WORLD LEBANESE CULTURAL UNION
Commission on International
Relations Lebanon Desk
Monday: Cedars revolution resume
Monday in Lebanon
1. As of 3 PM (Beirut time) Monday, a
massive anti-Syrian occupation demonstration will be
taking place in downtown Beirut. In response to last week's
pro-occupation march, the growing democratic opposition has mobilized a
large segment of Lebanon's civil society for a showdown with the Syrian
occupation.
2. WLCU observers, already in place in
Lebanon, said "entire villages, neighborhoods and corporations will be
marching," They stated that "the withdrawal
of the Syrians two days ago from the northern part, will allow tens of
thousands more to rally the demo."
3. While last week
pro-Syrian occupation march was fully financed by Iran, Syria and
intelligence services (per sources), the Monday democracy demo is
financed by local fundraisers, businesses and local municipalities.
The estimate we have is that -if not obstructed by the
occupation- it may well become the largest pro-Democracy demonstration
in the Middle East.
4. The demonstrators will be on cell
phones with Lebanese communities around the world to allow them to
participate virtually. Five WLCU posts within the demonstration will
be reporting via cell phone. Note that 3,000
demonstrators will be symbolically
representing the Lebanese Diaspora through the WLCU. You will be able to
watch them on TV with their signs "Towards Freedom" ( Na7wa el 7orriya)
5. For the first time, a growing number of
moderate Shiites will join the Druze, Sunnis and Christians in downtown
Beirut. World TV crews will report live and give an estimate by 11 AM
(EST)
6. Syrian withdrawal: It was learned that
Syrian Special forces of the 41st and 46th regiments
stationed between Dahr al Baidar and Barouk and brigades from the Syrian
10th division, have pulled out of Lebanon and are possibly redeploying
on the Iraqi border. No information as to their new mission facing Iraqi
and Coalition forces.
7. Syrian
intelligence: It was reported that the Syrian Mukhabarat command in
Beirut relocated in the southern suburb of the capital in the Hizbollah
controlled area.
8. More than 500
soldiers of the Lebanese Republican Guards have been deployed around the
residence of President Emile Lahoud. Reports about popular
demonstrations calling for his resignation are growing.
9. The opposition coalition is
determined to call for the resignation and departure of pro-Syrian
intelligence commanders in Lebanon: Colonels Jamil Sayed, Raymond Azar,
Edouard Mansour, Mustafa Hamdane, Ali Hajj. Also the opposition is
calling for the resignation of Colonels Jameh Jameh and Maher Tufaily.
10. In the north of Lebanon, defections
are taking place among pro-Syrian politicians, who have joined the ranks
of the opposition over the week end.
11. In Kana, south Lebanon, underground
elements in the Shiite community destroyed a statue of Hafez Assad,
erected years ago by Syrian Baath sympathizers. The
area is under full control of pro-Iranian Hizbollah. Observers
concluded that a Shiite "anti-Syrian" underground was omnipresent in
south Lebanon.
12. Most analysts
in Lebanon and overseas are attempting to project the timing of the
confrontation between Syrian and Hizbollah forces and the democratic
opposition. According to estimate, it will take place when the
Syrians and their allies will redeploy into their hardcore areas and
draw red lines. The international pressure will be crucial in
determining if the Syrian regime decides to oppose UNSCR 1559 inside
Lebanon or would ask their allies to strike instead of them.
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