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Geagea: Arms Have Never Advanced One Sect over Another in Lebanon

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea noted on Friday that weapons will not advance the position of Shiites in Lebanon.

He said: “Arms have never advanced one sect over another in Lebanon.”

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Charbel Insistent on Approving Electoral Law Six Months ahead of Parliamentary Polls

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel hoped that the parliamentary electoral law will be approved ahead of the 2013 elections, reported al-Liwaa newspaper on Saturday.

He told the newspaper that he hopes that the electoral law will be approved six months ahead of the polls because logistic preparations for the elections need that much time.

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Report: Safadi Seeking Independent Political Route through Attacking Miqati

Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi’s campaign against Prime Minister Najib Miqati is the minister’s attempt to take an independent course from his ally, reported al-Liwaa newspaper on Saturday.

Informed political sources told the newspaper that Safadi is trying to take a different approach on political developments in an attempt perhaps to improve his chances of assuming the premiership “should the March 8 camp decide to topple the government.”

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70 MPs Have so Far Signed up to Discuss Govt. Performance at Parliament Next Week

Some 70 MPs have signed up to discuss government’s performance during a three-day parliamentary session scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, reported al-Liwaa newspaper on Saturday.

Speculation has arisen on whether the March 14-led opposition is seeking to resort to a vote of confidence over the government’s performance.

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Suleiman Heads to Australia as LL40 Billion is Pledged to Lebanon for Investment

President Michel Suleiman traveled to Australia on Saturday on the first visit of its kind for a Lebanese president, reported As Safire newspaper on Saturday.

Sources told the newspaper that memorandums of understandings will be signed with the Australian government and Suleiman will also meet with prominent businessmen of Lebanese origin.

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Lebanese-Canadian to Appeal Extradition over 1980 French Bombing

A Lebanese-Canadian university professor accused of a 1980 bombing of a Paris synagogue that killed four people will appeal an order to extradite him to France, his lawyer said Friday.

Canada's justice minister on April 4 signed an order to send Hassan Diab to France after a Canadian court in June 2011 approved his extradition despite its concerns the case is "weak."

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Judicial Police Seize 3 Bullets Fired at Geagea’s Residence

Judicial police forensics on Friday re-inspected the scene of the failed assassination bid against Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea at his Maarab residence, discovering three sniper bullets fired by the attackers, state-run National News Agency reported.

According to NNA, forensics dismantled a wooden barrier, which allowed them to determine that three shots were fired at the residence – “one that pierced the glass and two whose remains were found in the wooded frame.”

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Libya Has 'Semi-Confirmed' Info Sadr's Remains in Tripoli Mass Grave

Libyan authorities have obtained “semi-confirmed information” about the presence of Imam Moussa Sadr’s body in a recently discovered mass grave in the Libyan capital Tripoli, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, head of Libya’s ruling National Transitional Council, said on Friday.

“Imam Sadr’s case was not on the front burner during this period, but some reports have suggested that the imam’s body might be among the bodies buried in a mass grave during the liberation of Tripoli” from slain Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi’s forces, Abdul Jalil said in an interview on France 24 television.

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No Casualties as Bourj Hammoud Building Collapses while Being Torn down

No one was hurt on Friday when a building collapsed in the Beirut neighborhood of Bourj Hammoud.

LBC television reported that the building was being prepared to be torn down in order for another to be constructed in its place.

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Ali: Syrian Army Could Not Have Been Responsible for Shooting at Al-Jadeed Crew

The Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali stated on Friday that Damascus is serious in its investigation to uncover the truth behind the death of al-Jadeed television cameraman Ali Shaaban.

He said: “The Syrian army could not have been behind the heavy shooting at the television crew.”

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