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Qassem Warns of Vote-Buying during 2013 Ballots, Calls for Dialogue

Hizbullah deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed on Wednesday that consensus over the electoral law for the upcoming 2013 elections can be reached through the resumption of dialogue among all parties.

“Hizbullah would enter dialogue with anyone and in the end the electoral law will be issued through the parliament, which includes various political blocs,” Qassem said in an interview with An Nahar newspaper.

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Geagea Rejects 1960 Electoral Law: March 14 Camp Will Never Accept Delay of Elections

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea noted that flaws in representation in parliamentary electoral laws have existed since 1990, reported al-Akhbar newspaper Wednesday.

He told the newspaper: “It is time to rectify the flaw according to the Taif Accord … and we definitely oppose the 1960 law.”

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Berri Confirms Terrorist Group Entered Lebanon to Carry Out Political Assassinations

Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed during Wednesday’s parliamentary meeting a list of politicians and figures targeted by extremist groups, describing the threat as serious and dangerous.

According to NBN, Berri called on security agencies to follow up the issue.

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Cabinet Fails to Agree on Spending, Approves Contingency Funds for Security Forces

The cabinet on Wednesday failed to reach an agreement over the controversial issue of extra-budgetary spending, but agreed on an exit for urgent spending.

Briefing reporters after the session, Information Minister Walid al-Daouq said the cabinet “approved contingency funds to cover urgent spending under extraordinary circumstances for each of: the army (L.L. 15 billion), the Internal Security Forces (L.L. 7.5 billion) and the education ministry’s official exams (L.L. 1.25 billion).”

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Berri Urges Officials to Help Facilitate Army’s Mission in Tripoli

Speaker Nabih Berri described on Wednesday the army’s deployment in the northern city of Tripoli as relieving, noting that all the facilitations were provided to prevent sedition.

“We are required to help the army in maintaining security and preventing sedition,” Berri told An Nahar newspaper.

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Aoun: Suleiman, Miqati, Jumblat Pushing Country to Harmful Course

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Tuesday accused President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat of “practicing obstruction” and “pushing the country to a harmful course.”

“They deprived us of the majority that allows us to take decisions. Suleiman is obstructing the L.L.8,900 billion decree and saying there are obstacles,” said Aoun during an interview on his movement’s mouthpiece OTV.

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Ibrahim: Mawlawi Case Coordinated with Major World Power, Qaida Exists in Lebanon

General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim on Tuesday confirmed media reports that the arrest of Salafist activist Shadi al-Mawlawi was coordinated with a Western security agency, noting that al-Qaida exists in Lebanon and hinting that Mawlawi is a Qaida member.

Speaking to the correspondents of Arab newspapers in Lebanon, Ibrahim said: “As to Mawlawi’s case, I believe that the issue is thorny and weighty, and we have been following up on the case since 13 days without informing anyone in Lebanon because confidentiality is an essential part of our job. This case has major repercussions and local and international aspects.”

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Mustaqbal Meets in Tripoli: For Removing Arms ASAP, Govt. Responsible for Any Laxity

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday called for “removing illegal arms” from Tripoli, which has witnessed three days of deadly clashes, holding the government responsible for “any negligence or procrastination in implementing the necessary measures to protect the city.”

“The residents of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen belong to one city and they reject fighting and infiltrators,” the bloc said in a statement recited by ex-PM Fouad Saniora, following an emergency meeting in Tripoli’s Quality Inn Hotel.

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Army Contains Families Armed Clash in Central Tripoli

A fierce armed clash erupted on Tuesday between the families of al-Nashar, Hrash and al-Naanai in al-Rifaiyeh in central Tripoli, leaving three people wounded and raising tensions in the city which is still reeling from three days of deadly sectarian clashes.

“The army has managed to contain the clashes in al-Rifaiyeh, which had nothing to do with the Bab al-Tabbaneh-Jabal Mohsen clashes,” Radio Voice of Lebanon (93.3) reported.

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Lebanese Dead as Shell Falls in Syria facing Bekaa Town

Lebanese national Ali Abu Bakr was killed and several other citizens were hurt on Tuesday when a mortar round fell inside Syrian territory facing the Bekaa border town of Hawsh al-Sayyed Ali, state-run National News Agency reported.

Abu Bakr, a farmer, was cultivating his grove inside Syrian territory when the deadly shell fell during clashes between Syrian forces and rebels.

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