By Joseph A. Kechichian,Senior Writer - Gulf news

Boston,USA: Immersed in narrow outlooks, Lebanese politicians scrambled for relevance as regional and global actors increased their involvements in Syria, where heightened tensions endangered the relative internal stability of this vulnerable country. As confrontations increased in frequency and violence, elites huddled around national dialogue round-tables that, for lack of a better term, required seriousness or meaningful objectives. After months during which politicians engaged in conversations, shared viewpoints, and otherwise pretended to place the interests of the nation ahead of narrow goals, they failed to settle on the principal roadblock, namely the election of a head-of-state. Instead, each and everyone concentrated on peripheral issues that skirted fundamentals, further distancing the body politic from citizens.

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Interview by Emily Mathieson

The Guardian: Beirut has a mix of beauty, history and anarchy that can be deeply inspiring. The element of the unexpected, even chaos, leaves a lot of space for creative expression. The reason I live in Beirut is because of the inspiration it gives me as an artist and film-maker. It challenges me and makes me feel connected. I feel that I am living in history as it happens. Here, I feel I can leave a mark and make a difference.

Beirut is next to the sea. I can see the Med from my dining room window. It’s great to stroll along the Corniche [promenade], especially early in the morning, when the city is fresh and clean, but the sunset is nice, too. It’s the place to see all walks of society: fishermen, joggers, children on their bikes, people drinking coffee or playing backgammon. There are veiled women walking hand in hand with girls in mini skirts, as well as musicians and street artists.

hrw.org (Beirut) – Lebanese military authorities should immediately and unconditionally release a women arrested after she alleged being raped in military custody in 2013. The Lebanese army referred the case of Layal al-Kayaje, who was arrested on September 21, 2015, to the military prosecutor to investigate her for allegedly harming the military’s reputation by making false accusations.

 Both the criminal prosecution of a civilian before a military court and a prosecution for allegedly defaming the army or other state institutions contravene Lebanon’s obligations under international law. The Lebanese judiciary should open an independent and impartial investigation into al-Kayaje’s allegations of rape by members of the military and hold anyone involved criminally responsible, Human Rights Watch said.

HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 15 (acn) Cuban Foreign Trade and Investment Minister Rodrigo Malmierca analyzes on Thursday bilateral relations with Lebanese Foreign Minister (FM) Gebran Bassil, after arriving in Beirut heading a business delegation, Prensa Latina reported.
Malmierca was accompanied by Orlando Hernandez, president of the island's Chamber of Commerce, to participate in the second bi-national economic forum with the Lebanese-Cuban Council of Businessmen, headed by Ali Kazma.