Mitri briefs the media on Lebanon cabinet meeting

Following Friday’s extraordinary cabinet session at the Baabda Palace Information Minister Tarek Mitri briefed the media about the issues discussed :

2010 budget:

The cabinet unanimously approved the 2010 state budget after discussing the amendments that were proposed by Finance Minister Raya al-Hassan. (more…)

Israel may block Gaza aid ships sailing from Lebanon, Report

Israel said in letters to the United Nations yesterday that it may take military action to block ships from Lebanon, possibly organized by Hezbollah, that plan to sail to the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid.

The warning came in letters from Israeli Ambassador Gabriela Shalev to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the president of the UN Security Council, Ambassador Claude Heller of Mexico. The Israeli government is concerned that terrorists or arms will be smuggled on board the ships, Shalev wrote. (more…)

UN chief urges international probe of Israeli raid

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging Israel to agree to an international investigation of its deadly commando raid on a Turkish ship trying to bring aid to Gaza and do “much more” to meet the needs of the Palestinians living there.

The U.N. chief said he is encouraged that Israel is reviewing its Gaza policy and recently decided to allow more goods into the Palestinian territory. (more…)

Hezbollah, Lebanese defensive Strategy and the Arab League

By Ghassan Karam

“Pacta sunt servanda” is the major principle behind all international treaties and accords be they unilateral or multilateral. The fact that “Pacts must be respected” should not come as a surprise

Gemayel: Jumblatt has lost all credibility

During a press conference at the Phalange party headquarters in Saifi on Friday Phalange party MP Sami Gemayel attacked Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt’s proposal to grant Palestinian refugees in Lebanon civil rights :

“Walid Jumblatt has lost all credibility in the eyes of the Lebanese people and even in his own eyes. Whatever he says does not warrant a response,” Gemayel said. (more…)

Lebanon’s 2010 budget approved

The Lebanese cabinet has reportedly approved today the 2010 state budget during its meeting at the Baabda Palace which was chaired by president Michel Suleiman.
The decision adopted by the cabinet was unanimous. (more…)

Report: Iranian aid ship will depart for Gaza this week

Iranian newspaper Tehran Times reported today that an Iranian ship carrying 3000 tons of humanitarian assistance will depart for Gaza this week

The paper was quoting the director of the Iranian Red Crescent Volunteers Community who reportedly made the announcement on Friday. (more…)

18 coal miners dead, 53 missing in Colombia explosion

The death toll in a coal mine explosion in Colombia increased to 18 Friday with the early morning recovery of two more bodies, a state government spokesman said.

Fifty-three miners remained missing, and one was being treated for burns, said Juan Fernando Ortiz, spokesman for the Antioquia state government. (more…)

Sfeir calls for friendly state-to- state ties with Syria

Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir stressed Friday at the Hariri International airport following his return from an official visit to France that the relations between Lebanon and Syria should be “peaceful, friendly, and loyal” like those of any neighboring states. (more…)

Clash in Baalbeck between 3 clans

A clash reportedly erupted between members of the Jaafar , al-Masri and Solh clans in Baalbeck .
Heavy weapons including machineguns and RPG were reportedly used, according to MTV. (more…)