Doha Accord, Last But Not Least Blow to US Scheme

Doha Accord, Last But Not Least Blow to US Scheme

Readers Number : 90

23/05/2008 On Wednesday, Lebanese leaders from the opposition and the ruling bloc signed the Doha agreement, opening the way for a new political phase that would be characterized by participation and national unity. The agreement put an end to all endeavors to strain the situation in Lebanon, not to mention US promises of a hot summer in this small country. So, the Doha agreement appeared to be just another episode in the series of US frustrations in Lebanon, a worn chain that passed through different stages since before the July 2006 Israeli war against Lebanon. The Lebanese didn't yet forget how US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced, from Beirut during the first days of the destructive war, that what was happening was a preliminary step toward the birth of the so-called new Middle East. However, her announcement lasted less than 33 days and fell simultaneously with the Israeli fiasco and the Resistance's Divine victory, as acknowledged by the Zionist entity itself. Since then, Washington's set eye on Lebanon's internal front through successive "diplomatic" maneuvers and incitement attempts by different US officials, particularly US President George W. Bush who never missed the slightest incident in Lebanon to exploit and put more pressure on this country. Also remarkable was the fact that stances or visits made by US officials were always crowned with new crises. The Arab University clashes in January 25, 2007, and the Mar-Michael incidents in January 26, 2008, both took place after two visits for US Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern affairs David Welch to Lebanon. Those incidents nearly set the country on fire. Today, the opposition's insistence on partnership, denouncing sedition and coexistence bore fruit and set Lebanon free from US tutelage. The Doha Accord saw light and dealt another blow to the US scheme in the region, only a few days after Welche's threat of a hot summer in Lebanon.

part IV - On the Road to May 25 Victory; Khiam Detainees Freed

On the Road to May 25 Victory; Khiam Detainees Freed

Batoul Wehbe Readers Number : 0

23/05/2008 VILLAGERS LIBERATE KHIAM AFTER BENT JBEIL Bent Jbeil woke up at dawn on April 23, 2000 on the sounds of cheering and slogans that arouse from loudspeakers and minarets thus publicly announcing the entrance of Hezbollah into the village. The night before, resistance fighters were engaged in a gunbattle with Lahd militiamen positioned in the so called "17 Center," which until that particular moment was still the backbone of the SLA security. The downfall of the center initiated a domino effect cascade that saw the remainder of the SLA positions fall one after the other. The resistance proceeded its military deployment in both western and middle sectors starting from Naqoura to as far as the outskirts of Khiam. In this town lied the Khiam detention center where some 140 detainees were held and tortured by the Israeli and their collaborators. The resistance postponed taking the town by storm fearing the lives of detainees would be threatened. Everyone realized that the military power of Antoine Lahd's collaborating militia had tumbled down. Only small pockets remained in some mainly Christian villages where they took off their uniforms and put on civilian clothes. Hezbollah's plan to take the collaborators by surprise without shedding one drop of blood was met with rumors in towns like the Christian towns of Debel, Ain Ebel and Rmeish, that the resistance is coming to commit massacres there. Due the sensitivity of the matter, Hezbollah's leadership decided to handle the situation in a special way. Reassuring messages were relayed to the dignitaries of those towns that Hezbollah's resistance fighters will not hurt anyone and urged them to persuade the collaborators who wish to surrender to gather in churches so that the Lebanese army would deal with them. Church bells rang. During the whole process, not one collaborator was slapped on the face, not one broken hearted father avenged his son's killing, even if the killer were standing right next to him. The Islamic resistance acted in an unprecedented humane way in the history of resistance vs. traitors; unlike the French resistance, Hezbollah did not even shave off the heads of the collaborators. Israel failed to fulfill any of its goals including the distortion of Hezbollah's picture in the eyes of the international public opinion. French newspapers praised the Islamic resistance's graceful method adopted in the south. This new type of victory constituted an additional impetus to look forward towards liberating more garrisons even if the Khiam detention center was one of them. The decision was taken to liberate the town. The panic stricken collaborators heard the unpleasant news of more than 500 villagers forcing their way into Khiam. Some fled and others surrendered leaving the detainees in their cells unaware of what is going on. Bit by bit, the shouts of the triumphant villagers was getting clearer and closer to the prisoners. They responded with stronger shouts until their voices merged together as they praised God for a glorious day, when 144 prisoners streamed out of their cells to rejoice with their families and resistance fighters; a day that would later be known as The Lebanese Detainee Day. To be continued…

Rice Assails Hezbollah; UNSC Backs Doha Deal

Rice Assails Hezbollah; UNSC Backs Doha Deal

Hanan Awarekeh Readers Number : 997

23/05/2008 The UN Security Council on Thursday welcomed a Lebanese peace deal brokered by Qatar, an agreement that ended the ongoing political crisis between the Lebanese rivals. The council said it "welcomes and strongly supports the agreement reached in Doha ...which constitutes an essential step towards the resolution of the current crisis, the return to normal functioning of Lebanese democratic institutions, the complete restoration of Lebanon's unity and stability." In the nonbinding statement, the council also urged the parties to implement all aspects of the agreement. The statement was supported by the United States and France in a bid to resolve the political crisis in Lebanon and obtain a lull. Earlier Thursday, the United States and Britain said they believed Hezbollah had been weakened by this month's fighting in Beirut despite the greater influence the resistance group gained in Lebanon's cabinet. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband rejected the view that the show of force by Hezbollah had increased its power. "Hezbollah lost something very important, which is any argument that it is somehow a resistance movement on behalf of the Lebanese people," Rice told reporters traveling with her and Miliband on a trip to her California hometown. "What it is, is a militia that, given an opportunity, decided to turn its guns on its own people. It is never going to live that down," she said. ARAB-MEDIATED DEAL Lebanese national opposition won concessions in an Arab-mediated deal reached on Wednesday, including a long-standing demand for veto power in the cabinet. The deal also resolved a dispute over a law for holding 2009 parliamentary elections, forming a new national unity government and the election of a president, expected on Sunday. Miliband said Hezbollah had shown an "unacceptable" show of force in the streets which created an "illusion" of its power. "What struck us in subsequent days is that the reaction of the people of Lebanon has been very negative about that. The guns of Hezbollah were trained on their own people. The long term consequences of that are potentially going to strengthen the forces of democracy in Lebanon," said Miliband. Rice said the United States was supportive of the Arab League's role and dismissed any suggestion that the United States was somehow losing its influence in the region. "This is not the first time that the Arab states have taken on Lebanon without the participation of Europe and the United States," she said.

Lebanon Looks Forward to Presidential Election Sunday

Lebanon Looks Forward to Presidential Election Sunday

Mohamad Shmaysani Readers Number : 74

23/05/2008 Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri said that following the election of General Michel Suleiman as President on Sunday and the formation of the new government, he will set up a mechanism to implement the article pertaining to the electoral law as agreed upon in the Qatari capital Doha. The Speaker added that that parliamentary committees will soon discuss the electoral project and accomplish it as soon as possible. The Lebanese daily al-Akhbar said that Berri will not allow the unconstitutional government of Fouad Saniora to participate in the election session as a "convened government." "He will not allow it to attend the other two sessions, one of which will see the president elect take the oath, because Berri considers this government as illegal and unconstitutional." According to the daily, Saniora's ministers who are also MPs will sit in their places while ministers will be allowed to sit in guests seats. Sources close to Saniora said that "he is very tired and needs to rest." Quoted by Assafir daily, the sources added that Saniora's main concern is to implement what has been agreed on. Army commander Gen. Michel Suleiman said Friday he will protect Lebanon and look after the implementation of the constitution in order to put the nation on the path to safety. "I will look over security and implementation of the constitution so as to put the nation on the path to safety in light of the changes going on around us," Suleiman told Assafir. "I cannot salvage the country single-handedly," Suleiman stressed. "This is everybody's task. The task is that of civilians before politicians. " The UN Security Council on Thursday welcomed the breakthrough deal reached in Doha. The UN “welcomes and strongly supports the agreement reached by Lebanese leaders in Doha on May 21, which constitutes an essential step towards the resolution of the current crisis and the complete restoration of Lebanon's unity, stability and independence.” In a non-binding statement adopted by all its 15 members, the Council also “welcomes the agreement to ban the use of weapons for political gains, irrespective of their nature and under any circumstances.”

part III - On the Road to May 25 Victory; Israel Betrays Lahd SLA

On the Road to May 25 Victory; Israel Betrays Lahd SLA

Batoul Wehbe Readers Number : 325

22/05/2008 LAHD COLLABORATORS HUMILATED AT FATIMA GATE On the 22nd of May 2000 southern villagers in the middle sector remained vigilant after news of destroying the fortified garrison of Taybe the previous day circulated. Hours later, residents of neighboring southern villages, namely Houla, Tallousa, Markaba, Mays el-Jabal and other towns, found themselves before two possibilities: First, resistance fighters and villagers attempt to force their way into the village; something that neither the Israelis nor their collaborators would allow, given the location of these villages near the border with occupied Palestine. Second, the liberation spree stops in Taybe and the rest of the villages would become part of a reduced security zone under the mercy of the Lahd collaborators until further notice. The villagers were not alone weighing their decisions. Collaborators were panicked by the scene of the Taybe garrison immense explosion and Hezbollah's yellow flags flattering near its ruins, at a time Israeli soldiers were fleeing under the cover of night. Every collaborator took his own decision to evacuate his garrison the next day and surrender to the resistance. The next morning, the Lahd militia was falling apart at a fast pace. The fast steep slump of the Lahd militia astonished its top officers. Panic-stricken collaborators sought refuge behind Lebanon's border with occupied Palestine hoping the Israelis will acknowledge 25 year of SLA's loyal service against its own people. To the collaborators' surprise, Israel refuses to allow them into occupied Palestine. Humiliated as never before, SLA collaborators were begging Israeli soldiers to let them cross the Fatima Gate, but in vain. "Israel betrayed us. The IDF and SLA were one... and we thought it was possible to befriend Israel. We helped them in our land. For twenty-five years we were with Israel." The nephew of ‘Akl Hashim, himself an SLA collaborator, shrieked. "We ate together, we fought together, we went to funerals together. We were your allies," he continued. How fast the peaceful march expanded to reach the towns in the middle sector and at the entrance of Odaiseh, panicked collaborators shot one resident as he was opening the way for the conquerors. Cars waiting in the western sector were instructed to enter the middle sector and announce the liberation of the villages of Beit Hanoun, Kounin, Rshaf and Blat. In the midst of celebrations, the Islamic resistance announced the martyrdom of seven of its fighters who fell while securing residents into their towns after 20 years of coercive separation. The next few days will undoubtedly be decisive. To be continued…

Qatar Formally Announces Agreement Between Leb. Rivals

Qatar Formally Announces Agreement Between Leb. Rivals

Mohamad Shmaysani Readers Number : 1690

21/05/2008 Qatar formally announced on Wednesday a deal between Lebanon's opposition and ruling bloc to end an 18-month political crisis that will see Army commander General Michel Suleiman elected as president within 24 hours. The agreement, announced by Qatari FM Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem al- Thani, also stipulates that Lebanese leaders would not use arms for political gains. "The agreement also calls for re-launching the dialogue under the management of the Lebanese president and ending the use of the language of sectarianism," Sheikh Hamad said. The agreement also said that a government will be formed based on a 16-11-3 formula (16 for the ruling bloc, 11 for the opposition and 3 to be chosen by the president), adoption of the Qada-based 1960 electoral law with Beirut divided into three constituencies: - The first electoral district comprising Ashrafiye, Rmeil and Saifi with five seats: Two Armenians, one Maronite, one Orthodox and one Catholic. - The second electoral district comprising Bashoura, Medawwar and Marfa' with four seats: One Sunni, one Shiite and two Armenians. - The third electoral district comprising Mazraa, Msaytbe, Ras Beirut, Mina el Hosn, Zaqa el Blat and Dar el Mrayseh with ten seats: Five Sunnis, one Shiite, one Druz, one Orthodox, one Evangelical and one for the minorities. Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa said that "the conference has succeeded because all the parties shouldered their responsibilities courageously." A senior opposition delegate told the Assafir daily that "there is no problem with the new government's Policy Statement which will underline the context of the current government's Statement, stress on the respect of international resolutions, tackle the issue of not using weapons to achieve political gains and stress on the commitment to the decisions reached during the 2006 dialogue. For his part, Arab League Secretary General who spoke after Sheikh Hamad thanked Qatar for the effort it exerted along side the Arab League to solve the crisis in this Arab country. "We have proven that the no victor – no vanquished formula in Lebanon is the road to safety," Mussa said. Speaking afterwards, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri thanked Qatar for hosting the dialogue and the great role it played to reach this agreement. "10,452 km2 were not enough to bring us together, but a Qatari plane managed to do so," Berri said. To express gratitude Berri said that the opposition wishes to thank Qatar and "officially end the sit-in in downtown Beirut as of today." As soon as Berri finished his statement, opposition members began dismantling the camp. The head of the unconstitutional government Fouad Saniora for his part, thanked in a long speech the state of Qatar for the achievement. ” The agreement we reached is an exceptional agreement amid exceptional circumstances for an exceptional phase… We want Arab states to help us redress Lebanon’s relations with sister Syria," Saniora said.

Breaking News:The presidential elections are on Sunday-The new prime minister is Sa3ed-In Beirut 8/19 for opposition-Gov 16-3-11

part II - On the Road to May 25 Victory; Lahd Militia Collapses

On the Road to May 25 Victory; Lahd Militia Collapses

Readers Number : 401

21/05/2008 PRO-ISRAEL LAHD MILITIA FALLS APART At the beginning of 2000, officers of Antoine Lahd's pro-Israel army started to sense some changes in the way the Israeli military command was treating them. The so-called "South Lebanon Army" which had served as a tool to implement Israel's military and security schemes became authorized to take part – as partners – in the meetings of Israeli officers to put strategies to protect Israel's northern flank. SLA officers became suspicious. After a series of meetings, the collaborators got the point: The Israeli army is going to withdraw and they will replace them until a deal was clinched to secure the northern border. In other words, they are to confront Hezbollah fighters until further notice. Such a mission requires reconsideration of the formation of the aging Lahd militia leadership. Israeli and Lahdi suggestions intersected on a security veteran whose hallmarks extend to the Israeli invasion of 1982: Senior collaborator Akel Hashem. Hezbollah's leadership carefully followed the new developments and decided that it's time to put the collaborators in the crosshairs. Those who would not lay down their arms willingly, would lay them down by force. Senior collaborators like Jalbout, Hussein Abdul Nabi and Fawzi Saghir were dealt a severe blow after another. Then came the 31st of December 1999. An explosion in the so called "security zone" shook the ground under Lahdi collaborators and caused this militia to fall apart. The Islamic Resistance liquidated top collaborator Akl Hashem. Hezbollah's leadership postponed his execution several times because in most cases, Hashem had his wife and son near him. But when the time was right and Hashem was alone, he was killed. The well planned and well executed operation stunned Israel which ordered its soldiers to hide inside their fortified garrisons until a solution was reached. But for the Islamic resistance, there was no time to waste. Hezbollah rockets showered Israeli barracks and the situation became unbearable. On February 8, Israeli jets struck civilian infrastructure targets deep inside Lebanon in reprisals for their killed soldiers. It was a dangerous equation that Hezbollah grasped and decided to inflict more losses in the ranks of the occupation army. On April 4, Israel hit back but this time Hezbollah retaliated with launching improved Katyusha rockets into the Kiryat shmona settlement, reminding Israeli settlers of the April aggression nightmare. Political maneuvers became futile. Barak, who was burdened with a pledge to withdraw from Lebanon by the 7th of July 2000, drew a reduced security line controlled by collaborator Robin Abboud. He also ordered his army officers to gather what they can and prepare to withdraw in a way that saves their faces. The Islamic resistance assessed the situation in the security zone and put an unorthodox 3-point plan: The motto: Cause more panic will less blood; The weapon: High morale; the direction: The southern town of Ghandouriyyeh. On the 21st of May, this town situated on the edge of the security zone found itself to be the starting point of a popular march into the occupied zone. The nearby occupied town, Qantara was liberated. Other towns started to fall one after the other. The town of Taybe was next. Lahd militiamen were still in their fortified barrack with state of the art defensive weapons. The residents realized that they can start their march towards the town but they can't know how it would end. Minutes later, a strong explosion was heard. The resistance had arrived and the fortified garrison was destroyed. To be continued…

part II - On the Road to May 25 Victory; Lahd Militia Collapses

On the Road to May 25 Victory; Lahd Militia Collapses

Readers Number : 401

21/05/2008 PRO-ISRAEL LAHD MILITIA FALLS APART At the beginning of 2000, officers of Antoine Lahd's pro-Israel army started to sense some changes in the way the Israeli military command was treating them. The so-called "South Lebanon Army" which had served as a tool to implement Israel's military and security schemes became authorized to take part – as partners – in the meetings of Israeli officers to put strategies to protect Israel's northern flank. SLA officers became suspicious. After a series of meetings, the collaborators got the point: The Israeli army is going to withdraw and they will replace them until a deal was clinched to secure the northern border. In other words, they are to confront Hezbollah fighters until further notice. Such a mission requires reconsideration of the formation of the aging Lahd militia leadership. Israeli and Lahdi suggestions intersected on a security veteran whose hallmarks extend to the Israeli invasion of 1982: Senior collaborator Akel Hashem. Hezbollah's leadership carefully followed the new developments and decided that it's time to put the collaborators in the crosshairs. Those who would not lay down their arms willingly, would lay them down by force. Senior collaborators like Jalbout, Hussein Abdul Nabi and Fawzi Saghir were dealt a severe blow after another. Then came the 31st of December 1999. An explosion in the so called "security zone" shook the ground under Lahdi collaborators and caused this militia to fall apart. The Islamic Resistance liquidated top collaborator Akl Hashem. Hezbollah's leadership postponed his execution several times because in most cases, Hashem had his wife and son near him. But when the time was right and Hashem was alone, he was killed. The well planned and well executed operation stunned Israel which ordered its soldiers to hide inside their fortified garrisons until a solution was reached. But for the Islamic resistance, there was no time to waste. Hezbollah rockets showered Israeli barracks and the situation became unbearable. On February 8, Israeli jets struck civilian infrastructure targets deep inside Lebanon in reprisals for their killed soldiers. It was a dangerous equation that Hezbollah grasped and decided to inflict more losses in the ranks of the occupation army. On April 4, Israel hit back but this time Hezbollah retaliated with launching improved Katyusha rockets into the Kiryat shmona settlement, reminding Israeli settlers of the April aggression nightmare. Political maneuvers became futile. Barak, who was burdened with a pledge to withdraw from Lebanon by the 7th of July 2000, drew a reduced security line controlled by collaborator Robin Abboud. He also ordered his army officers to gather what they can and prepare to withdraw in a way that saves their faces. The Islamic resistance assessed the situation in the security zone and put an unorthodox 3-point plan: The motto: Cause more panic will less blood; The weapon: High morale; the direction: The southern town of Ghandouriyyeh. On the 21st of May, this town situated on the edge of the security zone found itself to be the starting point of a popular march into the occupied zone. The nearby occupied town, Qantara was liberated. Other towns started to fall one after the other. The town of Taybe was next. Lahd militiamen were still in their fortified barrack with state of the art defensive weapons. The residents realized that they can start their march towards the town but they can't know how it would end. Minutes later, a strong explosion was heard. The resistance had arrived and the fortified garrison was destroyed. To be continued…

World Welcomes Doha Agreement on Lebanon

World Welcomes Doha Agreement on Lebanon

Readers Number : 329

21/05/2008 Three years on the outbreak of a crisis that seemed to be perpetual, Lebanese leaders were able to reach an agreement that came to crown five days of national dialogue held in the Qatari capital Doha. The agreement was welcomed by different countries. SYRIA BACKS AGREEMENT: STABILITY IN LEBANON IS VITAL Indeed, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said from the Bahraini capital Manamah that Damascus backs the agreement reached between Lebanese leaders in Qatar. "The agreement will put an end to the political crisis in Lebanon," Moallem said. "We praise the Arab Committee for its effort and we stress the importance of the agreement. Syria supports everything that the Lebanese agree on because security and stability in Lebanon is vital and important to Syria's security and stability," he added. SAUDI ARABIA SUPPORTS AGREEMENT For his part, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Lebanon Abdul Aziz Khoja said that Riyadh supports the agreement reached between rival leaders. "We are very happy that this accord has been reached," he added. IRAN WELCOMES, PLEASED ABOUT AGREEMENT Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Rida Shibani also announced his country's support for the Doha agreement. Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohamad Ali Hosseini congratulated all Lebanese groups, regional countries and the Arab League, and especially the Qatari government for reaching the agreement. "The Islamic Republic of Iran hopes that the Doha accord ... will provide a blossoming and brilliant future for the Lebanese people and be the prelude to freeing the rest of Lebanese territory" from Israeli occupation, the ISNA news agency quoted Hosseini as saying. EGYPT URGES 'FAITHFUL' IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENT For his part, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit hailed Wednesday's deal to end the long-running crisis in Lebanon and called for the accord to be faithfully implemented. "The agreement ends a complicated crisis which could have destroyed Lebanon's stability had it not been for the wisdom of certain Lebanese politicians and the rapid Arab intervention," he said. US WELCOMES AGREEMENT AS POSITIVE STEP The United States welcomed Wednesday's accord between Lebanese leaders as a positive step, a State Department official said. "That this agreement has been reached in Doha is really a welcome development," David Welch, deputy secretary for Near Eastern affairs, told reporters. "It is a necessary and positive step toward accomplishing what the Arab League's initiative on Lebanon was designed to do," electing a president of Lebanon, forming a new government and revising the electoral law, he said. FRANCE HAILS AGREEMENT AS GREAT SUCCESS FOR LEBANON Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy hailed the agreement as "a great success for Lebanon and the Lebanese, who have never lacked courage and patience despite the trials they have been been through," calling for it to be "fully implemented." In a statement, Sarkozy paid tribute to the "decisive role" played by Qatar and Arab League Secretary Genereal Amr Mussa. "France, which has invested much effort in the search for a solution to the Lebanese crisis, never stopped backing the process that led to this agreement," Sarkozy said. Earlier, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner hailed the deal as an "essential step" to returning the Middle East nation to "unity, stability and independence", calling on "all Lebanese" to strive for national reconciliation. The French minister, who had traveled to Lebanon seven times since taking office last year, said he was "personally very happy about this outcome for which I have worked continuously." GERMANY CALLS FOR SWIFT ELECTION OF LEBANON PRESIDENT Germany, in its turn, welcomed the agreement and called for the swift election of a new Lebanese president. Wednesday's accord between Lebanese leaders clears "the way for an end to the political crisis," foreign ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger told a news conference. "We hope to see quickly the election of (army chief Michel) Suleiman to the post of president and the putting in place of a new government," Jaeger said. SPAIN WELCOMES 'IMPORTANT' LEBANON AGREEMENT Spain also welcomed on Wednesday the "important" agreement clinched in Doha aimed at ending the18-month crisis in Lebanon. "The goverment of Spain sends its warmest congratulations to the Lebanese political forces for the agreement reached in Doha to elect the consensus candidate, General Michel Sleiman, as president," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "Spain, which along with France and Italy, contributed to the mediation efforts, trusts that the Lebanese people will be able to take advantage of the opportunities opened up by this important agreement and by the peace prospects that are opening up in the Middle East," it added.