Charbel questions credibility of Ghosn’s reports on al-Qaida

Lebanon’s Interior Minister Marwan Charbel confirmed during an interview with the Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn had informed the cabinet that al-Qaida members had infiltrated the Bekaa town of Arsal, however Ghosn only spoke of information he obtained and not of reports that al-Qaida members had been arrested, especially since the border region are controlled by the Lebanese army. (more…)

Pope Urges End to Syria Bloodshed

Pope Benedict XVI called for an end to the bloodshed in Syria and the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in his Christmas message Sunday, an appeal for peace that was challenged by deadly attacks on Nigerian churches. (more…)

Patriarch Rai: The State is obligated to guarantee people’s safety

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Al Rai said during the Christmas mass that was held at Bkirki that the state is obligated to guarantee the people’s safety to ensure an arms-free Beirut and arms-free Lebanon.

“The state is obligated to guarantee the people’s safety, gather all arms, and limit security duties to the state, which will therefore ensure an arms-free Beirut and arms-free Lebanon.” (more…)

Syrian opposition calls for UN role to end crisis

The Arab League must bring the U.N. into the effort to stop Syria’s bloody crackdown on protesters, the top opposition leader said Sunday, as security forces pressed ahead with raids and arrests around the country. (more…)

Russian protesters want Vladimir Putin out

Tens of thousands of people fed up with Vladimir Putin’s domination of Russian politics and his perceived arrogance jammed one of Moscow’s broadest avenues for a giant protest, vowing to keep building the pressure until the longtime leader is driven from power. (more…)

Syria: oil output cut by third due to sanctions

Syrian Oil Minister Sufian Alao said on Saturday that his country’s oil production had fallen by about 30 to 35 percent as a result of sanctions imposed on Syria over its nine-month crackdown on anti-government protests.

The European Union has stepped up its sanctions against Syria’s oil industry, including blacklisting state-owned firms. (more…)

Lebanon IM predicts Shura Council will reject the wage hikes

Lebanon Information Minister Walid Daouq told LBC TV on Saturday that he predicts that the State Shura Council “will reject” the wage hikes recently adopted by the cabinet .

Daouq expressed concern that the process for resolving the controversial wage issue “will go back to square one ” . (more…)

Free Syrian Army accuses the regime of staging the bombings

During an interview with Al-Rai Kuwaiti newspaper , Free Syrian Army Chief of Staff, Colonel Ahmad Hijazi accused the Syrian regime on Saturday of staging the twin bombings that rocked Damascus on Friday.

“They were the work of the Syrian regime in order to blame the opposition of involvement in terrorism, score points in front of international public opinion and portray itself as the victim before the eyes of the Arab observers.” (more…)

Syria’s twin suicide bombings: Who is to blame?

TWO simultaneous car bombs at security buildings rocked Damascus on the morning of Friday December 23rd. Residents and diplomats said the explosions, which were followed by gunfire, in Kafer Souseh, a wealthy area of the capital, reverberated across the city. At least 44 people died (more…)

Canada freezes Syrian regime’s assets

The Canadian federal government has ordered Canadian banks to freeze any assets they hold for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime even as it anticipates the tyrant’s downfall. (more…)