Lebanon
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Geagea wants govt. to accept Iranian fuel, spare Lebanese from 'false rumors'

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea called the Lebanese government on Wednesday to accept an Iranian fuel offer after Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said he is willing to secure free fuel from Iran for Lebanon’s power plants.

Geagea said that the reason of his demand is not that he believes that "this will happen" but rather to avoid "leaving the Lebanese exposed to false rumors."

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Public employees strike goes on as wage demands go unmet

Public sector employees have been on an open strike for weeks now to demand an adjustment of their salaries, amid dire living conditions in Lebanon.

The strike has paralyzed all public administrations, frustrating the Lebanese citizens who need to get an identity card, a diploma for university or a driving license.

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Shea urges for quick reforms, timely presidential poll

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea urged Lebanon Wednesday to hold presidential elections on time and not to lose time in carrying out reforms that would satisfy the World Bank.

Shea said that the reforms requested by the International Monetary Fund are also for Lebanon's interest.

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Report: Maritime dispute on brink of solution

U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein will arrive Sunday in Lebanon with a framework for an agreement, an Israeli media report said.

Hochstein's awaited response will be a compromise between Israel and Lebanon's demands, the report said.

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Three Lebanese charged in US for smuggling weapons, tax evasion

Three indictments have been unsealed in federal court, detailing charges against three men, two formerly of Northeast Ohio, who are believed to be currently residing in Lebanon, the U.S. department of justice said in a statement.

George Nakhle Ajaltouni, 47, formerly of North Olmsted and Jean Youssef Issa, 48, of Batroun were charged "for their roles in a scheme to smuggle and illegally ship firearms from Cleveland to Lebanon."

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Jumblat urges Nasrallah to avoid war, calls for 'president with program'

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat on Tuesday urged Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to avoid a war with Israel, as he called for electing a new president who has a “clear program.”

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Berri: We're going to Naqoura and we may get more than Line 29

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday said that “the framework agreement which they are trying to disavow does not talk about lines, but rather about demarcation and indirect negotiations in Naqoura” with the Israelis.

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Aoun says new govt. still possible, urges against escalation over Hajj case

President Michel Aoun on Tuesday voiced concern that a new government might not be formed in the few remaining weeks of his tenure as he noted that there is still “hope” to see that happening.

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After Nasrallah's remarks, Fayyad says any fuel grant needs cabinet decree

Caretaker Energy Minister Walid Fayyad on Tuesday said his ministry welcomes “any grant from any friendly country in the world,” hours after Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said he is willing to secure free fuel from Iran for Lebanon’s power plants.

“In this regard, we have prepared the specifications of the fuel needed for power plants,” Fayyad said.

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Hawat laments MPs were barred from raising Hajj case in parliament

MP Ziad Hawat of the Lebanese Forces-led Strong Republic bloc on Tuesday decried that Speaker Nabih Berri prevented lawmakers from raising the case of Archbishop Moussa al-Hajj during a legislative session.

“The normal and right place to voice opinion… is parliament and what has been happening since years in this regard is blocking parliament’s supervisory role over the ongoing violations,” Hawat said.

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