Khatami condemns 'military pressure':

Iran's president has said that wealthy nations cannot keep today's technology for themselves alone and that Iran must be prepared to defend itself if necessary.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/DB3...BD6F4742853.htm

http://tinyurl.com/5psv2

Syria agrees timetable for total withdrawal from Lebanon :

The UN said it had reached "an understanding" with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad on a two-stage withdrawal of all Syrian troops and intelligence agents from Lebanon.
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=274782005

Lebanese President warns of 'catastrophe'
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200503/s1322188.htm

Hariri reportedly assassinated to make way for large US air base in Lebanon? :

According to high-level Lebanese intelligence sources—Christian and Muslim—former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was reportedly assassinated in a sophisticated explosion-by-wire bombing authorized by the Bush administration and Ariel Sharon's Likud government in Israel.
http://www.onlinejournal.com/Special_Repor...1105madsen.html

http://tinyurl.com/6unma

Converging U.S. Navy aircraft carrier groups in Middle East :

The convergence of three carrier groups in the corridor of the Middle East will send very strong message to the Syrians and Iranians.
http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/1877.asp

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/13/internat...059&partner=AOL

Hamas Will Take Part in Vote for a Palestinian Legislature

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/13/internat...059&partner=AOL

Syria Reported to Accept Demand to Pull All Forces from Lebanon

UN Envoy to Meet with Lebanese Political Leaders

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=C2B909:2F72C9D

Terje Roed-Larsen says Syria has promised total withdrawal of military
and intelligence personnel from Lebanon A senior U.N. diplomat says
Syria has promised a total withdrawal of military and intelligence
personnel from Lebanon as demanded by the U.N. Security Council.

The announcement follows talks between U.N. envoy Terje Roed-Larsen
and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the northern Syrian town of
Aleppo.

Mr. Roed-Larson told reporters the withdrawal will come in two stages.

Terje Roed-Larsen

"The first stage will see the relocation of all military forces, and
the intelligence apparatus, to the Bekaa Valley by the end of March,
2005,” he said.  “Further, a significant number of these Syrian
troops, including intelligence, will withdraw fully from Lebanon into
Syria during this stage.  The second stage will lead to a
complete and full withdrawal of all Syrian military personnel, assets,
and the intelligence apparatus."

Mr. Roed-Larsen did not reveal the timetable for the second stage, but
said he would give details to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan next
week in New York.

The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution last year telling Syria
to leave Lebanon.  The United States is demanding that Syria
complete its pullout ahead of Lebanon's parliamentary elections
planned for May.

Lebanese opposition leaders are particularly insistent that Syrian
spies leave the country, accusing them of manipulating politics with
strong-arm tactics.

Syrian troops remove tank on transporter, as they leave position in
Daher El-Baidar mountain region of Lebanon

Syria began pulling its 14,000 troops back to the eastern Bekaa Valley
this week after a speech by President Assad announcing the
redeployment. Convoys of Syrian troops also have begun crossing the
border with Lebanon to return home.

According to Lebanese defense officials, Syria has pulled all of its
troops out of northern Lebanon, though some intelligence posts in the
region are still manned.

Syria has been under intense international pressure to get out of
Lebanon since the February 14 assassination of former Lebanese prime
minister Rafik Hariri. Many Lebanese opposition supporters blame Syria
for the killing, though Damascus denies involvement.

Syrian troops first entered Lebanon in 1976 under an Arab League
mandate to quell a civil war, and at its height Syria had about 40,000
soldiers in Lebanon.

Egyptian Opposition Leader Released on Bail

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=C2B904:2F72C9D

Ayman Nour was detained in late January while being investigated on
charges of forgery

Ayman Nour, leader of the al-Ghad party

Opposition leader Ayman Nour was released from jail on Saturday
evening in Cairo, after almost six weeks of detention. Mr. Nour is a
member of parliament and the head of the newly established al-Ghad
party. He was detained in late January while being investigated on
charges of forgery. His supporters said the charges were politically
motivated, and that there was no reason to keep him in prison during
the investigation.

For the last six weeks, the members of the al-Ghad party have held
frequent demonstrations, calling for the release of their leader.

Now Mr. Nour is free on bail. Party official Wael Nawara says charges
will still probably be brought against him.

"He has not been indicted yet on formal charges, but I think he's
being released pending further investigations or pending further
indictments," he said.

Nour was detained in late January on charges of forgery. He was
accused of forging signatures of founding members on his party's
application for establishment.

His supporters said the charges were unfounded. U.S. and other Western
officials criticized the Egyptian government for his arrest.

Mr. Nawara says there was no need to detain the parliamentarian.

"Legally speaking he in fact should never have been in detention. He
could have been interrogated while still a free man," Mr. Nawara said.
"There was no fear of him leaving the country. He has a known
residence, and he is president of a party and a member of parliament.
So he should not have been detained in the first place."

From his prison cell, Mr. Nour recently announced his desire to run in
the upcoming presidential elections. On February 26 President Hosni
Mubarak asked parliament to amend the constitution to allow for the
country's first multi-candidate elections.

Mr. Nawara says the party will have to agree to Mr. Nour's candidacy.
He says the party leader will be eligible to run as long as he is not
found guilty of the charges brought against him.

Israel to Dismantle 24 Settlement Outposts

http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pu...88q6qdg0&src=ap




By KARIN LAUB

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel's Cabinet affirmed Sunday that it will dismantle 24 illegal West Bank settlement outposts, but the ministers did not give a deadline and evaded a decision on the fate of 81 more outposts, participants said.

During their weekly meeting, ministers were briefed on an official report that said successive governments helped build and expand 105 outposts over the past decade. The Cabinet adopted the report, including recommendations that new laws be passed to make it easier to dismantle outposts in the future.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told Cabinet ministers he was committed to removing outposts as part of an internationally backed peace plan, but he did not say whether he was ready to dismantle all 105.

The United States and the Palestinians have demanded the outposts, seen as seeds of larger settlements, be dismantled immediately.

Meanwhile, security officials said thousands more Israeli soldiers will be sent to the Gaza Strip to dismantle Jewish settlements this summer, after Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz decided to cut the evacuation time from the initial three months to one month.



Also Sunday, Israel's military chief Lt. Gen. Moshe Yaalon announced plans to build a temporary fence separating Jerusalem from the West Bank by July, leaving the structure in place while legal challenges to a permanent barrier play out in court.

Israel says the structure is needed to protect its cities from suicide bombers. But the Palestinians criticize the barrier, which juts into the West Bank, as an illegal confiscation of land they claim for an independent state.

Settlers established the outposts _ usually starting with a few mobile homes, a generator and a water tank _ in the past decade to break up Palestinian areas and prevent the creation of a Palestinian state.

Under the U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan, Israel promised to remove outposts established after Sharon came to power in March 2001. According to the official report on the outposts, 24 were established after that date, while 71 were built before 2001. In 10 cases, it is not known when they were set up.

In Sunday's meeting, the Cabinet said Israel would dismantle the outposts set up after March 21. A ministerial committee is to determine the fate of the remaining outposts.

U.S. officials say they expect Israel to eventually remove all the outposts. Successive Israeli governments have promised not to establish new settlements on lands claimed by the Palestinians for a future state, and outposts were seen as a way around that promise.

At the Cabinet meeting Sunday, Sharon said "the dismantling of the unauthorized outposts is part of the Israeli commitment within the road map."

Sharon commissioned the study, conducted over six months by a former state prosecutor, Talia Sasson. His critics have said the study was largely a ploy to divert U.S. pressure over the outposts. For most of his political career, Sharon was the main force in expanding Jewish settlements. In 1998, as foreign minister, he exhorted settlers to seize hilltops and build more outposts.

Sasson described systematic deception by government ministries and authorities in funneling millions of dollars to the outposts. However, the report stopped short of blaming Sharon or other leading politicians, who settlers say gave them support and money for outposts in the past decade.

Her recommendations included new legislation that would allow the government to seize mobile homes in outposts and make illegal construction in the West Bank a criminal offense.

Cabinet ministers were at odds Sunday over how soon outposts should be dismantled.

Communications Minister Dalia Yitzik from the moderate Labor Party said setting a ministerial committee amounted to stalling. "These outposts are blatantly illegal," she told Israel Radio. "Israel has to evacuate them ... for its own good, not for the Americans."

However, ministers from Sharon's hard-line Likud Party said Israel should take its time. Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim said Israeli soldiers would be busy with the planned dismantling of all Jewish settlements in Gaza and four in the West Bank this summer, and that the removal of outposts should wait.

Education Minister Limor Livnat, also from Likud, said Israel is only required to dismantle the outposts established after March 2001 and should not volunteer to remove the others.

Sasson, however, told Cabinet ministers Sunday there was no difference between outposts founded before and after March 2001, Israeli Radio reported. In her report, she said all outposts were illegal.

About 235,000 Israeli settlers live in some 150 veteran settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. About 2,000 live in the outposts, according to the Israeli settlement watchdog group Peace Now.

Meanwhile, security officials said 3,000 additional soldiers would be sent to Gaza, bringing to 27,000 the number of security personnel to take part in the operation. Defense officials said Mofaz wanted to make it harder for Jewish extremists to disrupt the pullout.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/n...on/11115730.htm

Hezbollah poised to expand its roll

This article, while in need of an editor, makes enough sense to be frightening. Especially if you believe (as I do) that ALL BushCorp policies are driven by OIL.

I have copy/pasted it in full:


Hariri reportedly assassinated to make way for large US air base in Lebanon

By Wayne Madsen
Online Journal Contributing Writer

Download a .pdf file for printing.
Adobe Acrobat Reader required.
Click here to download a free copy.

March 11, 2005—According to high-level Lebanese intelligence sources—Christian and Muslim—former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was reportedly assassinated in a sophisticated explosion-by-wire bombing authorized by the Bush administration and Ariel Sharon's Likud government in Israel.

There are also strong indications that the Hariri assassination was carried out by the same rogue Syrian intelligence agents used in the 2002 car bombing assassination of Lebanese Christian leader Elie Hobeika, who was prepared to testify against Sharon in a Brussels human rights court. That case involved the Israeli Prime Minister's role in the 1982 massacre by Israeli troops of Palestinian refugees at the Sabra and Chatilla camps in Beirut. The Hariri assasination used wire-bombing technology because Hariri's security personnel used electronic countermeasures to fend off a remote control bomb using wireless means. It has been revealed that the Bush administration has used Syrian intelligence agents to torture al Qaeda suspects through the program known as "extraordinary rendition."

Hariri, a pan-Arabist and Lebanese nationalist, was known to adamantly oppose the construction of a major U.S. air base in the north of Lebanon. The United States wants Syrian troops completely out of Lebanon before construction of the base is initiated. Hariri's meetings with Hezbollah shortly before his death also angered Washington and Jerusalem, according to the Lebanese intelligence sources.

Washington and Jerusalem media experts spun Hariri's assassination as being the work of Syrian intelligence on orders from President Bashar Assad. However, a number of Middle East political observers in Washington claim that Hariri's assassination was not in the interests of Assad, but that the Bush and Sharon administrations had everything to gain from it, including the popular Lebanese uprising against the Syrian occupation.

Lebanese intelligence sources report that even without a formal agreement with Lebanon, the contract for the northern Lebanese air base has been let by the Pentagon to Jacobs Engineering Group of Pasadena, California. Other construction support will be provided by Bechtel Corporation.

Jacobs Engineering and Jacobs Sverdrup are currently contracted for work in Saudi Arabia for Aramco, Iraq for the U.S. occupation authority, Bosnia, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Lebanese air base is reportedly to be used as a transit and logistics hub for U.S. forces in Iraq and as a rest and relaxation location for U.S. troops in the region. In addition, the Lebanese base will be used to protect U.S. oil pipelines in the region (Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Mosul/Kirkuk-Ceyhan) as well as to destabilize the Assad government in Syria. The size of the planned air base reportedly is on the scale of the massive American Al Udeid air base in Qatar.

A number of intelligence sources have reported that assassinations of foreign leaders like Hariri and Hobeika are ultimately authorized by two key White House officials, Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove and Deputy National Security Adviser Elliot Abrams. In addition, Abrams is the key liaison between the White House and Sharon's office for such covert operations, including political assassinations.

"Abrams is the guy they [the Israelis] go to for a wink and a nod for such ops," reported one key source.

Wayne Madsen is a Washington, DC-based journalist and columnist and the co-author of "America's Nightmare: The Presidency of George BushII."

Israeli Cabinet Pledges to Raze Some Outposts in West Bank
By GREG MYRE
The cabinet decision was the strongest public commitment to
remove at least some of the more recent settlement
outposts, as demanded by the Middle East peace plan.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/14/internat...mideast.html?th

Lebanon Needs to Act First for Syria to Exit, Envoy Says
By STEVEN R. WEISMAN
The special U.N.envoy on Lebanon warned that a pledge by
Syria to withdraw its forces from Lebanon was contingent on
the formation of a new government in Lebanon.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/14/politics/14diplo.html?th

Huge Anti-Syria Rally Jams Beirut

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=C3227F:2F72C9D

Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese hold an anti-Syria demonstration,
exactly one month after the killing of popular former prime minister
Rafik Hariri

Lebanese opposition protestors hold national flags in Beirut A huge
mass of protesters jammed Martyrs Square in downtown Beirut to press
their demands for an independent, international investigation into the
Hariri assassination, and for Syria to stop meddling in Lebanon's
affairs.

Former Prime Minister Hariri was killed February 14 in a massive
explosion that is still reverberating through Lebanon's politics, and
its relations with Syria.

Syria denies involvement in the Hariri assassination, but many
Lebanese blame Damascus. Since the killing, Syria has begun
redeploying its troops in Lebanon, with about 4,000 reportedly
returning to Syria and about 10,000 on the move to Lebanon's eastern
Bekaa Valley. The move is in response to the public protests, and
U.S.-led international pressure.

Many protesters told VOA they will keep demonstrating until Syrian
troops and spies are completely out of Lebanon.

First woman: "We want to show to all the world that we are united, and
we want our freedom. Enough, please!"Second woman: "I am here today
for the truth and to save my children later one because we have
already paid to much. I do not want my children to pay anymore. We
want our freedom, that is what we want."Reporter: "Do you believe
Syria will be leaving?"Third woman: "Yes, if America tells them to go
out they will have to go out. And we are to tell them that they are
going to be out."

This is the biggest anti-Syria rally since Mr. Hariri's death. Last
Tuesday, the Hezbollah militant group mobilized about half-a-million
people for a pro-Syria demonstration in Beirut.

The Syrian-backed president of Lebanon, Emile Lahoud, has appealed for
an end to the protests, expressing fear that the same people who
killed Mr. Hariri could provoke an incident and inflame violent
passions.

Despite the president's words of caution, both pro- and anti-Syria
factions have said they want a peaceful resolution to their
differences, and they say they respect each others right to
demonstrate.

Monday's rally came amid political gridlock in Lebanon over the
reappointment of Prime Minister Omar Karami, a Lahoud
protégé who had handed in his resignation two weeks
after the Hariri assassination.

Opposition leaders are boycotting Mr. Karami's call for a government
of national unity in a dispute that clouds the outlook for
parliamentary elections planned for May.

Rice: Positive Signs Coming from Syria

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=C32278:2F72C9D

US Secretary of State adds Washington will settle for nothing less
than quick and total Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon

Condoleezza Rice The Bush administration has cautiously welcomed
Syria's assurances to a U.N. envoy that it would withdraw all its
troops and intelligence agents from Lebanon.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice indicates she sees some hopeful
signs coming from Damascus. But she quickly adds the United States
will settle for nothing less than the quick and the total Syrian
withdrawal demanded by the U.N. Security Council.

"Obviously, there are some positive elements to this," said
Condoleezza Rice. "It is positive that Syria would begin to withdraw
its forces out of Lebanon, not just to the border. But we are going to
continue to press for full compliance with resolution 1559."

During an appearance on the ABC television program This Week, Ms. Rice
emphasized Washington is still waiting for a final report from the
United Nations. But she noted that Syria has apparently agreed to pull
out intelligence agents as well as troops - a key demand of the United
States.

In a separate interview, White House National Security Advisor Stephen
Hadley made clear that while the promises of a withdrawal are
encouraging, they are not enough. He told the Fox News Sunday program
the real test will be whether or not Damascus follows through on its
stated intentions.

"Initial reports are encouraging," said Stephen Hadley. "At the end of
the day it is going to be deeds not words that matter."

Mr. Hadley said the withdrawal must be full and complete. He did not
mention a specific timetable, but said it must be done as soon as
possible so that the Lebanese can hold elections free of foreign
influence.

Secretary Rice stressed the Lebanese people must be given the
opportunity to determine their own political future. She was asked if
there is a place in that future for Hezbollah.

The Europeans see a potential political role for Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Ms. Rice told ABC the United States continues to view Hezbollah as a
terrorist organization, and added America's focus at the moment lies
elsewhere.

"We are concentrating on removing the Syrian presence, the Syrian
interference in Lebanese affairs, because only then can you have free
and fair elections, which in and of themselves sometimes change the
political circumstance on the ground," she said.

The secretary of state and the national security advisor both
emphasized one point: that all elements in Lebanese society who are
willing to abide by the rule of law are welcome to take part in the
political process.

Christopher Dodd A leading member of the U.S. Senate - Democrat
Christopher Dodd of Connecticut - told CNN's Late Edition that the
demilitarization of Hezbollah before elections is crucial.

"In the past, Syria was seen as the modifier on Hezbollah's activities
inside Lebanon," said Christopher Dodd. "And in the absence of Syria
being there, what happens to the demobilization of Hezbollah's
military militia? And if that does not happen and Syria leaves you
could have some additional problems."

Mr. Dodd said Israel is very concerned about increased attacks against
its people if the Syrians pull out of Lebanon and leave an armed and
angry Hezbollah behind.

Annan Meets Palestinian, Israeli Leaders

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=C32280:2F72C9D

UN Secretary-General expresses concern about controversial barrier
Israel is building in West Bank

Kofi Annan (l) and Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed QureiaU.N.
Secretary General Kofi Annan has discussed reviving peace talks
between Israel and the Palestinians with Palestinian Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah. Meeting
comes amid more controversy over Israel's so-called barrier in the
West Bank.

Mr. Annan says he is encouraged by recent developments in the peace
process, but expressed concern about the controversial barrier Israel
is building in the West Bank.

The U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution against the barrier and
the International Court of Justice has ruled it to be illegal.

The secretary general said he is committed to seeing all U.N.
resolutions implemented.

"If I am here today, and I am also a member of the Quarter, and I am
talking to the Israeli government and to the Palestinian president, it
is really in an attempt to implement those resolutions," said Kofi
Annan.

Mr. Annan said the world body is assessing the property damage that
has resulted from the construction of the barrier and is creating a
register to record damage claims.

Palestinian police restrained hundreds of anti-barrier protesters who
had gathered outside the government compound in Ramallah where Mr.
Annan met with President Abbas.

Mr. Annan met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday to
encourage peace efforts with the Palestinians.

In a meeting of senior cabinet ministers late Sunday, Mr. Sharon
approved the final route of the barrier around Jerusalem to include
the nearby largest Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim on the Israeli
side.

The decision also incorporates land claimed by Palestinians for a
future state, including Arab east Jerusalem. The barrier will also
divide parts of Bethlehem in order to encompass a Jewish shrine
located in the town.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minster Shaul Mofaz is to meet with
Palestinian Interior Minister Nasser Youssef to discuss the deadlock
over the long-delayed hand-over of several West Bank towns from
Israeli to Palestinian control. The hand-over was to begin with
Jericho, but talks broke down last week when Israel said it would not
dismantle a roadblock outside Jericho that the Palestinians want
removed.

The Israeli cabinet also decided Sunday to dismantle 24 settlement
outposts that were built in violation of the internationally-backed
peace plan.

Israel, Palestinian Ministers Hold Talks on Security Transfer

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=C32284:2F72C9D

Details of security handover were to have been worked out last week,
but talks broke down when Israel said it would not take down a
roadblock outside Jericho Israeli and Palestinian ministers are to
meet Monday in a resumption of deadlocked talks on the Israeli
transfer of security control of several West Bank cities to the
Palestinians.

Israeli Defense Minster Shaul Mofaz is to meet with Palestinian
Interior Minister Nasser Youssef in talks planned for Monday evening.
Details of the security handover were to have been worked out last
week, but talks broke down when Israel said it would not take down a
roadblock outside Jericho that the Palestinians want removed.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas agreed to a cease-fire in early February, but Israel delayed a
promised transfer of security control of five West Bank cities
following a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, two weeks later.

In other developments, the Israeli cabinet decided Sunday to dismantle
24 settlement outposts that were built in violation of the terms of
the internationally-backed peace plan known as the "road map."

--------------------
Lebanese Torn Over Syria Pullout
--------------------

Amid calls for self-rule, some people express gratitude toward Damascus for its efforts to restore order after its neighbor's civil war.

By Ken Ellingwood
Times Staff Writer

March 14 2005

CHTOURA, Lebanon; Most days, this town near the Syrian border would be bustling with shoppers from Damascus and Lebanese travelers stopping for a meal on their way east to Syria.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,2689660.story

--------------------
Hundreds of Thousands Demand Syria Leave Lebanon
--------------------

From Associated Press

March 14 2005, 10:14 AM PST

BEIRUT -- Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators chanted "Freedom, sovereignty, independence," and waved a sea of Lebanese flags in Beirut today, the biggest anti-Syrian protest yet in the opposition's duel of street rallies with supporters of the Damascus-backed government.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...1,2720676.story

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GC15Ak03.html

Hezbollah Power Play

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GC15Ak02.html

Israel not entirely convinced

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GC15Ak05.html

The beast that slouches towards democracy

http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publicati...a=view&id=16642

Lebanon's New Political Moment
Julia Choucair
Policy Outlook, March 2005

UN finds evidence of official cover-up in Hariri assassination

President George Bush is expected to announce on Wednesday that Syrian - and perhaps Lebanese - military intelligence officers were involved in Mr Hariri's death; the bombing killed 18 other civilians.

By Robert Fisk in Beirut

As the United Nations' Irish-led special investigation team here prepares to report that the Lebanese authorities have covered up evidence of the murder on 14 February of the former prime minister Rafik Hariri, his two sons have fled Lebanon after hearing that they too are in danger of assassination.
http://207.44.245.159/article8262.htm

800,000 Lebanese rally to protest against Syria:

Crowds of men, women and children flooded the square, spilling over into nearby streets, while more from across Lebanon packed the roads into Beirut
http://212.2.162.45/news/story.asp?j=13670...x74&n=136702128

http://tinyurl.com/4pnx7

Patrick J. Buchanan: The unpredictability of revolutions:

In the Middle East, rebellions and revolutions do not have Hollywood endings.
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43288

Report: Abbas to offer giving up Right of Return :

Palestinian sources told the daily that Abbas will tell the participants in the Cairo meeting that the right of return cannot be fully implemented, and that those who cannot return should be granted compensation.
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Palestine/181325

Sharon rejects Palestinian truce with militants:

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has rejected a Palestinian bid to win a formal ceasefire with militants, a statement from his office says.
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml...ss/uk/worldNews

http://tinyurl.com/5uwpv

Israel will attack Iran 'only as last resort' :

Israel will only take military action against Iran as "a very last resort" to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons, Ephraim Sneh, a member of the Israeli parliamentary defence and foreign affairs committee, said yesterday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2...1436990,00.html

Christians flee homes after Druze youths riot :

Dozens of Christian families have fled their homes in northern Israel, accusing the Israeli police of failing to protect them from attacks by their Druze neighbours.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2...1436930,00.html

Palestinians oppose Israeli final plan for wall :

Officials say Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today approved a final route for the barrier. It will enclose a part of Jerusalem that Palestinians want for a capital and part of the Palestinian town of Bethlehem.
http://tinyurl.com/42wj2

After Syria, a UN role in Lebanon?
Many reject the idea of UN peacekeepers, even as Syrian troop
withdrawal polarizes Lebanese society. By Nicholas Blanford
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0315/p06s01-wome.html?s=hns

"Those Lebanese who want the Syrians to stay can go live in Syria. There are plenty of Lebanese here to fill the country."
- NOHA DAHIR, 18, who participated in a demonstration with hundreds of
thousands of others yesterday in Beirut.


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/15/internat...lebanon.html?th

Huge Demonstration in Lebanon Demands End to Syrian Control
By NEIL MacFARQUHAR
The rally added pressure on the government of Syria to
announce a serious timetable for its withdrawal from
Lebanon.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/15/internat...lebanon.html?th

Israel to Turn Over Control of 2 West Bank Towns to
Palestinians
By GREG MYRE
Israel's defense minister and the Palestinian interior
minister reached a deal to put the Palestinians in control
of Jericho and Tulkarm.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/15/internat...mideast.html?th

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GC16Ak03.html

Tussling with Tehran
Farda's Mehdi Khalaji and Ardavan Niknam

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/29D...B293E80D6A6.htm

Sharon rejects Palestinian truce offer

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4D5...374E2A7A7ED.htm

Israeli wall to engulf Jerusalem

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/810...0A69AC9CF94.htm

Tel Aviv renews withdrawal pledge

Anti-US Demonstrators March on American Embassy in Beirut

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=C38FB2:2F72C9D

Several thousand demonstrators blocked the main road in front of US
Embassy, shouting "Death to America" and denouncing US
policy in the Middle East

A Lebanese man holds a picture of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah
against a billboard against US President George Bush during a
pro-Syria demonstrationA noisy crowd of several thousand demonstrators
gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy compound north of Beirut,
protesting what they called U.S. meddling in Lebanon's internal
affairs and demanding the withdrawal of U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey
Feltman. 

Several thousand demonstrators blocked the main road in front of the
U.S. Embassy, shouting "Death to America" and denouncing U.S. policy
in the Middle East.

One speaker, using a megaphone, demanded the United States remove
ambassador Jeffrey Feltman from Lebanon.

A number of speakers from Lebanon's Hezbollah guerilla group, as well
as pro-Syrian figures took part in the anti-U.S. demonstration. 
Hezbollah is on the State Department's list of terrorist
organizations.

The protesters did not cross police barriers set up one-half kilometer
in front of the embassy compound.  Lebanese police and army units
could be seen in the background, but made no attempt to disrupt the
demonstration.  The Lebanese government has prevented
demonstrations in front of the U.S. Embassy on most occasions, since
the country's civil war ended in 1990.

Today's smaller anti-American protest follows a massive anti-Syrian
demonstration Monday in which nearly one million people gathered in
Beirut's city center.

Lebanon's pro-Syrian prime minister-designate Omar Karami attempted to
cobble together a new coalition government.  He has been in
caretaker capacity since Feb. 28 when he was forced to quit under
popular pressure.  He was reappointed to the job by President
Emile Lahoud 10 days later.

Elsewhere in Beirut, Anti-Syrian opposition politicians are insisting
that all security and intelligence officials from the previous
government resign, before they join a new national unity
government.  

Meanwhile, Syrian military intelligence agents were vacating an
office, loading furniture into trucks protected by Lebanese
police.   But Syrian agents remained at their main office
for the Lebanese capital, located at Ramlet el-Baida on the edge of
the city. 

The withdrawal of Syrian intelligence, a widely resented arm through
which Syria controls many aspects of Lebanese life, has also been a
key demand of the Lebanese opposition.

Israel to Turn Over Control of Jericho

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=C38FB5:2F72C9D

News of the hand over follows the latest round of talks between
Israeli Defense Minster Shaul Mofaz and Palestinian Interior Minister
Nasser Youssef Israeli officials say the army will hand over security
control of the West Bank city, Jericho, to the Palestinians,
Wednesday.

News of the hand over follows the latest round of talks between
Israeli Defense Minster Shaul Mofaz and Palestinian Interior Minister
Nasser Youssef, Monday night. Jericho is the first of five West Bank
towns to be turned over to Palestinian security control.

Agreement, in principle, had been reached some time ago. However, a
dispute over an Israeli roadblock outside the town had held up
agreement. In the end, a compromise, of sorts, was reached. The
Palestinians say the roadblock can stay for another month; but the
Israelis say there is no commitment to dismantle it.

Agreement has also been reported to turn over Tulkarem, next, with
Israel Radio saying the hand over will come Sunday. The next transfer
will be Qalqilya, which is just south of Tulkarem. No timetable has
yet been agreed upon for the hand over of Bethlehem and Ramallah.

Israeli lawmaker Shaul Yahalom, of the National Religious Party, has
called on the government to stop all hand over negotiations. He says
the Jericho hand over should be put on hold until the government gets
firm assurances from Mr. Abbas that certain Palestinian prisoners in
Jericho will not be released after the Palestinians take control of
the city. In particular, Mr. Yahalom referred to Ahmed Saadat, whom
Israel accuses of being behind the assassination of Israeli Tourism
Minister Rehavam Zeevi in 2001.

Israeli officials are quoted as saying they have received such
assurances.

News of the hand over agreement comes as President Abbas heads to
Cairo for talks with Palestinian militant groups. Mr. Abbas says he is
confident the groups, including Islamic Jihad and Hamas, will agree to
a formal truce with Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has already said such an agreement
will not be enough. He insists the militant groups must be disarmed
and dismantled before there can be any talk of resuming peace
negotiations.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7181847/

Is Egypt ready to go nuclear?
Experts worry about Cairo's super weapons program

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/4306015.stm

What should Syria do over Lebanon crisis?

Lebanon Flag Is Hoisted as Syrians Slip Away
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The symbols of Syrian power began coming down in parts of
Lebanon, as Syrian military intelligence agents emptied
their offices.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/16/internat...lebanon.html?th

--------------------
Bush Sees Hezbollah in Politics
--------------------

The president's overture to the militant group appears aimed at easing the way for Syria, its backer, to withdraw from Lebanon.

By Sonni Efron
Times Staff Writer

March 16 2005

WASHINGTON; In an apparent overture to an organization on the U.S. terrorist blacklist, President Bush suggested Tuesday that Hezbollah should put down its arms and become fully integrated into Lebanon's political mainstream.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,2349275.story

--------------------
Militants Say Truce Depends on Israeli Offer
--------------------

From Reuters

March 16 2005

SIXTH OF OCTOBER CITY, Egypt; Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas tried Tuesday to persuade militant groups to extend their informal cease-fire with Israel, but militants said any truce depended on what Israel had to offer.

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

--------------------
Lebanon's Lack of Answers Raises Questions
--------------------

The government says it still has no suspects in the assassination of a former prime minister. Some say that means it is hiding something.

By Ken Ellingwood and Rania Abouzeid
Special to The Times

March 16 2005

BEIRUT; The bombing scene is a ghastly tableau of charred, crumpled cars and shattered glass against an azure Mediterranean Sea flecked with whitecaps.

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

In Mideast, Shiites May Be Unlikely U.S. Allies

By Robin Wright

A quarter-century after its first traumatic confrontation with the Shiite world, when the U.S. Embassy was seized in Iran, the United States is moving on several fronts to support, recognize or hold out the prospect of engagement with Islam's increasingly powerful minority.

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

http://www.sandersresearch.com/Sanders/New...aspx?NewsID=871

All News is Lies
Lebanon: Preparing the Take-over