22 july 2013
Yisrael Beiteinu chairman slams EU's decision to put military wing of Hezbollah on terrorist list, says not only military wing, but entire organization should be blacklisted. ‘As usual, Europeans were satisfied with going only halfway,' he says
“As usual, the Europeans were satisfied in going only halfway, and making a partial decision that is not enough.” Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman and MK Avigdor Lieberman, expressed his reservations Monday regarding the EU's decision to add the military wing of Hezbollah to its terrorism list.
According to the decision of the EU, once the decision takes effect, citizens of the 28 EU countries will be prohibited from transferring funds to the Shiite movement, and European diplomats will not be able to meet with representatives of the organization. In addition, Hezbollah assets in the EU will be frozen.
Lieberman, who also serves as chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, leveled harsh criticism on the decision, saying that "The military wing and the political wing of Hezbollah are two sides of the same coin. At the head of each stands Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah. The attempt to present the group as if it is partially extremist and partially moderate is like asking can a cannibal be a vegetarian. Therefore it is necessary to define the entire organization as a terrorist organization and to put it in its entirety on the list of terrorist organizations of the European Union.”
Lieberman also said that "it should be understood that the resolution comes after Austria had removed its objection to the move, and not because the EU was convinced that Hezbollah is a terrorist organization following the determination of the UN Special Tribunal on Hariri assassination, not because of conclusions reached by the Bulgarian security services into the murder of Israelis in Burgas, and not because the court in Cyprus recognized that Hezbollah was behind the attempt to attack Israeli tourists on the island, but because of Hezbollah operations in Syria and the threats to the Austrian power in Syria. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (Hatnua) said that she welcomed "the announcement on the inclusion of Hezbollah in the EU list of terrorist organizations. Finally, after years of discussions and deliberations, the attempt to argue that being a political party whitewashes their terrorist activities failed – and rightly so.”
Later, Livni said during a party meeting, "Israel's security depends on several things, one of which is our fight and that of the international community against terrorist groups. Hezbollah is one such group, which tried to hide under the banner of a political party and today the EU says that this does not whitewash their terrorist activity. This was a decision that had to be made a long time ago.”
'They shouldn’t fight those fighting terror' Naftali Bennett, Economy Minister and Chair of Habayit Hayehudi, also welcomed the EU decision, saying at the party’s meeting in the Knesset, "It’s simple, these people are terrorists. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization. This thing should have happened long ago, and in general I think it's good that the EU will focus on fighting terrorism rather than fighting those who fight terror.”
Science Minister Yaakov Peri (Yesh Atid) addressed the issue on his Facebook page. "Finally, after countless attacks in Israel and around the world, kidnappings of civilians and soldiers, dead and injured, it is proper for the EU to declare the military wing of Hezbollah a terrorist organization. As someone who most of his adult life has fought against terror, including that of Hezbollah, I believe that this will be a real contribution to strengthening international cooperation in the war against all types of terrorist organizations.”
“As usual, the Europeans were satisfied in going only halfway, and making a partial decision that is not enough.” Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman and MK Avigdor Lieberman, expressed his reservations Monday regarding the EU's decision to add the military wing of Hezbollah to its terrorism list.
According to the decision of the EU, once the decision takes effect, citizens of the 28 EU countries will be prohibited from transferring funds to the Shiite movement, and European diplomats will not be able to meet with representatives of the organization. In addition, Hezbollah assets in the EU will be frozen.
Lieberman, who also serves as chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, leveled harsh criticism on the decision, saying that "The military wing and the political wing of Hezbollah are two sides of the same coin. At the head of each stands Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah. The attempt to present the group as if it is partially extremist and partially moderate is like asking can a cannibal be a vegetarian. Therefore it is necessary to define the entire organization as a terrorist organization and to put it in its entirety on the list of terrorist organizations of the European Union.”
Lieberman also said that "it should be understood that the resolution comes after Austria had removed its objection to the move, and not because the EU was convinced that Hezbollah is a terrorist organization following the determination of the UN Special Tribunal on Hariri assassination, not because of conclusions reached by the Bulgarian security services into the murder of Israelis in Burgas, and not because the court in Cyprus recognized that Hezbollah was behind the attempt to attack Israeli tourists on the island, but because of Hezbollah operations in Syria and the threats to the Austrian power in Syria. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (Hatnua) said that she welcomed "the announcement on the inclusion of Hezbollah in the EU list of terrorist organizations. Finally, after years of discussions and deliberations, the attempt to argue that being a political party whitewashes their terrorist activities failed – and rightly so.”
Later, Livni said during a party meeting, "Israel's security depends on several things, one of which is our fight and that of the international community against terrorist groups. Hezbollah is one such group, which tried to hide under the banner of a political party and today the EU says that this does not whitewash their terrorist activity. This was a decision that had to be made a long time ago.”
'They shouldn’t fight those fighting terror' Naftali Bennett, Economy Minister and Chair of Habayit Hayehudi, also welcomed the EU decision, saying at the party’s meeting in the Knesset, "It’s simple, these people are terrorists. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization. This thing should have happened long ago, and in general I think it's good that the EU will focus on fighting terrorism rather than fighting those who fight terror.”
Science Minister Yaakov Peri (Yesh Atid) addressed the issue on his Facebook page. "Finally, after countless attacks in Israel and around the world, kidnappings of civilians and soldiers, dead and injured, it is proper for the EU to declare the military wing of Hezbollah a terrorist organization. As someone who most of his adult life has fought against terror, including that of Hezbollah, I believe that this will be a real contribution to strengthening international cooperation in the war against all types of terrorist organizations.”
EU foreign ministers agreed Monday to blacklist Hezbollah's armed wing, holding it responsible for terror attacks in Europe, EU sources said.
"Agreement reached to list Hezbollah," one source said, as ministers overcame reservations in some member states that such a move would further destabilise Lebanon where the militant group plays a major role.
Peres to EU: Decision sends message to terrorist groups
President Shimon Peres sent a special missive to heads of states and EU institutions following the decision to include the military wing of Hezbollah on its list of terrorist organizations.
Peres wrote in the letter, "I would like to express the appreciation of Israel in the decision made by the Union. This is a necessary and prudent step which will convey a message to terrorist organizations and to countries which sponsor terrorism in their land."
Deputy FM: Hope EU will take practical steps against Hezbollah
Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin praised the European Union's decision to place the military wing of Lebanese party Hezbollah on its terror list. "This is a strategic and important step and I very much hope it will also be backed by practical steps against the entire Hezbollah organization," Elkin said.
Lieberman on EU: As always they go only half-way
Chairman of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Avigdor Lieberman, addressed the EU's decision to include the military wing of Hezbollah on it’s list of terrorist organizations, saying, "As usual the Europeans only went half-way, and making a partial decision is insufficient."
"The military wing and the political wing of Hezbollah are two sides of the same coin. At the head of each stands Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah.
The attempt to present the group as if it is partially extremist and partially moderate is like asking can a cannibal be a vegetarian,” said Lieberman.
Livni: Welcome Hezbollah designation as terror group by EU
Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said she "welcomes the announcement on the inclusion of Hezbollah on the EU list of terrorist organizations."
"Finally, after years of discussion and deliberation, failure and the attempt to argue that they were also a political party which whitewashes their terrorist activities," Livni added.
"Agreement reached to list Hezbollah," one source said, as ministers overcame reservations in some member states that such a move would further destabilise Lebanon where the militant group plays a major role.
Peres to EU: Decision sends message to terrorist groups
President Shimon Peres sent a special missive to heads of states and EU institutions following the decision to include the military wing of Hezbollah on its list of terrorist organizations.
Peres wrote in the letter, "I would like to express the appreciation of Israel in the decision made by the Union. This is a necessary and prudent step which will convey a message to terrorist organizations and to countries which sponsor terrorism in their land."
Deputy FM: Hope EU will take practical steps against Hezbollah
Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin praised the European Union's decision to place the military wing of Lebanese party Hezbollah on its terror list. "This is a strategic and important step and I very much hope it will also be backed by practical steps against the entire Hezbollah organization," Elkin said.
Lieberman on EU: As always they go only half-way
Chairman of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Avigdor Lieberman, addressed the EU's decision to include the military wing of Hezbollah on it’s list of terrorist organizations, saying, "As usual the Europeans only went half-way, and making a partial decision is insufficient."
"The military wing and the political wing of Hezbollah are two sides of the same coin. At the head of each stands Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah.
The attempt to present the group as if it is partially extremist and partially moderate is like asking can a cannibal be a vegetarian,” said Lieberman.
Livni: Welcome Hezbollah designation as terror group by EU
Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said she "welcomes the announcement on the inclusion of Hezbollah on the EU list of terrorist organizations."
"Finally, after years of discussion and deliberation, failure and the attempt to argue that they were also a political party which whitewashes their terrorist activities," Livni added.
20 july 2013
An image grab from al-Manar TV shows Hezbollah Leader Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah giving a televised address from an undisclosed location on July 19, 2013 in Lebanon
Hezbollah's Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah says the resistance movement’s numerous victories against Israel ended the era of Tel Aviv’s imposing its will on the Lebanese people.
Delivering a speech on the occasion of victory over Israel during the 33-day war in 2006, Nasrallah said that that Hezbollah “is capable of overcoming all the difficulties, as the enemy is reviewing all its plans and calculations after what happened in the last couple of months.”
He warned that in any future war, the Israeli region of Galilee would be targeted before Lebanon's capital of Beirut.
"In any coming war, the enemy's eye will be on Galilee before Beirut… and from now on, no one can assault Lebanon without paying a price," Nasrallah said.
Nasrallah added that "We too, in accordance with human nature, do not want to fight, but when you have an enemy which threatens your people, your presence, your duty is to fight it."
Hezbollah leader went on to say that the US will do anything to save Israel’s interests in the region.
Nasrallah noted that the US and Israel can no longer impose their power on regional countries.
Nasrallah also called for a national defense strategy in Lebanon in order to face the threats.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the resistance leader slammed certain Arab countries for ignoring the plight of the Palestinian people.
Hezbollah's Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah says the resistance movement’s numerous victories against Israel ended the era of Tel Aviv’s imposing its will on the Lebanese people.
Delivering a speech on the occasion of victory over Israel during the 33-day war in 2006, Nasrallah said that that Hezbollah “is capable of overcoming all the difficulties, as the enemy is reviewing all its plans and calculations after what happened in the last couple of months.”
He warned that in any future war, the Israeli region of Galilee would be targeted before Lebanon's capital of Beirut.
"In any coming war, the enemy's eye will be on Galilee before Beirut… and from now on, no one can assault Lebanon without paying a price," Nasrallah said.
Nasrallah added that "We too, in accordance with human nature, do not want to fight, but when you have an enemy which threatens your people, your presence, your duty is to fight it."
Hezbollah leader went on to say that the US will do anything to save Israel’s interests in the region.
Nasrallah noted that the US and Israel can no longer impose their power on regional countries.
Nasrallah also called for a national defense strategy in Lebanon in order to face the threats.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the resistance leader slammed certain Arab countries for ignoring the plight of the Palestinian people.
19 july 2013
Hezbollah Secretary-General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah
Iran's high-ranking officials have praised the victory of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement over the Israeli regime during the 33-day war in 2006.
In separate messages to Hezbollah Secretary-General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, President Ahmadinejad, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani and Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi felicitated the anniversary of the movement’s triumph over the Tel Aviv regime.
The messages were submitted to the Hezbollah leader by Iran’s Ambassador to Beirut Ghazanfar Roknabadi on the seventh anniversary of the resistance movement’s victory in the 2006 war against Tel Aviv.
Ahmadinejad said the victory was achieved thanks to God’s blessings, the wise leadership of the Hezbollah leader, the power of the movement’s fighters, as well as resistance of the Lebanese people.
“The 33-day war is undoubtedly the Lebanese resistance’s greatest ever victory in which resistance fighters managed to shatter the illusory grandeur of the occupying regime [of Israel],” Ahmadinejad said.
He added that the outcome of that imposed war was dignity and honor for all justice-seekers across the globe, and disgrace for the global arrogance and its stooges.
In his message, Larijani said the 2006 victory was a cause of pride and glory for all Muslims and free nations of the world, adding that Hezbollah's fight against aggressions of the racist and fabricated Zionist regime will herald the final collapse of Israel.
Salehi, in his message, also described the triumph as a source of dignity and a turning point in the history of the struggles against the usurping regime of Israel, noting that it will be a prelude to other victories of the resistance in the future.
Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, for his part, appreciated the messages and said Iran played a significant role in the victory. He also praised the Islamic Republic’s unbridled support for the Lebanese resistance.
Israel unleashed the all-out offensive on Lebanon seven years ago under the pretext of releasing Israeli soldiers allegedly captured by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
The invasion claimed the lives of nearly 1,200 Lebanese people, most of them civilians.
Iran's high-ranking officials have praised the victory of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement over the Israeli regime during the 33-day war in 2006.
In separate messages to Hezbollah Secretary-General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, President Ahmadinejad, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani and Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi felicitated the anniversary of the movement’s triumph over the Tel Aviv regime.
The messages were submitted to the Hezbollah leader by Iran’s Ambassador to Beirut Ghazanfar Roknabadi on the seventh anniversary of the resistance movement’s victory in the 2006 war against Tel Aviv.
Ahmadinejad said the victory was achieved thanks to God’s blessings, the wise leadership of the Hezbollah leader, the power of the movement’s fighters, as well as resistance of the Lebanese people.
“The 33-day war is undoubtedly the Lebanese resistance’s greatest ever victory in which resistance fighters managed to shatter the illusory grandeur of the occupying regime [of Israel],” Ahmadinejad said.
He added that the outcome of that imposed war was dignity and honor for all justice-seekers across the globe, and disgrace for the global arrogance and its stooges.
In his message, Larijani said the 2006 victory was a cause of pride and glory for all Muslims and free nations of the world, adding that Hezbollah's fight against aggressions of the racist and fabricated Zionist regime will herald the final collapse of Israel.
Salehi, in his message, also described the triumph as a source of dignity and a turning point in the history of the struggles against the usurping regime of Israel, noting that it will be a prelude to other victories of the resistance in the future.
Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, for his part, appreciated the messages and said Iran played a significant role in the victory. He also praised the Islamic Republic’s unbridled support for the Lebanese resistance.
Israel unleashed the all-out offensive on Lebanon seven years ago under the pretext of releasing Israeli soldiers allegedly captured by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
The invasion claimed the lives of nearly 1,200 Lebanese people, most of them civilians.
18 july 2013
Lebanese President Michel Suleiman has told the European Union that it must not label the Islamic resistance movement Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
The Lebanese president made the remarks in a statement issued by his office on Thursday, four days ahead of an important EU foreign ministers meeting.
Suleiman had "asked the foreign minister to notify the European Commission and member states of the government's request, and not to place Hezbollah, an essential component of Lebanese society, on the list of terror organizations," the statement said.
He told the EU in the statement not to take "any decision… in a precipitate manner, and without being based on objective and irrefutable proof."
EU foreign ministers are likely to discuss on July 22 whether to add the military wing of Hezbollah to their list of terrorist groups, a move the EU has avoided so far despite intense US, UK and Israeli pressure.
Earlier this month, Britain renewed its efforts to get Hezbollah on the EU’s terror list, but France, Italy and Germany are still reluctant to back the British move.
On June 4, EU counter-terrorism specialists met on the issue but failed to reach an agreement.
Last year, the EU flatly rejected an Israeli call to blacklist Hezbollah as a terrorist group.
The EU regards Hezbollah as an active political party in Lebanon. It says there is not enough evidence to warrant listing the Lebanese group as a “terror group.”
Led by France, European countries argue that their relations with Lebanon, where Hezbollah provides extensive social services and its political wing holds government power, would be damaged by the designation.
Currently, among the 27-EU member states, only the UK and the Netherlands are in favor of adding Hezbollah to the EU list of terror.
The Lebanese president made the remarks in a statement issued by his office on Thursday, four days ahead of an important EU foreign ministers meeting.
Suleiman had "asked the foreign minister to notify the European Commission and member states of the government's request, and not to place Hezbollah, an essential component of Lebanese society, on the list of terror organizations," the statement said.
He told the EU in the statement not to take "any decision… in a precipitate manner, and without being based on objective and irrefutable proof."
EU foreign ministers are likely to discuss on July 22 whether to add the military wing of Hezbollah to their list of terrorist groups, a move the EU has avoided so far despite intense US, UK and Israeli pressure.
Earlier this month, Britain renewed its efforts to get Hezbollah on the EU’s terror list, but France, Italy and Germany are still reluctant to back the British move.
On June 4, EU counter-terrorism specialists met on the issue but failed to reach an agreement.
Last year, the EU flatly rejected an Israeli call to blacklist Hezbollah as a terrorist group.
The EU regards Hezbollah as an active political party in Lebanon. It says there is not enough evidence to warrant listing the Lebanese group as a “terror group.”
Led by France, European countries argue that their relations with Lebanon, where Hezbollah provides extensive social services and its political wing holds government power, would be damaged by the designation.
Currently, among the 27-EU member states, only the UK and the Netherlands are in favor of adding Hezbollah to the EU list of terror.
16 july 2013
Two Israeli drones have violated Lebanon's airspace and flown over the country in flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
According to a statement issued by the Lebanese army, an Israeli drone entered Lebanese airspace at 4:45 a.m. local time (0145 GMT) on Monday.
The unmanned aircraft entered Lebanon above the southern border village of Kfar Kila, located 96 kilometers (59 miles) south of Beirut, and flew over several areas of the country before leaving Lebanese airspace at around 12:20 p.m. local time (0920GMT) while flying over the village of al-Naqoura, situated 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of Beirut.
In addition, an unmanned Israeli reconnaissance aircraft entered Lebanese airspace over the southern village of Alma Al-Shaab at 8:20 p.m. local time (1720 GMT) on Sunday, according to the Lebanese army’s statement.
The Israeli drone conducted circular flights over the southern towns of Riyak, Baalbeck, and Hermel, and then left Lebanon’s skies at around 4:50 a.m. local time (0150 GMT) on Monday while flying over the village of Rmeich.
Israel violates Lebanon's airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon's government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the country's sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, calls on Israel to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of Lebanese territory.
According to a statement issued by the Lebanese army, an Israeli drone entered Lebanese airspace at 4:45 a.m. local time (0145 GMT) on Monday.
The unmanned aircraft entered Lebanon above the southern border village of Kfar Kila, located 96 kilometers (59 miles) south of Beirut, and flew over several areas of the country before leaving Lebanese airspace at around 12:20 p.m. local time (0920GMT) while flying over the village of al-Naqoura, situated 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of Beirut.
In addition, an unmanned Israeli reconnaissance aircraft entered Lebanese airspace over the southern village of Alma Al-Shaab at 8:20 p.m. local time (1720 GMT) on Sunday, according to the Lebanese army’s statement.
The Israeli drone conducted circular flights over the southern towns of Riyak, Baalbeck, and Hermel, and then left Lebanon’s skies at around 4:50 a.m. local time (0150 GMT) on Monday while flying over the village of Rmeich.
Israel violates Lebanon's airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon's government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the country's sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, calls on Israel to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of Lebanese territory.
13 july 2013
Lebanon's caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour
The Lebanese government has decided to file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council over the Israeli regime’s repeated violations of its border and abduction of a Lebanese citizen.
On Friday, caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour tasked the country’s Ambassador to the UN Nawaf Salam with lodging the complaint, the state National News Agency reported.
The move came after an Israeli commando force of 15 soldiers crossed the border of the occupied Shebaa farms on Monday, abducting Lebanese shepherd, Youssef Hussein Rhayyel.
Rhayyel was taken to an Israeli military post in the occupied farms. He was reportedly freed on Monday evening.
“The kidnapping is another Israeli assault on Lebanon that include violating the border, Lebanese waters and airspace,” Mansour said, adding, “Such incidents are also a violation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and of Lebanon's sovereignty.”
On July 2, Israeli soldiers abducted two other shepherds from an area near the town of Shebaa. The men were freed a day later.
The Israeli military frequently violates Lebanon's airspace, territorial waters and border.
The violations contravene United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the Israeli war on Lebanon in 2006.
Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of the Lebanese sovereignty and the UN Resolution.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched on Lebanon in 2006, calls on Tel Aviv to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Lebanese government has decided to file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council over the Israeli regime’s repeated violations of its border and abduction of a Lebanese citizen.
On Friday, caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour tasked the country’s Ambassador to the UN Nawaf Salam with lodging the complaint, the state National News Agency reported.
The move came after an Israeli commando force of 15 soldiers crossed the border of the occupied Shebaa farms on Monday, abducting Lebanese shepherd, Youssef Hussein Rhayyel.
Rhayyel was taken to an Israeli military post in the occupied farms. He was reportedly freed on Monday evening.
“The kidnapping is another Israeli assault on Lebanon that include violating the border, Lebanese waters and airspace,” Mansour said, adding, “Such incidents are also a violation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and of Lebanon's sovereignty.”
On July 2, Israeli soldiers abducted two other shepherds from an area near the town of Shebaa. The men were freed a day later.
The Israeli military frequently violates Lebanon's airspace, territorial waters and border.
The violations contravene United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the Israeli war on Lebanon in 2006.
Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of the Lebanese sovereignty and the UN Resolution.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched on Lebanon in 2006, calls on Tel Aviv to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
12 july 2013
Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem
Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement says Israel was behind the July 9 bombing, which injured dozens of people in a southern suburb of Beirut.
“The blast is part of the ongoing targeting of the resistance, and the beneficiary of the blast is the system ... that serves the Israeli project,” Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem told al-Nour Radio Station on Friday.
Speaking on the anniversary of the 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel, Sheikh Qassem held “Israel and groups working to incite [Sunni-Shia] strife” responsible for the massive bomb attack.
“Anyone who saw the size of the explosion knows that what happened was a real attack… which was part of a series that this hidden enemy wishes to carry out,” he said.
Qassem also criticized Arab states, the Persian Gulf littoral states in particular, for their failure to condemn the bombing that injured 53 people and caused heavy material damage in the Beirut suburb of Bir al-Abed.
Earlier, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati slammed the attack, the second bombing to hit southern Beirut this year, as aimed at fomenting unrest in the country.
In January, two people were injured in a bomb explosion in the capital's suburb of al-Selloum. The bomb was planted underneath a car belonging to a Hezbollah member.
In December 2012, a car bomb attack in Beirut claimed the life of the intelligence chief of Lebanon's Internal Security Forces, General Wissam al-Hassan.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement says Israel was behind the July 9 bombing, which injured dozens of people in a southern suburb of Beirut.
“The blast is part of the ongoing targeting of the resistance, and the beneficiary of the blast is the system ... that serves the Israeli project,” Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem told al-Nour Radio Station on Friday.
Speaking on the anniversary of the 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel, Sheikh Qassem held “Israel and groups working to incite [Sunni-Shia] strife” responsible for the massive bomb attack.
“Anyone who saw the size of the explosion knows that what happened was a real attack… which was part of a series that this hidden enemy wishes to carry out,” he said.
Qassem also criticized Arab states, the Persian Gulf littoral states in particular, for their failure to condemn the bombing that injured 53 people and caused heavy material damage in the Beirut suburb of Bir al-Abed.
Earlier, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati slammed the attack, the second bombing to hit southern Beirut this year, as aimed at fomenting unrest in the country.
In January, two people were injured in a bomb explosion in the capital's suburb of al-Selloum. The bomb was planted underneath a car belonging to a Hezbollah member.
In December 2012, a car bomb attack in Beirut claimed the life of the intelligence chief of Lebanon's Internal Security Forces, General Wissam al-Hassan.
10 july 2013
Civilians gather at the scene of an explosion in Beirut's southern suburb neighborhood of Bir al-Abed on 9 July 2013
A little known Syrian rebel group has claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack that hit the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday, wounding 53 people.
It also claimed it was behind an attack on a Hezbollah convoy in eastern Lebanon on June 28.
The group, named the Special Forces 313 Brigade, uses the black, red, green and white colours of the flag of the Syrian opposition, and Islamic terminology.
It describes itself as "an independent military formation, that fights in Syria for the victory of God's word."
"Special units from the 313 Brigade staged an attack using a car bomb in the Bir al-Abed area of the southern suburbs," the group said on its Facebook page.
"We warned again and again against (Hezbollah's) intervention in Syria," the brigade added.
It cited "the failure of Lebanese politicians to control" the party as one of the reasons for the attack.
Hezbollah publicly intervened in the conflict in neighboring Syria in April, siding with President Bashar al-Assad's forces against the rebels in the strategic battle to gain control of Qusayr.
The Bir al-Abed car bomb attack, which wounded 53 people, was the most serious incident in Beirut's suburbs since the start of the Syria war more than two years ago.
"This attack was not the first and it will not be the last, and (Hezbollah) knows full well who targeted its soldiers in the Ksara area of Zahle (in eastern Lebanon) last month," said the 313 Brigade's statement.
On June 28, two small explosive devices went off in Zahle targeting a Hezbollah convoy.
In May, two rockets launched from hills above the capital struck Beirut's southern Chiyah district, injuring four Syrian workers.
"We will chase down any remnants of this terrorist group, wherever they may be, until they stop taking part in the bloodletting of the Syrian people," the 313 Brigade warned.
Mainstream rebel group the Free Syrian Army condemned the attack in the densely-populated Dahiyeh neighborhood, describing it as a "terrorist" act.
"The position of the FSA supreme command is clear – we condemn this as a terrorist attack that targeted civilians, and do not consider it a military operation," its political and media coordinator, Louay Muqdad, said.
A little known Syrian rebel group has claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack that hit the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday, wounding 53 people.
It also claimed it was behind an attack on a Hezbollah convoy in eastern Lebanon on June 28.
The group, named the Special Forces 313 Brigade, uses the black, red, green and white colours of the flag of the Syrian opposition, and Islamic terminology.
It describes itself as "an independent military formation, that fights in Syria for the victory of God's word."
"Special units from the 313 Brigade staged an attack using a car bomb in the Bir al-Abed area of the southern suburbs," the group said on its Facebook page.
"We warned again and again against (Hezbollah's) intervention in Syria," the brigade added.
It cited "the failure of Lebanese politicians to control" the party as one of the reasons for the attack.
Hezbollah publicly intervened in the conflict in neighboring Syria in April, siding with President Bashar al-Assad's forces against the rebels in the strategic battle to gain control of Qusayr.
The Bir al-Abed car bomb attack, which wounded 53 people, was the most serious incident in Beirut's suburbs since the start of the Syria war more than two years ago.
"This attack was not the first and it will not be the last, and (Hezbollah) knows full well who targeted its soldiers in the Ksara area of Zahle (in eastern Lebanon) last month," said the 313 Brigade's statement.
On June 28, two small explosive devices went off in Zahle targeting a Hezbollah convoy.
In May, two rockets launched from hills above the capital struck Beirut's southern Chiyah district, injuring four Syrian workers.
"We will chase down any remnants of this terrorist group, wherever they may be, until they stop taking part in the bloodletting of the Syrian people," the 313 Brigade warned.
Mainstream rebel group the Free Syrian Army condemned the attack in the densely-populated Dahiyeh neighborhood, describing it as a "terrorist" act.
"The position of the FSA supreme command is clear – we condemn this as a terrorist attack that targeted civilians, and do not consider it a military operation," its political and media coordinator, Louay Muqdad, said.
9 july 2013
A massive explosion hits Bir Al-Abed region in the Southern Suburb of Beirut on Tuesday, July 9, 2013
A powerful explosion has rocked the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, leaving at least 53 people injured.
The blast occurred in the suburb of Bir al-Abed on Tuesday, sending black smoke billowing into the sky and causing reportedly heavy damage.
Several cars and buildings were on fire in the wake of the blast.
“They want to terrorize us.… These terrorists want us to abandon (the leader of Hezbollah) but we swear we will love him more, for all our lives. All we own, and our children we pledge to him,” a witness living near the blast scene told Reuters.
On the same day, a man was injured after Lebanon’s Interior Ministry guards fired in the air to disperse protesters who had assaulted the minister, Marwan Charbel, during his visit to the site of the explosion.
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has condemned the attack, saying it was meant to foment unrest in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, a Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Ammar issued a statement saying, “There is a clear fingerprint of Israel and its instruments in this dastardly deed.”
The bomb attack is the second strike to hit southern Beirut this year.
In January, two people were injured after a bomb went off in the suburb of al-Selloum, south of Beirut. The bomb was planted underneath a car belonging to a member of the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah.
Back in May, two rockets hit the area. Lebanese security forces have also disarmed several rockets near Beirut in recent months.
In December 2012, a car bomb attack in the capital claimed the life of the intelligence chief of Lebanon's Internal Security Forces, General Wissam al-Hassan.
A powerful explosion has rocked the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, leaving at least 53 people injured.
The blast occurred in the suburb of Bir al-Abed on Tuesday, sending black smoke billowing into the sky and causing reportedly heavy damage.
Several cars and buildings were on fire in the wake of the blast.
“They want to terrorize us.… These terrorists want us to abandon (the leader of Hezbollah) but we swear we will love him more, for all our lives. All we own, and our children we pledge to him,” a witness living near the blast scene told Reuters.
On the same day, a man was injured after Lebanon’s Interior Ministry guards fired in the air to disperse protesters who had assaulted the minister, Marwan Charbel, during his visit to the site of the explosion.
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has condemned the attack, saying it was meant to foment unrest in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, a Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Ammar issued a statement saying, “There is a clear fingerprint of Israel and its instruments in this dastardly deed.”
The bomb attack is the second strike to hit southern Beirut this year.
In January, two people were injured after a bomb went off in the suburb of al-Selloum, south of Beirut. The bomb was planted underneath a car belonging to a member of the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah.
Back in May, two rockets hit the area. Lebanese security forces have also disarmed several rockets near Beirut in recent months.
In December 2012, a car bomb attack in the capital claimed the life of the intelligence chief of Lebanon's Internal Security Forces, General Wissam al-Hassan.
United Nations peacekeepers stand next to their armored vehicles on the Lebanese side of the border with Israel on May 27, 2013.
Israeli troops have abducted a Lebanese shepherd from the occupied Shebaa farms in southern Lebanon.
An Israeli commando force of 15 soldiers crossed the border of the Shebaa farms on Monday, abducting Lebanese shepherd Youssef Hussein Rhayyel.
Rhayyel was taken to an Israeli military post in the occupied farms.
The Israeli regime forces informed the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) of the abduction.
"UNIFIL duly informed the Lebanese army about the kidnap operation, whilst UNIFIL General Commander, Paolo Serra is holding necessary contacts to ensure the release of the shepherd," said UNIFIL spokesperson, Andrea Tinenti.
Lebanese army reportedly said in a statement that Rhayyel was kidnapped inside the liberated part of Shebaa region.
On July 2, Israeli soldiers abducted two other shepherds from an area near the town of Shebaa. The men were freed a day later.
The Israeli military frequently violates Lebanon's airspace, territorial waters and border.
The violations contravene United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the Israeli war on Lebanon in 2006.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched on Lebanon in 2006, calls on Tel Aviv to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Israeli troops have abducted a Lebanese shepherd from the occupied Shebaa farms in southern Lebanon.
An Israeli commando force of 15 soldiers crossed the border of the Shebaa farms on Monday, abducting Lebanese shepherd Youssef Hussein Rhayyel.
Rhayyel was taken to an Israeli military post in the occupied farms.
The Israeli regime forces informed the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) of the abduction.
"UNIFIL duly informed the Lebanese army about the kidnap operation, whilst UNIFIL General Commander, Paolo Serra is holding necessary contacts to ensure the release of the shepherd," said UNIFIL spokesperson, Andrea Tinenti.
Lebanese army reportedly said in a statement that Rhayyel was kidnapped inside the liberated part of Shebaa region.
On July 2, Israeli soldiers abducted two other shepherds from an area near the town of Shebaa. The men were freed a day later.
The Israeli military frequently violates Lebanon's airspace, territorial waters and border.
The violations contravene United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the Israeli war on Lebanon in 2006.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched on Lebanon in 2006, calls on Tel Aviv to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
7 july 2013
A member of the Israeli security forces fires tear gas towards Palestinian demonstrators during clashes following a protest against the expropriation of Palestinian land by Israel in the village of Kfar Qaddum, near Nablus in the occupied West Bank on 5 July 2013.
By: Hassan Chakrani
At a distance of 75 km from the coast of Haifa, exploratory drilling in the Karish offshore field was completed mid-May. Hardly a week later, Noble Energy, the company developing Karish, announced that the field contains potential gas reserves that could reach two trillion cubic feet (TCF).
This marks the seventh discovery by this same company in the eastern Mediterranean. On the whole, the gas reserves discovered in Israel so far – including the recent adjustments to the estimates of the reserves held by the Tamar and Leviathan fields – now amount to about 38 TCF.
This is all good news for Tel Aviv, which has even begun considering exporting its newfound wealth. Not so, however, for Lebanon. The new field is sufficiently close to Lebanon’s maritime borders to allow Israel access to Lebanon’s own reserves. It’s evident that Israel is pressing ahead with exploration and production, while Lebanon’s own energy plans falter.
On Friday, Energy and Water Minister Gebran Bassil addressed these concerns in a press conference. “Theoretically…Israel is now able to reach Lebanese gas and that is a very grave situation,” he said. To deal with it, Bassil added, Lebanon must press ahead with its plans by holding an extraordinary cabinet session to approve the two urgent decrees related to the demarcation of offshore blocks and exploration and production agreements (EPA).
The Karish northern offshore fields is 4 km away from the Lebanese border and Lebanese block 8.
“We cannot yet say that a disaster has happened,” said Bassil. But the new Israeli discovery may indeed lead to one, especially if Lebanon’s efforts continue to be plagued by delays. If Israel drills horizontally in Karish – made possible thanks to US technology – Bassil said, it may be able to reach up to 10 km north into Lebanon’s reservoirs. If Israel drills vertically, it would still be possible for Israel to syphon off Lebanese oil and gas, if the Israeli and Lebanese fields overlap.
Bassil’s concerns are therefore logical, though they have yet to materialize. At any rate, this development should act as an incentive for the Lebanese side to move forward. After 46 international companies passed the pre-qualification round last April, the first licensing round was launched on May 2, and will last for six months.
During this period, the participating companies will hold meetings with the Lebanese side – the Ministry of Energy and Water and the Petroleum Administration – to negotiate over EPAs and the division of offshore blocks. There are ten blocks ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 km² in size, making up the 22,000 km² Lebanese exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“In order for Lebanon to defend its right to its natural resources, especially against Israel, a country famous for piracy, it must at the very least respect its own plans and timetables,” explained Lebanese energy expert Rabie Yaghi. He then added, “When approving the decrees on EPAs and offshore blocks, and then granting concessions, exploration and drilling must begin in the southernmost part of the EEZ, because there are no sovereign issues in the north or the center.” Meanwhile, the main issue between Lebanon and Israel over the incorrect demarcation of maritime borders between the Jewish state and Cyprus has yet to be resolved. As a result, 860 km² has been carved out of Lebanon’s EEZ.
Rabie Taghi continued, “Israel will survey its entire EEZ, whether near our borders or at the borders of Gaza and Egypt. Every discovery is value added for the Israeli economy.” Indeed, in commenting on the discovery in Karish, Yossi Abu, CEO of Delek Drilling, Noble Energy’s partner, told Haaretz, “The experience in the world and in Israel proves that when you search for more gas, you find more gas.”
Returning to Bassil, the minister stressed that Lebanon has the ability to defend its resources, adding,“The equation of the state, the army, and the resistance is an element of strength for Lebanon.” In his view, Israel has no interest in encroaching on Lebanese reservoirs.
But are there local interest groups that would like to see work in the energy sector delayed further? According to information obtained by Al-Akhbar, Bassil will make extensive visits next week to those concerned in the sector.
On Friday, Bassil said that he would reach out to the caretaker prime minister and the president to convince them to hold an extraordinary cabinet session. He also plans to contact parliamentary blocs to introduce an urgent law for an amended tax code that would allow Lebanon to benefit more from its resources, beyond what the current law allows.
This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.
By: Hassan Chakrani
At a distance of 75 km from the coast of Haifa, exploratory drilling in the Karish offshore field was completed mid-May. Hardly a week later, Noble Energy, the company developing Karish, announced that the field contains potential gas reserves that could reach two trillion cubic feet (TCF).
This marks the seventh discovery by this same company in the eastern Mediterranean. On the whole, the gas reserves discovered in Israel so far – including the recent adjustments to the estimates of the reserves held by the Tamar and Leviathan fields – now amount to about 38 TCF.
This is all good news for Tel Aviv, which has even begun considering exporting its newfound wealth. Not so, however, for Lebanon. The new field is sufficiently close to Lebanon’s maritime borders to allow Israel access to Lebanon’s own reserves. It’s evident that Israel is pressing ahead with exploration and production, while Lebanon’s own energy plans falter.
On Friday, Energy and Water Minister Gebran Bassil addressed these concerns in a press conference. “Theoretically…Israel is now able to reach Lebanese gas and that is a very grave situation,” he said. To deal with it, Bassil added, Lebanon must press ahead with its plans by holding an extraordinary cabinet session to approve the two urgent decrees related to the demarcation of offshore blocks and exploration and production agreements (EPA).
The Karish northern offshore fields is 4 km away from the Lebanese border and Lebanese block 8.
“We cannot yet say that a disaster has happened,” said Bassil. But the new Israeli discovery may indeed lead to one, especially if Lebanon’s efforts continue to be plagued by delays. If Israel drills horizontally in Karish – made possible thanks to US technology – Bassil said, it may be able to reach up to 10 km north into Lebanon’s reservoirs. If Israel drills vertically, it would still be possible for Israel to syphon off Lebanese oil and gas, if the Israeli and Lebanese fields overlap.
Bassil’s concerns are therefore logical, though they have yet to materialize. At any rate, this development should act as an incentive for the Lebanese side to move forward. After 46 international companies passed the pre-qualification round last April, the first licensing round was launched on May 2, and will last for six months.
During this period, the participating companies will hold meetings with the Lebanese side – the Ministry of Energy and Water and the Petroleum Administration – to negotiate over EPAs and the division of offshore blocks. There are ten blocks ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 km² in size, making up the 22,000 km² Lebanese exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“In order for Lebanon to defend its right to its natural resources, especially against Israel, a country famous for piracy, it must at the very least respect its own plans and timetables,” explained Lebanese energy expert Rabie Yaghi. He then added, “When approving the decrees on EPAs and offshore blocks, and then granting concessions, exploration and drilling must begin in the southernmost part of the EEZ, because there are no sovereign issues in the north or the center.” Meanwhile, the main issue between Lebanon and Israel over the incorrect demarcation of maritime borders between the Jewish state and Cyprus has yet to be resolved. As a result, 860 km² has been carved out of Lebanon’s EEZ.
Rabie Taghi continued, “Israel will survey its entire EEZ, whether near our borders or at the borders of Gaza and Egypt. Every discovery is value added for the Israeli economy.” Indeed, in commenting on the discovery in Karish, Yossi Abu, CEO of Delek Drilling, Noble Energy’s partner, told Haaretz, “The experience in the world and in Israel proves that when you search for more gas, you find more gas.”
Returning to Bassil, the minister stressed that Lebanon has the ability to defend its resources, adding,“The equation of the state, the army, and the resistance is an element of strength for Lebanon.” In his view, Israel has no interest in encroaching on Lebanese reservoirs.
But are there local interest groups that would like to see work in the energy sector delayed further? According to information obtained by Al-Akhbar, Bassil will make extensive visits next week to those concerned in the sector.
On Friday, Bassil said that he would reach out to the caretaker prime minister and the president to convince them to hold an extraordinary cabinet session. He also plans to contact parliamentary blocs to introduce an urgent law for an amended tax code that would allow Lebanon to benefit more from its resources, beyond what the current law allows.
This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.
6 july 2013
Lebanon's caretaker Energy Minister Gebran Bassil
Lebanese caretaker Energy Minister Gebran Bassil says Israel has discovered a new offshore gas field near his country’s territorial waters which allows Tel Aviv to tap into Lebanon's oil deposits.
“Israel discovered a new gas field that is about 4 kilometers from the Lebanese [maritime] border and theoretically this means that Israel now has the possibility to reach Lebanese oil and this is a new and dangerous development,” Bassil said on Friday, the Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star reported.
Bassil said that Israel could drill either vertically or horizontally in the new field to access Lebanon's oil resources.
He urged President Michel Suleiman and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to hold an extraordinary cabinet session to approve two decrees needed to move the oil exploration process forward.
“The first decree is about the marine blocs and the second is about the possibility of oil exploration and production,” the minister said.
“It is possible, both politically and by the constitution, to hold an extraordinary session to approve these two decrees,” he noted.
He also stated that the Lebanese army and the resistance movement Hezbollah have the ability to protect Lebanon's oil reserves from Israel.
Lebanese caretaker Energy Minister Gebran Bassil says Israel has discovered a new offshore gas field near his country’s territorial waters which allows Tel Aviv to tap into Lebanon's oil deposits.
“Israel discovered a new gas field that is about 4 kilometers from the Lebanese [maritime] border and theoretically this means that Israel now has the possibility to reach Lebanese oil and this is a new and dangerous development,” Bassil said on Friday, the Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star reported.
Bassil said that Israel could drill either vertically or horizontally in the new field to access Lebanon's oil resources.
He urged President Michel Suleiman and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to hold an extraordinary cabinet session to approve two decrees needed to move the oil exploration process forward.
“The first decree is about the marine blocs and the second is about the possibility of oil exploration and production,” the minister said.
“It is possible, both politically and by the constitution, to hold an extraordinary session to approve these two decrees,” he noted.
He also stated that the Lebanese army and the resistance movement Hezbollah have the ability to protect Lebanon's oil reserves from Israel.
28 june 2013
Israeli warplanes and drones have violated Lebanon’s airspace and flown over several areas of the country.
The Lebanese Army Command Guidance Directorate said two Israeli drones violated the airspace from above the southern village of al-Naqoura, situated about 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of Beirut at 9:35 a.m. local time (0625 GMT) on Thursday.
According to the report, the Israeli drones also executed circular flights over the southern towns of Baalbeck and Hermel. The drones then left the Lebanese skies at around 8:20 p.m. local time (1720 GMT).
The report further indicated that six Israeli warplanes also breached Lebanon’s airspace at around 11:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) and executed circle flights over different parts of the country. They left the airspace at around 7:20 p.m. local time (1420 GMT).
Israel violates Lebanon’s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the Israeli overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the Lebanese sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched on Lebanon in 2006, calls on Tel Aviv to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of the Lebanese territory.
The Lebanese Army Command Guidance Directorate said two Israeli drones violated the airspace from above the southern village of al-Naqoura, situated about 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of Beirut at 9:35 a.m. local time (0625 GMT) on Thursday.
According to the report, the Israeli drones also executed circular flights over the southern towns of Baalbeck and Hermel. The drones then left the Lebanese skies at around 8:20 p.m. local time (1720 GMT).
The report further indicated that six Israeli warplanes also breached Lebanon’s airspace at around 11:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) and executed circle flights over different parts of the country. They left the airspace at around 7:20 p.m. local time (1420 GMT).
Israel violates Lebanon’s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the Israeli overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the Lebanese sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched on Lebanon in 2006, calls on Tel Aviv to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of the Lebanese territory.
26 june 2013
Dr. Ahmed Abdul Hadi, deputy political official of Hamas movement in Lebanon, denied rumors which claim that Taamir district in Ein al-Hilweh camp has been exposed to sniper attacks and raids by the army. Abdul Hadi described the news as "tendentious rumors", and said "some suspicious bodies are spreading these rumors in an attempt to create tension in Taamir, terrorize its residents and push them to leave their homes."
He revealed in remarks to Quds Press that Hamas has been contacting all parties in the region, including the leadership of the army, to put an end to the rumors and to maintain a calm atmosphere.
Abdul Hadi asserted that such rumors are detrimental to the interests of the Palestinian people.
He revealed in remarks to Quds Press that Hamas has been contacting all parties in the region, including the leadership of the army, to put an end to the rumors and to maintain a calm atmosphere.
Abdul Hadi asserted that such rumors are detrimental to the interests of the Palestinian people.
24 june 2013
The Hamas Movement said on Sunday that it made contacts with Lebanese and Palestinian parties to neutralize the Palestinian refugee camps in the deadly events taking place in Sidon district. Its representative in Lebanon Ali Baraka made contacts in this regard with leaders of Amal movement, Hezbollah, the Islamic group, and the Lebanese army as well as leaders of the Islamic factions in Ein Hilwa refugee camp.
Baraka highlighted in his contacts the need for not implicating the Palestinian refugees in the armed conflict taking place in Sidon.
The Hamas official stressed the good relationship between the Palestinian refugee camps and their vicinity, especially with the Lebanese army and warned of believing the media incitement campaign against the Palestinian refugees and their camps in Lebanon.
For its part, the Palestinian anti-incitement campaign appealed to the Lebanese media outlets to stop accusing the Palestinian refugees of participating in the armed clashes that took place on Sunday in Sidon.
"Some Lebanese media outlets started to accuse directly some Palestinian parties of being involved in these clashes, and we noticed that some of the broadcasters, who were inside studios, and some reporters, who were far away from the scene, were accusing Palestinians of fighting in the events or propagating news about the participation of refugees from Ein Hilwa camp in the clashes without taking it upon themselves to verify the information or state their sources, coordinator of the campaign Ra'fat Mura stated.
Baraka highlighted in his contacts the need for not implicating the Palestinian refugees in the armed conflict taking place in Sidon.
The Hamas official stressed the good relationship between the Palestinian refugee camps and their vicinity, especially with the Lebanese army and warned of believing the media incitement campaign against the Palestinian refugees and their camps in Lebanon.
For its part, the Palestinian anti-incitement campaign appealed to the Lebanese media outlets to stop accusing the Palestinian refugees of participating in the armed clashes that took place on Sunday in Sidon.
"Some Lebanese media outlets started to accuse directly some Palestinian parties of being involved in these clashes, and we noticed that some of the broadcasters, who were inside studios, and some reporters, who were far away from the scene, were accusing Palestinians of fighting in the events or propagating news about the participation of refugees from Ein Hilwa camp in the clashes without taking it upon themselves to verify the information or state their sources, coordinator of the campaign Ra'fat Mura stated.
21 june 2013
Seven Israeli military aircraft have penetrated Lebanese airspace and flown over several areas of the country in blatant violation of a UN Security Council resolution.
An unmanned aerial vehicle entered Lebanese airspace over the southern village of al-Naqoura, situated 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of Beirut, at 6 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) on Friday, according to a statement issued by the Lebanese military.
The remote-controlled aircraft carried out surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon and Beirut before it left Lebanon’s airspace at 3 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) while flying over the southern village of Rmeish.
Later in the day, another Israeli drone crossed into Lebanon’s airspace over the southern border village of Kfar Kila, located 96 kilometers (59 miles) south of Beirut. It flew over several areas in southern Lebanon, including the towns of Riyaq and Baalbek, before leaving Lebanon’s skies at 3:30 p.m. local time (1230 GMT) while flying over the village of Rmeish.
Two Israeli fighter jets also violated Lebanese airspace over the village of Kfar Kila at 11:05 a.m. local time (0805 GMT) on Friday. They flew over several areas in Lebanon, and left the country’s airspace at 1 p.m. local time (1000 GMT) while flying over the town of Alma al-Shaab.
On Thursday, an Israeli drone crossed into Lebanon's airspace over the town of Alma al-Shaab at 6:50 a.m. local time (0350 GMT) and carried out surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon. It left at 8:20 p.m. local time (1720 GMT) while flying over the village of al-Naqoura.
And two Israeli warplanes entered Lebanon's airspace at 10:45 a.m. local time (0745 GMT) on Thursday. The fighter jets flew over several areas in Lebanon before leaving the country’s airspace at 11 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) while flying over the southern village of al-Naqoura.
Israel violates Lebanon's airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon's government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the country's sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, calls on Israel to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of Lebanese territory.
An unmanned aerial vehicle entered Lebanese airspace over the southern village of al-Naqoura, situated 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of Beirut, at 6 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) on Friday, according to a statement issued by the Lebanese military.
The remote-controlled aircraft carried out surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon and Beirut before it left Lebanon’s airspace at 3 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) while flying over the southern village of Rmeish.
Later in the day, another Israeli drone crossed into Lebanon’s airspace over the southern border village of Kfar Kila, located 96 kilometers (59 miles) south of Beirut. It flew over several areas in southern Lebanon, including the towns of Riyaq and Baalbek, before leaving Lebanon’s skies at 3:30 p.m. local time (1230 GMT) while flying over the village of Rmeish.
Two Israeli fighter jets also violated Lebanese airspace over the village of Kfar Kila at 11:05 a.m. local time (0805 GMT) on Friday. They flew over several areas in Lebanon, and left the country’s airspace at 1 p.m. local time (1000 GMT) while flying over the town of Alma al-Shaab.
On Thursday, an Israeli drone crossed into Lebanon's airspace over the town of Alma al-Shaab at 6:50 a.m. local time (0350 GMT) and carried out surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon. It left at 8:20 p.m. local time (1720 GMT) while flying over the village of al-Naqoura.
And two Israeli warplanes entered Lebanon's airspace at 10:45 a.m. local time (0745 GMT) on Thursday. The fighter jets flew over several areas in Lebanon before leaving the country’s airspace at 11 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) while flying over the southern village of al-Naqoura.
Israel violates Lebanon's airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon's government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the country's sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, calls on Israel to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of Lebanese territory.
19 june 2013
Lebanese army has said that an Israeli reconnaissance drone has breached the country’s airspace in Riyak, Baalbek and Hermel regions.
According to a statement released by the army, the Israeli reconnaissance drone penetrated the country’s airspace on Tuesday at 9:00 am.
There were reports that the enemy plane had carried out circular maneuvers over the regions before it left Lebanon’s airspace at 22:15 pm towards the occupied territories while flying over the town of Naqoura in South Lebanon.
Israel violates Lebanon's airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
On June 14, the Lebanese military issued a statement that an unmanned aerial vehicle had entered Lebanese airspace over the southern village of al-Naqoura, situated 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of Beirut, at 8:30 a.m. local time (0530 GMT) and left Lebanon’s airspace at 6:30 p.m. local time (1530 GMT).
Lebanon's government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the country's sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, has called on Israel to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of Lebanese territory.
According to a statement released by the army, the Israeli reconnaissance drone penetrated the country’s airspace on Tuesday at 9:00 am.
There were reports that the enemy plane had carried out circular maneuvers over the regions before it left Lebanon’s airspace at 22:15 pm towards the occupied territories while flying over the town of Naqoura in South Lebanon.
Israel violates Lebanon's airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
On June 14, the Lebanese military issued a statement that an unmanned aerial vehicle had entered Lebanese airspace over the southern village of al-Naqoura, situated 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of Beirut, at 8:30 a.m. local time (0530 GMT) and left Lebanon’s airspace at 6:30 p.m. local time (1530 GMT).
Lebanon's government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the country's sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, has called on Israel to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of Lebanese territory.
18 june 2013
Director of Hamas information office in Lebanon Ra'fat Murra said that local, regional and international parties have involved themselves in a media campaign targeting the Palestinian presence in Lebanon.
"We have been watching for weeks an incitement campaign against the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon led by some Lebanese media outlets which accuse the refugees of being responsible for certain acts of vandalism and civil disturbance, and accuse some camps of harboring some subversive elements," Murra told Quds Press on Monday.
He underlined that Hamas is aware of the seriousness of this campaign and its damaging impacts on the stability of the camps, so it decided last Thursday to initiate a counter campaign for two weeks to put things in perspective and safeguard the stability and security of the Palestinian camps.
"We have been watching for weeks an incitement campaign against the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon led by some Lebanese media outlets which accuse the refugees of being responsible for certain acts of vandalism and civil disturbance, and accuse some camps of harboring some subversive elements," Murra told Quds Press on Monday.
He underlined that Hamas is aware of the seriousness of this campaign and its damaging impacts on the stability of the camps, so it decided last Thursday to initiate a counter campaign for two weeks to put things in perspective and safeguard the stability and security of the Palestinian camps.
14 june 2013
Nine Israeli military aircraft have penetrated Lebanese airspace and flown over several areas of the country in blatant violation of a UN Security Council resolution.
An unmanned aerial vehicle entered Lebanese airspace over the southern village of al-Naqoura, situated 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of Beirut, at 8:30 a.m. local time (0530 GMT) on Friday, according to a statement issued by the Lebanese military on Friday.
The remote-controlled aircraft carried out surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon, including the towns of Riyaq and Baalbek, before it left Lebanon’s airspace at 6:30 p.m. local time (1530 GMT) while flying over the town of Alma al-Shaab.
Later in the day, two Israeli fighter jets crossed into Lebanon's airspace over the southern border village of Kfar Kila, located 96 kilometers (59 miles) south of Beirut, at 10:50 a.m. local time (0750 GMT).
The warplanes flew over several areas in Lebanon before leaving the country’s airspace at 12:20 p.m. local time (0920 GMT) while flying over the town of Alma al-Shaab.
On Thursday, an Israeli drone violated Lebanese airspace over the village of Kfar Kila at 7:15 a.m. local time (0415 GMT) and flew over several areas of southern Lebanon.
The Israeli aircraft left Lebanese airspace at 6:35 p.m. local time (1535 GMT) while flying over the village of al-Naqoura.
Another Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle crossed into Lebanon's airspace over the village of al-Naqoura at 8 p.m. local time (1700 GMT). The plane carried out surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon and left at 6:10 a.m. local time (0310 GMT) on Friday while flying over the southern village of Rmeish.
Four Israeli warplanes entered Lebanon's airspace over the village of Kfar Kila at 8:30 p.m. local time (1730 GMT) on Thursday. The fighter jets flew over several areas in Lebanon before leaving the country’s airspace at 9:50 p.m. local time (1850 GMT) while flying over the town of Alma al-Shaab.
Israel violates Lebanon's airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon's government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the country's sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, calls on Israel to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of Lebanese territory.
An unmanned aerial vehicle entered Lebanese airspace over the southern village of al-Naqoura, situated 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of Beirut, at 8:30 a.m. local time (0530 GMT) on Friday, according to a statement issued by the Lebanese military on Friday.
The remote-controlled aircraft carried out surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon, including the towns of Riyaq and Baalbek, before it left Lebanon’s airspace at 6:30 p.m. local time (1530 GMT) while flying over the town of Alma al-Shaab.
Later in the day, two Israeli fighter jets crossed into Lebanon's airspace over the southern border village of Kfar Kila, located 96 kilometers (59 miles) south of Beirut, at 10:50 a.m. local time (0750 GMT).
The warplanes flew over several areas in Lebanon before leaving the country’s airspace at 12:20 p.m. local time (0920 GMT) while flying over the town of Alma al-Shaab.
On Thursday, an Israeli drone violated Lebanese airspace over the village of Kfar Kila at 7:15 a.m. local time (0415 GMT) and flew over several areas of southern Lebanon.
The Israeli aircraft left Lebanese airspace at 6:35 p.m. local time (1535 GMT) while flying over the village of al-Naqoura.
Another Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle crossed into Lebanon's airspace over the village of al-Naqoura at 8 p.m. local time (1700 GMT). The plane carried out surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon and left at 6:10 a.m. local time (0310 GMT) on Friday while flying over the southern village of Rmeish.
Four Israeli warplanes entered Lebanon's airspace over the village of Kfar Kila at 8:30 p.m. local time (1730 GMT) on Thursday. The fighter jets flew over several areas in Lebanon before leaving the country’s airspace at 9:50 p.m. local time (1850 GMT) while flying over the town of Alma al-Shaab.
Israel violates Lebanon's airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon's government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the country's sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, calls on Israel to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of Lebanese territory.
Hamas movement has launched on Thursday a media campaign against the continued incitement against Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. The campaign includes sending letters to Lebanese media organizations, raising awareness through social networking sites, statements, political, popular and solidarity activities, in addition to engaging youths in the campaign.
The movement stressed in its statement that the campaign aims to raise awareness of the seriousness of incitement against Palestinian refugees and inciting sectarian strife.
The statement said that the political situation in the region have been strained due to the social and security conditions and foreign interventions.
The movement pointed to the Lebanese media's escalated and continued incitement against Palestinian refugees in Lebanon where the Palestinian refugee camps were accused of sheltering suspect elements and causing security problems.
Hamas's media campaign against incitement against Palestinian refugees in Lebanon came in the framework of the movement's keenness to defend and protect the Palestinian refugees and to maintain good Palestinian-Lebanese relationship.
The movement stressed in its statement that the campaign aims to raise awareness of the seriousness of incitement against Palestinian refugees and inciting sectarian strife.
The statement said that the political situation in the region have been strained due to the social and security conditions and foreign interventions.
The movement pointed to the Lebanese media's escalated and continued incitement against Palestinian refugees in Lebanon where the Palestinian refugee camps were accused of sheltering suspect elements and causing security problems.
Hamas's media campaign against incitement against Palestinian refugees in Lebanon came in the framework of the movement's keenness to defend and protect the Palestinian refugees and to maintain good Palestinian-Lebanese relationship.
13 june 2013
The representative of the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas” in Lebanon Ali Baraka, has visited Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp on Wednesday where he held a meeting with Islamic forces in Ansar League headquarters. Baraka said that this meeting came in light of the movement's keenness to maintain the Palestinian refugee camps' neutrality in the Lebanese and Arab interior conflicts.
We confirmed that the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon will not be a mailbox for anybody. Our project in Lebanon is return to Palestine, he stressed.
We are working to unify the Palestinian efforts in order to form a Palestinian united team in Lebanon for the Palestinian-Lebanese dialogue, he added.
We confirmed that the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon will not be a mailbox for anybody. Our project in Lebanon is return to Palestine, he stressed.
We are working to unify the Palestinian efforts in order to form a Palestinian united team in Lebanon for the Palestinian-Lebanese dialogue, he added.
12 june 2013
Lebanese army sources reported Wednesday [June 12 2013] that a number of Israeli military vehicles advanced approximately 15 meters into Lebanese territory, and that Lebanon complained to the UNIFIL.
The Lebanese army said that two Israeli tanks and two armored vehicles breached the border, and that the Lebanese Border Guards lodged a complaint to the United Nations United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL), asking them to order the army to withdraw.
The UNIFIL contacted the Israeli side and managed to have the army withdraw in order to avoid tension or “be dragged into conflicts in the region”.
On Wednesday evening, the Israeli Air Force breached Lebanese airspace by flying over areas in central and southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese army said that two Israeli tanks and two armored vehicles breached the border, and that the Lebanese Border Guards lodged a complaint to the United Nations United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL), asking them to order the army to withdraw.
The UNIFIL contacted the Israeli side and managed to have the army withdraw in order to avoid tension or “be dragged into conflicts in the region”.
On Wednesday evening, the Israeli Air Force breached Lebanese airspace by flying over areas in central and southern Lebanon.
7 june 2013
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Press TV has conducted an interview with Ibrahim Mousawi, a political commentator from the Lebanese capital city of Beirut to discuss the issue of the Israeli violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Press TV: Now we see, as we hear regularly that again Israel has basically violated Lebanon’s airspace. Now that your country is asking for condemnation by the UN Security Council do you think that it will get the condemnation from the Security Council and even if it does, will that make a difference? |
Mousawi: Well, to tell you the truth, we do not expect from the United Nations Security Council to be able to issue condemnation against Israel. It has never been their habit.
Here in this part of the world especially in Palestine and Lebanon and in all of the aggressions that the Israelis carry out against all the Islamic and Arab nations, we know very well that there is always a guarantee by certain Western powers, namely the United States of America, Britain, sometimes France. I mean they always give the guarantee and the immunity to the Israelis from any kind of condemnation.
But just let us hypothetically suggest that this is going to take place, which is not going to be the case anyway.
I do not believe that this is going to make any difference, yes, truly, when it comes to Israel the laws are being made in order to be transgressed and in order to be violated and in order to break them actually.
Israelis have always violated the Lebanese sovereignty in space, sometimes in water and then land also on the ground on a daily basis.
I can tell you that when it comes to the airspace the Israelis are violating the airspace and the sovereignty in the airspace on an hour level, on a minute level, they are always in the skies and the space of Lebanon carrying out investigations and spying against Lebanon and against the surrounding areas even in Syria.
Press TV: Mr. Mousawi how concerned are your people now, especially that the airspace violations have increased especially after this deteriorating situation that is going on in Syria?
Mousawi: Well, to tell you the truth, I mean when you talk about Lebanon, you talk about a very consolidated, deeply entrenched culture of resistance against the Israelis.
Now when we look at them we see they dare do something because the Lebanese people have been able through their resistance, through their victorious and their glorious resistance, to give lessons to the Israeli aggressors.
Now there is a kind of balance of terror - if you want. There is a kind of balance of defense. There is a kind of equilibrium, a very delicate one, that if they do make any folly against Lebanon, they are going to pay the price.
This is a culture known by all of the Lebanese. We have reached a place where any aggression against Lebanon is not going to be a picnic, is not going to be a random issue that they can take. It is not something that they can do in their cool nerves. They have to make lengthy, complicated accounts before they do it.
Here in this part of the world especially in Palestine and Lebanon and in all of the aggressions that the Israelis carry out against all the Islamic and Arab nations, we know very well that there is always a guarantee by certain Western powers, namely the United States of America, Britain, sometimes France. I mean they always give the guarantee and the immunity to the Israelis from any kind of condemnation.
But just let us hypothetically suggest that this is going to take place, which is not going to be the case anyway.
I do not believe that this is going to make any difference, yes, truly, when it comes to Israel the laws are being made in order to be transgressed and in order to be violated and in order to break them actually.
Israelis have always violated the Lebanese sovereignty in space, sometimes in water and then land also on the ground on a daily basis.
I can tell you that when it comes to the airspace the Israelis are violating the airspace and the sovereignty in the airspace on an hour level, on a minute level, they are always in the skies and the space of Lebanon carrying out investigations and spying against Lebanon and against the surrounding areas even in Syria.
Press TV: Mr. Mousawi how concerned are your people now, especially that the airspace violations have increased especially after this deteriorating situation that is going on in Syria?
Mousawi: Well, to tell you the truth, I mean when you talk about Lebanon, you talk about a very consolidated, deeply entrenched culture of resistance against the Israelis.
Now when we look at them we see they dare do something because the Lebanese people have been able through their resistance, through their victorious and their glorious resistance, to give lessons to the Israeli aggressors.
Now there is a kind of balance of terror - if you want. There is a kind of balance of defense. There is a kind of equilibrium, a very delicate one, that if they do make any folly against Lebanon, they are going to pay the price.
This is a culture known by all of the Lebanese. We have reached a place where any aggression against Lebanon is not going to be a picnic, is not going to be a random issue that they can take. It is not something that they can do in their cool nerves. They have to make lengthy, complicated accounts before they do it.
6 june 2013
Hamas leadership in Lebanon held a meeting in Beirut on Thursday and discussed the overall political conditions and affairs of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Lebanese daily Annahar, which published the news on its website, said that Hamas affirmed the priority of the Palestine cause over all other issues and on its policy of avoiding being dragged into side battles.
It said that the discussions, which also tackled the impact of Syrian crisis on Palestinian presence in Lebanon, affirmed Hamas’s backing for Lebanon’s unity, security, and stability.
Hamas urged the Lebanese to unite their ranks in face of the “Zionist enemy” and its expansionist policies, terrorist practices, and constant aggressions.
The movement stressed that Palestinian refugee camps should be not used as an arena to settle accounts, and denounced, in this respect, the unprecedented media campaign against the Palestinian presence in Lebanon.
Hamas lashed out at those who fabricate news against Palestinian refugees and urged the Lebanese official circles to intervene and curb such “cheap incitement”.
It said that the discussions, which also tackled the impact of Syrian crisis on Palestinian presence in Lebanon, affirmed Hamas’s backing for Lebanon’s unity, security, and stability.
Hamas urged the Lebanese to unite their ranks in face of the “Zionist enemy” and its expansionist policies, terrorist practices, and constant aggressions.
The movement stressed that Palestinian refugee camps should be not used as an arena to settle accounts, and denounced, in this respect, the unprecedented media campaign against the Palestinian presence in Lebanon.
Hamas lashed out at those who fabricate news against Palestinian refugees and urged the Lebanese official circles to intervene and curb such “cheap incitement”.
3 june 2013
Five Israeli aircraft have penetrated the Lebanese airspace and flown over several areas of Lebanon in blatant violation of a UN Security Council resolution.
An Israeli drone entered the airspace over the southern village of al-Naqoura, situated 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, at 6:45 a.m. local time (0345 GMT) on Sunday, according to a statement issued by the Lebanese military.
The remote-controlled aircraft carried out surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon, including the towns of Riyaq, Baalbek and Zahleh, before it left Lebanon’s airspace at 2:40 p.m. local time (1140 GMT) while flying over the town of Alma al-Shaab.
Four Israeli warplanes also crossed into Lebanon’s airspace over the southern border village of Kfar Kila, located 96 kilometers (59 miles) south of Beirut, at 9:20 a.m. local time (0620 GMT) on Sunday.
The warplanes flew over several areas in Lebanon before leaving the airspace at 11:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) while flying over Alma al-Shaab.
The Israeli regime violates Lebanon’s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the country's sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched on Lebanon in 2006, urges the Tel Aviv regime to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
An Israeli drone entered the airspace over the southern village of al-Naqoura, situated 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, at 6:45 a.m. local time (0345 GMT) on Sunday, according to a statement issued by the Lebanese military.
The remote-controlled aircraft carried out surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon, including the towns of Riyaq, Baalbek and Zahleh, before it left Lebanon’s airspace at 2:40 p.m. local time (1140 GMT) while flying over the town of Alma al-Shaab.
Four Israeli warplanes also crossed into Lebanon’s airspace over the southern border village of Kfar Kila, located 96 kilometers (59 miles) south of Beirut, at 9:20 a.m. local time (0620 GMT) on Sunday.
The warplanes flew over several areas in Lebanon before leaving the airspace at 11:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) while flying over Alma al-Shaab.
The Israeli regime violates Lebanon’s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the country's sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched on Lebanon in 2006, urges the Tel Aviv regime to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
2 june 2013
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman has tasked the country's foreign minister with filing a complaint with the United Nations over repeated Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace.
The order was issued on Sunday hours after Israeli warplanes conducted overflights over several parts of Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut.
"President Michel Sleiman tasked Foreign Minister Adnan Mansur with filing an urgent complaint to the United Nations about Israel's persistent airspace violations, including over all of Lebanon this morning, including the capital Beirut," said a statement by president's office.
Israel violates Lebanon’s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of the Lebanese sovereignty and UN Resolution 1701, which ended the Israeli war on Lebanon in 2006.
In May, the UN called on Israel to halt increased military air patrols over Lebanon after UNIFIL protested against a surge in Israeli flights over the country.
According to evidence-backed statistics submitted to the UN by the Lebanese government in 2009, Israel had violated the resolution over 7000 times "by crossing Lebanese airspace," waters, and border on an almost daily basis since the implementation of the resolution.
The order was issued on Sunday hours after Israeli warplanes conducted overflights over several parts of Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut.
"President Michel Sleiman tasked Foreign Minister Adnan Mansur with filing an urgent complaint to the United Nations about Israel's persistent airspace violations, including over all of Lebanon this morning, including the capital Beirut," said a statement by president's office.
Israel violates Lebanon’s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of the Lebanese sovereignty and UN Resolution 1701, which ended the Israeli war on Lebanon in 2006.
In May, the UN called on Israel to halt increased military air patrols over Lebanon after UNIFIL protested against a surge in Israeli flights over the country.
According to evidence-backed statistics submitted to the UN by the Lebanese government in 2009, Israel had violated the resolution over 7000 times "by crossing Lebanese airspace," waters, and border on an almost daily basis since the implementation of the resolution.
Israeli warplanes have once again violated Lebanon’s airspace, conducting low-altitude flights over eastern parts of the country.
The Lebanese National News Agency reported that the aircraft flew over the Bekaa Valley and other parts of the country early on Sunday in blatant violation of a UN Security Council resolution.
Israel violates Lebanon’s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the Lebanese sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched on Lebanon in 2006, calls on the Tel Aviv regime to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of Lebanese territory.
The Lebanese National News Agency reported that the aircraft flew over the Bekaa Valley and other parts of the country early on Sunday in blatant violation of a UN Security Council resolution.
Israel violates Lebanon’s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the Lebanese sovereignty.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched on Lebanon in 2006, calls on the Tel Aviv regime to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of Lebanese territory.
