Lebanon
Latest stories
Suleiman Meets Harb: Security Agencies Given Strict Orders to Expose Details of Assassination Attempt

President Michel Suleiman slammed on Friday the assassination attempt against MP Butros Harb, condemning the return of “such incidents that only serve to create instability in Lebanon.”

He said after meeting the lawmaker at the Baabda Palace: “The security and legal authorities have received strict orders to work on uncovering the details of the case in order to reveal the perpetrators.”

W140 Full Story
Report: Next Israeli War against Lebanon Will Inflict Enormous Damage

Israel is preparing to launch a devastating attack against Lebanon as the developments in Syria are one of the factors that could upset the calm, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Friday.

“This means carrying out a very strong attack against Lebanon, and the damage will be enormous," said a senior officer in the Northern Command of the 91st Division, which is responsible for the front with Lebanon.

W140 Full Story
Miqati Responding to March 14: There are Constitutional Methods to Topple Govt.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati noted on Friday that the March 14 camp’s demand for the resignation of the government is not new, saying that they have been making this demand since its formation in 2011.

He said: “There are constitutional means to topple the government and we will continue our work until they are provided.”

W140 Full Story
Hollande Reiterates to Geagea France’s Support to Lebanon

French President Francois Hollande reiterated on Friday that his country will continue to defend Lebanon’s independence, sovereignty and unity of its territories.

“Our main concern is to preserve the stability (in Lebanon),” Hollande said in a cable sent to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

W140 Full Story
Sehnaoui Promises Return of Internet Services Friday

Ogero Telecom General Director Abdul Monem Youssef revealed on Friday that the internet services breakdown will last for not less than a week, while Telecommunications Minister Nicolas Sehnaoui promised that it will return to normal as of today.

“Ogero is working on finding an alternative to provide the citizens with internet service across the country until the malfunction is fixed,” Youssef told al-Liwaa newspaper.

W140 Full Story
Report: Advanced Technology Used in Harb Assassination Attempt

Advanced technology that has never before been used was employed in the assassination attempt against MP Butros Harb, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday.

A security source told the newspaper that the explosive that was removed from the elevator shaft could have been placed in a manner that made it difficult to detect.

W140 Full Story
Report: McCain’s Visit to Lebanon Aimed at Following up on Lebanese Positions on Syrian Crisis

U.S. Senator John McCain arrived in Lebanon this week to hold talks with a number of officials on the Syrian crisis and its effect on Lebanon, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday.

Widely-informed sources told the newspaper that his trip is aimed at following up on Lebanese position on the crisis.

W140 Full Story
Cabinet, Parliament Paralyzed Pending EDL Contract Workers Crisis Solution

Speaker Nabih Berri said on Friday that the recent parliamentary boycott by the Christian MPs is a part of a scheme to target it and the constitution.

W140 Full Story
Miqati Hopes Qortbawi May Refer Abdul Wahed’s Case to Judicial Council amid Akkar Protests

Prime Minister Najib Miqati urged on Friday the residents of Akkar to exercise restraint following their blocking of roads in protest against the release of three officers and eight soldiers linked to the death of Sheikhs Ahmed Abdul Wahed and Mohammed Merheb.

He revealed in a statement that he had contacted Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi on Thursday, requesting that he study the possibility of referring the case to the judicial council ahead of placing the issue at the cabinet agenda.

W140 Full Story
March 14 Demands Govt. Resignation, Urges Referring Geagea, Harb Cases to STL

The March 14 forces on Thursday called on the government to “resign immediately” and called for referring the assassination attempts against Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and MP Boutros Harb to the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting at Harb’s residence in the wake of a failed attempt on his life, the March 14 forces also called on the government to immediately hand over telecom data linked to recent assassinations bids to the relevant security agencies.

W140 Full Story