[MAGHAREBIA] The Libyan government on Wednesday (February 19th) recognised women who suffered sexual violence during the 2011 popular uprising as war victims.
It adopted a decree that "protects victims of rape during the war of liberation and recognises them as victims of war", Justice Minister Salah al-Marghani said.
Under the decree, rape victims will benefit from financial, medical, housing and education assistance, AFP reported.
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[MAGHAREBIA] The Tunisian interior ministry on February 14th announced stricter controls on people wearing the niqab.
"The measure is being taken because of the threat the country faces and because of terrorist suspects using the niqab... to disguise themselves and escape justice," the interior ministry said.
The ministry urged citizens to be understanding and help security units do their work.
Security forces have recently incarcerated ... anything you say can and will be used against you, whether you say it or not... a number of Death Eaters and criminals wearing niqabs. Authorities also pointed out that the Death Eaters who were hunted down in Raoued as well as those arrested in Ariana moved from Jebel Chaambi to the capital wearing niqabs.
That has led several people to call for a ban on wearing niqabs in light of the threat to the country's security and stability.
Cheikh Houcine Abidi, a Zeitouna mosque imam, said in remarks published February 13th that the government should ban wearing the niqab to prevent Death Eaters and criminal from carrying out their plans. He added that niqab did not exist in Islamic jurisprudence, noting that Islamic dress for Moslem women was limited to the veil.
Abidi explained that the use of the niqab for terrorist purposes to the detriment of the community and to kill people made it illicit in religious terms.
For his part, Tunisian Mufti Sheikh Hamda Said supported a potential ban on niqab for security purposes.
"The ruler can legitimately restrict the scope of what is permissible if he deems it for the good of the nation such as for the security of the country," he said in a press statement.
Mazen Chérif, an analyst who specialises in terror cases, said that history has proven that the niqab was being used for crime and anonymity. He added that the human face was an ID.
"Since security reports have demonstrated that the niqab is being used in terrorism, it is necessary to ban it," he commented.
Tunisians are divided between supporters of a potential ban on the niqab and those rejecting it
Nawel Kilani, a 23-years-old information sciences student, pointed out that the niqab was an intruder on the Islamic religion, which calls only for the veil.
"The government should enact a law to prevent this outfit in order to protect us and protect our country from Death Eaters and criminals," Kilani said.
Youssif Krid, a 31-year-old restaurant worker, stressed his support for the decision, saying, "The niqab is now badly used in Tunisia and has become linked to terrorism. A law banning it in Tunisia has become an urgent necessity and a national duty."
In turn, his friend Mahjoub Chabi said he supported the decision on the condition that it would be rescinded once the situation stabilised.
On the other hand Samar Ajmi, owner of a tailor shop, said that dress was part of the freedom achieved by all Tunisians after the revolution. She called for the need to accept this freedom, including both its positive and negative sides.
In this regard, the Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou said during a hearing at the Constituent Assembly on February 13th that banning the niqab would be a political decision beyond the security establishment.
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[MAGHAREBIA] Libyans headed to the polls on Thursday (February 20th) to select members of the constitution drafting committee.
Turnout reached 45 per cent of registered voters, according to the country's High National Electoral Commission (HNEC).
"I would like to congratulate the Libyan people on this historic event, which constitutes a major milestone towards the democratic path and building a state of freedom, prosperity and justice," HNEC Chairman Nuri al-Abbar said late Thursday.
However al-Abbar noted that the vote was marred by violence in several areas.
Poll worker Salem Attiya Boujidar Al-Mansouri was killed by gunnies in Derna. Five polling stations in the eastern city were also bombed on the eve of the election and a sixth was shut down by snuffies the day of the vote, according to AFP.
Two polling centres were stormed and set on fire in Ubari, according to Libya Herald. Voting in the town was halted after protestors burned ballots. Similar violence erupted in Kufra, where three polling stations were shut.
But despite the violence, many were proud to be given a voice "after 42 years of deprivation," said Abou Bakr Sasi, an information technology engineer. "My tears fell, and this is a great feeling when you have the freedom of choice."
He added that this was an experiment and an opportunity he would defend for his children and future generations.
Mokhtar Ben Hmida, a government employee in Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... , said that the electoral process proceeded professionally, starting with sending SMSs to mobile phones to encourage voting.
For his part, Ali Youssef, a university professor, cast doubt over the figures recorded. He pointed to the multiple liquidations in the east of the country, including the murder of a Benghazi judge.
"There were also attacks on media outlets, such as the attack on al-Assema TV station, kidnappings of journalists in western Libya, two coups this week by Maj. Gen. Haftar and Qaqaa and Sawaiq brigades against legitimacy in the country. No constitutional election can take place under this chaos and deteriorating security situation," he said.
In Derna voters were equally upset with the chaotic security situation.
Lawyer Baset Mahmoud, 39, rattled off a list of problems, from lack of faith in the election law to intimidation by snuffies in Derna.
"Takfiri ...an adherent of takfir wal hijra, an offshoot of Salafism that regards everybody who doesn't agree with them as apostates who most be killed... sts blow up election centres, salafists say elections are haram," he continued.
Anas al-Sharif, a young man from Benghazi on a visit to Derna, said he heard five kabooms. "Two of them almost made me cry out of fear and sadness," he added. "Blasts targeted al-Dhiaa, Fathi al-Tira, al-Zahraa and al-Kholoud schools. The pictures are too horrible to be published."
At noon the following day, al-Sharif said that "adhan could be heard, and so could be the prayers of those terrified people of Derna hoping that God would deliver them from all this destruction, death and blood."
"I mourn Derna, the city of culture, theatre, music and art," he continued. "I feel like getting out and bringing people together so we can cry and weep until the evening."
Mariam Hasan, 38, a teacher based in Derna, said the situation in the city was "horrible", adding, "No polling stations are open, and groups are terrorising people and accusing them of kufr."
"Derna is witnessing the liquidation of judges and army officers," she added. "They haven't spared anyone; everyone is just waiting for his turn. Derna has been usurped and is in pain. Derna is a special case and its people are suffering while no one is caring about them, neither the government nor the General National Congress."
"There are liquidations and bombings every day that terrorise us from the krazed killers," the teacher said.
However, Switzerland makes more than cheese... Dr Intissar al-Akili, a member of the former National Transitional Council (NTC), expressed her happiness at the election: "Thank God, we voted today out of honour for deaders' blood and to confirm our desire to build the state of Libya. I wouldn't miss this great national event."
Meanwhile in Sirte, election officials, local authorities, security and health staff were all prepared for the event to make sure the election would proceed smoothly.
"Today's election was correctly held in spite of all violations," said Yasmin Ahmed, 23. "Yes, we participated in election although I'm not happy that Amazighs, Toubous and Touaregs didn't take part in it."
There were 20,000 registered voters in Sirte and those who actually voted totalled 10,000, according to initial results from the HNEC.
"I voted for those who really deserve it, away from provincialism or regionalism," said Ahmed Lamine, a 61-year-old businessman. "I think there is good election awareness as compared to the 7/7 election."
"I hope everyone will take part in building the state of Libya that Libyans dream of," he added.
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[Dhaka Tribune] Islamist gunnies in the country took inspiration from the ideals of al-Qaeda, the Afghan Taliban and other similar outfits of Pakistain to preach radicalism, train their activists and carry out organised terrorist attacks across the country in the past three decades.
When this correspondent interviewed Death Eater leaders Abdur Rahman and Siddiqul Islam -- the latter became widely known as Bangla Bhai -- in May 2004, they said how they had been inspired by Taliban.
Abdur Rahman had said: "Our model includes many leaders and scholars of Islam. But we will take as much [ideological elements] from the Taliban as we need."
Continued on Page 49
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North Korean leader Fat Boy Kim Jong-un is leading an even more luxurious lifestyle than his father Kim Jong-il, according to a report by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea on Tuesday.
''Luxury good expenditure by [North Korea] rose to $645.8 million in 2012," the report said. "This was a sharp increase from the average of $300 million a year under Suet Face Kim Jong-il."
Pudgy Kim built a private theater for 1,000 of his closest associates and imported luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicles, high-end musical instruments and equipment and dozens of pianos, the report added.
Does he play them?
The regime acquires the funds from the illegal sale of alcohol in Islamic countries and trafficking of ivory from Africa to China, the report quoted a former North Korean official as testifying.
"They are kept [in] the personal disposal of the supreme leader and used to cover personal expenses of the supreme leader, his family and other elites surrounding him, as well as other politically sensitive expenditures," the report said.
Meanwhile Kim and his loyalists are engaged in "systematic, widespread, and grave violations of human rights" of the absolute majority of North Koreans.
Former NBA superstar Dennis Rodman, who has been to the North three times, said he spent seven days on Kim's private island partying, jet skiing and horse riding and saw an array of big yachts there.
And partook, and enjoyed himself thoroughly...
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#1
..and the White House has spent how much on travel and entertainment?
[DAWN] LAHORE: The newly-raised Quick Response Force (QRF), a batch of which passed out a few days ago at Qilla Gujjar Singh Police Lines, was formally brought to the field assignments on Friday to prevent crime against property and terrorism in the quiet provincial capital.
A batch of 90 QRF officials with the help of 45 cycle of violences performed patrolling and picketing duties to assist the local police in the Baghbanpura police precinct and also held flag-march in four areas of the Cantonment police division.
On Feb 17, a batch of 219 coppers completed a month-long professional and physical training course (combat, raids, ambush, anti ambush, repelling, weapon-handling and picket-forming) with an objective to curbing terrorist and criminal elements. The trained personnel are being deployed for patrolling and picketing in hot spots already identified by the police in all the 84 cop shoppes.
On Friday, QRF officials set up pickets on all entry-exit points of hot spots, where robberies and street crime take place frequently.
Cantonment SP (Operations) Sarfraz Ahmad Virk said 90 QRF officials flag-marched in North Cantonment, Ghaziabad, Burki, Baghbanpura and Harbanspura in the morning on the first day of their field assignment.
He said the officials would be part of patrolling and picketing duties in all hot spots in Baghbanpura circle from 7pm to 1am. He said eight Mohafiz (each comprises four coppers and two cycle of violences) were usually part of patrolling in each cop shoppe but the availability of QRF officials would be on alternate dates (according to areas).
Sources said the experience to raise QRF was not new in the Lahore police as earlier similar forces were raised at least four times in the last five years or so keeping in view terrorist attacks in the city. Around 300 police constables were imparted commando training by the army officials at the Elite Police Training School.
However, a clean conscience makes a soft pillow... the force either remained in reserves or was deputed at static places or assigned VVIP duties. It was not used for combat operations or crime fighting, they added.
Sources expressed apprehensions that yet another experiment to raise QRF might be a futile exercise owing to a lack of inconsistent policies.
The exercise was also launched in the tenure of former Civil Lines SP Muhammad Omar Saeed who trained 100 coppers to use the force against the anti-state elements and criminals. The force, which was deployed at pickets in the Civil Lines division, was withdrawn after the transfer of the officer.
After experiencing different QRFs, the city police authorities again decided to raise a force which would not act as reserve and rather assist the local police in dealing with alarming crime rate in the city.
SP Headquarters Maroof Safdar Wahla said out of 261 constables, 219 passed the QRF course and now they were being dispatched to different police divisions with worn-out (50) cycle of violences. "One constable is equipped with Breta pistol and the other with SMG," he said.
He said the idea to use QRF by the divisional police was to prevent incidents in crime pockets in peak timings between 4pm and 12am, adding that he had sent a proposal to his superiors to provide 70 QRF officials and 30 cycle of violences each to three police divisions a day for the purpose.
Wahla further claimed that effective daily use of QRF by divisional SPs and their subordinates would create a positive impact against daily crimes. He said trained cops would be given additional training after two months
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[DAWN] Brushing aside the impression about capability of Pakistain's armed forces in countering terrorism and militancy, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif Friday said the military was fully capable to protect integrity and illusory sovereignty of the country.
"Let there be no doubt that Pakistain's armed forces are battle hardened and fully capable to counter any internal or external threat posed to the integrity and illusory sovereignty of our beloved country," he said while interacting with the troops at FC headquarters in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa ... formerly NWFP, still Terrorism Central... .
Earlier this month, the upper house of Parliament witnessed a heated debate on a recent TV interview of Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf ...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations.... (PTI) chief Imran Khan ... aka Taliban Khan, who is the lightweight's lightweight... in which he had allegedly questioned the capability of the armed forces to take on the bad boys.
The cricketer-turned-politician in an interview had stated that during a meeting the prime minister had quoted former army chief Gen (retd) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani ... four star general, current Chief of Army Staff of the Mighty Pak Army. Kayani is the former Director General of ISI... as saying that there was a 40 per cent chance of success of a military operation against gunnies in the country's tribal areas.
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) appreciated the spirit and high morale of the troops and said that the entire nation acknowledged sacrifices rendered by security forces in the war on terror as part of national effort to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from Pakistain.
Gen Sahrif assured them that these sacrifices will not go in vain.
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[DAWN] The Tehrik-e-Taliban threat of attacks has frightened the Kalash tribe living in three segregated valleys of southern Chitral.
Luke Rahmat, a Kalash primitive holding a master's degree, told Dawn here that the Taliban threat had filled more than 3,500 members of his community with terror.
He said though the TTP threat's authenticity had yet to be established, it had terrified the Kalash people, who had confined themselves to homes after sunset fearing attacks by the banned outfit.
"My seven-year-old daughter is so terrified that she's sleepless nights. I found her awake at night on return from another valley the other day as she wanted to see me around in the wake of the Taliban threat," he said.
Mr Rahmat blamed the recent terrorist activities in Kalash valleys, including the beheading of a Spaniard along with a herdsman, for the fear.
Tash Khan, another Kalash primitive, said members of his community were known for non-violent disposition.
"In their known history, members of Kalash community have never committed murder or suicide," he said.
The primitive said the Kalash people preferred peace to everything else and were even ready to leave their valleys if they were asked to do so.
Meanwhile, ...back at the Council of Boskone, Helmuth ordered the space pirate fleet to attack Zemblonia... local leaders of religio-political parties insisted the threat to Kalash people was a hoax.
Former Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... MNA from Chitral Maulana Akbar Chitrali said some people had tried to harm the TTP-government peace talks by issuing a video released by the Taliban two years ago.
He said the Mohammedan and Kalash communities had been living peacefully for centuries and that Mohammedans never posed any threat to the Kalash people.
MNA from Chitral Shahzada Iftikharuddin said strict measures should be put in place to ensure protection of the Kalash community.
Meanwhile, ...back at the the conspirators' cleverly concealed hideout Montefiore's foot was still stuck and the hound had completely soaked his uniform with slobber... a meeting was held in Bumburate valley here on Friday in which Chitral deputy commissioner Mohammad Shoaib Jadoon and officers of law enforcement agencies asked both Mohammedan and Kalash communities of the three valleys to be vigilant.
Shoaib Jadoon told Dawn that the administration assured Kalash rustics of their safety.
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SUKKUR: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah said that Taliban are criminals and anti-state elements and enemies need to be told that writ of the government is intact in the country. Talking to reporters at the Sukkur airport, Khurshid Shah said that our soldiers are brutally martyred in broad day light and steps need to be taken to control such incidents.
Enemies and anti-state elements need to be told that writ of the government is intact in the country and it cannot be challenged so easily.
He said the Taliban are criminals. Islam is a religion of peace and preaches peace and tranquillity. There is no room for terrorism in Islam.
He'll be killed as an apostate, of course...
He said criminal elements, by portraying to be preachers of Islam, cannot fool the people of this country. The manner in which they carry out their barbarism is unprecedented not even Jewish had resort to such violence, he said.
He said that there seems to be no direction of talks with the Taliban. The PM needs to make a decision regarding the Taliban soon. I assure him his chair is under no threat. He needs to make a decision like a true leader.
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PESHAWAR: Taliban committee member Maulana Yousaf Shah on Friday held the government responsible for the deadlock in peace talks.
Couldn't possibly be the fault of hard boyz with guns and RPGs...
Talking to reporters, Maulana Yousaf Shah said that the government has not yet contacted them for a meeting. He held the government responsible for the deadlock in negotiations, and said that the committee wanted to solve the issue through peaceful means. He added that the committee was in contact with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan leadership.
Another member of the Taliban committee, Professor Ibrahim Khan, said that the constitution of Pakistan is not un-Islamic and religious scholars had endorsed and signed it. Talking to reporters, Professor Ibrahim said that their religious elders had drafted, developed and signed the constitution, adding that they all had taken oath under the same. He said that implementation of the real constitution was the only way to resolve lingering issue of the country. He said the Taliban would also accept this constitution once it is implemented in letter and sprit.
Criticising the government, Ibrahim said if the constitution is implemented in its true spirit, Islamic system would be established in the country. About peace talks, he said that if the government wants to hold negotiations directly with the Taliban leadership, he would have no objection to it. He said the negotiating committee would convince the Taliban to accept the constitution after its implementation in the letter and spirit. Professor Ibrahim said that those who violated the constitution should be punished.
On Wednesday, Professor Ibrahim had confirmed deadlock between government-Taliban talks. Yes, it exists, but we can find the way out ...
Replying to a question, he had said the Taliban-proposed committee was facing difficulties in making contact with TTP after its last week meeting with the TTP shura in North Waziristan. I appeal both the government and Taliban to take the decisions with wisdom, he had urged.
The two sides must resume their contacts, restoration of peace is impossible without it, Professor Ibrahim had told a private channel.
On Tuesday, the government committee held a meeting with the prime minister and expressed its inability to carry forward the peace process in the wake of continued deadly attacks by militants.
On the other hand, TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid told a news conference in North Waziristan on Friday that there was not a single Islamic clause in Pakistans constitution.
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02/22/2014 00:00 ||
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ISLAMABAD: The special court, constituted for trial of Pervez Musharraf under Article 6 of the high treason act, on Friday summoned the former president on March 11, and rejected his counsels appeal to shift the case to military court. The court also rejected the plea regarding jurisdiction of the special court, saying that it had complete authority to try Musharraf for high treason.
Perv, you're gonna wish you'd stayed in Dubai...
The three-member bench, headed by Justice Faisal Arab, resumed hearing of the case and remarked that only the special court was entitled to hear the treason case, on the grounds that Musharraf retired in 2007 and he is not part of the army now so the case could not be proceeded under the Army Act. The court also observed that the Army Act of 1977 was declared null and void in 1981 by the courts; therefore, under the law only the special court is subjected to hear the case of high treason against Mushrraf under Article 6 of the constitution.
Musharrafs counsels concluded their arguments and stated that the special court was established against law and it was established without formal approval of the federal cabinet. They also termed special court judges biased and partial.
In his three applications, Musharraf had challenged the authority of special court to hear the treason case against him, the appointment of judges for the trial and nomination of prosecutor general.
The court would announce its verdict over another petition relating to the issue of biased judges on March 4. The court has ordered Musharraf to appear on March 11, and he is likely to be indicted the same day.
On February 18, Musharraf appeared before the trial bench and was not indicted on the request of his legal team, pleading that the jurisdiction of court to hear the high treason case should be decided first and case be referred to military court. The court in its order ruled that it would first decide the application challenging the jurisdiction of this court before further proceedings.
The counsel of Pervez Musharraf, Ahmad Raza Kasuri, said that the verdict of the special court is wrong and devoid of facts, adding that it was former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and not Musharraf who had abrogated the constitution.
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[Janes] For the first time since its establishment in 1987, the Palestinian militant group Hamas is using a firearms simulator rather than live ammunition to train its personnel in marksmanship. Our simulators free the users from... 'ammo and range lock' which empowers them. It frees up time to write poetry, start their own smuggling business, or care for infant jihadi's ....which is an Mooslim family value.
Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on 16 February that Hamas had made this shift because the group is suffering growing financial pressures due to the Egyptian crackdown on the smuggling tunnels running under the border between the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula. Ammo arriving via Egyptian tunnel system was it ?
Mohammed Khalaf, a senior Hamas commander, confirmed to IHS Jane's that the simulator was "a creative innovation"
Fancy language, that. Somebody taking a business management correspondence course?
developed in response to an ammunition shortage. "It's an advanced laser shooting system that simulates real weapons and we have integrated it for the AK-47 Kalashnikov assault rifle, M16 and pistols," he said. "Advanced laser systems" require Chinese air compressors? Could be pneumatic simulated recoil, or a air-soft, paint ball type set up.
#1
It's not like they were, you know, aiming or anything, right?
Posted by: ed in texas ||
02/22/2014 7:10 Comments ||
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#2
Hamas is running low on ammo?
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
02/22/2014 7:10 Comments ||
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#3
...well, between the Egyptian military confiscating the stuff to make up for their own stocks and European 'protest' ships not making port, the supply probably is getting tight.
[Haaratz] Some form of recognition of Israel as the Jewish state could be acceptable to the Palestinian Authority, says PLO Central Committee Member Nabil Amro, though it would still have to be brought to a popular referendum. Nothing personal, it's just Islamic business.
[An Nahar] Free Patriotic Movement Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic... leader Michel Aoun ...a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah... is highly likely to reach the presidency after a U.S. and Saudi rapprochement with him, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Friday.
The daily said Washington believes that Leb needs a strong president, who is capable of discussing with Hizbullah ...Party of God, a Leb militia inspired, founded, funded and directed by Iran. Hizbullah refers to itself as The Resistance and purports to defend Leb against Israel, with whom it has started and lost one disastrous war to date, though it did claim victory... about its arms or the defense strategy rather than provoking it.
No one other than Aoun, who is Hizbullah's top ally in the March 8 forces ... the opposition to the Mar. 14th movement, consisting of Hizbullah and its allies, so-called in commemoration of their Mar. 8th, 2006 demonstration of strength in Beirut ... , can play this role, it quoted sources as saying.
The sources also said that Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... , which similar to the U.S. backs the March 14 alliance, has improved its ties with the FPM and a similar rapprochement was made between Aoun and al-Mustaqbal ... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri... movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri Second son of Rafik Hariri, the Leb PM who was assassinated in 2005. He has was prime minister in his own right from 2009 through early 2011. He was born in Riyadh to an Iraqi mother and graduated from Georgetown University. He managed his father's business interests in Riyadh until his father's assassination. When his father died he inherited a fortune of some $4.1 billion, which won't do him much good if Hizbullah has him bumped off, too. .
Such a rapprochement wouldn't have taken place without a Saudi-U.S. green light, they told al-Akhbar.
"The dream of the presidency went out of the impossibility circle to reach the circle of possibility," the sources said.
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#1
No natural gas forrr yuuuuuu!!!!
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
02/22/2014 20:49 Comments ||
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[An Nahar] Al-Mustaqbal ... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri... Movement MP Ahmed Fatfat held talks with Lebanese Forces A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb... Chief Samir Geagea ... Geagea was imprisoned by the Syrians and their puppets for 11 years in a dungeon in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. He was released after the Cedar Revolution in 2005 ... in an attempt to rectify ties between the two parties after the formation of Prime Minister Tammam Salam's cabinet.
Fatfat stressed after a two-hour meeting in Maarab that the two parties are "allies," pointing out that "it's is a necessity to reconsider the current political stage after the formation of the new government, which we hoped that the LF would have been part of."
However, Switzerland makes more than cheese... he pointed out that al-Mustaqbal movement "respects the stance of the Lebanese Forces."
Ties have deteriorated between al-Mustaqbal Movement and the Lebanese forces after al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri Second son of Rafik Hariri, the Leb PM who was assassinated in 2005. He has was prime minister in his own right from 2009 through early 2011. He was born in Riyadh to an Iraqi mother and graduated from Georgetown University. He managed his father's business interests in Riyadh until his father's assassination. When his father died he inherited a fortune of some $4.1 billion, which won't do him much good if Hizbullah has him bumped off, too. agreed to participate with Hizbullah ...Party of God, a Leb militia inspired, founded, funded and directed by Iran. Hizbullah refers to itself as The Resistance and purports to defend Leb against Israel, with whom it has started and lost one disastrous war to date, though it did claim victory... in Salam's government.
Geagea had been adamant to stay out of the cabinet, saying he would not share power with Hizbullah.
He has also reportedly expressed dismay at the recent rapprochement between Hariri and his foe Free Patriotic Movement Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic... chief Michel Aoun ...a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah... .
Concerning Salam's cabinet ministerial policy statement, Fatfat stressed that the Baabda declaration should be the basis of any ministerial statement, which should be in alignment with the Bkirki charter.
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi had unveiled early in February a treaty that calls for holding the presidential elections on time.
It also demanded that political powers adhere to the country's national pact and place national interests above personal ones.
Asked about army-people-resistance equation, the politician ruled out the possibility of mentioning the formula in the ministerial statement, whether directly or in an indirect way.
"Hizbullah has realized that the party's intervention in Syria is imposing great threats on it and its popular base as we are on the doorstep of a historical stage that compels us to act responsibly and take straightforward stances," Fatfat said in his statement.
The MP warned that "if the there was no intention to safeguard Leb from its crises then the national unity cabinet doesn't exist."
He reiterated that the "dissociation policy is Leb's only salvation."
Fatfat revealed that several al-Mustaqbal movement politicians support the withdrawal of the party's ministers from the cabinet if "the army-people-resistance equation was adopted in the ministerial policy statement."
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As Syrias war nears the start of its fourth year, Iran has stepped up support on the ground for President Bashar Al Assad, providing elite teams to gather intelligence and train troops, sources with knowledge of military movements say.
This further backing from Tehran, along with deliveries of munitions and equipment from Moscow, is helping to keep Assad in power at a time when neither his own forces nor opposition fighters have a decisive edge on the battlefield.
Assads forces have failed to capitalise fully on advances they made last summer with the help of Iran and the Hezbollah fighters that Tehran backs and which have provided important battlefield support for Assad.
Iran has already spent billions of dollars propping up Assad. And while the presence of Iranian military personnel in Syria is not new, military experts believe Tehran has in recent months sent in more specialists to enable Assad to outlast his enemies at home and abroad. Analysts believe this renewed support means Assad felt no need to make concessions at currently deadlocked peace talks in Geneva.
Assad is now benefiting from the deployment by Tehran of hundreds more military specialists to Syria, according to Iranian sources familiar with deployments of military personnel, Syrian opposition sources, and security experts. These include senior commanders from the elite Quds Force, the external and secretive arm of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as IRGC members.
Their function is not to fight,
...no, of course not, just as the Saudis didn't fight in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan...
but to direct and train Syrian forces and to assist in the gathering of intelligence, according to sources in Iran and outside.
An Iranian foreign ministry official said: We always have said that we support our Syrian brothers and respect their will ... Iran has never got involved in Syria by providing arms or financially or by sending troops.
But a former senior Iranian official with close IRGC links said Iranian forces were active in Syria. He said the Quds force was gathering intelligence in Syria, which Iran regarded as a top priority. He said a few hundred commanders from the Quds Force and the IRGC were in Syria, but they did not get involved directly in the fighting.
A recently retired senior IRGC commander said Iranian forces on the ground included some Arabic speakers. He said top Quds force commanders numbered 60 to 70 at any given time. These men were tasked with advising and training Assads military and his commanders, he said. Revolutionary Guards directed the fighting on the instructions of the Quds Force commanders, he added.
The former IRGC commander said these personnel were also backed up by thousands of Iranian paramilitary Basij volunteer fighters. The former Iranian official and a Syrian opposition source also put auxiliary forces in the thousands.
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/22/2014 00:00 ||
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Iran and Britain officially resumed on Thursday diplomatic relations severed by London after students stormed its Tehran embassy in 2011.
From today relations between Iran and Britain are resumed at the non-resident charges daffaires level, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said, adding that the countries flags were raised atop their embassies in Tehran and London.
The British Foreign Office confirmed the news.
Britain had ordered the closure of Irans embassy in London after shuttering its own in Tehran when hundreds of students stormed the compound in November 2011. The students protesting against Western sanctions over Tehrans disputed nuclear programme ransacked the building as well as the ambassadors residence in north Tehran. Since then, the Swedish embassy in Tehran has represented Britains interests there, while the Omani embassy in London has done the same for Iran.
By ending the job of countries interest sections, the charges daffaires are now responsible for the bilateral relations, said Takht-Ravanchi.
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/22/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
"Since then, the Swedish embassy in Tehran has represented Britains interests there, while the Omani embassy in London has done the same for Iran."
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
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ISLAMABAD: The special court, constituted for trial of Pervez Musharraf under Article 6 of the high treason act, on Friday summoned the former president on March 11, and rejected his counsels appeal to shift the case to military court. The court also rejected the plea regarding jurisdiction of the special court, saying that it had complete authority to try Musharraf for high treason.
Michel Aoun
Samir Geagea
As Syrias war nears the start of its fourth year, Iran has stepped up support on the ground for President Bashar Al Assad, providing elite teams to gather intelligence and train troops, sources with knowledge of military movements say.
