Biblical countries, in the news.

[Shammu]

Russia to Send Peacekeepers to Lebanon

Created: 14.08.2006 15:27 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 15:54 MSK, 5 hours 23 minutes ago

MosNews

Russian troops should take part in the UN peacekeeping operation in Lebanon, Chairman of the Federation Council of Defense and Security Committee Viktor Ozerov told Interfax-AVN on Monday.

“I believe, Russia’s participation in the peacekeeping operation in South Lebanon under the aegis of the UN would be appropriate, since Russia made great efforts for the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution to put an end to the hostilities between the warring sides,” he said.

In his opinion, the upper house of the parliament will authorize the involvement of Russian servicemen in the operation, in line with Russian law.

Israel halted its offensive against Hezbollah guerrillas as a UN-imposed cease-fire went into effect on Monday after a month of warfare that killed more than 900 people, devastated much of south Lebanon and forced hundreds of thousands of Israelis into bomb shelters.

Russia to Send Peacekeepers to Lebanon

[Shammu]

Nasrallah Claims Victory, Rejects Israeli Demands On Hostages
20:43 Aug 14, '06 / 20 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Hizbullah terrorist leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech Monday night that his organization rejects Israel's demands that it return two kidnapped DF soldiers before freeing Lebanese prisoners. The United Nations Security Council cease fire resolution calls for the release of the soldiers but does not condition the cease fire on their freedom.

Nasrallah also claimed that Hizbullah won a strategic victory in the war on northern Israel.

Nasrallah Claims Victory, Rejects Israeli Demands On Hostages
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Nuzzlehead must be reading a different book, then I am.

[Shammu]

France Insists Its UNIFIL Troops Not To Disarm Hizbullah
21:13 Aug 14, '06 / 20 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) French troops in the proposed multi-national UNIFIL force in Lebanon will not act to disarm Hizbullah terrorists. France has offered to send soldiers who would make up about half of the UNIFIL force.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy made the statement in a newspaper interview, despite the resolution's statement calling for a demilitarization of southern Lebanon.

France Insists Its UNIFIL Troops Not To Disarm Hizbullah
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Why is this no suprise, coming from France??

[Shammu]

Lebanese forces to deploy to Litani by end of the week

The Lebanese defense minister has said he will deploy 15,000 army troops to the north side of the Litani River by the end of the week.

Lebanese forces to deploy to Litani by end of the week

[Shammu]

Olmert To Pay For Not Achieving War's Aims
03:07 Aug 15, '06 / 21 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is going to pay "a political price" for the way the IDF handled retaliation against Hizbullah and for "faint-heartedness and vacillation," a Times of London analyst wrote Monday.

"There has been a war to crush Hizbullah, to get back the two Israeli soldiers that Hezbollah kidnapped and to stop the rain of Katyusha rockets on northern Israel, wrote the newspaper's Middle East correspondent Stephen Farrell." More than 100 Israeli soldiers have died, the Katyushas did not stop, the kidnapped soldiers have not been returned and Hizbullah is still in southern Lebanon. Whether their expectations are fair or not, this is a harsh place. People are asking what it was all for," he added.

The analyst also noted that the Prime Minister, as a lawyer, and Defense Minister Amir Peretz "started off at a disadvantage" because of lack of vast military experience. "You will have to work harder to show that you have the credentials that were taken for granted by legendary military predecessors such as Ariel Sharon and Yitzhak Rabin.

Olmert To Pay For Not Achieving War's Aims
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Yitzhak Rabin, now there a name I haven't heard in a while.

[Shammu]

Germany To Send Troops to UNIFIL
00:51 Aug 15, '06 / 21 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Germany has agreed to send troops to the multi-national United nations (UNIFIL) force, whose mission is to keep Hizbullah terrorists from re-arming and staging attacks on Israel, according to a German newspaper quoted by Reuters News Agency.

Chancellor Angela Merkel previously has said Germany night send troops in the future but that it is too early to decide. The government is concerned how the image of its Nazi past would affect its ability to be accepted by Israel as peacekeepers.

The newspaper said one possibility is that the troops will be used to patrol the coastal waters, leaving them out of range of potential clashes with Israel soldiers. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said that the IDF will open fire if Hizbullah terrorists attempt to attack Israel or Israeli soldiers patrolling southern Lebanon.

Germany To Send Troops to UNIFIL
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Well lets see, we have France, Germany, Lebanon, the E.U., and maybe Russia. Russia is still questionable.

UNIFIL

United
Nimcompbat
Idiotic
Forces
In
Lebanon

[Shammu]

 Lebanese Troops to Deploy But Not Disarm
07:10 Aug 15, '06 / 21 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Lebanon will deploy 15,000 troops north of the Litani River by Friday, but the soldiers will not try to disarm Hizbullah terrorists, Lebanese Defense Minister Eliass Murr said Tuesday morning,

"The army is not going to the south to strip Hizbullah of weapons and do the work Israel did not," he told Lebanese television. The United Nations Security Council cease fire resolution calls for the disarming of Hizbullah terrorists. Murr explained that "the resistance [Hizbullah] is cooperating to the utmost level so that as soon as the Lebanese army arrives in the south there will be no weapons but those of the army."

Lebanese Troops to Deploy But Not Disarm

[Shammu]

Hizbullah Fires Rockets, IDF Refrains
06:42 Aug 15, '06 / 21 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Hizbullah terrorists fired a round of mortar shells and several Katyusha rockets where IDF troops were deployed in southern Lebanon, but IDF troops did not retaliate. The IDF explained troops would have retaliated if the explosions had occurred across the Israeli border.

It was the first time since the cease fire began Monday morning that mortars were fired. Previously, Hizbullah terrorists attacked IDF troops at least twice, and soldiers returned fire. The cease fire has held except for these incidents.

Hizbullah Fires Rockets, IDF Refrains

[Soldier4Christ]

Hizbullah Fires Rockets, IDF Refrains

Turning the other cheek. They won't do that to many times.

[Shammu]

Turning the other cheek. They won't do that to many times.

Nope.................

[Shammu]

 Iran's FM in Saudi Arabia to discuss regional issues
Riyadh, Aug 15, IRNA

S Arabia-Iran-Mottaki
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in the Saudi port city of Jeddah late Monday to hold talks with senior Saudi officials.

Mottaki, who is visiting Saudi Arabia on the fifth leg of a regional tour, is accompanied by a high-ranking political delegation.

The Iranian minister was welcomed upon his arrival at Jeddeh's airport by Saudi officials.

He is scheduled to hold talks with high-ranking Saudi officials on bilateral relations and ongoing political developments in the region, particularly the implications of a ceasefire that ended a brutal Isaraeli military offensive in Lebanon.

Mottaki's current regional tour began with a visit to Turkey on Friday. He then paid visits to Yemen, Egypt and Algeria and held talks with senior officials of these countries.

The Iranian foreign minister last visited Saudi Arabia in December 2005 to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Iran's FM in Saudi Arabia to discuss regional issues

[Shammu]

Israel: Iran Ahmadinejad worst tyrant since Hitler

Tuesday, August 15, 2006
 
Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel's right-wing opposition, said that Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad was the worst tyrant the world has seen since Adolf Hitler, AFP reported.

LONDON, August 15 - Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel's right-wing opposition, said that Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad was the worst tyrant the world has seen since Adolf Hitler, AFP reported.

"We are facing a very great danger, a danger which threatens our existence. Since Hitler, there had not been a tyrant like Ahmadinejad in power," said the former premier and Likud party leader.

Netanyahu was speaking to parliament just after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert defended his handling of the month-old war against the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah.

"We expect the United States to prevent Iran from arming itself," he added.

Iran and the international community have been locked in a crisis over Tehran nuclear programme which Israel and the West fear could be a cover for plans to build atomic weapons.

Netanyahu has been very critical of Olmert since the launch of the July 12 war in Lebanon, accusing the premier of being hesitant in his handling of the crisis.

Israel: Iran Ahmadinejad worst tyrant since Hitler

[Shammu]

Israelis hack Ahmadinejad's blog

Israeli bloggers claim to have overloaded website of Iranian president, causing it to crash
Dudi Goldman

The Iranian website ahmadinejad.com, in which Iranian officials claim the Iranian President publishes a daily journal , was down for a few hours on Monday.

Following a report by Yedioth Ahronoth on Sunday about the site, Israeli hackers called for a joint effort to hack the site.

On Monday afternoon, the site was down for an hour and in the evening the site worked alternately.

Israelis bloggers claimed Monday that the site was down because of a joint effort by thousands of Israelis to enter the site simultaneously, causing it to crash.

Despite the effort, the site was operational late Sunday evening.

Israelis hack Ahmadinejad's blog
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When a person advocates the mass murder and elimanation of a country, a hacked website is the lest of his issues. Besides, no one else in Iran is allowed free speech and expression so why should one guy be able to spue his hate unchecked.

It is the right thing to do. It is not okay to promote ideas that are wrong morally on the internet. Child pornagraphy, false advertisements, promoting a genocidal and murderous agenda are but a few of the things that are NEVER okay no matter what the forum or media outlet is.

[Shammu]

Prepare for negotiations with Syria

Defense minister says that 'every war creates opportunities for wide-scale diplomatic process'; calls on Israel to renew talks with Palestinians, prepare for contacts with Damascus
Vered Luvitch

Defense Minister Amir Peretz said that "every war creates opportunities for an extensive diplomatic process," and that "we need to hold negotiations with Lebanon and lay the groundwork for negotiations with Syria."

Peretz made the statements during a Bar Mitzvah party for 65 IDF orphans that was held in Tel Aviv.

Peretz said: "I'm certain that our enemies understand they cannot defeat us. I plan to do whatever I can to restore the diplomatic support for Israel. We need to resume negotiations with the Palestinians." Peretz added that the State of Israel never intended to get dragged into the "Lebanese mud," and that it does not plan to do so now.

He stressed that IDF forces were deployed across southern Lebanon, and that they will respond to any attempt to strike them.

"We will act with all our might if there's an attempt to hurt soldiers on the ground. Up until now the ceasefire has been stable, and we insist that the UNIFIL troops will be able to enforce order in south Lebanon. In the coming days a deployment will be carried out that would allow for the return of the reserve soldiers to Israel," Peretz stated.

Israel Our Home Chairman, MK Avigdor Lieberman, slammed Peretz's call to prepare for the renewal of diplomatic contacts with Syria.

"This is precisely the attitude of not recognizing reality that brought Israel to the current conflict," Lieberman said. "After Assad's declarations that the Golan Heights will be liberated by Syrian soldiers and that Hizbullah won the war, Peretz's call to prepare conditions for negotiations with Syria will be perceived as weakness and an invitation for the next assault."

"It's preferable that the defense minister focus at this time on preparing the army for the next confrontation, which is unavoidable, and not on unrealistic wishes," the Israel Our Home chairman concluded.

'Thank you isn't enough'

Peretz expressed his appreciation for the residents of the north, but said that a "thank you" was not sufficient and that it did not constitute a substitution for the state's commitment to northerners, that should be expressed through setting up an economic-social body that would rehabilitate Israel's north and make the families of the region feel as if the entire country was hugging them.

At the conclusion of his speech, Peretz told the orphans that he knew each and every one of them was missing the father that should have been there for them on the day of their Bar Mitzvah. He said that the loss of their fathers was the common ground on which the IDF was founded and on which the State of Israel will march on.

"You don't need to tell you, the orphans, the brothers and sisters and members of the family of the bereaved, how deep the pain and sorrow is over the loss," Peretz said. "Sadly, we lost brave fighters, among the best sons of the State of Israel. The proved they can meet any mission, and thanks to them there's a diplomatic agreement and a new situation in southern Lebanon."

"Thanks to them, Hizbullah knows it will pay a very heavy price. This is what the fighters give the State of Israel," the defense minister added. "The IDF's job is to make sure Israeli citizens can continue with their routine. The use of force improved the diplomatic agreement. There's no doubt that without the military efforts we wouldn't have been able to obtain any kind of diplomatic agreement."

Peretz: Prepare for negotiations with Syria

[Shammu]

Assad: Hizbullah won, Israel is the enemy

Syrian president speaks before press association for first time since ceasefire. He declares Hibzullah's victory in conflict, says American plans regarding better future for Middle East are 'illusion'; 'resistance is the only way,' he adds
Roee Nahmias

Assad abandoning negotiation path? Syrian President Bashar Assad gave a speech Tuesday for the first time since a ceasefire was declared between Israel and Hizbullah .

In a special political speech to the press association, he declared that Hibzullah had won the current conflict with Israel, as the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah did on Monday.

Assad said that the Middle East had changed following the resistance and that "the American plan to create a new Middle East turned into an illusion the moment Hibzullah won in Lebanon."

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said in response to his remarks that "Syria will have to decide where it is. Lebanon is meant to take off to a different direction without them. They cannot continue influencing and leading an open front with Hizbullah."

According to Assad, Israel had anyway planned to attack Lebanon and would have done so even without the soldiers' kidnapping .

"The war in Lebanon was prepared in advance and the soldiers' abduction was only an excuse, and the world accepted this excuse. They planned to attack in the winter so as not to ruin the tourism season of their accomplices in Lebanon. The current battles proved that we were right and that resistance is the only way," he said.

Assad made it clear that the resistance was justified due to Israel's actions: "Resistance is necessary, required and legitimate." Its legitimacy is based on Israel's actions in the past five years, including the Air Force sorties over Syria ."

He noted bitterly: "Israel is trying to be part of this region through the 'big Middle East plan'. There are those who think time is on their side and every generation in the Arab world accepts them more, but I am a representative of the third generation and I you see that I hate it (Israel) more. We don't like to use the word hatred but Israel has left to option for itself but to be hated."

He addressed Israelis, saying: "I tell you: You tasted the latest war in Lebanon. Your weapons, including nuclear weapons, won't succeed in protecting you. Generations are developing and they will manage to defeat you. The Israeli leadership needs to save itself from its own stupidity and to decide from the corner in which it has been places whether to go for peace and return the rights or head for instability."

'Peace? We did not give up any option'

Assad spoke about the peace process and said it did not prove itself.

"Arabs gave everything and got nothing. And therefore Syria refused to give up its rights. When we say we chose peace as a strategic option, this doesn't mean we gave up other options – but quiet the opposite," he said.

Referring to other things Assad said: "Israeli is the enemy. It doesn't want peace. It was built on aggression and expansion."

Assad's speech was interrupted by Syrian supporters waving posters of Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah and urging Assad to choose the "resistance path."

"We look proudly at a strong Lebanon, that chose resistance and smashed the legend of the undefeatable army," shouted a woman in the crowd, drawing a loud round of applause.

"We are convinced that the real path to peace is through negotiations but if this path is impossible – resistance is the only path. Not necessarily armed resistance, but cultural and political resistance. The aim of the resistance is peace and not war. Therefore it doesn't undermine peace," Assad said.

US President George W. Bush said on Monday that Iran and Syria were the primary sponsors of Hizbullah guerrillas who captured two Israeli soldiers, igniting the battle with Israel.

'We’ll liberate Golan Heights'

In a special interview with Egyptian newspaper Al-Osboa, Assad said his country is prepared for any war that may break out with Israel , adding that he is convinced that the chances for peace have decreased and that “the Golan Heights will be liberated by Syria.”

“If Israel launches a war against Syria, it will pay a heavy price,” he added.

He said Syria has been following Israel closely, particularly after former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon came to power.

“The fact that he was elected by such a large majority attests to the fact that the Israeli nation does not want peace,” Assad said.

“Syria and the resistance (referring to Hizbullah ) read the situation correctly in that we predicted the confrontation. There have been extensive preparations for the current battle. Our disagreement focused on the nature of the resistance. There were those who thought the resistance didn’t stand a chance in a time when satellites reveal everything, track everything down and can direct severe blows at the resistance, but the reality proved otherwise.

“In Lebanon they (Israel) destroyed everything, but they were unable to achieve their true military objectives on the ground; the resistance has won the war, and now we must win the diplomatic battle as well.”

Assad: Hizbullah won, Israel is the enemy