Assad’s car reportedly attacked after speech, update

CNN reported that: Twitter user @hibz says Assad’s car attacked after Assad speech. State tv in Syria blacks out and cuts live feed (more…)

Israel may prefer Assad to stay

Israel has long complained about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s alliance with Iran, his support for the Shiite militia Hezbollah and his sheltering of leaders from Palestinian militant groups, such as Hamas, in Damascus. (more…)

Assad fails to offer any concessions, blames conspirators

Syrian President Bashar Assad blamed a wave of protests on “conspirators” who are trying to destroy the country by sowing sectarian strife.

Assad was giving his first address to the nation since the protests erupted in this tightly controlled Arab country. (more…)

Is Mikati on his way out?

According to An Nahar newspaper sources Lebanon PM-designate Najib Mikati, presented on Tuesday to President Suleiman the lineup of the 24 minister cabinet as follows: (more…)

Clashes between protesters and security forces in Damascus

The Syrian Revolution 2011, which has emerged as the organizing force behind the demonstrations demanding “freedom” in Syria, reported Tuesday late evening that Syrian security forces clashed with the anti regime protesters in Salihya neighborhood in Damascus (more…)

Aoun suffered a minor stroke, admitted to hospital, report

MTV reported that Free patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun was admitted to Hotel Dieu Hospital Tuesday evening after suffering a medical emergency. (more…)

3 Americans arrested in Syria,

Three Americans have been arrested in Damascus in recent days, and two are still being held, the US State Department said Tuesday, amid two weeks of unprecedented dissent in Syria. (more…)

Libyan rebels: ‘We’re civilized and educated not al-Qaeda’

Until three weeks ago, Gabail Hamad was an engineer for Libya Air.

“Look at me, I’m dressed like an imam,” said Hamad, 45, who was wearing a long robe and a white lace prayer hat called a taqiyah.

Hamad stood amid dozens of 5-inch artillery shells in Brega, where he was fighting for the rebels seeking to overthrow Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. (more…)

Syrian Revolution calls for nationwide sit-ins Friday April 1

The Syria Revolution 2011, which has emerged as the organizing force behind the demonstrations demanding “freedom” in Syria, is calling for sit-ins across the country Friday despite a bid by the state to reach out to protesters. (more…)

Analysis: Syria poses new dilemma for France’s Sarkozy

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has stolen the international limelight with his bravura intervention in Libya but he may find it trickier to deal with the gathering crisis in Syria.

It was Sarkozy after all who ended Syria’s international isolation when he feted President Bashar al-Assad in a visit to Paris in 2008. (more…)