Mosaic News - 05/08/08: World News From The Middle East
Clashes Erupt for Second Day in Lebanon
Dubai TV, UAEPresenter, MALE, #1
Lebanon spent the night isolated from the world due to the blockades. It is making the headlines with its crisis that is mounting by the day, due to the ongoing power struggle between supporters of the Majority and the Opposition. Activity has been halted at Beirut’s international airport for the second day in a row, with no departures or arrivals.
The same is true for the road between Beirut and Damascus and most entry points into the Lebanese capital and some other areas. Caution has been abandoned among Political standpoints, opening the door for polemic escalation from both sides and warning of an explosion at any moment. Ellian Shatri reports from Beirut.
Reporter, FEMALE, #1
Beirut woke up to the smell of gun powder and fire for the second day. The main entrances and side streets in Western Beirut, as well as the airport road, are all still cut off. Meanwhile, opposition members from the Amal movement and Hezbollah, are guarding against the re-opening of roads that are blocked with soil and obstacles, and putting out fires set off in tires and canisters. Moreover, tents were put up on the airport road, but they were later removed.
The majority’s reactions rolled in: The head of the executive committee of the Lebanese forces, Sameer Ja’ja’, announced openly that the majority will not allow the events of Riadh al Suluh square to be repeated on the airport road. But the stronger response came from the republic’s Mufti, who waged the most vicious attack against Hezbollah.
Guest, MALE, #2
Sadly, this organization kidnapped the heart of the Capital Beirut over a year ago, changing it into a camp for their armed members. And here it is today, kidnapping the airport of the martyred Prime Minister Rafeeq al Hariri. It is trying to blackmail the Lebanese country, to get away with monitoring the airport, and the communication network.
Reporter, FEMALE, #1
The first political response from the opposition came in a statement issued by the Amal Movement, headed by Parliament Speaker, Nabih Birri. The statement placed the responsibility for past and present events on the shoulders of the authority, first and foremost. As for the Mufti’s words, they led the higher Shiite Islamic Council to hold an exceptional meeting. It was headed by the sheikh Abdel Amir Qabalan, with the Shiite ministers and parliamentarians present.
Guest, MALE, #3
It is the duty of everyone who stands up for religion to fear God, and make Him a witness of every word and standpoint. So, does a government whose legitimacy we d not acknowledge, have the right to turn over the opposition’s leadership and its members to the hands of the enemy to be killed?
Reporter, FEMALE, #1
In anticipation of the announcement by the Secretary General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nassrallah, and the expected reaction from the head of the Future Movement, Sa’ad al Hariri, it seems the situation in the capital will continue to boil. There is fear of an escalation in the political rhetoric, which would expedite the explosion of the standstill, leading to a dangerous situation where there will be no winners. These images are reminiscent of the Sectarian terror and the struggle between the militias, which the Lebanese lived through for 15 years. They had thought that those days were long gone, but they have again returned, drawing new lines of tension, that might lead to total chaos in the absence of any political agreement. Ellian Shatri, Dubai TV, Beirut.
Lebanese Government Accuses Iran of Establishing Spy Network
Al Arabiya TV, UAEPresenter, Man # 1
The Lebanese army warned that the crisis in the country may jeopardize its unity.
A statement released by the army command center, called on Lebanese citizens to be politically aware and wise. The statement also said that the crisis has undermined the army’s ability to perform its national duty to keep the country united. The army said that giving up dialogue and the unwillingness to compromise hinders coexistence and promotes violence and hastiness. The statement also said that if the situation continues the way it has been, then it will be a clear loss for everyone, and it will affect the country’s military unity. The army leadership called on everyone to find solutions to get Lebanon out of this crisis, and offered to help all disputing parties in order to find resolutions. The statement said that the army will continue performing its duties to protect citizens’ lives and properties despite the many difficulties which everyone’s knows.
Presenter, Man # 1
The Lebanese Minister of communication, Marwan Hmadah announced that the Lebanese government will complain to the Arab League and the UN about Iran and Hizbullah for violating Lebanon’s sovereignty. He accused Iran of violating the constitution and Lebanese laws; because the Iranian company reconstructing the south Lebanon has built a communication network to spy on all Lebanese territories.
Guest, Man # 2
The moment of truth has come for all the Lebanese. Yesterday, Maronite Patriarch Boutros Sfer supported the measures that were taken by the government. Tonight, the grand Mufti of the republic gave several warnings. Tomorrow the Security Council will meet to discuss Ban Kimon’s report. The Lebanese government, as it has announced in its statement yesterday, will complain to the Arab League and the UN about Iran and Hezbollah for violating the sovereignty of an Independent country that played a role in the founding of the Arab League.
Nasrallah Says Lebanon 'Declares War' After Gunbattles
New TV, LebanonJournalist, Woman
Your Excellency, I’m Joyce Al Hajj from LBC Television. First of all, the government insists on not reversing its position. Today, Minister Marwan Hmideh said that the government will win at the end. You also said that Hizbollah will not reveres its position.
Are we facing a situation that is similar to the situation in July 2007? Also, the UN toady will discuss resolution 1559; if the UN Security Council passes resolutions that are similar to the government’s decisions, will you treat the UNIFEL forces the way you have been treating the Lebanese government.
Guest, Nasrallah
I answered the question about the UNIFEL a while ago. The subject is clear, there is no problem pertaining to this issue. The UN Security Council can’t pass worse resolutions than the ones that it has already passed. Yes, the Security Council has new material which was provided by the Lebanese government of Waled Junbulat. (mockingly) I’m not very concerned about the resolution that will be passed by the Security Council. Today coincides with the anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba; the Security Council is the body that legitimized this catastrophe. It legitimized the rapist regime, massacres, and terrorism. The Security Council also passed the partition plan. It also protects the terrorist, criminal, and brutal country. There has been no equivalent to this country not in modern history, or history at all. The Security Council is not important to me not culturally or politically. I’m now sitting with you; I’m not very interested about what the Security Council will decide, because we know the decision in advance. Are we facing a situation similar to that of July 2007? No, that is not for sure. In any case, pertaining to the developing events in Lebanon, we are only reacting. Since that night we have been sitting without doing anything; we did not call for demonstrations and we did not call for civil disobedience. We called for dialogue; we did not call for anything at all.
We called for dialogue without any preconditions. Then a war was declared on us; but a war against us will end. Who will win at the end? We will see. We do not want war or confrontation. We want to sit at one table, cooperate, and reach an understanding to put the past behind us. Despite all the wounds, and despite all exchanged accusations, we are still careful. However if someone insist on going to war with us and hopes that he will win it, I think he should learn from the past experiences of Olmert, Peres, Ashkinazim and Halutz. Halutz was chief of staff and ended as the head of an administrative committee of a car manufacturing company.
60th Anniverssary of Al Nakba
Press TV, Iran[Summary]
Nassrallah criticizes Lebanese government for probing Hezbollah Telecommunication’s network.
The Palestinians remember the 60th anniversary of al Nekba, the catastrophe. Around 750 thousand Palestinians were displaced in 1948 and forced out of their homes. More than 530 Palestinian villages were destroyed.
60th Anniversary of Israel
IBA TV, Israel[Summary]
Israel set everything aside to celebrate 60 years of ‘outstanding achievement.’ Soldiers were rewarded for their in a ceremony and air shows were held over cities around the country, as well as a submarine show, and helicopters and acrobatic rescue shows. One parachutist missed his mark; 10 people were hurt. A bible context was also held in Jerusalem, with contestants from around the world.
Israel Devastates Gaza
Al Aqsa, GazaPresenter, Man # 1
Al Qsam Brigades declared its responsibility for using a sniper to shoot at a Zionist soldier and hitting a Zionist military position in Abu Safiya in eastern Der Al Balah with two Qassam missiles. They also reiterated that their fighters have hit a Zionist bulldozer during an incursion into Der al Balah, with two rocket propelled grenade and four mortar shells.
Reporter, Man # 2
The same images repeat after every incursion. Every time there is an incursion by Zionist military vehicles, they leave behind wide scale destruction. They target everything even the trees. Eastern Der Al Balah was transformed into a battlefield where trees and agricultural lands were destroyed.
Guest, Man # 3
The olive trees used to provide a source of income for all of the all Abu-Mery families. There are 9 Abu-Mery families, my brothers and sons alone total 30, we all used to make a living from the olive trees. How can we make a living now. The olive trees have been destroyed, how can we live. We only have God above.
Reporter, Man # 2
The enemy has always proven that they are enemies of everything; they even deprive these little birds from their mother and their nest. They also deprive the children in the area from the palm trees which they used to play under.
Guest, Man # 3
The area was bulldozed, they bulldozed the olive and palm trees; they did not leave anything.
Reporter, Man # 2
Although the trees were pulled from their roots which shows the level of animosity that the Zionists have towards the Palestinians. However the battle for survival will continue.
Guest, Man # 4
No matter what they do, we will stay steadfast on our land; we will plant, cultivate and eat. We will remain steadfast regardless of their destruction. We will stay steadfast.
Reporter, Man # 2
The attacks and crimes committed against the Palestinians continue, and the Arabs are still in a state of apathy. When will the injustices, that have been inflicted on the Palestinians for so long, be stopped? The Zionist enemy leaves behind destruction after every incursion. These are indications that the enemy is not interested in a cooling off agreement, its only goal is to harm the Palestinian people. Muhamd Wishah, Al Aqsa channel, Palestine.
Mass Grave Site Uncovered
Al Sharqiya TV, IraqPresenter, Woman
The Iraqi government said that the results of the investigation, conducted by the fact finding commission, on the mass grave sight containing sixty bodies in Al Mahmudiya in Baghdad, revealed that AL Qaeda and organized crime groups were involved in the killing. The government’s spokesman Ali Dabagh said that al Qaeda and organized crime groups which used to control the city were responsible for the killings which were committed in a random manner. Al Dabagh did not specify the religious affiliations of the organized crime groups, but he demanded that the media stay neutral and exhibit professionalism in their coverage of the news. He was referring to the accusations that were made by different media outlets against the militias, some of which were associated with the government coalition parties. Militias including Al Badr militias, Al Dawa party, and Al Mahdi army were accused of committing these crimes after they took control of the city in 2005 in coordination with the general major who was in charge of security in al Mahmudiyah, based on information provided by the ministry of national security in the city at the time. The deputy chairman of the security and defense committee in the Iraqi parliament Abdel Karem Al Samarai said that the investigation committee included representatives of the vice president, prime minister, and office of national reconciliation to uncover and gather information about the al Mahmudiya grave sight. So far no information was released about the investigation. Tribal chiefs and local figures demanded that this committee be formed after local residents found the grave sight.
Iraqi authorities ignored the grave sight as well as the investigation into the missing individuals of the al Qdeseya residential complex in Al Mahmudiya who were kidnapped by these militias.
Iranian Made Weapons Found in Karbala
Baghdad TV, IraqPresenter, Man # 1
The American army announced that it has arrested two armed men from special groups that receive training in Iran, in the Al Rashed area on Sunday morning. According to a statement released by the pentagon, one of these two men is wanted for importing Iranian manufactured ammunition to Iraq. He is also accused of providing a safe haven for armed men wanted by the multi national and Iraqi forces. The second man who was arrested during a separate operation was also from the special groups that receive training in Iran.
The leader of the military operations and the chief of police in Karbala said that Iran has been interfering in a way that creates insecurity in the city. He also said that quantities of Iranian made weapons were confiscated from many areas in Karbala. During a press conference that was held at the command center in Karbala during which large quantities of weapons were displayed, Major General, Raed Shaker Jawdat said that there is intervention by Iran in Karbala. He supported the accusation by displaying Iranian made weapons; especially explosive devices. He said that the weapons were brought to Karbala to destabilize the city. He added that these weapons were found in different areas due to good and accurate information.
Guest, Man # 2
Unclear
Guest, Man # 3
There is an Iranian intervention. Yes there are Iranian made weapons and powerful explosive devices.
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