#march_14

#LBC, #Future_TV and #MTV : An Advertising and Political Merger
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/23573

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/tahtah-%2812%29.gif

It is said that when late Lebanese Prime Minister #Rafik_Hariri established the Future media outlets, he discovered the real cost of media production, compared to the payments that individual newspaper, radio and TV owners demanded of him. Today, former Lebanese Prime Minister #Saad_Hariri is thinking about sidestepping his political team’s media outlets to save himself from imaginary losses, keep advertisers in check, stop the waste, bridge the deficit, accomplish a qualitative media leap and, most importantly, keep a tighter grip on media outlets.

#Articles #Lebanese_Forces #Lebanese_Media #Lebanon #March_14_movement #Michel_Aoun #Michel_Gabriel_al-Murr #Pierre_Daher #Samir_Geagea #Mideast_&_North_Africa

#washington and #Paris fear for #Lebanon’s stability
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/20433

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/216199-01-08.jpg

There have been several US statements indicating, sometimes implicitly and sometimes explicitly, that #Lebanon will inevitably be drawn into the Iraqi and Syrian quagmires. The last such statement, which confirmed that “Lebanon will not escape the sectarian storm in the region,” was reported by Lebanese politicians who met with US officials.

#Articles #Future_Movement #Hezbollah #Iraq #MARCH_14 #March_8 #syria

#Ersal: Executions, assassinations and chaos
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/ersal-executions-assassinations-and-chaos

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/rameh-hamiye_0.jpg

An army patrol goes through the town of Ersal. (Photo: Rameh Hamieh) An army patrol goes through the town of Ersal. (Photo: Rameh Hamieh)

Ersal is living in a state of total lawlessness, complete with executions against both locals and refugees, armed robberies, and assassinations and retributions. Meanwhile, it appears that the government’s “cosmetic” security plan in place is insufficient to deter the militants from wreaking havoc in the town’s streets and alleyways.

Rameh Hamieh

read (...)

#Lebanon #Al-Nusra_Front #Aqabet_al-Qseira #Articles #Hezbollah #ISIS #lebanese_army #MARCH_14 #Mustafa_Izz_al-Din #PFLP-GC #Ras_Baalbek #syria #Umm_al-Jamaa #Wara_al-Saabeh

#washington and #Paris fear for #Lebanon’s stability
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/washington-and-paris-fear-lebanon%E2%80%99s-stability

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/216199-01-08.jpg

US Secretary of State John Kerry (R) and former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri shake hands before a meeting at the US Chief of Mission Residence June 26, 2014 in Paris, France. (Photo: AFP-Brendan Smialowski) US Secretary of State John Kerry (R) and former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri shake hands before a meeting at the US Chief of Mission Residence June 26, 2014 in Paris, France. (Photo: AFP-Brendan Smialowski)

There have been several US statements indicating, sometimes implicitly and sometimes explicitly, that #Lebanon will inevitably be drawn into the Iraqi and Syrian quagmires. The last such statement, which confirmed that “Lebanon will not escape the sectarian storm in the region,” was reported by Lebanese (...)

#Articles #Future_Movement #Hezbollah #Iraq #MARCH_14 #March_8 #syria

All the cards are in Bashar al-Assad’s hands
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/20204

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/068460-01-08.jpg

A woman holds a picture of re-elected Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as she celebrates in Damascus after he was announced as the winner of the country’s presidential elections on June 4, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid) A woman holds a picture of re-elected Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as she celebrates in Damascus after he was announced as the winner of the country’s presidential elections on June 4, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid)

(1)

Nahed Hattar

read more

#Opinion #Articles #Bashar_al_Assad #Erbil #erdogan #Iraq #ISIS #John_Kerry #Kurdistan #Lebanon #MARCH_14 #Saddam_Hussein #Saudi_Arabia #syria #turkey

From Clinton to Kerry: #washington's strategic shift in the region
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/clinton-kerry-washingtons-strategic-shift-region

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/085816-01-08.jpg

US Secretary of State #John_Kerry takes part in a ceremony on June 7, 2014 in Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, western France, in memory of the three US soldiers who died during liberation of the city on August 14, 1944. (Photo: AFP - Jean-Sebastien Evrard)

No matter how much is said and written about John Kerry’s shift from policies previously adopted by his administration, and despite the rumored hysteria of some #MARCH_14 figures following the surprising American blow, it is still hard to understand the reality and depth of this shift unless we compare it to previous American behavior under similar circumstances.

Jean Aziz

read (...)

#Opinion #Articles #hillary_clinton #Lebanon #policy #presidential_elections

#Lebanon to strip Syrians of refugee status if they visit home
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-strip-syrians-refugee-status-if-they-visit-home

Syrian #refugees in Lebanon will lose their status as such if they return home for a visit, the interior ministry said Saturday. At the same time, there are calls among political and media figures associated with the Western and Saudi-backed Marched 14 political alliance for deporting those who voted in an election in which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is expected to win. read more

#discrimination #MARCH_14 #syria

Syrian elections: Lebanese prejudice rears its ugly head
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syrian-elections-lebanese-prejudice-rears-its-ugly-head

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/021851-01-08.jpg

Syrian expatriates living in #Lebanon cast their ballots in the country’s presidential elections at the Syrian Embassy in #Yarze east of #Beirut on May 28, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid) Syrian expatriates living in #Lebanon cast their ballots in the country’s presidential elections at the Syrian Embassy in Yarze east of Beirut on May 28, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid)

Syrian expatriates in Lebanon continued to cast ballots on Thursday after the Syrian embassy in Lebanon decided to extend the vote in the presidential elections an extra day due to the overwhelming number of voters.

Rana Harbi

read (...)

#Articles #Bashar_al-Assad #Damascus #Hassan_Abdullah_al-Nouri #Maher_Abdel_Hafiz_Hajjar #MARCH_14 #May_Chidiac #Nadim_Gemayel #Nadim_Koteiche #syria

An Aoun-Hariri alliance could steer the country
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/aoun-hariri-alliance-could-steer-country

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/798379-01-08.jpg

Lebanese member of parliament #Michel_Aoun holds a press conference following a parliament session to vote for the new Lebanese president in the parliament building in downtown Beirut on April 23, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid) Lebanese member of parliament Michel Aoun holds a press conference following a parliament session to vote for the new Lebanese president in the parliament building in downtown Beirut on April 23, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid)

The private talks between Aoun and Hariri are now public. Former Prime Minister #Saad_Hariri has opted for endless negotiations as his prefered tactic until time runs out, or his opponents get exhausted. In the meantime, he is making significant political gains, some tactical, (...)

#Opinion #Articles #Future_Movement #Lebanese_presidential_elections #Lebanon #MARCH_14 #March_8 #Michel_Suleiman

Thaw in Iranian-Saudi relations pacifies #Lebanon, but what about #syria?
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/19350

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/archive---AFP.jpg

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz (L) attending a conference with his entourage. (Photo: AFP) Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz (L) attending a conference with his entourage. (Photo: AFP)

The preliminary success of the security plan in north Lebanon, following the appointment of the new government, poses several questions about whether it was the result of a local agreement or a reflection of regional breakthroughs. According to information obtained by Al-Akhbar, the tension between #Iran and the Saudi Kingdom are expected to thaw in the event that preliminary contacts lead to an agreement on some common points. If this succeeds, the security situation would be likely to calm down in Lebanon and a consensus on the next (...)

#Opinion #Aleppo #Articles #Hassan_Nasrallah #Hezbollah #Lebanese_Forces #MARCH_14 #March_8 #Michel_Aoun #Michel_Suleiman #Nabih_Berri #Samir_Geagea #Saudi_Arabia #US

Lebanese elections: Western powers to intervene if presidential vacuum occurs
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanese-elections-western-powers-intervene-if-presidential-vacuu

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/Archive-%282%29.jpg

The interior of Baabda Palace, where the Lebanese president resides. (Photo: Archive) The interior of Baabda Palace, where the Lebanese president resides. (Photo: Archive)

The ambassadors of world powers are waiting for Lebanese political factions to hit an impasse in electing a new president before intervening. In the past few days, they have surveyed the situation and asked a lot questions their local allies have no answer for, but the election’s secret is that an answer will be provided when those concerned with it are least expecting it.

Nicolas Nassif

read (...)

#Lebanon #Articles #MARCH_14 #March_8 #Nabih_Berri #presidential_election

#Lebanon’s government: A ticking time bomb with regional and international controls
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon%E2%80%99s-government-ticking-time-bomb-regional-and-inter

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/228690-01-08-1.gif

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman (Front C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (Front C-L) and prime minister-designate Tammam Salam (Front C-R) posing with ministers of the new cabinet at the presidential palace of Baabda, east of Beirut. (Photo: AFP- Ho / Dalati and Nohra) Lebanese President Michel Sleiman (Front C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (Front C-L) and prime minister-designate Tammam Salam (Front C-R) posing with ministers of the new cabinet at the presidential palace of Baabda, east of Beirut. (Photo: AFP- Ho / Dalati and Nohra)

The mistake that the various Lebanese parties made after the formation of the new government is that some of them saw it as a victory but they might be surprised, while others accepted (...)

#Opinion #Articles #Hassan_Nasrallah #Iran #MARCH_14 #March_8 #Michel_Aoun #Saad_Hariri #syria

#Lebanon forms government after 330 days of deadlock
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/18643

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/4843589092501346_0.jpg

Lebanon announced that it has formed a government on Saturday after more than 330 days of deadlock between the various political blocs. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) Lebanon announced that it has formed a government on Saturday after more than 330 days of deadlock between the various political blocs. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi)

Lebanon announced that it has formed a government on Saturday after more than 330 days of deadlock between the various political blocs. The announcement was made by Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Suheil Nouji in the afternoon after a meeting was conducted between Prime Minister-designate #Tammam_Salam with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and other officials at the Baabda Presidential (...)

#Articles #Ashraf_Rifi #MARCH_14 #March_8 #Michel_Suleiman #Nabih_Berri #Saad_Hariri

#Yabroud and Geneva II : A Time for Change
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/yabroud-and-geneva-ii-time-change

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/121576-01-08.gif

Syria’s General Fahd Jassem al-Freij (C), Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army and the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense allegedly visiting troops in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.(Photo: AFP) #syria's General Fahd Jassem al-Freij (C), Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army and the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense allegedly visiting troops in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.(Photo: AFP)

Sooner or later, the battle in the Syrian city of Yabroud will come to an end. According to military estimates, it is not going to take more than a week once the decision is taken. When it ends, political discourse in Syria, #Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and #Iran will hit a new milestone, and mark the beginning of major regional (...)

#Opinion #al-Nusra #al-Qaeda #Ankara #Articles #Free_Syrian_Army #Hezballah #John_Kerry #MARCH_14 #March_8 #Qalamoun #Syrian_army #turkey

Prime Minister Designate: Cancel the Ministerial Rotation
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/prime-minister-designate-cancel-ministerial-rotation

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/6896862682607193%281%29.jpg

If there is one person among the current political leaders who can make a decision, just for once, that will pay off in the face of this tragedy, it is Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam.(Photo: Marwan Tahtah) If there is one person among the current political leaders who can make a decision, just for once, that will pay off in the face of this tragedy, it is Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam.(Photo: Marwan Tahtah)

Is it necessary to explain to those in charge of forming the Lebanese government that there is nothing to fight over?

Ibrahim al-Amin

read (...)

#Opinion #Articles #gebran_bassil #Lebanon #MARCH_14 #March_8 #Michel_Aoun #Najib_Mikati #Walid_Jumblatt

Hariri Youth Supporters Seek Leadership From the Streets
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/hariri-youth-supporters-seek-leadership-streets

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/741671-01-08.jpg

Gunmen supporting the anti-Assad rebellion clash with their neighboors in the al-Shaarani neighborhood in the Lebanese northern coastal city of Tripoli on November 30, 2013. (Photo: AFP - Ghassan Sweidan) Gunmen supporting the anti-Assad rebellion clash with their neighboors in the al-Shaarani neighborhood in the Lebanese northern coastal city of Tripoli on November 30, 2013. (Photo: AFP - Ghassan Sweidan)

Following #Saad_Hariri's recent announcement to participate in a government with Hezbollah, #Beirut's #Sunni youth find themselves looking for alternative leaders they feel can offer them true protection.

Moe Ali Nayel

read (...)

#Lebanon #Ahmad_al-Assir #Articles #Chiyah #Future_Movement #MARCH_14 #Rafik_Hariri #Tariq_al-Jdideh

General #Ashraf_Rifi’s Solitary Battle : Take Note, I am Here !
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/general-ashraf-rifi%E2%80%99s-solitary-battle-take-note-i-am-here

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/MARW0580.jpg

General Ashraf Rifi is waging an orphaned battle in #Tripoli, without a political umbrella or regional patronage, and the city is paying the price. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah). General Ashraf Rifi is waging an orphaned battle in Tripoli, without a political umbrella or regional patronage, and the city is paying the price. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah).

General Ashraf Rifi is waging an orphaned battle in Tripoli, without a political umbrella or regional patronage, and the city is paying the price. The battle will change nothing in the expected political settlement, nor the positions of the various parties and the balance of power inside the city. All Rifi wants is for #Saad_Hariri to pay attention to him and his field commanders (the (...)

#Lebanon #Articles #Future_Movement #MARCH_14

#Lebanon: #MARCH_14 Christians on Shaky Ground With Hariri
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-march-14-christians-shaky-ground-hariri

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/16993737083795413.jpg

Hariri is not very pleased with his alliance with Geagea and Gemayel. Even though they all shared a common political position in 2005.(Photo: Marwan Tahtah). Hariri is not very pleased with his alliance with Geagea and Gemayel. Even though they all shared a common political position in 2005.(Photo: Marwan Tahtah).

#Lebanon’s March 14 Christians are banding together in an attempt to pressure former Prime Minister #Saad_Hariri about the government. However, their game will be over very soon. According to March 14 sources, “March 14 Christians are used by Hariri to fuel his battles then sacrificed when a settlement is reached.”

Maysam Rizk

read (...)

#Articles #Boutros_Harb #Kataeb #Lebanese_Forces #Sami_Gemayel #Samir_Geagea

#March_8 Reassures the Free Patriotic Movement: No Progress in Cabinet Negotiations Without Aoun’s Blessing
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/march-8-reassures-free-patriotic-movement-no-progress-cabinet-neg

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/9102379683911609_0.jpg

Meanwhile, March 8 sources did not deny the ambiguity surrounding the Free Patriotic Movement, saying, “General Aoun thinks that we have agreed with Hariri on more than the outline. (Photo: Al-Akhbar) Meanwhile, March 8 sources did not deny the ambiguity surrounding the Free Patriotic Movement, saying, “General Aoun thinks that we have agreed with Hariri on more than the outline. (Photo: Al-Akhbar)

Two weeks of positive developments in #Lebanon relating to the formation of a new “inclusive” March 8-March 14 coalition government culminated with an accord over an 8-8-8 ministerial lineup and comprehensive alternation of cabinet portfolios, but on little else. It seems that the March 8 camp’s only concern is to reassure MP Michel (...)

#Articles #Hezbollah #Lebanon #MARCH_14 #Michel_Aoun #Saad_Hariri #Walid_Jumblatt

The Rash Verdict
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/rash-verdict

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/011786-01-08.jpg

Saad Hariri is attending the trial in absentia of four Hezbollah members accused of assassinating his father in a massive car bomb explosion in downtown Beirut on February 14, 2005. (Photo: AFP - Jan Hennop). #Saad_Hariri is attending the trial in absentia of four Hezbollah members accused of assassinating his father in a massive car bomb explosion in downtown Beirut on February 14, 2005. (Photo: AFP - Jan Hennop).

#MARCH_14 is a strange lot. They are unable to let things proceed naturally. Even the Special Tribunal for #Lebanon (STL), which they hope would be a gateway to uncovering who killed Rafik Hariri, they cannot even wait for it to conclude. Like everything else, they are satisfied with the headlines and ignore (...)

#Opinion #Articles #Special_Tribunal_for_Lebanon #STL

Have #Beirut's Social Movements Died?
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/have-beiruts-social-movements-died

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/3925373441415546.jpg

Although the situation looks hopeless, there’s a new kind of understanding that we need to create alternatives. (Photo: Marwan Bu Haidar) Although the situation looks hopeless, there’s a new kind of understanding that we need to create alternatives. (Photo: Marwan Bu Haidar)

2013 was a dark year for social activism in Beirut, in which disillusionment, fear, and apathy prevailed, where calls to demonstrate were met with few boots on the ground. It was a stark difference to the energy and hopes that existed only a handful of years before, and where large demonstrations for various issues resonated strongly with the public. What happened?

Yazan al-Saadi

read (...)

#Culture_&_Society #Articles #Laique_Pride #Lebanon #MARCH_14 #March_8 #nasawiya

#Lebanon’s Lazy Parliament
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon%E2%80%99s-lazy-parliament

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/13603038781251853.jpg

Lebanese politicians did not bother with the 50 laws on their agendas, all related to people’s affairs, as much as they were concerned with political files. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah). Lebanese politicians did not bother with the 50 laws on their agendas, all related to people’s affairs, as much as they were concerned with political files. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah).

Lebanese legislative deficiency has never reached this level, according to parliamentary staff speaking about 2013. These are not arbitrary accusations against the representatives of the nation, who boycotted the parliament due to political maliciousness. The numbers do not lie. According to the annual parliamentary activity report, parliament meeting minutes for (...)

#Articles #Lebanon #Lebanon_parliament #MARCH_14 #March_8 #Nabih_Berri

Explosions in Beirut
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/blogs/angry-corner/explosions-beirut

There are many parties that are pushing for an all-out confrontation in #Lebanon. The spillover of the Syrian conflict into Lebanon helps further Israeli and Saudi interests by dragging #Hezbollah into a protracted conflict that can easily exhaust its energies and resources and even divert it from focusing on the confrontation with Israel.

Related Articles: Car Bomb in Beirut: Wissam Al-Hassan Car Bomb in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut

read more

#Abdullah_Azzam_Brigades #MARCH_14 #Mohammed_Shatah #Saudi_Arabia

Geagea Interview: We Reject European Efforts to Agree on a President
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/geagea-interview-we-reject-european-efforts-agree-president

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/LBN10_LEBANON-_1012_11_1.jpg

Samir Geagea, leader of the Christian #Lebanese_Forces, speaks during a news conference at his house in Maarab village, north of Beirut, October 12, 2010. (Photo: REUTERS - Mohamed Azakir). #Samir_Geagea, leader of the Christian Lebanese Forces, speaks during a news conference at his house in Maarab village, north of Beirut, October 12, 2010. (Photo: REUTERS - Mohamed Azakir).

Head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea reiterated his rejection of a unity government. Speaking to Al-Akhbar, Geagea stressed the importance of holding presidential elections and declared his rejection of any European efforts to agree on a president in advance.

Hiyam Kossayfi

read (...)

#Lebanon #Articles #MARCH_14 #March_8 #Mohammed_Shatah #Special_Tribunal_for_Lebanon #syria

#Lebanon: #MARCH_14 Upset as Suleiman Backs Down
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-march-14-upset-suleiman-backs-down

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/907574-01-08.jpg

Former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri (L) shakes hand with French President Francois Hollande (R) before a meeting in the Saudi capital Riyadh on December 29, 2013. (Photo: AFP - Kenzo Tribouillarrd) Former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri (L) shakes hand with French President Francois Hollande (R) before a meeting in the Saudi capital Riyadh on December 29, 2013. (Photo: AFP - Kenzo Tribouillarrd)

The praise that Lebanese President #Michel_Suleiman heaped on Saudi Arabia and its allies in #Lebanon did not save him from criticism by March 14 politicians. They see him as “weak because he has not formed the government he has promised many times.” Today, they express their displeasure at the “breaking and contradictory (...)

#Articles #Dahiyeh_Bombing #Future_Movement #Hezbollah #Mohammed_Shatah