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Lebanese TV network to launch Kardashian-inspired reality show

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Three Lebanese sisters will be the stars of a new Kardashian-inspired reality television show set to broadcast on LBC, which will chronicle their daily lives just like the American series, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”

The program, which is expected to launch this month, will be called “The Sisters” and will follow the lives of Nadine, Alicia, and Farah Abdel Aziz.

The Abdel Aziz sisters are passionate Kardashian fans and fashion bloggers for a page called “Styleinbeirut,” which has become one of the most popular fashion pages in Lebanon with more than 100k Instagram followers.

“Our aim is to connect fashion around the world and to show the whole world how Lebanese women are smart, stylish and beautiful,” the sisters said in a statement.

They announced their new show on social media with the caption: “Soon on LBC Sat, watch these gorgeous ladies and their daily life.”

Just like “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” television cameras will follow the Abdel Aziz sisters and document their every move for the reality show. The sisters say their show will shed a better light on Lebanon.

“We want to show (the world) that Lebanon is not just a country struggling with issues but Beirut is and will always be the Paris of the Middle East,” they added.

But some bloggers are wondering how Lebanese culture will respond to a reality-style program.

“I personally can’t watch the Kardashians for more than 2 minutes,” said Najib Mitri of Blog Baladi. “Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how Lebanese react to such reality shows.”

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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry honors Rafic Hariri’s legacy

(WASHINGTON, DC) — United States Secretary of State John Kerry honored Rafic Hariri’s legacy on Friday, just one day before the 10th anniversary of the former prime minister’s assassination on Feb. 14, 2005.

“Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, known to many as “Mr. Lebanon,” was guided by his vision of a stable, sovereign, and prosperous homeland,” Kerry said. “He spent his life working to make Lebanon more democratic, more free, more prosperous, and more secure – for all its people.”

Kerry, who expressed U.S. support to the Special Tribunal investigating Hariri’s assassination, said Hariri was killed by “some (who) feared he might succeed.”

“On behalf of President Barack Obama, I can tell you that America’s commitment to Lebanon remains as strong as ever,” he said.

“We continue to support in very practical ways Lebanon’s full sovereignty and independence from outside influence, including through our support for the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the Baabda Declaration, and Lebanon’s dissociation policy from foreign conflicts.”

The secretary of state also urged Lebanese leaders to elect a president, a move he says will be a step forward.

“I urge Lebanon’s leaders not to look outside of their country for a resolution to the presidential gridlock, but instead to find a solution from within,” Kerry said. “Unless and until a president is chosen, the erosion of Lebanon’s political institutions will only become more pronounced.”

Kerry went on to indirectly attack Hezbollah, which the United States classifies as a terrorist group.

“Make no mistake: there is no justification for the retention of arms by a militia or terrorist group that answers – not to the Lebanese people – but to foreign governments in Damascus and Tehran,” he said.

VIDEO: Kerry’s message to Lebanon on the 10th Anniversary of Rafic Hariri’s Assassination:

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Lebanese officials remember Rafic Hariri

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Religious and political leaders in Lebanon are remembering Rafic Hariri on the 10th anniversary of his assassination on Feb. 14, 2005, after his motorcade was targeted in a massive exposion in Beirut.

Hariri was a celebrated political icon and business tycoon, who was known as a voice of moderation and advocate for an independent and prosperous Lebanon.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam described Hariri’s death as a “sad moment” in history, hoping that the judicial system will bring justice to the 10-year case.

“Now that Rafic Hariri is gone, we have lost a great leader who exerted himself to replace Lebanon on the world map, and to give it a special place in the Arab world, especially after the ghastly war,” Salam said in a statement.

“We salute the memory of the man who dedicated his life entirely to achieving Lebanon’s security, sovereignty, pride and prosperity.”

Salam also called for political leaders to keep Hariri’s legacy alive by reinforcing state institutions and urging dialogue between political groups.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian visited Hariri’s tomb and expressed sorrow for the political instability in Lebanese parliament.

“The 10th annual commemoration of PM Rafic Hariri comes at gloomy time for Lebanon, as Parliament’s mandate was extended twice, presidential election had failed so far, the institutions are rusting, and security is volatile due to wars next door,” Derian said.

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, who is a member of Hariri’s Future Movement, vowed to carry on the former prime minister’s legacy until “all his objectives are achieved.”

“The road is still very long until we restore the state’s authority, disband illegal arms and achieve total sovereignty in the country for which Rafic Hariri was a martyr,” Rifi said in a statement released to the Lebanese National News Agency.

Several Lebanese politicians visited Hariri’s grave in Downtown Beirut, including Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblatt, Head of the parliamentary Future bloc Fouad Siniora, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk, Future Movement MP Jamal Jarrah, and Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon.

Two wreaths carrying the names of Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri were also laid on the grave.

RELATED: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pays tribute to Former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Read more.

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 City Beat, News, Raleigh

Three Muslim students killed in North Carolina

(CHAPEL HILL, NC) — Three Muslim-American students were shot to death at the residential complex of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Tuesday.

Police say Craig Stephen Hicks, 46, was arrested and charged with killing the students.

The victims, all shot in the head, were identified as Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, and his wife, Yusor Mohammad, 21, of Chapel Hill, and her sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19, of Raleigh, police said.

The father of two of the victims called the shooting a “hate crime” based on their Islamic faith. But Chapel Hill police said that “preliminary investigation indicates the crime was motivated by an ongoing neighbor dispute over parking,” according to a statement posted online.

“We understand the concerns about the possibility that this was hate-motivated and we will exhaust every lead to determine if that is the case,” the statement said, quoting Police Chief Chris Blue.

Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt called the killings a “senseless and tragic act surrounding a long-standing dispute.”

“I share strong feelings of outrage and shock with my fellow citizens and university students — as well as concerned people everywhere,” he said. “We do not know whether anti-Muslim bias played a role in this crime, but I do recognize the fear that members of our community may feel. Chapel Hill is a place for everyone, a place where Muslim lives matter.”

On the UNC campus Wednesday night, several thousand people attended a candlelight vigil in memory of the students. In Raleigh, a moment of silence was planned during the North Carolina St. vs Virginia basketball game, according to Chancellor Randy Woodson.

Hicks, who turned himself in to authorities, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the fatal shootings. His Facebook profile boasts a page called “Atheists for Equality” where he frequently published posts critical of religion.

The hashtag #ChapelHillShooting and #MuslimLivesMatter were trending on Twitter just a few hours after the shooting, including several thousand tweets criticizing Western media for not covering the shooting.

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Will Jordan’s King Abdullah help Lebanon elect a president?

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Jordan’s King Abdullah said he was willing to help Lebanon find a solution to the country’s presidential vacuum and help the country boost its security forces, according to Lebanese Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk.

Machnouk visited King Abduallah on Wednesday to express condolences from the Lebanese government over the killing of Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh.

The King accepted condolences on behalf of the Lebanese people and expressed his willingness in supporting Lebanon’s efforts to elect a president.

“The Jordanian monarch has expressed his readiness to help in the matter of Lebanese presidential elections through his international calls and his anticipated European tour,” Machnouk said.

© Nouhad Machnouk Official Page
The Jordanian government-run news agency says the meeting was attended by the Royal Court chief, the director of the King’s office, the interior minister, and a delegation accompanying Machnouk. (Photo © Nouhad Machnouk Official Page)

Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014, when President Sleiman’s term ended. Political quarrels between March 8 and March 14 leaders have kept the parties from agreeing on a compromise candidate.

Machnouk also said that the Jordanian king said he would provide “moral and financial” support to boost the capabilities of Lebanese security forces.

According to Machnouk, the aid would include training security forces and funding equipment amid ongoing security conflicts.

Machnouk added that Lebanon has already begun receiving military aid donated by Jordan and said that a ceremony announcing their arrival would be held in Beirut in the near future.

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Lebanese-American Marine facing trial after vanishing in Iraq

(JACKSONVILLE, FL) — A Lebanese-American Marine who vanished from his post in Iraq 10 years ago and was later found in Lebanon is facing trial for charges of desertion, larceny and destruction of government property.

Corporal Wassef Hassoun, who entered a guilty please for disappearing on an unauthorized absence, chose to have his case decided by a military judge instead of a jury.

Hassoun, a 35-year-old native of Lebanon and naturalized American citizen, disappeared from a base in Fallujah, Iraq in June 2004. He was later found unharmed at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, where he claimed to have been kidnapped.

Officials were suspicious and brought him to Camp Lejeune, where the military considered charging him.

But before charges were filed, Hassoun fled to Lebanon a second time in 2005 where he stayed for 8 years until Lebanese authorities arrested him.

He entered Lebanese court for a short period, before turning himself in to American authorities.

Hassoun enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2002 and served as an Arabic translator in Iraq, where he reportedly made incriminating comments to witnesses, including that Hassoun wanted to leave the Marines, according to the prosecutor.

Defense attorneys say that Hassoun was kidnapped by insurgents in 2004 and later became tangled up in Lebanese courts. But prosecutors allege Hassoun fled his post because he was angry with his deployment and the treatment of Iraqis by American troops.

Hassoun faces a maximum sentence of 27 years in prison if convicted of all charges, prosecutors said.

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Lebanese MP apologizes after calling for the removal of church symbols

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — MP Khaled Daher apologized on Tuesday after calling on the removal of church symbols after Islamic banners were removed from Tripoli.

On Sunday, the lawmaker led an angry protest in Tripoli’s al-Nour Square to condemn the removal of Islamic flags from the roundabout. The banners were taken down by police as part of a campaign aimed at removing the flags and banners of all political parties from the streets of Beirut, Sidon and Tripoli.

Daher, who described the measures as a campaign against Sunnis, told supporters that Lebanese Christians should be the first to remove religious symbols from public places.

“If they want to remove religious symbols, let them start in Beirut. Let them start with the Christ the King Statue in Keserwan. Let them start with the pictures of some saints ‘who are opening their arms wide’ in Jounieh,” Daher said.

Lawmakers blasted his comments and called on his resignation from the Mustaqbal bloc.

“How can a deputy who attends Future Movement meetings, and even March 14 meetings, make such sectarian and offensive remarks against Christians?” Minister of Labor Sejaan Azzi, who is also a part of the March 14 coalition, said in comments published by Ad-Diyar newspaper.

Daher later submitted his resignation from the bloc, which was quickly “accepted” by the political party.

In a news conference on Monday, the controversial MP denied requesting the removal of Christian symbols.

“What I meant was that if religious symbols were to be taken down then that applies to both Christian and Muslim symbols, and this is something we reject,” he said.

Daher added that he respects “all Muslim and Christians sects and their religious symbols,” emphasizing that he “would never insult any of them.”

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Turkey arrests 2 Lebanese journalists in Kobani

(KOBANI, SYRIA) — Two Lebanese journalists were arrested by Turkish authorities on Tuesday after filming final shots for a documentary in the border town of Kobani, Syria.

LBC reporter Firas Hatoum and freelance photographer Rony Rmeiti were taken into custody after reentering Turkey from Kobani, Al-Jadeed reporter Bassel Aridi told Beirut-based newspaper, The Daily Star.

“There was a problem with the way they entered Kobani and the way they left it,” Aridi said, without revealing any other details.

Hatoum was reportedly interrogated for several hours by Turkish forces before he was freed to return to Lebanon, according to LBC. It is still unclear if Rmeiti was also released.

The two journalists were expected to leave on Sunday, but severe weather kept them from departing.

Hatoum was previously taken into custody in 2006 for tampering with criminal evidence, after allegedly breaking into the home of Mohammad Zuheir Siddiq, a former witness involved in the ongoing investigation into former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s assassination.

Turkey jails more journalists than any other country in the world, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. At least 221 journalists were imprisoned in Turkey in 2014.

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EXCLUSIVE: Lebanese Examiner interviews Minister Ramzi Jreij

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese Examiner Managing Editor Charlie Kadado sat down for an exclusive interview with Lebanese Minister of Information Ramzi Jreij at his office in Beirut.

Minister Jreij talked about the current political climate in Lebanon and the importance of connecting to Lebanese expatriates.

WATCH the interview:

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EXCLUSIVE: Lebanese Examiner interviews Minister Gebran Bassil

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese Examiner Managing Editor Charlie Kadado and As-Safir Correspondent Rimial Nehme Mroue sat down for an exclusive interview with Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil at his vacation home in Laqlouq.

Minister Bassil talked about his plans to network with Lebanese expatriates and strengthen business ventures between Lebanon and other countries.

He also discussed the potential of easing citizenship requirements for Lebanese expatriates to register second and third generation descendents.

WATCH the interview:

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