U.S., Slovenia draw 2-2 in World cup

The United States staged the greatest rally in its World Cup history Thursday, overcoming a two-goal halftime deficit to record a 2-2 draw with Slovenia at Ellis Park.

Michael Bradley’s goal in the 82nd minute tied the game, giving his father, coach Bob Bradley, an early Father’s Day present and the never-say-die Americans a fighting chance to reach the second round of South Africa 2010. (more…)

Geagea, Spanish FM stress Lebanon’s right to control decision-making

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed during their meeting in Spain the rights of the Lebanese state to have control over the decision-making process, according to a statement issued by LF.

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Turkey is threatening not to send its ambassador back to Israel

Turkey is threatening not to send its ambassador back to Israel unless it receives an apology for the deadly raid on Gaza-bound aid ships and other steps are taken to make amends, a government official said Thursday.

Turkey wants Israel to apologize for the raid, return the seized ships, agree to an international investigation into the raid and offer compensation for the victims, the government official said. (more…)

Egypt refuses to stop Iranian aid ships

Kuwaiti paper al-Dar reported on Friday that Egypt rejected Israel’s request not to assist the Iranian ships slated to sail to the Gaza Strip in the coming days, .

The Kuwaiti paper, which cites Egyptian sources, said the officers of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak appealed to Egyptian Intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and asked he prevent the passage of Iranian ships through the Suez Canal. (more…)

Murr opposed to merging Hezbollah with Lebanon army

Deputy Speaker Farid Makari’s press office issued a statement on Thursday following the national dialogue session in which he called for a timetable for the process of placing Hezbollah’s military and rocket power under the command of the Lebanese army.

But Defense Minister Elias Murr  ( shown sitting  next to Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad) has reportedly rejected during the dialogue session held at Baabda Palace on Thursday the merger of Hezbollah weapons with the Lebanese army. (more…)

Ethiopian Airlines flight 407 returns to Beirut shortly after takeoff

An Ethiopian airliner returned to Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport at dawn on Thursday 20 minutes after take-off due to a technical problem, the National News Agency (NNA) reported. (more…)

Lebanon, Egypt ink 18 agreements

Lebanon and Egypt on Thursday signed eighteen cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding shortly after Egyptian Premier Ahmed Nazif’s arrival in Beirut on a two-day official visit. (more…)

Geagea: Naturalization of Palestinians in Lebanon is a red line

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed Thursday during his visit to Spain that the LF supports all that can improve the living conditions of Palestinians in Lebanon “on condition that naturalization remains a red line.”

Geagea said after meeting Arab diplomats and ambassadors in Madrid that the recent dispute in the Lebanese parliament over the Palestinians’ rights was due to “the complexities of Lebanese politics.” (more…)

Hariri rejects MP Fatfat’s resignation

Following his meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri at the Grand Serail on Thursday, Lebanon MP Ahmad Fatfat told reporters that Hariri rejected his resignation. (more…)

Lebanon dialogue talks to resume on August 19

The 10th round of national dialogue talks , chaired by president Michel Suleiman kicked off minutes after 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at Baabda palace with the participation of all members of the dialogue committee, except for Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Economy Minister Mohammad Safadi. (more…)