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Zahra: March 14 Camp Never Assumed Power Despite Winning 2 Parliamentary Polls

Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra stated on Wednesday that the March 14 camp never assumed power in Lebanon, indirectly implying that the March 8 camp had prevented it from performing its mission.

He said during the parliament session aimed at discussing the cabinet policy statement: “The March 14 camp won two parliamentary elections, but it never held power, even if the prime minister was affiliated with the camp.”

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Saad Hariri Will Reportedly Make Surprise Appearance during Policy Statement Discussions

March 14 circles did not rule out on Wednesday the return of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri to Lebanon to make a surprise appearance at the parliament sessions aimed at discussing the government policy statement.

They told the Central News Agency that his attendance will grant the opposition political support during the session to grant cabinet confidence.

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Jumblat Lauds al-Faisal’s Remarks on STL, Syria, Bahrain

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Wednesday lauded the “responsible stances voiced by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal concerning the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the need that the Lebanese deal with it rationally and calmly.”

In a statement he issued, Jumblat noted that al-Faisal’s stances match his own position on the STL, which stresses “the importance of justice and stability in Lebanon.”

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Geagea: Syria, Hizbullah Benefit from Fueling Regional Tensions

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea slammed the new government on Wednesday, saying that it has reached an “unacceptable” point because of its handling of the indictment in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

He told CNN Arabic that Syria and Hizbullah have an interest in fueling tensions in the region “because that will change the course of developments in Syria and Lebanon.”

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Change and Reform MPs: Miqati May Be the Best Chance We Have to Protect Stability

Change and Reform bloc MP Alain Aoun called on Wednesday for setting aside grudges between the rival political camps in order to save Lebanon.

He said during parliament session to discuss the government policy statement: “We want justice and we are keen on it.”

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‘Dogfight’ or MPs Fight? Qanso, al-Daher Clash in Parliament

MPs Assem Qanso and Khaled al-Daher engaged in verbal attacks at parliament on Wednesday after the latter criticized the support provided by some Lebanese politicians to the Assad regime in its crackdown on protestors in Syria.

The two lawmakers would have engaged in a fistfight hadn’t other MPs prevented them from attacking each other.

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Maronite Bishops Council: We Hope Cabinet Would Abide by International Resolutions

The Maronite Bishops Council hoped on Wednesday that the new cabinet would be granted confidence by parliament in order for it to tackle the people’s concerns.

It said after its monthly meeting headed by Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi: “We hope it will assume its responsibilities during this dangerous period in Lebanon and the region.”

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Hizbullah MPs Slam STL Funding, Say Without Resistance Sharon Would've Been at Baabda

Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Hasan Fadlallah said Wednesday that for the first time in Lebanon a government was formed away from any foreign interference, adding that the cabinet formation disappointed Washington.

“The U.S. will not find partners to cover up any security agreements,” he said during the second day of policy statement discussions at the parliament.

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Opposition MPs to Miqati: History Will not Have Mercy on You

Al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Jean Oghassabian told Premier Najib Miqati on Wednesday that he should quit his post but if he decides to stay “history will have no mercy on you.”

The international tribunal isn’t an enemy, he said in his address at parliament during the second day of discussions of Miqati’s policy statement.

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Al-Hout: Abstention Aimed at Giving Miqati a Chance to Review Policy Statement

Jamaa Islamiyah MP Imad al-Hout said Wednesday that the group has decided to abstain from voting on the cabinet’s policy statement at parliament in an attempt to give Premier Najib Miqati a chance to review a series of stances made in the ministerial statement.

Al-Hout told several local media outlets that the Jamaa Islamiyah can neither condemn the Special Tribunal for Lebanon without any evidence nor defend it.

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