Syria Unrest hits its Seven Month

Protesters in Syria are marching to commemorate the six-month anniversary of the nation’s ongoing uprising on Thursday Sep.15, as the forces of the Syrian regiem continue a violent crackdown at their demonstrations. (more…)

Lebanon to face sanctions if it does not fund STL, report

More than one international party informed President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Speaker Nabih Berri as well as other concerned figures that not paying Lebanon’s share of funding for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) will subject Lebanon to sanctions, An-Nahar newspaper reported on Friday (more…)

Palestinians to seek full UN membership Sept. 23

The Palestinians will ask the Security Council next week to accept them as a full member of the United Nations, the Palestinian foreign minister said Thursday, a move that would defy Washington’s threat to veto the statehood bid. (more…)

Palestinian statehood: can the UN vote be more than just symbolic recognition?

Israeli’s refusal to accept a Palestine within 1967 borders and Hamas’s opposition make a solution unlikely but not hopeless

Syrian army shooting at its citizens inside Lebanon

A Syrian army patrol crossed the Lebanese border near the northern town Mouanse on Thursday as it was chasing its citizens who were fleeing the violence , the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) said. (more…)

US urges its citizens to leave Syria immediately

The United States has urged US citizens to leave Syria immediately, saying the government’s violent crackdown on peaceful protests had led to an uncertain and volatile situation. (more…)

US Applauds formation of Syrian National Council

The United States has welcomed the formation on Thursday of an umbrella group of Syrian opposition figures, the self-proclaimed Syrian National Council. The group, meeting in Istanbul, said it aims to help topple the Damascus government within six months and form an interim administration.

The Obama administration, which a month ago called for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to “step aside,” is welcoming the formation of the opposition coalition whose professed aim is to oust Syria’s government. (more…)

Suleiman said Rai doesn’t need to be defended

President Michel Suleiman met on Thursday with Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai and said that the Patriarch “does not need anyone to defend him.”

“The patriarch does not need to be defended, and his stances represent his way of taking responsibility for Lebanon’s Christians,” Suleiman said in reference to Rai’s recent stances on the Syrian crisis (more…)

MP Wehbe: Lebanon FM works for Syria

March 14 MP Amin Wehbe said on Thursday that “he is ashamed that the Lebanese Foreign Ministry has become a department in the Syrian Foreign Ministry.” (more…)

Russia warns of Syria “terrorist threat” if Assad falls

Russia warned on Wednesday that “terrorist organisations” may arise in Syria should President Bashar al-Assad’s regime fall under pressure from ongoing street protests.

“If the Syrian government is unable to hold on to power, there is a high probability that radicals and representatives of terrorist organisations will become entrenched,” Interfax quoted a top foreign ministry official as saying. (more…)