Hizbullah Will Take Part in Cabinet, Denying Reports that Say Otherwise

Hizbullah official Nawwaf Mousawi denied reports that the party planned to give up its share in the new government in favor of its allies.

We Won't Forget the Past, We Need Guarantees from Syria

Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel said Friday that Syria has to prove its good intentions towards Lebanon by dismantling armed Palestinian bases and demarcating the border.

PM-Designate Governs Through Consensus, Not Against Syria

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat called for the restoration of a climate of trust between Lebanon and Syria by focusing on the issue of bilateral relations.

Syrian-Saudi Summit on Lebanon, Region Likely on Monday

A Syrian-Saudi summit is expected to take place in Damascus on Monday, Egypt's official Middle East News Agency (MENA) said.

Hariri Asks Miri's Family to Trust the State and its Institutions

Premier-designate Saad Hariri paid condolences to the family of Zeina Miri, who was killed during clashes between Amal and al-Mustaqbal movement supporters in the Beirut neighborhood of Aisha Bakkar on Sunday.

Sison: We Are Proud to Support Lebanon's Economic Strength, Key Institutions

U.S. Ambassador Michele Sison said during a celebration of the 233rd anniversary of the United States' independence that her country is proud to support the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces.

Sikorsky Helicopter in Service

A Sikorsky firefighting helicopter, which was delivered to Lebanon two weeks ago, was used for the first time to extinguish a fire in Qmatiyeh near the mountain resort town of Aley.

Sleiman rules out any tolerance for security breaches
LAF announces all perpetrators in Aisha Bakkar clashes arrested

President Michel Sleiman said on Thursday that security breaches should in no way be tolerated "especially since we are expecting a promising summer season."

Lebanese man gets 25 years for arms dealing

A Lebanese man convicted of agreeing to sell millions of dollars of weapons to leftist guerrillas in Colombia was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Wednesday.

A legacy is up for grabs in Lebanon, but will anyone seize the opportunity?

It doesn't really matter whether one is a fan of a given politician - certain figures have legacies that remain for years after their time in office.

Veto Power Rejected, March 14 Must Show Ability to Govern

Chief of the executive committee for "Lebanese Forces" party, Samir Geagea, met today at his residence at Maarab with Coordinator of the General Secretary of March 14 Forces, Dr. Fares Souaid, and discussed with him governmental issues.

Hizbullah: Israel Prime Suspect in Lebanon Crimes, Ban Should Have Condemned it

Hizbullah on Thursday criticized U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for not condemning Israeli spy networks in his 10th report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.

Relations with Syria Subject to Pending Issues

“We want good relations with Syria, but we cannot ignore unresolved issues, such as Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons and the Lebanese-Syrian border demarcation,” Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra said on Thursday.

Paris Says Assad Talks Positively About Hariri, Veto Power Not Ideal

Syrian President Bashar Assad has expressed readiness to meet with Premier-designate Saad Hariri during talks with two top aides to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, a French source said.

Abducted students released after being stripped of possessions, cars

Four students abducted Wednesday by a group of gunmen in the mountainous region of Aqoura were released 90 minutes later by their captors in the nearby Homsya town after being stripped of their possessions, according to a security report.

Efforts to Find a Common Ground for New Cabinet Amid Reports about 15-10-5 Formula

Amid ongoing consultations to form a new Lebanese cabinet, the formula that will most likely be adopted is a 30-member government in which the majority would get 15 seats, the opposition 10 and the president 5.

Army Arrests 21 Over Aisha Bakkar Clashes

The Lebanese army said on Thursday it has arrested 21 people over a street battle in the Beirut neighborhood of Aisha Bakkar that left a woman bystander dead.

A key to freedom is finding the ayatollahs' tipping point

Once the crowds were in the streets in Tehran, one could, if one knew the script, begin the countdown: If today there are mass protests, tomorrow there will be threats of retaliation in the name of "national security."

National unity cabinet with president's ministers acting as 'swing votes'

Today, and despite the successful democratic parliamentary elections accomplished on a national scale, the political leadership of our country remain once again faced with the same previously witnessed dilemma of satisfying different conflicting demands and conditions.

Gunfire Targets Hariri Educational Complex in Sidon

The Hariri Educational Development Complex was targeted by gunfire on Wednesday evening by some individuals.

Nobody Knows Who Is Forming the Cabinet with the Flood of Diplomatic Visits; the Polls Were a 'Slave Market'

MP Michel Aoun indirectly criticized Wednesday foreign meddling in Lebanese affairs by pointing to a flurry of diplomatic activity that has been accompanying the government formation process.

Petraeus' visit serves as a reminder of what needs to be done in Lebanon

During his visit to Beirut Tuesday, US General David Petraeus met with President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, the two men responsible for leading the Lebanese state into the future.

March 14 Calls for a Demilitarized Beirut

March 14 forces strongly called Wednesday for a "definitive" decision for the demilitarization of the capital, following Sunday's armed clashes that left one woman bystander dead.

Maronite Bishops Call for Facilitating Cabinet Formation

The Maronite Church on Wednesday called for facilitating the formation of a government that will "run the country firmly and wisely."

Suleiman: Return of Palestinians is Essential for Comprehensive Mideast Settlement

President Michel Suleiman said Wednesday that peace cannot be achieved without the Arab initiative, which guarantees the return of Palestinians, the implementation of resolution 1701 and Israel's withdrawal from Shebaa, Kfarshouba and northern part of Ghajar.

Baroud Says Fires Appear Intentional

Outgoing Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said he believed fires that broke out in different parts of Lebanon on Tuesday may have been intentionally set.

Cabinet on Low Fire as Preparations for Lebanon-Syria-Saudi Summit Underway

PM-designate Saad Hariri quietly continues discussions on Cabinet formation as the government was expected to be declared within 10 days, the daily An Nahar reported.

Feltman: Despite its Popular Support, Hizbullah is a Threat to Lebanon and the Region

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman warned that Hizbullah's arms pose a threat to Lebanon and the region although he admitted that the party has popular support and is represented in parliament.

Makari wants 'realistic' approach to Hizbullah arms

Deputy Parliament Speaker Farid Makari said on Tuesday that Hizbullah's weapons arsenal should be tackled "in a realistic manner."

Ban Encourages Dismantling of Palestinian Bases, Says Hizbullah's Capabilities a Serious Challenge to Sovereignty

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has urged Israel to withdraw from the Lebanese side of the border village of Ghajar and reiterated that Hizbullah's armed capabilities pose a serious challenge to the government's ability to exercise its sovereignty.

Huge Fires Erupt in Beshari, Jezzine

Two huge forest fires erupted in the towns of Anan, in the district of Jezzine, and Hadchit, in Beshari, and destroyed acres of fruit trees.

FPM asks for seven ministers in next cabinet

Incumbent Social Affairs Minister Mario Aoun said on Tuesday that the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) was asking for seven ministers in the next cabinet.

Berri Calls for Serious, Transparent Probe into Aisha Bakkar Shooting

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday called for a "serious and transparent" probe into the Aisha Bakkar clashes that left one woman killed and six other people wounded.

Hizbullah, PSP officials meet for talks

Officials from Hizbullah and the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) held talks on Tuesday focusing on means to preserve contact and collaboration among them.

Hariri Meets Suleiman; Vows to Continue 'Positive' Negotiations to Shape a 'Capable' Cabinet

Premier-designate Saad Hariri on Tuesday held serious discussions with President Michel Suleiman on the shape-up of the new Cabinet, a day after marathon consultations with parliamentary blocs ended with an agreement for a national unity government.

Negativities Harm the Future of Lebanon

Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir considered that “the continuance of negativities is of a great harm to the future of Lebanon, the symbol of civilization of the East and the world.’

Gueant in Damascus, Talks to Focus on Lebanon, Region

Claude Gueant, the secretary general of the French presidency, and President Nicolas Sarkozy's advisor David Levitte arrived in Damascus on Tuesday to meet with Syrian officials.

It's too simplistic to blame outside powers for the latest clashes in Lebanon

As Lebanon picks up the pieces from its latest round of civil strife, a brief (for now) flare-up in the Beirut neighborhood of Aisha Bakkar, we should remember that there is life beyond S and S ...

Visiting U.S. Military Commander Meets Top Lebanese Officials

Gen. David Petraeus, the head of the U.S. military's Central Command, arrived in Beirut on Tuesday and went into talks with President Michel Suleiman at Baabda Palace, the state-run National News Agency said.

Khoja in Beirut as Syria Awaits Saudi Response

Enhanced contacts between Damascus and Riyadh related to the Lebanon situation have been a priority for the Saudi Kingdom.

Swine Flu Cases Rise to 43

The health ministry reported four new cases of swine flu in Lebanon on Tuesday, bringing the country's total to 43.

Gemayel Says No Use of Cabinet that Doesn't Safeguard Taef, Urges Hariri to be Steadfast

Phalange leader Amin Gemayel said Monday that there is no use in having a government that does not maintain and safeguard national foundations, the Cedar revolution and the Taef accord.

Roed-Larsen Lauds Damascus for Providing Positive Atmosphere During Lebanon Polls

U.N. Special Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen expressed optimism at recent developments in Lebanon and lauded Syria for providing a positive atmosphere during the Lebanese parliamentary elections last month.

Army Deploys in Aisha Bakkar as MPs Move Toward Declaring: Beirut "A Safe City"

The Lebanese army deployed troops in Beriut's Aisha Bakkar district as Beirut MPs were getting ready to issue a declaration: Beirut "A Safe City" for all, marking a step forward in efforts to stabilize the city.

Hariri, Suleiman Enter 'Numbers Game' on Cabinet Shape-Up

Premier-designate Saad Hariri on Tuesday will plunge into serious discussions with President Michel Suleiman on the shape-up of the new Cabinet, a day after marathon consultations with the various parliamentary blocs demonstrated a semi-unanimity on openness.