BEIRUT: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has blamed all political parties for the failure to elect a head of state and warned that he sees no signs of a breakthrough in the presidential vacuum, which marked its one-year anniversary Monday. "There are no signs yet of the possibility of an agreement on electing a new […]

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag urged on Monday Lebanon’s rival lawmakers to elect a president without delay and to put the nation’s interest above partisan politics. “Over the past year, the vacuum in the presidency has undermined Lebanon’s ability to address the growing security, economic and social challenges facing the country,” Kaag said […]

  BEIRUT: As Lebanon’s presidential deadlock enters its second year, analysts say no breakthrough is likely to materialize soon and a regional deal to break the impasse is not currently in the offing. The crisis has led to paralysis in Parliament and Cabinet as well and key security posts are also faced with impending vacancy, […]

The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham conducted two major bombings on Shia mosques in the Arabian Peninsula on May 22nd through its affiliates in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

ISIS claimed responsibility for an IED explosion that injured at least 13 Shia worshippers during Friday prayers in the al Sayyah Mosque in Sana’a, Yemen.

ISIS also claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing on the Shia Imam Ali mosque in al-Qadeeh in the Shi’a Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. This latter attack killed at least 20 individuals and wounded dozens more.

In statements circulated by ISIS’s supporters on Twitter after the attacks, ISIS reportedly asserted that it would “expel all the unbelievers from the Arabian Peninsula.” 

  BEIRUT: Lebanese leaders condemned in the strongest terms Friday a suicide bombing which targeted a Shiite mosque in Saudi Arabia, saying it aimed at sparking strife in the stable kingdom. Prime Minister Tammam Salam said the attack reflected a “black criminal mind” that has nothing to do with Islam and which aimed at stirring […]

  Arsal municipal chief Ali al-Hujairi expressed concern Saturday over attempts by Hizbullah and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to drag the northeastern border town into battle. “They are trying to pull Arsal into a dark tunnel of blood and fire,” Hujairi said in comments published in the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper. […]

  BEIRUT: As the cavernous exhibition hall at the Beirut International Exhibition and Leisure center was fitted out for a concert, a dozen singers held a cappella rehearsal on stage. The group’s origins are unusual – it was founded by doctors. Heartbeat, a Lebanese NGO that raises money to treat children with congenital heart defects, […]

  A delegation from the March 14 alliance lawmakers will visit the Maronite church seat on Tuesday to express resentment over the lingering presidential vacuum. Al-Mustaqbal newspaper reported Friday that the delegation will meet with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi to denounce the ongoing vacuum. The lawmakers will demand the end of the presidential stalemate, stress […]

  BEIRUT: A meeting between Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun on the divisive issue of security appointments concluded without a breakthrough, sources close to the FPM said Thursday. Speaking to The Daily Star, sources said Machnouk informed Aoun that he would put forward the names of three officers for […]

  BEIRUT: Seven residents from Hasnieh are in stable condition Friday at Rahal Hospital in the northern Akkar province after eating spoiled meat. The state-run National News Agency said all seven residents were admitted to the hospital late Thursday because of high fever, diarrhea and vomiting after eating meat they had bought from a local […]