Introduction to the evening news 28-04-2012

Theoretically, it is the weekend, but practically, it was a very busy day as many local and international developments emerged especially in Syria and Egypt. In Syria, gunmen attacked a Syrian military unit from the sea near the port of Latakia; this incident marked a turning point in the confrontation between the regime and the opposition.         

In Egypt, a diplomatic crisis broke out between Riyad and Cairo when Riyad decided to close its embassy in Cairo and recall its ambassador. This step pushed Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi to call Saudi authorities in an attempt to heal the rift that has resulted from the decision.       

Domestically, the LAF intercepted Lutfallah 2 arms–laden cargo ship that was intending to smuggle weapons of different sizes to Syria, through the port of Tripoli.     

Also on Syria, the Future bloc officially announced its support to the Syrian opposition during the popular festival being held in Beirut at the moment.       

On the political level, General Michel Aoun answered many questions on Facebook and Twitter in a Q&A session held this evening on the first anniversary of the Free Patriotic Movement’s Facebook page. He said that the past experience does not encourage the re-approval of a consensual president, adding that the president must own an imposing parliamentary bloc.