Hassan Nasrallah

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri will announce a new national unity government in the next two days after clinching a deal with the opposition on its make-up, politicians from both sides said on Saturday. Lebanon has been without a functioning government since Hariri led his coalition, backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia, to victory in a June parliamentary election against Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah and its allies. A government acceptable to all main parties is seen as key to maintaining stability in a country facing sectarian and political tensions, as well as a huge debt burden. "The government is ... Read Full Story

A Lebanese Hezbollah operative on trial in Egypt for allegedly plotting attacks in the country on Wednesday accused his interrogators of "brutal torture" that has left him deaf in one ear. Mohammed Mansur, on trial with 25 other defendants, told AFP during a break in a court session that he and all the others had been "brutally tortured," saying his health was failing. "All the detainees have been tortured. I lost hearing in my right ear because of the constant torture. I was electrocuted and beaten," he said. The men are accused of plotting attacks against ships in the Suez Canal and tourist sites. ... Read Full Story

Tire, Lebanon (Reuters) - Those who know wealthy Lebanese Shi'ite financier Salah Ezz el-Din say he is a deeply pious, humble man whose close links to Hezbollah made his credentials impeccable as he allegedly embezzled their savings. Many Shi'ite Lebanese investors find it hard to believe the philanthropist could have defrauded them to the tune of at least $500 million -- small change compared with the $65 billion in the U.S. fraudster Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme, but made more painful by the connection with Hezbollah, which its followers regard as incorruptible. "Whoever says he's a thief, that is an incorrect assessment," said Fouad Ajami, ... Read Full Story

Tire, Lebanon (Reuters) - Those who know wealthy Lebanese Shi'ite financier Salah Ezz el-Din say he is a deeply pious, humble man whose close links to Hezbollah made his credentials impeccable as he allegedly embezzled their savings. Many Shi'ite Lebanese investors find it hard to believe the philanthropist could have defrauded them to the tune of at least $500 million -- small change compared with the $65 billion in the U.S. fraudster Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme, but made more painful by the connection with Hezbollah, which its followers regard as incorruptible. "Whoever says he's a thief, that is an incorrect assessment," said Fouad Ajami, ... Read Full Story

Several rockets fired from southern Lebanon slammed into Israel on Friday triggering retaliatory fire across the border, the military said. "Several rockets hit western Galilee. They did not cause any casualties," a military spokesman told AFP. Police said they found debris from Katyusha rockets near the northern city of Nahariya, while witnesses said they heard explosions. The Israeli army responded to the attacks, the spokesman said, without giving further details. Public radio said the army shelled the village from which the rocket fire originated. The Lebanese army said at least eight Israeli rockets hit the village of Al-Qlaileh. Ambulances were rushed to the village ... Read Full Story