LCCC ENGLISH NEWS BULLETIN
December 5/06
Bible Reading For the Day
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to
Saint Matthew 8,5-11.
When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him,
saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." He
said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion said in reply, "Lord, I
am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant
will be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers
subject to me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come here,'
and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard
this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Amen, I say to you, in no
one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the
east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the
banquet in the kingdom of heaven,
Free Opinions
The Lebanese have had more than enough grieving
-Daily Star 05.12.06
Killing Lebanon, economically
-By Michael Karam 05.12.06
Latest New from the Daily Star for
December 5/06
Protesters lose numbers but not
enthusiasm
New clashes hit Sunni neighborhood in Lebanese
capital
Mediation hits higher gear in bid to calm Beirut crisis
Amnesty chief calls for 'universal' justice
Feuding politicians trade familiar accusations of serving foreign masters
Siniora receives well-wishers, vows dialogue
Israeli troops linger in Ghajar despite decision to leave
Will protests add to list of refugee businesses?
Protesters remain cheerful despite mounting tensions across capital
Beneath Beirut's malignant mid-summer sky
Bush tells key Iraqi Shiite leader he wants more action to end sectarian
bloodshed
Big powers discuss Iran sanctions today in Paris
Latest New from miscellaneous sources for
December 5/06
Syria trying to spark civil war in Lebanon-Ya
Libnan
Bolton to step down within weeks-AP
Press fears new Lebanon civil war-BBC
News - UK
Arabs enter to clip Iran wing in Lebanon-United
Press International - USA
Hezbollah Receiving Missile Shipments-All Headline
News -
Jordan Worried About Lebanon's
Safety-Naharnet
One Killed in Shiite-Sunni Encounters with No Sign of Political
Breakthrough-Naharnet
Germany Urges Syria to Prevent Lebanon's
Destabilization-Naharnet
Mussa Mediates to Find Solution to
'Dangerous' Crisis-Naharnet
Lebanese army increases forces in tense Beirut-Washington Post - United States
Germany urges Syria to use its influence on allies-Reuters
1 killed in clashes between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in West ...International
Herald Tribune - France
One dead in Lebanon street fight-Middle
East Online
Steinmeier Arrives in Damascus with Strong Message on Lebanon-Deutsche
Welle - Germany
Egypt warns on Beirut violence-The
Australian
Syria smuggling long-range missiles to Hizbullah-Jerusalem
Post
Lebanon reels as protests against PM turn deadly-Globe
and Mail - Canada
Shock in Ghajar: Israelis turned into refugees in Lebanon-Ynetnews
Lebanon's political balance in danger-Toronto
Star - Ontario, Canada
Hizbollah's big gamble-ISN -
Zurich,Switzerland
Palestinian PM meets Syria's Assad-Washington Post
Syria sentences 4 for Islamic group contacts-Jerusalem Post
Diplomatic efforts intensify for Lebanon-Houston Chronicle
Lebanon deploys extra Beirut troops-Aljazeera.net
Jordanian Foreign Minister Flies To Beirut To Meet
Seniora-Playfuls.com, Romania
HizbAllah's Offensive in Lebanon: Day Three
By Walid Phares
December 3, 2006
On the third day of HizbAllah’s campaign to takeover the Lebanese Government,
more sectors from civil society began to rise. But they weren’t rising with the
pro-Iranian militia in as much as they were rising to oppose its move. However
on the other hand, it was further noticed that a number of Western media
increased their support to Nasrallah’s organization.
From Saturday late night into the early hours of the morning, more incursions by
HizbAllah’s elements were signaled inside the traditional Sunni West Beirut. A
battle with rocks took place in many streets leaving a number of wounded and one
HizbAllah militiaman dead. The Iranian-backed militants staged their “thrusts”
into Sunni areas from their launching pad in the “protest” areas in downtown,
commonly described by the opponents as the “coup d’Etat” basis. According to
sources in the Lebanese Army, the gradual “coup” is taking place with a minute
preparation coordinated by the Iranian embassy in Beirut. A “War room,”
including HizbAllah, Syrian intelligence, President Lahoud’s secret services,
Baath Party, Syrian National-Socialists and representatives from General Michel
Aoun’s group, is directing the campaign.
On the political level, the single most important development is the decision
made by the March 14 movement and the Cedars Revolution leaders to “move the
headquarters of the Government to Mount Lebanon if the Syro-Iranian militias
would overrun the Prime Minister’s office.” Such a decision means that the
Seniora cabinet and the leaders of the anti-Syrian majority in Lebanon will
resist the onslaught of HizbAllah’s forces and would eventually call on the
people to oppose the coup d’Etat. In Washington and Paris, Governmental sources
said that bringing down the Government outside the Parliament is a red line. In
New York, the Security Council members, particularly the US and French
delegations have clearly signified their rejection of a violent crumbling of a
democratically elected cabinet. This view is widely shared by the majority of
Arab moderate countries, including Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.
A new development occurred overseas as the leaders of the Lebanese Diaspora
declared their “rejection of HizbAllah’s aggression against Lebanon’s civil
society," as they signed a joint declaration published by multiple web sites as
well as as-Siyassa and al Muharer. Joe Baini, the Sydney-based President of the
World Council of Cedars Revolution said “we’re 12 million Lebanese in 32
countries and we are the numeric overwhelming majority of the Lebanese people.”
In a letter addressed to the Lebanese Diaspora, Baini said “we are warning Iran
and Syria not to interfere in Lebanese affairs, and we are warning HizbAllah not
to clash with the Lebanese people. We, the overseas majority of Lebanese, who
maintain the economic lifeline to Lebanon, will not accept the Terror action by
a minority of radicals who take their orders from Tehran and Damascus.” It is to
note that the “Lebanese lobby”, as it is known worldwide played a critical role
in the calling for and making of UNSCR 1559 in 2004, which ordered Syria to
withdrawal from the country and asked HizbAllah to disarm.
In the battlefield of media, more indications are developing about the HizbAllah
propaganda influence. Media watchers out of Lebanon and overseas have noticed
the circulation of “stories” by a support network to the pro-Iranian
organization, attempting to depict the developments in Lebanon as taking place
between a militant group and a Government backed by militias. This war of ideas,
launched by the “War room” in Beirut, is financed –according to leaders from the
Cedars Revolution- by “huge amount of Iranian Petro-dollars.” Roger Azzam, an
NGO activist in Lebanon said “the treasury of the Islamic Republic in Tehran is
fully open for this battle.” Azzam said “millions of dollars have been allocated
to feed all needs such as establishing a new TV station in Lebanon and taking
care of media people both in Lebanon and worldwide. The Iranians we hear have
hired PR companies around the world to win the public opinion battle.” In
Canada, the chairman of the Lebanese Human Rights committee said “we see some of
the HizbAllah propaganda influence even here.” Elias Bejjani indicated for
example an article in the Globe and Mail daily in Toronto which title is
revealing: “West help Lebanon build militia to fight HezbAllah.” Mark McKinnon,
the author of the article, wrote that the Internal Security Forces (ISF) is a
“militia,” backed by the United States, France and Arab countries. The
journalist, according to Lebanese Bloggers, was trying to “sneak a new twist in
the ongoing conflict in Lebanon: that is to portray the Lebanese regular police
as a militia equivalent to the Terror group HizbAllah.” In fact the article
said: “Critics charge that the force is dominated by Sunnis, and that its real
purpose is to defend the government of Mr. Siniora, a Sunni, against the growing
power of the country's large Shia population.” Toni Nissi, an NGO leader working
on implementing UN resolutions, said "the article is a piece of propaganda
aiming at creating a mindset worldwide that a civil war is in the making between
Shiia and Sunnis in Lebanon, just to make the point that democracy can’t work in
this country.” Nissi said the ISF existed for decades, this is Lebanon’s
internal security force; and indeed it is its duty to defend the people and the
Government against the Terrorists of HizbAllah. “We’re stunned that Canadian
newspapers want to equate legal authorities with Terrorism.”
On another front, next steps by HizbAllah may include the introduction of Syrian
intelligence in the covert operations battle against the Government. Sources in
the Lebanese army told Cedars Revolution leaders that “hundreds of armed
elements have been crossing the international borders between Syria and Lebanon
with sophisticated individual weapons.” Lebanese and Arab newspapers said over
the week end that dozens of trucks have crossed the borders and headed to
HizbAllah’s bases in southern Beirut and the Bekaa valley. “All indicate, said
Walid Jumblat, the Socialist Druse leader, “that the Iranians and the Syrians
are staging a coup.”
***Dr Walid Phares is a senior fellow with the Foundation for the Defense of
Democracies and the author of Future Jihad. Phares@walidphares.com
December 3, 2006
One Killed in Shiite-Sunni Encounters with No Sign of
Political Breakthrough
A protestor was killed in confrontations between predominantly
Shiite opposition followers and pro-government Sunni supporters in Beirut amidst
deep worry of further sectarian fighting on the fourth day of a Hizbullah-led
rally to topple Prime Minister Fouad Saniora with no sign of a breakthrough in
the political crisis.
The leading daily An Nahar said Monday that 13 other people were wounded in
separate street encounters which focused around the predominantly Sunni
neighborhood of Tarik Jedideh and the Qasqas district after nightfall Sunday.
It said among the injured in the Qasqas clash were three Lebanese photographers
working for An Nahar, the leftist daily As Safir and the Associated Press news
agency. Security sources identified the killed man as Ali Ahmed Mahmoud, a
20-year-old member of the Shiite Amal movement.
Lebanese army troops were on high alert following the Qasqas clash which erupted
when Shiite opposition supporters drove through the neighborhood after leaving
the scene of the open-ended protest, only three kilometers from downtown
Beirut's government offices where Hizbullah-led demonstrators have been camping
for four straight days demanding to overthrow Saniora. Police and witnesses said
sporadic bursts of automatic gunfire could be heard as the two sides traded
taunts and hurled stones at each other. The confrontation quickly developed into
a fight with sticks and knives. Witnesses said Shiite protestors also burned
some shops in Qasqas, where Mahmoud was killed. Lebanese television stations
showed footage of burning shops. Al-Mustaqbal television, which is owned by the
Future Movement of anti-Syrian parliament majority leader Saad Hariri, said the
army detained three Syrians who had allegedly provoked the incident by throwing
stones from an overhead bridge at the passing Hizbullah cars.
The army command did not confirm this, saying only in a statement that the
military "deployed and successfully restored order."
The army threw a security dragnet in Tarik Jedideh in an effort to prevent
followers of the pro-Syrian Hizbullah and Amal from stirring up trouble in the
Sunni neighborhood. The shooting death was the first reported since the
opposition, spearheaded by the Shiite Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hizbullah
launched an open-ended sit-in with the aim of overthrowing Saniora and forming a
national unity government so as to have veto power over decisions.
Hariri urged his supporters to "stay calm" and "not to respond to provocation"
as other leaders in the government pledged to wait out the protest until rival
parties can return to talks. "Protest is no solution. I am going to stay as long
as I am prime minister by the will of the majority," Saniora vowed.
Thousands of predominantly Shiite opposition supporters have been camping
outside government headquarters in downtown Beirut since Friday, the zero hour
set by Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah for the start of the
anti-government campaign.
Lebanese army troops, barricades and barbed wires guard the Grand Serail, where
Saniora and nearly a dozen ministers have been residing since the Nov. 21
assassination of Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel.
Meanwhile, Arab League chief Amr Moussa voiced concern about the "serious"
situation and tried to mediate between the feuding pro- and anti-Syrian camps,
as former powerbroker Damascus egged on demonstrators who are calling for a
national unity government. The deadlock threatens to block the government's
legislative program, including its centerpiece plans for a U.N.-backed Special
International Tribunal for Lebanon to try suspects in the 2005 murder of former
premier Rafik Hariri, which was widely blamed on Syria. Only the pro-Syrian
Speaker, whose supporters joined the opposition rally, has the authority to
present draft legislation to parliament. Hundreds of thousands turned out for
the first day of the protest Friday. Protesters have vowed to keep up the rally
until Saniora steps down. The anti-Damascus camp says the opposition demands are
a ploy at the behest of their Syrian sponsors to avoid the formation of the
proposed international tribunal.(Naharnet-AFP) Beirut, 04 Dec 06, 09:06
Jordan Worried About Lebanon's Safety
Naharnet: Jordan's Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib on Monday
expressed his country's concern over Lebanon's safety in light of the ongoing
attempt by the Hizbullah-led opposition to topple Prime Minister Fouad Saniora's
government. Khatib, who flew in earlier in the day for a short visit to Beirut,
told reporters he delivered to Saniora a message from King Abdullah of Jordan
reflecting the latter's "keen interest in Lebanon and his interest in enabling
it to come out of the extraordinary circumstances."He called on other Arab
states to "stand by Lebanon's side in this extraordinary situation … and to
support the ability of all the Lebanese to safeguard the interests of their
country."Jordan, Khatib said, was "keen on saving no effort to enable the
Lebanese people maintain their unity and the nation's independence."Khatib, who
also met Parliament speaker Nabih Berri, would leave for Cairo later in the
evening to discuss with other Arab foreign ministers the deteriorating situation
in Lebanon.At least one person was killed and 13 were wounded in riots between
Hizbullah followers and supporters of Saniora government in Beirut.
Solana Doubts Aid Conference for Lebanon if Crisis
Persists
Naharnet: EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana warned Lebanon Monday that
the Paris III conference set for next month could fail if all factions do not
cooperate to prepare it. "The most important thing to my mind now is ... that
everybody begins to work clearly in the right direction so that the conference
of Paris is a success," the European Union's top diplomat told reporters in
Brussels. "It would be a great pity for the people of Lebanon if the conference
in Paris is not a great success," he said. The international conference is meant
to secure long-term assistance to help Lebanon recover from Israel's 34-day
offensive on the country. The war caused more than 3.5 billion dollars in
damage. Premier Fouad Saniora's government is supposed to draw up a document
before the conference outlining its needs and expectations. But his cabinet is
under extreme pressure from a Hizbullah-led sit in downtown Beirut.
The group has spearheaded the protest against a leadership it accuses of being
corrupt, weak and no longer representative of the Lebanese people after six
ministers, including five Shiites, resigned last month. Saniora insists that
only dialogue can solve the political crisis but the opposition has vowed to
maintain the protest until the cabinet is toppled. Solana reiterated the EU's
support for Saniora, saying that the 25-member bloc thinks that he "has done a
good job and has acted with great dignity in all the difficult moments" since
the war in July and August.
The Paris III conference in January will mark the third time the French capital
has hosted a meeting to help Lebanon since 2001, when the Paris I conference
raised 500 million euros. More than 18 countries, in addition to international
institutions, took part in the Paris II conference which raised 2.6 billion
dollars in 2002.(AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 04 Dec 06, 14:55
Egypt warns on Beirut violence
Martin Chulov, Middle East correspondent
December 04, 2006
EGYPTIAN leader Hosni Mubarak has warned that Lebanon will become a sectarian
battlefield if Hezbollah-sponsored protests aimed at ousting the Government turn
violent. For the second consecutive night, thousands of protesters laid siege
over the weekend to Martyr's Square in central Beirut and the government
building where Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has been staying. Hezbollah chief
Hassan Nasrallah has called on the protesters to remain peaceful, but has vowed
to step up his movement's destabilisation of the Government, claiming it does
not represent Lebanon's religious and ethnic make-up.
Mr Mubarak, a key Middle Eastern ally of Washington who fears the rise of Shia
Islamic orthodoxy in the region, called for wisdom in defusing the crisis.
"What I fear is that if the demonstrations continue, and take on a sectarian
form, supporters of these sects from outside Lebanon will join in and no one
will be able to control it, especially if it continues for a long time," he
said. "And the result will be a transformation of Lebanon into a battlefield."
Another crucial Sunni leader, Jordan's King Abdullah, telephoned Mr Siniora on
Saturday to express support for his Government. Saudi Arabia, the third part of
the pro-Western Sunni triumvirate, also declared its backing for Mr Siniora.
Hezbollah and its political allies, chiefly a Christian bloc headed by former
general Michael Aoun, are demanding a national unity Government in which
Shi'ites have at least a one-third representation.
Under the plan, Hezbollah could rely on the votes of its proxies to veto all
parliamentary decisions, including crucial legislation being drafted to set up
an international tribunal to prosecute the alleged killers of up to 14
anti-Syrian figures.
The Siniora Government is surviving by a slim majority of two cabinet ministers
after six ministers supporting the Shia bloc and pro-Syrian President Emile
Lahoud quit in protest last month and pro-Government MP Pierre Gemayel was
assassinated two weeks ago. Mr Siniora has refused to bow to demands for a
national unity government, but has offered to expand his cabinet from 24 to 30
members to appease Hezbollah and include General Aoun. "The only way to solve
the problem is to sit together behind a table and discuss all our differences,"
he said. Sheik Nasrallah has rejected the overture and vowed yesterday to
transform Lebanon into the capital of "Arabism, resistance and unity". Hezbollah
on Friday fulfilled a pledge to take to the streets after delaying the move for
a week following Gemayel's slaying.
A crowd of between 500,000 and 800,000 flocked into central Beirut to hear a
rallying speech from General Aoun, who returned last year from 15 years in
France and now covets a power base in Lebanon. An earlier pro-Government rally
in the wake of Gemayel's death also mustered large numbers, but fewer than
Friday's huge demonstrations. Even as both sides urge restraint, there is real
fear in Lebanon that the protests could turn violent. After 15 years of relative
calm, many Lebanese believe conditions are now regressing towards the sectarian
bloodletting that dominated the two-decade civil war that crippled the country.
Lebanon is a country of disparate minorities that is continually haunted by
instability. The Shi'ites are the largest group, just ahead of the Christian
bloc of Maronites and Catholics. The Government is backed by Sunnis, Druze and
roughly half the Christian population, while the opposition forces are driven by
the Shi'ites and the balance of the Christians. Hezbollah believes its political
legitimacy soared in the wake of the summer war it fought with Israel, and is
intent on transforming its growing support into political power. However, the
pro-Government forces and most Western observers believe the push is being
driven by its key backers, Syria and Iran.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE
AI Index: MDE 18/010/2006 (Public)
News Service No: 311
4 December 2006
Lebanon: Need for responsible leadership and comprehensive approach to end
impunity
(Beirut) As thousands of people have been taking part in the latest
demonstrations on the streets of Beirut, Amnesty International's Secretary
General Irene Khan called on political leaders to ensure that the demonstrations
do not escalate into political violence leading to human rights abuses.
From a human rights perspective, this is a remarkable display of people
exercising their freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in a largely
peaceful manner, said Ms Khan.
However, with news of at least one violent death yesterday, Ms Khan warned:
Lebanon has an unfortunate history of political conflict along sectarian lines
that led to massive human rights violations in the past, which remain largely
unaddressed. All political actors must act responsibly to avoid a repeat of the
mistakes of the past.
In meetings with President Lahoud, Prime Minister Siniora and Speaker Berri, Ms
Khan urged: All political leaders must use their influence to ensure that the
demonstrations do not escalate into political violence leading to human rights
abuses.
Ms Khan is in Beirut as part of a visit to the Middle East. Yesterday she
visited southern Lebanon to see first-hand the effect of the recent war on
civilians.
The human toll and destruction of infrastructure during the war were massive.
The current political developments in Beirut should not divert attention from
the reconstruction efforts people still need urgent and sustainable help
to deal with the aftermath of the war, said Ms Khan.
The political demonstrations cannot detract from the need to address impunity.
The lack of effective mechanisms to deal with impunity has bred a high level of
mistrust in Lebanon, part of which is being voiced now in the demonstrations.
Amnesty International stated that the Lebanese system had failed to deliver
justice for past cases of political killings and other human rights abuses.
There is a need for a comprehensive strategy with concrete measures which will
provide justice for all, said Ms Khan.
Referring to the proposed tribunal to try those found guilty of involvement in
the assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri, Amnesty International
cautioned that a tribunal with an international component could be of greater
value if it is part of such a comprehensive strategy.
The current political divisions show that there is mistrust and suspicion, which
will be deepened if a selective approach to justice is taken, said Ms Khan.
A comprehensive strategy requires reform of the Lebanese justice system and
commitment to international human rights treaties.
Amnesty International is calling for a comprehensive approach to accountability
in Lebanon. Such an approach should include:
The establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to look into human rights abuses
committed by both sides during the most recent war;
Reform of the national justice system – which should include the abolition of
military courts for civilian crimes, of the Justice Council, and of the use of
evidence obtained by torture;
Repeal of the amnesty laws so that past abuses can be investigated and
prosecuted;
Ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Notes to editors:
For further information or to arrange an interview with Irene Khan, please call
Nicole Choueiry on mobile + 44 7831 640 170 or +961 701 57 589.
After visiting Lebanon, Irene Khan will lead a delegation to Israel and the
Occupied Territories (including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip) between 6 and
11 December.
For the latest blogs from the Amnesty International mission, please see: http://blogs.amnesty.org/blogs/israelot_dec06?open&day1
Public Document
******