Syrian opposition groups plan for post-Assad era

Two major Syrian opposition groups forged a deal that charts a course for democracy if and when President Bashar al-Assad’s regime crumbles.

Representatives of the Syrian National Council and the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change in Syria signed an agreement late Friday in Cairo for a transition in a post-Assad era, the NCB said on its Facebook page. (more…)

Kaslik explosion caused by gas leak, report

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel confirmed on Saturday during an interview with MTV that the explosion in Kaslik, just north of Beirut was the result of a gas leak.

An explosion ripped through the Senses health club and spa in Kaslik on Saturday, (more…)

Shura Council rejects Nahhas’ proposal on wages, Al Liwa

Al Liwa newspaper quoted well informed sources as saying that the “Shura Council has informed Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas that his proposal on wage increases was rejected on the basis that he cannot combine transportation allowance with the minimum wage.” (more…)

Snipers rule the streets in the besieged Syrian city of Homs

For months, the Syrian city of Homs has been the focus of opposition to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, with almost daily protests since the summer. (more…)

Egypt assures U.S. no more raids on democracy groups

Egyptian officials have assured the United States they will halt raids on pro-democracy and human rights groups and return property seized in a crackdown that strained ties with Washington, U.S. officials said on Friday. (more…)

Syrian security forces resort to nail bombs

Sensing an opportunity to rebuild momentum, protest organisers had appealed for an unprecedented show of force from their supporters but even they were taken aback by the scale of the response as hundreds of thousands took to the streets. (more…)

Homs is mourning journalist Basil al Sayid the “eye of truth”

Armed with valor, vigor and a lone video camera, citizen journalist Basil al Sayid chronicled the Syrian siege of Homs for months before a sniper picked him off and killed him.

Now, the city is mourning a man some call the “eye of truth.” (more…)

Presence of monitors reinvigorates Syrian protests against Assad

Hundreds of thousands of protesters poured into the streets Friday across Syria in the largest anti-government demonstrations in months, after opposition leaders called on supporters to rally while observers from the Arab League are in the country.

“Revolution of glory and freedom!” shouted protesters in the city of Homs, the center of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, (more…)

19 killed in new Syria clashes, despite presence of AL observers

At least 19 people have died as hundreds of thousands of Syrians poured into the streets in the largest protests in months, activists said.

Despite the presence of Arab observers, the activists said security forces opened fire on protesters. (more…)

Hamadeh calls on government to protect Arsal residents

March 14 MP Marwan Hamadeh slammed on Friday the statements made by the Lebanese Defense Minister and accused him of exposing the Arsal town to the threat of Syrian army’s aggression.”

“The irresponsible statements of Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn’s expose Arsal to the threat of the Syrian army’s aggression,” he said. (more…)