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Independent MPs Call for Facilitating Salam's Mission

March 14 independent Christian MPs and officials said on Thursday that politicians should facilitate the work of PM-designate Tammam Salam to form a cabinet whose members are not running in the parliamentary elections.

In a statement issued following a meeting they held at MP Butros Harb's office, the officials stressed their support to Salam and the facilitation of his mission in forming a cabinet whose members are not candidates.

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Conference in Beirut Aims at Raising Awareness on Education Problems

A conference organized to help raise awareness on the problems confronting the educational system in Lebanon will be held on April 28 at Babel theater in Hamra.

The conference will stress that education can help build “rational citizens” and a “better economy,” according to a EduChange press release.

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Giant Carrot Found in Akkar

Municipality Chief of Qlaiaat in the northern region of Akkar Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed showed on Thursday a giant carrot of 130 centimeters long.

State-run National News Agency reported that Ahmed's land on the outskirts of Talmaieyan in Akkar produces irregular sizes of carrots.

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STL: Alleged List Aims to Intimidate Witnesses

Special Tribunal for Lebanon spokesman Marten Youssef stressed on Thursday that the publishing of an alleged list of witnesses in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's murder case aimed to intimidate the witnesses.

“The publishing of the names of people who are allegedly witnesses in the court is an attempt to intimidate the witnesses,” Youssef told al-Joumhouria newspaper.

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Mansour Downplays Letter Delivered to Syrian Embassy in Beirut

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour shied away on Thursday from revealing the details of a letter he sent to the Syrian embassy in Beirut, saying it was part of daily messages exchanged between Lebanon and Syria.

In remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper, Mansour said the letter delivered to the Syrian mission on Monday was part of the “daily routine process” on political, economic and security issues.

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Geagea Slams Hizbullah over Reports of Involvement in Battles in Syria

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea expressed concern on Thursday over reports saying that Hizbullah fighters are deeply involved in battles on Syrian territories.

Geagea wondered if Hizbullah is seeking to make the Syrian crisis slip into Lebanon and inflict further division between the Lebanese.

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Salam Briefs Suleiman on Results of Consultations, Hopes to Meet Expectations of all Lebanese

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam hoped on Thursday he would be able to meet the expectations of all the Lebanese after completing two days of consultations with lawmakers on the formation of the new government.

Salam made the terse statement after visiting President Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace to brief him on the results of the consultations he concluded on Wednesday and which proved that his task in forming the new cabinet will be difficult.

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Jumblat Criticizes al-Mustaqbal over Suspension of Poll Deadlines

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat criticized al-Mustaqbal bloc for taking part in drafting a law that was approved by parliament on Wednesday to suspend deadlines applicable under the 1960 electoral law until May 19.

“Those who have such allies don't need any foes,” Jumblat told As Safir newspaper in remarks published Thursday.

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Syrian Helicopters Bomb Lebanese Villages Triggering Fire at Kawashira Poultry Farm

Syrian military helicopters fired five missiles on Wednesday evening on the Lebanese region of al-Ajram near the Bekaa's border town of Arsal, the state-run National News Agency said.

LBCI television elaborated: “Syrian helicopters bombed the areas of Wadi Hmeid and al-Ajram near Arsal inside Lebanese territory."

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Al-Rahi Meets Hariri, Says Christian Presence Protects Muslims from Extremism

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Wednesday held talks with former prime minister Saad Hariri in the French capital Paris.

Earlier in the day, al-Rahi said the presence of Christians in the Middle East “protects Islam from bigotry and extremism,” during a lecture at the Catholic institute in Paris.

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