Introduction to the evening news 05-11-2011

Ongoing violence in Syria eats away at the Arab League deadline that started Last Wednesday when Syria agreed, without reservations, on what is now known as the Cairo agreement.       

The first warning emerged today from the Arab League Chief Nabil El-Araby who urged the Syrian government to undertake immediate measures to halt blood shed as previously pledged, warning of disastrous consequences.        

On the Lebanese scene, the pending issues have been put to rest during the holiday and are continually piling up: from the issues of wages, state budget, administrative appointments and diplomatic promotions to concerns over an increase in security incidents stemming from penal and political issues.      

Meanwhile, PM Najib Mikati is to initiate talks in London in the coming days under the pressure of statements made by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State [for Near Eastern Affairs].      

In fact, Jeffrey Feltman, with remarkable timing, warned of the repercussions of failing to fund the STL, saying “If Lebanon does not pay its share of the STL costs, we will have to take very difficult decisions, having an impact on bilateral relations between Washington and Beirut.”      

Feltman expected other states to adopt the same position.