At least 8 Killed In Syrian Protest Crackdown

At least eight people were killed in Syria Friday as security agents used force and live ammunition against protesters rallying against President Bashar al-Assad and his regime. (more…)

One party official and 1 soldier killed in Tripoli clashes , update

The security official of the Arab Democratic Party, Ali Fares, was killed on Friday in a gunfight between gunmen positioned in the rival neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen ( mainly Alawites who support the Syrian regime ) and Bab al-Tabbaneh ( mainly Sunnis who support the Syrian uprising ) (more…)

Mehis: Assad ordered Hariri’s assassination

Berlin Chief Public Prosecutor and former UN chief investigator Detlev Mehlis said during an interview with the German radio Deutsche Welle on Thursday that Syrian president Bashar al Assad ordered the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri after suspecting that he was behind a coup to topple the Syrian regime and disarm Hezbollah in cooperation with France and U.S.” (more…)

fresh protests erupt in several Syrian cities

Anti-government protests have begun in several towns and cities across Syria, with the army reportedly entering a town in the rebellious northwest.

Rallies started in Homs, Hama, Deraa, Der al-Zour, Jableh and other cities after Friday prayers. (more…)

Gadhafi’s offer to hold elections rejected by Rebels, US

Colonel Moammar Gadhafi’s son said the strongman was willing to hold free elections and step aside if he loses, while Russia and China urged the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to “meticulously adhere” to United Nations’ resolutions authorizing force in the war-torn country. (more…)

Syrian opposition dismisses Makhlouf ’s move to charity

Tycoon Rami Makhlouf, who says he is quitting the Syrian business scene, owes his fortune and his role as a hate figure for protesters to his cousin President Bashar al-Assad.

Just three months ago it would have been unthinkable to have even criticized him and Assad told businessmen last year, before the uprising against him: “I wish Syria had 10 Rami Makhloufs.” (more…)

Bin Laden’s No. 2, Zawahri, is Al Qaeda’s new leader

More than six weeks after Osama bin Laden was killed in an American commando raid, Ayman al-Zawahri, Al Qaeda’s No. 2, is assuming the leadership of the international terrorist organization, according to a statement posted online Thursday. (more…)

Maan Karami: We reject charity, Faisal does not represent us

During a press conference in Tripoli Maan Karami, brother of former Prime Minister Omar Karami, said that the Karami family does not accept “charity” from anyone in Lebanon and is not honored for being represented by his nephew Youth and Sports Minister Faisal Karami . (more…)

Fleeing refugees report rapes, killings by Syrian troops

SYRIAN refugees arriving in Turkey came with new horror stories of advancing Syrian troops raping and mutilating women.

Syrians who fled to the Red Crescent tent camp in Yayladagi on the Turkish border said two women in the field hospital there had been raped. (more…)

ANGELINA Jolie to visit Syrian refugees in Turkey

ANGELINA Jolie will meet Friday with Syrian refugees in southern Turkey during a tour of camps set up on the border to house some 8,500 Syrians.

The Syrian refugees fled a violent government crackdown on the country’s pro-democracy movement. (more…)