Under French sponsorship, Lebanon and Syria have agreed last summer to establish diplomatic ties for the first time since their independence 60 years ago.
Highlighting the importance of his coming visit to Lebanon, Fillon was quoted as saying it will be an opportunity to sign important agreements that would consolidate cooperation on all levels.
"The French government has decided to dispatch a big part of its 2009 budget for military cooperation," he said, stressing that France is not allied with one Lebanese group against the other, but "is the friend of all Lebanese."
Thursday
21:00 Crude oil dropped below $48 /barrel
20:05: Fillon following his meeting with Saniora at Grand Serail: I met President Suleiman and presented France’s appreciation to him for leading national dialogue. I will meet Speaker Berri tomorrow and express France satisfaction that Lebanon’s parliament has returned to work now. We are happy for Syrian-Lebanese relations, we await the opening of embassies in both countries prior to year’s end in addition to dealing with the issue of missing Lebanese and jailed Lebanese in Syria. We will present Lebanon with 125 million Euros to support medium and small enterprises that fell victim to the July 2006 war . The growth in Lebanese economy is 6 % while in Europe it does not reach 5 %. I will visit tomorrow the French forces deployed with UNIFIL, in affirmation of France’s commitment to international resolutions.
7:05: pm: PM Siniora currently holding a meeting with visiting French PM Fillon at Grand Serail.
17:15 Crude oil drops below $50 / barrel for the first time since 2005
16:50 Harir and Jumblatt discussed over the phone the domestic and regional situation including the issue of reconciliations
16:30 Aridi : we will soon start executing the contracts for the bridges in Tripoli and we have cancelled the contract with the contractor of the Aboudieh road
16:15 Fillon left Baabda palace without issuing any statement or talking to the reporters
15:30 French Prime Minister Francois Fillon is currently meeting with Lebanese president Suleiman and PM Siniora in Baabda
15:15 Lebanese Forces asked Pierre Dhaher to stop using LBC for his media attacks against them
15:00 Jumblatt declares from Washington: we will be victorious in the parliamentary elections and we will continue with our struggle
14:45 Gemayel : we hope that the Batroun dispute will lead to reconciliation as soon as possible
14:42 Suleiman : we will not allow the return of foreign forces , neither from the Israeli door nor any other door
14:40 François Fillon, French Prime minister arrived at the Hariri international airport
14:30 clash between the media photographers and the Lebanese security at the airport
14:22 Bou Zayyan: Israel has to withdraw from northern Ghajar as stipulated in UN resolution 1701
13:57 The Free Lebanon radio station reports clashes between instructors and students at the Lebanese International University’s Bekaa branch. Several were reportedly wounded
13:10 MP Saad Hariri presides over a meeting of the Future Movement in Qureitem.
11:15 MP Saad Hariri addressing Friends of Lebanon Conference for Investment at Phoenicia Hotel: Arab economy has a direct impact on Lebanon’s economy which pushes us to take collective action to counter the global financial crisis. Our duty is to prevent political disputes from hindering the economic activity. The global financial storm will hit our region, but growth will undermine its impact.
10:40 PM Fouad Siniora addressing Friends of Lebanon Conference for Investment at Phoenicia Hotel: Lebanon was able of getting out of the global financial crisis as a result of adhering to strict measures and cooperation between the government and the Central Bank. The government is working to fulfill privatization of the cellular networks and prepare an economic vision to activate regional economic growth that could reinforce a balanced development. The government will continue to activate investment enterprises and launch a drive to strengthen private sector initiatives. government is determined to hold elections and continue implementing financial reforms. The government will benefit from reduction in oil prices to lower budget deficit.
08:47 Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat: Lebanese security sources are saying the arrest of Abed al-Rahman Mohammad Awad, a potential successor to Absi's leadership of Fatah al-Islam, is “difficult” as Awad and his ring are said to be wearing explosives belts 24/7.
8:35 VOL: Police raided the house of shooter of MP Boutros Harb’s bodyguard.
8:30 Nine people were wounded as two passenger buses collided head-on on Jal el-Dib highway, causing a huge traffic jam.
7:45 MP Samir Franjieh to VOL: Miliband’s visit to Lebanon is important since he came from Syria and for giving huge significance to parliamentary elections.
Wednesday
23:00 The US Senate approved the $700 billion Wall Street bailout legislation by a vote of 74 to 25. The revised bill increases the federal government guarantee on bank accounts to $250,000 from a limit of $100,000. Both senators Obama and McCain voted for the bill
15:01 MP Michel Murr: Bkirki should be the reference for the reconciliation. My problems with the Lebanese Forces are over . My relationship with Aoun is emotional
12:50 The Maronite Bishops Council said Wednesday that the Tripoli explosion that killed seven people, shows that those who want to bring evil to Lebanon were still active
12:46 Samir Geagea , leader of the Lebanese Forces : The statement by president Assad following the explosion in Tripoli is extremely dangerous and it clearly shows that he is preparing Syria for another military interference in Lebanon. Some of the cells of Fatah al Islam , which are the making of the Syrian intelligence are still active in Tripoli and wanted to take revenge from the army
Tags: Fillon, France, lebanon, Sarkozy, Siniora, source: Lebanon Files, Suleiman, Syria, Ya Libnan
