Najib Mikati, who heads the new cabinet in Lebanon that was announced on Monday, is a 55-year-old billionaire Sunni businessman who enjoys close ties with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Mr. Mikati served previously as the country’s prime minister in 2005, ruling in a caretaker capacity for three months after the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik […]
Lebanon’s Prime Minister is Billionaire Backed by Hezbollah
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 2:10 pm (UTC-5)
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Syrian Refugees Continue to Flee to Turkey
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 1:45 pm (UTC-5)
More Syrians fled across the border to Turkey Monday, with activists saying nearly 7,000 have run from the military violence in and around a rebellious northern city seized by Syrian troops over the weekend. Syrian state media said government soldiers, backed by helicopter gunships and tanks, took control of Jisr al-Shughour Sunday after defusing explosives […]
Germany Gives Diplomatic Recognition to Libyan Rebels
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
(new Clinton info in graf 5 in Clinton-Africa CR)) Germany on Monday officially recognized Libya’s rebel council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people, as battles continued in several places between rebels and government loyalists. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle offered the recognition during a visit to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. Germany does […]
Lebanon Forms New Government, One Member Abruptly Resigns
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 12:05 pm (UTC-5)
Lebanon has formed a new Cabinet five months after the militant group Hezbollah and its allies forced the country’s coalition government to collapse. A government official announced the new Cabinet led by Hezbollah-backed Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday. The Hezbollah-led bloc holds the majority of seats in the 30-member Cabinet. But within hours, the […]
Human Rights Watch Criticizes Kuwait Over Stateless Residents
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 12:00 pm (UTC-5)
Human Rights Watch has criticized Kuwait for its treatment of 106,000 stateless people who have been denied citizenship for decades. A report issued Monday by the organization says the stateless people, known as bidoons, have been denied basic human rights in areas of work and education. Kuwait’s human rights record has drawn increased international scrutiny […]
Syrian Refugees Continue to Flee to Turkey
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 11:45 am (UTC-5)
More Syrians fled across the border to Turkey Monday, with activists saying nearly 7,000 have run from the military violence in and around a rebellious northern city seized by Syrian troops over the weekend. Syrian state media said government soldiers, backed by helicopter gunships and tanks, took control of Jisr al-Shughour Sunday after defusing explosives […]
After Months of Dissent, Lebanon Forms New Government
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
Lebanon has formed a new Cabinet five months after the militant group Hezbollah and its allies forced the country’s coalition government to collapse. A government official announced the new Cabinet led by Hezbollah-backed Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday. The Hezbollah-led bloc holds the majority of seats in the 30-member Cabinet. Mr. Mikati must now […]
Germany Gives Diplomatic Recognition to Libyan Rebels
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
Germany on Monday officially recognized Libya’s rebel council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people as battles continued in several places between rebels and government loyalists. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle offered the recognition during a visit to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. Germany does not participate in NATO airstrikes aiding the rebel cause […]
Yemen Opposition in Talks About Power Transition
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
Yemen’s political opposition has held talks with the country’s acting leader, seeking to oust President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who is in Saudi Arabia recovering from injuries suffered in a rocket attack. The Associated Press says Vice President Abd al-Rab Mansur Hadi and opposition leaders met Monday and worked out a framework for discussions on a […]
Jordanian King Unharmed in Motorcade Incident
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 9:55 am (UTC-5)
In a nationally televised address, the king said a royal commission is now exploring “possible amendments” to the constitution. He did not elaborate on the reforms or give a timetable for implementation, saying sudden change could lead to chaos and unrest. King Abdullah is considered an important U.S. ally. He vowed a tougher fight against […]
