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Library of Congress hosts symposium to ‘save Tyre’

(WASHINGTON, DC) — The International Association to Save Tyre (AIST) hosted a full-day symposium on Wednesday at the U.S. Library of Congress in Washington, DC to discuss the group’s efforts to protect the historic site.

Founded in 1980 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, AIST’s primary mission is to raise awareness of the cultural site in south Lebanon, which dates back to 2750 BC.

“Although many may just consider Tyre another piece of real estate in Lebanon, there are critical interests at stake here – especially moral and cultural.” said David Killion, former U.S. Ambassador to UNESCO.

Tyre was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, but developmental threats have long endangered the natural archeological history in the area.

Construction sites in 2011 came under fire for reportedly interfering with “archeologically-sensitive” areas in Tyre, including a highway project that would directly impact the site.

During the 2006 war, UNESCO’s director-general launched a ‘heritage alert’ for the site to prevent hostilities between Israel and Lebanon from damaging the ancient city.

The DC-symposium said Tyre was vulnerable to potential construction projects and future violence that could damage the city’s ancient ruins.

Dr. Maha el-Khalil Chalabi, who founded AIST, said preserving the Phoenician history of Tyre calls for global support.

“I will use my position as the head of the International Association to Save Tyre to preserve the city’s Phoenician legacy in every possible way,” she said. “This includes the rehabilitation and the promotion of its cultural and economic history.”

The ancient Phoenicians created one of the world’s first alphabets and the first democracy in the world with a parliament and senate elected directly by the citizens. Tyre is the legendary birthplace of Europa, the daughter of the King of Tyre, the namesake of Europe.

U.S. Representative Charles Boustany (R-LA) spoke at the symposium, which expected 1,000 guests from around the world. The five-day conference includes visits to the White House, and a private dinner hosted by Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Antoine Chedid.

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 City Beat, Detroit, News

Feds seek life in prison for Lebanese-American cancer doctor

(DETROIT, MI) — Federal prosecutors are calling Michigan Lebanese cancer doctor Farid Fata one of the most fraudulent physicians in American history for allegedly misdiagnosing patients with cancer to bill their insurance companies.

The U.S. government says 553 patients were put through unnecessary treatments by Fata, who has pleaded guilty to fraud. This is the first time prosecutors assigned a specific number to the case.

In a sentencing memorandum from May 28, the U.S. Attorney’s office says Fata “is the most egregious fraudster in the history of the country, measured not only by the millions of dollars he stole but by the harm he inflicted on his victims, over 550 identified so far.”

Prosecutors are asking for life in prison — up to a maximum 175 years. Fata’s six cancer centers were closed in August of 2013.

“Rather than healing or easing the suffering of the cancer patients and other who sought his help, Fata administered thousands of unnecessary treatments — a variety of chemical infusions and injections, all with potentially harmful and even deadly side effects —to the patients who entrusted him with their care. He did it entirely for his own benefit,” prosecutors wrote.

Sources say his wife and children left the country and are currently living in Lebanon. His wife was the CFO of Fata’s medical company, but her name is not mentioned in the case.

Fata was reportedly looking at luxury investment opportunities along the Jounieh coastal area in Lebanon in 2010, according to released email exchanges between Fata and his financial advisor.

“I need a favor from you,” Fata wrote in one exchange. “My dad has a great deal on a castle all furnished in Adma/Lebanon!”

The castle was $3,000,000, according to email records. It is unclear whether he ever purchased the property, but investigators believe the alleged emails could trace to more information about his “numerous trusts.”

Prosecutors said Fata, who pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud, told “thousands upon thousands of lies” to “cajole, frighten, and deceive his patients.”

His case was also compared to that of notorious Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff, but prosecutors said Fata’s crimes were worse, due to the “scope, duration, and enormity of the fraud.”

Fata’s sentencing hearing will take place before U.S. Judge Paul Borman on July 6. The hearing is expected to last more than a week.

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Lebanese Christian rivals hold rare meeting

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanon’s two main Christian political leaders held a historic meeting on Tuesday, in an effort to find common ground among two enemies whose rivalry has lasted for decades.

Michel Aoun and Samir Geagea, who fought each other during the Lebanese Civil War from 1975-1990, are both candidates for the Lebanese presidency which has been vacant since Michel Sleiman’s term expired a year ago.

But the rare meeting, which was held at Aoun’s home in Rabieh, left political quarrels behind and instead focused on a landmark declaration of intent between the two rivals.

Aoun and Geagea prepare to speak to the media during a joint press conference at Aoun's home in Rabieh on June 2, 2015. (Photo: Aldo Ayoub)
Aoun and Geagea prepare to speak to the media during a joint press conference at Aoun’s home in Rabieh on June 2, 2015. (Photo: Aldo Ayoub)

The Lebanese Forces and Free Patriotic Movement parties have been in talks for months now, ushered by FPM MP Ibrahim Kanaan and LF media officer Melhem Riachi.

Aoun called the meeting a “gift” to Lebanese Christians who were concerned about the political and security climate in Lebanon.

“The decision is in our hands and not in the hands of any other party,” Aoun said, referring to the influence of the regional power-players Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The agreement on a new president is widely seen as a broader deal requiring a Saudi-Iranian blessing.

Aoun is an ally of the Shiite Iranian-backed Hezbollah, while Geagea backs the Sunni Saudi-backed politician Saad Hariri.

The two leaders issued a joint statement calling for the election of a “strong president” which would be supported by a majority Christian population and capable of working with Lebanon’s other religious sects.

The declaration of intent was negotiated between FPM MP Ibrahim Kanaan and LF media officer Melhem Riachi. (Photo: Aldo Ayoub)
The declaration of intent was negotiated between FPM MP Ibrahim Kanaan and LF media officer Melhem Riachi. (Photo: Aldo Ayoub)

Geagea said the purpose of his visit to Aoun’s home was to gather the two main Christian parties to discuss the ongoing political climate for Christians in the country. He said he “wished the meeting took place 30 years ago.”

“(LF and FPM) are two political forces which — if they agree — can have a positive impact on Lebanon,” Geagea said in comments published by the Lebanese National News Agency. “Our meeting today is the beginning of dialogue, because the previous months witnessed preparations that paved the ground for this meeting.”

The declaration of intent calls for peaceful interaction between the two parties, including mutual support to “principles of sovereignty” and “the approach of dialogue.”

“The two parties agree to strengthen state institutions and resort to the law to resolve any sudden dispute. They agree not to resort to arms or violence and to support the army because it is the institution that can preserve sovereignty and national security,” the declaration of intent reads in-part.

Aoun and Geagea echoed support for coexistence among Lebanon’s religious groups, including an electoral law that respects equal power-sharing between Muslims and Christians.

Geagea visited FPM leader Michel Aoun at his home in Rabieh on June 2, 2015. (Photo: Aldo Ayoub)
Geagea visited FPM leader Michel Aoun at his home in Rabieh on June 2, 2015. (Photo: Aldo Ayoub)

On the issue of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, both parties called Israel an “enemy” and called for a two-state solution. They also issued a mutual statement rejecting the naturalization of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

The agreement also mentions the Syrian crisis and its impact on Lebanon, adding that they will “not allow”  the Lebanese border to be used for the smuggling of militants.

“We call for finding a solution to the Syrian refugee crisis, which is a time bomb at all levels and we call for securing their return to safe areas in Syria,” the document said.

The agreement also made a brief mention of Lebanese emigrants, adding that the two rivals will exert “joint efforts” to approve laws that protect property ownership and naturalization of Lebanese emigrants.

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U.S. donates missiles, launch pads to Lebanese Army

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — The U.S. government delivered a shipment of anti-tank missiles and launch pads to the Lebanese Army on Sunday, in the latest demonstration of support to fight what the U.S. calls a “common enemy.”

The Lebanese Army command announced they received the shipment on Sunday evening, which included an undisclosed number of BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles and their launch pads.

First produced in 1970, the TOW is one of the most widely used anti-tank guided missiles. The weapon was spotted as early as April 2014 in at least two videos that surfaced showing Syrian opposition forces in the Syrian Civil War using BGM-71 TOWs.

The Israel Defense Forces also used TOW missiles during the 1982 Lebanon War, when they ambushed Syrian armored forces and destroyed 11 Syrian Soviet-made T-72 tanks.

The Lebanese Army added in its statement that it received an improved version known as BGM-71C, or TOW II, created in 1983 with a range of up to 3.75 kilometers.

The U.S. has donated over $1 billion in aid to the Army over the last decade, but most previous donations had been non-lethal equipment, including armored personnel carriers, light aircraft and communication systems.

In February, a U.S. weapons shipment included over 70 M198 Howitzers as well as 26 million rounds of ammunition including small, medium and heavy artillery rounds.

In January, the U.S. delivered dozens of armored Humvees.

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Cyprus holds Lebanese-Canadian man over possible bomb material

(LARNACA, CYPRUS) — Cypriot authorities detained a Lebanese national on Thursday after finding in his possession a large quantity of ammonium nitrate fertilizer which, police said could case widespread damage if used in an explosive mixture.

A public prosecutor, asking for court proceedings to be held in camera, said the case raised questions of state security.

Police said they had discovered two tonnes of ammonium nitrate at premises used by the 26-year-old in the coastal town of Larnaca on Wednesday night.

Ammonium nitrate is a fertilizer but in large quantities can be mixed with other substances to make a powerful explosive.

The find is unusual in Cyprus, which despite proximity to the Middle East has not seen a major militant incident since 1988 when a car packed with explosives blew up on a Nicosia bridge, killing 3. The car was meant to target the Israeli embassy.

Police declined to speculate on possible motives for hoarding the substance, found in more than 400 boxes in the basement of a home in a residential neighborhood of Larnaca. It was still being searched on Thursday.

The suspect, who a police source said also holds a Canadian passport, arrived on the Mediterranean island about a week ago.

“This is a very serious case,” a police spokesman said.

Judicial authorities accepted a police request that proceedings be held behind closed doors.

“This is a case which pertains to the security of the state and public disclosure could possibly adversely affect those interests,” a public prosecutor told the judge.

The suspect, a young man of medium build with short cropped hair, was led handcuffed by police into a courtroom. He sat emotionless in a grey t-shirt and jeans.

Cypriot media carried unsourced reports that the individual maintained to police the ammonium nitrate was not his.

Source: Reuters

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U.S. announces plan to build $1B embassy in Awkar

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale announced on Wednesday a plan to build a new $1 billion embassy in Awkar, which will give more space to “deepen ties” between the two countries.

“The new facilities, which will be located next door to the current embassy in the town of Awkar, is just one more example of the enduring partnership that exists between the United States and Lebanon,” said Hale during a press conference at the Foreign Ministry.

“It will reflect a continued American commitment to and investment in Lebanon.”

Hale said the design of the facility is being built to be sustainable and eco-friendly, utilizing Lebanon’s “mild Mediterranean climate” to reduce energy consumption.

“Our priority on energy-savings and sustainability will mean that the new embassy will reduce its environmental impact while enhancing the space around it,” he said.

Hale added that the facilities will include water-saving native planting, natural vegetation, and sculpted pre-cast concrete and stone. American and Lebanese art projects will be installed in public green areas.

The new Awkar facility is located next door to the current U.S. operations. (Photo: U.S. Embassy Beirut)
The new Awkar facility is located next door to the current U.S. operations. (Photo: U.S. Embassy Beirut)

This is the second time the U.S. changes its embassy location since the deadly bombings of the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut 30 years ago. The U.S. Embassy, which was located in Ain al-Mreisseh at time time, was hit by a suicide bomb on April 18, 1983, which left 63 people dead.

After the attack, the U.S. relocated its operations to its current location in Awkar, which has multiple layers of security detail.

Hale said the new facility represents a long-lasting American-Lebanese partnership.

“America will be here for years to come to work with the Lebanese people for a secure, stable, prosperous, sovereign, and free Lebanon,” he said.

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UN urges Lebanon to elect president after one-year vacuum

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — The vacuum in the post of Lebanon’s presidency has undermined the country’s ability to address a range of growing security, economic and social challenges, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag, warned today.

In a press release marking the one-year point since Lebanon has been without a president, Kaag observed that the vacuum had contributed to “political polarization at a time when Lebanon must make a united effort to safeguard the country from the impact of the Syrian crisis.”

There has been a presidential vacuum in Lebanon since the term of Michel Sleiman came to an end on May 25, 2014. UN officials and the Security Council have repeatedly urged the Lebanese Parliament to elect a new leader without delay.

The country has also been dealing with renewed terrorist threats and a growing refugee population resulting from the conflict in neighboring Syria that currently numbers almost 1.2 million.

Urging Lebanon’s leaders to adhere to the country’s constitution and to the Taef Agreement and National Pact, the UN Special Coordinator called on all stakeholders to put national interests above partisan politics “for the sake of Lebanon’s stability and to show the flexibility and sense of urgency needed to resolve this issue.”

In addition, Kaag commended Lebanon’s Prime Minister Tammam Saeb Salam for upholding a unified government “despite enormous pressures” and for showing “remarkable leadership in the face of increasingly difficult circumstances.”

“The unified international support shown for Lebanon should be accompanied by meaningful action by Lebanon’s leaders,” she said.

“The presidential election is a Lebanese process, and I call on Members of Parliament to fulfill their constitutional duties, to uphold the country’s democratic tradition and convene to elect a President without further delay.”

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Israeli official: Target Lebanese Army and infrastructure in next war

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — The former head of Israel’s National Security Council said Israel should target the Lebanese Army, state infrastructures, and institutions in the event of a new war.

Major-General (ret.) Giora Eiland announced the recommendations in a May 26 editorial called “How to postpone the third Lebanon war,” which was published in the Israeli news outlet, Ynet.

“If we are fired on from Lebanese territory, and Israel decides to wage a battle, it must declare war on Lebanon and focus its efforts also against Hezbollah but mainly against the Lebanese army, the Lebanese infrastructures and the Lebanese state institutions,” Eiland wrote.

The 2006 Lebanon War killed almost 1,200 Lebanese — a third of whom were children. An additional 4,000 were injured, and almost one million displaced. According to Amnesty International, Israel deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure.

Eiland said that by targeting Lebanese institutions, the international community is more likely to call for a “urgent” ceasefire.

“A ceasefire after three days rather than after 33 days is both the way to win the next war and to recreate effective deterrence,” he said.

Readers who commented on the editorial expressed support for Eiland’s recommendations, adding that Israel should “hit (Lebanon’s) electric, gas, water and sewage plants, roads, airports, ports, bridges, all on the first day.”

Eiland adds that by attacking Lebanese state infrastructure, Israel avoids war with Hezbollah and the international community would “favor Israel.”

“Israel should always favor war (or an agreement) with a state player rather than with a terror organization,” Eiland wrote. “This statement applies to Lebanon, and it applies just as much to Gaza.”

In recent months, Israel has been accused of recent episodes of excessive force, including a United Nations Security Council report in March, which accuses Israel of killing a Spanish peacekeeper in January. The report also identified “the presence of unauthorized weapons” in Lebanon.

To read the full editorial, click here.

 

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 Entertainment, News

Lebanese filmmaker wins prize at Cannes Film Festival

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese filmmaker Ely Dagher won a top award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival on Sunday for his short film “Waves ’98.”

Dagher, 30, won the Palme d’Or award after competing with more than 4,000 short films from around the world.

“Waves ’98” is a 15-minute “visual essay” that explores Dagher’s relationship with Beirut in 1998 as a teenager. Dagher said his attachment to Beirut became “more and more complicated” after moving from Lebanon to Brussels.

Dagher is the first Lebanese director to be awarded at the Cannes Festival since 1991, when famed filmmaker Maroun Baghdadi won the Jury Prize for “Out of Life” (Hors La Vie).

Bagdadi was internationally known for producing popular films with American director Francis Coppola, including several projects that became hits in France.

The prestigious Cannes Film Festival is held annually in southern France. The 2015 festival took place from May 13 to May 24.

The jury for the main competition included American filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen, Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, American actor Jake Gyllenhaal, French-Canadian actor and filmmaker Xavier Dolan, French actress and director Sophie Marceau, Spanish actress Rossy de Palma, Malian musician Rokia Traore, and British actress Sienna Miller.

WATCH the trailer:

WAVES’98 Trailer from Beaverandbeaver on Vimeo.

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Lebanese innovation shines at Diaspora Energy Conference

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Over 1,000 Lebanese expatriates returned to Beirut from May 21 to 23 to participate in the 2015 Lebanese Diaspora Energy Conference, hosted by the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the direction of Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil.

Bassil called on Lebanese parliament to adopt a draft-law to grant nationality to additional members of the diaspora. He said e-registration and e-voting should also be introduced.

“All of us have preserved our Lebanese culture in our blood. We can’t lose it,” he said. “I can’t promise you that we will change facts in Lebanon but I promise you to live the dream.”

Bassil said the conference, which brought expatriates from 73 countries, aims to further strengthen the bonds between Lebanese residents and emigrants worldwide.

Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil started the Lebanese Diaspora Energy Conference last year. (Gebran Bassil Media Office)
Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil started the Lebanese Diaspora Energy Conference last year. (Gebran Bassil Media Office)

The conference was split up into 12 sectorial meetings, including healthcare, engineering, agriculture, media, oil, tourism, and politics, among others.

The Lebanon Oil and Gas Initiative heard from Lebanese emigrants, who expressed concern over potential political deadlocks which could delay or halt the quest for oil.

Seismic scans uncovered the so-called “Levant Basin” in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, suggesting the existence of significant oil and gas resources off the coast of Lebanon.

A “National Council of Emigrants” was recommended to further involve expatriates on decision-making and recommendations for potential oil findings.

A health forum was also held during the conference, which included guest remarks by Dr. Philip Salem, a world-renowned cancer doctor based in Houston, Texas, and the founder of a U.S-based charity foundation.

Expatriates discussed the launching of an international Lebanese Medical Association, to set up a network of doctors in university hospitals to provide jobs for Lebanese doctors in developing countries and launch an institute specializing in autism in North Lebanon.

At the conclusion of the sectorial meetings, an evening gala was held at Casino Du Liban featuring guest singer Massari, a Lebanese-Canadian, and former Miss USA Rima Fakih, a Lebanese-American.

Bassil’s office also organized a field tour to Batroun, which included a visit to old markets of the coastal town and a reception at the “House of the Lebanese Emigrant,” which was launched during last year’s LDE conference.

The tour came just a few days after Bassil and his Mexican counterpart Jose Antonio Meade launched the Lebanese-Mexican House in Batroun aimed at boosting cultural ties between the two countries.

Lebanese Examiner live-tweeted and shared updates from the LDE conference using the hashtag #LDE2015. See highlights below:

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