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Bible Quotations For Today
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him."
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 02/36-40: There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage,
then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him."

For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.
Letter to the Hebrews 06/09-12: "Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to salvation.
For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we want each one of you to show the same diligence, so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on january03-04.16.htm
Sayyed NasrallahHezbollah : Al Saud Dynasty Imposed Itself on Arabian Peninsula via Massacres/Al-Manar Website/January 03/16
Iran Regime Plans to Forcibly Turn Tehran Assyrian Church Grounds Into Mosque/National Council Of Resistance Of Iran (NCRI)/January 03/16
Unfair label smears Iran opposition/SHAHIN GOBADI/National Council Of Resistance Of Iran (NCRI)/January 03/16
Russia is clearing the decks for Assad/Dr. Azeem Ibrahim/Al Arabiya/03 January/16
Syria bloodshed: Will it only get worse in 2016/Brooklyn Middleton/Al Arabiya/03 January/16
When will Arabs realize their dreams and aspirations/Samar Fatany/Al Arabiya/03 January/16
Dubai ruler’s ten years of exceptional leadership/Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor/Al Arabiya/03 January/16

Sayyed NasrallahHezbollah : Al Saud Dynasty Imposed Itself on Arabian Peninsula via Massacres
Mohamed Salami/Al-Manar Website/January 03/16
Sayyed NasrallahHezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah asserted that the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr underlines Al Saud's terrorist arrogance and insistence on murdering all who speak out truth and right, offering condolences and congratulations to martyr Sheikh Nimr Nimr's family and all the locals of Qatif and the Eastern Province in Saudifor the martyrdom which is the legacy of the prophets.
In a speech during Hezbollah ceremony to mourn and honor Sheikh Mohammad Khatoun, Sayyed Nasrallah said that in the Arabian Peninsula a state was established and falsely named Saudi Arabia, noting that it is the land of the Two Holy Mosques, Islam, the first Mujahidin, the Prophet and His Family (P) and that Al Saud dynasty, as history documents, imposed itself on it via massacres, intimidation and terrorism.
Sayyed Nasrallah added that with respect to Al Saud, clerics, whether they are Shiites or Sunnites, cannot express their reform stances and that they get murdered in case they reject the ruling regime's actions.
In this context, Sayyed Nasrallah considered that the execution of Sheikh Nimr is a serious crime committed by Al Saud, pointing out that the martyr used to speak out right peacefully, not violently.
"Sheikh Nimr's blood will plague Al Saud till the Day of Resurrection."
"The corrupted Saudi court, where the defense lawyer cannot argue with the judge, failed to prove that Sheikh Nimr held weaponry since he was peaceful as all the clerics in the Eastern Province in Saudi and in Bahrain."
His eminence mentioned that Sheikh Nimr demanded courageously and clearly the Saudi regime to grant the people their rights and freedom, adding that who speaks out gets executed in Saudi which claims to be defending freedom in the region.
"Why did Saudi insist on executing Sheikh Nimr at this time? Why did it ignore all the pleads submitted by Sunnite and Shiite clerics to refrain from implementing the decision?" Sayyed Nasrallah asked.
"In fact, the execution sends a clear message that the Saudi regime does not care for Islamic and the international public opinion and for hundreds of Millions of Sheikh Nimr's lovers who would be hurt by his execution," Sayyed Nasrallah explained, "Al Saud are also explicitly telling people that they can either live under the dictatorship of the royal family or to suffer all sorts of misery, including death."
Hezbollah leader stressed also that the Saudi regime executed Sheikh Nimr to get more involved in its scheme of stirring seditions among the Muslims and to maintain that it follows the path of bloodshed, not that of the rational dialogue.
"Shia Muslims must be aware so that they do not fall in the trap of seditions as only Al Saud, not the Sunnites killed Sheikh Nimr."
"The United Sates proposed to the Shia scholar in Saudi to grant them an autonomous ruling system in the Eastern Province where most of the Saudi oil resources exist, but they rejected," Sayyed Nasrallah revealed.
"The Saudi regime is responsible for all the seditions in the Islamic world, including syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Indonesia, etc," Sayyed Nasrallah maintained
The execution of Sheikh Nimr clearly tells those who are betting on a moderate voice in the Saudi regime that it will launch the destructive wars in approaching all the issues but never run constructive dialogues, Sayyed Nasrallah confirmed.
His eminence affirmed that the Saudi regime, via this crime, revealed to the world its real face of takfiri, criminal terrorism as it rejects that any one exposes its oppression and criminality within the kingdom and in Yemen.
A spirit of revenge and hatred, not a political decision, was behind the Saudi war on Yemen, Sayyed Nasrallah added.
"Saudi wants to punish and destroy the entire Yemen for rejecting its oppression. It does not care for the identity of the president, but for his degree of loyalty to its torturing policy."
"The Saudi regime does not want to end the war on Yemen, even if ISIL or Qaeda ruled that country."
Hezbollah Secretary General wondered whether it is high time to say that the terrorist groups are mere agents funded and supported by the Saudi regime, explaining that ISIL and Saudi use similar books in their religious curricula.
"Is not it high time to say courageously and regardless of all scores that the principle and spirit of the takfiri thought which destroys, murders, commits massacres and threatens the whole world is produced by Al Saud?"
Sayyed Nasrallah went on to say that Al Saud dynasty is involved in the bloodshed which prevails in several Arab and Muslim countries, asking: "Is not it high time to speak out right before the tyrant which is destroying Islam and the Islamic Umma? Is not it high time to expel the Saudi regime which violates the human rights? Is not it high time to speak out about the services provided by Al Saud to Britain in its efforts to strike the Palestinian cause?"
In line with the stance of Sayyeda Zainab (P) before Yazid, Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted that the response to the Saudi crime is to speak out right, adding that bloodshed will lead Al Saud dynasty to its downfall as history teaches us.
Eulogizing Sheikh Khatoun
Sayyed NasrallahHezbollah Secretary General reiterated his deep condolences to Sheikh Mohammad Ali Khatoun's family for the loss of the honorable cleric who was a member of Hezbollah Central Council and spent most of his lifetime in his scholarly and jihadi work.
Sayyed Nasrallah said that Sheikh Khatoun was among those who joined the military resistance since its inception, adding that his eminence spent most of his life as a Mujahid and a religious preacher who lectures people on various religious and political subjects.
Sayyed Nasrallah described Sheikh Khatoun was modest, pious and easygoing and that he used to have the same character traits of former Hezbollah SG martyr Secretary General Sayyed Abbas al-Moussawi.
Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that Hezbollah moral and jihadi spirit has attained and all the victories, and that none can affect the party's power, reputation and achievements.
With the bless of Sheikh Khatoun and all the martyrs, Hezbollah will always be victorious, Sayyed Nasrallah asserted.
Confirming that Hezbollah will respond to the Israeli crime of assassinating martyr Samir Kuntar, Sayyed Nasrallah concluded by saying that the Zionists must keep afraid of the resistance threat.
The memorial service which was held by Hezbollah on Sunday in Beirut's Dahiyeh was started by a recitation of Holy Quranic verses and displaying a short video about Sheikh Khatoun's life before his eminence's brother delivered a speech on behalf of his family.

Hariri Slams Nasrallah Anti-Saudi Remarks: Hizbullah Acting as if in Charge of All Shiites in the World
Naharnet/December 03/16/ Al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri was quick to hit back at anti-Saudi remarks by Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday, accusing the party of “acting as if it is in charge of all Shiites in the world.”Hariri's remarks followed Nasrallah's condemnation of the kingdom's execution of top Shiite dissident Nimr al-Nimr. Riyadh's move prompted Hizbullah's leader to launch one of his fiercest verbal attacks to date against Saudi Arabia. “It is extremely regrettable that some in Lebanon are attacking the kingdom and its leadership in an unacceptable and detestable manner,” Hariri said in a press release. “Some are talking about Saudi Arabia and its role as if they are talking about themselves and about the situation in Iran and the Iranian people's suffering,” he added. He noted that Nasrallah's remarks about “oppression, tyranny, terrorism, murder, criminality, executions, destruction, displacement, blocking dialogue, massacres, interference in others' affairs, sectarian sedition and the elimination of opponents … actually and truly apply to the practices of the Iranian regime and its expansion scheme.”
Hariri also pointed out that anti-Saudi accusations apply to “the Syrian regime's practices against its own people,” adding that “Iran and its tools are fighting alongside this regime, which is executing hundreds of thousands of its citizens and displacing millions of them without any trials or religious and human justifications.”Iran-backed Hizbullah has sent thousands of fighters across the border to aid the Syrian regime against an Islamist-led uprising. Iran has also dispatched advisers and elite forces. Continuing his criticism of Hizbullah, Hariri claimed that the party “is as usual acting as if it is in charge of all Shiites in the world, from Nigeria to Bahrain and from India and Pakistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf states.” “Following the footsteps of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hizbullah is relying on a false political authority to encroach on the borders and national sovereignty of nearby and distant countries,” Hariri charged. He stressed that “sectarian motives are governing the behavior of Iran and its cronies.” Addressing Nasrallah, Hariri added that “insistence on interfering in the internal affairs of brotherly counties and insulting the brothers and their leaders and symbols is unacceptable.”He warned that such alleged behavior would aggravate sectarian tensions in Lebanon and allow foreign forces to “meddle in our domestic affairs.”Noting that he is confident that Saudi Arabia will remain “keen on Lebanon's safety and stability,” Hariri said Riyadh “will not heed the fallacies that are being launched against it.”
“It will maintain its pledges on aiding Lebanon and preserving its national unity regardless of the campaigns of incitement against it,” Hariri added. Cautioning the kingdom's supporters in Lebanon against being “dragged to sectarian exchanges,” Hariri called on “some of the leaders of the Shiite sect in Lebanon” to “cooperate through rejecting the ongoing efforts to inflame sentiments.”
He also called on them to “abide by wisdom in approaching the current challenges and to protect domestic stability.” "The execution (Saturday) of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr reveals to the world the real criminal, takfiri and terrorist face of Saudi Arabia," Nasrallah said earlier in the day. Stressing that al-Nimr's approach was “peaceful throughout his life,” Nasrallah noted that the executed cleric was “a reformist man who demanded the rights of the people of the Arabian Peninsula.”Nimr, 56, was a force behind anti-government protests in Saudi Arabia in 2011 in the east of the country. He was executed along with 46 other men -- Shiite activists and Sunnis who the Saudi interior ministry said were involved in al-Qaida killings. Some were beheaded and others were shot by firing squad.

Report: Saudi Embassy in Beirut Steps Up Security
Naharnet/December 03/16/The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Lebanon has taken precautionary security measures following the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr and the torching of the Saudi Embassy late on Saturday in Tehran, the Kuwaiti daily al-Jarida said on Sunday. The embassy's staff were notified of the necessity to stay inside the embassy to avoid any reprisals they may be exposed to by supporters of Iran in Lebanon, it added. Angry crowds protesting at Saudi Arabia's execution of al-Nimr set fire to the kingdom's embassy in Tehran Saturday and stormed the building before being cleared out by police, reports said. Unnamed sources said that the demonstrations could kick off in Beirut, Bekaa and in the South in protest to the execution and to condemn Saudi Arabia's act. “The Iranian retaliation might kick off from Lebanon to target Saudi businesses or officials,” the sources stated, adding that “several officials of al-Mustaqbal movement mainly head of the parliamentary bloc Fouad al-Saniora have taken the necessary precautions.”Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is expected to deliver a speech Sunday afternoon to address the issue. Saudi Arabia on Saturday executed a prominent Shiite cleric behind anti-government protests along with 46 other men, drawing angry condemnation from Iran and Iraq. The execution of Nimr al-Nimr and the others, including Shiite activists and Sunnis accused of involvement in deadly al-Qaida attacks, was announced by the Saudi interior ministry. It prompted calls for demonstrations, with the brother of the 56-year-old cleric warning it could stir more trouble in oil-rich Eastern Province where Shiites complain of marginalization.

Prominent Politician and ex-Minister Fouad Butros Dies at 95
Naharnet/December 03/16/Former minister and prominent politician Fouad Butros passed away on Sunday at the age of 95, state-run National News Agency reported. Butros served as a minister under late presidents Fouad Chehab, Charles Helou and Elias Sarkis. He was most notably known for his role as foreign minister during Sarkis' tenure. The ex-minister's most recent political activity was his suggestion of a hybrid electoral law that mixes the proportional representation and winner-takes-all systems. The famous draft law has become colloquially known as the Fouad Butros Law. Butros had published his autobiography in 2009 in a book released by Dar An-Nahar.

Protesters Rally outside Saudi Embassy, ESCWA to Condemn Nimr's Execution
Naharnet/December 03/16/A small protest was held Sunday outside the Saudi embassy in Beirut to condemn the kingdom's execution of senior Shiite dissident Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, amid strict security measures. Al-Jadeed television said around 20 people took part in the sit-in following invitations on social networking websites. Muslim cleric Sheikh Suhaib Habli delivered an address at the location, noting that “Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr's assassination will boost the nation's awareness.”“The problem today is between good and evil,” he said. The protesters then performed a prayer commemorating al-Nimr and chanted slogans against the kingdom’s ruling Saud dynasty. They then headed to the headquarters of the U.N.'s Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia in downtown Beirut to join another sit-in condemning Nimr's execution. A representative of Lebanon's Higher Islamic Shiite Council took part in the sit-in outside ESCWA, according to state-run National News Agency. Speeches deploring the execution were delivered at the location, NNA said. Nimr, 56, was a force behind anti-government protests in Saudi Arabia in 2011 in the east of the country. He was executed along with 46 other men -- Shiite activists and Sunnis who the Saudi interior ministry said were involved in al-Qaida killings. Some were beheaded and others were shot by firing squad. Protesters have taken to the streets in several countries in the region and the world to condemn the cleric's execution. On Saturday, protests turned violent in Iran, the kingdom's regional arch-rival, escalating into fierce attacks on the Sunni kingdom's embassy and consulate. In Tehran protesters threw petrol bombs and stormed the embassy. The kingdom's consulate in Mashhad, Iran's second biggest city in the country's northeast, was also set on fire.

New Landslide in Kfarnabrakh Prompts More Evacuations
Naharnet/December 03/16/New landslides hit the outskirts of the town of Kfarnabrakh in the Chouf region and some residents were compelled to evacuate their homes, the state-run National News Agency said on Sunday. A snowstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall hit the area leading to the collapse of major pathway that lies beneath the houses. The landslide blocked the Kfarnabrakh, Wadi al-Sitt and al-Fowara roads with soil and rocks, NNA added. A similar incident took place late in November when panicked residents evacuated their homes after a similar landslide. Residents took to Twitter to publish photos of the landslide. Storm Vladimir hit Lebanon two days ago and seems to continue until today blanketing the high altitudes with snow. The storm stranded hundreds of people in their vehicles, triggered landslides and blocked mountainous roads.

March 14 Urges Support for State Project to 'Preserve Stability'
Naharnet/December 03/16/The March 14 General Secretariat reiterated the keenness to preserve Lebanon's stability and the necessity not to turn the nation to an arena to settle accounts of major events taking place around us in the region.“Out of our keenness to preserve stability we stress the need not to turn Lebanon to a weak spot and a place to settle accounts of serious events,” the Secretariat said in a statement issued on Sunday. “The Secretariat is viewing with concern the events that are taking place around us and dragging the region to further tension, sectarian and political disputes,” it added. “We call on all politicians and national figures to come together and support the project of the state by electing a new president. We urge then to preserve the civil, military and security institutions because the state is the only guarantor for civil peace and coexistence,” the statement concluded. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014. Conflicts between the rival March 8 and March 14 camps thwarted all efforts to elect a successor.

Report: Franjieh Gearing Up for Withdrawal from March 8
Naharnet/December 03/16/Marada chief MP Suleiman Franjieh seems to be preparing for his withdrawal from the March 8 camp but without giving up on the relations with the alliance, the Kuwaiti al-Anba daily reported on Sunday.
“Marada chief Franjieh is preparing the step of withdrawal from the March 8 as a confirmation of his political independence from any internal alignments but without giving up on the relations with the said alliance and its political visions,” reported the daily. “Franjieh wants to position himself as a centrist which would help enhance the chances of accepting him as a consensual candidate for the post of the presidency, particularly that the campaigns of head of the Change and Reform bloc Michel Aoun and his allies did not take into consolidation that Franjieh is their ally too,” sources told the daily. Franjieh has emerged lately as a candidate for the top state post that has been vacant for nineteen months since the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014. Lawmakers failed to secure the needed quorum for electing a new president despite holding tens of voting sessions, amid a boycott by the MPs of Aoun and Hizbullah. The initiative for Franjieh's nomination emerged by Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri but has been met with reservations from the Kataeb Party, the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces. Aoun, and Franjieh are both candidates of the March 8 and LF chief Samir Geagea is a candidate of March 14.

ISF Foils Kidnap Attempt, Arrests Assailants in Wadi Khaled
Naharnet/December 03/16/The Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch thwarted a kidnapping attempt in return for ransom and were able to arrest the assailants in the northern border region of Wadi Khaled, the state-run National News Agency reported on Sunday. "The ISF Intelligence Branch foiled the attempt to kidnap Syrian national M.Y. In return for ransom after luring him into Lebanon," the ISF said via its Twitter account. "The ISF arrested them in Wadi Khaled and they were referred to the related authorities," it added. No further details were released.

Al-Rahi Calls on Fathali to Urge Hizbullah to Elect a President
Naharnet/December 03/16/Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called on Iranian Ambassador Mohammed Fathali to urge members of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc to “head to the parliament for the election of a president,” al-Mustaqbal Movement reported on Sunday. “The Patriarch has reiterated to the Iranian ambassador the necessity that the state institutions mainly the parliament restore their role,” Spokesperson of the Maronite Patriarchate Walid Ghayyad quoted al-Rahi following a meeting with Fathali at Bkirki. “The Patriarch is still counting on the national conscience of members of the parliamentary blocs to not miss more opportunities and to expose their papers to each other and engage in a frank and serious dialogue to resolve the presidential crisis,” he added. “The Patriarch has no preferences for any nominee over another. Although he supports the initiative, he also distinguishes between it and the candidates. He has long called on the parliamentary blocs to make a step to end the presidential hurdle and he believes that there is a serious initiative today that we must take advantage of,” added Ghayyad. An initiative emerged lately by Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri suggesting the nomination of Marada chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency. The nomination has been met with reservations from the Kataeb Party, the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014.

Hizbullah Accuses U.S. for Riyadh's Execution of Nimr, Blames it for 'Covering up' Saudi Crimes
Naharnet/December 03/16/Hizbullah condemned on Saturday Saudi Arabia's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, holding the United States responsible for the development. It said in a statement: “We hold the U.S. and its allies, who are presenting direct protection to the Saudi regime, responsible for covering up the kingdom's crimes against it people and those of the region.” “We demand that the international community condemn the crime committed by Saudi Arabia,” it added. “It should ensure that the rights of a people ruled by oppression and ignorance be granted,” it continued. “Nimr's execution through weak excuses and empty verdicts cannot be accepted by reason or justice,” it added. “Nimr's adherence to his convictions to the point of his martyrdom will destroy the Saud dynasty's injustice,” declared Hizbullah. “This crime will remain a black mark that will plague the Saudi regime that has been committing massacres since its inception,” it stated. Saudi Arabia on Saturday executed 47 people convicted of "terrorism", including prominent Shiite cleric Nimr behind anti-government protests, the interior ministry said. The 56-year-old cleric was a driving force of the protests that broke out in 2011 in the Sunni-ruled kingdom's east, where the Shiite minority complains of marginalization. The list also includes Sunnis convicted of involvement in Al-Qaida attacks that killed Saudis and foreigners in the kingdom in 2003 and 2004.
Nimr's execution also drew condemnations from the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, the AMAL movement, Iran, and Iraq.

Fear that Hezbollah will use stormy weather to attack Israel
Ynetnews Reporters/January 03/16/The IDF has been firing into open areas in the Lebanese border region in order to prevent the terrorist organization from perpetrating revenge attacks over the assassination of Samir Kuntar. For the past few days, the IDF has been performing controlled bombings in the Lebanese border region. These include artillery fire into open areas, and are meant to prevent Hezbollah from exploiting the stormy weather Israel has been experiencing lately in order to execute attacks aimed at avenging Samir Kuntar, a senior Hezbollah member who was recently assassinated. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has publically accused Israel of being responsible for killing Kuntar. Nasrallah continues to threaten Israel, saying in a Sunday speech that "The power of Samir al-Kuntar's blood still forces the soldiers and officers of the enemy to hide in burrows all along the border. They wait and we wait. They are afraid. Now the rain has come and put an even heavier load on them. They are trapped even more in their burrows, but we are waiting too, and Allah loves those who wait." He added that "it's important that they understand that the murder of our brothers and shedding of our blood will not pass by easily, and the Israelis should be fearful and hide." Nasrallah ended by saying, "The response is coming, it Allah wills it." This was the third time Nasrallah threatened to avenge the Kuntar assassination. He warned Israel in similar fashion during Kuntar's memorial that happened a week after his death.
IDF Chief of General Staff Gadi Eizenkot warned Hezbollah last week, saying: "Our soldiers stand in the face of murderous terrorism every day with courage and determination. Beyond our borders as well, in the face of the threats from the north, we are prepared for any challenge.
"As we proved in the past, we will be able to strike at anyone who wishes to hurt us. Our enemies know that if they attempt to shake Israel's security they will bear the severe consequences."Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week, in a hinted message following Nasrallah's threats to avenge Kuntar's death, that "We are working against those who work against us, and all of our enemies should know that we will respond aggressively to any attack on us."
**Yoav Zitun, Ahiya Raved and Roi Kais contributed to this report.

IS Threatens Britain in New Executions Video
Naharnet/Agence France Presse/December 03/16
The Islamic State group threatened Britain in an Internet video Sunday showing the killing of five "spies" it said worked with the international coalition fighting IS in Iraq and Syria. The SITE Intelligence Group said the video shows five men from Raqa, capital of the self-declared jihadist "caliphate" straddling Syria and Iraq, confessing to carrying out acts of espionage. In it, an English-speaking IS fighter mocks British Prime Minister David Cameron for challenging IS, and calls him an "imbecile."The "confessions" of the five do not clearly identify which countries they worked with, but one mentions the international coalition led by the United States battling against IS in Iraq and Syria. The video said they passed videos or photos of the living conditions in Raqa to people in Turkey, or monitored the movements of IS fighters. The following sequence shows the five wearing orange jumpsuits and kneeling before five masked fighters, all in military fatigues and armed with pistols. "This is a message to David Cameron," says one of the gunmen. "How strange it is that we find ourselves today hearing an insignificant leader like you challenge the might of the Islamic State."British warplanes, which were already attacking IS positions in Iraq, at the beginning of December began targeting the jihadists in Syria also. "Only an imbecile would dare to wage war against a land where the law of Allah reigns supreme and where the people live under the justice and security of sharia" or Islamic law, the fighter says. "We will continue to wage jihad... and one day invade your land, where we will rule by the sharia."He said those who want to continue fighting "under the banner of Cameron" should ask themselves: "Do you really think your government will care about you when you come into our hands, or will they abandon you as they have abandoned these spies and those who came before them?"The five men are then killed with a bullet to the head. IS often releases propaganda videos when it suffers setbacks on the battlefield, experts say.
In Iraq last Sunday, federal forces declared victory in the battle for Ramadi, which IS seized in May 2015. And on December 26, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters in northern Syria seized the strategic Tishreen Dam from IS which the jihadist group had held since 2014.

Top U.S. House Democrat ‘disappointed’ at Iran sanctions delay
National Council Of Resistance Of Iran (NCRI)/Sunday, 03 January 2016 /U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Steny Hoyer chided the Obama administration for its decision to delay new Iran sanctions Saturday, in light of a recent alleged violation, The Washington Examiner reported on Sunday.
"I am disappointed that the Administration has delayed punitive action in response to Iran's recent ballistic missile tests," Hoyer, a Maryland Democratic Congressman said in a statement. Hoyer's criticism made him one of the most senior Democrats to fault the Obama administration on the move and represents an unusual break with the White House. "The recent missile tests, along with the firing in proximity to a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, raise serious concerns about whether Iran will adhere to the remainder of its commitments [under the Iran deal]," Hoyer said. "These recent violations underscore Iran's readiness to test the will of the international community, instigated by its hardline elements that want to scuttle the deal," he said. "That challenge must be met with a decisive response." Hoyer voted in favor of the Iran nuclear deal in 2015, but said he had major reservations. "This agreement is not one which I would have negotiated, nor one I think should have been agreed to, given the collective strength of the P5+1 compared to that of Iran. I believe this agreement gives too much to Iran and demands too little in return," Hoyer said in his statement supporting the deal. "No matter how deep, how personal, and how sincere my concerns about this agreement are, they ultimately do not outweigh the need for a united position on Iran," Hoyer concluded.

Disabled man hanged in western Iran prison
National Council Of Resistance Of Iran (NCRI)Sunday, 03 January 2016 /NCRI – Iran’s fundamentalist regime on Saturday hanged a disabled man in a prison in Khoramabad, western Iran. The executed prisoner was identified as Mehdi Ranjkesh. He had spent the past five years behind bars. Ranjkesh, who was accused of a drugs-related charge, was both physically and mentally disabled and was denied proper medical treatment while in prison. The human rights situation has been deteriorating rapidly in Iran. More than 2,000 individuals have been executed during Hassan Rouhani’s tenure as President of the regime. This is the highest rate of executions in the past 25 years, and it reflects an increase over figures that had already secured Iran’s place as the nation with the most executions per capita. On December 17, 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution strongly condemning the brutal and systematic violation of human rights in Iran, in particular the mass and arbitrary executions, increasing violence and discrimination against women and ethnic and religious minorities. Following the adoption of the 62nd UN resolution censuring human rights abuses in Iran, the Iranian Resistance's President-elect Maryam Rajavi called on the UN Security Council to hold the leaders of the clerical regime accountable and prosecute them for crimes against humanity. She underlined that this is a necessary step towards respecting the international community's vote that condemned the systematic and flagrant violations of human rights in Iran.

10 prisoners at imminent risk of execution in Iran
National Council Of Resistance Of Iran (NCRI)/Sunday, 03 January 2016 /NCRI - Ten death-row prisoners were on Sunday transferred to solitary confinement in the notorious Gohardasht (Rajai-Shahr) Prison in Karaj, north-west of the Iranian capital Tehran, in preparation for their imminent execution.
Iran’s fundamentalist regime has upheld the execution sentence for all 10 of the prisoners. Among the prisoners at imminent risk of execution is Farajollah Hatami who has been imprisoned for the past 12 years. The other prisoners are yet to be identified by name, but they were transferred to solitary confinement from wards 3, 4 and 6 of Gohardasht Prison. The human rights situation has been deteriorating rapidly in Iran. More than 2,000 individuals have been executed during Hassan Rouhani’s tenure as President of the regime. This is the highest rate of executions in the past 25 years, and it reflects an increase over figures that had already secured Iran’s place as the nation with the most executions per capita. On December 17, 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution strongly condemning the brutal and systematic violation of human rights in Iran, in particular the mass and arbitrary executions, increasing violence and discrimination against women and ethnic and religious minorities. Following the adoption of the 62nd UN resolution censuring human rights abuses in Iran, the Iranian Resistance's President-elect Maryam Rajavi called on the UN Security Council to hold the leaders of the clerical regime accountable and prosecute them for crimes against humanity. She underlined that this is a necessary step towards respecting the international community's vote that condemned the systematic and flagrant violations of human rights in Iran.

Bahrain slams hypocritical comments by Iran regime
National Council Of Resistance Of Iran (NCRI)/Sunday, 03 January 2016 /Bahrain’s foreign minister on Saturday condemned a statement by the Iranian regime's foreign ministry spokesman as an unwelcome interference in the kingdom’s domestic affairs. On Friday, Hussain Jaber Ansari claimed that “security actions in Bahrain were an unsuccessful approach.” However, Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa slammed the remark, according to Gulf News. “Does Hussain Jaber Ansari know that we are concerned about the security approach adopted by Iran towards the legitimate demands of the Iranian people?” Some people are good at projecting their own predicaments onto others,” the minister posted on his Twitter account. In another tweet to his 253,000 followers on the microblog, Shaikh Khalid said that “Bahrain has been targeted since 2011 by Iran and its agents in the region in an unfair campaign of lies and deception.”Relations between Bahrain and Iran's regime have been deteriorating since 2011 after Manama accused Tehran of blatant interference in its domestic affairs. In October, Bahrain presented a formal complaint against Iran's regime to the United Nations Secretary General for its “blatant violations and its continued unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom.”
The complaint was presented by Shaikh Khalid during a meeting with Ban Ki-moon, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Iran's regime has chosen the path of escalation in an attempt to exert control over its neighbors by continuing to interfere in their internal affairs, the exploitation of extremist groups, the provision of safe haven to fugitives, the opening of training camps for terrorist groups, and the smuggling arms and explosives, Shaikh Khalid said. Hostile activities have resulted in citizens, expatriates and security personnel becoming the targets of murder and criminal acts that have so far claimed 16 lives from security personnel and injured 3,000, the ministry said. The ministry accused Iran's regime of “continued interference in the affairs of Bahrain without any legal deterrent or moral limits, unlawful attempts and practices to create sectarian strife and to impose its hegemony and control over the entire region through reprehensible tools and means that are not limited to offending statements from senior officials, but also include supporting subversion, terrorism and incitement to violence through misleading media campaigns.”Iran's regime also assisted terror groups in the smuggling of weapons and explosives, trained their members, and harbored fugitives from justice, the ministry said. It also accused Tehran of “repeated and blatant violation of all norms, laws and international conventions and principles of good neighbourliness and mutual respect, as well as of unacceptable infringement on the independence and sovereignty of Bahrain.” In July, Bahrain's Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said that “the multifaceted Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain was totally unacceptable and did not conform to international norms that respect the values of good neighbourliness.”The interference included antagonistic political statements, the smuggling of explosives, weapons and ammunitions into the kingdom, the harboring of fugitives and the use of Iranian military camps to train Bahrainis on terrorist acts that target innocent people, he said. It also included orchestrating and launching constant and misleading propaganda campaigns against the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people to disseminate misinformation and false narratives about the kingdom, Shaikh Rashid added.
http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/terrorism-fundamentalism/19743-bahrain-slams-hypocritical-comments-by-iran-regime

Saudi cuts ties with Iran, expels Tehran envoys
By Staff writer, Al Arabiya News Monday, 4 January/2016/Saudi Arabia announced late Sunday that it would officially sever ties with Iran after having two of its diplomatic posts attacked in the Islamic republic. Saudi’s Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir, speaking in an address aired by Al Arabiya News Channel, said Iran’s diplomatic mission staff and related structures in Saudi Arabia had been given 48 hours to leave. He also accused Iran of having a long-track record of violating diplomatic missions, and called Tehran a regional menace for its smuggling of arms and explosives and its harboring of Al-Qaeda militants since 2001. Jubeir’s announcement comes after demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran on Saturday in protest against Riyadh’s executions of 47 people convicted of terrorism, which include Shiite preacher Nimr al-Nimr and al-Qaeda ideologue Fares al-Shuwail. The demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy building in the Iranian capital, smashed furniture and started fires before being ejected by police. No Saudi embassy staff were in the building at the time. A copycat protest at the Saudi consulate in the Iranian city of Mashhad broke out on Sunday. Meanwhile, Jubeir said Riyadh is vigilant over Iranian threats against Saudi diplomats in Baghdad. On Friday, Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Baghdad after a 25-year pause, giving way to more cooperation between the two countries on tackling terrorism. The foreign minister vowed that Riyadh will not allow Tehran to sabotage Saudi or the region’s security.
While Tehran lashed out at Riyadh for Nimr’s execution, the Gulf states, the Arab League, and the Saudi Council of Senior Scholars all condemned the attacks and Iranian interference in the region. Before Jubeir’s address, a Saudi foreign ministry spokesman said Iran had not stopped protesters storming its consulate in Mashhad. The spokesman said Riyadh had reported the attacks on diplomatic missions in Iran to the U.N. Security Council. After departing Iran, the Saudi diplomatic mission staff arrived in Dubai late on Sunday, the minister said.

UAE summons Iranian ambassador after Saudi embassy attack
Staff writer, Al Arabiya News Sunday, 3 January 2016/The UAE on Sunday summoned Iran’s ambassador after attacks on two Saudi diplomatic posts in the Islamic republic, the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported. Demonstrators targeted the Saudi embassy in Tehran on Saturday, in protest against Riyadh’s executions of 47 terrorism convicts, which include Shiite preacher Nimr al-Nimr and al-Qaeda ideologue Fares al-Shuwail. The demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy building in the Iranian capital, smashed furniture and started fires before being ejected by police. No Saudi embassy staff were in the building at the time. A copycat protest at the Saudi consulate in the Iranian city of Mashhad broke out on Sunday. “These acts represent a violation of international charters and norms,” the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. WAM also said the UAE gave Iran’s Ambassador the UAE Mohammed Reza Fayyad a written protest note over Tehran’s “intervention in the sovereign affairs of the fraternal country of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”Gulf states - especially Bahrain - have long accused Tehran of intervening in their national affairs. On Sunday, the six-member regional Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) bloc expressed support for Saudi’s ongoing fight against “terrorism.”

Saudi Council of Senior Scholars condemns Iranian remarks
Staff writer, Al Arabiya News Sunday, 3 January 2016/The Saudi Council of Senior Scholars condemned on Sunday Iranian statements made in response to Saturday’s execution of 47 convicted terrorists, among them prominent Shiite preacher Nimr al-Nimr. The Council, Saudi Arabia’s highest religious body, also “affirmed that the implementation of judicial rulings against criminals has been proven legally.”The execution of Nimr was criticized by Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, a prominent Iranian cleric and a member of the Assembly of Experts, who predicted repercussions following the preacher's execution. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari also strongly condemned Riyadh for executing Nimr in statements carried by the official IRNA news agency. Parliament speaker Ali Larijani also condemned Nimr's death. In October 2014, Nimr’s death sentence was confirmed after he had been found guilty of seeking "foreign meddling" in the kingdom, among other charges. Meanwhile, protesters early Sunday afternoon stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran which led to images showing the diplomatic premises being set alight. Saudi Arabia summoned Iran's ambassador on Saturday over what it described as Tehran’s “hostile” reaction to the executions, the state news agency SPA reported. The foreign ministry statement, published on the official SPA news agency, said the kingdom handed the Iranian envoy a “strongly worded memorandum” to express "the kingdom's astonishment and its utter rejection of these hostile statements, which it deemed a blatant intervention in the kingdom's affairs."Of the 47 executed, 45 were Saudis, as well as one Chadian and one Egyptian, according to a list of names and nationalities published by SPA.Among the convicts were Fares al-Shuwail, said to be an al-Qaeda ideologue.
Meanwhile, Al-Azhar, which is one of the leading centers of Islamic learning, also said on Sunday that it stands in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and rejects Iranian interference.

Gulf states back Saudi in its fight against ‘terrorism’
Staff writer, Al Arabiya News Sunday, 3 January 2016/The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Arab League on Sunday expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s ongoing fight against “terrorism.”The six-member regional bloc’s secretary general Abdullatif al-Zayani said that the GCC, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi, “stands side by side” with Riyadh, holding Iran as responsible. His remarks came after Tehran lashed out at Riyadh for the executions of 47 people, include Shiite preacher Nimr al-Nimr and al-Qaeda ideologue Fares al-Shuwail . Early Sunday, Saudi’s embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad were attacked by Iranian protesters in reaction to Nimr’s death. The Gulf states - especially Bahrain - have long-accused Tehran of meddling in their affairs. The Arab League later on Sunday also announced its support to Saudi Arabia in its attempt to combat terrorism, its secretary general said. Nabil al-Arabi also denounced attacks on the Saudi embassy and consulate in Iran, describing the incidents as flagrant violation of international principles and denounced Iran’s interference in the region. Kuwait on Sunday also expressed its backing of Saudi measures aimed at safeguarding the kingdom’s national security. Meanwhile, Jordan condemned the storming of the Saudi embassy and consulate by Iranian protestors, calling the act a “flagrant violation of international law,” the official Saudi Press Agency quoted a Jordanian minister as saying. The country’s minister of state for media affairs said Jordan stands in solidarity with Saudi against extremism and terrorism, denouncing Iranian interference. However, the European Union’s foreign policy chief warned Iran's foreign minister on Sunday that renewed tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia could wreck efforts to find a political solution for the crisis in Syria, according to Reuters. Federica Mogherini said in a statement that she had spoken by telephone with Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif, at length on Sunday morning after violence erupted in Iran following Saudi Arabia’s execution of the Shiite preacher. Mogherini said that she had been informed of the storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran by protesters and of steps taken by the Iranian authorities to defuse tensions and protect the Saudi diplomats.

Mother killed by mortar fire in curfew-hit Turkish city
AFP, Diyarbakir, Turkey Sunday, 3 January 2016/A mother of three was killed on Sunday when a mortar shell hit her apartment in a city in Turkey’s Kurdish-majority southeast that has been under curfew for a month. Melek Alpaydin, 38, was eating breakfast when the shell hit her apartment in the Sur district of Diyarbakir, the Dogan news agency said. An AFP photographer at the scene said the mortar fire had left a gaping hole in the exterior wall of the second-story apartment. Bloodstained breakfast trays, tea glasses and bowls could be seen lying on the carpet where she was sitting which was also covered in debris from the damaged wall, as local women wailed in mourning outside, he said. Dogan said it was not clear where the shell had been fired from but that an investigation was under way. Much of the city’s Sur district has been under a blanket curfew since early December as Turkey security forces seek to drive out militants from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The curfew is one of several highly-controversial measures imposed on towns in the southeast where the armed forces are waging a relentless campaign against the rebels. The government says such measures are needed to flush out PKK fighters who have effectively taken over towns by erecting barricades and digging trenches.But Kurdish activists say the use of force has been wildly excessive with the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) saying 12 civilians have been killed in Sur alone since the curfew was imposed on December 2.
The army says 55 “terrorists” have been killed in Sur since the operation began. With the curfew-affected area closed to the media, it has not been possible to independently verify the figures.

Arab-Kurd fighters kill 16 ISIS militants near Syria ‘capital’
AFP, Beirut Sunday, 3 January 2016/Arab and Kurdish forces have killed at least 16 fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group during fierce clashes north of the militants’ stronghold of Raqqa, a monitor said Sunday.
The militantslaunched an offensive last Wednesday against areas held by the Syrian Democratic Forces coalition near to Ain Issa, a town held by the SDF some 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Raqqa, killing 21 Kurdish fighters.
Late on Saturday, “16 jihadists were killed and 19 wounded” in clashes with the SDF near Ain Issa, said Rami Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The SDF also recaptured an area seized by ISIS a few days earlier, he said. The alliance, made up of units from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Arab fighters, has carried out several major operations against ISIS. On December 26, it seized the Tishreen Dam from ISIS along with several villages on the Euphrates’ eastern bank. The dam, held by ISIS since 2014, helps generate electricity for large parts of the northern Aleppo province, the Observatory said. It was the alliance’s second major operation, after clearing ISIS from some 200 villages in the northeastern province of Hasakeh. On the Euphrates’ western bank, ISIS still controls swathes of territory stretching from Raqqa to Jarablus, on the border with Turkey.
More than 260,000 people have been killed in Syria since March 2011.
The conflict started as anti-government protests, but spiralled into a complicated multi-sided conflict.

U.S., allies conduct 26 strikes against ISIS
Reuters, Washington Sunday, 3 January 2016/The United States and its allies conducted 26 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria on Saturday, the coalition leading the operations said in a statement on Sunday.In Syria, one strike struck near Manbij, hitting an ISIS tactical unit and destroying four ISIS buildings and a vehicle, the Combined Joint Task Force said on Sunday. The coalition also struck targets near Deir al Zor, Ayn Isa, and Washiyah. The coalition said it used fighter, attack, bomber, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIS targets in the region. In Iraq, near Ramadi, seven strikes struck an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three tactical vehicles, two ISIS vehicles, a vehicle borne improvised explosive device, and three ISIS buildings, two heavy machine gun positions, an ISIS fighting position, an ISIS staging location, suppressed a vehicle borne improvised explosive device, damaged a staging location, and denied ISIS access to terrain. Other strikes struck near Fallujah, Kirkuk, Kisik, Mosul, Qayyarah, Sinjar, Sultan Abdallah, and Tal Afar, the statement said.

Turkey rescues 57 migrants ‘stranded on islet’
AFP, Istanbul Sunday, 3 January 2016/Turkish coastguards rescued 57 migrants seeking to reach EU member Greece by sea after they were stranded on a rocky islet in the Aegean Sea, official media said Sunday. The migrants were trying to reach the Greek island of Lesbos but their boat hit trouble after leaving the resort of Dikili in Izmir province on Turkey’s Aegean coast, the Anatolia news agency reported. They were stranded on a rocky islet off Dikili, with pictures showing the migrants, who included women and several children, looking for help from the tiny islet. Twelve of the most vulnerable, including three children, were winched to safety by coastguard helicopters while the other 45 were picked up by fishing boats as the larger coastguard vessels could not approach the rocky islet. They were then taken to Dikili port, it added.Turkey, which is home to some 2.2 million refugees from Syria’s civil war, has become a hub for migrants seeking to move to Europe, many of whom pay people smugglers thousands of dollars for the risky crossing. The U.N. refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have said more than one million migrants and refugees reached Europe in 2015, most of them by sea. The vast majority of people -- over 800,000 -- landed in Greece, according to the figures. The onset of winter and rougher sea conditions do not appear to have deterred the migrants, with boats still arriving on the Greek islands daily.

Egyptian ambassador returns to Israel after 3-year hiatus
The Associated Press, Jerusalem Sunday, 3 January 2016/Israel says Egypt has sent a new ambassador after a three-year hiatus. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Sunday that the ambassador, Hazem Hairat, arrived on Friday. Israel and Egypt signed a historic peace accord in 1979, but relations have often been cool. Egypt withdrew its ambassador in November 2012 to protest an Israeli offensive against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. At the time, Egypt was led by Islamist President Mohammed Mursi. Since Mursi was ousted by the military in 2013, relations have steadily improved. In September, Israel reopened its embassy in Cairo, four years after it was ransacked by a crowd protesting the deaths of five Egyptian policemen killed unintentionally by Israeli forces chasing a group of Gaza militants.

Iran Regime Plans to Forcibly Turn Tehran Assyrian Church Grounds Into Mosque
National Council Of Resistance Of Iran (NCRI)/January 03/16
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/2016/01/03/iran-regime-plans-to-forcibly-turn-tehran-assyrian-church-grounds-into-mosque/
http://www.ncr-iran.org
http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/society/19736-iran-regime-plans-to-forcibly-turn-tehran-church-grounds-into-mosque
Authorities in Tehran are planning to transform illegally-confiscated church grounds into an 'Islamic prayer center.' The land belonging to the Iranian Assyrian community's Chaldean Catholic Church in Tehran's Patrice Lumumba Street (in Western Tehran) was illegally confiscated two years ago under the pretext of constructing an Islamic prayer hall and the authorities have refused to hand it back, a member of the regime's Majlis (Parliament) was quoted as saying by the state-run newspaper Sharq on Wednesday, December 30. Repeated complaints about the illegal confiscation of the church grounds have fallen on deaf ears despite repeated pleas by the representatives of the Christian minority, said Jonathan Bet-Kelia, a member of the regime's Majlis. Bet-Kelia told Sharq that he had approached Ali Younesi, special assistant to the regime's President Hassan Rouhani on ethnic minorities affairs, on this matter but was told that nothing could be done about it. Younesi is a former Minister of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and is personally responsible for ordering numerous arrests and assassinations of dissidents. Commenting on the regime's admission that it had usurped church grounds to build its own prayer hall, Ali Safavi of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) said: "The brazen admission displays first and foremost the discriminatory and sectarian policies of the regime vis-�-vis Iran's religious minorities. At the same time, it speaks to the failure of Western policy to accommodate the regime in the futile hope that it will promote moderation and tolerance on the domestic front."
Under the banner of Shiite Islam, the ruling clerics have systematically suppressed people of different faiths and even denied the minority Sunni Muslim population their basic rights. On July 29, the regime destroyed a Sunni prayer hall in the capital Tehran. Officials from the Tehran municipality, backed by state suppressive forces (police), raided and destroyed the Sunni 'Pounak' prayer hall. They also searched the premises of the mosque's Sunni imam Abdullah Moussa-Zadeh and confiscated his mobile phone. The Tehran municipality had shut down the Pounak prayer hall and placed seals on its entrance earlier in the year. Although the seals were later removed, Sunni Muslims had been prevented from praying in the center. At the time, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the Iranian Resistance, described the destruction of the Sunni prayer hall in the Pounak district of Tehran as an anti-Islamic, sectarian and criminal act, and she called on all defenders of human rights and freedom of religion and belief and the international community, especially Muslim countries, Europe and the US, to protest against it. The prayer hall's destruction also drew immediate criticisms from Iranian Sunni leaders. Mowlavi Abdulhamid, the Sunni imam in the city of Zahedan, south-eastern Iran, sent letters of protest to the mullahs' Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and to Hassan Rouhani condemning the raid. In his letter to Rouhani, Abdulhamid wrote: "Intolerance towards even a single ordinary prayer hall and its destruction in a city that does not allow Sunnis to build a mosque ... not only hurts the sentiments of Iran's Sunni community, but also offends all Muslims of the world."
The regime's security forces have on numerous occasions prevented Sunni Iranians from holding prayers in particular during the religious Eid festivals.
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Unfair label smears Iran opposition
By SHAHIN GOBADI/National Council Of Resistance Of Iran (NCRI)
Sunday, January 3, 2016
The Dec. 20 Tribune article “Schaefer targets rival Hawley over terrorist group case” included a series of lies and baseless allegations about the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), the principal Iranian opposition movement. The following facts should help set the record straight.
In the course of its 50-year struggle against the Shah’s military dictatorship and the mullahs’ theocracy, the MEK has endeavored for democracy, freedom and human rights in Iran and promoted a tolerant and anti-fundamentalist Islam. Despite the execution of 120,000 of its activists by the current regime, MEK supporters form an extensive social network spanning three generations inside Iran. This network made it possible for the MEK to disclose the secret nuclear plans of the mullahs. If it were not for the MEK disclosing the secret nuclear sites in 2002, today the world would be faced with a nuclear-armed fundamentalist regime.
The MEK’s positive role in global affairs has contributed to its popularity among not only Iranians but also activists and policymakers throughout the world. More than 100,000 traveled to Paris in June to take place in the most recent major gathering of the Iranian resistance. That impressive attendance included members of more than 60 national legislatures, including those of the United States, the United Kingdom and France. In a rare bipartisan initiative, prominent former U.S. government, national security and foreign policy figures including Rudy Giuliani, Tom Ridge, Newt Gingrich, John Bolton, Gen. Hugh Shelton, Joe Lieberman, Howard Dean and Ed Rendell have declared their support for the MEK and a 10-point plan for the future of Iran.
The MEK’s terrorist listing was one of the greatest blunders of America’s Iran policy. On Oct. 9, 1997, a senior Clinton administration official told the Los Angeles Times that the MEK’s designation was a “goodwill gesture” toward Mohammad Khatami, the newly elected “moderate” president. Iran took the concession and laughed all the way to the bank. With its largest opposition in U.S.-made shackles, it had a freer hand to suppress Iranian people and the opposition, and to infiltrate Iraq with throngs of terrorists, kill Americans and spread real terror.
The MEK challenged the designation in courts and was eventually delisted after 20 judgments by the highest courts in the United Kingdom, European Union and United States, which ruled unanimously that there was not an iota of evidence linking the MEK to terrorism.
Having reviewed all relevant documents, the U.K. chief justice called the designation “perverse.” The U.S. delisting occurred after the federal court of appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit granted a writ of mandamus filed by the MEK, the first of its kind since 1803. The court reprimanded the State Department for its egregious delay in removing the MEK from the terror list. Interestingly, a stellar group of most senior former officials filed an amicus brief in support of the MEK’s petition, including Attorney General Michael Mukasey. In France, a judge concluded an 11-year investigation by declaring that the MEK’s actions amounted to legitimate resistance against tyranny and not terrorism.
As a candidate for attorney general of Missouri, Kurt Schaefer is expected to do at least the minimum amount of homework to familiarize himself with the legal background of cases he comments on and to provide the facts to the public. He cannot place his personal opinion above the rulings of 20 of the highest courts. Schaefer’s invoking of an unlawful and politically motivated designation is a thinly veiled act of political expediency that will certainly backfire. In effect, he is parroting the propaganda of the most active state sponsor of international terrorism, the turbaned tyrants of Iran.
Regarding the baseless allegation of assassinations of Americans in Iran 40 years ago, it should suffice to say that a 2013 book by Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield, a former assistant secretary of state, made it palpably clear that the incidents had nothing to do with the MEK but were the work of a Marxist splinter group that also murdered the Muslim leaders of the MEK and later caved in to the Ayatollahs. The U.S. military — which served at Camp Ashraf, Iraq, the MEK’s home for a quarter-century — gave many medals to the group for helping save American soldiers’ lives.
S**hahin Gobadi, who is based in Paris, is spokesman for the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran.

Russia is clearing the decks for Assad
Dr. Azeem Ibrahim/Al Arabiya/03 January/16
Russia still maintains that it is in Syria to fight ISIS. Maybe they will even get round to it one day. Who knows? But in the meantime, their primary target is not ISIS, but rather, everyone who is part of the non-ISIS opposition to President Assad. On Christmas Day, Russia and the Assad forces assassinated a number of rebel leaders of the “moderate opposition.” Chief among them was Zahran Alloush, the undisputed leader of the Sunni militants in the Damascus area, and head of the Islam Army, the most powerful (and most hard-line) of the groups which participated in the Vienna peace process. Alloush was no paragon of liberal virtue – he had a penchant for sectarian rhetoric not too far off from that we hear from ISIS, and with a record of torture and political assassinations behind him. But he did willingly engage with the peace process and is largely credited with completely stamping out ISIS in the territory he controlled. He was not just a bitter enemy of Assad, but also one of the most effective fighters against ISIS.
Wreaking havoc
And Alloush is far from the only one to have been targeted. In the past few weeks, the Russians have wreaked havoc on the leadership structures of many independent anti-Assad non-ISIS groups, with targeted strikes against the most important rebel leaders. Whether those rebel leaders were effective against ISIS as well and could have helped in that effort does not seem to have been a consideration at all. In the past few weeks, the Russians have wreaked havoc on the leadership structures of many independent anti-Assad non-ISIS groups. The upshot is this: at the Vienna talks, Russia is ostensibly pushing for a political settlement between the Assad government and the non-ISIS opposition. On the ground, Russia is assassinating the leaders of the non-ISIS opposition and working to dismantle their militias. In other words, Putin is not only looking to torpedo the Vienna process, but also trying to change the facts on the ground so Assad is the only show in town so when it comes to any ceasefire or peace deal. And the only thing that could stand against ISIS in the final instance. That way, Putin will leave the West no option but to come on board with him and Assad if they want to fight ISIS. But in the meantime, ISIS is doing rather well out of this. The Assad regime has approved the transfer of some 4000 beleaguered Sunni fighters from areas it has safely under siege from areas in safe rebel territory – some of those fighters will be ISIS. And many of the groups who are actively fighting against ISIS, unlike the Russians and Assad, are being decimated, giving ISIS the opportunity to muscle into their territory. It is now only a matter of time before ISIS makes a move into the Damascus areas previously held by Alloush. The de facto military détente between Assad and ISIS continues, the trade in oil and gas continues (despite heavy American bombardment of the transport convoys), and all under the watch of Putin’s “fight against terrorists”. There should be no doubt, however, as to what Putin’s priorities are: to keep a genocidal maniac in power by using the pretext of fighting against terrorism to target any opposition to Assad except for the terrorists themselves. And once again, our Western leaders have no strategic response to this, and no real desire to do anything other than throw bombs at the problem and hope for the best.

Syria bloodshed: Will it only get worse in 2016?
Brooklyn Middleton/Al Arabiya/03 January/16
The past year saw an increase in the number of foreign actors directly intervening in the bloody Syrian conflict, yet the humanitarian crisis has worsened and the security situation continues to deteriorate. Several issues should be immediately addressed in the first several months of 2016 while moving toward the broader goal of ultimately ending the conflict in the latter months. Demanding all parties uphold U.N. Security Council resolution 2254 and committing to diplomatically and militarily engaging the Syrian opposition are both crucial. Secondly, the United States and Russia should amend the chemical weapons agreement – which was implemented after the Sarin massacre in 2013 - to bar the use of chlorine gas. Third, the focus of all talks in the immediate term should call for halting the Assad regime’s indiscriminate barrel bombing campaigns and facilitating the transfer of humanitarian aid to the most at-need areas. Meanwhile, Arab states should recommit to the U.S.-led coalition’s fight against degrading both al-Qaeda and ISIS (ISIS) militant groups. Russia has flagrantly violated resolution 2254 since its implementation in mid-December, bombing a number of hospitals and at least one school in Idlib province. Allowing signatories of the agreement to disregard it with impunity renders the document useless. Each violation should prompt an investigation and subsequent consequences. The U.N. should not wait for breaches to mount before addressing them but should instead convene a meeting each time locals report a violation. No progress can be made in ending the conflict if the resolutions already made are continuously abandoned. The second issue that should be prioritized is the Assad regime’s continued usage of chlorine gas. An extremely regrettable consequence of the chemical weapons deal struck in 2013 is that it effectively allowed Assad to continue carrying out chemical warfare with impunity. Absent of any repercussions, the likelihood of another major chemical weapons massacre increases with every chlorine attack the regime carries out.
No excuses for stalled talks
Lastly, the focus of all negotiations and talks in the immediate future must seek to, first and foremost, halt the bloodshed. Efforts to do so should begin with the Assad regime, which remains responsible for the vast majority of deaths in Syria – much more so than barbaric ISIS and al-Qaeda fighters. It is worth reiterating that the U.S. will continue to call for Assad’s ousting while Russia and Iran will refuse to agree to such a reality; this major issue should not be used as an excuse for talks to stall.While there can be no shift in the U.S.-held position that Assad must go, in the meantime, efforts should be made to deal with issues that can actually be immediately addressed. Debating the future of Assad’s grip on power and whether Syria will be ready for elections in the next calendar year is pointless while civilian areas are still being turned to rubble. The priority of talks in the absolute immediate term should be pressuring all parties to facilitate the transfer of humanitarian aid to areas in dire need, including in Madaya where reports indicate starving to death Syrians are being forced to eat cats to survive. As these issues are addressed, Arab states still must re-commit to aiding the U.S. in its fight against ISIS. According to the New York Times in November 2015, eight Arab and Western states conducted only five percent of the thousands of airstrikes in Syria - a totally unacceptable percentage that underscores the fact that Arab states are not leading the fight against ISIS. A number of agreements made abroad in recent years have not halted the bloodshed on Syrian soil. 2016 has to be year the international community follows through on all the red lines it has drawn in the sand. No progress can be made in ending the conflict if the resolutions already made are continuously abandoned.

When will Arabs realize their dreams and aspirations?
Samar Fatany/Al Arabiya/03 January/16
There was very little to celebrate in the Arab world last year. The raging wars in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya destroyed homes, displaced thousands and killed many more. Terrorism was rampant, the threat of extremism and sectarianism was prevalent and discrimination against women continued. The region will remain in chaos and there will be no peace if we do not begin to seriously put our house in order and begin to admit our failures and shortcomings. Let the new year’s resolution be to put an end to conflicts and empower Arab citizens to pursue peace and prosperity and a future of hope and not despair.
Losing faith
The Arab youth today have lost faith in their elders and do not know where to turn. They remain vulnerable and that is why many are easy prey for ISIS and other terrorist organizations which provide them with false promises and hope for a better future. The Arab world is faced with the challenge of keeping up with more advanced societies and learning from their experiences while keeping its own values and preserving its culture and Muslim identity. In more advanced countries, people of different cultures and different backgrounds have managed to live together without imposing their own convictions on one another and without compromising their own beliefs.The Arabs are a proud people with a rich heritage but they have been let down by corrupt leaders. Arab leaders today have a responsibility to correct the mistakes of the past and end the conflicts and unrest that have destroyed peace in the Arab world.
It is very critical during these difficult years of turmoil to build character in our youth and give them the strength to persevere and overcome the threats and dangers within.
The Arab has always been known for his brave character and chivalry even in the most adverse situations. This is what we need to revive in Arab youth. They need to regain their pride and dignity. Arabs do not have equal or adequate opportunities to excel. Many talented individuals with capabilities were not recognized in their own countries. However, they became successful surgeons and scientists when they were given the opportunity to excel in the West. Every child should have the opportunity to receive a good education and every graduate should be able to pursue a career without any barriers or prior restrictions of gender, class, religion or ethnicity. Young Arab men and women when they travel abroad are exposed to a new world of freedom and highly advanced societies. They interact with highly educated individuals who are engaged in scientific research and innovative discoveries to serve humanity and create a better world. The rule of law protects the rights of citizens and ensures that the law-abiding live in dignity and that criminals are put behind bars. If you speak to any Arab student who has studied abroad, he will tell you that he wished his country could provide him with the life of freedom, opportunity and dignity that he has experienced when he lived abroad. Before the threat of terrorism and the rise of Islamophobia, Arabs generally, except for a few incidents, did not feel intimidated or alienated because of their color, race or status. Notably, the behavior of many Arab youth would change for the better during their stay in the U.S., Europe or elsewhere. One would find them more disciplined, more respectful and more appreciative of their surroundings. Why? Is it because the rule of law is not applied in their own countries? Or is it because they don’t feel appreciated and, therefore, they behave in a negative way?
Future generations
Realizing Arab dreams and aspirations will be more difficult for future generations. Many remain skeptical because they are convinced that hard work and determination do not guarantee success. The greed and abuse of power that is practiced by some in Arab societies is slowly eroding their hopes and ambitions. Inflated expectations have frustrated many and the modern wealth structure that perpetuates racial and class inequalities between people of different ethnic backgrounds is a source of discontent. We live in a world where business interests control all matters and the wealthy decide our future. Something must be done to put a stop to policies that support the influence of the rich and the powerful with agendas and selfish interests.Every state has an obligation to allow for political freedom as well as to enforce law and order and every business leader has to share the responsibility of serving society and addressing public needs. Hopefully, a serious commitment by all stakeholders to contribute to nation building can help in realizing the hopes and aspirations of all the lost and neglected Arab youth today.

Dubai ruler’s ten years of exceptional leadership
Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor/Al Arabiya/03 January/16
Jan. 4, 2016 marks the tenth anniversary of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s accession as Ruler of Dubai. It is a day for celebration and for giving thanks. This is an opportunity for Emiratis to express their appreciation for an exceptional ruler, who has not only fulfilled his roles as Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, but has surpassed every expectation and conquered ever obstacle in his path. Under his wise guidance, Dubai emerged from the 2008 global downturn to bloom ever brighter thanks to his courageous insistence on continuing to break barriers and create firsts. Since the days when we raced camels as young boys, I knew he was brave and dedicated to being a winner in everything he undertook. All Emiratis should be thankful that in a troubled region beset by violence and terrorism, the UAE has managed to reinforce its security while maintaining an open ambience welcoming people of all nationalities and religions to visit, work, open businesses or invest in a variety of areas. We do not live in a police state. We do not have the army patrolling the streets and no one is afraid of a 4 a.m. knock on the door. Yet, we are always protected behind the scenes. Our streets are safe at any time of the day or night and for that Sheikh Mohammed must take credit. Our country was built on pillars of peace and we can never forget the UAE’s fathers, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al-Maktoum for laying the groundwork for the Emirates to rise like a phoenix from the once arid sands. They charted a course to provide a better quality of life for the population, a strategy that has been maintained by their respective sons, the UAE’s President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed in partnership with Sheikh Mohammed.
Pride and efficiency
We have never sought to be involved in conflicts and unlike several of our neighbors we have no interest in disseminating ideologies or making false territorial claims, but when we or our closest allies are aggressed – as both the Yemeni people and Saudi Arabia recently were by pro-Iranian Yemeni Houthis - we are not afraid to stand up to be counted. I am proud of the stance taken by our leaders who were unstinting in offering military assistance to the Saudi-led coalition and salute our fallen heroes who did not flinch from their duty at the cost of their lives.
The country has built a global reputation for doing the seemingly impossible and for perfection in all that it undertakes. One of the most wonderful aspects is that while the UAE is always shaping the future, our people have retained their cultural heritage and values encouraged by our leaderships to be proud of who we are and to wear our national dress as an emblem of those values. Kudos must go to Sheikh Mohammed for always demanding the best in terms of efficiency and best practices. In Dubai, everything works and works seamlessly. Our police force is second to none in terms of technology, training and community public relations and so are our emergency first responders as the world witnessed on New Year’s Eve watching a 63-storey hotel, a stone’s throw away from the world’s tallest building the Burj Khalifa, aflame like a scene from the movie “Towering Inferno.”
But any resemblance to that blockbuster ended with the flames themselves. Despite the hotel being fully booked and many of the residences occupied, everyone was evacuated within 15 minutes causing newscaster after newscaster to express their astonishment that just 14 suffered injuries, most of them light. The fire services arrived within minutes and did a stellar job of bringing hundreds of men, women and children out of that burning building safely.
The astonishment of the outside world did not end there. Many could not believe their ears when it was announced the annual firework display would proceed as planned. But that is exactly what we Emiratis expected to happen. Whereas other countries would have closed off the area, perhaps for days, the Dubai authorities were not about to let a fire spoil the occasion for the tens of thousands who had flocked there to enjoy the spectacular show. With 2016 just beginning, I am confident that with Sheikh Mohammed at Dubai’s helm my hometown will continue growing from strength to strength. I always looked upon Sheikh Rashid as a father and I consider Sheikh Mohammed as not only a beloved ruler but a beloved brother. He has all my respect for guiding us through moments of stormy weather and for always surprising us with creative blueprints for tomorrow. I cannot wait to see what exciting plans he has for us over the years ahead. It is my greatest hope that Sheikh Mohammed’s lion’s heart and safe hands will embrace the Emirati people for many more decades to come.

http://www.eliasbejjaninews.com/newsbulletin16/english.january04.16.htm

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Click Here to go to the LCCC Daily English/Arabic News Buletins Archieves Since 2006