Paul Dakiki

With 95 out of 97 MPs voting for the bill, the assembly extended its mandate by an additional two years and seven months. Some see it as a prelude for an agreement between opposing factions to elect a new president and pass a new electoral law. US and EU ambassadors react negatively to the measure.

The bishops express their full support for the patriarch, who called on Michel Aoun and Samir Geagea to find a candidate that reconciles the parties. Bishops remember the two kidnapped Orthodox bishops, express fear for the transformation of the map of the Middle East.

Neither Geagea nor Helou are expected to get the votes needed in today's first session. Rival coalitions will have to look for a "consensus" candidate with the names of Amin Gemayel, Robert Ghanem and Michel Aoun at the top of the list.

In a video, the nuns are seen thanking everyone, including the kidnappers, and calling on God to bless them. The al-Nusra Front pledges to continue its efforts until all prisoners are freed from Syrian jails. Reports says a ransom of US$ 4 million, but mediators deny.

The release took place around midnight, hours after the news first broke. The Lebanese and Qatari security chiefs Abbas Ibrahim and Ghanim al- Kubaisi were key mediators. The nuns were held on the second and third floor of a house controlled by the Al Nusra Front rebels for two months. Great publicity and media alerted ahead of release.

The kidnappers belong to Al Nusra Front, linked to Al Qaeda. In addition to the release of political prisoners they are demanding food for the rebels and that the Syrian army clear out from all Christian sites. No news on fate of abducted Orthodox bishops, or Fr. Dell'Oglio. All humanitarian corridors blocked.

Payment of "protection” fee, ban on Christian signs and restoration of churches and monasteries. The group "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" accused by other Damascus opponents of playing into the hands of Assad. An ultimatum of five days.

The targeted area in the Bekaa Valley is used by Hezbollah to store weapons and train troops fighting for Assad. Israel fears an major technological shift in the weapons used by the Shiite militant movement.

Jailed several times for about 20 years for criticising the Assad regime and calling for a democratic transformation of society, last year he called on Syria's minorities not to use fear of radical Islam to endorse the Assad dictatorship.

The United States, Britain, France, and Germany blame Syria for stonewalling. Now fighting is expected to intensify. The Free Syrian Army replaces its chief. Syria has become the main destination for international jihadists. Britain is now worried about returning fighters. Iran could be a good partner for peace in the Middle East.

Both parties are threatening to have the talks fail. For the Syrian regime, fighting terrorism is crucial, whilst rebels want to work on a transition government without Bashar al Assad. Lakhdar Brahimi reminds everyone of "the nightmare" in which the Syrian population is living. So far, 1,132 people are freed from the siege of Homs. Several hundred men are held to check for possible links to terrorism. About 400 children and 20 pregnant women are saved.

About 600 people have been evacuated from the besieged Old City. After delivering water and food, UN and Red Cross buses leave with refugees. Despite shelling, humanitarian workers continue their work. Discussions on ways to end the violence, set up a transitional government, and achieve national reconciliation are back on track in Geneva II. However, rebel in-fighting, clashes and government shelling escalate.