December 20, 2009
Israel - Israel threatens to use force against settlers
Venezuela - Chavez: US spy plane violated Venezuela’s airspace
Madagascar – Madagascar leader Rajoelina scraps power-sharing deal
Lebanon – Bus carrying Syrian workers attacked in Lebanon
Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka presidential campaigning heats up
Israel
Israeli authorities could soon use special commando units, unmanned spy planes and cell phone-jamming equipment to enforce a moratorium on new settlement construction in the West Bank, military officials said Sunday, deepening a showdown between the government and Jewish settlers. Enraged settlers leaders vowed to resist the plan, prompting Defense Minister Ehud Barak to warn that settlers would face the full wrath of the military if they continue to flout the 10-month construction slowdown. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the settlement slowdown last month in an attempt to restart peace talks with the Palestinians. But the Palestinians have rejected the plan because it allows for construction to proceed in 3,000 settlement homes already under construction in the West Bank and does not affect east Jerusalem, which Palestinians hope will be their capital.
Venezuela
President Hugo Chavez on Sunday accused the U.S. of violating Venezuela’s airspace with an unmanned spy plane, and ordered his military to be on alert and shoot down any such aircraft in the future. Speaking during his weekly television and radio program, Chavez said the aircraft overflew a Venezuelan military base in the western state of Zulia after taking off from neighboring Colombia. He did not elaborate, but suggested the plane was being used for espionage. “These are the Yankees. They are entering Venezuela,” he said. “I’ve ordered them to be shot down,” Chavez said of the aircraft. “We cannot permit this.” Chavez has accused Colombia of allowing the United States to use its military bases to prepare a possible attack against Venezuela.
Madagascar
Madagascar’s leader Andry Rajoelina has formally abandoned a power-sharing peace deal a day after appointing a military prime minister. Col Vital Albert Camille was named to replace consensus Prime Minister Eugene Mangalaza, who was sacked by Mr Rajoelina on Friday. Mr Rajoelina said he was also scrapping the two posts of co-president set up under the power-sharing deal. Mr Rajoelina, a former DJ, came to power with military backing in March. The power-sharing deal was agreed after longs talks with the opposition, including supporters of ousted President Marc Ravalomanana.
Lebanon
A bus carrying Syrian workers in northern Lebanon has come under fire and at least one person has been shot dead, security sources say. Several others were reported injured by shattered glass during the attack. The incident took place near an army checkpoint in the Deir Emar district, some three miles (5km) north of the city of Tripoli. The bus was taking Syrian labourers along the main highway between northern Lebanon and Syria.
One eyewitness said the vehicle’s tyres had bullet holes and several windows on the driver’s side were shattered by the shots. According to the French news agency AFP, the person killed was a 17-year-old labourer. The attack occurred a day after Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri completed a two-day visit to Damascus for talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s presidential election campaign has begun in earnest, with the two main candidates addressing rallies a day after nominations closed. There are 22 in the frame, although the most dominant are the two major figures seen as appealing to Sinhalese nationalist sentiments. Incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa is being challenged by the disaffected former forces chief Gen Sarath Fonseka. Voting is due to take place towards the end of next month. Both Gen Fonseka and Mr Rajapaksa chose cities holy to the Sinhalese majority to kick off their campaigns with religious blessings and rallies.
