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Salam urges 'maximum pressure' to stop Israel's attacks

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday slammed Israel’s disregard for the ceasefire mechanism, urging the international community to exert utmost pressure on Israel to halt its attacks, after Israeli strikes targeted three southern towns following evacuation warnings.

"Lebanon calls on the international community, and particularly the countries that sponsored the ceasefire agreement, to exert maximum pressure on Israel to immediately halt its attacks," Salam said amidst a cabinet meeting.

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Israel strikes southern towns after evacuation warning

The Israeli army on Thursday bombed three southern towns after issuing an “urgent warning” for residents to evacuate areas in Mays al-Jabal, Kfar Tebnit and Dibbin.

The strikes targeted two buildings in Mays al-Jabal, one in Kfar Tebnit and Dibbin. Al-Jadeed television said a Syrian worker was lightly wounded in Mays al-Jabal.

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Report: Hezbollah still cooperating in South Litani disarmament

Conflicting reports have emerged on whether Hezbollah is still cooperating with Lebanese authorities over the handover of its weapons in the area south of the Litani River near Israel’s border.

Political sources told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that “this cooperation has declined, which could lead to delaying the army’s mission in this region.”

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Damoush warns against dragging army into confrontation with Hezbollah

Head of Hezbollah's Executive Council Sheikh Ali Damoush warned Thursday against dragging the Lebanese army into a confrontation with Hezbollah.

"Do not push the army into a confrontation with its people. The army's role is to face (foreign) aggressions, maintain civil peace, and ensure stability, not to confront the Lebanese people," he said, adding that Hezbollah's weakness is just "an illusion". "Those who bet that the resistance will surrender to pressure and threats are delusional."

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Geagea: Statements of Hezbollah officials put govt. decisions in trash bin

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Thursday lamented the “new attacks” on UNIFIL forces in south Lebanon, after reports said UNIFIL patrols were intercepted by residents in the towns of Jibsheet and al-Zrariyeh.

“The repeated attacks on U.N. forces show that security forces are not dealing with the facts on the ground with the necessary seriousness,” Geagea decried.

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Nassar follows up on Grechushkin's extradition with Bulgarian ambassador

Justice Minister Adel Nassar on Thursday met with Bulgarian Ambassador to Lebanon Iassen Tomov and discussed with him the judicial and diplomatic measures related to the extradition of the owner of the Rhosus ship from Bulgaria to Lebanon.

Nassar lauded Bulgaria’s “cooperation and coordination in this regard” and agreed with Tomov on continued communication to hand over the detainee as soon as possible, knowing that there is an extradition treaty between Bulgaria and Lebanon.”

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Raad meets Aoun's adviser amid tensions over disarmament

President Joseph Aoun's adviser Andre Rahal has met with Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad, Hezbollah said in a statement.

The meeting on Wednesday evening discussed "a number of issues concerning the country's interests in a spirit of mutual understanding," the statement said.

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US official reportedly says Lebanon's future promising

Hezbollah’s disarmament is still topping the U.S. agenda for Lebanon, a Western diplomatic source said.

Quoting a U.S. official, the source told al-Joumhouria newspaper that “the situation in Lebanon will not remain as it is” and that Washington believes that “it will certainly witness a drastic transformation and a promising future.”

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Mitri: Army doesn't want to use force against any group

Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri has said that “contrary to expectations, Cabinet’s decisions did not lead to a rift in the country” regarding the arms monopolization plan.

“The army does not want to use force against any group to carry out the mission it has been tasked with,” Mitri added, in an interview with Russia’s Sputnik radio network.

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Two killed in Israeli strike in Baalbek

An Israeli strike on the eastern city of Baalbek has killed at least two people, the health ministry said.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported Wednesday that the strike was carried out by an Israeli drone.

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