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Arrest Warrants against 2 Syrians over Attack on Hizbullah

Military Examining Magistrate Imad al-Zain issued on Tuesday arrest warrants against two Syrians for planting explosives that targeted a Hizbullah convoy in the Bekaa Valley.

Al-Zain issued the warrant against Amer Hamdan after interrogating him, said the state-run National News Agency.

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Al-Rahi Hails Suleiman's Stances: Those Adopting Autonomous Security Have No Faith in State

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi praised on Tuesday the stances of President Michel Suleiman that seek the interests of Lebanon and its constitutional institutions, criticizing powers that are skeptical of the army and security forces' competency in protecting Lebanon.

He said: “We have no need for autonomous security. Those who adopt such measures do not trust the state.”

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Jumblat Says he Agrees with Berri on Dialogue, Rejects Boycott

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat MP said Tuesday he agreed with Speaker Nabih Berri on the need for national dialogue to resolve the country's political crisis.

In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) after meeting with a delegation from Berri's parliamentary bloc at his residence in Clemenceau, Jumblat said he agreed with Berri on “the concept of dialogue,” adding he “insisted on it.”

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Top Officials to Discuss Refugees Report ahead of New York Support Group Meet

President Michel Suleiman is scheduled to head a meeting of the Lebanese delegation that will travel to New York to agree on an official report on Lebanon's needs to confront the huge Syria refugee influx.

Al-Joumhouria newspaper quoted informed sources as saying Tuesday that the Baabda palace meeting is aimed at putting the final touches on the report drafted by the Social Affairs Ministry in coordination with the president's advisers.

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Saniora Holds Onto Stance on Cabinet and Dialogue as Aoun Says he'll be the 1st to Attend

Al-Mustaqbal bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora has told members of Speaker Nabih Berri's bloc that the national dialogue is not a constitutional institution during a meeting described as “important.”

An Nahar daily on Tuesday quoted officials close to Saniora as describing the 90-minute meeting with the Development and Liberation bloc as “important.”

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Berri: Baabda Declaration Not Fit to be Policy Statement

Speaker Nabih Berri said Tuesday that the Baabda Declaration cannot become the new government's policy statement and accused several parties of turning it into a Trojan Horse.

In remarks to As Safir newspaper, Berri said: “The Baabda Declaration is not fit to be a policy statement...which usually includes a description of the government’s policy in all fields such as electricity, , development, economy and security.”

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Masked Gunmen Open Fire at Tripoli Cafe, 4 Hurt

Four people were wounded on Monday when unknown gunmen opened fire on a cafe in the northern city of Tripoli, state-run National News Agency reported.

“Masked gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on a cafe owned by Hatem al-Ward in the Tripoli neighborhood of al-Qobbeh, leaving the owner and three people wounded,” NNA said.

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Zahle MPs Urge Suleiman, Miqati to Ask Hizbullah to Remove Its Telecom Grid

Zahle's MPs on Monday called on President Michel Suleiman and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati to ask Hizbullah to remove its controversial telecom network from their city.

“The region is characterized by harmony and interaction among all the Bekaa residents and we will launch an initiative out of our faith in our unifying political role,” Lebanese Forces bloc MP Tony Abou Khater said at a news conference, reciting a statement issued by Zahle's lawmakers.

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Phalange Party Says Overlooking Baabda Declaration 'Blow' to Lebanon's Credibility

The Phalange Party warned on Monday that continuing to overlook the Baabda Declaration “undermines Lebanon's credibility” as the accord was supported by the Arab League and the United Nations, and was adopted as a basis for Lebanon's interaction with the international community.

"We consider that the presidency's statement over the Baabda Declaration is a reminder that we must respect and fully commit to the agreement's articles,” the party said in a released statement after the political bureau's weekly meeting.

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Expired Foodstuffs Seized in al-Basatin, Depot Owner Held

The Internal Security Forces on Monday raided a storehouse containing spoiled foodstuffs in the Mount Lebanon town of al-Basatin.

“The Intelligence Bureau obtained information about the presence of expired foodstuffs in the depot of a store in the town of al-Basatin,” the ISF's Directorate General said in a statement.

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