The Tel Aviv-Washington axis is indeed giving birth to a new Middle East -- undoing its new Arab political allies (the "Lebanon First" coalition, the Mahmoud Abbas faction) and making Hizbullah wildly popular in Lebanon and the rest of the Middle East. But that means that it will redouble its efforts to put economic sanctions on Iran. -- Yoshie
<http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/12698> Angus Reid Global Scan : Polls & Research Lebanese Support Resistance Against Israel July 30, 2006 - Many adults in Lebanon believe Hezbollah is right in fighting Israel, according to a poll by the Beirut Center for Research and Information. 86.9 per cent of respondents support the Lebanese-backed resistance against Israel. On Jul. 12, Hezbollah militants based in Lebanon killed three Israeli soldiers and captured two more in a cross-border attack. The Israeli armed forces launched air strikes inside Lebanese territory to fight Hezbollah, targeting the country's infrastructure and its airport. Hezbollah has retaliated by firing rockets into several Israeli towns. 70.1 per cent of respondents agree with the capture of the two soldiers. The Lebanese Internal Security Forces have reported that 421 people have been killed and 1,661 have been injured. According to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), 52 Israelis—19 civilians and 33 soldiers—have died during the conflict. In addition, 1,233 Israelis have been wounded. 63.3 per cent of respondents think Israel will never defeat Hezbollah. On Jul. 28, Lebanese president Emil Lahoud expressed disappointment with the situation, saying, "It makes you so mad inside. If it does to me, what about these people who have got their children, their brothers killed?" Lahoud also outlined his views on Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, declaring, "All Lebanese respect him and I respect him." Polling Data Poll highlights Support for the Lebanese-backed resistance against Israel 86.9% Agreement with the capture of the two Israeli soldiers 70.1% Belief that Israel will never defeat Hezbollah 63.3% Source: Beirut Center for Research and Information Methodology: Interviews with 800 Lebanese citizens—Sunnis, Shiites, Druze, and Christians—conducted from Jul. 24 to Jul. 26, 2006. No margin of error was provided. <http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/12710> Angus Reid Global Scan : Polls & Research Lebanese Chide Government's Position July 31, 2006 - Many adults in Lebanon believe their government has not dealt properly with the current crisis, according to a poll by the Beirut Center for Research and Information. 58.3 per cent of respondents think their administration's diplomatic moves are not enough to confront the enemy. Lebanese voters renewed the Assembly of Representatives last year. In June 2005, Fuad Saniora—a former finance minister—was appointed as Lebanon's new prime minister. On Jul. 12, Hezbollah militants based in Lebanon killed three Israeli soldiers and captured two more in a cross-border attack. The Israeli armed forces launched air strikes inside Lebanese territory to fight Hezbollah, targeting the country's infrastructure and its airport. Hezbollah has retaliated by firing rockets into several Israeli towns. The Lebanese Internal Security Forces have reported that 475 people have been killed and 1,661 have been injured. According to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), 52 Israelis—19 civilians and 33 soldiers—have died during the conflict. In addition, 1,281 Israelis have been wounded. 54 per cent of respondents think the Lebanese government has not properly helped the refugees. Last week, Siniora developed a ceasefire plan, which calls for the release of Lebanese prisoners in Israeli jails, the return of the two Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah, and strengthening an international force in southern Lebanon. Polling Data Do you think the Lebanese government's diplomatic moves are enough to confront the enemy? Yes 33.5% No 58.3% Do you think the Lebanese government's diplomatic has properly helped the refugees? Yes 42.8% No 54.0% Source: Beirut Center for Research and Information Methodology: Interviews with 800 Lebanese citizens—Sunnis, Shiites, Druze, and Christians—conducted from Jul. 24 to Jul. 26, 2006. No margin of error was provided. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/31/AR2006073100010.html> UN Council set to demand Iran suspend nuclear work By Evelyn Leopold Reuters Monday, July 31, 2006; 12:27 AM UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council was poised on Monday to adopt a resolution demanding Iran suspend its nuclear activities by the end of August or face the threat of sanctions. Barring last-minute delays, the council has scheduled a vote on the document that demands Iran "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development." If Tehran does not comply by August 31, the council would consider adopting "appropriate measures" under Article 41 of Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which pertains to economic sanctions, says the draft. The resolution is the first on Iran with legally binding demands and a threat to consider sanctions. The United States and its allies suspect Iran is developing a nuclear bomb and accuse it of hiding research over 18 years. On the eve of the anticipated vote, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a news conference the resolution was unacceptable and his country had the right "to take advantage of peaceful nuclear technology." Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi also warned on Sunday the resolution would create what he called a deeper crisis in the Middle East, but he did not elaborate. Germany and the council's five permanent members with veto power -- the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain -- reached broad agreement on Friday and no major changes were made over the weekend. But Russia and China are reluctant to impose sanctions and Moscow's U.N. ambassador, Valery Churkin, told reporters on Friday the sanctions provision meant the council would have "a discussion" only on punitive measures. Churkin also said the August 31 date was to meet Iran's request that it be given until August 22 to respond to an offer in June from the six nations of an energy, commercial and technological package if Tehran suspended its nuclear work. But U.S. Ambassador John Bolton told reporters that "if Iran fails to comply with this mandatory obligation, we will move to sanctions in the Security Council." Iran's Asefi said Tehran would stop considering the incentives if the resolution were adopted. Asefi said Tehran could still reply to the incentive package if the Security Council held its fire. The resolution is drafted under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, Article 40, which says the council, before taking any action, can call on the those concerned to "comply with such provisional measures as it deems necessary." Chapter 7 makes a resolution mandatory and provides options for enforcement. The document excludes any military action. -- Yoshie <http://montages.blogspot.com/> <http://mrzine.org> <http://monthlyreview.org/>
