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UN Special Coordinator urges leaders to 'empower' state institutions

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka said Tuesday that state institutions should be responsive to people’s needs.

"The current crisis in Lebanon further underlines the responsibility of the political leaders to enable and empower state institutions to deliver," Wronecka stressed in a tweet.

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Lebanon restores UN voting rights after paying dues

Lebanon has Tuesday its voting rights in the United Nations 193-member General Assembly, after paying its dues to the U.N.’s operating budget, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

Lebanon needed to pay a minimum of $1,835,303 to restore its voting rights and was among six nations that had lost theirs.

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Bkerki's spokesperson says al-Rahi, Bukhari agree on president's qualifications

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari met Tuesday with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkerki over the Lebanese presidential file.

Bukhari told al-Rahi that KSA has no specific candidate but urges for the election of an uncorrupt president who can save the country, local media said.

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Nasrallah openly endorses Franjieh's presidential nomination

Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Monday openly endorsed the presidential nomination of Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh, around two weeks after Hezbollah MP Mohammed Raad announced that the party had an undeclared candidate.

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Gemayel meets Abu Najem, refuses election of 'defiant' president

Kateb chief MP Sami Gemayel met Monday with Maronite Archbishop of Antelias Antoine Abu Najem over the presidential crisis.

“The meeting was fruitful,” Gemayel said, adding that his party will do its best to prevent the election of a president who adopts a “defiance approach” that would destroy "what is left of Lebanon."

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Judge sets March 15 session for Salameh's interrogation

First Investigative Judge of Beirut Charbel Abou Samra on Monday scheduled a March 15 session for the interrogation of Central Bank chief Riad Salameh, his brother Raja and his assistant Marianne Hoayek, the National News Agency said.

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Public teachers divided as some continue strike, others return to class

Contract teachers rallied Monday in front of the Education Ministry and blocked roads, demanding a further salary increase and higher transport allowances.

Other public teachers returned to class, partially ending a two-month strike.

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Qaouq: Latest developments boosted consensus chances

Hezbollah central council member Sheikh Nabil Qaouq on Sunday said that the “latest developments” have increased the chances for “consensus” over the presidential file.

“Our priority lies in electing a president to halt the collapse and rescue the country, but the priority of the challenge and confrontation camp is taking the country to a new adventure in order to overturn the domestic political balances," Qaouq said.

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Geagea says rejected deal involving Franjieh election

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has confirmed that he has rejected “domestic and foreign” proposals for the election of Suleiman Franjieh as president in return for the appointment of a pro-opposition premier.

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Berri-Mouawad rift triggers flurry of fiery statements

Independent MP and presidential candidate Michel Mouawad said Friday that he will not accept to be insulted, after Speaker Nabih Berri described him as an “in vitro experiment” candidate.

"What Berri said is not acceptable," Mouawad said. "We are not students in a classroom."

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