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Berri says Hochstein to visit Lebanon Sunday or Monday

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced Tuesday that U.S. energy mediator Amos Hochstein will visit Lebanon on “Sunday or Monday” to discuss the offshore gas row between Lebanon and Israel.

Berri made the announcement in response to remarks in parliament by MP Paula Yacoubian, who said that “the issue related to our maritime resources and Line 29 cannot be postponed,” suggesting that parliament discuss an urgent draft law that it has received in this regard.

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Reformist MPs urge for amending Decree 6433, adopting Line 29

the Oct. 17 MPs condemned Monday the arrival in disputed waters of a vessel intended to start producing gas for Israel.

"Amending the 6433 Decree is a national duty and we have legal proofs that Lebanon has the right to the Line 29," MP Melhem Khalaf said from Parliament on behalf of the reformist MPs.

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Israel says gas dispute to be resolved through US mediation

Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Monday that the gas field dispute with Lebanon will be resolved through a U.S. mediation.

"The dispute will be resolved in the framework of negotiations between us and Lebanon, mediated by the United States," Gantz said.

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FPM: President can't adopt Line 29 without govt. decree

The Free Patriotic Movement on Monday defended President Michel Aoun, noting that he or others “cannot consider Line 29 to be an official line for Lebanon if it does not get endorsed in a decision or decree by the Lebanese government.”

“Line 29 has been adopted by the Lebanese team as a negotiations line, and the President and others cannot consider it to be an official line for Lebanon if it does not get endorsed in a decision or decree by the Lebanese government,” the FPM said in a statement.

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Aoun, Miqati want US mediation after Israel gas ship move

President Michel Aoun and Caretaker PM Najib Miqati agreed on Monday to invite U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein to visit Beirut in order to resume the stalled negotiations over the maritime demarcation with Israel, the Presidency said.

The two leaders agreed that the demarcation must be completed "as soon as possible in order to avoid any escalation," after a gas drilling ship had entered a disputed sea area, sparking Lebanese condemnation.

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Bayram says Hizbullah practicing 'positive silence' in offshore gas row

Caretaker Labor Minister Mustafa Bayram on Monday announced that Hizbullah is practicing “positive silence” regarding the Lebanon-Israel row over offshore gas drilling.

“The resistance is practicing positive silence and the Lebanese stance must remain firm,” Bayram, who is close to Hizbullah, told al-Jadeed TV.

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Aoun says any Israeli activity in disputed sea area is a 'hostile act'

President Michel Aoun on Sunday held phone talks with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati and a number of officials following the reports about the entry of the gas drilling ship Energean Power into a sea border area disputed by Lebanon, the Presidency said.

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Miqati warns of 'very dangerous' situation after Israeli ship enters disputed area

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati on Sunday urged the U.N. and other international parties to compel Israel to stop its “dangerous provocations,” after a gas drilling ship crossed the so-called Line 29 and entered a sea area disputed by Lebanon.

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Berri urges govt. that has support of 'all parties'

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has called for the formation of a new government that would enjoy the support of "all parties."

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UNEP, Sweden Embassy celebrate Swedish National Day in Byblos on June 6

Sweden has chosen “Sustainable Sweden” as a theme for the Swedish National Day celebrations on June 6th. The event will take place in the historic citadel in Byblos in partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Byblos Municipality, Volvo Cars and others.

"The aim is to showcase sustainable solutions from different sectors, and to demonstrate that you can host an event with zero plastic waste, recycling and no food waste," UNEP Representative Sami Dimassi and Sweden Ambassador to Lebanon Ann Dismorr said Friday in a joint statement.

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