they reportedly refused to spy on the Hezbollah Shiite militant group.
Hassan Alayan , a spokesman for the group that was expelled from UAE said during a press conference in Beirut yesterday that more than 300 Lebanese — mostly Shiites — have been forced to leave the Emirates over the past three months. He said most of those deported said UAE authorities asked them to inform on fellow Lebanese Shiites living in the country and on Iranian-backed Hezbollah.
"Dozens among us were summoned by the security services in the UAE before being expelled and were asked to spy on fellow Lebanese in the Emirates as well as Hezbollah members or face deportation," Alayan said
One of those deported, Zuhair Hamdan, said his residency permit was rejected after he refused to give authorities information about fellow Lebanese or possible Hezbollah sleeper cells in the UAE.
"I told them I have been living in the UAE for 33 years. How can I have information about Hezbollah," said Hamdan, who lived in the Emirates since he was 2 years old and worked as a traffic policeman.
Alayan alleged UAE authorities have also deported Palestinians who refused to spy on the Islamist militant Hamas group, which rules the Gaza Strip. He said the Palestinians recounted similar pressures by authorities to inform on Hamas.
Alayan said the group plans to take legal action and will ask for compensation.
"This is inhuman, illegal, uncivilized and is counter to UN rules," said Ali Faour, a physician deported from Sharjah, one of the seven city states that make up the UAE, which is mainly Sunni Muslim.
"I was summoned at the end of July and told I had two weeks to leave town," added Faour, who reportedly earned between 40,000 and 50,000 dollars a month in Sharjah.
"Most of those expelled were top businessmen and have major investments in the Emirates." Alayan said
Rania, 19, said she still could not get over her sudden change of life.
"I was born and raised in the Emirates and all my friends are from there," she said, refusing to give her last name. "We were given 20 days to leave Abu Dhabi."
Lebanese President Michel Suleiman sent a military delegation five weeks ago to the UAE to try resolve the matter without success. The UAE authorities told the Lebanese they were being deported for security reasons, but, Alayan believes “their refusal to spy was the real reason
A statement by a committee set up to represent the deportees claimed that the decision by the Emirates could be the result of U.S. pressure to try to choke off routes of funding for Hezbollah. which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization.
Mohammed Fneish , a Hezbollah member of parliament and a minister in the caretaker cabinet called on the Lebanese government to quickly address the issue, which he said “ is financially hurting the families involved.”
"These people broke no laws and there is no excuse for what they have suffered," Fneish said. "It is a violation of their rights and freedom."
Leading Lebanese Shiite cleric Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah called on UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan to resolve the matter.
"We call on you to save hundreds of Lebanese families who have contributed to the development of your country," he said in a statement. "We refuse to believe that the expulsions were motivated by politics, religion, security concern or any outside pressure.
Speaker Nabih Berri , a key ally of Hezbollah and head of the Amal movement said last night : “The issue of the deportees from the United Arab Emirates is my top priority and I'm trying to find a solution that befits the relationship between the two brotherly countries like UAE, Lebanon “
It is real shameful that the Lebanese expatriate community , which is the backbone of the Lebanese economy and which has helped in the development of many countries in the world including the UAE has to pay the price every time politics is involved. It is about time that the Human Rights organization should start paying more attention to the rights of the expatriates
Friday
8;25 pm In a televised video, Israeli Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit appeals to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate his release. Official response doesn't suggest a swift resolution.
8:20pm Kanaan told Future TV: Aoun will finalize discussions with the PM designate and “the devil this time will not be in the details” but elsewhere
8:38pm OTV: 12 members of the Lebanese Forces were arrested in Zahle during training but later released after 2 Zahle MPs intervened
8:22pm Syrian Information minister Muhsen Bilal : The Saudi monarch will be visiting Damascus within the next 48 hours
8;00 pm Almost 3000 people are still trapped under rubble following Wednesday's powerful earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, officials say.
7:40pm Al Manar based on Syrian sources : It does not appear that the visit of the Saudi king to Damascus will take place in the very near future
7:33pm Al Manar based on FPM sources: Aoun and Hariri will be meeting very soon and possibly tonight
7:05pm PM-designate Hariri met with State Minister Nassib Lahoud to discuss the latest political developments.
6:48pm French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s top advisor Henry Guaino arrived in Beirut for a 3-day visit during which he will meet with top leaders.
6:40pm Caretaker PM Siniora discussed with EU foreign policy chief Solana during a telephone conversation latest developments in Lebanon and the region.
5:45pm Kookai owner's son Karim Samir Abdelnour fell from the 9th floor of his apartment in Ashrafiyeh. Police are investigating reasons behind his death.
3:30pm Hariri discussed separately with the Egyptian and U.S. ambassadors latest developments.
3:15 pm AFP: An Argentine judge has asked Colombia and Lebanon to help arrest, Samuel Salman El Reda, a Colombian of Lebanese descent suspected of orchestrating the 1994 bombing of a Jewish charities building in Buenos Aires that killed 85
3:10pm Army Commander Gen. Jean Kahwaji discussed with ISF chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi on Friday morning the security situation in Lebanon and joint cooperation efforts.
3:00pm Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan: We urge officials to form a responsible government that works in the interest of the people. The Lebanese want a made-in-Lebanon cabinet.
02;02 pm Al-Hayat : Washington has notified Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad of the outlines of its regional policy, which includes establishment of normal relations with Lebanon, border control with Iraq as well as facilitate a U.S. withdrawal in a timely manner and help push forward Palestinian reconciliation.
1;pm Real estate giant, Solidere, announced it will launch Beirut Souks in the city center before the end of 2009. The souks were destroyed during the civil war
12:30 pm President Gloria Arroyo placed the Philippines under a "state of calamity" on Friday and terrified people fled their homes as a powerful typhoon threatened to unleash more carnage following deadly floods.
12:20 pm AP: Iran and six world powers put nuclear talks back on track at a landmark session that included the highest-level bilateral contact with the US in years.
12;11 pm The army is reducing its deployment in Majdel Anjar as tension eased following the killing of 2 wanted residents
11;20 Hubeish : We have no indications that the obstructions have been removed and that the government will be formed soon . A government of technocrats may be the only way to face the challenges ahead
11;19 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Hezbollah-led March 8 opposition was "not acting seriously because they don't want a government." He accused the opposition of hiding behind FPM leader Michel Aoun.
10:20 Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah: Lebanon has become a hostage to the sudden Arab coordination after it was held hostage to escalating inter Arab disputes.
8:04 MP Ahmed Fatfat: Consultations shifted to in-depth discussions and the government should be announced within days if there are no obstacles . A Cabinet made from a blend of technocrats and top leaders is a good way out of the crisis.
8:02 MP Anwar al-Khalil told VOL: Big progress has been made in the process that precedes government formation. The issue of names and portfolios should not take a long time.
8:00 MP Ali Fayyad told VOL: Discussions tackled the idea of giving the telecoms ministry to Adnan Assayed Hussein, a candidate proposed by the President. But no agreement has been reached.
6:00 Speaker Nabih Berri said last night : “The issue of the deportees from the United Arab Emirates is my top priority and I'm trying to find a solution that befits the relationship between the two brotherly countries like UAE, Lebanon “
Thursday
5:00pm PM-designate Hariri meets with President Suleiman to present him with the Parliamentary consultations results.
3:10pm Baabda sources told LBC: President Suleiman might join Saudi King Abdullah and President Bashar Assad during their meeting in Damascus.
3:04pm "LBC" sources of "change and reform": In the third round of consultations Hariri and Aoun will meet privately without the participation of the FFM Mps
2:50 pm IMF raised next year's growth estimate for the ME region to 4.2 percent from a July forecast of 3.7 percent. It maintained this year's projection at 2 percent.
2:42pm judge Sawan questioned Ali Nayef the prisoner that escaped from Roumieh prison and arrested Essam Daher for helping Nayef escape
