July-War Secrets: Exposed by Nabih Berri and Retold by Ali Hassan Khalil (2)

Bombardment exceeded the South to Bekaa, and on the next day, it was Beirut Southern Suburb's turn: The building of "Al-Manar Television" was bombarded, the International Airport of Beirut was shut, and an undeclared siege was begun by the "Israeli" warships. Then the runways of the airports of Rayak and Kleiat were bombarded. Although the "Israelis" were bombarding a larger scale now, Haj Hussein Khalil informed me that Hizbullah's command was still restricting its counteractions through launching missile sets, the launching of which had been considered carefully so as to reflect the Resistance's ability to reach the "Israeli" depth and keeps the door open - at the same time - for the chance of settlement regarding the issue of the (captives') exchange. 

Early, MP Berri reached his office in Ain el Tineh. He had started to break the rules of accurate organization of his appointments at office and home, which he had become familiar with throughout the recent years. Now, there was no longer a break that would allow for the daily hours of dialogue with the observers of general affairs in the divan of the Second Presidential Headquarters; instead, the only timing was set upon the battle and its political developments on earth.

The moment he arrived, we said immediately we were facing a war greater than a mere reaction to the captivation of two soldiers; it was rather an open war that aimed at changing the rules of the game - not simply on the level of the South, but also it aimed at setting external and internal calculations related to the Resistance's role and its developing presence and influence on the Arab actualities.

MP Berri recalled the talk of those who called him the day before (the 12th of July), saying he could see the phantom of Resolution 1559 (which called for the disarmament of "all militias" in Lebanon...), for what had been said surpassed the talk of captives' exchange to borders, sovereignty, and disarmament. It was the beginning of a battle in which the space for politics was not less than that of militants. Yet, only the incidents on ground would draw the limits of politics.

Nasrallah to Berri: Our Battle Isn't Internal

As if being steady before entering a battle, he hinted at assigning two missions: He called the Haj (Hussein Khalil) and agreed with him that the interest required stopping any quarrel that might be started in the Ministerial Council and concentrating on what they (MP Berri and Haj Hussein Khalil) had said the day earlier regarding the necessity of adherence to the internal coherence.

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's response was clear: "Our battle isn't internal, and we're perfectly ready to ignore what's been said for the sake of the major battle. Yet, it's essential that no decision restricting our internal movement against "Israel" be made."

MP Berri replied, "This is my battle."

Haj Hussein Khalil reported that MP Saad Hariri called him, whereby Khalil reiterated what Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah had said concerning the role of Hariri's father, the martyred Premier Rafik Hariri, in confronting the April Aggression in 1996. Khalil told Hariri they were expecting a similar role from him.

On the same day, the Ministerial Council held two sessions. In his discussion, President Emile Lahoud warned the attendees from some talk in the (first) session, whereby the ministers of the (former) majority ("the March-14 Alliance") commenced escalating their tone and using the ambassador's expressions. Through the discussion, it was apparent that many of the speakers weren't afraid that what they were suggesting for the draft of the statement complied with the external requests.

Berri to Siniora: On Your Side, Fouad, But...

Between both sessions, MP Berri phoned Premier Siniora, saying, "I'm on your side, Fouad, and at this moment in particular, we want to keep the government away from any decision. Why should we give ourselves the worry of the trouble of an issue, the application of which we, the Lebanese, can agree on?! Keeping the South and even the borders under the authority and sovereignty of the government are our own issues, and together we can find the right formula; yet, suggesting the issue this way will cause a quarrel, in addition to worry that some parts wish to exploit the situation for the sake of international calculations that aren't related to the current problem."
Siniora answered him, "You're speaking as if there were no current problem. I've been receiving calls all day long; there are many pressures and threat messages to Lebanon."

Berri: "This is normal. The sides calling you are calling me; still, we have to remain firm. Let's not believe it's our fault and not forget that "Israel" is responsible for the bombardment and demolition. I hope that you settle the atmosphere in the Ministerial Council. Anyway, I tell you that we're adherent to preserving the government's unity.

Siniora: "So let's make the decision conventionally."

Berri: "And do you guarantee that "Israel" will stop the War if you make such stance?"

Siniora answered quickly, "I have no guarantee, but this is the government's responsibility."
Berri: "I'll work hard so that we stay together in the battle."
As for Jumblatt, he consolidated with Hizbullah despite his disagreement with it.
Premier Siniora wasn't the only one to stir such atmospheres; before the session of the Ministerial Council, MP Berri knew that MP Marwan Hamedeh was escalating the atmosphere before the session in accordance with the American stance; in the meantime, MP Jumblatt iterated it was not time for holding Hizbullah responsible, and he announced that the doors of Chouf's houses were opened to the migrants from the South and Beirut Southern Suburb.

MP Berri appreciated this step, whereby he phoned Jumblatt, saying, "I know that you do not lose track of the right path in hard times." Likewise, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah appreciated Jumblatt's stance, asking MP (Sayyed) Nawaf Al-Moussawi to thank him for his stance.
Although MP Berri monitored all the worrying signs on the level of the West and the Arab countries, he kept the door open and made sure he sustained communication. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had issued its famous stance in the name of "a chief source", holding the Resistance responsible for "the irresponsible behaviors and reckless ventures." In spite of this stance, MP Berri called the Saudi Arabian King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, whereby Berri already had an appointment with him. "Your Majesty, you are a brother to Lebanon, and we hope that you don't forsake it in these hard days," as such was the logic Berri used in talking to the King.

Hariri's Positivity Counted in Public... Only

In such atmospheres, "the March-14 Alliance" commenced escalating its tone, whereby the Alliance issued an accusation that the (Captivation) Operation had been performed for the sake of regional purposes. That, in fact, reflected the influence of international pressure and covered up the scheme of setting the "Israeli"-American hand to destroy the Resistance's structure.

Still, MP Berri saw a positive sign from MP Saad Hariri, who declared in Egypt that he wouldn't hold any side responsible (for the Operation). Berri spoke to him, well appreciating his stance and encouraging him to cooperate and continue his round in the Arab countries. In the same context, Sayyed Nasrallah asked his senior aide to keep contacting "Sheikh Saad" on a positive basis.

Well, that was positivity counting for that circumstance and style, for we're going to monitor another talk by Hariri, where agreement and harmony with the Western scheme and the ambassador's statements in secret and public underlie.

Having phoned or met several ambassadors, specifically the American Ambassador Jeffery Feltman and the French Ambassador Bernard Emie, MP Berri had a stronger impression that the suggestions surpassed the captives' issue to the attempt of causing internal rifts, as well as posing an integrated set of conditions leading to the end of the Resistance's role.

Meanwhile, Haj Hussein Khalil was repeating to me that he was having calls with MP Hariri more than once a day and in a manner that embarrassed the Haj's security, for Hariri was using an international phone that could be easily tracked. Besides, Hariri on and on practiced terrifying threats and was constantly repeating, "The presidents and kings I'm meeting, are saying dangerous talk to me; Lebanon will be destroyed, and "Israel" is slaying us. Hand over the captives to the government, and we'll discuss how to resolve the problem."

As conveyed by Sayyed Nasrallah's atmospheres, Haj Hussein's response was, "Even though I take your fears into consideration, the situation's is not like that. We're familiar with the terrifying the Arabs practice. We've made rules for handing over the captives, through which we see everyone's interest. Don't move the problem to the different sides of the government. While on your round, push things this way."

Hariri: "Here, none's ready to hear such talk. In the first place, I see that you've caused us a problem we can't handle."

Haj Hussein Khalil: "Then you should know and tell who you meet that we're not going to stand still, and sand as much as our readiness for negotiations is, we're going to continue the battle. Actually, you're going to see that we're right. When "Israel" strikes, we counteract against its aggression."

Berri Encourages Siniora Again

The next day (14th of July), the government issued another stance which didn't involve the issues of the Resistance and its arms.

Immediately, MP Berri called Premier Siniora and encouraged him for this stance.

However, Siniora's response didn't express any change; he said he had talked to the American President George W. Bush and his Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who told him they were upset and held Lebanon responsible in spite of the government's stance.

Berri: "Well, it's important to communicate with everyone, but don't expect finding a different American stance. Don't forget that the other side is "Israel"."

Siniora: "They said they refused to press "Israel"."

Berri: "It's important that they do not press us and that they leave us not gathered."

When the Egyptian Ambassador Broke Diplomatic Rules

On the same day, MP Berri met with the Egyptian Ambassador to Beirut Hussein Derar, whereby the latter spoke clearly, breaking the diplomatic rules and stating that it was required that Hizbullah be disarmed and that the Resolution 1559 be executed. He added that as far as he knew, the battle was open until achieving this.

Now MP Berri was certain that an Arab-American front had been formed and had been working the same way. As well, Jordan and Egypt had joined this front.

In the evening, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah appeared on television to announce the bombardment of the "Israeli" warship "Saer", bringing people back to their spirits after Hizbullah had decreased missile launching all day long. Bitterness could be heard in the Sayyed's voice as he spoke about the Saudi Arabian stance, and Berri's comment was, "I understand this, but I'll stay in contact with all sides including the Saudi Arabians, for we might protect the interior from the influence of the exterior."

That night, The United States pressed the UN Security Council to refuse any talk of fire cease and to make the decision of sending a delegation to Lebanon. And this was the beginning of the international moves, which were faced by a clear "Israeli" stance that refused any discussion but that of retaining both captives without any restrictions, executing Resolution 1559, and making Hizbullah retreat to the north of the Litany Region.

That night, Siniora arrived in Ain el Tineh, suggesting going to Cairo to attend the assembly of the Arab League.

Berri: "I refuse this; the Airport is besieged, so do you want your travel to be covered up by "Israel"? I don't think you accept this. Minister Fawzi Salloukh (former minister of the exterior) is in Armenia, and he has to be assigned to go straight away to Egypt. As for me, I've cancelled my appointment with King Abdullah so that I avoid such travel."

Actually, Siniora's eagerness to go there made me feel he wanted to make sure he transferred his point of view that perfectly matched some Arab's stances.

The next day (the 15th of July), Siniora held a press conference in the Grand Palace (the Governmental Palace), acknowledging that declaring his innocence of the Captivation Operation in his stance on the first day of the War didn't stop it. This, in fact, was an important development in his stance, allowing more communication with him.

Hariri: Hizbullah Wants to Ruin Lebanon!

In the meantime, a prominent Kuwaiti figure called, talking about what MP Saad Hariri had mentioned to him during his visit to Kuwait; whereby Hariri's talk was provocative against the Resistance: "They (Hizbullah) want to ruin Lebanon for the sake of an external interest. They are responsible for what has happened, and they must pay the price for this."
Haj Hussein Khalil talked to me, informing me of his latest calls with MP Hariri, who insisted on informing Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah of his suggestion; Hizbullah should hand over one captive to the government and keep the other one. Haj Hussein Khalil immediately told him that was impossible; yet, upon Hariri's insistence, Khalil reported this to the Sayyed, who denounced such shallow suggestion, asking for not wasting his time and for focusing on what could resolve the whole problem.

When I informed MP Berri of what Saad Hariri had suggested, he exclaimed, "How can this happen in the case of the "Israeli" madness? Will "Israel" stop half a massacre?! Can we stop half a war?! It's an irrational thing he's come up with. He's trying to do something, and I'll turn a blind eye on this."

Feltman to Berri: These Are the Rules of Solution, War Won't Stop 

MP Berri got a call from the American Ambassador Jeffery Feltman, whereby he spoke positively about the convention of the Ministerial Council regarding the recent statement, and he reported that "Israel" didn't want to cease fire, it insisted on its conditions, and it considered that it held the battle under control and that it was causing great casualties to Hizbullah.
Berri: "This is illusion. The infrastructure has suffered damage, but Hizbullah has suffered very little casualties. As for the "Israeli" stance, it's yours. President Bush's stance is weightier than "Israel's"."

Feltman: "A UN delegation is arriving at 6:00 PM. This is why we're pursuing a truce rather than fire cease."
Berri: "But since you can impose a truce, why don't you stop "Israel's" massacres?!"
Feltman: "Well, I've reported the solution rules."

Berri: "Then don't bet on this. We know you want to move the problem to the government, but we're not going to allow this. I'll stay in contact with Premier Siniora. Again, I tell you: Cease fire and I believe we'll resolve the captives' problem quickly."

Afterwards, MP Berri called Premier Siniora, who was quiet and spoke openly. Siniora said the Italian Minister Romano Prodi phoned him, informing him that he had talked to the "Israeli" Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who posed conditions for the fire cease:

1-handing over both captives

2-Hizbullah's retreat to the north of the Litany Region

That night, Olmert declared that Siniora's request that the government's sovereignty reach the international borders was a step on the right path.

On the same day, however, both commands of Hizbullah and the Amal Movement held a common meeting to develop coordination on the ground, which expressed the perfection of both sides in the battle field.

Source: As-Safir newspaper, Translated and edited by moqawama.org