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?