December 23, 2008

Lebanonwire

Lebanon Press Highlights

Assad expects moving to direct talks with Israel - link

Olmert debates with Erdogan a Syrian document on withdrawal points

Third dialogue round is an extension of the second as debate stalls

Committee of experts to lay down a unified vision of the defense strategy

Assad's stand on direct negotiations an encouraging message to Washington - Rosana Bou Monsef

Gaza trap and the fear of bartering enhances Lebanon's caution

Syria won't let Lebanon relax if March 14 wins the elections - Emile Khouri

American reassurances are futile without guarantees

Jumblat: Felicitations to Ras Beirut for hosting the Syrian embassy!

Third round of dialogue listens to Geagea's vision, witnesses two encounters

Commitment to tranquility, solidarity with Gaza and a committee of experts

Lebanese Forces defense strategy text - Link

Neutrality, the Swiss example and Hezbollah's experience

Aoun: I demand forming a tribunal for trialing presidents

I dream of hundreds of warplanes, but where would we be put them?

Murr: Russian aid is a clear message for backing state

Saad Hariri is working for Lebanon, what have they done in their visits except making loud noise

Syria embassy has started working: Three diplomats move to their offices in Hamra

Qabbani: Traffic victims in Lebanon are three times the victims of crimes

As-Safir

Geagea criticizes losing time on MiGs  - link

Dialogue ignores neutrality strategy, endorses its expertise to 'experts' till January 22

Jumblat admits turning against Constitutional Council understanding

Berri, Siniora and Raad rejects Gemayle's giving up on Palestine

Suleiman warns of the regional situation

Moscow backs Abbas, criticizes Hamas ... as Cairo warns and mediates - Link

Israel launches diplomatic campaign paving way to aggression ... or to renewed calming

Third dialogue round continues debating defense strategy, closes on January 22 date - Link

Forms committee of experts to find summaries, common grounds between proposals & visions

Murr: Had we 3 MiG jets fighters only, we would have ended Bared's battles in 2 weeks  - Links

Lebanese Forces' defense strategy: Activating special forces and forming a national guard - Link

Iraqi deputy president conveys to Suleiman Iraq's need to play an economic role in Lebanon - Link

Syrian diplomatic delegation begins work in Beirut - Link

Hariri visits army commander - Link

Jumblat: Justification made over the Saudi money were not convincing - Link

Says would have preferred a direct approach instead of the twisted operation

Sfeir: Only saints can save us - Link

Kataeb appreciates Russian donation, expresses concern over Qassem's statements - Link

Aoun: Some are thinking of a defense strategy to disarm the resistance, not to defend country - Link

Hezbollah: What happened in Bleeda is very dangerous - Link

Hamdan in Bared calls on Lebanon to reject naturalizing Palestinians - Link

Al-Mustaqbal

Geagea proposes the strategy of 'strong neutrality' - Link

Hariri sought MiG jets with nothing in return; let others give 10 percent of what he gave to Lebanon

Hamadeh: We can't face dialogue with committees because they are the burial place of projects - link

Najjar expects appointing Constitutional Council members in first cabinet sessions - Link

Germany grants 50 Leopard tanks to Lebanon  - Link

Third Round: Another lost chance for the defense strategy - Nassir Al-Asaad - link

Al-Akhbar

Dialogue for dialogue: 'Nothing deserves a banner' - Nader Fawwaz  - Link

Dialogue table III: Twinning defense strategy and internal stability - Nicholas Nassif - Link

Wisdom heals the Kfarhim wound - Amer Malaeb - Link

'Relief secrets': What happened during the meeting with Khoja - Jean Aziz - Link

Small time majority and opposition operatives and the Syrian interference - Ghassan Saoud - Link

One first secretary, two diplomats open Syrian embassy in Beirut  - Link