Carlos Slim tells his Lebanon hometown: I came to help the young people in this region

Carlos Slim the Lebanese- Mexican billionaire that was named by Forbes magazine on March 11 as the richest man in the world visited today his hometown Jazzine in south Lebanon.

During his visit he addressed the people of Jazzine : “Oh sons of Jazzine I am very happy and honored to be present with with you today in the town where my father was born and proud of my presence with you, especially the presence of the youth and children. We all , residents and expatriates must unite in exploring new horizons for the young people, especially in the Jazzine area. You are always in my heart, and Jazzine too , the town where my dad was born more than 100 years…. and I have come to help the young people in this region. ” (more…)

STL president: Trust us…Justice is coming

In an interview with al-Arabiya satellite channel, Special Tribunal for Lebanon President Antonio Cassesse expressed hope that progress will be made before the end of the year in the investigation into the murder of Lebanon’s former PM Rafik Hariri and related crimes but admitted that the “investigators face difficulties in terrorist crimes.”

Addressing the families of victims of political assassinations, Cassesse said: ‘They have to trust the work of the professional and highly skilled Tribunal. Justice is coming and we will identity the killers and prove our professionalism. ” (more…)

Israel rejects U.S. calls to halt construction in East Jerusalem

A day after trying to ease tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday rejected U.S. demands to end the construction of new housing units in disputed East Jerusalem, leaving the two allies in the middle of an increasingly uncomfortable diplomatic feud. (more…)

Hariri praises German support for Lebanon

Prime Minister Saad Hariri who is in Germany on a 3 day official visit held a joint press conference on Monday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel .

Merkel said Israel is unlikely to wage a war on Lebanon. (more…)

A Syrian in UAE jail fears execution for Hariri murder

A man claiming to be a former Syrian intelligence officer, who was jailed for six months over a forged passport, remains in Al Wathba prison nearly a year after his conviction because he faces execution if deported.

Mohammed Zuhair al Siddiq came to the UAE using a fraudulent Czech passport, which he said was given to him by French intelligence operatives hoping to protect him.

At one point, Mr al Siddiq was considered a key witness in the 2005 assassination of the Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri. But after his testimony and background were discredited, Mr al Siddiq was expelled from France. (more…)

Countdown to Jumblatt’s visit to Syria: March 18

Finally Syria said yes to Jumblatt’s visit according to a statement issued by Hezbollah on Monday. Jumblatt will reportedly head to Damascus on March18

Lebanon may skip Libya summit

Voice of Lebanon has reported that the Libyan authorities handed over to the Lebanese ambassador in Syria, Michel Khoury, an invitation to participate in the Arab summit to be hosted by Libya around the end of March, but Khoury expressed reservations about receiving the invitation .

The reservations by Khoury was interpreted as an official rejection of the invitation by the Lebanese authorities. (more…)

US wants Israel to cancel building project

Israeli officials said Monday that the U.S. is pressing Israel to scrap a contentious east Jerusalem building project whose approval has touched off the most serious diplomatic feud with Washington in years. (more…)

Carlos Slim Helu to lecture at AUB

Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim Helu , who was recently listed by Forbes magazine as the world’s wealthiest man, will present a lecture at AUB entitled “The New Civilization of Knowledge and Technology” on March 17 at 3 pm. (more…)

March14 proposes a plan to save Lebanon

Following the March 14 meeting at Bristol Hotel on Sunday , General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soueid told the press that the gathering, was aimed at guaranteeing the well-being of all Lebanese, despite their political and sectarian differences. (more…)