President Michel Suleiman expressed his deep dissatisfaction regarding the recent escape of inmates from Roumieh prison, stating that such incidents are “unacceptable,” the state-run National News Agency said Saturday.
Suleiman told Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi during a meeting to conduct investigations and take necessary measures to hunt down the escapees and hold prison officials responsible for negligence therein.
Full StoryA man, who was detained on charges of abusing drugs, quarreled with security guards at the Justice Palace in Baabda after he threatened to escape, the National News Agency reported on Tuesday.
Mohammed Shokr wounded on Monday night one of the guards using a metal blade and set mattresses in his cell on fire.
Full StoryPresident Michel Suleiman on Wednesday announced that he will resume contacts aimed at relaunching national dialogue, noting that the parties that choose to boycott the upcoming session would be held responsible for the consequences of their decision.
“I will resume my contacts and efforts starting this evening in a bid to relaunch national dialogue on August 16 and I will hold all parties responsible” for failing to participate in dialogue, Suleiman said in a speech he delivered during the annual iftar banquet at the presidential palace in Baabda.
Full StoryThe Change and Reform bloc attended Monday’s cabinet session after mulling the participation of its minister to address the recent security incidents across Lebanon.
The bloc, led by Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun, held a meeting before the session that convened at the Baabda Palace on Monday afternoon.
Full StoryChange and Reform bloc ministers are thinking over whether to participate in a cabinet session that is scheduled to be held at Baabda palace on Monday, following their boycott of two other meetings over a dispute on the full-time employment of Electricite du Liban’s contract workers.
By Saturday, the 10 ministers loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun hadn’t announced their participation in the session that Premier Najib Miqati called for to discuss the latest security incidents, the murder attempt against MP Butros Harb, including the telecom data, and the 2012 draft state budget.
Full StoryThe national dialogue is set to resume on Monday with the defense strategy being the main topic of discussion, reported al-Liwaa newspaper on Saturday.
Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc circles told As Safir newspaper on Saturday that the bloc is seeking to only discuss at the all-party talks the possession of arms outside the authority of the state.
Full StoryThe Lebanese foes seeking an accord at a new national dialogue session expressed optimism on Monday as they voiced hope that the all-party talks would have a positive impact on the country, local newspapers reported.
Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel told As Safir newspaper that he will be open to all suggestions during session at the Baabda Palace, noting that the Lebanese leaders should be ready to resolve all the crises Lebanon is suffering from.
Full StoryThe national dialogue resumed its sessions on Monday “amid positive talks” with gatherers agreeing on committing to international resolutions and controlling Lebanon’s border.
The concluding statement said: “We reject the formation of a buffer zone with Syria and the use of Lebanon as an open ground for smuggling arms to Syria.”
Full StoryThe cabinet on Wednesday failed to reach an agreement over the controversial issue of extra-budgetary spending, but agreed on an exit for urgent spending.
Briefing reporters after the session, Information Minister Walid al-Daouq said the cabinet “approved contingency funds to cover urgent spending under extraordinary circumstances for each of: the army (L.L. 15 billion), the Internal Security Forces (L.L. 7.5 billion) and the education ministry’s official exams (L.L. 1.25 billion).”
Full StoryCabinet is expected to convene at the Baabda Palace on Wednesday in order to tackle the government spending dispute, among other issues, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.
It will also address Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi’s draft law on the matter.
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