Hariri accepts re-nomination for Lebanese premiershipSeptember 16th, 2009 BEIRUT - Saad Hariri Wednesday accepted re-nomination for the post of Lebanese prime minister after getting backing from 71 MPs of his majority party and two from the opposition Armenian Tashnag party. His nomination for the second time since the June parliamentary elections was sure to restart the debate between opposition groups and the majority over the planned makeup of the cabinet.
Lebanese opposition shies from renaming Hariri as premierSeptember 15th, 2009 BEIRUT - Lebanon's Hezbollah-led opposition Tuesday refrained from renaming the head of the ruling majority, Saad Hariri, as prime minister on the first day of parliamentary consultations. The head of the Free Patriotic Movement, Christian leader Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and also Hezbollah all said they had "reservations on renaming Hariri to become prime minister".
Lebanese PM-designate quits trying to form government after opponents reject his Cabinet listSeptember 10th, 2009 Lebanese PM-designate bows out of forming CabinetBEIRUT — Lebanon's prime minister-designate abandoned efforts Thursday to form a new government, throwing the country into more political uncertainty after the Hezbollah-led parliament minority rejected his proposed Cabinet. Saad Hariri's move — two days after his proposed 30-member Cabinet list was turned down — prolongs the paralysis in the country, with President Michel Suleiman now forced to restart consultations with lawmakers to name a new premier.
Fears in Lebanon that indictment in former PM assassination will spark sectarian violenceAugust 26th, 2009 Fears of Shiite-Sunni violence breakout in LebanonBEIRUT — No one knows when an international court will issue its first indictments in the assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister, but Lebanese are already afraid it could spark a wave of violence between its Shiite and Sunni communities. The Netherlands-based tribunal has kept silent on who it might charge in the 2005 slaying of Rafik Hariri.
One killed in Lebanon clashesJune 28th, 2009 BEIRUT - At least one woman was killed and three wounded Sunday when clashes erupted in Beirut between followers of the Western-backed ruling majority and those of the Hezbollah-led opposition, Lebanese police said. Clashes erupted with machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades launched between followers of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and those loyal to Shia House Speaker Nabih Berri in the populated areas of Aiyshe Bakar and Mar Elias, the police said.
Release of suspects in Hariri killings could shift balance of power in LebanonApril 30th, 2009 Hariri suspects' release may shift Lebanon balanceBEIRUT — A general freed after nearly four years in jail in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri said Thursday his release by a U.N.-backed tribunal discredited Lebanon's judiciary and could shift the country's fragile political balance. Brig. Gen. Jamil al-Sayyed, one of the former Lebanese security officials the tribunal ordered released on Wednesday citing insufficient evidence, called for the resignation of senior Lebanese judges.
Lebanon frees generals held in Hariri killing after UN-backed tribunal orders their releaseApril 29th, 2009 Lebanon frees generals held in Hariri killingBEIRUT — Lebanon released four generals held for nearly four years in the 2005 truck-bomb assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri after a U.N.-backed tribunal ordered them freed on Wednesday, setting off celebrations with fireworks and dancing. One of the officers was cheered by a crowd of hundreds outside his house and another was hoisted onto the shoulders of family and friends and showered by rose petals as supporters danced and blew whistles.
Judge at UN-backed tribunal on Hariri killing orders Lebanese generals' releaseApril 29th, 2009 Hariri court orders generals' releaseLEIDSCHENDAM, Netherlands — A U.N.-backed tribunal on Wednesday ordered the immediate release of four pro-Syrian generals being held in a Beirut prison for the 2005 truck-bomb assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister, Rafik Hariri. Judge Daniel Fransen ordered the Lebanese generals freed after prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to justify their continued detention.
UN tribunal frees four accused in Hariri caseApril 29th, 2009 THE HAGUE/BEIRUT - A UN tribunal Wednesday ordered the immediate release of four former Lebanese generals detained for four years without charge in connection with the 2005 assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister Rafik Hariri. Daniel Fransen, the pre-trial judge of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), announced the decision in The Hague, where the court is based.
Lebanon begins releasing generals held in killing of former Prime Minister Rafik HaririApril 29th, 2009 Lebanon begins freeing generals held in killingBEIRUT — Authorities in Lebanon have begun releasing four generals held for four years on suspicion of involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri after an international judge ordered them released. Two of the men were met by cheering supporters outside their homes.
Lebanon's election is crucial: ClintonApril 26th, 2009 BEIRUT - Visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Sunday that Lebanon's upcoming parliamentary election is crucial for an 'independent and sovereign Lebanon'. Clinton, who arrived in Beirut on a surprise visit earlier Sunday amid tight security measures, stressed that she is in Lebanon 'to send a clear message for fair and transparent elections.
Hariri tribunal should not be used for revenge: OppositionMarch 2nd, 2009 BEIRUT - Lebanon's pro-Syrian opposition led by Hezbollah said Sunday the chief prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Judge Daniel Bellemare, should ensure that the court does not become politicised and remains within a legal framework. 'The tribunal into the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri should not be considered a tool for taking revenge or intimidation,' opposition deputy Anwar al-Khalil said.
Global panel set up to investigate Lebanese PM's killingMarch 2nd, 2009 THE HAGUE - The international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri four years ago was formally constituted in The Hague Sunday. The court, constituted under a United Nations mandate, is to probe among other things allegations that Syria was behind the killing of Hariri in a massive Beirut bomb blast on Feb 14, 2005.
Lebanon on high alert ahead of Hariri tribunal hearingMarch 1st, 2009 BEIRUT - Lebanon's Internal Security Forces (ISF) Director General Ashraf Rifi said Saturday all active units were on highest alert as the Special Tribunal for Lebanon that will try suspects in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri was was scheduled to open Sunday at The Hague. Rifi said it was necessary to 'tighten the grip on security measures and to set up checkpoints to preserve law and order'.
Lebanon marks fourth anniversary of Hariri killingFebruary 13th, 2009 BEIRUT - Amid tightened security measures, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese rallied Saturday at the Martyrs Square in central Beirut to mark the fourth anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. The demonstrators carried Lebanese flags and banners reading 'Independence, Sovereignty, Freedom', 'Lebanese Unity', and sang the national anthem of the country.
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