Hezbollah officials reiterated during the weekend that the Resistance, and only the Resistance, was able to put an end to the Israeli ongoing threats and to be a true challenge for the Israeli enemy, rejecting “claims” that the national dialogue roundtable was seeking to find a way for “disarming” the Resistance in Lebanon.
 
The head of Hezbollah Executive Council Sayyed Hashem Safieddine warned against the dangers of the American domination in the region, stressing that it wasn’t acceptable to allow the United States do whatever it wants in victorious and resisting Lebanon.
 
“We have always been highlighting and bringing to attention American influence in Lebanon, and recent talk about American influence in information and security penetration in Lebanon being the greatest threat facing Lebanon after the Zionist security threat, is because we believe that whatever America possesses is definitely and inevitably available to Israel also,” Sayyed Safieddine said during a religious ceremony held in the southern suburb of Beirut.
 
“Victorious resistant Lebanon which imposed its will and equation on the Israelis will not allow the US to enjoy comfort or ease at the political and security penetration level, but we must demand through all available media and political means possible to understand the nature of this US security penetration,” his eminence added.
 
For his part, Hezbollah Official in South Lebanon Sheikh Nabil Qawouk said that Resistance has been able, through its new equation and strategy of defense and liberation, to put an end to the Israeli threats against the country and consolidate its abilities and power despite all international pressures.
 
Sheikh Qawouk noted that all Arab League summits do not deter a single Israeli aggression. “The Israeli enemy is not afraid of resolutions and Arab speeches. Only the resistance has proved viable and successful against such challenges,” Sheikh Qawouk emphasized.
 
Meanwhile, Administrative and Reform Minister Mohamad Fneish said that disarming the Resistance in Lebanon was not a subject for discussion. “Some have implied that the dialogue session seeks to establish when Hezbollah will be disarmed,” Fneish said. “This issue is not a subject for discussion and will not be debated at the dialogue sessions,” he added.

Pakistan ‘s Interior Minister Rehman Malik Saturday said he believes deputy of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Maulvi Faqir Muhammad and two other top commanders have been killed in a military strike

On Friday official sources said that Faqir was among 30 militants killed in Mohmand tribal region near Peshawar , the capital of North West Frontier Province .

Qari Zia-ur-Rehman, who is an Afghan national but was leading militants in Pakistan ’s Bajaur tribal region, was also believed to be killed when gunship helicopters shelled a militants’ hideout.

Malik told reporters in Peshawar he would be surprised if Faqir and Zia-ur-Rehman survived the attack, saying that both had been in the compound with other militants at the time of the shelling.

Taliban have not reacted to the minister’s statement.

Maulvi Faqir was based in Bajaur tribal area and is believed to have moved to Mohmand agency after the security forces took control of Bajaur near the Afghan border.

Both Maulvi Faqir and Qari Zia were wanted by the Pakistani government.

Malik confirmed the death of senior TTP commander Fateh in the same strike and said his body has been recovered. However he said that bodies of Faqir and Zia-ur-Rehman have not been recovered so far. He said the situation would be clear in a couple of days.

Analysts said that it would be a serious blow to the Pakistani Taliban if the death of Faqir and Zia-ur-Rehman is confirmed.

On Thursday too, Pakistani security forces had also killed 30 militants in Mohmand agency.

The army announced on Wednesday that they had cleared Bajaur tribal region, bordering Afghanistan, from the militants.

Last month Faqir conceded that the militants have lost their strongholds in Bajaur and asked his fighters to stop fighting against the Pakistani forces.

Local tribesmen believe that Faqir had also reached a secret understanding with the government.

Faqir had declared himself as the head of the TTP days after Taliban confirmed the death of Baitullah Mehsud who was killed in a U.S drone strike in South Waziristan tribal region in August last year. Taliban later nominated Hakimullah Mehsud new leader whose fate is also uncertain after a U.S drone strike in mid-January. Officials believe he was killed but Taliban deny the claim.

IRI’s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said the brutal raid of the Zionist regime on prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday once more showed the aggressive nature of the regime

IRI’s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said the brutal raid of the Zionist regime on prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday once more showed the aggressive nature of the regime.

He said after the terrorist act in Dubai, the new attack is a warning alarm for the Arab and Islamic countries to put an end to their political lassitude.

Larijani referred to remarks of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei who stressed unity among Islamic ummah in all fields, the Palestinian issue in particular.

Given the conditions, he asked, should we wait for more deceiving peace plans of America?

The top parliamentarian further said as the Palestinian groups have announced in their meeting last week in Tehran, resistance is the only way for confronting the criminal regime in the Middle East.

Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar says the apprehension of the ringleader of the Jundallah terrorist group exposed the hypocrisy of the West on the issues of human rights and terrorism

Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar says the apprehension of the ringleader of the Jundallah terrorist group exposed the hypocrisy of the West on the issues of human rights and terrorism.

The arrest of Jundallah ringleader Abdolmalek Rigi revealed the emptiness of the claims of so-called human rights groups and showed the world who the real supporters of terrorism are, Mohammad-Najjar told senior security officials in Tehran on Saturday.

“The captured terrorist mentor of the Jundallah group, Abdolmalek Rigi, has confessed to receiving unlimited military assistance and funding to wage an insurgency against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Without the strong support of Western intelligence agencies, terrorism in the region would not have survived,” he added.

Mohammad-Najjar said, “Rigi’s arrest revealed the true colors of Western rights organizations. The enemies of Islam have resorted to sowing discord among Muslims as their main strategy to implement their fiendish plans. We must exercise the necessary alertness in this regard.”

On February 23, the leader of the Jundallah terrorist group was on a flight from the United Arab Emirates to Kyrgyzstan when he was tracked down by Iranian security forces.

Rigi and one of his deputies were captured after Iranian security forces forced their plane to land at an airport in the Persian Gulf city of Bandar Abbas.

Iranian security forces said he was at a US base in Afghanistan 24 hours before his capture.

According to some sources, Rigi had planned to meet US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke at the Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan for talks on launching terrorist attacks in Iran.

The Iranian interior minister also emphasized the need for constant vigilance in regard to the plots hatched by the arch-foes of the Islamic Republic.

“Over the past three decades, the belligerent enemies of the nation have been looking for a golden opportunity to deal a blow to the Islamic system, but every time they have been driven to desperation thanks to the people’s astuteness,” he stated.

Mohammad-Najjar also said that Iran is currently at the peak of its power and prosperity and guaranteed that the country would continue on the path of progress.

The 15th martyrdom anniversary of the great leader of Millat-e-Jaffria, Shaheed Dr. Mohammad Ali Naqvi was held in Pakistan. Dr. Mohammad Ali Naqvi, the founder of several leading shia organizations in Pakistan, was martyred by the American agents terrorist of outlawed terrorists organization at Lahore on 7th March 1995.
According to the Shiite news correspondent, The Central program to commemorate the services of Dr. Mohammad Ali Naqvi was held at his grave situated at Thokar Niaz Baig, suburbs of Lahore.
The important thing in this program was that the presence of former Head of Iranian Baseej force and teacher of Qom Seminary Iran, Agha Ali Raza Panhiyan. In his speech Agha Ali Raza Panhiyan said that martyrdom is given to whom, who wants martyrdom. He said that in eight years war between Iran and Iraq we observed that those solders that made their will and were sure of martyrdom got the martyrdom during the holy war adding that this was indicated that martyrdom is given by the Allah to those who want themselves to be sacrificed in the path of almighty Allah.
Agha Panhiyan further said that Shaheed Dr. Mohammal Ali naqvi surely was the true soldier of last Shiite Imam, Imam-e-Zamana (ajtf) therefore he got the medal of martyrdom from Allah.
He pay condolence to the family of Shaheed Dr. Mohammad Ali Naqvi and prayed for rest of the departed soul of late Dr Mohammad Ali Naqvi.
ISO Central President Adil Bangash, Leading religious scholars, clerics, and ISO former President addressed the public meeting and highlighted the sacrifices and role of Dr Mohammad Ali Naqvi for the supremacy of Islam-e-Nab (the real Islam). Large Numbers of Ulema’s. ISO formers, activists of ISO from across the country and thousands of were present.
Earlier, Imamia Scouts had a parade on his tomb to salute his untiring efforts and work for the Shiite stabilization in Pakistan.

Iraq’s parliamentary elections have witnessed a notable voter turnout, with Iraqis going to polling stations despite the ongoing violence in the country. 

Almost 20 million Iraqis cast their ballots before the polling stations closed Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, violent attacks claimed the lives of 38 people and injured 110 others on the day, Shiite News Correspondent reported. 

Iraqi Baathists, whose Saddam-linked party candidates were banned by Iraqi authorities as well as al-Qaeda militants, have been linked to the bombing attacks during today’s elections. 

More than 6,200 candidates from six major coalitions and several other tribal and minority groups vied in the event for the 325 seats in the Council of Representatives. 

According to the United Nations, partial results will not be announced until Thursday, with full results expected on March 18.

Iraq’s second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion has been hit by multiple attacks, with at least 24 people being killed.
Two buildings were destroyed in the capital and dozens of mortars were fired across Baghdad and elsewhere.
The border with Iran was closed, thousands of troops were deployed, and vehicles were banned from roads.
Despite the violence, turnout appears to be strong in several cities, with healthy queues at polling stations.
PM Nouri Maliki had called on voters to turn out in large numbers, saying that participation would boost democracy

The election is taking place against a backdrop of much-reduced violence, with casualty figures among civilians, Iraqi forces and US troops significantly lower than in recent years.
In one attack, 12 people were killed and eight injured when an explosion destroyed a residential building in northern Baghdad, officials said, shortly after another blast in the city killed five others.
Seven died in other attacks across the country, but no polling stations are reported to have been hit.
Sporadic mortar fire could be heard across the capital after polls opened at 0400 GMT, two bomb blasts were reported near a polling station in Falluja, and there were also reports of mortar rounds being fired in Salahuddin province.
Al-Qaeeda militants had pledged to disrupt the voting process with attacks – a group affiliated to al-Qaeda distributed leaflets in Baghdad warning people not to go to the polls.
Most of the mortars were fired from Baghdad’s predominantly Sunni districts, said the city’s security spokesman, Maj Gen Qassim al-Moussawi.
“We are in a state of combat,” he said. “We are operating in a battlefield and our warriors are expecting the worst.”
But despite the hail of attacks, he said a car ban aimed at stopping car bombs had been lifted after four hours of voting, Reuters reported. Curbs on buses and lorries remained in force.
‘Important choice’
Some 19 million Iraqis are eligible to elect 325 members of parliament, and polls will close at 1500 GMT unless voting hours are extended.
Mr Maliki told that the violence should not deter voters from turning out.
“What happened will push voters to take part in the election,” he said.
“Most of those attacks are designed to psychologically terrorise the voters and prevent them from going to the polls.
“But it is well-known that Iraqis when they are challenged by terror, challenge it back.”
In some neighbourhoods, mosque loudspeakers are exhorting people to go out and vote, and voters seem to be heeding the calls.
In Azamiyah (northern Baghdad), Walid Abid, 40, cast his vote to the crumple of mortars exploding not far away.
“I am not scared and I am not going to stay put at home,” said the father-of-two.
Until when? We need to change things. If I stay home and not come to vote, Azamiyah will get worse,” AP quoted him as saying.
The previous election, in 2005, saw Mr Maliki become prime minister with Shia Muslim parties dominating the legislature
Political analysts predicted that Prime Minister Maliki looks likely to retain power at the head of his Shia-led coalition

Leader of the Sadrist Trend, Syed Muqtada al-Sadr, considers participation in the on going parliamentary election is a political resistance.

A statement distributed on Friday evening by the Sadrist Political Body, Noted Iraqi anti-American cleric  said, “This year’s election I consider it a political resistance in which we are well united.”

Muqtada al-Sadr refuted doubts over election’s usefulnes, he said,”It might result in successes, therefore you are to unite for the liberation of Iraq politicaly and for the service of your people.

Meanwhile,Iraqis residing in Iran was casted their votes on Friday.

Head of Iraqi High Electoral Commission (IHEC) Office in Iran, Ali Ubaid, said that, “Iraqi voters were cast their votes  from 8:00 to 5:Pm Friday, in polling station through out Iran.

He pointed out that since the opening of polling stations large Iraqi voters turn out began, and the voting process was held as planned by the IHEC. Nearly 50,000 Iraqi expatriates in Iran are eligible to vote in the parliamentary elections which was completed on Friday.

It is worth noting that 28 international organizations are observing the Iraqis’ voting abroad.

More than 6,200 candidates from six major coalitions and several tribal and minority groups are vying for the 325 seats in the Council of Representatives

The deadly blasts reportedly took place near the holy shrine of the first Shia Imam, Hazrat Ali Ibn-e-Abi Talib (AS), At least four Iranians pilgrims have been martyred in a car bomb explosion that rocked the central Iraqi city of Najaf early on Saturday, a day before parliamentary elections start in the country.

The incident, which occurred only a day before the national elections in Iraq, also left 54 people seriously wounded, Najaf medical officials reported.

According to Shiite News, the explosion targeted two tour buses parked at a garage near the holy shrine of the first Shia Imam, Ali Ibn-e-Abi Talib (PBUH), which draws millions of Muslim pilgrims from around the world each year.

This blast comes despite stringent security measures adopted by the Iraqi government to protect voters ahead of the Election Day on March 7.

The blast occurred at 9:00 am local time near two tour coaches parked in ‘Safi Safa’ garage near the Imam Ali shrine, Hossein Akbari, an official from Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, told Shiite News.

Local officials announced that the blast occurred 500m away from Imam Ali’s shrine in Najaf.

Meantime, Salim Nema, a Najaf health official, said the attack wounded 54 people, including 17 Iraqis and 37 Iranians.

An official letter from Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif reveals that the Punjab government released two convicted terrorists of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) — Talib Qiamat and Siddiqui Jopoo apprehended by an intelligent agency in 1992 — ahead of the by-election in PP-82 (Jhang) to get their support in by-elections. The governor has demanded drastic action against the Law Minister Rana Sanaullah under Anti Terrorism Act-1997.

Governor Taseer warned Shahbaz Sharif that the Punjab could not be seen “encouraging and patronising the anti-state agenda of proclaimed terrorists”. In the three-page letter, Taseer has asked Shahbaz Sharif to take action against Law Minister Rana Sanaullah under the Anti Terrorism Act 1997, for his recent public meetings and address to rallies in Jhang accompanied by known terrorists of the banned SSP.

One source said that these two convicted terrorists were released under a deal to get votes of the SSP in Jhang to win the by-election. But the governor’s letter did not give any detail in this regard. Taseer has even accused the Punjab government of not only defying the federal government’s policy on terrorism but putting the peace of the sensitive region like Jhang in jeopardy by joining hands with the banned SSP just for the sake of securing their votes.

Governor Taseer has also asked the chief election commissioner to take action against the law minister for indulging in this kind of activity, which was a direct violation of the code of conduct for the political parties and contesting candidates.

The copies of the letter have been sent to President Zardari, PM Gilani and Minister for Interior Rehman Malik. The governor’s spokesman, Farrukh Shah, confirmed to The News that Taseer has written a letter to the CM Punjab, asking him to take action against his law minister after his recent public meetings in the company of the SSP activists.

He said he was writing to him (CM) to invite his attention to the press reports. He said one of the photographs published in the newspapers showed Sanaullah visiting the PP-82 constituency in the Punjab Police vehicle accompanied by Sipah-e-Sahaba activists, who were displaying arms in public. He wrote that during his visit, the law minister met the chief of the banned organisation and took him to the election rallies in official vehicles of the Punjab government escorted by the Punjab Police.

“This position, you would agree, not only casts serious doubts about the credentials of the minister but also jeopardises the Punjab government’s declared stand on terrorism. It has sent shockwaves to all the quarters concerned with the present security situation in the country besides starting a heated debate and protest in the National Assembly.”

In the recent session, MNA Sheikh Waqas Akram complained that by taking such steps, the Punjab government was giving a message to the people that full protocol was being extended to the banned organisation and its leaders. Another MNA from PML-N Rasheed Akbar Naiwani also recorded his protest on the activities of the Punjab law minister. The governor pointed out that after the visit of the minister, flags of the banned organisation were appearing all over Jhang and Sargodha with no attempt by the local police to remove them as, ostensibly, they have the blessing of the provincial government. “To see the provincial law minister openly rallying activists of this proscribed organisation for political advantage is a sad message to the people of the province.”

The letter further said, “What is worse is that the minister has publicly admitted his activities with the claim that they have political support and therefore he is justified. Using same perverted logic, politicians can go to Malakand and support the terrorists there. These activities of the minister clearly flout the provisions of the Anti Terrorism Act 1997.”

Quoting from the anti terrorism law 1997, the letter said, the Section 11-F says: “A person is guilty of an offence if he belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organisation; 2) a person guilty of an offence shall be liable to conviction to a term not exceeding six months of imprisonment; 3) a person commits offence if he solicits or invites support for a proscribed organisation or addresses a meeting which he knows is to support a proscribed organisation, further the activities of a proscribed organisation or to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to belong to proscribed organisation; 4) a person commits an offence if he addresses a meeting or delivers a sermon to a religious gathering by any means whether verbal, written, electronic, digital or otherwise and the purpose of his address or sermon is to encourage support for a proscribed organisation or to further its activities.”

The governor wrote the unlawful act on the part of the provincial law minister also constituted a blatant violation of the code of conduct for the political parties and contesting candidates which says the political parties shall not propagate any opinion or act in any manner prejudicial to the ideology of Pakistan or the sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan. “I am of the firm opinion that canvassing by Rana Sanaullah with this group has further endangered the already fragile sectarian peace in and around the sensitive district Jhang”.