LCCC NEWS
BULLETIN
FEBRUARY 6/2006
Below News From the Daily
Star for 6/2/2006
Sabaa quits Cabinet after failure to contain riots
Violence plagues protest against cartoons of Prophet Mohammad
Violent protests draw ire of Achrafieh residents
Leading religious figures condemn riots
Hamade: Declaration that Hizbullah is a national resistance annuls 1559
Aoun demands government resignation for failure to protect citizens
Premier: Intruders are stirring up strife
Hamas takes initiative to resolve Taamir, Ain al-Hilweh security situation
France issues medal in honor of Hariri
Rally, concert to mark anniversary of Hariri's murder
Thousands protest prophet outrage
Failure to take precautions is a sign of serious incompetence
Anti-European violence mars image of Islam
Below News from
miscellaneous sources for 6/2/06
Protesters Torch Danish Embassy in Beirut
-AP 5.2.06
Protesters burn Danish embassy in Lebanon-UPI 5.2.06
Syria
condemned over embassy attacks-abc 5.2.06
Syria
presses for more attacks-ynetnews 5.2.06
Syria
apologises over Swedish embassy burning-thelocal-5.2.06
Hezbollah sticks to its guns in Lebanon-theausralian.news 6.2.06
Sabaa quits Cabinet after failure to contain riots
By Adnan El-Ghoul and Nafez Qawas -Daily Star staff
Monday, February 06, 2006
BEIRUT: Against the background of violent protests against the Danish Consulate
in Beirut Sunday, the Lebanese political leaders held Interior Minister Hassan
Sabaa responsible, forcing him to resign. After leaving the Cabinet session,
Sabaa said he resigned because internal security lacked "unified political
decision in addition to lacking the necessary personnel and equipment." He
thanked Hizbullah for its cooperation with his ministry in certain security
matters. Sabaa added: "To prevent what happened today, I would have had to order
the security forces to fire at the protesters, an action I would never take
against the Lebanese civilians." Sabaa said he did what was possible in his
capacity to do his job but he could not prevent what happened or control the
crowds "whose force overwhelmed the security forces deployed by the Interior
Ministry and the army." Asked if his resignation was in response to demands from
political leaders, Sabaa said: "Before Samir Geagea called for my resignation, I
announced before the Grand Mufti Mohammad Qabbani that I was going to resign
during today's Cabinet session." In his capacity as Sabaa's deputy, Youth
Minister Ahmad Fatfat will be the acting interior minister until Siniora decides
to accept the resignation and appoints a new minister."
Communication Minister Marwan Hamade and Minister of State for Administrative
Affairs Jean Hogasapian arrived late from Paris and joined the Cabinet session.
Asked if the majority would accept Sabaa's resignation, Hogasapian said: Most
probably, not." But Hizbullah and Amal ministers, who had just ended their
boycott, might object to Sabaa's resignation and argue strongly against any
accusation directed against the Syrian regime, which some majority leaders
believe was behind the riots. Following the violence, most majority politicians
called on Siniora to hold an extraordinary Cabinet session to discuss the
consequences of the events and take the necessary steps to "contain them and
prevent further escalations or sectarian reactions." Before the session, Siniora
said in Baabda the Cabinet will decide if the interior minister should resign or
not. "All criminals will be punished and the Cabinet will take action against
those who are proved to be negligent," he added.
Siniora said security chiefs, including Army Commander General Michel Suleiman
and Internal Security Forces director general Major General Ashraf Rifi, were
called to attend the Cabinet session to report on what had happened on the
ground.
Following the event, a security meeting headed by Siniora was held at the Grand
Serail, in the presence of Sabaa, acting Defense Minister Yaacoub Sarraf,
Suleiman, Rifi and the head of the military intelligence, Brigadier George
Khoury.
Upon his arrival at Baabda Palace, Sabaa was asked if he would resign. "More
probably, yes," he said, adding, "other resignations are also expected." Earlier
in the day, Sabaa defended his position, saying, "My ministry has taken
precautionary security measures in cooperation with the security forces.He
stressed the organizers of the demonstration did not fulfill their promises, but
rather threw stones, incendiary bombs and fireworks that they brought for that
purpose.
"The security forces tried to preserve the security and did not use weapons in
facing the intruders in order to avoid human casualties," Sabaa said. He added
that during previous telephone calls, "the organizers vowed that the
demonstration would have a civilized and peaceful aspect."
Violence plagues protest against cartoons of Prophet Mohammad
Riots leave Danish Consulate building in flames, churches vandalized
By Rym Ghazal -Daily Star staff
Monday, February 06, 2006
BEIRUT: What was meant to be a peaceful protest by thousands of Muslims in
Beirut Sunday against the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad
turned into a vicious riot, which left at least one person dead and 30 wounded.
The Danish Consulate was torched, churches were vandalized and a number of
properties and vehicles were damaged.
Muslims carrying green and black Islamic flags and wearing headbands bearing the
slogan "Prophet's soldiers" joined in the global Muslim march against the recent
reprinting by European newspapers of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad by
swarming the streets in front and around the 10-storey building housing the
Danish Consulate in Beirut.
"Yes to freedom of speech but not to ridiculing our Prophet!" shouted thousands
of protestors that came from across Lebanon, with the sheikhs and heads of Sunni
associations calling for a "peaceful rally in the name of the Prophet."Some
2,000 army troops and riot police were deployed to the area to maintain
security, but the protest quickly turned violent when scattered groups of
rioters began to throw rocks at the Danish Consulate despite sheikhs' calls for
order and broke the security barrier in front of the mission, prompting troops
to fire tear gas and water cannons from fire trucks to try to disperse them.
"This is a peaceful march, removed from hate and violence!" said Sheikh Belal
Manoush over the loud speaker, who tried to stop a youth from vandalizing the
nearby St. Maroun Church, one of the city's main Maronite Catholic churches.
Belal along with other Muslim clerics were seen trying to stop the protesters
from causing damage in Achrafieh, a Christian area near Beirut's commercial
district, as the situation escalated and threatened to take on a sectarian spin.
"Do not harm the holy church, the anger is against Denmark and not Christians,"
said Belal, whose voice got buried with the onset of shots fired by the Lebanese
troops into the air in an attempt to stop the assault on the consulate.
Medics reported that around 30 people were injured and treated for inhaling tear
gas and others sustained fractures, including policemen. The attacks spiraled
out of control, spreading to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry - despite the
employees' protests that it had nothing to do with the cartoons - private
property and parked cars, with fire being set to the Danish Consulate building,
which also housed the Austrian Embassy and Slovak Consulate.
Lebanese religious figures and politicians severely condemned the riots, saying
this was no longer an issue of protesting against the cartoons but vandalism,
sectarian disrespect and a distortion of Islam.
All Lebanese politicians stressed there was outside interference from parties
deliberately instigating strife and violence.
"The Danish government urges all leaders, political and religious, in the
relevant countries to call on their populations to remain calm and refrain from
violence," Denmark's Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller said after the latest
attacks, but to no avail.
Security sources said there was one dead body found in the nearby Allied Bank,
of 22-year-old Khodr Mohammad al-Hajj.
Media reports circulated that he was among those who set the consulate building
on fire, got encircled by flames and died after jumping from the third floor.
Three fire trucks were prevented from putting out the flames by protesters who
set them ablaze, climbing over the vehicles and chanting "God is Greatest" while
others gathering outside the burning building chanted "There is no God but God
and Mohammad is the messenger of God!" as thick black smoke billowed into the
sky.
Amid the violence, children were seen throwing oranges and fruit at the walls of
buildings near the burning consulate, with their parents shouting "We are ready
to sacrifice our children for you, O Prophet Mohammad."
The Internal Security Forces Directorate General released an official statement
in which it said more than half of those arrested were not of Lebanese origin. A
total of 174 people were arrested; 76 Syrians; 38 Lebanese; 35 Palestinians and
25 stateless bedouins. Security sources also said that a total of 100 cars were
damaged, including two Civil Defense vehicles, a police car and an army jeep,
along with a total of 40 shops vandalized.
The security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Danish
Consulate and Embassy staff had evacuated the building along with their
belongings and documents two days ago, in anticipation of protests. The violent
protest comes a day after mobs of protesters in neighboring Syria set fire to
the Danish and Norwegian embassies in the most violent of intense protests in
days by Muslims across Europe and Asia. Syrian protesters also damaged the
Swedish Embassy and tried to storm the French mission but were held off by riot
police. Denmark became the focus for Muslim rage as images Muslims find
offensive, including one of the Prophet with a turban resembling a bomb, first
appeared in a Danish daily in what has become a face-off between press freedom
and religious respect.
Violence plagues protest against cartoons of Prophet Mohammad
Riots leave Danish Consulate building in flames, churches vandalized
By Rym Ghazal -Daily Star staff
Monday, February 06, 2006
BEIRUT: What was meant to be a peaceful protest by thousands of Muslims in
Beirut Sunday against the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad
turned into a vicious riot, which left at least one person dead and 30 wounded.
The Danish Consulate was torched, churches were vandalized and a number of
properties and vehicles were damaged.
Muslims carrying green and black Islamic flags and wearing headbands bearing the
slogan "Prophet's soldiers" joined in the global Muslim march against the recent
reprinting by European newspapers of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad by
swarming the streets in front and around the 10-storey building housing the
Danish Consulate in Beirut.
"Yes to freedom of speech but not to ridiculing our Prophet!" shouted thousands
of protestors that came from across Lebanon, with the sheikhs and heads of Sunni
associations calling for a "peaceful rally in the name of the Prophet."
Some 2,000 army troops and riot police were deployed to the area to maintain
security, but the protest quickly turned violent when scattered groups of
rioters began to throw rocks at the Danish Consulate despite sheikhs' calls for
order and broke the security barrier in front of the mission, prompting troops
to fire tear gas and water cannons from fire trucks to try to disperse them.
"This is a peaceful march, removed from hate and violence!" said Sheikh Belal
Manoush over the loud speaker, who tried to stop a youth from vandalizing the
nearby St. Maroun Church, one of the city's main Maronite Catholic churches.
Belal along with other Muslim clerics were seen trying to stop the protesters
from causing damage in Achrafieh, a Christian area near Beirut's commercial
district, as the situation escalated and threatened to take on a sectarian spin.
"Do not harm the holy church, the anger is against Denmark and not Christians,"
said Belal, whose voice got buried with the onset of shots fired by the Lebanese
troops into the air in an attempt to stop the assault on the consulate.
Medics reported that around 30 people were injured and treated for inhaling tear
gas and others sustained fractures, including policemen. The attacks spiraled
out of control, spreading to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry - despite the
employees' protests that it had nothing to do with the cartoons - private
property and parked cars, with fire being set to the Danish Consulate building,
which also housed the Austrian Embassy and Slovak Consulate.
Lebanese religious figures and politicians severely condemned the riots, saying
this was no longer an issue of protesting against the cartoons but vandalism,
sectarian disrespect and a distortion of Islam.
All Lebanese politicians stressed there was outside interference from parties
deliberately instigating strife and violence.
"The Danish government urges all leaders, political and religious, in the
relevant countries to call on their populations to remain calm and refrain from
violence," Denmark's Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller said after the latest
attacks, but to no avail.
Security sources said there was one dead body found in the nearby Allied Bank,
of 22-year-old Khodr Mohammad al-Hajj.
Media reports circulated that he was among those who set the consulate building
on fire, got encircled by flames and died after jumping from the third floor.
Three fire trucks were prevented from putting out the flames by protesters who
set them ablaze, climbing over the vehicles and chanting "God is Greatest" while
others gathering outside the burning building chanted "There is no God but God
and Mohammad is the messenger of God!" as thick black smoke billowed into the
sky.
Amid the violence, children were seen throwing oranges and fruit at the walls of
buildings near the burning consulate, with their parents shouting "We are ready
to sacrifice our children for you, O Prophet Mohammad."
The Internal Security Forces Directorate General released an official statement
in which it said more than half of those arrested were not of Lebanese origin. A
total of 174 people were arrested; 76 Syrians; 38 Lebanese; 35 Palestinians and
25 stateless bedouins. Security sources also said that a total of 100 cars were
damaged, including two Civil Defense vehicles, a police car and an army jeep,
along with a total of 40 shops vandalized.
The security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Danish
Consulate and Embassy staff had evacuated the building along with their
belongings and documents two days ago, in anticipation of protests. The violent
protest comes a day after mobs of protesters in neighboring Syria set fire to
the Danish and Norwegian embassies in the most violent of intense protests in
days by Muslims across Europe and Asia. Syrian protesters also damaged the
Swedish Embassy and tried to storm the French mission but were held off by riot
police. Denmark became the focus for Muslim rage as images Muslims find
offensive, including one of the Prophet with a turban resembling a bomb, first
appeared in a Danish daily in what has become a face-off between press freedom
and religious respect.
Leading religious figures condemn riots
Dar al-Fatwa calls for citizens to rise above such acts
By Maroun Khoury -Daily Star correspondent
Monday, February 06, 2006
BEIRUT/BKIRKI: Lebanon's leading religious figures, Christian and Muslim, voiced
their outrage and condemnation regarding the demonstration-turned-riots in
Beirut's Achrafieh when scores of angry Muslim protesters set fire to the Danish
Consulate.
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir met Sunday evening with a delegation
from Dar al-Fatwa that was sent by Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani.
Leading the delegation was the head of the Higher Spiritual Courts Sheikh
Abdel-Latif Daryan and other clerics. The delegation of Muslim clerics informed
Sfeir of the position taken by Dar al-Fatwa and Qabbani who called for "freedom
to demonstrate but under the law."The meeting took place in the presence of the
general secretaries of the National Dialogue Committee. On behalf of Dar
al-Fatwa and religious Muslim authorities, Daryan asked citizens "to rise above
such acts." He also asked citizens not to react "because we are all Lebanese who
are keen to create national unity." Sfeir said he was "greatly disturbed" about
what happened in Beirut calling on all Lebanese to "adhere to a national unity
that is strongly needed." Sfeir also met with Justice Minister Charles Rizk who
conveyed the prelate's stand on the vandalism that occurred. Rizk added that
Sfeir questioned why Achrafieh was targeted. "What has Achrafieh and its people
got to do with the caricatures especially that the protests were made because
Denmark and other places published the caricatures?"According to Rizk, Sfeir had
called on protesters "to calm down" adding "they are falling into a trap that
has been set for them by the caricatures."
Appealing to the Lebanese, Sfeir asked them "not to waste time in useless
struggles." He stressed the need for "gearing efforts toward restoring Lebanon's
normal situation which will strengthen its people's confidence in it and
safeguards it from any conflicts." Prior to the visit, Sfeir received a
telephone call from Qabbani who informed the prelate of his condemnation of the
riots. Qabbani also asked the protesters to "be aware of a strife being planned
by the Zionists around the world."
Muslims were asked to voice their positions and the position of Islam "in ways
that spring from noble Islamic values and principles." Qabbani stressed the need
for "self-restraint."Senior Shiite cleric Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah
denounced the burning of the Danish Consulate in Achrafieh. In a statement
Fadlallah said he was surprised at how a church came under attack "when the
Muslims around the world were asked to voice their anger by boycotting Danish
goods only."
Fadlallah issued a fatwa banning attacks on private properties and western
embassies. He also criticized the burning of the Danish flag "because it
represents the national loyalty of its sons."
Meanwhile Beirut's Bishop Boulos Matar condemned the attack made on the Mar
Maroun Church in Gemmayzeh blaming the government for its weakness in curbing
the escalating situation. He said: "The government's role was blatant and
unacceptable when it comes to protecting churches and worshippers." Matar
addressed the demonstrators telling them that Pope Benedict XVI "strongly
condemned the caricatures in the Danish newspaper."
Matar called for calm to prevail in Lebanon so that no sectarian strife arises.
The bishop visited Mar Maroun Church to inspect the damages. He was accompanied
by several officials and the pastor Elias Feghali. Matar also received a
telephone call from President Emile Lahoud, former prime ministers Salim Hoss
and Rashid Solh and various officials who conveyed their deepest regrets for the
attack. More condemnation came from the vice president of the Higher Islamic
Shiite Council Sheikh Abdel-Amir Qabalan who asked for "calm and peaceful
demonstrations." Qabalan had strongly denounced the insults made against the
Prophet Mohammad but was clear about "respecting the Lebanese Army and security
forces."
He warned Muslims against "falling into suspicious conspiracies and plots
planned by Zionists who aim to taint the image of the Prophet Mohammad." Qabalan
asked the United Nations to "pass strict laws that ban insults against
prophets."
The Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association of Beirut strongly condemned the
riots in Achrafieh and the attacks that followed in a statement released after
the morning's incident. "The riots, vandalism and the attack on churches and
religious divinities are a destruction of national unity."The association also
condemned the Danish newspaper's acts and announced that it is ready to help the
residents, office and shop owners of Achrafieh to "repair the damages."
Hamade: Declaration that Hizbullah is a national
resistance annuls 1559
By Nada Bakri -Daily Star staff
Monday, February 06, 2006
BEIRUT: Labor Minster Tarrad Hamade said Sunday the government's declaration
that Hizbullah is a national resistance automatically "annuls Resolution 1559,"
which stipulates all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias should disarm.
Five Shiite ministers suspended participation in Cabinet for a seven-week period
starting December 12 after a decision taken through vote rather than consensus
to ask for an international court to try suspects in former Premier Rafik
Hariri's killing.
They later required from Cabinet to declare Hizbullah a national resistance and
not a militia, to end their boycott. They returned last week following Premier
Fouad Siniora declaration "the resistance will not be named by any other name
than the resistance." But Siniora failed to mention the word militia.
Hamade said during a religious gathering commemorating Ashoura: "Acknowledging
the resistance as a resistance annuls Resolution 1559 which calls for the
disarmament of all militias, because the resistance is a resistance and not a
militia."
He added that Hizbullah's rapid reaction to the death of 15-year old Lebanese
shepherd Ibrahim Rahil last week in the Shebaa Farms by Israeli forces
demonstrates the resistance's level of honesty and credibility.
He said: "The resistance is doing its job by defending the people, the
territories, the independence and the sovereignty of Lebanon and is always ready
to be a strong part of the national defense strategy."
Tarrad dismissed allegations the five Shiite ministers were eager to end their
seven-week boycott of the Cabinet and were looking for any reason to return.
He said: "We wanted the return to happen after a serious dialogue that
acknowledges the resistance as a resistance."
Hizbullah MP Mohammad Raad said during a religious gathering that the unity
between the Shiite mainstream forces Hizbullah and Amal "contri-butes in
stabilizing the Shiite regions whereas the other Lebanese regions are witnessing
disturbance and changes."He praised the movement's relations with Syria and
Iran.
"We used our good relations with Syria to help the resistance against the
Israeli occupation and with Iran to enhance the resistance's abilities," Raad
said. "No one has the right to intimidate us about our ties with Syria and Iran,
while we do have the right to ask what policy other politicians adopt and which
international political agenda they are serving, especially when the dates of
the elections are set by foreign embassies." Meanwhile Lebanese Forces MP
Antoine Zahra said "when the Americans used to discuss the Lebanese issues with
Syria that was not considered interference but when the Americans discuss these
issues directly with the Lebanese officials it is considered interference."
Aoun demands government resignation for failure to
protect citizens
By Majdoline Hatoum -Daily Star staff
Monday, February 06, 2006
BEIRUT: Christian politicians rushed to denounce riots by Muslim demonstrators
in Beirut, with Free Patriotic Movement leader, MP Michel Aoun demanding that
the government resign for its failure to "protect the citizens of Achrafieh."
"What happened is a plan to instigate strife in the country. The government
should compensate the people who suffered from the riot, and should claim its
political responsibility and resign," said Aoun, who was talking from Mar Maroun
Church.
Aoun also said that the government appeared as a "collaborator" with the
rioters.
"Security forces didn't show any effort in restraining the rioters ... they ran
away and allowed demonstrators to destroy everything they saw in their way," he
said. "Why didn't the security forces face and stop them like they usually do?"
Aoun questioned. He added that it didn't matter whether the rioters were
Lebanese or not, referring to the fact that many protesters were Syrian and
Palestinian. "This does not matter, the law should be applied to everyone," Aoun
said. "So what if the rioters were Syrian or Palestinian; Isn't Lebanese law
applicable to them?
The church, which hosted a "prayer for peace" during the evening as a way to
protest what happened, was full of FPM and Lebanese Forces supporters, as well
as politicians from various parties of the March 14 Forces.
However, despite calls for solidarity, political tension between the FPM and the
LF - which has been building up against the backdrop of the Baabda-Aley
elections - surfaced as members of both parties clashed in a scuffle later
resolved outside the church. The riot raised anger among throughout the
Christian community in Lebanon, with Christian residents of the town of Kahale,
which lies on the way to Bekaa, instigating a road block for a couple of hours
during the afternoon.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb
Suheil Bejjani, mayor of Kahale, told The Daily Star that their reaction was
very "spontaneous, and a result of what happened in Achrafieh in the morning.
"People reacted naturally toward what they saw happening ... they saw security
forces retreat in the face of rioters and felt the image they have of a strong
Lebanon collapsed in turn, so they took to the streets and expressed their anger
in a very peaceful way," Bejjani said.
"We are fed up with poor security situation in the country, people want to see
the security forces taking control, and they want to feel that their state can
protect them and this is not the case right now," he said.
Bejjani added that part of the reason why Kahale residents took to the streets
and decided to block the road lies with the fact that buses loaded with
demonstrators from the morning's rally had passed through the streets of Kahale
on their way back to the Bekaa, and friction between them and the residents of
Kahale occurred.
"Residents of Kahale couldn't stand the fact that those rioters were able to
return this easily and without punishment, and we decided that the least we can
do is not allow them to pass through our town," Bejjani said. However, he added
that the reaction was not targeted against Muslims in Lebanon. "This is not the
point behind our reaction. We cherish the mutual coexistence in Lebanon, but we
also want it to be very clear, we will not accept acts like this," he said,
something many of the locals reiterated.
Premier: Intruders are stirring up strife
Hizbullah chief demands immediate probe into riots
By Karine Raad -Daily Star staff
Monday, February 06, 2006
BEIRUT: As soon as the protests on Sunday against the publication of caricatures
of Prophet Mohammad in European newspapers turned into vandalism, top-level
Lebanese figures, both Christians and Muslims, reacted with condemnation. Prime
Minister Fouad Siniora said "what happened today was an attack against Islam and
the principles of the Holy Koran."
While he said he supported the cause of the protestors, Siniora stressed that
there is a difference between expressing one's opinion and tampering with
security, "a thing that does not have anything to do with Islam and religions
... especially since the protestors took a definite stand by taking arms;
consequently, they came for war."
He said: "The assaults harmed Dar al-Fatwa and every Muslim house before harming
any of our Christian brothers and any Christian home." Siniora told the Voice of
Lebanon radio station that the Lebanese must unite to stop intruders from
instigating divisions between the Lebanese. Siniora said intruders "came to stir
strife among the Lebanese themselves and between the Lebanese and the world."
"The demonstration was infiltrated by rogue elements who had brought with them
tear gas and fireworks to cause trouble. They were able to take control of some
vehicles belonging to the ISF and the Lebanese Army," Siniora said in another
statement to the Future Television.
The premier called for the "support of all wise men and for the wisdom,
self-containment, determination and self-confidence of the Lebanese to end the
problem at this level."Siniora visited Beirut's Maronite Bishop Boulos Matar and
Beirut's Orthodox Archbishop Elias Aoude before inspecting the Mar Maroun
Church.
Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called for an immediate
probe into the riots, saying "it is easy to exchange accusations, especially
since the demonstration went out of control and supervisors did plan for what
happened."
In a news conference, Nasrallah said: "A country cannot be governed by the logic
of accusations and politicization."
"The political climate is critical and should not be used to instigate sectarian
strife," Nasrallah said. Hizbullah released a brief statement in which the group
reiterated their condemnation of the Danish and Norwegian newspapers and
expressed support for the Muslims' rights to denounce the insult. However, the
statement strongly objected to "any tampering with the security, rights and
properties of the Lebanese, and the vandalism of religious temples in a way that
undermines national unity."
Druze leader and head of the Progressive Socialist Party Walid Jumblatt held the
Syrian regime responsible for the riots, asking why vandalism only occurred in
Lebanon and Syria.
In a news conference at his residence in Mukhtara, Jumblatt blamed "the
Christian and Muslim religious authorities for failing to organize the protests
beforehand."He recalled Syrian President Bashar Assad's statement that "if Syria
is put under pressure, chaos will prevail in the region," and said that the
riots in Lebanon were "a form of vengeance" against the Lebanese for ousting the
Syrian forces.According to Jumblatt, "the incident ... aimed to prove that the
Lebanese are incapable of ruling themselves and need Syria's help."Jumblatt
asserted that "although the message of vandalism was delivered, we will not fall
into the trap, as national unity is stronger than vandalism."
The head of the Future parliamentary bloc MP Saad Hariri urged the government to
"face with firmness the attacks" and called on the judiciary "to inflict severe
punishment against those who collaborated with the intruders who acted by order
of foreign forces."Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said the "aggression against
the Mar Maroun Church or any other church was the most serious incident." Berri
added: "The protestors, if they acted in defense of Muslims, through this act,
they have drifted away from Islam just like the publishers of the newspapers
that printed the caricatures."
Speaking to the Voice of Lebanon radio station, the speaker said that "those
protesters should study their religion first before claiming to defend their
religion."In response to a question about how security forces addressed the
violence, Berri said: "There is no need to use violence every time we wish to
stop demonstrators; there are other, peaceful ways to stop violence."
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea called for the resignation of Interior
Minister Hassan Sabaa.
In a televised interview with the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation, Geagea
thanked the residents of Achrafieh for maintaining calm, despite the pressure.
He added: "The troublemakers were not Muslims. Muslims are represented by Grand
Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani, the Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri
and the Premier Fouad Siniora.""The statistics clearly show who the perpetrators
were, since out of the 150 people arrested, one third were Syrians and another
third were Palestinians, mostly from the Popular Front for the Liberation of
Palestine," Geagea added.
President Emile Lahoud warned against "any attempt to tamper with national
unity," which he said is the "unique characteristic of Lebanon." Lahoud strongly
condemned the vandalism of the Mar Maroun Church in Gemmayzeh and the
aggressions that accompanied the demonstration.
Premier: Intruders are stirring up strife
Hizbullah chief demands immediate probe into riots
By Karine Raad -Daily Star staff
Monday, February 06, 2006
BEIRUT: As soon as the protests on Sunday against the publication of caricatures
of Prophet Mohammad in European newspapers turned into vandalism, top-level
Lebanese figures, both Christians and Muslims, reacted with condemnation. Prime
Minister Fouad Siniora said "what happened today was an attack against Islam and
the principles of the Holy Koran."
While he said he supported the cause of the protestors, Siniora stressed that
there is a difference between expressing one's opinion and tampering with
security, "a thing that does not have anything to do with Islam and religions
... especially since the protestors took a definite stand by taking arms;
consequently, they came for war."He said: "The assaults harmed Dar al-Fatwa and
every Muslim house before harming any of our Christian brothers and any
Christian home."
Siniora told the Voice of Lebanon radio station that the Lebanese must unite to
stop intruders from instigating divisions between the Lebanese.Siniora said
intruders "came to stir strife among the Lebanese themselves and between the
Lebanese and the world.""The demonstration was infiltrated by rogue elements who
had brought with them tear gas and fireworks to cause trouble. They were able to
take control of some vehicles belonging to the ISF and the Lebanese Army,"
Siniora said in another statement to the Future Television. The premier called
for the "support of all wise men and for the wisdom, self-containment,
determination and self-confidence of the Lebanese to end the problem at this
level."
Siniora visited Beirut's Maronite Bishop Boulos Matar and Beirut's Orthodox
Archbishop Elias Aoude before inspecting the Mar Maroun Church. Hizbullah
Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called for an immediate probe into the
riots, saying "it is easy to exchange accusations, especially since the
demonstration went out of control and supervisors did plan for what happened."
In a news conference, Nasrallah said: "A country cannot be governed by the logic
of accusations and politicization.""The political climate is critical and should
not be used to instigate sectarian strife," Nasrallah said.
Hizbullah released a brief statement in which the group reiterated their
condemnation of the Danish and Norwegian newspapers and expressed support for
the Muslims' rights to denounce the insult. However, the statement strongly
objected to "any tampering with the security, rights and properties of the
Lebanese, and the vandalism of religious temples in a way that undermines
national unity."Druze leader and head of the Progressive Socialist Party Walid
Jumblatt held the Syrian regime responsible for the riots, asking why vandalism
only occurred in Lebanon and Syria.
In a news conference at his residence in Mukhtara, Jumblatt blamed "the
Christian and Muslim religious authorities for failing to organize the protests
beforehand."He recalled Syrian President Bashar Assad's statement that "if Syria
is put under pressure, chaos will prevail in the region," and said that the
riots in Lebanon were "a form of vengeance" against the Lebanese for ousting the
Syrian forces.According to Jumblatt, "the incident ... aimed to prove that the
Lebanese are incapable of ruling themselves and need Syria's help."Jumblatt
asserted that "although the message of vandalism was delivered, we will not fall
into the trap, as national unity is stronger than vandalism."The head of the
Future parliamentary bloc MP Saad Hariri urged the government to "face with
firmness the attacks" and called on the judiciary "to inflict severe punishment
against those who collaborated with the intruders who acted by order of foreign
forces."Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said the "aggression against the Mar
Maroun Church or any other church was the most serious incident." Berri added:
"The protestors, if they acted in defense of Muslims, through this act, they
have drifted away from Islam just like the publishers of the newspapers that
printed the caricatures."
Speaking to the Voice of Lebanon radio station, the speaker said that "those
protesters should study their religion first before claiming to defend their
religion."In response to a question about how security forces addressed the
violence, Berri said: "There is no need to use violence every time we wish to
stop demonstrators; there are other, peaceful ways to stop violence."
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea called for the resignation of Interior
Minister Hassan Sabaa.In a televised interview with the Lebanese Broadcasting
Corporation, Geagea thanked the residents of Achrafieh for maintaining calm,
despite the pressure.
He added: "The troublemakers were not Muslims. Muslims are represented by Grand
Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani, the Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri
and the Premier Fouad Siniora." "The statistics clearly show who the
perpetrators were, since out of the 150 people arrested, one third were Syrians
and another third were Palestinians, mostly from the Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine," Geagea added.
President Emile Lahoud warned against "any attempt to tamper with national
unity," which he said is the "unique characteristic of Lebanon." Lahoud strongly
condemned the vandalism of the Mar Maroun Church in Gemmayzeh and the
aggressions that accompanied the demonstration.
France issues medal in honor of Hariri
Chirac lauds slain premier's efforts to build 'independent state'
By Karen Mneimne -Special to The Daily Star
Monday, February 06, 2006
BEIRUT: Just a few days before the first anniversary of the assassination of
former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on February 14, France honored its long-time
friend by issuing a medal in his name. The first medal in memory of Hariri was
issued on Saturday before French President Jacques Chirac and Hariri's family at
the French Monetary Museum in Paris.
Chirac praised Hariri, saying: "He was a very dedicated statesman who served his
country. And since he was a man of peace and dialogue, he wanted to reconcile
the Lebanese and build a sovereign, free and independent state."
The medal bearing Hariri's picture will be displayed in a special hall along
with historical medals that date back hundreds of years. The ceremony was
attended by Head of the Future Movement bloc and son of the slain premier, Saad
Hariri; the former prime minister's widow, Nazek Hariri; Telecommunications
Minister Marwan Hamade; governor of Lebanon's Central Bank Riyad Salameh,
Lebanon's Ambassador to France Sylvie Fadlallah and other Lebanese and French
officials.
Chirac vowed that the international community will do all that it can to reveal
the identities of Hariri's assassins.
"This crime will not go unpunished," he vowed. During the ceremony, a
documentary tracing Hariri's visits to France and his meetings with top French
officials was shown. The film also documented the visits made by Chirac to
Lebanon.
The former premier was also praised by Salameh, who said: "He was a man who had
a future vision who greatly contributed to rebuilding Lebanon."Salameh said that
this commemorative ceremony was a "significant initiative" from France to honor
a great man who strived for securing Lebanon's interests and for developing
French-Lebanese relations."
Hezbollah sticks to its guns in Lebanon
Don't expect Lebanon's biggest armed group to give up its weapons any time soon,
writes Rania Abouzeid in Beirut
February 06, 2006
ALONG the shabby streets of the overcrowded and impoverished Hezbollah
stronghold of Haret Hreik, in south Beirut, there is unflinching support for the
right of the militant Lebanese Shia group to bear arms and for its allegiance to
Syria.
"So what if Hezbollah is with the Syrian regime? We are Arabs, not
American-lovers like the Lebanese who are calling for Hezbollah's disarmament,"
said Ibrahim Khatib, a 23-year-old biology student, as he waited for a taxi.
"They're inviting foreign interference in our affairs. We don't need others to
make decisions for us," he said, as a vegetable vendor steered his cart through
the crawling traffic, past portraits of Iranian ayatollahs staring down from
dilapidated buildings.
Hezbollah's ties to Tehran and its refusal to break with Damascus have eroded
the strong support it enjoyed in Lebanon for driving Israel's much-vaunted army
out of the country's south in 2000, ending its 22-year occupation.
The powerful Shi'ite organisation, which has a vast social network and sizeable
parliamentary bloc, has become alienated from the swath of public opinion that
holds Syria responsible for the February 14 assassination of former prime
minister Rafik Hariri and a string of killings in Lebanon since then.
The isolation comes amid increasing Western pressure for Hezbollah to lay down
its arms, a UN demand enshrined in the 17-month-old Resolution 1559.
This calls for the disarmament of all militias in Lebanon -- a reference to
Hezbollah and the Palestinian guerilla factions operating in the country.
Although Hezbollah and its Shi'ite allies in the Amal Movement condemned
Hariri's slaying, they have rejected the claims of Syrian involvement and
dismiss as biased and politically motivated the UN investigation into the
killing that has allegedly implicated senior Syrian security officials and their
Lebanese allies.
Hezbollah denounced the massive anti-Syrian protests following Hariri's killing
-- which, along with Western pressure, helped to end Damascus's 29-year control
over its smaller neighbour last April -- and organised huge rallies of its own.
The growing divide was sharply manifested in the paralysing political crisis
triggered in December by calls from the majority anti-Syrian Government to
expand the UN inquiry to include the killing of other anti-Syrian figures over
the past year and to seek an international court to try suspects in Hariri's
slaying.
Wary of Western involvement in the campaign, the demand prompted Hezbollah and
Amal's five ministers to suspend their participation in the Government for
almost two months.
Although largely precipitated by differences over international involvement in
local affairs, the stand-off soon morphed into national issues, and the
ministers refused to return until the Government provided assurances it
officially viewed Hezbollah as a resistance group and not a militia, thereby
placing it outside the scope of Resolution 1559. The impasse ended on Thursday,
when Prime Minister Fouad Siniora told the Beirut parliament: "We have never
called, and will never call, the resistance by any name other than the
resistance." He did not use the word militia.
However, the significance of the semantics in terms of practical political cover
for Hezbollah remains to be seen.
"A militia is a militia and we know one when we see it," a European diplomat in
Beirut said on condition of anonymity. "I don't think anything fundamental has
changed," he said of Mr Siniora's statement. "We want to see all UN resolutions
upheld."
One of Hezbollah's key claims to keep its arms is that it liberated the Shebaa
Farms district, a sparsely populated area formerly occupied by Israel that runs
25km along the border where Lebanon, Syria and Israel meet.
The other is what Hezbollah says is Israel's continued aggression against
Lebanon.
The Shebaa Farms area is considered Syrian by the UN, although Damascus and many
in Beirut have long insisted the territory is Lebanese.
The Syrian Government, however, has never officially acknowledged the area is
Lebanese. Many anti-Syrian Lebanese politicians have demanded the demarcation of
the borders between the two countries, a position Hezbollah has rejected.
At any rate, the group has said it will not disarm even if the farmlands are
liberated.
"Even if Israel withdraws," Hezbollah MP Mohammed Raad told reporters last week,
"the resistance is an element of strength in Lebanon's hand. Why give it up, and
to whom?"
But the group's reasons for remaining armed are wearing thin with a number of
Lebanese, and have strained or ruptured ties with some of Hezbollah's closest
allies, including anti-Syrian Druze leader Walid Jumblatt.
"Enough is enough. They say they want to resist, but until when?" Mr Jumblatt
said in an interview over the weekend. "They want an open-ended conflict with
Israel at the expense of Lebanon. Why are other fronts like the Israeli-occupied
Syrian area of Golan peaceful?"
According to Adnan Iskander, a retired professor of political science at the
American University of Beirut, Hezbollah is now at a crossroads.
"The main decision they have to make is are they part of a new unified Lebanon
or are their arms wanted to help Syria and Iran?" he said.
"You can't have one group carrying arms and the rest unarmed and afraid,
especially because of the group's strong ties to Syria and Iran."
Back in the Hezbollah stronghold of Haret Hreik, some residents said the debate
over where the movement's allegiances lie was jarring.
"This is the biggest insult," 56-year-old Miriam Fadlallah said from behind her
shop counter. "Who are these people to question our nationalism?" she said, as a
customer nodded. "It was our blood that was spilt liberating the south, not
theirs. Did our young men die for the sake of Iran and Syria, or Lebanon?"
Denmark Summoned All Its Citizens to Leave Lebanon
5 February 2006 -Copenhagen. Denmark has summoned all its citizens to leave
Lebanon after the attacks against the Danish Consular Section in the capital,
AFP announced. All Danish citizens should immediately leave Lebanon. If they
don’t have such possibility we recommend that they should keep a very low
profile and not come into the streets, summoned a statement from the Danish
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Protesters Torch Danish Embassy in Beirut
By ZEINA KARAM, Associated Press Writer
BEIRUT, Lebanon - Muslims protesting caricatures of Islam's prophet set fire
Sunday to a building housing the Danish Embassy in Lebanon as security forces
fired tear gas in an attempt to stop the protesters.
Thousands of protesters took part in the protest but only a small group of
Islamic extremists tried to break the security barrier, prompting troops to fire
tear gas and water cannons to disperse them, said the official.
Troops also fired bullets into the air and over the protesters' heads.
Demonstrators attacked policemen with stones and set fire to several fire
engines, witnesses said. Black smoke was seen billowing from the area. They also
burned Danish flags.
Security officials said at least 18 people were injured, including policemen,
fire fighters and protesters. Witnesses saw at least 10 people taken away by
ambulance.
A security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not
allowed to speak to the media, said embassy staff had evacuated the building two
days ago in anticipation of protests. Some 2,000 army troops and riot police
were deployed around the building.
The Danish Foreign Ministry urged Danes to leave Lebanon as soon as possible.
The violence in Lebanon came a day after thousands of protesters in neighboring
Syria set fire to the Danish and Norwegian embassies in the most violent of
furious demonstrations by Muslims in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Twelve caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad first published in Denmark's
Jyllands-Posten in September and reprinted in European media in the past week.
One depicted the prophet wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse.
The paper said it had asked cartoonists to draw the pictures because the media
was practicing self-censorship when it came to Muslim issues.
The drawings have touched a raw nerve in part because Islamic law is interpreted
to forbid any depictions of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lebanese Grand Mufti Mohammed Rashid Kabbani denounced the violence, saying
there were infiltrators among the protesters trying to "harm the stability of
Lebanon." Speaking on Future TV, he appealed for calm and said there were some
who were trying to exploit the protests to cause trouble and "distort the image
of Islam."
Lebanon's Prime Minister Fuad Saniora also urged calm.
"Those who are committing these acts have nothing to do with Islam or with
Lebanon," said Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. "This is absolutely not the way we
express our opinions."
Saniora suggested some in Lebanon may have been inspired by what happened in
Syria. "It is as if (the Syrian protests) were a lesson to some in Lebanon to do
the same," he told Future TV.
The trouble in Lebanon threatened to take a sectarian spin as protesters stoned
the nearby St. Maroun Church, one of the city's main Maronite Catholic churches,
and private property in Ashrafieh, a Christian area near Beirut's commercial
district. Muslim clerics were seen trying to stop the protesters.
The demonstrators also attacked policemen with stones and set fire to several
fire engines, witnesses said. Black smoke was seen billowing from the area. They
also burned Danish flags.
Justice Minister Charles Rizk, speaking on LBC television, called on those who
hold influence with the protesters to help end the upheaval.
"What is the guilt of the citizens of Ashrafieh of caricatures that were
published in Denmark? This sabotage should stop," said Rizk, a Christian. Any
tension with sectarian flavor is a sensitive issue in Lebanon, where Muslims and
Christian fought a 15-year civil war that ended in 1990.
Protesters burn Danish embassy in Lebanon
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Angry demonstrators protesting cartoons
insulting Prophet Mohammad clashed with the authorities Sunday as mobs set
ablaze the Danish embassy in Beirut.
Protesters threw stones at the police forces, who fired tear gas and opened
water hoses to try to disperse the crowds.
The riots came a day after thousands of demonstrators in neighboring Damascus
set the Danish embassy on fire to protest cartoons published in a Danish
newspaper depicting Prophet Mohammad as a terrorist. The same cartoons were
later published in a Norwegian paper.
The Danish diplomats and embassy staff in Beirut left Lebanon on Saturday as
widespread angry protests spiraled across the Arab and Muslim world against the
cartoons they see as insulting the founder of Islam and their religion.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora warned of "plants" among the Sunday's
demonstrators aiming to "incite problems among the Lebanese and between Lebanon
and the world." He said the authorities "do not seek to clash with the
demonstrators and bring the sedition they seek as they provoke us to open fire."
Siniora, who called for an emergency Cabinet meeting later in the day to discuss
the issue, added the authorities have taken precautions against the "plants
seeking to ignite a crisis by creating casualties." Political and religious
leaders, including Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, condemned the riots, which
included reports of attacking a nearby Maronite church, as dangerous and
anti-Islamic.
Mohammad Rashid Kabbani, Lebanon's Islamic Sunni mufti, a religious authority,
said the riots and attacking public property were unacceptable. Parliament
speaker Nabih Berri, a Shiite, said if the demonstrators were seeking an apology
from Denmark, they deviated from Islam by attacking a church.
Syria condemned over embassy attacks
ABC 5.2.06: Denmark and Norway have condemned Syria for failing its
international obligations after their embassies in Damascus were burnt during
protests against depicting the prophet Mohammed. Tension has increased in Muslim
countries since the reprinting of the caricatures in several European
newspapers. According to eye-witnesses in Damascus, hundreds of protesters who
had been holding a sit-in outside the building housing the Danish embassy
stormed it and set it alight.
The fire caused considerable damage although there were no staff inside.
Demonstrators also attacked the Norwegian mission.
There have been protests too by Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza
Strip.
In Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said his will consider abandoning
trade deals with countries where the cartoons have appeared. Pakistan has
expressed its anger about the cartoons.
The Foreign Ministry summoned nine European ambassadors to issue a protest.
The Malaysian Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi, who is also chairman of the
Organisation of the Islamic Conference, called the caricatures deplorable but
has called on Muslims to react calmly and rationally.
The United States has also blamed Syria for not protecting the Danish and
Norwegian embassies.
"The United States condemns in the strongest terms the burning of the Danish and
Norwegian embassies in Damascus, Syria today, which also damaged the Chilean and
Swedish embassies," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
"The government of Syria's failure to provide protection to diplomatic premises,
in the face of warnings that violence was planned, is inexcusable," he said in a
statement from Texas, where President George W Bush is staying at his Crawford
ranch.
The US State Department has told the Syrian ambassador that Syria must protect
all foreign embassies and citizens in Damascus from attack, Mr McClellan said.
-BBC/Reuters
Syria presses for more attacks
Ynetnews 5.2.06: Four suicide bombings thwarted in last two weeks; security
officials say Syria orders terror groups to boost rate of attacks ahead of
upcoming general elections in bid to influence results
Alex Fishman
Terror organizations directed by "external elements" in Syria have been
instructed to boost the rate of attacks inside Israel ahead of the upcoming
general elections, military sources say. According to a report in Israel's
leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the desire for more terror attacks stems
from an intention to influence the election results, the military source said.
Attack Foiled Attack foiled: Two Palestinians nabbed at West Bank roadblock in
possession of explosive belts
Full Story
In the last two weeks, security authorities were able to thwart four suicide
bombings planned by Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front. According to defense
sources, the external pressure to carry out as many attacks as possible within a
short period of time means preparations for the attacks are undertaken more
hastily than in the past.
Meanwhile, security officials are closely monitoring the "renewed enthusiasm" of
Popular Front members in the West Bank.
On Friday, IDF forces nabbed two Islamic Jihad members in the possession of
explosive belts intended for suicide bombers. An initial investigation revealed
the double suicide bombing was planned by Islamic Jihad and was meant to be
carried out Friday evening.
Greater Iranian involvement on northern border
Meanwhile, IDF Northern Command officials have reported a growing Iranian
involvement in Hizbullah activity on the northern border. Officers belonging to
Iran's Revolutionary Guard have been spotted arriving at frontline Hizbullah
posts in order to train terrorists there. A senior military source said recent
developments are worrying, as up until recently Iran trained Hizbullah members
in Iranian territory and not in such proximity to Israel's border. The attempted
abduction of IDF soldiers in the village of Rajar about two months ago showed
Israeli officials Iranian training is already influence Hizbullah's modus
operandi.
"The diversion and attack tactic is familiar from the Iranian military," a
senior army source said. Meanwhile, other military officials said "Hizbullah is
currently in advanced stages of preparations for an abduction operation. The
group has patience and will try to identify vulnerabilities."
**Yossi Yehoshua, Ronny Shaked, and Reuven Weiss
USA: Syria Responsible for Fires on Embassies
By Anadolu News Agency (aa), Crawford
Published: Sunday, February 05, 2006
zaman.com -The US administration announced it holds the Syrian government
responsible for the burning of Danish and Norwegian embassies in Syria. In a
statement President Bush made at his Texas ranch, it was announced such violence
could not have occurred without the knowledge and support of the Syrian
government. US Department of State delivering a note to the Syrian Washington
ambassador announced the government should maintain a determined attitude for
the protection of all embassies in Damascus. [06:59:00]
Syria apologises over Swedish embassy burning
Published: 5th February 2006 12:29 CET
Sweden's foreign minister Laila Freivalds has spoken to her Syrian counterpart
expressing serious concern that the Swedish embassy in Damascus was torched on
Saturday as part of the protests over the Danish cartoons.
"He sincerely apologised over what had happened and that they couldn't prevent
it," said Freivalds to TT.
"The explanation is that the intelligence they had did not indicate that this
sort of thing could happen - it was exceptional," she added.Syrian foreign
minister Faruq al-Shara informed Freivalds that a special committee had been
formed to investigate the incident and who was responsible. Freivalds also
inquired about the security of Swedish citizens in Syria.
"He assured me that there were no threats directed at Swedes and that they could
guarantee that all Swedes could feel safe."
The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not changed its travel
recommendations for Syria.
"The discussion is still going on, but as things stand now there will be no
changes to the advice," said Christian Carlsson at the ministry press office to
TT on Sunday morning.
Denmark's government, on the other hand, wants all Danes to leave Syria without
delay. The government is said to be considering further political measures,
reported the Ritzau news agency. The Norwegian authorities have also told its
citizens to leave Syria as a result of the demonstrations in Damascus.
U.S. decries embassy torchings in Syria
2/4/2006, 9:31 p.m. CT
By DEB RIECHMANN
The Associated Press
CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) — The White House said Saturday it will hold Syria
responsible for the burning of Danish and Norwegian embassies in Damascus,
saying such violence does not occur there without the host government's
approval. In a statement released at President Bush's ranch in central Texas,
the United States strongly condemned the fires at the two embassies in the
Syrian capital, which also damaged the Chilean and Swedish embassies. The
condemnation is the latest chapter in declining U.S.-Syrian relations. "We will
hold Syria responsible for such violent demonstrations since they do not take
place in that country without government knowledge and support," said
presidential press secretary Scott McClellan.
Thousands of Syrians enraged by caricatures of Islam's revered prophet torched
the embassies on Saturday — the most violent in days of furious protests by
Muslims in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The State Department has told the
Syrian ambassador that Syria must act decisively to protect all foreign
embassies and citizens in Damascus from attack. "The government of Syria's
failure to provide protection to diplomatic premises, in the face of warnings
that violence was planned, is inexcusable," McClellan said.
The demonstrations were incited by a dozen caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad
first published in Denmark's Jyllands-Posten in September and reprinted in
European media in the past week.
One depicted the prophet wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse.
Islamic law is interpreted to forbid any depictions of the Prophet Muhammad.
The demonstrations have been fueled in part by Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh
Rasmussen's firm stance in refusing to apologize for his country's free press.
The United States stood with Rasmussen. "We commend Danish Prime Minster
Rasmussen's responsible statements in recent days urging tolerance and respect
for all faiths and for freedom of the press," McClellan said. "We stand in
solidarity with Denmark and our European allies in opposition to the outrageous
acts in Syria today." The United States has long accused Syria of allowing
foreign fighters to use its territory to move across a porous border into Iraq.
Last month, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice issued a new threat to haul a
defiant Syria before the U.N. Security Council if Damascus does not cooperate
with an investigation into a political assassination of former Lebanese Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri. The U.N. probe into Hariri's killing has already
implicated Syria, but Damascus has denied the allegations.
Hariri, who wanted to wiggle Lebanon free from Syrian control, was assassinated
in a truck bombing Feb. 14, 2005 in Beirut. The blast, which killed 20 other
people, set off demonstrations that forced withdrawal of Syrian forces from
Lebanon after nearly three decades. The United States has not accused Syria
outright of ordering Hariri's killing, although it has come close. Washington
pulled its ambassador from Damascus shortly after the killing and has since
steadily increased pressure on the government of Bashar Assad.
Cartoon rage: embassies torched in Syria
Email Print Normal font Large font Thousands of outraged Syrians torch the
Danish Embassy in Damascus.
Thousands of Syrians enraged by controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed
torched the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Damascus - the most violent
demonstration after days of furious protests by Muslims around the world.
Faced with spreading violence and international concern, political and religious
leaders have urged calm.
The demonstrations in Damascus began peacefully on Saturday with protesters
gathering outside the building that houses the Danish Embassy. But they began
throwing stones and eventually broke through police barricades. Some scrambled
up concrete barriers protecting the embassy, climbed into the building and set a
fire.
"With our blood and souls we defend you, O Prophet of God!" the demonstrators
chanted. Some replaced the Danish flag with a green flag with the words: "There
is no god but God and Mohammed is the messenger of God."
Demonstrators moved on to the Norwegian Embassy, about 6 kilometres away, also
setting fire to it before being dispersed by police using tear gas and water
cannons.
Hundreds of police and troops barricaded the road leading to the French Embassy,
but protesters were able to break through briefly before fleeing the water
cannons.
Anger swelled in Europe too. Young Muslims clashed briefly with police in
Copenhagen, the Danish capital, and some 700 people rallied outside the Danish
Embassy in London. In Gaza, Palestinians marched through the streets, storming
European buildings and burning German and Danish flags. Protesters smashed the
windows of the German cultural centre and threw stones at the European
Commission building. Iraqis rallying by the hundreds demanded an apology from
the European Union, and the leader of the Palestinian group Hamas called the
cartoons "an unforgivable insult" which merited punishment by death.
"We should have killed all those who offend the Prophet and instead here we are,
protesting peacefully," Mahmoud Zahar told Italian newspaper Il Giornale.
At the heart of the protest are 12 cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad first
published in Denmark's Jyllands-Posten in September and reprinted in European
media and two New Zealand newspapers in the past week.
The cartoons have touched a raw nerve in part because Islamic law is interpreted
to forbid any depiction of the Prophet Muhammad. Aggravating the affront: one
caricature of Muhammad wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse.
Denmark's Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said he cannot apologise for
his country's free press. But other leaders tried to calm the storm.
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel said she understood Muslims were hurt -
though it did not justify violence.
"Freedom of the press is one of the great assets as a component of democracy,
but we also have the value and asset of freedom of religion," Merkel told an
international security conference in Munich.
US President George Bush's press secretary Scott McClellan said in a statement
that "the Government of Syria's failure to provide protection to diplomatic
premises, in the face of warnings that violence was planned, is inexcusable".
"We will hold Syria responsible for such violent demonstrations since they do
not take place in that country without government knowledge and support," the
statement continued. The Vatican deplored the violence, but said certain
provocative forms of criticism were unacceptable. "The right to freedom of
thought and expression ... cannot entail the right to offend the religious
sentiment of believers," the Vatican said in its first statement on the
controversy.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who has criticised European media for
reprinting the cartoons, said there was no justification for the violence. "We
stand in solidarity with the Danish government in its call for calm and its
demand that all its diplomats and diplomatic premises are properly protected.
It's incumbent on the Syrian authorities to act in this regard."
State-run Syrian Arab News Agency quoted Sheik Ahmed Badr-Eddine Hassoun as
saying protests should be made through "guidance and teaching, not through
killing, harming and burning".
Iran's president ordered his commerce minister to investigate cancelling all
trade contracts with countries whose newspapers have published the caricatures.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the caricatures showed the "impudence and
rudeness" of Western newspapers against the prophet, as well as the "maximum
resentment of the Zionists (Jews) ruling these countries against Islam and
Muslims". In South Africa, a court banned Sunday newspapers from reprinting the
cartoons.AP