Syrian forces storm refuge for army defectors

Syrian forces backed by tanks and helicopters stormed into the central town of Rastan on Tuesday to crush army deserters who are fighting back after months of mostly peaceful protests against President Bashar al-Assad, residents said. (more…)

Saudi Arabian woman sentenced to flogging for driving

A court in Jidda, Saudi Arabia, has sentenced a woman to 10 lashes for defying the kingdom’s ban on female drivers, Amnesty International said Tuesday.

News of the decision came just two days after King Abdullah surprised his ultraconservative nation by announcing that women would be given the right to vote (more…)

EU powers to circulate UN Syria draft resolution

Britain, France, Germany and Portugal soon plan to circulate a new draft U.N. resolution condemning Syria that drops calls for immediate sanctions against Damascus, diplomats said on Tuesday. (more…)

Gemayel: Hezbollah’s weapons don’t defend coexistence

Former Lebanese president and current Phalange  Party leader Amin Gemayel on Tuesday rejected that Hezbollah’s weapons “defend coexistence,” in reference to a statement issued by the Shiite  party.

“This theory contradicts any  type of  logic of  coexistence (more…)

Mikati: Lebanon is committed to int’l resolutions including STL

During his speech before the UN Security Council on Tuesday Prime Minister Najib Mikati reiterated on Lebanon’s commitment to international resolutions including the resolution pertaining to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) (more…)

British envoy says Syria tries to hide truth

Britain’s ambassador to Damascus said Syrian authorities will stop at nothing to hold on to power and are trying to hide from the world the killing, arrest and abuse of mostly peaceful protesters against President Bashar al-Assad. (more…)

Israel approves 1,100 settler homes in Gilo, Jerusalem

Israel has approved the construction of 1,100 homes in the Jewish settlement of Gilo on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

The move comes days after Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas called for full UN membership for a Palestinian state. (more…)

Patriarch Rai sticking to his previous stance on hezbollah, Syria

Lebanon’s Christian Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai reiterated his previous positions on Hezbollah’s arms and Syria during the Christian-Muslim summit in Dar al-Fatwa, MTV reported on Tuesday. (more…)

Gaddafi loyalists “ask for truce” in besieged city

An elder from Muammar Gaddafi’s tribe inside the besieged city of Sirte has asked government forces for a truce, a local commander said on Tuesday, but there was no let-up in fighting in one of its districts.
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U.S. makes inquiry about Syrian deposits

The United States Treasury Department has made an inquiry about Syrian deposits in Lebanese banks but has yet to request formal action. (more…)