tagged w/ Lebanon
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Israel has called on Lebanon to open direct peace talks between the two sides, the prime minister's spokesman said Wednesday.
The appeal comes after Israel agreed to a truce with the Hamas leaders who control Gaza.
"Israel wants peace with Lebanon. We are currently negotiating with the Syrians and with the Palestinians, and there is no logical reason whatsoever why we can't negotiate with the Lebanese," spokesman Mark Regev said.
Regev said Israel "is interested in direct bilateral talks where every issue of contention will be on the table."
This comment came as Israel and its longtime foe Syria hold indirect peace talks in Turkey.
Israel has never had formal diplomatic relations with Lebanon. It fought a war in Lebanon two years ago against the militant Shiite group Hezbollah, and another during the 1980s against Palestinian militants based there.
Israel has formal diplomatic relations with two other nations on its border, Egypt and Jordan.
As for Israel's relations with the Palestinians, it has been engaged in peace efforts with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of the Fatah movement.
The truce between Israel and Gaza's Hamas leaders is scheduled to take effect Thursday morning and last for six months, Hamas officials said. Video Watch how violence continues in Gaza »Israel has called on Lebanon to open direct peace talks between the two sides, the... more
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kushan
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added this
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3 years ago
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So they are it again, the great and the good of American democracy, grovelling and fawning to the Israeli lobbyists of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), repeatedly allying themselves to the cause of another country and one that is continuing to steal Arab land.
Will this ever end? Even Barack Obama – or "Mr Baracka" as an Irish friend of mine innocently and wonderfully described him – found time to tell his Jewish audience that Jerusalem is the one undivided capital of Israel, which is not the view of the rest of the world which continues to regard the annexation of Arab East Jerusalem as illegal. The security of Israel. Say it again a thousand times: the security of Israel – and threaten Iran, for good measure.
Yes, Israelis deserve security. But so do Palestinians. So do Iraqis and Lebanese and the people of the wider Muslim world. Now even Condoleezza Rice admits – and she was also talking to Aipac, of course – that there won't be a Palestinian state by the end of the year. That promise of George Bush – which no-one believed anyway – has gone. In Rice's pathetic words, "The goal itself will endure beyond the current US leadership."
Of course it will. And the siege of Gaza will endure beyond the current US leadership. And the Israeli wall. And the illegal Israeli settlement building. And deaths in Iraq will endure beyond "the current US leadership" – though "leadership" is pushing the definition of the word a bit when the gutless Bush is involved – and deaths in Afghanistan and, I fear, deaths in Lebanon too.
It's amazing how far self-delusion travels. The Bush boys and girls still think they're supporting the "American-backed government" of Fouad Siniora in Lebanon. But Siniora can't even form a caretaker government to implement a new set of rules which allows Hizbollah and other opposition groups to hold veto powers over cabinet decisions.
Thus there will be no disarming of Hizbollah and thus – again, I fear this – there will be another Hizbollah-Israeli proxy war to take up the slack of America's long-standing hatred of Iran. No wonder President Bashar Assad of Syria is now threatening a triumphal trip to Lebanon. He's won. And wasn't there supposed to be a UN tribunal to try those responsible for the murder of ex-prime minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005? This must be the longest police enquiry in the history of the world. And I suspect it's never going to achieve its goal (or at least not under the "current US leadership").
There are gun battles in Beirut at night; there are dark-uniformed Lebanese interior ministry troops in equally dark armoured vehicles patrolling the night-time Corniche outside my home.
At least Lebanon has a new president, former army commander Michel Sleiman, an intelligent man who initially appeared on posters, eyes turned to his left, staring at Lebanon with a creditor's concern. Now he has wisely ordered all these posters to be torn down in an attempt to get the sectarian groups to take down their own pictures of martyrs and warlords. And America thinks things are going fine in Lebanon.
For the full article click on the link
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/fisk/robert-fisk-the-wests-weapon-of-selfdelusion-842117.htmlSo they are it again, the great and the good of American democracy, grovelling and... more
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy has pledged support for Lebanon's new president and for efforts to promote national unity, following the country's deadly political crisis.
Sarkozy spoke after arriving in Beirut Saturday for a one-day visit aimed at supporting the country's peace efforts. He said Lebanese President Michel Suleiman has a big responsibility to achieve national reconciliation.
Sarkozy is leading a French delegation that includes Prime Minister Francois Fillon, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and the leaders of all of France's major political parties.
The delegation is expected to hold talks with Mr. Suleiman and representatives from 14 Lebanese political factions, including the Shi'ite opposition group Hezbollah.
President Sarkozy is the first Western head of state to visit Lebanon-a former French colony- since Mr. Suleiman took office May 25, following an Arab-mediated agreement to end the crisis. Lebanon is trying to recover from recent deadly sectarian violence that nearly resulted in a civil war.French President Nicolas Sarkozy has pledged support for Lebanon's new president... more
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The motion referred to the continuation of illegal settlement work, killing of civilians and the impossibility of civil life, including education as a result of the Israeli occupation.
The motion, passed by a vast majority at the union’s conference in Manchester yesterday, calls for members “to consider the moral and political implications of educational links with Israeli institutions, and to discuss the occupation with individuals and institutions concerned, including Israeli colleagues with whom they are collaborating".
It notes that “criticism of Israel or Israeli policy are not, as such, anti-semitic” and claims there is “apparent complicity of the Israeli academy” in Israeli government policies towards the Palestinians.”The motion referred to the continuation of illegal settlement work, killing of... more
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Nassim Nasser, detained by Israeli troops in 2002 on charges of spying for the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has been released from the Nitzan Prison in Ramallah.
Israeli Government seems to be on a roll towards peace in the Mideast. We now need to see them give some land back to the Palestinian people and open up some more roads.
Nassim Nasser, detained by Israeli troops in 2002 on charges of spying for the... more
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The Bush White House made "a decision to turn away from candor and honesty when those qualities were most needed," a time when the nation was on the brink of war, Scott McClellan, a top Bush aid that quit two years ago wrote in his book.
McClennan bashed Bush in his soon to be released book of memories at the White House.
If Peace were to be aggressively promoted like this senseless war, you could do it without the lies and blood. The Bush White House made "a decision to turn away from candor and honesty when... more
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If Olmert quits, President Shimon Peres, under Israeli law, could name a replacement after consultation with leaders of parliamentary parties.
The front runner would likely be Olmert's deputy, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Israel's chief delegate to peace talks with the Palestinians which the United States hopes can result in a statehood agreement by the end of the year.
Get rid of the corruption and we may have peace in the Mideast. One bad apple can sure make things weird, so lets put a good apple in there who all ready is leading the Peace effort in Israel. If Olmert quits, President Shimon Peres, under Israeli law, could name a replacement... more
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Lebanon on Tuesday banned motorbikes, political demonstrations as well as flag waving and provocative slogans from the Lebanese capital until further notice after clashes between rival factions last night.
"Motorbikes will be banned in Beirut effective at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT) on May 27, 2008, until further notice," an interior ministry statement said.
Demonstrations, the waving of party flags or provocative slogans were also banned in the city.
It is common practice in Beirut for supporters of various rival political parties to drive around the city waving party flags, blaring slogans on loudspeakers and shooting in the air.
Hezbollah and its ally Amal movement put out a statement on Tuesday calling on their supporters to put an end to these practices saying that they would "not provide political cover for them."
ast night's clashes came as Hezbollah supporters were celebrating a speech by their leader Hassan Nasrallah, who vowed his powerful group would not use its weapons to achieve political gains.
Rival supporters insulted the Hezbollah backers who reacted by firing off a stun grenade at the Sunni mosque of Abdel Nasser.
The Lebanese army cordoned off the area and restored order, said state-run Tele Liban, without giving details or reporting any casualties.
It was the first such incident since the army took control of west Beirut after Hezbollah pulled out its fighters who seized control in several days of mostly Shiite-Sunni clashes earlier this month that killed 65 people.
Lebanon on Tuesday banned motorbikes, political demonstrations as well as flag waving... more
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Lebanon's ex-army chief, has been sworn in as the country's president in a step towards defusing an 18-month standoff between rival factions.
Michel Sleiman was elected on Sunday in a parliamentary session attended by foreign dignitaries including Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, who helped broker a deal to end the dispute.
"Let us unite ... and work towards a solid reconciliation," Sleiman said in his inaugural speech.
"I call upon all of you, politicians and citizens, to start a new phase called Lebanon and the Lebanese ... in order to achieve the interests of the nation."
Fireworks exploded and and motorists hooted their car horns as crowds of people cheering and waving Lebanese flags poured onto the streets of Beirut and Sleiman's hometown of Amsheet after hearing the news.
Al Jazeera correspondent James Bays said people were celebrating all across the city.
'Euphoria and celebration'
"There is a feeling of euphoria and celebration among most of the people," Bays said. "There is a really high sense of expectation for this new president.Lebanon's ex-army chief, has been sworn in as the country's president in a... more
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kushan
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added this
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4 years ago
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Lebanon's leaders are set to elect Michel Suleiman, the country's army chief, as president in a first step toward defusing an 18-month standoff between rival factions.
Suleiman is expected to be elected on Sunday in a parliamentary session attended by several foreign dignitaries, including Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the emir of Qatar.
Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister, and Amr Moussa, the Arab League secretary-general, will also be present.
Sueliman's election is part of a deal brokered in Doha, Qatar's capital, on Wednesday that sought to end a political crisis that last month degenerated into violence.
Sixty-five people were killed when armed supporters of the Hezbollah-led opposition took control of much of Beirut after the US-backed government moved to outlaw the group's private communications network.
Among the 200 dignitaries invited for Suleiman's election are also the foreign ministers of Syria and Iran. Also, a US congressional delegation has been invited and would be headed by Nick Rahall, a West Virginia Democratic Representative of Lebanese origin.
Lebanon's leaders are set to elect Michel Suleiman, the country's army... more
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The U.N. Security Council on Thursday welcomed a Lebanese peace deal brokered by Qatar, an agreement that may have averted a new civil war in the Middle East.
The council said it "welcomes and strongly supports the agreement reached in Doha ... which constitutes an essential step towards the resolution of the current crisis, the return to normal functioning of Lebanese democratic institutions, the complete restoration of Lebanon's unity and stability."
In the non-binding statement, the council also urged the parties to implement all aspects of the agreement. Lebanon has generally been a divisive issue for the Security Council, but the statement was agreed unanimously by the 15-member body.
Rival Lebanese leaders signed the deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict that had threatened to push the country into a new civil war.
The agreement, which was reached after six days of Arab-mediated talks, also paved the way for the election of a new president.The U.N. Security Council on Thursday welcomed a Lebanese peace deal brokered by... more
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Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict that had threatened to push the country to a new civil war.
The agreement, reached after six days of Arab-mediated talks, also paved the way for the election of a new president.
Parliament will convene on Sunday to elect army chief General Michel Suleiman as head of state, aides to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told Reuters in Qatar, where the feuding sides signed the accord.
The agreement between the U.S.-backed ruling coalition and the Hezbollah-led opposition resolved a dispute over a law for holding 2009 parliamentary elections and met the opposition's long-standing demand for veto power in cabinet.
It followed a Hezbollah military campaign this month against the ruling coalition which bolstered the opposition's political strength. Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran and Syria, routed its rivals in six days of conflict that killed 81 and prompted the Qatari-led mediation.
The fighting was Lebanon's worst civil conflict since the 1975-1990 war and exacerbated tensions between Shi'ites loyal to Hezbollah and Druze and Sunni supporters of the government.Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political... more
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A Lebanese Muslim -Aaron-Micaël Beydoun is trying to raise awareness about Jews in Lebanon and with the help of his website (thejewsoflebanon.org) he is trying to stop the segregation of this tiny minority.
In Concordia University Beydoun said:
"Let the Jews of Lebanon live," The 21-year-old said his mission is to help Jews of Lebanon realize "that they are not alone in their country." With his website, he helps Jewish Lebanese communicate with fellow Jews living all around the world.
"We can all live together," he said. Currently a member of the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce and a contributing journalist for an alternative magazine in Beirut, Beydoun also started a NGO to help needy Jewish Lebanese through monetary assistance and to take part in projects such as renovating Beirut's great synagogue. It has become harder for Jews to practise their faith in Lebanon due to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Beydoun said the violence directed toward Jews must stop. The young man said the Lebanese youth is tired of sectarianism, "a cancer" as he called it. "The society is still sick of this mentality," he said. Beydoun added that the Lebanese youth does not want to continue on the path their parents and grand-parents paved before them.
The second topic of discussion at the event was the history of Sepharadi Jews. The chairperson of Spanish Language studies at Université de Montréal, Oro Anahory-Librowicz, said that culture must be preserved through a dynamic process. She explained that Sepharadi Jews are descendants of Spanish Jews who were expelled by the King of Spain. They settled in the Ottoman Empire, in Turkey and Lebanon.
A Lebanese Muslim -Aaron-Micaël Beydoun is trying to raise awareness about Jews... more
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Pope Benedict said Sunday it is "necessary to correct the errors of the past." He also prayed for the victims of the bombs and their families.
The UN's humanitarian chief has accused Israel of "completely immoral" use of cluster bombs in Lebanon. Most of these bombs were fired on the last day of the war , which clearly indicate Israel intention of causing the highest civilian causalities. UN clearance experts had so far found 100,000 unexploded cluster bomblets at 359 separate sites. Soldiers in IDF ( Isreali defence Forces) artillery units testified that the army used phosphorous shells during the war, widely forbidden by international law. According to their claims, the vast majority of said explosive ordinance was fired in the final 10 days of the war. Also they stated that over 1.2 million cluster bombs were fired at Lebanon. International law forbids the use of weapons that cause "excessive injury and unnecessary suffering".
Delegates from more than 100 countries are meeting in Dublin for two weeks starting Monday, looking to finalize a treaty outlawing cluster bombs. But representatives from nations that build the weapons - including the United States, Israel, Russia and China - are not participating. (http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-05-18-voa22.cfm)
It's sickening to see that the most powerful nation, and the nation it backs up will not participate. It's all right for them to have weapons of mass destruction AND use them, but when another country has them they are classified as terrorists even though they are protecting themselves.
Pope Benedict said Sunday it is "necessary to correct the errors of the... more
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Talks aimed at ending Lebanon's protracted political crisis have opened in Qatar.
The emir of Qatar, opened Friday's meeting in Doha, which follow a deal brokered by the Arab League on Thursday to end the worst fighting among Lebanese since the 1975-90 civil war.
Fouad Siniora, Lebanon's prime minister, and Saad al-Hariri, who leads the majority bloc in parliament, are among those from the government who are attending the talks.
Nabih Berri, the assembly speaker, and Mohammed Raad, a Hezbollah MP, are among the opposition delegates.
The government and the Hezbollah-led opposition agreed a day earlier in Beirut, Lebanon's capital, to a new national dialogue to elect a president and form a unity government.
A six-point plan was approved on Thursday under the mediation of an Arab League delegation headed by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, who is both Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister.
Talks aimed at ending Lebanon's protracted political crisis have opened in Qatar.... more
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Former Saudi Ambassador to the US Prince Bandar bin Sultan asks Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert to move against Hezbollah.
Former Saudi Ambassador to the US Prince Bandar bin Sultan asks Israeli prime minister... more
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"Lebanon's Cabinet on Wednesday reversed two decisions that triggered violence among anti-government Hezbollah militants last week: the firing of the chief of security at Beirut's airport and the order that Hezbollah's telecommunications system come under state control, according to a statement released by Cabinet members."
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora turned the issues over to the nation's army. The military largely stayed on the sidelines during the violence but said Tuesday that it would use force if necessary against armed groups.
"Lebanon's Cabinet on Wednesday reversed two decisions that triggered... more
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Clashes between supporters of the US-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition have shaken Lebanon. Six days of deadly sectarian bloodshed is the worst violence in the country since the end of the 15 year civil war in 1990. Real News Analyst Pepe Escobar examines what is happening in Lebanon.
Clashes between supporters of the US-backed government and the Hezbollah-led... more
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" It's the only country in the Arab world with a functioning parliamentary system that is not dependent on and does not answer to the executive; that, however, is true only when Parliament actually functions, a feat it has not been able to accomplish in several months as a result of the inability of the 128 members of Parliament to come to an agreement regarding the election of the next president. "
Lebanon still without a President faced more violence in the past week, with Shiite Hezbollah forces launching offensives on south and west of the country attacking Sunni pro-government opposition. More than 60 people have been killed in the clashes since the violence broke out, however a set of deals appears to have been brockered for the west of the country after heavy fighting around a druze stronghold in the Chouf Mountains. The fighting was active for the last week involving heavy fire power, and on Sunday Walid Jumblatt handed the area over the the Lebanese Army. Beiruit seems to follow similar deal, and although Hezbollah crushed all opposition before pulling out, the army is said to take control on teusday 6am (3am GMT) and will restore order by force if neccessary.
Since sunday an uneasy truce has been called, althuogh there have been reports of shootings up to 24 hours after the " truce " across the country, but they are wide spread and rare. Although there are reports that Hezbollah collumns were acting up from east Bekaa on monday night.
A delegation from the Arab League has been sent including Secretary General, Amr Moussa, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jabr Al Thani, seeking to draw attention to the political instability in Lebanon and solve it." It's the only country in the Arab world with a functioning parliamentary... more
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