Armed clashes reported in Beirut

Local TV channels reported that armed clashes erupted in the Barbour district in western Beirut between the Amal and al Ahbash supporters (more…)

29 miners killed in a massive mine explosion in New Zealand

A massive explosion deep inside a New Zealand coal mine Wednesday erased hopes of rescuing 29 miners caught underground by a similar blast five days ago. The prime minister declared it a national tragedy. (more…)

Geagea: Saudi-Syrian efforts over Lebanon tension came to a complete halt

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said on Wednesday that Syrian-Saudi efforts to contain tension relating to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) have not progressed in the past two weeks, adding that they “have came to a complete halt ” because of differences in stances. (more…)

Turkey sees itself reponsible for regional stability, report

Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon Inan Ozyild told Al-Mustaqbal Newspaper , on the occasion of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 2 day official visit to Lebanon that Lebanon and Turkey have signed two military cooperation agreements and that the agreements are awaiting approval by the Turkish parliament. (more…)

March 8 criticizes timing of Erdogan’s visit

Central news agency (CNA) quoted on Wednesday an unnamed March 8 source as saying that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Lebanon comes at the wrong time.

“It looks like it is a reaction to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit,” the source said.

The source accused Hariri of monopolizing Erdogan’s visit. (more…)

Lebanon frees Muslim cleric on bail

The radical Muslim cleric, Omar Bakri Muhammad, who was sentenced to life in prison in Lebanon, has been released on bail pending a retrial.

A military court ordered his release after he paid bail of around $3,300

He was convicted in his absence earlier this month of forming a militant group to weaken Lebanon’s government. (more…)

Turkish PM in Lebanon to help ease tension

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Beirut on Wednesday for a two-day official visit.

The Turkish PM was received by his Lebanese counterpart, Saad Hariri, and a delegation of officials at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport, the National News Agency (NNA). (more…)

New e-Publishing law in final stages in Syria

A new e-publishing law in Syria is now in its final stages for approval. The law has received considerable coverage since the drafting started in early 2010. The detail of the law are yet to be cleared out, and coverage thus far has been contradictory. (more…)

STL prosecutor criticizes CBC reports

The chief prosecutor for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) , which is examining the 2005 death of Lebanon’s former prime minister Rafik Hariri, said Tuesday he was “extremely disappointed” by a CBC story linking militant group Hezbollah to the murder.

Canadian Daniel Bellemare said the story came as the prosecution is “working flat out” to prepare a draft indictment to be submitted to a judge in the near future. (more…)

Hariri heads to Iran this weekend

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri will head to Iran on Saturday to meet with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other officials, a government official said Tuesday. (more…)