Syria: Death toll of civilians rose to 28

Syria’s civilian death toll on Friday rose to at least 28, including 16 in the capital Damascus and a child, as security forces opened fire to disperse anti-regime rallies, an activist said. (more…)

Another 11 Lebanese ISF officers graduate from US training program

The US embassy in Beirut issued a press release in which it said 11 another Internal Security Forces (ISF) officers completed the U.S. – Lebanese Supervision and Management Course and that The U.S. instruction team has trained over 7,600 ISF members in basic and advanced leadership courses since January 2008. (more…)

14 killed as Syria witnesses largest ever protests

Syrian security forces shot dead at least 14 protesters on Friday as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across the country in the biggest protests so far against President Bashar al-Assad. (more…)

10 million Euro ransom paid for release of Estonians , report

According to Lebanese media reports the Estonian government paid the kidnappers of the seven Estonian tourists 10 million euros to win their release. (more…)

Charbel to release details on abducted Estonians, report

Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said on Friday that he will reveal all the details of the investigation into the case of the seven Estonians once the investigation is completed.

“We have all the information, but we are waiting until the investigation is over. We [will] not disclose anything now to preserve the investigation’s confidentiality,” he told Voice of Lebanon . (more…)

Freed Estonians: Happy ending but the case is not over

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet arrived at the Grand Serail in Lebanon to meet with PM Nagib Mikati and to escort to Estonia his seven countrymen released earlier in the day, LBC television reported on Thursday.

The kidnapped Estonians were freed in Lebanon after being abducted by armed men, as they entered the country on a bicycle tour from neighboring Syria. (more…)

Cabinet renews Salameh’s mandate, appoints new Army Chief of Staff

The cabinet convened at Baabda Presidential Palace for the first time after securing the parliament’s vote of confidence, National News Agency reported on Thursday.

The session was chaired by President Michel Suleiman, the report also said, adding that there are 73 items on the cabinet’s agenda.

Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati met before the session convened, the report added. (more…)

Charbel: Intelligence Bureau played key role in freeing Estonians

Lebanon Interior Minister Marwan Charbel revealed on Thursday that the Intelligence Bureau played a major role in the release of the Estonians, while the French Embassy coordinated the issue and followed up on it.

“Security forces participated in the mission to find the Estonians from afar so as not to ‘mess up’ issues, and you will see the results of the investigation soon.” . (more…)

Kidnapped Estonians freed in Lebanon

Seven Estonians who were abducted in Lebanon nearly four months ago have been released, according to the Estonian foreign ministry.

The ministry said the freed hostages were taken to the French Embassy in Beirut on Thursday, and were in good health.

A Lebanese security official said the seven had been released at dawn, (more…)

Mikati may quit soon, report

Al Nahar newspaper quoted Western Diplomats as saying that PM Nagib Mikati may quit within weeks or months , because he may not want to be the figurehead of a cabinet.

According to the diplomats , in Theory he along with president Michel Suleiman and MP Walid Jumblatt hold a blocking third in the cabinet as the centrists , but in actual practice this blocking third does not exist (more…)