Sanctions weigh on Lebanon-Syria banking ties

Beirut, Lebanon _ Lebanese banks which worked for years to build up business in neighboring Syria have been quietly implementing U.S. and European Union sanctions against Damascus to avoid jeopardizing their international operations, bankers and economists say.

This is despite close financial ties between the two countries, cemented by the opening of seven Lebanese banking affiliates in Syria (more…)

U.S. searches for strategy to end Syria violence

The United States appears to be out of answers on what to do with Syria.

The Obama administration says it is not considering invading Syria or arming its rebels to remove President Bashar Assad from power. Diplomatic efforts at the U.N. have collapsed. A new, much-touted option of humanitarian assistance for Syria’s beleaguered population is a longshot (more…)

Opinion: Russia’s Potemkin democracy

I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or to cry when I heard that the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, had found a solution to the Syrian crisis. Speaking in Damascus on Tuesday, Lavrov declared that everything was fine:

Dozens dead as Syria regime pounds Homs: Activists

DAMASCUS: Syrian forces pressed a relentless assault on the protest city of Homs on Wednesday, with dozens of civilians reported killed, hours after President Bashar al-Assad said he was committed to ending the bloodshed.

The barrage of gunfire, mortars and shells was launched at daybreak and continued during the day. (more…)

Germany arrests 2 alleged Syrian spies

Two men suspected of spying on Syrian opposition groups in Germany were arrested in Berlin Tuesday, authorities said. (more…)

Attacks in Syria’s Homs resume as protests sweep Sweidaa

Armored forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad thrust deeper into the central city of Homs on Wednesday, firing rockets and mortar rounds to subdue opposition districts, activists said, a day after Russia said Assad wants peace, as protests sweep Sweidaa, home to Syria’s Druze. (more…)

Anti Syrian regime Druze: Assad’s fall coming soon

The anti Syrian -regime Druze in Jabal al Arab who call themselves ” Free people of Jabal al Arab” told Syrian president Bashar al Assad in a statement on Tuesday that his fall is coming sooner than later and that he will see in Souweida and the rest of Jabal al Arab something he has never seen before . (more…)

Who represents the Syrian rebels ?

Rival dissident army officers are claiming to lead the increasingly armed rebellion within Syria, exposing rifts within the opposition.

In an interview by telephone with CNN, Maj. Mahar Naimi introduced himself as a spokesman for the “Higher Military Council,” a newly formed organization that now claimed to lead armed defectors within Syria. (more…)

Homes In Homs Turned Into Makeshift Hospitals

Last night our safe house in Homs turned into a makeshift field hospital for injured fighters and today funerals are taking place – as residents fear a full-on regime assault.

The first indicator last night came when injured soldiers started running into the house where we were staying, looking for medics. (more…)

GCC states Recall Ambassadors From Syria, Expel Syrian Diplomats

Gulf Arab countries announced on Tuesday they were recalling their ambassadors from Damascus and expelling Syrian envoys in response to worsening violence in Syria.

Syria’s rulers had rejected Arab attempts to “solve this crisis and prevent the bloodshed of the Syrian people,” a statement from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said. (more…)