Spotlight
The Appeals Chamber of the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing ex-PM Rafik Hariri's murder has unanimously dismissed Defense challenges to the Tribunal’s legality, the STL said in a statement on Wednesday.
Defense counsel for the four accused had challenged, before the Trial Chamber, the legality of the Tribunal, arguing that it violates Lebanese sovereignty and that it has selective jurisdiction and no authority to try the accused.
Full StorySyrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali on Wednesday denied that his country was involved in the assassination of Intelligence Bureau chief Maj. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan, saying Israel or “some Takfiri forces” might be behind the crime.
“Lebanon's stability is in the interest of Syria which condemns all assassinations and is preoccupied with its internal crisis and with confronting the conspiracies plotted by intelligence agents in Europe, the world and the region,” Ali said following talks with Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour.
Full StoryU.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly voiced on Wednesday her country's hope that all parties will exercise restraint and respect for the country's security and stability.
Connelly briefed President Michel Suleiman after a meeting at the Baabda Palace that the U.S. and international community fear that Lebanon might slip into instability and any political vacuum.
Full StorySpeaker Nabih Berri criticized on Wednesday calls for the government to resign, warning of a political vacuum in Lebanon should such a step be taken.
He added however: “We reject the resignation of the government and political vacuum, but we will accept what the Lebanese agree upon.”
Full StoryThe March 14 General Secretariat said on Wednesday that the “peaceful protests” that the youth groups affiliated with the alliance had called for after the Beirut bombing in Ashrafiyeh district will continue until the cabinet steps down.
“We are committed to the peaceful struggle through all the democratic and popular means,” March 14 General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soaid told reporters after the general secretariat's weekly meeting.
Full StoryPope Benedict XVI appointed Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi as a new cardinal at the Church.
The ceremony marking his promotion and others will take place on November 24, 2012.
Full StoryFrom her hospital bed at the Lebanese Canadian Hospital in Horch Tabet, 10-year old Jennifer Chedid called for forgiveness for her killer, reported Future television Tuesday.
Jennifer survived the bombing of Ashrafiyeh in Beirut on Friday that killed three people and wounded and maimed more than a 100 people.
Full StoryPresident Michel Suleiman carried on his consultations on Wednesday with Lebanese foes over the deteriorating situation in the country and the possibility of resuming the national dialogue sessions as soon as possible.
Suleiman held talks on Wednesday with Hizbullah's Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc head MP Mohammed Raad at the Baabda Palace.
Full StoryEU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton reiterated support to President Michel Suleiman's efforts to commence an urgent national dialogue session and avoid plunging Lebanon in a political vacuum following the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau chief Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan, As Safir daily reported Wednesday.
Praising efforts to maintain stability and warning against political vacuum, she stressed to officials the importance of state institutions that continue to ensure security and provide services.
Full StoryProgressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat renewed his rejection of political vacuum in Lebanon in the wake of the March 14-led opposition's demands for the resignation of the government and the formation of a national one, reported the daily An Nahar on Wednesday.
He told the daily: “I support the establishment of a new government if the conditions for it are available.”
Full Story