Biblical countries, in the news.

[Shammu]

Iran's showdown with the West
 
David Frum
National Post
Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Here's what we don't know: We don't know whether Hezbollah anticipated the strong Israeli reaction to its kidnapping of Israeli soldiers.

That means we don't know whether Hezbollah intended to trigger a major regional war -- or whether it complacently assumed it could pressure Israel into a 400-to-1 prisoner exchange like the one Hezbollah extracted in 2004.

But here's what we do know: We know that the missile that wrecked an IDF warship and killed four sailors on July 15 was manufactured in Iran to a Chinese design. We know that Hezbollah's longer-range weapons are commanded by Iranian Revolutionary Guards. We know that Hezbollah's fighting forces were equipped and trained by Iranian officers. And we know above all that Hezbollah is financed, equipped, and trained by the Iranian secret service. It carries out terror missions on behalf of Iran. For all practical purposes, Hezbollah is an arm of the Iranian state.

And when Hezbollah goaded Israel into war, the war it triggered was not a war between Israel and Lebanon.

The war Hezbollah provoked is a war between Israel and Iran, with Hezbollah as Iran's proxy -- and the people of Lebanon as Iran's victims. The Lebanese have been kidnapped by Iran as surely as those two Israeli soldiers abducted on the northern border.

Israel has recognized that tragic fact. It has fought this war on its northern border as humanely as it can. Flip the switch in Beirut and the lights come on; open the taps, and the water flows. Essential services have been spared. The runways at Beirut Airport have been bombed to stop reinforcements to Hezbollah, but the control towers and the newly built terminal have been spared because Lebanon will need them later.

Unintended civilian casualties have tragically occurred, as they do in any war. But Israel's sincere and costly attempts to minimize the loss of innocent life present a stark contrast with Hezbollah's deliberately atrocious war methods.

Hezbollah has boasted that it has tried to fire missiles into Haifa's chemical factories, in hope of releasing gases to poison the civilian population. Hezbollah rocket warheads arrive crammed with ball bearings, so as to inflict maximum death and suffering upon the civilian populations at which they are fired.

Nobody wants the war to last a minute longer than it needs to. But ironically, letting this war go to the finish would be a far more humane policy than the UN's call for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.

If the war ends today, it ends with Hezbollah bloodied, but intact. It ends with Hezbollah still in possession of much of southern Lebanon, ready to be resupplied and reinforced by Syria and Iran. It ends with Hezbollah able to boast that it fought a war with Israel that ended with Israeli concessions. In other words: it ends with a Hezbollah, which is to say an Iranian, victory.

What would happen then? Well, such a victory would finish forever the hopes of those Lebanese, the majority of the population, who want to see their country regain its national independence.

And it would embolden the mullahs of Iran. In the early 1990s, the mullahs launched a global terror campaign. They assassinated Iranian dissident exiles in the streets of Paris and the restaurants of Berlin. In 1994, they bombed the Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires, killing almost 100 people, and bombed the Israeli embassy.

In 1996 they attacked the Khobar Towers barracks in Saudi Arabia, killing 17 Americans. That last attack was too much even for the Clinton admininstration, which issued an ultimatum to the Iranians. Overt Iranian violence subsided. Instead, the Iranians redoubled their investment in their nuclear bomb program so that next time, they could kill with impunity.

"Next time" is now here. Intended or not, the war on Israel's northern border is Iran's showdown with the West.

Now see the stakes if Iran loses. If Hezbollah is destroyed as a military force, Iran loses its most potent weapon of attack and retaliation against the Western world.

Through the years of negotiating with Iran over its nuclear bomb program, the Iranians have repeatedly threatened: "If you should dare ever to strike our nuclear facilities, we will unleash a global Hezbollah terror campaign against oil in the Persian Gulf, against Israel, against Europe, against the United States!" No more Hezbollah means no more such terror threats.

When negotiations over the nuclear program resume, they will resume with the West powerfully strengthened and Iran visibly weakened by the failure of Iran's own reckless aggression. This will be Israel's achievement -- and Israel's latest gift to the peace of the world.

To achieve this positive result, however, Israel must be allowed to finish the job. Israel must be allowed to shatter Hezbollah as a military force and put an end to its state-within-a-state in southern Lebanon.

Once that work is done, the international community can act to rebuild and restore. There has been talk of replacing Hezbollah with an international military force. The right kind of force should be welcome. Not a UN force obviously: the UN force in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL, not only stood by as Hezbollah kidnapped Israeli soldiers, but actually helped cover up for Hezbollah by concealing videotape it had recorded of the attack.

But a NATO force, perhaps led by France, which has strongly championed Lebanese independence from Syria -- such a force could open the way to peace, reconstruction, and the full democratization of Lebanon.

All that comes later. There is a war to be won first. We grieve for the innocent Lebanese victimized by Iran's terror war.

But we remember too the millions of other innocents for whom we would have to grieve unless Iran's power to wreak terror, next time with nukes, is taken away in time.

Iran's showdown with the West

[Shammu]

A STATEMENT BY THE SAUDI ROYAL COURT (Lebanon/Gaza)

JEDDAH, JULY 25, SPA(Saudi Press Agency) -- FOLLOWING IS THE STATEMENT
ISSUED TODAY BY THE ROYAL COURT:

" THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA HAS UNDERSTAKEN THE ROLE REQUIRED OF IT BY ITS
RELIGIOUS AND NATIONAL DUTY WITH REGARD TO THE SITUATION IN THE REGION AND
REPERCUSSIONS OF EVENTS IN LEBANON AND THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES.
IN THIS REGARD, IT HAS CAUTIONED, WARNED AND EXTENDED ADVICE. FURTHERMORE,
IT HAS STRIVEN FROM THE FIRST MOMENT TO STOP THE AGRRESSION, MOVING ON MORE
THAN ONE FRONT AND BY MORE THAN ONE MEANS, TO PERSUADE THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY TO FORCE ISRAEL TO AGREE TO A CEASEFIRE.

MEANWHILE, THE KINGDOM HAS DISPATCHED HRH THE FOREIGN MINISTER AND HRH THE
SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET H.E. THE U.S.
PRESIDENT IN WASHINGTON AND INFORM HIM OF ITS VIEWS ON THE GRAVE AND
UNPREDICTABLE CONSEQUENCES OF THE UNREMITTING ISRAELI AGGRESSION IF MATTERS
WENT BEYOND CONTROL. THE KINGDOM HAS ALSO ASKED PERSONAL ENVOYS TO VISIT THE
CAPITALS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S PERMANENT MEMBER STATES TO CONVEY THE
SAME MESSAGE.

THE ARABS HAVE PROCLAIMED PEACE AS A STRATEGIC OPTION FOR THE ARAB NATION.
THEY PRESENTED A JUST AND DISTINCT PLAN FOR REGAINING THE OCCUPIED ARAB
TERRITORIES IN EXCHANGE FOR PEACE. THEY REFUSED TO RESPOND TO PROVOCATIONS
AND IGNORED ANTI-PEACE EXTREMIST CALLS. IT SHOULD BE STATED THAT PATIENCE
COULD NOT LAST FOREVER. IF THE ISRAELI MILITARY BRUTALITY PERSISTED WITH
KILLINGS AND DESTRUCTION NO ONE COULD PREDICT THE CONSEQUENCES AND THAN
REGRETS WILL BE IN VAIN.

THEREFORE, THE KINGDOM ADDRESSES AN APPEAL AND A WARNING TO THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN ITS ENTIRETY, AS REPRESENTED BY THE U.N. AND IN
PARTICULAR THE U.S. 

THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA CALLS ON ALL TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH HONEST,
CONSCIOUS AND INTERNATIONAL MORAL AND HUMANITARIAN LAWS. IT ALSO WARNS ALL
THAT IF THE PEACE OPTION IS REJECTED DUE TO THE ISRAELI ARROGANCE THEN ONLY
THE WAR OPTION REMAINS AND NO ONE KNOWS THE REPERCUSSIONS BEFALLING THE
REGION, INCLUDING WARS AND CONFLICT THAT WILL SPARE NO ONE INCLUDING THOSE
WHOSE MILITARY POWER IS NOW TEMPTING THEM TO PLAY WITH FIRE.

"IN TANDEM WITH ITS POLITICAL MOVES,THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA IS CONSCIOUS
THAT THE HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE IN LEBANON AND PALESTINE REQUIRES GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM ALL ARABS, MUSLIMS AND HONORABLE PEOPLE.

BASED ON THE ABOVE, THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES HAS ADDRESSED A
CALL FOR A POPULAR FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN STARTING TOMORROW URGING ALL SAUDI
CITIZENS TO SHOW THE USUAL GENEROSITY AND COMMITMENT TOWARDS THE ARAB AND
MUSLIM NATION.

WITH REGARD TO THE RECONSTRUCTION OF LEBANON AND PALESTINE IN THE WAKE OF
THE HUGE DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY THE ISRAELI AGGRESSION, THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI
ARABIA IS PLEASED TO BE THE FIRST TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THESE EFFORTS:
WITHIN THIS CONTEXT, THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES HAS ISSUED HIS
DIRECTIVES TO EARMARK AN $500 MILLION GRANT FOR THE LEBANESE PEOPLE TO FORM
THE NUCLEUS OF AN ARAB AND INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF
LEBANON. HE HAS ALSO DIRECTED THAT AN AMOUNT OF $1 BILLION TO BE DEPOSITED
WITH THE LEBANESE CENTRAL BANK IN SUPPORT OF THE LEBANESE ECONOMY. MOREOVER,
THE KING ORDERED THE ALLOCATION OF A $250 MILLION GRANT FOR THE PALESTINIAN
PEOPLE, AS A NUCLEUS FOR AN ARAB AND INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR THE
RECONSTRUCTION OF PALESTINE.

THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA URGE ALL ARABS AND
ISLAMIC NATIONS AS WELL AS WORLD COUNTRIES TO LIVE UP TO THEIR ROLE AND
RESPONSIBLITIES TOWARDS CURRENT EVENTS WITH A VIEW TO ENABLING THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO EXTEND EFFECTIVE AND TANGIBLE ASSISTANCE TO
LEBANON AND PALESTINE RATHER THAN STATEMENTS OF CONDEMNATION AND
DENUNCIATION.

MAY ALLAH HELP US TO HOLD FAST OUR FAIR STANCES AND GRANT US PATIENCE AT
TIMES OF HARDSHIPS."

STATEMENT BY THE SAUDI ROYAL COURT (Lebanon/Gaza)

[Shammu]

Ahmadinejad: Lebanon Will Determine the Future of Humanity
Special Dispatch - Iran
July 26, 2006
No. 1212

Iranian President Ahmadinejad on IRINN TV: "Lebanon is the Scene of an
Historic Test, Which Will Determine the Future of Humanity"

The following are excerpts from an interview with Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, which aired on the Iranian News Channel (IRINN) on July 23,
2006.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "In my opinion, Lebanon is the scene
of an historic test, which will determine the future of humanity. Everyone
must be put to the test. Everyone. It is inconceivable for anyone who calls
himself a Muslim and who heads an Islamic state to maintain relations under
the table with the regime that occupied Jerusalem. He cannot take pleasure
in the [Israeli] killing of Muslims yet present himself as a Muslim. This is
inconceivable, and must be exposed. Allah willing, it will. You will see.

"This is a mirror that will reveal everyone's true essence. This is not one
of those ordinary tests. Not at all. It will expose everything. A bunch of
people with no honor rule some countries in the region. People are being
killed before their eyes, while they play games, giving compliments to one
another. They think they can let time go by until this issue is forgotten,
and then return to the scene. No, they are mistaken.

"In this case, they must make their position clear. Of course, some of them
have taken positive positions, but others have buried their heads in the
sand. Their true character will be exposed in this scene. For them, this is
'the Day that all things secret will be tested.' They will reach this day.
The hypocrisy must be exposed."

[...]

"England was the founder of this sinister regime. It is an accomplice to all
its crimes. America, which supports it now, is an accomplice to all its
crimes. They are the ones who started this fire. They are the ones who
support [Israel], and encourage it to strike at the people in such a manner.
They say: 'They took two of our soldiers.' Fine, but you took 5,000 of
theirs. Sit together and have a prisoner exchange. But you are destroying
the life of an entire people, and harming innocent people - all for two
soldiers? Do you value human life at all?

"They even lie to those wretched people whom they have collected from around
the world and brought to the occupied lands. In fact, their leaders are
having a good time around the world. After all, they are not in the
battlefield. They are outside the scene. They have collected a bunch of
people and put them there to serve as their shields, so they can realize
their colonialist, domineering goals."

Ahmadinejad: Lebanon Will Determine the Future of Humanity

[Shammu]

Iran president warns of spreading violence

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, Associated Press Writer Tue Jul 25, 12:43 PM ET

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned Tuesday that the conflict between Lebanon and Israel could trigger "a hurricane" of broader fighting in the Middle East.

Ahmadinejad's nation is a major backer of the Hezbollah militant group and a sworn enemy of Israel. In his comments, he referred to a proverb that says: "He who raises the wind will get a hurricane."

"That proverb fully relates to the Middle East, which is a very volatile region," he said. "And it will be a strong hurricane which will strike really hard."

Ahmadinejad made his comments after meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov. The two leaders signed a joint statement declaring "that the use of force against Palestine and Lebanon is unacceptable."

"All issues of international security must be resolved through dialogue, because force does not bring a solution," the Iranian leader said. "The use of force will only exacerbate the situation."

Ahmadinejad and Rakhmonov called for a cease-fire and urged international organizations to seek the swiftest possible settlement of the conflict.

Tajikistan is an impoverished but strategically important former Soviet republic because of its border with Afghanistan. Tajik and Iranian officials signed agreements Tuesday meant to boost trade and cooperation on cultural issues, labor, justice and tourism.

The Tajik language is similar to Farsi, Iran's main language.

Iran president warns of spreading violence

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Lebanese parliament speaker rejects Rice proposals
associated press, THE JERUSALEM POST    Jul. 24, 2006

Lebanon's parliament speaker, Hizbullah's de facto negotiator, rejected proposals brought by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday, insisting a cease-fire must precede any talks about resolving Hizbullah's presence in the south, an official close to the speaker said.

Rice's talks with Prime Minister Fuad Saniora also appeared to have been tense. Saniora told Rice that Israel's bombardment was taking his country "backwards 50 years" and also called for a "swift cease-fire," the prime minister's office said.

An official close to parliament speaker Nabi Berri said his talks with Rice "reached agreement because Rice insisted on one full package to end the fighting."

The package included a cease-fire, simultaneous with the deployment of the Lebanese army and an international force in south Lebanon and the removal of Hizbullah weapons from a buffer zone extending 30 kilometers from the Israeli border, said the official. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.

Berri rejected the package, proposing instead a two-phased plan. First would come a cease-fire and negotiations for a prisoner swap. Then an inter-Lebanese dialogue would work out a solution to the situation in south Lebanon.

Lebanese parliament speaker rejects Rice proposals

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Israel to control zone until forces arrive
26 July 2006

JERUSALEM: Israel will control a security zone in southern Lebanon until an international force can be deployed to take it over, Defence Minister Amir Peretz said on Tuesday.

Israel believes a 10,000- to 20,000-member stabilisation force will be needed and that it could be deployed one to two weeks after Western powers approve it, senior Israeli government officials said.

The estimate of 20,000 would be nearly double the size of the multilateral force being discussed by European powers.

Defence officials would not say whether Israeli troops would occupy the zone along the border or control it using aircraft and artillery fire.

"We pushed them back and there will be no return to the situation before," a senior defence source said.

Peretz said Israeli forces would fire at anyone who enters the no-go zone, though he did not say how deep into Lebanese territory it would stretch.

Israeli government sources estimated the zone's width at 3-4km. Western diplomats briefed by the Israeli government said it could be as wide as 5-10km in some places.

"We have no other option... We will have to build a new security strip, a security strip that will be a cover for our forces until international forces arrive," Peretz said.

Government officials said Israel intended to keep up its offensive against Hizbollah until the multilateral force begins deploying along the southern border and at crossing points between Lebanon and Syria to prevent Hizbollah from re-arming.

"There cannot be an interim," said a senior Israeli government official. "It would be a free time for Hizbollah to return to the border."

Asked how long the deployment of the security force would take, the official said: "The force can be deployed in stages. It can be done in one to two weeks."

A CEILING OF 20,000

Western diplomats and analysts said the international force would include infantry, armoured units and special forces trained in handling crisis situations.

Diplomats briefed by the Israeli government said the 20,000 figure included logistical support units. A contingent would train the Lebanese army.

A senior Israeli government official described the 20,000 figure as "a ceiling". A Western diplomat called it Israel's "opening bid" in negotiations over the proposed force.

"It's a lot to ask for an international force... in a hostile environment," said one diplomat briefed on Israel's plans.

Israel wants the proposed force to secure the Lebanese side of the Israeli border with the help the Lebanese army.

Israel and the United States also want to push Hizbollah at least 20km from the border.

Hizbollah is believed to have long-range rockets that could strike the densely populated Tel Aviv area, some 130km from the southern Lebanese border.

"Unless we stop the resupply (of rockets), 20km is meaningless," an Israeli official said.

One option that Israeli officials said they would not object to is the deployment of Egyptian troops along the Lebanese-Syrian border. Lebanon borders Syria for about 375km to the north and to the east, and Israel for about 79km to the south.

"How do you hermetically seal a country that borders on Syria and the sea? It's a huge job," another Israeli government official said.

Israel to control zone until forces arrive

[Shammu]

Hizbullah: IDF onslaught was unexpected
Associated Press, THE JERUSALEM POST    Jul. 25, 2006

A senior Hizbullah official said Tuesday the guerrillas did not expect Israel to react so strongly to its capture of two IDF soldiers this month.

Mahmoud Komati, the deputy chief of the Hezbollah politburo, also said that his group would not lay down arms.

His comments were the first time that a leader from the Islamic militant group has suggested it miscalculated the consequences of the July 12 cross-border raid that seized the two.
"The truth is - let me say this clearly - we didn't even expect (this) response.... that (Israel) would exploit this operation for this big war against us," said Komati.  (Liar y'all knew exactly what you were doing.......  DW)

He said Hizbullah had expected "the usual, limited response" from Israel.  (Once burned, maybe a mistake. Twice burnt, shame on you. Three times burned, look out......  DW)

In the past, he said, Israeli responses to Hizbullah actions included sending in commandos into Lebanon and kidnapping Hizbullah officials or briefly targeting specific Hizbullah strongholds in southern Lebanon.

He said his group had also anticipated negotiations to swap the soldiers with three Lebanese prisoners in Israeli jails, with Germany acting as a mediator as it has in past prisoner exchanges.

Komati also gave higher casualty figures for the guerrillas than the 11 the group has reported so far in the 13-day-old conflict. He said that as of Monday 25 were killed, including 17 in ground fighting with IDF troops assaulting several south Lebanese border towns since the weekend.

Later Tuesday, Hezbollah announced the deaths of two more guerrillas in the border fighting, bringing the total toll to 27.

Israel has said Hizbullah is greatly underreporting its casualties. The IDF chief of staff, Brig. Gen. Udi Nehushtan, said Tuesday in Jerusalem that "some dozens" of Hezbollah fighters have been killed in past two weeks.

Despite Israel's and Hezbollah's claims over the number of guerrillas killed, it was not possible to independently determine the number or sometimes to distinguish between civilians and fighters.

The Health Ministry said Tuesday that 375 civilians had been killed in the campaign, in addition to 20 Lebanese soldiers. The Hezbollah claim on the death toll would bring the total to 422 dead in Lebanon. The number is an increase over the latest toll from security forces because the ministry counts those who die later in the hospital. On Tuesday, eight people were confirmed killed - six civilians and the two Hezbollah fighters.

At least 41 Israelis have been killed in the campaign, including 24 soldiers.

Hizbullah: IDF onslaught was unexpected

[Shammu]

 Iran-Majlis-Israel
Tehran, July 25, IRNA


Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, speaking to reporters on July 25, 2006, says that the flame of resistance against Israel will not be extinguished even if the fake regime scores some temporary victories.

Addressing the media, Haddad-Adel dismissed the possibility of Hizbollah's elimination.

Iran-Majlis-Israel

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Flame of resistance against Israel not to extinguish
Tehran, July 25, IRNA

Iran-Majlis-Israel
Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel here Tuesday said that the flame of resistance against Israel will not be extinguished even if the fake regime scores some temporary victories.

Speaking to domestic and foreign reporters at a press conference, Haddad-Adel dismissed the possibility of Hizbollah's elimination.

"The issue of Palestine and Israel cannot be solved easily, given the major gap between the conscience of the world of Islam and the Western supporters of Israel that both are seeking peace. This is while the US looks for peace without justice and the world of Islam for peace with justice," he added.

The speaker said that Israelis and their Western proponents should be aware that peace without justice will not last, adding, "At the Madrid conference, we told them that if they seek peace, they should also establish justice, given that any type of peace cannot be sustainable unless accompanied by justice."
He said that the resistance of the world of Islam to formation of the fake Israeli government in the region for the past 60 years has proved this.

Flame of resistance against Israel not to extinguish

[Shammu]

Iran will stop cooperation with IAEA once it finds cooperation against national interests
Tehran, July 25, IRNA

Iran-Majlis-IAEA
Majlis speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel here Tuesday said that once Majlis finds out that continued cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog have no benefit for Iran, it will disapprove it under the present situation.

He made the remark while talking to domestic and foreign reporters at a press conference.

If Iran's nuclear dossier is reported to the United Nations Security Council and the negotiators involved in the matter use the language of threat instead of dialogue, Majlis will revise its approach to the issue.

"Any type of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) such as continuing NPT membership and cooperation within the framework of the Additional Protocol will depend on Majlis approval," he added.

Stating that such an approach is just an idea and suggestion, he said that Iran prefers the issue to be followed up through talks.

"Given that our call is rational, it is possible to get a result by holding talks," he added.

Turning to the possible prevention of talks on the country's nuclear issue by the US, he said that Iran and Europe still insist on holding talks on Iran's nuclear activities for peaceful purposes.

Iran will stop cooperation with IAEA once it finds cooperation against national interests

[Shammu]

 Tunisian diplomat calls for unity in world of Islam
Tehran, July 25, IRNA

Iran-Tunisia-Sakri
Tunisian Ambassador to Tehran Mouldi al-Sakri said the Muslim world is required to support Lebanon and Palestine in the face of Israeli aggressions.

In a meeting with Secretary-General of the World Assembly for Proximity among Islamic Schools of Thought Ayatollah
Mohammad Ali Taskhiri here on Tuesday, al-Sakri said Muslim states are also required to support the oppressed Lebanese and Palestinian nations and stand up to the Zionist regime's adventurism.

The US and Britain are extensively supporting Israel's invasion of Lebanon by providing the entity with all-out political, military and economic support.

London and Washington have also mobilized their diplomatic and edia apparatuses to support Israel's attacks on Lebanon.

Ayatollah Taskhiri, for his part, highlighted the importance of ties between Iran and Tunisia and the Arab world, saying cooperation is needed between the two sides in order to achieve their common goals.

Tunisian diplomat calls for unity in world of Islam

[Shammu]

Chirac tells Finland's Vanhanen to send Solana to Middle East
24.7.2006 at 10:29

Jacques Chirac, the French president, sent a letter Friday to Matti Vanhanen (centre), Finland´s prime minister, concerning steps he is urging the EU to take in order to broker a ceasefire in the Middle East.

According to President Chirac´s office, the letter asks EU president Finland to send Javier Solana, the EU´s foreign policy representative, to the Middle East to investigate the possibility of reaching a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza through shuttle diplomacy.

President Chirac sent a similar message to José Manuel Barroso, the head of the European commission.

Mr Vanhanen told the Finnish News Agency (STT) Saturday that Mr Solana was already mandated to seek a resolution in the Middle East conflict.

"When the crisis started we asked him to act, and seeking a solution is part of his mission. He is a senior representative of the (European) commission and it is, of course, his responsibility to try to find a solution on the basis of the decisions of the commission and those made by the UN. After all, this concerns a larger package, not just a ceasefire," Mr Vanhanen said.

"In the first stage it would be very important to reach a UN decision on which solutions could be based."

The prime minister also said he very much valued France´s active role in the Middle East.

Finland holds the rotating presidency of the EU.

Chirac tells Finland's Vanhanen to send Solana to Middle East

[Shammu]

Iranian soldiers join Hizbullah in fighting

Lebanese sources say Revolutionary Guard units aiding Hizbullah against Jewish state, report bodies of dead Iranian soldiers transferred to Tehran via Syria
Aaron Klein, WND

The bodies of Iranian Revolutionary Guard soldiers who were killed by the Israeli army in Lebanon have been transported to Syria and flown to Tehran, senior Lebanese political sources told WorldNetDaily.

The information was confirmed by Israeli and Egyptian security officials. It follows scores of reports the past few days Iranian soldiers have been aiding Hizbullah terrorists in Lebanon in their attacks against Israel, including help with the firing of rockets into Israeli population centers.

The Lebanese sources said between six and nine deceased Iranian Revolutionary Guard soldiers were brought in trucks last week into Syria for flight back to Iran. They said the bodies were transported along with the tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians fleeing the country into Syria.

Since Israel began its military campaign in Lebanon two weeks ago following a Hizbullah attack on the Jewish state in which two Israeli soldiers were kidnapped, Syrian authorities have reported more than 140,000 Lebanese have entered their country, mostly through open areas in the Syria-Lebanon border.

Israel: Hizbullah using Iranian missiles

WND reported earlier this month Israeli security officials said they have "concrete information" hundreds of Iranian soldiers stationed at Hizbullah positions in Lebanon have aided in efforts to fire missiles into the Jewish state.

The Israeli officials said Iranian guards directed the firing two weeks ago of a radar-guided C–802 missile that hit an Israeli navy vessel off the coast of Lebanon, killing four soldiers. Israel says Iran acquired the missile from China.

The officials said the Iranian soldiers' duties include keeping custody of long-range missiles within Hizbullah's arsenal, including Zalzal rockets which are said to have a range of 125 miles, placing Tel Aviv within firing range.

Jordanian officials told WND they are "100 percent sure" Iranian Revolutionary Guard unit soldiers have fired rockets into Israel. They also said the Syrian army has provided Hizbullah with intelligence information on the locations of strategic Israeli targets to aid in Hizbullah rocket fire.

A Ba'ath party official operating out of the Golan Heights told WND he has information Iranian soldiers have been firing rockets into Israel.

A senior Egyptian security official told WND it would be "very logical" if Iranian Revolutionary Guard soldiers have been helping Hizbullah fire the rockets.

'Hizbullah trying to transfer kidnapped soldiers to Iran'

Israel has long maintained Iranian Revolutionary Guard units have traveled regularly to south Lebanon to help train local Hizbullah fighters in terrorist tactics and to fortify Hizbullah positions along Israel's northern border.

At times, Revolutionary Guard soldiers could be seen operating openly at Hizbullah outposts in plain view from the Israeli side, military officials say.

Iran and Syria are the largest financial sponsors of Hizbullah. Israel says many Hizbullah rockets were made in or upgraded by Iran.

Earlier, Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mark Regev said Israel has information Hizbullah was trying to transfer the two soldiers it kidnapped to Iran.

Iranian soldiers join Hizbullah in fighting

[Shammu]

Iranian report: Suicide bombers en route to Lebanon

Iranian news agency claims expeditionary force of suicide bombers sent from Tehran via Syria to Lebanon. Its goal: To wreak havoc near military, civilian targets, trigger civil war in Lebanon
Roee Nahmias

Is Tehran stepping up its involvement in the Israeli-Lebanese confrontation? Iran is set to send the first group of suicide bombers to Lebanon on Wednesday, the Iranian news agency ILNA reported.

The expeditionary force, dubbed by the Iranian regime as "Loyalists of Islamic Justice," will be the first ever to be sent to Lebanon. According to the report, the force is compiled of seekers of the Shahadah (death for the sake of heaven), who are set to depart from Tehran after the noontime prayer on Wednesday.

Other reports claimed that two groups made up of 27 volunteers have already left for Syria on their way to Lebanon. The volunteers' task, after having undergone a months-long training, would be to carry out suicide bombings aimed at wreaking havoc and fear around military and civilian targets. According to the report, the group's mission is to trigger a civil war within the divided Lebanese society, and cause the situation in the country to deteriorate even further.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in this regard that "the storm in the Middle East is approaching. Those who caused the storm shall bear the consequences."

Israel: Iran is aiding Hizbullah

Meanwhile, Israeli officials said that Iran continues to transfer arms to Hizbullah via the Damascus airport, and that soldiers of the country's Revolutionary Guards have already joined the organization in the fighting.

"The last time we detected their involvement was when a missile was fired at an Israeli missile boat off Lebanon's shores," a senior official said. Hizbullah's leader Hassan Nasrallah has repeatedly denied Israel's claims in his recent public appearances, and stated they were an example of Israel's disrespect for the organization.

At the same time, Hizbullah has also increased its efforts to launch terror attacks into Israel through the Palestinian territories. according to the official, "Hizbullah's unit that controls agents abroad is very active nowadays. They have been trying to send money and encourage their operatives to launch terror attacks, especially in northern Samaria."

'Syria continues to send arms to Lebanon'

"The current operation has curbed some of the communication and the funneling of funds, but we must remember Iran is always there to back Hizbullah, and it is indeed very involved."

Another element involved in the fighting is Syria, which continues to transfer Syrian-made arms to Hizbullah. "Syria has been transferring its 200 millimeter-diameter rockets to southern Lebanon since the summer of 2001, and we have alerted about this before, to heads of Arab and western states," the official said.

However, "Syria fears that Israel will attack it, although Israel promised not do so. The Syrians are readying their weapons and we can see and hear that," he stated.

Iranian report: Suicide bombers en route to Lebanon

[Shammu]

Nasrallah orders 'beyond Haifa' attacks

Hizbullah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah says his group's fighters would begin rocket attacks deeper into Israel, south of Haifa; adds that Israel's military offensive in Lebanon is part of US-Israel plan for 'a new Middle East' where 'resistance movements must be eliminated'
Associated Press

Hizbullah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah has said his group's fighters would begin rocket attacks deeper into Israel, south of the Israeli port of Haifa.

Speaking to his group's mouthpiece al-Manar TV, Nasrallah said Israel's two-week-long military offensive against Lebanon was linked to a U.S.-Israeli plan for "a new Middle East," a term used repeatedly by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during her just concluded visit to the region.

He also said Israel would have attacked his forces in southern Lebanon by October but moved early when his group captured two Israeli soldiers on July 12.

"In an American and Zionist assessment, there are obstacles to a new Middle East. In the new Middle East, the Palestine cause should be liquidated," Nasrallah said in a televised speech aired also aired on Lebanese and Arab satellite channels early Wednesday.

"In the new Middle East, there is no place for any resistance movement. The resistance movements in Palestine and Lebanon must be eliminated," Nasrallah added.

Nasrallah said his organization was ready to discuss an end to the fighting, but the dignity and national interest of Lebanon was what he termed a "red line," a reference to the heavy Israeli bombing and ground assaults on the country.

"There is no way that we can accept any humiliating conditions on us, our people or our country...especially after all these sacrifices. ... we are open to political discussions and solutions with flexibility, but the dignity and national interest is a red line."

The bearded Shiite Muslim cleric also said Israel could not win a ground war against his group, who would continue firing rockets into Israel no matter how far north Israeli forces penetrated into Lebanon.

"The goal of the incursion to prevent the rocketing of the settlements will not be achieved," he said. "The

rocketing will continue no matter what the incursion is. We are ready for a ground confrontation. We will have the upper hand in a ground confrontation. We will recover any land occupied by the enemy," Nasrallah said.

Nasrallah orders 'beyond Haifa' attacks