Former Prime Minister Saeb Salam today died at the age of 95. The seven time Lebanese premier died of a heart failure. The Independence era official is the last surviving figure of this period of Lebanon's history.
He first held office in 1952 and last in 1976.
President Emil Lahhoud and Prime Minister Salim Al-Hoss were among the first to pay condolences to Salam's family including his son, Beirut MP Tammam Salam. A huge crowd of MPs, ministers, ambassadors, military and religious figures also offered condolences to the former premier's family.
Prime Minister Salim Al-Hoss today issued an official statement mourning the former premier and describing him as a national figure who spent his whole life serving Lebanon.
Three days of official mourning will thus be witnessed in the country. An official funeral procession will be held in Beirut tomorrow for the late independence figure.
Prime Minister Salim Al-Hoss today addressed the third Islamic National Conference, which opened in Beirut's Carlton Hotel in the presence of around 121 delegates from across the Arab and Islamic world. The participants tackled issues related to Islam and Arab nationalism.
The premier addressed the conference saying current Arab-Israeli negotiations are aimed at reaching a settlement and not peace. He stressed Lebanon's rejection for the resettlement of Palestinian refugees here reiterating their right to return to their land.
For his part, the Secretary General of the Hizbullah Resistance Movement Sayyed Hassan Nassrallah said the conflict with Israel will not end even after Israel's withdrawal from the Golan Heights, southern Lebanon and the Western Bekaa.
At the presidential palace in Baabda, President Emil Lahhoud today received a delegation from the International Center for Journalists in Washington including the President of ICFJ David Anable.
The delegation also comprises professors from the Lebanese University and the Lebanese American University who will be hosting a training workshop in investigative journalism organized by the center. 40 Lebanese journalists from the various print industries in the country have been selected from a pool of applicants to take part in the program.
President Lahhoud stressed to the organizers the importance of their workshop in boosting the role of journalism in promoting transparency in the country. Lahhoud voiced his backing for the program hoping for more cooperation in the future.
Prime Minister Salim Al-Hoss today stressed that Lebanon feels strong in negotiations with Israel stressing that the source of this strength comes from Lebanon's adherence to international resolutions issued by the UN Security Council.
The premier was quoted by the head of the Editors' Syndicate Melhem Karam following their talks today at the Grand Saray. On the economic situation in the country, the premier praised the recent establishment of the Lebanese-American Chamber of Commerce in Beirut and called for a bigger European role in boosting the Lebanese economy.
Founders of the Khiam Center for the Rehabilitation of Tortured Detainees today held their first meeting in preparation for the center's official inauguration on June 26.
The long detention of many detainees results in long-term effects on their heath in addition to psychological torture. The head of the follow-up committee for Lebanese detainees in Israeli jails Mohammed Safa was appointed the center's secretary general. At least 130 Lebanese detainees are still being held in the Khiam detention camp.
The parliamentary environment committee held a meeting in parliament headed by MP Akram Shehayyeb to discuss a number of environmental projects and concerns. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Environment Ministry and the Council for Development and Reconstruction.
After the meeting, MP Shehayyeb told reporters discussions centered on two main topics: environmental pollution and the waste problem. Members in the committee presented a draft project for preventing pollution resulting from the use of diesel engines in cars. The committee also discussed a number of ways to deal with household waste and industrial waste.
The sun shone today in Lebanon following days of raging storms, fast winds and heavy rains. But the weather is still cold and even colder than yesterday.
More rain and snow, however, are expected over the weekend. Weather centers in the country warned that a very cold front accompanied by heavy rain and snow will make its way to Lebanon tomorrow evening. Minister of Public Works and Transportation Najib Meeqati today revealed his ministry is ready to deal with the outcome of any expected storm.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese today were busy cleaning up following this week's violent storms and heavy rains. Immense losses were recorded in material properties in various parts of the country.
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