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Mustaqbal: Meddling with Distribution of Power Will Not Solve Govt. Dispute

The Mustaqbal bloc condemned on Tuesday the government’s practices and the ongoing “struggle for power” among its members.

It said in a statement after its weekly meeting: “Meddling with the delicate distribution of power that has been designated by the constitution will not solve the dispute.”

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Jumblat: If Only Iran Ambassador would Stop Making Statements on Syria Crisis

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Tuesday stressed that the “sweeping popular revolutions in several Arab countries, topped by Syria, do not need lecturing from anyone.”

“If only the Iranian ambassador (to Lebanon, Ghazanfar Roknabadi,) would disassociate himself from making statements about the Syrian crisis, he would perhaps help alleviate the Syrian people's suffering,” Jumblat said.

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Assad to Receive Text of New Constitution on Wednesday

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday Syria was pressing ahead with the reform program President Bashar al-Assad had promised in a series of speeches last year and would soon announce the timetable for a referendum on a new constitution to replace the current one which enshrines the dominant role of his Baath party.

Syria’s state-run news agency SANA said that Assad would receive the text drawn up by an appointed panel on Wednesday.

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Syria Plants More Mines along Border with Wadi Khaled

Syrian troops on Tuesday were seen planting more mines along the border with northern Lebanon, in an area close to the flashpoint central province of Homs, a Lebanese official said.

"Syrian army units for three days have been planting mines along the border area between the Syrian village of Bweet and the Lebanese village of Hnayder," the official from Hnayder said, requesting anonymity.

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Gulf States to Expel Syrian Envoys, Recall Their Own

The six Gulf Cooperation Council states have decided to expel Syria's envoys and withdraw their own from Damascus over the "mass slaughter" of civilians in Syria, a joint statement said.

"Member states have decided to withdraw their ambassadors from Syria and ask at the same time for all the ambassadors of the Syrian regime to leave immediately," a GCC statement said.

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Kuwait Won't Deport Activists to Syria

Kuwait will not deport activists who stormed the Syrian embassy back to their homeland due to fears about their safety, Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmed al-Humoud said on Tuesday.

"We will provide all guarantees for a fair trial to them and after the ruling is issued, we will deport them to a country of their choice," the minister said in a statement.

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Geagea: Govt. Dispute Linked to Syrian Crisis

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea noted on Tuesday that the current government deadlock is linked to some sides in cabinet that “have never been productive.”

He told Voice of Lebanon radio: “The deadlock is also linked to the crisis in Syria.”

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EU Eyes New Syria Sanctions as Nations Recall Ambassadors

Europe stepped up pressure on Syria on Tuesday as several nations recalled their ambassadors from Damascus and the EU considered new sanctions to cut the regime's access to cash.

France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands decided to bring back their envoys for consultations, joining Britain and Belgium to protest the regime's relentless opposition crackdown. The United States has closed its embassy.

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Turkey to Launch New International Initiative on Syria

Turkey will launch a "new initiative" with like-minded countries after the rejection of a U.N. resolution aimed at ending months-long bloodshed in neighboring Syria, its prime minister said on Tuesday.

"We will start a new initiative with those countries who stand by the Syrian people, not the regime," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in parliament, without elaborating.

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China’s Vice FM: Beijing, Washington Have 'Trust Deficit'

A top Chinese official has warned of a "trust deficit" between Beijing and Washington and expressed hopes that a key visit to the United States next week by China's leader-in-waiting will strengthen ties.

Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai made the remarks in a speech published on the ministry's website on Tuesday, as Beijing and Washington lock horns over China's decision to veto a U.N. resolution on the bloody violence in Syria.

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