LCCC NEWS BULLETIN
MARCH 17/2006

Below news from the Daily Star for 17.3.06
International officials welcome UN report on Hariri killing
Siniora to visit Damascus for talks on diplomatic relations
Syrian vow to cooperate in probe received with 'cautious optimism'
Dakkash: Baabda rival Hashash fails to 'back off'
Nasrallah, Fadlallah in dialogue discussion
Moussa to carry Syrian reaction to dialogue back to Lebanon
Lahoud proposes law specifying Shebaa in Lebanon
Army officially identifies remains of 10 soldiers
Fearing repeat of February 5 riots, Army imposes tight security around U.S. Embassy
Mukhtara visitors mark 29th year since killing of Kamal Jumblatt
Lahoud successor likely to be decided in private
Qoleilat seeks to testify from Brazil, fearing assassination if she returns
Handcuffed Rana faces extradition
Below news from miscellaneous sources for 17/03/06
Lebanon forces stop protest against Israeli jail raid-Al-Bawaba
Kadima - in Bed with the Enemy-IsraPundit - Israel
Syria & Turkey Sign a Protocol for Joint Cooperation-SANA
Lebanon demands extradition of bank executive-Al-Bawaba
Ulster link to Lebanon leaders murder-Belfast Telegraph
LEBANON: National dialogue yields results-IRINnews.org
Security Forces Stop Protestors From Reaching U.S. Embassy-Naharnet
Security Council Proposal Close at Hand to Establish International Tribunal-Naharnet
Saniora Tells Saudi, Egyptian Politicians About Breakthroughs At National Dialogue-Naharnet
U.S. Says Syria Does not Have a Good Record on Cooperation-Naharnet
Hariri Says U.N. Report Paves Way for International Tribunal-Naharnet
Syria Says New U.N. Report Is More To Its Liking-Naharnet
French Foreign Ministry Says Pressure Against Syria Yielded Positive Results-Naharnet
U.N. Report: Perpetrators of Hariri's Killing Likely Experienced in Terrorism-Naharnet
Rana Koleilat's Feeble Suicide Attempt Just a Call for Attention-Naharnet
Martyrs of the Press and the Lebanese Judiciary-Dar Al-Hayat -Randa Takieddine
Lebanon: UN reports progress in Syrian cooperation with Hariri-UN News Centre

Martyrs of the Press and the Lebanese Judiciary
Randa Takieddine Al-Hayat - 16/03/06//
March 14, 2005, Lebanon's freedom and sovereignty Intifada,
March 14, 2006, the commemoration of the martyrs of Lebanese press, our late colleagues Samir Kassir and Gibran Tueini who paid blood and soul for their free word and pen, the "living martyr" May Chidiac who is presently lying in a French hospital and getting ready for her 22nd operation since the ugly crime that took her arm and leg.
Today, as every other day, it is hard for a dutiful journalist not to rebel and rage at the mere thought that these colleagues were the martyrs of Truth; martyrs for following the same adage Gibran Tueini held dear "the difference between darkness and light, is but a word" Above all, the reason for journalists' rage is the absence of any result from the Lebanese judiciary's investigations of the three crimes, a fact corroborated by "Reporters without Borders", which is conducting a thorough investigation on the Lebanese authorities' efforts to reveal the culprits and the circumstances of the crimes.
Still battling the pains of her skin burns, May Chidiac says that the Lebanese judiciary authorities conducted a preliminary questioning with her, inquiring about any possible enemies of hers or people who would like to harm her. That was the last she heard of the investigation in her case. Chidiac says a senior western official confirmed to her that the head of the international investigation committee in the murder of martyr premier Rafic Hariri will indeed help the Lebanese judiciary reveal the identity of the culprits that orchestrated the three crimes. However, she has not seen any concrete results so far.
While the Security Council gave the head of the international committee the authority to investigate the post-Hariri assassination crimes, the Lebanese wonder whether there is, in fact, a real local investigation, or whether these crimes will remain closed and restricted files that are neither to be opened, nor to searched for evidence.
Having had the French nationality, martyr Samir Kassir's murder investigation is being handled by the French judiciary. The judge in charge Kassir's file however has had too many cases to be able to come to Lebanon and conduct his investigation. In response to the delay, Kassir's widow Gisele Khoury and her lawyer are calling for a quicker investigation and a hurried visit of the judge to the country. Is it possible that no thread would ever be revealed in these crimes?
Nicholas Michel, UN Under Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, in charge of establishing an international court to try the culprits in Hariri's assassination was said to have praised the Lebanese judiciary's professionalism upon his return from a visit to Lebanon. On the other hand, no one in the media industry or the public has had wind of that professionalism, or of an effective investigation concerning the ugly crime.
Is it possible that no one will ever be able to reveal how Gibran Tueini was being staked out, how his killers found out he was back from Paris on Sunday when none of his "An-Nahar" newspaper colleagues knew it?
Is it possible that not one person in Ashrafiyeh caught a glimpse of the person that rigged martyr Samir Kassir's car, knowing that nothing in Beirut is hidden and that everyone sees and hears everything in this small city?.Is it possible that not a single passerby or resident of the neighborhood where Chidiac's car was could give his testimony? We need to feel the presence of the Lebanese judiciary, find out the truth behind Premier Hariri's assassination, and the truth behind the crimes that targeted the brave heroes of journalism who fell victims of weak souls that fear to read and hear the truth.

Army officially identifies remains of 10 soldiers
Daily Star staff-Friday, March 17, 2006
BEIRUT: The remains of 10 bodies found at a mass grave in Yarze last November have been officially identified as Lebanese soldiers, according to a statement released by the Army Command. The statement said 10 soldiers, including seven killed during the October 13, 1990 war of liberation, had been identified by DNA tests conducted by the army investigating committee. The soldiers were identified as: First Lieutenant Robert Aziz Bou Serhal, Sergeant Joseph Halim Azar, Corporal Jacques Hanna Nakhoul, Corporal Elias Youssef Aoun, Corporal George Tanios Bashour, Officer Jean Joseph Khoury, and Officer Milad Youssef Alam. Three other soldiers who were reported killed in the western Shahar area in 1984 were identified as: Corporal Nabil Fahim Khoury, Corporal Elie Hanna Barakat and Officer Tanios Hanna Gerges.
DNA tests conducted on the remains of seven other bodies did not match any of the samples provided by family members of missing Lebanese. The investigative committee is currently conducting chromosome DNA analysis on the remains of three other bodies. An official ceremony for the deceased will be held on Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Central Military Hospital, during which those identified will be awarded the Badge of War and the Wounded.
Details of the unidentified remains have been recorded and they have been reburied at the Defense Ministry cemetery.
The statement said family members of the deceased had been contacted immediately after the laboratory results were confirmed and given the option of handling burial matters personally if they so desired. Information was made available Thursday that the family of Tanios Hanna Gerges had held prayers for his soul at the Martmoura Church in Bqarzala after 22 years of uncertainty.  Gerges, 43, went missing in the western Shahar area in 1984 and was pronounced dead in 1999 with his family's consent. - The Daily Star

International officials welcome UN report on Hariri killing
By Majdoline Hatoum -Daily Star staff
Thursday, March 16, 2006
BEIRUT: International and regional officials applauded the report of Serge Brammertz, UN chief investigator into the assassination of Lebanon's former Premier Rafik Hariri, on Wednesday, one day before the UN Security Council was set to discuss its content in New York. Speaking to The Daily Star from New York, a spokesman for the U.S. mission to the UN welcomed the report, adding: "We are looking forward to discussing the report with Mr. Brammertz at the Security Council tomorrow." He urged all concerned parties to show the "utmost cooperation with the investigation."
The report, which was delivered by Brammertz to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and distributed to UNSC members on Tuesday, mentioned that Syria has been cooperating with the international probe, and noted that Brammertz will interview Syrian President Bashar Assad and his deputy Farouk al-Sharaa next month. Speaking from Paris, Jean Baptist Mattei, spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry, said his country supported the work of the investigation committee, and demanded that Damascus "take further steps to speed up Brammertz's work." Both Lebanon and Syria also welcomed Brammertz's report on Wednesday. In comments from New York, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said that the report was "realistic and very professional."The report, which also noted progress in determining the circumstances of the killing, was the first by Brammertz since he took up his new duties on January 23, succeeding German prosecutor Detlev Mehlis.
Since his nomination on January 11, Brammertz has conducted his probe in utmost secrecy. He made his first trip to Damascus on February 23 and met with Foreign Minister Walid Moallem. Two previous reports under Mehlis had suggested top-level Syrian involvement in the assassination and also blasted Damascus for not only failing to cooperate but also actively seeking to mislead the investigation.
Commenting on that, Mekdad denounced the "scandalous reports previously published by Mehlis, which allowed the media to make pre-emptive judgments" about Syria. The Brammertz report "did not contain anti-Syria aspects," he added.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh also welcomed Brammertz's report, and said it represented the outcome of "professional work." "We welcome the atmosphere of strong cooperation noted in this report between the international investigation commission and Lebanese authorities, and assert this good atmosphere of cooperation will continue," Salloukh said. Salloukh also said that Lebanon welcomed the "serious cooperation with the commission witnessed by all parties."
Salloukh said the Foreign Ministry has instructed the Lebanese delegation - headed by Ambassador Butros Assaker - to represent Lebanon before Thursday's Security Council meeting, and inform the UNSC of the Lebanese political elite's unanimous support for revealing the truth about Hariri's death. This point was the first agreed upon during the country's ongoing national dialogue. Hariri's son, parliament majority leader and MP Saad Hariri, said: "This report represents a new step toward revealing the tools used in the crime, and the instigators behind the crime. It also expresses the seriousness in which this investigation has dealt with the terrorist act leading to the murder of Hariri."
Hariri also welcomed the team's work on the rest of the crimes and explosions following Hariri's assassination, saying: "This is an assertion that the international community is interested in Lebanon's stability."Speaking to The Daily Star, Druze leader MP Walid Jumblatt said the report was "very positive and promising." "Brammertz is following the work of Mehlis, and if he keeps this pace up the truth will be revealed soon," Jumblatt said. Although Brammertz said Syria has been cooperating, Jumblatt said the fact that the report decided there is a link between all explosions that took place before and after the assassination of Hariri was an explicit indictment of the Syrian regime. "This is very important, as it forms a clear political indictment of the Syrian regime that ruled Lebanon at the time of the assassination," Jumblatt said.
He also said that what the report mentioned about highly professional terrorist work in Hariri's murder was further tacit "condemnation for the Syrian regime"."This is a work on the level of a state, and Syria had strong hegemony over Lebanon then," Jumblatt said. Brammertz's report had said that "the individuals who perpetrated this crime appear to be very 'professional' in their approach ... It must be assumed that at least some of those involved were likely experienced in this type of terrorist activity."Jumblatt also said that the fact that Brammertz didn't specify names of suspects in the crime, like his successor Mehlis, was because he was working in a manner befitting a public prosecutor. "He is taking things very professionally," he said. Brammertz did not disclose many details about the investigation in his report. The lack of information was a marked contrast to the details delivered by his predecessor, Detlev Mehlis, who publicly described his theories about the explosion. Brammertz also did not repeat Mehlis' conclusions that the killing could not have happened without the knowledge of senior Syrian and Lebanese intelligence officials.

Siniora to visit Damascus for talks on diplomatic relations
By Nada Bakri -Daily Star staff
Thursday, March 16, 2006
BEIRUT: Premier Fouad Siniora will be visiting Damascus soon to discuss with officials there the establishment of diplomatic relations with Syria in addition to proving the Lebanese identity of the Shebaa Farms. Siniora told As-Safir newspaper the date for his visit is not yet final and the matter needs thorough discussions and preparations.
He added his visit to Syria was unanimously decided Tuesday during the second round of the dialogue, which will resume its sessions next Wednesday. Siniora added that the results of the national talks are "a historical achievement and come in accordance with the ministerial statement." Before meeting with Syrian officials in Damascus, Siniora will visit Brussels Monday where he will meet with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and deliver a speech before the EU's Foreign Ministers Council.
Siniora will highlight in his speech the situation in the country, the outcome of the national talks in addition to the governments' economic plan that will be discussed during the Beirut 1 donors conference. EU ambassador to Lebanon Patrick Renault who met with Siniora Wednesday said the premier will also discuss the European Neighborhood Policy with the EU's Foreign Ministers and means to enhance Lebanese-European relations. Sources close to Siniora said the premier might visit London next Tuesday to meet with British Premier Tony Blair. The sources said the official will be back the same day to attend the third round of the national talks. Siniora had earlier during the day received a phone call from the UN chief Kofi Annan
who said he was concerned with the ongoing tensions along the Lebanese borders with Israel. Annan had reportedly asked Siniora to exert more efforts to ease tensions along the borders. The Israeli Army announced a state of high alert Sunday on the Lebanese Southern borders after Israeli intelligence reports claimed Hizbullah was planning to carry out attacks on Israel.
In turn, Siniora echoed his government's fears from Israel's continuous breaching of Lebanon's airspace and borders which he said increases tensions and security instability. Siniora also condemned the Israeli raid on a West Bank jail Tuesday and called on Annan to pressure Israel into respecting international laws and stopping its provocative actions against the Palestinians.
As the premier prepares for his European meetings, Lebanon's political elite are holding side discussions before the third round of the national dialogue kicks off to tackle two of the most controversial issues: the arms of Hizbullah and the fate of President Emile Lahoud. Lahoud, who has been under pressure from anti-Syrian politicians to resign, has vowed to serve out his term, which was extended amid widespread opposition in 2004 at Syria's behest.
In an interview with French daily La Croix published on Wednesday Lahoud urged politicians to respect the presidency, adding "the Parliamentary majority has been elected by an electoral law which is seen by many as unconstitutional."
"If we want to contribute to the recovery of this country, we must respect its institutions, including the presidency," he said.
Lahoud further praised his long time adversary Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun calling him "a real politician and statesman." "[Aoun] has many qualifications which other presidential candidates lack," he said.
For his part Aoun once again described the parliamentary majority as "delusional" and the elections as "forged since it was based on a Syrian-made electoral law."Meanwhile Lahoud has yet to decide whether he will head Thursday's Cabinet session which will be held at its temporary location at the Social and Economic Council in Downtown Beirut.

Syrian vow to cooperate in probe received with 'cautious optimism'
Compiled by Daily Star staff -Friday, March 17, 2006
BEIRUT: UN Security Council members and the chief investigator into the assassination of former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, Serge Brammertz, expressed "cautious optimism" Thursday about new promises from Syria to cooperate with the international probe after months of refusals and delays. Citing progress in his work, Brammertz told the Security Council that a clear agreement with Syria, reached in recent weeks, will be essential for the progress of the probe. "Improved and timely cooperation from Syria will be a critical factor in continuing successfully the work of the Commission," Brammertz said. He added: "Our expectations vis-a-vis the Syrian authorities are high in this respect. The Commission has already prepared several new requests for cooperation to the Syrian Foreign Ministry."
"The coming weeks will prove whether our requirements will be fulfilled and our cautious optimism was justified," he said.
Brammertz was briefing the UNSC on his work since he took over as head of the UN inquiry commission from German prosecutor Detlev Mehlis on January 23.
Following his briefing, the council members went into closed consultations, after which a statement commended Brammertz and his team on the "outstanding professional work," and took positive note of the Syrian cooperation. But they reasserted the need for "full and unconditional cooperation with the investigation" by Damascus. U.S. Ambassador John Bolton, speaking after private talks with Brammertz, said the question of Syrian cooperation "remains to be seen."
"Performance is what we are looking for - the end of its obstructionist behavior," he said. "We'll see what happens."
France's UN ambassador, Jean-Marc de La Sabliere commented on Syria's cooperation, saying: "Now it has to be verified and what we are asking, and the Security Council is asking, is cooperation in substance." Brammertz said the probe has advanced its "understanding of the crime, its circumstances and modus operandi. We have developed new lines of enquiry, pursued and further evaluated existing leads and discarded others." But Brammertz, who said his team has extended help to the Lebanese judiciary in investigating the series of explosions that hit the country following Hariri's death, made it clear that in the interest of maintaining the integrity of the investigation and the security of witnesses, he had agreed with Lebanese judicial authorities not to discuss details publicly.
"Confidentiality requires we not disclose information on the 'investigative strategy' or harm the rights of the accused. This would inevitably have a negative impact on a later case in court," the Belgian prosecutor said. Brammertz said he would report to the Council on progress made in his next report. "Maybe even earlier if the need calls," he said. His commission's six-month mandate expires on June 15. "We cannot predict the outcome of this investigation. We also cannot guarantee that the investigation will be finalized in a few months. But we will work to ensure the best possible investigative result is achieved," he added. Representing Lebanon, Ambassador Butros Assaker informed members of the UNSC of decisions taken in the country's national dialogue, and the Lebanese people's unanimous desire to "find out the truth behind the murder of Hariri."
In turn, Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the UN Faisal Mekdad asserted Syria's vow to continue cooperating with the probe committee, and commended Brammertz's high professionalism. "This report takes the investigation in Hariri's murder into a new level," he said. "We hope it will lead to the truth behind Hariri's death and the series of explosions that followed since the false witnesses have now been exposed," he added.
"Earlier in the investigations, unfortunately, the worst obstacle that faced the probe so far was falsely assuming that Syria was involved in Hariri's murder with no evidence whatsoever," he added. This came as UN chief Kofi Annan called Syrian President Bashar Assad shortly before the UNSC meeting, to encourage him to fully cooperate with the probe "so we can all get to the truth and complete the investigation as soon as possible," Annan's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday.
Meanwhile, UN special envoy for the implementation of Resolution 1559, Terje Roed-Larsen met with China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and other senior Chinese officials in Beijing Thursday. Larsen, on a tour to the capitals of all permanent members of the Security Council, discussed the complex situation in the Middle East as it affects the implementation of Resolution 1559.  "I had exceedingly good talks here in Beijing today, and I am glad to say that we see eye to eye on all the issues," Larsen said. "Based on what I have heard here in Beijing, as well as before in Moscow, London, Paris and Washington, I think we have the unanimous support of the permanent five members of the Council. I am now leaving for the Middle East where I will hold talks with relevant interlocutors."Larsen is due in the region this weekend, where he is expected to start talks in Saudi Arabia this Saturday.- Additional reporting by Majdoline Hatoum

Dakkash: Baabda rival Hashash fails to 'back off'
Daily Star staff-Friday, March 17, 2006
BEIRUT: The Baabda-Aley by-elections candidate Pierre Dakkash said Thursday he "could not convince Pierre Hashash to back off," adding that "the electoral battle will be a democratic one." Dakkash paid a visit on Thursday to the Communist Party headquarters and met with its Secretary General Khaled Haddade and the National Council's President Maurice Nohra.
Following the meeting, Dakkash stated: "We have discussed the stages that we went through since I was presented as a consensus candidate until this moment." Dakkash noted that he submitted his candidacy as a compromise MP "in order to avoid tension among different parties and avoid this particular battle." "Haddade will urge voters to cast ballots in my favor," he added. When asked about meeting Pierre Hashash, the rival candidate, before the elections on Sunday, Dakkash said: "We have all tried to make him back off but we could not. I urge the support of my beloved region's citizens."
Concerning the national dialogue, Haddade seemed optimistic and urged the participants and all the politicians to agree on the implementation of two major points: "Putting an end to the institutional crisis, which the country is being burdened with, and working seriously to apply the articles of reform laid out in the Taif Accord on the political scene."
Commenting on the new electoral law, Dakkash said: "We have to refer to the Constitution, to the Taif, and run elections according to the Mohafaza system." He also considered the proportional representation law "as the best solution to resolve all of the election problems." The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections issued a statement on Thursday saying that it will send its observers Sunday to all polling stations to witness and monitor the electoral operation.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Progressive Socialist Party "called on its members, partisans and friends to participate in the Baabda-Aley by-elections and vote for Pierre Dakkash." - The Daily Star

Nasrallah, Fadlallah in dialogue discussion
Daily Star staff-Friday, March 17, 2006
BEIRUT: Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah paid a visit Thursday to Senior Shiite cleric Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah at his residence in Haret Hreik. Nasrallah was accompanied by his deputy, Sheikh Naim Qassem. Discussions during the meeting focused on the developments in the region, in particular the situations in Iraq, Palestine and the Lebanese national dialogue. Following his meeting with Nasrallah Thursday, MP Michel Murr said that the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, Kesrouan MP Michel Aoun, was "Hizbullah's main strategic ally."
Murr said he hoped the resistance "would be able to liberate Shebaa Farms within the next few months."
He added: "We believe that as long as Israel occupies our territories, the resistance has an important role in the country."
As for the third round of the dialogue session, Murr said participants will discuss the presidential crisis and will tackle the issue of the presidency "in details."Hizbullah's secretary general also met Thursday with former Minister Fares Boueiz.
Addressing journalists following the meeting, Boueiz said the "national dialogue succeeded in form but not in core."
Boueiz voiced his support to Aoun as President Emile Lahoud's successor. He also said he hoped that Aoun would "be able to create an air of consensus over his candidacy." Former Minister Talal Arslan also paid a visit Thursday to Nasrallah.
Arslan said he was optimistic about the outcome of the two first rounds of dialogue. Nasrallah further received Thursday former Minister Fayez Shukr and former MP Wajih Baarini. - The Daily Star

Moussa to carry Syrian reaction to dialogue back to Lebanon
Arab league chief to visit damascus next week
By Therese Sfeir -Daily Star staff
Friday, March 17, 2006
BEIRUT: Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa will meet with Syrian officials in Damascus next week to discuss the findings of Lebanon's national dialogue, according to parliamentary sources quoted by the Central News Agency on Thursday. According to the sources, the meetings will cover Syrian-Lebanese relations, the Shebaa Farms and Palestinian weapons. The sources added that Moussa will convey Damascus' views on these issues to their Lebanese counterparts before Prime Minister Fouad Siniora heads to the Syrian capital for separate talks. However, the sources did not reveal when the premier would make this trip. Meanwhile, Siniora said the report submitted to the UN Security Council earlier in the week by Serge Brammertz, the head of the international committee investigating former Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination, "showed a high level of professionalism."Speaking following a meeting with UN representative in Lebanon Geir Pederson, the premier said the report "reflected determination and corroborated the results published in the second report by Detlev Mehlis, Brammertz's predecessor."Pederson once again expressed the UN's "satisfaction" with the Lebanese national dialogue.
Siniora also met with Russian Ambassador Serguei Boukin, who said the national dialogue is "the only means that guarantees the consolidation of internal stability in Lebanon."In other developments, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said the March 14 Forces would propose "several names as possible presidential candidates" during the next dialogue session, stressing that the coalition would "make no concessions."
Geagea was speaking following a meeting with Democratic Gathering MP Wael Bou Faour. After meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri, the dialogue's architect, Egyptian Ambassador Hussein Derar, "congratulated the Lebanese for the success of the dialogue, which confirmed the unity of the people." Asked if there was an Arab plan to improve Syrian-Lebanese relations, he said: "There is no need for an Arab initiative; Lebanon and Syria are sisterly countries and the Lebanese have agreed on that issue during the dialogue."Asked if he believed Siniora's expected visit to Damascus would yield positive results, Derar said: "We are hoping for the best because the atmosphere that accompanied the dialogue was positive about holding constructive talks with Syria to overcome all obstacles and misunderstandings."
Berri also received a telephone call from Jordan's King Abdullah II, who congratulated the Lebanese on the outcome of the dialogue and stressed his country's support for "Lebanese unity."The speaker also met with Moroccan Ambassador Ali Omlil, who hailed the results of the national dialogue. Elsewhere, MP Saad Hariri headed a meeting of the Future parliamentary bloc at Qoreitem. In a statement, the bloc praised the outcome of the second round of the national dialogue and "the participants' high sense of responsibility," saying such results "would pave the way for the establishment of a new political life and give the Lebanese the opportunity to resolve controversial issues away from any foreign interference."
The bloc welcomed the participants' decision to establish diplomatic relations with Syria based on mutual respect of each country's sovereignty, adding that "Syria's compliance with these demands" would improve relations between the two countries.
"The Future bloc also supports the participants' decision that Shebaa Farms are Lebanese, and hopes that all concerned parties will cooperate on the issue," it added. The bloc further asked all Palestinian leaders to abide by the dialogue's decision to disarm Palestinian factions with armed bases outside the refugee camps and resolve the refugees' social situation.
If also reiterated its call on President Emile Lahoud to resign, and hoped that the third round of discussions "would meet the expectations of the Lebanese" in this regard. The Future bloc said the Bremmertz report "represents a step toward the uncovering of the truth," and reiterated its trust in the work of the committee. Hariri later met separately with French Ambassador Bernard Emie and Democratic Renewal Movement leader Nassib Lahoud.

In a statement, Lahoud said he "was pleased" by the outcome.
Lahoud proposes law specifying Shebaa in Lebanon
President says brammertz report took all possibilities into consideration
By Nafez Qawas -Daily Star correspondent
Friday, March 17, 2006
BEIRUT: President Emile Lahoud said Thursday he would remain adamant about the Lebanese identity of the Shebaa Farms, stressing that official maps corroborating this fact are in the possession of the UN. He reiterated that when the UN drew the Blue Line in 2000, Lebanon did not approve of this border "as a permanent and definite one."
He said that "at the time the international delegation had asked who determined this border," to which Lahoud had replied: "Lebanon and Syria"; an answer that was welcomed by Syria. Speaking during the Cabinet session, which was held in the Economic and Social Council in Downtown, Lahoud proposed to prepare a draft law that adds to Article one of the Constitution a paragraph specifying that the Shebaa Farms are located inside the internationally recognized border in South Lebanon. Commenting on the report released by the head of the international committee investigating former Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination, Serge Brammertz, Lahoud said "it took into consideration all possibilities."
Lahoud insisted on the interrogation of key witnesses such as Zuheir al-Siddiq who was until recently detained in prison in France and "whose statement resulted in the arrest of the country's four major security officers who have not been incriminated so far."The Cabinet session was held in the absence of ministers Elias Murr, Joe Sarkis and Nayal Mouawad.
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival, Premier Fouad Siniora announced Thursday no date was set for his visit to Damascus to settle the Shebaa Farms issue and mending ties between the countries, calling for "waiting until the meal is well done."
Asked about Lahoud's resignation, Siniora said: "As always, we abide by the Constitution."
Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamade, who refused to comment on his conduct vis-a-vis Lahoud during the session, was asked if the privatization of the telecommunications will entail financial burdens on the government. He said in an indirect allusion to Lahoud: "He who undermined the Paris I donor conference can do the same with the Beirut I conference."
Prior to the session, Hamade criticized "those who are trying to implicate the telecommunications sector, particularly the mobile phone operators, in political bickering." In a statement, he said: "We know that the aim of this bickering is to sabotage the economic and financial reform project before it is endorsed and to undermine the Beirut 1 conference before its it held."
Hamade was alluding to who was reported in As-Safir newspaper as having said that he would fight against the sale of the telecommunications companies' licenses. On Wednesday, Lahoud's visitors quoted him as saying "there is a scandal in the telecommunications file resulting from distortion of facts since the two telecommunications companies operating in the country are not making profits currently and the government will soon sell one of them." He added: "Of course, I will stop this corruption and squandering of public money. ... I will not sign on the sale of the telecommunications firms' licenses!"
Lahoud threatened to uncover the schemes behind the issue which he considered "a scandal that will not pass unnoticed."
In his reply, Hamade said: "If the estimations of the privatization are high like in Arab countries, of which none hesitated to privatize the sector, then the government will assume its role in light of this fact in an attempt to free the sector, reduce public debt and boost economy." "However, if we, the ministry and the Higher Privatization Council headed by Premier Fouad Siniora, find that the figures are low then the government will not sell. Besides, any privatization of any sector requires, according to the law, the consent of Parliament which remains the only authority that gives the green light," he added.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Jihad Azour announced that the reform paper for the Beirut I Conference had been set three months ago, but the political developments in the country and the Shiite ministers' suspended participation in Cabinet delayed discussions over it.

Fearing repeat of February 5 riots, Army imposes tight security around U.S. Embassy
Security forces surround palestinian refugee camps, block entrances
By Leila Hatoum and Mohammed Zaatari -Daily Star staff
Friday, March 17, 2006
BEIRUT: Only five protesters managed to make it to a demonstration near the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon in Awkar, after the Lebanese Army imposed tight security measures throughout Wednesday night and Thursday morning around the area, also closing off all entrances to Palestinian refugee camps. In a move to denounce the Israeli attack on a Palestinian prison and arresting the head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Ahmad Saadat, on Tuesday, Mohammad Safa, the head of the Lebanese Detainees in Israeli Prisons Committee called for a demonstration in front of the U.S. Embassy.
Yet, in a bid to avoid a repeat of the February 5 Black Sunday riots in Achrafieh - which witnessed lax security and led to the resignation of former Interior Minister Hassan Sabaa - security measures such as extensive checkpoints and heavy deployment of army personnel on the roads leading to Beirut and Awkar and around the Palestinian camps, were taken.
Palestinian leaders in the refugee camps denounced what they claimed were "harsh measures" closing the exits of the camps for hours before extensive calls with the Lebanese authorities finally succeeded in reopening the exits, but failed to break the siege.
Fatah representative in Lebanon General Sultan Abu al-Aynayn told The Daily Star in a telephone interview on Thursday that the Lebanese authorities had "fears that something might happen like the riots that broke out last month (February 5) during a demonstration against the cartoons of Prophet Mohammad."
Many Palestinians and Syrians were arrested in the riots. Abu al-Aynayn added that the measures taken were precautionary and that he "understands" what happened but at the same time told "Lebanese officials of my annoyance through extensive calls." But Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command representative in Lebanon Anwar Raja took a harsher tone, telling The Daily Star that these measures "remind people of the abusive approach of the Israelis toward Palestinian citizens in the Occupied Territories."
He said: "It is just like the apartheid system. By blocking the camps and denying the Palestinians the right to protest what happened back home, they portray us as saboteurs who cannot exert self control." Raja added: "This is an indicator to the poisoned view toward the Palestinian refugees, which increases hatred toward them from everyone."
"At a time when the Lebanese leaders say they are sitting at the national dialogue table to solve matters and talk of the necessity to provide a positive human atmosphere to the Palestinians, we see in reality that they are humiliating the refugees," Raja said.
He added that the decision to close the camps' exits was a "political one taken for the sake of [U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's eyes."Raja has been vocal in his criticism of the agreement reached during the country's national talks that Palestinian refugees' weapons outside the camps should not remain and should be regulated within the camps.
On Thursday, Safa, and the people heading for Awkar, including Bassam Qantar, the brother of the longest serving Lebanese detainee in an Israeli prison Samir Qantar, were arrested for sometime by the Lebanese security personnel in Dbayye.
Safa said they were later released but the Security authorities denied the reports.
The "peaceful demonstration" as the organizers called it failed to attain a license from the proper authorities and turned into a sit-in after only five people managed to reach the designated area, including Qantar.
Acting Interior Minister Ahmad Fatfat said the organizers didn't even apply for a license and even had the demonstration taken place there would have been no clashes between the security forces and the demonstrators if they had kept it peaceful.
He also said the authorities wanted to avoid a repeat of the rioting in Beirut last month in which the Tabaris 812 building, housing the Danish Embassy, was torched. Safa said it was never meant to be a demonstration. "We were planning a sit-in in the first place, and a sit-in doesn't need a license," he said."Who is this person who is responsible for ordering our arrest, I want to know," he asked.

Lahoud successor likely to be decided in private
By Zeina Abu Rizk -Special to The Daily Star
Friday, March 17, 2006
Undoubtedly, the second round of the national dialogue succeeded in creating a positive atmosphere throughout the country. However, participants in the ongoing talks have yet to face the most difficult task - the presidency - which will be tackled Wednesday. According to senior political sources involved in the dialogue, it is unlikely that this issue will be solved in the dialogue's third round. Rather, it is more probable the matter will be settled away from the roundtable.
Even if every participant in the national dialogue admitted to the existence of a "governmental crisis," opening up the floodgates for a discussion on the presidency, an impression prevails among a number of the country's tops lea-ders that this issue has po-litical ramifications that must be dealt with behind the scenes. In other words, the various leaders may come up with a common agreement on the need for resolving this crisis by changing the president, but the question of who will succeed Emile Lahoud must still be dealt with through multilateral talks at a distance from the roundtable. Accordingly, this aspect of the issue will likely be avoided on Wednesday. However, to date, former Metn MP Nassib Lahoud remains the most talked about replacement for the president. Seen as a convincing and moderate political figure, Lahoud appears to be an acceptable way out of the succession polemic. The former MP was reportedly endorsed by French President Jacques Chirac during his recent trip to Saudi Arabia, and also by Druze leader Walid Jumblatt during his visit this month to Washington. And yet, despite this support for the former MP, his candidacy continues to face imposing hurdles. As noted by the senior political sources, the fact Lahoud failed to secure his seat in last year's parliamentary elections may complicate his candidature. Complicating the matter further, Lahoud ran on a list opposing Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, who scored a major victory in the Metn, winning seven out of the area's eight seats.
As such, coming up with reasonable arguments to favor Lahoud over Aoun, who is also a presidential hopeful - and the strongest Christian figure following the parliamentary elections - seems particularly difficult at a time when the country's other communities have chosen their most popular figures to represent them in the state's highest positions.
The only candidate who succeeded against Aoun in the Metn was MP Pierre Gemayel, son of former President Amin Gemayel, who is also seen as a possible candidate for Baabda. This fact may cause an additional problem as those reluctant to support Lahoud for the post will most probably
argue that other conten-ders are more eligible to run for office. Another problem likely to be waiting for Lahoud has to do with the sitting president himself.
The animosity between the two Lahouds has been well known since the beginning of the president's mandate. Emile Lahoud has always considered his "relative" his fiercest competitor, whether at the presidential level or even at a lesser one, specifically in the struggle for the leadership of the Lahoud family, and more generally of the Metn area.
Therefore, choosing Nassib to succeed Emile would probably be taken by the president as a double blow. In such a scenario, the president would surely refuse to resign, whereas he would probably step aside for a candidate such as Aoun.
Despite these difficulties, the odds that Nassib Lahoud will be the next man in Baabda remain substantial.
His reputation as a pragmatic and respected politician, in addition to the international and regional support he enjoys -Lahoud is known to have strong ties with Saudi Arabia in particular - make him an appreciated politician, not only within the Christian ranks, but also among the other communities that will eventually be asked to give their opinion.
One thing about this race over which all the forces of March 8 and March 14 agree is that the final say about the next president will be Bkirki's.

Qoleilat seeks to testify from Brazil, fearing assassination if she returns
By Raed El Rafei -Daily Star staff- Friday, March 17, 2006
BEIRUT: Rana Qoleilat, the former Al-Madina Bank executive, fears for her life if extradited to Lebanon and wants to be interviewed by the UN commission investigating former Premier Rafik Hariri's killing in Brazil where she is jailed, according to her lawyer Thursday. "She told me that If I'm going to be sent back to Lebanon, I'd rather be killed here first," Victor Mouawad told The Daily Star. Mouawad is studying the possibility of making a request to the UN probe commission to interview Qoleilat in Brazil rather than in Lebanon. Qoleilat is wanted on suspicions of involvement in the assassination of Hariri. Mouawad said that his client was "fine." Qoleilat was taken to hospital in Brazil on Wednesday after an apparent suicide attempt. Qoleilat, who cut her left wrist with a razor blade taken from an eyeliner sharpener, received two stitches and was transferred to a more secure cell at a different police station, according to Sao Paulo Police Chief Martins Fontes.
However, Fontes denied Qoleilat had attempted to commit suicide, saying the minor cut was a cry for attention. The razor blade Qoleilat used was similar to those found in very small pencil sharpeners, the police chief said. An investigation is under way to determine how the item was smuggled inside the prison.
Fontes insisted that Qoleilat had not meant to kill herself, but did not reveal what she had told prison officials about the incident.
"From all my years of experience as a policeman, I can tell you that this is an attempt to call attention to herself," the chief said. "I could make out from the very bad Portuguese that she speaks that she is scared to go back to Lebanon," he added. "She fears for her life."Two female police officers have been put on a 24-hour watch outside Qoleilat's cell. Fontes said the added security was not because authorities thought she would try to hurt herself again, but to prevent any possible effort to help her break out of jail. "Given the international attention that this case has received, we had to take all the necessary precautions," he said. Brazilian authorities have said United Nations investigators want to question Qoleilat concerning funds that went missing from the Al-Medina Bank while she was employed at the institution and a possible link between the funds and Hariri's assassination.
Contacted by The Daily Star, a UN spokesperson said the investigation commission probing Hariri's murder could not reveal the names of persons wanted for questioning. The spokesperson added that "this does not mean confirming or denying that the commission requested interviewing Qoleilat." Qoleilat is wanted on fraud, money laundering, and embezzlement charges related to a multimillion-dollar banking scandal. Meanwhile, Beirut penal judge Ziad Makna on Thursday postponed till May investigating allegations Qoleilat had forged a passport. Lebanon sent a request to the Brazilian government for Qoleilat's extradition on Wednesday, according to Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh. Separately, a British consular official confirmed that the British passport carried by Qoleilat is valid, and that she is entitled to British consular assistance.Qoleilat was arrested in Sao Paulo on Sunday on an Interpol warrant. Local officers in on the arrest said she offered them a $200,000 bribe to release her. Fontes said Qoleilat has told him she knows nothing about any missing money or Hariri's assassination. Mouawad also said that the conditions in which Qoleilat was arrested were not "usual." "She was arrested by the local police because they claimed she tried to bribe them. In similar cases she should have been arrested by the federal police," he said. Brazilian media have given Qoleilat tremendous coverage, especially the suspicions that she is somehow connected to the assassination of Hariri, a very popular figure in Brazil according to a journalist who works with the Folha Brazilian newspaper. The largest segment of the Lebanese diaspora is in Brazil. - With Agencies

Lebanon forces stop protest against Israeli jail raid
Posted: 16-03-2006
Lebanese security forces on Thursday stopped protestors from reaching the US embassy near Beirut where they wanted to demonstrate against what the U.S. role in Tuesday's Israeli jail attack to seize Palestinian activists.
The protest was called for by the Arab Organization for Defending Detainees to protest the Israeli prison raid in the West Bank town of Jericho in which Israeli forces captured six Palestinians, including Ahmed Saadat, the leader of the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
According to Nahranet, the committee published a statement in which it voiced its surprise about the government's ban of the rally. The group said the demonstration was against Israel's "kidnapping of Ahmad Saadat and his comrades with the American green light." Two of the organizers, Mohammed Safa and Bassam Kintar, were detained by police.
Lebanon's Acting Interior Minister Ahmed Fatfat said the deployment of security forces was not aimed at blocking the protest, although organizers did not ask for permission. He stressed that security forces intervened to prevent violence at the embassy.
Similar measures were taken in southern Lebanon, with witnesses reporting soldiers blocking roads leading out of Palestinian refugee camps in the port city of Sidon to prevent protesters from heading to Beirut.
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)