Although the international media often presents the Arab-Israeli conflict as the only conflict in the Middle East involving disputed land claims, there are a few others. Two of them have recently been in the news. Needless to say, the Arab states at the heart of the conflicts refuse to "end the occupation".
In the case of Lebanon, the term "occupation" is the accurate legal description of the situation ever since Syrian forces entered the country, ostensibly to help restore order, in 1976. Earlier this month, Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri resigned his post over disputes regarding the continuing Syrian presence. Last week, according to reports in the Arabic press, President Emile Lahoud appointed pro-Syrian politician Omar Karami as Hariri's replacement. This week (Oct. 26), Karami announced the names of his new government ministers. Most, if not all, of the names on the list are solidly in the pro-Syrian camp, in favor of maintaining Syrian oversight and protecting Syrian vested interests in Lebanon.
Karami said that his main task will be resisting foreign pressures put on Syria and Lebanon. A central aspect of that pressure is the US-led push to free Lebanon from Syrian domination.
Parliamentary elections are due to be held in Lebanon in the spring of 2005.
Meanwhile, yet again, Moroccan senior leadership has reiterated the state's position that it will not negotiate over territory in its control that neighboring Algeria claims is illegally occupied, nor will it compromise sovereignty there.
A Moroccan Minister Without Portfolio, Abbas El-Fassi, said that Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara cannot be subject to any negotiation. He made the statement at a conference sponsored by his political faction this past weekend entitled: "The Fight Of The Istiqlal Party For Democracy And Territorial Integrity".
Regarding recent South African recognition of the self-declared Sahrawi Republic (SADR) by Algerian-backed Polisario separatists, El-Fassi said it "should not be seen as a diplomatic failure," but that all organizations and parties need to defend the "national cause... with diplomacy."
The part of the Sahara in dispute with Algeria has been part of Morocco since 1975. The Polisario have been claiming the separation of the southern provinces in the name of the independence of the Sahrawi (Saharan) people, and with Algerian backing.
In the case of Lebanon, the term "occupation" is the accurate legal description of the situation ever since Syrian forces entered the country, ostensibly to help restore order, in 1976. Earlier this month, Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri resigned his post over disputes regarding the continuing Syrian presence. Last week, according to reports in the Arabic press, President Emile Lahoud appointed pro-Syrian politician Omar Karami as Hariri's replacement. This week (Oct. 26), Karami announced the names of his new government ministers. Most, if not all, of the names on the list are solidly in the pro-Syrian camp, in favor of maintaining Syrian oversight and protecting Syrian vested interests in Lebanon.
Karami said that his main task will be resisting foreign pressures put on Syria and Lebanon. A central aspect of that pressure is the US-led push to free Lebanon from Syrian domination.
Parliamentary elections are due to be held in Lebanon in the spring of 2005.
Meanwhile, yet again, Moroccan senior leadership has reiterated the state's position that it will not negotiate over territory in its control that neighboring Algeria claims is illegally occupied, nor will it compromise sovereignty there.
A Moroccan Minister Without Portfolio, Abbas El-Fassi, said that Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara cannot be subject to any negotiation. He made the statement at a conference sponsored by his political faction this past weekend entitled: "The Fight Of The Istiqlal Party For Democracy And Territorial Integrity".
Regarding recent South African recognition of the self-declared Sahrawi Republic (SADR) by Algerian-backed Polisario separatists, El-Fassi said it "should not be seen as a diplomatic failure," but that all organizations and parties need to defend the "national cause... with diplomacy."
The part of the Sahara in dispute with Algeria has been part of Morocco since 1975. The Polisario have been claiming the separation of the southern provinces in the name of the independence of the Sahrawi (Saharan) people, and with Algerian backing.