Lebanon
Latest stories
Report: Suleiman Frustrated over Failure to Coordinate with him Electoral Proposals

President Michel Suleiman has reportedly expressed frustration at the failure of the political parties from across the political spectrum to take his opinion on the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal and the cabinet's draft-law referred to parliament.

An Nahar daily quoted Suleiman's visitors as saying that the president reproached the rival Christian parties – the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces, the Phalange and the Marada - that backed the Orthodox proposal during a meeting they held under Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi last Sunday.

W140 Full Story
Berri Discusses Electoral Draft Laws, Latest Developments With Suleiman

Speaker Nabih Berri visited Baabda palace on Thursday and discussed with President Michel Suleiman the latest developments on the Lebanese scene, the National News Agency reported.

"The talks focused on the proposed electoral draft laws,” the NNA detailed.

W140 Full Story
Murr Says He's against Orthodox Law: It Jeopardizes Christians' Rights

MP Michel Murr announced on Thursday his rejection of the Orthodox Gathering' proposed electoral draft law, fearing it might have “negative consequences on the future of Christians' rights in Lebanon”.

"I will not agree on something that might jeopardize Christians' acquired rights and take the country to the unknown,” Murr said after meeting with President Michel Suleiman in Baabda.

W140 Full Story
Plumbly Met Berri and Saniora Separately: Talks Touched on the Conflict in Syria

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly met with former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora early Thursday and later on met with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri where talks focused on the ongoing conflict in Syria.

“I just had a very good meeting with Speaker Berri, as I did earlier this morning with former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora,” Plumbly said in a statement.

W140 Full Story
French Court Backs Release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah

A French court on Thursday ruled that imprisoned pro-Palestinian militant Georges Ibrahim Abdallah can be released on condition he is expelled from French territory.

The 61-year-old Lebanese national who has spent 28 years in jail and is a former guerrilla in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), was granted parole in November on condition of his expulsion but was not released pending a decision on an appeal by prosecutors.

W140 Full Story
Independent March 14 Figures Reject Orthodox Gathering Electoral Draft Law

Independent figures affiliated in the March 14 alliance rejected on Thursday the adoption of the Orthodox Gathering's proposed electoral draft law in the upcoming parliamentary elections, saying it harms Christians, national unity and coexistence.

“We reject any electoral law that doesn't rectify the political representation, in particular, for Christians,” MP Butros Harb told reporters after a meeting held at his residence in Hazmieh with independent officials in the opposition.

W140 Full Story
Report: Military Court Releases Meqdad Military Wing Spokesman

The Military Court decided on Thursday to release from prison the spokesman of the al-Meqdad clan military wing, reported MTV.

It said that the General Prosecution will then take a decision over the matter.

W140 Full Story
Miqati Says Attempts to Destabilize Lebanon Will Affect All Nation

Prime Minister Najib Miqati warned on Thursday of interfering in the developments surrounding Lebanon as it will undermine stability, which will have a negative repercussion on all the nation.

“We should put the nation's highest interest above all else,” Miqati said.

W140 Full Story
Storm Cuts Power across Lebanon as EDL Contract Workers Go On with Strike

A severe snow and rain storm across Lebanon has caused blackouts across the country where Electricite du Liban contract workers have also been on strike for several days, residents and officials said on Thursday.

"There is a storm, and there is a problem in the grid. The electricity workers are on strike, and they're not letting anyone fix the problem," Energy Minister Jebran Bassil told Agence France Presse.

W140 Full Story
Explosion Hits Liquor Shop in Sarafand

An explosion targeted on Thursday a liquor store in the southern town of Sarafand, causing only material damage, media reports said.

According to LBCI, the store belongs to Hassan Assaili.

W140 Full Story