Reuters,

Russian forces have begun participating in military operations in Syria in support of government troops, three Lebanese sources familiar with the political and military situation there said on Wednesday.

The sources, speaking to Reuters on condition they not be identified, gave the most forthright account yet from the region of what the United States fears is a deepening Russian military role in Syria’s civil war, though one of the Lebanese sources said the number of Russians involved so far was small.

John Owens

Lebanon’s Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil (2nd L) stands near Head of Lebanon’s Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc Mohamed Raad (3rdL) and leader of the Marada movement Suleiman Franjieh (2nd R)

Several thousand demonstrators returned to the streets of Beirut on Wednesday, September 9, for the latest “You Stink” protest against an ongoing trash crisis in the Lebanese capital as politicians assembled to discuss the situation. The protest movement was triggered by the government’s inaction in the face of a mounting garbage collection crisis, which demonstrators say is emblematic of endemic corruption and poor public services in the nation.

Lebanese women have their photograph taken in front barbed wire near the main Lebanese government building, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015. Lebanon’s prime minister says he hopes that political talks between senior politicians will help end government paralysis that has sparked angry street protests. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Lebanese political leaders, stand around a round table as they listen to the Lebanese national anthem, during the opening session of the National Dialogue, in the Parliament building, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015. Lebanon’s prime minister Tammam Salam says he hopes that political talks between senior politicians will help end government paralysis that has sparked angry street protests. Salam also called for a Cabinet meeting later Wednesday to discuss the issue of garbage collection. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Lebanese Minister of the Environment Mohammad Machnouk speaks to the media upon his arrival at the government palace to attend an emergency cabinet session in downtown Beirut, Lebanon September 9, 2015. Lebanese security services locked down central Beirut on Wednesday as ministers and MPs met to discuss ways out of a political crisis that has paralysed government and fueled a wave of street protests. Ministers, but not a full cabinet, then headed for the government headquarters nearby, the state news agency said, for an emergency cabinet session Prime Minister Tammam Salam had called for earlier in the day. REUTERS/Mohamed Azaki

Lebanese anti-government protesters shout slogans as they hold their national flags, during a protest against the on-going trash crisis and government corruption, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015. Lebanon’s prime minister says he hopes that political talks between senior politicians will help end government paralysis that has sparked angry street protests. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

By John Davison

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon‘s government agreed a plan to resolve a waste disposal crisis late on Wednesday, ending a dispute that has caused piles of rubbish to fester on Beirut’s streets and triggered a wave of popular protests.

The long-term plan, agreed on during an emergency cabinet meeting gives municipalities a main role in treating local wastewith expert help and supervision, and also assigns two landfills in Akkar and in Masnaa area near the border with Syria. "We see that this plan meets the conditions.. Tonight the cabinet agreed on an environmental solution path that is sustainable and safe," Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayeb, who led the team to draft the plan, told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

Al Jazeera –

Despite a deadly sandstorm blanketing the country, thousands of people are planning to protest in Lebanon’s capital Beirut, the latest demonstration in a campaign against government’s failure to provide basic services like rubbish collection. 

The protests on Wednesday will coincide with a dialogue session by political leaders to tackle the issues that have led to months of political deadlock.

In an attempt by authorities to prevent clashes with the protesters, Beirut’s centre was completely blocked off with barbed wire and metal barriers on Wednesday morning.

Beirut (AFP) – Protesters angry over a lack of basic services and Lebanon’s political paralysis returned to Beirut’s streets on Wednesday as party leaders met seeking to end months of gridlock.

A protest movement across Lebanon’s sectarian fault lines has sprung up, initially motivated by a trash collection crisis but increasingly focused on the country’s stagnant political class.

On Wednesday, as politicians arrived downtown, the first batch of protesters threw eggs at their convoys, chanting: "Thieves, thieves, get out!"

Authorities beefed up security measures, erecting large metal barricades preventing access to parliament where political figures were meeting.

Al Jazeera

File Photo – September 14 2008

Beirut – As Lebanon braces itself for another round of popular protests this week by civil society activists, the country’s politicians are scrambling to achieve an agreement on pressing political issues that have so far kept the government in a political deadlock for months.

On Wednesday, a new round of dialogue is expected to take place following a call by parliament speaker Nabih Berri on August 30 to address a number of issues including: the vacant presidency, the parliament and government agenda, as well as the electoral draft law.

A sandstorm shrouds the capital city of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015. The unseasonal sandstorm hit Lebanon and Syria, reducing visibility and sending dozens to hospitals with breathing difficulties because of the fine dust. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla

Lebanese walk on the Ramlet al-Baida seaside corniche as a sandstorm shrouds the coastal capital of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015. The unseasonal sandstorm hit Lebanon and Syria, reducing visibility and sending dozens to hospitals with breathing difficulties because of the fine dust. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Lebanese anglers cast fishing poles from a rocky coastal area along the Beirut coastline during a sandstorm in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015. The unseasonal sandstorm hit Lebanon and Syria, reducing visibility and sending dozens to hospitals with breathing difficulties because of the fine dust. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Al Jazeera

An unseasonable sandstorm has hit Lebanon and Syria, leaving two people dead and sending hundreds to hospitals for breathing difficulties.

Tuesday’s deaths occurred in Lebanon where at least 750 others were hospitalised for asphyxiation or shortness of breath, the health ministry said.

The meteorological department at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport described the storm as being "unprecedented" in Lebanon’s modern history.

Visibility was significantly reduced and Beirut’s Traffic Management Centre advised drivers to be cautious in order to avoid accidents.

Raghida Dergham, Al Arabiya

Major world powers’ disregard for Lebanese affairs has allowed regional powers influential in Lebanon to neglect the state, constitution, people and independence. The youth movement that began with the slogan You Stink has sought to rouse the international community from its slumber to force the ruling political class to change, and stop ignoring the constitution and ordinary people’s rights, from having a president to collecting waste.

The youthful civil movement’s call for international intervention is aimed at putting international pressure on regional countries influential in Lebanon to reach accords on many levels, starting with the garbage and electricity crises, as well as the presidential vacuum.

BBC

"Denmark has decided to tighten the regulations concerning refugees in a number of areas," the advert begins.

It warns that Denmark has recently passed legislation cutting benefits by up to 50% for newly arrived refugees.

The governing Venstre (Liberal) party won power in June after running on an anti-immigration platform.

emirates247.com

Lebanese Christian couples take part in a mass wedding at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke on September 6, 2015. Thirty seven couples got married during the event organized by the Maronite league. (AFP)

Lebanese Maronite Christian Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi (C) poses among couples who took part in a mass wedding at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke on September 6, 2015. Thirty-seven couples got married during the event organised by the Maronite league.  (AFP)

Lebanese Maronite Christian couples take part in a mass wedding at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke on September 6, 2015. Thirty seven couples got married during the event organised by the Maronite league.  (AFP)