HRW: Sudan’s Bashir Still Faces Charges

The Executive Director of the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the re-election of Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has no legal effect on the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) charges against him.

Georgette Gagnon says HRW has documentary evidence that shows the elections were marred by widespread irregularities and gross human rights violations that undermined the credibility of the vote. (more…)

Telecom: Sakr has the original report about US request

New TV reported on Monday that MP Okab Sakr acquired the original report of the technical committee formed to review the 2007 US information request on Lebanon’s communication networks. (more…)

Analysis: Israel’s fear and loathing of Obama

Obama’s insistence on a settlement freeze is in the interests of Israel as well as the Palestinians. Israelis may fear and even detest Mr Obama , but the American president is actually doing them a favour.

Israel kills Hamas militant in Hebron

Israeli security forces killed a Hamas militant near the West Bank town of Hebron early Monday, an Israel Defense Forces spokesman said. (more…)

Tashnag , FPM, Murr reach consensus in Matn

Tashnag Party sources confirmed to NBN TV that they have succeeded in forming an electoral coalition between the FPM and MP Michel Murr in northern Matn district . The the two parties continue to work on getting over some details before announcing the lists.

Phalange: What about the Lebanese in Syrian jails?

Two members from the Phalange Party which is header by former president Amin Gemayel , hold up an Arabic poster that reads (more…)

Jumblatt, Franjieh meeting with Arslan in Khaldeh

A meeting between PSP leader MP Jumblatt and Marada Movement leader MP Franjieh is underway at MP Arslan’s house in Khalde.
No information was provided pertaining to the meeting’s agenda.

Telecoms Regulatory Authority chief quits

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority issued a statement on Monday saying that its chairman and CEO, Dr. Kamal Shehade, announced that he will resign from his post for personal and professional reasons.

The Central News Agency sources have reported that the resignation is related to a dispute with Telecommunications Minister Charbel Nahhas over the Authority’s role and privileges, which are stated within its rules of procedure, as well as a dispute over lowering the Authority’s budget. (more…)

Israeli PM: No plans to attack Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said that his country is not planning military action against Syria, despite recent speculations. There is no truth to the suggestion that Israel is planning a military move against Syria,” Netanyahu said, according to Haaretz daily. He added that the rumors on this regard were likely spread by Iran and ( Lebanon’s) Hezbollah as an attempt to distract the international community from the bid to impose sanctions on Iran.

“Iran is continuing its race to attain nuclear weapons,” the Israeli leader said. (more…)

Sudan elects Bashir as president

President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has won Sudan’s first open elections in 24 years in a result that confirms in office the only sitting head of state wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.

Election official Abel Alier announced at a news conference that Bashir won 68 percent of the presidential vote, while Salva Kiir, the president of Sudan’s semi-autonomous southern region, won re-election with 92.99 percent of the vote in that race. (more…)