Lebanon files complaint to UN over “Israel” shelling…(1)

“ Lebanon filed Monday a complaint to the United Nations Security Council over “Israeli” strikes on Sunday on southern Lebanon triggered by a deadly Hizbullah attack in the “Israeli”-occupied Shibaa Farms area.

"Lebanon has lodged a complaint with the Security Council against “Israel” because of its bombardment against regions south of the (border) village of Kfarshouba," Foreign Minister Mahmud Hammud told reporters.

"The complaint includes a warning mentioning that such action is a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 425 and an aggression against Lebanon's sovereignty," he said.

On Sunday, an “Israeli” soldier was killed and two others wounded in a bombing attack by Hizbullah in the Shibaa Farms, a mountainous region on the Lebanese-Syrian borders which has been occupied by “Israel” since 1967.

Last month, Hizbullah kidnapped three “Israeli” soldiers from the Shibaa Farms in a bid to secure a prisoner swap with “Israel”.

Security Council Resolution 425 was adopted in 1978 after “Israel’s” first invasion of Lebanon and stipulated “Israel’s” complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon, which only took place 22 years later in May.

Lebanon considers the May withdrawal incomplete without the release of 19 Lebanese jailed in “Israel” for years, some without charge, and the "return" of the Shibaa Farms.

Beirut says Lebanese guerrillas therefore have the right and duty to regain the area by all means.

Hariri and Assad discuss “Israeli” ‘aggression’…(2)

Prime Minister Rafik Hariri spent an hour with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus on Monday as the two leaders discussed the turmoil in the Middle East and bilateral ties.
Syrian presidential spokesman Gebran Kourieh said the talks dealt with “the current situation in the region and the effects of the continued “Israeli” escalation of tension and aggressive actions against the Palestinian people.”
The discussion also focused on “contacts underway in the Arab region … and questions of interest to Syria and Lebanon.”
In the evening, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright called Hariri, counseling restraint in the South after the weekend hostilities at the Shibaa Farms. Hariri reiterated Lebanon’s “unequivocal right” to recover the Shibaa Farms, which are still occupied by “Israel”.
A source close to Hariri said the Damascus talks focused “80 percent” on regional issues.
Hariri briefed Assad on the results of his recent trips to Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Libya and Egypt and specifically the potential economic cooperation with those countries.
He also updated Assad on a proposal for setting up a gas pipeline that runs from Egypt to Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.
Amid the debate over Syria’s presence in Lebanon, the source said it was the wish of both Hariri and the Syrian leadership that discussions of relations with Syria remain out of the limelight to allow quiet diplomacy to bridge any differences.
Hariri also met Vice-President Abdel-Halim Khaddam and stopped in Anjar on his return for a meeting with General Ghazi Kenaan, the head of Syrian Military Intelligence in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, President Emile Lahoud said on Monday that the Lebanese could only overcome the current difficulties through democracy and unity.
“I’m confident that democracy is capable of solving problems. It’s also capable of rectifying mistakes because it gives the first and final word to the people,” Lahoud told visitors at Baabda Palace.
He said “Israel’s” daily threats compelled every Lebanese to prioritize national interests and cooperate with one another “to avoid any gaps in Lebanon’s unified position.”
These gaps, he said, “may allow certain people to infiltrate and weaken this position by imposing solutions we previously rejected because they were made at the expense of Lebanon’s sovereignty, the dignity of its people and decision-making.”
Lahoud renewed Lebanon’s concern for its freedom and independence and for the basic elements of its political system. He also stressed his concern for fulfilling his role according to the Constitution.

Jail terms for 18 collaborators…(3)

Beirut’s Military Tribunal handed down sentences on Monday to 18 former “Israeli” agents who were found guilty of collaborating with “Israel”.
The sentences ranged from three weeks to 15 years in prison.
The defendants, including six who were sentenced in absentia, were also ordered to pay fines between LL500,000 and LL1 million.

Hamas and Fatah call for escalation of al-aqsa Intifada during Ramadan…(4)

Palestinian political and militant groups have called or an escalation of their uprising against “Israeli” occupation during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began on Monday. The mainstream political and militia group of President Yasser Arafat, Fatah, called for a surge of the intifada or uprising during Ramadan. The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, said Muslims must be dedicated to Jihad or holy war for the sake of Al-Quds during the holy month of fasting and prayer. Both groups, which together are supported by the majority of Palestinians, invited the masses to attend Al-Quds's al Aqsa Mosque in increased numbers during Ramadan and instructed them to break through “Israeli” military checkpoints in their way. 

Footnotes:

1-      AFP, 27-11-2000.

2-      The Daily Star, 28-11-2000.

3-      Same source.

4-      Future TV, 27-11-2000.