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Suleiman: Investigations on Roumieh Jailbreak Must Be Made, Strict Measures Must Be Taken

President Michel Suleiman expressed his deep dissatisfaction regarding the recent escape of inmates from Roumieh prison, stating that such incidents are “unacceptable,” the state-run National News Agency said Saturday.

Suleiman told Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi during a meeting to conduct investigations and take necessary measures to hunt down the escapees and hold prison officials responsible for negligence therein.

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Detainee Quarrels with Security Forces at Justice Palace

A man, who was detained on charges of abusing drugs, quarreled with security guards at the Justice Palace in Baabda after he threatened to escape, the National News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Mohammed Shokr wounded on Monday night one of the guards using a metal blade and set mattresses in his cell on fire.

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Suleiman: I'll Resume Contacts in Bid to Relaunch Dialogue on August 16

President Michel Suleiman on Wednesday announced that he will resume contacts aimed at relaunching national dialogue, noting that the parties that choose to boycott the upcoming session would be held responsible for the consequences of their decision.

“I will resume my contacts and efforts starting this evening in a bid to relaunch national dialogue on August 16 and I will hold all parties responsible” for failing to participate in dialogue, Suleiman said in a speech he delivered during the annual iftar banquet at the presidential palace in Baabda.

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FPM Ministers Attend Cabinet Session after Reneging Boycott

The Change and Reform bloc attended Monday’s cabinet session after mulling the participation of its minister to address the recent security incidents across Lebanon.

The bloc, led by Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun, held a meeting before the session that convened at the Baabda Palace on Monday afternoon.

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Ministers Loyal to Aoun Mulling Participation in Cabinet Next on Monday

Change and Reform bloc ministers are thinking over whether to participate in a cabinet session that is scheduled to be held at Baabda palace on Monday, following their boycott of two other meetings over a dispute on the full-time employment of Electricite du Liban’s contract workers.

By Saturday, the 10 ministers loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun hadn’t announced their participation in the session that Premier Najib Miqati called for to discuss the latest security incidents, the murder attempt against MP Butros Harb, including the telecom data, and the 2012 draft state budget.

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March 14 May Boycott National Dialogue if Arms Possession Not Tackled during Monday’s Session

The national dialogue is set to resume on Monday with the defense strategy being the main topic of discussion, reported al-Liwaa newspaper on Saturday.

Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc circles told As Safir newspaper on Saturday that the bloc is seeking to only discuss at the all-party talks the possession of arms outside the authority of the state.

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Lebanese Foes Optimistic ahead of Crunch Talks Seeking Consensus

The Lebanese foes seeking an accord at a new national dialogue session expressed optimism on Monday as they voiced hope that the all-party talks would have a positive impact on the country, local newspapers reported.

Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel told As Safir newspaper that he will be open to all suggestions during session at the Baabda Palace, noting that the Lebanese leaders should be ready to resolve all the crises Lebanon is suffering from.

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National Dialogue Rejects Buffer Zone with Syria, Urges Citizens against Turning to Arms to End Disputes

The national dialogue resumed its sessions on Monday “amid positive talks” with gatherers agreeing on committing to international resolutions and controlling Lebanon’s border.

The concluding statement said: “We reject the formation of a buffer zone with Syria and the use of Lebanon as an open ground for smuggling arms to Syria.”

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Cabinet Fails to Agree on Spending, Approves Contingency Funds for Security Forces

The cabinet on Wednesday failed to reach an agreement over the controversial issue of extra-budgetary spending, but agreed on an exit for urgent spending.

Briefing reporters after the session, Information Minister Walid al-Daouq said the cabinet “approved contingency funds to cover urgent spending under extraordinary circumstances for each of: the army (L.L. 15 billion), the Internal Security Forces (L.L. 7.5 billion) and the education ministry’s official exams (L.L. 1.25 billion).”

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Govt. to Tackle Spending during Wednesday Session

Cabinet is expected to convene at the Baabda Palace on Wednesday in order to tackle the government spending dispute, among other issues, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.

It will also address Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi’s draft law on the matter.

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