Spotlight
Deputy spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Andrea Tenenti has said the peacekeeping mission was not the target of bombings that rocked the southern city of Tyre on Wednesday.
The media quoted him as saying there is no indication that the U.N. was the target.
Full StoryPrime Minister Najib Miqati denied on Thursday that he has vowed to resign if the cabinet failed to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
The denial came after al-Liwaa daily said Miqati has stressed he would submit his resignation if his allies in the cabinet Hizbullah, AMAL and the Free Patriotic Movement were not convinced of the importance of funding the STL.
Full StoryMost political forces represented in the government expressed support for proportional representation in the parliamentary elections on Wednesday except for the Progressive Socialist Party claiming that the cabinet was in no need for further divisions.
During a cabinet session held at Baabda palace, Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour, who is loyal to PSP chief Walid Jumblat, asked: “Is this the appropriate political timing to discuss the electoral draft law and approve it?”
Full StoryLebanon's decision to stand by Syria's embattled Bashar Assad has deepened the rift between the March 8-dominated government and the March 14-led opposition.
"The decision of the Lebanese government to support the Syrian regime went against the current of the Arab Spring and ... ignored the wishes of a large part of its own population," said Imad Salamey, political science professor at the Lebanese American University.
Full StoryFormer Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed on Wednesday that only Israel, Iran and Hizbullah along with the current government are defending the Syrian regime, reiterating his call on President Bashar Assad to leave power.
“Don't you see that now Israel and Iran and Hizbullah and this government are defending the Syrian regime?” Hariri said on the social networking website twitter.
Full StoryUnited Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Ad Interim Robert Watkins stated on Wednesday that the U.N. is “relatively pleased” with the quiet and stability in the South.
He said after holding talks with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea: “We still feel there is a lot of progress that needs to be made towards a permanent ceasefire” by both Israel and Lebanon.
Full StoryKaoru Okuizumi was sworn in Wednesday as deputy registrar for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, announced the tribunal in a statement.
Okuizumi, a Japanese national, has extensive background in international criminal justice and human rights, it said.
Full StoryThe March 14 General Secretariat condemned on Wednesday the Lebanese government’s position at the Arab League meeting on Saturday, describing its opposition to the suspension of Syria’s membership as “shameful.”
It demanded in a statement after its weekly meeting the resignation of the government “in order to maintain the interests of the Lebanese people and their ties with Syria.”
Full StoryPresident Michel Suleiman hoped on Wednesday that the “spirit of forgiveness” would prevail, hinting that Lebanese politicians should not allow their rhetoric to go out of hands.
On the occasion of the International Day of Tolerance, Suleiman said in a statement that “honest and logical dialogue should be the only way to find a solution to problems.”
Full StoryThe Greek Orthodox Archbishopric in the Beirut neighborhood of Ashrafiyeh was ransacked by unknown assailants overnight Wednesday, the National News Agency reported.
It said bishops and employees were surprised on Wednesday morning to see that thieves had broken in and stolen chalices, icons, money, documents and the Archbishop’s crosier.
Full Story