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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Saniora: Those Calling for Freedom in Lebanon Can't Do so while Supporting Syrian Regime

2012-03-08

[An Nahar] Former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora noted on Wednesday that some sides in Leb who are accusing others of meddling in the Syrian crisis are in fact guilty of these charges. He said: "Those calling for the freedom in Leb cannot do so while simultaneously supporting the Syrian regime." He made his statements during the launch of the Mustaqbal ... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri... movement's political document on the Arab Spring, entitled "Al-Mustabqal and the Perspectives of the Arab Spring." Saniora said: "At the outbreak of the uprising against the Syrian regime, the charges of conspiracy and treason have flared up against supporters of independence and those who express their solidarity with the Syrian people's uprising against its despotic regime." "These accusations stemmed from the pretext that those who are supportive of the Syrian people are guilty of 'conspiring against the Resistance That'd be the Hezbullies, natch... ' and that the specificity of Lebanese-Syrian relations requires a non-interference in Syrian affairs," he noted. "In Leb, those who really interfere in Syrian affairs by the autocratic methods of yesteryear, are those who proclaim loud and clear every day in the media, on the ground and in all Arab and international forums, that they support the Syrian regime against its people, or that they distance themselves from any interference in Syrian affairs," declared the former premier. He stated that the year 2011 witnessed the kaboom of Arab youth movements, which started in Tunisia and spread to other Arab countries, especially those with military and security regimes. "These movements had four characteristics: the large number of participants, their diversity, a majority of youth, and their insistence on the peaceful nature of their movement despite the oppression they suffered since the first day," noted the MP. "They also shared the same slogans and goals: freedom, dignity, pluralistic democracy, justice, and civil State," added the head of the Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc. "We consider the Arab change a period of maturity," Saniora remarked. "It places the Arab world, including us, at the gateway of a new future filled with the ambitions of our youth, to establish political regimes on the basis of the respect of rights and public freedoms, especially religious freedoms, of the safeguard of human dignity, and of justice and good management of the public affairs," he said.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Saniora: Suspects' Escape from Justice Proves their Guilt

2011-08-18

The head of the Mustaqbal ... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri... bloc former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora noted on Wednesday that the information published in the indictment in the Special Tribunal for Leb presents strong and solid evidence of the involvement of the four Hizbullah members suspected in the liquidation of former Premier Rafik Hariri. He said in statement: "We are not seeking Dire Revenge™, but we want to achieve justice." "The indictment is not a final verdict as the suspects still have the opportunity to defend and exonerate themselves," he added. Furthermore, Saniora noted that the publication of the indictment demonstrates the seriousness of the investigation in Hariri's liquidation. "The publication is a reassuring message to the Lebanese that the liquidation of the country's leaders will no longer be an easy feat and it will no longer take place without punishment," stressed the former premier. "The criminal and murderer will be uncovered and those who killed Leb's leaders will be found, tried, and punished," he added. Addressing the suspects and those protecting them, he said: "They are still considered innocent, but their escape from justice strongly indicates their guilt." The indictment has accused four Hizbullah members of being involved in the Hariri liquidation. The party has repeatedly declared that it will not cooperate with the STL, deeming it an American and Israeli product.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Loyalty to the Resistance: Problems Plaguing Lebanon are a Result of Mustaqbal's Practices

2011-04-15

[An Nahar] The Loyalty to the Resistance That'd be the Hezbullies, natch... bloc condemned on Thursday the Mustaqbal ... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri... movement's activity, accusing it of being responsible for the problems in Leb. It said in a statement: "The problems plaguing Leb are the result of the Mustaqbal movement's policies and governments that have turned Leb into a farm" at the American administration's mercy. It also condemned the movement's criticism of the failure to form a new government, saying: "The Prime Minister-designate is facing familiar obstacles and he is taking steady steps towards achieving his goal. All members of the new majority are cooperating with him and they are expressing their opinions to him without any blackmail." The bloc also noted that Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati has not yet taken more time to form his government than the time Caretaker 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 liquidation. 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. and former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora did to form their respective Cabinets. Addressing the Mustaqbal movement's positions on regional developments, the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc said: "The movement defends the policies of oppression practiced against the Arab people." "Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Narsallah's cry against the excessive violence against the majority of Mohammedan Arab world was not meddling in their internal affairs, but a warning that such developments will negatively affect the region's stability," it continued. "He sought to avert strife that would have been manipulated by the U.S. and Israel," the bloc added. Regarding Syrian reports that Mustaqbal bloc MP Jamal al-Jarrah helped fund a terrorist cell involved in the country's recent demonstrations, the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc said: "The Syrian media broadcast a sample of the Mustaqbal movement's suspicious meddling in Syria's internal affairs and its denial of the report has not convinced anyone." Addressing the movement, it said: "Don't talk about the politics of axes as you were made by them."

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Saniora Rejected Transfer of 500 and 300 Million Dollars 'So They Don't Go to Berri's Pocket'

2011-04-07

A leaked U.S. Embassy cable published exclusively in Al-Akhbar newspaper on Wednesday revealed that then Prime Minister Fouad Saniora had rejected a transfer of 500 and 300 million dollars to Leb aimed at rebuilding the country after the July 2006 war. The WikiLeaks cable spoke of a meeting between Saniora and then U.S. Ambassador to Leb Jeffrey Feltman on August 18, 2006, during which the former explained that he rejected the aid money from Soddy Arabia and Kuwait "because he didn't want the money to go to Speaker Nabih Knobby Berri's Speaker of the Lebanese parliament, a member of AMAL, a not very subtle Hizbullah sock puppet... pocket." Regarding the war, the premier said that the Israeli attacks are only strengthening Hizbullah and not weakening it. Furthermore, he rejected accusations that the Lebanese government was ignoring United Nations ... aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society... Security Council resolution 1701, asking Feltman: "Doesn't your government understand that the deployment of the Lebanese army in the South is an historic achievement?"

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Mustaqbal: Bekaa Developments Aimed at Returning Lebanon to Dark Period of its Past

2011-03-30

[An Nahar] The Mustaqbal ... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri... bloc condemned on Tuesday the recent security developments in Leb, especially the kidnapping of seven Estonians in the Bekaa, which it said "are aimed at returning Leb to a dark period of its past." It added after its weekly meeting in Qoreitem headed by former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora: "Malicious powers are behind these incidents that are aimed at targeting mutual coexistence and destabilizing Leb." The bloc stressed the role security forces and specialized judicial sides must play in intensifying investigations in order to uncover and punish those behind the abduction. "Such incidents emphasize the need for the Lebanese government to impose its authority throughout the country and limit the possession of arms to the state," it added. Addressing the developments in the Arab world, the Mustaqbal bloc condemned allegations that "Leb or some of its political powers" are sending weapons to Syria. "Such claims are completely baseless and they are meant to be employed in the political tensions in Leb," it concluded.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Moussawi: No One Can Threaten Nahhas, Whoever Harms him Harms us

2010-11-16

[An Nahar] Hizbullah MP Nawwaf al-Moussawi stated on Monday that the party supports Telecommunications Minister Charbel Nahhas, saying: "No one can threaten Nahhas and whoever harms him, harms us." He revealed to al-Manar TV that Hizbullah will soon issue a statement against the campaign the minister is being subject to. The MP repeated the party's accusation against former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora in which it alleges that he sought to prolong the July 2006 war in order to allow Israel to defeat Hizbullah. Moussawi called on Saniora "to have the courage to repeat what he used to state before Cabinet during the war."

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Hizbullah-Saniora Battle Rages On over 2006 War

2010-11-15

[An Nahar] Former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora hit back at accusations made by Hizbullah MP Nawaf Moussawi, denying he had wanted to prolong the 2006 Israeli war on Leb. Saniora, in a late-night statement issued by his office, said his government had rejected a U.S.-French proposal back then that suggested the deployment of a multinational force without mention to Shebaa Farms or the seven-point cease-fire plan crafted by the Saniora Cabinet. Instead, Saniora said, the Lebanese government insisted on a comprehensive cease-fire deal that includes an Israeli withdrawal behind the Lebanese border and the deployment of both the Lebanese army and the peacekeeping forces. On Saturday, Moussawi said the French were the ones who informed Hizbullah that the Saniora government does not want the war to stop unless it includes an end to Hizbullah presence south of the Litani. He pointed out that the French statements were recorded and can be found in Government files. Saniora challenged Moussawi to present these documents. "Why doesn't he reveal the name of this (French) official who gave him this information and why not inform the public of the statements recorded verbatim as he says?" Saniora said, addressing Mousswi.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Saniora: Since Nasrallah has Documents then He Should Present Them to the Public

2010-11-13

[An Nahar] Former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora called on Friday Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to present the documents in his possession that prove that his government had taken its time in agreeing to a ceasefire in the July 2006 war. He said that he should present such documents and evidence before the public, stressing: "The Lebanese people and all Arab and foreign officials knew that the government's main goal was to reach a ceasefire and lift the blockade, while Israel and the United States opposed it." Furthermore, Saniora said: "The final draft of U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 was reached after exhaustive negotiations during which the Lebanese government rejected several plans, including issuing it under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter."

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

2 Years after Israel-Hizbullah War Lebanon Still in Turmoil

2008-07-14

Two years after the war between Israel and Hizbullah, Beirut is still grappling with political instability, sectarian unrest, economic stagnation, and an increasingly powerful Hizbullah. Prime Minister Fouad Saniora, who was premier when Israel unleashed its military might on Lebanon in July 2006, is battling to form a unity government despite an accord hammered out with the Hizbullah-led opposition in May. Regionally, there are peace moves afoot between Israel and Syria -- which backs the Lebanese opposition -- although Beirut has still ruled out any negotiations with the Jewish state.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Rival Lebanese Leaders Set for 1st Talks in Nearly 5 Months

2008-05-03

Lebanon's feuding government and opposition leaders are poised to hold their first talks in nearly five months under Arab League auspices on Friday, an aide to Speaker Nabih Berri said. "The (opposition) speaker of parliament Nabih Berri and the leader of the (pro-government) Future Movement Saad Hariri will meet on Friday for talks also to be attended by (Arab League Secretary General Amr) Moussa," a Berri aide told AFP. The announcement followed talks between the visiting Arab League chief and Berri, who has refused to recognize the legitimacy of the rump cabinet of Prime Minister Fouad Saniora since six opposition ministers quit in November 2006. He has since declined to convene parliament to pass government legislation and the standoff has left Lebanon without a president since pro-opposition incumbent Emile Lahoud stood down at the end of his term of office in November. Doesn't matter, it's not like they have anything to do ... Moussa, who has been involved in repeated efforts to broker a solution to the standoff, expressed new optimism after his latest talks. "There is a basis for understanding and a situation that could prove profitable," he said after his hour-long meeting with Berri. The Arab League chief stressed both the "importance of dialogue" between the two sides, the opposition's key demand, and the "need to elect a new president," the consistent demand of the government. The two sides have agreed on a compromise candidate for the presidency -- army chief General Michel Suleiman. However, they remain at odds over the make-up of a controversial government of national unity and a new electoral law. Berri has repeatedly called for a dialogue with the ruling pro-government March 14 coalition on the two issues but the anti-Syrian alliance has said that a new president must be elected by parliament first. A 19th attempt to elect a president has been scheduled for May 13. A previous session, set for April 22, was postponed amid continuing disagreement.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Saudi Monarch and Foreign Minister Boycott Damascus Summit

2008-03-25

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and his Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal would not represent the kingdom at the forthcoming Arab summit in Damascus, reflecting dissatisfaction with Syria over Lebanon. Riyadh's ambassador to the Arab League Ahmad Qattan, speaking on the sidelines of a preparatory meeting, said he would head his country's delegation. The decision to send a low-ranking diplomat reflects the strained ties between Riyadh and Damascus over the deep political crisis in Lebanon. Syria and its ally Iran back the Lebanese opposition led by Hizbullah. Saudi Arabia and its Western allies back the cabinet of Prime Minister Fouad Saniora, which has been unable to push through any of its legislative program since November 2006 when six pro-Syrian ministers quit.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

U.N. to help Lebanon in probing Eid assassination

2008-02-03

The U.N. Security Council approved a request from the Lebanese government for help in investigating the assassination of security intelligence officer Maj. Wissam Eid. The pan-Arab Al Hayat newspaper said a letter from the Security Council president stressed the Council's determination to help to the Lebanese government find the truth. The UN investigation is already looking into 14 other apparently politically motivated attacks in Lebanon since the 2005 assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri. Al Hayat said the Council's approval came in response to a request by Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Saniora's government asking for "technical help" in the investigation into the murder of Eid and his bodyguard which were killed in a massive car bombing on Jan. 25. Lebanon’s "Al-Nahar" newspaper found out from very high-level security sources that Captain Wissam Eid paid a heavy price of his achievements. In addition to finding out that Fatah al Islam was behind the Ain Alaq twin bus crime he also discovered the link between Fatah al Islam terrorists and Syria’s top intelligence chief, Major General Assef Shawkat, Shawkat is the brother -in -law of Syrian president Bashar al Assad Eid also had a major role in the investigation of the murder of former Prime minister Rafik Hariri and has been involved to a great extent with the UN investigation team.

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