The assassination was planned to be executed by means of a suicide operation inside al-Amin Mosque during the Eid prayers, according to information obtained by the paper from the Lebanese intelligence
The newspaper did not reveal how the assassination attempt was foiled
Eid el Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan
Qabbani,67, the highest spiritual authority within the Muslim Sunni community criticized Sunday attempts at splitting the nation and slammed politicians who speak in a threatening tone.
"If we realize that our strength is in our unity, then why divide?" Qabbani asked in his Eid el-Fitr sermon.
"If we are aware that the loss of the nation is everybody's loss, then why work on losing it?" he wondered.
"Why resort to the language of intimidation and put conditions? Why don't we resort to the Constitution, instead of each one having his own constitution?" Qabbani said
Like his counterpart in the Christian community , Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir , the outspoken Qabbani has been very critical of the Hezbollah-led opposition accusing its leaders of undermining the state institutions, to serve the interests of regional powers such as Iran and Syria.
In 2005 Rafik Hariri , the most popular Prime minister in Lebanese history was assassinated in downtown Beirut . His assassination was followed by several others of anti-Syrian leaders. Syria was blamed for these assassinations but Syria denied any involvement . Last May a report by the respected Der Spiegel German magazine revealed that Hezbollah was behind the assassination of Hariri and the vehicle used in executing his assassination was owned by a Hezbollah official
Qabbani succeeded Grand Mufti Sheikh Hassan Khaled who was assassinated on May 16, 1989. A 300 pound (136 kg) car bomb was detonated next to Khaled's car as he drove through Beirut. Khaled and 21 others were killed. Some suspected Syrian intelligence agents were behind the assassination.
Many Lebanese leaders have been warning of a new wave of assassinations.
Monday
5:10 pm Reuters - US crude oil futures fell on Monday as the dollar strengthened, global equities slipped and concerns about tepid demand even amid signs of and expectations for economic recovery.
5:00pm AP: Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin lashed out French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday at the start of a slander trial involving alleged dirty tricks by top politicians and businessmen.
2:22 pm : FPM’s MP Hikmet Deeb denied during an interview with al Noor station that General Michel Aoun had visited Syria secretly earlier this month . He called report about Aoun’s visit “ lies and fabrications aimed at creating excuses for delay in government formation”
2:04 pm General Aoun's office denied he visited Syria earlier this month
1:00 pm MP Sami Gemayel told the Lebanese community in Montreal, Canada: A new democratic concept called consensual democracy was created in Lebanon. It means that the results of the parliamentary elections are null and void
12:40 pm AFP: Israeli and Palestinian leaders headed on Monday for a summit with US President Barack Obama, with both sides skeptical the "photo-up" encounter will lead to a resumption of stalled peace talks.
12;30 pm Reuters: China has quietly eased restrictions on its citizens traveling from Guangdong province to Macau, sending casino stocks soaring on Monday as industry executives bet on record October earnings
12:15pm President Suleiman called for a new election law based on proportional representation during his meeting with Salafranca at Baabda palace
12:12pm Suleiman is meeting with Salafranca at Baabda palace in the presence of Minister Baroud and the ambassadors of the EU and Spain . Salafranca presented his final report on the June 7 polls to President Suleiman.
12:00pm Reuters: The Dollar rose broadly on Monday, extending its pullback from a one-year low against the euro as traders continued to trim short positions in the US currency following broad losses so far this month.
11:56 Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani received greeting calls from President Suleiman, Speaker Berri, PM-designate Hariri and other officials and clergymen.
11:35 MP Hassan Yaqoub urged president Suleiman to raise the issue of the disappearance of Imam Moussa el Sadr during his UN visit
11:28 FPM’s MP Simon Abi Ramia also denied during an interview with LBC that MP Michel Aoun had visited Syria earlier this month.
11:15 Salafranca kicked off his visit to Beirut with a meeting with Interior Minister Ziad Baroud. He will later meet with president Suleiman. Salfranca will hold a press conference on Friday to talk about his report on the June 7 polls
10:40 Former MP Samir Franjieh told LBC: The balance of power changed since the Doha accord particularly after the results of the elections.
9: 00Reuters: The top US commander in Afghanistan says in a confidential assessment of the war that without additional forces the mission "will likely result in failure," the Washington Post reported on Monday.
8:50 The Dollar advanced to a two-week high against the pound on speculation US policy makers will this week signal they may withdraw economic stimulus measures, boosting the appeal of the nation's assets.
08:46 MP Alain Aoun denies that general Michel Aoun visited Syria secretly this month and stressed that FPM this time will be positive during consultations
8:45 Jose Ignacio Salafranca, head of the European Commission set up to monitor Lebanese parliamentary elections, is expected to arrive in Beirut to present his final report on the June 7 polls to President Suleiman.
08:41 Zahra: Hariri’s first proposed line-up exposed the real intentions of the opposition
08:01 president Suleiman will emphasize in his UN speech that Lebanon will continue to abide by the United Nations resolution 1701
07:39 Obama's speech at the United Nations would keep the situation in Lebanon on hold
07:34 Syrian officials%
Tags: source: Naharnet
