Post: #1

RT talks with Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel:

RT: Lebanon is affected by internal tensions and regional conflicts. All decisions related to security issues are made outside Lebanon, by other countries. So how can you talk about security in Lebanon then?

Marwan Charbel: Lebanon's security doesn't depend on Lebanon alone. Politically - and in terms of security - Lebanon depends on external factors as well. The people of Lebanon have close religious and family ties with neighboring states.

RT: Is there an alternative to external influence?

MC: There has to be an alternative. Even smaller countries than Lebanon resist external influence.

RT: What do you think about the conflict between the Shia and Sunnis in Lebanon?

MC: In 1974-1975, we had a conflict between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon. This conflict was resolved. We adopted a new Constitution and achieved harmony. It is possible that, at some point, Lebanon will face the threat of being broken up into pieces, and of course it concerns me. Look at Iraq, for example.

The US occupied the country, then they withdrew their troops, and what do we have now? Iraq is divided. There is a danger that something like that will happen in Syria too, if the current situation persists. If Syria is divided, this will directly affect Lebanon.

RT: Do you think the current Syrian regime can protect Lebanon?

MC: The question is not whether this regime stays in Syria or is replaced by another one. The problem is that the insurgence in Syria affects the situation in Lebanon.

RT: Who do you think is behind the Syrian conflict?

MC: We have some global and Arab interests clashing here, and we all understand that. What we don't understand is where this clash will take us in the end. But we can say one thing with certainty: if the Syrian conflict is resolved one way or another, this will affect the situation in Lebanon.

RT: The recent events in Lebanon - the murder of two sheikhs, the situation in Akkar, the detention of Shadi Mawlawi, who was later released in Tripoli - all these events indicate that certain forces are not only trying to flare up a conflict; they want to start a wave of violence in the country. We all understand it, but the big question is - who stands to benefit from this?

MC: It is being done so that Palestinians can become citizens of Lebanon. If Lebanon is divided, Palestinians will eventually be able to become Lebanese citizens.

RT: Who is trying to divide Lebanon?

MC: I can ask you the same question. External forces seek to control Lebanon. They seek to divide and weaken all the countries surrounding Israel in order to ensure Israel's security.

RT: Based on the current situation in the region and the information we have, can we point the finger at somebody and say that they are interested in this scenario more than anybody else?

MC: I can put it this way: We have all heard this expression the Arab Spring, but who has seen the fruit of this spring? No one. Has Egypt elected its president? Or has the spring ended? Almost the same thing is happening in Tunisia and in Yemen. There's no fruit, there's just this expression, the Arab Spring.

I really think what we see today is an Israeli Spring. Who will pose a threat to Israel now? Palestinians die every day, and no one protests. Before, even if one Palestinian was killed, there was an outrage. Today, three Palestinians get killed, or ten, or twenty - and nobody says anything. There is not even talk about differences within the Palestinian movement.

RT: On the abduction of 11 Lebanese citizens. No doubt, you follow the situation closely and you discussed it with Turkish colleagues during yours and the prime minister's visit to Turkey. What is the current situation with these people? Who kidnapped them? When will they return home to their families?

MC: I can only give you a very general answer, because we made an agreement with Turkey not to disclose the details to the media. The kidnapped people are on Syrian territory, two kilometers away from the Turkish border. We are working together with the Turkish Foreign Ministry to liberate these people.

RT: Was the Syrian opposition involved? Can we say that they are the kidnappers?

MC: Yes, these people were kidnapped by the Syrian opposition, but we don't know which group within the Syrian opposition is responsible. The Turkish authorities are looking into this.

RT: Is it true that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is the only person who can bring these people home?

MC: I don't think so. But the Secretary General of Hezbollah did say that, if his personal involvement is necessary to resolve this problem, he would be willing to resolve it.

RT: But none of the kidnapped individuals are Hezbollah commanders?

MC: No.

RT: Do you know how soon the kidnapped individuals may be freed?

MC: Quite soon. It will happen this month.
more:
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/246696...um=twitter

Post: #2

 Wrote:

'Birthplace of Christ' to be first Palestinian World Heritage site?

June 13th 2012

Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, venerated by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus, could become the first World Heritage site in the Palestinian Territories, following a UNESCO meeting later this month.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/13/world/...-heritage/

Post: #3

LoP Guest  Wrote:

 Wrote:

'Birthplace of Christ' to be first Palestinian World Heritage site?

June 13th 2012

Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, venerated by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus, could become the first World Heritage site in the Palestinian Territories, following a UNESCO meeting later this month.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/13/world/...-heritage/

sorry... but wtf has this to do with the Arab Spring?

Post: #4

spɹɐʍoɔ snoɯʎuouɐ  Wrote:

LoP Guest  Wrote:

 Wrote:

'Birthplace of Christ' to be first Palestinian World Heritage site?

June 13th 2012

Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, venerated by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus, could become the first World Heritage site in the Palestinian Territories, following a UNESCO meeting later this month.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/13/world/...-heritage/

sorry... but wtf has this to do with the Arab Spring?

EVERYTHING

This is the core issue

JERUSALEM

Post: #5

LoP Guest  Wrote:

spɹɐʍoɔ snoɯʎuouɐ  Wrote:

LoP Guest  Wrote:

sorry... but wtf has this to do with the Arab Spring?

EVERYTHING

This is the core issue

JERUSALEM

The UN should of done more with that place after the war in the late 60's .. it was an international territory not Arab
it should of never been one of Israel's spoils of war

but you will have to explain to me how it ties in with the OP

Post: #6

"Arab Spring benefited only Israel"

Just shocking! I never would have thought that myself.

Post: #7

Enormous weapons caches, made in Israel, found in Syria

Egypt seizes explosives on ship coming from Israel

Israeli Weapons Company & Mossad Recruited 50,000 Foreign Mercenaries For Gadaffi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzDWXWfuxYY

Post: #8

LoP Guest  Wrote:

"Arab Spring benefited only Israel"

Just shocking! I never would have thought that myself.

Post: #9

i would agree a chaotic, divided arab majority is 'good' for israel, one of the things the west has feared since the 1400s was united arab world under the banner of islam (more as a unifying cultural force rather than a religion).

however! what is happening in egypt is not good AT ALL for israel. also, the israelis or at least their handlers are more interested in the persians, and with them playing ball with russia and the orient. its not quite as simple as jews and arabs. :)

Post: #10

Sia  Wrote:

i would agree a chaotic, divided arab majority is 'good' for israel, one of the things the west has feared since the 1400s was united arab world under the banner of islam (more as a unifying cultural force rather than a religion).

however! what is happening in egypt is not good AT ALL for israel. also, the israelis or at least their handlers are more interested in the persians, and with them playing ball with russia and the orient. its not quite as simple as jews and arabs. :)

why do you say what is happening in Egypt is not good AT ALL for Israel?

They are probably regretting giving Sinai back to them now I dare say but overall the internal conflicts dividing the country will be keeping the wolf from the door for quite a while imo