There is a lot of speculation in the media about a possible future role for Suleiman in reconciling Syria with Saudi Arabia . . . An Nahar reported that he will be happy to play the role if he is asked by either party.
In other developments:
- The 2 American journalists Holli Chmela, 27, and Taylor Luck, 23 are finally back in Amman Jordan. They told their story to their employer of how they were kidnapped from Lebanon, smuggled, picked up by a Syrian military truck and jailed by Syria.
- The reconciliation meeting between Samir Geagea , leader of the Lebanese Forces and Suleiman Franjiyeh leader of the Marada may not take place any time soon, since the Marada leader is still insisting on gen. Aoun's participation in the meeting. MP Antoine Zahra said yesterday: Anyone who talks about preconditions for reconciliation between Geagea and Franjiyeh outside the parameters set by the Maronite League is insulting the League , president Suleiman and Patriarch Sfeir
- The massive deployment of troops by Syria along the northern Lebanese-Syrian borders continues to get international attention , but Syria insists that the aim is to prevent smuggling ...few in Lebanon are buying Syria's excuse , except its Lebanese allies. According to knowledgeable sources the smuggling has not stopped along the Lebanese Syrian borders. The cabinet discussed this issue in its yesterday's meeting
- The shooting incident in Damascus at the Yarmuk Palestinian Refugee camp between the Syrian security forces and some fundamentalists that left 4 dead: Palestinian commander Munir Maqdah told New TV that there is no link between Ain al-Helweh’s incidents and the Yarmuk clashes
Saturday
21:21 Now Lebanon: Marada Movement leader Sleiman Franjieh is to announce that he agreed to meet Lebanese Forces Executive Council leader Samir Geagea
after Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun returns from Iran.
20:14 Qabbani told OTV: we have a real interest in the Nasrallah - Hariri meeting . This is a major national necessity and will take place soon
20:09 The deployment of Palestinian security force in the Ain el Helweh Palestinian refugee camp , which was scheduled today was postponed due to the lack of logistical preparations
19:32 PM Siniora discussed with minister Salam ministerial issues and general conditions in the country
19:15 Chehayyeb : We are continuing with the project of reconciliation and there are many steps that should be taken but there is no specific program
19:07 Berri told NBN: The current confusion is part of the electoral game where each party believes that raising certain issue could win them more votes
18:42 Kouchner in Cairo: we do not know what is behind the Syrian military move on the Lebanese border, but ultimately, they are not threatening anyone
Geagea and Moawad addressed to the topic of Christian reconciliation in a telephone conversation
17:00 Aoun said during the 0ct 13, 1990 anniversary of Syrian massacre in Lebanon: We took the first step in creating a civil society and our understanding with Hezbollah removed many of the barriers . We always called for best relations with Syria once it withdraws from Lebanon , but some accuse us now of following Syria
16:57 One was wounded in cluster bomb explosion in Yahmar and another bomb was detonated in Qusayba
14:50 General Rifi and General Hajal met with the new head of the Interpol and the Secretary-General of the Organization on the sidelines of the General Assembly held in St. Petersburg, Russia
13:45 Ministry of Health was notified by the hospital about 129 cases of food poisoning in the north
13:30 Suleiman discussed current developments with former Ministers Assem Qansaou and Maurice Sihnawi سليمان عرض للتطورات الراهنة مع الوزيرين السابقين عاصم قانصو وموريس صحناوي
13:15 Siniora discussed current developments with Minister karam and met a delegation from "Carter" that is specialized in election observation
13:01 Riad Salameh from Washington DC: the Lebanese financial instutions have not been affected nor will they be affected by the current global financial crises , because of certain measures the central bank has instituted during the past few years
12:15 Gemayel will chair at 11 :00 am tomorrow a special meeting of the kataeb party in Batroun district
12:08 Iranian ambassador to Lebanon Mohammed Reza Shibani said from Rabiyeh that Tehran holds Hezbollah's ally Gen Aoun in high regard. The trip of Aoun to Tehran was supposed to have taken place long time ago but the political situation prevented this from happening
11:00 MP Mustafa Allouch told LBC TV that the expected meeting between Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri will not change the political alliances. “We still insist on a Hezbollah apology for the Beirut May and a promise that this issue will not be repeated,” Alloush said
10:35 Minister of Tourism Elie Marouni told LBC: We reject the Syrian return to Lebanon through the embassy. We warn that the Syrian embassy in Lebanon will serve as an Intelligence operation center. Syria doesn’t want reconciliation among Christians.
He added : There is no disagreement with Marada Movement. When I visit the North as tourism minister, I will visit Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjiyeh.
8:15 Minister Talal Arslan told Voice of Lebanon: Reconciliations should persist. The political rhetoric must return to normal as the country’s interest should be above anything else.
08:12 Salloukh told al Hayat: president Suleiman's vist to Saudi Arabia is "historic' and it reinforces the strong historic relations Lebanon enjoys with the kingdom. No one in Lebanon has any doubts about the positive role of Saudi Arabia in Lebanon
07:50 the announcement about a meeting soon between Jumblatt and a Hezbollah parliamentary delegation has revived the atmosphere of the stalled reconciliation between Christians and the Hariri - Nasrallah meeting
07:19 Gen. Aoun is expected to talk during an FPM meeting at Emile Lahoud compound marking the October 13 massacre about his trip to Tehran Iran, his alliance with the Iranian and Syrian backed Hezbollah-led opposition and the Christian reconciliation. (On October 13, 1990 the Syrian army invaded the presidential palace killed 700 people and injured 2000)
07:18 As Safir : several Lebanese politicians will be visiting Tehran before the end of the year , including former pro-Syrian president Emile Lahoud
07:12 President Suleiman is heading to Saudi Arabia on Sunday , he will then travel to Canada to attend the Francophone summit , then to Rome , Vatican , Egypt and finally Tehran before the end of the year
07:00 Khaled Hedadeh : The communist party is completely opposed to the new electoral law but will participate in order to continue with its reform battle
Friday
21:55 Saudi Ambassador Khoja departed to Jeddah , Saudi Arabia where he will participate in welcoming president Suleiman and in the discussions. Suleiman is expected to be visiting the Saudi kingdom on Sunday
21:41 Internal security : No clashes took place in al Maqased. There was a clash in Tareeq al Jadeedah in which 2 were wounded
21:05 2 were wounded due to disagreement in Tareeq al jadeedah
20:40 A man shoots and kills his girlfriend in Ashrafiyeh before committing suicide. The Internal Security immediately arrived to investigate the incident
18:30 Cabinet meeting underway at Baabda Palace.
18:29 Minister Talal Arslan told Now Lebanon: Expecting a meeting between PSP leader MP Walid Jumblatt and the Hezbollah leader in the near future. Arslan also said his alliance with General Michel Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah was unwavering... Added he and Jumblatt did not discuss sharing electoral seats in the Chouf and Aley.
Arslan also said he continued to call for the expansion of national dialogue, which he described “lame and incomplete because it does not represent all Lebanese factions.”
16:07 Future TV: One person was injured by a hand grenade explosion in the Ain al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp.
15:45 A quarrel broke out between members of AMAL and Hezbollah in the southern village of Zibqin.
Tags: Lebanon, missing journalists, source: Lebanon Files, Ya Libnan
