Hussein Dakroub| BEIRUT: With inter-Lebanese divisions sharpened by the outbreak of a diplomatic rift with Saudi Arabia, this week’s Parliament session to elect a president is doomed to fail like the previous 35 attempts over a lack of quorum, further prolonging the 21-month-long presidential vacuum. The unprecedented crisis with Riyadh, which has soured Lebanon’s ties… اقرأ المزيد
Hussein Dakroub| The Daily Star BEIRUT: Reacting to Saudi Arabia’s decision to halt $4 billion in grants to purchase arms for the Lebanese military and police, the March 14 coalition called Sunday on the government to immediately meet to underline its commitment to Arab solidarity and unanimity, a move clearly aimed at checking what it… اقرأ المزيد
Hussein Dakroub| BEIRUT: Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri Tuesday urged Hezbollah and its March 8 allies to end their boycott of Parliament sessions, in the second such plea in two days, stressing that only the swift election of a new president would put Lebanon on the right track. “We have a democratic… اقرأ المزيد
Hasan LakkisHussein Dakroub| BEIRUT: The Cabinet Tuesday approved funding for municipal elections, paving the way for polls to be held on time in May and dispelling fears of an extension of local councils’ terms. However, ministers failed to endorse a decree that would have made Civil Defense volunteers full-time employees, despite promises by Interior Minister… اقرأ المزيد
Hussein Dakroub| BEIRUT: The Cabinet faces a crucial test of its fragile solidarity when it meets Tuesday to tackle key issues, including the Future Movement’s demand to refer the case of former Information Minister Michel Samaha to the Judicial Council. With threats by Future ministers to resign or walk out of the Cabinet session if… اقرأ المزيد
Hussein Dakroub| BEIRUT: The parliamentary Future bloc pleaded Tuesday with the March 8 coalition’s two rival presidential candidates to face off in Parliament at next month’s session to elect a president, saying it is the only way to end the 20-month-long vacuum and get paralyzed state institutions functioning. Meanwhile, rival March 14 and March 8… اقرأ المزيد