and impose his positions on them... Aoun was providing a cover for the 'state-within-the-state' project undertaken by Hezbollah."
Gemayel also denounced attempts to undermine the importance of “a crime of this magnitude that led to the death of an officer while on duty ( Samer Hanna),” in reference to the August 28 helicopter incident.
On September 4, L’Orient Le Jour wrote in response to Aoun's accusations , “We published on August 30 that slain Officer Samer Hanna was shot when the helicopter landed, and we received the information from ministerial sources.” It added that it published news on September 1 that Officer Hanna was shot when the helicopter was 15 centimeters above the ground according to sources close to the investigations. Aoun’s criticism therefore contradicted the facts, according to L’Orient le Jour.
“This tragic incident once again raises the subject of Lebanese sovereignty,” Gemayel said.
The focus in Lebanon on Friday was once again Syria and its continued interference in Lebanese internal affairs , despite the agreement to start diplomatic relations between both countries .
Al Mustaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri on Friday responded to Syrian President Bashar Assad's comments on the situation in north Lebanon by saying the side that "exports terror to north Lebanon has no right to fear the spread of fundamentalism in Lebanon."
The Lebanese were also angered that Shaker al Absi , the most wanted man in Lebanon for leading the Fatah al Islam battle last year against the Lebanese army in which hundreds were killed is in Syria. Instead of extraditing him to Lebanon , Assad told French president Sarkozy during the 4 way summit in Damascus that Absi is in Syrian jail. Prior to fighting in Lebanon against the army Absi ( who used to be an officer in the Syrian army ) was also in Syrian jail and for this reason the Lebanese majority alliance accused Assad of freeing , financing , arming and supporting Absi to fight against the Lebanese army to undermine the state .
Saturday
20:10 MP Saad Hariri to the Alawites: We are both Lebanese and we will not allow anyone to tamper with us. We will defend Tripoli against evil . The state is responsible for protecting everyone
19:25 Israeli jets are flying reconnaissance missions over the western and central sectors of south Lebanon.
16:30 MP Mustapha Alloush: Hariri’s Visit to Tripoli is vital following Assad’s dubious campaign.
15:33 MP Elie Kairouz: We are still at the heart of the crisis and the Lebanese Forces shall continue its struggle.
11:45 Ex-Premier Omar Karami returned home from an official visit to Iran.
11:35 Israeli warplanes fly reconnaissance missions over south Lebanon.
11:30a Al Mustaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri arrives in Tripoli.
10:35 Qabbani told Future TV: Syria's desire to return to Lebanon is a historic wish but the conditions are now different will make the return of Syria's military impossible to achieve
08:40 Minister Marouni told radio Free Lebanon : The Doha agreement is suffering many setbacks. Lack of dialogue could lead to more trouble . It is impossible to participate in the forthcoming elections if the issue of Hezbollah arms is not resolved
08:01 Jumblatt told Okaz newspaper :" Lebanon should not get into a any sectarian conflict in the north nor any part of the country , because this will provide Syria with the justification it always wanted to interfere the internal Lebanese affairs. I hereby warn against any plots or deals at the expense of Lebanon. This was in reference to Assad's remarks over the situation in north Lebanon and the 4 way summit in Damascus
07:45 "Hezbollah"sources in response to Geagea criticism of the Helicopter shooting incident by Hezbollah and the killing of Samer Hanna: He killed a large number of the army elements and executed several officers and yet he is now trying to give us lessons in philosophy and is setting conditions for dialogue
07:15 Al Hayat sources : leaders of March 14 approved a plan to address the political implications of Assad's remarks on Tripoli
06:45 "Democratic Gathering" sources told al Akhbar: Mediation between Jumblatt and Syria is impossible and the relationship with "Hezbollah" does not exceed security coordination . There will be no electoral alliance with Hezbollah. The "Democratic Gathering' bloc is headed by MPO Walid Jumblatt
06:30 ministerial source told "As Safir": some difference within the cabinet remain regarding the wage increase specially the size of the increase and whether this increase will be retroactive or not
06:00 The army command received in writing the demands of Jabal Mohsin and Baba al Tabbanah . It is expected that the army will turn over these documents to the government to use them as basis to resolve the issues in the north.
05:45 "As Safir": in the event of Hariri and Siniora visit to Tripoli, it is natural that it will include all the factions without exception in order to put an end to the security, political and developmental issues of the city
05:30 Sources of the majority: the Arab League is in continuous contacts with Lebanon, especially because the Doha agreement stipulated that Amr Moussa would take part in the national the dialogue
05:15 "An-Nahar": Assad wanted to point out ( during his remarks )that the army in Lebanon is unable to resolve the situation in the north , in order to justify the Syrian intervention in Lebanese affairs. This makes the Lebanese wonder if his this is what Assad is planning for with the help of his Hezbollah-led allies .
05:00, diplomatic sources told "Al-Nahar:" France and Qatar were annoyed by the position of President Assad over Lebanon and this was made very clear to the Syrian side
Friday
20:21 Hariri vows to defend Beirut, responds to Assad’s comments: Beirut will not be monopolized by gangs. We will remain defending Beirut, the city of Arabism and the gathering place of Christians and Muslims. ( In response to Hezbollah leader's comments )
Concerning what we have heard ( from Assad ) during the last two days, we alert the people of Lebanon and the Arab League that any attempt to return Lebanon back to Syrian domination, through Tripoli, can only be confronted through national unity. Let them stop their interference in Lebanese issues, and Lebanon will be fine.
18:00 Siniora : An agreement was reached between Finance Minister Mohammad Chatah and Labor Minister Mohammad Fneish, which would be discussed in the next cabinet meeting.
He refused to comment on Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s suggestion that his Lebanese counterpart, President Michel Suleiman, should deploy troops in North Lebanon to counter the rise of Islamic extremism Tripoli, saying “we are doing our duties, and I do not want to dispute with anyone.” However, Siniora added that “Tripoli is not a center of terrorism like some are trying to picture it. Its representatives told me they oppose weapons and gunmen and support the state, army and security forces in performing their duties.”
Tags: Absi, army, Breaking News, Egypt, Elias al-Murr, Future Movement, hanna, Hezbollah, kahwaji, Lebanese Forces, Lebanon, Michel Aoun, Syria
