Army Helicopter Attacked Over South Lebanon, Captain Killed

Hezbollah’s New Barbaric Crime/ The Assassination of The Lebanese Army Officer Samir Hanna

Compiled by the LCCC (Lebanese Canadian Coordinating Council)

August 08

Army Helicopter Attacked Over South Lebanon, Captain Killed

Gunmen opened fire on a Lebanese army helicopter flying over a southern village on Thursday killing an officer, a military communiqué said.

The communiqué identified the victim as 1st LT. Samer Hanna. The communiqué said the helicopter came under fire by a military group, which it did not identify.

An army official earlier told AFP that the helicopter was conducting a training mission over the southern village of Sejoud when it came under fire and was forced to make an emergency landing and several of the crew were also wounded.The origin of the fire was not immediately known. An AFP correspondent in the area said that the army had bolstered its presence and had set up roadblocks. The Telal Sejoud area lies some 20 kilometers north of the Israeli border.The area was considered a Hizbullah stronghold during the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon and witnessed fierce battles before Israel's withdrawal in 2000.As part of the ceasefire deal that ended the devastating 2006 war between Hizbullah and Israel, the army deployed in southern Lebanon along with a strengthened United Nations peacekeeping force.Nine Lebanese soldiers and five civilians were killed in a bombing at a bus stop in the northern port city of Tripoli earlier this month in an attack thought to have targeted the army.(Naharnet-AFP)Beirut, 28 Aug 08, 12:36

MP Butros Harb For Punishing Culprits in the Ugly Attack On Army helicopter

Naharnet/MP Butros Harb denounced the "ugly attack" on a Lebanese Army helicopter that was flying over south Lebanon on Thursday and the killing of its pilot.

Harb, in a statement distributed by the state-run National News Agency (NNNA), said the attack that was carried out north of the Litani River "fuels doubts and raises questions." He called for "speedy investigation in the attack, especially that preliminary information spark concern and raise so many questions about the targets of this attack," he added. "Attacks against the Lebanese Army should not go unpunished," he stressed. Beirut, 28 Aug 08, 17:56

Sheikh Qabalan Accuses Israel in The Chopper Attack

Naharnet/The Highest Shiite cleric in Lebanon on Thursday said an Israeli agent could have opened fire at a Lebanese Army Helicopter, killing its captain.

Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan made the charge and urged the army command to launch "speedy and just investigation" into the attack.

He also called for "punishing whoever carried out this crime and whoever is behind It."Qabalan, who heads the Higher Shiite Islamic Council, also called for "wisdom" in tackling the attack. Beirut, 28 Aug 08, 17:23 05

Lebanese officer killed as helicopter comes under fire

By The Daily Star and Agence France Presse (AFP)

Friday, August 29, 2008

BEIRUT: A Lebanese army officer was killed on Thursday when gunmen opened fire on a military helicopter flying over a village in a Hizbullah stronghold in the south of the country. An army official said the helicopter was conducting a training mission over the village of Sejoud when it came under fire and was forced to make an emergency landing, adding that several members of the crew were also wounded. A Lebanese army statement identified the dead officer as First Lieutenant Samer Hanna. The incident occurred in an area near the border with Israel, which was the scene of fierce fighting between Hizbullah fighters and Israeli forces before their withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000. An AFP correspondent said the army had bolstered its presence in the Sejoud Hill area, which lies about 20 kilometers north of the Israeli border, and had set up roadblocks.

As part of the cease-fire deal that ended the devastating 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel, the army deployed in southern Lebanon along with a strengthened UN peacekeeping force. Suspicions about the helicopter shooting were immediately cast on Hizbullah.

"One theory is that the helicopter ... approached a zone considered [by Hizbullah] to be prohibited," said retired army general Elias Hanna, an expert in military strategy. "Another is that the Shiite movement wanted to send a message to the army ahead of the nomination of an army chief and discussions on a national defense strategy," he said. Internet sites linked to the parliamentary majority quoted Hizbullah sources as saying that some of the group's fighters had fired warning shots at the helicopter and had hit it by mistake. Contacted by AFP, Hizbullah denied having made any statement to this effect and refused to comment on the incident.

Meanwhile, well-informed sources told the Central News Agency on Thursday that Hizbullah was carrying out an investigation into the incident.

The sources said Hizbullah feared the incident might be aimed at creating rifts between the army and the resistance.

Meanwhile, Shiite spiritual leader Sheikh Abdel Amir Qabalan condemned the attack, saying it was the work of an Israeli agent who had infiltrated the area and fired on the helicopter to foment disorder."Targeting a Lebanese aircraft is an Israeli act," he said.

Also commenting on the attack, former President Amine Gemayel urged the army to be firm in its response.

Gemayel said that "some parties" were trying to create tension in the country in order to influence the appointment of a new army chief, which is expected to take place in a Cabinet session, scheduled for Friday.

Meanwhile, March 14 MP Butros Harb said on Thursday that he had received "disturbing" information about the objectives of the attack. He did not elaborate, but he urged the army to keep the public abreast of its investigations.

Former MP Fares Soueid, another March 14 politician, blamed Hizbullah for the attack, "which took place in an area that is known be a stronghold for Hizbullah."

"Is Hizbullah setting red lines for the Lebanese army? Is the army prohibited to enter some areas?" Soueid asked.

"We ask all these questions today and we wait for the outcome of the investigation."

Thursday's attack was the first in which the Lebanese army was targeted in South Lebanon since it deployed to the area in 2006.

Nine Lebanese soldiers and five civilians were killed in a bombing at a bus stop in the northern port city of Tripoli earlier this month in an attack thought to have been carried out by Sunni militants. The army has also suffered other attacks elsewhere since it fought a 15-week battle with militants of the Al-Qaeda-inspired Fatah al-Islam in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon. - The Daily Star, with AFP

Souaid: Hizbullah Setting No-Fly Zones and Demarcating Borders with Lebanon

Naharnet/March 14 coordinator Faris Souaid on Thursday criticized the attack on a Lebanese Army helicopter in south Lebanon and blamed it on Hizbullah.

"Is it the process of demarcating borders between the state of Lebanon and the Hizbullah state?" Souaid asked in reference to the attack on the military helicopter that was launched from a Hizbullah stronghold. "Did Hizbullah try to set a red line for the Lebanese Army on Lebanese territories?" he added.

"We ask all these questions today and we wait for the outcome of the investigation," Souaid added after receiving U.S. state department official in charge of Lebanon David Hale. He said the Lebanese Army should not be in a position to ask for permission to carry out any assignment on Lebanese territory.

Souaid made the remark in comment on the attack that targeted a Lebanese Army helicopter while on assignment in south Lebanon, which resulted in killing its pilot.

"I find it strange that the Lebanese Army is in a position to ask for permission if it wanted to carry out any assignment on Lebanese territory," he said.

"Do we now have no-fly zones like the off limits security zones?" he asked. "Is it true that the attack was carried out against the helicopter from a short distance while taking off and is it true that the officers were held and interrogated?" he added. Souaid reiterated support by the March 14 forces for the army and security forces. Beirut, 28 Aug 08, 19:03

MP Butros Harb for Punishing Culprits in Ugly Attack on Army Helicopter

Naharnet/MP Butros Harb denounced the "ugly attack" on a Lebanese Army helicopter that was flying over south Lebanon on Thursday and the killing of its pilot.

Harb, in a statement distributed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA), said the attack that was carried out north of the Litani River "fuels doubts and raises questions." He called for "speedy investigation in the attack, especially that preliminary information sparks concern and raises so many questions about the targets of this attack," he added. "Attacks against the Lebanese Army should not go unpunished," he stressed. Beirut, 28 Aug 08, 17:56

Sheikh Qabalan Accuses Israel in Chopper Attack

Naharnet/The Highest Shiite cleric in Lebanon on Thursday said an Israeli agent could have opened fire at a Lebanese Army helicopter, killing its captain.

Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan made the charge and urged the army command to launch "speedy and just investigation" into the attack.

He also called for "punishing whoever carried out this crime and whoever is behind it."Qabalan, who heads the Higher Shiite Islamic Council, also called for "wisdom" in tackling the attack. Beirut, 28 Aug 08, 17:23

Fingers Pointed at Hizbullah in Helicopter Attack ... No Comment from Group Yet

Naharnet/There was unanimity Friday that Hizbullah was behind the gunfire attack on a Lebanese army helicopter that killed an officer over Sojod hills in south Lebanon the day before with no response from the group yet. There were conflicting reports about the incident which took place around noon Thursday.

Among the worst reports was that the helicopter was attacked while it was still on ground and that the assailants, after killing 1st Lt. Samer Hanna, assaulted another officer. The semi-official report, however, said that the helicopter came under gunfire upon take off from a hilltop.

A Lebanese army communiqué, however, has said that a Lebanese army helicopter came under gunfire from unidentified "armed members" killing Hanna.

The daily As Safir gave another version on Friday. It cited poor coordination between Hizbullah and the Lebanese army regarding the helicopter overflight and the tension among Hizbullah ranks as a result of Israeli threats and intensified Israeli overflights over the past few days as reasons for the confusion that led to the helicopter shooting. An Nahar newspaper, on the other hand, quoted well-informed sources as saying that the helicopter was not shot down but was forced to make an emergency landing after it was hit by gunfire from gunmen and that the co-pilot landed the chopper at a rugged terrain between Sojod and Armati.

The Central News Agency (CNA), for its part, reported that the gunmen opened fire at the helicopter only 10 meters away, causing an emergency landing.

It added that three army helicopters dispatched to the area to assist the chopper that was hit were denied entry and that the crew was informed that no one can approach the area without Hizbullah permission. CNA quoted Hizbullah sources as saying the group knows nothing about the shooting.

Another report said that the helicopter came under fire as it flew over Sojod and that after making an emergency landing it came under gunfire, killing Hanna.

A different version of the story was put this way: After the helicopter landed in Sojod as part of a routine mission and as it attempted to take off again it came under gunfire, killing Hanna. Al Manar television, mouthpiece of Hizbullah, reported that a helicopter came under gunfire from "unidentified" gunmen.

A joint committee from the Lebanese army and Hizbullah opened an investigation into the incident. (AFP photo shows a general view of the area where the helicopter was shot) Beirut, 29 Aug 08, 09:16

Hezbollah blamed for deadly Lebanon helicopter downing

Naharnet/BEIRUT (AFP) — The finger of blame was being pointed at Lebanon's Shiite Muslim Hezbollah movement on Friday over the downing of an military helicopter that left an army officer dead. First Lieutenant Samer Hanna, 25, was killed when his helicopter was hit by gunfire on Thursday during a training mission in a region known as a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon. "The area where this distressing incident took place is, as everybody knows, under the control of the Resistance (Hezbollah)," said former prime minister Salim Hoss, who is considered close to the Hezbollah-led opposition.

"Hezbollah must explain and not justify what happened, because the death of a brilliant officer cannot be justified whatever the circumstances of the incident," Hoss said in a statement. The pro-opposition newspaper As-Safir also blamed Hezbollah, a powerful political movement and militia which is backed by Iran and Syria.

"It seems that poor advance coordination between the army and the Resistance about the helicopter's overflight as well as the state of mobilisation in Resistance ranks due to Israeli threats led to the confusion," it said. "Hezbollah militants thought it was an Israeli commando raid," the paper said, adding that when the fighters realised the mistake they immediately transported the lieutenant to the hospital.Hezbollah itself has yet to release a statement or comment on the matter.

Gemayel Denounces Attack on Army Helicopter

Naharnet/Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel denounced the attack on a Lebanese Army helicopter in south Lebanon on Thursday as "very serious" and urged the army command to be decisive. "I had repeatedly warned against such a serious development. Less than two weeks ago I warned that the situation in some southern areas is very serious, especially in the Jezzine region and its surroundings where there are security zones that we do not know who is in charge of," Gemayel said in a radio interview. "The message has been received and the Army Command should be decisive in handling this issue … the government also should take the needed measures and should be frank to the Lebanese people," he added. He said it is "the Lebanese people's right to be informed of the situation in the south and the people have the right to know the truth about the situation in the south, the Bekaa, the north and Beirut.""It is our right to know in which direction the nation is headed and who is responsible for its sovereignty and the people's security," Gemayel stressed. Beirut, 28 Aug 08, 21:28

Geagea Condemns 'Dangerous' Attack on Army Helicopter

Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Friday denounced the attack on a Lebanese Army helicopter in south Lebanon as "dangerous" but refused to rush to conclusions.Thursday's attack that resulted in the killing of 1st Lt. Samer Hanna was "dangerous and regrettable as it happened on Lebanese territory," Geagea said. The LF leader also urged an "immediate" investigation into the incident. He refused to rush to a conclusion about the incident even if "it was carried out by unknown gunmen." Beirut, 29 Aug 08, 12:42

.Hizballah’s Attack On The Lebanese Army: An Accident Or A Message?

By Andrew Cochran

Phillip Smyth is the the CT Blog's Assistant Newslinks Editor and a contributor to the Aramaic Democratic Organization. He has visited Lebanon, interviewied anti-Hezbollah NGOs and Hezbollah supporters, and maintains regular contact with sources there. He wrote the following about the downing on Thursday of a Lebanese Army helicopter by Hizballah forces.

The hills of Iqlim al-Tuffah are known for their apple orchards, in addition to being an off-limits Hizballah base. The area had been targeted by the Israelis for surgical and reprisal attacks against Hizballah since Israel and the SLA patrolled the Security Zone. The peaceful noon time on Thursday was interrupted by anti-aircraft fire. A helicopter was forced to land in the village of Sojod. Only, this time, the helicopter was not Israeli, nor did it belong to the UNIFIL forces based in southern Lebanon, this was a Lebanese army UH-1 Iroquois (commonly known as the Huey). The helicopter attack also killed one, First Lieutenant Samer Hanna, in addition to other casualties. Nevertheless, the full story of this incident is marred with speculation, rumors and many unnerving facts.

Many in the media insinuated that the attack may have something to do with “Sunni Islamist militants from the north [read: Tripoli]”. The New York Times stated, “The Lebanese Army has come under attack several times this summer, including in a bombing this month that left nine soldiers and several civilians dead.” As with the NYT, the AFP, made sure the Sunni Islamists would be placed at the end of the article stating, "Nine Lebanese soldiers and five civilians were killed in a bombing at a bus stop in the northern port city of Tripoli earlier this month in an attack thought to have targeted the army. The army has also suffered other attacks since it fought a 15-week battle with militants of the Al-Qaeda inspired Fatah al-Islam in the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon. In December the head of the army's military operations, General Francois el-Hajj, was killed in a massive bomb attack and just over a month later Major Wissam Eid, a top intelligence officer, was killed in similar circumstances.”

In fact, the last attack in the south by suspected Sunni Islamists was in June, 2007, killing 6 Spanish peacekeepers in a UNIFIL convoy. While Hizballah was the obvious cause of the latest attack, and even Hizballah militiamen said that they, “thought that there was an Israeli landing attempt (under way) and opened fire in the direction of the helicopter, hitting it.” The major press still insinuated that a group like Fatah al Islam could be behind the attack. When the attack was first reported, Hizballah initially denied it had anything to do with the attack, but this would later be disproved.

The Israeli daily Ha‘aretz reported that, “ Hezbollah downed a Lebanese Army helicopter on Thursday in what Israeli officials believe was a case of mistaken identity: The Shi'ite militiamen apparently thought they were firing at an Israeli chopper.” Even with the assumption that Hizballah made a mistake, Ha’aretz further disproves this theory when they said, “The helicopter was apparently flying at low altitude.” Just a cursory look at the paint schemes of a Lebanese UH-1 (usually painted a dark green with a very visible red, green and white Lebanese air force roundel) versus Israeli models (normally painted an olive green with a golden V, and recognizable roundel featuring the Star of David or a desert, green and brown camouflage), shows that the Hizballah militiamen operating the anti-aircraft gun(s) were either extremely incompetent or had some idea that they were targeting a Lebanese helicopter.

Needless to say, Hizballah, especially in a strategic region 12 miles from Israel, doesn’t normally employ incompetents to man its newly installed anti-aircraft fixtures. This was quite obvious considering Hizballah’s quick reaction to campers (they were kidnapped and held) who stumbled onto Hizballah’s new anti-aircraft facilities on Mt. Sannine. Furthermore, any Hizballah fighter could logically assume that Israel wouldn’t launch an incursion into a Hizballah stronghold such as Iqlim al-Tuffah in a single Huey helicopter. The Arabic daily As Safir, “cited poor coordination between Hizbullah and the Lebanese army regarding the helicopter overflight and the tension among Hizbullah ranks as a result of Israeli threats and intensified Israeli overflights over the past few days as reasons for the confusion that led to the helicopter shooting.” Nevertheless, Naharnet reported that a “semi-official report” stated that, “the helicopter came under gunfire upon take off from a hilltop.”

The Hizballah and allies responded with a mixture of whitewashing the incident, ignoring it, and even tried to shift blame onto the Israelis. According to the International Herald Tribune, “Sheik Abdul-Amir Kabalan, urged the army to investigate swiftly and suggested that a collaborator with Israel may have fired on the aircraft.” Kabalan is close with Harakat Amal, the other major Shia party in Lebanon, which in turn is allied to Hizballah. NOW Lebanon reported that according to “inside sources,” “Hezbollah fighters shot at the military helicopter because it crossed red lines that Hezbollah had warned the Defense Ministry and army command' not to cross” OTV, the Free Patriotic Movement’s mouthpiece (the FPM is Hizballah’s key Christian ally), did not even offer a story on their website regarding the incident. Instead OTV only featured the story as a small link reading, (Google Translation) “General Michel Aoun visited the Metropolitan of Mount Lebanon for the Roman Orthodox George Khader and discussed with him the latest developments in the death of First Lieutenant Samir Hanna result of the fall of the Lebanese Army helicopter. After exposure to a shooting in the south, the UN Security Council extended an additional year of peacekeeping forces in south Lebanon.”

Note: there is no mention of Hizballah, OTV’s politics page is also devoid of any mention abut the helicopter and the controversy surrounding it. Hizballah’s TV organ, Al Manar was little different. In their article they used the Lebanese army’s neutral language in describing the attack, “The Lebanese army said in a statement that one of its helicopters came under gunmen fire while undertaking a training mission over the Iqlim Al-Toffah region in south Lebanon.”

In Lebanon, rumors spread very quickly. However, with reports saying that the helicopter was attacked while it was still on ground and that the assailants, after killing 1st Lt. Samer Hanna, assaulted another officer,” this could have been a targeted attack Former general Elias Hanna told the AFP that, “the Shiite movement wanted to send a message to the army ahead of the nomination of an army chief and discussions on a national defence strategy.” Toni Nissi, Lebanese leader of the International Lebanese Committee for U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559 told me that, “no one is allowed to fly over a Hizballah base.” Adding, “[Hizballah is] not happy with the nomination of the chief of the army.”

On the macro level, the dead pilot of the helicopter, Samer Hanna, came from the village of Tannourine. This is the same village that March 14th legislator, and former candidate for the Lebanese presidency, Boutros Harb came from and represents. Harb was noted as saying Hizballah controlled a, “mini-state inside the state”, and also stating “Whenever we have a state and government ready to fight for the country’s independence, at that moment Hezbollah will not have a pretext to continue having their arms and we’ll invite them to be part of the institutions of the state.” A contact whose family is close to Hanna’s, told me that Hanna’s political background was, “with the March 14th Coalition.” If this was a targeted operation, they surely struck a cord with the March 14th Coalition regarding Hizballah’s arms, and at the very least with MP Harb.

Whether this was a legitimate accident, or a deliberate attack, Hizballah has deliberately or inadvertently made a clear message to the March 14th leadership.

1. Hizballah does not like who will become the new army commander.

2. Hizballah rules the south of Lebanon, and army encroachment will not be permitted.

3. Hizballah, not the Lebanese state, will dictate any future relationship with the army.

August 29, 2008 11:08

Hezbollah kills Lebanese Army Officer

28 Aug 2008

By W. Thomas Smith Jr.

Hezbollah has “brazenly attacked the Lebanese Army” – in its Thursday shooting-attack on an army helicopter, killing 1st Lt. Samer Hanna and wounding several others – so say the leaders of Lebanon’s pro-democracy movement.

Hours after the shooting, Tom Harb, secretary general of The International Lebanese Committee for UN Security Council Resolution 1559 (which calls for the disarming of Hezbollah), tells me:

“This is tantamount to a declaration of war by Hezbollah, and if they will attack the Lebanese Army, they will surely have no qualms about attacking the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).”

Harb has just sent a letter to the UN stating such.

Hezbollah – a Shiia terrorist group with expansive ambitions both at home in Lebanon and abroad – is heavily funded and equipped by Iran and operationally supported by both Iran and Syria.

As we have reported, the group has strengthened its strategic positions across Lebanon in recent months. And in recent weeks, Hezbollah’s combat training and military posturing has increased in regions of the country far beyond its traditionally recognized southern defenses (below the Litani River) and Al Dahiyeh (Hezbollah’s south Beirut stronghold near the airport).

The doomed helicopter was in fact shot down over a rugged stretch of terrain in south Lebanon where sources have been informing us for weeks that Hezbollah and Pasdaran (Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) fighters have been conducting small-unit military exercises.

This is not the first time Hezbollah has attacked the Lebanese government. But it is one of the boldest attacks to date against the army.

In May, Hezbollah – which has been able to skirt UN demands to disarm by threatening Lebanon’s leaders and claiming to be a legitimate “resistance” force – turned its weapons on the Lebanese government and citizenry following government decisions to both fire a Hezbollah-linked airport security chief and shut down the terrorist group’s private telecommunications system (linking Hezbollah with Teheran and Damascus). In the end, Hezbollah won, was granted veto power over government decisions, and ultimately positioned as an “official” wing of the Lebanese Defense apparatus.

Simply put, Hezbollah has increased its leverage over the legitimate army. Hezbollah has infiltrated the officer corps of the army. But the army and police dare not go where Hezbollah does not permit, which is what the army apparently did today.

“The helicopter was brought down ‘because it crossed red lines that Hezbollah had warned the Defense Ministry and army command’ not to cross,” sources told the Lebanese media. “…sources also said that the Resistance [Hezbollah] considered the region very sensitive, and Hezbollah leaders have already stressed the importance of the location because it contained the Resistance’s telecommunications apparatus.”

Harb says, if Pres. Michel Sleiman, the pro-Syrian former commanding-general of the Lebanese armed forces, does not respond to this attack, “he will demonstrate that he is not only yielding to terrorists, but he is perhaps collaborating with Iran and Syria.”

But none of us are holding our breath. Sleiman, who I spent more than two hours with in a one-on-one conversation (not including private conversations with his chief of intelligence and several of his generals) last fall, became agitated whenever I brought up the issue of Hezbollah. “Why do you want to talk about Hezbollah?” he snapped at me.

Following Thursday’s attack, Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan, deputy president of the Higher Islamic Shiia Council, began propagating the typical spin, blaming the attack on Israeli “infiltrators.” And Hezbollah has since reportedly said they were only firing warning shots.

All of this comes on the heels of published remarks by Italian Army Major General Claudio Graziano, senior commander of UNIFIL. Speaking to the Jerusalem Post on Aug. 15, Graziano said that “excellent cooperation” existed between UNIFIL and Hezbollah militiamen, and that “apart from UN troops, Lebanese soldiers and [local] hunters, no one is armed south of the Litani River.”

— Visit W. Thomas Smith Jr. online at uswriter.com.

“W. Thomas Smith Jr. provides some of the best commentary and expert analysis available.”

Suspicions flare as Hizbullah hands over assailant in fatal helicopter shooting

lebanese army holds funeral for young officer slain in incident

By The Daily Star -Compiled by Daily Star staff

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Hizbullah handed over to military police Friday the suspect who fired at a military helicopter a day earlier, as the Lebanese army held a funeral for the officer who was slain in the shooting. "Hizbullah has handed over the person who fired at the helicopter to the Military Investigative Magistrate in the case Jean Fahd," a judicial source told The Daily Star, adding that Fahd gave orders to the military police to interrogate him "and everyone related to the incident."

The source said that Hizbullah was "fully cooperating" with the judiciary. First Lieutenant Samer Hanna, 25, was killed when his helicopter was hit by gunfire on Thursday during a training mission in the Sejod Hills, a region known as a Hizbullah stronghold in Southern Lebanon.

In a statement issued on Friday, Hizbullah described the incident as "unfortunate and distressing," adding that the group will "fully cooperate with the Lebanese Army and the judiciary to uncover the truth.""We call on all political parties to refrain from baseless speculation on the incident whose circumstances remain unknown," the statement said. Hizbullah also extended its "deepest" condolences to the family of Hanna and to the Lebanese Army. "First Lieutenant Hanna is not only a martyr of the Lebanese Army but also a martyr of the resistance," the Hizbullah statement added. Meanwhile the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) bid farewell to Hanna during a solemn funeral Friday in his hometown of Tannourine in the northern province of Batroun.

Black-clad women threw red flowers at the Lebanese-flag-draped coffin carried by his Hanna's colleagues. Representatives of Lebanon's three top officials attended the funeral at Tannourine's Notre Dame Church.Talking to reporters on Friday before joining a Cabinet meeting, Defense Minister Elias Murr said handing over culprits who opened fired on the LAF Gazelle helicopter "is the minimum that we could accept." "The Lebanese Army and the Resistance [Hizbullah] are not two separate camps. We are in the same camp confronting Israel," he said. On Friday, Hizbullah's second in command Sheikh Naim Qassem said "confusion" still surrounds the incident, adding that the event had no political or security implications. Pro-opposition As-Safir newspaper reported on Friday that Hizbullah opened fire on the Lebanese Army helicopter mistaking it for an Israeli craft. As-Safir quoted anonymous sources as saying the gunmen mistook the helicopter for an Israeli aircraft dropping off troops in the South and opened fire Thursday, killing the navigator.

As-Safir said the shooting incident was caused by a "lack of coordination" on the helicopter flight. The LAF and Hizbullah often inform each other of their movements. Another pro-opposition newspaper, Al-Akhbar, said a joint committee from the army and Hizbullah opened an investigation into the incident shortly after it happened. The incident has raised political tensions in the country, with the ruling coalition increasing their demands for Hizbullah to surrender its arms.

Head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt said Thursday's targeting of a LAF helicopter, required "the immediate discussion" of Lebanon's defense strategy during upcoming dialogue sessions chaired by President Michel Sleiman.

Jumblatt described the shooting as a "heinous act," and called for an immediate investigation into the incident "in order to reveal culprits." Jumblatt said discussing Lebanon's defense strategy would allow Lebanon to "better fight the Israeli enemy."The head of the Progressive Socialist Party also called on all political parties to "avoid any acts that would undermine military strength and unity and condemn any attacks on the army." Premier Fouad Siniora condemned the incident Friday, describing it as "painful and sad.""But we should not get discouraged and we should double our efforts to strengthen state institutions," he told reporters following the Friday prayers at the Grand Serail. "We should operate under the umbrella of state and work for a comprehensive and

conclusive investigation," he added. Meanwhile Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar, said that it was unlikely that the incident had been premeditated.

The minister also urged the Lebanese "not to rush to conclusions and allow the judiciary to perform its job."

Former Premier Salim al-Hoss, who is considered close to the Hizbullah-led opposition, pointed the finger of blame at Hizbullah. "The area where this distressing incident took place is, as everybody knows, under the control of the Resistance," Hoss said. "Hizbullah must explain and not justify what happened, because the death of a brilliant officer cannot be justified whatever the circumstances of the incident," the former premier added. - The Daily Star

Martyr Samer Hanna Laid to Rest

Naharnet/Army 1st Lieutenant Samer Hanna, who was killed when gunmen opened fire on his helicopter over Sojod hills in south Lebanon, was laid to rest on Friday in his hometown of Tannourine. Residents of the northern province of Batroun thronged the streets to welcome the body of the slain officer whose coffin, draped in the Lebanese flag, was carried by his comrades. Representatives of President Michel Suleiman, Premier Fouad Saniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in addition to MPs and officials attended the funeral. Mariam Issa, Hanna's fiancee, mourned over his coffin during his funeral and expressed sorrow over the killing of Samer by the hands of his fellow citizens not the enemy. Beirut, 29 Aug 08, 21:44

Hizbullah Terms Helicopter Incident 'Regretful', Pledges to Cooperate with Army

Naharnet/Hizbullah on Friday termed the helicopter incident "regretful and painful" and pledged to cooperate with the Lebanese army, a day after a military chopper came under attack by gunmen in south Lebanon. In a statement issued by Hizbullah, the group said judicial authorities are dealing with the issue.

Hizbullah stressed it would "fully cooperate with our dear brethren in the Lebanese army and with judicial sides so that the truth is uncovered."

There was unanimity Friday that Hizbullah was behind the gunfire attack on the helicopter that killed an officer over Sojod hills in south Lebanon.

There were conflicting reports about the incident which took place around noon Thursday. Among the worst reports was that the helicopter was attacked while it was still on ground and that the assailants, after killing 1st Lt. Samer Hanna, assaulted another officer. The semi-official report, however, said that the helicopter came under gunfire upon take off from a hilltop. A Lebanese army communiqué, however, has said that a Lebanese army helicopter came under gunfire from unidentified "armed members" killing Hanna. The daily As Safir gave another version on Friday. It cited poor coordination between Hizbullah and the Lebanese army regarding the helicopter overflight and the tension among Hizbullah ranks as a result of Israeli threats and intensified Israeli overflights over the past few days as reasons for the confusion that led to the helicopter shooting.

An Nahar newspaper, on the other hand, quoted well-informed sources as saying that the helicopter was not shot down but was forced to make an emergency landing after it was hit by gunfire from gunmen and that the co-pilot landed the chopper at a rugged terrain between Sojod and Armati.

The Central News Agency (CNA), for its part, reported that the gunmen opened fire at the helicopter only 10 meters away, causing an emergency landing.

CNA quoted Hizbullah sources as saying the group knows nothing about the shooting.

Another report said that the helicopter came under fire as it flew over Sojod and that after making an emergency landing it came under gunfire, killing Hanna.

A joint committee from the Lebanese army and Hizbullah opened an investigation into the incident. Beirut, 29 Aug 08, 09:16

Murr: Surrendering Culprits in Helicopter Incident is the Minimum Accepted

Naharnet/Defense Minister Elias Murr said on Friday the minimum that could be done is to surrender the gunmen who opened fire on an army helicopter in south Lebanon. Murr made his remark prior to a cabinet session held under President Michel Suleiman at Baabda Palace. Murr insisted that "the army commander is appointed by a decision from the defense minister and not elected and what happened in the previous days were just consultations concerning this decision.""While it is true that the army commander should maintain objectivity and remain at an equal distance from all groups," he added, "the naming of the army commander does not have to be subject to general consensus." Beirut, 29 Aug 08, 19:30

Hizbullah Turns Over Culprit in Army Helicopter Case to Military Authorities

Naharnet/Hizbullah on Friday handed over to military police a man suspected of firing on a Lebanese army helicopter a day earlier that killed a navigator.

"Hizbullah has handed over the person who fired at the helicopter to military police," a source told Agence France Presse. "The person behind the attack is in the hands of military officials who are investigating the incident." The identity of the person turned over has not been revealed. First Lieutenant Samer Hanna was killed when his helicopter was hit by gunfire on Thursday during a training mission in a region known as a Hizbullah stronghold in southern Lebanon.

Hizbullah had earlier described the incident as "regrettable and distressing." "We ask that all political parties refrain from baseless speculation on the incident whose circumstances remain unknown," it said in a statement. Former Prime Minister Salim Hoss, who is considered close to the Hizbullah-led opposition, pointed the finger of blame at the Shiite group. "The area where this distressing incident took place is, as everybody knows, under the control of the Resistance (Hizbullah)," Hoss said. "Hizbullah must explain and not justify what happened, because the death of a brilliant officer cannot be justified whatever the circumstances of the incident," Hoss said in a statement. Beirut, 29 Aug 08, 21:01

Baroud Wants More Answers About the Sujud Attack

Naharnet/Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said the attack by Hizbullah fighters on a Lebanese Army helicopter requires "interpretations, not justifications."

"We also want details," Baroud said in a radio interview, which indicates that the judiciary has not been allowed to interrogate Hizbullah fighters who were in the Sujud southern region where the chopper was attacked on Thursday. Hizbullah turned over one suspect to the judiciary saying he was the person who opened fire at the helicopter. The issue, Baroud said, is linked to the Army's "morale."He said the judiciary would "follow up the case to the maximum." He did not elaborate on the remark. Beirut, 30 Aug 08, 11:32

Mitri and the Non-Sufficient Army-Hizbullah Coordination

Naharnet/Information Minister Tareq Mitri said the "attack" against a military helicopter by Hizbullah fighters in the southern Sojod region raises "questions regarding the extent of coordination between the Lebanese Army and Hizbullah." Mitri, in a television interview, said "resisting an external attack is a non-controversial issue. This is the duty of the Lebanese people." The problem, according to Mitri, is in "blocking the re-creation of the state for tens of years." "I represent the majority, but I am not member of any political party," Mitri stressed. Beirut, 30 Aug 08, 10:24

Bassil Regrets Hanna's Martyrdom, Avoids Mentioning Hizbullah

Naharnet/Minister of Telecommunications Jebran Bassil on Saturday expressed regret over what he termed "political manipulation" of the martyrdom of Lebanese Air Force 1st. Lt. Samer Hanna in a military helicopter attacked by Hizbullah fighters in south Lebanon. Bassil, in a statement distributed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA), praised the "serious investigation … and the cooperation by the related sides, which led to turning in of the person who opened fire" at the helicopter. What has happened should lead to an agreement on a "national defense strategy," said Bassil, who is member of Gen. Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement (FPM).Bassil's comment did not include any reference to Hizbullah in connection with the attack on the army helicopter by its operatives in the southern Sojod region. Beirut, 30 Aug 08, 11:47

Conniving with Hezbollah

By Tariq Alhomayed

Asharq Alawsat 31/08/08

The crimes committed by Iranian-affiliated Hezbollah against Lebanon and the Lebanese are endless. Yet, regrettably, there are MPs and Lebanese politicians who shy away or fail to even comment on Hezbollah’s actions either out of fear or because they are conniving. The clearest evidence in this respect was the recent downing of a Lebanese army helicopter in south Lebanon.

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s militia, which actually occupies Lebanon with the power of arms, is not content with establishing security zones on Lebanese terrain; in actual fact, it has begun to mark out its own airspace. So if Iranian-affiliated Hezbollah has veto power in Lebanese government, its own security zones on the ground and in the air, controls the airport, and has its own communications network, then what is left for Lebanon?

Iranian-affiliated Hezbollah, which occupied Beirut with the power of weapons, something that even Israel has never done, recently downed a Lebanese army helicopter with its weapons, which is also something that Israel has never done before. What other crimes are left for Hezbollah to commit against the Lebanese state and its citizens?

Nasrallah’s party has come to pose more of a threat to the state, unity and citizens of Lebanon than Israel and its weapons, yet in spite of this, Abdul Amir Qabalan, the Vice President of the Higher Islamic Shia Council comes out to say that “infiltrators working on behalf of Israel fired at the helicopter.”

Qabalan’s comments represent nothing but connivance with Iranian-affiliated Hezbollah against the Lebanese state and army. Doesn’t Sheikh Qabalan know − especially considering that there are no secrets whatsoever in Lebanon − that not only did Hezbollah fire at the helicopter, which was hovering at a very low altitude, killing one of its pilots who was shot in the head, in addition, there is information that indicates that the Iranian-affiliated party insisted upon interrogating the other injured pilot before allowing him medical attention.

The crimes of Nasrallah’s party are never-ending and are clearly visible. However, what is regrettable is that some leaders are conniving with Hezbollah against the state and army. We all remember when former Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, in reference to the army’s capabilities during the July 2006 Lebanon-Israel war, and in defense of Hezbollah, said that the Lebanese army is not qualified to confront Israel.

It is for a simple reason that we say there is connivance; Hezbollah is nothing but Iran’s shadow that acts under the instructions of the Supreme Leader and not in the interest of Lebanon. Suffice it to mention the recent comments made by Iran that Iran’s Shia allies in the Arab world will respond to any military action against Tehran, and in the past, Hassan Nasrallah has boasted about being a member of Wilayat-e-Faqih.

After all that, there are still some Lebanese who, because of the power struggle, give up Lebanon and the Lebanese as a sacrifice to Iran and its ambitions in the region even though Hezbollah used all its weapons against Lebanon and the Lebanese the day it occupied Beirut and the day it launched its assault against the army, which Nasrallah referred to on numerous occasions as a symbol of Lebanese unity.

But the Sayyed often turns his words upside-down just as he turned Beirut upside-down on May 7!