LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
ِOctober
11/2010
Bible Of The
Day
Matthew 24/45-51: “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has
set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 24:46 Blessed is
that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes. 24:47 Most certainly I
tell you that he will set him over all that he has. 24:48 But if that evil
servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’ 24:49 and
begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with the drunkards, 24:50
the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn’t expect it, and in an
hour when he doesn’t know it, 24:51 and will cut him in pieces, and appoint his
portion with the hypocrites. There is where the weeping and grinding of teeth
will be.
Free
Opinions, Releases, letters, Interviews & Special Reports
Canada Supports Continuation of
Peace Talks/10 October/10
Resistance films in Beirut’s
southern suburb/By: Sarah Lynch/October 10/10
The spineless Hariri/Smadar Peri/October 10/10
Lebanon prepares for
Ahmadinejad/By: Ali Waked/October 10/10
Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for
October 10/10
Arab Sources to Al-Rai:
Scheme of Ousting State, Government Starts Oct. 16/Naharnet
Shami to Government: Expatriates
Won't Vote in 2013 Elections/Naharnet
Official Internal Interest
in Ahmadinejad's Visit While West is Apprehensive/Naharnet
Muallem Confirms Coordination
with Saudi Arabia: Situation in Lebanon is Worrisome/Naharnet
HRW Urges Lebanon to Resist
Calls to Resume Executions/Naharnet
Najjar's Report: Lebanese Judiciary
has Power over False Witnesses Issue ... Decision Awaits Indictment/Naharnet
Bellemare in Response to Najjar:
False Witnesses are Witnesses with Questionable Credibility/Naharnet
Berri after Reviewing Najjar's
Report: Eager to Know Everything about False Witnesses/Naharnet
Censors Seek to Delay
Screening of Pro-Opposition Iranian Film over Ahmadinejad's Visit/Naharnet
Aoun Expects Positive Outcome of
Ahmadinejad's Visit/Naharnet
Saqr Calls on Ahmadinejad to
Meet March 14 Leaders/Naharnet
Mashnouq Calls on Hariri to
Resign: Syrian Arrest Warrants are a Political Assault on Lebanon/Naharnet
Jumblat Rejects 'Silly' Calls for
Hariri's Resignation/Naharnet
Nasrallah: If We Wanted to Stage
a Coup, We Would've Done So in 2005 or on Aug. 15, 2006/Naharnet
Pope
Calls for Peace at Mideast Religious Talks
Naharnet/Christianity, Islam and Judaism should work for Middle East peace, Pope
Benedict XVI said on Sunday, opening a Vatican conference set to include senior
Muslim and Jewish leaders for the first time.The three main religions in the
Middle East should "promote spiritual and cultural values that unite people and
exclude any form of violence," Benedict said at a mass to mark the start of the
special synod of Catholic bishops. The international community should support "a
trustworthy, loyal and constructive path towards peace" in the region, he said
in his sermon. "This is also a good occasion to continue our constructive
dialogue with the Jews... as well as with the Muslims," the pope added. The
synod has been called mainly to discuss pastoral issues linked to the dwindling
Christian communities in the Middle East, but also aims to foster peace between
Israel and the Palestinians and to counter Islamic extremism.
"The vital dialogue with Judaism is one of the main objectives of the synod,
along with the difficult but necessary dialogue with Islam," Nikola Eterovic,
the archbishop in charge of organizing synods, said earlier. He added that Arab
Christian communities were "a natural bridge with Islam." Referring to the
Middle East conflict, he said: "We hope we will be able to achieve peace and
that the synod marks a step forward in this direction." Arabic will be one of
the official languages at the synod, which will bring together Catholic
clergymen, an Iranian ayatollah and a senior rabbi. The Muslim and Jewish
leaders will however address the synod separately and will not meet, organizers
said. The synod talks are set to get under way on Monday and the conference runs
for two weeks until October 24. "We want maximum visibility for the Catholic
church in this region, which is so vital to Christian history and which has been
hit by tensions, conflicts, religious and political upheaval in the past 2,000
years," Eterovic said. He said that the "difficult conditions" faced by
Christians in the region because of discrimination and violence had forced many
to emigrate. There are around 20 million Christians in the Middle East including
five million Catholics in a population of around 356 million people. A
preparatory document for the synod singled out problems of violence and
discrimination faced by Christians in Iraq, Egypt and Turkey.(AFP) Beirut, 10
Oct 10, 15:14
Shami to Government: Expatriates Won't Vote in 2013 Elections
Naharnet/Foreign Minister Ali al-Shami said in his report to be discussed in
Cabinet on Tuesday that Lebanese expatriates will not vote in the 2013
parliamentary elections "because of lack of enthusiasm." "It is impossible to
allow expatriates to participate in the upcoming elections," Shami said. The
report, a copy of which was handed over to Cabinet ministers, is expected to
raise a heated debate in Cabinet. Beirut, 10 Oct 10, 11:07
Najjar's Report: Lebanese Judiciary has Power over False
Witnesses Issue ... Decision Awaits Indictment
Naharnet/Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar said in his report on false witnesses
in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri that the issue falls
within the jurisdiction of the Lebanese judiciary but that the decision awaits a
review of of the International Tribunal indictment.
The report, a copy of which was handed over to Cabinet ministers on Saturday,
included answers to many questions which coincided with a speech by Hizbullah
chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday in which he accused the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon of protecting false witnesses.
The Report, carried by An-Nahar and Mustaqbal newspapers on Sunday, sets out
principles that have been taken into account, namely:
- Separation of powers, particularly between the executive and the judiciary
powers.
- The principle of independence of the judiciary as stated in the Constitution.
- Respect for international agreements (especially the agreement between Lebanon
and the United Nations on the formation of a special tribunal for Lebanon).
- The principle of confidentiality of the investigation.
Najjar said that the measures, until preparation of the report, included charges
against Husam Ali Mohsen, Osama Kanafani, Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayyed, Maj. Gen. Ali
Hajj, Brig. Gen. Raymond Azar, Brig. Gen. Mustafa Hamdan, Mustafa Mesto, Ayman
Tarabay, Majed Hasan al-Akhras, Ra'ed Mohammed Fakhreddine, Fadi Elias al-Nammar,
Majed Ghassan al-Khatib, Zuheir Mohammed Siddiq, Mahmoud Amin Abdel Aal, Ahmed
Amin Abdel Aal, Ibrahim Michel Jarjoura, Firas Hatoum, Abdel Azim Khayat,
Mohammed Barbar, Nassim al-Masri and Khalil al-Abdullah. In preliminary
observations, the report said, Siddiq was not questioned by Lebanese judicial
authorities or by the judicial police, but as a witness by the International
Committee outside Lebanese territory after leaving in April 2005. Regarding
Husam Husam, the report said he was not questioned by an investigating judge,
but moved to Syria to announce at a press conference that what he said before
the International Committee was "not true." Beirut, 10 Oct 10, 10:30
Bellemare in Response to Najjar: False Witnesses are Witnesses with Questionable
Credibility
Naharnet/Special Tribunal for Lebanon Prosecutor Daniel Bellemar has said that
the false witnesses are witnesses whose credibility is in question.
An-Nahar newspaper on Sunday said Bellemare's remarks were in response to Najjar
who has forwarded a letter to Bellemare in this respect.
"False witnesses are witnesses with their credibility in question as long as
there is no final Court decision yet," Bellemare reportedly said in his response
to Najjar's letter.
Berri after Reviewing Najjar's Report: Eager to Know Everything about False
Witnesses
Naharnet/Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar has sent a copy of his report on the
false witnesses to Speaker Nabih Berri. An-Nahar newspaper said the two men
discussed contents of the report on Saturday. While Najjar wants the Lebanese
judiciary to deal with the issue of false witnesses, Berri believes this issue
should be handled by the Justice Council given the "significance" of the
testimonies. "My wish is to learn everything about the false witnesses because
the delay will lead to the devastation of the country," Berri said in remarks
published Sunday. Beirut, 10 Oct 10, 11:44
Official Internal Interest in Ahmadinejad's Visit While West is Apprehensive
Naharnet/Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Lebanon has garnered
full official interest on the country's internal scene as Prime Minister Saad
Hariri is expected to hold a luncheon banquet in his honor. Quarters in the
Mustaqbal bloc have meanwhile noted that "Ahmadinejad's political team,
Hizbullah, does not address Lebanon's prime minister with the same interest that
his position requires as Hariri does with Ahmadinejad as protocol between
nations requires." Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat meanwhile
told As Safir Saturday that the Iranian president's visit to Lebanon is
beneficial in that it represents clear support to the Resistance. Meanwhile,
spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Ramin Mehmanparsat denied claims that
the president would throw rocks at Israel during his tour of southern Lebanon,
saying that such reports are Israeli media attempts to prevent Ahmadinejad from
visiting Lebanon. In addition, he said that statements issued by Israel and some
western countries about the visit "demonstrate their weakness and concern over
bolstering stability in the region, as well as the rise in Ahmadinejad and
Iran's power in the area."Mehmanparsat added that improving ties between
Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran will bolster the front against conspiracies
targeting the region's stability and security. "Iran has great interest in
Lebanon and its foreign policy," he stated. The daily An Nahar Saturday
highlighted American and British officials' cautionary tone over the possibility
of Lebanon signing any arms agreement with Iran during Ahmadinejad's trip.
Western ambassadors were reported as saying, "As a non-permanent member of the
U.N. Security Council, Lebanon should not violate its decisions related to
sanctions imposed on Iran." U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly had warned
President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Hariri of what the United States
called a "provocative visit" by Ahmadinejad. As Safir predicted that the U.S.
State Department would continue its conservative positions towards the visit. It
added that a number of foreign ambassadors in Lebanon had requested from
presidential palace quarters not to be invited to official meetings in
Ahmadinejad's honor so that they would not be forced to leave the room in case
he made remarks they would condemn. In the meantime, Energy Minister Jebran
Bassil had signed memorandums of understanding with his Iranian counterpart in
the electricity, water, and oil fields. Beirut, 09 Oct 10, 13:59
Aoun Expects Positive Outcome of Ahmadinejad's Visit
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun said Sunday that he expects
a "positive outcome" of an upcoming visit by Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad to Lebanon.
"I expect a positive outcome of the visit given the positive atmosphere between
the two countries," Aoun told the Iranian News Agency, IRNA. He expressed hope
that the visit would "strengthen relations and develop common interests between
Lebanon and Iran, particularly since Iran supports Lebanon politically in
various sectors." "Despite diverse views regarding this visit, I think that
everyone in Lebanon will welcome the Iranian President," Aoun stressed. "We must
forget that Iran is a regional power with influence and on all parts of the
region," he added. Beirut, 10 Oct 10, 16:53
Saqr Calls on Ahmadinejad to Meet March 14 Leaders
Naharnet/MP Oqab Saqr has called on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who
is due in Lebanon October 13-14, "to meet with March 14 leaders, jointly if
possible, for a direct and honest dialogue."He also called on the Iranian leader
to "hold a discussion session with Lebanese students and cadres, including March
14 student and cadres, as well as with Lebanese journalists in order to exchange
points of view."In an interview with the Central News Agency, Saqr urged the
Iranian Embassy in Lebnon to "hold such kind of meetings that contribute to
exchanging points of view and clarifying the picture, in addition to exploring
President Ahmadinejad's stances, which are surrounded by major confusions."Saqr
expected his call would be met with "great responsiveness, because the March 14
forces – leaders, cadres and supporters – are receptive to all types of
dialogue."He stressed "the need that Iran clarify its stances, which would
deepen mutual understanding between the two sides." Beirut, 09 Oct 10, 21:25
Jumblat Rejects 'Silly' Calls for Hariri's Resignation
Naharnet/Druze leader Walid Jumblat on Sunday rejected "silly" calls for the
resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. This was a clear response to
Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Nohad al-Mashnouq who called on Hariri to resign
because he believed the Syrian arrest warrants were an "attack" against the
dignity of the premier. Mashnouq urged Hariri to form a new government based on
an understanding on major issues. "We want him to remain Prime Minister of
entire Lebanon to address the problems of the country as a whole, like false
witnesses etc," Jumblat said during a tour of the mountains. He said false
witnesses is a "political-judicial issue that could be dealt with by judicial
authorities and politically with Syrian President Bashar Assad if there were
good intentions." Beirut, 10 Oct 10, 12:01
HRW Urges Lebanon to Resist Calls to Resume Executions
Naharnet/Lebanon should resist increasing calls to resume executions and instead
work to abolish the punishment, Human Rights Watch said in a statement Sunday
marking World Day Against The Death Penalty. Lebanon has not executed anyone
since 2004 but there are growing calls from Lebanese politicians for the death
penalty to be carried out against those convicted of spying for Israel and of
belonging to armed jihadist groups, the rights group said. President Michel
Suleiman, who must sign death warrants, said on July 1 that he will approve
death penalties issued by military tribunals trying people on charges of spying
and of terrorism cases. More than 100 people have been arrested on suspicion of
espionage since April 2009, including telecom employees, members of the security
forces and active duty troops. Many of the suspects are accused of having helped
Israel identify targets during its devastating 2006 war with militants of the
Shiite movement Hezbollah. Five of those tried have been sentenced to death for
spying for Israel's Mossad overseas intelligence service.
Lebanon and Israel remain technically in a state of war, and convicted spies
face life in prison with hard labor or the death penalty if found guilty of
contributing to Lebanese loss of life.
Human Rights Watch in its statement also stressed that Hezbollah leader Hassan
Nasrallah has called for the speedy application of death sentences against
anyone convicted of collaborating with Israel. "The death penalty is making a
comeback just when Lebanon was on the verge of discussing banning the practice,"
said Nadim Houry, HRW director in Lebanon.
"If executions resume in Lebanon, there is a very real possibility that the
state will execute innocent people," Houry said.(AFP) Beirut, 10 Oct 10, 15:02
Mashnouq Calls on Hariri to Resign: Syrian Arrest Warrants are a Political
Assault on Lebanon
Naharnet/Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Nouhad al-Mashnouq condemned on
Saturday the recent Syrian arrest warrants against Lebanese figures describing
them as a "blatant political assault" on the country. The MP called on Prime
Minister Saad Hariri to resign because the warrants are an attack against the
dignity of the prime minister, urging him not to form a new government except
based on an understanding on major issues. Mashnouq told LBC television that the
real problem in Lebanon are the assassinations that have taken place, and not
the "lie" of false witnesses as some individuals are trying to make it seem. The
Special Tribunal for Lebanon was formed to protect the living and not to take
revenge, he continued. Furthermore, he urged those who are threatening the
eruption of strife to commit and approve Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar's
report on the false witnesses file. The MP rejected talk of the possibility to
assassinate Hariri, saying they are only political statements and that Syria is
concerned with Lebanon's stability and preventing any security unrest. Beirut,
09 Oct 10, 12:50
Canada Supports Continuation of Peace Talks
http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2010/329.aspx
(No. 329 – October 9, 2010 – 8:00 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement encouraging
Israel and the Palestinian Authority to continue peace talks: “Canada is
encouraged by the parties’ resolve to continue their participation in direct
peace talks, and supports U.S. efforts to create the conditions to put the
negotiations on track. “Canada believes that a comprehensive agreement
negotiated between the parties, resulting in two states living in peace and
security, is the only way to achieve lasting stability in the region. “It is
vital that the international community support the parties’ sustained engagement
in this process despite the challenges that exist. Canada stands ready to assist
in any way that would be helpful.”
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Melissa Lantsman
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
Lebanon prepares for Ahmadinejad
Ali Waked, AFP Published: 10.10.10, 08:56 / Israel News Iranian security
officers are patrolling southern Lebanon in efforts to prevent any problems that
may arise as the result of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit this week, the
London-based al-Hayat reported Sunday. A security source told the paper that
Lebanese forces will secure the visit, however. The army is set to deploy
throughout his route and at sites Ahmadinejad plans to tour. UNIFIL, the UN
force in southern Lebanon, is not involved, the source said.
In addition, Lebanese censors have asked a film festival not to screen a film on
Iranian opposition protests during the visit, the festival's director said on
Saturday.
"The film 'Green Days' has not been banned, but the censorship authorities have
asked us to postpone the two screenings because of the Iranian president's
visit," the Beirut International Film Festival's Colette Naufal told
AFP.Ahmadinejad is scheduled to begina a two-day visit to Lebanon on Wednesday,
the first day director Hana Makhamalbaf's documentary was to have been shown at
the festival. Her film is about protests that followed Ahmadinejad's disputed
re-election in June 2009, and features raw footage of the violence that erupted
when Iranian forces cracked down hard on the demonstrators. Makhamalbaf, 22, is
the daughter of Mohsen Makhamalbaf, who is close to leading Iranian opposition
leader Mir Hossein Mousavi whose supporters wore green as a sign of protest
against what they said was a rigged election. "Green Days" also featured at the
2009 Venice film festival, and many directors, writers and artists supported
Mousavi during last year's presidential election. Prominent Iranian director
Jafar Panahi spent more than three months in prison this year for trying to make
a film about the 2009 opposition protests.
The spineless Hariri
Op-ed: Lebanon PM woefully under-qualified for job, may end up like murdered
father
Smadar Peri Published: 10.10.10, 11:06 / Israel Opinion
I do not have much pity for Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who is being
hit from all directions. Just like his father, late PM Rafik Hariri, the son may
end his life at the same place, under the same circumstances, and through the
work of the same elements. Nobody forced Hariri to be a pathetic prime minister
who has no influence. As opposed to his charismatic father, he just doesn’t have
what it takes; he keeps on showing himself to be a spineless, scared politician
who prefers to flee to Paris or to his Saudi patrons when the going gets tough.
Through his mediocre struggle for survival, undertaken along with his
babysitters from Washington, Paris, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Hariri Junior is
turning out to be woefully under-qualified for the job he clings to. The
Lebanese prime minister is merely a button. The moment the decision is taken to
get rid of him, a vehicle will rush towards him or an explosive device will be
detonated. In the real battle between the Saudi royal house and Syria’s
presidential palace, nobody really counts him.
Meanwhile, Hariri himself no longer dreams of avenging his father’s
assassination and spinelessly went to meet Nasrallah (his father’s executioner)
and Assad (the assassination’s mastermind); the only thing he cares about is
survival. However, Damascus is not giving up the games of humiliation. Assad
issued detention orders for 33 prominent Beirut VIPs – the justice minister, the
state prosecutor, parliamentarians, ambassadors, jurists, and veteran
journalists. It’s easy to identify the common denominator of the names on the
list: All of them had been marked as Hariri associates and all of them dared
criticize Syria.
Hezbollah gaining strength
Not only did Assad force Hariri to submissively report in Damascus five times
and embrace the person he believes sent the assassination squad that killed his
father, the Syrian president is now signaling that he does not intend to let go
until Lebanon demands to call off the probes into the Hariri killing. As far as
he is concerned, Hariri can go ahead and beg for his life.
Assad’s brutality shows that he has something to lose should the full picture be
revealed. One person who was familiar with the secrets, Ghazi Kanaan, had been
assassinated. The second one, former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam,
fled for his life to Paris. He too tops the most wanted lists now.
On Wednesday, the cameramen will be ordered to accompany Ahmadinejad’s
provocative visit. The Iranian president forced himself upon Hariri and dictated
the timetable. In Beirut, he will open his bags and pull out financial promises.
Later, his aides will provide Hezbollah’s leaders with plenty of cash.
It’s important to make a distinction between the nuclear Iranian threat and the
gradual plan being implemented in the field: Lebanon is the most prominent
country in the list of targets earmarked by the Ayatollahs in a bid to expand
their influence and capture outposts that would move them closer to the ultimate
goal – open a road through Iraq, establish bases in Lebanon, flank through
Africa, and complete the circle by taking over Muslim holy sites in Saudi
Arabia.
Harari has not yet decided whether his headaches originate in Tehran or whether
the real problem lies in Damascus. For the time being, he holds on to his chair,
yet at any moment now he may sustain another kick to a sensitive body part. So
what if he doesn’t want Ahmadinejad to visit the border with Israel - who’s
asking Hariri anyway? So what if he’s trying to ignore the most wanted list
produced by Damascus? To be honest, Israel disregards him too.
The essence of the bad news is as follows: Hezbollah gains more power every day.
For the time being it’s unclear whether it will be joining forces with both Iran
and Syria, or whether one of these axis-of-evil members will be granted
exclusivity.
Resistance films in Beirut’s southern suburb
Sarah Lynch, October 10, 2010
Now Lebanon/Women gather at the International Resistance Film Festival on
Tuesday. (NOW Lebanon)
Lebanon witnessed the start of the International Resistance Film Festival on
Tuesday when the lights went up on a stage in Dahiyeh.
A crowd of over 300 people separated into male and female seating sections
inside a plush red auditorium stood up for the Lebanese national anthem. After a
muffled applause, the Iranian national anthem projected over the audience. The
first words of the festival were spoken in Farsi, with a short speech given by
Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghadanfar Rukn Abadi among others. “A nation that
has martyrs and that fought the enemy is a nation that will never die,” Abadi
said in his speech.
The festival, which is sponsored in part by the Iranian Cultural Center, is
Lebanon’s first dedicated event to the concept of resistance. The festival
kicked off in Iran in 1983 taking place once every two years. “The films relate
to cultural, military and economic resistance,” said Mohammad Kawtharani, who
helped organize the event.
But the festival is just one component in a series of entertainment options that
appeal to people most affected by Hezbollah’s bloody conflicts with Israel.
“I usually keep up with Iranian films because there is a message behind every
movie,” said 27-year-old Islam Malak, who lives in South Lebanon. “I am
attracted to this kind of war films because my father is a martyr.” Malak’s
father was killed in 1987 when she was four years old.
The festival, which ran from October 5 to 7, showcased five films, three of
which were directed by Iranian filmmakers, one by a Palestinian and another by a
Lebanese.
The Iranian Embassy’s cultural attaché, Mohammad Hussein, told Now Lebanon that
Tuesday’s opening movie titled Fereshteh and the Angel intended to portray what
happened in Iran following the Islamic Revolution.
Set in Iran in the 1980s, the film follows a young girl caught in the crossfire
of the Iran-Iraq war. On a quest to find her brother, who has taken up arms with
the Iranian resistance against Iraq, she dodges bombs and bullets as she runs
from building to building in her war-torn neighborhood.
“It is about the reality of war,” said Sarah Moussawi, 24, from Dahiyeh. “It
reminds us of the 2006 [July] War here in Lebanon and how people resisted.
People like these films, because we can relate to them.”Moussawi added that she
still has vivid memories of the 2006 Israeli aggression, during which she spent
her days in Baalbek. “These films do not anger or upset me, but they make me
feel more driven to work toward resisting,” she said. Since 2006, Hezbollah has
developed a variety of venues and activities that combine politics with
recreation. In Dahiyeh, amusement parks and sports centers opened in an area now
considered the community’s “downtown.” Estimates suggest that Iran gave $300
million to Hezbollah to develop these facilities and others as part of the
post-2006 reconstruction effort. And the effort extends beyond Dahiyeh. An
Iranian-funded public park recently opened in the southern village of Maroun al-Ras.
The park offers picnic areas, green space and playgrounds for children just 300
meters from the Israeli-Lebanese border.
“Amid [the Shia community’s] memory of lost ones, [Hezbollah] provides the Shia
with reconstruction projects and tourism,” Wadah Charara, former professor of
Sociology at the Lebanese University, said of the public park. The most recent
example of tourism with a political edge is Hezbollah’s new museum in Mlita. The
site offers a variety of interactive and engaging exhibits intended to teach
visitors about the history of the Resistance against Israel. Weapons used
against the Israelis can be seen on a walking tour through a wooded area, where
life-size replicas of Hezbollah fighters are placed throughout. The museum is
expected to expand to include a cable car and a hotel.
The International Resistance Film Festival had a purpose similar to that of the
museum. “We have one main message,” Kawtharani said. “Your right to resist is
very precious, and we are trying to show this [through different films].”Of the
five movies showed throughout the festival, People of Loyalty was the only one
that focused on the Resistance in Lebanon.