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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Stratfor.com is an international security site, and one for which you have to pay. But here is a freebie. The article, by George Friedman, is trying to discuss the balance of geopolitics and politics, a fascinating topic and one we have touched on a little here. Despite a somewhat inauspicious start- “Nowhere is that more […]
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 […]
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 […]
Readers of this blog know that, along with Yemen, Lebanon is a particular obsession here, for reasons both strategic and emotional. I’ll still do an occasional piece here and there, mostly about Lebanon's role in the region, but highly suggest checking out Daniel Graeber's new FPA blog on Lebanon. Highly readable and informed, it has quickly […]
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 […]
There is some good news out of Lebanon, as the legitimate government has managed to regain control of the streets. But this editorial from The Daily Star seems to be asking too much. How the Arab League might at least put Lebanon on the right track I’m somewhat sceptical.
Anwar Wazen, Nick Noe and Mohsen Saleh about the latest events taken place in Beirut. Part I and 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 […]
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 […]
This is a campaign started by BeirutSpring.com blog to support the freedom of speech in Lebanon.
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 […]
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 […]