BEIRUT (Reuters) – A bomb exploded near a Lebanese army barracks in Beirut early on Thursday, destroying a car and slightly wounding one soldier, security sources said. The sources said a local newspaper had received a telephone call from someone claiming to speak on behalf of al Qaeda and declaring that a security target would be bombed in Beirut in retaliation for the arrest last month of 13 group members.
The explosion occurred some three hours later at around 2 a.m. (7 p.m. EST) outside the Fakhreddine Barracks in Ramlet al-Baida district of the capital, shattering windows in nearby buildings.The sources earlier said the blast was caused by a car bomb but they later said it had been caused by an explosive charge near or under the car.
By Murad Al-Shishani, After a missile attack on Israel from south Lebanon on December 27, 2005, the Organization of al-Qaeda in Iraq, or the Land of the Two Rivers, issued an audio-recording for its leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in which he claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was ordered by al-Qaeda’s leader, Osama bin Laden. The attack, combined with the statement of responsibility, raised questions about al-Qaeda’s presence in Lebanon. Following the attack, Lebanese authorities arrested a group of al-Qaeda members or followers of the Salafi-Jihadist movement. While the Lebanese authorities did not disclose details about the arrested suspects, the news leaks raised several questions about the presence and nature of the Salafi-Jihadist movement in Lebanon.
BEIRUT, 29 January (IRIN) – A two-day visit to Lebanon by a UN legal counsel to discuss a proposed international tribunal for suspects in last year’s assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was described as "fruitful" by government officials. UN Undersecretary-General for Legal Affairs Nicolas Michel arrived in the capital, Beirut, on 26 January. While in Lebanon, he met with a host of high-level officials, including President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Justice Minister Charles Rizk and Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh. 
BEIRUT, 29 January (IRIN) – About 10 years ago, Nadira and Amer Nahhas left the United Stated to settle in Lebanon, not realising that their children would live as foreigners in Nadira’s homeland. "I am Lebanese, but my husband is a foreigner, this is why my children are foreigners," said Nadira. According to Article 1 of the Lebanese Domestic Law, only "the child born of a Lebanese father" is deemed Lebanese. While Lebanon acceded to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 1997, it placed a reservation on the article that stipulates that "states parties shall grant women equal rights with respect to the nationality of their children".The reservation exempts the government from having to implement the Article. 
DUBAI, 19 Jan 2006 (IRIN) – 24 May 2000: The Israeli army retreats from southern Lebanon after 22 years of occupation, although Israeli troops remain in the disputed Shebaa Farms region in the foothills of Mount Hermon. 
By Stephen Kaufman, Washington File White House Correspondent, Washington — President Bush welcomed Lebanese member of Parliament Sa
By Lin Noueihed, RABIEH, Lebanon, (Reuters) – Lebanese Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun said on Thursday the government should resign if it was unable to end a political crisis that has paralysed decision-making. Aoun, who heads a major parliamentary bloc but did not join a cabinet formed after Syria withdrew from Lebanon in April, called for early elections as a prelude to replacing pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, who has been under pressure to resign. 
WASHINGTON – Lebanese parliament member Saad Hariri, son of slain prime minister Rafic Hariri, expressed interest in seeing the U.S. send equipment to help Lebanon protect its borders. 
