27/12/07

Eritrea: Community in Lebanon Reiterates Readiness to Live Up to …
AllAfrica.com – Washington,USA
In a public meeting they held on December 23, members of the Eritrean Community in Lebanon reiterated their readiness to meet any eventuality through …
allafrica.com/stories/200712270798.html

Neocons: We expected Israel to attack Syria
By Signs of the Times(Signs of the Times)
They are a unified group of American intellectuals, who held key positions in Bush administration and were blamed for getting US into Iraq. Most of them are Jews, so they are obviously accused of risking America in favor of Israel. …
www.sott.net/articles/show/146175-Neo
cons-We-expected-Israel-to-attack-Syria

Lebanon’s presidency battered by shifting international interests
The Daily Star – – Lebanon’s presidency battered by shifting interna… www.dailystar.com.lb/printable.asp?art_ID=87651&cat_ID=2 Print Copyright (c) 2007 The Daily Star Thursday, December 27, 2007 Lebanon’s presidency battered by …
www.scribd.com/doc/942451/Lebanons-preside
ncy-battered-by-shifting-international-interests

Arab fund lends $75 mn for Lebanon rebuilding
By India eNews
The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) will extend to Lebanon two loans worth $75 million to aid financial reforms in the strife-torn country, WAM news agency reported Thursday.
www.indiaenews.com/middle-east/20071227/88252.htm

‘Mubarak presented Barak plan for talks with Syria including Golan …
Jerusalem Post – Israel
COM STAFF Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak presented Defense Minister Ehud Barak with a full plan to bring Syria and Israel back to the negotiating table, …
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1198517223191
&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

France Denies UN Draft Resolution on Lebanon
Naharnet – Beirut,Lebanon
France has denied that there was a UN draft resolution on Lebanon and the French foreign ministry refused to comment on a recent meeting between French …
www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/82
1FA65F3BB8A65DC22573BE00273436?OpenDocument

Arab fund lends $75 mn for Lebanon rebuilding
Earthtimes – London,UK
Abu Dhabi, Dec 27 – The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) will extend to Lebanon two loans worth $75 million to aid financial reforms in the strife-torn country, …
www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/164904.html

US Senator: Syria wrong to think Democrat will give it better deal
Ha’aretz – Tel Aviv,Israel
By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent and Reuters Syria is “mistaken” if it believes it should wait until Republican US President George W. Bush leaves …
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/939028.html

Israel claims use of cluster bombs in Lebanon ‘legal’
Based on a report in the New York Times and other sources, this article adds further background drawn from UN publications, as well as analysis from Human Rights Watch and criticism published in a US Air Force University publication …
www.gnn.tv/headlines/16263/Israel_claim
s_use_of_cluster_bombs_in_Lebanon_legal

Syrian paper: Lebanon crises could stretch into spring 2009
Ya Libnan – Beirut,Lebanon
Beirut – Syria’s Alwatan daily has quoted a key member of the Hezbollah -led opposition as saying that the crises in Lebanon could continue unresolved until …
yalibnan.com/site/archives/2007/12/syrian_paper_le.php

26/12/07

NEWS: Syria waiting for Bush to go; Egypt critical of Israel Lobby …
By Paul Woodward
Israel’s Foreign Ministry: Syria feels peace must wait for next US president By Barak Ravid, Haaretz, December 25, 2007 She Syrian administration is waiting out the Bush presidency, and only intends to enter a serious diplomatic process …
warincontext.org/2007/12/26/news-syria-waiting-for-bush-to-
go-egypt-critical-of-israel-lobby-israel-not-planning-to-repriman
d-itself-for-use-of-cluster-bombs/

Egyptian president passes Israel message from Syria: source
Africasia – London,UK
Barak earlier told reporters that during his talks with Mubarak they had discussed several regional issues, including “Syria and Lebanon. …
www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.p
hp?area=mideast&item=071226193152.89hpvfdc.php

Syria appreciates China’s just stance on Mideast issues
Xinhua – China
Muallem said Syria would stick to its choice for peace and restore its occupied Golan Heights and resolve the disputes with Israel through negotiations in …
news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/27/content_7319228.htm

Syria’s impatience is leading to mistakes
Daily Star – Lebanon – Beirut,Lebanon
By Michael Young A demoralizing aspect of much international political behavior, commentary, or policy counsel on Syria in the past two years has been the …
www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edi
tion_id=10&categ_id=5&article_id=87663

Olmert tells Israel MP he will not quit over Lebanon war report
AFP –
JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert does not intend to step down after the full report by a commission of inquiry into the 2006 Lebanon war …
afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hx_youxXDcf1_CzwE9VR1Y-xtkqg

Belgian defense minister visits troops in Afghanistan, Lebanon
Xinhua – China
During part of the tour, which includes Lebanon, Afghanistan and the Serbian province of Kosovo, De Crem will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Karel De …
news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/27/content_7319236.htm

Lebanon’s presidency battered by shifting international interests
Daily Star – Lebanon – Beirut,Lebanon
Never has a country received so much international attention, and never has Lebanon, even when it was under Syrian occupation. …
www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?ed
ition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=87651

Lebanon’s new president needs a reform agenda
Daily Star – Lebanon – Beirut,Lebanon
It seems that Lebanon now needs to dial 999. An emergency situation has developed over the past months, but there is nowhere for our officials to turn for …
www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?e
dition_id=1&categ_id=3&article_id=87647

Israel Ready to Talk with Syria
Prensa Latina – Havana,Cuba
Tel Aviv, Dec 26 (Prensa Latina) Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced on Wednesday that he is willing to resume peace talks with Syria,…
www.plenglish.com/Article.asp?ID=%7B8EB25C4
A-AAA0-419F-93F6-4FC2EDEE6E9C%7D&language=EN

Lebanon War Report won’t Prompt Olmert to Resign
Naharnet – Beirut,Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert does not intend to step down after the full report by a commission of inquiry into the 2006 Lebanon war is published, …
www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/31A
AE03AEBA3076EC22573BD006336EB?OpenDocument

Saniora Discusses Lebanon and related Developments with Cairo …
Naharnet – Beirut,Lebanon
Prime Minister Fouad Saniora on Wednesday discussed the Lebanon situation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abulgheit and Arab league chief Amre Moussa. …
www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/BF3F
93CCB7C2B51EC22573BD005AC71F?OpenDocument

Syrian Ambassador To US Warns Of Civil War In Lebanon
Referring to Lebanon’s difficulties in electing a new president, Syrian Ambassador to the US ‘Amad Mustafa expressed fears that “if the political process in Lebanon fails” the country will be dragged into a civil war in which Hizbullah …
www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4261.htm

Syria Threatened Spanish UNIFIL Contingent
Syria’s secret service has threatened Spanish soldiers in Lebanon in a bid to block the extradition of suspected arms dealer Monzer Al-Kassar to the US. The author notes that Syria’s officials, their allies in Lebanon, …
www.opinionsource.com/article.jsp?articleidenti
fier=23085&password=1198670350656

Israeli military finds cluster bomb use in Lebanon war was legal
Christian Science Monitor – Boston,MA,USA
By Arthur Bright The Israeli military has found that it did not violate international law when it used cluster bombs while fighting Hizbullah in Lebanon …
www.csmonitor.com/2007/1226/p99s01-duts.html

Olmert ‘awaits answer on Syria talks’
Jerusalem Post – Israel
On Saturday, legislator Muhammad Habash was quoted as saying that “if Syria feels threatened by Israel, it will be hard to stop our missile operators from …
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1198
517207748&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Iran Fears Lebanon Talks Could face ‘Explosive Situation’
Naharnet – Beirut,Lebanon
… official news agency, IRNA, in response to a question on his viewpoint regarding France’s and Washington’s positions vis-à-vis the Lebanon situation. …
www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/F45
75C30390AA856C22573BD0033F79F?OpenDocument

About Syria’s Friends in Lebanon
Dar Al-Hayat – Beirut,Lebanon
Syria has a number of friends in Lebanon, though it would be better off without these friendships, or at least it would not be compelled to bear their …
english.daralhayat.com/opinion/OPED/12-2007/Article-
20071226-1647729e-c0a8-10ed-0025-b6bf20b08944/story.html

Olmert awaiting Syrian signal about talks – senator
Reuters – USA
JERUSALEM, Dec 26 (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told visiting US lawmakers he was interested in restarting peace talks with Syria but was …
www.reuters.com/article/middleeastCrisis/idUSL26271025

Lebanon and Lost Opportunities
Dar Al-Hayat – Beirut,Lebanon
This nation that aspires for a dignified and secure life is upset by politics and by those who allowed outsiders, especially Syria, to impose an impasse on …
english.daralhayat.com/opinion/OPED/12-2007/Article-
20071226-1642815c-c0a8-10ed-0025-b6bf680441ce/story.html

US Senator: Aid to Egypt should hinge on crackdown on weapons …
International Herald Tribune – France
Later this week, Specter is set to travel to Syria, where he said he would encourage President Bashar Assad to launch peace talks with Israel. …
www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/26/
africa/ME-GEN-Israel-Egypt-US.php

Syria Warns “Resistance” Against Being Dragged into Lebanon Civil War
Naharnet – Beirut,Lebanon
Syria’s ambassador to Washington, Imad Mustafa, has cautioned that a political failure could plunge Lebanon into civil war and warned Hizbullah against …
www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/8
09C695C440FA7B6C22573BD002AD7C8?OpenDocument

Ynet Interview – “Neocons: We expected Israel to attack Syria”
International Analyst Network – NY,NY,USA
From Iran and Syria.” “No. There was a need for massive political action, of threats and pressure on these governments, financial pressure, for example. …
www.analyst-network.com/article.php?art_id=1451

Refugees from war-torn Iraq face difficult wait to enter US
San Jose Mercury News – CA, USA
And now, after enduring a bus ride across the Syrian desert, after days of waiting at the heavily militarized border, they are in Syria, waiting to reunite …
www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_7809836

Olmert: Ball is in Assad’s court
Ha’aretz – Tel Aviv,Israel
Much of yesterday’s meeting addressed Syria. During the meeting, Specter asked Olmert whether he wanted to further the diplomatic process with Syria. …
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/938339.html

Lebanon political turmoil continues into 2008
Daily Times – Lahore,Pakistan
BEIRUT: Lebanon limps into 2008 after a year of damaging political turmoil and assassinations that have dampened the economy and left the presidency vacant …
www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2
007%5C12%5C26%5Cstory_26-12-2007_pg4_4

Lebanon follows Pakistan in twisting its constitution
The News – International – Pakistan
By By Tariq Butt ISLAMABAD: Lebanon has taken a leaf out of Pakistan’s book by drafting legislation for a constitutional amendment to elect the Army chief …
www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=87908

25/12/07

France told Syria: Half plus one quorum or no conditions before vote
Ya Libnan – Beirut,Lebanon
The source asserted that the majority is very serious about moving ahead on the amendment regardless of the objections it may face. …
yalibnan.com/site/archives/2007/12/france_told_syr.php

Olmert to Assad: I await an answer regarding negotiations
Jerusalem Post – Israel
On Saturday, a legislator Muhammad Habash was quoted as saying that “If Syria feels threatened by Israel, it will be hard to stop our missile operators from …
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=119851
7207748&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Olmert to Assad: Israel awaits your response on reviving talks
Ha’aretz – Tel Aviv,Israel
Specter, a Jewish Republican from Pennsylvania, is considered one of his party’s biggest supporters of reviving the dialogue with Syria. …
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/938319.html

Lebanon opposition rejects planned vote
France24 – Paris,France
Lawmakers are set to meet on Saturday in an 11th bid to vote for a new head of state, but many expect Lebanon to remain without a president until after
…
www.france24.com/france24Public/en/administration
/afp-news.html?id=071225191912.c4qtroex&cat=null

Lebanon: Female Journalists Cope with Career Barriers; Underpaid …
By proggiemuslima
Female print and broadcast reporters and editors abound in Lebanon. But holders of senior managerial positions remain a minority. However, an online presence is increasingly being felt, notably with the proliferation of websites run by …
proggiemuslima.wordpress.com/2007/12/25/lebanon-female
-journalists-cope-with-career-barriers-underpaid-and-undertrained/

Syria denies report it threatened to attack Spanish peacekeepers …
Jerusalem Post – Israel
By AP Syria denied reports Tuesday that its security agents have threatened Spanish peacekeepers in southern Lebanon in a bid to block the extradition of a …
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=11985172068
45&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Israel Won’t Prosecute for Use of Cluster Bombs in Lebanon
The announcement came as Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams met in Jerusalem for the second time since the American-sponsored peace conference in Annapolis, Md.
digg.com/world_news/Israel_Won_t_
Prosecute_for_Use_of_Cluster_Bombs_in_Lebanon

Israeli army: use of cluster bombs during Lebanon war legal
By Dr Nasir Khan(Dr Nasir Khan)
Israeli artillery corps reportedly fired some 2400 cluster bombs at Lebanon during the fighting with Hezbollah gunmen. Several months after the war, Israeli army launched an investigation aimed at examining whether cluster bombs were …
nasir-khan.blogspot.com/2007/12/isra
eli-army-use-of-cluster-bombs.html

Would Lebanon’s President Be Chosen by a Damascus-Based Arab Summit?
Naharnet – Beirut,Lebanon
Lebanon appeared Tuesday to have lost its chance to elect a president soon amidst mushrooming tension between the majority and opposition and warnings…
www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/57
D41E6E78B8063FC22573BC003E5573?OpenDocument

Hosseini comments on situation in Lebanon
Islamic Republic News Agency – Tehran,Iran
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini on Tuesday commented on latest developments in Lebanon and the reported visit to Iran of French President …
www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0712257463150939.htm

Good Christians, and Orientalists to the Bone
Alarab online – London,UK
Connery asked the Patriarch about the Christian community in Syria, and whether any prominent Christian had ever reached a senior government post in Syria’s …
english.alarabonline.org/display.asp?fname=2007%5C12%5C12-
25%5Czopinionz%5C960.htm&dismode=x&ts=2
5/12/2007%2010:11:41%20%C3%95

Lebanon limps into 2008 after year of turmoil
BEIRUT – Lebanon limps into 2008 after a year of damaging political turmoil and assassinations that have dampened the economy and left the presidency vacant for weeks.
www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data
/middleeast/2007/December/middleeast_December368.xm
l&section=middleeast&col=

Lebanon constitutional revision opposed
PRESS TV – Tehran,Iran
… since the approval has no legal value and will escalate tensions in the country, leader of Lebanon’s Free Patriotic Movement Michel Aoun said on Monday. …
www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=36270&sectionid=351020203

Israel Won’t Prosecute for Use of Cluster Bombs in Lebanon
New York Times – United States
… use of cluster bombs during the war against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon, actions that had been widely criticized by human rights organizations. …
www.nytimes.com/2007/12/25/world
/middleeast/25mideast.html?ref=world

Future of Lebanon
Journal of Turkish Weekly – Ankara,Turkey
Lebanon is one of the most attractive countries for the students of Social Sciences and Humanities because of its heterogeneous structure and unique history …
www.turkishweekly.net/comments.php?id=2784

Lebanon Ushers in 2008 after Year of Turmoil
Naharnet – Beirut,Lebanon
Lebanon limps into 2008 after a year of damaging political turmoil and assassinations that have left the presidency vacant for weeks and worsened the …
www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/
5A8286C044D8CD68C22573BC001788CD?OpenDocument

No charges for officers who ordered Lebanon bombing
By admin
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli army on Monday said it will not press charges against officers who ordered the use of cluster bombs during last year’s war in Lebanon, brushing off international criticism that the weapons unnecessarily put …
fairproxy.com/2007/12/24/no-charges-fo
r-officers-who-ordered-lebanon-bombing/

Lebanon’s Government Drafts Law to Allow Army Chief to Become …
Voice of America – USA
By VOA News Lebanon’s pro-Western government has drafted a constitutional amendment that would allow army chief Michel Suleiman to become head of state. …
www.voanews.com/english/2007-12-24-voa25.cfm

Israeli military prosecutors uphold use of cluster bombs in …
CJAD – Montreal,Quebec,Canada
Lebanon quickly rejected the decision. The investigation determined that Israel’s use of the weapons, which open in flight and scatter dozens of bomblets, …
www.cjad.com/news/56/641318