HRW urges Syria to release detained teen blogger

Syrian authorities have been holding a 19-year-old blogger incommunicado for the past nine months, an international human rights group said Monday.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch called for the immediate release of Tal al-Mallohi, who has not been seen since Syrian security agents detained her Dec. 27 after summoning her for questioning. (more…)

Egyptian FM: Hezbollah with its arms is challenging the state

Egypt has officially voiced its concern on Monday with the latest developments in Lebanon, implicitly criticizing Hezbollah by accusing it of “relying on the power of weapons that are beyond the control of the Lebanese state.” (more…)

Hariri to address the Lebanese in a day or 2, report

Future Movement parliamentary bloc MP Ammar Houri revealed on Monday that Prime Minister Saad Hariri had informed the bloc that he will not back down from supporting the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

“There will be no turning back from the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL)”, Houri quoted Hariri as saying. (more…)

Hariri is back

MTV reported on Monday that Prime Minister Saad Hariri arrived in Beirut from Saudi Arabia, adding that the PM is expected to head a Future Movement meeting to discuss the latest developments in the country. (more…)

Saqr accuses Sayyed of being behind the Der Spiegel report

Lebanon First parliamentary bloc MP Oqab Saqr on Monday accused former General Security Department chief Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayyed of fabricating the story published by German magazine Der Spiegel last year about the alleged involvement of Hezbollah in former PM Rafik Hariri’s assassination. (more…)

Saudi Arabia trying to ease tension in Lebanon

As Safir newspaper said Monday that Saudi Arabia is reportedly speeding up efforts to contain the crisis in Lebanon which worsened over the weekend after counter-accusations between al-Mustaqbal and Hezbollah lawmakers.

The daily said that royal advisor Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah  ( son of  Saudi king Abdullah ) could visit Damascus soon to try to calm the situation in Lebanon (more…)

Arrest warrant awaits Sayyed if he does not respond to the summon, report

Former General Security chief Jamil as-Sayyed awaits an arrest warrant if he does not respond to the summon , MTV quoted an anonymous judicial source as saying on Sunday.

The judiciary will not revoke its summon as demanded by Hezbollah the sources stressed. (more…)

Jumblatt: We want state rule at any price

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt on Sunday stressed “the importance of stability and coexistence in preserving the Lebanon of diversity.”

He stressed that “there’s nothing better than stability which produces development.”

He called on his party’s partisans to respect the State and laws “at least in our areas.”

He added : “Others don’t want state rule, we want state rule at any price.” (more…)

Gemayel: Lebanon is facing the test of sovereignty

Lebanon’s former president and Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel stressed on Sunday that “if Syria acknowledges Lebanon’s sovereignty and special status, some Lebanese must also believe in their independence and sovereignty.”

Gemayel ’s comment comes after former head of Lebanon’s General Security Department Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayyed arrived in Beirut Saturday to a warm welcome from the Hezbollah backed opposition who escorted him home. (more…)

Russia to sell Syria anti-ship cruise missiles

Russia’s has confirmed it will supply Syria with anti-ship cruise missiles, Russian media report.

Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov was quoted as saying Russia would fulfill a contract signed in 2007 for the P-800 Yakhont missiles.

Both the US and Israel had requested that Syria should not be supplied with the missiles. (more…)