Assad: Damascus to receive Jumblatt after the Libya summit

Syrian president Bashar al Assad told Hezbollah’s al Manar TV during an interview on Wednesday that the Syrian decision to receive PSP leader MP Walid Jumblatt was due to mediation efforts by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on the one hand and a change in Jumblatt’s political stances on the other. (more…)

Israel fears further Mossad expulsions over forged passport affair

There were growing fears in Israel yesterday that other countries whose passports were forged for use in the Dubai assassination of a Hamas militant could follow Britain’s lead and expel suspected Mossad operatives. Times

Russia claims breakthrough in historic nuclear reduction agreement with US

Barack Obama’s ambitious goal of freeing the world of nuclear weapons won a significant boost tonight when Russia indicated that it had reached agreement with the United States on a historic nuclear arms reduction treaty.

Kremlin officials said that a document to replace the 1991 Start treaty had been agreed with Washington. A signing ceremony between Obama and Russia’s president, Dmitry Medvedev, is likely to take place early next month in the Czech capital Prague, they said.

White House officials stopped short of announcing a done deal, but confirmed the US was “very close” to signing a new treaty with Russia. They suggested that the last remaining step was for the two presidents to agree a signing date. (more…)

ET409 crash: Lebanon to offer 40 million LL each to heirs of victims

Lebanon’s information minister Tarek Mitri told reporters following the cabinet meeting that the cabinet agreed to Social Affairs Minister Selim Sayegh’s proposal to provide 40-million LL ( Lebanese pounds ) ($ 26,667) to the heirs of each of the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines flight ET409 plane crash. (more…)

Obama- Netanyahu meetings: No progress was made

Following yesterday’s landmark but somewhat perplexing meeting between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, panelists explored on US-Israel relations on Wednesday’s edition of “Washington Unplugged.” (more…)

Obama tells Netanyahu: US Wants ‘Steps to Build Confidence’

U.S. President Barack Obama has asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take “steps that build confidence” in the Middle East peace process.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Wednesday the president and Mr. Netanyahu had “honest and straightforward” talks about regional security, comprehensive peace efforts and the relationship between the U.S. and Israel. (more…)

Ziadeh to represent Lebanon at the summit in Libya

Lebanon ’s minister of Information Tarek Mitri told reporters following the cabinet meeting at the Grand Serail that the cabinet has decided to ask Khaled Ziadeh the Lebanese representative at the Arab League to represent Lebanon at the Arab summit in Libya.

STL: Investigation of Hariri’s assassination has entered a “decisive stage.”

A high-ranking judicial source confirmed that the investigation of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has entered a “decisive stage.”

“We are moving ahead with indictments,” the high-ranking official said in remarks published Wednesday Asharq al-Awsat newspaper .

Meanwhile, New TV said sources close to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon requested to summon six Hezbollah members for questioning . (more…)

Elie Saab designing a mega-yacht for Oceanco

During a high-profile launch event at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Boat Show, Oceanco disclosed its collaboration with Elie Saab, the world-renowned Lebanese couturier, for the development and realization of a unique 117m megayacht.

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US must toughen stance against Israel

Those in the White House today, and those who wish to be in it tomorrow, should take the time to reconsider America’s “special relationship” with Israel.