Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz’s funeral will be held on Sunday with the participation of a number of Lebanese officials. Prime Minister Najib Miqati is expected to arrive in the kingdom on Sunday to take part in the service. Former Premier Saad Hariri will also attend, as will Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani. The […]

  The Maronite bishops synod backed on Saturday the Baabda Declaration made following the national dialogue held last week, saying it guarantees security stability in Lebanon. Following a six-day synod held under Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki, the bishops said in a statement they have high hopes on the all-party talks held under President Michel Suleiman. They […]

  Maalouf became the first Lebanese inducted as an one of the academy’s "immortals" — the 40 lifelong members tasked as guardians of the French language. "I bring with me everything that my two homelands have given me: my background, my languages, my convictions, my doubts and, more than anything perhaps, my dreams of harmony, […]

  Preparations for Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to Lebanon in September are going ahead despite the escalating conflict in neighboring Syria, the Vatican said on Thursday. "There is no uncertainty about the preparations," Benedict’s spokesman Federico Lombardi said at a press conference. "The Holy See is doing everything to make sure the trip takes place as […]

  Syrian troops on Wednesday crossed into Lebanon’s eastern border region of Masharee Al-Qaa and planted mines around the home of a local resident before withdrawing, a security official told AFP. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the troops entered some 300 meters (yards) inside Lebanese territory and placed the mines outside the […]

    The Special Tribunal for Lebanon on Tuesday released a media advisory reminding that its Trial Chamber will hold sessions on June 13 and 14 to hear arguments from the Prosecution, the defense counsel and the legal representatives of victims on the tribunal’s jurisdiction and the legality of its creation. Below is the full text […]

    اجتاح الزجاج القاتم قصر الرئاسة اللبنانية أمس. لم تكن سيارات الرئيس سعد الحريري ورئيس حزب القوات اللبنانية سمير جعجع بين المواكب. الحريري «مُبعد» طوعاً خارج البلاد، ويفصل جعجع عن الحوار أبعد من المسافة بين بعبدا ومعراب. وزير المال محمد الصفدي لم يحضر بداعي المرض، والراحل غسان تويني حضر الحوار بدقيقة صمت وقفها المجتمعون […]

  Lebanese abductee Suleiman al-Ahmed was released by Syrian authorities on Tuesday and returned to the northern town of Wadi Khaled, where town dignitaries and officials celebrated his release. At the courtyard of al-Hisheh municipality, heavy celebratory gunfire erupted as al-Ahmed arrived at his hometown where he was welcomed by a mass rally. From a platform […]

      The UN observer mission in Syria on Monday expressed concern about escalating violence in the central city of Homs and said it was trying to negotiate the evacuation of civilians. "The impact from heavy artillery shelling and machinegun firing was heard and seen over the neighborhood of Khaldiyeh in the city center," the […]

    The national dialogue resumed its sessions on Monday “amid positive talks” with gatherers agreeing on committing to international resolutions and controlling Lebanon’s border. The concluding statement said: “We reject the formation of a buffer zone with Syria and the use of Lebanon as an open ground for smuggling arms to Syria.” Furthermore, it highlighted the […]