Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat said on Thursday that Lebanese officials should resume the national dialogue and tackle all the lingering crises in Lebanon without any “exception.”
He told An Nahar newspaper that Saudi King Abdullah’s letter to President Michel Suleiman expresses his fear over the repercussions of the Syrian developments on Lebanon as the crisis in the neighboring country might spill over into Lebanon.
Full StoryPresident Michel Suleiman on Wednesday said that a letter sent to United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon by Syria’s envoy to the U.N. Bashar al-Jaafari was not based on “verified facts.”
“It is not based on verified facts, and moreover the information of the Army Command and the Lebanese security agencies say totally otherwise,” Suleiman told U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly during a meeting at the Baabda Palace.
Full StoryLebanese officials welcomed on Wednesday Saudi King Abdullah’s call for national dialogue among Lebanese foes in an attempt to steer Lebanon clear of regional disputes, local newspapers reported.
Speaker Nabih Berri said that King Abdullah’s letter to President Michel Suleiman is a “direct” and “explicit” call for resumption of dialogue between Lebanese foes amid the critical situation the country is passing through.
Full StoryPresident Michel Suleiman is holding onto his call for the National Dialogue to discuss the spread of arms inside and outside Lebanese cities, sources close to the head of state said.
The sources told As Safir daily published Wednesday that Suleiman’s call for all-party talks focuses on discussing the arms of the resistance in terms of the defense strategy and the urgent issue of the weapons used in the latest deadly gunbattles between pro- and anti-Syrian regime supporters in Beirut and the northern city of Tripoli.
Full StorySaudi King Abdullah stated on Tuesday that the kingdom is monitoring the situation in Lebanon with “deep concern” following the clashes in Tripoli, “especially since they targeted a main sect in the country.”
He said in a cable to President Michel Suleiman: “We look forward to you ending the crisis, which may spiral into sectarian strife.”
Full StoryPresident Michel Suleiman stressed on Tuesday that there are no dangers in Lebanon that can prevent Arab nationals from visiting the country.
He said: “Lebanon is keen on the safety of the visiting nationals.”
Full StoryFormer Prime Minister Saad Hariri condemned on Sunday the murder of Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed, demanding that an “immediate investigation be launched in the matter.”
He said in a statement: “We warn the residents of Akkar against committing any retaliatory act that would create chaos in their region as it is clear that there is a plan to target the area for Syrian interests.”
Full StoryPresident Michel Suleiman expressed “disgust” on Saturday over the pressure exerted on him to sign the $5.9 billion extra-budgetary spending bill.
Suleiman told al-Akhbar newspaper that “even if holding onto his stances cost him his post, he doesn’t care.”
Full StoryPrime Minister Najib Miqati welcomed on Saturday Speaker Nabih Berri’s initiative for dialogue over the recent clashes that erupted in the northern port city of Tripoli.
“Dialogue is the only way to resolve the situation in the city,” sources close to Miqati told As Safir newspaper.
Full StoryPresident Michel Suleiman urged officials on Friday to resort to dialogue in order to resolve any dispute or problem.
He expressed relief for the adopted measures in the northern city of Tripoli, hoping that the tranquil security situation would remain in the city.
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