News

Civil Society Campaigners Protest Toxic Stench of Trash Burning

Oct 23 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

We Want Accountability civil society demonstrators gathered by the municipality of al-Jdeideh protesting the outspread burning of garbage that has spread in several areas in Lebanon diffusing a toxic stench, the National News Agency said on Friday.

The campaigners gathered by the municipality of al-Jdeideh in al-Bauchrieh

demanding that the municipalities intervene and put an end to this “phenomenon in light of the health hazards as the result of inhaling the toxic smoke and foul smell.”

Mashnouq on Attending Mustaqbal-Hizbullah Talks: Patience Does Not Mean Surrendering

Oct 22 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq sought to quell claims that he may not attend the next round of dialogue between the Mustaqbal Movement and Hizbullah, saying that such a decision would be his alone and not someone else's, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday.

He told the daily: “Patience does not mean surrender.”

“I have waited a whole year to announce a central stance on issues and I hope this is clear,” he said in reference to his recent criticism of Hizbullah.

Khalil: World Bank Loans under Threat Because of Parliament Paralysis

Oct 21 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil warned that danger is approaching the “structure of the state” as the parliamentary paralysis and failure to stipulate loans of the World Bank has pushed the latter to issue a warning that it would exclude Lebanon from its aid list, As Safir daily reported on Wednesday.

Parliament Re-Elects Members of its Committees

Oct 20 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Parliament convened on Tuesday to elect members of its various committees, as well as members of its bureau.

It re-elected the members of the committees and renewed the terms of its treasurers, reported al-Jadeed television.

Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra replaced Mustaqbal MP Robert Fadel in the finance committee.

Fadel in turn replaced LF MP Fadi Karam in the economics committee.

The session was held without incident or political bickering that had marred committee sessions.

Abou Faour: Government Will 'Enter a Coma'

Oct 20 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour announced Monday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam's government is on the brink of entering a “coma.”

“The government will enter a coma and it will only wake up to address the garbage crisis exclusively,” Abou Faour, who is close to Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).

“No contacts can rescue the government from the state of paralysis it is heading into,” the minister noted.

Report: Mustaqbal-Hizbullah Tensions Weigh Heavily on Political Scene as Salam Urges Sensible Stances

Oct 19 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Tensions between the Mustaqbal Movement and Hizbullah reached their peak over the weekend in light of party chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's response to Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq's recent speech, with the cleric stressing his commitment to dialogue and the minister threatening to quit it, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday.

The dispute between the two sides is threatening the 20th Mustaqbal-Hizbullah dialogue scheduled for October 26 and the country's national dialogue.

Salam: How Come All Sides Support Cabinet, but Refuse to Help Revitalize it?

Oct 19 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Prime Minister Tammam Salam hoped that the obstacles hindering the cabinet from convening would be overcome this week in order to call it to session, reported the daily An Nahar on Monday.

He told the daily: “How is it that all sides are committed to the government and yet they do not help eliminate hurdles that are hampering its productivity?”

An Nahar said that the premier is waiting for the appropriate time to call cabinet to session.

Nasrallah: Toppling the Government Brings Vacuum, Hizbullah Presence in Syria Greater than Ever

Oct 19 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah stated on Sunday that the party does not approve to topple the cabinet despite its slow performance, affirming that Hizbullah commits to dialogue despite warnings that some parties might withdraw from the sessions.

“We reaffirm our commitment for dialogue and convergence among the Lebanese. We have participated in this government for the security and political stability in Lebanon,” said Nasrallah in a televised appearance.

Asiri: Political Leaders Should Converge, to Distance Lebanon from Regional Conflicts

Oct 16 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri urged the political leaders in Lebanon to converge and find a solution for the crises mainly the hurdle of electing a president.

“Stemming from the brethren relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, I urge the political leaders to work on opening a new leaf and put aside the controversial issues that have emerged in the last phase,” said Asiri after a meeting with Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail.

Report: Efforts to Be Renewed to Hold Cabinet Session on Trash Crisis

Oct 16 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Efforts will soon be exerted to hold a cabinet session in order to avert its “complete paralysis,” reported the daily An Nahar on Friday.

It said that these efforts will be held next week and that a government session, should it be scheduled, will address the waste disposal crisis.

Ministerial sources hoped to the daily that the session would be held on Tuesday.

Report: New Proposal to End Presidential Deadlock Receives Regional, International Backing

Oct 16 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

A new proposal aimed at ending the protracted presidential impasse is being discussed and has reportedly received the support of a number of influential foreign powers, said the daily An Nahar on Friday.

It said that the suggestion called for the election of one of the current presidential candidates for a two-year term.

During this time, a new parliamentary electoral law would be approved and the polls would then be held in order to reshuffle state institutions, reported An Nahar.

Report: Jumblat Presents Hariri with 'Comprehensive' Deal over Political Impasse

Oct 16 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat presented Mustaqbal Movement chief MP Saad Hariri during his recent trip to Saudi Arabia with a “comprehensive” deal over the presidential deadlock and the garbage disposal crisis, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday.

Informed sources told the daily that his proposal calls for reaching an agreement over a new president and understandings over a new government and parliamentary electoral.

Report: Cabinet to Convene Friday to Adopt Shehayyeb's Trash Plan amid FPM Boycott

Oct 14 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Cabinet is expected to convene on Friday to adopt Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb's waste disposal plan, reported the daily al-Mustaqbal on Wednesday.

Ministerial sources said: “The session will be its last due to the obstruction of the Free Patriotic Movement.”

FPM chief MP Michel Aoun stated on Tuesday that his ministers will not attend a cabinet meeting aimed at addressing the waste crisis due to his objection to the failure to tackle the contentious issue of security promotions and appointments.

Salam Says No Cabinet Session Soon over Political Differences

Oct 12 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Prime Minister Tammam Salam said he did not expect to call for a cabinet session anytime soon over the lack of consensus among the country's rival political leaders.

“We want the session to be productive and we want it to become a turning point in resolving the waste crisis,” Salam told As Safir newspaper published on Monday.

“But unfortunately the conditions are not ripe yet to hold such a session,” he said.

Cabinet to Convene on Waste Crisis but Faces Dark Future

Oct 09 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Prime Minister Tammam Salam is expected to call for a cabinet session to put into execution the waste management plan of Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb.

The session will unlikely face a paralysis over differences between cabinet members on several controversial issues.

Education Minister Elias Bou Saab did not rule out Free Patriotic Movement ministers' participation in the session.

“This is an emergency and does not need an agenda or decrees,” he told As Safir daily.

Nasrallah Says No Prospect of Solution in Lebanon

Oct 07 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has accused Saudi Arabia of killing the Lebanese during the Israeli aggression on Lebanon in 2006 and expressed pessimism on the political situation of the country.

Riyadh “killed us in the 2006 July war,” and is “responsible for all the killing in the region,” Nasrallah said.

“Since its establishment, the role of Saudi Arabia and Israel has been to serve the U.S. interests in the region,” he stated.

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