Middle East Policy

(picture: Prime Minister of Lebanon Fouad al-Saniora) Lebanese independence government got the job done in Lebanon. Yes, the heroic government did it led by an extraordinary statesman, a real hero is Fouad al-Saniora . This government achieved the political independence from the Baath occupation and made Lebanon a free, sovereign and independent country under the sole and exclusive authority of the government of Lebanon after long decades of totalitarian occupation. This government extended the state's control over all Lebanese territory and ended the Iranian canton of Hezbullah armed militia in southern Lebanon, which came back to the Lebanese Republic. This government achieved the international tribunal for Lebanon (Special Tribunal for Lebanon) to protect Lebanon and save the freedom, democracy and independence of Lebanon in spite of all sacrifices and painful costs it had to pay. This government saved Lebanon, maintained the civilization in Lebanon, and protected the diversity...

This is the news section of May issue of Arab Reform Bulletin Published by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: - Egypt: Salary and Price Increases; Local Elections; Brothers Sentenced - Kuwait: Elections; Tribal Demonstration; Anti-demonstration Law Revoked - Bahrain: New Press Bill; Minister Questioned on Naturalization - Yemen: Qatari Mediation; MP Killed; Newspaper License Revoked - Saudi Arabia: Blogger Released - Iraq: Journalists Released - Jordan: Political Party Law; Brotherhood Selects Leaders; Prison Demonstrations - Syria: Economic Initiatives; Activist Sentenced - Lebanon: Political Deadlock Continues; Worker Protests - Tunisia: Opposition Newspaper Seized; Appeals Court Upholds Journalist Sentence - Algeria: Ban on Passport Photos with Veil and Beard Contested - Morocco: Criminalizing Violence against Women; Demonstrators Pardoned - Sudan: Efforts to End Censorship Egypt: Salary and Price Increases; Local Elections; Brothers Sentenced The Egyptian parliament rush...

Following is the most recent UN stance on Lebanon, which represents the international community's stance and international legitimacy in this regard. Ban Urges Immediate Presidential Election, Disarming of Hizbullah 22 April 2008 Naharnet U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has called for an immediate presidential election in Lebanon without foreign interference, underlining concerns over the political stalemate that has kept the post empty since November. Ban also warned Monday that Lebanon will not be a fully sovereign, democratic state until Hizbullah is disarmed. He told Syria and Iran they must support efforts to disarm the group. The secretary-general's six-month report to the Security Council focused on the implementation of Resolution 1559 that calls for presidential elections under the constitution and the disbanding of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias. "Parliament, which has not met in more than a year, must be allowed to convene urgently to fulfill its constitutional d...

Christians lose their potential presence in the East, and their allies the modernistic Sunnis are humiliated. Yes, it is not believable, but it is true. Beirut under Iranian terrorist occupation. Many many stupid people around the world, especially in Europe, would not believe me when I previously qualified Hezbullah as an Iranian terrorist armed gang. Now, the whole world just needs to look at occupied Beirut. The Iranian terrorist regime with its terrorist Revolutionary Guard's branch in Beirut so-called Hezbullah has occupied Beirut using the Israel-Baath alliance and European Union's stances and policy in the Middle East, especially when they bought the last Baath that occupies Syria. Neither the region nor the world can afford the Iranian-led Middle East totalitarian axis taking control of Lebanon. This would be an ultimate strategic disaster. Now, I am waiting for the international action to say my word. In the meantime, my message to the US, do not wait for some things ...

First official of UN-backed tribunal on Lebanese killings starts work 29 April 2008 – The first official of the United Nations-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon to take up his functions, the registrar Robin Vincent, began his duties yesterday as the court continues to make progress in its start-up phase. In a statement issued today by his spokesperson, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that Mr. Vincent will work closely with the Special Tribunal’s management committee and with the UN Secretariat to take the necessary steps to formally establish the court, in line with Security Council resolution 1757 from last year. “He will initially concentrate his activities on preparing the premises of the Tribunal, coordinating the transition between the International Independent Investigation Commission (IIIC) and the Tribunal, recruiting core staff, and finalizing the Tribunal’s budget,” the statement added. The Council asked Mr. Ban last year to set up the court after Lebanese Prime Minister...