Michel Suleiman
Latest stories
Hariri Rejects Civil War Says Hizbullah Role in Syria Imported Terrorism to Lebanon

Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri has blamed Hizbullah for the proliferation of terrorist groups in Lebanon and vowed to stop the eruption of a new civil war in the country.

“Hizbullah’s involvement in defense of the Assad dictatorship in Syria has imported terrorism to Lebanon,” Hariri said at the Wilson Center in Washington on Monday.

W140 Full Story
Salam Urges Politicians to be Wise, Rejects Parliamentary Boycott

Prime Minister Tammam Salam has expressed concern over the rising dispute between the country's different factions, which could paralyze the government.

In remarks to As Safir daily published on Monday, Salam urged all parties to be “wise and confront the difficult situation that the country is living.”

W140 Full Story
Presidential Elections Postponed to May 13

The presidential elections were postponed once again after parliament failed for the 22nd time to meet the required quorum to hold the polls.

Speaker Nabih Berri postponed the elections to May 13.

W140 Full Story
Salam Says No to Unilateral Governance, Urges Speedy Election of President

Prime Minister Tammam Salam warned Lebanon's bickering political parties on Tuesday that they would fail in governing the country without consensus, urging them to elect a new president without further delay.

“Lebanon is the only thing we've got. Putting it in danger is an unforgivable crime” such as the crime of the presidential vacuum, Salam said at the Lebanese Education Conference that was held at the Phoenicia hotel in Beirut.

W140 Full Story
Al-Rahi Reiterates Calls on MPs to End Prolonged Presidential Vacuum

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi reiterated calls on Sunday on lawmakers to attend parliament sessions and elect a new head of state.

“The people are suffering on all levels” due to the ongoing vacuum at the Baabda Palace, al-Rahi said during his Sunday sermon at Bkirki.

W140 Full Story
Ban in Report on UNSCR 1559 Urges End to Presidential Vacuum

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call on all Lebanese leaders to work without any further delay for the election of a new president and work for the nation's interest.

According to An Nahar daily published on Friday, Ban expressed his growing concern over the continued failure to elect a head of state in his semi-annual report on the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559.

W140 Full Story
Al-Rahi Exerting Efforts to End Presidential Vacuum, to Meet Prominent Western Ambassador

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi will reportedly meet on Thursday the ambassadors to Lebanon of western powers, Gabriele Caccia, the papal ambassador to Lebanon and U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag to urge them to facilitate the election of a new head of state.

According to al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Wednesday, Bkirki's move comes in light of its continued efforts to resolve the presidential deadlock.

W140 Full Story
Geagea Denounces Nasrallah's Fiery Speech: to Prioritize Lebanon’s Interest

Lebanese Force leader Samir Geagea slammed on Thursday Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah over his latest speech, describing his party's dialogue with the Free Patriotic Movement as Fruitful.

“Lebanon has no interest in verbally assaulting Saudi Arabia or the Arab coalition,” Geagea said at a press conference held in Maarab.

W140 Full Story
President Election Session Postponed for 21st Time

Speaker Nabih Berri postponed on Thursday for the 21st time the session to elect a new head of state over lack of quorum as civil society groups rallied near parliament to protest the ongoing vacuum.

The session was adjourned to April 22.

W140 Full Story
Bkirki Spiritual Summit: Presidential Void Threatens Sovereignty, Security and Cultural Formula

Lebanon's religious leaders on Monday voiced concern over the continued presidential vacuum in the country and urged political forces to head to parliament and elect a new head of state.

“We express our concern over the continued presidential vacuum, given the threat this constitutional vacuum poses to Lebanon's sovereignty, security and cultural formula,” the spiritual summit's closing statement said.

W140 Full Story