Human Development of the Arab World.

By Ghassan Karam The Human Development Index for the year 2010 was released by the UNDP on the 4th of November. This is a grand issue. It reintroduces to the public both Mahbub Al Haq and Amartya Sen whose ideas and enthusiasm for a multidimensional development index resulted in the HDI in 1990. Ever since [...]

Tensions over STL raise fears of clashes in Lebanon, region

In a place as volatile as Lebanon, it can be hard to say what particular event or accusation will be the spark needed to ignite existing tensions and send the whole country and possibly the region up in flames.

Until recently, the United Nations-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon was considered low-level background noise to the grander drama of Lebanese politics. (more…)

French FM: Hariri killers cannot escape punishment

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said during a press conference in Beirut on Saturday that “no one can influence the international justice process,” in a reference to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).

Kouchner also said that he visited Beirut to reiterate his country’s support for Lebanon and STL. (more…)

Kouchner: Situation in region is dangerous

Following his meeting with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir , French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner described in a statement the situation in the region as dangerous .

Kouchner questioned on Saturday the fuss over the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) , (more…)

March 14 won NDU, USJ student elections, report

Lebanese Forces’ student affairs head Charbel Eid has reportedly stated on Saturday that the March 14 coalition emerged as the winner in the student elections in the University of Notre Dame (NDU). (more…)

French FM reiterates France’s suppport for Lebanon

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner voiced France’s support for Lebanon during his meeting with Lebanese officials.

Kouchner arrived in Lebanon on Friday for a two-day official visit and met with President Michel Suleiman on Friday. (more…)

Lebanon probes attack against STL investigators

Lebanon has told the United Nations it has set up an inquiry into last week’s attack on UN’s Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) investigators probing the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, diplomats said on Friday. (more…)

Salam: Lebanese officials committed to legitimacy

Nawwaf Salam , Lebanon’s Ambassador to the United Nations told the UN Security Council Friday that the Lebanese officials are committed to international legitimacy.

Salam thanked UN Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs Patricia O’Brian and the members of the council for their continuous support of Lebanon and their concern for its stability, according to National News Agency (NNA). (more…)

Kouchner coming to Lebanon to defuse tension

France’s Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner visits Lebanon Friday amid the country’s worst political crisis for more than two years, as the United Nations probe into the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri announced indictments were nearing. (more…)

Aoun didn’t gain any points by boycotting dialogue talks, report

According to an Nahar diplomatic sources the absence of Change and Reform leader MP Michel Aoun and his ( Hezbollah-led) allies from the national dialogue talks on Thursday did not gain him any points against Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri nor against the opponents of the issue of the ” false witnesses ” . The sources described the move as ‘very negative’ in this delicate and sensitive situation and will add fuel to the tension in Lebanon. (more…)