Lebanese and Palestinians here today continued a sixth day of demonstrations in a sign of solidarity with their Palestinian compatriots and in protest to Israeli massacres perpetrated during the current clashes in occupied Palestinian territories. Thousands of Palestinian refugees led protests in various Lebanese areas, carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans for their homeland and against its occupier. Many protestors expressed disappointment with Arab inaction towards the current Israeli massacres of Palestinians. A huge march took place in Sidon with thousands of Palestinian refugees taking to the streets. Men, women and children marched the streets of the southern port-city for more than three hours late this afternoon. The demonstration was held amid tight security measures by Lebanese police and army troops.
Clashes in Israel and the occupied territories over the last six days have left dozens dead and wounded hundreds. The confrontations were sparked by a visit Thursday of Israeli right-wing hard-liner Ariel Sharon to Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.
The Lebanese government denounced the continued Israeli brutality against Palestinians in the occupied territories, which has led to tens of killings and hundreds of casualties. Following an extraordinary Cabinet session last night, the Lebanese government urged the international community to deter Israel from continuing with its massacres against Palestinian women, children and elderly, also describing the current Israeli attacks intentional and merciless.
In a statement read by Information Minister Anwar Al-Khalil after the meeting, Cabinet also expressed backing for the Palestinian people's right to return to their land and restore the Arab character of Jerusalem.
Sultan Abul Aynain, the Secretary General of the Palestinian Fatah movement in Lebanon, today lashed out at statements made by another Palestinian official in Lebanon, Munir Al-Maqdah threatening that the Palestinians will use arms if the current Israeli massacres continue.
Abul Aynain told reporters at the Rashidiyyeh camp near Tyre that the current clashes between Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank and Gaza do not at present require military support from any other country, stressing that the real battle is taking place on the land of Palestine. Abul Aynain added that Fatah is not planning to open a front from any Arab country at the moment.
The Secretary General of the Lebanese Hizbullah Resistance Movement Sayyed Hassan Nassrallah received the Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - The General Command (PFLP-GC) Ahmed Jibreel. Discussions centered on the current developments in occupied Palestine in light of the ongoing clashes and Israeli aggressions against the Palestinians there. After the meeting, Jibreel told reporters he discussed with the Hizbullah leader the new "intifada" (uprising) that is currently being witnessed in occupied Palestine.
Hizbullah yesterday issued a communiqu' expressing readiness to stand by the Palestinian people in their "jihad" (struggle) against the Israelis.
In light of the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, Israeli troops stationed at the Lebanon-Israel border were put on high alert mainly in the area extending between the villages of Ghajar, Abbasiyyeh, Kfar Shouba and Shebaa. Press sources said the Israeli army is intensively patrolling these areas. Israeli helicopters also reportedly flew over the area in what seemed like inspection overflights.
The military court in charge of looking at Lebanese accused of dealing or collaborating with Israel has lately sentenced 27 people to prison terms ranging between three weeks to 18 months. The 29th batch of convicts was mostly members of the former Israeli allied militia. Other defendants were civilians who traded with Israel or traveled to it.
Since it started a series of marathon trial session last June, the court, presided over by Brigadier Maher Safieddine, has so far handed down prison sentences against some 1,100 defendants.
Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazeem voiced backing to recent stances made by the Council of Maronite Archbishops during their latest meeting heading by Cardinal Nassrallah Boutros Sfeir. Following a meeting of senior Orthodox clerics at the Balamand Monastery, Hazeem held a press conference defended the statement of Maronite Bishops saying it was wrong to call it a provocative statement.
Hazeem added silencing voices wouldn't improve conditions, reiterating that the Maronite Patriarch has every right to speak out and relay the pains and problems of his community.
Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Nassrallah Boutros Sfeir today left for a one-week visit to the Vatican, where he will be attending the synod of Catholic clerics. Sfeir will also take part in the celebrations of the Millenium Jubilee held in the Vatican. The celebrations are expected to gather around 1200 Catholic bishops from around the world. Sfeir will be accompanied by a number of Lebanese Maronite bishops. Press sources expected that Sfeir would bring up the subject of recent statements made by the Lebanese Maronite Bishops Council with Vatican officials.
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