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Arslan Backs Jumblat's Proposal to Extend Parliament's Mandate over Tense Situation

Lebanese Democratic Party leader MP Talal Arslan announced on Saturday his support for Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat's proposal to extend the parliament's term to avoid a deteriorating security situation.

“I support the proposal of MP Walid Jumblat to extend the legislature's mandate,” said Arslan from Ain el-Tineh following talks with Speaker Nabih Berri.

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Asiri Holds Dinner Banquet for PMs, Calls for Unity among Lebanese

Saudi King Abdullah expressed hope that Lebanon would witness stability and prosperity, calling on the Lebanese to preserve their country and maintain coexistence in it.

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri conveyed the King's message in a dinner banquet held at his residence in Yarze on Friday eve for current and former premiers.

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HIC Calls on Announcing Tripoli Arms-Free City

The Higher Islamic Council called on Saturday for announcing Tripoli an arms-free city, criticizing the clashes between the rival neighborhoods Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh.

“The security situation in Tripoli is isn't related to local affairs. It became a hotspot for sedition,” the deputy head of the Higher Islamic Council Omar Mesqawi said after chairing an extraordinary meeting for the HIC.

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Miqati Calls on Liberation Day for 'Unity' against 'Plots'

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati hoped on Saturday that the 13th anniversary of the liberation of the south would unify the Lebanese and consolidate the authority of the state.

In a statement issued by his press office, Miqati said Liberation Day should “become an incentive for consolidating national unity because it is the only measure to strengthen the authority of the state.”

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3 Dead in Relentless Tripoli Clashes and City's Leaders Call for Tightening Army Measures

Clashes between gunmen from rival neighborhoods in the northern city of Tripoli left three people dead as fighting intensified on Saturday morning.

The clashes that had subsided at dawn, again spiraled out of control in the morning with fighters from both Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen using rockets and other heavy weapons.

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Report: Parliament to Convene to Discuss Extension of Parliament's Term

Speaker Nabih Berri could call for a parliamentary session next week to vote on the extension of the legislature's mandate, parliamentary sources said Saturday.

The sources told several local dailies that the session would likely be held on Thursday, before the end of the ordinary session on May 31.

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Report: Ministers Loyal to Jumblat to Boycott Cabinet Session

The representatives of National Struggle Front leader Walid Jumblat in the government will boycott a cabinet session next week over his rejection to go ahead with the June parliamentary elections due to the worsening security situation in the country, media reports said Saturday.

Several dailies expected the three ministers representing Jumblat in caretaker Premier Najib Miqati's government to boycott Monday's session that is aimed at forming the authority that will supervise the polls and guaranteeing the funds necessary for the interior ministry to organize the elections.

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Nasrallah to Make Speech Amid Growing Condemnation of Hizbullah Role in Syria

Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah will make a televised speech on Saturday on the occasion of Liberation Day at a time when his party's involvement in the Syrian war is drawing largescale local and international condemnation.

Political sources expected Nasrallah to snap back at the parties that have expressed frustration at Hizbullah's support for the Syrian army against the rebels mainly in the town of al-Qusayr.

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Report: Phalange Stands Out in Election Registrations over 1960 Law Row

The Phalange party has yet to nominate its candidates for the parliamentary elections although its main allies in the March 14 coalition – al-Mustaqbal movement and the Lebanese Forces – registered for the polls.

An Nahar daily said Saturday that the Phalange could reject filing applications for its candidates for holding onto a decision reached in Bkirki along with the three main Christian parties not to run in the elections based on the 1960 law, which they described as “dead and buried.”

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U.S. Worried Syrian War Spilling into Lebanon

The United States expressed concern Friday that Lebanon could find itself dragged into Syria's civil war and expressed support for efforts by the country's army to halt an outbreak of fighting.

"The United States is deeply concerned about the situation in Lebanon," State Department deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell said.

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