Death Toll Rises to 800 as Floods Hit Pakistan

Monsoon-driven floods are reported to have killed at least 800 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the past week, officials said Saturday, as some of the one million Pakistanis affected were reported with fevers, diarrhea and other waterborne illnesses.

With more rain forecast for all but the northwest part of the country, water levels in dams and barrages across the country continued to rise alarmingly, (more…)

Berri joins Hezbollah in denouncing STL

House Speaker Nabih Berri who has been very quiet over the issue of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) joined Hezbollah in denouncing the court on Saturday and stressed that Israel is aiming to exploit STL in order to create internal strife in Lebanon. (more…)

Hezbollah MP calls STL indictments ‘unjust’

Hezbollah MP Mohammed Raad who represented Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah at the opening of Bint Jbeil hospital, called the anticipated indictments by the special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) “unjust”
and aimed to achieve Israeli goals.

“Preparations were underway by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to issue an “unjust ruling as a way to achieve Israeli goals, ” Raad said (more…)

Speculation in Lebanon on a deal over STL

There is a lot speculation in Lebanon on whether a deal was reached during Friday’s summit over the issue of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Qatar Emir inspects rebuilt south Lebanon towns

The ruler of Qatar is taking a firsthand look at Qatari-sponsored reconstruction projects that were launched following the July 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel .

Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s tour of the overwhelmingly Shiite Muslim area — a stronghold of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group — is the first such trip by a visiting Arab leader. (more…)

Qatar Emir calls for preserving Lebanon’s sovereignty

The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al- Thani called late Friday for preserving Lebanon’s sovereignty and enhancing its stability.

“Lebanon should remain sovereign, free and independent in facing all the circumstances arising from the region’s developments,” Sheikh Hamad said during a dinner hosted by Lebanese President Michel Suleiman in his honour at the Baabda presidential palace. (more…)

report: STL may name Mughniyeh’s kin as Hariri’s killer

According to Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post , The UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon is reportedly set to announce that Mustafa Badr al-Din, a senior Hezbollah operative and close relative of the former Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh, is the main suspect in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. (more…)

Sakr denies saying a deal was reached during summit

Lebanese MP Okab Sakr issued a statement denying earlier reports quoting him that a major deal involving Hezbollah during Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s visits to Lebanon was reached.

Sakr stressed that the reports of a deal are unfounded. (more…)

Saudi, Syrian leaders urge Lebanese to avoid violence

In a statement following the historic summit in Lebanon between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad , Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz and Lebanese president Michel Suleiman the leaders urged Lebanese parties to avoid resorting to violence in the face of mounting political tension in the country.

“The leaders stressed the importance of stability… (more…)

Qatar emir arrives in Beirut

The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani in Beirut Friday evening at about 7:00 pm.

At the airport he was welcomed by Lebanese president Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri , PM Saad Hariri.

The 3 Lebanese leaders who bid farewell to the visiting Syrian and Saudi leaders were still at the airport when the emir arrived . (more…)