Introduction to the evening news 17-02-2012

Very dangerous and important developments occurred today in regards to the Syrian crisis, whether along the Lebanese-Syrian border or the Israeli-Syrian border.           

In Syria, more particularly along the border with Lebanon, clashes between Hezbollah militants and Free Syrian Army members took place, causing casualties from both sides. In this regard, a source from Hezbollah told AFP that three of the party’s members were killed and that they were in a self-defense position.           

On the border with Israel, the Israeli army began preparing a region near al-Qunaytirah to receive Syrians trying to sneak into Israel for help.       

However, the most dangerous statement was revealed by media sources close to the Mossad stipulating that General Hassan al-Chatiri was forming a small army to launch a gang war inside Syria.            

Separately, two Lebanese nationals, Carlos Abou Aziz and Imad al-Andari, were kidnapped in Nigeria among seven others working for the Lebanese construction company Setraco. No party claimed responsibility for this abduction.        

In Lebanon, two never-ending stories seem to be stagnating: the story of elections and that of the ranks and salaries scale.                  

While the electoral law issue is due to be resumed tomorrow with the joint parliamentary committees, the ranks and salaries scale will reach its peak tomorrow as the cabinet is due to hold an extraordinary session to approve it. Should it not be referred to Parliament on Monday, the Syndicate Coordination Committee threatened to hold an open-ended strike as of Tuesday.        

All these developments and more in our detailed news bulletin.

To watch the Intro, click on the Video above