http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/countries/lebanonen-usCopyright 2012 Zawya Ltd. All rights reserved.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:45:20 GMT4614476http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/countries/lebanonhttp://www.zawya.com/images/newsletter_zawya_logo.gifhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS14022012_dsart-163164/Low_budgets_give_small_Lebanese_ad_firms_edgeReal advertising expenditures in Lebanon slipped to $174 million in 2011, declining 3.3 percent from $180 million in 2010, according to a forthcoming report in Arab Ad magazine.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:21:48 GMTThe Daily Star DS14022012_dsart-163164Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS14022012_dsart-163183/Mikati_Lebanon_will_not_become_sanctuary_for_Syrian_rebel_troopsPrime Minister Najib Mikati has vowed not to let Lebanon be used as a base by rebel Syrian soldiers to attack government troops loyal to embattled President Bashar Assad.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:20:42 GMTThe Daily Star DS14022012_dsart-163183Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS14022012_dsart-163176/Jumblatt_decries_Lebanons_stance_in_Arab_LeagueProgressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt said Monday he was surprised by Lebanon?s reservations over the Arab League decision to open communication channels with the Syrian opposition and to request that the U.N. send a joint peacekeeping force to Syria.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:18:52 GMTThe Daily Star DS14022012_dsart-163176Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS14022012_dsart-163171/Sleiman_hopes_Hariri_anniversary_will_encourage_dialoguePresident Michel Sleiman renewed his calls for national dialogue Monday, saying that he hoped the Tuesday anniversary of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri?s assassination would set the stage for ?regaining Lebanese unity.?Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:18:19 GMTThe Daily Star DS14022012_dsart-163171Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS14022012_dsart-163169/Financial_inflows_into_Lebanon_fall_18Financial inflows decreased by 18 percent during 2011, reaching $13.897 billion, down from $17.036 billion in 2010.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:17:56 GMTThe Daily Star DS14022012_dsart-163169Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS14022012_dsart-163165/Tax_staff_to_relocate_to_VAT_complex_in_LebanonThe Finance Ministry is set to relocate its tax revenues department after the landlord of the building where it is housed refused to allow the installation of electricity generators.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:17:26 GMTThe Daily Star DS14022012_dsart-163165Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS13022012_dsart-163033/Portfolio_switch_could_end_allowance_disputeChanging the portfolio of Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas is constitutionally easier than dismissing him, said a legal expert, as the minister stood firm on his position not to sign a transportation allowance decree despite a termination warning from the president.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:27:19 GMTThe Daily Star DS13022012_dsart-163033Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS13022012_dsart-163043/Mikati_hopeful_of_resolving_Cabinet_crisisPrime Minister Najib Mikati returned to Beirut Sunday, wrapping up a two-day official visit to France and voicing hope that a nearly two-week-old Cabinet crisis would be resolved soon.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:26:36 GMTThe Daily Star DS13022012_dsart-163043Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS13022012_dsart-163025/Banking_stock_profits_pick_up_Solideres_slackRecord profits at Lebanon?s listed banks are breathing new life into the country?s fading stock market. Profits rose 2 percent to $989 million at the five listed banks which reported full-year 2011 results, with the country?s biggest lender, Bank Audi, growing its profits by 3.7 percent to over $365 million despite the worst operating environment since 2006.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:26:07 GMTThe Daily Star DS13022012_dsart-163025Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS13022012_dsart-163048/Lebanon_wont_be_used_to_hit_Arab_states_HezbollahHezbollah deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem Sunday said his group would not allow Lebanon to be used as a platform against other Arab states and praised the government for having achieved political stability and security.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:24:58 GMTThe Daily Star DS13022012_dsart-163048Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS13022012_dsart-163040/Bans_STL_letter_behind_Mikatis_decision_to_suspend_Cabinet_sessionsU.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has sent ?a secret letter? to President Michel Sleiman asking for Lebanon?s comments by Feb. 15 on a plan to extend the mandate of a U.N.-backed court for another three years, a senior political source said.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:24:27 GMTThe Daily Star DS13022012_dsart-163040Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_120212113606/Blominvest_Bank__The_Lebanon_Brief_11Feb12This is a PDF report. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:07:00 GMTBlominvest Bank S.A.L. pdf_120212113606Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_11022012_120217/Syrian_uprising_spills_over_into_LebanonSyrian forces continued to bombard Homs yesterday as Iraq claimed jihadists are crossing into Syria and weapons are being sent to opponents of President Bashar Al Assad?s regime. The bloodshed showed no signs of abating, even spilling over into Lebanon.Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:08:30 GMTGulf News GN_11022012_120217Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120211T105052ZIAN05/2_dead_in_SunniAlawite_clashes_Lebanon_securityTwo people died and 18 were wounded during fierce clashes Saturday between Lebanese Sunni Muslims hostile to Syria's regime and Alawites who support it, a Lebanese security official said.Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:44:48 GMTAFP ANA20120211T105052ZIAN05Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120211T081919ZIAH04/Blast_kills_one_in_Lebanons_tense_north_securityA man died and three others were hurt in an accidental blast in the tense Lebanese city of Tripoli following clashes between pro- and anti-Syrian regime gunmen, a security official said Saturday.Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:23:55 GMTAFP ANA20120211T081919ZIAH04Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120210T203813ZHZN19/Guards_killed_after_gunmen_clash_in_LebanonThree Syrians were killed in an accidental explosion at a munitions depot in the north Lebanon port of Tripoli on Friday, a security source told AFP.Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:55:58 GMTAFP ANA20120210T203813ZHZN19Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120210T143232ZHXY90/Pro_and_antiSyria_regime_gunmen_clash_in_LebanonShooting broke out on Friday in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli as gunmen deployed heavily in two rival neighborhoods, one group supporting and the other opposed to the regime in Syria.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:43:47 GMTAFP ANA20120210T143232ZHXY90Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120210T091102ZHWN66/Lebanon_economy_at_risk_from_Syria_unrest__IMFThe Lebanese economy is at risk from internal political uncertainty, spiralling violence in neighbouring Syria and the eurozone crisis, the International Monetary Fund has warned.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:47:05 GMTAFP ANA20120210T091102ZHWN66Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120209T222701ZHVP58/Lebanon_army_boosts_presence_along_Syria_borderThe Lebanese army late Thursday reinforced its presence in the northern region of Wadi Khaled, which borders Syria and is close to the flashpoint province of Homs, officials and local residents said.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:11:27 GMTAFP ANA20120209T222701ZHVP58Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120209T141909ZHTK31/Mine_injures_Syrian_on_Lebanon_border_officialsA Syrian man was seriously injured Thursday when he stepped on a land mine as he tried to enter Lebanon through an illegal border crossing, officials said.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:10:11 GMTAFP ANA20120209T141909ZHTK31Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120209T083052ZHRY24/Israel_fears_Syria_arms_transfers_to_Hezbollah_BarakSophisticated weapons could be transferred from Syria to militant group Hezbollah and to Lebanon if the regime of Bashar al-Assad falls, Israel Defence Minister Ehud Barak warned on Thursday.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:58:58 GMTAFP ANA20120209T083052ZHRY24Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209040552/Salehi_discusses_regional_issues_with_Nabih_Berris_special_envoyForeign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi discussed regional developments with the Lebanese Majlis Speaker Nabih Berri's special envoy Khalil Hamdan here on Wednesday. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:23:23 GMTIRNA ZAWYA20120209040552Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS09022012_dsart-162713/Sleiman_defends_Army_as_March_14_raps_raidsPresident Michel Sleiman defended Wednesday the Lebanese Army as the Future Movement and its March 14 allies criticized the military?s failure to deploy on Lebanon?s northern and eastern border with Syria to protect Lebanese citizens against Syrian attacks.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:22:29 GMTThe Daily Star DS09022012_dsart-162713Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS09022012_dsart-162716/Resumption_of_Cabinet_sessions_unlikely_before_end_of_FebruaryThe Cabinet is unlikely to meet before the end of this month ? the deadline given to Lebanon to decide on the renewal of the cooperation protocol with the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon, parliamentary and political sources said Wednesday.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:22:11 GMTThe Daily Star DS09022012_dsart-162716Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209035217/Global_mutual_fund_assets_put_at_259_trillionShashank Srivastava, acting CEO of the Qatar Financial Centre Authority, said, "The QFCA is delighted to be a sponsor once again of this latest GCC Mutual Fund Industry Survey.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:03:08 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120209035217Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS09022012_dsart-162687/Cable_providers_in_Lebanon_stop_broadcasting_AlJazeera_as_channel_hikes_feesMost Lebanese cable providers stopped broadcasting Al-Jazeera channels earlier this week to protest the Qatari corporation?s demand for new fees from local cable providers.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:35:17 GMTThe Daily Star DS09022012_dsart-162687Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS09022012_dsart-162698/Lebanese_cabinet_crisis_complicates_budget_bidThe suspension of Cabinet meetings has further complicated Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi?s beleaguered effort to pass his 2012 draft budget amid growing signs that Lebanon will be without any official budget for the sixth consecutive year.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:34:34 GMTThe Daily Star DS09022012_dsart-162698Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS09022012_dsart-162708/UN_dedicated_to_boosting_security_in_LebanonNewly appointed U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly said that despite the hard times, the U.N. remains dedicated to boosting Lebanon?s security.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:33:56 GMTThe Daily Star DS09022012_dsart-162708Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS09022012_dsart-162704/Waterfront_City_project_promises_to_create_more_jobsFifteen km northeast of Beirut on the seafront of Dbayyeh, Waterfront City, a nearly $2 billion investment that will generate more than 10,000 jobs, will be completed in four phases over the next 15 years. The first phase is expected to be completed in two years, including seven buildings, cafes, restaurants and a retail zone.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:33:20 GMTThe Daily Star DS09022012_dsart-162704Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS09022012_dsart-162705/World_Bank_lends_Lebanon_200_million_for_water_projectThe Lebanese government signed a $200 million World Bank loan to finance a $370 million project aiming to supply Beirut with water from the Awali River.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:30:54 GMTThe Daily Star DS09022012_dsart-162705Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_08022012_090208/MENA_advertising_to_grow_34_on_social_networks_in_five_years Advertising is expected to grow 34 per cent on social networks in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region in the coming years, experts at the Digital Media Forum have said.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:14:30 GMTGulf News GN_08022012_090208Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208032245/Middle_East_firms_focus_on_market_competitiveness_of_staff_packagesTalent management and organizational effectiveness are high on the agenda this year for Middle Eastern companies, according to Hay Group's Business Outlook study for 2012. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:36:55 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120208032245Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208095836/Ipsos_release_online_panel_dataTwo years after the launching of the Online Audience Measurement project, Ipsos has released KSA and Egypt panel data. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:23:51 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208095836Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208045605/Lebanese_minister_calls_for_presence_of_Iranian_companies_in_LebanonIran ambassador to Beirut Ghazanfar Roknabadi in a meeting with Lebanese Minister of Energy and Water Gebran Bassil here on Tuesday discussed issues of mutual interest. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:21:09 GMTIRNA ZAWYA20120208045605Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS08022012_dsart-162529/A_call_to_arms_to_help_Lebanons_coastMazen Jannoun?s ?Watercolor, the Lebanese Coast? documents a four-year photographic journey he undertook along Lebanon?s coast from 2007-11. The book features 100 or so of the photos Jannoun took of what he found during his north-south journey.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:33:05 GMTThe Daily Star DS08022012_dsart-162529Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS08022012_dsart-162573/Mar_Maroun_celebrations_a_unifying_source_for_ChristiansIt is perhaps ironic that the feast day of saint who spent his life in isolation is today credited with bringing Christians together, but that is exactly what Mar Maroun Day on Feb. 9 does.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:30:29 GMTThe Daily Star DS08022012_dsart-162573Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS08022012_dsart-162572/Rival_party_representatives_to_discuss_political_systemDespite the fact that national dialogue has been stalled for over a year, representatives of rival political parties are set to meet later this month to discuss a political system that would spare the country further crises, sources told The Daily Star.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:29:47 GMTThe Daily Star DS08022012_dsart-162572Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS08022012_dsart-162577/France_set_to_cut_its_UNIFIL_contingentFrance will reduce its U.N. Interim Forces in Lebanon regiment from 1,300 to 900 peacekeepers, a French diplomatic source told The Daily Star Tuesday.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:27:12 GMTThe Daily Star DS08022012_dsart-162577Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS08022012_dsart-162576/Nasrallah_No_government_changeHezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah ruled out Tuesday a government change, disclosing that contacts have been initiated with the aim of ending a row between Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:26:16 GMTThe Daily Star DS08022012_dsart-162576Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS08022012_dsart-162578/Pope_may_visit_Lebanon_in_SeptemberThe Vatican has confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI may travel to Lebanon later this year. The top Roman Catholic official in the Holy Land, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, said Tuesday that Benedict was expected in Lebanon in September to present a document on the future of the church in the Middle East.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:25:22 GMTThe Daily Star DS08022012_dsart-162578Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_080212061346/Banque_Audi_MENA_Weekly_Monitor_03Feb12This is a PDF report. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:13:00 GMTBanque Audi pdf_080212061346Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS08022012_dsart-162558/Safadi_pledges_to_keep_budget_deficit_low_despite_high_spendingA recently approved wage increase will cost the Lebanese government some LL1.4 trillion ($800 million), Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi confirmed Tuesday, adding however that the 2012 deficit would not exceed LL5.25 trillion despite an ambitious plan to boost investments in infrastructure.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:27:07 GMTThe Daily Star DS08022012_dsart-162558Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS08022012_dsart-162567/ESCWA_calls_for_improved_regional_food_accessTwo international organizations called for increased food security in Lebanon and the region Tuesday, according to the state-run National News Agency.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:26:35 GMTThe Daily Star DS08022012_dsart-162567Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS08022012_dsart-162561/Industrialists_in_Lebanon_want_government_to_speed_up_VAT_reimbursementsHead of the Lebanese Industrialists Association Tuesday called on the government to speed up the reimbursement of VAT proceeds collected from manufacturers, warning that the delay in doing so is a form of taxation of the industrial sector.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:25:55 GMTThe Daily Star DS08022012_dsart-162561Open