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Several Hurt as Gas Canister Explodes at Ketermaya Bakery

Several people were injured Sunday when a gas cylinder accidentally exploded at a bakery in the Iqlim al-Kharroub town of Ketermaya, state-run National News Agency reported.

“A gas cylinder blew up inside al-Sayyed Bakery near the mosque of the town of Ketermaya, leaving several people injured,” NNA said.

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Shabtini: No President before Iran-U.S. Deal, Hizbullah Clinging to Arms for Self-Defense

Minister of the Displaced Alice Shabtini has noted that Lebanon will not have a president before Iran and the United States reach a final nuclear agreement, as she pointed out that Hizbullah is “clinging to its arms because it is defending itself.”

“There is no possibility to elect a president before an agreement is reached between Iran and the U.S.,” Shabtini, who is one of three ministers loyal to ex-president Michel Suleiman, said.

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Al-Rahi Urges Lawmakers to Realize Risks of Presidential Vacuum

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi reiterated on Sunday calls on lawmakers to end the parliament paralysis and elect a new head of state.

“It is time for the Lebanese, in particular the MPs to wake their conscience and realize the risks taken by the delay in electing a new president,” al-Rahi said during his Sunday sermon.

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Hariri Meets Sisi, Al-Azhar Grand Imam in Cairo

Head of al-Mustaqbal Movement Saad Hariri arrived in Cairo for talks with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Grand Imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb.

Hariri met with Sisi at Ittihadiya palace, a statement issued by the ex-PM's press office said.

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Report: Negotiations with Abductors of Servicemen Hit Brick Wall

Negotiations with al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) over the release of captive Lebanese servicemen had ceased, media reports said on Sunday.

According to Nizam Mogheit, the brother of soldier Ibrahim who was taken hostage by ISIL, information obtained by the families of kidnapped troops and policemen indicate that negotiations with al-Nusra Front led by Sheikh Mustapha al-Hujeiri, who is also known as Abu Taqiyeh and hails from Bekaa border village of Arsal, and that with ISIL and led by Ahmed Fleiti, the town's deputy municipal chief, reached a dead end.

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Matar Denies Kerry's Remarks over Presidential Election

Beirut Maronite Bishop Boulos Matar denied on Sunday that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry informed him that Washington is optimistic that a new head of state would be elected within two months after a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is reached.

“Kerry didn't inform me when I met with him in Paris that a president would be elected within two months,” Matar said in comments to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).

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10 People Suffer from Food Poisoning in Tripoli

Ten people suffered on Saturday from food poisoning in the northern city of Tripoli, reported the National News Agency.

First aid was administered to the victims before they were transferred to the Dar al-Shifa hospital.

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Two Killed in Traffic Accident in Baalbek

Two people were killed on Saturday in a traffic accident in the eastern region of Baalbek, reported the National News Agency.

The accident took place when a silver Hyundai Picanto collided with a light post on the Baalbek – al-Hermal main road.

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Syrian Detainee Confesses to Heading Armed Groups, Combating Army in Arsal

The army announced on Saturday that it had arrested in February a Syrian national who confessed to belonging to armed terrorist groups.

Hassan Mohammed Jamil Harba, who was detained on February 27, admitted to heading an armed group that was active in the outskirts of Flita and Arsal in the eastern Bekaa area.

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Report: Breakthrough in Arsal Captives Case as Lebanon Handed Detainee List from Captors

General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim spoke of a breakthrough in the case of the servicemen kidnapped from the northeastern border town of Arsal in the wake of Lebanese authorities receiving a list of detainees the kidnappers are demanding to be released, reported As Safir newspaper on Saturday.

Widely-informed official sources told the daily that the list includes the names of 40 detainees held by Lebanese authorities.

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