Saniora Ends Consultations;No Deadline to Form Cabinet

Saniora Ends Consultations;No Deadline to Form Cabinet

Readers Number : 481

31/05/2008 Prime Minister-designate Fouad Saniora concluded two days of consultations with Parliamentary blocs to form a new cabinet without setting a deadline to announce the outcome of his efforts. None of the opposition or pro-opposition Sunni MPs who met Saniora expressed a wish to join the cabinet, which reflected a desire to avoid the embarrassment of accepting a cabinet seat offered by Hezbollah. Saniora, talking to reporters after concluding his consultations, said he would review the details with President Michel Suleiman prior to forming his cabinet. "I am optimistic by nature," Saniora said in answering a question. Saniora, stressing that he is committed to forming a "national unity government in line with the Doha Accord," said he would hold further contacts after meeting with the president prior to determining on the final structure of his cabinet. Saniora, when asked when he would announce his cabinet, said "As usual I wouldn't commit my self to a deadline. If the mission requires one hour, I wouldn't give it 65 minutes." The central debate focused on the distribution of the portfolios in the new cabinet between the opposition and the loyalty and especially the five "sovereign" ministries which are the Interior, Defense, Finance, Justice and Foreign Affairs. As-Safir newspaper reported Hezbollah and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's Amal movement are demanding the telecommunications ministry, held in the resigned government by Marwan Hemade, in addition to the Foreign affairs, labor, agriculture and health ministries. However PSP leader MP Walid Jumblat, as-Safir added, approved granting a portfolio in the new cabinet to his rival Druze leader Talal Arslan provided that one of the Shiite ministries be granted to MP Bassim Sabah. An-Nahar newspaper reported that Berri is likely to nominate Ambassador Jihad Mortada or member of his Parliamentary Bloc Ali Bazzi for the Foreign Affairs portfolio. Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel Aoun, who also heads the Change and Reform Bloc, asked Saniora to be represented in the cabinet by five Christian ministers. Aoun, demanded the Finance, which is the most important among the so called "sovereign" ministries and has been held by al-Mustaqbal Movement economists for years, Public Works, Social affairs, agriculture or Industry ministries, the daily An-Nahar reported. President Michel Suleiman, the newspaper added, would appoint Interior and Defense ministers. MP Michel Murr, who represents a bloc representing the Metn constituency, informed Saniora that his son, Elias, is the bloc's representative for a cabinet seat, setting the defense or foreign portfolios as suitable seats. MP Mohammed Safadi, representing the Tripoli Gathering, asked for a cabinet seat, stating that the public works portfolio, which he had held in the pervious government, is the chosen seat in the new cabinet.

Leb. Army Kills Man Carrying Grenade, Soldier Killed

Leb. Army Kills Man Carrying Grenade, Soldier Killed

Readers Number : 623

31/05/2008 Lebanese soldiers shot dead a man carrying a hand grenade outside the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Helweh on Saturday, an army spokesman said. "The man was carrying a hand grenade and we are also investigating whether the belt he was wearing contained an explosives charge," the spokesman said, refusing to provide any further details. The incident came just hours after a Lebanese soldier was killed in a blast at an army intelligence post near the northern city of Tripoli and another explosive device was defused, a security official said. He said it was unclear what caused the 5:00 am (0200 GMT) explosion in the Abdeh area near the northern outskirts of the city. The army named the martyr as Ussama Hassan, saying he was charged with keeping the peace in the Abdeh area. The security official said the army found another device inside the post primed and ready to detonate but that explosives experts defused it before it went off. Investigators are trying to determine when the explosives were planted, the official said. The blast and the shooting came as Lebanon seeks to form a new government of national unity following a deal to end an 18-month political crisis that brought the country to the brink of civil war.

Saniora Holds Consultations over Gov't Formation

Saniora Holds Consultations over Gov't Formation

Readers Number : 635

30/05/2008 With a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the prime minister-elect Fouad Saniora started Friday his consultations at the Parliament with Lebanese MPs and parliamentary blocs to form the national-unity government, approved on at the Doha Agreement. According to the mentioned accord, the government would include 16 ministers from the loyalty bloc, 11 for the opposition and three for the President. However, there is no final agreement yet on the distribution of the ministerial seats. The head of the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Mohamad Raad said his bloc has told Saniora in the framework of consultations that it wants to appoint two opposition ministers, a Sunni Muslim and Druze in the forthcoming cabinet from Hezbollah part. On behalf of the Liberation and Development parliament, MP Anwar Khalil said the bloc has asked Saniora to appoint a neutral interior minister to supervise the 2009 parliamentary elections and asked for fair distribution of basic portfolios. For his part, the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun said he informed Saniora that his bloc wants to be represented by five Christian ministers in the new cabinet stressing the ministerial statement should be based on the presidential oath address. Member of the bloc MP Agope Pakradounian requested two Armenian ministers in the new cabinet "as an implementation of the Taif Agreement" and as the fulfillment of "a promise that [late] former PM Rafik Hariri had made." Pakradounian said he nominated former Minsiter Alain Tabourian for any ministry that would guarantee Armenian participation in the government. From the loyalty bloc side, the head of the Future Movement MP Saad Hariri also expressed optimism and reiterated, after meeting Saniora alongside his bloc members, the need for all Lebanese parties to reach an agreement as soon as possible. "There is a considerably positive attitude among all parties, and no one intends to obstruct the solution," he added. In the framework of consultations over the government formation, Saniora has also made on Thursday his customary visits to former prime ministers as well as the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun with whom he held talks that were positive as Saniora said. He also contacted Muslim and Christian spiritual leaders in advance of the consultations.

Sheikh Kassem: Doha Agreement is Big Achievement

Sheikh Kassem: Doha Agreement is Big Achievement

Readers Number : 845

29/05/2008 Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Kassem said that the Doha Agreement was a big achievement for the sake of Lebanon, stressing it paved the way for a new stage that should be positive and put an end to a long crisis that persisted for one year and a half. During an interview with Orbit satellite network on Wednesday, Sheikh Kassem stressed Hezbollah was ready to discuss and negotiate on the Resistance, its role as well as its arms in the framework of a national dialogue. "We already said in the national dialogue roundtable, prior to the July war, we accept such discussion through a clear defense strategy; we're ready for dialogue," he added. His eminence stressed his party doesn't need to use its weapons in the internal front, saying that it relies on its popular support and political choices in dealing with the political conflict. "If we wanted to use our arms to change the forces' balance, we would have done so since the first days of the reign of the government that hurt us a lot, but we decided to adhere to the political management and democratic rights," he emphasized. Sheikh Kassem said that Sunni-Shiite sedition was just delusion, stressing that the problem between the Resistance and the non-Resistance was not between Sunni and Shiite people but between a scheme the United States seeks to establish in the region and the sovereignty protectors who refuse to let such scheme pass. Sheikh Kassem reiterated that any side that would assault the Resistance through force has to know that the latter has the right to defend itself. He also ruled out the possibility of a forthcoming Israeli war against Lebanon, stressing at the same time that Hezbollah is always in complete readiness to face all possibilities.

Saniora Returns, Opposition Sticks to Participation

Saniora Returns, Opposition Sticks to Participation

Readers Number : 851

29/05/2008 With 68 votes out of 127, head of the caretaker government Fouad Saniora is to head the next government, the national unity one. Saniora is expected to start consultations in parliament Friday on the distribution of the ministerial seats. On Thursday, Saniora would make his customary visits to former prime ministers, including the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun. Meanwhile, Saniora's nomination by the loyalty bloc to head next cabinet couldn't pass without reactions by opposition MPs, who affirmed at the same time their determination to stick by the Doha Agreement and achieve real participation in the government. In this context, the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc said the loyalty bloc's nomination for Saniora did not reflect its willingness to start a new phase, noting that it practiced its right by abstaining from naming a candidate for the premiership since "the Doha Agreement did not include a condition calling for consensus over the prime minister, for this follows constitutional procedures that we are all familiar with." "We, along with the opposition, are aware of the duty to participate in the new government no matter who is appointed as prime minister and irrespective of the dealings of the pro-majority party," the bloc said, stressing that the PM must respect the agreement while establishing the government. "The agreement was clear over the need to establish a national-unity government where the opposition has 11 ministers," it recalled. For his part, MP Michel Aoun said that Saniora must step aside and make room for new mentalities. He stressed, however, his bloc would take part in the new government. "We will not be an opposition. We will be for all Lebanese and will prevent any infraction of the general rules. We will be the guards of the revolution," he pointed out. RICE VERY GLAD FOR THE LEBANESE PEOPLE At the meantime, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she looks forward to work with Lebanon's new president Michel Suleiman, whom she said will defend the country's independence and democracy. "We very much look forward to work with the new president of Lebanon. We have long supported his election," Rice told reporters traveling with her to Stockholm for an international conference Thursday on Iraq. "I'm very glad for the Lebanese people in particular that it's finally taken place. He is someone we believe will defend Lebanon's interests, Lebanon's independence, Lebanon's sovereignty and Lebanon's democracy," she claimed.

Future Militiamen Brutally Attack Soldiers, Civilians

Future Militiamen Brutally Attack Soldiers, Civilians

Mohamad Shmaysani Readers Number : 316

28/05/2008 Pro-loyalty media outlets in Lebanon continue to instigate sectarian sedition at a time the Doha Agreement calls for the opposite, something pro-opposition media outlets have so far been committed to. Victimizing the killer has became a profession in pro-ruling bloc media, and should be exposed. FUTURE MOVEMENT MILITIA ATTACK ARMY AND TWO OPPOSITION LOYALISTS On Tuesday, they claimed that a group of young men from the opposition attacked ruling bloc loyalists in various areas. The footage broadcast on Al-Manar TV prove the opposite is right. Hussein Hammoud is the son of Parliament Police Major Ali Hammoud, and his comrade Ahmed Moallem, were brutally beaten and stabbed in the Tariq el-Jdideh region. They were later taken to the hospital, but this is not the whole story. Tarik el-Jdideh is the stronghold of the Future Movement militia. Following the recent incidents in Beirut, the Lebanese army deployed there to preserve security and stability, particularly that the region is adjacent to the Barbour region, a stronghold for opposition loyalists. Only Kornish el-Mazraa road separated between both regions. The Lebanese army had arrested Hammoud and Moallaem in Kornish el-Mazraa as they returned from celebrating the Resistance and Liberation Day in Dahiyeh. Although they warned the soldiers that taking them into Tarik el-Jdideh was dangerous, both young men were taken in a military vehicle to the army's command office there, thinking they will be safe. As the military force arrived near the office, Future Movement militiamen attacked the vehicle, tore off the canvas, showered soldiers with stones and attacked Hammoud and Moallem leaving them with stabs in the neck, hands, arms, legs and other parts of their bodies. "Lebanese army soldiers were also attacked," said Ahmed Moallem. FUTURE MOVEMENT MILITIAMEN BRUTALLY ATTACK MAN Not far from Tarik el-Jdideh, near the Beirut Arab University, Future Movement militiamen attacked Lebanese citizen Mahmoud Ahmed Hammoud and brutally beat him leaving him with serious injuries in the head and bruises all over his body. The Lebanese army took the man to the nearby Rafik Hariri hospital. "I was waiting for my brother to arrive from south Lebanon. I was in the Cola region. When Future Movement members recognized that I was from south Lebanon they attacked me and beat me up with everything they could get their hands on. They would have killed me if it were not for the Lebanese army. There are ten stitches in my head, another five in my arms and bruises all over my body," said Mahmoud Hammoud. Also in the Kornish el-Mazraa region, Future Movement militiamen attacked a man in his car near the Abdul Nassr Mosque, and smashed his windows. PSP MILITANT ATTACKS CLERIC IN ARAMOUN, KILLS LEBANESE SOLDIER In Dohat Aramoun – Mount Lebanon – a member of the Progressive Socialist Party identified as Dani A. opened fire from his rifle after he tried to attack a cleric in the region, however Dani's bullets hit a Lebanese army soldier who was part of an intervention force, and killed him. The soldier was identified as corporal Hussein Mohammed Janbey. Dani A. was arrested. In all of the above mentioned incidents, pro-loyalty media outlets twisted the facts to victimize the killers and criminate the victims.

:(

Saniora Appointed to Head New Government with 68 Votes

:((((

lately

seems lately i have lived very deep in the things happening in Lebanon, havent noticed alot of things coming and going on here! :)
but that doesnt matters! :)
now when all is going to the best side and bad ones have been kicked in their asses, i can breath normally again and enjoy every minute with my angel! :)
now preparing for summer and most wonderful month in my life! :)

Not Arab-Iranian, But Saudi-Iranian Problem

Not Arab-Iranian, But Saudi-Iranian Problem

Mohamad Shmaysani Readers Number : 27

28/05/2008 "Now that the Lebanese crisis has been put on the track of solution, let the discourse on the Arab situation be clear: the Saudi leadership is conspiring on Syria and working on overthrowing its regime." The Lebanese daily al-Akhbar quoted these remarks from an Arab diplomatic source in the Bahraini capital Manamah. According to the daily, the source had unveiled the discussion that took place between Syrian President Bashar Assad and Arab League Chief Amr Mussa. Citing the diplomatic source, al-Akhbar said that Assad accused Saudi Arabia of working on toppling his regime and listed in details the positions and contacts made by King Abdullah, his Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal, his intelligence chief Miqrin Bin Abdul Aziz and his national security chief Bandar Bin Sultan, in a bid to push foreign forces into invading Syria and toppling the regime. Assad's words, according to the source, gave Mussa the impression that normalizing ties between Damascus and Riyadh in the near future is not an easy task. Meanwhile, the Syrian president turned down Mussa's request to forma committee to work on Arab-Iranian dialogue over outstanding issues. Assad stressed there is no Arab-Iranian problem, but in fact there is a Saudi-Iranian problem. "Can you tell me what is the problem of Morocco, Algeria or even yours, as an Egyptian citizen, with Iran?" Who told you that there is a Syrian, Lebanese or Palestinian problem with Iran? Yes, Saudi Arabia has a problem with the Islamic Republic, which according to the kingdom is the result of a wave of presumed Shiitism, which is not true. Therefore, let Saudi Arabia fix its problems with Iran, but I will not accept that the Arabs shoulder the responsibility of the Saudi policy, because there is no such thing as an Arab-Iranian problem," President Assad told Mussa. According to the diplomatic source, Assad also said that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak refrains from visiting Syria because he does not wish to upset Saudi Arabia. The Syrian president told Mussa that Mubarak did help in reuniting Arabs, instead he worked on thwarting the Arab Summit in Damascus. President Assad called for cautiousness against outstanding and dangerous problems in the region and urged Hamas and Fatah movements to make use of the Doha Agreement experience (on Lebanon) to resolve their differences.

US, Saudi Pressure March 14 to Nominate Saniora as PM

US, Saudi Pressure March 14 to Nominate Saniora as PM

Mohamad Shmaysani Readers Number : 171

28/05/2008 Lebanon's new President Michel Suleiman holds consultations Wednesday with Lebanese MPs and parliamentary blocs on the head of the new government. Apparently, the ruling bloc has decided on nominating the head of the caretaker government Fouad Saniora for that post, while the opposition does not consider Saniora as a consensus candidate. The opposition, mainly the loyalty to the resistance, the development and liberation, the change and reform and other blocs and opposition MPs have all refrained from naming a candidate for the premiership. US, SAUDI PRESSURE ON MARCH 14 TO NAME SANIORA FOR PREMIERSHIP Unwilling to stop following directions from outside governments, the loyalty bloc in Lebanon, and after "contacts" with Washington, Riyadh and other capitals, renamed the head of the caretaker government Fouad Saniora as its candidate for premiership under newly-elected President Michel Suleiman. The so-called March 14 ruling bloc said in a statement it decided on Saniora at a late-night meeting on Tuesday and was to inform Suleiman of its choice when he begins binding consultations on Wednesday on forming the government. The opposition is not likely to name Saniora who will be, if commissioned to form the government, a weak PM in terms of national consensus. Only Saniora and Future parliamentary bloc leader Saad Hariri, were being considered by the ruling bloc for the premiership, a Sunni post. Other Sunni figures in the ruling bloc expressed resentment at the decision. According to Al-Akhbar daily, Minister of Public Works and Tansport and March 14 member MP Mohamad Safadi said he would run for the post in case his bloc did not nominate Hariri. He gained initial support from the opposition and other loyalty MPs, however swift "interventions" rendered Safadi reluctant to take the step. "For Safadi, the momentous thing was the position of Saudi Ambassador Abdul Aziz Khojah's during the "March 14" bloc meeting telling participants including Safadi that Riyadh sees good in any of the two (Hariri or Saniora), in a clear signal that the Saudi kingdom rules out Safadi," Al-Akhbar said.

nu re kā gadās...

Viņš sacīja: «Man patīk daudzas , Es nevaru būt tikai ar vienu».
Viņas atbilde bija viņas smaids.
Viņš teica: «Esmu pats par sevi - brīvs un nevienam neko neesmu parādā».
Viņa aizsmēķēja un nodūra acis.
Viņš turpināja: «Man patīk sievietes, kuras saprot mani, un respektē manu brīvību».
Viņa pavīpsnināja un izpūta šauru dūmu strūkliņu.
Viņš sacīja: «Piedāvāju,Tev labi pavadīt laiku, Tu man patīc».
Viņa nodzēsa cigareti un ielūkojās viņa acīs.
Viņš saprata,ka viņa neiebilst.
Viņš pajautāja: «Tev, laikam, ir bijuši daudzi vīrieši?»
Viņa apskāva viņu un stipri piespiedās tam klāt.
Viņš vaicāja: «Vai Tev ir labi ar mani?»
Viņa aizvēra acis un noskūpstīja viņu.
No rīta atvadoties, viņš sacīja: «Viss bija lieliski, tikai lai tas paliek starp mums».
Viņa pastiepa roku un no viņa pleca norausa neredzamu puteklīti.
Viņš teica: «Es Tev uzzvanīšu kaut kad».
Viņa pamāja un aizvēra durvis.
Viņš piezvanīja tajā pat vakarā.
Viņas nebija mājās.
Viņš sazvanīja viņu uz mobilo tikai vēlā naktī.
Viņa atļāva atbraukt tikai pēc nedēļas.
Viņš jautāja: «Nu, kā atpūties bez manis?»
Viņa pasmaidīja un piedāvāja kafiju.
Viņš zvanīja viņai gandrīz ikdienas.
Dažkārt, viņa vienkārši necēla klausuli.
Viņš apciemoja viņu tad, kad viņa atļāva.
Viņa nepaskaidroja, kapēc uzaicinājumi bija tik reti.
Viņš saprata, ka grib būt tikai ar viņu.
Viņš nervozēja, kad viņa neatbildēja uz zvaniem.
Viņš trakoja, kad dzirdēja, ka viņu ir redzējuši ar citu.
Viņš gribēja, lai par viņu saikni zina visi.
Viņa bija pret.
Viņš vēlējās, lai viņa pieder tikai viņam.
Viņš atbrauca pie viņas ar milzīgu sarkanu rožu pušķi.
Viņa pieņēma ziedus, bet lūdza bez uzaicinājuma vairs nebraukt.
Viņš gribēja lūgt viņu kļūt par viņa sievu.
Viņa pateica: «Esmu pati par sevi».
Viņš aizsmēķēja, viņam trīcēja rokas.
Viņa teica: «Esmu brīva».
Pēkšņi viņam kļuva auksti.
Viņa sacīja: «Es nevienam neko neesmu parādā».
Viņam likās, ka sirds apstājās.
Viņa sacīja: «Un es neko netaisos mainīt»

Consultations on Unity Gov't Start Wednesday

Consultations on Unity Gov't Start Wednesday

Mohamad Shmaysani Readers Number : 557

27/05/2008 The one-day binding parliamentary consultations on forming a 30-member national unity government will take place Wednesday at the Presidential Palace in Baabda. The head of the caretaker government Fouad Saniora was at the palace Tuesday where he met with President Michel Suleiman to discuss the coming phase. The loyalty bloc is undecided yet on who to name as the next Prime Minister: Saniora or MP Saad Hariri. "When the majority meets, the matter of the premiership will be discussed, and democratic procedures must be respected. Then, I will consider the matter of my candidacy," Saniora said after meeting President Suleiman. The Future parliamentary bloc held a three-hour meeting Tuesday at the Qoraitem Palace (Hariri's headquarters) to determine its position on their candidate for the premiership. However, the bloc only succeeded in assigning its head MP Saad Hariri to undergo consultations with the rest of the loyalty team before announcing a final decision. The loyalty bloc is still divided on the name of the candidate, MP Hariri or Saniora who, alongside his ministerial team, was praised in the Future statement for " perseverance for three full years." The Future parliamentary bloc contradicted itself when it called to stick to the Doha agreement. It pretended to have forgotten that the accord urges all parties to abandon the language of instigation in the media. The Future statement devoted a large space for expressions such as " Hezbollah's organized aggression, barbaric assault, sectarian sedition scheme, civil war plan, gangs, armed bands," and other terms that contradict the pacific atmosphere that's been prevailing in Lebanon since the Doha agreement was reached.

Hezbollah Commemorates Resistance and Liberation Day

Hezbollah Commemorates Resistance and Liberation Day

Mohamad Shmaysani Readers Number : 1695

26/05/2008 Hezbollah commemorated the eighth anniversary of the Resistance and Liberation Day in a huge central festival in Beirut's southern suburb. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked from across Lebanon into the Raya playground in the Sfeir region. Representatives of President Michel Suleiman and House Speaker Nabih Berri attended the festival alongside diplomatic, political, religious and Hezbollah figures also took part in the annual event. Waiving yellow Hezbollah flags, people chanted Lebanese and Hezbollah anthems and challenged US-sponsored allegations that Hezbollah's popular base has diminished. Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah appeared on a huge screen amid cheers and pledges of allegiance. Sayyed Nasrallah began his speech with praising the martyrs, particularly former Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Abbas Mussawi, Shekh Ragheb Harb and Hajj Imad Moghniyyeh. "Our eighth anniversary coincides with the 60th anniversary of usurping Palestine and the establishment of the oppressive entity. It also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 1978 Israeli invasion to south Lebanon. Hence this is a time to contemplate and draw lessons whether in Lebanon or in the Arab and Israeli worlds." Sayyed Nasrallah said that the resistance has served as an example and a strategy in two areas: "There is a strategy for liberation and removing the occupation, and a strategy of defending the homeland and people in the face of aggressiveness, threats and an invasion…This is our message today to Lebanon and the Arab and Islamic worlds; it's a joint message by the resistance in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq to the whole nation. When Israel invaded south Lebanon in 1978, UNSC resolution 425 was issued, we waited for its implementation and we bargained on the international community. In Lebanon, there were suggestions that a united Arab strategy be formed to confront the aggression. None of this happened, neither by the international community nor by Arab governments that had abandoned the choice of confrontation. Imam Mussa Sadr here in Lebanon had established the choice of resistance with the help of southerners and of course trust in Almighty Allah." The Hezbollah chief elaborated saying that the consequences of the wrong choices saw Israel deeming Lebanon a weak state and invaded it in 1982, "thus creating a second Arab Nakba (Catastrophe). "The Lebanese were divided into: a neutral group, a second unconcerned group, a third group of cheap collaborators, a fourth group that had intersecting interests with the Israelis, a fifth already defeated group that was looking forward to cooperate with the occupation on any level in the framework of cutting losses, a sixth group that, politically and through the media, rejects occupation and a seventh group that believes that its national, religious and moral obligation is to take up arms and liberate the country regardless of the price; this is the group of the resistance." Sayyed Nasrallah stressed such division resulted in a lack of consensus on the resistance. "I tell anyone whose country is under occupation: Don't wait for consensus…take up your arms and head to liberation. This is what happened in Lebanon. The resistance that constituted a part of the Lebanese people depended on its will and the strength of its fighters in the battlefield. The Arab and Islamic worlds should have helped them, but many of these governments lagged behind, however Syria and Iran spearheaded the countries that assisted the resistance and consequently the historic victory in 2000; a clear victory for Lebanon, the resistance, the Arabs and the Umma. It was also a clear defeat to Israel and its "from-Euphrates-to-Nile- Rivers" scheme in the region. The strategy of liberation adopted by the resistance was successful while the strategy of negotiations failed to gain back an inch of Lebanese land and the strategy of wait-and-see was making the enemy stronger." The Secretary General set other examples. "In 1948, the Palestinians were waiting in vain for their Arab brethren to form a unified Arab strategy or for the international community to act. The Palestinian resistance was the reason why the world woke up to the fact that there is a Palestinian cause. Every achievement was the achievement of the resistance. The big achievement was in blockaded Gaza where the resistance managed to defeat the occupation and forced it to withdraw unconditionally. "The Gaza Strip is fighting Israel just as we did. The strategy of resistance succeeded in Lebanon and will succeed in Gaza too. In occupied Iraq, there are those who believe in resistance and others in politics…Today, you must take the decisive position. The resistance has been dealing severe blows to the US occupation army. Iraq is called to follow the strategy of the resistance." Sayyed Nasrallah added that Hezbollah has also presented a defensive pattern. "Israeli judge Winograd wondered in his report how a few thousand men defeated Israel and withstood week of fighting. Your steadfastness, the blood of your martyrs and the resistance have decreased the possibility of war in the region between Israel and Iran or Israel and Syria. I tell whoever is bargaining on a US or Israeli strike on Lebanon, we fought in 2006 and we will fight in any coming war…I tell (US President George W.) Bush and (US Secretary of State) Condoleezza Rice, who spoke of Hezbollah's defeat, that as long as Hezbollah relies on Allah and his people, you are the ones who will be defeated," he stated. His eminence called on this occasion all Arab people to reconsider the resistance's strategy of defense and liberation. "In Lebanon, we talk about defense. What we need now is a liberation strategy for the Shebaa Farms, Kafarshouba Farms and the detainees in Israeli jails. The prisoners are our commitment and Samir Kuntar and his brothers will soon return to Lebanon." "On the 25th of May 2000, I stood in Bint Jbeil and declared this a victory for all the Lebanese, the Palestinians and the whole Umma. I said that what we did was our duty and we don't ask for anything in return. We called upon the authorities to take their responsibilities in all of the country. We did not prosecute the collaborators and we had no armed appearance. We asked them to take care of south Lebanon and the deprived regions like Baalbek and Hermel. We did not ask for reshaping the regime or the Taef Accord. We did not ask for anything. They argue that the resistance in France laid down its arms after liberation. I tell them that throughout history, every victorious resistance in every country took the reins of power, but we did not ask for that. I renew my position today: we do not want to share power in Lebanon and we don’t want to rule the country or impose our thoughts on the people," his eminence stressed. "They speak of a coup and bringing back Syria into Lebanon. They also said that Hezbollah is fighting for the sake of Iran's nuclear program. When the "government" revoked its two black decisions the opposition proved in Doha that it does not want to monopolize power and did not raise the ceiling of demands. We went there to save Lebanon from sedition and (David) Welch's) hot summer. We did not employ what happened recently in politicas and we did not ask for political gains. Isn't this enough for those who accuse us of dreaming of power and authority? From the pride Dahiyeh, I renew my call for a national partnership where there is no victor and no vanquished…Hezbollah does not want power over Lebanon, nor does it want to control Lebanon or govern the country for we believe that Lebanon is a special, pluralistic country. The existence of this country only comes about through coexistence, and this is what we are demanding," he said. "I am in front of two options: Either I explain what happened before the two black decision were taken, and I don't wish to do that, or I delay discussing the matter, and this is not fair. But I choose to delay the discussion, however I say that there are deep wounds on both sides, so either we irritate the wounds or we swathe them. I suggest the second option. We should draw lessons. Let us postpone this until the wounds are healed and a new phase in the country begins," Sayyed Nasrallah said. His eminence thanked Arabs, especially Qatar, the Arab Ministerial Committee, Syria and Iran, and everyone who contributed in making the Doha Agreement that ended the Lebanese crisis a concrete reality. On the arms of the resistance, Sayyed Nasrallah said: "I today reaffirm the Doha agreement clause that precludes the use of arms to attain political goals. When we go to discussion, we will discuss this. The resistance’s arms are to fight the enemy, liberate lands and prisoners, and defend Lebanon – and for nothing else. The government’s arms, or the army and armed forces, is also to defend the nation, the people and their rights, the government, and to maintain security. The government’s arms cannot be used to settle accounts with a political opposition team. The government’s arms cannot be used for foreign projects that prevent Lebanon from facing Israel. The government’s arms cannot be used to nail the resistance and its arms. All arms must remain at the service of the goal they were created for." The Hezbollah chief stressed the electoral law that has been reached gives better representation that previous ones, and particularly the 2000 law. "We do not claim that this is the ideal law. This is a law that we all agreed on to bring Lebanon out of the crisis. We hope that a time would come when the Lebanese discuss an up-to-date electoral law to build a state. Those who do not want to build a state are unveiled when they approach the issue of the electoral law," his eminence said. Sayyed Nasrallah also said that the election of General Michel Suleiman as President renews hope among the Lebanese for a new stage. The presidential oath we heard Sunday reflects the spirit of agreement President Suleiman had promised. What Lebanon needs is agreement, participation and cooperation. "When I addressed you in the Riyad el-Soloh Square and promise you victory again, I did not mean the victory of one group on the other, I meant the formation of a national unity government; the victory of May 25, 2000, as well as the victory of July 2006, and the accomplishment in Doha. I promise that the opposition’s representation in the government will not be limited to Hezbollah, Amal and the Change and Reform bloc. We will give other opposition parties shares – and unfortunately we must speak of shares – even if it is at the expense of Hezbollah’s shares." Sayyed Nasrallah called on "party of former Prime Minister Martyr Rafiq Hariri" to benefit from "the experience of this great man (Rafiq Hariri). " Whoever is loyal to the martyred Premier must preserve his loyalty. We do not want monopoly or alliance; what we want is cooperation and participation as widely as possible. "There are many names to be thanked today and I apologize for not naming them. It's a long list, and I thank them for their courageous stances. We thank the Sunni leaderships in Lebanon and the Islamic world because they thwarted the US project which sought to portray any struggle as a sectarian struggle. We thank the Druze leadership for their courageous, wise stances ... for their refused to define the struggle as a Shiite-Druze struggle. We thank the Christian leadership that stressed the struggle was political, not confessional. We have lost 14 martyrs whom we are proud of, and there are martyrs from the Lebanese Brigades to Resist the Occupation, the Amal Movement , the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, the Democratic Party and other opposition loyalists from all religions. We are proud of all these martyrs. We feel the pain of the victims of the other team as well. The comfort to the families of both sides is that the blood of their children saved Lebanon from the dark tunnel. We the martyrs, for they have put Lebanon before a new summer and a new phase. From our beloved Beirut to the Mount Lebanon, from the South to every area in Lebanon, you have the love and appreciation of the resistance on the anniversary of the liberation of Lebanon," Sayyed Nasrallah concluded.

Al-Manar; Channel of Resistance, Arab and Free people

Al-Manar; Channel of Resistance, Arab and Free people

Hanan Awarekeh Readers Number : 406

26/05/2008 May 25, 2000, is not only Resistance and Liberation Day, it is also the 8th anniversary of Al-Manar broadcast via satellite and the 17th anniversary of Al-Manar as a local channel. Al-Manar satellite channel was launched in 2000 in correspondence with the Resistance and Liberation Day. It was projected as the “Resistance and Liberation Channel." The goal of broadcasting via satellite was to introduce the resistance as a practice and a culture to the world, to promote the concept of victory in the wake of the 2000 Israeli withdrawal and to support Palestinians in occupied territories. "Four months after the beginning of Al-Manar's satellite broadcast, the second Intifada started in occupied Palestine. Al-Manar considers the Palestinian cause as its central cause and dedicates itself to it. The main objective in 2000 was to promote the notion of victory, since it was the first victory on Israel. The role Al-Manar was playing infuriated Israel as well as Zionist and Jewish lobbies across the globe," Yusuf Wehbe, the head of the Al-Manar's internet department said. With success after success, the channel faced many obstacles to prevent it from reaching some countries or even continents. The Zionist lobby exerted tremendous efforts to label the channel as anti-Semitic and as a result Al-Manar was banned in France and other parts of Europe. Later on, the USA labeled al-Manar as a terrorist organization; an unprecedented move against a media outlet. As determined as ever, Al-Manar continued to broadcast and make the peoples around the world hear its voice and the voice of the oppressed Palestinians and Iraqis. In 2006, the channel faced its hardest challenge yet; Israel launched its barbaric aggression against Lebanon. The Zionist lobby failed to silence Al-Manar through international corridors, so US-Zionist bombs sought to literarily destroy the channel once and for all. Israeli warplanes bombed Al-Manar TV building in Haret Hreik during the first days of the July war and the building collapsed entirely. However, the broadcast of the local and satellite channels never stopped and continued to defy the Israeli aggression from substitute studios. Al-Manar played a significant role during the war that eventually ended in a shameful defeat to the Israelis and their allies. To confront anti Manar TV campaigns, the channel's management enhanced Al-Manar's fledgling internet site which was transmitting minute by minute news of the war. The Israeli targeting of Dahyieh and south Lebanon did not prevent Al-Manar's technicians from activating the live streaming service on the internet. "The site has been operating since 1996, but back then, it was just a site for Al-Manar. By 2005, Al-Manar.com.lb was becoming a news site because the satellite channel was blocked in some countries. In 2006, the live streaming service was activated and since then Al-Manar can be watched and read anywhere and anytime," Wehbe said. Seventeen years on, Al-Manar continues to be the beacon of Arabs and Muslims, the channel of the resistance, the channel of the free people in the world and the channel of truth.

Iran FM Backs Lebanon President, Denounces US Meddling

Iran FM Backs Lebanon President, Denounces US Meddling

Readers Number : 508

26/05/2008 Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Monday welcomed the election of Lebanon's new president as a first step toward stability in the country and denounced US meddling in the region. Mottaki, who spoke before leaving Beirut where he attended a parliament session on Sunday to elect army Chief Michel Sleiman president, said Iran had stood by a Qatari mediation to end Lebanon's long-running political crisis. When the talks had stumbled in the Qatari capital, Doha, Tehran had urged the ruling bloc and the opposition to continue with dialogue, he said. "The first fruit borne (from the Doha deal) has been the election of Sleiman," Mottaki told reporters. Mottaki brushed aside accusations that Tehran meddled in Lebanese affairs pointing the finger instead at Washington. "US President George W. Bush is the one meddling in Lebanese affairs when he encourages the ruling bloc to elect a president with a simple majority," he said. He was referring to statements by the US administration which had said it would back the ruling coalition in Lebanon if it went ahead with a simple majority vote in parliament to end a presidential void. "The Americans must correct their mistakes in the region and we must teach them to listen," Mottaki said. Sleiman was elected president with 118 votes in the 127-member parliament.

Suleiman Officially in Charge, Prepares to Form Gov't

Suleiman Officially in Charge, Prepares to Form Gov't

Readers Number : 465

26/05/2008 Lebanon's newly elected president Michel Suleiman prepared to launch consultations on forming a national unity government on Monday as he began his first full day in office. Suleiman, 59, was greeted with a 21-gun salute as he took up residence in the Baabda presidential palace, which had been left vacant during six months of political crisis that left Lebanon without a head of state. After surveying the republican guard and listening to the national anthem, a smiling Suleiman took his seat in the presidential chair. The national flag, emblazoned with the cedar emblem, was also raised over the presidential palace in the outskirts of Beirut. Suleiman, who was commander-in-chief of the armed forces, appealed for unity and national dialogue in his inaugural speech on Sunday which was endorsed by Lebanese parties and the international community. "Let us unite... and work towards a solid reconciliation," Suleiman said. "We have paid dearly for our national unity. Let us preserve it hand-in-hand." Suleiman's main challenge this week will be to form the promised government of national unity which was one of the key planks of the deal which the Lebanese parties reached in Qatar last week to end the crisis. The so-called March 14 bloc was expected to hold consultations on Monday on whom to nominate for the premiership - either Fouad Saniora or MP Saad Hariri. WORLD HAILS LEBANON VOTE AS FIRST STEP TO RECONCILIATION Meanwhile, the international community hailed the election of Michel Suleiman as Lebanon's new president on Sunday as a crucial first step in reuniting the divided nation. Indeed, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he hoped the "historic" vote would lead to the "revitalization of all of Lebanon's constitutional institutions and a return to political dialogue." He called on all Lebanese parties to press ahead together in consolidating the sovereignty, stability and political independence of the Lebanese state. For his part, US President George W. Bush said he looked forward to "an era of political reconciliation" in Lebanon, adding that he was confident that "Lebanon has chosen a leader committed to protecting its sovereignty, extending the government's authority over all of Lebanon, and upholding Lebanon's international obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions." The European Union's Slovenian presidency congratulated all parties involved "for the first step" towards ending the political deadlock, saying Suleiman's election "paves the way for the full resumption and functioning of the democratic institutions." Meanwhile, Spain's Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos hailed the role of Syria in the process, the official Sana news agency reported in Damascus. At a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem, Moratinos said Syria "helped in the realization of the Lebanese accord." French President Nicolas Sarkozy pledged full support for Suleiman and said he hoped the election would allow Lebanon to take a significant step forward and "confront the challenges that await." British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the election was "an important step forward." He vowed to continue to support Lebanon's stability, integrity and independence. "We look forward to president Suleiman working with a unity government to bring Lebanon out of its current fragility," he added. German President Horst Koehler said he welcomed "this bold step" towards resolving Lebanon's political crisis and wished Suleiman luck in his new role. "I wish you lots of success, the necessary strength and good luck for the big challenges that lie ahead of you," he said in a statement. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said his country "stands ready to assist the Lebanese government in any way possible," adding that Suleiman had "tremendous experience and the confidence of the Lebanese people." For its part, the Arab community, mainly represented during the vote session, hailed Suleiman's election, vowing to support him. State television in Syria reported that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad had telephoned Suleiman to congratulate him and had promised that Syrian was "at Lebanon's side." It also said Suleiman takes office "with the green light of all Lebanese and enormous Arab and international support. "Lebanon is in its rightful place - a united Arab Lebanon, capable of overcoming deadlock. A resistant Lebanon has elected a new president," said the presenter of state television news. Jordan's King Abdullah II said the vote was a "positive step for the people of Lebanon and for national unity," according to a statement from the royal palace. "Jordan stands alongside the Lebanese in their desire and their efforts to preserve their independence and their stability," he said. Morocco's King Mohammed VI congratulated Suleiman in a message. "Thanks to your wisdom, your skills and human qualities, you are going to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly people of Lebanon in strengthening national unity," he said. Suleiman, Lebanon's army chief for the past 10 years, was sworn in after a parliamentary vote that many hope will turn the page on the 18-month political feud.

Sayyed Nasrallah: Qintar, Brothers to Return Very Soon

Sayyed Nasrallah: Qintar, Brothers to Return Very Soon

Mohamad Shmaysani Readers Number : 6933

26/05/2008 Hezbollah commemorated the eighth anniversary of the Resistance and Liberation Day in a huge central festival in Beirut's southern suburb. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked from across Lebanon into the Raya playground in the Sfeir region. Representatives of President Michel Suleiman and House Speaker Nabih Berri attended the festival alongside diplomatic, political, religious and Hezbollah figures also took part in the annual event. Waiving yellow Hezbollah flags, people chanted Lebanese and Hezbollah anthems and challenged US-sponsored allegations that Hezbollah's popular base has diminished. Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah appeared on a huge screen amid cheers and pledges of allegiance. Sayyed Nasrallah began his speech with praising the martyrs, particularly former Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Abbas Mussawi, Shekh Ragheb Harb and Hajj Imad Moghniyyeh. "Our eighth anniversary coincides with the 60th anniversary of usurping Palestine and the establishment of the oppressive entity. It also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 1978 Israeli invasion to south Lebanon. Hence this is a time to contemplate and draw lessons whether in Lebanon or in the Arab and Israeli worlds." Sayyed Nasrallah said that the resistance has served as an example and a strategy in two areas: "There is a strategy for liberation and removing the occupation, and a strategy of defending the homeland and people in the face of aggressiveness, threats and an invasion…This is our message today to Lebanon and the Arab and Islamic worlds; it's a joint message by the resistance in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq to the whole nation. When Israel invaded south Lebanon in 1978, UNSC resolution 425 was issued, we waited for its implementation and we bargained on the international community. In Lebanon, there were suggestions that a united Arab strategy be formed to confront the aggression. None of this happened, neither by the international community nor by Arab governments that had abandoned the choice of confrontation. Imam Mussa Sadr here in Lebanon had established the choice of resistance with the help of southerners and of course trust in Almighty Allah." The Hezbollah chief elaborated saying that the consequences of the wrong choices saw Israel deeming Lebanon a weak state and invaded it in 1982, "thus creating a second Arab Nakba (Catastrophe). "The Lebanese were divided into: a neutral group, a second unconcerned group, a third group of cheap collaborators, a fourth group that had intersecting interests with the Israelis, a fifth already defeated group that was looking forward to cooperate with the occupation on any level in the framework of cutting losses, a sixth group that, politically and through the media, rejects occupation and a seventh group that believes that its national, religious and moral obligation is to take up arms and liberate the country regardless of the price; this is the group of the resistance." Sayyed Nasrallah stressed such division resulted in a lack of consensus on the resistance. "I tell anyone whose country is under occupation: Don't wait for consensus…take up your arms and head to liberation. This is what happened in Lebanon. The resistance that constituted a part of the Lebanese people depended on its will and the strength of its fighters in the battlefield. The Arab and Islamic worlds should have helped them, but many of these governments lagged behind, however Syria and Iran spearheaded the countries that assisted the resistance and consequently the historic victory in 2000; a clear victory for Lebanon, the resistance, the Arabs and the Umma. It was also a clear defeat to Israel and its "from-Euphrates-to-Nile- Rivers" scheme in the region. The strategy of liberation adopted by the resistance was successful while the strategy of negotiations failed to gain back an inch of Lebanese land and the strategy of wait-and-see was making the enemy stronger." The Secretary General set other examples. "In 1948, the Palestinians were waiting in vain for their Arab brethren to form a unified Arab strategy or for the international community to act. The Palestinian resistance was the reason why the world woke up to the fact that there is a Palestinian cause. Every achievement was the achievement of the resistance. The big achievement was in blockaded Gaza where the resistance managed to defeat the occupation and forced it to withdraw unconditionally. "The Gaza Strip is fighting Israel just as we did. The strategy of resistance succeeded in Lebanon and will succeed in Gaza too. In occupied Iraq, there are those who believe in resistance and others in politics…Today, you must take the decisive position. The resistance has been dealing severe blows to the US occupation army. Iraq is called to follow the strategy of the resistance." Sayyed Nasrallah added that Hezbollah has also presented a defensive pattern. "Israeli judge Winograd wondered in his report how a few thousand men defeated Israel and withstood week of fighting. Your steadfastness, the blood of your martyrs and the resistance have decreased the possibility of war in the region between Israel and Iran or Israel and Syria. I tell whoever is bargaining on a US or Israeli strike on Lebanon, we fought in 2006 and we will fight in any coming war…I tell (US President George W.) Bush and (US Secretary of State) Condoleezza Rice, who spoke of Hezbollah's defeat, that as long as Hezbollah relies on Allah and his people, you are the ones who will be defeated," he stated. His eminence called on this occasion all Arab people to reconsider the resistance's strategy of defense and liberation. "In Lebanon, we talk about defense. What we need now is a liberation strategy for the Shebaa Farms, Kafarshouba Farms and the detainees in Israeli jails. The prisoners are our commitment and Samir Kuntar and his brothers will soon return to Lebanon." "On the 25th of May 2000, I stood in Bint Jbeil and declared this a victory for all the Lebanese, the Palestinians and the whole Umma. I said that what we did was our duty and we don't ask for anything in return. We called upon the authorities to take their responsibilities in all of the country. We did not prosecute the collaborators and we had no armed appearance. We asked them to take care of south Lebanon and the deprived regions like Baalbek and Hermel. We did not ask for reshaping the regime or the Taef Accord. We did not ask for anything. They argue that the resistance in France laid down its arms after liberation. I tell them that throughout history, every victorious resistance in every country took the reins of power, but we did not ask for that. I renew my position today: we do not want to share power in Lebanon and we don’t want to rule the country or impose our thoughts on the people," his eminence stressed. "They speak of a coup and bringing back Syria into Lebanon. They also said that Hezbollah is fighting for the sake of Iran's nuclear program. When the "government" revoked its two black decisions the opposition proved in Doha that it does not want to monopolize power and did not raise the ceiling of demands. We went there to save Lebanon from sedition and (David) Welch's) hot summer. We did not employ what happened recently in politicas and we did not ask for political gains. Isn't this enough for those who accuse us of dreaming of power and authority? From the pride Dahiyeh, I renew my call for a national partnership where there is no victor and no vanquished…Hezbollah does not want power over Lebanon, nor does it want to control Lebanon or govern the country for we believe that Lebanon is a special, pluralistic country. The existence of this country only comes about through coexistence, and this is what we are demanding," he said. "I am in front of two options: Either I explain what happened before the two black decision were taken, and I don't wish to do that, or I delay discussing the matter, and this is not fair. But I choose to delay the discussion, however I say that there are deep wounds on both sides, so either we irritate the wounds or we swathe them. I suggest the second option. We should draw lessons. Let us postpone this until the wounds are healed and a new phase in the country begins," Sayyed Nasrallah said. His eminence thanked Arabs, especially Qatar, the Arab Ministerial Committee, Syria and Iran, and everyone who contributed in making the Doha Agreement that ended the Lebanese crisis a concrete reality. On the arms of the resistance, Sayyed Nasrallah said: "I today reaffirm the Doha agreement clause that precludes the use of arms to attain political goals. When we go to discussion, we will discuss this. The resistance’s arms are to fight the enemy, liberate lands and prisoners, and defend Lebanon – and for nothing else. The government’s arms, or the army and armed forces, is also to defend the nation, the people and their rights, the government, and to maintain security. The government’s arms cannot be used to settle accounts with a political opposition team. The government’s arms cannot be used for foreign projects that prevent Lebanon from facing Israel. The government’s arms cannot be used to nail the resistance and its arms. All arms must remain at the service of the goal they were created for." The Hezbollah chief stressed the electoral law that has been reached gives better representation that previous ones, and particularly the 2000 law. "We do not claim that this is the ideal law. This is a law that we all agreed on to bring Lebanon out of the crisis. We hope that a time would come when the Lebanese discuss an up-to-date electoral law to build a state. Those who do not want to build a state are unveiled when they approach the issue of the electoral law," his eminence said. Sayyed Nasrallah also said that the election of General Michel Suleiman as President renews hope among the Lebanese for a new stage. The presidential oath we heard Sunday reflects the spirit of agreement President Suleiman had promised. What Lebanon needs is agreement, participation and cooperation. "When I addressed you in the Riyad el-Soloh Square and promise you victory again, I did not mean the victory of one group on the other, I meant the formation of a national unity government; the victory of May 25, 2000, as well as the victory of July 2006, and the accomplishment in Doha. I promise that the opposition’s representation in the government will not be limited to Hezbollah, Amal and the Change and Reform bloc. We will give other opposition parties shares – and unfortunately we must speak of shares – even if it is at the expense of Hezbollah’s shares." Sayyed Nasrallah called on "party of former Prime Minister Martyr Rafiq Hariri" to benefit from "the experience of this great man (Rafiq Hariri). " Whoever is loyal to the martyred Premier must preserve his loyalty. We do not want monopoly or alliance; what we want is cooperation and participation as widely as possible. "There are many names to be thanked today and I apologize for not naming them. It's a long list, and I thank them for their courageous stances. We thank the Sunni leaderships in Lebanon and the Islamic world because they thwarted the US project which sought to portray any struggle as a sectarian struggle. We thank the Druze leadership for their courageous, wise stances ... for their refused to define the struggle as a Shiite-Druze struggle. We thank the Christian leadership that stressed the struggle was political, not confessional. We have lost 14 martyrs whom we are proud of, and there are martyrs from the Lebanese Brigades to Resist the Occupation, the Amal Movement , the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, the Democratic Party and other opposition loyalists from all religions. We are proud of all these martyrs. We feel the pain of the victims of the other team as well. The comfort to the families of both sides is that the blood of their children saved Lebanon from the dark tunnel. We the martyrs, for they have put Lebanon before a new summer and a new phase. From our beloved Beirut to the Mount Lebanon, from the South to every area in Lebanon, you have the love and appreciation of the resistance on the anniversary of the liberation of Lebanon," Sayyed Nasrallah concluded.

Интересные вопросы

Интересные вопросы

- почему "раздельно" пишется в одно слово, в то время как "в одно слово" пишется раздельно?
- каким образом вирусам, не имеющим половых органов, удалось так затрахать все население?
- каким образом слепой человек во время посещения туалета определяет, достаточно ли тщательно он подтерся?
- может ли создавшееся в результате ядерного взрыва магнитное поле уничтожить все мои видеозаписи?
- почему никто не выпускает корм для кошек со вкусом мышей?
- балерины всегда танцуют на цыпочках, а не проще было бы набрать более высоких балерин?
- если я хочу приобрести себе новый бумеранг, то как мне избавиться от старого?
- будут ли функционировать фары космического корабля, если его разогнать до скорости света?

Suleiman Elected as Lebanon President with 118 Votes

Suleiman Officially Declared President with 118 Votes

Suleiman Elected as Lebanon President with 118 Votes

Hanan Awarekeh Readers Number : 622

25/05/2008 After six month of vacancy, Lebanon elected on Sunday its President amid tight security to vote in a much-delayed parliamentary session being attended by 200 guests including Arab and Western dignitaries, following a deal hammered out Wednesday in Qatar between rival Lebanese politicians. Presidency seat has been vacant since Emile Lahoud's term ended in November, and 19 previous attempts to get lawmakers together to elect a successor failed. General Michel Suleiman was officially declared as the president of the country with 118 votes. Of the 127 MPs who voted, six cast blank ballots and several others voted for other politicians. Parliament held two sessions Sunday afternoon – the first elected a President and the second devoted to oath-taking – and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri will set a date for another session to approve electoral law amendment. Lebanon's new president Michel Suleiman appealed for unity as he was sworn in on Sunday in a first step towards defusing a political feud. "Let us unite... and work towards a solid reconciliation," the former army chief said after being elected by parliament. "We have paid dearly for our national unity. Let us preserve it hand-in-hand." Celebratory shots were fired into the air and cars horns hooted as crowds of people, cheering and waving Lebanese flags, poured into the streets of Beirut and Suleiman's hometown of Amsheet. "I call upon all of you, politicians and citizens, to start a new phase called Lebanon and the Lebanese... in order to achieve the interests of the nation," he said. Suleiman said Lebanon's weapons should only be directed at the enemy and not elsewhere. He also said he would seek friendly relations with Syria. "We cherish our relationship with Arab countries and seek brotherly ties with Syria based on mutual sovereignty and independence," Suleiman said. He also vowed to protect the country's constitution, sovereignty and independence and urged the Lebanese to put their differences aside to bring about a new era. "I swear by God almighty that I will respect Lebanon's constitution and its rules and that I will protect the sovereignty of Lebanon and the security of its territory," he said. "In this new era, we will commit to a national plan ... in which the country's interests will be a priority over factional and sectarian interests." Suleiman called for adopting a defense strategy so that accomplishments of the resistance would not get lost adding that it is important to address continued violations of its territory by Israel and to liberate the disputed Shebaa Farms territory. "The Shebaa Farms remain under occupation and because of continued threats and violations of our sovereignty by Israel, we must draw up a national defense strategy to protect the country," the new president said. "This is a historic moment," said parliament speaker Nabih Berri. "I ask God to help you succeed in steering the Lebanese ship to a safe haven... today no-one in the world can turn Lebanon into a killing field." Berri addressed house, congratulated Suleiman for his election consensus president. The main challenge for Sleiman, 59, will be to impose himself as a neutral figure and reconcile the ruling bloc and the national opposition. After Sleiman was sworn in, the unconstitutional government of Fouad Saniora resigned in line with the constitution but will stay on in a caretaker role. Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and a U.S. congressional delegation arrived in Beirut to attend the election. The U.S. delegation is headed by Representative Nick Rahall, a West Virginia Democrat of Lebanese origin. The foreign ministers of Syria, Iran, Saudi, Italy and France are also among the 200 notables invited and they arrived in the Lebanese capital to witness the event. Kuwait's Parliament Speaker Jassem al-Kharafi arrived at Beirut airport and was received by Speaker Berri. Emir of Qatar addressed the Parliament. He said the concept of no conqueror, no vanquished cannot settle disputes, adding that Lebanon emerged victorious and the internal dispute was conquered. He also said electing Suleiman is the first step of the Doha Accord that should be implemented. The resistance was important two years ago and the prevailing wisdom by the Lebanese leaders is important now, the Emir of Qatar said. He said the Arab Order emerged victorious through the Doha Accord. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr welcomed the vote. "Attaining calm and security in this country is attaining calm and security on the level of the region as a whole," said Mottaki. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner welcomed Sunday's vote, however he said, "We would have wished for things to proceed more smoothly, more democratically," Kouchner told reporters. "But this is Lebanon and we are happy nonetheless. Suleiman is the third army chief to become president after Fouad Chehab in 1958-1964 and Lahoud, who was elected in 1998 but whose term was extended by three years under a constitutional amendment in 2004.

Lebanese MPs Gather to Elect Suleiman as President

Lebanese MPs Gather to Elect Suleiman as President

Hanan Awarekeh Readers Number : 307

25/05/2008 Lebanese lawmakers gathered to elect army Chief Michel Suleiman as president on Sunday in a first step towards ending a crippling political crisis and ending the term of the vacant presidency seat. Parliament convened amid tight security to vote in a much-delayed session being attended by 200 guests including Arab and Western dignitaries, following a deal hammered out Wednesday in Qatar between rival Lebanese politicians. Parliament will hold two sessions today – the first to elect a President and the second to be devoted to oath-taking – and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri will set a date for another session to approve electoral law amendment. Presidency seat has been vacant since Emile Lahoud's term ended in November, and 19 previous attempts to get lawmakers together to elect a successor failed. Last Wednesday, the feuding sides finally agreed to elect Suleiman and form a national unity government, after five days of talks brokered by the Arab League in the Qatari capital. Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and a U.S. congressional delegation arrived in Beirut to attend the election. The U.S. delegation is headed by Representative Nick Rahall, a West Virginia Democrat of Lebanese origin. The foreign ministers of Syria, Iran, Saudi, Italy and France are also among the 200 notables invited and they arrived in the Lebanese capital to witness the event. Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani is due to address the 128-seat parliament on Sunday, and other guests including Mussa who helped broker the Doha accord. "Attaining calm and security in this country is attaining calm and security on the level of the region as a whole," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters on arrival in Beirut. Kuwait's Parliament Speaker Jassem al-Kharafi arrived at Beirut airport and was received by Speaker Berri. Al-Kharafi said efforts would be exerted to shepherd success of the Doha Accord. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner welcomed Sunday's vote, however he said, "We would have wished for things to proceed more smoothly, more democratically," Kouchner told reporters. "But this is Lebanon and we are happy nonetheless. In nearly 10 years at the helm of the army, Suleiman managed to stay out of the political storm. But as president he will have to tread a fine line to keep the peace with the same neutrality. "I cannot save the country on my own," he told local media this week. "This mission requires the efforts of all. Security is not achieved by force but joint political will." A career soldier, Suleiman joined the army in 1967. He was appointed military chief in December 1998. He is married and has three children.

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Suleiman Officially Declared President with 118 Votes

MY LEBANON

HAPPY ANNYVERSARY, LEBANON, WITH DEFEAT OF ISRAEL! :)

Berri Takes Swipe at US Policy in Mideast

Berri Takes Swipe at US Policy in Mideast

Readers Number : 971

25/05/2008 Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri took a swipe at the United States on Sunday following the election of a new president, saying that Lebanon was not a playground for Washington's policy in the region. Berri thanked various countries, including Russia, France, Italy, Spain as well as the Arab League for their help in bringing an end to the long-running crisis between the Lebanese rivals. But he singled out Washington saying: "I thank the United States nonetheless, seeing that it seems to have been convinced that Lebanon is not the appropriate place for its plan for the greater Middle East region. "This plan in our opinion has no proper place for the birth pangs or the birth of a new Middle East," he added. He was referring to comments made by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who described the plight of Lebanon during Israeli aggression against Lebanon in July 2006, as part of the "birth pangs of a new Middle East".

Lebanon's General Suleiman Set to Become President

Lebanon's General Suleiman Set to Become President

Readers Number : 24

25/05/2008 Parliament will meet on Sunday to elect army commander Gen. Michel Suleiman as Lebanon President. Lawmakers will gather at 5:00 p.m. (1400 GMT) to cast their votes at a long-awaited parliamentary session due to be attended by 200 invited guests including Arab and Western dignitaries. Presidency seat has been vacant since Emile Lahoud's term ended in November, and 19 previous attempts to get lawmakers together to elect a successor failed. Last Wednesday, the feuding sides finally agreed to elect Suleiman and form a national unity government, after five days of talks brokered by the Arab League in the Qatari capital. Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and a U.S. congressional delegation are due to attend the election. The foreign ministers of Syria, Iran and France are also among the 200 notables invited to witness the event. The U.S. delegation will be headed by Representative Nick Rahall, a West Virginia Democrat of Lebanese origin. In nearly 10 years at the helm of the army, Suleiman managed to stay out of the political storm. But as president he will have to tread a fine line to keep the peace with the same neutrality. "I cannot save the country on my own," he told local media this week. "This mission requires the efforts of all. Security is not achieved by force but joint political will." A career soldier, Suleiman joined the army in 1967. He was appointed military chief in December 1998. He is married and has three children.

part V - May 25; Resistance and Liberation Day

May 25; Resistance and Liberation Day

Batoul Wehbe Readers Number : 338

24/05/2008 FIRST ISRAELI DEFEAT SINCE START OF ARAB ISRAELI CONFLICT On the fourth day of liberation, the released detainees from the Khiam detention center headed to the capital Beirut, precisely to Haret Hreik in its southern suburb. A very big celebration was held in the Shoura square where Hezbollah Secretary General praised the first glorious victory of its kind since the beginning of the Arab – Israeli conflict. "We are gathered here celebrating the freedom that we took by ourselves; it was not a present from anybody, neither from Israel, the coward fleeing collaborator Antoine Lahd, the United Nations, the Security Council, nor the international community, while the Israeli have gathered journalists to photograph their last humiliated soldier getting out of our land and closing the gate behind him," Sayyed Nasrallah Said. "What happened today was not a complete pullout. Part of our land is still occupied (Shebaa Farms) and Lebanese men are still in Israeli jails," he added. The enemy acknowledged before the friend that what Lebanon had witnessed in May 2000, was an historic and unprecedented event in the decades long Arab conflict with Israel. Like every historic event, the day of Resistance and liberation had left its impact on political and social levels in Lebanon, the region and the world. In Lebanon, the frustration of the people, due to 22 years of Israeli occupation and disregarded international resolutions, changed into belief that they have enough power to thwart any scheme against Lebanon, even if they were as big as Israeli and US schemes. On the other hand, the liberation of most of south Lebanon reformed political trends as the conception of resisting the occupation proved efficient after it was doubted that it could ever accomplish such results. Analysts believe that the liberation was the impetus behind the second Palestinian Intifada in September 2000, at a time Israeli Palestinian negotiations over Palestinian rights were ruled by Israeli dictations. Today is the eighth anniversary of the Resistance and Liberation; a day of pride and glory the current unconstitutional government took off the calendar of official holidays in 2006. Six year later, Israel will acknowledge its first defeat in a 33-day war that exhausted both military and political commands, in their war on Hezbollah to crush it militarily. Today, on the eighth anniversary of this historic day, the resistance and with it all the honest Lebanese, has thwarted another attempt to target its arms that liberated the land, freed the detainees and continues to deter Israel as it did in August 2006; a date that marked the beginning of the countdown to Israel's imminent and undoubted end. On the eighth anniversary, we say to Sayyed Nasrallah, to the martyrs, to their leader Imad Moghniyeh, to the long suffering injured fighters and civilians, to Hezbollah's community, to the steadfast people in Lebanon, to the raised hands across the world praying for the resistance, to all resistance movements in the world: ((And how many cities, with more power than thy city which has driven thee out, have We destroyed? And there was none to aid them)) Muhammad V13

Where Are Ruling Bloc Christians From Doha Accord?

Where Are Ruling Bloc Christians From Doha Accord?

Readers Number : 94

23/05/2008 What did the Christians in the ruling bloc get from the Doha agreement? And what was the role they played in producing this agreement? Questions and questions are being raised in the Christian community in light of the agreement signed between Lebanese rival leaders on Wednesday, after five days of talks. Indeed, it was clear through all negotiations that preceded the birth of the Doha document that the concentration was on MP Saad Hariri's political position, regardless of his allies who, more or less, abandoned him during the latest Beirut incidents. Member of Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Nabil Nicolas told Al-Manar TV that Hariri's allies didn't actually play any role during the talks. He stressed Hariri's only concern was aimed at preserving the largest parliamentary seats for himself only. Analyst Joseph Abu Fadel agreed with Nicolas and added that those allies turned out to be a burden on Hariri's shoulders. Abu Fadel expected that Hariri, who's nowadays reconsidering his political choices, would give them up. So, Hariri did his best to resolve Beirut's electoral problem in a way that more or less fits him, leaving his Christian allies, mainly the Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces, prisoners of a severe electoral battle in their only stronghold, Bsherri, in north Lebanon. The results were forecasted by observers: Lebanese Forces would not gain more than two parliamentary seats at best. The same also goes for the other Christian figures in the ruling bloc. In this context, Abu Fadel, a Christian, called Carlos Eddeh, Dori Chamoun, Samir Franjieh, and Nayla Moawwad to apologize from Christians, saying that they became out of place and time. A reality that produced international changes has caused the Lebanese allies to abandon each other and the regional and international allies, like Uncle Sam, to do the same. Abu Fadel pointed out that the US tutelage appeared to have given them "muscles of cotton," not real and strong ones. MP Nicolas also said that his bloc had always warned the ruling camp that strength comes from the support of the people, not the outside. Meanwhile, the Doha agreement is believed to have returned to Christians, thanks to the alliance between the Free Patriotic Movement and the national opposition, namely Hezbollah, their right to be properly represented in Parliament as their number has doubled and their seat in Parliament will be determined by Christian votes.