President Michel Suleiman is expected to tackle the national defense strategy at a national dialogue session on Thursday, media reports said.
Al-Joumhouria newspaper reported on Monday that Suleiman will discuss with Lebanese foes the matter after conferees at the last national dialogue session, held at Beiteddine palace on August 16, decided to postpone discussing it due to the absence of several members, in particular, Speaker Nabih Berri.
Full StoryThousands of Lebanese greeted on Saturday Pope Benedict XVI as he headed on his Popemobile to Baabda palace where he met with the country's top political and Muslim religious leaders.
Lebanese and Vatican flags fluttered, and there was a festive atmosphere on the streets as the faithful greeted him from Sayyad roundabout all the way to the presidential palace.
Full StorySpeaker Nabih Berri said on the eve of Pope Benedict XVl’s visit to Lebanon that it’s a very “important and historic” trip, Ad-Diyar newspaper reported on Thursday.
“This visit is significant for Lebanon and the Arab region, and it comes to reinforce the Christian-Muslim coexistence,” Berri pointed out.
Full StorySpeaker Nabih Berri stated on Wednesday that he will support any Christian agreement over a parliamentary electoral law.
He said: “I will not reject any law that enjoys the agreement of all Christian powers.”
Full StoryPresident Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Hizbullah's Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc rejected on Wednesday any increase in salaries and compensations for the three top presidential posts of the country, the ministers and the parliament members.
“We are passing through a period of austerity and an exceptional economic and financial stage, therefore, the state's treasury shouldn't bear additional burdens,” Berri said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.
Full StoryU.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly discussed with Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday preparations for the 2013 parliamentary elections.
He revealed after the talks the formation of a U.N. “technical unit” to provide support during next years polls.
Full StoryA meeting held between Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Miqati was not “exceptional,” informed sources told al-Liwaa newspaper on Tuesday.
The sources said that the meeting in Ain al-Tineh on Monday was to reinforce the personal ties between the two officials, who tackled the general situation in the country.
Full StorySpeaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that the raids the army carried out in Beirut's southern suburb is a “natural” endeavor that should be implemented throughout Lebanese territories, local newspapers reported.
“AMAL movement and Hizbullah support the army in its mission to preserve security,” Berri told As Safir newspaper.
Full StoryForeign Minister Adnan Mansour is in Mauritania for talks with top officials on the possibility of meeting with slain Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s ex-spy chief in his efforts to reveal the fate of Imam Moussa al-Sadr, An Nahar daily reported on Sunday.
The newspaper said that Mansour and his accompanying delegation that includes a member of the committee following up Sadr’s disappearance will hold talks with Mauritanian officials on Sunday and Monday for a possible meeting with Abdullah al-Senussi.
Full StoryPrime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Saturday that any dispute with Speaker Nabih Berri would be short-lived, warning opponents against banking on any disputes emerging between them.
He said: “I enjoy excellent ties with Berri and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun is our partner in government.”
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