Wikileaks Cables on the July “Israeli” Aggression on Lebanon

Al Akhbar newspaper ends its publishing of the scandalous Wikileaks cables relate to the "Israeli" aggression on Lebanon in 2006, as the leaks reveal the conspiracies that were woven against the resistance and its arms.

Hariri: International Community Bailed Out on Lebanese army

Today's episode reveals the itchy mood of Prime Minister Caretaker government Saad Hariri (MP at the time). According to a cable dated August 21 2006, former US ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman met Hariri in Beirut, in the latter's residence in Qreitem. During the meeting, Hariri unusually pressured Feltman that the Lebanese ports and airports be open immediately. In response, Feltman said that until the Lebanese government reinforces its monitoring of the borders and crossings, in application to the UNSC resolution 1701, the United States will not be able to convince the "Israelis" to lift the siege.

According to the cable no. 06BEIRUT2706, Hariri called the Lebanese Speaker Nabih beerii and asked him (n a twisted way as Feltman described) to relocate the Lebanese army generals sympathizing with the resistance from the Cargo Station in Beirut International airport.

Moreover, while Feltman criticized a statement issued by the army commander (Michel Suleiman at the time) supporting the resistance, Hariri considered that the International community has left the Lebanese army in a weak position which makes it submissive in face of Hizbullah.
In the same cable, Feltman narrates that while Hariri was sitting in his office of funereal style, surrounded by his father's photos and praying his rosary irately, he said that the rules of the game in the South should be different. In response to US ambassador's whining on Michel Suleiman's order on the17th of August stating that the army will spread alongside with the resistance, Hariri answered that Suleiman is in a difficult situation that prevents him from saying otherwise. Hariri also vowed that as soon as the army becomes tougher, he will target the resistance and crush it. 

Feltman, according to the cables, quotes Saad as saying "Give me a chance and I will F... Hizbullah." Feltman also said that others as well complained about the "Israeli" aggressions that took place on the 19th of August in North Baalbeck that only strengthen Hizbullah among which are PM Fouad Seniora and Speaker Nabih Berri.

Feltman: Hariri Lied to Berri, Asked Him to Replace Shiite Army Generals

Also, Feltman said that Hariri lied to Berri as he frankly asked him to replace Shiite army generals claiming it is an international demand. The US ambassador also pointed out that Hariri's underestimation of Seniora's government rights.

More into the cables, Hariri suggested that the UN impose sanctions on Syria, literally saying "please help Lebenon! Give everything to Lebanon! We need a marshal project for Lebanon ". The US ambassador explained that 99% of the smuggled arms into Lebanon comes through Syrian borders.

Seniora and the Burden of Hizbullah

AS for PM Fuoad Seniora, Hizbullah was a great burden on him as reveal his statements mentioned in the Wikileaks cables, particularly when he said, "This way I will finally be able to take the arms from Hizbullah."
Feltman said the sole concern of Seniora was to spread the army in the South as soon as possible, demeaning the Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's speech on the 16th of August.

Seniora further asked when will the international community start to resolve the Shebaa issue in such a way that allows him to use it as a tool to attack Sayyed Nasrallah. Also, Feltman noted that it was clear that Seniora sees Sayyed Nasrallah's "allegations" on victory as void and disgusting, because of the loss of innocent souls.
"The Lebanese people are still in shock because of the violence that prevailed, but they are smart enough to understand the high price Narallah forced them to pay," Seniora said according to the cable. 

Feltman Presents Visualization to Reconstruction and to Influencing Lebanese Public Opinion

According to the cables, Feltman presented a list of initiatives to the US administration asking to support the "wavering" Lebanese government, as he described.
Major demands Feltman mentioned were:

-Opening an aerial bridge to facilitate the travel of Lebanese between Beirut and Amman.
-Immediate lift of sea embargo on Oil Ships and facilitating the entry of food aids. Feltman notes here that the "Israelis" will keep seizing any suspicious shipments.
- Wide demining activities, and playing a major role in preserving the safety of those returning to the South, which will affect the Lebanese public opinion.
-Immediate spread of UNIFIL Planning Units
- Providing alternatives for displaced citizens, supporting Lebanese economy in General.
-Focusing on the reopening of Hospitals and private clinics in the South.
-Setting up of mobile bridges in Lebanon, to reconnect the routes and main highways. Feltman here says this can take place in cooperation with "Israel" in order to provide Lebanon with military steel bridges in some regions.
-Starting an initiative related to the private sector, and this might lead to the coming of several American businessmen to Lebanon by the beginning of September.
-Preparing to reconstruct most of the affected regions and recreate work opportunities (by that meaning regions of Hizbullah supporters).

Murr: "Israelis" Were Friendly During Their Meetings with Lebanese Army in Nakoura

Elias Murr, the Lebanese Defense Minister at the time also has a big share of the Wikileaks scandals. In one of his meetings with Feltman on August 15 2006, Murr said he awaits a government decision to speed the process of spreading the Lebanese Army in the South, but from his opinion that would be difficult in light of armed Hizbullah's presence in the South.
"The army should be reinforced in the soonest time in order to refute Nasrallah's arrogant and rude speech on August 14, when he said that the Lebanese army cannot defend Lebanon on its own," the cables quoted Murr as saying.

Murr said that the "Weak "Israeli" performance particularly in the last few days of the war has supported Hizbullah, which led the resistance to hesitate in delivering its arms even in the Litani river area."

Murr also informed Feltman that "high-ranked Lebanese army generals met with "Israeli" generals on August 14 in the UNIFIL center in the Southern village Nakoura, in order to coordinate on the withdrawal process and then deployment. He noted that the "Israelis" acted friendly and asked if the Lebanese army can come the next day.
Also, Murr told the US ambassador "Hizbullah Minister Mohammad Fneish told us in the Parliament that if you want Hizbullah weapons, come take it by force."

"Israel" Evaluates Results, Repercussions of War

On another note, the Wikileaks documents revealed that the US embassy in Tel Aviv was preparing its reports on the situation, which allows it to scrutinize the results of the war. A cable written by US officials under the no. 03telaviv3370 uncovers that the communication conducted by the embassy doubted that the war has removed the threat (represented by Hizbullah), but only resulted in a slight retreat of Hizbullah. the cable adds "To many, this result is not appropriate as more than 180 "Israelis" were killed during the conflict, economic life was interrupted, a high price was paid to launch the war and a failure in retrieving the two kidnapped soldiers."
Also, the cable quotes "Israeli" chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi telling Feltman "It is clear there were failures, and procedures should be taken so that these are not repeated in the future."