LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
March 30/2018
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani

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Bible Quotations
Great Friday of the Crucifixion/These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘None of his bones shall be broken.’ And again another passage of scripture says, ‘They will look on the one whom they have pierced
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 19,31-37/Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘None of his bones shall be broken.’ And again another passage of scripture says, ‘They will look on the one whom they have pierced.’

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on March 29-30/18
Thursday of the Holy Mysteries: Sacraments, Humility and Temptation/Elias Bejjani/March 29/18
Report: Israeli stealth fighters fly over Iran/Jerusalem Post/March 29/18
The Secret World of the Palestinian Authority/Bassam Tawil/Gatestone Institute/March 29/2018
Trump and the war hawk/Ahmad al-Farraj/Al Arabiya/March 29/18
A China-Pakistan Base Deal Could Put Iran on the Back Foot/Farzin Nadimi/Washington Institute/March 29/18
The contours of a non-imminent war/Hazem al-Amin/Al Arabiya/March 29/18
Doha’s fingerprints all over false news, cybercrimes/Mamdouh AlMuhaini/Al Arabiya/March 29/18

Titles For Latest LCCC Lebanese Related News published on March 29-30/18
Thursday of the Holy Mysteries: Sacraments, Humility and Temptation
Parliament Approves 2018 State Budget
Berri: Electoral Law Article on Voting Cards to be Amended
Supreme Judicial Council Says Judiciary Won't Boycott Elections
Bukhari Says Saudis May Return to Lebanon as 'Biggest Emirati Plane' Lands at RHIA
Superjumbo Flight to Lebanon Brings Hopes of Tourism Revival
Franjieh Accuses Aoun of 'Interfering in Elections'
Shorter Hosts Fund Raising Night for 'Smartcrutches for Lebanon' Project
STL Registrar Meets Lebanese Officials on Working Visit to Beirut
Senior U.S. Army Commander Concludes Visit to Lebanon
Hariri congratulates Sisi, receives World Bank regional director
Aoun Says Bankruptcy Warning Aimed at Prompting Counteraction
Aoun sounds optimistic about situation in Lebanon
Finance Minister Admits to Violations as Lebanon Is Yet to Be a State of Law
Hankache Takes Pride in Kataeb's History, Vision for Future
Salameh Rejects Devaluation of Pound
BDL Governor: Talks about Bankruptcy are Political Exaggeration
Lebanon: Civil Society Runs for Elections With 66 Candidates in 9 Electoral Districts
Frangieh criticizes Aoun electoral 'interference'

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on March 29-30/18

On Easter, Israel Prevents Christian Gaza Youth From Entering Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Iran Trains Two Saudis to Target Oil Pipelines
Iraq Wants to Stay Out of US-Iran Conflict
New Deal on Douma, Tal Rifaat to Divide Syria
Syrian army prepares “huge” operation in Douma as pressure mounts
Streets of Syria’s 'Neutral' Suwaida are Free of Assad’s Photos
Security Minister: Britain to Introduce New Counter-terrorism Legislation
World’s Biggest Solar Power Project in Saudi Arabia
Al-Sisi Reelected with More than 90% of Vote
Egyptian Artists Add Festive Mood to Presidential Elections
Egyptian Artists Add Festive Mood to Presidential Elections
Protests continue in Ahwaz as Iranian forces use violence to limit them
Saudi Arabia Grants Investment Licenses to 13 American Firms
Security Minister: Britain to Introduce New Counter-terrorism Legislation
Sisi leads polls while Egypt awaits election turnout
Egyptian Artists Add Festive Mood to Presidential Elections
UN Security Council: Houthi Missiles Are Serious Threat to KSA, Regional Security
Hadi Calls on Stopping Iran’s Interferences in Region
Driver Tries to Ram Soldiers as France Mourns Terror Victims
SoftBank's CEO: Vision 2030 Is Consistent with Our Vision

Latest Lebanese Related News published on March 29-30/18

Thursday of the Holy Mysteries: Sacraments, Humility and Temptation
Elias Bejjani
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/38445
On the Thursday that comes before the “Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified, Catholics all over the world, including our Maronite Eastern Church celebrates with prayers and intercessions the “Thursday of the Holy Mysteries”, which is also known as the “Washing Thursday “, the “Covenant Thursday”, and the “Great & Holy Thursday”. It is the holy day feast that falls on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His 12 Apostles as described in the gospel. It is the fifth day of the last Lenten Holy Week, that is followed by the, “Good Friday”, “Saturday Of The Light and “Easter Sunday”.
Christianity in its essence and core is Love, Sacrifice, honesty, transparency, devotion, hard work and Humility. Jesus during the last supper with His 12 Apostles reiterated and stressed all these Godly values and principles. In this holy and message proclaiming context He executed the following acts : He, ordained His Apostles as priests, and asked them to proclaim God’s message. “You have stayed with me all through my trials; 29 and just as my Father has given me the right to rule, so I will give you the same right. 30 You will eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to rule over the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22/28 and 29)
He, taught His Apostles and every body else, that evil temptation and betrayal can hit all those who detach and dissociate themselves from God, do not fear Him, lack faith, lose hope and worship earthly treasures. He showed them by example that even a disciple that He personally had picked and choose (Judas, the Iscariot) has fell a prey to Satan’s temptation. “But, look! The one who betrays me is here at the table with me! The Son of Man will die as God has decided, but how terrible for that man who betrays him!” Luke 22/21)
He, washed His Apostles’ feet to teach them by example modesty, devotion and humility. “So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13/12-16).
Modesty was stressed and explained by Jesus after His Apostles were arguing among themselves who is the greatest: “An argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them should be thought of as the greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the pagans have power over their people, and the rulers claim the title ‘Friends of the People.’ But this is not the way it is with you; rather, the greatest one among you must be like the youngest, and the leader must be like the servant. Who is greater, the one who sits down to eat or the one who serves? The one who sits down, of course. But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22/24 till 27)
Thursday of the “Holy Mysteries”, is called so because in His Last Supper with the 12 disciples, Jesus Christ established the Eucharist and Priesthood Sacraments when “He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this, and share it among yourselves, for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God comes.” “He took bread, broke it and gave it to the disciples saying: This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me. And when He Likewise, took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you”.
Thursday of the Holy Mysteries (Secrets-Sacraments) is the heart of the last Lenten holy week, in which the Maronite Catholic Church lives with reverence and devotion the Lord’s Last Supper spirit and contemplation through prayers and deeply rooted religious rituals and traditions:
The Patriarch prays over and blesses the chrism (Al-Myroun), as well as the oil of baptism and anointing that are to are distributed on all parishes and churches.
During the mass that is held on this Holy Day, the priest washes the feet of twelve worshipers, mainly children (symbolizing the apostles numbers). Jesus washed His disciples feet and commanded them to love each other and follow his example in serving each other.
Worshipers visit and pray in seven Churches. This ritual denotes to the completion of the Church’s Seven sacraments (Secrets) : Priesthood, Eucharist, Holy Oil, Baptism, Confirmations, anointing and Service.
This tradition also denotes to the seven locations that Virgin Mary’s went to look for Her Son, Jesus, after she learned about His arrest. The detention place, The Council of the Priests, twice the Pilate’s headquarters, twice the Herod Headquarters, till She got to the Calvary.
Some Christian scholars believe that this tradition was originated in Rome where early pilgrims visited the seven pilgrim churches as an act of penance. They are Saint John Lateran, Saint Peter, Saint Mary Major, Saint Paul-outside-the-Walls, Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls, Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem, and traditionally Saint Sebastian Outside the Walls. Pope John Paul II replaced St. Sebastian with the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Divine Love for the jubilee year of 2000.
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper is accompanied by the ringing of bells, which are then silent until the Easter Vigil. Worshipers used to kneel and pray the rosary in front of the Eucharist (Blessed Sacrament) all Thursday night. The Blessed Sacrament remains exposed all night, while worshipers are encouraged to stay in the church as much as they can praying, meditating upon the Mystery of Salvation, and participating in the “agony of Gethsemane” (Garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives) in Jerusalem where Jesus spent his night in prayer before His crucifixion on Good Friday.
After the homily washing of feet the service concludes with a procession taking the Blessed Eucharist (Sacrament) to the place of reposition. The altar is later stripped bare, as are all other altars in the church except the Altar of Repose.
Thursday of the “Holy Mysteries”, is called so because in His Last Supper with the 12 disciples, Jesus Christ established the Eucharist and Priesthood Sacraments when “He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this, and share it among yourselves, for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God comes.” “He took bread, broke it and gave it to the disciples saying: This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me. And when He Likewise, took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you”.
Jesus ordained His disciples as priests of the New Testament when he said to them during the Last Supper: “But you are those who have continued with me in my trials. I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”Before Celebrating the Resurrection Day (Easter) worshipers live the “Paschal Mystery” through the Thursday Of the Sacraments, Good Friday and Saturday Of The Light.
Because He loves us and wants us to dwell in His Eternal Heaven, Jesus Christ for our sake willingly suffered all kinds of torture, pain, humiliation and died on the Cross to pave our way for repentance and salvation.
Let us pray on this Holy Day that we always remember Jesus’ love and sacrifices and live our life in this context of genuine, faith, love, meekness and forgiveness.

Parliament Approves 2018 State Budget
Naharnet/March 29/18/The parliament on Thursday approved the 2018 state budget after two days of discussions. Fifty MPs voted in favor of the law as MPs Sami Gemayel and Serge Torsarkissian voted against and Hizbullah's 11 MPs abstained. The legislature held morning and evening sessions that involved a brief loss of quorum. Speaker Nabih Berri was alerted by MP Sami Gemayel about the loss of quorum, which prompted him to ask the heads of blocs to call MPs and ask them to attend the session to prevent a possible constitutional challenge against the vote on the budget. TV networks said Berri appointed “two guards at the door of the parliament hall to prevent MPs from leaving.”At the beginning of the session, Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil stressed keenness on approving state budgets “within the constitutional deadlines and in line with the norms.”“No spending has been left out of the state budget and the electricity loan is listed as part of the expenditure,” Khalil added. Prime Minister Saad Hariri meanwhile blamed “the political situation in the country” for the delay in approving this year's state budget.Responding to criticism from MPs, Hariri said suggestions that the discussion of the budget is being “rushed” ahead of the CEDRE economic conference are “unacceptable.” “We are before a chance to accomplish major projects that have been planned with the aim of developing the country and support meetings are aimed at financing them,” Hariri noted. Some MPs, mainly Hassan Fadlallah of the Loyalty to Resistance bloc, had decried Wednesday that “the budget is being discussed under the pressure of time and it is being rushed,” adding that “there is a clear flaw in accounts and records.” Hariri added: “We are not a bankrupted state, but now we cannot pay for everything. Our role is to slash expenditure and to balance growth and spending... You should know that the reforms will be painful and if we resort to austerity, it will be in citizens' interest.”

Berri: Electoral Law Article on Voting Cards to be Amended
Naharnet/March 29/18/Speaker Nabih Berri has announced that Article 84 of the electoral law, which stipulates the use of magnetic voting cards, will be amended during Thursday's ongoing legislative session. Authorities have failed to introduce the cards into this year's electoral process under the excuse of pressing deadlines and political disputes. Voters will alternatively be allowed to use national identity cards and passports. Thursday's amendment will likely suspend the article to prevent possible constitutional appeals against the results of the elections.

Supreme Judicial Council Says Judiciary Won't Boycott Elections
Naharnet/March 29/18/Supreme Judicial Council chief Judge Jean Fahed reassured Thursday that the judiciary will not boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections, amid a continued strike by judges demanding social compensations and pay hikes. “Judicial supervision of the electoral process will inevitably happen and it is not part of any bargains or developments,” Fahed said at a rare press conference. “The promises that the judges have received have not been translated into laws that put an end to our grievances,” Fahed added, noting that the strike is aimed at “drawing attention to the fact that what's happening could destroy what's left of the judicial authority.”“The judge must be immunized and we expect lawmakers to pass legislative decrees that allow judges to sue every official away from immunities,” the high-ranking judge went on to say. Judges have called on the government and parliament to address their demands as to the treasury's contribution to their solidarity fund and as to equalizing judges' salaries to those of first-degree administration officials.

Bukhari Says Saudis May Return to Lebanon as 'Biggest Emirati Plane' Lands at RHIA
Naharnet/March 29/18/Saudi Arabia is mulling the possibility of lifting the ban on the travel of Saudi tourists to Lebanon, Saudi charge d'affaires in Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari said on Thursday. “The lifting of the Saudi travel warning for Lebanon is being studied and this issue depends on the security indications that we receive from the Lebanese government,” Bukhari said at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport upon the arrival of “the world's biggest passenger plane,” an Emirates airline Airbus A380 jet. Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil has on March 12 asked Bukhari to “urge the Saudi leadership to lift the ban on the travel of Saudi citizens to Lebanon, which would encourage other Gulf states to follow suit.”Prime Minister Saad Hariri had announced earlier that Gulf states may soon lift the travel bans they have imposed on Lebanon. “This would reflect positively on the tourism sector and on the economy in general,” Hariri added. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait had in November warned their citizens against travel to Lebanon, amid a Lebanese-Saudi crisis sparked by Hariri's controversial resignation from Riyadh which he has since rescinded. Saudi Arabia said at the time that it considers Hizbullah's participation in the Lebanese government an "act of war" against the kingdom. Several Lebanon travel warnings have been issued by the Gulf states in recent years amid political tensions and security fears.

Superjumbo Flight to Lebanon Brings Hopes of Tourism Revival
Associated Press/Naharnet/March 29/18/The world's largest passenger jet landed at Beirut's international airport on Thursday, bringing with it hopes of a sustained revival to Lebanon's tourism and travel sectors. The one-off Emirates Airbus A380 flight from Dubai was a nod to the substantial passenger traffic between Lebanon and Gulf nations, where many Lebanese nationals work, and many more pass through on the way to destinations farther afield. Emirates said it scheduled the flight, the first of its kind to carry paying passengers to Beirut to see if the airport was ready to handle regular A380 service. Lebanese officials will hope the results return positive, as tourism arrivals climb to levels last seen in 2010. Lebanon welcomed 1.85 million tourists in 2017, according to the Tourism Ministry, the most since 2.16 million came in 2010, after which civil strife in Syria and political uncertainty in Lebanon sent the industry into a protracted depression. There are nine flights daily from Dubai to Beirut, on three different carriers. Tourism is one of the key pillars of Lebanon's economy, contributing to 19 percent of the country's GDP, according to the UK-based World Travel and Tourism Council.
However, Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport, Lebanon's only commercial airfield, is sorely out-of-date and lines at security can stretch for hours in the summer months, when throngs of expatriates visit the country for business and pleasure.
The airport, renovated in 1992 after the civil war, is designed to handle 6 million passengers annually. In 2017, it saw over 8 million, according to the airport's research department. Its gate areas are grimy and gloomy — a poor reflection of politicians' outsized ambitions for the national tourism industry.Lebanon's cabinet and the country's flagship airline, Middle East Airlines, are considering two plans to expand and improve the airport's facilities, one costing $88 million and the other $200 million. Their aim is to expand capacity to 10 million passengers annually by 2020 and then support continued growth beyond that.

Franjieh Accuses Aoun of 'Interfering in Elections'
Naharnet/March 29/18/Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh on Thursday accused President Michel Aoun of “interfering in elections.”“What are the achievements of the president until the moment? A strong president must unite all Lebanese and citizens should embrace him from the South all the way to the North, but it is unacceptable when he interferes in elections and in the formation of the lists,” Franjieh said during a meeting with reporters. Asked about the relation with Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, the northern leader said: “They have waged a war against us, through social networking websites and their media.”“They are practicing a negative policy and this will not lead to a result. Had they resorted to positivity, it would have been better,” Franjieh added. “They have found common ground with the Jamaa Islamiya, al-Mustaqbal Movement and other parties, but they have failed to find common ground with the Christian parties. They consider themselves the representatives of Christians but Christians cannot be represented through negativity,” the Marada chief went on to say. “They have abandoned their allies and not vice versa,” Franjieh said. He also accused the FPM of “shifting from fighting feudalism to becoming a family party and from fighting corruption to passing shady deals.” “Why are they clinging to an issue that costs $700 million whereas they want to rent it for a billion dollars,” Franjieh added, referring to the issue of renting power generation ships.

Shorter Hosts Fund Raising Night for 'Smartcrutches for Lebanon' Project
Naharnet/March 29/18/“It’s a life changer,” says 'Smartcrutch Ambassador in Lebanon', Hasan, who – disabled from birth '' has been using these revolutionary UK-made crutches, for over a year. Using conventional crutches for more than 20 years affected his mobility and wore out the flesh on his fingers, causing them to bleed constantly. Today, Hasan’s hands are healing much faster, his mobility has become easier and as a husband and new father he is able to independently support his family. Under the 'GREAT' Campaign, British Ambassador to Lebanon Hugo Shorter hosted a fund raising music night for the ‘Smartcrutches for Lebanon’ project in support of ‘Smartmove’, a group of private individuals from Lebanon and the UK who were inspired by Hasan’s story. The event was attended by friends of the embassy and ‘Smartmove’ across the social, political, media, health and business spheres, successfully exceeding its fundraising target of $15,000 to over $17,000 so far to buy more than 140 pairs of Smartcrutch for people and children with disability. Welcoming his guests, Ambassador Shorter spoke about previous fundraising events hosted by the embassy for other good causes, and highlighted “the important work that Arc-en-ciel and LPHU are doing for people with disabilities in Lebanon.”He also spoke about how the UK has been “outward facing in science, technology and innovation, moving away from conventional methods, with Smartcrutches being one clear example.”He also explained how other breakthroughs, such as revolutionary adjustable glasses bringing 20/20 vision, and off-road wheelchairs designed to cope with rough terrain, are helping thousands of people in the world’s poorest countries . Last but not least Shorter thanked the sponsors who offered British food, drinks, prizes and auction items, and also thanked his guests for their generous contributions. The Smartcrutch is a new generation mobility aid that offers advanced flexibility and comfort for those suffering from a variety of physical issues that require the use of crutches. The unique design of the Smartcrutch spreads the load of the body weight on the whole forearm, which releases pressure and pain from the hands and wrists. Long term use of conventional crutches often results in chronic pain and injury to the hands and wrists owing to the immense pressure of the load they carry. An official ceremony will be held later in the year to hand the 140+ pairs of Smartcrutches over to two prominent NGO’s: Arc-en-Ciel and the Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union, who will distribute them to the most disadvantaged people with disabilities. The event will also include handing over several pairs of junior crutches donated by Smartcrutch for disabled children.

STL Registrar Meets Lebanese Officials on Working Visit to Beirut
Naharnet/March 29/18/The Registrar of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) Daryl Mundis met with Prime Minister Saad Hariri during a working visit to Beirut this week and discussed various matters related to the work of the Tribunal, the STL said on Thursday. He also met with Prosecutor General Samir Hammoud and members of the diplomatic community in Lebanon. The STL Registrar is responsible for all aspects of the Tribunal's administration including the budget, fundraising, human resources and providing security. His responsibilities also include court management, the oversight of the Victims’ Participation Unit, witness protection and language services. The Tribunal is trying in absentia four alleged Hizbullah members accused of involvement in the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri. Earlier this month, prosecutors wrapped up their case after four years. They called more than 260 witnesses and showed judges some 2,470 exhibits as they laid out their case that the four suspects plotted together to blow up Hariri with a massive truck bomb.Hizbullah has denied involvement in Hariri's assassination. The case against a fifth suspect, Hizbullah military commander Mustafa Badreddine, was halted in 2016 after he was killed in Syria.

Senior U.S. Army Commander Concludes Visit to Lebanon
Naharnet/March 29/18/U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) Deputy Commander Major General Terrence J. McKenrick has concluded his visit to Lebanon, the U.S. embassy said on Thursday. During his visit, he met with Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Joseph Aoun and other senior LAF officials, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth H. Richard. In his meetings, McKenrick renewed "the U.S. government’s commitment to the Lebanese-American partnership and support to the LAF in their capacity as the sole defender of Lebanon," the embassy said in a statement. It added: "As recently stated at the Rome Conference in support of Lebanese state security institutions, this year, the United States will complete the delivery of six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and 32 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, which are part of $340 million in assistance to improve the LAF’s capability in the air and to build its modern, mechanized maneuver capability on the ground."

Hariri congratulates Sisi, receives World Bank regional director
Thu 29 Mar 2018/NNA - Prime Minister Saad Hariri received this afternoon at the Center House the World Bank Regional Director for the Mashreq, Saroj Kumar Jha, and the International Finance Corporation IFC Senior Country Officer, Saad Sabrah, in the presence of Hariri’s advisor Nadim Munla. Separately, Hariri sent a cable to the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi congratulating him in his personal name and in the name of the Lebanese government on his reelection as President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. He congratulated him on the efforts he is exerting to protect Egypt and his persistence in confronting terrorism and extremism. Hariri added: "I ask God Almighty to crown your actions with victory and to protect Egypt and its people from all evil."

Aoun Says Bankruptcy Warning Aimed at Prompting Counteraction
Kataeb.org/Thu 29 Mar 2018/President Michel Aoun on Thursday said that it is the media's duty to uncover those involved in corruption and shed the light on those who are truly fighting it, stressing that he had warned that the country is bankrupt so as to mobilize all officials and compel them to assume their responsibilities. During a meeting with a Press Federation delegation, Aoun said that Lebanon urgently needs to buy electricity from any available source, adding that he would only object to the offered prices if they are to be found high. "I am optimistic about the future. We will overcome hardships no matter how tough they get," he assured.

Aoun sounds optimistic about situation in Lebanon
Thu 29 Mar 2018/NNA - President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, on Thursday said he was optimistic about the course of developments in Lebanon, stressing that all difficulties could be surmounted. President Aoun's fresh words came during his meeting at the Baabda palace with a delegation from the Press Syndicate, led by Dean Aouni Kaaki. Aoun stressed that paramount importance of creating an atmosphere of optimism without being driven into a state frustration. On the electricity crisis, Aoun underlined the need to buy electricity from whatever source and the need to provide electricity to citizens. He brought to attention that he has issued earlier a bankruptcy warning in a bid to prompt all sides to assume their responsibilities. Aoun also highlighted the essential role played by media in rebuilding trust between the judiciary and people and lessening the extent of disputes.
On the old age pension, Aoun noted that he shall urge the new parliament to discuss important bills of motion including this case. The President later received Interior and Municipalities Minister Nuhad Mashnouq, with whom he discussed the ongoing preparations for the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Minister Mashnouq left without delivering any statement. The President also met with Lebanon's Ambassador to Guinea, Fadi Al-Zein, wishing him success in his new mission. Among the President's itinerant visitors for today had been Princess Hayat Arslan.

Finance Minister Admits to Violations as Lebanon Is Yet to Be a State of Law
Kataeb.org/Thu 29 Mar 2018/Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil on Thursday admitted to the violations being committed as part of the political settlement governing the country, acknowledging that it is not a sane method for the state to adopt as it does not forge equality between people. “We were keen to submit the state budget within the deadline set by the Constitution, not because of an external influence,” Khalil said on the second day of the Parliament's session aimed at discussing the 2018 budget draft. "We have yet to reach a real state where the laws and legal norms are fully respected. Yes, there have been violations in some of the appointments approved recently. I am giving my personal opinion regardless of the fact that I am the minister of finance."Khalil said that Lebanon is facing a public debt crisis, affirming, however, that the country is not bankrupt given that it has been meeting all payment deadlines. “Lebanon is a financially reliable country that honors its commitments and has never suffered a setback in paying its obligations to lenders," he stresserd. "We just need to restructure the public debt and devise a new management for it." For his part, Prime Minister Saad Hariri defended the proposed budget, refuting allegations that the upcoming CEDRE conference, set to take place in Paris on April 6, is aimed at boosting the ruling authority's win chances ahead of the parliamentary polls. “I am surprised that some people are saying that it is an electoral conference. Are we supposed not to attend it then? Is this conference taking place for the sake of Saad Hariri or the country?” he said.

Hankache Takes Pride in Kataeb's History, Vision for Future
Kataeb.org/Thu 29 Mar 2018/Kataeb's candidate for the Maronite seat in Metn, Elias Hankache, on Thursday criticized the ruling authority for dealing recklessly and hastily with all essential issues, notably the state budget, blasting it to making the people choose between what is bad and worse. "Instead of taking reformist measures, the authority decided to opt for more indebtedness through what it has called the support conferences," he said in an interview on Voice of Lebanon radio station. "Most of the jobs in the public sector have been used for favoritism and clientelism. While tax and customs evasion is left unsolved, the authority is soliciting more debt." Hankache said that the authority is obviously ignoring problems and pretend they don't exist by distorting figures included in the 2018 budget, adding that the Lebanese are being outrageously deceived that way. "It is time that people prove to the authority that it has been wrong about everything," he stressed, saying that a large part of the Lebanese no longer believes the ruling class. Hankache also criticized the authority's absurd structure, adding that it is preventing accountability. "Is it acceptable that lawmakers are questioning the budget while the concerned ministers are not attending the Parliament session? Is it acceptable that the Interior minister, who is supervising the elections, is a candidate himself?" Hankache deemed his candidacy in Metn as a big responsibility given the Kataeb's historical legacy and importance, stressing that, if elected, he will work on implementing developmental projects in Metn in a bid to curb migration. "The Kataeb party has no services to offer as the other political forces do before the elections. All it has is a history to be proud of, a vision for the future and a proven performance based on which we ask the people to evaluate us," he stressed.
"The Kataeb party proposed an alternative option to each project it has opposed. Thus, let no one accuse us of being populist."Hankache expressed suprise at the methods of intimidation that are being used ahead of the elections, saying that this is disappointing given that Lebanon has always been known for its democratic uniqueness in a non-democratic region. The Kataeb candidate called on voters to renew their confidence in the party, assuring that is capable of fulfulling their dreams and ambitions.
"We can do that, not because we are stronger than the others, but because we are more honest than everyone else."

Salameh Rejects Devaluation of Pound
The Daily Star/March 29/18/Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh Wednesday brushed off calls for a managed devaluation of the Lebanese currency, warning that such a step would be detrimental to the national economy. “We are not considering any devaluation because we believe that it will be detrimental to confidence, detrimental to the economy and interest rates will go up much more. Any country which floated its currency had to increase the interest rates to control inflation. This [measure] will also be detrimental to social stability because of the inflation. Lebanon being a dollarized economy will not gain any competitiveness. The issue of those advocating for remedies is that they don’t realize that Lebanon is a dollarized economy,” Salameh told The Daily Star in an interview. Advocates of managed devaluation argue that this measure aims to bring the prices of national currencies close to market value without the need for the interventions of the Central Banks. Since he assumed the position of Lebanon’s Central Bank governor in August 1993, Salameh has pursued a firm monetary policy based on the intervention in the market to protect the national currency from any sharp devaluation.
Before Salameh took this responsibility, the Lebanese pound deteriorated in an alarming way, triggering protests in the streets at that time. The governor also assured that Lebanon is in sound financial position, refusing any notion that the country is bankrupt. “A bankrupt country is a country that lacks liquidity to meet its obligations in terms of foreign currency. Lebanon has not defaulted on settling its debt since it was an independent country. The country has been paying its obligations in foreign currency this year and we have ample assets in foreign currency to meet our obligations for the coming years,” Salameh said. Citing an example, he said that the balance of payments in the first two months of this year was in positive territory. “Usually the first two month of the year are not great historically for the balance of payments. We can see also a growth in deposits the foreign assets of BDL were rising. These are clear signs that we are not only not bankrupt but also there is no preceding sign of a crisis in the country,” Salameh stressed. The governor emphasized that one of the best ways to reduce the Central Bank’s intervention in the market is to cut the government’s deficit to GDP ratio to reasonable levels. “The Central Bank has been carrying the cost of the high deficit by the subsequent governments. The Central Bank had to manage all this excessive liquidity and retrieve from the market at a cost. But if the government managed to reduce the deficit to GDP ratio which currently stands at 10 percent then BDL’s intervention in the market will be much less,” Salameh said. He added that the more the deficit to GDP is reduced the more the market can be confident of the macro stability of the country and this enables BDL to reduce its intervention.
“The country was living off deficit of around $3 billion per year at a time when the GDP was around $45 billion and that has created a certain stability. If we go back to these ratios of 7 to 8 percent to GDP then the confidence will regain. One way to reduce this deficit is to have growth in the economy and this is possible if we give the private sector the proper environment for investment and consumption,” Salameh said. He added that the portion of GDP related to the public sector has grown in the past years to around 34 percent of the GDP. “This growth has not been healthy for the economy. If we look at the budget deficit over the past five years, the figure will amount to around $20 billion while the GDP of the country in this period went up only by $6 billion. The growth of deficit in the public sector is not healthy for the Lebanese economy,” Salameh said. He commended the government’s move to encourage the private sector to play a role in stimulating the economy through the Public-Private-Partnership program. Salameh reiterated that BDL has no plan in the foreseeable future to raise the interest rates on the Lebanese pound after the U.S. Federal Reserve raised the interest on the dollar by 25 basis points. “The interest rates on the Lebanese pound were raised in November of last year [following the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri] and prior of the Fed’s decision to increase the interest rates. Our rates are higher by 2 percent on the Lebanese pound and this has created attraction to the pound and created new equilibrium in the market,” he added.Salameh said that following the rise in interest rates on the pound, the deposit maturity period went up from an average of 40 days to 120 days. As for the dollar rates, he said that it was up to the market to decide the levels of these rates, noting the dollar rates in Lebanon are higher than those offered in the U.S., and for this reason the banks are not likely to hike them more in the near future. In another note, the governor underlined the importance of the CEDRE conference in Paris, adding that all the soft loans for infrastructure investments in Lebanon will create good growth. He also dismissed the possibility of any new financial engineering in the near future. “The environment is different now because we have growth in deposits which we did not have in 2016. We also have good balances of payments which are relative to the conditions of the country,” Salameh said.
Furthermore, he said that the Lebanese banks are well capitalized which was not the case in 2016.

BDL Governor: Talks about Bankruptcy are Political Exaggeration
Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/The Governor of Lebanon’s Central Bank (Banque Du Liban), Riad Salameh denied claims that the country was on the verge of bankruptcy, stressing that the Lebanese currency was safe. In remarks to LBCI on Wednesday, Salameh assured that the Lebanese currency is “safe and there is no crisis,” criticizing reports of “bankruptcy.”Last week, Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Raii quoted Lebanese President Michel Aoun as warning against the “country’s bankruptcy” and called for controlling Lebanon’s finances and corruption. “The Lebanese currency is doing fine. Rumors about bankruptcy are merely political exaggeration,” Salameh said. Speaking on the sidelines of an annual meeting of the Union of Arab Securities held in Beirut, the BDL governor assured that Lebanon had ample assets in foreign currency to meet the debt obligations for the coming years, highlighting the presence of “a large group of investors who believe in investing in Lebanon.”Meanwhile, MP and Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said claims about Lebanon’s bankruptcy were “untrue”, calling for speeding up cooperation between the public and private sectors to develop national economy.
Speaking during a plenary session at the Parliament to discuss the 2018 state budget bill, Siniora said: “We must restore to the public service its value; what is sought is to free this service from the grip of parties and militias.” He also called to work on bolstering cooperation with the private sector “so that it assumes its role in promoting the economy.”

Lebanon: Civil Society Runs for Elections With 66 Candidates in 9 Electoral Districts
Beirut - Paula Astih/Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/A coalition of representatives from prominent Lebanese civil society groups are running for the May 6 parliamentary elections with 66 candidates in 9 electoral districts across the country. The coalition had previously announced the presence of around 300 candidates running for the race next May. However, civil society groups chose to offer concessions by ending up with only 66 candidates to face Lebanon’s political parties and other leading figures across the nation. With the decrease of the number of candidates, several activists found themselves incapable to fit in this coalition and therefore, remained outside the electoral battle. According to observers, the decrease in the number of candidates might create a negative effect on the remaining contenders during the upcoming elections, while other analysts said civil society groups had few chances to win, particularly in the electoral strongholds of Hezbollah. On the eve of the final deadline for list registration, the “My Nation Alliance” announced a list dubbed “Kilna Watani” (All for the Nation), the result of “more than a year and a half of serious work,” the groups said in a statement. “The lists include 66 candidates from all sects across the country. This is the biggest electoral coalition in Lebanon's modern history. Through this move, the civil society is sending a powerful message that the citizen now has a serious alternative to the ruling class,” the groups added. According to the statement, the coalition comprises seven candidates from the Mouwatenoun-wa-Mouwatenat group, 20 from Sabaa, one from 'You Stink', five from Li Baladi, one from the Identity and Sovereignty Gathering, two from Mutaheddoun, five from Li Haqqi, five from Sah, three from We Want Accountability and 17 independent candidates. The coalition said that if it wins a parliamentary majority following the elections, it would then be capable to properly assume power.

Frangieh criticizes Aoun electoral 'interference'
The Daily Star/March 29, 2018/BEIRUT: The Marada Movement head, MP Sleiman Frangieh, Thursday implicitly criticized President Michel Aoun’s alleged interference in Lebanon’s parliamentary elections, before accusing the Free Patriotic Movement of attacking his party. “A strong president should be the one who unites all Lebanese ... but for him to interfere in elections and make lists is unacceptable,” Frangieh said during a meeting with reporters in north Lebanon, according to a statement from his office. Frangieh further accused the Free Patriotic Movement, Aoun’s political party, of launching “a war” against Marada on social media, and using negative political campaigning tactics, which he said were bound to fail. The relations between Aoun and Frangieh have been strained since the latter, Aoun's main competitor for presidential office, lost the election in October 2016. That outcome also soured the ties between the formerly allied FPM and Marada. Frangieh Thursday criticized the FPM’s strategies in the lead-up to the elections, noting that the Maronite-majority party had found common ground with Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya and the Future Movement – both Sunni Muslim parties – but had not formed alliances with other Christian entities. Speaking of his own party, Frangieh said Marada’s electoral alliances were based on principles rather than political interest. As for the new electoral law, which is based on proportional representation, Frangieh said he would have preferred to have proportionality without the preferential vote. The latter, he said, would “push a brother to stab his brother,” adding that certain candidates had already been promised positions in ministries post-elections. According to Frangieh, there had been attempts to drive a wedge between Marada MP Salim Karam and the party over the preferential vote, but he said that the party would “provide the same level of support to candidates Estephan Dweihi and Salim Karam.”Frangieh registered his concerns that the general amnesty law might be issued for political interests. Because of this, he suggested that the law be issued after the May 6 elections, on “normal and humane” grounds. Frangieh also commented on the country’s economy, reassuring his listeners that it was not at risk. These statements were similar to those made by Finance Minister Hassan Khalil during Thursday’s parliamentary session, in which Khalil noted that despite an economic growth crisis, Lebanon was not at risk of going bankrupt. The Marada chief’s litany of criticism extended to the upcoming CEDRE conference, set for April 6 in Paris. “We held many international conferences and the [financial] situation did not improve,” Frangieh said, adding that there were “some” who weren’t trying to address the public debt and budget deficit. “They want a photo with [French President Emmanuel] Macron, to say that they held conferences.” Frangieh finally called the Syrian conflict the “mother of all crises” and called for Lebanon to engage in dialogue with the Syrian regime in efforts to solve it.

Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on March 29-30/18

On Easter, Israel Prevents Christian Gaza Youth From Entering Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Tel Aviv- Asharq Al Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/For the first time since Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the siege imposed on it, Israeli authorities decided to prevent the young Palestinians from the Christian communities in the Gaza Strip from entering Jerusalem during the Easter holiday and performing the prayer at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. According to a document issued by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, only Christians over the age of 55 will be allowed to enter Israel from the Gaza Strip to pray at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre during Easter. Five hundred permits have been issued for the holiday, as compared to 700 for Christmas, but sources in Gaza say that the age restriction means that only about 10 percent of the quota will be filled. According to Christian clergy in Gaza, who say the limitations are unjustified, only about 120 Christians meet the age criteria and many will not be able to travel without relatives who are under the age limit. George Anton, a Christian community activist from Gaza, said that no permits for Easter have been issued so far. Lawmaker Aida Touma-Sliman of the Joint List asked Deputy Defense Minister Eli Ben-Dahan to change the entry conditions so that all Christians would “be able to exercise their basic right to freedom of religion.” Touma-Sliman said she has not yet received an answer. “Israel boasts to the whole world that it is a safe place for all religions. But in fact it continues to harm the Palestinian Christian population,” the lawmaker said. She added that the age restriction “constitutes more proof that Israel has never left Gaza and continues to control everything that happens there.”

Iran Trains Two Saudis to Target Oil Pipelines
Riyadh - Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/The Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) in Riyadh issued a preliminary imprisonment sentences against two Saudis for planning terrorist acts that target oil pipelines in the western part of the Kingdom. The court sentenced the first man to 25 years in prison and the second one to 22 years after they were found guilty of joining the terrorist organization of Iraqi Kata’ib Hezbollah and its military camps in Iran and Iraq. The two citizens were found guilty of training in the use of weapons, explosives and grenades to carry out terrorist acts in the Kingdom to destabilize national security and create chaos. The perpetrators sought to dismantle the unity of the Kingdom and waste its capabilities, in accordance with the directives of Iraqi Hezbollah officials and their willingness to carry out terrorist acts inside Saudi Arabia. They were caught communicating with a man in Iran on social media and providing him with information on the oil pipelines linking Abqaiq and Yanbu. One person in Iran supported one of the accused by providing him with money to facilitate his visit to Tehran and secure his transportation there, in order for him to join training camps in the country, aiming at destabilizing Saudi Arabia. SCC sentenced the first man to 25 years in prison, seized his mobile phone and banned him from traveling for 25 years after he finishes his sentence. It sentenced the second man to 22 years in prison, seized his two mobile phones and banned him from traveling for 22 years after he finishes his sentence. Kata’ib Hezbollah was established in 2007 to resist the US occupation back then. Its role is similar to that of Hezbollah in Lebanon and has been influenced by its style of action. It also believes in the rule of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist in Iran. Iran has been hosting a number of terrorist commanders, who were involved in attacks against the eastern city of al-Khobar in 1996, bombings in eastern Riyadh in 2003 as well as sabotage operations targeting Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan. Saudi Arabia has earlier arrested Saudis who formed a spy cell for Iran and contacted Iranian leaders to target Saudi Arabia's security and economy, following direct contacts with the mission of the Iranian embassy in Riyadh, its consulate in Jeddah and its delegate to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Iran has helped the Houthi militias to overthrow the legitimacy of the Yemeni government by providing them with weapons to control the country's outskirts and continue to smuggle weapons and ballistic missiles to the rebels.

Iraq Wants to Stay Out of US-Iran Conflict
Baghdad - Hamza Moustafah/Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/Iraq wants to stay out of the US-Iran conflict, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Wednesday. Baghdad wants to maintain a balance in its relations with Washington and Tehran. Speaking in an energy conference in Baghdad, Abadi said Iraq wants to maintain a balance in its relation with both countries and that this policy lies in the best interest of Baghdad. He also hoped the agreement to restrain Iran’s nuclear program would be maintained by Washington. Iraqi politician Nadim al-Jabiri said that what has been stated by Abadi are only hopes that are not attainable on the ground because Iraq, with its current potentials, can’t be an impartial party in any possible conflict between the US and Iran. “Iraq can’t be an audience only, in the current time, because it lacks sufficient potentials that qualify it to mediate between the two parties,” he said to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. There are still obstacles hindering Iraq from becoming a regional power that is influential in international balances due to the unstable conditions in the interior and the security condition, he added, given that the foreign policy is an extension of the internal policy.
Professor Dr. Amer Hassan al-Fayad, Dean of Faculty of Political Science University at Nahrain College, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iraq has many problems, yet it is attempting to achieve balance in its relations with the US and Iran.

New Deal on Douma, Tal Rifaat to Divide Syria
London- Ibrahim Humaidi/Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/Direct negotiations between the Russian army and Jaysh al-Islam are ongoing for the future of Damascus. Meanwhile, talks between the Russian and Turkish armies are also intensive to determine the future of Tal Rifaat in the countryside of Aleppo. This was mentioned in previous indirect negotiations to determine the future of the southern sector of Ghouta at a time forces of Turkish military Operation Olive Branch advanced from the center of Afrin, north of Aleppo, showing that Syrian cities were being divided among different foreign parties. As negotiations are always taking place on the impact of the Syrian government strengthening its forces around Douma city, news are circulating on Russia's intention to lead the process. Jaysh al-Islam, for its part, has started direct negotiations with the Russian army to determine the fate of the opposition east of the capital, following the displacement of thousands of fighters from Faylaq al-Rahman and Ahrar al-Sham from east Damascus to the north and the loss of the southern sector. According to the information, there were many complications facing these negotiations as Egyptian officers sought last summer to reach a settlement in order to complete their role in concluding an agreement to “reduce the escalation.”Jaysh al-Islam wants to stay in Douma along with its arms and civil institutions with cease-fire in Damascus in exchange for allowing a symbolic presence of state institutions to turn opposition fighters into police forces, getting rid of heavy weapons and finding a formula to deal with the compulsory service of young people in Douma with “Russian protection”, public amnesty and freedom of movement to and from the region. However, the Russian side, which was showing some flexibility, has become leaner towards Damascus’s position, and it gave Jaysh al-Islam, which comprised about eight thousand fighters, two choices; either to attack militarily or catch up with other regions and agree to evacuate.

Syrian army prepares “huge” operation in Douma as pressure mounts
Reuters, Beirut/Thursday, 29 March 2018/The Syrian army is preparing to launch a “huge” operation against the last rebel-held town in eastern Ghouta unless the Jaish al-Islam insurgent group agrees to hand over the area, a pro-Syrian government newspaper reported on Wednesday. The group has been negotiating about the town of Douma with the government’s main ally Russia. But a commander in the regional alliance fighting in support of President Bashar al-Assad said late on Wednesday that the talks had stopped. “The negotiations stopped. Most of the militants have set out big conditions, and the Russians and the Syrians have refused them,” the commander said. Some Syrian opposition fighters preparing to evacuate. A war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the Syrian military had resumed artillery bombardment of Douma, where blasts were heard. Routed by the Russian-backed Syrian army, rebels in other parts of eastern Ghouta are leaving in convoys to insurgent-held areas in the northwest under withdrawal deals that are restoring Assad’s control. Douma’s fall would seal the rebels’ heaviest defeat since 2016, driving them from their last big stronghold near the capital, and would also carry potent symbolism. The town was the main center of street protests in the Damascus suburbs against Assad’s rule that ignited the conflict seven years ago. Backed by Russia and Iran, the government has repeatedly forced rebels to surrender areas and withdraw to Idlib, where the United Nations describes the conditions faced by hundreds of thousands of displaced opposition supporters as “catastrophic”. The Jaish al-Islam group says it is determined to stay in Douma, where tens of thousands of civilians are surrounded by government forces. The government says it will crush any rebels who do not agree to leave or to live under state rule. “The forces deployed in Ghouta are preparing a huge military operation in Douma if the Jaish al-Islam terrorists do not agree to hand over the city and depart,” al-Watan newspaper said.
Two decisive days
A Syrian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the situation was in a critical phase: “These two days will be decisive,” the official told Reuters, without giving further details. The area had been quieter in recent days as Jaish al-Islam had negotiated with Russian forces. The rebel group said on Tuesday that Russia had yet to give an answer to its proposals. It accused Damascus and Moscow of seeking to impose demographic change by forcing residents to leave. A witness in Douma reached by telephone said dozens of residents took to the streets of the city on Wednesday calling on rebels and opposition-led authorities negotiating with the Russians to reveal more information about the talks. Although Jaish al-Islam denies planning to leave, two rebel sources said the fighters are weighing options including leaving for rebel-held areas further northeast in Qalamoun, or in southern Syria, despite some opposition by rival rebels there. The Syrian military backed by Russian firepower has overrun most of eastern Ghouta in an operation that began on Feb. 18. More than 1,600 people have been killed in some of the fiercest bombing of the war, and thousands more have been injured, according to rescuers and a war monitor.

Streets of Syria’s 'Neutral' Suwaida are Free of Assad’s Photos
Suweida - Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/When touring the Druze city of Suwaida, south of Syria, the visitor feels that he is in a “rebel” city, as he observes that there are no slogans of glorification for the Syrian regime and its symbols across the streets and at the entrance of the province. Streets and walls are free of any banners with slogans praising the regime and its symbols and army, in addition to the absence of military manifestations in its neighborhoods, except for some few army checkpoints. In an indication of the refusal of the neutral citizen of Suwaida to engage in the war, the streets of the city and the surrounding villages have lost the pictures of citizens who fell in the ongoing battles in the country. In fact, the province of Suwaida did not witness any fighting during the long years of war. The area remained peaceful and tens of thousands of people resorted to the city, fleeing areas of conflict, such as Daraa and the suburbs of Damascus. Thus, the scene here differs from that in cities that remained under the control of the regime and which are relatively calm, such as Tartus and Latakia, where billboards carrying slogans and announcements praising the regime can be seen everywhere. According to a 2010 census, around 700,000 Druze Muslims lived in Syria, equivalent to 3 percent of the total population of about 22.5 million people. The majority lived in the governorate of Suwaida, which had a population of 375,000 people, 90 percent of whom were Druze, 7 percent Christian and 3 percent Sunni. A journalist from Suweida said on Wednesday: “When the peaceful uprising began in the spring of 2011, the situation in Suweida - also called Druze Mountain - was agitated. Residents drew their inspiration from the memory of the Druze leader Sultan al-Atrash, who revolted against the French occupation in 1925, and protests broke out in the city and its countryside. However, the different political agenda of the opposition issued by the Syrian National Council and then the Syrian National Coalition did not live up to the expectations of the Druze, because no one mentioned secularism, which is the only guarantee for their security.”In the midst of this situation, the people of Suwaida chose “neutrality” by avoiding alignment with either the revolution or the regime and abstaining from joining the compulsory service in the army, while not fighting against it, in accordance with the decisions of the leaders of the province. The streets of the city and the surrounding villages are free of any images of those who were killed in the ongoing battles in the country, and which are widely seen in the cities that are under the Syrian regime control.

Security Minister: Britain to Introduce New Counter-terrorism Legislation
Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/British Prime Minister Theresa May’s government will introduce new counter-terrorism legislation to parliament in the coming weeks and months, Security Minister Ben Wallace said on Wednesday, Reuters reported. “You will see them very soon, we have put together quite a strong package,” Wallace told the BBC. “In the near future, in the next few weeks or months is when you’ll see it.” Home Secretary Amber Rudd said last year that counter-terrorism laws need to be updated to keep pace with modern online behavior and to address the issue of online radicalization. In a different matter, a Teacher who tried to build 'army of children' was jailed in Britain. Umar Ahmed Haque, 25, planned to use guns and a car bomb to hit 30 London. One of the children told police: "Umar has been teaching us how to fight, do push-ups, given strength and within six years he was planning to do a big attack on London, BBC reported. "He wants a group of 300 men. He's training us now so by the time I'm in Year 10 (aged 14-15) we will be physically strong enough to fight."

World’s Biggest Solar Power Project in Saudi Arabia
New York - Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son to create the world's biggest solar power project in Saudi Arabia. The MoU, which is complementary to what was previously signed in the Future Investment Initiative last October, indicates that feasibility studies between the two parties on the project will be completed by May 2018. According to the MoU, the two parties are dedicated to explore manufacturing and development solar energy storage systems as well as establishing specialized firms for research and development of solar energy panels. This MoU and the projects are forecast to assist the provision of oil in energy production of the kingdom, which would reinforce the role of Saudi Arabia in supplying the world markets with oil. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has met, Wednesday, with 40 executive officials of several world major companies and reviewed three giant development projects in the kingdom: NEOM, Red Sea and Alqdah. Bin Salman addressed, during the meeting, the importance of these projects and their contribution to the future of the country and the region on the level of economic impact and welfare. CEO of NEOM Klaus Kleinfeld pointed out that the project's vision seeks to become the best place for work and living, globally. He added that the meeting showcased a number of dialogues about sustainability, new transportation models, advanced manufacturing methods in addition to adopting the first managing and operating systems of the project with 100 percent of renewable energy. Further, the crown prince met with religious leaders in New York, and the humanitarian common points among religions were asserted.

Al-Sisi Reelected with More than 90% of Vote
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/March 29/18/Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been reelected for a second term with 92 percent of the vote, preliminary results showed on Thursday, but turnout of just 40 percent dented his push for popular legitimacy. Some 23 million of the 60 million registered voters turned out during the three days of polling that ended Wednesday, state-owned newspapers Al-Ahram and Akhbar el-Youm, and the official MENA news agency reported. According to Al-Ahram, in addition to the 23 million who cast valid votes, two million spoiled their ballot papers, inserting the names of candidates who were not among the only two approved. Sisi's sole challenger was the little-known Moussa Mostafa Moussa, himself a supporter of the president, who registered immediately before the close date for applications, saving the election from being a one-horse race. Other, more heavy-weight would-be challengers were all sidelined, detained or pulled out. Sisi, who as army chief ousted Egypt's first freely elected president -- Islamist Mohamed Morsi -- after mass street protests in 2013, won his first term in 2014 with 96.9 percent of the vote. Turnout down on 2014
Turnout of 47 percent in that year's election was sharply higher than this year's 40 percent despite appeals from Prime Minister Sherif Ismail for voters to fulfill their patriotic duty. Boycotters who cannot show good reason for not going to the polls could a face a fine of up to 500 Egyptian pounds (22 euros), the electoral commission has warned. At a news conference, election commission official, Mahmud al-Sherif, said there had been no violations of Egypt's election law. Opposition groups had called for a boycott of this week's vote which they labeled a facade. There were no presidential debates and Sisi himself did not appear at any official campaign events, although he spoke at a number of ceremonies. In an interview days ahead of the vote, Sisi said he had wished there were more candidates, denying any role in sidelining them. At a speech before the vote he also called for a high turnout."I need you because the journey is not over," Sisi told a mostly female audience. "I need every lady and mother and sister, please, I need the entire world to see us in the street" voting. Morsi's removal had ushered in a deadly crackdown that killed and jailed hundreds of Islamists. The initial crackdown on Morsi's supporters expanded to include liberal and leftist secular activists.A jihadist insurgency since has killed hundreds of policemen and civilians. Sisi gave the armed forces and police a three-month deadline in November to wipe out the Islamic State group in its Sinai Peninsula stronghold. The deadline has since been extended, and on February 9 the armed forces launched their most comprehensive campaign yet to end the five-year-old jihadist insurgency. But attacks by the jihadists have continued. On Saturday, two policemen were killed in a car bomb targeting the provincial head of security for the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. The security chief was unharmed. Egyptian cities, especially Cairo, have been flooded with banners showing Sisi and messages of support from business owners. Posters vowing support for Moussa, 65, are rarely seen. While still popular, Sisi has embarked on tough economic reforms that have been welcomed by foreign investors but dented his popularity at home.

Egyptian Artists Add Festive Mood to Presidential Elections
Cairo - Mohammed Ajam/Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/During the past three days of elections, a large number of Egyptian artists voted for the new President in a festive mood. Their fame on television and cinema screens was therefore transmitted to polling stations across the country, and was quickly spread in short videos or photos on the social media. One of those leading artists is actor Adel Imam, also nicknamed the Zaeem or the leader. Imam was filmed on Wednesday telling an employee responsible for checking names at the voters’ list, “eating pasta and stuffed zucchini was behind your obesity.” The employee then replied to Imam that sitting down for long hours to watch his plays was behind her obesity. Then the two were filmed while laughing at the jokes they made. Some social media users also spread the photo of actor Lublouba while kissing the voting paper. She was then quoted as saying, “I kissed the paper because I was happy I voted. I did not know someone was taking a photo.” Egyptian belly dancer, Sama el-Masry drove the attention of the media by attending one of the polling stations riding a motorcycle. Voters raced to take photos with her before she casted her vote. At one of the polling station in Misr al-Gadida, actress Laila Elwi spread an optimistic mood when she said, “Today, Egypt is happy to have you.” Some voters had offered Elwi roses after she casted her vote. Also, some reports said that Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmy has casted his voted twice, the first time in the UAE and the second time inside Egypt. However, following the news, the National Elections Authority (NEA) held a press conference asserting that it was impossible for any voter to cast his ballot more than once because the NEA systematically removed the names of those who voted abroad from the voter database after the end of polls outside Egypt. Popular singer Hakim was seen touring the streets of west Cairo in a convertible car, singing a song entitled “Abo el Regoula,” he had released this month calling on Egyptians to cast their votes.

Protests continue in Ahwaz as Iranian forces use violence to limit them
Staff writer, Al Arabiya English/Thursday, 29 March 2018/Videos and images of Iranian forces shooting live ammunition in the air to scare off thousands of Arab Ahwaz protesters have been widely circulated on social media as protesters continue for the second day. According to an Ahwaz human rights group, no injuries have been reported yet, however videos on social media show Iranian forces shooting live ammunition extensively in the air and running young protesters toward downtown Ahwaz to corner them and scare them off. Another video shared by activists showed Iranian forces arresting several protesters as random shots being fired. Activists have also confirmed that Iranian authorities have blocked the social media platform Telegram in order to limit the protests. Thousands have already gathered in the city of Ahwaz southwest of Iran with videos showing about 5,000 protesters, including women, chanting popular Ahwaz slogans like “With our soul and blood, we will protect you Ahwaz”. The protests were sparked by a children’s television show aired on the country’s national channel on Iran’s New Year’s Day, Nooroz, including a segment that completely ignored the Arab origins of the city which is mostly Arab-populated. Activists are saying that the government is purposely propagating a discriminatory agenda against the Arabs of Ahwaz, and is continuing its plan to change the demographic of the city and ignore the Arab identity there.
The city, fully characterized to be Arab in terms of population, geography, culture, language and history out of all other regions of Iran, has seen a call for protests on social media through the hashtag “I am Arab”. Protesters criticized the Iranian Radio and Television Corporation, which is under the direct supervision of Ali Khamenei, demanding accountability of those involved and an official apology for Arab people in Ahwaz. Following forced separation of protests in some streets, thousands of people gathered in the old souk of the city on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia Grants Investment Licenses to 13 American Firms
Riyadh - Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/Saudi Arabia’s General Investment Authority (SAGIA) has granted investment licenses to 13 American companies on the sidelines of the Saudi-US CEO Forum. The signing comes as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s official visit to the US. The head of SAGIA Ibrahim al-Omar said that the new licenses were granted to the companies in line with Saudi Vision 2030 s as part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to encourage the world's leading companies to inject more investment into the Saudi economy and to make the investment environment in the Kingdom more competitive. Omar added: “The General Authority for Investment is working to adopt best practices and techniques that will facilitate the work of new investors in Saudi Arabia and improve regulatory and procedural environment to attract and enable quality investors, and develop the necessary infrastructure that facilitate business in general and create a suitable environment for investors in an easy and efficient way.”Saudi Arabia has been issuing more licenses to foreign companies, in sectors as wide-ranging as the service sector, manufacturing, information technology, oil services, environmental, construction, automotive, food services, oil and gas and renewable energy.

Security Minister: Britain to Introduce New Counter-terrorism Legislation
Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/British Prime Minister Theresa May’s government will introduce new counter-terrorism legislation to parliament in the coming weeks and months, Security Minister Ben Wallace said on Wednesday, Reuters reported. “You will see them very soon, we have put together quite a strong package,” Wallace told the BBC. “In the near future, in the next few weeks or months is when you’ll see it.”Home Secretary Amber Rudd said last year that counter-terrorism laws need to be updated to keep pace with modern online behavior and to address the issue of online radicalization. In a different matter, a Teacher who tried to build 'army of children' was jailed in Britain. Umar Ahmed Haque, 25, planned to use guns and a car bomb to hit 30 London. One of the children told police: "Umar has been teaching us how to fight, do push-ups, given strength and within six years he was planning to do a big attack on London, BBC reported. "He wants a group of 300 men. He's training us now so by the time I'm in Year 10 (aged 14-15) we will be physically strong enough to fight."

Sisi leads polls while Egypt awaits election turnout
Reuters, Cairo/Thursday, 29 March 2018/Preliminary results show President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is leading Egypt’s presidential election with 21.5 million votes, state-owned newspaper Akhbar el-Youm reported on Thursday. With some private television stations reporting that he could achieve a vote share of 95 percent or more, Sisi issued a defiant statement expressing pride at the way Egyptians had conducted themselves during the election. “The voice of the Egyptian masses will undoubtedly bear witness to the fact that our nation’s will imposes itself with a force that knows no weakness,” Sisi said on Twitter. His only challenger, Moussa Mostafa Moussa, a self-proclaimed Sisi supporter, garnered 721,000 votes, the newspaper reported. Hours before polls closed, the electoral commission issued a last-minute call for people to vote, hoping to boost the turnout figure. Voting was extended by one hour, the state news agency MENA reported. On the first two days of voting, turnout was about 21 percent, according to two sources monitoring the election. No overall figure for Wednesday was immediately available. A Western diplomat said that late on Tuesday, turnout was between 15 and 20 percent, with around 30 percent in some centers on Wednesday. Final results are due on Monday.

UN Security Council: Houthi Missiles Are Serious Threat to KSA, Regional Security
New York– Ali Bardi/Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/Following the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the United Nations headquarters and his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Security Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the attacks carried out by Houthi militias with Iranian-made ballistic missiles against the cities of Riyadh, Khamis Mushait, Najran and Jazan in Saudi Arabia, describing them as a “serious threat to the national security of the Kingdom,” as well as to the region.
This came in a statement prepared by Britain, the penholder on Yemen at the Security Council, in consultation with Kuwait as an Arab member of the UNSC. According to the final and approved version of the statement, which was obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, members of the Security Council condemned “in the strongest possible terms” multiple Houthi missile attacks, including the use of ballistic missiles that targeted the cities of Riyadh, Khamis Mushait, Najran and Jazan in Saudi Arabia on March 25, 2018, threatening civilian areas and killing at least one person.”
“Such attacks pose a serious threat to the national security of Saudi Arabia and pose a broader threat to regional security,” Council members stressed. They also expressed “deep concern over the declared intention of the Houthis to continue these attacks against Saudi Arabia, as well as to launch additional attacks against other countries in the region.”Security Council members called on all countries to “fully implement all aspects of the arms embargo as required by the Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2216,” expressing “grave concern over reports of continued violations of the arms embargo.” The statement expressed deep concern over the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen and the “devastating humanitarian impact of the conflict on civilians.”The Security Council members called on all parties to allow the safe and quick delivery of humanitarian aid and to comply with the international humanitarian law.

Hadi Calls on Stopping Iran’s Interferences in Region
Sanaa - Asharq Al-Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen renewed its calls that the international community end Iran’s interferences in the region. “The President called on the international community to press for putting an end to the Iranian interferences in the region,” President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was quoted as saying by the Yemeni news agency, Saba. Hadi’s calls came during a meeting with US ambassador to Yemen Matthew Tuller in Riyadh Wednesday, as part of western diplomatic efforts to prepare the grounds for kicking off a new round of peace talks between the legitimate government in Yemen and Houthi rebels. During their meeting, Hadi and Tuller discussed the Yemeni-US bilateral ties and cooperation between the two sides. Hadi praised the good offices made by the ambassador in order to achieve the durable peace in Yemen in line with his nation's support for Yemen and its constitutional legitimacy. The President also reaffirmed the legitimate government support for these efforts aiming to bring about the sustainable peace that is based on the GCC's Initiative, its operational plan, outcomes of the National Dialogue and International resolutions in relevant on top of all resolution 2216. The President spoke about the challenges Yemen has been facing in light of the continuous attacks launched by Iranian-baked militias on the Yemeni people and neighboring countries. He described the recent missile attacks on the Saudi capital and other cities as “criminal.” Meanwhile, Hadi hailed the significant efforts exerted by the US alongside Yemen in fighting terrorism, contributing to relief actions and standing by the constitutional legitimacy, as well as pushing for making peace. Official sources said the US diplomat cheered the legitimate government's positive response to peace options; reaffirming his administration's support for Yemen and its legal leadership headed by President Hadi. Meanwhile, the family of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh condemned the missile attacks launched from Yemen targeting residential areas of Riyadh and other cities in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, according to a statement posted on a website linked to Saleh’s family.

Driver Tries to Ram Soldiers as France Mourns Terror Victims
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/March 29/18/A man driving a car with fake license plates tried to ram a group of soldiers out jogging in southeast France on Thursday, security sources told AFP, sparking fears of a new attempted attack as the country mourns the victims of an Islamist shooting spree last week. Speaking French and Arabic, the man first threatened a group of soldiers at around 8 am (0600 GMT) in Varces-Allieres-et-Risset, near Grenoble, and then tried to run down another group returning to their barracks from a jog, the sources added. "The soldiers managed to get up onto the pavement without being hit," army spokesman Colonel Benoit Brulon told AFP. The driver of the small Peugeot 208 hatchback, who was accompanied by a woman, sped off before being arrested around lunchtime in Grenoble, police and military sources said. Prosecutors in Grenoble, a town in the foothills of the French Alps, said the incident was not being treated as a terrorist attack for the moment and the motive remained unclear. The incident comes with France on edge after a jihadist rampage in the towns of Carcassonne and Trebes last week where a 25-year-old gunman killed four people, including a policeman who took the place of a hostage in a supermarket siege. The people of Trebes paid an emotional farewell to three local victims at a ceremony in the square of the sleepy town on Thursday, held a day after a national tribute to officer Arnaud Beltrame in Paris led by President Emmanuel Macron. "You fell under the bullets of terrorism and took with you the insouciance of a little town in Occitanie where no one expected to ever experience such happenings," Trebes Mayor Eric Menassi told mourners at the gathering attended by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.
Security forces under fire
The security forces have been repeatedly targeted during the string of jihadist attacks that have claimed the lives of 240 people around France in the past three years. At least six security force members have been killed during that period. In last week's attack, the Moroccan-born gunman Radouane Lakdim fired at a group of policemen returning from a jog before storming the Super U store and shooting dead two people. He also killed the passenger of a car he hijacked in Carcassonne. Beltrame intervened during the supermarket siege to take the place of a cashier Lakdim was using as a human shield. But after three hours of negotiations the gunman, who claimed allegiance to the Islamic State group, slit Beltrame's throat before himself being shot dead by police. Paying tribute to Beltrame at a national ceremony in Paris on Wednesday, President Emmanuel Macron said his act of self-sacrifice would "remain etched in French hearts." Lakdim, who had a criminal record for weapons and drugs offenses, was on a watchlist of suspected radicals, but authorities had concluded that he did not pose a threat. His 18-year-old girlfriend, a radicalized Muslim convert, has been charged with being part of a terrorist conspiracy. Other deadly assaults on police include the massacre at the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine in Paris in January 2015, in which two officers were killed, and the fatal April 2017 shooting of a policeman on the Champs Elysees.
The army and police have also been targeted in several non-deadly attacks. In August 2017, a man rammed his car into a group of soldiers on anti-terror patrol in the western Paris suburb of Levallois-Perret, injuring six people.

SoftBank's CEO: Vision 2030 Is Consistent with Our Vision
New York- Asharq Al Awsat/Thursday, 29 March, 2018/SoftBank Group Corp’s (9984.T) Vision Fund will invest in creating the world’s biggest solar power project in Saudi Arabia, it said on Tuesday, stepping up its involvement in the kingdom and expanding beyond technology.
The project is expected to have the capacity to produce up to 200 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, SoftBank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son told reporters in New York. That would add to around 400 GW of globally installed solar power capacity and is comparable to the world’s total nuclear power capacity of around 390 GW as of the end of 2016. By investing in solar power, Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, can reduce the amount of crude it currently uses to generate power and increase its overseas shipments. The move illustrates the commitment by the de facto Saudi ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to transform the country’s economic status quo. The final investment total for the 200 GW of generation, including the solar panels, battery storage and a manufacturing facility for panels in Saudi Arabia, will eventually total around $200 billion, Son said. The initial phase of the project, for 7.2 GW of solar capacity, will cost $5 billion, with $1 billion coming from SoftBank’s Vision Fund and the rest from project financing, he said. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform plan, which aims to reduce the country’s economic dependence on oil, was a good match for the fund’s long-term vision for innovation, said Son. “These two visions have come together to create clean, sustainable, low-cost and productive renewable energy,” he said. “The Kingdom has great sunshine, great size of available land, and great engineers...”Despite being one of the world’s sunniest countries, Saudi Arabia generates most of its electricity from oil-fired power plants. Saudi’s entire installed power capacity is currently around 60 GW. Adding 200 GW would create enormous excess capacity that could be exported to neighbors or used by industry, although the kingdom will still require other forms of power generation for night-time back-up. Industry estimates say around 300,000 to 800,000 barrels per day of crude oil are burnt for Saudi power generation. Exporting that oil could increase Saudi’s annual oil revenues by between $7 billion and $20 billion, at the current price for benchmark Brent LCOc1 oil of almost $70 per barrel. “Saudi Arabia is clearly preparing for a post-fossil fuel dependent economy in terms of domestic energy consumption, and this huge bet on renewables would free up a lot of domestic output of oil for exports, while probably saving domestic gas resources as well,” said Peter Kiernan, lead energy analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit in Singapore. “Up until now, progress in building solar capacity in the kingdom has been very slow, but this deal might give it the kick start it needs. But 200 GW by 2030 though, that’s another question,” Kiernan said.

Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on March 29-30/18

Report: Israeli stealth fighters fly over Iran
مقاتلات الشبح الإسرائيلية تحلق فوق إيران
Jerusalem Post/March 29/18
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/63530
Two Israeli F-35 fighter jets entered Iranian airspace over the past month, Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida reported on Thursday. The act is a signal of heightened regional tensions, especially in light of recent Israeli military attacks in Syria, including against Iranian bases in the country.
Sources quoted in Al-Jarida stated that two stealth fighters flew over Syrian and Iraqi airspace to reach Iran, and even targeted locations in the Iranian cities Bandar Abbas, Esfahan and Shiraz.
The report states that the two fighter jets, among the most advanced in the world, circled at high altitude above Persian Gulf sites suspected of being associated with the Iranian nuclear program.
It also states that the two jets went undetected by radar, including by the Russian radar system located in Syria. The source refused to confirm if the operation was undertaken in coordination with the US army, which has recently conducted joint exercises with the IDF.
The source added that the seven F-35 fighters in active service in the IAF have conducted a number of missions in Syria and on the Lebanese-Syrian border. He underlined that the fighter jets can travel from Israel to Iran twice without refueling.
Israel has admitted to launching about 100 air strikes on Syria over the past five years, targeting Hezbollah terrorists, weapons convoys and infrastructure, and it is believed to be behind dozens more.
Netanyahu in April 2016: Israel has carried out dozens of strikes in Syria
On March 21, the IDF cleared for publication that Israel was behind the 2007 destruction of a nuclear reactor that was under construction in northern Syria.
In February, Israeli F-16 fighter jets entered Syrian airspace, striking 12 Iranian targets in Syria in response to an Iranian drone that was shot down over Israel. Two Israeli crew members were wounded when they ejected from their jet before it crashed, which was later determined to be caused by pilot error.
In response to the Iranian drone, a senior Israeli official warned that Israel will react with force to Iran's efforts to entrench itself further in Syria.
"...the Iranians are determined to continue to establish themselves in Syria, and the next incident is only a matter of time,” he said, warning that Israel does not rule out that that the Islamic Republic will continue to try to attack Israel.
**Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.

The Secret World of the Palestinian Authority
Bassam Tawil/Gatestone Institute/March 29/2018
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/12103/palestinian-authority-corruption
The failure of the donors -- mainly the US and the EU -- to demand accountability and transparency from the Palestinian Authority has deprived Palestinians of a significant part of the funds.
It has also encouraged Palestinian leaders to continue pocketing millions of dollars, enriching their private and hidden bank accounts.
The Palestinians, of course, are the primary victims in this story.
A report published this week offers a rare glance into the secret world of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which was established in 1994 in accordance with the Oslo Accords signed between Israel and the PLO.
Headed by Mahmoud Abbas, the PA has since received billions of dollars in aid from the US, EU and several other donor countries.
However, the failure of the donors to demand accountability and transparency from the Palestinian Authority has deprived Palestinians of a significant part of the funds. It has also encouraged Palestinian leaders to continue pocketing millions of dollars, enriching their private and hidden bank accounts.
One would have expected the Western donors to have woken up and noticed that Palestinian leaders are misusing the taxpayer money they send.
One would have expected the Americans and Europeans to come to Abbas and his cronies, bang on the table, and demand that they start using and investing money for the welfare of their people, and not for their friends and family members.
The report, published by the Coalition For Accountability And Integrity (AMAN), established in 2000 by a number of civil society organizations working in the field of democracy, human rights, and good governance, shows that the Western donors have learned nothing from their past mistakes.
The report also shows that the Palestinian Authority remains the same corrupt body it has been since its inception more than twenty years ago.
Under Yasser Arafat, the PA was plagued with widespread corruption and mismanagement. His successor, Mahmoud Abbas, has followed in this tradition and, despite his repeated promises, the Palestinian Authority remains as corrupt as ever.
Why should Abbas and his associates work to improve the living conditions of their people if those who are pouring billions of dollars on them continue to turn a blind eye to financial and administrative corruption in the PA they are funding?
Entitled "Integrity and Combating Corruption: Palestine 2017," the AMAN report reviews the status of corruption and lack of transparency and accountability in the Palestinian Authority during 2017.
It is one of the most comprehensive reports looking into the widespread corruption and squandering of public funds by the Palestinian Authority leadership.
The report found, for example, that the Palestinian Authority had invested $17.5 million in building a "presidential palace" for Abbas. The palace is built on an area of 4,700 square meters.
After facing criticism over the project, Abbas decided to convert the palace into a huge national library.
Here is what the report had to say about the grandiose project:
"Honorable as it may sound to convert the presidential palace into a public library, it remains to be the epitome of misuse of public funds as well as a bad example of lack of prioritization. And although the idea of building a hospitality palace for official foreign delegations is not evil in itself, it is not and never was a priority for Palestinians, given the urgent need to finance vital services such as health and education. This is apart from the chronic financial crisis plaguing the Palestinian Authority. And while recognizing the importance of a national library, the idea of converting the palace to one is detrimental, since it would cost more than building a new library from the start due to the construction and re-construction details it involves."
The 83-year-old Abbas could have invested the $17.5 million in building a new hospital or creating new jobs for his people, but he chose to build a palace for his cohorts and himself on a hilltop on the outskirts of Ramallah.
Was the palace part of Abbas's plan for a quiet, comfortable and luxurious retirement? The idea of converting the palace into a national library is equally ridiculous. For the Palestinians, a new school or hospital is more urgently needed than a library. Besides, at this point, the Palestinians hardly need a library that looks like a royal palace.
Pictured: Mahmoud Abbas' $17.5 million "presidential palace" near Ramallah. After facing criticism over the project, Abbas decided to convert the palace into a huge national library. (Image source: Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction)
Here is another example provided by the report concerning the Palestinian Authority's practice of squandering public money: paying the salaries and expenses of a non-existent airline called "Palestine Airlines."
It said that "hundreds of employees of this company continue to receive salaries and allowances from the Palestinian Authority, although the company is not registered as a company in accordance with Palestinian law."
The budget for this company, the report found, is included in the budget of the Palestinian Ministry of Transportation, but with no specific details of how the money is spent.
The "Palestine Airlines" employees are not the only civil servants who are paid despite not working and their being employed by a company that does not really exist. According to the report, members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), the Palestinians' parliament, have also been benefiting from monthly salaries, despite the parliament having been paralyzed for more than a decade as a result of the dispute between Abbas's ruling Fatah faction and Hamas.
"The continuation of the dysfunction of the PLC, in 2107, posed the biggest challenge to formal accountability and oversight of the government's performance in terms of management of public funds and public affairs in general," the report stated. In 2017, the report revealed, the Palestinian Authority spent more than 39 million shekels (about $11 million) on the PLC. Half of the money went to salaries for the Palestinian lawmakers even though they have not been working for more than a decade. The report continued:
"It is the right of citizens to inquire about the feasibility of these expenses without tangible results of the role of the PLC, and its failure to hold sessions that include members of Parliament in the West Bank and Gaza, in accordance with the law... Results of the government's plans did not show restraint in the continuing financial crisis of the PA, nor rationalization of public expenditures, or control over procurement and administrative and operational expenditures. In addition, talk of austerity continued without carrying out any serious implementation steps."
The report also found continued flaws in the structure of the Palestinian Authority security apparatus. The increase in the number of high-ranking officers had a negative impact on the performance of the security forces. In addition, this increase in the numbers placed an added burden on the public budget. The percentage of officers in three security apparatuses accounted for 50% of all officers in the Palestinian Authority's eight security forces.
The report found that corruption has also extended to the purchase of vehicles for Palestinian officials and their family members and friends. "Influential persons in senior positions were granted tax exemptions with legal basis for approval," the report found. "The amount of wasted funds is enormous." Here, it is worth noting that the Palestinian Authority law allows Palestinian terrorists who spent more than 20 years in Israeli prison to receive, one time only, a free car. This, of course, is in addition to the Palestinian Authority's policy of paying salaries to families of Palestinian prisoners and "martyrs."
According to the report, "political corruption has deepened in the Palestinian case due to the presence of two authorities, one in the West Bank and the other in the Gaza Strip." This division, which is the result of the Hamas-Fatah power struggle, has harmed Palestinian lives on many levels and negatively affected public funds, human rights and freedoms, and development as the two governments took decisions and measures to weaken each other.
In 2017, the Palestinian Authority's Anti-Corruption Commission received 430 complaints, but only 21 were referred to the prosecution's office, the report noted. "This indicates that the commission, its staff and follow-up mechanisms are slow," it added. "As for the nature of the cases, they ranged from embezzlement to abuse of power to fraud to breach of trust and bribery." The largest proportion of those accused of corruption crimes were employees in the governmental public sector.
The report also took to task the Palestinian Authority for the way it approved its 2017 budget. The full version of the budget was not made public; only revenues and expenditures were presented with no details as to allocations for each ministry. Nor did the budget law include a table illustrating the Palestinian Authority's debts and loans or propose a plan for the collection of payments of these debts and loans. In addition, contributions and investments of the Palestinian Authority in local and non-local companies were also not clarified.
The Western media completely ignores such reports. By doing so, Western journalists are betraying their own people by failing to inform them how their foreign-aid money is being embezzled and squandered by corrupt Palestinian leaders. The Palestinians, of course, are the primary victims in this story. They live in poverty as their leaders scrabble to misappropriate public funds. The lives of the Palestinians could have been much better had their leaders been held accountable for their actions.
For Palestinians, to confront the dictators in Ramallah and the Gaza Strip means nothing short of putting one's life on the line. Yet the same is not true for the international community, including Western mainstream media.
Why, then, do they continue to look the other way as Abbas constructs gilded mansions for himself and his buddies? Perhaps because they are too busy digging up dirt about Israel. But when journalists close their eyes and ears, enabling the theft of American and European taxpayer money by despotic Palestinian leaders who continue to injure their own people, the tinsel begins to tarnish on the golden world of the Palestinian Authority.
**Bassam Tawil is a Muslim based in the Middle East.
© 2018 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.

Trump and the war hawk
Ahmad al-Farraj/Al Arabiya/March 29/18
Some time back, news of President Donald Trump considering the dismissal of his secretary of state Rex Tillerson was leaked. And despite Trump’s denial, the speculations were true. Trump dismissed his eccentric foreign minister, who had entered politics from the back door and could not tell the difference between diplomacy and running a giant oil company.
This is not an accusation. In fact, he admitted to the New York Times that when he was president of the giant ExxonMobil company, he was used to having the last word. Thus, he became frustrated and bored as the head of the US diplomacy, because he only submitted recommendations and did not have the authority to take the decision, since that power lied with Trump.
The bottom line is that Trump is attracting experienced Republican hawks, like Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, which implies that he is forming a “war cabinet”, which is bad news for Tehran's clerics and all the countries that support terrorism
Dismissing Tillerson, McMaster
Although he was meant to be the leader of diplomacy, Tillerson crossed the line when he called Trump a “moron” at a private meeting. This was leaked to the media and Tillerson did not explicitly deny it. Perhaps his isolation proved advantageous for him, as he didn’t accomplish anything notable on all the problematic issues, and he was more of an obstacle on the issue of the Gulf crisis.
Soon after, Trump dismissed National Security Adviser Herbert McMaster, a general who had served in the Second Gulf War, and in the Iraq invasion. No one really knows exactly why he was dismissed, but it seems that he didn’t see eye to eye with Trump on certain issues, just like Tillerson.
It’s hard for the president to confront problematic and difficult issues with a non-cooperative team. The national security adviser, the secretary of state, and the defense secretary are pillars that constitute the triangle of the US decision-making process, with the support of security and intelligence institutions.
Perhaps the main reason for the isolation of McMaster was his position on the nuclear agreement with Iran as he did not support the agreement, but believed it to be the best option at the time. Trump, however, believed that the agreement was unfair to the United States and its allies, and that Obama executed it in great haste. Trump thus insisted on making amendments to it or repealing it altogether.
Bolton’s appointment
Trump has since chosen experienced politician and Republican hawk John Bolton as national security adviser. He is a lawyer who has served in many positions, serving as assistant attorney general for the Civil Division under President Ronald Reagan and worked with President Bush Sr. as assistant secretary of state for International Organization Affairs. He also served as undersecretary of state for Arms Control and International Security Affairs in the Bush Jr. administration.
But his most important role was his work as an American ambassador to the United Nations, also under the Bush Jr. administration. He is a researcher at many prestigious research institutions, especially the conservative ones. He is known as a conservative and a patriotic politician, and nicknamed as a “war hawk” because of his support for all the wars waged by the United States.
He also calls, without hesitation, for regime change in Iran and North Korea. The bottom line is that Trump is attracting experienced Republican hawks, like Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, which implies that he is forming a “war cabinet”, which is bad news for Tehran's clerics and all the countries that support terrorism.

A China-Pakistan Base Deal Could Put Iran on the Back Foot
صفقة بناء قاعدة صينية- باكستانية قد تضر بالمصالح الإيرانية

Farzin Nadimi/Washington Institute/March 29/18
فرزين نديمي/معهد واشنطن/29 آذار/18
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/63533

March 27, 2018
Beijing's economic project in Gwadar Port and planned military presence in the Jiwani peninsula may wind up redrawing the region's geopolitical map.
According to the Washington Times and other sources, China plans to build a naval and air base on Pakistan's southwestern Jiwani Bay, just across the border from Iran and nearly 500 kilometers from the Strait of Hormuz. About 60 kilometers east of Jiwani is Gwadar, where Beijing is developing a massive commercial port at the end of its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. While Chinese officials have kept silent about the Jiwani reports since they first emerged in January, Pakistan dismissed them as "propaganda" aimed at discrediting the corridor project. Yet the alleged plans follow the pattern of other Chinese military activities in the region, raising concerns in India, Iran, and elsewhere.
STRATEGIC RATIONALE BEHIND THE MOVES
In 2015, Beijing released a military white paper outlining a new policy of "active defense," which envisioned Chinese armed forces assuming a more global role in order to protect the country's interests overseas. These interests include the steady flow of Middle Eastern oil—in 2016, China imported 7.6 million barrels of crude per day, more than 70 percent of which came from the Persian Gulf.
Up until the past decade, China had very little military presence in the Arabian Sea and adjoining waterways, leaving it with only limited options for safeguarding its interests there. In 2009, however, Beijing began an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, enabling it to deploy naval forces to the area indefinitely. And in 2017, it inaugurated a large naval base in nearby Djibouti, overlooking the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Beijing portrayed the latter project as a contribution to regional security and development, including construction of a railway to landlocked Ethiopia. Yet news of the planned Jiwani initiative may cast the Djibouti base in a different light. If completed, the two bases would place Chinese forces at the mouth of two strategically vital international waterways, potentially allowing Beijing to restrict its rivals' movements there as part of a wider antiaccess/area denial (A2/AD) strategy (which the Chinese call "active strategic counterattacks on exterior lines," or ASCEL).
As for the deep-sea Gwadar Port, it is slated to become one of the largest of its kind in the world, able to handle China's planned fleet of large aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines. It is also seen as a vital part of Beijing's "Belt and Road Initiative," an estimated $57 billion project that India has stridently opposed—partly because it traverses the disputed Kashmir region, but also because it could help China dominate trade routes in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The new port will reportedly handle up to 400 million tons of cargo per year when it becomes fully operational in 2019.
Despite Gwadar's location on Pakistani territory, many observers are concerned that China will eventually assume full authority over the port. This fear is not unfounded—in addition to securing a forty-year build-operate-transfer agreement for Gwadar, Beijing conducted a similar takeover of Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port, first developing the harbor and later assuming full control of it as debt repayment.
ON IRAN'S DOORSTEP
So far, Iranian officials have not publicly commented on the Jiwani news or China's increasing militarization in the Indian Ocean. Perhaps they understand China's desire to protect its trade interests in the Silk Road revival effort and are considering their own potential future stake in that endeavor. Even so, the fast growth and uncertain intent of China's security presence on the border is giving Iran pause, as reflected in numerous domestic media reports and expert analyses.
In 2016, Iran opened what will eventually be a $1 billion extension to Chabahar, its only deep-water port, located 116 kilometers from the Jiwani peninsula. The project was jointly funded by India with the specific goal of creating a direct trade corridor to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. India offered the funding with the Obama administration's blessing.
It is unclear if Tehran will now ask Pakistan to tone down China's military plans for Jiwani—a conversation that could involve carrots or sticks. On March 11, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Islamabad in a bid to increase bilateral trade from $1 to 5 billion. During the trip, he made a surprise offer to Pakistan (and, indirectly, China) to join the Iranian-Indian expansion effort at Chabahar, which even at its maximum expected capacity of 80 million tons is no match for the massive Gwadar project. The offer was made despite Islamabad's rivalry with India, and despite the failed "Peace Gas Pipeline" that was intended to export Iranian natural gas to India through Pakistan. Tehran has also sought entry into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, but its overtures have been unanswered so far, even though Beijing invited Afghanistan to join in December.
Meanwhile, the Iranian navy is building one of its most sophisticated intelligence collection facilities right across Jiwani Bay at Pasabandar. It has been constructing a base there for some time as part of a strategy to increase the military and commercial presence on the neglected "Makran" (Gulf of Oman) coastline, but progress has been very slow.
GEOPOLITICAL IMPLICATIONS
Despite partnering with India on the Chabahar project, Iran is keen to show Pakistan that such links are not aimed at taking sides with its rival. Accordingly, Tehran has offered to expand bilateral military ties with Islamabad in an apparent attempt to lay the foundation for a future Iran-Pakistan-China alliance.
If, however, China proceeds with its plans for Jiwani without a major concession to the Iranians, Tehran may decide to give the Indian military occasional "logistical support" rights at Chabahar, similar to the way it permitted Russian jets to stage Syrian airstrikes from its territory in 2016 (assuming India does in fact come through with all of the funding it has pledged for the port). India's naval strength in the Indian Ocean remains superior to Pakistan and China's combined, so such an offer would not be significant on its own. Yet a base at Jiwani would allow China to overlook India's maritime corridor to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
More broadly, Jiwani would give Beijing the option of expanding its A2/AD strategy to the U.S. Fifth Fleet's theater of operations—a longstanding concern in Washington. Iran would benefit from a local rivalry between the two superpowers, but only so long as its own interests are not threatened.
Last summer, a Chinese naval flotilla visited Iran's Bandar Abbas port, and there are unconfirmed reports of possible military cooperation between the two countries. Tehran needs foreign help to modernize its navy, and China is a potential partner in that regard, having already become a steady supplier of naval equipment to Pakistan (reportedly including the sale of Yuan-class submarines). Yet Tehran seems to realize the limits of possible military cooperation with Beijing—on January 23, Gen. Rahim Safavi, an advisor to the Supreme Leader, proposed a coalition with Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and Syria to counter U.S. influence in the region, notably omitting China.
CONCLUSION
Iran's ambitious development plans for Chabahar and the rest of the Makran coast are lagging behind due to international sanctions, mismanagement, and the regime's inherent resistance to developing its border regions. In the end, India may decide that cooperating with Tehran in order to counter Chinese-Pakistani naval cooperation is not as important as preserving its close military relations with the United States.
For the time being, then, India and China will likely wait to see how Iran fares with the West on getting more sanctions lifted and addressing other outstanding issues (e.g., missile proliferation and human rights abuses). Meanwhile, Tehran will do whatever it can to improve its intelligence and military capabilities near China's future Arabian Sea base.
**Farzin Nadimi is a Washington-based analyst specializing in the security and defense affairs of Iran and the Persian Gulf region.

The contours of a non-imminent war

حازم الامين/حرب غير وشيكة
Hazem al-Amin/Al Arabiya/March 29/18

http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/63537
It seems there is no prospect of a US-Israeli war against Iranian sway over Syria and Lebanon before major upcoming political and military developments unfold, i.e. before the Syrian regime and its allies grab more districts from the factions fighting in the Damascus suburbs and before the parliamentary elections are held in Lebanon on May 6. Speculation over the outbreak of this war recently increased and some indicators hinted it was likely. The Israelis have been closely watching developments in the Damascus countryside and have said that Iran is getting closer to these areas.
Meanwhile, the US has included more hawks in its administration – hawks who believe that the confrontation with Iran has become a necessity. The most recent addition to the US administration was John Bolton.
Amman has openly expressed its fear that a major regional confrontation might take place close to its borders, in southern Syria.
The specter may not rise soon
However, there is a set of other indicators that point to the fact that a war may not be imminent, even though it may still be inevitable. The status quo on the supposed fronts, which are in southern Syria and South Lebanon, does not seem to be ending soon. Iran is moving in Syria in sync with the current status quo, and although it sometimes violates it, resulting in Israeli strikes, it still accepts the permissible allowances of this game. As for southern Lebanon, it’s in no one’s interest to break the truce which has been on for 12 years. Tehran is expanding in Syria and approaching the borders with Israel which will not stand still and accept growing Iranian influence near it. Thus, the factors that precede a war are very much in play. There are checks and balances in southern Syria that no one has breached till now, although Tehran is pushing forward the proverbial envelope
American enthusiasm to strike Iran in Syria is not enough, especially as Washington has no direct military wings there. If at all, it is going to be mainly an Israeli-Iranian war, with the former only seeking to secure its own interests. However, it is difficult to argue against the inevitability of war. Tehran is expanding in Syria and approaching the borders with Israel which will not stand still and accept growing Iranian influence near it. Thus, the factors that precede a war are very much in play. There are checks and balances in southern Syria that no one has breached till now, although Tehran is pushing forward the proverbial envelope. The calculations of war are not only related to geographic aspects here. The price which Tel Aviv wants in return includes Jerusalem, as striking Iran whether in Syria or Lebanon would serve other parties that are not present on this front. Israel does not work for free and does not miss a chance to ask for a price.
Unsaid rules of the game
The current status quo is maintained on the basis of unsaid equations, which depend on the frequent punitive air strikes against Tehran and its allies. These strikes allow both sides to manage their interests and needs. Israel through these strikes limits the danger of Iran building an arsenal near its borders.
Meanwhile, Iran absorbs the strikes and continues to declare itself as part of this borders’ game, although these are not its borders! Until now the American desire for this war does not seem enough to ignite the warfronts. In recent years, Washington appears to have stepped away and turned into a player working from the outside. Its military presence in Syria is largely symbolic, mostly in the north and west of the country. Although it has eventually approached the desert, close to the southern front in Rukban, its presence remained mainly symbolic without much war-like significance.
Wars need more than symbolic messages and Israel would not accept to wage war alone. So far, Washington appears more willing to resolve the issues politically and not on the field. Moscow’s influence also should not be underestimated. In view of this scenario, a confrontation does not seem imminent, although there seems to be no other viable scenario in the medium term.

Doha’s fingerprints all over false news, cybercrimes
Mamdouh AlMuhaini/Al Arabiya/March 29/18
In May of last year, the email of UAE ambassador to the US Yousef al-Otaiba was hacked by a group that dubbed itself GlobalLeaks. The group sent the hacked e-mails to a number of newspapers and news sites including to the famous Daily Beast. Qatar’s fingerprints were all over the operation as it bore Doha’s style and aims, as well as its media approach to the incident that soon followed.
The group stated that it did not hack the e-mail and - just like the well-known Qatari denial tactic - claimed that it received the e-mails from an advocacy group in Washington. This is an obvious lie because all evidence, including the use of digital cameras to take photos of the e-mails, indicated that the email was hacked. The aims were to serve Qatar which sought to sow divisions between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh and expose Otaiba’s “scandals” by show the UAE as an anti-Islamic state. Well-known Qatari media outlets, as well as other outlets that are secretly funded by Qatar, launched a vulgar propaganda campaign about the entirely fabricated subject. Doha’s tactics do not stop at hacking but they also include propagating fabricated information which American media outlets immediately republish because they seek any piece of news that may topple Trump
Foiled sabotage attempts
The end results backfired and disappointed Doha and its hired hackers. There was nothing in the hacked e-mails that could negatively affect Saudi-Emirati relations, in fact the opposite was true. Otaiba’s alleged scandals showed he was a strong man with major influence in Washington. The hacked e-mails showed that the UAE calls for moderation and is fighting extremist groups with a strong and determined will. This is a positive advertisement that plenty of money is usually spent for in PR campaigns, but this time it was paid for using Qatari money.
Qatar failed to achieve its aims and the party ended before it even began. We never heard of GlobalLeaks after that. However, Qatar’s hacking operations continued and most recently the emails of Elliott Broidy, a top Republican fund-raiser who is one of the most prominent symbols of Trump’s presidential campaign, and his wife have been hacked. The stolen documents were leaked to media outlets including the New York Times.
Qatari fingerprints are present all over the crime scene. As usual, the Qataris placed an innocent Scandinavian face at the forefront of the crime and claimed their innocence. Broidy filed a lawsuit against Qatar and said they paid millions of dollars to mislead public opinion and smear his name, vowing to make them pay the price. The aim of Broidy’s e-mail hack was to claim that he played a significant role in influencing the Trump administration to favor supporting the quartet’s decision to boycott Doha because of its support of terrorism.
The attempt also failed to achieve any of their aims, despite the media’s efforts to forge news and fabricate a crisis with a snowball effect. All this quickly came to an end and all that’s left now is the trial which will begin soon.
Doha continues failed tactics
Doha’s tactics do not stop at hacking but they also include propagating fabricated information which American media outlets immediately republish because they seek any piece of news that may topple Trump. This has allowed Doha to propagate dozens of weak narratives and unreliable information. Doha’s agents exploited the leftist liberal media’s obsession with hating Trump and deceived them by providing inaccurate information.
The most recent fabricated story states that Jared Kushner’s father received around $500 million from the Qatari government in April 2017 as part of a real estate deal. A media storm ensued and it later turned out the story was false. It was true that Jared’s father met with the Qataris, but he refused to take a cent as he wanted to avoid any conflict of interest that could affect Jared who is Trump’s advisor.
The story was leaked to harm Kushner’s credibility and spread a sense of conspiracy and suspicions. Despite all these strenuous Qatari efforts and paid funds, Doha did not benefit anything from this fabricated story.
Inaccuracy of leftist US media
There have been plenty of other similar fabricated stories. For instance, the Washington Post cited intelligence officials, which it did not name, as saying that the UAE orchestrated the hacking of the Qatari news agency. It’s clear that the leaks were Qatari. The renowned news site made several professional mistakes while covering this story as it did not rely on clear sources for such big news. What happened to this story now and what are its repercussions? Has the daily confirmed it? Has it found new sources that confirm it? Has it exposed the old sources? You will never have any answers to these significant questions even if you ask the daily about them all day.
Serious accusations have also been made against Saudi Arabia due to Qatari leaks extensively promoted by Qatari media. These accusations are related to supporting terrorism and being involved in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. Many commentators and analysts wrote about the Saudis’ “special privileges” and about the 28 confidential pages of the Congress report on the September 11, 2001 attacks claiming that they showed Saudi Arabia’s involvement.
However, they all turned out to be false. Many of these allegations relied on suspicious intelligence reports and they all ended up with nothing. Have these accusations come to an end? Have these media outlets reported a second amended version of the story telling the truth? Of course not. They rather repeated the same accusations which relied on the same secret reports.
Despite all these fabrications, hackings and continuous cybercrimes, Doha still claims its innocence and repeatedly states that its news agency was hacked and false statements were attributed to its emir. Qatar maintains all these claims while it is the one practicing all these vices that rather suit gangs, militias and rogue states.