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Jumblat Says Syria's Conflict 'Bigger' than Lebanese Politics, Urges its Opposition to Maintain Talks with Russia

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stated on Monday that Syria's war is more significant than the different Lebanese political factions, urging the neighboring country's opposition “not to fall in the trap of cutting all communication with Russia”.

“We call for an actual application of the policy of disassociation towards Syria's events,” Jumblat said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website, explaining that “the higher national interest requires a reconsideration of this policy”.

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Judge Sawan Interrogates Detainee over Arsal Ambush, Issues 4 Arrest Warrants

Military Examining Magistrate Judge Fadi Sawan questioned on Monday a detainee from al-Hujairi family, who was wanted on an arrest warrant for involvement in an ambush of a military patrol in the northeastern border town of Arsal.

Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) identified the detainee as Ahmed al-Hujairi.

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March 14 Independent Christians Discuss with Berri 1 District-Hybrid Vote Law

A delegation of March 14 independent Christian lawmakers and officials discussed with Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday a proposal to divide Lebanon into a single district based on a hybrid system, said MP Butros Harb.

The delegation led by Harb visited Berri in Ain el-Tineh to discuss with him some new ideas following the controversial adoption of the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal by the joint parliamentary committees last week.

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Ghanem Rejects 'Civil War's Legitimate Cover' as Ferzli Defends Orthodox Proposal

MP Robert Ghanem warned on Monday that the adoption of the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal would further isolate the Lebanese sects, calling for a draft-law that achieves real representation for all Lebanese to end the country's political crisis.

The new “civil war will have a legitimate cover” if the Orthodox Gathering proposal is adopted, Ghanem warned at a press conference he held in parliament.

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Zohbi Denies Hizbullah Involved in Regime Battles

The Syrian regime denied on Monday that Hizbullah fighters are intervening in the battles in the Syria against rebels.

"One thing needs to be made absolutely clear, there is not a single Hizbullah fighter in Syria," Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zohbi told Iranian Arabic-language television channel Al-Alam.

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Head of Criminal Court of Cassation Withdraws from Samaha Case over Kinship

Head of the criminal court of cassation Judge Joseph Samaha stepped down from ex-Minister Michel Samaha Case over a family relationship, the state-run National News Agency reported on Monday.

According to the news agency, the judge sought to step down not to be "embarrassed" as the ex-Minister is a relative and hails from the same town.

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SCC to Rally Tuesday before 'Day of Marching', Catholic Schools to Close

The Syndicate Coordination Committee on Monday decided to stage sit-ins Tuesday outside private schools whose administrations are “threatening teachers and preventing them from taking part in strikes,” after it organized nationwide protests on Monday.

Meanwhile, MTV reported that “the general-secretariat of Catholic schools issued an internal circular instructing that schools be closed tomorrow."

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Geagea Praises Suleiman, Miqati Efforts to Resolve Electoral Dispute

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea expressed relief on Monday over the efforts exerted by President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati to reach common ground among the rival March 14 and 8 alliances on the electoral law.

He revealed in comments published in An Nahar newspaper that Suleiman and Miqati called Speaker Nabih Berri and al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora, hoping that the efforts to resolve the dispute would be achieved.

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Jumblat Warns Lack of Consensus on Vote Law Would Destroy Lebanon

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat warned on Monday that lack of consensus on an electoral draft-law would lead the country to destruction.

In remarks to As Safir newspaper, Jumblat said consensus is necessary more than any other time, adding time has not run out yet.

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Berri Says No Parliamentary Session Without Agreement over Electoral Law

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that he will not call for a parliamentary session without previous consensus among the rival parties on the new electoral law.

“I run the sessions, I am one of the main elements of the national pact and I evaluate the interest of the country before I take any decision,” Berri said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

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