LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
May 01/2019
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani

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Bible Quotations For today
The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach
Saint Matthew 23/01-12: “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News published on May 01/19
Protests against Austerity Policies Besiege Lebanon’s Govt.
Retired Military Protest Possible Pay Cuts as Govt. Braces for Budget Session
Khalil Slams Bassil over Reported Budget Warning
Govt. Holds Budget Session in Baabda, to Meet Wednesday at Grand Serail
Khalil 'Appeases' Retired Military: Your Rights Untouched
Sayyed to Khalil: Encroaching on Retired Servicemen Rights is Playing with Fire
Fattoush Calls for Stripping Jumblat of His Civil Rights
Bou Saab Visits Border Army Site in Show of Support
In Arab Media, Increased Discussion Of Imminent Israel-Hizbullah War
When Hezbollah foolishly beats the drums of war
The start-ups brewing change for Lebanon’s workers
Extensive TV Interview With Lebanon’s first female interior minister, Raya al-Hassan ... discusses US support, border security

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on May 01/19
Jihad rocket aimed at Israeli port was Tehran’s first riposte for Trump’s sanctions
Bolton Urges Defense Chief, Key Officials to Oust Maduro
Venezuela Says 'Attempted Coup' Underway
Sudan Army Rulers, Protest Leaders Differ on Joint Council Make-Up
Libyan Air Strikes Kill Four, Wound 37
Ex-Algeria PM Appears in Court in Corruption Probe
Bouteflika Family Leaves Presidential Palace
UN Warns of Worsening Palestinian Financial Crisis
Family of Palestinian Detainee Demands Int’l Probe in his Death in Turkey
Israel Reduces Gaza Fishing Zone after Rocket Fire
Jordan Reviews Gas Agreement with Israel
Damascus Demands Israel Release Golan Heights Prisoners
Ankara Working on 2 Fronts to Counter Kurdish ‘Threat’ from Syria
Turkish FM in Erbil, Discusses Security, Trade Relations
Rights Group: ISIS Children in Iraq Shunned by Society
Yemeni PM Lauds Achievements of Saudi Humanitarian Demining Mission
Pompeo Affirms Support for Arab Coalition in Yemen, Says Iran Behind Continuation of War
Trump set to designate Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group
Houthis Stage Series of Attacks in Hodeidah ahead of UN Team Visit

Titles For The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on May 01/19
In Arab Media, Increased Discussion Of Imminent Israel-Hizbullah War/H. Varulkar/MEMRI/April 30/2019
When Hezbollah foolishly beats the drums of war/Makram Rabah/The Arab Weekly/April 30/19
The start-ups brewing change for Lebanon’s workers/Thomson Reuters Foundation, Zalka/April 30/19
Extensive TV Interview With Lebanon’s first female interior minister, Raya al-Hassan ... discusses US support, border security/Al Arabiya/April 30/19
Jihad rocket aimed at Israeli port was Tehran’s first riposte for Trump’s sanctions/DEBKAfile/April 30/2019
Trump set to designate Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group/Arab News/May 01/2019
Poor Friendless Erdoğan/Burak Bekdil/Gatestone Institute/April 30/19
Jordan on edge ahead of unveiling of Trump’s peace plan/Osama Al-Sharif/Arab Times/April 30/19
Dire consequences if you don’t pay your debts/Dimah Talal Alsharif /Arab News/May 01/2019

The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News published on May 01/19
Protests against Austerity Policies Besiege Lebanon’s Govt.
Beirut - Caroline Akoum/Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/Starting Tuesday, Lebanon’s government is set to face a series of workers’ protests against any possible wage cuts and decrease of their end-of-service benefits.Officials have been mulling such proposals as a way to reduce the budget deficit. On Tuesday, the cabinet will launch meetings to discuss the 2019 state budget prepared by Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, who previously stated that it would include austerity measures and reductions in spending. Head of the Lebanese General Labor Union Beshara al-Asmar said the union plans to hold a series of meetings to address the draft budget. “They are trying to blame us for the economic collapse,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat. “We will take to the streets should we reach a dead end.”Asmar added that the union will reject a budget that does not tackle tax evasion, corruption and violations against marine properties. “We reject a budget that treats small employees as scapegoats,” he said. On early Tuesday morning, veterans of the Lebanese armed forces held a series of sit-ins and protests against planned cuts of their benefits. Ahead of Tuesday’s debate on the state budget draft, Khalil held separate meetings on Monday with the World Bank team headed by Regional Director, Saroj Kumar Jha, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) official in Lebanon, Najla Nakhleh. The National News Agency said that discussions focused on the annual budget, corrective measures and financial figures based on the existing data, in addition to ways of reaching a balanced budget that includes practical reform steps. The World Bank and IMF delegations commended these measures, "which reflect transparency, clarity and a responsible approach to this sensitive issue."

Retired Military Protest Possible Pay Cuts as Govt. Braces for Budget Session
Naharnet/April 30/19/Retired military and security personnel on Tuesday staged sit-ins around different regions in Lebanon protesting government's possible cut to their end-of-service benefits, as the government braces for a meeting to discuss “austere” budget measures to cut the state deficit. The protesters blocked the entrance to several main facilities around Beirut. Some of the protesters gathered in Raid al-Solh Square in Beirut and marched to the Beirut Port where they blocked the entrance to the facility. Another group blocked the entrance to the Central Bank of Lebanon in Hamra area. Retired Brig. Gen. George Nader spoke on behalf of the campaigners and accused the political authority of failing to manage the public finances, strictly refusing infringements on their rights. He said “the state can stop the waste of public funds in the illegal coastal public properties.”MP Shamel Roukoz, a member of the Free Patriotic Movement’s Strong Lebanon parliamentary bloc, himself a military, said: “The state deficit can be reduced through the implementation of a clear economic plan. I refuse the whole draft of the state budget.”

Khalil Slams Bassil over Reported Budget Warning
Naharnet/April 30/19/Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil on Tuesday lashed out at "incitement," after media reports attributed a state budget-related warning to Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Jebran Bassil. "Bassil will not accept the exclusion of the Road of the Saints and the Jounieh port from the 2019 budget, or else no other project will be executed in the country," the reports said. Khalil hit back swiftly via Twitter, warning that "the incitement machine is trying to stir a baseless sedition.""The Road of the Saints project and the Jounieh port are at the heart of the budget and no funds earmarked for them have been dropped," he said. "The funds of any other project have not been dropped and those seeking illusionary victories must check the budget and its numbers to realize thei r mistake," Khalil went on to say.

Govt. Holds Budget Session in Baabda, to Meet Wednesday at Grand Serail
Naharnet/April 30/19/Lebanon’s Cabinet convened Tuesday at the Presidential Palace in Baabda in a session dedicated to discuss the 2019 state budget draft, amid plans to implement strict austerity measures to reduce a ballooning budget deficit and massive national debt. LBCI said President Michel Aoun had discussed key economic issues with economists and prepared a paper in that regard. Some economists say the economic crisis is getting worse every week with new waves of layoffs, rising debt and slow growth. Before the meeting, hundreds of military and security retirees protested fearing the austerity measures to be adopted in the new budget would lead to wage cuts for state employees amid the economic crisis. The campaigners blocked entrances to the Beirut Port, the Central Bank of Lebanon and the Ministry of Finance. The government is weighing a series of what it called "painful" and "unpopular" measures to try to cut the budget deficit and slow the growth of the national debt, which stands at more than $85 billion, or more than 150% of the gross domestic product, making it among the highest in the world. Speaking after the session, Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said "discussions tackled all issues pertaining to the state budget." "We moved from general debate to detailed discussions, which will begin tomorrow at the Grand Serail, and meetings will continue until the finalization of the budget," Khalil added. Aoun announced during the session that "a reevaluation of the structure of administrations and institutions has become necessary in order to follow the technological and IT advancement." He also called for speeding up the digitization of state administrations.

Khalil 'Appeases' Retired Military: Your Rights Untouched
Naharnet/April 30/19/Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil on Tuesday denied reports that the new state budget will target the military and security personnel. “Reports claiming the budget will target the army are baseless. An accurate reading of the budget shows there were no deductions but an increase in some of the benefits,” Khalil told MTV reporter shortly before a scheduled Cabinet session dedicated to tackle the 2019 state budget. As for measure “No 3” Khalil said: “The army command has been advised to reconsider this measure the way it sees appropriate.” The Minister added “some retired politicians are playing an inciting role. I will not compromise the rights of retirees,” he said assuring no cuts to their end-of-service benefits.

Sayyed to Khalil: Encroaching on Retired Servicemen Rights is Playing with Fire
Naharnet/April 30/19/Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil "has not realized that encroaching on the rights of retired servicemen is playing with fire," MP Jamil al-Sayyed said on Tuesday. "He proposed tax exemptions for tycoons, Solidere and others as he overlooked seaside properties and the central bank's financial engineering tactics which resulted in the waste of $10 billion!" Sayyed tweeted. "These demonstrators are the voice of all Lebanese," Sayyed added, referring to the retired servicemen who staged several sit-ins in the morning in rejection of any austerity-related wage cuts. Khalil meanwhile reassured Tuesday that the draft state budget does not include any plans to decrease the salaries of retired servicemen.

Fattoush Calls for Stripping Jumblat of His Civil Rights
Naharnet/April 30/19/Former minister Nicolas Fattoush has called for stripping ex-MP Walid Jumblat of his civil rights, accusing him of violating the constitution and committing "high treason."Fattoush linked his call to Jumblat's announcement that the Israel-occupied Shebaa Farms are "not Lebanese."Fattoush, at a press conference, called on President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri to address Jumblat's remarks in light of their constitutional oaths. Jumblat and Fattoush are at loggerheads over a separate issue -- a controversial cement factory in the Ain Dara area. The factory is owned by Fattoush's brother, Pierre.The PSP leader has warned that Maher al-Assad is a partner in the factory.

Bou Saab Visits Border Army Site in Show of Support
Naharnet/April 30/19/Defense Minister Elias Bou Saab on Tuesday made an inspection visit to an Army site on the northeastern border between Lebanon and Syria, throwing support behind the retired military’s refusals to cut their pays as part of austerity measures planned by the government. “The lebanese army has made a lot of sacrifices and vowed to protect Lebanon, they are sacrificing everything even their lives. This visit comes in parallel with a government session (Tuesday) to discuss an austere state budget,” Bou Saab told reporters. “Some have found it easy to target the army who functions under difficult conditions in Lebanon and on the border. Talks that their end-of service benefits could be cut as part of austere government measures are illogical,” he added. “Retirement pension is prededucted from their salaries during their years of service,” said Bou Saab “it is unacceptable to take it from them later on. Reform can not be established this way,” he added. Retired military and security personnel staged sit-ins around different regions in Lebanon protesting government's possible cut to their end-of-service benefits. The government braces for a meeting on Tuesday to discuss “austere” budget measures to cut the state deficit.

من موقع ميمري: نقاشات في الصحافة العربية تتناول حدوث حرب وشيكة بين إسرائيل وحزب الله
In Arab Media, Increased Discussion Of Imminent Israel-Hizbullah War
H. Varulkar/MEMRI/April 30/2019
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/74387/%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D8%B9-%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%86%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A/
https://www.memri.org/reports/arab-media-increased-discussion-imminent-israel-hizbullah-war
In recent weeks, there has been an upsurge in discussion in the Arab media, particularly in the Lebanese and Syrian media, of the possibility of war this summer between Israel and Hizbullah, and perhaps even of war across the region. This is despite the fact that Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has reiterated that his organization is not anticipating a war in the near future and Lebanese President Michel Aoun also stated, on April 29, 2019, that war is not imminent.[1]
Numerous factors have contributed to the spike in talk of war, first and foremost the U.S. sanctions on Iran, Syria, and Hizbullah that have exacerbated the economic crises they are already experiencing. Other factors include the April 8, 2019, U.S. designation of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO);U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's April 22 announcement that from May 3, 2019, the U.S. would not renew sanctions waivers for nations importing Iranian oil; and Iran's threats to close off the Strait of Hormuz.[2]
Additionally, there have been increasing threats from senior U.S. officials visiting Lebanon, most importantly by Secretary of State Pompeo, to tighten the sanctions on Hizbullah and to expand them to include other Lebanese elements close to them. It should be noted that the U.S. sanctions on Hizbullah have already seriously impacted the organization to the point where it recently requested the public's help with fundraising.
Further contributing to the tension in the region was U.S. President Donald Trump's March 25 recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, enraging the Syrian regime and its allies in the region, Iran and Hizbullah, and Israel's ongoing aerial attacks against Iranian and Hizbullah targets in Syria.
This report will review articles in Arab media about the possibility of an Israel-Hizbullah war.
Lebanese And Arab Press: Fear That War Will Break Out In May Or June 2019
Over the past two months, Hizbullah Secretary-General Nasrallah has reiterated in his speeches that he does not anticipate war with Israel soon, and that what is preventing Israel from starting a war with Lebanon is Hizbullah's deterrent power. In these speeches, Nasrallah spoke with restraint about the measures taken by Israel and the U.S., among them recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Israel's aerial bombing forays in Syria, the designation of the IRGC as an FTO, and the announcement that the sanctions waivers for nations importing Iranian oil will not be renewed. While he did condemn them, criticize the U.S., and say that the resistance axis retains the right to respond to them, he did not say what this response would be.[3]
Nevertheless, in the Arab press, and especially the Lebanese press, there is clear apprehension as well as warnings that Lebanon is on the threshold of war with Israel. For example, senior Saudi journalist Fares bin Hizam wrote in his March 28, 2019 column in the Saudi Al-Hayat daily, under the headline "The Upcoming War With Iran," that "the situation today is closer to war with Iran than ever" because of the harsh sanctions on Iran and the Trump administration's willingness to enter into military conflict with it, and also in light of the ongoing Israeli attacks in Syria. He also pointed to May as a possible month for the outbreak of such a war, because of the lapse of the sanction waivers on the import of Iranian oil then.[4]
The following day, the Shi'ite Lebanese website Janoubia.com, which is owned by the anti-Hizbullah Shi'ite journalist Ali Al-Amin, published an article by Hassan Hammoud titled "About The Next War, In The Summer, And Hizbullah's Preparations," stating that Hizbullah's supporters in Lebanon were quoting senior Hizbullah officials discussing the possibility of war with Israel in June. It added that this war would be waged also on the Syrian front.[5] Additionally, Al-Amin warned, in an article in the London-based Al-Arab newspaper, about the possibility of a military escalation in the region beginning in May because of the harsher sanctions on Iran which, he said would cost Lebanon dearly.[6]
Similar arguments were very much in evidence also in articles published over the past month in the Lebanese Al-Nahar daily. On March 28, following the U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, columnist for the newspaper Ibrahim Haidar wrote that this move in itself would not lead to war in southern Lebanon, "but the exacerbation of the U.S.-Iran conflict... could threaten border stability." He went on to urge Hizbullah to take no steps that would be bad for Lebanon.[7] In a subsequent column, on April 15, Haidar wrote: "Hizbullah is taking into account the possibility that the U.S.-Iran conflict will ignite, and it knows that it will be part of it... Therefore, according to sources close to it, it is planning for any possibility, issuing threats.., and outwardly escalating [its positions] while seeking to maintain calm in the domestic arena..."[8] Additionally, Lebanese journalist Ibrahim Bayram wrote, on April 12 in Al-Nahar, that conflict was likely to break out following the implementation of harsher sanctions on Iran in May, and added that Hizbullah was preparing for the possibility.[9]
Reports that Hizbullah was preparing for war with Israel were also published by other Lebanese media. The Lebanese Elnashra.com website reported that in light of the fear that Israel would attack Hizbullah facilities in Lebanon, which would lead to war, "Hizbullah has recently upgraded its presence in southern Lebanon," and has even "prepared complete plans for handling any aggressive operation" by Israel. Sources told the daily that Hizbullah's preparations for war with Israel were underway not only in the south of the country but also in Syria, because Hizbullah also has missiles there.[10]
The Lebanese Al-Modon daily reported, on March 30, on recent organizational and military changes by Hizbullah, including new appointments to senior positions, among them positions overseeing the sectors in southern Lebanon. According to the report, changes were also made to Hizbullah's military deployment, but these changes had not made public by the organization.[11]
Additionally, the Arab and Lebanese press recently reported that Israel had sent messages to the U.S. and France that it had no intention of remaining silent in the face of Hizbullah's recent construction, on Lebanese territory with Iranian funds, of a plant manufacturing precision missiles.[12]
Syrian Officials, Journalists: The Situation Is Likely To Descend Into All-Out War
In Syria too, there have been warnings that the resistance axis could launch a war against Israel, in response to President Trump's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, to Israel's aerial attacks on Syria, and to the U.S. designation of the IRGC as an FTO. For example, Syrian deputy parliamentary speaker Najdat Anzour told the Syrian daily Al-Watan, following the U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, that the option of "mobilizing all popular forces, and the alliance of the resistance, in advance of a possible military clash with the Zionist enemy is being considered."[13]
These warnings have come also in articles in the Syrian state press and in newspapers close to the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. For example, in an article in the Syrian Al-Watan daily, which is close to the regime, journalist Fares Al-Jeroudy wrote that President Trump's recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the Golan would lead to an escalation in the region that would end in all-out war.[14]
In the Syrian government daily Al-Thawra, journalist Muhriz Al-Ali criticized the U.S. recognition of this Israeli sovereignty and its designation of the IRGC as an FTO, stating that by doing so it was "setting the region on a barrel of explosives that could go off at any moment." He added that these moves were likely to lead to "wars whose destructive results no one can foresee."[15] Syrian journalist Hiba Ali Ahmad wrote in her column in the Teshreen government daily that Israel is surrounded by resistance movements, particularly by Hizbullah on its northern border. She continued: "In every future clash, its defeat will be greater in human lives and property, because Hizbullah has precision missiles... and great weapons capabilities, and because its missiles cover every inch of occupied Palestine..."[16] Editor Of Arab Daily: Hizbullah Official Told Me That On May 3, A Military Operation "Will Be Inevitable"; Hizbullah Denies This
A notable article discussing the possibility of an imminent war was published March 29, 2019, by Abd Al-Bari Atwan, editor of the London-based online daily Rai Al-Yawm. It focused on his recent visit to Lebanon, during which he met with senior Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun, as well as with politicians, senior economic officials, Lebanese journalists, and MP from Hizbullah Nawaf Al-Moussawi. Atwan wrote:
"Al-Moussawi, who just two days ago met for five hours with [Hizbullah Secretary-General] Hassan Nasrallah and with other senior officials whose names he did not provide, stressed [to me] that May 3 will be an historic day. When I asked him for clarification, he said that it was the day when the second phase of the U.S. sanctions on Iran would come into effect, preventing it from exporting a single barrel of oil. Al-Moussawi added, in these exact words: 'Iran will face two options: The first is to allow the U.S. to starve 70 million Iranians, which will bring down the regime from within, and the Iranian leadership will in no way allow this to happen. The second is to enter into a war with the U.S., Israel, and their allies in the region. Because of this [situation], this military response is inevitable, whatever the outcome.'"
Atwan added: "[Al-Moussawi] refused to name the place where the military response would occur, and how it would happen, saying that this was up to the military. But he did not rule out the possibility that Hizbullah and other [elements] would be at the heart of the battle..."[17]
Following the article's publication, Hizbullah's media relations department hastened to publish a denial of the statements attributed to Hizbullah MP Nawaf Al-Moussawi in Atwan's article, noting that the meeting between the two had been personal and intended to be off the record.[18]
It is noteworthy that in various articles published in April, Atwan repeatedly claimed that a regional war is anticipated in the near future, particularly mentioning May 3. In an April 24 article, he even presented several possible scenarios for an Iranian response on that date: a) closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the IRGC; b) an official Iranian withdrawal from the JCPOA nuclear agreement and a return to enriching uranium at higher levels of concentration, which will lead to the establishment of a military nuclear arsenal; c) giving a free hand to the IRGC, to Syrian and Iraqi factions, to Hizbullah, to Hamas, and to Islamic Jihad to perpetrate terror attacks against U.S. and Israeli targets in the region, and possibly also worldwide; and d) attempting to close the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea and threaten global marine transportation with terror attacks perpetrated by the Houthis against U.S. and Israeli vessels.[19]
Kuwaiti Daily: Nasrallah Has Prepared Hizbullah Senior Officials For The Possibility Of An Imminent War During Which He May Be Killed
In another notable article, published April 21 in the Kuwaiti Al-Rai daily, journalist Elijah J. Magnier reported on a closed and secret meeting convened recently by Hizbullah Secretary-General Nasrallah with senior Hizbullah commanders. According to the report, at the meeting Nasrallah informed the commanders that there was a high probability of war with Israel in the coming summer, and even asked them to pass on this information to the residents of the villages in southern Lebanon. He added that there is evidence that Israel seeks to launch a surprise attack against Lebanon, like that in 2006, so they must be prepared for every eventuality.
The report also stated that Nasrallah had, during the meeting, referred to the possibility that he might be killed, telling those present: "It is possible that I will not be among you for much longer, and it is possible that most of the senior officers [in the organization] will die along with me. It is possible that Israel will succeed in wiping out the commanders... [We have prepared] for extreme eventualities and for the deaths of the commanders..." Hizbullah, it added, is assuming that Israel will attempt to assassinate Nasrallah, leading to war, and that the organization had already evacuated some of its positions in preparation for the confrontation, and had also delegated authority to commanders in the field and prepared plans for various scenarios.[20]
Nasrallah Responds: The Kuwaiti Daily's Report Is False; I Reject The Possibility Of An Imminent War With Israel
Elements in Hizbullah hastened to deny the Al-Rai report on the meeting between Nasrallah and senior Hizbullah commanders, including the statements attributed to him. Sources in Hizbullah's media relations department told Lebanon's MTV channel that the "article is a fabrication, a figment of the thoughts and imagination of the writer" and that "there is no connection between it and reality."[21]The following day, on April 22, Nasrallah himself denied the Kuwaiti report in a speech: "I never said, at any meeting, that this summer an Israeli war against Lebanon will break out. I never said that I will not be among you, for this matter is in the hands of Allah, and I never said that top or second-level commanders would be killed. Everything that appeared [in this report] is a figment of the imagination and is totally incorrect." He added: "I personally would reject the possibility of an Israeli war [against Lebanon], because the Israeli home front is unprepared and all the Zionists' boasting about their ability to deal with with the missiles is incorrect... Further, the time has passed when the Israeli air force could determine the outcome of the war. [Today,] in order to determine the outcome of a war, Israel would have to undertake a ground mission, and the Israeli ground forces are unprepared for this..." He went on to state that within Israel itself, there are those who oppose a war with Hizbullah, but at the same time noted that Israel is a cunning enemy and that one must be prepared for any confrontation with it – and that is why the resistance is always ready and draws up plans for worst-case scenarios.[22]
Despite Hizbullah's Denials, Arab And Lebanese Papers Insist That Chances Of War Are High
Nasrallah's claims notwithstanding, Arab and Lebanese commentators continue to assess that an imminent war with Israel is likely. For example, in another article, published April 22, following Nasrallah's denial, 'Abd Al-Bari 'Atwan wrote that the region is on the brink of war, and added that Nasrallah is taking care not to escalate his rhetoric for reasons having to do with the domestic Lebanese front. "The fact that Nasrallah refrained from speaking about Iran's reaction [to the U.S. decision not to renew sanctions waivers for nations importing Iranian oil] does not mean that the chances of war are not very high... Nasrallah is trying to maintain the stability of the Lebanese domestic arena and to avoid sparking chaos there, especially in light of the suffocating economic crisis [there]... Still, all signs indicate that the chances of war are greater than the chances of peace..." 'Atwan concluded: "The coming days will be full of unpleasant surprises for the U.S. and for its Arab and Israeli allies."[23]
Writing in the Lebanese daily Al-Jumhouriyya, journalist Georges Hayek likewise assessed that the chance of war remains high, and leaned towards believing the Al-Rai report rather than Nasrallah's denial. He wrote: "It may be illogical for a commander [like Nasrallah], who is glorified by the public of the resistance axis, to make remarks [like those attributed to him by Al-Rai], considering their negative impact on the morale of [Hizbullah's] operatives and supporters. Still, nobody can deny that attempts to assassinate top [Hizbullah] commanders are always a conceivable [option]... Also, we must not forget that Israel assassinated Nasrallah's predecessor, 'Abbas Moussawi, in 1992...
"The chances of a Hizbullah-Israel war seem high in light of the escalating [tensions] between the U.S. and Iran, and the second wave of U.S. sanctions that are scheduled to [come into effect] soon, on May 3. This will increase the pressure on Iran, and it will face tough choices, one of which will surely be a military solution. As a result, the Lebanese arena will not be immune to the [effects] of war. In fact, it may be at the epicenter of the war, given Hizbullah's close involvement in Iran's strategy. All this means that the talk about a threat to Nasrallah's life is not implausible, even if it was denied and described [by Hizbullah] as imaginary."[24]
On The Possibility That The Palestinians May Participate In The Campaign
As part of the discussion in the Arab press about an imminent war, some also raised the possibility that the Palestinians might participate in it. On April 21, 2019, 'Abd Al-Bari 'Atwan, editor of the online daily Rai Al-Yawm, wrote in the publication that "hundreds or even thousands of missiles will be fired every day on cities, airports, factories and military bases in Israel, from South Lebanon, Syria, Iran and perhaps also from the Gaza Strip."[25]
In his April 23 column in the Hamas-affiliated daily Felesteen, Yousuf Rizka responded to reports about the possibility of an Israel-Hizbullah or Israel-Hamas war this summer, wondering whether Israel would fight on both fronts simultaneously. If that happens, he stated, "it will mean that Gaza and Lebanon share a single destiny, so they must coordinate, cooperate and share information." He added: "Israel's threats of war must not intimidate either of these [two] parties... for Israel will find itself facing fighters who are ready to die as martyrs and who neither fear death nor flee the battlefield..."[26]
In an article on the anti-Hizbullah Shi'ite Lebanese Janoubia.com, Lebanese journalist 'Abdallah Al-Khiami assessed that the tightening of U.S. sanctions on Iran would result in action against Israel. This action, he said, may take several forms, specifically, either "high-quality operations carried out in the occupied territories by internal [Palestinian] forces, such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad," "a military infiltration of occupied Palestine by Hizbullah," or a combination of both.[27]
In this context, it should be noted that on March 25 Nasrallah and Hamas deputy political chief Saleh Al-Arouri met to discuss the need for cooperation and for consolidating the efforts of the axis of resistance "to contend with the American-Israeli attack" against it.[28] It was also mentioned that senior members of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad are inclined to praise Iran's positions and its support of their two organizations, and that recently Hamas had condemned the U.S. decision to designate the IRGC as an FTO.[29]
*H. Varulkar is Director of Research at MEMRI.
[1] Al-Akhbar (Lebanon), April 30, 2019.
[2] See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 7996, Reactions In Iran To U.S. Designation Of IRGC As A Terror Organization, April 11, 2019 and MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 8014, Iranian Regime Mouthpiece 'Kayhan' Calls For Targeting America's Economic Interests In The Region, Blocking Strait Of Hormuz And Red Sea To Saudi Oil Exports, April 22, 2019.
[3] Almanar.lb, March 26, 2019; Alahednews.lb, April 10, 2019; Almanar.lb, April 23, 2019.
[4] Al-Hayat (Dubai), March 28, 2019.
[5] Janoubia.com, March 29, 2019.
[6] Al-Arab (London), April 2, 2019.
[7] Al-Nahar (Lebanon), March 28, 2019.
[8] Al-Nahar (Lebanon), April 15, 2019.
[9] Al-Nahar (Lebanon), April 12, 2019.
[10] Elnashra.com, March 29, 2019.
[11] Al-Modon (Lebanon), March 30, 2019.
[12] Al-Rai (Kuwait), April 17, 2019; Al-Hayat (Dubai), April 20, 2019.
[13] The Al-Watan daily also quoted the director of the Golan Affairs Ministry in the Syrian Prime Minister's Office as saying that this "could cause the resistance axis to coordinate [positions among its members] and escalate [the situation] in order to... regain the Golan. He added that Syria has the right to use all means necessary, including war, to regain its territory. Al-Watan, Syria, March 24, 2019.
[14] Al-Watan (Syria), April 2, 2019.
[15] Al-Thawra (Syria), April 10, 2019.
[16] Teshreen (Syria), April 17, 2019.
[17] Raialyoum.com, March 29, 2019.
[18] Mediarelations-lb.org, March 30, 2019.
[19] Raialyoum.com, April 21, 2019; April 22, 2019; and April 24, 2019.
[20] Al-Rai (Kuwait), April 21, 2019. It should be noted that 'Abd Al-Bari 'Atwan, editor of the online daily Rai Al-Yawm, claimed that the journalist who wrote the article in the Kuwaiti Al-Rai is known to be very close to Hizbullah circles and is trusted by the organization. Raialyoum.com, April 21, 2019.
[21] Elnashra.com, April 21, 2019.
[22] Almanar.com.lb, April 23, 2019.
[23] Raialyoum.com, April 22, 2019.
[24] Al-Jumhouriyya (Lebanon), April 23, 2019.
[25] Raialyoum.com, April 21, 2019.
[26] Felesteen.ps, April 23, 2019.
[27] Janoubia.com, April 11, 2019.
[28] Almanar.com.lb, March 25, 2019; Al-Jumhouriyya (Lebanon), March 27, 2019.
[29] Alahednews.com.lb, March 4, 2019; Almayadeen.net, March 30, 2019; Alarabiya.net, April 10, 2019.

When Hezbollah foolishly beats the drums of war
مكرم رباح: عندما بغباء يقرع نصرالله طبول الحرب
Makram Rabah/The Arab Weekly/April 30/19
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/74372/%D9%85%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%85-%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%BA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%B9-%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%88/
By Nasrallah’s logic, Israeli aggression in Lebanon would help repair his shattered image as a national protector, especially after Hezbollah’s reckless adventure in Syria.
There are two major questions being debated on the streets of Beirut: When will the Lebanese economy collapse? When will Israel declare war on Hezbollah and Lebanon?
Those seemingly challenging questions are easy to address. Lebanon’s economy is steadily deteriorating and it is time the political establishment publicly acknowledged that. Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah would not be well served by a war given the conditions.
The Israeli Air Force is fully engaged in hunting Iran and its various militias across Syria. Those nightly raids are more lethal and effective than any projected assault against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
This makes one wonder why Hezbollah and Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah are vociferously pushing for imminent Israeli aggression against Lebanon. The Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rai, citing exclusive information from within Hezbollah, recently reported that Nasrallah had warned his senior commanders that war with Israel was looming and that his own demise was forthcoming.
Hezbollah quickly denied that Nasrallah had made such remarks and the Hezbollah chief followed up calling the report a fabrication. Nasrallah assured his television audience that an Israeli attack on Lebanon is rather unlikely. That would require the Israelis to launch a full-scale land invasion, he said, which they are wary of doing.
What also seems unlikely is that Al Rai would fabricate such remarks. Al Rai has an impeccable record for accuracy. Nasrallah, not so much. In fact, the Hezbollah chief seems to have purposely orchestrated the confusion for his own political ends.
The renewed talk of potential war between Hezbollah and Israel, bolstered by Al Rai’s report, was just before the United States announced a new round of sanctions against Iran and its subsidiaries, including Hezbollah. These sanctions included ending exemptions given to eight countries to buy Iranian oil, worsening Iran’s economic predicament and further straining its ability to supply its militias across the region.
This tightening noose of US sanctions could help explain why Nasrallah sought to covertly push the war narrative. Despite the monumental risk of any confrontation with Israel, Hezbollah apparently thinks it could use the war to its advantage and potentially avoid the crippling US sanctions.
By Nasrallah’s logic, Israeli aggression in Lebanon would help repair his shattered image as a national protector, especially after Hezbollah’s reckless adventure in Syria, which put it at odds with the Sunni community in Lebanon and beyond.
In addition, any Israeli hit against Hezbollah, though tacitly welcomed by most Lebanese, would force the government and the Lebanese at large to publicly denounce such aggression.
That would enable Hezbollah to readily capitalise on the temporary sense of national unity. With the Lebanese state unable to impose the US sanctions in the absence of the appropriate mechanisms, Hezbollah would likely smuggle in containers of cash like it did after the war of 2006, helping it gain influence and garner support.
All of this is wishful thinking on the part of Hezbollah and Iran, showing just how confused their understanding of the US and Israeli positions is. The form of economic warfare they are engaging in cannot be ended with a ceasefire.
One need only look so far as the United States’ recent offer of a $10 million reward for information helping to disrupt Hezbollah’s financial network and expose its network of businessmen who handle its money laundering activities. This reward is geared especially towards three Lebanese Shia businessmen — Mohammed Bazzi, Adham Tabaja and Ali Charara — whom the United States identified as the backbone of their financial operation.
While the West was previously focused on tracking down key military figures, such as field commanders Imad Mughniyah and Mustapha Badreddine, both of whom were killed in Syria, the prime targets today are accountants and financiers like Bazzi and his associates. Neutralising them is far more effective than gains that could be made in any war Nasrallah might be craving.
With this in mind, Nasrallah’s attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both of which are decisive to Lebanon surviving its economic onslaught, look even more imprudent. Nasrallah might know how to beat the drums of war but, with an economic apocalypse looming, no weapons or ballistic missiles will be able to save anyone.
*Makram Rabah is a lecturer at the American University of Beirut, Department of History. He is the author of A Campus at War: Student Politics at the American University of Beirut, 1967-1975.

The start-ups brewing change for Lebanon’s workers
Thomson Reuters Foundation, Zalka/Tuesday, 30 April 2019
Farah Ballout’s big, infectious smile is the first thing that greets you at her workplace, a cafe in Lebanon with a mission to do more than just brew coffee.
Before she was hired the 29-year-old, who suffers from Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder that means she has developmental disabilities, had struggled to find work in a country with high unemployment. “I feel like it is a dream that I started here,” Ballout said as tears rolled down her face. “It feels like you are walking into your home - it doesn’t feel like you are going to work.”Almost all the 14 staff at the Agonist coffee shop near Beirut where Ballout has worked for the past five months have special needs, from autism to Down’s syndrome. Wassim El Hage set up the business in December to help people with disabilities, who are typically excluded from the workforce in Lebanon. As a social enterprise - a business that aims to do good as well as make profit - it faces even more of a challenge than most start-ups in a country whose economy has been badly hit by years of political instability and a mass influx of refugees.
The country is grappling with an unemployment rate of 30 percent and last year, nearly 2,200 businesses closed, according to Lebanon’s chamber of commerce. For El Hage, that was part of the motivation - Lebanon, he said, desperately needs organizations prepared to hire people who would otherwise struggle to find jobs. “It is not my target to make money or to make profit for my own self. My target is to give them back this money [for them] to be integrated, to be independent, to have a real life,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “We need it in Lebanon.”The tiny country is home to more than a million refugees, mostly from its war-ravaged neighbor Syria. Since its own civil war ended in 1990, Lebanon has faced a raft of challenges, from electricity shortages to garbage mountains due to a lack of landfill sites - and now social enterprises are stepping in to help. These include Compost Baladi, which manages waste and compost and SunRay Energy, which helps rural communities in Lebanon adopt solar energy with a lease program and flexible payments. But social entrepreneurs say a lack of funding and government support are making it difficult for such ventures to thrive.
‘Snowball of change’
Unlike many countries including Britain and Thailand, Lebanon offers no tax breaks or other incentives to help the sector. “There is no single governmental policy or strategy to manage the social enterprises field,” said George Ghafary, head of a social enterprise that employs former substance abusers, prisoners and disadvantaged women to work on environmental projects. “Social enterprises can create a snowball of change, especially if the government offers incentives to existing companies ... thus creating even bigger impact.” No one at the Labour Ministry was available for comment on the government’s policy. Samer Sfeir co-founded ProAbled, which trains people in Lebanon with special needs to work and companies to hire them. He bemoaned a lack of funding for social enterprises and contrasted the government’s approach with that of Britain, where the government actively seeks out such businesses to supply publicly funded goods and services. “It is not difficult to start a social enterprise, but to scale it is hard ... everybody is focused on starting something new, not working on helping what already exists,” he said. “Regular business already struggle in Lebanon’s economy, but social enterprises have even a more difficult time, because it is more costly to run, and eventually your profit margin is less because you are giving back.” It is a problem El Hage, 32, is familiar with. He started Agonist with his own money after failing to raise private investment due to skepticism the cafe would be a success. In fact, he said, Lebanese people have come from all over the country to get their caffeine fix with a side of banter from people they would not usually get to meet. As coffee and pastries are handed out, staff often sit and chat with customers. Before leaving, each customer is asked to put their hand in a basket and pick a positive proverb.
“This big-time changes the way Lebanese see people with disabilities - to accept them exactly as they are,” said one return customer, Vincent El Khoury. “Many people look at them as less than, and I hate this.”

Extensive TV Interview With Lebanon’s first female interior minister, Raya al-Hassan ... discusses US support, border security
Staff writer, Al Arabiya English/Tuesday, 30 April 2019
In her first televised interview, Lebanon’s first female Interior Minister Raya al-Hassan who spoke to Al Arabiya in a wide-ranging interview including on issues of border security, the situation of Syrian refugees in the country and what her appointment means for the future of female Arab politicians.
Al-Hassan, who is the deputy head of the Lebanese Future Movement party, Hassan became the first woman interior minister in Lebanon and the Middle East in a cabinet line-up unveiled by Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri in late January following an eight-month delay.
During the last joint meeting of the Council of Arab Ministers of Interior and Justice, al-Hassan said she did not feel at odds.
“When I was the finance minister I was the only woman too, so it wasn’t new to me, although that had more masculinity to it,” al-Hassan said.
The Lebanese interior minister also spoke on the stability of Lebanese security following the support from several international countries and pre-emptive operations by internal security forces who uncovered several sleeper cells and terrorists who might have carried out attacks.
“The Americans are one of the most important supporters, especially in the field of training and arming of the internal and general security forces. There are also other donors such as the British and the EU and the French and we are lucky that there is serious work by donors to support the official security forces in Lebanon,” al-Hassan said.
Regarding Arab support to Lebanon, al-Hassan said that several Middle Eastern countries have focused their support on other areas.
“There is some support for the security services, but I think they prefer to put their aid elsewhere, in the social and economic sectors and this is what we saw at the CEDER and previous conferences,” she said.
“We really need some assistance in Training and other matters that the security body needs. But this is of course up to the Arab countries. They are the ones to decide what kind of aid is suitable for them,” she added.
Al-Hassan also spoke on the situation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, which hosts more than 950,000 registered refugees, according to UNHCR. According to her, the Future Movement’s position falls under the policy of wanting Syrians to return to their country as long as their safety can be guaranteed.
“Our position as the Future Movement, I represent a political party as well, is that we want the Syrians to go back home as soon as possible, as long as their return is safe and fast. We do not want to force any Syrian to return without guaranteeing his or her safety,” al-Hassan said.
Below is the full transcript of Al Arabiya’s interview with Raya al-Hassan:
Welcome to this special interview with the Lebanese Interior Minister Raya Hassan.
Thank you Raya, this is your first television interview which you exclusively give to Al Arabiya and Al Hadath channels so thank you.
This is also the first time in history that the Ministry of Interior in Lebanon is headed by a woman and a technocrat. What are the projects that you have for the Ministry of the Interior?
First of all, I want to change the image of the Ministry of the Interior, I want the ministry to preserve the security and enforce the law, but within a vision close to the people. We want to serve the people, not suppress them. We do not just want to apply the law without being close to the citizens.
I am translating this approach through some measures that I’m taking. For example, in the security sector, we are implementing something called community police, we want the police to preserve the security and oppress those who break the law, but within a different approach implemented by the police on the ground.
As citizens, we feel that there is a distance with the security men, sometimes they are hostile in the street and we, as Lebanese citizens, prefer to call someone for a favor to help up and this breaks the status of the policeman in the street and ours as citizens as well.
You’re right, that’s what’s happening today. But when we change the portrayal of policemen from oppressors. To preservers of security, enforcers of the law. We might be able to change the way that people behave with the police. This isn’t something that can be done in a month or two. This is more of a transformational process that will happen over years.
So it’s a cultural change then?
Absolutely, I mean a cultural change in the gendarmerie. How to preserve security within the approach of human rights. The citizens have rights and we must treat them with respect, and tell them that we are protecting you, and we do not want to oppress you. We are working to help you, we want to improve traffic. There are several things that we’re trying to apply through practices that several projects are adopting, in public security or internal security forces, which mostly deals with citizens.
On the other hand, there is the subject of prisons.
Which is one of the biggest problems in the country in terms of overcrowding, and sometimes the ill-treatment of prisoners. I’m personally insisting on the issue of human rights and the adoption of this idea, especially when dealing with prisoners.
There are universal standards –
Yes, there are universal standards, but I don’t want to apply something that isn’t based on a realistic approach.
Because there is no space for prisons, right?
There is no space, and the people who serve in prison eventually consider themselves to be prisoners. The situation is very difficult and there is a problem of overcrowding.
The accumulation of years has led to this situation, but today we are working on several stages in short and long term. In some short-term procedures, for example, we count all the prisoners who have finished their sentence, but have some fines that they aren’t able to pay, because they don’t have the financial means, so we go to the private sector for some assistance and donations to pay the fines of those who finished their sentences. We just started to implement this, it is a small step, but it can help with overcrowding.
What about building new prisons? This is one of the most important problems in Lebanon.
Former Minister Nohad al-Machnouk went to the private sector and received donations. Today, we will lay the foundation stone for a prison in Majdalaiya in the north, worth about $5 million.
We’re also receiving aid from the European Union to set up a center for juveniles which is a step in the right direction because it separates the juveniles from the rest of the prisoners and puts them in a special building where we can nurture them and work on programs to reintegrate them into the society in the future when they finish their sentences.
We now have a clearer vision on dealing with the issue of alleviating the suffering of prisoners during the period in which they are sentenced.
Since we’re talking prisoners, let’s talk about another very sensitive subject in Lebanon, which has a political nature, not just a security and a judicial one. This topic is the Islamic prisoners, which is one of the most controversial files. There are famous names known by the Arab viewers, such as Ahmed al-Asir, singer Fadel Shaker, and others who participated in battles.
What are the developments on this file?
The Prime Minister is taking care of this file, and he is working tirelessly to push it forward. At least what we have been able to do in this new government is that in the ministerial statement there was a clear declaration that the Lebanese government will go ahead with granting amnesty. I find this step very good if it happens.
As you know there are some regulations, some political parties are not comfortable with the idea of amnesty, regardless of the kind of crime. So the people known as Islamist prisoners will be put in categories.
Of course, any prisoner who committed a clearly terrorist crime that included murder, especially of someone from security or military forces, this person cannot be granted amnesty.
However, there are other groups who empathize, and younger people who have been brainwashed, those people should be assessed differently. At the end of the day, this is not in my jurisdiction.
As the Interior Ministry, our jurisdiction is to ensure the security of prisons. As for other measures, they fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice.
It’s also relevant in politics, because there is a feeling that justice is selective in Lebanon.
For example, most of the Islamist prisoners are Sunnis while there are others, like the accused of killing Rafiq al-Hariri, who are from the Shiite community and they weren’t prosecuted.
We know and reject that these people who haven’t been prosecuted to stay the way they are, we took this upon ourselves and the government’s president is working on this.
We are meeting with the families of the detainees and their representatives because there is great injustice, those charged in a clear terrorist crime will spend their time in prison. As for the rest, it’s up to the judiciary to decide whether to charge them or free them.
Some of the complaints against Lebanon concerns the airport of Beirut, as a Lebanese woman or an Arab or foreign tourist coming to Lebanon, we notice there are long queues at the airport.
Do you have a plan in the Ministry of Interior to improve Lebanon's airport to the global standards?
May God rest the soul of martyr Rafiq al-Hariri, whom people used to blame for making the airport so big. Today, we find that the airport’s size isn’t enough for the amount of travelers.
The current situation is hopefully a temporary one, we are working to decrease this congestion.
The current situation is due to expansion work in some areas of the airport, and this is to facilitate the process of public security and internal security and passport control, and inspection and so on.
Why can I enter Dubai via biometrics but I can’t do the same in Beirut airport?
We are trying to get there. I’m not trying to justify myself or previous ministers, but what is important is that we have a vision and this vision is being implemented.
Today, expansion work is causing this congestion. I was at the airport yesterday with the Minister of Transport and Public Works. We saw the work being done and we ensured that by early June, the works will finish. We will inaugurate the airport with its new look.
There is another point of view that says that Beirut’s airport isn’t lawful. In the past months and years there have been media reports on money and arm smuggling and maybe human trafficking.
Is Beirut’s airport under control?
I assure you that the airport is under control, and I always give these assurances especially to the ambassadors such as the Saudi ambassador who told me that there will be more Saudis coming after lifting the ban on Saudis visiting.
On my part I assured him that security is in place and that Lebanon is better than many other countries and this is visible on the grounds.
We do not see any security incidents and we see that security is stable and more and more tourists are coming and we expect that in the summer, we will be able to do all we can to make it easier for visitors and tourists to come to Lebanon and to have a comfortable and secure stay.
When you were appointed as the head of the Ministry of the Interior, you removed the security checkpoints and the ministry is in one of the most famous areas in Beirut.
Is the Lebanese Minister of Interior saying that Lebanon is now safe in a direct message to the tourists?
Especially that Lebanon has been suffering the lack of tourists?
The Saudi lifting of the ban on its citizens to come and other countries looking into doing the same. Those things to us is a testimony that the security is good and we are confirming that as a Lebanese government and a Ministry of Interior. Security is in place. I removed checkpoints that people expected trouble in and I put my credibility on the line and pledge that security is under control.
If all security issues were up to Your Excellency, the Lebanese citizen might have felt completely safe. But unfortunately, Lebanon is in a geographically dangerous location. It is known that the Americans support Lebanon and specifically the Lebanese security bodies. What is this support?
It is not only the Americans. The Americans are one of the most important supporters, especially in the field of training and arming of the internal and general security forces. There are also other donors such as the British and the EU and the French and we are lucky that there is serious work by donors to support the official security forces in Lebanon, and we see the results of that on the ground.
Like I said, in the past three to four years, the security is stable and we have seen the pre-emptive operations by the internal security forces, which lifted the cover off sleeper cells and terrorists who might have carried out operations. I tell the donors that their investment has given results on the ground, and their assessment of the security bodies has become higher.
Is there Arab support for the security services in Lebanon? What does the Interior Minister ask from them?
I can say with all honesty that Arabs were the first to support Lebanon in all economic conferences, in all stages of Lebanon's history and the crises in which we lived. There is some support for the security services, but I think they prefer to put their aid elsewhere, in the social and economic sectors and this is what we saw at the CEDER and previous conferences.
We really need some assistance in Training and other matters that the security body needs. But this is of course up to the Arab countries. They are the ones to decide what kind of aid is suitable for them.
From a security point of view, ISIS has ruined Syria and put it in a state of permanent war. Is there any fear of ISIS members going from Syria to Lebanon, or sleeper cells maybe?
We have reinforced the border crossings with military forces and public security to ensure that there is no smuggling of any Syrians or terrorists entering Lebanon illegally.
And of course, ISIS has non-Syrian fighters from all nationalities. Of course, we have greatly reinforced the crossings, even the illegal ones by increasing the presence of the army.
There is more force to control the security on the border with Lebanon. Internal security is tightening its procedures inside the country through the security bodies it has access to in order to control any possible operation or plan.
Today I can say that there are no more sleeper cells. All terrorist movements that we saw have been eliminated. But we always have to be careful, we can’t be completely sure.
We live in a difficult area and we have to make sure that the security bodies are always on alert.
Today I see that we are controlling the situation by 90% and we should remain cautious for the remaining 10% just like any neighboring country.
Yes, even Europe suffered from this kind of attacks. Concerning the issue of the displaced; the Lebanese are tired of their presence, but there is another group that says that they should return when the time is right. What does Raya al-Hassan say about this?
Our position as the Future Movement, I represent a political party as well, is that we want the Syrians to go back home as soon as possible, as long as their return is safe and fast. We do not want to force any Syrian to return without guaranteeing his/her safety.
The file must be assessed and approached from the Lebanese point of view since its repercussions are negative the Lebanese economy, but from a human dimension, we must work together and press the international community to find a quick political solution to this issue and ensure the return of the displaced as part of the solution.
Before that happens, we will not pressure any Syrian, quite the opposite, we host them and give them a decent life. But also, any unorganized Syrian labor will be controlled. Because what’s happening is an unfair competition between the Lebanese and Syrian worker, which is something we won’t tolerate.
But at the same time, we give them a decent life and we work with the international community to speed up the solution.
You represent the Future Movement which lost one of the most important Sunni political figures in Lebanon. Rafiq al-Hariri was assassinated in downtown Beirut in broad daylight. Fourteen years after his assassination, there is the impression that Hezbollah is running and controlling Lebanon.
How does the Sunni street feel about this especially that you are the daughter of this Sunni street?
There is some kind of frustration, but in my opinion, today there is more frustration with the economic and social situation than with a certain political position.
We know, Reema, that we are facing the biggest economic problem in Lebanon. We cannot stand against a certain regional-backed party. That’s why the prime minister, in a courageous position, said that he will put the strategic differences with this party aside, and focus on the interest of the Lebanese citizen. And he has repeated this several times and I believe that the Sunni street is convinced with this.
To be able to resolve this dilemma we need to form a united government or we can’t take any decision in Lebanon. From this point of view, I believe the Sunni street has become understanding, and supporting of the prime minister in his approach.
One of the things you talked about is the subject of Lebanese women giving their nationality to their children, is there any progress regarding this issue?
There is a proposal for a law by the Future Movement, there is a historical objection from some political parties in Lebanon, but I feel that we are going somewhere with this and the prime minister said that he supports it and wants it to move forward.
I must be honest that we won’t be able to not put constraints on it…
So there will be exceptions for Palestinians and Syrians?
Yes, I believe there will be some regulations.
You are a defender of women's rights. When a Lebanese man marries a Palestinian woman or a Syrian woman, he can give her his nationality after one year, and this is a not fair for women?
You’re right. If it was up to me, I would have given citizenship to all the children of a Lebanese woman married to a foreigner. But this is my personal opinion. Realistically today, and according to the composition of Lebanon, I think it will not pass without regulations, this is what I think.
So let’s at least get a part of it done. I’m very pragmatic when it comes to this. We will push for the full thing, but if it didn’t work, let’s at least get some of the Lebanese woman’s rights.
What caught my attention when you were named Minister of Interior is when senior military men in Lebanon were saluting you. Is the fact that you are a woman at the head of the Interior Ministry an obstacle? Do they obey your orders?
Yes of course they do. I do not like the word “obey.” At first, I was afraid of this issue when the prime minister suggested it to me, but when I came to the ministry and met everyone, I didn’t feel any difference at all. I believe there is great discipline and there is respect for the hierarchy, and I believe they treat me like they would have treated any man.
At the end of the day, you’re the one who proves you’re worthy of the title. Whether man or woman, they prove themselves and it becomes natural.
You were the only woman at the meeting of Arab interior ministers. How was this experiment?
It was a lovely experience but it was not the first time. When I was the finance minister I was the only woman too, so it wasn’t new to me, although that had more masculinity to it.
But all the people I met with were friendly, there is mutual respect and I felt comfortable.
I think because I’m a woman, I was treated more smoothly and I hope there will be more than one woman in these meetings.
Raya al-Hassan is Sunni and every Sunni in Lebanon has the opportunity to become prime minister and you are from the largest Sunni party in Lebanon. Can we ever see you as the first female Lebanese prime minister?
Honestly, it’s not what I aspire for. I work from all my heart to execute my responsibilities. But do I aspire for more? Thank God for the big opportunities I was given to be in those roles. I don’t want more than this. I just want to see my family and my children and enjoy my remaining years.
If Prime Minister al-Hariri were to ask you, as he did when he asked you to be head of the Interior Ministry?
Saad al-Hariri, for me, is the head of the Future Movement and I’m his deputy. Whatever he asks of me, I do not hesitate to implement it, but thank God we have Prime Minister al-Hariri now, and we are comfortable with him, and hopefully he will be the first leader of reforms in Lebanon.

Latest LCCC English Miscellaneous Reports & News published on May 01/19
Jihad rocket aimed at Israeli port was Tehran’s first riposte for Trump’s sanctions
DEBKAfile/April 30/2019
The rocket which exploded in the sea off Israel’s southern port-town on Monday night, April 29, was fired by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad from northern Gaza. The IDF admitted as much the next morning, after initially playing down the long-range fire as a Palestinian rocket training test which did not reach Israel – in the same way as the IDF spokesman dismissed the two long-range rockets aimed at the Tel Aviv region a month ago as “errors.”In its latest communique, the IDF named the Jihad position from which the rocket was launched as Al Atatra in northern Gaza and reported it had come down “several kilometers from the shore and not close by.” He added: “This was a deliberate attack by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad which is not subject to the authority of Hamas.” DEBKAfile’s military sources report that Jihad and Hamas’ rocket attacks are coordinated through a joint war-room they have established in the Gaza Strip. Israel reacted to the incident by reducing the Palestinian fishing zone off the enclave to 6 miles. DEBKAfile adds: The rocket, whose explosion was heard across southern Israel, was deliberately aimed by the Islamic Jihad, the Palestinian proxy of Tehran, as a threat to the passage of shipping to one of Israel’s two main cargo ports. Its deep-water facilities handle the largest volume of cargo containers of either port, as well as cruise ships. A US Sixth Fleet destroyer visited the port last year. This southern port is within range of Palestinian rockets from the Gaza Strip, whereas Haifa port in the north can be threatened by Iran’s Lebanese surrogate, Hizballah. Just as last month, Palestinian terrorist groups acted out their threat to Tel Aviv with high-precision missiles, in April they have shown willing to back Iran up in retaliating for the new round of US oil sanctions that go into effect on May 2. Iran’s reprisals do not have to be direct or extreme, such as the closure of the Straits of Hormuz or Bab al-Mandeb to oil shipping. Shutting down Israel’s important southern port would suffice for starters. Haifa could come next. Hizballah recently established “resistance militias” comprising Hamas activists enlisted in Lebanon’s Palestinian refugee camps. They too stand at Iran’s disposal. The rocket which exploded harmlessly in the sea on Monday night carried this message: Iran has the resources to blockade Israel’s two main ports, one of which holds an Israel Navy headquarters, and both of which are visited by US Sixth Fleet warships.
Israel and the US Mediterranean fleet are clearly in Tehran’s sights, especially since last Wednesday, April 24, when the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier and its strike group of 10 warships took up position opposite the Syrian coast. Monday’s rocket may be the harbinger of further “events” centering on the Mediterranean shores of Israel, Lebanon and Syria.

Bolton Urges Defense Chief, Key Officials to Oust Maduro
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 30/19/U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton called Tuesday on Venezuela's defense chief and other key officials to oust President Nicolas Maduro, warning them "Your time is up."Bolton singled out Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, Supreme Court chief justice Maikel Moreno and presidential guard commander Ivan Hernandez Dala, saying they had committed to removing Maduro from power. "And it is time for them now, if the Cubans will let them do it, to fulfill their commitments and it is time for the rest of the military to show what their own families believe ought to happen and that is Maduro needs to go," he told reporters at the White House. Bolton repeated that message in a Tweet: "Your time is up. This is your last chance. Accept Interim President Guaido's amnesty, protect the Constitution, and remove Maduro, and we will take you off our sanctions list. Stay with Maduro, and go down with the ship."

Venezuela Says 'Attempted Coup' Underway
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 30/19/Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido said on Tuesday that troops had joined his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro as the government vowed to put down what it called an attempted coup. "We are currently facing and deactivating a small group of treacherous military personnel who took positions in the Altamira distributor road (in Caracas) to promote a coup d'etat," Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez said on Twitter. "We call on the people to remain on maximum alert to -- with our glorious National Bolivarian Armed Forces -- defeat the attempted coup and preserve peace," he said. In a video recorded at a Caracas military air base posted on social media, the US-backed Guaido said troops had heeded months of urging to join his campaign to oust Maduro. "Today brave soldiers, brave patriots, brave men supporting the constitution have answered our call," he said. Television images showed soldiers and Guaido supporters at the largely empty base milling around without urgency. Colombia's president, Ivan Duque, called on Twitter for "soldiers and the people of Venezuela to place themselves on the right side of history, rejecting dictatorship and Maduro's usurption."Colombia also said it was calling an emergency meeting of the Lima Group -- a grouping of major Latin American nations plus Canada focused on Venezuela.
'Definitive phase' -
In his video, Guaido appeared alongside high-profile opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez who had been put under home arrest by Maduro's regime but who announced he had been "freed" by soldiers supporting Guaido. Lopez posted a picture on Twitter with men in uniform, and said it was taken at the La Carlota military base in eastern Caracas. "Venezuela: the definitive phase to end the usurpation, Operation Liberty, has begun," read the message. Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez asserted on Twitter that the situation in military barracks and bases in the country was "normal." Tensions in Venezuela have been ratcheted up to a critical level this year, after Guaido, who is head of the opposition-ruled National Assembly, announced January 23 that he was the acting president under the constitution. He said Maduro had been fraudulently re-elected last year. The United States and major Latin American powers including Brazil, Peru and Chile swiftly backed Guaido, followed later by EU nations. But Maduro, who since taking over from his late mentor Hugo Chavez in 2013 has presided over a catastrophic economic implosion, has been able to count on support from Russia and China, Venezuela's two biggest creditors. Although US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said "all options" are on the table regarding Venezuela -- including, implicitly, military action -- there has been no noticeable US military mobilization. Instead, Washington has upped the economic pressure, through sanctions aimed at Maduro's regime and by cutting sales of Venezuelan oil -- the South American country's main revenue earner. It also warned against any attempt to arrest Guaido, who has been left free to roam Venezuela and hold rallies. Maduro and his government have repeatedly accused the United States of trying to foment a coup, and blame the economic devastation in the country on the tightening US sanctions. In Madrid, the government warned against bloodshed. Spanish government spokeswoman Isabel Celaa said Madrid backed a "peaceful" outcome in Venezuela, and wanted to see "democratic elections" take place there.

Sudan Army Rulers, Protest Leaders Differ on Joint Council Make-Up
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 30/19/Sudan's army rulers and protest leaders on Monday offered differing visions for a joint council, but a military spokesman said he hoped a final structure for the body could be agreed soon. The talks came after the two sides on Saturday agreed to form a joint civilian-military body to rule the northeast African country. "The military council has presented its vision for a 10-member joint council, with seven military representatives and three civilians," a spokesman for the existing ruling military council Lieutenant General Shamseddine Kabbashi told reporters after a joint panel met on Monday. "The Alliance for Freedom and Change presented its vision of a 15-member joint council, with eight civilians and seven military representatives," he said, referring to the group that is leading the protest movement that has rocked Sudan for more than four months. Kabbashi said Monday's talks ended with both sides agreeing to consider each other's views. Kabbashi defended the military's demand for a majority in the joint council. "The necessities that made us take the people's side are still present and that's why it merits for us to be in the sovereign council," he said, without clarifying why the army generals were insisting on having a majority in the joint council. He said that talks will continue on Tuesday. In a statement, the protest leaders' alliance confirmed that no agreement was reached over the composition of the sovereign council. It also said that both sides will present proposals on transitional structures, including a future civilian government and legislative body, and their respective powers, within 24 hours."Our sit-ins and marches shall continue until all the revolution's goals are achieved," the alliance added.
Transport links to open
A joint council, if agreed, would replace the existing 10-member military council that took power after the army ousted veteran leader Omar al-Bashir on April 11 amid massive protests against his rule. The creation of a joint council would pave the way for a civilian administration as demanded by protesters, as they continue to rally outside the army headquarters in central Khartoum. Kabbashi said that during Monday's talks it was agreed with protest leaders to open some roads, a railway line and two bridges that lead to -- or pass near -- the military headquarters. When asked whether by doing this the army was planning to disperse the sit-in, he said: "That's not what we are saying". Late Monday, a Sudanese protest group said the army was trying to remove barricades and disperse the sit-in outside the military headquarters, but witnesses said troops had not moved in. "The military council is a copy cat of the toppled regime. The army is trying to disperse the sit-in by removing the barricades," said the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), the group that first launched the protest movement against Bashir's regime. "We are calling on our people to come immediately to the sit-in area. We are calling on the revolutionaries to protect the barricades and rebuild them." Witnesses at the sit-in told AFP that protesters were building up some of the make-shift barricades but there was no movement of troops around the area.
Power to civilians
The creation of a joint civilian-military council would be an overall ruling body, protest leaders have said, while they want a separate transitional civilian administration to run the country's day-to-day affairs. That civilian government would work towards the first post-Bashir elections, protest leaders say. The military council has so far insisted it has assumed power for a two-year transitional period. Thousands of protesters first massed outside the army headquarters on April 6, demanding that the armed forces back them in ousting Bashir. Five days later, the army took power through a transitional military council, having deposed Bashir, after months of protests that began with unrest over a tripling of bread prices. Since then the 10-member council of generals has continued to resist calls to step down. Western governments have expressed support for protesters' demands, but Sudan's key Gulf Arab donors have backed the military council, while African states have called for more time for the army to hand power to civilians.

Libyan Air Strikes Kill Four, Wound 37
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 30/19/Air raids on Tripoli Sunday night killed four people and wounded 37, Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) said Monday, blaming the attacks on strongman Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA). This came a day after a similar attack on the capital killed another four civilians and injured 20, according to the GNA. Haftar's LNA launched an offensive against Tripoli, the seat of the internationally-recognised GNA, on April 4. After initial gains, Haftar's forces have encountered stiff resistance on the southern outskirts and his troops have been pushed back in some areas. At least 278 people have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in the clashes, according to a toll released Wednesday by the World Health Organization. The GNA accuses Haftar of using foreign planes to carry out air strikes, without naming a country of origin. After Sunday's raids, "public hospitals received four dead people -- three civilians and a soldier, and 37 wounded, Amin al-Hachemi, a spokesman for the GNA health ministry told AFP. "The toll may rise given that victims have been transported to private hospitals."
The parts of Tripoli struck were Abou Slim, a densely-populated residential area in the south, and Ain Zara, a southern suburb that has seen several violent clashes in recent weeks. A spokesman for the LNA confirmed Saturday's strikes on the capital, but said they were aimed at military targets. "The capital is experiencing an escalation in the military offensive, war crimes, and indiscriminate bombings of residential areas, public facilities and infrastructure," Mohanad Younes, a spokesman for the GNA, said on the government's Facebook page. "Unmanned foreign planes participated in these raids, the latest ones having hit homes in Ain Zara and Abou Slim," said Younes. The responsibility for these acts, he added, rests "with the states which support the belligerent forces of the criminal Haftar". Haftar's offensive has sharpened fault lines in policy towards Libya among world powers. On April 18, Russia and the United States opposed a British bid backed by France and Germany at the UN Security Council to demand a ceasefire in the North African country. The White House revealed the next day that Donald Trump had reached out personally to Haftar in a phone call, during which the US president "recognised Field Marshal Haftar's significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources". The country has been mired in chaos since the NATO-backed uprising that deposed and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Ex-Algeria PM Appears in Court in Corruption Probe
Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/Algerian Former Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia appeared in court on Tuesday as part of a corruption probe, private channel Ennahar TV reported. There was no immediate comment from him or his lawyers. It is up to the court to decide whether there is enough evidence for him to face a formal charge and trial. “Put Ouyahia in prison,” read a banner held up as tens of protesters gathered near the court. He joined a list of powerful figures including the finance minister and several oligarchs to face judicial investigations since mass protests forced the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika this month. n Monday, Finance Minister Mohamed Loukal - a former central bank governor who only got the job from Bouteflika last month - appeared at a court as part of an investigation into suspected misuse of public funds, state TV reported. Former police chief Abdelghani Hamel - who was sacked last year by Bouteflika for undisclosed reasons - and his son also appeared in court in Tipaza, west of the capital, as part of an investigation into “illegal activities, influence peddling, misappropriation of land and abuse of office”, state TV said. Protesters have taken to the streets since February, calling for the ousting of Bouteflika and the dismantling of the political elite that surrounded his 20-year rule. Bouteflika resigned on April 2 under pressure from the army, but the protests have continued with calls for a handover to a new civilian-led government. At least five tycoons, some of them close to Bouteflika, have been placed in custody accused of involvement in corruption scandals. Abdelkader Bensalah, head of the upper house of parliament, became interim president after Bouteflika’s departure. Presidential elections are scheduled for July 4.

Bouteflika Family Leaves Presidential Palace
Algiers - Boualem Goumrassa/ Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/The family of former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika left the presidential headquarters in the western suburbs of Algiers early this week, revealed informed sources. They vacated the premises at the orders of the military authorities, the de facto rulers after Bouteflika stepped down on April 2 following mass protests. The four members of his family left the headquarters at the orders of the defense ministry, the sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. The family was living in Zeralda city. The official presidential palace lies in the El Mouradia in the Algiers province. The development took place as Said Bouteflika, the former president’s younger brother, has found himself in the eye of the political upheaval in Algeria. Former Defense Minister Khaled Nizar revealed details of a telephone call he held with Said before Bouteflika’s resignation. Said expressed concern over his brother stepping down under military pressure. He voiced his fears over a potential military coup, led by chief of staff Ahmed Gaid Salah, and therefore mulled the possibility of sacking him from his post, revealed Nizar. The revelation, said observers, was dangerous and enough to lead Said to court on charges of plotting a coup against the military commander. Nizar, for his part, advised Said to comply with protester demands and allow Bouteflika to step down. Mass protests, which began on February 22 and have been largely peaceful, have continued after Bouteflika’s resignation as many want the removal of the entire elite. Bouteflika has been replaced by Abdelkader Bensalah, head of the upper house of parliament, as interim president for 90 days until a presidential election is held on July 4.

UN Warns of Worsening Palestinian Financial Crisis
Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/The United Nations urged on Tuesday the need to find a “sustainable resolution” to the Palestinian Authority’s worsening financial crisis. UN political chief Rosemary DiCarlo warned before the UN Security Council that the crisis is threatening the PA with “financial collapse.”Israel is withholding about $11 million of the roughly $180 million a month in tax funds that it collects for the Palestinians, claiming that money was being used to support families of militants. The Palestinians, in protest, have refused to accept any of the tax transfers, explained The Associated Press. "Israel's so-called 'withholding' of Palestinian tax revenues is blatant theft, violating bilateral agreements and the Geneva Convention prohibition on the pillaging of the occupied people's resources," Riyad Mansour, the Palestinians' ambassador at the UN, told the council. Without the funds, the PA has cut most workers' salaries in half since March, though salaries will be raised to 60 percent this month because of the holy month of Ramadan. The lowest paid employees who earn less than $600 a month continue to get full pay, but most civil servants have higher salaries.
DiCarlo called on both sides to address the underlying causes of the financial crisis, implement their bilateral agreements, and avoid actions that undermine security and stability for both Palestinians and Israelis. She also urged the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, which coordinates development aid to the Palestinians, to use its meeting Tuesday in Brussels to work with Israel and the PA to resolve the crisis.In addition to the tax revenue, the Trump administration has cut hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for the Palestinians. Last month, the head of the UN agency that helps 5.3 million Palestinian refugees called for equal generosity from donors who filled a $446 million hole in its budget last year after the US drastically cut its contribution. Pierre Krahenbuhl said donors funded the UN Relief and Works Agency's $1.2 billion budget for 2018 after the US reduced its $360 million contribution in 2017 to just $60 million. He said the UN agency also adopted a $1.2 billion budget for 2019, and this year it is getting nothing from the United States. US President Donald Trump said in January 2018 that the Palestinians must return to peace talks to receive US aid money. “Our position is as it was: We will not receive any money from Israel if it is incomplete,” PA President Mahmoud Abbas told the weekly cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Monday. “This is something we will not accept at any cost,” AFP quoted him as saying. He also warned that Israel is seeking to legalize its deduction of the taxes it collects on behalf of the PA. The Arab League pledged last week to provide the PA with $100 million monthly, potentially averting a financial crisis caused by the row.

Family of Palestinian Detainee Demands Int’l Probe in his Death in Turkey
Dubai - Musaid al Zayani/Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/The family of Palestinian Zaki Mubarak Hasan refused on Monday Turkish statements saying that he died by committing suicide in the Silivri prison near Istanbul.It instead demanded an international committee to investigate the “mysterious” death. “As his family, we trust neither the Turkish version of what happened nor the statements delivered by the Palestinian ambassador,” Hasan’s brother, Zakaria said in a telephone call with Asharq Al-Awsat. Zakaria said his brother had traveled to Istanbul to find work. “We call on all organizations and international parties to form an independent investigative unit tasked with looking into the case,” he demanded. He said Hasan, 55, decided to travel to Turkey after he had retired from work. “He went to search for a job as a father to several children,” Zakaria said, adding that his brother was innocent from all accusations against him. State news agency Anadolu said Monday that Hasan, who was arrested on charges of spying for the United Arab Emirates, committed suicide by hanging himself in Silivri prison west of Istanbul. “Hasan was found hanging from the bathroom door in his cell at 10:22 am local time on Sunday,” a said a statement by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. It said the suspect was arrested earlier this month as part of a probe by Istanbul prosecutors of alleged spying by the Gulf state and he remanded in custody on charges of political, military and international espionage. Zakaria asserted he was in contact with his brother when he was arrested in Istanbul, and he even informed the Palestinian ambassador in Turkey about the disappearance of Hasan and his friend. “My brother was in Istanbul to sell chickpeas and beans. He has no ties to Palestinian leader Mohammed Dahlan,” he said, adding that all reports published about Hasan in the Turkish media were untrue. Turkish reports said earlier that Hasan and his friend are believed to be connected to Dahlan, the former leader of Fatah in Gaza, who lives in exile in the UAE.

Israel Reduces Gaza Fishing Zone after Rocket Fire
Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/Israel reduced the offshore fishing zone in the Gaza Strip Tuesday following rocket fire from the territory, officials said. Gaza fishermen will now be able to operate no more than six nautical miles into the Mediterranean, down from a limit of up to 15 nautical miles Israel had enforced since April 1. The Israeli defense ministry unit that oversees civil matters in the Palestinian territories, said the new limit would be in force "until further notice." A spokeswoman for the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories said the decision was taken in the light of a rocket launch from Gaza late on Monday. A military spokeswoman said the rocket fell into the Mediterranean, a few kilometers (couple of miles) off the Israeli coast. An army source said the rocket was fired by Gaza's second largest group, “Islamic Jihad”, an ally of the Hamas movement that controls the coastal enclave.
The source alleged that in recent weeks Jihad had been "taking steps to harm" efforts to maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, reported AFP. But the source underlined that the evidence Jihad had fired the rocket would not affect Israel's longstanding policy of holding Hamas responsible as Gaza's de facto ruler. "We still consider Hamas responsible for whatever happens in the (Gaza) Strip," the source said. Israel had extended the fishing limit to 15 nautical miles in some areas from April 1 as part of a package of measures intended to calm a flare-up of violence with Hamas ahead of the April 9 Israeli general election. The Gaza fishermen's union said the limit was then set at 15 nautical miles in the south near the Egyptian border, at 12 off central Gaza and at six in the north near the Israeli border. Israel has fought three wars with Gaza factions since 2008 and has blockaded the territory for more than a decade.

Jordan Reviews Gas Agreement with Israel
Amman - Mohammed Kheir al-Rawashida/Asharq Al Awsat/April 30/19/King Abdullah II has officially ordered the revision of the terms of the gas agreement with Israel, in a technical report that examines Jordan’s interests from the continuation or the freezing of the agreement, senior Jordanian political sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. The signing of the gas agreement between Jordan National Electricity Company and the US Noble Energy for the transfer of Israeli gas has sparked a wide internal debate in the past months, after popular movements organized a series of events denouncing economic normalization with Israel. The government said it is obliged to comply with the agreement, under a penalty clause of one billion dollars. It added that the project was in progress and some gas pipelines are already installed in a number of northern villages adjacent to the border with the occupied Palestinian territories. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Khaled Bakkar, the head of the finance committee in the Jordanian parliament, said that the deal, in addition to being “blatant normalization” with Israel, is “economically weak” based on the feasibility studies. He stressed that Jordan’s energy production surpassed the country’s needs, noting that the import of Israeli gas, through Jordan, was only for the benefit of Israel.

Damascus Demands Israel Release Golan Heights Prisoners
Tel Aviv – Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/Residents in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights said they received guarantees from insider sources within the Syrian regime that negotiations with Israel for prisoner exchanges are still ongoing. Two Syrian prisoners from the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights were expected to be released, following the return of the body of Israeli soldier Zachary Baumel. But Israel did not release those two prisoners, Sidqi al-Maqt and Amal Abu Saleh. Instead, Ahmed Khamis and Zidan Tawil were handed over to the Red Cross via the Quneitra crossing on Sunday. The al-Maqt and Abu Saleh families voiced their anger to both the Syrian regime and Russia. They were reassured that Damascus still has the remains of other Israeli soldiers and that it is exerting great efforts into negotiating with Tel Aviv, under Russian mediation, for the release of the Majdal Shams prisoners. Al-Maqt, who had served 27 years in an Israeli prison for security violations, was re-incarcerated after being convicted of spying for Syria. Blasting the Syrian regime’s inability to release more prisoners from jail in exchange for Baumel’s remains, one of Abu Saleh’s relatives, speaking on the conditions of anonymity, said: “Since the 1980s, to this day, Israel has released at least 14,000 Palestinian inmates over the course of several exchanges.”Palestinians often pin hopes on Syrian prisoner swaps, saying that they may pave the way for Tel Aviv to strike prisoner deals with them. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has however, faced challenges in this issue given that his government has bound itself to regulations that make it difficult to make such exchanges.

Ankara Working on 2 Fronts to Counter Kurdish ‘Threat’ from Syria
Ankara - Saeed Abdul Razek/Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/Ankara, to this day, has failed to stick to a clear policy on the perceived “threat” of Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Syria near Turkey’s borders. Whilst it insists on making loud threats of fierce cross-border offensives, it continues to negotiate with Washington on creating a buffer zone. Even though Washington has conceded to Turkish demands to address the Kurdish presence across the border, there has yet to be an agreement on the dimensions of and which party would monitor the zone. Keeping the YPG, the military arm and largest component of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, at a 30-kilometer distance from Turkish borders figures highest on Ankara’s agenda. Such a distance, however, contradicts with the US-led International Coalition’s interests on the ground. The SDF has been vital in the fight against ISIS in areas east of the Euphrates in Syria. Should Kurdish forces be driven too far from the area, it could hamper anti-terror efforts by the Coalition in Syria. Turkish government spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin, last week, claimed that a so-called safe zone which “stretches from Idlib to Manbij, passing through the border towns of Manbij, Afrin and Jarablus” has been erected. On US-Turkish negotiations on Syria, Kalin said: “Our talks are ongoing with the American side intensively about the buffer zone, which covers 32 kilometers in northeastern Syria.” He also labeled the US withdrawal from Syria, announced in 2018 by President Donald Trump, as “floundering.” Another contended point is what parties would be allowed to regulate and monitor the safe zone. While Turkey is vying for total control of the zone, the US said it preferred European forces on the ground. Meanwhile, Turkey continues to boost military reinforcements deployed to the east Euphrates region amid ongoing threats by President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan against the Kurds.

Turkish FM in Erbil, Discusses Security, Trade Relations
Erbil – Ihsan Aziz/ Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held talks in Erbil on Monday with several Kurdish officials on his first visit to the region since a failed independence referendum in 2017 that strained ties with Ankara. His discussions focused on bolstering security and trade relations. He held closed-door meetings with the officials from the Iraqi Turkmen Front. Talks focused on Turkmen living in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Cavusoglu stressed that Ankara will continue to push for Turkmen to obtain their rights in Iraq seeing as they make up the third largest minority in the country. The minister then met with Kurdistan intelligence chief Masrour Barzani, who could potentially be tasked with forming a new Kurdistan government. He then met with President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani. He concluded his visit by holding talks with Qubad Talabani, a senior member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Informed sources said that talks also focused on efforts to confront the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that has led an insurgency against Turkey and is based on the border between Iraq, Iran and Turkey. A senior member of Masoud Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party, Abdulsalam Brawri revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Cavusoglu’s trip was aimed at finding alternatives to Iranian oil in wake of Washington’s decision to halt exemptions on its export. Moreover, he said that Ankara was also seeking to invest in efforts to reconstruct Iraq. Cavusoglu had arrived in Erbil after holding talks with Iraqi officials in Baghdad. During the visit he unveiled plans to reopen consulates in Mosul and Basra and to establish new ones in Kirkuk and Najaf.The minister also announced that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would pay a visit to Iraq before the end of the year.

Rights Group: ISIS Children in Iraq Shunned by Society
Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/Tens of thousands of children born under ISIS rule in Iraq are being shunned by society, said a rights group on Tuesday. An estimated 45,000 children in Iraq who were born under ISIS and they are being excluded from society because the government denies them documentation and ID papers, said the Norwegian Refugee Council. Norwegian Refugee Council Secretary General Jan Egeland warned that these children - most of whom are in camps for the displaced today - are a "possible human time-bomb." "Undocumented children risk remaining left on the margins of society if this issue is not addressed immediately. This seriously undermines future prospects of reconciliation efforts," said Egeland, according to The Associated Press. "We urge the government to ensure that undocumented children have the right to exist like any other Iraqi citizen," he added, citing the organization's 38-page report "Barriers from Birth." The children were born during ISIS's 2013-2017 rule, when the group controlled nearly a third of Iraq. The Iraqi government today considers their birth certificates invalid because they were issued by ISIS.
After US-backed forces defeated the ISIS and the terrorists lost their self-styled "caliphate," many ISIS families and those of civilians who lived under the group's rule were put in camps for the displaced. The Norway-based group said its legal teams receive on average 170 requests for help each month in cases of unregistered children, children whose fathers are undocumented, are on one of the government's security databases or are perceived to be affiliated with ISIS. Egeland said the chance of obtaining ID documents for children from families accused of ISIS affiliation is nearly impossible, resulting in collective punishment of thousands of innocent children. "Children are not responsible for crimes committed by their relatives, yet many are denied their basic rights as Iraqi citizens," he said. Without ID papers, these children have no access to education or health care, they are not allowed to enroll in schools and their mothers cannot get badly needed aid - they are denied "simply the right to exist," Egeland said. Providing these children with such basic rights to education and health care is "key to ensuring a sustainable future for them and for the country," he said.
"A society cannot be at peace if it allows a generation of stateless children in its midst."

Yemeni PM Lauds Achievements of Saudi Humanitarian Demining Mission
Aden - Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/Yemeni Prime Minister Moeen Abdul Malik lauded tremendous efforts exerted by the Saudi demining initiative in Yemen, Masam. He made his remarks after receiving Masam Project chief Ousama al-Gosaibi and the Director of the Yemeni National Mine Action Program, Brig. Gen. Amin Al-Aqili in the interim Yemeni capital, Aden. “The head of Yemeni government commended sacrifices put forth by staffers of the Masam project, which is backed by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief),” the official Saba news agency reported. He thanked Saudi Arabia for its efforts in alleviating the suffering invited upon Yemenis by Iran-backed Houthi militias. Saudi Arabia's support of Yemen and its people, its leadership of the Arab coalition, which is backing the legitimacy and President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and rescuing of Yemenis from the Houthis and Iran’s regional expansionist project will forever be etched in history and remembered with gratitude by Yemenis, the PM said. He also conveyed his condolences to the family members of Masam demining staffers who died on duty in the Mocha region. Landmines and explosive devices have been planted by Houthis throughout civilian areas as they retreat from advancing legitimate forces. “The government will spare no effort to provide all support to the national mine action program,” Abdul Malik added, blasting Houthi terrorists for cultivating a “culture of death and destruction.”Gosaibi, for his part, highlighted the large number of mines and explosives that have been defused by the team and which were left behind by militants in civilian neighborhoods, public spaces, on sea shores and schools across the war-torn country. He also briefed the gatherers of the risks and challenges facing the demining staffers on the field. Masam includes 32 demining teams deployed in government-controlled areas. It announced that its engineering teams, during the last week of April, extracted more than 2,000 mines. Since it first started operating in Yemen, Masam has succeeded in removing 63,719 mines.

Pompeo Affirms Support for Arab Coalition in Yemen, Says Iran Behind Continuation of War
Washington - Atef Abdullatif/Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/Secretary of State Mike Pompeo underlined on Monday US support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, blaming Iran for the civil war. “The support we’re providing to the Saudis as they attempt to engage these dangerous missiles systems is in America’s best interest,” said Pompeo, according to The Hill newspaper. He blamed Iran, saying the war is “Iranian led” and that Tehran has “chosen to direct” the Houthis not to withdraw from the port of Hodeidah as agreed to last year. “The Houthis, who continue to refuse to comply with the agreements they have signed up for in Stockholm, Sweden, refused to move back from the port in Hodeidah,” he stressed. He said weapons used by Houthis are smuggled into Yemen from Iran in addition to the missiles launched at Saudi territory and that affect civil aviation. “The United States has an obligation to protect our citizens, so the support that we’re providing to the Saudis as they attempt to engage these dangerous missile systems is in America’s best interest,” he told the newspaper. He said the US military support also aims at countering al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and ensuring protection of the US from the terror risk inside Yemen, pointing to the reasons why US President Donald Trump vetoed a Congress resolution to end support for Yemen. When asked whether ISIS still poses a threat, Pompeo said it undoubtedly still does. “We have made significant progress. I give our coalition partners – we built a coalition of over 80 countries, called the Defeat ISIS Coalition, an enormous global coalition to take down that caliphate. That coalition remains,” he responded. On whether the US was seeking regime change in Iran, Pompeo said the US administration wants it “to make a set of decisions that are very different from the ones they’re making today.”He highlighted the 12 demands by the US administration back in May 2018, stressing that they are all reasonable and simply call on Iran to behave like a normal country. “They’re simple things like don’t kill people in Europe, don’t conduct assassinate – it’s not outrageous.”
He also wondered “whether it is outrageous to ask Iran not to support militias in Iraq to try and destabilize the Iraqi government so the Iraqi people have an independent, sovereign nation of their own.”

Houthis Stage Series of Attacks in Hodeidah ahead of UN Team Visit
Jeddah - Saeed al-Abyad/ Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 30 April, 2019/The Iran-backed Houthi militias have been trying to lure army forces deployed to the outskirts of the coastal city of Hodeidah into armed confrontation. Analysts said the militias are plotting to break the UN-brokered Stockholm agreement, which was signed last December. According to the deal, signed by both the Houthi and legitimate government, militias must redeploy from Hodeidah and its three ports. Militants on Sunday, however, targeted army positions east of the city based at the “May 22” roundabout. Light arms and shells, which damaged many houses, were fired by Houthis for about five hours nonstop. The attack took place a day before a planned visit by the head of the UN Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC), Lieutenant-General Michael Lollesgaard. “Houthis have continued to violate the deal and target the army in particular. During late night hours, militias attacked army posts and shelled populated residential areas…repeated attacks are being documented and will be reported to the international community,” army spokesman Brig. Abdo Majli told Asharq Al-Awsat. The Yemeni army, according to Majli, reserves the right to respond to Houthi attacks both targeting its units and threatening the security of neighboring countries. Recent attacks are clear defiance of the host of agreements and commitments Houthis made in the Swedish capital, Majli noted while lamenting the Iran-backed insurgency’s persistence on flouting the deal. Locals in southern Hodeidah reported heavy clashes erupting on Sunday and which swept through residential and public areas. Houthis, according to reports, fired rockets and assault rifles from within neighborhoods to target positions held by the Giants Brigade. “Militias are acting contrary to all international regulations and in violation of the terms of the Sweden agreement. They are striving with all their might to thwart the peace process, which the legitimate government has made many concessions to protect in the interest of all Yemenis,” Hodeidah Governor Al-Hassan Taher said.

Trump set to designate Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group
الرئيس ترامب يتجه لوضع جماعة الإخوان المسلمين على قوائم الإرهاب
Arab News/May 01/2019
JEDDAH: US President Donald Trump aims to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization. The move would bring sanctions against the Islamist group’s leaders, make it a crime for any American to assist them, and ban its members from entering the US.
“The president has consulted with his national security team and leaders in the region who share his concern and this designation is working its way through the internal process,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said on Tuesday.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi asked Trump to issue the designation, which Egypt did in 2013, at a private meeting this month during a visit to Washington. The move is supported by US National Security Adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Pompeo in particular has long advocated designating the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group, and cosponsored legislation to do so when he was a member of Congress. The group was founded in Egypt in 1928 and sought to establish a worldwide Islamic caliphate. Its opponents argue that it has become a breeding ground for terrorists. Ayman Al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda, joined the Brotherhood in the 1960s, when he was 14. Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said it would be difficult to designate the entire Brotherhood network a terrorist group “but targeting the violent branches is certainly viable. That, in turn, can enable further designations based on financial ties.”
The Saudi political analyst and international relations scholar Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri said the Trump administration was headed in the right direction.  “It is about time for the US to unmask the Muslim Brotherhood for what it is — a terror organization that is in league with the Iranian regime,” he told Arab News.
“There is nothing religious or Muslim about this organization. It wears the mask of Islam to hoodwink the people of the region. It propounds a pernicious ideology of hate and destruction and creates chaos in the region. It is in league with Iran and one must remember that terror organizations like Al-Qaeda and Daesh drew inspiration from Muslim Brotherhood ideologues. “The Iranian regime and the Muslim Brotherhood share the same ideology. The explicit goal of both entities is to undermine the stability of our states and our region. They have been carrying on this nefarious activity for years. It is, therefore, good that the world is finally waking up to their misdeeds. “It is about time for the European nations to do what the US is doing. They must follow the US example and ban the Muslim Brotherhood — only then will the war against terrorism succeed.”

Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on May 01/19
Poor Friendless Erdoğan
براق بكديل/معهد جيتستون: مسكين اردوغان فهو متروك بلا اصدقاء ومعزول
Burak Bekdil/Gatestone Institute/April 30/19
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/74374/%d8%a8%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%82-%d8%a8%d9%83%d8%af%d9%8a%d9%84-%d9%85%d8%b9%d9%87%d8%af-%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%aa%d8%b3%d8%aa%d9%88%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b3%d9%83%d9%8a%d9%86-%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%af%d9%88%d8%ba/
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/14118/erdogan-friendless
In reality, with the exception of Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Venezuela's troubled man, Nicolás Maduro, Erdoğan is increasingly friendless.
China's ambassador to Ankara, Deng Li, diplomatically showed Turkey the most frightening stick. Deng told Reuters: "If you choose a non-constructive path, it will negatively affect mutual trust and understanding and will be reflected in commercial and economic relations."
It was a shock to the Turkish president to wake up the other day and learn that the genocide suspect whom he embraced as "brother", President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan, had been ousted by a coup d'état.
"World leaders hail Erdoğan on local vote win," the news headline ran, referring to the outcome of Turkey's local elections on March 31. They laboriously ignored that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Islamist AKP party lost in all of Turkey's three biggest cities -- and for the first time in 25 years in Ankara and Istanbul. They were nevertheless able to find one element to hail regarding Turkey's strongman. But, "world leaders?"
Here is the full list: Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Chairman Milorad Dodik, former Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bakir Izetbegovic, Guinean President Alpha Conde, and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Those gentlemen are "world leaders," according to Erdoğan's propaganda machinery.
In reality, with the exception of Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Venezuela's troubled man, Nicolás Maduro, Erdoğan is increasingly friendless.
The United States is preparing to sanction Turkey because of Ankara's rigid quest to acquire a Russian-made long-range air and anti-missile defense system. When delivered -- scheduled for late this summer -- Turkey will become the first NATO country to deploy Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system on its soil. The sanctions, through the Countering America's Adversaries Through the Sanctions Act (CAATSA) may include expelling Turkey's defense industry manufacturers from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, a move that could damage Turkey by $10 billion in lost business. Washington may also sanction senior Turkish officials involved in the S-400 deal and suspend shipments of critical military gear to Turkey, all of which, when combined, could have a multiplier effect if other Western countries join the sanctions campaign.
In theory, Turkey and Russia are going through the honeymoon period of a new alliance. But this newfound love affair is fragile: Ankara's and Moscow's affair is a tactical alliance rather than a strategic one, with an official break-up looking like a slow-fuse time bomb. China, like Russia, is more of an economic partner for Turkey, but the decades-old dispute over China's treatment of Uighurs, the Turks' ethnic brethren in Western China, has invariably been a source of tensions between Ankara and Beijing.
Most recently, in February, China said it closed down its consulate in Turkey's third biggest city and a major commercial port, Izmir. The decision came only weeks after Turkey said that more than one million Muslim Uighurs faced arbitrary arrest, torture and political brainwashing in Chinese internment camps in the country's northwestern Xinjiang region. China's ambassador to Ankara, Deng Li, diplomatically showed Turkey the most frightening stick. Deng told Reuters:
"If you choose a non-constructive path, it will negatively affect mutual trust and understanding and will be reflected in commercial and economic relations".
With its economy in recession and posting record-high jobless and inflation rates, a further deterioration is Erdoğan's worst nightmare.
Europe is also a place where Turkish diplomats must work as if they are part of a Department of Cold War, not the Foreign Ministry. French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced that France would make April 24 a "national day of commemoration of the Armenian genocide." Erdoğan's spokesman, Ibrahim Kalın, responded:
"We condemn and reject attempts by Mr Macron, who is facing political problems in his own country, to save the day by turning historic events into political material".
Erdoğan's party spokesman, Ömer Çelik, said that "French authorities should face the human rights violations and murders they were involved in from Cameroon to Algeria".
Almost simultaneously, Italy's lower house of parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, also approved a motion officially to recognize as a genocide the mass-killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire that began in 1915. Turkey's Foreign Ministry condemned that step as well, calling it "an example of using Armenian claims for domestic political interests".
In Africa, too, things are not moving in the direction Erdoğan might wish them to. It was a shock to the Turkish president to wake up the other day and learn that the genocide suspect whom he embraced as "brother", President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan, had been ousted by a coup d'état. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for al-Bashir in 2010 on a series of genocide charges.
Turkey's pro-Erdoğan media claim that the military intervention in Sudan that ousted Bashir was "directly against Turkey," and that Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were behind the coup -- "the trio's intervention serves American and Israeli interests in the region."
Sudan is not the only fresh African headache for Erdoğan. In Libya, Turkey and Qatar have supported the Tripoli government in the Western part of the country in Libya's civil war. At the other end of the conflict spectrum, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and UAE have supported Khalifa Haftar, a general based in eastern Libya, with whom Russia has also met.
Haftar, targeting radical Islamists, infiltrated into the western Libyan government -- supported by Erdoğan -- and launched an offensive to take Tripoli. Qatar called for an arms embargo on Haftar's forces to be more strictly put in place. According to The Independent:
"One analyst said Mr Haftar and his Arab allies may have chosen to launch the attack after spotting what was described as suspicious plane traffic from Turkey to western Libya, and hoped to take advantage of possible aviation disruption during the planned 6 April switch of operations from Istanbul's old Ataturk airport to a major new airport."
The strongman of Turkey is running fast to become the solitary man of the world.
*Burak Bekdil, one of Turkey's leading journalists, was recently fired from the country's most noted newspaper after 29 years, for writing in Gatestone what is taking place in Turkey. He is a Fellow at the Middle East Forum.
© 2019 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.

Jordan on edge ahead of unveiling of Trump’s peace plan
Osama Al-Sharif/Arab Times/April 30/19
President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt, tweeted last week that “rumors that our peace vision includes a confederation between Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, or that the vision contemplates making Jordan the homeland for Palestinians, are incorrect.” His response comes in the wake of repeated warnings by King Abdullah that he would never relent over the Hashemite custodianship of Muslim and Christian holy places in Jerusalem, while rejecting plans to settle Palestinian refugees and turn Jordan into an alternative homeland.
The king’s unwavering stand on these issues reflects the crux of his long-standing position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: That the only path toward a just and lasting solution lies in a negotiated settlement based on the two-state formula, leading to the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. But this is not only Jordan’s position; it is the position of all Arab countries, as underlined in the Arab League’s resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, the EU through its declarations, and the international community through UN resolutions going back many years. Until 2016, it was also the position of the US.
But now we have a White House team whose impartiality is in doubt. While revealing very little about its proposed regional plan, the US administration has taken a number of unilateral steps in recent years. These steps — which include the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, attempts to defund the UNRWA, the closure of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s office in Washington, and the suspension of all USAID projects in the West Bank and Gaza Strip — all point to one goal: The dismantling of the main components of the Palestinian issue.
These components, once referred to as final status issues, include Jerusalem, settlements, borders, refugees and statehood. King Abdullah’s firm stand against what the Trump administration is working on is not only warranted but needed, as he raises red flags and issues warnings of the repercussions on regional stability if the plan is allowed to pass.
Greenblatt’s tweet does little to mollify Jordanians. He says that there are no plans to turn Jordan into an alternative homeland for the Palestinians — neither Jordanians nor Palestinians would allow that to happen anyway — but he ignores other issues, such as the settling of Palestinian refugees in host countries, the fate of Jerusalem and a possible future role for Jordan in administering what remains of the West Bank after the annexation of Jewish settlements and other areas.
King Abdullah’s firm stand against what the Trump administration is working on is not only warranted but needed.
Greenblatt, who has been tweeting about other issues as well, has little understanding of, or sympathy for, the Palestinians’ suffering and sacrifice under decades of illegal occupation. Neither does Jared Kushner, who heads the White House team, nor David Friedman, the US ambassador in Israel.
What is especially dangerous with Trump’s peace plan is that it seems set to ignore the traditional legal benchmarks required for a just and lasting peace, whether UN resolutions on the conflict or the Oslo Accords and later agreements. It attempts to legitimize what is and has always been an illegal occupation of Palestinian land. We have already seen this in the outrageous and unilateral recognition by Trump of the occupied Golan Heights as Israeli territory.
Such a precedent, whether in the West Bank or Golan Heights, throws all international conventions, resolutions and agreements out of the window. What Trump and his aides fail to recognize is that, even if they impose what would be a fait accompli on the Palestinians, the region as a whole will not accept such an anomaly. It will not only polarize the international community but, most importantly, it will unleash waves of violence in the Occupied Territories.
For Jordan, it doesn’t matter what Greenblatt says in his tweets. The Trump plan, which is synchronized with Israel’s far-right agenda, will have a domino effect that will end up hurting Israel, the Palestinians and all countries that have a stake in the fate of the peace process, like Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and others.
King Abdullah, who has been increasingly vociferous in his opposition to any deviation from the path of the two-state formula, understands the dangerous repercussions of Trump’s plan on Jordan and the region as a whole. Furthermore, he refuses to tie the liquidation of the Palestinian cause to other regional challenges. And he knows that standing against Trump’s plan will come at a cost. This is why it is important for other Arab leaders to come forward as well.
Apart from the Palestinians, Jordan stands to lose the most if Trump’s plan goes through. This is why the king has been mobilizing Jordanians to express their support for his position and reject any solution that would deny Palestinians their legitimate right. Only a few weeks separate us from the unveiling of the “ultimate deal” and the region should get ready for a tense phase that will put pressure on every Arab leadership and may lead to a diplomatic face-off with Washington.
*Osama Al-Sharif is a journalist and political commentator based in Amman. Twitter: @plato010

Dire consequences if you don’t pay your debts
Dimah Talal Alsharif /Arab News/May 01/2019
There is much discussion these days about debt claims and judgments, and creditors experiencing difficulty because debtors take so long to pay what they owe. Previously we have looked at, for example, how utilities and other services may be suspended for nonpayment of debt. Now let’s examine one of the most important and radical elements in the Saudi judicial system, namely the means of enforcement.
Enforcement mechanisms were created because they are necessary and important. They limit the ability of a debtor to constantly delay payment, and they allow creditors to obtain what they are owed. Judicial orders and judgments do more than confirm a creditor’s rights, they also extend to implementing them.
When is a debtor legally deemed to be a procrastinator? Five days after being notified of an execution order, or the date of its publication in a newspaper, a debtor who has not paid what they owe is officially in that category.
The regulator considers the threat of imprisonment to be an important means to recover a debt, since it puts more pressure on the debtor. In law, it is referred to as executive detention.
Obviously, this is a serious measure, and is not resorted to lightly. There must be clear proof and evidence against the debtor, and the creditor must take appropriate legal action. It must be clear that the debtor is able to pay what they owe but has failed to do so.
Imprisonment may be viewed as the easiest and most secure solution to a debt claim, but it is not always applicable. For example, executive detention is not appropriate if the debtor has sufficient assets that can be seized to pay the debt; in cases where a bank guarantee, or kafalah, has been provided; if insolvency is proved; or if a competent medical authority testifies that the debtor has a health condition that would be worsened by imprisonment.
Nevertheless, an imprisonment order is not subject to appeal.
The regulator also gives the enforcement judge the power to impose a fine of up to SR10,000 ($2,665) a day if the debtor fails to pay, to be deposited in the court account for each day the debtor is late. The judge may cancel the fine, in whole or in part of it, if the debtor settles.
This fine is not the same as compensation for the creditor, and does not diminish their claim. The law recognizes that the injured party has the right to initiate a lawsuit against the procrastinator to be compensated for damages.
It should be noted that these mechanisms apply not only to debt, but also to the implementation of all judicial orders — although it is in debt situations that most people will commonly encounter them.
Some of these measures are certainly severe, but they make a valuable contribution to ensuring that creditors receive their rightful due, and they reduce delays in debt repayments.
*Dimah Talal Alsharif is a Saudi legal consultant, head of the health law department at the law firm of Majed Garoub and a member of the International Association of Lawyers. Twitter: @dimah_alsharif