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Daher Tells Govt. to 'Perform its Duties' in Abdul Wahed Case or Face 'Civil Disobedience'

Akkar MP Khaled al-Daher on Sunday called on the government to “perform its duties” concerning the case of Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed and his companion or else face “civil disobedience.”

“The Lebanese must be ready to defend their country. The government must perform its duties or else it will witness something it did not experience before and we might declare civil disobedience,” Daher said during a meeting in the Akkar town of al-Bireh, Abdul Wahed’s hometown.

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Annan Briefs Miqati on Geneva Talks, Imminent Trip to Region

Prime Minister Najib Miqati has received a phone call from U.N.-Arab League Joint Special Envoy for Syria Kofi Annan, the premier’s office announced on Sunday.

The two men discussed the current developments in the Middle East region, the PM’s office said.

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Foreign Ministry Files Complaint to U.N. against Israel over Citizen’s Abduction

The Foreign Ministry filed a complaint on Sunday to the United Nations against Israel after its forces abducted a citizen on June 29.

Youssef Zahra was kidnapped by an Israeli infantry patrol in Marj al-Teiss.

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Al-Rahi: Mistrust Has Grown among Lebanese due to Some Sides’ Allegiance to Regional Axes

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi urged on Sunday the government to exert “all efforts” to protect the Lebanese along the border with Syria, especially in the regions of Wadi Khaled and Akkar.

He noted during his Sunday sermon: “Mistrust has grown among the political factions because of their allegiances to regional and international axes that have never served Lebanon’s interests.”

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Hariri: Lebanese Not Surprised that Govt. Doesn’t Care if Citizens Killed by Syrian Regime

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri slammed on Sunday the government for its “total disrespect of the lives of our citizens and our sovereignty” given the recent unrest in northern Lebanon.

He said via Twitter: “The Lebanese are not surprised their government doesn't care if our citizens are killed and sovereignty violated by Syrian regime.”

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Report: Suleiman Flies to France Thursday as Paris Backs Lebanese Choice to Keep Distance from Syria

President Michel Suleiman is set to travel to France on Thursday where is expected to hold talks with his French counterpart Francois Hollande to highlight the importance of Lebanese-French ties and tackle the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, especially Syria, reported the daily al-Mustaqbal on Sunday.

Diplomatic sources said that Hollande will likely encourage Suleiman to maintain the government’s policy of distancing itself from the Syrian crisis.

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Fingerprints Obtained in Harb Murder Bid as Wait Continues for Complete Telecom Data

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji expressed hope on Saturday that the perpetrators behind the assassination attempt against opposition MP Butros Harb may be found, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday.

Informed sources revealed that fingerprints at the scene of the failed assassination attempt have been lifted, saying that they belong to the individual who sought to place an explosive device in elevator shaft of the building where the lawmaker’s office is located.

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Cabinet to Focus on Akkar Unrest during Baabda Session on Monday

The security situation will likely impose itself as the main issue of discussion during cabinet’s session on Monday given the recent unrest on the border with Syria and the protests over the release of officers linked to the deaths of Sheikhs Ahmed Abul Wahed and Mohammed Merheb, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.

It said that the severity of the situation may force the government to take decisive action in the affairs in order to avoid its further deterioration.

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Aoun, Hizbullah Hold Talks to End FPM Dispute with Berri

Contacts are ongoing between Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun and Hizbullah in order to resolve the MP’s dispute with Speaker Nabih Berri ahead of Monday’s cabinet session, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday.

Sources close to Aoun said that the contacts have been taking place away from the media spotlight, with the Kuwaiti al-Rai newspaper revealing that Energy Minister Jebran Bassil held “a lengthy meeting” with Hizbullah Liaison and Coordination Officer Wafiq Safa.

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Young Lebanese Ready to Fight alongside Syrian 'Brothers'

About 20 armed men enter a dilapidated barn in northeastern Lebanon, preparing to sneak across the border and fight alongside their Syrian "brothers" against the regime in Damascus.

The young men decide to rest briefly at the farm near Al-Qaa in the Bekaa Valley, their arms and baggage placed against a wall.

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