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Abou Faour Orders Closure of Unlicensed Drinking Water Companies

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour ordered on Thursday the closure of drinking water filling companies that are violating food and water safety standards.

Abou Faour said in a memo that he asked security agencies to close all unlicensed shops that fill drinking water as part of the campaign he is waging against violators.

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ISF Arrests Three Individuals for Setting up an Illegal Call Center

The Internal Security Forces arrested three people on Thursday in the northern district of Akkar for establishing an illegal international call center, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Two Syrian nationals and a Lebanese, who are part of a ring that is accused of setting up the call center on the border town of Arida, were arrested by the police, NNA added.

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Salam Calls for Dialogue to End Country's Crises, Urges Arab Banks Aid in Refugee Burden

Prime Minister Tammam Salam called on Thursday on rival parties to resume dialogue and prioritize the national interest after urging Arab and Lebanese bankers to help Lebanon confront the crisis of Syrian refugees and hoped that politicians would be “infected” with the success of the banking sector.

“We should prioritize national interests and resume dialogue to end political deadlock,” Salam said in a speech at the Grand Serail on the occasion of Independence Day.

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Report: Ibrahim Says Syria Ready to Cooperate in Prisoners Swap Deal

General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim informed the members of the hostage crisis cell that Syrian authorities expressed readiness to cooperate with Lebanon to enter a prisoners swap deal with the Islamic State group and al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front that kidnapped Lebanese soldiers and policemen in August.

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Gemayel Expresses Grave Concern over 'Dangerous' Situation

Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel expressed concern on Thursday over the “dangerous situation” imposed by the vacuum at the Baabda Palace, calling on the Lebanese arch-foes, in particular those behind the obstruction of the presidential elections, to assume their responsibilities.

“Lebanese factions shouldn't under any circumstances obstruct a national, legal, constitutional and political path,” Gemayel said in a lengthy interview with the Kuwaiti al-Rai newspaper. “It is an unforgivable sin.”

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Report: Paris Pressuring Tehran over Presidential Candidate Backed by March 8, 14

France is seeking to encourage Iran to help the rival Lebanese politicians strike a deal on a new consensual president over fears that the regional turmoil would harm coexistence in Lebanon, diplomatic sources said.

The sources told An Nahar newspaper published on Thursday that the French initiative comes with an American support to fill the vacuum at Baabda Palace.

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Al-Rafehi Elected Head of Muslim Scholars Committee after Jdeideh's Resignation

The Muslim Scholars Committee on Wednesday elected Salafist cleric Sheikh Salem al-Rafehi as its new chief following the resignation of Sheikh Malek Jdeideh, who said he stepped down over "political feuds" and revealed that he intends to form a new committee.

"Al-Rafehi was unanimously elected as the committee's new chief for a six-month period," state-run National News Agency reported.

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Aoun Says Willing to Attend Electoral Session if Geagea is Sole Competitor

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Wednesday announced his willingness to attend a parliamentary session aimed at electing a new president if political forces pledge to limit the voting process to him and his political rival Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

“I'm willing to go to parliament if I receive pledges that the electoral battle will be limited to me and Geagea,” said Aoun during an interview on MTV.

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Beirut, Tripoli Abattoirs Closed for Renovation, Halba Restaurant Shut Down over Food Poisoning

The notorious Beirut slaughterhouse was closed Wednesday for rehabilitation while a similar decision was taken to shut down the Tripoli abattoir, amid an unprecedented food safety campaign led by Health Minister Wael Abou Faour.

Beirut Governor Ziad Chebib has decided to renovate the capital's slaughterhouse in Karantina and impose strict health measures on workers, Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat and An Nahar newspaper said Wednesday.

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Saudi Asks Security Council to Put Hizbullah on Terror List

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday asked the U.N. Security Council to put Hizbullah on its list of "terrorist organizations," although the Lebanese group was not included in the terror blacklist recently issued by the kingdom.

"We call on the council to place Hizbullah on the list of terrorist organizations," Saudi envoy to the Security Council Abdullah al-Muallemi said.

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