parliament no later than September 25, 2008

The other issues that will be in focus in Lebanon today are :

1 - The speculation on who will be the next army chief. Based on the most recent reports Brigadier General Jean Kahwaji may be the choice of Defense Minister Elias Murr. The cabinet will not have a meeting this Thursday (as agreed Monday between Siniora and Suleiman) which means the appointment of the army chief will be delayed again

2 - The security concerns following the Monday clashes between Future Movement and Amal supporters in Ras al-Nabaa in west Beirut and the bombs in Basta and Tyre

3 - The constitutional authorities of the deputy prime minister and whether his office should be at the Grand Serail near the Prime minister or in an adjacent building

Wednesday

20:34 US State Department official David Hill conveys support for Lebanon, announcing that the United States was looking forward to closer economic, political, security and military cooperation with Lebanon.

19:44 A rapid intervention unit from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) conducted a military exercise with a Lebanese army artillery regiment on Wednesday, one kilometer South of the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura. Soldiers shot155-mm shells at targets in the Mediterranean Sea, during the maneuver, which is the second of its kind.

19:05 President, defense minister and acting army commander meet with US delegation. The US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, Michael Vickers; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Affairs, Mary Beth Long; and Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy for U.S. Central Command, Major General Robert R. Allardice visited Lebanon on Wednesday accompanied by the newly-appointed US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michele J. Sison. The delegation met with President Michel Sleiman, acting Army Commander Major General Shawki al-Masri, and Defense Minister Elias Murr. “Since 2006, the United States has committed over $410 million to the Lebanese Armed Forces. The United States is committed to building the capabilities of the LAF and it will continue to support the government of Lebanon and the LAF as they continue their efforts to safeguard the peace, unity and sovereignty of Lebanon,” a press release issued by the US Embassy in Beirut read.

18:08 President Michel Sleiman warned of the danger posed by Israel’s recent threats. Discussing recent statements from Israeli officials that Lebanon would be attacked if Hezbollah was allowed to gain too much power, Sleiman said “Israel does not have the right to issue such threats, which are in violation of UNSCR 1701, at a time when Lebanon has respected the resolution.”

18:01 French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Wednesday he would go to Syria on September 3, the latest step in the two states' bid to normalize ties cut after the 2005 murder of Lebanon's ex-Premier Rafik Hariri. Sarkozy made the announcement during a speech to France's ambassadors gathered in Paris for their annual meeting on the country's foreign policy. He said he rejected the idea of isolating Syria, preferring to take "another route, more risky it is true, but more promising: open dialogue leading to tangible progress."

17:57 Administration and Parliamentary Committee unanimously approves caza-based electoral districting, in accordance with the 1960 caza-based distribution of parliamentary seats by a simple majority of votes.

16:49 Amal blamed the Future Movement for a violent attack in western Bekaa. In a press release issued on Wednesday, Amal said that residents of Taalabaya had been carrying posters of Amal founder Imam Moussa Sadr, when Future movement supporters threw grenades and opened fire on them.

16:28 Democratic Gathering bloc MP Antoine Saad said that parliament’s decision to delay the issue of electoral redistricting was a victory for Lebanon, democracy and the majority. Saad criticized MP Michel Aoun’s recent tour of southern villages. Saad said Aoun intended to give Hezbollah full control of South Lebanon, by trading the Christian vote there in return for Jezzine caza or elsewhere.

15:44 Future News TV reports that 3 tractors from Syria crossed the border and dug irrigation channels to divert water out of Lebanon.

15:31 Investigating magistrate issues arrest warrant, death penalty for Kaddafi implication in Sadr disappearance

15:23 After meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri, Egyptian Foreign Minister Abu al-Gheit says that dialogue and reconciliation will bring stability to Lebanon.

15:11 MP Fares Soueid: If Hezbollah continues its military resistance, UNSCR 1701 might as well be cancelled.

15:05 Fight in Taalabaya injures four, army arrests suspects.

14:11 Administration and Justice Committee unanimously approves electoral redistricting, caza-based electoral law

13:37 Armed conflicts between Islamist groups and Fatah erupt in the Ain al-Helweh camp.

12:35 Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit meets with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh.

12:20 Ghaleb Abu Zeinab foresees opposition as majority after 2009 elections

11:30 Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit holds a press conference after meeting with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in the Grand Serail

11:13 President Michel Sleiman meets with David Hale, who is in charge of the Lebanon desk at the US State Department.

10:32 Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit meets Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in the Grand Serail.

10:30 The parliamentary Administration and Justice Commission holds a meeting in Nejmeh Square to approve the electoral redistricting proposal and continue the discussions about electoral reforms.

09:44 Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit holds a press conference after meeting with President Michel Sleiman.

09:40 Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit speaks from the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut

09:07 Majority and opposition supporters trade gunfire overnight in Taalabaya

08:55 Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al- Gheit arrives in Beirut.

08:54 Future Movement MP Ahmad Fatfat speaks to the Voice of Lebanon radio station

08:18 Stun grenades are thrown in Tayouneh, Basta and Bidyas on Tuesday night

Tuesday

23:22 MP Zahra told Future TV: Aoun's visit to Jezzine did not antagonize the Lebanese Forces but raised for us some questions because the planning and security for his trip was organized by foreign forces. Geagea does not need permission from anyone to visit Jezzine or any other area of Lebanon

23:10m ANB : Unknown people throw a bomb in Basra area

23:05 A percussion bomb was thrown in front of Husseiniyeh Bedyas in Sour ( Tyre) . Minor damages reported

22:58 MP Hadi Hubaish told LBC : What is the point of deciding on the electoral division today and postponing the reforms . The Opposition should not get veto power.

22:46 The body of citizen George Suleiman was discovered in the commercial district of Al Abdeh area

20:56 Protesters angry over electrical outages have blocked the main road in Kfarhabo, in the al-Dinieh area of northern Lebanon, with burning tires for three hours.

19:42 Sources in parliament tell NOW Lebanon that the reason electoral redistricting was postponed was because Speaker Nabih Berri wanted to retaliate against General Michel Aoun after Telecommunications Minister Gebran Bassil used the expression “the recovery of Jezzine.”

17:47 Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar requests inmates at the Roumieh prison end hunger strike and to have confidence in Lebanon’s justice and laws.“The relevant courts have issued the release of those whose legal status necessitates release,” he said

16:48 Belgian Defense Minister arrives in Lebanon to inspect his country’s contingent in UNIFIL

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