#march_8

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

#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

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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

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

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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

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#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

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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

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

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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’s $3 Billion Price Tag
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon%E2%80%99s-3-billion-price-tag

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The president’s allies were taken off guard by Suleiman’s declaration, especially since he had spoken to some figures during Shatah’s funeral service that he was planning to “declare an initiative that could change the face of #Lebanon.(Photo: Marwan Bu-Haydar). The president’s allies were taken off guard by Suleiman’s declaration, especially since he had spoken to some figures during Shatah’s funeral service that he was planning to “declare an initiative that could change the face of Lebanon.(Photo: Marwan Bu-Haydar).

In #Saudi_Arabia, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz and France’s Francois Hollande – who also met Saad Hariri in Riyadh – agreed on a “royal grant” worth $3 billion paid directly to France, in return for French weapons and (...)

#Articles #Hezbollah #MARCH_14 #March_8 #Michel_Suleiman #Mohammed_Shatah

10-Horse Race to #Lebanon’s Presidential Palace
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/10-horse-race-lebanon%E2%80%99s-presidential-palace

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President Suleiman visited Paris, aiming to get a definitive answer about the possibility of living in France at the end of his term and assuming the general secretariat of the Francophonie.(Photo: Marwan Tahtah). President Suleiman visited Paris, aiming to get a definitive answer about the possibility of living in France at the end of his term and assuming the general secretariat of the Francophonie.(Photo: Marwan Tahtah).

According to most observers concerned with the formation of the new Lebanese government, President #Michel_Suleiman is relatively convinced that #Hezbollah cannot be fooled into extending his term. He understands that the Saudis want him to put the country in the hands of Prime Minister-designate Tammam (...)

#Amin_Gemayel #Articles #Jean_Kahwaji #Lebanon #MARCH_14 #March_8 #Michel_Aoun #Najib_Mikati #Saad_Hariri #Samir_Geagea #Suleiman_Frangieh

#Lebanon: No Return for Mikati Government
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-no-return-mikati-government

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No one took Mikati’s recent proposal to hold a cabinet session seriously, despite repeated calls by some parties that the resigned government meet to settle urgent matters. (Photo: Haitham Mousawi). No one took Mikati’s recent proposal to hold a cabinet session seriously, despite repeated calls by some parties that the resigned government meet to settle urgent matters. (Photo: Haitham Mousawi).

Both #March_8 and 14 don’t seem to be interested in reviving the resigned #Najib_Mikati government. When acting Prime Minister Mikati finally showed an interest in holding an exceptional cabinet session, it was shot down by virtually all sides. read (...)

#Articles #Gebral_Bassil #Lebanon #MARCH_14

#AUB Elections: Same Parties, Same Platforms
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/aub-elections-same-parties-same-platforms

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Most students are in agreement that confidence in political activism at the university has been in decline year after year, due to the failure of the successive student councils to advocate student demands effectively. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) Most students are in agreement that confidence in political activism at the university has been in decline year after year, due to the failure of the successive student councils to advocate student demands (...)

#Culture_&_Society #American_University_of_Beirut #Articles #Lebanon #MARCH_14 #March_8

#Lebanon: Will New US Ambassador Turn the Page on Feltman?
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-will-new-us-ambassador-turn-page-feltman

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US President Barack Obama listens as President Michel Sleiman of Lebanon speaks to the media before a bilateral meeting on the sideline of the 68th United Nations General Assembly at the UN in New York on 24 September 2013. (Photo: AFP - Jewel Samad) US President Barack Obama listens as President Michel Sleiman of Lebanon speaks to the media before a bilateral meeting on the sideline of the 68th United Nations General Assembly at the UN in New York on (...)

#Opinion #Articles #David_Hill #Hezbollah #Jeffrey_Feltman #MARCH_14 #March_8 #US_embassy

#Tammam_Salam Interview: Dialogue Table Not the Place to Form a Cabinet
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/tammam-salam-interview-dialogue-table-not-place-form-cabinet

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Salam does not believe that he has failed. Instead, he remarked, “The task is difficult and strenuous, and it is all the political forces together that have failed, not I. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) Salam does not believe that he has failed. Instead, he remarked, “The task is difficult and strenuous, and it is all the political forces together that have failed, not I. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi)

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate (...)

#Opinion #Articles #Lebanon #MARCH_14 #March_8