Qatar Ambassador quits Damascus , suspends mission

Qatar’s ambassador to Damascus, Zayed al-Khayarine, has quit Syria and the Qatari embassy in Damascus has suspended its mission indefinitely after pro-government Syrians attacked the building housing it (more…)

Top Lebanon leaders call for dialogue, but March 14 wants guarantees

Prime Minister Najib Mikati also called on Monday for national dialogue, “amid the deep division that Lebanon is witnessing,” National News Agency reported.

This comes after president Michel Suleiman called recently for a new national dialogue session. (more…)

Kheireddine replaces Arslan as State Minister

Baabda palace issued a decree appointing Marwan Kheireddine as minister of state to replace Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan on Monday.

Voice of Lebanon radio station said Kheireddine will attend Monday’s cabinet session. (more…)

MP Salam: The cabinet is one color and the product of a coup

MP Tamam Salam told Al Liwa newspaper in remarks published on Monday that he does not regret his refusal to participate in the cabinet of PM Nagib Mikati because it is a one color cabinet and the product of a coup.

During his interview with the daily MP Salam declared his full support for March 14 ’s refusal to participate in the cabinet (more…)

Egyptian hospital denies Mubarak coma reports

The director of the hospital where Hosny Mubarak has been staying on Sunday denied earlier reports that the ousted Egyptian president is in a coma.

State television reported the denial shortly after quoting Mubarak’s lawyer Farid al-Dib as saying that the deposed leader had suffered a stroke and had lapsed into a coma. (more…)

Roux: STL court hasn’t started yet, can’t be accused of being politicized

The head of the Defense office at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon ( STL) Francois Roux, told New TV on Sunday that that the court cannot be accused of being politicized because it has not yet started its work.

He stressed that it is possible to criticize the investigation and the chief investigator and his team, but not the tribunal (more…)

Hezbollah accuses March 14 of blackmail

Hezbollah deputy Executive Council leader, Sheikh Nabil Qaouq accused the March 14 opposition alliance of exerting international pressure to weaken, blackmail and topple the newly formed government of PM Nagib Mikati calling their action a national sin .

Qaouq said on Sunday that “luring international pressure on the Lebanese cabinet is more than a national sin.” (more…)

Syrian opposition elects a National Salvation council

A meeting of Syrian opposition figures in Istanbul ended late on Saturday with the election of a 25-member National Salvation council composed of Islamists, liberals and independents. (more…)

Interior minister calls Rifi one of the best officers in ISF

During an interview with Al-Balad newspaper on Sunday Interior Minister Marwan Charbel defended ISF Director General Achraf Rifi when he was asked to give his opinion about him calling him one of the best officers in the security forces. (more…)

Syrian forces surround protesting town near Iraq borders

Syrian tanks surrounded a town near the border with Iraq’s Sunni heartland on Sunday after tens of thousands, emboldened by defections among security forces, took to the streets there denouncing President Bashar al-Assad, residents said. (more…)