LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
November 11/17
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani

The Bulletin's Link on the lccc Site
http://data.eliasbejjaninews.com/newselias/english.november11.17.htm 

News Bulletin Achieves Since 2006
Click Here to enter the LCCC Arabic/English news bulletins Achieves since 2006

Bible Quotations
I appeal to all of you, my friends, to agree in what you say, so that there will be no divisions among you
01 Corinthians 01/10-17: "By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ I appeal to all of you, my friends, to agree in what you say, so that there will be no divisions among you. Be completely united, with only one thought and one purpose. For some people from Chloe's family have told me quite plainly, my friends, that there are quarrels among you. Let me put it this way: each one of you says something different. One says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Peter”; and another, “I follow Christ.” Christ has been divided into groups! Was it Paul who died on the cross for you? Were you baptized as Paul's disciples? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius. No one can say, then, that you were baptized as my disciples. Oh yes, I also baptized Stephanas and his family; but I can't remember whether I baptized anyone else.) Christ did not send me to baptize. He sent me to tell the Good News, and to tell it without using the language of human wisdom, in order to make sure that Christ's death on the cross is not robbed of its power.

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on November 10-11/17
Lebanon's PM Saad Hariri Steps Down/The impact on Lebanon and the region/Joseph Puder/Frontpage/November 10/ 2017
Case of Missing Lebanese Prime Minister Stirs Middle East Tensions/Anne Barnard and David M.Halbfinger/New York Times/November 10/17
Trump’s Iran policy bearing fruit/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/ArabNews/November 10/17
Will changes in Riyadh lead to new era in Israel-Saudi relations/Oded Eran/Ynetnews/November 10/17'
More than just football/Hussein Shobokshi/Al Arabiya/November 10/17
Saudi anti-corruption drive, a decisive storm to restore hope/Shehab Al-Makahleh/Al Arabiya/November 10/17
The impressive and amazing Louvre Abu Dhabi/Mashari Althaydi/Al Arabiya/November 10/17
The special role of Russian Muslims in Russian-Saudi relations/Diana Galeeva/Al Arabiya/November 10/17

Titles For Latest LCCC Lebanese Related News published on November 10-11/17
Jubeir: Situation in Lebanon the Result of Hizbullah's Activities, Lebanese are Innocent
Bukhari Suggests Sending Bassil to Riyadh in Talks with Aoun
French Minister: Hariri 'Free to Move Around'
Tillerson Says Hariri 'Strong Partner', Warns against Using Lebanon for 'Proxy Conflicts'
Berlin Urges Riyadh, Tehran 'Not to Weaken Stability in Lebanon'
Nasrallah: Saudi Inciting Israel to Strike Lebanon, Govt. Still in Place
Saudi Citizen Abducted in Keserwan, Mashnouq Vows Action
Gulf Citizens Begin Leaving Lebanon amid Saudi Escalation
U.N. Chief Warns New Conflict in Lebanon would be 'Devastating'
Aoun Raises Concerns Over Circumstances Surrounding Hariri's Resignation
Lebanon support group urges Lebanon to be shielded from regional tensions-statement
Lebanon Demands Prime Minister Hariri's Return From Saudi Arabia
ISG Welcomes Aoun's Call for Hariri's Return
Jumblat: No Alternative for Hariri, It's Time He Returns Home
Nawaf Salam Chosen among ICJ Judges
Report: Lebanese Rally Saturday, 'Demand Hariri's Return'
Lebanon's PM Saad Hariri Steps Down/The impact on Lebanon and the region.
Case of Missing Lebanese Prime Minister Stirs Middle East Tensions

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on November 10-11/17
IS Jihadists Retake Nearly Half of Syria Border Town, Says Monitor
Trump Says Asia Held Hostage by N. Korea's 'Twisted Fantasies'
Saudi Graft Purge 'Raises a Few Concerns', Says Tillerson
Missile targeting Saudis was Iranian, confirms US Air Force
Spain Concerned over Russian Social Media Activity on Catalonia
Bahrain: An explosion ignites oil pipeline fire, no reported injuries
Saudi-led strikes hit defense ministry in Yemen capital

Latest Lebanese Related News published on November 10-11/17
Jubeir: Situation in Lebanon the Result of Hizbullah's Activities, Lebanese are Innocent
Naharnet/November 10/17/Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir described the situation in Lebanon as “unfortunate” noting that it has to come to this result because of “Hizbullah's activities supported by Iran.”In an interview with CNBC, Jubeir accused Hizbullah of “hijacking the Lebanese system and placing obstacles in front of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's government, and thwarting each initiative Hariri tried to implement.”“Hizbullah continues to hold on to its militia although it should hand over its weapons,” Jubeir told CNBC, adding “there should be no weapons outside the scope of government institutions.”Accusing Hizbullah of thwarting each initiative made by the PM, he said: “Hizbullah has been an instrument used by Iran to dominate Lebanon, to interfere in Syria, with Hamas and the Huthis,” in Yemen. “Hizbullah has been responsible for smuggling weapons into Bahrain and is involved in drug dealing, criminal activity and money laundering. The world has to take action in terms of curtailing their activities,” he stressed. The Minister went on saying: “We can not allow Lebanon to be the platform from which harm comes to Saudi Arabia. Lebanese people are innocent and have been dominated by Hizbullah and we need to find a way to help the Lebanese come out from under the thumb of Hizbullah.”To a question on whether SA is considering cutting diplomatic ties with Lebanon, Jubeir said: “We are looking at various options and consulting with friends and allies around the world to see the most effective way of dealing with the menace called Hizbullah.”

Bukhari Suggests Sending Bassil to Riyadh in Talks with Aoun
Naharnet/November 10/17/Saudi charge d'affaires in Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari told President Michel Aoun on Friday during a meeting in Baabda that “it is possible to dispatch Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil to Riyadh to meet with (Prime Minister Saad) Hariri,” media reports said. Aoun for his part asked Bukhari to relay to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman “a demand for the return of PM Saad Hariri to Lebanon to spare the security and stability of the country any repercussions.”The Aoun-Bukhari meeting was part of political talks that the president held with a number of foreign envoys in Baabda. Hariri had announced his resignation on Saturday in a surprising and pre-recorded statement from Saudi Arabia. In a haltingly delivered address, Hariri accused Iran of meddling in Arab affairs and Iran-backed Hizbullah of holding Lebanon hostage. He also said he feared for his life. In his absence, Lebanon has been awash with speculation the prime minister may be held against his will in Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials have denied Hariri is under house arrest.

French Minister: Hariri 'Free to Move Around'
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/November 10/17/Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who resigned at the weekend, is "free to move around", French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Friday amid rumors he was being held against his will in Saudi Arabia. "He went to Abu Dhabi the day before the President (Emmanuel) Macron's visit (on Wednesday) so we think he's free to move around," Le Drian told Europe 1 radio.Lebanese Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Thursday demanded the return of Hariri from Saudi Arabia, where he announced his plans to step down in a shock decision on Saturday. In his televised speech made from Saudi Arabia, Hariri said he was stepping down because of Iran's "grip" on Lebanon and threats to his life, but the comments led to immediate speculation about Saudi pressure. Al-Akhbar newspaper, which is close to Iranian-backed movement Hizbullah, suggested that Hariri, who holds Saudi nationality, was being held "hostage" in Riyadh.Macron made a surprise overnight trip to Saudi Arabia on Thursday-Friday during a Middle East tour that saw him attend the inauguration of the new Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. "The Lebanese situation is the most worrying subject of the moment," Le Drian added in his interview on Friday morning. Hariri's announcement raised fears that Lebanon -- split into rival camps led by Hariri and Hizbullah -- could once again descend into violence. Lebanon "was moving towards a new solution with a new constitution, elections to come. The departure of Prime Minister Hariri creates new uncertainties," Le Drian added. Hariri's resignation came amid an intensifying proxy war between Saudi Arabia and regional arch rival Tehran who have long vied for influence in Lebanon. The Sunni leader had been sharing power with Hizbullah in hard-won national unity government, but the arrangement had come under increasing fire from Saudi Arabia.

Tillerson Says Hariri 'Strong Partner', Warns against Using Lebanon for 'Proxy Conflicts'
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/November 10/17/U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned other countries Friday against using Lebanon for "proxy conflicts" following a crisis triggered by Prime Minister Saad Hariri's resignation. Tillerson also described Hariri, who announced his resignation November 4 from Saudi Arabia, as a "strong partner" of the United States. "The United States cautions against any party, within or outside Lebanon, using Lebanon as a venue for proxy conflicts or in any manner contributing to instability in that country," Tillerson said in a statement. Hariri's resignation came as a shock. He accused Iran-backed Hizbullah of controlling Lebanon. Many observers saw his stepping down as being directed by Saudi Arabia, Iran's big rival in the region. Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday accused Saudi Arabia of "detaining" Hariri and of asking Israel to launch strikes on Lebanon. Earlier Friday, while traveling in Asia, Tillerson told reporters he had received assurances from the Saudis that Hariri himself had decided to resign. Tillerson also said he had no indication that Hariri was being held against his will in the oil-rich kingdom. In a message that seemed aimed mainly at Iran and Hizbullah, Tillerson's statement said: "There is no legitimate place or role in Lebanon for any foreign forces, militias or armed elements other than the legitimate security forces of the Lebanese state -- which must be recognized as the sole authority for security in Lebanon." Hariri's situation was not completely clear. But calls mounted, including from his Lebanese political rivals, for Saudi Arabia to guarantee the prime minister's freedom of movement. Hariri's resignation coincided with a sweeping purge among the Saudi kingdom's elite, ostensibly over embezzlement accusations. Hariri, who was born in Saudi Arabia, did not say when he would return to Lebanon, where President Michel Aoun has yet to formally accept his resignation.

Berlin Urges Riyadh, Tehran 'Not to Weaken Stability in Lebanon'
Associated Press/Naharnet/November 10/17/Germany has called on Saudi Arabia and Iran not to undermine Lebanon's stability following the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel called his Saudi counterpart Thursday to highlight the need to safeguard Lebanon's stability. Government spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters in Berlin on Friday that when discussing Lebanon "it's also necessary to talk about the role of Iran."
Seibert noted that Tehran has influence over Hizbullah and its support for the Lebanese group is viewed by Germany "with great concern."He said that Germany "of course appeals to both countries, Saudi Arabia and Iran, not to weaken the political stability in Lebanon."

Nasrallah: Saudi Inciting Israel to Strike Lebanon, Govt. Still in Place
Naharnet/November 10/17/Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday accused Saudi Arabia of “inciting Israel to strike Lebanon,” adding that the current government should stay in place until Prime Minister Saad Hariri submits a formal resignation. “Saudi Arabia is inciting the Lebanese against each other and inciting Arab countries to take escalatory measures against Lebanon. It also incited world countries against Lebanon, but what's more dangerous is inciting Israel to strike Lebanon. This is not an analysis but rather based on confirmed information,” said Nasrallah in a televised speech. He alleged that the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah had happened at “Saudi Arabia's request,” while accusing Riyadh of pressing Israel to prolong the war. “I warn the Israelis against any attempt to take advantage of the situation,” he added. Reiterating that war with Israel is unlikely, Nasrallah said Hizbullah is watching carefully for any Israeli attempts to use the crisis. Nasrallah appeared to be calming a seemingly jittery population following Saudi Arabia's latest escalation against Hizbullah's backer Iran. The resignation of Hariri from Saudi Arabia last week was seen as a move by Riyadh to take its rivalry with Iran to tiny Lebanon.
Many fear the escalation will pave the way for Israel to strike against Hizbullah, against which Israel has fought a number of wars. Nasrallah warned Israel against "miscalculation." He said Israel should not think "we are troubled. No, absolutely not."
"Today we are more confident and feeling stronger in the face of any threat," said Nasrallah. Turning to the issue of Hariri's resignation, Hizbullah's leader said “Saudi Arabia's move was an unprecedented interference in Lebanon's affairs. The entire world now knows that Hariri was forced to resign.” “There is a Saudi attempt to remove Hariri from the leadership of al-Mustaqbal Movement... Al-Mustaqbal Movement is being forced to endorse a new leader and there is an attempt to impose a new premier on Lebanon and the Lebanese people,” Nasrallah warned.
“We condemn the blatant Saudi interference in Lebanese affairs and this humiliating behavior with PM Saad Hariri,” he said.
Commenting on the statement that was issued Thursday by Mustaqbal on the need for Hariri to return to Lebanon, Nasrallah added: “We join our voice to that of al-Mustaqbal Movement on the need for Hariri to return to Lebanon... He can return to Lebanon to take the stance he wants and say whatever he wants.”“Lebanon's prime minister is detained in Saudi Arabia and prohibited from returning,” Nasrallah decried.
As for the issue of forming a new government, Nasrallah described Hariri's resignation as “illegitimate and unconstitutional” because it “happened under duress.”“The current government is still in place and it is legitimate and not resigned. The ministers are not caretaker ministers and there is no meaning for parliamentary consultations now as some conspirators are demanding. We will conduct parliamentary consultations when the government resigns in a constitutional manner,” Nasrallah added.
Moreover, Nasrallah denied Saudi accusations that Hizbullah was involved in the firing of a missile from Yemen at Riyadh, saying the Yemenis themselves “now have a high capability to manufacture missiles.”Nasrallah also admitted that “Saudi Arabia and Iran both have influence in Lebanon.”
“But the core difference is that Saudi Arabia interferes in Lebanese affairs. Iran does not interfere at all in Lebanese affairs and it does not use its influence to obtain Iranian privileges in Lebanon,” he said. “Saudi Arabia cannot confront Iran directly, that's why it is taking out its anger on Lebanon and intimidating it to prove that it has influence... If the objective is to subjugate Lebanon, it is mistaken, and it will fail the same as it failed in all arenas,” Nasrallah went on to say.
“If the objective is to punish Hizbullah and eradicate it, no one can eradicate Hizbullah, no matter what Saudi Arabia does,” he stressed. Addressing Saudi Arabia, Nasrallah added: “Do you want to rescue the Lebanese people the same as you are rescuing the Yemeni people through starving them, killing them and crushing their bones?”“If they want to punish Hizbullah, I can give them a plan. Let them brainstorm a bit and they'll find the solution. They can punish Hizbullah without punishing the Lebanese people, unless they are driven by blind hatred,” Nasrallah added.
Hariri had announced his resignation on Saturday in a surprising and pre-recorded statement from Saudi Arabia. In a haltingly delivered address, Hariri accused Iran of meddling in Arab affairs and Iran-backed Hizbullah of holding Lebanon hostage. He also said he feared for his life. In his absence, Lebanon has been awash with speculation the prime minister may be held against his will in Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials have denied Hariri is under house arrest.

Saudi Citizen Abducted in Keserwan, Mashnouq Vows Action
Naharnet/November 10/17/A Saudi man has been kidnapped in the Keserwan region amid political tensions with Saudi Arabia, media reports said on Friday. “After dropping his wife off at their house in Adma on Thursday evening, Saudi citizen Ali Abdul Nabi al-Bashrawi parked his Saudi-plate, white BMW at the Tabarja roundabout before being kidnapped at the hands of unknown individuals from a nearby area,” LBCI television reported. The TV network said Bashrawi, 34, “belongs to the Shiite sect and is married to a Syrian woman.” “He called his wife on Friday, saying that the captors are demanding $1.5 million in return for goods that he had bought from them,” LBCI added. Quoting probe sources, the TV network said the case is likely linked to drug trade. “Security agencies are following up on the case to locate the abductee, amid speculation that he is being held in the Bekaa,” LBCI said, noting that he used a Syrian phone number to call his wife. Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq meanwhile issued a statement saying “the safety and security of resident and visiting Saudi citizens, as well as all Arab and foreign residents, is a priority for all Lebanese authorities.” “Tampering with security and stability in Lebanon is a red line whose crossing is prohibited. Security agencies are on alert to foil any attempt to take advantage of the current political situation from any party and for whichever reason,” Mashnouq added. The incident came on the same day that Saudi Arabia ordered its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately amid skyrocketing tensions with Iran and Hizbullah and warnings to the Lebanese government.

Gulf Citizens Begin Leaving Lebanon amid Saudi Escalation
Associated Press/Naharnet/November 10/17/Dozens of citizens of Gulf Arab countries began leaving Lebanon on Friday after their governments ordered them to leave the Mediterranean country, as President Michel Aoun called for the return of Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri who mysteriously resigned from the Saudi capital last week. Firebrand Saudi State Minister for Gulf Affairs Thamer al-Sabhan warned earlier this month that his government would deal with Lebanon as a hostile state as long as Hizbullah was in the Lebanese government. Dozens of men, women and children from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain were seen leaving Lebanon on Friday morning through Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport, after their countries ordered them to leave Lebanon. The move was the first concrete action against Lebanon after days of Saudi government officials leveling threats against the country.
Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah blasted Saudi Arabia in a speech on Friday, saying that it is punishing the Lebanese people instead of his group. He said the kingdom has shifted its attention to Lebanon after its 30-month war in Yemen failed to achieve its goals and Saudi-backed rebels in Syria have been suffering setbacks against President Bashar Assad's forces. Nasrallah claimed that Saudi Arabia has asked Israel to attack Hizbullah in return for billions of dollars. "It is clear that Saudi Arabia... declared war on Lebanon," Nasrallah said. Nasrallah said that war with Israel is unlikely amid the crisis triggered by Hariri's resignation, adding that Hizbullah is watching carefully for any Israeli attempts to use the crisis to begin hostilities against Lebanon. Nasrallah added that Israel is cautious and unlikely to make such a move. Many fear the escalation will pave the way for Israel to strike Hizbullah, against which Israel has fought a number of wars. Nasrallah warned Israel against "miscalculation" or "taking advantage of the situation."

U.N. Chief Warns New Conflict in Lebanon would be 'Devastating'
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/November 10/17/U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Friday that a new conflict in Lebanon would have "devastating consequences" and said he was engaged in intense contacts with all players to urge de-escalation. Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned in a shock announcement broadcast from Riyadh on Saturday as a power struggle intensified between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which backs Lebanon's Hizbullah. "It is essential that no new conflict erupt in the region," Guterres told reporters. "It would have devastating consequences.""This is a matter of great concern to us. What we want is for peace to be preserved in Lebanon." Guterres said he had been holding "very intense contacts" with Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, other countries in the region as well as governments with influence in the Middle East. "We are indeed very worried and we hope that we won't see an escalation in the region that would have tragic consequences," said Guterres. The U.N. chief spoke to Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Wednesday. Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said Friday that Hariri was "detained" by Saudi Arabia and prevented from returning to Lebanon. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon while the UAE has renewed a travel warning.

Aoun Raises Concerns Over Circumstances Surrounding Hariri's Resignation
Naharnet/November 10/17/President Michel Aoun on Friday expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the situation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri in the wake of his resignation amid reports that he is being held in Saudi Arabia, the National News Agency said. Aoun reiterated his concern over “the circumstances surrounding the situation of Hariri and the necessity of its unraveling,” Aoun told members of the International Support Group for Lebanon whom he received at the Presidential Palace. During his meeting Aoun, tackled Lebanon's position over the recent developments following the resignation of Hariri from abroad, and the circumstances of such an announcement. He reassured ambassadors over "the awareness and solidarity manifested by Lebanese leaders at this delicate stage in the history of Lebanon, and their keenness to strengthen national unity which may help maintain the security and financial stability in the country,” NNA said. UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Philippe Lazzarini spoke on behalf of the group, praising the stances of Aoun, and his success in controlling the situation in the wake of the resignation. "Members of the international group support the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon, and stress the importance of national unity," Lazzarini said. The Ambassadors stressed "their countries' support for the President and their readiness to help find appropriate solutions to the current crisis."Since Hariri's resignation on Saturday, Aoun has been holding series of meetings with foreign and Arab officials. On Friday he received a number of officials including the Saudi Charge d'Affaires Walid al-Bukhari in addition to other figures. Aoun told the Saudi envoy that the circumstances of Hariri’s resignation were “unacceptable,” reports said. For his part, Bukhari did not make any statement after his meeting with Aoun. "Finalizing the resignation is put on hold until the return of PM Hariri, and until the real reasons for his decision are revealed," Aoun said. Hariri announced in a televised speech from Saudi Arabia on Saturday that he was stepping down, citing Iran's "grip" on Lebanon and threats to his life.
His resignation raised questions about the fate of Hariri, who also holds Saudi nationality, as it coincided with the announcement in Saudi Arabia of an anti-corruption purge in which dozens of princes, ministers and businessmen have been rounded up.

Lebanon support group urges Lebanon to be shielded from regional tensions-statement
BEIRUT (Reuters) /10 November 2017/The International Support Group (ISG) for Lebanon appealed for Lebanon to “continue to be shielded from tensions in the region”, a joint statement said on Friday. Following a meeting of ISG members with Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Friday, the group, whose members include the United States, Russia and France, stressed the importance of restoring “vital balance” of state institutions in Lebanon, and welcomed “the call of the president for Prime Minister Hariri to return to Lebanon”, the statement said

Lebanon Demands Prime Minister Hariri's Return From Saudi Arabia
Dana Khraiche/Bloomberg/10 November 2017/Lebanese President Michel Aoun told Saudi Arabia’s envoy that the way Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned from Riyadh on Saturday was “unacceptable,” and called for his immediate return to Lebanon. Aoun made the comments in a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Charge d’Affaires Walid Al Bukhari at the presidential palace outside Beirut, the state-run National News Agency reported on Friday. The president also met with envoys from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan. The International Support Group for Lebanon, which includes Russia, the U.S., the European Union and other countries, said it welcomed Aoun’s demand for Hariri’s return. Hariri, a pro-Saudi politician, unexpectedly announced his resignation in a televised speech from Saudi Arabia, blaming Iran for meddling in Lebanon’s affairs through its proxy, Hezbollah. That fueled speculation that Saudi leaders had demanded he do so, and that he wasn’t being allowed to go home. Lebanon is in the cross-hairs of the escalating tension between Sunni-led Saudi Arabia and Shiite-led Iran, who are on opposite ends of conflicts across the Middle East. On Saturday -- after Hariri’s speech -- Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a missile at the international airport in Riyadh, an attack Saudi officials said could be an Iranian “act of war.”U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, speaking in an interview as he flew from Beijing to Vietnam, said Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir had assured him Hariri had resigned of his own accord. Based on that conversation, Tillerson said he understands that the former prime minister -- a dual Saudi and Lebanese national -- would need to return home to formally leave his post.
Asked if Hariri was being held against his will, Tillerson replied, “I have no indication that is the case.”

ISG Welcomes Aoun's Call for Hariri's Return
Naharnet/November 10/17/Members of the International Support Group for Lebanon met this morning with President Michel Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda. They discussed the situation in Lebanon following the announcement of the offer of resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. ISG members expressed their continuing concern regarding the situation and prevailing uncertainty in Lebanon. They appealed for Lebanon to continue to be shielded from tensions in the region. In this regard, they stressed the importance of restoring the vital balance of Lebanon’s State institutions, essential to Lebanon’s stability. Noting the positive political achievements of the past year, ISG members urge all sides to continue to work for Lebanon’s national interests. ISG members praised President Aoun’s leadership in urging for calm and unity. They welcomed the steps taken to contain the political crisis and to safeguard the country’s unity, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity. In this regard, the ISG welcome the call of the President for Prime Minister Hariri to return to Lebanon. In solidarity with Lebanon, ISG members reaffirmed their commitment to support the country, its leadership and its people during this difficult time.

Jumblat: No Alternative for Hariri, It's Time He Returns Home
Naharnet/November 10/17/Democratic Gathering bloc leader MP Walid Jumblat on Friday stressed that there is “no alternative” for Prime Minister Saad Hariri noting that it is time for him to return back to Lebanon after an “obligatory or voluntary” stay in Saudi Arabia. “After a week of house arrest or voluntary stay (in Saudi Arabia) it is time for Sheikh Saad's return to Lebanon in order to complete the process of construction and stability,” said Jumblat in a tweet. “And by the way, there is no alternative for him,” the MP emphasized. Hariri resigned in a shock announcement broadcast from Riyadh on Saturday. In a haltingly delivered address, Hariri accused Iran of meddling in Arab affairs and Iran-backed Hizbullah of holding Lebanon hostage. He also said he feared for his life. In his absence, Lebanon has been awash with speculation the prime minister may be held against his will in Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials have denied Hariri is under house arrest. Moreover, reports circulating have alleged that Saudi Arabia is pushing for the nomination of Bahaeddine Hariri (Saad's brother) to hold Lebanon's premiership and leadership of the Mustaqbal Movement instead of his brother.

Nawaf Salam Chosen among ICJ Judges
Naharnet/November 10/17/The General Assembly and Security Council elected four judges from an initial pool of six candidates to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. After five rounds of simultaneous voting that ran into the early evening Thursday, the Assembly and the Council – which met independently of each other – re-elected two current judges, Ronny Abraham (France) and Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf (Somalia), while also choosing two new justices, Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade (Brazil) and Nawaf Salam (Lebanon). All four were elected in the fifth round of voting. They were elected to nine-year terms, starting on 6 February next year. The Assembly and the Council will meet independently again Monday, 13 November, to elect a fifth judge to a seat on the ICJ. The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are elected by an absolute majority in both the General Assembly (97 votes) and Security Council (8 votes). Five seats come up for election every three years. There is no bar on consecutive terms. Judges are chosen on the basis of their qualifications, not their nationality, but no two judges can be from the same country. Effort is also taken to ensure that the principal legal systems of the world are reflected in the composition of the court. Established in 1945, and based in The Hague in the Netherlands, the ICJ – informally known as the 'World Court' – settles legal disputes between States and gives advisory opinions on legal questions that have been referred to it by other authorized UN organs.The election of the first members of the World Court took place on 6 February 1946, at the first session of the UN General Assembly and Security Council.

Report: Lebanese Rally Saturday, 'Demand Hariri's Return'
Naharnet/November 10/17/Lebanese will gather in a mass rally on Saturday in a solidarity stand with Prime Minister Saad Hariri who resigned over the weekend amid rumors that he is being held against his will in Saudi Arabia, LBCI reported on Friday. LBCI said that a sit-in will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday at Martyrs Square in Beirut to “uncover the ambiguity that has dominated the situation of President Saad Hariri since he announced his resignation and demand his return to Lebanon.”“We are the free people in this country and we affirm that the dignity of Hariri, as a citizen and prime minister, is the dignity of this nation. Let us postpone the political debates and stand together in Martyrs' Square on Saturday,” read the invitation. Hariri announced in a televised speech from Saudi Arabia on Saturday that he was stepping down, citing Iran's "grip" on Lebanon and threats to his life. The shock announcement raised fears that Lebanon -- split into rival camps led by Hariri and the Iranian-backed movement Hizbullah -- could once again descend into violence. It also raised questions about the fate of Hariri, who also holds Saudi nationality, as it coincided with the announcement in Saudi Arabia of an anti-corruption purge in which dozens of princes, ministers and businessmen have been rounded up. Lebanon's Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Thursday demanded the return of prime minister Saad Hariri from Saudi Arabia. "Today we demand the return to the nation of our Prime Minister Saad Hariri," tweeted Bassil. Al-Mustaqbal Movement, led by Hariri, itself issued a statement on Thursday saying Hariri's return was "necessary" and essential for "total respect of Lebanon's sovereignty".As questions about Hariri's fate mounted, the resigned premier's media office on Thursday said he had met at his "Riyadh" home with the French ambassador to Saudi Arabia Francois Gouyette. Two days earlier he had met in Riyadh with the US charge d'affaires and with the British ambassador Simon Collins. On Tuesday, official media in the United Arab Emirates said Hariri visited Abu Dhabi where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

Lebanon's PM Saad Hariri Steps Down/The impact on Lebanon and the region.
Joseph Puder/Frontpage/November 10/ 2017
A Lebanese friend called this reporter over the weekend with the question, “What do you think of the resignation of Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri?” The short response to the friend was “check out where he made his announcement – in Saudi Arabia.” It is clear that Riyadh had something to do with Hariri’s decision to resign as Prime Minister, and it comes only a year into his current post. Qatari based Al-Jazeera-TV reported (November 5th, 2017) that “The snap resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri over the weekend reflects a push by Saudi Arabia to openly confront Iran, its long-time regional adversary, and Iran’s Lebanese ally, Hezbollah.”
According to Al-Jazeera, Hariri, who made his announcement in a televised speech on Al-Arabiya Satellite TV, also said that he believed he faced threats to his life (his father Rafic Hariri was assassinated by Syrian and Hezbollah agents). Saad Hariri denounced Iran for “sowing disorder and destruction in Lebanon,” and criticized Hezbollah for “building a state within a state in Lebanon.” He went on to say that “Iran and its allies - you have lost in your efforts to meddle in the affairs of the Arab world,” and added that “the region will rise again and the hands that you have wickedly extended into it will be cut off.” Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reacted on Saturday to Hariri’s resignation. Netanyahu tweeted from London that “The resignation of Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hariri and his remarks on Iran are a wake-up call to the international community to take action against the Iranian aggression, which is turning Syria into a second Lebanon.”
Amin Gemayel, former Maronite-Christian President of Lebanon, following his meeting with President Aoun in the context of Hariri’s resignation, slammed regional victory claims by Iran and its allies, and noted that “Lebanon did not have to pay a price for things that it had nothing to do with.” He added, “It is important to preserve Lebanon’s neutrality and independence.” It was meant to be a clear reference to Iran and Saudi machinations in Lebanon.
Fouad Siniora, the former Sunni Prime Minister and a close advisor to the Hariris, warned of the necessity to be aware of the dangers that Lebanon is facing and find a solution to the problems Lebanon is witnessing. He stated that “Lebanon has always been keen on its neutrality and non-alignment, but it is now clear that it is heading toward an axis that does not serve its interests. We must adjust the compass, respect the Taif Agreement and the constitution, restore the strong state that is responsible for its entire territory and reinstate a respect for Arab legitimacy that serves the region’s interest. We should also respect the international resolutions to which Lebanon is committed and remain under the umbrella of the Baabda Declaration.”
Lebanese Forces MP, Antoine Zahara, said that he hopes Hariri’s resignation leads to “an uprising of dignity in the face of all political obstacles facing the government.” He added that the recent comments by Iranian advisor for International Affairs, Ali Akbar Welayati, may have prompted Hariri’s resignation. Waleyati claimed that the Syrian-Lebanese-Iraqi victory against the terrorists (a reference primarily to the anti-Assad opposition) constitutes a victory for the “axis of resistance.” Zahra pointed out that “including Lebanon in the Iranian axis without consulting the Lebanese counterpart is a serious offense.”
Hariri’s resignation will most assuredly disrupt the delicate balance that existed in the Lebanese polity. The three most powerful confessional groups in Lebanon: the Shiite-Muslims dominated by Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah, the Sunni-Muslims led by Saad Hariri, and the Maronite-Christians personified by Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun, co-existed for a year despite deep hatred and animosity between these groups.
As long as Lebanon was led by strong individuals such as Aoun, Hariri and the Hezbollah organization, Lebanon enjoyed a relative equilibrium. It enabled the state to overcome several occurring crisis situations. The absence of a national president due to over two years of political stalemate was resolved by the unlikely alliance of Aoun’s Maronites, Hariri’s Sunnis, and Hezbollah. It elected Aoun as President of Lebanon, and Hariri as Prime Minister. It also ended the garbage crisis, and it settled on a date for the parliamentary elections scheduled to take place in May, 2018.
Saudi Arabia has been the Hariri family financial patron throughout most of Lebanon’s post-civil war history. Now, with Iran’s gains in Syria, and Hezbollah’s control in Lebanon, Riyadh is readjusting its policy in Lebanon, aiming to weaken Hezbollah. The killing of Rafic Hariri in 2005 marked the rising dominance of Hezbollah and its patrons, Iran and the Assad regime.
The new Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has assumed a much more assertive posture toward Iran and Hezbollah. Riyadh is also encouraged by the Trump administration’s more aggressive stance toward Iran’s nefarious activities across the region.
The imminent defeat of ISIS in Syria is enabling Hezbollah to transfer its fighters from Syria to Southern Lebanon, where they aim to provoke Israel into a war. Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, is simply waiting for a green light from Tehran to open hostilities. The Saudis would like nothing better than for Israel to engage Hezbollah militarily. For its part, the Hezbollah leaders are well aware of the fact that provoking a war with Israel might cost them their dominance in Lebanon.
With Hariri out, the legitimacy of the Lebanese government is questionable. It makes it easier for the U.S. and Israel to target Hezbollah, already considered by both countries as a terrorist organization. Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, seemed to bemoan Hariri’s departure since it takes away the legitimacy of the Hezbollah dominated government, and it also breaks the Sunni-Shia consensus that appeared to exist.
To understand Hariri’s decision to resign, one must consider the larger context that goes beyond Lebanese politics. Lebanese parties are simply proxies of the two leading Muslim powers in the region…Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, whose rivalry is at a focal point in Lebanon. The Saudis, and for that matter, the U.S. and Israel, seek to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from building a bridge to the Mediterranean Sea through the control of Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. That may very well be one explanation as to why Hariri announced his resignation from Riyadh rather than Beirut.
Another reason is Hariri’s attempt to strengthen his political base in the upcoming parliamentary elections next year. Hariri’s forged alliance with Hezbollah and Aoun carried a heavy burden. His Sunni constituents in Lebanon resent the fact that Hezbollah is killing their fellow Sunnis in Syria. As a result, many Sunnis have found an outlet in joining Islamist groups. The Sunni electorate is frustrated with its leadership, including Hariri, in its inability to challenge Hezbollah. That may very well be the other reason for Hariri’s leaving his post. Finally, Hariri believes that he might be able to repeat the success he had in 2005, when he formed an anti-Syrian bloc and led it to victory in the legislative elections that year.

Case of Missing Lebanese Prime Minister Stirs Middle East Tensions
Anne Barnard and David M.Halbfinger/New York Times/November 10/17
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/10/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-lebanon-france-macron.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0
BEIRUT, Lebanon — When the Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri made a sudden trip abroad last week, it was taken at first to be a routine visit with his political patron, Saudi Arabia. But the next day, he unexpectedly announced his resignation by video from Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
He has yet to return to Lebanon.
On Friday, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement, part of his governing coalition at home, charged that the Saudis were holding him against his will, while the Saudis have said they were protecting him from an unspecified assassination plot.
The Hariri case has become just one in a profusion of bewildering events — from the Saudi Arabia’s arrest of princes and wealthy businessmen last weekend to ordering its citizens out of Lebanon on Thursday — that are escalating tensions in the Middle East and fueling anxiety about whether the region is on the verge of military conflict.
The American secretary of state Rex W. Tillerson warned Friday “against any party, within or outside Lebanon, using Lebanon as a venue for proxy conflicts or in any manner contributing to instability in that country,” a message apparently aimed at Hezbollah, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Even before the events of the past week, analysts and officials in the region had been increasingly anxious about what they see as a volatile combination: an impulsive, youthful Saudi leader escalating threats to roll back growing Iranian influence, an equally impulsive Trump administration signaling broad agreement with Saudi policies, and increasingly pointed warnings from Israel that it may eventually fight another war with Hezbollah.
Now analysts and diplomats are scrambling to figure out what the latest developments mean, whether they are connected and whether, as some analysts fear, they are part of a buildup to a regional war.
Mr. Hariri, until he announced his resignation on Saturday, had shown no signs of planning to do so.
Hours later, on Saturday evening, a missile fired from Yemen came close to Riyadh before being shot down. Saudi Arabia later blamed Iran and Hezbollah for the missile, suggesting that they had aided the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen to fire it.
Before the world had a chance to absorb this news, the ambitious and aggressive Saudi Arabian crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, ordered the arrest of hundreds of Saudis — including 11 princes, government ministers and some of the kingdom’s most prominent businessmen — in what was either a crackdown on corruption, as Saudi officials put it, or a purge, as outside analysts have suggested.
It then emerged that the week before, Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, who has been sent on missions both to Israel and Saudi Arabia, had visited Riyadh on a previously undisclosed trip and met until the early morning hours with the crown prince. The White House has not announced what they discussed but officials privately said that they were meeting about the administration’s efforts to forge an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.
On Monday, Saudi officials said they considered the missile from Yemen an act of war by Iran and Lebanon, and on Thursday the kingdom rattled Lebanon by ordering its citizens to evacuate.
No one expects Saudi Arabia, which is mired in a war in Yemen, to start another war itself. But Israel, which fought a war with Hezbollah in 2006, has expressed increasing concern about Hezbollah’s growing arsenal on its northern border.
On Friday, Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, said that Saudi Arabia had asked Israel to attack Lebanon, after essentially kidnapping Mr. Hariri.
“I’m not talking here about analysis, but information,” he said. “The Saudis asked Israel to attack Lebanon.”
He provided no evidence of his claim, but Western and regional analysts have also said that, given all the confusing and unexpected events and unpredictable players, they could not entirely rule out such a scenario.
Israeli officials, however, have been publicly predicting another war with Hezbollah while also vowing to do all they can to postpone it.
“There are now those in the region who would like Israel to go to war with Hezbollah and fight a Saudi war to the last Israeli,” said Ofer Zalzberg, a Jerusalem-based analyst for International Crisis Group. “There is no interest in that here.”
President Emmanuel Macron of France meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on Thursday. Credit Saudi Press Agency, via Reuters
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long considered Iran to be Israel’s foremost enemy, a potential nuclear threat as well as a strategic adversary seeking to convert postwar Syria into a staging ground for attacks against Israel or into a corridor to transfer missiles and other weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
So Saudi Arabia’s stepped-up efforts to oppose Iranian influence in Lebanon drew measured applause in Jerusalem. But many Israelis fear that the aggressive actions by the Saudi crown prince could drag Israel into a war that it does not want.
Daniel Shapiro, a former United States ambassador to Israel, said that Israel and Saudi Arabia were pursuing similar goals at sharply different speeds and levels of proficiency.
“I’m not sure they’re aligned tactically,” he said in an interview. Prince Mohammed, he added, “seems very impatient to actually spark the confrontation.”
There are no signs of war preparations in Israel. The country is not mobilizing troops on its northern border or calling up reservists, and Mr. Netanyahu has given no indication that he sees a conflict as imminent.
Moreover, Israel’s war planners predict that the next war with Hezbollah may be catastrophic, particularly if it lasts more than a few days. Hezbollah now has more than 120,000 rockets and missiles, Israel estimates, enough to overwhelm Israeli missile defenses.
Many of them are long-range and accurate enough to bring down Tel Aviv high-rises, sink offshore gas platforms, knock out Ben-Gurion Airport or level landmark buildings across Israel.
Nor is Hezbollah necessarily hankering for battle with Israel, according to analysts who study the militant group closely. It is still fighting in Syria, where it has been backing the government of President Bashar al-Assad, and it is being drained by medical costs for wounded fighters and survivor benefits for the families of those killed, said Giora Eiland, a retired Israeli major general and former head of the country’s National Security Council.
“Hezbollah as an organization is in a very deep economic crisis today,” Mr. Eiland said. “But at the same time, the weaker they are, the more dependent they are on Iranian assistance — so they might have to comply with Iran’s instructions.”
But there have long been fears that now that the Syrian war — in which Hezbollah played a decisive role, gaining new influence, power and weapons — is almost over, Hezbollah’s enemies might seek to cut it down to size.
Mr. Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, implied Friday that its fight in Syria was nearly finished. If Saudi Arabia’s goal was to force Hezbollah to leave Syria, he said: “No problem. Our goal there has been achieved. It’s almost over anyway.”
World leaders have sought to tamp down tensions.
President Emmanuel Macron of France left Saudi Arabia on Friday after a brief, last-minute meeting with the crown prince.
During the unexpected two-hour visit on Thursday, Mr. Macron “reiterated the importance France attaches to Lebanon’s stability, security, sovereignty and integrity,” his office said. He also discussed “the situation in Lebanon following the resignation of Prime Minister Hariri,” his office said, but provided no further details.
A group of countries and organizations interested in Lebanon’s stability met Friday with the Lebanese president, Michel Aoun, and issued a statement expressing “concern regarding the situation and prevailing uncertainty in Lebanon” and calling for Lebanon to be “shielded from tensions in the region.”
The members of the group, the International Support Group for Lebanon — including the United Nations, Britain, China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the United States, as well as the European Union and the Arab League — are not all on the same side of the issues at stake so the statement seemed to reflect broad international concern.
At a news conference in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, before the meeting, Mr. Macron said he did not share Saudi Arabia’s “very harsh opinions” of Iran.
Analysts say a new war in the region is unlikely but some have warned that the increased tensions could provoke an economic crisis or even start a war accidentally. Miscalculations have started wars before, as in the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Experts caution that Israel is often only a mistake or two from being drawn into combat.
“It’s a dangerous situation now,” said Amos Harel, the military reporter for Haaretz, the Israeli newspaper. “It only takes one provocation, another reaction, and it can get all of a sudden completely out of control. And when you add the Saudis, who evidently want to attack Iran and are looking for action, it gets even more complicated.”
Correction: November 10, 2017
Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article misstated where President Emmanuel Macron of France met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia. They met in Riyadh, not in Abu Dhabi.
*Follow Anne Barnard and David M. Halbfinger on Twitter: @ABarnardNYT and @halbfinger
*Anne Barnard reported from Beirut, and David M. Halbfinger from Jerusalem. Reporting was contributed by Alissa J. Rubin from Paris, Gardiner Harris from Washington, and Hwaida Saad and Nada Homsi from Beirut.
A version of this article appears in print on November 11, 2017, on Page A1 of the New York edition with the headline: Unsettling Acts Deepen Tension In Middle East. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe

Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on November 10-11/17
IS Jihadists Retake Nearly Half of Syria Border Town, Says Monitor
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/November 10/17/Islamic State group jihadists have retaken nearly half of Albu Kamal in eastern Syria in a counter-attack on what had been the last significant town under their full control, a monitor said Friday. "IS started counter-attacking on Thursday night and retook more than 40 percent of the town of Albu Kamal," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP. Syrian regime forces and allied fighters had recaptured the town, which lies on the border with Iraq in the eastern Deir Ezzor province, from the jihadists on Thursday. Albu Kamal lies at the heart of what used to be the sprawling "caliphate" the group declared in 2014 over swathes of Iraq and Syria. "The jihadists went back in and retook several neighbourhoods in the north, northeast and northwest," Abdel Rahman said. "IS is trying to defend its last bastion." The jihadist organisation has in the space of a few weeks seen its caliphate shrink to a small rump and lost major cities such as Mosul, Raqa and Deir Ezzor. Albu Kamal was the last town of note it controlled and losing it would cap the group's reversion to an underground guerrilla organisation with no urban base. According to Syria state TV, regime and auxiliary forces had retake full control of it by Thursday. The Observatory said most of the fighting was done by the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah and elite forces from its backer Tehran, as well as militia groups from Iraq.

Trump Says Asia Held Hostage by N. Korea's 'Twisted Fantasies'
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/November 10/17/US President Donald Trump on Friday said the Asia-Pacific region was being held hostage by the "twisted fantasies" of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, as he called on countries to stand united against Pyongyang. Trump has embarked on a tour of Asia this week trying to rally regional support for curbing North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, warning that time is running out over the crisis. "The future of this region and its beautiful people must not be held hostage to a dictator's twisted fantasies of violent conquest and nuclear blackmail," he said during a speech in Vietnam to the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. The region, he added, must "stand united in declaring that every single step the North Korean regime takes toward more weapons is a step it takes into greater and greater danger". The US administration thinks China's economic leverage over North Korea is the key to strong-arming Pyongyang into halting its nuclear weapons and missile programmes. On Thursday, Trump was in Beijing meeting President Xi Jinping, where he called on China to "act fast" over North Korea. Washington has also worked in recent months to convince allies across Asia to oppose Pyongyang, an issue that will remain prominent during his two-day trip to Vietnam, which is currently hosting a major regional summit. The leaders of Japan, Russia, China and South Korea are also attending the APEC summit. - 'Channels still open' -At the same time, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Washington has "two or three channels" open with North Korea and was always ready to hear what Pyongyang wants to say. Tillerson has consistently emphasised diplomacy in dealing with the North, while Trump has traded personal insults and threats of war with leader Kim Jong-Un. At a speech in South Korea's parliament on Wednesday, Trump denounced the North's "cruel dictatorship" but appeared to moderate his bellicose tone somewhat when he offered Pyongyang a "path to a better future". Tillerson reinforced that thrust on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit. "We have two or three channels in which we can with high confidence get messages to him and he can get messages back to us and we keep those open," he said of Kim. "As part of our ongoing diplomatic effort we are always ready to hear what he has to say diplomatically", he said. "Whatever he wants to say publicly, he can say publicly, and what we say to him diplomatically is not public either. "Because I think eventually we're going to have one of those days where we're both going to say ok maybe it's a good time to have that first conversation", he added. But North Korean media reiterated Friday that Pyongyang would not put its nuclear weapons up for negotiation, calling such suggestions a "foolish daydream" and Trump a "war maniac". "We do not oppose dialogue but will never put the issue related to the supreme interests of the DPRK and security of its people on the bargaining table," said a signed commentary in the government newspaper Minju Joson. "We are not interested in such dialogue and negotiations in the least."

Saudi Graft Purge 'Raises a Few Concerns', Says Tillerson
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/November 10/17/Saudi Arabia's mass purge of elite figures accused of corruption "raises a few concerns", US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Friday, as Washington's Gulf ally probes graft allegedly worth $100 billion. The unprecedented roundup has seen more than 200 princes, ministers and businessmen detained in what has widely been seen as a move by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to consolidate his power ahead of his accession to the throne. The domestic upheaval has come as Riyadh is locked in an intensifying proxy war with regional rival Tehran that has triggered a crippling aid blockade of neighbouring Yemen which threatens what the United Nations has warned could be the world's worst famine in decades. Tillerson, who is accompanying President Donald Trump on an Asian tour, said he believed the mass arrests ordered by a new anti-corruption commission headed by Prince Mohammed were "well intended".  But he cautioned that the lightning roundup "raises a few concerns until we see more clearly how these particular individuals are dealt with".
The top US diplomat's comments marked a step back from the fulsome support offered earlier this week by President Donald Trump, who said he had "great confidence" in what the crown prince and his father King Salman were doing.
"Some of those they are harshly treating have been 'milking' their country for years!" Trump had tweeted. The Saudi authorities have frozen the bank accounts of those accused and warned that assets related to the alleged corruption cases will be seized as state property. High-profile figures, including billionaire tycoon Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, are among those detained. With the purge, which analysts describe as a bold but risky power play, the crown prince has centralised power to a degree that is unprecedented in recent Saudi history. The crackdown comes as he moves to accelerate his Vision 2030 programme to modernise the conservative kingdom, but also as Riyadh takes a more aggressive stance in its wider region. - Yemen famine fears -After a failed missile attack against Riyadh airport on Saturday, which was claimed by Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen, the kingdom has accused Tehran of "direct military aggression". Iran vehemently denied the charge that it supplied missiles to the Huthis and warned Saudi Arabia of its "might", prompting fresh acrimony between the regional heavyweights. Following the missile attack, a Saudi-led coalition fighting the rebels in Yemen imposed a blockade on all aid deliveries to rebel-held territory that UN aid chief Mark Lowcock has warned threatens millions of people with famine. The UN Security Council demanded on Wednesday that the blockade be lifted but there was still no response from the coalition as aid deliveries were blocked for a fifth day on Friday. The tensions between Riyadh and Tehran were also playing out in Lebanon where the shock resignation of prime minister Saad Hariri in a weekend announcement from Riyadh has created a destabilising power vacuum. The Sunni leader had been sharing power with the Iran-backed Shiite militant movement Hezbollah in a hard-won national unity government but the arrangement had come under increasing fire from Saudi Arabia, where he holds dual citizenship. French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country was the colonial power in Lebanon, made a surprise visit to Riyadh late on Thursday to discuss the crisis with the Saudi crown prince. Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on Thursday demanded the return of Hariri from the Gulf, while Al-Akhbar newspaper, which is close to Hezbollah, suggested he was being held "hostage". But French Foreign Minister Yves Le Drian said that Hariri appeared to be "free to move around", given that he had travelled to the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. "The Lebanese situation is the most worrying subject of the moment," Le Drian said on Friday. Lebanon "was moving towards a new solution with a new constitution, elections to come. The departure of prime minister Hariri creates new uncertainties."Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who charged on Sunday that Hariri's resignation had been imposed by Riyadh, was due to give a speech later on Friday.

Missile targeting Saudis was Iranian, confirms US Air Force
Awad Mustafa /Al Arabiya English/10 November 2017 /The top US Air Force officials in the Mideast says that the ballistic missile fired by Yemeni rebels that targeted the Saudi caital was from Iran and bore “Iranian markings.”“What we have seen as a result of the ballistic missile attacks and there were Iranian markings also that was inventoried by the Arab coalition… all the dots now connect to Iran in terms of supplying missiles and the capability”, said General Steven Wilson, vice-chief of staff of the US Air Force, to Al Arabiya English. Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, who oversees the Air Forces Central Command in Qatar, also made similar comments on Friday at a news conference in Dubai. Harrigian said authorities were investigating how the missile was smuggled into Yemen amid a Saudi-led coalition controlling the country's airspace, ports and borders. Previously, the White House has condemned the missile attack by Yemen's Houthi militias on Saudi Arabia on 4 November, and said Iran "enabled" the attacks which had threatened stability in the Middle East. "Houthi missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, enabled by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, threaten regional security and undermine UN efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict," it has said in a statement. Saudi Crown Prince: Iran missile supply to Houthis ‘direct military aggression’Saudi Arabia has said that the ballistic missile had a range of more than 900 km and was made in Iran, describing that attack as an “act of war”.The Yemeni rebels said they hit Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport to the north of Riyadh with a Burkan-2H ballistic missile and released a video that purportedly showed the missile being launched at night. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that air defenses had intercepted the missile before it hit the airport and its remnants landed in an uninhabited area north of the capital.2

Spain Concerned over Russian Social Media Activity on Catalonia
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/November 10/17/Spain said Friday it had noted news manipulation about the Catalan crisis on social media originating "from Russian territory," adding the issue would be raised at an upcoming EU ministers meeting. Spanish media have already accused Moscow-backed outlets such as Russia Today and Sputnik -- which have Spanish language services -- of playing a destabilizing role in the crisis triggered by Catalonia's banned October 1 independence referendum. Defence Minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal told reporters the government had established that "many messages and interventions via social networks come from Russian territory." But she insisted that authorities had not established whether the Russian government was behind them or not. Cospedal was responding to a journalist who asked about "Russia's interference in preparing messages that could alter the internal workings of some countries," pointing specifically to the Catalan crisis in Spain. She did not give specific examples of the types of messages that had been identified. The El Pais daily wrote an editorial Friday denouncing "the intense campaign by Russian media that are close to the Kremlin," whose "propaganda machine" it accused of siding with the pro-independence movement. Earlier Friday Spain's Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said there was evidence of activity by "Russian networks, hackers." "They're not exclusively aimed against Spain, but it's a manner of destabilizing the EU," he told Spanish radio. Spain's government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo, meanwhile, said disinformation on social networks was a "serious issue." "The foreign minister will raise this issue which Europe must take very seriously," he added, pointing out that strategic communications and the fight against disinformation were on the agenda at an EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday in Brussels. On Thursday, U.S. General Curtis Scaparrotti, the commander of NATO forces in Europe, demanded Russia "stop meddling" in European elections amid concern over Kremlin interference in the Catalan crisis. Moscow is also suspected of interfering in last year's U.S. presidential election and Britain's Brexit vote, and Scaparrotti said he was concerned by "Russian malign influence" in other countries.

Bahrain: An explosion ignites oil pipeline fire, no reported injuries
Al Arabiya English/11 November 2017/An explosion caused a fire in one of the oil pipelines in the Bahraini village of Buri, Friday, no injuries were reported, according to the ministry of interior. The ministry said in a statement on “Twitter” that the civil defence teams began to control the fire and work to determine the causes. The village is located 15 km from the capital Manama.

Saudi-led strikes hit defense ministry in Yemen capital
AFP/11 November/The Saudi-led coalition carried out two air strikes on the defense ministry in Yemen's militant-held capital Sanaa late Friday, witnesses and rebel media said, without reporting casualties. Warplanes continued to circle in the skies above Sanaa after the strikes, the witnesses added. The Houthi militia media outlet Al-Masirah also reported the two air strikes. The coalition has targeted the defense ministry in the past, leaving it heavily damaged, but the fresh strikes come amid a ratcheting up of tensions between Saudi Arabia and its rival Iran, which backs the Houthi militants. The coalition shut down Yemen's borders earlier this week after Saudi forces on Saturday intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis near the Riyadh airport. The militants have threatened additional attacks on Saudi Arabia and its coalition partner the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in neighboring Yemen in March 2015 with the stated aim of rolling back Houthi militia gains and restoring the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to power. The Houthis continue to control the capital Sanaa and much of Yemen's north.

Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on November 10-11/17
Trump’s Iran policy bearing fruit
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/ArabNews/November 10/17
How can we assess Donald Trump’s Iran policy one year into his first term as president of the US? Has the president fulfilled his campaign promises? During his campaign, Trump was clear that the Iranian regime’s aggressive, destabilizing meddling in the region’s affairs should be forcefully confronted.
After taking office, Trump became the first US president since Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 to appear live on TV and articulate to the American people, and the world, America’s strategy for the Iranian regime. Trump’s Iran strategy is transparent and clear (and comprehensive — including three major pillars of Iran’s foreign policy), and it focuses on four main areas: Addressing Iran’s nuclear program and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached between China, France, Russia, Germany, the UK, the US, the EU and the Islamic republic; Tehran’s ballistic missile program; the Iranian regime’s meddling and military interventions in the region; distinguishing between the Iranian regime and the Iranian people. Trump has stated that Iran’s nuclear deal was a victory for the Iranian regime, but a blow to the West and to the region. The mullahs are receiving billions of dollars in revenues while continuing to pursue their nuclear and hegemonic ambitions. And the JCPOA’s sunset clauses removes all restrictions on Iran’s nuclear enrichment program after 2025. Regarding Tehran’s ballistic program, Iran has fired over a dozen ballistic missiles since the nuclear agreement was reached. Trump has urged the international community to consider imposing sanctions on the regime’s ballistic activities. Trump also urged US Congress to pass legislation that would prevent the Iranian regime from obtaining intercontinental ballistic missiles.
When it comes to Iran’s meddling and aggressive behavior in the region, Trump identified the main culprit: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has significant control over Iran’s economic and political sectors. The IRGC uses its military wing, the Quds Force, to train, arm and fund terror groups across the region in order to advance the regime’s agenda. Through instability and conflicts, the IRGC is expanding its influence and achieving the mullahs’ hegemonic ambitions. Trump’s Iran strategy is anchored in historical realities as well. It draws on the history of the mullahs since 1979 and reveals why the regime has not moderated its behavior — why concessions and compromises will not change the fundamental revolutionary ideals, nor the foreign policy, of the Iranian regime, and why that regime cannot be trusted. Trump laid out Iran’s history of terror and hostility ranging from the 1979 hostage taking of American diplomats in Tehran and the 1996 bombing of American military housing in Khobar Towers, Saudi Arabia, to training Al-Qaeda operatives later involved in the 1998 attacks on American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which killed 224 people, and wounded more than 4,000 others. Trump’s strategy also makes a clear distinction between the Iranian regime and the Iranian people, who are the first victims of the regime’s brutality, corruption and suppression. But has Trump actually managed to turn his Iran strategy into effective action?
The US president has made considerable progress toward achieving its objectives. In the coming year, we will probably witness further steps against
the Iranian regime.
While one year is really too short a period over which to assess the implementation of such a comprehensive strategy, Trump has made significant progress toward its objectives. In February, Trump unveiled new sanctions against 13 people and 12 companies in response to Iran’s ballistic missile tests, followed by sanctions of another 18 entities in July. He has also imposed sanctions against the Iranian regime for its ongoing support for terrorism. In August, Trump approved sanctions that not only target the IRGC and Quds Force, but also penalize any US entity that deals with these Iranian institutions and their affiliates.
In October, Trump declined to certify the nuclear deal and introduced further robust sanctions against the IRGC. It is worth noting, too, that the president’s Iran strategy is multilateral; he has sought the cooperation of regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, to confront the threat posed by the Iranian regime.
Some may argue that Trump has not yet fulfilled the promises of his Iran strategy. But strategies for specific countries can take months to be drafted and reviewed once a new president assumes office. Taking this fact into consideration, significant progress has been made in the first year of Trump’s presidency.
The previous US administration, under former President Barack Obama, had implemented an opposing policy of appeasement toward the Iranian regime — full of compromises and concessions — that turned a blind eye to its aggressive behavior. Trump’s Iran policy, though, is comprehensive, multi-dimensional and well-informed. During his first year in office, the president has made a considerable amount of progress toward achieving its objectives. And in the coming year, we will probably witness further steps against the Iranian regime. • Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated, Iranian-American political scientist. He is a leading expert on Iran and US foreign policy, a businessman and president of the International American Council. He serves on the boards of the Harvard International Review, the Harvard International Relations Council and the US-Middle East Chamber for Commerce and Business.

Will changes in Riyadh lead to new era in Israel-Saudi relations?
Oded Eran/Ynetnews/November 10/17
Analysis: The Iranian danger alone likely won’t be enough to openly bring Saudi Arabia and Israel closer together. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman would like to avoid Arab criticism over his ‘betrayal of the Palestinian people.’ A positive Israeli response to the expected American normalization initiative might convince him to take the risk. For decades, Israel argued that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict wasn’t the root of the Middle East’s problems and that the instability in the region was affected by religious and tribal conflicts, autocratic and theocratic regimes or atrocious poverty and water scarcity.
As a former Foreign Ministry official, I can testify that no one listened to us or understood. Six years of an “Arab winter,” millions of refugees, ruined cities and one-third of the Arab League states looking completely different from the way they did a decade ago, made it clear to those who had claimed that solving the conflict with the Palestinians would cure the region’s diseases that Israel isn’t the problem.  In the coming weeks, the Trump administration is expected to launch a new initiative (possibly the same old thing under a different cloak), which includes normalization gestures from Arab states towards Israel. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and US special envoy Jason Greenblatt’s visits to Riyadh strengthen the expectation for Saudi gestures. If such gestures are offered, they will be part of a debate arising in Israel over the content of the initiative and the value of said gestures.
Saudi Arabia is undergoing a quick process of change. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman may become the youngest Arab king, and at the age of 32 he is already leaving his mark on the kingdom. Since 2015, he has been the engine for deep changes in the country’s security, foreign, social and economic policy. Since he began his involvement, Saudi Arabia has been standing firmly and openly against Iran, its nuclear program and its subversive activity in the region, especially in Yemen, Riyadh’s backyard, where Iran is helping the Houthi rebels.
Iran’s subversion isn’t new. The innovations in the past few years were the nuclear effort, former US President Barack Obama’s weakness and helplessness, and Mohammad bin Salman’s meteoric rise. Both Israel and Saudi Arabia watched the American administration’s willingness to strike a deal with Iran, which fails to put a complete lid on its nuclear option, with a lot of concern. Both Israel and Saudi Arabia are learning President Donald Trump, unlike his past version presidential hopeful Donald Trump, won’t walk away from the agreement with Iran unless it is blatantly violated.
Even if they aren’t voicing it clearly, Israel and Saudi Arabia are also concerned about Washington’s tendency to continue the gradual process of retreating from the Middle East. The lack of success in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, the declining dependence—which was never critical—on regional oil sources, and the very small chance for diplomatic achievements as a result of US initiatives are discouraging American investments in the region. Israel and Saudi Arabia are concerned about dormant American involvement in Syria compared to Russia and Iran’s active presence. Furthermore, they suspect that Iran is developing a land corridor beyond the Mediterranean Sea, with the help of its allies—mostly Shiites—who control part of this axis. Lebanon is an integral part of the Iranian plan, and Hezbollah is an essential tool in its implementation. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri’s resignation should be interpreted against this background. Preventing the creation of an Iranian corridor is a heavy strategic mission, which will be hard to accomplish without American involvement. That can explain the slight warmup in Saudi Arabia’s relations with Russia and the stronger Russian-Israeli dialogue on the Syrian issue.
The Iranian danger alone likely won’t be enough to openly bring Saudi Arabia and Israel closer together. Mohammad bin Salman is working on fortifying his inheritance, and it’s unlikely that he wants to expose himself to Arab criticism, especially Iranian, over his “betrayal of the Palestinian people.” A positive Israeli response to the American initiative, once it is formed, might convince him to take the risk.
**Dr. Oded Eran, a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), served as head of Israel's negotiations team with the Palestinians in 1999-2000.

More than just football
Hussein Shobokshi/Al Arabiya/November 10/17
The Arab world is witnessing a massive outpouring of emotions varying between feelings of joy and sadness triggered by the results of the football teams participating in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Russia. Every four years, the Arab masses undergo the same feelings in their quest for “honor” of participation and “opportunity” to reach a certain level. It is clear that the main and major problem lies in the “level” of ambition and the limits of its horizons. As long as the level of ambition is confined to mere “participation” and “attendance” with biggies, the performance will remain modest.
In fact football is a burgeoning industry, which provides means of promoting and marketing people and nations with distinction. Europe made the most of these promotional and marketing means in a very scientific and practical way, which is reflected in its important status both in terms of investment flows and tourism revenues. They also increased the “reliability” and the “reputation” of the European products and services as a result of a very positive mental image in the world. Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and England were the main beneficiaries with the fall in the performance of the teams coming from South America. Only Brazil and Argentina hogged the limelight in the absence of Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Mexico. But something is made up in other parts of the world. There is a long-term “planning”, a sought-after influence and a World Cup. These are the most important items of the international roadmap in the USA, Japan, South Korea and China. The Arab world will continue to live for a long time with the words like “performance”, “honorable representation” and “honor of participation”, which are very isolated and negative
Objective follow up
These countries have drawn up long-term plans for the World Cup itself. The plan includes developing local competitions, buying international talent, bringing in global expertise to oversee management and training, participate in strong competitions and invest in international clubs to ensure competitive opportunities and local talent. And the careful and objective follow-up of the process of these four teams and the large development in their levels in terms of technical and positive results is striking and important. There are other ambitions from some countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Serbia and Croatia. They are all from the eastern European camp. They are seeking to rejuvenate their talent. Also read: Mohamed Salah rejects offer of luxury villa as reward for sending Egypt to World Cup .They seek to do so through creativity and brilliance in football, but their way is different. It will depend primarily on the “export” of talents and competencies in their most important players — clubs of European, American and Asian championships in general. The Arab world will continue to live for a long time with the words like “performance”, “honorable representation” and “honor of participation”, which are very isolated and negative, and limit ambition and hope, because man succeeds to the extent of his ambition. There is a big difference between the fact that football is an entertainment tool and a hobby or, as one Arab leader once called it, “they are busy with the football” or dealing with it as one of the most important tools of marketing, promotion and spread of the country itself. The difference separates the winner who knows the difference.

Saudi anti-corruption drive, a decisive storm to restore hope
Shehab Al-Makahleh/Al Arabiya/November 10/17
Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, with an ambitious program, has started an “internal operation decisive storm” against corruption and extremism with an “operation to restore hope” among Saudi young people who pin high hopes on his as a young king to lead the country.
Mohammad bin Salman plans to modernise the country amid the young Saudi generation viewing him as a “reformer and hardliner”. Some Saudi youngsters, mainly females, even consider him as the J.F. Kennedy of Arabia for his efforts to diversify the economy and turn Saudi Arabia into an influential country in the Middle East. When the crown prince announced that he wanted Saudi Arabia to return to “moderate Islam”, he meant that he is convinced that the kingdom should be the best representative of moderate Islam through more liberties and tolerance. He cannot do that without arranging the “Saudi home” economically, militarily, politically and religiously. The crown prince’s statement few days that he is gearing towards a comprehensive approach to reform the country and to get rid of ideologies that bridled the development of the kingdom. The crown prince said: “What happened in the last 30 years is not Saudi Arabia. What happened in the region in the last 30 years is not the Middle East. After the Iranian revolution in 1979, people wanted to copy this model in different countries — one of them is Saudi Arabia. We didn’t know how to deal with it. And the problem spread all over the world. Now is the time to get rid of it.”All evidence suggest that Saudi Arabia has become accustomed to a different era in terms of its foreign policy and regional alliances
New economic vision
The recent moves including reforming the economic structure of the country, upgrading laws and regulations to attract foreign investments in increase the contribution of the Foreign Direct Investment to the country’s GDP cannot be achieved without gaining the recognition of the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), which is designed to measure equity market performance in global emerging markets.This will help the kingdom be listed in the international capital market and this will lead to further trust of foreign investors in Saudi Arabian economy and market. Combatting terrorism and improving economic conditions Prince Mohammad revealed his commitment to combatting extremism because the majority of Saudis are younger than 30 years. We are simply reverting to what we followed — a moderate Islam open to the world and all religions,” he said.
However, the major focus right now is on Iran and its policies. Since he has catapulted to power, the crown prince has been swinging to proceed with changes for a new era away from any conservative dogmas.
All evidences suggest that Saudi Arabia during the reign of King Salman and Crown Prince have become accustomed to a different era in terms of the kingdom’s foreign policy and regional alliances. When King Salman came to power, many decisive decision have been taken by the crown prince, a message to outsiders that it is the ripe time to shape the new era and its new strategy towards some regional issues. The recent move to counter corruption represent renewed hope of the Saudi people to see the economic, social, cultural, political, artistic, literary and intellectual renaissance in an unfamiliar manner in their country. It was a proof to all those who were suspicious about his intentions to fight corruption. His launch of many investment projects inside and outside Saudi Arabia was not just a bubble because they are in line with the rapid changes taking place in the Kingdom supported by the new generation of young people to build their homeland.
Countering Iranian expansionism
The tension and verbal war between Saudi Arabia and Iran is not new. The relations between the two countries have not reached this level since the end of the Iran-Iraq war in 1988. This means further escalation is predicted in the region with two confrontational points between both sides at the moment: Yemen and Lebanon. The latest escalation was in Lebanon and the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, accusing Iran of controlling Lebanon through the Hezbollah. This would lead to indirect war to be launched on Lebanon to cripple Hezbollah. In Yemen, Saudi Arabia closed all land and air ports to Yemen to conquer the Houthis and regain legitimacy. Since the conclusion of the Iranian nuclear deal in 2015, Saudi Arabia has felt that the United States has not taken Saudi concerns into account regarding the agreement. It has given Iran the freedom and ability to ignite chaos in the region after international sanctions have been lifted to strengthen its position and influence. The Saudis could not hide their disappointment regarding the policies of the administration of former US President Barack Obama in the region. The Saudi side is almost convinced that the Obama administration has left Iran to act freely and to impose its dominance in the region.
The nuclear agreement
Saudi Arabia’s frustration with the American position was not only a result of the nuclear agreement but also of American policy in Syria until Saudis Arabia reached a state of despair over the possibility of any change on the ground to limit Iran’s influence in Syria or find a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
However, developments in Syria since the Russian military intervention in Syria and the dispute between Turkey and Saudi Arabia due to the crisis between Qatar and the Gulf states have been reversed. Iran and Russia, and to a certain extent Turkey, control the situation in Syria and completely don’t talk about Assad’s departure. Saudi Arabia sees Iran as an existential threat in the long term because if it can establish its presence in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, it will have a strategic depth stretching from Tehran to the Mediterranean coast.
The determination of Saudi Arabia on purging Iran’s influence in Yemen, whether through war or through a political solution, stems from its fear of Iran’s influence and the war is in the offing. Who bears more, draws the map of the Middle East.

The impressive and amazing Louvre Abu Dhabi
Mashari Althaydi/Al Arabiya/November 10/17
On Wednesday evening, officials unveiled Louvre Abu Dhabi in the luxurious capital of the UAE.It’s a huge cultural “commercial” project that took a decade to accomplish as they’ve been working on it ever since the agreement between Abu Dhabi and Paris in 2007.French experts who are well-known for their skills in establishing museums are behind this great museum which decorated Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi. It’s a message of tolerance, diversity and openness in a world where guardians of extremism want to propagate hatred, narrow-mindedness and intolerance. The world, whether the ancient one or the modern one, would not have achieved success, engaged in trade and created civilizations and cultures if it hadn’t been for diversity and influential social interaction. The old trade paths passed through the Arabian Peninsula and its seas from the East to the West. This activity over the centuries helped transfer cultures and learn new terms and habits. It also led to many people relocating to other areas and to the exchange and development of various produce and merchandise. It’s a message of tolerance, diversity and openness in a world where guardians of extremism want to propagate hatred and intolerance
Renaissance in Saudi Arabia
There is a huge renaissance in Saudi Arabia in terms of respecting the high value of the kingdom’s antiques throughout the eras. The first international gathering on Saudi antiques is currently being held in Saudi Arabia after the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage arranged it.
Establishing huge museums is part of the Saudi national project. The vision’s godfather Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman once asked: “Is it possible that the most important Islamic country does not have an Islamic museum?” and promised that the Saudi Islamic museum will be the largest in the world.
Louvre Abu Dhabi includes a room that displays a copy of the holy Quran that dates back to the 19th century. The copy was handwritten with gold water on blue manuscripts. There is also a copy of Torah and a copy of the Bible that dates back to the 13th century.
In addition to these old manuscripts, there are also paintings by major artists and sculptors whose works nourish the aesthetic sense and deepen one’s reflective and critique capabilities. These create a delicate conscience, or they’re supposed to.
The museum also has economic benefits as experts said it will receive around 5,000 visitors during the first days after it was opened. This sends a significant message, particularly during these difficult times. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed said opening the Louvre reflected a multicultural heritage.
Meanwhile, the President of France, the UAE’s partner, Emmanuel Macron, commented on inaugurating the museum and said those who want to make others think that Islam is built by destroying others are “liars.”We want more of these wonderful achievements that end darkness and transition into glorious light.

The special role of Russian Muslims in Russian-Saudi relations
Diana Galeeva/Al Arabiya/November 10/17
Russian Muslims are now, as they have ever been, very important for strengthening relations between Russia and the Muslim world, and especially with Saudi Arabia, which, with the cities of Mecca and Medina, is its heart. Learning from the lessons and experiences of the past, Russian Muslims are proud of their cultural heritage but coexist in peace and tolerance with other religions and nationalities. For centuries Russian Muslims have been establishing close cultural and economic relations between their own nations and the Islamic states, and have been important in actively maintaining their relationships with the Muslim world, especially Russian-Saudi relations. The significance of the unprecedented visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Russia, almost a century after the two countries established relations, should not be underestimated. A historic event for both countries, the visit is a sign of strengthening bilateral relations.
Rarely is it possible to see such a high level of involvement and presence of Russian political elites during an official visit. Among those present during King Salman’s visit were many with high-ranking positions in the federal and regional structures of the state, including the President of the Russian Federation, the Prime Minister and federal ministers, some of the leaders of constituent entities of Russia, and religious authorities.
The active involvement and presence of the heads of republics with large Muslim populations, such as the President of Tatarstan Republic, Rustam Minnikhanov, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, and the head of the Ingushetia, Yunus-bek Yevkurov, is no coincidence.
For years these leaders worked hard to establish relations by making official visits to Saudi Arabia, where they met with the Kingdoms’ leadership, establishing economic ties, and indeed performing the mandatory religious duty of every Muslim, the hajj or umrah (‘small hajj’); some even being honored with an invitation to enter the holiest site of Islam, the Kaaba. The fact that only a few Russians, among them abovementioned leaders of republics, have been permitted by the Saudi King – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques – to be inside the Kaaba, demonstrates the personal impact and the special role of all Muslim Russians in general for building close relations with the Kingdom, contributing to the trust and respect that maintains relations between their own nations and Saudi Arabia. Even though Russian population is predominantly Christian, Islam is the second most widely professed religion and the presence of Muslims in Russia strengthens cultural and religious ties with Saudi Arabia
Diana Galeeva
Between Islamic world and Russia 9th -12th century
The visit of the Saudi King to Moscow was a long time in the making, with various arrangements having been discussed in the years prior to its fruition in 2017. The idea only became a reality when the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, during an official visit to Riyadh in 2017, delivered an official invitation to King Salman to visit Russia. It is not surprising that such a special mission was completed by one of the heads of the republics with large Muslim populations.
As history demonstrates, religious similarities have encouraged the building of economic and cultural relations between Islamic countries, and, due to their geographical proximity and historical events, they learned to live in peaceful coexistence and tolerance with other nations and religions located in Russia, and contributed to Russia’s status in the international arena.
Within the limitations of this article, it would be impossible to examine the history of all the nations from which modern Russian Muslims descend, however, the development of the Kazan (Volga) Tatars is a particularly telling example of the progression described above.
The establishment of the nationhood of the Kazan (Volga) Tatars occurred during 9th -10th century, when the Bolgar tribes reached the Middle Volga. After the fall of the Empire of Khazars, Volga Bolgaria emerged as one of the dynamic, developing state of the tenth and eleventh centuries. Referring to Volga Bulgaria in the tenth century, the Encyclopedia of Islam calls the soaring urbanization in the territories ‘huge progress’, while, at the end of the tenth and beginning of eleventh century, there were more than 150 settlements in Volga Bulgaria.
In the twelfth century, the Arab traveler al-Dzavaliki stated: ‘In their constructions (of the Bolgars) one can discern recollections of the constructions of Rum (Constantinople). They are great people. Their city called Bolgar, it is a great city’. Most scholars identify the acceptance of Islam as the key reason for this spiritual, cultural and economic development.
The secretary of the Baghdad embassy, Ahmad ibn Fadlan, along with a whole suite of teachers and experts of Islam, educators, builders, and craftsmen, visited Volga Bulgaria on May 12th, in 922 AD. Acceptance of Islam had a great impact on urban development, crafts, agriculture and the growth of trade. Volga Bulgaria built diplomatic relations with Islamic states, along with active cultural exchange. V. Tatischev, who viewed the still lasting Bulgar ruins three hundred years ago states:
The existing ruins of the great Bulgar cities built of stone in a very artful manner and other Bulgar structures bear witness to the fact that people excelled in skills, crafts and trade. The old Arab coins found in the ground prove that they traded with Saracents [a reference to people who lived in Arabia Petraea. The term is associated with tribes of Arabia as well] and India, the sovereign monarchs of which had their names imprinted on the coins.
Moreover, Volga Bulgars built peaceful relations with their neighbors – Kievan Rus. Russian scholars emphasise the importance of the Russian-Bulgar treaty of 985, after which both Kievan Rus and Volga Bulgaria went through a long time of civil peace, and this treaty permitted both states to develop their culture and economy, while creating dynastic and international relationships with the rest of the world. A famous Russian historian N. Karamzin wrote about this event:
…Vladimir complied, and concluded peace with the Bolgars who solemnly promised to live in friendship with the Russians, affirming their oath with the following simple words: ‘Not even when a stone floats and hops sink in water will we break this treaty of ours.’ – If not with a tribute, the Great prince returned to his capital with much esteem and rich gifts.
The famous Tatar scholar, Buharaev, states that the importance of this treaty is in establishing the foundation for a century of state relations between Kievan Rus and the Volga Bulgaria. Giving an example of this, he states that when Vladimir wanted to choose the faith for his country in 986-987 AD, the first ambassadors to arrive were from Volga Bulgaria, who suggested Islam. According to annals, however, Vladimir refused to accept Islam, as it does not allow the drinking of alcohol.
13th – 16th century
Looking back, the peace treaty of 985 became prophetic as, after centuries of statehood developing one way, the states of Volga Bulgaria and Kievan Rus, learned painful lessons before starting to live in peaceful coexistence. In 1236, the Mongol invasion marked the end of the first completely independent stage of Volga Bulgaria, and it became a part of a new empire – the Golden Horde.
In the Middle Ages, both ancient Russian and Volga Bulgaria belonged to the Golden Horde. In the mid-1400s, with the forming of the Kazan khanate, Kazan became the political capital of the entire Middle Volga region, along with being a cultural, religious and trade hub. Due to the developing economy and the beneficial location of Kazan on the influx of the Kazanka and Volga rivers, Kazan was rapidly converted into a strong geopolitical opponent of Moscow.
The last phase of the independent statehood of Tatars lasted until 1532, when it was subdued by the Muscovite army of Ivan the Terrible. Kazan Tatars, along with other cultures and nations, officially went with the way of one Russian state. As the subjugator of Kazan, A. Kurbsky remarks: ‘Besides the Tatars, in that tsardom there are five other tongues: Mordovian, Chuvash, Cheremis, Udmurt or Arsk, and the fifth is Bashkir’.
As most academics conclude, the capture of Kazan turned Russia from a unitary state to a multinational state. By contrast, there is the fact that with the capture of Kazan, the five-centuries-old nationhood of Kazan Tatars came to an end.
20th century
The proclamation of ‘the parade of sovereignties’ in 1990s tested the peace that characterized the building of a multination state.
All Islamic Russian nations got their own unique development of sharing one path of statehood with the Russian state; however, the events of the late twentieth century demonstrated the painful consequences of playing on national feelings, and the importance of wise decision making in such situations.
Considering Tatarstan’s experience, progress was made only through painful negotiations with nationalists and the federal government, and in other parts of Russia, such as Chechnya, sadly, through wars.
The Russian Federation declared its state sovereignty in the still existing USSR on the 12th June, 1990. The Chairman of the Russian Federation, in August, 1990 when he visited Kazan, proclaimed: ‘The Tatar Republic is free to take as much sovereignty as it can possibly swallow’. Thus, the republic declared its sovereignty on August 30th, 1990 – as with Russia – in the context of the still-existent USSR. In 1999, commenting on these events and recalling his speech after the declaration was accepted, Mintimer Shaimiev, the first President of the Tatarstan Republic, stated:
almost ten years after the event, I still hold to every word I said then? The speech was so spontaneous, and I did not prepare myself for it beforehand. But then, looking back at my life, I realized – I was prepared. I knew the history of the Tatar people, its need for rights in the Russian Tsarist Empire and during the Soviet years, its colossal economic and spiritual potential, friendliness, industriousness, historical willingness to live in peace and friendship with others, its great aspiration for freedom.
In 1991 thousands of strong demonstrations were held within Tatarstan (in the capital, Kazan and the oil-rich city Almetyevsk) demanding national freedom and complete independence from Moscow. One of the strong separatist voices was the nationalist movement directed by the radical ‘Ittifak’ party. Ittifak, proclaiming: ‘Tatarstan for the Tatars’ demanded immediate independence. They believed that Russians should be denied citizenship, and that Tatar should be the republic’s sole language. They also declared territorial claims on Bashkiria, Ul’ianovsk oblasts and Perm.
Shaimiev, the first President of the Tatarstan Republic, and his government, despite all the difficulties were able to deal with the Moscow leadership and Tatarstan’s radical opposition. As Tatar academic Buharaev states: ‘Mintimer Shaimiev maintained his mainstream vision of the future for his nation, which was always rooted in the continuity of Tatar history’.
Due to wise vision of Shaimiev, Tatars – on the verge of violent confrontation between Russians and Tatars, Christians and Muslims – were able to continue the policy of peaceful coexistence. These events cemented the values of tolerance in the society such that representatives of different nationalities could respect each other for their uniqueness, and build strong friendships.
It is common to witness Christians congratulating Muslims with Eid, or participating in occasions related with Muslim traditions (such as Muslim weddings) and respecting Islamic obligations on such occasions (by wearing veils, for example). Likewise, Muslims may congratulate Christians at Easter, and paint eggs with their Christian friends.
Islam: the religion of union
Despite the fact that the Russian population is predominantly Christian, Islam is the second most widely professed religion in the state, and the presence of Muslims in Russia undoubtedly strengthens cultural and religious ties with Saudi Arabia.
The meeting between the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Islamic leaders of Russia on October 7th was unique; it had never happened in such a format. Highlighting the significance of such a meeting between the King Salman and religious leaders, Sheikh Salah Megiev, the Mufti of Chechnya stated: ‘We, as Muslims of Russia, are proud of this visit and we look forward to opening a new horizon for the Muslims of Russia in cooperation with the Kingdom and the entire Islamic world’.
Indeed, it should be mentioned that despite the lack of particularly deep diplomatic ties between Russia and Saudi Arabia, for Russian Muslims, Saudi Arabia has always held a greatly respected and essential place in their religious lives, as the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage.
During the meeting, one topic of discussion was the increasing hajj pilgrimage quota to help to deepen bilateral relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s special place for Russian Muslims, which strengthen religious ties, related with the fact that they are mostly Sunni population.
Even if the Russian Federation aligns itself with Iran, due to the philosophical foundation in which the Iranian regime builds its sectarian policies, for Iran itself, religious ties with Muslim Russians are not possible. By contrast, Russian Muslims are not involved in such divisions. If asked which sect of Islam they represent, a Russian Muslim would rarely differentiate between Sunni or Shia. The most common answer would be ‘We are Muslims’.
The upcoming cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Muslim Russians can be related with the kingdom’s goals of transforming into an open society, and returning to ‘moderate Islam’.
A few weeks after the visit of King Salman to Russia, the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated: ‘We are simply reverting to what we followed – a moderate Islam, open to the world and all religions. 70 percent of the Saudis are younger than 30, honestly we won’t waste 30 years of our life combating extremist thoughts, we will destroy them now and immediately’. Russian Muslims can share their own experience on the grounds that they have a proven record of peaceful coexistence with other cultures.
The historical events mentioned above have massively affected the Russian Muslim population’s respect of others, setting the virtues of tolerance and peace at the heart of their capacity to coexist with those of different religions and more than 190 nationalities.
During the King Salman’s visit to Russia, Sheikh Salah Megiev mentioned that the King’s visit will increase relations between the religious institutions in Russia and Saudi Arabia for ‘a successful cooperation in spreading the tolerance and moderation of Islam, benefiting from the accumulated experience to promote the moderate religious discourse, which recognizes the principle of moderation and establishes the real concepts of Islam and fight extremism [sic]’.
The Russian Muslims’ experience can be referred to as an example of how Muslims can be brought together by respecting uniqueness and difference as a means to peaceful cooperation. Having a special status in the entire Islamic world, Saudi Arabia referring to moderate Islam and informed by the experiences of others, can become a unifying influence in the Islamic world by driving this vision of tolerance.
The economic advantages of religion
As was demonstrated in the section: ‘Russian Muslims: finding a place between the Islamic world and Russia’, an acceptance of Islam became key to the Volga (Kazan) Tatars’ spiritual, cultural and economic development. A shared religion also helps Russian Muslims today to be among the pioneers (compared with other constituent entities of the Russian Federation) establishing economic and diplomatic ties with the GCC states, and especially with Saudi Arabia.
In March 2017, the Head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, met with ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to discuss investment opportunities, including agriculture and tourism. The states are already involved in some projects in the territory of Chechnya. In November 2016, in his official visit to Saudi Arabia, Ramzan Kadyrov met with Mohamed bin Salman, where the Crown Prince accepted an invitation to visit Chechnya.
Moreover, during the official visit of the Tatarstan leader in February 2017, while meeting with the King, Minnikhanov presented the International Forum Kazan Summit, and invited the Saudi delegation to Kazan. During the meeting between the delegation of Tatarstan and the CEO of SALIC (Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company), Abdullah Aldubaikhi agreed to facilitate cooperation in agriculture and cattle breeding. Tatarstan expressed interested in deliveries of KAMAZ vehicles, helicopters, cargo, petrochemical products, fertilizers, oil and gas production equipment.
Saudi Arabia, declared their intention to work in the field of growing cereals and processing milk for export to the Kingdom. During the recent visit of King Salman, Minnikhanov presented the activity of group of Strategic Vision ‘Russia – Islamic World’, and suggested holding its next meeting in Saudi Arabia.
The King accepted this offer and gave corresponding instructions. In addition, the President of Tatarstan proposed holding a meeting of the joint Russian-Saudi intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan. Thus, historically and at present, republics with Islamic connections have advantages in building economic ties with Saudi Arabia, compared to other constituent entities of Russia.
The shared religion encourages special and warm relations that help to build trust and strengthen relations between Russian Muslims and the Kingdom, and as a result, between Saudi Arabia and Russia.