Pakistani Taliban Declares Allegiance to ISIS

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3. Interview - Militants in Lebanon seek to emulate Islamic State

(Reuters) - The success of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has emboldened like-minded militants in Lebanon who believe they can emulate it, the interior minister said, confirming the militant Sunni group had now appeared in Beirut for the first time.

In an interview with Reuters, Nohad Machnouk also signalled there would be no quick end to the political instability buffeting Lebanon. He forecast the country would remain without a president for at least six more months.

Indicating how the country's politics remains hostage to events in the wider region, Machnouk said the fate of the presidency that fell empty in May was out of Lebanese hands.

That suggests no imminent deal between competing states such as Iran and Saudi Arabia that wield influence in Beirut through their alliances with rival Lebanese groups.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/07/10/uk-lebanon-minister-idINKBN0FF1I620140710

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