The 'other' Occupation

[zenith-nadir]

There is another occupation in the Middle East that is rarely spoken of. There is even a U.N. Resolution regarding it, UN Resolution 520.

Lebanon's clergy blasts Syria interference

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The archbishops of Lebanon's Maronite Christian community, from which Lebanese presidents are drawn, have criticized Syria's interference in Lebanese affairs.

A statement issued by Maronite archbishops led by Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir denounced Syria's influence and interference in the November presidential elections in Lebanon when President Emile Lahoud's six-year mandate expires.

"Syria's interference exhausted Lebanon. ... Syria is the one that rules, appointing rulers and organizing elections and bringing to power whoever it wants," the statement said.

U.S., France to table Lebanon resolution

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The United States and France prepared Wednesday to introduce a resolution at the U.N. Security Council supporting Lebanon's sovereignty.

The move comes amid accusations Syria is using its influence in Lebanon to get President Emile Lahoud another three years in office, a move prohibited by the country's constitution. Lebanon's Parliament looks set to approve the constitutional amendment, despite public opposition.

The draft demands that some 16,000 Syrian forces withdraw from Lebanon, all militia groups be disbanded and a free and fair election be held without foreign interference.

Syria has occupied Lebanon for over two decades. it looks like opposition to the second longest occupation in the Middle East is finally heating up...

 

[Mycroft]

Syria has occupied Lebanon for over two decades. it looks like opposition to the second longest occupation in the Middle East is finally heating up...

The first longest occupation is...Kurdistan?

 

[zenith-nadir]

U.N.: Syria troops leave Lebanon - Sept. 2 2004

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council Thursday approved 9-0 a resolution demanding Syria, without mentioning it by name, withdraw its troops from Lebanon.

The measure was introduced by France and the United States and co-sponsored by Britain and Germany in reaction to Damascus pressuring Beirut to extend pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term in office.

There are about 15,000 Syrian troops in Lebanon. Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon four years ago. Damascus says Beirut requested the Syrian troops' presence in Lebanon.

Faisal Mekdad, Syria's Ambassador to the United Nations, said: "We regret that the valuable time of the Security Council has been spent in vain on discussing issues that are not of its jurisdiction."

He added, "The resolution has become merely an expression of interference in an internal affair of a country and an electoral process that the council is not being asked to consider."

So the ex-president of the UN Security Council, Syria, has been told to stop meddling in Lebanese politics and remove it's troops from Lebanon which it occupies. The Syrian response is "f" off and tell the UN to stop meddling... ...man those Syrians are a laugh a minute.

 

[thaiboxerken]

The Syrian response is "f" off and tell the UN to stop meddling... ...man those Syrians are a laugh a minute.

They must be getting their advice from Bush.

 

[zenith-nadir]

Lebanon to Extend President's Term, Defying U.N. - Fri Sep 3, 2004 08:22 AM ET

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's parliament is going ahead with a vote to extend the term of Syrian-backed President Emile Lahoud Friday despite a U.N. Security Council resolution warning Damascus against interfering in Lebanon.

The controversial amendment requires a two-thirds majority in the 128-member assembly. Most members of parliament are allied to Syria, the main power broker in Lebanon where it has 17,000 troops.

The vote will go ahead after Damascus told its allies in Lebanon that it wanted Lahoud to remain in office despite wide domestic and international displeasure with the decision.

No one takes into consideration what the Lebanese people want regarding the presidential election. The decision is already taken by Syria," said Beirut office worker Lena Kamel, 30. "I hope Syria leaves Lebanon."

So the ex-president of the U.N. Security Council, Syria, can defy the U.N., occupy another country and yet demand "other countries" adhere to the decisions of the Security Council. Ahhhh...the obvious hypocrisy of it all...

 

[zenith-nadir]

So next time an Arab country complains about America's involvement in Iraq ask them if they want their hypocrisy in a cup or a mug...


Lebanon Moves to Keep President in Office - Sat, Sep 04, 2004

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Lebanese lawmakers amended their constitution to keep pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud in office, boldly reaffirming their loyalty to Damascus and defying a U.N. resolution calling for presidential elections.

I reject the proposed amendment," presidential candidate Butros Harb told the legislature. "It has been proven to us that the extension decision had been taken in Syria and by the Syrian regime."

Another lawmaker, former first lady Nayla Moawwad, described the extension as a "scandal" that put Lebanon and Syria in a confrontation with the United Nations.

But legislator Mohammed Raad, who leads the nine-member bloc of Hezbollah, the Lebanese guerrilla group which the United States regards as terrorist, said later that the vote was "to support Lahoud and to reject the policies of the American administration in the region."

The Lebanese Cabinet approved the constitutional amendment last week and sent it to Parliament, saying regional instability — citing Iraq and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict — made it necessary for Lahoud to stay at the helm.

 

[zenith-nadir]

Hezbollah rejects abolition call - Saturday, 4 September, 2004

The leader of the militant Lebanese group Hezbollah has rejected a United Nations resolution calling for the organisation to be dismantled. Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said the UN Security Council proposal was an Israeli "trap".

He also defended the presence of Syrian forces in Lebanon, saying the troops had helped the country to consolidate security after its civil war.

Ya, a civil war that ended decades ago but don't let this occupation get in the way of your hypocrisy Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah.

By the way did it ever occur to anyone that the entire Arab world thinks everything is an "Israeli trap", some serious counseling is in order.


{edited to add}


Ever notice when the U.N. rules against Israel the Arab world lauds it's ruling and when the U.N. rules against the arab world, (Sudan, Lebanon), the U.N. is an "Israeli trap".

 

[zenith-nadir]

I have a feeling that this occupation is not relevant for some JREFers because Israel is not involved.

 

[a_unique_person]

It's got a few years to go before it is as long as the occupation of Gunatanamo Bay.

 

[zenith-nadir]

Hummmm, lets examine your remark. The 45 sq. miles that comprise the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay was leased in February 1903 to be used as a coaling station. Syrian troops entered Lebanon in 1976 to curb the Palestinians and restore order during the civil war. The U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay does not appoint Cuban rulers or organize Cuban elections. Syria does appoint Lebanese rulers, does rewrite the Lebanese constitution and controls it's elections.

I'm sorry but I'm missing the significance of "It's got a few years to go before it is as long as the occupation of Gunatanamo Bay".

 

[a_unique_person]

Re: Re: The 'other' Occupation

The first longest occupation is...Kurdistan?

I think he was implying Palestine, wasn't he.

 

[a_unique_person]

There is also the occupation of Tibet by China.

 

[zenith-nadir]

There is also the occupation of Tibet by China.

When you make your way back to Syria occupying Lebanon give us a ring.

 

[zenith-nadir]

U.S. Interfering in Lebanon and Syria, Damascus Says - Tue Sep 7, 2004

DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Damascus has accused the United States of interfering in the affairs of Lebanon and Syria, saying Washington had brought undue pressure to force a U.N. resolution last week on foreign influence in Lebanon.

In comments reported by state media Tuesday, Defense Minister Hasan Turkmani accused Washington of "political escalation to interfere in the internal affairs of Syria and Lebanon under frail pretexts."

Turkmani, whose country has around 17,000 troops in Lebanon, slammed Washington's role in pushing through last week's U.N. resolution that called for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanon. The resolution also warned against foreign interference in Lebanon's presidential elections. Turkmani said it was a U.S. attempt to "confiscate" the authority of the Lebanese people and parliament "as if the United States is more keen than the Lebanese on their country and interests."

It's called Turnspeak. The Arab leaders are experts at it. It's accusing your opponent of what you yourself are doing. Syria *is* interfering in the affairs of Lebanon and attempting to "confiscate" the authority of the Lebanese people and parliament. Not America. Yet Defense Minister Hasan Turkmani clearly states America is doing those things. Turnspeak....