Introduction to the evening news 23-08-2012

Four important indicators appeared in the Syrian case, all categorized as accelerated developments: the first is the meeting held today between US and Turkish officials on the military, intelligence and political levels in order to plan operations to face any potential chemical attacks launched by the Syrian regime.  

The second indicator is Italy’s declaration that it will host next week international talks regarding “Syria after Assad”. In this context, the Italian Foreign Minister said that Assad regime’s fall is inevitable, and the international community has an ethical duty to support democratic transition.             

The third indicator is the call of the French Foreign Minister on Syria’s neighboring countries such as Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq to hold a meeting in New York, aiming at securing “a humanitarian entrance into Syria”.             

The fourth indicator is Washington’s move by bringing back an aircraft carrier to the Gulf to face Iran and Syria.           

In the light of these indicators, Lebanon seems to drown in its bloody concerns and a humanitarian case represented by the case of the Lebanese hostages in Syria.            

The bloody case is Tripoli’s clashes where a new attempt to reach a truce was discussed during a meeting held at the residence of PM Najib Mikati in Tripoli.

Separately, the case of the Lebanese hostages was present on the table during a meeting between Interior Minister Marwan Charbel and the hostages’ relatives, without revealing any news regarding their destiny.