Adwan tells Mikati, bravo for the STL stance but implement it

MP George Adwan , a key member of Lebanese Forces parliamentary bloc praised in an interview with Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Anbaa published on Wednesday Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s recent stance on the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) probing the 2005 assassination of Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

“His stance will protect the good ties between Lebanon and the international community,” Adwan said (more…)

Mikati calls for return to the language of reason and logic

Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on Lebanese factions to tone down their rhetoric and “return to the language of reason and logic,” at a Cabinet session Wednesday.“

I reiterate my sincere call on all sides to return to the language of reason and logic and to abandon harsh rhetoric, which deepens the divisions among the Lebanese,” (more…)

US, French envoys in Syria condole activist’s death

The US and French ambassadors to Syria arrived in the Damascus suburb of Daraya on Tuesday to offer condolences after the death of a human rights activist, the Local Coordination Committees of Syria group reported online. (more…)

Civilians flee pro-Gaddafi town ahead of assault

Libyan fighters handed out free petrol to help hundreds of civilians flee a desert town held by Muammar Gaddafi’s forces ahead of an onslaught aimed at capturing one of the ousted ruler’s last bastions.

Complaining of hardship and intimidation, residents of Bani Walid headed to nearby towns or started the 180 km (112-mile) journey north towards Tripoli on Tuesday in cars packed with children and possessions. (more…)

Google Flight Search takes off

Google’s purchase of Cambridge-based ITA Software started paying off yesterday as the search giant rolled out Google Flight Search, which could help it take a bite of the multibillion-dollar online travel market. (more…)

Turkish PM says Syrian people and I don’t believe in Assad

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday the Syrian people and himself do not believe President Bashar al-Assad anymore because he has failed to carry out reforms.

“As civilian deaths increase in Syria we see that reforms have not materialised and they did not speak honestly. It is not possible to believe this. And the Syrian people do not believe in Assad, nor do I. (more…)

Jumblatt tells critics: All I did was repeat what I have been saying

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt on Tuesday responded to criticism regarding his recent views about Hezbollah’s use of arms.

“What I said is only a reminder of what I have been saying for the past three years about what has been agreed to in past national dialogue sessions,” Jumblatt told reporters in a reference to his recent rejection to link Hezbollah’s use of arms to regional conflicts. (more…)

Patriarch Rai claims his statements were taken out of context

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai said on Tuesday during a visit to the Metn town of Al-Arbaniyya that his recent ( controversial) statements were taken out of context and that the patriarchate “cannot relinquish any party and does not want to eliminate or marginalize any party, because Lebanon needs all its citizens, parties and sects.” (more…)

Hezbollah denies to army access to its hospital to check on wounded

Hezbollah militants denied the Lebanese army and security forces access to its Al-Rasoul al-Azam Hospital in Beirut to check up on those who were wounded during Monday night’s clashes in Bourj al-Barajneh, Voice of Lebanon reported on Tuesday (more…)

Death toll in Kenya pipeline explosion rises to 82

A Red Cross official says the death toll from a gasoline pipeline explosion in the Kenyan capital has risen to 82. (more…)