Lebanon’s DM defends the president

During a phone interview with MTV network on Thursday Lebanon’s Defense Minister Elias Murr stressed that “the stances of President Michel Suleiman have salvaged Lebanon and put it back on the international map,” rejecting “any attempt at separating between the president and the presidency position.”

Murr added: ” The Doha Accord took place and  we elected a consensus and  a referee president instead of a biased one.” (more…)

Salam regrets attending March 14 Bristol meeting

MP Tamam Salam who reportedly participated for the first time in March 14 meetings when he attended the Bristol Hotel gathering in response to an invitation from the March 14 coalition seems to regret his action:
“They insisted that I attend… I could have apologized, but I did not find an excuse for apology, specially since PM Hariri was scheduled to attend and I was surprised when he did not show up,” Salam said in remarks published Thursday by the daily As-Safir. (more…)

Lebanon PM condemns Israeli plans for Jerusalem

Following the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Information Minister Tarek Mitri briefed the press: (more…)

Moussa: Lebanon’s participation in Libya summit should not be discussed through the media

Following his meeting on Wednesday with Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said that Lebanon’s participation in the March Arab League summit in Libya should not be discussed through the media because it would complicate the situation, the National News Agency (NNA) has reported. (more…)

Taymour set to take over the Jumblatti leadership

Taymour , son of MP Walid Jumblatt took his first official step toward becoming the Jumblatti leader by replacing his father in laying red roses at the tomb of his grandfather, the late Kamal Jumblatt to commemorate his 33rd assassination anniversary.

Walid Jumblatt, who took over the PSP leadership from his father, believes it is about time he hands over the leadership to his son.

“This is the first (political) appearance for the man who intends to steer the ship of the Jumblatti leadership,” said Jumblatt as Taymour laid three red roses at his grandfather’s tomb. (more…)

Berri defends Suleiman over resistance clause

Speaker Nabih Berri defended President Michel Suleiman , following their meeting at the Baabda palace over the clause on the Resistance that was crossed out from the statement issued after the national dialogue session. (more…)

Wahab attacks Lebanon president, asks him to resign

Former minister Wiam Wahab a staunch ally of Syria on Wednesday attacked President Michel Suleiman and and called on him to resign for allegedly failing to govern the country.

Following talks with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun in Rabiyeh, Wahab said the president should resign “because after two years of rule we feel like we are in the last days of the presidency.”

“The consensus president in Lebanon is not successful,” Wahab said, stressing that he wasn’t attacking the seat of the presidency but the president himself. (more…)

U.S.:Iran poses a major threat to regional stability

A top U.S. military commander says Iran poses a major threat to regional stability as it continues its nuclear program in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

General David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East and Central Asia, told a Senate hearing Tuesday that if Iran were to obtain nuclear weapons capability, that would destabilize the region and likely spur a regional arms race. (more…)

Ford: U.S. sanctions won’t be dropped unless Syria stops supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon

The U.S. needs to deliver “straight talk” to the Syrian leadership on stabilizing Iraq and cutting links to Hezbollah in Lebanon, President Barack Obama’s nominee for ambassador to Damascus said today.

“Bad news just doesn’t flow upwards over there,” Robert Ford, a career diplomat, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at his confirmation hearing as he explained why the U.S. wants to send an ambassador for the first time in five years. (more…)

Lebanon court ok’s retrial of Rafeh

The Court of Cassation on Tuesday approved the retrial of Lebanese citizen Mahmoud Rafeh after he was sentenced to death on charges of spying for Israel.

The court approved the plea which was submitted by Rafeh’s attorney.

The court set May 13 as the date for the retrial.

The Lebanese army arrested on June 10 , 2006 the members of an alleged Israeli spy ring, including Mahmoud Rafeh, his wife, and two children. Police discovered bomb-making materials, code machines and other espionage equipment in his home. (more…)