LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
ِDecember
04/2010
Bible Of The
Day
Psalm 105/4: "Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually".
Today's Inspiring Thought: Seek His Face Always
I like the New International Version which says, "Look to the LORD and his
strength; seek his face always."
Sometimes we seek the Lord only for what he has to offer—for what he can give
us. In other words, we seek his hand rather than his face. Do we treat God more
like Santa Clause, or does our greatest pleasure come from crawling up into the
Heavenly Father's lap and spending time in his presence, face to face?
Free Opinions, Releases,
letters, Interviews & Special Reports
What will the Republican win mean
for the LAF?/By: Phillip Smyth/December
03/10
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali
Awad Assiri/Report from As-Safir Newspaper/December
03/10
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for December 03/10
Huge Israel forest fire kills
dozens - rescue services/Reuters
STL will issue charges in absentia
in 'exceptional cases/Daily Star
CBC defends decision to air
program/Daily Star
Hariri to convene Cabinet upon
return to Beirut/Daily Star
No winners in friction over
Tribunal, report warns/Daily Star
Sfeir Urges Lebanese to Unify
Ranks, Stresses Only Justice Guarantees Stability/Naharnet
Hariri to Convene Cabinet Once He's
Back in Beirut … But When?/Naharnet
Secret cable leaks fuel tensions
in Lebanon/AP
U.S. flew spy missions over
Lebanon: WikiLeaks/Reuters
Lebanon defense minister 'offered
invasion advice for Israel'/Haaretz
Possible Syrian nuke facility
identified by satellite/J.Post
Patriarch Sfeir calls
Lebanese to cooperate with President Sleiman/iloubnan.info
Geagea
Tells Sison about Iranian Delivery to Syria of 15 Submarines: WikiLeaks/Naharnet
Qahwaji Denies WikiLeaks
Report/Naharnet
Bellemare: Syrians Treat
UNIIIC as 'School Kids in Short Pants': WikiLeaks/Naharnet
Murr Denies WikiLeaks
Report that He Worked with US against Hizbullah/Naharnet
Hamadeh Denies WikiLeaks
Report That he Complained about Lax In Confronting Hizbullah/Naharnet
Qassem: Indictment is an
Assault against Lebanon, Other Camp First to be Harmed by it/Naharnet
Le Figaro: Indictment
Doesn't Include Damascus, Sarkozy-Aoun Meeting Took Place at Syria's Request/Naharnet
Houri: Including False
Witnesses File in National Dialogue is a Positive Step on Condition it Enjoys
Consensus/Naharnet
Military Helicopter Makes
Emergency Landing in Jbeil/Naharnet
Hizbullah: French-Saudi
Effort to Postpone Indictment/Naharnet
Saqr Charges 2 Policemen
with Disobedience after Death of Syrian in Hamra/Naharnet
U.S. Rejects Compromises
on Tribunal/Naharnet
Suleiman-Berri-Hariri to
Meet to Discuss Syrian-Saudi Initiative/Naharnet
Opposition Rejects
National Dialogue to Discuss False Witnesses/Naharnet
Experts: Hizbullah Image
at Stake in Hariri Assassination Case/Naharnet
Report: Hariri Informed
Damascus he was Committed to Saudi Demands on Crisis Settlement/Naharnet
Nasrallah, Berri Aides
Return from Damascus with 'No New Developments', Report/Naharnet
Assiri: There Are Only
Suggestions and Not a Saudi-Syrian Initiative/Naharnet
Abadi: Breakthrough Likely
to Be Reached Soon, No Need to Fear/Naharnet
Raad Calls for Serious
Efforts to Help Saudi-Syrian Initiative Succeed/Naharnet
UN to Fransen: Documents
Disclosed to Lebanese Authorities by UNIIIC Continue to Enjoy Inviolability/Naharnet
US, UK Argued over Spy
Plane Missions to Track Militants in Lebanon: WikiLeaks/Naharnet
STL Publishes Updated
Explanatory Memorandum on Rules of Procedure and Evidence/Naharnet
Sfeir Urges Lebanese to Unify Ranks,
Stresses Only Justice Guarantees Stability
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir hoped on Friday that Lebanese
leaders would unify ranks and consult with President Michel Suleiman on ways to
take Lebanon out of its crisis.
"Lebanon is going through a critical situation," Sfeir told a delegation from
Voice of Lebanon radio station that moved to Dbayeh. He "expressed hope that the
Lebanese would unify ranks because Lebanon does not survive if its citizens are
divided." Sfeir urged politicians to discuss with Suleiman ways to end the
deadlock. "All politicians in this country should work in favor of the
nation."The patriarch also stressed that only "justice guarantees stability."
Beirut, 03 Dec 10, 12:39
Bellemare: Syrians Treat
UNIIIC as 'School Kids in Short Pants': WikiLeaks
Naharnet/Special Tribunal for Lebanon Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare complained
that the Syrians treat the U.N. International Independent Investigation
Commission (UNIIIC) as "school kids in short pants," a leaked WikiLeaks cable
said. It said Bellemare explained that "they provide us with 40,000 pages in
Arabic. After we translate them and find nothing of interest, they feign
surprise and hand us another 40,000 pages in Arabic." The cable said Bellemare
assessed that the "Syrians are nervous because they do not know what information
UNIIIC has collected to date." Beirut, 03 Dec 10, 12:06
Fadlallah Says WikiLeaks Cable Proof US Controls STL
Naharnet/A cable released by WikiLeaks on talks between former U.S. ambassador
to Lebanon Michele Sison and Special Tribunal for Lebanon Prosecutor Danielle
Bellemare is proof that Washington is manipulating the probe, Hizbullah MP Hasan
Fadlallah said on Friday. "The information leaked on meetings between the
prosecutor general of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the (former) U.S.
ambassador confirms what we have always said, that the U.S. administration is
using the court and the investigation committee as a tool to target the
resistance," Fadlallah told Agence France Presse. "This is a direct result of
the failure of Israel's U.S.-backed military offensives against Lebanon." A
cable dated September 2008, obtained by whistleblowing website WikiLeaks and
published on the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar's website, quoted Bellemare as asking
then-U.S. ambassador Sison for intelligence information as he was investigating
the 2005 assassination of Hariri. "Bellemare showed a good understanding of the
problems associated with complying ... but his frustration was nonetheless
evident: 'You are the key player. If the U.S. doesn't help me, who will?,'" read
the cable. Hizbullah has been engaged for months in a relentless campaign to
discredit the STL, which was set up by the United Nations in the aftermath of
Hariri's killing along with 22 others. According to unconfirmed reports, the STL
is poised to indict high-ranking members of the group in connection with the
Hariri murder, a scenario rejected by party leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah who
has accused the court of being part of a U.S.-Israeli plot.
Hizbullah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem on Friday warned that his party would
"be the least harmed" should the STL implicate any of its members.(AFP) Beirut,
03 Dec 10, 17:17
Hariri to Convene Cabinet
Once He's Back in Beirut … But When?
Naharnet/rime Minister Saad Hariri announced that he will convene Cabinet upon
his return to Beirut.
Local media said Hariri headed to Riyadh on a private visit Thursday at the end
of an official trip to Paris. They said he is also expected to visit Oman.
Beirut newspapers did not give a date for Hariri's return. Hariri on Thursday
said he will convene Cabinet as soon as he returns to Lebanon. He made his
statements after holding talks with his French counterpart Francois Fillon in
the presence of the Lebanese Ambassador to France, Butros Assaker, the French
Ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton, Hariri's chief of staff, Nader Hariri, the
French Prime Minister's diplomatic advisor Charles Fries, Hariri's advisor for
European Affairs Basile Yared and advisor Arnold Galois. The discussions focused
on the situation in Lebanon and the region, bilateral relations between the two
countries, and ways of enhancing them in various fields, as well as the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon. After the meeting, Hariri said: " We are committed to the
Saudi-Syrian path, and this path should be given time to reach results." Asked
of accusations that he is wasting time, the prime minister responded: "I am not
wasting time, but I consider that the others, who accuse me of wasting time, are
the ones who should do something. They know themselves, and they haven't done
what they have to do." "We have every intention to reach an understanding
through dialogue and calm, I said it and I repeat it, the high tone in Lebanon
does not work and President Michel Suleiman's initiative is good," he added.
Furthermore, Hariri stated: "We will overcome this difficult stage through the
support of all our friends, such as France, Saudi Arabia, and Syria." Beirut, 03
Dec 10, 12:14
Geagea Tells Sison about
Iranian Delivery to Syria of 15 Submarines: WikiLeaks
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has provided the then U.S.
ambassador to Lebanon Michele Sison with unconfirmed intelligence describing an
Iranian delivery to Syria of 15 submarines, diplomatic cables leaked to
WikiLeaks said. The cable was published y by Al-Akhbar newspapaer, which was
given an advance copy of the document by WikiLeaks. Beirut, 03 Dec 10, 13:24
What will the Republican win mean for the LAF?
Phillip Smyth, December 3, 2010
Now Lebanon/Combat in the 21 century has been characterized by
Hellfire-launching drones, precision laser-guided munitions and stealthy jets.
Contrasted to the regular sight of M16A1 rifles, surplus jeeps and rusting M48
tanks, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) resemble a group of Vietnam War
re-enactors rather than a modern fighting force.
This has led some in the LAF to request the US for more advanced equipment,
so-called, “glamour weapons.” Yet Washington’s insistence that the LAF use lower
grade weapons systems may continue. With 100 new Republicans dominating the US
House of Representatives, a much reduced Democratic majority in the US Senate
and the rapidly changing situation in Lebanon, the question of whether the LAF
will receive as much funding, and possibly advanced American weaponry, or
continue to receive lower grade equipment has reemerged.
Traditionally, support for the LAF has not been a partisan issue. Historically,
the multi-sectarian LAF has been the central pillar of US policy in Lebanon. The
Bush administration was committed to supporting the LAF. From 2005 to 2008, it
was the second largest per capita recipient of US military aid.
In 2007, when the LAF fought al-Qaeda inspired Fatah al-Islam militants in the
Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp, the US upped its supply ante. In keeping
with Washington’s commitment to supply allies during the War on Terror, along
with the US policy goal of supporting a strong Lebanese national institution,
American cargo planes shipped tons of arms, ammunition and equipment.
Joseph Gebeily of the Lebanese Information Council, a Lebanese lobby based in
Washington DC, has been pushing for continued US support for the LAF.
“The alternative to assisting [the LAF] is far worse than continuing the
assistance,” Gebeily told NOW Lebanon. For Gebeily, “Lebanon is a bipartisan
issue. […] It is good for us. [Members of the US Congress] all generally have
the same policy for Lebanon.”
Nevertheless, this bipartisanism almost hurt the LAF. Coming on the heels of the
August incident on the Lebanese-Israeli border when LAF snipers killed an
Israeli commander (a Lebanese journalist and two Lebanese soldiers were also
killed during the fighting) during a UN-supported tree-pruning operation on the
Blue Line, the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs froze $100 million in
military aid slated for the LAF.
Two House Democrats – Nita Lowey of New York and Howard Berman of California –
stood at the helm of the freeze. According to a September Congressional Research
Services report, “State Department statements indicate that the Administration’s
commitment to the assistance program is not in question.” Regardless of the
administration’s track, and reflecting the bipartisan nature of dealing with
Lebanon, concerns were not merely limited to the Democratic side of the aisle in
the House.
Republicans and Democrats see Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon, and the specter
of this influence within the LAF itself, as a monumental threat. The potential
for US military equipment being given to and utilized by Hezbollah struck a
chord with some lawmakers. With what was seen as an unprovoked attack on Israeli
soldiers by the LAF, fears of Hezbollah influence grew.
At the time of the incident, ranking House Republican Eric Cantor took a more
uncompromising stance than his Democratic colleagues, stating that the US should
discontinue future funding of the LAF for a year, urging an investigation of the
incident. Starting in January, Cantor is slated to become the Congressional
Majority Leader.
Even though the $100 million sum was eventually unfrozen by Congress in last
month, the incoming Chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, has been another leading voice calling for an
end to US aid to the LAF. Ros-Lehtinen had previously been an influential in
passing the 2003 Syria Accountability Act and the Lebanese Sovereignty
Restoration Act, a fact that won her the praise of many Lebanese lobbyists on
the Hill. However, her recent push against LAF funding is putting her at
loggerheads with those in favor of a strong Lebanese army. In August, she
authored a letter to the French government protesting the sale of anti-tank
missiles to Lebanese forces. Ros-Lehtinen argued the missiles would be used by
the LAF against Israel and could “jeopardize security and stability in the
region.” Another concern for Republican lawmakers was offers made to the LAF by
powers hostile toward the US. Iran already supplies their client-militia,
Hezbollah, with highly advanced weapons. Following the August incident on the
Blue Line and the US hold on aid, Tehran promised to fill the money and arms
gap. In 2008, Russia promised to send relatively advanced Mig-29 fighter jets to
Lebanon. Moscow recently delivered artillery, munitions and other equipment.
According to an anonymous House Republican aid, “To some, the offers were a bit
worrisome.”Among some Republicans, the era of spending millions on foreign aid
may be coming to an end. Thanks in large part to the Tea Party movement,
libertarian-minded conservatives have taken center stage. With domestic fears of
further economic fallout, overseas commitments are seen as expensive
distractions. Tea-Party-backed and libertarian-minded Republican Senator-elect
Rand Paul of Kentucky made a special note that he wanted to cut foreign aid
across the board as part of a more “non-interventionist” and “fiscally
responsible” policy. While he made no special mention of Lebanon, the general
ideology of libertarians has been one of extensive cuts in foreign and domestic
programs. Gebeily’s view on the influence of the Tea Party and subsequent rise
of libertarians was one of uncertainty, noting the new lawmakers could present a
“big challenge.” However, Gebeily feels that “the new Congress and Republican
leadership is not about [cutting foreign aid].”
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Assiri
December 3, 2010
As-Safir newspaper carried the following report with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon
Ali Awad Assiri on December 3, 2010:
In light of the prevailing institutional stalemate, the Lebanese are relying on
the outcome of the Saudi-Syrian initiative, which was extensively talked about
during the last stage. What has this initiative reached?
I believe that the absence of Lebanese institutions from the efforts to find a
dialogue mechanism between the Lebanese is not reassuring to any side that loves
Lebanon. Halting the work of the constitutional institutions does not go in line
with Lebanon’s interests and the interests of its people. It could even heighten
the dispute if the vacuum expands. On the other hand, there is a real political
will – enjoyed by both the Syrian and Saudi commands – to help Lebanon. If we
were to look at the visit of [Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz] along with his
brother President Bashar al-Assad, we can note a real will to help and a deep
wish to ensure stability and encourage the different parties to engage in
dialogue. This political will was clearly seen during the meeting between His
Highness the King and President Assad with President Michel Suleiman at the
Baabda Palace, but also during their meetings with the political parties, whom
they urged to find a better mechanism that would protect Lebanon and its
stability. In this context, we need a purely national media voice that loves
this country and is loyal to it, because the media voice has a Lebanese and
non-Lebanese impact. Therefore, there should be media outlets serving Lebanon
and the unity and stability of its people, not the other way around.
What was reached by the Saudi-Syrian initiative?
Contrary to what is being circulated, there is no Saudi-Syrian initiative. As an
ambassador, I know nothing about it. What I do know however is that there are
ideas to be discussed, as well as an honest intention to help Lebanon.
Consequently, we are counting on the Lebanese to resolve their problems.
What are the proposed ideas for a solution?
There are many ideas, which require honest dialogue behind closed doors and not
through media platforms. They also require the alleviation of the media
rhetoric, the control of the Lebanese streets and preparations to immunize the
country against any surprises. This is where the Saudi and Syrian support
emerges, but the greater responsibility falls on the Lebanese parties
themselves.
Are there Saudi fears over Lebanese internal security or a new Israeli war
against Lebanon?
In light of the current circumstances, whether on the regional or international
levels, we believe that Lebanon is immune, thanks to its people. We have great
trust that the political forces will not lead the country toward a dark tunnel.
With regards to the Israeli war, we can expect anything from Israel. It is the
enemy of everyone and not just Lebanon. It is trying to undermine this country
and create strife in it, and this bothers us in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We
will not surrender Lebanon to this game, whether it is an Israeli one, an
international one, or both.
Are there fears of seeing strife between the Lebanese Muslims due to the content
of the impending indictment?
I am among those who do not know the content of the indictment, just as I do not
know whether it will be issued at once or in batches. I do not even know if
there is an indictment. Therefore, Lebanon’s future should not be built on
warnings and questions related to whether or not the indictment will be issued.
I believe that the Lebanese should tend to their country’s interests. Regardless
of the content of the indictment, the possible tensions can be avoided if the
Lebanese agree on the way to deal with any developments which might harm
Lebanon, national unity and stability.
What are the ideas debated between the Kingdom, Syria and Iran in regard to
Lebanon?
First of all, our relationship with Syria is a historical one and everyone can
testify to that. It is not just limited to Lebanon and has strategic dimensions
and even greater strategic depth. We have the issues of Palestine and the Golan,
as well as many other regional and international issues [in common].
Consequently, the Lebanese situation does not solely govern our relations with
Syria, although both commands are particularly interested in Lebanese affairs in
light of the current circumstances. On the other hand, our relations with Iran
are good and improving, and I was very pleased to see Prime Minister Saad Hariri
visiting Iran because that will serve Lebanon’s interests.
But the Kingdom is sponsoring one specific political team, while Iran is
sponsoring another. For example, how are the Kingdom’s relations with Hezbollah?
They are excellent and we are continuously in contact with it.
Are there no concerns in regard to Hezbollah and its arms for example?
No, because I believe that the officials in Hezbollah have a high sense of
responsibility. The country is important to them and they are aware of the
lurking threats in light of the current circumstances. We held meetings and
engaged in contacts [with Hezbollah] and I think that the Kingdom’s relations,
whether with Hezbollah or with other sides, serve Lebanon. We are trying to
serve Lebanon by establishing relations with all the sides because we have no
agenda except for the protection of the country’s stability and unity.
Are the Taif Accord and the Doha Agreement still valid as an Arab umbrella for
Lebanon or do we now need a new agreement?
The question at this level is as follows: Was the content of the Taif Accord
fully implemented? I believe that had this accord been implemented as it was
written or had it earned a consensus, Lebanon would never have reached the
current situation. I believe there should be a commitment to the content of
these agreements and that they should be implemented, while the search for any
others will lead the country toward a new vicious circle that the country cannot
tolerate.
Is the rise of Salafi movements the object of concern inside the Kingdom?
The Kingdom suffers when its sees extremism anywhere. We went through a stage
that resulted in ideological perversion and extremism and this affected the
security situation and generated terrorism. We must unify our ranks to face
errant ideologies and extremism. For that purpose, the Kingdom has adopted a
strategy after it was affected by terrorism, and we are now fighting it based on
a civilized mechanism. I believe that the Kingdom has succeeded and the last of
its successes was seen last week with the arrest of 149 terrorist elements who
had plotted explosions and assassinations.
STL will
issue charges in absentia in 'exceptional cases
By The Daily Star /Friday, December 03, 2010
BEIRUT: The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) will resort to in absentia
proceedings in exceptional cases, the UN-backed court’s president Antonio
Cassese said in an explanatory memorandum released Thursday. “The pre-trial
judge may request the trial chamber to start proceedings in absentia if, 30
calendar days after the public advertisement of the indictment the accused is
still not under the Tribunal’s authority,” said the memorandum, while also
acknowledging that trials in absentia were not popular in public opinion. The
explanatory memorandum issued by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s president
was released after the introduction of recently approved amendments on the
court’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence (RPE) guidelines. In November, an STL
statement said judges changed the court’s rules to clarify when a trial in
absentia can be staged if suspects refuse to surrender. Tensions in Lebanon have
mounted over the Netherlands-based STL, which was set up to try the assassins of
former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Hizbullah, which has slammed the court and
labeled it an “Israeli project” aimed at targeting the resistance, has echoed
several Western media reports that the tribunal was set to indict Hizbullah
members in the 2005 truck bombing on Beirut’s seaside front.
While the STL has refused to comment on reports, Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan
Nasrallah bluntly refused any cooperation with the court and said his group will
“cut off” the hand that touches any of its members. According to the explanatory
memorandum, Lebanon is “legally bound” under an agreement with the UN and
Security Council 1757 of 2007 to cooperate with the court. In the event Lebanon
does not comply with the STL’s requests of orders, the court’s RPE stipulated a
three-stage response, said the memorandum. First, the court’s president will
consult with the relevant Lebanese authorities in a bid to convince them to
cooperate. If the relevant authorities still refuse to cooperate, the trial
chamber of the pre-trial judge may make a judicial finding of non-cooperation.
The third and final stage, according to the explanatory memorandum, requires the
court’s president to report the judicial finding to the Security Council, for
appropriate action.
In June, STL judges approved amendments to 14 parts of the RPE. An STL statement
said the amendments were designed “to further enhance and facilitate proceedings
before the tribunal.” The amendments relate to the investigation stage of the
proceedings; the effect of non-compliance by states with tribunal requests and
orders; the senior management board and the functions of the registrar, service
of judicial documents, warrants of arrest, detention on remand, and disclosure
of confidential information. – The Daily Star
Huge Israel forest fire kills dozens - rescue services
Friday, December 03, 2010 /Rami Amichai
Reuters /Daily Star
HAIFA, Israel: A huge fire swept through a forest in northern Israel Thursday,
killing up to 40 people, many of them prison guards who were trapped in a bus
trying to flee the flames, security services said. Israel called on Greece,
Italy, Cyprus and Russia to send aircraft to help them battle the blaze, which
was raging out of control on hills approaching the city of Haifa more than seven
hours after it first took hold.
Local fire services mobilized emergency crews from across the country, and fire
trucks tried desperately to reach the scene, weaving through heavy rush hour
traffic as night fell.
“It’s a disaster on a scale that we have never seen before,” Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “We are harnessing all the forces of the state
to deal with this disaster and rescue those who are injured and to stop the
fire,” he added. At least 2,000 people were evacuated from local towns and
villages as the flames leapt through the dense, pine woodland, fanned by strong
winds off the Mediterranean sea. A collective farm, Kibbutz Beit Oren, was razed
to the ground and television showed pictures of a bus and car, which had been
carrying prison guards and rescuers when they were engulfed by the flames. Both
vehicles were gutted. “There are a lot of casualties. We are talking of about 40
people,” said Police Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, adding a handful of people
were still missing. Micky Rosenfeld, a spokesman for national police, said two
of those missing were police officers and a senior commander of the Haifa force
had been critically injured. The Magen David Adom paramedics confirmed just 22
deaths.
“What is happening here behind us is there’s a fire that is blazing out of
control, moving toward the west … It is an enormous disaster,” Aharonovitch
added.
Israeli media said it was the biggest forest fire in the country’s history, with
some 2,800 hectares of land destroyed. Some 500 inmates from the local Damon
prison were moved to safety in the early afternoon as the blaze spread. A jail
official said guards from around Israel had been attending a course at the
penitentiary and had been driven straight into the flames in their doomed bid to
escape danger. Some Israeli news sites said the prison guards had been heading
toward to the prison trying to help with the evacuation when they were surprised
by the fast-moving blaze. Israeli media said the fire started around midday,
possibly in an illegal dumping ground in the Carmel Hills.
CBC defends decision to air program
By The Daily Star /Friday, December 03, 2010
BEIRUT: The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) said Thursday its decision
to air a documentary dealing with the inquiry into the assassination of Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri “came after many months of investigation.” “CBC holds that
it is the role of journalists to serve as independent monitors and reporters of
events and issues in the public interest,” said a CBC statement emailed to The
Daily Star. The chief prosecutor for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which is
examining the 2005 murder of Rafik Hariri had said Tuesday he was “extremely
disappointed” by a November 22 CBC story linking Hizbullah and head of Lebanon’s
police intelligence to the assassination. Daniel Bellemare said the most serious
impact of the CBC reports is that their broadcast may put people’s lives in
jeopardy. CBC said the circumstances surrounding the Hariri assassination
represented an important story that deserves to be investigated and reported in
full. According to the CBC statement, the report came after many months of
investigation that included interviews with those directly involved in the
investigation and drew on related internal documents. “We will continue to
report on this matter as circumstances warrant,” said the statement. – The Daily
Star
Hariri to convene Cabinet upon return to Beirut
By Hussein Dakroub /Daily Star staff
Friday, December 03, 2010
BEIRUT: Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Thursday he would call for a Cabinet
session immediately upon his return to Beirut to discuss the current political
crisis over an impending indictment into the 2005 assassination of his father,
former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. A Cabinet meeting is expected to defuse
political tensions and put an end to the state of paralysis in government
institutions as the country is facing a critical and sensitive period ahead of
the release of the indictment.
A source in the March 8 camp spoke of “a new positive atmosphere” as a result of
the Saudi-Syrian mediation bid. “Signs of this atmosphere might begin to emerge
in the next four to five days,” the source told The Daily Star Thursday night.
Speaking to reporters in Paris after holding talks with his French counterpart
Francois Fillon, Hariri praised President Michel Sleiman’s decision to consult
with rival Lebanese leaders in an attempt to end the state of paralysis and
resume the Cabinet’s sessions. The Cabinet has not met since November 10 due to
political differences between the March 8 and March 14 camps over the
controversial issue of “false witnesses” linked to the probe into Rafik Hariri’s
killing. “God willing, matters are positive. We have the full intention to reach
an understanding through dialogue and calm,” Hariri said in a statement. “I’ve
said it and repeat it that fiery statements in Lebanon are useless. The moves
undertaken by the president are good. God willing, the Cabinet will meet
immediately after my return to Lebanon,” he added.
After his talks in Paris, Hariri traveled to Riyadh, before heading to Oman
Friday for a two-day official visit.
Hariri’s remarks came as Sleiman held a second round of consultations Thursday
with leaders and politicians from the March 8 and March 14 camps aimed at ending
the state of paralysis and resuming the Cabinet’s sessions. He met separately
with former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Economy and Trade Minister Mohammed
Safadi, MP Hagop Pakradounian, Hizbullah MP Mohammad Raad and Lebanese Forces
leader Samir Geagea. Sleiman is expected to resume his consultations Monday.
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir said he hoped Sleiman would succeed in
his efforts to relaunch dialogue between the rival factions.
“Lebanon is a small country dogged by crises. Its population is estimated at
nearly 4 million, nearly 1 million of them have left the country,” Sfeir said in
a statement carried by the state-run National News Agency (NNA). Sleiman’s
consultations coincided with reports that the indictment, which is widely
expected to implicate Hizbullah members in Hariri’s assassination, would be
released this month, further heightening political tension in the country.
The indictment will be released by the Netherlands-based Special Tribunal for
Lebanon (STL), which is investigating Hariri’s assassination.
Meanwhile, Saad Hariri wound up a three-day official visit to France Thursday by
meeting Fillon to discuss the political crisis in Lebanon, bilateral relations
and developments in the Middle East. Hariri held talks Tuesday with French
President Nicolas Sarkozy who reiterated France’s support for Lebanon’s
stability as well as for the UN-backed STL.
France has also reiterated its commitment to the implementation of the Paris III
donors’ conference on Lebanon after talks between Hariri and French Finance
Minister Christine Lagarde Wednesday. At the Paris III conference in 2007, the
international community pledged $7.6 billion in assistance to Lebanon.
Hariri said he discussed with Fillon “the challenges facing Lebanon at this
stage,” including the Israeli threats, Israel’s decision to withdraw from the
Lebanese part of the border village of Ghajar and the international tribunal.
“France has stood with Lebanon and it will continue to do so … France is still
supporting this tribunal,” he said.
Referring to the Saudi-Syrian bid seeking to find a compromise solution to the
political crisis over the indictment, Hariri said: “We are committed to the
Saudi-Syrian track. This track should be given time to achieve results. There
are parties that must do what they need to do.” This was a clear reference to
the March 8 camp.
Hariri rejected charges that he was wasting his time with foreign trips. “I am
not wasting time. Those who are accusing me of wasting time, they should do
something. They know themselves and they have not yet done what they should do,”
he said.
Hariri was apparently responding to Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
who, in a speech last Sunday, urged the government to stop wasting time and
warned the March 14 camp that it might be too late to reach a solution to the
crisis once the indictment is issued.
Hariri said Lebanon is currently going through “a difficult time … but through
dialogue and with the support of all our friends, like France, the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia and Syria, we will overcome this difficult stage.”
He accused Israel of obstructing the Middle East peace process and warned that
extremism would prevail in the region if no progress was achieved in the stalled
peace efforts.
“Israel cannot continue the construction of settlements in Palestine as if
nothing is happening. There are Security Council resolutions pertaining to the
occupied Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese territories. Despite this, Israel does
not stop violating these resolutions,” Hariri said. He added that extremism
since the Madrid Middle East peace conference 19 years ago has doubled “hundreds
of times.”
“I want to ask the entire world, the international community and the Israelis,
where will extremism be in 10 years if peace is not achieved. Does Israel want
to help Al-Qaeda? This is what it is doing anyway,” Hariri said.
Sleiman’s consultations came as the March 8 and March 14 camps are sharply split
over the STL’s indictment, raising fears of sectarian strife, especially if some
Hizbullah members are implicated in Hariri’s assassination. The split and the
dispute over the issue of “false witnesses,” who allegedly misled the probe into
the assassination, have paralyzed the national unity Cabinet.
The split has also stalled meetings of the National Dialogue Committee to
discuss in principle a defense strategy to protect Lebanon against a possible
Israeli attack. The committee’s last meeting on November 4 was boycotted by
Hizbullah and its allies in the March 8 camp to protest the Cabinet’s failure to
act on the issue of “false witnesses.”
They insist that the key to reducing political tensions and reaching the truth
behind Hariri’s killing lies in prosecuting witnesses who allegedly misled the
probe with their false testimonies. They demand that the Justice Council, the
country’s highest judicial body, handle the issue of “false witnesses.” But this
demand was rejected by the March 14 camp which maintains that the regular
judiciary can look into this case. The outcome of Wednesday’s consultations
showed that the rival factions upheld their conflicting positions on how to
handle this issue, with the March 8 camp insisting that the Cabinet act on this
issue by a vote or any other means. Both Sleiman and Hariri are staunchly
opposed to a Cabinet vote on this issue to avoid a further split among the
ministers. After meeting Sleiman, Geagea ruled out the possibility of the March
8 camp accepting the president’s call to convene a meeting of the National
Dialogue Committee and later a Cabinet session. He praised Sleiman who, he said,
“is trying to break the current stagnation.”
'No winners' in friction over Tribunal, report warns
Political fighting likely to undermine expected indictment and could lead to
violence, says think tank
By The Daily Star /Friday, December 03, 2010 /BEIRUT: All sides, including the
Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), are likely to lose out following the
impending indictment, an International Crisis Group (ICG) report released
Thursday has said. “No winner will come out of the current battle,” the report
entitled “Trial by Fire: The Politics of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon”
concluded.
Hizbullah’s continued attacks on the UN-backed tribunal, investigating the 2005
assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, are counterproductive says
the ICG, which predicts they will likely lead the tribunal to strengthen its
evidence before any indictment. “Hizbullah’s reputation has been tarnished, and
it is unlikely soon to be restored,” the report said. Even a perceived victory
which would see Prime Minister Saad Hariri denounce the work of the STL could
backfire and result in the “very real” possibility of an armed Sunni uprising.
Reports of “false witnesses” and court politicization have already damaged the
credibility of the STL sufficiently to undermine any ruling.
The possibility an indictment could lead to the capitulation of the government
or the outbreak of violence would further soil the court and delegitimize future
international judicial investigations, the report said. The ICG considers Hariri
to be in a central but dangerously exposed position. Abandoning the STL would
irreversibly fragment the March 14 coalition, as well as lead to his political
downfall, the report said.
A Lebanese solution is deemed virtually impossible with the best hopes resting
on Syrian-Saudi mediation efforts. Their succes, however, is uncertain.
“Saudi Arabia and Syria have agreed to agree even when they disagree,” the
report quoted an official close to Hariri as saying. “They do not want this to
lead to a conflict.”
This view, however, is rejected by a leading March 8 coalition figure quoted in
the report who claims that “the Syrian-Saudi relationship has reached its
limits.”
The ICG advocates several hard, but, possible solutions. A Parliamentary vote
could be issued asking the UN Security Council to cease functioning of the STL
following the indictment.
Alternatively a decision to stop cooperation could be issued or made conditional
on the STL changing its mode of operations such as trials in abstention, the
report said. – The Daily Star