LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

September 29/16

Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani

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http://www.eliasbejjaninews.com/newsbulletin16/english.september29.16.htm

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Bible Quotations For Today
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 12/29-32/:"How can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."

I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth
Book of Revelation 03/14-22/:"‘To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God’s creation: ‘I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing." You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’"

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on September 28-29/16
U.S. Congress Resolution Condemns Iran Regime’s Mass Executions/NCRI Iran/ Wednesday, 28 September 2016
Egypt’s flirtation with the Syrian regime/Abdulrahman al-Rashed/Al Arabiya/September 28/16
Effective identity as opposed to a destructive one/Turki Aldakhil/Al Arabiya/September 28/16
Does anybody know what President Trump will do/Chris Doyle/Al Arabiya/September 28/16
Interviewing Assad: What is the point/Diana Moukalled/Al Arabiya/September 28/16
Much ado about the UNGA/Zaid M. Belbagi/Al Arabiya/September 28/16
Anti-Israel Activists Join Hamas and Hezbollah in Celebrating Death of Former Israeli President Shimon Peres/Barney Breen-Portnoy/algemeiner/September 28/16
Egypt increases prison terms for female genital mutilation/Sahar Ghoussoub/Al-Monitor//September 28/16
Obama's November Surprise/Gregg Roman/The Hill/September 28/16

Titles For Latest Lebanese Related News published on on September 28-29/16
Berri Adjourns Presidential Vote to Oct. 31 as Franjieh Warns Hariri over Backing Aoun
Hariri Meets Gemayel in Saifi
Report: Franjieh Launches Contacts to Form 'Supportive Front' for his Nomination
Fatfat: No Presidential Vows Were Made to Aoun
Fatfat meets Derian: No imminent settlement
Kaag pushes for electing president
Bkirki Welcomes Election of Aoun: Patriarch Would be Pleased
IS Official in Ain el-Hilweh Turns Himself to Army
Basbous, UN official tackle relevant affairs
Landmine in Mtolleh leaves 3 Hezbollah members injured
Arab Telecom Ministers Council agrees to Lebanon proposal to establish Arab Investment Authority, unification of 'roaming' prices
Public Transportation Drivers Stage Sit-ins across Lebanon
Hariri, Jumblatt tackle developments at Central House
Chamoun Asks 'Aged' Aoun to Prove Eligibility for Presidency
Landmine Wounds Three Farmers near Israel Border
Berri Reiterates Call for 'Agreement on Several Issues'
Mashnouq: Security under Control, Serious Drive to End Vacuum
Jumblat Discusses Developments with Hariri at Center House
NNA, Anadolu directors dwell on bolstering cooperation

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on on September 28-29/16
Pope Says Aleppo Bombers Will Have to 'Answer before God'
McCain Rips Administration on Syria: Kerry 'Has Become a Pathetic Figure'
Lindsey Graham: Kerry and Obama have "presided over the complete rape of Syria.
"Desperate People of Aleppo Fear Massacre, Warns Rescue Chief
World Bank Releases $300 mn for Syrian Refugees in Jordan
Raids Hit Two Largest Hospitals in Rebel-Held Aleppo
U.S. Threatens to End Cooperation unless Russia Stops Aleppo Assault
Obama Names First Ambassador to Cuba in Five Decades
Israeli Ex-President Peres Dies
Peres: Architect of Israel Nuclear Program as Well as Peace
Netanyahu Hails Shimon Peres as 'Visionary'
Hamas Calls Peres a Criminal, Abbas Hails Him as Brave
Gunmen Kill Three Egypt Policemen, Civilian in Sinai
Iranian FM Holds Talks in Turkey on Syria
India-Pakistan Tensions Threaten South Asia Summit
U.S. Strike Kills 18, Including Afghan Civilians
Iran Nuclear Chief Downplays Trump Threat to Deal
Iran Says Held Naval Maneuvers with Italy in Strategic Strait
Iran: Massive student protests at universities
Iran: At least 25 Christian citizens were arrested in Kerman
Iran: mass execution of 16 prisoners
Senate votes to override Obama veto of 9/11 bill

Links From Jihad Watch Site for on September 28-29/16
Canadian imam: Islam and democracy are “absolutely incompatible”
Uganda: Christian convert from Islam beaten unconscious by husband for attending church
Illinois: Muslim leaders brainwash local police force about Islam
Canada: Muslim migrant in Trudeau cabinet could be stripped of citizenship for misrepresenting her country of origin
Huma Abedin’s father: “The state has to take over…overseeing that human relationships are carried on on the basis of Islam”
Seven Afghan military trainees have disappeared from U.S. military bases this month
Robert Spencer in PJ Media: ‘Redemptive Jihad’: New York, Minnesota Terrorists Were Cleansing Their Sins
Video: Anni Cyrus on “The Daily Ledger” Discussing Iran’s Nuclear Threat
Raymond Ibrahim: Why ‘Infidel’ Women are Jihad’s Greatest Victims
Hugh Fitzgerald: Those Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes “Soaring to Their Highest Levels” Since 2001
After two jihad attacks in NYC in September, de Blasio names September 25 “Muslim Parade Day”

Links From Christian Today Site for on September 28-29/16
Aleppo Bombers Will Be Accountable To God, Warns Pope
More Christians Killed In Nigeria By Islamist Terrorists Of Boko Haram
1,000 Coptic Christians Rescued From Persecution, Hungary Claims
Archaeologists In Israel Find Evidence That Proves Literal Truth Of Bible
Iraqi Monk Serving Christians Who Fled ISIS: 'God Needs Me To Be Here'
Theologian NT Wright Says Schools Should Teach Christianity In History Lessons
Two Dozen Christians Deported From Saudi Arabia For Praying
Should Christians Practise Yoga?
Three-Parent Baby Technique Slammed As 'Risky, Harmful And Unethical'
Christians In China Forbidden From Singing Hymns And Praying
Russian Orthodox Church Hardens Stance Against Abortion, Calls For Total Ban

Latest Lebanese Related News published on on September 28-29/16

Berri Adjourns Presidential Vote to Oct. 31 as Franjieh Warns Hariri over Backing Aoun
Naharnet/September 28/16/Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday adjourned a presidential election session to October 31 over lack of quorum as Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh warned al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri against endorsing the presidential nomination of Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun. “Should Hariri agree with Aoun and name him for the presidency, he will reap the same result as when then-president Amin Gemayel named Aoun to head the (military) government in 1988,” Franjieh tweeted after the session. Mustaqbal bloc MP Nabil de Freij meanwhile announced that “nothing has been settled until the moment,” noting that Hariri is conducting consultations “in a bid to find a solution.” A member of Franjieh's bloc, MP Estephan Douaihi, said the Marada leader is still carrying on with his nomination “seeing as he has characteristics that make him more able to secure national consensus,” stressing that Marada will “confront any attempt to alter the unique Lebanese formula.” Meanwhile, Lebanese Forces bloc MP George Adwan, who held a closed-door meeting with Mustaqbal bloc chief ex-PM Fouad Saniora, announced that the Lebanese must not wait for “solutions that come from abroad.”He also noted that Hariri's latest efforts are “essential” in the attempts to end the lengthy presidential vacuum, hoping a president will be elected soon. A wave of speculation had preceded Wednesday's session after Hariri's return to Lebanon from a several-week foreign trip triggered a flurry of rumors and media reports that the ex-PM had finally decided to endorse Aoun for the presidency in a bid to break the deadlock. Mustaqbal sources told al-Jadeed television on Tuesday that “nominating Aoun is one of the options but the issue needs more time and it is not a matter of one or two weeks.” Hariri had held a meeting on Monday evening with Franjieh in Bnashii and on Wednesday he held talks with Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel. The ex-PM is expected to hold talks with several political leaders in the coming hours to explore their stances regarding the nominations. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Hizbullah, Aoun's Change and Reform bloc and some of their allies have been boycotting the parliament's electoral sessions, stripping them of the needed quorum. Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia, launched an initiative in late 2015 to nominate Franjieh for the presidency but his proposal was met with reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah. Hariri's move prompted Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to endorse the nomination of Aoun, his long-time Christian rival, after months of political rapprochement talks between their two parties. The supporters of Aoun's presidential bid argue that he is more eligible than Franjieh to become president due to the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.

Hariri Meets Gemayel in Saifi
Naharnet/September 28/16/Al-Mustaqbal Movement chief ex-PM Saad Hariri held a meeting on Wednesday with Kataeb party leader Sami Gemayel at the Kataeb headquarters in al-Saifi.The visit comes in the framework of consultations that Hariri said will wrap up to address the issue of electing a president after more than two years of vacuum at the top Christian position. Kataeb deputy chief Salim al-Sayegh attended the meeting in addition to Politburo member Albert Kostanian and MP Samer Saadeh. Hariri was accompanied by former minister and adviser Ghattas Khoury and adviser Hani Hammoud. Media reports said that Hariri has told the members of his parliamentary bloc during a meeting on Tuesday that he might make the “bitter choice” of endorsing Free Patriotic Movement founder Aoun for the presidency as some Mustaqbal MPs described such a step as “suicidal.”An official statement issued after the meeting had said that Hariri “informed the bloc that he has started consultations with all political parties with the aim of speeding up the election of a president.”Hariri had returned Saturday to the country from a foreign trip that lasted several weeks. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Hizbullah, Aoun's Change and Reform bloc and some of their allies have been boycotting the parliament's electoral sessions, stripping them of the needed quorum. Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia, launched an initiative in late 2015 to nominate Franjieh for the presidency but his proposal was met with reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah. Hariri's move prompted Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to endorse the nomination of Aoun, his long-time Christian rival, after months of political rapprochement talks between their two parties. The supporters of Aoun's presidential bid argue that he is more eligible than Franjieh to become president due to the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.

Report: Franjieh Launches Contacts to Form 'Supportive Front' for his Nomination
Naharnet/September 28/16/Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh is expected to begin “extensive” contacts with political paries in order to garner support for his presidential candidacy after the reports said that Mustaqbal Movement chief ex-PM Saad Hariri might support his rival MP Michel Aoun instead, An Nahar daily reported on Wednesday. Franjieh will contact Speaker Nabih Berri, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat and the Kataeb party, added the daily. Media reports said that Hariri has told the members of his parliamentary bloc during a meeting on Tuesday that he might make the “bitter choice” of endorsing Free Patriotic Movement founder Aoun for the presidency as some Mustaqbal MPs described such a step as “suicidal.”An official statement issued after the meeting had said that Hariri “informed the bloc that he has started consultations with all political parties with the aim of speeding up the election of a president.” The meeting came after overnight talks between Hariri and Franjieh and three days after the ex-PM returned to the country from a foreign trip that lasted several weeks. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Hizbullah, Aoun's Change and Reform bloc and some of their allies have been boycotting the parliament's electoral sessions, stripping them of the needed quorum. Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia, launched an initiative in late 2015 to nominate Franjieh for the presidency but his proposal was met with reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah. Hariri's move prompted Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to endorse the nomination of Aoun, his long-time Christian rival, after months of political rapprochement talks between their two parties. The supporters of Aoun's presidential bid argue that he is more eligible than Franjieh to become president due to the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.

Fatfat: No Presidential Vows Were Made to Aoun
Naharnet/September 28/16/Mustaqbal MP Ahmed Fatfat stressed that no promises were made to MP Michel Aoun to support him in the presidential race and that head of the Movement, ex-PM Saad Hariri did not ask his candidate Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh to withdraw from the race, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday. “The statement of the Mustaqbal bloc did not mention in a phrase that it continues to support Franjieh simply because there is no new decision in that regard,” Fatfat told the daily. “Last time we renewed our candidacy for Franjieh under the pressure and the rumors that circulated then, and we therefore sensed the need to clarify things. Nothing new happened today, and if it did we would have announced it,” he added referring to claims that Hariri has asked Franjieh to withdraw his nomination for the presidency and that he will support Aoun instead. “No vows were made that we will support Aoun. Hariri has explained the situation to Franjieh,” added the MP. “Our concern is to cooperate to reach a solution for the presidential dilemma,” he remarked denying that Franjieh was asked to withdraw his candidacy. Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc announced after its meeting on Tuesday that Hariri has launched “consultations with all political parties” in a bid to “speed up the election of a president,” while reiterating that Hizbullah is to blame for the protracted presidential void crisis. The bloc's statement did not mention a phrase that says “the initiative to support Franjieh for the presidency still stands,” which triggered speculations and rumors.

Fatfat meets Derian: No imminent settlement
Wed 28 Sep 2016 /NNA - Lebanese Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian met at Dar el-Fatwa with Future bloc member, MP Ahmad Fatfat, with talks touching on the country's general affairs. The pair tackled the efforts exerted to find a way out at the level of the presidency. "Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri is making a huge effort in this regard, but unfortunately the disruption continues at the hands of Hezbollah and its illegal arms," Fatfat said in the wake of the meeting. Accusing both Hezbollah and the FPM of paralyzing the entire country with their boycott to the Parliament sessions, fatfat affirmed that his political camp is not willing to make any concessions on the political level. Ruling out potential settlements in the upcoming days, the Deputy said the Future still supports one candidate who is MP Sleiman Frangieh. "No new decisions have been made at this level," he stressed. Asked about the consultations conducted by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Fatfat said "I do not think these consultations will bear fruit (...) as we live in a region currently lacking the atmosphere of settlement (...) so, unfortunately, I see no signs of imminent solutions. We must, however, maintain calm."

Kaag pushes for electing president
Wed 28 Sep 2016/NNA - UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag, underscored the importance of the presidential statement issued by the Security Council on July 22, 2016 that stressed the necessity to elect a president for Lebanon, form a national unity government and hold the parliamentary elections in May 2017. A media meeting took place on Wednesday at Kaag's office in Yarze in presence of UNDP senior Philippe Lazzarini to discuss the priorities and challenges facing Lebanon and the role of UN in this regard. Kaag said that she would visit Iran next Sunday to seek help for Lebanon, hoping that she would later visit Saudi Arabia for this purpose. Lazzarini, for his part, said, "We will continue to let the international community boost its concern for Lebanon...Since the start of the year we were able to ensure USD one billion and a half in favor of the hosting societies and Syrian and Palestinian refugees." Lazzarini said that UN would always seek to help Lebanon in light of the displaced Syrians issue, voicing support to a peaceful political solution in Syria prone to bring back the displaced to their homeland.

Bkirki Welcomes Election of Aoun: Patriarch Would be Pleased
Naharnet/September 28/16/Patriarch al-Rahi's envoy Bishop Boulos Sayyah said it is normal for Bkirki to elect MP Michel Aoun for the presidency because he has the support of the majority of Christians, as he stressed that Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi would be pleased if founder of the Free Patriotic Movemnet, Aoun, wins the polls, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday. “The latest political developments at the presidential level are promising after (ex-PM Saad) Hariri gave momentum to the file. Patriarch al-Rahi rejoices for the election of Aoun and he has echoed that several times,” said Sayyah.
“We support the election of Aoun but that does not mean that we prefer a certain candidate over another,” he added in reference to Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh. Sayyah stressed that “Bkirki will support the president who will be elected. It is normal that Aoun becomes a president because he has the support of the majority of Christians, now that the Lebanese Forces back him too.”He pointed out that the Kataeb party “will not oppose Aoun, and Franjieh was also part of the Change and Reform bloc (of Aoun) and therefore there is no substantial disagreement between the Christians.”“Electing a head of state facilitates agreement on other matters including an election law,” he went on to say.

IS Official in Ain el-Hilweh Turns Himself to Army
Naharnet/September 28/16/An Islamic State official, Hisham Shehab Khodr Qaddour, in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh turned himself in on Wednesday to the Army Intelligence, reports said. LBCI said that Qaddour is the uncle of al-Nusra Front official, Haitham al-Shaabi. It also added that his father is Hisham Qaddour, aka Abu Hurairah, an official with Shaker al-Absi who was killed in north Lebanon. Early this week, the army carried out an operation in Ain el-Hilweh and arrested the so-called IS Emir in the camp Imad Yassine. It was reported in July that Yassine had received orders from IS foreign operations chief Abu Khaled al-Iraqi to stage major "Iraq-like bombings" across Lebanon. Yassine who is wanted on multiple arrest warrants, had been plotting prior to his arrest to stage several terrorist bombings against army posts, vital and touristic facilities, shopping centers, popular gatherings and residential areas in several Lebanese regions.

Basbous, UN official tackle relevant affairs
Wed 28 Sep 2016 /NNA - Internal Security Forces (ISF) chief Ibrahim Basbous met on Wednesday at his Barracks office with Head of Safety and Security Management at the United Nations in Lebanon Saber Mughal, accompanied by the Liaison Officer between the UN and security institutions, retired Brigadier Ghassan Salem. Talks reportedly touched on security issues related to the work of the United Nations organizations in Lebanon.

Landmine in Mtolleh leaves 3 Hezbollah members injured
Wed 28 Sep 2016/NNA - A landmine went off near the barb wire in Mtollah and left three Hezbollah members injured, NNA field reporter said on Wednesday evening. The three injured men were instantly transported to Marjeyoun Hospital, NNA reporter added, noting that one of the injured men got his leg maimed.

Arab Telecom Ministers Council agrees to Lebanon proposal to establish Arab Investment Authority, unification of 'roaming' prices
Wed 28 Sep 2016/NNA - The 20th round of meetings by Arab Telecom Ministers' Council took place at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, with Telecom Minister Boutros Harb chairing Lebanon's delegation to said meeting. The delegation comprised of Ministry's Maintenance and Investment Director General, "Ogero" Authority Chairman Abdel Meneem Youssef, Head of International Telecommunications Maintenance Authority, Yvonne Sleiman, and Administration Advisor to Public Relations Affairs, Zeina Bou Harb.Minister Harb delivered a word in which he included several proposals in the telecom sector, stressing the paramount importance of joint Arab work and devising constructive strategic plans for the future of our societies and coming generations, with the need to seek joint practical means to secure the implementation of these plans. Harb also underlined the need for effective partnership between the various sides of the private and public sectors, as well as civil society in the entire Arab countries for the welfare os our peoples.At the conclusion of the meeting, Harb declared that the Council agreed to Lebanon's three proposals, notably the establishment of the Arab Authority for Investment in Telecommunications and Information Technology, the unification of "Roaming" prices amongst all the Arab countries, and the establishment of the Arab Forum for Machine to Machine Internet. Harb also declared that the Council approved Lebanon's proposal to host the forthcoming Arab Telecom Ministers' Council meeting in its 21st session in Beirut. The Conference is due to issue recommendations at a later time.

Public Transportation Drivers Stage Sit-ins across Lebanon
Naharnet/September 28/16/Public transportation drivers held a sit-in on Wednesday near the mecanique centers across Lebanon protesting the increase in inspection fees on motor vehicles and a decision to privatize the Mechanical Inspection Authority. The campaigners protested nationwide and held sit-ins near the mecanique centers in Mount Lebanon's al-Dekwaneh and Hadath, in the eastern city of Zahle, northern district of Zgharta and al-Ayrounieh. The Union of Public Transportation Drivers protested discretion in the application of the traffic law and what they describe as a “deal” of the Mecanique (road-worthiness testing) that is set to privatize the Mechanical Inspection Authority. Bassam Tleis, Head of the Union of Public Transportation, stressed that the protests will not stop and the Union plans escalatory steps shall the mecanique fees not be reduced. The protesters ended their strike later but vowed to escalate measures further until their demands are met. The Union announced that an urgent meeting will be held on Monday to determine the next steps to be taken against the decision to privatize the mechanic inspection, demanding the implementation of the new traffic law. The called for another protest on Thursday at 10:00 am near the interior ministry.

Hariri, Jumblatt tackle developments at Central House
Wed 28 Sep 2016/NNA - Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, received at the Central House on Wednesday evening Progressive Socialist Party leader, Walid Jumblatt, who visited him in the company of Health Minister, Wael Abou Faour. The meeting reportedly focused on the most recent political developments at the local and regional scenes.

Chamoun Asks 'Aged' Aoun to Prove Eligibility for Presidency
Naharnet/September 28/16/Member of Parliament Dory Chamoun, alluded to the founder of the Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun without naming him and said that old people are usually requested to submit a health record when they wish to sell a piece of property or apply to governmental positions, let alone if they apply to the post of presidency. “If somebody wants to sell a piece of property and he is above 80 years of age, he is usually requested to submit a medical certificate stating qualification of carrying out such an operation, let alone if he is a candidate for the presidency,” said Chamoun in a statement he made after a parliament session to elect a president that failed to achieve quorum. “When my father-- late President of Lebanon Camille Chamoun-- was a president, he used to work for more than 14 hours a day. Today the candidate for the presidency must prove eligibility to work for 10 hours consecutively,” added Chamoun. His remarks triggered dismay of an OTV station reporter, affiliated to Aoun, she replied: “Don't you think the same applies to you. Shame. This is not politics, this is a personal remark.” Aoun, aged 81, has lately passed the leadership of the Free Patriotic Movement to his son-in-law Jebran Bassil. Aoun stopped making public appearances months ago and reports have said that he prefers to maintain silence until the political parties agree on his election for the presidential post. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Hizbullah, Aoun's Change and Reform bloc and some of their allies have been boycotting the parliament's electoral sessions, stripping them of the needed quorum.Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia, launched an initiative in late 2015 to nominate Franjieh for the presidency but his proposal was met with reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah. Hariri's move prompted Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to endorse the nomination of Aoun, his long-time Christian rival, after months of political rapprochement talks between their two parties. The supporters of Aoun's presidential bid argue that he is more eligible than Franjieh to become president due to the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.

Landmine Wounds Three Farmers near Israel Border
Naharnet/September 28/16/Three Lebanese farmers were wounded Wednesday when a landmine exploded near the border fence that separates south Lebanon from Israel's Metulla area. The blast amputated the leg of one of them as the two others sustained light injuries, Lebanon's National News Agency said. The three were transferred to the state-run hospital in Marjeyoun. NNA had initially reported that the three were "Hizbullah members" but the party swiftly issued a statement denying the report. "The party has no links to the individuals who were wounded in the landmine explosion... These were normal citizens who were working in their land," Hizbullah's media relations department said. Hizbullah's al-Manar television for its part said three civilians were injured when a landmine left over from the Israeli occupation era exploded in the border area of al-Hamames.

Berri Reiterates Call for 'Agreement on Several Issues'
Naharnet/September 28/16/Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated Wednesday that “an agreement over several issues is the gateway to reaching a comprehensive solution that begins with the presidency.” Berri voiced his remarks during his weekly meeting with lawmakers at his Ain el-Tineh residence. “Until now, he does not have anything to say about what is being raised regarding the presidency or the latest drive,” MPs quoted Berri as saying. Earlier in the day, the speaker adjourned a presidential election session to October 31 over lack of quorum. A wave of speculation had preceded Wednesday's session after ex-PM Saad Hariri's return to Lebanon on Saturday triggered a flurry of rumors and media reports that the ex-PM had finally decided to endorse Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun for the presidency in a bid to break the deadlock. Al-Jadeed television reported Tuesday that Berri “is saying that the vacuum will continue unless the parties agree on a package deal.”“The presidential settlement is not ripe yet,” Ain el-Tineh sources told the TV network. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Hizbullah, Aoun's Change and Reform bloc and some of their allies have been boycotting the parliament's electoral sessions, stripping them of the needed quorum. Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia, launched an initiative in late 2015 to nominate Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency but his proposal was met with reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah. Hariri's move prompted Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to endorse the nomination of Aoun, his long-time Christian rival, after months of political rapprochement talks between their two parties. The supporters of Aoun's presidential bid argue that he is more eligible than Franjieh to become president due to the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community. Berri has recently called for a so-called “package deal” involving agreements over the presidency, the next government and the electoral law.

Mashnouq: Security under Control, Serious Drive to End Vacuum
Naharnet/September 28/16/Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq reassured Wednesday that the security situation is “under control,” while noting that there are serious efforts to put an end to the presidential vacuum that has been running since May 2014. “The security situations in the country are under control,” Mashnouq told Norwegian Ambassador to Lebanon Lene Natasha Lind during a meeting at the ministry. “There is a serious drive to end the presidential vacuum,” Mashnouq, a member of ex-PM Saad Hariri's Mustaqbal Movement, added. Hariri's return to Lebanon on Saturday had triggered a flurry of rumors and media reports about an imminent election of a president. The parliament however failed anew to elect a president during a 45th session that was held earlier on Wednesday and Speaker Nabih Berri has scheduled the next session for October 31. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Hizbullah, MP Michel Aoun's Change and Reform bloc and some of their allies have been boycotting the parliament's electoral sessions, stripping them of the needed quorum. Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia, launched an initiative in late 2015 to nominate Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency but his proposal was met with reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah. Hariri's move prompted Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to endorse the nomination of Aoun, his long-time Christian rival, after months of political rapprochement talks between their two parties. The supporters of Aoun's presidential bid argue that he is more eligible than Franjieh to become president due to the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.

Jumblat Discusses Developments with Hariri at Center House
Naharnet/September 28/16/Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat held talks Wednesday evening at the Center House with al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri. A terse statement issued by Hariri's office said the meeting tackled “the current political developments” and was followed by a dinner banquet. Health Minister Wael Abou Faour of the PSP and Hariri's adviser ex-MP Ghattas Khoury took part in the talks, the statement said. MTV said Jumblat “seemed upset as he left the meeting without making a statement.”It later revised its report by saying that Jumblat was “still having dinner” with Hariri but that he had decided not to make a statement after the talks. Earlier in the day, Hariri held talks with Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel in Saifi and Bikfaya. A wave of speculation had preceded the 45th presidential vote session that was held earlier on Wednesday after Hariri's return to Lebanon on Saturday triggered a flurry of rumors and media reports that the ex-PM had finally decided to endorse Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun for the presidency in a bid to break the deadlock. Hariri had held talks Monday evening in Bnashii with Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh, his declared presidential candidate. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Hizbullah, Aoun's Change and Reform bloc and some of their allies have been boycotting the parliament's electoral sessions, stripping them of the needed quorum. Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia, launched an initiative in late 2015 to nominate Franjieh for the presidency but his proposal was met with reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah. Hariri's move prompted Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to endorse the nomination of Aoun, his long-time Christian rival, after months of political rapprochement talks between their two parties. The supporters of Aoun's presidential bid argue that he is more eligible than Franjieh to become president due to the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.

NNA, Anadolu directors dwell on bolstering cooperation
Wed 28 Sep 2016/NNA - Director of the National News Agency, Laure Sleiman, welcomed, at her office in the Ministry of Information on Wednesday, Director General of Turkey's Anadolu Agency, Omer Bulut Yuzgulec, with whom she discussed the means to bolster bilateral ties and agreements on the level of media. As a Turkish state-run news agency, we are pleased to cooperate with the National News Agency; we have an operating regional office, based in Turkey, and in charge of a huge number of offices in all the Middle East regions," Yuzgulek told reporters following the meeting. "We dwelt on the possibility to activate the agreement inked between the two agencies, and we expressed full readiness to provide any logistic assistance to NNA," he said.
"We also expressed readiness to exchange editors' training between the two agencies," he added.
Both Sleiman and Yuzgulek toured NNA and its departments following their meeting.

Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on on September 28-29/16

Pope Says Aleppo Bombers Will Have to 'Answer before God'
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/Pope Francis on Wednesday said those behind the bombing of Aleppo, where Syrian and Russian forces have conducted days of deadly airstrikes, will have to "answer before God.""I appeal to the conscience of those responsible for the bombardment, who will have to answer before God," the pope said at his weekly address in St Peter's square, without naming Syria or Russia. He spoke of his "deep pain and serious concern about the events" in Aleppo, where air strikes by Syrian and Russian forces on eastern rebel positions have sparked international condemnation. The Pope referred to Aleppo as a "battered city where children, the elderly, the sick, the young, the old are dying... so many people."He also repeated his call for "everyone to commit themselves with all their power to the protection of civilians," adding that this was "an imperative and urgent obligation." The recent airstrikes have been some of the fiercest since the start of the five-year conflict in Syria. They followed last week's collapse of a ceasefire deal brokered by Washington and Moscow. The pope's comments come two days after the U.S. accused Moscow of "barbarism" over the carnage in Aleppo, where France said Tuesday that "war crimes" were being committed. Some 140 people, nearly all civilians, have been killed in the Syrian and Russian raids since late Thursday. The city is facing worsening food and medical shortages. On Tuesday, the Syrian army took control of a rebel-held district in the center of the city, its first advance since Damascus announced last week it would retake the whole of the divided city.

McCain Rips Administration on Syria: Kerry 'Has Become a Pathetic Figure'
Lindsey Graham: Kerry and Obama have "presided over the complete rape of Syria."
By Jenna Lifhits/Weekly Standard.September 28/16
Top senators fired back at the Obama administration on Tuesday after the State Department shifted blame to Congress for the collapse of a U.S.-Russian brokered ceasefire in Syria. The back-and-forth in Washington comes as the State Department refuses to rule out further talks with Moscow despite a massive Russia and Iran-backed offensive in the Syrian city of Aleppo and an escalating humanitarian crisis there.
Arizona senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services committee, told TWS Tuesday that Secretary of State John Kerry "has become a pathetic figure" as ceasefire negotiations have gone on.
"How many times does he have to fly to Moscow and bend the knee to [Russian foreign minister Sergei] Lavrov before he realizes that unless we do something to stop this slaughter, ... it will be totally ineffectual?" McCain said. "By the way, the Russians and Bashar Assad will stop, as soon as they've killed enough people and made sure that [Assad] is safely and securely in power forever."
Just a day earlier, Kerry responded to earlier congressional criticism by saying "talk is cheap" and questioning whether Congress was willing to vote to use force in Syria. The State Department later elaborated on his statement, saying that "if Congress wants to give us other authorities or options, then Congress is able to do that, and they do have a certain leverage themselves in this process."
Senator rails against preventable slaughter in Syria
South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, who with McCain released a statement this week criticizing the administration's Syria policy, said Kerry and President Obama "have presided over the complete rape of Syria."
"[Kerry] is humiliating himself and the country by talking, and talking, and talking, to a group of people who clearly don't respect you," Graham, a fellow Armed Services committee member, said. "You've been talking to the Russians. You've been begging to the Russians. You have flown the wings off your plane and every time you go to Russia, they stick it in your eye."
"All you've done is talk. It is now time to show the Russians there are consequences," he added.
The senators also pushed back on Kerry's Monday suggestion that Congress was unwilling to vote to use force in Syria. McCain told TWS that the secretary "never asked for a vote," while Graham advised Kerry to "quit passing the buck."

Desperate People of Aleppo Fear Massacre, Warns Rescue Chief
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/Life in Aleppo will become impossible within weeks under relentless Russian and Syrian regime air strikes, the head of the renowned White Helmets volunteer rescue force said Tuesday. But the quarter of a million civilians trapped in the besieged rebel-held east of the Syrian city believe they will be massacred if they flee or if the city falls, Raed Saleh told AFP. And the White Helmets, members of a civil defense group that has won international acclaim for their work digging the wounded from bombed-out buildings, fear they will be rounded up and shot. "The civilians there would seize any opportunity to escape, to go wherever they could go," Saleh told AFP in Washington, where he is on a frustrating quest for international support. "But nothing is available to provide safety and protection for those civilians. We are worried that they are facing massacre or the kidnapping or the arrest of many of them."
In the eight days since Bashar Assad's regime declared an end to a U.S. and Russian-brokered ceasefire on September 9, Aleppo has been hit by 1,700 air strikes, according to Saleh. Both Russian and regime warplanes have taken part in waves of attacks, he said, using weapons new to the siege and deadly among the packed and crumbling civilian homes. These have included 19 strikes with powerful "bunker busters" that leave victims entombed in rubble and almost 200 with cluster munitions and phosphorous bombs. "We have 1,000 casualties, both dead and wounded," Saleh said. Saleh's figures are impossible to confirm, but international bodies have condemned the bombardment and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said it may amount to a war crime. More than 300,000 people have been killed in a civil war now into its sixth year and millions have fled their homes -- an option not even available in besieged Aleppo.
"I think the civilian facilities will not be able to continue providing services for more than a month," Saleh warned, echoing reports from reporters in the city. "There will be no water and no electricity, no fuel, hospitals will not be able to keep going. If the situation continues like this, I expect a big genocide."
'We stand for the victims'
The population and the outgunned anti-Assad rebel fighters mingled among them fear arrest or worse at the hands of regime forces and their militia allies when Aleppo falls. And the 122 White Helmet volunteers, who have received international plaudits for their work pulling the wounded from the rubble, could be targeted. "The White Helmets are from the people and they are subject to the same conditions as the rest," he said. "I'm sure the regime will do its best to assassinate or arrest them."The White Helmets organized themselves to provide frontline rescue services in rebel-held areas of Syria, they receive some international donations but insist they are independent. "The biggest need that we have to respond to is to rescue people hit in the air strikes," Saleh said.  "And the air strikes that target civilian communities are usually in Idlib, eastern Aleppo, northern Homs," he added, citing areas under the control of rebel groups. "It is a very normal human reaction that the people oppose the party that is bombing them," he said of the populations in the areas where his teams operate. "So when we respond to rescue people and there is a bomber in the sky and there are casualties on the ground, we're not neutral between those two parties," he explained. "We stand for the victims and it is our responsibility and our duty to work for the victims."
Diplomatic support
Saleh, who is based in northern Syria near Idlib and travels in and out of the country through Turkey, was in Washington after a week lobbying world officials at the U.N. General Assembly. His group was warmly received by senior international officials in New York, but in the wake of the failed U.S.-Russian ceasefire, he has begun to despair of outside aid. "We believe there is no need for more resolutions at the UNSC, no need for more decisions by the U.N.," he said. "We need conscience to move the political will of the leaders of the world powers to stop the killing in Syria and make those war criminals accountable for their crimes."

World Bank Releases $300 mn for Syrian Refugees in Jordan
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/The World Bank announced Tuesday it will release $300 million in loans to help facilitate the labor market for Syrian refugees in Jordan. The funds will be used to attract investors and create reforms that will help grant access to the Syrian labor force, the Bank said in a statement. More Syrians will receive work permits and be able to "access formal jobs and decent labor conditions," the statement said. "By creating the conditions for increased investment and jobs, and by allowing refugees, during their time in the country, to seek work and contribute to the economy, Jordan is shifting from a purely humanitarian approach to a forward looking development drive," said Ferid Belhaj, director of the Bank's Middle East Department. In creating favorable economic conditions for Syrian refugees in the country, Jordan will help lead the way for the international community in what "still today are unchartered territories," he said. Jordan says it currently hosts nearly 1.4 million refugees -- with more than 600,000 registered with the United Nations. Amman regularly complains of a lack of international aid for the refugees it hosts, saying it has "reached its limits."In early September the UN denounced the living conditions of some 70,000 Syrian refugees stranded at the border, where Jordan has blocked their entry and passage of aid after a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group killed seven of its soldiers in the desert area.

Raids Hit Two Largest Hospitals in Rebel-Held Aleppo
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/Air raids hit the two largest hospitals in rebel-held parts of Syria's Aleppo early Wednesday, putting them temporarily out of service, the medical organisation that supports them said. "The attack happened at 4:00 am (0100 GMT). One warplane targeted both of them directly," said Adham Sahloul of the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS). "There are only six hospitals currently operational now that the M2 and M10 have been temporarily taken out of service," he said. Both hospitals had intensive care units and trauma capacities and had been targeted in previous aerial attacks, according to Sahloul, who described the bombings as "deliberate". It was unclear if the strikes were executed by Syrian forces or their Russian ally, both of which are carrying out bombing raids in Aleppo city. At M10, the bigger of the two hospitals, the bombardment completely destroyed the facility's generator. Three employees were injured at the second hospital, among them an ambulance driver, a nurse and an accountant. "Two patients died. We are still trying to figure out if it was directly because of the attack or because treatment was cut off," Sahloul added. The two hospitals were put out of commission as Syria's army, backed by Russian firepower, presses an offensive to retake eastern Aleppo city. Sahloul warned of devastating medical consequences if violence spiked again, as it did with heavy aerial strikes over the weekend, while the hospitals remain closed. "With these two hospitals gone, if today there is another offensive like Saturday or Sunday, this is signing the death warrant for hundreds of people," he told AFP. Dozens of people have been killed in heavy bombardment of eastern Aleppo city since Syria's army on Thursday announced an operation to recapture the opposition-held part of the city. Rights groups have accused Syrian and Russian forces of deliberately targeting medical facilities, with Amnesty International earlier this year accusing the allies of "wiping out hospitals... (as) part of their military strategy."

U.S. Threatens to End Cooperation unless Russia Stops Aleppo Assault
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/The United States threatened Wednesday to suspend its engagement with Russia over the conflict in Syria following escalating attacks on rebel-held parts of Aleppo city, including strikes on two hospitals. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon denounced the attacks -- which saw the two largest hospitals in Aleppo's opposition-controlled east hit with air strikes and artillery fire -- as "war crimes." President Bashar Assad's forces and his ally Moscow have carried out a barrage of air strikes on eastern Aleppo since Syria's regime announced a bid last week to retake all of the divided city. Dozens of civilians have been killed, residential buildings have been reduced to rubble and residents of eastern districts -- already suffering under a government siege -- are facing severe shortages of food and medical supplies. The latest bombardment has been some of the worst in Syria's five-year civil war, and comes after the failure of a short-lived ceasefire brokered by Russia and the United States earlier this month. Moscow and Washington have traded blame over the truce's collapse, with stinging U.S. criticism of Russia's participation in the Aleppo offensive. On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that Washington will end talks on the Syrian conflict unless Moscow halts the assault on Aleppo. Kerry said the burden was on Russia to stop the assault and ensure humanitarian aid access, his spokesman John Kirby said. "The United States is making preparations to suspend U.S.-Russia bilateral engagement on Syria... unless Russia takes immediate steps to end the assault on Aleppo and restore the cessation of hostilities," Kirby said.
'Worse than a slaughterhouse'
Wednesday's attack saw the M10 and M2 hospitals hit before dawn, forcing both to shut temporarily, said Adham Sahloul of the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), which supports both hospitals. It was unclear who had carried out the bombings, which U.N. chief Ban denounced before the Security Council. "Those using ever more destructive weapons know exactly what they are doing. They know they are committing war crimes," he said. "Imagine the destruction. People with limbs blown off. Children in terrible pain with no relief," he said. "Imagine a slaughterhouse. This is worse."Inside one of the hospitals, patients and medical staff cowered in fear. "I am in the M2 hospital now. I was inside when the entrance to the emergency room was hit. Three of my colleagues were hurt," Aref al-Aref, a medical assistant, told AFP. "Everyone is terrified and scared today. We are afraid that we will be today's victims."
Sahloul warned the attacks could have devastating consequences. "With these two hospitals gone, if today there is another offensive like Saturday or Sunday, this is signing the death warrant for hundreds of people," he told AFP. The World Health Organization on Tuesday warned that medical facilities in the city's east were on the verge of "complete destruction" and urged humanitarian evacuation routes.
'Adding to civilian suffering'
More than 170 people have been killed in east Aleppo since Syria's army announced its operation to retake the city, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. On Wednesday, at least six civilians died in artillery fire near a bakery in the opposition-controlled Maadi district, the Observatory said. A hospital in the government-held west reported two people had been killed and 10 injured in rebel fire on the Aziziyeh district. Clashes also continued inside Aleppo's Old City for a second day, the Observatory said, after pro-government troops seized control of the Farafira district northwest of Aleppo's historic citadel on Tuesday. Once Syria's commercial hub, Aleppo has been ravaged by fighting and divided since mid-2012. An estimated 250,000 people still live in the east, which has been under devastating siege by government forces since early September. Rights groups and the opposition accuse the Syrian government and its allies of using sieges and deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure to pressure civilians to flee. "There is no objective to attacking these hospitals other than adding to the suffering of civilians, destroying infrastructure so that civilians are left with no hospitals and are then forced to leave," said Diana Semaan, Syria campaigner at Amnesty International. Last week, Syria's army urged civilians to flee to government-held territory but residents of the east fear passing through regime-held districts. The head of the White Helmets volunteer rescue force, which operates in opposition-held territory in northern Syria, told AFP that under current conditions civilian facilities in eastern Aleppo would no longer be able to function within a month. "The civilians there would seize any opportunity to escape, to go wherever they could go," Raed Saleh said. "But nothing is available to provide safety and protection for those civilians. We are worried that they are facing massacre or the kidnapping or the arrest of many of them."

Obama Names First Ambassador to Cuba in Five Decades
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/The United States has tapped Jeffrey DeLaurentis, America's top diplomat in Havana, to become the first official ambassador to Cuba in five decades. "The appointment of an ambassador is a commonsense step forward toward a more normal and productive relationship between our two countries," President Barack Obama said in a statement. Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced a thaw in relations in December 2014. The two countries restored full diplomatic relations in July 2015. Since then, Washington and Havana have taken once-unthinkable steps to mend ties after more than half a century of enmity. Obama has visited Cuba and relaxed portions of the US embargo imposed since 1962. Flights have resumed and cruise ships can now sail from Miami to Havana. US companies like Airbnb and Netflix now operate in Cuba and hotel group Starwood, acquired last week by Marriott International, opened a Sheraton in Havana last June. DeLaurentis is already in Havana and previously worked in Bogota and at the United Nations. But his nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, is likely to face stiff opposition in Congress, where Cuban-American lawmakers have sought to garner local support by opposing Obama's policies. Any senator could place an anonymous hold on the nomination. Several Republican lawmakers have opposed Democrat Obama's outreach to the Communist regime led by Castro. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American presidential contender in the Republican primary race who ultimately lost to Donald Trump, blasted Obama's nomination. A US ambassador is not going to influence the Cuban government, which is a dictatorial and closed regime," Rubio said in a statement.
"This nomination should go nowhere until the Castro regime makes significant and irreversible progress in the areas of human rights and political freedom for the Cuban people." Accusing the Obama administration of failing to confront Cuba over its repressive policies, Rubio said the US embassy in Havana's Twitter account "seems more like a travel agency than an advocate for American values and interests."

Israeli Ex-President Peres Dies
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/Israeli ex-president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres died on Wednesday some two weeks after suffering a major stroke, his doctor said, triggering an outpouring of grief for the beloved elder statesman. The 93-year-old died in his sleep at around 3:00 am (0000 GMT), Rafi Walden, who is also Peres's son-in-law, told AFP. He had been surrounded by family members, a source close to Peres told AFP. A press conference was planned for later in the morning. US President Barack Obama immediately hailed Peres as a friend who "never gave up on the possibility of peace." "There are few people who we share this world with who change the course of human history, not just through their role in human events, but because they expand our moral imagination and force us to expect more of ourselves," Obama said in a statement. "My friend Shimon was one of those people."Former US president Bill Clinton, who helped usher in the Oslo peace accords of the 1990s, said "the Middle East has lost a fervent advocate for peace and reconciliation.""I’ll never forget how happy he was 23 years ago when he signed the Oslo accords on the White House lawn, heralding a more hopeful era in Israeli-Palestinian relations," Clinton said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his "profound sadness" and opposition leader Isaac Herzog, the head of Labour, Peres's longtime party, said he will be "forever remembered as an icon of Israel's history."
Peres held nearly every major office in the country, serving twice as prime minister and also as president, a mostly ceremonial role, from 2007 to 2014. He won the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for his role in negotiating the Oslo Accords, which envisioned an independent Palestinian state. The former hawk turned dove was widely respected both in Israel and abroad. - Active in old age -Peres had been in hospital near Tel Aviv since September 13, when he was admitted feeling unwell and suffered the stroke with internal bleeding. He had been under sedation and respiratory support in intensive care. But there were signs of improvement last week, and on September 18 Peres's office said doctors planned to gradually reduce his sedation and respiratory support to judge his response. Walden had said at the time that Peres had seen "very slow, moderate improvement". But on Tuesday a source said his condition had taken a downturn and he was "fighting for his life". Family members arrived at the hospital. In January, Peres was hospitalised twice because of heart trouble. In the first case, the hospital said he had suffered a "mild cardiac event" and underwent catheterisation to widen an artery. He was rushed to hospital a second time just days later with chest pains and an irregular heartbeat. Peres had sought to maintain an active schedule despite his age, particularly through events related to his Peres Center for Peace. When leaving hospital in January, Peres said he was keen to get back to work. "I'm so happy to return to work, that was the whole purpose of this operation," he said. In March, he met British supermodel Naomi Campbell at his Peres Center for Peace during an event linked to International Women's Day. On the same day, he met visiting US Vice President Joe Biden. Born in Poland in 1923, Peres emigrated to what was then British-mandated Palestine when he was 11. He joined the Zionist struggle and met David Ben-Gurion, who would become his mentor and Israel's first prime minister. Peres became director general of the nascent defence ministry at just 29 years old. Beyond his accomplishments in the public eye, he was also seen as a driving force in the development of Israel's undeclared nuclear programme. Peres once confided that the secret to his longevity was daily exercise, eating little and drinking one or two glasses of good wine.

Peres: Architect of Israel Nuclear Program as Well as Peace
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/Shimon Peres, who died Wednesday aged 93, is famed for his peace efforts with the Palestinians but his role as architect of Israel's nuclear program may prove his more lasting legacy. When still in his 30s during the 1950s, Peres played a key part in Israel's pursuit of a nuclear capability at the urging of Israel's first prime minister David Ben-Gurion. He reached a secret agreement with France that led to the building of a nuclear reactor at Dimona in Israel's Negev desert, which went critical around 1962. Israel is now considered to be the Middle East's sole nuclear-armed power, although it has never confirmed it, maintaining a policy of ambiguity. It is estimated to have produced enough weapons-grade plutonium at Dimona to arm between 100 and 200 nuclear warheads, according to the U.S.-based Nuclear Threat Initiative. Peres, who was president and twice prime minister, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his role in negotiating the Oslo accords with the Palestinians, but he saw no contradiction between that achievement and his nuclear program efforts. "Dimona helped us to achieve Oslo," he told Time magazine in an interview in February. "Because many Arabs, out of suspicion, came to the conclusion that it's very hard to destroy Israel because of it, because of their suspicion. "Well if the result is Dimona, I think I was right. Anyway, we’ve never threatened anybody with nuclear bombs, and we’ve never tested it."Peres was put in charge of the nuclear program by Ben-Gurion while director general of the defense ministry. The prime minister had made the program a priority, driven in part by the Holocaust and the 1948 war with neighboring Arab states that accompanied Israel's creation, historian Avner Cohen wrote in his book "Israel and the Bomb." "Peres' boundless energy and political skills became the necessary ingredient in realizing Israel's nuclear hopes," he added.
'One of the ablest'
Ephraim Asculai, a senior research fellow at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, said Ben-Gurion had enormous trust in Peres. He saw him as "one of the ablest persons in the country and one who could carry out the mission." Peres enlisted France's help for the secret program, and even the United States, now Israel's most important ally, was kept out of the loop. In a documentary aired on Israeli television in 2001, Peres acknowledged that France agreed to provide Israel with "a nuclear capability" as part of the secret negotiations that led to their invasion of Egypt alongside Britain during the Suez Crisis of 1956. It was only years later, in 1969, that Israel reportedly reached an understanding with Washington under which Israeli leaders would refrain from making any statement about the country's capabilities and would carry out no nuclear test. In exchange, the United States avoided exerting any pressure on the issue. Israel has still not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was a political rival of Peres, made reference to the elder statement's involvement in the nuclear program in a tribute after his death on Wednesday. "As a champion of Israel's defense, he strengthened its capacities in many ways, some of them still unacknowledged to this day," he said. While Peres and other Israeli leaders have credited the country's policy of nuclear ambiguity with protecting it from hostile neighbors and helping it leverage peace agreements, others have been critical. Opponents say Israel's suspected arsenal has been a constant spur for its regional rivals to try to develop their own as a deterrent. Last year's nuclear deal between the major powers and Israel's arch-foe Iran was aimed at ensuring it could not do so. Israel has continued to keep a tight lid on its nuclear program. Former nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu was jailed in 1986 for disclosing the inner workings of the Dimona nuclear plant to Britain's Sunday Times newspaper. Snatched in Rome by agents of the Mossad intelligence agency and smuggled to Israel, Vanunu spent more than 10 years of his sentence in solitary confinement. Even after his release in 2004, he remained subject to a raft of restraining orders, including a ban on speaking to the foreign media.

Netanyahu Hails Shimon Peres as 'Visionary'
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Shimon Peres as a "visionary" and a "champion of Israel's defense" after the 93-year-old elder statesman's death earlier Wednesday. "Shimon dedicated his life to the rebirth of our people," Netanyahu, who was a political rival of Peres, said in a statement. "As a visionary he looked to the future. As a champion of Israel's defense, he strengthened its capacities in many ways, some of them still unacknowledged to this day," he added, referring to Peres' role in the development of Israel's undeclared nuclear program.

Hamas Calls Peres a Criminal, Abbas Hails Him as Brave
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/Hamas welcomed the death of former Israeli president Shimon Peres Wednesday, calling him a "criminal," while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas lauded the "brave" Nobel Peace Prize winner. In the Gaza Strip, a spokesman for the Islamist Hamas movement which runs the enclave said: "The Palestinian people are happy at the death of this criminal. "Shimon Peres was one of the last Israeli founders of occupation. His death marks the end of an era in the history of the Israeli occupation," spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP. But Abbas had a sharply different reaction in the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority dominated by his Fatah party is in power. Abbas hailed Peres as a "brave" partner for peace and sent his family condolences, the official Palestinian news agency reported. "Abbas sent a message of condolence to the family of former president Shimon Peres, expressing his sadness and sorrow," WAFA reported. "Peres was a partner in making the brave peace with the martyr Yasser Arafat and prime minister (Yitzhak) Rabin, and made unremitting efforts to reach a lasting peace from the Oslo agreement until the final moments of his life." While Peres has been praised abroad and in Israel as a peacemaker, many Palestinians view him very differently, citing his involvement in successive Arab-Israeli wars and the occupation of Palestinian territory. He was also prime minister in 1996 when more than 100 civilians were killed while sheltering at a U.N. peacekeepers' base in the Lebanese village of Qana fired upon by Israel. Diana Buttu, former spokeswoman for the Palestinian Authority, tweeted: "Peres was an unrepentant war criminal. Revisionist history won't work."

Paris to Host International Meeting on Libya Next Week
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/France will host an international meeting on strife-ridden Libya next week featuring several countries in the region including Egypt and Gulf states, the French government's spokesman said. Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told a cabinet meeting the gathering would bring together countries including Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey "to see how we can advance the cause of achieving the necessary unity in Libya", spokesman Stephane Le Foll said. Libyan prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj held talks with President Francois Hollande in Paris on Tuesday. Sarraj told AFP in an interview that military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who controls the north African country's main oil ports, should be represented in a new, more inclusive government. "We have no other choice but dialogue and reconciliation," Sarraj said. "No one wants an escalation or a confrontation between Libyans," he added. Haftar's forces this month seized control of Libya's so-called "oil crescent." Sarraj's fragile unity government, formed in March following a U.N.-backed deal in December 2015, is backed by the international community. But the Government of National Accord (GNA) has struggled to impose its power across a country riven by violence since the fall of strongman Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. Libya has Africa's largest oil reserves, estimated at 48 billion barrels, but production and exports have slumped dramatically after years of crisis.

Gunmen Kill Three Egypt Policemen, Civilian in Sinai
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/Gunmen killed three Egyptian policeman and a civilian on Wednesday in the Sinai Peninsula, where the military is battling a jihadist insurgency, the interior ministry said. The gunmen in a car intercepted a taxi carrying the policemen in the north Sinai capital El-Arish and killed them along with the driver, the ministry said in a statement. Jihadists have killed hundreds of soldiers and policemen since the military overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013. They pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group more than a year later, and their attacks have persisted despite a sweeping military campaign in the peninsula, which borders Israel and the Gaza strip. The jihadists have also targeted foreigners, claiming a 2015 bombing of a Russian airliner carrying holidaymakers home from a Sinai resort that killed all 224 people on board.

Iranian FM Holds Talks in Turkey on Syria
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday visited Ankara for his third set of talks with top Turkish officials in less than one-and-a-half-months despite standing on opposite sides of the Syria conflict, sources said.
Zarif met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in an unscheduled trip to Ankara on his way back to Tehran from a visit to New York for the UN General Assembly, a Turkish diplomatic source told AFP. They discussed bilateral and regional issues, including the Syrian conflict, the source added. Zarif was later due to meet with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, the premier's office said. Iran and Turkey stand on two opposing sides of the conflict in neighbouring Syria, with Tehran one of the few allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Ankara backing rebels fighting for his ouster. Turkey has launched an unprecedented operation inside Syria, with the aim of cleansing its frontier of terror groups including Islamic State (IS) jihadists Ankara is also pressing for a safe zone inside its war-torn neighbour to shelter refugees. Despite the differences over Syria -- and Ankara's increasingly close relationship with Tehran's arch rival Saudi Arabia -- the two countries have worked hard in the last months to preserve a strong relationship. The visit comes amid a flurry of diplomatic contacts between Turkey and Iran since the summer in the wake of the July 15 failed coup. Tehran was swift to voice support for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the attempted coup, winning praise from Ankara for its rapid reaction. Cavusoglu made a surprise visit to Tehran in mid-August, after Zarif held talks in the Turkish capital the same month.

India-Pakistan Tensions Threaten South Asia Summit
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/A key South Asian summit was in doubt Wednesday after India and three other countries pulled out following a deadly attack on an army base that New Delhi blames on a Pakistan-based group. India has sought to isolate Pakistan in the wake of the raid on its base in the disputed region of Kashmir, which killed 18 soldiers and triggered public fury. On Tuesday it said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Islamabad in November, in a major snub to its neighbor. Without naming Pakistan, India's foreign ministry said "increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in the region and growing interference in the internal affairs of member states by one country" had created an environment that was not conducive for a meeting. Hours later, Bangladesh said it was also pulling out. Afghanistan and Bhutan -- both close India allies -- have since followed suit, according to an official with the Nepali government, current chair of SAARC. "Pakistan has been interfering in our internal affairs for some time," a senior Bangladesh foreign ministry official told AFP, requesting anonymity. "That's why we have pulled out of the SAARC summit."Under pressure to act after the Kashmir raid, Modi warned Pakistan in a major speech on Saturday that India would push to make it a pariah state. Pakistan denies any involvement in the September 18 attack, the worst of its kind in over a decade. But India's army has blamed Jaish-e-Mohammad, a Pakistan-based militant group that was also implicated in an audacious assault on an Indian air force base in the northern town of Pathankot in January. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since partition in 1947, two of them over Kashmir, where the two countries regularly exchange fire across the disputed border. At the last SAARC summit in 2014 a newly-elected Modi shook hands with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, raising hopes of warmer ties. Just over a year later Modi made a surprise Christmas Day visit to Pakistan for a meeting with Sharif. But those hopes were dashed by the Pathankot attack in which seven Indian soldiers died, and peace talks have been on ice ever since.
'Closer to China'
Current SAARC chair Nepal said it hoped the issues would be resolved but could not comment on whether the summit would go ahead. "The host will take decisions regarding the summit," said Jhabindra Aryal, joint secretary with Nepal's foreign ministry. The leaders of the eight SAARC countries -- which also include Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives -- expressed frustration after the last summit in Kathmandu with the slow pace of progress towards greater regional integration.
Analysts say this is due to the mutual mistrust between Pakistan and powerhouse India. Cyril Almeida, a columnist in Pakistan's English-language daily Dawn, said India's move to exclude Pakistan from regional discussions was not unexpected. "Diplomatically, (it's) maybe not a big deal for Pakistan given that SAARC is widely perceived as ineffective," he said. "But (it's) a fresh sign of Pakistan not being in a comfortable place in its own region." Analyst Ashok Malik said the withdrawals would have little practical impact on Pakistan. "It basically scores a symbolic and a political victory. As for Pakistan, this will push it even closer to China," said Malik, head of the Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation's regional studies initiative.Pakistan said it remained "committed to peace and regional cooperation" and accused India of perpetrating "terrorism" on its soil. "As for the excuse used by India, the world knows that it is India that has been perpetrating and financing terrorism in Pakistan," tweeted foreign ministry spokesman Nafees Zakariya late Tuesday, citing the capture of an Indian intelligence officer in Balochistan earlier this year. Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of interference in the southwestern province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan and is afflicted by Islamist militancy and a separatist insurgency.

U.S. Strike Kills 18, Including Afghan Civilians
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/Civilians were among at least 18 people killed in a U.S. air strike against Islamic State militants in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials said, with conflicting claims about the number of civilian deaths. The attack happened in Achin district, a hotbed of IS insurgents in Nangarhar province near the border with Pakistan, as local residents gathered to welcome a tribal elder who had recently returned from the hajj pilgrimage. "Three civilians lost their lives in this strike," Achin police chief Mohammad Ali told AFP, adding that 15 militants were also killed. But Esmatullah Shinwari, a Nangarhar MP, said the strike killed 13 civilian relatives of the local elder. Six IS fighters were also killed, he added. The American military said it conducted a "counter-terrorism airstrike in Achin" on Wednesday, adding it was aware of claims of civilian casualties. "We... are currently reviewing all materials related to this strike," U.S. military spokesman Charles Cleveland said in a statement. "U.S. Forces-Afghanistan takes all allegations of civilian casualties very seriously." There was no information on whether it was an attack by a drone or a piloted aircraft. Islamic State first emerged in Afghanistan in late 2014 and has since violently challenged the much larger Afghan Taliban movement in parts of the country's east. But the fighters have steadily lost territory in recent months because of stepped-up U.S. airstrikes and a ground campaign by Afghan forces in Nangarhar. They are confined to two or three districts including Achin, according to Afghan and U.S. officials. Civilian and military casualties caused by NATO forces have been one of the most contentious issues in the 15-year campaign against the insurgents, prompting harsh public and government criticism. A U.S. air strike killed eight Afghan policemen earlier this month in the southern province of Uruzgan in the first apparent "friendly fire" incident since American forces were given greater powers to strike at insurgents in June. The new authority gave the U.S.-led NATO troops greater latitude to order air strikes in support of Afghan troops.

Iran Nuclear Chief Downplays Trump Threat to Deal
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/Iran's nuclear chief said Wednesday his "gut feeling" was that Donald Trump would not rip up last year's landmark atomic accord between major powers and the Islamic Republic if the U.S. Republican presidential hopeful was elected. "Whoever becomes U.S. president will have to adapt to the reality on the ground," Ali Akbar Salehi was quoted by the Austria Press Agency as saying in a speech in Vienna. "Things could go up and down a bit, and some things could get delayed but nothing will be seriously in danger," APA, in German, quoted Salehi as saying. He said his "gut feeling" was that no one really wanted to go back on the July 2015 pact that ended a long-running standoff that had poisoned Iran's external relations. Under the agreement, Iran dramatically scaled back its nuclear activities in order to put atomic weapons out of Tehran's reach, an aim Tehran always denied having. In return, the U.N. and Western countries lifted painful sanctions that had throttled Iran's all-important oil exports. Trump, running against Hillary Clinton to be elected U.S. president on November 8, said on March 21 that his "number one priority" in foreign policy would be to dismantle the "disastrous" deal.

Iran Says Held Naval Maneuvers with Italy in Strategic Strait
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 28/16/An Italian frigate has held maneuvers with two Iranian warships in the Strait of Hormuz after making a rare Western port call in the Islamic Republic, an Iranian commander said Wednesday. The joint maneuvers in the strategic waterway between the Gulf and the Sea of Oman come after a series of incidents between Iranian vessels and U.S. warships in the area in recent months. The Italian frigate Euro sailed to the strait for the maneuvers with Iranian ships Alvand and Alborz after making the port call in Bandar Abbas on Saturday, Admiral Hossein Azad told the official IRNA news agency. An Iranian and an Italian helicopter also took part, he said. Iran's ISNA news agency quoted Italian ambassador Mauro Conciatori as describing the port call as "a positive sign in mutual relations that can increase the bond between the two countries."Italy was Iran's largest trading partner before the European Union joined the United States in imposing sanctions -- now lifted -- over Tehran's nuclear program. It has been keen to restore that position and in April Prime Minister Matteo Renzi became the highest-ranking European leader to visit Iran since its nuclear deal with world powers in July last year. Rome's policy contrasts strongly with that of Washington, which has accused Iran of repeated dangerous encounters with the U.S. Navy in and around the Strait of Hormuz in recent months. On September 10, two U.S. maritime patrol aircraft were flying separate missions in international airspace over the waterway when Iranian air defense batteries threatened to fire on them if they did not change course, the Pentagon said. It followed at least five incidents over the previous month, that prompted U.S. criticism of the Iranian military for its behavior in the Gulf.
Tehran denied its vessels had been at fault.

Iran: Massive student protests at universities
NCRI Statements/Wednesday, 28 September 2016 07:56
Chants of “Students would rather die than to accept humiliation” and “University education should be free”
On Tuesday September 27 Sharif University of Technology students continued their protest for the third consecutive day and gathered in front of the building of the university president. They confronted security agents who are spies of the Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS) at the university and who had intended to disperse them, and occupied the university president's office.
University of Amirkabir, Melli (Beheshti), Tarbiat Modarres of Tehran, Esfahan University of Technology, Razi in Kermanshah, and Zanjan University also witnessed similar protests in the past few days.
Students are critical of the plan to fine students for school years that was proposed in order to extort money from students. According to the plan, enrollment for 5th semester of graduate courses is conditional upon paying 5 million tomans (~ 1600 USD) fine. Students also have to pay other college expenses such as accommodation costs and self-serve restaurants. This plan is even in violation of regulations adopted by the Ministry of Science of the regime.
Students in their gatherings hold banners reading: "Students would rather die than to accept humiliation", "student is aware, the voice of justice can be heard'', “Is here a university or barracks!", "We are better students, we we are more deprived than everyone", "Sharif University or Sharif business firm? ", "freedom of thought cannot be under pressure ", "university education should be free ", " We do not give money by force" and "university is not a source of income".
Sharif University students declared in a statement that not only Rouhani’s promises to students and about university has not been fulfilled after three years, but continually additional unjust expenses and limiting regulations have been imposed on them.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran/September 27, 2016
 

إيران عون وحزب الله تعتقل 25 مسيحياً وتعدم 16 سجيناً في يوم واحد
Iran: At least 25 Christian citizens were arrested in Kerman/Iran: mass execution of 16 prisoners

http://eliasbejjaninews.com/2016/09/28/iran-at-least-25-christian-citizens-were-arrested-in-kermaniran-mass-execution-of-16-prisoners/

Wednesday, 28 September 2016/NCRI - Monday, September 27, security forces arrested at least 25 Christians in Southern City of Kerman and transferred them to an unknown location.
The human rights websites in Iran reported, security guards, raided the homes of Christian citizens, searched the houses and confiscated the belongings and at least 25 people were arrested.
There has been no information about the reason of arrests and whereabouts of these citizens so far.

Iran: mass execution of 16 prisoners
Wednesday, 28 September 2016/NCRI - This morning, Wednesday Sept. 28, Iran regime in a criminal act, collectively hanged nine prisoners in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj.
According to reports from informed sources, the execution of these prisoners was carried out behind the prison wards.
The names of the victims are: Karim Hatamzadeh, Hussein Karami, Majid ganjeh Ali, Ali Raheeli, Adnan Amouri zadeh, Ali Rabii, Mehdi Alizadeh, Mahdi Nazari and Ali Asghar Jahantigh
Also on Tuesday, September 27 in a group execution, seven prisoners were hanged in Minab prison hall on alleged drug related charges.
The names are as follows:
Khoda bakhsh Balouch
Ali Balouch
Chaker Balouch
Mohammad Mohammad zehi
Majid Nariman
Mehdi Moradi
Mohammad Ghourchi
On Tuesday September27, NCRI had issued a statement condemning the mullahs' mass executions and also asked the UN Security Council, the Human Rights Council, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and all human rights organizations to take immediate actions to confront the growing trend of executions in Iran.
Following is the full text:
Iran: Execution of 17 prisoners at Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad in one day
The mullahs' inhuman regime in a shocking crime on September 11th hanged 17 inmates collectively in Vakilabad prison in Mashhad. Another 400 prisoners are on death row in prison.
From September 13 to 24, 19 prisoners in the prisons of Shiraz, Gorgan, Tabas, Tabriz, Bandar Abbas, Rasht, Taybad, Orumiyeh and Neyriz were hanged.
At the same time 13 prisoners in solitary confinement in Karaj’s Gohardasht and Varamin’s Khorin prisons, and seven prisoners of 25 to 30 year-old in Minab central prison are on death row. These are in addition to the thousands of prisoners on death row in prisons around the country, especially Ghezel Hessar prison.
These executions, simultaneous with so-called “moderate” Rouhani participation in the United Nations General Assembly, demonstrates how hollow and deceitful the claim of moderation in the clerical regime of Velayat-e-Faqih is.
Various internal factions of religious tyranny ruling Iran don’t have any dispute with each other as far as the suppression of the Iranian people is concerned.
Unable to deal with crises at home and abroad, especially while the disclosure of the new corners of the massacre of 30 thousand political prisoners in 1988 adds to the people’s anger toward the ruling regime, the clerical regime has found no other choice but to intensify repression, particularly of capital punishment. Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, Minister of Interior of Rouhani, alluding to a 20 thousand-page report on the spread of social pathologies, acknowledged that "the main threat is in the internal affairs" (ISNA state run news agency –September 26).
Iranian Resistance calls on the Iranian people, especially the courageous youth to protest against the repressive measures of the regime and calls for solidarity with the families of those executed. It also asks the UN Security Council, the Human Rights Council, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and all human rights organizations to take immediate actions to confront the growing trend of executions in Iran. The regime of Velayat-e-Faqih is a disgrace to contemporary humanity, must be rejected from the global community, its leaders must be brought in front of international tribunals for crimes against humanity and any relations with it must be conditional upon a halt to executions.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran/September 26, 2016

Senate votes to override Obama veto of 9/11 bill
The Associated Press, Washington Wednesday, 28 September 2016/The Senate acted decisively Wednesday to override President Barack Obama's veto of Sept. 11 legislation, setting the stage for the contentious bill to become law despite flaws that Obama and top Pentagon officials warn could put US troops and interests at risk. Five weeks before elections, lawmakers refused to oppose a measure backed by 9/11 families who say they are still seeking justice 15 years after the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. The bill permits them to sue the government of Saudi Arabia for the kingdom's alleged backing of the 19 hijackers who carried out the plot. Saudi Arabia is staunchly opposed to the measure. Senators voted 97-1 to override Obama's veto. The lone "no" vote was Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. A House vote on Obama's veto was expected later in the day Wednesday. If the House also overrides, the bill becomes law. During his nearly two terms in office, Obama has never had a veto overridden by Congress. Despite reversing Obama's decision, several senators said defects in the bill could open a legal Pandora's box, triggering lawsuits from people in other countries seeking redress for injuries or deaths caused by military actions in which the US may have had a role. In a letter delivered Tuesday to Senate leaders, Obama said the bill would erode sovereign immunity principles that prevent foreign litigants "from second-guessing our counterterrorism operations and other actions that we take every day."But one of the bill's leading proponents, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, dismissed Obama's concerns as "unpersuasive." Cornyn, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, and other supporters said the bill is narrowly tailored and applies only to acts of terrorism that occur on US soil. "This bill is about respecting the voices and rights of American victims," Cornyn said. Families of the victims and their attorneys disputed concerns over the legislation as fearmongering aimed at derailing the legislation that they have long urged Congress to pass. Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, one of the Democrats who broke with Obama and voted to override, said "the risks of shielding the perpetrators of terrorism from justice are greater than the risks this legislation may pose to America's presence around the world." The legislation gives victims' families the right to sue in US court for any role that elements of the Saudi government may have played in the 2001 attacks. Fifteen of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers were Saudi nationals. Courts would be permitted to waive a claim of foreign sovereign immunity when an act of terrorism occurs inside US borders, according to the terms of the bill.

Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on on September 28-29/16

Anti-Israel Activists Join Hamas and Hezbollah in Celebrating Death of Former Israeli President Shimon Peres
Barney Breen-Portnoy/algemeiner/September 28/16
While the death of former Israeli President Shimon Peres drew countless heartfelt condolence messages from around the world on Wednesday, the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups — as well as a number of prominent anti-Israel personalities — celebrated the renowned statesman’s passing at the age of 93.
Palestinians “are very happy at the passing of this criminal who caused their blood to shed,” the Associated Press quoted Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri as saying. “Shimon Peres was the last remaining Israeli official who founded the occupation, and his death is the end of a phase in the history of this occupation and the beginning of a new phase of weakness.”
The Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar television station in Lebanon called Peres “the real face of the bloody and colonial policies adopted by the Zionist regime.”
September 28, 2016 2:27 pm
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Anti-Israel activist Max Blumenthal — the son of longtime Hillary Clinton adviser Sidney Blumenthal — tweeted, “To call Shimon Peres a man of peace besmirches the very concept of peace.”
Ali Abuminah, the co-founder of the Electronic Intifada website, tweeted, “Peres perfectly represents ‘Israel’: all ‘peace’ marketing on the surface, but his real story is unabated racism, ethnic cleansing and war.”
Electronic Intifada associate editor Rania Khalek tweeted, “Shimon Peres was a ‘man of peace’ like Saudi King Abdullah was a ‘reformer.’ Our media always fawns when western-backed criminals die.”
Writing in the Middle East Monitor, British freelance journalist Ben White asserted that Peres was “a man for whom ‘peace’ always meant colonial pacification.”
Peres, who served as Israel’s president from 2007-2014, was also twice prime minister — for two years in the mid-1980s and for less than one year in the mid-1990s. As a young man, Peres was a protégé of David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister.
In 1994, Peres, who was foreign minister at the time, won the Nobel Peace Prize — alongside Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat — for the role he played in the signing of the Oslo Accords the year before.

Egypt increases prison terms for female genital mutilation
Sahar Ghoussoub/Al-Monitor//September 28/16
CAIRO — The Egyptian parliament has significantly boosted criminal penalties for female genital mutilation (FGM), passing an amendment that is widely welcomed by many segments of Egyptian society.
Human rights groups are hoping, but are not convinced, that the amendment will help reduce this widespread phenomenon across Egypt.
In 2008, Egypt banned FGM operations in governmental and nongovernmental hospitals and other private or public practices following the death of an Egyptian teenager, Baddour Shaker, who had undergone the procedure in June of that year.
A few months later, an article was added to the penal code criminalizing FGM and punishing those who force it upon women with jail terms of three months to two years, in addition to a fine of 1,000-5,000 Egyptian pounds ($113 to $563).
The bill defined FGM as being “the partial or full removal of the external genital parts or deformity of such parts without any medical justification.”
Mona Ezzat, head of the Women and Work Program at Egyptian human rights group New Woman Foundation, told Al-Monitor, “FGM is associated with the prevailing customs, traditions and culture in society. It is practiced in [Egypt] because parents are still totally convinced of its viability. Thus, forcing society to relinquish this tradition should not be done through laws alone.”
People in nonurban governorates even have traditional songs about FGM, which is seen as a part of their heritage. To change this attitude, Ezzat said, requires changing the culture, religious rhetoric and school curricula, in addition to rigorously applying the law.
In all the years since FGM was first criminalized, Egyptian courts have only dealt with two related lawsuits. In June 2013, 13-year-old Suhair al-Bataa died during an FGM procedure performed by Dr. Raslan Fadl in Dakahlia. For the first time in Egypt, a public prosecutor there referred the case to a court.
Though Fadl initially was acquitted in November 2014, prosecutors appealed the ruling. The Court of Appeal in Mansoura sentenced him in 2015 to two years in prison with hard labor for manslaughter and three months for performing the illegal procedure, while shutting down his practice. However, Fadl served only three months of the sentence after the family accepted a financial settlement, according to Human Rights Watch. The girl’s father was sentenced to three months for forcing his daughter to have the procedure.
In July of this year, the public prosecutor of Faisal city in Suez governorate charged a doctor and a girl’s mother with manslaughter after the 17-year-old died during FGM surgery in May. Authorities said Mayar Mohamed Mousa died in a private hospital as a result of severe blood loss during the procedure.
The hospital was closed and there were demands for harsher punishments for offenders, prompting parliament to approve an amendment Aug. 29. The law now requires prison terms of five to seven years for those who perform FGM and as much as 15 years if the case results in permanent disability or death.
Egyptian society continues to be greatly swayed by customs and traditions more so than religious views — which appears to be progress. In fact, prominent clerics in Egyptian society, such as Ali Gomaa, the former grand mufti of Egypt, have stood against FGM. Yet this hasn’t been enough to influence the community.
On June 14, 2015, Egypt launched a National Anti-FGM Strategy. The incentive was backed by the National Program to Enable the Family and Eliminate FGM; the public prosecutor; the Ministries of Population, Health, Interior, Education, Awqaf and Higher Education; Al-Azhar University; Dar al-Ifta al-Masriyya (The Egyptian House of Religious Edicts); the Egyptian Church; and the National Council for Women.
According to the Demographic and Health Survey “Egypt 2014,” the number of women undergoing FGM has declined. It showed that the number of mutilated females aged 15-17 dropped to 61% that year, compared with 74% in 2008.
The same survey said 92% of the polled women of reproductive age (15-49), who were or had ever been married, had undergone FGM, compared with 96% in 2005.
The survey showed that FGM among all women aged 15-49 decreased by 6% between 2005 and 2014 and by 13% among women aged 15-17 between the years 2008 and 2014. Yet the number of women undergoing this procedure is still alarming.
Ezzat of the New Woman Foundation told Al-Monitor a dramatic effort will be needed to raise awareness among families and parents in their homes. “The message relayed by officials on television is not enough to sound the alarm on the seriousness of this practice,” she said.
Azza Soliman, head of the Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance, praised efforts made by the media and Egyptian educational representatives to battle the phenomenon. She cited, however, the need for more support from the religious community to help change societal perceptions about the problem.
“It is imperative to find an enlightening religious discourse to clarify the religion’s stance on this issue,” she told Al-Monitor.

Obama's November Surprise
Gregg Roman/The Hill/September 28/16
http://www.meforum.org/6305/obama-november-surprise-for-israel
President Obama is contemplating a surprise move to permit anti-Israel action by the UN Security Council during his final months in office.
There is growing speculation that President Obama will spring a diplomatic surprise on Israel during the interregnum between the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 8 and his departure from office in January.
Some say the surprise will be a speech laying down parameters for a final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute or some type of formal censure of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, but the scenario generating most discussion is a decision to support, or perhaps not to veto, a UN Security Council resolution recognizing a Palestinian state.
This would be a bombshell. Washington's long-stated policy is that a Palestinian state should be established only through an agreement negotiated directly between the two sides. In practice, this would require that Palestinian leaders agreed to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and concede the so-called "right of return" for refugees of the 1948 war and their descendants to areas within Israel's borders, a prospect which would mean the demographic destruction of Israel.
Past administrations understood the folly of recognizing Palestinian statehood before a peace settlement.
For decades, Palestinian leaders have made it clear they won't do this: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas doesn't mince words, telling a gathering of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo in November 2014, "We will never recognize the Jewishness of the state of Israel." Efforts to win recognition of Palestinian statehood by foreign governments and multilateral institutions are designed to skirt this precondition for statehood.
Any state that comes into existence without Palestinian leaders formally recognizing Israel will be a brutal, unstable train wreck, with areas under its jurisdiction likely to remain a hotbed of terrorism. On top of whatever existing factors are producing the endemic corruption and autocracy of the Abbas regime (not to mention the Hamas regime in Gaza), unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state will vindicate radicals who have been saying all along that there's no need to compromise.
On the other hand, official Palestinian acknowledgement once and for all that Israel is not just here to stay, but has a right to stay, would deprive Palestinian leaders of time-honored tools for manipulating their constituents – appealing to and inflaming their baser anti-Jewish prejudices, promising them salvation if they'll only shut up 'til the Zionists are defeated, and so forth. Instead, they will have to do things like govern well and create jobs to win public support.
Palestinian incitement to violence starts early. Above, the second grade Palestinian textbook Our Beautiful Language depicts Israelis uprooting trees from Palestinian land.
Previous American administrations have understood that recognizing Palestinian statehood before Abbas and company allow Palestinian society to undergo this transformation would be the height of irresponsibility. This is why American veto power has consistently blocked efforts to unilaterally establish a Palestinian state by way of the UN Security Council.
Notwithstanding his apparent pro-Palestinian sympathies and affiliations prior to running for the Senate and later the White House, President Obama initially maintained this policy. The expressed threat of an American veto foiled Abbas' 2011 bid to win UN member-state status for "Palestine." He settled for recognition of non-member-state status by the General Assembly in 2012.
As moves by the PA to bring the issue of statehood to the UN picked up steam last year, however, it appeared to walk back this commitment. While U.S officials privately maintained there was "no change," Obama and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power refused – despite the urging of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid – to state publicly that the U.S. would use its veto to stop a resolution recognizing Palestinian statehood.
The conventional wisdom was that Obama's refusal to make such a public declaration was intended to exert pressure on Netanyahu to tone down his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, and later to punish him for it or hold it out to secure concessions. As his presidency enters its final months, it's clear something even more nefarious is at work.
Congress must use the tools at its disposal to make a reckless policy reversal by Obama as difficult as possible.
President Obama's failure to clarify his administration's position has greatly damaged prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Even if it is Obama's intention to veto any resolution on Palestinian statehood that comes up at the UN, his refusal to publicly state this – or, put differently, his determination to go on the record for the history books not saying it – has fueled perceptions among Palestinians and European governments facing pressures of their own that American will is softening.
It is imperative that Congress use the tools at its disposal to make this unwise path as difficult as possible for the Obama administration.
Ultimately, a one-sided UN declaration such as this serves only to postpone by a long shot the day when Palestinian leaders accept Israel as it is – the homeland of the Jewish people – and allow their subjects to enjoy the lasting peace and prosperity they and their neighbors deserve.
**Gregg Roman is director of theObama's November Surprise







































 

U.S. Congress Resolution Condemns Iran Regime’s Mass Executions
NCRI Iran/ Wednesday, 28 September 2016

http://eliasbejjaninews.com/2016/09/28/u-s-congress-resolution-condemns-iran-regimes-mass-executions/

An article in the Huffington Post has highlighted a new resolution in the United States Congress on the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran.
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh, President of the International American Council, wrote: “A resolution (H.Res. 159) was recently introduced in the U.S. Congress in reference to one of the worst mass executions of political prisoners since WWII by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The House Homeland Security Chair, Mike McCaul, introduced the resolution, which was cosponsored by the House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Ed Royce, Ranking Member Eliot Engel, and Rules Committee Chair Rep. Peter Sessions. The resolution came as Hassan Rouhani, president of a government that ranked as the world’s top executioner per capita, was addressing the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.”
In the run-up to Rouhani’s speech, the Associated Press reported that thousands of protesters gathered outside the United Nations protesting Iran’s human rights abuses, executions, and the 1988 massacre of more than 30,000 prisoners. The speakers included former Democratic vice presidential candidate and Senator Joe Lieberman, and Geoffrey Robertson, former Head of the UN war crimes tribunal for Sierra Leone who wrote a report on Iran 1988 massacre published on the United Nations Arts Initiative.
The resolution introduced in Congress “condemns the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the 1988 massacre of political prisoners and [calls] for justice for the victims.”
Rafizadeh pointed out that the resolution adds that “over a 4-month period in 1988, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out the barbaric mass executions of thousands of political prisoners and many unrelated political groups. ... [A]ccording to a report by the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, the massacre was carried out pursuant to a fatwa, or religious decree, issued by then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, that targeted the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI), also known as the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK);”
The resolution quotes one of Iran’s own senior former officials, who said the 1988 massacre was ‘’the greatest crime committed during the Islamic Republic, for which history will condemn us.” Accordingly, in 1988, the Islamic Republic executed the thousands of prisoners, primarily affiliated with the main opposition movement Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), due to their political beliefs. The victims were buried in mass graves in Iran after they were shot or hung in matter of a few months.
According to a November 2, 2007, report by Amnesty International, ‘’between 27 July 1988 and the end of that year, thousands of political prisoners [in Iran], including prisoners of conscience, were executed in prisons nationwide.”
The resolution adds that “Those personally responsible for these mass executions include senior officials serving in the current Government of Iran; ... [P]risoners were reportedly brought before the commissions and briefly questioned about their political affiliation, and any prisoner who refused to renounce his or her affiliation with groups perceived as enemies by the regime was then taken away for execution,” H.Res. 159 noted.
Accordingly, the victims included “thousands of people, including teenagers and pregnant women, imprisoned merely for participating in peaceful street protests and for possessing political reading material, many of whom had already served or were currently serving prison sentences.”
The congressional resolution states, “[P]risoners were executed in groups, some in mass hangings and others by firing squad, with their bodies disposed of in mass graves.”
According to Amnesty International, ‘’the majority of those killed were supporters of the PMOI [MEK], but hundreds of members and supporters of other political groups . . . were also among the execution victims.’’
Based on the Congressional resolution, “The later waves of executions targeted religious minorities, such as members of the Baha’i faith, many of whom were often subjected to brutal torture before they were killed.” It add “The families of the executed were denied information about their loved ones and were prohibited from mourning them in public”.
The resolution mentions that “in a recently disclosed audiotape, the late Hussein Ali Montazeri, a grand ayatollah who served as Khomeini’s chief deputy, noted the regime’s efforts to target the MEK and said that the 1988 mass killings were ‘’the greatest crime committed during the Islamic Republic, for which history will condemn us’.”
A report by Amnesty International has concluded ‘’there should be no impunity for human rights violations, no matter where or when they took place. The 1988 executions should be subject to an independent impartial investigation, and all those responsible should be brought to justice, and receive appropriate penalties’’
According to the resolution, “The current Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly aware of, and later publicly condoned the massacre.”
“The Montazeri audiotape was disclosed by Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri’s son, Ahmad, a moderate cleric, who posted the confidential audio of his father on his website but was ordered by the intelligence to remove it,” Rafizadeh writes.
Montazeri states in the tape, “You [Iranian officials] will be in the future etched in the annals of history as criminals. The greatest crime committed under the Islamic Republic, from the beginning of the Revolution until now, which will be condemned by history, is this crime [mass executions] committed by you.”
Rafizadeh adds: “Ironically, all those people to whom Montazri is addressing and warning in the audio, all of those who were involved in these crimes, appear to enjoy high positions currently. Mostafa Pourmohammadi was a representative of the intelligence ministry to the notorious Evin prison, and he was appointed by the so-called moderate president Hassan Rowhani to be justice minister. Ebrahim Raeisi was a public prosecutor and is appointed to be the head of Astan Quds Razavi, which has billions of dollars in revenues.”
One of Iran’s current officials is Rouhani’s justice minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi. Recently, after the release of a tape in which the Islamic Republic’s no. 2 official was heard condemning the crime, Pourmohammadi defended the commission of the massacre and said he is “proud“ to have carried out “God’s commandments” in killing the political opponents.
Hussein Ali Nayeri was a judge and is now the deputy of the Supreme Court of Iran. In his memoir, Montzari writes that he told Nayeri to stop the executions at least in the month of Moharram religious holidays, but Nayeri said according to BBC: “We have executed so far 750 people in Tehran... we get the job done with [executing] another 200 people and then we will listen to whatever you say.”
What is crucial to point out is that realistically speaking, these people are only few of those who were involved in such large scale crimes against humanity. They have been awarded more senior positions, power, and money.
Montazeri advised the ruling politicians that “Beware of 50 years from now, when people will pass judgment on the leader (Khomeini) and will say he was a bloodthirsty, brutal and murderous leader.” It’s worth noting that the revelation of this mass execution was pointing to only one summer of the 37-year history of the Islamic Republic. What else is hidden there that we are not aware of?
The writings, messages and audio from Iran’s ex-heir Supreme Leader highlight the systematic methods that the officials of the Islamic Republic use to oppress the opposition. Executions or brutal punishments against the opposition have become the cornerstone of Iran’s political establishment as Iran ranks top in the world when it comes to executions per capita.
The Islamic Republic’s 1988 massacre and Montazeri’s audio point to one of the worst crimes against humanity committed in modern history and it continues to occur. It points to the means that the government uses to control the population and silence the opposition. It points to the interconnectedness of the government and repression, and it points to the dominance of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), intelligence, Khamenei and their loyalists.
It is incumbent on human rights organizations, the United Nations, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to conduct rigorous investigations and bring those who have committed and continue to commit these crimes - and more likely who currently serve in high positions in Iran - to justice. Calls to bring these people to justice are increasing. No individual or institution that commits crimes against humanity should live comfortably without being held accountable.
Finally, it is incumbent on the Congress and everyone who wanted to be on the right side of justice to follow up with the following points mentioned in the recent Congressional resolution:
“1. condemn the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the 1988 massacre, and for denying the evidence of this manifest set of crimes against humanity;
2. urge the Administration and United States allies to publicly condemn the massacre, and pressure the Government of Iran to provide detailed information to the families of the victims about their loved ones and their final resting places; and
3. urge the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran and the United Nations Human Rights Council to create a Commission of Inquiry to fully investigate the massacre and to gather evidence and identify the names 15 and roles of specific perpetrators with a view towards bringing them to justice.”

Egypt’s flirtation with the Syrian regime
Abdulrahman al-Rashed/Al Arabiya/September 28/16
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry recently highlighted differences with Saudi Arabia over Syria. Not many were interested in this official stance conveyed by him. Some viewed it as a positive move toward the Syrian regime, but it did not stir any sensitivity in Gulf countries, as some may have expected it to. At a time when dozens of Russian and US fighter jets compete in Syrian airspace, and when thousands of soldiers and Iranian mercenaries are present on the ground, this stance adds nothing. Egypt has chosen to keep away from the Syrian crisis since it started five years ago, because it was busy with its own revolution and its domestic repercussions. Since it does not agree with its allies’ policy over Syria, it does not lead a political process, fund the opposition or support the regime. It allows the entry of some opposition figures, prevents the entry of some, and uses diplomatic, flexible rhetoric. Cairo has had three different regimes in the past five years. During this time, it has several times declared its neutrality, which has often been interpreted as bias toward Damascus. This happened during the military rule that was established after Egypt’s revolution erupted, during the Muslim Brotherhood’s reign, and during the current presidency of Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Cairo has had three different regimes in the past five years. During this time, it has several times declared its neutrality, which has often been interpreted as bias toward Damascus
Muslim Brotherhood
Perhaps the most dangerous stance was at the beginning of 2013, when then-President Mohammed Mursi received Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, the first Iranian president to visit Cairo following Iran’s revolution. Gulf countries ignored this move as they are well aware of the deep-rooted ties between the Brotherhood in Egypt and Gaza, and with the Iranians.
Mursi continued to resist Saudi and Qatari pressure, and abstained from taking a hostile stance against Damascus, Tehran’s ally, until June 2013, 18 days before protests demanding his ouster erupted. He took a stance against Damascus while attending a conference in solidarity with Syria that was organized by the Brotherhood in Cairo, but it was too late. It was an unprecedented stance because Syria’s Brotherhood are not with Egypt’s or Gaza’s due to divisions over Iran. Mohammed Farouk Tayfour, deputy leader of Syria’s Brotherhood, said he refused that his movement be associated with theirs: “We’re not obliged to adopt the Brothers’ approach in Egypt and Palestine. We’re in a violent conflict with the Iranians.”
Then and now
Egypt’s former President Hosni Mubarak was the only one who adopted a strict policy against Tehran and Damascus for some 30 years. However, now it seems Cairo prefers to decrease its regional role as it reiterates its wish to decrease regional war and chaos. This wish is romantic.
Libya’s civil war has greatly damaged Egypt’s security. Cairo could have considered Libya a relevant security issue and participated in imposing a military solution with the support of the central authority. This could have put an end to other interfering parties, and would have made Egypt a key player in the region and in terms of European security. However, we understand it desire to stay away from crises and focus on its domestic situation.
**This article was first published in Asharq al-Awsat on Sept. 28, 2016.

Effective identity as opposed to a destructive one
Turki Aldakhil/Al Arabiya/September 28/16
Identity questions impose themselves today as immigration, societal diversity and racial mixture are about to become universal phenomena. Conservative movements’ excuses are often related to fears that the country’s values, habits and language will be affected by the flow of immigrants and refugees. This loud voice has become popular after millions immigrated in the past months to Europe from Arab conflict zones. On Saturday, Moroccan King Mohammed VI protested this generalization of Islamic extremism on all refugees because it is wrong and unjust. Meanwhile, some immigrants think others threaten their values, religion and identity. This is where the controversy increases between the host and the guest, and between the immigrant and the native citizen.
Philosophy
German philosopher Jurgen Habermas - who is interested in issues related to refugees, identity, values and cultural legacies - says philosophy can “shatter our illusions and right our wrong understanding of our selves, and thus make us deeply aware about this world. “Unlike other fields which are deeply rooted in a universal cultural actual experience, philosophy can perform its role represented in analyzing our understanding of the world and selves on the basis of intellectual visions which look forward to universality. The current confusion between principles which require justification and the attractive values infuriates me a lot.” Dubai hosts more than 200 nationalities from across the world in the context of a flexible, vital identity through which everyone can live and coexist. Outdated ideas that result from having a narrow-minded identity and inherited legacies can be resolved through coexistence, tolerance, mingling with others, and sharing ideas and opinions. This is a cultural, moral and philosophical role. It is a must to separate identity, values and principles, as identity’s predominance of the self leads to isolation from others. There are people and groups who have maintained their original identity while becoming part of the diverse society they live in. In Germany, where right-wing voices have escalated, Habermas highlights intellectuals’ roles in discussing identity and ending confusion and isolation.
Coexistence
Dubai is a model of coexistence, as the cosmopolitan city hosts more than 200 nationalities from across the world in the context of a flexible, vital identity through which everyone can live and coexist. Habermas, author of “The Theory of Communicative Action,” which is his most important theory, says public dialogue is a condition of communication. He says cultures have different values that form one’s identity, and controversy regarding moral universality is related to the “issue of justice.” He adds: “These issues in general can be clarified through excuses only if both parties are willing to adopt each other’s opinions for the sake of ending conflicts for everyone’s interest.” Identity does not guard values, but diversity can be enriching if one decreases mixing values, identity, principles and inherited legacies. Any identity that cannot respond to another lays the basis for isolation, and social and intellectual death. An efficient identity communicates with and understands another, rather than listens to it but rejects it.
**This article was first published in Al-Bayan on Sept. 28, 2016.

Does anybody know what President Trump will do?
Chris Doyle/Al Arabiya/September 28/16
Time to stop whispering it and shout it. Donald Trump may well become President Trump. Only 40 days away and Hillary Clinton has not seen him off. Sone snapshot polls even showed Trump as having won the first Presidential debate. Yet across the world many still have a head-in-the sand approach just praying this will not happen. This is a time of insurgent politics. Anti-establishment figures (or those who pretend to be as in the case of Trump) are dashing to the top of the polls, and voters want real change. When Trump wants borders control, he is not out of touch. Walls are going up across southern and eastern Europe. In Britain the mantra of taking back control of the nation’s borders, however flawed, was a winning formula. A world without borders does not sell. Time to ask what Donald Trump’s policies will be not as an exercise in exposing his shallowness and self-interest to win a debate but as an exercise in preparing the international community for this outcome. Most people still react with a startled rabbits-in-headlights look at the mere idea that Trump could move into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.More so than any other candidate in living memory, nobody really knows what President Trump will do. Analysts can pour over his every word or more often tweet if they like but rest assured that Trump has plenty of reverse gears and successfully blames everyone and everything but himself, even the microphone. Certain diplomats in Europe have gulped but argue they will manage somehow. They are not convincing. Remember most European leaders rightly raised very strong objections to Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the US. Trump has launched full blown attacks on Angela Merkel of Germany.On one core area it is reasonably clear what his approach will be if not his policy. From the outset he has opposed free trade deals. This goes against the traditional Republican free trade approach but states and blocs better wake up. To what extent will it matter for the Middle East who wins? In some areas probably not. Israeli leaders will be comfortable with either candidate on the Palestinian front. Trump may have the gall to actually defy international law and move the US embassy to Jerusalem. The ban on Muslims entering the United States simply is not constitutional so Trump, a man who can blame a microphone for losing a debate, will just blame the system for not allowing him to do what he wants
The Iran deal
Would he rip up the Iran deal? Candidate Trump would shred it but President Trump might pause for thought. He has already shown a brazen capacity for breaking pledges like releasing his tax returns-so he would not have to stick to his guns on this. Many scoffed and were appalled that another candidate Gary Johnson has not heard of Aleppo. Few said it but one wonders if Donald Trump had either. Syria, let alone Aleppo, did not get a mention in the Presidential debate. Many Syrian opposition figures fear that if Trump does pursue a closer relationship with Putin, Russia and the Syrian regime will prevail. Clinton of course backed a No-Fly-Zone over Syria. Trump may talk tough on ISIS but will he commit ground troops? Doubtful. Trump enjoys making a statement ramping up the bombing to look tough might be his preference. Here again leaving it to the Russians might be his choice too. “If Putin wants to go and knock the hell out of ISIS, I am all for it 100 percent, and I can’t understand how anybody would be against it.” Do not expect any complaints from a Trump White House if the most brutal of tactics and torture are used by other states. Trump will not push for democracy and reform in the region, a point he made clear when lavishing praise on President Sisi of Egypt. In fairness Trump might just end the lip service to the notion employed by American Presidents. What might worry many of America’s allies in the Middle East most is a routine Trump position (as opposed to fly-by positons) that America’s allies have to pay their way if they want US help. On this basis Trump wants Japan and South Korea to get their own nuclear weapons. I am not sure anyone has asked him but would Donald Trump have sent in an American armada to liberate Kuwait. In short, he might but if Gulf states for example want American protection from Iran, he will try to make them pay for the service. But an American President is not all powerful. Trump remains an unknown not least in foreign affairs. He will be trapped in the Washington establishment he claims to loathe with a Congress that will not just give him free rein to decimate core American policy positions and alliances built over decades. The ban on Muslims entering the United States simply is not constitutional so Trump, a man who can blame a microphone for losing a debate, will just blame the system for not allowing him to do what he wants. Above all a President with a make-it-up-as-you-go-along strategy can hardly succeed. He may still encounter reluctance of serious experts to join him in his administration and serve under him. Astute American allies may try to act as wise counsellor to a President Trump but perhaps the biggest question is whether anyone can pierce that iron-clad ego to get him to listen. It is time to start contemplating this possibility.

Interviewing Assad: What is the point?
Diana Moukalled/Al Arabiya/September 28/16
In a recent interview with AP, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was asked about accusations of violations of human rights and the use of barrel bombs. He replied: “When they talk about barrel bombs, what are barrel bombs? It’s just a title they use in order to show something which is very evil that could kill people indiscriminately.” A few hours after the interview, Aleppo experienced an unprecedented attack using barrel bombs and missiles. It was one of the city’s most difficult and bloody nights. It has been several years, and the answers have not changed. “We didn’t shell aid convoys. We didn’t kill anyone. It’s the armed gangs. It’s an international conspiracy.”Interviewers and the public have received so many empty answers that everyone recognizes that interviewing Assad, in the journalistic sense, will provide nothing new. Despite this, agencies and journalists still seek these interviews. It is no longer possible to overlook the increased interest of Western media outlets in interviewing Assad, who does not hesitate to accept being interviewed, and is rather passionate about appearing before the world. Interviews risk becoming a promotional tool, rather than holding someone accountable or exposing wrongdoing, as the case should be. He is not embarrassed by any question asked, as long as he can tamper with answers and reach a wide audience inside and outside Syria. More importantly, there are no consequences to any of his statements, no matter how strange, untrue or rude they are. We can even say Assad knows deep inside that even if he admits his responsibility for all this murder and death, the world will not do anything about it, and everyone will continue seeking to interview him, and perhaps even thank him for his hospitality by the end of the interview.
Morality
It is time that major Western media outlets ask themselves a professional and moral question: What is the point of interviewing a tyrant murderer if it is not to reach some sort of conclusion? Journalistic work allows for interviewing evil people and wrongdoers, but this has sensitive standards that take into consideration morals as well as the profession. Interviews risk becoming a promotional tool, rather than holding someone accountable or exposing wrongdoing, as the case should be. Do these Western journalists who interview Assad not ask themselves why they go to Syria to try to decode his absurd answers? During a TV interview last week, Bouthaina Shaaban, Assad’s political and media advisor, also gave absurd answers as she spoke of conspiracies and terrorism, and used the same empty terms Assad repeats. She adopted a scolding approach, and rudely responded to the interviewer, treating her as if she represented Western colonialism, and as if Syria is the only country that opposes it. It is with this simplicity and tampering with words by regime officials that the deadly shelling of Aleppo, demographic threats and international polarization become meaningless facts. In such cases, the excuse of “the opinion and the other opinion” no longer justifies these interviews. This excuse has become very offensive. Assad, it seems, has managed to normalize relations with the world - one of the essential tools in achieving this is such interviews.
**This article was first published in Asharq al-Awsat on Sept. 19, 2016.

Much ado about the UNGA
Zaid M. Belbagi/Al Arabiya/September 28/16
New York was jammed; the average driving speed around midtown Manhattan is 6.9 miles per hour. As world leaders from 193 member states gathered for the 71st United Nations General Assembly the question on many minds was what is this all in aid of? In San Francisco in June 1945 the UN Charter was signed, its first statement being: “we the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind.” Regretfully, over 70 decades later, conflict remains an ever-present threat to global peace and security. In the current climate, the single most haunting example of the international community’s failure to ensure global peace is the protracted war in Syria. Syria’s civil war is the worst humanitarian crisis of modern times. Over half of the country’s pre-war population have been killed or forced to flee their homes. Neighboring countries are at capacity, as those left behind in Syria struggle to stay alive. In addition, 2016 has seen unprecedented numbers of refugees leaving the region risking bitter winters and hot summers to cross illegally into Europe. The effect of what was a domestic conflict between a belligerent President and his long-suffering people, has transformed into an international crisis of the most urgent kind. The Syrian case is a potent example of how the United Nations General Assembly and the international community have broadly failed to avert suffering The war in Syria is of course not the only crisis of our time, as of last year there are as many as 60 million refugees worldwide, accounting for the largest level of human suffering since the Second World War. However, the Syrian case is a potent example of how the UNGA and the international community broadly have failed to avert suffering. President Obama mentioned in his final address at UNGA that humanity “had never been more prosperous”, however it is thus glaringly obvious that such wealth should and can be used to avert humanitarian suffering. The richest 20 percent of humanity control over 80 percent of global income, this continuing trend should be a worrying one for an organization that was established to avert human suffering.
Unsolved challenges
It was a year ago around UNGA that Russia began its air campaign in Syria. The gathering of nations this September, amidst no sign of Russian involvement waning, is a stark illustration of how the major challenges of our time have been left unsolved. Furthermore, the Russian and US wrangling over Syria has highlighted how the UNGA is and remains very much at the ransom of the Security Council. As President Obama mentioned, this has led to a state of affairs somewhat similar to the imperial power plays of previous instances in international history. Though commitments have and will be made during UNGA, instability and global insecurity highlight serious issues with regard to its efficacy and durability. Annan’s warning of 2005 that UNGA focused too heavily on consensus resulting in resolutions that reflect “the lowest common denominator of widely different opinions,” remains very much the case. There is no doubt that UNGA must be reformed so as to become better equipped to face global challenges. These could include assessing long-standing arguments with regards to its composition and powers, as well as focusing more closely on how to better implement resolutions. Amidst global chaos, this year the sense of paralysis was all too clear. Reform must take place to ensure that the UNGA is “the chief deliberative policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations.”