Only Bellemare can investigate and indict, says STL

Fatima al-Issawi , Special Tribunal for Lebanon Spokesperson stressed Friday that General Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare “is the only authority entitled to conduct investigations and indict individuals.”

She told al-Arabiya that she does not speak on Bellemare’s behalf because “he is independent from the tribunal, which is an affirmation of his autonomy.” (more…)

Report: Arms from Turkey, Syria, Iran to Hezbollah

A secret meeting of Iranian and Turkish intelligence officials has led to a new weapons supply route for Hezbollah, a report says. (more…)

STL indictments will not be delayed, report

Judge Daniel Bellemare , Special Tribunal for Lebanon( STL) Prosecutor has reportedly said that the indictments in the killing of former Premier Rafik Hariri will be issued in a timely manner, As-Safir newspaper reported.

As-Safir said Friday that Bellemare’s remarks came during a meeting with Legal Counsel at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague earlier this week. (more…)

Iranian TV series ‘The Christ’ canceled in Lebanon

During a press conference on Friday, Lebanon Information Minister Tarek Mitri announced that NBN and Al-Manar television stations decided to cancel an Iranian-produced television series about Jesus after a “dialogue with officials from the stations that started yesterday and finished in good spirits.”

On Friday the both stations announced that will stop airing the series due to complaints from Christian leaders and the public. (more…)

US: Assistance to Lebanon contributes to regional stability

U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner has defended U.S. assistance to Lebanon and said it contributes to “regional stability as a whole.”
Toner suggested that the While House does not share Congress’ fears that aid to the Lebanese army will be turned against Israel. (more…)

Hezbollah agreed to provide evidence to Lebanese authorities

Hezbollah announced its readiness to hand over to the Lebanese authorities the footage allegedly intercepted from Israeli surveillance planes of the site of the assassination of Lebanon’s former PM Rafik Hariri prior to his murder on Feb . (more…)

Al-Akhbar Journalist : I will not apologize for the article

Al-Akhbar newspaper journalist Hasan Ellaiq attacked on Thursday Defense Minister Elias el Murr accusing him of acting like a militiaman.

“Who are you to send the (Army’s) Counter-Sabotage Regiment after me? he asked

He added: ” Despite the fact that you are a defense minister, there are judicial authorities and they are the ones entitled to give the orders to security forces,” Ellaiq said in an interview with Al-Jadeed television. (more…)

Suleiman , Sfeir meet in Diman

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, Defense Minister Elias al-Murr and Interior Minister Ziad Baroud headed to Diman on Thursday to attend a mass led by Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Following the mass Suleiman and Sfeir held a closed-door meeting at the patriarch’s summer headquarters in Diman. (more…)

Several Palestinian prisoners exchanged for 1 Israeli

Seif al-Islam Gadhafi , The son of Libya’s leader said Thursday that part of a deal to free a jailed Israeli photographer involved the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. (more…)

Chatah: I hope Nasrallah is right

Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s adviser Mohammad Chatah voiced hope that Nasrallah is right about Israel’s involvement in former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s 2005 assassination.

He made the statement during an interview with Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai to be published Friday .

His comment comes after Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah tried Monday night during a televised press conference to present evidence (more…)