Hezbollah-backed Najib Mikati appointed Lebanese PM

[irishspirit]

Lebanon's president has appointed Najib Mikati, who is backed by the Shia Islamist group Hezbollah and its allies, as prime minister-designate.


The move came despite demonstrations by thousands of supporters of outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri in the city of Tripoli as part of a "day of rage".
Smaller protests were also reported in the capital, Beirut, and elsewhere. Mr Hariri has condemned acts of violence.


Analysts say protesters are alarmed by Hezbollah's growing political power.
They accuse the Iran-backed group of staging a "coup", because it brought down the Western-backed government earlier this month.
On Tuesday, it became clear that Hezbollah had gained enough support from parliamentary deputies to allow Mr Mikati, a billionaire Sunni businessman, to form the next government.


The US has said it would have "great concerns about a government within which Hezbollah plays a leading role".


Lebanon's national unity cabinet collapsed on 12 January after a row over a UN tribunal investigating the 2005 murder of Rafik Hariri, the father of Western-backed caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri.


Mr Hariri had refused to renounce the UN inquiry that correspondents say will blame senior Hezbollah figures for his father's murder. Hezbollah says the investigation is politically motivated.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12273178

(IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NAJIB MIKATI IS NOT A MEMBER OF HEZBOLLAH, AND IS INDEED SEEN IN THE REGION AS A MODERATE)

[irishspirit]

http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg640/scaled.php?tn=0&server=640&filename=gsdx.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640
http://yfrog.com/hsgsdxj Favorite

[irishspirit]

Also happening in the middle east:

Thousands of Egyptians are expected to protest today against the repressive 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak.

http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/May/Week2/15629673.jpg President Mubarak's security services have a tighter grip than those in Tunisia



If there are mass demonstrations, it will be the biggest test so far of the theory that this month's Tunisian uprising could result in a domino effect across the region.
Egypt's biggest opposition movement, the Muslim Brotherhood (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Muslim_Brotherhood), has said it will not officially take part.


But many of the group's younger members are expected to take to the streets in smaller groups - and appear to have the tacit blessing of the movement's hierarchy.


The government has said it will not tolerate illegal gatherings, however, and threatened to "crackdown firmly" if neccesary.


http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Egypt-Protests-Against-Mubarak-Regime-Likely-In-Test-Of-Domino-Effect-Theory-After-Tunisia-Uprising/Article/201101415909748?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_4&lid=ARTICLE_15909748_Egypt%3A_Protests_Against_Mubarak_Regime_Likely_In_Test_Of_Domino_Effect_Theory _After_Tunisia_Uprising

[irishspirit]

Al-Arabiya television reported on Tuesday that demonstrators in Beirut are throwing rocks at the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), which are firing tear gas bombs at the protestors to disperse them.


To read more: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=234024#ixzz1C3jpytaq

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The Qatari news agency quoted on Tuesday an unnamed foreign ministerial source as saying that Qatar is worried about the situation in Lebanon, adding that Doha is following up on the situation in the country.

To read more: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=234027#ixzz1C3kMCe4l



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France warns against “interference” in Lebanon government

Prime Minister designate Najib Mikati must form a new government without outside "interference,” the French Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
"It is essential that it is done within the framework of the constitution.... and reflects the independent and sovereign choice of the Lebanese people, without any interference and through dialogue," it said.


To read more: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=234010#ixzz1C3l4AIEe

[irishspirit]

NBN: The Lebanese army raided a number of neighborhoods in Tariq al-Jadida and arrested a number of armed Mustaqbal supporters.

http://twitter.com/naharnet

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Muftis Council Visits Miqati: We Asked Him to Take Appropriate Stand to Thwart Strife http://rawab.it/hGK0CN #Lebanon (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23Lebanon)

[irishspirit]

Al-Arabia: The Lebanese army arrested Houssam Al-Traboulsi, Saad Hariri's head of security

[irishspirit]

Another interesting story coming out of the middle east

Tuesday, January 25, 2011 Update: Half the landline phones in Israel not working Update: Half the landline phones in Israel not working
Dr. Aaron Lerner 25 January 2011
Israel Radio reports that the Israeli telephone company, Bezeq, is clueless
as to the source of a nationwide problem with communications with Bezeq
landlines.
Half of the landlines are currently not working.
In the first hours of the problem the item was mentioned at the end of the
news bulletins. It is now the first item.

http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=50777

[irishspirit]

14 of March: We call all people to come back to the Martyrs' square and prevent the inauguration of Iran's Supreme leader candidate with the preservation of democracy to defend the republic and its sovereignty

[irishspirit]

Muftis Council Visits Miqati: We Asked Him to Take Appropriate Stand to Thwart Strife
The Muftis council in Lebanon, headed by Grand Mufti Mohammad Rashid Qabbani, urged on Tuesday Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati to "thwart strife in Lebanon in light of the parliamentary consultations to form a new government in Lebanon."
It called on him to "take the appropriate stand that would avert strife and prevent Lebanon from falling into chaos and the trap of the conspiracy being devised against the Lebanese, and Muslims in particular."

The council made its position in a statement after paying Miqati a visit at his Beirut office.

The meeting also addressed ways to end the crisis that started to deteriorate after the announcement of his appointment as prime minister-designate.

They also handed him a copy of the statement they issued on Sunday in which they announced their and the Sunnis' stand from the current developments in Lebanon.

http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&134565587331A52CC2257823004FF636

[irishspirit]

Some of my sources (Journalist friends) are saying that there is a massive chance of a military care few being put into place tonight, as there is massive talk of more protests being organised after midnight in different parts of the country top spread them all over the place.

[irishspirit]

Protests Turn Violent in Lebanon: Demonstrators Torch Al-Jazeera Van, Attack Safadi's Office

http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/017d4e4f7014966fc225782300386809/Body/0.82?OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=jpgProtests turned violent on Tuesday in Lebanon's Sunni bastion of Tripoli as frenzied demonstrators torched an Al-Jazeera van while protesting the likely appointment of a Hizbullah-backed premier. Angry demonstrators set upon the vehicle, smashing the windshield and tearing down the satellite dish before setting it on fire.


The protesters accused the Arabic satellite Al-Jazeera station of bias in favor of Hizbullah. The station said no one was injured.


Demonstrators also torched the mopeds of other media outlets considered close to Hizbullah.
An AFP photographer witnessed similar incidents in the capital Beirut, where media considered close to Hizbullah and its allies were attacked by stone-throwing and baton-wielding demonstrators.


There were no immediate reports of injuries in the city, where there was a heavy security presence.
A security official told AFP shots were fired in the air in Beirut. Shots also rang out in Tripoli.










http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&017D4E4F7014966FC225782300386809

[irishspirit]

France Worried Over Lebanon Stability, Calls for Restraint
http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/0d740a5dee5146a1c225782300474a19/Body/0.82?OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=jpgFrance said Tuesday it was worried about the stability of Lebanon after violent protests erupted over the appointment of Najib Miqati to head the new government. "As Lebanon falls prey to violent protests, France wishes to express its concern for the stability of the country," foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero told reporters.

http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&0D740A5DEE5146A1C225782300474A19

It should be noted that the French, at the time of writing, are the only western Power to have made statements with regards to this situation.

It has been said that Israel has called an emergency meeting to discuss this situation.

[irishspirit]

0TV: Army makes March 14 arrests, finds weapons & explosives

[irishspirit]

UN tells Lebanon's non-essential personnel not to go to work tomorrow

[irishspirit]

Al-Arabiya: Calm has been restored in Tripoli.

http://twitter.com/naharnet

[irishspirit]

It appears the situation in Egypt is quickly escalating, it has now been reported Twitter is completely blocked, and many phonelines have had "data services" disabled. Clearly an attempt to restrict information.

¤=[Post Update]=¤

Meet The Muslim Brotherhood, The Key Power Bloc To Watch In The Egyptian Riots

Egypt may be on the brink of Tunisia-style toppling (http://www.businessinsider.com/food-price-revolutions-2011-1) of its government, if today's street protests (http://www.businessinsider.com/egyptian-riot-photos-2011-1) are anything to go by. It's in no way a certainty yet, but the end of dictatorial President Hosni Mubarak's reign could be near. The result would be a new political dynamic dominated by the political force that is the Muslim Brotherhood.


While it's technically banned in Egypt, Muslim Brotherhood members, forced to run as independents, won 20% of Parliament's seats (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_Brotherhood#In_Egypt) in the 2005 elections. In the country's most recent elections, party members won no seats, possibly a result of vote rigging (http://www.mg.co.za/article/2011-01-20-egypts-muslim-brotherhood-dissolve-parliament) by the government.
The Muslim Brotherhood's leader in Egypt, Dr. Mohamed Badie, said the group would participate in the protests. That participation is not without its risks.


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/muslim-brotherhood-egypt-revolution-2011-1?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29&utm_content=Google+International#ixzz1C47eXzas

[irishspirit]

Opposition groups protest on Police Day

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/4773.aspx

[irishspirit]

Protests in Cairo turn violent

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-110125-egypt-02-jm.photoblog900.jpgMOHAMMED ABED / AFP - Getty Images
Egyptian demonstrators protest near Egyptian police (R) to demand the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak and calling for reforms on Jan. 25. The protesters, carrying flags and chanting slogans against the government, rallied in a protest inspired by the uprising in Tunisia which led to the ouster of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.


http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-110125-egypt-demonstrators-jm.photoblog900.jpgMOHAMMED ABED / AFP - Getty Images
Egyptian demonstrators clash with Egyptian police in central Cairo during a protest to demand the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak and calling for reforms on January 25, 2011. The protesters, carrying flags and chanting slogans against the government, rallied in a protest inspired by the uprising in Tunisia which led to the ouster of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. AFP PHOTO/MOHAMMED ABED (Photo credit should read MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)


http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-110125-egypt-demonstrators2-jm.photoblog900.jpgMOHAMMED ABED / AFP - Getty Images
Tear gas smoke fired by Egyptian police is seen as demonstrators gather in central Cairo to demand the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak and calling for reforms on Jan. 25. The protesters, carrying flags and chanting slogans against the government, rallied in a protest inspired by the uprising in Tunisia which led to the ouster of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.


http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-110125-egypt-01-jm.photoblog900.jpgMOHAMMED ABED / AFP - Getty Images
Egyptian demonstrators surround a water-canon truck used by Egyptian police to disperse a protest in central Cairo to demand the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak and calling for reforms on Jan. 25. The protesters, carrying flags and chanting slogans against the government, rallied in a protest inspired by the uprising in Tunisia which led to the ouster of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.



http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/01/25/5915017-protests-in-cairo-turn-violent

Boy, these bastards are getting want they want.

[irishspirit]

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cairodowntown

live stream of Egypt

[irishspirit]

http://video.theaustralian.com.au/1765763313/Day-of-anger-in-Egypt

VIDEO

[irishspirit]

Al-Arabiya television reported on Tuesday that demonstrators in Beirut are throwing rocks at the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), which are firing tear gas bombs at the protestors to disperse them.
President Michel Sleiman earlier in the day appointed former Prime Minister Najib Mikati as Lebanon’s new prime minister and tasked him with forming a cabinet.


To read more: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=234024#ixzz1C4UwVYDR




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Hamadeh: Mikati should not fall in March 8’s trap

“Prime Minister designate Najib Mikati should not fall in the trap that was set up for him” by the March 8 coalition, Democratic Gathering bloc MP Marwan Hamadeh said on Tuesday.
NOW Lebanon’s correspondent quoted the MP as saying that “March 14 supporters will maintain their struggle and the Cedar Revolution.”


To read more: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=234093#ixzz1C4VUbCkl



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Hezbollah wants Lebanon to give Mikati a chance

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Tuesday said that Lebanon should give Prime Minister designate Najib Mikati a chance, saying, “We aim to cooperate with each other to cross this dangerous phase.”


“Today there is a new opportunity. Threats against Mikati will be useless,” he added during a speech delivered on the occasion of Arba’een, a Shia Muslim holiday commemorating the anniversary of the passage of 40 days following Imam Hussein’s martyrdom.



To read more: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=233977#ixzz1C4W2h7Vu

[irishspirit]

MTV: New PM Mikati says he will protect Hizbollah & its weapons

I assume we are not talking AK47s here.

[irishspirit]

Alexandria, Egypt (CNN) -- Tunisia has brought a blast of reality to Mideast politics. Aging autocrats have been put on notice they can no longer count on docile citizens.


But is an era of unrest approaching? Will the winds of change sweep east along the Maghreb and bring down regimes from North Africa to the Levant and even the Arabian Peninsula?
Beyond doubt, those winds are blowing. Across the region they are being driven by the same social and economic factors, including high unemployment, a booming birth rate, and exploding food prices.


According to the International Monetary Fund, if chronic unemployment and the social tensions that accompany it are to be avoided the Middle East needs to create another 18 million jobs in the next 10 years.



From where they stand today that's a very tall order indeed.
Amre Moussa, the Arab League secretary-general and former Egyptian foreign minister, warned regional leaders last week: "It is on everybody's mind that the Arab spirit is broken. The Arab spirit is down by poverty, unemployment and the general decline in the real indicators of development."
Regional parties like the moderate Islamists in the Muslim Brotherhood, scent opportunity.


"The same disease is in all Arab countries, we have different degrees only but the same origin of the disease, it is the same dictatorship, lack of democracy, lack of freedom restrictions on civil society," Esam el-Erian, spokesman for Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood said.


In Egypt as in other countries in the region the Muslim Brotherhood faces constant government harassment.


Hosni Mubarak, the 82-year-old Egyptian president, fears their populist power. He allows them and other opponents of his regime a very limited political voice, enough he hopes to defuse anger at the monopoly of power he has exercised over 30 years in power.


It is a balancing act that is now in peril, according to his critics. Ayman Nour, an opposition leader jailed by Mubarak and only released following U.S. pressure, believes Tunisia's revolt has shortened Mubarak's days in power.


He said: "How change happened in Tunisia was the last resort after all peaceful methods were no longer an option. This is what happened in Tunisia and this is what could happen in Egypt. It is the only solution to a situation that never changes."


There is a presidential election scheduled in Egypt in September this year. The situation is primed, Nour says, everything is ready, all it needs is something to ignite popular passions.
El-Erian of the Muslim Brotherhood talks in more revolutionary terms. "Without solving the main problems we can only delay the revolution, delay the intifada" or uprising he say

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/24/winds.change/index.html?hpt=C1

[irishspirit]

al-Fajr members coming out in Saida with guns

al-Fajr is a Hizbullah affiliate

This is scary not that both parties are facing each other in the streets. This situation is getting out of hand. Moreover, Israel is not going to be liking Hezbollah having this power one bit.

Reports have stated that members of the Army are now taking off uniform and joining with the protesters.

[omeriko]

That's bad.
Really bad.

What happens in Lebanon is probably an Iranian coup.

http://www.debka.com/article/20586/

I don't like where this is going.

[irishspirit]

Tunisia-Inspired Revolt? Egypt police fire tear gas as rioting erupts in Cairo #egypt (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23egypt) #cairo (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23cairo) http://bit.ly/fCVTql

[irishspirit]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kcZD2xxLZU&feature=player_embedded

[irishspirit]

8:30pm Two percussion bombs were tossed at the FPM’s office in the Bekaa town of Taalbaya

http://web.naharnet.com/default.asp


¤=[Post Update]=¤

Clinton Says 'Hizbullah-Controlled' Govt Will Affect U.S.-Lebanon Ties
http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/ecfff74ed96bd526c22578230065082d/Body/0.82?OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=jpgU.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that a Hizbullah-controlled government in Lebanon would "clearly have an impact" on ties with the United States. The comments came after Hizbullah-backed Najib Miqati was named Lebanon's prime minister-designate, giving the Iran- and Syria-backed armed group increased leverage in the deeply divided country to the anger of many Sunnis.
Clinton said Washington was following "closely and carefully" developments in Beirut, as she appeared at a press conference with Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez of Spain, which contributes troops to the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon.


http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&ECFFF74ED96BD526C22578230065082D

[irishspirit]

21:29Two Egyptians die during anti-Mubarak protests in Cairo (Reuters)

http://www.haaretz.com/misc/breaking-news

[irishspirit]

9:04pm Miqati: During a dinner banquet Friday evening, I told the invitees that I would vote for Saad Hariri, but later some developments happened -- which history will reveal – and made me take the decision of nominating myself to rescue Lebanon.

[irishspirit]

9:17pm NBN: Mustaqbal gunmen have deployed in Tripoli.

http://web.naharnet.com/default.asp#6

[irishspirit]

Egypt, the revolt broke out across the country: at least 200 thousand demonstrate against Mubarak


http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adnkronos.com%2FIGN%2FNews%2F&act=url

[irishspirit]

Egypt: President's son and family 'have fled to the UK'


Gamal Mubarak, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's son who is widely tipped as his successor, has fled to London with his family, Arabic website Akhbar al-Arab said on Tuesday.

Cairo, 25 Jan. (AKI) - Gamal Mubarak, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's son who is widely tipped as his successor, has fled to London with his family, Arabic website Akhbar al-Arab said on Tuesday. The report came as violent unrest broke out in Cairo and other Egyptian cities and hundreds of thousands of people reportedly took to the streets in a Tunisia-inspired day of revolt.
.leogoo { width: 200px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; float: left; background-color: rgb(255, ,
Officials did not immediately confirm the report that Gamal Mubarak has fled to the British capital with his wife and daughter aboard a private jet.


The jet with Mubarak, his family and 97 pieces of luggage on board left for London on Tuesday from an airport in western Cairo, according to the US-based Akhbar al-Arab.

Weeks of unrest in Tunisia eventually toppled president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali earlier this month. The anti-government protests in Egypt broke out after opposition groups waged an internet campaign inspired by the Tunisian uprising.


An anti-riot police officer was killed in clashes on Tuesday in central Cairo, Egyptian daily 'al-Wafd' reported. Egyptian security forces reported used tear gas, fire hoses, and clubs to disperse protesters in Tahrir Square, downtown Cairo.

http://www.adnkronos.com/IGN/Aki/English/Security/Egypt-Presidents-son-and-family-have-fled-to-the-UK_311591050596.html

My God, talk about a hot house, the middle east on this day is at boiling point. I pray these people pull back from the brink. It shows what the people can do however, Violence sorts nothing, and takes away everything.

[irishspirit]

Naharnet Naharnet
MTV: The main road linking Tripoli with Zghorta has been blocked.

via twitter

¤=[Post Update]=¤

9:53pm LBC: A hand grenade has exploded in the Tripoli area of al-Qebbeh.

http://web.naharnet.com/default.asp#6

[Rocky_Shorz]

On Tuesday, it became clear that Hezbollah had gained enough support from parliamentary deputies to allow Mr Mikati, a billionaire Sunni businessman, to form the next government...

remember Shiite Iran is broke and can no longer back Hezbollah, so for a Sunni to step in and take over is a very good thing,

It means Iran is losing control of Hezbollah so peace is moving towards reality...