Lebanon
Latest stories
LBC Airs Leaked Minutes of Suleiman's Meetings with Saudi King, Hariri

The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) on Monday broadcasted leaked minutes of the Riyadh meeting between President Michel Suleiman and Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.

LBC said that Suleiman asked Abdullah to put pressure on March 14 forces to participate in national dialogue.

W140 Full Story
Syria to Free al-Ahmed as Wadi Khaled Residents Release Alawite Abductee

Lebanese citizen Suleiman al-Ahmed, who hails from Wadi Khaled, will be released on Tuesday and handed over to the Higher Lebanese-Syrian Council, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported.

W140 Full Story
Phalange: National Dialogue Must Pave Way to Restoring State’s Authority in Security Affairs

The Phalange Party hailed on Monday the resumption of the national dialogue, hoping that the “reconciliatory atmosphere it created will have a positive effect on the tense situation on the ground.”

It hoped in a statement after its weekly politburo statement that the dialogue would be “employed in achieving a reconciliatory atmosphere with the state through recognizing its authority in the political, security, and military fields.”

W140 Full Story
Jumblat: Strife is the Only Alternative to Dialogue

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat said on Monday that igniting the north front and dragging the country into strife is the only alternative to dialogue “which certain political powers oddly refuse to participate in.”

In his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa magazine, Jumblat expressed his concern over the security events erupting in the northern city of Tripoli, specifically the tit-for-tat abductions that took place Sunday night between Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen rival neighborhoods.

W140 Full Story
U.S. Hails National Dialogue, Urges Lebanese Foes to ‘Engage Constructively’

The United States welcomed on Monday all efforts exerted by Lebanese leaders to strengthen the national unity and stability in the country.

“We encourage the participants in the national dialogue to engage constructively,” the U.S. embassy said via twitter.

W140 Full Story
Lebanese Foes Optimistic ahead of Crunch Talks Seeking Consensus

The Lebanese foes seeking an accord at a new national dialogue session expressed optimism on Monday as they voiced hope that the all-party talks would have a positive impact on the country, local newspapers reported.

Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel told As Safir newspaper that he will be open to all suggestions during session at the Baabda Palace, noting that the Lebanese leaders should be ready to resolve all the crises Lebanon is suffering from.

W140 Full Story
Miqati Advises Leaders to Bridge their Differences to Salvage Lebanon

Prime Minister Najib Miqati warned on Monday that if bickering leaders continue to hold onto their stances the country’s political and security situation would continue to deteriorate.

In an interview with the Saudi Okaz daily, Miqati said: “We should sit together to come closer and limit the differences between the viewpoints” of different leaders.

W140 Full Story
Lebanese Interpreter Arrested as ‘Accomplice’ in Alleged ICC Spying in Libya

An Australian lawyer and a Lebanese interpreter detained after meeting Seif al-Islam were being investigated for the crime of spying and complicity, a Libyan official said as an International Criminal Court team arrived in Tripoli to try to secure their release.

"The delegation just arrived now to negotiate with the Libyan authorities and the prosecutor general for the (ICC) team's release," Ahmed Jehani, Libya's envoy to the international tribunal, said on Sunday.

W140 Full Story
Syrian National Kidnapped on Zahle Highway Released

Syrian National Habib al-Brimo, who was kidnapped last week on the Zahle highway in eastern Lebanon, was released on Monday.

No details were immediately available about the circumstances of the release as the motive remains unknown.

W140 Full Story
National Dialogue Rejects Buffer Zone with Syria, Urges Citizens against Turning to Arms to End Disputes

The national dialogue resumed its sessions on Monday “amid positive talks” with gatherers agreeing on committing to international resolutions and controlling Lebanon’s border.

The concluding statement said: “We reject the formation of a buffer zone with Syria and the use of Lebanon as an open ground for smuggling arms to Syria.”

W140 Full Story