Introduction to the evening news 10-02-2013

The participation of the Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai in the inauguration ceremony of the new Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Levant and Antioch Youhanna X Yazigi, formed the main event and dominated over the ceremony.         

The attendance in the afore mentioned event was a combination of spiritual and political figures; the Syrian President Bashar Assad was represented by Minister Mansour Azzam, while the deputy foreign minister Faisal Meqdad was present and chatted with Cardinal Rai. From Lebanon, Elie Ferzli, Assaad Hardan and Nasri Khoury were present and sat in the front rows.

During the ceremony, gunshots could be heard, while clashes between rebels and regime forces continued in several Syrian regions.

The Patriarch’s visit to Syria is expected to form an important item for an internal debate which will lead to further divisions.

However, the ongoing debate on the Lebanese scene remained that of the electoral law, with the parliamentary sub-committee tasked with discussing this issue resuming its session on Monday.           

Concerning the case of Arsal, the most prominent development was the visit made by a delegation from the Future Movement to the town, and the declaration of MP Atef Majdalani that he will be meeting with LAF chief General Jean Qahwaji to discuss with him an initiative which he did not reveal.


All these developments and more in our detailed news bulletin