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Israel: 'Spy' Bird Returns Home after UNIFIL Mediation

A vulture captured in Lebanon on suspicion of spying for Israel has been returned home with the help of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Israeli authorities said Friday.

"In a discreet operation with the Lebanese and with the great help of U.N. forces and the U.N. liaison unit, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority was able to return the vulture that was caught a few days ago by villagers of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon," a statement said.

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Dialogue Resumes between Kataeb and Hizbullah

Kataeb deputy chief Salim al-Sayegh said on Friday that the dialogue between the party and Hizbullah was launched years ago and that it has somewhat ceased during the preparations for the Kataeb elections, assuring that the meetings will resume this week.

“Dialogue between the Kataeb and Hizbullah started years ago, particularly following the visit made by (former) President Amin Gemayel to (Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan) Nasrallah after the martyrdom of (his son) Pierre Gemeyel,” Sayegh told al-Akhbar daily.

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Adwan: Electoral Law Committee Concludes Meetings, Hybrid Law Probable

A parliamentary committee tasked with devising a new electoral law concluded its meetings Thursday and is set to refer a report to the parliament which in turn will refer it to the parliament bureau for discussions.

“The committee tasked with drafting a new electoral law ended its discussions on the file and will refer it to the parliament which in turn will refer to the parliament bureau for deliberations,” the state-run National News Agency reported.

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Geagea Urges Fund Allocation for Municipal Elections

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geaega stressed on Thursday the necessity to allocate the necessary funds to hold the municipal elections on time.

“The cabinet should swiftly secure the funding necessary to hold the municipal elections,” said Geagea via Twitter.

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Palestinian Official Killed in Shatila Camp

The official in charge of the security committee at the Shatila Palestinian refugee camp in southern Beirut was found killed at dawn, the state-run National News Agency reported on Thursday.

Unknown assailants opened fire on Ahmed Hazini killing him instantly, NNA added.

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Khalil: Export File Must be Reconsidered, 'Cost too High'

Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said on Wednesday that the decision to export Lebanon's trash must be reviewed in light of the huge expenses it entails and the new offer submitted by a Thai based company proposing cheaper prices to solve the eight-month long crisis.

“Regardless of the serious new proposal made by New Boxer Group to export the trash at a cheaper cost than that offered by Britain’s Chinook Urban Mining International, the offer will likely be reevaluated in light of the high costs incurred on the state,” Khalil told al-Akhbar daily on Wednesday

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Bassil, Derbas Appease Fears over Employment of Syrian Refugees

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil and Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas have appeased fears that the donors conference, which is scheduled to be held in London next week, would encourage Syrian refugees to remain in Lebanon and pave way for their naturalization.

The conference has for the first time shown international commitment to consolidate economic and development projects, Bassil told An Nahar daily published on Wednesday.

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TI: Lebanon Continues to Suffer from Rampant Corruption

Lebanon continues to suffer from public sector corruption despite a slight improvement since 2014, graft watchdog Transparency International (TI) said on Wednesday.

Lebanon ranked 123rd with a score of 28 out of a possible 100 in 2015 in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.

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Lebanese Swedish Employee Fatally Stabbed by Migrant in Sweden

Lebanese Swedish employee Alexandra Pierre Mezher has been killed at the hands of a migrant in Sweden, Lebanon's National News Agency reported on Monday.

It said the 22-year-old victim hailed from the town of Qlayaa in the southern Marjeyoun district.

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Report: Participation of FPM and Hizbullah in Cabinet Uncertain

The Free Patriotic Movement is said to take escalatory measures and resign from the cabinet if it finds out that activating the government's work is only meant to postpone the presidential election, An Nahar daily said on Monday.

“We have fears that the issue of military appointments might be intentionally obstructed as a reaction to the candidacy of Aoun,” FPM sources told the daily.

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