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Obama: We Must Remember Lessons from Berlin Wall

U.S. President Barack Obama told the world Friday to remember lessons from the emotional fall of the Berlin Wall 25 years ago, particularly in light of "Russia's actions against Ukraine."

Berlin kicked off celebrations Friday of the 25th anniversary of the fall of the wall, which culminate Sunday with a party to mark the historic event which led to German reunification.

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Germany Launches Celebration Weekend for Berlin Wall's Fall

Germany kicks off celebrations Friday marking the 25th anniversary of the epochal fall of the Berlin Wall, set to culminate with rock stars and veteran freedom activists joining a millions-strong crowd.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, who grew up in communist East Germany, will lead three days of commemorations for those killed trying to flee the repressive state, leading up to a giant festival Sunday marking the joyous breach of Europe's Cold War division on November 9, 1989.

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Plumbly Rules Out Naturalization of Syrian Refugees

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly ruled out the naturalization of Syrian refugees, denying international pressure to keep the displaced in Lebanon.

In remarks to As Safir daily published on Thursday, Plumbly said: “The issue of the naturalization of the Syrian refugees is out of the question.”

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Salam Hopes for Financial Support to Meet Burden of Refugees

Prime Minister Tammam Salam hoped on Tuesday that the international community is aware of Lebanon's huge financial needs to confront the burden of refugees.

“The refugees are affecting our economy and security ... We call for more funding to confront the repercussions of the refugee crisis,” Salam said at the opening of the Berlin conference on Syrian refugees, which was attended by Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil and Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas.

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Salam Travels to Berlin: Order to Take Decisive Action against Terrorists Has Been Given

Prime Minister Tammam Salam stated on Monday that the unrest in the northern city of Tripoli “is nearing its end,” stressing the need for a national stance towards eliminating the terrorists.

He said: “The order to take decisive action against the terrorists has been given.”

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Syrian Refugees Bunk Down in Converted Berlin School

Syrian refugees are bedding down in the converted classrooms of a former Berlin high school as Germany grapples with being Europe's number-one destination for asylum seekers.

Among the newcomers is Mohammed Nabil, 28, who after a perilous land and sea journey now shares a small and immaculate if improvised bedroom with his mother, brother and sister in a working class district of the German capital.

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Derbas Says Lebanon and Jordan United at Berlin Conference

Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas said the stance of Lebanon and Jordan at the upcoming Berlin conference on the Syrian refugees will be united.

In remarks to An Nahar daily published Friday, Derbas said that both countries are suffering from the same repercussions of the Syrians crisis that resulted in millions of refugees.

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Germany toughens Asylum Rules for Three Balkans States

Germany made it harder Friday for people from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia and Serbia to apply for asylum after lawmakers classified the three Balkan countries as safe, with respect for basic rights.

The legislation was approved by the upper house of parliament and aims to make it simpler for authorities to deport political asylum seekers from the three formerly war-ravaged states.

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Germany Says No Public Money Paid for Syria Hostage Release

The German government said it did not pay to secure the release earlier this year of a 27-year-old German national kidnapped in Syria by jihadist militants.

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Pro-Russia Protesters Disrupt Merkel Campaign Meeting

Pro-Russia protesters disrupted a public meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin Wednesday, calling for the arrest of "Nazis" in Ukraine.

Around a hundred protesters, wearing caps emblazoned with the Russian two-headed eagle emblem, booed the chancellor and brandished placards bearing slogans such as "Arrest the Nazis in Ukraine" and "No war against Russia".

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