English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For April 05/2020
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani

#elias_bejjani_news
 

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Bible Quotations For today

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons
Mark 16/09-20/When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on April 04-05/2021

Elias Bejjani/Visit My LCCC Web site/All That you need to know on Lebanese unfolding news and events in Arabic and English/http://eliasbejjaninews.com/

Resurrection: Life, Faith And Death…Halleluiah, Jesus Has Risen, Indeed He Has Risen/Elias Bejjani/March 04/2021

Hariri Hospital: 111 Corona infections, 53 critical cases, 1 death
Half of Lebanon’s citizens are below the poverty line: World Bank
Al-Rahi Urges All Lebanese to Recognize Lebanon as 'Final Homeland'
Rahi presides over Easter Mass in Bkirki
Aoun Voices Support for Jordan after Security Sweep
Saudi FM Warns of 'Dangerous Circumstances' in Lebanon if No Reform
Cautious Optimism Engulfs Cabinet Formation Process
Foreign Minister: We are in solidarity with Jordan, and the time is right to negotiate with Syria over demarcation
Bodies of Three Lebanese Sisters Wash Up in Syria
Protest stand by Beirut Port martyrs’ families: We will not back down, nothing will deter us
National Liberals condemn coup attempt in Jordan
Geagea Receives Phone Call from al-Rahi

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on April 04-05/2021

Millions Mark Easter under Virus Curbs as Pope Urges Jabs for Poor
Pope Shares Solidarity with Myanmar Youth as Protesters Decorate Easter eggs
Jordan says prince liaised with ‘foreign parties’ over plot to destabilize country
Jordan Says Prince Hamzah, Others 'Undermined Security'
Jordan's Crown Prince under house arrest: We have turned into a tyrant state
Jordan Queen Slams 'Wicked Slander' after Prince Detained
Gulf Monarchies Back Jordan King after Security Sweep
Jordan's Prince Hamzah, Sidelined Former Heir to Throne
Jordan: Key Things to Know
Key Dates in Jordan's History
Jordan’s neighbours, allies voice support over its security moves
2 Rockets Hit near Iraq Airbase Hosting U.S. Soldiers
Sri Lanka Christians Honor Easter Victims, Issue Fresh Warning
 

Titles For The Latest The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on April 04-05/2021

In Europe’s most liberal country criticism of Islam is forbidden/Giulio Meotti/Arutz Sheva/March 04/2021
Arab states can be unstoppable when they work together/Baria Alamuddin/Arab News/April 04/2021
Iran regime’s nuclear deal puzzle/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/April 04/2021
Turkey slides down the EU’s agenda/Yasar Yakis/Arab News/April 03/2021
West must not ignore growing Daesh threat in Mozambique/Dr. Theodore Karasik/Arab News/April 03/2021
 

The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on April 04-05/2021

Elias Bejjani/Visit My LCCC Web site/All That you need to know on Lebanese unfolding news and events in Arabic and English/http://eliasbejjaninews.com/

Resurrection: Life, Faith And Death…Halleluiah, Jesus Has Risen, Indeed He Has Risen.
Elias Bejjani/March 04/2021
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/38553/elias-bejjani-resurrection-life-faith-and-death/

Don’t be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here (Mark 16/05)
Easter Sunday is a holy feast of love, humility, forgiveness, brotherhood, tolerance and repentance. Religiously and consciously we are not supposed to participate by any means in any of the feast prayers or make any offerings or receive the Holy Communion unless we are genuinely replace hatred with love, grudges with forgiveness, rejection of others with tolerance, arrogance with humility, greed with contentment, deception with transparency, and evil with righteousness.
Do not be afraid, “Don’t be amazed”, with these reassuring and soothing words The Angel spoke to Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. They had came to the tomb on Sunday morning to mummify and anoint Jesus’ Body as the Jewish tradition required. They thought death had defeated Jesus and ended His life as it does to every human being. On their way, they were sadly thinking and wondering who will roll for them the stone away from the tomb’s entrance so they can get in and perform the mummifying and anointing process. While halfway from the tomb, they saw that the enormous stone had been rolled away. When they entered the tomb they found that Jesus’ body was not there. They found only the shrouds that His body was wrapped with on His burial after the crucifixion.
Saint Mark’s (16/01-13) Gospel describes thoroughly what has happened with these three loyal and faithful women: “When the Sabbath was, past Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. 16:2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” for it was very big. Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back. Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed. He said to them, “Don’t be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him! But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.’” They went out, and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid. Now when he had risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. When they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, they disbelieved. After these things he was revealed in another form to two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country. They went away and told it to the rest. They didn’t believe them, either.”
Lord Jesus who died on the cross, had risen from the dead on the third day just as He has said while proclaiming His message. He triumphed over death, defeated the forces of darkness, overcame pain, abolished anguish and brought despair to an end. He rose from the tomb to be constantly with those faithful to Him throughout their lives, and to never abandon them. He shall empower forever those who believe in His message and observe His commandments with the spirit of truth, knowledge, wisdom and solidarity with His Father, Almighty God.
Christ is the Way, Christ is the Truth, and Christ is the actual eternal life that we long for. We strongly believe with full conviction that Christ dwells in His Holy Church, and exists in its Mysteries (Sacraments). He is always present in the Holy Eucharist that we receive during every mass. Christ at all times is ready, willing and delighted to help us in our burdens when we call on Him and ask for His mercy. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew11:28)
The miracle of resurrection is the cornerstone of our Christian faith. This pivotal liturgical fact was strongly stressed by Saint Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians, (15/12-26): ” Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s, at his coming. Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death”.
Through Crucifixion and resurrection, Christ has overcome death, broke its thorn, and granted us His eternal forgiveness from the original sin. With His death and resurrection, death in its traditional earthly human concept has been abolished forever and Sin since then has become the actual death that leads the sinners to Gahanna into the unquenchable fire.
When our bodies die, we sleep in the hope of resurrection. On Jesus’ return on the Day of Judgment, the dead will be the first to rise and escort Him. “Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed”, (Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 15 / 51-52).
Easter Sunday is a holy feast of love, humility, forgiveness, brotherhood, tolerance and repentance. Religiously we are not to participate in any of these feast prayers or make any offerings or receive the Holy Communion unless we replace hatred with love, grudges with forgiveness, rejection of others with tolerance, arrogance with humility, greed with contentment, deception with transparency, and evil with righteousness.
If we do not learn how to tame our selfishness, anger, hatred and forgive others for whatever evil deeds they commit against us and reconcile with them, than we do not qualify to be called Jesus’ followers. Our prayers will not be heard or responded to, if we do not practice the grace of forgiveness as did He who was crucified for our salvation.
“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift”. (Matthew 5/23-24).
Meanwhile our true faith in Jesus and in His Sacrifices won’t be complete unless we adopt in our thinking, deeds and language the pure components of sacrifice, honesty, truth, self respect, meekness and decency. “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4/29-32)
For our prayers to be looked upon and heard by Almighty God, we are required to reconcile with ourselves and with all others on whom we have inflicted pain and injustice, and treated with an evil manner. To please the Lord we are required to genuinely, heartily and overtly perform all required acts of repentance for all our mischievous conducts and wrongdoings. Mark 11/24-26: “Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions”
Almighty God has endowed us with His love talent, (minas) and expects us to faithfully invest it in helping others who are in need. He expect us to observe all the teaching of His Bible so that He will reward us on the Day of Judgment and put us on His Right Side.
On this Holy Day of Resurrection, we are ought to be aware that Jesus’ Holy blood was shed on the Cross for our sake. Remembrance of His death and resurrection is a Godly consignment that we are entrusted with. It’s up to us either to honour this trust or betray it. In regards to what is committed to us, Saint Paul conveyed to his disciple Timothy the following advice (6/20-21): “Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith”.
Halleluiah! Jesus has risen! Indeed He has risen.

Hariri Hospital: 111 Corona infections, 53 critical cases, 1 death
NNA/04 April ,2021
In its daily report on the latest COVID-19 developments, Rafic Hariri University Hospital indicated the below in its briefing on Sunday:
- Number of examinations conducted in the hospital's laboratories during the past 24 hours: 262
- Number of patients infected with Coronavirus who are currently in the hospital for follow-up: 111
- Number of suspected Coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours: 23
- Number of recovered patients at the hospital during the past 24 hours: 2
- Total number of recoveries at the hospital since the beginning to-date: 1076
- Number of cases transferred from the intensive care unit to the isolation unit after improvement: 3
- Number of critical cases inside the hospital: 53
- Number of deaths: 1
The report also reminded that the call center for the COVID-19 vaccine service provides citizens and residents with assistance by filling out the registration form for all those wishing to take the vaccine or to follow-up on the registration form previously filled out, by calling the land line number 01-832070 or WhatsApp number 70-056182.

Half of Lebanon’s citizens are below the poverty line: World Bank
Rawad Taha, Al Arabiya English/04 April ,2021
Nearly 50 percent of Lebanon's citizens are now below the poverty line while the country is on the verge of bankruptcy, Vice President of the World Bank Group for the Middle East and North Africa Ferid Belhaj told Al Arabiya. Belhaj said that the bank offered to provide $246 million to support a social protection network for most vulnerable families if there is guaranteed transparency in delivering the fund to “those who deserve it.” Lebanon is currently experiencing an unprecedented economic crisis caused by decades of corruption and mismanagement due to Lebanon’s sectarian system and political instability. The crisis was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and by a massive explosion at the Port of Beirut last August, which left 300,000 displaced, over 2,000 injured, and at least 200 dead. The international community has called on the Lebanese political class to set aside sectarian and political divides and facilitate the formation of an independent government capable of conducting the reforms required to unlock badly needed aid. Belhaj added that none of the economic reforms agreed upon with the Lebanese government and parliament had been implemented. “The reforms we have discussed with Lebanon for years have not been implemented. This makes us question the trustworthiness of those in power,” Belhaj added. He stressed the need to open the Middle East and North Africa region's economies to the private sector. “The coronavirus pandemic has led to high levels of debt globally to stimulate economies and support small businesses and health sectors, which is a positive thing and an investment in the economy, except in some countries that suffer from weak governance and mismanagement, such as Lebanon and Tunisia,” he added.

Al-Rahi Urges All Lebanese to Recognize Lebanon as 'Final Homeland'
Naharnet/March 04/2021
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Sunday said that it would be unreasonable for the Lebanese to “waste all their sacrifices and martyrs for the sake of domestic caprices and foreign schemes.”“That’s why we invite all Lebanese for a moment of conscience in order to renew recognition of Lebanon as a final homeland, and to translate this recognition into ultimate allegiance to the Lebanese homeland and to an independent, legitimate and free state,” al-Rahi said in his Easter Mass sermon. He lamented that Lebanon has reached the current wretched state of affairs due to “the poor political performance, the lack of maturity in governance and the negativity of political choices.”He added: “How can we celebrate the holidays while half of the Lebanese people are in a state of hunger and some of them are below poverty line? “How can we rejoice while our vibrant manpower is emigrating without looking behind, including university graduates, doctors, engineers and specialists?” al-Rahi wondered.

Rahi presides over Easter Mass in Bkirki
NNA/March 04/2021

Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Beshara Boutros al-Rahi, celebrated this morning the Easter Mass in Bkirki. In his sermon, Patriarch al-Rahi called on the Lebanese to adhere to the stand of conscience and to renew recognition of Lebanon as a final homeland, and to translate this recognition into absolute loyalty to the nation and a stable, independent, legitimate and free state. The Patriarch added: “We have confidence that the Lebanese want to live together in a free and strong country that has its rights and its relations." "We have no doubt about Lebanon's return to life, but what hurts us is that if the country had a rational rule, it would not need to go through calamity and crucifixion to reach the resurrection and life, as was the example of the resurrection in the East,” Rahi continued. Commenting on the poverty in the country, he asked: "How can we rejoice at Eid and half of the Lebanese are below the poverty line? ” Al-Rahi concluded by saying: “Easter is the triumph of hope over despair and the transformation of the impossible to possible."

Aoun Voices Support for Jordan after Security Sweep
Naharnet/March 04/2021
President Michel Aoun on Sunday announced that “Lebanon’s president and people stand by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,” a day after several senior figures were detained and a half-brother to the monarch said he was under house arrest. “Lebanon’s president and people stand by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the face of what might affect stability and safety in brotherly Jordan, which has always stood by Lebanon during the difficult circumstances,” Aoun said. “The stances of King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein offered great support at regional and international forums,” the president added. Jordan's army said Saturday that Jordan’s former crown prince Hamzah had been asked to stop "some activities that could be used to shake the stability and security of Jordan," while the Washington Post reported an alleged plot to overthrow King Abdullah.

Saudi FM Warns of 'Dangerous Circumstances' in Lebanon if No Reform
Naharnet/March 04/2021
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has warned that Lebanon will face “dangerous circumstances” if political leaders do not embrace “true reforms.”“Lebanon’s future is in the hands of the Lebanese,” the minister said in English in an interview with CNN. “We hope that the Lebanese and the Lebanese leaderships… will take a real, serious look at the situation that Lebanon is in and come together to embrace true reforms -- political reforms and economic reforms that can address the challenges that Lebanon face and can deliver sustainable solutions for the future,” he added. He cautioned that “unless the Lebanese political leadership is willing to do that,” he fears that Lebanon will be heading to “ever more dangerous circumstances.”“The status quo in Lebanon is no longer workable,” the minister stressed. “The kingdom doesn’t feel that it is appropriate to continue to subsidize or continue to support the status quo,” he added. Asked about Hizbullah’s role, Prince Faisal lamented that “a non-state actor, Hizbullah, has a de facto rule, veto, over everything that happens in that country and has control over its key infrastructure.”“The political class does very little to address the challenges that the ordinary Lebanese people face, whether it is endemic corruption, mismanagement and all of these things,” he decried. He added: “Lebanon needs a true reform agenda and we hope that the Lebanese politicians can come together to embrace such an agenda. If they do, we will stand there to support them.” Asked whether PM-designate Saad Hariri can deliver that reform agenda, the Saudi minister said the kingdom is “ready to support a robust and real reform agenda.”“We hope that Saad Hariri and others can deliver that. If we see a real reform agenda from whomever it is in Lebanon, we will stand behind that,” the Saudi minister said.
“We are not standing behind individuals in Lebanon. We will be ready to stand behind Lebanon as long as the Lebanese political class take real steps to address the problems that Lebanon faces,” he explained.

Cautious Optimism Engulfs Cabinet Formation Process
Naharnet/March 04/2021
The cabinet formation consultations have entered the Easter vacation and anticipation is still engulfing the stances of the parties towards Speaker Nabih Berri’s initiative for the formation of a 24-minister government, media reports said. “There is betting on the holiday greetings phone calls, which might break the ice,” informed sources close to Hizbullah and Amal Movement told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper in remarks published Sunday. Describing the situation as “cautious” optimism, the sources said that “when the blocking one-third demand is given up, things will take their natural course towards formation.”“This matter is still unclear as to the side that it clinging to it, specifically President Michel Aoun and MP Jebran Bassil,” the sources added. Free Patriotic Movement sources meanwhile told the daily that Berri’s initiative “has not been clearly presented until the moment.”
“It came based on a proposal by Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat and it was not rejected back then by President Michel Aoun, specifically as to the 24-minister point, but the bigger mission will be during the phase of the distribution of portfolios to parties and sects,” the sources added.

Foreign Minister: We are in solidarity with Jordan, and the time is right to negotiate with Syria over demarcation
NNA/March 04/2021
Caretaker Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Minister, Charbel Wahbe, confirmed in an interview with "Al-Quds Al-Arabi" today that "what befalls the Arab brethrens, befalls Lebanon," stressing "the importance of openness to Arab countries." "Lebanon is an Arab country that interrelates with its Arab brothers through thick and thin, and whatever befalls the Arab brotherhood befalls it," he said. “What is happening in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a matter of great concern to us, and we pray for the full of stability of the Kingdom and that its security and the well-being of its people are not undermined,” Wehbe went on, affirming that “Lebanon is, in every sense of the word, in solidarity with His Majesty King Abdullah bin Al Hussein, the Jordanian government and the Jordanian people.”
Touching on the Syrian violation of Lebanon’s maritime borders to the north, Wehbe explained that this is not considered as a breach in the full sense of the word, as both Syria and Lebanon presented a map showing the borders of the special territorial waters, where the Lebanese map contradicted that of Syria. “We presented it in 2011 before Syria, which objected in 2014. We must now negotiate with our Syrian brothers within the logic of international law, good neighborliness, and the fraternal relationship between the Arab countries to demarcate the maritime borders,” he corroborated.
Asked about a near meeting with the Syrian side or summoning its ambassador to Lebanon, Wehbe replied: "I am in continuous contact with the Syrian ambassador, and I contacted him yesterday. The issue is not an aggression to which we respond, but rather creating the appropriate ground and appropriate timing for negotiations, and now the time is suitable for negotiating the demarcation of the maritime borders between Lebanon and Syria."Regarding his opinion on the proposal of Patriarch al-Rahi towards the neutrality of Lebanon, Wehbe said: "We call it an international possibility, and a formula that, if agreed upon by the Lebanese leaders, would be good for Lebanon, but it needs consensus."
Over the Patriarch's criticism of the consensus prerequisite regarding this issue, while Hezbollah does not care about any consensus when taking the decision to go to war, the Caretaker Foreign Minister said: “What His Beatitude the Patriarch said is correct. However, the implementation of neutrality and international protection requires consensus. The neutrality principle is based on internal consensus, the consensus of the countries surrounding Lebanon, and international and regional sponsorship."

Bodies of Three Lebanese Sisters Wash Up in Syria
Agence France Presse/March 04/2021
The bodies of three sisters missing in Lebanon have washed up on a Syrian beach and a probe is underway to determine how they drowned, a Lebanese security official said Sunday. The sisters went missing from a village in northern Lebanon on Monday, said the official, adding that Syrian authorities found their bodies on Friday. Their bodies had likely been transported by the current north into Syrian waters, he added. State news agency SANA said the Lebanese foreign ministry had reached out to authorities in Damascus "to verify their identity."
The Syrian interior ministry said Saturday it had found "three young women appearing to be in their twenties or thirties" washed up on a beach in the coastal port city of Tartus. A forensic examination determined they had drowned three days earlier, the ministry said. But it was not immediately clear how they ended up in the sea, the Lebanese official said. The family of the sisters was being interrogated in Lebanon as part of a probe into their deaths, with possible explanations including attempted migration or "suicide," a security source said. In recent months, dozens of Lebanese have boarded unsafe dinghies in a bid to flee rising poverty in Lebanon by sea, several not surviving the journey.

Protest stand by Beirut Port martyrs’ families: We will not back down, nothing will deter us
NNA/March 04/2021
The Committee of the Families of the Martyrs of the Beirut Port blast carried out its monthly stand on the fourth of each month in front of the Port Gate No. 3, where they gathered today holding photos of their fallen martyrs. The families also carried banners with slogans that read: “On the outset of the ninth month since the sinful Beirut Port blast, and despite the curfew and the epidemic, we have come,” - “What has become of the investigations’ outcome?” - “We are running out of patience, we want the truth,” - “Who brought in the nitrates and for whom? It is our right to know!”In their delivered words, the families pledged to pursue their moves in quest of the truth, vowing never to back down, nor to let any intimidation deter their strong will. Then candles were lit at the Port entrance, while prayers were raised to the Lord Almighty to rest the souls of the fallen martyrs in peace.

National Liberals condemn coup attempt in Jordan
NNA/March 04/2021
The “National Liberal Party” denounced, in a statement today, the "coup attempt in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan." The Party congratulated “His Majesty King Abdullah for thwarting this attempt,” wishing all the best to his Kingdom, “the friend of Lebanon and the Lebanese since the days of President Camille Chamoun and King Hussein."

Geagea Receives Phone Call from al-Rahi
Naharnet/March 04/2021
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea received overnight a phone call from Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi. The National News Agency said al-Rahi called Geagea to inquire about his health after he contracted coronavirus. The patriarch wished Geagea a speedy recovery and discussed with him the political developments, NNA added.

The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on April 04-05/2021

Millions Mark Easter under Virus Curbs as Pope Urges Jabs for Poor
Agence France Presse/March 04/2021
Millions of Christians around the world celebrated a second Easter under coronavirus restrictions on Sunday with Pope Francis calling for vaccines to be shared among the poorest nations as Covid-19 surges. Despite vaccine rollouts gathering pace in many richer countries, dramatic spikes in cases have seen deeply unpopular restrictions enforced from Canada to Europe and South America. Vaccination was "an essential tool" in the fight against the virus, the pope said in his Easter Sunday address, with Italy under a strict lockdown over the weekend. "I urge the entire international community... to commit to overcoming delays in the distribution of vaccines and to facilitate their distribution, especially in the poorest countries," he said to a congregation of only around 100 people inside the vast St. Peter's Basilica. Stricter curbs have come into effect in Belgium as well as in France, where authorities are scrambling to deal with a serious spike in cases that has overwhelmed hospitals in Paris. In the Covid-19 intensive care unit of the Antony Private Hospital south of Paris, no bed stays free for long. Nurse Louisa Pinto gestured to a vacated room where a cleaner was already at work, scrubbing down the mattress for the next arrival. "The bed won't even have time to cool down," she said. Across the Atlantic, Canada crossed the threshold of one million coronavirus cases, forcing several provinces to tighten restrictions for the Easter weekend. And celebrations have been dampened in South America too, where Brazil is in the grip of a devastating outbreak likely fueled by a more contagious variant. The worrying situation led Peru to go into an Easter lockdown, Bolivia to seal the frontier with Brazil, and Chile to close all borders. But in Jerusalem, curbs have been partially lifted due to Israel's successful vaccination campaign, allowing Easter celebrations to go ahead.Easter mass was held at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built at the site in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and buried. Tourists are however still generally barred, and the tens of thousands of pilgrims who usually flock to holy sites could not enter this year.
- 'I beg you, get a vaccine' -
The pandemic has claimed more than 2.8 million lives worldwide, but populations are growing increasingly frustrated with curbs on movement. Thousands protested in the German city of Stuttgart on Saturday against Covid-19 restrictions, with a heated debate under way in the nation about tightening them in the face of a third wave of infections. Such demonstrations have become a regular occurrence in Germany, bringing together members of the extreme left and far right as well as conspiracy theorists and anti-vaccine campaigners. Misinformation about vaccines has been a major problem in the fight against Covid-19, fueled by how rapidly conspiracy theories about the pandemic can proliferate on social media. A dramatic illustration of its impact is in Serbia, where the government is desperately trying to convince people to be vaccinated and has a million doses available -- a buffet of Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V and Sinopharm shots. "I beg you, people, get a vaccine," Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic pleaded recently. Serbia's leading epidemiologist Predrag Kon said the slow take-up is "solely a consequence" of anti-vaccine misinformation online. Britain has been one of the countries worst-hit by coronavirus but is running a successful vaccination scheme and has slashed death and infection rates. As a result the UK is to trial a "Covid status certification" system at events including football matches in coming weeks. It will show whether someone has a negative test, vaccination or immunity and offer a possible way out of virus restrictions, the government said.
Bollywood star tests positive
In the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, however, vaccinations are proceeding at a fast pace, with authorities giving at least one shot to 60 percent of the population of less than a million. Neighboring India is meanwhile battling a new surge, expanding its vaccination program on Thursday to the 45-60 age group. The country is aiming to inoculate 300 million people by the end of July. Experts have warned that infections in the vast South Asian nation are increasing at a faster pace compared with last year.
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar on Sunday became the latest Indian celebrity to test positive, following cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar last month. Neighboring Bangladesh will implement a lockdown from Monday as it grapples with a sharp rise in infections amid reports hospitals are struggling to cope.

Pope Shares Solidarity with Myanmar Youth as Protesters Decorate Easter eggs
Agence France Presse/March 04/2021
Anti-coup demonstrators in Myanmar decorated boiled eggs on Sunday, as Pope Francis in his Easter message expressed solidarity with the country's youth. Myanmar has been gripped by turmoil since a February 1 coup ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and derailed the country's tentative transition to democracy. Security forces have sought to quell a mass uprising with lethal force and the death toll reached 557 as of Saturday, according to local monitoring group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). On Easter, decorated eggs became the latest emblem of resistance as scores of Myanmar protesters painted political messages on them and left them on neighbor's doorsteps. Pictures posted on social media showed eggs adorned with images of Suu Kyi and three-finger salutes -- a protest gesture -- while others said "save our people" and "democracy." "I am Buddhist but I have joined this campaign because it is easy to get a hold of eggs. I spent almost one hour decorating my eggs," a Yangon-based protester told AFP. "I am praying for Myanmar's current situation to get back to democracy." Delivering his Easter message at the St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday, Pope Francis singled out Myanmar youth "committed to supporting democracy and making their voices heard peacefully, in the knowledge that hatred can be dispelled only by love." Myanmar's most senior Catholic, Cardinal Charles Bo, also shared an Easter message on Twitter: "Jesus has risen: Hallelujah - Myanmar will rise again!"Protesters also hit the streets again Sunday, some carrying flags and riding motorbikes. In Pyinmana, a town in Naypyidaw region, security forces opened fire on demonstrators. "A man who was in the walking crowd got hit and killed. Another one was also shot," a resident told AFP. A 30-year-old protester was also killed in the early hours of Sunday morning in a small town in northern Kachin state. "They shot him at the roadside. He was wounded and died later. They took away his dead body this morning at 6 a.m.," an eye witness told AFP. The military junta insists security forces are "exercising utmost restraint," as they respond to the protests, state-run newspaper Myawady reported Sunday. In Pyay, a town in Bago region, people plastered photos of Myanmar children killed since early February on a billboard and on fences.
Total to stay
While foreign companies have faced growing calls to sever ties with the junta, French energy giant Total announced Sunday it will not halt gas production in coup-hit Myanmar. Chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said Total has a duty to stay the course. "Can a company like Total decide to cut off the electricity supply to millions of people -- and in so doing, disrupt the operation of hospitals, businesses?" he told the Journal du Dimanche. Pouyanne said he was "outraged by the repression" in Myanmar but would refuse to "act to the detriment of our local employees and the Burmese population who are already suffering so much."Unrest -- supported by a widespread strike by civil servants -- has crippled Myanmar's economy, leaving gas exports as one of the junta's main sources of revenue. The military-controlled Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise has partnerships with Total and U.S. rival Chevron and generates annual revenues of around $1 billion from the sale of natural gas. Total paid about $230 million to the Myanmar authorities in 2019 and $176 million in 2020 in taxes and "production rights," according to the company's financial statements. The company has not yet paid taxes -- worth around $4 million per month -- to the junta because the banking system has ceased to operate, Pouyanne said. But he said Total rejected calls to put the taxes into an escrow account, saying it could put local managers at risk of arrest or imprisonment.
More arrests -
At least 2,658 civilians are in detention across the country, according to AAPP. This weekend, Myanmar authorities issued arrest warrants for 40 celebrities -- most of whom are in hiding. Meanwhile, ten rebel groups held online talks over the weekend about Myanmar's crisis, fanning fears that a broader conflict could erupt in a country long plagued by fighting between the military and the ethnic armies. In a statement issued on Sunday, the groups demanded an end to the bloodshed, called for the release of political prisoners and expressed support for the ongoing civil disobedience movement. It also backed protesters' demand for an overhaul of the military-scripted 2008 constitution, however, there was no mention about pulling out of a 2015 national ceasefire agreement. The country's 20 odd ethnic armed groups control large areas of territory, mostly in border regions. About 300 Myanmar citizens, some wearing their ethnic group's traditional costumes, protested on Sunday in Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai against a lack of international intervention in Myanmar's crisis.

Jordan says prince liaised with ‘foreign parties’ over plot to destabilize country
Arab News/April 04/2021
AMMAN: Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi said Sunday that the country’s former crown prince, Prince Hamza, had been liaising with foreign parties over a plot to destabilize the country and had been monitored for some time. The authorities intercepted communications between Prince Hamza and foreign parties over the timing of steps to undermine Jordan’s security, Safadi said at a news conference. Evidence showed Prince Hamza had been communicating with outside entities, the so-called Jordanian opposition, and had recorded two videos in Arabic and English in an “incitement attempt,” Safadi added.
He also said the wife of Prince Hamza had also made contact with a representative of a foreign country to secure escape. He added Jordanian intelligence had intercepted certain communications at what he called the “zero hour,” adding that “it was clear they had moved from design and planning into action,” 
He said some 14-16 people are under arrest in addition to senior officials whose arrest had already been announced. Safadi confirmed that the security efforts to foil the attempt had been fully Jordanian and that all suspicious activities were now under full control.
The security services have asked for those involved in the plot to be referred to the state security court, he said.
* With Reuters

Jordan Says Prince Hamzah, Others 'Undermined Security'
Agence France Presse/March 04/2021
Jordan's Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, a half-brother of the king, and others were planning to "undermine the security" of Jordan, Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi said on Sunday.While Prince Hamzah has said in a video message he is under house arrest, Safadi said a total of 14 people had been arrested on security charges, in addition to two previously reported arrests.

Jordan's Crown Prince under house arrest: We have turned into a tyrant state
Arutz Sheva/March 04/2021
Jordanian Crown Prince announces he's been placed on house arrest, blames state institutions in possible 'last communication' with outside.
Prince Hamzah bin Hussein of Jordan who was removed from his post 16 years ago, released a video yesterday, claiming it might be his "last communication" with the outside world, in which he blamed local authorities for "breakdown in governance, corruption, and incompetency." Hamza said he had been placed under house arrest and "told to stay at home and not contact anyone."According to a report that appeared in The Guardian, following Saturday's attempted coup against King Abdullah II, roads to Hamzah’s palace were blocked with security services patrolling entrances to the capital city of Amman.
Jordanian army chief Yusef Ahmed al-Hunait said he had been, "asked to stop movements and activities that were used to target the security and stability of the Kingdom."According to Jordan's Petra news site, amongst those arrested in a roundup following Saturday's events were Hassan bin Zaid who served as the Kingdom's envoy to Saudi Arabia and is the brother of a senior Jordanian intelligence officer assassinated by al-Qaeda in an 2009 attack that also claimed the lives of five CIA operatives as well as Basem Ibrahim Awadallah, a close aide of King Abdullah I. A statement by Jordanian authorities referred to the alleged plot was as an “advanced plan with regional links."

Jordan Queen Slams 'Wicked Slander' after Prince Detained
Agence France Presse/March 04/2021
Queen Noor, the mother of Jordan's former crown prince Hamzah who says he is under house arrest, on Sunday denounced a "wicked slander.""Praying that truth and justice will prevail for all the innocent victims of this wicked slander. God bless and keep them safe," she tweeted.
Jordan's army said Saturday that Hamzah had been asked to stop "some activities that could be used to shake the stability and security of Jordan", while the Washington Post reported an alleged plot to overthrow Hamzah's half-brother, King Abdullah II.

Gulf Monarchies Back Jordan King after Security Sweep
Agence France Presse/March 04/2021
Jordan's powerful Gulf allies voiced support for King Abdullah II Sunday, after a several senior figures were detained and a half-brother to the monarch said he was under house arrest. In a video published by the BBC, former crown prince Hamzah bin Hussein said several of his friends had been arrested, his security detail removed and his communications cut, adding that kingdom had become "stymied in corruption, in nepotism, and in misrule". The United Arab Emirates on Sunday voiced its "full solidarity" with Jordan. In a statement on its WAM news agency, it said it backed "any measures taken by King of Jordan, King Abdullah II... to preserve the security and stability of Jordan and defuse any attempt that seeks to jeopardize either." Neighboring Saudi Arabia had swiftly reacted, also voicing its "full support... for the decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein to safeguard security and stability." The remaining four members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) -- Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman -- also voiced their support in similar terms. The oil-rich GCC states are key backers of resource-poor Jordan, which depends heavily on external aid. King Abdullah had appointed Hamzah crown prince in 1999 in line with Hussein's dying wishes, but in 2004 stripped him of the title and gave it to his own eldest son Hussein. The army denied Saturday that Prince Hamzah, who holds no official position, had been detained. The Washington Post said the former crown prince was "placed under restriction" as part of a probe into an alleged plot to unseat the king. Official news agency Petra said a former aide to the royal family Bassem Awadallah and an an unspecified number of other suspects had been arrested.

Jordan's Prince Hamzah, Sidelined Former Heir to Throne
Agence France Presse/March 04/2021
Jordan's Prince Hamzah, who says he is under house arrest in a dispute with the government, was once the crown prince but lost that title to the son of his half-brother King Abdullah II. British and U.S.-educated Hamzah bin Hussein, 41, is the youngest son of the late King Hussein and his fourth and last wife, the American-born Queen Noor. In a video released by the BBC on Saturday, Hamzah says he has been confined to his home after several senior figures were detained in a security sweep amid reports of a coup plot. He denied being part of "any conspiracy or nefarious organization" but charged that the Hashemite kingdom had "become stymied in corruption, in nepotism, and in misrule." Joint Chiefs of Staff head Major General Yousef Huneiti denied the prince had been detained but said he was "asked to stop some activities that could be used to shake the stability and security of Jordan." A Jordanian analyst who did not want to be named for security reasons said Hamzah had recently "stepped up his criticism of what he described as corruption within the government in front of his circle of friends." According to the same source, "there is certainly resentment on his part, because he has never digested losing his title of crown prince."
Soldier, pilot -
Hamzah was born on March 29, 1980 to Hussein's fourth and last wife, Queen Noor. Queen Noor, born Lisa Halaby, was only 24 when she arrived in Jordan in 1976. She was married to Hussein within two years and widowed after two decades. On Sunday, in the wake of the security sweep, she tweeted that she was "praying that truth and justice will prevail for all the innocent victims of this wicked slander. God bless and keep them safe." Prince Hamzah attended school in London before studying at the British Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he excelled, similarly to Abdullah, who is 18 years his senior. He embraced a military career and served in the former Yugoslavia in a Jordanian-Emirati unit before studying at Harvard. An accomplished sportsman, he also became a skilled pilot, like his father.
'Sidelined, not jailed'
Hamzah has been popular among Jordanians in part because he looks and sounds like his late father. At the time of the king's premature death from illness in February 1999, Hamzah was very young and Abdullah, the eldest son of Princess Muna, Hussein's second wife, acceded the throne.
In line with his father's dying wishes, Abdullah named Hamzah crown prince. But Hamzah didn't hold that position long. Just five years later, in 2004, Abdullah stripped Hamzah of the succession in favor of his own son, Hussein. In a letter to his half-brother at the time, the king said that the symbolic position of heir "has restricted your freedom and prevented us from entrusting you with certain responsibilities that you are fully qualified to assume". But Hamzah did not appear to see his disinheritance in the same way. "The chance to become king escaped him twice: when his father died prematurely -- he was too young -- and when his brother withdrew his title" of heir, the Jordanian analyst said. On July 2, 2009, Abdullah confirmed his eldest son Hussein as his successor. Hamzah, a father of five daughters and a son, distanced himself gradually from the top circles of power.
Nevertheless, on Saturday, "his royal blood may have saved him from prison", the analyst said. "Because in the royal family, you don't imprison a prince, you sideline him."

Jordan: Key Things to Know
Agence France Presse/March 04/2021
Jordan, a former British protectorate, is seen as a key Western ally and anchor of stability in the Middle East. With few natural resources and now hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees, it is heavily dependent on international loans and foreign aid. Here are some key facts about the country:
Monarchy from Mecca
Jordan's royal family, the Hashemite dynasty, traditionally ruled over Islam's holy city of Mecca and shares a common ancestor with the Prophet Mohammed. Though the fall of the Ottoman empire allowed the Hashemites to temporarily rule over Syria, Iraq, the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia and the West Bank, today they retain power only in the kingdom of Jordan.
Strategic kingpin
Despite losing the West Bank and East Jerusalem to Israel in the Six Day War of 1967, the kingdom has retained stewardship over East Jerusalem's Islamic holy sites. A little over half of Jordan's population of about 10 million is of Palestinian descent. It is also home to some 2.2 million Palestinian refugees. The kingdom is allied with the United States and was the second country after Egypt to sign a peace treaty with Israel, in 1994.
It has historically championed a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Democracy and terror
Since declaring independence from Britain in 1946, Jordan has had four monarchs. King Hussein was forced to make democratic reforms in the late 1980s after street protests. Elections were first held in 1989 but parliament's power remains limited, with the king, currently Abdullah II, choosing the prime minister and the 65-member senate.
Jordan played a key role in the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq, carrying out strikes and making military bases available. The country has also been the target of several IS attacks.
Tourists and refugees
Home to some of the world's finest archaeological sites, including the ancient city of Petra, tourism normally accounts for 14 percent of Jordan's GDP. But the industry has been brought to a standstill by the Covid-19 pandemic. In March 2020, the International Monetary Fund approved $1.3 billion in aid, subsequently adding several hundred million in emergency funds to soften the impact of the Covid-19 crisis. Only slightly larger than Portugal, Jordan has few natural resources and only one port, Aqaba, on the Red Sea. Official figures put unemployment at 23 percent.
War in the region has been further taxing resources. Jordan hosts some 650,000 Syrian refugees, adding to 700,000 Syrians authorities say were already living in the country before war broke out. It had already hosted refugees fleeing conflict in Iraq. Jordan estimates the cost of hosting Syrian refugees at around $10 billion and regularly complains of a lack of international support.
Glamorous queens
The kingdom has seen four kings and six cosmopolitan queen consorts -- in addition to one princess consort -- four of them married to Hussein.
The present queen, Rania, has used her celebrity to continue the royal tradition of supporting children's causes, boasting over 10 million Twitter followers and a YouTube channel.
Fascinating fact
The Azraq wetlands in the east of the country were once home to a veritable ark of animals, from rhinos and hippos to Asian elephants, cheetahs, ostriches and lions. Lions were hunted to extinction in the 13th century but Jordan's cheetahs survived until the 20th century. The last of its water buffalos died in the 1990s, as springs were diverted to feed the capital Amman.

Key Dates in Jordan's History
Agence France Presse/March 04/2021
A Jordanian top former royal aide was among several suspects arrested Saturday, as the army warned a half-brother of King Abdullah II against damaging the country's security. Here is a timeline of key events in the desert kingdom since independence in 1946.
Independence
On May 25, 1946, the Arab state of Transjordan declares its independence from Britain, with King Abdullah as its sovereign. Two years later, Israel declares independence and five Arab countries including Transjordan attack it. The kingdom takes control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, formally annexing both in 1950.
King Hussein, Black September
After King Abdullah is assassinated and King Talal declared mentally unfit after a year on the throne, Abdullah's 17-year-old grandson Hussein is proclaimed king in August 1952. He formally takes the throne the following year, starting a reign that will span 46 years. In the Six-Day War of June 1967, Jordan loses the West Bank and East Jerusalem to Israel.
Some 200,000 Palestinians flee to Jordan, where more than half the country's population today is of Palestinian descent. In 1970, King Hussein deploys 40,000 troops to crush the growing power of Yasser Arafat's Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The ten-day conflict, known as Black September, leaves several thousand dead. On July 31, 1988, Jordan officially cuts administrative ties with the West Bank.
Peace with Israel
In 1989, after bloody demonstrations over high living costs, King Hussein agrees to democratic reforms. Elections are held in 1993, with independents supportive of Hussein prevailing. The prime minister and cabinet are chosen by the king. A year later, the United States oversees the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan.
King Hussein dies of cancer on February 7, 1999, leaving the throne to his son Abdullah II. The early years of Abdullah's reign are marked by the war in neighboring Iraq, which sends a wave of Iraqi refugees into the kingdom.
Social unrest
In January 2011, in the wake of the Arab Spring uprisings, mainly Islamist opposition activists begin regular protests to demand reforms. Later that year, thousands protest against an increase in energy prices, with some demanding the removal of the king -- a first. The war in neighboring Syria sends hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing to Jordan.
In June 2018, prime minister Hani Mulki resigns after several days of popular protest against proposed tax reforms and energy price increases.
Protests continue under new premier Omar al-Razzaz and, a year later, Human Rights Watch condemns Jordan for repressing opposition.
IS horror
In September 2014, Jordan joins a Washington-led coalition against the Islamic State group in conflict-hit Syria. Four months later, IS jihadists burn a captured Jordanian pilot alive in a cage, sparking widespread horror.
Amman hangs two jihadists and steps up its support for the anti-IS coalition to Iraq. In June 2016, an IS suicide bomber kills seven Jordanian soldiers near the Syrian border. Six months later, IS attacks a tourist site near Kerak, killing seven police officers, two Jordanians and a Canadian tourist.
Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has dealt another blow to Jordan, with over 625,000 cases and at least 7,130 deaths according to Ministry of Health figures on Saturday. In March, at least seven Covid-19 patients died when a hospital in Salt, northwest of Amman, ran out of oxygen. The tragedy triggered protests and forced the health minister to resign.

Jordan’s neighbours, allies voice support over its security moves
The Arab Weekly/April 04/2021
AMMAN--Jordan’s neighbours and allies reacted with statements of support after the Jordanian military said on Saturday that King Abdullah’s half-brother and former Crown Prince Hamza bin Hussein had been told to halt actions used to target the country’s “security and stability”.
In a statement published by the state news agency, Amman said the action was part of a broader security investigation in which a former minister, a member of the royal family and some other unidentified individuals were detained. Jordan’s official media warned Sunday that security and stability are a “red line”, a day after several senior figures were detained and half-brother and former Crown Prince Hamza bin Hussein said he was put under house arrest. Videos posted online showed a heavy police deployment in the Dabouq area near the royal palaces on the edge of Amman, while former crown prince Hamzah bin Hussein said he was confined to his home.
In a video the BBC said it obtained from his lawyer, Prince Hamzah said several of his friends had been arrested, his security detail removed and his internet and phone lines cut. Prince Hamzah denied being part of “any conspiracy or nefarious organisation”, but said the Hashemite kingdom had become mired in “misrule” and that nobody was allowed to criticise the authorities. The official newspaper Al-Rai on Sunday warned that Jordan’s “security and stability” were a “red line that must not be crossed or even approached”, and said an official statement on the events was expected later in the day. Official news agency Petra named former close aides to the royal family, Bassem Awadallah, chief of the royal court in 2007-2008, and Sherif Hassan bin Zaid among an unspecified number of suspects arrested.
The pair were detained for “security reasons”, Petra said, quoting a security source.
Arab support to Amman
Arab countries and regional organisations expressed support to the Jordanian authorities in their security moves. Neighbouring Saudi Arabia reacted swiftly to the developments in Amman voicing support to the monarchy. “The kingdom stresses its full support for the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan … and for the decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein to safeguard security and stability,” it said. In Abu Dhabi, The ministry of presidential affairs stressed the UAE’s full support for all decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah and his crown prince to maintain Jordan’s security and stability and “to defuse any attempt to impact them”.
Senior Emirati official Anwar Gargash said on Twitter Jordan’s “wise policy to build bridges in a turbulent region was not an easy choice but was, and remains, the necessary direction”. Egypt also voiced support for King Abdullah and his efforts “to maintain the security and stability of the kingdom against any attempts to undermine it”, its presidency spokesman wrote on Facebook. Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad al-Hariri said on Twitter: “All the solidarity with the Jordanian leadership and King Abdullah in defending the gains of the Jordanian people, protecting their stability, and refusing interference in their affairs.”“The Iraqi government affirms that it stands with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, in any steps taken to preserve the security and stability of the country and take care of the interests of the brotherly people of Jordan, in a way that boosts their presence, by relying on measures that aim to extend the respect of the state,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas voiced his support for “the decisions taken by King Abdullah II to preserve Jordan’s security and ensure its stability and unity.” stressing that “Jordan’s security and stability is a supreme Palestinian interest.” The secretary general of the Arab League, in a statement posted on Facebook, said the organisation “expressed full solidarity” with the measures taken to maintain security and stability. “The secretary-general of the Arab League expressed full solidarity with the measures taken by the Jordanian leadership to maintain the security of the kingdom and maintain the stability,” the Arab League said in a statement on its Facebook page, citing Ahmed Aboul Gheit. The latter also “stressed his confidence in the leadership’s wisdom and its keenness to secure the country’s stability in parallel with the respect for the constitution and the law.
The Gulf Cooperation Council reaffirmed as well its support for “all decisions and measures” taken by Abdullah.
US ” following closely”
Awadallah, a former finance and planning minister educated in the United States, was close to the king but has also been a controversial figure in Jordan. Before becoming royal court chief in 2007, he was head of the king’s cabinet in 2006. He had played a key role pushing for economic reforms in the country before he resigned in 2008 amid criticism over alleged interference in sensitive political and economic issues. Saturday’s security sweep comes as Jordan prepares to mark 100 years since the new kingdom then named Transjordan was established alongside Palestine under British mandate.
It declared independence in 1946. Despite having little oil wealth and severely lacking water, the kingdom has managed to survive repeated wars in the region which have sent waves of refugees across its borders. The Washington Post said the former crown prince was “placed under restriction” as part of a probe into an alleged coup plot.
“The move followed the discovery of what palace officials described as a complex and far-reaching plot,” it said, quoting a senior Middle East intelligence official. The alleged scheme “included at least one other Jordanian royal as well as tribal leaders and members of the country’s security establishment,” the Post added. But in a front page editorial on Sunday, Al-Rai denied such reports. “Some people are trying to create the illusion of an attempted coup in Jordan, and trying to implicate Prince Hamzah in their sick fantasies,” it said. “All that happened was that some of the prince’s actions were used to target Jordan’s security and stability.” US State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington was “closely following” the events in its close regional ally. “We are… in touch with Jordanian officials. King Abdullah is a key partner of the United States, and he has our full support,” he said.

2 Rockets Hit near Iraq Airbase Hosting U.S. Soldiers
Agence France Presse/March 04/2021
Two rockets hit near an Iraqi airbase hosting U.S. soldiers north of Baghdad on Sunday, three days before a new "strategic dialogue" starts with the new U.S. administration, a security source told AFP. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the strike, which caused no casualties or damages, but Washington routinely blames Iran-linked Iraqi factions for such attacks on its troops and diplomats.

Sri Lanka Christians Honor Easter Victims, Issue Fresh Warning
Agence France Presse/March 04/2021
Sri Lanka's Christians on Sunday honored the 279 people killed in the 2019 Easter bombings as the island's top Catholic leader warned of street protests unless those responsible were prosecuted. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith lit candles at the St. Anthony's church where 56 people perished when local jihadists carried out coordinated suicide attacks against three hotels and three churches. The Christian minority across the country attended Easter Sunday masses under tight armed police and military security amid fears of fresh attacks, officials said. Ranjith renewed his call for swift action against those responsible for the attack and said the then president Maithripala Sirisena should be prosecuted for criminal negligence in failing to prevent it. An investigation ordered by Sirisena soon after the April 21, 2019, bombings found that he and his intelligence officials had precise information from India about the impending attack 17 days earlier, but failed to act. "President Sirisena's guilt has been identified in the commission report," Ranjith told reporters outside the St. Anthony's church. "I ask President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government why they are dragging their feet without prosecuting him.""We will take to the streets if no action is taken by April 21," Ranjith said. Rajapaksa came to power in November 2019 promising action against those responsible for the 2019 attack. Sirisena who did not offer himself for re-election is currently a legislator from Rajapaksa's SLPP party.
Silent remembrance
Christians observed a two-minute silence from 8.45 am (3.15 GMT) when the first of seven bombers struck in the coordinated attacks. Each target had one bomber while at the Shangri-La hotel there were two suicide bombers. Security was stepped up at churches across the Buddhist-majority country ahead of Easter Sunday services to guard against a repeat of the suicide bombings blamed on a local jihadist group. Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said more than 12,500 armed constables were on duty outside 1,944 churches, and were backed by military personnel. "We have also got the help the armed forces to patrol and reinforce police units across the country," Rohana said. Sri Lanka was shaken on Easter Sunday in 2019 when jihadists staged the largest single terror attack in the history of the country. The attack came 10 years after the end of its 37-year Tamil separatist war.
At least 279 people, including 45 foreign nationals, were killed in the attacks, and around 500 were wounded. Police checked identity cards and bags before allowing people to attend the morning mass at St. Sebastian's church north of the capital Colombo, where 115, including 37 children, were killed in the Easter attack. The names of the victims were read out after the morning mass and candles lit and flowers placed at graves near the church. More than 200 people have been arrested in connection with the bombings, but no one has been indicted yet. Posters calling for justice were put up outside St. Sebastian's, which was packed with worshippers on Sunday despite the strict social distancing regulations in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
 

The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on April 04-05/2021

In Europe’s most liberal country criticism of Islam is forbidden
Giulio Meotti/Arutz Sheva/March 04/2021
The Dutch have totally submitted to Islamic threats having had a taste of what happens if they don't - Isn't fighting back an option? Op-ed.
She said it during a television program. “I will continue to write, because I have received many messages from people asking me not to stop. But I won't write about Islam anymore. Absolutely not”.
The terrible announcement by Turkish writer Lale Gül comes after a flood of death threats.
After the publication of a novel critical of her own culture, Lale Gül had become the target of intimidation and threats through social media and family. She had received gun photos from anonymous accounts. The 23-year-old writer had also left her parents' home. "But I didn't expect the threats to be so serious."
We are in the country where the Blossom Books publishing house has just removed Mohammed from Dante’s Hell in a new Belgian-Dutch translation of the Divine Comedy.
We are in the country where director Theo van Gogh was killed for making the film “Submission” about women in the Islamic world.
In Linnaeusstraat, a district of Amsterdam, the Islamist Mohammed Bouyeri ambushed the director and slaughtered him after pinning a letter to his chest.
We are in the country where the Iranian artist Sooreh Hera was to exhibit a series of photographic works depicting gay couples in a museum in The Hague, including one where the models wore masks of Mohammed and Ali. "We will burn you alive", "we killed once we are ready to do it a second time ..." were the threats. The museum thus had to cancel the exhibition.
We are in the country where the cartoonist Gregorius Nekschot, who published under a pseudonym, announced that he would no longer make his irreverent drawings, including one that reads “Islamsterdam”. Too dangerous to continue ...
We are in the country where a politician critical of multiculturalism, Pim Fortuyn, was killed on the street.
We are in the country from which Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the indomitable co-author of the film that cost Theo Van Gogh's life, had to flee to the United States, while Geert Wilders, the best-known critic of Islam and whose name was engraved on Van Gogh's stomach, wears a bulletproof vest in Parliament and even in televised debates. It goes without saying that the film that cost Theo Van Gogh his life has never been broadcast again. Because in the most free and most tolerant country in Europe, submission is complete.
 

Arab states can be unstoppable when they work together
Baria Alamuddin/Arab News/April 04/2021
I was struck by last week’s news conference featuring the Egyptian, Jordanian and Iraqi foreign ministers, at which they discussed Yemen, Libya, Palestine and any number of other issues in great detail, without paying even lip service to the crisis in Lebanon.
Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi calls for “internationalization” of the Lebanon crisis, but why is nobody talking about Arabization of the Lebanon issue? A determined and decisive Arab role could compel key parties to form a technocratic government, while offsetting the disproportionate impact of Iran’s support for Hezbollah. I can’t imagine any patriotic Lebanese citizen who wouldn’t embrace such Arab reengagement with open arms— not for the benefit of a specific faction, but for rescuing Lebanon as a nation and reestablishing its Arab identity and sovereignty.
However, in the past decade there has been a progressive withdrawal — indeed exclusion — of Arab states from Arab issues. The Arab world is irrelevant in Syria, Russia and Turkey call the shots in Libya, and there are vigorous efforts to exclude Arab states from Iraq. Meanwhile, the views of a fragmented Arab world over the Iran nuclear issue are set to be ignored again by the new US administration.
Arab League states used to at least muster a display of solidarity around unifying issues such as Palestine, but the requirement for unanimous voting while fundamental differences emerge between members has rendered the Arab League irrelevant. Why is nobody even calling for the traditional spring Arab Summit?
The ayatollahs of Tehran have established their hegemony over Lebanon remarkably cheaply (under $700 million annual support for Hezbollah). This is small change compared to what GCC states repeatedly dole out in humanitarian aid. Iran is itself an economic basketcase and enjoys such exclusive influence only because other players long since abandoned Lebanon to its fate.
A 2020 plan for Saudi Arabia to invest $3 billion in Iraq’s agricultural sector was abandoned due to fear-mongering by Iran’s proxies, including a black propaganda campaign by media outlets connected to Nouri Al-Maliki and Qais Al-Khazali. The Iran-affiliated Fateh parliamentary bloc demanded the interrogation of Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi over Saudi investment, while paramilitary entities threatened that “any form of Saudi investment will be a target.”
This is shocking! The underdeveloped Iraqi agricultural sector lost out on this massive funding because of Tehran’s determination to exclude Arab states. Last week Kadhimi visited Riyadh and received an additional $3 billion for an Iraq investment fund — and of course the campaign to discredit this vital support is already underway.
Iran’s economic, diplomatic and military capabilities are minuscule compared to the collective resources of the Arab world. If only one day we muster the political will to collectively deploy these capabilities in the service of Arab unity, prosperity and sovereignty, then the Arab world will truly be an unstoppable force.
Iraqi and Arab markets are flooded with substandard Iranian goods, with a balance of trade often exclusively in Iran’s favour. No less a figure than the Iranian head of the Iran-Iraq Chamber of Commerce declared: “Iraq does not have goods that we want to import.” Lebanon is in a similar situation, with particular concerns over non-approved medicines that violate WHO standards. Meanwhile, levels of trade between Arab states are often woefully low.
Arab states are losing control over their sovereign borders: In Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, Iran-affiliated militias dominate crossing points. Iraq’s Finance Minister Ali Allawi described these activities as “organized plunder.” He estimates that 90 percent of Iraq’s $7 billion annual customs duties is stolen by these paramilitaries.
The decision by many Arab states to shun post-2003 Iraq was based on justifiable principles, but resulted in Baghdad becoming wholly excluded from the Arab camp, governed by a succession of leaderships who were largely in Tehran’s pocket. Arab nations have only belatedly embarked on the process of reengagement with Iraq, and they are being outmaneuvered by Iran at every turn.
Likewise, the Arab boycott of Bashar Assad and Syria’s suspension from the Arab League was wholly understandable, but where is the strategy for re-establishing Arab influence throughout Syria? The Astana process (Russia, Iran and Turkey) was a transparent tool for eliminating Arab and Syrian voices from any say in Syria’s future direction. Instead of establishing a roadmap for peace, the process has consolidated several statelets controlled by the Astana powers. Assad and Hezbollah are now allowing Russia to prospect for oil in Lebanese waters.
Taken as a whole, these processes amount to the de-Arabization of the Arab world, as Arab states are divested of their sovereignty before our eyes. I have never seen Arab citizens feeling more depressed and dejected about the state of their region, and the ceaseless flow of news reminds us every day how humiliated, fragmented and powerless the Arab world has become.
Before 2011 it was common to talk about an “Arab bloc” acting together to advance Arab interests in international forums such as the UN. Other than the EU, it’s unusual to see a bloc of about 20 states acting in concert on the global stage, so such an “Arab bloc” could wield immense influence.
Unfortunately, even during these periods of Arab unity we had an embarrassing tendency to over-rely on America and the West to solve our problems, and Arab conflict resolution and collective defense mechanisms were never developed. Each time I ask a particular high-ranking Arab defense official when the Arab League joint defense agreement will be activated, he laughs ironically and says: “Hopefully next year.”
Although there have been serious disagreements before, there has never been a phenomenon like former Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, who has actively sought to advance Iran’s interests at the Arab level — for example, through boycotting Arab League meetings about Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia.
In an era when several states are dominated by Iran’s allies or embroiled in conflict, absolute Arab unity may be an impossibility. But if the Arab League is indeed no longer fit for purpose, core Arab states must take matters into their own hands and assertively advance Arab interests — not in a Nasserist pan-Arab sense, but by reasserting the sovereignty and Arab identity of individual Arab states.
Iran’s economic, diplomatic and military capabilities are minuscule compared to the collective resources of the Arab world. If only one day we muster the political will to collectively deploy these capabilities in the service of Arab unity, prosperity and sovereignty, then the Arab world will truly be an unstoppable force.
• Baria Alamuddin is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster in the Middle East and the UK. She is editor of the Media Services Syndicate and has interviewed numerous heads of state.

Iran regime’s nuclear deal puzzle
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/April 04/2021
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal was a product of the balance of power in 2015. At that time, it was unclear whether the Iranian regime would acquire a nuclear weapon in the next few months. Then-US President Barack Obama was willing for the deal to happen. The idea of Obama and his Secretary of State John Kerry was that, if they agreed terms with Iran, then the regime could be managed, its foreign policy could be changed, and it would be a more moderate force in the region.
Those beliefs proved to be illusions as there are no moderates inside Iran. Instead, there are executions, arrests and hostages. There is no moderation in Tehran’s foreign policy either. In broad daylight, the regime in 2018 wanted to blow up an Iranian opposition rally in France, using a sitting diplomat. That diplomat was in February sentenced to 20 years in prison. Over the years, the Iranian regime had backed down from its involvement in the region, but with the money released by the JCPOA it developed a ballistic missile program and fired a missile with the slogan “Death to Israel” written on it. The US and the world have also seen the bloodshed caused by Iran-backed militias in the Middle East since the deal was signed.
But the balance of power has shifted. The strategic capacity of the Iranian regime has diminished. Large parts of its nuclear facilities have been lost or dismantled. More than likely, it will not be able to acquire a nuclear weapon any time soon. When the survival of the regime is at risk, it will resort to any act to maintain its hold on power. For example, in 1988, Iran was desperately looking for UN Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar to give him a letter from then-president and current Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei accepting Security Council Resolution 598 because the balance of power had changed.
The administration of new US President Joe Biden seems to be giving Iran incentives and is interested in diplomacy, but the primary basis of his work must be based on coercive diplomacy. Biden must show that the Iranian leaders’ idea that they can work better with the Americans because Donald Trump has gone is a childish perception and a kind of diplomatic dream.
Biden should not quickly eliminate the levers of US foreign policy created by Trump. He has announced that he intends to return to the JCPOA, but not the one that was negotiated back in 2015. We can get tough on Iran through smart diplomacy. In 2019, Biden outlined ways to crack down on Iran, including pressure plus diplomacy. Trump prepared the ground for this with his maximum pressure policy. The current president is now increasing the dose of diplomacy. Biden, while consulting with his partners, has never hidden that he believes the JCPOA to be a first step. For him, the agreement is a facilitator for the disarmament of the Islamic Republic.
The primary basis of Biden’s approach to Tehran must be based on coercive diplomacy.
The regime wants to negotiate, but it does not want to abort its missile program or its meddling in the region’s countries. The Americans have repeatedly said they do not want Iran to have an atomic bomb. Iran has lost its advantage in this area. However, it does not want to link a possible new JCPOA to its ballistic missile program and regional influence. It needs these as bargaining chips, hence its insistence on a return to the original deal. Given the positions that exist on both sides and that of the US Congress, it seems the Iranian regime will find it difficult to push its agenda through.
Sanctions are more than just an economic matter; they are a security issue for the Islamic Republic. One of the most important goals of Iran’s foreign policy is to try to get the US sanctions lifted. With the sanctions in place, the regime cannot maintain funding for its militias and all its forces inside and outside its borders, thus reducing its regional influence. Any compromise on behalf of the Iranian regime is considered a setback and a sign of giving in.
Iran considers its regional influence to be its winning card. Weakening Tehran’s influence in the region’s countries will directly impact the outcome of the JCPOA negotiations because the regime has always said that diplomacy without the support of power and bargaining levers cannot be successful.
If the regime does not give up its regional influence, it must abide by the global consensus against the Islamic Republic and any possible UN resolutions. The other solution for the regime is to bow to the new US demands. Its attempts to get the sanctions lifted, maintain its tight grasp on power, and prevent global consequences are the pieces of a puzzle the Iranian regime is trying to solve.
• Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian-American political scientist. Twitter: @Dr_Rafizadeh

Turkey slides down the EU’s agenda
Yasar Yakis/Arab News/April 03/2021
In an effort to improve its relations with EU countries, Turkey last year withdrew its seismic exploration ship from the eastern Mediterranean, while claiming that this withdrawal was only for maintenance purposes. However, it is unclear what will happen when the maintenance is complete.
Relations with Turkey were the dominant agenda item at last week’s EU summit. However, the chapter dealing with Turkey in the final communique was titled “East Mediterranean,” suggesting that the bloc is not interested in Ankara on issues other than the situation in this area.
Oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean is a complicated issue for reasons other than the maintenance of the seismic exploration ship. In 2018, Turkey and Libya’s Government of National Accord signed a memorandum of understanding demarcating their maritime jurisdiction areas, creating a contiguous Turkish-Libyan area separating the eastern Mediterranean from the remainder of the sea. According to this disputed agreement, if gas is to be extracted from the eastern Mediterranean to be transported to Europe by a pipeline laid on the seabed, it has to cross Turkey’s maritime jurisdiction area, thus requiring Ankara’s consent.
The EU made clear in the final communique following last week’s summit that it is ready to engage with Turkey in a “phased, proportionate and reversible manner to enhance cooperation in a number of areas.” This wording gives advance warning to Ankara that the EU may take further decisions at its next summit in June. Another important subject in the EU communique was the reference to updating the Turkey-EU customs union agreement, which entered into force at the end of 1995. This subject has two aspects. One is Turkey’s insistent request to prevent trade diversion from countries with which the EU has a free trade agreement (FTA). This is because the industrial commodities of such third countries can enter the Turkish market without being subjected to customs duties because of Turkey’s customs agreement with the EU. But if Turkey does not have its own FTA with that third country, it has to pay customs duty in order to export its industrial products to that country. Ankara has insisted that the EU should make it a condition for such countries to sign a similar agreement with Turkey, but the bloc has so far turned a deaf ear to this suggestion.
The EU’s aim in updating the customs union is not the elimination of the trade diversion, but to ensure that Turkey recognizes the Greek Cypriot state.
The second is related to the EU’s indirect pressure on Turkey to recognize Cyprus as a state. The Republic of Cyprus was created in 1960 with Turkey as one of its three guarantors, along with Greece and the UK. According to the constitutional treaties establishing the state, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots are two “politically equal” components of the republic. The Greek Cypriots refuse this equal status and insist on treating the Turkish Cypriots as a minority.
Now, by using the customs union agreement as a tool, the EU forces Turkey to indirectly recognize the state of Cyprus. This arrangement is formulated in the final communique as follows: “On economic cooperation, we (the EU leaders) invite the Commission to intensify talks with Turkey to address current difficulties in the implementation of the Customs Union, ensuring its effective application to all Member States.” This text reveals that the EU’s aim in updating the customs union is not the elimination of the trade diversion, but to ensure that Turkey recognizes the Greek Cypriot state.
There is a similar difference in the EU’s approach to an international meeting to be held in Geneva this month for the solution of the Cyprus problem under UN auspices. It is a 5+1 meeting, with the participation of the Turkish and Greek communities of Cyprus, the three guarantor states, and the UN. The relevant paragraph of the EU summit communique reads as follows: “(The EU) looks forward to the resumption of negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations in which the EU will participate as an observer.” Turkey is not happy with the participation of the EU, and its presence — even in an observer capacity — will further complicate the negotiations.
Another important issue for Turkey resulting from the EU summit was that of visa facilitation for Turks who want to visit EU countries. This is important for tens of millions of Turks, but the EU does not even mention it in the communique. However, the side that failed to fulfill its obligations in this particular issue is Turkey, because it could not fulfill the 72 criteria required by the bloc.
European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are scheduled to visit Turkey this week. This will be a new attempt to mend bridges following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s repeated harsh rhetoric against the EU.
• Yasar Yakis is a former foreign minister of Turkey and founding member of the ruling AK Party. Twitter: @yakis_yasar

West must not ignore growing Daesh threat in Mozambique
Dr. Theodore Karasik/Arab News/April 03/2021
Mozambique has been troubled for some time by Daesh-related groups that have spread to the north of the country from Tanzania and other neighboring countries, and are building their capabilities by hijacking local grievances.
The effects are often horrific, with reports of decapitations and dramatic attempts by foreign nationals to escape escalating violence. The country has become a hotspot for trouble in southeastern Africa and is showing all the signs of becoming the next multinational flashpoint.
The Daesh-affiliated groups that are troubling Mozambique are also expanding across central Africa. The alphabet soup created by the acronyms that identify these groups illustrates the sweeping scale of the transcontinental threat.
Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) last month massacred 58 civilians in a village in Niger, near the border with Mali, and stole large amounts of grain and destroyed vehicles. On the same day in Mali, ISGS members attacked soldiers, killing 33. Both attacks were among the deadliest in their respective countries this year, revealing the serious threat posed by ISGS.
Despite the group’s ongoing clashes with Al-Qaeda’s Sahel affiliate, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, it is its Nigeria-based counterpart, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), which is most responsible for a new wave of violence in the surrounding territories.
ISWAP claims and carries out attacks more frequently than other Daesh groups. Sometimes, other groups claim credit, and there is a system that allows them to do so when too much attention might become counterproductive. The frequency of ISWAP attacks is what is notable, outpacing other Daesh groups in the Levant.
Their growing willingness to embrace violence is adding to a toxic situation in Mozambique, which culminated this week in an attack on the town of Palma, during which hundreds of people were killed and others were forced to flee by sea.
The developments in Mozambique reveal a growing capability among the insurgents to take control of key territories. In a sense, Daesh now has a presence from the Gulf of Guinea to Mozambique. This point about its geographic reach is important because a major goal of the fighters, based on a May 2018 call for allegiance, is to create a continent-wide zone of operations.
Both ISGS and ISWAP are joining forces with the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) and militants in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although the fighters in Mozambique are not officially using the ISCAP name, they do use tactics, techniques and procedures that show a steep learning curve. Instead, they are using Ahlu-Sunnah Wa-Jama (ASWJ). These Mozambican fighters from ASWJ have played a key role in capturing the country’s ports on several occasions. The group and its supporters have previously captured the key port of Mocimboa da Praia. That attack and others have disrupted major projects to develop the nation’s natural gas reserves. More recent attacks have targeted foreign workers and Christians, in what is a significant escalation of Daesh activity.
The ability of Daesh groups to build momentum across the strategic spaces of Africa is increasing at an appropriate time, as major powers are jostling over minerals and other natural wealth.
The ability of Daesh groups to build momentum across the strategic spaces of Africa is increasing at an appropriate time, as major powers are jostling over minerals and other natural wealth. In the near term, the ability of these groups to further exercise freedom of movement in parts of Africa means that more attacks against “outsiders” are likely.
The tactics the militants are using in Mozambique are innovative. Recent reports suggest the group’s ability to hit multiple targets simultaneously in a three-pronged assault, using small-arms fire and mortars, overwhelmed government forces in a matter of hours. This reveals enhanced command and control capabilities, and strong discipline among the fighters.
Mozambique is an important part of southeastern Africa, with a potentially bright economic future that promises to bring new opportunities. Since 2018, however, the extremists have been terrorizing the population by ambushing police and military patrols and raiding targets such as banks and clinics in an attempt to ensure that Cabo Delgado province is ungovernable and inaccessible.
The central government has lost its ability to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, the militants are obtaining better and more powerful weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades and mortars. These come from ambushes and raids on military patrols or are smuggled by sea or across the border from Tanzania.
Mozambique is being devastated by Daesh, plain and simple. Some foreign countries are trying to help. South Africa, the US and the UK are in talks to provide increased professional military support. Portugal and the US have stepped up their cooperation with efforts to train Mozambican forces. Washington has also designated the leaders of ISCAP in Congo and Mozambique, Seka Musa Baluku and Abu Yasir Hassan, respectively, as terrorists. And US Special Forces this month began training local forces in Mozambique to combat ISCAP.
But there is likely to be little political interest in the West in becoming directly involved in military operations in Africa. This tragedy of underestimating the ability of Daesh-affiliated groups in Africa to mutate, grow and multiply is fueled by the growing distraction of Western nations, whose attention has been diverted elsewhere.
For now, local solutions are still available to curb the growing threat posed by these extremists across the continent.
*Dr. Theodore Karasik is a senior adviser to Gulf State Analytics in Washington, DC. He is a former RAND Corporation senior political scientist who lived in the UAE for 10 years, focusing on security issues. Twitter: @tkarasik