Political crisis sparked by Oct assassination of Wissam Hassan continued: 14 March coalition repeated demands that govt resign, be replaced with “neutral salvation cabinet” as precondition for talks; National Dialogue session delayed to 9 Jan. PM Makati 19 Nov rejected feasibility of “neutral” cabinet, said formation of new cabinet could be discussed at National Dialogue session, offered to step down if it would resolve crisis. President Sleiman and Walid Jumblatt, Druze politician and leader of Progressive Socialist Party, attempted to reconcile sides. 3 killed 11 Nov in clashes between supporters of Hezbollah and Salafist Sheikh Ahmad Assir in Sidon; PM Makati called for calm. Army 24 Nov reportedly foiled plot in Nabatieh to attack Shia Ashura commemorations 25 Nov; 5 Syrians arrested. 2 rockets aimed at Israel launched 21 Nov but fell short of border, several other attempts foiled by army. FM Adnan Mansour 20 Nov visited Gaza in first-ever govt visit to OPT. Syrian army 30 Nov killed some 20 Lebanese gunmen from Tripoli fighting alongside rebels in Syria.

Car bomb in Beirut 19 Oct killed 3, including intelligence chief General Wissam al-Hassan, triggering demonstrations and clashes. Opposition alleged Syrian involvement, called for govt resignation. Dozens clashed with security forces in Beirut 21 Oct following al-Hassan’s funeral. Fighting same day between predominantly pro- and anti-Syrian regime neighbourhoods in Tripoli killed 10, injured at least 50; quelled by army intervention 22 Oct. 1 killed, 6 injured in clashes between gunmen and soldiers 22 Oct in Tariq al-Jadideh, Beirut. PM Makati 16 Oct condemned Hizbollah’s 11 Oct launch of Iran-manufactured reconnaissance drone over Israel and OPT. Continued reported violations of Lebanese airspace in south by Israeli warplanes.

Pope Benedict XVI mid-month visit coincided with countrywide protests against controversial anti-Islam film; Hizbollah leader Nasrallah 16 Sept called for demonstrations, denounced film; during protests in Tripoli 14 Sept American fast- food restaurant burnt down, 1 killed in clashes with security forces. Hostages taken by al-Meqdad clan in Aug freed by army mid-Sept; 6 al-Meqdad clan members charged 18 Sept with forming armed group for terrorist purposes, kidnappings. Month saw continued, frequent cross-border incursions, kidnappings, shootings, shelling from Syria; opposition March 14 coalition 4 Sept called for expulsion of Syria’s ambassador.

Month saw series of sectarian clashes, kidnappings: gun- men from group allegedly linked to Free Syrian Army (FSA) 14 Aug announced abduction in Syria of Hassan Salim al-Meqdad; al-Meqdad clan 16 Aug announced retaliatory abduction of Turkish national, over 20 Syrians in Lebanon with alleged links to FSA; armed Shiite demonstrators same day blocked main road to Beirut airport; al-Meqdad clan 25 Aug said all but 4 hostages soon to be released. At least 18 killed, hundreds injured in late Aug clashes between al-Assad Alawite supporters, Sunni opponents in Tripoli; demonstrators 31 Aug demonstrated against Syrian Assad regime; military prosecutor 31 Aug charged 7 with attempting to kill soldiers in clashes. UNSC 30 Aug extended UNMIL peacekeeping mandate to Aug 2013. Military tribunal 13 Aug charged former Information Minister Michel Samaha, Syrian National Security Bureau head Maj Gen Mamlouk with plotting to assassinate political, religious figures, incite sectarian violence.

Month saw at least 3 killed by shelling from Syria, deployment of army along northern border; Syrian troops 2 July briefly abducted 2 General Security members and customs official at al-Buqaiaa crossing; President Suleiman 29 July accused Syrian forces of violating Lebanese territory. 27-28 July clashes between Alawites, Sunnis in Tripoli wounded 8. Sunni Islamists mid-month protested release of 3 army officers detained over May killing of anti-Syrian regime Sunni cleric; supporters of Michel Aoun-led Christian Free Patriotic Movement 17 July blocked main highway in Beirut in solidarity with military, called for release of remaining officers. Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) judge 19 July set 25 March 2013 as provisional date for trial of suspects in 2005 assassination of former PM Hariri.

At least 15 killed, 20 injured in 2-4 June Tripoli clashes between Alawite supporters, Sunni opponents of Syrian regime; army deployed to restore calm. Shiite gunmen 26 June erected roadblocks in Beirut following detention of Shiite in connection with 25 June attack on offices of New TV seen as critical of Syrian regime. Clashes erupted 15 June in Palestinian Nahr al-Bared refugee camp following arrest of 2 Palestinians by Lebanese army, 1 killed.

Month saw escalating violence between supporters, opponents of Syrian regime: 12 May detention of Sunni cleric Shadi al-Mawlawi sparked clashes between Alawites, Sunnis in Tripoli, 9 killed. Killing of Sunni cleric Ahmed Abdul Wahid at army checkpoint in N Lebanon triggered 21 May protest in Beirut, 2 killed; 11 Lebanese Shiite pilgrims kidnapped in Syria 22 May provoked further unrest. String of violent incidents on Syrian border led to several deaths, injuries. Security sources claimed al-Qaeda gunman with links to 2005 Hariri murder arrested, accomplice killed 24 May in Beirut following standoff with soldiers.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea 4 April escaped assassination attempt, implicitly blamed Hizbollah. Cameraman killed 9 April on Syrian border, triggering accusations between pro-, anti-Syrian regime camps. Bomb attack on Tyre restaurant 23 April injured 7.

Month saw largely peaceful rallies by supporters/opponents of Syrian regime; occasional shelling, gunfire from Syrian side of border; officials 27 March denied reports of Syrian incursion into Lebanese territory. Military prosecutor 9 March charged 6, including 2 army personnel, with forming armed ring to carry out “terrorist attacks” against army installations.

UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) 1 Feb announced suspects in former PM Rafiq Hariri murder to be tried in absentia. UNSG Ban 22 Feb renewed STL mandate for 3 years. Former PM and Future Movement leader Saad Hariri 14 Feb called on Hizbollah to disarm, support STL, hand over suspects; Hizbollah leader Nasrallah 16 Feb rejected call, reiterated support for Syrian regime. 3 killed, several wounded 10 Feb in clash between supporters and opponents of Syrian regime in Tripoli; FM Mansour 13 Feb reaffirmed “disassociation” policy towards Syria, said Arab League (AL) call for UN-AL peacekeeping force in Syria “dangerous” for Lebanon.