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Page 6: Politix
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Afghanistan
Karzai to visit Pakistan to seek more Taliban releases
[Dawn] Afghanistan's Caped President Hamid Maybe I'll join the Taliban Karzai
... A former Baltimore restaurateur, now 12th and current President of Afghanistan, displacing the legitimate president Rabbani in December 2004. He was installed as the dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001 in a vain attempt to put a Pashtun face on the successor state to the Taliban. After the 2004 presidential election, he was declared president regardless of what the actual vote count was. He won a second, even more dubious, five-year-term after the 2009 presidential election. His grip on reality has been slipping steadily since around 2007, probably from heavy drug use...
will visit Pakistain on Monday seeking the release of key Taliban prisoners as he tries to restart peace talks with the forces of Evil after they collapsed acrimoniously.

Pakistain is seen as key to ending the 12-year conflict in Afghanistan before presidential elections in April and the withdrawal of most of the 87,000 NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A collection of multinational and multilingual and multicultural armed forces, all of differing capabilities, working toward a common goal by pulling in different directions...
-led combat troops by the end of next year.

Ties between to the two neighbours appeared to improve at a summit hosted by Britannia in February, but have since frayed badly in a series of public rows that rekindled long-held mutual suspicion.

Omar Daudzai, the Afghan ambassador to Pakistain, said he was confident Karzai's visit would see progress on Afghanistan's calls for Pakistain to release Taliban prisoners and to back the peace talks being led by the Kabul government.

Mohammad Ismail Qasemyar, a member of the High Peace Council (HPC), the official Afghan government negotiators, said they would seek the release of the most senior Taliban figure tossed in the slammer
Book 'im, Mahmoud!
in Pakistain, former deputy leader Abdul Ghani Baradar.
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Afghanistan's Karzai says no rush to sign US security pact
[Al Ahram] Afghanistan is in no rush to sign a pact with the United States setting out how many US troops will stay after a NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It's headquartered in Belgium. That sez it all....
mission ends next year and may even delay a decision until after a presidential election, President Hamid Maybe I'll join the Taliban Karzai
... A former Baltimore restaurateur, now 12th and current President of Afghanistan, displacing the legitimate president Rabbani in December 2004. He was installed as the dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001 in a vain attempt to put a Pashtun face on the successor state to the Taliban. After the 2004 presidential election, he was declared president regardless of what the actual vote count was. He won a second, even more dubious, five-year-term after the 2009 presidential election. His grip on reality has been slipping steadily since around 2007, probably from heavy drug use...
said.

Foreign combat troops are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, when the NATO-led mission winds up and the responsibility for fighting Taliban snuffies is handed over to Afghan forces.

But NATO plans to keep a slimmed-down training and advisory mission in Afghanistan after 2014 although the United States and other NATO allies have been slow to provide detailed numbers of troops for the force.

The United States has been putting pressure on Afghanistan to finalise a bilateral security agreement (BSA), which will mandate how many, and where, US soldiers will remain once the NATO mission ends.
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Well, at least until out aid money runs out.
Posted by: Raj || 08/25/2013 0:47 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Egypt curfew shortened by two hours excluding Fridays
[Al Ahram] The curfew imposed on 14 Egyptian governorates will be from 9pm (instead of 7pm) until 6am starting Saturday, the interim cabinet announced, stating that only on Fridays the curfew would start at 7pm.

This decision was announced after Friday's rallies, staged by loyalists of deposed president Mohamed Morsi, witnessed less violence and a lower turnout of protesters in comparison to previous mass demonstrations on past Fridays.

On 14 August, the interim Cabinet re-introduced a state of emergency, accompanied by a daily curfew starting at 7pm until 6am in 14 governorates for a month.
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Thousands Protest in Tunis Demanding Government's Ouster
[An Nahar] Thousands of protesters marched in Tunis Saturday, on the first day of a planned week-long campaign aimed at bringing down the Islamist-led government, amid political deadlock in the north country.

They headed in the direction of the national assembly, where activists and opposition MPs have gathered regularly since the July 25 liquidation of secular politician Mohammed Brahmi, demanding the departure of the government led by the Islamist party Ennahda.

"The people want the fall of the regime," "Get out!" and "(Ennahda leader Rached) Ghannouchi assassin," were some of the slogans chanted by the protesters.

More than an hour after the start of the protest the numbers continued to grow.

The opposition National Salvation Front (NSF) is hoping the demonstration will trigger a week of protests across the country that will force Ennahda's resignation and lead to the formation of a non-partisan administration.

Saturday's protest comes amid political turmoil in nearby Egypt, where the army overthrew Islamist president Mohammed Morsi last month after millions of protesters erupted into the streets demanding that he step down.

It also follows efforts by Tunisia's powerful UGTT trade union to mediate between the opposition and the ruling Islamists and find a way out of the crisis.

The talks have made little progress since they began at the start of the month, with the NSF insisting on Friday that any negotiations prior to the government's resignation were a "waste of time."
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Mastermind behind Benghazi trained in the US
[Western Center for Journalism] Be advised this piece is totally unconfirmed. The embedded Shoebat article is quite interesting however. If true, it certainly explains the reluctance of the regime to pursue the perps.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Pamela Geller 15 Sept 2012 video and Ansar al-Sharia link.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/25/2013 2:49 Comments || Top||

#2  “Mahadesh, mahadesh yermi, Dr. Morsi ba`atna”
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/25/2013 2:59 Comments || Top||

#3  Regardless of the alleged gun running, blaming the Nakoula's anti-Mohammed video, and telling Libyan President el-Magarief to 'pound sand' sound like a good plan if blaming Ansar al-Sahria, Morsi and the Muslim Broederbond are the only Benghazi alternatives.

Once again we find ourselves backing the wrong team.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/25/2013 4:19 Comments || Top||

#4  FBI 12 hour Benghazi crime scene investigation.

Aypee Link.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/25/2013 4:27 Comments || Top||

#5  Is "mastermind" like "smartest woman in the world"?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/25/2013 11:38 Comments || Top||

#6  Yes, it's unconfirmed.

Mohsen Al-Azazi was likely trained in the US. However, I do not believe he's the reason for the reluctance-to-pursue.

“Mahadesh, mahadesh yermi, Dr. Morsi ba`atna”

That phrase was mentioned in several post-analysis reports including here at the Burg. Egypt has long had ties to Benghazi. It's not all that far a drive to the Egyptian border. There is a sizable Egyptian/ethnic Egyptian presence in Benghazi. The Egyptian military supported the Libyan rebels early on.

The situation is as follows: The attack on the consulate was planned and timed. The subsequent attack on the annex, albeit haphazard at first, became effective later on when trained forces arrived, particularly on the mortars.

What that implies is a large enough organization to effect and fund a project requiring detailed intelligence gathering, coordinating various assets (perhaps having them function at varying levels,) and do it with effective internal and external OPSEC.

It really doesn't excuse anyone on my previously posted list of suspects, except perhaps a "criminal organization". It does, however, narrow things down if true.
Posted by: Pappy || 08/25/2013 12:32 Comments || Top||

#7  I concur. Al-Azazi may not be the reason for the dodge, but Morsi and the MB certainly could be. Bears watching anyway.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/25/2013 12:56 Comments || Top||

#8  Yes. Though I think it's a bit beyond Morsi or the MB.
Posted by: Pappy || 08/25/2013 15:32 Comments || Top||

#9  And our president was trained in Indonesia and Pakistan.
Posted by: Airandee || 08/25/2013 18:45 Comments || Top||

#10  I hardly think elementary school in Indonesia would count as "trained".

As far as Pakistan is concerned, show me the evidence.
Posted by: Pappy || 08/25/2013 19:07 Comments || Top||

#11  He's Penn State proud like Atta + Zarqhawai,
E-T-A-L???

But I digress ...
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 08/25/2013 19:26 Comments || Top||

#12  If he were truly PSP,he'd be calling ChildLine, 911, and informing his supervisor.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 08/25/2013 19:46 Comments || Top||


The Grand Turk
Turkey PM fires back at US over his claims on Morsi ouster
[Al Ahram] Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday criticised Washington for its response to his claims of Israel's involvement in the Egypt crisis. The Turkish leader on Tuesday accused the Jewish state of being behind the military-backed ouster of Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi last month.

Erdogan's accusation was furiously rejected by the White House describing it as "offensive and unsubstantiated and wrong."

"Why is the White House making a statement on this? The White House should not have spoken about this. If there's somebody to speak on this, it should have been Israel," Erdogan said in televised remarks Saturday.

He also said that the White House's statement "upset" him, calling Washington's approach to its NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A collection of multinational and multilingual and multicultural armed forces, all of differing capabilities, working toward a common goal by pulling in different directions...
ally "unbecoming."
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring

#1  "Why is the White House making a statement on this? The White House should not have spoken about this. If there's somebody to speak on this, it should have been Israel," Erdogan said in televised remarks Saturday.

What can you say?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/25/2013 11:52 Comments || Top||

#2  The White House has to say something about it, if only to give itself cover while it fights Erdogan's war for him in Syria.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 08/25/2013 12:18 Comments || Top||

#3  Do you ever get the idea that this whole mess is scripted Kabuki theater?

They get on the phone, or Skype, and agree on who's going to say what?

After all, the goal of Bambi, Erdogan, Putin, et al., is the destruction of the U.S. They'll do anything to achieve their goal.

And the idiot "media" is glad to help them. >:-(
Posted by: Barbara || 08/25/2013 15:06 Comments || Top||

#4  egypt's current govt and Israel have also publically said, in effect, that Erdogan is nuts, the saudis and a few others have probably told their embassy to convey that same message privately
Posted by: lord garth || 08/25/2013 19:15 Comments || Top||


Dangerous Friends: Power Struggle Splits Turkish Ruling Party
[Spiegel] Turkey's prime minister has quashed opposition in the streets, but now he faces a more menacing foe: challengers within his own party and from the nebulous Gülen movement. It could spell the end of political Islam in Turkey as we know it.

The many hundreds of thousands of demonstrators who erupted into the streets in Istanbul did not succeed in toppling their country's prime minister or in continuing to occupy Gezi Park on the city's Taksim Square. The protests against the government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, sparked in late May by plans to level Gezi Park, have subsided. Yet the uprising's effects may last well beyond this summer.

Members and supporters of Erdogan's conservative-Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) have long refrained from expressing any criticism. Now, though, AKP followers are turning against the prime minister, with Erdogan's competitors within the party using the post-Gezi unrest as an opportunity to distance themselves from him.
In the English-language edition of the pro-government daily newspaper Zaman, columnist Yavuz Baydar recently compared Turkey under Erdogan to the United States during the McCarthy era. The conservative-Islamist Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) likewise warns that these current developments in Turkey overshadow any attempts at further democratization.

Most striking about this criticism are its sources -- both Zaman and the GYV belong to the movement surrounding Turkish preacher Fethullah Gülen, who is believed to have enormous influence within the government.

Gülen himself has been living in self-imposed exile in the US for years, having left Turkey after public prosecutors accused the elderly imam of working to foment an Islamist revolution. His followers have established schools in 140 countries, as well as a bank, media outlets and hospitals (see graphic).

Gülen's followers present themselves outwardly as modern. Their numbers are growing in Turkey, where poorer families praise Gülen's commitment to education, and businesspeople appreciate his business-friendly approach. But individuals who have left the fold have told SPIEGEL of brainwashing and sect-like structures within the movement.

In US State Department diplomatic cables made public by WikiLeaks, American diplomats described Gülen's followers in 2004 as "Turkey's most powerful Islamist grouping, feared by the core institutions of the Turkish State" saying the network "controls major business, trade, and publishing activities, has deeply penetrated the political scene -- including AKP at high levels."

The AKP as a Gathering Place for a Wide Variety of Groups

The AKP serves as a gathering place for a variety of groups. This includes, in addition to a number of splinter groups, both Erdogan's supporters and followers of the Gülen movement. Following the AKP's 2002 electoral victory, the two camps entered into a strategic partnership: Gülen would secure votes for the AKP, and Erdogan would protect Gülen's followers.

In recent months, though, that alliance has begun to crumble. Erdogan has removed from their posts important justice-system officials and party functionaries who he suspects of having close ties to Gülen. Indeed, it seems the movement has grown too influential for Erdogan's liking. Now, in the wake of the Gezi Park uprising, the power struggle is breaking out into the open.

Erdogan's camp, meanwhile, is taking systematic aim at businesses close to Gülen. Zaman describes it as a "systematic smear campaign," writing in a statement, "Now, it is sad to observe harsh and hostile criticism raised by groups we consider friends." Still, the GYV published a statement last week in which it attempted to defuse the recriminations against Erdogan.

This conflict within the party is more dangerous for Erdogan than the demonstrations on the street ever were. A split within the AKP could mean the end of political Islam in Turkey. In this case, ideological differences play only a secondary role. Instead, Gülen's supporters seem more interested in posts and privileges. Gülen's network uses "trendy concepts, such as dialogue and tolerance, but the organization follows an extremely strict and hierarchical order," says Mustafa Sen, a sociologist at the prestigious Middle East Technical University, in Ankara.

Ahmet Sik, one of Turkey's most renowned journalists, planned to publish a book in the spring of 2011 on the dangerous power held by the Gülen movement. Shortly before the book's release, security forces stormed his publishing company and confiscated manuscripts of the book, "The Imam's Army." The author now stands accused of being a member of a terrorist organization attempting to overthrow Erdogan's government.

A New AKP Government -- without Erdogan

"It's true the Gülen movement has a commitment to education," Sik says. "But why does this network want to control the country, why does it dominate the justice system, the armed forces and the intelligence service? Why won't this powerful organization disclose its finances?" Sik says he is unconvinced of the network's honesty.

"The truth is that it's about obtaining power, not through elections, but by gradually infiltrating institutions," he says. He suspects that the movement's goal is to see a new AKP government -- but one without Erdogan. The new leader in such a government could be current President Abdullah Gül, considered to be both a member of the Gülen wing of the AKP and Erdogan's main rival within the party.

"The movement will stop at nothing in its struggle to bcome the hegemonic power," says Hakan Yavuz, a political scientist at the University of Utah. "It terrorizes people."

Gareth Jenkins, a specialist on Turkey at the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, feels certain that the Ergenekon investigations, which resulted last week in draconian sentencing, were largely overseen by Gülen supporters within the law enforcement and judicial systems.
Accordingly, few observers believe that leading politicians close to Gülen could truly offer a democratic alternative to Erdogan. "They want to control the government, and they don't stand for opposition," says Sik, the journalist.

Following massive international protest, Sik has been released from prison for the time being, but the trial against him is ongoing and he expects to be convicted. "The justice system has shown itself severe in its handling of all critics, demonstrators and supposed conspirators," he says. "Why should it spare me?"
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:


India-Pakistan
Pakistani Taleban sacks number 3 for welcoming talks offer
The Pakistani Taleban on Saturday announced they have removed a key commander for welcoming a call for dialogue by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over ending bloodshed that has left thousands dead. Ismatullah Muaweea, the head of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) Punjab province chapter, on Thursday hailed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s offer, saying that the prime minister had shown maturity.

Sharif made the offer to extremists on Monday in his first televised address to the nation since taking office after winning elections in May — a sweeping, hour-long speech that focused on Pakistan’s myriad problems.

“Wisdom demands that we follow a path where we minimise the loss of innocent lives,” said Sharif.

But TTP distanced itself from Muaweea’s comments and said that the commander has no more role in the outfit.

“The Taleban decision making body met under Commander Hakimullah Mehsud and decided that Ismatullah Muaweea has no relation with the TTP,” Shahidullah Shahid, Taleban spokesman, told AFP.

“He is respectable for us, but he has no relation with the TTP. The decision about the new head of TTP’s Punjab chapter will be taken in next meeting of our decision makers,” he said.

Muaweea’s response to Sharif’s speech was surprising for many because the Taleban had earlier withdrawn their own peace talks offer after one of their main commanders was killed in a US drone strike in the northwest Pakistan. In his statement, distributed in Wana, the main town in the lawless South Waziristan tribal district bordering Afghanistan, Muaweea praised the government’s step.

“The prime minister has shown maturity with his talks offer and he has also strengthened the desire for peace by staying executions,” he said.
Posted by: Steve White || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [8 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The decision about the new head of TTP's Punjab chapter will be taken in next meeting of our decision makers," he said.


"Shahidullah, is that a drone I hear?"
Posted by: Squnity || 08/25/2013 12:59 Comments || Top||


60 former militants rehabilitated
[Dawn] The army has rehabilitated 60 more former Death Eaters after they renounced militancy and underwent a three months training in different trades at the 'Mishal centre for de-radicalisation' in Phetaam area of Swat.

The 17 Division of Pakistain Army organised a ceremony here on Friday to mark the rehabilitation of the bully boys, where General Officer Commanding of Malakand division Major General Sanaullah Niazi, civil and military officials and local elders were in attendance.

Commissioner of Malakand division Mohammad Akbar Khan was the chief guest on the occasion.

The former Death Eaters mostly belonged to Swat, Dir, Swabi, Malakand and Nowshera.

Usman Ali, 36, a resident of Charbagh, told Dawn that he had renounced militancy for good and received three months training in tailoring to earn his livelihood.

Said Mohammad, 20, a resident of Rahimabad near Mingora city, said he had learned tailoring and felt the change in his life.

"I will serve my country as a good citizen" he said.

Another resident of Rahimabad, Imran, 21, said he had learned how make shawls.

Shafiullah, 31, a former bully boy belonging to Deehrai area of Kabal tehsil, said he would begin a new life.

"Apart from being trained in welding profession, I learnt the ways and means to spend life as a good citizen," he said.

Ali Mohammad, 53, a resident of Charbagh, said he'd realised his mistake to take up arms against the state and would try his best to educate his sons and daughters so that they could serve the country.

Addressing the ceremony, Malakand division commissioner Akbar Khan said the army had defeated militancy in the area through its operation 'Rah-e-Rast' and that the victory had become possible after rendering a lot of sacrifices by the army personnel.

He said there was peace and stability in Malakand division and the people and the government should work together for peace and harmony in the country.

Mr Khan said the government, army and public should continue their joint efforts for de-radicalisation of the society and that the provincial government provided necessary funds for the de-radicalisation programme meant to make former Death Eaters good citizens.
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
U.S., Brit military leaders to discuss Syria
[OMANOBSERVER] Top military officials from the United States, Britannia and several countries are to meet in Amman this week to discuss the situation in Syria, the Jordanian state news agency reports. They are to discuss the fallout of alleged chemical weapons use near the Syrian capital, Damascus, Jordanian sources said. US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey is to attend the meeting, which is also set to include the participation of top military brass from La Belle France, Turkey, Russia, Italia, Canada and Turkey. US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel strongly suggested the Pentagon was moving forces into place, even as President Barack Obama
They get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them...
voiced caution. Obama has said Washington must be wary of costly and difficult foreign interventions, as calls mount for action against the Syria over alleged chemical warfare.

US commanders have nevertheless prepared a range of "options" for Obama if he chooses to proceed with military strikes against Damascus, Hagel told news hounds. "The Defense Department has a responsibility to provide the president with options for all contingencies," Hagel said. "And that requires positioning our forces, positioning our assets to be able to carry out different options -- whatever the president might choose."

But Hagel declined to provide any details on the deployment of US ships, aircraft or troops, as the B.O. regime reportedly contemplated cruise missile strikes in Syria.
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [8 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  Strongly worded statement in 4,3,2......

Triple Secret Probation in the works.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 08/25/2013 7:21 Comments || Top||

#2  "The headlines are bad, lets wag the dog"?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/25/2013 8:11 Comments || Top||

#3  * WORLD NEWS > [Irish Times] US REPOSITIONS NAVAL FORCE, BUT STILL NO DECISION ON SYRIA STRIKE.

Bammer response "Full of Sound + Fury, signifying nothing"???

* GLOBAL TIMES > OPINION: NO CURRENT SYRIA OPTION LOOKS POSITIVE FOR OBAMA.

IMO Artic better read, CHINA + PLA ARE WATCHING THE BAMMER'S ACTIONS, OR LACK OF SAME???

VERSUS

* DEFENCE/PK.FORUMS > VIDEO: OBAMA HAS "NO CHOICE" ON US INTERVENTION IN SYRIA - TELEGRAPH.

He has to, or else can kiss US Superpower = International credibility + his POTUS LEGACY goodbye???

* SAME, HUFFPO > [Foreign Policy] TIME TO PIVOT US FOREIGN POLICY TO IRAN | SARWAR KASHMERI.

Read, PEACE, RAPPROCHEMENT WID IRAN = NO SYRIA STRIKE OR ANY MILSTRIKE ON MUSLIM COUNTRIES BY THE US.

IOW, Baby Assad must win.

RELATED DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > [Iran rival] SAUDI ARABIA WILL FAIL TO ROLL BACK "ARAB SPRING" IN EGYPT + ELSEWHERE.

versus

* DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > IRAN GIVES OWN "RED LINE" TO US OVER SYRIA STRIKE.

Third anti-US "red line" imposed on the US by Iran since June.

* SAME > NYT SUPPORTS BEST US STRATEGY IS TO IGNITE [region-wide]SHIA-SUNNI WAR.

Only other "acceptable" alternatives for the US is ...

> PROLONGED STALEMATE IN SYRIA PROPER = where Assad + Rebels + Foreign Militant Groups in Syria fight + destroy each other.
> FULL-SCALE US OR US-LED GROUND INVASION, to remove Assad Regime once + for all.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 08/25/2013 23:45 Comments || Top||


Iran's Rouhani acknowledges chemical weapons killed people in Syria
[Al Ahram] Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday for the first time that chemical weapons had killed people in ally Syria and called for the international community to prevent their use.

Rouhani stopped short of saying who he thought had used the arms, but Iran's Foreign Ministry on Saturday said evidence pointed to rebels fighting Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Terror of Aleppo ...
Tehran has previously accused Syrian rebels of being behind what it called suspected chemical attacks.

Rouhani did not mention the international furore around Syrian opposition reports that government forces had killed as many as 1,000 civilians with gas in Damascus on Wednesday.

"Many of the innocent people of Syria have been injured and martyred by chemical agents and this is unfortunate," recently elected Rouhani was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.

"We completely and strongly condemn the use of chemical weapons, because the Islamic Theocratic Republic of Iran is itself a victim of chemical weapons," he said, according to the agency.

Iran suffered chemical weapons attacks by Iraqi forces during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.

"The Islamic Theocratic Republic gives notice to the international community to use all its might to prevent the use of these weapons anywhere in the world, especially in Syria," Mehr news agency quoted Rouhani as saying.

Syria's government denies using such weapons and Iran's foreign minister said on Thursday that groups fighting Assad's forces in a two-year-old rebellion must have been behind what he then said was just a suspected gas attack.
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [9 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


Iran Says Syria Will Allow U.N. to Inspect Chemical Sites
[An Nahar] Syria will allow U.N. inspectors to visit a site near Damascus where an alleged chemical weapons attack is said to have killed hundreds of people, Iran's foreign minister said Saturday.

Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted by IRNA news agency as saying he had spoken by telephone with his Syrian counterpart, Walid Muallem.

Muallem told him "the Syrian government will cooperate with the United Nations
...where theory meets practice and practice loses...
mission now in Syria to create the conditions for a visit to zones where terrorist groups have carried out attacks with chemical weapons."

"We are currently in the process of discussions with the United Nations mission on preparing this visit," he was said to have added.

The Syrian opposition has accused the regime of carrying out chemical weapons attacks on Wednesday near Damascus that killed more than 1,300 people.

The regime has denied this and, in turn, blamed the rebels.
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  IRAN has repor also warned the Bammer = US not to attack Syria.

As per STARS-N-STRIPES OPED ARTIC, Baby Assad allegedly conducted this latest Chem strike [1300 dead] because he knows POTUS Obama has yet to enforce his own "red lines" agz his regime or other, hence Assad has no fear of suffering any consequences from Obama save for PC rhetoric = strongly-worded letters???

WINNER = NUCLEAR IRAN, "POST-US" RISING CHINA.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 08/25/2013 19:38 Comments || Top||

#2  An IRGC General has claimed that any US attack on Syria may incur "harsh consequences" for the "White House", as opposed to Amerika in general.

IMO this strongly infers that Terrstrikes agz the persons + interests of the Bammer + Michelle = White House is quite possible.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 08/25/2013 23:19 Comments || Top||


Tripoli Ulemas Accuse Assad of Blasts, Demand Popular Committees to Help Control Security
[An Nahar] 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...
Salafist holy man Sheikh Salem al-Rafei accused on Saturday the Syrian regime of carrying out the blasts that rocked Ruwais neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs and the northern city of Tripoli, pointing out that if the state can't protect the city then the residents will.

"We are the victims of the Syrian terrorism. We are not takfir
...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...
is," al-Rafei told reports after a meeting for the Committee of Mohammedan Ulemas.

He lashed out at the government, saying: "if the government is incapable of acting responsible then it should leave."

On Friday, powerful boom-mobiles went kaboom! outside two Sunni mosques in Tripoli, killing at least 45 people and wounding hundreds.

The first bomb struck in the city center at the al-Salam mosque as worshipers were still inside.

The second kaboom struck just minutes later outside al-Taqwa mosque, about two kilometers away, near the port.

Al-Rafei called on Hizbullah to stop helping the regime of Syrian president Bashir al-Assad and to withdraw from the neighboring country.

"Let us kick-start a new beginning," he urged Hizbullah chief His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
The satrap of the Medes and the Persians in Leb...
A statement issued after the committee's meeting called for the formation of organized popular committees to help control the security situation in the northern city of Tripoli.

"Hizbullah should withdraw from Syria immediately," the Ulemas added.

In a broadcast speech he gave at a ceremony marking the end of the July 2006 war, Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah explained that his combat in Syria is against 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...
s, vowing that he is "ready to personally go fight in Syria if necessary."

The Ulemas called on the security agencies to demolish the hotspots in the northern city that support the Assad regime and to detain those who are responsible for the blasts across the country.
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under: Hezbollah


ISF Denies 'False' Media Reports about Tripoli Blasts' Investigation
[An Nahar] The Internal Security Forces denied on Saturday reports claiming that explosives were seized and that information were revealed following the deadly blasts in the northern city of 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...
"Media outlets, particularly electronic news platforms, reported news regarding the investigation in Tripoli's blasts, among them that bombs were seized," the ISF said in a released statement.

"These reports are not accurate and investigation in this case remains confidential."

The ISF urged the media "to be careful" in reporting any news, explaining that it is because "they may cause confusion" amid the current situation in the country.

"We demand media outlets to be responsible and to refer to the Public Information section of the ISF for any information about its work."

Earlier on Saturday, al-Akhbar newspaper reported that Sheikh Ahmed al-Gharib was locked away
You have the right to remain silent...
in Tripoli over links to Friday's blasts.

According to the report, Gharib was detained after security agencies seized at his residence military maps for the city of Tripoli and explosives.

The newspaper said that he was moved to the ISF intelligence Bureau center in Beirut.

And on Saturday afternoon, MTV said the ISF Intelligence Bureau has enjugged
Maw! They're comin' to get me, Maw!
a second person suspected of being involved in Tripoli's kabooms.
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Salafists


Al Qaeda blames Hezbollah for Lebanon bombings
[Al Ahram] Al Qaeda's North African branch blamed Lebanese Shi'ite Musselmen bad turban group Hezbollah for twin bombs that hit the northern city of 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...
on Friday and threatened retribution, a U.S.-based intelligence monitoring website reported on Saturday.

Although al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, is not operational in Leb, its statement shows a growing regional hatred against Hezbollah by radical Sunni Musselmen groups and a wider, deepening sectarian divide in the Middle East.

AQIM said in tweets it knew "with certainty" that the Iranian-backed Hezbollah was responsible for the attack that killed more than 42 people in Tripoli.

"That vile party... should know that it will meet retribution soon," AQIM said, according to the SITE monitoring service.

Hezbollah, which was once lauded by both Sunnis and Shi'ites for its battles against Israel, has lost support from many Sunnis since it joined Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Horror of Homs...
's side in his 2 1/2-year-old fight against a majority Sunni uprising.

Syrian rebels, whose strongest elements are radical Sunnis, have been hosted in neighbouring Leb by sympathetic Sunnis and there have been attacks on Hezbollah members on Lebanese soil. Both Hezbollah and radical Sunni groups in Leb have sent fighters into Syria to fight on opposing sides.

The kabooms in Tripoli, 70 km (40 miles) from the capital Beirut, were the biggest and deadliest there since the end of Leb's own civil war and came a week after a huge boom-mobile killed at least 24 people in a Shi'ite district of Beirut controlled by Hezbollah.

"We know with certainty that behind this deplorable act committed against are the hands of the vile, rafidah Hezbollah, which stands side by side with Bashar in Syria," the AQIM tweets said, as quoted by SITE.
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda


Rebels used chemical weapons in Damascus: Syrian regime
[Al Ahram] Syria's government said Saturday that rebel fighters used chemical weapons in a northeastern district of the capital, countering Death Eater claims that the regime was behind the alleged attacks.

"An army unit is surrounding a sector of Jobar where snuffies used chemical weapons," said the state broadcaster, adding that soldiers who tried to enter the neighbourhood had "suffocated."

But French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Saturday that all indications show that Syria's government was behind the "chemical massacre" near Damascus that the opposition claims killed hundreds.

"All the information at our disposal converges to indicate that there was a chemical massacre near Damascus and that the Bashar regime is responsible," Fabius said on a visit to Ramallah in the West Bank.

Opponents of Bashir al-Assad said the president's forces killed 1,300 people when they unleased chemical weapons east and southwest of Damascus in the attacks Wednesday.

UN Undersecretary General Angela Kane arrived in the Syrian capital Saturday for talks aimed at establishing the terms of an enquiry into the alleged attacks, AFP reported.

"We ask that the UN team that is there can be deployed very quickly and make the necessary inspections," Fabius said.

"The information we have shows that this chemical massacre is of such gravity that it obviously cannot pass without a strong reaction," he added.

The Syrian government has strongly denied
No, no! Certainly not!
accusations it carried out the attacks, but so far it has not said whether it will let UN inspectors visit the site.

Fabius arrived early Saturday on a visit to Israel and the occupied Paleostinian territories aimed at encouraging recently resumed peace talks, his office said.
Posted by: Fred || 08/25/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria



Who's in the News
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Two weeks of WOT
Sun 2013-08-25
  Hungry Boko Haram hard boyz turn cannibal
Sat 2013-08-24
  Twin blasts at Lebanese mosques kill at least 43
Fri 2013-08-23
  Musharraf charged with Benazir's murder
Thu 2013-08-22
  Two Somalis Killed, Swedish Pol Wounded in Mog Attack
Wed 2013-08-21
  Hundreds dead in Syria gas attack
Tue 2013-08-20
  Boko Haram chief shot, may have died: Nigerian army
Mon 2013-08-19
  Dozens of Egyptian policemen killed in North Sinai blast
Sun 2013-08-18
  250 Kgs of Explosives Found in Car near Naameh Municipality Building
Sat 2013-08-17
  At least 90 killed in Egypt on Friday: Witnesses
Fri 2013-08-16
  At Least 578 People Killed in Egypt Festivities
Thu 2013-08-15
  Car Boom in Hezbi Stronghold Kills 14
Wed 2013-08-14
  Breaking: Egypt security forces storm pro-Morsi camps
Tue 2013-08-13
  Agents: 44 Gunned Down In Nigeria Mosque
Mon 2013-08-12
  Morsi Loyalists Rally in Cairo as Crackdown Looms
Sun 2013-08-11
  Two militants killed in Yemen 'drone strike'


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