Toppling dictators is one thing. Creating democracies is another. This is the most valuable lesson from the Arab Spring, two years after its outbreak. And while Islamists are to be blamed for their lack of understanding about democracy, their rivals—the "liberals”—are guilty as well. Without democrats, Arab democracy becomes impossible. Since the outbreak of the […]

  BEIRUT: The Free Syrian Army will no longer take part in talks on the release of the remaining Lebanese hostages in Syria, a spokesperson for the FSA said Wednesday. In an interview with a local television channel, Louay Meqdad, who has been accused in media reports of engaging in arms dealing with Zahle MP Oqab […]

  Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut Elias Audeh lamented on Tuesday the current state of affairs in Lebanon, wondering “where the country is being taken given all the burdens it is being made to support.” He said during Christmas mass: “The state should work for everyone, with everyone for Lebanon’s salvation.”   Lebanon is being made […]

  Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi reiterated on Monday calls on the rival political parties to reach peace, agree on a new electoral law and form a new cabinet capable of safeguarding the country. During his Christmas message, al-Rahi said that the controversial electoral law is the “basis of our conflicts.” “We should agree on an electoral […]

  Thousands of Christian pilgrims from around the world are celebrating the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The day culminated with Christmas Eve Mass at the 1,700-year-old Church of the Nativity, built on the spot where it is believed Jesus was born. In Bethlehem, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Jerusalem voiced his support for […]

  A United States diplomatic source said that the naming of Lebanon’s former Information Minister Michel Samaha to its global terror list was an important step in the fight against terrorism. “[Monday’s] designation of Samaha was important because such designations play a critical role in our fight against terrorism and are an effective means of curtailing […]

  رأس البطريرك الماروني الكاردينال مار بشارة بطرس الراعي قداس الاحد في كابيلا القيامة في الباحة الخارجية للصرح البطريركي في بكركي، عاونه الأساقفة سمير مظلوم، بولس الصياح، منير خير الله ولفيف من الكهنة، وخدمته جوقة "فرق السيدة". حضر القداس النائب نعمة الله أبي نصر على رأس وفد من جامعة آل ضو، السفيرة الاميركية في لبنان […]

  After decades of dormancy, the Levant is rising again. Syria’s war, Lebanon’s seasonal conflicts, and ongoing shifts in Iraq, Egypt and Turkey are restoring the Levant’s characteristic chaos and cosmopolitanism. In turn, instead of continuing to approach the region disjointedly, Washington must resurrect the Levant as an idea.   Beirut, Babylon and beyond: The […]

  Getting to the Rene Mouawad military airport in North Lebanon’s Qlayaat requires a bumpy, half-hour long drive from Tripoli over unpaved country roads, farmland and orchards.  Mahmoud Hussein, 50, one of the landowners in the village, built his house right next to the airport, and his orange orchards are spread out along the fence. […]

  President Michel Suleiman stressed on Saturday the importance of committing to the Baabda declaration to triumph over the developments that the region is passing through. “Disassociating (the country) from the turmoil in neighboring countries is the only way to prevent Lebanon from being affected by the negative repercussion in the region,” Suleiman said after meeting […]