The Saudi embassy in Beirut advised its residents in Beirut and Saudi students who are completing their studies in Lebanon not to visit downtown Beirut, sources close to the embassy told
al-Hayat newspaper.
The sources added that the reason behind this advisory that included both Saudi residents and visitors to Lebanon is the harassment that some Saudi citizens are subjected to in downtown Beirut.
In this regard, prosecutions are ongoing against the persons involved in beating a Saudi prince during his visit to downtown Beirut a few weeks ago.
Minister of Justice told
an-Nahar newspaper that there was a problem within the Judiciary sector both in the way it is perceived and dealt with, as well as the way judges perceived themselves.
Kortbawi said that the issue of missing persons is a major national problem that cannot be neglected. “I am working in coordination with the civil society’s bodies to launch a national commission for missing persons”, he said.
Kortbawi added that the issue of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s funding is submitted to the cabinet, and the right decision will be taken “when the time comes”.
British minister of foreign affairs William Hague ruled out any military scenario in Syria, similar to the NATO campaign that contributed to the victory of the Libyan rebels and the overthrowing of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, according to
al-Mustaqbal newspaper.
“Syrian president Bashar Assad has lost his legitimacy to rule”, Hague said, reiterating that his country will not abandon the Syrian people.
Hague stressed that the U.K. led the efforts leading to the sanctions imposed by the European Union the Syrian regime, including the sanctions imposed on Assad personally.
“We are very clear as to the need for the U.N. to take firmer measures, and we will keep pushing for it”, he added.
An-Nahar newspaper reported that the document to be discussed and approved at the regular meeting in Saydet el-Jabal today consists of 3 parts: first, the Church’s principles, second, what the participants refuse, and third, what they want to do to activate the role of Christians in Lebanon and the rest of the Arab world.
A judge at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) told
Acharq al-Awsat newspaper that the STL’s members felt that Judge Antonio Cassese’s health was slipping, especially in the final stages when he became unable to speak.
The judge added that Cassese’s successor will soon be appointed by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon who will choose one among the dozens of international judges who applied to become members of the STL.
“The absence of one member does not hinder the tribunal’s work for it can hold a hearing with only 4 members and take a decisions with the presence of a majority”, the source added.