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Lebanon extends suspension of flights to and from Iran

Lebanese authorities said on Monday they had extended the suspension of inbound and outbound flights to Iran indefinitely, after originally barring Iranian planes from landing in Beirut until February 18.

Authorities have decided to "mandate the Minister of Public Works and Transport to extend the suspension period of flights to and from Iran," Lebanese presidency spokeswoman Najat Sharafeddine told reporters, without specifying when flights would resume.

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Israeli army confirms it'll keep occupying 5 hills in south Lebanon

The Israeli army said its forces will remain at five "strategic points" inside Lebanon beyond Tuesday, when the deadline for troop withdrawal from south Lebanon under a fragile ceasefire expires.

"Based on the current situation, we will leave small amounts of troops deployed temporarily in five strategic points along the border in Lebanon so we can continue to defend our residents and to make sure there's no immediate threat," Israeli military spokesman Nadav Shoshani told journalists on Monday.

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Israeli officials voice conflicting remarks on Lebanon pullout as one threatens continued strikes

The Israeli army will stay in five points inside Lebanon, reportedly strategic hills near the border, after its withdrawal from southern towns in line with the February 18 deadline, an Israeli political official told the Israel Hayom daily.

An Israeli official meanwhile told The Times of Israel on condition of anonymity that Israel is planning on withdrawing from Lebanon on Tuesday.

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Berri: We are not an Israeli colony and will never be

Speaker Nabih Berri has said that the latest crisis over Iranian flights should be addressed “responsibly, wisely and away from the media and furor.”

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Jumblat: Lebanon doesn't want group of Lebanese to be tool in Iran's hand

Druze leader Walid Jumblat has noted that “the previous equation in Lebanon has changed due to the political and military circumstances,” adding that “it has been agreed on the need to implement U.N. resolutions.”

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Trump reportedly halts Lebanon aid, wants to see 'achievements' first

U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to suspend U.S. aid to Lebanon and wants to see “achievements” first, Al-Arabiya TV quoted a U.S. State Department official as saying.

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Aoun: Hezbollah arms should be part of solutions agreed on by the Lebanese

President Joseph Aoun stressed Monday that “the army is responsible for protecting the border and it enjoys readiness.”

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Iran says to take part in Nasrallah funeral at 'high level'

Iran said on Monday that it will take part in this weekend's funeral of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the slain leader of Lebanon's Tehran-backed Hezbollah movement, with a senior delegation.

"We will participate in this ceremony at a high level," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters, without specifying who would attend Sunday's ceremony in Beirut.

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Lebanon urges ceasefire sponsors to pressure Israel to withdraw by deadline

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged on Monday sponsors of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah to help pressure Israel to withdraw troops by a deadline the following day.

"We are continuing contacts on several levels to push Israel to respect the agreement and to withdraw on the scheduled date, and return the prisoners," Aoun said, according to a presidency statement.

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Israeli drone targets Hamas commander in Sidon

An Israeli strike targeted Monday a vehicle in the southern city of Sidon, killing one person, on the eve of a withdrawal deadline under a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

A Lebanese security source said the strike killed a military unit commander from Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as Israel’s military claimed the raid.

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