http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb National News Agency - Local News en-us Copyright 2009 NNA All Rights Reserved. rmrs@cyberia.net.lb 20 http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E55.html NNA - Beirut Greek Orthodox Bishop, Elias Audi, met today with MP Atef Majdalani, who made clear on emerging that his encounter with the Bishop mainly focused on the country's general situation. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E54.html NNA - Army Command Guidance Directorate issued the following communiqué: " Today (Wednesday 10 March 2010) at 12:15 pm, Two Israeli war planes violated Lebanese air-space from above Kferkellah village and executed circular flight over all Lebanese territories, then left at 01:50 pm from above Rmeish village heading towards the occupied territories." http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E53.html NNA - In a press conference held today noon at the Parliament and following his participation in the parliamentary commissions' sessions during which municipalities' draft law was discussed, Minister of Municipality and Interior, Minister Ziad Baroud, mentioned 3 points: http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E52.html http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E51.html http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E50.html NNA - Social Affairs Minister, Selim Sayegh, met this afternoon with US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michelle Sisson, accompanied by Embassy Political Advisor, Daren Smith. Talks touched on the current developments on the Lebanese scene and means of cooperation between the Ministry and the USA. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E49.html NNA - March 14 General Secretary held its regular meeting at its headquarters in Achrafiyeh. Discussions tackled two main subjects, the dialogue table and March 14 third conference. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E48.html NNA - National Education and Higher Learning Minister, Hassan Mneimneh, pursued today his visit to Sultanate of Oman, whereby he held a work meeting with Omani Higher Learning Minister, Rawaya Al-Bousaeedeya. Talks touched on the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries and a work blueprint for academic cooperation, exchange of teachers and pupils, and the participation in researches. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E47.html NNA - House Speaker Nabih Berri held a meeting at Ain-El-Tineh today with the Ethiopian plane crash victims' families in presence of Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Shami, Transportation Minister Ghazi Aridi, Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar, Social Affairs Minister Salim Sayegh, Human Rights Committee head Deputy Michel Moussa,Army Commander Jean Kahwaji, Bar Association head Amal Haddad, Expatriates General Director Haytham Joumaa, and several other judicial officials. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E46.html NNA - Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, chaired this afternoon the ministerial council's regular meeting at the Grand Serail. Absent from today's cabinet session were Ministers Mohammed Safadi, Mohammed Khalifeh, Fadi Abboud, Ghazi Aridi, and Hassan Mneimneh. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E45.html NNA - Lebanese Forces Executive Body Head, Samir Geagea, met today with Deputy Elie Marouni, where they discussed national table dialogue issue. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E44.html NNA - Change and Reform Bloc head, MP General Michel Aoun received today, at his residence in Rabieh, a delegation of the Christian Maronite Union - Germany Branch, and discussed with them the situation of the Lebanese Diaspora in Germany. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E43.html NNA - Intimaa Movement head, Ahmad Al-Assaad, visited today former President Amin Gemayel at his residence in Bekfaya, to present condolences for the latter's sister's death. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E42.html NNA - National News Agency field correspondent to Tebnin, Mohammad Berri, reported that the UNIFIL units operating in the west sector in the South conducted joint military exercises with the Lebanese army in Sahl-el-Khan region. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E41.html NNA - Qatari Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Industry and Energy, Skeikh Abdullah Ben Hamad Al-Atiyyeh, arrived this afternoon to Beirut on a private jet. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E40.html NNA - Minister of Social Affairs, Dr. Salim Sayegh, returned to Beirut after being to Brazil to partake in the procedures of the second summit of South American and Arab Developmental and Social Affairs Ministers, which was held on the 1st and 2nd March in Brasilia. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E39.html NNA - Army Chief-of-Staff, Major General Shawki Masri, inspected this morning maritime commando forces in Amsheet and naval forces in Beirut, whereby he got briefings on the present situation of both units and their logistic and training activities. In this framework, General Masri met with military officers, relaying to them Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji's instructions and his praise of their efforts in dealing with the Ethiopian plane crash catastrophe. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E38.html NNA - Accompanied with the Embassy's consultant, Korean Ambassador to Lebanon visited today Communist party headquarters and met with the party's General Secretary Khaled Hdadeh. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E37.html NNA - Hezbollah Vice Secretary General, Sheikh Naiim Qassem, stressed that the resistance is the sole mean to restore rights, saying the Party feels proud of the Lebanese consensus that considers Israel as being the enemy. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E36.html NNA - Army Commander, General Jean Qahwaji, met at his Yarzeh office this morning with Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon, Martial Pager, accompanied by Military Attaché, General Roy Forestel, and Embassy Advisor, Josy Losar. Talks touched on the general situation. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E35.html NNA - In its response to the Land Transportation sector syndicate's latest statements, Labor Ministry issued a statement today in which it said that the meeting held at the Labor Ministry on the eighth of March 2010 aimed at solving conflicts between the Syndicate members and the Union. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E34.html NNA - In a statement issued today by Lebanese Forces' Information and Communication Office in Beirut, the Party eulogized the late Antoine Shweiri. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E33.html NNA - Minister of Public Works and Transportation, Ghazi Aridi, inaugurated today the procedures of the first conference on "the Traditional Press and the Electronic Information: Between Concurrence and Complementarity. Media, Political, Social, Economic, Cultural, and Scientific Changes, and their impact on Traditional Press. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E32.html NNA - Heading a delegation of the Lebanese Democratic Party, Deputy Talal Erslan visited today Deputy Amine Gemayel at his residence in Bekfaya and paid him condolences for the passing away of his sister Madis Pierre Gemayel. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E31.html NNA - Minister of Culture, Salim Wardeh, received today at his ministerial office, the Ambassadors of Denmark, Jan Top Christensen, and discussed with him bilateral relations and general developments. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E30.html NNA - Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Sheikh Muhammad Rachid Qabbani, continued his tour in Qatar, after attending the launching of the new holy Koran at Doha expo for Islamic works. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E29.html http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E28.html NNA - Change and Reform Bloc head, MP General Michel Aoun received today, at his residence in Rabieh, a delegation of the Christian Maronite Union - Germany Branch, and discussed with them the situation of the Lebanese Diaspora in Germany. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E27.html NNA - Minister of Tourism, Fadi Abboud, arrived today in Berlin-Germany, to partake in the International Tourism Exhibition. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E26.html NNA - The Rotary Club of Batroun received today Minister of Energy & Water Gibran Bassil at the Uptow restaurant in Batroun. Bassil gave a word during the event. He explained that he had already set up a comprehensive reform plan for the power sector in Lebanon which still awaits the cabinet's approval, knowing that such plan aims at providing electricity in a 24/24hr term. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E25.html NNA - Minister of Information, Dr. Tarek Metri received today at his ministerial office, Director of the Iranian radio and television in Beirut, Murtada Shamsi. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E24.html NNA - Future Parliamentary Bloc head, former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora met today at his office in Sadat Tower, with Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon, Sardar Kilik, who came in a farewell visit. Talks touched on the general situation as well as on regional affairs. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E23.html NNA - Change and Reform Bloc head, MP General Michel Aoun received today, at his residence in Rabieh, a delegation of the Christian Maronite Union - Germany Branch, and discussed with them the situation of the Lebanese Diaspora in Germany. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E22.html NNA - Cleric Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah received today Hizbullah deputy secretary general Sheikh Naim Hassan, who came to be assured of cleric's well being. The visit has also been an opportunity to discuss general conditions, particularly the Israeli posed threats. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E21.html NNA - Interim Secretary-General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador William Habib, received today Brazilian Ambassador to Lebanon, Paulo Roberto Campos. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E20.html NNA - At 12:40 pm today, Israeli warplanes overflew Jezzine village at a medium altitude, after violating the Lebanese airspace off Hasbaya, West Bekaa, and Iklim Toufah regions. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E19.html NNA - Minister of Social Affairs, Dr. Salim Sayegh, received today at his ministerial bureau the Romanian Ambassador, Daniel Tanase, and discussed with him latest developments at the domestic arena, as well as the developmental and social projects implemeted by the Ministry in association with the European Union. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E18.html NNA - Hizbullah senior official in the south region, Sheikh Nabil Kawook, received today at his office in Tyre secretary general of Georges Hawi Shabibat, Rafi Medeyan, accompanied by a delegation touring in Maroun Ras, Bint Jbeil and Aita Shaab regions. The meeting has been an opportunity to discuss overall developments on the local scene. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E17.html NNA - Former PM Najuib Mikati received today an invitation to attend the ceremony held at Notre Dame de Jumhour School on the holy occasion of the Enunciation of Virgin Mary that will fall on the 25th of this month. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E16.html http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E15.html NNA - Amal and Hezbollah leaderships held a regular meeting today at Amal Movement bureau in Baalbeck, and tackled different political and developmental issues. They discussed the recent National Dialogue session, and reiterated that Hezbollah's weapon must stay out of discussion, yet the strategic plan for national defense that protects Lebanon from the permanent Israeli threats should be brought into discussion during the national dialogue sessions. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E14.html NNA - Former PM Omar Karami met this morning with Deputy Assem Kanso who said after the meeting, "discussions focused on ways to confront Israeli aggression and any operation that aims to weaken the internal Lebanese." http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E13.html NNA - Head of Democratic Gathering, deputy Walid Jumblatt, received this afternoon at his Clemenceau residence the Turkish ambassador, Serdar Kilic, in presence of deputy Merwan Hamadeh. Talks reportedly featured high on recent developments on the local and regional scene, as well as bilateral relations between Lebanon and Turkey. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E12.html NNA - Media office for Deputies Sethrida Geagea and Elie Keyrouz issued the following statement: http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E11.html NNA - Health Minister Jawad Khalifeh left Beirut heading to Cairo accompanied by the ministry's delegation to take part in Arab Health Cabinet at the Arab League Headquarters in Cairo that will last for two days. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E10.html NNA - NNA correspondent, Elias Shahin, reported today that two sisters from Danbo - Akkar, filed legal action against two anonymous men who entered their house in Jeita at 2:00 in the morning, disguised with Internal Security Forces uniform. One of the girls was raped after being threatened with weapons, and then the men escaped to an unknown direction. The two girls gave some descriptions of the criminals and security forces are conducting their investigations. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E9.html NNA - The agency correspondent reported that judicial police unit arrested during 24 hours 27 persons for committing different crimes, like prostitution, forgery and drugs trafficking and were transferred to investigation. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E8.html NNA - "Future" bloc member Deputy Atef Majdalani said in an interview to "Sharq" radio "to fortify Lebanon from internal national unity or from uniting military forces and to benefit from resistance, " pointing "this does not mean to cancel diplomatic ways in an attempt to liberate the rest of the Lebanese territories, awaiting equal and comprehensive peace between Israel and Arabs." http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E7.html NNA - Army Command Orientation Directorate issued the following: http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E6.html NNA - Deputy Nawaf Mousaoui sponsored Teachers' Day Ceremony in Nabatiyeh in the presence of dignitaries. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E5.html NNA - Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir chaired the periodic monthly meeting for bishops and discussed parishes' issues. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E4.html NNA - Beirut AirPort Based Meteorology Department forecasted the weather for tomorrow to be partly cloudy, dusty with temperature rise and low humidity. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E3.html NNA - 20 liters of unleaded gasoline 98 and 95 octane increased by 300 Lebanese Pounds, 20 liters of kerosene increased by 300 Lebanese Pounds, 20 liters of gas oil increased by 500 Lebanese Pounds, diesel oil increased by 300 Lebanese Pounds, ton of fuel oil for public increased by 2 American Dollars, ton of fuel oil (1% sulfur) increased by 4 American Dollars. The cooking gas 10 kg decreased by 400 Lebanese Pounds, the cooking gas 12.5 kg decreased by 500 Lebanese Pounds. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E2.html ASSAFIR: A dose of judicial appointments today...and designating Fneish to administrative mechanism tomorrow http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/phpfolder/loadpage.php?page=E1.html