Syrians on Facebook try to organize a revolution

A Facebook page has called for mass protests in Syria and in several Western countries against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad.

The organisers of the page, which had 25,000 fans early on Saturday, said the date for demonstrations to be held “in all Syrian cities” was being carefully studied and “will be determined in a few days.” (more…)

Hariri: No hard feelings towards Jumblatt or his supporters

Saad Hariri refused to respond to comments made by Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt, who stated on Thursday that Hariri was referring to him and Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati “when he spoke of betrayal” in his speech on February 14, the sixth anniversary of the assassination of Rafik Hariri. (more…)

Bahrain’s opposition leader Mushaima returns to lead protesters

Prominent Bahraini opposition leader Hassan Mushaima has returned from self-imposed exile to the UK, greeted by a crowd of supporters at the airport.

Mr Mushaima, a senior Shia figure considered a radical by many, returned after the Bahraini government dropped charges against him, a move to appease protesters demanding changes. (more…)

Syria’s brutal internet censorship key in preventing protests

By Weedah Hamzah and Aya Batrawy
While much of the Arab world continues to see thousands of people taking to the streets with calls for political change, a ‘Day of Rage’ planned in Syria this month drew only a few dozen protesters.

Pope Benedict accepts Maronite Patriarch Sfeir’s resignation

Pope Benedict XVI accepted Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir’s resignation, according to the Secretariat of the Maronite Patriarchate in a statement issued Saturday. Benedict sent a letter to Sfeir accepting the latter’s resignation of the spiritual head of Lebanon’s Maronites, the largest Catholic church in the Middle East.

“I accept your free resignation, [and] I am sure that you will remain with the Maronite Church with your prayers,” the Pope told Sfeir in the letter. (more…)

March 14: Opposition will take on Hezbollah’s ‘militarist regime’

The 60 March 14 coalition MPs are preparing to hold a meeting at the Bristol Hotel on Sunday at 6:00 pm where they are expected to announce the camp’s final position on the participation in Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati’s government.

Lebanon First bloc MP Okab Sakr said on Saturday that the March 14 coalition will become a democratic opposition “against a militarist regime.” (more…)

Libyans in tears plea to U.N. Security & Human Rights Councils to ‘Save Libya’

The Libyan ambassador to the United Nations made an impassioned appeal Friday to the U.N. Security Council, calling on the U.N.’s most powerful body to adopt a strong resolution and “save Libya.” His speech ended with him embracing his deputy, who had defected from Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s camp earlier this week, and both men sobbing as the U.N. Secretary-General and other ambassadors came over to embrace them and shake their hands. (more…)

Iran removes fuel from Bushehr atomic plant, increases uranium stockpile

Iran increased its stockpile of low-enriched uranium in recent months despite intense international pressure and claims that a computer virus had slowed its program, a report Friday by the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog agency indicates.

Iran will remove the fuel from the reactor of a Russian-built nuclear power plant in the southern city of Bushehr, a top official said on Saturday, citing technical advice from Moscow. (more…)

Protesters in Jordan offered cold beverages by police

Thousands of people gathered Friday in the Jordanian capital of Amman in an orderly demonstration calling for an end to absolute monarchy.

The crowd at the Friday rally, the eighth in a row, was polite and neat, dispersing quickly and leaving little trash behind, Voice of America reported. Police gave demonstrators juice and water instead of confronting them. (more…)

Thousands continue protest in Bahrain demanding government step down

Tens of thousands of mainly Shi’ite Bahrainis gathered in Manama on Friday, declared as a day of mourning by the government, in one of the biggest anti-government protests since unrest erupted 10 days ago. (more…)