January 13, 2009
More Levant
Countries that will miss George Bush
BBC
By Kim Ghattas
A lot has been written about George W Bush's unpopularity around the globe - but what about those places where the outgoing president was popular?
... Just north of Israel and the Palestinian territories, Lebanon is one country where there is still some lingering appreciation for Mr Bush in some circles, albeit laced with disappointment.
Orascom, Zain win Lebanon mobile contracts
Reuters
Tue Jan 13, 2009
BEIRUT, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Egypt's Orascom Telecom (ORTE.CA) (ORTEq.L) and Kuwait's Mobile Telecommunications Co (Zain) (ZAIN.KW) won contracts to operate Lebanon's two fledgling mobile firms, a cabinet statement said on Monday night.
"These two companies have ... experience in the Lebanese market that allows them to manage well and positions them as the best companies to run this sector in Lebanon," Information Minister Tareq Mitri said.
Lebanon interest rates seen stable or lower in '09
Reuters
01.13.09
BEIRUT, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Lebanese interest rates will be stable and could fall in 2009, central bank governor Riad Salameh said on Tuesday. ...
The authorities were working on steps to stimulate lending in Lebanese pounds, he added, describing such a shift as 'a qualitative step' that would give a bigger role to monetary policy in stimulating the economy.
Lebanon's Ministry of Finance had also asked local and international banks to make proposals for terms to rollover $2.6 billion of Lebanese Eurobonds that are due to mature in 2009, he added.
Israeli forces intensify Gaza offensive
Reuters
Tue Jan 13, 2009
By Nidal al-Mughrabi
GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli forces tightened their hold around the city of Gaza on Tuesday and Israel's top general said "there is still work" ahead against Hamas in an 18-day-old offensive that has killed more than 900 Palestinians.
Explosions and heavy machinegun fire echoed through the city of 500,000 after Israeli tanks drew closer to its densely populated center but did not enter, local residents said.
Posted by ben at January 13, 2009 03:31 PM