Government backs down on issue of international work visas

It's been one year since French-born extremist Mohamed Merah launched his attacks in the south of France, which left 7 dead, including 3 Jewish children. The mother of soldier Imad Ibn Ziaten, one of his victims, has since launched a nationwide campaign to get parents more involved with their children, to stop them from being radicalised and growing up to become homegrown fanatics. Last week, three French jihadists were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit terrorist acts.

Lebanese parliamentary elections should take place this June. With tensions running high in the region, not least with the ongoing situation in neighbouring Syria, the balance of power in Lebanon is in the spotlight. A proposed electoral law has attracted controversy, as it calls for citizens to vote for the candidate who belongs to their own sect. Critics say it threatens the fragile equilibrium that has existed between the country's various sects for years.