Special Report on Arab Summit in Beirut

By Dr Walid Phares Senior fellow Foundation for the Defense of Democracies http://www.defenddemocracy.org

INSIGHTS ON THE ARAB SUMMIT IN BEIRUT

Mideast Expert, Dr Walid Phares, who serves as a senior fellow with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, has been monitoring the inter-Arab politics surrounding the upcoming Summit in Beirut. Following are remarks prepared by Phares:

1) The most important development preceding the Summit, is the campaign, staged by Syria, in order to sink the Arab League resolutions in an Ocean of radical demands. Organizing the largest demonstrations in Damascus and Beirut, the Baathist regime is pushing Hizbollah, the rejectionist Palestinians and the Islamic Fundamentalists sympathetic to Hamas and Jihad to intimidate the Monarchs and Presidents. Syrian intelligence has allowed pro-Iraqi activists to march in Beirut side by side with pro-Iranian Hizbollah against "Arab concessions." According to all observers on the ground, Syria is using its controlled regime in Lebanon, as well as Iraq, Iran and the Palestinian groups to kill the Saudi proposal.

2) Per analysts, Syria's objectives are as follows:

a. Abort any Arab support for a strike against Iraq. b. Abort the Saudi proposal c. Oppose any stand on International Terrorism.

3) Syria has unleashed Hizbollah to threaten Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt's positions in the Summit. The pro-Iranian organization has vowed openly to support suicide attacks within Israel.

4) Syria has prepared an absorption plan for Arafat. If he would have made it to Beirut, he would have been surrounded by radicals from his own Fatah (already working with Hizbollah) and would have been put in a situation were he would hardly be able to make concessions.

5) On another level, tensions between Mubarak and Lebanese President Emile Lahoud were masterminded by Syria. The Lebanese head of state hosted Bashar Assad in the Presidential Palace, while Prime Minister Hariri hostes the Saudi delegation in his own Palace. Mubarak threatened boycotted, as it was "an insult to lodge the leader of the largest Arab country in a hotel." Syria scored one coup by eliminating Mubarak's presence

6) Arafat's representatives requested him to address the conference directly after the Saudi leader. He was initially granted that wish by the Secretary General Amr Mussa, who sets the agenda. However, as soon as the Saudi Prince finished, the President of the Conference, Lebanese President Emile Lahoud called on President Bashar Assad to speak. Which signaled that Syria comes before Aarafat, and that Assad wil indirectly reply to the Saudis. That move, staged again by Syria, upset the Palestinian delegation, which asked Mussa for the right to speak. At the request of the Syrians, Lahoud rejected that demand. The Palestinian representative, farouq Qaddumi hence withdrew from the Conference.

7) It is to note that, at the request of the Syrians, all international media crews and anchors present in Beirut were under escort. Thet were and are iondeed hosted and escorted by Prime Minister Hariri's teams. aHence, all networks have neglected to mention two important factors: No mention is being made of the Syrian occupation forces. 35,000 troops occupy the country. Cameras have not taken one shot of those forces. Second, no mention at all of the Lebanese opposition to the Syrians. Sources believe the Prime Minister, close to Syria and Saudi Arabia is imposing a silence on those two crucial issues.

8) The Maronite Patriarch is said to boycotting the single public event where all spiritual leaders are expected to meet with Arab leaders. Sources say it is as a protest against Syrian occupation.

9) Arafat forces in Beirut have joined with Hizbollah and the pro-Iraqi supporters in what seems to be the largest anti-Israel, anti-American coalition sponsored by Tehran, Baghdad and Damascus. Joint demonstrations and burning of flags are bringing together those forces.

10) It is to note that the main objective of Syria is to block the Saudi proposal, minimize it, and to block resolution against Saddam and against Jihadist Terrorism.

=========================================================================

Walid Phares, Ph.D. Associate Professor Middle East Studies Ethnic and Religious Conflict Department of Political Science Advisor, Human Rights Association, Association of Middle East Studies Florida Atlantic University E-Mail