Angelina Jolie appeals for more aid to help Syrian refugees

Urging the international community to scale up aid to Syrian refugees, Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy for the United Nations refugee agency, today said that the two-year conflict in Syria had sparked “the worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century.” (more…)

Syrian rebels claim responsibility for killing 4 Lebanese

A group of Syrian rebels has claimed responsibility in a video for killing four Shi’ites in Lebanon this week – another example of how Syria’s civil war is spreading into its neighbour. (more…)

Syrians switch to dollar as local currency plunges

Since the latest nosedive in the Syrian currency, Damascus shopkeeper Aboud Katebee can no longer put price stickers on the imported chocolate bars he sells in the middle class Jaramana neighborhood. (more…)

Baath MP accused Lebanon President of high treason

Baath Party MP Assem Qanso on Wednesday accused President Michel Suleiman of high treason and called for his prosecution after the latter filed a memorandum of complaint to the UN concerning Syrian violations of Lebanese sovereignty.

“We will work, according to the constitution and laws, on prosecuting the president for high treason,” (more…)

Asaad blames Hezbollah, state for embassy killing

The leader of the Lebanese Option Party Ahmad al-Asaad blamed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and senior officials in the Lebanese state Sunday for the recent killing of an anti-Hezbollah protester outside the Iranian Embassy in Beirut.

Asaad also scheduled another protest which is set for Sunday June 23, at the same time and place (more…)

Hamas Urges Former Ally Hezbollah to Leave Syria

The Palestinian militant group Hamas on Monday urged Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia to withdraw its fighters from Syria and accused it of stoking sectarian tensions, leveling unprecedented public criticism against a former ally. (more…)

Putin, Obama disagree over Syria at G8 summit meeting

U.S. President Barack Obama sparred with Russia’s Vladimir Putin over how to end the war in Syria on Monday during an icy encounter at a G8 summit where divisions over the conflict eclipsed the rest of the agenda.

Speaking after talks with Obama, Putin said Moscow and Washington had differing views over Syria but (more…)

Gemayel: Hezbollah is ruling Lebanon

Phalange Party bloc MP Sami Gemayel on Monday said that Hezbollah was governing Lebanon and imposing its policy by the force of its weapons.
“Hezbollah is ruling the country, taking decisions and imposing a de facto situation by the force of its weapons, (more…)

Iran to send 4,000 troops to Syria to aid Assad forces

Iran will send 4,000 of its troops to Syria to aid president Bashar al-Assad’s forces in its fight against rebels, according to the UK’s Independent newspaper.

The “military decision” means that Iran is now “fully committed to preserving Assad’s regime (more…)

Syria: Huge blast at Mezzeh military airport in Damascus

A huge blast has been reported in the western Mezzeh suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus.

Syrian state TV said the blast was caused by “a terrorist attempt to target Mezzeh military airport”.

Unconfirmed reports said around 20 soldiers were killed or wounded in the explosion. (more…)