NNA - Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Dr. Dorothy Klaus, visited today the Municipality of Siblin, where she was received by its mayor, Mohammed Ahmed Younis, thanking him for the municipality’s support to the vocational training center in Siblin, affiliated with UNRWA, and for following up on the conditions of the Palestinian refugees, “particularly during the recent Ain al-Hilweh security events." She also appreciated his efforts in accompanying Democratic Gathering member, MP Bilal Abdallah, during his inspection tour of Palestinian families a few days ago, “who were displaced from Ain al-Hilweh camp to the training center and UNRWA schools in Siblin, in wake of the security incidents inside the camp." Klaus also valued the role played by former MP Walid Jumblatt in helping and supporting the Palestinian people in Lebanon. She expressed her hope to reach a ceasefire in the camp and evacuate all educational centers affiliated with UNRWA. Mayor Younis, in turn, welcomed Klaus and the accompanying delegation, praising the role that UNRWA plays “in helping our Palestinian brothers, in Siblin and all of Lebanon.”   ========R.Sh.

NNA - Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Al-Makary, patronized a ceremony honoring the late minister, writer and journalist George Wadih Skaf at the Municipal Palace in Zahle, at the invitation of the Zahle and Taanayel Municipality, the Lebanese Press Syndicate, the Editors’ Syndicate, the Oriental College and the Zahle Judicial Council. In his word during the honoring cerrmony, Makary expressed his joy to be present in the city of Zahle, the hometown of the late Skaff who greatly contributed to his city and country at the humanitarian, political, and national levels. Makary paid tribute to the lifetime achievements of the late Skaff, saying: "He was a great writer, an authentic journalist, a successful minister, and a mentor in journalism, politics, and loyalty...He was proud of his beautiful city of Zahle...He was seduced by the press, so he achieved an advanced position in the world of this profession, as a correspondent, analyst, writer, and publisher of Al-Jarida newspaper, its editor-in-chief, deputy head of the press syndicate, general director of the Lebanese Television, and minister of information during the mandate of the late President Sleiman Franjieh...Throughout the stages of his life, journalism remained his stable juncture, and he crowned his professional life with a collection of books and memoirs, in which he combined literature with politics, poetry, and memories.” Referring to the late's book “Our New Lebanon”, Makary wondered how to tell the late author what has become of our new Lebanon "as it is camped between a group of Syrian and Palestinian camps, with a strong international desire to change the identity of Lebanon, which we have always considered a message...and that the reckless weapons of Ain al-Hilweh are killing our Lebanon..." He continued to wonder how to explain the current reality of our new Lebanon that has been without a head of state for the last eleven months, and that Syrian displacement has risen to the level of an invasion and now represents an existential threat to Lebanon? Makary concluded by stressing that "it is our duty to raise our voice in rejection, and not to submit to internal and external destinies that insist on defeating us. Lebanon is ours, and we have the right to work together so that it remains ours!"   ==========R.Sh.

NNA - Sidon - MP Dr. Abdel Rahman Al-Bizri, on Friday received Hamas Movement Political Bureau member and Hamas Vice President Dr. Musa Abu Marzouk, at the head of a delegation from the movement, in the presence of Mahmoud Srouji, Majed Hamto, and Sheikh Mohieddin Antar.  Discussions reportedly touched on developments and security incidents in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh.    Attendees stressed the necessity of establishing ceasefire in the camp.  ——————— L.Y

NNA - Major General, Abbas Ibrahim, on Friday welcomed Norwegian Ambassador to Lebanon, Martin Yttervik. Talks between the pair reportedly focused on the country’s general situation, especially the recent military and security developments in Ain al-Hilweh camp, and the conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Major General Ibrahim also received a delegation from the Antiochian Orthodox Church, who handed him an invitation, on behalf of Patriarch John X. Al-Yaziji to attend the opening of the International Scientific Conference in Balamand.   ==================R.H.

NNA - Calm currently prevails in Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp after a ceasefire agreement, which is still in effect despite security and political challenges, our reporter said on Friday.  More than fifteen hours have passed since the implementation of the agreement at 6:00 PM on Thursday. Ever since, the camp has been witnessing tranquility, with the exception of intermittent gunfire that was heard around midnight and a bomb tossed earlier on Friday morning.  According to medical reports, the current toll has reached 17 dead and more than 150 wounded.       ==========R.H.  

NNA - Cautious calm has prevailed since 10 a.m. in all the axes of Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp, after the violent clashes that intensified during the early morning hours decreased on the various fighting axes, which concentrated on the axis of Hattin -Jabal al-Halib, Al-Braksat - Bustan al-Quds - Al-Tawaree. The death toll in the Ain al-Hilweh clashes rose to 9, eight of whom were transferred to Al-Hamshari Hospital and the ninth to Al-Rahi Hospital in Sidon. ———————- L.Y

NNA - House Speaker Nabih Berri, on Thursday received at the Second Presidency in Ain el-Tineh, Hamas Movement Political Bureau member, Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk, heading a delegation from the Movement.  Discussions reportedly touched on the latest developments in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh.  On emerging, Abu Marzouk said: “We were honored this morning to meet with Speaker Nabih Berri in light of the heated events that the Palestinian people are exposed to in the Ain el-Hilweh camp. We condemn all shooting operations and consider them suspicious operations that have nothing to do with the Palestinian issue, nor with imposing security in any way.” Marzouk added: "Our position is to condemn all clashes, immediately cease fire, and prohibit Palestinian-Palestinian fighting, and any action within the Palestinian issue must be through dialogue, consensus, and understanding." Marzouk stressed “There must be a ceasefire, the withdrawal of militants, and an end to militarization inside the camps.” ———————— L.Y

NNA - Lebanese Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Thursday inspected the 1st Infantry Brigade deployed in Saida and the vicinity of the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp. He met with the officers and soldiers in Mohamad Zgheib casern.         ==========R.A.H.

NNA - Cautious calm is prevailing in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh following a morning of heavy clashes. Also, Saida's eastern highway that links the city to the south has reopened to traffic.               =========R.A.H.

NNA - 15 have been killed and more than 150 have been injured since the beginning of the violent clashes inside the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh a week ago.           ==========R.A.H.

NNA - An-Nahar: Garnering a majority for dialogue does not pass Le Drian's mission   Nidaa al-Watan: Ain el-Hilweh ceasefire collapses, Fatah intransigent about handing over the wanted   Ad-Diyar: Le Drian passes initiative on to Berri; dialogue opponents: President election first   Asharq al-Awsat: Le Drian's mission hits Lebanese reservations over dialogue                 =============R.A.H.

NNA - Sidon - The Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh witnessed a series of ceasefire violations, which concentrated before noon on the Hittin neighborhood, where a shell fell on one of the neighborhood houses, causing material damage. This afternoon, the sound of two shells was heard, followed by gunfire, which soon developed into renewed clashes between Fatah and the Islamists on the axis of the Hattin Jabal al-Halib neighborhood, in which rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns were used. ———————— L.Y

NNA - Heavy gunfire has broken the cautious calm that has prevailed earlier in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain-el-Hilweh, especially in Hattin Street.                   =============R.A.H.

NNA - Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is currently chairing a meeting at the Grand Serail devoted to discussing the situation in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh, with the participation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization official Azzam Ahmad, Palestinian Ambassador Ashraf Dabbour, Fathi Aboul Ardat from Fatah Movement, Lebanese army commander General Joseph Aoun, interim chief of the General Security Major General Elias Baysari, and army intelligence chief General Toni Qahwaji.                       ==============R.A.H.

NNA - Cautious calm continues to prevail in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh, following a day of intermittent clashes that left thee injured.   At night, Fatah and Hamas movements issued a joint statement following their meeting at the Palestinian Embassy in Beirut, during which they discussed the situation in the battered camp. The two sides agreed to clinch ceasefire inside the camp, and stressed the obligation to hand over the killers of Abu Sharaf al-Armoushi and his comrades. They also agreed on facilitating the return of the displaced camp's residents.                     ===========R.A.H.

NNA - Al-Akhbar: Le Drian's last mission: Riyadh, Paris on same wavelength   Nidaa al-Watan: Fatah, Hamas agree over roadmap in Ain-el-Hilweh   As-Sharq: Mikati hails budget approval as 'heroic act'...Le Drian insists on dialogue                   =============R.A.H.

NNA - Clashes have expanded in Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, with heavy usage of shells and bombs, our reporter said on Tuesday, adding that a shell landed near McDonald's - Sidon, on the southern edge of the city. Bullets also fell heavily within the Lebanese University neighborhood in Sidon.        =========R.H.

NNA - Palestinian Ambassador to Lebanon, Ashraf Dabour, on Tuesday welcomed Norwegian Ambassador to Lebanon, Martin Yttervik.  According to a statement issued by the embassy’s press office, Dabour briefed the Norwegian Ambassador on “the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and on the ongoing Israeli attacks against Palestinians and their Islamic and Christian sanctities, especially in the city of Jerusalem.”  The pair also discussed the situation in Palestinian refugee camps, especially at Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp.       ============R.H.

NNA - Clashes have renewed at the Hattin axis inside Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, our reporter said on Tuesday, adding that the sounds of shells and bullets could be heard throughout the city of Sidon.       =============R.H.

NNA - Acting Director General of Lebanon’s General Security, Major General Elias Al-Bisri, on Tuesday welcomed MP Osama Saad, with whom he discussed the latest local developments, especially those involving Ain Al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp.     ===========R.H.

NNA – Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, on Tuesday received at Dar Al-Fatwa, a delegation from the "National Moderation Bloc", who congratulated him on renewing his term. Mufti Derian also met at Dar Fatwa with Acting Director General of General Security, Brigadier General Elias Baissari, with whom he discussed general affairs. Brigadier General Baissari briefed Mufti Derian on the endeavors and efforts he made to stop the fighting in the Ain al-Hilweh camp, and stressed that “communications and consultations are continuing to establish a ceasefire in the Ain al-Hilweh camp, whatever the reasons, out of compassion for the citizens and to preserve their lives.” —————— L.Y

NNA - Cautious calm is prevailing in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain-el-Hilweh with intermittent machinegun bursts being heard from time to time.               ==============R.A.H.

NNA - Al-Binaa: Government tasks foreign minister with dialogue with Syrian over alarming refugee file   As-Sharq: Aounist ministers disrupt cabinet session devoted to Syrian refugee file   Nidaa al-Watan: Ain El-Hilweh camp tests ceasefire anew, Palestinian president envoy takes action today   An-Nahar: Army chief to government: We are facing an existential threat!                   ============R.A.H.

NNA - Clashes intensified on Monday afternoon between "Fatah" movement and "Islamist” groups at Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, with reports of machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades being used.  Stray bullets have reached the Hisba market at the southern entrance of Sidon city and penetrated one of the warehouses.  A stray bullet also penetrated a vegetable cart at the seaside Corniche.  Bullets also reached "Total" station located on Maghdoucheh road.       =========R.H.

NNA - Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Monday received at his Yarzeh office, the Ambassador of Palestine to Lebanon, Ashraf Dabbour, with whom he followed up on the developments in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh. Maj. Gen. Aoun later met with MP Najat Aoun Saliba, with whom he discussed the country’s general situation.  ———————— L.Y

NNA - The clashes inside the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp are still ongoing between the Fatah movement and the armed groups, which led to the stray bullets falling in the neighborhoods and streets of the city of Sidon.  In this context, the State Security Office at the Sidon government Serail was hit by stray bullets, which led to the shattering of a window glass, with no one injured. Stray bullets also hit a number of buildings on Ghassan Hammoud Street in the city center, and two shells were reported to have fallen at the Natasha Saad Street intersection in the Dalaa neighborhood, with no injuries reported. —————— L.Y

NNA - The press office of Hamas in Lebanon denied, in a statement on Monday, reports claiming that the movement, alongside Hezbollah and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, was backing the gunmen fighting in the refugee camp of Ain-el-Hilweh in order to "take over the Palestinian decision in the Palestinian camps in Lebanon." "We reject these void and fake claims that contradict our policies and beliefs, and we consider them a new-fangled attempt to distort the image of Hamas Movement and the Palestinian resistance," said Hamas. "Since day one of the events, we have worked with all the Palestinian and Lebanese factions and forces, in addition to the Lebanese security apparatuses and the Palestinian Ambassador to Lebanon, to cease fire and preserve the camp, its residents, and the Lebanese neighborhood. We will continue our efforts with all the loyal sides to ensure security and stability inside the camp," the Movement added. "Hamas and the Palestinian factions in Lebanon are working collectively within the framework of the Joint Palestinian Action Committee that is tasked with running all the affairs relevant to our Palestinian people in Lebanon; there is no battle over powers or the Palestinian decision," Hamas went on saying. "These claims are totally untrue, and they only serve the Israeli occupation and the enemies of the Resistance," it concluded.                     =============R.A.H.

NNA - Clashes continued for the fifth day inside the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain-el-Hilweh, killing one person and wounding many others. The fighting intensified at dawn following a relative calm throughout the night, with machineguns and RPGs being reportedly used. Sniper fire also hit neighboring streets and regions in Saida. The city's southern entrance has been closed; traffic has been rerouted to the seaside freeway.                     ============R.A.H.

NNA - The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Lebanon condemned, in a statement on Monday, the attacks on two Lebanese army outposts in the vicinity of Ain-el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Saida and the injury of five soldiers. According to Hamas, this attack is "a suspicious act aiming to tamper with the army and Lebanon's sovereignty, as well as to shuffle the cards and steer the (direction of) events in the camp towards a dangerous place." The Movement wished speedy recovery of the injured soldiers, hailing the Lebanese army's professionalism, patience, and keenness on the Palestinian people.                       ==============R.A.H.

NNA - Intermittent night clashes between Fatah Movement and Islamist groups have intensified his morning but remained limited to the fighting front, our correspondent reported. A meeting is scheduled to take place today between the interim chief of the General Security, Major General Elias Baysari, and the representatives of the Palestinian factions to discuss means to end the fighting.                     ==============R.A.H.