Lebanon
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Biden extends National Emergency with respect to Lebanon

U.S. President Joe Biden has extended the so-called U.S. National Emergency with respect to Lebanon.

“Certain ongoing activities, such as Iran’s continuing arms transfers to Hezbollah -- which include increasingly sophisticated weapons systems -- serve to undermine Lebanese sovereignty, contribute to political and economic instability in the region, and continue to constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States,” Biden said in a statement, explaining what prompted the extension.

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Turkey-based firm says grains on Tripoli-docked ship not stolen

A Turkey-based grains trading company denied Friday that barley and flour aboard a ship docked in the Port of Tripoli in Lebanon had been stolen from Ukraine, saying the source of the flour is Russia.

An official at Loyal Agro Co LTD said that the firm had sought to sell 5,000 tons of the flour on the ship to private buyers in Lebanon and not to the Lebanese government.

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Bou Habib: We received Western warnings over Syrian ship and I'm optimistic on border deal

Caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib revealed Friday that Lebanon has received “a number of protests and warnings from a number of Western countries” after a Syrian-flagged ship carrying wheat and barley arrived at Tripoli’s port on Thursday.

“The relevant authorities in Lebanon are currently examining the ship and Lebanon has not yet managed to identify the source of the material it is carrying,” Bou Habib added, noting that the appropriate decision would be taken later.

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Russian Embassy denies any knowledge of grain ship docked in Lebanon

The Russian Embassy in Lebanon denied Friday any knowledge of a Syrian cargo ship that has docked in the port of Tripoli with "stolen grain from Ukraine."

Ukraine said the ship, sanctioned by the United States, carried 5,000 tons of flour and 5,000 tons of barley stolen by Russian from the war-torn country. The ship, Laodicea, was initially heading to Tartus Port in Syria, and was expected to arrive there earlier this week.

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Bassil says MPs 'populist, unproductive, impolite'

Free Patriotic Movement said Friday, in a video post on social video, that what is happening in Parliament is sad.

"First, there is disrespect and impoliteness between the MPs," Bassil said, adding that the Parliament is not "productive."

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Geagea urges authorities to end smuggling, have mercy on Lebanese

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea said Friday that smuggling is the common factor between the multiple crises in Lebanon.

Geagea mentioned, in a post on social media, the economic collapse, the fuel crisis, the Akkar tragic explosion and the bread crisis.

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UN body says violence against Syrians in Lebanon on the rise

Discrimination and violence against Syrian refugees in Lebanon has soared in recent weeks as the country grapples with high food prices and shortages, the U.N. refugee agency told the Associated Press on Friday.

"We have seen tensions between Lebanese and Syrians at bakeries across the country," United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees spokesperson Paula Barrachina told the AP. "In some cases even involving shooting and using sticks against refugees."

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France, KSA say they support Lebanese sovereignty, stability

France and Saudi Arabia stressed Friday, in a joint statement, the two countries' support for the sovereignty, security and stability of Lebanon.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had talked over dinner Thursday about regional crises including the war in Yemen and Iran's nuclear program.

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Report: Berri upset with Mikati over laws obstruction

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is upset with Prime minister-designate Najib Mikati, al-Akhbar newspaper reported.

The daily said that Berri has expressed to his visitors his discontent over Mikati's obstruction to a number of files and laws, including the state budget and over his evasion from fixing an exchange rate for it.

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Report: Israeli Cabinet to meet over border demarcation, Hezbollah's threats

The Israeli cabinet is holding a meeting on Sunday to discuss the maritime border demarcating with Lebanon and Hezbollah's threats, an Israeli media report said.

On Sunday, U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein is scheduled to arrive in Lebanon with a response to Lebanon's demands. Lebanese and Israeli media reports have said that the solution to the border dispute is near and that Hochstein will present a framework for an agreement.

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