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Hezbollah denies link to attacks on Israeli diplomats

Beirut - Hezbollah leader Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah on Thursday denied any links to the attacks that targeted Israeli diplomats in Bangkok, New Delhi and Georgia.

Lebanon worried about Syria violence spillover

Beirut - The recent clashes that have raged in northern Lebanon, pitting loyalists against opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, have raised concerns that the 11-month unrest in Syria might spill over into its smaller neighbour.

LEAD: Democracy can't be achieved by elections alone, UN chief says

Beirut - Democracy can't be achieved only through elections, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Sunday at a conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

UN chief warns Syria's al-Assad over repression

Beirut - UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop cracking down on his own people.

World dignitaries gather in Beirut for democracy conference

Beirut - More than 50 prominent policy-makers, academics and development experts from around the world were gathering Sunday in the Lebanese capital Beirut for a United Nations conference on democracy in the Arab world.

Israel warns citizens against travel to Thailand

Tel Aviv - The Israeli government Friday warned its citizens to be careful when travelling to Thailand due to the threat of a Hezbollah-backed terrorist attack against Israelis.

UN chief to visit Lebanon for talks on Syrian unrest

Beirut - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is to travel to Beirut on Friday to discuss the Syrian crisis with Lebanese officials, UN sources said Thursday.

Lebanese minister in Libya to unlock mystery of missing cleric

Tripoli - Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour Thursday met with Libyan officials for talks on the fate of a prominent Lebanese cleric who disappeared in Libya more than three decades ago.

LEAD: Report: Some 75 Israeli shells explode in Lebanon

Beirut - Some 75 shells fell on Tuesday in an area of Lebanon near the border with Israel whose army was conducting a military exercise, the Lebanese National News Agency said.

Report: Some 75 Israeli shells explode in Lebanon

Beirut - Some 75 shells fell on Tuesday in an area of Lebanon near the border with Israel whose army was conducting a military exercise, the Lebanese National News Agency said.

Hezbollah slams new EU sanctions against Iran

Beirut- The Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah on Friday slammed new sanctions by the European Union against Iran, saying 'international evil powers once again agreed' to hit Tehran with their 'bankrupt decisions.'

Israel, Islamist group exchange fire on Lebanese border

Tel Aviv - The Israeli army said Tuesday it had returned artillery fire after rockets were launched from Lebanon into northern Israel for the first time in two years.

Israel, Lebanon exchange rocket fire

Tel Aviv - The Israeli army said Tuesday it had returned artillery fire after rockets were launched from Lebanon into northern Israel for the first time in two years. No injuries were reported on either side.

Previously unknown group claims rocket attack on Israel

Beirut - Abdullah Azzam Brigades, a previously unknown group, has claimed responsibility for rocket attacks from southern Lebanon into Israel, Lebanese media reported Tuesday.

UN official says rockets from Lebanon undermine stability

Beirut - The commander of the United Nations Interim forces in southern Lebanon (UNFIL) has described the firing of rockets from Lebanon into Israel as a 'serious' incident that risks increasing instability to the region.

LEAD: Rockets fired from Lebanon into Israel

Tel Aviv - Rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel early Tuesday, the Israeli military said.

Extra: Israeli artillery shells areas in southern Lebanon

Beirut - Israeli artillery shelled areas near Lebanese border early Tuesday after rockets were fired from the area into northern Israel, a Lebanese security source said.

Rockets fired from Lebanon into Israel

Tel Aviv - Rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel, the Israeli military said Tuesday.

Lebanon expects it will be affected by Syria sanctions

Beirut - The Arab League's widely expected decision to apply sanctions on Syria may also hurt Lebanon's economy, despite the country's best efforts to remain neutral, Lebanese experts and officials said Sunday.

Report: CIA spies caught in Lebanon, Iran

Washington - More than a dozen spies providing intelligence to the US Central Intelligence Agency have been captured in Lebanon and Iran, US broadcaster ABC reported Monday.

Sunni group in Lebanon holds protest against Syria's al-Assad

Beirut - A Sunni Muslim group held a protest on Friday in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli demanding that the government withdraw the country's ambassador to Syria over President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

Lebanon stay on course for World Cup qualification

Beirut - Lebanon kept alive their hopes of a first-ever appearance at the World Cup finals with a 2-1 victory against South Korea on Tuesday.

Hezbollah denies links with 'terrorist' cell in Bahrain

Beirut - The Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah denied allegations by some Bahraini parliamentarians that it was linked to a suspected terrorist cell recently arrested in the Gulf state.

Row erupts over Lebanon's objection to Arab move against Syria

Beirut - A row erupted Monday between rival Lebanese parliamentary factions over the country's voting against an Arab League decision to suspend Syria's membership of the organization.

Al-Assad supporters protest in Beirut

Beirut - Around 150 supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad demonstrated Saturday outside the Qatari embassy in Beirut, denouncing an Arab League decision to temporarily suspend Syria's membership.

Two wounded in mine explosion at Syria-Lebanon border

Beirut - Two people were wounded Friday when a landmine exploded at the Lebanon-Syria border, a Lebanese security source told dpa.

Syrian opposition urges Lebanon to search for missing activists

Beirut - The opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) called Wednesday on Lebanese authorities to investigate the cases of 13 Syrian rights activists who have gone missing in Lebanon over the past few months.

Top US official in Beirut to discuss Syria sanctions, sources say

Beirut - A senior US official arrived in Beirut on Tuesday for a three-day visit during which he will meet Lebanese officials and start a campaign aimed at increasing sanctions against Syria, a Lebanese government source told dpa.

Violence at home heightens tensions among Syrians in Lebanon

Beirut - The political turmoil and violence in their home country appear to have shattered the coexistence between Syrians from different religious groups working in neighbouring Lebanon.

New Syrian infiltration into Lebanese territories, sources say

Beirut - Syrian troops infiltrated Tuesday into northern and eastern parts of the Lebanese territories and set up fixed posts to prevent Syrians from escaping into Lebanon, a Lebanese security source told dpa.

Report: Arab League awaiting Syria's response to plan to end unrest

Beirut - The head of the Arab League, Nabil al Arabi, has cancelled a visit to Lebanon, where he had been due to hold talks on the situation in Syria, a Lebanese radio station reported Monday.

Former head of the UN tribunal for Lebanon dies

Beirut - The former president of the UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), Italian jurist Antonio Cassese, died Saturday in Florence.

Celebratory gunfire in Beirut for Gaddafi's reported death

Beirut - Celebratory gunfire as heard Thursday in Beirut's Shiite soutehrn suburbs after reports circulated that former Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi was killed.

Syrian army kills man in Labanon, kidnaps another

Beirut - A Syrian army unit crossed into eastern Lebanon, killed a Syrian man and kidnapped his brother, a Lebanese security source said Wednesday.

Lebanese army stops munitions-laden truck bound for Syria

Beirut - Lebanese soldiers uncovered a cache of machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades hidden inside a van driving towards Syria, the state-run Lebanese National News Agency reported Saturday.

Refugees from Syria tell tales of terror in Lebanon

Wadi Khaled, Lebanon - The house on the Lebanese side of the river is modest. Trampled plastic bottles and children's sandals lay in the dust next to the entrance.

Syrian army ventures into Lebanon in search of activists, defectors

Beirut - Two Syrian army tanks crossed the border into eastern Lebanon on Tuesday, reportedly as part of a search for activists or army defectors who have fled the country.

Hezbollah slams attack on Israel mosque

Beirut - Hezbollah on Monday slammed the torching of a mosque in northern Israel and accused 'Zionist settlers of attacking religious shrines.'

Australian court helps prospective child bride avoid marriage

Sydney - An Australian court has stepped in to help a 16-year-old Muslim girl avoid an arranged marriage in Lebanon, just two weeks before the wedding date, news reports said Friday.

SANA: Syrian authorities seize arms coming from Lebanon

Damascus/Beirut- The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported late Thursday that Syrian authorities at the country's border seized a large amount of weapons and ammunition being smuggled in from Lebanon.

Syrian delegation thanks Lebanese clergyman for supporting al-Assad

Beirut - The head of the Lebanese Christian Maronite community was praised Wednesday for his support of Syrian President Bahar al-Assad by a Sunni Muslim delegation loyal to the leader.

Lebanese army questions Israeli Arab who swam to Lebanon

Beirut - The Lebanese army questioned on Tuesday an Israeli Arab who was found on a Lebanese beach in southern Lebanon after swimming from Israel, a Lebanese army source said.

Hezbollah condemns Iraq's Shiite Shrine blasts

Beirut - The pro-Iranian Lebanese Shiite movement condemned Monday the blasts that hit the Iraqi shrine of Karbala a day earlier describing it as an attack that serves US interests in the region.

Syrian troops fire upon northern Lebanon

Beirut - Heavy fire was reported early Saturday from Syria towards areas in northern Lebanon, spreading panic in the area, local villagers told the German Press Agency dpa.

Disappointed Palestinian refugees still hoping for statehood

Chatilla, Lebanon - The main topic of conversation in Chatilla, a Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of Beirut, was US President Barack Obama's speech calling on the Palestinians to return to negotiations with Israel rather than seek UN statehood.

Lebanon: Recognition of Palestinian state won't solve all problems

New York - Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that admission of a Palestinian state will not solve all issues in the Middle East conflict.

Lebanon to hold conference to encourage investment in Libya

Beirut - Lebanon said Wednesday it would host a conference in November to encourage investment in Libya, news reports said.

Residents at Lebanese-Syrian border call for army protection

Beirut - Residents living near Lebanon's northern border with Syria called Saturday on the Lebanese army to deploy more troops in the area to protect them from Syrian fire.

Residents at the Lebanese-Syrian border call for army protection

Beirut- Residents living near Lebanon's northern border with Syria called Saturday on the Lebanese army to deploy more troops in the area to protect them from Syrian fire.

UNHCR says 120 Syrian refugees fled into northern Lebanon

Beirut - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said 120 Syrian refugees fled to north Lebanon last week, the Lebanese Daily Star quoted the agency as saying Tuesday.

Syrian refugees continue to flock into northern Lebanon

Beirut - Syrian fleeing political unrest continued into neighbouring Lebanon, the state-run Lebanese news agency reported Saturday.

Divisions emerge in Lebanon over uprising in Syria

Beirut - A popular uprising against the 11-year rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has divided politicians in Lebanon over the country's own stance towards the unrest in its neighbour.

Lebanon backs Syria in rejecting Arab League statement

Beirut - Lebanon on Wednesday backed Syria in rejecting an Arab League statement demanding an end to the bloodshed in the country.

Dozens more refugees arrive in Lebanon from Syria

Beirut - Dozens of people, including one suffering gunshot wounds, joined the thousands of other Syrian refugees in Lebanon overnight as Syrian security forces continued their crackdown against pro-democracy protesters.

Gaddafi in south Tripoli, or headed for desert, former aide says

Beirut - The former topmost aide of embattled Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi believes that Gaddafi might be in southern Tripoli or has fled to the desert, a Lebanese newspaper said Friday.

Family of Lebanese cleric missing in Libya hopes for his release

Beirut - The family of prominent Lebanese clergyman Moussa al-Sadr, who founded the country's first Shiite movement, Amal, shortly before disappearing during an official visit to Libya, in 1978, called Tuesday on Libyan rebels to help find him.

Gaddafi describes rebels as rats

Beirut - Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi on Monday described rebels as 'rats' as they reportedly made advances in several towns, especially in the western part of the country.

Clash erupts between pro and anti-Syrian protesters in Beirut

Beirut(dpa) - A clash erupted Thursday between pro and anti-Syrian protesters near the Syrian embassy in Beirut.

Lebanese intellectuals gather in support of Syrian people

Beirut - Some 200 Lebanese intellectuals and journalists along with Syrian opposition figures living in Lebanon, gathered late Monday in downtown Beirut to voice solidarity with the Syrian people.

UNHCR denies accusing Hezbollah of killing Syria deserters

Beirut - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday repudiated statements that it had produced a report accusing Lebanon's Hezbollah of involvement in killing Syrian army deserters.

Hezbollah denies reports that it killed Syrian army deserters

Beirut - Hezbollah has denied reports that its members are involved in killing Syrian army deserters, in a statement released to Lebanese media by the Lebanon-based party on Monday.

Prominent Syrian opposition figure arrested, activist says

Beirut - A prominent Syrian opposition figure was arrested by Syrian security forces, activists based in Lebanon told the German Press Agency dpa early Sunday.

Criticism of Lebanon's disavowal of UN statement on Syria

Beirut - Lebanon's disavowal of a UN Security Council statement condemning Syria's deadly attacks on civilians ignited a wave of criticism on Thursday among opposition anti-Syrian lawmakers in the country.

Human Rights Watch urges Syria to heed UN call to end violence

Beirut - The New-York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) called Thursday on Syria to halt its attacks on peaceful protesters in response to the United Nations Security Council's condemnation of its use of force against civilians.

Crackdown in Hama reopens wounds, recalls brutal memories (correction)

Beirut - Abu Ahmad weeps with the knowledge of the crackdown taking place in Hama, Syria, and dreads the memory of a brutal massacre committed by the Syrian regime a generation earlier in his home town.

Syrian tanks resume shelling on Hama

Damascus/Cairo/Beirut - Syrian tanks resumed shelling Tuesday night against areas in the central city of Hama, sending residents scurrying for cover under staircases and in shelters, activists told the German Press Agency dpa.

Night protest in Beirut in support of Syrian demonstrators

Beirut - Some 150 people demonstrated Sunday in Beirut in support of the five-month-old Syrian uprising against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and in solidarity with the people of Hama.

Syrian army exchanges fire with refugees fleeing to Lebanon

Beirut- The Syrian army and a group of refugees fleeing the country into Lebanon along an illegal route exchanged fire on the Syrian-Lebanese border, a Lebanese security source said Saturday.

Lebanese survivor recalls horror of Norway attacks

Beirut - Now back in the safety of his home in Beirut, Bassel al-Oud recalls the attack on Utoya island in Norway and the horror, fear and panic as a gunman went on a shooting spree last week, killing 68 people.

Anti- and pro-Assad protesters clash in Beirut

Beirut - A clash erupted Sunday evening in Beirut between supporters and opponents of the neighbouring Syrian regime, prompting the Lebanese army to intervene to disperse the crowd, a witness told the German Press Agency dpa.

Amid clampdown in Homs, Syrians in Lebanon fear for home

Beirut - The news of a security clampdown by Syrian troops in Homs ahead of planned protests Friday quickly spread to Lebanon and was a cause for concern for many Syrians who call the central city home.

Syrian army deploys along Lebanon border to stop refugees

Cairo/Beirut - The Syrian army has deployed heavily along the border with Lebanon to prevent refugees from escaping the unrest which has been gripping the country since mid-March, activists said Tuesday.

Syrian army deployed along border with Lebanon to stop refugees

Italy cuts back involvement in foreign military missions

Rome - Italy's conservative government announced Thursday plans to reduce the number of Italian troops serving in missions abroad, including some 1,000 stationed on an aircraft carrier off the coast of Libya.

Israel says ready to negotiate with Lebanese government

Jerusalem - In a surprise move, Israel said Wednesday it was ready to negotiate on certain conditions with the new Hezbollah- dominated government in Lebanon.

Bahrain to resume flights to Lebanon after diplomatic spat

Cairo/Beirut/Manama - Bahrain's state-run Gulf Air said Tuesday it will resume flights to Lebanon after a suspension in late March over statements made by the leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement against authorities in the kingdom.

Expat Syrians in Lebanon fear more army repression

Beirut - Standing on the edge of a Beirut construction site, Syrian worker Ahmad played nervously with his tools, engulfed by anxiety following news of the army's repression of pro-reform protests in his native town of Jisr al-Shaghur.

Palestinians in Lebanon go on strike to protest Israeli violence

Beirut - Palestinians refugees living in Lebanon went Monday on strike to protest against Israel's violence against Palestinian protesters along the Israeli-Syrian border, a Palestinian source told the German Press Agency dpa.

EU urges Lebanon to lift ban on European vegetables

Beirut - EU representative to Lebanon, Ambassador Angelina Eickhorst, called Saturday on Lebanon to lift its ban on European fresh vegetables imposed amidst the ongoing E coli outbreak.

Lebanon blocks access to Israeli border to avert protest violence

Beirut- The Lebanese Army on Thursday declared the area around the country's border with Israel a closed military zone, a move aimed at preventing Palestinian protesters from demonstrating in the area this weekend, a Lebanese army source said.

Lebanese call upon their government to release detained Syrians

Beirut- About 350 protesters gathered Saturday in north Lebanon and called on the Lebanese government to release Syrian refugees reportedly arrested by the Lebanese army for crossing illegally into the country.

Syrian government supporters and opponents stage rallies in Beirut

Beirut- Supporters and opponents of the Syrian government staged simultaneous rallies in neighbouring Lebanon on Monday amid heavy security.

Stop detaining Syrian refugees, rights group tells Lebanon

Beirut - Human Rights Watch on Friday said Lebanon security forces must stop detaining Syrians crossing the border into Lebanon as they flee violence and persecution in their country.

US official holds talks in Beirut

Beirut - US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman held talks Friday with Lebanese officials focusing on the situation in the Arab world, a Lebanese government source told the German Press Agency dpa.

Alert on Lebanon-Israeli border in anticipation for Friday protests

Beirut - A state of alert was registered Friday on the border between Lebanon and Israel, in anticipation of further protests by Palestinians and pro-Syrian groups, a Lebanese security source told the German Press Agency dpa.

Syrian army erects barbed wires at crossing with Lebanon

Beirut - The Syrian army erected barbed wire fences along the northern border with Lebanon on Tuesday to prevent refugees from crossing into Lebanon's Wadi Khaled region, a Lebanese security source told the German Press Agency dpa.

Syrians refugees in northern Lebanon call for the fall of Assad

Beirut - Around 200 Syrians who fled their village of Tal Kalakh for Lebanon to escape a military crackdown staged a sit-in on Monday in north Lebanon and called for the fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Grief and anger as Palestinians bury Nakba dead

Ain el-Hilweh, Lebanon - Grief mixed with anger in Ain el-Hilweh, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, as mourners on Monday buried protesters killed during Nakba day commemorations.

Ten Palestinians killed in south Lebanon on 'Nakba Day'

Beirut/Tel Aviv - At least ten Palestinians were killed and more than 70 injured in a 'Nakba Day' incident in southern Lebanon Sunday, as Palestinian protesters tried to push their way across the border with Israeli.

Five Palestinian killed in south Lebanon on 'Nakba Day'

Beirut/Tel Aviv - Five Palestinians were killed and 30 injured in a 'Nakba Day' incident in southern Lebanon as Palestinian protesters tried to push their way across the border with Israeli on Sunday.

Syrian gunfire kills one refugee, wounds Lebanese soldier

Beirut - A Syrian woman was killed and five other people wounded, among them a Lebanese soldier, in northern Lebanon on Sunday from sniper gunfire coming from across the border in Syria, a Lebanese security source told the German Press Agency dpa.

One killed, 5 wounded in Lebanon in gunfire from Syria

Beirut - A woman was killed and five other people were wounded in northern Lebanon on Sunday from gunfire coming from across the border in Syria, a Lebanese security source told the German Press Agency dpa.

3 Syrians killed, scores flee violence to Lebanon border

Cairo/Damascus/Beirut - At least three people were killed in army shelling Saturday in the eastern Syrian village of Tal Kalakh, the opposition said.

300 Syrians flee violence to Lebanon's northern border

Beirut - An estimated 300 Syrians fled to Lebanon's border town of Wadi Khaled on Saturday after the Syrian army reportedly started shelling their village, Tal Kalakh.

Syrian families cross into Lebanon to escape shelling

Beirut - Around 12 Syrian families fled Saturday to Lebanon's border town of Wadi Khaled, after the Syrian army reportedly started shelling their own village of Tal Kalakh.

Fear lingers for Syrians who fled to Lebanon

Wadi Khaled, Lebanon - Abu Issam, like many Syrians who fled the country after the regime's violent repression of a popular protest, still lives is terror, even across the border in Lebanon.

Jordan backs Syrian clampdown on protests

Amman - Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit on Wednesday called his Syrian counterpart Adel Safar to express Amman's 'keenness on the stability' of the neighbouring country following weeks of bloody suppression of pro-democracy protests, according to the official Petra news agency.

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