LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
ِOctober 04/2010

Bible Of The Day
John's first letter2/9-11 and 18-19: " He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now. 2:10 He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him. 2:11 But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 18 Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour. 2:19 They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.

Free Opinions, Releases, letters, Interviews & Special Reports
STL Indictments: Begining of the End For Hezbollah/By: Ghassan Karam/October 03/10 

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for October 03/10 
Arrest warrants in Sayyed case are message to Hariri, MTV says/Now Lebanon
Sayyed: Syrian judiciary has issued arrest warrants in my case/Now Lebanon
Social Affairs Minister Selim Sayegh: No one can intimidate Lebanon/Now Lebanon
Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar: No need for cabinet vote on STL funding/Now Lebanon
Muallem Calls on Lebanese to Work Together 'in Line with Beirut Summit Outcome/Naharnet
Jumblat: Heavy Clouds Looming over Lebanon, Let Those behind Thoughtless Rhetoric Shut Up/Naharnet

Russian experts flee Iran, escape dragnet for cyber worm smugglers DEBKAfile Exclusive Report
Ahmadinejad: Israel savage dog unleashed in region/Agencies-Israeli news
Israel Warns Lebanon: Ahmadinejad's Visit Could Spark Tension/Naharnet
This Time, in the Event of Civil War, Arab, European Forces will Enter Lebanon, Geagea/Naharnet

MP Nadim Gemayel warns of coup against democracy/Now Lebanon
MP Dori Chamoun: STL is in the hands of the UN Security Council/Now Lebanon
MP Marwan Hamadeh : Some are trying to mislead the STL/Now Lebanon

Asiri: Saudi Arabia Interfering in STL is Out of the Question as it is Out of Anyone's Control/Naharnet
Assad, Ahmadinejad Discuss Lebanon, Stress Need to Maintain Lebanon Calmv/Naharnet
Moratinos: STL is Autonomous and it should be Supported to the End/Naharnet
Asarta: Indictment will Not have Repercussions on UNIFIL/Naharnet
Arms Market Active in Lebanon/Naharnet
Ahmadinejad to visit 'Iran's border with Israel/J.Post
Syria's Assad rebuffs Washington by courting Iran/Reuters
Iran, Syria hope for expanding anti-Israeli bloc (Roundup)/Monsters and Critics.com
Assad-Hariri in Touch, Stress Damascus Relation: No Turning Back/Naharnet
Hamadeh: No One Can Separate Me from Jumblat
/Naharnet
Fist Fight in Naameh over Police Chief Poster
/Naharnet
SSNP MP: No Explosion in Lebanon, But Government Won't Live Long
/Naharnet
Jumblat: Crisis in Lebanon is Complicated and Sensitive, but Opportunity for a Solution is Still Available
/Naharnet
AMAL, MP Hariri Stress it was an Individual Incident
/Naharnet
Bassil from Iran: Lebanese Government Cannot Reject Iranian Aid in Properly Equipping Army
/Naharnet
Qassem: Hizbullah has Not Taken a Final Position on How to Deal with the STL
/Naharnet
Rayyes: We are Pushing for a Hariri-Nasrallah Meeting to Reach Solution to Crisis
/Naharnet
Suleiman Working on Preventing Clash over Funding of STL
/Naharnet
Lebanese Army: Sidon Dispute Caused by 'Traffic Priority'
/Naharnet
Jumblat: Crisis in Lebanon is Complicated and Sensitive, but Opportunity for a Solution is Still Available/Naharnet
Assad-Hariri in Touch, Stress Damascus Relation: No Turning Back/Naharnet
Sayyed Sees International Powers Behind Claims Hizbullah Murdered Hariri/Naharnet

MP Ali Fayyad: Not too late to resolve issues/Now Lebanon
Rahhal: Future Movement adheres to STL/Now Lebanon
Hashem: STL was not established according to Lebanese law/Now Lebanon

Ahmadinejad: Israel savage dog unleashed in region
Iran's president calls for US leaders to be 'buried' over threats of military action against it
Reuters and AFP Published: 10.03.10, Israel News
Iran's president called Israel a "savage dog unleashed in the region" Sunday, and said US leaders should be "buried" in response to threats of military attack over Tehran's nuclear program.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is known for brash rhetoric in addressing the West, but in a speech Sunday he used a deeply offensive insult in calling for an undertaker to bury US leaders.
"They have an incomprehensible nerve threatening us and saying all options are on the table. Damn you, you have dragged the region into the mud," he said of the US, and added that if Western countries did not pull out of the Middle East "the nations of the region will throw you out." The hard-line president again questioned who was behind the Sept. 11 attacks in the US and said they gave Washington a pretext for seeking to dominate the region and plunder its oil wealth. Ahmadinejad recently returned from a visit to the US to attend the United Nations General Assembly. While in New York, he said most of the world's people believe the US was behind 9/11, drawing a strong rebuke from President Barack Obama


Arrest warrants in Sayyed case are message to Hariri, MTV says

October 3, 2010 /The arrest warrants issued by the Syrian judiciary in former General Security chief Jamil as-Sayyed’s case are a reaction to “Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s not caving to recent Syrian pressure, including changing the government,” MTV reported on Sunday. On Sunday the Syrian judiciary issued 33 arrest warrants for judges, officers, politicians and journalists of Lebanese, Arab and other nationalities in the lawsuit filed by Sayyed in Damascus in December 2009 against various defendants whom he alleges were involved in a conspiracy of false testimonies against him. Sayyed was arrested in 2005 on suspicion of involvement in former PM Rafik Hariri’s assassination and was released in 2009 due to lack of evidence.
All Syrian border crossings have been informed of the warrants’ contents and Interpol will be notified by Wednesday, MTV added.-NOW Lebanon

Sayyed: Syrian judiciary has issued arrest warrants in my case

October 3, 2010 /On Sunday the Syrian judiciary issued 33 arrest warrants for judges, officers, politicians and journalists of Lebanese, Arab and other nationalities in the case brought by former Lebanese General Security chief Jamil as-Sayyed, according to a statement from Sayyed’s office. Sayyed was arrested in 2005 on suspicion of involvement in former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s assassination and was released in 2009 due to lack of evidence. In December 2009, he filed a lawsuit in Damascus against various defendants whom he alleges were involved in a conspiracy of false testimonies against him. International Investigation Commissioner Detlev Mehlis and Mehlis’ assistant Gerhard Lehmann are among those named by the warrants, Sayyed’s statement said.-NOW Lebanon

Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar: No need for cabinet vote on STL funding

October 3, 2010 /There is no need for a cabinet vote on a 2011 state budget clause for Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) funding because the payment of 2011 dues could be considered a completion of previous installments already paid, Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar told LBC on Sunday. Lebanon paid four installments to the STL between 2007 and 2010 using treasury advances authorized by cabinet decrees, he said. Tension is high in Lebanon as some March 8 politicians are calling for the abolition of the STL. The 2010 state budget has yet to be passed by parliament and is in parliamentary committee, with some March 8 MPs opposing the clause related to STL funding. March 8 ministers are expected to take a similar stance in upcoming discussions of the 2011 state budget, which contains a similar STL funding clause. Lebanon cannot unilaterally escape from its international commitments, Najjar added.

Social Affairs Minister Selim Sayegh: No one can intimidate Lebanon,

October 3, 2010/“No one can intimidate Lebanon and no one can threaten anyone. Everyone is staying in Lebanon and we all need each other,” Social Affairs Minister Selim Sayegh said on Sunday according to a statement from his office. Tension is high in Lebanon as some March 8 politicians are calling for the abolition of the STL. In July, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that the tribunal is an Israeli project and will indict members of his party.“No matter how matters develop, we will sit together and agree with each other,” Sayegh said, adding that “the Lebanese [person] is not accustomed to fearing intimidation, and he believes in surviving in this country…. the storms through which he is passing are transient.”-NOW Lebanon

Muallem Calls on Lebanese to Work Together 'in Line with Beirut Summit Outcome'

Naharnet/Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Sunday called on all Lebanese parties "to consolidate their unity and stances for the unity and stability of Lebanon in line with the outcome of the Beirut summit." He stressed that "efforts are still being exerted in that direction." Muallem was speaking on the sidelines of a Syrian-Turkish ministerial meeting in the northern port of Lattakia. Muallem said Syria-Turkey relations "form the basis for stability in the Middle East," and were "an example to follow." He said it had been decided to establish a four-nation cooperation council that also includes Jordan and Lebanon. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a news conference that Ankara and Damascus wanted to increase their cooperation with Amman and Beirut in order to attract investment to the region. I am sure that such cooperation will help in finding solutions to the problems of the region," he said.(Naharnet-AFP) Beirut, 03 Oct 10,

Jumblat: Heavy Clouds Looming over Lebanon, Let Those behind Thoughtless Rhetoric Shut Up

Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Sunday stressed that "we don't need the Special Tribunal for Lebanon if blood is going to be shed for its sake."
Jumblat reiterated that "unveiling the truth behind false witnesses is the gateway towards knowing who murdered ex-PM Rafik Hariri."
During a tour of the Mount Lebanon area of Aley, the Druze leader wondered "who said that there are no false witnesses behind accusing Hizbullah of assassinating Hariri," warning of "heavy clouds looming over Lebanon."Jumblat noted that the Democratic Gathering he heads would mull its position on the financing of the tribunal if the issue was raised, adding that the gathering comprises independent MPs and lawmakers who abide by the decision of the PSP.He said that U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon might find other sources for financing the STL.
Jumblat lashed out at those behind the "thoughtless rhetoric", asking them to "shut up" and stressing that he rejects "an armed conflict for the sake of justice."He called for working together with Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah "in order to thwart civil strife," noting that foreign powers "are steering the tribunal in the direction they want, and now it seems they're steering it towards civil strife."The Druze leader stressed "the importance of political awareness," urging his partisans not to be dragged into any furor "because it would destroy us along with Lebanon." Beirut, 03 Oct 10,

Russian experts flee Iran, escape dragnet for cyber worm smugglers
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report October 3, 2010,  Intelligence sources report from Iran that dozens of Russian nuclear engineers, technicians and contractors are hurriedly departing Iran for home since local intelligence authorities began rounding up their compatriots as suspects of planting the Stuxnet malworm into their nuclear program.
Among them are the Russian personnel who built Iran's first nuclear reactor at Bushehr which Tehran admits has been damaged by the virus.
One of the Russian nuclear staffers, questioned in Moscow Sunday, Oct. 3 by Western sources, confirmed that many of his Russian colleagues had decided to leave with their families after team members were detained for questioning at the beginning of last week. He refused to give his name because he and his colleagues intend to return to Iran if the trouble blows over and the detainees are quickly released after questioning.
According to our sources, these detentions were the source of the announcement Saturday, Oct. 2, by Iranian Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi that several "nuclear spies" had been captured. "The enemy had sent electronic worms through the internet to undermine Iran's nuclear activities," he said. This was the first high-level Iranian admission that the Stuxnet virus had been planted by foreign elements to sabotage their entire nuclear program - and not just the Bushehr reactor. The comprehensive scale of the damage is attested to by the detention of Russian nuclear experts also at Natanz, Isfahan and Tehran. Moslehi added: "We are always facing destructive activities by these espionage services and of course we have arrested a number of nuclear spies to block the enemy's destructive moves. This statement is expected to prompt a second wave of Russian nuclear specialists to flee Iran.
The prime aim of their interrogation is to find out if Russian intelligence knowingly planted the destructive worm in Iran's nuclear facilities, possibly for under-the-counter pay, or were the unwitting carriers of equipment on order by Iran that had been previously infected. debkafile's Western sources report that the hundreds of Russian scientists, engineers and technicians employed in Iran were responsible for installing the Siemens control systems in Iran's nuclear complex and other facilities which proved most vulnerable to the cyber attack.
They were the only foreigners with access to these heavily guarded plants. At Bushehr, for instance, the Russian personnel enjoyed full access to all its systems.

Geagea: Egypt, EU will come if civil war breaks out

October 3, 2010 /YLibnan
This time, in the event of civil war, Egyptian, Arab and European forces will enter Lebanon, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea was quoted as saying.
Ad-Diyar newspaper, which carried the report, also said that Geagea was quoted as saying Syrian troops will not enter Lebanon in the event the situation deteriorated and civil war broke out in Lebanon. Geagea’s remarks come after Phalange party MP and former minister Elie Marouni told Free Lebanon radio on Saturday that “Syria is waiting for sedition in Lebanon to re-occupy the country.”“ Syria still has the intention of returning to Lebanon,” Marouni stressed. Unconfirmed reports reveal that Egypt is preparing to enter Lebanon , should Hezbollah repeat the May 7 incident. This refers to May 7 , 2008 event when gunmen of a Hezbollah-led alliance occupied the Sunni part of Beirut and tried but failed to occupy the Druze stronghold of Mt Lebanon. Tension escalated in Lebanon after reports said that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) will soon issue its indictment into the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Last July, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that the tribunal is “an Israeli project” that will indict Hezbollah members. Nasrallah accused Israel of being behind Hariri’s assassination but refused to provide the evidence to STL. Some March 8 coalition politicians have been calling for the abolition of the tribunal, while Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun and former head of General Security Jamil as-Sayyed publicly attacked the government


Israel Warns Lebanon: Ahmadinejad's Visit Could Spark Tension

Naharnet/Israel is stepping up preparations for the visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Lebanon next week, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. Ahmadinejad is scheduled to visit the Lebanese border area with Israel. Through United Nations, U.S. and French mediators, Israel has urged the Lebanese government to prevent Ahmadinejad from visiting the border and engaging in what Jerusalem described as "provocation," Haaretz said. It said the Iranian leader will visit Lebanon next Wednesday and Thursday, and is slated to visit the southern Lebanese villages of Bint Jbeil and Maroun al-Ras, each within a few kilometers of Israeli territory. The London-based newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi has reported that Ahmadinejad is interested in reaching the border fence to hurl stones at Israeli soldiers on the other side. Haaretz quoted a top-ranking Israeli official as saying that the Foreign Ministry and security services are conducting security evaluations of Ahmadinejad's visit, and that Israel is engaged in military, diplomatic and public-relations preparations in the days preceding it.
Over the past week, Israel has sent messages to Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri and President Michel Suleiman through U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the U.S. and French governments, it added. Last week, according to Haaretz, National Security Council head Uzi Arad met in Paris with his French counterpart Jean-David Levitte and asked him to transfer messages to the Lebanese Government stating that Jerusalem views Ahmadinejad's visit close to Israel's border as a provocative measure that could undermine regional stability and should therefore be canceled. A similar message was delivered to U.S. officials.
Last week Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman raised the issue in his meeting with Ban at U.N. Headquarters in New York. Lieberman said his government is "extremely worried" about the Iranian president's visit. Haaretz said sources in Jerusalem added that even before Israel asked Lebanon to reconsider Ahmadinejad's stop in the country's south, senior U.S. and French officials had already done the same independently. American officials reportedly did so immediately following the Iranian president's speech at the U.N. General Assembly last month blaming the U.S. government for the September 11 attacks. "They told the Lebanese that it wouldn't be wise to facilitate Ahmadinejad's visit to the border," a high-ranking Israeli official said. The Lebanese Government has yet to respond affirmatively to the requests, Haaretz said. Beirut, 03 Oct 10,

Asiri: Saudi Arabia Interfering in STL is Out of the Question as it is Out of Anyone's Control

Naharnet/Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awwad Asiri stressed that "it is out of the question" for the Kingdom to interfere in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, saying that only the U.N. Security Council can control the matter. He revealed to the daily Asharq al-Awsat Saturday that he had proposed to Hizbullah the need to form a Lebanese committee of opposition and majority forces aimed at studying the possible negative or positive outcomes of the STL and placing the necessary precautionary measures to contain the situation.
The ambassador noted however that the Lebanese parties are responsible enough not to allow the situation in the country to deteriorate after the announcement of the indictment. Furthermore, Asiri denied reports of Saudi Arabia's intention to abort the tribunal, urging the media to only take into consideration reports by Saudi officials and official media outlets.
He reiterated Saudi King Abdullah's stand over the STL when he visited Lebanon during which urged the Lebanese to act reasonably, adopt dialogue, and stand united.
Beirut, 02 Oct 10, 11:00

Assad, Ahmadinejad Discuss Lebanon, Stress Need to Maintain Lebanon Calm

Naharnet/President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday met his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran and Syrian FM Walid Muallem said the two leaders stressed the need to maintain calm in Lebanon to prevent any unrest. Iranian media said that Iraq and Palestine, in addition to Lebanon, would also feature prominently in Assad's talks with Iranian leaders.
Ahmadinejad praised Assad's role in "resistance" against Israel, the Islamic republic's arch-foe. "Nothing has changed in the Palestinian peace process (which) only aims to garner support for Obama inside America," Assad was quoted as saying in a statement posted on the website of Ahmadinejad's office. He was speaking at the start of an official visit to Iran, during talks with Ahmadinejad who also criticized the United States and Israel, saying "America's facade has crumbled and the Zionist regime has been exposed," without specifying whether he was referring to the U.S.-mediated peace talks. Exactly one month after they were launched, the direct talks are at risk of collapsing since Israel allowed a 10-month moratorium on new settler homes in the West Bank to expire last Sunday. Ahmadinejad and other Iranian officials have already dismissed the direct talks, as the Islamic republic does not recognize Israel.
The Obama administration has increasingly sought to develop ties with Syria, and has encouraged Damascus to distance itself from Tehran. But senior Washington officials, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, have accused both Iran and Syria of arming Hizbullah with sophisticated rockets and missiles. Hizbullah and Israel fought a 34-day war in 2006 that killed 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and more than 160 Israelis, mainly soldiers.
Assad's visit comes just days after Iraqi ex-prime minister Iyad Allawi said he asked Syria to persuade Iran to keep out of his protracted battle for the premiership with incumbent Nuri al-Maliki after inconclusive elections in March. At a news conference in Damascus on Wednesday, Allawi accused Iran of "interfering in Iraqi affairs."
"We have been asking leaders who have good relations with Iran to ask it not to interfere in Iraqi affairs and we discussed this with President Assad," Allawi said, adding that Assad had "promised to make every effort for Iraq and the region's stability." Assad's visit also precedes an Ahmadinejad trip later this month to Lebanon, where Iran's ally Hezbollah is locked in a bitter war of words with Prime Minister Saad Hariri about a U.N.-backed court's probe into the assassination of his father Rafiq in 2005.
Ahmadinejad awarded Assad a "medal of valor" at a function in which the Iranian hardliner praised Syria for its role in "resistance" against Israel.
"Syria has been receiving constant threats from Zionists and their allies, which shows the role of Syria in preserving security in the region," Ahmadinejad said in a speech broadcast by state television. "Today, Syria, along with Lebanon and Palestinian resistance, is a symbol of courage." Ahmadinejad said that Iran and Syria will "warmly shake the hand of any nation which wants foreign troops... to leave. "Real peace and stability can come with the return of (Palestinian) refugees, the end of occupation (of Palestinian territories by Israel) and officially acknowledging the Palestinian people's right of self determination." As he accepted the medal, Assad said the "role model relationship" between Iran and Syria "can bring peace and stability" to the Middle East. Later on Saturday, before returning home, the Syrian president held talks with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who lashed out at Washington, the state television's website reported. "America is the main opposer to the axis of resistance," Khamenei told Assad without naming the axis, the website said.
"American officials are exerting efforts to destroy this axis of resistance, but their efforts will fail." He also called on all Iraqi groups to respect the votes of the people, and with "cooperation and solidarity help reconstruct Iraq and resolve the problems of the population. "Of course, this will materialize with the pull-out of the occupying (U.S.) forces from the country," the official IRNA news agency quoted him as saying.(Naharnet-AFP) Beirut, 02 Oct 10,

Moratinos: STL is Autonomous and it should be Supported to the End

Naharnet/Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos stressed his country's support for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, adding that since it has already been formed, then it should be pursued to the end. He also opposed attempts to postpone the indictment and the meddling of any European nation in the tribunal's functioning, saying: "We grant the tribunal complete cooperation and autonomy."The official stressed to al-Hayat daily on Saturday that Spain and the European Union are eager to uncover the truth in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, noting that the current phase is "sensitive and difficult and I think that the Lebanese will be able to look forward to the future when matters are cleared up."
Beirut, 02 Oct 10,

MP Nadim Gemayel warns of coup against democracy

October 3, 2010 /Kataeb bloc MP Nadim Gemayel warned that political parties that do not believe in dialogue—a possible reference to the March 8 coalition—might execute a coup against democracy and justice, the National News Agency (NNA) reported on Sunday. Tension is high in Lebanon as some March 8 politicians are calling for the abolition of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), while Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun and former head of General Security Jamil as-Sayyed publicly attacked the government. Gemayel—who is on a tour of Europe—discussed the pressures being faced by the Lebanese government with European political figures, the NNA also reported. -NOW Lebanon

MP Marwan Hamadeh : Some are trying to mislead the STL

October 3, 2010 /Democratic Gathering bloc MP Marwan Hamadeh told the Voice of Lebanon (VOL) radio station on Sunday that certain people are trying to mislead the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) to remove suspicion from themselves. The MP commended Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s September 6 statement to As-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper, adding that the public must know who the false witnesses are and who is behind them. Hariri said in an interview with As-Sharq al-Awsat that accusations that Syria was behind the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri were political in nature. -NOW Lebanon

MP Dori Chamoun: STL is in the hands of the UN Security Council

October 3, 2010 /National Liberal Party leader MP Dori Chamoun told New TV on Sunday that the issue of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) is in the hands of the UN Security Council. The cabinet has agreed over the STL, Chamoun said, adding that those who want to give it up should be questioned over their motives.
“If Hezbollah [creates] its own state, Israel will invade Lebanese territories up until the Litani River,” the MP also said. He also said that Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun and Hezbollah have prevented the establishment of state institutions.Tension is high in Lebanon as some March 8 politicians are calling for the abolition of the STL, while Aoun and former head of General Security Jamil as-Sayyed publicly attacked the government.-NOW Lebanon

Hashem: STL was not established according to Lebanese law

October 3, 2010 /Change and Reform bloc MP Abbas Hashem told NBN television Sunday that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) was not established according to Lebanese law, adding that the country did enter any bilateral agreements to create the tribunal. Tension is high in Lebanon as some March 8 politicians are calling for the abolition of the STL, while Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun and former head of General Security Jamil as-Sayyed publicly attacked the government. The issue of false witnesses must be resolved, the MP also said, asking why these witnesses’ testimonies were fabricated. The cabinet delegated Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar on August 18 to deal with the issue of the witnesses who gave fake testimonies in the investigation of the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. -NOW Lebanon

Rahhal: Future Movement adheres to STL

October 3, 2010 /Environment Minister Mohammad Rahhal told Future News on Sunday that the Future Movement—which he is a member of—adheres to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) and its funding. March 14 MPs withdrew from the September 16 evening session of the Parliamentary Budget and Finance Commission to prevent it from reaching a quorum when March 8 MPs called for voting on a 2010 state budget clause pertaining to Lebanon’s funding of the STL. Rahhal also said that Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar will submit his judicial review on the issue of the false witnesses if he attends Monday’s cabinet session. The cabinet delegated Najjar on August 18 to follow up on the issue of the witnesses who gave fake testimonies in the investigation of the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.-NOW Lebanon

MP Ali Fayyad: Not too late to resolve issues,

October 3, 2010 /Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Ali Fayyad said that it is not too late to find a solution regarding the current situation, adding that Hezbollah adheres to a calm political atmosphere, the National News Agency (NNA) reported on Sunday. Tension is high in Lebanon as several March 8 coalition politicians are calling for the abolition of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL). Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Nawwaf al-Moussawi said on September 24 that any group in Lebanon which “abides by the [tribunal’s pending] indictment will be dealt with on the basis that it is one of the tools of US-Israeli aggression.” Hezbollah’s priority is the country’s stability, the MP said, adding that the STL’s pending indictment may have social repercussions as well as political and security ones.-NOW Lebanon

Arms Market Active in Lebanon
Naharnet/The impact of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon began to surface on the streets, particularly on the arms market, which has been very active for the past week, pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported Sunday. It said political parties in Lebanon have moved toward senior dealers in search for M4, M16 and K47 rifles. Asharq al-Awsat quoted dealers as saying that party members on Friday evening asked for huge quantities of these weapons regardless of the price.  It quoted one dealer as saying that the activity in the arms market picked up last week after a two-year decline with different parties, and even individuals, requesting to buy weapons. He said prices rose after May 7, 2008, the date on which street clashes broke out in and around Beirut between Hizbullah and March 14 forces with one Kalashnikov selling for $1,500. "Today, prices are going up where the M4 with a launcher was being sold for $12,000 and M16 $1,500 and the Kalashnikov between $750 and $1,000," the dealer said. He said the weapons were being smuggled from Syria or via Israel, particularly M4.
The dealer confirmed reports saying that party members were getting training. "March 8 forces are being trained in the Bekaa," he said "while the others are being trained in the Cedars on the use of the Russian BKC and the American MAG and small mortars." Beirut, 03 Oct 10,

Hamadeh: No One Can Separate Me from Jumblat

Naharnet/Democratic Gathering MP Marwan Hamadeh on Sunday said no one can separate him from Druze leader Walid Jumblat. "There are far fetched wishes," he told the Voice of Lebanon radio station. Regarding the position of the March 14 alliance in the event Hizbullah was indicted in the murder of ex-PM Rafik Hariri, Hamadeh said: "The indictment is not yet issued … we did not accuse Hizbullah." Hamadeh said he was surprised at the hypothesis that accused Hizbullah "which threatens the integrity of the country." Beirut, 03 Oct 10, 12:09

Assad-Hariri in Touch, Stress Damascus Relation: No Turning Back

Naharnet/An-Nahar newspaper on Sunday said that Syrian President Bashar Assad telephoned Prime Minister Saad Hariri about eight days ago, contrary to reports that mentioned a setback in relations between Hariri and Damascus. It cited well-informed sources as saying those publishing such leaks were "affected by the growing relationship, particularly with President Assad," suggesting Hizbullah and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun. The sources pointed to Hariri's repeated statements in which he emphasizes no turning back on relations with Syria. Beirut, 03 Oct 10,

Sayyed Sees International Powers Behind Claims Hizbullah Murdered Hariri

Naharnet/Former head of Lebanon's General Security Department Brig. Gen. Jamil Sayyed accused international powers of standing behind claims that Hizbullah murdered ex-PM Rafik Hariri. "The game is bigger than Saad Hariri. It is related to international schemes, starting from the new Middle East, which used Rafik Hariri's blood to strike Syria," Sayyed said in remarks published Sunday by the Syrian daily al-Watan. "But today, after failure of the plot, they moved to accuse the Resistance seeking a new scheme based on creating a Sunni-Shiite strife to divert attention from the struggle against the Israeli enemy and transfer this conflict to one between Arabs and Muslims themselves instead of having Israel as their common enemy. "
"But today, after failure of the plot, they moved to accuse the Resistance, seeking a new scheme based on creating a Sunni-Shiite strife to divert attention from the struggle against the Israeli enemy and transfer this conflict to one between Arabs and Muslims themselves instead of having Israel as their common enemy. " Sayyed said "some" surrounding Hariri from Lebanon and "a large portion" from outside the country convinced the Prime Minister that Syria and its allies in Lebanon are the ones who killed his father. "This is why he (Hariri) allowed, contributed to, turned a blind eye and supported a political, media, judicial and security structure of his advisers who chose Syrian false witnesses picked from Lebanese prisons, and provided them with temptations, particularly Zuhair Siddiq and Hussam Hassam and others, to accuse Syria and the four Lebanese officers (Sayyed one of them)," said the former detainee who was jailed for nearly four years in Lebanon for alleged involvement in Hariri's killing. "But soon after our release and the fall of the hypothesis that Syria is behind the killing, they shifted their accusation within a month from Syria to Hizbullah, and this is no coincidence, of course, where police intelligence under Col. Wissan al-Hasan began arresting Israeli spy networks immediately after the release of the four generals in April 2009.  Sayyed said the Government of national unity agreed to finance the Special Tribunal for Lebanon "because we thought we were paying for justice and truth, not for an international tribunal looking for politics." "But we found out four years later that the international law used the money to hit Syria and a portion of Lebanese through the false witnesses," he said. Describing Druze leader Walid Jumblat as "unstable," Sayyed said he has no faith in the Progressive Socialist Party chief. "I don't believe everything Walid Jumblat says, whether he is with us or against us, because he changes his positions from one moment to another," Sayyed said. Beirut, 03 Oct 10, 08:16

SSNP MP: No Explosion in Lebanon, But Government Won't Live Long

Naharnet/Syrian Social Nationalist Party MP Marwan Fares ruled that the situation in Lebanon will explode, but believed that the Government won't live long.
"The situation will remain stable even after issuance of the charge sheet in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri because the other team (March 14) does not have enough power for confrontation and the Resistance is the strongest," Fares said in remarks published Sunday by the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Rai. Fares, however, pointed out the age of the Cabinet will be "very short because the Resistance would not be a cover for anyone in Government" with the issuance of the indictment. He reiterated that the Opposition wants the withdrawal of Lebanese judges from the Special Tribunal of Lebanon, halt of STL funding and the prosecution of false witnesses. Fares said voting for STL funding in Monday's Cabinet meeting is unlikely, adding that "if this happens, they will not get two-thirds," in reference to the majority. Beirut, 03 Oct 10, 07:29

Fist Fight in Naameh over Police Chief Poster

Naharnet/A scuffle over police chief Gen. Ashraf Rifi's poster in Haret Naameh overnight developed into a fight with fists and sticks.
Media reports on Sunday said the fight pitted supporters of the police chief against alleged Hizbullah partisans who tore down Rifi's posters.
They said a fist fight soon developed. Sticks and stones were used in the clash before policemen stepped and arrested two people. Beirut, 03 Oct 10, 11:06

Jumblat: Crisis in Lebanon is Complicated and Sensitive, but Opportunity for a Solution is Still Available

Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat noted that the crisis in Lebanon is "complicated and sensitive" which requires all political parties to exercise an "honest will to end it." He told As Safir on Saturday: "Opportunities to reach a solution to the crisis are still available and it would be wrong to say that matters have reached a dead end."The MP highlighted the importance of a meeting between Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, saying that it may end all disputes.
Furthermore, Jumblat said that Saudi-Syrian efforts also play a major role in ending the current crisis, adding that he has made his choice regarding his ties with Syria and that it seems that Hariri is also adopting the same approach. In addition, he stressed the need to try false witnesses in the investigation in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri because it may lead to the truth in the crime. Beirut, 02 Oct 10,

STL Indictments: Begining of the End For Hezbollah?

By Ghassan Karam/Y.Libnan
October 1, 2010
Hezbollah might eventually be described by the adage “The faster they rise the harder they fall”. This popular adage is applicable to individuals as well as institutions that are thrust into the limelight as a result of some favourable developments but then the same institutions implode because they were not ready for prime time.
Hezbollah is such an institution that rose to prominence as a result of its ability to resist Israeli occupation and to continuously act as a thorn in the side of the Israelis who overstayed their welcome in Lebanon. But Hezbollah was not satisfied with these important gains in its stature since its real goal was not to only help drive the Israeli army from Lebanon. It can be argued, rather convincingly, that the ultimate aim of Hezbollah was to act as an Iranian vanguard by spreading the power of the Qom Grand Ayatollah to the Mediterranean. That goal of establishing a state run by the faqih was never totally abandoned but instead its full implementation was put on hold for purely strategic reasons.
History, in general, unfolds by moving forward in such a way as to create new visions and new realities that expand the concept of rights and ethics. It is note worthy to point to the continuous expansion in the circle of ethics all throughout history. This concept started with the self and then expanded to the family, the tribe, the nation and nature but will not end until it covers the whole cosmos a la the ideas of Chardin. Those that cannot accept the challenges of the new realities but insist on solving all problems by going back to an imaginary mythical past will do so at their own peril. This has been the problem of Hezbollah right from its inception. It refused to act democratically and still insists on a very strict and fundamental religious dogma that is based on undemocratic values, rejection of diversity, the right to dissent and above all its ferocious stand to protect its right to stand above the law.
These destructive attitudes have contributed to the creation of an imaginary world where Hezbollah can do no wrong. Hezbollah demanded and won the right to be part of a cabinet that it does not recognize and started what turned out to be a devastating war with huge losses in Lebanese blood and treasure but declared the result a divine victory. Things were never what they seemed.
All of the above though, pales when placed next to its present dilemma. As if it is not enough to be an illegal militia that has no regard to the rule of law and the institutions of the state, a body politic that operates on Lebanese land but pledges allegiance to foreign powers it is currently acting as a guilty party in the case of the assassination of the former prime minister Rafic Hariri. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon,STL, was set up by the United Nations at the behest of the Lebanese government to investigate the egregious events of the 2005 explosion that killed Mr. Hariri and 21 others.
Hezbollah has gone on the offensive to counter what is allegedly expected to be indictment of many of its members in the Hariri case. Sayed Hassan Nasrallah has made a number of appearances to declare to the world that the STL is illegitimate and that it is ultimately an Israeli/American court. We are also inundated with daily proclamations by all sorts of party officials that no one should accept the legitimacy of the STL and those that do are to be considered traitors and Israeli collaborators. Many have even hinted rather bluntly at sedition once the party members are indicted.
This desperate behavior seems to corroborate the validity of the alleged accusations. The honorable and rational thing to do would have been to await the indictments and then respond to the charges. But how can we expect a party whose power rests with its illegal militia to act democratically and within the dictates of the law? It’s a party that rejects the legitimacy of the power of the state that it wants to be a part off and instead is threatening street demonstrations and hinting at pulling out of a cabinet that it would not have been invited to join had it not been for all its threats and machinations.
There is no doubt that Hezbollah can withdraw its members from the cabinet and maybe even force the cabinet to resign. That would actually be a good thing since Hezbollah would have started actions that will end up in marginalizing it. They might force a reshuffle of the government but they will not be able to form one under their leadership. Hezbollah’s reaction to the potential indictment of some of its members in the explosion that killed Rafic Hariri and many of his entourage; if the case is strong; could set in motion a chain of events that will usher in the beginning of the end of this chapter of Lebanese history. Could Hezbollah be the frog that keeps on inhaling to get bigger until it explodes?