Middle East on fire

reply to post by sonjah1


Yeah but now it seems I was wrong... the PSP seems to have not divided enough...

8:19pm Opposition sources to Al-Jadeed: Opposition factions now have a 65-seat majority in Parliament, including seven from Jumblat’s bloc.

Hezbollah would have the majority to form the new government... now... will Hariri give back power...

6:26pm March 14 members and activists will hold a “consultative meeting in defense of the republic” on Saturday to discuss the dangerous and fateful situation that is threatening Lebanon and the achievements of the Cedar Revolution.

In defense of the republic? Meaning not giving back power to those who have a majority?

7:47pm A hand grenade exploded in the Tripoli neighborhood of Bab al-Tabbaneh, causing no damage.

Thrown in a wheat market apparently.

Albalad: Sunni sheikhs in the north refuse to support universal Hariri to head the government and reject any other candidate

Meaning no support to anyone in Hariri coalition.

former Lebanese MP Sulaiman Frnajieh tells MTV that "the current political crisis in Lebanon is the last crisis in the country"

The last?

Wahhab: Opposition made the decision to take over power and Hariri could not form the government because the opposition will not participate

The unauthorized disclosure of the confidential indictment in the Hariri murder and its supporting materials is a legal violation that is subject to legal prosecution, Special Tribunal for Lebanon Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen stressed on Friday.
Too late for that.

8:05pm Baabda sources to MTV: A visit by President Michel Suleiman to Syria would happen according to considerations that would be decided by both sides.
Might help... might not help.

And more reports coming in that Hezbollah is still moving around the block intimidating people.

So now Hezbollah have a majority in government.... will the March 14 alliance let them take power? Will Israel let them? Will the Lebanese people let them? Will Egypt/Saudi Arabia/US let them?

8:54pm LF leader Samir Geagea will hold a news conference tomorrow at 12:30 p.m.

Which is the guy who controls the Lebanese army.

army is heavily deployed throughout beirut...roads are almost empty

To deter Hezbollah and civil war.

Bassil: March 8 candidate will become premier
Probably.

March 14 source rejects cancelling premiership consultations

“Democratic Gathering bloc MP Walid Jumblatt hoped for last minute solution and never changed his belief,” Speaker Nabih Berri said on Friday.

MTV: Sleiman’s visit to Syria is uncertain

“Since the country did not reach a deadlock, there is no need for the visit.”

Really?

Iran has boosted its atomic bomb ability, US scientists say
Yeah what a coincidence this is being reported while this is going on uh? They just don't care anymore.

UN Force UNIFIL Takes Precautions Following Tension In Lebanon

The Lebanese daily Al-Nahar said that the French rapid intervention unit, which has the authority to act throughout southern Lebanon, conducted a joint exercise with the Lebanese armed forces

Preparing for war against Hezbollah I see.

Environment Minister Mohammad Rahhal: my personal opinion, March 14 will not participate in the government of the opposition

Hezbollah sources deny rumors that they will make a move in Beirut after midnight

Hopefully.

alarabiya: people are rushing to stock up food

Of course, when there's a crisis, everyone always does that.

Comments from Hariri camp indicate that the balance of power has change

youm7 quotes Kuwaiti newspaper: US deploying aircraft carrier to the coast of Lebanon

Not good.

Albalad: Walid Jumblatt, afraid for his life and the Druze community

Minister Rahal March 14 is worried about the return of assassinations, violence

Lebanon: Hezbollah May Arrest False Witnesses - STRATFOR Source
If they start doing that, war would probably ensue.

Jumblatt, Nasrallah discussed the next phase during their meeting today

Next phase uh...

Anti-U.S. Iraqi cleric Sadr returns to Iran

Hopefully not to receive orders from Iran to overthrow the Iraqi government if war breaks out in Lebanon. After all, he still controls the Sadr army.

Protesters march across Jordan calling for government to step down (AP)

Revolution there possible?

Western complacency over Iran's nuclear drive, saying in a study that Tehran last year boosted its capacity to build an atomic bomb.

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, denying Western charges it seeks to build bombs.

Apparently, a-bombs are now used for helping old ladies cross the street. What sort of charade is this anyway?

ETA: I know that in the second quote they are talking about the power producing side of nuclear fission, but still, why not go the whole way?

reply to post by flk1331


Ex-IAEA chief says west 'hyping' Iran nuclear threat: report

The Egyptian-born diplomat, who headed the International Atomic Energy Agency for 12 years until November 2009, pointed to a US intelligence report released in 2007 which suggested Iran had indeed been working on a nuclear weapons programme but abandoned it 2003.

"This assessment is still accurate today," ElBaradei said in comments reproduced in German.

I'll rather believe him than warmongers like the US/Israel militaro industrial complex.

Originally posted by Vitchilo

I'll rather believe him than warmongers like the US/Israel militaro industrial complex.

Indeed.These countries are mass producers of propaganda nowadays.

Countries that have access to such technologies have the right to use them for their own defence against intrusions from other more military-based countries. That is as long as they don't turn into one of 'them'.

Tony Blair: Iran must be dealt with even at the price of war (Ch. 10)

When a war criminal like you talk Blair, no one should listen.

Iran rejects bilateral meeting with U.S. at nuclear talks (Reuters)

Because it would be a waste of time.

Report: Iran has the technical capability to make a nuclear weapon (Reuters)

Every country with nuclear reactors have the technical capability.

World powers 'disappointed' by Iran stance in nuclear talks (Reuters)

Really?

Iran says nuclear talks will resume, no date yet (Reuters)

Good.

Lebanon Christian leader slams Druze leader's backing of Hezbollah (Ch.10)

Well Hariri didn't do it's job.

Israel warns of a establishment of the Government of Iran in Lebanon

Meaning do it and we bomb you.

March 14 meeting this afternoon to discuss the latest developments

Hossam Zaki (spokesman of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) says Egypt is ready to help Lebanon

Against Hezbollah?

1:07pm Hariri’s press office: Hariri didn’t sign on the clauses of the Saudi-Syrian initiative.

Which is why there can be no peace.

Palestinians report artillery fire from Israel in Gaza

geagea: hariri is the only democratic choice

Really? If you don't like the choice, it's not democratic?

Egypt: what is going on is a coup backed by force of arms to impose solutions on the expense of democracy

And US puppet Mubarak regime is a democracy? Yeah sure.

Israeli Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom

"This is not just about a terror organization which operates with Iran’s support and inspiration any more, but rather a real sovereign government."

"There is no doubt this is a dangerous development which forces us to follow (Lebanon) closely. We will be prepared for any future development"

Again another threat.

Albalad: opposition sources confirm to they have 7 seats from Jumblatt alliance, and work is underway to persuade a lawmaker from Tripoli

Meaning Hezbollah would have the majority.

Ynet: Panic in Lebanon: 'War soon'

Source on the ground expect big trouble within a day or two.

Citizens transfer savings from local pound into dollars, international students advised to leave

Another sign of panic.

Geagea: Hezbollah will turn Lebanon into another Gaza

Well yeah if sanctions and a blockade is imposed.

March 14 supporters protest in front of Hotel "Le Gabriel"

Apparently, Hezbollah activists broke up that protest by asking the military to move the people away...

The foreign ministers of Egypt and France stressed during talks in Cairo “the necessity to respect legitimacy in Lebanon and to fully apply the Taef Accord.”

Will you do that if Hezbollah takes power legally?

Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayyed: Hariri's false witnesses and false allegations expose the truth

Kahwagi: Army agrees to provide security and stability, whatever the political developments

Even if Hezbollah takes power legally? Of course if they had sided with Hezbollah right then and there, civil war would have broken out.

Ministerial sources also informed Asharq Al-Awsat that Lebanese President Michel Suleiman may accept proposals for the formation of a single-party government

Which one will it be...

Abbas warns of a return to violence should peace efforts fail again -Maan News

Duh.

Israel VP Silvan Shalom: Walid Jumblatt's decision to join the Hezbollah is a threat to Israel

Another threat.

Israeli VP Shalom: Hezbollah government in Lebanon creates an Iranian government on our northern border

Another threat.

Lebanon Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji: We stress that the army will remain watchful for anyone who may try to incite sedition

Even March 14 protesters?

Qassam, two mortar shells strike open area in Negev, no casualties or damage reported (Ch. 10)

Hamas again... Israel worst case scenario would have to go into Lebanon-Gaza-Syria.
Report: Saudi Embassy Urges Citizens to Take Precautionary Measures
Duh.
4 Tripoli MPs Under Spotlight: Votes Are Necessary to Keep Hariri in Power
Even then...
Consultations Could be Postponed Again Over Equal Votes on PM

An-Nahar: Nasrallah to make speech on Tuesday
Should be interesting.
Security - fresh Israeli Aerial Breach
Of course, more threat/recon.

Syrian backed Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command ( PFLP-GC ) carried out Saturday a military exercise at their Qosaya base in the Bekaa, in eastern Lebanon near the Syrian borders according to Central news Agency

Residents of nearby villages could hear the echoes of gunfire and explosions coming from the base apparently.

Grenade thrown into Abu Ali River in Tripoli, Lebanon

Fishing?

OTV: Bomb at wheat market in Tripoli

Same place as yesterday...

People who are following the situation fear another hostage crisis

Arab states have already warned its citizens to leave

Well yeah it's dangerous.

Safadi: indicators of a serious crisis

Ya think.

Wahhab: false witnesses have been designed in the home of hariri

Is that a threat?

Naharnet: War of Words between Berri, Hariri over Settlement Demands

MP Hajjar to OTV: The Hizbullah-led camp, which wants to impose a premier on the Lebanese, may decide to postpone parliamentary consultation

That won't help.

Egypt foreign ministry : Any attempt at exclusion, or force in Lebanon will have serious consequences

Threat?

Army carrying out intensive patrolling in Tripoli

Following the bomb in the market.

LBC: Tripoli MPs Najib Miqati and Ahmed Karami have not yet decided on the direction of their votes. Miqati visited Saudi Arabia in the past few hours.

Al-Jadeed: Tripoli MPs Mohammed Safadi, Najib Miqati, Ahmed Karami and Qassem Abdul Aziz will announce their decision concerning the parliamentary consultations tomorrow. It is likely that Miqati and Safadi won’t vote for Hariri.

Tomorrow uh?

MTV: Ahmed Karami and Mohammed Safadi will vote for Hariri

Confusion.

MTV: Najib Miqati and Nicola Fattoush are still mulling their choices

“We fear that Hezbollah might be falling into a trap,” March 14 MP Okab Sakr said in an interview with Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Anbaa published on Saturday.

According to analysts, under no circumstances will Syria allow Hezbollah to completely control Lebanon for security reasons. Complete control of Lebanon will spell disaster for Syrian security , because any war between Israel and Hezbollah will mean a war on Syria too.

Analysts also believe that just like his father (the late Hafez Assad) , Syrian president Bashar Assad will invade Lebanon and his target will be Hezbollah as his father targeted his former allies the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1976.

I doubt that very much.


Now there's talk of a curfew to be imposed... more Lebanese army and Hezbollah in the streets. Average view in the streets... tensions are rising...everyone is waiting for it to blow. A single killing or a bomb or a grenade killing people will lit up the whole thing.

Jordan calls for maintaining the stability of Lebanon and respect for the Constitution and the traditions

+1

Lebanon army chief says army following anyone who would try to start civil war (Ch.10)

Message to Hezbollah.

All roads near the Baabda Palace will be locked from tomorrow night because parliamentary consultations

To avoid a coup.

Al-Manar: Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah will deliver a televised speech tomorrow at 8:30 p.m.

Should be interesting. That's 1.30PM EST.

Albalad: It is expected that Mr. Hassan Nasrallah refuses to postpone parliamentary consultations in his speech tomorrow

If he does, that spells big trouble.

Lebanese Army Ready to Protect Country from Hezbollah
Source is right-wing extremist...so.

A Tunisian group, consisted of young students, says it intends to form a Hezbollah-style political party to defend the rights of the people against any possible repression.
Oh boy.

Regional powers may pressure Lebanese leaders to achieve settlement, says source
Hopefully a peaceful one.

A bunch of news now... a bunch more in about 30 minutes.

Emergency meeting today of the Council of muftis

Hopefully to calm things.

opposition source: we are convinced that the outcome of parliamentary consultations will be to our advantage

Probably. Which is why the March 14 alliance wanted to postpone it.

Faisal Karami: no organized force able to fight a battle in Tripoli, Lebanon

Hopefully.

Sfeir: the general situation in the country is a matter of concern

Duh.

Israeli aircraft carrying out mock raids in the skies of southern Lebanon

Again...

Liberation and Development bloc MP Ali Khreiss: The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is politicized by the United States for sabotage motives

Might be.

Caretaker Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar to VDL (100.5): President Michel Suleiman is in a difficult position and we fear that we may once again head towards the unknown.

The unknown uh?

LBC: 4 nation meeting postponed, it was scheduled to be held in Paris today, which included Saudi Arabia, France, Turkey and Qatar

Not good.

United States will stop aiding Lebanon if Hezbollah seizes power in the country, the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat quoted a U.S. official as saying on Sunday.

Duh.

Netanyahu to Hold Security Talks on Situation in Lebanon

Not good.

Israeli Deputy Knesset Speaker: Lebanese Druze leader supports Hezbollah due to threats

Probably.

Israeli VP Shalom: Iran using Hezbollah to create a new persian empire

Yeah right.

Israeli VP Shalom: government led by Hizbullah would be very dangerous

Not much more than now...

Lebanon First bloc MP Nohad al-Mashnouq said on Sunday that there are attempts to stage a coup in Lebanon, a reference to political moves by the March 8 coalition.
And the March 14 staying in power ain't a coup?


Nasrallah speech at 1.30PM EST.

Jordanian PM: Relations with Israel are at lowest point since peace deal in 1994 (Ch. 10)

Not good.

Lebanon's Sunni leaders warn Hezbollah not to ignore their sect in parliamentary talks (AP)

Not good.

Turkey: We are 'appalled' at findings of Israeli inquiry panel on Gaza flotilla raid (Reuters)

Won't help relations.

10:04am Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir during Sunday sermon: The situation in the country is worrisome and most people, especially the politicians, are trading accusations. No one knows how matters will end.

We know how it will likely end...violence.

8:03am Mustaqbal bloc MP Khaled Zahraman to VDL (93.3): The situation is very difficult and it appears that Lebanon has entered a crisis, regardless who is appointed PM. We will also witness a crisis over forming a new Cabinet that could last months.

Indeed.

Sources: Berri and Nasrallah's associates visited Syria yesterday

MTV: Atmosphere in Damascus indicates that Monday’s parliamentary consultations may be postponed

Abboud: delay in consulting will not lead to radical changes

Probably.

The four Tripoli MPs, former PM Najib Miqati, minister Mohammed Safadi, Ahmed Karami and Qassem Abdelaziz, who convened on Sunday will refrain from naming any of the candidates for the position of prime minister

So we won't know till the final vote uh?

NowLeb: PM Saad Hariri reportedly meets with Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh at latter’s urgent request

After all, there were reports of people changing their money into US$ or withdrawing it...and the US saying they would cut off aid if Hezbollah took over...

Ynet: Israeli Defense Committee Chairman Shaul Mofaz: Hezbollah military, political power will grow

Defense Committee Chairman Shaul Mofaz toured the Northern Command base on Sunday and discussed the situation in Lebanon.

Mofaz added that the committee feels the IDF is prepared for any scenario and can successfully defend the residents in the north.

Not good.

Albalad: Israeli VP Shalom has warned against a Hizbollah government

In that security meeting they are having, they probably gonna do a vote...Something like... ``Do we attack if Hezbollah takes over the government or do we attack only if Hezbollah attacks us?``

Albalad: normal movement at the Rafik Hariri International Airport and bookings at the usual rates

That's retarded.

Russia: Lebanon crisis does not represent a test of the strength of institutions, but also increase the tension

Weird.

3:36pm Council of Muftis in Lebanon during an extraordinary meeting under Grand Mufti Qabbani: We warn of the consequences of slipping into the dangers of resorting to a Government imposed under pressure.

Hariri camp making threat basically.

Iranian Minister in Damascus tomorrow to discuss the Lebanese crisis with Assad

Oh dear.

Albalad: Church attacked in Fanar

Not good.

increased security around churches after one is attacked, security services on alert

Hopefully they get the bastards who did this.

4:43pm Hizbullah’s Nabil Qaouq: The Resistance is not seeking seats in the government but wants to defend Lebanon against U.S. conspiracies.

Interesting.

14 March Official Site : the chances that Hariri could return to the prime minister is zero up to now

If March 14 is saying so, it's good news.

BBC Arabic: Omar Karami, Mohammed AlSafadi, and Najeeb Miqati, are the opposition's candidates for PM.

FPM leader Michel Aoun :Lebanon can be another Tunisia

Indeed.

Al-Mabarrah football match cancelled due to security reasons

That is serious.

Druze community leader: community fully support the positions of Jumblatt

Really?

Kanaan: There is a place for Hariri in the next cabinet
That could be real good news.

Four Tripoli MPs under Spotlight: Votes are Necessary to Keep Hariri in Power
Hariri won't stay in power.

The opposition is moving to postpone the consultation
Not sure they got all the votes to win legally?

Lebanese blogs say that there is a mass exodus from Lebanon.

Now if that's true...

Israeli Defense Committee Chairman Mofaz: "the IDF is preparing for every military scenario at its northern border with lebanon"

Not good.

march14 leaders in an open letter to suleiman "hezbollah has started a coup against the state, has toppled gov't of national unity and this coup targets lebanon's freedom"

Not good.

Egyptian FM Gheit on Sunday warned Lebanon was in a "dangerous situation" as fears of violence rise in the crisis-hit country

The Egyptian FM is really wasting paper at this point, saying obvious things like this..

6:04pm March 14: Lebanon is in danger and you (Suleiman) have a tremendous responsibility before God, the nation and history.

Indeed.

14 March: We will not accept the transformation of Lebanon into a religious dictatorship like Iran

Good for you.

March 14 pleaded with President Suleiman to urge the Arab League and the U.N. Security Council to protect Lebanon

And so it begins.

Hizbollah supporter: March 14 inviting the western forces to carry out a coup

Oh dear. Won't be long before it kicks off now.

Kuwait embassy in Lebanon advice Kuwaitis to avoid visiting Lebanon

Just now? Really?

Crowds try to force a Lebanese MP to vote for a certain candidate for PM and brake his furniture

Things are heating up quickly.

Army arrests 7 in Fourzol with weapons

Now if they are Hezbollah...

March 14: "We will not accept a takeover of the state by militias"

Iran to Send Fleet of Warships to Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea
What the hell?

Oh boy : SOURCE ON THE GROUND IN LEBANON saying that both sides are preparing for ARMED BATTLES just after Nasrallah speech. NOT GOOD. Even the average Lebanese person is preparing themselves for after the speech.

Another source from Lebanon : Key government institutions are on standby for lockdown if required.


To watch Nasrallah speech live in english : Here

FPM leader Michel Aoun in an interview with BBC: The first (person) involved in false testimonies is not Mohammed Zuhair Siddiq, but Saad Hariri.

War of words heating up.

The oppossition decided to nominate Najib Miqati for PM : aljazeera

This guy is apparently very pro-Syria.

Iran to Send Fleet of Warships to Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea
More info is that they intend to sit on the Lebanon-Israel coast in international waters for a year.

Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization and Foreign Minister Ali Akhbar Salahi arrived on an official visit to Damascus during which he is scheduled to meet President Bashar Assad.
War plans?

Today/Tomorrow is CRITICAL... if no violence happens, it might be solved without blood.

So no more news for today as it's already past midnight in Lebanon.

Tomorrow is very important since they are supposed to do the vote on the PM.

We'll probably know if Hezbollah's coalition takes over tomorrow.

What do you think of the palestine-papers ? More trouble for Israel i think...

Originally posted by Shenon
What do you think of the palestine-papers ? More trouble for Israel i think...

Definitely. Of course, the denial is gonna be strong on this one from all parties involved.

There will be huge political backlash against everyone on this... against Abbas, who might be forced to resign...which will lead to more trouble... and hopefully will bring down the Netanyahu government...

At the very least, I expect even more UN condemnation of Israel, and more recognition of the Palestinian state because of this.

PA: Al-Jazeera has declared war on Palestinians
Yep, they are pissed.

I've even heard on Al-Jazeera that Abbas even proposed to give back the Dome Of The Rock to Israel....

IMO Abbas will probably be assassinated pretty soon.

Great thread. Keep up with the updates. I don't understand the situation fully because of the names involved but I can see the very basics. Man these countries are so intertwined between each other, conflict in one country will definitely spread to others, seeing as all of them are looking to hold some form of influence over the region.

Originally posted by Throwback
Man these countries are so intertwined between each other, conflict in one country will definitely spread to others, seeing as all of them are looking to hold some form of influence over the region.

Agreed, but I do hope you're wrong. More armed conflicts around the world would mean madness and could result in another world war. Nowadays issues can start even from the most trivial of things under the right circumstances.