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Aoun Says He's among 'Winners of Mideast War', Calls for Wednesday Demos

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun noted Tuesday that he belongs to the axis “that has won the war in the Middle East,” as he called for demos on Wednesday to protest perceived marginalization of Christians in state institutions.

Aoun's remarks came several days after Defense Minister Samir Moqbel extended the the terms of the army commander, chief of staff and the head of the Higher Defense Council despite months of objections by the FPM, which rejects the extension of the tenures of high-ranking military and security officials.

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Gunmen Intercept Bishop's Convoy, Demand Release of Kidnapping Suspect

Gunmen intercepted on Monday the convoy of a bishop who was traveling in his convoy from Bkirki to Deir al-Ahmar, reported the National News Agency.

It said that the assailants, riding in three vehicles, halted the convoy of Bishop Khalil Alwan and Father Elie Nasr to demand the release of a suspect held in a recent kidnapping case.

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Aoun on Planned Protests: You Will Get Surprised

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun has stayed mum on planned street protests against the extension of high-ranking military officers but stressed that he will "surprise" the people on his next step.

“You will see at the appropriate time and you will get surprised,” al-Joumhouria daily on Tuesday quoted Aoun as saying.

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Derbas Calls for Seizing Opportunity of Nusra's Pullout from Area Near Turkey Border

Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas has said that Lebanon should benefit from a decision by al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front in Syria to withdraw from areas along the border with Turkey.

The move by al-Nusra Front came two weeks after Turkey began carrying out airstrikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria. Turkey also agreed to allow U.S. warplanes to use the strategic Incirlik Air Base for operations against IS in Syria.

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Zarif Begins Lebanon Visit, Lauds Salam's 'Major Role' in 'Stability, Anti-Terror Fight'

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif began a two-day visit to Lebanon on Tuesday by meeting Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

“We discussed cooperation between the two countries and bilateral ties,” said Zarif after the Grand Serail talks.

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General Security Arrests 3-Member Terrorist Cell

General Security has arrested three Syrians on suspicion of recruiting fighters and monitoring the activities of the Hizbullah-linked Resistance Brigades.

As Safir daily said Tuesday that Abu Khattab, one of the group's members, is a resident of the town of Shehim in Iqlim al-Kharroub. He left Lebanon through the Arida border crossing in December 2012, heading to the Syrian city of Aleppo where he joined al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front.

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At Least One Rocket Lands in Northern Bekaa Town of Btedei

Conflicting media reports emerged Monday evening after at least one projectile hit the northern Bekaa town of Btedei.

State-run National News Agency said two rockets landed Monday evening in Btedei, without elaborating on the source of the projectiles.

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Six Suspected Syrian Militants Arrested in Arsal

Six suspected Syrian militants were arrested Monday at an army checkpoint in the northeastern border town of Arsal, state-run National News Agency reported.

“Lebanese army intelligence agents arrested at the Ain al-Shaab checkpoint in Arsal six Syrians suspected of belonging to militant groups,” NNA said.

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Gemayel Slams Govt., Says 'Regional Axes' Candidates Can't Reach Baabda Palace

Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel blasted the government on Monday as “unproductive,” while stressing that presidential hopefuls “belonging to regional axes” cannot make it to the presidential palace in Baabda in the current circumstances.

“This government was supposed to be a national unity government aimed at securing the election of a new president, and it was supposed to serve for no longer than two or three months,” said Gemayel after the weekly meeting of Kataeb's political bureau.

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Army Arrests Member of Osama Mansour's Terror Group who Confesses to Recruiting Teens for Attacks

The Lebanese army intelligence announced on Monday the arrest of a member of Osama Masnour's terrorist group.

An army statement said that Abdul Rahman Tareq al-Kilani was detained upon his return to Lebanon from abroad.

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