Introduction to the evening news 02-05-2012

Tomorrow the GLC is expected to strike asking for a fixed ceiling to fuel prices or removing fees imposed on it; however, and habit has it on the eve of every strike, commotion prevails: Who is committing to the strike and who’s not?

Catholic schools will not strike tomorrow, especially that teachers did not announce that they will be participating in the strike. The banking sector will also refrain from committing to the strike. However, the commotion between those committing to the strike and those who aren’t will remain.

The political scene was busy, for the second day in a row, with the visit of Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman who will be visiting Baabda on Thursday. While Feltman was in Beirut, Joe Lieberman was checking on Syrian refugees in the North. AFP reported that Lieberman is close to republican senator John McCain who endorses military intervention in Syria.  

Furthermore, Iran’s Deputy President Rida Rhaimi is also visiting Beirut and will meet with President Sleiman tomorrow. He is expected to meet with Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

The most prominent yet dangerous external development today, happened in Egypt. Well over ten people were killed including protesters and unidentified individuals, while the military council expressed readiness to transfer power to the president if elected from the first round this month.