Archive for May 25, 2008

I read on Al-Manar TV’s website that Grand (not at all) Sistani has issued a fatwa banning the sale of food products to the occupiers. Oh, really o Manar TV? So Sistani permits the shining of the shoes of occupiers–literally and figuratively, and the formation of a puppet occupation government, but bans the sale of [...]

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

This is really funny. In fact, it is hilarious. Here: “Rather than being the enemy, most Arab journalists are potential allies whose agenda broadly tracks the stated goals of United States Middle East policy and who can be a valuable conduit for explaining American policy to their audiences.” The authors are not Middle East experts, [...]

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

Amin Gemayyel and Saudi Arabia. As some of you know, Saud Al-Faysal, has purchased a house in LA, which he visits regularly for medical reasons. He got to know well a Lebanese businessman there. He recently complained to the businessman that Saudi Arabia gave Amin Gemayyel $5 million to fund the Matn by-election campaign, but [...]

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

Lebanese communists protest against Doha Agreement.

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

This is Lebanon by comrade Ibrahim.

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

A Western diplomat who served in Lebanon tells me that it was very frustrating for him/her to deal with Michel Sulayman. He/she said that he would barely speak or express an opinion. He would merely listen and nod.

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

Only if you feel like dancing. New TV has been airing love songs for the House of Thani (the ruling dynasty of Qatar) all day long.

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

I am not surprised. There is a history of finding Israeli killers to be amusing, adorable, and likable in American popular culture: “Mr. Sandler plays an Israeli assassin who flees to the United States to become a hairdresser.”

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

A group of Arab-Americans in Southern California tried to see Rep. Darrel Issa and he refused to see them. They happen to be advocates for the Palestinian right of return.

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

Basically, nobody knows how the new president of Lebanon will rule. He reveals very little of himself. A knowledgeable source tells me that Sulayman’s rise in the Lebanese Army was due to support from Ghazi Kan`an and Emile Lahhud in the 1990s.

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

For Campus Watch and Zionist hoodlums it is simple: anybody who dares to advocate for the Palestinians and who opposes Zionism and its crimes is by (their) definition an anti-Semite. Their credibility on the matter is equal to the credibility of the House of Saud on women’s rights.

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

I wrote a critical comment below about Jim Quilty’s piece on Lebanon for MERIP on-line. Jim sent me his response (I post with his permission): “Dear Professor Abu Khalil:I hope this note finds you well. I’m a beirut-based journalist and so have had occasion to read your blog from time to time. given my political [...]

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

Don’t you like it when Lebanon pretends that it has a democracy? Is it not sad that the new president’s claim to fame is the destruction of Nahr Al-Barid refugee camp?

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

When I look at scenes of the Lebanese parliament, I remember my childhood. My brothers and I used to play in that hall as kids, and we used to sit on the balcony and watch parliamentary sessions (my father was an employee in the parliament). I remember I was once passing by the accountant of [...]

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

Since 1943, only once did the Lebanese not know the results of the president’s election in parliament before the election itself. Only in 1970, the Lebanese did not know who was going to win, and it was only because the foreign embassies could not reach an agreement before hand.

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad

Lebanon has a new president now. He was elected…by Arab foreign ministers weeks ago, and nominated by Husni Mubarak. Here is a link to a previous post related to him.

Posted on May 25, 2008 by As'ad