UN envoy rules out possibility of war between Lebanon and Israel

Following his talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri at the Grand Serail, U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of war between Lebanon and Israel (more…)

Egypt court convicts 26 men accused of working for Hezbollah

The 22 accused who were in the dock received jail terms of between six months and 15 years, despite calls from prosecutors for the death penalty to be imposed.

The four defendants who remain on the run, including the alleged head of the Hezbollah cell, Lebanese national Mohammed Qabalan, received life sentences. (more…)

Gates: Syria, Iran providing Hezbollah with better arms

Following their meeting at the Pentagon US Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with the press.

During the question and answer session Barak was asked:
What did Syria transfer to Hezbollah that has sparked so much concern? Was it Scuds ?

“We feel that the Syrians keep backing the Hezbollah in the — in a damaging way, that they convey to the Hezbollah weapons systems that can turn or disrupt the very delicate balance in Lebanon. And those balance-disrupting weapons systems, including the rockets or missiles, (more…)

Lebanon Cabinet formed a commission to deal with food safety

Lebanon’s Information Minister Tarek Mitri briefed the press following Tuesday’s cabinet session at the Grand Serail

Food Safety (more…)

Israeli PM to meet Mubrarak on Monday

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said he will meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak next Monday for talks concerning the Israeli – Palestinian peace process. (more…)

FM: Egypt would support Syria, Lebanon if attacked by Israel

The Israeli ambassador to Egypt has lodged a protest over Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit’s description of Israel as “the enemy” during a visit to Beirut.

Egyptian officials say Gheit’s words weren’t understood correctly. Yitzhak Levanon formally protested to the government Monday in Cairo, Ynetnews.com reported.

Gheit was asked last week during a news conference in Beirut whether his trip to Lebanon was a warning to the government there. He responded his visit wasn’t aimed at sending messages from “the enemy to a sister state.” (more…)

Southern Sudan opposition leader contests poll result

The leader of Southern Sudan’s second largest party has told the BBC there was “massive rigging” in Sudan’s recent landmark elections.

Lam Akol, head of SPLM-Democratic Change, and the leaders of eight other southern parties have decided to challenge the result in the courts. (more…)

Future bloc calls for balanced Lebanese-Syrian relations

Following its weekly meeting on Tuesday, the Future bloc issued a statement calling for strong, balanced Lebanese-Syrian relations, based on cooperation and mutual respect. (more…)

Austria refuses to send troops to UNIFIL in Lebanon

Austria’s Defense Minister Norbert Darabos on Tuesday issued a statement in which he said his country refuses to send troops as part of the UNIFIL forces operating in South Lebanon.

Darabos’ statement comes in response to a request by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon during the latter’s recent visit to Vienna.

The statement was distributed by the Department of Information of the Ministry of Defense , following a meeting of defense ministers of the European Union. Darabos said (more…)

Man’s worst friend?

US President President Obama won the unstinting support Monday of one of the world’s most prominent leaders. And he is not going to be happy about it.