10/1/08

Lebanon: Fatah Islam suspect arrested in Tripoli
Jerusalem Post – Israel
By AP Lebanese troops stormed an apartment Thursday in northern Lebanon, arresting a suspected member of the al-Qaida-inspired Fatah Islam group,…
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=119851734
4322&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Police: Rocket From Lebanon Hits Israel
The Associated Press –
JERUSALEM (AP) — A rocket fired from Lebanon struck northern Israel overnight, police said Tuesday. It was the second rocket attack on Israel from Lebanon …
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5heX_sLo
61gEa1j7LOHcLnRUdyrMwD8U1IMTO0

Haaretz on Finkelstein's Lebanon trip
Haaretz: “US academic Finkelstein meets top Hezbollah official in Lebanon”
www.normanfinkelstein.com/article.php?pg=11&ar=1420

SANA: Kucinich Calls for Full US-Syria Diplomatic Relations
The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported today that US Senator and 2008 presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has called for the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the US and Syria. Kucinich told Al-Jazeera TV …
www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4499.htm

Israel planned 1991 strike on NKorea-Syria ship: report
Tokyo (AFP) Jan 9, 2008 – Israeli agents prepared to strike a ship suspected of smuggling missiles from North Korea to Syria in 1991 but cancelled it at the 11th hour under US pressure, a Japanese newspaper reported Wednesday.
www.spacewar.com/reports/Israel_planned_
1991_strike_on_NKorea-Syria_ship_report_999.html

Israel’s ‘take’: “The Lebanon red line”
By GPC(GPC)
members of the Bush administration think that Israel would not hesitate to “sell” Lebanon to Damascus in order to make peace with Syria, and therefore an Israel-Syria peace negotiation is too risky a proposition . …
friday-lunch-club.blogspot.com/2008/01
/israels-take-lebanon-red-line.html

Syria Ready To Resume Peace Talks
“Syria is not seeking a military solution for its conflict with Israel and is ready to resume peace talks”- Foreign Minister al-Moallem. He did then add that, “he did not see Bush’s visit as a step forward for the peace process, …
digg.com/world_news/Syria_Ready_To_Resume_Peace_Talks

Sen. Arlen Specter is on his 17th trip to Syria, what gives?
By Debbie
Senator Arlen Specter is on his 17th trip to Syria since 1984 and the beneficiary has been Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, according to this article that states, “there are three problems here that led to Mr. …
righttruth.typepad.com/right_truth/2008/01/sen-arlen-spect.html

Shell and Total Preparing To Loot Iraqi Oil Field Near Syria… What …
By The Buffalo In The Midst
Akkas, close to the border with Syria, is thought to contain up to seven trillion cubic feet of gas – up to 6 per cent of Iraq’s estimated total of 112 trillion cubic feet. The field is capable of producing up to 50 million cubic feet a …
ooibc.blogspot.com/2008/01/shell
-and-total-preparing-to-loot-iraqi.html

The secret’s out
Ynetnews – Israel
The rockets fired at the northern town of Shlomi early Tuesday exposed a military secret: The IDF treats the Lebanon border as a peaceful and quiet one. …
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3492271,00.html

Lebanon: As Nahr al-Bared Recovery Continues, Militant Leader …
World Politics Review – USA
BEIRUT, Lebanon — The voice of fugitive militant leader Shakir al-Abssi arose like a specter from Lebanon’s recent past yesterday. …
www.worldpoliticsreview.com/article.aspx?id=1486

9/1/08

US announces sanctions on Iranian officer, Syria-based TV station
Xinhua – China
9 (Xinhua) — The US Treasury Department announced Wednesday sanctions on a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards officer and a Syria-based television station …
news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/10/content_7395618.htm

Syria says it’s not seeking war with Israel
Ynetnews – Israel
AP Syria is not seeking a military solution for its conflict with Israel and is ready to resume peace talks with the Jewish state, Syria’s foreign minister …
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3492502,00.html

India to develop oil in Syria
Earthtimes – London,UK
9 India says it is in search of a partner to jointly develop oil reserves in Syria. The issue could be discussed during the visit of Syrian Deputy Prime …
www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/171486.html

Lebanon: Norman Finkelstein’s Visit
By Amira Al Hussaini
Lebanese blogger Ali Hammoud salutes Norman Finkelstein, who visited Lebanon recently.
www.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/01/09/
lebanon-norman-finkelsteins-visit/

Syria: campaign to release Syrian blogger Tarek Baiasi
By Sami Ben Gharbia
Bloggers in Syria are running an online campaign to raise awareness about the case of the 23 years old Syrian blogger, Tarek Baiasi who has been arrested since July 7th, 2007 for critical comments he posted on a deemed “sensitive” …
www.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/01/09/syria-
campaign-to-release-syrian-blogger-tarek-baiasi/

Syria slams Bush’s anti-Iran efforts
Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal says the US President’s attempt to portray Iran as an enemy of the Arabs is doomed to failure.
digg.com/politics/Syria_slams_Bush_s_anti_Iran_efforts

A Bush Visit to Lebanon?
Lebanon isn’t a scheduled stop on the President’s weeklong trip, but when rumors began circulating that Bush might make a surprise visit as a sign of support for the besieged American-backed government here, Hizbllah planners went into …
time-blog.com/middle_east/2008/01/a_bush_visit_to_lebanon.html

Lebanon: The Three Little Pigs
By Amira Al Hussaini
Ms Leventine, from Lebanon, adapts The Three Little Pigs to update us on the situation in Lebanon.
www.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/01/
09/lebanon-the-three-little-pigs/

Treasury Targets Iraqi Insurgents’ Money
The Associated Press –
“Iran and Syria are fueling violence and destruction in Iraq,” said Stuart Levey, Treasury’s under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.…
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j_xpFNr
ge5BehLD_aDTIADolAShgD8U2HM180

Release Syrian Blogger Tarek Baiasi
By Razan (Syria)
Tarek was detained on 7-7-2007 for critiquing security forces in Syria. He has not been taken to court up to this moment. His name is Tarek Baiasi and he’s 23 years old. He lives in Banyas with his mother and two sisters. …
www.mideastyouth.com/2008/01/09/r
elease-syrian-blogger-tarek-baiasi/

Syrians, Saudis Sling Accusations In Lebanon Crisis
The Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, which is affiliated with the Lebanese opposition, reports that during a meeting in the home of Arab League secretary-general ‘Amr Moussa prior to the Arab foreign ministers’ meeting on January 5, …
www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4487.htm

Syria says working to end political crisis in Lebanon
Xinhua – China
Bilal told a press conference here that Syria endeavored to end the political crisis in Lebanon through consensus on a comprehensive package among all the …
news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/09/content_7395401.htm

Syria rules out military solution to conflict with Israel
Ha'aretz – Tel Aviv,Israel
By DPA Syria’s foreign minister said his country was not seeking a military solution to its conflict with Israel and was prepared for negotiations,…
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/943259.html

Syria FM says ready for peace talks with Israel
AFP –
Olmert said in September he was ready for “direct negotiations with Syria, without preconditions.” That was a week after Israeli warplanes bombed a…
afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g3bpOfsiSmuHLixn_jmB11Cjl_uA

Syria Blasts Bush’s Efforts in Middle East
CNSNews.com – Alexandria,VA,USA
In a surprise move, Syria sent a representative to the November conference. Some analysts described it as a trial balloon for improving US-Syrian relations. …
www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Pag
e=/ForeignBureaus/archive/200801/INT20080109d.html

Syria: Bush has failed to insinuate Iran-Arabs enmity
Islamic Republic News Agency – Tehran,Iran
Syria is satisfied with positive developments in ties between Iran and Arabs in many fields mainly expansion of ties between Iran and most Arab states, …
www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0801090506181913.htm

64000 Iraqis Return Home From Syria
By Gateway Pundit(Gateway Pundit)
Iraqi Red Crescent announced that, the number of returned citizens from Syria over the last 3 months reached up to 64000 citizens, most of them from Baghdad (38 000) citizens. 20000 of them in Karch districts and 18000 in Rasafa …
gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/01/
64000-iraqis-return-home-from-syria.html

The Irish Army are staying alive in Lebanon
By Donncha
Military police are investigating an internet video which appears to show members of the Defence Forces playacting with rifles while on peacekeeping duty in Lebanon last year. The video, posted on YouTube, shows three soldiers with …
ocaoimh.ie/2008/01/09/irish-army-
sing-bee-gees-staying-alive-in-lebanon/

Lebanon: As Nahr al-Bared Recovery Continues, Militant Leader …
BEIRUT, Lebanon — The voice of fugitive militant leader Shakir al-Abssi arose like a specter from Lebanon’s recent past yesterday. In a voice recording posted on the Internet, the leader of the Fatah al-Islam terrorist group threatened …
www.worldpoliticsreview.com/Article.aspx?id=1486

World Bank Gives Lebanon High Marks for Banking Access
Lebanon outperforms regional peers in several indicators related to ease of access to financial services, a new study by the World Bank says.
www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS090108_dsart28

Arab League pushes plan to end Lebanon crisis
AFP –
He said the Arab plan had received broad international backing and warned that Lebanon was at a “decisive stage”. The Arab initiative is based on a…
afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ib2PRhF0vJ5l9uifOBqBCf8v94lg

That ‘Shocking’ Lebanon Video In Full…
By editor
Chancer fan Teeny Weenie went and tracked down the hillllllllarious video of Irish troops horsing about in Da Leb, and for that we are eternally greatful. It’s already been pulled off YouTube, so be sure to enjoy it while you can: …
www.thechancer.ie/2008/01/09/that-shocking-lebanon-video-in-full/

Ottawa defends role in renditions
Globe and Mail – Canada
All three men say they were tortured inside Syria’s Palestine Branch prison. Mr. El Maati was later transferred to an Egyptian prison, where he says he was …
www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/
story/LAC.20080109.IACOBUCCI09/TPStory/National

Defence Forces name soldiers hurt in Lebanon blast
Belfast Telegraph – United Kingdom
The Defence Forces have released the names of the two Irish soldiers injured in a bombing in Lebanon yesterday. Regimental Sergeant Major John McCormack and …
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breakin
g-news/ireland/article3322271.ece

Rockets from Lebanon strike northern Israel
Two Katyusha rockets fired from Lebanon struck a northern Israeli town overnight causing no injuries, an Israeli police spokesman said, the first such attacks by Lebanese militants in six months.
www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20080109/NEWS03/801090333/1001/RSS01

Israel planned 1991 strike on NKorea-Syria ship: report
AFP –
TOKYO (AFP) — Israeli agents prepared to strike a ship suspected of smuggling missiles from North Korea to Syria in 1991 but cancelled it at the 11th hour …
afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hvf4BsFaJxsRc-0n0x45EiEBASLQ

Hariri: Syria is with Presidential Vacuum
Naharnet – Beirut,Lebanon
MP Saad Hariri said Syria wants Lebanon to remain without a president, stressing that French President Nicolas Sarkozy supports the country. …
www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk
.nsf/0/5543B234B0DDE7F1C22573CB00316019?

Syria charges price of fuel of trucks crossing into Iraq
Syrian Customs Administration asked the competent authorities to charge the price of fuel of trucks crossing into Iraq at international price.
www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=5305

Two UN peacekeepers hurt in Lebanon blast
Gulf Daily News – Manama,Bahrain
RMEILEH, Lebanon: A roadside bomb exploded yesterday near a UN vehicle travelling along a coastal highway south of Beirut, lightly wounding two Irish …
www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?
Article=205298&Sn=WORL&IssueID=30295

Iraq-Syria: Starving to Survive: Iraqi Refugees Resort to …
By regroce
“The Syrian government does not allow the estimated 1.5 million Iraqis in Syria to work legally and an increasing number of refugees have taken up ‘harmful practices,’ from prolonged fasting to prostitution, in order to survive.”
www.buzzflash.net/story.php?id=36197

UN troops wounded in Lebanon blast
Aljazeera.net – Qatar
Two UN peacekeeping soldiers have been slightly wounded after a roadside bomb struck their vehicle in south Lebanon. Milos Strugar, a spokesman for the UN …
english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/DED1A
608-E9E8-409E-A48E-59C95ED8B65D.htm

Neighbors / The 13th time’s a charm?
Ha'aretz – Tel Aviv,Israel
By Zvi Bar’el Some in Lebanon raised an eyebrow last week when French President Nicolas Sarkozy stood alongside Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and …
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/942961.html

UN officers wounded in Lebanon blast
Xinhua – China
8 (Xinhua) — Lebanese Premier Fouad Seniora denounced a roadside bomb attack on UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon Tuesday, local Naharnet news website …
news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/09/content_7389199.htm

Katyusha strike in Shlomi / In the eyes of the beholder
Ha'aretz – Tel Aviv,Israel
By Amos Harel Like everything that has to do with Lebanon, precisely three weeks before the final Winograd Committee report is released, the firing of two …
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/942925.html

Two Peacekeepers Wounded In South Lebanon
Two peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were injured today after the vehicle they were travelling in was hit by a blast in southern Lebanon.
www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0801/S00105.htm

The Lebanon red line
Ha'aretz – Tel Aviv,Israel
By David Makovsky When President George W. Bush arrives in Israel in the next few days, it is possible that Syria will be a major topic and not just the …
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/942946.html

Canada can’t pick and choose allies in war on terror, inquiry told
The Canadian Press –
Almalki noted that he was asked the same questions in Syria that CSIS and the RCMP had previously put to him in Canada. And he suggested the only reason for …
canadianpress.google.com/article/
ALeqM5jLgoSRYLp3TNYPKv4oDMuO1YQgZQ

Bahout: What is at stake is the future of ‘Lebanonism’
Daily Star – Lebanon – Beirut,Lebanon
Bahout: It is difficult to make that distinction, but I think that so far the international effort, particularly by the French, has over-focused on Syria. …
www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?e
dition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=87919

Moussa to pitch Arab League plan in Beirut
Daily Star – Lebanon – Beirut,Lebanon
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa will arrive in Beirut on Wednesday to try to push Lebanon’s rival political leaders to accept the Arab foreign…
www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?e
dition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=87927

What Pakistan can teach Lebanon about America’s consistent …
Daily Star – Lebanon – Beirut,Lebanon
One of these is currently under way in Pakistan, and the parallels with the situation in Lebanon make the departures too flagrant to be ignored. …
www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?e
dition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=87920

Peace cyclist makes pit stop in Lebanon
Daily Star – Lebanon – Beirut,Lebanon
Lebanon marks the 115th country Shah is passing through in his overall hope of visiting 150 countries by mid 2009. “So far I have biked approximately 178000 …
www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edit
ion_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=87917