Back to business in Egypt

Banks across Egypt threw open their doors Sunday, returning to business after an almost weeklong closure mandated by the central bank because of strikes and labor protests that have hampered efforts to reboot the nation’s economy.

It marked the second time in three weeks that Egypt’s banks have reopened after a state-ordered closure, highlighting the uncertainty that prevails in the country more than a week after mass demonstrations toppled longtime President Hosni Mubarak. An earlier attempt to open the banks and establish a semblance of normalcy during the height of the anti-government protests lasted only a week before the lenders were ordered shut. (more…)

Bahrain’s emboldened opposition plots strategy and demands

A day after thousands of joyous Bahrainis retook a major square in the heart of the island nation’s capital, seven opposition groups were meeting in Bahrain to consider their next steps after an appeal from Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al Khalifa for a national dialogue.

As the parties tried to coordinate a common position, about a thousand protesters remained at the Pearl Roundabout, which has become this island nation’s equivalent of Egypt’s Tahrir Square. (more…)

Mikati deploys nephew to seek U.S. support

Lebanon’s PM-designate Najib Miqati’s nephew is reportedly in Washington in an attempt to garner the support of the Obama administration for the billionaire businessman’s future government.

Informed sources told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat in remarks published Sunday that Azmi Taha Miqati is discussing with low-ranking U.S. officials ways to garner support for the new cabinet.

The officials told the young businessman that Washington is awaiting deeds not words in order to announce its support for the Miqati government. (more…)

Death toll in Libya surges past 200

Moammar Gadhafi’s forces have opened fire on mourners at the funeral for anti-government protesters in the city of Benghazi, where a doctor says at least 200 people have already been slain in days of demonstrations.

A man shot in the leg Sunday said marchers were bearing coffins to a cemetery when they passed a Gadhafi compound in Libya’s second-largest city. The man said security forces fired in the air and then opened up on the crowd. (more…)

ArabNet RoadShow conducts workshop on entrepreneurship

Omar Christidis worked with Dubai Internet City (DIC) for the first time last December, conducting a workshop on entrepreneurship.

His ArabNet RoadShow team, based in Beirut, travelled by bus to six countries in the Middle East and North Africa, where they held workshops to support entrepreneurs to start their own companies. (more…)

Nasrallah is “full of hot air” says Chamoun

National Liberal Party leader MP Dori Chamoun said on Saturday that Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is “full of hot air.”

“Nasrallah is either laughing at the Lebanese people or at himself or is full of hot air,” Chamoun told the Voice of Lebanon (100.5) radio station, in a reference to the Hezbollah chief’s Wednesday speech.

“If [Nasrallah] thinks he can take the Galilee [region in northern Israel], then what is he waiting for?” (more…)

Cycle of Suppression Rises in Libya and Elsewhere

By Anthony Shadid, New York Times
As thousands of protesters returned Saturday to a courthouse in Libya’s second largest city that has become an epicenter of a challenge to four decades of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s rule, a deadly cycle was emerging: Security forces fire on funeral marches, killing more protesters, creating more funerals.

Wikileaks: Bahrain opposition trained by Hezbollah

King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa warned senior US military figures that opposition groups in Bahrain were receiving training from Hizbollah in Lebanon.

He also told senior American military figures that Syria was “complicit” in the training by providing the Bahrainis with false passports.

The claims were reported in a leaked embassy cable sent by US diplomats in Bahrain to Washington. (more…)

Franjieh the consensus candidate for Interior Ministry?

The process of the government formation has gone back to square one.

The most recent cabinet formation proposal involves giving the Interior Ministry to Marada Movement leader and staunch ally of Syria MP Sleiman Franjieh, MTV reported on Saturday night.

Aoun’s latest verbal attack on President Michel Suleiman created another obstacle to the government formation process, leading the head of state to hold onto the interior ministry more than before. (more…)

Gaddafi orders army to shoot unarmed Libyan protesters

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is confronting the most serious challenge to his 42-year rule as leader of Libya by unleashing his army on unarmed protesters.

Unlike the rulers of neighbouring Egypt, Gaddafi has refused to countenance the politics of disobedience, despite growing international condemnation, and the death toll of demonstrators nearing 100. (more…)