Two mortar explosives implanted by Israel were today defused by the Lebanese army in the village of Jbaa in the Iqlim Al-Touffah area. The explosives were linked by a fine thread to a pine tree. Detonation occurs when the thread is cut.
Meanwhile, Israel shelled today the villages of Western and Eastern Zawtar.Israeli bombardment also targeted the outskirts of Qaqaeyyat Al-Jiser, the riverbank of Habboush, and the villages of Arnoun, Yohmor, and Shkeef.
Israeli warplanes also carried out inspection flights over Nabatieh and Iqlim Al-Touffah. For its part, the Lebanese resistance in the South carried out an operation against Israeli forces in the outpost of Qalaat Shkeef. Another resistance attack targeted the Dabshe outpost. No casualties were reported. A battle was also fought today between the resistance and Israeli forces and their allied milita on the Zemrayya crossing.
The Israeli allied militia in the South today released Lebanese civilian, Taleb Ahmad Saad after a one-month detention in the Israeli-run prison of Khiam in the occupied zone. He was accused of cooperating with Hizbullah by facilitating their movement inside the zone. Saad was released today through the Kfar Tibnit border crossing. Two other Lebanese, Ahmad Raghdy and Akram Edriss, were also released today from the same prison after a few months of detention.
Cabinet is expected to hold its weekly session Thursday at the Grand Saray which will then host all the offices and departments of the prime ministry. Ministers used to meet at the presidential palace in Baabda. Thirty-three topics are to top the agenda of talks. Ministers will study a draft agreement on custom duties between Lebanon and Syria. They will also discuss an appeal by the Council for Development and Reconstruction that enables its president, Nabil Al-Jiser, to sign a financial agreement with the European Union. The subject of holding another session for the Baccalaureate examinations among other current issues will also be tackled.
At the presidential palace in Baabda, President Elias Al-Hrawi today met Oil Minister Shahe Barsoumian. Discussions centered on issues related to the oil sector in Lebanon. The president later met the Lebanese ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, George Seam. Hrawi also held separate meetings today with Deputy Khalil Hrawi and the director of Beit Shabab's Institute for the Disabled, Father George Kerbaj.
Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri will return to Beirut tomorrow night via Damascus. Prime Minister Hariri will hold talks with Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam. Hariri and his Syrian counterpart Mahmud Al-Zohbi are also to head a joint meeting to discuss agricultural cooperation and exchange between the two countries. The Syrian and Lebanese Agriculture Ministers are to attend the meeting. On Thursday, Hariri will head cabinet's session for the first time at the new government house in the Grand Saray.
Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani today headed for Damascus for talks with top Syrian officials. He is also expected to meet Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam. They will discuss recent developments in Lebanon and the region. Next week, Qabbani is scheduled to leave for Tehran for an official visit where he is expected to hold consultations with Iranian leaders regarding recent developments in the region.
Moldavia's Acting Foreign Minister today arrived in Beirut for a three-day official visit. The Moldavian official is scheduled to hold talks with Lebanese Foreign Minister Faris Boueiz. He will also meet a number of top officials in the country. Discussions are expected to focus on issues related to bilateral ties between Lebanon and Moldavia. The Moldavian official will open the headquarters of Moldavia's consulate in the area of Ballouni in the presence of Moldavia's consul in Lebanon, Elie Nassar.
Lebanese can pay their annual car maintenance fees directly at their local banks starting September. This was announced by Interior Minister Michel Al-Murr and Acting Finance Minister Fouad Sanyoura following their meeting at the interior ministry this afternoon. Sanyoura said the mechanique could now paid at any bank through a processing charge of 3,000 LL. He added this would save people time and money. For his part, Murr said the project resulted from direct cooperation between the two ministries and the Association of banks.
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