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Hariri makes surprise return to Lebanon

84703sb8(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Political and religious leaders congratulated former Prime Minister Saad Hariri in his surprise return to Lebanon on Friday, expressing hope that he would bring new momentum in a country plagued by an ongoing political and security crisis.

Current Prime Minister Tammam Salam hailed Hariri’s decision calling it a “great step which reflects a high sense of patriotism amid the delicate circumstances the country is witnessing.”

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt described Hariri’s return as “excellent” news, while Speaker Nabih Berri welcomed Hariri with a telephone call early Friday.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea also hailed Hariri’s unexpected reappearance, saying it would boost moderation in Lebanon and improve the performance of the March 14 coalition.

“Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s return will give momentum to the work of March 14. Things will not remain the way they were before his return,” he told a local television station. “Hariri’s return enhances centrist politics and moderation.”

Over three years after he left the country for security reasons, Hariri’s surprise decision to come back to Lebanon prompted Future Movement supporters across Lebanon to celebrate by cruising around cities in their cars with the party’s blue flags waving.

Hariri made his surprise return to Lebanon on Friday in order to manage the spending of the Saudi grant. The former premier had repeatedly claimed that his three-year absence in Lebanon was due to security reasons.

The U.S. and Saudi ambassadors to Lebanon, David Hale and Ali Awad Asiri, paid Hariri a visit at the former premier’s residence in Downtown Beirut to welcome him back. Hariri also received a phone call from Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, Kataeb Party leader Amine Gemayel, head of the General Maronite Council, former Minister Wadih Khazen, and visits from State Minister Nabil de Freij and Information Minister Ramzi Joreige.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai said he hoped “it will be a motivation to the good efforts pushing to overcome of Lebanon’s political and social crisis.”

Hariri also received phone calls from a host of other Lebanese politicians and religious figures, according to sources.

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 City Beat, Detroit, News

Things to Do this Weekend: A Lebanese-American Guide

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Michigan

Bashar Salame Book Signing at Arab Museum

Arab American community member and children’s book author Bashar Salame will visit the Arab American National Museum (AANM) in Dearborn, from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, to meet children and sign copies of his new book, “Let’s Change That! If Animals Can, We Can, Too,” which was published June 24.

Click here for more information.

UCF Lebanese Hawaiian Picnic for Charity

United Cedars Foundation (UCF) will be hosting its 2nd Annual Summer Celebration on August 10, 2014. Members and friends are welcome.

Click here for more information.

Connecticut

Connecticut Lebanese Club Festival

The 55th Annual Lebanese Heritage Festival will feature Lebanese food, music & dancing at the Lebanese Club Headquarters in Wolcott, Connecticut.

Click here for more information.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Lebanese-American Food Festival

St. Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church introduces the Pennsylvania Lebanese-American Food Festival this weekend in West Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Click here for more information.

Illinois

Annual Lebanese Forces Chicago Chapter Picnic

The Lebanese Forces Chicago Chapter invites you to their Annual Summer Picnic on August 10th at the Henry A. Proesel Park in Lincolnwood, Illinois.

Click here for more information.

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Lebanese officials declare Army support

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Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt:

“The sole mission should be expressing solidarity and support with the Lebanese Army and security forces in the face of armed groups and Takfirism. There is no haven or escape for us. (Salvation comes from) support of the state, especially the Army. I wish you we could all stop the hollow political debate about the presidency which is taking place from time to time, so that we can get to the election of the president of the republic and install the foundations of the state and state obligations.”

Hezbollah MP Nawwaf Musawi:

“The aggression surprised all Lebanese today, in pictures that provoked them when they saw the assault on their national dignity, because they realized that the threat that was trivialized by some became imminent and would soon reach their own homes. Everyone in Lebanon now knows that had we not done what we did when we appointed ourselves to defend Lebanon and the resistance then our situation today would have been like Arsal. Security forces, governmental institutions and the Lebanese Army would have been subject to attacks everywhere. For this reason, we are proud to be pioneers in evaluating the size of the Takfiri threat.”

Tripoli MP Mohammad Qabbara:

“What is happening in the heroic Sunni Arsal is nothing but an episode in the Syrian-Iranian series of subjecting the Sunni people. We are warning of transforming the Army from a national institution whose duty is to protect all the Lebanese in to one resembling Al-Maliki’s Army. Had the Army deployed along the border sooner then the country would not have got to where it is today.”

Kataeb Party head Amine Gemayel:

“Without a doubt the Army will win as long as the people rally around them.”

Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil:

“What is happening in Arsal is an armed foreign terrorist force’s occupation of a Lebanese town.”

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United States expresses solidarity with Lebanese Army

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(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — United States security officials and diplomats are monitoring the increased violence in Arsal, Lebanon this weekend, urging respect for Lebanon’s policy of dissociation from the crisis in Syria.

Ambassador David HaleUnited States Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale met with Lebanese Army commander General Jean Kahwagi on Sunday, expressing support for the Lebanese military’s fight against terrorism.

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut issued a statement to the media expressing condolences for the death of the Lebanese soldiers in the clashes against gunmen in northeast Lebanon.

Hale went on to praise “the courage of all of Lebanon’s security services in their work to provide safety and stability throughout Lebanon and secure its borders.”

The U.S. state department also issued a statement prompting international concern over the escalating violence. Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the United States “strongly condemns the attack.” She also said the U.S. is vowing “strong support” for Lebanon’s state institutions.

Tensions have risen dramatically in the Bekaa Valley after an Army arrest of a Syrian militant sparked a standoff Saturday afternoon in Arsal, with armed men laying siege to government facilities in the border town, demanding the release of the captive.

After several hours of intermittent gunfire and a tense standoff, militants stormed the police station in Arsal, taking control of the building and releasing several Syrian detainees held there.

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11 soldiers, 30 militants killed in Arsal clashes

Mideast Lebanon Syria

(ARSAL, LEBANON) — At least 11 Lebanese Army soldiers were killed in Arsal, Lebanon during clashes between Army and Syrian groups on Saturday and Sunday. Security sources say at least 13 have also been taken hostage and 30 militants have been killed.

mideast-lebanon-syria-1The 13 soldiers were taken hostage by extremist armed groups controlling many parts of Arsal, who assaulted Army vehicles and seized soldiers.

Army troops were reportedly able to take back control of Wadi Hmayyed, a neighborhood on the entrance of Arsal that has witnessed heavy, non-stop clashes.

Despite the ongoing threat to the Lebanese Army, officials say the Army is firmly vowing to carry on with its mission in northeast Lebanon until the threat is eradicated.

“The Army continued its military operations throughout the night and this morning in Arsal and its environs, as it pursued armed groups and clashed with them,” a statement by the Lebanese Army read.

“What happened today is the most dangerous incident Lebanon and the Lebanese have ever faced, because it’s made clear that there is someone planning and preparing to attack Lebanon as well as planning to sabotage the Lebanese Army and the residents of Arsal.”

Due to the escalation of the situation, a top security meeting was scheduled for Sunday afternoon, and will be headed by Prime Minister Tammam Salam in the Grand Serail, with a Cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday at noon.

The clashes in Arsal also sparked tensions in the northern city of Tripoli, where gunmen attacked Army posts and Army vehicles in the city, wounding two soldiers.

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Army Day celebrated in Lebanon despite presidential void

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanon celebrated Army Day on Friday with politicians emphasizing the importance of preserving the strength of the Lebanese national army.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri phoned Army commander General Jean Kahwagi stressing the need to support state sovereignty.

A statement by Hariri’s press office read:

335242_img650x420_img650x420_crop“Hariri stressed the need to keep this national institution a haven for all Lebanese in the face of current challenges and a symbol of the monopoly of power in the hands of the state and its legitimate institutions. Today, every Lebanese feels a heartbreak, and so does the Army, with its command, officers and soldiers, for celebrating the day of the military institution in the absence of a president, whose position is still empty and vacant, just as the political leaders still lack the initiative to produce solutions and to put an end to the farce of the presidential vacancy.”

Speaker Nabih Berri saluted the Army’s leadership, expressing respect for the martrys who died while performing their duties.

Berri said supporting the Army and increasing and developing its military equipment was necessary to preserve the intuition’s strength. The leader also hailed “the Army’s handling of both the security and defense responsibilities,” as political difficulties continue to threaten stability.

“Safeguarding the security and stability of Lebanon and the region has proven vital to confront Israeli aggression and takfiri attacks threatening to divide the region,” he said.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam telephoned Defense Minister Samir Moqbel and Kahwagi, praising the Army’s efforts in “safeguarding the nation’s security and stability and enhancing unity among its people.”

He also expressed regret that Army Day was not marked by the annual celebration at the Military Academy this year due to the presidential void, which he said took away some of the day’s symbolism.

Salam called on all the country’s political parties to “put the nation’s interest above all considerations and to proceed to elect a president as soon as possible.”

Former President Michel Sleiman said he was confident Lebanon would safely overcome these difficult times.

“Lebanon’s unity and its immunity against extremism will prevail because of the people’s confidence in their Army,” he said during a meeting with a delegation of officers from the Army Command.

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Lebanon on alert over Ebola virus

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese officials assured citizens on Friday that the Lebanese government was proactively addressing the risk of the Ebola virus, which warned than an outbreak of the deadly African virus could be spreading to Lebanon.

“Measures carried out by the Health Ministry at the airport are more than enough, and if airlines cooperate in the required manner, then the Lebanese have nothing to fear,” Health Minister Wael Abu Faour said of the concerns.

Abu Faour also expressed his sympathy for the concerns of Lebanese citizens, but assured citizens that their efforts “something even exceed requirements suggested by the World Health Organization.”

He added that the airport was requiring airlines transporting travelers from countries such as Liberia and New Guinea that have high prevalence rates to report any passenger displaying Ebola symptoms to the Lebanese authorities.

Passengers with symptoms will reportedly be quarantined at the airport before handing them over to the Health Ministry’s team in the facility.

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Berri receives Eid al-Fitr greeting from Obama

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(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — United States President Barack Obama greeted Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday on Thursday following a meeting with Lebanese University’s president and council.

Berri also received letters from other foreign officials, offering greetings for the end of Ramadan.

Berri received calls with greetings for the Eid from Prime Minister Tamam Salam, former President Michel Sleiman, Kataeb head Amine Gemayel, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun and Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai.

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Lebanese delegation travels to Mali to investigate plane crash

mali-algeria-plane(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — The Lebanese delegation in Mali is currently examining the bodies of Lebanese passengers on the AH507 Air Algerie flight, which crashed last week killing all 117 passengers and 6 crew members.

3 Lebanese families, including 19 passengers and 10 children were on the flight.

“The Lebanese delegation met with concerned French authorities who assured that looking for victims’ bodies will take up to two weeks,” LBCI television reported on Monday.

The delegation is reportedly in Mali to examine bodies, gather security information, and conduct DNA tests, which are expected to take at least two weeks. Lebanese DNA expert Dr. Fouad Ayoub is currently visiting the crash site.

France asked for Lebanon’s permission to transfer Lebanese passengers’ bodies to Paris to further conduct tests, and compare them with other passengers and their families. Lebanon reportedly agreed and asked French officials to allow Ayoub to take part in the DNA testing.

The wreckage of the plane was located 30 miles north of the Burkina Faso border in Mali’s Gossi region.

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 City Beat, Detroit, Los Angeles, News

ACT NOW: Petition the UN for Lebanon

IMG_0047By Edward J. Alam, Ph.D

Executing Officer/Director of Lebanon: Land of Dialogue
Notre Dame University-Louaize, Lebanon (NDU)

A very exciting and interesting Initiative began in June 2013 whereby several prominent Lebanese businessmen and academics met and selected Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) to lead an Initiative devoted to gaining United Nations (UN) recognition of Lebanon as a Land of Dialogue Among Civilizations and Cultures (LDC) by petitioning the UN mainly through an electronic petition among other instruments. The initiative posits that Lebanon has an eternal vocation to be a land of freedom, plurality and conviviality.

This unique goal — to petition the UN to officially recognize Lebanon as such — cannot be accomplished except via both institutional and organizational commitment and alliance and sincere engagement by the Lebanese communities and their friends in Lebanon and abroad.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION

Our strategy is to stimulate the engagement of Lebanese youth, students, academics and professionals in addition to civil society activists and the general public to lobby for Lebanon’s Dialogue Initiative and to motivate people of goodwill to join hands with us for the UN recognition of Lebanon as a Land of Dialogue.

This will not only be done through engagement of important business people and diplomats, internationally recognized academicians, and multi-cultural Liaison Officers, but also by engaging Lebanese, people of Lebanese descent, people who believe that Lebanon has this vocation, as well as people who believe in dialogue around the world who believe in Lebanon’s vocation of freedom, plurality and conviviality.

This Initiative is a unifying cause for all Lebanese who believe in Lebanon’s vocation. It is a tool to have the UN member states to designate Lebanon as a land for dialogue in an act of International solidarity with Lebanon.

We call upon each one of you to sign the petition (http://chn.ge/SVwBrc), to inform, persuade and encourage family members, friends, and acquaintances around the world to sign the petition and to appeal to your representatives in the UN to vote “Yes” for Lebanon.

Dr. Edward Alam Biography

Edward J. Alam is a Full Professor at Notre Dame University-Louaize, Lebanon, in the Faculty of Humanities, where he has taught philosophy, cultural studies, and theology since 1996.  He was Director of International Academic Affairs at Notre Dame from 1999-2004. He is presently Secretary/Treasurer of the World Union of Catholic Philosophical Societies and General Secretary of the Council for Research in Values and Philosophy (www.crvp.org) while recently opening a new CRVP center at his home university in Lebanon. He has given key-note and plenary addresses at international conferences in Rome, Cape Coast,  Bangkok and Chicago, and major papers at international conferences in Beirut, Tehran, Qom, Shanghai, Phnom Penh, Hai Phong, Madrid, Uppsala, Siracusa, Washington D.C., Taipei, Ibadan, Awka, Addis Ababa, and Iasi.  He has participated in both organizing and giving papers at, international conferences in, Poland and the Ukraine and has traveled extensively in India, East and West Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East promoting philosophical seminars that seek to address contemporary challenges by cultivating perennial values in various cultural heritages. He is founder and chairman of the Communio study group in Lebanon, and has published on Metaphysics and Mysticism in the Communio journal—one of some 30 published articles in international journals around the world; he has published two major books; one on the philosophical contributions of John Henry Newman, and another introductory work on the history of philosophy. He led the 2009 CRVP five-week intensive philosophy seminar in Washington, D.C., on the theme of the Sacred and the Secular, with a 12 member group of international philosophers, and gave a series of week-long lectures on Eschatology at the Wyoming  School of Catholic Thought in 2005, as well as the key note address in their nationally acclaimed lecture series in 2010.  Edward is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah.  He is of Lebanese descent and a member of the Syriac Maronite Church, the oldest Eastern Catholic Church in the world.  His wife is Lebanese and they are the proud parents of four children. 

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