http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorThu, 20 Nov 2008 2:46:22 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/39938/syria-formalizes-lebanon-ties.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSyria today established formal diplomatic relations with Lebanon for the first time since the nations won independence in the 1940s, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Bashir al-Assad’s regime sent its first-ever ambassador to Iraq yesterday, moves one expert says show Syria “wants to play ball with the world.” Beirut welcomed today's news, saying relations with Damascus are “more brotherly than ever.”http://www.newser.com/story/39938/syria-formalizes-lebanon-ties.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 14 Oct 2008 13:25:02 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/34805/bus-bomb-kills-18-in-lebanon.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA bomb that exploded on a bus in Lebanon's second-largest city killed at least 18 people and wounded 40. At least seven of the dead were soldiers, reports the Times of London. The attack took place in the port town of Tripoli, where a sect of Shiites associated with the Syrian president has clashed with the local Sunni population.http://www.newser.com/story/34805/bus-bomb-kills-18-in-lebanon.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 13 Aug 2008 4:40:42 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32708/freed-militants-vow-to-continue-fight-with-israel.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA day after being freed in a prisoner exchange, Hezbollah fighters vowed to continue to fight Israel as they prayed at the grave of a fallen commander, the AP reports. “At this moment, I am yearning more than before to confront them,” Samir Qantar, who had been jailed in Israel for almost 30 years, said at a cemetery near Beirut.http://www.newser.com/story/32708/freed-militants-vow-to-continue-fight-with-israel.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 17 Jul 2008 13:36:41 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32228/hezbollah-included-in-lebanon-unity-government.html?refid=rss_all_defaultLebanon’s political factions finally formed a unity government today, Reuters reports, with militant group Hezbollah included in the coalition formed after weeks of wrangling. With Hezbollah and its allies effectively holding veto power, it appears Syria—long allied with the militants—will regain some of the dominance it long held in Lebanon—where fears of civil war are now greatly diminished.http://www.newser.com/story/32228/hezbollah-included-in-lebanon-unity-government.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 11 Jul 2008 12:36:13 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/31961/quiet-qatar-plays-key-mideast-peacemaker-role.html?refid=rss_all_defaultQatar has managed the amazing diplomatic feat of staying friendly with just about everybody in the Middle East, the New York Times writes. The tiny, oil-rich emirate, which somehow maintains close ties with Iran while also hosting an American airbase, is rapidly becoming the region's mediator. Its diplomats recently pulled Lebanon back from the brink of civil war and are pushing for more peace deals.http://www.newser.com/story/31961/quiet-qatar-plays-key-mideast-peacemaker-role.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 08 Jul 2008 22:37:23 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/30349/israel-invites-lebanon-to-talks.html?refid=rss_all_defaultIsrael today invited the Lebanese government to direct negotiations, adding that it would be willing to discuss all issues, including a long-disputed area along their border, the New York Times reports. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who visited both nations earlier this week, is attempting to use negotiation over Shabaa Farms to kick-start wider talks.http://www.newser.com/story/30349/israel-invites-lebanon-to-talks.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 18 Jun 2008 13:31:53 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/29086/mideast-peace-initiatives-dodge-us-disapproval.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMiddle East nations are moving to resolve their conflicts without, and often in defiance of, Washington, write Hussein Agha and Robert Malley in the New York Times . Israel is in peace talks with both Hamas and Syria, and Lebanon has reached political reconciliation after a near civil war. All three deals have been mediated by US allies—Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey—despite US disapproval. All realize that US guidance has failed.http://www.newser.com/story/29086/mideast-peace-initiatives-dodge-us-disapproval.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 03 Jun 2008 8:54:22 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/28958/israel-hezbollah-swap-may-signal-progress.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe weekend swap of a Hezbollah spy for the remains of two kidnapped Israeli soldiers has whipped up speculation about the release of more Lebanese prisoners, the Independent reports. Although Israel denied the return of the remains was negotiated, the German foreign minister has been facilitating talks between the parties, which may be addressing the fate of 10 Lebanese operatives and two Israeli soldiers.http://www.newser.com/story/28958/israel-hezbollah-swap-may-signal-progress.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 02 Jun 2008 15:18:47 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/28940/israel-returns-hezbollah-spy.html?refid=rss_all_defaultIsrael returned a Hezbollah spy to Lebanon today and may have started a prisoner exchange, BBC reports. Hezbollah quickly handed over the bodies of Israeli troops killed in 2006, but officials on both sides deny a swap is under way. Secret talks clearly are, perhaps aided by German mediators; a larger prisoner swap may include the two Israeli soldiers whose capture sparked the 2006 war.http://www.newser.com/story/28940/israel-returns-hezbollah-spy.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSun, 01 Jun 2008 13:34:11 CDT