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Barak Holds Lebanese Government Responsible for Hizbullah’s Escalations

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned lawmakers against Hizbullah obtaining additional weapons and property because of instability in Syria.

Barak said Monday Israel “made sure to relay to the Lebanese government that it will be seen as responsible,” for any escalation on the border.

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Jumblat: I Didn't Betray Rafik Hariri, Sometimes We Must Forget about Truth for Stability's Sake

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Monday stressed that he has not betrayed the memory of slain premier Rafik Hariri.

“I’m cautioning against the threats. I am with justice and stability but sometimes it is better to forget about truth for the sake of stability,” Jumblat said in an interview on MTV.

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Tenenti: UNIFIL Has No Mandate to Demarcate Maritime Border

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has no mandate to demarcate the maritime borders between Lebanon and Israel and its mission is limited to preventing any hostile naval acts, UNIFIL deputy spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said Monday.

He noted that the mandate of the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force is limited to helping the Lebanese navy in preventing the unauthorized entry of arms by sea into Lebanon.

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Phalange: Govt. Can’t Be Selective in Dealing with International Law

The Phalange Party noted on Monday that the government’s position on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon does not adhere to United Nations Security Council 1757 on the issue.

It said in a statement after its weekly politburo meeting: “This will lead Lebanon to a confrontation with the international community, which will have negative repercussions on its economic, financial, and tourism fields.”

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STL: We Have No Comment to Make on Identity of those Accused

The Pre-Trial Judge, Daniel Fransen, issued on Friday July 8 international arrest warrants against the accused in the February 14, 2005 attack in which former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and many others were killed, said the Special Tribunal for Lebanon press office in a statement.

The Tribunal has requested Interpol to notify all States of the arrest warrants following a request from STL Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare, it added.

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Williams Meets Charbel: Any Country Has the Right to Benefit from its Water Resources

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams stated on Monday that any country in the region and the world has the right to benefit from the water resources that fall within its territorial waters.

He hoped after holding talks with Interior Minister Marwan Charbel that Lebanon would be able to take advantage of the maritime resources found in the Mediterranean.

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Geagea: We Back Demarcation of Maritime Borders Away from Exploitation of Regional Events

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea voiced on Monday his support for the government’s efforts to demarcate the maritime borders.

He pointed out however that “demanding this right is one thing, while exploiting this issue for greater regional interests is another.”

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Suleiman Warns against Unilateral Israeli Decision over Maritime Borders

President Michel Suleiman warned Israel against taking any unilateral decision that may violate international law concerning the maritime borders.

“Lebanon is ready to defend its territories, land and maritime borders with all the possible and legal ways,” he told his visitors on Monday.

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Al-Rahi: We Reject a Politicized STL, It is the Only Side that Achieves Justice

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi criticized on Monday the parties describing the international tribunal as politicized saying they should provide evidence of its politicization before making any accusations.

“We don’t accept a fake or politicized court,” al-Rahi told journalists at Bkirki. “But should we describe it as politicized just because we oppose it?” he wondered.

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Second Phase of Indictment May Include No Less than 12 Lebanese and Syrian Officials

The second phase of the indictment in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon will include the names of a number of Lebanese officials close to Syria and other Syrian individuals, revealed British security sources to the Kuwaiti al-Seyassah newspaper.

These names include the four generals, former General Security chief Jamil Sayyed, former head of the presidential guard Mustafa Hamdan, former Internal Security Forces chief Ali Hajj, and former military intelligence chief Raymond Azar.

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