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Jordan
Prepares For Syrian Fallout; Places Air Force On High Alert
3
September, 2013
Following
last week's refusal to allow the US to use the nation as a launchpad
for Syria strikes, Jordan has placed its air-force, one of the Arab
world's strongest, on high alert in
anticipation of "various possibilities." The show of
strength captured in Al-Arabiya's
special access to
the Jordanian air-base shows F-16s and multiple Himars truck-mounted
rocket-launchers. While Jordan, like so many nations, would prefer
the political solution, it is prepared for any emergency.
Jordan has put its forces on high alert ahead of anticipated Western airstrikes against the Syrian regime.
...
Jordan has said it will not be a launchpad for any foreign military intervention in Syria.But as the West threatens to strike the regime in Syria in response to the use of chemical weapons, it seems that Jordan’s army is ready for various possibilities.
...
The Jordanian Air force is one of the strongest in the Arab world, possessing many of the most advanced fighter-jets in the world today.
Jordan is also one of few countries that possess the multiple Himars truck -mounted rocket launchers that exceed 70 kilometers in range and can identify a target within seconds.
A political solution in Syria remains the favorable option for Jordan, but the army says it is prepared to defend the country and its people at any time.
Hezbollah chief discusses Syria with Boroujerdi
4
September, 2013
BEIRUT:
Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah discussed an anticipated
U.S.-led military strike on Syria with a senior Iranian official, a
statement from the Lebanese party said Tuesday.
The
talks between Nasrallah and Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of the
Iranian parliamentary committee for national security and foreign
policy, focused on developments in the region, and particularly those
related to Syria and Lebanon.
The
short statement said the meeting was also attended by Iran’s
Ambassador to Lebanon Ghadanfar Roknabadi. For security reasons,
Hezbollah did not say when or where the meeting took place.
Boroujerdi
warned Monday that a military strike on Syria would engulf the entire
region and threaten American and Israeli interests.
It
was the latest in a series of stern warnings issued by Iranian and
Russian officials against a possible Western military strike on Syria
to punish the regime over its alleged use of chemical weapons.
Boroujerdi
also laid a wreath on the memorial site in Beirut’s southern
suburbs of Hezbollah top military commander Imad Mughniyeh who was
assassinated in Damascus in 2008.
The
Iranian official said that “Lebanon, Hezbollah, Arab countries, the
Muslim world and all the free people should be proud” of a figure
such as Mughniyeh because he fought Israeli occupation.
“This
is the most touching and wonderful part of my visit to Lebanon,” he
told reporters.
Boroujerdi
held talks Tuesday with a series of officials including President
Michel Sleiman and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati as well as
caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour.
In
Beiteddine, the president’s summer residence, Sleiman stressed the
dangers that could result from a military strike on Syria, a
statement from the president’s office said.
Sleiman
also renewed “Lebanon’s fundamental principle which calls for
nonmilitary intervention while condemning the use of chemical weapons
[in Syria].”
Earlier
Tuesday, Boroujerdi reiterated his warning that the Jewish state
would suffer the most from any military action against Tehran’s
ally Syria.
“The
first party that will be most affected from an aggression on Syria is
the Zionist entity,” he told reporters following talks with
Mansour.
He
said his views matched with both Mikati and Mansour as to the “need
for unity in order to spare the region this anticipated catastrophe.”
He
also expressed hope that the U.S. Congress would exercise
self-restraint, just like President Barack Obama, and adopt a
rational decision “that will avoid problems that could threaten the
region.”
Last
week, Obama said he would seek the authorization of Congress for a
military strike on Syria over its alleged use of chemical weapons.
In
response to a question, Boroujerdi slammed U.S. intelligence,
accusing it of fabricating evidence of the presence of chemical
weapons in Syria.
He
said that the lack of confidence was the key problem between Tehran
and Washington.
“The
Americans should work to promote a climate of confidence with us by
giving up hostile policies against the Iranian people,” he said.
The
Iranian official also voiced hope that Saudi Arabia, as a Muslim
country in the region, would change its regional policies.
Oil production low due to strikes Libya imports diesel fuel
Blockades by striking guards at key Libyan export oil terminals have sent oil production to under 100,000 barrels a day a major blow to the country's economy. Many guards have been on strike since late July
3
September, 2013
The guards accuse authorities of corruption by selling more oil than is documented and pocketing the extra funds. The government in turn claims the guards have been trying to sell oil on the black market. A member of the Libyan parliament's energy commission to Libyan TV, "Oil production now stands at less than 100,000 barrels per day."
Before the guards started their strike, Libya was producing from 1.5 million to 1.6 million barrels per day. Oil and gas exports bring in most of Libya's foreign currency with hydrocarbons accounting for more than 80 percent of GNP and almost 97 percent of its exports.
The Libyan National Oil Company (NOC) declared a force majeure at several main terminals on Aug. 21. The measure invokes special circumstances and will allow the company to breach contracts to supply oil. Given the blockades, the company simply cannot supply the oil. The strikes will cause a significant shortfall in the national budget which projected income from daily production of 1.6 million barrels per day at an average price of US $90 per barrel. Many of the guards are ex-rebels who helped topple the Gaddafi regime.
As a result of the vastly reduced production, Libya has begun to import diesel fuel for its power plants. A National Oil Company senior official said that Libya had imported at “least three times the quantities of liquid fuel” than usual to keep power plants operating. Gas that is used for power in the eastern regions has completely stopped flowing, said the official. However, the Wafa gas field was still operational providing about 13 million cubic meters per day providing relief for some plants.
There
were queues
reported for
motor fuel in the capital Tripoli. One shipment of crude for export
was diverted to supply a domestic refinery. Nevertheless exports of
gas to Italy were still normal as gas exports so far have not been
affected.
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