Fatfat: Hezbollah is a militia not a resistance

Lebanon First bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat said in an interview with Al-Mustaqbal newspaper published on Sunday that “Hezbollah is not a resistance but has proven to be a militia that seeks to carry out a coup.”

He added : The problem is not with Sayyed but with how Hezbollah is dealing with the matter, the MP also said, adding that the confrontation will be political. (more…)

Aridi calls for defusing political tension in Lebanon

Public Works and Transportation Minister Ghazi Aridi- who is also a member of the Democratic Gathering bloc- said during an interview with An-Nahar newspaper published on Sunday, that instead of being encouraged to continue his positive efforts, Prime Minister Saad Hariri was faced “with chaos.” (more…)

Efforts underway to resolve Lebanon tension

Al-Hayat newspaper reported on Sunday that there are domestic and foreign efforts to defuse political tension, adding that President Michel Suleiman is working to restore communication between Lebanese parties.

The newspaper also quoted informed sources as saying that contacts are underway among Lebanese politicians and foreign leaders to find a solution to the crisis that erupted after former General Security Department chief Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayyed threatened several Lebanese officials. (more…)

Hezbollah gunmen escort Sayyed home

Vehicles with Hezbollah gunmen have reportedly welcomed former General Security Department chief Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayyed at a tarmac at Beirut airport and took him to the VIP lounge that he used without a previous permit from the foreign ministry, in what was described as “an invasion of the airport.”

MP Okab Sakr told VOL following the arrival of Sayyed at the airport: “Beirut airport was occupied by an outlaw under the protection of groups of outlaws.” (more…)

Rifi tells Sayyed: Prisons are made for you

Lebanon Internal Security chief Gen. Ashraf Rifi told Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayyed on Saturday in a statement:”Prisons are made for you and people like you and for killers under your protection.”

“We will face you (Sayyed) in court and we will carry on our drive,” Rifi added. (more…)

MP Sakr: Beirut airport was occupied by an outlaw

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.

Sayyed, once again, launched a vehement attack against Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Attorney General Said Mirza, Police Chief Gen. Ashraf Rifi and Detliv Mhelis, former head of the U.N. investigation into the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri. (more…)

Aridi: Governmental should be able to handle arrest warrant against Sayyed

Lebanon’s Minister of Transportation and Public Works Ghazi Aridi said on Saturday that the government should be able to handle the arrest warrant issued against former General Security chief Major General Jamil al-Sayyed.

Aridi made his statement following a closed-door political meeting on Saturday with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun during which he commended the MP for clarifying that he had not called for civil disobedience. (more…)

Iran president stops in Syria on way to UN

On his way to the U.N. General Assembly, Iran’s president stopped in Syria Saturday for talks with an important ally in Tehran’s confrontation with the West.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said before the talks that he and President Bashar Assad of Syria would discuss key areas of conflict and tension in the Middle East, (more…)

Hezbollah preparing to challenge Lebanon authorities

Hezbollah is preparing a huge reception for former General Security chief Jamil as-Sayyed at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport, according to local reports.

Sayyed, a staunch ally of Syria told Al-Jazeera television on Friday that he will return to Beirut by Saturday.

Sayyed is a wanted man in Lebanon. (more…)

Bellemare to issue indictment against Hezbollah bofore year end, report

As Safir , the pro-Syrian newspaper that has been very active in leaking information on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon since last June claimed today that STL Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare would issue his indictment before the end of 2010 against Hezbollah members. (more…)