Prime Minister Najib Miqati stated on Sunday that Lebanon is part of the international community and it therefore “cannot be selective in implementing its resolutions.”
He told Vatican radio during his ongoing trip to the European state: “We are committed to justice because it is a central way to find out the truth in the assassinations and crimes that have taken place in Lebanon.”
Full StoryMaronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi criticized on Sunday the government’s “hesitation” in adhering to international legitimacy, especially regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
He said during his Sunday sermon: “We warn against failing to respect international obligations and we hold the officials responsible for the dangerous repercussions Lebanon and its people would incur as a result of this failure.”
Full StoryHizbullah, Israel, Iran, and Turkey are all gearing up for an escalation in the developments in the region over the crisis in Syria, a diplomat told the Kuwaiti al-Seyassah daily in remarks published on Sunday.
He said Hizbullah is preparing for the confrontation by removing its rockets from its hideouts, noting that last week’s Siddiqin explosion took place when the party hastily set up the rockets.
Full StoryCabinet may not be held on Wednesday in light of the Change and Reform ministers’ boycott of Friday’s government session, reported the Kuwaiti al-Seyassah newspaper on Sunday.
Prominent March 14 parliamentary sources told the daily that Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement will not allow cabinet to convene ever again.
Full StoryA technocratic government may be the solution to Lebanon’s current crisis over the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday.
Parliamentary majority sources told the daily that a technocratic government, headed by Prime Minister Najib Miqati, could be formed and it would be able to approve the funding of the tribunal, as well as renew the cooperation protocol between the STL and Lebanon.
Full StoryHizbullah is passing through a state of confusion in light of Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s threat to resign, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday.
Party sources told the daily: “Hizbullah did not predict that the situation in Lebanon would reach such a dire extent and it is studying Miqati’s position from all possible angles.”
Full StoryPremier Najib Miqati reiterated from Rome that he would resign if the cabinet failed to approve the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
“No one should meddle in the jurisdictions of the premier,” Miqati’s sources told state run Tele Liban TV station.
Full StoryMinisters loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun stressed on Saturday that their participation in the cabinet hinges on a set of conditions that the government should meet.
Following a meeting of the Change and Reform bloc ministers in Rabieh, Energy Minister Jebran Bassil said: “Our participation or boycott of cabinet sessions stands on several issues.”
Full StoryCabinet postponed its session on Friday due to the lack of quorum after the Change and Reform ministers did not attend the meeting, which was expected to be held at the Baabda palace.
The ministers chose not to attend the session because of they are reportedly upset over the way they have been treated by the government, reported OTV.
Full StorySpecial Tribunal for Lebanon spokesman Marten Youssef stressed on Friday that STL president Judge Sir David Baragwanath didn’t tackle the possibility of imposing international sanctions on Lebanon if the funding wasn’t approved by the cabinet.
“The aim behind the STL president’s visit is to inquire about the stance of the Lebanese authorities and the cabinet towards the tribunal,” Youssef told al-Joumhouria newspaper.
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