Return to civil war feared in Lebanon, report

Bloodstained Lebanon could be plunged into a new round of civil war, if an international criminal tribunal, appointed by the United Nations to investigate the assassination of Lebanon’s former prime minister Rafik Hariri, decides to indict members of Hezbollah for his murder. (more…)

New Israeli law could slow peace efforts

Israeli Knesset passed into law Monday a bill that could make it significantly more difficult for an Israeli government to consummate peace agreements with the Palestinians and the Syrians.

The legislation, which passed 65-33, would require a popular referendum or a two-thirds Knesset super majority (more…)

PM Hariri: We have full confidence in Colonel Hassan

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) published an investigation report on Sunday that implicates Hezbollah in the 2005 murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Tuesday in reaction to the report:

“We have full confidence in Internal Security Forces (ISF) – Information Branch head Colonel Wissam al-Hassan.” (more…)

Saudi royal health scare: Why it matters?

Suddenly the health of three of the most powerful men in Saudi Arabia is in the news.

King Abdullah, who is 86, is preparing to travel to America for the treatment of a herniated disc.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz has been rushed home from recuperation in Morocco. (more…)

More than 180 die in stampede in Cambodian capital

Cambodia’s prime minister says more then 180 people have died in a stampede during the celebration of a water festival in the capital. (more…)

Geagea: Situation in Lebanon is stabilizing despite tension

The Lebanese political situation is stabilizing despite current tension, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said on Monday in a statement issued by his office.

Geagea praised President Michel Suleiman’s speech on the occasion of Lebanon’s 67th Independence Day on Sunday and called the president “a statesman.” (more…)

One Lebanese soldier killed near Syrian border

A Lebanese military intelligence operative was killed in a drive-by shooting near the Syrian border on Monday, a security official said, as the country celebrated its 67th Independence Day. (more…)

Special report: Who killed Lebanon’s Rafik Hariri?

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) published this report that implicates Hezbollah in the 2005 murder of Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

Gemayel: We want justice for the sake of justice

Former Lebanese president and Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel said on Sunday during a mass which was held to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the assassination of his son , former Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel : “We don’t need another national charter, or another Taif Accord or Doha Agreement, but all we need a verdict on who killed our martyrs.” (more…)

67th Lebanese Independence: A Cruel Joke

By Ghassan Karam
Sovereignty and independence, you cannot have one without the other. These two ideas form the basis upon which states are formed.  Unfortunately there is no international standard that requires a state to demonstrate that it meets the prerequisites of statehood if it wishes international recognition and if it wishes to be entitled to [...]