Lebanon
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Berri urges govt. to prioritize reconstruction, says 'will escalate if Salam escalates'

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri seems to support ally Hezbollah in its cold war with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Salam, who vowed the state's monopoly on arms since his appointment, recently escalated his rhetoric saying that the era of "exporting the Iranian revolution has ended" and that the state "will not remain silent over any arms outside the state’s control". "The region has grown tired of Iranian-U.S. polarization," he said.

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Report: Hezbollah changed entire military and security structure after major blow

Hezbollah changed “its entire military and security structure, from the Shoura Council to the lowest-ranking member,” after it was dealt a “major blow” during the latest war with Israel, a source close to Hezbollah said.

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Berri voices support for UNIFIL after recent clashes with locals

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri voiced support for United Nations peacekeepers after recent clashes between the peacekeepers and locals in south Lebanon, the latest in the southern town of Yater.

"I support the UNIFIL peacekeepers whether they are wrong or right. Locals, even if they are supporters of Amal or Hezbollah, should try not to overreact," Berri told local al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Friday. "We know that Israel is against the UNIFIL's presence in south Lebanon and has targeted them many times. This alone is enough for us to support their presence," he said, adding that "their presence has also made a positive impact on the economy in southern villages."

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Ortagus to carry 'full package' of proposals to Lebanon

U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus will arrive in Beirut next weekend carrying “a package of comprehensive proposals for resolving a number of thorny issues, topped by the files of the displaced Syrians and the Palestinian refugees,” Al-Jadeed TV said.

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Overnight Israeli strikes target south and Bekaa in major escalation

Israel carried out around 20 airstrikes overnight on areas in south and east Lebanon, claiming they contained Hezbollah sites and weapons.

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Israeli attacks kill two in south Lebanon in latest flare-up

Lebanon's health ministry said two people were killed in separate Israeli attacks on south Lebanon on Thursday, in the latest flare-up despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli strikes and shelling on multiple areas in the south.

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Geagea defending Rajji: Those who reject policy statement must resign from govt.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Thursday defended pro-LF Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji in the face of verbal attacks from Hezbollah officials against the backdrop of his latest stances on Hezbollah and its arms.

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Israeli strike kills municipal worker in Nabatieh al-Fawqa

An Israeli drone strike killed a municipal worker in southern Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency said.

The man was on his way to work on a well supplying water to homes when he was killed in the town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, the NNA said. Lebanon’s Health Ministry also reported one person killed in the strike.

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Geagea says Hezbollah's Qassem seems to be 'on another planet'

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem seems "as if he's on another planet" to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea who criticized Qassem's "unrealistic" statements, in an interview with LBCI on Wednesday night.

Geagea said foreign countries will not help Lebanon or deal with the Lebanese state as long as Hezbollah is keeping its "illegal" arms. "There will be no reconstruction, no financial rescue — all of that is now suspended, frozen, and paralyzed, until Hezbollah disarms. No one will want to deal with the state in such a situation."

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On Peacekeepers' Day, UNIFIL emphasizes commitment to peace, despite continued tensions

In honor of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, UNIFIL hosted a ceremony at its Naqoura headquarters attended by members of the Lebanese Army, security services, local political and religious authorities, ambassadors, and U.N. officials.

“The situation along the Blue Line remains tense and unpredictable, with repeated violations and a high risk of miscalculation," Head of Mission and Force Commander Lieutenant-General Aroldo Lázaro warned. "Through our liaison and coordination mechanisms, we offer a channel for dialogue and de-escalation helping to build the foundation for a possible solution," he said.

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