Gaddafi would rather go down ‘like Hitler’ than surrender

Muammar Gaddafi vowed to “crush any enemy” on Friday, addressing supporters in central Tripoli as Libya’s popular uprising closed in around him and Western powers set about punishing him for attacks on his own people.

“We will fight if they want,” the 68-year-old leader declared after a day of clashes in parts of the capital between security forces and crowds of protesters, which Gaddafi’s opponents said had left some districts in their hands. (more…)

Hannibal Gaddafi fears for safety of son from Hezbollah

The news of a Libyan private jet, reportedly carrying the wife of Hannibal Gaddafi, the model Aline Skaff, being denied permission to land at Beirut international airport on 21 February, has been the subject of media reports and public speculation in Libya. (more…)

Mikati: We will extinguish the strife and work for stability

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati stressed on Friday that he is seeking to form a government that would rise up to the expectations of all the Lebanese.

He said during a popular gathering in the northern city of Tripoli: “We ask for forgiveness over the delay in the Cabinet formation because we want to establish a government that works for the whole of Lebanon.” (more…)

Beirut… as you’ve never seen it

As unrest ripples across the Middle East, few artists’ work is more relevant than Mona Hatoum.

Jumblatt tells Aoun to back off of Suleiman

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Thursday revealed that he has advised Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun against trying to eliminate President Michel Suleiman’s role in the Lebanese political life.

“I told General Aoun when he approached me concerning his demand to get the interior portfolio (in the new cabinet) that there is a president who has played a good role and who cannot be eliminated,” Jumblat said in an interview on LBC TV network. (more…)

Suleiman directed the decrease of gas prices by LL5,000

President Michel Suleiman on Friday “instructed involved authorities to take the appropriate measures to decrease gasoline prices” by LL5,000 after a crisis gripped the country and most gas stations shut down.
A statement issued by Baabda palace said the president gave the instructions after reviewing the legal opinions of involved state institutions. (more…)

Hamas force male hairdressers out of hair salons

Male hairdressers in the Gaza Strip say they have been ordered by the enclave’s Hamas rulers to stop working in women’s salons or face prosecution and a large fine.

“We received an official notice from the government to go and sign a declaration according to which we agree not to continue operating on the premises,” salon owner Mohammed al-Baltagi told AFP. (more…)

Jordan braces for Day of Anger

Jordan deployed more than 3,000 security personnel across central Amman on Friday, braced for a planned “day of anger” by the powerful Islamist opposition movement and other parties. (more…)

As end nears, Gaddafi offers $400 per family to stop the uprising

Libyan state television said Moammar Gadhafi’s government was raising wages, increasing food subsidies and ordering special allowances for all families, in its first practical attempt to win the support of citizens since the uprising began.

Each family will receive 500 Libyan dinars ($400) to help cover increased food costs, and wages for some categories of public sector workers will increase by 150 percent, the television station said. (more…)

Iran takes credit for popular revolutions in Middle East

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says the surge of Islamic awakening engulfing the Middle East is the result of the Islamic Republic’s resistance and firmness.

On Thursday, Salehi described the popular revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt and the still-unfolding pro-democracy protests in Libya and Bahrain as a movement similar to miracle, and noted that the driving force behind this wave of Islamic awakening stems from 32 years of Iranians’ resistance, IRNA reported. (more…)