January 26, 2007

LEBANON GOES BACK TO STREETS FIGHTING AND THE ARMY IMPOSES A CURFEW IN BEIRUT. AFTER THE DEMONSTRATIONS PRIME MINISTER FOUAD SANIORA STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF DIALOGUE BETWEEN ALL LEBANESE. PARIS III GIVES LEBANON 7 BILLION AND 600 MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP LEBANON BUILD ITS ECONOMY. SAUDI ARABIA OFFERS ONE BILLION AND 100 MILLION DOLLARS. Lebanese Premier Fouad Saniora called for an urgent parliamentary session to discuss the deteriorating security situation after mushrooming riots between anti and pro-government factions claimed three lives and wounded 62 people last Tuesday. Saniora told a news conference "I demand an immediate extraordinary meeting by the parliament to settle issues within the constitutional institutions." Saniora said the general strike called by the opposition has developed into "provocations that went beyond all limits." "Blocking roadsis an aggression on the people and their freedoms. It is an attack on social order and it involves risks that are hidden to nobody." However, he stressed that "our hands remain stretched to facilitate dialogue and settle problems and renew confidence between the Lebanese." The premier said the March 14 parliamentary majority that supports his government "will not fail to listen to the opinions of others." He urged for "quick treatment that would take differences away from the street to be discussed within the framework of legitimate institutions, topped by the parliament." Saniora concluded by stressing that "we will always remain together against intimidation. We will be together against internal disputes to safeguard Lebanon." Saniora's news conference followed daylong confrontations between anti and pro-government factions throughout Lebanon which security sources said killed three people and wounded 62. Protesters bent on toppling Lebanon's Cabinet blocked highways and roads with blazing tires, sparking clashes with government loyalists in which three people were killed and 133 people hurt, police said. The violence raised the stakes in a campaign by Hezbollah and its allies to oust Prime Minister Fouad Saniora's government. Saniora vowed to stand firm. "We will stay together against intimidation. We will stand together against strife," he said in a televised speech. "Today's general strike turned into actions and harassment that overstepped all limits and rekindled memories of times of strife, war and hegemony," Saniora said. He hinted that the government might take stronger measures. "The duty of the army and security forces does not allow any flexibility or compromise regarding the public interest, order and civic peace," Saniora declared. The street trouble prompted him to delay his departure for the international conference on aid for Lebanon in Paris. Meanwhile Grand Mufti Mohammad Rashid Qabbani said Lebanon's true democratic nature was not reflected through demonstrations currently ravaging the country, but rather by its constitutional institutions. "It's clear taking to the street has not resulted in any changes," he said. "On the contrary, it has contributed to worsening matters on the political scene." Qabbani added that turning to constitutional institutions, rather than demonstrations was the only way to "return life to an endangered" country. The mufti's comments came during his annual Hijra New Year address. Qabbani said he hoped the new lunar year would bring Lebanon and the Lebanese the "joy and peace of mind they have always sought." Lebanon is in real danger, the Mufti added, saying the only way to overcome the political deadlock was to "stand united and return to dialogue." He said Lebanon's problems were all political in nature. Lebanon's crisis is neither religious nor sectarian in nature," he added. "The Lebanese ought to be aware that some hidden forces are working hard to turn current discords from political ones to sectarian ones." Lebanese troops tried to keep rival groups apart, but police said a member of the Christian, pro-government Lebanese Forces party was shot dead in the town of Batroun, north of Beirut. Two people were shot and killed in the mainly Sunni Muslim northern port of Tripoli. Police said gunfire wounded around 50 people, many of them in the Christian towns. Police said 133 people were hurt in a day of skirmishes around the country. Stone-throwing crowds fought in Beirut and Christian areas to the north, even though troops caught in the middle fired in the air to deter them. Black smoke billowed over Beirut as demonstrators shut main roads, including those to the port and international airport, to enforce a general strike called by Hezbollah and its allies. Several airlines cancelled flights. About 300 passengers were stranded at the airport because nearby roads were closed. Children returned to school and people went back to work in Lebanon Wednesday after Hezbollah-led protesters called off a nationwide strike that touched off the worst violence yet in the pro-Iranian group's campaign to topple the U.S.-backed prime minister. Three people were killed and dozens wounded Tuesday as government supporters and their adversaries battled each other around street barricades with stone-throwing and in some cases gunfire. The opposition is growing increasingly frustrated after two months of sit-in protests outside Prime Minister Fouad Saniora's offices. Hezbollah wants him to step down or form a new government giving his foes more power. As the unrest died down, Saniora left for France to attend an international donors conference aimed at raising billions of dollars in aid for rebuilding Lebanon. Many parts of southern Lebanon remain a wasteland of destruction and rubble five months after Hezbollah's war with Israel. Most schools that closed Tuesday after Hezbollah and its allies called the strike reopened as did banks and commercial shops in Beirut and other cities. Around the country, traffic was once again flowing on roads that had been blocked by burning tires and earthen barricades set up by Hezbollah's supporters. Tuesday's clashes quickly took on a dangerous sectarian tone in a country whose divided communities fought a bloody 1975-1990 civil war. In the evening, the opposition announced it would call off the roadblocks and the general strike, saying it had delivered a warning to the government. But it threatened more protests. Clashes had spread in Beirut raising fears of civil war. Three people were killed and 169 wounded in spiralling violence between pro and anti-government factions in Beirut Thursday. Defense Minister Elias Murr ordered a nigh time curfew to help the army enforce law and order. Rafiq Hariri International airport remained operational despite the curfew which would last from 8:30 pm Thursday until 6 am Friday. Security sources said the casualties included 17 wounded soldiers, four of whom are officers. They said at least 200 cars were smashed in the clashes pitting supporters of the Moustaqbal movement, headed by parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri, against an alliance grouping Hezbollah and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's Amal movement. The clash reflects the sharp split between Sunni Muslims, represented by Moustaqbal, and Shiites, led by Hezbollah and Amal. Police sappers also defused a rocket that was directed at the Moustaqbal newspaper in Beirut, shortly before it was set to launch. The sudden outbreak of violence started as a quarrel between students from the Moustaqbal movement and members of the Amal movement at Beirut Arab University. Hariri, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Berri and Premier Fouad Saniora issued separate statements urging restraint and calling on all followers of all the factions to withdraw from the streets. Ambulances, their sirens wailing, sped across the streets evacuating casualties to Beirut's hospitals. Hizbullah demonstrators also attacked buildings in downtown Beirut's banking sector. Education Minister Khaled Qabbani called for a suspension of classes at public and private universities and schools in Lebanon until Monday, in an effort to avoid the spread of violence. The quarrel started around noontime at BAU. Helmeted troops of the Lebanese army moved into the BAU campus and opened fire in the air to disperse the mad crowd. Meanwhile, Residents of Tarik Jedideh, which is a stronghold for the Moustaqbal movement, rushed to back their student comrades, a student reported. He said followers of both factions used sticks, bottles and even broke desks to use them are weapons in the confrontation. In Paris, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal told a French Newspaper that dividing Iraq into smaller independent countries is unimaginable and called on Iran to refrain from interfering in Arab affairs. The Minister told Le Figaro newspaper that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia cannot imagine a divided Iraq and this must be avoided, this is because if the division took place it will be on the expense of the Iraqi people. The Prince who was speaking in Paris where he arrived to attend Paris III conference on Lebanon said " Today we think that interference on or affairs is a dangerous thing and we tell the Iranians that we are very concerned about their influence on the Arab world." He added "we hope Iran becomes a good neighbour." The Minister then said that the dispute with Iran is a political one and the last solution will be the military solution. About Paris III conference the Minister said Lebanon represents the model of Sunni-Shiite living together in one country peacefully whereby if they were left alone they will solve all their problems, but when others are trying to export their war to Lebanon the situation will complicate." Meanwhile Prince Saud Al Faisal, the foreign minister, reiterated Saudi Arabia's keenness to exert all efforts at the bilateral and international levels to contain the crises in Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine and the growing escalation which increases tension, worsens the situation and threatens deterioration in the three countries and in the region. In a speech he delivered at Paris III conference for Lebanon's support which was held here today, the foreign minister said, "we urge all parties in Lebanon to work to contain the internal disagreements, exercise self-restraint, support the national interest, protect national cohesion, avoid confrontations and adopt dialogue to solve their disagreements to protect the national unity of Lebanon, its stability and the independence of its sovereign decision." The Foreign Minister added that, "the kingdom stands at the same distance from all parties in Lebanon and reiterates its support for the secretary general of the Arab League's initiative which constitutes the most appropriate conciliatory solution under the circumstances in Lebanon. We also call for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Sheba's farms and for putting them in the custody of the United Nations until the demarcation of Lebanese Syrian borders. We reiterate our strong condemnation of the terrorist acts which occurred in Lebanon and which claimed the lives of a number of the best sincere Lebanese. We stress the need for realizing justice through bringing all those who are proved to have been involved to trial for punishment." The Foreign Minister added, "the kingdom is one of the leading donors to Lebanon. Saudi support has been substantial and has taken different forms beginning from the Taif agreement in the early nineties and arriving at Paris III conference. At the bilateral level, the kingdom has provided a total of 3400 million us dollars as grants and soft loans. At the multilateral level, the kingdom has helped finance Lebanon's development needs through the kingdom's effective membership in the regional and international financial institutions." The Foreign Minister stated, "our efforts in this field are continuing. During the recent crisis in Lebanon, the kingdom moved quickly to alleviate the suffering of those affected and provided a grant of 50 million us dollars to the Lebanese government to spend them on the urgent needs. Ten million dollars have been earmarked for the Saudi field hospital. One billion US dollars were deposited in Lebanon's central bank to support the Lebanese economy. To help reconstruction efforts, the kingdom recently provided a grant of 500 million dollars to be dispersed according to the priorities of the Lebanese government as part of its reconstruction program." The Foreign Minister added, "I am glad to announce that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to provide a new assistance of 1000 million dollars to support the development projects in Lebanon through the Saudi Development Fund in coordination with the Lebanese government in addition to the provision of a grant of 100 million US Dollars to the Lebanese government to support its general budget." Meanwhile Saudi Arabia is not negotiating with Iran to try to broker an end to the political crisis in Lebanon, but the two countries have exchanged messages about Muslim cooperation, the Saudi foreign minister said. Lebanese political sources said earlier this week that Saudi Arabia and Iran, backers of the main rivals in Lebanon's crisis, had been holding talks to try to reach an agreement that both sides in Lebanon could sign up to. Asked about the reports, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said: "There is no initiative really." Speaking at a news conference following a donors' conference on Lebanon, Prince Saud said Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had sent a message to the King of Saudi Arabia to which he had replied. "The message was an offer to cooperate to achieve solidarity between Muslims," the prince said. "The return message was that 'if this is the intention, then it is actions that speak louder than words, and that if Iran can do anything to quieten its supporters in the region, that this would be the best service that can be done for the solidarity of the Muslims'. "This was the extent of it," he said. Senior Saudi diplomat Prince Bandar bin Sultan had talks with Iranian official Ali Larijani in Tehran to try to reach an agreement that both the government and the opposition would accept, a day after protests led to clashes that killed three people and aroused fears of a slide towards civil strife, according to the Iranian news agency IRNA. The Secretary of the Saudi Arabian National Security Council Prince Bandar bin Sultan said that his country supports Iran's right to access nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The Saudi official made the remark in a press conference at Mehrabad International Airport, before leaving Tehran. "In the last meeting of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council member states, it was approved to hold talks on peaceful use of nuclear energy," he said. Prince Bandar bin Sultan said that naturally working on any sensitive technology requires consideration of security matters. "Given the sensitivity of the issue, the less it is discussed, the better it would be. Besides discussion about nuclear energy should take place in peace and with caution," he said. He hoped that such talks will eventually lead to a peaceful solution. The Prince said that in his talks with Iranian officials, the problems facing the world of Islam and the Arab states were discussed. The Saudi National Security Council secretary hoped that both sides will attempt to materialize the interests of the two nations and not take any measure against the interests of Muslim Ummah. International donors have pledged more than $7bn to help repair Lebanon's economy after Fouad Saniora, the prime minister, said his country faced recession after "Israel's onslaught" last summer. "The total sum collected for Lebanon amounts to a little more than $7.6bn," Jacques Chirac, the French president, told a conference of donors in Paris. Saniora earlier told delegates on Thursday: "After Israel's onslaught on our country, we are now on the edge of a deep recession." Lebanon is also still struggling to rebuild after its 25-year civil war and is weighed down by $41bn of debt. The World Bank and the European Investment Bank announced more than $2bn in aid and Saudi Arabia said it would give $1.1bn. The United States, France and the European Union had already offered aid and loans worth some $1.92bn, but French diplomats had been worried other countries might hold back because of the current political turmoil in Lebanon. The Islamic Development Fund has pledged $250m and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development $700m, while Margaret Beckett, the British foreign secretary, said London would offer about $48m in aid, primarily for refugees. High-ranking representatives of more than 40 countries and organisations were attending the meeting, including Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state and Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general. The money was pledged at the donor conference in Paris. The host, French President Jacques Chirac, announced the dollar figure after the more than 40 nations and financial institutions attending took turns over four hours in announcing their contributions. The aid was toward the top end of what analysts had expected and was a rich reward for Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Saniora, who took the risk of travelling to Paris while his government is locked in a power struggle with Hezbollah and its allies. Donors said they wanted to help Lebanon tackle its debt and the pressing task of rebuilding the devastation from last summer's war between Hezbollah and Israel that left parts of southern Lebanon in ruins. They also sent strong signals of support for Saniora's government and blended aid announcements with warnings that Lebanon's difficulties could, if left unresolved, thwart hopes for peace in the Middle East. "Everyone knows that Lebanon's stability is decisive for the entire region's stability," Chirac said. "The cost of failure is too great to contemplate," Saniora said. "Your support will be essential in seeing Lebanon through." Chirac played auctioneer, pressuring participants to give. He gently chided Japan for not giving more than $11 million, and checked whether other pledges were in dollars or euros. "Be brief, be good and be generous," he said. Lebanon "more than ever needs the unanimous international support of the international community."