Mousavi says Iranian leaders could suffer same fate as the Shah

The head of Iran’s opposition warned the country’s hard-line political leaders Monday that they could suffer the same fate as the deposed Shah if they continue to consolidate their grip on power.

The powerful comparison was Mir Hossein Mousavi’s first direct criticism of a ruling system that he was once firmly a part of and represented a bolder stance certain to provoke the authorities’ anger. (more…)

Israel: A failing colonial project?

Increasingly, despite its early military and political successes, Israel cannot for long endure as a colonial project.

Lebanon arrests a German engineer on suspicion of spying for Israel

A senior Lebanese security official says authorities have detained a German engineer working in Lebanon on suspicion of spying for Israel.

The official says the army raided the “Liban Lait” dairy factory in the eastern Lebanese town of Talia where he worked and detained the man late Monday. (more…)

Another youth arrested over slander of Lebanon President

Lebanese citizen Ahmed Shouman was was arrested at the Beirut airport Tuesday upon his return from Kiev on charges of libel, slander and defamation against President Suleiman on social networking website Facebook

The suspect was then taken to Roumieh prison for interrogation. (more…)

Hezbollah renews attack against STL

In a veiled attack against the Special Tribunal for Lebanon ( STL), Hezbollah MP Walid Succariyeh questioned during an interview with NBN television on Tuesday whether the Future Movement considers STL more important than Lebanon.

His remark is part of a well organized campaign against the STL (more…)

Army deployes additional troops in south Lebanon

As expected units from the Lebanese army’s fifth brigade began to deploy in southern Lebanon’s western and central sectors as part of efforts to consolidate other units deployed in the area south of the Litani river.

According to An Nahar the deployment began at midnight Sunday and lasted till 1:00 pm Monday. (more…)

Assad may be coming to Lebanon on Friday, report

According to An Nahar sources Syrian President Bashar Assad may be coming to Lebanon on Friday July 30, the same day Saudi King Abdullah will be arriving in Beirut from Damascus .

A report by Hezbollah’s al Manar TV on Monday said Assad is coming on Aug 3 . (more…)

Analysis: Hezbollah’s troubled future

The future of Hezbollah, Lebanon’s powerful Shia political and paramilitary organization, has never looked more uncertain.

Lebanese army to deploy more troops in the south

France’s ambassador to Beirut said following a meeting with Prime Minister Saad Hariri todayon Monday that the Lebanese army is planning to deploy additional troops in south Lebanon.

“I met with Prime Minister Saad Hariri today … who informed me that additional Lebanese troops …one brigade (approximately 1,500 soldiers) …would be deployed in the south beginning today,” ambassador Denis Pietton told reporters. (more…)

Lebanon to observe three-day mourning over Assaad’s death

The Lebanese Parliament ordered on Monday a three-day national mourning, following the death of former Speaker Kamel Assaad ( or Asaad) . The funeral will take place on Tuesday.

Mr. Assaad, 78, replaced his father Ahmed al-Assaad in early 1960 as the MP representing Bint Jbeil, and then held the parliamentary seat of Hasbaya-Marjayoun from 1964 and 1992. His father, Ahmed al-Assaad, preceded his son as speaker of the Lebanese Parliament from June 1951 to May 1953. (more…)