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Al-Rahi Urges Govt. to Respect International Obligations

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi criticized on Sunday the government’s “hesitation” in adhering to international legitimacy, especially regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

He said during his Sunday sermon: “We warn against failing to respect international obligations and we hold the officials responsible for the dangerous repercussions Lebanon and its people would incur as a result of this failure.”

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Bourj Hammoud Evictions Stir Lebanon Debate

A mainly Armenian suburb of Beirut has stirred controversy over a decision by local officials to expel foreign workers, with some linking the move to the revolt in Syria and others to sheer racism.

The controversy erupted earlier this month when the municipality of Bourj Hammud, located east of the Lebanese capital, requested all foreigners without rental leases leave the area by the end of November.

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Hizbullah, Regional Forces Preparing for Escalation over Syria

Hizbullah, Israel, Iran, and Turkey are all gearing up for an escalation in the developments in the region over the crisis in Syria, a diplomat told the Kuwaiti al-Seyassah daily in remarks published on Sunday.

He said Hizbullah is preparing for the confrontation by removing its rockets from its hideouts, noting that last week’s Siddiqin explosion took place when the party hastily set up the rockets.

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Britain Mulling Evacuating Nationals from Lebanon over Regional Developments

The British Foreign Ministry is studying the possibility of calling on its nationals and those from the Commonwealth states to evacuate Lebanon in light of western reports from Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan that said that Lebanon and Syria are on the verge of an escalation, reported the Kuwaiti daily al-Seyassah on Sunday.

A British diplomat told the daily that other countries may follow Britain’s example, predicting that the evacuations may take place within a week or two.

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Opposition Doubts Cabinet Will Be Held on Wednesday

Cabinet may not be held on Wednesday in light of the Change and Reform ministers’ boycott of Friday’s government session, reported the Kuwaiti al-Seyassah newspaper on Sunday.

Prominent March 14 parliamentary sources told the daily that Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement will not allow cabinet to convene ever again.

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Hariri to Launch New Phase in Lebanon during Tripoli Rally

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri is expected to issue a number of “decisive” positions on several matters during the Mustaqbal Movement’s Tripoli rally scheduled for Sunday afternoon, reported the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat on Sunday.

Mustaqbal politburo member former MP Mustapha Alloush told the daily: “Hariri’s speech during the rally will pave the way for a new phase in Lebanon, especially after the recent events in country and the region.”

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Technocratic Govt. Headed by Miqati May End Lebanon’s Crisis

A technocratic government may be the solution to Lebanon’s current crisis over the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday.

Parliamentary majority sources told the daily that a technocratic government, headed by Prime Minister Najib Miqati, could be formed and it would be able to approve the funding of the tribunal, as well as renew the cooperation protocol between the STL and Lebanon.

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Hizbullah Surprised by Miqati’s Threat to Resign

Hizbullah is passing through a state of confusion in light of Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s threat to resign, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday.

Party sources told the daily: “Hizbullah did not predict that the situation in Lebanon would reach such a dire extent and it is studying Miqati’s position from all possible angles.”

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Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops Council Calls for Committing to STL, Calm Rhetoric

Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops Council urged the cabinet to commit to the international resolutions including the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and for the rise of a civil state based on citizenship and the national charter.

“The state should fortify Lebanon by committing to the international resolution including the STL for implementing justice,” the Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops Council said in its 45th annual meeting at Bkirki.

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Miqati Arrives in Rome, Reiterates his Commitment to STL

Premier Najib Miqati reiterated from Rome that he would resign if the cabinet failed to approve the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

“No one should meddle in the jurisdictions of the premier,” Miqati’s sources told state run Tele Liban TV station.

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