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Adwan criticizes Salam, Berri over expat draft law procrastination

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan criticized Tuesday Prime Minister Nawaf Salam for taking ten days to sign an urgent draft law -- that allows a large Lebanese diaspora to vote for the 128 seats in the upcoming parliamentary elections -- and ten other days to send it to parliament.

Earlier this month, cabinet approved to send the draft law demanding the amendment to Parliament, after Speaker Nabih Berri refused to discuss it in a legislative session, prompting the LF and Kataeb MPs to boycott it.

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Berri says Dahieh strike 'extremely dangerous escalation'

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri considered the strike that killed Sunday Hezbollah's top military chief in Haret Hreik "an extremely dangerous escalation."

In an interview published Tuesday in al-Joumhouria newspaper, Berri said that Beirut and its southern suburb are back to the circle of Israeli targeting, adding that the strike shows that there are no real guarantees for protecting the capital and its suburb and that Israel can do whatever it wants, without any accountability.

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Israeli source says Hezbollah 'weakening round' must occur before year end

The “Hezbollah weakening round” must take place “before the end of the year,” an Israeli security source has said.

“Lebanon’s government will not carry out this mission and we will not wait,” the source said.

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Salam: We're in a state of war and the govt. has taken the necessary precautions

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday voiced concern over the security situation, noting that Lebanon is going through a “state of war.”

“Today we are in a state of war, even if it is some sort of war of attrition -- a one-sided war that is escalating,” Salam said during an inspection visit to the Port of Beirut.

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Damush says Israel 'should be worried' about Hezbollah's response

Senior Hezbollah official Ali Damush said Monday during the funeral of Hezbollah's top military chief Haytham Ali Tabatabai that his killing aimed to push Hezbollah into "surrendering and submitting, but this goal will never be achieved".

Israel was "worried about Hezbollah's possible response -- and should remain worried", he said, urging Lebanese authorities to "confront the aggression by all means... and reject the pressures that seek to push Lebanon to comply with American dictates and Israeli conditions".

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Macron lauds Aoun's speech, calls for 'step by step' approach in South

French President Emmanuel Macron has noted that the situation in Lebanon "remains extremely fragile," as he described President Joseph Aoun's latest speech as "very important."

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Trump says 'working with Lebanon' and will invite Aoun to White House

U.S. President Donald Trump said overnight that he would invite President Joseph Aoun to the White House.

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Rubio says US to 'continue to stand in partnership with Lebanon'

On behalf of the United States, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday offered his "best wishes and heartfelt congratulations" to the people of Lebanon as they commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the country's independence.

"This year, the Government of Lebanon has taken courageous steps to promote a brighter future for the Lebanese people," Rubio said in a statement, apparently referring to the government's arms monopolization decisions.

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Aoun stresses state role, floats initiative for negotiations with Israel

President Joseph Aoun on Friday said that Lebanon "has grown tired of the state's absence" and "the Lebanese have grown exhausted of the projects of statelets."

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Salam says Lebanon no longer has 'luxury' of wasting time and chances

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Friday that Lebanon no longer has the luxury of wasting time and opportunities, calling for peace and tolerance.

"We have squandered many opportunities, including the Taif Agreement, the failure to deploy the army in the South in 2000 and to manage our political affairs after the Syrian mandate," Salam said.

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