Explosion in Zahle kills 1, wounds 2

OTV has reported that one man was killed and 2 were wounded in in an explosion in the industrial area of Zahle , Beqaa, in eastern Lebanon.
The explosion was reportedly caused by combustible gas.

The explosion also resulted in the burning of 7 retail stores
The security forces cordoned the area and are investigating the incident

HRW calls on Lebanon to end discrimination against Palestinians

Human Rights Watch, one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights issued the following appeal calling on the Lebanese parliament to end restrictions on Palestinian refugees’ rights to own property and work in Lebanon: (more…)

Armada of U.S. and Israeli Warships Head for Iran, Report

More than twelve U.S. and Israeli warships, including an aircraft carrier, passed through the Suez Canal on Friday and are headed for the Red Sea.

OP-ED:Turkey’s Gain Is Iran’s Loss

Since Israel’s deadly attack against the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara last month Turkey assumed a surprising new role in the Arab and Islamic worlds at the expense of Iran

Lebanon cabinet approves budget for first time in 5 years

For the first time in 5 years , the Lebanese cabinet was able approve the budget.

The unanimous approval came following the amendments incorporated by Finance Minister Rayya al-Hasan, according to Information Minister Tareq Mitri.

Mitri said that the budget will be submitted to the Parliament for final approval. (more…)

MP Majdalani: Sfeir, Geagea are patriotic Lebanese

MP Atef Majdalani , a key member of march 14 alliance told Free Lebanon radio on Saturday that Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea have taken patriotic positions which serve the country’s interests. (more…)

Gemayel: Jumblatt is fulfilling conditions that he is not convinced of’

Lebanon’s former president and Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel told New TV on Saturday that Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt “is fulfilling a number of conditions that he is not convinced of.”

Gemayel (R) made the statement after Jumblatt hosted a lunch on Saturday at his Shouf residence in Mukhtara to honor Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdel Karim Ali . (more…)

UNIFIL discovers 300 kg of explosives in south Lebanon

UNIFIL’s Spanish contingent in the Wazzani Hasbaya area of south Lebanon discovered 300 kilograms ( 660 lbs) of explosives buried in the ground in Hasbaya, according to a statement issued by The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) on Saturday (more…)

Central Bank: Lebanon real-estate industry not a bubble

By Seda Sezer and Massoud A. Derhally

Growth in Lebanon’s real-estate market, which has helped to spur economic growth, is unlikely to create a housing bubble, the country’s central bank Vice Governor Saad Andary said.

“Out of each 100 dollars spent on property acquisition, not more than 16 to 18 dollars are financed by banks,” Andary said in an interview in Istanbul today. “The rest is hard cash, mainly from Lebanese from abroad. We have no fear from a housing bubble.” (more…)

Haddad: Over 95 % of votes for Jeita came from outside Lebanon

The Jeita Grotto, a network of caves that span a length of almost 6 miles and channels an underground river, is vying for a spot among the world’s new seven wonders of nature.

Just outside of Beirut, the Jeita caves are the source of the Dog River and in winter the water levels rise so high that the lower caverns, that are normally visited by boat, are flooded and closed. The upper cavern is open year-round, and it is a surreal experience walking among its bizarre shapes. (more…)