Elena Holodny

While the world has had its eyes glued on Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS or IS, has been creeping into another chaotic state: Libya.

And analysts think this will be a major stress point for Europe going forward.

"One of the most concrete geopolitical risks for Europe in the near future will be the complete or partial takeover of Libya by the militias of the so-called Islamic State," Citi Research’s Tina Fordham wrote.

"While the world’s attention was absorbed by the war in Syria, IS systematically increased its presence there in 2015," she added. "Their goal is to establish another resources-rich stronghold in the Arab world, thereby creating another stepping-stone towards the erection of a ‘new Caliphate.’"

Dubai: Lebanese residents in the UAE say they were surprised by the announcement of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea when he gave his backing to his rival Michael Aoun for the presidency on Monday night.

Suzanna Mounzer, 25, who works in public relations, told Gulf News the move will unite the largest Christian parties in Lebanon.

“Personally, I don’t follow Lebanese politics because it is shameful. It is a shame we couldn’t even agree on a president. [The issue] has been dragging the country down and making it’s citizens’ lives more difficult,” she said.

“I have been away from Lebanon for so long, its politics don’t affect me much,” she said, adding that she was against sectarianism.

catholicherald.co.uk/

The oldest monastery in Iraq has been destroyed by ISIS, according to reports.

St Elijah’s Monastery of Mosul had stood for 1,400 years and had recently been used as a place of worship by US troops. However, satellite photos obtained by Associated Press (AP) show that the monastery has been razed.

Fr Paul Thabit Habib, 39, a priest exiled in Irbil, Iraq, said: “I can’t describe my sadness. Our Christian history in Mosul is being barbarically leveled. We see it as an attempt to expel us from Iraq, eliminating and finishing our existence in this land.”

After reviewing the satellite images, imagery expert Stephen Wood, CEO of Allsource Analysis, told AP that the destruction of the monastery took place between August 27 and September 28, 2014.

Ya Libnan

Speaker Nabih Berri has said that he would not announce his stance with regards to  Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea’s endorsement of Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun for the presidency before the picture becomes clear.

In remarks to his visitors, Berri said: “As the head of Amal Movement, I will bring together the leadership council and the Politburo when the picture becomes clearer to take the final stance from the presidency.”

Huffington Post–

Back in August 2014, the al-Qaida affiliate in Syria, the Nusra Front, and Islamic State group (IS) forces attacked the Lebanese town of Arsal. The fighting concluded with the capture of 30 Lebanese policemen and soldiers. Immediately after the battle, the Nusra Front and IS executed two soldiers each. One died from wounds sustained from fighting in Arsal, while 16 soldiers remained in the custody of the Nusra Front, and nine remained imprisoned by IS. Sixteen months later, an exchange of captives took place between Lebanon and the Nusra Front. The deal was brokered by Qatar, who has over the last decade been playing somewhat controversial, but often crucial roles in conflict mediation throughout the region. At the time, December 1, 2015, the event attracted substantial public attention, but it quickly faded into the background of the news cycle. At first glance, the return of 16 Lebanese policemen and soldiers–held by the Nusra Front since August 2014–seemed like a routine swap between belligerents as a result of successful local level negotiations–most of which took place recently as a result of the stalemate felt by all sides on the ground. Yet, this exchange differs because it took place between a non-state actor–in this case, an internationally agreed upon terrorist organization–and a neighboring state, Lebanon; with the blessing of the Syrian and Saudi governments.

Rob Garratt

by naharnet desk

The Change and Reform parliamentary bloc stressed Tuesday that Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea’s nomination of bloc chief MP Michel Aoun for the presidency is aimed at unifying “all Lebanese, not only Christians,” noting that agreements that “transcend political agreements” are possible in this regard.

“The Change and Reform bloc has lauded LF leader Samir Geagea’s nomination of MP Michel Aoun,” bloc secretary MP Ibrahim Kanaan announced after Change and Reform’s weekly meeting in Rabieh.

“This step is a glimpse of hope seeking to unify all Lebanese, not only Christians, with the aim of reaching a national solution that saves the republic,” he added. Kanaan noted that the election of a president must be based on “filling the vacuum through a broad Lebanese will.”

By ANNE BARNARD

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Two of Lebanon’s most prominent Christian politicians — one a crucial political ally of Hezbollah, the other its longtime foe — struck a surprise agreement on Monday that could help end the standoff that has left the country without a president for nearly two years.

In the deal, Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces party, threw his support behind the presidential candidacy of his lifelong rival, Michel Aoun, whose Free Patriotic Movement is Hezbollah’s main Christian ally in Parliament.

It was a remarkable development even in the context of Lebanon’s constantly churning politics. The two men are bitter adversaries. Their militias fought bloody battles during Lebanon’s civil war a quarter-century ago, and they have been on opposite sides over the most radioactive issues in Lebanon: Israel and the war in Syria.

by Jason Lemon