Estonian Envoy meets Lebanon president, PM

President Michel Suleiman met on Tuesday with Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet at the Baabda’s Presidential Palace, according to the National News Agency.

The two discussed the latest developments concerning the case of the missing Estonians (more…)

Turkey’s Gul says Assad speech on reform ‘not enough’

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Monday that a speech on reforms by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was “not enough,” and added that Assad should transform Syria into a multi-party system.

“Assad should clearly and precisely say: ‘Everything has changed. We’re transforming the system into a multi-party one (more…)

Al-Liwa: Arslan’s resignation is final, but awaiting Mikati’s response

Al-Liwaa newspaper reported on Monday that Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan’s decision to resign from the cabinet is final because he said on many occasions before the cabinet was formed that he is not interested in being a state minister. (more…)

MP Hajjar slams Nahhas over his statement about Ogero chief

March 14 MP Mohammad al-Hajjar slammed on Monday Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas over his statement that Ogero Director General Abdel Monem Youssef’s “days in the state are numbered.”

“According to what I know, Nahhas is a labor minister and not a communications minister and besides the cabinet has not yet submitted its Ministerial Statement and not yet been granted the parliament’s vote of confidence,” Hajjar told Future TV.

Hajjar also said that Nahhas is a minister and not a judge. (more…)

Lebanon FM rejects maritime agreement between Israel and Cyprus

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said in a letter to the U.N. Monday that the agreement that was signed last year between Israel and Cyprus to demarcate the controversial Israeli maritime borders is a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and economic rights. (more…)

Safadi: Financial accounts since 1993 will be audited

Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi told told Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television on Monday that financial accounts since 1993 will be audited and will hold accountable those responsible for any improprieties in the balances. (more…)

Medvedev hints he and Putin won’t run against each other in 2012

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed talk of a deepening rift with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in remarks published Monday, strongly hinting they would not run against each other for president next year.

In a Financial Times interview, he also said he hoped Barack Obama, (more…)

US wants to see action not words from Assad

The United States on Monday said it wanted to see “action, not words” from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who pledged political reforms within months.

On Assad’s blaming saboteurs for the unrest, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, “We’re just not buying it.” (more…)

Phalange holds the cabinet responsible for deterioration of economy

The Phalange party which is headed by former Lebanese president Amin Gemayel issued a statement on Monday following its weekly meeting stating that Friday’s clashes in Tripoli would not have occurred if Lebanese parties had remained neutral regarding the events in Syria and if Damascus had stopped using Lebanon as a buffer zone. (more…)

Assad’s speech may buy him time, but not survival

Beirut, Lebanon- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad offered promises of imminent elections and reforms today as as part of a “national dialogue” process that could lead to a new constitution and possibly end the dominance of the ruling Baath Party. (more…)