6 Shiite pilgrims killed in an explosion in Iraq

Iraqi officials say bombs have exploded among Shiite pilgrims marking the holy day of Ashura, killing at least six people and wounding more than 30 others.
Sunday’s deadliest blast was in the northern Iraqi town of Tuz Khormato, about 180 kilometers north of Baghdad. A roadside bomb exploded during a pilgrims’ procession, killing five and wounding 28. VOA

Mousavi’s nephew was allegedly killed by Iran forces

Security forces opened fire at crowds demonstrating against the government in the capital on Sunday, killing at least four people in the heaviest clashes in months, witnesses and websites linked to the opposition said.
The nephew of the opposition’s political leader, Mir Hussein Mousavi, was allegedly killed, according to Parlemannews, a Website managed by a faction in the Iranian parliament which supports the opposition. “Ali Mousavi, 32, was shot in the heart at the Enghelab square. He became a martyr,” the Rah-e Sabz Website reported.
Fierce battles erupted as tens of thousands of demonstrators tried to gather on a main Tehran street, with people setting up roadblocks and throwing stones at members Special Forces, under the command of the Revolutionary Guard Corp. They in turn threw dozens of teargas and stun grenades, but failed in pushing back crowds, who shouted slogans against the government, witnesses reported. Source: Washington Post

Hamas leaders head for Syria over prisoner swap with Israel

A Hamas delegation left the Gaza Strip on Sunday for Syria to talk with exiled Hamas leaders there about a prisoner swap deal with Israel.
The delegation comprises Mahmoud Zahar, a member of Hamas’ politburo, and Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official based in Gaza, said Ayman Taha, a spokesman for the Islamic movement.
The visit to Syria is aimed at penning a response to an Israeli offer on the prisoner exchange, according to Taha. Xinhua

Hezbollah chief: Leave our arms alone

During a speech marking the Day of Ashura, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah urged Christians to engage in “calm dialogue” but to leave Hezbollah arms alone.

Ashura ceremony in Lebanon in pictures

The Lebanese Muslim Shiites celebrated Ashura, which is the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.

Suleiman: The blast serves the interest of Lebanon’s enemies

Following his meeting with several delegations at his residence in Amchit on Sunday, President Michel Suleiman condemned the Haret Hraik explosion that reportedly resulted in three deaths and six injuries Saturday night in a Hezbollah stronghold south of Beirut.
Suleiman said the incident serves the interests of Lebanon’s enemies, calling it an act of sabotage aimed at undermining stability in Lebanon . He added: “The will of the Lebanese and their determination will not allow such acts to undermine the stability of the country”.
Suleiman called on the concerned security services and judicial authorities to intensify their investigations in order to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
He urged political leaders to be moderate in their stances, saying that consensus is essential to maintain calm and prosperity.
Hamas spokesman confirmed that 2 of the victims were Hamas members

Beirut blast killed 2 Hamas members

Hamas Official Ayman Taha confirmed two of his group’s members were among those killed in the explosion late Saturday in Haret Hraik, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut . He identified them as Basil Jomaa and Hassan Haddad. He said the cause of the blast was still unclear.

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman condemned the explosion, saying it was an act of sabotage aimed at undermining stability in Lebanon . He added: “The will of the Lebanese and their determination will not allow such acts to undermine the stability of the country”
Suleiman called on the concerned security services and judicial authorities to intensify their investigations in order to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Resistance as vigilantism

By Ghassan Karam
Every so often MP Ra’ad of Hezbollah, leaders in Amal and Sheikh Tawook, the Hezbollah Commander of the South, regale us with the argument that resistance is a natural right that is not negotiable.

Explosion killed 2, wounded 3, in Hezbollah Beirut stronghold- update 1

At least two people were killed and 3 were wounded late Saturday in a mysterious explosion that rocked Hezbollah’s stronghold in Haret Hraik a southern Beirut suburb , a security official told national news agency NNA.
Earlier NNA said the blast could have been aimed at Ali Baraka , an official of the Palestinian Hamas movement in Lebanon.
The blast was “the result of three bombs that were tied together and placed under a car whose owner is said to be a member of Hamas,” the agency said, adding that two members of Hezbollah were wounded in the explosion as they were trying to dismantle the bombs
According to NNA the explosion occurred in an alley in Harek Hreik, few yards away from a community center where Hezbollah was organizing a ceremony to commemorate the Shiite rituals of Ashura, on Sunday. Lebanese officials says Hezbollah security forces have sealed off the area of the explosion, making it difficult for reporters and photographers to determine the cause of the explosion
Hezbollah and Hamas are close allies and both are backed by Iran
Ali Baraka, a high ranking Hamas official is usually based in Damascus and it was not clear why he is now in Beirut

Update 1
According to An Nahar newspaper 3 were killed and 6 were injured in the blast last night . The explosion targeted a car of a Hamas official that was parked in a parking area near Bank Beirut and the Arab World on the main street that connects Bir el Sabah with Haret Hraik. Hezbollah sealed off the area and prevented the Lebanese security forces and the media from accessing the scene of the explosion

Reporters attacked by Iran militia

Iran was braced for more violent clashes today as opposition demonstrators planned further mass rallies, which are expected to lead to fresh confrontations between protesters and security forces.
Tension was running high at rallies yesterday in which soldiers of the elite Revolutionary Guard and the paramilitary Basiji used tear gas and pepper spray and fired warning shots into the air to disperse demonstrators chanting anti-government slogans in three areas of central Tehran. They also smashed the windows of cars that were hooting in protest.
The opposition Jaras website claimed security forces had attacked a building housing Isna, an Iranian news agency, where it said some demonstrators had sought shelter during the clashes. An eyewitness said at least two people were injured when police chased after protesters into the building. Times