U.S.: The Lebanese should be in control of Lebanon

The United States said Wednesday it considered “all options” on the table if Syria is found to have supplied Scud missiles to Hezbollah, posing a major threat for Israel.

Jeffrey Feltman, the assistant secretary of state for the Middle East, said the United States would have “really, really serious concern” if Syria delivered such high-grade weapons to the Lebanese Shiite militia.

“If these reports turn out to be true, we’re going to have to review the full range of tools that are available for us in order to make Syria reverse what would be an incendiary, provocative action,” Feltman said. (more…)

U.S. ruled out a military strike against Iran anytime soon

For the time being, at least, everyone can take a deep breath. A senior defense official says the U.S. has ruled out a military strike against Iran anytime soon.

A Pentagon spokesman says the U.S. military is confident it could protect the U.S. from an Iranian missile strike, if and when Tehran develops long-range weapons. Also, Iran has proposed variations on a deal in which its capacity to make a nuclear bomb might be curbed.

The calm may not last long. Iran is ready to hold large-scale maneuvers in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. But President Barack Obama seems determined to reduce tensions with Iran. Now it’s up to Iran to take the cue or not. (more…)

Salameh: Lebanon cannot sustain another conflict

During this interview with Bloomberg , Lebanon’s central Bank Governor Riad Salameh said:“Lebanon cannot sustain another conflict. Its economy will suffer. “

Geagea: Hezbollah controls Lebanon’s defense policy

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said on Wednesday that Hezbollah controls Lebanon’s defense policy and not the government,

“The decision of when and how to defend Lebanon is currently not in the hands of the government,” Geagea told AFP

“An armed force independent of the army exists in Lebanon, and we do not know what that force intends to do,” he added in reference the Iranian and Syrian backed Hezbollah group. (more…)

U.S. Sen.Feinstein: ‘High likelihood’ Scuds sent to Lebanon

Amid recent reports that Syria intended to transfer Scud missiles to the Lebanese militia group Hezbollah, U.S. officials to date have been careful to say they do not know for a fact that the missiles were actually transferred to Lebanon, while Israeli officials have said they believe that they were.

U.S. reticence on the matter may be both because it doesn’t know where the missiles are, and to avoid giving pretext for any possible Israeli military attack on Lebanon. (more…)

4 of the 10 Puma helicopters donated to Lebanon by UAE arrived

As per directives from UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE donated today four Puma helicopters to the Lebanese Army.

This is the first batch of ten aircraft ordered by Sheikh Khalifa to support the capabilities of the Lebanese armed forces.
The handover ceremony started with the arrival of the aircraft, which were flown by Emirati and Lebanese pilots accompanied by the technical staff from both countries. (more…)

Lawyer:Saudis not to behead Lebanese psychic

By BASSEM MROUE

A Lebanese TV psychic, who was condemned to death for witchcraft by a Saudi court while visiting the country, will not be beheaded, his lawyer said Wednesday.

May al-Khansa told The Associated Press that the Saudi ambassador in Beirut informed the Lebanese justice minister that the execution of Ali Sibat would not take place. (more…)

Gulf oil rig explosion leaves at least 11 missing

Rescuers searched waters off Louisiana’s coast Wednesday after an explosion and fire on an offshore drilling platform left seven workers badly hurt and 11 missing.

Most of the 126 people were believed to have escaped safely after the explosion on the rig Deepwater Horizon at about 10 p.m. Tuesday, Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike O’Berry said. The rig, about 52 miles southeast of Venice on Louisiana’s tip, was listing about 10 degrees and still burning Wednesday morning.

“It’s burning pretty good and there’s no estimate on when the fire will be put out,” O’Berry said. (more…)

Municipal election: Consensus reached in Sidon says lebanon MP

MP Imad Hout told Voice of Lebanon Wednesday that ongoing contact among the various political parties resulted in consensus in Sidon on municipal elections. (more…)

Lebanon president heads to Brazil

President Michel Suleiman and an accompanying delegation headed to Brazil Wednesday for a six-day official visit, said a statement issued by the president’s office.

Suleiman was accompanied by his wife, Wafa, and Cabinet Ministers Tareq Mitri, Mona Ofeish, Ali Abdulah, Salim al-Sayegh and Mohammed Rahhal.

Suleiman will meet with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as well as other high-ranking officials, added the statement. (more…)