LEBANON HARIRI TRIAL

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS/ SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON HANDOUT  

RESTRICTIONS: AP CLIENTS ONLY

LENGTH: 4:05

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Beirut, Lebanon - 19 September 2018

++16:9++

1. Poster for late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri on a banner reading (Arabic) "Time of Justice"

2. Close of banner

3. Traffic near site where Hariri was killed

4. Mid of torch sculpture

5. Banner reading (Arabic) "Assassination site of Prime Minster Rafic Hariri and his comrades"

6. Political analyst Ali Hamadeh in his office

7. Close of screen showing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon website

8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ali Hamadeh, political analyst:

"We hope that the role and the existence of this tribunal (Special Tribunal for Lebanon) will be an incentive or a deterrent to repeated political assassinations. But the experience in this region, and not only in Lebanon, tells us that the killing and bloodshed is still going on from Iraq to Lebanon to Syria and to Yemen. Despite the slow pace of the international justice, it may reach at the end its positive results, but the problem is the region is located on the peak of the volcano (figurative, refers to the volatile nature of the region)."

9. Various of Hariri statue

10. Tilt down of Al-Amine Mosque

11. Policeman in front of poster of Hariri

12. Owner of Justicia Centre, Paul Morkos, walking

13. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Paul Morkos, owner of Justicia Centre:

"It is expected that a preliminary verdict will be issued at the beginning of the year in January. This verdict could be an improved version of the indictment that was issued a few years ago with some additions that contain circumstantial evidence. It is not apparent today that there is clear, direct and solid proof coupled with this evidence to stop this verdict being the subject of criticism of the indictment which will allow for indiscriminate accusations between the political parties."

SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON HANDOUT  

Beirut, Lebanon - 18 September 2018

++4:3++

14. Various of tribunal

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Barja, Mount Lebanon - 19 September 2018

++16:9++

15. Retired police general, Ali Al-Hajj, walking in his house

16. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ali Al-Hajj, retired police general:

"The international tribunal is strongly dependent on the United Nations, and this is its strength, but I can say that the trust of the majority of the people in the international tribunal and its decisions and what is happening in its hallway is missed at local, regional and international levels because at the beginning it relied on the false witnesses, misled investigations and forgery."

17. Close of Al-Hajj's eyes

18. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) General Ali Al-Hajj, retired police general:

"I can see that the path of the international tribunal from the beginning until today is to ignite the strife in Lebanon, to increase the differences between the Lebanese and to exert pressure on them. The aim of all that is to target those who are facing Israel, which is the resistance (Hezbollah)."

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

FILE: Beirut, Lebanon - 14 February 2005

++4:3++

19. Various of late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri's convoy on fire

LEADIN:

The United Nations backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon is preparing its verdict on the assassination of the late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.

Four members of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah are being tried in absentia for their suspected involvement in his murder.

STORYLINE:

The streets of Beirut are hung with black banners. Rafic Hariri's face adorns them - "Time of justice" they read.

Fourteen years after Hariri was assassinated, the United Nations backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon is preparing its verdict.

Four members of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah are being tried for their suspected involvement in the murder.

Hezbollah has refused to turn over the four defendants and says it does not recognise the tribunal's authority. So the men are being tried in absentia.

A decision is expected to be reached in 2019.

Syria and its Lebanese allies were accused of the killing Prime Minister Hariri in a massive suicide truck bombing in Beirut in 2005, which also killed 21 others and injured 226 more.

A series of further bombings and assassinations followed. Syria vehemently denies involvement.

Hariri's assassination ignited mass protests and international pressure that forced Syria to withdraw its army from Lebanon after 29 years of control.

Ali Hamadeh, a political analyst at Al-Nahar Newspaper in Lebanon, hopes that the tribunal will put an end to political assassinations in the region.

"But the experience in this region, and not only in Lebanon, tells us that the killing and bloodshed is still going on from Iraq to Lebanon to Syria and to Yemen," he says.

"It may reach at the end its positive results, but the problem is the region is located on the peak of the volcano (figurative, refers to the volatile nature of the region)."

Paul Morkos, the owner of the Justicia legal research centre, expects a preliminary verdict will be issued by January 2019.

"This verdict could be an improved version of the indictment that was issued a few years ago with some additions that contain circumstantial evidence," he says.

Morkos warns of indiscriminate accusations between the Lebanese political parties if there isn't "clear, direct and solid proof" to support the verdict.

In 2009, The International Tribunal ordered the release of four former Lebanese security generals held over the assassination of Prime Minister Hariri.

Among the four generals, who have never been charged, is Ali Al-Hajj, a former Lebanese internal security director general.

Al-Hajj, also a former security officer for Prime Minister Hariri, says the majority of people don't trust the tribunal.

"At the beginning it relied on the false witnesses, misled investigations and forgery."

Al-Hajj has become politically close to Hezbollah in recent years, trying to get into parliament with their support.

He believes the tribunal is deliberately targeting the militant group.

"I can see that the path of the international tribunal from the beginning until today is to ignite the strife in Lebanon, to increase the differences between the Lebanese and to exert pressure on them," he says.

"The aim of all that is to target those who are facing Israel, which is the resistance (Hezbollah)," he says.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

LEADIN:

2014 has been a tumultuous year for Lebanon, as Syria's civil war continued to spill over into the country.

From managing one million refugees, to suicide bombings and clashes between government forces and Islamic militants, the past year has been a challenging one.

STORYLINE:

January 2nd, just two days into the new year and a deadly car bomb shakes the Beirut suburb Haret Hreik - known for being a Hezbollah stronghold.

The attack kills five people, wounds dozens more and raises fears that the country is being pulled in opposite directions by sectarian tension.

January also signals the start of the long-awaited trial over the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri - nine years after his death.

From The Hague, in the Netherlands, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) will try five suspects, all tied to Hezbollah, for Hariri's death.

There are still many questions to answer, not least the whereabouts of the five suspects - they've not been caught and are being tried in absentia.

In February, ten months after becoming prime minister, Tammam Salam finally forms a government.

Salam's 24-member national unity Cabinet includes members of the Western-backed coalition as well as those of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group and its allies.

"I am sure we will be able to put matters in the right perspective taking into consideration what our people, what the Lebanese, are looking forward to," he says at the time.

Many hundreds of women and activists march to Lebanon's parliament to show their support for victims of domestic violence to mark International Women's Day on 8 March.

Several high profile cases of domestic murders hit the headlines in 2014.

This year, the first Lebanese law against domestic violence was passed, offering Lebanese women some protection from abuse.

April 3rd is something of a milestone in the country.

Three years after the beginning of the Syrian conflict, Lebanon saw the one millionth Syrian to be registered as a refugee.

Almost one in four people in Lebanon are now refugees from neighbouring Syria.

"The challenge today is waking up to the realisation that this is a very protracted conflict. It's not going to end tomorrow. It's going to take some time. We don't know how long but there is a large number of people who are not going home soon. So their needs need to be addressed very quickly before it explodes in all of our faces," says Maha Yahya, from the Carnegie Centre for Middle Eastern Studies.

The country's infrastructure - from schools and hospitals to rubbish collection - remains over burdened, with some communities now imposing restrictions on refugee numbers.

In May, President Michel Suleiman left office, leaving behind an empty seat after parliament failed to elect his successor. The 25 May deadline passes, but no replacement is found.

"The Lebanese missed the opportunity to elect a president 'Made In Lebanon' by May 25," explains political analyst Sami Nader.

"After this, the problem now to get a solution you need kind of a regional consensus. You need a deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia, mainly. And this deal doesn't seem on the horizon yet."

A candidate must secure at least a two thirds majority in the 128-member parliament to become president.

Despite holding parliamentary meetings throughout the year to try and solve the issue - to this day the position remains unfilled.

In June and July the country is once again on high alert after a series of suicide bombings.

Suspects arrested in Hamra in June are believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State group and are said to have been planning an attack against the Speaker of Parliament, Nabi Berri.

Days later, flames engulf part of the four-star Duroy Hotel by Beirut's corniche after a suicide bomber blows himself up during a police raid on his room.

The suicide bomber was a Saudi national. His collaborator, also Saudi. This adds to the strain between Lebanon and the Gulf states.

The boldest incursion of jihadi fighters into Lebanese territory comes in August, when militants launch an offensive on the Syrian-Lebanese border town of Arsal.

The army regains control of the area, but locals and Syrian refugees, who have already fled the neighbouring civil war, are displaced once again.

In early August it's reported that 20 soldiers and policemen have been taken hostage by the militants.

"This Arsal war showed how fragile is the situation in Lebanon. How the borders are not really controlled. And how much capabilities and support the Lebanese army need," says Nader.

On 28 August, social media starts to report that one of the captives, soldier Ali Sayid, has been beheaded.

Massive crowds attend his funeral on 3rd September in Fnaydek.

A few days later the group says it has beheaded a second soldier, 20-year-old Abbas Medlej - sparking fears for the other hostages held by the group.

"The Lebanese army in the way was victim," says Nader.

"Yes, the Lebanese army was isolated. It's the only remaining Lebanese institution. One has to keep in mind that we don't have a president, there is a void at the level of the presidency, the parliament is practically freezed, all what they have achieved was to prolong their own mandate, to extend their own mandate and the Lebanese government is really in a very fragile situation."

The country's sectarian crisis comes to a head in October when fighting between government forces and gunmen erupts in Tripoli.

The city has become a hot bed for Islamic militants with firebrand clerics like Sheikh Khaled Hoblos openly preaching in the streets.

Nadim Houry of Human Rights Watch, appeals for calm.

"There is a lot of speculation today about ISIS' strength in Lebanon. But at this stage there is no indication that ISIS is going to seep through Tripoli tomorrow and control the city. Quite the contrary."

"I mean we saw that the army was actually able to beat back many of these groups and that actually many of these groups, and that although many of these groups while they may be Islamist, are not necessarily affiliated with ISIS. But almost, that sort of the issue here is, I think the main challenge is ISIS is able to frame the terms of the debate in many countries.

"And what is needed in Lebanon are pre-emptive strategies to undercut the potential implementation, or growth of ISIS movements."

The four day gun battle claims 20 lives as the army slowly regains control of Tripoli's Bab al-Tabbaneh neighbourhood - though the gang leaders they're hunting escape.

After three years of accepting Syrian refugees into the country, Lebanon has had enough.

On 18 October, it's reported that officials have closed the border between the two countries, despite pressure from the UN to keep it open.

According to official numbers, more than 1.2 million Syrian refugees now live in Lebanon - representing more than 20 percent of the population.

Refugees also appear to be targeted by disgruntled Lebanese citizens.

Eleven-year-old Khaled Darwish came back to his tent to find it burned to the ground.

"When we returned, we found that the tents were all burnt and black and I found all my toys burnt. Everything was burnt. Even my bicycle was burnt. All my toys and my ball," he says.

As the year draws to a close, the soldiers and police officers held hostage by Islamic militants, are no closer to being released.

The families of the hostages continue to protest, their anger now aimed at the government who they say haven't done enough.

Four soldiers have so far been executed by their captors.

The 26 November, saw the passing of one of the country's legendary singers.

Lebanese diva Sabah, died aged 87.

Mourners pay tribute to her incredible musical talent, provocative charm and huge heart.

As relative Lina Fghali Maalouf says, "The people have lost a column from Baalbek's ancient ruins."

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 2 January 2014

++16:9++

1. Various of people crowding round the site of car bomb

2. Wide of the crowd being held back by police

3. Mid of soldiers arriving at the scene

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 16 January 2014

++16:9++

4. Wide of people removing piece of cloth covering a billboard featuring image of former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, words reading: (Arabic) "Time for Justice"

5. Close-up of digital clock showing number '1', counting the number of days the trial will take

6. Tilt-down from billboard to people gathered around sign

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 14 February 2005

++4:3++

7. Various of Hariri assassination blast site with burnt out cars and emergency services attempting to control flames

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 8 March 2014

++16:9++

8. Various of women marching

9. Mid of women holding posters outside the Lebanese parliament

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 6 April 2014

++16:9++

10. Wide of Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam arriving at the Grand Serail

11. High shot of Salam and relatives sitting down and surrounded by the media

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tammam Salam, Lebanese Prime Minister:

"I am sure we will be able to put matters in the right perspective taking into consideration what our people, what the Lebanese, are looking forward to."

AP Television

Tripoli, Lebanon - 3 April 2014

++16:9++

13. Pan across Syrian refugees at UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) registration centre

14. Tilt-up from Syrian refugee child Omar to his mother Bushra, who is the one millionth Syrian refugee to be registered in the region

15. Bushra and her children accompanied by UNHCR employee

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 12 November 2014

++16:9++

++AUDIO AS INCOMING++

16. SOUNDBITE: (English) Maha Yahya, Carnegie Centre for Middle Eastern Studies:

"The challenge today is waking up to the realisation that this is a very protracted conflict. It's not going to end tomorrow. It's going to take some time. We don't know how long, but there is a large number of people who are not going home soon."

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 23 April 2014

++16:9++

17. Pan of lawmaker and former army commander, Michel Aoun, arriving at parliament

18. Pan of lawmaker and former Prime Minister, Fouad Saniora (right) arriving

19. Pan of presidential candidate Henry Helou (left) and lawmaker Akram Shohayeb arriving

Pool

Beirut, Lebanon - 23 April 2014

++4:3++

20. Various of lawmakers counting votes

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 19 November 2014

++16:9++

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sami Nader, Middle East affairs analyst and Professor at Saint Joseph University, Beirut:

"The Lebanese missed the opportunity to elect a president 'Made In Lebanon' by May 25. After this, the problem now to get a solution you need kind of a regional consensus. You need a deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia, mainly. And this deal doesn't seem in (on) the horizon yet."

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 20 June 2014

++16:9++

22. Wide of police standing outside the hotel in Hamra where suspects were arrested

23. Wide shot of the area where the suspects where arrested

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 25 June 2014

++16:9++

24. Close-up of hotel room where a suicide bomber detonated his vest in the Savoy Hotel in Raouche, Beirut

25. Wide of first responders

26. Wide of tourists leaving the hotel on foot and answering questions from reporters

AP Television

Arsal, Lebanon - 6 August 2014

++16:9++

27. Wide of smoke rising in mountain area above Arsal

28. Close-up shot of smoke rising

29. Various of army tanks pulling into Arsal

30. Various of ambulances driving into Arsal

31. Wide of soldiers riding in armoured vehicles

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 19 November 2014

++16:9++

32. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sami Nader, Middle East affairs analyst and Professor at Saint Joseph University, Beirut:

"This Arsal war showed how fragile is the situation in Lebanon. How the borders are not really controlled. And how much capabilities and support the Lebanese army need."

AP Television

Fnaydek, Lebanon - 3 September 2014

++16:9++

33. Various of crowd carrying the coffin containing body of Lebanese soldier Sergeant Ali Sayid, moving towards mosque, AUDIO: gun fire

34. Poster showing Sayid

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 19 November 2014

++16:9++

35. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sami Nader, Middle East affairs analyst and Professor at Saint Joseph University, Beirut:

"The Lebanese army in a way was victim. Yes, the Lebanese army was isolated. It's the only remaining Lebanese institution. One has to keep in mind that we don't have a president, there is a void at the level of the presidency, the parliament is practically freezed, all what they have achieved is to prolong their own mandate, to extend their own mandate and the Lebanese government is really in a very fragile situation."

Future TV - No Access Lebanon

Tripoli, Lebanon - September 2014

++16:9++

36. Wide of people waving Islamic State flags

37. Mid of Sheikh Khaled Hoblos speaking to the crowd

AP Television

Tripoli, Lebanon - 26 October 2014

++16:9++

38. Wide of soldiers running

39. Wide shot of soldiers firing weapons

40. Various of families being evacuated

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 20 November 2014

++16:9++

41. SOUNDBITE: (English) Nadim Houry, Human Rights Watch:

"There is a lot of speculation today about ISIS' strength in Lebanon. But at this stage there is no indication that ISIS is going to seep through Tripoli tomorrow and control the city. Quite the contrary. I mean we saw that the army was actually able to beat back many of these groups and that actually many of these groups, while they may be Islamist, are not necessarily affiliated with ISIS."

AP Television

Brital, Lebanon - 10 September 2014

++16:9++

42. Various of Syrian tents burnt to the ground

43. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Khaled Darwish, 11-year-old Syrian refugee:

"When we returned, we found that the tents were all burnt and black and I found all my toys burnt. Everything was burnt. Even my bicycle was burnt. All my toys and my ball."

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 15 December 2014

44. High shot of Wahda al-Sayyed, wife of kidnapped soldier Khaled Moqbel, pouring gasoline on tyres in street

45. Police trying to move al-Sayyed away, but she throws lighted paper to set tyres on fire

46. Wide of tyres burning

47. Soldier guarding the scene

48. Pan right of pictures of captured soldiers and police officers on a billboard

49. Wide of photos next to tents where relatives of the kidnapped are protesting

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 26 November 2014

++16:9++

50. Wide of memorial to mark the death of Lebanese singer Sabah

51. Close-up of photograph of Sabah

52. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Lina Fghali Maalouf, Relative of Sabah:

"The people have lost a column from Baalbek's ancient ruins."

53. Mid of friends hugging in grief

54. Pull focus of decoration

LEBANON REVIEW 2014

SOURCE: AP TELEVISION/POOL/FUTURE TV

RESTRICTIONS: MIDDLE EAST EXTRA CLIENTS ONLY/NO ACCESS

LENGTH: 7.06

SHOTLIST:

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 2 January 2014

++16:9++

1. Various of people crowding round the site of car bomb

2. Wide of the crowd being held back by police

3. Mid of soldiers arriving at the scene

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 16 January 2014

++16:9++

4. Wide of people removing piece of cloth covering a billboard featuring image of former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, words reading: (Arabic) "Time for Justice"

5. Close-up of digital clock showing number '1', counting the number of days the trial will take

6. Tilt-down from billboard to people gathered around sign

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 14 February 2005

++4:3++

7. Various of Hariri assassination blast site with burnt out cars and emergency services attempting to control flames

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 8 March 2014

++16:9++

8. Various of women marching

9. Mid of women holding posters outside the Lebanese parliament

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 6 April 2014

++16:9++

10. Wide of Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam arriving at the Grand Serail

11. High shot of Salam and relatives sitting down and surrounded by the media

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tammam Salam, Lebanese Prime Minister:

"I am sure we will be able to put matters in the right perspective taking into consideration what our people, what the Lebanese, are looking forward to."

AP Television

Tripoli, Lebanon - 3 April 2014

++16:9++

13. Pan across Syrian refugees at UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) registration centre

14. Tilt-up from Syrian refugee child Omar to his mother Bushra, who is the one millionth Syrian refugee to be registered in the region

15. Bushra and her children accompanied by UNHCR employee

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 12 November 2014

++16:9++

++AUDIO AS INCOMING++

16. SOUNDBITE: (English) Maha Yahya, Carnegie Centre for Middle Eastern Studies:

"The challenge today is waking up to the realisation that this is a very protracted conflict. It's not going to end tomorrow. It's going to take some time. We don't know how long, but there is a large number of people who are not going home soon."

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 23 April 2014

++16:9++

17. Pan of lawmaker and former army commander, Michel Aoun, arriving at parliament

18. Pan of lawmaker and former Prime Minister, Fouad Saniora (right) arriving

19. Pan of presidential candidate Henry Helou (left) and lawmaker Akram Shohayeb arriving

Pool

Beirut, Lebanon - 23 April 2014

++4:3++

20. Various of lawmakers counting votes

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 19 November 2014

++16:9++

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sami Nader, Middle East affairs analyst and Professor at Saint Joseph University, Beirut:

"The Lebanese missed the opportunity to elect a president 'Made In Lebanon' by May 25. After this, the problem now to get a solution you need kind of a regional consensus. You need a deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia, mainly. And this deal doesn't seem in (on) the horizon yet."

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 20 June 2014

++16:9++

22. Wide of police standing outside the hotel in Hamra where suspects were arrested

23. Wide shot of the area where the suspects where arrested

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 25 June 2014

++16:9++

24. Close-up of hotel room where a suicide bomber detonated his vest in the Savoy Hotel in Raouche, Beirut

25. Wide of first responders

26. Wide of tourists leaving the hotel on foot and answering questions from reporters

AP Television

Arsal, Lebanon - 6 August 2014

++16:9++

27. Wide of smoke rising in mountain area above Arsal

28. Close-up shot of smoke rising

29. Various of army tanks pulling into Arsal

30. Various of ambulances driving into Arsal

31. Wide of soldiers riding in armoured vehicles

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 19 November 2014

++16:9++

32. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sami Nader, Middle East affairs analyst and Professor at Saint Joseph University, Beirut:

"This Arsal war showed how fragile is the situation in Lebanon. How the borders are not really controlled. And how much capabilities and support the Lebanese army need."

AP Television

Fnaydek, Lebanon - 3 September 2014

++16:9++

33. Various of crowd carrying the coffin containing body of Lebanese soldier Sergeant Ali Sayid, moving towards mosque, AUDIO: gun fire

34. Poster showing Sayid

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 19 November 2014

++16:9++

35. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sami Nader, Middle East affairs analyst and Professor at Saint Joseph University, Beirut:

"The Lebanese army in a way was victim. Yes, the Lebanese army was isolated. It's the only remaining Lebanese institution. One has to keep in mind that we don't have a president, there is a void at the level of the presidency, the parliament is practically freezed, all what they have achieved is to prolong their own mandate, to extend their own mandate and the Lebanese government is really in a very fragile situation."

Future TV - No Access Lebanon

Tripoli, Lebanon - September 2014

++16:9++

36. Wide of people waving Islamic State flags

37. Mid of Sheikh Khaled Hoblos speaking to the crowd

AP Television

Tripoli, Lebanon - 26 October 2014

++16:9++

38. Wide of soldiers running

39. Wide shot of soldiers firing weapons

40. Various of families being evacuated

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 20 November 2014

++16:9++

41. SOUNDBITE: (English) Nadim Houry, Human Rights Watch:

"There is a lot of speculation today about ISIS' strength in Lebanon. But at this stage there is no indication that ISIS is going to seep through Tripoli tomorrow and control the city. Quite the contrary. I mean we saw that the army was actually able to beat back many of these groups and that actually many of these groups, while they may be Islamist, are not necessarily affiliated with ISIS."

AP Television

Brital, Lebanon - 10 September 2014

++16:9++

42. Various of Syrian tents burnt to the ground

43. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Khaled Darwish, 11-year-old Syrian refugee:

"When we returned, we found that the tents were all burnt and black and I found all my toys burnt. Everything was burnt. Even my bicycle was burnt. All my toys and my ball."

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 15 December 2014

44. High shot of Wahda al-Sayyed, wife of kidnapped soldier Khaled Moqbel, pouring gasoline on tyres in street

45. Police trying to move al-Sayyed away, but she throws lighted paper to set tyres on fire

46. Wide of tyres burning

47. Soldier guarding the scene

48. Pan right of pictures of captured soldiers and police officers on a billboard

49. Wide of photos next to tents where relatives of the kidnapped are protesting

AP Television

Beirut, Lebanon - 26 November 2014

++16:9++

50. Wide of memorial to mark the death of Lebanese singer Sabah

51. Close-up of photograph of Sabah

52. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Lina Fghali Maalouf, Relative of Sabah:

"The people have lost a column from Baalbek's ancient ruins."

53. Mid of friends hugging in grief

54. Pull focus of decoration

LEADIN:

2014 has been a tumultuous year for Lebanon, as Syria's civil war continued to spill over into the country.

From managing one million refugees, to suicide bombings and clashes between government forces and Islamic militants, the past year has been a challenging one.

STORYLINE:

January 2nd, just two days into the new year and a deadly car bomb shakes the Beirut suburb Haret Hreik - known for being a Hezbollah stronghold.

The attack kills five people, wounds dozens more and raises fears that the country is being pulled in opposite directions by sectarian tension.

January also signals the start of the long-awaited trial over the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri - nine years after his death.

From The Hague, in the Netherlands, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) will try five suspects, all tied to Hezbollah, for Hariri's death.

There are still many questions to answer, not least the whereabouts of the five suspects - they've not been caught and are being tried in absentia.

In February, ten months after becoming prime minister, Tammam Salam finally forms a government.

Salam's 24-member national unity Cabinet includes members of the Western-backed coalition as well as those of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group and its allies.

"I am sure we will be able to put matters in the right perspective taking into consideration what our people, what the Lebanese, are looking forward to," he says at the time.

Many hundreds of women and activists march to Lebanon's parliament to show their support for victims of domestic violence to mark International Women's Day on 8 March.

Several high profile cases of domestic murders hit the headlines in 2014.

This year, the first Lebanese law against domestic violence was passed, offering Lebanese women some protection from abuse.

April 3rd is something of a milestone in the country.

Three years after the beginning of the Syrian conflict, Lebanon saw the one millionth Syrian to be registered as a refugee.

Almost one in four people in Lebanon are now refugees from neighbouring Syria.

"The challenge today is waking up to the realisation that this is a very protracted conflict. It's not going to end tomorrow. It's going to take some time. We don't know how long but there is a large number of people who are not going home soon. So their needs need to be addressed very quickly before it explodes in all of our faces," says Maha Yahya, from the Carnegie Centre for Middle Eastern Studies.

The country's infrastructure - from schools and hospitals to rubbish collection - remains over burdened, with some communities now imposing restrictions on refugee numbers.

In May, President Michel Suleiman left office, leaving behind an empty seat after parliament failed to elect his successor. The 25 May deadline passes, but no replacement is found.

"The Lebanese missed the opportunity to elect a president 'Made In Lebanon' by May 25," explains political analyst Sami Nader.

"After this, the problem now to get a solution you need kind of a regional consensus. You need a deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia, mainly. And this deal doesn't seem on the horizon yet."

A candidate must secure at least a two thirds majority in the 128-member parliament to become president.

Despite holding parliamentary meetings throughout the year to try and solve the issue - to this day the position remains unfilled.

In June and July the country is once again on high alert after a series of suicide bombings.

Suspects arrested in Hamra in June are believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State group and are said to have been planning an attack against the Speaker of Parliament, Nabi Berri.

Days later, flames engulf part of the four-star Duroy Hotel by Beirut's corniche after a suicide bomber blows himself up during a police raid on his room.

The suicide bomber was a Saudi national. His collaborator, also Saudi. This adds to the strain between Lebanon and the Gulf states.

The boldest incursion of jihadi fighters into Lebanese territory comes in August, when militants launch an offensive on the Syrian-Lebanese border town of Arsal.

The army regains control of the area, but locals and Syrian refugees, who have already fled the neighbouring civil war, are displaced once again.

In early August it's reported that 20 soldiers and policemen have been taken hostage by the militants.

"This Arsal war showed how fragile is the situation in Lebanon. How the borders are not really controlled. And how much capabilities and support the Lebanese army need," says Nader.

On 28 August, social media starts to report that one of the captives, soldier Ali Sayid, has been beheaded.

Massive crowds attend his funeral on 3rd September in Fnaydek.

A few days later the group says it has beheaded a second soldier, 20-year-old Abbas Medlej - sparking fears for the other hostages held by the group.

"The Lebanese army in the way was victim," says Nader.

"Yes, the Lebanese army was isolated. It's the only remaining Lebanese institution. One has to keep in mind that we don't have a president, there is a void at the level of the presidency, the parliament is practically freezed, all what they have achieved was to prolong their own mandate, to extend their own mandate and the Lebanese government is really in a very fragile situation."

The country's sectarian crisis comes to a head in October when fighting between government forces and gunmen erupts in Tripoli.

The city has become a hot bed for Islamic militants with firebrand clerics like Sheikh Khaled Hoblos openly preaching in the streets.

Nadim Houry of Human Rights Watch, appeals for calm.

"There is a lot of speculation today about ISIS' strength in Lebanon. But at this stage there is no indication that ISIS is going to seep through Tripoli tomorrow and control the city. Quite the contrary."

"I mean we saw that the army was actually able to beat back many of these groups and that actually many of these groups, and that although many of these groups while they may be Islamist, are not necessarily affiliated with ISIS. But almost, that sort of the issue here is, I think the main challenge is ISIS is able to frame the terms of the debate in many countries.

"And what is needed in Lebanon are pre-emptive strategies to undercut the potential implementation, or growth of ISIS movements."

The four day gun battle claims 20 lives as the army slowly regains control of Tripoli's Bab al-Tabbaneh neighbourhood - though the gang leaders they're hunting escape.

After three years of accepting Syrian refugees into the country, Lebanon has had enough.

On 18 October, it's reported that officials have closed the border between the two countries, despite pressure from the UN to keep it open.

According to official numbers, more than 1.2 million Syrian refugees now live in Lebanon - representing more than 20 percent of the population.

Refugees also appear to be targeted by disgruntled Lebanese citizens.

Eleven-year-old Khaled Darwish came back to his tent to find it burned to the ground.

"When we returned, we found that the tents were all burnt and black and I found all my toys burnt. Everything was burnt. Even my bicycle was burnt. All my toys and my ball," he says.

As the year draws to a close, the soldiers and police officers held hostage by Islamic militants, are no closer to being released.

The families of the hostages continue to protest, their anger now aimed at the government who they say haven't done enough.

Four soldiers have so far been executed by their captors.

The 26 November, saw the passing of one of the country's legendary singers.

Lebanese diva Sabah, died aged 87.

Mourners pay tribute to her incredible musical talent, provocative charm and huge heart.

As relative Lina Fghali Maalouf says, "The people have lost a column from Baalbek's ancient ruins."

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

SHOTLIST:

AP Television

1. Wide exterior United Nations (UN) building

2. UN flags

UNTV

3. Former Lebanese President Amin Gemayel, entering news conference

4. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Amin Gemayel, Former Lebanese President:

"We insist on the need to have justice served. We believe that it's important and that the Lebanese are duty-bound and so is the international community to know what has happened in Lebanon and why all those assassinations have happened. Why are we subjected to threats? This will serve the interests of Lebanon and it would also serve the interests of peace and stability in the entire Middle East region."

5. Cutaway of news conference

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Amin Gemayel, Former Lebanese President:

"We are against. We are for the disarmament of all the non-official groups in Lebanon. I mean that only the Lebanese army and the official security Lebanese forces should carry arm(s) in Lebanon."

7. Cutaway of reporters

8. Cutaway of Gemayel speaking at news conference

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Amin Gemayel, Former Lebanese President:

"We know very well that several counties all our neighbours are involved in the Lebanese turmoil. For instance some parties in Lebanon don't hide their relation(s) and influence with some foreign countries, mainly Syria and Iran."

AP Television

10. Close of news conference

11. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Gemayel shaking hands

12. Pan of Ban and Gemayel taking places at table

13. Wide exterior UN building

STORYLINE:

Nearly two years to the day since the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, a former President of Lebanon on Thursday called on the international community to deliver answers to the politician's death.

Speaking at a news conference at the United Nations, Amin Gemayel, whose own son was assassinated in November 2006, said it that "the Lebanese are duty-bound to know what has happened" with all assassinations.

"This will serve the interests of Lebanon and it would also serve the interests of peace and stability in the entire Middle East region," Gemayel added.

Hariri was killed along with 22 others in a massive 14 February 2005 bomb attack widely blamed on Syrian officials and their Lebanese allies.

On Tuesday the UN signed an agreement with Lebanon setting up a Special Tribunal to prosecute the suspected killers of the former Lebanese Prime Minister.

Gemayel also called for an end to "non-official groups" to put down their arms.

"Only the Lebanese army and the official security Lebanese forces should carry arm(s) in Lebanon," he said.

Gemayel's son, Pierre Gemayel who was Lebanon's industry minister, was assassinated in November 2006.

Gemayel said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that he did not know who was responsible for the killing of his son.

But he accused Syria of plotting a coup d'etat against the government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora.

On Thursday Gemayel also met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Earlier in the day he met US President George W. Bush.

White House press secretary Tony Snow said the US would demonstrate a commitment to a sovereign and democratic Lebanon and expressed sympathy at the death of Gemayel's son.

STORY: UN / LEBANON

TRT: 1.47

SOURCE: UNTV

RESTRICTIONS: NONE

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ NATS

DATELINE: 18 NOVEMBER 2010, NEW YORK CITY/ FILE

SHOTLIST:

FILE - RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior UN building

18 NOVEMBER 2010, NEW YORK CITY

2. Zoom in, Williams walks to the stakeout position

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Williams, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon:

"The IDF withdrawal from Northern Ghajar would be an important step towards the full implementation of 1701. The United Nations would then seek to continue to work closely with the parties in a process to resolve the permanent status of Ghajar as soon as the withdrawal is complete."

FILE - RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

4. Med shot, cameras

18 NOVEMBER 2010, NEW YORK CITY

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Williams, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon:

"In recent months we've seen a number of incidents of considerable concern, and in particular I refer to the incident in the village of Adaisseh on August the 3rd, when for the first time since the war of 2006 there were fatalities on both sides. In my concluding remarks to the Council, just now, I stated strongly that we could not afford, we could not afford, to see any repetition of that sort of incidents."

FILE - RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

6. Close up, reporter's notepad

18 NOVEMBER 2010, NEW YORK CITY

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Williams, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon:

"I, like others, expect to see indictments from the Special Tribunal in the coming months. I don't know whether that's next week, or next year, and that's obviously a matter for the Tribunal and above all its prosecutor and President. The Secretary-General has been very, very clear in his remarks of his full support for the Tribunal."

FILE - RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

8. Close up, camera

18 NOVEMBER 2010, NEW YORK CITY

9. Pan right, Williams walks away from the stakeout position

STORYLINE:

Michael Williams, the United Nations (UN) Special Coordinator for Lebanon, briefed Security Council members in closed consultations today (18 November) on the Secretary-General's latest report on the implementation of resolution 1701.

Outside the Council Williams told reporters that he welcomed the Government of Israel's decision to accept, in principle, the UN proposal for a withdrawal of the Israel Defence Forces from the northern part of Ghajar and its redeployment south of the Blue Line.

He said that the withdrawal "would be an important step" towards the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701.

He added that "as soon as the withdrawal is complete," the UN would work closely with the parties in order to resolve the permanent status of Ghajar.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the Israeli Government's decision to withdraw from Ghajar, a village that straddles the so-called Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon.

Resolution 1701 brought to an end the conflict that took place between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah four years ago. It also calls for respect for the Blue Line, the disarming of all militias operating in Lebanon and an end to arms smuggling in the area.

Williams stressed that Israel and Lebanon have obligations to meet under resolution 1701. He expressed concern about "a number of incidents" that have taken place in recent months, in particular the 3 August incident "when for the first time since the war of 2006 there were fatalities on both sides."

Regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Williams said that he expects to see indictments "in the coming months," sharing the Secretary-General "full support for the Tribunal."

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon was formed at the request of the Government of Lebanon in order to try all those who are alleged responsible for the attack of 14 February 2005 in Beirut that killed the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others.

STORY: UN / LEBANON

TRT: 1.32

SOURCE: UNTV

RESTRICTIONS: NONE

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 19 SEPTEMBER 2007, NEW YORK CITY

FILE - UNTV, MAY 2007, NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations ehadquarters

19 SEPTEMBER 2007, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, press conference

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicolas Michel, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs

"the report sets out the progress and the Secretariats efforts to make the Special Tribunal a reality. The report focuses on such areas as ....head...registrar..staffing and budget,....funding..security and outreach and communications."

4. Cutaway, journalist

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicolas Michel, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs

"In the Secretariat we are very well aware that the appointment of the judges and prosecutors crutial role..many people perception based on the judges and the prosecutor."

6. Wide shot, press conference

STORYLINE:

United Nations Under-Secretary- General for Legal Affairs Nicholas Michel met journalists today after briefing the Security Council on the situation in Lebanon and the progress made with the creation of the Special Tribunal set up to prosecute those responsible for assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.

He said

The Tribunal is forecast to cost $35 million to run in its first 12 months, followed by $45 million in its second year and $40 million in its third year. Between 415 and 430 posts are expected to be needed to staff the court.

Mr. Michel led a delegation to the Netherlands last month to visit possible sites for the Tribunal and to hold talks with Dutch authorities on the measures necessary to establish the court's seat, according to the report.

The Tribunal is being set up to deal with the assassination of Mr. Hariri, who was killed along with 22 others in a massive car bombing in downtown Beirut in February 2005.

Once it is formally established, it will be up to the court to determine whether other political killings in Lebanon since October 2004 were connected to Mr. Hariri's assassination and could therefore be dealt with by the Tribunal.

STORY: UN / BAN KI-MOON

SOURCE: UNTV

TRT: 2:59

RESTRICTIONS: NONE

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ NATS

DATELINE: 6 OCTOBER 2010, NEW YORK CITY/ FILE

SHOTLIST:

FILE - RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior UN building

6 OCTOBER 2010, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, dais

3. Wide shot, reporters

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:

"As you know, this morning I held a good meeting with the opposition leader of Israel, Mrs. Livni. I urge Israel to restore settlement restraint, under its Roadmap obligations, and I urge Arab leaders meeting in Sirte to keep doors open and support President Abbas. Negotiations should move forward intensively, focused on resolving core issues - not talks for the sake of talks."

5. Med shot, reporters

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:

"Handled properly, the January ballot could help build a future that improves the lives of all Sudanese. Handled poorly, it could spark conflict, with consequences across Africa and beyond. We worry at the lack of progress in forming the Abyei Commission."

7. Med shot, reporters

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:

"The report was not "toned down," as some claimed. No deal was done to save face for any troop-contributing nations. It is now up to the government of the DRC, with the High Commissioner's help, to act on its recommendations - especially as they relate to transitional justice."

9. Med shot, reporter

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:

"The size of DRC is almost the same as West Europe. We have only 18,000 soldiers there. So you can just imagine the proportions of the difficulties and limitations which UN Peacekeepers. But I am not going to be defensive about this. We are committed to protect the population, civilian population as much as we can."

11. Med shot, reporter

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:

"The work of the independent judiciary system should not be interfered by any decisions or any measures taken by any country or any people in Lebanon and outside; that is firm and clear. Nobody can interfere or prejudge the decisions or proceedings of the tribunal, otherwise you'll never be able to see and achieve the end of impunity."

13. Various shots, end of meeting

STORYLINE

In a review of global crisis flashpoints, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today (6 October) called on Israel to restore a settlement moratorium in occupied Palestinian territory and warned that mishandling of the independence referendum in Southern Sudan could spark renewed conflict.

He also stressed the independence of the United Nations-backed tribunal entrusted with uncovering the truth behind the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others in 2005, and denied that a human rights report on massacres in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had been toned down to save face for neighbouring countries cited in the report who also contribute troops to UN peacekeeping forces.

The Secretary-General told reporters that after a meeting with Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni he urged Israel "to restore settlement restraint, under its Roadmap obligations". He also urged Arab leaders meeting in Sirte "to keep doors open" and support Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

He stressed that negotiations should "move forward intensively, focused on resolving core issues - not talks for the sake of talks."

The Roadmap refers to the internationally endorsed plan to establish a Palestinian State living side by side with Israel in peace and security. Israel did not extend a 10-month moratorium on settlement building that expired at the end of September, without which Abbas has said he will not continue the peace talks, an issue he will discuss with other Arab League leaders at a meeting on Friday in Sirte, Libya.

Turning to Sudan, Ban noted that there are less than 100 days before two referenda on self-determination in Africa's largest country on 9 January.

He said that "handled properly, the January ballot could help build a future that improves the lives of all Sudanese", but if handled poorly, "it could spark conflict, with consequences across Africa and beyond".

He expressed concern "at the lack of progress in forming the Abyei Commission."

The referendum in Southern Sudan is the final stage in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the 2005 pact that ended two decades of fighting between the northern-based Government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in the south.

A second referendum is being held in the oil-rich Abyei region to decide whether it belongs to northern or southern Sudan.

On the DRC, the Secretary-General stressed the high standing of a recent UN human rights report that found that atrocities were committed from 1993 to 2003 by both armed Congolese groups and foreign national military forces, with tens of thousands of people killed and numerous others raped and mutilated.

Noting that it is now up to the DRC Government to act on its recommendations, especially as they relate to transitional justice, he emphasised that the report was not "toned down," as some have claimed, and "no deal was done to save face for any troop-contributing nations."

Ban indicated that the UN mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) is now reviewing its policies and operations in the aftermath of recent fighting and the rape of more than 300 unprotected civilians in eastern North Kivu province, where UN peacekeepers are stationed but he pointed out the limits on action by the world body in such a vast country.

He said that the size of DRC "is almost the same as West Europe" and pointed to the "proportions of the difficulties and limitations" which the only 18,000 UN Peacekeepers face.

He added that he "not going to be defensive about this" and stressed that the UN is committed to protect the civilian population "as much as we can."

Turning to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which is facing serious challenges, including calls by the Syrian Government for its annulment and threats by Lebanese opposition parties to cut its funding, Ban said that "the work of the independent judiciary system should not be interfered by any decisions or any measures taken by any country or any people in Lebanon and outside".

He added that "nobody can interfere or prejudge the decisions or proceedings of the tribunal; otherwise you'll never be able to see and achieve the end of impunity."

The Tribunal is an independent body that was set up in The Hague in the Netherlands, following a probe by an independent international commission after an earlier UN mission found that Lebanon's own inquiry into the massive car bombing in February 2005 was seriously flawed and that Syria was primarily responsible for the political tensions that preceded the attack.

STORY: UN / RICE

SOURCE: UNTV

TRT: 2.46

RESTRICTIONS: NONE

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ NATS

DATELINE: 2 DECEMBER 2010, NEW YORK CITY/ FILE

SHOTLIST:

FILE - RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior UN building

2 DECEMBER 2010, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, dais

3. Med shot, reporters

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan E. Rice, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations:

"It is our strong interest to see, as is the case in Somalia, the UN - or in the case of Somalia the AU - best equipped to deal with what is a potentially volatile security situation in the case of Sudan and a clearly volatile one in the case of Somalia. So we would look on any such recommendations with urgency and seriousness, and would like the see the Council take actions that would reinforce security in both places."

5. Med shot, reporters

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan E. Rice, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations:

"We have coming up next week, as you know, a P5+1 meeting in Geneva. We hope that would prove to be an opportunity for the P5+1 and Iran to have an important and productive exchange on a range of issues, most pressingly and importantly Iran's nuclear programme. And we look to Iran to come to those discussions in the spirit of seriousness that befits the importance of that opportunity."

7. Med shot, reverse view of the dais

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan E. Rice, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations:

"The United States has been very clear in our view that the work of the Tribunal needs to continue, it needs to be continued unobstructed and unabated. We are very strong in our support for that work as was requested originally, as you know, by the Government of Lebanon and mandated by the Security Council."

9. Med shot, reporters

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan E. Rice, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations:

"We have taken, as an administration, many unprecedented steps to increase the amount of openness and transparency in government, and we are quite proud of that. But that doesn't mean that there isn't a place for private communications and for classified communications. That's an essential element of national security, foreign policy making and diplomacy around the world. You have heard my colleagues condemn the alleged leaking of cables by WikiLeaks and others and it is a reprehensible act that is completely inexcusable and counterproductive."

11. Med shot, reporter

12. Wide shot, dais

STORYLINE:

United States (US) Ambassador Susan Rice briefed journalists today (2 December) on the work of the Security Council for the month touching on a number of issues.

Asked about possible troop increases in both Sudan and Somalia, Rice, who will hold the presidency of the Council in December, said that the US has a "strong interest" to see both missions "best equipped to deal with what is a potentially volatile security situation in the case of Sudan and a clearly volatile one in the case of Somalia."

She added that the US "would like the see the Council take actions that would reinforce security in both places."

Regarding the upcoming meeting of the P5 + 1 group with Iran in Geneva, Rice expressed hope that it will prove to be an "important and productive exchange," mainly on the issue of Iran's nuclear programme.

She said she expected Iran "to come to those discussions in the spirit of seriousness that befits the importance of that opportunity."

The P5 + 1 group is comprised of the five permanent members of the Security Council, the US, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia, plus Germany. The group and Iran have not met in over a year.

Responding to a question on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the US Ambassador expressed strong support for its work and said that it "needs to be continued unobstructed and unabated."

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon was mandated by the Security Council in response to a request of the Government of the Republic of Lebanon to try all those allegedly responsible for the attack of 14 February 2005 in Beirut that killed the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others.

On the issue of the classified US embassy cables released by WikiLeaks, Rice said that the Obama Administration has taken "many unprecedented steps to increase the amount of openness and transparency in government," but stressed on the need for "private communications and for classified communications" as an "essential element of national security, foreign policy making and diplomacy around the world."

She said that the release of those "is a reprehensible act that is completely inexcusable and counterproductive."