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How Berlin's Lebanese mafia clans work

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Canadian gold coin Big Maple Leaf (picture-alliance/dpa/H. K. Techt)

The Canadian gold coin is now thought to be in tiny pieces

How Berlin's Lebanese mafia clans work - by dw.com

A Lebanese organized crime family is said to be behind the spectacular theft of a giant Canadian gold coin - "the Big Maple Leaf" - from a museum in Berlin. But who are the "family R?" German police arrest criminals in Berlin (picture-alliance/dpa/P. Zinken) Berlin police arrested only three men, aged 18, 19, and 20, in connection with the theft in March of the "Big Maple Leaf" from Berlin's Bode Museum, but the police operation that went with it was far wider. Some 300 officers were out at 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning, searching 14 different properties in Berlin for clues to the theft of the 100-kilogram (221 pound) solid gold coin, whose material value is estimated at 3.75 million euros ($4.3 million). There is no trace of the coin itself, and police believe it has long since been cut to pieces and sold on. The brief police statement on the three arrests (a fourth man was arrested later) added that the ongoing searches had confiscated four firearms, "a low six-figure sum" in cash, clothing, shoes and five vehicles - all of which are now being examined for traces of gold. But while the theft itself was fairly lo-fi - the tools the police presented included an aluminum ladder, an axe handle, a wheel-barrow and a green rope with spring hooks - state prosecutor Martina Lamb told reporters that the conspiracy was sophisticated and far-reaching, and that the 13 suspects in total were "out of the circle of Arab clans." They were all "brothers, cousins and sons" of the "R." family (German law stipulates that the surnames of suspects aren't made public).

The Lebanese mafia The German media often revels in speculation about the organized crime networks of what are often called the "Arab clans" in Berlin. There is even a new TV drama "4 Blocks," about the scene. It is unclear exactly how many people belong to the 10 families thought to "run" various areas of the Neukölln district of Berlin (the arrests made this week also happened in this area), with estimates ranging from a few hundred to 8,000 or even 10,000 relatives spread across Germany. Nevertheless, Tom Schreiber, a Social Democrat representative in the Berlin state parliament, who published a 40-point plan to combat organized crime in the city last year, was keen to underline that only a small handful of the members of these families are actually criminals - "2 or 3 percent," he said. While the networks specialize in drug dealing and prostitution, they are not above the occasional spectacular robbery. In 2009, for instance, thieves broke into Germany's most famous department store - the KaDeWe in western Berlin - and got away with some 7 million euros worth of jewelry, which has never been recovered. "Up until now, they almost never found the loot, and they won't find the gold this time," said Ralph Ghadban, a Lebanese social worker turned author who has researched Berlin's organized crime networks. "And if the people end up in prison for a few years - if they get 3.7 million euros - it'll have been worth it."

Jumblatt contacts Hariri, voices opposition to Bassil's diplomatic appointments

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by daily star.com.lb BEIRUT: Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblatt contacted Prime Minister Saad Hariri to voice his objection to Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil’s diplomatic appointments, the daily newspaper Al-Hayat reported Wednesday. The draft of Bassil’s new diplomatic changes has been met with objections, Al-Hayat quoted political sources as saying. The same sources relayed Hariri’s understanding of Jumblatt's position on some of the diplomatic transfers that Bassil is trying to make, which contradict with a previously approved schedule on the distribution of appointees at Lebanese embassies at the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. According to the schedule of diplomatic distributions, the Embassy of Lebanon in Russia should be managed by members of the Druze community; however, Bassil’s new formations suggest that said embassy be managed by a member of the Lebanese Orthodox community. Bassil wants to give the Druze community the Lebanese Embassy in Beijing instead, a move which the PSP has rejected. Jumblatt’s fresh contacts with Hariri over the matter seem to mark the resumption of communications between both sides.

What Is It About Direct Flights To Beirut That Scares Trudeau?

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by Thomas Woodley President of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)

For years, Lebanese Canadians flying to Beirut have had to endure exhausting layovers in Europe. But recent hopes that the Trudeau government would approve direct flights to Beirut were dashed with a tweet from an Air Canada executive early Monday. Duncan Bureau, VP Global Sales for Air Canada tweeted that the government had rejected their application, commenting, "Huge disappointment for us and [the] Lebanese community here." Bureau's comments were echoed by the Lebanese community on social media. Comments to a post about the refusal on Facebook were both skeptical and critical. One individual wrote, "Trudeau will not be re elected in the next election. [...] Pathetic decision Justin." On Twitter another wrote, "Shame on @JustinTrudeau & @liberal_party for discriminating against the Lebanese-Canadian community." Others were incredulous, and insisted on awaiting the official government response to an ePetition on the topic. That petition, sponsored by Liberal Lebanese-Canadian MP Eva Nassif, was launched last December and called for an end to Canada's flight ban to Beirut. The petition garnered over 4000 signatures, and was presented to Parliament in mid-May. But the Trudeau government failed to respond to the petition within the standard 45-day window, and is under no obligation to actually provide an explanation.

It's unclear why Canada should balk at approving the route, whether for security or other reasons. Indeed, it is a big disappointment -- and a paradox -- for Canadians wishing easier travel to Beirut. In a follow-up tweet, Bureau indicated that the Trudeau government had cited "security reasons" for the refusal. But as many have pointed out, British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa and many other airlines fly direct to Beirut, so it's unclear why Canada should balk at approving the route, whether for security or other reasons. In fact, Canadians have good reason to question the government's "security" justification for the refusal. In addition to the fact that many other airlines have provided direct service to Beirut for years without incident, direct flights from Canada to other "risky" destinations are commonplace. Air Egypt, for example, runs direct flights between Cairo and Toronto, even though a Russian plane departing Cairo was brought down in a suspected act of terror in late 2015. Likewise, Canada's government allows direct service to Istanbul despite a terror attack at that city's airport just last summer. Israel repeatedly trumpets the dangers of Hamas rockets -- even comparing them to the Nazi blitz on London during the Second World War -- yet six non-stop flights run daily between Canada and Tel Aviv. In discussions that I had on the matter with Global Affairs Canada officials last year, the security concerns of "close allies" -- that is, the United States -- were cited as the ongoing consideration. Reference was also made to the 1985 hijacking of a TWA flight by Hezbollah militants during a phase of the Lebanese civil war when Shia militias controlled the Beirut airport. The hijacking was indeed horrific and created a nerve-racking three-day international crisis. But things have changed in 32 years: the Lebanese civil war ended in 1989, and airport security measures have been vastly improved. As Michel Leblanc, president of the Montreal Metro Chamber of Commerce pointed out, "Security issues can be managed, you see this with European cities."

Renewed enthusiasm for direct flights to Beirut developed after the election of the Liberals in late 2015. Air Canada is not the only airline wishing to offer direct service from Canada to Beirut, but the carrier no doubt wanted to lead the pack. Air Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu recently admitted that a direct flight to Beirut was "at the top of the list" of priorities for the airline. Had the Trudeau government acquiesced to Air Canada's application, it would surely have received applications from Middle East Airlines and other carriers. Canada's Lebanese community has good reason to be frustrated with the government's decision -- it is surely Canada's largest ethnic community not served by a direct flight. Some claim that there are as many as 660,000 Lebanese Canadians who could make use of such a flight. Hopes were running high for a resumption of direct flights as recently as just weeks ago. And apart from the tourists who would benefit, the business community also sees the flight as key. "A direct flight is essential for the development of economic and commercial relations [between Canada and Lebanon]," argues Mohamed Badreddine of the Canada-Lebanon Chamber of Commerce. Leblanc predicts that such a flight could help establish Montreal as a North American economic hub to the Middle East. But with the most recent decision, it seems increasingly clear that Canada under Trudeau will remain under the U.S.' shadow when it comes to foreign policy and security. The Trudeau government's failure to justify its position makes the decision even less palatable. Lebanese Canadians who are obliged to take direct flights from Paris, London and Frankfort to Beirut are expected to trust Transport Minister Marc Garneau when he says that such a decision is for "the security of Canadian passengers," but that "for security reasons [he's] not able to elaborate more." Foreign policy, it seems, is one more area where the Liberals' promise of "real change" continues to ring hollow.

Lebanese army kills Islamic State-linked militant: sources

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FILE PHOTO: A Lebanese soldier carries his weapon as he stands at an army post in the hills above the Lebanese town of Arsal, near the border with Syria, Lebanon September 21, 2016. Picture taken September 21, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File photo

BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Lebanese army killed a suspected Islamic State-linked militant accused of carrying out several bomb attacks in Ras Baalbek town near the Syrian border, a security source and a military source said on Tuesday. The man, a Syrian national, was shot dead during an operation launched after the army received intelligence that an Islamic State-linked cell was meeting, the security source said. A Lebanese national suspected of weapons smuggling was also arrested in the raid, and the army discovered several bombs, an explosive belt, and nearly 50 kg of explosives, the source said. The operation took place in the Arsal area, where the army says it has been carrying out a major security operation against suspected militants. In late June, authorities arrested several hundred people in a raid at refugee camps in Arsal. The Lebanese army says it regularly stages operations targeting Islamic State and former al Qaeda-linked militants in the hills around the border. Some attacks in Lebanon have been linked to the six-year war in neighboring Syria, where Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah is fighting in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

Lebanese currency stable, says Central Bank governor at small enterprise forum

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The Daily Star - BEIRUT: Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon Riad Salameh confirmed Tuesday that the Lebanese pound had remained stable, as he set about promoting the development of Lebanon’s small and medium businesses. “Stability strengthens confidence in the economy and enhances purchasing power. We have extended subsidized loans for 19 years in an attempt to preserve institutions that endure circumstantial financial conditions," Salameh said in a speech delivered during the launch of the Lebanese Forum for Small and Medium Enterprises. "Lebanon enjoys [considerable] human capabilities and we do not fear for its future,” Salameh said. The forum, entitled “Your needs are our challenges,” is taking place at BIEL.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for nearly 95 percent of companies operating in Lebanon, and they currently face fierce competition. This sector employs the largest number of Lebanese nationals who remain on their land and in the country’s villages. Economy Minister Raed Khoury announced new measures at the forum Tuesday that he said would contribute to the enhancement and development of SMEs’ capabilities. "We will only approve the 2018 budget if it proves to be part of an economic plan," Khoury said. "If we decide to work together, we can achieve a lot, but we must have a clear economic plan.”

In a statement made last week during a press conference attended by owners and managers of SMEs, Banque du Liban and the ministries of Tourism, Energy, Industry, Agriculture and Communications, Khoury said he expected the forum to issue feasible recommendations, to conclude a cooperation agreement with the World Bank to stimulate creation of jobs and to develop a plan to facilitate Customs procedures as well as a draft law to motivate the active presence of SMEs in international exhibitions. Khoury also said that the forum enjoys the full support of President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri. He expressed his hope that it might be the start of an economic renaissance – even predicting a staggering increase in Lebanon’s GDP over the next 7 years, from $52 billion to $100 billion.

The most and least powerful passports in the world

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by Jeff Desjardins, Visual Capitalist According to the Passport Index, the distinction for the world’s most powerful passport actually ends up as a tie between Germany and Singapore. Both have unparalleled access to visa-free entries, each with a list of 159 countries that citizens can go to without any hassles.

Like Germany, most other Western European nations do similarly well in the visa-free department:

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In Asia, however, things are quite different. After Singapore and a few other countries (Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia), things drop off faster.

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Further down the list in Asia, citizens of certain countries find themselves in even a tougher place, especially if they reside in the Middle East. Countries like Afghanistan (22), Pakistan (25), Iraq (26), Syria (30), and Bangladesh (35) have some of the shortest lists of visa-free countries that citizens have access to.

In North America, the United States and Canada both have powerful passports with 157 and 155 visa-free options respectively. However, they differ in a few key areas. Americans have visa-free access to Armenia, Equatorial Guinea, Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Central African Republic, while Canadians have visa-free access to Bolivia, Venezuela, and Gambia.

We alluded earlier to the fact that a passport can also be very limiting in terms of traveling. Here are some of the countries with the least amount of visa's

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Lebanese president says to control "Syrian chaos" in his country

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BEIRUT, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun stressed Monday that Lebanon would seek to bring under control the "Syrian chaos" in the country, the National News Agency reported. "We have managed to ensure stability and security and the facts prove this," Aoun told a delegation representing Small and Medium Enterprises headed by Minister of Economy Raed Khouri. The delegation also comprised the ministers of telecommunications and tourism, the central bank governor, the EU ambassador, UN representatives, Lebanese economic officials and a group of business leaders. The Lebanese Forum for Small and Medium Enterprises will kick off on Tuesday under the patronage of Aoun. "However, after we eradicated terrorism, we have unfortunately started to witness major domestic chaos, especially by some Syrians, and we are seeking to bring this under control," Aoun added. "We will reach a result, the same as we did regarding terrorism," the president pledged.