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SANA: Arms, Narcotics, SIM Cards Seized on Lebanon-Syria Border

Syrian authorities on Saturday seized “quantities of weapons and over 1,000 narcotic tablets near Sweid bridge on the Syrian-Lebanese border and in both cities of al-Qusayr and Tal Kalakh in Homs” near the border with Lebanon, Syria’s state-run news agency SANA reported Sunday.

“The weapons included PKM (machineguns), 14 anti-tank shells, 14 RPGs and various rifles,” SANA said.

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ISF Thwart Prison Break at Roumieh Jail

The Internal Security Forces thwarted on Sunday a break out by three inmates from Roumieh prison, reported Voice of Lebanon Radio.

The ISF have since cordoned off the area amid strict security measures.

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Geagea: Rise of Lebanese State Possible after Collapse of Syrian Regime

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stated on Saturday that the year 2012 will witness the fall of the Syrian regime.

He said during an LF dinner at Maarab: “The construction of the state in Lebanon will be possible after the collapse of the regime.”

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Mansour Receives Letter from Lavrov: Russia Can Play Effective Role in Ending Syrian Crisis

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour praised on Saturday Russia’s position on the Syrian crisis, noting that it had called against foreign meddling in the Arab state since the beginning of the unrest.

He made his statements after holding a meeting with Russian Ambassador Alexander Zasypkin during which he received a letter from his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the situation in Syria.

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March 14 Vows to Continue Struggle, Hopes to See Promising Signs of Syrian Regime’s Collapse

The March 14 opposition vowed on Saturday to continue in the path of the Cedar Revolution to achieve full sovereignty and strive for stability based on the justice guaranteed by the international tribunal.

A statement issued following a meeting of the March 14 general-secretariat, said the opposition will continue its struggle to achieve “full state sovereignty whereby there won’t be any arms other than the weapons of the state on all Lebanese territories.”

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Rifi Has ‘No Info’ on al-Qaida in Lebanon as Officials Seek to Turn Page on Ghosn’s Remarks

Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi stressed that he has “no information” about the presence of al-Qaida in Lebanon, an issue that has stirred controversy in the past week.

In remarks to al-Joumhouria daily published Saturday, Rifi said the ISF helps the Lebanese Army in controlling the border and combatting arms smuggling.

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Mansour in Libya Soon to Unveil Fate of Moussa al-Sadr

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour is making arrangements to visit Libya to follow-up the latest efforts made to unveil the fate of revered Lebanese Shiite spiritual leader Moussa al-Sadr, As Safir daily reported on Saturday.

The newspaper said that officials at the foreign ministry are making the necessary contacts with the Libyan authorities to arrange the visit of Mansour at the head of a huge delegation.

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Alloush Accuses Assad Supporters of Opening Fire on his House

Former MP Mustafa Alloush accused supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad of opening fire on his house in the northern city of Tripoli at dawn Saturday.

In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio station (93.3), Alloush said that a group of armed men began cursing outside his home and shouting pro-Assad slogans around 1:00 am.

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'Gas Leak' Blast Damages Kaslik Club

An explosion caused by a gas leak ripped through the Senses health club and spa in Kaslik, north of Beirut on Saturday, causing material damage only, the head of the Internal Security Forces in Mount Lebanon, Brig. Gen. Joseph Dwaihi said.

The investigation carried out by forensic teams and explosives experts at the seafront resort found that the incident was not a sabotage and was the result of a gas leak, the National News Agency quoted Dwaihi as saying.

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Government Most Likely to Adopt 4th Wage Boost Decision

The cabinet will most likely deliberate on a fourth decision on the wage hike next week as the Shura Council is inclined to disapprove a proposal made by Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas, An Nahar daily said Saturday.

The third government decision came last week after Nahhas made a proposal to set the minimum wage at LL868,000 – a sum that includes a LL236,000 transportation allowance.

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