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Saniora Accuses FPM, Hizbullah of Hindering Cabinet Formation

Head of al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora accused on Monday the Free Patriotic Movement of impeding the government formation with the help of Hizbullah, stressing that the two sides backed down on their commitments.

“All parties agreed to facilitate the formation of the cabinet, however, now some sides are obstructing the matter and imposing condition,” Saniora said in comments published in the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper.

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IRNA: Hizbullah Dismantled Terrorist Cell Ran by Saudi Intelligence

Hizbullah has dismantled a dormant cell of The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ran by Saudi spies in its stronghold in Beirut's southern suburbs, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported.

IRNA quoted security sources as saying on Sunday that the network is led by the Saudi intelligence under the cover of businesses carried out by Syrian and Lebanese traders.

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Bassil Hits Back at Suleiman from Dubai amid Reports of Meeting with Hariri

Caretaker Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil on Sunday responded to remarks voiced by President Michel Suleiman about the issue of ministerial portfolios, as a media report said the minister met with former Premier Saad Hariri in Dubai.

“Whether you understand us or misunderstand us, we are exerting efforts to make Lebanon bigger and more important than a ministerial portfolio,” Bassil said in remarks from Dubai to the Sawt el-Mada radio station, which is affiliated with the minister's Free Patriotic Movement.

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Defected Syrian Colonel Arrested in Arsal

The Lebanese Army on Sunday arrested a defected Syrian officer in the Bekaa border town of Arsal.

“Mahmoud Abbas, a Syrian defected colonel and member of the Syrian Revolution Military Council, was arrested in Arsal's Wadi Hmayyed,” state-run National News Agency reported. It said the man was arrested at a Lebanese Army checkpoint in Wadi Hmayyed.

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ISF Seizes 3 Kilos of Hashish Hidden in Washer in Mastita

The Internal Security Forces on Sunday managed to seize three kilograms of hashish in the Jbeil region.

“Members of the Jbeil police station confiscated in the Jbeil area of Mastita three kilos of hashish,” state-run National News Agency reported.

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Hizbullah Calls for Overcoming 'Portfolio Rotation Obstacle', Warns of 'Impending Danger'

Hizbullah on Sunday called for overcoming the controversial issue of portfolio rotation which is delaying the formation of the new cabinet, noting that “some parties had deliberately created obstacles with the aim of targeting a party that represents the majority of Christians.”

“Why is there no agreement on an inclusive cabinet that represents all Lebanese according to their political and parliamentary weights and why should we keep spinning in an endless loop over the obstacle of portfolio rotation?” head of Hizbullah's juristic committee Sheikh Mohammed Yazbek said during a memorial service in Baalbek.

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Mansour Refuses to Compare Syrian Shelling of Lebanese Territory to Israeli Assaults

Caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour stressed on Sunday the need for Lebanon to enjoy a strong army “capable of deterring any Israeli assault,” reported Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).

He told the radio: “We should not compare Syria's actions towards Lebanon to Israeli assaults against the country.”

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Suleiman: Committing to Lebanon More Important than Hanging on to Specific Minister

President Michel Suleiman deemed on Sunday as “shameful” the ongoing delay in the formation of a new government.

He said: “Committing to Lebanon is more important than hanging on to a specific minister.”

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Aoun Meets al-Rahi: We Support Bkirki Treaty Because it Embodies Lebanon's Principles

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun announced on Sunday his support for the recently-declared Bkirki treaty, saying that he will see that it is implemented.

He said: “We want to help implement it because it embodies the principles that Lebanon was built upon.”

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Report: Obama, Hollande to Discuss Extent to which Iran Can Help Lebanon Form Govt.

U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande are scheduled to hold talks in Washington on Monday to tackle a number of issues, including the situation in Lebanon, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday.

It said that they are likely to address “the extent to which Iran can take part in forming a new Lebanese government.”

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