Women challenge 'honor' killings
Murders of women accused of tainting family honor account for one-third
of all violent deaths in Jordan. By ALASDAIR SOUSSI
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0302/p15s01-wome.html?s=hns

U.S. and France Join to Urge Syria to Pull Out of Lebanon
By JOEL BRINKLEY and ALAN COWELL
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said sending
peacekeepers to take the place of Syrian forces was under
consideration.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/02/internat.../02rice.html?th

http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=5039

Lebanon's Hollow 'Cedar Revolution'
Justin Raimondo

http://www.antiwar.com/orig/zunes.php?articleid=5017

All Set for War With Syria
Stephen Zunes

http://www.antiwar.com/cole/?articleid=5019

Lebanon: Background and Forecast
Juan Cole

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/546543.html

Rice: Evidence shows TA bombing planned in Syria

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...stpalestinianus

US leads international group to reform security in Palestinian territories

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...t_conference_dc

Abbas Says Palestinians Need Peace Not Just Reform

--------------------
World Will Back Abbas, Blair Asserts
--------------------

London talks produce an accord on improving Palestinian security and an outline for achieving statehood. Nations pledge $680 million.

By John Daniszewski and Paul Richter
Times Staff Writers

March 2 2005

LONDON; At an international meeting Tuesday to help Palestinian leaders prepare for statehood, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the world would back President Mahmoud Abbas' efforts to rein in militants and build a lawful government and healthy institutions.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,1593982.story

--------------------
Divided Lebanon Seeks an Interim Leader
--------------------

The new prime minister will take the nation toward parliamentary elections, with the Syrian presence the most crucial issue.

By Megan K. Stack
Times Staff Writer

March 2 2005

BEIRUT; Politicians held a wave of closed-door meetings to select an interim government a day after Lebanon's Syria-backed administration collapsed following massive street protests.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...headlines-world

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GC02Ak03.html

Bush Has a Clear Run at Syria

US Slams Syria Over Terrorism

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=BEF04F:2F72C9D

Condoleezza Rice spoke out sharply about Syrian interference in Middle
East against US-backed movement to spread democracy 

Condoleezza Rice at the "Supporting the Palestinian Authority" meeting
in London (AP photo)The United States has ratcheted up its pressure on
Syria, demanding a Syrian pullout from Lebanon and the dismantling of
terrorist camps in the southern part of that country.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has spoken out sharply about
Syrian interference in the Middle East against a U.S.-backed movement
to spread democracy through the region.

At the end of a London conference on Palestinian reforms, Secretary
Rice was asked what steps the United States could take to get Syria
out of Lebanon. She called on Syria to comply with a U.N. Security
Council resolution and withdraw its forces from Lebanon.

"The first task is impressing upon the Syrians the importance of
complying with Resolution 15-59 which requires that Syrian forces
withdraw, and I want to be very clear, we mean Syrian military forces
and their security services," said Ms. Rice.

Earlier this week, Syria said it planned to redeploy its troops in
Lebanon. Washington had welcomed the Syrian announcement, but said the
withdrawal should be immediate and all troops should be pulled out.

Ms. Rice also said Syria should dismantle terrorist camps in southern
Lebanon as part of any withdrawal.

"We expect that the dismantling of terrorist activities would have to
be an important part of anything moving forward," she added. "There
can't continue to be terrorist strikes against Israel or anyone else
from southern Lebanon and that message has also been very clear to the
Syrians."

She accused Damascus of backing terrorists who are active against
Israel, Iraq and the Palestinian Authority under newly elected
President Mahmoud Abbas.

In a separate interview with an American television network ABC, Ms.
Rice said there is firm evidence that the Syrian-based group Islamic
Jihad carried out a suicide bombing Friday in Tel Aviv, an attack that
cast a shadow over the London conference.

Earlier in the day, Ms. Rice said the United States is prepared to
offer material support to Lebanon for free and fair elections to
replace a pro-Syrian government that has just resigned. She said Syria
must stop meddling in Lebanon's politics.

Syria to blame in Israel blast, U.S. declares::

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said, "We do have firm evidence that the bombing in Tel Aviv was not only authorized by Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders in Damascus, but that Islamic Jihad leaders in Damascus participated in the planning."
http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...20304/1117/news

http://tinyurl.com/5huxv

Israel Welcomes Lebanese Uprising:

Israel's foreign minister is hoping for peace with Lebanon in the wake of popular protests in Beirut demanding that Syria leave after decades of occupation, while others warn that a Syrian exit could destabilize the country.
http://cbs4boston.com/news/topstories_story_061062910.html

Blair Warns Syria the World Is Watching :

British Prime Minister Tony Blair warned Syria that the world is watching its actions closely, adding to diplomatic pressure on Damascus as Washington steps up calls for Syrian troops to withdraw from Lebanon.
http://www.620ktar.com/?nid=46&sid=30132

Bush Orders Syria Out of Lebanon :

The world, Bush said, "is speaking with one voice when it comes to making sure that democracy has a chance to flourish in Lebanon."
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBJ7BZPT5E.html

Syria puts timetable on pullout:

UNDER intense US pressure, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has committed his country to pulling its troops out of neighbouring Lebanon within "the next few months".
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12427949-38201,00.html

Backed into a corner and weaker than ever, but don't underestimate Bashar Assad :

The sons of famous men often struggle to make their mark. And Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, is struggling more than most as he contemplates the loss of Lebanon and his country's increasing international isolation.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldbriefing/st...1428401,00.html

Juan Cole: Lebanon Realignment and Syria
http://www.juancole.com/2005/03/lebanon-re...yria-it-is.html

Lebanese opposition toughens stance as pressure mounts on Syria :

The Lebanese opposition stepped up its demands for an end to Syria's political and military domination as the beleaguered pro-Damascus president struggled to find a new prime minister.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp.../135285/1/.html

Lebanon's Hariri Killed To Make a 'Clean Break'? :

The assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, in Beirut on Feb. 14, was a carefully planned and executed act, geared to trigger a chain reaction of events in the region, that would conform with the long-standing policy of the neo-conservative junta running Washington.
http://207.44.245.159/article8188.htm

Journalist Hersh slams Bush and the Iraq war:

The Pulitzer Prize winner said the president’s plans in the region go beyond Iraq and include bringing the administration’s brand of pro-American democracy to Iran and Syria.
http://wvgazette.com/section/News/2005030122

Palestinian population exceeds Jewish population says U.S. government:

The population of Palestinians living in Israel, the Occupied Gaza Strip, Occupied East Jerusalem and rest of the Occupied West Bank combined now exceeds the number of Israeli Jews, a U.S. government report has revealed.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article3649.shtml

Brian Avery's day in Israel's Supreme Court:

They were standing still, wearing bright red medic vests with their hands over their heads, when soldiers opened fire without any warning shots.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article3649.shtml

Palestinians recoiling from suicide bombs
There is a growing consensus among Palestinians that recent attacks are
counterproductive. By Joshua Mitnick
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0303/p01s02-wome.html?s=hns

NEWS ANALYSIS
Syria Under Pressure: Worse Trouble May Lie Ahead
By HASSAN M. FATTAH
Under pressure, the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad is
showing signs of a siege mentality, many opposition figures
say.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/03/internat...03syria.html?th

--------------------
A Political Dawn for Palestinian Women
--------------------

Once rarely seen in public office, many are running in a flurry of elections. A West Bank mayor is learning how to manage a municipality.

By Ken Ellingwood
Times Staff Writer

March 3 2005

BEIT RIMA, West Bank; Bashful and soft-spoken, Fatheyeh Rimawi concedes that she knows little about how the government works. The 30-year-old former teacher surprised many in January by being elected mayor of Beit Rima and a neighboring village, the first Palestinian woman to win such a post, during ongoing municipal balloting in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...headlines-world

--------------------
Vote Could Benefit Lebanese Militants, U.S. Official Warns
--------------------

Hezbollah may gain seats in parliament. Bush presses Syrian leader to pull troops.

By a Times Staff Writer

March 3 2005

WASHINGTON; As President Bush stepped up U.S. demands Wednesday that Syria pull its troops out of Lebanon, a senior administration official was cautioning Congress that the militant party Hezbollah could gain new power in upcoming Lebanese elections.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...headlines-world

Arab League Foreign Ministers Meet in Cairo

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=BF4E1F:2F72C9D

Although the issue of a Syrian troop withdrawal from Lebanon is not
officially on the agenda, it is expected to dominate the meeting

The foreign ministers of the Arab League are meeting in Cairo, in
preparation for an Arab summit to be held, later this month, in
Algiers. It will be the first such meeting of the 22-member
organization since the Palestinian and Iraqi elections and the
resignation of the pro-Syrian government in Lebanon.

Although the issue of a Syrian troop withdrawal from Lebanon is not
officially on the agenda for Arab League foreign ministers, it is
expected to dominate the meeting.

International pressure has been mounting on Damascus to withdraw its
estimated 14,000 troops from neighboring Lebanon. Monday, pro-Syrian
Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karamai resigned, amid massive
demonstrations calling for an end to Syrian influence in Lebanon.

However, upon arriving in Cairo for the meeting of Arab foreign
ministers, Lebanese diplomat Bassam Numani stressed that Beirut wants
to maintain good relations with Syria. He says he continues to support
an older agreement between Syria and Lebanon that calls for a phased
partial withdrawal of troops, with no timetable.

Mahmoud Abbas;Among the items on the agenda for the foreign
ministers are Palestinian-Israeli peace efforts. Palestinian leader
Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Saudi
foreign minister Saud al-Faisal, Thursday, in the Egyptian resort
Sharm el-Sheikh.

Also on the agenda for the meeting in Cairo is the
post-electoral transition period in Iraq.

The foreign ministers meeting is aimed at preparing for a two-day Arab
summit to be held in Algiers beginning March 22, in which most, if not
all, of the agreements reached in Cairo will be ratified by Arab
League members.

http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/news_serv...service_ID=7210

US gives Israel 'go ahead' to strike Syria

Syria seeks Arab solution in Lebanon
Syrian President Assad met with Saudi officials Thursday, who told him
Syria must withdraw all its troops 'soon.' By Nicholas Blanford
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0304/p01s03-wome.html?s=hns

The buzz on the Syrian street: Let's leave Lebanon
Some 60 Syrian intellectuals have sent a letter to Beirut in support of
democracy. By Rhonda Roumani
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0304/p07s02-wome.html?s=hns

Lebanon: future shock for Arab leaders?
Which Middle East ruler can sleep easily when public fears are
dispelled by velvet or orange revolutions? By Dennis Ross
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0304/p09s02-coop.html?s=hns

- QUOTATION OF THE DAY -

"The Arabs have taken a stand and the international community have taken a stand. This means there is no ally left for Syria."
- JOSEPH SAMAHA, editor in chief of the Lebanese daily As Safir, on calls
for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon.


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/04/internat...04syria.html?th

Lebanon for the Lebanese
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should recognize reality
and organize a prompt and orderly retreat from Lebanon.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/04/opinion/04fri2.html?th

--------------------
Saudi Arabia Joins Calls for Syria Pullout
--------------------

Crown Prince Abdullah tells President Assad to remove troops from Lebanon. Arab push is seen as a face-saving 'cover' for Damascus.

By Megan K. Stack
Times Staff Writer

March 4 2005

BEIRUT; In a stark sign of Syria's dwindling diplomatic support, Saudi Arabia on Thursday demanded Damascus pull its soldiers out of Lebanon without delay.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,3031108.story

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A0C...79E1FAA488C.htm

Arabs try to control storm over Syria

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0304/p01s03-wome.html

Syria seeks Arab solution in Lebanon

http://www.antiwar.com/bock/?articleid=5066

Lebanon: Hope and Trepidation
Alan Block

Yet as the negotiations continue, and a waning crowd of primarily young Maronite Christian and Sunni Muslim protestors continue to camp out in Martyrs' Square and parade throughout the city waving Lebanese flags in protest, the absence of Shiite Muslim parties from the opposition has grown increasingly notable. Opposition members say Shiites have taken part, but acknowledge that the absence of Hezbollah and the other main Shiite party, Amal, has limited their reach.

Two reasons that I can think of for Hezbollah's refusal to join in the demand for Syria to leave Lebanon.

1. It would be the beginning of the end of their financial support from Syria.

2. Their is still a lot of distrust of Israel's intentions. There is much speculation concerning the long range goal of a U.S.A./ Israel alliance toward " appropriating " the water resources of Lebanon.

A.B.

Saudis Tell Syria To Leave Lebanon

By Scott Wilson

BEIRUT, March 3 -- Saudi Arabia's rulers warned Syrian President Bashar Assad on Thursday to begin withdrawing his country's troops from Lebanon or risk damaging relations between their countries, adding a leading Arab voice to a chorus of demands from Washington and European capitals, according to news reports from Riyadh, the Saudi capital.

To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...er=emailarticle

Gunmen, Palestinian Police Clash in West Bank

By Ali Daraghmeh

Tensions between Palestinian Authority police and military groups erupted into violence Friday as Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a police station, sparking a gunfight that left three people wounded.

To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...er=emailarticle

Britain: UN Peacekeepers Could Back Up Syria Pullout from Lebanon

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=BFAC71:2F72C9D

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw says Syria must withdraw its
15,000 troops if it hopes to get back into the good graces of the
international community Britain says the United Nations could increase
the size of its peacekeeping force in Lebanon to shore up security in
support of a Syrian withdrawal from the country.

Jack StrawBritish Foreign Secretary Jack Straw raised the possibility
of United Nations support for a Syrian pullout from Lebanon during an
interview with British radio.

"There are already some United Nations peacekeeping forces in the
south of Lebanon," he noted. " It is possible that as part of a phased
withdrawal from Lebanon by Syria - it has to be swift but obviously
phased so you don't leave a mess - there could be some more
peacekeeping troops."

Mr. Straw says there already have been informal talks at the United
Nations about the matter. He says there is absolutely no suggestion of
any foreign military action to drive Syria out of Lebanon.

But he says Syria must withdraw its 15,000 troops if it hopes to get
back into the good graces of the international community.

"If they pull their forces out, then they can come back into the fold
of the international community," he said. "If they don't, they really
will be treated as a pariah, not just by the West, but by most of
their Arab neighbors."

Mr. Straw compares the popular outburst of anti-Syrian sentiment in
Lebanon following the assassination two weeks ago of former prime
minister Rafik Hariri, to what is called the "Velvet Revolution" of
Czechoslovakia in 1989 against Communist rule.

He says the elections in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Palestinian
territories have ignited desires for democracy across the Middle East.

I agree with the 1st paragraph, but not the second. This is just a pathetic attempt by Straw to justify the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. If anything, the events in Lebanon are revealing that Syria is a major obstacle to peace in the area and the US had better take note.

Syria to Convene Parliament Amid Lebanon Speculation
By HASSAN M. FATTAH
Syria's president is expected to deliver a speech, raising
expectations of an announcement of a partial pullout of
troops from Lebanon.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/05/internat...05syria.html?th

--------------------
Bush Steps Up Pressure for Syrian Pullout
--------------------

As more countries call on Damascus to leave Lebanon, the president demands a complete withdrawal, saying 'no half-measures' will do.

By Tyler Marshall
Times Staff Writer

March 5 2005

WASHINGTON; Buoyed by strong international support, the Bush administration Friday increased pressure on Syria, demanding the full and immediate withdrawal of its military and intelligence forces from Lebanon.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,1343340.story

Assad Announces Redeployment of Syrian Troops in Lebanon

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=C02642:2F72C9D

Mr. Assad also calls the assassination of former Lebanese Premier
Rafik Hariri a "despicable crime" 

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says he will move to begin
withdrawing Syrian troops to eastern Lebanon, and later to the border
between the two countries to comply with international agreements.

Mr. Assad made the announcement in parliament in Damascus, saying he
expects Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and his council to ratify the
plan in the coming week. He spoke through an interpreter.

"We will withdraw our forces in Lebanon completely to al-Beka region,
and therefore, (thereafter) to the Syrian-Lebanese border. And when we
do that, then Syria has fulfilled its entire obligation under Taif
accord and Resolution 1559," Mr. Assad says.

The Syrian leader has been under pressure to pull Syria's 14,000
troops out of Lebanon since the February 14 assassination of former
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which ignited anti-Syrian street
protests in Beirut.

President Bush has demanded a Syrian withdrawal before Lebanese
elections in May, but Mr. Assad gave no timetable.

Bush Says Syria Should Leave Lebanon

[http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=C02643:2F72C9D

In his weekly radio address, Mr. Bush says America and Europe stand
together with Lebanese people

George W. BushPresident Bush says Syria must get its troops and
intelligence services out of Lebanon. Mr. Bush is trying to keep the
pressure on Syria, as the country's Arab neighbors also are pushing
for a withdrawal from Lebanon.

President Bush says the world is speaking with one voice to ensure
that democracy and freedom are given a chance to flourish in Lebanon,
without Syrian influence.

"For years, the Lebanese people have suffered from the aftermath of a
horrific civil war and occupation by Syria, said George W. Bush.
"Lebanese citizens who have watched free elections in Iraq are now
demanding the right to decide their own destiny, free of Syrian
control and domination."

In his weekly radio address, Mr. Bush said America and Europe stand
together with the Lebanese people behind a U.N. resolution demanding
respect for the country's sovereignty, the withdrawal of all foreign
forces and the holding of free and fair elections, without foreign
influence.

President Bush says Syria's support for terrorism remains a key
obstacle to peace in the Middle East, at a time when there are still
groups who will kill to prevent peace between Israel and the
Palestinians.

Mr. Bush praised newly-elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for
his commitment to chasing down and punishing those responsible for the
recent bombing in Tel Aviv. He says such actions are a critical part
of the peace process.

In the last five months, President Bush says, peaceful demonstrations
in Beirut, elections in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Palestinian
territories, and steps toward democratic reform in Egypt and Saudi
Arabia show a trend.

"The trend is clear: In the Middle East and throughout the world,
freedom is on the march," he said. "The road ahead will not be easy,
and progress will sometimes be slow. But America, Europe and our Arab
partners must all continue the hard work of defeating terrorism and
supporting democratic reforms."

President Bush says, when freedom and democracy take root in the
Middle East, America and the world will be safer and more peaceful.

Assad announces Lebanon troop withdrawal :

The Syrian president, Bashar Assad announced today that Syria will move its troops in Lebanon to the country's eastern region, to be followed by a withdrawal to the Syrian-Lebanese border
http://www.guardian.co.uk/syria/story/0,13...1431405,00.html

Assad says Mideast peace impossible without return of occupied lands:

In a speech to parliament , he said: "Peace in our region will never be achieved unless our land that is occupied is returned to us.
http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=38050