LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
December 12/2011
Bible Quotation for today/Suffering
for Doing Right
1Peter 03/08-22: " To conclude: you must all have the same attitude and the same
feelings; love one another, and be kind and humble with one another. Do not pay
back evil with evil or cursing with cursing; instead, pay back with a blessing,
because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called you. As the
scripture says, If you want to enjoy life and wish to see good times, you must
keep from speaking evil and stop telling lies. You must turn away from
evil and do good; you must strive for peace with all your heart. For the Lord
watches over the righteous and listens to their prayers; but he opposes those
who do evil. Who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if
you should suffer for doing what is right, how happy you are! Do not be afraid
of anyone, and do not worry. But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and
honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to
explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect. Keep
your conscience clear, so that when you are insulted, those who speak evil of
your good conduct as followers of Christ will become ashamed of what they say.
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if this should be God's will, than
for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once and for all, a good man on behalf
of sinners, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death physically, but
made alive spiritually, and in his spiritual existence he went and preached to
the imprisoned spirits. These were the spirits of those who had not obeyed God
when he waited patiently during the days that Noah was building his boat. The
few people in the boat—eight in all—were saved by the water, which was a symbol
pointing to baptism, which now saves you. It is not the washing off of bodily
dirt, but the promise made to God from a good conscience. It saves you through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone to heaven and is at the right
side of God, ruling over all angels and heavenly authorities and powers.
Latest analysis, editorials, studies, reports, letters & Releases from
miscellaneous sources
Is al-Assad first amongst defectors?/By Tariq
Alhomayed/November 11/11
Nasrallah's
appearance and al-Assad’s interview/By Diana Mukkaled/November 11/11
No power for the people/By: Angie Nassar/November
11/11
The
president said/By:
Hazem
al-Amin, December 9, 2011
Taking UNIFIL Hostage/By: Abdullah Iskandar/November
11/11
Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for
November 11/11
Barak: End of Syria's Assad would be 'a blessing for the Middle East'
Israeli official in Cairo for talks on second stage of Shalit swap deal
Arab League condemns Gingrich’s Palestinian remarks
Dozens of Syrian nationals attack their embassy in Jordan
Prayer service marks anniversary of Gebran
Tueni’s death
Lebanon's Arabic
press digest - Dec. 11, 2011
France FM: Syria probably behind attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon
Juppe Says Syria 'Undoubtedly' behind Attack on UNIFIL
20 Dead as Syrian Forces Clash with Defectors in Daraa, Idlib
Hariri on Tueni Assassination Anniversary: His Strive for Freedom Lives on in
Arab Spring
Al-Rahi: Arms Possession Must Be Limited to Legitimate Security Forces
Berri Slams 'Bid to Depict Some Bekaa Towns as Criminal'
Hizbullah Condemns Decision to Release Four 'Israeli Agents'
Mikati defends wage-hike decision, urges unions to accept
Jumblatt advises Hezbollah to distance itself from Damascus
Report: STL Delegation Arrives in Beirut to Hail Charbel's Cooperation
France Probes UNIFIL Attack, Sources Say Perpetrators Sought to Avoid Causing
Casualties
Vatican envoy holds
talks with Orthodox Gathering
Lebanese leaders united in stances during
discussions with Feltman
UNIFIL wounded transferred to south base after
treatment
Fire breaks out at lingerie store in Kaslik
Gemayel Condemns ‘Terrorist Attack’ against UNIFIL
Hariri: Attack on UNIFIL was a Message from Assad
Miqati Says False Witnesses Will be Tackled at the 'Appropriate Time'
After Arab Spring, Israel should change too: Arab
leader
Rights group: At least 16 killed in Syria
Syria faces pressure over monitors as toll climbs
Gaza militants fire
four rockets at Israel
Israeli Ambassador to Take up Cairo Post Monday
Juppe Says Syria 'Undoubtedly' behind Attack on UNIFIL
Naharnet/French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said Sunday that Damascus was
“undoubtedly” behind Friday’s bomb attack against a French UNIFIL patrol in
southern Lebanon.
However, the top French diplomat noted that he had no evidence to substantiate
his claim. Asked during an interview with TV5MONDE, Radio France Internationale
and Le Monde whether he believed the attack was a “message” from Syria, Juppe
said: “There’s no doubt.” Juppe on Friday condemned the attack in which five
French troops were wounded, saying France would not be intimidated by such "vile
acts." "I condemn in the strongest terms the cowardly attack that was carried
out against UNIFIL (U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon) this morning, wounding five
French peacekeepers," Juppe said on Friday.
A roadside bomb in the southern coastal town of Tyre wounded five French
soldiers and two civilians when it was detonated as their vehicle drove past.
The chief of staff in Paris said four peacekeepers were "very lightly wounded"
and the fifth "a bit more seriously" but without life-threatening injuries.
France is "determined to continue its involvement with UNIFIL (and) will not be
intimidated by such vile acts," Juppe said.UNIFIL patrols have been the target
of a string of unclaimed roadside bomb attacks in recent years, including two
previously in 2011. Friday's blast came amid heightened tension over the bloody
uprising in neighboring Syria, with some warning the unrest could spill over
into Lebanon. There have been constant fears that the UNIFIL force stationed in
the south of the country would be an easy target should the unrest reach
Lebanon. Spain currently commands the 12,100-strong UNIFIL force, which was
founded in 1978 and expanded after a 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah.
France has one of the largest contingents with 1,300 soldiers. In July, six
French UNIFIL troops were wounded, one of them seriously, in the southern
coastal town of Sidon, in an attack similar to Friday's. In May, six Italian
peacekeepers were wounded in Sidon, also in a roadside bombing. Three Spanish
and three Colombian peacekeepers were killed in June 2007 when a booby-trapped
car exploded as their patrol vehicle drove by.
Prayer service marks anniversary of Gebran Tueni’s death
December 11, 2011/The Daily Star
A prayer service marks the sixth anniversary of the assassination of Journalist
Gibran Tueni in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday,
BEIRUT: A prayer service was held at noon Sunday to mark the sixth anniversary
of the assassination of Gebran Tueni, reported Lebanon’s National News Agency.
Friends, family and dignitaries gathered at St. George’s Church in Downtown
Beirut to pay tribute to the politician and former publisher of An-Nahar
newspaper who was killed in a massive car bomb on Dec. 12, 2005. Prior to that,
he had written an editorial calling for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from
Lebanon and had called for an investigation into mass graves near Syrian
intelligence headquarters.
Among those in attendance were Economy and Trade Minister Nicolas Nahhas, MPs
Ammar Houry, Marwan Hamadeh, Akram Chehayeb and Butros Harb. Also present were
U.S. ambassador Maura Connelly, media personality May Chidiac – herself the
target assassination attempt in September 2005 – and professor Rafik Shalala.
Presiding over the service was Bishop Elias Aoude, who said that Tueni “remains
in the hearts of everyone.” He added that Tueni died for a cause he defended –
the unity of his country.
Al-Rahi: Arms Possession Must Be Limited to Legitimate
Security Forces
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called on officials on Sunday to
assume their responsibilities in protecting the citizens’ security and that of
the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
He said during his Sunday sermon: “They should work seriously in limiting the
possession of arms in Lebanon to the legitimate security forces and leave all
defense and security decisions to the political authorities.”“It is no longer
acceptable for the country to remain hostage to any side and under any excuse,”
he stressed. “This cannot be achieved without guaranteeing trust between the
officials,” the patriarch noted. “They should all respect the other and accept
their differences instead of issuing accusations of treason,” he added. “They
should advocate rhetoric that helps solve crises and not fuel tensions,” al-Rahi
remarked. Furthermore, he condemned Friday’s attack against UNIFIL, which he
described as an attack against peace and the sacrifices made by the
international troops.
It is also an attack against the dignity of France, Lebanon, and the
participating nations, he stated.
Berri Slams 'Bid to Depict Some Bekaa Towns as Criminal' 7
Naharnet /Speaker Nabih Berri on Sunday noted that “there’s an attempt to depict
some towns in the Bekaa” as dens for criminals.During a meeting with Ahmed
Zeidan, the manager of dairy company Liban Lait who was freed Sunday in the
Bekaa Valley after a 4-day kidnap ordeal, Berri said some “major and brave
towns” are being labeled as criminal, although “these towns are home to
honorable people and decent tribes, but unfortunately a few individuals are
tarnishing the image of these towns.” Army troops managed on Sunday to liberate
Zeidan, who was kidnapped at gunpoint on Wednesday by five unknown abductors. He
was found on the outskirts of the town of Brital in the Bekaa, reported Future
News on Sunday. His abductors were also arrested, it revealed. It added that
they were found in possession of foreign currency, light weapons, different
military equipment, and a considerable amount of drugs, as well as an advanced
wiretapping device. LBC television reported that three Lebanese and a Syrian
were behind Zeidan’s abduction. They are in a critical situation and were
incapable of even asking for a ransom for the kidnapped because they were being
chased by security authorities, it added. In addition, it revealed that Berri
played a role in the release where he exerted his political pressure ensure
Zeidan’s liberation. Answering a question about the abductors, Berri said
Sunday: “The thing is not as it seems like; there’s a skilled gang employing
individuals and this thing will be thoroughly investigated by the relevant
security forces.”The speaker denied that any random had been paid to the
kidnappers.“There are exploited individuals, and there’s no doubt that the
financial situations and living conditions in the Bekaa ... and the permanent
state of poverty are all things that are being taken advantage of,” Berri added.
Answering another question, Berri said: “We cooperated with the Lebanese army,
and we are not a separate legitimacy. We are a legitimacy led by the state and
the security forces are performing their duty and there is coordination.”Berri
warned that “this act will leave negative repercussions, especially amid these
circumstances and especially that the abductee is a member of one of the dear
families in Sidon.”“The army has the information and we were in constant contact
with it and it knows everything,” Berri stressed.
Hariri on Tueni Assassination Anniversary: His Strive for
Freedom Lives on in Arab Spring
Naharnet/ Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri noted on Sunday that slain MP Gebran
Tueni’s call for freedom still resonates among the Lebanese, stressing that they
ignited the first spark in the Arab revolts against oppression. He said in a
statement marking the sixth anniversary of Tueni’s assassination: “The struggle
for freedom that he died for is achieving unprecedented victories throughout the
Arab world.”
“It is paving the way for new possibilities of political work and we are
counting on its success with all those who are eager to ensure the establishment
of democracy, especially in Syria,” he added.
“The developments in Syria are paving the way for the end of a long period of
corruption and they will hopefully establish a civil system that will meet the
expectations of the Syrian people,” he stressed.
A mass commemorating Tueni’s assassination was held earlier on Sunday at St.
Georges Cathedral in downtown Beirut, which was attended by his family and a
number of politicians.A vocal critic of Syria, the MP was assassinated on
December 12, 2005 a day after he had returned to Lebanon from France where he
was staying out fear of being assassinated.He was killed in a roadside bomb in
Mkalles as his motorcade was passing through the area.
Hizbullah Condemns Decision to Release Four 'Israeli
Agents'
Naharnet/Hizbullah criticized on Saturday military tribunal judge Alice
Shabtini’s decision to release six convicted Israeli spies, questioning her
motives and deeming the incident as a dangerous development, reported the daily
An Nahar on Sunday. The Hizbullah-backed al-Manar television station reported:
“This is a dangerous precedent seeing as the accused only served a little more
than a month of their 5 to 10-year sentences.” It questioned the purpose of the
release, the judge’s motives, and the timing of the incident. “Who is she trying
to prove herself to seeing as she is one of candidates to head the Higher
Judicial Council?” it wondered. Shabtini had released four of the six accused
who have been convicted of collaborating with Israel, reported An Nahar. The
permanent military tribunal had sentenced them to 10 to 15 years in prison and
they have been detained for two years and ten months, it added. The four
accused, who are members of the Alam family, won an appeal to reconsider their
sentence and they were released, it explained. Hizbullah deputy Secretary
General Sheikh Naim Qassem condemned the release of the accused, saying that it
did not take into consideration their “rich history” of collaborating with
Israel. He stressed that the party will follow up on the issue through the
“normal means,” reported An Nahar. Shabtini told the daily that the decision to
release them was unanimous.
She revealed that three of the released are very ill and they were costing the
state heavy expenses. She refuted claims that she took the decision to release
them independently from the court, saying that four other officers also took the
decision with her. “I study each case very thoroughly and we all reached an
agreement to release the four individuals,” the judge stressed. “I follow the
law and what it stipulates,” she added. “Israel is my only enemy and all people
should all be judged equally,” Shabtini said.
No power for the people
Angie Nassar, December 10, 2011
Now Lebanon/There is not enough electricity in Lebanon, yet political leaders do
not address the problem; they only blame the other side for the shortage. (AFP/Joseph
Eid)
Two hours. Eight minutes. The luckier Lebanese had power for three hours on and
off. When employees shut down the Zahrani electricity plant near Tyre last
weekend, most of the country went dark in a power crisis that lasted three days.
State-owned power company Electricité du Liban (EDL) said in a statement that
workers shut down the plant after receiving threats from local municipalities
and street thugs over the planned transport of a transformer from Zahrani to a
power station in Saida. Regardless, a storm of conspiracy theories followed.
Some said Speaker Nabih Berri, who heads the Amal Movement, deliberately sparked
the chaos so that he could, in the end, resolve it. Others said plant employees
were on strike because Energy Minister Gebran Bassil had failed to ensure
workers’ rights and benefits.
But arguing who is to “blame” is a ploy to redirect our attention away from the
real issue: Lebanon’s failure to ensure some semblance of a dignified existence
for its citizens.
We have a vacuum of fair and just governance and lack a unified leadership.
Critical issues and basic human rights are consistently hijacked by destructive
rhetoric in what amounts to a socially contagious “hate fest.”
The public’s complete lack of faith in a fair system of governance intensifies
the problem. A corrupt system marked by kickbacks and concessions does little to
ensure society that justice and accountability can be delivered.
Like all human beings, the Lebanese people just want a chance at achieving some
semblance of comfort and dignity. Yet our lives are consistently overrun by
economic frustration, political paralysis, social exclusion and the threat of
violence. With almost no sense of security and little hope for the future, we
are left with a country full of citizens who are highly vulnerable to emotional
exploitation, rather than logic.
And so we easily succumb to the temptation to buy into the myth that the “other”
community is to blame. It is easier to point the finger at a group of people
than it is to live in an unsafe, unpredictable and malevolent world. It is
easier to scapegoat outsiders or “other” groups than it is to come together to
find real solutions to the biggest challenges we face as a society. It is easier
to blame “foreign influence” for our problems than it is to honestly question
why our country allows such deep and involved interference from outside forces
in the first place. It is easier to blame someone else than it is to turn inward
and blame ourselves.
Hate is a cheap emotion. People always find an excuse to hate. Tolerance and
consideration require growth and maturity; something in short supply when it
comes to the people we call leaders in this country. Genuine self-introspection
requires restraint, nuance and hard work. And it won’t always result in neat,
easily understood conclusions.
It is time we acknowledge our shortcomings and biases and strive to correct them
instead of sending the youth of the country mixed messages. Politicians
discourage sectarian hatred, yet parade around daily on television, making
divisive sentiments that only encourage the continued proliferation of prejudice
and intolerance. This absurd hypocrisy reached its zenith in mid-November when
two politicians nearly came to blows in a live debate on television.
We must trade out the old identity-based politics for shared interests. Aside
from disbanding the militias that are based in this country, we have an urgent
need for the creation of a more inclusive and transparent political class that
provides the people with basic services. An improved economy and social
infrastructure along with an independent and self-sustaining middle class would
positively influence security conditions regardless of other factors involved.
But the most paramount concern is preserving communities and relationships among
communities while still holding individuals morally accountable for crimes and
abuses of justice.
We must end the destructive pathology that pardons the lack of basic conditions,
such as 24-7 electricity, with light-hearted musings like, “Well, what do you
expect; this is Lebanon.”
And as for the wealthy political figures who, with perverse intent, stoke the
fires of hatred between communities, the people must understand: There is no “us
versus them.” That is a fabricated deception. There is only “us;” and we are in
this together. We are all part of the same tribe. It’s called humanity.
Nasrallah's appearance and al-Assad’s interview
By Diana Mukkaled/Asharq Alawsat
There seems to be a number of things connecting the sudden public appearance of
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in the midst of his supporters in
Beirut, marking the religious festival of Ashoura, after years of confining his
public appearances to video-links from unknown locations, and the televised
interview conducted by ABC with Syrian President al-Assad, which represents the
first interview given by the Syrian leader with an American media outlet since
the start of the protests in Syria. Both men wanted to send a signal or message
by choosing to appear publicly in this manner, with both appearances seemingly
to unexpectedly coincide. In the first case, it is apparent that by disregarding
all security threats and personally appearing in front of the masses and the
media for just a couple of minutes – before hiding behind the screen once more –
Nasrallah was trying to send multiple messages. To summarize this, we could say
that Nasrallah was trying to reassure his supporters and strengthen their
resolve by communicating that he remains strong. He also wanted to boldly assert
his everlasting support for the al-Assad regime, venting his anger on President
of the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) Burhan Ghalioun. As Nasrallah
greeted the crowds who rallied around him, he clearly told us that he will stick
to his choice [of supporting al-Assad], no matter how heavy the price might be.
In the case of President al-Assad, he this time chose to primarily address the
American public via a television interview held on the same day that US
Secretary of State [Hillary Clinton] met with Syrian opposition leaders to
discuss strategy with regards to managing post-Assad Syria. However, unlike the
rhetoric put forward by Nasrallah, al-Assad tried to appear more flexible,
comporting himself in a neutral manner, saying that he is the president of
Syria, not its owner. He also denied responsibility for the brutal violence
perpetrated by the Syrian security forces against protesters, talking about
mistakes made by individuals, rather than a comprehensive policy of systematic
violence and killing being implemented by his regime.
Between the language of defiance adopted by Nasrallah and the unsuccessful
political manoeuvring attempted by al-Assad, it seems that both figures choosing
to appear before the public in this manner was a kind of admission that they are
facing a genuine crisis and are willing to suffer its consequences together.
Unfortunately, they have brought with them a large crowd which has been carried
away by misleading rhetoric which has blinded them from seeing the truth, namely
the on-going camping of violence and bloodshed being seen in the streets of Homs,
and throughout Syria.
It is as if we are witnessing the final moments of the Syrian regime…and the
success of the Syrian revolution! Nasrallah and al-Assad's rush to appear in
public is a clear expression of their definite lack of vision amid the
intensification of the protests in the Syrian street, and the increasing
international pressure on the Syrian regime. These are details that recurred in
a number of successive wars and revolutions, leading to more and more prominent
figures choosing the radical option, ensuring that there is no way back, only
forwards! We are all now certain that the collapse of the al-Assad regime is
only a matter of time. The repercussions of this collapse will inevitably
resound across the country and region, and may include further violence and
crises. Nasrallah’s attempts to mobilize support, and al-Assad’s attempts to
deny the violence, will ultimately not help them win the final rounds of this
battle, even in the media!
Is al-Assad first amongst defectors?
Asharq Al-Awsat/By Tariq Alhomayed
One might say that what happened to Bashar al-Assad following his latest
television interview with the journalist Barbara Walters is divine retribution
for what happened to Walid Muallem, or Walid “Abu Kalabsha” as we have decided
to call him [Walid “Abu Kalabsha” 30/11/2011], with regards to his “fabricated”
press conference. However what happened to al-Assad was far greater and more
dangerous than this.The Syrian Foreign Ministry has been preoccupied with
denying that al-Assad said that the Syrian forces are not his forces, however it
has not been as preoccupied in denying that he said – in the same interview –
that he did not give orders to these forces to use violence against the Syrian
people. This has a number of important implications, most prominently al-Assad
disassociating himself from the actions of the forces affiliated to him. Of
course, the US response to the al-Assad denial was harsh and unprecedented; with
Washington saying that either al-Assad is disconnected from reality, in other
words that he is like Gaddafi, who Condoleezza Rice – in her recent book – said
lived “inside his own head” or either al-Assad is crazy. Either of these
descriptions being put forward by Washington would be harsh for any foreign
leader, particularly as Washington did not even describe Saddam Hussein in such
a manner, prior to the US occupation of Iraq.
This is not to mention the fact that al-Assad’s interview with the US journalist
reminds us of Saddam Hussein’s interview with famous US journalist Dan Rather,
prior to the US invasion of Iraq. This is because this interview [with al-Assad],
and what he said during it, represent two dangerous threats to the al-Assad
regime. Al-Assad’s statements during this interview must be taken seriously: and
his statement that the Syrian armed forces are not his forces was clear, and it
is absurd to say that this was taken out of context, particularly as this
interview was a television interview. Therefore the al-Assad regime’s attempted
justifications of his statements [during this interview] are laughable and
ridiculous, particularly the question later put forward by the Syrian Foreign
Ministry regarding the meaning of the term “Shabiha”. Therefore, al-Assad’s
statement that the Syrian security forces are not his forces, or that he did not
give them orders to kill the Syrian people and use brutal violence, has many
implications. Al-Assad’s statement suggests that he wants to tell the Americans,
the West, and also the Syrians, that he is prepared to make an agreement which
includes getting rid of his brother Maher al-Assad and other Syrian military
leaders, in the same manner that his father took action against his own brother
Rifaat al-Assad following the Hama massacre almost three decades ago. This, of
course, is political madness, for if al-Assad intended to sacrifice his brother,
Syrian military leaders, and the Shabiha, in order to save himself, he could not
possibly announce this publicly, and in a televised interview, unless al-Assad
is first among defectors from his suppressive regime, and wants to send a
message to the Americans to this effect. Therefore, the al-Assad regime –
internally – sensed the seriousness of al-Assad’s statement and moved to quickly
and clearly deny this, and this is what led al-Assad to face this unprecedented
personal attack [from Washington]. What is strange is that Washington is
directing its most violent personal attacks against al-Assad, at the same time
that the US ambassador to Syria is returning to Damascus once more, which is
something that demonstrates the weakness of the al-Assad regime. How can al-Assad
accept a foreign state calling him crazy, or disconnected from reality, and then
accept the return of that country's ambassador onto his territory? Therefore,
either al-Assad truly is disconnected from reality, or crazy, or he is
indicating to the west his preparedness to repeat his father’s experience with
regards to what happened following the Hama massacre.
The president said
Hazem al-Amin, December 9, 2011
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad claimed in an interview that he is not
responsible for his army’s killing of civilians.
Those who ponder what Syrian President Bashar al-Assad meant by saying during an
interview with American network ABC that he did not order his army and security
forces to shoot civilians reach only one simple and unintelligent answer: Assad
is claiming his innocence regarding the daily bloodshed in Syria.
Is there a conclusion that is more self-evident and obtuse than that? Still,
since the person saying those words is a head of state, coming to a conclusion
is necessary. But what a wretched business this is, because we are forcing our
intelligence to stoop to insulting lows.
The Syrian president said that the pictures of his forces slaughtering
dissidents that are shown on TV are not true, that he does not believe in the
United Nations and the Security Council, and much more.
Still, the most self-evident statement he made was when he said that he did not
order the army to kill civilians. Does this indicate some kind of transformation
in the official Syrian claims regarding the uprising?
According to Arab diplomats, the regime apparatus is starting to display some
deficiency. These diplomats have picked up several signs, leading them to
believe that the performance of the “system” in Damascus is flailing. This is
noticeable in the failure to make proper economic decisions in light of
international and Arab sanctions, and in the mistake made by Foreign Minister
Walid Mouallem in his latest press conference in which he showed pictures taken
in Lebanon of villagers lynching a man, claiming that they showed Syrian
dissidents killing a security forces officer. Then came President Assad, saying
what he did to ABC.
The only scenario Arab diplomats have regarding the Syrian crisis is that the
regime’s predicament will grow worse and that something will happen, probably
starting from within the halls of power.
These are people who have examined the information coming out of Damascus
carefully. In their opinion, the successive deadlines granted by the Arab League
to the Syrian regime to stop the violence and let in Arab observers are
justified by saying that “every deadline hides some instability, the signs of
which are noticeable through the regime’s response.”
One of the paradoxes noted by diplomats is that the Syrian regime sets the
number of those killed every day according to the messages the president wants
to get out. Conditional approval of the Arab initiative thus calls for one
number, its postponement calls for another, and the foreign minister’s press
conference calls for mitigating this number. The discrepancy noted by the
diplomats is that when the number of those killed rises prior to a press
conference by the foreign minister or his spokesperson, this means that someone
is not in favor of holding the press conference in question.
These are messages written in blood, and those shedding it mistakenly believe
that it is blood easily shed.
**This article is a translation of the original, which appeared on Friday
December 9, 2011
Taking UNIFIL Hostage
Sun, 11 December 2011
By: Abdullah Iskandar
Ever since Greater Lebanon was established, its South has had its own
particularity and ambiguous relationship with the center. This particularity
would change as the situation in the country did, but the South always remained
the land of ambiguity, not just because it falls on the northern border of
Palestine, with which it had shared many economic and social ties before the
establishment of the State of Israel and what resulted from it, but also because
of its demographic composition and the sectarian dominance of the Shiites, who
moved from the tutelage of political feudalism to Leftist affiliation and then
Palestinian resistance, before waging against the latter military battles and
pledging their loyalty to the Amal movement until Hezbollah arose to share with
it this loyalty.
And at each of those stages, the events in South Lebanon, in terms of politics
or security, have involved messages and symbols directed at the country, and
expressing the profound changes that have befallen Lebanese society – even if
what appears the most are the events connected to the conflict with Israel,
which have made the South a center of tension and bloody fighting, especially
after the 1967 war.
In some way, the South has witnessed an uninterrupted series of wars ever since
the first skirmish between the Palestinian resistance and the Israeli army in
1968, and the Lebanese-Palestinian battles that followed. Then came the civil
war in 1975, with which the South was split away from the center as the state
completely withdrew from it by virtue of the de facto situation.
This Lebanese region has only witnessed relative stability and calm under UNIFIL
forces, which were reconstituted and increased in number after the July War of
2006 and the return of state institutions, especially security and military
institutions, to the South.
Despite the fact that there is much talk of a possible return to the war between
Hezbollah and Israel, the South has maintained its stability, as a result of the
presence of UNIFIL, the mission of which includes implementing UN Resolution
1701, which put an end to warfare operations in 2006. And despite the
difficulties UNIFIL has faced in its mission, especially in terms of the armed
presence of Hezbollah south of the Litani River and the constant Israeli
violations of Lebanese sovereignty, it has remained a safety valve in the face
of any effective resumption of the fighting in the South. And in spite of the
discrepancies in assessing the performance of UNIFIL, its presence has brought
stability and security, and has represented protection against any dangerous
slide in the repeated security incidents at the border.
In other words, these UN forces have, ever since they were reconstituted after
July 2006, represented a need for Lebanon and for Hezbollah (and subsequently
Syria and Iran), as well as for Israel and the international community, in order
to avoid a return to war through the Lebanese border – thereby separating, at
least temporarily South Lebanon from the conflict on the field with Israel.
Today, with the repeated targeting of UNIFIL forces, especially the French
contingent, and with rockets being fired every now and then into Israel from the
South, the question is once again being raised about the particular Southern
message that lies behind such targeting.
There are those who have spoken of a Syrian message to the Europeans, who form
the greater part of forces within UNIFIL, in view of their stances opposed to
the Syrian regime in its handling of domestic developments. But UNIFIL units
were the subject of attacks before the eruption of the wave of protests in
Syria.
If the Lebanese President’s predictions prove true, about the fact that such
attacks are aimed at pressuring for the withdrawal of UNIFIL, then this would
mean that the issue goes beyond a mere message tied to the presence of UNIFIL in
the South to reengaging this Lebanese region in the conflict, and returning to
an immediate frontline with Israel, with all that this could involve in terms of
the possibility of confrontations occurring at any moment.
And on the background of the political-security predicament in Syria, the
complexities of the relationship between Iran and the West, and the exchange of
threats with Israel, with this reflecting in Hezbollah’s escalating tone,
complete regional deterioration and tension, reaching up to war or to its
threshold, may be the gateway to changing the rules of the current game. Did not
one of those close to the decision-makers in Damascus say that instability in
Syria would also reflect on Israel? That is the meaning of taking hostage the
UNIFIL forces in South Lebanon.