Liban : Le président syrien et le roi saoudien à Beyrouth pour apaiser les tensions
LE TEMPS: Le président syrien Bachar al-Assad, qui effectue sa première visite au Liban depuis l’assassinat de l’ex-premier ministre Rafic Hariri, est arrivé vendredi à Beyrouth. Il était accompagné du roi saoudien Abdallah pour une mission conjointe destinée à apaiser les tensions.

Les deux dirigeants sont arrivés en début d’après-midi à l’aéroport international de Beyrouth à bord du même avion, celui du roi saoudien, en provenance de Damas, où ils s’étaient entretenus la veille.

Ils ont été accueillis par le président libanais Michel Sleimane, le premier ministre Saad Hariri, un proche de Ryad, le président du Parlement Nabih Berri, plusieurs ministres, dont un représentant le Hezbollah, et d’autres officiels. >>> ATS | Vendredi 30 Juillet 2010

Hassan Nasrullah Threatens Israel with “Open War”
BBC: Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has warned that the militant group is ready for "open war" with Israel, after the killing of one of its leaders in Syria.

Nasrallah made the declaration during a fiery speech at the funeral of Imad Mughniyeh in Lebanon's capital, Beirut.

There is huge tension in the city, where thousands are attending Mughniyeh's funeral and rivals have held a memorial for ex-PM Rafik Hariri.

It is three years since Hariri was killed, plunging Lebanon into crisis.

Mughniyeh was killed in a car bombing in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Tuesday.

Correspondents say the events come at a tense time, with no president and no working parliament.

A huge security operation is under way amid fears of clashes between the pro-Syrian Hezbollah supporters and the anti-Syrian Hariri supporters.

About 8,000 army and internal security force troops have been deployed, with the aim of keeping the two factions apart.

The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Beirut says the two events will separate them naturally, but there are fears that people departing from mixed neighbourhoods could clash with rival groups on the streets.

Israel on alert

Mughniyeh's funeral, which Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki is attending, is taking place in the Hezbollah stronghold of the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Speaking to the crowds of mourners via a giant video screen, Nasrallah blamed Israel for his death and said its war against the Jewish state was not over.

"Zionists, if you want this sort of open war, then let the whole world hear, so be it!" he declared. Hezbollah chief threatens Israel >>>

Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)