LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
ِNovember 22/2010

Bible Of The Day
Romans 8/34: "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Today's Inspiring Thought: Jesus Intercedes for Us"
I have a true friend with the gift of encouragement. I call her my cheerleader. She's always pulling for me, and cheering me on. I also know she prays for me often. But, as Christians, we each have something even better in Jesus—a friend who sticks closer than a brother, and an advocate interceding for us at the right hand of God.
We may never fully know how many times Jesus has interceded on our behalf and moved the hand of God to save us. Even now, at this very moment, Jesus may be speaking to the Father in your defense. How awesome is that thought?

Free Opinions, Releases, letters, Interviews & Special Reports
Muslims Burning Christian Homes an 'Act of Fate,' Say Egyptian Police/AINA/November 22/10

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for November 21/10
Gemayel on 4th Anniversary of Pierre's Assassination: We Won't Give up Our Right to Justice/Naharnet
We need to know who killed the martyrs, Gemayel says/Now Lebanon
Suleiman for a Defense Strategy That Would Give Army Right to Defend Sovereignty/Naharnet
Bloodless Coup Returns Voice of Lebanon to Kataeb on Anniversary of Gemayel Assassination/Naharnet
Clinton Congratulates Lebanon on National Day/Naharnet
Suleiman Receives Message from Obama and Confirmation of Ongoing Military Support/Naharnet
Lebanon to Celebrate Independence Day with Military Parade, Suleiman to Stress Consensus/Naharnet
UN Investigators' Lost USB, Not Computer, Considered Valuable Catch/Naharnet
Geagea: Region Passing Through Delicate Circumstances/Naharnet
Opposition Puts Forward Proposal Suggesting STL was Unconstitutionally Established/Naharnet
MP Saqr Acknowledges 'Plans' to Resolve Indictment Crisis with Hariri a Major Player/Naharnet
Aoun Says No Weapons in Christian Areas/Naharnet
Hizbullah Thanks Aoun for his Position towards Resistance: STL Changes Don't Concern Us, Didn't Surprise Us/Naharnet
Major Fire Erupts at Bldg near Gas Factory in Kfar Aqqa/Naharnet
4 Hurt as Dispute Erupts into Gunfire in Rashidiyeh Camp/Naharnet
Four Inmates Wounded in Jeb Jennin Prison Quarrel/Naharnet
Army Command to Sternly Deal with Any Security Mishap, Report/Naharnet
Sovereignty Cannot Be Reached in Ghajar until Army Deployment/Naharnet
Suleiman: My Meeting with Assad was Excellent, Saudi-Syrian Initiative is Moving Forward/Naharnet
Saudi Prince's Visit to Damascus Holds a Saudi-Syrian Settlement/Naharnet
Aoun Visits Franjieh, Threatens to Boycott Cabinet, Dialogue unless False Witnesses' is Settled/Naharnet

Suleiman Receives Message from Obama and Confirmation of Ongoing Military Support
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman received on Friday a written letter from his American counterpart Barack Obama congratulating him on Lebanon's Independence Day.
The message was delivered to him on Friday by General James Mattis, the U.S. Central Command chief, during a meeting that included U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly.
Mattis had pledged on Friday that his country would continue to support the Lebanese army, a week after Washington lifted a freeze on military aid to Beirut."General Mattis came to Lebanon to reiterate ... the U.S. government's position that the United States is committed to the continuity of (the Central Command's) relationship with the Lebanese army and to supporting legitimate institutions of the Lebanese state," the U.S. Embassy said. The general "pledged to continue to support training and engagement assistance to the Lebanese army in order to build greater military capacity and deepen our relationship," it said in a statement. "The U.S. believes its assistance to the LAF (Lebanese armed forces) contributes to improving regional stability." Mattis arrived on Friday for a brief visit, his first to Lebanon, during which he met President Suleiman, Defense Minister Elias al-Murr and Lebanese army chief General Jean Qahwaji. The chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Howard Berman, last week lifted a hold on 100 million dollars in military aid to Lebanon. The United States has provided 720 million dollars in aid to the Lebanese army since 2005. But U.S. aid to Lebanon's military was suspended following a deadly skirmish between the Lebanese and Israeli armies in August. Berman said he had received assurances that assistance to the Lebanese army had not fallen into the hands of Hizbullah, which fought a devastating war against Israel in 2006.But he expressed ongoing concern over tensions between Lebanon and Israel in the wake of the 2006 conflict.(naharnet-AFP) Beirut, 20 Nov 10, 09:52

Clinton Congratulates Lebanon on National Day
Naharnet/U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday congratulated Lebanon on its upcoming independence day, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to the country's unity and sovereignty. "Today, we again affirm the commitment of the United States to an independent, sovereign, and unified Lebanon with strong and effective state institutions," Clinton said in a written statement. "We firmly believe that preserving a peaceful, prosperous, democratic, and stable Lebanon is essential for the security of the Lebanese people, and for the region more broadly," she added.Political tensions have been rising in Lebanon as Sunni Prime Minister Saad Hariri is locked in a standoff with Hizbullah over a U.N.-backed probe into the assassination of his father, former premier Rafik Hariri.(AFP) Beirut, 20 Nov 10, 14:51

We need to know who killed the martyrs, Gemayel says
November 21, 2010 /During a mass held to commemorate the assassination of former Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel on Sunday, Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel – the former’s father – said “we do not need another national charter, or another Taif Accord or Doha Agreement. We need a verdict to know who killed our martyrs.” All initiatives are welcomed, whether Arab or international after a verdict is issued, Gemayel added. “We will not ensconce before justice is achieved. We want justice because we reject vengeance. We want truth because we reject false testimonies. We want the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) because we want stability. We want justice for the sake of justice.”“This is our right and we will not back down from building the state no matter what [the obstacles that face us] are. The clock’s hands will not turn back. We will not accept any settlement at the expense of our martyrs’ blood.”“They thought they would harm the party by assassinating [Pierre], but the Kataeb will stay,” Gemayel added. Pierre Gemayel was assassinated in 2006.Tension is high in Lebanon amid unconfirmed reports that the STL will soon issue its indictment in its investigation of the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. There are fears that should the court indict Hezbollah members, it could lead to clashes similar to those of the 2008 May Events – when gunmen led by the party took over half of Beirut.-NOW Lebanon

Gemayel on 4th Anniversary of Pierre's Assassination: We Won't Give up Our Right to Justice
Naharnet/Phalange party leader on Sunday said Lebanon does not need another Taif or Doha agreements "but a ruling" on who killed political leaders. "We are not in need of another Taif or Doha. We need a ruling first on who killed our martyrs," Gemayel said after a mass memorial marking the fourth anniversary of the assassination of his son, former Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel. The mass for Gemayel and his bodyguard Samir Shartouni took place at St. Anthony Church in Jdeideh. "We will not rest until justice is achieved. We want the truth because we reject false testimonies. We want the Tribunal because we seek stability," he stressed. "Loyalty to Pierre is achieved through commitment to the party's goal of serving Lebanon well."

Bloodless Coup Returns Voice of Lebanon to Kataeb on Anniversary of Gemayel Assassination
Naharnet/After a long struggle with the management of Modern Media Company, the Phalange party was able to regain the Voice of Lebanon radio station just in time for the fourth anniversary of Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel's assassination. Thanks to the bold position taken by VDL staff at the various news, programs and technical departments who carried out a "kind of a peaceful coup" when 90 to 95 percent of them rejected to move to the station's new offices in Dbayeh, Saad Elias wrote in al-Balad newspaper Sunday.
He said the mass resignation of VDL staff to protest against the move to transfer them to Dbayeh and insist to stay in the current location in Ashrafiyeh which is owned by the Phalange party also helped hasten the measure. Beirut, 21 Nov 10, 15:42

Sami Gemayel: Kataeb Won't Retract from Hariri's Struggle
21/11/10
NNA - Chief Kataeb coordinator, MP Sami Gemayel, underscored Kataeb non-retraction from Hariri and Pierre Gemayel's struggles.
Sami Gemayel and, in an interview on Voice of Free Lebanon radio station, described the Prime Minister's attitude as a middle-of-the-road moderate line indispensable for all the Lebanese.
Gemayel stood out in support of Saad Hariri saying that the Kataeb would never accept his resignation and that they would do all they could to support him.
Gemayel criticized Jumblatt's wavering position between March 14 and 8. He added that Jumblatt has become totally irresponsible to accept in view of the fact that his utterances nowadays have become totally incomprehensible. He paid tribute to Hizbullah martyrs who give their lives in defense of Lebanon as he said. He however, concluded that the Kataeb remain ideologically opposed to Hizbullah's Islamist fundamentalist thinking.
With respect to Pierre Gemayel's assassination, 4 years ago, he preferred to keep Kataeb Party options open. He however, refused to point a finger of accusation at anyone rather than wait for the STL final indictment.

Suleiman for a Defense Strategy That Would Give Army Right to Defend Sovereignty
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman on Sunday underlined the need to put forward a defense strategy that would give the Lebanese army the right to defend sovereignty. President Michel Suleiman, during a televised Independence Day speech, also said he was committed to equality and to solving problems through dialogue."We have to move forward with the defense strategy to give the Lebanese army the right to defend sovereignty," Suleiman said. "Achieving independence may sometimes seem incomplete each time it is exposed to foreign intervention," he believed. Suleiman said Lebanon defended the issues of truth and justice and emerged as a country that embraces freedom of opinion and expression. "It is useful to commit to equally. We must adhere to the Taif agreement and to our cultural principles. "We must not allow discord to break out again. We have to resort to Constitutional institutions to resolve any dispute," Suleiman stressed. He said the first and most important responsibility "falls on all of us as Lebanese to safeguard Lebanon. We are able to do so if we have a solid willpower."
Suleiman stressed the need for the various political parties to engage in national dialogue. He vowed to "always be bias toward ensuring the country's interests." Beirut, 21 Nov 10, 20:49

Aoun Visits Franjieh, Will Boycott Cabinet, Dialogue until False Witnesses' is Settled
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun on Sunday warned he will not take part in Cabinet or dialogue sessions unless the false witnesses' issue has been settled.
His remarks came at the end of a visit to Bnashi where he met Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh. At a joint press conference in the garden of Franjieh's mansion, both men vowed not to abandon each other. "There is political and national understanding between us (Franjieh and Aoun) which no one can separate," Aoun told reporters. On a separate issue, Aoun said FPM official, retired Brig. Gen. Fayez Karam, has been detained as part of a campaign against the Free Patriotic Movement. Franjieh, for his part, stressed on the "political alliance" with Aoun. On a separate issue, Franjieh believed that anyone with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon "does not want the best for Lebanon."

UN Investigators' Lost USB, Not Computer, Considered 'Valuable Catch'
Naharnet/USB that was left behind in the stolen laptop of one of two UN investigators who visited a doctor's clinic in Beirut's southern suburbs last month was reportedly a "valuable catch."
Ad-Diyar newspaper on Sunday said the French-Canadian investigator had "committed a technical error" by carrying with him the USB. It said the USB contained an "interrogation map" that took place recently in addition to a network of information and questions with analysis of the interrogator following each investigation.On Oct. 27, a group of women charged at investigators from the UN probe into the murder of ex-premier Rafij Hariri at the clinic of Doctor Iman Sharara, snatching a briefcase. The crowd of more than 30 women, with another 75 or so remaining outside the building in Beirut's southern suburbs, also cursed the tribunal. It was not known what was inside the briefcase. Beirut, 21 Nov 10, 08:32

Lebanon to Celebrate Independence Day with Military Parade, Suleiman to Stress Consensus
Naharnet/Celebrations across Lebanon took place on the eve of Independence Day Nov. 22. President Michel Suleiman will deliver a televised Independence Day speech at 8:00pm on Sunday that will reportedly stress consensus among the various political parties to confront the dangers facing Lebanon.Pan-Arab al-Hayat newspaper said Suleiman is also likely to stress dialogue. Beirut, 21 Nov 10, 09:03

Geagea: Region Passing Through Delicate Circumstances
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Sunday said the region is passing through "delicate circumstances that could determine the fate of its countries and peoples and Lebanon is not far away from what is happening."His remarks came on the eve of Independence Day. Geagea believed that the "dark forces were seeking to conquer freedom and the culture of death was life-threatening.""We seek freedom and strive for it," he said. Beirut, 21 Nov 10, 14:42

Lebanon's Opposition has reportedly put forward a proposal that suggests the International Tribunal was "unconstitutionally" established.
Ad-Diyar newspaper on Sunday, citing well-informed sources, said that among the ideas suggested was that Parliament would come out with a stance against the Special Tribunal for Lebanon "on the basis that the STL was not ratified by Parliament nor approved by the President."It said another point under the proposal, which several Lebanese officials have been informed of, suggests withdrawal of the two Lebanese judges who are among the STL Appeals Chamber Panel. The third point, according to the sources, is commitment by the various political sides to facilitate the task of Saad Hariri as prime minister. Beirut, 21 Nov 10, 08:03

MP Saqr Acknowledges 'Plans' to Resolve Indictment Crisis with Hariri a Major Player
Naharnet/Mustaqbal MP Oqab Saqr unveiled Sunday "plans" for a solution to the crisis over an indictment to be issued by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
In remarks published by pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat, Saqr said an agreement was reached on how to solve the crisis.
He said, however, that an agreement on how to approach this deal is yet to be accomplished. Saqr said the agreement was launched based on the Syrian-Saudi initiative that was culminated in a meeting in Beirut that grouped President Michel Suleiman, Syrian President Bashar Assad and Saudi King Abdullah. He said the 3-point Syria-Saudi agreement includes maintaining Lebanon stability, maintaining the national unity government and facilitate its work; and agreement to engage in dialogue to resolve problems. Saqr explained that the Syrian-Saudi bid aimed at forming a "security umbrella" for Lebanon, stressing that Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the majority March 14 coalition supported this effort. He said five consensus-based settlements were being mulled to resolve the indictment crisis, adding that Hariri was playing a key role in this regard. Beirut, 21 Nov 10, 10:02

Army Command to Sternly Deal with Any Security Mishap, Report
Naharnet/One of the visitors of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji has noted that the Army Command will be very stern in dealing with any possible security mishap in the country, Akhbar Al-Yaum news agency reported Saturday. The visitor quoted Qahwaji as saying that the Army Command will not allow the occurrence of any security disturbance in any area.
He told the agency that "Qahwaji's stern stance, which he has reiterated more than once," is based on the belief that remaining idle in the face of security disturbances would be much more costly than confronting any security mishap. "Because this confrontation would bestow credibility on the State and the army and curb the dangers" of any security incident, the agency quoted Qahwaji's visitor as saying. On the other hand, the source ruled out "the occurrence of any security disturbance in light of the ongoing contacts, especially the Syrian-Saudi-Iranian contacts."
Qahwaji gave his orders and instructions to the army to face up to any possible unrest, the source added.
But the army will not intervene in the event of "peaceful demonstrations or civilian rallies, because its duty is not to curb freedom of expression, but rather to practice its role in the event of a security disturbance," the source went on to say. Beirut, 20 Nov 10, 18:06

Aoun Visits Franjieh, Threatens to Boycott Cabinet, Dialogue unless False Witnesses' is Settled
آشاشقىثفظFree Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun on Sunday warned he will not take part in Cabinet or dialogue sessions unless the false witnesses' issue has been settled.
His remarks came at the end of a visit to Bnashi where he met Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh. At a joint press conference in the garden of Franjieh's mansion, both men vowed not to abandon each other. "There is political and national understanding between us (Franjieh and Aoun) which no one can separate," Aoun told reporters.
On a separate issue, Aoun said FPM official, retired Brig. Gen. Fayez Karam, has been detained as part of a campaign against the Free Patriotic Movement.
Franjieh, for his part, stressed on the "political alliance" with Aoun. On a separate issue, Franjieh believed that anyone with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon "does not want the best for Lebanon." Beirut, 21 Nov 10, 14:01

Question: "Is it wrong to feel disappointment with God?"
questionc.om
http://by158w.bay158.mail.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
Answer: Disappointment with God is not necessarily wrong or sinful; rather, it is a part of the human condition. The word "disappointment" means "a feeling of dissatisfaction when one’s hopes, desires, and expectations fail to come to pass." When God somehow fails to satisfy our hopes or doesn’t live up to our expectations, disappointment inevitably follows. If God doesn’t perform in the manner we think He should, we are disillusioned with Him and dissatisfied with His performance. This can lead to wavering faith in God, especially in His sovereignty and His goodness.
When God doesn’t act when we think He should act, it isn’t because He is unable to do so. Rather, He simply chooses not to. While this might seem an arbitrary or capricious act on His part, the exact opposite is true. God chooses to act or not to act according to His perfect and holy will in order to bring about His righteous purposes. Nothing happens that is out of God’s plan. He has control of every molecule that floats around in the universe, and God’s will encompasses every act and decision made by every person throughout the world at all times. He tells us in Isaiah 46:11, “From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.” Even the birds are somehow part of His foreordained plan. Furthermore, there are times when He chooses to let us know His plans (Isaiah 46:10) and times when He does not. Sometimes we understand what He is doing; sometimes we do not (Isaiah 55:9). One thing we do know for sure: if we belong to Him, whatever He does will be to our benefit, whether we understand it or not (Romans 8:28).
The key to avoiding disappointment with God is to align our wills with His and to submit to His will in all things. Doing so will not only keep us from being disappointed with God, but it will also preclude grumbling and complaining about the events that occur in our lives. The Israelites in the desert griped and questioned God on several occasions, despite having seen miraculous displays of His power in the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of manna and quail in the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord that followed them in the form of a pillar of fire (Exodus 15–16; Numbers 14:2-37). Despite God’s continual faithfulness to His people, they grumbled and were disappointed with God because He did not act as they thought He should. Rather than submitting to His will and trusting Him, they were in a constant state of turmoil and confusion.
When we align our wills with God’s will and when we can say, with Jesus, “Not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42), then we find the contentment Paul spoke of in 1 Timothy 6:6-10 and Philippians 4:11-12. Paul had learned to be content with whatever God sent his way. He trusted God and submitted to His will, knowing that a holy, righteous, perfect, loving, and merciful God would work all things together for his good because that is what He promised. When we see God in that light, we can’t possibly be disappointed with Him. Rather, we submit willingly to our heavenly Father, knowing that His will is perfect and that everything He brings to pass in our lives will be for our good and for His glory.
Recommended Resource: Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey.
http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=1033919111&msgid=4407604&act=YJWC&c=1766
 

حرق منازل المسيحيين في مصر لا يحرك الدولة ولا القضاء والجريمة تمر مرور الكرام
Muslims Burning Christian Homes an 'Act of Fate,' Say Egyptian Police
http://www.aina.org/news/20101120134121.htm
Assyrian International News Agency
(AINA) --11-20-2010
Police authorities in the Egyptian village rampaged by a Muslim mob on November 15, torching some 22 Coptic houses, came to the conclusion that the fires came about haphazardly as an "act of fate." The Bishop of Nag Hammadi, Anba Kyrillos, rejected the police explanations of the cause of the fires, saying "An act of fate caused 22 houses to be torched? An act of fate also caused torching of shops, a storage house and a large number livestock not near each other?" He added that the two Coptic-owned fields and irrigation machinery were torched one day later, "so was this also an act of fate?"
The Chief prosecutor went to survey the damage in Al-Nawahed village, Abu-Tesht, in Qena province, 290 miles south of Cairo, but he refused to listen to any of the Coptic victims, speak to witnesses who saw the perpetrators or even register the names of the accused. The Bishop expressed anger at yet another injustice befalling the Copts, saying "Does the chief prosecutor want to register the case against 'unknown persons?"
The Bishop filed a complaint with the Attorney General against the chief prosecutor of Abu-Tesht for refusing to investigate charges brought by Copts against the Muslim perpetrators named by them, and asked for the re-opening of the investigation.
Coptic village inhabitants were subjected to Muslim mob rampage on November 15th and 16th, prompted by a rumors of an affair between 19-year-old Copt Hossam Noel Attallah and a 17-year-old Muslim girl, Rasha Mohamed Hussein (AINA 11-17-2010).
During the attack the Muslim mob threw fireballs, gasoline and stones at Coptic homes and detonated Butane Gas cylinders This video shows Muslims torching a Coptic Christian home while shouting "Alahu Akbar" and the terrified inhabitants of the home taking refuge on the roof of the burning house.
The Bishop accused the village mayor Tantawi Abdelmoneim and others of planning and inciting to the incident. He denied that these attack could have anything to do with the Egyptian parliamentary elections slotted for November 28.
It was reported that State Security forced thirteen Coptic families to sign papers stating the fire happened as an "Act of Fate" and was extinguished by security and the village Muslims. "Have you ever heard of such humiliation? said a Coptic victim "Whoever refused to sign was beaten up. We were afraid to be detained by security, so we signed" he added. He confirmed that the police know all of the perpetrators.
None of the Coptic village inhabitants had any information as to the whereabouts of the Muslim girl, Rasha. However, they said that Hossam is still detained by security and was tortured and taken for treatment to the military hospital in Qena.
One of the village Copts told local Coptic activist Miriam Ragy that Copts are hiding on the roofs of their torched homes, afraid to venture in the street to buy food lest they be killed by Muslims. "We are sending a call to anybody to come and save us. We cannot wait here until we are slaughtered," he said. "Everything was burnt out in our homes, we sleeping overnight on the roofs where it is freezing cold."
The Bishop explained that the Coptic inhabitants are poor peasants who are traumatized and afraid to be ambushed if they go out, but said security forces now have the situation in the village under control.
"What is really worrying," says Wagih Yacoub, "is the police now going to Coptic homes taking down the names of males over the age of 16 years." He explained that security authorities will eventually detain them to force the Copts into reconciliation to get their boys out. "It is the same old trick used by security over and over again, in order to force unofficial reconciliation where Copts are forced to give up their rights."
Bishop Kyrillos decried the fact that every time there is a rumor of a relationship between a Coptic man and a Muslim girl, the whole Coptic community has to pay the price. "It happened in Kom Ahmar (Farshout) where 86 Coptic-owned properties were torched, in Nag Hammadi we were killed and on top of that, they torched 43 homes and shops and now in Al-Nawahed village just because a girl and a boy are walking beside each other in the street, the whole place is destroyed," he said.
**By Mary Abdelmassih
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