Loveday Morris on Al-Qa`idah in Lebanon

Let me begin by saying that the only "expert" on the subject she cites in this article is an "expert" in Philadelphia at the Daniel Pipes' center for Likud studies of the Middle East. Kid you not.  She continues her heinous reference to car bombs as "retaliatory suicide bombing".  Would she dare refer to car bombs by Al-Qa`idah against US occupation forces in the Middle East in this language? You be the judge.  She then makes up a story (she basically regurgitate what she sees in English language Hariri websites): "Hezbollah on Tuesday tightened a blockade on roads to Arsal, a Sunni town".  That is a blatant lie. Those who imposed the blockade are the actual people of the town because they were sick and tired of car bombs and indiscriminate missiles fired at them from the outskirt of `Irsal (not Arsal but then again, she does not know Arabic and all she knows is what she reads on English language Hariri websites).  In fact, the Shi`ites of this area are quite independent and their loyalty to the clans are stronger than political loyalty and they have had tense relationship with Hizbullah in the past.  Amal is even stronger in many parts there. But then again: why let facts stand in the way of a good propaganda cause?  Here she also makes up a fact: "was carried out in retaliation for Hezbollah’s “boasting” about the rebel defeat in Yabroud." When and where did Hizbullah "boast" about the fall of Yabrud? In fact, its reports on Al-Manar gave the credit to the Syrian regime army.  She just simply made this up, or was told that by her March 14 staff members.  She then cites the authority of a Bin Ladinte official from `Irsal and cites him simply as official.  This official would tell her anything and she would believe it:  "Khalaf denied that new fighters had arrived this week".  Well, Ms. Morris. You may check with your colleague from the New York Times, Anne Barnard, who in fact interviewed Syrian armed commanders in that area.  It is no secret. The name of the guy who hosts the fighters and who received them and established a makeshift hospital for them is Mustafa Al-Hujayra (nicknamed Mustafa Abu Taqiyyah).  Having produced the propaganda of the Hariri family and Syrian armed groups, she then produces the propaganda of the US government: "The United States is among the nations that have attempted to strengthen the Lebanese armed forces". What? The US supports the Lebanese armed forces? Against Israeli aggression or against domestic revolts? Who but the US government has prevented the Lebanese Army from receiving fighter jets, surface-to-air missiles, long range missiles, and helicopter gunships?  Support the Lebanese Army? Yes, with tons of used vehicles and uniforms and police cars.  Do you now see why Angry Arabs are angry?