is demanding that Hezbollah disarm, saying that its weapons undermine the authority of the state.
Hezbollah on the other hand is saying that it must remain armed in order to defend Lebanon against Israel.
Last May, Hezbollah staged a spectacular takeover of mainly Sunni parts of west Beirut, amid deadly clashes which brought the country to the brink of another civil war and left at least 68 people dead.
Monday
23:30 State Minister Wael Abu Faour said that if March 14 forces emerged with a majority in the upcoming elections, it would “not intimidate any…of our partners in the nation, but it will reassure that Lebanon will not be transformed into an arena for external struggles.”
23:20 President Michel Suleiman said he would not support any candidate, nor interfere in any way, in the 2009 parliamentary elections.
23:10 Phalange student council at St. Joseph University ( USJ) accused Hezbollah of collusion with the University administration to prevent the laying of wreaths on the anniversary of the assassination of Pierre Gemayel
23:05 Sujaan Qazzi told Future TV": We never accused Aoun of assassinating Gemayel
23:00 security sources told Future TV: Awad has not left Ain el Helweh . Efforts underway to convince his tribe to hand him over to the army , otherwise
The army will have a free hand to intervene
21:46 Allan Aoun told Future TV: we call on Syria to revise its past policies towards Lebanon and not to repeat the mistakes of the past . This is what General Aoun's visit is about
19:30 President Suleiman thanked the people of Iran and their government for their contributions to Lebanon in the recent years. Ahmadinejad said Lebanon has set an example in courage in facing Zionist challenges
18:55 PM Siniora and Minister Abu Faour discussed the issues that will be debated by the parliament and was informed by the UN demining team that Saudi Arabia has contributed one million dollars for demining efforts
17:25 Two people were wounded in the town of Ansar during a family dispute
17:23 OTV : Ghassan Kanaan, the man accused of shooting Hanna Sassine Harb [the bodyguard of MP Boutros Harb’s brother] and his wife in Batroun last Monday, has turned himself over to the Lebanese Army Intelligence.
16:55 Change and Reform Bloc leader MP Michel Aoun attacked March 14 majority during a press conference and said "they are afraid of losing the majority." He also attacked Taef accord " : It is not a holy book and is subject to revision ". He defended the 4 suspect generals by saying " cannot imagine that four generals are involved in the Hariri crime, even by negligence". He said his proposed defense strategy calls for the army to train people on resistance tactics . He added he has no plans to investigate the issue of the missing Lebanese during his visit to Syria
14:41 Two students are wounded in the USJ fight. One was identified as Nicole Farah, a Lebanese Forces supporter, and the other is said to be an Amal supporter.
14:18: Gen. Jamil Sayyed refuses for the 6th time to appear before Judge Saqr Saqr for the case of the assassination of former PM Hariri; Saqr wanted to cross examine him with Ahmad Merhi.
14:15 : President Michel Suleiman is meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
13:35: VOL: fighting breaks out at St. Joseph University ( USJ) in Beirut between Phalange and Hezbollah supporters, university suspends classes.
12:05 : Prime Minister Siniora meets with UNIFIL Commander Major General Claudio Grazionao at the Grand Serail.
11:05 : Iranian Foreign Minister Manushaher Mutaki receives President Suleiman at Tehran’s international airport.
11:00 : President Michel Suleiman arrives at Tehran International Airport.
10:30 MP Walid Jumblat told reporters during meeting with Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir in Bkirki: If we failed to win enough parliamentary seats to rule, Rustum Ghazali will govern Lebanon from Damascus’ countryside. I understood America’s message in 2006 during my visit; at the time U.S. Secretary of State Rice told me the behavior of the Syrian regime must change.
9:00 The Council of the Catholic Patriarchs of the Orient will hold its 18th conference in Bkirki on Monday.
8:35 President Michel Suleiman left on a two-day official visit to Iran.
7:35 Minister Mohammed Khalifeh told DOL: In light of Israel’s continuous threats, we see that Lebanon is in need for global and political support.
7:00 U.S. envoy James Robert arrived in Beirut last night. He will meet Lebanese officials on Monday.
Sunday
19.22 AFP- President Suleiman will discuss Hezbollah arms and the defense strategy with the Iranians . He will be heading to Iran tomorrow on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Will be accompanied by the ministers of foreign affairs, interior, economy, industry, labor and displaced
19:20 General Aoun told al-Quds TV regarding his upcoming trip to Syria : I am going to get the keys of Beirut from Damascus. I was against the political accusations issued against Syria during the assassinations... It is a friendship visit ... I am the son of this region and I live in it. When I go to the United States, I am going to a different land and a different nation. I am a Christian from the Middle East; I can go to any Middle Eastern or Islamic country and establish relations with it.
18:30 MP Yasseen Jaber told a group of students : We believe in security and stability for Lebanon and are for reconciliation. We want to rebuild a country that you can be proud of that will be able to create jobs for you, provide proper education , security and stability to all the citizens of the country
18:03 Prime Minister Fouad Siniora is currently meeting with President Michel Sileiman in Baabda palace.
14:10 Future TV: Sweeping victory for March 14 Forces in Dentists’ Union elections.
13:50 Gemayel addressed Forum de Beirut: The only way to unify the country is loyally to the nation and loyalty means detaching from foreign powers... Hezbollah and Palestinians’ arms as well as those of the extremist groups are required to be handed over to the army... Illegal arms are not only used internally for political reasons but for economic motives.... What’s the use of looking into a defense strategy that will not lead to a radical solution . ..I call on the various Lebanese sides - allies and foes - to find a settlement to our differences through constitutional means.... Civilized diversity is a source of Lebanon’s pride... We will not change our alliances..it is strategic
12:13 Celebrations to mark the 2nd anniversary of the assassination of Pierre Gemayel began at Forum de Beyrouth with the arrival of Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel.
12:10 Berri: Israel still occupies the Shebaa Farms, which are Lebanese territories, because the region is rich in water,” he said, adding that the Litani project, which would provide irrigation and drinking water to southern regions, should be implemented under the protection of the Lebanese army.
“I asked the Kuwaiti government to discuss this issue [the Litani project] on my behalf with the Lebanese government,” Berri said during his address to the Islamic Risala scouts conference on Sunday.
Tags: Ahmadinejad, Independence, Iran, lebanon, Siniora, source: Lebanon Files, Suleiman, Syria, Ya Libnan
