidon: Consensus List Turns into an Electoral Battle List
/Naharnet
Berri to Aoun: I Will Not Interfere in Jezzine Polls
/Naharnet
Ministry of Economy Seizes Five Tons of Expired Foodstuffs
/Naharnet
Palestinians in Lebanon Mark 'Nakba Day'
/Naharnet

Gunmen Kidnap Four Lebanese Workers in Nigeria
Naharnet/Gunmen kidnapped four Lebanese construction workers in oil rich southern Nigeria, a security source said on Saturday. The four -- workers of Stemco construction firm -- were seized in Akwa Ibom, one of Nigeria's nine oil-rich states. Akwa Ibom neighbors Rivers state, the oil hub of the restive oil-producing Niger Delta region. Hundreds of foreigners and locals, mostly oil workers, have been kidnapped in recent years in Nigeria, most of them in the Niger Delta. Many have been released unharmed, but in some cases only after payment of ransom.(AFP)

Hariri Says Division of Power Prevents Christians, Muslims from Losing their Identities

Naharnet/Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Saturday that Christians and Muslims would stop being Lebanese if division of power between them was lost. "The Lebanese Muslim is no longer Lebanese without division of power between Christians and Muslims," Hariri said during a ceremony marking the 14th anniversary of the Antonine university. The same applies to Christians, he added.Hariri stressed the importance of preserving coexistence and dialogue, saying division of power means both religions have responsibilities towards each other regardless of numbers. He explained that the need to safeguard the value of coexistence goes beyond Lebanon, adding that "our success in preserving coexistence is in the interest of the Arab world and the world as a whole."About the list that won last Sunday's municipal elections in Beirut, Hariri said: "The list that we backed in Beirut had no competition. It was competing for our heritage and political program against all that contradicts with coexistence in Beirut.""This competition wasn't with one list or political party. It was between all sectarian slogans and things that could subject division of power to a deficiency," the premier said in his speech.Hariri also stressed on dialogue, saying national unity stems from it. Beirut, 15 May 10, 13:45

Baroud Stresses Need to Combat Drugs: No Area Off-limits to State's Reach

Naharnet/Interior Minister Ziad Baroud stressed Saturday that there will be "no area off-limits to State's reach, although it is hard to reach some geographical regions, but it's not impossible."
At a press conference on the arrest of one of the major drug dealers in the Bekaa border town of Britel, Baroud noted that "this detainee is wanted on hundreds of arrest warrants, and he was arrested after a long tracking by the security forces, and that resulted in the arrest of tens of drug dealers and abusers, even though the judicial police is working with limited capabilities."
"It is clear that the detainee had no political cover, given that the security forces managed to arrest him, and it is definite that the Judiciary will take strict measures against him," Baroud said, stressing that drug crimes are among the most dangerous. The interior minister noted that this arrest has many indications, "most importantly that the biggest criminal is not larger than the State, and he is smaller than the State's ability to perform its duties in protecting the citizens.""Another indication is that the State doesn't neglect (its duties)," Baroud said, highlighting the role of security forces in combating crime. On the other hand, Baroud said that drug abuse is against the law, "but despite that, it is an obligation to treat the drug abusers."
"All concerned ministries: Justice, Health and Social Affairs ministries have to coordinate their work and perform an integrated work in order to curb this social phenomenon and treat drug abusers," Baroud added, stressing the need to impose maximum penalties on drug dealers, "given the harm they cause to the society."
The interior minister stressed his confidence in the Lebanese Judiciary, noting that the civil society organizations which are active in this field are the partners of the State at the level of raising awareness.Baroud noted that civil society organizations have not limited their role to following up on the work of the State, but they have rather started to present solutions and treatments. He stressed that the State must have special places for the treatment of drug abusers. As to alternative crops, the minister said that combating drug dealing is going in parallel with combating hashish cultivation, noting that the social situation of the farmers must me considered through helping them in the issue of alternative crops that can secure them proper living conditions.
Baroud called on the Lebanese to remain vigilant regarding this issue "because drugs can enter every house and every university." Beirut, 15 May 10, 17:40

Zgharta: Franjieh Considers Electoral Battle is Settled in his Favor in 25 Towns

Naharnet/MP Suleiman Franjieh has said Zgharta was heading towards a "democratic development battle" reassuring his supporters that candidates backed by him would win in 25 towns in the area.Hoping to resume "dialogue in the future" with Independence Movement leader Michel Moawad, Suleiman said: "From now, they are admitting defeat in 25 towns … and limiting battle in 11 towns only.""Since the formation of the government, I said that the entire political game on the Lebanese scene has changed. We all saw Sheikh Saad Hariri visiting Damascus," the Marada movement leader added.Franjieh is scheduled on Saturday to visit former PM Omar Karami in Tripoli and hold talks with Minister Mohammed Safadi who is throwing a lunch banquet in his honor. Beirut, 15 May 10, 11:24

Russia to sell Syria warplanes, air defense systems
MOSCOW/JERUSALEM — Russia has signed deals to sell Syria warplanes, anti-tank weapons and air defense systems, a senior Russian arms trader said on Friday, prompting an outcry from Syria's foe Israel.
Mikhail Dmitriyev, head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, said Russia would supply Syria with MiG-29 fighters, truck-mounted Pantsir short-range surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery systems.
He said Russia would also supply Damascus with anti-tank weapons but did not specify their type.
Syria's regional foe Israel reacted angrily to the deal but called into question the solvency of Damascus.
"Syria at the present time cannot afford to pay for this sophisticated weaponry, indeed, it has hardly enough money to buy food for its citizens. One can only wonder what is the real reason behind this dubious deal," said an Israeli government official in Jerusalem who declined to be named.
Israel's close ally the United States imposed sanctions on Syria for its support of militant groups and corruption.
Earlier this week, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited Syria -- the first visit to Damascus by a Moscow ruler since the 1917 Bolshevik revolution -- and oversaw talks on Russia's possible assistance in building a nuclear power plant in Syria.
While in Syria, Medvedev unnerved Israel by paying a visit to Khaled Meshaal, the exiled leader of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
"Russia's haste to win this contract has seen it even willing to meet with notorious Hamas leaders in Syria," the anonymous Israeli official said.
Israel's Foreign Ministry said it was "deeply disappointed" that Medvedev met the leader of Hamas, which it said was "a terror organization in every way."
(Reporting by Dmitry Solovyov; additional reporting by Ori Lewis in Jerusalem; editing by Jon Boyle)
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Question: "How should a Christian respond to persecution?"
From: "GotQuestions.org" <questweek@gotquestions.org
Answer: There’s no doubt that persecution is a stark reality of living the Christian life. The apostle Paul warned us that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus told us to expect persecution from the world because if they persecuted Him, they will persecute His followers also. Jesus has made it very clear to us that those of the world will hate us because they hate Him. If Christians were like the world—vain, earthly, sensual, given to pleasure, wealth, ambition, the world would not oppose us. But Christians do not belong to the world which is why they hate and persecute us (John 15:18-19). Christians are, or should be, influenced by different principles from those of the world. We are motivated by the love of God and holiness, while the world is driven by the love of sin. It is our very separation from the world that arouses the world's animosity toward us. The world would prefer that we were like them; since we are not, they hate us (1 Peter 4:3-4).
As faithful Christians, we must learn to recognize the value of persecution and even to rejoice in it, not in an ostentatious way, but quietly and humbly because persecution has great spiritual value. First, persecution allows us to share in a unique fellowship with our Lord. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul outlined a number of things he surrendered for the cause of Christ. Such losses, however, he viewed as “rubbish” (Philippians 3:8), or “dung” (KJV), that he might share in the “fellowship of [Christ’s] sufferings” (Philippians 3:10). The noble apostle even counted his chains as a grace (favor) which God had bestowed upon him (Philippians 1:7).
Secondly, in all truth, persecution is good for us. James argues that trials test our faith, work or develop (endurance) in our lives, and help develop maturity (James 1:2-4). For as steel is tempered in the flames of the forge, trials and persecution serve to hone down those rough edges that tarnish our character. Yielding graciously to persecution allows one to demonstrate that he is of a superior quality than his adversaries. It’s easy to be hateful, but an ugly disposition throws a light upon our human weakness. It is much more Christ-like to remain calm and to respond in kindness in the face of evil opposition. Without question this is a tremendous challenge, but we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us and the wonderful example of the Lord to encourage us. Peter says of Jesus: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to Him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23).
Third, persecution enables us to value the support of true friends. Conflict sometimes brings faithful children of God together in an encouraging and supportive way they might not have known otherwise. Hardship can stimulate the Lord’s people toward a greater resolve to love and comfort one another and lift one another to the throne of grace in prayer. There’s nothing like an unpleasant incident to help the more mature rise toward a greater level of brotherly love.
So, when we think about it seriously, we can move ourselves forward, even in the face of antagonism, whether from the world or within the church, and press on. We can thank God for His grace and for His patience with us. We can express gratitude for those whom we love in the Lord and who stand with us in times of distress. And we can pray for those who would accuse, misuse, or abuse us (2 Corinthians 11:24; Romans 10:1).

Victories’ of the defeated general (Michele Aoun)
By: Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Arab Times
MICHEL AOUN, Lebanese lawmaker and the leader of the so-called Free Patriotic Movement, may now realize the enormity of the loss caused due to his alliance with Hezbollah as he has been stripped of power in the region that supported him for the past two decades. Municipality elections everywhere in the world are conducted based on development and services offered to towns, cities and districts except in Lebanon where they are more political than even parliamentary elections. As long as people distance themselves from Hezbollah in the so-called ‘resistance treasurer,’ meaning Ba’albak city in east Lebanon, it won’t be suspiring if Aoun manages to harvest what he planned when he formed an alliance with a publicly defeated bloc in the region.
When we earlier said that the ‘weapons bloc’ uses Michel Aoun in a suspicious plan to justify its keeping of weapons, Awan triggered as usual his cannons and bombed facts and heavy descriptions. We said the shooter knows nothing about political work and his knowledge is restricted to bombing as he is ‘operating on shock,’ which is the military definition for random political ‘bombing.’ Now, we say Michel Aoun has burnt the rescue boats and can jump into government’s safe side and avoid the flood of public rejection he faces due to the weapon games and the language of strength and threats of imposing ‘Gituwat,’ besides security, political and military problems in a very small country that is suffering from overpopulation.
But what can be said if the security situation which forces many ‘Victories’ of Lebanese to move outside continues to prevail? We confirm that the threat Aoun faces is way bigger than all the previous threats, because it simply means the political death of his movement. The pressing question is: Will Michel Aoun ride the boat of transforming defeats into victory speeches as did Hassan Nasrallah in 2006 when he transformed the destruction, deaths and injuries into a godly victory? Or as Khaled Mishal or Ismael Haniyyah did in 2009 when he took shelter under one of the hospitals when Israel attacked Gaza and came out after the war to announce a victory in a speech that did not even convince babies?
The Lebanese are fed up, as is the Palestinian nation, with untruthful speeches that some terrorizing and destructing groups have used under the pretext of ‘resistance’. Gaza’s Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah are no longer in a position to deceive their nations and reflect the opposite or reality, because the sufferings have eaten people and have caused despair, and these speeches no longer convince them. Michel Aoun has to face his political stripping in front of his proponents, along with his inability to express the demands that insured him when he returned from exile and before that when he was leading their movement for a good life, not for living in a country where fellow Lebanese give inflammatory speeches against each other.
The loss of Michel Aoun in municipal elections in Lebanon frankly means the loss of his popular base. Therefore, he no longer represents Christians in a country with political sectarian issues, neither the free Lebanese who refuse all forms of alliances built among disloyal parties and refuse to make Lebanon a background garden for regional conflicts. Will the soldier face this reality with bravery or will he be a prisoner of Hezbollah? This is the question he must answer, at least to his followers.
Email: ahmed@aljarallah.com