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Report: Salam Working within Ten-Day Deadline to Form New Govt.

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam is unlikely to follow the lead of his predecessor Najib Miqati, who took too long in forming a new government, but he is keen on establishing one that will oversee the elections, reported the daily An Nahar on Saturday.

Observers monitoring his activity told the daily that Salam is working within a ten-day deadline within which he will announce the formation of a new cabinet.

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Abductions between Arsal, Jaafar Clan End with Release of Remaining Captives

The series of kidnappings between the Bekaa town of Arsal and the Jaafar clan ended on Saturday with the release of the remaining captives held by both sides, reported the National News Agency.

It said that seven Arsal residents were released by the Jaafar clan, while five clan members were released by locals from the town.

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Man Killed as Gunmen Attack Cafe in Tripoli's Abi Samra

A man was killed on Friday when unknown attackers opened fire at a cafe in the Tripoli neighborhood of Abi Samra, state-run National News Agency reported.

“Two young men on a motorcycle opened fire at a cafe in Abi Samra, which left Yehia Hassoun wounded,” NNA said.

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Reports: Hizbullah Convoy Fires on Car at Masnaa Border Crossing

A convoy belonging to a local party on Friday fired gunshots on a car at the Masnaa border crossing with Syria, leaving at least one person wounded, media reports said.

“A Hizbullah convoy fired at a car at the Masnaa border crossing,” Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) reported.

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March 8 Dismayed by Leak of Alleged Technocrat Cabinet Lineup

The March 8 forces on Friday voiced dismay after media reports said Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam intends to form a small, technocrat cabinet and after the names of its alleged members were leaked.

“Salam has not communicated with the March 8 forces since the end of consultations at al-Nejmeh Square,” NBN television reported.

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Madi Meets Von Hebel: We'll Probe Alleged List of Witnesses Once STL Asks

State Prosecutor Judge Hatem Madi on Friday announced that the Lebanese judiciary will take legal steps concerning the recent publishing of an alleged list of witnesses in the case of former premier Rafik Hariri once the Special Tribunal for Lebanon asks for that.

“Once we receive a request from the STL on the publishing of the names of alleged secret witnesses, we will make all the steps needed to identify the side that published the names,” Madi said after a meeting with STL Registrar Herman von Hebel.

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Suleiman Signs Draft Law Suspending Nominations Deadline until May 19

President Michel Suleiman signed Friday a draft law suspending the deadline for submitting nominations for the parliamentary elections until May 19.

The draft law was referred to the president on Wednesday after it was approved by parliament.

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France: Arsal Shelling Dangerous Violation of Lebanese Sovereignty

France strongly condemned on Friday the Syrian shelling of the outskirts of the Bekaa town of Arsal.

The French Foreign Ministry considered the development a “dangerous violation of Lebanon's sovereignty.”

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Families of Kidnapped Pilgrims Urge Boycott of Turkish Products

The families of the kidnapped pilgrims held in Syria staged a sit-in on Friday at Beirut's Martyrs' Square to demand the release of their loved ones.

They announced that they have launched a campaign to boycott Turkish products in Lebanon, urging citizens throughout the country to support them.

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Minister Kheireddine Rescues Sehnaoui from Rhinoceros in Africa

Caretaker State Minister Marwan Kheireddine saved caretaker Telecommunications Minister Nicolas Sehnaoui from a rhinoceros attack while they were in Africa, reported An Nahar daily Friday.

It said that as the ministers were on a hunting trip in Africa, Sehnaoui decided to rest by the rhinoceros, which he mistook for a rock.

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