Smugglers Release Scandal, Abbas in Beirut
Hardly do the Lebanese wake up on one of the International Tribunal lies before sleeping on other media leaks concerning fake accusations.
With the passage of time, these leaks and their sources proved with their extended relationship to Tel Aviv to be familiar with Special Tribunal of Lebanon indictment than the supposed writers of the "Israeli" decision carrying American fancy.
STL Leaks, Hariri Last Bullet
The German newspaper "Der Spiegel" published an article Monday reporting that the STL is to accuse in its coming indictment Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Syrian intelligence members in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
The Iranian foreign ministry slammed Tuesday the illegitimate allegations viewing that the STL that functions based on political objectives has no legal value.
"We believe that reports on Rafik Hariri and his tribunal are in line with the international smear campaign and seek particular political goals," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said.
He accused the West of seeking to "show Iran had been involved in the issue."
Mean while, as the Lebanese receive the tribunal leaks with disdain and ignorance, some politicians with multinational nationalities and more than one face chose from oversea to direct their empty accusations taking the STL as their last weapon.
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri doesn't come out of his silence, but when the issue comes to Hizbullah or the Islamic Republic in Iran, or Syria.
The absent man doesn't bother himself by issuing a statement commenting on a Lebanese life crisis but he rushes to respond to the words of the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman regarding the International Tribunal.
"Iran is behaving according to the political and media accusations leveled against it. It is acting in light of its responsibility in covering the assassination crimes. Such behavior does not express any wisdom or any responsible attitude in this regard," Hariri said in his statement.
Hariri, who quickly forgot his last visit to Tehran a year ago at which he announced supportive positions to the Islamic Republic, chose today to coup:
"Everyone in the world knows the extent of the relationship between Hizbullah and Iran. Iran's position regarding the STL is another example of the state of osmosis and complementarities between the two parties, a reality that, we hope, has not yet reached the level of participating in hosting persons sought by international justice," Hariri claimed.
"The position taken by the Iranian Foreign Ministry is the exact copy of the repeated positions taken by Hizbullah and its Secretary General. It is part of a policy aimed at containing the Special Tribunal and preventing justice from achieving its objectives," the former prime minister said.
Parallel to Hariri's move, the political and media circles of the absent man are busy writing malicious statements to prove existence after the follow up of defeats on many political fronts.
"While some of "March 14" personalities of welcomed "Der Spiegel" information, others in the same team feared that what was published form an introduction to the indictment that will be issued by the tribunal, with what this means from opening face into another regional battle," "al-Akhbar" Lebanese newspaper reported.
For its part, "an-Nahar" daily published Wednesday that "STL Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare will issue the indictment in the coming hours."
A UN source told "an-Nahar" that "STL President Judge Antonio Cassese will also issue an assessment report on the efforts made by Lebanese authorities to arrest the so-called four suspects."
Furthermore, the "STL is expected to issue decisions linked to the indictment," the source said without giving further information.
"An-Nahar" has learned that Lebanese authorities received information yesterday evening regarding the publication of the indictment.
However, Beirut sources told the daily that the "decisions mean the tribunal will unveil that the assassination attempts of MP Marwan Hamadeh and former Minister Elias Murr and the killing of ex-Communist party leader George Hawi are interlinked."
Abbas in Beirut: UN Membership, Refugees to Return
Parallel to the STL, the Lebanese political circles are busy in the official visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Lebanon.
Abbas arrived Tuesday for a 2-day visit during which he will hold talks with top Lebanese officials, inspect the living conditions of Palestinian refugees and seek Lebanon's support for the Palestinian bid for UN membership.
Abbas trip to Lebanon is essential given that Beirut assumes the presidency of the Security Council in September.
President Michel Suleiman promised Palestinian President that Lebanon will back their bid for UN recognition of a Palestinian state.
"Lebanon's assumption of the Security Council presidency during September, in addition to Qatar's presidency of the next session of the U.N. General Assembly, will serve as a push to the Palestinian Authority's bid for recognition of Palestine. Lebanon will follow up this Palestinian effort with the aim of ensuring its success," Suleiman said in his speech delivered during an Ifatr banquet at Abbas honor.
"The establishment of a Palestinian state reflects your right to self-determination. This is a matter guaranteed by U.N. resolutions," he added.
For his part, Abbas declared that "Palestinians in refugee camps do not need arms to defend themselves because the Lebanese people and government can protect them."
"No one is thinking of resettlement because we know what this word means. The Palestinians are temporary guests committed to law," Abbas said.
Abbas hoped in an interview with "al-Liwaa" daily that "some political parties in Lebanon would understand that giving rights to Palestinian people does not mean naturalizing them in the country."
"As-Safir" newspaper has learned that Abbas stressed to President Michel Sleiman that "we reject naturalization" of Palestinians in Lebanon. "When the Palestinian state is established, Palestinians will carry Palestinian passports and nationality."
Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour told the daily that his meeting with Abbas was "excellent" and said an "atmosphere of mutual understanding prevailed."
Mansour uncovered that "a meeting of Arab foreign ministers, including Lebanon, will take place in Qatar Tuesday to take a unified stance on the issue on declaring a Palestinian state and secure international recognition."
Charbel: Hizbullah Not Involved in Antelias
In another Lebanese development, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stressed that Hizbullah was not involved in the bombing that shook Antelias last week and slammed "March 14" for criticizing his statements on the blast.
"Hizbullah is innocent and has nothing to do with the bombing," Charbel told "al-Liwaa" daily Wednesday.
"Would the opposition make me a hero if I accuse the party?" he wondered, asking whether he should have said that the explosion was a terrorist activity.
"I don't understand why they want to push tourists out of the country," Charbel said.
Arms Smugglers Released, Army source Arrested
In a parallel security issue, "al-Akhbar" paper highlighted the release of three detainees accused of smuggling weapons to Syria. "Public prosecutor dropped the charges against the detainees, but security information confirms that the political pressure brought to their release."
"Not only that, but the pressure led to the arrest of Lebanese army source who played a key role in gang's arrest," the paper explained. Reporting evidences of the detainees involvement in arms smuggling into Syria, the paper pointed to the political pressure that led to the release of the accused and the arrest of the source.
Politicization of the case led to the arrest of the source whose family informed "al-Akhbar" that "he is threatening to publish recordings that confirm the accusations that those released were planning to smuggle weapons to Syria."
On the internal Lebanese scene, the government is expected to hold a session on Thursday on top of which is the electricity bill.
Governmental ministers are scheduled to tackle 50 items on the agenda plus the electricity draft law that was proposed by Change and Reform Bloc Leader General Michel Aoun.
"Al-Akhbar" has learned that PM Mikati will put a draft up for adoption during the Council of Ministers' session. The draft, which is to be transferred to parliament, includes allowing the government to spend the funds needed for the electricity plan proposed by Energy Minister Gebran Bassil.
Source : Lebanese Newspapers
