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Lack of quorum turns cabinet session on refugees into ministerial meeting

Cabinet failed to convene Monday at the Grand serail to discuss the Syrian refugee crisis amid a new wave of illegal crossings, due to a lack of quorum.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called instead for a consultative ministerial meeting at his office.

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UNRWA calls for immediate halt in Ain el-Hilweh clashes, opens shelters for displaced

The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has opened shelters in schools and other facilities to accommodate over 750 displaced people as fighting and heavy destruction of homes and facilities continued across southern Lebanon's Ain el-Hilweh refugee camp.

"UNRWA, with partners, is responding to the urgent humanitarian needs," said Dorothée Klaus, the director of UNRWA affairs in Lebanon.

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Death toll rises in Ain el-Helweh as Mikati rebukes Abbas

Three fighters and a civilian have been killed in clashes over the past hours in the Ain el-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, official media reported, as caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati rebuked Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas over the spiralling violence.

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US ambassador, Lebanese Army celebrate a mine-free Arsal and Ras Baalbek

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea joined Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun in Ras Baalbek on September 8 to celebrate the completion of explosives clearance in the area of Arsal and Ras Baalbek. Shea reviewed progress made since the 2017 defeat of jihadist groups in the area.

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Al-Rahi meets Abi al-Mona as he tours Chouf, Aley on reconciliation anniversary

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi started Friday a tour to the Chouf and Aley regions on the anniversary of the 2001 Mountain Reconciliation.

After meeting Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Sami Abi al-Mona in the town of Chanay, al-Rahi highlighted the diversity of Lebanon.

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Geagea slams 'disorienting' dialogue, says Berri 'master of antics'

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has dubbed a seven-day dialogue proposed by Speaker Nabih Berri an attempt to obstruct the presidential election.

"Berri is a master of political antics," Geagea said, adding that dialogue is a futile farce.

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Jumblat lauds al-Rahi, urges US, Iran to facilitate president election

Progressive Socialist Party former leader Walid Jumblat on Friday lauded Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s “local, Arab and international efforts for resolving the presidential crisis.”

“We also highly appreciate your support for dialogue, despite the various obstacles,” Jumblat added addressing al-Rahi, at a gathering in Mukhtara that was part of the patriarch’s tour of the Chouf and Aley regions.

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Wronecka says UNIFIL extension opportunity for all sides to 'recommit to stability'

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka on Friday met with caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. The Special Coordinator underlined that the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2695 on the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate should be “an opportunity for all sides to recommit to stability in southern Lebanon and along the Blue Line,” her office said.

She mentioned in particular “the importance of working towards the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006).”

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Bassil accuses Berri and opposition of collusion to keep vacuum

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has lashed out at both Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and the Lebanese Forces-led opposition over the issue of the proposed dialogue.

“As if all parties have a tacit agreement on maintaining presidential vacuum so that each of them can implement his project,” Bassil said at an FPM ceremony in Batroun.

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Govt. agrees to replacing Sayrafa platform with Bloomberg-based one

The caretaker Cabinet on Thursday approved a decision by the country’s financial authorities to replace the Sayrafa currency exchange platform with one based on the international Bloomberg platform.

Asked whether the new platform “has been requested by the international community,” caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makari told reporters that no such move has been requested from Lebanon.

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