Lebanon
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Government deadlock: Latest developments

President Michel Aoun and the Free Patriotic Movement's demands regarding the new government are "heavy", sources said.

The sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper, in remarks published Friday, that Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati will not accept Aoun's demands, supported by what Speaker Nabih Berri said on Wednesday, that "parliament is the only side entrusted with interpreting the constitution."

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Assassinations in Beirut: Israel's response to 1972 Munich massacre

The killing of 11 Israelis at the 1972 Munich Olympics prompted Israel to turn to a strategy which endures to this day: deploying secret operatives abroad to assassinate its enemies.

Ever since the Mossad intelligence service embarked on its Operation "Wrath of God" to hunt down senior militants it blamed for the Munich bloodbath, it has covertly targeted Israel's enemies overseas.

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Lebanese currency crashes below 35,000 against dollar

The Lebanese pound hit a new low against the U.S. dollar on the black market Friday, as it crashed below 35,000, reaching 35,500.

For decades, the Lebanese pound was pegged to the dollar at 1,500.

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UN appoints Imran Riza deputy special coordinator, resident coordinator for Lebanon

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced the appointment of Imran Riza of Pakistan as his Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator for Lebanon. Riza will also serve as Humanitarian Coordinator, the UN said in a statement.

"Mr. Riza succeeds Najat Rochdi of Morocco, who recently completed her assignment and to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her accomplishments and wishes her continued success in her new appointment as Deputy Special Envoy for Syria," the statement said.

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Hochstein to return on Sep. 7 as Total Energies demands 'security guarantees'

U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein has postponed his visit to the region until September seven, al-Akhbar newspaper said Thursday.

The daily added that Hochstein has held an online meeting with Israeli officials after having met in Greece with Israeli delegates and the leadership of the Greek gas exploration company, Energean.

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Lebanese families file lawsuit against army for boat sinking

Survivors and families of the victims of a sunken migrant boat off the coast of Lebanon on Thursday said they have filed a lawsuit accusing the military of detaining two missing survivors.

The boat that sank in April carried dozens of Lebanese, Syrians and Palestinians trying to migrate by sea to Italy. It went down more than five kilometers (three miles) from the port of Tripoli, following a confrontation with the country's navy.

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Mikati reportedly willing to make concessions to Aoun

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati is willing to make concessions to President Michel Aoun, al-Akhbar newspaper reported.

The daily said Thursday that it had learned that Mikati does not mind letting Aoun choose the names of the two ministers who will replace the minister of economy and the minister of the displaced.

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'Rampant chaos': Lebanon state sector eroded by grinding crisis

Even as he battles Lebanon's summer heat without air-conditioning, Judge Faysal Makki tries not to drink too much water because the toilets at the Justice Palace are broken.

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US calls for concluding maritime border deal 'in coming weeks'

A White House statement said U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid have discussed negotiations to resolve border issues between Israel and Lebanon.

"The President also emphasized the importance of concluding the maritime boundary negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in the coming weeks," the U.S. statement said.

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UN renews UNIFIL's mandate, condemns restrictions in south Lebanon

The U.N. Security Council has unanimously approved a resolution strongly condemning harassment, intimidation, attacks and restrictions against the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.

It also called on Lebanese authorities to accelerate deployment of ground and naval forces to the area, which borders Israel.

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