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...

This is the news section of the April issue (latest issue) of Arab Reform Bulletin Published by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Egypt: Bread Crisis; Editor Convicted; Ayman Nour to Remain in Prison Arab States: Arab League Summit Lebanon: Presidential Vote Delayed; Tenth Hariri Investigation Report Palestine: Peace Process; Fatah-Hamas Dialogue; Journalist Arrested Syria: Journalist Trial; Attack on Kurdish Celebration Jordan: Journalists Sentenced to Prison; Restrictions on Internet Cafés Iraq: Attacks on Journalists Kuwait: Cabinet Resigns; Parliament Dissolved; Two Ex-MPs Detained Saudi Arabia: King Calls for Dialogue; New Fatwa Condemns Writers Bahrain: Minister Questioning Over Population Controversy Qatar: First Church UAE: First Female Judge; Labor Unrest Yemen: Publications Banned Tunisia: Constitutional Amendment; Comedian Released Libya: Political Prisoner Released to Hospital Algeria: Churches Shut Down; Journalist Interrogated Morocco: Journalist Fined; “Onlin...

After the Syria's independence became an occupation imposing a totalitarian tyranny on Syria and Syrian people, our civilization was destroyed; citizens became refugees in their homeland; the state became a ranch owned by an oligarchy, which is a bunch of rural thugs, thieves and hit men, all thanks to the revolution's accomplishments of al-Baath terrorist group. Many brave Syrians, like Aref Dalila, Anwar al-Bunni, Kamal Labawani, Riad Seif and many others, are struggling for Syria's democratic independence and Syrians' rights and freedoms.This is a tribute to all those heroes on our lost independence's anniversary. We, Syrians, totally appreciate their struggle and we are so proud of them, and we believe that we will regain our democratic independence. Syria: Opposition Activists Tell of Beatings in Interrogation Authorities Should Release All 12, and Investigate Allegations of Physical Abuse Human Rights Watch (New York, February 5, 2008) – The Syrian government ...

NETWORK OF INDIVIDUALS ACTED IN CONCERT TO CARRY OUT ASSASSINATION OF FORMER LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER RAFIQ HARIRI, SECURITY COUNCIL TOLD New Head of Investigation Commission Says ‘Hariri Network’ Linked to Some Other Cases; Priority Now to Gather Evidence about Scope, Identity of All Participants SC/9294 Security Council 5863rd Meeting 8 April 2008 The International Independent Investigation Commission could now confirm, on the basis of evidence, that a network of individuals had acted in concert to carry out the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri on 14 February 2005, Daniel Bellamare told the Security Council this afternoon. Briefing the Council on the Commission’s progress, that body’s newly appointed Commissioner also confirmed that that network -– the “Hariri Network” -– or parts of it, were linked to some of the other cases the Commission was looking into. The Commission had also gathered evidence that: the Hariri Network had existed before the Hariri ass...