Paul Dakiki

Talks resume after a year on ice. For Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, the meeting will "have good news." Iran is prepared "to re-establish confidence and trust." The US remains sceptical, whilst Saudi Arabia and Israel are hostile. About 69 per cent of Israelis would like to see a joint US-Israel operation against Iran.

Iran threatens to shut the Strait of Hormuz, where 40 per cent of the world’s tanker-borne oil transits. The United States and the European Union ponder whether to tighten sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme. Some US senators and scholars urge Washington to attack. Questions are raised whether Italian aid is for Syrian refugees or Syrian rebels.

At Christmas Mass the head of the Maronite Church asks that the country be "demilitarized". Hezbollah only armed militant group remaining. The Mass was attended by the head of state, Cardinal. Sfeir, the nuncio and Christian politicians of opposing factions, such as Aoun and Gemayel.

The opening ceremony takes place in the presence of Mahmud Abbas and Najib Mikati. According to Abbas, 122 UN member states back the Palestinian demand for a seat in the United Nations. Netanyahu accuses Abbas of making “unilateral decisions” but does not stop the “unilateral” building of Israeli settlements.

Hizbollah had issued threats in case the indictment against four of its members was made public.

On the day of his entrance to the Grand Serail, the new chief of the executive responds to accusations of having formed a cabinet influenced by Damascus. The problem of the likely indictment of members of Hezbollah by the International Tribunal.

The country is deadlocked, slipping deeper into economic crisis, as tourism and trade shrink. Politicians fight over positions, whilst more and more people are forced to emigrate. The patriarch tries to mend fences between Christian leaders on opposite sides of the political divide.

Obama’s support for the Arab Spring is seen as coming “too late”. His speech is scoffed in the Arab world and attacked by Israel’s Netanyahu. The economic side of his proposal finds few takers as it risks further impoverishing the countries of the region. The US leader also discourages the recognition of a Palestinian state by the United Nations.

Re-candidacy of Hariri uncertain. His supporters study next moves. Geagea cancels a visit to France. Turkey and Qatar leave mediation. In two days time President’s consultations for new government begin. Concerns about a new political stalemate and perhaps new tensions between Sunnis and Shiites.

The statement in a comment published by a Saudi newspaper. A complete turnabout: the accusations against Syria in 2005 led to the formation of a strong movement in opposition to Damascus (led by Saad) resulting in the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanese soil. Perhaps Syria is aligning with the Arab front, abandoning Iran.

This is the first visit by a Syrian president since the ouster of Syrian troops in 2005. Hezbollah threatens a government crisis and instability if the United Nations tribunal accuses its members of being responsible for the killing of Rafik Hariri. Changes in Damascus decrease Iranian influence in Lebanon.

Agreement on unity government for Lebanon, respect for the independence and sovereignty of Iraq, support for the Palestinian cause, resumption of bilateral political and economic ties. But on the issue of the land of the cedars, the two national news agencies give two different texts. And in the background lingers peace with Israel and the Iranian nuclear question.