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Derbas: Failure to Discuss Cabinet Agenda Could Delay Public Salaries

Minister of Social Affairs Rashid Derbas voiced fears on Saturday that the salaries of the public sector could be delayed if the Free Patriotic Movement continues to reject cabinet discussions and set preconditions that the thorny file of security and military appointments is solved first.

“I might not be able to pay the salaries for the employees at my ministry if the cabinet did not discuss the items on its agenda and approve the treasury loans, which could also drag on other ministries,” Derbas told al-Liwaa newspaper on Saturday.

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Baby Dead in Huge Fire at Bekaa Syrian Refugee Encampment

A major fire broke out Monday at a Syrian refugee encampment in the al-Jrahiyeh area near the Bekaa town of al-Marj, killing a baby and injuring several people.

The flames gutted dozens of tents and pieces of furniture as well as drinking and household water tanks.

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Jbeil Again in the Spotlight, Wins Arab Tourism Capital Title

Lebanon will celebrate in June the crowning of its ancient city of Jbeil as the 2016 Arab Tourism Capital, a title chosen by the Arab Council of Tourism.

Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon announced the event late Wednesday from the Grand Serail, voicing hopes that the security plan implemented in Lebanon paves way for the country to benefit from the event.

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Saqr Appeals Samaha's Verdict as Protesters Say Military Court Turning into 'Sanctuary for Murderers'

State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr submitted on Monday an appeal in the verdict against former Minister Michel Samaha.

The appeal demands his retrial and that the verdict be annulled.

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Officials Condemn Samaha Verdict as Jumblat Says it 'Legalizes Assassinations'

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat criticized on Thursday the sentence issued by the military court against former Minister Michel Samaha.

“The court's verdict in Samaha's case legalizes assassinations and explosions,” he said in a statement.

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Hizbullah Downplays al-Qalamoun Casulaties, Says Only Three Fighters Killed

Hizbullah stated on Friday that the number of fighters who were killed in Syria's al-Qalamoun front were only three, denying media reports claiming otherwise.

“Some Lebanese and Arab media reports continue to broadcast false reports on the number of Hizbullah fighters killed in the last few days in al-Qalamoun front claiming that the number has totaled 40,” the statement said.

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Reports: Indonesia to Stop Sending Domestic Workers to Lebanon

Indonesia will stop sending new domestic workers to 21 Middle Eastern countries, including Lebanon, reports said Tuesday, after the recent execution of two Indonesian women in Saudi Arabia angered Jakarta.

Other countries affected by the ban are Saudi Arabia -- a major destination for Indonesian maids -- United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen, Iran and Egypt.

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Army Raids Bab al-Tabbaneh as General Security Arrests 'IS Mufti'

The Lebanese army heavily deployed on Sunday in the Bab al-Tabbaneh neighborhood in the northern coastal city of Tripoli, as the General Security apprehended a prominent member of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Troops raided several areas in the neighborhood in search of suspects.

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Israel Bombs Golan Border after Seeing 'Militants with Bomb', 4 Reportedly Killed

Israel's military said it launched an airstrike on its border with Syria on Sunday evening after spotting militants carrying a bomb.

A military statement said the army launched the strike after troops saw "a group of armed terrorists" approach the border with an explosive that could target Israeli troops.

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Samaha Pleads Guilty but Says Fell into Milad Kfouri's 'Trap'

Former Minister Michel Samaha pleaded guilty to all charges against him on Monday, admitting in court that he had transported explosives from Syria for use in attacks in Lebanon.

MTV channel said that Samaha confessed to all charges against him including plots to assassinate Lebanese officials.

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