Foreign Policy Blogs

Lebanon

Déjà Vu

Déjà Vu

Yesterday, Hizballah celebrated the “divine victory” it brought upon Lebanon in 2000. As expected, the state was there to show support for the party. Read Sheikh Nasrallah's speech here. I have nothing against revolutionary minds. That is needed, but who needs hooligans?! Disappointingly, Hizballah is more of a latter. It uses a Lebanese cover, while […]

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Parliament elects Suleiman

Parliament elects Suleiman

  General Michel Suleiman has been elected today as Lebanon's President. Finally! He is the “compromise” candidate.  Not very encouraging, however, Lebanon has seen worst. This is his first discourse as President. I call on you all, political forces and citizens, to build a Lebanon we all agree on, setting the interests of Lebanon above […]

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No one really won

No one really won

March 8 and March 14 reached an agreement. The terms were: Electing Michel Suleiman as President by the end of this week Formation of a government based on a 16-11-3 formula (16 for the majority, 11 for the opposition and 3 to be chosen by the president) end of the sit in in downtown Beirut […]

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Lebanese factions broker deal in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar, May 21 (UPI) — Lebanese opposition movements and the Western-backed government declared a deal Wednesday in Qatar to end the 18-month political conflict and elect a president. The Shiite opposition and the Lebanese government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora agreed to elect Lebanese army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman as president within 24 hours, […]

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Doha talks propose unity government

A delegation of leaders from a roundtable summit in Qatar urged Lebanon to form a unity government as soon as possible to recover from the latest conflict pitting the Shiite opposition, including Hizballah, against the western-backed Sunni government of Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Qatari emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani met with Siniora and […]

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Lebanese leaders in Doha for peace talks

Opposition and Lebanese government officials planned to meet Friday in the Qatari capital Doha for a national dialogue hosted by the Arab Leaque.  The meeting, scheduled for 2 p.m. EST, seeks an end to some of the worst political violence in Lebanon since the 1975-1990 civil war.  Leaders from Hizballah and the Western-backed government of […]

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Cold truce in Lebanon

Cold truce in Lebanon

There are many things to be said about the crisis Lebanon goes through. An update here. Sami Nader said back in 2007 that there are two competing visions in Lebanon. In the past 10 days the struggle moved from the political arena to the streets. The government backed down in front of Hizballah, AMAL and […]

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Inside Story – Lebanon strike

Inside Story – Lebanon strike

Anwar Wazen, Nick Noe and Mohsen Saleh about the latest events taken place in Beirut. Part I and II.

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Letters from Beirut (II)

Nour's First Demo: The spirit of Pentecost on the fifth day of civil war Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous / 011.May.08 / 13:00 AM The besieged Lebanese government called yesterday for a demonstration of solidarity with the victims of the occupation of West Beirut for today, Sunday the 11th, the second highest Christian holiday, celebrating the gift of […]

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Letters from Beirut (I)

I want to thank my friend, Dr. Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous for allowing me to publish his letters. Three Days on: A Report from Beirut 09.May.08 / 10:00 AM On the third day of what seems to be the beginning of a new civil war in Lebanon, I guess I owe you a personal account. I’m not […]

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Free Speech under Fire

Free Speech under Fire

This is a campaign started by BeirutSpring.com blog to support the freedom of speech in Lebanon.

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Hizballah seizes control of Beirut

Media and personal reports on the ground in Beirut say Hizballah fighters have taken control of the Lebanese capital Friday on the third day of conflict.  Sources say Hizballah officials are provoking the Lebanese government by asking them where their American supporters are in their time of need. Gunfire escalated Friday morning as officials closed […]

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Tense situation in Lebanon

Tense situation in Lebanon

  For a political perspective on the conflict make sure you read the analysis provided by Elie Fawaz, Lee Smith, Tony Badran and Michael Young. Pictures speak more than words. The conflict in Sheikh Nasrallah's words The government is a cover for Terje Roed-Larsen and UNSCR 1559. That is its basic description. We have the […]

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Hizballah vs State

Hizballah vs State

Is this the beginning of the end for Hizballah? It may very well be so if the army splits and the clashes go beyond Beirut. While Hizballah threatens the government, a group of Lebanese lobbyists are in the United States asking the UN to put Lebanon under Chapter VII. If and when that happens, Hizballah […]

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Gunfire rocks downtown Beirut

Gunfire erupted in Lebanon following a statement by Hizbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. CNN reporters trapped with Lebanese forces filed breifings Thursday from downtown Beirut.  The Lebanese army was pinned down by gunfire between rival Shiite and Sunni groups. Reports from the Green Line separating Sunni and Shiite communities suggest the Lebanese army, largely known for […]

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