and "death to America".
Other demonstrations were also held in cities in the south, north and in the Bekaa Valley, east of the capital
Deputy Secretary General of Hezbollah , Sheik Naim Qassem addressed protesters: He urged Arab states, especially Egypt to support Gaza and Palestine . He accused the U.N. Security Council of taking part in the Gaza siege. He shouted death to Israel and the crowd repeated the slogan. He said a solution to the Palestinian question can be achieved only through resistance.
"We are not for a compromise; we support resistance to liberate the soil of Palestine. We are not for a fragile truce and we do not accept changing Gaza into a (refugee) camp in return for giving up the state," Qassem shouted, waving his fist for emphasis.
"Why don't we hear Arab leaders shouting, denouncing and demanding lifting of the blockade imposed on Gaza?" Qassem asked.
Like Hamas in Gaza , Hezbollah is funded and supported by Iran.
Friday
23:03 Minister Marouni denied media reports about a plan by the cabinet to appoint the remaining members of the constitutional council tomorrow during its regular meeting
22:32 The Lebanese community in the UAE raised one million Dirham ( $270,000) towards the purchase of a helicopter for fire extinguishing
22:20 The price of Crude oil in the futures market dropped to its lowest in 4 years
20:40 communicatiosn between Europe, Asia and the Middle east stopped due to cable malfunction
20:02 LBC : The cabinet during its meeting tomorrow will appoint tomorrow Michel Khoury as ambassador to Syria
17:38 Lebanese Forces : SSNP militia attacked LF leader Mazen Mufaraj in Bishmazzeen , Koura
15:30 Dec 26, 30 and Jan 2 no newspapers will be issued due to the holidays
15:20 Sheik Naim Qassem Hezbollah's deputy chief addresses a rally against Gaza blockade: urged Arab states, especially Egypt, for an honorable stand in support of Gaza and Palestine . Aaccused the U.N. Security Council of taking part in the Gaza siege. shouted death to Israel and the crowd repeated the slogan. He said a solution to the Palestinian question can be achieved only through resistance,
15:00 Suleiman : I call on all Lebanese to vote in the spirit of national unity that guards the interest of the country
14:45 Energy ministry confirms the presence of Diesel in sufficient quantities to meet the local demand
14:40 : The body of a male was found next to garbage disposal on the road to Dahr al Basheq Hospital
14:32 US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale says Russian military support to Lebanon comes along with the US objective to support the country’s sovereignty and independence.
14:00 : A protest is underway in the southern suburbs of Beirut called for by Hezbollah in support for Gaza.
13:07 Prime Minister Fouad Siniora meets with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale at the Grand Serail.
12:45 : Jumblatt to Russia Today TV: It would be stupid for some to express reservation over arming and strengthening the Lebanese army. U.S. promised to provide Lebanon with modern tanks, but Lebanon doesn’t have enough funds to purchase them.
12:18: U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale meets Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at Ain el-Tineh.
12:15 : PM Saniora received U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams. Discussions focused on developments in south Lebanon, implementation of UNSCR 1701 and the national dialogue.
11:40: U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale discussed general affairs with Tashnag Party at its headquarters in Burj Hammoud.
11:30: UNIFIL Western Sector Commander: the success of our mission depends on everybody’s cooperation. UNIFIL is not working alone, the Lebanese state with its armed forces and civil society institutions are working as well.
11:00: MP Nabil Nicolas: The way in which members were elected to the Constitutional Council violates an existing accord. Two candidates received 104 votes, 3 Christian candidates received 64 and 63 votes. The 3 candidates belong to a specific group.
11:08 Future Movement MP Serge Torsarkissian denied, in a interview with the New TV on Friday, claims that the majority was preparing a coup against the Doha Agreement.
11:00 Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar says the formation of the Constitutional Council is unlikely to be obstructed during Saturday’s cabinet session.
10:33 Future Movement MP Mohammad Qabbani told Future News television on Friday that consensus democracy is an invention and is not part of the country’s constitution.
9:45: MP Abass Hashem to New TV: Head of ‘Democratic Gathering’ MP Walid Jumblatt lead the battle in securing the election of Antoine Kheir and Zaghloul Atiyeh to the Constitutional Council. He said that the circumstances that led to the Taif Agreement no longer apply and called for reconsidering it.
9:30: U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale at Baabda Presidential Palace meeting President Michel Suleiman.
8:45: Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh receives U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale.
8:40: Health Minister Mohammed Jawad Khalife told VOL: Government is serious about appointing an ambassador to Syria. I believe tomorrow’s cabinet session will be fruitful in terms of appointments.
Thursday
22:00 Lebanon Defense Minister Elias Murr : Russia did not set any preconditions for the use of the 10 Mig 29 planes that they donated to Lebanon. Lebanon is grateful for Russia's help and the Lebanese army is thrilled ... it is a dream come true for the Lebanese air forces
20:35 CNN : Muntazer al-Zaidi says sorry for attacking Bush with his shoes in Iraq and asks Iraqi PM for clemency
20:17 Harir left for Riyadh Saudi Arabia on a private trip
19:49 Hale after meeting minister Shatah: Lebanon's sovereignty and Independence is not negotiable in any future deal in the region
19:19 Michel Murr: I am trying to decide whether I will run or my son in the Metn region...most probably it will be my son.
19:10 Undersecretary David Welch resigned from his post . According to AFP, Welch was considered a staunch supporter of the Arab world within the Bush administration. A career diplomat, Welch, 55, said, "It's been a good career to be an American diplomat... I was fortunate to work on the most exciting and challenging of issues."
18:02 Italina president : We encourage the reconciliation in Lebanon and we will continue to participate in Lebanon's security and stability
17:26 AFP: The Hariri Tribunal will be subjected to the tightest security ever when compared to other tribunals
16:20 AKI: France reassured there would be no retraction from the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and that the offenders would not go unpunished. In a statement on Thursday the Foreign ministry said , “We welcome the UNSC’s adoption of resolution 1852, which stated the extension of the mandate of the IIIC in Hariri’s murder for two extra months. This would set March 1, 2009 as the date for the Special Tribunal as announced by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.”
Tags: Gaza, Hezbollah, Iran, Lebanon, Palestinians, source: Lebanon Files, Syria, Ya Libnan
