Micheal Aoun is a real cancer that is devouring the Chastain's presence and coexistence in Lebanon piece by piece in a bid to serve his own selfish agenda and presidential delusions. He is not going anywhere with his evil dreams and will never ever sit on the Baabda presidential chair or carry the title.

Practically the man is completely detached from reality, lives in a world of his own, hears only his voices and sees only his scaring and distorted image via his broken home mirrors. This politically and patriotically derailed Micheal Aoun has no actual conscience or any values at all. Aoun has with no shame what so ever sold himself to the terrorist Hezbollah and to its two Syrian and Iranian masters.

Meanwhile his childish and arrogant disgusting son-in-law the dwarf Jobran Bassil is a cheap trumpet and a greedy and vulgar mouthpiece for the terrorist Hezbollah. This political merchant, Jobran Bassil has nothing to do with the Lebanese Christian's representation, hopes aspirations and fears.

In the same context, sadly the Maronite Patriarch Bchara Al Raei and his close team of clergy and politicians are totally pro the Iranian-Syrian Axis of evil. Simply they can not be trusted and those who naively do always harvest failure, disappointments and humiliation.

On the Hezbollah's frontier, apparently the Shiite community in Lebanon is not able any more to tolerate more human loses in Syria. Nasrallah is trying to contain its anger by lies, fabrications and through playing on its fears.

At the present time, Hezbollah's vicious and criminal scheme is evidently a bloody denominational cleansing of the Sunni Ersal Bekaa town. Its leadership wants the Lebanese army to carry this dirty job. Aoun, Bassil, Lahoud, Rahme and all the other Trojans of March 08th coalition are advocating for this massacre through threats, lies and instigations.

In conclusion Hezbollah is an occupier and an Iranian terrorist army and accordingly all those Lebanese who support him are partners in his occupation and in all the crimes that he is committing in Lebanon, Syria and all other countries where its men are fighting Iran's battles.

I have chosen some pictures to be published at al-ghorba.com from the nice surprise birthday party organized by Mrs Nadra Gadalla for her great husband Brig. Gadalla.

With thanks for Mrs. Gadalla for kind invitation.

Dr. Safwat Riad

**

The historic canonisation of the first Palestinian Arabic speaking saints by Pope is another victory for Palestinians, followed the announcement by Vatican of first two-sided accord with the “State of Palestine” two years ago. It is a vital call for reviving the Palestinian map, which means peace with justice indeed.

On Sunday the 17th May, 2,000 Palestinians gathered in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City to prey and celebrate their first saints of modern times, as the Pope was paying tribute to the two new saints who lived spiritual experiences in the worship and ‘eternal love’ of God and who were humble servants of their people. Marie Alphonsine Ghattas (1847-1927) of Jerusalem, and Mariam Bawardy (1843-1878) of Galilee, both of whom lived in Ottoman Palestine during the 19th century, were declared saints in a ceremony at the Vatican.

Although the event is a spiritual religious ceremony but it positively has a political national message. Such a development has great significance and is likely to have a considerable impact on a matter of advancing the peace process and consideration of conflict settlement by the direct bilateral negotiations. It could hopefully remove the main obstacle to accelerate the progress of peace in the region and indirectly help Palestinians in the establishment of an independent, sovereign and democratic “State of Palestine”.

The Vatican had previously welcomed the decision by the UN General Assembly in 2012 to recognise a “Palestinian State”, and has officially recognised the “State of Palestine” in a new treaty on the 15 of May 2015, that is significantly coinciding with the commemoration of the sixty seventh Anniversary of AL-Nakba. The Palestinian Authority considers the Vatican one of 136 countries to have recognized Palestine as a State, and such holy occasion making explicit its recognition of Palestinian statehood. This was confirmed by The Vatican's Foreign Minister, Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, who acknowledged the change in status, given that the treaty was initially inked with the PLO and is now being finalised with the "state of Palestine". The agreement, he said, “expresses hope for an end to Palestinian-Israeli tensions and supports the existence of two separate, independent nations living side by side in security and peace.”

Although the holy occasion has been interpreted by some parties as a positive intervention by the Vatican in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the canonization is significant on many levels: It is regarded as a strong message from the Holy See where his Holiness recognizes that Palestinian Christians are rooted in Jerusalem, they do exist in land of Palestine which is called Israel now (after the 1948 occupation), and that Palestinian Christians have a heritage of more than 2,000 years, and they actually lived in the time and the same land of Jesus Christ who was Palestinian.

This recognition confirms that Palestinians according to history under Ottoman rule were part of a diverse, productive society, who lives in peace, tolerance and harmony with other people including Muslims in the Palestininan holy land of serenity, contrary to the mainstream sidelining of Palestinians from the region’s history.

In1948, when Israel was created, Christians in Palestine made up around 18 percent of the population. Over the years it has been dwindling and now it is less than two percent, for thousands of them have been suffering under political situations and pushed to leave Palestine. This act is significant in a way that encourage Palestinian Christians to stay in their country of Palestine and puts Palestine back on the map, among not only the Christian world, but the whole world, and will also help people to understand that the land of Palestine was existed hundreds of years ago and was inhabited by Palestinian Arabs before the occupation of Israel.

The religious ceremony has also a significant national message; for the two nuns are Palestinian Arab Christians and therefore Arab Palestinians are proud that they have two saints from Palestine, the birthplace of Jesus Christ which could have a significant effect to inspire all Palestinians on spiritual transformation to overcome all surrounding problems and how to peacefully live in harmonious co-existence like they did hundred years before the Israeli occupation.  It is also a message to the world that the Middle East is not just about media headlines on violence and terrorism, rather the Arabic speaking people have a rich history that consists of diverse communities in the Middle East, such as the Christian minority who have significantly contributed to building the Palestinian nation, to the world precious heritage and peacemaking.

This historical event also shows how the Pope religiously and politically cares for Palestine and Palestinian people because he knows the TRUTH.  His action is indeed is a positive step towards a socio-political change to get involved in the peace process of justice and freedom, to end the Zionist occupation of seventy years. For in fact, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict concerns the whole world and it should be resolved by finding satisfactory resolution that reshapes the reality and make the world peace of freedom and justice.

 Believe it or not, on May 25 each year since 2000 Lebanon has been celebrating a so-called "Liberation & Resistance Day." Sadly, this celebration commemorates a bogus event, and a phony heroism that did not actually take place. 

 On May 22, 2000 the Israeli Army unilaterally and for solely Israeli domestic reasons withdrew from the security zone of South Lebanon in accordance with UN Resolution 425. The withdrawal was a fatal Israeli decision that has inspired the Hamas terrorism acts and the on-going havoc in the Palestinian Gaza strip.

 The unilateral Israeli withdrawal created a security vacuum in south Lebanon. The Syrians who were occupying Lebanon at that time and fully controlling its government, did not allow the Lebanese Army to deploy in the south and fill this vacuum after the Israeli withdrawal. Instead Syria helped the Hezbollah militia to militarily control the whole southern region, and even patrol the Israeli-Lebanese border.

 It is worth mentioning that the Israeli army's withdrawal was executed without any military battles, or even minor skirmishes with Hezbollah, or the Lebanese and Syrian armies. The Syrian regime, in a bid to justify both its on going occupation of Lebanon and the avoidance of disarming Hezbollah, came up with the "Shabaa Farms occupation big lie" and declared Hezbollah a Liberator, alleging it had forced Israel to withdrawal from South Lebanon. 

 Syria, in the same camouflaging and devious context, dictated to both the Lebanese parliament and government to declare May 25th a National Day under the tag of "Liberation & Reistance Day".

 In reality Hezbollah did not force the Israeli withdrawal, and did not play any role in the Liberation of the southern Lebanese region. In fact both Hezbollah and Syria deliberately hindered and delayed the Israeli withdrawal for more than 14 years. 

 Every time the Israelis called on the Lebanese government to engage in a joint, serious effort under the United Nations umbrella to ensure a safe and mutually organized withdrawal of its army from South Lebanon, the Lebanese government refused to cooperate, did not agree to deploy its army in the south, and accused the Israelis of plotting to divide and split the Syrian-Lebanese joint track. This approach to the Israeli calls was an official Syrian decision dictated to all the Lebanese puppet governments during the Syrian occupation era.

 Since then, Hezbollah has been hijacking Lebanon and its people, refusing to disarm and advocating for the annihilation of Israel. This Iranian mullahs' terrorist army stationed in Lebanon, is viciously hiding behind labels of resistance, liberation and religion. Hezbollah has recklessly jeopardized the Lebanese peoples' lives, safety, security and livelihood. It has been growing bolder and bolder since year 2000 and mercilessly taking the Lebanese state and the Lebanese people hostage through terrorism, force and organized crime. 

 Sadly, Hezbollah is systematically devouring Lebanon day after day, and piece by piece, while at the same time marginalizing all its governmental institutions in a bid to topple the Lebanese state and erect in its place a Shiite Muslim regime, a replica of the Iranian Shiite mullahs' fundamentalist republic. Meanwhile the free world and Arabic countries are totally silent, indifferent, and idly watching from far away the horrible crime unfolding without taking any practical or tangible measures to put an end to this anti-Lebanese Syria-Iranian scheme that is executed through their spearhead, the Hezbollah armed militia.

 Who is to be blamed for Hezbollah's current odd and bizarre status? Definitely the Syrians who have occupied Lebanon for more than 28 years (1976-2005). During their bloody and criminal occupation, Syria helped the Iranian Hezbollah militia build a state within Lebanon and fully control the Lebanese Shiite community.

 But also the majority of the Lebanese politicians, leaders, officials and clergymen share the responsibility because they were subservient and acted in a dire Dhimmitude, selfish and cowardly manner. If these so-called Lebanese leaders had been courageous and patriotic and had not appeased Hezbollah and turned a blind eye to all its vicious and human rights atrocities, intimidation tactics, crimes and expansionism schemes, this Iranian Shiite fundamentalist militia would not have been able to erect its own mini-state in the southern suburb of Beirut, and its numerous mini-cantons in the Bekaa Valley and the South; nor would Hezbollah have been able to build its mighty military power, with 70 thousand militiamen, or stockpile more than 150 thousand missiles and force the Iranian "Wilayat Al-Faqih" religious doctrine on the Lebanese Shiite community and confiscate its decision making process and freedoms. 

 Since Hezbollah's emergence in 1982, these politicians have been serving their own selfish interests and not the interests of the Lebanese people and the nation. They went along with Hezbollah's schemes, deluding themselves that its militia and weaponry would remain in South Lebanon and would not turn against them. 

 This failure to serve the people of Lebanon allowed Hezbollah to make many Lebanese and most of the Arab-Muslim countries through its terrorism propaganda to blindly swallow its big lie of theatrical, faked resistance and Liberation. 

 Hezbollah would not have been able to refuse to disarm in 1991, like all the other Lebanese militias in accordance to the "Taef Accord," which called for the disarmament of all militias. Hezbollah would not have become a state inside the Lebanese state, and a world-wide terrorism Iranian-Syrian tool which turned against them all after its war with Israel in year 2006 and after the UN troops were deployed on the Lebanese - Israeli borders in accordance with the UN Resolution 1701. 

 In conclusion, Hezbollah is a deadly dragon that the Lebanese politicians have been allowing him to feed on sacrifices from the southern Lebanese citizens, especially on those who were living in the "Security Zone" and who fled to Israel in May 2000 after the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon. This dragon who enjoyed devouring his southern sacrifices has now turned on all the Lebanese and if they do not stand for their rights and dignity, he will keep on devouring them all one after the other.

 We call on the Lebanese on all the free and patriotic Lebanese politicians and leaders to cancel the May 25 National Day, because it is not national at all, and also to stop calling Hezbollah a resistance, put an end for its mini-state, cantons and weaponry, and secure a dignified, honorable and safe return for all the Lebanese citizens who have been taking refuge in Israel since May 2000.

The Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane, MLC 

With Guest of Honour

Professor the Hon. Dame Marie Bashir AD, CVO

You are Cordially Invited to 

 a Dinner in Support of 

Wheelchairs for Kids 

Master Of Ceremonies 

Mr Rick Mitry 

Wednesday 17 June 2015

6.30 for 7.00 pm start

Venue 

Strangers Dining Room 

NSW Parliament House

Tickets $110 pp Table of 10 - $1000

Please RSVP by no later than Friday 5th of June 2015.

Mika Brockdorff : 0402 497 212 Email: mika.brockdorff@hotmail.com

Kenrick Cheah :   0410 337 991 Email: kenrick.cheah@parliament.nsw.gov.au

To all the recipients of Charbel Baini’s Award May 2015: 

Bahia Abou Hamad, 

Fouad N.khoury, 

Shawki Moslemani, 

Fouad Elhaj, 

Ismael Fadel, 

Nazar Dairyani, 

Eiad Kahwash, 

Nagui Elwasfi:

Congratulations on receiving Charbel Baini’s Award, I am extremely glad to hear that you earned this significant recognition; for it is an acknowledgement for your tireless work and continuous achievements. I wish you unlimited success in the future.

You may allow me to mention that I earned this precious award in 1997 and I am proud of it and of our acclaimed poet Charbel Baini, who has been continuing giving awards for nearly two decades. Chabel Baini has been a great support for all the successful contributors in the Australian Arabic communities. 

Thank you Charbel, We all appreciate your magnificent continuous acknowledgement and we wish you all the best in your endeavour.

Marcelle Mansour. 

"What happened?"

The general replied, "Perhaps a lady like you won't tolerate this tale Stacy."

The smell of the roasted meat continued invading their atmosphere making David's stomach release noises. "I'm hungry. Aren't you general, Stacy?"

"David please tell me what happened with you in Petra?"

"Well do you think we should give it to her general? She seems old enough to handle the reality of what lies undisclosed in the very old uninhabited areas and ruins of the ancients. 

The General answered, “Perhaps so, but if you wake up at night with nightmares and cases of insomnia impelled by this tale, well it's just a risk you will have to take. You see Stacy Petra is a very old city located in a very hilly area carved from the rocks of the gigantic mountains around it. The most famous of its ruins is a tomb, sometimes referred to as the treasure of Pharaoh. Apparently I was telling David of why the tomb was called so, due to a myth believed to be true by the nomads of the area when all of a sudden David proposed that we hack the upper part of the tomb to retrieve the treasure there. You see when an ancient Pharaoh that lost his Kingdom to the Persian Empire was refused Asylum by the queen of Petra, he begged her to take in his crown and treasures lest they fall into the hands of his enemies. Asking her to keep them till his return she accepted and he was off in no time searching for a place to retire in. Shortly afterwards he was located by the Persian legions and was killed at their swords. However the Nabatean queen knew nothing of his death and kept his treasures attended till shortly before her death. Being a decent lady she asked that the treasures be buried in her tomb in fear that he still might show up and ask for what was his. The Urn was built, which was the upper part of her Tomb, and which meets you after the long narrow one kilometer passage naturally carved in the mountains of the regions. This is where David proposed that we hack the Urn with our advanced capabilities and seize what wasn't ours. Then it appeared…"

Stacy shivered as she asked, "What was it?"

David answered, "We never saw it. I had my back to it and the general said it didn't have any body…"

"But it left gigantic beastly footsteps on the sands of the grounds."

David assured, "We ran as hard as we could, shivering at the metal weapons that it hurled on us, screaming with fear at its' earsplitting thuds."

Stacy's fearful eyes bounced back and forth as David and the general continued, "Suddenly it flew over us then disappeared."

The fire tore out viciously from its boundaries making the ten workers shriek with fear and jump away from it.  Stacy and David yelled with terror as they saw the blaze maximize into a huge bonfire and devour the well cooked lamb meat that they were about to feast on. A powerful wind raged hurling dust around them and making the fabric of their tents shake within its wake. The poles with the projectors wavered in their places making the illumination bounce around the camp area. Stacy hugged David weeping as the blazes danced fiercely at the whistling winds that picked up in speed. The workers took the grounds and worshipped calling on God's name for mercy. For the first time David saw uncertain looks on the general's face. His complete disposition shifted as the strange elements played on for a few more minutes, the peaking winds climaxing quickly in the spacious grounds around them between the mountains to what resembled as spine chilling echoes of sharp shrieks, then ceased to be.  

The workers were kneeling on the grounds petrified with fear and unable to move. The remnants of the huge bon fire crackled lightly in its place. Stacy shivered in David's embrace and asked with a frightened voice, "Is it gone? Please tell me its' gone."

The general answered back with a dazzled disposition, "Yes. But what the hell was that?"

David snapped back nervously, "General I fear something out there doesn't like us."

Stacy confirmed in panic, "I don't like the start of this expedition at all. Tomorrow morning I'm leaving."

"Relax Stacy. It still hasn't hurt us."

"General I'm not going to wait till it does. Look at what the blaze that suddenly erupted from the fire did to the lamb meat." Stacy picked up one of the rotisseries and showed it to the general as the workers gathered around and looked at it in wonder, "They are black like coal."

Zuhair suddenly exclaimed, "It’s a curse!!! What you are after Mrs. Stacy is cursed!!!" loud dialogue and tones of protest erupted in Arabic from the workers as Zuhair looked at the burned meat with fear.

"Don't be all naïve. The blazes occurred at the extra fresh winds. Don't we all know what an extra supply of oxygen does to a fire; and so far it's been windy since this morning. Let's all not jump to conclusion."

"General I don't know. I don't like what just happened. It's only wise we plan for a retreat tomorrow."

The general argued back, "David, you and I didn't travel thousands of miles and spend time preparing for this expedition and not to mention all the money it cost us to cower out by some winds. I believe it has been a long travel day and we all need some rest. Let's all retire to our tents and sleep. We all will be better relaxed tomorrow."

The general looked at Zuhair and ordered, "Calm your men down. Tell them I don't think they have anything to worry about. Please give them orders to retire to their tents."

The tall man with his six foot and a half muscular build turned around to the workers and began talking to them. Stacy and David headed for their tents leaving the general behind negotiating things with the workers. Each entered and closed the leather entrance behind. Convinced with Zuhair's words the workers soon sped off also to their lodgings. Soon nothing was stirring in the camp but the general that stood silently besides the remnants of the camp fire and the hoarse sound of the generator as it fed the projectors with power.

*****

Metal Clanking and banging awoke David. He sat up from his bed to find it nesting on top of his chest. It was huge. Its’ curled up mandibles were waving in front of his face and its’ long pointed tale in a strike like position. He quickly in an involuntary move smacked it aside with his hand. It crashed on to the tent fabric and hit the sands. It turned upright and took a dash towards him again. David grabbed his revolver and gave it a royal strike tearing it apart to shreds. He released a sigh of relief as Tracy and the general dashed into his tent. The general exclaimed, "What is it?"

David calmly stood explaining, "It was only a yellow scorpion on top of me while I was asleep but I got up in the right time."

Stacy's spine shivered, "I never even thought about them here."

"Well it’s a good thing you got it in the nick of time. You're one good man to lose. Make haste, the workers have assembled the shovels and equipment.

The general left leaving Stacy and David in the tent. Stacy gave him a wink and said, "Breakfast is ready. I better leave you to change." She smiled warmly as she departed the tent. David stood staring at the entrance for a while. She was wearing again her red shirt and denims only this time it was button up properly. "Man she looks so sexy in red," But he quickly fought back, "Snap out of it Dave, you are here on duty. She could be even wanted by the police. No fatal beauty stunts."

He regrouped his strength. He wore a blue pair of denims and a green blouse. His boots came last and in no time he was heading towards where the camp fire was. The grayish clouds were still hovering in the skies above. The weather was hot with the irregular presence of humidity in the air. A ground picnic seating was arranged with Stacy and the general seated on the grounds having sandwiches and tea. A kettle was boiling besides a small fire surrounded with some rocks. The workers were busy moving the equipment to a spot nearby the camp. 

"Some tea David," Stacy asked.

"Just a sandwich will be fine. You got any jam?"

She gave him a jam and butter sandwich. Dave quickly took off to catch up with the crew. He quickly gobbled up the sandwich and joined Zuhair. He began helping him unload the jack hammers that were in the vehicles parked at the other side of the camp opposite the two mountains neighboring the camp. A worker stretched out the chords of the jack hammers to the generator and tested them. Their high shrills filled the atmosphere to the satisfaction of David. As David was about to descend from the elevated cargo compartment of the army truck something unusual caught his eye. 

It was huge and circled the entire premises of the camp. "Zuhair!" his voice bellowed releasing echoes within the mountains. "Zuhair quickly give me the big ladder! Quickly!"

The general and Stacy jumped up from their places and ran towards David. The workers caught up with them as well as one of them with Zuhair came close carrying the long wooden ladder. 

"Zuhair put it against the passenger compartment of the truck."

The general and Stacy showered him with questions, "What is wrong? What did you see?"

David replied as he jumped down from the cargo compartment, "There is something big carved into the grounds around the entire camp. I don't know what it is." He hurried towards the ladder and climbed up on it. He stood on top of the passenger compartment. He opened his mouth with awe. Stacy's patience quickly got ravaged by curiosity and was soon climbing after him up the ladder. He helped her firm her steps besides him. Stacy gasped as she recognized the glyphs. 

"What are these, pictures?"

"They are glyphs David, Ancient Egyptian glyphs."

David gave Stacy a look of wonder. She asked as fear shot from her eyes, "Is it possible that whatever was here yesterday wanted to tell us something? 

“The general said you're an archeologist. Can't you read them?"

"David I'm not really an archeologist, although I can read hieroglyphs. The person that taught me my craft was a good scholar as well."

"What is going on up there?!" the general impatiently asked.

David looked down as the assembly was watching them and answered, "In a moment we will know." 

Stacy shivered as she read the contents of the message aloud, "I have been buried underneath the grounds with my agonies between four walls for an eon. Release me."

Suddenly loud bursts filled the atmosphere as their truck sank in its place. David and Tracy jumped up startled in their places as another series of loud bursts made the other vehicles sink down as well. Zuhair rushed around the vehicles examining them. Terrified gasps broke out from the workers as they backed away from the parked vehicles. David and Stacy raced down the ladder breathless as the general looked at them inquisitively. "What did the message say?"

David answered, "I have been buried underneath the grounds with my agonies between four walls for an eon. Release me. It was carved with glyphs all around the circumference of the camp."

Zuhair came rushing back from his tour exclaiming nervously, "All the tires of the vehicles are flat general. We will never move out of here. Are we going to die?"

The general snapped back finally with unprecedented fear, "Zuhair rush quickly to the radio general Riyadh equipped us with in our truck and ask for back up from the armed forces headquarters."

Zuhair rushed into the truck they were standing by and spoke in Arabic into the microphone of the radio. No response followed. 

The General ordered nervously, "Zuhair call again and again till they reply, "

Zuhair repeated the message twice but got no answer. Suddenly David noticed something peculiar concerning his wrist watch. It had stopped. He asked, "Stacy what's the time with you?"

Stacy looked into her wristwatch and replied with wonder, "It has stopped at two."

"Mine stopped at two."

The general inspected his watch as well. "Mine is at two as well." He looked up at Zuhair whom was feverishly still attempting to initiate contact. "Zuhair come back down. Nothing is working here."

"We were gathered around the camp at that time when the storm attacked us general."

Stacy bellowed out madly, "IT STOPPED OUR WATCHES AND RADIOS, THE VEHICLES ARE OUT OF ORDER, WHAT IS NEXT, KILLING US! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT GENERAL. YOU BROUGHT US HERE!"

"CALM DOWN STACY! I'M JUST IN THE SAME AMOUNT OF TROUBLE AS YOU ARE! IF IT KILLS YOU IT WILL KILL ME!"

The workers seeking the tension their managers were in suddenly panicked and ran to their tents. The general screamed out, "Zuhair where are your men going to?!"

"I no longer have authority over them. They want to leave."

"We are in the middle of nowhere. They will die from the heat and thirst before they reach anywhere."

"General things don't look any better here. This thing is stronger than us. It is holding us prisoners. The curse of the treasure you are after has just struck us."

The general snapped back helplessly, "I know Zuhair! Tell me something I don’t know!" 

One of the workers suddenly marched out of his tent holding a big bundle with him and walked straight towards the path they came from. 

The general screamed frantically, "LET HIM LEAVE! LET THEM ALL LEAVE! WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?!"

Stacy stated firmly, "At least he has a chance of survival. I'm following him!"

Hysterical SOS cries all of a sudden filled the air. All looked towards the worker as he sank in the red sands. The other workers ran out of their tents at the cries. Seeing their friend distressed they hurried towards him wanting to help. Zuhair ran towards them screaming in Arabic warnings succeeding in grabbing their attention. He approached them and ushered them back inside the camp then ran up to the worker that was approximately a hundred feet away from the camp. The worker was sinking in a big whole of quick sand with his upper body still visible. Zuhair attempted to approach him but the sands in front of him moved making him jump back. All watched as the helpless man screamed hysterically for help sinking deeper in the sands, his hands thrashing about uselessly for grappling ground. Soon Zuhair who was standing in his place petrified with panic found David hurrying towards him holding a long rope with a big loop at its end. "Zuhair it's his last hope! Tell him to grab the rope!" 

Zuhair caught the rope and threw it towards the man yelling at him to catch it. The man that was down to his chest with the quick sand grabbed the rope. David and Zuhair pulled the rope hard. Within a couple of seconds the man was moving out of the pit, his bronze complexion screaming and begging for them to pull more. Soon he began to hysterically scream and beg them to stop. His spine chilling screaming filled the air but made the men pull more in full panic and confusion at what was happening. Suddenly the rope lost its heaviness and at a final powerful tug from their hands swung towards them with the bust and settled only a few feet away. Zuhair yelled madly as he saw the portion of the worker's body sit upright with its tormented face looking straight at him. A pool of blood was filling the sands underneath. Stacy and the general walked up slowly to the site with unbelieving faces. Waves of terror shuddered through Stacy's body as she looked at the bust with its face that was still screaming with pain. 

She buried herself in David's embrace and cried like a child. The general panicking at what was going on ordered Zuhair, "We have no other choice. Before we lose some other men let’s start digging. Now!"

Stacy looked towards the general and spat in his face, "You bastard! It's entirely your fault! You are the reason why we are all in this mess!"

The general wiped his face with his hands and stated while trying to retain what was left of his tranquility and strength, "You and I are of the same breed, treasure hunters with an insatiable appetite. That is why you and I are here. Do you understand you worthless thief. Now let us start working before our real ghost gets really angry with us."

David shot a glance at Stacy whom was still in his embrace crying. His mind rushed with "The Ghost;" the infamous thief that had the Interpol and NYSD swirling in circles around themselves unable to do anything, and being a mere woman? David asked, "Are you OK?"

"Yes I'm fine," She replied sobbing and crying. 

All of them waited as Zuhair and David headed towards the camp, picked up there shovels, and returned back close to where the remnants of their friend lay. They dug a deep whole then buried his remains. The workers gathered around and recited verses from the holy Koran while David and Stacy drew a cross on themselves. David cited to himself verses from the Psalms of King David while Stacy said a small prayer then recited three verses of the Rosary. The general stood speechless, eyeing the tomb silently, while memories of his comrades that died aboard his aircraft carrier he governed during world war II returned to him ravaging his mind with pain. Suddenly terrorizing winds like the ones that almost devastated their camps yesterday returned while they prayed. It tore through their tents and upturned the earth over their belongings. The vehicles rocked in their places as a big sand tumbler stirred inside the camp. Terrified of what was going on the multitude shivered and prayed as their captor turned his wrath on them. Suddenly the whistles of the winds turned into high pitched screeches that echoed and filled the vast desert around them. A chilling voice erupted saying, "TORAH, BIBLE, KORAN STOP PRAYING!" As the winds quieted down the awe struck gathering nervously stood in their places, waiting for the aggressive elements to settle down completely. Within short moments they headed helplessly towards the camp fear struck and shaken from the incident.

The workers picked up the shovels and headed towards the spot they had prepared to dig since the morning while Stacy stood amongst the rubble of the upturned camp in despair. The sight resembled a hurricane struck zone, the tents with their torn up material that were leveled to the grounds, the projectors that were on the floor with glass around two of them indicating smashed screens. Tears came to her eyes once again as she saw the tip of her suit case show underneath the torn material of her tent. She ran up to it and picked it up. Apparently something had smashed on it as it had a small crack on its top. Suddenly Stacy's mind lighted with knowledge. The extensive damage just jolted her mind with the possibility. She cried out, "David, Zuhair, don't dig there. Dig underneath the camp."

"Why is that?"

"I just feel it tore up the camp to tell us something, and the glyphs, they were dispersed around the circumference of the camp."

Zuhair convinced gave his orders for the men and soon the camp was dismantled. Five Shovels dipped into the sands mercilessly while the other five workers waited with wheeled carriages heaving the sands away from the digging. Sand scoop after sand scoop gradually formed the crater they aspired for. The moments flew away quickly as they worked feverishly sinking more into the earth, the crater deepening quickly, the merciless heat soaking them with sweat and fatigue. Snakes and scorpions dashed out of the sands but were easily dealt with by the workers that were well experiences from similar dangers when they used to plow their own lands in their villages. 

However after several hours of digging nothing seemed to even indicate that they were close to any discovery. David began to lose hope as the crater that maintained a diameter of four meters was already three meters deep. Could it be that they dug in the wrong perimeter. This only meant more work in this dry environment, needless to say as to what would be expected next from the hostile entity that was imprisoning them. Suddenly cries erupted from the crater. David whom was standing at its' edge looked down at Zuhair whom was deep inside with his men. He asked eagerly, "Did you find anything?"

"Yes, we found a layer of small boulders."

The general broke the small distances he kept from the dig and walked up to David asking, "They found it right?"

"Yes general. May God help us because I really don't know what to expect afterwards." 

The general replied with uncertainty, "I never unearthed a cursed treasure, Nor do I know what to expect."

David quickly left towards the parked vehicles and fetched the four wooden flats that were in their truck. He dragged them patiently to the dig then fastened them with the help of the workers dispersing them on different areas of the crater to avoid any sand slides into it. Another worker soon fetched a projector and plugged it into the diesel generator. He worked it with its crank bringing it to life. The projector was lowered into the sight and placed on the ground lighting the crater that was deepening in length and darkness.  

The boulders were soon heaved out with the help of the carriages. Stacy aroused by the new discoveries crossed the few yards that separated her from the work site and watched as the boulders came out periodically. Iron pieces half the size of writing paper with glyphs carved on them were brought out from between the boulders. Some were twisted from the boulders' weights while others were partially damaged with the glyphs still in readable shape. David gave two of them to Stacy and asked, "What is written on them."

"Oh that is not good. It reads may our gods have mercy on us and stop the gate from being opened." She continued reading, "He who opens this tomb will open the gates of pain on the world and Egypt." Stacy paused for a moment's time and commented, "There is no cursed treasure buried here."

David's eyes bounced back and forth between Stacy and the general as he thought out loud, "What are we digging out exactly?"

The general gulped hard as the accusing faces of Stephanie and David stared at him. He finally screamed out, "ITS MY FAULT, THIS IS ENTIRELY MY FAULT, I THOUGHT IT WAS BURIED TREASURE, LIKE YOU ALL."

The general walked back a distance and stood unhappily looking at the workers continue their work. The racketing of the boulders continued as they were dumped by the workers on the carriages. The carriages were pulled up by rope and men to the edge of the crater, emptied at a nearby location then lowered by rope back into the crater. One full hour of excellent work followed before Zuhair announced from inside, we have uncovered an entire flight of steps carved into rock leading to an iron door. 

"David and Stacy exchanged blank looks then asked the men to lower them into the hole." David called out, "General are you coming?"

He slowly approached them. David made a loop at the end of the rope and secured it with a knot. He was lowered by the workers into the hole first, then Stacy and the general followed. Although the crater maintained its spacious four meter diameter the steps that were sloping downwards carved into the earth were only fit for two people at a time. The party of eight descended by two's the rocky flight of steps totally amazed by their experience at hand. They lit their path with flashlights in their hands. The walls to their right and left were filled with glyphs cursing any person whom entered between them and descended the flight of steps. Stacy explained to David, "All that I can read are curses Dave. This place is evil to the point that the Egyptians damned anyone whom would enter here." The flight of forty steps soon ended and the big iron door stood in their wake. Stacy lit its surfaces and explained in awe, "More curses, nothing more nothing less."

Surprised tones of voices in Arabic erupted as the party behind them closed up on the door. David asked, "General I'm going to break it open."

"We don't have a choice David."

Stacy ironically stated, "Since this expedition is all the brilliant work of its founder, General Cannons, I think he should have the honor." She nudged David with her elbow.

"General do you wish to accept the offer." Zuhair asked as he stood with two crowbars in his hand."

"Well alright! Alright! Care to help me Zuhair?"

David and Stacy moved back making way for the men as they fastened the crowbars at the edges of the iron door.

David and Stacy moved all the way till the end of the queue line while the workers gathered around the iron door studying it.

"Why did you nudge me with your elbow?"

"The curses carved on the iron door. If those curses hit the person that opens the door that person and his lineage will see nothing but misery all through his life till several generations onward. I'm not about to hurt myself or…"

David looked silently at her sparkling eyes that were studying him warmly. "Or what Stacy…"

Suddenly the iron door wavered from its place. Two of the workers reached around the general and Zuhair attempting to put more pressure on it. Within seconds it fell to the floor with a big bang. 

Zuhair walked back up the steps and soon brought the strong projector with him. The tomb lit entirely. 

"I don't believe it." Stacy said dazzled. We are just breathing an atmosphere that has been closed for thousands of years untarnished by any other human being. Goose pimples flashed all over her body as she looked at the walls.

"I don't believe what I'm seeing either," Stated David. To their right was a painting of a man seated in front of a big pot with a human sacrifice tied above it. The other wall in front of them had glyphs damning the owner of the tomb. The wall on their right had a big Ankh drawn on it with glyphs underneath it. A big wooden sarcophagus in very bad condition with a big iron pot lied in the center. 

All stood studying the room with its few contents and wall paintings in total silence. The general feeling totally depressed finally broke the silence and commented, "I’m leaving."

"But what does all this mean?" Asked Stacy.

Zuhair commented, "I believe this is the tomb of a very common man. I don't think it is at all anything significant."

David having a certain hunch at what the paintings meant said while in deep thought, "I think this man was a very fiendish fellow. You see the human sacrifice there?" 

The party looked at the wall as he explained, "This is pure black magic and I'm not comfortable with what the guy lying in that sarcophagus was up to when he was alive. Stacy, can you read what the inscriptions on the walls say?"

"When this tomb opens it will be the beginning only. The death here will come to life. The son of evil will reunite with his ancestor, that our brave Pharaoh killed with the Holy Ankh. Evil will resurrect itself and curse the world again. He will assemble his army that will count as much as there is sand in the deserts and will avenge his killing. He will march onto Egypt once again and attack the throne of Pharaoh, the throne that he longed to annex with his evil; but not before he kills the army of one hundred thousand that our brave Pharaoh will prepare for him. Approach son of the evil realm, you have killed, stolen what is not rightfully yours, and butchered in his name, take your rightful place in your black realm for you are of the same breed or you wouldn't be here."

David and Zuhair were stunned at the words as Stacy continued, "Even if you hang a thousand sacrifices and drink all their blood you will perish and dissolve into the earth that has begotten you and burn by your enemies at the evil of your doings. If you rise you will meet your death again."

A deafening thunderclap sounded in the distances. A powerful wind blew in the tomb. The workers with Zuhair yelled with fear and ran out of the tomb. The general slowly approached the sarcophagus while Stacy screamed, "Don't general! Let's leave. We did what it wanted from us!"

Congratulating all the deserved respected winners of Charbel Baini award:
1- Bahia Abou Hamad
2- Fouad N. Khoury
3- Nazar Dairyani
4- Eiad Kahwash
5- Nagui Elwasfi
6- Fouad Elhaj
7- Ismael Fadel
8- Shawki Moslemani 

Such award which include members from all Arabic speaking communities 

even overseas who have great achievements during the year. 

An award which carry the name of a great poet 

who loves without limits 

even who are trying to hurt him, 

but if he is not happy with any issue 

he confronted it with such loud logic voice; 

I believe the chosen winners have similar characters 

as the great poet they are carrying his award.
and I am very proud to say: I won this award long time ago.

The World Council of the Cedars Revolution

Representing the hopes and aspirations of many millions of Lebanese in Lebanon and throughout the Diaspora

2300 M Street NW Suite 800, Washington DC, USA 20037

Phone (202) 506 9540, Fax (202) 293 3083

www.cedarsrevolution.org

cedarsrevolution@gmail.com

30th April 2015

Ambassador Terje Roed Larsen

UN SG Special Envoy for the Implementation of UNSCR 1559

President of the International Peace Academy

IPA, 777 UN Plaza

New York NY 10017

Your excellency,

The World Council of the Cedars Revolution is delighted to acknowledge your continued commitment to the full implementation of UNSCR 1559. Lebanon has suffered much since our last meeting is Sydney Australia. 

-   The Lebanese politicians don’t seem to have the political will or courage to elect a new President.

- Neither the government nor the army seem to have the capacity to halt the continued dangerous involvement of Hezbollah in the Syrian conflict.

- The government is making every endeavor, but is finding it extremely difficult to carry out effective administrative and productive business operations without the presence of an elected President thus allowing the rule of the gun to reign supreme rather that the rule of law.

- As you know only too well that public and border security are virtually non-existent and the refugee problem is rampant.

- Our previously foreshadowed dangers for the people of Lebanon, it economy and its sovereignty, resulting from the Syrian civil war, have come to fruition.  

We have been awaiting for UNSC positive action for a longtime.

Your strong recommendation for the Security Council to meet in Lebanon could be a very powerful move if it is intended to re-ignite the confidence of the people of Lebanon towards Law and order, security, self-determination and sovereignty.

However, you could encounter difficulties, if for example you were to rely on any anticipated conciliation between Hezbollah and the Future groups, we all will be waiting for a very long time and we may never see it. If you were to hope that one terror organization such as Hezbollah, will protect the people of Lebanon from ISIS, we shall all perish before this happens, for they are both evils from the same source.

The UNSC must arrive at the conclusion that it must provide 

- strong Military support to the Lebanese Army

- Enforce the democratic process of the Lebanese constitution and elect a President

- Preserve and protect the sovereignty of Lebanon.

The most crucial part of the UNSC’s mission is to take action forthwith

Once again we acknowledge with gratitude your continued commitment and look forward to a renewed

Effort which will result in peace and stability for the people of Lebanon.

For and on behalf of the World Council of the Cedars Revolution

Joe Baini Tom Harb

Joseph P Baini  
President

Tom Harb

Secretary General

The Fifteenth Anniversary of the Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Pageant was celebrated on 3rd of May 2015, held at the Dalton House Pyrmont with a tremendous success. In the presence of The Hon John Ajaka MLC on behalf of the Premier of NSW The Hon Mike Bird MP, The Hon Phillip Ruddock MP former Deputy Prime Minister, Senator The Hon. Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for social Services, Mr John Sidoti MP, Mr Nick Kaldas Deputy Commissioner of the NSW Police.
A huge number of distinguished guests from the Australian Arabic Communities Representatives were present including Mr Tony Khattar, President of Maronite Catholic Society, and his wife Mirrella Khattar, acclaimed Singer of the Voice of Charity. Mr Michel Douaihy former President of World Lebanese Australian Cultural Union, Mr George Ghosseyn owner of Ghossayn Group and his wife Professor Fadia Ghossyn, Mr Yves Khoury, President of Arab Heritage League, Mr Raymond Abouassi President of the Liberal Democrats Australia, Mr Tony Taouk, President of United Australian Lebanese Movement and many other heads of organizations, sponsors, businesspeople. Journalists included Ms Natalie O'Brien from Sydney Morning Herald, Dr. Jamil Doueihy the, editorial director of Almestaqbal, the future newspaper, Mr Sayed Mikhael editor-in- chief of Alanwar, Mr Camile Shalala of Middle East Times and Mamdouh Sukkarieh from Observer and a crowd of representatives, writers, poets, artists, families, friends and many other supporters.
Ms Ella Elias and Mr Joe Chaar the Master of Ceremony (MC), excelled in hosting the event through their flexibility, intuitive insights, and skilful performance.
Speeches were delivered by the MPS, The Hon John Ajaka MLC praised the contributions  made by the Australians Lebanese community in previous competitions and stressed his future continuous support for this kind of aesthetic contest that serves the Australian society. Senator the Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, MP spoke of the successful achievements made by the previous winners who participated in such event for it was not only about to raise funds but to contribute to society and to help others. Then the Hon Philip Ruddock expressed his admiration for what contestants can offer of culture, commitment and passion to serve the community.

Mr Joe Khoury O.A.M, the founder and the Director of Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Pageant, in his speech, proudly highlighted the significance of this yearly magnificent event which is about “Celebrating the heritage through the eyes of the next generation, beautiful young Lebanese Australians facing the challenges of representing the interests of Beirut both Australia and overseas.” Mr Khoury added: “Beauty is not the sole factor within this event as we acknowledge the girls attributes in terms of their personality, their heritage, their strong cultural sense and commitment, their traditions, as well as their strong values, which contribute to defining the person as a whole.”

Thirteen beauty pageant contestants participated, aged from 17 to 24 and were all trained well of the world of beauty pageants. For a real beauty pageant does not only focus on the physical beautiful appearance of its contestants, but it also incorporated personality, talents and answers to questions of judged criteria. Looks and appearance never trump brains and education. It is in reality the combination of looks, smartness, personality, feelings and brains.
All Contestants were professionally judged by the panel judges of highly skilled individuals including a famous plastic surgeon. They were presented with gifts and awarded prizes as follows: Aisha Mehajer as Miss Personality, Armani Skaf: Miss Confidence, Amanda Khoury Miss Charismatic, Emma Jalalaty Miss Congeniality, Nicole Rizk: Miss runway, Rayana Kobesissi: Miss Style, Melissa Taouk: Miss Talent, Diana Mestow: Miss Model, Zoya Elias: Miss Natural, Danielle Bazergy: miss Swimwear, Abby Peirce: Miss Fashion, Jessica Zoghaib: Miss Photogenic, Stephanie Challita: Miss Elegance.

Nicole Rizk aged 21,was the winner of Miss Lebanon Australia 2015, the first runner up was Stephanie Challita aged 18, and the second runner up was Armani Skaf aged 17.

Cynthia Farah Miss Lebanon Australia 2014, who is studying through her third year as a Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sydney, amazingly worked very hard in the past year and has accomplished so many achievements. Cynthia made a very impressive speech where she stated: “Entering this pageant, for me, this was about being an ambassador for the Australian Lebanese community, having my voice amplified on my strong beliefs, and showing the true power of a determined young woman. I adamantly feel that we need to establish a viewpoint in society that looks past the superficial stigma associated with pageants and their contestants. Glitz and glamour are typically the first things that come to mind when thinking about these types of competitions, but I assure you, the majority of the things I have been exposed to in the past year are in no way glamorous.”

After she made her professional catwalk, Cynthia was presented with a painting of her portrait which was made by artist Marcelle Mansour, the (writer of these words) as a token of appreciation for her tireless work, for she is an example to young women by her proved successful efforts that made her a source of inspiration.

Ms Monie Gabriel, Head of Beauty and Art Department Management for Miss Lebanon Australia, together with Ms Suzie Taouk, Event Coordinator, are behind the successes of this remarkable annual heritage event.  Monie who is professionally qualified from the internationally renowned Caracalla Dance Group in Beirut, have been working for the appropriate make up and style plus coaching the contestants tirelessly for the catwalk finale. Not to forget also that the pageant showcase Lebanese fashion design with evening dresses supplied by OMT of Sydney-based Lebanese designer Zouka.

The event was highlighted by a variety of entertainment shows of dance, performance and songs that delighted audiences, in particular the Labanese Arabic voice of famous singer Nemer Melhem and the haunting voice of vocalist, the Singer and songwriter Simon Waddell with her charm and expressive performance.
Mr Joe Khoury made a sincere Thank you to everyone who has made the event meaningful and memorable, including Antoine Maksoud the president of the Miss Lebanon world immigrant for his great support and dedication to the Miss Lebanon Immigrant Australia Beauty Contest, and also to the Minister of Tourism in Lebanon The Hon. Michel Faroun for his great efforts in performing the tourism in Lebanon. He also thanked his wife Alice and daughter Sandra for their great support throughout the years, the Panel of judges, Major sponsors and business for their tremendous support and commitment.

This year's Pageant has attracted a large number of people from Middle Eastern and various religious backgrounds that included both Christians and Muslims. The winner of the Beauty Contest 2015 will fly to Beirut to compete against contestants from more than 20 countries in the Miss Lebanon World pageant.

Congratulations to the Crown Winner Nicole Rizk, first runner up Stephanie Shalita
Second runner up Armani Skaff. Congratulations to Mr Joe Khoury the Director of Miss Lebanon Australia for continuing celebrating the pride of Australian Lebanese heritage, culture, beauty and community.

Bishop Tarabay blesses the mission of President Tony Khattar and his new team

The Maronite Catholic Society Executive held its first meeting on Monday 4 May 2015 in order to distribute the various Executive responsibilities in accordance with its constitution and determine the way forward in the service of the Maronite community both in Australia and Lebanon.

The results were as follows:

Tony Khattar: President and Chair of Church Liaison Subcommittee

Ghassan Awit: First Vice-President

Lichaa Chidiac: Second Vice-President

Raymond Abi Arraj: Secretary

Fahd Gitani: Assistant Secretary 

Chafic Saade: Treasurer

 Khalil Tartak: Advisor

Bakhos Georges: Advisor and chair of Events Subcommittee

Sarkis Nassif: Consultant- Special Projects

Anne Farah-Hill: Chair, Women Subcommittee

Joe Baini: Chair of International Relations Subcommittee

Anthony Hasham: Chair of Planning and Development Subcommittee

Danny Geagea: Chair, Registration of Maronites in Lebanon Subcommittee

Immediately after the announcement of the final result, Bishop Tarabay congratulated President Tony Khattar and his Executive Committee stressing the importance of the Maronite Catholic Society and the role it plays as he explained his ambitious vision which the President Khattar and the new Executive will undoubtedly would attempt to fulfil.

The meeting was also an opportunity for the new president to thank his grace for his continued support for the Society and to reach out and extend his sincere appreciation to all the Maronite parishes – priests, monks and nuns, promising to communicate and cooperate with all of them in order to uphold and support the Maronite community.

At the end of the meeting, memorial photos were taken. His grace then blessed their mission as they set out to serve their community.

For more information, please contact: Tony Khattar on 0418201902 or Raymond Abi-Arraj on 0413069004

Issued by Raymond Abi-Arraj

Secretary - Maronite Catholic Society

Sydney – 5 May 2015

EMAIL: rayarraj@optusnet.com.au

All correspondence to address:

MCS: PO Box 687- STRATHFIELD NSW 2135

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

During the Lenten Season, the Maronite Eparchy of Australia held an appeal for internally displaced Christians in Erbil, Iraq for much needed everyday items. Donated goods were collected by the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and they have now been sent by a container to Iraq.

With your support, we were able to send items valued at $113,000, that included rice, sugar, tea, stationery, clothing, manchester, school furniture and household furniture. Your charitable deeds have shown one more time the sincerity and commitment of the Maronite community in Australia, and that we have not forgotten our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East, especially in Iraq.

The people of Iraq have an enduring faith in Jesus Christ that is forever strengthened in the face of their plight. We pray for the intercession of Our Lady to ease their pains and to grant them the courage to face adversity while taking strength from their faith. We also remember all our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, who are suffering, so that they may soon find peace and freedom, praying to the Lord to put an end to the war, and give them a sign for a better future in their land.

 +Antoine-Charbel Tarabay

Maronite Bishop of Australia