UNIFIL under Attack, ’’March 14’’ Rejects Dialogue

There he was in every corner: in the eyes, hearts, minds, and when the orator hinted to his appearance, the scene altered. One screamed, another waved with his yellow flag, but the tears of one mother of 2006 martyrs mingled with her proud smile announced to everyone that the Secretary General of Hizbullah His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah appeared on the huge screen.

Nasrallah's New Equation

Clear and strong as usual, the Sayyed declared the new red line deterrence equation: ""Israel" oil in return for our oil and like I promised you victory before, I promise you victory again."

"I confidently say to all the countries, governments and companies that will submit tenders in order to start oil excavation that Lebanon is capable of protecting these companies and oil and gas installations," Nasrallah said in a televised speech on the fifth anniversary of the Divine Victory of July 2006 wa.

Addressing the tremendous crowd, His Eminence stressed that: "Our faith in God and in our determination cannot be shaken and I reassure you that today the Resistance is stronger than ever in terms of its consolidation, cadres and capabilities."

"As-Safir" Lebanese newspaper noted Wednesday that "it seemed clear that Nasrallah devoted his speech to recount the victory of the July 2006 protecting the historical station from the dust of narrow Lebanese alleyways and the repercussions of internal division on a number of files."
"Nasrallah was also was keen to set out the resistance's position regarding the oil issue under the roof of the Lebanese state by announcing his commitment to the government's decision on the issue of maritime delineation," the paper commented.
 

Meanwhile, another security development took the Lebanese political interest.

UNIFIL under Attack

In south Lebanon, UNIFIL troops came under a new attack Tuesday, raising questions once again about the motive behind the series of ongoing attacks on U.N. peacekeepers of different nationalities - this time targeting the French battalion at the southern entrance to Sidon, where a roadside bomb went off around 6: p.m.

Five French soldiers, serving with the UNIFIL, were wounded, one seriously, in the attack .

"An-Nahar" Lebanese daily has learned, based on preliminary investigation
\into the attack against UNIFIL that the bomb consisted of about eight kilograms of TNT and was detonated by wireless.

Security sources told "as-Safir" that the reason behind the low number of casualties was that the bomb was planted in the heart of black dirt to the side of the road, which absorbed the blast.

For its part, "an-Nahar" stated that "the attack at the southern entrance to Sidon, which came nearly two months after a similar attack on May 27 against Italian troops serving with UNIFIL at the northern entrance to Sidon, seemed to be linked to a series of considerations, most notably the imminent renewal of UNIFIL on the basis of the implementation of Resolution 1701."

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council strongly condemned the attack.

According to a statement issued by his spokesperson Martin Nesirky, Ban was "deeply disturbed".
"
The Secretary-General hopes that the perpetrators are swiftly identified and brought to justice," the spokesman added.

The Security Council also issued a statement condemning the attack.
"The members of the Security Council condemned all attempts to threaten the security and stability of Lebanon and reaffirmed their determination to ensure that no such acts of intimidation will prevent UNIFIL from implementing its mandate in accordance with Security Council resolution 1701."

The Council welcomed Lebanon's commitment to launch an investigation and to bring perpetrators of the attack to justice. It also recognized the cooperation between the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL.

On the internal side, Lebanese top Officials condemned attack on UNIFIL
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called UNIFIL Acting Force Commander Brigadier General Santi Bonfanti to express his solidarity with the UN peacekeepers.

The National News Agency reported that Mikati said that "he is now more determined to strengthen cooperation with UNIFIL and investigation into the incident will be launched."
 
The PM also contacted French Ambassador to Lebanon Dennis Pietton expressing "the government's condemnation for the brutal attack on the French contingent."

Similarly, House Speaker Nabih Berri also contacted the French ambassador and expressed his regret over the number of the wounded peacekeepers condemning the "terrorist crime."

National Dialogue Obstacles

The bombing also came at a time internal consultations were under way to hold a national dialogue meeting.

Phalange leader Amin Gemayel has reportedly said that his party would not engage in dialogue with representatives of Hizbullah.

"An -Nahar" daily said Wednesday that Gemayel made his remarks to President Michel Suleiman the day before after the president launched consultations to inquire about the politicians' viewpoints on his invitation for national dialogue.

"What is the value of dialogue before the suspects are brought to justice? Phalange will not sit at the table with people from a party of which members, regarded as saints, are accused," Gemayel claimed addressing Suleiman.
Phalange sources told "al-Joumhouria" daily that Gemayel said the dialogue should consolidate the seat of the presidency. "The failure of the next stage would be a disaster to the post."


Sources : Lebanese Newspapers