Berri Threatens to Torpedo National Dialogue

Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri threatened to join Hezbollah and its other allies in torpedoing national dialogue if leaks to the media continued.

In remarks published by the daily As-Safir on Monday, Berri denied an argument had developed during last Thursday’s all-party talks at Baabda Palace, saying: “All were ears” at the meeting. (more…)

Gumen arrested after firing at Pahalange convoy in Bikfaya

A gunman was arrested Sunday after opening fire at a Phalange party convoy in Bikfaya, the state-run National News Agency said.

NNA said the convoy was on its way to take part in the opening ceremony of a Phalange party office in Ein Sifsaf.

NNA said the gunman was promptly arrested by Lebanese troops.

The Phalange party identified on its website the gunman as Faisal al-Asheq, a member of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party. (more…)

Iran unveils new air defense system

Iran unveiled what it described as a new air defense system during an annual military display Sunday as policymakers in Washington confronted new reminders about their limited range of options for responding to Tehran’s apparent arms buildup.

The new system, which Iran said is designed to defend against attacks by missiles and high-altitude planes, was introduced as the government awaits delivery of sophisticated missile defense batteries it has bought from Russia but which have been delayed because of Israeli pressure on Moscow. (more…)

Qabalan: Era of political domination by Maronites, Sunnis or Shiites in Lebanon is over

Lebanon’s Grand Shiite Jaafarite Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Qabalan on Sunday warned that it the era of political domination by the Maronites, the Sunnis or Shiites in Lebanon is over.

“We refuse to go back to that era …return to Maronite politics to Lebanon,” Qabalan said. (more…)

Chavez: China agreed to lend Venezuela $20 billion

President Hugo Chávez said over the weekend that China had agreed to extend $20 billion in loans to Venezuela, pointing to deepening ties between the two countries as China seeks to secure oil supplies here.

The announcement of the loans follows other financing agreements with China that have softened a sharp economic downturn in Venezuela, including a $12 billion bilateral investment fund. China’s ties with Venezuela have grown increasingly warm in recent years, marked by rising Venezuelan oil exports to China, the Chinese launch of a satellite for Venezuela and the sale of Chinese military aircraft to Venezuela. (more…)

Procedure regarding the Expat Votes in 2013

The intended audience for following item is the Lebanese expat community.

Ratings of 4 Lebanese banks upgraded by Moody’s

Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded on Thursday to B1 from B2 the constrained long-term foreign currency deposit ratings of four Lebanese banks:

BLOM Bank, Byblos Bank, Bank Audi and Bank of Beirut.

Moody’s has also upgraded Byblos Bank’s foreign currency senior bond ratings to Ba3 from B1. The outlook on all of these ratings is now stable. (more…)

Berri’s speech prevented Hezbollah from quitting the dialogue talks says Khalifeh

Lebanon’s Health Minister Mohammad Jawad Khalifeh, a member of Amal movement which is headed by Speaker Nabih Berri told Voice of Lebanon on Sunday that Berri’s speech during the Thursday session of the national dialogue prevented Hezbollah’s representative from withdrawing from the gathering.
Khalifeh’s comments followed an NBN television report that broadcasted a recording of Berri’s speech. (more…)

Confusion over Syrian Scud shipments to Hezbollah

U.S. Ambassador to Beirut has informed the Lebanese Speaker and Prime Minister about Israel’s intention to bomb a truck allegedly transporting arms to Hezbollah

4 grenades found in Batroun, north Lebanon

National News Agency (NNA) reported on Sunday that four grenades were found at a garbage dump in Soutouh Street in Batroun at 10 a.m. (more…)