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Moscow Calls for Resignation of Lebanese Cabinet if it Fails to Fund STL

Russia has informed Hizbullah that the March 8 forces should resign from the government and form a new cabinet that remains committed to international resolutions if the Shiite party and its allies rejected to fund the international tribunal, diplomatic sources said.

The sources told An Nahar daily published Sunday that Moscow’s stance was announced during a meeting last week between the Russian deputy foreign minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, and a Hizbullah delegation led by MP Mohammed Raad.

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Report: Suspected Israeli Drone Crashes in Bint Jbeil

The army launched a wide search operation for what is suspected to be an Israeli drone that crashed in Froun region in Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, the National News Agency reported on Saturday.

The UNIFIL operations unit informed the Lebanese army of the crash of an Israeli drone in Froun, the NNA said.

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Gemayel Meets Davutoglu, Urges Turkey to Reinforce Stability in Region

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel urged Turkey on Saturday to launch a practical measure that serves stability, security and coexistence in the region.

“We share the same vision with the Turkish officials concerning the developments in the region,” Gemayel said after meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

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Diplomatic Promotions Proposal Referred to the Cabinet

The diplomatic promotions proposal was referred to the cabinet waiting to be scheduled on the agenda of the discussions, Central News Agency reported on Saturday.

“The proposal prepared by Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour was referred to the cabinet in order to be discussed,” A diplomatic source told the news agency.

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ISF Thwart Escape Attempt by Roumieh Prison Inmate

Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau thwarted a break out attempt by an inmate at Roumieh prison, the National News Agency reported on Saturday.

The inmate was being transferred from the prison to Dahr al-Basheq Hospital after he injured himself with a sharp object, the NNA said.

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Wintertime Begins on October 29-30

Daylight-saving time will end at midnight on Saturday.

As per a government decree, clocks will have to be returned to wintertime at midnight on October 29 by setting them back one hour.

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Asarta to End Tenure in January

The Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Major General Alberto Asarta will end his tenure at the head of the mission on January 28, 2012, reported As Safire newspaper on Saturday.

It said that he will likely return to Spain where he will assume a high-ranking official position.

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Valero: France Will Make Sure Lebanon Implements Commitments by Year’s End

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero stressed that Lebanon is obligated to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, noting that Prime Minister Najib Miqati had pledged before the United Nations Security Council to fund it.

He told the daily An Nahar in remarks published on Saturday that France will make sure that Lebanon implement its international commitment before the end of the year.

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Suleiman Agrees to Withdraw Lebanese Nationalities from Individuals ‘Who Don’t Deserve it’

President Michel Suleiman approved on Friday a decree to withdraw the Lebanese nationality from individuals who received it and who later turned out that they don’t deserve it, reported the daily An Nahar Saturday.

Informed sources told the daily that the number of people included in the decision does not exceed 200, adding that they are only part of the first phase of individuals whose nationalities will be withdrawn.

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Hassan’s Promotion May Be Delayed to 2012

President Michel Suleiman approved on Friday promotions of Internal Security Forces officers ranked up to colonel, in a measure that was approved by ISF chief Ashraf Rifi and Premier Najib Miqati.

Official sources told the daily An Nahar in remarks published on Saturday that the development has not settled the dispute over the promotion of ISF Intelligence Bureau chief Brigadier General Wissam al-Hassan, noting that a procedure could be adopted that would allow his promotion to be effective in 2012.

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