Aoun’s obstructive demands preventing Cabinet formation

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun is trying to “impose conditions” on Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati and President Michel Sleiman, Labor Minister Boutros Harb said on Saturday.

Mikati’s difficulties with his own March 8 backers pose a greater obstacle to the cabinet formation than do his ongoing talks with the March 14 coalition, Harb said after meeting with UNRWA officials, the National News Agency (NNA) reported. (more…)

Protesters take square, Police attacks in Bahrain

Bahraini troops and armored vehicles on Saturday rolled out of a Manama square that had been a base for anti-government protesters, meeting one opposition condition for a dialogue proposed by the king.

But when a few protesters tried to regain their former stronghold in Pearl Square, police beat them back.

At least 100 riot police took up position, while a group of about 50 demonstrators stood about 50 meters (yards) away. (more…)

Bahrain: Shi’a opposition rejects negotiations

Bahrain’s main Shia opposition group has rejected King Hamad’s offer of national dialogue to end days of unrest in the Gulf state.

Senior members of the Wefaq bloc said the government must resign first and troops should be withdrawn from the streets of the capital Manama. (more…)

Sayegh: March 8 coalition is politically bankrupt

Lebanon’s Caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Selim Sayegh told the Free Lebanon radio station on Friday ; “The March 8 coalition is politically bankrupt because it is not able to present a new [agenda] in its Ministerial Statement ” (more…)

Egypt allows 2 Iranian ships to pass through Suez Canal

State media announced Friday Egypt has agreed to let 2 Iranian naval vessels transit the Suez Canal, a move that could pose the first diplomatic dilemma for Egypt’s new rulers after Israeli officials had expressed concern about the vessels. (more…)

Tensions rise as Hezbollah and Israel trade threats

Israeli missions in Turkey have stopped working while security measures are implemented in response to threats by Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah, an Israeli diplomatic source said Friday. (more…)

Lebanon court sentences ‘Israeli spy’ to death

A Lebanese military court sentenced a man to death on charges of spying for Israel’s Mossad and providing the agency with information on the militant group Hezbollah, a judicial official said Friday.AFP (more…)

Bahrain Security forces fire on mourners, journalists

Government forces opened fire on hundreds of mourners marching toward Pearl Square Friday, sending people running away in panic amid the boom of concussion grenades. (more…)

Libyans have ‘broken the fear barrier’, interview

An exile from Libya living in Switzerland tells swissinfo.ch that it is unclear whether protests in the North African state can unseat Moammar Gaddafi from power.

Ahmed el-Gasir of the Geneva-based, non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Solidarity, said the Libyan leader’s control of the army and security forces appeared to be shaky. (more…)

24 killed in Libya protests, report

At least 24 protestors have been killed and many more wounded by Libyan security forces who cracked down on peaceful protests on Thursday, according to Human Rights Watch. (more…)