Home  Opinion Larsen spreads fears, Anan expedites UNIFIL |
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Larsen spreads fears, Anan expedites UNIFIL |
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Written by FPM - Tayyar.org
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Larsen spreads fears, Anan expedites UNIFIL and Pott conveys reassurance
Ongoing blockade, Europeans decide on the participation Friday, and Assad refuses deployment of forces along borders
1- Overall Domestic Situation
The Lebanese Army is almost there in completing the deployment of its forces along the Lebanese-Israeli borders, except for a few posts which Israel insists on preserving its forces in, pending the arrival of UNIFIL additional forces to complete the deployment process in the South, inside the Lebanese ports and airports and along the Lebanese-Syrian borders though the Lebanese Army has established dozens of fixed posts along these frontiers.
In addition to Israel's firm grip over the Southern border posts which it is keeping to exert pressure on Lebanon, it persisted in keeping Beirut International Airport and Lebanese ports as a mortgage to preserve its pressuring negotiation position over Lebanon and UNIFIL to respond to its conditions. One of the main conditions is its Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's to deploy international forces along the Lebanese-Syrian borders, which was rejected by Syrian President who considered it as an act that stimulates hostility between both countries.
While the UN secretary-general, expected to arrive in the region this week-end, seems to be panting due to his attempts to convince different countries to take part in the supplementary forces, where he appeared as if he was trying to catch one hair from here and another from there to form a complete beard, his envoy Terrje Rod Larsen spread some pessimism and concerns regarding possible continuation of vacuum in the Lebanese South for a few months, which hides within possible deterioration of circumstances. Moreover, Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Pott, who arrived in Lebanon, yesterday, launched a reassuring statement, saying that Israeli officials asserted that no new war would be declared against Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Annan looks forward, with reserves, to the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting next Friday in Brussels that will be held in his presence. The meeting could determine the size of the European participation in UNIFIL, and probably decide on the leadership of these forces following the French hesitation and lack of Italian enthusiasm to be in charge. In addition, French President is expected to announce end of this week Paris's position towards this issue and determine the size of its participation, and hence, Rome would unveil its final stand. In the meantime, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora seeks before Washington, Paris and the UN Secretary-General that the UNIFIL leadership be entrusted to France.
Furthermore, Siniora conducted at night a series of phone calls with US Secretary of State, Annan and the Egyptian President to pressure Israel to lift its blockade off Lebanon and to halt its daily over-flights and trespassing of the Lebanese regional waters. However, it seems that Israel holds tight to its die-hard rejection and insists- apparently- on adopting the measures it applies on the Palestinian Gaza Strip in Lebanon, until its condition to deploy international forces along the Lebanese-Syrian borders is met.
On the sidelines of the repercussion of the Israeli war against Lebanon, the United Lebanon estimated Lebanon's losses at around $15 billion, explaining that it made Lebanon 15 years backwards. Meanwhile, the Lebanese government seems to be failing to meet its duties to face the war's damages on all levels. Certain media outlets mentioned some disputes inside the March 14 team on the parties, companies and institutions that would be in charge of reconstruction. On the other side of the Lebanese borders, discussions in Israel surge on the composition of an investigation committee to probe the war on Lebanon. Distinct point of view bred a series of ministerial investigation committees, which raised the fears of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who resorted to Washington to pressure some of his ministers, the Foreign Minister in particular, in order to push with these committees towards the end. Some journalists quoted some European sources that these committees might divulge contacts between Israeli and Lebanese officials who provided the formers with information about Hizbullah's power, asserting that Israel could win the war in a matter of few days due to its superiority and the Resistance's reliance on "primitive" means.
Washington, on the other hand, seems to insist on promulgating an explanatory international resolution of 1701, which would include a clear and decisive clause in terms if Hizbullah's disarmament. However, some European countries are against this orientation, on top of which is France that does not see this as necessary.
2- Standpoints:
• Prime Minister Siniora: announces today the government's plan to compensate those inflicted with damages.
• Former Prime Minister Hoss: Bush is directly responsible for Lebanon's hardship. We prefer that the airport be closed, rather than having planes searched in Amman.
• President Lahoud: Peretz's talk about a second round is aimed at boosting morale inside Israel.
• Maronite League: lauded the army's deployment in the South and urged France to promote its participation in the international force.
• MP Ibrahim Kanaan: Why didn’t the government see the Iranian axis during elections? Didn’t they reap the majority via their alliance with the Syrian and the Iranian?
• Hizbullah: The southerners want the strong State, and the Resistance is ready for defense next to the army.
• French Ambassador Bernard Emie: There is a necessity for quick deployment of the international force.
• Muslim clerics: Pride in Lebanese steadfastness and Resistance's confrontation with aggression.
• Spanish Ambassador (after visiting President Aoun): I sensed his support for the international force.
• Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Pott: Israel will not launch a second military round against Lebanon.
Newspaper Headlines on 23/8/2006
An-Nahar: - Annan in Beirut end of the week and Pott stresses: No second military round
- Siniora calls on Moubarak to pressure Israel to lift off the blockade
- United Nations: Lebanon's losses account for $15 billion, pulling it 15 years backwards
As-Safir: - Lebanon swings between UNIFIL's anticipation… and Israel's rigidity
- Assad: Deployment of international forces between Lebanon and Syria is a hostile attitude.
- Tehran's response opens a news phase of maneuvers and challenges
Al-Balad: - Two decisive meetings in Brussels to discuss European participation, Larsen warns against "security vacuum".
- Assad refuses the deployment of international forces along Syria's borders and Olmert sees it as a condition to untie the blockade on Lebanon.
Al-Akhbar: The State and Reconstruction… disputes and scents of deals.
Al-Mustaqbal: - Lebanon moves to halt Israeli over-flights and to lift off the blockade.
- Larsen: Situation to remain fragile for two or three months, and unintentional incidents might erupt it.
Ad-Diyar: - No Huge war against Lebanon, and Israel wonders about the reason behind the loss.
- Israeli investigation committees will unveil contacts between Lebanese and Israelis.
Al-Anwar: - Larsen reiterates Israeli threats and Annan expedites the sending of the international force.
- Italy warns against Israel's continuation of shooting fire.
L'Orient le Jour: "UNIFIL Plus" still a problem, UN doubts a "security vacuum".
Daily Report
August 23, 2006
translated by Aalaa Translation Co. for tayyar.org
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