Authorities: No political party is involved in smuggling arms to Syria

Lebanese security forces could neither confirm nor deny reports of the smuggling of weapons from Lebanon to Syria, a security source told The Daily Star Monday. The security source added that such reports could not be verified because the incident is said to have taken place within Syrian territory. (more…)

Mikati: Lebanon shouldn’t interfere in Syria’s affairs

Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati said Monday it was important not to interfere in the Syrian internal affairs but support all efforts aimed at ending the violence in the neighboring country. (more…)

Hariri: Lebanon must denounce Syria ‘massacre’

Lebanon’s former PM Saad Hariri on Monday urged his country to denounce the “massacre” taking place in Syria, saying it should not remain silent in the face of the brutal crackdown against pro-democracy protests. (more…)

Assad fires Defense minister as Arab states withdraw envoys

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pressed on with a tank onslaught against a city Monday, but was plunged deeper into international isolation by Arab neighbours who denounced his violent crackdown and recalled their envoys from Damascus. (more…)

Patriarch Rai praises the “roots of faith” in the Chouf region

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai stressed on Monday during his visit to the Chouf  region of Mt Lebanon  the need for coexistence between Christians, Muslims and Druze, and urged Christians to hold onto their land. Rai’s visit coincided with the commemoration of the August 7, 2001 events following the historical Mountain reconciliation. (more…)

Syrian tanks fire shells on neighborhoods, Saudi ambassador withdrawn

Syrian forces targeting areas that are in open revolt against the government launched a major assault on an agricultural hub near the Iraqi border Sunday, even as neighbors in the Middle East unleashed withering criticism of the crackdown. (more…)

Turkey intercepted arms shipment between Iran and Syria

Turkey’s foreign minister says the country’s authorities have intercepted an arms shipment from Iran to Syria. Ahmet Davutoglu confirmed Friday a report saying a truck containing weapons had been intercepted. (more…)

Syria dismisses criticism from Turkey and Gulf states

Syria on Sunday dismissed Turkish and Gulf Arab criticism of its crackdown on a five-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, saying such rebukes ignored violence by armed groups against the state.

In sharp rebuff to Ankara, presidential adviser Bouthaina Shaaban said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu could expect tough words during a visit to Damascus on Tuesday. (more…)

Spanish football club signs a seven year old from Argentina

Real Madrid has signed a 7-year-old soccer prodigy from Argentina who goes by the name Leo — just like his idol Lionel Messi.

Leonel Angel Coira signed with the Spanish club and will begin training Sept. 6, Madrid spokesman Juan Tapiador told The Associated Press on Monday. (more…)

Passenger traffic to Lebanon drops more than 50%

Passenger traffic to Lebanon’s Rafik Hariri International Airport declined in excess of 50 percent in the first week of August compared to the same period last month, with the holy month of Ramadan and unrest in Syria playing a key role in the fall.

Air passenger traffic fell in the first week of August from a daily average of 15,000 to 7,000 which is in excess of 50 percent less than traffic recorded for the same period in the month of July.

On the other hand more people are departing. The daily average of passengers departing from Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut was at 10,600 in the first week of August compared 7,000 to 8,000 passengers in July. (more…)