Iran slams US as ‘world’s only atomic criminal’

Iran slammed the United States as an “atomic criminal” which should be suspended from the UN nuclear watchdog on Saturday, while urging changes to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

At a two-day nuclear disarmament conference in Tehran, the foreign ministers of Lebanon, Syria and Iraq voiced support for Iran’s “peaceful” atomic programme and demanded that Israel join the nuclear NPT “without conditions.” (more…)

Dream resort in Lebanon at enemy’s gate

On a lush green hillside that dips into a river, dozens of labourers are busy building a dream vacation getaway deep in Lebanon’s south.

The construction site in the tiny village of Al-Wazzani may look like any other except that in this case it sits right at the enemy’s gate — literally a stone’s throw from Israel.

“Many told us we were crazy to build so close to the border with Israel,” said Khalil Abdallah, the man behind the three-million-dollar project located three metres (10 feet) from the UN-drawn border that separates Lebanon from Israel, two countries still technically at war. (more…)

Lebanon’s economy may grow more than 5 % this year

Lebanon’s economy may grow more than 5 percent this year as money floods into the country, cutting borrowing costs and enabling the central bank to maintain investment incentives, the central bank’s Vice Governor Saad Andary said. (more…)

Should Anyone Listen To Walid Bey?

By Ghassan Karam
Walid Jumblatt cannot be taken seriously any longer. You just cannot tell whether he means any of the things that he speaks about or whether he is just trying to please who is on top.

Lebanese tear down Israeli border barrier

Lebanese residents dismantled a barbed wire fence set up by Israeli troops in a disputed border area on Friday, leading to a call for restraint by UN peacekeepers in the tense region.

“The residents have taken down the barbed wire near the village of Aabasiya, which Lebanon considers part of its territory,” a Lebanese military spokesman told AFP on condition of anonymity. (more…)

Hizbollah’s silence over Scuds speaks volumes

In this article Robert Fisk points out that the Scud missiles of Hizbollah would represent a “serious risk” to Lebanon, not to Israel, since these missiles are out-of-date and are notoriously inaccurate.

STL is determined to bring justice, says top official

A top official at the international tribunal on the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri said Friday that the court is determined to bring justice in the case, despite fears that prosecutions could spark violence.

Many in Lebanon worry that if the tribunal accuses the Shiite group Hezbollah of being connected to the 2005 assassination of Hariri, it could lead to bloodshed between Lebanon’s Shiite and Sunni communities. (more…)

Gemayel slams Aoun for preferring Hezbollah over the Army

Lebanese former president and Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel criticized Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun’s recent statements during the yesterday’s national dialogue session in which he threatened to withdraw from the talks if the issue of Hezbollah’s arms was brought up for discussion.

“It is surprising how the former Lebanese army commander (Aoun) would overlook the role of the army and give a priority to illegitimate arms,” he told al-Arabiyah television. (more…)

Khoury opposes amending or discussing Lebanese-Syrian treaties

Secretary General of the Higher Lebanese-Syrian Council (HLSC) Nasri Khoury told NBN television on Friday that the Fraternity, Cooperation and Coordination Treaty (FCCT) signed between Lebanon and Syria in 1991 should neither be amended nor up for discussion.

Khoury claimed that President Michel Suleiman also opposes any modifications to the treaty. (more…)

LF launches worshop in preparation for its first general conference

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea launched on Friday the LF’s workshop in preparation for its first general conference.

Geagea listed the workshops’ eight different stages, beginning with the distribution of a draft outlining the party’s internal regulations. (more…)