Biblical countries, in the news.

[Shammu]

Somali PM Says Iran,Libya,Egypt Backing Militants   

Copyright © 2006, Dow Jones Newswires

(Updates with denial from Islamic official)

BAIDOA, Somalia (AP)--Somalia's prime minister Saturday accused Egypt, Libya and Iran of providing weapons for Islamic militants who have seized control of much of this country's south, citing unnamed sources within his government.

"Egypt, Libya and Iran, whom we thought were friends, are engaged in fueling the conflict in Somalia by supporting the terrorists," Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Gedi said.

The accusations came as Somalia's already-weak government was unraveling. Two lawmakers were shot this week - one fatally - and Gedi was facing a no-confidence vote after 18 lawmakers resigned from his administration.

The leader of the Islamic militia, Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, denied receiving support from the three countries and said Gedi was "trying to distract attention from his own troubles."

The militia, known as the Supreme Islamic Courts Council has steadily gained power in recent months, raising fears of an emerging Taliban-style regime. The United States accuses the group of harboring al-Qaida leaders responsible for deadly bombings at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.

"We call for the international community to put pressure on these countries who want the problems in Somalia to continue," Gedi said.

Earlier Saturday, the prime minister was among hundreds who attended the funeral for Abdallah Isaaq Deerow, the minister for constitutional and federal affairs, who was shot outside a mosque as he walked out of Friday prayers.

Seven people have been arrested in Deerow's death, but authorities had no further details, according to Police Chief Aadin Biid.

The shooting enraged hundreds of Somalis, who rioted in the streets Friday, screaming, "We want a government that can restore law and order!"

"We condemn this wicked action, and the government will chase the murderers and treat them with an iron hand," the government's information minister, Mohamed Abdi Hayir, said.

Two days earlier, Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed, chairman of the parliamentary committee for constitutional affairs, was shot and wounded. It was not immediately clear whether the shootings were connected, although the men had worked together.

"If we don't express our anger we are afraid the killings may continue. We want to encourage the government to identify the culprits," said Baidoa resident Shafarah Younis, as nearly 400 people shouted and set fires near the presidential compound.

Somalia has been without an effective central government since warlords toppled dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991 and then turned on each other, carving much of the country into armed camps ruled by violence and clan law.

The government was established nearly two years ago with the support of the U.N. but has failed to assert any power outside its base in Baidoa, 250 kilometers from the capital, Mogadishu. The administration was in turmoil this week when 18 key ministers resigned, saying the government has failed to bring peace.

The Islamic militia has rallied even more supporters by condemning reports that troops from neighboring Ethiopia have entered the country to protect the fragile government. Ethiopia is Somalia's traditional enemy, although Somalia's president has asked for its support - a decision that infuriated many Somalis.

Deerow, the politician who was killed Friday, was "an ardent supporter of close ties with Ethiopia," his friend, Ali Mohamed Ahmed Daon, told The Associated Press. Deerow was a secondary school teacher before entering politics in the 1990s.

The U.N. special envoy to Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, said he was appalled by Friday's shooting. "I offer my condolences to Mr. Deerow's family and appeal for calm in what is already a turbulent moment in Somalia's recent history," he said.

Somali PM Says Iran,Libya,Egypt Backing Militants

[Shammu]

 Syrian president receives letter from Egypt's Mubarak on Lebanese crisis

DAMASCUS, July 30 (KUNA) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboulgheit on Sunday delivered a message to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad from President Hosni Mubarak regarding the escalating crisis between Lebanon and Israel.

"The message focused on containing the situation in Lebanon and arranging an immediate ceasefire as a prelude to conducting talks between Lebanon and Israel over all matters without anything being dictated by force of arms," a source told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Aboulgheit later left Syria on his way back home after a two-hour visit. He was seen off at the airport by his Syrian counterpart Walid Al-Muallem as well as Egyptian Ambassador to Syria Hazem Khairat.

The Egyptian minister's visit to Damascus was the second this month and falls under the headline of Cairo's efforts to contain both the Lebanese and Palestinian crises.

The source pointed out that Aboulgheit's talks with Assad would focus on the make-up of multi-national forces due to control a border belt between Lebanon and Israel.

Three days ago, Egypt had said it was "not ready to take part in such a multi-national force."

Syrian president receives letter from Egypt's Mubarak on Lebanese crisis

[Shammu]

"Throughout the Entire Arab-Israeli Conflict – When Were Two Million Israelis Forced to Become Displaced, or to Stay in Bomb Shelters for More than 18 days?"

Following are excerpts from a speech delivered by Hizbullah Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, which aired on Al-Manar TV on July 29, 2006:

Hassan Nasrallah: In addition to its failures, the enemy is resorting to concealing its losses. It is not we who are concealing our losses. Our information from the field shows that the enemy's losses are much greater than the figure it declares, and which is circulated in the media.

Why does the enemy still impose strict control over the media, and over all that is reported in the media? So that its people and ours will not see the extent of the losses - material, human and in terms of morale – inflicted upon this enemy.

Even the public opinion polls it announces – our information from within (Israel) stresses that they are fabricated and bogus, and are a part of the psychological warfare. But there are some facts that the enemy cannot conceal from its people, from our people, and from the world. Brothers and sisters, This figure will grow as we extend the phase of "beyond Haifa" - because the bombing of Afula and its military base was (only) the beginning of this phase. There are many cities in the center (of Israel), which will be targeted in the phase of "beyond Haifa," if this barbaric aggression against our land, people, and villages continues.

Can it conceal the enormity of economic and financial damage inflicted upon the (Zionist) entity? I leave the explanations to the specialists in this field.

But losses that are more important are in the trust, the morale, and the way the people of this entity views its leadership, its "invincible" army, its "great" security agencies, and their ability to confront a people small in numbers, a country small in size and capabilities, and a popular resistance, which has limited material and human capabilities, but which is solid in its determination and faith.

[...]

When the people of this tyrannical state loses its faith in its mythical army, this is the beginning of the end for this entity, because Israel is a country that was established for the sake of an army, and the army in Israel does not belong to the state. Once they sense that this army has become helpless, weak, defeated, humiliated, and a failure, the question will defiantly become one of life or death.

Hassan Nasrallah

[Shammu]

Next 2 are from Iran.................
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Mottaki makes a stop-over in Syria
06:38:23 È.Ù
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki heading a delegation arrived in Damascus Monday and was welcomed by his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem.

Upon his arrival, the Iranian Foreign Minister held a brief meeting with his Syrian counterpart prior to leaving the country for Beirut.

After the meeting, the Syrian Foreign Minister left Damascus for Doha of Qatar.

Speaking to reporters at Damascus airport, Mottaki said the aim of his visit to Lebanon was to voice support for the Lebanese government and nation and convey the sympathy of the Iranian nation and officials for the Lebanese people.

Mottaki expressed regret over continued crimes of the Zionists particularly their recent genocide of civilian people in Qana. During his upcoming visit to Beirut, Mottaki is to confer with the country's high ranking officials on the latest developments in Lebanon.

The brutal and inhumane attacks of the Zionist regime against innocent and defenseless civilians in Lebanon and Palestine, particularly raid on a residential building in Qana, south Lebanon, massacre of more than 60 civilians, mostly children, women and elderly have shocked the world.

The victims were poor families which could not leave the city and sheltered in the basement of a house which was levelled to the ground in the bombardment.

Mottaki makes a stop-over in Syria

[Shammu]

IRI, China sign oil deal
06:32:39 È.Ù
I.R. of Iran has signed a 2.7-billion-dollar oil refinery upgrade deal with China which will help feed the Islamic Republic's hunger for fuel, state television reported on Monday.

Under the accord, a consortium led by Chinese firm Sinopec will upgrade capacity at a refinery in the central Iranian city of Arak from the current 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day to 250,000 barrels.

IRI, China sign oil deal

[Shammu]

ME conflict has 'influenced' Iran N-stance: Pres.

Monday, July 31, 2006 - ©2005 IranMania.com
     Related Pictures
 
Archived Picture - Hardline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that the Israeli offensives against the Palestinian territories and Lebanon has "influenced" the Tehran's view of an international proposal aimed at resolving the row over its nuclear programme, AFP reported.

LONDON, July 31 (IranMania) - Hardline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that the Israeli offensives against the Palestinian territories and Lebanon has "influenced" the Tehran's view of an international proposal aimed at resolving the row over its nuclear programme, AFP reported.

"We are examining the package, considering our interests and definitive legitimate rights and will annouce our views at the appointed date," Ahmadinejad said.

"But the incidents in lebanon and Palestine have influenced our examination," said the hardline president, who was speaking at a joint news conference with visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

"The government is determined to fully exploit the rights of the Iranian nation," he said, signalling Tehran's continued unwillingness to freeze sensitive nuclear work at the centre of fears the country is seeking nuclear weapons.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany have offered Iran a package of incentives in exchange for a freeze of uranium enrichment work.

ME conflict has 'influenced' Iran N-stance: Pres.

[Shammu]

 Iran’s FM Arrives in Beirut
21:11 Jul 31, '06 / 6 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Iran’s Foreign Minister arrived in Beirut a short time ago. According to senior analysts in Israel, his presence signals direct Iranian involvement in the ongoing warfare, stating he is most likely working to strengthen Hizbullah interests against Israel.

Iran’s FM Arrives in Beirut

[Shammu]

Hizballah Spreading War to Christian Villages?
Julie Stahl
Jerusalem Bureau Chief

Jerusalem (CNSNews.com ) - Hizballah is trying to launch rockets from Christian villages in southern Lebanon, hoping to provoke an Israeli bombardment on Christian communities, a Lebanese source said.

Thousands of Lebanese reportedly were fleeing their homes in the south on Monday, taking advantage of a two-day lull in Israeli air strikes.

Some Christians have stayed in their southern Lebanese villages despite Israeli warnings to leave. Some believe they are safe from Israeli bombardment as long as they are not in areas where Hizballah is entrenched, said one Lebanese woman who asked not to be named.


But Hizballah has tried to enter those areas with portable rocket launchers and fire missiles from among the homes, hoping to provoke an Israeli response against the Christian villages, said the source who has relatives in southern Lebanon.

The Christians have chased the terrorists away, she said. Nevertheless, the Christians are reluctant to speak against Hizballah, fearing they'll be accused of siding with Israel.

About 40 percent of the Lebanese population is Christian and another 40 percent is Shiite Muslim - the latter, likely supporters of Hizballah. The other 20 percent is Druze and Sunni Muslim, who are generally allied with the Christian community, taking an anti-Syrian and anti-Hizballah stand.

Christian, Druze and Sunni Muslim political leaders in Lebanon have spoken out against Hizballah and its leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah.

Lebanon and the international community strongly condemned Israel on Sunday for an attack on a building in the southern Lebanese village of Qana, in which at least 57 people were killed, many of them children.

While it apologized for the civilian deaths, Israel said it was attack a village from which Hizballah had repeatedly launched rockets toward Israel. It also said it had warned residents there to leave the area or they would be considered sympathetic to Hizballah.

Israel and the U.S. have accused Hizballah using Lebanese civilians of as human shields launching rocket attacks against Israel from within civilian areas, knowing that an Israeli military response will bring more Lebanese casualties and condemnation on Israel.

"A picture is worth a million words," said the source. "[Hizballah] knows how to use pictures." The major television networks don't show the background. They don't show the people saying that they would rather die with Hizballah than flee the area, she said.

Therefore, when children are killed in attacks like the one on Sunday, it is the parents [and Hizballah] who are guilty, not Israel," said the source.

Hizballah Spreading War to Christian Villages?

[Shammu]

CAIR Labels Israel A Terrorist State
Susan Jones
Senior Editor

(CNSNews.com) - An Islamic advocacy group accuses Israel of waging a campaign of terror in southern Lebanon.

Moreover, the Council on American-Islamic Relations says U.S. support for "Israeli terror" is undermining America's credibility and interests worldwide.

"Whenever civilians are attacked to achieve a political goal, the charge of terrorism must be applied, whether the terrorist is an individual, a group or a state," said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

"Our government must end its support for Israel's campaign of terror in Lebanon and join an international effort to protect and bring humanitarian aid to the civilian population of that devastated nation."


CAIR issued the press release in reaction to the Israeli air strike that killed 57 civilians, many of them children, in the south Lebanese village of Qana on Sunday.

CAIR said it is accusing Israel of state terrorism based on statements by Israeli officials who have said "they intend to make the civilian population of Lebanon suffer in order to put pressure on Hezbollah." (Israel has said that its quarrel is not with the people of Lebanon, but rather with Hizballah, a terrorist group that hides among the civilian population.)

CAIR noted that Israeli Justice Minister Haim Ramon declared last week that, "Everyone in southern Lebanon is a terrorist and is connected to Hizbollah."

And CAIR also noted that Israel's most popular newspaper has advocated the destruction of Lebanese villages from which Hizballah fires rockets at Israel.

Israel has said it does not target civilians, but Hizballah does -- by hiding among them and storing its weapons in their homes.

Israel noted that it has dropped leaflets throughout southern Lebanon, warning civilians to leave areas where bombs will fall; and Israel also has said anyone remaining in those areas is presumed to be in cahoots with Hizballah.

Israel has said the fighting will end when Hizballah returns the two Israeli soldiers it abducted and is no longer able to fire rockets on civilian populations in Israel.

CAIR's Hooper said President Bush should demand an immediate and unconditional cease-fire, end American arms shipments to Israel and actively support a comprehensive and just resolution to the Middle East conflict.

CAIR Labels Israel A Terrorist State
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Thats okay, I label CAIR a terrorist organization.

[Soldier4Christ]

Thats okay, I label CAIR a terrorist organization.

And that is a fact. This group has already voiced the fact that they are set out to replace the American Constitution with one of their own that is based on Sharia law and the Caliphate hierarchy.

[Shammu]

And that is a fact. This group has already voiced the fact that they are set out to replace the American Constitution with one of their own that is based on Sharia law and the Caliphate hierarchy.

Well brother, CAIR can stick it in their ear as well.

[Shammu]

Estonian Extremists Threaten Government With Forest Fires, Demand Removal of Soviet Monument

Created: 31.07.2006 15:21 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 15:21 MSK, 9 hours 26 minutes ago


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A previously unknown extremist group has threatened to start numerous forest fires in the country until Estonial Authorities remove the memorial to Soviet soldiers in Tallinn.

Russian Izvestia daily reports that the group which calls itself Forest Incinerators had sent letters to the Estonian President’s administration, the Prime Minister, the Interior Ministry and Rescue Directorate. In the letters the group said they would start forest fires in Estonia until “the idol is removed.” “We will start fires in forests — and let the whole Estonia burn down,” the letters read.

Estonian police have started criminal cases into two recent forest fires after receiving the letters.

The monument to the Soviet soldiers in Estonia has been in the center of many scandals. Nationalist politicians demand the removal of the monument and vandals have repeatedly defiled it by pouring paint over the statue.

Estonian Extremists Threaten Government With Forest Fires, Demand Removal of Soviet Monument

[Shammu]

Russia Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Lebanon

Created: 31.07.2006 16:19 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 16:19 MSK, 8 hours 27 minutes ago

MosNews

Russia’s foreign ministry on Monday criticised delays in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, the Reuters news agency reports.

“It is impossible to accept the logic and arguments of those who, under various pretexts, are dragging out (the declaration of a) ceasefire, especially as the international community is coming to a consensus on the framework for resolving the Israeli-Lebanese conflict,” the ministry said in a statement.

Russia also joined in international condemnation of an Israeli airstrike that killed at least 54 civilians, including 37 children, in the southern Lebanese village of Qana.

“Such ’mistakes’ are a flagrant violation of the basic rules of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Convention on protecting the victims of war,” the statement said.

“The tragedy in Qana once again and very clearly underlines the need for an immediate halt to the military action, bloodshed and violence in Lebanon,” it said.

Russia Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Lebanon

[Shammu]

Iran: International organizations partners in Zionist crimes

 

 

The Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in Beirut that "Those that support the Zionist regime and failed in international efforts to stop Israeli aggressions against Lebanon are partners in the crimes of the Zionist regime."

 

"What we see after three weeks of fighting is that the International organizations have not fulfilled their duties," he added.

Iran: International organizations partners in Zionist crimes

[Shammu]

Iran FM to meet French counterpart in Beirut


Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, whose country is a main backer of Hizbullah, said he would meet his French counterpart on Monday in Beirut.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, also visiting Beirut, said earlier on Monday it was important to maintain contacts with Tehran as part of efforts to resolve the crisis in Lebanon, where Hizbullah and Israel have been at war for nearly three weeks. Mottaki said he would meet Douste-Blazy at the Iranian embassy in Beirut.

Iran FM to meet French counterpart in Beirut