Hariri calls for "economic complementarity" with Syria
7 September 2000

Former prime minister Rafiq Hariri, whose allies swept the parliamentary elections in Beirut, said today that "the desire for economic transparency of the new Syrian leadership, underscored by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his investiture speech, opens up new horizons for Lebanon and Syria." Lebanese "should understand that and work towards economic complementarity" with Damascus. Hariri is expected to return as prime minister when parliament convenes next month.

Lebanese refugees march to US embassy in Israel
11 September 2000

Around 150 Lebanese refugees who fled to Israel after its withdrawal from south Lebanon in May marched from Rabin Square to the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv today. The refugees met with a representative of the embassy and complained that the U.S. is neglecting their ordeal. They also told the representative that the American government's unwillingness to demand the withdrawal of Syrian force from Lebanon is making it harder for them to return home.

Israel reportedly deploys SAM missiles inside border with Lebanon
12 September 2000

Al-Nahar (Beirut) reported today that Israeli surface-to-air missile batteries were deployed yesterday inside the Israeli military compound known (by the Lebanese) as Al-Hammari in the Al-Tarbakhaniyah region, about 10 meters from the border with Lebanon. The report, citing local eyewitnesses from across the border, said that the launchers each carried four missiles, which it said were U.S.-made.

Islamist network dismantled
13 September 2000

According to security sources in Beirut, Lebanese military intelligence reportedly dismantled a network of Lebanese and Palestinian militants affiliated with the Sunni Islamist Takfir wa al-Hijra movement. The group, which had been under surveillance for several months, was planning to replicate the success of the Abu Sayyaf movement in the Philippines by abducting foreigners and holding them for ransom. The group received its instructions from Ahmad al-Miqati, a fugitive allegedly involved in the January 2000 Islamist uprising in Dinnieh.

Michel Aoun

Addoum presents documents in case against Aoun
21 September 2000

Public Prosecutor Adnan Addoum referred to court documentation compiled by security agencies to prove that former prime minister Michel Aoun has not complied with the main condition of his departure from Lebanon in 1991--that he not engage in political activity during his exile in Paris. Aoun was ousted by Syria in October 1990 and took refuge in the French embassy for eleven months until his departure was negotiated by French officials. Rumors that Aoun is considering a return to Lebanon led Addoum to designated examining magistrate George Ghantous earlier this month to lead a criminal investigation against the former premier, an apparent effort to deter him from coming back. Decree No. 1673 of 27 August 1991, which provided for the exile of Aoun for five years, expired on 27 August 1996, but no legal case against Aoun (who made no pretense of not engaging in political activity during this period) was opened until now.

Shatila returns from exile
24 September 2000

Kamal Shatila, the leader of the Lebanese People's Congress, a predominantly Sunni, leftist, Arab nationalist party, returned to Lebanon after 16 years in exile. Shatilla left Beirut for France in 1984 after being declared persona non grata by Damascus. He lived in Paris until 1991, then moved to Cairo. His return was negotiated earlier this month by Syrian President Bashar Assad and Lebanese government officials.

Lebanese group claims attack on Syrian workers
26 September 2000

Al-Safir (Beirut) reported that a group calling itself "Citizens for a Free and Sovereign Lebanon" [muwatinun min ajl lubnan hurr wa mustaqill] claimed responsibility for an attack on Syrian workers in Nabatiyeh on September 23. "As we have committed ourselves in previous warnings, we will continue our struggle until the departure of the last foreigner from our land, in accordance with UN Resolutions 425 and 520," said the statement, which the paper received by fax. "The attack against the Syrian workers . . . sends a clear message to the Syrians and their agents."

Syrian worker killed, two wounded
28 September 2000

Security officials in Beirut said today that Mohammed Noureddine, 17, opened fire on a group of Syrian workers, killing one and wounding two of them. Noureddine surrendered to police and later told them that he was angered by the Syrian laborers' refusal to pay a debt. Around one million Syrian laborers currently reside in Lebanon.

Relatives of Lebanese detainees in Syria demonstrate
30 September 2000

Relatives of Lebanese prisoners illegally held in Syrian jails demonstrated today near the Presidential Palace at Baabda. Holding placards that read "Release our children from Syrian jails," mothers, sisters and brothers of detainees marched toward the gate of the palace but were restrained by Lebanese police and army troops. Amnesty International estimates that 228 Lebanese are imprisoned in Syria, but Lebanese human rights groups say that the number could be much higher.