March 12, 2008

Lebanonwire

Lebanon Press Highlights

Lavrov and Kouchner reject 'foreign meddling' in Lebanon, vow support

Pre-emptive battle in Dakar before Damascus

Sfeir: For the first time since 1920, the parliament fails to be decisive

Yediot Aharonot: Hezbollah set for a new war with Israel

"Democracy and human rights progress in Lebanon continued to face opposition in the form of a campaign of violence and assassination and foreign-backed efforts to prevent the functioning of the government," the report said.

"Militant groups continued efforts to terrorize public and political figures, including through a series of car bombings and assassinations during the year," it added. "The Lebanese opposition, backed by outside forces, continued to block the election of a president by refusing to allow parliament to convene," the report said.

Sfeir: Shrinking number of Christians brands others with segregation

One million Lebanese has left Lebanon to the west, and there is no hope they will come back

Abbas Zaki: Jerusalem operation was qualitative and Israel is not yet mature for peace

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Robert Danin says there will be no deal at the expense of Lebanon, adding that the US Administration is now studying the issue of protecting Lebanese borders

Chehayeb: Hezbollah is now in the process of provoking war

Government: Lebanon has no water surplus and have received no request from Cyprus

Ban appoints Robert Vincent as registrar for the international tribunal

Geagea discusses 5 issues with American officials

Says US is committed to helping Lebanon and is concerned with Syria's negative activities

As-Safir

Faisal & Mottaki meet again in Senegal; and Moscow & Paris refuse all foreign meddling in Lebanon

Dakar summit segments Arab initiative: Election first, government next

Damascus won't invite Nijad and Gul to summit

Smell of optimism precede card mixing in Damascus summit; would 'Baabda Palace' doors open with keys from the 'White House' - Khodr Taleb

Berri responds to 'White House' remarks: You are seeking vacuum since the onset

Geagea after meeting US officials: Focus on Lebanon's independence and the the Palestinian issue

Fadlallah calls on British ambassador to take a decisive stance on Israeli crimes

Al-Mustaqbal

Sfeir expresses astonishment over paralyzing Parliament sine over a year

Berri holds Washington responsible for delaying presidential elections

Geagea seeks in his American tour to neutralize Lebanon in regional conflicts

Moussa says Lebanon will receive invitation to summit in '4 days'

Shiite Council representative in Christian Churches meet: Aoun is responsible for presidential vacuum

Independence facing 'dialectism of enmity and intrigue' between the Syrian regime, Israel and Iran - Nassir Al Asaad

Al-Balad

Lebanon waiting for 'the lost invitation'

Lavrov and Kouchner hold foreign meddling responsible for the continuation of Lebanon's crisis

Israel: Hezbollah completed its logistical preparations for war

Sfeir: Christian presence in Lebanon calls for worry

Current situation desperate and Lebanon is on the brink

Arslan: I ask Suleiman not to meddle in Druze affairs

Bassil: Brigadier George khouri wants to be army commander by any means

Future Bloc: Opposition has completely surrendered to the Syrian-Iranian project

Hamadeh: We won't accept inviation to summit through Arab League

Al-Akhbar

Iranian mediation awaiting Dakar summit

Last round determined inability of majority to produce solution - Ibrahim Al Amine

Syria will send a minister or a vice minister to invite Lebanon

Storm between mid Spring and the beginning of Autumn - Antoine Saad