News from Beirut March 16  1999 ...Search Lebanon.com

Judicial authorities lay hands on 1300 missing artifacts

Judicial authorities yesterday launched a wide campaign in search of a number of artifacts that have gone missing according to investigations carried out by Public Prosecutor for Financial Fraud Magistrate Khaled Hammoud.

The judiciary confiscated some 1300 artifacts and returned them to the Directorate General of Antiquities. Some of the artifacts are estimated to date back 5000 years. Judicial authorities carried out seven searches yesterday of houses, schools, warehouses, and display rooms in different areas in Jbeil, Ashrafieh, Saiifi, Baabda and Yarzeh. The judicial move is expected to be followed by inspection tours of archeological sites in Tyre, Akkar, and Baalback.

Investigations into the antiquities file were launched over the weekend as Magistrate Hammoud held a meeting with officials at the Directorate General of Antiquities. Hammoud charged inspectors from the Office for Combating Financial Fraud with preparing reports that compare lists of antiquities with those actually on display. This would help the judiciary verify any incidences of antiquities thefts.

Lebanese officials say investigations will continue in all files

President Emil Lahhoud stressed that law will be implemented on all with no exception. He also reaffirmed all stolen artifacts should be returned. His visitors quoted his as saying those antiquities constitute an important part of Lebanon's history and heritage.

A number of visitors at Baabda said the government is not only concerned with opening files adding it was very natural to investigate in all files to trace irregularities and misconduct.

For his part, Prime Minister Salim Al-Hoss told visiting officials at the Grand Saray investigations would continue in all files. He reportedly added that concerned investigators have a great sum of information.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture and Higher Education Mohammed Youssef Baydoun reiterated his call on all individuals who had acquired antiquities to hand them over to the Directorate General of Antiquities, which is part of the Ministry of Culture.

Hoss reportedly reveals budget project to be referred to parliament in two weeks

At the Grand Saray, visitors of Prime Minister Salim Al-Hoss quoted him as saying the 1999 state budget project will be referred to parliament within a period of two weeks. He reportedly added the budget deficit in the 1999 state budget project would not exceed 40%. Some deputies expected the project to be finalized and ratified by cabinet in a period of ten days.

Analysts in the country say it is time for the government to reach a consensus on the budget, stressing that any delay in enacting the project would create pressures on the national economy. Analysts also say the market cannot afford a further delay in adopting a new budget.

Satterfield reiterates US commitment to peace

Following talks with a number of Lebanese officials, the US Ambassador to Lebanon David Satterfield reaffirmed his country is committed to working towards comprehensive peace in the region. He said US Assistant Secretary of State Martin Indyk's visit to Damascus was a visible sign of that commitment.

Satterfield also hoped that the Lebanese-Syrian tracks in the peace process would be reactivated directly after the upcoming Israeli elections in May. The US Ambassador held separate meetings with House Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Salim Al-Hoss and former Prime Minister Deputy Rafik Al-Hariri.

Al-Hassan represents Hoss in Arab Foreign Ministers meeting in Cairo

The Secretary General of the Lebanese Foreign Ministry Zafer Al-Hassan headed Monday to Cairo to represent Prime Minister Salim Al-Hoss, in his capacity as foreign minister, in the meetings of Arab Foreign Ministers. The sessions are expected to start Wednesday.

During the sessions, the Lebanese delegation will discuss Israel's occupation of parts of Lebanese territories in addition to the issue of Lebanese detainees in Israeli jails.

Hariri heads to Dubai to take part in a conference on development

Former Prime Minister Deputy Rafik Al-Hariri today heads to Dubai to take part in a conference on "Development in the New Century". Hariri was officially invited to attend the conference and is scheduled to deliver a speech at the opening session.

Accompanied by former Finance Minister Fouad Sanyoura, Hariri is also expected to hold talks with a number of officials in the United Arab Emirates on the sidelines of the conference.

Derek Fatchette expected in Lebanon in the coming weeks

British State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Derek Fatchette is expected in Lebanon in the coming weeks. This was revealed by the British Ambassador to Lebanon David Ross MacLenin after talks with former premier Rafik Al-Hariri at his residence in Kraytem.

The British Ambassador also said Fatchette's visit to Lebanon would come as part of a regional tour that will take him to a number of countries in the region. MacLenin, who stressed the European role in the Middle East peace process, said that the British Minister is expected to hold talks with a number of Lebanese officials during his stop in Beirut.

Security meeting in Sidon delays Kfar Falous opening

The Kfar Falous border crossing, which links occupied Jezzine with eastern Sidon, was expected to reopen yesterday. But the move was delayed and sand barriers installed by Israeli occupying troops were still on the border.

The delay was linked, according to security sources in Jezzine, to the fate of 17 Israeli allied militiamen who had refused to serve in the militia's outpost in Annan.

A security meeting was held yesterday in Sidon's government house to discuss the fate of the militiamen. Security sources had expected that the meeting would cause a further delay in the opening of the Kfar Falous border crossing.


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