Obama warns Hariri of growing Hezbollah weapons threat
In Washington talks, U.S. voices hope that Lebanon will play a role in building peace in an 'increasingly volatile and dangerous' Middle East.
By Natasha Mozgovaya and News Agencies Tags: Israel news Barack Obama Middle East peace Said Hariri George Mitchell
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U.S. President Barack Obama and Lebanese PM Said Hariri at the White House, Washington, May 24, 2010 |
| Photo by: AP |
U.S. President Barak Obama used talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Said Hariri in
"The President stressed [...] the threat posed by the transfer of weapons into
United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 was passed after a month-long war between
Hariri's first official visit to the United States took place against a backdrop of tensions in the Middle East, U.S. efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and growing momentum toward new international sanctions on Iran, Hezbollah's major backer.
Some
"We obviously have grave concerns about the transfer of any missile capability to Hezbollah through
Hariri has also denied
Earlier Hariri met U.S. Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell, who made clear that the Obama administration hoped
"I told Prime Minister Hariri that I hope to renew our dialogue in
He said: "Over the past four decades
Mitchell reassured Hariri that peace between
"We have made it clear - and I repeated to the Prime Minister today - that comprehensive peace cannot and must not include the forced naturalization of Palestinian refugees in
Apparently trying to keep the spotlight off
Despite the recent war of words that has heightened tensions in the region, UN Special Coordinator for
Williams, who held talks with Hariri in
Obama and Hariri also discussed U.S.-led international efforts to isolate
Diplomats said
Jon Alterman, a Middle East expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in
The Obama administration's Middle East policy is more focused on the nuclear stand-off with
Nevertheless, the
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Sir, I think Israel lost a lot of support when President Peres accused Syria of delivering missiles to Lebanon without informing the USA of any evidence, until this day. In the end this helped only President Assad of Syria. Also, parts of Lebanon are occupied by Israel and according to Leb. military info. Israel is more or less violating Leb. airspace on a daily basis which requires a robust defence system. May be Israel should opt for peace instead of occupation.
Have you ever read the bible? God gave Abraham and his descendants that land. Check out the message below. And if anybody or any nation tries to take it away from the Jews, Gods wrath will be upon them. Now it will happen.
Have you heard of property rights? what civilized country allows one to take another's property just because of a religious fantasy? You would go to jail in the US if you try this. So keep your biblical fantasies where they belong, in the church and synagoge. Don't try to force on the Palestinians a system that you would go to jail if you try it elsewhere.
God made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants, land of Israel. Genesis 13 : 14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. The next verse talks about the boundaries that God gave to Abraham and his descendants. Genesis 15: 18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. In the another verse where God reaffirms his covenant with Isaac. Genesis 21: 12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. Here God was telling Abraham to reject his illegitimate first born, Ismael. God had told Abraham that the covenant would pass through a son born from his own wife Sarah. So it was Gods covenant reaffirmed through Isaac these covenants will be for-filled. Later God reaffirms his covenant to Jacob noting the title deed to the land. Genesis 26: 2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Notice God put together all the promises to the people of Abraham with a promise and a blessing he would be all to earth. God reaffirms His covenant through David a 1,000 yrs later. Psalms 105: 8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. 9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: 11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: 12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it. God reaffirms His covenants to Israel over 1,400 yr's later through Jeremiah. Jeremiah 31: 35 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: 36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. 37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD. The Lord Said they would never cease as a nation before Him. And it's the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob He is saying this too. This would be true despite the thing that they do, in other words the failures they would commit. God reaffirms His covenant With Israel through Ezekiel. Ezekiel36: 22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. The prophet said this would happen after Israel had been scattered through out the world and profaned Gods Name through every nation. And it talks about bringing them back in the end times. Its at the time when God brings the Messiah to reaffirm and to establish the new covenant with them. And He takes their sins away and puts the Holy Spirit with in them.
Abraham's is the founding patriarch of the Israelites, Ishmaelites, Edomites, and the Midianites and kindred peoples, according to the book of Genesis and these are all of his decendants, not only the Jews. His other son Ishmael, was born to him by Sarah's handmaiden, Hagar. You need to re-educate youraself before you post such nonsnece.
As of today Hezbollah is an integral part of Lebanon's defense and will be until either the US or Russia commits to defending Lebanon against future Israeli attempts to tap the Litani River. Hezbollah did not even exist until Israel refused to abide by the UN resolutions calling for its withdrawal, and had it not formed, Lebanon would likely today be suffering under Israeli occupation as is the Golan and the Occupied Palestinian territories. The US has no chance in Lebanon given its overt bias towards Israel, so either Russia or NATO needs to step in and offer a mutual defense pact that will ensure Lebanon's security so Hezbollah does not need to exist, because until they do, Lebanon's sovereignty remains at risk.
Hezbullah wants control of lebanaon. The Lebanesse Government wants arms to protect it from Hezbullah. Their animosty and rivalry is more than a generation old.
The only reason Lebanon needs to protect itself from Israel is because of Hezbollah. If Hezbollah doesn't attack Israel, Israel has no need to attack Lebanon.
Protection from constant Israeli attacks. Hezbullah will be able to control Lebanon if it has the support of the majority of the Lebanese people. This is up to the Lebanese people to decide, not up to you or Israel or the USA. Hezbullah has not attacled anyone, it only responded when Israel invaded Lebanon and did a pretty good job of battling Israel.
Israel has invaded Lebanon many time and way before the Hezbollah came ibnto existance. The reason that the Hezbollah came to be a major force in Lebanon is because of Israel's criminal actions against Lebanon. So, If Israel would have never invaded and attacked Lebanon, Hezbollah would not have become so powerful in Lebanon.
This whole war in the Middle East is to abolish Israels existence. And then its going to try to wipe out the Christians. The Muslims want to take over the world. Israel is a peaceful nation. The war in Lebanon was with Hezbollah not the Lebanese. hHHHezbolla
You probably voted for McCain.
Obama's #1 advisor and chief of staff is Rahm Emanuel... Orthodox Jew and son of an Israeli father. Dont forget that. Regardless of who Obama meets and take smiling pictures with, it is israel who is his first priority.
Not even Fox News spins stuff this much. Is there concern? Some. Did Hezbollah dominate the conversation? Doubtful
There cannot be agenuine peace in middle without Iserael the principle of live and let others live. The peace imposed on palestine on israel terms will never survive the forces of opposition.
Hariri knows Hizbollah is arming but what could he possibly do about it even if he wanted to?
Why should we treat Hariri that way? His country isn't working against US interests in the region and hasn't attacked US warships or sent spies into the US government.
and the greatest ecological disaster in the history of this planet continues on. The continual BP oil explosion in the Gulf of Mexico is going to have devastating effects to the US and soon to be many other countries and Obama does NOTHING. If this was George Bush in office, he would be crucified by the media. And what is Obama worried about?? Construction in Jerusalem. The only disaster bigger than the BP Oil disaster is Barack Obama himself.
People like the teabaggers get mad at big government but now people are complaining that government has failed to react. You can't have it both ways. You want small government then don't expect them to be equipped for disasters. Also Stehen you only care about Jeusalem construction. If Obama supported Jewish supremcist policies you would care less about BP.
Hariri is dealing with reality while Obama is refusing to deal with it. The reality for Hariri is that Hisbollah is a major political party in Lebanon. The reality that America keeps the Lebanese Army too feeble to protect the nation against Israel so Hizbollah is Lebanon's only defense. Israel is loath to see a Lebanon able to defend itself. By using the USA to ensure that the Lebanese Army is too weak to defend Lebanon, Israel ensures not only the existence of Hisbollah, but it's critical role in defending Lebanon as well. Five years ago, the Cedar Revolution created the possibility of a 'new' Lebanon which could shake off it's dependence upon Syria and it's weakness which prevented it from being master of it's fate. The Second Lebanon War ensured that Lebanon would have to remain dependent upon Syria and Hisbollah would be a strong player in Lebanese politics. So now the supplicant to Israel by choice Obama is lecturing the man who Israel has made a supplicant to Syria. How droll.
if the U.S was to arm Lebanon with sophisticated weapons, it would quickly become in the possetion of hizbolah. The reality is, that the majority lebanese want hizbolah out, dissolved. However, the leb govt. is so weak and spineless to stamp their foot and rid hizbolah. Lebanese want their country to return to the haven it was in the 60's-70's. It will never happen with the hizb around supported by syria.
in fact you are saying that Israel should allow Hezbollah to attack her and kidnap its soldiers without defending itself.
The danger to Hariri would increase if the US did give him substantial military assistance as it might give him in the possibility to challenge Hezbullah. He, of course, would have Israel's assistance if it were politically acceptable. It is quite possible that Israel invaded Lebanon with a "nudge" from the US fearing that Hezbullah planned to take control of the country? It would explain the haste with which Israel disorganized its effort.
hariri warns obama of growing israel weapons threat.
US began to deal with the flies again. Dry out the swamp instead of hunting the flies. U can not bring the peace to the Middle-East by counting or preventing the militants or missiles one by one. U should change the minds and general ambiance to bring the peace. Iran nuclear deal and peace with syria are the keys for bringing the peace to the region.
Lebanon would have to stand up to both Hezbollah and Syria, to do that they would need some aircraft like the F-16 and stronger air defense systems. In the past the US been unwilling to do this due to Israel's security needs, so US gave Israel the equipment and green light to solve the problem but that had limited success. US now arming Lebanon's Christians but with older equipment, mainly for ground troops and artillery,which possess little threat to Israel. Lebanon needs a counter to Hezbollah rockets but that could shift the balance of power in the area, since it could be used against aircraft. The US has same problem in Iraq, which is why a peace deal is needed before US pull out next year. If there is no peace deal in a year then an arms races is coming that could put Israel at very high risk in a few years.
Have you been to Lebanon? You cannot fight a civil war there with fighter jets. A civil war in Lebanon will be fought through urban warfare in the alleys of Beirut. If the strongest airforce in the region (Israel) couldnt defeat Hezbollah from the air, you think Lebanese pilots with a few F16s can?
And the ceasefire? You may want to revise your statement then.
Mr. Obama, With Netanyahu (A loyal friend of the US) you were awkward and serious faced, with Hariri, which support terrorism (Hezbollah=Iran) your face is glowing with a big smile. I ask my self what did I think when I voted for you.
If you are unhappy that Israel is monitoring Hezbollah violations is your problem,the world needs to know true Hezbollah intentions and see that attack on Israel in 2006 was not an isolated incident. Maybe less warmongering,saber rattling and threats coming from Lebanon would ease the situation, hassan?
Over 800,000 Arabian Jews were forcibly naturalized in Israel by being kicked out of Arab states. A few million more were forcibly naturalized in Israel by fleeing slaughter in European states. Arab Palestinians cannot be naturalized in an Arab state? With 21 Arab states to choose from? Yeah, right.
A few million were naturalized in Israel? Where did you get that f rom. He said we cannot have the forced naturalization of Palestinian refugees in LEBANON. It is already a fragile country because of its demographics. Do you want to see what happens when you naturalize upwards of 400,000 Palestinians. I dont.
Come on. Why would we Lebanese have to solve this problem that Israelis created? We have already had a lot of trouble because of it. We are still in the middle of this huge problem you created. So stop acting like you're the victims, always. Just to remind you, no Jews were kicked out of Lebanon. So deal with the problems you created instead of denying it, as always. You Israelis even had part of the Lebanese society supporting you against their fellow Lebanese. If, now, you have Hezbollah getting more and more support in the domestic scene, if you have the whole Lebanese society against you, that's a fruit of your actions. Deal with it. Lebanon is not Israel's puppet to be occupied, to be attacked and, in the end, have to deal with the refugee problem that you created. I'm the biggest supporter for peace, but, as long as Israel keeps its nose up, I sadly say that it will not happen.
was created entirely by the Arab world - by declaring war on Israel on the day of its rebirth and then kicking out most Jews by far from the Arab world. We absorbed our refugees from your Arab world and from Europe, while Egypt still keeps Gazans locked out for decades ("Israel's" Gaza siege, my foot!) and other Arab states with all their land and oil wealth can't even find the generosity to resettle their own Arab refugees! This is the longest refugee problem in the world just because the Arab world (and Lebanon IS part of it) keeps its nose up against a single state - Israel. Pathetic!
I do know that no Jews were kicked from Lebanon and that Lebanon is fragile due to demographics. So is Israel, the only Jewish state. There is much pluralism here although it calls itself the Jewish state - in real life Jews, Christians and Muslims live together in same buildings and work together all the time - in Tel Aviv and Haifa, for example. A best friend of mine in Tel Aviv is from Christian Lebanese family. Whoever one blames for the refugees, I think the best solution is naturalization. If a group of Arabs can't or won't be naturalized in Lebanon, there are huge areas in the Arab world as alternatives. This was my main point. Like Lebanon, Israel is tiny.