US, Israel Threaten Lebanon as Arabs Prepare to Visit Beirut
Hussein Assi
27/07/2010 Once again, Lebanon found itself in the middle of the storm…
Nothing is new. The current stage is difficult and sensitive. Lebanon didn't enter it as usual from the gate of an Israeli war or an internal sedition, but from the gate of the international tribunal, the latest Israeli scheme.
It's the tribunal believed by a Lebanese main bloc to be nothing but an Israeli project, a logic rejected by another bloc insisting that the tribunal constitutes a "red line" and therefore it's forbidden to doubt its credibility.
It's the tribunal that awakened the Israelis from their long and deep sleep and made them remember the language of "threats" they used to be expert in before their humiliating defeat in July 2006 in Lebanon.
The newest Israeli threat was launched by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak who warned that the next time violence breaks out, Israel would strike directly at the Lebanese government, which he said is allowing Hezbollah to rearm. "If Hezbollah fires a rocket into Tel Aviv, we will not run after each Hezbollah terrorist or launcher," Barak told The Washington Post. "We will see it as legitimate to hit any target that belongs to the Lebanese state, not just to Hezbollah," he claimed.
Barak's threats got a direct approval from the United States. In this context, US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley expressed his administration's full support for the Israeli threats and said that every country has a right to defense itself.
However, the Arabs won't remain silent. They actually decided to act and expressed their "concern" for the current situation.
Thus, Beirut started preparations to receive Syrian President Bachar Assad and Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz who would arrive in the Lebanese capital after visiting Egypt and Syria, in a tour in which the Lebanese files would be a priority according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit who simply joined the political internal club, confirming himself a side in Lebanon by claiming that the May 7 events should not be repeated.
Egypt Worried: May 7 Events Should Not Be Repeated!
27/07/2010 Egypt seems to be "worried" these days…
The source of Egypt's "concern" is simply Lebanon, believed to constitute the "headlines"…
In Lebanon, nothing can be taken for granted. The country is facing tens of threats: threats of an Israeli war that could erupt at any moment alongside worries of political strife as a result of an "already written" verdict in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri's case, in a US-Israeli scheme.
Egypt is not "worried" because of the Israeli threats. Israel can "legislate" hitting any target that belongs to the Lebanese government. This is not worrying.
For Cairo, what's worrying is the "campaign" launched by some parties against the international tribunal, the tribunal that proved its credibility in many occasions.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit took the charge of defending the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, recalling that it has previously released certain individuals and that should boost its credibility. He advised the Lebanese not to jump to conclusions that would undermine domestic stability.
The Egyptian FM was speaking ahead of scheduled talks between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Saudi King Abdullah in Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday aimed at "coordinating" policy on Lebanese developments ahead of the Saudi king's visit to Beirut on Friday.
Abul Gheit confirmed himself a political player in Lebanon and warned against undermining Lebanon's stability to resolve regional and international disputes. "The May 7, 2008 events should not be repeated," Abul Gheit said in a statement. "Hinting at resorting to force on the Lebanese domestic scene by any party is unacceptable," Abul Gheit went on to say.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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