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Macron lauds Aoun's speech, calls for 'step by step' approach in South

French President Emmanuel Macron has noted that the situation in Lebanon "remains extremely fragile," as he described President Joseph Aoun's latest speech as "very important."

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Netanyahu vows to keep striking Hamas and Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on Sunday that Israel would do "everything necessary" to stop Hezbollah from regrouping in Lebanon and Hamas from doing the same in Gaza.

Over the past week Israel has hit multiple targets in neighboring Lebanon, with the Israeli military saying on Saturday it had struck Hezbollah launchers and military sites.

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Trump says 'working with Lebanon' and will invite Aoun to White House

U.S. President Donald Trump said overnight that he would invite President Joseph Aoun to the White House.

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Rubio says US to 'continue to stand in partnership with Lebanon'

On behalf of the United States, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday offered his "best wishes and heartfelt congratulations" to the people of Lebanon as they commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the country's independence.

"This year, the Government of Lebanon has taken courageous steps to promote a brighter future for the Lebanese people," Rubio said in a statement, apparently referring to the government's arms monopolization decisions.

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Fresh Israeli strike on south Lebanon kills one

An Israeli strike on southern Lebanon killed one person on Saturday, the Lebanese health ministry said, in the latest attack on the area despite a nearly year-long ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

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Aoun stresses state role, floats initiative for negotiations with Israel

President Joseph Aoun on Friday said that Lebanon "has grown tired of the state's absence" and "the Lebanese have grown exhausted of the projects of statelets."

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Efforts ongoing to reschedule Haykal's US visit within 48 hours

Efforts are ongoing within official political and intelligence channels in order to reschedule a new visit for Army chief Rodolphe Haykal to Washington within 48 hours, a media report said.

Haykal would meanwhile renew “his pledge to remove arms south and north of the Litani by the end of this year,” the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper said.

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Salam says Lebanon no longer has 'luxury' of wasting time and chances

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Friday that Lebanon no longer has the luxury of wasting time and opportunities, calling for peace and tolerance.

"We have squandered many opportunities, including the Taif Agreement, the failure to deploy the army in the South in 2000 and to manage our political affairs after the Syrian mandate," Salam said.

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Who are the 'venom spreaders' that everyone is talking about?

The Lebanese Forces said in a statement Friday that the real "spreaders of venom" are Hezbollah, without naming the group, after pro-Hezbollah newspaper al-Akhbar published a report in which it accused a senior LF official of being an "informant" on Hezbollah to the U.S. administration.

President Joseph Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri had both mentioned Lebanese politicians "spreading venom" in Washington without naming them.

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Issa begins diplomatic contacts, Ortagus to attend Mechanism meeting

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa has started his diplomatic efforts and contacts between Lebanese officials and the U.S. officials who are in charge with the Lebanese file in his administration, media reports said.

Issa has met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam for a second time since his arrival in Lebanon, the reports added.

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