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Al-Rahi Calls for 'Brave' Initiative to Face Recent Regional Developments

Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi voiced calls on all political factions and parties to launch a “courageous” initiative to face the recent dangerous developments in Iraq and Syria, and counter the repercussions that could affect Lebanon, reported the state-run National News Agency on Saturday.

“We reiterate calls on candidates running for the presidential post, the alliances of March 8 and March 14 and centrists to launch a brave initiative, towards the needs of Lebanon and to face the recent developments in Iraq and Syria and its repercussions on our country,” said the Patriarch.

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Saniora: Urges Govt. to Assume its Duties, Avoid Endless Debates over its Methodology

Head of the Mustaqbal bloc MP Fouad Saniora demanded on Saturday that the government kick off its duties through adhering to the constitution.

He said during the launch of a workshop in the northern city of Tripoli: “The government must go ahead with its responsibilities and avoid becoming embroiled in endless debates about its functions.”

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Report: Temporary Cash Advance among Proposals to Resolve Wage Scale Dispute

A project to grant military officials, public sector employees, and teachers a temporary cash advance as one proposal to resolve the dispute over the new wage scale is being studied, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday.

Informed sources told the daily that the advance will be part of a 20 to 25 percent raise for these employees.

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Ibrahim: Mashnouq's Doha Trip Achieved Advances in Release of Abducted Lebanese

General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim revealed that Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq's recent trip to Qatar tackled the case of Lebanese abducted in Syria, reported As Safir newspaper on Saturday.

He told the daily that the trip to Doha achieved “positive results” regarding the kidnapping of a number of Lebanese held by certain armed groups.

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Mashnouq Heads to Moscow for Diplomatic, Security Talks

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq is scheduled to travel to the Russian capital Moscow later this month for talks with various officials, reported al-Liwaa newspaper on Saturday.

It said that he is set to discuss diplomatic and security issues with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Kolokoltsev, deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and the head of intelligence.

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Report: Aoun May Meet Hariri on Tuesday to Address Presidential Elections

Head of the Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun may travel to the French capital Paris on Tuesday to meet chief of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday.

An informed political source told the daily that the two officials will tackle all pending issues, especially the presidential elections.

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Report: Ban Postpones Efforts to Push for Presidential Elections over Iraq Crisis

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was seeking to launch efforts on the international scene to push Lebanese powers to stage the presidential elections, reported the daily An Nahar on Saturday.

It said that Ban was aiming to kick off an initiative to that end, but he postponed his efforts in light of the recent offensive of the jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Iraq.

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Dispute Erupts into 'Sectarian' Clash in al-Nabaa

A clash erupted Friday between an armed group and a number of residents in the al-Nabaa area in Northern Metn, prompting the intervention of security forces.

“A person was injured as a dispute between an armed group belonging to the Fakhreddine family and residents of al-Nabaa-Sin el-Fil erupted into shooting in the air,” state-run National News Agency reported.

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Syrian Kidnapped En Route to Baalbek, Army Arrests 2 Fugitives in Bekaa

A Syrian national was kidnapped on Friday evening while he was en route to the Bekaa's city of Baalbek coming from Zahle.

"Four gunmen in a Black Cherokee kidnapped Syrian national Khalil Aslan Areej while he was on his way to Baalbek,” the state-run National News Agency reported.

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Hariri Telephones Jumblat during Meeting with Abou Faour in Casablanca

Former Prime Minister and head of al-Mustaqbal Movement Saad Hariri telephoned Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Friday evening during a meeting with Health Minister Wael Abou Faour in the Moroccan city of Casablanca.

Both leaders agreed during the conversation to hold a meeting in the near future, a statement released by Hariri's media office said.

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