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Lebanon Appears to be Moving toward a Showdown over Tuesday's Strike
Lebanon appeared to be moving toward a vicious showdown over a "general strike" on Tuesday called by the Hizbullah-led opposition and the ruling majority's insistence that people ignore the shutdown and observe a "normal working day."
Reports said Hizbullah-led protestors are likely to take to the streets at dawn Tuesday, the day of the strike, and block major road intersections with burning tires.

They said busses are also likely to be used as barriers to block the roads with the aim of stirring up tensions between the demonstrators and the security forces which, as a result, would send frightened Lebanese out of their beds, forcing them against reporting to work or sending their children to school.

Opposition MP Suleiman Franjieh said in a speech on Sunday that government supporters who "are going to report to work (Tuesday) should consider how they are going to reach (their workplace) and how they are going to return (home)."

General Michel Aoun, a Hizbullah ally, indicated that citizens may not be able to reach their workplaces, urging them to abide by the strike.

Meanwhile, the Central Security Council, which groups leaders of security agencies with the participation of the interior minister, is due to meet Monday under Prime Minister Fouad Saniora to look into the measures to be taken by the Lebanese army and police in view of a possible confrontation between the opposition and the March 14 majority alliance.

Sources said security forces would begin "widespread deployment" as of Monday evening along "key highways and sensitive areas" in Beirut and accesses to the capital to prevent the blockage of roads.

Sources told Naharnet that the Lebanese army and police have been put on "high alert" as of Sunday afternoon and were ready to "carry out orders."

The majority is setting the stage for what its sources term "a grand day of work" on Tuesday, the day set by the opposition for a "general strike," as part of its effort to topple the Saniora government.

Soon after the calls by the opposition and the allied Federation of Labor Unions (GFLU) for the Tuesday shutdown, the majority responded by urging its supporters to boycott the strike and pursue normal life. (Naharnet)

Exclusive: Tens of thousands of Hizballah and pro-Syrian supporters flock to Beirut for fresh assault on Siniora government Tuesday
January 22, 2007, 12:28 PM (GMT+02:00)

Pro-Syrian factions and militias are streaming to Beirut to stage a one million-strong rally Tues. Jan 23. Anti-government organizers plan to strangle the capital by blocking its entrances and exits to keep people from work and shut down the international airport.

Intelligence sources report that the pro-Syrian camp of Hizballah’s followers and allies, including Gen. Michel Aoun, expect to topple the pro-Western government within a week. And if not, they will turn up the heat, including the use of arms.

In the south, Israeli warplanes Monday buzzed the long lines of Hizballah vehicles heading to Beirut. Thus far, neither the United States nor France has taken any real action to help prime minister Fouad Siniora stand up to the massive battering, or even warned Syrian president Bashar Asad to call off his cohorts. Thursday, Jan. 25, when the Hizballah siege is due to climax, the donor countries committed to assisting Lebanon’s recovery from the war of summer 2006 war are scheduled to convene in Paris. Prime minister Siniora is on his way to attend the meeting. (debkafile)
 
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Exclusive: Hizballah puts a tight rein on UN peacekeepers’ movements and policing operations in S. Lebanon - with threats to their safety
January 20, 2007, 9:11 PM (GMT+02:00)
  
The Shiite group last week set up military checkpoints and roadblocks to keep UN troops off the main roads connecting the Lebanese-Israeli border to Shiite villages and small towns in the south. This is in direct violation of UN Resolution 1701. Hizballah warned UN commanders that monitors flouting Hizballah’s injunctions and conducting searches would be fired on.

These restrictions box the international force, expanded by the Security Council last August to keep the whole of S. Lebanon free of armed men except for the Lebanese army, into a narrow border strip. Hizballah has again manned its pre-war border positions – albeit by unarmed operatives – and their yellow flags are flying from their roofs. But most dangerously, Hizballah has moved most of its weapons stockpiles into the blocked villages in breach of the ceasefire rules and is anxious to keep them out of sight of UN monitors.

Having beaten UNIFIL into a corner, Hizballah leader Hassan Nasralllah celebrated the resignation of Israeli chief of staff Lt. General Dan Halutz as proof of his strategic victory in the Lebanon conflict of summer 2006. In a speech Friday, Jan 19, he crowed that Ehud Olmert and Amir Peretz would be next to go. The speech was pre-taped, as are all Nasrallah’s public appearances since last year.

Military sources report that the episode Thursday, Jan 18, when Lebanese “villagers” from Zaoutar north of the Litani drove away Spanish UNIFIL members, was in fact the first time Hizballah had publicly turned the screw on the international peacekeepers. The Lebanese group has acted in advance of the arrival of the new Italian UNIFIL commander in Lebanon, Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano, who takes over from Maj. Gen. Alain Pellegrini. He is expected to be a lot tougher about keeping Hizballah in line with the ceasefire conditions than Pellegrini who, the Shiite group found to be a soft touch.

Political sources note that all of Hizballah’s breaches and its advance ever closer to the border have evoked no Israeli response, whether diplomatic or military. This is causing deep concern in Israel’s northern border towns and villages. (debkafile)

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Military sources: Another Aircraft Carrier Vehicle Battle Group - The USS Stennis carrier with thousands of troops and 80 warplanes aboard is heading for Persian Gulf
January 21, 2007

Saturday, Jan 20, the ship picked up 2,500 troops at San Diego. The Stennis Strike Group has still to collect two ships at Hawaii before heading east with a complement of 6,500 US soldiers.
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Today's Quote

“When you choose the lesser of two evils, always remember that it is still an evil.” — Max Lerner

Latest NEWS

- New Cedars Revolution Page 1 NEWS [ LINK ] PicNews [ LINK ]
- What is Walid Phares Saying  [ WALID ]
- New Postings on [ Cedars Revolution Blog ] [ CedarsBlogArabic ] [ CedarsBlogSpanish ] [ Cedars Press Releases ]

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WCCR Latest Press Releases - Website [ LINK ]

1. WCCR letter sent to UN SC members on Situation [ LINK ]
2. WCCR Berri must accept responsibility or resign [ LINK ]
3. WCCR warning Hizbollah and its leaders in Syria & Iran that UNIFL is a red line [ LINK ]

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Todays Briefs

Interview Sheikh Subhi Al-Tufeili, Hizbullah Part of Iran [ LINK ]
Israel to Nasrallah: Don't Test us [ LINK ]
Nasrallah Pledges "Very Big Action" Soon Against Gov [ LINK ]
Bush Renews Freeze on Hizbullah Assets [ LINK ]

Lebanon opposition to call general strike
Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:14 PM ET
By Laila Bassam

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's opposition will call a general strike next week, stepping up a campaign to topple the government, a senior opposition political source said on Friday.

The opposition, which includes Shi'ite Muslim groups Hezbollah and Amal and Christian leader Michel Aoun, has been demanding veto power in the government.

"After the failure of political initiatives, the opposition has decided to escalate its campaign," the source said. "It will call a comprehensive general strike for Tuesday."

The strike would come two days before an international donor conference in Paris which Western-backed Prime Minister Fouad Siniora hopes will bring billions of dollars of aid to an economy reeling from Hezbollah's July-August war with Israel.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, whose group is backed by Syria and Iran, was due to speak on its al-Manar television station from 9.00 p.m. (1900 GMT) on Friday.

The opposition has been camped outside Siniora's offices in central Beirut since December 1 to press its demands for more say in a government which Hezbollah claims is controlled by the United States.

Siniora has resisted the opposition demands and instead pressed on with plans for the Paris conference, which U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice plans to attend.

The politicians who control government claim the opposition is trying to mount what they call a coup that would allow more Syrian and Iranian influence.

Syrian troops were forced out of Lebanon in 2005 by international pressure and mass protests triggered by the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, whose killing many Lebanese blamed on Damascus.

Syria denies involvement. The establishment of an international tribunal to try suspects in the killing has been a priority for the anti-Syrian cabinet which came to office after the Syrian withdrawal.

The leaders who control government claim the opposition is trying to derail the tribunal to defend Damascus, although the main opposition forces have said they support the idea of the tribunal but want to discuss the details.

The opposition claims that Siniora's cabinet was stripped of legitimacy by the resignation of all its Shi'ite Muslim ministers in November when talks over expanding the government collapsed.

Lebanese government posts are divided among the country's array of religious communities.

Saad al-Hariri, the son and political heir of Rafik al-Hariri and Lebanon's most powerful Sunni Muslim leader, backs the government. The crisis has raised sectarian tensions, especially between Sunnis and Shi'ites who back the rival camps.

© Reuters
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Hizbullah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah responded to IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz’s resignation Friday night during an interview with Hizbullah’s al-Manar television network.

“The moment I heard of Halutz’ resignation I was filled with joy. His resignation was anticipated. (Defense Minister) Amir Peretz will follow, as will (Prime Minister) Ehud Olmert . Whoever does not resign, will be dismissed,” Nasrallah declared.

Hizbullah's first response to Halutz' resignation was made by parliamentarian Hassan Fadlallah, when he said that the “Olmert-Peretz-Halutz trio, which led the aggression against Lebanon, is headed for total collapse, and America’s aid can’t save it.”

Fadlallah did not miss the opportunity to celebrate the event and signal to his political rivals in Lebanon, i.e., Fuad Siniora’s government, that their fate would be similar.
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Hezbollah image suffers in south Lebanon village

By Tom Perry
REUTERS, 1:54 a.m. January 18, 2007

SHEBAA, Lebanon – Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah, was a hero in this Sunni village in south Lebanon when Israeli troops were forced to withdraw in 2000 but his picture was torn down a few weeks ago.
Villagers in Shebaa were grateful to Hezbollah guerrillas for forcing out Israel. Now, some say Nasrallah's image has been damaged by the campaign he is leading against a government which they support.

'In the liberation year, all of Shebaa supported Hezbollah. Now it's a tiny, tiny minority,' grocer Ahmad al-Khatib said.

Posters of Sunni leader Saad al-Hariri and his ally Prime Minister Fouad Siniora have been pasted to walls and windows around the hillside village in mainly Shi'ite south Lebanon.

The opposition, led by Hezbollah, wants veto power in the cabinet or early elections. 'For me, Hezbollah has changed completely,' shopkeeper Ghada Ghadir said. 'It's no longer resistance. It's a big problem.'

Villagers fled north during the July-August war between Hezbollah and Israel. Ghadir blamed the conflict on Hezbollah and complained that Shebaa's cherry crop had gone to waste.

'Oh Siniora, don't worry, you have the support of men who will drink blood,' sang a group of boys as they played in the street next to an enormous poster of Saad's assassinated father, former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

Hariri has recently donated thousands of litres of heating fuel to help Shebaa through the winter. His Future Movement has also opened a clinic in the village, locals said.

'POLITICAL MONEY'

Although Hariri pictures dominate Shebaa, Hezbollah still has sympathisers among the village's Sunni population.

They say Hariri is trying to secure Shebaa's loyalty as part of a campaign to shore up Sunni support to fend off the Hezbollah-led political challenge.

Nasrallah has accused his political opponents of seeking to whip up Sunni fears that Hezbollah has a sectarian agenda aimed at undermining Sunnis.

Shebaa carries symbolic weight for Hezbollah because it adjoins the Shebaa Farms – territory occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war but claimed by Lebanon.

The United Nations says the Shebaa Farms are Syrian, while Damascus says the land belongs to Lebanon.

Hezbollah has said Israel's occupation of the farms is one reason for it to keep its weapons.

'It's in Israel's interest for the Shebaa Farms to be removed from Hezbollah's hand. How? By Sunnis saying: 'We do not want Hezbollah to resist,' teacher Yahya Ali said.

In Shebaa, some Sunni clerics and other local leaders have started criticising Hezbollah, villagers said. 'They are trying to impose sectarianism under financial incentives or ideological pressure,' Ali said. 'Frankly, it's political money.'

'They say; 'This village is Sunni and has a Sunni religious authority and whoever counters that is in error. They are in error,' he said.
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 Thursday January 18, 2007

Hizbullah / Opposition - to block key roads in Lebanon 

 

The Opposition led by Hizbullah are quickly losing support and their image is being damaged more and more as each day goes on, for their strangling of the Lebanese People and Economy, meant at toppling the Democratically elected Government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, is not going over well with the majority of the Lebanese People, and the International Community.

This necessitates the immediate implementation of a Chapter 7 UNSCR to Secure the Lebanon State, and prevent the flow of weapons from Syria into Lebanon, and a Disarmament of Militias in the Lebanon State. Lets hope that Prime Minister Siniora asks for this International help (it is his responsibility and obligation to the Lebanese people not to play the politics of unity at this time, but to secure the Nation - and if he can not do it - then he must ask for International intervention).

The opposition - in implementing orders from Syria and Iran - are trying to force each and every Lebanese to their knees - destroying the Countries Economy and Future - in a Country where THE LEBANESE WILL NEVER KNEEL.

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Briefs

Hizbullah to Block Key Roads Across Lebanon Jan 18,07
Hizbullah has threatened to block key roads across Lebanon as part of the Hizbullah-led campaign to topple Prime Minister Fouad Saniora's government.
Hizbullah politburo member Mahmoud Qammati told Al Arabiya television late Wednesday that the Hizbullah-led opposition was considering "blocking main roads across Lebanese territories."

Former Prime Minister Omar Karami also threatened that the opposition will "gradually escalate" its protest as of Saturday, January 20.

"The decisions adopted (by the opposition) will be carried out gradually starting January 20," Karami announced on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, MP Michel Murr said the demonstrations do not mean that there are going to be "armed people in the streets or that any sectarian confrontation is going to happen."

Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Fatfat snapped at Hizbullah, warning that if street protestors targeted the freedom of citizens then "Security Forces will confront them."(AFP photo shows opposition supporters gathering on a bridge in Beirut in protest against the Saniora government.)

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Reason: The Following From the Cedars Revolution Archives

Threats to establish an Iranian Styled Government in Lebanon - see Quote of the Year below, Combined with (what Lebanese are now calling an Illegal) Sit In in Downtown Beirut (In Which Each Protester Receives $1,500/Month for Participation, has been a burden on the entire Lebanese People, and threats from the Opposition - in what Sleiman Franjieh describes as full-scale campaign of civil disobedience escalating its street protests to the point of civil insurrection (in a speech on Dec 22nd) - to start after the New Year in Closing down main roads, closing down the ports, closing down the airport.

The Lebanese are concerned. The Cedars Revolution in which the March 14 Movement won a Majority of the Votes (75%) in Democratic Elections. The March 14 Alliance of Lebanese Christians, Druze, Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims are united to confront this threat - but need the Help of the United Nations Security Council to immediately implement a Chapter 7 resolution to stop Syrian and Iranian Meddling in Lebanese affairs with the ultimate goal of toppling the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Foaud Siniora and the demise of the Cedar Revolution.

The International Community - led by the United States understands what is at risk - The Lebanese have one message - HELP, INTERVENE, STOP SYRIAN AND IRANIAN EFFORTS TO TOPPLE THE DEMOCRACY IN LEBANON.

Quote: From the Cedars Revolution Archives

“It is the wish of Hezbollah to one day establish an Islamic Republic [in Lebanon] because Hezbollah believes that the establishment of an Islamic government is the only way to achieve stability in society, and it is the only way to resolve social differences, even in a society consisting of diverse minorities”. (Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, in an August 2006 interview with the Iranian magazine “Risalat Al-Hussein” (The Message of Al-Hussein), and as quoted in Al-Shiraa Magazine, Dec. 18, 2006). 

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We stated it here before the holidays

From the Cedars Revolution Archives

Tuesday December 26, 2006

Syria to set in motion Explosive Situation in Lebanon after the Holidays

The website of MP and Majority Druze Leader PSP.ORG.LB is reporting today the following (translated from arabic)

The Syrian regime, the scenario of escalation after the holidays - sources say that the Syrian regime is setting in motion that his Lebanese team advance to the explosive situation in Lebanon after the holidays, through actions that would undermine security and stability in an unprecedented manner and This move does not enjoy the approval of some of the opponents of the so-called opposition.

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From the Cedars Revolution Archives

Orders From Syria and Iran to Escalate Situation in Lebanon Revealed by Opposition Figures - Upsets Berri and Hezbollah for Revealation!

Opposition Member, former minister Suleiman Franjieh (who also lost in democratic elections held last year and holds no official government position) had warned Friday, Dec. 22nd that the opposition was considering launching a full-scale campaign of civil disobedience, including blockades of Beirut international airport and port and major highways, in a bid to force the cabinet's resignation.

Suleiman Franjieh said in his Friday speech before Christmas that the opposition was considering ways of escalating its street protests to the point of civil insurrection by blocking roads after the holiday season, which includes Christmas, eid al-adha and New Year

The mufti of the Lebanese Republic Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani,

Said his position that any attempts against the Lebanese government headed by Fouad Siniora is a red line "We will not accept being dropped in the street from any quarter." He added before a delegation from the Kharroub province, led deputies Mohammed Hajjar, Alaa Eddin True, the fall of the government that replaced the no-confidence motion in parliament, and by constitutional means, and dropping them in the street work is unconstitutional, illegitimate and illegal, and will get all the honorable Lebanese in the face of every attempt unconstitutional and illegal in this area. The Mufti Qabbani Republic So great that the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, although it all the Lebanese, but in the Lebanese system, as the fundamental symbol representing the republic and the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies

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From the Cedars Revolution Archives

Mufti Juzo: Hezbollah using Mafia tactics in Lebanon
Monday, 25 December, 2006 @ 4:57 PM

Beirut – According to the Mufti of Mount Lebanon, Hezbollah has transformed itself from a resistance group to a Mafia organization, trying to force its will on the Lebanese people by using Mafia tactics .

Mohammad Ali Jozu said of Hezbollah that they are in the middle of a coup against the government in which they were a major partner for one and a half years.

He added “ they are threatening to close roads , airports, ports etc….this is no more a peaceful demonstration , but a coup against the state” .

Jozu went on to say that under the cover of a national unity Government , Hezbollah has destabilized the country , divided the nation and planted the seeds of a religious civil war. He said Hezbollah is making sure that the International tribunal for trying the killers of Hariri never takes place , in order to protect the criminals of their allies in Syria and their Lebanon counterparts.

Jozu said with the kidnapping of the Israeli soldiers that led to the 33 day war Hezbollah has kidnapped Lebanon to serve the interest of Syria and Iran .

About Hezbollah ally president Lahoud he said “ this guy represents the interests of Syria in Lebanon and has destabilized the country and its institutions to serve Syria’s interest. He asked “ isn’t this a mafia tactic ?

Jozu insisted that Lebanon government should be the only authority and its army the only army and should make sure that the coup does not succeed.

Source: LBC
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Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Al-Bakhit, left, receive Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, right, in Amman, Jordan, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007. Siniora in Amman for talks with senior officials during a regional tour to rally Arab support for Paris III donor conference for Lebanon on Jan. 25. (AP Photo/Nader Daoud)  

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, pictured in Berlin, implicitly criticised French plans to send an envoy to Iran to discuss the situation in Lebanon and the Middle East(AFP/DDP/Marcus Brandt)

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora (L) speaks with the Emirati President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan during a meeting in Abu Dhabi. Siniora won assurances of support from the oil-rich United Arab Emirates during a regional tour ahead of a key Paris donors' meeting.(AFP/HO) Jan 16, 07

Villagers celebrate as Lebanese soldiers arrive at Shebaa village in south Lebanon August 18, 2006. Villagers in Shebaa were grateful to Hezbollah guerrillas for forcing out Israel. Now, some say Nasrallah's image has been damaged by the campaign he is leading against a government which they support. (Karamallah Daher/Reuters)

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