19 killed as Syrian forces spread through border area near Turkey

BEIRUT, Lebanon – Syrian army forces spread through a restive mountainous area near the Turkish border on Thursday as the death toll from a two-day military siege rose to 19 people, according to activists and a witness. (more…)

STL explains terms of indictment of Hezbollah in Hariri’s murder

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon ( STL) has issued a press release on June 30 explaining the terms used in the the confirmed indictment relating to the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri and others . The press release was issued after the Lebanese authorities announced that they have received a confirmed indictment. (more…)

E. coli outbreaks in Europe linked to Egyptian seeds

E. coli outbreaks in Germany and France could have come from seeds sourced in Egypt, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has said.

A report said there was still “much uncertainty”, but fenugreek seeds imported in 2009 and 2010 “had been implicated in both outbreaks”. (more…)

STL Pre-Trial Judge, Daniel Fransen, confirmed the indictments

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon ( STL) has issued a press release on June 30 confirming that The Pre-Trial Judge, Daniel Fransen, confirmed the indictment relating to the assassination of Rafiq Hariri and others on 28 June 2011 . The press release was issued after the Lebanese authorities announced that they have received a confirmed indictment. (more…)

STL issued arrest warrants for Syrians accused in Hariri’s murder

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon has issued arrest warrants for Syrian nationals accused of being involved in the 2005 assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri, according to Future News television. (more…)

Mustafa Badreddine is main Hezbollah suspect in Hariri’s murder

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon issued the indictments in the assassination of Lebanon’s former PM Rafik Hariri . An STL delegation met with Lebanon’s state prosecutor said Mirza on Thursday and handed him a copy of the Lebanon portion of the indictment which includes four names: Mustafa Badreddine, Salim Ayyash, Hassan Aneissy, Assad Sabra (more…)

UN tribunal issues arrest warrants in Hariri’s murder

Four arrest warrants have been issued by the UN-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 murder of Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Lebanon’s state prosecutor said.

Hariri’s son, Saad, welcomed the indictments and described them as a “historic moment” for Lebanon.

Local reports say the warrants name senior members of the Shia militant and political group Hezbollah. (more…)

Putin: Russian 2012 election will be dirty

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday that the March 2012 presidential election campaign would be dirty, but stopped short of saying whether he would seek another stint as Kremlin chief.

Putin, Russia’s most popular politician, made clear he would play a significant role in the election but told supporters he would need to cleanse politics after the campaign. (more…)

Violence flares before key Greek austerity vote

Greek police firing tear gas fought running battles with stone-throwing protesters outside parliament on Wednesday as signs grew the government would succeed in pushing through an austerity plan demanded by creditors. (more…)

Hotel rates are a bargain in Syria, occupancy close to zero in Aleppo

The reception area is quiet at the Beit Zaman boutique hotel in the Christian Quarter of Old Damascus and the staff is visibly bored.

Bellhops loiter in the lavishly decorated corridors of the $200-a-night hotel and a receptionist stares idly at his computer screen. (more…)