LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
ِSeptember 12/2011

Bible Quotation for today
Sirach 28/25-30: "Who casts a stone on high casts it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.  Who digs a pit shall fall in it: and he that sets a trap shall be taken in it. He that works mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know when it comes. Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them. They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die. Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for September 11/11
U.S. Official Hints al-Rahi’s Statements Jeopardize his Visit to Washington
Al-Rahi Returns from France, Says He Was 'Misinterpreted'
Gadhafi's Son Al-Saadi Arrives in Niger
Obama urges heightened alert ahead of 9/11 anniversary
Swedish Police Arrest Four Terror Suspects
Netanyahu: Egypt turmoil proves need for security assurances in Mideast peace deal
U.S. told Egypt it must rescue Israeli embassy workers or suffer 'consequences,' sources say
Two Killed as Top Syrian Activist 'Severely' Beaten‎
Ari Shavit / Arab Spring showed its real face in attack on Israeli embassy in Egypt
Zvi Bar'el / Attack on Israeli embassy unites Egypt in surprising ways
Gideon Levy / Israel is paying for Gaza war with Turkey and Egypt crises
Israeli exporters fear drop in Egypt trade following embassy attack
Lebanese Army Thwarts Smuggling of Tasers to Syria
WikiLeaks: Miqati Describes Hizbullah as ‘Tumor,’ Says it Aims at Creating Iranian Base in Lebanon
Miqati Confirms Describing Hizbullah as 'Non-malignant' Tumor
Miqati Vows Commitment to STL, Says Cabinet 'Can’t be Selective'
ISF Intelligence Pursue Suspect in Seven Estonians Kidnapping

U.S. Official Hints al-Rahi’s Statements Jeopardize his Visit to Washington
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi arrives in Beirut on Sunday at the end of an official visit to France, as his controversial positions on Syria weren’t positively received by French officials and were strongly criticized by the March 14-led opposition. A high-ranking U.S. official expressed his astonishment and dissatisfaction with al-Rahi’s speech in France regarding the popular uprising in Syria against President Bashar Assad and Hizbulla’s arms. The official told An Nahar newspaper on Sunday that the Patriarch’s statements were “unjustified and reckless… and harms his reputation and his position.” He criticized al-Rahi’s remarks that the popular uprising in Syria will help the Sunni extremists in there to control the country.
“These allegations are merely propaganda to help the Syrian regime,” the diplomat said. He said that the patriarch was “blessing” Hezbollah’s arms by linking the party’s arsenal to the termination of Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory. Noting that “he (the Maronite Patriarch) realizes what many Lebanese know that Hizbullah’s arms don’t exist to defend Lebanon, and it’s just an extension of the Iranian influence (on the region).”  He added: “The way he spoke about the Sunnis reveals that the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri doesn’t concern him.”
The official expected that al-Rahi’s visit to the U.S. next month will be only “pastoral.” Signifying that the U.S. officials might not meet him. The Newspaper remarked that Bkirki will witness consecutive meetings after the Patriarch’s return to discuss the repercussions following his statements in Paris. In an interview with al-Arabiya had stated on Thursday al-Rahi said: “Assad must be given a chance because he is implementing reforms in Syria.” He warned that the Christians will pay the price if the Muslim brotherhood succeeded Assad. Al-Rahi added: “As long as there is an occupied Lebanese territory, Hizbullah will maintain that it wants to carry arms in defense of its land. What will we say to it then?”

Al-Rahi Returns from France, Says He Was 'Misinterpreted'
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Sunday noted that his recent statements in France on the Syrian crisis and Hizbullah’s arms -- which stirred a storm of controversy in Lebanon – were not interpreted in a proper manner. Speaking to reporters at the Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport upon his return from a several-day visit to Paris, al-Rahi said: “I lament the fact that most of us observe things in a shallow manner and not in depth … we should not exploit things.”
“My brothers the patriarchs and I have realized that we can’t but tackle things in a serious and responsible manner,” al-Rahi said, stressing that “the patriarch speaks objectively and with all due impartiality.”“I’m not complaining about anyone or settling scores with anyone … and I’m keen on my motto ‘partnership and love’,” the patriarch added.
He hoped “things in Lebanon will be tackled seriously and responsibly,” calling on journalists to be “objective and to report the truth as it is.”
“The media should not take statements out of context, and I blame them for taking things out of context and the readers for reading the headlines without the rest” of the remarks, al-Rahi said.On the other hand, he extended his gratitude to the “French officials for the warm welcome” he received during his trip to France, noting that French President Nicolas Sarkozy “loves Lebanon and highly appreciates the (Maronite) patriarchate.”Sarkozy “follows a clear approach that is mindful of the concerns of the Christians in the Middle East and the concerns of Lebanon,” al-Rahi said, noting that the French leader “discussed with the (patriarchate’s) delegation all the Lebanese and Arab affairs, and the reading was completely identical and we didn’t conceal everyone’s concerns regarding what’s happening in the Arab world.”
During his trip to France, al-Rahi said “Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must be given a chance because he is implementing reforms in Syria.”
He also called on the international community to force the implementation of resolutions issued by the U.N. Security Council in order to strip Hizbullah of excuses to possess arms.
Al-Rahi told Al-Arabiya television on Thursday that sectarian tensions between Sunnis and Shiites may emerge if the Syrian government is overthrown.
“If the regime changes in Syria, and the Sunnis take over, they will form an alliance with the Sunnis in Lebanon, which will worsen the situation between the Shiites and the Sunnis,” al-Rahi said.He warned that the Christians will pay the price if the Muslim Brotherhood succeeded Syrian President Assad.Asked about Hizbullah’s arms, he responded: “The international community must pressure Israel to withdraw from the occupied Lebanese territories … and fulfill the Palestinians’ right of return, and consequently Hizbullah will have to lay down its arms

U.S. told Egypt it must rescue Israeli embassy workers or suffer 'consequences,' sources say
Officials involved in attempt to resolve mob attack on Israeli embassy in Cairo say U.S. Secretary of Defense Panetta managed to speak with head of Egypt's ruling military only after 2 hours of repeated calling.
By Barak Ravid /Haaretz
The United States told Egypt's military rulers during an attack on the Israeli embassy in Cairo that they must act quickly in order to prevent Israeli personnel from being attacked by Egyptian protesters, Haaretz learned on Saturday. According to senior U.S. source that were involved in the attempt to resolve the Cairo incident, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta called Supreme Military Council head Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, conveying what the source called an forceful message concerning the need for speed in Egypt's ending of the embassy attack. "There's no time to waste," Panetta reportedly told Tantawi in the 1 A.M. call, warning of a tragic outcome that "would have very severe consequences."
The U.S. source also said that Tantawi failed to answer incoming calls from U.S. officials throughout the evening, finally answering after more than two hours of attempts.
These reports came after earlier Saturday, a senior Israeli source indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak attempted repeatedly to reach the head of Egypt's Supreme Military Council, to no avail. According to the Israeli source, the "Egyptians said every time that they were not able to track him down in order to connect the call." After failing to locate Tantawi himself, Netanyahu called head of Egyptian intelligence, Gen. Murad Muwafi. Barak, in turn, called U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, asking him to discuss the issue with Tantawi, which Panetta was able to do shortly after. Also on Saturday, Egypt raised its national alertness level following the severe nighttime incident late Friday, as thousands of Egyptian protesters attacked the Israeli embassy in Cairo, resulting in the evacuation of dozens of Israeli diplomats. Egyptian commandos released six besieged security guards from the Israeli Embassy, while an Israeli Air Force plane evacuated over 80 diplomats, including family members from Cairo, after a mass group of Egyptian protesters broke into the embassy. Netanyahu thanked on Saturday both the United States and Egypt for their aid in the wake of the embassy attack, adding that Israel's peace treaty with Egypt was an interest shared by both countries and "an anchor" in Israel's regional policy. Netanyahu also referred to what he saw as a link between events such as the attack on the Israeli embassy and the stalled Middle East peace process.

Miqati Vows Commitment to STL, Says Cabinet 'Can’t be Selective'
Naharnet/ Prime Minister Najib Miqati pledged on Sunday to renew commitment to all the international resolution during his upcoming visit to New York City to attend a U.N. Security Council session on the Middle East, stressing that the cabinet cannot be selective in implementing the resolutions. “The Special Tribunal for Lebanon exists… We can’t implement only the resolutions that we favor and rule out the others,” Miqati told An Nahar newspaper.He said if Lebanon wants to protect its reputation and credibility towards the international community “we should either commit to the (international) resolutions, or we shouldn’t.”Asked about the funding of the STL probing the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri, Miqati noted “the issue should be discussed in a calm way away from any political fuss.’“We care about the country’s best interest and this will not happen through strong political rhetoric… our only aim is to preserve the country’s unity and stability,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.Miqati said that amid the turmoil in the region and the local developments “we have sought to work hard to restore the confidence among the people.”Concerning the electricity project, the premier said “priority is for the state budget.” He revealed that a meeting was held with Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi to discuss the available options. Miqati said that the new project will introduce new taxes, however, a balanced mechanism will be followed “not all society ranks can bear the same burdens, therefore, the new taxes must be imposed on the activities not the (social) ranks.”He stressed that the cabinet is still discussing all the potential options “but we can’t expand the margin deficit, as the state needs additional incomes to carry out its duties towards the community.”The PM noted that the government referred the electricity draft law to the parliament on Saturday and that the issue is in the hands of the Speaker to issue it to vote in the parliament or to refer it to the apprehensive committees to examine it.
Miqati said that the state administrative appointments issue is being addressed in a rational way “whenever we (the cabinet) agree on a list of appointments we approve it immediately.”
“All appointments are following the mechanism stated by the cabinet,” he added. Miqati remarked that the priority is for the control departments.

WikiLeaks: Miqati Describes Hizbullah as ‘Tumor,’ Says it Aims at Creating Iranian Base in Lebanon
Naharnet/ Prime Minister Najib Miqati said that he doesn’t represent the “Sunnis” in Lebanon and he’ll refuse to be nominated for the premiership if the March 8 forces won the elections without a broad Sunni support, revealed a leaked U.S. Embassy cable published in al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Sunday. A WikiLeaks cable date Dec. 19, 2009, reported on a meeting between Miqati, then U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michelle Sison and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale, during which the PM said that Hizbullah aims at establishing an Iranian Military base on the Mediterranean centered in Lebanon from which Ayatollah Khomeini's Islamic revolution could be carried to the West.”Miqati described Hizbullah as a “tumor” that should be removed, advising President Michel Suleiman to fortify the state institutions in order to face Hizbullah’s mini-state.“The group’s (Hizbullah’s) mini-states should be removed to preserve Lebanon,” he said.He expected that Hizbullah will lead Lebanon to a “sad ending.” Stressing that continuing national dialogue among foes will help in facing it.The cable reported that Miqati described Suleiman as “Calm and an easy going” person, expressing worrisome over a conversation with the president on Dec., 17, during which Suleiman said that his job was easier than the expected.He also told the U.S. official that the Lebanese army is divided in favor of the March 8 camp where most officers support Hizbullah and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun. Noting that the fear of a split among the army divisions stopped Suleiman from making any decision concerning the army between 2005 and 2008.Concerning the Syrian-Lebanese diplomatic relations, Miqati noted that they were “superficial” but important.However, he said that “we should neutralize Syria’s role in Lebanon to give the government a chance to buy some time to counter Hizbullah.”Miqati described that the MiG-29 fighter jets Russian military aid to Lebanon as “weird,” wondering if then Defense Minister Elias el-Murr has requested this aid or if the Russians chose to present it.

ISF Intelligence Pursue Suspect in Seven Estonians Kidnapping
Naharnet/ Internal Security forces intelligence division pursued one of the suspects in the kidnapping of the seven Estonians, the National News Agency reported on Sunday.
An ISF patrol tracked down overnight one of the main abductors linked to the kidnapping of the seven Estonian cyclists who were captured at gunpoint on March 23 in Bekaa valley.
Clashes erupted during the pursuit and an exchange of fire took place where the suspect H. H. was injured, however, his companions helped him to flee to an unknown place, the NNA said.Later on Sunday, Al-Manar television reported that “an Intelligence Bureau unit raided the house of H. al-Hujairi in Ersal to arrest him on charges of harboring the abductors of the seven Estonians.” “However, the force exchanged gunfire with Hujairi, who was severely wounded before he managed to escape. Security forces believe he died of his wounds later,” Al-Manar added.The cyclists were freed in July almost four months after armed men abducted them as they entered the country on a bicycle tour from neighboring Syria.
They had appealed for help in videos posted on the Internet in April and May. The first video was uploaded in the Syrian capital Damascus, investigators determined.
In the videos, the men did not present any demands on behalf of their captors nor specify what country they were in.
A third video was emailed to several of their relatives in June.

Netanyahu: Egypt turmoil proves need for security assurances in Mideast peace deal
Speaking less than a day after Israel's Cairo embassy was attacked by protesters, PM says Israel committed to its peace treaty with Egypt, would work to restore Turkey ties.
By Barak Ravid and Jack Khoury/Haaretz
Israel will continue to adhere to its peace treaty with Egypt in wake of the storming of Israel's embassy in Cairo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, adding that continued Mideast turmoil proves that Israel is right to insist on security assurances in any future peace deal.
Earlier Saturday Egypt raised its national alertness level following a severe nighttime incident late Friday, as thousands of Egyptian protesters attacked the Israeli embassy in Cairo, resulting in the evacuation of dozens of Israeli diplomats.
Egyptian commandos released six besieged security guards from the Israeli Embassy, while an Israeli Air Force plane evacuated over 80 diplomats, including family members from Cairo, after a mass group of Egyptian protesters broke into the embassy.
Netanyahu thanked on Saturday both the United States and Egypt for their aid in the wake of the embassy attack, adding that Israel's peace treaty with Egypt was an interest shared by both countries and "an anchor" in Israel's regional policy.
Netanyahu also referred to what he saw as a link between events such as the attack on the Israeli embassy and the stalled Middle East peace process.
"The Middle East is undergoing an earthquake of historical proportions, one that has not been experienced since the turmoil Europe experienced after WWI," Netanyahu said, adding that it was up to Israel to "defend its interests in the region."
One of these interests, the premier said, was Israel's continued "struggle for peace with the Palestinians," adding that direct talks were the only way to achieve peace. Netanyahu also said that continued Mideast turmoil proved the importance of security assurances in future peace deals.
"I believe there are many in Israel and in the world that understand our justified insistence on maintaining Israel's security needs in any future deal," Netanyahu said.
The PM also made reference to the ongoing diplomatic crisis with Turkey, saying that Israel would try to "prevent Turkey ties from deteriorating further."
"We did not choose this route," Netanyahu said, adding that Jerusalem would "work to lower the flames and perhaps even return relations to normalcy."
An Israeli source indicated that Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak attempted repeatedly to reach Supreme Military Council head Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, to no avail.
According to the source, the "Egyptians said every time that they were not able to track him down in order to connect the call." After failing to locate Tantawi himself, Netanyahu called head of Egyptian intelligence, Gen. Murad Muwafi.
Barak, in turn, called U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, asking him to discuss the issue with Tantawi, which Panetta was able to do shortly after.
Earlier Saturday, Egypt's Information Minister Osama Heikal assured that Egypt was committed to all of the international treaties to which it is a signatory, adding Cairo's commitment to securing the safety of all diplomats assigned to the country.
"Everything that happened is a gross violation of the law, and one cannot call the perpetrators of the act brave or patriotic," Heikal said, adding that "what happened severely injured Egypt's pride as well as its international standing, and that is not something we can accept."
In addition, the Egyptian minister announced that Cairo would reinstate emergency laws that were canceled as a result of anti-Mubarak protests in February, as well of undertaking a series of steps which he said were meant to deter further rioting and disturbances of the peace.


ا