Lebanon
Latest stories
Sami Gemayel: Syria wants Hariri to Abandon his Allies and the STL

MP Sami Gemayel noted on Tuesday that Syria aims to establish good ties with Prime Minister Saad Hariri on condition that he abandon his March 14 allies and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

He told LBC during his ongoing trip to the United States that Washington assured him that it supports the international tribunal and Lebanon’s sovereignty, denying allegations that the U.S. position towards these matters had changed.

W140 Full Story
Jumblat: Activating Lebanese-Syrian Ties Would Help Prevent Turning Lebanon into Open Ground for Violence

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat described on Monday his recent visit to Damascus as "successful and excellent", saying it was an occasion to follow up on the effects of the summer's Saudi-Syrian-Lebanese summit, as well as the recent Saudi-Syrian summit in Riyadh.

He highlighted in his weekly commentary in the PSP-affiliated Anbaa magazine the importance of Lebanese-Syrian ties that "were baptized in blood and highlighted in the Taif agreement that emphasized that Syria's security is Lebanon's security, and Lebanon's security is Syria's security."

Full Story
Canadian Ambassador after Meeting Hariri: Where there is Impunity there is No Justice and there is Fear

Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon Hilary Childs-Adams stressed on Monday the importance of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon as it would help achieve justice and freedom for Lebanon.

She made her statements after holding talks with Prime Minister Saad Hariri at the Grand Serail.

W140 Full Story
STL Media Official: Indictment Will Include Names of Accused and Charges against Them

A prominent media official in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon revealed that the indictment will include names of the accused and the charges against them, reported the daily al-Liwa Monday.

It added that evidence found against the accused will only be revealed in court and not in the indictment.

Full Story
Fatfat: Head of Mustaqbal Movement Won't Make Further Concessions over STL

Mustaqbal bloc MP Ahmed Fatfat noted that Lebanon is currently passing through a period of calm, which he attributed to the Saudi-Syrian understanding and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Lebanon.

He told al-Liwa Monday that the calm is also due to the March 8 forces' conviction that it would be difficult to achieve more political gains by pressuring Prime Minister Saad Hariri over the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Full Story
Attacks Targeting STL a Copy of Campaigns on Former Yugoslavia Tribunal

The third day of the International Media Forum organized by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague has dropped the "conspiracy theory" which has long characterized Lebanon, sending those harmed by the Court to launch political and media campaigns targeting STL credibility and raising skepticism on the Court objectives.

Media representatives have noticed through the round table held at the headquarters of the Foundation of International Information in The Hague, Netherlands, that attacks against the STL -- accusations and skepticism on its establishment and its goals – are only a replica of the campaign against the Former Yugoslavia Tribunal.

W140 Full Story
Israel 'Invaded' Communications Network during 2006 July War

Israel has reportedly managed to "invade" Alfa mobile phone operator over a period of 32 days during the July 2006 war.

A Lebanese judicial source told the daily As-Safir in remarks published Monday that preliminary investigation with detained mobile operator staffers Charbel Q. and Tareq R. showed that the Israelis were able to get hold of all Alfa data from the second day of the July war.

W140 Full Story
Jumblat after his Return from Damascus: Assad Sent 'Friendly Signals' to Hariri

Druze leader Walid Jumblat discussed with Syrian President Bashar Assad efforts to defuse Lebanon tensions and consolidate unity, the state-run National News Agency said.

It said the meeting on Sunday dealt with "the latest developments on the Lebanese arena and the importance of concerted efforts of all Lebanese parties to maintain calm and consolidate national unity so as to face the challenges that may confront it in the future."

Full Story
Berri: Cabinet this Week Should Decide on False Witnesses

Speaker Nabih Berri said a Cabinet session scheduled for this week should be decisive regarding the issue of false witnesses.

"This issue can no longer tolerate any delay," Berri said in remarks published Monday by the daily As-Safir.

W140 Full Story
Geagea Responding to Otari: The Carton Structure Toppled Syria's Hegemony over Lebanon

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea criticized on Saturday Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otari's recent statements against the March 14 forces, saying that this "carton structure" overthrew Syria's hegemony over Lebanon in 2005 and forcing it to withdraw from the country.

On Friday, Otari had described the March 14 coalition as a carton structure.

Full Story