LCCC NEWS BULLETIN
JANUARY 1/2006

Below News From Miscellaneous Sources for 1.2.06
Hezbollah reiterates 'no disarmament'-UPI 1.2.06
Hamas, America and Lebanon. By: Walid Choucair Al-Hayat - 31/01/06
Disarming Hizbullah, Distabilizing Damascus. By CLANCY CHASSAY-1.2.06
Al-Qaeda's Presence in Lebanon. By Murad Al-Shishani-Global Terrorism 1.2.06
Parliament Strips Lahoud of His Right to Choose Higher Judicial Council Members-Naharnet
Parliament Approves Last Year's Budget amid Criticism of Debating Already Spent Funds-Naharnet
Tueni Asks Government to Mediate Between Hamas and Europe-Naharnet
Qaida Conscripted Lebanese, Palestinians for Suicide Attacks in Iraq-Naharnet
Egyptian Intelligence Chief to Mediate Between Lebanon and Syria over Palestinian Arms-Naharnet
Aoun Fields Dakkash as a Consensus Candidate-Naharnet
Israeli Report: Assad Working Out Deal with Bush over Hariri Murder Probe-Naharnet
Five Children Seriously Injured in Land Mine Explosion in Syria-Naharnet
Fourteen Tourists from Hong Kong Killed in Bus Accident in Egypt-Naharnet
New Video Shows Kidnapped US Reporter Jill Carroll Weeping-Naharnet
Zawahiri Calls on Bush to Convert to Islam-Naharnet

Al-Qaeda's Presence in Lebanon
By Murad Al-Shishani-Global Terrorism
After a missile attack on Israel from south Lebanon on December 27, 2005, the Organization of al-Qaeda in Iraq, or the Land of the Two Rivers, issued an audio-recording for its leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in which he claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was ordered by al-Qaeda's leader, Osama bin Laden. The attack, combined with the statement of responsibility, raised questions about al-Qaeda's presence in Lebanon. Following the attack, Lebanese authorities arrested a group of al-Qaeda members or followers of the Salafi-Jihadist movement. While the Lebanese authorities did not disclose details about the arrested suspects, the news leaks raised several questions about the presence and nature of the Salafi-Jihadist movement in Lebanon.
Al-Qaeda's Presence in Lebanon
Among Arab societies, Lebanese are least affected by Salafi ideas (al-Jazeera Channel, January 13, 2006). Since independence, Lebanon has been a multi-cultural state with a fairly open society, making Salafi-Jihadist ideology less attractive. This explains why most of the arrested men were not Lebanese. Nevertheless, questions remain about the reasons behind the increase in the number of the movement's followers in Lebanon: some sources indicate that there are more than 100 Salafi-Jihadist followers in the country (al-Watan, January 15, 2006). The attack on Israel also raises questions about the movement's true motives in Lebanon.
Among the names announced by Lebanese authorities, four of the suspects were Lebanese nationals. The rest of the accused include seven Syrians, one Palestinian and one Jordanian. They were all accused of the attack on Israel. Among the Lebanese were Khader and Malek Nab'a, who are relatives of the suspects in the Dinnieh incidents of 2000 (see the indictment in Lebanon-based al-Nahar newspaper, July 11, 2000).
In addition, Khader Nab'a is associated with the appearance of the Salafi-Jihadist movement in Lebanon, when the leader of the al-Ahbash religious sect, Nizar Halabi, was assassinated in 1995. Since Salafi-Jihadist ideology is less popular in Lebanon than in other Arab countries, recruitment takes place among relatives and friends. The exceptions to this were the suspects in the Dinnieh incidents, since most of them were Lebanese veterans of the Afghan war. Yet, most of the individuals arrested in Lebanon after the Dinnieh incidents were not Lebanese nationals. Indeed, recent arrests of Salafi-Jihadists have uncovered plans to target U.S. interests, restaurants and diplomats (see feature on the record of al-Qaeda in Lebanon, al-Sharq al-Awsat, September 23, 2004).
Attacking Israel to Increase Popularity of Salafi-Jihadist Movement
The attack on Israel appears to be an attempt by Salafi-Jihadists to gain popularity among the Arab public after it began losing support in the Arab world due to its violent operations and targeting of civilians. The Arab-Israeli conflict remains one of the major issues that affect Arabs. This does not mean, however, that the conflict with Israel is not important for Salafi-Jihadists; on the contrary, it is considered an "ideological priority."
Nevertheless, it seems that Israel is not the main reason for al-Qaeda to increase its operations in Lebanon. For instance, as mentioned earlier, the ideology of Salafi-Jihadists is generally not popular among Lebanese. Additionally, south Lebanon will not become a base for Salafi-Jihadists because the region is controlled by the Shiite party Hezbollah. Salafi-Jihadists hold intense animosity toward the Shiite sect, which makes unlikely any coalition between the two parties.
The primary reason behind al-Qaeda's increasing presence in Lebanon is that since the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and the Syrian withdrawal that ensued as a result of that assassination, Lebanon has entered a state of security upheaval. According to Moroccan researcher al-Mahjoub Habibi, the Salafi-Jihadist movement is facing difficulties operating in many regions of the world, and the lack of security in Lebanon is drawing the movement's members to the country (http://www.rezgar.com, March 31, 2005). Habibi, a secularist, also argued that Jordan will serve as new ground for al-Qaeda; like Lebanon, it is close to Israel and fits into al-Qaeda's strategy of establishing a Caliphate after dominating Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Al-Qaeda and the Salafi-Jihadist movement are always trying to establish a presence in regions suffering from a lack of government security. In light of this analysis, the recent attack on Israel was likely an attempt by Salafi-Jihadists to recover the popularity lost with the Arab public over its recent choices of targets, and to move closer to establishing its presence in all of the Middle East.

'Al-Qaeda' cell was planning suicide attacks
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
BEIRUT: Members of an al-Qaeda cell arrested recently in Lebanon had recruited Lebanese and Palestinian nationals in the country to carry out suicide attacks in Iraq, As Safir reported Tuesday.
Several of the 13 alleged members confessed that they were able to convince Lebanese and Palestinians living in northern Lebanon, Bekaa and refugee camps to join groups planning to conduct suicide operations in Iraq, security sources were quoted as saying in the Lebanese daily.
The sources said the recruits would have been prepared for the mission at training camps in neighboring countries.
The 13 people arrested, who were said to be affiliated with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, were arrested on different occasions starting from December 30 in Lebanon. They had crossed the border into Lebanon after spending years in Syria.
The authorities found an arms cache belonging to the cell, including explosives, hand-grenades, Kalashnikovs and Light Anti-tank Weapon (LAW) rockets, according to the newspaper.
Some of the detainees said they were planning to stage attacks in Lebanon that were similar to military operations conducted in Iraq. But it was not clear whether these attacks would include suicide bombings and what the targets were. Several detainees gave similar comments to their interrogators, such as complaining about why only Hizbullah had the right to carry weapons in Lebanon, the security sources told the newspaper.
Earlier this month, Beirut's assistant military court prosecutor, Ahmed Oweidat, charged the 13 suspects with "establishing a gang to carry out terrorist acts, forging official and private documents and possessing unlicensed arms."The suspects include three Lebanese, seven Syrians, a Saudi, a Jordanian and a Palestinian, court officials said.The arrests gained extra significance in light of Zarqawi's claim of responsibility for a rocket attack launched against Israel from south Lebanon in December. - Naharnet

Hamas, America and Lebanon
Walid Choucair Al-Hayat - 31/01/06//
Countless are both the direct and indirect implications of the electoral landslide of Hamas movement in the Palestinian territories. At the onset, the results of the elections were described as a quake or a strategic mutation …This will reflect on Hamas itself, its political program and future role at the heart of the Palestinian Authority, next to Fateh movement. It will also reflect on its relation with the rest of the world, starting from Israel. The victory will have some repercussions on the internal Israeli scene especially since the general elections are scheduled for next March. Amongst the contenders, the Palestinian elections cannot but be part of the Israeli election campaigns and are not concluded with the direct repercussions of what is happening on the Arab scene, amidst the rise of the Islamic movements in most Arab societies, bolstered by the policies of the regimes and the West toward Palestine and Iraq.
It is indubitable that under every single title listing the repercussions expected from this sudden development, there are other important branches that further complicate any assessment of the upcoming period. It is also indubitable that the post-Palestinian legislative elections will be radically different from the previous phase. The Fateh movement, which stood for the backbone of the national Palestinian political action throughput the past decades has failed to renew the mandate bequeathed by the Palestinian people, thus, it will surely change.
Nonetheless, the easiest conclusion is that the Palestinian people wanted to say, via the ballot boxes, that it aspires to change and got tired of its historical leadership and the prevailing corruption in the PA's institutions… Without claiming to have dealt with the entire scope of implications in this briefing, some conclusions as well as "random" and selective comments about the results of the Palestinian elections could be listed as follows:
1-The US policy in specific - and the Western in general - has put itself in a crisis of contradicting positions toward the Palestinian democracy. This policy refused to recognize that the Palestinian democracy is a priority compared to other Arab regimes Washington sought to change by the democratization process. Washington has refused to accept the relatively high degree (compared to the Arab system) of democracy in the Palestinian society, brought the choice of leadership. It isolated the late Palestinian President based on the ill-will rejection of dealing with these choices. It set the condition of elections once, twice and three times (presidential, municipal and legislative) and the reforms in order to recognize the Palestinian leadership as a partner in the negotiations hampered by bombs, the policies of oppression, humiliation, displacement, separation fence, underminig the basis of the Oslo agreement… and the destruction of the PA's institutions.
When the military balance of powers compelled the Palestinian leadership to acquiesce to the requirements of the US suspicions regarding its legitimacy and started to implement internal reforms and prepare for new elections, Israel killed Arafat to avoid that the Palestinian people renew his mandate. Israel, supported by the policies of President George Bush, denied President Mahmoud Abbas any accomplishment he could present to his people after opting for the policy of negotiations instead of the policy of the Intifada and its militarization. Accordingly, the US support of Israel was the main reason for the triumph of Hamas over Fateh, i.e. the triumph of the alternative of radicalism toward Israel and the West, as opposed to the alternative of compromise. The United States and certain European countries, are still insisting to resume that policy by their positions, refusing to deal with Hamas after it obtained the majority in the legislative council, thus refusing to acknowledge the choices of the Palestinian people.
Washington's dilemma poses a problem on how to reconcile between considering Hamas a terrorist movement and its commend of the US role in spreading democracy in the region. The dilemma would entail a difficult process of rethinking the malicious and contradictory policy toward Arabs and their causes.
2-The policy of Hamas in Lebanon seems to be facing a big challenge in the context of the wider challenge of being in power in the Palestinian territories and its position vis-à-vis Israel and its relation with the West and the Palestinian political map. Hamas is more inclined to the rejection policy generally adopted by the Iranian-Syrian axis. In Lebanon, it has shown reservations about the Lebanese government's decision to open a representative office for the PLO in Lebanon to speed up dialogue about ending the problem of the Palestinian arms outside the camps and streamlining arms within the camps, since Hamas is not a member in the PLO, including the major members of the PA. Will it resume in its reservation after coming to power? Will Hamas repeat the experience of Fateh in Lebanon during the eighties, at a time when the country is moving toward regaining a large degree of its sovereignty (supported by international resolutions), while the Palestinian arms represent an aspect of shortcoming amidst fears emanating from most of the political establishment of turning Lebanon into a regional and international stage of struggle, similar to the events of the seventies and eighties?

Hezbollah reiterates 'no disarmament'
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Lebanon's Shiite militant Hezbollah has reiterated its rejection of a Security Council resolution calling for its disarmament. "We will keep our arms as long as the Zionist danger over Lebanon persisted," legislator Mohammed Raad, member of Hezbollah's bloc in parliament, said Tuesday. Raad said that even if Israel pulled out from the disputed Shabaa Farms area in south Lebanon which Israel says belongs to Syria while Lebanon insists it is part of its national territory, "armed resistance should be maintained as a strong card in Lebanon's hand. "The fate of Hezbollah's armed resistance is not necessarily linked to Israel's withdrawal from the Shabaa Farms, but it is part of an equation to protect Lebanon from Israel as long as it needs that protection," Raad explained. He said "neither the old armistice agreement with Israel, nor international resolutions provide Lebanon with the protection it needs." Raad stressed that demarcating the border in the Shabaa Farms region will not lead to Hezbollah's disarmament. "Those who hope this will happen are mistaken and misled... We are aware of the Zionist danger over Lebanon and we cannot relinquish our responsibility of defending Lebanon in case it was attacked by Israel," Raad added. The controversial issue of disarming Hezbollah as requested by U.N. resolution 1559 is dividing the Lebanese, many of whom accuse Hezbollah of being a puppet in the hands of Iran and Syria.
Relations between Lebanon and Syria have been strained over the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri last Feb. 14 in which the Syrian regime and its Lebanese allies are suspected. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been trying to ease Lebanese-Syrian tensions. Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman reportedly arrived in Damascus Tuesday on a fresh mediation mission between Lebanon and Syria, security sources told United Press International in Cairo.
Suleiman will present new ideas for easing tensions to Syrian and Lebanese officials during his visit, which includes Beirut, the sources said. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said earlier that Riyadh proposed demarcating the Syrian-Lebanese border and exchanging diplomatic representation as confidence building measures to ease tensions.

Jumblatt Says Ministerial Statement Clear On Hezbollah Statement.
Head of the Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblatt stressed that the ministerial statement clearly stated the role and duties of Hezbollah. As for the Palestinian arms inside the camps, Jumblatt said it was a matter that should be discussed through Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue. As for the Arab initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia and Egypt to ease tension between Lebanon and Syria, the PSP leader believed Syria was behind it and aimed at reestablishing its control over Lebanon
Report: Head of the Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblatt hailed the statements made by Head of the Future Bloc in Parliament MP Saad Hariri in Washington regarding UN resolution 1559. Asked about Hizbollah's arms, following a meeting with President George Bush on Friday MP Hariri referred to UN Resolution 1559, but said Lebanon asked to postpone the issue of disarmament, to hold national dialogue. The Head of the PSP commented from his Mukhtara residence on the different matters being raised on the Lebanese scene. Jumblatt called for the respect of the international legitimacy and the need for dialogue to implement resolution 1559 reiterating that the ministerial statement gives Hizbollah what it was demanding. He added the duties of the resistance were limited to liberating the Shebaa farms on condition that these lands were identified as Lebanese. Jumblatt further said that the Taef Accord stated clearly the need for the Lebanese army to be present on Lebanon's southern borders and to implement the truce agreement, which would be a guarantee for both Lebanon and Syria. Regarding the issue of Palestinian arms outside the camps, Jumblatt reiterated that the presence of weapons outside the camps had no value and no meaning other than assault innocent civilians. But he added the weapons inside the camps however were related to dialogue with the Palestinian authority on the base of not using it in internal Lebanese affairs. Jumblatt stopped as well on the issue of Iran, calling on the Islamic republic to communicate with all the different parties in Lebanon with no exceptions, so it would be proven to her that Lebanon was a sovereign country but with Iran's support for the Syrian system threatened the Lebanese people's aspirations for liberty, independence and sovereignty. Speaking to a Lebanese daily, Jumblatt commented on the Arab initiatives proposed to Lebanon to solve its ongoing conflicts, the PSP leader classified them as Syrian ideas that were tried to pass by as Saudi/Egyptian in order for Damascus to reestablish its security apparatus in Lebanon

LEBANON: AL-QAEDA SOUGHT FIGHTERS FOR IRAQ, REPORT SAYS
Beirut, 31 Jan. (AKI) - A well-organised militia linked to al-Qaeda's pointman in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has operated in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley recruiting local fighters to join the insurgency in Iraq, a Lebanese newspaper said Tuesday, citing state security sources. Authorities learnt of the militia's existence through the interrogation of 13 alleged members of an al-Qaeda cell based in Lebanon, the as-Safir daily reported. The men were arrested in a December 2005 sweep in which rockets, explosives, handgrenades and assault rifles were also seized.
"Those captured have confessed that they recruited a number of young Lebanese in the northern part of the Bekaa Valley and many Palestinians from refugee camps based in Lebanon with the aim of forming 'suicide groups' to send to Iraq," the report said, citing unidentified security sources.
"Once recruited the men were trained in training camps situated in neighbouring countries," it said without naming the countries.
The alleged head of the Lebanese al-Qaeda cell, a Syrian national named Khaled Taha, was not caputred in the December raid and is still at large, the sources told as-Safir.
Taha apparently recruited Abu Adas, an Islamic extremist who appeared in a video after the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri, claiming that he was responsible for the attack. However Lebanese investigators, as well as a United Nations commission of inquiry into the bomb blast that killed Hariri and 20 others, have ruled out any al-Qaeda involvement.
Still, Lebanese authorities believe that besides dispatching fighters to Iraq, the al-Qaeda cell also planned terrorist attacks in Lebanon, the as-Safir report said.
On Monday Lebanon's security forces announced that they plan to create a "Special Agency to Combat Terrorism, with branches located throughout the country. Agency staff will receive special training from international anti-terrorism experts, they said.

United Nations
31/01/2006
Security Council
SC/8624
Department of Public Information o News and Media Division o New York
Security Council
5361st Meeting (AM)
IN BRIEFING TO SECURITY COUNCIL, ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS IMPACT
OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER ILLNESS, HAMAS VICTORY IN PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS
Dramatic developments had taken place in both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory over the past month, including Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's serious illness and the recent victory by Hamas in the Palestinian Legislative Council elections, Angela Kane, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said in a briefing to the Security Council this morning.
In Israel, she said, Prime Minister Sharon had suffered a significant stroke on 4 January and remained in an extremely serious but stable condition. Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had immediately taken over as Acting Prime Minister and stated Israel's commitment to a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in accordance with the Road Map, while leaving open the possibility of further unilateral measures in the West Bank.
Regarding the Palestinian elections, held on 25 January throughout Gaza and the West Bank -- including East Jerusalem -- she said that according to official results announced by the Central Election Commission, the "Change and Reform" list of Hamas had won a majority of 74 seats and the Fatah list 45 seats, with the remaining 13 going to smaller parties and independents. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had indicated that he would begin immediate consultations on the establishment of a new government, while Hamas leaders had expressed their wish for Change and Reform to work in government with other groups.
Last night in London, she said, the Secretary-General had met with his Quartet colleagues to discuss the political situation in the aftermath of the election, to address the urgent Palestinian fiscal crisis, and to consider the way forward. The Quartet had heard briefings by James Wolfensohn, its Special Envoy, and Keith Drayton, United States Security Coordinator. Former United States President Jimmy Carter had also shared his impressions after having headed the observer mission to the Palestinian elections.
The Quartet had welcomed President Abbas' affirmation that the Palestinian Authority was committed to the Road Map, previous agreements and obligations between the parties, and a negotiated two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It had also urged measures to facilitate the work of the caretaker government to stabilize public finances, taking into consideration established fiscal accountability reform benchmarks. In addition, the Quartet had concluded that it was inevitable that future assistance to any new government would be reviewed by donors against that government's commitment to non-violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Road Map.
Barrier construction and land-levelling in the Occupied Palestinian Territory had continued in the reporting period, despite the ruling of the International Court of Justice, she said. Earlier this month, the Israeli Defence Minister had ordered the resumption of work on three sections of the barrier in Jerusalem, which had earlier been frozen following an order of the Israeli High Court of Justice. In addition, retroactive permits had been issued for the construction of the Modi'in Illit settlement neighbourhood of Matityahu East, which was being built on land belonging to the Palestinian village of Bil'in. Yesterday, the Quartet had reiterated its view that that settlement expansion must stop, as well as its concerns about the route of the barrier.
Turning to Lebanon, she said four Katyusha rockets had been fired from Lebanese territory on 27 December, three of which had landed in the Galilee, causing heavy property damage to a Kiryat Shmona apartment building. There had been 17 Israeli air violations of the Blue Line since the last briefing.
Meanwhile, she said, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora had continued his efforts to secure national unity and discussions were taking place between various Lebanese parties to resolve their differences. Positive moves had also been made towards initiating a national dialogue. On 19 January, Serge Brammertz, the new head of the United Nations International Independent Investigating Commission (UNIIIC), had arrived in Lebanon to take up his position.
She said that Nicolas Michel, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, had visited Beirut on 26 and 27 January with the aim of discussing with Lebanese authorities the nature and scope of the international assistance needed to establish a tribunal of an international character, in keeping with the Council mandate given to the Secretary-General under resolution 1644 (2005). The meetings had been constructive and fruitful, and Mr. Michel believed there was a broad basis of support for a tribunal and the United Nations would continue to work closely with the Lebanese authorities on that matter.
The meeting began at 10:20 a.m. and ended at 10:35 a.m.
Statement by Assistant Secretary-General
ANGELA KANE, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said there had been dramatic developments in both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory in the past month, including the serious illness of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the recent victory of the "Change and Reform" list of Hamas in the Palestinian Legislative Council elections.
Recalling that Prime Minister Sharon had suffered a significant stroke on
4 January, she said he remained in an extremely serious but stable condition. Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had immediately taken over as Acting Prime Minister and had stated Israel's commitment to a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in accordance with the Road Map, while leaving open the possibility of further unilateral measures in the West Bank.
Regarding Palestinian political developments, she said that on 25 January, legislative elections had been held throughout Gaza and the West Bank -- including in East Jerusalem -- after the Israeli Cabinet had agreed to allow 6,300 of the approximately 120,000 eligible voters to vote in six post offices, consistent with the precedent set by the Oslo Accords and the 1996 and 2005 elections. Overall, 77 per cent of registered voters had cast their ballots.
In accordance with the official results announced by the Central Election Commission, she said, the Change and Reform list had won a majority of 74 seats, and the Fatah list 45 seats, with the remaining 13 going to smaller parties and independents. President Abbas had indicated that he would immediately begin consultations with on the establishment of a new government. Referring to the obligations and responsibilities that would fall on the new government, he had cited "Palestinian-Israeli agreements starting with the Oslo Accords and the Arab Summit resolutions and ending with the resolutions that had been agreed upon by the international community, in particular, the Road Map, as the sole framework that is being posed now for implementation". Hamas leaders had expressed their wish to explore a government in which Change and Reform worked with other groups representing the Palestinian people.
She said that last night the Secretary-General had met in London with his Quartet colleagues to discuss the political situation in the aftermath of the election, to address the urgent crisis of Palestinian finances, and to consider the way forward. The Quartet had heard briefings by James Wolfensohn, its Special Envoy, and Keith Drayton, United States Security Coordinator. Former President Carter had also shared his impressions after having headed the recent electoral observer mission.
The Quartet had welcomed the affirmation by President Abbas that the Palestinian Authority was committed to the Road Map, previous agreements and obligations between the parties, and a negotiated two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mindful of the needs of the Palestinian people, the Quartet had expressed its concern over the fiscal situation of the Palestinian Authority and urged measures to facilitate the work of the caretaker Government to stabilize public finances, taking into consideration established fiscal accountability reform benchmarks. It had also concluded that it was inevitable that future assistance to any new government would be reviewed by donors against that government's commitment to the principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Road Map.
She said that, while the Palestinian Authority security forces had helped to maintain order during the recent elections, there were numerous and varied serious security incidents during the reporting period, many in or emanating from the Gaza Strip. Those events underlined the need for the Palestinian Authority to ensure law and order and take action against terrorism, as reiterated by the Quartet last night. The events included kidnappings, attacks on official buildings and installations, breaches of the border between Gaza and Egypt, Kassam rocket fire into southern Israel, and suicide bombings, for which Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility. Israel responded to terror attacks and the firing of rockets by tightening the closure regime, launching air strikes in the Gaza Strip, conducting lethal ground operations in the West Bank, and targeted killings.
Barrier construction and land-levelling in the Occupied Palestinian Territory continued in the reporting period, despite the ruling of the International Court of Justice, she said. Earlier this month, the Israeli Defence Minister ordered the work be resumed on three sections of the barrier in Jerusalem, which had earlier been frozen, following an order of the Israeli High Court of Justice. In addition, retroactive permits had been issued for the construction of the Modi-in Illit settlement neighbourhood of Matityahu East, which was being built on land belonging to the Palestinian village of Bil'in. At yesterday's meeting, the Quartet reiterated its view that settlement expansion must stop, and its concerns about the route of the barrier. It also took note of Acting Prime Minister Olmert's recent statements that Israel would continue the process of removing unauthorized outposts.
She said that the resisting of eviction notices by eight settler families living in wholesalers' market in Hebron had led the Israel Defence Forces to declare the Jewish Quarter of Hebron a closed military zone on 16 January. That declaration was lifted three days later, after the settlers promised to maintain order. The security forces announced that the evacuation of the wholesale market in Hebron and the Amona settlement outpost would be deferred until after the Palestinian election.
Regarding Lebanon, she said that, in view of the recent report and briefing to the Council on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), she would not go into details of the situation along the Blue Line. Four Katyusha rockets were fired from Lebanon, of which three landed into the Galilee on 27 December, causing heavy property damage to one Kiryat Shmona apartment building. Israel had reacted with restraint. There had been 17 Israeli air violations of the Blue Line since the last briefing. Lebanon had not reacted to any of those violations. In addition to UNIFIL's efforts on the ground, the Special Coordinator and the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Lebanon had continued consultations, in order to explore ways to reduce tension along the Blue Line.
Prime Minister Siniora had continued to bolster his efforts to secure national unity, she said. Discussions were taking place between various Lebanese parties to resolve the current differences among them. Positive moves had also been made towards initiating a national dialogue, the necessity of which had been accepted by all. On 19 January, the new Commissioner of the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIC), Serge Brammertz, arrived in Lebanon to take up his new position. In accordance with Security Council resolution 1644, Mr. Brammertz would extend the Commission's technical assistance to the Lebanese authorities with regard to their investigation into the terrorist attacks that had taken place since 1 October 2004.
Noting that the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Nicolas Michel, had visited Beirut on 26 and 27 January, she said that the aim of the visit was to discuss with the Lebanese authorities the nature and scope of the international assistance needed for the establishment of a tribunal of an international character in keeping with the Council mandate to the Secretary-General in resolution 1644. The meetings had been constructive and fruitful, and Mr. Michel believed that there was a broad basis of support for the tribunal's establishment. In the following days and weeks, the United Nations would continue to work closely with the Lebanese authorities on the matter.
As the Quartet said last night, "we must remain committed to the principles outlined in the Road Map, and to a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict based upon Security Council resolutions 242 and 338", she said, pledging that the United Nations, through the Quartet and in close consultation with key regional actors, would work tirelessly for that goal.
* *** *
For information media o not an official record

Disarming Hizbullah, Distabilizing Damascus
US Prods Lebanon Towards Civil War
By CLANCY CHASSAY- January 31, 2006
Since the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon in March 2005, the U.S. Administration has played an increasingly imperious role in Lebanon, exacerbating divisions in an already fiercely sectarian country.
Against a backdrop of bombings and assassinations which have filled the security vacuum left by Damascus, Lebanon is now sharply polarized into two camps: one resolutely opposed to the growing American presence in their country; the other united through its opposition to Syria.
Hizbullah, Lebanon's largest political party, allied with the other main Shiite group Amal and a collection of Leftists/Arabists are rejecting the U.S. embrace. This group's less than outraged response to allegations that Damascus was behind a string of attacks on anti-Syrian figures has created tremendous animosity toward Lebanon's large Shiite community, who are now known to number between 40 and 50 per cent of the population.
America's major Lebanese allies: the mostly Sunni entourage of the murdered former Prime Minister Hariri allied with Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, leftists funded by the Hariri camp and the remnants of Lebanon's Christian far right are spearheading the anti Syrian camp.
George W. Bush's meeting last Friday with Hariri's son, Saad, who heads the parliamentary majority but is technically a mere member of Parliament, is unprecedented in the history of White House protocol and indicated the extent to which he and his father's empire are critical to America's embrace of Lebanon.
While few Lebanese were sad to see the Syrians and their murderous security regime leave, many are unwilling to watch Washington replace Damascus.
As Bush rhapsodised about the "Cedar Revolution's" victory over Syria, many Lebanese felt it absurd to talk of a struggle for Lebanon's sovereignty while cosying up to the invaders of Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention the prime sponsors of Israel's invasion of Beirut and 25-year occupation of the South.
On March 8 last year the largely Shiite anti-US camp, starkly underrepresented in the international and Hariri-dominated local media, took to the streets in record numbers in a rejection of foreign interference and a show of solidarity with Syria as it prepared to pull out under international pressure. In what was then considered one of the largest mobilizations in Lebanese history, around 600,000 mostly Shiite demonstrators voiced their rejection of the US-inspired resolution 1559 which had called for the Syrian withdrawal but also demands the disarmament of Hizbullah.
The response of the million-dollar anti-Syrian PR media machine driving what has been described as the most well branded popular movement in history was to declare the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators not Lebanese; they were all Syrians, and if not Syrians, cattle. Four days later what became known as the Forces of March 14 marched on Beirut's Martyrs Square, numbering around a million people, to reiterate calls for the Syrian withdrawal.
Some analysts have since described the massive gathering as an anti Shiite demonstration, an attempt to undermine the new significance and distinct unity of Lebanon's historically less assertive plurality.
The anti-Syrian camp, which took on real momentum in the outpouring of popular grief that followed Hariri's murder, has been represented in western media as a truly nationalist, united, cross-sectarian phenomenon. In fact it's very much divided, united largely by the attacks on anti Syrian figures and alarm at growing Shiite dominance in Lebanon and its links with an increasingly significant Iran.
Tensions in the March 14 camp are frequent, with sectarian party flags prominent at each of their rallies, and in recent weeks many Christians have protested the subservience of their Sunni and Druze allies to Saudi Arabia.
In reality, the much-lauded Lebanese nationalism seems only to manifest itself in a narrow hatred of Syrians. There have now been over 40 unsolved killings of Syrian workers since Hariri's assassination.
Meanwhile, the U.S., who knows a hostile Hizbullah, legitimised by its role in Cabinet, will significantly impede effective control over the country, is now explicitly dictating to the government how it should operate.
U.S. Assistant Undersecretary of State David Welch recently appeared on Lebanese television telling viewers Hizbullah, which is supported by a significant portion of the country, is neither a militia, nor a resistance group, but a terrorist organization that should not be part of the Cabinet.
The remarks followed from an ongoing cabinet crisis which began on December 12 when Shiite ministers walked out of a cabinet session in protest of not being consulted over an international tribunal into the recent killings and to what they saw as the cabinet majority's increasing subservience to America.
Several successful attempts by Saudi and Egyptian mediators - the Hariri clan's strongest Arab backers - to reconcile the division and bring the ministers back into the cabinet were reportedly scuppered by Lebanon's U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman, who has been pressuring the prime minister to keep Hizbullah outside the Cabinet.
Hizbullah's participation in the government makes it difficult for opponents to classify it as a militia, effectively circumventing attempts through Resolution 1559 to disarm it. Hizbullah analysts say this is the main reason the group joined the government, and to ensure the Cabinet doesn't get Lebanon too embroiled in American or Israeli designs for the region.
Fears that Lebanon's new intimacy with the U.S. will bring Israel closer to regaining a hold in Lebanon were reinforced last week when Jumblatt told a TV interviewer "Israel is not my enemy today, Syria is my enemy."
As the schism deepens, each side vies for the key support of recently returned former Army commander General Michel Aoun who remains outside the anti-Syrian camp and frequently criticizes the inconsistency of its positions.
Aoun, who enjoys the support of the majority of Lebanon's increasingly marginalized Christian community, has his sights fixed squarely on the presidency. Despite campaigning on a cross-confessional ticket, he is being very much tagged as a Christian leader.
Though an advocate of Hizbullah's disarmament, Aoun believes there is a continued threat from Israel and shares the group's political stands on corruption and political reform.
As the demonstrations and counter demonstrations continue, the rallying cry of the anti-Syrian camp: "freedom, sovereignty and independence" grows increasingly redundant, with Lebanese interpreting these concepts in two radically different ways.
One camp welcomes American and French meddling but considers relations with Syria and Iran a violation of sovereignty. The other sees the U.S. engagement in the context of a pro-Israeli onslaught against the Palestinian cause and its last remaining allies Syria and Iran.
As the U.S. entrenches itself further in Lebanese politics, its plans to disarm Hizbullah and possibly destabilize the regime in Damascus are only likely to deepen division and push the country further into chaos.
**Clancy Chassay lives in Beirut. He can be reached at clancychassay@hotmail.com