King Abdullah under pressure from tribes in Jordan

Faris Fayez grew up hearing about the day in 1970 when his father and other Jordanian tribal leaders summoned the late King Hussein to complain about entrenched Palestinian fighters who were virtually occupying the country.

“King Hussein was two hours late. When he finally arrived, my father stood up — and he used to call the king by his first name — ‘Hussein,’ he said, ‘We feel now that for you we are the cover that the shepherd uses. When you get cold, you cover up with us. When you don’t need us, you kick the cover with your feet.’” (more…)

Revolutionaries take over Misrata, 2,000 estimated dead since Feb 15

Anti-Libyan government militias took control of Misrata late on Thursday after evicting forces loyal to leader Gaddafi from the Mediterranean coastal city, prompting street celebrations, a witness said. Human rights officials say up to 2,000 people may have died so far in the uprising, which began on Febuary 15. (more…)

Israeli jets and drones bomb Gaza

Israeli airplanes attacked a Palestinian car carrying militants in southern Gaza Strip Thursday, witnesses and security sources said.

The witnesses added that the pick-up truck was travelling along Gaza-Egypt border in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah when the airstrike occurred. (more…)

Shiite council rejects Hariri Tribunal, deems it unconstitutional

The international tribunal investigating the 2005 slaying of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri is no longer valid, Shiite authorities said in Lebanon.

“The (Shiite) council calls (on the Lebanese government) to reject any cooperation with it because it has bypassed the state, the constitution and the people,” the Shiite elite said in a statement. (more…)

Lebanese PlayStation and drug traffickers extradited to U.S.

Paraguay extradited three Lebanese men to the United States on Thursday – two on drug trafficking charges and another who faces trial in Philadelphia for allegedly selling stolen cell phones, Sony PlayStations and used cars to raise funds for extremist activities in Lebanon. (more…)

Saudi student arrested in US terror plot targeting Bush

The homes of former US president George W Bush and American military personnel stationed at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison were among potential targets scouted by a Saudi student arrested in Texas on charges of attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, the US department of justice said.

It said plans to attack dams, nuclear power facilities and nightclubs were discovered by US investigators, including a scheme to hide explosive devices in dolls and prams, along with extremist website postings. One read: “It is war … until the infidels leave defeated.” (more…)

Gaddafi: Protesters high on hallucinogen-laced Nescafe

Opposition activists are increasing the pressure on Muammar Gaddafi’s ailing regime, shutting down oil exports and mobilising rebel groups in the west of the country as the revolution rapidly spreads.

In a rambling appeal for calm on state TV, Gaddafi blamed the revolt on al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, and said the protesters were fuelled by Nescafe spiked with hallucinogenic drugs. (more…)

Gaddafi forces execute hospital patients, bomb mosque

Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi stormed hospitals in Tripoli and summarily executed injured anti-regime protestors who were being treated, a report said Thursday.

Members of the Libyan Revolutionary Committee, the backbone of Gaddafi’s regime, “burst in hospitals and killed wounded people who had protested against the regime,” said Slimane Bouchuiguir, who leads the Libyan branch of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), cited by Italian news agency MISNA. (more…)

Vatican: Lebanon stands as a message of freedom for the world

Lebanon “because of the presence of various Christian and Muslim communities there, stands as a message of freedom and respectful coexistence, not only for the region but for the whole world. In this context, it is increasingly necessary to promote collaboration and dialogue between religious confessions”.

Echoing the words of John Paul II, the opening line of the Vatican communiqué on Thursday morning’s meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, immediately underscores the regional importance of the Land of the Cedars. (more…)

Bahrain opposition leader detained in Lebanon

A government spokeswoman said Thursday a prominent opposition leader will not be arrested if he returns to Bahrain, but it remained unclear whether he was free to travel.

The possible return of Hassan Meshaima after months of self-exile in London could mark a new phase for the protest movement as the Gulf island’s monarchy tries to open talks to end the most severe political crisis in decades in the strategic nation. (more…)