Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on September 21-22/2023
Qatari envoy's 'secret' talks in Lebanon: A new presidential path?
LBCI/September 21/2023
Between giving momentum to the Lebanese file on one hand and returning it to square one on the other, there is a lot of talk, but the reality remains unclear. While it was expected that the meeting of the Quintet Committee held in New York would result in a clear statement regarding the Lebanese issue, there was talk of a disagreement or difference between committee members, especially the American and French sides, during the meeting, leaving many questions and speculations. More than one diplomatic source confirmed that it was initially decided not to issue a statement because nothing has changed since the latest Doha statement until now. As for the talk about American-French disagreement in the meeting or their differences in the approach to the Lebanese file, diplomatic sources denied this and clarified that the Quintet Committee did not delegate the French to continue with the initiative and that Qatar's representative was the one who discussed with the French the timeframe for the mission entrusted to Jean-Yves Le Drian. The sources also denied that the participants discussed any names under the title of the "third option," especially the name of the army commander. At the same time, the Qatari envoy who arrived in Lebanon began his discussions with the Lebanese parties. These talks, as in previous times, will be kept secret, especially since Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani is a security figure. The Qatari envoy has set an agenda for his meetings, which will not be as extensive as the French envoy's. He will limit them to specific parties directly related to the presidential elections. In this context, LBCI sources confirm that the Qatari envoy held a meeting with the head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, without specifying his other meetings, including one with the head of the Marada Movement, Sleiman Frangieh. The information suggests that the Qatari envoy came to gauge opinions before the arrival of Qatar's Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, at the beginning of next month. However, more than one observer confirmed that the presidential file has returned to square one, and there is nothing preventing a settlement that abandons the old names in favor of new options.

Unmasking the smuggler's gambit: Lebanese-Syrian border chronicles
LBCI/September 21/2023
When political and security interventions cease to release smugglers after their arrest by the Army, only then can we hope for deterrence of smuggling networks. Until that moment, the "cat-and-mouse game" between smugglers and the Lebanese Army at the Lebanese-Syrian border will continue.The latest chapter of smuggling is an operation that was seized by the Army in the Lebanese border town of Hawik. During the routine daily patrols conducted by the Army along smuggling routes, a patrol happened to pass by on Wednesday night while smugglers were trying to transport large quantities of cigarettes from Lebanon to Syria for another group to receive from the Syrian side. As a result, the Army clashed with the group, which opened fire on the patrol. Some of the individuals in the group managed to escape, while others were apprehended. One of the smugglers was injured and subsequently succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Smuggled goods vary in type over time based on market demand, with one of the most popular items being cigarettes. Smuggling these into Syria has become profitable for Lebanese smugglers, with each carton sold for around four dollars, which is cheaper for Syrians in light of the "monopoly" on importing it inside Syria. For instance, the price of one carton of a specific brand of flavored tobacco in Lebanon today is $19, while in Syria, it is sold for $24 per carton, with each box containing forty cartons. The price of a local cigarette carton in Lebanon today is $7, while in Syria, it is sold for $10 per carton, with each box containing fifty cartons. This time, the smuggled goods were confiscated by the Army and referred to the judiciary. However, human and commodity smuggling is an active trade that is difficult to control fully. This was highlighted by the Army's thwarting of an attempt by around 1,000 individuals to cross the Lebanese-Syrian border; as long as the number of Army deployed on the Lebanese-Syrian border with a length of 387 km is approximately 4,800 soldiers, they take turns serving, which means that the actual number deployed daily is half, while the need is for 40,000 soldiers. For example, imagine a battalion consisting of 1,000 soldiers must be spread out over 20 kilometers to carry out monitoring operations. In the north, the border battalion, for example, monitors a distance of 110 kilometers, and in the Bekaa, it covers 85 kilometers. Given this reality and the shortage of resources, there is no solution except for political coordination and stricter penalties against smugglers and their backers.

Security alert as gunman fires at US Embassy in Lebanon
Arab News/September 21, 2023
BEIRUT: Lebanese security forces are investigating a late-night gun attack on the US Embassy in Beirut in which more than a dozen shots were fired. The diplomatic mission said that no one was hurt in the incident late on Wednesday.Surveillance cameras showed a lone gunman dressed in black firing a Kalashnikov rifle before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. Embassy spokesman Jake Nelson said: “There were no injuries and our facility is safe,” adding that the mission was in “close contact” with local law enforcement. Lebanese military police marked at least five bullet holes in the wall next to the embassy entrance. The military judiciary has taken over the investigation into the attack. A judicial source told Arab News that the shooting was likely “a political message to the embassy rather than a security incident.”The source said that a bag had been found near the embassy’s perimeter, but “its contents or possible connection to the incident remain undisclosed.” No group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the heavily guarded compound.
The Lebanese army has beefed up security around the site. An army checkpoint, hundreds of meters away, monitors anyone using the road. Reformist MP Melhem Khalaf described the incident as “an extremely dangerous and unacceptable attack, reflecting both the fragility of the security situation on the one hand and an unprecedented audacity in conveying messages on the other, as if we have become a banana republic.”Khalaf said: “In order to nip in the bud any conspiracy or any rogue security project that may target Lebanon, the judiciary and security services must act immediately to identify the perpetrators, arrest them, and impose the harshest penalties on them.”The head of the Lebanese Kataeb Party, MP Samy Gemayel, said: “Checkpoints, identity checks and shots fired at embassies are scenes that the Lebanese people want to eliminate by building a respected state. Beware of the escalation of these incidents, as they will not be in anyone’s interest, especially those who instigate them.” MP Ziad Hawat warned against “playing with fire at this critical and sensitive moment,” adding that “Lebanon can no longer tolerate the policy of serving as a mailbox and sending messages to serve foreign interests.”Independent Beirut MP Fouad Makhzoumi said: “The US has always stood by Lebanon and its people, supported and backed it in all circumstances and during the most difficult ordeals it has faced.”The attack and “other such suspicious practices, tarnish the true image of Lebanon and do not represent it in any way, jeopardizing its international relations,” he said. Alfred Riachi, secretary-general of the Permanent Conference of Federalism, said: “The message of the de facto forces has reached the Army Commander, Gen. Joseph Aoun.”
The embassy attack comes amid rumors circulating in Beirut regarding US opposition to a French initiative to hold talks between rival Lebanese paries on the election of a president. The divided Lebanese parliament, with Hezbollah supporters and Christian parties opposed to its candidate Suleiman Frangieh, has been unable to secure a quorum for any candidate. The year-old presidential vacuum could now extend to key positions of power, including the army command, presidency of the Supreme Judicial Council, and governorship of the central bank, all of which are Christian positions.
In an address to mark International Day of Peace on Thursday, Joanna Wronecka, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, warned that “the presidential vacuum, the political impasse, and a protracted socioeconomic and financial crisis were undermining the ability of state institutions to deliver, widening the gap of poverty and inequality, and imperiling the country’s stability. “The deepening political polarization and intransigence is threatening Lebanon’s social cohesion and the sense of belonging among its people. Political leaders must act in the national interest, and seek real and practical solutions for a better future for their country,” she said.

Prime Minister Mikati urges vigilance following shooting incident at US embassy
LBCI/September 21/2023
The caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati closely followed the shooting incident at the entrance of the US Embassy in Awkar. He initiated a series of communications with security leaders to gather information about the incident, requesting a thorough investigation and swift resolution. Mikati emphasized that "the protection of diplomatic missions in Lebanon is an absolute non-negotiable matter." He reaffirmed that "there is no tolerance for reverting to old patterns of conveying political messages, which the Lebanese people have suffered greatly from." He also stated that "security agencies are on high alert to uncover the details of this condemnable incident and apprehend those responsible."

Security breach: Investigation underway following shots fired outside US embassy in Awkar
LBCI/September 21/2023
On Thursday, an armed individual approached the main entrance of the United States Embassy in Awkar, Lebanon, just past 10:30 PM. The assailant discharged a series of shots from an AK-47 rifle toward the embassy's main gate, striking it and the surrounding walls with multiple bullets before hastily fleeing the scene. A video obtained by Lebanese security forces reveals that the armed individual approached the embassy's entrance on foot, fired his weapon, and quickly departed. However, conflicting reports have emerged regarding his mode of arrival. Some sources suggest he arrived on a motorcycle, which he left in a nearby parking area before carrying out the attack and escaping on the same bike. Conversely, other security sources claim he arrived on foot and departed in the same manner, carrying the weapon. Amidst the conflicting information, reports indicate that two empty magazines and a bag were discovered at the scene. Some sources suggest that the attacker concealed the weapon within the bag, the only thing found. Lebanese security forces thoroughly searched the area but found no weapons or empty casings. Additionally, they found only empty envelopes and no firearms or magazines. The security forces have launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on individuals who may have provided the assailant with access to the location from which he fired the shots. It has been discovered that a Syrian gatekeeper allegedly opened a gate leading to a nearby residential neighborhood, where the attacker discharged his weapon. This gate was presumed locked, but the gatekeeper claimed to have opened it for a friend's visit. Both the Syrian concierge and his friend are currently under investigation.

Major General Aroldo Lázaro: UNIFIL's commitment to defusing tensions in South Lebanon
LBCI/September 21/2023
Peacekeepers representing 49 countries reaffirmed their dedication to peace and stability as they commemorated Thursday's International Day of Peace in Naqoura, South Lebanon. The event, hosted by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at its headquarters, brought together a diverse gathering, including Lebanese political leaders, local authorities, religious figures, the Lebanese Armed Forces, security personnel, UN officials, and international community members.UNIFIL's Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Aroldo Lázaro, addressed the audience, stating, "As our name says, we are peacekeepers – we keep the peace, but we do not bestow it," adding, "We keep the peace that the parties have each given space for, have each worked to maintain in their own ways. But whenever it is threatened, UNIFIL is there, ready to help."
Major General Lázaro, alongside Brigadier General Mounir Shehade representing the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), laid wreaths at the cenotaph in memory of the more than 300 UNIFIL peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving in South Lebanon since 1978. The UNIFIL leader emphasized the strong partnership between the mission and the Lebanese government and armed forces. He said, "We are here at the invitation of the Lebanese government, who have been our hosts for over forty-five years [...] We coordinate closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces, conducting patrols with them and on our own, to help the government someday exercise its authority over the entirety of this beautiful country."He also highlighted the significance of restraint and UNIFIL's role in deescalating tensions. "The danger of miscalculation remains, a danger that could jeopardize the cessation of hostilities and lead us to conflict," he cautioned. "It is important for the parties to bear this in mind and to use our liaison and coordination mechanisms to deconflict situations and decrease tensions. The full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 remains a shared responsibility, and the commitment of the parties is necessary to advance towards a long-term solution."The ceremony included the presentation of the UN Peacekeeping Medal to military staff officers for their contributions to the mission's objectives. White doves were released at UNIFIL's cenotaph as a symbolic gesture of peace.

Ready to help: UNIFIL celebrates International Day of Peace in Naqoura
Naharnet/September 21, 2023 
Peacekeepers wearing uniforms from 49 different countries expressed their commitment to peace and stability as they marked the International Day of Peace in Naqoura, south Lebanon today. Hosted by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at its headquarters, the ceremony brought together Lebanese political representatives, including Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab; local authorities; religious leaders; the Lebanese Armed Forces; security forces; U.N. officials, including Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka; and members of the international community.
“As our name says, we are peacekeepers – we keep the peace, but we do not bestow it,” UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro told the gathered crowd. “We keep the peace that the parties have each given space for, have each worked to maintain in their own ways. But whenever it is threatened, UNIFIL is there, ready to help.”Major General Lázaro and Brigadier General Mounir Shehade, representing the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), laid wreaths at the cenotaph in memory of the over 300 UNIFIL peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving in south Lebanon since 1978. The UNIFIL head emphasized the mission’s strong partnership with the Lebanese government and armed forces. “We are here at the invitation of the Lebanese government, who have been our hosts for over forty-five years,” he said. “We coordinate closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces, conducting patrols with them and on our own, to help the government someday exercise its authority over the entirety of this beautiful country.”He also stressed the importance of restraint and UNIFIL’s role in decreasing tensions. “The danger of miscalculation remains, a danger that could jeopardize the cessation of hostilities and lead us to conflict,” he said. “It is important for the parties to bear this in mind, and to use our liaison and coordination mechanisms to deconflict situations and decrease tensions. The full implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701 remains a shared responsibility and the commitment of the parties is necessary to advance towards a long-term solution.”During the ceremony, military staff officers were awarded with the U.N. Peacekeeping Medal in recognition of their participation in the mission’s work. As is customary, white doves were released at UNIFIL’s cenotaph to symbolize peace. UNIFIL also launched a Telegram channel today as another platform for people to receive information about peacekeepers’ work in real time. The International Day of Peace was established by the U.N. General Assembly in 1981. It is dedicated to ceasefire and non-violence and is an occasion during which all promote tolerance, justice, and human rights. Each year on this day, the United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a 24-hour cessation of hostilities and to commemorate the day through activities that promote peace.

Mikati at UN lauds 5-nation committee and French initiative
Naharnet/September 21, 2023 
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday told the U.N. General Assembly that he is looking forward for the Lebanese parliament to “play its sovereign role by electing a president in the coming period.”The new president should be one “around whom the Lebanese would unite and who restore the return of the republic through the presidency and the state institutions,” Mikati added. In this regard, the premier hailed “the role that the five-nation committee is playing” as well as “the French initiative aimed at helping complete this constitutional juncture.” As for the Syrian refugee crisis, Mikati warned the international community that “Lebanon will not remain in the eye of the storm alone,” in an apparent reference to a possible Syrian migrant influx from Lebanon to Europe. “I reiterate the call for devising a roadmap in cooperation with all those concerned in the international community, in order to find sustainable solutions for the Syrian displacement crisis, before its repercussions grow in an uncontrollable manner,” Mikati added.

UN special coordinator calls on Lebanon leaders to seek 'practical solutions'
Naharnet/September 21, 2023
The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka called Thursday for safeguarding Lebanon as a space for democracy, human rights, coexistence, plurality, and freedoms. "By its very constitution, Lebanon stands forth as a beacon of inter-faith co-existence,” she said, on the occasion of the International Day of Peace. “This is beyond just the absence of war. It is about peace rooted in a resilient, stable society that guarantees a life in dignity for all its citizens, respect for their rights and freedoms, a relationship of trust and hope in a shared future. To realise this vision for Lebanon, requires political will and resolute action.” More than four decades ago, the U.N. General Assembly established the International Day of Peace as an annual reminder of the ideals of peace. This year, the day is being observed world over under a theme calling to couple commitments with actions and respond to global risks with collective solutions. Noting recent incidents of violence and possession of illegal weapons in the country, the Special Coordinator hailed the efforts of the Lebanese Armed Forces and other state security agencies in maintaining security and stability but stressed that sustainable peace and stability needs more than just security measures. She emphasized the importance of abiding by the Lebanese Constitution, the Taef Accord and U.N. Security Council resolutions relevant to Lebanon, particularly resolution 1701 (2006). “Within the framework of resolution 1701, UNIFIL’s efforts in coordination with the parties, have enabled calm and stability along the Blue Line since 2006. However, implementing outstanding obligations under resolution 1701 by the parties will be critical for long-term peace and stability in the region," the Special Coordinator said. The Special Coordinator added that the presidential vacuum, the political impasse and a protracted socio-economic and financial crisis were undermining the ability of state institutions to deliver, widening the gap of poverty and inequality, and imperilling the country’s stability. “The deepening political polarization and intransigence is threatening Lebanon’s social cohesion and the sense of belonging among its people. Political leaders must act in the national interest, seek real and practical solutions for a better future for their country," she said. As world leaders convene in New York for the 78th U.N. General Assembly and to renew their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Special Coordinator hoped for concerted action in Lebanon to implement urgently needed reforms and accelerate progress towards realizing the SDGs. In all these endeavours and with a commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, sustainable peace, stability, development and to leaving no one behind, the Special Coordinator reiterated the U.N.’s commitment to continue supporting Lebanon and the Lebanese people.

For many displaced by Ain el-Helweh clashes, return is not an option
Associated Press/September 21, 2023
Nearly a week after a cease-fire agreement between warring factions in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp brought a fragile peace, hundreds of displaced residents see no immediate prospects of return. Some have lost their houses, while others do not trust that the calm will hold. For many, it's not the first time they have been forced to flee their homes. Among them is Munira Abu Aamsha, 63, who left the camp near the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon with her family, ducking from alleyway to alleyway under a rain of bullets. She has been sleeping for the past 10 days with her daughters and grandchildren in a classroom converted into a dormitory at a vocational training center run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, in the nearby town of Sebline. Abu Aamsha was born in the Tel al-Zaatar refugee camp near Beirut, where her parents had taken refuge after the war over the creation of Israel in 1948. She escaped from the camp as a teenager in 1976, she said, when Lebanese Christian militias who battled against the Palestinian Liberation Organization in Lebanon's civil war besieged and then razed the camp, killing many of its inhabitants.
She was displaced twice more within Lebanon during the war. When Israeli forces invaded Beirut in 1982, she fled again — this time with two small children — to Syria, where her family settled until that country's uprising-turned-civil war erupted in 2011, forcing them to return to Lebanon, where they rented a house in the Ain el-Helweh camp.
"I've been through more than one war and I'm not afraid for myself, but I'm afraid for my children," Abu Aamsha said. "Now my children are living through the same thing I went through."She doesn't know if her house is still standing, but she doesn't want to go back to it. "We just want to be able to settle down in one house and not have to flee from place to place," she said. Abu Aamsha's story is emblematic of many of the displaced camp residents, said Dorothee Klaus, UNRWA's director in Lebanon. "They're very tired — multiple times they've lost everything they own," she said. Some 800 people displaced from Ain el-Helweh are staying in shelters set up by the agency, Klaus said, including at schools in the area surrounding the camp that were supposed to go back into session on Oct. 2 but now will be delayed. Hundreds more are staying in mosques and other shelters not run by UNRWA, and potentially thousands with relatives in the surrounding area. The latest cease-fire agreement reached Thursday between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah group and Islamist militant groups in the camp came after clashes that killed at least 18 people and wounded more than 100. A previous round of clashes earlier in the summer killed at least 13. The UNRWA has yet to receive any of the $15.5 million it appealed for last month to respond to the fallout of the previous round of clashes, Klaus said.
Those funds are needed to find alternate places for about 6,000 children whose schools in the camp have been damaged and are still occupied by militants, to give cash aid to displaced families, and to start clearing rubble and removing leftover explosives from the camp, she said. Ibtisem Dahabri, who is also staying at the center in Sebline, has lived in Ain el-Helweh her whole life, weathering several previous rounds of clashes between factions in the camp. This time, she said, her house was burned and is now uninhabitable. "We've been displaced from the camp many times, but this time really hurts," she said. Dahabri used to tell friends in the neighboring city of Saida that "our camp is better," she said. "The camp had everything and we all loved each other and stood together." But now she no longer wants to go back. Today, she said, "if they gave me a palace in the camp, I don't want it."

Sami Gemayel hints Hezbollah behind Ain Ebel and US embassy incidents
Naharnet/September 21, 2023
Kataeb Party chief Sami Gemayel on Thursday hinted that Hezbollah was behind an alleged security incident near the southern town of Ain Ebel and a shooting attack on the U.S. Embassy in Awkar. “From Ain Ebel to Awkar, yesterday witnessed two dangerous incidents that reveal an intention for escalation on the ground by those who are destroying the republic,” Gemayel said in a post on the X platform, in an apparent reference to Hezbollah. “Checkpoints, ID checks and shootings at embassies -- scenes that the Lebanese want to eradicate through building a state that has authority,” Gemayel added. “Beware of the repetition of such incidents, seeing as they will not be in anyone’s interest, especially their perpetrators,” the Kataeb leader warned. At least five bullets hit a wall next to the U.S. Embassy entrance when a gunman opened fire overnight from a Kalashnikov assault rifle. Media reports said the black-clad, unidentified attacker used a motorcycle in the assault. Separately, media reports said masked gunmen had erected a checkpoint on Wednesday morning between the southern towns of Ain Ebel and Bint Jbeil, allegedly forcing passersby from Ain Ebel to return to the town. “At least two cars were turned back and their passengers, who are employees, told residents through WhatsApp groups about the presence of an armed checkpoint, warning them not to head to Bint Jbeil,” the reports said. In remarks to al-Akhbar newspaper, security sources said two young men likely erected the checkpoint in response to “stopping five young men from Aita al-Shaab and beating them up in Ain Ebel on the night of September 11 at the hands of four young men who carried out ID checks.”Ain Ebel and the neighboring areas have been witnessing tensions ever since veteran Lebanese Forces member Elias Hasrouni was abducted and killed, with the LF pointing the finger at Hezbollah.

Jumblat slams last 5-nation group meeting, asks what KSA wants
Naharnet/September 21, 2023
Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat was not pleased by the result of the latest 5-nation group meeting on Lebanon in New York. "Some are playing with the Lebanese," Jumblat told L'Orient-Le Jour newspaper, a day after the meeting. The group -- which comprises the U.S., France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt -- had convened Tuesday at the U.N. headquarters in New York but failed to issue a statement because of disagreements between its members. "The quintet has become a quartet," Jumblat said, as he accused "some members" of the group of "sabotaging" and "marginalizing" French envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian's mission. "It's a leap into the unknown," Jumblat charged, adding that the presidential crisis has returned to square one. The former PSP leader called on Saudi Arabia to "explain what it wants." "Things have reached a blatant and unacceptable level," he said. "This would fuel the ridiculous theories of those who want vacuum." Le Drian had visited Lebanon in September to resume his initiative to break the presidential deadlock, as he hoped that a dialogue proposed by Speaker Nabih Berri would pave the way for a solution. Berri's dialogue was rejected by opposition forces -- the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb party, the Tajaddod bloc, and some Change MPs -- who have refused to take part in talks to agree on a president before proceeding with a vote, preferring to rely on the democratic process. Divided over dialogue, the Lebanese pinned hopes on the five-nation group meeting but disagreements between the U.S. and France in the five-nation committee Tuesday marred the meeting, according to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad. Pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper also reported a "U.S. objection to the French management of the Lebanese file," adding that Washington has demanded a specific timeframe for Le Drian’s mission. It said that the French-Saudi rapprochement, that Le Drian and Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari were keen to highlight, did not receive support from the Americans, who are clearly pushing for assigning the mission to Qatar.

Syrian refugee crisis ‘threatening Lebanon’s very existence,’ Mikati tells UN
Arab News/September 21, 2023
Lebanon’s PM calls for election of president to end political gridlock
Insecurity in Middle East ‘casting a shadow over countries and their peoples’
NEW YORK CITY: Lebanon’s political gridlock, the occupation of parts of its territory and the Syrian refugee crisis have led to an “unprecedented economic, financial and humanitarian crisis” that “threatens the very existence” of the country, Prime Minister Najib Mikati has told the UN.
Speaking on Wednesday in the General Debate of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, Mikati listed the greatest threats to Lebanon’s stability and prosperity, and called for steps to address his country’s plight. He highlighted 2023 as marking the 80th anniversary of Lebanon’s independence, adding that over the past eight decades, Lebanon “has been striving to deserve its place among the peace and welfare-loving nations. “Lebanon was one of the founding fathers of this organization … (and had a) remarkable contribution in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Mikati said.
“But it hasn’t always been an easy journey. Besides the bright chapters of stability, growth, prosperity and peace building, Lebanon has also known long and extremely difficult phases.”The Lebanese PM, who was designated to fill the role in 2021, said that his country is facing “numerous, overlapping crises” that come “against the backdrop of a weakened international system and regional climate full of questions and challenges.”Those challenges “weigh heavily” on the Lebanese people, Mikati said. The first major challenge is the vacant position of president of the Lebanese republic, he added. The political gridlock in Beirut had led to institutional instability and an exacerbation of Lebanon’s economic and financial woes, said Mikati, who added that structural reforms, which the people “depend on to save the country,” cannot be launched. He commended the role of the five-nation group on Lebanon, which includes Saudi Arabia, as well as France’s efforts aimed at resolving the crisis. “I sincerely look forward to the Lebanese Parliament exercising its sovereign role by electing a president of the republic in the coming period,” Mikati said.
That would see Lebanon “returning to fulfil its mission and playing a leading role in close cooperation with our Arab brethren and our friends in the international community,” he added. Mikati said that the 12 years of displacement in Syria as a result of the country’s civil war is “threatening Lebanon’s very existence.”Per capita, Lebanon hosts the highest number of refugees in the world. The international community’s response to the issue is “timid” and falls short of an effective, sustainable solution, Mikati said, adding that Lebanon has repeatedly voiced its concerns in the international arena. “Lebanon will not be the only victim,” he warned, calling for the international community to take action on the displacement of Syria’s people. But Mikati highlighted a “positive development,” saying that Lebanon had “reached an agreement with the UNHCR on the exchange of information pertaining to the Syrian presence in Lebanon.”
The PM said that his country’s third major challenge concerned Israel’s continued occupation of Lebanese territory in the south as well as Tel Aviv’s “ongoing aggressions and violations.”Rising levels of political insecurity and instability in the Middle East are “casting a shadow over the countries of the region and their peoples,” Mikati said. But he hailed two recent steps toward rapprochement in the region: the return of Syria to the Arab League and the signing of the Saudi Arabia-Iran deal. He added: “I would like to express our solidarity with the Libyan and Moroccan peoples in the aftermath of the natural disasters, which ravaged the two countries.”Mikati said that despite the situation in Lebanon, his country is implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and aiming to meet the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement. He hailed Egypt’s hosting of COP27 and said that Lebanon looked forward to taking part in COP28 in the UAE later this year. Mikati ended his speech by calling for a “sovereign and independent Lebanese state; a strong, able and inclusive state cooperating with the international community, and friendly and brotherly countries.”“A Lebanese state that protects the parliamentary democratic system, and public and private freedoms; that engages in structural reforms and in strengthening the rule of law, citizenship, accountability and justice. “A Lebanese state of peace, tolerance and brotherly relations that adopts a policy of dissociation and stays away from the policy of axes. “A Lebanese state which is an urgent need for security peace, stability and prosperity in the region.”

From Block 9 to solar panels: Lebanon's diverse energy landscape takes center stage
LBCI/September 21/2023
A focus on solar energy and drilling in Block 9 for the discovery and extraction of oil and gas is what the speakers agreed on on the second day of the Beirut Energy Week, calling for there to be integration between the two, especially since gas is also one of the clean and low-cost energies. TotalEnergies, which is part of the consortium responsible for drilling in Block 9, is eagerly awaiting the drilling results and, at the same time, is working with the Ministry of Energy to be involved in solar energy and other alternative energy projects.The Lebanese Petroleum Administration also attended the Beirut Energy Week and is well aware that the gas that may be discovered in Block 9 is indispensable in securing electricity, considering that what is being and will be produced from alternative energies will not be sufficient. The Ministry of Environment was present on this day, as it encourages clean energy and has tasks with the increasing use of solar panels and technologies. In Lebanon, there are significant capabilities for generating electricity from solar and wind energy. If a coordinated and sustainable effort was put in place, in addition to sufficient funding, Lebanon could meet a significant portion of its electrical needs.

Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on September 21-22/2023
Saudi Crown Prince on Fox News: Five key takeaways from interview
Yusra Asif/Al Arabiya English/September 21/2023
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/122456/122456/
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on several key issues regarding the Kingdom’s foreign policy towards countries such as Iran, Israel and the US, economic growth, peace and stability in Yemen and the broader Middle East, and the Kingdom’s rapid social and political reforms in an interview with the US broadcaster Fox News. Here are five key takeaways from the Crown Prince’s conversation with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier. Saudi Arabia is ‘closer’ to normalizing ties with Israel; Palestine remains a key issue
Saudi Arabia is getting “closer” to normalizing ties with Israel with each passing day, according to the Crown Prince (widely known as MBS), who said that discussions on the normalization are ongoing with the United States.
The Saudi leader, however, reiterated that catering to the needs of the Palestinian people is an important underlying issue to achieve the breakthrough deal. “For us, the Palestinian issue is very important, and we have good negotiations,” the Crown Prince said. When asked whether he sees himself working with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, MBS said, “If we have a breakthrough of reaching a deal that gives the Palestinians their needs and makes the region calm, we [Saudi Arabia] will work with whoever is there.” MBS did not make any comments on potential concessions between Israel and Palestine as part of the normalization deal, stating that it’s part of the ongoing negotiations and that he did not want to “disrupt” things and continue the discussions with the Biden administration for a “good life for the Palestinians.”
Saudi will ‘have to’ get nuclear weapons if Iran does
When asked about Iran potentially getting a nuclear weapon, the Crown Prince said Saudi Arabia would “have to” get one in that case for “security reasons” and “balancing power in the Middle East.” He, however, added that any such attempts would be futile because a country cannot make use of a nuclear weapon without declaring war on the entire world. “You don’t need to get a nuclear weapon because you can’t use it… without having a war with the rest of the world,” MBS said.
“The world cannot see another Hiroshima,” he added.
Creating peace and stability in Yemen and the broader Middle East is a key Saudi goal
Establishing a good life for the Yemeni people is a key priority for Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince said, adding that stability and peace in the broader Middle East is paramount to the Kingdom’s economic and political goals. “Our aim from day one is to have a good life for the Yemenis,” he said.
Economic development of countries like Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and others in the region is key to achieving growth and peace in the region and prevent uprisings from extremist groups, according to the Crown Prince. “To have a stable region and economic growth we don’t need to see any problems in Yemen, we need to see Iraq going forward, we need to need Iran going forward and Lebanon going forward and the rest of the region,” he said. “When the region is disturbed, ISIS come out, Al Qaeda come out, and terrorist attacks happen.”According to the Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia is working with the GCC and other global players in the US and Europe to foster peace and stability in the region and create enticing economic opportunities for global companies to come to the Middle East.
US-Saudi relationship remains strong
The partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States continues to remain strong as the two countries work together on various issues, including the Saudi-India-Europe railway corridor, normalization with Israel, a ceasefire in Yemen, and increasing trade and investment, according to MBS. “The agenda between Saudi Arabia and America today is really interesting and we have really amazing relationship with President Biden,” the Crown Prince said. “He is sharp, really focused and well prepared,” he said, referring to US President Joe Biden.
OPEC+ not taking sides in the Russia-Ukraine war
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Country (OPEC+) is not aligned to Russia or Ukraine when it comes to the oil market, MBS said, addressing questions regarding the OPEC+ conducting deals with Russia that are beneficial to Moscow. “We just watch supply and demand, if there is a shortage, our role as OPEC+ is to fill that shortage, and if there is oversupply, our role is to measure that for the stability of the market,” the Crown Prince said. “It is purely about demand and supply.” Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to mediate the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, he said.

Mohammed bin Salman: Saudi Arabia is ‘Biggest Success Story of the 21st Century’
Washington: Asharq Al Awsat Riyadh: Asharq Al Awsat/-21 September 2023
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said that the Kingdom is “the biggest success story of the 21st century.”In an interview with Bret Baier, chief political anchor of Fox News, at NEOM, Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed that Saudi Arabia was the fastest growing country in all sectors, and had achieved the fastest growth in gross domestic product (GDP) among the G20 countries for two consecutive years. The Saudi Crown Prince also said that the Kingdom tried to join the G7, “but some countries wanted to dictate their conditions.”He noted that investment in tourism has raised the sector’s contribution to the GDP from 3 percent to 7 percent, adding that tourism in Saudi Arabia attracted 40 million visits... and aims to target 100 million to 150 million in 2030. Touching on political issues, the Saudi Crown Prince said that his country was discussing with the Americans the means to reach good results that will alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians. In this context, he stressed the importance of resolving the Palestinian issue, considering it essential in any normalization of relations with Israel. Bin Salman also rejected reports that Saudi Arabia had paused negotiations, which he stressed was “not true.” “Every day we get closer... We get to see how it goes,” he said. He insisted his country could work with Israel, no matter who is in charge, calling the deal “the biggest historical deal since the end of the Cold War.”The Saudi Crown Prince noted that the upcoming agreements with the United States are beneficial to the two countries and to the security of the region and the world. He added that relations with Iran have seen some progress, expressing his hope that they will continue in this direction for the benefit of the security and stability of the region. He stressed, however, that any nuclear arms race in the region would not only threaten its security, but also the security of the world. Should Iran ever obtain such a weapon, Saudi Arabia would “have to get one, for security reasons, for balancing power,” bin Salman remarked. He also said that China had chosen to “mediate between us and the Iranians.”In his first interview with a major US news network since 2019, the Saudi Crown Prince said that the decisions to reduce oil production were aimed at stabilizing the market and not helping Russia in its war. Regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, he said that relations were good with Russia and Ukraine, and the Kingdom prefers the path of dialogue, and does not support one party at the expense of another. The Saudi Crown Prince spoke about relations with the United States, pointing to important security ties with Washington.He added that he enjoyed “a special relationship with President [Joe] Biden,” noting that Saudi Arabia wanted American and foreign companies to invest in a safe environment in the Middle East. “We are one of the five largest buyers of American weapons, and our move to buy weapons from countries other than the United States is not in their interest,” he stated.

Israel says framework Saudi normalization deal possible by early 2024
Reuters/September 21, 2023
JERUSALEM: A framework US-brokered deal for forging relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia could be in place by early next year, the Israeli foreign minister said on Thursday after the three countries signalled progress in the complex negotiations. An Israeli-Saudi normalization would dramatically redraw the Middle East by formally bringing together two major US partners in the face of Iran — a foreign-policy flourish for President Joe Biden as he seeks reelection in late 2024. Biden voiced optimism about the prospects in talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the UN general assembly on Wednesday. Separately, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said “every day we get closer” to a deal. But a Rubik’s cube of tie-in issues looms. Riyadh’s quest for a civilian nuclear program tests US and Israeli policy. Saudi and US calls for the Palestinians to make gains under any deal are unpalatable for Netanyahu’s hard-right government. “The gaps can be bridged,” Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told Israel’s Army Radio. “It will take time. But there is progress.”“I think there is certainly a likelihood that, in the first quarter of 2024, four or five months hence, we will be able to be in at a point where the details (of a deal) are finalized.”Such a timeline could enable the Biden administration to get through a review period in the US Congress and Senate and clinch ratification ahead of the November presidential ballot.

Biden, Netanyahu mend fences with Saudi deal in mind
Agence France Presse/September 21, 2023
Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu have met to smooth over months of tension, eyeing a deal to normalize Israel's ties with Saudi Arabia despite U.S. concerns over the state of Israeli democracy. Biden said the pair had a "candid, constructive conversation" in New York, their first talks since the Israeli prime minister was reelected in December at the head of a hard-right government. The fence-mending meeting comes as the U.S. president pushes Netanyahu to agree on a potentially historic deal to end decades of enmity with Riyadh, one of Washington's main regional allies. And while Netanyahu was not hosted at the White House this time due to Biden's concerns over his government's controversial judicial overhaul, he won a coveted invitation to Washington later this year. The 80-year-old Biden and 73-year-old Netanyahu leaned forward in their chairs to shake hands against a backdrop of U.S. and Israeli flags as the meeting began on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Biden said he would discuss "hard issues" with Netanyahu. The White House said afterwards that he "reiterated his concern about any fundamental changes to Israel's democratic system."But the U.S. president focused on rapprochement instead of reproach, telling Netanyahu that "even where we have some differences, my commitment to Israel, as you know, is ironclad."
'Historic peace'
Behind the smooth talk lay the tantalizing possibility of an Israeli-Saudi deal, which Washington sees as a way of stabilizing the Middle East and shoring up its influence against Iran. "I think that under your leadership, Mr President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia," Netanyahu said. "Such a peace would go a long way for us to advance the end of the Arab-Israeli conflict, achieve reconciliation between the Islamic world and the Jewish state, and advance a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians." Biden himself appeared to have an eye on history as he contemplated such a deal, which U.S. officials said could include security guarantees for Saudi Arabia. "If you and I, 10 years ago, were talking about normalization with Saudi Arabia, I think we'd look at each other like, 'Who's been drinking what?'" added Biden -- who is teetotal. Key questions remain however about a deal to establish formal ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia -- especially what it would mean for the Palestinians. A U.S. administration official said there was a "common understanding" that such a deal would mean "compromise" and "very hard things" on all sides.
'Extremist'
The U.S. and Israeli leaders said they also agreed on the need to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Tehran denies it is doing so and says its nuclear program is peaceful. Netanyahu meanwhile sought to reassure Biden on the judicial reform row, saying Israel would "uphold the values that both our proud democracies cherish."Relations between Netanyahu and the Biden administration have been rocky ever since the Israeli leader made his political comeback at the head of a coalition of hard-right and ultra-Orthodox parties. Democrat Biden previously described Netanyahu's government as "one of the most extremist" in Israeli history, and criticized plans for judicial reform that have sparked mass protests in Israel. Several hundred people demonstrated outside the U.S. embassy branch building in Tel Aviv as the leaders met in New York. "It is time to stop this legal coup," demonstrator Uri Ashery told AFP. Ties with Washington had meanwhile been further strained by the Israeli government's expansion of Jewish settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. In a seeming snub to Netanyahu, Biden had in July hosted the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, a political moderate, in the Oval Office. But the warm statements after months of tensions reflected the fact that "neither Biden nor Netanyahu can afford a bad meeting," Aaron David Miller, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank, said in a commentary.

Israel, Saudi Arabia see progress on ties as Iran sounds warning
Naharnet/September 21, 2023
Saudi Arabia and Israel have voiced optimism that they were moving closer to a historic normalization of ties as Iran -- their common foe -- accused the kingdom of betraying the Palestinians through the U.S.-led effort.
U.S. President Joe Biden is hoping to transform the Middle East -- and score an election-year diplomatic victory -- by securing recognition of the Jewish state by Saudi Arabia, the guardian of Islam's two holiest sites. Meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, Biden quipped that he had "Irish optimism" on securing a deal with Saudi Arabia. "If you and I, 10 years ago, were talking about normalization with Saudi Arabia, I think we'd look at each other like, 'Who's been drinking what?'" Biden -- himself a teetotaler -- said of Israel and the strictly dry kingdom. Netanyahu, who has had rocky relations with Biden, said he believed a deal was "within our reach" and credited him. "I think that under your leadership, Mr. President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia," Netanyahu said. Biden has publicly criticized Netanyahu for overhauling Israel's judiciary, a step seen by domestic critics as undermining democracy, and alluded to the concerns again as he received him in New York rather than at the White House.
Closer 'every day'
Biden's relationship has been even worse with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom the president once vowed to treat as a "pariah" over human rights. U.S. intelligence says the crown prince, known by his initials MBS, ordered a 2018 operation to kill and dismember journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S. resident. In an interview with Fox News, MBS said talks were moving forward with Israel, denying a media report that the process was suspended. "Every day we get closer," the prince said. But he noted the kingdom was seeking more progress on ensuring the rights of the Palestinians, as Netanyahu's hard-right government continues to pursue controversial settlements in the occupied West Bank. "For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part," he said. "We need to ease the lives of the Palestinians." He also warned that Saudi Arabia was closely watching Iran, whose Shiite clerical leaders are arch-foes both of the conservative Saudi kingdom and Israel. Asked how the kingdom would react if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, MBS said, "If they get one, we have to get one." Saudi Arabia has also been seeking security guarantees, including reportedly a treaty, with the United States in return for normalizing with Israel, the region's only nuclear weapons state -- even if an undeclared one.
Iran warning
Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon and has repaired relations with Saudi Arabia in recent months through talks led by China and through the easing of a proxy conflict in Yemen. But relations remain fraught and memories are fresh over 2019 drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities blamed on Iran. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, addressing reporters Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, said that any deal that aims "to bring security for the Zionist regime" -- Israel -- "will certainly not do so." "We believe that a relationship between regional countries and the Zionist regime would be a stab in the back of the Palestinian people and of the resistance of the Palestinians," Raisi said. Israel normalized relations decades ago with neighboring Egypt and Jordan and in 2020 added three more Arab states -- the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco -- in what then US president Donald Trump considered a towering foreign policy achievement. The so-called "Abraham Accords" also included sweeteners from Trump, including a promise to sell top-of-the-line F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in an interview with ABC News on Wednesday, said normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel would be a "transformative event." "To bring these two countries together in particular would have a powerful effect in stabilizing the region, in integrating the region, in bringing people together, not having them at each other's throats," Blinken said. But he acknowledged it remained "hard to get there."

Israel says its tanks hit two structures used by Syrian army in Golan area
JERUSALEM (Reuters)/September 21, 2023
Israel's military said on Thursday that its tanks had struck two "temporary structures" used by the Syrian army in the area of the Golan Heights in violation of a 1974 disengagement accord. "The strike was carried out after IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers identified the two structures in the area of the security zone yesterday," the military said. "The IDF holds the Syrian regime responsible for all activities occurring within its territory and will not allow any attempts to violate Israeli sovereignty," it said. The announcement from Israel's military came after at least two people were killed while riding a motorcycle near the Syrian town of Beit Jinn, about an hour north of where the tanks struck, according to two Palestinian sources and one Lebanese security source. The two Palestinian sources accused Israel of conducting a strike to target the two men, whom the sources identified as militants. The Syrian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on both incidents. Israel's military declined to comment on the reported motorcycle strike. Syria and Israel are formally at war, though a 1974 U.S.-brokered disengagement agreement has kept the frontier largely quiet. Israel over the past decade has been carrying out air strikes against suspected Iranian-sponsored weapons transfers and personnel deployments in neighbouring Syria.

Erdogan says Turkey, Israel to take steps in energy drilling soon -media
ANKARA (Reuters)/September 21, 2023
Turkey and Israel will soon begin taking joint steps in energy drilling, President Tayyip Erdogan was cited by Turkish media as saying on Thursday, adding the two countries would also operate energy networks to Europe through Turkey. Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in person for the first time on Tuesday at the United Nations, in a milestone as two countries have been working to repair relations long strained by disputes over policies toward the Palestinians. Speaking to reporters after the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Erdogan said he and Netanyahu had agreed on mutual visits in the coming period, and that energy cooperation would ramp up after these. "God willing, we will take this step without much delay and we will start energy drilling operations with Israel. We will also start operating energy transfer networks to Europe through Turkey, not just to Turkey," he was cited as saying. "At the moment, our total trade volume is $9.5 billion. We agreed to raise this $9.5 billion trade volume to a minimum of $15 billion in the first phase," he said. Erdogan added that he and Netanyahu had discussed forming a mechanism between their countries, including some ministries, to increase cooperation in energy, tourism, and technology. Ties between the former allies unraveled after Israel's forces killed 10 Turks in a 2010 raid on a pro-Palestinian activist ship that tried to breach its blockade on the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by Hamas Islamists proscribed in the West. Ankara expelled Israel's ambassador, a move reversed in 2016 but repeated two years later over the killing of dozens of Palestinians who took part in violent protests at the Gaza border. Israel, which had complained at Ankara's hosting of Hamas leaders, reciprocally expelled Turkey's envoy in 2018.
A visit to Turkey by Israeli President Isaac Herzog in March 2022, followed by visits by both foreign ministers, helped the thaw, but a planned visit by Netanyahu in July was postponed due to the Israeli premier's health issues. In 2020, Turkey began a charm offensive to repair ties with estranged rivals, making overtures to Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia as well as Israel.

Why Netanyahu and Zelensky Discussed Iranian Drones During a Rare In-Person Meeting
Brian Bennett/TIME/Thu, September 21, 2023
The United Nations’ General Assembly brings world leaders to New York each fall to discuss global problems like escalating climate disasters and widening inequality. But on the sidelines, heads of state often use their time in midtown Manhattan to pull aside leaders they need to glad-hand and cajole.
That’s how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Tuesday afternoon, the first face-to-face meeting for the two leaders since the start of Russia's war with Ukraine 18 months ago. Zelensky has been wanting to press Netanyahu in person for more assistance and a more coordinated front against Iranian weapons transfers to Russian forces in Ukraine. But Israel, which relies on Russian-controlled airspace over Syria to attack Iranian proxies in the region, has been careful not to irk Moscow. That has required walking a fine line.
After Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to topple Kyiv last year, Israel’s decision to not join other countries in imposing sanctions on Russia stood out on the world stage. Russian citizens and oligarchs still have freedom of movement in and out of Israel. No Israeli Prime Minister has visited Ukraine’s capital since Russia stepped up its aggression. And while Israel has provided humanitarian aid and defensive warning systems to Ukraine, it has balked at sending lethal, offensive military equipment or its most effective anti-missile technology. Zelensky would like to change that. He also has sought to partner with Israel on working to block Iranian arms shipments to Russia for use in Ukraine. For months, Russian forces have used Iranian-made Shahed drone systems to attack Ukrainian cities. US intelligence officials have said that Iranian soldiers have been spotted in Crimea helping Russian forces use Shahed drones to strike Ukrainian power stations and infrastructure, and likely honing the use of the technology. In May, Zelensky called out Iran for selling its weapons to Russia, telling Tehran in a video address that Iran was acting as “an accomplice to Russian terror.”
That presents a complicated, but common interest between Israel and Ukraine in finding ways to stop the flow of Iranian drone arsenals, says Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “Both Zelensky and Netanyahu are leaders of countries that are suffering from Iranian weapons, so that creates all kinds of opportunities for intelligence sharing and cooperation to better defend their respective people,” says Bowman.
When Zelensky walked into the meeting room on the sidelines of the UN general assembly, he gripped Netanyahu's hand and the two leaders leaned forward and patted each other on the back, according to video posted online. "You have a very big team," remarked Zelensky, as he shook hands with a line of Israeli officials. Gilad Erdan, Israel's ambassador to the UN, explained the meeting was "very attractive" and "there were other people who wanted to participate."As Zelensky was about to sit down, he saw Israeli's top intelligence official, Mossad director David Barnea, across the room, and walked over to shake his hand and the two embraced and spoke briefly. Zelensky later posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that he and Netanyahu focused their talks "on our cooperation" and "civil defense." "I informed him about Russian strikes on our cities, ports, and critical infrastructure using Iranian drones," Zelensky wrote. "We share concern about the increasing military cooperation between Russia and Iran."Israeli officials declined to provide many details about what was discussed in the meeting with Zelensky. A statement from Netanyahu's office described the meeting as "cordial" and said that Netanyahu "made it clear that Israel would continue to assist Ukraine on humanitarian issues, including dealing with anti-personnel mines."Zelensky was not the only world leader Netanyahu met with on the sidelines of the annual diplomatic gathering. He also had a one-on-one with President Joe Biden, who has yet to invite Netanyahu to the White House since he returned to the role of prime minister in December. It may end up being a break with tradition on Biden’s part. For decades, the U.S. president has welcomed the newly installed Israeli Prime Minister to the White House within the first year of the Israeli leader taking office. (Biden still has a few months to extend an invite.) The less formal meeting at the UN gathering amounted to a half measure from Biden, reflecting his concerns over Netanyahu’s policies toward Palestinians in the West Bank and his controversial push to weaken Israel’s judiciary.
Protests have followed Netanyahu during his visit to the U.S. In San Francisco, where the Israeli leader met with Elon Musk, protestors projected an illustration of Netanyahu in prison garb on a wall of the infamous former prison Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay. In the days before Netanyahu arrived in New York, activists projected a message onto the side of the iconic UN building that read, “Don’t believe Crime Minister Netanyahu. Protect Israeli democracy.” Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former State Department senior advisor for Arab-Israeli negotiations, says that the Biden Administration has been cooperating extensively with Israeli officials in recent months, including spending time brokering talks with the Saudi royal family to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, but that Biden has been reluctant to give Netanyahu the high-profile platform that comes with a White House visit. “I think the administration didn’t want to legitimize the Israeli government at a time when it’s very unhappy, both on the issue of the judicial overhaul and Israeli policies with the Palestinians,” Miller says.
On Ukraine, Miller adds, Israeli leaders have acted very cautiously to avoid upsetting Russia, and the Biden Administration has not leaned significantly on Israel to do more. “I think the Americans have given the Israelis a sort of margin to operate without calling in chits and pressing them hard,” Miller says.

Biden, Netanyahu pledge to work toward Israeli-Saudi normalization
Steve Holland/NEW YORK, Sept 20 (Reuters)/September 21, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Wednesday to work together toward a landmark agreement to forge diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Meeting for the first time since Netanyahu returned to power in December, both leaders signaled a desire to ease strains in their relationship, but Biden also made clear he was determined to discuss their differences. These included Biden's opposition to Netanyahu’s far-right government’s controversial judicial overhaul plan as well as his concern about Israel’s hard line toward the Palestinians. "I hope we can get some things settled today," Biden said at the start of the talks sitting side-by-side with Netanyahu in a New York hotel ballroom. A White House statement issued after the meeting said Biden "reiterated his concern about any fundamental changes to Israel’s democratic system, absent the broadest possible consensus."Biden also called for "immediate measures to improve the security and economic situation, maintain the viability of a two-state solution, and promote a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians," the statement said. Instead of a meeting at the White House, the more prestigious venue preferred by Netanyahu, the two leaders ended up arranging their talks while both attended the annual high-level U.N. General Assembly. Biden invited Netanyahu to visit Washington before the end of the year. Biden reiterated his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and also repeated his support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But the biggest issue on the agenda was a U.S.-led push to forge diplomatic relations between longtime foes Israel and Saudi Arabia, the centerpiece of broader complex negotiations that involve U.S. security guarantees and civilian nuclear help sought by Riyadh as well as Israeli concessions to the Palestinians. “I think that under your leadership, Mr President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia,” Netanyahu said. He said "such a peace would go a long way first to advance the end of the Arab-Israeli conflict, achieve reconciliation between the Islamic world and the Jewish state and advance a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians." Netanyahu said they could work together to make history.
“Together,” Biden repeated, signaling his commitment to the normalization effort, which he said would have been unthinkable years ago. A senior Biden administration official told reporters after the meeting that it was understood that some concessions to the Palestinians must be part of any deal but did not say what those might be. The official said a normalization deal is still a long way away and that all the leaders involved will have to do "some very hard things" to reach agreement. "There's some way to travel before we get there," the official. Biden and Netanyahu spent some time meeting one-on-one without advisers, the official added. Outside the hotel at an anti-Netanyahu protest, Offir Gutelzon of UnXeptable, an anti-judicial overhaul movement, thanked Biden for supporting Israeli democracy. "And we are here to thank you, President Biden, for standing with the People in Israel who want to preserve democracy," Gutelzon said.
WHITE HOUSE SNUB
Netanyahu had expected an earlier U.S. visit given his long history of dealing with American presidents and Washington’s close alliance with Israeli, but Biden had resisted. Netanyahu did not get a meeting in the early months of the Biden White House in 2021 and was then ousted from power. He returned to power in December as head of a coalition of religious and ultranationalist parties. Instead, Biden welcomed Israeli President Isaac Herzog, a largely ceremonial post, to the White House in July to mark the 75th anniversary of Israel’s founding. The talks with Netanyahu were seen as an opportunity for Biden to brief him and try to discern how far Israel would be willing to go in what has been billed as a potential grand bargain that could reshape geopolitics in the Middle East. Netanyahu’s government has shown little willingness to make major concessions to the Palestinians, which could make it hard for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to agree on normalization. While U.S. officials insist any breakthrough is far away, they privately tout the potential benefits, including removing a possible flashpoint in the Arab-Israeli conflict, strengthening the regional bulwark against Iran and countering China’s inroads in the Gulf. Biden would also score a foreign policy win as he seeks re-election in November 2024. David Makovsky, a longtime Middle East watcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, noted in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the meeting was occurring "265 days after Netanyahu took office, the longest such gap since 1964." "The Saudi deal's enormous potential has left Biden & Netanyahu little choice but to meet despite differences," he said. (Reporting By Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick, Emily Rose and Susan Heavey; writing by Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland; Editing by Howard Goller and Grant McCool)

Israeli tank found in junkyard after being stolen from military zone
Associated Press/September 21, 2023
Israeli authorities are trying to figure out how a heavily armored, but unarmed, tank was stolen from a military training zone after finding it discarded in a junkyard. The Israeli Merkava 2 tank disappeared from a training zone in northern Israel near the coastal city of Haifa, the Israeli army said Wednesday. The training zone is closed to the public when in use, but is otherwise accessible to passersby. Police said the 65-ton tank was found abandoned in a scrapyard near a military base. In a video from the scene, the army green tank towers alongside rusty scraps of metal and other industrial castoffs. The army said the Merkava 2 was decommissioned years ago and was unarmed. It said it had been used most recently as a "stationary vehicle for soldiers' exercises."Police said they had arrested two suspects in connection with the theft.

Europe is on the verge of surrendering Ukraine to Putin
Robert Clark/The Telegraph/September 21, 2023
Polish prime minister, Matesuz Morawiecki, has declared that his country is “no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine”. Instead, it will be focusing on “arming Poland with more modern weapons”. As explosive as the announcement is, it is unlikely to change the situation in Ukraine in the short term.
What matters more is the language. It is incredibly telling that president Andrzej Duda described Kyiv as behaving “like a drowning person clinging to anything available”, potentially bringing down those attempting to save them. It sounds like an acceptance that Ukraine cannot win this war, at the current scale and intensity, and that Europe cannot continue to supply it. Almost every commentator has linked Poland’s decision with the ongoing dispute over the sale of cheap Ukrainian grain within the EU. While there is some truth to this version of events, the more relevant point is that Poland is running out of materiel to send. After Washington and London, Warsaw has been the biggest military donor since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Poland has already given virtually all of its legacy Soviet-era platforms and military vehicles, in addition to a sizable chunk of its more modern equipment, including over 60 of its Leopard 1 tanks and two dozen Leopard 2s. This generosity is coming to an end, in part because the cupboard is now bare. Since the war began in February, Poland has had one eye firmly and nervously on the Suwałki Gap – the thin strip of land separating Poland, Belarus, and the Russian nuclear fleet in the Kaliningrad enclave. Warsaw has accordingly been keen to beef up its own defences and military, continuing the build-up that began after the invasion of Crimea in 2014. While the west of the continent was greedily buying up Russian oil and gas, the Baltics and Poland were investing in armour and shells. Understandably, Warsaw is unwilling to pledge its new stocks to Kyiv before it’s even received them. Poland’s decision shouldn’t be exaggerated. Warsaw hasn’t said it will halt vital flows of munitions, and Poland’s essential role as the logistics hub for all western military aid making its way across the Atlantic and through Europe to the battlefields of southern and eastern Ukraine will continue. Without these flows, quite frankly Ukraine would have fallen before last winter. Poland may also likely continue sending the legacy munitions that have proved so valuable in this century’s version of the Great War – a conflict dominated by massed artillery, infantry assaults, and miles upon miles of layered defences. This sort of fighting is characterised by massive expenditure of ammunition, and in particular artillery shells, so additional supplies are extremely valuable as stockpiles decline. Even if Poland stops sending weapons platforms, this can be a major contribution to Kyiv’s defence. However, even if relations between Warsaw and Kyiv thaw, the limitations in terms of what is physically available to give will still hold. So, too, will the uncomfortable knowledge that doubt is spreading across European capitals. As the war rages on with no end point in sight, it’s hard not to wonder: which domino will be next? Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.

India suspends visa services for Canadian citizens, upending travel plans
The Canadian Press/Thu, September 21, 2023
MONTREAL — Members of the Indo-Canadian community are reeling after the Indian government temporarily halted visa services for Canadian citizens, forcing some to rethink travel plans to their mother country. India's visa application centre in Canada announced the suspension on Thursday, widening a rift between the two countries after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said New Delhi may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen. Montrealer Sukhwinder Dhillon says he was planning to visit his birthplace in India's Punjab state to see family and sort out affairs with his deceased father's estate, but has now put the trip on hold. The grocery store owner, who came to Canada in 1998, says he makes the trip every two or three years, and hopes the visa halt will be short-lived. On Monday, Trudeau told Parliament there were "credible allegations" of Indian involvement in the assassination of Sikh independence activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, prompting India to issue a travel advisory warning of violence against Indian nationals and students in Canada amid a tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats by both sides. In 2021, 80,000 Canadian tourists visited India, making them the fourth largest group, according to India’s Bureau of Immigration.

Azerbaijan claims full control over the Nagorno-Karabakh region as Armenian forces agree to disarm
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP)/September 21, 2023
Azerbaijan claimed full control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region Wednesday after local Armenian forces there agreed to lay down their weapons following the latest outbreak of fighting in the decades-long separatist conflict. Authorities in the ethnic Armenian region that has run its affairs without international recognition since fighting broke out in the early 1990s declared around midday that local self-defense forces will disarm and disband under a Russia-mediated cease-fire. They also said representatives of the region will start talks Thursday with the Baku government on Nagorno-Karabakh's “reintegration” into Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev trumpeted victory in a televised address to the nation, saying that “in just one day, Azerbaijan fulfilled all the tasks set as part of local anti-terrorist measures” and “restored its sovereignty.”On Tuesday, the Azerbaijan army unleashed an artillery barrage and drone attacks against outnumbered and undersupplied pro-Armenian forces, which have been weakened by a blockade of the region in the southern Caucasus Mountains that is recognized internationally as being part of Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan said at least 200 people, including 10 civilians, were killed and more than 400 others were wounded in the fighting. He said earlier that children were among the dead and wounded. His casualty figures could not immediately be independently verified. The hostilities worsened an already grim humanitarian situation for residents who have endured food and medicine shortages for months as Azerbaijan enforced a blockade of the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Thousands of Nagorno-Karabakh residents flocked to a camp operated by Russian peacekeepers to avoid the fighting, while many others gathered at the airport of the regional capital, Stepanakert, hoping to flee the region. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a speech to the nation that fighting decreased following the truce, emphasizing that Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh are fully responsible for its residents security.
“If peacekeepers have proposed a peace deal, it means that they completely and without any reservations accepted the responsibility of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, and provide the conditions and the rights for them to live on their land and in their homes safely,” he said.
Pashinyan, who has previously recognized Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh, said Armenia wouldn't be drawn into the fighting. He said his government didn’t take part in negotiating the deal, but “has taken note” of the decision made by the region’s separatist authorities. He again denied any Armenian troops were in the region, even though separatist authorities said they were in Nagorno-Karabakh and would pull out as part of the truce. Protesters rallied in the Armenian capital of Yerevan for a second straight day Wednesday, blocking streets and demanding that authorities defend Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. was “deeply concerned” about Azerbaijan’s military actions. “We have repeatedly emphasized the use of force is absolutely unacceptable,” he said, adding that the U.S. was closely watching the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. And the U.N. Security Council scheduled an urgent meeting Thursday on the Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh at the request of France.
Azerbaijan's move to reclaim control over Nagorno-Karabakh raised concerns that a full-scale war in the region could resume between the two neighbors, which have been locked in a struggle over Nagorno-Karabakh since a separatist war there ended in 1994. During another war that lasted for six weeks in 2020, Azerbaijan reclaimed broad swaths of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent territories that were held for decades by Armenian forces. More than 6,700 people died in the fighting, which ended with a Russian-brokered peace agreement. Moscow deployed about 2,000 peacekeeping troops to the region.
The conflict has long drawn in powerful regional players, including Russia and Turkey. While Russia took on the mediating role, Turkey threw its weight behind longtime ally Azerbaijan. Russia has been Armenia’s main economic partner and ally since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union and has a military base in the country. Pashinyan, however, has been increasingly critical of Moscow’s role, emphasizing its failure to protect Nagorno-Karabakh and arguing that Armenia needs to turn to the West to ensure its security. Moscow, in turn, has expressed dismay about Pashinyan’s pro-Western tilt. The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Pashinyan on Wednesday, welcoming the deal to end the hostilities and start talks between Azerbaijani officials and representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia’s Defense Ministry said some of its peacekeepers were killed Wednesday, although it didn’t say how many and whether it happened before or after the start of the cease-fire. The ministry said the peacekeeping contingent had evacuated more than 3,100 civilians. The separatists' quick capitulation reflected their weakness following the Armenian forces' defeat in the 2020 war and the loss of the only road linking the region to Armenia. Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Europe think tank, said the separatist forces, which consisted of several thousand poorly supplied men, were “probably not a match for the Azerbaijani forces.”
While many in Armenia blamed Russia for the defeat of the separatists, Moscow pointed to Pashinyan's own recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. “Undoubtedly, Karabakh is Azerbaijan's internal business,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “Azerbaijan is acting on its own territory, which was recognized by the leadership of Armenia.”He voiced hope that Azerbaijan would respect the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh's ethnic Armenian population. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Aliyev and “condemned Azerbaijan’s decision to use force ... at the risk of worsening the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and compromising ongoing efforts to achieve a fair and lasting peace,” the French presidential office said. Macron “stressed the need to respect” the cease-fire and “to provide guarantees on the rights and security of the people of Karabakh, in line with international law.”Azerbaijan’s presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev said Baku is “ready to listen to the Armenian population of Karabakh regarding their humanitarian needs.” In announcing its military operation Tuesday, Azerbaijan aired a long list of grievances, accusing pro-Armenian forces of attacking its positions, planting land mines and engaging in sabotage. Even though Aliyev insisted the Azerbaijani army struck only military facilities during the fighting, separatist officials in Nagorno-Karabakh said Stepanakert and other areas came under "intense shelling.”Before the cease-fire, explosions reverberated around Stepanakert every few minutes on Wednesday — some in the distance and others closer to the city. Even after the truce was announced and the shelling could no longer be heard in Stepanakert, many residents decided to stay in shelters for the rest of the day.
Significant damage was visible in the city, with shop windows blown out and vehicles punctured, apparently by shrapnel. The Azerbaijani Prosecutor General’s Office said Armenian forces fired at Shusha, a city in Nagorno-Karabakh under Azerbaijan’s control, killing one civilian.

China says Beijing, Moscow must deepen cooperation
Associated Press/September 21/2023
Beijing's top diplomat told President Vladimir Putin that China and Russia must work to strengthen cooperation in the face of a "complex international situation", Chinese state media reported Thursday. Speaking at a meeting with Putin in Saint Petersburg, at which the Russian leader accepted an invitation to visit China next month, Wang Yi said the "world is rapidly moving toward multipolarity". "Economic globalization is progressing against headwinds, unilateral actions are unsustainable, and hegemonism is not popular," Wang said, according to an English readout by Beijing's Xinhua news agency.
"Both sides need to strengthen their multilateral strategic cooperation, protect their legitimate rights and interests, and make new efforts to promote the international order toward fairness and justice," he added. Putin, in response, told Wang "our positions coincide regarding the emergence of a multipolar world", according to a readout from the Kremlin. He also said he had "gladly accepted" Chinese leader Xi Jinping's invitation "to visit China this October as part of a major event to promote the Belt and Road Initiative". Putin is widely expected to attend next month's third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, which will mark the 10-year anniversary of China's international infrastructure project. Precise dates for the summit have not been made public. Asked Thursday by AFP to confirm when precisely Putin's visit would take place, Beijing said it was "keeping close communication with its partners along the Belt and Road"."We welcome countries and partners actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative to come to Beijing to discuss cooperation plans and seek common development," foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. China and Russia describe each other as strategic allies, with both countries frequently touting their "no limits" partnership and economic and military cooperation. They came even closer after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year, which China has refused to condemn. The Kremlin has sought to deepen ties with China after the start of its Ukraine offensive, which has thrown Moscow into increasing isolation. China has sought to position itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, while offering Moscow a vital diplomatic and financial lifeline.

Syria's Assad arrives in China on first visit since war beginning
Associated Press/September 21/2023
Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived in China on Thursday on his first visit to the country since the start of Syria's 12-year conflict during which Beijing has been one of his main backers. China's foreign ministry said Assad would attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games, an international sports event beginning Saturday in the eastern city of Hangzhou. Assad landed in Hangzhou on Thursday, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. Chinese President Xi Jinping was expected to arrive there on Friday and hold a banquet and other bilateral activities with Assad and other heads of state and government attending the games, including Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Kuwait's crown prince Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmed Al Jaber and Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, according to China's foreign ministry. China has been expanding its reach in the Middle East after mediating a deal in March between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and it continues to support Assad in the Syrian conflict, which has killed half a million people and left large parts of the nation in ruins. China could play a major role in the future in Syria's reconstruction, which is expected to cost tens of billions of dollars. Syria last year joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in which Beijing expands its influence in developing regions through infrastructure projects. Assad's office said earlier that the Syrian leader was invited by Xi and would bring with him a high-ranking Syrian delegation. Syria's worsening economic crisis has led to protests in government-held parts of the country. Syria blames the crisis on Western sanctions and U.S.-backed Kurdish-led fighters who control the country's largest oil fields in the east near the border with Iraq. Diplomatic contacts between Syria and other Arab countries have intensified following the Feb. 6, earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria killing more than 50,000 people, including over 6,000 in Syria. Assad flew to Saudi Arabia in May where he attended the Arab League summit days after Syria's membership was reinstated in the 22-member league. Since Syria's conflict began in March 2011 with pro-democracy protests and later turned into a civil war, Iran and Russia have helped Assad regain control of much of the country. China has used its veto power at the U.N. eight times to stop resolutions against Assad's government, the latest in July 2020. Assad's last and only visit to China was in 2004, a year after the U.S.-led invasion of neighboring Iraq and at a time when Washington was putting pressure on Syria.

Floods in Libya displaces more than 43,000 people
AFP/September 21/2023
More than 43,000 people have been displaced, according to the United Nations, following the massive floods that have hit eastern Libya, particularly the city of Derna. Communications were restored on Thursday after a 24-hour disruption. While the search continues for thousands of missing individuals believed to have perished in the floods, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) released new estimates on Thursday, indicating an increase in the number of displaced individuals in the wake of Storm Daniel on September 10-11. The International Organization for Migration stated that the tragedy has resulted in the displacement of 43,059 people. It added that "a shortage of water supplies may have prompted many" of the displaced individuals within Derna to leave the city and head to other cities in eastern and western Libya. The International Organization for Migration highlighted that the urgent needs of the displaced include "food, fresh water, mental health, and psychosocial support."The floods have led to the death of 3,351 people, according to the latest temporary official toll announced by East Libyan Health Minister Osman Abduljalil on Tuesday. However, humanitarian organizations and Libyan authorities fear that the actual number of casualties may be much higher due to the thousands of missing individuals. Communication networks and the internet experienced disruptions on Tuesday evening, and journalists were asked to leave the disaster-stricken city following a demonstration by Derna residents demanding accountability from the authorities in eastern Libya, holding them responsible for the disaster.Authorities referred to a "fiber optics outage," but according to analysts and internet users, the cut was deliberate and aimed at imposing a media blackout following extensive coverage of the previous day's demonstration.
The Libyan Supreme Committee for Emergency and Rapid Response, established by eastern authorities to oversee relief efforts, announced the "restoration of communication and internet services throughout the city of Derna."

King Charles III calls for new climate agreement with France
LBCI/September 21/2023
On Thursday, King Charles III called for a "new understanding" with Paris on climate issues and affirmed the "unwavering commitment" of London and Paris to support Ukraine in a speech delivered before French parliamentarians. This address marked a historic moment, receiving great enthusiasm, as it was the first time a British monarch had spoken in such a setting. King Charles, known for his strong environmental beliefs, proposed that France and the United Kingdom commit to a "sustainability agreement" to respond "more effectively" to global emergencies related to climate and biodiversity. This proposal was inspired by the "Entente Cordiale," a series of agreements signed between France and Britain in 1904 to resolve major disputes. These statements come at a time when British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the postponement of several key climate policy measures for the UK. Yael Braun Bivier, President of the National Assembly, commented on the significance of the climate issue, saying, "Regarding the major environmental issue, France and Britain, these two sister nations, are vital."This speech at the French Senate is the first given by a reigning British monarch. In 2004, his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, delivered a speech in the conference hall at the Senate before representatives and senators, but not within the Senate chamber itself. Diplomatically, King Charles III, who seeks to establish his international presence one year into his reign, expressed "unshakable determination" for the UK and France to ensure Ukraine achieves a "victory" in its war against Russia. He pledged to "exert every effort to enhance the inevitable relationship" between Britain and France. Gerard Larcher, President of the French Senate, affirmed that the fate of the United Kingdom "remains closely tied to the European continent."
French President Emmanuel Macron, during a dinner at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday, stated that this visit, King Charles III's first since his coronation, represents a "sign of friendship and trust" and "a salute to our history" and "a guarantee for the future."
During King Charles's speech at the Senate, Camilla and Brigitte Macron launched the French-British Literary Prize at the National Library. Additionally, the French First Lady gifted Queen Camilla a dress once owned by the late Edith Piaf, along with manuscripts by William Shakespeare and Victor Hugo. They also visited a Chanel workshop on Thursday. King Charles III's visit to France had initially been scheduled for March and was to be his first foreign trip, but it was postponed at the last minute due to violent protests in France against proposed pension reforms. The King is set to speak on Thursday afternoon at 15:40 local time (13:40 GMT) to conclude a roundtable discussion at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, dedicated to "climate finance," or the actions taken by banks in response to climate change, including green financial products.

Latest English LCCC  analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on September 21-22/2023
A Thousand Years of Jihad on the Oldest Christian Nation
Raymond Ibrahim/September 21/2023
The Islamic scimitar is rattling with Christian blood again.
In late 2020, war broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Two months later, peace was achieved on condition that the ancient Christian nation cede a portion of its ancestral land to its Muslim neighbor, namely Artsakh, since the twentieth century known as “Nagorno-Karabakh.”
The peace bought by such appeasement has been fickle at best. Just yesterday, Azerbaijan launched yet another full-scale military attack on the Armenians of Artsakh — after having besieged and starved them for nine months—prompting yet another “genocide alert.”
The fact is, no amount of appeasement short of total capitulation will ever satisfy Armenia’s powerful Muslim neighbors, Azerbaijan and its “big brother,” Turkey.
Appropriating Artsakh has always been only the first step of a larger project. As Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev once openly proclaimed, “Yerevan [the capital of Armenia] is our historical land and we Azerbaijanis must return to these historical lands.” He has also referred to other ancient Armenian territories, including the Zangezur and Lake Sevan regions, as “our historic lands.” Taking over those territories “is our political and strategic goal,” Aliyev maintains, “and we need to work step-by-step to get closer to it.”
But as Tigran Balayan, spokesman for Armenia’s foreign ministry, responded: “The statement about territorial claims of the president of Azerbaijan, a state appearing on the political map of the world only 100 years ago … yet again demonstrates the racist character of the ruling regime in Baku.”
This is a rather restrained and diplomatic way of saying that, not only are Azerbaijani claims absolutely false but they are also — as most falsehoods nowadays tend to be — the exact inverse of the truth.
Armenia is one of the oldest nations in the world. Armenians founded Yereyan, their current capital, in 782 BC — exactly 2,700 years before Azerbaijan came into being in 1918. And yet, here is the president of Azerbaijan waging war because “Yerevan is our historical land and we Azerbaijanis must return to these historical lands.”
Armenia was also significantly bigger, encompassing even modern-day Azerbaijan within its borders, over two thousand years ago. Then the Turkic peoples came galloping in from the east, slaughtering, enslaving, terrorizing, and stealing the lands of Armenians and other Christians in the name of jihad.
Anyone who doubts this summation should consult the “Chronicle of Matthew of Edessa” (d.1144). According to this nearly thousand-year-old chronicle, which is near coterminous with the events it describes, it was only in 1019 that “the first appearance of the bloodthirsty beasts … the savage nation of infidels called Turks entered Armenia … and mercilessly slaughtered the Christian faithful with the sword.”
Three decades later the raids were virtually nonstop. In 1049, the founder of the Turkic Seljuk Empire himself, Sultan Tughril Bey (r. 1037–1063), reached the Armenian city of Arzden, west of Lake Van, and “put the whole town to the sword, causing severe slaughter, as many as one hundred and fifty thousand persons.”
Other contemporaries confirm the devastation visited upon Arzden. “Like famished dogs,” writes Aristakes (d.1080) an eyewitness, the Turks “hurled themselves on our city, surrounded it and pushed inside, massacring the men and mowing everything down like reapers in the fields, making the city a desert. Without mercy, they incinerated those who had hidden themselves in houses and churches.”
Eleven years later, in 1060, the Turks laid siege to Sebastia (which, though now a Turkish city, was originally Armenian). Six hundred churches were destroyed, “many and innumerable people were burned [to death],” and countless women and children “were led into captivity.”
Between 1064 and 1065, Tughril’s successor, Sultan Muhammad bin Dawud Chaghri — known to posterity as Alp Arslan, one of Turkey’s unsavory but national heroes — laid siege to Ani, then the capital of Armenia. The thunderous bombardment of Muhammad’s siege engines caused the entire city to quake, and Matthew describes countless terror-stricken families huddled together and weeping — not unlike those of modern-day Artsakh, as well captured by the following recent photo from yesterday, with the following caption:
After nine months of enduring hunger, we are now in a bomb shelter — sleeping with kids who yesterday dreamed of bread & today dream of waking up tomorrow. I don’t know if we will wake up but I hope you will remember us for resisting this genocide with honor. #NagornoKarabakh
As for their ancestors, once inside Ani, the Muslims “began to mercilessly slaughter the inhabitants of the entire city… and piling up their bodies one on top of the other… Innumerable and countless boys with bright faces and pretty girls were carried off together with their mothers.”
Not only do several Christian sources document the sack of Armenia’s capital — one contemporary succinctly notes that Sultan Muhammad “rendered Ani a desert by massacres and fire” — but also so do Muslim sources, often in apocalyptic terms: “I wanted to enter the city and see it with my own eyes,” one Arab later explained. “I tried to find a street without having to walk over the corpses. But that was impossible.”
Such “was the beginning of the misfortunes of Armenia,” Matthew of Edessa concludes his account: “So, lend an ear to this melancholy recital.” This has proven to be an ominous remark; for the aforementioned history of blood and tears was, indeed, just “the beginning of the misfortunes of Armenia,” whose “melancholy recital” continues to this day.
But what was the reason the Turks invaded and so ruthlessly attacked Armenia? What “grievance” did they have? Simple: Armenia was Christian, and the Turks were Muslim — and Islam makes all non-Muslim enemies to be put to the sword until and unless they submit to Islam.
Incidentally, Islam’s animus for Christianity was on display then no less than now. Thus, during the aforementioned sack of Ani, a Muslim fighter climbed atop the city’s main cathedral “and pulled down the very heavy cross which was on the dome, throwing it to the ground,” wrote Matthew.
Made of pure silver and the “size of a man” — and now symbolic of Islam’s might over Christianity — the broken crucifix was sent as a trophy to adorn a mosque in, ironically enough, modern-day Azerbaijan. Fast forward nearly a millennium to Azerbaijan’s war on Armenia in 2020, a Muslim fighter was videotaped triumphantly shouting “Allahu Akbar!” while standing atop an Armenian church chapel where the cross had been broken off.
Such is an idea of what the Turkic peoples did to Christian Armenians — not during the Armenian Genocide of a century ago when some 1.5 million Armenians were massacred and even more displaced — but one thousand years ago when the Islamic conquest of Armenia first began.
This unrelenting history of hate makes one thing perfectly clear: all modern-day pretexts and “territorial disputes” aside, true and permanent peace between Armenia and its Muslim neighbors will only be achieved when the Christian nation has either been conquered or ceded itself into nonexistence.
Nor would it be the first to do so. It is worth recalling that the heart of what is today called “the Muslim world” — the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) — was thoroughly Christian before the sword of Islam invaded. Bit by bit, century after century after the initial seventh-century Muslim conquests and occupations, it lost its Christian identity. Its peoples were lost in the morass of Islam so that few today even remember that Egypt, Iraq, Syria, etc., were among the first, oldest, and most populous Christian nations.
Armenia — the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity — is a holdout, a thorn in Islam’s side, and, as such, will never know lasting peace from the Muslims surrounding it — not least as the West has thrown it under the bus.
**Note: Quotes from Matthew of Edessa and others were excerpted from and are documented in Ibrahim’s book, “Sword and Scimitar: Fourteen Centuries of War between Islam and the West.”
https://www.raymondibrahim.com/2023/09/20/a-thousand-years-of-jihad-on-the-oldest-christian-nation/

The Camp… A Tight Space For Conflicts Of Impossible Agendas
Nabil Amr/Asharq Al-Awsat/September 21/2023
With potential for de-escalation in the Ain El Helweh refugee camp becoming stronger as arrangements for a ceasefire proceed, giving mediators an opportunity to facilitate a temporary or permanent solution! These efforts have coincided with the anniversary of the Sabra and Shatila massacre, which claimed the lives of thousands of people from several countries, including Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians, and others who resided there.
The massacre was perpetrated soon after the two Palestinian camps in eastern Beirut were wiped out during the civil war, the Dbayeh and Tal al-Zaatar camps to be more precise. Without delving too deeply into the chronology or context, Palestinian camps were the focal point for several calamitous crises. Indeed, nowhere else was more vulnerable to incursions, sieges, and wars. As soon as one catastrophe in the camp would end, another that is worse would begin.
Whenever the destruction or displacement persisted in one place, it would unfold again elsewhere. This cycle has led us to the situation we found before in Ain El Helweh today, the largest and oldest of all Palestinian refugee camps. This camp lies in the middle of a series of camps that begins in the far north of Lebanon (Beddawi and Nahr al-Bared, through central), passes through central regions (Burj al-Barajneh, Sabra and Shatila in Beirut), and extends to the South (Saida and Tyre). One thing that all of these camps have in common is that they are all close to Lebanese cities — some are almost in the center.
Historically, either Fatah or all the factions of the Palestinian Liberation Organization ran the camp. The Palestinian leadership and its solid relationship with neighboring areas safeguarded the camp's stability. The city of Saida was a secure base and an Arab nationalist stronghold. Locals and their leaders have always considered the Palestinian cause their own, and they have never taken actions that harmed the camp or disturbed its deep and lasting positive relationship with the inhabitants.
Moreover, after the Palestinian revolution was ousted from southern Lebanon and Beirut, the camp began to manage its own affairs through what remained of its residents. It continued to enjoy the support of the community around it. However, it was later made to undergo hardships similar to those seen in other camps. In developments that had been seen in other camps in the north, center, and south, Ain El Helweh has become a focal point of forces and agendas that want not only to seize control of this small and extremely overcrowded camp, but also to control all the Palestinian camps in Lebanon.
Some have an eye on turning the camp into a base of the Axis of Resistance, and others cover for them by accusing Fatah of being part of a global conspiracy spearheaded by Israel, the US, and Palestinians from the "Ramallah faction." Some see remnants of Al-Qaeda and ISIS, and similar groups, as valuable assets they can make use of to impose their control, even if this is achieved through the expansion of the scope of mediation. There are also those who frame the situation in sectarian terms, presenting the camp as a Sunni stronghold linked to Saida in a way that impedes efforts to liberate the Galilee!
Some are trying to force the question of Abbas’ succession into the mix, as though this were a matter decided in Ain El Helweh. Others are pushing the idea that “today is Lebanon, and tomorrow it will be the West Bank;” in the way it is being propagated, this narrative warns of a civil war. If it were to break out, such infighting would spell the end of the Palestinian cause altogether. The infighting is also planned for Ain El Helweh, which it is hoped will become the site of scenarios that have played out in other camps.
The fighting “in and over” Ain El Helweh, and the wars that preceded it, in which several camps were turned into the theater and victim, were to a large extent precipitated agendas. These agendas’ narrative is nothing but a lie to justify this drive to build influence, and those behind them suspend people’s lives with pretenses of glory that no one is convinced of anymore.
The Palestinians in Ain El Helweh in Saida, those in Burj al-Barajneh in the southern suburbs of Beirut, those in Jenin, al-Amari, and al-Aroub in the West Bank, and in Nahr al-Bared, Beddawi and Yarmouk, have engraved a slogan with the power of principle.
“A camp is not fit to be a homeland.” This is the most eloquent response to the fantasies of an alternative homeland. Now they are saying: We will not allow for more displacement.
All camp residents have kept the keys to their homes that they believe they will return to, although this prospect seems to get further by the day. Camps are the most potent manifestation of Palestine’s disaster. A camp cannot be eliminated by wars, sieges, and displacement. If the overarching Palestinian question is not resolved to the satisfaction of its people, then all the insidious plans being hatched against the camp are a pointless waste of time. All they will result in is the deepening of the bitterness and pain in the souls of its residents.

Palestinians: Israeli Concessions Are a Sign of Weakness
Bassam Tawil/Gatestone Institute./September 21, 2023
On the 18th anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the Iran-backed Palestinian terror groups are still talking about the need to step up attacks against Israel until the "liberation of all of Palestine," from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.
These groups still see Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip not as a humanitarian gift to allow the Gazans to build the "Singapore of the Middle East," as former Israeli President Shimon Peres put it, but instead as the beginning of the Palestine Liberation Organization's 1974 "Ten Point Plan" (also known as the "phased plan") for the "comprehensive liberation" of all the land stretching "from the [Jordan] River to the [Mediterranean] Sea" -- a euphemism for the elimination of Israel. The Plan essentially states that the Palestinians should take whatever land they are given and use it as a launching pad for getting the rest.
Hamas and other Palestinians never saw the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as a sign that Israel seeks to live in peace and coexistence with its Arab neighbors. On the contrary, they saw the withdrawal as an Israeli retreat -- a defeat in the face of a massive wave of terrorism.
The message the Palestinians came away with was not that the Israelis had given them land in the hope of peace, but rather: "We were shooting and they ran away, so let's keep on shooting and they will keep on running away!"
The Palestinian terror groups are trying to drive Jews out of the West Bank through drive-by shootings, stabbings, rockets and car-rammings. They want to turn the West Bank into another launching pad for attacking Israel the same way they did with the Gaza Strip.
To this day, many Palestinians, not only in Hamas, continue to view the Israeli disengagement as a direct result of terrorism. They use the Arabic term indihar -- defeat -- to describe the Israeli withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip.
Hamas arch-terrorist Mohammed Def recently reminded everyone that as far as his group is concerned, the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip marks the beginning of the first "phase" toward destroying Israel.
For the Palestinians, acquiring the Gaza Strip, was, it seems, merely a taste. In their words, they want the West Bank, Jerusalem and the whole of Israel. They want all "settlers" removed not only from the Gaza Strip, but also from the West Bank, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and all of Israel. In their view, "all of Israel" is just one big settlement.
The Biden administration and other international parties that continue to promote the idea of a "two-state solution" are simply empowering Iran's Palestinian proxies and encouraging them to pursue their "phased plan" to increase terrorism, destroy Israel and replace it with yet another Islamist state.
The Iranian government recently set up a new airport "for terror purposes " in southern Lebanon, only 12 miles from the Israeli border -- presumably to make it easier for Iran's terrorist proxies there, such as Hizballah, to launch aerial attacks against Israel.
If Israel withdraws from the West Bank, the area will, without doubt, fall into the hands of the Iranian regime and its Palestinian proxies.
Those who are promoting the idea of a Palestinian state seek to expel Jews from the West Bank through false promises of peace and coexistence. It is time for decision-makers in Washington and other countries to trust what the Palestinians are saying: that they perceive Israeli concessions not as gestures of peace, but as gestures of surrender.
The ability of the Iranian regime soon to have unlimited nuclear weapons, funded largely by the Biden administration... will doubtless make their hegemonic vision easier to achieve. Not even a shot will need to be fired to persuade its victims to agree to whatever the mullahs wish; the threat will be enough.
No one is stopping them.
Creating an Iran-backed Palestinian terror state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip poses a destabilizing and existential threat by Iran not just to Israel but to the entire region and beyond: to Saudi Arabia despite a thaw that may well be temporary; to the Gulf States, Egypt, North Africa, Europe, Latin America and the United States.
On the 18th anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the Iran-backed Palestinian terror groups are still talking about the need to step up attacks against Israel until the "liberation of all of Palestine," from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. Pictured: Gunmen from the Hamas Qassam Brigades at a rally in Gaza City on December 14, 2022. (Photo by Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images)
On the 18th anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the Iran-backed Palestinian terror groups are still talking about the need to step up attacks against Israel until the "liberation of all of Palestine," from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.
These groups still see Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip not as a humanitarian gift to allow the Gazans to build the "Singapore of the Middle East," as former Israeli President Shimon Peres put it, but instead as the beginning of the Palestine Liberation Organization's 1974 "Ten Point Plan" (also known as the "phased plan") for the "comprehensive liberation" of all the land stretching "from the [Jordan] River to the [Mediterranean] Sea" -- a euphemism for the elimination of Israel. The Plan essentially states that the Palestinians should take whatever land they are given and use it as a launching pad for getting the rest.
The Plan in brief:
Through the "armed struggle" (i.e. terrorism), to establish an "independent combatant national authority" over any territory that is "liberated" from Israeli rule. (Point 2)
To continue the struggle against Israel, using the territory of the national authority as a base of operations. (Point 4)
To provoke an all-out war in which Israel's Arab neighbors destroy it entirely ("the liberation of all Palestinian territory"). (Point 8)
Israel's unconditional "disengagement" from the entire Gaza Strip in 2005 resulted in the unilateral dismantling of 21 Jewish settlements, the evacuation of more than 9,000 settlers and the removal of the Israeli army. The purpose of the disengagement was to improve Israel's security and to receive international recognition of Israel's concessions for peace in the absence of negotiations with the Palestinians, to allow them self-government and enable them independence to prosper. Several Western millionaires had even bought greenhouses for $14 million from the Jews leaving the Gaza Strip, to give to the Gazans to give them a running start. Within days of the handover, the greenhouses were torn down and looted clean.
Israel had good intentions when it announced its plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians, however, did not share Israel's vision for prosperity in the Gaza Strip. Instead, they chose to turn the coastal enclave into a regional base for terror groups seeking to murder Jews and destroy Israel.
Two years after the Israeli handover, the Palestinian terror group Hamas took over the Gaza Strip from the Palestinian Authority by force. Since then, tens of thousands of rockets and mortar shells have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel, terrorizing and destabilizing the lives of hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens.
Hamas and other Palestinians never saw the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as a sign that Israel seeks to live in peace and coexistence with its Arab neighbors. On the contrary, they saw the withdrawal as an Israeli retreat -- a defeat in the face of a massive wave of terrorism.
The message the Palestinians came away with was not that the Israelis had given them land in the hope of peace, but rather: "We were shooting and they ran away, so let's keep on shooting and they will keep on running away!"
The Palestinian terror groups are trying to drive Jews out of the West Bank through drive-by shootings, stabbings, rockets and car-rammings. They want to turn the West Bank into another launching pad for attacking Israel the same way they did with the Gaza Strip.
To this day, many Palestinians, not only in Hamas, continue to view the Israeli disengagement as a direct result of terrorism. They use the Arabic term indihar -- defeat -- to describe the Israeli withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip. In their view, the withdrawal was a sign of Israel's weakness and fatigue. Many Palestinians still are convinced that Israel fled the Gaza Strip in response to their waves of terror attacks.
That is why, to this day, Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups, at the behest of mullahs of Iran, continue to fire rockets into Israel. The thinking among many Palestinians still goes: If suicide bombings and rockets drove Israel out of the Gaza Strip, then the attacks will continue to expel Jews from the rest of Israel.
Felesteen News, a Hamas-affiliated website, marking the 18th anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, wrote on September 12, 2023:
"Following the Israeli defeat at that time, joy filled the hearts of the Palestinian people, and victory celebrations began to grow louder. Some of the Palestinians described the defeat as a 'miniature model of the liberation of Palestine' or 'one of the images of victory by the Palestinian resistance.'"
Ahmed Bahr, a senior Hamas official in the Gaza Strip, said in a statement marking the anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal that the "Israelis suffered a humiliating defeat" because of the attacks of the Palestinian terror groups, including attacks from terrorists tunnels built to enable attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians. The Israeli city of Tel Aviv, the Hamas official said, will meet the same fate as the former Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. "Tel Aviv will fall together with all the [Israeli] leaders," Bahr vowed.
Here is how, just last year, Safa, another Hamas-affiliated news website, described the Israeli pullout:
"Seventeen years after its defeat in the Gaza Strip, Israel's attempt to escape death in the face of resistance strikes did not succeed. Today, Israel is living in a more complex reality. After the resistance rockets began to strike Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, their range now covers the entirety of Palestine."
Some Palestinian terror groups, buoyed by their perceived victory, are now talking about the need to copy the "Gaza Strip model" in the West Bank. If terrorism drove Israelis out of the Gaza Strip, they are saying, then it will also drive them out of the West Bank, then Jerusalem and then every inch of Israel.
Referring to the nearly 500,000 Jews currently living in the West Bank, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said on September 12, 2023:
"The settlements in the West Bank are about to disappear. The dismantling of these settlements is only a matter of time, and Jerusalem remains the compass of resistance and the title of the battle [with Israel]."
Hamas arch-terrorist Mohammed Def recently reminded everyone that as far as his group is concerned, the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip marks the beginning of the first "phase" toward destroying Israel:
"The defeat of [Israel] in the Gaza Strip sets the stage for its defeat in the West Bank and heralds the liberation of [the Israeli cities of] Jaffa, Haifa, Jerusalem and the rest of the country [Israel], God willing. Resistance was and will remain the only option and path to victory and liberation."
These statements by the Palestinians show that they are remain as determined as ever to murder Jews and wipe Israel off the map. For the Palestinians, acquiring the Gaza Strip, was, it seems, merely a taste. In their words, they want the West Bank, Jerusalem and the whole of Israel. They want all "settlers" removed not only from the Gaza Strip, but also from the West Bank, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and all of Israel. In their view, "all of Israel" is just one big settlement.
With the backing of Iran, the Palestinian terror groups are now working to increase terror attacks against Israelis in the West Bank.
The Biden administration and other international parties that continue to promote the idea of a "two-state solution" are simply empowering Iran's Palestinian proxies and encouraging them to pursue their "phased plan" to increase terrorism, destroy Israel and replace it with yet another Islamist state.
The Iranian government recently set up a new airport "for terror purposes " in southern Lebanon, only 12 miles from the Israeli border -- presumably to make it easier for Iran's terrorist proxies there, such as Hizballah, to launch aerial attacks against Israel.
The Palestinians' rhetoric and actions since the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip have clearly proven again and again that the conflict with Israel is not about borders and settlements, but about the refusal to allow Israel to exist.
If Israel withdraws from the West Bank, the area will, without doubt, fall into the hands of the Iranian regime and its Palestinian proxies. Were it not for Israel's presence there, the West Bank, a long time ago, would have turned into another base for Palestinian terrorism.
Those who are promoting the idea of a Palestinian state seek to expel Jews from the West Bank through false promises of peace and coexistence. It is time for decision-makers in Washington and other countries to trust what the Palestinians are saying: that they perceive Israeli concessions not as gestures of peace, but as gestures of surrender.
The ability of the Iranian regime soon to have unlimited nuclear weapons, funded largely by the Biden administration -- despite the mullahs' denial that such ambitions even exist -- will doubtless make their hegemonic vision easier to achieve. Not even a shot will need to be fired to persuade its victims to agree to whatever the mullahs wish; the threat will be enough.
No one is stopping them.
The Biden administration has reportedly concluded a secret deal with Iran, most likely to lower its nuclear threats before the November 2024 presidential election in exchange for billions of dollars and the lifting of sanctions -- which will enable the mullahs to acquire even more billions. Presumably this windfall will not be used for girls' education or women's human rights but for its nuclear weapons program, stepped-up terrorism and crushing its own people even further.
Creating an Iran-backed Palestinian terror state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip poses a destabilizing and existential threat by Iran not just to Israel but to the entire region and beyond: to Saudi Arabia despite a thaw that may well be temporary; to the Gulf States, Egypt, North Africa, Europe (here and here), Latin America and the United States (here, here and here ).
*Bassam Tawil is a Muslim Arab based in the Middle East.
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New Documentary Exposes the Shady Origins of the Persecution of Christians in Syria
Raymond Ibrahim/September 21/2023
The Broken Cross, a new Arabic-language documentary, was launched and screened in Damascus on September 2 before a large audience of religious and diplomatic figures, including journalists and media. The film exposes the activities of a largely unknown (in the West) Islamic group, the Turkestan Islamist Party.
According to its director, Najdat Ismail Anzour,
This film looks at some truths concerning the Syrian tragedy. It was produced to highlight an obscure and painful angle that no one has addressed: the exodus of our loved ones of Christian faith, from their towns, their villages and their monasteries in the governorate of Idleb, which fell to the hands of armed terrorist gangs led by the Turkestan Islamist Party.… [T]here is nothing more cruel and bitter than uprooting a human being from his land, his home, his environment, his memory and everything he loves and makes him proud. This, unfortunately, is what happened to 50,000 Syrian Christians who lived in peace, friendship, and deep harmony with all components of Syrian society. This is an undisputed and striking fact of the Christian presence in Syria for more than 2000 years.
Also speaking before the Damascus screening on Sept. 2, Dr. Kamal Jafa, a geopolitical economist living in Aleppo, also emphasized the
crimes of the most dangerous international terrorist organization [Turkestan Islamist Party], which traveled thousands of kilometers from the Chinese Far East after having committed dozens of massacres in its motherland, crossed Afghanistan, Iran, Chechnya, Libya, before arriving in Syria with the support of the most important intelligence services in the world… The Turkestan Islamist Party arrived in Syria in 2011 and directly participated in the first two massacres
Although the Turkestan Islamist Party is all but known in the West, apparently it played a pivotal role in the terrorization of Syria:
Once the reputation of its fierce fighting and appalling crimes against the towns and villages of Idlib governorate were well established, the states leading the war on Syria, particularly the United States of America and Turkey, took the decision to lead 3,000 fighters from this party towards what was considered the great epic of Aleppo’ where they dominated the other armed groups pushed to invade this city….
Not only is this particular jihadist group all but unheard of in the West, but, according to Dr. Jafa, it has become strong enough to threaten nations far beyond the Middle East:
Now we find ourselves facing a problem even more dangerous for the world. Indeed, they have transformed into a kind of “Blackwater” of the Middle East that can be sent anywhere, especially since the United States removed, in 2020, the organization of the Turkestan Islamist Party from the list terrorist organizations. Therefore, they now have the freedom to move in any geographical area of the world…. [T]oday, they are more uplifted than ever, especially since they created the organizations of Al-Ansar and Al-Achbale (the lion cubs) to consolidate their fighting forces. Hence a new generation of terrorists who will destroy the whole world if this program in Syria is not put an end to, because their emirate has regrettably transformed into a new “Tora Bora.”
Three observations based on this new documentary and the remarks concerning it:
First, the atrocities experienced by the Christians of Idlib—massacres, beheadings, rapes, enslavement, and the constant desecration of churches—were indeed horrific, and it is good that a documentary film on the topic has been released.
Second, the one jihadist group that now appears to have been most responsible for these initial atrocities—the Turkestan Islamist Party—is also the one least mentioned or recognized in the West, where only “ISIS” (the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) seems to be remembered. Of course, and as usual, there have been, are, and always will be any number of jihadist groups around the world, as they all drink from the same fount—Islam.
Perhaps the fact that the terrorist Turkestan Islamist Party consists mostly of Uighurs—who are always and everywhere presented as innocent victims of Chinese oppression—is one reason for the reticence: showing that Uighurs also exhibit the same Islamic hostility for non-Muslims and engage in jihadist activities against Christians and other minorities throws a wrench in any sympathy building efforts. A little more on this group, from a “mainstream source,” follows:
Syrian Churches have been demolished by Turkistan Islamic Party Uyghur fighters, who exalted in the acts of destruction…. In Jisr al-Shughur a Church’s cross had a TIP flag placed on top of it after the end of the battle. The Uzbek group Katibat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (Tavhid va Jihod katibasi) released a video featuring themselves and the Uyghur Turkistan Islamic Party attacking and desecrating Christian Churches in Jisr al-Shughur. Jabhat al Nusra and Turkistan Islamic Party fighters were accused of displacing Christian residents of rural Jisr al-Shughour… Camps training children for Jihad are being run by the Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria. Uyghur child soldiers being instructed in Sharia and training with guns were depicted in a video released by TIP.
I actually watched the Arabic language video possibly made by these jihadists desecrating numerous churches and breaking crosses. When I posted it on Youtube, so that Western audiences might also be made aware, Youtube took it down and locked my account.
The final observation concerns allegations of U.S. complicity. These, of course, are true—especially under the Obama and Biden administrations. Under the former, when the so-called “Arab Spring” began, the U.S. heartily supported “freedom fighters” everywhere—in Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, etc. Before long, however, these great “liberators” were revealed as jihadist terrorists with a penchant for killing Christians and destroying churches.
At this point, it’s axiomatic: Whichever Muslim nation the U.S. intervenes in for “democratic” purposes, Christian minorities are the first to experience horrific treatment. Iraq is the posterchild of this phenomenon.
https://www.raymondibrahim.com/2023/09/21/new-documentary-exposes-the-shady-origins-of-the-persecution-of-christians-in-syria/