By Nadim Ladki BEIRUT (Reuters) – The leaders of Syria and Lebanon could be fighting for political survival if, as many expect, a U.N. inquiry blames Syrian and pro-Syrian Lebanese officials for the killing of Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. Analysts and diplomats say they expect a cycle of bombings and killings to continue or intensify in Lebanon, where Syrian influence remains strong and where pro-Syrians will challenge any such U.N. findings as politically motivated. Chief U.N. investigator Detlev Mehlis presents his report to Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Friday over the February 14 assassination of Hariri and 20 others in a truck bomb in Beirut.Diplomats and Lebanese political sources have told Reuters they expect Mehlis to name some Syrian officials in his report, as well as several pro-Syrian Lebanese officials and others.It was not clear whether the suspects would include members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle.

 FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) – The bankruptcy administrator of German construction company Walter Bau AG said Monday he has had a Lebanese passenger jet impounded as collateral for debts owed by the Lebanese government.Walter Bau had the Airbus A321, owned by Lebanon’s flagship carrier Middle East Airlines, impounded while it was parked at the airport in […]

BEIRUT, 13 October (IRIN) – People who know they are HIV positive in Lebanon keep very quiet about the matter to avoid becoming social outcasts. AIDS is taboo. Anyone suspected of having the disease risks total rejection by their friends, family and colleagues at work. Sara, a 40-year-old office worker in Beirut, knows all about that.

She has been living with AIDS for the past 15 years and manages to keep going with the help of life-prolonging anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs. But the only person she has told about her condition is her sister. "One has to be very selective," said Sara, who spoke to IRIN on condition that we did not use her real name. One has to constantly wear a mask," she added. "We have no legal protection. "If anyone knew about my sickness I would be fired the next day. When I take my pills I usually say it is for my stomach."

Sara, who is single, contracted the HIV virus from having unprotected sex with a partner. Now she feels guilty. "We are just paying for our sins," she said, even though she knows her male partner was at fault for infecting her in the first place.

انتقل الى رحمته تعالى المأسوف عليه الشيخ سرحال توفيق الخازن شقيقته الشيخة نوميس ارملة فريد الخوري وابنتها ماري دانيال زوجة الدكتور حكمت بركات وعائلاتهما ينعونه بمزيد الأسى. يحتفل بالصلاة لراحة نفسه اليوم الاربعاء 12 تشرين الأول الساعة الرابعة من بعد الظهر في كنيسة سيدة الحبل بلا دنس البوار الشعب. تقبل التعازي قبل الدفن وبعده في […]

Oct 12 (Reuters) – Syrian Interior Minister Ghazi Kanaan, said by Syria’s state news agency to have committed suicide on Wednesday, long served as the top enforcer of his country’s policies in Lebanon. Kanaan was interviewed last month by a U.N. team probing the Feb. 14 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. Chief U.N. investigator Detlev Mehlis is expected to submit his report to Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Oct. 21.

Here is a chronology of events in Lebanon since Hariri’s death. Feb. 14, 2005 – Hariri is killed by truck bomb in Beirut. Feb. 16 – At least 150,000 Lebanese turn Hariri’s funeral into outpouring of anger against Syria.Feb. 28 – Pro-Syrian Prime Minister Omar Karami resigns. March 5 – President Bashar al-Assad tells Syrian parliament that his troops will start phased pullout from Lebanon. March 8 – Lebanese flood central Beirut for pro-Syrian rally organised by Hizbollah guerrilla group. Syrian troops begin redeploying. March 10 – Karami reappointed to form government.  March 14 – Anti-Syrian protesters stage biggest demonstration since Hariri’s killing.March 19 – Bomb in Christian suburb of Beirut wounds 11. March 23 – Bomb kills three people in Christian town of Kaslik north of Beirut. April 7 – U.N. Security Council orders international investigation into Hariri’s assassination. April 13 – Karami resigns after failing to form cabinet. April 15 – President Emile Lahoud appoints moderate Syrian ally Najib Mikati as prime minister. April 19 – Mikati forms government. April 25 – Pro-Syrian Lebanese security chief Jamil al-Sayyed resigns.

 TRIPOLI, 10 Oct 2005 (IRIN) – Some Lebanese have become so poor they have decided to move into the crowded camps that house 400,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.There at least housing is cheaper. They can also piggy-back off free education, healthcare and drinking water provided by the United Nations for the camps