Archive for December 10, 2006
You will not read this in the Western press. As-Safir catalogues attacks by Hariri goons. This is the unreported side of the “Cedar Revolution.”
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
Why are all the puppets crying? But puppets have feelings, you know. “With his lips quivering and voice breaking, a tearful President Hamid Karzai on Sunday lamented that Afghan children are being killed by NATO and U.S. bombs and by terrorists from Pakistan — a portrayal of helplessness in the face of spiraling chaos.” (thanks [...]
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
It is one thing to oppose the Syrian regime; but it is another to think that the Lebanese people are somewhat genetically superior–or to think that An-Nahar newspaper is a professional newspaper.
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
Saudi Arabia and Jordan refused to receive Isma`il Haniyyah, but Hamas does not have the courage to say that publicly. Here, I just told you.
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
Abu Khalid Al-`Amlah was a competent Palestinian military commander in the Fath movement. `Arafat never liked him: he was not corrupt, he was competent, and he was not submissive to `Arafat’s autocratic rule. This man was one of the few to avoid getting dirty in the mud of the Lebanese civil war. He was not [...]
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
“Overlooking the main square, two banners were draped over a building. One showed Siniora embracing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. “Thanks, Condy!” it read in English.”(But this account, and many Western accounts, unlike Arabic accounts, played down the huge participation of Christians (from `Awn’s forces and from Maradah).
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
Robert Fisk and Abed (his driver) were there. Read all about it: “With Fouad Siniora’s cabinet hiding in the Grand Serail behind acres of razor wire and thousands of troops – a veritable “green zone” in the heart of Beirut – the largely Shia Muslim opposition, assisted by their Christian allies, brought up to two [...]
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
Finally. An appointment based on merit. Mu`ammar Qadhdhafi has just appointed his son, Al-Mu`tasim, as his national security adviser. He looked around but could not find somebody as talented as his son.
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
Are Mansur Rahbani and his untalented sons embarrassed when they produce those awful plays and awful songs regularly? The game is over. The cover has been lifted. Everybody now knows that Rahbani Brothers was the false name of the talented one brother, `Asi (despite my criticisms of his work). Mansur Rahbani’s sons (and Ilyas’ son, [...]
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
Arabian Business magazine in Dubai gave its award for the best businessman (it seems they don’t honor women) of the year to Rafiq Hariri. The man is dead. Did they not notice that when they selected him?
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
`Awn is showing more firmness and determination in this protest movement than Hizbullah. Hizbullah seems willing to accept the lousy Sudanese initiative.
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
Fatfat Watch. As-Safir reported this: “Ahmad Fatfat appeared very cautious as he mounted the stage to salute the participants. He was surrounded by too many bodyguards and he left the venue of the festival as soon as he finished delivering his speech.”
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
Samir Shikhani is dead. Most people don’t know who he is. He was a Lebanese journalist. When I was in elementary school, I came across his book Ma`a Al-Khalidin (With the Immortals), which was a concise encyclopedia containing information on major figures in music, arts, literature, politics, etc. The book had an impact on me, [...]
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
The Prisoner of Zenda: Fu’ad Sanyurah watches the demonstrators in downtown Beirut. He does not look pleased, for some reason.
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
Israeli newspaper is more accurate on Lebanon than Hariri rag. It said this about the opposition demonstration: “Hundreds of thousands of protesters thronged central Beirut’s two central squares, Riyad al-Solh Square and Martyrs’ Square on Sunday to participate in the Hizbullah -led opposition’s second rally. In a huge show of force, the chanting crowds swamped [...]
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
If you don’t like the news, pretend it did not happen. Here, Hariri rag, Al-Mustaqbal ignores the biggest demonstration ever in the history of Lebanon. It featured instead a Fatfat festival in Tripoli. (Notice the empty seats in the 2nd and 3rd rows).
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
US ambassador in Lebanon yesterday visited Samir Ja`ja` (pronounced Ga`ga` in Egyptian dialect) to reassure him that US policy changes in Iraq will not affect Lebanon. He promised that US foreign policy around the world will always be based on the interests of the Lebanese Forces and Ahmad Fatfat. Remember that Hariri rag, Al-Mustaqbal, actually [...]
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
Another An-Nahar columnist complains about the non-photogenic (or “telegenic as Nicholas Blanford would like to call the March 14th demonstrators) crowds in downtown Beirut. “Who are these people?” he asks.
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
The opposition in Lebanon is promoting Fu’ad Makhzumi and his empty National Dialogue Party. Makhzumi made his fortunes allegedly from arms deals before settling in Lebanon and bribing his way into the political system. Like Hariri, he also wanted his fortune to qualify him for the prime minister position. People who work in Makhzumi companies [...]
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad
“The Arabism of Lebanon begins under the stature of Walid Jumblat.” These were the words–whatever they mean–of Wa’if Abu Fa`ur (a Jumblat MP) in a speech today. He also said that Walid Jumblat is “above accountability or questioning.” How eloquent; how dignified.
Posted on December 10, 2006 by As'ad