May Tuesday 01 -2001:

Experts defuse “Israel’s” deadly legacy…(1)

Explosives experts from the Internal Security Forces and UNIFIL personnel detonated dozens of unexploded shells and grenades in a field in Mar Elias, Marjayoun on Monday.
The experts inspected the field and gathered the ordnance amid tight security measures.
Residents were prevented from approaching the area.
The various types of shells bore Hebrew inscriptions. During the occupation, the area was used by “Israel’s” South Lebanon Army members to test “Israeli” munitions.
Yacoub Nabaa, a local resident, was killed on Sunday when an unexploded “Israeli” shell he was trying to carry exploded.

1-                  The Daily Star, 1-5-2001.

  May Tuesday 01 -2001:

Armenia backs Shibaa bid as Lahoud arrives with team…(1)

“ Armenian President Robert Kocharian received President Emile Lahoud for a state visit Wednesday, expressing support for Lebanon’s attempts to force “Israeli” troops out of the Shibaa Farms area.
Lahoud, who was accompanied by his wife Andree and an official delegation, arrived in the Armenian capital of Yerevan at noon, where he received an official welcome at the airport.
“I am deeply grateful for Armenia’s support for (our) attempts to liberate land from “Israeli” occupation,” he said. “And it is only natural for Lebanon to express similar support to Armenia in its own efforts to assert its sovereignty over its entire land.”
After talks held later, Kocharian spoke favorably about the “crucial” economic role played by Armenians in Lebanon and called for greater cooperation between the two governments.
He also congratulated Lahoud on the liberation of the South.
“We look forward to consolidating peace and justice in the Middle East area and for full compliance with United Nations resolutions,” he said, adding that his government supported Lebanon’s stand regarding the “Israeli”-occupied Shibaa Farms.
 

Addoum sets sights on Sharon and Peres…(2)

State Prosecutor Adnan Addoum issued criminal complaints Wednesday against “Israeli” Premier Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres.
Addoum told army intelligence on Wednesday to begin an “immediate” search for the two men and any of their known accomplices.
A source close to legal authorities in Beirut said that arrest warrants for the pair “will follow soon.” The warrants are then expected to be passed on to INTERPOL, and from there to all countries with which Lebanon has extradition treaties.
The documents, which charge both men with murder, as well as “acts of aggression” against Lebanon, are nonetheless expected to have only a limited effect.
Although the source admitted that little is expected of the move, “even if the arrest warrants are no implemented, they will cause the two international embarrassment.”
Addoum’s action followed recent legal proceedings begun by local attorney May Khansa.
Khansa’s case cited “Israel’s” 1982 invasion ­ a move which was spearheaded by Sharon, as well as his role in the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacres, and last month’s air raid against a Syrian radar position in Dahr al-Baidar.
Khansa blamed Peres for the 1996 Qana massacre of more than 100 civilians in south Lebanon. She also accused him of making threatening remarks against the country during a recent news conference in Cyprus.

Lebanon civilian injured by “Israeli” mine blast…(3)

“ A Lebanese civilian was injured Wednesday by the explosion of a landmine left by “Israel” after its May 2000 withdrawal from southern Lebanon, police said.

Hassan Ali Ismail, 27, was driving his tractor in a field in the village of Baraasheet, east of the southern port city Tyre, when the mine exploded, they said.

On Sunday, two Lebanese civilians were killed in the separate explosions of an “Israeli” mine and a bomb in the formerly “Israeli”-occupied border zone of southern Lebanon.

Eleven Lebanese civilians have been killed and about 70 others injured or maimed by mines and other explosive devices left over since “Israeli” troops withdrew from southern Lebanon on May 24 last year.

The mines have also wounded a dozen members of the Lebanese army engaged in mine clearance.

According to United Nations estimates, “Israel” left at least 130,000 mines and unexploded shells in the former 850 square kilometer (330 square mile) occupied zone.

Mines are ‘obstacle’ to state in South…(4)

Baalbek-Hermel MP Marwan Fares said Wednesday that the state would be “unable to asserts its authority” in the South due the presence of more than 130,000 mines.
After a meeting of Parliament’s Human Rights committee, Fares said that UN Resolution 425 had yet to be implemented due to the presence of the mines, the occupation of the Shibaa Farms, and “Israel’s” failure to release around two dozen Lebanese detainees.
“Even if “Israel” hands over the maps of the minefields, I expect these maps to be ‘mined’’’,” Fares said, indicating that they would be misleading. The MP also praised initiatives by various countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, to help rid the former occupied areas of mines.

1-      The Daily Star, 3-5-2001.

2-      Same source.

3-      AFP, 2-5-2001.

4-      The Daily Star, 3-5-2001.

  May Friday 04 -2001:

Lahoud seeks Romanian support for liberation of Shibaa Farms...(1)

President Emile Lahoud said Thursday that Lebanon would seek Romanian support to defend its right to the Shibaa Farms and to contribute to its demining campaign in the South.
“We’re going to seek Romania’s help in supporting our legitimate right in the Shibaa Farms, which are still under occupation. We’re also going to seek Romania’s help in demining the South and reconstructing liberated areas there,” Lahoud said at the start of a two-day visit to Bucharest.
The president, who was speaking to a Romanian daily newspaper, also commended the Romanian government for “its continued support for the just causes of the Arabs” and expressed hope for additional Romanian support for Lebanese and Arab causes.
After arriving in Bucharest, Lahoud held a 90-minute meeting with his Romanian counterpart, Ion Iliescu.
Discussions centered around the stalled Middle East peace process, which Lahoud blamed on “Israel’s” aggressive policies.
Iliescu expressed concern for the “stalled peace negotiations and the confrontation between the “Israelis” and Palestinians. He called for an early return to the negotiation table and for achieving a peace which is acceptable to both sides.”

Berri denounces UN plans to scale back forces in south Lebanon...(2)

“ Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri attacked Thursday the UN's decision to reduce its forces in south Lebanon, warning that this would pave the way for future “Israeli” military offensives.

"The effective reductions of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) make us feel that it will open the door to “Israeli” military movements against Lebanon," he said in a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Annan announced Wednesday a gradual scaling back of UNIFIL from 5,800 soldiers now to 4,500 by July 31, then to 3,600 by the end of January, with an eventual dwindling to 2,000 soldiers by July 2002.

"We hope the UN will not submit to the pressures aimed at exploiting, and eliminating or reducing the role of UNIFIL, which is obliged to play the border guard with “Israel”," Berri said

He accused the Jewish state of fanning "tensions in the Middle East" and wanting "to avenge and carry out attacks on Lebanon's sovereignty."

Berri added that “Israel” continues to occupy Lebanese land, specifically the Shibaa Farms.

“Israel” ended a 22-year occupation of south Lebanon last May.

On Saturday Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri had met with Annan in New York and had been assured the UN would not withdraw all its forces from south Lebanon, which have been stationed there since “Israel’s” first invasion of Lebanon in 1978.

Iranian official makes rounds...(3)

Visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Sadr said on Thursday he had “a useful dialogue” with Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud on the latest developments in the region.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Hammoud, Sadr said “Israel’s” air strike of a Syrian radar position in Dahr al-Baidar last month was designed to “save itself from internal problems due to the intifada.”
“Past experience has proved that such actions will not help “Israel” at all,” he added.
Answering questions on US charges that Iran encouraged terrorism in Lebanon by backing the resistance, he said his country “doesn’t consider the struggle to eliminate occupation as terrorist, but legal and legitimate for any people whose territory is occupied.”
Sadr said his talks with Hammoud covered the foreign minister’s planned visit to Tehran in the near future.
The Iranian official also met Thursday with Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Butros Sfeir and Higher Shiite Council Vice-President Sheikh Abdel-Amir Qabalan.
He said his talks with Sfeir dealt with the domestic situation in Lebanon and the prelate expressed “full support” for Iran’s policy to establish relations with the Lebanese government and various sects in the country.
Sadr said “Israeli” threats to Lebanon were not new and that all Lebanese “delivered the proper response by forcing “Israel” to leave the country.”

“Israeli” surveillance camera in Ghajar...(4)

“Israeli” military forces staked a pole equipped with a surveillance camera in the border village of Ghajar on Thursday.
Wazzani residents reported that an “Israeli” truck, along with two jeeps, approached Ghajar after midnight Wednesday and had 12 workers install a metal pole 5 meters long equipped with a surveillance camera and other electronic equipment.
At 10am Thursday, “Israelis” continued work on the pole adding, electronic equipment. Meanwhile, eight “Israeli” soldiers took up station, aiming their machine guns into Lebanon.
A member of the Lebanese Army alleged that the “Israelis” breached the border because the pole was installed on the Lebanese side of the UN-drawn Blue Line.

1-      The Daily Star, 4-5-2001.

2-      AFP, 3-5-2001.

3-      The Daily Star, 3-5-2001.

4-      Same source.

  May Saturday 05 -2001:

“Israeli” troops breach Lebanon’s border…(1)

“Security sources in southern Lebanon said “Israeli” troops have violated Lebanon’s border at Ghajar. They said “Israeli” troops erected a post equipped with surveillance camera in the border village which was divided in half between “Israel” and Lebanon when the UN demarcated a so-called Blue Line to mark the Jewish state’s withdrawal from the south last May. “Israeli” trucks and military jeeps were seen crossing the border to install the security equipment. Residents of the neighboring village of Wazzani said “Israeli” forces pointed guns into Lebanon as military personnel were carrying out work near the border fence. 

Shibaa has key water resources
Experts say access to them could be the reason behind “Israel’s” occupation…(2)

As Lebanon continues to state its claim to the “Israeli” occupied Sheba Farms, it is worth considering the reasons why “Israel” is reluctant to withdraw from the area.
Its location ­ on the foothills of Mount Hermon ­ means that  an abundance of water may be one reason why “Israel” still occupies the farms.
“The Shibaa Farms area constitute a major reservoir for the water of Mount Hermon. Whether it is Syrian or Lebanese, I do not think that “Israel” will give it up easily,” Judith Harik, a professor of political science at the American University of Beirut, said.
Nasser Nasrallah, director-general of the Litani River Authority, told The Daily Star that “Israel’s” occupation of the Shibaa Farms prevents Lebanon from using all the ground and surface water from that area.
“The amount of groundwater which moves across the border to “Israel” from the Lebanese side in an average year is 200 million cubic meters (mcm), 113 million of which comes from the Hermon sector, including the Shibaa Farms and the groundwater of the Hasbani River and Wazzani Springs,” he said.
Of the 113mcm, the groundwater of the Hasbani River and the Wazzani Springs account for 55mcm while the remaining while 58mcm flows from the Shibaa Farms area.
Nasrallah said he had information that “Israel” has dug wells to extract as much groundwater as possible.
“They are using so much groundwater that some of the permanent Lebanese springs near the borders with “Israel”, like the Marj al-Khokh spring, dry up in summer,” he said.
The abundance of water in the Shibaa Farms area comes mainly from precipitation. Although the rate of evaporation is as high as 50-55 percent, the geological formations in the Mount Hermon-Shibaa Farms area allow the formation of major underground reservoirs.
“The geology belongs to the Jurassic age and its rocks are characterized by their fissured karstic limestone which allows the infiltration of water into the underground layers,” Kassem Mustapha, a professor of Physical Geography at the Lebanese University explained.
Both Mustapha and Nasrallah agreed that 35-40 percent of total precipitation seeps into the underground reservoirs.
“The gradual melting of snow during the warm seasons, further enriches the ground water and increases the number of springs and watercourses at lower elevations, such as in the Shibaa Farms,” Nasser said.
The surface water in the Shibaa Farms area collects in Wadi Aasal, which Beirut says marks the genuine frontier between Lebanon and Syria. Wadi Aasal flows into the Galilee panhandle, eventually meeting the Upper Jordan in “Israel”.
“The surface water in that area is low and does not exceed 5 percent,” Nasrallah said.
Moreover, Mount Hermon serves as an important source of surface water for the Hasbani and Sreid rivers, which are located near the southern parts of the Shibaa Farms inside Lebanon and are tributaries of the Jordan River in “Israel”.
Lebanon has not been allowed to utilize the Hasbani since 1965 and “Israel” now benefits from almost all of the river’s waters. A study by Shmuel Kantor, a former chief engineer and head of the planning department in the “Israeli” Mekorot Water Company, found that the Hasbani River annually contributes an average 150mcm to the Sea of Galilee. Thus, the construction of dams in Lebanon would have an immediate effect on how much water would eventually reach the Sea of Galilee.
The total available water resources in “Israel” were up to 1.8 billion to 2 billion cubic meters two to three years ago. But, “Israel’s” annual requirement of 1.6 billion cubic meters has grown.
The fact that Lebanon cannot benefit from the Hasbani is being taken into consideration in the list of compensations being studied by the government.
“Lebanon’s water rights to the Hasbani which have been lost since 1965 to the present day are 1.5 billion cubic meters,” Nasrallah said. “The price of each cubic meter is 20 cents; but that’s not all. Additional losses stem from “Israel” preventing Lebanon from irrigating 5,000 hectares of Lebanese land which led to a lack of investment in the area.
“I can say that the direct and indirect losses in regard to our rights in the Hasbani River amount to over $2 billion,” he added. However, Nasrallah asserted that Lebanon would not deny occupied Palestine’s rights to the Hasbani River. “Water is the property of the land, not the people,” he said.
Issam Khalifeh, a leading professor of modern history at the Lebanese University, explained to The Daily Star that a French-British decision of Feb. 4, 1935, considered the Lebanese and Syrian border to follow the watershed that ran down the side of the mountain. “Mount Hermon is considered part of this decision where the Western slopes are Lebanese while the Eastern slopes are Syrian,” he said
However, Tyre MP Abdullah Qasir, a member of Hizbullah, told The Daily Star that his group’s attempt in recovering the Shibaa Farms was not related to the natural resources of the area: “Hizbullah does not take into consideration the richness of the land in water, soil, or any other economic reason when it comes to liberating the land. It is enough for us that Lebanese land is occupied by “Israel” to make us fight for it.”

1-      Future TV, 4-5-2001.

2-      The Daily Star, 5-5-2001.

  May Thursday  10-2001:

“Israeli” artillery fires on southern Lebanon, no casualties: police…(1)

“ “Israeli” artillery opened fire on a hill outside the southeastern Lebanese village of Shibaa Wednesday without causing casualties, Lebanese police said.

Twelve rounds hit the Seddana hill outside Shibaa at 2:30 pm (1130 GMT), the police said.

At the same time, an AFP correspondent witnessed “Israeli” helicopters overflying the nearby Shibaa Farms area, captured by “Israeli” in 1967 and claimed by Lebanon.

He reported hearing explosions and automatic arms fire in the area.

There were no reports from the Lebanese side of any military operations against the “Israelis”.

Since “Israel” withdrew its troops from southern Lebanon a year ago, guerillas of the militant Islamic group, Hizbullah, have carried out a number of attacks on “Israeli” army units in the Shibaa Farms. They have killed three soldiers and captured three more.

US ‘frowns’ on compensation case over “Israeli” occupation…(2)

The US opposes the government’s filing a compensation case with the International Court of Justice against “Israel” for 25 years worth of damage caused by military attacks on civilians and vital installations.
According to well-informed sources, Washington raised the issue through its diplomats, not only with Lebanese leaders but also through other unofficial channels preparing the case.
The diplomats indicated filing such a case would at present not help bring about “pacification”, but spread “intransigence.”
In the sources’ view, this explains Lebanon’s delay in submitting its case, although the related files are ready.
One source expressed surprise at the “hesitation” in defending Lebanon’s rights despite the considerable human and material losses caused by “Israeli” attacks.
He also wondered why UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has not responded to Beirut’s complaint regarding “Israel’s” alleged use of depleted uranium in its attacks on sites in the South and other regions.
Lebanon had asked the UN to send experts to the South to investigate, but Annan postponed a UN response to the request pending results from commissioned reports on the health hazards posed by depleted uranium.
The source recalled that Speaker Nabih Berri had hinted he would not hesitate to form a special parliamentary committee to look into the matter if current investigations failed to achieve “tangible results.”

Italy finances demining conference…(3)

Italian Ambassador Guiseppe Cassini said Wednesday that 300 people would arrive from abroad for a conference this month on de-mining the former occupied areas.
Cassini made the comments after meeting President Emile Lahoud at Baabda Palace, where they discussed the May 21 conference. Cassini told reporters after the meeting that approximately 300 people were scheduled to attend the conference, to be financed by Italy.
Asked about his country’s stand on reducing the size of UNIFIL’s size, Cassini said Italy, which provides UNIFIL’s air wing, had been requested to withdraw two helicopters. He said his country would carry out any request of the UN whether it involved decreasing or increasing the number of UN troops.

1-      AFP, 9-5-2001.

2-      The Daily Star, 10-5-2001.

3-      Same source.

  May Saturday 12 -2001:

“Israel” pressures US Congress to block aid for Lebanon…(1)

“Israel” has increased pressure on the United States Congress to block $35 million in economic and military aid to Lebanon unless the army is deployed to the southern border, an informed diplomatic source said Friday.
The source said US Congressman Tom Lantos, a California Democrat known for supporting “Israel”, was preparing an amendment to a foreign aid bill to halt US aid to Lebanon in case the Beirut government fails to deploy the Lebanese Army to the border. Lantos, the top-ranking Democrat on the International Relations Committee, intends to present his proposed amendment next Wednesday.
Lantos’ proposed amendment is expected to fail for several reasons, particularly because the State Department, having already approved the foreign aid to Lebanon, is prepared to work toward ensuring its disbursement.
The source indicated that “President Bush gave instructions a few days ago to release the monetary aid to Lebanon.”
“Bush’s instructions will certainly play a part in getting Congress to approve an initial $20 million package, which is very small compared with the annual aid the Jewish state receives from Washington.”
The source added that despite the limited amount, the $20 million in aid will greatly assist the local humanitarian organizations for whom the aid is intended.

1-      The Daily star, 12-5-2001.

  May Monday 14-2001:

Renewed “Israeli” shelling in the Shibaa area of southern Lebanon…(1)

“ “Israeli” artillery shelled the area around the village of Shibaa in the eastern sector of southern Lebanon Saturday for the second time in four days, but caused no casualties, Lebanese police said.

Five shells fell on Birkit Nakkar and the Seddana hill to the southwest of the village, shortly after 3 PM (1200 GMT), they said.

The firing started without any military activity occurring on the Lebanese side, they added.

On Wednesday, a dozen “Israeli” shells targeted the same area, also without causing casualties, while “Israeli” helicopters overflew the Shibaa Farms.

Since the “Israeli” pullout from southern Lebanon in May 2000, Hizbullah, which spearheaded the resistance against the occupation, has continued its operations against the “Israeli” army in the Shibaa Farms area.

Hizbullah has killed three “Israeli” soldiers and captured three more in the area since October.

The Shibaa Farms is located beyond the "blue line" drawn by the United Nations to establish a border between the two countries.

Bomb wounds shepherd, kills goats…(2)

The Internal Security Forces said Saturday that an unexploded “Israeli” cluster bomb injured a shepherd in the Western Bekaa town of Jub Jennin In addition to wounding 25-year-old Ahmed Kattour on Friday, the bomb also killed a pair of his goats.

1-      AFP, 12-5-2001.

2-      The Daily Star, 14-5-2001.

  May Tuesday 15-2001:

South could be ‘de-mined in four years’
UN’s de Mistura optimistic the goal is not unattainable…(1)

South Lebanon could be free of land mines in less than four years, the UN secretary-general’s special representative for south Lebanon, Staffan de Mistura, predicted.
Speaking during a news conference at UN House on Monday, de Mistura announced that a two-day de-mining campaign will be held in the South, starting May 21. The event will be organized by the government, the UN, and representatives from participating countries.
“It would have taken 50 years to de-mine the South,” said de Mistura, “but I believe that if the country uses its resources quickly and properly we will be able to meet our goal in about three and a half years.”
Scheduled only few days before the May 25 anniversary of the liberation of the South, de Mistura says the conference’s date is no accident, and that it is meant to draw attention to the dangerous threat posed by land mines.
With more than 114 victims since the “Israeli” withdrawal, he said the deadly devices have caused “substantial” and “tragic” damage to the region.
“The South is still occupied by more than 30,000 soldiers, sleeping but ready to kill ­ those soldiers are land mines,” he said.
De Mistura then pointed to a picture of Ibrahim, a farmer working a small plot of land surrounded by land mines. “He is very courageous,” said the UN representative, “and he … represents the determination and the courage of the Lebanese farmers trying to do their job.
“Ibrahim mustn’t be alone,” he added, saying it is up to the government and the international community to help him by de-mining the region.
De Mistura also said land mines are hindering economic development in the former occupied zone, and that they “provide an alibi for both the international and local communities to explain their lack of initiative in the region.”
He said the campaign will focus substantial attention on the problem by bringing in high-level representatives such as the Italian deputy foreign affairs minister and the deputy Ukrainian defense minister.
In addition to the opening ceremony and the signing of a declaration, the campaign includes workshops and a trip for journalists to the national de-mining office in Nabatieh.
De Mistura, who has previous experience in de-mining campaigns, said he anticipates great success for the campaign.
“The UAE has already provided a $50 million grant … and that is an excellent place to start.” He added that support will also come from France, the US, Spain, Russia and the EU.
Using the analogy of an avalanche, de Mistura said he hoped this conference would start out small, but grow big.
“It will become an example to prove that south Lebanon could be a place for cooperation and doesn’t necessarily have to be a place of conflict.”
Describing the event as an “international demonstration to help Lebanon,” Khalil Mekkawi, the diplomatic council at the Defense Ministry and the campaign’s coordinator between the government and the UN, said foreign embassies have been provided with a list of necessities needed to de-mine the region.
“On May 21 each embassy will announce how it will contribute to the campaign,” he said.
Responding to a question about the availability of maps for the mine fields, Mekkawi said the government has been asking “Israel”, via the UN, to provide them. To date, however, the country has received only “a few old, imprecise maps.”
“The “Israelis” are pretending these maps are all they have, and that the more recent maps were in the possession of the “Israeli”-proxy,” Mekkawi said.
De Mistura said that although the UN was proceeding with efforts to recover the maps “if they still exist,” efforts should nonetheless get under way as soon as possible.
“We should start working now with what we have,” he said.
De Mistura also said UNIFIL’s recent announcement that it plans to cut the number of troops stationed in the region will not affect the de-mining project.
“De-mining is not about numbers ­ it is about equipment and expertise. At the end of the day, it is the Lebanese themselves who are going to do the job, with the help of the UN and the Lebanese Army.”
Answering a question about “Israeli” violations of the Blue Line, de Mistura said air violations have been placed in a new category and that they are no longer considered “minor.”
“The resolution of the Security Council needs to be respected,” and any crossing, whether by land or air, “is considered a violation.”

1-      The Daily Star, 15-5-2001.

  May Wednesday 16-2001:

“Israeli” war minister warns Syria over latest Shibaa attack…(1)

“Israeli” Defense (War) Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer warned Syria to “think carefully” Tuesday following Hizbullah’s missile strike against an “Israeli” outpost in the Shibaa Farms a day earlier.
“I hope that the Syrians, who are responsible for what happens in Lebanon and without whom nothing happens in that country, will reflect seriously on their next decisions,” Ben Eliezer said on “Israeli” military radio.
He was speaking in reaction to an attack by Hizbullah fighters in which two anti-tank missiles were fired at the Jabal Summaq outpost on the United Nations-delineated Blue Line, 3 kilometers south of Kfar Shuba. There were no casualties in the attack and only light damage. “Israel” responded by firing four mortar rounds into open countryside facing the outpost.
Diplomatic circles in Beirut speculated on Tuesday that Hizbullah’s attack had been in response to a reported “Israeli” artillery bombardment of the Lebanese side of the Blue Line on Sunday. Five artillery shells reportedly exploded on Jabal Seddana and Birkit Nakkar south of Kfar Shuba. Four days earlier, a dozen “Israeli” shells were reported to have hit the same place.
UNIFIL said that no such shelling occurred. Indian UNIFIL soldiers man a new outpost on Jabal Seddana overlooking Birket Nakkar. They reported no rounds falling on the Lebanese side of the Blue Line on Sunday, nor the previous Wednesday.
Explosions are occasionally heard in the Kfar Shuba area. But the sources are usually either “Israeli” military maneuvers in the Shibaa Farms or dynamite being used to blast a path for the new “Israeli” border fence.
UNIFIL tends to put such reports as Sunday’s alleged shelling down to over-enthusiastic local correspondents.
According to a European diplomat, “Israeli” military intelligence categorically denied that shells had been fired into Lebanon last week. Instead, Hizbullah had made up the bombardment to justify launching Monday’s attack, the diplomat said, quoting the “Israeli” intelligence official.
But Hizbullah said it needs no excuse to launch military operations against occupied territory.
“It’s completely untrue that the operation was connected to any reported shelling of Kfar Shuba,” a Hizbullah spokesman said. “The resistance operation came during the normal course of our operations in the Shibaa Farms.” ­

Army maps out de-mining campaign…(2)

The Defense Ministry has announced the schedule of the two-day de-mining campaign organized by the government under the patronage of President Emile Lahoud.
A statement released Tuesday said that the first day, May 21, would be dedicated to a conference at UNESCO Palace where participants will be informed of the army’s plans. The next day, participants will visit the South to witness a live demonstration of the de-mining process by army engineers and UNIFIL’s Ukrainian battalion.
Defense Minister Khalil Hrawi, who will preside over the conference, invited all ministers, South MPs, heads of diplomatic missions, United Nations members, as well as all local and international NGOs, to participate.

1-      The Daily Star, 16-5-2001.

2-      Same source.

  May Thursday 17 -2001:

“Israeli” warplanes break sound barrier over Beirut…(1)

“ The “Israeli” air force violated Lebanese air space Wednesday and broke the sound barrier over Beirut, 48 hours after an anti-”Israeli” attack by the Lebanese militant group Hizbullah.

Supersonic bangs shook the windows of homes in Marjayoun, Tyre and Sidon, before “Israeli” jets again broke the sound barrier over the capital, leaving white plumes of smoke high in the sky, AFP corresondents said.

“Israeli” Defence Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer warned Syria Tuesday against new attacks from southern Lebanon on “Israeli” positions, following rocket fire from Hizbullah, which is supported by Damascus and Tehran, on the Shibaa farms area.

The attack on the area occupied by “Israel” did not cause any casualties or damage.

In the aftermath of the “Israeli” withdrawal from southern Lebanon last May after 22 years of occupation, Beirut has complained to the United Nations of dozens of “Israeli” violations of its air space.

1-      AFP, 16-5-2001.

  May Friday 18-2001:

ASSAD CALLS LAHOUD AFTER CUTTING VISIT TO CAIRO SHORT AS SYRIAN-”ISRAELI” TENSIONS MOUNT…(1)

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad held telephone discussions with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on regional developments hours after the Syrian leader cut short talks in Cairo with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Informed Syrian sources said Assad returned home after “Israeli” Defense Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer vowed to respond to Hizbollah operations on the occupied Shebaa Farms, by targeting those he said are behind the attacks. Ben Eliezer said Damascus is responsible for recent Hizbollah strikes. Press reports in Beirut said Assad will dispatch his Foreign Minister Farouk Sharaa to Beirut on Friday to deliver a letter to Lahoud over regional tensions. 

 A senior Syrian official told Reuters Assad held three meetings with Mubarak, one conducted behind closed doors. They focused on efforts "to stop the brutal actions being committed against the Palestinian people." The unidentified Syrian official said talks also covered ways Arabs can overcome their differences to face prevailing challenges.  The official did not give a reason for the President's quick return, recalling Egyptian Information Minister Safwat el-Sherif's comment that there was nothing wrong in the talks between the two leaders and nothing happening in Syria to explain the quick return. So-called informed Syrian sources were widely quoted as saying Assad returned home following “Israeli” threats against Damascus. “Israeli” Defense Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer held Syria responsible for Hizbollah operations against “Israeli” posts in the occupied Shebaa Farms. During a visit to the occupied Golan Heights, Ben Eliezer said Syria was responsible for Monday's Hizbollah attack on an army position in the occupied Shebaa Farms. The “Israeli” hawk said nothing will deter the Jewish state. 

“Israeli” warplanes violate Lebanese airpace for second day ..(2)

“Israeli” jets violated Lebanese air space Thursday for the second consecutive day, triggering an alert by Lebanese, Syrian and Hezbollah forces, AFP correspondents witnessed Thursday.

Lebanese army troops and Syrian forces deployed in eastern Lebanon were restricted to their bases, while anti-aircraft batteries were on alert, they said.

Hezbollah also advised farmers and shepherds not to approach the “Israeli”-occupied border Shebaa Farms area where the group had staged an attack on Monday, they said.

Earlier Thursday, “Israeli” warplanes had broken the sound barrier over the ancient city of Baalbek, an AFP correspondent said.

The fighter-bombers also flew at medium altitude over the border zone in southern Lebanon that “Israel” had occupied for 22 years before its May 2000 troop pullout.

On Wednesday, “Israeli” warplanes broke the sound barrier over southern Lebanese cities and Beirut.

“Israeli” Defence Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer warned Syria Tuesday against new attacks from southern Lebanon on “Israeli” positions, after rocket fire on the Shebaa Farms by Hezbollah.

Since the “Israeli” withdrawal last year, Beirut has complained to the United Nations of dozens of “Israeli” violations of its air space.

“Israeli” maps ‘cover 70 percent of minefields’ …(3)

A senior UN official affirmed Thursday the need to start de-mining the South, saying that 70 percent of the minefields’ maps had been obtained from “Israel” and given to Lebanese authorities.
Staffan de Mistura, personal representative of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, spoke to reporters after reviewing with Information Minister Ghazi Aridi preparations for a de-mining conference opening in Beirut on Monday.
“We have 70 percent of the maps already received from the “Israelis”, checked and proved to be correct,” De Mistura said. “We handed over the maps to Lebanese authorities and we insisted on receiving the remaining 30 percent and expect “Israel” to respond to our request.”
Acknowledging the danger the mines posed, de Mistura said the absence of some of the maps was no reason to delay addressing the matter.
“On the contrary,” he said, “our strategy is to begin clearing the mines and we won’t be alone in this, the whole international community stands on our side.”
De Mistura expressed hope that the conference would be “very successful,” recalling that the United Arab Emirates had already pledged $50 million to de-mining operations.

1-      Future TV, 17\5\2001

2-      The Daily Star, 18\5\2001

3-      Same source

  May Saturday 19 -2001:

Sharaa ‘extremely satisfied’ with Beirut talks

“Israel” may strike again, Syria will not “accept humiliation: Sharaa…(1)

Amid mounting regional tensions, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Sharaa paid a day-long trip to Beirut on Friday to coordinate the two countries’ stands in the face of “Israeli” threats.
Sharaa summed up the results of his short visit by expressing “extreme satisfaction” with talks held with the country’s top leaders with regard to the Middle East conflict.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting which grouped President Emile Lahoud, Speaker Nabih Berri, Premier Rafik Hariri and Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud, Sharaa said: “I feel extreme satisfaction with the outcome of the gathering. I will convey what I heard to President Bashar Assad and the Syrian leadership, and believe we’re following the right track in our relationship which “Israel” cannot harm, no matter how great the challenges and threats.”
On his arrival, Sharaa said that he was carrying a message from Assad to Lahoud dealing with the various regional and international developments.
Asked whether Assad had cut short his visit to Egypt because of “Israeli” threats to strike Syria, Sharaa said the threats were nothing new as since its creation, “Israel” had been threatening its neighbors.
“As for the visit to Egypt, it was very successful and achieved its aim … and as usual, we and our brothers in Egypt exchange views and hold consultations on latest developments.”
He also said the issue of the Shibaa Farms, the UN-demarcated Blue Line and “Israeli” threats to Lebanon were covered in his Beirut talks.
Sharaa told reporters at Baabda that his visit was within the framework of the “brotherly cooperation” between the two countries.
He added that Assad’s message dealt with “all issues of interest to both countries and governments that may come to your mind, topped by the serious developments in occupied Palestinian territory and “Israel’s” aggressive military operations against unarmed people.
“This issue was discussed in detail and we also looked into the various possibilities, something which was also raised with our brothers in Egypt.”
Other topics included the “Israeli” attack on a Syrian position in Lebanon, “the dangerous consequences of such an aggression and the possibilities of its recurrence,” Sharaa said.
The Syrian minister said there was “no enthusiasm for peace” within “Israel” and “this serious development reflects negatively on the peace process.”
“Each day that passes is not in “Israel’s” interest and Westerners are discovering that the government of (Ariel) Sharon is dangerous, not only to peace in the Middle East, but also to security and stability in an important and sensitive part of the world.”
Turning to Syrian-Lebanese relations, Sharaa said that discussions with Lahoud established that “closer rapprochement” between the two countries and peoples in various domains would “consolidate national cohesion within both states.”
“One should not belittle at all the effect of this special Lebanese-Syrian relationship on the region’s security and stability. It is such a relationship that will bring about a just and comprehensive peace one day,” he said.
Later in the day, after a meeting at the Foreign Ministry with his counterpart Hammoud, Sharaa declined to say whether a blistering attack on anti-Syrian politicians by Syrian Defense Minister Mustafa Tlass represented the official stand of Damascus.
He said he could “not understand” the UN decision to reduce the number of peacekeepers in the South, nor the US Congress’ vote to block financial aid to Lebanon.
“Not all US decisions are made to uphold the American interests, especially where the Arabs are concerned. These decisions are often motivated by pro-”Israeli” sentiment,” he said.
Asked whether there would be a joint plan to retaliate against any possible “Israeli” attack on Syrian military positions, Sharaa said his country was observing a “deep sense of responsibility, but at the same time will not condone humiliation. If “Israel”, as some newspapers reported, tries to change the rules of the game, we will change the rules of the game, and time is on our side.”
In reply to further questions, he said an extraordinary Arab follow-up committee meeting in Cairo Saturday would discuss the situation in occupied territories, especially “Israel’s” “aggressive and provocative operations against the Palestinian people.”
The committee, set up by an Arab summit held in Cairo, will also discuss “Israeli” threats against Syria and Lebanon, and Beirut’s opposition to a reduction in UNIFIL’s strength, he added.
However, the main purpose is to back the intifada, Sharaa said.
Asked whether a recent explosion in the occupied Golan Heights was a prelude to launching resistance operations in the region, Sharaa said: “I can’t say it’s the beginning or the end, but the rules of the game are not for “Israel” to impose.”
Referring to the gathering, a presidential statement said Lahoud had affirmed that a united Lebanese-Syrian position was capable of confronting “Israeli” threats against both countries.
The statement also said the joint evaluation of events in the region had shown that Syrian-Lebanese “expectations,” regarding “Israel’s” “clear decision to undermine the peace process in the region, are correct.”
The statement said the two sides expressed satisfaction with the unanimous Arab support for the Lebanese-Syrian stand in facing potential threats, and affirmed the importance of consolidating bilateral cooperation in various fields.
The president handed Sharaa a message in reply to Assad’s in light of discussions held.
Lahoud earlier received the president of the Journalists Union, Melhem Karam, who later told reporters that the head of state had expressed surprise at a US Congress decision to block some $35 million in aid to Lebanon unless the government deployed troops along the “Israeli” border.
“Israel” was meanwhile demanding $450 million in so-called compensation for withdrawing from Lebanon, Lahoud remarked.
Diplomatic sources said that following intensive contacts over the last 48 hours, Lebanon and Syria succeeded in persuading other members of the Arab follow-up committee of the “gravity” of “Israeli” threats against the two countries.
The two states called for amending the Cairo meeting’s agenda by noting that the “Israeli” threats were as dangerous as the situation in the region in general, the sources added.
The sources said Beirut and Damascus drew the attention of other committee members to threats made twice within 24 hours by “Israeli” Defense (War) Minister Binyamin Bin-Eliezer that his country would strike at Syria in retaliation against any resistance operation by Hizbullah.

Two wounded in Fatima Gate shooting…(2)

“Israeli” troops on Friday shot and wounded two Lebanese civilians at the former border crossing of Fatima Gate in Kfar Kila, amid intense air activity by “Israeli” warplanes over South Lebanon.
Riad Younis, 38, and Hassan Yassin, 21, both from Sidon, were with two other men, when an “Israeli” soldier fired 14 shots at the group with a rifle.
Younis and Yassin were taken to the South hospital in Nabatieh with leg injuries. The other two members of the group were unharmed. Yassin was seriously wounded in the shooting and was transferred to a Sidon hospital after suffering heavy blood loss.
The two men were the first Lebanese civilian casualties at the hands of the “Israelis” along the border since the beginning of the year. One civilian was killed and eight others wounded at the former crossing in 2000.
“Israeli” military officials said their troops opened fire as a group tried to destroy the border fence at the Fatima Gate.
Younis denied having thrown stones at an “Israeli” outpost or attempted to damage the fence.
The shooting took place on a day of heavy “Israeli” air activity over Lebanon, the fourth consecutive day of such action since Hizbullah fighters attacked an “Israeli” outpost in the Shibaa Farms.
“Israeli” jets flew low over the South and also circled over the Bekaa.
Witnesses said a pilotless reconnaissance plane, a “drone,” circled over the Shibaa Farms and Kfar Shuba. “Israeli” troops were also seen reinforcing outposts they hold in the Shibaa Farms area.

“Israeli” warplanes violate Lebanese airspace for third consecutive day…(3)

“ “Israeli” jets violated Lebanese air space Friday for the third consecutive day, following an anti-”Israeli” attack by Hizbullah four days earlier.

Two “Israeli” fighter planes broke the sound barrier over the northern resort of Tripoli, near the Syrian border, before heading towards the south of the country.

Ten minutes later, “Israeli” fighters flew over the cities of Sidon and Tyre at low altitude, near the “Israeli”-Lebanese border.

On Thursday, “Israeli” warplanes flew over the southern region of Lebanon from which the Jewish state pulled out in May 2000 after 22 years of occupation, and also over the eastern Bekaa plain near the Syrian border.

Warplanes also overflew the country on Wedndesday.

UN officials to look at South, de-mining…(4)

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean Marie Guehenno, and UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Terje Roed-Larsen will arrive in Beirut on Sunday, according to a UN press release.
Guehenno, Larsen and the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Southern Lebanon, Staffan de Mistura, will meet  President Emile Lahoud, Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud Monday.
The UN officials also will participate in the two-day de-mining conference, which opens Monday at UNESCO Palace. The conference will see the launching of de-mining activities for which the United Arab Emirates has earmarked $50 million. The UN officials will also next week tour the Blue Line area in south Lebanon to visit UNIFIL’s positions and look closely at its activities on the ground, including the international force’s de-mining efforts in the area.

1-       The Daily Star, 19-5-2001.

2-       Same source.

3-       AFP, 18-5-2001.

4-       The Daily Star, 19-5-2001.

  May Monday 21 -2001:

Hizbullah ‘will keep fighting’ for Shibaa…(1)

Nasrallah: US trying to make contact

Hizbullah’s secretary-general  warned “Israel” against threatening Syria on Sunday, vowing to continue fighting “Israeli” troops in the disputed Shibaa Farms.
“Threatening to attack Syrian targets and launch war will not scare the young Syrian leadership,” Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said during a ceremony in Bidnayel in the Bekaa.
“If they (“Israelis”) are betting on scaring (Syrian) President Bashar Assad, then they are gambling and playing with fire because neither Syria nor its armed forces will accept insult or humiliation,” he added.
In April, “Israel” destroyed a Syrian radar post in Dahr al-Baidar, killing three Syrian soldiers, in retaliation for an attack by Hizbullah.
“Israeli” officials have repeatedly warned Syria that they will hold Damascus accountable for its support for Hizbullah and any attacks it carries out against “Israeli” forces.
Nasrallah also vowed to drive “Israel” from the Shibaa Farms and predicted the Jewish state would be forced to pull out of the area, as it did from the South.
“We’re running out of patience before the continued “Israeli” attacks on our national dignity,” he said.
“When we decide to punish this enemy for those crimes, no one should blame us.”
Nasrallah said the resistance would impose the rules of the game on “Israel”, reiterating that resistance operations would continue in the Shibaa Farms.
“The resistance will decide the timing and the venue of the battle, it will continue to enjoy the initiative,” he said.
He asserted that Hizbullah was not bound by UN resolutions and that it would recover the Farms “unconditionally.”
“The resistance is determined and willing to continue and nothing will stop it,” he said. “We ask the United Nations: Did it implement UN Resolution 425 or did we?”
He said that people who wanted sovereignty would not accept a piece of land remaining occupied, stressing that ““Israel’s” occupation of the Shibaa Farms is a violation of sovereignty and an insult to Lebanon.”
Nasrallah called for supporting the resistance because it would force “Israel” out of the occupied area.
He said that counting on a Lebanese split over the issue of the resistance was a “losing wager,” adding that the resistance defeated “Israel” when the Lebanese people were divided.
The Hizbullah leader also argued that “Israeli” mothers were more affected by losing their sons in resistance attacks, while
Lebanese mothers were “imploring us to send their children back as martyrs.”
“And we’re seeing Palestinians handing out sweets to celebrate martyrdom,” he added, referring to the intifada.
Nasrallah also said the US Congress’ vote to deprive Lebanon of “ridiculous” economic aid was an explicit expression of the US threat that Lebanon will not receive any aid unless resistance activities stopped and the army was sent to the border.
“If you give all the money in the world in return for giving up our land,” he said, “we will not accept even if you sent armies and fleets.” ­

The United States treats us as terrorists while they are trying to establish contact with us, working towards that night and. It is us who are refusing, as we do not want to have the honour of sitting at the same table as them”, he said.
 

 Hizbullah vows retaliation after “Israelis” wound Lebanese at border…(2)

“ Hizbullah said Saturday it would retaliate for the wounding by “Israeli” troops a day earlier of two Lebanese at a border post.

"The terrible “Israeli” attack against Lebanese civilians Friday is a new Zionist crime that will not pass without a response," Hizbullah said in a statement following Friday's shooting incident.

"The Islamic resistance (Hizbullah's military branch) will choose the opportune time to punish the criminals."

Two Lebanese, Hassan Yassin, 21, and Riad Yunis, 38, were shot in the foot when an “Israeli” soldier opened fired on them from an army post on the border between Lebanon and “Israel”.

Local newspapers An-Nahar and As-Safir quoted Yunis as saying "the soldier fired 14 bullets without any warning."

Neither of the two men had thrown stones at the “Israeli” position, which looked out on a Lebanese road linking the southern villages of Kfar Killa and Aadaisse, the newspapers reported.

Yassin was in serious condition after his wound started to hemorrhage, the newspapers said.

Lebanese security sources said two Lebanese civilians were wounded when “Israeli” border guards fired on a group of visitors at the Fatima Gate.

Since “Israel” ended its 22-year occupation of southern Lebanon in May 2000, Hizbullah has launched strikes on “Israeli” forces in the Shibaa Farms border territory.

The group showered the Shibaa Farms region with rockets last Monday and has kidnapped three “Israeli” soldiers and killed three others since October.

Lebanese and other Arab nationals regularly group at the border, often throwing stones across the fence.

At least 12 civilians have been killed and more than 40 have been injured by “Israeli” fire at the border since the withdrawal.

Officials to lobby UN over   proposed troop reduction
Lahoud, Hariri and Berri will argue against modifying UNIFIL…(3)

A government source said Sunday that officials would reiterate their call to the UN’s under-secretary for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean Marie Guehenno, to maintain UNIFIL’s size.
According to the source, officials will not conceal the fact that they blame UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s non-compliance with the Lebanese government’s demand, and his insistence on proceeding with the scheduled reduction despite Beirut’s warning about the dangerous regional situation.
UNIFIL troops will be scaled down to 3,600 after July 31, and to 2,000 exactly a year later.
The source said that President Emile Lahoud, Premier Rafik Hariri, Speaker Nabih Berri and Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud will inform Guehenno about the danger of modifying UNIFIL’s role.
Despite the fact that Annan’s report linked the reduction to the regional situation, the source said, the three leaders find it dangerous to see UNIFIL’s status transformed from peacekeepers to observers without taking into account possible “Israeli” aggressions against Lebanon.
The source said that Guehenno’s visit here showed the importance given by Annan to the de-mining campaign and his desire to help it in its task.
Guehenno arrived in Beirut late Sunday and will participate with Annan’s personal representative for south Lebanon, Staffan de Mistura, in the two-day de-mining conference, which opens Monday at UNESCO Palace.
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Terje Roed-Larsen was expected to accompany Guehenno, but he postponed his visit “due to the increasingly tense and violent escalation taking place currently in the West Bank and Gaza,” according to a UN statement.
The statement added that the special coordinator “hopes to visit Lebanon within the next two weeks.”
The UN officials will also tour the Blue Line area in the South to visit UNIFIL’s positions and look closely at its activities, including the international force’s de-mining efforts in the area.
The source said that local officials would also draw Guehenno’s attention to the severity of the UN’s view that Lebanon had accepted the Blue Line.
The source added that Lebanon would warn of the seriousness of Thursday’s Security Council press statement, which the source described as “aggressive and critical.”
The press statement said: “The council members expressed their deep concern for declarations that the Blue Line was not suitable with regard to the Shibaa Farms.
“This region is subject to UN Resolutions 242 and 338 related to the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.”
The source said that officials would assert that such a position would encourage “Israel” to attack Lebanon and Syria in retaliation for each resistance operation to liberate the farms.
According to the source, the three Lebanese leaders will take advantage of European Union Foreign Affairs Chief Javier Solana’s visit to Beirut on Monday to underline the EU’s “mistaken” policy of adopting the UN’s call to stop resistance activities in the Shibaa Farms.
The source also said the officials would inform Solana that such a position would provide a “cover” for any “Israeli” aggression on Lebanon and Syria.
“Such a European stand will not help the EU play a political role in the Middle East,” the source said.
Solana will be accompanied by EU envoy to the Middle East Miguel Angel Moratinos.

UN hands Beirut ‘very limited’ maps of “Israeli” minefields…(4)

Defense Minister Khalil Hrawi confirmed over the weekend that the government has finally received maps of “Israeli” minefields in the South.
However the maps, which authorities received from “Israel” via the United Nations, are “very limited,” Hrawi told the National News Agency on Saturday.
Staffan de Mistura, personal representative of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, announced on Thursday that maps covering 70 percent of minefields in the former occupied territories had been obtained from “Israel”.
Hrawi said the government had asked countries that have ties with “Israel”, such as the United States, France and Italy, to pressure “Israel” to hand over the rest of the maps.
“We should have the maps, but I find it difficult because planting mines has a military objective,” said Hrawi.
“If we obtain the maps, it would be better and if not, we’ll continue our work.”
Hrawi said that countries participating in the two-day de-mining conference, which opens Monday at UNESCO Palace, were willing to contribute to dismantling “more than 130,000 mines and unexploded bombs.”
He said the majority of countries with diplomatic representatives here will participate in the conference. Joining them will be representatives from the Syrian Army, which assisted the National De-mining Office and was “willing to help.”
Hrawi said several countries will also send military delegations or experts, including the United Arab Emirates, the US, Italy and Mines Advisory Group, a British charity organization.
He said that the conference’s first day will include a “comprehensive explanation” of the scale of the de-mining project, after which participants are expected to state their country’s contribution.
On Tuesday, delegates will attend a mock de-mining operation at the army barracks in Nabatieh. Also participating will be Syrian Army representatives and an American team, which will train officers for the task.
The demonstration will take place in a specially-prepared 3,000-square-meter field, which has been divided into squares and rectangles.
UNIFIL’s Ukrainian battalion will provide mine sweepers for the mock operation, while trained dogs will also participate.
Hrawi also announced that starting Wednesday, the NDO will be “better prepared” to carry out de-mining operations.
“If countries fulfill their promises, we expect to accomplish a lot within three or four years,” he said.
“If help remains limited ... it will be a long process. It would take about 15 or 20 years because our capacities are limited and primitive.”

Fatah official warns of “Israeli” attacks…(5)

The Lebanon head of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat’s Fatah faction warned Sunday that “Israel” might attack Palestinian refugee camps and Syrian positions in Lebanon.
Sultan Abul-Ainayn said desperation could drive “Israeli” Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to lash out across his borders after being frustrated in attempts to put down an eight-month-old Palestinian revolt against “Israeli” occupation.
“It is possible that Sharon would resort to attacking Palestinian (refugee) camps to break the deadlock he has reached,” Abul-Ainayn told reporters in the Rashidieh refugee camp near Tyre.
“Sharon might decide to shuffle the cards and open more than one front at the same time, launching a comprehensive attack on Palestinians and Syrians in Lebanon.”

1-      The Daily Star, 21-5-2001.

2-      AFP, 19-5-2001.

3-      The Daily Star, 21-5-2001.

4-      Same source.

5-      The Daily Star, 21-5-2001.

  May Tuesday 22 -2001:

Lahoud calls for outside help against “Israeli” threats…(1)

President Emile Lahoud urged the international community on Monday to shoulder its responsibilities toward what he described as “Israel”’s “criminal policy.”
Lahoud told visitors at Baabda Palace that “recent developments on the Palestinian scene,” combined with “Israel”’s “criminal policy, which includes threats against Lebanon and Syria, are  clear proof that (the Jewish state) is in an impasse.”
Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud urged the United Nations to step.
“We urge UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to intervene and call for a Security Council meeting to discuss “Israeli” threats and aggression which are endangering international peace and stability,” Hammoud told reporters.
He expressed surprise at the international community’s “silence over the regional situation” and urged the US to pave the way for the UN to send peacekeepers to the Occupied Territories.
“Israeli” Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government has repeatedly threatened to attack Syrian troops stationed here if Damascus does not prevent Hizbullah from attacking “Israeli” soldiers in the occupied Shibaa Farms.

De-mining conference hails $50m contribution from UAE…(2)

Lebanon vows to clear mines, most in former “Israeli”-occupied zone

“Israel” is “mistaken” if it believes Palestinians and Arabs will submit to massive military force, Italy’s deputy foreign minister said Monday.
Rino Serri made the comments during the opening ceremony of the International High-Level Workshop for De-mining Lebanon: Beginning with the South, held at UNESCO Palace.
The ceremony was marked by an unannounced visit by President Emile Lahoud, and the official declaration of the UAE’s $50 million donation to boost the de-mining campaign.
The workshop, organized by the Lebanese government and the United Nations, was funded entirely by the Italian government. It will be followed by a field trip to Nabatieh on Tuesday.
Serri said Rome decided to support the project, not only because of its importance for Lebanon, but also to stress Italy’s commitment to regional peace.
“Unfortunately, peace seems to be moving further away,” he said, at a time when “in “Israel”, there seem to be prevailing positions that are again refusing to respect UN resolutions and that are abandoning the Madrid (Conference) agreement.”
Defense Minister Khalil Hrawi said the 150,000 mine fields left behind by “Israel” in the South and Western Bekaa were “a new form of occupation.”
“This … is preventing both the Lebanese government and potential investors from proceeding with development projects in the liberated areas,” he stressed.
Jean-Marie Guehenno, UN under-secretary for peacekeeping operations, also reiterated the importance of task at hand.
“This threat is retarding the chances for the social and economic revitalization of the South,” he said, “and restricting the many opportunities that access to those areas, currently untouchable, would provide.”
General Victor Bannykh, Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, said his country was willing to send more mine experts to the South and conclude an agreement with the National De-mining Office to establish a training center for Lebanese civilians.
Afterward, Hrawi chaired a special session during which foreign ambassadors expressed their countries’ willingness to help. With the exception of the UAE’s contribution, Arab participation was limited to the Jordanian and Syrian ambassadors.
Emirati Ambassador Mohammed Omran said his country’s initiative was based “on the belief in peace and its positive effects and consequences on the progress of humankind.”
Omran also said that a specialized mine-clearing team from the UAE’s armed forces was standing by to start work.
“There has never been anything like this,” said Staffan de Mistura, UN secretary-general Kofi Annan’s personal representative in the South. “Because of the UAE, Lebanon will be able to solve, in less than four years, what other countries … would spend decades solving.”
The three-year project, entitled: Expand Economic Opportunities for Survivors of Land Mines, focuses on an area with the highest concentration of land mines and mine victims.
Swedish Ambassador Ann Dismorr expressed the EU’s desire to be an “active partner in the important process.”
Dismorr said the EU was the world’s largest contributor to the global fight against land mines ­ EU countries have contributed almost $4 million to de-mining in Lebanon since 1998.
Speakers during the working session included the ambassadors of France, Britain, the United States, Russia, Italy, Syria, Japan, Jordan, Pakistan, Norway, Australia, Germany, India and Korea.
Ghassan Rammal, speaking on behalf of non-governmental organizations, said that liberation did not end the two-decade tragedy, noting that since 1978, there have been 2,714 land-mine casualties, including 868 deaths.
Workshop participants agreed on a closing statement which stressed the importance of mobilizing efforts and designing a mechanism for de-mining. They also recommended creating an international support group to work in coordination with the Lebanese government.

“Israeli” threats seek only to make Arabs scared: Lebanese PM…(3)

Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri said Monday that “Israel”'s threats to retaliate against any Hizbullah attacks are meant only to instill fear in the Arabs.

"The “Israeli” threats have as their sole goal putting the Arabs in a situation of fear of war," Hariri said at a forum on administrative reform.

"The “Israeli” government has put itself in a tunnel it can't get out of, as it refuses to respect ... international law and human rights and refuses to apply UN Security Council resolutions" that call for its withdrawal from Arab territories, Hariri said.

"From the moment the Arabs called for the installation of peace, (“Israeli” Prime Minister Ariel Sharon) and his defense minister (Binyamin Ben Eliezer) have been beating the drums of war," Hariri said, adding that the "resort to force will not succeed."

1-      The Daily Star, 22-5-2001.

2-      Same source.

3-      Same source.

  May Wednesday 23 -2001:

“Israel” corrects new violation of "blue line" with Lebanon…(1)

“ “Israel” on Tuesday removed a camera from the UN "blue line" between Lebanon and the Jewish state, correcting a new violation of the acting border between the countries.

In the presence of officers from the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), “Israeli” technicians, accompanied by armed troops, dismantled a camera attached to a pole, AFP reporters on both sides of the border said.

The action was taken "following a request by the United Nations," an “Israeli” army spokesman said.

The camera had been put up May 3 on the Lebanese side of the village of Ghajar, opposite the village of Wazzani and the river of the same name.

The pole and the cement blocks around it were removed with the help of a crane, and moved to the “Israeli” side, while map drawers from the Lebanese army watched the operation from a distance.

The United Nations had rejected a first complaint made by Lebanon as soon as this observation unit was put up. Beirut repeated its complaint and the UN then agreed it was a violation of some 10 metres (yards), according to the Lebanese cartographers.

On March 1, Ukrainian troops with UNIFIL eliminated another “Israeli” violation in the same sector, at the request of Lebanon.

They dismantled a cement wall erected some 300 metres (330 yards) inside Lebanese territory, which covered around 12 ditches dug by “Israel” in April beyond the "blue line."

The Alawite village of Ghajar is divided in two by the "blue line" and is on the border between Lebanon and the Syrian Golan Heights, occupied by “Israel” since 1967.

“Israel” has accepted that Lebanon assumes its sovereignty over the northern part of the village.

The residents of the village, most of whom obtained “Israeli” citizenship after the conquest of the Golan by “Israel”, are calling for the village to be returned to Syria.

They protested against the UN line dividing their village and succeeded in having no border fencing in the village itself.

The blue line was drawn to mark the line of “Israel’s” withdrawal from south Lebanon last May 24, which ended a 22-year occupation.

“Israeli” forces maintain surveillance over Shibaa Farms area…(2)

“ The “Israeli” army, on alert for a possible attack by Hizbullah, is maintaining a close watch on the disputed Shibaa Farms border region that it controls.

Tuesday morning, an “Israeli” surveillance plane overflew the area at medium altitude along a flank of Mount Hermon, which overlooks the region, witnesses said.

Lebanese police later reported that “Israeli” planes had violated Lebanese airspace for the ninth consecutive day Tuesday.

“Israeli” fighter-bombers flew at medium altitude over the south of Lebanon's Syrian-controlled eastern Bekaa valley, as well as the central sector of the zone occupied by “Israel” in southern Lebanon until May 2000.

The planes went as far as the Iqlim at-Tuffah hills, an area controlled by Hizbullah 70 kilometres (45 miles) south-east of Beirut, they said, dropping flares along the way.

During the night, the army fired four phosphorous flares into the sky over Shibaa, lighting up the perimeters of the area and the village of Kfarshouba, which lies on the edge of the Farms.

An observation balloon was also in place overnight, but later withdrawn.

On Monday, six fighter-bombers flew at low altitude over southern Lebanese border areas, shaking windows of homes in the city of Marjayoun, and dropping flares over other nearby regions, AFP correspondents said.

The Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hizbullah, which spearheaded the armed campaign against “Israel’s” 22-year occupation, has launched numerous attacks against “Israeli” forces in the Shibaa region since “Israeli” troops pulled out on May 24, 2000.

Hizbullah chief Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said Sunday that "the resistance will continue ... until the liberation of the Shibaa Farms," a mountainous area which lies on the borders between Lebanon, Syria and “Israel”.

Hammoud scoffs at “Israeli” threats…(3)

Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud dismissed on Tuesday the possibility of large-scale “Israeli” military strikes, saying the Jewish state knew it would not “remain shielded” from resistance and Syrian retaliation in the event of such an adventure.
Speaking to reporters at the Foreign Ministry, Hammoud said “Israel’s” threats against Lebanon and Syria “reflect its fear” of the two states, particularly on the eve of the first anniversary of liberation.
“It hasn’t forgotten its army’s defeat at the hands of the resistance movement, not in a war against another state,” he added. He said the Palestinians were in fact following the “Lebanese pattern of resistance” in their confrontation with the “Israelis”.
Hammoud endorsed proposals to dispatch a disengagement force to separate the Palestinians and “Israelis” with the consent of all parties concerned.
Referring to President Emile Lahoud’s forthcoming two-day visit to Paris, Hammoud said the trip affirmed the traditional ties between the two countries, France having “supported Lebanon politically and economically on various occasions.”
He added that talks during the May 28-29 visit would cover reconstruction projects and preparations for a second economic meeting to address the country’s ailing economy. Security issues will also be on the agenda since a significant portion of weapons in use are French-made.
Hammoud said the French expect successful outcomes on bilateral ties and dealing with developments of the Middle East crisis. The planned reduction of UNIFIL’s forces and plans for the Francophone summit scheduled for October in Beirut will also be discussed during the visit, he said.

Meanwhile, on the eve of the first anniversary of the liberation of the South and Western Bekaa, a government source assessed the “achievements” of the past year. The source said despite full withdrawal from territory occupied since 1978, the “Israeli” military establishment remains “alarmed,” fearing for their troops’ lives from resistance fighters.
“This dominant alarm has mobilized “Israeli” forces on the border with Lebanon to prevent prospective Hizbullah operations marking the first anniversary of liberation,” the source added.
UN and European efforts have so far failed to produce an agreement on exchanging 13 Lebanese detained by “Israel” ­ in violation of the Geneva Convention ­ for three “Israeli” soldiers and an intelligence officer captured by Hizbullah.
Hizbullah has continued its operations against “Israeli” military targets, although the UN concluded the Shibaa Farms were subject to the provisions of Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, not resolution 425, as Lebanon contends.
Other points outlined by the same source include differences between Lebanon and the UN on UNIFIL’s strength following plans to reduce troop numbers, and the deployment of the army on the border with “Israel”, a move rejected by Lebanon.

Expert techniques demonstrated at de-mining workshop…(4)

International experts demonstrated various de-mining techniques in the South Tuesday, on the last day of a workshop held to gather support for Lebanon’s campaign to clear some 130,000 land mines.
The field demonstration was part of the two-day International High-Level Workshop for De-mining Lebanon, which was jointly organized by the Lebanese government and the United Nations, and funded by Italy.
The demonstrations illustrated techniques by experts of the Lebanese and Syrian armies, and Ukrainian experts from UNIFIL, as well as Italian, British and US non-governmental organizations.
The techniques used by sappers varied from the use of trained dogs, manual detectors, and remote-control detonations of land mines.
The event included one display of equipment used by the teams in the de-mining process, and another showing unexploded “Israeli” devices found by the Lebanese Army after “Israel’s” withdrawal a year ago.
Defense Minister Khalil Hrawi, who was present during the demonstration, announced Monday a five-year plan to clear the country’s land mines, with the help of the United Nations and other international bodies and governments.
Local officials and representatives of various foreign embassies whose countries offered assistance in the de-mining process also attended the event.
Staffan de Mistura, UN secretary-general Kofi Annan’s envoy to southern Lebanon, said during Tuesday’s demonstration that an accelerated de-mining operation could rid Lebanon of all estimated mines in four years’ time.
“Today was a demonstration of the types of professional capacities and the type of equipment available around the world,” he said.
De Mistura also said that once the required funds were made available, the process could be speeded up.
“Once the first contracts are signed by the United Arab Emirates, it will be sufficient to bring in equipment and people within 45 days to start de-mining at the necessary pace,” he said, in reference to a $50 million donation by the UAE.
“I’m confident that with the UAE’s $50 million used properly and operationally, we can do a lot,” he added, “even some economic development.”
De Mistura said the de-mining operation would only require four years because the area involved was relatively small.
“The (border) line is 80 kilometers long,” he said. “We’re not talking about thousands of kilometers. The territory to be cleared is not as large as what we’ve been facing in other countries,” he said.
“And the number of mines is 130,000 at the maximum,” he continued, “which is a large number, but not as large as the five million we have seen in other countries.”
De Mistura added that Lebanon needed at least 1,000 personnel to complete the program, whereas it currently had only 200 Lebanese Army de-mining experts.
He added however that the most important factor in speeding up the de-mining process was “the political will,” saying that “there’s a real genuine concrete commitment by the Lebanese authorities.”

1-      AFP, 22-5-2001.

2-      Same source.

3-      The Daily Star, 23-5-2001.

4-      Same source.

  May Saturday 26 -2001:

Lahoud warns north “Israel” could be threatened if it strikes Lebanon…(1)

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said Thursday that northern “Israel” would be threatened if the Jewish state launched strikes on Lebanon in retaliation for anti-”Israeli” attacks by the Lebanese group Hizbullah.

"“Israel” was not able to change the rules of the game and any new equation it would attempt to impose would jeopardise its security in the north", Lahoud told the London-based newspaper Al-Wassat.

Extracts from the interview were published by the Al-Hayat daily on the anniversary of “Israel”'s troop pull-out from southern Lebanon after 22 years of occupation.

On May 18, Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara said that "if “Israel” tried to change the rules of the game, we will put back the rules that we want for this game. Time is on our side."

“Israeli” Defense (War) Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer, speaking on army radio on Wednesday, again warned that its military would fire on Syrian targets in Lebanon to retaliate for any attacks by Hizbullah.

On April 16 “Israeli” planes destroyed a Syrian radar station in Lebanon, killing a Syrian soldier in the wake of an attack by Hizbullah on the Shibaa Farms area.

Lahoud: Resistance is our best weapon to face “Israeli” aggression
President warns of more dangerous days as Jewish state ‘gets murkier’…(2)

President Emile Lahoud warned Thursday that the region was “on the brink of an all-out conflagration” and called on the Lebanese to remain steadfast.
In a national address on the eve of Liberation Day, Lahoud called on the international community to renew efforts to restart the Middle East peace process.
“The region finds itself on the brink of an all-out conflagration as a direct consequence of “Israel”’s intransigence,” he said. “We believe that the world community needs to instill a sense of renewed activism and undertake a major reassessment of the peace process. This should first and foremost sternly demand a halt in over half a century of “Israeli” aggression.”
Lahoud said that “while this review takes place and due to the volatility of the situation it behooves us to retain the resistance and steadfastness as the  weapons of choice facing “Israeli” aggression.”
“Time is on our side,” he said. “The “Israeli” conundrum gets murkier by the day. And no matter how arduous our journeys seem and no matter how some  continue to hedge their bets on unrealistic scenarios we believe that we are on the right path toward salvation and that the course we charted contrary, to the misconceptions of some, is the least weary for Lebanon and the Lebanese.
“In these dire times and while our enemy assimilates the necessary lessons that will induce him to return to the negotiating table, we need, as Lebanese citizenry and institutions, to brace ourselves with a sense of national unity, responsibility, perseverance and faith.”
 
 

 “Israel” will be bombarded if Syrian army hit in Lebanon: Berri ..(3)

Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri said Friday that northern “Israel” would be bombarded if the Jewish army carries out more attacks on Syrian positions in Lebanon.

 "“Israel” says it wants to change the rules of the game but we are telling it that if it attacks the Syrian army in Lebanon, the (Lebanese) resistance will consider it its right to retaliate against the whole of “Israel”'s north", he said during a ceremony in Beirut marking the first anniversary of “Israel”'s pull out from south Lebanon.

It was the first time Lebanese or Syrian threats were so clear in the current tension between “Israel” and its northern neighbours.

Berri added, "Lebanon has the right to continue its resistance ... as long as “Israel” continues to occupy the Shibaa Farms”.

Berri said that United Nations resolution 425 on the “Israeli” pull out from south Lebanon will only be fully implemented when “Israel” withdraws from the Shibaa Farms.

“Israeli” Occupation Troops Shoot, Wound Two Civilians Along the Border…(4)

A 14-year-old Lebanese civilian Bassam Jaafar was wounded after being shot at from “Israeli” enemy positions at al-Abbad occupation border post. Earlier, “Israeli” occupation troops shot and wounded a Palestinian near the border fence in a demonstration marking the first anniversary of the “Israeli” occupation army withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Mohammad al-Assadi, 25, was hit by two bullets in the legs and taken to hospital in the town of Nabatiyeh. He was among the many groups of people to have gathered on the border to celebrate the anniversary.

1-      AFP, 24\5\2001

2-      The Daily Star, 25\5\2001

3-      AFP, 25\5\2001

4-      Manar TV, 25\5\2001

  May Wednesday 28 -2001:

“Israeli” planes fly over Lebanon for 10th straight day…(1)

“ The “Israeli” air force crossed into Lebanon for the 10th straight day Sunday and broke the sound barrier over Beirut, Lebanese police said.

The planes made several passages at low altitudes over towns in south Lebanon, stirring panic among residents. Many motorists, travelling to south Lebanon for the weekend, stopped briefly out of fear.

After ripping a sonic boom over Beirut, the “Israeli” jets flew over the Bekaa valley, a stronghold of the thousands of Syrian troops deployed in Lebanon.

“Israeli” jets have been flying over southern Lebanese villages and cities regularly since October.

Hizbullah killed an “Israeli” soldier last month in an ambush, prompting “Israel” to bomb a Syrian position in Lebanon, also killing a soldier. “Israel” has threatened to take further action if attacks continue.

On Thursday, UN special envoy to south Lebanon Staffan de Mistura chastised the “Israeli” air force for repeated violations of Lebanese airspace since “Israel” ended its 22-year occupation of south Lebanon last May.

"We should ... not underestimate the almost daily violations by the “Israeli” air force, across the blue line (dividing “Israel” and Lebanon) and the unjustified sonic booms deep inside Lebanon, which in turn contribute to increase tension," he said.

"All sides need to exercise maximum caution and restraint during the forthcoming critical days," Mistura added.

Coptic pope urges Arab unity to face “Israeli” threat…(2)

The head of the Egyptian Coptic Church, Pope Shenouda III, urged all Arab countries on Sunday to unite in order to combat “Israel’s” policy of aggression.
Shenouda, who spoke at a news conference at the Bristol Hotel, is here at the invitation of the Armenian Orthodox Church, which this weekend commemorates 1,700 years since Christianity was taken as that state’s official religion.
Shenouda said Arab unity is vital for facing “Israel”, as the Jewish state “depends on any Arab division, or any kind of weakness, more than its own weapons to fight us.”
““Israel’s” aggressive policy has no limits,” Shenouda said. “Their greed and expectations are very high.”
Asked if he had discussed any of the country’s domestic issues with religious officials here, Shenouda refused to comment, saying: “No foreign personality outside your country should judge your internal relationships.”
However, he said countries “like Lebanon and Syria” should solve their differences, as problems between them can only benefit “Israel”. He also said he was aware of the special nature of the relationship between Beirut and Damascus. “All I want to say is that I hope your problems are solved,” he said, “especially since there is a common enemy.”
Shenouda then thanked God for last May’s “Israeli” withdrawal, adding that he hoped “it will be permanent and complete.”
He also said he hoped “Israel” would withdraw from the Golan Heights, Palestine and other occupied Arab countries.
Asked about his own evaluation of the present status of churches in the country, he said its importance continues to be the same as in the past.
 

Southern de-mining proceeds apace…(3)

The army said Sunday that it had dismantled and detonated more than 250,000 mines, shells and bombs in the South with the Syrian Army’s help since liberation last year.
The statement said a 114,842 square-meter area was cleared of mines throughout eastern Sidon, Nabatieh, Bint Jbeil, Tyre, Marjayoun, Hasbaya and Jezzine. According to the statement, about 4,900 mines were dismantled and 244,000 bombs and shells detonated.
Main roads in Eastern Sidon, Jezzine, Nabatieh and the Western Bekaa were also cleared of mines, the statement said, adding that two officers and eight soldiers were injured in the process. The statement said that two Syrian soldiers were also injured during the operations.
It said the de-mining process was continuing in the liberated areas. The National De-mining Office has organized awareness campaigns in the South and the Western Bekaa on the danger of mines.

1-      AFP, 27-5-2001.

2-      The Daily Star, 28-5-2001.

3-      Same source.

  May Tuesday 29-2001:

Leabnese president blasts “Israel’s” "extremist policies"…(1)

“ Lebanese President Emile Lahoud slammed Monday what he called "the extremist and aggressive policies of the “Israeli” government" at a Paris dinner held in his honour in French President Jacques Chirac's residence.

“Israel” "wants to get out of its international obligations," he charged, urging a rethink of the strategies and methods currently being used to try and impose peace on the troubled Middle East.

"We think that a clear and courageous position from the international community reminding “Israel” of its obligations and the requirements of peace ... would likely force “Israel” to revise its choices and to maybe resume negotiations."

France in particular should use its clout in the European Union to get the 15-nation bloc to be more active in resolving the violence.

Lahoud's first official visit to Paris comes amid efforts by France to play a more central role in resolving the Middle East crisis.

French and Lebanese officials said mounting tensions between “Israel” and Lebanon over the Shibaa Farms border area and the overall situation in the Middle East would be high on the agenda during Lahoud's two-day visit.

The Lebanese government insists that “Israel’s” pull-out from south Lebanon a year ago after some 20 years of occupation will not be complete as long as a portion of the border region known as the Shibaa Farms remains under “Israeli” control.

PM: “Israel’s” threats for ‘local consumption’…(2)

Prime Minister Rafik Hariri said in an interview published on Monday that “Israeli” threats against Syria were for “local consumption” and he did not foresee war breaking out in the region.
Speaking to the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Anbaa, Hariri said “Israeli” Premier Ariel Sharon was in fact “launching war” on the Palestinians “and accordingly we have to be cautious.”
He added that Lebanon always respected UN resolutions while “Israel” turned its back on them. “Even if we have reservations on UN resolutions, this doesn’t mean we don’t respect them,” he said.
Hariri went on to say that Lebanon sought to “strengthen its credibility” before the international community.
Replying to questions on a letter he received from US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Hariri said it dealt with the Mitchell Commission’s report, adding ““Israel” doesn’t want peace and is launching war on the Palestinians ­ a losing war.”
For his part, Speaker Nabih Berri told a delegation representing the Arab media that had there been “true solidarity” among Arabs “none of what’s happening at present in occupied Palestine” would be taking place. He also said had it not been for Syria, the resistance movement would not have been able to exist and endure. Berri reaffirmed that the Shibaa Farms were Lebanese territory and the resistance would continue “until every inch occupied by “Israel” is liberated.”

Land Mines Leftover by “Israeli” Occupation Claim At Least One Lebanese Victim Per Week Says UN…(3)

The Lebanese army has dismantled some 6,000 land mines and explosives in south Lebanon since the Zionist Entity's pullout from the area in May 2000. During the mine-clearing operations ten Lebanese soldiers, including two officers, and two Syrian soldiers have been injured from blasts. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s Special Representative in South Lebanon, Steffan De Mistura said that the mines claim at least one victim per week in the south, which counts some 70,000 inhabitants, and scare people from returning to their homes abandoned during the “Israeli” occupation. It is worth noting that, since the withdrawal of the Zionist occupation, 13 Lebanese civilians have been killed and more than 70 others injured or maimed by mines and other explosive devices in the area.

1-       AFP, 28-5-2001.

2-       The Daily Star, 29-5-2001.

3-       Manar TV, 28-5-2001.