Hizbullah: keep the Lebanese army weak

There should be no doubt that a strong Lebanese army, especially one aided by the US, is not welcomed by Hizbullah. The Iranian-armed "party" survives on claims that its "resistance" is better equipped to fight the enemy than the state's army.

Read Hizbullah's recent threats to the US in that context.

Hizbullah threatened Monday that U.S. troops would be treated as "occupation forces" on Lebanese soil. Hizbullah official Nawaf Mussawi made the threat in a statement to Agence France Presse.

He was commenting on alleged plans by the United States to set up a military base in Lebanon, a charge that has been made by as-Safir newspaper and denied both by the government and Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman.

"It is impossible to accept such a project. American soldiers on Lebanese soil will be considered an occupation force and will be treated as such," Mussawi told AFP.  "Let the Americans take (interpret) this message as they wish." (Naharnet)

Finger-waving Naim Qassem delivered a similar threat:

On Sunday, Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said the creation of U.S. military bases in Lebanon would be considered a "hostile act".

The report of an army base first surfaced on Debka, and was propagated by Iranian media, before landing in As-Safir. Denials by the Lebanese army, the US ambassador to Lebanon and the Lebanese cabinet did not stop Hizbullah from issuing the above threats. "Let them interpret this as they wish" means the Iranian-created party would not hesitate to kill American soldiers as they or their pals did in 1983.  It remains to be seen whether Hizbullah's threat also applies to visiting US officials working with the Lebanese army on training missions.

Hizbullah's religious ally, Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, sent a fax to AP laying down the "choice" before the Lebanese:

"We warn that the U.S. administration is offering the Lebanese a choice either to accept their country being turned into a (U.S.) military, security and political base, or to expect a new strife," Fadlallah said in a statement faxed to The Associated Press.

He said the Lebanese army was aware of attempts to link U.S. military aid to Lebanon to confronting the guerrilla group and was determined in "rejecting strife and rejecting any restrictions on its armament."

"The Lebanese, who have seen the American failure in Iraq and felt the American involvement with Israel in last year's war against Lebanon ... must be aware that what the administration of President Bush is aiming at is something else other than supporting the Lebanese army," Fadlallah said.

"It (U.S. Administration) is working to make Lebanon a new base for chaos and another position for NATO in order to exert pressure on regional and international powers which disobeyed its decisions and policies," the cleric added in a clear reference to Iran and Syria.

Unlike their Iranian counterparts, US defense officials have not been smuggling weapons or secretly building military structures in downtown Beirut. They also have not been shy about their feeling towards the Iranian-armed militia. They very well may be seeking to turn Lebanon into a strategic ally in the region. However, the rejection of this partnership is not based on a desire for an independent Lebanon. What Hizbullah wants is not a country free of American hegemony-- that is just a cover for their existential battle against March 14. They want an Iranian satellite state with a weak army and fertile ground for terrorists and their fixers.

For that, the real target of these threats is not just US-Lebanese military co-operation, but also any prospects of the Lebanese army gaining strength and a clear sense of purpose, which would come at the expense of the Iranian-funded militia. Hizbullah, after all, is used to the Syrian-run army of ushers, whose job was to clean beaches, put out forest fires, and turn a blind eye to arms smuggling and Syrian-sponsored terrorist attacks.

Perhaps Army Commander General Michel Suleiman, who denied the As-Safir report in a statement, can now pause and ponder about how the militia that grew under his blind eye is unashamedly calling him a liar and threatening the livelihood of his forces, and those of a supposedly friendly state.

Comments

[Bad Vilbel]

As I said in the previous thread...if Hezballah is that intent on protecting our sovereignty, let them go perform "resistance" against the Iranian revolutionay guards in the Bekaa, the Syrians in the East of Lebanon, the PFLP-GC bases, and so on.

Until then, they can kiss my ass. They have ZERO moral authority to determine what foreign presence in Lebanon is hostile and which isn't.

[JoseyWales]

Of course Sleiman and his ilk deserve everything they are getting. There are consequences to repeating ad nauseam "mouqawama" and "Syrian brothers" in every speech and on every page of the army web site.

So if Sleiman is feeling something up his behind right now, forgive me for not feeling sorry for him.

As to the all the Hezbo hacks and their statements above, they are implicitly saying: military/defense policy is OUR decision, period.

All our weaklings will do is deny a stupid rumor that no one believes.

Instead Hezbo et al. should be told in no uncertain terms that army/bases etc decisions will be made by parliament and not by Sheikh this and Sayyed that, nor by a political party.

[Blacksmith Jade]

Thanks for putting this up Abu Kais...

...I had tried to ignore the ludicracy of this propaganda maneuver's circulation over the weekend but had gotten so frustrated that I just had to post something about it on Monday...

...in any case, good to see the cavalry come riding in!

:)

I can't believe more people didn't call Hizballah and As-Safir on this sooner!! >(

[Danny]

I'd call the BS crap bluff of the "bearded clan". I'll start negotiating for a Nato base in Lebanon. If HA doesn't like it than let them go and "off" their Persian and AKHIIIIII yamo brothers' bases. They should not be able to intimidate the rest. I was happy to hear March 14 leaders respond to HA threats with spitting in their faces and calling them out! Zahra today, fatfat the other day, Chehayab as well have taunted the HA's to live up to their Bovine Scattalogy bravado. I say MORE OF THIS IS LONG OVERDUE......

[Bad Vilbel]

Hezbo et al. should be told in no uncertain terms that army/bases etc decisions will be made by parliament and not by Sheikh this and Sayyed that, nor by a political party.

DING DING DING! We have a winner!

But to understand the above notion, one needs to understand the very basic precepts of democracy and sovereignty. Sadly our weaklings in M14 don't understand the separation of state institutions vs. random Sayyed Asshat. And most of the regular populace does not get the very basics of civic mindedness needed to grasp these concepts.

[Super Dude]

B.V.

"Until then, they can kiss my ass."

Come now, your ass is much more worthy than to be kissed by fanatical boot lickers, non?! :D

BTW J.W. thanks for your opinion in the previous post. Try as I could, I never found that statement. Reason why I was looking for it is to see if weeping willow will actually have the balls to do what he said. Most Lebanese do not really pay attention to what their politicians are saying, only what they are telling them.

It is very interesting to observe how H.A.'s latest rhetoric has been re-calibrated. Thanks to them it will now be a 'film ameriki taweel' till the next round of foreign interference.

Fear not, I have plenty of la7m 3ajeen, pop-corn and Almaza in stock for the month of November.

Cheers.

[Solomon2]

They have ZERO moral authority

If you can frighten and intimidate people, who needs moral authority?

Regardless of the answer, so long as its peers refrain from challenging Hezbollah's claim, as a practical matter they do have moral authority, just as the Emperor was considered clothed until he was called out.

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction. - Blaise Pascal

Wouldn't you say that the current Maronite Patriarch is conspicuously silent on this issue?

[Ramzi S]

Bad Vilbel,

Sadly our weaklings in M14 don't understand the separation of state institutions vs. random Sayyed Asshat

Well said. Since they have the majority in government they should keep refering to the institutions. That will help corner Hizb, and maybe educate some of the populace. But you are right, I dont think they clearly understand the political system they are in.

[Bad Vilbel]

Ramzi, they don't understand it one bit.

This supposed "government" has allowed itself and the remainders of the state institutions to become a mockery.

If I were a legitimate government, I would NEVER accept these notions of dialoguing outside the state insitutions. Things like the "National Dialogue" (why do we need to do that outside of Parliament? Isn't that what parliament is for, where both opposition and M14 are represented?). Or having the next president agreed on in places like Bkirki, or wherever? Last I checked Bkirki was not the "presidential caucus" according to the constitution. Again: Isn't that what parliament is for?

Time and again, these idiots allow the opposition to drag them into agreeing to discuss matters outside of the state insitutions (and when i say "discuss", i mean "blackmail"). I don't understand why these things are even being debated. NOWHERE in the civilized world do president get picked this way NOWHERE.

So that's why the line you quoted above was stated: Unless random Sayyed Asshat is a member of parliament, he should have ZERO say. At least not in an official vote-making capacity. He's entitled to his private opinion, and that's it.

So Naim Qaseem, Hassan Nassrallah, and all those bozos can say and think whatever they want (freedom of opinion, a concept they probably are not familiar with), but they are NOT in charge of making policy, let alone deciding what foreign troops are allowed bases on Lebanese soil and which aren't.

Hell, you guys have several representatives in Parliament. Go ahead and bring a resolution to the floor and vote on it. Like they do in the US, or even Turkey, who this past week voted in parliament to authorize strikes into Iraq. That's what parliaments are for.
You guys (Nas and co.) are thugs who don't understand democracy and only know to make threats and blackmail.

[Najad]

Fuad Al-Siniora: Syria is Behind Fath Al-Islam

Al-Siniora's letter to Ban Ki-Moon and 'Amr Moussa stated:(1)

"After fierce battles lasting over 15 weeks, the Lebanese military managed
to wipe out the gang [called] Fath Al-Islam, which had been holding the
refugee camp of Nahr Al-Bared hostage with the aim of spreading anarchy
throughout the country. [At the same time,] the Lebanese government and
citizens have received [worrying] reports [to the effect that various]
political groups and parties in Lebanon are investing all their energies in
training military [forces] and in acquiring arms and military equipment. In
light of this [situation], I wish to consult and share information with you
regarding the infiltration of armed [fighters] into Lebanon. On September
24, [2007], the [Lebanese] government held a special session to discuss and
handle this issue, during which it received reports from the security and
intelligence apparatuses regarding these two issues...

"Honorable Secretary-General, you know that these [developments], and the
government discussions of these issues, are occurring as the presidential
elections draw near, and it seems that a shadow hangs over these elections
because of the security situation. The situation is such that the lives of
members of parliament from the [ruling] majority are in danger, for they are
being targeted and some have [already] been assassinated - the most recent
[of the victims] being MP Antoine Ghanem. It is also possible that the
election of a new president will be prevented by spreading anarchy and
instability...

"Fath Al-Islam:

"1. Information emerging from the events in Nahr Al-Bared, and the incidents
that followed them - including information obtained from interrogations of
Fath Al-Islam detainees, from the Internet, and from intercepted telephone
communications - indicates that the organization's plan, or plot, was of
dangerous proportions. [There were intentions] to take over a large part of
northern Lebanon, to instigate riots throughout the country, to bomb
government and private facilities, and to attack the international forces in
South Lebanon in order to intimidate the countries [from which they came]
and jeopardize the continued deployment of these forces, which came to
Lebanon on the basis of [U.N.] Resolution 1701 and [as part of] its
implementation.

"2. The information indicates that the Fath Al-Islam gang intended, among
other goals, to topple the Lebanese government, which was established
democratically and enjoys the confidence of the parliament; to prevent the
holding of a democratic presidential election; and to create circumstances
that would prevent the establishment of an international tribunal to try the
murderers of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Al-Hariri and of those who
were assassinated after him.

"3. Interrogations of Fatah Al-Islam detainees have revealed that some of
them believe in jihad, and thought they were training for [military
activities] in Iraq. Most of the organization's non-Lebanese fighters
entered [the country] illegally through the Syrian border. There was [also]
a small group [of non-Lebanese fighters] who had not been involved in
previous [military] activities, and who arrived [not through the Syrian
border but] through Beirut airport. Our assumption is that, owing to the
severe pressures exerted on Syria by the Arab [countries], by Europe, and by
America to stop sending jihad fighters into Iraq, [Syria began] to send some
of these fighters to Lebanon [instead], in the guise of Fath Al-Islam
fighters. Their commander was Shaker Al-'Absi, who, strangely enough, was
released from the Syrian prison ahead of time, along with some of his
followers.

"4. Those who entered Lebanon illegally came through military camps
belonging to the Popular Front-General Command, [headed by] Ahmad Jibril,
and through camps of the Fatah-Intifada [organization]. These camps are
[located] in Lebanon, right on the Syrian border. These organizations are
known to have camps on the border, on Lebanese soil, and to receive funds,
arms and ammunition directly from Syria on a daily basis. The Fath Al-Islam
fighters not only passed through these camps but also received training
there.

"5. The circumstances of [Shaker Al-'Absi's] release from the Syrian prison;
the way in which he and [other] Fath Al-Islam fighters passed into Lebanon;
the aid they received from Fatah-Intifada in Syria, in crossing the
Syrian-Lebanese [border], and in Lebanon [itself]; the quiet takeover [of
Fatah-Intifada by Fath Al-Islam], after which Fatah-Intifada turned all its
bases and funds over to Fath Al-Islam - all these indicate [the existence]
of a well-laid plan that could not have been made without the knowledge of
the leaders of Fatah-Intifada, [and without the knowledge] of their
sponsors, namely the Syrian intelligence. Fatah Al-Islam detainees revealed
under interrogation that some of their leaders were in direct contact with
Syrian intelligence officers. This means that Syrian intelligence used Fatah
Al-Islam, or some of its members, [to further] its political and security
aims in Lebanon.

"6. The confessions of [some] Fath Al-Islam members, who planted explosive
devices in two buses near the village of 'Ain 'Alaq northeast of Beirut,
confirms that this organization and its aims have nothing to do with jihad.
Moreover, the murder of Lebanese soldiers who were off duty, and even of
some innocent civilians, as well as the robbing of banks and places of
business, are not in concord with the goals of jihad that this organization
purports [to pursue]. This has caused nearly all the Palestinian groups to
distance themselves from this new organization and from its conduct and
actions, and even to condemn these terrorist operations. In their
confessions, the suspects in the 'Ain 'Alaq bombings stated that they had
been specifically ordered to carry out the bombing on February 14 [2007], on
the eve of the anniversary of Al-Hariri's assassination, because of the
marches and demonstrations that were [planned] for that day. This shows that
these people were motivated by political, rather than ideological, aims...

"7. The detainees also revealed that the [Fatah Al-Islam] fighters come from
two places. Some come from outside Lebanon. Most of these are Syrians,
Palestinians and others who reside in Syria, and some of them were ordered
to carry out operations outside Nahr Al-Bared, like the bombing of the two
buses in 'Ain 'Alaq. The [second group consists of fighters] from Nahr
Al-Bared [itself]. These [fighters] were confined in Nahr Al-Bared and were
not allowed to operate outside it. This is in tandem with the dual nature of
this organization: some of its members were extremists with well-defined
goals, and others were [fighters] from the refugee camp, who were exploited
for other purposes.

"8. The Lebanese military and security forces have managed to crush the head
of the snake in Nahr Al-Bared. However, reliable reports speak of ties
between [Fath Al-Islam] and other extremist organizations all over Lebanon.
The Lebanese government and its military and security forces are maintaining
a high level of alert in order to pursue the Fath Al-Islam members who are
still at large, as well as others who may be in contact with them.
[However], their efforts are being hampered by the fact that the official
Lebanese [security] forces are unable to monitor all the Lebanese
territories and to pursue [the terrorists] wherever they are - especially in
the Palestinian refugee camps, which have been a no-entry zone for the
Lebanese [armed] forces since 1969...

"[Military] Training and Armament Activities of Various Political Groups in
Lebanon

"1. It has [indeed] come to the knowledge of the military and security
forces of Lebanon that [certain] Lebanese political groups are arming
themselves. Also, in several parts in the country [various groups] are
training [their members] in the use of arms.

"2. In response, it seems that the rest of the political groups are [also]
training [their members] in self defense, as a precautionary [measure].
There are reports that the opposition forces are distributing arms [to their
activists] and training them in their use. Some [opposition] groups are
apparently being [trained and armed] by Hizbullah. There are also reports
that large quantities of weapons were smuggled [into Lebanon] from Syria
during the July 2006 war, and perhaps also after it, and distributed to
groups with strong ties to Syria.

"3. The Lebanese government views these reports... by the security and
intelligence apparatuses with great concern. It has instructed all the
security apparatuses to counter these activities and to stamp them out by
every legal means, in order to prevent the emergence of a climate conducive
to internal armed conflict. The government has also instructed its executive
apparatuses to treat all the political groups equally in enforcing the law
against [engaging in activities of] armament and military training...

"Dear Secretary-General, I hope that you find this information useful at
this time, when the Arab League and the U.N. are focusing their efforts on
helping Lebanon to preserve its independence and stability and to protect it
from external and internal dangers. The aim of this letter is to stress the
importance of monitoring the Lebanese borders and of preventing the
smuggling of arms into Lebanon. That is the most crucial issue..."

Syrian Government: It Has Been Proven That Elements in the Lebanese
Government Supported Fath Al-Islam

The Syrian letter sent in response to Al-Siniora's letter stated:(2)

"...Syria's greatest concern... is the tension in Lebanon, which has reached
unacceptable levels and which threatens Lebanon's present and even its
future. In this context, we [wish to] say that the [usual] blunt
intervention by a [certain] international power - which, until today, has
[only] deepened the disagreement among the Lebanese and kept them from
resolving their problems... - is a direct threat to Lebanon's security and
stability, since [this international power] is clearly biased in favor of
[one] Lebanese faction and against another. [This intervention] is
accompanied by a campaign of deception in the media, aimed at placing blame
on [certain] elements in Lebanon, and on Syria, whenever [this superpower]
fails to impose its suspicious objectives on Lebanon.

"When Syria emphasized its willingness to help its Lebanese brothers to
bridge their differences, and stressed its overwhelming desire to establish
good relations with Lebanon, on every level, it found that some Lebanese had
adopted radical views that did not serve [the objective] of establishing
relations, and [did so], as usual, with the help of foreign elements.
Matters reached the point where [certain] Lebanese officials used their
recent visit to the United Nations as an opportunity to achieve one goal and
one goal only - namely, to damage Syria's image, to incite the Security
Council against Syria, and to convey messages to the U.N. and to other
elements that do not imply even the slightest desire for natural relations
between [Syria and Lebanon].(3) These [Lebanese] elements also launched
campaigns of deception in the media, distorting facts and damaging the
long-standing [good] relations between these two peoples and the two
countries...

"This behavior, which evinces not the slightest degree of diplomatic or
moral good manners, left no opportunity for serious dialogue between the two
countries. The attack [on Syria was launched] by officials from the highest
echelons of the Lebanese government, and by commanders of certain militias
that spilled Lebanese blood during the civil war and are now represented in
the Lebanese government. It was against this backdrop that Lebanese Prime
Minister [Al-Siniora] sent his October 8, 2007 letter to U.N.
Secretary-General [Ban Ki-Moon]. [The letter] was full of deceptions and
distortions, the purpose of which was to cover for the [faults] of this
government, of its officials, and of those who stand behind them, and for
their failure to take responsibility for the various sectors of [Lebanese]
society...

"Syria reacted to these statements [with restraint], and [decided] to
refrain from responding to the lies, attacks and incitement against it.
Syria continued its policy of supporting Lebanon - all the Lebanese - in the
face of the great challenges that Lebanon, and the entire region, are
[currently] facing...

"The grudge felt by the Lebanese prime minister against Syria caused him to
accuse Syria, in his recent letter, of supporting the terrorists of Fath
Al-Islam. This was a desperate attempt [on his part] to cover for the
[certain] elements in the Lebanese government who, it has been proven,
extended material and moral support to the terrorists of [this
organization]. The Lebanese prime minister knows better than anyone that it
was Syria who extended generous support to the Lebanese army in its struggle
against the terrorists in Nahr Al-Bared, and that it closed its border [with
Lebanon] in order to assist the Lebanese army. Contrary to the false claims
of this letter, Syria emphasized that Fath Al-Islam is just as much an enemy
of Syria as it is an enemy of Lebanon. In this context, we wish to draw [the
attention] of the Lebanese prime minister to statements made by top
commanders in the Lebanese army, who emphasized that Fath Al-Islam is a
branch of Al-Qaeda and has no connection whatsoever to the Syrian
intelligence. This was [acknowledged] by the commander-in-chief of the
Lebanese army, and by the head of the Lebanese military intelligence, on
September 4, 2007.

"As for the claims in [Al-Siniora's] letter regarding the release [from the
Syrian prison] of the one called Shaker Al-'Absi, these are stupid claims
that hardly merit a response. It is a well-known [fact] that there have been
several clashes between the Syrian security forces and Fath Al-Islam, and
that [the Syrian security forces] managed to kill several of its members,
including its second-in-command, called Ahmad Tayoura, who was killed close
to the Syrian-Iraqi border when the fighting in Nahr Al-Bared broke out. The
Lebanese prime minister mentioned the nationality of some of the terrorists
[of Fath Al-Islam], but refrained from mentioning the nationality [of
others] - who [actually] made up the majority of the Fath Al-Islam
terrorists - for reasons that are obvious to all.(4)

"The government of the Arab Syrian Republic wishes to reiterate once again
that it has taken every possible measure to prevent infiltration across its
border with Lebanon. It has doubled the [number of] border patrol troops on
the Syrian side. In addition, the talks between the Lebanese and the Syrians
regarding the monitoring of the border continue, and we have submitted to
the [U.N.] secretary-general and to the chairman of the Security Council a
detailed list of these talks. In repeating the accusations made by Israel
and by those standing behind it [against Syria] regarding the smuggling of
arms across the Syrian-Lebanese [border], the [Lebanese] prime minister has
[endorsed] the position of the enemy regarding Syria, and has [thus]
revealed his true colors and has taken off the masks behind which he has
long been hiding.

"As for the Palestinian presence in Lebanon, it is known to be regulated by
Palestinian-Lebanese agreements. [It is also known] that all the Palestinian
bases in Lebanon are on Lebanese soil. Hence, Syria is not responsible for
any damage caused by the agreements between the Palestinian and Lebanese
sides, if such a [breach] has indeed occurred.

"The timing of Al-Siniora's letter, which includes false claims and
distorted facts, comes at a crucial juncture for Lebanon, a short time
before the [Lebanese] presidential elections. Instead of working to unite
the Lebanese people, and helping them to reach an agreement in order to
resolve the problems facing Lebanon, the prime minister and the forces he
represents are unreservedly endorsing the positions of one side, and blaming
Syria unjustly for the failure of their [own] policy.

"In the near future, you [Ban Ki-Moon] are due to present the Security
Council with two reports on the implementation of Security Council
Resolutions 1559 and 1701. In this regard, Syria reiterates that it has
complied with all [the articles] that relate to it in Resolution 1559 by
withdrawing its military and security forces from Lebanon. Syria also
emphasizes that, regardless of what has been stated in the past and may be
stated in the future in the reports of [U.N.] Special Representative Mr.
Terje Roed-Larsen, the issues of establishing diplomatic relations between
Syria and Lebanon, and the demarcation of the border between them, impinge
upon the sovereignty of the two countries, and will [only] be resolved in an
agreement between the Syrian government and a Lebanese government that will
not position itself as an enemy of Syria. All relevant parties in Lebanon
and outside it, and all member countries in the U.N., must know that Syria
is completely willing to establish full diplomatic relations with any
Lebanese government that believes in [maintaining] friendly relations with
Syria and is not hostile towards [Syria], as the present Al-Siniora
government is.

"Israel's violations of [U.N.] Resolution 1701, which occur on an almost
daily basis, and which have been mentioned in dozens of Lebanese letters [of
complaint] to the Security Council, prove that it is Israel who is
disregarding this resolution and ignoring its articles. As for the attacks
carried out by criminal elements against UNIFIL in South Lebanon, Syria has
condemned them in no uncertain terms...

"Syria takes this opportunity to reiterate its unchanging position, which
[calls to] preserve the unity of the Lebanese territory and the Lebanese
people, [and which upholds] Lebanon's independence and [calls for]
non-interference in its internal affairs. Syria emphasizes its willingness
to work with all faithful elements and sides in order to [help] Lebanon
overcome this difficult period in its history. In particular, Syria
emphasizes its support for any sincere effort [aimed at promoting] the
election of a Lebanese president who will be accepted by all the [Lebanese]
and who will be president of all the Lebanese. It stresses its desire to
establish the best possible relations with its sister [Lebanon],
[especially] in light of the joint interests of the two countries and the
two peoples."

Endnotes:
(1) Al-Nahar (Lebanon), October 12, 2007.
(2) Teshreen (Syria), October 19, 2007.
(3) The reference is to the following events: on October 8-9, 2007,
Al-Mustaqbal Chairman Sa'd Al-Hariri and other members of his faction met
with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, and with several of his aides,
including Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs Nicolas Michel,
Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Affairs Jean-Marie Guéhenno, and
U.N. Special Representative for the Implementation of Security Council
Resolution 1559 Terje Roed Larsen. Al-Hariri also met with representatives
of the five permanent members of the Security Council. The talks dealt with
ways to stop the wave of assassinations of Lebanese leaders, with the need
to accelerate the establishment of the international tribunal, and with the
implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701 and other U.N. resolutions concerning
Lebanon. One week later, on October 16, 2007, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt
met in New York with Ban Ki-Moon, Nicolas Michel, Terje Roed Larsen and the
representatives of the five permanent members of the Security Council, to
discuss similar issues. Al-Mustaqbal (Lebanon), October 9, 2007; October 10,
2007; October 17, 2007.
(4) The allusion is probably to the Saudi origin of several of the
Fath-Al-Islam members.

[Shunkleash]

OK! So another traffic report.

Weepy boy wrote a letter to the big boy----Dark Side Of Moon of the UN. In it he gives us his usual macho man side....you know the mucho gusto machismo tacobell eirbiteezee side. He explains how the leb army is on the border in full force cracking down hard on smuggling routes and smugglers. He explains in detail the steps his government is taking to keep rogue entities like PFLP-GC and HA in check/line. That army and intelligence posts are being filled with loyal lebanese instead of syrian and hizbteezee puppet "yes men". He has also confirmed that his gov is ensuring that all constituional methods are being employed to resolve the presidential debacle. Finally, he lets the international community know that lebanon is the conference and dialogue hub of the orient and all are invited to HIWAR UP THE ASS as much as they want.

In response the syrian, we lick bashars ass "flavour of the month" club, send a letter basically rejecting everything weepy boy says. In fact they have the audacity to call our pm a pussy...WALLOW!!!. They then go on to say it was the JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS! Well done syrian government fuckheads...you guys know how to write a letter.

Dark Side of Moon I understand is now doing what every good Sec Gen of the UN has done since the founding of this AUGUST body...he is scratching his ass waiting for the next committee to review these two peices of correspondence. AND THEN, BOY OH BOY WATCH OUT!!! CUZ YOU KNOW WHATS GONNA HAPPEN??

Back to reality...I have made the point and it will now be my new mantra...WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR YOURSELF LATELY? no one is going to take any pol in leb seriously until they start acting like trustees of the constitution and the protectors of the rights of the people. They can only do that by adopting the RIGHT and CORRECT positions vis a vie the current blackmail being carried out by forces well known to all. IF they dont then no amount of begging and hand holding and photo ops will do it. IF YOU DON'T CARE, THEY DON'T CARE ou KHALLAS!

For instance, Pussy boy wants someone else to monitor OUR FCUKING BORDER when he isnt even prepared to do it. I can just see the jamaican contingent on the border with syria...they will want to stop all the drugs FOR SURE!!

NO ONE WILL FORGET that pussy boy had a golden/glorious chance last year to secure our borders but then shat himself and said NON MERCI because our brotherly fucks with supportive sabre rattling from HA claimed in a most scandalous and incredulous fashion that such a move would constitute an act of war. Not even a "peep" to call the bluff...only silence.

The lebanese army will continue to be seen as an oversized rent a cop service until we start using it the way it was meant to be used. DEFENDING THE COUNTRY from all cowans and usurpers. Does anyone forget his "i love hizbteezee" remark while praising the army after the nahr al bared fight. The army rank and file, who lost friends and comrades, should really feel appreciated after that! Well done weepy boy!!

Im starting to agree that mr siniora is not so incredibly stupid or lilly livered after all. I think that he is playing both sides to this game. IS HE A TRAITOR OR DOES HE HAVE HIS FINGER STUCK UP SAAAAAADS ASS?!?!? Time will tell I suppose.

Ayesh Lubnan

[Ramzi S]

Shunkleash,

I agree. The missed opportunities by Siniora are in the hundreds. They need to call the bluff. And if someone is refusing their command point them out.

And why was that letter sent only to the UN? Why does he not care to convince the Lebanese of the reality of Syrian involvement at Nahr Al-Bared? Half the ridiculously conspiracy filled Lebanese public still thinks that March 14th armed the fighters in Nahr-Al-Bared..

How about televising some confessions? Or at least a transcript? Without this information conspiracy theories are free to brew..

[JoseyWales]

Thanks Najad for posting the Saniora letter, which even news junkies have a difficult time locating thanks to Saniora's PR.

Saniora, who tells his people nothing, is always busy communicating with foreigners, preferably 3 months after people stop caring about the subject matter.

There's only one appropriate response to this thing: "I crap on Saniora and his letter" which is the response he gets daily from Hezbo/Aoun and here, above, from Shunkleash.

My questions to Saniora: What are you going to do about Jibril (fomenting mayhem), and about your own army's intelligence chiefs (whitewashing Syria) in light of the above? (other than write Ban Ki).

Every line in this despicable letter got me fuming but none more than:

[Evidence} confirms that this organization {Fatah Islam] and its aims have nothing to do with jihad.
Moreover, the murder of Lebanese soldiers who were off duty, and even of
some innocent civilians, as well as the robbing of banks and places of
business, are not in concord with the goals of jihad that this organization
purports [to pursue]. This has caused nearly all the Palestinian groups to
distance themselves from this new organization...

After everything, this pathetic abject passive supine PM, who failed to defend his gvmnt and his country, still feels the need to:

a-defend jihad

b-seek cover/approval of the Palestinian groups

[Bad Vilbel]

I still don't understand why the head of our government cannot simply fire the army chief, the intelligence chiefs, and anyone else deemed not to be doing their job.

(Well, besides the fact that he's an incompetent nincompoop)

[Super Dude]

Is he allowed to do it by law? Does anyone know the mechanisms for such (dis-)appoinments?

[fubar]

Those are MEMRI translations and can be found here:

http://www.memri.org/bin/opener_latest.cgi?ID=SD174707

Hey Najad, nice catch, but don't forget the attribution next time. "MEMRI holds copyrights on all translations. Materials may only be used with
proper attribution."

It is just common courtesy not to drag our buddy AK into the rabbit hole of copyright infringement litigation. = )

[Super Dude]

Ok to follow up on appointments:

Article 65 point 3. of the constitution gives the PM the authority to appoint and dismiss government employees.

Maybe he is satisfied with him :D

La7m 3ajeen!

[fubar]

Perhaps this will shed a little light on the matters of (1) jihad/Palestinians and (2) Hezbollah and the Army.

Siniora is Sunni and Lebanon is united with all the "Arab" countries behind the Palestinian cause.

And even General Suleiman/Sleiman admits that the Army cannot defend Lebanon and that is Hezbollah's job.

CNN interview from April 23, 2006 (before the Summer War):

BLITZER: Mr. Prime minister, welcome to Washington and welcome to "Late Edition."

FOUAD SINIORA, PRIME MINISTER, LEBANON: Thank you very much.

BLITZER: You met with the president of the United States this week.

SINIORA: Yes.

BLITZER: Afterward, Mr. Bush said this. So let's run a little clip. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: We talked about the need to make sure that there is a full investigation on the death of former Prime Minister Hariri. And we'll work with the international community to see that justice is done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: "Justice is done." Who do you believe? Do you believe the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad had a hand in assassinating your predecessor, the former prime minister? SINIORA: Well, Wolf, actually, to be very fair and to be very, very correct in this, one should not really make any accusations before the end of the investigation.

We are giving all the necessary support to the international investigation commission. And we need to really get to know the facts, what really happened.

I am in no position to make any accusation to anybody.

BLITZER: The president of Syria told Charlie Rose, an American television anchorman, on March 27, "Nobody threatened him in Syria, me or anybody else," referring to Rafik Hariri.

And then President Assad last November -- he said "Lebanon has returned to being a passage and a center for all conspiracies against Syria...They accused Syria right away while acquitting Israel because they are trading with Hariri's blood."

Strong words from President Bashar al-Assad. There is a widespread belief, as you well know, in Lebanon that the Syrians didn't like Rafik Hariri and decided to kill him.

SINIORA: Well, let me tell you something in this regard very clearly, is that, after the meeting that Prime Minister Hariri had with President Assad, he called me over the telephone, just immediately, about one hour after he left, and he asked me to join him to a meet him in his house in the mountains.

And we met together. I took with me, at that time, my assistant, who is Dr. Basif Lehan (ph) who became, actually, a member of the parliament and a minister later on.

We went together -- we had lunch together with Prime Minister Hariri. And he told me, specifically, that President Assad told him that if he doesn't really abide by the election of or the extension of the term of President Lahoud, he will break the country on his head.

BLITZER: So he did make a direct threat, President Bashar al- Assad, to the late Prime Minister Hariri?

SINIORA: That's exactly what I've heard, verbatim from the Prime Minister Hariri, immediately after two hours of the meeting.

BLITZER: So your suspicion is that Syria had a role, not only in the assassination of Rafik Hariri but several other prominent Lebanese figures over the past year or so?

SINIORA: Well, knowing this and with other facts, now it's in the hands of the investigation commission to get to know.

Now, it's not only that we want to know who really did this crime to Prime Minister Hariri -- and there were other crimes that were committed before and other crimes that were committed later on -- and actually, Lebanon, throughout the past two decades, has been experiencing a great deal of political crimes. So it is very important to really get to know who has been behind this crime and the other crimes so that we can really give a lesson to others.

BLITZER: U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559 calls for "the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias."

And only this week, the special United Nations envoy, Terje Roed Larsen, issued a report calling for the full implementation of 1559, in which he also wrote this: "Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias continue to exist and operate in Lebanon and challenge the government, which by definition is vested with a monopoly on the use of force throughout its territory."

The most significant Lebanese militia is Hezbollah... There has not yet been any noticeable change in the operational status and capabilities of Hezbollah."

SINIORA: Yes.

BLITZER: Are you taking any steps at all to disband these militias, especially Hezbollah?

SINIORA: See, Terje, in his report -- he tries to really put the picture that there is a great deal of similarities between the 1559 and the national reconciliation accord that was made by the Lebanese in 1950 and 1989, which is very important and known to be the Taif agreement.

We have always expressed our view regarding the 1559 that Lebanon respects the international resolutions. And we are, in fact, trying to look at how we can deal with this international resolution.

We said that there are certain methods that have been implemented and other methods that would need a national dialogue. And that's what has been going in Lebanon.

BLITZER: You're here in Washington. The State Department, the Bush administration, the U.S. government considers Hezbollah to be a terrorist organization with close ties to Syria and Iran.

What do you think Hezbollah is?

SINIORA: We see it, in Lebanon, differently, that Hezbollah is a Lebanese party, which was quite effective in empowering the Lebanese.

BLITZER: If it's a party, it's one thing. If it's a militia, it's another.

SINIORA: Yes. Let me say, that it has been effective in empowering Lebanon to get rid of the Israeli occupation.

Now, what do we really want to do in this respect? Finally, we want to liberate what's left of Lebanese territories that are still occupied. And we will have to really agree among ourselves as Lebanese, through the national dialogue, on a strategy how to really protect Lebanon.

And this will lead us into a situation where the government and the Lebanese army will be the sole authority in Lebanon. We believe in a monopoly.

BLITZER: Here's what General Michel Sleiman, the commander of the Lebanese army, was quoted in the Chicago Tribune this week as saying.

He said, referring to Hezbollah: "We need them. Israel is our enemy ... and [Hezbollah] provides specific operations and abilities that, in general [are] not provided by anyone in the army."

Is that an abdication that the Lebanese army simply can't get its own security done?

SINIORA: I don't know how this has been, really, put by Michel Sleiman, but the Lebanese government position is that this is a matter that has to be discussed among the Lebanese through the national dialogue. And we are achieving progress.

In fact, over the past few weeks, several of the most important issues, very delicate ones, we have already arrived at a consensus in the national dialogue.

And what remains is the arms, or the weapons of Hezbollah and this will have to be dealt with in the light of a national strategy, how to defend Lebanon, that will take us into a situation where we can have a full monopoly of the state.

You see, this is something that -- you can't just disarm Hezbollah in a manner like that. This is part of the Lebanese -- it's represented in the parliament and the government. And we are dealing with the situation in the best manner possible, leading toward the monopoly of the state, of its affairs and the country.

BLITZER: Here's what you know. The Israelis occupy a small sliver of land called the Shebaa Farms which Syria says is really Syria. The United Nations says it's Syria. The Israelis say it's Syria. You say it's Lebanon. It's a tiny little area. The Israelis withdrew from the rest of Lebanon several years back.

Here's what you were quoted, on January 16, as saying in As- Safir, which raised alarm bells here in Washington.

I'll read it to you and tell me if this is an accurate quote: "Lebanon will not sign any peace agreement with Israel even after the liberation of the Shebaa Farms from Israeli occupation and the release of our prisoners in Israel."

SINIORA: Yes.

BLITZER: So under no circumstances will you follow the lead of Egypt or Jordan and sign a peace treaty with Israel?

SINIORA: Let me tell you something, is that this area, which is about 40 square kilometers -- Lebanon has always been exercising its sovereignty over that part of land.

And Syrians -- they have saying that this is Lebanese, but they are short of signing all the necessary documentation as requested by the United Nations. And that's what we are going to talk with the United Nations and with the Syrians so that we can achieve a happy ending to this thing.

Now, as soon as something really happens regarding the withdrawal from the Shebaa Farms by the Israeli forces, we'll go back to the armistice agreement.

Now, why Lebanon cannot really go into a unilateral peace with Israel?

BLITZER: Why not? What's wrong with that?

SINIORA: Let me tell you.

BLITZER: Why could Jordan do it? Why could Egypt do it?

SINIORA: See, Lebanon is a country quite diverse, has about 18 confessional groups. Lebanon is committed to the agreement that was made by the Arab countries. And this has been expressed in the Arab summit that happened in Beirut.

Lebanon says that it is in the interests of the country to keep the country united, that it is the best thing to do is to stay united with all the Arab countries.

Once this is done by the Arab countries and Lebanon has really committed itself to the conclusions and the resolutions that were made in the Arab summit, once this is done, then Lebanon will sign a peace treaty, like all of the other Arab countries and following everybody that has done that. Lebanon believes in peace. We believe that the best road toward really resolving issues in the Middle East is through the peace process.

BLITZER: So you could see a day, down the road, at some point, where Lebanon will sign a peace treaty with Israel?

SINIORA: Yes, at the end when all the Arab countries do, Lebanon do that.

BLITZER: All right, so let's talk about Iran right now because we don't have a lot of time left.

Nasib Lahoud, a Lebanese parliament member said this on March 13. He said, "There is without any doubt a growing Iranian influence not only in Lebanon but in the whole region."

How worried are you that the Iranians, through Hezbollah, could dominate, could control your country?

SINIORA: Well, Iran is a fact of life. It's a fact of geography and it is neighboring the Arab world in Iraq. We are very sincere in having good relations with Iran, but on the basis of no intervention. And we want to discourage Iran from intervention.

BLITZER: Are they intervening, though?

SINIORA: Well, I think they have lots of connections. And the relationship that we are having with Hezbollah, members of the parliament and in the cabinet, they say they are friendly with Iran, but they are a Lebanese party.

And that's what really is to be proven, over time, that they are really behaving as a Lebanese party. And we want to encourage them to behave as a Lebanese party.

BLITZER: Mr. Prime minister, it's been nice of you to come to Washington, nice of to you join us here at "Late Edition." Thanks very much.

SINIORA: Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity.

BLITZER: And good luck to you and all of the people of Lebanon.

SINIORA: Thank you.

[Super Dude]

Correction, it is the council and not the PM that has the authority. So I guess they are all satisfied...

[fubar]

Dude,

You are posing your own question, answering your own question, and now correcting your own answer to your own question.

Wow, and I sometimes think that I am talking to myself. = )

[ghassan karam]

Shunkleash,
I , for one, am convinced of the validity of your conclusion regarding Mr. Saniora/ jellyfish/ weeping willow etc. If you recall I wrote , I believe on this very blog, around a week ago that logical analysis of the dynamics of the association between PM Saniora and HA leads to pnly one conclusion. This cabinet has been God sent for HA. There is nothing that HA wanted to accomplish that was either stopped or even hindered by this government. Mr. Saniora has facilitated every single move by HA from refusing to name them as a militia, rejecting 1701 under chapter 7, not forcing the issue of replacing the resigned ministers, failing to press for timely by elections, allowing HA to complete its parallel telecom, agreeing to rearming HA, turning a blind eye to the new fortifications, failing to clear downtown Beirut etc... If the man is not a dues paying member of HA then he is at best either a forced plant or a person with dual allegiances. On all counts he has been a disaster and Lebanon just cannot afford this much incompetence and cluelessness. Lebanon's problem does not end with electing an "independent President" because then the country passes into the phase that really matters, that of establishing a functional government. If we fail this test, and I am afraid that we would, then the inevitable victory over the Presidency will be hollow indeed.

[Shunkleash]

Q & A time...at University de Shunkleash. Im ranting so please feel free to ignore me, i wont be offended:-)

Is syria and its proxies only killing those members of parliament that it deems real threats? ie. Tueni, Eido, Ghannem, Gemayal. I don't believe the argument that they wouldn't kill another PM. He should be the prime target! As it is 2 yrs have passed since they killed hariri and they haven't been called to account...they should be emboldened no?

Could it be that Syria already knows that it has no worries with the esteemed PM in that he will bend over when the time is ripe?

Why hasn't siniorita waded into the fray, but rather chosen to take a long vow of silence as regards the presidential debate?

Why was he so accomodating to hizbteezeez cry for help last July in calling for a halt of hostilities? He should have been the first to let israel finish the job even if it was messy. Mind you they were teaching us all a hard lesson for allowing garbage to remain in the house...but i believe it was a lesson we needed to learn.

Why was he so reluctant to let the army demolish nahr al bared...but wanted dialogue especially with the "palestinian scholars"?

Why was he falling over himself to announce that nahr al bared would be rebuilt even before the flames had died down?

What is this pukes real agenda?

Come to think of it, in 2 yrs ive seen nothing from this man that builds confidence in the future. My view is that he is an opportunist and was , and remains, as corrupt as anyone in hariri's entourage, hariri included.

Ayesh lubnan

[Bad Vilbel]

Ugh. I threw up in my mouth while reading that transcript.

Hey, Fuad, man, you realize these pukes are out to topple you, or even kill you, not to mention dictate their will on the Lebanese people. Why are you still defending them?

Siniora sounds like the wimp he is in this interview. What a fucking pussy. No wonder everyone is walking all over us Lebanese when we have THAT for our voice to the international community. I'd rather have Jumblatt for president or PM right now. Someone who will tell it like it is.

Why is Saniora still tip toe-ing around the resistance? Fine, they helped liberate the South in 2000. That's 7 years ago. They are now occupying and threatening Lebanon. Stop kissing their asses, fool!

Same with regards to Syria. If someone from Lebanon as much as sneezes, the pompous demagogues in Damascus come out and openly threaten war and violence - Blitzer might have wanted to look up the various speeches in which Bashar and his cronies said they would not ALLOW this or that in Lebanon (who are they to allow anything in another country?).

Saniora, on the other hand, goes out of his way to kiss ass, even when he's being pummeled. I wouldn't be surprised if Saniora was one of those guys who'd watch his own mother raped savagely and then say about the perp "The poor guy was sexually abused. We have to understand where he's coming from."