Spotlight
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Levant and Antioch Youhanna Yaziji voiced his rejection of a proposal to form a federation in Lebanon, reported the daily al-Mustaqbal on Sunday.
He told the daily: “We cannot accept the establishment of a federation in Lebanon or any other Arab country.”
Full StoryJustice Minister Ashraf Rifi stated on Saturday that the on-going cabinet obstruction by Hizbullah and Free Patriotic Movement chief Michel Aoun jeopardize Lebanon's fate.
“The prolonged disruption carried out by Hizbullah and its allies reflect on the work regularity of the state institutions, and imperil the fate of Lebanon,” stressed Rifi in a press interview.
Full StoryA clash that erupted Friday in al-Beddawi Palestinian refugee camp near the northern city of Tripoli killed a man and wounded another, the state-run National News Agency reported on Saturday.
The clash, which broke out at midnight, spread tension in the area where armed men spread out, in parallel with vigorous mobilization of the army forces to contain the situation.
Full StoryThe Lebanese cabinet remains in limbo and its sessions may be halted during the holy month of Ramadan on hopes that they would resume after Eid al-Fitr, unnamed ministerial sources told al-Joumhouria daily on Saturday.
The sources told the paper on condition of anonymity that Prime Minister Tammam Salam is unlikely to call for a cabinet session during Ramadan, pointing out that he traveled on Friday afternoon on a private visit.
Full StoryA Lebanese-Canadian will stand trial in Cyprus on terror charges after 8.2 tons of fertilizer that can be used for bomb making was allegedly found in his home, police said Friday.
Authorities believe the man, whose name is being withheld in conformity with the law, has links with the military wing of Hizbullah.
Full StorySaudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Asiri stressed on Friday that his country is counting on the wisdom of Lebanese officials to reach solutions that will ease tensions in Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency said.
“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is keen to preserve Lebanon and its people, and it is counting on the wisdom of its officials to reach solutions that would ease the tension and fortify the internal arena,” said Asiri.
Full StoryAn Islamic State official known as Abu Aisha al-Libi and six other IS jihadists were killed on Friday in a Hizbullah attack on the Kherbet Hamam region on the outskirts of the northeastern town of Arsal, al-Manar TV said.
The jihadists were reportedly plotting to launch an assault on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek.
Full StoryDefense Minister Samir Moqbel and a French official have denied a report that Saudi Arabia has asked French authorities to freeze the delivery of weapons to the Lebanese army under a Saudi grant.
Al-Liwaa daily on Friday quoted Moqbel as saying that information about the freeze of the delivery of arms is not true.
Full StoryRussian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has repeatedly said that Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun should give up his candidacy for the presidency to resolve Lebanon's political crisis.
Lebanon's Ambassador to Moscow, Shawqi Bou Nassar, has said in a report that Bogdanov was in favor for Aoun to “pave way for other candidates and allow other Christian personalities to announce their candidacies.”
Full StoryMaronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi and the Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Angelo Scola, traveled to the Iraqi Kurdish region of Erbil to “send a message of support” to the Christians there.
“Our trip to Erbil carries a message of solidarity with the Christians,” Scola told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) ahead of the visit.
Full Story