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Phalange Slams 'Multiplicity of Lebanon's Representation at U.N.'

The Phalange Party on Monday lauded President Michel Suleiman’s recent speech at the U.N. General Assembly, saying the president “stressed Lebanon’s commitment to international legitimacy and the Security Council resolutions.”

The party, however, criticized what it called “the multiplicity of Lebanon’s representation at the U.N. institutions during the current session, as it will be represented by the president, the premier (Najib Miqati), the foreign minister (Adnan Mansour) and Lebanon’s (permanent) envoy to the international organization” Nawwaf Salam.

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Jumblat: Revision of Civil War Necessary to Understand Real Reasons behind Palestinian Involvement

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat noted on Monday that the wars that have taken place in Lebanon have been part of a “great settlement” aimed at harming the Palestinian independent decisions and usurping Lebanon’s national will.

He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa magazine: “A critical revision of the Lebanese civil war is necessary, as is a deep examination of the real reasons why Palestinian armed groups were involved in it.”

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Couple Arrested on Suspicion of Collaborating with Israel

An Egyptian national and his Lebanese wife were arrested in the southern region of Hasbaya on suspicion of collaborating with Israel, said the Army Command in a statement on Monday.

It explained that the couple was under surveillance for some time and the male suspect confessed that he had started working with Israeli intelligence in 1999.

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Berri Meets al-Rahi: You Shouldn’t Fear the Resistance, But You Must Protect it

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that Lebanon is committed to the implementation of international resolutions, noting that Israel’s failure to respect them resulted in the formation of the Resistance.

He said while hosting Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi over a luncheon banquet in the southern town of Msayleh: “The Resistance will defend Lebanon against any aggression and we say to all sides that they should protect it rather than fear it.”

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Ahmadinejad: Iranians Kidnapped in Lebanon in 1982 Held in Israel

The four Iranians kidnapped in Lebanon at the height of the civil war are alive and being held in Israel, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said.

“Regarding the four abducted Iranian diplomats, there are documents (which prove) they are alive and in the hands of the Zionist regime,” Ahmadinejad was quoted by Iran’s Fars News Agency as telling U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon during a meeting in New York on Saturday.

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France: We are Committed to Christians in Lebanon, Syria, Middle East

The French Foreign Ministry stressed on Monday the importance of the presence of the Christian communities in the East, refuting some Lebanese media reports that French President Nicolas Sarkozy supported the immigration of Christians in the East to Europe in light of the developments in the region.

It said in a statement: “France is committed to the Christian presence in Lebanon, Syria, and the Middle East.”

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Berri Says There is Enough Time to Decide on STL Funding

Speaker Nabih Berri has said that authorities would take the appropriate action when the time to pay Lebanon’s share of funds to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon comes.

Berri’s visitors told al-Joumhouria daily published Monday that the deadline for Lebanon’s payment of its share is not at the end of September as some expected.

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Al-Rahi’s Visit to the South: Warm Welcome and Praise for his Stances

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s second-day visit to the South on Sunday had political aspects whereby parties in the region made enthusiastic receptions for him and praised his stances.

Al-Rahi toured several villages and towns, arriving in Msayleh, where he met with Speaker Nabih Berri at his residence at the end of his three-day visit on Monday.

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Europe Competes over Williams Successor

The European countries are competing among each other to press their candidates to succeed United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams as his tenure comes to an end on Sept. 30, the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported on Monday.

European diplomatic sources told the daily that the Lebanese government supports ex- Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain Miguel Angel Moratinos to succeed Williams, whereby President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati voiced support for Moratinos’ candidacy during separate talks with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki moon.

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Safadi Seeks World Financial Support, Says ‘Cabinet Not Controlled by Hizbullah’

Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi sent a message to senior officials during his visit to Washington that the current Lebanese cabinet isn’t controlled by Hizbullah and “will never be Hizbullah’s government,” As Safir newspaper reported on Monday.

Safadi held meetings on Sunday with U.S. Assistant Secretary for International Finance Charles Collyns, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, World Bank head Robert Zoellick and Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf.

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