#walid_jumblatt

Agreement Between #Walid_Jumblatt and Al-Nusra Front
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/24027

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Mediated by a member of the opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC), the talks between al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front (ANF) and Lebanese MP Walid Jumblatt were successful, culminating in an agreement regarding the #Druze community in the Syrian city of Idlib. The agreement reportedly requires the local Druze to convert to Sunni Islam and demolish their shrines, in return for ANF suspending Sharia-sanctioned punishments against them.

#Articles #Lebanon #Nusra_front #syria

#syria's #Druze reject autonomous statelet despite growing #ISIS threats
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syrias-druze-reject-autonomous-statelet-despite-growing-isis-thre

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Sheikh Hikmat Hajari, a top Druze cleric, sits in his home in the southern city of #Sweida on January 23, 2013. (Photo: AFP-Anwar Amro) Sheikh Hikmat Hajari, a top Druze cleric, sits in his home in the southern city of Sweida on January 23, 2013. (Photo: AFP-Anwar Amro)

The Druze community is observing the new developments in the region with great unease. The declaration of an #Islamic_caliphate is enough of a reason for minorities to worry about their future. And as Israeli projects are promoted by Druze collaborators to achieve “the illusion of a Druze statelet,” the Druze in Syria and #Lebanon are committed to their nations and national armies, stressing that “We are not border guards for #Israel, but we are in the heart of (...)

#Mideast_&_North_Africa #Articles #Chouf #Hezbollah #Kurds #Mount_Hermon #Rachaya #Walid_Jumblatt

Ratifying the grades and salaries scale is Berri’s and Aoun responsibility
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/20102

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Public workers protest in front of the Parliament on April 9, 2014. Left poster: Left poster: “[They] only come together when it has to do with gaining from us.” Right poster: “Are you a representative of the people or are you pretending?” (Photo: Marwan Tahtah) Public workers protest in front of the Parliament on April 9, 2014. Left poster: Left poster: “[They] only come together when it has to do with gaining from us.” Right poster: “Are you a representative of the people or are you pretending?” (Photo: Marwan Tahtah)

The story says that former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora made a short and private visit to Parliament Speaker #Nabih_Berri to explain to him, in detail, his perspective on the grades and salaries scale. (...)

#Opinion #Articles #FPM #Hassan_Nasrallah #Hezbollah #Michel_Aoun #official_school_exams #Saad_Hariri #UCC #wage_hikes #Walid_Jumblatt

#Lebanon: Presidential void inevitable
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-presidential-void-inevitable

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Lebanese members of parliament count the votes after casting their ballots to elect the new Lebanese president in the parliament building in downtown Beirut on April 23, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid/POOL) Lebanese members of parliament count the votes after casting their ballots to elect the new Lebanese president in the parliament building in downtown Beirut on April 23, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid/POOL)

Judging from what happened on April 23 and April 30, the upcoming sessions of parliament to elect a new president are only a facade until political factions can decide on a consensus candidate. The number of MPs attending – those who want to reach quorum and those who want to evade it – will dwindle week after week. The (...)

#Opinion #Articles #Free_Patriotic_Movement #Future_Movement #Hezbollah #Lebanese_Forces #Lebanese_presidential_elections #Michel_Aoun #Michel_Suleiman #Saad_Hariri #Samir_Geagea #Tammam_Salam #Walid_Jumblatt

#Henri_Helou, a “serious” candidate
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/henri-helou-serious%E2%80%9D-candidate

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Presidential candidate, MP Henri Helou. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) Presidential candidate, MP Henri Helou. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi)

In the Lebanese parliament, greedy vicious beasts prevail, but there are also a few rather gentle creatures who reached the chamber by mere chance. MP Henri Helou is one of them. A decent man indeed, so decent you would think he belongs to one of those groups that gives free hugs. But after just one hour with him, you cease to ridicule his candidacy for presidency and actually start to sympathize with the man.

Ghassan Saoud

read (...)

#Opinion #Amchit #Articles #Fadi_al-Awar #Lebanese_presidential_elections #Lebanon #Michel_Chiha #Michel_Suleiman #Okab_Sakr #Pierre_Helou #Tammam_Salam #Walid_Jumblatt

#Lebanon: No rush to elect a new president
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-no-rush-elect-new-president

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Birds fly outside the parliament building in downtown Beirut as members of parliament gather to elect the new Lebanese president on April 23, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid) Birds fly outside the parliament building in downtown Beirut as members of parliament gather to elect the new Lebanese president on April 23, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid)

Just two weeks ago, the Solidarity Party could have organized an election rally at Forum De Beyrouth and invited representatives of the March 8 alliance. The party’s leader, #Emile_Rahme, would have taken the stage and read a presidential program prepared for him by a leading consulting company.

Ghassan Saoud

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#Opinion #Articles #Free_Patriotic_Movement #Lebanese_Forces #Lebanese_presidential_elections #Michel_Aoun #Saad_Hariri #Samir_Geagea #Walid_Jumblatt

#Lebanese_presidential_elections: Looking for a president, not just a candidate
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanese-presidential-elections-looking-president-not-just-candid

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Lebanese security forces stand guard outside the parliament building in downtown Beirut as members of parliament gather to elect the new Lebanese president on April 23, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid) Lebanese security forces stand guard outside the parliament building in downtown Beirut as members of parliament gather to elect the new Lebanese president on April 23, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid)

The first parliament session for the presidential elections concluded without electing a new president, though the session confirmed the principle of "no winners, no losers.” The session was nothing more than muscle flexing, with each one of the three main political factions casting their votes. The outcome: No faction comprises a (...)

#Opinion #Articles #Bashir_Gemayel #Charles_Helou #Elias_Sarkis #Fouad_Chehab #Henri_Helou #Lebanese_Forces #Lebanon #Michel_Suleiman #Nabih_Berri #Samir_Geagea #Suleiman_Franjieh #Walid_Jumblatt

#Michel_Aoun: The last strong presidential candidate
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/michel-aoun-last-strong-presidential-candidate

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Lebanese President #Michel_Suleiman (L) attends the 25th Arab League summit at Bayan palace in Kuwait City on March 25, 2014. His term expires at the end of May, with Michel Aoun looking to succeed him. (Photo: AFP-Yasser al-Zayyat) Lebanese President Michel Suleiman (L) attends the 25th Arab League summit at Bayan palace in Kuwait City on March 25, 2014. His term expires at the end of May, with Michel Aoun looking to succeed him. (Photo: AFP-Yasser al-Zayyat)

We will not have another presidential election like this one. Since 1990, people have hoped that a strong president would return to the Baabda presidential palace to create a balance between Christian, Sunni, and Shia influence in the government. (...)

#Lebanon #Articles #France #gebran_bassil #Hariri #Iran #Jean_Obeid #Lebanese_presidential_elections #Nabih_Berri #Saudi_Arabia #US #Walid_Jumblatt #Ziad_Baroud

#Aoun following his own path as presidential elections approach
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/aoun-following-his-own-path-presidential-elections-approach

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MP Michel Aoun. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) MP Michel Aoun. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi)

MP Michel Aoun is still March 8’s undeclared presidential candidate. However, Hezbollah and Amal’s position remained the same on the pay raise for public sector employees, but to the alliance’s surprise, Aoun’s #Free_Patriotic_Movement (FPM) stood against it in parliament.

Firas Choufi

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#Lebanon #Articles #Emile_Rahme #Fouad_Siniora #Future_Movement #Ibrahim_Kanaan #Nabil_Nicolas #Walid_Jumblatt

Has the US made up its mind on Aoun ?
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/has-us-made-its-mind-aoun

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Will Aoun make it to Baabda? (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) Will Aoun make it to Baabda? (Photo: Haitham Moussawi)

Extending President #Michel_Suleiman’s term is no longer on the table. No one can say why, but even Suleiman and his inner circle are no longer eager to stay in power.

Hassan Illeik

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#Lebanon #Articles #FPM #gebran_bassil #Hassan_Nasrallah #Hezbollah #Michel_Aoun #Nabih_Berri #Nader_Hariri #Saad_Hariri #Walid_Jumblatt

#Lebanon’s #Gas monopoly
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon%E2%80%99s-gas-monopoly

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Five companies dominate the gas market in Lebanon (Photo: Marwan Tahtah) Five companies dominate the gas market in Lebanon (Photo: Marwan Tahtah)

Security concerns now largely determine the behavior of Lebanese citizens and the authorities. However, thanks to the latter’s sectarian and factional composition perhaps, Lebanon has a corrupt #Economy with monopolies in many sectors, weakening the immunity of institutions to risk, be it economic or security in nature.

Mouhamad Wehbe

read (...)

#Articles #Beirut #Bir_Hassan #Dahiyeh #economy #Nouhad_Machnouk #Walid_Jumblatt

#Lebanon: A new government set to be formed after Friday Prayers unless minor hurdles emerge
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-new-government-set-be-formed-after-friday-prayers-unless-

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Prime Minister-designate Tamam Salam (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) Prime Minister-designate Tamam Salam (Photo: Haitham Moussawi)

A new cabinet is expected to be formed in the coming hours in #Lebanon, putting an end to months of political deadlock, unless some minor hurdles emerge. read more

#Articles #Ashraf_Rifi #FPM #Future_Movement #gebran_bassil #Hezbollah #Michel_Aoun #Saad_Hariri #Tammam_Salam #Walid_Jumblatt

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

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#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

#Lebanon’s “Minister of Asphalt” Resigns: Public Works Overflow With Corruption
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cminister-asphalt%E2%80%9D-resigns-publ

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These words may pass unnoticed by those who are not following the issue, but anyone who goes to Daliyeh today will see that the ministry’s works have stopped. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah). These words may pass unnoticed by those who are not following the issue, but anyone who goes to Daliyeh today will see that the ministry’s works have stopped. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah).

#Lebanon’s Public Works and Transportation Minister #Ghazi_Aridi deserves an Oscar for best politician in the country. His eyes almost flooded with tears yesterday, December 16, while thanking all those who stood by him throughout his career in the ministry. He did not cry while announcing his resignation from the already resigned government, yet he excelled at (...)

#Articles #Ministry_of_Transport_and_Public_Works #Mohammed_Safadi #Walid_Jumblatt

#Ghazi_Aridi: Too Big for His Britches
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/ghazi-aridi-too-big-his-britches

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On Aridi’s bookcases and desk, there are hundreds of small scraps of paper and even smaller notebooks. He records everything. He safeguards secrets in a way that no one but him can decipher. (Photo: Haitham Al-Mousawi). On Aridi’s bookcases and desk, there are hundreds of small scraps of paper and even smaller notebooks. He records everything. He safeguards secrets in a way that no one but him can decipher. (Photo: Haitham Al-Mousawi).

Ghazi Aridi did not expect for his sixtieth birthday to be marred by the wrath of #Walid_Jumblatt. Aridi does not so far expect Jumblatt’s anger to be permanent. Indeed, Aridi has grown accustomed to the fickleness of the leader of the #Progressive_Socialist_Party (PSP). He has adapted to it, (...)

#Opinion #Articles #Lebanon

Jumblatt Falls Into Costly #Chouf Property Trap
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/jumblatt-falls-costly-chouf-property-trap

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Druse leader #Walid_Jumblatt, gestures as he speaks during a press conference at his house, in Beirut, #Lebanon, on Friday July 1, 2011. (Photo: AP - Hussein Malla). Druse leader Walid Jumblatt, gestures as he speaks during a press conference at his house, in Beirut, #Lebanon, on Friday July 1, 2011. (Photo: AP - Hussein Malla).

The legal action filed by Walid Jumblatt against real estate dealer #Hussein_Bdeir carries many implications. Jumblatt claims Bdeir defrauded him in collaboration with Jumblatt’s close associate, #Baheej_Abu_Hamza. They sold him more than 266,000 square meters of “fake” property for an estimated $8 million. This is Jumblatt’s side of the story.

Mohamed Nazzal (...)

#Articles

Jumblatt: Regional War Being Waged on Our Soil
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/jumblatt-regional-war-being-waged-our-soil

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He urges the contending forces in #Tripoli to sit together and find a way to come to an agreement. (Photo: Marwan Bu Haidar). He urges the contending forces in Tripoli to sit together and find a way to come to an agreement. (Photo: Marwan Bu Haidar).

It’s the game of nations being fought out in #syria and #Lebanon, and its bigger than us, according to Lebanese Druze leader #Walid_Jumblatt.

Nicolas Nassif

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#Articles #Lebanon

#Hezbollah’s Qassem: Content with Caretaker Government
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/hezbollah%E2%80%99s-qassem-content-caretaker-government

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In practice, we are partners in this country, and we should be partners in making its decisions and establishing its future. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) In practice, we are partners in this country, and we should be partners in making its decisions and establishing its future. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi)

Last week’s “escalatory” speech by #Mohammed_Raad, head of the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, was heard by all political powers, (...)

#Lebanon #Articles #MARCH_14 #Naim_Qassem #syria #Walid_Jumblatt

Hotbeds of Transformation: Manna Meets Nasrallah and Jumblatt’s Secret Supper
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/hotbeds-transformation-manna-meets-nasrallah-and-jumblatts-secret

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A rebel fighter holds a position in a damaged building during clashes with Syrian government forces in the northeastern city of Deir Ezzor, on November 11, 2013. (Photo: AFP - Ahmad Aboud) A rebel fighter holds a position in a damaged building during clashes with Syrian government forces in the northeastern city of Deir Ezzor, on November 11, 2013. (Photo: AFP - Ahmad Aboud)

A few days ago, a secret supper took place. Head (...)

#Opinion #Articles #Bashar_al-Assad #Qatar #syria #Walid_Jumblatt

#Lebanon: Jumblatt Shifts Syria Line
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-jumblatt-shifts-syria-line

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He is no longer enthusiastic about the fall of Syrian President #Bashar_al-Assad's regime. Today, the Progressive Socialist Party leader is back to his realism, or what parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) He is no longer enthusiastic about the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Today, the Progressive Socialist Party leader is back to his realism, or what parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri. (Photo: Haitham (...)

#Articles #MARCH_14 #Walid_Jumblatt

#Beirut: Rumors of New Construction as Illegal Homes Demolished
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/beirut-rumors-new-construction-illegal-homes-demolished

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The residents are ready for anything and will not remain peaceful, like two days ago, when they only used homemade Molotov cocktails to chase away the security forces. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah) The residents are ready for anything and will not remain peaceful, like two days ago, when they only used homemade Molotov cocktails to chase away the security forces. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah)

Several residents of the Beirut neighborhood (...)

#Culture_&_Society #Articles #Lebanon #Walid_Jumblatt #Wata_al-Moussaitbeh

Jumblatt Sacks Abu Hamza: The Last Days of an Accountant
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/jumblatt-sacks-abu-hamza-last-days-accountant

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Jumblatt issued a statement announcing that he was implementing new arrangements to reorganize responsibilities relating to the management of his private properties and enterprises. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) Jumblatt issued a statement announcing that he was implementing new arrangements to reorganize responsibilities relating to the management of his private properties and enterprises. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi)

Lebanese MP (...)

#Lebanon #Articles #PSP #Walid_Jumblatt