Lebanon

Lebanon national dialogue begins work to bridge divide

Lebanon national dialogue begins work to bridge divide Beirut  - Lebanese leaders began a national dialogue on Tuesday, hoping to mend the deep divisions that have recently pushed the country to the brink of civil war.

The conference comes after a 26-month period marred by political turmoil and factional clashes.

Among the participants led by President Michel Suleiman are Prime Minister Fouad Seniora, ruling majority leader Saad Hariri and parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri.

Lebanon national dialogue begins work to bridge divide

Lebanese leaders began a session of national dialogue on Tuesday, hoping to mend the deep divisions that have recently pushed the country to the brink of civil war.

President Michel Suleiman headed the dialogue among leaders of the various political factions.

The conference comes after an interruption of 26 months which were marred by turmoil and factional clashes.

One killed as clashes erupt in Palestinian camp in southern Lebanon

One killed as clashes erupt in Palestinian camp in southern Lebanon Beirut - One person was killed when heavy clashes erupted Monday between rival Palestinian factions in a refugee camp in southern Lebanon, Lebanese and Palestinian sources said.

They said the clashes were between members of the mainstream Fatah movement and members of a fundamentalist group called Jund al Sham, one of whose members was killed.

The militants exchanged machinegun fire and rocket-propelled grenades and people were seen fleeing the streets.

Mussa in Beirut for national dialogue talks

Mussa in Beirut for national dialogue talks Beirut - Arab League Secretary general Amr Mussa arrived in beirut Monday to take part in national dialogue talks sponsored by President Michel Suleiman.

Mussa told reporters that the league's role "is to narrow the gap separating the various Lebanese factions."

The dialogue, scheduled for Tuesday at the Baabda Palace, was "an additional important step along the march to a lasting settlement in Lebanon," Mussa said.

"There are difficulties and tomorrow (Tuesday) is just the beginning of discussing all issues.."

Bombs rock Sunni neighborhood of Beirut, threaten dialogue

Lebanon MapBeirut - Six bombs exploded in a Sunni Muslim neighbourhood of Beirut on Monday, threatening to derail a dialogue called by Lebanese leaders to bring stability to the country.

No casualties were caused, but the bombs damaged shops and cars in heavily populated Corniche al-Mazraa, an area which saw fierce clashes between pro and anti-government groups in May.

The explosions, which took place a day before the start of a national dialogue at the Baabda presidential palace, "are aimed at terrifying people," said a police officer at the scene.

Lebanon mourns Druze official Aridi

Germany praises formation of Lebanon governmentBeirut - Rival Lebanese leaders on Friday mourned pro-Syrian Druze official Sheikh Saleh al-Aridi, killed two days ago by a car bomb, by vowing to unite and secure the country's stability and peace.

"We will not allow the assassination of Sheikh Saleh al-Aridi to sow the seeds of discord among the Lebanese," said pro-Syrian Talal Arslan, the head of the Druze Democratic Liberal Party, to which Aridi belonged.

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