http://www.mail.com/locations/21744-beirut.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/locations/21744-beirut.html http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2092478-syria-ex-minister-leads-rebuilding-plan.html BEIRUT (AP) — A six-member U.N. team led by a former Syrian planning minister is drawing up a comprehensive postwar reconstruction plan even as the country's civil war rages on with no apparent end in sight. A joint U.S.-Russian push to bring together Syria's political opposition and representatives of President Bashar Assad's regime to negotiate a peacef... Fri, 17 May 2013 07:08:53 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2092478-syria-ex-minister-leads-rebuilding-plan.html 2013-05-17T07:08:53Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081136-syria-opposition-consult-allies-peace-push.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's main opposition bloc wants to consult its allies before deciding on joining a U.S.-Russia initiative to negotiate a peaceful transition in Syria, its leader said Monday. The U.S. and Russia called last week for an international conference to start talks that would be accompanied by a cease-fire. The two nations are on opposite sides ... Mon, 13 May 2013 14:50:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081136-syria-opposition-consult-allies-peace-push.html 2013-05-13T14:50:30Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/music/2080496-politics-commandeer-stage-mideast-tv-contest.html BEIRUT (AP) — TV singing contests around the world tend to serve up light, glitzy entertainment with a dash of emotional drama. But in the Middle East's version of "American Idol," it's the region's troubles that often take center stage. Two contestants are from civil war-ravaged Syria, including a singer-composer whose bus was ambushed by gunmen en route... Sun, 12 May 2013 18:30:46 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/music/2080496-politics-commandeer-stage-mideast-tv-contest.html 2013-05-12T18:30:46Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2073490-hezbollah-syria-to-supply-weapons-to-militia.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria will supply "game-changing" weapons to Hezbollah, the chief of the Lebanese militant group said Thursday, less than a week after Israeli airstrikes on Damascus targeted alleged shipments of advanced Iranian missiles bound for Hezbollah. Israel has signaled it will respond with airstrikes to any future weapons shipments, meaning it coul... Thu, 09 May 2013 22:18:27 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2073490-hezbollah-syria-to-supply-weapons-to-militia.html 2013-05-09T22:18:27Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2062546-israeli-airstrikes-syria-prompt-threats-anger.html BEIRUT (AP) — Israel rushed to beef up its rocket defenses on its northern border Sunday to shield against possible retaliation after carrying out two airstrikes in Syria over 48 hours — an unprecedented escalation of Israeli involvement in the Syrian civil war. Syria and its patron Iran hinted at possible retribution, though the rhetoric in official stat... Mon, 06 May 2013 01:40:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2062546-israeli-airstrikes-syria-prompt-threats-anger.html 2013-05-06T01:40:51Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2064622-reasons-israeli-airstrikes-syria.html BEIRUT (AP) — A look at the reasons for and possible implications of the escalation of Israel's involvement in Syria's civil war. WHY NOW? Israel has said repeatedly it does not want to get dragged into Syria's civil war but has also warned that it will not allow so-called "game-changing" sophisticated weapons to flow across the border to Lebanon's Hezbol... Sun, 05 May 2013 19:23:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2064622-reasons-israeli-airstrikes-syria.html 2013-05-05T19:23:09Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2059228-syrian-air-defenses-pose-formidable-challenge.html BEIRUT (AP) — International military action against Syria's government over its alleged use of chemical weapons would run up against one of the Middle East's most formidable air defenses, a system bolstered in recent years by top-of-the-line Russian hardware. The U.S. said last week that intelligence indicates the Syrian regime has likely used the deadly ... Thu, 02 May 2013 19:08:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2059228-syrian-air-defenses-pose-formidable-challenge.html 2013-05-02T19:08:37Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2051926-syrian-prime-minister-escapes-bombing-damascus.html DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's prime minister narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in the heart of the heavily defended capital Monday, state media said, laying bare the vulnerability of President Bashar Assad's regime. The bombing, which killed several other people, highlights an accelerating campaign targeting government officials, from mid-level c... Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:10:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2051926-syrian-prime-minister-escapes-bombing-damascus.html 2013-04-29T20:10:23Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2049494-syrian-rebels-troops-clash-3-air-bases.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels seeking to topple President Bashar Assad fought intense battles with his troops on Sunday to try to seize control of three military air bases in the country's north and curtail the regime's use of its punishing air power, activists said. Rebels, who have been trying to capture the air fields for months, broke into the sprawling... Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:17:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2049494-syrian-rebels-troops-clash-3-air-bases.html 2013-04-28T15:17:16Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2045350-syrias-industrialists-join-exodus-country.html BEIRUT (AP) — With the Syrian civil war edging closer to Damascus, the capital's business elite long cultivated by President Bashar Assad as a support for his regime is starting to join the exodus from the country. Popular restaurants and high-end stores in Damascus have shut down as their owners move to Beirut and reopen there. They become the latest par... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:21:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2045350-syrias-industrialists-join-exodus-country.html 2013-04-25T21:21:22Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2042670-minaret-famed-mosque-syria-destroyed.html BEIRUT (AP) — The 11th-century minaret of a famed mosque that towered over the narrow stone alleyways of Aleppo's old quarter collapsed Wednesday as rebels and government troops fought pitched battles in the streets around it, depriving the ancient Syrian city of one of its most important landmarks. President Bashar Assad's government and the rebels tryin... Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:05:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2042670-minaret-famed-mosque-syria-destroyed.html 2013-04-24T21:05:15Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2035852-syrian-regime-shoring-up-hold-capital-coast.html BEIRUT (AP) — After watching much of Syria's territory slip into rebel hands, President Bashar Assad's regime is focusing on the basics: shoring up its hold on Damascus and the strip of land connecting the capital with the Mediterranean coast. In the past week, government troops have overrun villages near the Lebanese border and suburbs of Damascus, inclu... Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:26:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2035852-syrian-regime-shoring-up-hold-capital-coast.html 2013-04-22T20:26:34Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2033092-clashes-syria-rebels-seek-foreign-intervention.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian troops backed by pro-government gunmen captured at least one village in heavy fighting Sunday in a strategic area near the Lebanese border, activists and state media reported. The clashes came as U.S. officials said the Obama administration was poised to send up to $130 million more in nonlethal military aid to rebels trying to oust P... Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:03:41 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2033092-clashes-syria-rebels-seek-foreign-intervention.html 2013-04-20T21:03:41Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2028378-lebanon-picks-46-firms-to-bid-gas-exploration.html BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's energy minister says Beirut has chosen 46 international and regional companies to bid for off-shore gas exploration. Gibran Bassil says 12 companies will bid as operators, while 34 companies prequalified as non-operators. He told reporters Thursday the licensing round begins on May 2. Among the companies that will bid as operators ... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:46:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2028378-lebanon-picks-46-firms-to-bid-gas-exploration.html 2013-04-18T15:46:03Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2022388-syrias-assad-reduces-sentences-rebels.html DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's president on Tuesday slashed prison terms by three quarters for an unspecified number of rebels convicted as "terrorists," as fierce battles raged around the airport of Aleppo, the country's largest city. Bashar Assad also used a presidential decree to reduce the sentences of an unknown number of convicted criminals ahead of... Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:03:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2022388-syrias-assad-reduces-sentences-rebels.html 2013-04-16T17:03:25Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2014112-syrian-regimes-air-power-rebels-check.html BEIRUT (AP) — President Bashar Assad has exploited his greatest advantage in the Syrian civil war — his air power — to push back rebel advances and prevent the opposition from setting up a rival government in its northern stronghold. Along the way, fighter jets and helicopters have hit civilian targets such as hospitals, bakeries and residential buildings... Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:36:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2014112-syrian-regimes-air-power-rebels-check.html 2013-04-11T19:36:39Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2002334-lebanon-names-uk-educated-lawmaker-prime-minister.html BEIRUT (AP) — A British-educated lawmaker from a prominent political family was named Lebanon's new prime minister Saturday, and vowed to work toward ending divisions in the nation and preventing the civil war in neighboring Syria from spilling over into the country. Tammam Salam, a 68-year-old lawmaker and a former culture minister, was asked by Presiden... Sat, 06 Apr 2013 16:26:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2002334-lebanon-names-uk-educated-lawmaker-prime-minister.html 2013-04-06T16:26:16Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2000404-lebanese-politician-poised-to-premier.html BEIRUT (AP) — A prominent Lebanese politician is poised to become the next prime minister of Lebanon this weekend after securing the support of a majority of lawmakers from across the country's political spectrum. President Michel Suleiman began two days of consultations on Friday with members of parliament to pick a new prime minister, but a consensus ha... Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:56:04 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2000404-lebanese-politician-poised-to-premier.html 2013-04-05T19:56:04Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1996488-syrian-rebels-set-their-sights-strategic-south.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels captured a military base in the south on Wednesday and set their sights on seizing control of a strategically important region along the border with Jordan that would give them a critical gateway to attempt an attack on the capital, Damascus. With foreign aid and training of rebels in Jordan ramping up, the opposition fighters ... Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:07:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1996488-syrian-rebels-set-their-sights-strategic-south.html 2013-04-03T21:07:18Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1994846-rebels-capture-military-base-southern-syria.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels captured a military base in the country's south on Wednesday after days of heavy fighting, activists said, in the latest advance by opposition fighters near the strategic border area with Jordan. Opposition fighters battling President Bashar Assad's troops have been chipping away at the regime's hold on the southern part of the... Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:55:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1994846-rebels-capture-military-base-southern-syria.html 2013-04-03T14:55:29Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1977384-syrian-rebels-advance-oblivious-to-infighting.html BEIRUT (AP) — A dual picture of Syria's rebellion is emerging: Fighters on the ground make advances, seizing territory in the south and even firing one of the heaviest mortar volleys yet into the heart of Damascus on Monday. But at the same time, the would-be opposition leadership is falling deeper into disarray. The dichotomy underlines the difficulties ... Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:13:12 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1977384-syrian-rebels-advance-oblivious-to-infighting.html 2013-03-25T20:13:12Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1972234-syrian-president-vows-revenge-mosque-bombing.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad vowed Friday to avenge the death of a senior pro-government cleric who was killed along with dozens of people in a suicide bombing at a Damascus mosque, saying he would "purge our country" of the militants behind the attack in the heart of the capital. Both Assad and the rebels seeking to topple him blamed each ... Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:04:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1972234-syrian-president-vows-revenge-mosque-bombing.html 2013-03-22T21:04:48Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1967028-syria-regime-rebels-want-probe-chemical-attack.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's government and rebels on Wednesday both demanded an international investigation into an alleged chemical weapons attack, as the country's feared arsenal became the latest propaganda tool in the 2-year-old civil war. President Barack Obama said the United States is investigating whether chemical weapons have been deployed in Syria, bu... Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:00:05 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1967028-syria-regime-rebels-want-probe-chemical-attack.html 2013-03-20T20:00:05Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1963080-tensions-high-lebanon-assault-clerics.html BEIRUT (AP) — Several hundred demonstrators angry over attacks against Sunni Muslim clerics blocked roads with garbage bins and burning tires in Beirut and other Lebanese cities on Monday, enflaming old tensions already boiling over the conflict in Syria. The country is sharply split along sectarian lines, and the civil war next door has exacerbated those... Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:26:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1963080-tensions-high-lebanon-assault-clerics.html 2013-03-18T19:26:19Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1960606-syria-opposition-to-set-up-interim-government.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's main opposition group is launching its most serious attempt yet to form a rival government to President Bashar Assad's regime, convening in Turkey on Monday to choose an interim prime minister for areas the rebels control. Twelve candidates are running, including economists, businessmen and a former Syrian Cabinet minister. Some warn... Sun, 17 Mar 2013 20:03:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1960606-syria-opposition-to-set-up-interim-government.html 2013-03-17T20:03:15Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1953808-rights-groups-syrian-rebels-kill-captives.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels routinely kill captured soldiers and suspected regime informers, human rights monitors said Thursday, warning of mounting war crimes committed by those trying to topple President Bashar Assad. Reports of rebel abuses come as the Syrian opposition appears to be gaining momentum in a 2-year-old conflict that, according to the U.N... Thu, 14 Mar 2013 07:02:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1953808-rights-groups-syrian-rebels-kill-captives.html 2013-03-14T07:02:55Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1950994-mortar-shells-damascus-kill-3-wound-50.html BEIRUT (AP) — Mortar shells struck a residential area in central Syria Wednesday, killing three people and wounding more than 50, including a number of women and children, state-run news agency said. The latest mortar attacks came as Syrian government troops fought fierce battles with rebels for control of key neighborhoods in the northeast of the capital... Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:40:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1950994-mortar-shells-damascus-kill-3-wound-50.html 2013-03-13T18:40:02Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1950630-syrias-war-generation-children.html BEIRUT (AP) — Mohammed works at a Beirut supermarket where he waits on customers and carries their groceries home for a small tip that the 14-year-old saves to send later to his family in a village in northeastern Syria. He is among hundreds of thousands of Syrian children who have dropped out of school and fled two years of conflict that have claimed the... Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:41:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1950630-syrias-war-generation-children.html 2013-03-13T10:41:49Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1940292-russia-assad-not-bluffing-staying.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad "is not bluffing" about his determination to stay in power, Russia's foreign minister said in comments broadcast Friday, as the United Nations said arrangements had been made for the release of 21 U.N. peacekeepers held by Syrian rebels. Also, the World Food Program said it aims to feed 2.5 million Syrians by ne... Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:22:47 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1940292-russia-assad-not-bluffing-staying.html 2013-03-08T20:22:47Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1937606-abduction-illustrates-un-vulnerability-syria.html BEIRUT (AP) — New video Thursday of U.N. peacekeepers held captive by Syrian rebels illustrates the sudden vulnerability of a U.N. force that had patrolled a cease-fire line between Israel and Syria without incident for nearly four decades. The abduction of the Filipino troops — soft targets in Syria's civil war — also sent a worrisome signal to Israel ab... Fri, 08 Mar 2013 02:21:07 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1937606-abduction-illustrates-un-vulnerability-syria.html 2013-03-08T02:21:07Z