Morning News Roundup

Foreign journalists taken hostage in Gaza to be released Saturday, it seems

Published: 08.26.06, 16:04

Palestinian sources estimated that Saturday the affair of the two kidnapped journalists from Fox News in Gaza will come to an end. Saturday, the deadline of the 72-hour ultimatum put forth by kidnappers to the American government passes. According to the ultimatum, the American government had to release Muslim prisoners in American jails.

Despite the expiration of the ultimatum, the Palestinian Defense and Interior Ministry estimated that "the issue is being dealt with in a positive manner, such that the affair is likely to end Saturday." (Ali Waked)


Defying U.N., Iran opens nuclear reactor

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 25 minutes ago

An Iranian plant that produces heavy water officially went into operation on Saturday, despite U.N. demands that Tehran stop the activity because it can be used to develop a nuclear bomb.


Palestinian journalists call for show of solidarity with kidnapped reporters

Published: 08.26.06, 16:27

President of the Palestinian Journalists Association, Naim Tubasi, called in a press conference in Ramallah on all the media to halt their activity for one hour Sunday morning, in a show of solidarity with the two Fox News kidnapped reporters.

Tubasi said that the journalists' abduction was a crime and a stab in the back of the Palestinian nation. (AFP)


Pressure mounts on Sudan to accept UN Darfur mission

Published: 08.26.06, 17:00

As pressure mounts on Sudan to accept UN troops in its violent Darfur region, the Khartoum government is closing ranks in defiance, raising fears of a deadlock that could hasten Darfur's descent into chaos. The top US diplomat on Africa, Jendayi Frazer, is to arrive in
Khartoum on Saturday carrying a strong message from
President George W. Bush that President Omar Hassan al-Bashir should drop his opposition to a UN takeover of a struggling African Union mission in Sudan's west.

During a two-day visit, Frazer hopes to meet Sudanese officials ahead of a Security Council meeting on Monday to discuss a British draft resolution to deploy around 20,000 UN police and soldiers to Darfur. (AP)


Germany demands authority to search Lebanese ships
JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST Aug. 26, 2006

Germany said on Saturday that the ships that it was expected to send to monitor the Lebanese coast must be given the authority to stop suspicious ships and conduct searches on board in order to prevent the smuggling of arms.

The deputy chancellor said he was certain the German government and parliament would approve the sending of the patrol ships, Israel Radio reported.



Hizbullah surprised at Israeli offensive
JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST Aug. 26, 2006

Deputy Chief of Hizbullah, Naeem Kasam said Saturday that the organization was surprised at the extent of Israel's response to the kidnapping of IDF soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser.

"We were surprised by the size and strength of the Israeli reaction. We expected that the IDF would bomb areas close to the border for several days and only cause minimal damage," Kasam said in an interview with Lebanese newspaper A-Nahar.

According to the deputy, Hizbullah had information that the US and Israel were planning to launch an attack against the organization in September or October, but due to American and Israeli public pressure following the kidnapping of the two soldiers, the attacks were carried out earlier, prior to Israel being fully prepared for a full-scale attack.

Furthermore, Kasam noted that Hizbullah would not disarm because Israel continued to occupy the Shabba Farms, still held Lebanese prisoners and IAF planes flew in Lebanese airspace on a day-to-day basis.



Israel seeks troops from Muslim nations

By SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press Writer2 hours, 15 minutes ago

Israel said Saturday it was encouraging some Muslim countries to send peacekeepers to southern Lebanon, a contribution that would lend credibility to the heavily European force.


Egypt arrests top Muslim Brotherhood members

Fri Aug 25, 3:15 PM ET

The secretary general of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Mahmoud Ezzat, and 15 members of the opposition group were arrested north of Cairo, the organization's deputy chief told AFP.

Mohammed Habib said that among those held was Lashin Abu Shanab, a member of the Brotherhood's political leadership, as well as officials from various provinces.



Iraqi officials: Sunni lawmaker freed

(AP)


Kidnapped Sunni lawmaker Tayseer al-Mashhadani was released Saturday after being held for nearly two months, an adviser to the prime minister and a senior official from her party said.


Iraqi PM looks to tribes for unity

By Mussab Al-Khairalla (Reuters)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki urged hundreds of tribal leaders gathered in Baghdad on Saturday to unite to end the bitter sectarian bloodshed between Sunnis and Shi'ites that has raised fears of civil war.

"Iraq needs all of its sons during this stage. There is no difference between Sunnis and Shi'ites," he told the meeting, the first in a series to promote dialogue between the warring sects as part of his national reconciliation programme.



Islamic militia expands in Somalia

By ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY, Associated Press WriterFri Aug 25, 1:55 PM ET

An Islamic militia that controls most of southern Somalia is now expanding into the center of this Horn of Africa country, imposing order after years of anarchy but also sparking worries of an emerging Taliban-style regime.



U.S. says Darfur is getting worse

By Sue PlemingFri Aug 25, 10:43 PM ET Reuters

The United States, which is trying to get Khartoum to accept a U.N. force in Darfur, said on Friday Sudan was preparing a new offensive in its devastated western province and that rebels there were rearming.

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, who spoke before leaving for a visit to Sudan, said the situation was getting much worse in Darfur and a U.N. force was needed urgently to stop what Washington has called genocide.


Abbas' party OKs Hamas unity government

By SHAFIKA MATTAR, Associated Press WriterFri Aug 25, 9:11 PM ET

Top leaders of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party gave their leader the go-ahead Friday to begin forming a unity government with the militant Hamas in an effort to end internal feuding and international isolation, a party member said.



Saudi favors 'moderate' oil prices: king

Sat Aug 26, 5:47 AM ET AFP

Oil powerhouse Saudi Arabia favors "moderate" crude prices despite reaping a windfall from record highs on world markets, King Abdullah said in remarks.

"The kingdom's petroleum policy is moderation in prices. Despite the benefits that the increase in prices brings us, we advocate moderation in oil prices," he told the Saudi-owned pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat Saturday.


Two bombs injure four in Turkish city: agency

Sat Aug 26, 3:16 AM ET Reuters

Two bombs exploded in the southern Turkish city of Adana late on Friday, injuring four people, state news agency Anatolian reported.



China, SKorea to work to prevent NKorea nuclear test

Sat Aug 26, 1:18 AM ET AFP

South Korea and China have agreed to work together to try to dissuade North Korea from carrying out a nuclear weapons test, a top presidential advisor has announced.

Morning News Roundup

Japan: Activity identified in nuclear test site in North Korea
Published: 08.24.06, 16:10

Japan confirms vehicle activity around North Korean nuclear testing site, Kyodo News agency reports. (AP)


Second suspect in attempted German train bombings arrested in Lebanon

Published: 08.24.06, 13:03

The second main suspect in a failed plot to bomb two German trains last month turned himself in to authorities in his native Lebanon on Thursday, German federal prosecutors said.

Jihad Hamad, 19, was arrested Thursday morning after turning himself in to police in the city of Tripoli, prosecutors said in a statement. The other main suspect, a 21-year-old Lebanese student identified as Youssef Mohamad el Hajdib, was arrested in Germany last weekend. (AP)


Annan expected to visit Syria and Iran
Wed. 23 Aug 2006

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan plans to go to Lebanon and Israel shortly and probably Syria and Iran as well to help enforce the cease-fire in Lebanon, the United Nations announced on Wednesday.


Merkel says Iran's nuclear response unsatisfactory
Associated Press, Aug. 24, 2006

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that Iran's response to a package aimed at blunting concerns over its nuclear program appears unsatisfactory and is missing a "decisive sentence" on whether it would halt uranium enrichment.

"We are still examining it, but from everything that I hear we cannot be satisfied," Merkel said in an interview with N24 television.

The UN Security Council has set an Aug. 31 deadline for Iran to halt uranium enrichment or face the risk of economic and political sanctions.



Intelligence Committee report slams spy agencies for underestimating Tehran

Ynet and Reuters
Published: 08.24.06, 14:18

A report published in Washington Wednesday warned that the United States underestimated the Iranian threat as a result of "significant gaps" in intelligence information collected by American spy agencies.


Italy: France expected to increase soldiers dispatched to Lebanon

Published: 08.24.06, 16:12

An Italian minister says he expects Chirac to announce substantial increase in French force for Lebanon. (Reuters)


Iran nuclear issue may head next to U.N.

By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer1 hour, 56 minutes ago

The United States is working with European allies and other governments over a possible U.N. response to what the Bush administration characterizes as Iran's inadequate answer to demands that it cease uranium enrichment.




Islamic website offers tips on killing foreigners in Saudi Arabia, tells potential attackers murdering foreigners easier than they think

Published: 08.24.06, 12:51

The Islamic al-Khasba website has published on August 4 a document titled "How to Kill a Crusader on the Arabian Peninsula," The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) reported. The document details several possible ways to kill western victims and provides tips on selecting them, following them, and finally murdering them. Ynet


Italian FM: We are not involved in contacts for releasing kidnapped

Published: 08.24.06, 16:59

Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema said that Italy "is not involved in contacts for the release of the two Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hizbullah."

In a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni at the end of their meeting in Rome, D'Alema said that Italy would not act on the issue without Israel's request. (Ynet)


IDF intelligence chief: Arrogant Syria will try to reclaim Golan

Published: 08.24.06, 15:50

The head of the Israel Defense Forces Military Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that after the war with Hizbullah, Syria will try to reclaim the Golan Heights through either diplomatic or military means.

Yadlin added that Hizbullah is trying to improve its image among the population in southern Lebanon by offering Iranian-funneled financial compensation for damaged property. (Attila Somfalvi)



Israel may 'go it alone' against Iran
Herb Keinon, THE JERUSALEM POST Aug. 24, 2006

Israel is carefully watching the world's reaction to Iran's continued refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, with some high-level officials arguing it is now clear that when it comes to stopping Iran, Israel "may have to go it alone," The Jerusalem Post has learned.



Bush praises Italy offer to lead Lebanon force

Published: 08.24.06, 16:43

US President George W. Bush has told Italy's Prime Minister Romano Prodi of his "positive" view of Italy's offer to lead a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, Prodi said in a statement on Thursday.

In a phone call with Prodi, Bush "talked of his contacts with the UN secretary general in which the availability and Italian leadership were commented on very positively," the statement said. (Reuters)


Livni: Israel must focus on a Palestinian solution
THE JERUSALEM POST Aug. 24, 2006

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni said Thursday that Israel must focus its political efforts on a solution to the Palestinian/ Israeli conflict and not on Syrian efforts.



New Zealand: We Won’t Negotiate With Terrorists
14:55 Aug 24, '06 / 30 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) An envoy of New Zealand announced his government has refused to negotiate for the release of 36 year old Olaf Wiig, a New Zealand national. Wiig, a cameraman for the Fox News TV network was kidnapped in Gaza along with 60 year old Steve Centanni, an American Fox News reporter on August 14th.



Hizbullah: Blair must stay far away from Lebanon
THE JERUSALEM POST Aug. 24, 2006

Hizbullah warned British Prime Minister Tony Blair that he should steer clear of Lebanon, a Hizbullah official said in an interview with the London Times on Thursday.

The official said that the PM should stay way from Lebanon as his hands were covered with the blood of Lebanese women and children.



Syria Threatens to Close Border With Lebanon if Int'l Troops Deployed
07:11 Aug 24, '06 / 30 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Syrian president, Bashar Assad announced that he would close Syria’s border with Lebanon if international troops are deployed there in accordance with the UN-backed cease-fire between Lebanon and Israel.

Assad warned that he would consider such deployment a hostile move towards his country.



India considers withdrawing Lebanon peacekeepers
Associated Press Aug. 24, 2006

India is considering withdrawing its existing peacekeepers from southern Lebanon, even as the international community struggles to find troops to bolster forces there, officials said.

"We are considering withdrawing our troops from Lebanon," Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee said late Wednesday.

Mukherjee, however, said the 775 Indian soldiers would not leave before UN reinforcements arrive.



US, Japan vow further missile defense cooperation
THE JERUSALEM POST Aug. 24, 2006

Japan and the United States will work closely to develop a joint missile defense shield against the threat posed by North Korea, the top US commander in the Pacific said Wednesday.

Adm. William Fallon of the Hawaii-based US Pacific Command also said during a meeting in Tokyo with Japan's foreign minister that the allies should continue bolstering defense cooperation, according to ministry official Hiroyuki Mase.

Fallon was responding to Foreign Minister Taro Aso's request that the two countries cooperate further in response to North Korea's missile tests last month, Mase said.



Sudan asks UNSC for time to bring peace to Darfur
Associated Press Aug. 24, 2006

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir asked the UN Security Council to give his government time to bring peace to Darfur and delay action on the transfer of peacekeeping in the conflict-wracked region from the African Union to a UN force, according to a letter circulated Wednesday.

Whodunit?

Today, I was noticing on the Haaretz news ticker the following item:

21:28 Islamic Jihad leader in Jenin, Husam Jaradat, critically wounded by IDF fire (Haaretz)

With all the bad news coming out of that area, I didn't think much about it, but a little later, this following piece comes up:

21:53 Fearing his arrest by IDF, Jihad militants snatch Husam Jaradat from hospital (Haaretz)

Arutz Sheva tell us:

(IsraelNN.com) Palestinian eyewitnesses have reported that Islamic Jihad leader Hussam Jeradat was mortally wounded by IDF fire in Jenin earlier today. An IDF spokesman stated that the army was aware of shooting in the city, but the circumstances of the incident have not yet been investigated.

Later on, Jaradat was removed from hospital by Islamic Jihad activists, because they were concerned that the IDF would find him. Jaradat’s condition is not yet clear.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=110672

Images of commandos making a raid in a hospital flashed through my head. But then it gets interesting:

00:19 Islamic Jihad says not sure IDF behind shooting on Jaradat in Jenin (AP)

Not an IDF raid? A squabble between factions masquerading as an IDF hit? Islamic Jihad sources told Ynet that they are looking into the possibility that the assassination attempt was part of an internal rift after last Tuesday Jaradat and his men clashed with a Palestinian commander who tried to confiscate a stolen car in their possession.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3295044,00.html


A stolen car, high tensions, and a man who has been dodging assassination attempts for weeks now, snatched out of a hospital bed where he may be dieing...the stuff of movies. It is not known if he is still alive or dead. More to follow, I am sure. I hope his fellows didn't kill him in trying to save him.

Morning News Roundup

Israelis: Lebanon situation 'explosive'

AP

Israel's foreign minister on Wednesday called the situation in Lebanon "explosive" and urged the international community to work quickly to deploy peacekeeping troops there.


U.S. presence causing instability in the region - Iran military chief

Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Aug. 23 – The Supreme Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps accused the United States of destabilising the Middle East region.

“The current era is one of distrust. Our region is going through a period of instability and increased feelings of insecurity on a regional and international scale, and this is due to the presence of the occupiers in Afghanistan and Iraq”, Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi was quoted as saying by the government-run news agency ILNA on Tuesday.

He described the circumstances of the region as “sensitive, complicated, and fate-determining”.


EU struggles to hammer out troop contributions for Lebanon force

AFP

EU members were to try to shed light on who is to play what role in an enlarged UN force in southern Lebanon, ahead of a special meeting of foreign ministers and the United Nations.



Former president of Iran invited to speak in D.C.
Tue. 22 Aug 2006

Washington Post

Despite a looming diplomatic showdown with Iran over its nuclear program, the Bush administration has agreed to issue a visa to former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami to give a public address at the Washington National Cathedral next month, according to the Rev. Canon John L. Peterson, director of the Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation.



Lebanon wants US to help lift Israel blockade

Reuters

Lebanon urged the United States on Wednesday to make Israel remove a sea and air blockade it imposed at the start of its 34-day war with Hizbollah fighters.

Prime Minister Fouad Siniora also called on Washington to boost its financial aid to help Lebanon recover from war-related economic damage running into billions of dollars.


Analysis: New Middle East realities
Wed. 23 Aug 2006

United Press International


Aug. 23 (UPI) -- There may well be a new Middle East taking shape in the horizon, but it looks nothing like the one envisioned by President Bush. Instead of democracy being the order of the day, there is a real threat of Islamist theocracies, led by Iran, imposing their rule.


Belgian foreign minister: Belgium weighing to send large force to Middle East

Published: 08.23.06, 12:58

Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht said during his meeting with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Paris that "Belgium is weighing sending a force to the multinational force that will be stationed in Lebanon." (Ronny Sofer)


Bomb narrowly misses Iraqi minister

By QAIS AL-BASHIR, Associated Press Writer 29 minutes ago

A roadside bomb exploded Wednesday in Baghdad and narrowly missed the interior minister's convoy, killing two civilians and wounding several traffic policemen, officials said.



Amir Peretz Convenes Faction Meeting on Coalition Crisis
11:06 Aug 23, '06 / 29 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Labor party chairman Amir Peretz and faction leader Efraim Sneh have decided to convene a meeting of the faction to discuss the current coalition crisis surrounding party members’ opposition to voting in favor of widespread budget cuts.

A senior party source stated that the meeting is expected to be turbulent due to opposition to Peretz among faction members.


PM appoints Sheetrit justice minister
gil hoffman and jpost staff, THE JERUSALEM POST Aug. 23, 2006

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appointed Housing and Construction Minister Meir Sheetrit as interim justice minister on Wednesday morning.

Sheetrit will replace Haim Ramon for a three-month period while Ramon fights charges of sexual harassment. Olmert has said he hoped Ramon would be exonerated by then.



Fox kidnappers set 72-hour deadline
associated press, THE JERUSALEM POST Aug. 23, 2006

A previously unheard-of Palestinian group released video footage on Wednesday showing two kidnapped Fox News journalists, and demanded that Muslim prisoners in US jails be released within 72 hours in exchange for the men, the Palestinian news agency Ramattan reported.



New Rules of Engagement for UNIFIL
Wednesday, August 23, 2006 / 29 Av 5766



(IsraelNN.com) New rules of engagement for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have been published in a document containing 21 pages of guidelines and restrictions for the troops operating in southern Lebanon. The document specifies that the use of force is allowed in order to protect civilians, to resist armed attempts to interfere with carrying out the UNIFIL mandates and for the purpose of self-defense. It does not permit the international peacekeeping force to disarm Hizbullah, even in the security buffer zone along the border with Israel. European countries have been reluctant to fulfill earlier pledges to send thousands of troops to expand the current UNIFIL contingent from 2,000 soldiers up to a new force of 15,000 by October. The foot-dragging was attributed by international leaders to the lack of clarity regarding the UNIFIL rules of engagement.


Report: US indirectly strengthened Iran

Report by team of UK researchers claims that bringing down Iraq, Afghanistan regimes created political vacuum filled by Iran. Researchers add that Israeli-Palestinian conflict contributes to instability in region




Turkish Officials Negotiating with Meshaal for Shalit Release
Wednesday, August 23, 2006 / 29 Av 5766



(IsraelNN.com) Iranian news agency Irna has reported that negotiations by Turkish officials with Damascus-based Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal over the release of an IDF hostage are reaching the final stages.

An advisor to Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met Tuesday with Meshaal to discuss the release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit. The captive soldier kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in a raid on an IDF army base at the Kerem Shalom border crossing with Gaza and Egypt on June 25th



Dutch F-16s escort US plane to Amsterdam airport
Associated Press, THE JERUSALEM POST Aug. 23, 2006

Dutch F-16s escorted a Northwest Airlines flight bound for India back to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport Wednesday, and authorities detained several passengers for questioning, an airport spokeswoman said. The pilot requested permission to return as the aircraft was flying over Germany shortly after leaving Amsterdam, and asked for a military escort, spokeswoman Pamela Kuypers said. Customs police were investigating the security alert, and airport authorities had no further information on what caused the alarm, she said. The Dutch National Terrorism Coordinator's Office was informed, but said there was no cause to raise the nation's terror threat level, said spokeswoman Judith Sluiter.



France says Iran must suspend uranium enrichment
Associated Press, THE JERUSALEM POST Aug. 23, 2006

France's foreign minister said Wednesday that Iran must suspend uranium enrichment if it wants to return to the negotiating table and try to end the international dispute over its contested nuclear program.

At a news conference, Philippe Douste-Blazy declined to make any specific comments about Iran's counterproposal to a Western nuclear incentives package, saying the document was extremely complicated and merited further study. "I want to point out again that France is available to negotiate, and to recall that, as we have always said ... a return to the negotiating table is linked to the suspension of uranium enrichment," he said.




Denmark willing to send 3 navy vessels to Lebanon
associated press, THE JERUSALEM POST Aug. 23, 2006

Denmark has offered to send three navy ships to help patrol Lebanon's coastline but is not prepared to contribute troops to the UN peacekeeping force, the defense minister said Wednesday.

"I have no ambitions to send troops to Lebanon because we simply do not have them," Soeren Gade said. Presently, Denmark has a maximum of 1,200 soldiers assigned to international operations, including Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.



Report: New group responsible for Fox kidnappings

A previously unheard-of Palestinian group, the Holy Jihad Brigades, claimed responsibility on Wednesday for kidnapping a Fox News cameraman and correspondent, Al-Jazeera satellite TV reported.

American correspondent Steve Centanni, 60, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand were kidnapped August 14 from their TV van near the Palestinian security services headquarters in Gaza City.

Although Palestinian terrorist groups have often seized foreigners, including members of the media, this is the longest any have been held.


Minister to PM: Form national emergency government

Published: 08.23.06, 11:50

Minister Jacob Edery (Kadima), who is in charge of the coordination between the government and the Knesset, called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to form a national emergency government.

In a letter to the PM, Edery wrote: "Rebuilding and strengthening the IDF, tending to the social gaps and a forming a united front in face of the Iranian threat – these goals require an emergency government that includes all the Zionist parties." (Ronny Sofer)

Something to mark for further watching:

Possible judicial conflict of interest on the NSA wiretap ruling.

From Judicial Watch:

(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption and judicial abuse, announced today that Judge Anna Diggs Taylor, who last week ruled the government’s warrantless wiretapping program unconstitutional, serves as a Secretary and Trustee for a foundation that donated funds to the ACLU of Michigan, a plaintiff in the case (ACLU et. al v. National Security Agency). Judicial Watch discovered the potential conflict of interest after reviewing Judge Diggs Taylor’s financial disclosure statements.

According to her 2003 and 2004 financial disclosure statements, Judge Diggs Taylor served as Secretary and Trustee for the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan (CFSEM). She was reelected to this position in June 2005. The official CFSEM website states that the foundation made a “recent grant” of $45,000 over two years to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan, a plaintiff in the wiretapping case. Judge Diggs Taylor sided with the ACLU of Michigan in her recent decision.

No matter the validity or not of her ruling, this is going to make that ruling look questionable, and is a clear case where the judge should have stepped aside. Didn't she realize people would dig this up and throw mud on the whole issue? Or has the politics of this bypassed honest justice and jurisprudential good sense?

In Iran, the 22nd has come and gone...

Yes, all paranoia aside, the 22nd has come and gone in Iran and Lewis, Spencer, Debka, and all the others who KNEW something dastardly was going to happen in a sneak attack tied in to the Islamic holy day (one which is not the main one even celebrated by Shiites on this day) thankfully have not had their scenarios come to pass.

This in a way, reminds me of the furor about the Bermuda Triangle that swept the country when I was younger. People gathered information, statistics, build story after story on earlier stories, often highlighting and spinning them so they seemed more true and believable. But it all was based on one poorly researched article in Argosy magazine, and everything was piled up on that.

In this case, I believe the root might have been Bernard Lewis' speculation, followed by a few articles that took his speculation and ran with it. These in turn, captured the imagination of the blogosphere and others, and spread like wildfire among those who track this sort of thing.

This is another case of how one can make what looks like a probable case seem solid if it fits your expectations and preconceptions.

I will not downplay the fact that Iran is a major player in the events taking place in the middle east, but some people see the Iranian president as the boogie man, and paint him like some Persian Dr. Moriarity instead of looking at facts and figures, and their own very human desire to fit everything into neat catagories and expectations. The reality is, as usual, more complicated and less gothic than our hearts would like to make it.

And that in itself says something interesting about us all.

Morning News Roundup

UK may cut Iraq force in half by mid-2007
published: 08.22.06, 14:23

Britain may cut its force in Iraq in half by the middle of next year after handing over security responsibility for the south to Iraqis within nine months, a senior British commander said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters on condition he not be identified, the commander said Britain would leave "Quite a significantly smaller force than we've got now, but probably in the region of 3,000 to 4,000 people based in a single location." (Reuters)

Iran 'fires on Romanian oil rig'
Published: 08.22.06, 14:44


A Romanian oil rig off the coast of Iran came under fire from an Iranian warship and was later occupied by Iranian troops, a company spokesman said. The Iranians first fired into the air and then fired at the Orizont rig, said GSP spokesman Radu Petrescu. Half an hour later, troops from the ship boarded and occupied the rig and the company lost contact with the 26 crew members shortly afterward. (AP)

Iran hands over reply to nuclear incentives offer
Published: 08.22.06, 16:26


Iran on Tuesday handed over its reply to an incentives package by world powers aimed at allaying Western fears that Tehran seeks to build atomic bombs, Iran's state-run Arabic-language Al-Alam television reported. Ali Larijani, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, gave the response to foreign envoys representing the six co-sponsors of the package in Tehran. (Reuters)

2 Kidnapped Soldiers Alive but 'Not in Good Condition'
21:31 Aug 21, '06 / 27 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) The two IDF soldiers kidnapped by Hizbullah terrorists July 12 are alive but not in "great" condition, an Italian senator told Reuters News Agency Monday. The senator, Sergio de Gregario, also stated that Iran wants to negotiate the release of the two soldiers, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. He said Iran preferred that negotiations on releasing the hostages take place with Italy's intelligence agency. Iran and Italy are trade partners.
Hizbullah released a kidnapped Israeli businessman and the bodies of three soldiers two years in exchange for more than 420 Arab prisoners.

Britain Charges 8 Muslims In Airplane Bombing Plot
05:00 Aug 22, '06 / 28 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Britain has officially charged eight British Muslims of Pakistani origin with plotting to blow up several airplanes headed toward the United States. Police revealed they confiscated bomb-making equipment, suicide notes and videos aimed at publicizing their being martyrs. Three others were charged with other terror-related offenses. The terror cell planned to bring liquid explosives on board and then prepare them for mid-air explosion. One of those charged was a 17-year-old man who possessed a book on home-made bombs, suicide notes, wills "with the identities of persons prepared to commit acts of terrorism" and a map of Afghanistan.

Son of Number Two Hizbullah Leader Killed in Battle
08:25 Aug 22, '06 / 28 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Naim Kassam, deputy to Hizbullah terrorist leader Hassan Nasrallah, told the Arab Al Jazeera television station that his son was killed in clashes with the IDF in Lebanon. Israel estimates that it killed more than 500 Hizbullah terrorist guerillas. Nasrallah's son also fought against Israel but was not wounded. In previous clashes, another one of his sons was killed.

Italian Troops Won´t Go to Lebanon If Shooting Continues
16:23 Aug 22, '06 / 28 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) The Italian foreign minister stated that his country expects Israel to honor the cease-fire and not continue any firing. Minister D’Alema added that Hizbullah has to be disarmed. “We can’t send our forces if Israeli soldiers continue to put their fingers on the triggers."

Bomb scare forces Sydney-bound plane back to China
By ASSOCIATED PRESS

A Chinese plane bound for Australia was forced to make an emergency landing in southern China after a note was found on board warning of a bomb, an airline official said Tuesday. Authorities in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou found no trace of a bomb and later allowed the plane to resume its overnight flight to Sydney, airline officials said. Some 20 minutes after the China Southern Airlines flight departed Wednesday evening from Guangzhou, a note was found in a lavatory warning that a bomb would explode, airline spokesman Jeff Ruffolo said. The pilot turned the plane around and authorities in Guangzhou searched the Airbus A330 for two hours, but found nothing.


UNIFIL to be cleared to shoot in self-defense
Associated Press Aug. 22, 2006

UN peacekeepers in Lebanon will likely have the right to open fire to defend themselves and to protect civilians, but will be barred from actively searching for Hizbullah weapons, a French report said Tuesday. Le Monde newspaper said it had obtained a copy of a 21-page document laying out the provisional rules of engagement for the force, newly strengthened under a UN Security Council resolution. The document, not yet approved, was stamped "UN Restricted," the newspaper said. The Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to calls seeking confirmation. While the United Nations is trying to secure more troops to boost the force from 2,000 troops to up to 15,000, many European countries have been unwilling to commit peacekeepers without establishing more explicit rules of engagement. EU officials in Brussels were to meet Wednesday

Hezbollah official discusses blockade

By ZEINA KARAM, Associated Press Writer

A Hezbollah Cabinet minister on Tuesday said the government may try to break the Israeli naval and air blockade of Lebanon by calling on ships and aircraft to travel to Lebanese ports without prior Israeli approval.

Lebanon truce increasingly tenuous as UN seeks peacekeepers

AFP

A nine-day-old truce in Lebanon is appearing increasingly tenuous as the United Nations still struggled to find European countries willing to commit forces to keep the peace between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite intense negotiations since the truce came into effect on August 14 and warnings that it could unravel if more peacekeepers fail to deploy quickly, few European countries have made firm commitments.

Olmert's coalition hit by row
Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's coalition government was jolted on Tuesday by a row over financing the war in Lebanon, a week after a shaky ceasefire with Hizbollah guerrillas took effect. Tensions flared after members of Olmert's top coalition partner, the left-leaning Labor party, balked at supporting a two billion shekel ($459 million) budget cut to cover military expenses and help northern Israel recover from the war.

Bush popularity gets a boost after terror plot
AFP
US President George W. Bush's popularity got a five percent boost after the arrest in Britain of the suspects in the terror plot to blow up US-bound passenger planes, a recent poll said.

Iran says it seeks fresh nuclear talks with West

Reuters

Iran said on Tuesday it hoped its response to an incentives package from world powers would lead to fresh negotiations on its nuclear dispute but gave no sign of heeding a key U.N. demand that it freeze uranium enrichment.

The Waiting

Picking through the rags of hope and anger
anticipation and fear,
I pause to look up at a slate-grey sky
That offers no answers,
no augeries
except a whispered dream of peace.

No prophet, I,
riding on lightning between heaven and earth,
no sword of fire to cut through the knot of confusion.
So instead,
I sit here,
waiting to see
if the Hill of Spring
becomes a burnt city,
and the City of Peace
becomes a warzone.

Two birds circle, just out of sight.
Are they doves,
or ravens cawing for their feast?

Morning News Roundup

Israeli warplanes roar over Lebanon

By ZEINA KARAM, Associated Press Writer

Israeli warplanes roared over Lebanon's northern Mediterranean coast and along its border with Syria on Monday, after the Lebanese defense minister warned rogue Palestinian rocket teams against attacking Israel and provoking retaliation that could unravel an already shaky cease-fire.

Israeli PM rules out talks with Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has ruled out resuming peace talks with Syria as long as Damascus continues to support terrorism. AFP


Police clash with suspects in western Saudi Arabia


Saudi police exchanged gunfire with several suspects in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah Monday, said a statement from the Ministry of Interior. Police in the western city pursued a group of suspects to an apartment building where they were met with heavy gunfire, said the statement reported by the Saudi Press Agency. It was not immediately apparent how many were in the group or whether they were wanted on terror charges. Police immediately evacuated building residents and secured the area. AP via JP

Olmert: All Terror Organizations Backed By Syria
13:44 Aug 21, '06 / 27 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) During a tour of the north Prime Minister Ehud Olmert responded to Minister Avi Dichter’s statements regarding negotiations with Syria. “All of the terror organizations are sitting in Damascus and are benefiting from Syrian backing,” Olmert said. “Gilad Shalit’s abductors receive orders from Damascus, as do the other terrorists.”

He added that, “when Syria stops supplying arms and missiles to those who want to use them against Israeli citizens, we will be very pleased to negotiate with them, but we will not get dragged into any venture with terror alongside.”


MK Ran Cohen Calls on Gov’t to Assess Negotiations with Syria
12:15 Aug 21, '06 / 27 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) has stated that, “the government will assess the idea of conducting negotiations with Syria and Lebanon regarding the peace agreements.” Cohen was responding to statements by Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter that, “in exchange for true peace with Syria, Israel can go down from the Golan Heights.” According to Cohen, “it is forbidden to sit and wait for the next war. The agreement in exchange for returning the Golan Heights will cut Syria off from Iran and will disband the Hizbullah.”


MK Eitam: The Gov’t Refuses to Learn Its Lesson From Withdrawals
11:43 Aug 21, '06 / 27 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) MK Effie Eitam, a resident of the Golan Heights, has reacted to Avi Dichter’s statements regarding the possibility of exchanging the area for promises of peace. “Our dispute with Syria is no longer territorial, and a withdrawal from the Golan Heights will only endanger Israel’s security. As Syria has allied itself with the wicked axis of Hizbullah and Iran, whose objective is to destroy Israel, it cannot be a partner in negotiations. The government refuses to learn the lessons of the withdrawal [sic] from Lebanon and Gaza, which only heightens the danger to Israel’s security,” Eitam said.

Khamenei says Iran to continue atomic plan

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's highest authority, said on Monday the Islamic Republic had decided to press ahead with its pursuit of nuclear energy, suggesting Iran will not heed a UN demand to stop enriching uranium. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has made its decision and, in the issue of nuclear energy, will continue its path powerfully ... And it will receive the sweet fruits of its efforts," Khamenei was quoted as saying on state television. (Reuters)

Saddam refuses plea on Kurdish genocide charge

Saddam Hussein refused to enter a plea on the first day of his trial on Monday for genocide against Kurds in the 1980s, prompting the judge to enter a not guilty plea on the former Iraqi president's behalf. The 69-year-old ousted leader, repeating his position at the start of an earlier trial for crimes against humanity, dismissed the US-sponsored Baghdad tribunal as a "Court of occupation" and refused to state his name. (Reuters)

At least 7 killed in Moscow market blast


Russia's Emergencies Ministry said at least seven people were killed in an explosion at a Moscow market on Monday. "Seven people including three children were killed," a ministry spokeswoman said. Interfax news agency, quoting city police, said nine people were killed and another 25 were hurt. There were conflicting reports on the cause of the blast. (Reuters)


Tehran official: Many weapons waiting for Hizbullah

Weapons supply channel to Nasrallah remains open, according to Iranian Revolutionary Guard senior member. Hizbullah, Iran, and Syria are working feverishly to rearm Hizbullah ahead of the next round. A senior officer of the Revolutionary Guard in Tehran said that huge quantities of weapons – including weapons of various sources – reached Damascus during the last three weeks, and are waiting to be transferred to Lebanon. Roee Nahmias (Ynet)

Iran test-fires 10 short-range missiles

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran test-fired 10 surface-to-surface short-range missiles on Sunday, a day after it launched a series of large-scale military exercises throughout the country, state-run television reported. The Saegheh missile had a range of between 50 and 150 miles, the report said. It did not specify whether the missile was capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, but it was not believed to be.

Senior Iranian figure: We'll end nuclear monitoring if sanctions are placed on us


The head of Iran's national security council and foreign policy in the Iranian parliament, Ala al-Din Barojradi said that "if sanctions are placed on Iran, we'll remove the monitoring on the nuclear site," the IRNA agency reported. He denied Iran's involvement in the Lebanon war, and said that "despite the wide scale aid of the United States and the West, Israel lost the war in Lebanon." (Dudi Cohen) (Ynet)

Mideast truce "very fragile," Merkel warns


German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the situation in Lebanon as "very fragile" on Monday as a truce between Israel and Lebanese Hizbollah guerrillas entered its second week. Speaking in Berlin, Merkel said it was vital to get United Nations peacekeeping troops to the area quickly to prevent a rekindling of the conflict, in which nearly 1,200 people in Lebanon and 157 Israelis died. (Reuters)

Pakistan denies arrest of Al-Qaeda militant

Mon Aug 21, 4:46 AM ET

Pakistan rejected reports that wanted Al-Qaeda militant Matiur Rehman had been arrested and denied that he was linked to an alleged plot to blow up US-bound airliners. (AFP)

The Little Red UN (apologies to the Little Red Hen)

The Little Red UN

"Who will help me peacekeep?" said the Little Red UN.

Belgium said I want to help, O Little Red UN,
But tell me all the details on how we will begin.
I need to know what we will do before we go in.

O France, this was your idea, said the Little Red UN,
You promised us the thousands and only sent tens,
That is no way to treat us now, or are we not your friend?

I'll let you know, said the Norseman, Don't ask me again.
I let you know when I'm ready, able to begin."
That's what Norway said to the Little Red UN.

I will come sailing, sailing in,
Few are my boats to spare, but let us begin,
This is what Germany said to the Little Red UN.

We want to help, Malaysia cried, O send, o send us in!
For we truly hate Israel, and Lebanon is our friend,
And we'll fight for her bright honor, O Little Red UN.

Not I, said the Aussie, rubbing his chin.
"Too many irons in the fire to start this up again."
No, Australia would not help the Little Red UN.

I thought this would be easy to gather peacekeeprs in,
More difficult than I supposed, but still let us now begin.
We'll take whatever comes our way, said the Little Red UN.

Read this. And think about what she says.

From Pundita: Fighting with Empty Hands

(exerpt to whet your appetite:)

The frustration you speak about tends to ignore the objective of war, so it overlooks much that the US has accomplished since 9/11. The question I always put to myself when I get frustrated is, "Do you want to win with blood or do you want to win?"

OOPS! moment (or why didn't I think before I said that?)

Syria's President Bashar Assad was not referring to Arab leaders when he said that those who did not support the guerrilla group Hizbullah were "half men," his foreign minister said in an interview with a Kuwaiti newspaper.

"What President Assad meant by this phrase was those individuals inside Syria and maybe outside it who threw doubts on the ability of the resistance to achieve victory," Foreign Minister Walid Moallem told the Al-Anba daily, which provided excerpts of the interview to The Associated Press. The full interview is to be published Monday. (ap via Jerusalem Post)

Rajab 27

On August 22, Rajab 27, Iran has announced that it will release its reply to the UN Security Council on the Council's demand for Iran to stop its nuclear program. A lot of noise has gone out over the internet about the significance of that day. Rajab 27 is a significant day in the calendar of Iran:

The Shiites ... celebrate Mabath to commemorate the day they believe Allah appeared before Mohammed in a cave and told him he had been chosen as the prophet to spread the divine message across the world. Mabath is marked by Shiites in Iran and other parts of the Middle East with great ceremony. (Debka, quoting Bernard Lewis )

But this is not what is stirring the buzz in the internet and intelligence communities. In other parts of the world, the day is celebrated as Lailat al Miraj, the night of the Isra and Mi'raj:

As Muhammad was resting in the Kaaba, Gabriel came to him, and brought him the winged steed Buraq, who carried him to the "furthest mosque", where he alighted, tethered Buraq, and led other prophets in prayer. He then got back on Buraq, and was taken to the heavens, where he toured heaven and hell (described in some detail), and spoke with the earlier prophets, and with Allah. Allah told him to enjoin the Muslims to pray fifty times a day; however, Moses told Muhammad that they would never do it, and urged Muhammad to go back several times and ask for a reduction, until finally it was reduced to five times a day.

Afterwards, the unbelieving Meccans regarded this as absurd, and some went to Abu Bakr and told him "Look at what your companion is saying. He says he went to Jerusalem and came back in one night." Abu Bakr told them, "If he said that, then he is truthful. I believe him concerning the news of the heavens — that an angel descends to him from the heavens. How could I not believe he went to Jerusalem and came back in a short period of time — when these are on earth?" It was for this that Abu Bakr is said to have received his famous title "as-Siddiq", the believer. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isra_and_Miraj)

It is the feeling among many that Iran will choose this time to make some sort of action, announcement or other event that echos the image of the Lailat al Miraj.

Robert Spencer, at Front Page Magazine, quotes Farid Ghadry, the president of the Reform Party of Syria as saying;

Ahmadinejad is planning an illumination of the night sky over Jerusalem to rival the one that greeted the Prophet of Islam on his journey. What the Iranian President, he says, is “promising the world by August 22 is the light in the sky over the Aqsa Mosque that took place the night before. That is his answer to the package of incentives the international community offered Iran on June 6. Link Here

Bernard Lewis has been quoted by many as an expert on this idea. In what may be one of the most quoted excerpts on the subject from a recent article:

In Islam, as in Judaism and Christianity, there are certain beliefs concerning the cosmic struggle at the end of time--Gog and Magog, anti-Christ, Armageddon, and for Shiite Muslims, the long awaited return of the Hidden Imam, ending in the final victory of the forces of good over evil, however these may be defined. Mr. Ahmadinejad and his followers clearly believe that this time is now, and that the terminal struggle has already begun and is indeed well advanced. It may even have a date, indicated by several references by the Iranian president to giving his final answer to the U.S. about nuclear development by Aug. 22. This was at first reported as "by the end of August," but Mr. Ahmadinejad's statement was more precise. http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110008768

This idea has been picked up and discussed on a large number of blogs and other sites. Here are a couple of typical examples:

Ahmadinejad could be hinting to the West that he is preparing a major attack on Israel. Or, the Iranian president could be warning that unless the West caves in, he would escalate tension in the region. The lightening in Mohammed's story could represent Iranian missiles.

What is clear is that Ahmadinejad does not see himself as an Iranian leader, but a Muslim prophet, using imagery to portray himself as a messiah for both Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims. Link here.

Ahmadinijad's motive is based on religious visions of an imminent apocalypse; his means are the short range missiles already deployed in Lebanon, and longer-range rockets like the various Zelzals; his opportunity has been created and cultivated for him by Hizballah. Link here
There are many more.

The drums are pounding louder in come corners as the time grows nearer. The Debkafile today reports:

DEBKAfile’s intelligence sources report that information rated “highly credible” has reached US undercover agencies of a secret report presented to Iran’s supreme ruler Ali Khamenei by Abdollah Shabhazi, one of the heads of the Supreme National Security Council. He claims to expose a mega-terror plot against Jerusalem scheduled for August 22, which aims at killing large numbers of Jews, Arabs and Christians.

This atrocity will reportedly arm the United States and Israel with the pretext for hitting Iran’s nuclear installations, as well its capital, Tehran, and other big cities.

Shabhazi says the US and Israel need to launch a military campaign to restore the deterrent strength they lost in the Lebanon war.

The massive attack will reportedly focus on the Old City of Jerusalem and its eastern suburbs. The Iranian report claims that the plotters, who are not identified, are eager to recreate the divine white light whish spread over Jerusalem in the year 632. It does not rule out the use of a non-conventional weapon. http://www.debka.com/article.php?aid=1203

Either something will happen during the period of the night of August 21-August 22 or not.

But it is interesting to contemplate public comments from Iran that are feeding this speculation:

Jul 18

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday, “The day of happiness for the region is near… The world is on the verge of great changes,” according to the Iranian news agency.

August 2

"The American regime must expect a hard slap on the face and the crushing fist of Muslim ummah because of its support for the crimes and the Zionist criminals and its blatant violation of the rights of Muslim nations." Khamenei, speech

August 3

"Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation's fury." Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speech in Malaysia.

Aug 14

Tehran, Iran, Aug. 14 – Iran issued a stark warning on Sunday that it would change its nuclear policy for the worse if the West continued to apply pressure on it to abandon uranium enrichment.

August 19

Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei says: to graduating university students: "Dear university students! I hereby greet you one by one and pray that God Almighty would grant you a more prosperous and dignified future thanks to your efforts, hopeful hearts and increasing joyfulness. Today, you are the replica of the country's future. The future of this country, which has seen enlightenment by embracing science and faith, lies in the research activities and deep thinking of this country's youth accompanied by faith, moral uprightness, a revolutionary spirit and hard work. In the future that we anticipate, the dark forces of ignorance, cruelty and injustice have been wiped out," the Supreme Leader said in his message.

August 20

Iranian state media say Iran's army has test-fired several short-range missiles as part of a major military exercise that began Saturday. Iranian television says the military tested a surface-to-surface missile called the Saegheh (which means lightning in Farsi) that has a range of 80 to 250 kilometers. The television report says the missile test took place Sunday in the Kashan desert.

Come the 23rd, we can sit back and analyse what really happened and why. Until then, time enough to wait, watch the news, and wonder.

Morning News Roundup

Iran Test-Fires Short-Range Missiles as Part of Military Exercises

Iranian state media say Iran's army has test-fired several short-range missiles as part of a major military exercise that began Saturday. Iranian television says the military tested a surface-to-surface missile called the Saegheh (which means lightning in Farsi) that has a range of 80 to 250 kilometers. The television report says the missile test took place Sunday in the Kashan desert.

Iran working on aid package to rebuild Lebanon
Sun 20 Aug 2006 6:29 AM ET

TEHRAN, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Iran said on Sunday it was working on an aid package to help rebuild shattered areas of Lebanon, a senior Foreign Ministry official said. "The government is considering the kind of help and the way to deliver that help to Lebanon," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told a weekly news conference.


Israel Violated Lebanese Ceasefire: Annan

Israel has violated the terms of a UN-mandated halt to fighting in Lebanon, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said, calling on all parties to respect an embargo on unauthorized arms shipments to Lebanon. "The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about a violation by the Israeli side of the cessation of hostilities as laid out in Security Council resolution 1701," a statement issued by Annan's spokesman said. "The incident involved an Israeli raid in eastern Lebanon on Saturday. According to UNIFIL, there have also been several air violations by Israeli military aircraft," it said. "All such violations of Security Council Resolution 1701 endanger the fragile calm that was reached after much negotiation and undermine the authority of the government of Lebanon."

Yishai: Israel needs to focus on next war

Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Eliyahu Yishai said on Sunday that Israel needs to focus on the next round of fighting with Hizbullah. Yishai said a probe into deficiencies in the government's handling of the war should carried out within the framework of a special panel set up by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to rehabilitate northern communities. (Ronny Sofer) Ynet

Iran Halts Gas Exports To Turkey After Pipeline Explosion
Sunday August 20th, 2006 / 14h07

TEHRAN -(Dow Jones)- Iran halted the flow of natural gas to neighboring Turkey after an explosion on the Turkish side of an international pipeline, an Iranian gas industry official said Sunday. "Iran's gas export to Turkey was ceased, effective 10 p.m. Saturday due to an explosion (at the pipeline) on Turkish territory," the semi-official Mehr news agency quoted Houshang Mehrdad, an official of the National Iranian Gas Export Co., as saying.

Qatar offers to rebuild Bint Jbeil

Qatar offered to rebuild the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which was badly damaged in fighting between Israel and Hizbullah, the London-based al-Hayat newspaper reported on Sunday. (Roee Nahmias) Ynet

Peretz: Lebanese army won't approach border

Defense minister says IDF will not allow Lebanese army to approach border with Israel until multinational force deploys in area. As for harsh public criticism over war's results, Peretz says proper deployment of multinational force with 15,000 troops can change public opinion. 'Our duty is to prepare for next round,' he stresses
Ronny Sofer Ynet

Lebanon: Truce violators are traitors

Lebanese Defense Minister Elias al-Murr vows to be tough against any party that breaches ceasefire on Lebanese side of border; 'any rocket fired from Lebanon will benefit Israel,' he says
Roee Nahmias Ynet

Iran Denies Post-war Funding to Hizbullah
13:35 Aug 20, '06 / 26 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Hizbullah received no funding from the Islamic state in the wake of the terrorist group’s war with Israel. A ministry spokesman said no grants or other aid has been sent to Hizbullah as yet, and that a decision on the specifics of such assistance will be decided in the near future.

Annan Criticizes Broken Promises for European Soldiers
11:41 Aug 20, '06 / 26 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, faced with thousands fewer European soldiers than pledged to supplement the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), lashed out on Sunday at the European nations who failed to make good on their promises to send troops to enforce Security Council Resolution 1701 in the region. Annan pleaded with the European nations, whose soldiers are better equipped and trained, to send the “desperately needed” forces, reassuring them that they would not be required to disarm terrorists.

Israel Rejects Lebanese and UN Claims
11:09 Aug 20, '06 / 26 Av 5766
by Hillel Fendel

PM Olmert's office staffer says Israel's raid in Lebanon yesterday was not a violation of the ceasefire, but rather the required response to Hizbullah's ongoing violations of the ceasefire.
"The operation was necessary," the official in the Prime Minister's Office, said, "because Hizbullah is violating the ceasefire by smuggling in war materiel from Syria and Iran. It was a necessary operation, and it is good that we did it."