Leigh cancels Israel trip, upset over loyalty oath bill

Award-winning British filmmaker Mike Leigh has cancelled a trip to Israel, in which he was to lead workshops with film students, to protest against Israeli policy.

The 67-year-old director of acclaimed films such as Life is Sweet, Topsy Turvy, Secrets & Lies, Vera Drake and most recently, Another Year, (more…)

New humanitarian convoy sets sail for Gaza

A Gaza humanitarian convoy that includes passengers who survived a previous fatal flotilla incident has been delayed and is expected to set sail Monday in an attempt to deliver aid for Palestinians, organizers said. (more…)

Abbas: Arab peace initiative only way to make peace

The Arab peace initiative is the only way to end the current peace impasse, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday.

“Dangerous consequences will engulf the region if the peace process collapsed,” Abbas said (more…)

Saudis warn France of new al-Qaeda threat

Saudi Arabia has warned France it is the target of an imminent al-Qaeda attack, French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux has said.

He said Saudi intelligence agencies spoke of a threat to Europe, and “France in particular”, from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. (more…)

March 14 refuses to refer false witnesses file to the Judicial Council, report

Minister of Social Affairs, Salim Sayegh told Al Manar TV on Sunday that March 14 minsters refuse referral of the false witnesses file to the Judicial Council, since the file is currently empty and there is no legal case for consideration. (more…)

A young Syrian found dead in Jbeil

Sunday evening a young Syrian citizen identified as Ghayyath Mohammad Deeb al Samir 15, was found dead in Jbeil ( Byblos) province. He reportedly hanged himself , Lebanon Files reported. (more…)

Lebanon president grateful for Obama’s support, report

During his meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman on Sunday, President Michel Suleiman  expressed his gratitude for US President Barack Obama ’s support for Lebanon and reiterated the importance of national unity, according to a statement from the presidential office. (more…)

Former Iraqi PM: Iran is destabilizing the Middle East

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi accused Iran of working to destabilize the Middle East in an interview that aired Sunday on CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS.”

“We know that unfortunately Iran is trying to wreak havoc on the region, and trying to destabilize the region by destabilizing Iraq, and destabilizing Lebanon and destabilizing the Palestinian issue,” Allawi said. (more…)

U.S. Businessman freed from Iran after 29 months behind bars

Carrying a small bag and showing a relieved smile, Reza Taghavi, a 71-year-old businessman from Los Angeles, walked out of Tehran’s Evin prison yesterday after 29 months behind bars.

“Sometimes I feel relief, sometimes, I feel angry. What happened? 2 ½ years for what?” he told ABC News in an exclusive interview. “I’m 71 years old. I don’t have time. 2 ½ years is a long time for a 71-year-old man to be in jail.” (more…)

Assad arrived in Riyadh for talks over Lebanon tension

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Assad arrived at the Riyadh Airport, where he was received by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Bin Abdel Aziz al Saud. (more…)