Excerpts: U.S.,Hizbullah talks over Lebanon government formation.Hizbullah
takes extraordinary security measures.Mursi trial adjourned by his
disruption November 04, 2013

+++SOURCE: Naharnet (Lebanon) 4 Nov.’13:”Report: Indirect Talks between
Hizbullah, U.S. over Government Formation”
SUBJECT: U.S.,Hizbullah talks over Lebanon government formation
QUOTES: ”Indirect and secret contacts are ongoing between Hizbullah and the
U.S. embassy in Lebanon”; “Lebanese M.P.:’the relations between the U.S. and
Hizbullah are developing possitively’ “; “U.S.Ambassador David Hale
informed various Lebanese leaders that ‘a cabinet cannot be formed without
Hizbullah participation’ ”
FULL TEXT:Indirect and secret contacts are ongoing between Hizbullah and the
U.S. embassy in Lebanon, the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper reported on Monday[4
Nov.].

The daily quoted a March 14 MP as saying that the “relations between the
Hizbullah and the U.S. are developing positively.”

The lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the newspaper
pointed out that Hizbullah Chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah failed to criticize
the U.S. role in Lebanon and the region in his latest speech, unlike his
previous speeches.

The MP also noted that U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale informed
various Lebanese leaders that “a cabinet can not be formed without Hizbullah
participation.”

The lawmaker said that the hopes for a breakthrough in the 30-year
estrangement between the U.S. and Iran had an impact on its ties with
Hizbullah.

+++SOURCE: Naharnet (Lebanon) 4 Nov.’13: Report: Hizbullah Taking
Extraordinary SecurityMeasures during Ashura”
SUBJECT Hizbullah extraordinary security measures
NOTE: Ashura is a national holiday for Shi’a Moslems memorializing the
martyrdom of Mohammed’s grandson.
FULL TEXT:Hizbullah will begin on Monday[4 Nov.] holding daily mourning
councils on the occasion of Ashura, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper.

It said that the party has taken extraordinary security measures at the
councils given information it obtained that they could be the target of
attacks.

The Army Command also announced that its units have started taking similar
measures at various mourning councils throughout Lebanon.

The security measures also encompass places of worship, tourist sites, and
shopping malls and they include the setting up of mobile and stationary
checkpoints.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is also expected to make a speech on
Monday[4 Nov.] on the occasion of the first day of Ashura, which lasts ten
days.

At least 22 people were killed and 325 wounded in a car bombing in
Hizbullah's stronghold of Dahieh in Beirut's southern suburbs on August 15.

In September, Nasrallah blamed Sunni takfiris linked to the Syrian
opposition for the August 15 attack.

On July 9, a booby-trapped car exploded at a parking lot in Bir al-Abed,
leaving 53 people wounded and causing extensive material damage.

In May, two rockets slammed into the Beirut southern suburb of Shiyyah,
wounding four people.

+++SOURCE: New York Times 4 Nov.’13:”Trial of Ousted Egyptian President
Mursi Adjourned: State Media”, by Reuters

SUBJECT:Mursi trial adjourned by his disruption

QUOTE: “judge adjourned the hearing until Mursi wore his prision clothes . .
. adjourned after the accused disturbed the proceedings by chanting.”

FULL TEXT:CAIRO — The trial of deposed Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi was
adjourned on Monday[4 Nov.], state media reported.

The Nile state television channel said the judge had adjourned the hearing
until Mursi wore his prison clothes. Another state television channel and
radio said the session had been adjourned after the accused disturbed the
proceedings by chanting.

Mursi and 14 other Islamists face trial on charges of inciting violence.

(Reporting by Cairo bureau; Writing by Yara Bayoumy; Editing by Michael

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Sue Lerner - Associate, IMRA