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Berri wants swift election of president who can talk to Syria, Arab countries

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Wednesday that Parliament's doors are not closed to legislative and electoral sessions.

"We hope that a president will be elected as soon as possible, which can only happen when parliamentary blocs show a sincere will to reach an agreement and overcome obstacles," Berri added.

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Salameh attends questioning session over Interpol red notice

Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh arrived Wednesday at the Justice Palace to appear before Attorney General Judge Imad Qabalan over an Interpol red notice issued against him in France over corruption charges.

The Lebanese Judiciary also received an arrest warrant from Germany, and cabinet on Friday will decide whether or not to dismiss Salameh from his post.

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FPM, Atallah say talks ongoing with LF, opposition

MP George Atallah of the Free Patriotic Movement has noted that presidential negotiations between the Lebanese Forces and the FPM “have not stopped,” contrary to the latest statements and reports.

“There is a common concern between the two parties and the two leaderships are following up on this communication,” Atallah told LBCI television.

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Raad: Lebanese interior doesn't need resistance but rather dialogue and tolerance

Hezbollah’s top lawmaker Mohammed Raad has said that his party’s latest military drill was aimed at telling Israel that Lebanon’s presidential crisis will not divert Hezbollah’s attention from confronting Israel’s “aggression against our sovereignty.”

“Some said that this was addressed to the Lebanese interior, knowing that the Lebanese interior does not need resistance, but rather dialogue, understanding and the rhetoric of tolerance among the sons of the same country,” Raad added.

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Israeli army chief: A new war would be 7 times harder for Lebanon

Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi on Tuesday announced that Hezbollah is “very deterred from an all-out war against Israel.”

“It thinks it understands how we think. This thought brings it to dare and challenge us where it is sure it will not lead to war. I see this as a good way to create surprises if necessary,” Halevi said.

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Gemayel urges FPM to return to 'pre-2005 rhetoric'

Kataeb leader Sami Gemayel called Tuesday the Free Patriotic Movement to go back to what it was before 2005.

"On March 14, 2005, you resisted the Syrian occupation and fought for the implementation of international resolutions," Gemayel said to the FPM.

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Geagea says Hezbollah, FPM 'irresponsible' in dealing with Salameh case

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea accused Tuesday the Shiite Duo and the Free Patriotic Movement of "irresponsibility" in dealing with public affairs.

Geagea blamed the FPM and the Axis of Defiance for the crisis, the banking and monetary collapse, and for the resulting dire living conditions.

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Israel: Nasrallah close to making mistake that could lead to major war

Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva has noted that Israel’s confrontation with Iran's proxies has become a “direct” confrontation with the Islamic republic itself.

He further stated that the probability of an escalation that could degenerate into a full-scale war is not low. "Exercising measured and calculated force, as part of Israel's national interest, is the way to deal with this while strengthening alliances in the region," he said.

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US backs Mikati's stance on Hezbollah's military drill

The United States has voiced support for caretaker PM Najib Mikati’s criticism of the military drill that Hezbollah has staged in south Lebanon.

“Hezbollah is more concerned with its own interests and those of its patron Iran than what is best for the Lebanese people. And I just want to note something that the prime minister of Lebanon said, which is the event constituted a diminution of Lebanon’s authority and sovereignty, and add that moreover, it threatens Lebanon’s security and stability,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press briefing.

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Salameh to appeal Interpol warrant today, cabinet to convene Friday

Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh will file Tuesday an appeal against an Interpol red notice issued against him in France over corruption charges.

Public prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat on Monday summoned Salameh for questioning following the international arrest warrant.

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