Warning: Undefined array key "rbname" in /data/rantburg.com/www/pgrecentorg.php on line 14
Hello !

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Aoun may stay in Baabda or form military govt

2022-08-25

[An Nahar] President Michel Aoun ...president of Leb, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah... may stay in the Baabda Palace following the end of his presidential term in order not to cede his powers to a caretaker cabinet, senior Free Patriotic Movement Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic... sources have said. "We will not accept, in any way, the remaining of the caretaker cabinet should we reach presidential vacuum, and we will not accept the scheme of Speaker Nabih Knobby Berri ...Speaker of the Lebanese parliament, head of the Amal Shiite party aligned with Hezbollah, a not very subtle sock puppet of the Medes and Persians... and PM-designate Najib Mikati that is based on ambiguous constitutional edicts," the sources told al-Akhbar newspaper in remarks published Wednesday. "The choices are open before us, topped by the choice which neither us nor President Aoun want, which is his staying at the presidential palace, should Mikati fail to form a government before that," the sources added. They also noted that such a choice might not be more controversial than "the caretaker cabinet’s inheritance of the president’s powers." "Such an orientation will find support among a lot of Christian forces who reject infringement on the powers of the top Christian position, and Bkirki is certainly among them," the sources added. Sources close to the FPM meanwhile told al-Akhbar that Aoun has two other options. "The first is revoking Mikati’s designation and inviting parliament to new consultations to pick another premier who can form a government quickly, although this option needs a Sunni partner and may spark a crisis with the Sunni community," the sources said. "There is also a choice for him to follow the example of (former) president Amin Gemayel, who formed in the last minutes of his term on Sep. 22, 1988 a military government to which he ceded the presidential powers, amid the presence of a resigned government that was led by ex-PM Salim al-Hoss, without that meaning that Aoun is compelled that such a government be a military one," the sources added.

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Christians in Lebanon Take Precautionary Measures, Fear Expansion of ISIL

2014-08-17

[AnNahar] Following the latest incidents in the northeastern border town of Arsal, fears that they could be the next target for the terrorist ISIL organization compelled the Christians in Leb to take precautionary protective measures, the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat reported on Saturday. Unless they are prepared to meet violence with considerably greater violence, all their precautions will just tell them when it's too late to do anything about it. The latest developments in Iraq where hundreds of thousands of Christians and Yazidis have been displaced, aggravated fears that the the Christian community in Leb would face the same fate. More than one million and 154,000 Syrian refugees currently live in Leb, and are a source of fear for Christians who are a minority compared to the number of Shiites and Sunnis. The above compelled the municipalities in different Lebanese regions to take precautionary measures and monitor the movement of refugees, in a bid to stop any similar incidents to those that erupted in Arsal. Arsal, whose residents have been broadly supportive of the rebellion against Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad Oppressor of the Syrians and the Lebs... , is currently playing host to 47,000 Syrian refugees. Many of them sought refuge there after Syrian government troops ousted rebels from the Qalamun region over the border. From August 2 to 6, Arsal was the scene of fierce festivities between army troops and jihadists who came over from Syria. The Lebanese Army, security forces and the municipal police upped security measures on Friday around houses of worship as the Christian community marked the Assumption of Virgin Mary Day. Christian areas, like other Lebanese regions host hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees most of whom live in popular residential areas that have been raided lately by security forces in search of wanted individuals. According to head of the Dekwaneh municipality Antoine Shakhtura, where the majority are Christians, "around 10,000 Syrian refugees living in the area have filled paper forms in the framework of organizing the Syrian presence," a move initiated by the municipality and criticized later by media. Furthermore, several christian villages on the north borders of the country tasked the youths with watching the entrances, major roads and even the valleys of the area which may constitute a point of attraction to terrorist. The main Christian parties, in particular the Free Patriotic Movement Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic... led by MP Michel Aoun ...a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah... , Lebanese Forces A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb... led by Samir Geagea ... Geagea was imprisoned by the Syrians and their puppets for 11 years in a dungeon in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. He was released after the Cedar Revolution in 2005 ... , Kataeb Party led by former President Amin Gemayel and the Marada Movement the personal militia of Suleiman Franjieh, president of Lebanon at the outbreak of the civil war, currently Syrian toadies, but you never know when that could change... led by MP Suleiman Franjieh, are following up closely on the matter. Unlike all other christian leaders, Geagea appeased the Lebanese in an interview on Friday saying that the the ISIL is a "big lie" that will disappear as fast as it grew. "The ISIL is not an existential danger in Leb or the Middle East. What changed the equation in Iraq is the fragmented political situation that led to the creation of the ISIL. While in Leb, there is a state that exists and an army that contained the Arsal incidents with its capabilities."

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Geagea Suggests Aoun Runs against Him or Agrees on Consensual Candidate

2014-05-30

[An Nahar] Lebanese Forces A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb... leader and presidential candidate Samir Geagea ... Geagea was imprisoned by the Syrians and their puppets for 11 years in a dungeon in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. He was released after the Cedar Revolution in 2005 ... presented his political rival MP Michel Aoun ...a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah... with two suggestions in an attempt to end the impasse, calling on the Free Patriotic Movement Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic... chief to either run against him for office or to meet and agree on a consensual nominee, media reports said on Thursday. Al-Liwaa newspaper quoted a Maronite leader as saying that Geagea informed a delegation of the sect's institutions that he has two suggestions to Aoun. "He said he can either meet with Aoun and agree together on a nominee other than the four top Maronite politicians, or that the FPM chief can run against him for office," the Maronite leader told the daily. "And if Aoun wins (the presidential race), I will be the first person to congratulate him," Geagea said according to the same source. Radio Voice of Leb (93.3) reported on Thursday that the Maronite institutions met with Aoun at his residence in al-Metn's Rabieh neighborhood. They had met with Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel on Wednesday and are scheduled to hold talks with Marada Movement the personal militia of Suleiman Franjieh, president of Lebanon at the outbreak of the civil war, currently Syrian toadies, but you never know when that could change... head MP Suleiman Franjieh over the presidential vote. Their talks will conclude with a meeting with Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi after he returns from his controversial visit to Jerusalem. Lawmakers failed for the fifth time last week in electing a new head of state over differences between the rival March 8 and March 14 camps. The March 14 alliance supports the LF chief for office, who managed to gather 48 votes in the first wound of votes. Meanwhile, ...back at the Esquimeau village Jack was learning how to rub noses with Nootka's wife...... the March 8 forces ... the opposition to the Mar. 14th movement, consisting of Hizbullah and its allies, so-called in commemoration of their Mar. 8th, 2006 demonstration of strength in Beirut ... have not yet announced their candidate and Aoun has repeatedly insisted that he will only take part in the presidential race if he was declared a consensual candidate, mainly by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri Second son of Rafik Hariri, the Leb PM who was assassinated in 2005. He has was prime minister in his own right from 2009 through early 2011. He was born in Riyadh to an Iraqi mother and graduated from Georgetown University. He managed his father's business interests in Riyadh until his father's assassination. When his father died he inherited a fortune of some $4.1 billion, which won't do him much good if Hizbullah has him bumped off, too. 's al-Mustaqbal ... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri... bloc.

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Jumblat to Quit Political Activity as Taymour Begins Preparations for Parliamentary Life

2014-05-16

The end of an era, or periodic ritual postiring? [AnNahar] Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Wally Jumblat ... Druze politician, head of the Progressive Socialist Party, who's been on every side in Leb at least four times. He'll sell you his friends for a dollar, but family comes higher because of shipping and handling... said that he will end his political activity at the end of the current parliamentary term as he "is seriously considering not to run for the elections." "I will be folding my political page and my voting for a new head of state would be my last," Jumblat said in an interview with the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat. He pointed out that his son Taymour is preparing himself to run for the parliamentary elections and running the affairs of al-Mukhtara. "Everything will be announced in its time," Jumblat noted. The Druze leader said that he will remain at the helm of the PSP as his term ends in two years. "After 37 years in politics I have had a rich experience, which included some black marks, but it's up to history to write it... I will not write my biography... Let others do," Jumblat said. He stressed that he "will not run for a parliamentary seat but will continue as a political observer." In 2011, Taymour was appointed as a "guiding member" of the party, in a step that would allow him to later run for its leadership council and consequently head the party. "I am not ashamed... My conscience is at ease," the PSP leader said. Concerning the ongoing dispute over the presidency elections among the political arch-foes, Jumblat didn't expect politicians to succeed in electing a new head of state during Thursday's parliamentary session. He believed that the parliamentary session will be similar to its precedents. The first presidential elections session was held on April 23, but neither Geagea nor Democratic Gathering MP Henri Helou garnered the necessary 86 votes to emerge victorious. Two other sessions were supposed to be held, but they failed over lack of quorum after a March 8 forces ... the opposition to the Mar. 14th movement, consisting of Hizbullah and its allies, so-called in commemoration of their Mar. 8th, 2006 demonstration of strength in Beirut ... boycott on the ongoing disagreement over a candidate. Jumblat told the newspaper that he "accepts" vacuum at the helm of the country's top Christian post. "I can provide either March 8 or 14 coalitions with the majority of votes for their candidates but I can't end the lack of quorum," the veteran official said. However, a woman is only as old as she admits... he said that he doesn't want to "be biased to any of the two coalitions," continuing that he is holding onto his candidate to the presidential elections Henri Helou, who meets all the characteristics of a head of state. "There is no vacuum but a vacant presidential post until a settlement is reached... We have a cabinet capable of running the country," Jumblat added. Jumblat has backed Helou's candidacy, describing him as a "voice of moderation." The Aley MP garnered 16 votes during the first round, while 48 politicians voted for Lebanese Forces A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb... chief Samir Geagea ... Geagea was imprisoned by the Syrians and their puppets for 11 years in a dungeon in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. He was released after the Cedar Revolution in 2005 ... , one for Kataeb party chief ex-President Amin Gemayel and 52 MPs cast blank ballots. Asked about the repercussions of the Syrian war on Leb, Jumblat expected the influence of Damascus and Tehran to grow locally "more than ever." "Some Lebanese sides rushed into concluding that the Syrian regime will swiftly fall while others got involved with the regime," he told Asharq al-Awsat. "Engagement in the Syrian crisis was a historical and a moral mistake but my aim is to re-target the arms of the resistance against Israel," Jumblat said.

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Report: Salam Govt. to Assume Caretaker Role over Int'l Failure to Agree on New President

2014-04-07

[AnNahar] The presidential elections are unlikely to be held in Leb given the situations on the regional and international scenes, reported the Kuwaiti al-Anba daily on Sunday. They've got on fine without one thus far... Diplomatic sources told the daily that the government of Prime Minister Tammam Salam is likely to assume a caretaker role and take over the duties of the president should the elections be postponed. "Local desire to hold the elections is not sufficient to hold them," added the sources. They cited the recent developments in Ukraine, Arab disputes, and the "U.S. escalation against the Syrian regime" as factors that will affect the presidential elections in Leb. Some sides are deluded in believing that Leb is independent in electing a president, they continued. The election of eleven Lebanese presidents over the years, excluding Suleiman Franjieh in 1970, was influenced by foreign powers. Salam stated on Saturday that his cabinet "does not want to fill a vacuum." "I have said since the beginning that this cabinet is here for two months only, and it will focus on priorities such as the security situation, the issue of refugees, and the economic and financial situation in the country," he reiterated. "But our main priority remains reaching consensus over a new parliamentary electoral law and electing a new president," Salam added. President Michel Suleiman ...before assuming office as President, he held the position of commander of the Leb Armed Forces. That was after the previous commander, the loathesome Emile Lahoud, took office as president in November of 1998. Likely the next president of Leb will be whoever's commander of the armed forces, too... 's six-year term ends in May but the Constitution states that the parliament should choose a new head of state within a two-month period before the end of the incumbent's term, which started on March 25. Lebanese Forces A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb... leader Samir Geagea ... Geagea was imprisoned by the Syrians and their puppets for 11 years in a dungeon in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. He was released after the Cedar Revolution in 2005 ... announced on Friday his candidacy for the presidential elections. No other official has announced his candidacy, but a front man for the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkirki announced last week that the four main Maronite leaders, Free Patriotic Movement Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic... chief MP Michel Aoun ...a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah... , Marada Movement the personal militia of Suleiman Franjieh, president of Lebanon at the outbreak of the civil war, currently Syrian toadies, but you never know when that could change... chief Suleiman Franjieh, Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel, and Geagea are all presidential candidates. Aoun had remarked on Wednesday that he will not run in the elections if the Mustaqbal ... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri... Movement endorses Geagea's candidacy.

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Major Powers Locked in Struggle for Presidential Polls Influence

2014-03-12

[An Nahar] The major powers are locked in a race for influence in Leb's presidential elections as Michel Suleiman's ...before assuming office as President, he held the position of commander of the Leb Armed Forces. That was after the previous commander, the loathesome Emile Lahoud, took office as president in November of 1998. Likely the next president of Leb will be whoever's commander of the armed forces, too... six-year term nears its end, As Safir newspaper reported on Tuesday. Oboy. A rump parliament in Tripoli declares independence from Leb and joins the Soviet Union Russia. The daily said that the United States is backing elections to choose a new president and has sent an envoy who has a specific mission to follow up the polls. Meanwhile, a lady who pegged out in her garage in 2008 is discovered to have voted Hezbollah in two or three elections. But the report said that La Belle France, which is also expected to send envoys to Beirut, believes the current situation in Leb and the region is not encouraging, and that elections could not be held given the difficulty to reach an understanding between the Western countries and regional and local parties on a single candidate. Gay Paree prefers Suleiman's term, which expires in May, be extended, according to As Safir. Its stance is also backed by Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... , the daily said. It quoted however a U.S. diplomat as saying that Washington prefers the election of a new president even if he was a personality not allied with it. Among the names making the rounds are Free Patriotic Movement Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic... leader Michel Aoun ...a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah... and Marada movement chief Suleiman Franjieh, who are both members of the Hizbullah ...Party of God, a Leb militia inspired, founded, funded and directed by Iran. Hizbullah refers to itself as The Resistance and purports to defend Leb against Israel, with whom it has started and lost one disastrous war to date, though it did claim victory... -led March 8 alliance. Other names include the March 14 camp's Phalange Party The Kataeb (Phalange) party was founded by Pierre Gemayel in 1936, who modeled the party after Spanish and Italian Fascist parties he had observed as an Olympic athlete during the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, then Nazi Germany. The movement's uniforms originally included brown shirts and members used the Nazi salute. Despite the party's uniform, its strong sense of nationalism and dedication to a single charismatic leader, the Lebanese Kataeb was not and never became a fascist party nor did it espouse a totalitarian ideology. chief and ex-President Amin Gemayel, and Lebanese Forces A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb... leader Samir Geagea ... Geagea was imprisoned by the Syrians and their puppets for 11 years in a dungeon in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. He was released after the Cedar Revolution in 2005 ... . The presidential elections could be a topic of discussion between U.S. President Barack Obama Ready to Rule from Day One... and King of the Arabians, Sheikh of the Burning Sands Abdullah ... Fifth out of 37 sons of King Abdulaziz to ascend to the throne. He is, after his half-brothers Bandar and Musa'id, the third eldest of the living sons of Abdul Aziz ibn Saud. Abdullah's mother is from the Rashid clan, longtime rivals of the Saud. He has 6 sons and 15 daughters and about $20 billion. His youngest son is just seven years old... in Riyadh over the weekend, As Safir said.

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Lebanese Officials Condemn Dahiyeh Attack, Vow to Confront Terrorism

2014-02-20

[An Nahar] Lebanese officials strongly denounced on Wednesday the double suicide kaboom that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs, which killed at least four people and injured 100 others and was claimed by al-Qaeda affiliated Abdullah Azzam Brigades ... Leb's current al-Qaeda affiliate, named after a guy whose car the current head of al-Qaeda had boomed... President Michel Suleiman ...before assuming office as President, he held the position of commander of the Leb Armed Forces. That was after the previous commander, the loathesome Emile Lahoud, took office as president in November of 1998. Likely the next president of Leb will be whoever's commander of the armed forces, too... condemned the attack, saying: "There can be no salvation from terrorism except through complete solidarity among the people regardless of their political affiliations." "Terrorism does not differentiate between regions and religions, but it only seeks death and destruction," he added. Earlier the president had contacted Iranian Ambassador to Leb Ghazanfar Rokn-Abadi to offer his condolences over the bombing that took place near the Iranian Cultural Center. He also contacted Interior Minister Nuhad Mashnouq and Kuwaiti Ambassador to Leb Abdul Aal al-Qinai. Speaker Nabih Knobby Berri Speaker of the Lebanese parliament, a member of AMAL, a not very subtle Hizbullah sock puppet... meanwhile urged the "greatest level of vigilance and caution" in confronting the series of bombings that have targeted Leb. Prime Minister Tammam Salam slammed the twin kabooms, considering them a "message by the terrorist groups to continue its plot in spreading absurd deaths in Leb." "Amid the positive political stances... Terrorism once again hit Leb by bombing a safe neighborhood in a message that reflects the insistence of the evil powers to harm Leb and the Lebanese and to create sedition." He noted that the Lebanese will "respond to it with more unity, solidarity, by holding on to our civil peace and supporting our army and security forces." Bir Hassan is surrounded by neighborhood that are strongholds of the Hizbullah and have been targeted in multiple kabooms killing civilians. Leb has been rocked by a string of car and suicide kabooms in recent months, many targeting strongholds of Hizbullah in apparent retribution for its role in Syria. The group has admitted sending fighters to the neighboring country to battle alongside Syria's Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad Supressor of the Damascenes... against an uprising. For his part, Hizbullah's Industry Minister Hussein al-Hajj Hassan called on the Lebanese to tighten their grip on national stances and to confront terrorism. Interior Minister Mashnouq said from the blast scene that the kaboom targets all the Lebanese people and the government will take the necessary measures to tackle the situation. "The cabinet will take all the necessary measure to end the phenomena of suicide attacks," Mashnouq added. Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil stressed that "terrorism is targeting all the Lebanese. We must put an end to it." Labor Minister Sejaan Qazzi said that the suicide kabooms that targeted the area aims at destabilizing Leb, stressing that security should be a priority. He called on the Lebanese people to be aware of the dangerous stage the country is passing through and to unite in order to confront terrorism. Head of the Free Patriotic Movement Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic... MP Michel Aoun ...a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah... said via twitter that "gunnies were bothered by the formation of the cabinet after they became convinced that it would fight them." Al-Mustaqbal ... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri... Movement Chief Saad Hariri Second son of Rafik Hariri, the Leb PM who was assassinated in 2005. He has was prime minister in his own right from 2009 through early 2011. He was born in Riyadh to an Iraqi mother and graduated from Georgetown University. He managed his father's business interests in Riyadh until his father's assassination. When his father died he inherited a fortune of some $4.1 billion, which won't do him much good if Hizbullah has him bumped off, too. said that "if the aim behind the attack is to inform the Lebanese that their country isn't immune to terrorism despite the formation of the cabinet then we will hold on to our unity today more than ever." "We condemn the attacks with the strongest rhetoric," Hariri said in a statement, calling on security forces to pursue the culprits. He urged the Lebanese for more solidarity and to allow the cabinet to carry out its responsibilities during this delicate situation. Hariri reiterated calls on the Lebanese to dissociate itself from the conflict in Syria and on Hizbullah to withdraw its fighters from the ongoing war in the neighboring country and to abide by the Baabda Declaration. Lebanese Forces A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb... leader Samir Geagea ... Geagea was imprisoned by the Syrians and their puppets for 11 years in a dungeon in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. He was released after the Cedar Revolution in 2005 ... later condemned in a statement the Bir Hassan bombing, calling for Hizbullah to withdraw its fighters from Syria. "We had previously predicted that the situation in Leb will not change with the formation of a new government," he added. "The situation will change when the policies of previous governments are altered," he explained. He demanded that the border between Leb and Syria be controlled in order to thwart the flow gunnies, offering his condolences to the victims of the blast. Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani ... Grand Mufti of Lebanon and the most prominent Sunni Muslim cleric in the country. An assassination attempt against Qabbani was foiled by Leb internal security forces in 2009 as part of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Beirut. In an interview broadcast in 2012, Qabbani stated that Jews were behind secularism, because they opposed the authority of the church, against Christianity. He also suggested that the attacks of September 11, 2001 were orchestrated by Jews in order to justify the persecution of Muslims worldwide. Qabbani is against the legalization of civil marriage in Lebanon. He has issued a fatwa declaring any Muslim politician who approves civil marriage legislation an apostate. Surprisingly, he is not considered very much of a nut by Moslem standards. also denounced the attack, calling on Salam's cabinet to "swiftly control the situation in Leb and reduce tension and all forms of incitement to confront the upcoming stage as a one hand. Head of the Phalange Party The Kataeb (Phalange) party was founded by Pierre Gemayel in 1936, who modeled the party after Spanish and Italian Fascist parties he had observed as an Olympic athlete during the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, then Nazi Germany. The movement's uniforms originally included brown shirts and members used the Nazi salute. Despite the party's uniform, its strong sense of nationalism and dedication to a single charismatic leader, the Lebanese Kataeb was not and never became a fascist party nor did it espouse a totalitarian ideology. Amin Gemayel said: "The Bir Hassan bombing is a bloody message aimed at terrorizing the new cabinet that is an embodiment of national will." "The best way to respond to the bombings lies in activating government work and seizing control of the security situation," he added.

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Hariri Says al-Hasan Killers Will be Brought to Justice Sooner or Later

2013-10-19

[An Nahar] Former Premier Saad Hariri Second son of Rafik Hariri, the Leb PM who was assassinated in 2005. He has was prime minister in his own right from 2009 through early 2011. He was born in Riyadh to an Iraqi mother and graduated from Georgetown University. He managed his father's business interests in Riyadh until his father's assassination. When his father died he inherited a fortune of some $4.1 billion, which won't do him much good if Hizbullah has him bumped off, too. on Friday compared "the wound" caused by the 2012 liquidation of Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan to the wound caused by the liquidation of his father, ex-prime minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. "We have always called for justice and for the Special Tribunal for Leb regarding the liquidation of Premier Rafik Hariri, and now we have the same demands regarding the liquidation of Brigadier General al-Hasan," the slain commander of the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau. "We have full confidence in the Tribunal, and no one should think that those who assassinated him will get away with it no matter what," Hariri stressed during a prerecorded interview on Future TV which commemorated the first anniversary of al-Hasan's liquidation. "For me, the liquidation of Wissam trespassed many red lines, and he was targeted because of his belief in the path of Rafik Hariri and because of his success and great achievements at the head of the Intelligence Bureau, whether in uncovering the Mamlouk-Samaha network or in pursuing and arresting several Israeli and terrorist networks," the ex-PM noted. He added: "We know who their friends are, and who killed him, and they will be punished sooner or later although they feel very strong today." Hariri pointed out that the slain officer faced "the most heinous political and media campaigns" prior to his liquidation, noting that the Intelligence Bureau "is still being targeted, but it will go on and continue the institutional work he established in it." "They fought him because he was working to build the state," said Hariri. The former premier said at the end of the interview that he would soon return to Leb. He said that the liquidation of al-Hasan "showed once again that the criminals are targeting symbols in Leb" and therefore his return was postponed. But he added: "Many don't want me to return, but I will, and I hope that Leb will again be as it was, and as Rafik Hariri, Wissam al-Hasan, Pierre Amin Gemayel and all the deaders of the Cedar Revolution wanted it to be."

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Gemayel Urges World to Stop 'Assault' on Historic Syria Christian Village

2013-09-06

[An Nahar] Phalange Party The Kataeb (Phalange) party was founded by Pierre Gemayel in 1936, who modeled the party after Spanish and Italian Fascist parties he had observed as an Olympic athlete during the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, then Nazi Germany. The movement's uniforms originally included brown shirts and members used the Nazi salute. Despite the party's uniform, its strong sense of nationalism and dedication to a single charismatic leader, the Lebanese Kataeb was not and never became a fascist party nor did it espouse a totalitarian ideology. leader Amin Gemayel on Thursday held a series of contacts with the U.N. and world powers in a bid to stop attacks by Qaeda-linked rebels on the ancient Syrian Christian village of Maaloula, his office said. In this regard, Gemayel held phone talks with U.N. political affairs chief Jeffrey Feltman, U.N. Special Coordinator for Leb Derek Plumbly and the ambassadors of the Vatican, La Belle France, Britannia and the United States. Gemayel urged them to "ask their governments to take quick measures to stop the assault on Maaloula and pull the gunnies out of the town and places of worship immediately." He called on the envoys to inform their countries' leaders -- who gathered Thursday in Saint Petersburg for the G20 summit -- of the "enormity of the attack," warning that "the onslaught might lead to pushing the events in Syria down an increasingly sectarian and seditious course, which would affect the firmness of the international community's stance on the Syrian crisis." Gemayel's office noted that "all these international officials responded to president Gemayel's call," revealing that "Arab and international stances over this attack are expected to be issued in light of the contacts that got underway between the European capitals, the Vatican and New York." It also announced that it had been receiving all day "distress calls from the residents of the town of Maaloula, who called for a prompt action to rescue the historic town, its residents and its spiritual heritage." Syrian government troops battled al-Qaeda-linked rebels over Maaloula for the second day Thursday. Residents of the village said the Death Eaters entered the village late Wednesday. Rami Abdul Rahman, the director of the Britannia-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the fighters included members of the of al-Qaeda affiliated al-Nusra Front. Despite heavy army presence in the village, Abdul Rahman said the rebels patrolled its streets on foot and in vehicles, briefly surrounding a church and a mosque before leaving early Thursday. The rebels launched the assault on Maaloula -- which is on a UNESCO list of tentative world heritage sites -- on Wednesday after a Nusra fighter went kaboom! at a regime checkpoint at the entrance to the mountain village. The village, about 60 kilometers northeast of Damascus, is home to 3,300 residents, some of whom still speak a version of Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus Christ that only small, scattered communities around the world still use today. It is full of troglodyte caves dating back to the first centuries of Christianity, and also houses the Mar Takla Greek Orthodox monastery. Heavy festivities between Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad Despoiler of Deraa... 's troops and al-Nusra Front fighters persisted in surrounding mountains Thursday, according to the Observatory, which collects information from a network of anti-regime activists. Speaking by phone from a convent in the village, a nun told The News Agency that Dare Not be Named that the rebels left a mountaintop hotel Thursday after capturing it a day earlier. The nun said the frightened residents expect the Islamist Death Eaters to return to the Safir hotel and resume shelling of the community below. "It's their home now," the nun said. She said some 100 people from the village took refuge in the convent. The 27 orphans who live there had been taken to nearby caves overnight "so they were not scared."

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Gemayel: One Day Lebanon Could be Subject to Hizbullah's Domination

2012-10-12

Head of the Phalange Party The Kataeb (Phalange) party was founded by Pierre Gemayel in 1936, who modeled the party after Spanish and Italian Fascist parties he had observed as an Olympic athlete during the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, then Nazi Germany. The movement's uniforms originally included brown shirts and members used the Nazi salute. Despite the party's uniform, its strong sense of nationalism and dedication to a single charismatic leader, the Lebanese Kataeb was not and never became a fascist party nor did it espouse a totalitarian ideology. Amin Gemayel noted that Hizbullah is taking advantage of its resistance role in order to nibble at Leb's geography and illusory sovereignty, warning that the nation could one day come under the party's domination, the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported Thursday. "Hizbullah is trying to eat away Leb's geography, illusory sovereignty, the people's interests and rights, and the role of the state's institutions ....one day Leb could become subject to the domination of Hizbullah under the pretext of resistance," said Gemayel in an interview to the daily. He also warned that any involvement in the Syrian crisis will have severe repercussions on Leb's security and stability. He made his remark in reference to allegations that Hizbullah is aiding the Syrian regime of Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad Scourge of Qusayr... militarily against the people's revolt. "Leb must not involve itself in the Syrian crisis and any involvement could have severe repercussions on Leb's national unity, security and stability," he added. "The Lebanese people are wise enough not to let the interference of some parties in Syria's affairs drag them further into an internal conflict," he said, calling on all factions to exercise restraint for Leb's sake. Gemayel added that the Phalange Party will prepare a study on the defense strategy, urging Hizbullah to participate positively and productively in the national dialogue sessions to tackle this thorny issue.

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Phalange Warns of Naturalization of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

2012-03-06

[An Nahar] The Phalange Party The Kataeb (Phalange) party was founded by Pierre Gemayel in 1936, who modeled the party after Spanish and Italian Fascist parties he had observed as an Olympic athlete during the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, then Nazi Germany. The movement's uniforms originally included brown shirts and members used the Nazi salute. Despite the party's uniform, its strong sense of nationalism and dedication to a single charismatic leader, the Lebanese Kataeb was not and never became a fascist party nor did it espouse a totalitarian ideology. called on the government on Monday to carefully follow up on the flow of Syrian refugees into Leb, warning of a "new form of naturalization" facing the country. It said in a statement after its weekly politburo meeting: "A crisis committee should be formed to address the possible repercussions of the Syrian unrest on Leb." It criticized some authorities' handling of the refugee issue, "which has started to take on a dramatic security and humanitarian turn." Addressing the Syrian crisis, the Phalange Party called on all Lebanese factions to maintain the country's internal unity and "refrain from taking to the street in protest or in support" of the developments in Syria. On Sunday, a demonstration in support of the Syrian people and another in support of the Syrian regime was staged in downtown Beirut amid fears that the rival rallies could take a violent turn. The protests took place without incident. On the dispute between the March 8 and 14 camps over government extra-budgetary spending, the Phalange Party politburo stressed the need for all concerned sides to agree on a mechanism that would be adopted on spending. The meeting also tackled party chief Amin Gemayel's trip to Italia last week where he held talks with a number of officials, including President Giorgio Napolitano.

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Security Forces Play Down Sami Gemayel Murder Plot

2012-02-04

[An Nahar] Phalange Party The Kataeb (Phalange) party was founded by Pierre Gemayel in 1936, who modeled the party after Spanish and Italian Fascist parties he had observed as an Olympic athlete during the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, then Nazi Germany. The movement's uniforms originally included brown shirts and members used the Nazi salute. Despite the party's uniform, its strong sense of nationalism and dedication to a single charismatic leader, the Lebanese Kataeb was not and never became a fascist party nor did it espouse a totalitarian ideology. leader Amin Gemayel stressed on Friday that an liquidation attempt against his son, MP Sami Gemayel, had been thwarted although security forces tried to minimize the impact of the new revelation, saying the politician had only been advised to avoid attending a dinner. In remarks to al-Liwaa newspaper, the Phalange chief said: "We received information from the generate-directorate of the Internal Security Forces -the Intelligence Branch about a plan to assassinate MP Sami Gemayel whose preparations were made at the time and place where he would be." According to the daily, Gemayel was going to attend a dinner in the Metn town of Bhersaf. An Nahar newspaper said that Intelligence Branch chief Col. Wissam al-Hassan contacted the MP and asked him about his dinner plans. The politician then wondered "where did you get that information?" Al-Hassan replied: "I will let you know and I urge you to take your precautions and not to attend the dinner." The two men met the next day and discussed the issue, An Nahar said. Gemayel family sources told the daily that an official report was referred by the security agencies to Premier Najib Miqati about the alleged plot.

Link

Warning: Undefined property: stdClass::$T in /data/rantburg.com/www/pgrecentorg.php on line 132
-12 More