[31 Dec 2013] Analysts: Riyadh seeking to escalate campaign against Lebanon Hezbollah - English
What is behind the surprise Saudi decision to provide 3 billion dollars worth of military aid to the Lebanese army?
The announcement of this decision was recently made by Lebanese president Michel...
What is behind the surprise Saudi decision to provide 3 billion dollars worth of military aid to the Lebanese army?
The announcement of this decision was recently made by Lebanese president Michel Suleiman, after Saudi King Abdullah and French president Francois Hollande apparently agreed on the issue during their summit in Riyadh. The deal says Paris is to play the role of the military supplier, while Riyadh will take care of the financing. No one has so far mentioned that the military aid could be used to deter Israel. Tel Aviv has launched wars on Lebanon ever since its existence but no such military aid has ever been granted to Lebanon. Moreover Israeli officials have not made any objections to this announcement. Hence the logical, widespread conclusion is that this step targets Hezbollah. In a recent visit by Suleiman to Riyadh, the Saudi Monarch reportedly called for the Lebanese army to stop Hezbollah from joining the fight in Syria. Many experts believe that this is a Saudi reaction to the role Hezbollah has played in thwarting Riyadh\\\'s agenda of toppling Syrian president Bashar Assad. Saudi Arabia\\\'s Lebanese allies in the March 14 movement appeared to confirm this view, with members of the movement describing this declaration as a blow to Hezbollah. Meanwhile, the designated supplier of the military aid, France, is believed to be the main force behind the recent E-U decision to blacklist the military wing of Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia is eager to escalate its campaign against Hezbollah, perhaps showing Washington that it can seek support elsewhere. France meanwhile welcomes the 3 billion dollar package, as it\\\'s trying to find ways to boost its austerity-hit economy. Now the main question is whether the deal could possibly change the Lebanese\\\'s anti-Israeli doctrine into an anti-Hezbollah stance?
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What is behind the surprise Saudi decision to provide 3 billion dollars worth of military aid to the Lebanese army?
The announcement of this decision was recently made by Lebanese president Michel Suleiman, after Saudi King Abdullah and French president Francois Hollande apparently agreed on the issue during their summit in Riyadh. The deal says Paris is to play the role of the military supplier, while Riyadh will take care of the financing. No one has so far mentioned that the military aid could be used to deter Israel. Tel Aviv has launched wars on Lebanon ever since its existence but no such military aid has ever been granted to Lebanon. Moreover Israeli officials have not made any objections to this announcement. Hence the logical, widespread conclusion is that this step targets Hezbollah. In a recent visit by Suleiman to Riyadh, the Saudi Monarch reportedly called for the Lebanese army to stop Hezbollah from joining the fight in Syria. Many experts believe that this is a Saudi reaction to the role Hezbollah has played in thwarting Riyadh\\\'s agenda of toppling Syrian president Bashar Assad. Saudi Arabia\\\'s Lebanese allies in the March 14 movement appeared to confirm this view, with members of the movement describing this declaration as a blow to Hezbollah. Meanwhile, the designated supplier of the military aid, France, is believed to be the main force behind the recent E-U decision to blacklist the military wing of Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia is eager to escalate its campaign against Hezbollah, perhaps showing Washington that it can seek support elsewhere. France meanwhile welcomes the 3 billion dollar package, as it\\\'s trying to find ways to boost its austerity-hit economy. Now the main question is whether the deal could possibly change the Lebanese\\\'s anti-Israeli doctrine into an anti-Hezbollah stance?
[04 Nov 2013] Saudi Arabian FM accuses Iran of intervention in Syria - English
Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of military intervention in Syria.
Saudi foreign minister Saud al-Faisal says Iran has deployed troops to Syria and that the country\'s under occupation. Faisal was...
Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of military intervention in Syria.
Saudi foreign minister Saud al-Faisal says Iran has deployed troops to Syria and that the country\'s under occupation. Faisal was speaking at a joint news briefing with US secretary of state John Kerry in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has been the main supplier of weapons and funds to the insurgents fighting the Syrian government. The weapons which include Israeli missiles are purchased on the black market. Last week, French newspaper Le Figaro reported that Saudi Arabia\'s intelligence chief is the real mastermind behind the insurgency in Syria and leads the militants from a command center in neighboring Jordan. In his absence, Le Figaro says, a CIA officer leads the militancy.
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Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of military intervention in Syria.
Saudi foreign minister Saud al-Faisal says Iran has deployed troops to Syria and that the country\'s under occupation. Faisal was speaking at a joint news briefing with US secretary of state John Kerry in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has been the main supplier of weapons and funds to the insurgents fighting the Syrian government. The weapons which include Israeli missiles are purchased on the black market. Last week, French newspaper Le Figaro reported that Saudi Arabia\'s intelligence chief is the real mastermind behind the insurgency in Syria and leads the militants from a command center in neighboring Jordan. In his absence, Le Figaro says, a CIA officer leads the militancy.
Cheap Fluoride from China Leaves Insoluble Residue in Municipal Water Systems - English
Desmarais said while soluble sodium fluoride has traditionally proved easy to dissolve and add to the water supply, in recent years he is found that 40 percent of the product they have been buying...
Desmarais said while soluble sodium fluoride has traditionally proved easy to dissolve and add to the water supply, in recent years he is found that 40 percent of the product they have been buying will not dissolve, and he does not know why. Desmarais has sent the material out for testing on two separate occasions, but had no luck in determining what it contained. He has sent it back to the supplier and had a better quality product delivered following the complaint. But the next delivery presents with the same problem, he said.
Never mind the fluoride toxicity issue. We all know about that.
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Desmarais said while soluble sodium fluoride has traditionally proved easy to dissolve and add to the water supply, in recent years he is found that 40 percent of the product they have been buying will not dissolve, and he does not know why. Desmarais has sent the material out for testing on two separate occasions, but had no luck in determining what it contained. He has sent it back to the supplier and had a better quality product delivered following the complaint. But the next delivery presents with the same problem, he said.
Never mind the fluoride toxicity issue. We all know about that.