Lebanese President to skip Arab Summit
Saturday, March 19, 2005
- 4 April 2011: Female boxer shot before fight by stepfather in Berlin
- 8 August 2010: Poll: Arabs discouraged by US policies, back nuclear-armed Iran
- 6 August 2010: Wikinews Shorts: August 5, 2010
- 9 July 2010: CNN journalist fired for controversial Twitter message
- 8 February 2010: "Black box" found near crash site of Ethiopian Airlines flight
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said he will not be attending the upcoming Arab summit scheduled for Monday. The announcement was made Saturday after a car bomb in the early morning hours wrecked a six-story apartment building, causing injuries, but there have been no reports of deaths.
It is not clear at this time who is responsible for the bombing. Both the Lebanese and Syrian governments denied any involvement. There was an accusation, reported by Reuters on Sat Mar 19, 2005 12:27 PM ET, made by key opposition leader, Walid Jumblatt, saying, "The security agencies belong to it (meaning Syria). There is no other explanation. When security agencies come under Lebanese control it will be another matter." The opposition wants Syrian military and intelligence agents out of the country and opposes the pro-Syrian Lahoud and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
The violence threatens efforts by opposition groups and pro-government groups to build consensus and stability before the upcoming national election in May. Mr. Lahoud's office released a statement today that read: "The president affirms the need for such a dialogue meeting starting today in any place they agree on, including the presidential palace, which will keep its doors open."
The president's invitation was dismissed by an opposition legislator. The AP reports Fares Soeid saying, "It's too late. This subject is closed."
Related news
- "Protesters rally in Beirut" — Wikinews, March 15, 2005
- "Syria affirms withdrawal intentions" — Wikinews, March 13, 2005
Sources
- "Lebanon Bomb Sparks Calls for Talks" — News.telegraph, March 19, 2005
- "Lebanon Opposition Says Syria Responsible for Blast" — Reuters, March 19, 2005
- Joseph panossian. "Lebanon Leader Pulls Out of Arab Summit; Investigators Look for Clues to Car Blast That Hurt 9" — Associated Press, March 19, 2005
- Sonja Pace. "Lebanon Leader Pulls Out of Arab Summit; Investigators Look for Clues to Car Blast That Hurt 9" — VOA News, March 19, 2005
