Britannia Radio

Iran, Syria tauten grip on Lebanon, Tehran woos Christian president DEBKAfile Exclusive Report November 18, 2008, 2:52 PM (GMT+02:00) Lebanese president Michel Suleiamn: Off to meet the ayatollahs this month Tehran and Damascus are going all out to get their hooks into Lebanon’s Christian politicians and wean them away from their’ traditional ties with the West. President Michel Suleiman this week accepted an Iranian invitation to visit Tehran this month, while another Lebanese Christian leader, Hizballah’s ally Gen. Michel Aoun, arranged to visit Damascus. DEBKAfile’s Middle East sources report that the Iranians are forging ahead with a campaign to bind the region’s Christian minorities to their Shiite wagon for challenging Sunni domination.  More...

Somali pirates hijack second ship amid negotiations with Saudi supertanker owners DEBKAfile Special Report November 18, 2008, 6:36 PM (GMT+02:00) Saudi supertanker launched only eight months ago is biggest vessel pirates have seized The second vessel, the Hong Kong cargo ship “Delight” carrying 36,000 tons of wheat for Iran, was seized in the Gulf of Aden with 25 crew Tuesday, Nov. 18. The Saudi Sirius Star 319,430 dwt supertanker loaded with $100 million worth of oil was captured Monday with its 25 crew, southeast of Kenya’s main port of Mombasa. It is now anchored near Harardhere on the Somali coast as its operators negotiate its release.  More...