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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Israel's Arab neighbors condemn deadly Gaza airstrikes
2008-12-28
Ma'an -- Leaders and citizens of Israel's neighboring Arab countries condemned an airstrike that killed at least 150 Palestinians and injured more than 200 others on Saturday.

Egypt

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak condemned the attacks, holding Israel responsible for those killed and demanded that the semi-successful ceasefire between militants in Gaza and the Israeli army be renewed.

"Egypt will forge ahead with its contacts to create a favorable atmosphere for renewing the truce and attaining inter-Palestinian reconciliation in a bid to end the suffering of the Palestinian people," a statement from the president's office said.

Moments after the first 30 airstrikes at noon on Saturday, a high-level Egyptian official told Al-Jazeera that the Israeli operation was "an unprecedented massacre."

Jordan

Jordan's King Abdullah II called for an immediate end to "all militant activities" in a statement issued from his palace. The statement insisted that the attacks "targeted innocents among the civilians, including women and children. The king insisted that "violence will only escalate the crisis and will not bring security to Israel."

"Jordan will exert every possible effort along with influential powers in the region and beyond to put an end to the Israeli military operations," said Nasser Judah, the kingdom's state minister for Media Affairs and Communication.

Judah added that only negitions will lead to peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state "on Palestinian soil."

Meanwhile, hundreds of Jordanians took to the streets when news arrived about the airstrikes. Gathering at the United Nations headquarters in Amman, Jordanians demonstrated by waving Hamas banners and shouting slogans about the Israeli attack and the occupation, in general.

Lebanon

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora called the strikes "tragic and criminal."

Lebanon "strongly denounces and rejects the criminal operation in the Gaza Strip," a statement from Senior's office said.

The Lebanese prime minister called on the Arab League and other heads of state to immediately convene in an emergency session to adopt a "united Arab stand to face aggression."

He also insisted that the United Nations adopt "deterring and necessary measures against Israel for its continuous violations of Palestinian and Arab human rights."

Seniora also announced a "Lebanese, Arab and international solidarity campaign to stop the attack and rescue the victims."

Syria

In Syria's Damascus-area Al-Yarmouk Refugee Camp, dozens of Palestinians protested the attack, vowing to continue the fight against Israel, the Associated Press reported on Saturday.

Arab League Secretary General Amr Mousa, himself from Egypt, condemned the airstrikes and called for an emergency session to discuss a united Arab response to the attacks.
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Hezbollah rejects any form of negotiation with Israel
2008-10-23
(Xinhua) -- Lebanon's Hezbollah rejected negotiations, or signing of any treaty with Israel, following reports that Israeli officials are exploring the possibility of reaching a nonaggression pact with Lebanon, local Daily Star reported Wednesday.

Hezbollah MP Hassan Hoballah told the local newspaper that Lebanon refused to negotiate or sign any treaty with Israel, saying that "Lebanon has the right to liberate its occupied territories of Shebaa farms, Kafar shuba hills and Ghajar village, and to protect its sovereignty against Israeli aggressions."

Both Lebanon and Hezbollah sources denied having any information that Israeli officials were trying to reach a long-term belligerence pact with Lebanon, the daily said. However, Hezbollah spokesman Hussien Rahal said earlier that his party has no comment on the Israeli report, and it would be studied.

On Monday, Israeli media said that Israeli foreign ministry officials are exploring a possible long-term non-belligerence pact with Lebanon that could stop future hostilities between the two countries. The prospective agreement, according to the report, would be bilateral and include a demarcation of Lebanese-Israeli border, as well as a decrease in Hezbollah arsenal with more Lebanese army deployment near south of the Litani River. In return, Israel would stop violating Lebanese airspace and establish a security mechanism of coordination with the Lebanese army and UNIFIL, the report added.

However, Israeli head of foreign ministry's political planning section Eran Etzion said Monday that any deal with Lebanon would have to follow a comprehensive peace agreement with Syria. Israel and Syria have been engaged since May in indirect talks, sponsored by Turkey.

Lebanon and Israel have never had any direct and formal relations. Prime Minister Fouad Seniora was quoted as saying that Lebanon will be the last Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel.
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Lebanon's Hezbollah campaigns defending its weapons
2008-08-12
(Xinhua) -- Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah launched a verbal campaign against pro-government majority coalition which criticizes Hezbollah's adherence to weapons, LocalAn-Nahar website reported Monday. "The state which does not preserve the right of the resistance, will not preserve the interests of its people," Hezbollah member of Parliament Mohammed Raad said.

Pointing to the non-stop Israeli threat to Lebanon, Raad said that Israel has even hinted it would target Lebanon for "simply sensing that a protection force is built to protect our country."

Meanwhile, Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadllalah warned Premier Fouad Seniora against manipulating the constitution, and asked him not to go beyond unanimous cabinet decisions because "taking decisions against the resistance is no longer accepted in Lebanon," he said.

Hezbollah's campaign comes at a time when the Lebanese Parliament is debating the new cabinet policy statement to give it the voice of confidence, and amid sharp disputes regarding Hezbollah's right to resist Israel away from state control.
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Backgrounder: Lebanon's new cabinet line-up
2008-07-12
(Xinhua) -- Lebanon finally formed a 30-member national unity government on Friday following a five-week political deadlock over key portfolios.

The new cabinet consists 16 ministers of the Western-backed ruling majority, 11 allied with the Shiite Hezbollah-led opposition and the rest three named by President Michel Suleiman. Following is the lineup of the new cabinet:
Prime Minister: Fouad Seniora

Deputy Prime Minister: Issam Abou Jamra

Defense Minister: Elias Murr

Foreign Minister: Fawzi Saloukh

Interior Minister: Ziad Baroud

Finance Minister: Muhammad Shatah

State Minister: Yousef Takla

State Minister: Khaled Kabbani

State Minister: Wael Abo Faour

State Minister: Nasib Lahoud

State Minister: Ali Qanso

State Minister: Jean Ogassapian

Justice Minister: Ibrahim Najjar

Administration Development Minister: Ibrahim Shamseddine

Public Works and Transportation Minister: Ghazi Ariedy

Telecommunications Minister: Gebran Bassil

Economy and Trade Minister: Muhammad Safadi

Information Minister: Tareq Mitri

Culture Minister: Tamam Salam

Minister of Refugee Affairs: Raymond Audi

Environment Minister: Antoine Karam

Youth and Sports Minister: Talal Arslan

Industry Minister: Ghazi Zoayter

Education Minister: Bahia Hariri

Agriculture Minister: Elias Skaf

Health Minister: Mohammad Khalifa

Energy Minister: Alan Toborian

Labor Minister: Mohammad Fneish

Minister for Social Affairs: Mario Aoun

Tourism Minister: Antoine Karam
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Lebanese opposition gives Seniora 48 hours to form gov't
2008-06-22
(Xinhua) -- The Lebanese opposition conducted intensive meetings and decided to give Prime Minister-designated Fouad Seniora 48 hours to form a government or quit, As-Safir daily reported Saturday.

'The opposition gave a limited period, the period is over by the end of this weekend, then it will move to a new political phase' the daily added. After 23 days of his assignment by the president to form the cabinet, Premier Seniora was unable to come up with a cabinet-lineup accepted by the majority and the opposition.

Meanwhile, Seniora is scheduled to leave Lebanon Monday, to attend a donation conference in Vienna. While, president Michel Suleiman has called for a spiritual leaders Summit next Tuesday in the presidential palace.

The deadlock over the new cabinet formation continues to persist as negotiations to come up with an acceptable line-up deal remain fruitless. According to Doha agreement reached on May 21, a national unity government should be formed after electing a new president which took place on May 25.
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Rice says Hezbollah still listed terrorist organization
2008-06-17
(Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice on Monday extended U.S. support to Lebanon's future democratically-elected government but said Washington still lists Shiite militant group Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

Rice's remarks came after meeting Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and were in reply to a question about the U.S. stand regarding a new Lebanese cabinet which will include Hezbollah ministers, LBC TV reported.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Rice voiced U.S. support to Lebanon's forthcoming democratically elected government, adding that she congratulated Berri for the achievement of Doha accord, election of President Michel Suleiman and reopening of the parliament.

Rice made a surprising visit to Lebanon's capital on Monday, meeting majority leader MP Saad Hariri, designated Prime Minister Fouad Seniora and the newly-elected president.

After talks with Seniora, she reiterated U.S. support to Lebanon's sovereignty and democracy, saying that "I look forward to working with the Lebanese government and democratic institutions."

She expressed hope that UN resolution 1701 and other related resolutions would be implemented and that the issue of Shebaa farms would be solved.

The Lebanese territory was captured by Israel during the 1967 Mideast war. Israel pulled out of south Lebanon in 2000, but kept control over the disputed Shebaa farms, where the borders of Lebanon, Syria and Israel meet.

Hezbollah was the only Lebanese group which did not have to hand over its weapons in 1989, according to the Taef accord which ended its 15 years of civil war. Hezbollah said the group will keep its arms as long as there are Lebanese territories under the Israeli occupation.

Rice revealed that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is working on the implementation of UN resolutions.

Upon her arrival earlier Monday, Rice met Suleiman at the presidential palace and said the U.S. supports "democratically elected government in Lebanon."

"Doha accord serves the interest of the Lebanese people, so the U.S. supports this accord," Rice said.

Under the aegis of the Arab League, the Western-backed ruling majority and the Hezbollah-led opposition reached an agreement in Doha on May 21, ending a 18-month-long political deadlock in the country.

The first phase of the agreement led to the election of Suleiman as the new president on May 25 after six months of a presidential vacuum.

The second step is to form a national unity government giving the opposition led by Hezbollah the long-awaited veto power, but formation of the cabinet has been delayed by disagreement over keyportfolio since late May.

The rival leaders also agreed to adopt the 1960 electoral law under the Doha accord which came after a 18-month-long political crisis in the country turned violent earlier in May.

The latest visit of Rice to Lebanon was in July 2006 during the33-day war between Israel and Hezbollah.
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Rice makes surprise visit to Beirut
2008-06-16
(Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice arrived in Lebanon Monday in a surprise visit to show support to newly-elected President Michel Suleiman and efforts to form a new government, local LBC TV reported.

Rice is due to meet also with Prime Minister Fouad Seniora, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and majority leader MP Saad Hariri, said the report. "I am going to Lebanon to express the U.S. support for Lebanon democracy and sovereignty," Rice was quoted as saying on her way to Beirut from Tel Aviv.

She said that her visit aims at discussing how the United States can support Lebanese institutions including the armed forces, the economy and civil society.

The surprise visit came under tight security amid a political deadlock in Lebanon regarding the formation of a new cabinet which has been delayed for third weeks so far. The last visit by Rice to Lebanon was in July 2006, during the 33 days of war between Israel and Hezbollah.
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Siniora calls for healing wounds in national interest
2008-05-29
(Xinhua) Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora on Wednesday called on all factions to work together to "heal wounds" induced in a long political crisis and start a new era of understanding.

Seniora, who was designated to form a new government, said in a statement that he would work within the framework of the constitution and his hands are stretched for cooperation with all parties in the interest of the nation. "The Doha agreement calls for the formation of a national unity government and I will follow the agreement," Seniora said, adding that he was looking forward to establishing cordial relations with all countries including Syria.

Expressing pleasure to cooperate with new President Michel Suleiman, Seniora, prime minister since July 2005, pledged for the implementation of UN resolutions and cooperation with the international community.
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Mubarak meets Seniora on Lebanese political crisis
2008-04-07
(Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday held talks with visiting Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora on the latest developments in Lebanon, the official MENA news agency reported.

Following talks with Mubarak, Seniora said it was natural to come to Egypt and consult with Mubarak when Lebanon is in a critical stage. Seniora said Lebanon believes in the need to move forward with the presidential election process, voicing his hope to reach an agreement on a three-point Arab initiative to help resolve the Lebanese political crisis.
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Berri reiterates refusal to convene Leb parliament
2008-03-22
(Xinhua) -- Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated on Friday that he would not call the house to legislate as long as Prime Minister Fouad Seniora's government remained in office, local Naharnet news website reported. "The absence of any legitimate authority prevents the convening of parliament in a law making capacity," Berri, a main leader of the opposition bloc, was quoted as saying in a statement released by his press office.

It was responding to charges by the March 14 majority alliance that Berri was rejecting efforts to convene parliament in a legislative capacity, thus blocking the house duties, said the report. The statement called the March 14 majority alliance to "implement the Arab initiative, crystallize partnership and agree on an election law."
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Three protestors killed in gunfight in S Beirut
2008-01-28
(Xinhua) -- Three protestors were killed during a gunfight which broke out between the Lebanese army and the demonstrators in southern suburb of Beirut on Sunday, local NBN TV channel reported.

Earlier report said Lebanese opposition movement Amal official Ali Hassan Hamzeh, who was participating in the protest over power blackout in the capital, was killed during the clash, which also left several others injured. Hamzeh, 35, was in charge of Hay Moawwad neighborhood of Beirut. A second Amal protestor and a third one from another opposition party Hezbollah were later killed during the clash, security sources were quoted as saying.

The gunfight broke out when the Lebanese army tried to disperse protestors who were blocking traffic with burning tires in Mar Mikhail - Al Cheyah in the southern suburb of Beirut. At around 4:00 p.m. (1400 GMT), some 50 demonstrators started burning tiers closing the road linking Mar Michael to Al Cheyah in protest against power cuts, chanting slogans against the government of Premier Fouad Seniora, local LBC TV reported. TV footage showed Lebanese army troops trying to disperse the protestors who tossed stones at soldiers, wounding one. The confrontation then developed into gunfire, and the army closed all roads leading to the area, with snipers were positioned on roofs in the area.
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Hezbollah leader advocates Lebanon settlement
2007-03-11
(Xinhua) -- Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has said he advocated a settlement of the Lebanon crisis, the local Naharnet news website reported on Saturday. "We are now in a better situation than at any time before," he said, thanking "brotherly Arab and Islamic nations" for their mediatory efforts to resolve the Lebanese crisis. "We have been calling for a settlement from the beginning of the crisis," Nasrallah told a rally in southern Beirut on Friday evening.
"In fact, that was why we manufactured the crisis, so we could get the settlement we wanted..."
Nasrallah also welcomed talks that began Thursday evening between Lebanon's two key opponents - Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri -- in an effort to end the three-month-old deadlock. "We support the dialogue and hope it will reach the desired results," he said, adding that both domestic and international opinion favored a settlement.

Nasrallah, however, vowed to continue Hezbollah's campaign against Lebanese Premier Fouad Seniora's government until it granted the opposition a veto-wielding share of the cabinet. "The opposition will continue its open-ended sit-ins, its political and media campaign, and it will resort to other options if this opportunity fails," Nasrallah said.

Lebanese opposition alliance launched an open-ended sit-in in downtown Beirut on Dec. 1 last year to topple Seniora's government, declaring the anti-Syrian cabinet illegitimate and demanding early parliamentary elections and a new electoral law. The Seniora government, backed by the March 14 parliamentary majority coalition, had rejected such calls and accused the Hezbollah-led protest of trying to obstruct the creation of an international tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and related crimes.
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