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Mustaqbal: Hizbullah Seeking to Follow Syrian Example by Defending Govt. Mistakes

The Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc condemned on Tuesday Hizbullah and its allies’ conduct during last week’s parliamentary session that was aimed at assessing the government’s performance.

It said in a statement after its weekly meeting: “Hizbullah is seeking to follow the example of its Syrian ally through going to extremes in defending the government’s mistakes in the power and telecommunications sectors, among others.”

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Aoun: Geagea Jumped to Conclusions over his Assassination Attempt

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun stated on Tuesday that Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea was the first to begin the wave of accusations linked to the failed attempt on his life.

He said after the Change and Reform bloc’s weekly meeting: “Geagea has jumped to conclusions over the failed assassination attempt before the investigations have reached a result.”

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U.N. Council Passes Syria Monitors Resolution, Opposition Hails Decision

The U.N. Security Council on Saturday unanimously passed a resolution allowing a 300-strong ceasefire monitoring mission in Syria despite the strong doubts of many Western nations.

Under U.N. resolution 2043, the unarmed military observers will be sent for an initial period of 90 days if U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon decides it is safe for them to go.

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Cabinet Wins No-Confidence Vote, Miqati Says Govt. Cohesive despite Differences

The government on Thursday survived a vote of no confidence in parliament, amid a walkout by March 14 MPs and the presence of the Phalange bloc.

The vote of no confidence was requested by Phalange bloc MP Sami Gemayel, who withheld confidence in the government along with only two other lawmakers.

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Gemayel Withholds Confidence from Govt., Clashes with Fattoush

Phalange bloc MP Sami Gemayel on Thursday announced that he withholds confidence from Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s government, during the third round of parliamentary debate over the government’s policies.

“We withhold confidence from this government and this is our democratic duty and everyone must shoulder their responsibilities,” Gemayel said.

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Vehicles Destined for Syria as U.N. Monitors Arrive at Beirut Airport

Ten vehicles belonging to the team of U.N. observers overseeing Syria’s shaky ceasefire arrived at the Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport on Wednesday.

“Over the past hours, a private Italian jet landed at the Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport carrying a Land Cruiser SUV. It was followed by three other planes coming from the Czech Republic and carrying nine vehicles belonging to the U.N. observers in Syria,” Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported.

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Fadlallah Hits Back at March 14 over Karam Release, Marouni Slams 'Treason Accusations'

The evening round on the second day of parliamentary debate on the government’s policies was rife with harsh criticism from the opposition and calls for better performance from the ruling camp, amid several verbal clashes over Hizbullah’s controversial arsenal of weapons.

MP Hassan Fadlallah, member of Hizbullah’s Loyalty to Resistance bloc, snapped back at the rival March 14 camp over accusations that his party had notably remained silent over the recent controversial release of Brig. Gen. Fayez Karam from prison, less than two years after he was convicted of collaborating with Israel.

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STL Rejects Sayyed's Request to Sanction Prosecutor for Contempt, Misconduct

The Appeals Chamber of the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon has ruled in a decision issued Wednesday that only relevant documents that may explain why former General Security chief Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayyed was detained or why he should have been released must be disclosed by the Prosecutor, the STL announced.

“The Judges directed that the relevant documents should be disclosed by 18 May at the latest. They also decided that the Prosecutor does not need to hand over exact copies of previously disclosed documents,” the STL said.

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Bakeries Union Calls Off Thursday Strike

Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas announced on Wednesday that the Bakeries Union has decided to call off its strike that was scheduled for Thursday.

He said during a press conference that the strike was cancelled after an agreement was reached to subsidize flour with LL70,000, meaning that the bakeries will receive a ton of flour at the cost of LL440,000 instead of LL510,000.

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U.N. Observes Admit Tough Task as Syria Death Toll Mounts

U.N. observers acknowledged on Tuesday that they face a tough task to firm up a ceasefire in Syria, as more civilians were killed in the latest violence on the sixth day of a tenuous truce.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said security forces killed five civilians, while the Local Coordination Committees, the main activist group spurring protests on the ground, said 66 civilians were killed across the country.

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