Tripoli's tense situation continues. I don't know who is behind the attacks, and I doubt we’ll hear of the investigation results anytime soon. Michael Young has a very good op-ed on the latest events. Recently, colleagues who closely follow events in Tripoli have started hearing of Syrian warnings to the Lebanese that there would be […]
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman, along with his wife and Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh arrived in Syria at 5 p.m. They were greeted at the Syrian International Airport by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma, before traveling together to the People's Palace in Damascus, where an official reception welcomed the Lebanese leader. [NOW Lebanon] […]
After parliament granting the cabinet confidence by exactly 100 votes on Tuesday, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora told reporters at the Grand Serail that he had been expecting an even higher margin.[NOW Lebanon] After four days of debate, only five members of parliament voted against the government, with two MPs abstaining. Not often did I see […]
A picture of an Iraqi psychiatric hospital, now in disrepair. (NYTimes.com) (Note: we know that US troops are suffering from psychiatric disorders upon returning to the US, but what about the Iraqi people?) It seems that the US is bearing the brunt of reconstruction expenses in Iraq, even though the Iraqi government is projected to […]
Its already a tradition to spend few days in Bint Jbeil every time I am in Lebanon. The Bint Jbeil also called Hizballah's stronghold and the capital of liberation. Aside from the connection to the party, Bint Jbeil is a wonderful, calm place and the people truly friendly. You can safely walk everywhere and get […]
Free Patriotic Movement leader General Michel Aoun has moved the goalposts again. Speaking after the Change and Reform bloc's meeting on July 28, the inscrutable former soldier declared that Hezbollah should remain armed until Israel recognizes the Palestinians' right of return, a quixotic deadline if ever there was one. "A solution should be found regarding […]
In a morning speech Thursday outside the Oval Office, George W addressed the Iraq war, political and military advances made by the Iraqi government and shorter tours of duty. The International Herald Tribune published the full text of his speech. “This has been a month of encouraging news from Iraq. Violence is down to its […]
Translation provided by www.mideastwire.com On August 5, the Lebanese News Agency posted the transcript of the ministerial statement. The following are excerpts of the statement: "The introduction: 1- "Around two months ago, under Arab auspices and with the support of Lebanon's brothers and friends, we reached an exceptional agreement that was highly necessary for that […]
President Michel Suleiman will make his first visit to Damascus next week for talks with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad. The two neighbors would discuss establishing diplomatic ties, an official said on Tuesday. “The summit will be held on August 13,” an official from Baabda Palace told AFP. Relations have been tense since Syria pulled […]
Premier Fouad Saniora's cabinet on Monday adopted its policy statement despite reservations voiced by four ministers on a clause related to the resistance. Information Minister Tareq Mitri said the statement was adopted unanimously to safeguard “ministerial solidarity.” [Naharnet] The four ministers that had reservations were Nassib Lahoud, Tony Karam, Ibrahim Najjar and Elie Marouni. Phalange […]
I took a stroll today in downtown Beirut. The tents were dismantled, summer season is on and the place looks wonderful. The shops, restaurants and cafes that were once deserted are now back in business. The political tension won't go away anytime soon. However, Lebanese people have an interesting way of dealing with trouble. They […]
Those who have met Samir Geagea talk of a clever strategist, that has a vision not only for the Christian community, but for the country as a whole. Geagea and Aoun are rivals within the Christian community, and as such, Geagea will continue to attack the unholy alliance between Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement and Hizballah. […]
The international tribunal that will try the suspected assassins of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri is set to begin its work by the beginning of next year, a source at the U.N. told As-Safir on Thursday. The source, who is close to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said the U.N. chief “has pledged clearly that progress will […]
Hizballah has a new department for Arab relations run by Sheikh Hassan Ezzedin. In an interview with al Rai al Aam [Kuwait] he explained why the need for this department and what's the objective. …Q: Hezbollah introduced changes to its organizational structure and created an Arab relations position. Does this have anything to do with […]
Good news! Iraq will be going to China next month, and sending four athletes: a men's rowing double, a discus thrower and their sprinter, Dana Hussain (their archer may also have the chance to compete, as long as his spot is still available after entries are completed by other countries.) USA Today reports that the IOC […]