The
Hariri family’s pre-eminent role in Lebanese politics is being shaken
by a financial crisis at its Saudi construction firm, a development that
could dilute Sunni influence in the country and leave Iran’s allies
even more firmly in control.

The
troubles at Saudi Oger have led to a cash crunch and layoffs in
Lebanon’s Future Movement, the political party built with Saudi backing
by the late statesman Rafik al-Hariri and now led by his son, Saad.

The
party’s woes have led many analysts in Lebanon to ask whether Riyadh
may be cutting its losses in a country increasingly dominated by the
Iran-backed Shi’ite Hezbollah despite enormous Saudi efforts to counter
it over the years.

“We can’t deny
the existence of a financial crisis, which is a reflection of another
one that has nothing to do with the organization. It has an indirect
link to the crisis of Saudi Oger,” said Rashed Fayed, a Future Movement
official who is a member of its policy-making office.

By daily star Lebanon Victoria Yan

 BEIRUT: As summer comes to an end, the mass of tourists filling the bars and streets of Mar Mikhael slowly pack their bags and return home. Although the exact number tourists for July and August have yet to be calculated, Joumana Kebrit, director of the Research Department at the Tourism Ministry, estimated that some 664,000 tourists visited the country this summer. If accurate, the number would indicate a rebound from the dismal 2011-2013 period following the start of the Syria crisis that saw tourism to Lebanon plummet.

Her research concluded that Europe, other Arab countries and the United States rank as the top three sources of tourists for the country, but didn’t necessarily differentiate the large number of Lebanese expatriates or diaspora who return home on a foreign passport. There has also been a significant drop in the number of tourists from the Gulf in recent years as local travel restrictions discouraged many from visiting Lebanon.

Beirut’s popularity is not a new phenomenon. Lebanon has long held the image for Western visitors of Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando lounging in Jbeil in the heady prewar days. Nonetheless, their numbers have been significantly increasing in in recent years.

In July, top fashion magazine Vogue ran the story “4 Perfect Days in Beirut.”

The article’s author Alison Beckner told The Daily Star that she’s seen a lot of interest in Beirut when traveling in Europe. “In Both Paris and Athens – the two cities I spend a good deal of my time lately – there is a strong interest in Beirut as a city and an appreciation for Lebanese culture. I think this goes for most of Europe, actually.”

Reuters

A blast on August 31st,  which
killed one person in Lebanon last week targeted a convoy of cars
belonging to the Hezbollah-allied Amal party, parliament speaker and
Amal party head Nabih Berri told al Akhbar newspaper.

No
group claimed responsibility for the bomb blast on a road near the city
of Zahle, in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley on Wednesday which also wounded 11
others.

Berri, a Shi’ite
politician, Hezbollah ally and one of most powerful men in the country,
said the explosion targeted Amal vehicles heading to an event in south
Lebanon commemorating former Amal party leader Musa Sadr, who
disappeared in Libya in 1978.

The relic of Mother Teresa, a vial of her
blood, was presented on the altar in a simple but beautiful wooden vial
embedded in the center of a cross. A large piece of the wood is of
Lebanon.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) – Vatican Radio provided translations and commentary from Father Tomas Rosica of Salt and Light
during the canonization of Saint Mother Teresa, which was celebrated
before a crowd estimated to exceed 300,000 at St. Peter’s Square.

The
crowd of thousands faced Italy’s heat to witness the canonization as
the choir sang proudly and Pope Francis opened Sunday Mass, which
included a reading of Mother Teresa’s life. The rite of canonization opened the ceremony and was a surprisingly short rite.

Pope Francis opened Mass with a prayer. The Holy Spirit was invoked from the beginning in a beautiful hymn.
 Cardinal
Angelo stated: “After due deliberation and frequent prayer for divine
assistance, and having sought the counsel of many of our brother
bishops, we declare and define Blessed Teresa of Kolkata to be a saint,
and we enroll her among the saints, decreeing that she is to be
venerated as such by the whole church.

Dubai: Lebanese expatriates living in Gulf states should not involve
themselves in the political affairs of their host states, Lebanon’s Army
Commander General Jean Qahwaji said on Sunday. He stressed that it was important Lebanon maintain good relations with Gulf counries, according to the Kuwaiti daily Al Anbaa.

“Qahwaji reiterated eagerness to keep the best
relations with the Arab Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
the UAE and Qatar, which are hosting thousands of Lebanese as he
reminded of their offering to Lebanon during its time of crises,” the
news site quoted him as saying. “We do not want to boycott (relations) anyone,
nor do we want to intervene in the affairs of anyone. I have called on
the Lebanese expats working in the Gulf countries not to engage in
political affairs of the hosting states. People of the gulf, mainly
people of Kuwait, consider Lebanon their second home. We are aware of
the magnitude of emotion they have for Lebanon and its stability and the
Lebanese have the same feelings towards them,” he said.

By Magda Abu-Fadil Director of Media – Huffington post

The ax is falling hard, and fast, on Lebanese journalists as
media cut budgets, hire younger staffers, increase their online presence, seek
cheap solutions, duke out their political and sectarian differences, but still
fumble over monetization and quality content. The latest victim is Dolly Ghanem, a veteran anchor and morning
talk show host on LBCI TV, who was shoved off newscasts in 2011 and relegated
to second fiddle talk show ranks before being laid off. Ghanem’s former colleague Mona Saliba, who migrated to MTV Lebanon News to report, anchor, and
host a public affairs show, tweeted: “Colleague and friend Dolly Ghanem outside
LBCI. The screen will miss Dolly, her sobriety, fun spirit, spontaneity and
sophistication.”