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Saniora: Dialogue Table Appropriate Place to Address Pending Affairs

Head of the Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora confirmed that the movement will be taking part in the dialogue with Hizbullah on Monday, reported the daily al-Mustaqbal on Sunday.

He told the daily: “The dialogue table is the appropriate place to address pending issues, most notably sectarian tensions and the presidency.”

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Mashnouq: Aoun Realizes the Need to Activate the Government

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq stated on Saturday that out of “national responsibility” we are compelled to seek the activation of the government's activity and help achieve a full quorum at parliament in order to elect a president.

His remarks came after a meeting he held in Rabieh with former Free Patriotic Movement head MP Michel Aoun.

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General Security Arrests Syrian and Lebanese on Terror Charges

General Security announced on Saturday the arrest of a Syrian national and a Lebanese on charges of belonging to terrorist groups, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Within the efforts to hunt down terrorists, the General Security arrested a Syrian for his involvement with a terrorist group and a Lebanese for assisting him in transporting and sheltering terror members in return for money, said NNA.

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Report: Lebanon's Exported Waste Gets Approval from Sierra Leone

The government of Sierra Leone has given its consent to receive Lebanon's trash that is supposed be exported starting mid January, As Safir daily reported on Saturday.

The Lebanese government has been informed of the approval through the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A letter signed by the adviser of President of Sierra Leone was addressed to Holland’s Howa BV firm that is tasked by the Lebanese cabinet with the exportation of the trash, the daily added.

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Hizbullah's Participation in Cabinet Session Uncertain

Hizbullah's participation in the cabinet session scheduled for next week hinges on the consultations it plans to hold with allies from the Free Patriotic Movement, AMAL, Marada and Tashnag, al-Mustaqbal daily reported on Saturday.

“Hizbullah has not taken a decision yet if it will take part in Thursday’s cabinet session. It still has to hold consultations with its allies not only from the Free Patriotic Movement but also from the Marada, AMAL and Tashnag,” said State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mohammed Fneish in an interview to the daily.

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Human Rights Watch Says Lebanon 'Forcibly Returned' Over 100 Syrians from Beirut Airport

Lebanese authorities “forcibly returned” more than 100 Syrians to Syria on two separate flights from Beirut airport on Friday afternoon and approximately 100-150 Syrians are waiting to be “forcibly returned” on a 9:30 pm flight later tonight, Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

“General Security should immediately halt the planned forcible return of Syrians from the Beirut airport to Syria later this evening,” said Haley Bobseine, Lebanon Researcher at Human Rights Watch.

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Bassil Reiterates Rejection of 'Naturalization' as Austria FM Vows Help on Refugees

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil reiterated Friday Lebanon's rejection of any naturalization of Syrian refugees on its soil, following talks with visiting Austrian FM Sebastian Kurz.

“Naturalization is prohibited in our Constitution,” said Bassil during a joint press conference with Kurz after their meeting at the Bustros Palace.

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IS Militants Murder ISF Intelligence Agent in Arsal

A member of the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch was assassinated Friday in the restive northeastern border town of Arsal, state-run National News Agency reported.

“Syrian militants belonging a terrorist group shot dead ISF First Adjutant Zaher Ezzeddine outside his house in the Arsal area of al-Babain,” NNA said.

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LF, FPM Sources Downplay Reports of Imminent Geagea-Aoun Presidential Deal

Sources from both the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces on Friday played down reports of an imminent visit by FPM leader MP Michel Aoun to Maarab with the aim of striking a presidential deal with LF chief Samir Geagea.

“There are no negotiations with the FPM as being reported, but rather ongoing talks ever since the Declaration of Intent was signed, and reports in this regard are exaggerated,” an LF source told MTV.

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Mashnouq: Franjieh Still Hariri's Candidate, Security Situation Very Good

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq noted Friday that al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri has not given up his nomination of Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the country's presidency, as he reassured that the security situation in Lebanon is very good.

“Communication over the presidential issue is still ongoing,” Mashnouq said after a visit to Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut Elias Audi.

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