Israel is determined to implement the lessons it learned from the Second Lebanon War, and to define its targets more clearly, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Saturday.
The report pointed out that Hizbullah’s launch of the Iranian-made drone, which penetrated Israeli airspace last Saturday, served as a reminder of the complicated balance of deterrent power between the sides.
Full StoryPrime Minister Najib Miqati called on Lebanese immigrants on Saturday to register their names with related embassies to be able to participate in the 2013 parliamentary elections, assuring that the diplomatic appointments will take shape soon.
Miqati addressed the Lebanese community during a dinner banquet in DR Congo, he said: “register your names with the Lebanese embassies and missions to participate in the parliamentary elections next year,” he said on Friday evening.
Full StoryPrisons' General Chaplain Marwan Ghanem said that one storey in Roumieh prison occupied by Fatah al-Islam inmates is subject to clear privacy measures enforced by the inmates themselves which in return inhibits the security guards from invading their privacy, As Safir daily reported Saturday.
Commenting on the escape from Roumieh prison uncovered Friday, Ghanem stated in an interview to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that the prison overcrowding has created a major problem that requires a solution.
Full StoryFormer PM Saad Hariri stressed on Saturday that “Lebanon is not an unmanned drone”, in reference to the acknowledgment of Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah that his party sent a sophisticated unmanned drone over Israel last week, the An Nahar daily said.
Hariri said: “Everyone must shoulder responsibility. They must understand that Lebanon is not an unmanned plane,” particularly under the current crucial regional circumstances, Hariri told the daily in an interview.
Full StorySpeaker Nabih Berri stressed that any electoral draft law that suggests tipping the victory of a particular political group over another would only receive rejection from the other, which compels the necessity to agree on a law that finds the approval and reassurance of all sides, the An Nahar daily said Saturday.
In an interview to the daily Berri stressed that “efforts are underway to study all proposed draft law projects until we find the appropriate one that finds approval of all parties.”
Full StoryGrand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani on Friday called on all lawmakers to “choose an electoral law that does not allow any party to impose its control over a certain region,” pleading to God to “destroy those who are destroying the homes of the Syrians.”
“We want a law that would ensure proper representation for the Lebanese, and let the slogan of the sought electoral law be 'proper elections for a proper representation', rather than for domination and extending the influence of a certain party. This is an advice that we give to our lawmakers,” said Qabbani.
Full StoryPresident Michel Suleiman stressed on Friday the need for devising a defense strategy that meets the demands of the army and its duties to defend the country and national interests, reported the National News Agency.
He said: “Sending a drone over enemy territories demonstrates the need for a defense strategy that can organize the capabilities of the resistance in defending Lebanon.”
Full StoryState Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr postponed on Friday taking a decision concerning Syrian top presidential adviser Bouthaina Shaaban's link to former Minister Michel Samaha's case until investigations are complete.
The National News Agency reported that Saqr asked First Examining Magistrate Riyad Abu Ghida to carry on the investigations and take the testimonies of Shaaban, Syrian security Chief Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk and a Syrian army colonel identified only by his first name Adnan.
Full StoryThe Syrian army deployed advanced surface-to-air missiles along the northern border district of Akkar, Ad Diyar newspaper reported on Friday.
According to the report, the missiles can shoot down advanced military warplanes.
Full StoryThe controversial debate over the Lebanese expatriates' right to vote in the upcoming 2013 parliamentary elections took over discussions at the joint parliamentary committees on Thursday as attendees expressed surprise concerning the numbers of expats willing to vote, local newspapers reported on Friday.
The session witnessed a heated debate among officials as some accused the Foreign Ministry of negligence and considered that it failed to prepare the proper measures to ensure that the Lebanese expats participate in casting their votes.
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