French Foreign Ministry spokesman Eric Chevalier announced on Friday that Foreign Minister Kouchner will hold talks with Lebanese officials on July 9 to convey France's satisfaction with the manner in which Lebanon's June 7 parliamentary polls were managed. The situation

Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said numerous festivals being held across south Lebanon were "a healthy sign." "Cultural festivals currently being held in south Lebanon carry signs of stability and the promise of a better

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani expressed confidence Friday that the recent Saudi-Syrian talks will reflect positively on the overall situation in Lebanon. "We feel comfortable concerning the inter-Arab deliberations, led by Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz, which will benefit

A Lebanese military court adjourned Friday the trial of brothers Ali and Youssef Jarrah, who are charged with spying for Israel, a judicial source said. "The trial was postponed until July 27 after their attorneys requested the hearings be made

Senior Shiite cleric Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah slammed on Friday regional and international interference in Lebanon's domestic affairs. "We hear of slogans calling for freedom and democracy, yet regional and international powers interfere in Lebanese domestic affairs and make decisions

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' security forces have significantly widened a crackdown on Hamas in the West Bank in the past month. They have doubled the number of detainees and are increasingly targeting the wives of activists, school teachers and others

A powerful Iranian cleric said Friday British Embassy local staff arrested for allegedly stoking unrest after the June election will be put on trial, a move that prompted coordinated protests from European governments. Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he

A fiery protest marked the start on Friday of US Vice President Joe Biden's visit to Iraq, with supporters of the Shiite anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr burning the Stars and Stripes. Biden met General Ray Odierno, the top US officer

Outside the gates of Terhan's notorious Evin prison, hundreds wait impatiently - some with blankets spread out in the parking lot on the street below, making time for dinner. The improvised picnic area has become a second home to the

Syria's leader praised President Barack Obama's outreach for dialogue and invited him to visit Damascus in remarks released Friday just days after the United States said it plans to return its ambassador to Syria after a four year absence. Syrian

I was shouting, screaming and extremely struggling with this stranger's arms squeezing my head, and his hands covering my mouth while he was trying to snatch my bag." Though this statement may sound like the climax of a movie script,

If by naming Beirut as the 2009 World Book Capital the United Nations wishes to encourage the Lebanese to study more, its latest report should be a must-read. Lebanon's fourth National Human Development Report (NHDR), "Towards a Citizen's State," highlights

There is only one painting in front of which artists Emma Harake and Maher Kouraytem agree to be photographed. It depicts an owl that looks both menacing and adorable. A collaborative effort, the work is part of an exhibition of

A Tribute to Oum Kalthoum" might sound a terrible idea. The Egyptian diva, known variously as "Kawkab al-Sharq" ("The Star of the Orient") or "Al-Sitt" ("The Lady"), has such a legendary presence that any pretender to her throne seems bound

The night began innocently enough. Ten Irish dan?cers in form-fitting green dresses and matching tights performed a dynamic, staccato routine, pro?mising a night of harmless fun. Succeeding numbers suggested otherwise. Innocent spectators might have associated some of the routines that