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Ahmadinejad in Controversial Visit to Lebanon

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives in Beirut on Wednesday for a controversial visit, the highlight of which will be a tour of Lebanon's volatile border with his arch-enemy Israel.

The hardline leader during his two-day official trip -- his first to Lebanon since he became president in 2005 -- will meet with his counterpart Michel Suleiman as well as Prime Minister Saad Hariri and parliament speaker Nabih Berri.

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Aoun Expects Positive Outcome of Ahmadinejad's Visit

Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun said Sunday that he expects a "positive outcome" of an upcoming visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Lebanon.

"I expect a positive outcome of the visit given the positive atmosphere between the two countries," Aoun told the Iranian News Agency, IRNA.

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Nasrallah: If We Wanted to Stage a Coup, We Would've Done So in 2005 or on Aug. 15, 2006

Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday described reports "that Hizbullah wants to stage a coup d'état" as "false" and nothing but "empty claims."

"If we wanted to do so, we would've done that in 2005, but we don't want that … we would've taken over the country on August 15, 2006 if we wanted to, so these claims are unfounded," Nasrallah said.

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Jumblat: I am Worried about the Frightening Internal Tension, Ahmadinejad's Visit is Beneficial

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat voiced on Saturday his concern with the "frightening" tensions in Lebanon, calling all sides to be diligent in realizing its dangers.

Commenting on the U.N.'s recent remarks on the false witnesses, he told As Safir Saturday: "This is a local issue, the details of which should be uncovered."

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Mashnouq Calls on Hariri to Resign: Syrian Arrest Warrants are a Political Assault on Lebanon

Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Nouhad al-Mashnouq condemned on Saturday the recent Syrian arrest warrants against Lebanese figures describing them as a "blatant political assault" on the country.

The MP called on Prime Minister Saad Hariri to resign because the warrants are an attack against the dignity of the prime minister, urging him not to form a new government except based on an understanding on major issues.

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Sfeir Says Bkirki Doors Open to Hizbullah and Tells Franjieh: You are More Honest than the Others

Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir was reported to have expressed to Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh his "disgust" with the situation in Lebanon, reported As Safir Saturday.

Addressing Franjieh, the paper quoted Sfeir as saying: "You are more honest than the others … at least you are a man of principle and you don't lie like others."

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Sayyed Hussein: Contacts to Restore Matters to Institutions Underway, Difficult Issues are Resolved in Cabinet

Minister of State Adnan al-Sayyed Hussein revealed that efforts are underway by President Michel Suleiman, in coordination with other concerned officials, to reach calm in Lebanon, reported the daily An Nahar Saturday.

He told the daily that the officials are keen to maintain the achievements of the Lebanese-Syrian-Saudi summit, adding that they have faith in the army and security forces to exercise their duties under all circumstances.

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Lebanese-Syrian Summit in Damascus ahead of Ahmadinejad Visit

Semi-official sources revealed to the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper on Saturday that President Michel Suleiman and the Syrian leadership are conducting daily consultations over various developments.

The sources did not rule out the possibility of holding a Lebanese-Syrian summit in Damascus ahead of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's upcoming visit to Lebanon next week.

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Feltman to Riyadh and Cairo to Discuss Situation in Lebanon

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Jeffery Feltman is expected to head to Riyadh and Cairo next week to hold a series of meetings with Saudi and Egyptian officials that will primarily tackle developments in Lebanon, reported As Safir on Saturday.

The talks will also address Palestinian-Israeli peace efforts and attempts to form an Iraqi government.

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Tunisian Jet Diverted to Damascus Due to Storm, Beirut Airport Says Operations Normal

A Beirut-bound Tunisian plane was diverted to the Damascus International Airport on Friday due to the thunderstorm lashing Lebanon.

However, the flight control tower at the Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport stressed that the rainy weather has not affected other inbound or outbound flights.

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