Arabic News Weekly Edition for Lebanon, 2/28/2005
Weekly Edition, Lebanon - Week of February 28, 2005
- Al-Assad: we will withdraw our forces completely; we committed mistakes in Lebanon
The Syrian President Bashar al- Assad said today in his speech before the Syrian parliament in Damascus at 6 p.m. ( local Time) that Damascus will withdraw its forces positioned in Lebanon, fully to the Bekaa area and then to the area of the Lebanese- Syrian border area. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005 - Syria announces withdrawal plan from Lebanon
The Syrian deputy foreign minister Walid al-Muallim announced that Damascus will disclose shortly what he described a fixed plan to withdraw its forces from Lebanon. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005 - Continued controversy in Lebanon over solution to the political crisis
Political controversy continued in Lebanon on Friday over the form and nature of the next government between parties and blocs which stand in support of the government and the opposition alike. Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005 - Lahoud calls for inter Lebanese national dialogue
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has stressed the necessity for all the parties to raise themselves to the level of national responsibility and commit themselves to the national principles that have protected and fortified Lebanon's position and have returned to it its role at the regional and international forums. Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005 - Hizbullah official and the situation in Lebanon
Deputy Secretary General of the Lebanese Hizbullah Party, Sheikh Naeem Kassem, has stressed that the United States and Israel do not want freedom to the Lebanese people or to preserve its independence and sovereignty but they want to deprive Lebanon of its capability of resistance. Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005 - Lahoud assures security in Lebanon
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud stressed Friday that there is no fear of any lack of security in Lebanon. "Everything is going on within the Lebanese constitutional framework," Lahoud said during a meeting with Egypt ambassador in Beirut Hussein Derar. Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005 - Lebanese sources: booby-trapped car is behind Hariri incident
" Lebanese judicial sources on Friday said that a booby-trapped car was likely behind Beirut blast which led to death of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri," Lebanese National Agency said Friday. Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005 - Arab League stresses support to Lebanon
The Arab League's Council underlined rejection to intervention in Lebanon's internal affairs and any attempt to damage the Lebanese-Syrian fraternal relations, asserting keenness on Lebanon's sovereignty, security and stability and rejection of Israeli occupation of Shabaa farms. Regional-Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005 - Al-Wattan: Israel is responsible for Hariri's Assassination Kuwait-Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005
- Saad on the Taif Accord Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/5/2005
- Syrian reinforcements in the Bekaa
Witnesses said that Syrian soldiers positioned in the Lebanese Bekaa plain reinforced their positions in the area which the Taif accord states the Syrian forces would redeploy to. The Syrian soldiers were seen digging trenches especially in Deir Zanoun, 10 Kilometers from the Syrian borders. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/4/2005 - Lebanese Islamic Council: relations with Syria are strong
Supreme Islamic Council in Lebanon stressed on Thursday that relations between Syria and Lebanon are distinguished and strong. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/4/2005 - Lebanese parties meeting calls for constructive dialogue Lebanon, Politics, 3/4/2005
- Lavrov and the situation in Lebanon Lebanon-Russia, Politics, 3/4/2005
- Junblat welcomes al-Assad's announcement to withdraw from Lebanon
The initiative of the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad that his country's forces which have been in Lebanon since 30 years will leave Lebanon within months, received cautious welcome from prominent opposition leaders. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/3/2005 - Islamic Shiite Council defends ties with Syria Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/3/2005
- A call for a full awareness of dangers of conspiracies against Lebanon Lebanon, Politics, 3/3/2005
- Al-Assad: withdrawal within coming months
The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced that Syria will withdraw its forces from Lebanon within "the few next months " amid news about the visit he will hold to Riyadh after his meeting today with the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani in Damascus. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/2/2005 - Washington proposes help, Lebanese opposition continue sit in
The US proposed to help the Lebanese people in carrying free and transparent elections following the resignation of the government of Omar Karami following the pressures by the opposition. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 3/2/2005 - Resignation of the Lebanese government renews pressure on the currency
Pressure renewed on the Lebanese Lira (currency) on Tuesday following the resignation of the government of Omar Karami, suddenly amid people's pressures following the shock resulted from the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri. Lebanon, Economics, 3/2/2005 - Lebanese dignitary underlines national unity Lebanon, Politics, 3/2/2005
- Al-Assad expects American war, rejects to withdraw from Lebanon, instantly
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad compared in press statements the American pressures against his country to what had happened with Baghdad's government prior to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, stressing he expects an American war against his country since the end of Iraq's war. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/1/2005 - Karami announces the resignation of the Lebanese government
The Lebanese prime minister Omar Karami on Monday evening announced the resignation of his government following strong pressures practiced by the opposition since the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri. Lebanon, Politics, 3/1/2005 - US welcomes Karami's resignation
The US has welcomed the resignation of the Lebanese government led by Omar Karami and considered that this step represents what it called an opportunity to elect a new government that reflects pluralism in Lebanon, to be formed apart from any foreign intervention. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 3/1/2005 - Lebanese's opposition reaction to Karami's resignation
Following the sudden resignation of the Omar Karami government on Monday evening, the Lebanese opposition held a meeting in Qreitem in order to discuss the implications of the resignation. Lebanon, Politics, 3/1/2005 - Syria to withdraw its forces from Lebanon according to the Taif Accord, with Lebanese authorities
The Syrian ambassador in Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Nizam Eddien, said that the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara stressed during his meeting with Saudi officials in Riyadh on Monday that Syria will work for re-scheduling its withdrawal from Lebanon according to the Taif accord and in coordination with the Lebanese authorities. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/1/2005 - Lebanese parliament and Karami's resignation
Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament called for abstaining from launching blind accusations that could exacerbate Lebanese relations with Arab and foreign states. Lebanon, Politics, 3/1/2005 - Government of Karami resigns, demonstrations today pro and against French, American intervention in Lebanese affairs
Representatives of pro- Syria Lebanese parties and societies called for demonstration today, Monday, in Beirut in protest of what they called the French- American intervention in the Lebanese internal affairs. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 2/28/2005 - Syria renews commitment to the Taif accord, concerning the Lebanese crisis
The Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara said on Sunday in a press conference held in Cairo that his country is committed to implement all particularities concerning Syria in the Taif accord, stressing that this is considered an indirect implementation of the UN Security Council resolution 1559. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 2/28/2005 - The process of investigation in the Hariri assassination
The UN investigation team led by Peter Gerald, deputy commissioner for the Irish police, with the help of three members, started their work in Lebanon on Saturday to investigate who stands behind the killing of former prime minister Rafic Hariri and others. Lebanon, Politics, 2/28/2005 - Lebanese opposition defies ban, government denies resignations
Huge number of Lebanese citizens continued gathering in al-Shuhadaa ( martyrs) square in the downtown of Beirut, few hours before the enforcement of the government curfew decision on gatherings and demonstrations. Lebanon, Politics, 2/28/2005