LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
ِMarch
31/2011
Biblical Event Of The
Day
The Good News According to
Luke 7/1-10: "After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he
entered into Capernaum. 7:2 A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him,
was sick and at the point of death. 7:3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent to
him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant. 7:4 When they
came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do
this for him, 7:5 for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.”
7:6 Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion
sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not
worthy for you to come under my roof. 7:7 Therefore I didn’t even think myself
worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed. 7:8 For
I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell
this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my
servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he
marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell
you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” 7:10 Those who were
sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was
well."
Latest
analysis, editorials, studies, reports, letters & Releases
from
miscellaneous
sources
Muslims in Egypt Demand Release of
Alleged Convert to Islam/AINA/March
30/11
Why did a regime-linked Syrian
website publish a U.S.-Saudi plan to oust Assad?/By
Zvi Bar'el/March
30/11
Israel, long critical of Assad, may
prefer he stay after all/Washington Post/March
30/11
Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for March
30/11
Security Council Hopes Miqati's
Cabinet Would See Light 'As Soon as Possible/Naharnet
Bahrain
FM: Hizbullah Trained Shiite Protestors/Naharnet
Al-Rahi
Heads to Vatican on April 11, Received Invitation to Visit Holy Land/Naharnet
Rifi: 4 Suspects Arrested So Far
Amid Hope to Liberate Estonians Soon/Naharnet
Williams Briefs Security Council on Lebanon, Urges Quick Govt Formation/Naharnet
Bahraini Interior Minister Accuses Hizbullah
of Role in Kingdom's Unrest/Naharnet
Hezbollah refuses to take part in cabinet without
Faysal Karami, 'As
Safir'/ iloubnan.info
Aoun Undergoes Medical Checkups
after Minor Brain Stroke, Condition Non-Worrisome/Naharnet
Aoun: We Don't Oppose Baroud's
Reappointment as Long as it's Not to the Interior Ministry/Naharnet
Mustaqbal: Bekaa Developments Aimed
at Returning Lebanon to Dark Period of its Past/Naharnet
Future Movement accuses Hezbollah of lies and chaos in media/iloubnan.info
Intelligence on Libya rebels shows
hints of Qaeda/Reuters
The policy of deterrence failed on
Hamas and Islamic Jihad/Haaretz
New Maronite Patriarch outlines
vision
for Lebanon's future/Catholic Culture
UN coordinator for Lebanon
stresses government
formation crucial for stability/UN News Centre
John Kerry's message to Syria/Washington Post
North Africa Clinton Deplores
Syrian Crackdown, Urges Reform/VOA
Why the winds of change won't blow through Syria/CNN
France urges Syria to refom, no sanctions yet/Reuters
Saudi ambassador conveys King
congratulations to Patriarch al Rai/iloubnan.info
Report:
March 8 Pleaded with Miqati Not to Propose 24-Member Draft Lineup/Naharnet
Report: Suleiman Informed
Assad About Rejection to Any Security Threat from Lebanon/Naharnet
NATO: 'Flickers' of
Possible Qaida, Hizbullah Involvement with Libya Rebels/Naharnet
Mustaqbal: Bekaa
Developments Aimed at Returning Lebanon to Dark Period of its Past/Naharnet
Jumblat Urges Hariri to
Return to Dialogue Table in 1st Phone Conversation in 2 Months/Naharnet
Lebanese in Ivory Coast
under Threat as Lebanon's Ambassador Assures Plane Tickets and Aid Being
Provided/Naharnet
Berri: Syrian Embassy Warned
Against Involvement of Lebanese Officers in Syria Tumult/Naharnet
MP Qassem Hashem: accuses
March 14 of “inciting” Syrian protests/Now Lebanon
Palestinian abducted in Ukraine
“has Shalit info”/Now Lebanon
UN chief: Israel's occupation is
'morally, politically unsustainable'/Haaretz
Muslims in Egypt Demand Release of Alleged Convert to Islam
GMT 3-30-2011 3:12:35/(AINA) -- Hundreds of Muslims staged a protest in front of
the State Council this morning, during the hearing of the case filed by a number
of Muslim clerics with the administrative judiciary court, contesting the
validity of the detention of Camelia Shehata and Wafaa Constantine in the
churches of Pope Shenouda III. After a three-months pause Muslims resumed their
demonstrations today against the Egyptian Coptic Church, demanding the release
of Camelia Shehata, a the priest's wife, and "her sisters in faith," whom they
allege converted to Islam and are imprisoned by the Church and tortured to give
up Islam (AINA 9-18-2010). Pope Shenouda III told Al Ahram newspaper at the
beginning of this crisis in August 2010 that Camelia is a Christian and no one
has the right to know her whereabouts or ask where she is. Camelia later
appeared on a video taken by the independent newspaper ElYoum7 and confirmed she
is a Christian, never converted to Islam, and is staying of her free will in a
place belonging to the church (video of Camelia with English subtitles).
Demonstrators held photos of Camelia and chanted slogans demanding her release,
saying she was being held in one of the monasteries after she converted to
Islam. They also distributed a statement entitled "from Camelia Shehata to
Muslims," urging Muslims to defend her and set her free. A number of Muslim
leaders announced during their sit-in today the establishment of the "Coalition
for the Support New Muslims", a coalition between several Muslims and Muslim
Brotherhood leaders, in addition to the Islamic Group.
Representatives of the coalition distributed a statement that their goals were
to set free new Muslims, held captives within the Church, which they claim total
nearly 70 women and men. Included in this list are Wafaa Constantine, Mary
Abdullah Zaki, Camelia Shehata, Marianne Makram, Teresa Ibrahim, Abeer Ibrahim
and Elia Nabil Ayad. They also demanded to hold accountable anyone involved in
the kidnapping, detention or torture of any Muslim convert, and to provide legal
protection and human rights for anyone who wants to convert to Islam. Today's
demonstration was covered by the media due to the propaganda that preceded the
event. Muslims announced on the web that any woman seen without Hijab or not
covering her head on Tuesday March, 29, would be killed, which frightened many
Christian women. This prompted the Egyptian Union of Human Rights Organization (EUHRO)
to file a complaint against the Muslims with the office of the Head of the
Military Council, accusing them of terrorizing Christian women (video of
demonstration).
Dr. Mohamad Moneer Megahed, head of the organization "Egyptians Against
Discrimination" condemned this threat and called on Coptic women to go out in
the streets in defiance.
The Media heavily criticized this threat both on TV and in newspapers, with Amr
Adib, a prominent show master on Orbit Channel calling it "political suicide" on
the part of the Muslims. Yesterday evening the Muslims denying making this
threat, although it was published on their Facebook page and was distributed in
the streets. Islamic thinker Dr. Salim Al-Awa said yesterday on the popular TV
program "90 Minutes" that Camellia Shehata is not a Muslim, never converted to
Islam and is still a Christian. Al-Awa said: "I said on more than one TV channel
that the issue of Camellia is a personal issue with her husband."
Dr. Hossam elBokhary, Coordinator of the Coalition told the independent
newspaper ElYoum7 that the goal of the coalition is managing the crisis of those
women who are detained by the Church, because of its seriousness saying, "We
must block the way for any act of chaos which exploits the issue of Camelia as
happened in the events of the bombing of the Church in Iraq and the Church of
the Two Saints in Alexandria.
In an interview with Coptic activist Mariam Ragy of Free Christian Voice, a
Muslim demonstrator said that the reason for this protest was the follow-up of
the Camelia case "according to the law". He said that Muslims have nothing
against the Christians, but with those who are forcibly confining any Christian
female who converts to Islam to revert her back by force to Christianity. "We
have proof which we will put in front of Court" he said. Another demonstrator
introduced himself as doctor Mohamad and said "The matter is simple, we want
Pope Shenouda to bring Camelia out in a non-biased place, if she is not a Muslim
he can take her back." He said that they have a rule in Sharia Law that says
that as long as there is a Muslim "captive," then all Muslim have a duty to save
that person. "All demonstrators believe that Camelia is a captive." He said that
the matter would end as soon as Camelia comes out in a non-biased place and say
that she is not under any pressure, and then whatever she says, the matter will
be closed.
Dr. Georget Kellini, former member of the People's Assembly and the
semi-governmental Egyptian Human Rights Organization proposed as a solution for
the Camelia crisis, that Al-Azhar Grand Imam and Pope Shenouda III agree on the
formation of a reliable tripartite committee to includes a member of Al-Azhar,
an independent member that has the support and trust and a member of the media.
This committee to meet with Wafaa Constantine and Camelia Shehata separately and
without interference, listen to them and write down everything. This information
would be presented to the public and as such their exact position will become
clear to all and whether any one of them is subjected to any pressure, or is
kept against her free will. Kellini added that no one had the right to compel a
person to appear before the media against their wish. Muslims have organized
since the outbreak of the "Camelia Episode" seventeen demonstrations demanding
the return of Camelia and threatening the Pope and the Church. The last of these
demonstrations was held in Alexandria, just a few hours before the bombing of
the "Two Saints" Church in Alexandria on New Year's Eve 2010, in which they
threatened to turn matters for the church into "Blood in Blood." The return of
Camelia from the prisons of the Coptic Church was also the reason Al-Qaida gave
for the massacre 58 Assyrians at "Our Lady of Deliverance" Church in Baghdad on
October 31, 2010.
By Mary Abdelmassih
Bahrain
FM: Hizbullah Trained Shiite Protestors
Naharnet/Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Hamad al-Khalifa accused
Hizbullah of training Bahraini opposition activists that have launched a
campaign to topple the kingdom's regime. In remarks to pan-Arab daily al-Hayat
published Wednesday, Sheikh Khaled said that Shiite Bahrainis who have
participated in the protests against the government "were trained in Lebanon."
"We have a lot of proof on that and we would (officially) make our accusations
at the appropriate time," he said. The foreign minister also defended his
country's branding of Hizbullah as a terrorist organization. "We woke up one day
to hear on TV that the party's secretary general is attacking Bahrain, accusing
it of injustice and cursing its leaders and vowing to interfere" in our internal
affairs, Sheikh Hamad told al-Hayat. Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
has called for continued uprisings in Libya and also in Bahrain and Yemen,
suggesting the party could "come to their aid." On Tuesday, Bahrain's Interior
Minister Sheikh Rashed bin Abdullah al-Khalifa also accused the predominantly
Shiite protesters of being linked to Hizbullah, as proven by the demonstrators'
methods as well as statements of support from the Shiite group and Tehran. "All
this reveals a link and the training style of Hizbullah," he said. Beirut, 30
Mar 11, 10:37
Al-Rahi Heads to Vatican on April 11, Received Invitation to Visit Holy Land
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi is expected to travel to Syria in
order to visit its parishes, he told MTV on Tuesday. He said: "I will leave the
political work to the Lebanese and Syrian governments … and I hope that my visit
won't be misinterpreted.""Bkirki is a Christian and national authority and no
one can question this," he stressed. "We are working on awareness in Lebanon and
the Arab world in order to preserve the Christian presence in the Middle East,"
the patriarch stated. Furthermore, al-Rahi highlighted the role the youth play
in daily life, saying that they should not forget their identity or be
manipulated for political gains. The newly appointed patriarch is also scheduled
to travel to the Vatican on April 11 where he is scheduled to meet with Pope
Benedict XVI and hold a mass at St. Peter's cathedral. Earlier on Tuesday, al-Rahi
held talks at Bkirki with the representative of the Palestinian Liberation
Organization in Lebanon Abdullah Abdullah who congratulated him on his election
as patriarch. The talks focused on the concerns of Palestinians living in
Lebanon, whom Abdullah said are keen on Lebanon's security, stability, and
sovereignty. The PLO representative also presented al-Rahi with an invitation to
visit the Holy Land, meet Palestinian officials, and celebrate the Divine
Sacrifice. Beirut, 30 Mar 11, 11:45
Security Council Hopes Miqati's Cabinet Would See Light 'As Soon as Possible'
Naharnet/U.N. Security Council members have expressed hope that
Premier-designate Najib Miqati would overcome obstacles and form a cabinet as
"soon as possible."
An Nahar daily said Wednesday that the 15-member Council also hoped the new
government would remain committed to Lebanon's international obligations, mainly
the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The stances of Council diplomats were made
during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday when U.N. Special Coordinator for
Lebanon Michael Williams briefed them on his report on the implementation of
Resolution 1701. "Throughout the region, enormous shifts and upheavals are
underway, and at the same time Lebanon remains high on the agenda at the
Security Council," Williams told reporters after the session. "We look forward
for an early formation of a government which will help address the priorities of
the Lebanese people, both in terms of political and security stability, but also
in terms of social and economic requirements." Williams said he has received
reassurances from Miqati that the new government would "respect its
engagements." He stressed that the cabinet should enforce its territorial
integrity, expressing regret at how Israeli aircraft and drones were violating
Lebanese airspace on a nearly daily basis.
The unrest roiling across North Africa and the Middle East could impact Lebanon
"in the long run rather positively," with some negative effects initially, he
added. The envoy also deplored the growing violence in Syria, plunged in
unprecedented dissent for the past two weeks that activists say has left over
130 people dead in clashes with security forces. Officials have put the death
toll at around 30. But the events crisscrossing the region will eventually
"positively" impact Lebanon, he added.(AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 30 Mar 11, 08:29
Berri: Syrian Embassy Warned Against Involvement of Lebanese Officers in Syria
Tumult
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri has stressed that Lebanon's security should not be
linked to the political vacuum created by the deadlock on the formation of the
new cabinet.
In remarks to several Beirut dailies published Wednesday, Berri said: "The
effectiveness of security apparatuses should not be based on the formation of
the government." He stressed that security agencies have their own budgets.
Berri called for national unity to preserve the country's stability and stressed
that Lebanese should not interfere in the security affairs of Syria and vice
versa. The speaker unveiled that the Syrian embassy in Beirut has sent messages
to all political leaderships in Lebanon informing them that some political
parties and Lebanese officers were involved in the latest upheaval in Syria.
"This is unacceptable and should be dealt with to preserve the security of
Lebanon and Syria," he said. The speaker admitted that he was concerned about a
possible Israeli attack on Lebanon. While also admitting that the Saudi-Syrian
initiative would not be revived, he said contacts between Damascus and Riyadh
benefit Lebanon but would not have an impact on the formation of the cabinet
because the "obstacles are local." Berri refused to discuss the details of the
government formation process, saying he wasn't interfering in the issue. Beirut,
30 Mar 11, 09:59
Report: March 8 Pleaded with Miqati Not to Propose 24-Member Draft Lineup
Naharnet/Premier-designate Najib Miqati was reportedly planning to propose a
24-member draft cabinet lineup to President Michel Suleiman on Tuesday but was
pressured by the March 8 forces not to make such a move. An Nahar daily said
Wednesday that the lineup was divided as follows:
Sunnis: Miqati, Mohammed Safadi, Walid al-Daouq, Alaeddine Terro and a 5th other
than Faisal Karami (whom Hizbullah insists on giving a seat.)
Maronites: Jebran Bassil, Ziad Baroud, Shakib Qartbawi, Nazem al-Khoury, Salim
Karam or Michel Kallas.
Shiites: Yassine Jaber, Mohammed Jawad Khalife, Mahmoud Berri, Mohammed Fneish,
Hussein al-Hajj Hassan or Trad Hamadeh.
Orthodox: Fayez Ghosn, Nicolas Nahas and Marwan Abu Fadel.
Druze: Ghazi Aridi and Wael Abou Faour.
Catholics: Nicolas Fattoush, Arlette Jraissati or Maurice Sahnawi.
One Armenian and another minister representing minorities.
However, the draft lineup did not see light after Miqati was pressured not to
propose it to Suleiman, An Nahar said.
The report came after Miqati held a meeting with the advisors of the speaker and
the Hizbullah leader, MP Ali Hassan Khalil and Hussein Khalil, and Caretaker
Ministers Jebran Bassil and Ghazi Aridi.
Informed sources told local dailies that the meeting was positive and was aimed
at sending a message to critics that the March 8 forces are unified after
reports that Miqati was planning to announce a de facto cabinet over a continued
deadlock on the interior ministry portfolio and the Sunni representation.
Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun reiterated on Tuesday that the
portfolio should be part of his share in the cabinet.
When asked about Aoun's stance, Miqati's circles said: "As the leader of a large
parliamentary bloc and a political leader, Aoun has every right to say what he
wants and what he sees appropriate. (But) the mission to form the cabinet
remains part of the premier-designate's authorities."
Beirut, 30 Mar 11, 11:43
Report: Suleiman Informed Assad About Rejection to Any Security Threat from
Lebanon
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman has telephoned his Syrian counterpart, Bashar
Assad, several times to express Lebanon's support for his regime, Baabda palace
sources told As Safir daily. The sources said in remarks published Wednesday
that Suleiman stressed to Assad during several telephone conversations that
"Lebanon stands by Syria against any plot that threatens its security, stability
and patriotic choices." Suleiman also expressed his confidence in the ability of
the Syrian leadership to implement policies aimed at consolidating the country's
sovereignty, they said. The sources stressed to As Safir that Lebanon rejects
any threat to its neighbor's stability from Lebanon and is keen on the security
of Syria. Beirut, 30 Mar 11, 10:14
MP Qassem Hashem: accuses March 14 of “inciting” Syrian protests
March 30, 2011 /Development and Liberation bloc MP Qassem Hashem said on
Wednesday that the March 14 parties are “inciting the Syrian people” to mobilize
against the regime.
“Some March 14 parties are [using] the internet and the Facebook [website] to
incite people to protest in Syria,” Hashem told New TV. He also said that “there
is data that proves the involvement of certain [Lebanese] security forces in
provoking the people’s mobilization in Syria despite [the fact] that the Syrian
state television denied it.”“Syrian workers [in Lebanon] were offered money in
return for their participation in Syrian [anti-regime] protests.” March 8 media
has accused March 14 parties of provoking the situation in Syria. Al-Manar
television on Monday reported that two ships loaded with arms left the Tripoli
sea port in North Lebanon bound for Syria with aims to support the uprising
there. Dozens have been confirmed killed in a spiral of violence that has
gripped Syria since protests broke out on March 15, with demonstrators demanding
major reforms.-NOW Lebanon
Palestinian abducted in Ukraine “has Shalit info”
March 30, 2011 /A Palestinian engineer was abducted in Ukraine on an Israeli
request because he might know where missing soldier Gilad Shalit is, Germany's
Spiegel magazine reported Wednesday. Western intelligence sources suspect that
Dirar Abu Sisi, 42, was seized from a train in Ukraine on the night of February
18-19 before being taken to Israel where he is in prison, Spiegel said in its
online edition. This echoes claims by others including Sisi's Ukrainian wife,
the Palestinian Center for Human Rights and Hamas. Ukraine's foreign ministry
last week summoned the Israeli ambassador over the alleged incident. Spiegel
cited another source as saying that Israel believes that Sisi, also known as
Seesi, might have information on the whereabouts of Shalit, who was snatched by
Gaza militants in 2006. Shalit remains captive somewhere in Gaza, and Hamas has
demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in return for freeing
him. "If Mossad went to such lengths and has questioned him for six weeks then
he must know something that Israel definitely wants to get out of him," the
magazine quoted another unnamed "insider" as saying. If he had just been an
"irritant," he would have been killed, the insider said. Top Hamas commander
Mahmoud al-Mabhuh was assassinated in Dubai in January 2010 in an operation
widely blamed on Israeli spy agency Mossad. Two Ukrainian train attendants
initially said that two men boarded the train and then alighted with Sisi at
1:00 am, but they have since retracted their statements and now say they saw
nothing, Spiegel said. Israel has said it is holding the man "for questioning",
but a court has kept a ban on publishing information on the circumstances and
reasons of his arrest until late April, Israeli media reported. Veronika Abu
Sisi has been told by Israeli lawyers that her husband has lost 11 kilos (24
pounds) since being captured and is suffering from heart problems, high blood
pressure and a kidney infection, Spiegel said. The couple had wanted to move to
Ukraine with their six children. Sisi worked as technical director of the only
power plant in the Gaza Strip.-AFP/NOW Lebanon
Aoun
Undergoes Medical Checkups after Minor Brain Stroke, Condition Non-Worrisome
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun underwent medical
checkups Tuesday at Hotel Dieu Hospital after suffering a minor brain stroke
that affected his vision for some time, according to information obtained by
Naharnet.
Aoun managed to overcome the stroke and his condition was described as
non-worrisome. However, he will remain under medical supervision for 24 hours.
Voice of Lebanon Radio (100.3-100.5) reported that "Professor Georges Badawi is
the one who examined General Aoun and recommended that he stay in hospital."
In a phone interview with his movement's mouthpiece OTV later Tuesday, Aoun said
he entered the hospital "for a routine checkup and there's nothing worrisome."
"I thank everyone who inquired about my health and I reassure that I will be in
Rabiyeh tomorrow," he added. Beirut, 29 Mar 11, 23:32
Bahraini Interior Minister Accuses Hizbullah of Role in Kingdom's Unrest
Naharnet/A total of 24 people were killed in Bahrain, including four policemen,
in a month of unrest and anti-regime protests allegedly linked to Lebanon's
Hizbullah, the interior minister said on Tuesday.
"Four policemen died, in addition to seven innocent civilians ... and 13 of
those who took part in violence and vandalism," Sheikh Rashed bin Abdullah
al-Khalifa told parliament.
He said 391 policemen were wounded, along with 56 Bahrainis and other nationals.
Four other policemen were kidnapped and tortured, according to the interior
minister.
Sheikh Rashed accused the predominantly Shiite protesters of being linked to the
Iranian-backed Hizbullah, as proven by the demonstrators' methods as well as
statements of support from the Shiite group and Tehran.
"All this reveals a link and the training style of Hizbullah," he said.
Bahraini security forces, backed by a joint force from fellow Gulf countries,
drove anti-regime demonstrators from central Manama's Pearl Square on March 16,
a day after King Hamad declared a state of emergency. Sunni-ruled Bahrain, where
Shiites represent the majority, has accused Shiite Iran across the Gulf of
meddling in its affairs, leading to the recall of ambassadors from each other's
country.(AFP) Beirut, 29 Mar 11, 16:24
Aoun: We Don't Oppose Baroud's Reappointment as Long as it's Not to the Interior
Ministry
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun stated on Tuesday that no
progress has been achieved in the government formation, stressing that the FPM
is not obstructing the process. He said after the movement's weekly meeting:
"The movement is seeking to regain central rights that have been lost."
He added that the Christians' rights will be restored, asserting that the real
obstacle in the government formation process lies in the Interior Ministry
portfolio.
"We as Maronites have the right to this ministry … We have no problem with
caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Baroud or his reappointment as long as it is
not in the Interior Ministry," he explained.Aoun said that Baroud's performance
as a minister was not good "due to the authority he represents and we cannot
repeat the same experience for three new years."
Addressing Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi's statements that Baroud is a
"national minister who cannot be disregarded", he said: "I don't believe that
al-Rahi's praise makes Baroud a good minister."Furthermore, he denied the
existence of a dispute between the FPM, Baroud, and al-Rahi. "The majority is
entitled to appointing the ministers and not President Michel Suleiman," Aoun
stressed. The MP also refused to attribute the recent security developments in
Lebanon to the failure to form a new government, blaming them instead on "the
security apparatus' shortcomings" that were caused by the security forces,
judiciary, and previous governments. "We have witnessed 18 assassinations and
assassination attempts and I don't know if there's a secret intention to forget
these crimes," he noted. Addressing developments in Syria, the MP remarked that
the stability of both Lebanon and Syria are connected, adding that the Lebanese
government should launch an investigation into the alleged shipment of arms from
Tripoli to Syria. Beirut, 29 Mar 11, 19:21
Williams Briefs Security Council on Lebanon, Urges Quick Govt Formation
Naharnet/U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams called Tuesday
for Lebanon to move forward on forming a new government, nearly three months
after the fall of Saad Hariri's cabinet. "Throughout the region, enormous shifts
and upheavals are underway, and at the same time Lebanon remains high on the
agenda at the Security Council," Williams told reporters. "We look forward for
an early formation of a government which will help address the priorities of the
Lebanese people, both in terms of political and security stability, but also in
terms of social and economic requirements." Williams, who had just addressed the
15-member council on the issue, said he has received reassurances from Prime
Minister-designate Najib Miqati that the new government would "respect his
engagements." The U.N. official stressed that the new government should enforce
its territorial integrity, expressing regret at how Israeli aircraft and drones
were violating Lebanese airspace on a nearly daily basis. The unrest roiling
across North Africa and the Middle East could impact Lebanon "in the long run
rather positively," with some negative effects initially, he added.(AFP)
Beirut, 29 Mar 11, 23:41
Aoun Undergoes Medical Checkups after Minor Brain Stroke,
Condition Non-Worrisome
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun underwent medical
checkups Tuesday at Hotel Dieu Hospital after suffering a minor brain stroke
that affected his vision for some time, according to information obtained by
Naharnet. Aoun managed to overcome the stroke and his condition was described as
non-worrisome. However, he will remain under medical supervision for 24 hours.
Voice of Lebanon Radio (100.3-100.5) reported that "Professor Georges Badawi is
the one who examined General Aoun and recommended that he stay in hospital." In
a phone interview with his movement's mouthpiece OTV later Tuesday, Aoun said he
entered the hospital "for a routine checkup and there's nothing worrisome."
"I thank everyone who inquired about my health and I reassure that I will be in
Rabiyeh tomorrow," he added. Beirut, 29 Mar 11, 23:32
Bahraini Interior Minister Accuses Hizbullah of Role in
Kingdom's Unrest
Naharnet/A total of 24 people were killed in Bahrain, including four policemen,
in a month of unrest and anti-regime protests allegedly linked to Lebanon's
Hizbullah, the interior minister said on Tuesday. "Four policemen died, in
addition to seven innocent civilians ... and 13 of those who took part in
violence and vandalism," Sheikh Rashed bin Abdullah al-Khalifa told parliament.
He said 391 policemen were wounded, along with 56 Bahrainis and other nationals.
Four other policemen were kidnapped and tortured, according to the interior
minister.
Sheikh Rashed accused the predominantly Shiite protesters of being linked to the
Iranian-backed Hizbullah, as proven by the demonstrators' methods as well as
statements of support from the Shiite group and Tehran. "All this reveals a link
and the training style of Hizbullah," he said. Bahraini security forces, backed
by a joint force from fellow Gulf countries, drove anti-regime demonstrators
from central Manama's Pearl Square on March 16, a day after King Hamad declared
a state of emergency. Sunni-ruled Bahrain, where Shiites represent the majority,
has accused Shiite Iran across the Gulf of meddling in its affairs, leading to
the recall of ambassadors from each other's country.(AFP) Beirut, 29 Mar 11,
16:24
Aoun: We Don't Oppose Baroud's Reappointment as Long as
it's Not to the Interior Ministry
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun stated on Tuesday that no
progress has been achieved in the government formation, stressing that the FPM
is not obstructing the process. He said after the movement's weekly meeting:
"The movement is seeking to regain central rights that have been lost."He added
that the Christians' rights will be restored, asserting that the real obstacle
in the government formation process lies in the Interior Ministry portfolio. "We
as Maronites have the right to this ministry … We have no problem with caretaker
Interior Minister Ziad Baroud or his reappointment as long as it is not in the
Interior Ministry," he explained. Aoun said that Baroud's performance as a
minister was not good "due to the authority he represents and we cannot repeat
the same experience for three new years." Addressing Maronite Patriarch Beshara
al-Rahi's statements that Baroud is a "national minister who cannot be
disregarded", he said: "I don't believe that al-Rahi's praise makes Baroud a
good minister." Furthermore, he denied the existence of a dispute between the
FPM, Baroud, and al-Rahi. "The majority is entitled to appointing the ministers
and not President Michel Suleiman," Aoun stressed. The MP also refused to
attribute the recent security developments in Lebanon to the failure to form a
new government, blaming them instead on "the security apparatus' shortcomings"
that were caused by the security forces, judiciary, and previous governments.
"We have witnessed 18 assassinations and assassination attempts and I don't know
if there's a secret intention to forget these crimes," he noted. Addressing
developments in Syria, the MP remarked that the stability of both Lebanon and
Syria are connected, adding that the Lebanese government should launch an
investigation into the alleged shipment of arms from Tripoli to Syria. Beirut,
29 Mar 11, 19:21
Why did a regime-linked Syrian website publish a U.S.-Saudi plan to oust Assad?
By Zvi Bar'el
The heavy blackout imposed by Syria on coverage of the deadly demonstrations
there, including the number of casualties and the extent of the serious damage
caused to Ba'ath Party offices in a number of cities, is not hindering another
kind of reporting.
The media there are seeking out details of involvement of "foreign elements"
they say are trying to foment a revolution in Syria. These reports impart
information about kinds of vehicles these "elements" have used, the weapons in
their possession and the means by which they have recruited demonstrators.
The Syrian media have never been as open as they are now in describing the
subversives. The sunshine reached new levels with a recent expose by the
Champress Internet site, which has close ties to the regime, on a secret
Saudi-American plan to topple the government of President Bashar Assad,
presented in full.
According to the report, the plan, which was first broadcast on the Iranian
Arabic-language television station Al-Alam, was formulated in 2008 by the Saudi
national security advisor, Prince Bandar bin Sultan and Jeffrey Feltman, a
veteran U.S. diplomat in the Middle East who was formerly ambassador to Lebanon
and is currently the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs.
The plan as reported divides Syria into large cities, towns and villages. It
proposes establishing five recruitment networks: The "fuel" made up of educated
and unemployed youths; the "thugs" comprised of criminals, "preferably
non-Syrians"; the "ethnic-sectarian" network of young people from ethnic groups
who are no older than 22; the "media" network, which will be joined by
journalists or activists in civil organizations funded by European countries but
not by the United States; and a "capital" network of businesspeople from the
large cities.
Each network would be provided with slogans suited to the type of its activity
and will go through training aimed at preparing them for street actions and
violence.
Thus, for example, the thugs would be trained in sniper fire, arson and
"murdering in cold blood." The members of the ethnic network would act to
advance interests of their communities, show proof of ethnic discrimination and
incite against the regime.
The journalists would operate the network by means of satellite telephones that
can't be monitored, would be depicted as human rights activists who are
demanding not the regime's fall, but civil society in Syria and they will
receive additional training in operating social networks as a means for
recruitment.
As for the businesspeople, the plan reportedly proposes "Holding luxurious
parties to be attended by businessmen and during which exclusively Arab Gulf
deals and investments are to be made and threatening them with certain sexual
relations that are filmed for later blackmailing them."
After the recruitment and training phases, which would be funded by Saudi Arabia
for about $2 billion, they would be given suitable communications equipment and
when about 5,000 activists had been recruited in the large cities, 1,500 in the
towns and 500 in the villages, they would begin to act in public.
The plan also offers answers to revolt-refusers. For example, "If someone says
there is a change, the response must be: 'There is no change at all. This is all
a lie.' If he says change is coming, then the response must be: 'We have heard
this for more than 40 years.'"
Activists would have to come to central places to create a suitable backdrop for
TV and cell phone cameras.
The "shouters" would have to prepare for two situations. If the security forces
start dispersing the assembled demonstrators, their helpers who have hidden in
the surroundings must gather quickly and tell the security forces to leave them
alone, and if the security forces do not show up then the helpers must create a
provocations as though it is they who are dispersing the demonstrators.
If the security forces start beating up the shouters or any of their supporters,
it would have to be filmed for full exploitation.
It is necessary to prevent any attempt by the regime to reach a compromise by
burning the Ba'ath Party offices and damaging symbols of the regime like
smashing statues and destroying pictures of Hafez and Bashar Assad.
The plan also suggests igniting ethnic tensions between groups around the
country to stir unrest.
The formulators of the plan assume President Assad will immediately have to deal
with calming the inter-ethnic confrontations and will send senior
representatives to the cities and towns, thereby emptying Damascus itself of
leadership. Then it will become the capital's turn to boil over and foment
ethnic demonstrations while the "businesspeople" network will have to convince
the military leadership to disassociate itself from Assad and establish a new
regime.
The hoped-for outcome is the establishment of a supreme national council that
will run the country and terminate Syria's relations with Iran and Hezbolah.
Al-Alam names the Dot and Com company headquartered in Jordan as the element
behind the recruitment of the demonstrators against the regime and claims this
is a company managed by Saudi intelligence, which is subordinate to Bandar bin
Sultan. It is perfectly clear why the Iranians took the initiative to publish
this detailed plan, as there is nothing like the situation in Syria to provoke a
rift between Syria and Saudi Arabia and/or expose American-Saudi collaboration
against the backdrop of Saudi military involvement in Bahrain.
However, why did a semi-official Syrian media outlet decide to publish the plan?
Does Damascus fear Saudi involvement in Syria or has someone dropped the ball?
UN chief: Israel's occupation is 'morally, politically unsustainable'
By Haaretz Service
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Israel Wednesday to halt
settlement building in the West Bank and put a stop to all forms of violence and
incitement, the UN News Center reported.
Speaking in Uruguay at the UN Latin American and Caribbean Meeting in support of
Middle East peace Ban said it was a "crucial time" for the Israeli-Palestinian
peace process.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon speaks after a Security Council
meeting regarding the situation in Libya Thursday, March 24, 2011 at the UN
headquarters in New York.
“Time is of the essence in realizing the two-State solution, " Ban said, "the
occupation that started in 1967 is morally and politically unsustainable, and
must end. The Palestinians have a legitimate right to the establishment of an
independent and viable State of their own."
“The target dates for reaching an Israeli-Palestinian agreement on permanent
status issues and completing the Palestinian Authority’s two-year State-building
program are fast-approaching. Yet, the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations remain
at a worrying standstill. We must intensify efforts to break the deadlock,” he
added.
Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians hit a standstill in September
after Israel resumed building in the West Bank following a moratorium on
settlement building.
The secretary general continued, saying “actions that prejudge the outcome of
the process must stop,” referring to Israel's continued settlement building in
the West Bank and East Jerusalem , demolition of Palestinian homes and other
forms of violence and incitement.
Ban then commended the Palestinian Authority for its efforts, the UN News center
report said, praising the PA's efforts to establish state institutions, enforce
security in the West Bank and receive international funding and recognition of
its statehood goals.
The UN chief chastised Israel, the report said, calling on the government to
take the necessary steps to improve economic and security conditions for
Palestinians by removing obstacles to freedom of movement, stopping military
operations and enhancing the PA's scope of influence in the West Bank.
Ban also implored Israel to further ease its blockade in Gaza, the report said,
which has been under Hamas control since 2007. Israel has refused to negotiate
with Hamas, whose charter calls for Israel's destruction and is responsible for
numerous attacks perpetrated against Israel and its civilians.
In recent weeks, Hamas and the more moderate West Bank-based Fatah have been
engaging in preliminary talks, with the possibility of unification in the
future. Israel has made it clear that in the event that Fatah and Hamas join
forces, Israel will not be open to negotiations, and Fatah must choose its ally.
Ban reportedly condemned the recent escalation in rocket fire from Gaza to
Israel, calling on both sides to prevent civilian casualties and act in
conformity with international law, reiterating his “strong condemnation” of the
recent bombing in Jerusalem, in which a 59-year-old British tourist was killed
and over 30 wounded.
He stressed that "Israel has the right to live in peace and security within
internationally recognized and secure borders." According to the report the
secretary general then said that both Palestinians and Israelis are entitled to
Jerusalem as its capital, with "arrangements for holy sites acceptable for all."
The UN chief also said there "must be a just and agreed solution to the
prolonged plight of the Palestinian refugees," an issue that has been highly
disputed in past peace negotiations.
The two-day meeting in Uruguay will discuss settlement expansion, Jerusalem and
the recent recognition of Palestinian statehood by governments in the region,
including Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, the report said.
London parley divided on Libya. More shocks in Bahrain,
Egypt, Yemen, Syria
DEBKAfile Exclusive Analysis March 30, 2011,
The London conference attended by 40 foreign ministers and various delegations
ended Tuesday, March 29 with the US and Britain ranged in favor of arming the
Libyan rebels and France and Italy against. It also passed control of the
coalition offensive to a “contact group” with the vague brief to map out Libya’s
future.
The conference therefore relegated the Libyan conflict to the same uncertain
fate as the other Arab uprisings, which still face more bloody paroxysms on the
road to unknowable outcomes.
debkafile’s analysts nevertheless discern half a dozen fixed points, not all of
them optimistic, in the fog of uncertainty:
1. Control of the Libya war has passed in practice out of the hands of NATO, the
UN and the Security Council and over to a multilateral “contact group” which
will meet in Qatar and Italy. It is not hard to predict the outcome of a war
managed by an international committee with a vague brief - especially when from
the outset its members do not see eye to eye on its goals. This Tower of Babel
will no doubt provide Muammar Qaddafi with plenty of room for maneuver.
2. Despite all the Western powers’ exertions, the oil-rich Qatar with its
television station and 70,000 inhabitants can hardly be held up as representing
pan-Arab support for the Western war effort in Libya. Every effort to obtain
such support has run into a devious negative.
3. Washington is still in two minds about whether or not to recognize the rebel
Interim National Council in Benghazi and furnish its fighters with arms. The one
thing clear is that both steps are adamantly opposed by the US higher military
command and defense leaders who make no bones about their views.
The commander of US NATO forces Adm. James Stavridis spoke Tuesday, March 29 to
a US Senate committee of “telltale signs of the presence of Islamic insurgents
led by Al-Qaeda and Hizballah” on the rebel side of the Libyan war. He admitted
that the Western powers are maintaining a close watch to get a better
understanding of “the content, composition, the personalities who are the
leaders in these opposition forces.”
Nonetheless, staunch war supporters US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and
Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice are solidly in favor of arming the INC. Clinton
has established a permanent US diplomatic presence in Benghazi.
US President Barack Obama has not come down squarely on either side of the
dispute in Washington. In his last interview he said: “I’m not ruling it out,
but I’m also not ruling it in.”
4. No power other than the United States possesses the military capabilities for
determining the outcome of the Libyan war. Britain and France, divided on much
else, conveyed the impression at the London conference Tuesday that their
military options are no better than symbolic.
This became evident Tuesday when, in the course of the London conference,
American air and missile strikes eased for a few hours, the rebels facing
Qaddafi’s loyalist forces unaided in battle, immediately lost much of the ground
they had won with American support and were forced to retreat further east.
Less than 12 hours later, when President Obama spoke again on television, the US
offensive was renewed. It was a signal to Muammar Qaddafi that America was not
giving up on its military involvement but would raise and lower its pitch at
will.
This was how Obama put it: “Qaddafi’s been greatly weakened. He does not have
control over most of Libya at this point, and so for us to continue to apply
this pressure, I think, will allow us the space and time to forge the kind of
political solution that’s necessary.”
5. debkafile’s Middle East sources note that ”- whether or not the US president
intended it - the latter part of his comment about “space and time” was a
perfect fit for the situations unfolding in Bahrain, Egypt, Syria and Yemen.
The convulsions besetting all four magnify their instability rather than
reducing it. And all are in for greater shock waves that will buffet the entire
region for years.
Bahrain. Tehran, though temporarily set back by Saudi military intervention, is
again roiling the Shiite population into rising up against the throne. The
oil-rich island kingdom is in for more riotous demonstrations. Here, too,
Hizballah’s destabilizing hand has left its mark.
Egypt. The political and religious elites are at each other’s throats. Both are
undermining the efforts of the military junta which took over after Hosni
Mubarak’s ouster to establish its authority.
Yemen. This strategic Red Sea nation is sinking ever deeper into a bloody,
interminable civil war.
Syria. President Bashar Assad’s efforts to offer concessions, including his
sacking of the government Tuesday, March 29, as bones to appease the Sunni
majority have had the opposite effect. Tempers of the disaffected groups in
Syria are rising, together with a widespread willingness to brave a brutal
crackdown and mass arrests. Syria is beginning to fall into the same sort of
sea-saw standoff as Libya.