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.
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