Wed Mar 21, 12:13 PM ET

BEIRUT (AFP) - Belgium's foreign minister accused Syria on Wednesday of not wanting to help solve Lebanon's political crisis, by opposing an international court to try suspects in the killing of former premier Rafiq Hariri.

"If you ask me if Syria is disposed to contribute to a solution, frankly my reply is 'no,'" Karel De Gucht told reporters after talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri from opposition ranks , speaks during a press conference at his house in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday March 20, 2007. Berri accusing the parliamentary majority of blocking efforts for a settlement to the political crisis. He criticized the protest in parliament which he said was held mostly by legislators belonging to Hariri's parliamentary bloc, saying 'their aim is to stop the dialogue,' he said. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Tue Mar 20, 12:03 PM ET

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Parliament Speaker accused the ruling majority coalition on Tuesday of dealing a crushing blow to talks aimed at ending a political crisis, signaling a rise in tensions in the four-month-old standoff.

 The comments by Nabih Berri, a key opposition leader, came after pro-government legislators gathered inside the parliament building in downtown Beirut to persuade him to convene a session to ratify a U.N.-backed tribunal that would try suspects in former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri's 2005 assassination

Mon Mar 19, 1:17 PM ET

 JERUSALEM(Reuters)-Israel,formally declared last year's fighting with Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas a war on Monday, but it is searching for a name for the 34-day conflict.

A ministerial committee decided on the designation and its chairman said he expected a name would be found within a week in consultation with a separate panel set up by Defense Minister Amir Peretz.