STL Pre-Trial Judge to decide on Sayyed’s request

The Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen will now be able to decide on the merits of the request by former General Security chief Jamil al-Sayyed to access to documents pertaining to his detention by the Lebanese authorities. (more…)

2 wounded in Hezbollah stronghold near Beirut

A gun battle broke out between members of the Amhaz and Moqdad families in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dhahiyah on Wednesday, in which two people were injured, according to local reports.

The clash took place on Hadi Nasrallah’s Highway in Dhahiyah, a Hezbollah stronghold and escalated to the use of heavy automatic weapons ,according to the reports. (more…)

President Suleiman rules out a vote over false witnesses

President Michel Suleiman told Ad-Diyar newspaper during an interview that the cabinet will meet on Wednesday to discuss the issue of so called “false witnesses” , but ruled out a vote on this controversial issue.

“We will not run away from this issue, but we are determined not to resort to voting,” Suleiman told Ad-Diyar (more…)

Fatfat: Hezbollah is in trouble

March 14 MP Ahmad Fatfat said on Wednesday during an interview with Future TV that Hezbollah is “in trouble ….and that is why we find Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s speeches so tense.”

Last month, Nasrallah called for boycotting the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL ) and ending cooperation with its investigators. (more…)

STL could ignite national turmoil

Shiite militant group Hezbollah has threatened to destabilize country if members are indicted in international probe.

Analysis: Prosecute Hezbollah

There is no hope for Lebanon unless the U.N. and the West will enforce the tribunal’s findings on the Hariri assassination.

March 14: False witnesses issue to be tackled after STL indictment

Future parliamentary bloc MPs said Tuesday that the Lebanese judiciary should look into the issue of the “false witnesses” after the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) issues its indictment.

Following its weekly meeting at PM Saad Hariri’s residence in downtown Beirut , the bloc issued a statement praising the Bkirki gathering’s position as well as the welcoming reaction from the High Islamic Council during its meeting in the Dar al-Fatwa. (more…)

Hamas to Ahmadinejad: Come to Gaza

Hamas has invited Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to visit Gaza, a Hamas official said. Hamas sources said Ahmadinejad responded positively to the invitation but said the visit is not likely to occur in the near future. (more…)

Egypt’s EFG Hermes invests $542 million in Lebanon’s Credit Libanais

Egyptian investment bank EFG Hermes says it has completed its purchase of a 65 percent stake in Lebanon’s Credit Libanais S.A.L, wrapping up a deal valued at $542 million.

The investment bank said Tuesday in a statement that the deal includes the option to buy an addition 25 percent stake at the same price over the next two years. EFG Hermes has been working to expand its reach in the region and diversify its assets.

EFG sold its stake in Lebanon’s Bank Audi in January for $918 million, shifting gears after an unsuccessful attempt to boost its stake in that bank.

Credit Libanais recorded net income of $58.8 million for the nine-month period ending in September.

AP

Lebanon to amend Islamic Banking law

Lebanon, where Muslims make up more than half the population, is considering legislation to boost Islamic finance after the industry failed to garner 1 percent of total banking assets. (more…)