Assad, Hezbollah forces battle rebels in Qusayr

Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have unleashed their heaviest artillery and rocket barrage yet in a week-long battle to dislodge rebels from a strategic western town, activists say. (more…)

Charbel defends Rifi’s role in Tripoli, North Lebanon

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel defended former Internal Security Forces chief General Ashraf Rifi’s role in Tripoli and said that Rifi is working to calm down the situation in the city.
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Jumblatt for extending parliament term due to Tripoli unrest

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt said on Friday following a meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri that the current security situation in Lebanon is a major hurdle against staging the parliamentary elections. (more…)

Assad’s Not-So-Secret Weapon: Loyal Syrian Businessmen

When Syrian businessman Mohammed Jaber held a dinner at a luxury hotel here for his associates recently, there was little doubt where they stood on the country’s embattled president, Bashar al-Assad.

“Bashar, we are your soldiers in the millions, no matter what,” (more…)

Resistance of Syria rebels surprises Hezbollah

An-Nahar Daily reported on Friday that 18-year-old Hassan, a Baalbeck native and a Hezbollah fighter, spent three days fighting with the party alongside the Syrian regime in the border town of al-Qusayr.

Hassan who was notified of his father’s death in the battles upon his arrival to his hometown said that Hezbollah fighters (more…)

Syria opposition seeks to unify ahead of peace talks

Syria’s fractious opposition scrambled to agree a new leadership on Friday in a bid to present a coherent front at peace talks which the United States and Russia are convening to seek an end to more than two years of civil war.

A major assault by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces on a rebel held town over the past week is shaping into a pivotal battle. It has drawn in fighters from Assad’s Lebanese allies Hezbollah, (more…)

Rai: Electoral laws are no excuse to delay polls

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai who returned on Friday from a 56-day tour of Latin America called for holding the parliamentary elections on time under any current or new electoral law, stressing that electoral laws must not be used as an excuse to delay the parliamentary elections.

“We categorically reject extension (of parliament’s term) and elections must be held under any current or new law (more…)

Suleiman cautions Hezbollah over its role in Syria

On the occasion marking the Resistance and Liberation Day , Lebanon’s President Michel Suleiman cautioned the Shiite group Hezbollah on Friday over its militia fighting alongside the regime troops in neighboring Syria :

“The resistance is more noble and more important than anything, and should not (more…)

North Lebanon death toll rises to 23

At least 23 people have been killed since Sunday in Syria-linked clashes between Sunni and Alawite residents of the northern Lebanese port city of Tripoli, a security source said.

Thursday was the bloodiest day yet in the clashes, with at least 11 people killed in 24 hours, (more…)

Geagea calls for a vote on electoral draft laws.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea called for convening the parliament in order to vote on the existing electoral draft laws.

“There is a natural and logical option [in this deadlock] which is to hold a parliament plenary session… and put the electoral proposals to a vote,” Geagea said in remarks published in An-Nahar newspaper on Friday. (more…)