Belgian vote on Muslim veils could echo in Europe

By: Tom Heneghan
Belgium’s vote to ban full face veils in public is the furthest any European country has gone to confront a tiny minority whose choice in clothing has come to symbolize the issue of integrating some Muslim minorities.

The issue is being debated elsewhere in Europe, especially in France, and the example of two countries moving toward a ban has raised the stakes in a dispute pitting politicians and public opinion against Muslim leaders and human rights groups. (more…)

Clinton: Mideast peace talks set to begin’

The US secretary of state has said that the Mideast peace process will get back on track next week, with indirect Israeli-Palestinian talks.

Hillary Clinton said on Friday the US special Mideast envoy George Mitchell, who will mediate the talks, will travel to the region next week.

Saeb Erekat, Palestinian chief negotiator, hinted that the beginning of the talks was not yet a done deal.

“We are making every possible effort to begin these talks. Every effort is being made to do this. But the official decision will be made by the Arab foreign ministers and the PLO executive committee,” Erekat said without elaborating. (more…)

Geagea: Lebanon is not Cuba or North Korea

Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea criticized Hezbollah’s uproar about the visit by the US delegation to the Masnaa border area and asked : “Is it in Lebanon’s interest to maintain a good relation with the U.S. or not?” He reminded them that “Lebanon is not Cuba or North Korea.”

Geagea made the statement during an interview with Qatari al-Watan newspaper to be published Monday.

Today The Lebanese Forces issued a statement in which Geagea, said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry is not expected to be informed on the details of all events taking place, referring to the Wednesday visit of the US security delegation to the Masnaa border area. (more…)

Lebanon names a street in downtown Beirut after Qatar amir

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri (L), Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani (C) and head of Beirut municipality Abdel-Moniem al-Ariss smile after unveiling a street sign during a ceremony in which a street was named after Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani in Beirut April 30, 2010. (more…)

U.N.: ‘Armed militias in Lebanon adding stress to ME region

Armed militias operating in and around Lebanese territory are adding stress to an already tense region, a U.N. special envoy to the region said.

Terje Roed-Larsen, U.N. special envoy for the implementation of U.N. Security Council 1559, told reporters following a closed-door meeting with the U.N. Security Council that “heavily armed militias” were among the unresolved issues complicating the region, the United Nations said. (more…)

US embassy: The Lebanese government approved the Masnaa visit

The visit by a US security delegation to the Masnaa, on the Lebanese Syrian border area last Wednesday created a lot of confusion in Lebanon specially since this visit took place after the reports of Scud missiles being shipped from Syria to Hezbollah. (more…)

Ketermaya murders shock Lebanon

The reaction to yesterday murder of the 2 elderly grandparents and their 2 grand children was that of shock and outrage,

Mea chief threatens to sue the pilots

Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines Chairman Mohammed al-Hout threatened on Thursday to sue MEA’s pilots who are on a 24-hr strike, describing their act as “illegal and arbitrary.”

At a press conference, Hout revealed that the strike costs MEA $800,000 a day.

He accused the pilots of failing to respect an agreement signed in 2008 in which they waived the right to demand salary raises or changes in working conditions that would “place a financial burden on MEA.” (more…)

Vigilante and Mob Justice

By Ghassan Karam
The murderous events that took place at the village of Ktirmaya in Lebanon were an abomination that must be condemned but all.

Suleiman: Enabling emigrants to vote aims at connecting them with Lebanon

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Qatari PM Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem held talks on the Lebanese – Qatari bilateral relations , the situation in the Middle East, and Israeli threats against Lebanon. (more…)