Resources
Lebanese PM stands firm over crisis
Fouad Siniora warns that Hizbollah undermined its own ability to confront Israel when it used weapons against its rivals at home and deepened the divisions in the country
Saudis blame Iran for Lebanon ‘coup’
The kingdom described Hizbollah’s military actions in the country as a coup backed by Tehran, illustrating the regional tensions the crisis threatens to exacerbate
Truce hopes dim as Israel rebuffs plan
The rejection of an Egypt-sponsored peace proposal and the firing of a rocket by Palestinian militants further weakened the chances of a ceasefire with Hamas
Roula Khalaf: Pulling Lebanon back from the brink
Arab states will not rescue Lebanon by simply talking to each other. Most have no leverage. Surely a more useful attempt at dialogue should involve Iran, says Roula Khalaf
Civil war fear as Lebanon clashes escalate
Fierce clashes involving rockets and heavy machine guns erupted in Lebanon between pro-government forces and opposition gunmen in mountains east of Beirut, killing 36 people
Shaky truce breaks out in Sadr City
The sprawling Baghdad suburb of Sadr City appeared to be to returning to normal after a weekend ceasefire aimed at ending nearly two months of clashes in the Shia militia stronghold.
Editorial Comment: Food investment, not imperialism
There is a risk powerful nations will use aggressive foreign policies to secure food supplies and exclude competitors, but it has not arrived yet
Iran and Syria accused over Beirut chaos
A senior US official has claimed that both states have a hand in the disturbances in the Lebanese capital, the scenes of confusion worrying the Bush administration
Comment: Know, rather than imagine, your enemy
The Bush administration has appeared nonplussed as Iran emerged as the main beneficiary of the US’s regional policies, writes Lawrence Freedman
Lebanese army attempts to restore order
Troops attempted to restore order after four days of heavy sectarian and factional fighting that has claimed at least 37 lives, as Hizbollah said it had started withdrawing fighters from Beirut

Middle East & North Africa - Politics & Society






CLASSIFIED