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Lebanon to Turn in 3 Syrian Soldiers to their Authorities as Refugees Continue to Flood to North

The Lebanese military is about to hand in three Syrian enlisted soldiers to their authorities after they fled Syria’s crackdown to northern Lebanon from the village of Tall Kalakh, An Nahar newspaper reported on Tuesday.

“One of the enlisted soldiers is being treated for injuries he suffered after being shot at along with the other two soldiers,” the daily said.

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Anti-Assad Regime Meeting Postponed

Around 300 Lebanese officials, affiliated with the March 14 camp, were invited Tuesday to a meeting in support of anti-Assad regime demonstrators at 4:00 pm, but the conference was later postponed for unknown reasons and organizers said the location and the timing will be announced at a later date.

The Bristol Hotel was supposed to host on Tuesday two antagonist meetings; the first was in support of the Syrian people, while the other would reportedly be held to announce backing for the Syrian regime.

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March 8, Syria Say ‘No Alternative’ to Miqati

The March 8 forces and Syria continue to hold onto Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati despite an announcement by Tawhid movement leader Wiam Wahhab that he was mulling legal ways to end the nomination of the billionaire businessman, high-ranking sources said.

The sources from the new parliamentary majority told An Nahar daily in remarks published Tuesday that the March 8 forces continue to back Miqati although the cabinet formation process shook ties between several members of the coalition.

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U.S., France Condemn Violence on Lebanon Border, Urge Restraint

The White House said Monday it regretted the loss of life on the Lebanese-Israeli border and urged "maximum restraint" among all parties but said the U.S. ally has the right to thwart unauthorized crossings.

"We regret the loss of life and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those killed and wounded," spokesman Jay Carney told reporters aboard President Barack Obama's official Air Force One airplane.

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Suleiman Discusses Nakba Day Clashes with Connelly, Calls on Security Council, U.S. to Hold Israel Accountable

President Michel Suleiman held talks on Monday with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly on the security and political repercussions of Sunday’s Nakba Day clashes between Lebanon, Syria, and Israel.

He called on the United States to urge the Jewish state to respect international laws and agreements, once again condemning its attack against unarmed civilians.

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HRW Blasts Syria for Arbitrary Detentions

The embattled Syrian regime is pushing ahead with its campaign of repression against political and human rights activists, holding many of them incommunicado and going after their families and friends, Human Rights Watch said.

"Syria’s leaders talk about a war against terrorists, but what we see on the ground is a war against ordinary Syrians -- lawyers, human rights activists, and university students -- who are calling for democratic changes in their country," Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director of the New York-based organization, said in a statement late Sunday.

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Israel Files Complaint against Lebanon and Syria over Nakba Day Incidents

Israel filed a complaint with the U.N. Security Council on Monday against Lebanon and Syria over the Nakba Day incidents that took place on Sunday.

Spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry told Agence France Presse: “We filed a complaint to the Security Council and U.N. Secretary General because Lebanon and Syria should be held responsible for violating our borders, international agreements, and U.N. resolutions.”

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Miqati’s Brother Visits Damascus: It is Distancing Itself from Meddling in Government Formation

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati’s brother, Taha, visited Damascus on Wednesday where he met with Syrian officials, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday.

Sources told the daily: “The Syrian officials voiced their relief that an agreement was reached over who will assume the Interior Ministry and Damascus supports Miqati’s position of hanging on to his privileges in forming the government.”

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Syrian Forces Shoot Dead 3 in Border Town

Syrian troops shot dead three people and wounded several others on Saturday in the western border town of Tall Kalakh, a witness told Agence France Presse.

"The security forces, who had been encircling Tall Kalakh since the morning, fired machine guns. At least three people were killed and several were wounded," the witness said.

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Iranian FM: ‘No Information’ on al-Jazeera Reporter

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Saturday that he had "no information" on the whereabouts of an American journalist working for al-Jazeera after Damascus said she was sent to Tehran, the official IRNA news agency reported.

"I have no information," Salehi said when asked whether Syria, Iran's main Arab ally, had handed over the journalist.

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