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A Brazilian man has been arrested on terrorism charges just over a week from the Olympics after he posted comments online about the Islamic State group, his lawyer said Thursday.

A ministerial panel tasked with addressing the pollution of the Litani River demanded Thursday the closure of all licensed and unlicensed sand extraction mines near the river and the halt of sewage flow into the river.

The Lebanese army carried out raids in the border town of Britel in the Bekaa region in search for suspects involved in several crimes, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.
The army staged the raids at dawn and searched the houses of fugitives against the backdrop of abductions, selling stolen goods, and selling banned products.

March 14 General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soaid revealed on Thursday that he will soon launch a petition that will reject any amendments to Lebanon's political system, the Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) said.
Soaid stated that he will “launch the petition that will be signed by Lebanese citizens rejecting amendments to Lebanon’s political system which is based on the 1989 Taef accord.”

Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil on Thursday expressed disappointment in the international community's dealing with the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
“Having more than 1.5 million displaced Syrians obligates the international community to adhere to its commitments towards Lebanon,” said Khalil in a speech he made during the Guidance Committee's first meeting over a new funding initiative.

The United Kingdom has gifted the Lebanese army with 1000 sets of body armor which brings the UK's total contribution of body armor to 3,300 individual sets under the 'Train and Equip' program, a British embassy press release said.
In response to the security threats facing the Baalbek region, British Ambassador Hugo Shorter gifted on Wednesday 4th Land Border Regiment (4LBR) with 1000 sets of body armor and welcomed the ongoing mobilization of 4LBR. General Salloum, commander of 4LBR welcomed the contribution, which will bring the UK’s total gift of body armor to 3,300 individual sets under the ‘Train and Equip’ program.

Residents of the Mount Lebanon town of Ain Dara gathered on Wednesday in the area of Dahr al-Baydar at the request of the town’s municipal chief to protest against the establishment of a cement plant in the town, the National News Agency reported.
The people banned cement mixer vehicles from entering the village, NNA added.

The cabinet met on Wednesday with plans to address the extension of the contracts of the mobile service providers but adjourned discussions to a later session that was scheduled for the week after.
Prime Minister Tammam Salam chaired the meeting at the Grand Serail to address the telecommunications sector, amid statements made by Telecommunications Minister Butros Harb before joining the ministers at the cabinet that the issue will be postponed to another session.

Unknown assailants opened gunfire overnight at the office of owner of al-Jadeed TV Tahsin Khayyat in Beirut's Bir Hassan neighborhood, the National News Agency reported on Wednesday.
The agency said that the shooting inflicted material damages on the building where the office is located.

The Lebanese army has upped its security measures recently to counter any acts of sabotage that could be carried out by terror groups, a senior security source told al-Joumhouria daily on Wednesday.
The daily added that Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji will issue his Order of the Day marking Army Day on the first of August. Qahwaji will pinpoint the elements of danger that could be threatening Lebanon and will also issue guidance to the military force to maintain high alert to counter any potential menace.
