UNIFIL troops targeted again in southern Lebanon

A roadside bomb exploded today in Rmaileh in southern Lebanon, wounding two UNIFIL soldiers from the Irish contingent. The attack comes hours after Israel claimed two rockets were fired from southern Lebanon into northern Israel. More later.

Comments

[Shukri]

So basically all those being pimped out by the Syrians and Iranians have been told to create as much silly trouble as possible before Bush visits the region.
When are we going to stop selling ourselves for a few dollars just to create havoc for a bunch of mafiosa.
I hope all these magically coincidental situations (fatah al-islam, rockets, attacks on unifil) don't destroy our country that's already suffering too much.

[Abilama]

FAI
Fired 2 Katyusha 107 mm rockets into the town of Shlomi in in Israel last night. They want to provoke another war between Israel and Lebanon and cause an Israeli retaliation. All by orsers of their masters in Damscus. Where was UNIFIL?
Where Was the Lebanese army?

AP reports:
Two rockets fired from Lebanon struck northern Israel overnight, the military said Tuesday, expanding the violence that has erupted on Israel's other borders ahead of President Bush's visit to the region. No injuries were reported.

It was the second rocket attack on Israel from Lebanon since Israel's summer 2006 war with Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas. In June, two rockets fired by a previously unknown group, the Jihadi Badr Brigades - Lebanon Branch, fell in Israel, causing minor damage but no injuries.

Israeli military officials said it appeared the same group was behind Tuesday's attack, although there was no claim of responsibility.

A senior military officer in Beirut told The Associated Press that the Israeli report was "baseless and completely fabricated." He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the incident with the media.

Yasmina Bouziane, a spokeswoman for U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon, said the force had a team on the ground looking into the report. "In the meantime, we can't confirm or deny" the Israeli claims, she said.

[Bad Vilbel]

There's your Arab initiative (with supposed Syrian consent) right there! Take that Amr Moussa!

[Andre]

All of this is a test for UNIFIL. It is to show that they are not capable of doing the job and to further cast doubt about the effectiveness of this force in southern Lebanon. Of course if the mighty HA resistance was there then there would be no problems! Never mind the israeli bombings in retaliation to those resistance operations that have ravaged that part of the country for so long.

[danny]

Syrian response...

FAI, roadside bomb and a couple of Katyouchas for good measure!!

Choke on that Amr...

[Bad Vilbel]

Danny! That's called plagiarism, what you did just there :)
Stealing my material.

(Just kidding)

[danny]

BV

Copying from the master. Inadvertant, however poignant. I demurely defer...

[Fawzan]

I was just going to say that if Amr starts getting progress, it may be time for another assassination attempt. I guess they have enough assets on the ground to do more than one message to everyone. Where these Spanish UNIFELs?

[Ace]

"All of this is a test for UNIFIL."

It's not a "test" for anyone. It's a message for all. As BV says - Take THAT Arab League - who the hell do they think they are to "force" Syria to agree to anything! Take THAT Lebanon - The UNIFIL can't protect you, only HA can protect against Israel. Take THAT Bush - you are unwanted in the Mid-East. Take THAT Spain - how dare you decide what will be done with Syrian prisoners. Take THAT EU - your UNIFIL troops are at very great risk and don't you forget it - Syria and HA will "protect" them or not ... our choice. Take THAT M14 - we still want the VETO and we have the weapons to back us up.

Do you think everyone got the "message"?

[Andre]

Ace,

All that is remaining is for Israel to "bite" and the message will be then "received" and over! I agree with you. I was just being sarcastic, but you actually made the same points I was making...you were just covering all bases:-)

[Andre]

I read on MSNBC according to an article that President Bush might make a surprise stop in Lebanon as part of showing his support for M14 and Siniora. Despite the security concerns voiced by the president's entourage, Bush is said to be seriously mulling the idea.

[Abi Lama]

His master's Voice!!!

Le Hezbollah s'implante grâce à l'aide du guide suprême iranien
Rita DAOU - Le Hezbollah libanais s'est constitué une solide base populaire grâce à son maillage social, financé en partie de son propre aveu par le guide suprême iranien, l'ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ce qui fait dire à ses détracteurs qu'il est devenu "un Etat dans l'Etat".

Ali Khamenei et Hassan Nasrallah Le parti chiite, qui s'est illustré par ses opérations spectaculaires contre l'armée israélienne, s'est lancé dans l'activité sociale en 1987 notamment à travers l'organisation "Le jihad de la reconstruction" qui gère depuis l'été la reconstruction après la guerre dévastatrice israélienne.

"Les organisations du Hezbollah reçoivent de l'argent du guide suprême iranien l'ayatollah Ali Khamenei", a affirmé à l'AFP Bilal Naïm, directeur adjoint du comité exécutif du Hezbollah.

Selon lui, cet argent "propre et pur" fait partie des dons des chiites à travers le monde aux marjaa (autorités religieuses de référence chez les chiites) et est destiné au "bien public et à ceux qui sont opprimés".

Une polémique a éclaté sur l'origine de l'argent que le Hezbollah a promis d'accorder aux Libanais dont les habitations ont été endommagées ou détruites durant l'offensive israélienne de juillet-août provoquée par la capture de deux soldats israéliens.

Le gouvernement libanais a annoncé de son côté le paiement de dédommagements, le Premier ministre Fouad Siniora critiquant les sources de financement du Hezbollah. "Tout l'argent que nous recevons est légal et déposé sur les comptes de l'Etat", a ainsi souligné M. Siniora.
"Le Hezbollah a déjà dépensé 300 millions de dollars en aides et dédommagements", a indiqué M. Naïm, soulignant que le parti chiite prévoit d'octroyer en tout 600 M USD d'aides.

Selon lui, le plan de reconstruction du Hezbollah a commencé par le déblaiement et le paiement de dédommagements à ceux dont les maisons ont été complètement détruites pour les aider à trouver un logement. Ensuite, des aides à la réhabilitation d'habitations partiellement détruites ont été octroyées.

Dans la banlieue sud de Beyrouth, ravagée par l'offensive israélienne, le Hezbollah a créé la "société de reconstruction de la banlieue sud" qui sera opérationnelle dans trois mois.
Le Hezbollah, créé en 1982 en tant que "résistance" à l'occupation israélienne avant de se transformer en organisation en 1984, dirige aussi 14 écoles dans plusieurs régions du Liban qui accueillent plus de 14.000 élèves.
"Ces écoles ne sont pas gratuites mais tiennent compte des conditions sociales des élèves et offrent une éducation gratuite notamment aux enfants des martyrs et aux orphelins", a précisé M. Naïm.

Le Hezbollah, soutenu par Damas et Téhéran et seul groupe libanais encore armé, possède aussi deux hôpitaux dans le sud du Liban et dans la plaine de la Békaa. Il gère également 36 dispensaires où les soins sont "quasi-gratuits" pour les membres du parti.
Pour la couverture médiatique de ses activités politiques et sociales, le Parti de Dieu disposent d'un site internet, d'un hebdomadaire, d'une radio et de la télévision Al-Manar.
Le Hezbollah a aussi pignon sur rue dans les domaines économique et social et accorde des aides aux nécessiteux et aux jeunes mariés.

Toutes ces organisations et services offerts par le Hezbollah a fait dire à ses détracteurs que le parti de Dieu constituait un "Etat dans l'Etat".

"Notre leadership est libanais, notre public est libanais et notre agenda politique aussi", rétorque le parti.

"Le but de toutes ces organisations est un message divin et politique pour le bien de la nation", tient à préciser Bilal Naïm.

AFP

[Andre]

AL,

It is true that Hizb as an organization is highly disciplined and has superb organizational skills that truly give much to those in need particularly in areas of charity, health care and education....HOWEVER, it also uses all of this to build a huge popularity among the Shiite community to implement its policies which are not necessarily in line with the national interest and does in fact run against the legal authorities in the country...No one has a more efficient organization than HA in Lebanon, not even the government, but by using its popular and political influence to promote its own policies (and those of its foreign sponsors) that flout those of the state it is meant to serve, HA is indeed building a state within a state not to mention the serious issue of hoarding illegal weapons. Once the HA leadership recognizes that the authority of the state comes first, and they work to change it through legal, political and civil means based on their popularity and not through initimidation and obstructionism then HA will be truly admired and not by just one sect in Lebanon.

[Abi Lama]

André
I fully agree with your analysis.

[Abi Lama]

André
I fully agree with your analysis.

[Abilama]

Libya Prevents Security Council Condemnation of Rockets from Lebanon

Israeli concerns over how Libya would treat the Jewish state during its rotation in the presidency of the United Nations Security Council, which began last week did not take long to manifest.
The Libyans have blocked an Israeli resolution condemning the recent firing of Katyusha rockets from Lebanon into Israel.

The Israelis are insisting that the resolution call attention to the attack being a violation of Resolution 1701, which ended the war between Israel and the Hizbullah in the summer of 2006.
But the Libyans are preventing that from happening, arguing that there is no proof that the rockets were fired from Lebanon.
They are also insisting that the resolution carry a condemnation of Israeli reconnaissance

[Andre]

The libyans have always towed the arab line when it comes to Israel...nothing new there. After all the jamahariya's leader has always sought among many others to paint himself as the champion of the arab and palestinian cause. Never mind that not too many people are fond of him in the arab world.

[Bad Vilbel]

So Berri postponed the parliamentary session for yet another time, citing the need to give Moussa's mission more time to succeed (and knowing full well that it won't, because he'd be the one torpedoing it). How convenient.

[Andre]

BV,

AS long as M8 does not get their veto votes in the future government, there won't be an election. Berri is just playing the game dictated to him by his masters. What I'd like to know is how long is it going to take for the whole world to see through this scam and accept the fact that unless some radical and firm approach is taken in unison by the arabs and the west to send a message to the ones running the show from afar, resolving this crisis is going to be an exercise in futility. Amr Moussa should know better than to allow himself to being pushed around too many times.

[Joseywales]

A necessary but not sufficient condition for a break through:

One of Berri or Aoun needs to drop dead (of natural cause).

[Bad Vilbel]

Agreed. Andre. You and I (and many others get it).
Yet somehow, the powers that be don't seem to get it. That's what's befuddling to me. Why is that AL playing into this game? They got burned before. So did the French. So does everyone who tries it. Yet they keep coming back for more. Stupidity? Stubbornness? Even a monkey learns after banging his head against a wall 3 times that he needs to try a different approach.

[danny]

Ok guys,

Let's see the spin on this mess. Amr will be talking crap and praise Syria. I'd like to see what can change between now and January 27th whereas AL is supposedly will be asking for "progress" report. One way out of this mess (I mean it and the idiot qualifies): Batrak ex-communicates Aoun and his orangebutts are free to follow. Voila...

[J.]

An open letter to Fayrous who's scheduled to participate in the upcoming festival in Syria... by MP Chehyab..

يا فيروز، بحبك يا لبنان يا وطني بحبك...
يا فيروز، يا حرية، يا زهرة نارية، يا طفلة وحشية، يا حرية...
يا فيروز، يا بهية المساكن... يا زهرة المدائن... يا قدس.
يا فيروز، يا صوتي ضلّك طاير، خبّرهم عاللي صاير، بلكي بيوعى الضمير.
يا فيروز، بيقولوا زغيّر بلدي... الكرامة غضب، والمحبة غضب... والغضب الاحلى بلدي.
يا فيروز، من يحب لبنان الوطن لا يغني امام سجّانيه...
يا فيروز، من يغني للحرية، ويغني للقدس، ويغني للضمير والكرامة والغضب والوطن، لا يغني لجلادي الاحرار، وبائعي القدس، وفاقدي الضمير والكرامة ومستبيحي الوطن.
يا فيروز، لا تغني "صح النوم" في دمشق، فهؤلاء الحكام لم يستيقظوا بعد. لم يستيقظوا من جورهم ومن دم الاحرار في لبنان الذي فيه يغرقون.
يا فيروز، يا سفيرتنا الى النجوم، انت رسمت لنا الوطن – الحلم فلا تبددي احلامنا فيه كما يبدد طغاة دمشق احلامنا بالوطن والدولة والديموقراطية والحرية والحياة.
يا فيروز، تربعت على عرش القلوب لدى احرار العرب، فلا تترجلي عن هذا العرش بغنائك لحراس زنزانة الاحرار في دمشق، لان الفن ثقافة، والثقافة ابداع، والابداع حرية، والعروبة حرية، ولن تكون هناك حقيقة الا حيث تكون الحرية حقيقية، لذلك لا تصدقي تلك المهزلة التي تسمي دمشق "عاصمة للثقافة العربية 2008" الا اذا كانت الثقافة اداة قمع بيد السلطة.
مثقفو دمشق اما في الزنازين او في المهجر او في القبور...
لا تذهبي الى دمشق حتى لا تطلّي من على مسرح يطل على زنزانة او اقيم فوقها...
يا فيروز، لبنان مسجون ومسلوب الارادة، بالامس اعترف الرئيس ساركوزي والرئيس مبارك واعترف العالم ان دمشق هي السجان، ساجنة للاستحقاق الرئاسي، ساجنة لبنان لكي لا يكون وطنا.
والسجان يبشر بانه لن يكون لنا رئيس الا في آذار... وآذار يذكرنا بربيع دمشق، دمشق المخنوقة التي كتب عن ربيعها سمير قصير واحرار كثر... فالى ان يأتي الربيع، لا تغني في دمشق يا فيروز.

* نائب في البرلمان اللبناني، عضو كتلة اللقاء الديموقراطي.

[jay]

Not sure how reliable this piece is, but what do you guys think. Kinda of makes sense given Israel's open intent on working or supporting the tyrants in Syria!

A New Message From Lawson Kass Hanna/Subject: Lebanon
Jan 11/08/To all Lebanese Patriots: The axis of evil (Iran-syria) is proposing a plan to the USA and the western countries in which the Palestinian refugees in Lebanese camps would permanently settle in Lebanon. In the proposal, Hezbollah has to take over the power in Lebanon in order to guarantee the settlement. When asked about the Christians opinion and Bkerki's opinion about this plan and if they will agree, Iran is explaining that Michel Aoun who represents the majority of the Christians would be the cover to this plan. Iranian regime guaranteed that Michel Aoun is under their control. Please be very careful of these evil plans

[Super Dude]

The stuff being smoked and sniffed by the power brokers, their Marionettes, and the media in the ME must be reaching purity levels never before seen!

May god have mercy on the people.

[The Other Tony]

It is as clear as day that the opposing factions cannot compromise. March 14 will not give in to the Opposition's insistence for veto control of the cabinet and the Opposition will not accept without veto control. That is it!

So what is the next step:
1. elect President with majority vote and accept consequences;
2. call for new elections and accept consequences. only problem with this is that I will guess no side is going be elected with a 2/3 mandate and hence we will be back to the same mess which we are currently in.

There is no solution guys. I'm sorry for my realism but unless IT ceases to exist, Syria and its supporters in the country will continue obstructing until kingdom come.......

[Abilama]

The "genius" Amru Mussa:
Arab League Mediation in Lebanon Fails

By HUSSEIN DAKROUB
Associated Press Writer

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BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) -- The head of the Arab League said Saturday that he was leaving Lebanon after failing to get the country's feuding politicians to agree on a plan to elect a new president and end the deepening political crisis.

After four days of talks, Amr Moussa said the situation in Lebanon was still "serious" and promised to return to Beirut in the next few days to continue his discussions with members of the Western-backed government and pro-Syrian opposition.

"I don't want to give a dose of optimism, nor to describe the situation as pessimistic," said Moussa. "There is still hope as long as we are working."

The Arab League secretary general arrived in Beirut on Wednesday to discuss ways of implementing a plan unanimously endorsed by Arab foreign ministers last week calling for the election of army commander Gen. Michel Suleiman as president, the formation of a national unity government and the adoption of a new election law.

Many hoped Syria's willingness to back the statement would soften demands by the opposition - led by the Syrian-backed militant group Hezbollah - that it receive Cabinet veto power before allowing Suleiman to be elected.

However, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is aligned with the opposition, postponed the presidential vote for a 12th time on Friday as the election deadlock entered its second month.

Saad Hariri, the leader of the parliamentary majority, said Saturday that Lebanon was going through "a very difficult and dangerous stage" and urged the opposition to help facilitate the presidential vote.

"The Arab initiative is very clear. What is important is to begin implementing it by electing a president because this election is the basis of the entire initiative," legislator Saad Hariri said in an interview with Kuwait Television.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak warned Saturday that Arab countries would not be able to help Lebanon unless the country's feuding factions reached a compromise to end the current crisis.

"What is left now is the Arab initiative, and if the (Lebanese) do not make it succeed, then I predict a dangerous situation for Lebanon, for (countries) surrounding Lebanon and for the region at large," said Mubarak.

Lebanon has been without a president since pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term ended Nov. 23, plunging the country into the worst political crisis since the end of the 1975-90 civil war.

The government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora has been locked for more than a year in a fierce power struggle with the opposition led by the militant Hezbollah group.

Though both sides have backed Suleiman, they remain deadlocked over an amendment to Lebanon's constitution that would allow the head of the military to become president. They also have not been able to agree an opposition demand that it receive veto power in the government over major issues.

Many of Lebanon's feuding politicians, including Saniora and Berri, have welcomed the Arab plan, expressing hope that it would help end the crisis. Hezbollah has reacted more cautiously, saying it was willing to fully discuss the plan's details.

In their statement last week, the Arab foreign ministers called on Lebanon to elect Suleiman by Jan. 27, then resolve the issues surrounding a national unity government. The ministers also said the new president should have the power to cast his vote to break ties in the Cabinet.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV channel has started broadcasting via the THAICOM communications satellite. A Thai satellite, it broadcasts to most Asian countries, Australia, Africa, and Central Europe. This compromises the efforts of the international community to limit the spread of Hezbollah’s incitement programming.