Najjar:I will say what I know about STL false witnesses

Lebanon Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar said Saturday that he will not issue any statements on the false witnesses case before another week in preparation of his study of their file.

He told An Nahar: “I will say what I know on the matter and what I have to say based on my professionalism and vast experience that dates back to 40 years.” (more…)

MP Karami crticizes Bassil

Tripoli MP Ahmad Karami said that Energy Minister Gebran Bassil’s Thursday statement concerning the electricity sector will be a shameful stage in his career if he does not apologize, according to a statement issued by Karami’s press office on Saturday.

Bassil had said that some protests against electricity shortages were politically motivated, adding that “these protests are limited to areas of a certain sectarian composition.” (more…)

Qashlaq: Cyprus has no right to refuse entry of Mariam aid ship

The head of the Free Palestine Movement, Yasser Qashlaq, stressed that the Mariam aid ship to Gaza will depart as scheduled on August 29. (more…)

Analysis: Obama to try hand at Mideast peacemaking

We’ve been here before and if history is a guide, we’ll be here again.

Iran started loading fuel into its first nuclear power plant

Iran has started loading fuel into its first Russian-built nuclear power plant.

After decades of delay, engineers finally began loading the Russia-supplied fuel into the Bushehr plant in southern Iran on Saturday.

The development is a major milestone in Iran’s atomic program despite UN sanctions. (more…)

Lebanon aid ship may head to Greece say organizers

The Lebanese women who are organizing the Gaza bound aid ship told As Safir that Mariam aid ship heading may alter its course by heading Greece first instead of Cyprus after Cyprus refused to allow the ship to dock at its ports.

The organizers revealed that contacts are underway with the Greek government if Cyprus maintained its position. (more…)

Geagea defends his plan, asks where is the trap?

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea defended on Friday the proposal he presented during the national dialogue session on a defense strategy for Lebanon that calls for having the Resistance at the army’s command.

Geagea described his proposal as a “practical, temporary, and positive” plan that can be applied “as long as Hezbollah exits in the way it does.” (more…)

Lebanon refuses to bow to Israel’s warning over Gaza bound aid ship

Lebanese Transportation and Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi said Friday that Lebanon refuses to bow to Israel’s warning against granting clearance to an all-women aid boat which plans to sail to blockaded Gaza this weekend.

“We will not respond to the wishes or requests of (Israeli Defense Minister Ehud) Barak, and what he says is of little relevance to us,” Aridi told AFP in a phone interview. (more…)

19 Lebanese ISF officers completed US Supervision & Management Course

The United embassy in Beirut issued the following press release regarding the nineteen Internal Security Forces officers that graduated after completing the 9th U.S.- Lebanese Supervision and Management Course. (more…)

Is Lebanon Finally Integrating Palestinians?

The Lebanese government’s move marks a recognition that there may be no solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the foreseeable future.