LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
ِOctober
07/2011
Bible Quotation for today/Judging
Others
Matthew 7/1-6: " Do not judge others, so
that God will not judge you, for God will judge you in the same way you judge
others, and he will apply to you the same rules you apply to others. Why, then,
do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the log
in your own eye? How dare you say to your brother, Please, let me take that
speck out of your eye, when you have a log in your own eye? You hypocrite! First
take the log out of your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly to
take the speck out of your brother's eye. Do not give what is holy to dogs—they
will only turn and attack you. Do not throw your pearls in front of pigs—they
will only trample them underfoot.
Latest analysis, editorials, studies, reports, letters & Releases from
miscellaneous sources
Bechara al-Rahi… A moment of your
time/By Hussein Shobokshi/October 06/11
A U.N. veto buys Bashar time to
kill/By Michael Young/October 06/11
Syria and the Russian hypocrisy/By
Tariq Alhomayed/October 06/11
From The Daily Star Interview with
Mr. Fletcher, Britain’s new ambassador to Beirut/October 06/11
The harmful Iranian conference in
support of Bashar/By Dr. Hamad Al-Majid/October 06/11
Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for October 06/11
Saudi reinforcements rushed to oil
regions to quell machine-gun toting Shiites
Lebanon: 12 Wounded in Clash at
‘Mecanique’ Center
Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai
denies fears over fate of Maronites, slams media ‘lies’
March 8 Forces Stand Firm over STL,
Refuse ‘Targeting’ Resistance
Lebanon's Stance on U.N. Syria Vote
Creates Controversy
Hezbollah's puppet Ministers Defend
Silence on Incursion as March 14 Calls for Summoning Syrian Envoy
Nasrallah rejects funding
STL but wants Cabinet intact: report
7 injured after scuffle at
Beirut vehicle inspection center
MP Qanso asks Mikati to
expel U.S. ambassador
Lebanon committed to protecting
Syrian refugees: Mikati
Future MPs urge public to show
solidarity with Syria
March 14 slam incursion into
Lebanon by Syrian army
Lebanon: LU teachers
announce open-ended strike
Aoun: No Agreement on STL Funding
between Lebanon, Security Council
Report: Syrian Salafists Holding
‘Secret’ Talks with Christian Officials in Lebanon
Berri Returns from Armenia: Lebanon
Witnessing Monetary, Security Stability despite Tensions
Strong Quake Rattles Northern
Argentina
12 Dead in Army, Deserters Clash in
Idlib as U.N. Says More than 2,900 Killed since March
Syria TV airs interview with woman
reported dead
Syria: No Message Was Conveyed
between Assad, Davutoglu
Germany Summons Syrian Ambassador
over U.N. Tirade
Livni visits U.K. for first time
after war crimes jurisdiction amended
Clinton: UNESCO should think again
before granting Palestinian membership
Syria TV airs interview with
woman reported dead
Syrian pride’ kept Steve Jobs'
estranged father from reaching out
Saudi reinforcements rushed to
oil regions to quell machine-gun toting Shiites
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report / October 5, 2011, Has the 11-month Arab revolt
reached Saudi Arabia? Or been imported? This week saw weeks of simmering unrest
in the Shiite-populated eastern oil regions boiling over. Wednesday, Oct. 5, the
Saudi Ministry of Interior warned it would "strike with an iron fist" against
any breaches of the country's stability and security after security officers
came under automatic fire and Molotov bombs fired from motorbikes in Saudi
Arabia's richest oil center in the eastern region of Qatif.
Saudi officials blamed "a foreign country" and "mercenaries" after demonstrators
fought the police with classical Iranian Revolutionary Guards tactics in the
Shiite town of al Awamiya near the kingdom's largest oil terminal at Ras Tanura:
In one incident, the security police were allowed to break up demonstrations.
But when they chased the ringleaders into the alleys, they were ambushed with
machine gun and automatic fire. Eleven officers were injured but as they retired
with their wounded, they were hit a second time by Molotov-wielding
motorcyclists with two riders – one driving and the other shooting.
It was the Saudi security police's first experience of this level of violence
after more or less escaping the spillover of Arab revolts in other countries.
On Wednesday too, oil prices jumped $2.79 to $78.46 - both because of the unrest
in Saudi Arabia, the sharp dip in US crude stocks and the steps President Barack
Obama is due to unveil for stimulating the US economy.
To put down the riots before they spilled over into other parts of the oil
kingdom, the Saudis Wednesday pumped large special forces into restive Qatif
whose half a million Shiite inhabitants are employed in the Saudi oil industry,
mostly in maintenance at the oil installations of Dhahran and Jubail. Spreading
riots and work stoppages there would seriously impact Saudi oil exports.
Although Iran is not named in official Saudi communiqués – only "a foreign
country seeking to undermine the security and stability of the homeland in
blatant interference in national sovereignty," no one in Riyadh doubts Tehran's
hand in the unrest, using its own and Hizballah undercover agents to smuggle the
guns through neighboring Bahrain to Shiite activists in Al-Awamiya and teaching
them assault tactics.
Last week, Riyadh sent military reinforcements to Bahrain to help suppress a new
wave of disturbances after discovering that the Shiite activists in Bahrain and
Qatif had linked up for action. The Saudi expeditionary force in the tiny
neighboring kingdom has been more than doubled to 3,600 fighting men plus 30
tanks.
Echoing the slogans of the uprisings in other Arab lands, Mohamed al-Saeed, a
Qatif resident, accused the Saudi state of ruthlessly suppressing the protest.
“For the third day our families in Awwamiya town and Qatif live under brutal
crackdown by Saudi forces, just because they went out and [asked] for our human
rights and freedom.”
MP Qanso asks Mikati to expel U.S. ambassador
October 06, 2011/By Hasan Lakiss/The
Daily Star
BEIRUT: Baalbek MP Assem Qanso said Thursday he had personally asked Prime
Minister Najib Mikati to expel U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Maura Connelly.
Qanso, former head of the Baath party in Lebanon, made his remarks after he met
with Mikati along with a delegation of Baalbek deputies.
Earlier this week, Connelly stressed the importance her government placed on the
need for the Lebanese Army to protect members of the Syrian opposition and
refugees living in Lebanon.
“Ambassador Connelly emphasized the importance the United States places on the
Lebanese Armed Forces’ role in protecting members of the Syrian opposition
residing in Lebanon, as one of Lebanon’s international legal obligations that
also include support and funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon,” a
statement from the U.S. Embassy said Tuesday after Connelly met with Defense
Minister Fayez Ghosn.
Syria and its allies have described the six-month uprising as part of a
conspiracy aimed at targeting the country, which prompted the Syrian authority
to violently crackdown on protester.
Lebanon has maintained a neutral policy on the international scene regarding
events in Syria. It recently abstained from voting on a European-drafted U.N.
Security Council resolution condemning Syria and hinting that it could face
sanctions if it continues its crackdown on protesters.
China and Russia vetoed the resolution.
--Additional reporting by Dana Khraiche.
Turkey to press ahead with Syria sanctions after ‘historic’ vetoes
October 06,11/Dominic Evans/Daily Star
DAMASCUS/BEIRUT/UNITED NATIONS:Turkey said Wednesday it would impose sanctions
on Syria despite the blocking of any U.N. measures against President Bashar
Assad for his crackdown on dissent.
Russia and China handed Assad a diplomatic victory Tuesday by vetoing a
Western-backed U.N. resolution that could have led to U.N. sanctions on
Damascus, but Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised action of his
own.
“Naturally the veto … cannot prevent sanctions,” Erdogan said. “We will of
necessity implement a package of sanctions.”
Erdogan, who is visiting South Africa, has said he will announce the package
after he visits a Syrian refugee camp in Turkey in the next few days.
The double veto by Moscow and Beijing infuriated Western powers which have
already imposed their own sanctions on Syria and were trying to pave the way for
a U.N. embargo, and will reinforce Assad’s hold on power – at least in the short
term.
“This is a sad day for the Syrian people. It’s a sad day for the Security
Council,” France’s Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said.
Germany also expressed disappointment. A government spokesman said the draft
resolution would have been an important signal of support for many Syrians “who
for months have been taking to the streets for political freedom.”.
Syria’s state news agency SANA said Damascus welcomed the veto. “It restores
hope for a balanced world … after a long time of American and European
domination which turned the Security Council’s resolutions into a tool for
punishing defenders of independence and liberation,” SANA said.
While a top aide to Assad Wednesday hailed the Russian and Chinese vetoes as
“historic.”
“This is a historical day that Russia and China as nations are standing for the
people and against injustices,” presidential adviser Bouthaina Shaaban told AFP
in an interview.
“The United States has used the veto 50 times against the rights of the
Palestinian people in their life, in their dignity and in their land,” she said.
“I think that all the Syrians are happy that now there are other powers in the
world to stand against hegemony, against military interference in the affairs of
countries and people.
“The veto that Russia and China have used … is a veto that stands with the
Syrian people and gives the time for us to enforce and enhance reforms.”
But U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday voiced regret that the Security
Council was unable to pass the resolution urging Syria to halt its six-month
crackdown on protesters.
“He regrets that the council has not been able to agree and he hopes that the
disagreements … will be overcome,” Ban’s spokesman Martin Nesirky told
reporters.
He also reiterated Ban’s position that the “violence in Syria is unacceptable.”
The draft resolution received nine votes in favor and four abstentions. U.S.
Ambassador Susan Rice said Washington was outraged and called for “tough
targeted sanctions” on Damascus.
Russia’s Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Moscow rejected the threat of sanctions
on Syria and China’s envoy Li Baodong said Beijing opposed “interference in
[Syria’s] internal affairs.”
Russia has close ties with Assad’s government, which has been a client for arms
sales, and has a naval maintenance facility on Syria’s Mediterranean coast.
Beijing and Moscow, which had voiced concern that the draft could pave the way
for Libya-style military intervention, also want to limit Western influence in
the Middle East, while the United States and Europe have long sought to loosen
Syria’s alliance with Iran. Assad has used tanks and troops to crush an uprising
which erupted in March, inspired by regional revolts which toppled three North
African leaders this year.
The United Nations says 2,700 civilians have been killed. Damascus blames the
violence on foreign-backed armed groups which it says have killed at least 700
security personnel.
Syria’s economy is reeling from the impact of the unrest and U.S. and European
sanctions on the small but key oil sector.
Assad faces a more united opposition after groups in exile came together in
Istanbul Sunday to call for his downfall, but the U.N. vote marks a setback to
his opponents who had hoped for an escalation in international pressure on
Damascus.
“We deeply regret the positions of Russia and China toward the resolution,” said
Omar Idlibi of the grassroots Local Coordination Committee in Beirut, adding he
had “not lost hope in the international community.”
Idlibi said the opposition was studying options including a general strike or
civil disobedience campaign, but analysts said Assad did not look threatened in
the immediate future.
“The mere fact that Assad may be able to avoid international sanctions for the
time being reinforces his position in the short term,” said Ayham Kamel from the
Eurasia think tank.
“Assad is going to remain in power in the near term. I don’t think there are
signs of imminent collapse but Syria faces challenges across the country – the
economy, insecurity across the country, and a more organized opposition.”
Syria banned most luxury and car imports last month to try and conserve
dwindling foreign currency reserves, but rescinded the measure Tuesday after a
spike in prices and disquiet among an influential merchant class that has been
backing Assad.
Turkish sanctions could also have a major impact. But Turkish officials have
made clear that any measures will target Assad’s government and not the Syrian
people.
For this reason Turkey has ruled out cutting off electricity sales or reducing
the flow of water in the Euphrates river into Syria.
Bilateral trade between Turkey and Syria was worth $2.5 billion in 2010, and
Turkish firms had investments of $260 million in Syria
One target of sanctions is likely to be Syria’s state banking system, which
could effectively block purchases of Syrian crude oil.
Other possible measures could freeze Turkish cooperation in oil and gas projects
involving state-run firms.
After months of peaceful protests, some army deserters and dissidents have taken
up arms, prompting military operations against them, especially in areas
bordering Turkey and Jordan.
Colonel Riad Asaad, a Syrian officer who defected and fled to Turkey, said last
week 10,000 soldiers had deserted, but authorities have denied any army
defections, saying the military operations were a response to appeals by
residents.
Assad retains control of the military, whose mostly Sunni Muslim rank and file
are largely commanded by officers of his minority Alawite sect.
Syria has mostly closed its doors to independent media, making it hard to verify
events, but a trickle of desertions appears to have gathered pace in the last
several weeks.
Syrian pride’ kept Steve Jobs' estranged father from reaching out
October 06, 2011/By Brooke Anderson/The Daily Star
BEIRUT: Steve Jobs’ biological father wanted to make contact with his son before
his untimely death but said his “Syrian pride” prevented him from doing so. On
Wednesday, upon hearing the news of his son’s passing, he told the media he had
“no comment.”Abdel-Fattah Jandali, the biological father of the legendary Apple founder, an
80-year-old Syrian-American Muslim and former political science professor, now
living in Nevada, had expressed regret at giving up his son for adoption and had
hoped the two could meet before it was too late.
In an August interview with the U.K.’s The Sun, Jandali said: “If I could live
my life again I would do things entirely differently. And even more so in recent
years when I have heard that my son is gravely ill. It makes me feel like time
is running out and that I am totally helpless.”He added: “This might sound strange, though, but I am not prepared, even if
either of us was on our deathbed, to pick up the phone to call him.
“Steve will have to do that as the Syrian pride in me does not want him ever to
think I am after his fortune. I am not. I have my own money. What I don’t have
is my son ... and that saddens me.
“When he became ill I thought maybe he might contact me to find out about my
medical history but the call never came.”Jandali was a political science student from Homs at the American University of
Beirut when he met Carole Schieble, an American graduate student. In 1955, when
Jobs was born, the young couple was unmarried. According to Jandali, Schieble’s
conservative father forbade her from marrying him, leading her to give their son
up for adoption. The baby was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs, and was named
Steve.
In an interview with The Sun in August, Jandali had expressed his desire to meet
his son. He later said he regretted the interview
Nasrallah rejects funding STL but wants Cabinet intact: report
October 06, 2011/By Dana Khraiche/The Daily Star
BEIRUT: Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah has reiterated his rejection of
funding the controversial Special Tribunal for Lebanon, an issue that threatens
to split Cabinet of Prime Minster Najib Mikati, but urged that the government
remain intact, Al-Akhbar newspaper reported Thursday.
“Hezbollah’s general secretary ... confirms in front of his guests his rejection
of funding the international tribunal while at the same time calls for
preserving the government’s unity,” Al-Akhbar wrote.
The remarks reflect the party’s staunch rejection of the STL, which in June
indicted four members of the group in the assassination of former statesman
Rafik Hariri, and Nasrallah’s need to maintain the current makeup of the
Lebanese government.
Hezbollah denies involvement in the assassination of Hariri and has described
the tribunal as an U.S.-Israeli tool aimed at targeting the group and sowing
sectarian strife in the country.
The party has also questioned the credibility of the tribunal, including judges
and investigators who worked on the case.
With Mikati’s repeated affirmations that Lebanon will adhere to paying its 49
percent share of the court’s budget as stipulated by U.N. Security Council
Resolution 1757, division between the March 8 lawmakers and Mikati’s bloc
surfaced.
Lawmakers and ministers in the Free Patriotic Movement, allies of Hezbollah in
the Government, have expressed their disapproval of funding the tribunal,
arguing that the court is unconstitutional since it was not approved by
Parliament.
FPM leader MP Michel Aoun disapproval of Mikati’s pledge to fund the STL was
starkest, even going so far to suggest the prime minster fund the tribunal from
his own pocket. However, ministers affiliated with Mikati have reiterated the
prime minister and President Michel Sleiman’s commitments to funding the
international court.
As a majority, Hezbollah and its allies can reject the issue of funding the
court if it is placed before either Cabinet or Parliament, leaving Mikati with
limited options to get the funding approved. Several reports say Mikati could
revert to the use of a decree the get the funding passed.
Al-Akhbar also reported that Hezbollah believes the prime minister can maintain
his position in the government despite its rejection of funding the court.
"And without forcing Mikati to resign and have a caretaking government for a
long time amid the current balance of power [between the March 8 and the March
14 coalitions]," the paper added.The situation, then, forces Hezbollah to find an arrangement, although
contradictory, that would include the party’s rejection of the funding but
guarantees the unity of the government.
A U.N. veto buys Bashar time to kill
By Michael Young/ The Daily Star/October 06, 2011
For a brief moment, Lebanon can say that it behaved relatively courageously in
comparison to Russia and China at the United Nations. On Tuesday, Moscow and
Beijing vetoed a Security Council resolution on Syria, arguing that the text, in
the words of the Russian envoy, “was based on a philosophy of confrontation.”
Lebanon had little choice. As the Arab representative on the council, its
decision reflected the discord in the Arab world over Syria. Abstention was the
logical outcome of the region’s treacherous cross-currents. However, in light of
the Russia and Chinese votes against, Syria cannot have been overjoyed with the
non-committal Lebanese attitude. You have to wonder if the Syrian army’s brief
incursion into Arsal on the day of the voting was not, partly, a warning to
Beirut.
What bothered the Russians and Chinese was that the resolution threatened
retaliation against Damascus if the violence in Syria continued. The draft did
not mention “sanctions,” to satisfy Moscow, replacing it with the more ambiguous
“targeted measures.” Responding to claims that the resolution would lead to
military action in Syria, as it had in Libya, U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice was
scathing. She called such worries a “cheap ruse by those who would rather sell
arms to the Syrian regime than stand with the Syrian people.”
In a way Rice was right. A September report in Toronto’s The Globe and Mail
indicated that Chinese arms companies negotiated contracts worth some $200
million in the past months with the regime of Moammar Gadhafi. This violated
Resolution 1970, approved by China, which imposed an arms embargo on the Libyan
government. However, Rice was less convincing in implying that Washington stood
staunchly with the Syrian people. It took months for the Obama administration to
do anything of substance on Syria, with officials complaining that the United
States had little leverage in Damascus.
As with much else, this outlook showed President Barack Obama at his
self-neutralizing best. Political leverage is something built up over time,
patiently. Only the U.S. stands at the center of the network of countries with a
say in Syria – the Arab states, Turkey, the permanent U.N. Security Council
members, and the European Union. If anyone can bring all the pieces together to
fashion a consensual stance toward Syria that persuades the regime to depart, it
is the United States.
This does not diminish the cravenness of Russia and China. Both saw an
opportunity to abort international momentum in favor of using humanitarian
arguments to intervene in the Middle East and North Africa, where the two have
political and economic stakes. Moscow and Beijing know that they are fated to
follow when humanitarianism beckons, wedded as they are to political realism,
which enjoins pursuing one’s interests abroad without worrying about the
domestic abuses of the regimes with which they are transacting.
This is short-sighted. Modern communications mean that the outrages of brutal
leaders are out there for all to see, on television screens, computers and
mobile telephones. The old realism, which accepts an artificial barrier between
a partner’s foreign affairs and his internal behavior, is no longer as tolerable
as it once was. When Syrians routinely burn Russian and Chinese flags in the
streets of their cities, that means there will be reckoning down the road, when
the foul edifice of the Assads collapses, as it is destined to.
President Bashar Assad will appreciate what Russia and China did for him.
However, it may little change things. At this stage the dynamics in Syria appear
to be increasingly beyond the reach of foreign actors – which is precisely why
the international community and the Arab states in particular are blameworthy
for having dawdled on Syria, so eager was everyone to wish the problem away.
Whatever Moscow and Beijing do, there is no repressive solution to the Syrian
crisis. On the other hand, both have just ensured that Assad gets enough spare
oxygen so that his security forces and armed gangs can murder more people – even
as this heightens the prospect that the protesters will move toward further
militarization of their revolt against Assad rule.
Was it a good idea to go for a vote in the Security Council, despite the
likelihood of Russian and Chinese vetoes? Yes. We have to accept that none but
the most anodyne text would have been approved by Moscow and Beijing, which
would have surely discredited the council far more than disagreement over a
stronger resolution. Still, the U.N. is indeed deeply divided over Syria. At a
time when its secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, has gone commendably far in
denouncing Bashar Assad and his methods, the capacity of the international body
to mediate in the Syrian upheaval has been substantially reduced.
If the U.N. cannot address Syria effectively, individual states will fill the
vacuum. Turkey played an essential role by hosting the founding session of the
new representative council of the Syrian opposition, and soon intends to impose
sanctions on Syria, after an arms embargo. Other governments are expanding
sanctions already in place. The pressure is hurting. Last week Syria’s
government suspended the importation of goods with tariffs above 5 percent, to
avoid the flight of hard currency. However, when Syrian traders complained, the
government backtracked. But to have taken that step in the first place, and risk
alienating those whose support is indispensable for the regime’s survival,
showed how reckless Bashar Assad and those around him have become.
The situation in Syria will take a long time before clarifying. Russia and China
are betting on the opposition’s exhaustion, or perhaps on a shift in the balance
of power, granting them room to address a new Security Council resolution under
improved conditions. Whatever is the thinking, many Syrians will not forgive
them their cynicism.
*Michael Young is opinion editor of THE DAILY STAR and author of “The Ghosts of
Martyrs Square: An Eyewitness Account of Lebanon’s Life Struggle” (Simon &
Schuster). He tweets @BeirutCalling.
From The Daily Star Intervciew with Mr. Fletcher, Britain’s new ambassador to
Beirut
Failure to fund STL ‘gift’ to Lebanon’s enemies October 06, 2011/
By Patrick Galey/The Daily Star
BEIRUT: Failure to fund the United Nations-backed court investigating the
assassination of statesman Rafik Hariri would be “a gift” to Lebanon’s enemies,
Britain’s new ambassador to Beirut said Wednesday.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Daily Star, Ambassador Tom Fletcher also
addressed concerns posed by Syria’s six-month uprising and described Britain’s
policy of conducting no official contact with Hezbollah as “under review.”With Cabinet currently in stalemate over funding the Special Tribunal for
Lebanon – as required under international law – Fletcher said that not providing
financial assistance to the court would undermine attempts to build global trust
in Lebanon.
“It would send an incredibly negative signal,” he said. “There are a lot of us
out there at the moment fighting for Lebanon’s reputation, saying that this is
somewhere to come and invest, that this is a government we can work with. All of
us who believe in Lebanon’s potential would find it much harder to make that
case to the more skeptical parts of international opinion if Lebanon was to turn
around and reject the tribunal.”
In reference to speeches made to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, notably
that of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed Lebanon’s
Security Council presidency was akin to having Hezbollah run the U.N., Fletcher
added: “There are countries who want to present Lebanon as moving away from the
international community, moving further toward Iran, moving away from Lebanon’s
core values, and not funding the tribunal would be a gift to those people.”
Lebanon has failed to provide the STL with 49 percent – around $32 million – of
its running costs in 2011, a commitment it promised to uphold in Resolution
1757, signed in 2007. The mainly March 8 Cabinet is predominantly hostile to the
tribunal, with some political leaders calling for a Lebanese boycott.
Court sources disclosed that other donor countries have taken up the slack in
lieu of Lebanon’s contribution. Britain, which has already provided millions of
dollars, will remain a major STL donor, according to Fletcher.
“We funded the tribunal because we believe in international justice,” he said.
“We want the people who carried out the assassinations to face that justice. Our
funding will continue because our commitment is not diminishing, but we do think
it’s important that Lebanon plays its part as well.”
Fletcher, who served as a foreign policy advisor for successive British
governments, said that the U.K. supported the rights of Syria’s protestors, to
the extent that Tuesday’s failed Security Council Resolution was partly
championed by Westminster. He added that regime change in Damascus could have
potentially disruptive ramifications for stability in Beirut.
“There are threats that the transition presents for all of us here in Lebanon
because of the interconnectedness of the two societies,” he said. “Of course,
Syria is going to remain the most significant international country for Lebanon,
but that’s as it should be. We can and we must do what we can to protect the
Lebanese space from what is happening across the border.”
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly called this week for greater
protection for opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s administration
currently residing in Lebanon, something the British ambassador said he
supported.
“The key thing is that Lebanon takes a neutral role [regarding Syria],” he said.
“I think [officials] have an obligation – and it’s in line with Lebanese values
and Lebanese history – that they would always protect the rights of all people
to interact, to have those freedoms. And, obviously, I would join the American
ambassador in hoping that would be the case.”
Fletcher acknowledged that an upheaval in Syria would worry its allies in
Lebanon, but was insistent that regional change posed more opportunities than
dangers for lawmakers in Beirut.
“This transition in Syria should allow Lebanese leaders – and I don’t just mean
the ones who are traditionally associated with Western countries, but Lebanese
leaders from right across the spectrum – to step up and to articulate a more
Lebanese nationalist position,” he added.
Fletcher himself is a strong advocate of electoral reform, currently being
discussed between government representatives and civil society groups. He
insisted that the adoption of certain voting law changes, such as lowering the
voting age to 18, would help democracy in Lebanon advance in line with other
countries in the wake of 2011’s Arab Spring.
“I think one of the lessons of the Arab Spring more widely is that you need to
empower and involve youth movements or you will find that they are in the
street,” the ambassador said, adding that political sectarianism should not
predominate Lebanese politics “forever more.”
Britain has long eschewed official contact with Hezbollah, which it added to its
list of designated terrorist organizations in 2008. Fletcher expressed his hope
that the party would prove its political credentials through reform and
adherence to Lebanon’s international commitments, and in turn pave the way for
dialogue with the U.K.
“From our experience in Northern Ireland – and I was the [Prime Minister’s]
Northern Ireland adviser for four years – we understand that you have to talk to
people even when you disagree with them and that you need to find a way to bring
groups into the political process, because that’s the best way to settle
differences,” he said.
“I would very much hope that there will be a scenario where progress has been
made on reform, on fulfillment of international obligations, and in choosing a
Lebanese path of dialogue – rather of confrontation and violence – that
justifies contact in the future,” Fletcher added.
“We don’t say never. But we do hope that Hezbollah will take the right
decisions,” he said.
Lebanon committed to protecting Syrian refugees: Mikati
October 06, 2011/Daily Star /BEIRUT: Lebanon is committed to providing shelter to Syrians fleeing the unrest
in their country, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Thursday, responding to
concerns expressed by Washington.
"My approach to these refugees coming to Lebanon is purely humanitarian," Mikati
told AFP, estimating their number at 5,000.
"We are assisting these people ... providing them with medical assistance,
schooling and shelter."
Earlier this week, the US ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly urged Lebanese
authorities to protect members of Syria's opposition living in the country,
following reports some were being hunted down and sent back to Syria.
There are also defecting Syrian soldiers crossing the border into Lebanon.
Asked whether his position on providing shelter to Syrian refugees extended to
members of the opposition or defecting soldiers, Mikati would only say that
Lebanon was committed to helping "Syrian citizens".
He said he had no case before him of anyone arrested or sent back to Syria and
insisted that Lebanon's position on the issue was purely humanitarian.
Responding to reports of cross-border incursions by Syrian troops into Lebanese
territory, Mikati said a joint Syrian-Lebanese committee was closely following
the matter.
"I am not being silent about this, we are dealing with the issue normally," he
said, noting the permeability of the border.
"I don't want to blow these incidents out of proportion and I don't want to
belittle them either.
He also refused to be drawn on his government's position on developments in
Syria, saying his goal was to ensure the crisis did not spill over into Lebanon,
where Damascus has traditionally exerted much influence.
"As far as Syria is concerned, we have always said we are trying to isolate
ourselves as much as possible from what is going on," said Mikati, whose
four-months-old government is dominated by the powerful militant Hezbollah and
its allies, which support the Syrian regime.
"I cannot do anything today but protect Lebanon's national unity."
He acknowledged, however, that the seven-month revolt threatening the regime of
Bashar al-Assad was having economic repercussions on Lebanon.
"Exports from Lebanon to Syria are shrinking and this will affect the Lebanese
economy," he said.
March 14 slam incursion into Lebanon by Syrian army
October 05, 2011/
Daily Star/HERMEL/BEIRUT: March 14 officials Wednesday condemned an incursion
into the Bekaa by the Syrian amy a day earlier, which locals say damaged several
farmers’ homes.
“The Syrian incursion is very dangerous and is an attack on Lebanese
sovereignty,” Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel told a news conference Wednesday.
Local villagers told The Daily Star Wednesday the Syrian army had damaged
farmers’ homes in the Bekaa town of Arsal the previous day as their personnel
crossed into the Bekaa, east of Beirut.
Residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Syrian troops in armored
personnel carriers penetrated about 4 kilometers into Lebanese territory toward
Khirbet Daoud on the outskirts of Arsal Tuesday afternoon and started firing
heavy machine guns at farmers’ homes.They said several homes were damaged in the incident, adding that gasoline and
water reservoirs around the farmers’ dwellings were also riddled with bullets
from Kalashnikovs and 12.5 mm heavy machine guns.
The state-run National News Agency said Tuesday that two Syrian tanks crossed
the border into the area of Arsal and fired at an abandoned batteries factory,
thinking that armed men were hiding in the facility.
There was no official response by the Lebanese government or the Lebanese Army
on the Syrian incursion.
The head of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea echoed the concerns of Gemayel.
In a chat with reporters at his residence in Maarab, Geagea called on Lebanese
authorities to send a strongly worded letter to Syria for “violating” Lebanese
territory.
But Culture Minister Gaby Layyoun played down the reports of the Syrian army’s
actions.
“Crossing one or 2 meters [into Lebanese territory] is normal. An incursion is a
different thing,” Layyoun told a local radio station Wednesday.
Locals told The Daily Star that Syrian forces have crossed the border on several
occasions in recent days, and had fired machine guns before pulling out and
returning across the border.
Future Movement MP Jamal Jarrah questioned the lack of response from the
Lebanese government on the Arsal incident, and called on the government to voice
condemn the move.
Speaking to MTV Wednesday, Jarrah said the involvement of Syrian tanks was an
escalation of previous incursions, during which just personnel had crossed into
Lebanese territory, without vehicles.
“These types of [incursions] are being repeated but the danger lies here in that
Syrian tanks were involved” this time, Jarrah said.
Future MPs urge public to show solidarity with Syria
October 06, 2011/The Daily Star
BEIRUT: Future Movement lawmakers and Muslim religious leaders warned Thursday
groups closely allied with Damascus against opening "bases of operations" in
several areas of the country while inviting the public to participate in a
gathering in support of the Syrian people.
“The attendees warn groups who are affiliated with [President Bashar] Assad’s
regime from opening offices in our areas; in Tripoli, Akkar, Bekaa, Arkoub, and
Beirut and [warn] them against distributing money and arms under the banner of
the resistance. This cannot continue,” a statement released after the meeting of
the participants said.
The meeting included Future Movement MPs Mohammad Kabbara, Khaled Daher, Khaled
Zahraman, Moeen al-Merebi and Muslim religious leaders.
The participants also urged members of the public to take part in gathering to
be held in Tripoli Friday to support the Syrian people. Friday’s gathering will
be held at 4 p.m. at Tel Square in Tripoli.
“We invite people of freedom, democracy and justice in Lebanon to participate in
great numbers to be in solidarity with the Syrian people ... and to express our
rejection of the behavior of the Lebanese authorities regarding the regime’s
crime,” the statement said.
Since the start of the Syrian demonstrations demanding reforms and the fall of
Assad’s government, Tripoli has witnessed weekly protests in support of the
protesters.
The statement Thursday also condemned the Lebanese government’s silence on the
Syrian Army incursion into Lebanon that took place Tuesday.
Reports emerged Tuesday that two Syrian armored vehicles crossed the Lebanese
border into the Bekaa village of Arsal, firing at an abandoned batteries factory
in the area, before heading back to Syria.
Local residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Daily Star
Wednesday that the vehicles had been two armored personnel carriers (APC) and
had fired at farmers’ homes.
They said the Syrian troops managed to penetrate about 4 kilometers into
Lebanese territory toward Khirbet Daoud on the outskirts of Arsal Tuesday
afternoon and started firing heavy machine guns at farmers’ homes.
They said several homes were damaged in the incident, adding that gasoline and
water reservoirs around the farmers’ dwellings were also riddled with bullets
from Kalashnikovs and 12.5 mm heavy machine guns
Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai denies fears over fate of Maronites, slams media
‘lies’
October 06, 2011 12:58 AM The Daily Star /BEIRUT: Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai dismissed any concerns over the future of
his church’s community Wednesday, denying recent media reports that he feared
for the fate of Lebanon’s Maronites.
“Such claims are false. Journalists and media institutions shouldn’t be telling
lies. It is a shame that some are paying money to journalists to lie … I defend
a cause and I know exactly what I said,” Rai told reporters in Missouri on the
second day of a 19-day pastoral visit to the United States.
Rai said Monday that Christians in the Middle East are not a minority, but
warned current crises in the region hurt unity between Muslims and Christians.
“The world is talking about minorities nowadays, but we are not a minority … we
are the foundation of the East,” Rai said.
Rai also criticized Wednesday the media for misrepresenting his statements
during a recent visit to France, saying his remarks, which sparked controversies
in Lebanon and abroad, were taken out of context.
Rai said in France that President Bashar Assad should have been given a chance
to carry out reforms in Syria and voiced concerns over the fate of Christians in
Syria if sectarian strife breaks out between the Alawite minority in power and
the Sunni majority.
Rai also urged the international community to put pressure on Israel to withdraw
from Lebanese occupied territories to challenge Hezbollah’s pretext to maintain
its arsenal to resist occupation.
“I said that my statements were taken out of context. Lebanon’s ambassador to
Paris, who attended all meetings, presented an official report to the Lebanese
state. The president and the prime minister relied on this official report
before they made their statements,” Rai said referring to recent statements by
President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati in support of his
positions.
“I regret that my statements were misreported in Lebanon … what we said is clear
and we will not come back to it. We turned a new page but unfortunately some
hold on to words to build stances on them,” Rai added.
Rai has come under fire from March 14 parties which criticized his statements in
Paris before toning down their rhetoric shortly after the patriarch said that
his statements were misreported.
On the other hand, March 8 parties welcomed Rai’s stances and Hezbollah
officials said they shared Rai’s vision on the situation in the Middle East.
Rai led a preparatory meeting Wednesday ahead of a convention of Maronite
bishops on the North American continent that is set to take place over the next
three days.
Rai’s trip to the U.S. was postponed from Sept. 30 to Oct.3 after the
cancellation of the patriarch’s stop in Washington, D.C., where he was to meet
with U.S. officials.
Media reports said Rai’s visit to Washington to meet with high-ranking
officials, including U.S. President Barack Obama, was canceled as a sign of the
United States’ disapproval of the patriarch’s remarks on Syria and Hezbollah’s
arms.
Minister praises Syrian revision of import ban
October 06, 2011/The Daily Star
BEIRUT: Industry Minister Vrej Sabounjian praised Wednesday the decision of the
Syrian government to cancel its decision to ban the import of Lebanese goods
subject to customs fees of 5 percent and above.
Sabounjian has also thanked President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Najib
Mikati for their great efforts with the Syrian government to reach this
agreement.
Syria and the Russian hypocrisy
By Tariq Alhomayed/Asharq Al-Awsat
Syrian presidential adviser Bouthaina Shaaban had every right to call it a
“historic day” when Russia and China used their veto at the UN Security Council
to prevent a draft resolution calling for “targeted measures” against Bashar
al-Assad’s regime.
Of course it was a historic day, because on this day the Syrians, along with the
Arabs, became aware that the dictatorial regime in Syria – which murders its own
citizens, subjects them to the worst kinds of abuse, and doesn’t hesitate to use
force and fuel sectarian violence – is a regime that enjoys genuine protection
from both China and Russia, particularly from the Russians who are practicing
political hypocrisy in every sense of the word.
Of course, it is no secret that China rejects any resolution against the
al-Assad regime, because it fears for its future. China was expected either to
abstain from voting for this reason – as it possesses a track record of
abstaining from voting in this manner – or explicitly use its veto in order to
protect its commercial influence. As for Moscow, its game – and political
hypocrisy – is clear. The Russians know that in the event of the collapse of the
al-Assad regime, they will lose another Arab regime that they could use to
blackmail the Americans and the Europeans with regards to any pending issues or
economic projects. Arab dictatorial regimes have always served as a platform for
Moscow to stand upon, to strengthen its negotiating position on a number of
issues. The collapse of the al-Assad regime would mean that there would no
longer be any Arab regime that the Russians could benefit from, as they did
during the Cold War era from Gamal Abdel Nasser’s Egypt’s, or as they benefited
from the Saddam Hussein era [in Iraq], and after that Muammar Gaddafi [in
Libya]. Today, the Russians are trying not to lose their last extortion card in
our region, namely the al-Assad regime.
When I say that Russia’s hypocrisy is as clear as day, this is not an
overstatement. On the same day that Russia used its veto at the UN Security
Council to prevent the draft resolution against the al-Assad regime, Russian
Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Ukashević, announced that his country
intends to “receive two delegations from the Syrian opposition this October, one
representing the internal opposition present in Damascus, and a second
representing the opposition which, in Istanbul, founded what has become known as
the Syrian National Council”. What we must note here is that this was not only
an invitation to visit Moscow, but also for a meeting within the Russian Foreign
Ministry itself. If this is not political hypocrisy, and trading on the pain and
suffering of the Syrians, then what is it?
It is clear to everyone today that the Russians want to establish a foothold in
Syria, along the following lines: either by using their veto in favor of the
al-Assad regime, in which case the Russians will benefit if al-Assad manages to
survive the Syrian popular revolution, or alternatively the Russians can try to
win over the Syrian rebels through the invitation that was made to the
opposition on the same day that Russia used its veto at the UN!
This much is clear, but how can the Russians support the al-Assad regime, and
justify this by claiming that there are terrorist groups within Syria, then
invite the opposition to visit Russia on the same day, particularly if Moscow
believes that there are terrorists in their ranks? This is something that makes
no sense!
Bechara al-Rahi… A moment of your time
By Hussein Shobokshi/Asharq Al-Awsat
The Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi's statement about the grave
danger of the al-Assad regime collapsing in Syria, and the subsequent threat to
the Christians and their existence in the Levant, still resonates and provokes
reaction after reaction. This statement has thrown a stone in a pool of water
that wasn’t still in the first place, but now its ripples have certainly
intensified.
I would like to advise the Maronite Patriarch to kindly read Kamal Dib's
extremely significant book entitled "The Fall of Christian Lebanon ", issued by
al-Nahar publishing house in 2004. The book gives an account of Lebanon's modern
history from 1920 onwards, complete with a prediction of how the state of
affairs will be in 2020. I consider Kamal Dib to be the most prominent author in
Lebanon, due to his constant research into the country’s political roots and all
related social, economic and cultural dimensions, using accurate academic
documentation in his discourse. The significance of this particular book is that
it argues that the number of Lebanese Christians is constantly in decline for
several reasons.
For economic reasons, the early 19th century witnessed waves of migrations
taking Lebanese Christians to North and South America in large numbers.
Subsequently, other migrations occurred following World Wars I and II, along
with migrations to Europe, Africa, the Gulf region and Australia during and
after the Lebanese civil war. In fact, the Christians migrated from Lebanon for
a variety of reasons; some of which related to consecutive generations of
migrants, as was clearly detailed by Amin Maalouf in his book "Ports of Call."
Of course, there are other factors [contributing to the Christian decline in
Lebanon]. Inter-Christian conflicts for social rank and status later led to
killings and displacement, as was expressed in the sad tales of Ehden, Zagharta
and Kasrawan by Kamal Salibi in his famous book on Lebanon's history. This was
also highlighted by competent Western writer Jonathan Randal in his book "Going
all the way"; in which he spoke of the inter-Christian Maronite conflict during
the Lebanese civil war, which revealed the extent of the Christians' problems
and miseries embedded in Lebanon.
As for Bechara al-Rahi’s statement in which he quoted "as evidence" what
happened to the Christians in Iraq and their displacement from there, and
comparing what happened in Iraq to the current Arab revolutions, this is akin to
drawing a comparison between apples and oranges. This is because what happened
in Iraq was a direct result of a US invasion, whereas the revolution taking
place in Syria now is a clear and explicit accumulation of years of repression
carried out by a despotic regime against its own people. The Syrians have
sacrificed thousands of victims for their cause, not to mention the humiliation
and insult they have suffered.
John Paul II, the former Pope of the Catholic Church, to which the Maronite
community belongs, had come from Poland, a country that long suffered from the
tyranny and oppression of the former Soviet Union. Pope John Paul II supported
and assisted the West in its quest to demolish the Eastern Bloc, thus granting
freedom to the eastern Europeans. In this endeavour, Pope John Paul II acted
contrary to current Pope Benedict XVI, who has failed to take any explicit
action towards what is happening in general to the Christians in the Middle East
(note that the largest displacement of Christians has occurred at the hands of
the Jews in Palestine, the birthplace of the Christ, which today is facing the
threat of being emptied entirely of Christians).
The current Pope and Bechara al-Rahi must take the truth into consideration and
state that the Middle East will be better without tyrants or despotic regimes,
and that Christianity and the Christians in the region will be safeguarded by
free societies, not enslaved citizens. Yet it is clear that Bechara al-Rahi
himself is a prisoner of the political sins committed previously in Lebanon, for
which he is obliged to pay a high tax in order to guarantee his survival and
continuity, in what can be termed as the credibility tax.
I wish that Bechara al-Rahi would take a moment and sincerely review what he
said, because "glory" in heaven and on earth is not possible without saying the
truth.
The harmful Iranian conference in support of Bashar
By Dr. Hamad Al-Majid/Asharq Al-Awsat
Can you ever imagine wishing that a particular country would not declare its
support for the Palestinian cause? Unfortunately, Iran is the only country that
many people wish would not declare its "propagandist" support. This is simply
because it has exploited our Arab nation with such hollow support, at the
expense of the political and sectarian unity of the Arab people, as was exposed
by the Arab Spring revolutions.
It is true that the spark of the Arab revolutions is yet to strike Iran, but it
is certain that the Syrian revolution has caused more damage to the image of
Iran than if the spark of all other Arab revolutions had set fire to it.
Therefore, the conference in support of Palestine recently held by the Iranian
government was, in the best of cases, met with sluggish reactions.
This is because the support that Iran used to garner from some Arab political
parties and popular currents was due to the fact that they were under the
delusion of Iranian propaganda, which long raised pro-resistance slogans and
called for ending the suffering of the Palestinian people. Yet, the injustices
committed by the Syrian regime against its own people are far worse and more
horrific than what the Israeli war machine is doing to the Palestinians. As a
result, Iran became stuck between a rock and a hard place: it could either
support the Syrian revolution in the same manner that it had supported other
Arab revolutions, which practically means advocating the overthrow of a loyal
political and ideological ally, or it could support the massacres which the
Syrian regime has been committing for six months, meaning that Iran would lose
its false popularity in the Arab and Islamic world that was built upon cheap
"resistance" propaganda.
Iran chose the latter option of aiding al-Assad, which completely destroyed its
relations with the Arab people, and so it has recently began to apply cosmetics
to cover up the ugliness it had exposed on Syrian soil. Thus Iran held a
conference in support of the Palestinian cause, which if anyone entered its
corridors and heard what was going on behind closed doors, he would believe that
it was a meeting in aid of the Syrian regime against its own people. The
conference was attended "unwillingly" only by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad
movement, two groups which Iran has continued to exploit in return for financial
aid. It is interesting that Jordan's branch of the Muslim Brotherhood – close
associates of Hamas – adopted a firm stance declining to attend the "harmful"
conference, in protest against Iran's shameful position towards the suppression
being committed against the Syrian people. In fact, other branches of the Muslim
Brotherhood and Islamic trends all over the Arab world should act similarly and
denounce Iran's shameful stance towards the Syrian revolution, in a clear and
explicit manner. It was sad that Iran took desperate action towards Sudan in a
bid to gain its support and silence with regards to Bashar's crimes. The Iranian
regime's back was broken in Syria, and now it has sought to heal its bones in
Sudan.
Iran should be aware that if the free Arabs had a choice, they would choose a
Syrian regime that was peaceful towards Israel, but under which the entire
Syrian population could live with dignity, rather than living under a "resistant
regime" that oppresses, kills, tortures and insults its own people in the name
of opposition, let alone a superficial opposition which does not fool anyone.
Suffice to say, there is no clearer evidence than the state of silence and
anxiety currently gripping the Zionist government of Israel, concerned that the
Syrian regime will fall, a regime that has resisted and opposed no one but its
own people, and robbed them of their dignity.
UN raises death toll in Syria unrest to 2,900
Names of dead have all been confirmed and likely include some members of
security forces; figure represents an increase of at least 200 since the
beginning of September
Associated Press
The UN's human rights office has raised its tally of people killed during seven
months of unrest in Syria to over 2,900.
A spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says the figure is
based on "reliable sources" inside and outside the country.
The spokesman, Rupert Colville, said Thursday that the names of the dead have
all been confirmed and likely include some members of the security forces. The
figure represents an increase of at least 200 since the beginning of September.
Since mid-March, Bashar Assad's regime in Syria has cracked down on protesters
leading movements similar to those that have ousted other Arab autocrats this
year.
On Monday, an activist said Syrian troops going house to house have detained
more than 3,000 people in three days in a rebellious town that government forces
recently retook in some of the worst fighting since the country's uprising began
six months agoHe said the detainees were being held at a cement factory, as well
as some schools and the Sports Club, a massive four-story compound.
On Tuesday, Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that
threatened sanctions against Syria if it didn't immediately halt its military
crackdown against civilians.
European members of the Security Council tried to avoid a veto by watering down
the language on sanctions three times, but they failed
Report: Syrian Salafists Holding ‘Secret’ Talks with Christian Officials in
Lebanon
Naharnet /Syrian Salafists, who have escaped their country, are holding “secret” talks
with Lebanese Christians officials to explain to them about their vision for a
“civil, democratic and plural” state in Syria if President Bashar Assad’s regime
collapses, informed sources said.
The sources told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat published Thursday that the
Salafists have so far held five meetings with Christian parties and Sunni
leaderships.
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi has expressed fear that the rise of the
Muslim Brotherhood to power in Syria would threaten the existence of Christians
in the region. He has called for allowing Assad to introduce the reforms that he
has promised.
The newspaper said that Lebanese Christian politicians have helped the Salafists
hold meetings with U.S. and European officials to push them towards taking a
decisive stance from the Assad regime.
The Salafists stressed that their vision for a new rule in Syria is not based on
extremism. On the contrary, they are hoping that the collapse of Assad would
bring a new era of democracy and voting.
The informed source refused to say if the meetings are taking place with
representatives of the Phalange party or any other side, only saying: “Muslims
and Christians are cooperating to make these meetings successful.”The Salafi sect believes most modern Muslims follow a corrupted version of Islam
that should be abandoned in favor of the practices of the first three
generations of Muslims, the Salaf.
Lebanon's Stance on U.N. Syria Vote Creates Controversy
Naharnet /Lebanon’s decision to abstain from voting on the U.N. Security Council
resolution against the Syrian regime triggered wide reactions locally,
especially among the March 8 forces and the March 14-led opposition that
strongly criticized it, An Nahar newspaper reported on Thursday.
Sources told the daily that the Foreign Ministry had directed Lebanon's Special
Envoy to the U.N. Nawaf Salam to vote against the resolution, but urgent
discussions among officials favored that Lebanon abstain from voting.
President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati agreed to detach
Lebanon from the international decision to avoid any possible pressure by the
Syrian regime or the international community, the sources noted.
Al-Liwaa newspaper reported that the contacts remained ongoing between the
President, the PM and Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour before the Security
Council’s meeting.
However, the Russian and Chinese vetoes were enough to block the resolution.
During Wednesday’s Security Council meeting on Syria, Salam said Lebanon decided
to disassociate itself from the council statement condemning violence in Syria.
“Lebanon is committed to defend the sovereignty of (Syria) and the unity of its
people… but in order to protect Lebanon’s unity and stability, it abstains from
voting,” Salam said.
Nine countries voted late Tuesday in favor of the draft resolution which had
called for "targeted measures" if Syrian President Bashar Assad pursues his
clampdown, which the U.N. says has left at least 2,700 people dead.
Russia and China voted against, killing the resolution because of their veto
powers as council permanent members.
South Africa, India, Brazil and Lebanon abstained, reaffirming a divide in the
15-member body since NATO launched air strikes in Libya using U.N. resolutions
to justify the action.
12 Wounded in Clash at ‘Mecanique’ Center
Naharnet /Twelve people at the mandatory vehicle inspection “mecanique” center in Hadath
were wounded in an armed clash on Wednesday, reported Voice of Lebanon radio.
The clash erupted when one of the citizens, who had entered his car for
inspection, found out that his vehicle had failed the test, it said
Upon learning the news, he took his gun and started shooting randomly at the
center, lightly wounding individuals at the scene.
VDL said that the injuries, mainly knocks and bruises, were incurred in the
shoving that took place in light of the panic of the shooting.
MTV identified Ali al-Moqdad as the shooter.
Security forces immediately rushed to the scene to contain the situation.
The employees at the center consequently suspended their work.
Also on Thursday, three people from al-Allawi family were injured in an armed
clash in the Bekaa town of Taanayel.
NNA said that a dispute between Ahmed and Humaid al-Allawi on one side and Walid
al-Allawi on the other turned into a gunfight.
Aoun: No Agreement on STL Funding between Lebanon, Security Council
Naharnet /Free Patriotic Movement Leader MP Michel Aoun renewed his rejection to finance
the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on Wednesday, assuring that he is ready to
“prosecute the ones who will fund it.”
In an interview with Radio Monte Carlo, Aoun said that “there is no agreement
between Lebanon and the U.N. Security Council on the STL”, adding that the
decision to establish the tribunal came from one side and was imposed on Lebanon
under Chapter seven of the U.N. Charter.
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea had declared on Wednesday that there is a
“cooperation protocol between Lebanon and the STL”, stating that “Aoun was part
of the previous governments which had funded the Tribunal since 2009.”
On Lebanese PM Najib Miqati’s assurance on “Lebanon’s commitment to the
International obligations, including the STL funding”, Aoun said that “there is
no agreement, and his pledge was wrong”, assuring that Miqati will be” held
responsible if he pays from the Lebanese treasury.”
The FPM leader stressed that he opposes the STL because it is “illegal, and I am
ready to prosecute anyone who funds it,” pointing out that “we do not want to
pay Lebanon’s share of STL funding because this has been imposed on us.”
When asked about the situation in Syria, Aoun said that “the resistance switched
from a peaceful objection to an armed one," adding that "if the purpose was to
topple the regime by force and with foreign assistance, then we reject this
because there should be stability and we want the Syrians to live in peace.”
Merhebi: Lebanese intelligence “assaulted” Syrian refugee
October 6, 2011/Future bloc MP Mouin Merhebi said on Thursday that Lebanese army intelligence
assaulted an injured Syrian refugee.
“Two days ago, Lebanese intelligence [beat] an injured Syrian refugee, stomped
him and prevented him from getting to a hospital,” Merhebi told MTV, adding that
such actions are a violation of human rights.
“Does Lebanese army intelligence [answer to] Syria or Lebanon?” he asked.
The MP added that he will “shed light” on similar incidents.
According to the United Nations, the Syrian regime's crackdown on protests that
erupted in mid-March has killed more than 2,900 people.
Thousands of Syrians have fled to Lebanon in recent months, often using illegal
border crossings, to escape the unrest gripping their country.-NOW Lebanon
Marouni slams cabinet for not addressing Lebanon border
violation
October 6, 2011 /Kataeb bloc MP Elie Marouni condemned Tuesday’s incident in
which Syrian tanks violated Lebanese territory, and criticized the cabinet for
not addressing the issue.
“What was weirder [than the Syrian violation] was that…the issue was not
addressed by the cabinet even though the incident is a violation of
international law. Hezbollah’s cabinet did not [even bother] addressing the
issue.”“For how long will Lebanese [sovereignty] be [trespassed] by Syria?” he
also asked during an interview with Akhbar al-Yawm news agency.
Marouni added that a complaint against Syria’s violation should be filed with
the Arab League and the UN.On Tuesday, Syrian army tanks crossed the Lebanese
border near the Bekaa town of Aarsal and fired several gunshots on Lebanese
territory. Media outlets reported that the tanks fired in the direction of a
battery factory in Aarsal, adding that the Syrian troops suspected fleeing
gunmen had taken refuge in the building. Thousands of Syrians have fled to
Lebanon in recent months, often using illegal border crossings, to escape the
unrest gripping their country.-NOW Lebanon
Opposition condemns incursion in Arsal, and welcomes the
“Syrian National Council”
Thursday 06th October 2011 /AlJamhouria
Lebanon, which abstained from voting in the Security Council, justified its
position through the words of permanent ambassador to the U.N Nawaf Salam, who
said: “Allow me to reiterate in front of you today that Lebanon, in light of the
Syrian crisis, cares to assert that it clings to defend the sovereignty, unity
of this neighboring Arab country, and the safety and security of its land and
people. As we express our sorrow for the casualties, all the casualties in this
neighboring country; Lebanon consistent with the position it had already taken
on the third of August, abstains from voting on the resolution that has been
presented before us.”
Houri
In the meantime, March 14 general secretariat expressed its relief for the
formation of the Syrian National Council, and considered that “it is a
significant shift in the course of the Syrian revolution against the regime of
despotism and bloody massacres”.
“Future” movement bloc member MP Ammar Houri told “Al Joumhouria” that his bloc
had welcomed the formation of the Syrian National Council, and pointed out that
there is a difference between welcoming and recognizing, because recognition
comes from States.
Houri told “Al Joumhouria”: welcoming is a humane position with a neighboring
people suffering all this oppression, and the Syrian opposition initiated this
organizational move to reflect the freedom of the opposition’s elements; thus we
cannot stand neutral facing the suffering of the Syrian people.
And whether welcoming the formation of the Council means a political realignment
between those who support the Syrian regime and those opposing it in Lebanon,
Houri said: “the failure to welcome means alignment against the Syrian people
and acceptance of the crimes it suffers”.
Fares
On the other hand, MP Marwan Fares told “Al Joumhouria” that future movement,
March 14 forces and the Lebanese forces are a group hostile to Syria; I think
that as they made a mistake with the Maronite Patriarch and the Lebanese Army,
they’re making a mistake with the Syrian President Bashar al Assad, they’re
committing a series of mistakes and follies.
Fares accused March 14 of conducting a foreign policy in Lebanon, and the U.S
policy is the cause of all Syria’s events, therefore the future movement and
March 14 cannot be but allied to the U.S.
Answering her call for the Lebanese army to protect Syrian dissidents residing
in Lebanon; Fares called on the U.S ambassador in Lebanon Mora Connelly “to
withdraw U.S troops from Iraq, and not to interfere in Lebanon and Syria’s
internal affairs”.
Syrian incursion effects
In the meantime, the Syrian incursion into the Lebanese territory has met with a
wave of reactions that unanimously described the security development as
dangerous, and ranged between urging the Lebanese government to call on the
Syrian ambassador in Beirut to inquire him about what happened, and send a
protest to the Syrian government to avert the repetition of such operation.
Arsal village had regained its cautious calmness; residents along with a
security patrol checked on the site bombarded by Syrian tanks which breached the
village for hours before returning to the Syrian soil.
Security sources told “Al Joumhouria” that contacts ended the reverberation of
the Syrian incursion in the region, and had been informed by the Syrian side
that the operation was limited with no political, military or security
overtones; and that the Syrian side will be in constant touch with the Lebanese
security commanders to prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents.
Future movement
The “future movement” condemned in a statement “the Syrian forces’ violation of
the Lebanese sovereignty, without taking into consideration covenants, laws and
international norms and security and military agreements, which organize
relations between the two countries”.
The future’s statement was surprised “at the Lebanese government’s silence over
this violation” asserting that “what the country has reached is an inevitable
result of the government’s policy of “neutrality”, without paying attention to
the changes storming the region.”
In its statement, the future movement called on “all political, security,
constitutional and military institutions to carry out their duties to protect
Lebanon’s sovereignty and the Lebanese, and all the refugees.”
Council of Ministers
On the beat of the workers’ preparations for October 12 strike and
demonstrations; a session for the cabinet was held at Baabda Palace yesterday,
during which former minister Adnan al Sayed Hussein was appointed as Chairman of
the Lebanese University. The Council of Ministers looked over its 159 clause
agenda.
Mneimneh
Former education minister Hasan Mneimneh recounted challenges facing the new
Chairman of the Lebanese University, and told “Al Joumhouria”: “we believe that
any new Chairman of the Lebanese University will face a number of major
challenges, not to promote the university, but to take it out of the impasse,
problems and the state of inaction, which it suffered in the past five years”.
Mneimneh added: “the biggest challenge will be to distance the university from
political pressure and influence. We need a Chairman willing to apply himself to
find a mechanism to push it forward.”
Officers’ promotion
“Al Joumhouria” learned from well informed sources that the military officers’
promotion decree has been accomplished, containing more than 400 names and will
be published within days.
These sources said that after the publication of the decree in the official
journal, a decree for promoting internal security officers will be released
bearing the signature of President Sleiman, PM Mikati and both ministers of
interior and finance; to be followed by the decrees for officers of the army,
public security and state security.