The latest Wikileaks dump by the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar extends the series of intriguing and record-changing insights into the tumultuous 2006-08 period, which witnessed the July War between Hizbullah and Israel, an 18 month-long downtown sit-in, and a takeover of Beirut by Hizbullah forces on May 7, 2008.
Two cables are especially worth reading in their entirety. I link to them below, along with relevant excerpts and some commentary.
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08BEIRUT490 (April 8, 2008) | Subject: JUMBLATT CONCERNED ABOUT UNIIIC DELAYS, SUNNI MILITIAS, AND HIZBALLAH FIBER OPTIC NETWORK
5. (S) Jumblatt revealed what he deemed a “very serious blow” to the UN Commission investigating the assassination of former PM Rafiq Hariri and others. According to information he received from Internal Security Forces (ISF) Intelligence Director Wissam Hassan the previous evening, Wissam Eid, who worked for Hassan and was assassinated January 25, had discovered a year and a half ago a link between Abd al-Majid Qasim Ghamlush and a network of 17 other cell phone numbers. Former UNIIIC Commissioner Brammertz reportedly did not act upon this information.
6. (S) In January 2008, however, after Daniel Bellemare took over as Commissioner, Eid met with Bellemare, and was killed one week later. (Note: UNIIIC contacts have confirmed to us that Eid had met with Bellemare exactly one week prior to his death. End note.) The assassination of Hizballah leader Imad Mougnieh followed two weeks later, leading Jumblatt to believe there was a link between Ramloush [sic]and Mougnieh, “assuming Ramloush [sic]was still alive.”
8. (S) The second issue Jumblatt raised was Saad’s reported training of Sunni militias in Lebanon (allegedly 15,000 members in Beirut and more in Tripoli). In establishing his own “security agencies” in Beirut and Tripoli, Saad was being badly advised by “some people,” Jumblatt said, such as ISF General Ashraf Rifi. In his meeting with Jumblatt, Hassan admitted having knowledge that members of Saad’s Future Movement were being trained. Hassan reportedly opposed such training, but “people around Saad” (i.e., Rifi) were telling him to go ahead. (Note: The Jordanians have refused to train Internal Security Forces (ISF) members hand-picked and vetted by the Embassy to participate in a DA/ATA-funded Terrorism Crime Scene Investigation program, reportedly because they don’t want to be involved in training “Saad’s militia.” End note.) Jumblatt said Saad’s militia would cause significant damage to March 14, especially because Geagea’s Lebanese Forces and Suleiman Franjieh’s Marada were in line to train their own forces.
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08BEIRUT642 (May 9, 2008) | Subject: GEAGEA PROPOSES ARAB PEACEKEEPERS; A STRONG SINIORA IS PLANNING A TELEVISED ADDRESS SATURDAY
5. (C) Geagea then asked to speak privately to the Charge. It was important for everyone to push the LAF to do its job, said Geagea. However, he wasn’t sure that the army would succeed. If the army failed to protect Christian areas, Geagea said he wanted to make sure Washington knows he has between 7,000 and 10,000 well-trained Lebanese Forces fighters who could be mobilized. “We can fight against Hizballah,” he stated with confidence, adding, “We just need your support to get arms for these fighters. If the airport is still closed, amphibious deliveries could be facilitated.”
The Charge assured Geagea that the U.S. was encouraging Sleiman and the LAF to protect state institutions and the citizens of Lebanon. (Note: At 2315, Geagea telephoned the Charge to relay that his morale had been boosted by a telephone call from NEA A/S Welch. End note.)
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QN Comment
There’s a lot to discuss here, but I’ll just point out the following tidbits:
1. Brammertz, Wissam Eid, and the CBC Report:
Some of you will recall the famous CBC report on the Hariri investigation, which came out several months ago. (See my commentary on it here, here, here, and here.) In that report, Neil Macdonald revealed that the UN investigating team (led by Serge Brammertz) did not begin doing any telecommunications analysis until late 2007. As I pointed out, Macdonald’s assertion simply did not tally with the UNIIIC record, which mentioned telecommunications analysis in eight different reports from 2005-07.
Now, in the first cable posted above, Jumblatt makes the same point that Macdonald does in his article, and cites his source as Wissam al-Hassan (the ISF intelligence chief). This, then, seems to bolster the points made in the CBC article, except it still does not explain why the UNIIIC claimed to be performing telecommunications analysis for three years when it actually wasn’t. Another possible explanation for this discrepancy is that Macdonald’s source for the information about Brammertz was also Jumblatt’s source: Wissam al-Hassan. Thoughts?
2. Saad al-Hariri and the Mustaqbal Militia
After the events of May 7 2008 (when Hizbullah’s fighters took over Beirut and parts of Mount Lebanon as a response to the Siniora government’s attempted crackdown on the party’s fiber optic network), there were rumors circulating about a “Sunni militia” sponsored by Saad al-Hariri that had been training in Jordan. No real evidence of any such militia ever emerged, and March 14th has always insisted that it never entertained a military option against the Shiite party.
The Jumblatt cable is the first indication that these rumors may indeed have been true. Of course, we have no idea how far along al-Hariri’s militia-building plans had gotten. Hizbullah’s 2008 strike was remarkably efficient… practically surgical, which leads one to believe that Saad’s fighters were either: (a) nonexistent; (b) poorly trained; (c) or ordered to give up their weapons without a fight.
3. Geagea’s 10,000 LF Fighters
The Lebanese Forces released a statement today saying that the May 9 2008 cable which quotes Samir Geagea as requesting weapons from the Americans for his fighters is actually a vindication, because it shows that the LF is not armed after all, but rather merely “well-trained”. I’m not sure I buy that… what Geagea was probably asking for was heavier weapons — mortars, grenade launchers, field guns, etc. — to complement the machine guns that every self-respecting Civil War vet still has tucked away in the cellar.
But maybe not. What do you think?
Qifa Nabki 
Anon’s merry men of Al Saud at work in Gaza
http://www.france24.com/en/20110414-salafist-radical-islamists-take-italian-activist-hostage-gaza
Posted by V | April 15, 2011, 9:00 pmWowsers…
It’s been a while. And as Chavez would have it… there seems to be the stench of Sulfur seeping into the QN forums.
Wow.
V:
Get a grip on things. Take you “elitist” views… and well.. you know what to do with them :D.
Just because you have different values from those “Salafists” doesn’t mean you should judge them!
No pun intended… but when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Vittorio Arrigoni should have Salafized himself so he could be more welcome in the hood!
Posted by Gabriel | April 15, 2011, 10:03 pmGabriel lol thanks for the laugh
however we were all wrong and unjustly tarnished the reputation of the Salafy men of peace and tolerance.. according to a secret source the perpetrators were none other than the CIA/Mossad/white House Murder inc…bwahahahaha
Posted by V | April 15, 2011, 10:30 pmyou guys are just jealous for not getting a piece of the pie…..
and no virgins…
Posted by Maverick | April 15, 2011, 11:47 pmChaps… tone it down! You may be called elites again!
For definition of elitism, see:
You betcha!
Posted by Gabriel | April 16, 2011, 12:02 amWhat exactly do we know about this incident?
Some group kidnapped the activist and demanded the release of somebody Hamas’ imprisoned within 30 HOURS OR ELSE?
After only few hours from issuing the ultimatum Arigoni was found dead, long before the 30 hour ultimatum deadline.
Obviously the REAL objective is not the release of the imprisoned person in Hamas’ custody. The real OBJECTIVE is to KILL the activist and in a premeditated manner.
That is all we know.
I am sure the conspiracy theorists will find very rich material to put their ‘creativity’ at work.
Let’s see.
Posted by anonymous | April 16, 2011, 12:05 amFor more shits and giggles. More on the “Elites”.
Posted by Gabriel | April 16, 2011, 12:17 amAnon,
“This may sound unacceptable to a westerner, but this is Syria of course.”
You are now a member of the Elitist group. Shit, with that comment, your in the running for Presidency.
Posted by Maverick | April 16, 2011, 1:18 amI ‘humbly’ pass the ‘honor’, Maverick.
Your are not going to get a ‘piece of the pie so slyly’. You still have to go to Favellas.
Nothing in that comment brings me close.
Posted by anonymous | April 16, 2011, 1:25 amDo you, Naverick, by the way know what a head scarf used for in Syria? Just wondering.
The thought of your last comment wouldn’t have crossed your mind; and you would have known right away why such humour MAY NOT be acceptable for a westerner.
Should I make a conclusion from your last comment about the depth of your experience in interacting with other cultures such as the Syrian Arab culture?
Posted by anonymous | April 16, 2011, 1:37 amNo Anon, I do not know what a head scarf is used for in Syria. Enlighten me.
unless it is a Homsi joke, then If I were to laugh, I would be considered elitist, yes?
Posted by Maverick | April 16, 2011, 2:59 amQuestion to QN :
How on the earth you manage to attract all sort of basket cases to comment your blog ?
Posted by somewhere form Scandinavia | April 16, 2011, 8:47 amI Support Murderers
I wonder if the ISM will “martyr” Vittorio Arrigoni and Juliano Mer-Khamis since their murderers were Palestinian?
After reading the ISM website, I guess it doesn’t “fit” into their political play-book…
http://palsolidarity.org/
http://www.jewishbastard.com/2008/09/rachel-corrie-the-little-liberal-girl-that-couldnt/
Posted by Akbar Palace | April 16, 2011, 10:39 amHej Inga form Sweden …
It takes one to know one.
Hej Do … Hej, hej!!
Posted by R2D2 | April 16, 2011, 2:48 pmS form S #212
But serious … to reply your question on commentary on blog:
Marketing!
Posted by R2D2 | April 16, 2011, 3:25 pmR2D2,,, if I was Inga… then I would be FROM ,,,, not form Scandinavia…..!!!! FORM rules out Ingas, but not other Scandinavians 🙂
MARKETING ??? WHAT ????
QN has been always down to earth in his comments !!!
Posted by somewhere form Scandinavia | April 16, 2011, 4:04 pmAfter yesterday’s massive demonstrations throughout Syria (including in Damascus) that called for change …. you would think that the Obama administration would start to put some public display of support. But nothing is being released. I guess they want to keep their heads in the sand on this one….and keep ALL the files of the infamous White house Murder INC, with Asef Shawkat well protected for future generations of Assads….
Posted by HK | April 16, 2011, 6:58 pmFor the millionth time…the news of Assad’s alleged “reforms” are big news on BBC & CNN. Of course they have neglected to report about the brutality of the “reformist” regime. The reformer cometh….and AGAIN; all to please coz Bibi.
Posted by danny | April 16, 2011, 7:24 pmAnd do not be surprised if CNN’s and BBC’s ‘good will naïveté’ gets rewarded ‘soon’ on the Lebanese front by conducting some high profile assassination attempts as a regular diversionary tactic.
It is the usual strategy of reminding the world that it is in no position to challenge the ‘supremacy’ of the ‘mumana3a front’ and the means to catch breathe. It is also a reminder that the front is in no need for such ‘useless’ favours from ‘hypocritical’ and ‘unreliable’ news reporting media.
After all toilet papers are worth a lot more than the paper upon which Ch. 7 is inscribed. Just look at Libya. And do we need any reminders about the STL?
Military manoeuvres by the Syrian army are underway close to the Lebanese borders. Looks like there is no use for such army anywhere else. It has been tested internally and its loyalty has been put to doubt. Maher’s ‘security committees’ are the ultimate proven means. The army must now go to the borders close to where the ‘conspiracy is being woven’.
Posted by anonymous | April 16, 2011, 9:18 pmhttp://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/15/2801903/dozens-wounded-as-protesters-clash.html
http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/NED,_CIA,_and_the_Orwellian_Democracy_Project
Posted by HK | April 17, 2011, 8:08 amOn prie tous les jours pour que le Sionistan peuplé de judéo fasciste, à l’origine de l’abominable ” White House Murder INC,” et de toutes les guerres et mensonges contre le Liban depuis 48, disparaisse dans les limbes de l’histoire. Amen.
Posted by HK | April 17, 2011, 8:32 amBedouin patrimonialism in the Wahhabi Kingdom.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MD16Ak01.html
Posted by HK | April 17, 2011, 8:42 amEven QN is not following this blog anymore!
Posted by IHTDA | April 17, 2011, 12:40 pmQN, where are you?
Professor Landis said in his newest post of SC regarding Asad’s speech:
“But ultimately he was well served to show his personality, which is appealing.”
You QN, said previously about Joshua:
“I can assure you that he has no love for the Assads.”
I don’t know about you, but if someone is appealing to me, I’m sure to have some love for him/her, at least in a puritanical term. 🙂
Your friendly professor must have tricked you, or are you playing dumb?
Posted by Badr | April 17, 2011, 3:33 pmIHTDA,
Let Qn interview the Landis stooge the reformer’s publicist.
Today Syria was immersed in a bloodbath. Go reformer go!!!!
Posted by danny | April 17, 2011, 4:15 pmBadr,
Joshua Landis is a carrothead with obvious Scotish/Irish Catholic roots via Oklamoha University.
Why it is that some Syrians give any signiicance to what this “Professor” thinks of Syria, Syrians, or the rest of us from and living in this region … is stupefying.
Maybe Syrians and Joshua have a Lawrence of Arabia love affair?
Whatever!
Posted by R2D2 | April 17, 2011, 4:18 pmBadr
Sorry… it’s been busy.
Will try to address this soon enough.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | April 17, 2011, 4:48 pmThe World Wide Web: Where Academia meets the “Little People”
Danny, Badr,
Yes, “Professor Josh” was born with a favorable opinion of Assad. He can’t help it. His wife is Alawi and his father-in-law was a Syrian navy admiral. Go figure.
All this I found out on the web…
http://landisfamilytree.blogspot.com/search/label/Joshua%20Mead%20Landis
http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/L/Joshua.M.Landis-1/wedding/announcement.htm
http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/L/Joshua.M.Landis-1/wedding/photos/index.htm
I like this photo (#6). If you ever saw Annie Hall and remember the dinner table scene, you’d know EXACTLY what I’m referring to;)…
http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/L/Joshua.M.Landis-1/wedding/photos/gallery1/6.htm
Posted by Akbar Palace | April 17, 2011, 8:32 pmI reviewed SC old archives and discovered that long before this site was established, QN was a regular participant on SC. Perhaps it was his first encounter with SC, the Professor, its many Baathist ideologues and the blogosphere in general. But I could be wrong.
I do not speak on behalf of QN, but my impression reading those comments tells me QN may have some ‘affinity’ with the diehards of that blog, but he is not in total agreement with them. I also have the impression that is why he decided to part with them and be on his own which seems to have been a very wise choice.
Everyone should know by now that the Oklahoma Professor is one of the most gifted Assad apologists you can find, who can speak simultaneously from multiple sides of his mouth without really telling you anything new. Did I not say recently he is an irredeemable Baathist after I wrongly assumed he may have experienced a change of heart?
But we know now for sure the stage has been set for the expected bloodbath. Incidentally, many of QN’s ‘ex-comrades’ on that blog are showing their ‘superb’ creativity justifying its occurrence in advance.
Posted by anonymous | April 17, 2011, 8:58 pmAnon
You crack me up.
🙂
I did spend many hours on Syria Comment before starting QN, and made many good friends there, including Joshua, who is a wonderful guy. We don’t always agree on Levantine politics, but I’ve learned a lot from him and many others at SC. That’s also where I first made the acquaintance of Akbar Palace, AIG, Honest Patriot, Alex, and many other QN regulars.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | April 17, 2011, 9:14 pmQN,
I am jealous that you did not mention me.
Posted by Norman | April 17, 2011, 9:29 pm3ala rasi ya Ammo Norman 🙂
I did not know that you were reading QN regularly. Otherwise, I would surely have mentioned you.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | April 17, 2011, 9:32 pmWell, OK I may have been wrong on few things and right on others.
I did not mean to ‘crack’ anybody or even suggest someone is acting ‘dumb’. Tried to be objective.
Posted by anonymous | April 17, 2011, 10:00 pmAnon,
Good summary. There won’t be a bloodbath in Syria if Assad acts aggressively on his promises. We all know what he needs to do; he just has to do it. He needs to prove me wrong: that this Assad is an empty suit.
Posted by Akbar Palace | April 17, 2011, 11:08 pmBelieving QN’s account (which I have no reason to doubt), you, AP, must be still giving Bashar too much undeserved good will despite your seemingly long history with this ‘Syrian’ affair.
Too much good will may turn into outright naivete, which I also doubt is one of your traits!!!
Today was Independence Syria day. As someone noticed there was a little bloodbath on this occasion – some 10 to 15 fell according to some media. But it may have happened for a reason. Revolutionaries may eventually commemorate it as one of their own landmarks, and make it the day of REAL Independence.
I see defiance growing with every speech Bashar makes, especially when I hear the chants demonstrators make in Arabic. But you may be ‘deprived’ of this ‘resource’.
Posted by anonymous | April 17, 2011, 11:30 pmAnd in other news….
Fresh from the democracy revolution in Tunisia, it seems the situation there isn’t looking too good. Between decapitating Polish priests and burning down whorehouses (arabs- like the Saudis- don’t like public sex talk etc), some Tunisians managed to hop into little dinghys in search for European freedom (here we are talking about the extremist secularist French polity… Being ‘extreme’ secular is far more offensive than being extreme Wahabi, although maybe a little less offensive than being extreme shia.)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-europe-13109631
The extremist French appear to be fighting back, much to the chagrin of the Italians who can’t offload the migrant problem quickly enough.
What those Tunisians want with France is not immediately clear to me. Why not sail off to Saudi Arabia where they can eat lots of pie (amd while they are at it, wear headscarves and niqabs unimpeded by the extremist French). We know that the Saudis have lots of Pie to spare… Why with their new lucrative economic deals with the Russians and the Chinese, and especially since Maverick won’t be getting any anytime soon (he’s off vacationing in the Favellas).
Whatever happened to the Hariri tribunal. Has all been quiet on that front? Will the downfall of the Assad regime open new opportunities to pin the murder on his establishment and create some face-saving in the Lebanese arena?
So many questions.
Posted by Gabriel | April 18, 2011, 1:50 amNorm,
You’ve been a rather avid supporter of the syrian establishment to date. I haven’t been visiting QN much recently but I’ve scanned thru the comment section and haven’t seen any opining coming from you.
What are your feelings about the developments in Syria? And do you think Assad will weather the storm?
PS: Since we have established that the Wilayet Faqih goons are responsible for agitating the Shia in Bahrain… Is there any word in Syria on how much the positive influence the Saudis are having to ensure the ushering of demoracy in that country?
Posted by Gabriel | April 18, 2011, 2:01 amanon,
Yes I agree with you. I’m a Jewish-American who can only look at these news reports and draw conclusions from them. I don’t speak a word of arabic except for a few words like “majnoon”.;)
I’m just trying to be objective. As an outside observer, I’m watching another Arab leader twist in the wind when (it seems to me) he has the ability to stay in power if he were only able to give what the population wants.
It is amazing to me to see how autocratic governments work. They stay in power only employing by fear and brutality. As an American, this is very foreign to me.
Posted by Akbar Palace | April 18, 2011, 6:56 am“how much the positive influence the Saudis are having to ensure the ushering of demoracy in that country?”
I sure hope you are being sarcastic.
Posted by tamer k. | April 18, 2011, 8:34 amعلى صعيد سلاح المقاومة، يروي نائب رئيس «هيئة قدامى القوات» إيلي أسود أن المذكرة تنطلق من مقاربة تعتبر أن الوضع الجنوبي استثنائي خاص، لذلك يجب التعاطي معه لناحية السلاح بجدية وواقعية، آخذين دائماً بعين الاعتبار أنه كان ولا يزال في مواجهة دائمة مع العدو الإسرائيلي، هذا من دون أن ننسى تقصير الدولة الفاضح هناك تجاه مواطنيها. مذكرة «القدامى» لا تأخذ عملياً على محمل الجدّ ما يسمى جنوباَ «وقف الأعمال الحربية»، خصوصاً أن إسرائيل لم تكشف عن خرائط القنابل العنقودية التي تقتل يومياً المواطنين الأبرياء، فضلاً عن الخروقات الجوية اليومية عبر طائراتها، كما البحرية والبرية وخطف الرعاة. أضف الى ذلك شبكات التجسس التي تكشف بين الحين والآخر واحتلالها المستمر لمزارع شبعا وتلال كفرشوبا.
وعلى رغم اقتناع «قدامى القوات» بأن السلاح يجب أن يكون في نهاية المطاف بيد الدولة اللبنانية، غير أنهم لا يساومون على أن سلاح المقاومة يشكل حاجة ملحة للدفاع عن سيادة لبنان وأرضه وشعبه، لذلك من الضروري بالنسبة اليهم ان يسحب هذا النقاش من التداول السياسي على أن يحصر فقط بقيادتي الجيش اللبناني والمقاومة، لأن لقيادة المؤسسة العسكرية الحق الحصري بالتقدير والتقرير إذا كانت بحاجة لهذا السلاح أم لا.
يشدد أسود على ضرورة تحسين لغة التخاطب مع المقاومين، لأن الهيئة تصرّ على احترام كل مقاومة شريفة، ويقول «كما لعبنا هذا الدور وتصدينا للجيوش الغريبة، هم اليوم يواجهون الإسرائيلي دفاعاً عن لبنان».
من سلاح «حزب الله» إلى السلاح الفلسطيني في لبنان، تنتقل مذكرة «القدامى» للفت نظر البطريرك الى التعتيم الإعلامي الذي تتعمده قوى 14 آذار على السلاح الموجود في 12 مخيماً فلسطينيا. ويكشف أمين عام الهيئة جوزيف الزايك أن ضغط تيار المستقبل وحلفائه على سلاح المقاومة من دون تطرقهم الى السلاح الفلسطيني يهدف بحسب المذكرة الى تمرير مشروع التوطين. لذلك من الواجب الوطني سحب السلاح الفلسطيني أولاً ودخول الدولة هذه المخيمات لبدء البحث بعدها بسلاح المقاومة إذا كانت الظروف حينها تسمح بذلك، وإن تعذرت الخطوة الأولى فالقواتيون القدامى يؤيدون غض النظر عن سلاح المقاومة حتى تحقيق عودة الفلسطينيين الى ديارهم انسجاماً مع القرار الدولي 194. وتضيف المذكرة «من يرمِ الكرة في ملعب الجيش من دون تسليحه كما يجب للمواجهة فهو كمن يرمي هذه المؤسسة في أتون المجهول».
تعارض «هيئة القدامى» حصرية «القوات اللبنانية» بطرف واحد، كما أنها تعتبر أنه من غير الجائز أن تسمى بـ«حزب القوات اللبنانية» وهي التي كانت الذراع العسكرية لـ«الجبهة اللبنانية» وأحزابها، وبالتالي تشدد أنه حين ينتهي دور هذا الاسم يجب تغييره «لأن المقاومة في الوجدان المسيحي لا يمكن أن تكون حزباً».
وتتمنى المذكرة على البطريرك الجديد، بحسب أسود، أن يرعى قداساً موحداً للشهداء أسوة بما يحصل في زحله حيث ينظم المطارنة والأساقفة في المدينة قداساً واحداً يدعى اليه جميع المعنيين «بعيداً من الضجيج الإعلامي والمتاجرة بدمائهم».
أما الزايك، فيلفت الانتباه الى نقطة وردت في المذكرة، وهي «ضرورة وضع أموال «القوات اللبنانية» بتصرف المجتمع المسيحي لأن الوضع القائم لا تجوز استمراريته من دون أن يعرف من يتصرف بهذه الأموال وهي باسم من اليوم». ومن اقتراحات «القدامى» أن يتم ذلك بإشراف بطريركي مباشر «لأن تشكيل هيئة مشتركة بــين القــدامى والقيادة الحالية غير كاف»، فالمال الذي دفعه المجتمع المسيحي يجب أن يعود بالنفع عليه حتى «المؤسسة اللبنانية للإرسال».
«الشهداء أياً كانت انتماءاتهم» حضروا في مذكرة «القواتيين القدامى»، التي تضمنت اقتراح إنشاء «وزارة الشهداء» لمساعدة عائلاتهم ومعوقي الحرب، أكانوا من عسكريي الجيش أو «القوات» أو «حزب الله» وغيرها من التنظيمات لأن الشهيد لا يكفي أن يكرم سنوياً فقط، في الوقت الذي تصرف فيه الملايين على اللوحات الإعلانية والمهرجانات الخطابية الفولكلورية، ولماذا لا توزع هذه الملايين سراً على عائلات الشهداء؟
Posted by HK | April 18, 2011, 9:45 amThanks AP for your perspective.
It looks like that the epicentre of protests has shifted to Homs from the border town of Der’a. But that doesn’t mean Dera’ is quite. Over 100000 are reported to be currently gathered in main square with a plan for three-day sit in. Huge crowds are also reported moving from neighbouring towns in a show of solidarity. Homs suffered over 15 deaths only yesterday.
In the mean time Nabil Qawooq, deputy of the ‘hallowed’ HNA, is calling for a ‘witch hunt’ in Lebanon to find out the ‘extent’ of the Lebanese in fomenting this Syrian ‘conspiracy’.
http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&3DBF4AE5C5FF08B3C22578760034E74B
This same Qawooq has been the subject of many rumours that may still turn out to be true relating to involvement in many assassinations, Mughniyeh included but of course that is something we can never pin down on him.
On another note, it is amusing to read how some (here) show the coherence of their babbling after a long period of slumber. It could be the effect coming out of sleep. Coffee please.
Posted by anonymous | April 18, 2011, 10:22 amJeezus, M7amad….
Anon.. I did just wake up from a long slumber, so excuse the babbling. But ought you not take a little responsibility for putting me to sleep in the first place!
TamerK:
I am president of the elite babblers club. If you’re not elite and not a babbler, you can hardly expect yourself to understand my babblings!
PS. See Sarah Palin clip above for a succinct definition of
Elitism.
Posted by Gabriel | April 18, 2011, 10:41 amBabbling is not a good and valid means to re-establish communications that have been irreversibly damaged and consequently severed due to the stupidity of elitist ‘idiots’ who keep looking for scapegoats other than their own selves for finding themselves in a deep freezer.
Posted by anonymous | April 18, 2011, 10:54 amAnon:
Are you bent on putting me back to sleep?
On another note: It appears you crack everyone up. Are you the QN forum’s resident comedian?
Posted by Gabriel | April 18, 2011, 2:53 pmAnon is the resident sectarian bigot par excellence; shortsighted; despicable and crude!
Posted by HK | April 18, 2011, 4:04 pmWake up and have some coffee. But the best means other than babbling is a direct and clear apology. (Heck some people do not get it except by having you spell all the beans).
But as you can see some do not appreciate the ‘comedy’ and would rather endlessly glamorize the idiot criminal of Sabra and Shatilla and still claim some attachment and support to so-called culture of ‘resistance’ not including one of its major pillars that is about to crumble!!!
Posted by anonymous | April 18, 2011, 4:41 pmGood be good to add on this analysis cable when sleiman was quoted as saying that hezbollah acted like a militia
Posted by Karoum | September 16, 2012, 6:45 am