Security Forces Given Free Rein to Pursue Hamas Military Wing
Bassam Abou Zeid 03/05 09:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Hamas Hezbollah Israel Lebanese Army Palestine
The Lebanese authorities—through the Higher Defense Council—have initiated a confrontation with the Palestinian movement Hamas, following the latter’s involvement in supporting Gaza from Lebanese territory under the full sponsorship of Hezbollah. While Lebanon has yet to address Hezbollah’s own weapons arsenal, it appears to be using the ...
Washington: Hezbollah’s Financing and Disarmament are Interconnected
Bassam Abou Zeid 26/04 18:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Hezbollah International Monetary Fund Qard al-Hassan World Bank Lebanon US treasury
Combating the financing of terrorism was a central topic for the official Lebanese delegation at the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington. The most significant discussions were held with US Treasury Department officials, particularly involving Finance Minister Yassine Jaber and Central Bank ...
Hezbollah: Caught Between Reality and Recklessness
Bassam Abou Zeid 20/04 14:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Hezbollah UN Security Council Joseph Aoun Tehran United Nations
Many in Lebanon and beyond are still grappling with what President Joseph Aoun meant when he spoke of integrating Hezbollah members into the army or security forces. Yet, his message was clear, “We do not want to replicate the Popular Mobilization Forces model in Iraq.” In other words, Lebanon’s leadership is not prepared to absorb ...
Saudi Arabia: Reform and Disarmament a Priority in Lebanon
Bassam Abou Zeid 16/04 21:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Hezbollah International Monetary Fund Saudi Arabia Lebanon Reforms disarmament
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is closely observing Lebanon’s progress on two critical fronts: comprehensive reform and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The recent visit of Saudi envoy Yazid bin Farhan to Beirut underscored Riyadh’s insistence on meaningful developments in both areas. According to Lebanese officials who met with the envoy, bin ...
Hezbollah: No Backtracking on Disarmament
Bassam Abou Zeid 15/04 12:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The reconstruction of areas devastated by the war between Hezbollah and Israel hinges on two key conditions: the disarmament of the Iranian-backed group and the adoption and implementation of structural reforms. Without meaningful progress on both fronts, Lebanon will remain stalled in paralysis and increasingly vulnerable to deepening political, ...
Hezbollah's Weapons and the Specter of Civil War
Bassam Abou Zeid 09/04 13:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Hezbollah Israel Joseph Aoun Arms disarmament
Each time the issue of Hezbollah's disarmament arises, the specter of civil war is invoked. When the party was at the height of its power, discussing its weapons was off-limits. Anyone who dared to bring up the topic was branded a traitor and an (Israeli) agent, accused of trying to strip Lebanon of its “strong card.” The message was clear: ...
Morgan Ortagus Calls for Proposals to Disarm Hezbollah According to Resolution 1701
Bassam Abou Zeid 05/04 18:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Morgan Ortagus Hezbollah Resolution 1701 Blue Line Nabih Berri
Morgan Ortagus, the US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, surprised Lebanese officials with a message that was more measured and diplomatic than anticipated ahead of her visit. Rather than taking a harder line on disarming Hezbollah, Ortagus approached the issue through the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire ...
Pressure Is Mounting, Lebanon Urged to Set a Timeline for Hezbollah's Disarmament
Bassam Abou Zeid 02/04 20:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Nawaf Salam
A Western diplomatic source voiced concern over the situation in Lebanon, warning that mounting internal and external pressures on President Joseph Aoun’s term could lead to its failure if the first year does not yield tangible progress on multiple fronts. The source noted that high expectations surrounded Joseph Aoun’s election as president ...
Lebanon Caught Between the Hammer of Hezbollah and the Anvil of Israeli Strikes
Bassam Abou Zeid 31/03 13:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Morgan Ortagus, Deputy US Special Envoy for the Middle East, is preparing to visit Lebanon, potentially right after Eid al-Fitr. She has laid the groundwork for this visit through a series of interviews with Arab and Lebanese media, where she emphasized a central message: Hezbollah must be disarmed. This issue is expected to be central to her ...
Rockets in South Lebanon: A Message of Military and Political Escalation
Bassam Abou Zeid 22/03 17:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Lebanon USA Hezbollah Israel South Lebanon
Lebanese security services are working to identify those truly responsible for the rockets launched from southern Lebanon toward Israel on Saturday. Military intelligence views the attack as suspicious, believing it is an attempt to drag Lebanon back into war. In response, Lebanese authorities are intensifying diplomatic efforts—particularly ...
TotalEnergies’ Operations Linked to Politics as Lebanon Pursues Onshore Exploration
Bassam Abou Zeid 18/03 21:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Emmanuel Macron Hezbollah Israel Joseph Aoun
In his upcoming visit to France on March 28, President Joseph Aoun is expected to once again raise, with French President Emmanuel Macron, the issue of TotalEnergies resuming its operations in Lebanon. Aoun had previously requested Macron’s assistance during the French president's visit to Lebanon in January, but there has been no progress on ...
Washington Begins Addressing Border Issues Between Lebanon and Israel
Bassam Abou Zeid 11/03 20:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Israel Washington Amos Hochstein Donald Trump Hezbollah
The Americans and Israelis surprised the Lebanese by announcing the imminent launch of indirect negotiations to resolve the dispute along the southern border, specifically at the five points still occupied by Israel following the war in support of Gaza. The talks will also address the 13 remaining points of contention along the Blue Line. Notably, ...
Israeli Airstrikes: A Renewed Message to Hezbollah
Bassam Abou Zeid 09/03 11:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The recent wave of Israeli airstrikes, carried out between Friday night and Saturday across various areas of southern Lebanon, spanning both the southern and northern banks of the Litani River, has garnered significant attention and raised many questions. It is worth noting that these strikes, as well as targeted eliminations, have continued ...
Combating Paramilitary Financing: Key to Keeping Lebanon Off the Gray List
Bassam Abou Zeid 05/03 11:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon Central Bank Economy Hezbollah
Lebanon's inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list can largely be attributed to the lack of cooperation from Lebanese authorities in combating the financing of paramilitary groups, particularly Hezbollah, as well as other organizations like Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement. The failure to address this issue was largely ...
A New Chapter for Lebanon in Saudi Arabia and the Arab Summit
Bassam Abou Zeid 02/03 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
lebanon Saudi Arabia Arab Summit
The first visit of President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, to Saudi Arabia marks the beginning of a series of future visits to the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly expressed its willingness to support a Lebanon that is committed to reforms, stability, and fostering strong ties both with the international community and Arab countries. This ...
Reconstruction in the Hands of the State and Hezbollah
Bassam Abou Zeid 22/02 12:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Hezbollah Iran Reconstruction World Bank
With Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral set to conclude this Sunday, Hezbollah will soon face pressing challenges it has sought to evade — both within its own ranks and across Lebanese society. The Hezb urgently needs a massive influx of Iranian funds to fulfill its long-standing reconstruction promises. However, recent developments indicate a ...
The Aftermath of the War: Hezbollah’s Role and Responsibility
Bassam Abou Zeid 17/02 11:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah Gulf Israel
It is becoming increasingly clear that the Islamic Republic of Iran and Hezbollah have yet to come to terms with the end of Hezbollah’s military and security role as the armed wing of the Islamic Revolution. Therefore, they are attempting by all means to maintain a foothold that would allow Hezbollah to reassert itself. However, the prevailing ...
The New Hariri
Bassam Abou Zeid 14/02 20:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The leader of the Future Movement, Saad Hariri, returns to the political arena after three years of suspended political activity. He has given his supporters a boost of enthusiasm, enabling them to first participate in municipal and electoral council elections, followed by parliamentary elections. However, the specifics of engaging in these ...
Government: Salam and the Lebanese Forces Get the Lion’s Share
Bassam Abou Zeid 08/02 21:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Joseph Aoun Nawaf Salam Lebanese forces government
The first government of President Joseph Aoun’s mandate reflects the shifting political balance in Lebanon after the war between Hezbollah and Israel, the collapse of the Syrian regime and Western — particularly American — and Arab (especially Saudi) efforts to help Lebanon engage on the path of building a state. Notably, Hezbollah and its ...
US Priorities in Lebanon: From Government Reforms to UN Resolution 1701
Bassam Abou Zeid 06/02 08:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon government Resolution 1701 USA Donald Trump
The American delegation visiting Lebanon on Thursday carries several important messages, particularly regarding Morgan Ortagus, who has succeeded Amos Hochstein. Ortagus has been given the responsibility of managing Lebanon's portfolio, which includes critical issues such as government formation, policy programs, Israeli withdrawal, the release of ...
Hezbollah and the Upcoming Phase
Bassam Abou Zeid 03/02 13:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Lebanon Hezbollah Government President Nawaf Salam Joseph Aoun
Hezbollah’s participation in the government, whether directly or indirectly, raises many questions about its political role in the coming period and whether it will contribute to Lebanon’s openness, reform, economic recovery and reconstruction. Some argue that the group’s position after the war with Israel has rendered its presence in the ...
South Lebanon: Israel to Remain Temporarily in Five Locations
Bassam Abou Zeid 25/01 07:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Israel South Lebanon Benjamin Netanyahu United Nations Hezbollah
Tel Aviv announced on Friday that its army will not withdraw completely from the areas it occupies in southern Lebanon when the 60-day ceasefire agreement expires on Monday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the phased withdrawal process would continue after January 27, “in agreement with the United States.” According ...
Taif Agreement Carries No Provision of Monopoly on Ministerial Portfolios
Bassam Abou Zeid 24/01 13:17 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Amal Hezbollah Taif agreement Finance Ministry government
For some in Lebanon, everything takes precedence over the law and the Constitution. Terms such as the National Pact, consensus, custom or even the “minutes of the Taif Agreement” are frequently misused to justify allocating the Ministry of Finance to the Shiite duo Amal-Hezbollah. This is not the first time the minutes of the Taif Agreement ...
Is a Fait Accompli Government on the Horizon?
Bassam Abou Zeid 22/01 16:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Amal Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Nawaf Salam
Will Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun succeed in forming a government that aligns with their expectations and meets the needs of the Lebanese people, all while resisting political pressures, particularly from Amal and Hezbollah? Although this outcome cannot entirely be ruled out, there are warnings against its ...
Tug of War Ahead of Government Formation to Address Upcoming Challenges
Bassam Abou Zeid 20/01 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Free Patriotic Movement Lebanese Forces Amal Hezbollah
The process of forming the first government under the new presidential term remains focused on defining the qualifications and criteria for appointing ministers. While it is acknowledged that ministers cannot be entirely detached from political considerations—even if they are not directly affiliated with parties—the challenge lies in balancing ...
What Form of Government for Nawaf Salam?
Bassam Abou Zeid 15/01 17:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Joseph Aoun Nawaf Salam government
The Lebanese, as well as the international community, notably the five nations making up the Quintet Committee (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, France, the United States and Qatar), are closely monitoring the formation of a government to be led by Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam. Informed political sources maintain that the government’s formation is ...
The State to Oversee Security and Arms in the Palestinian Camps
Bassam Abou Zeid 13/01 14:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Fatah Hamas Hezbollah Joseph Aoun
President Joseph Aoun's recent inaugural address resonated with a pivotal call to disarm Palestinian factions within refugee camps and reinstate security control to the state. This longstanding issue, lingering since the 2006 dialogue, now stands at a unique crossroads, offering a chance to address a critical chapter that fueled the Lebanese Civil ...
Regional and International Support for Joseph Aoun's Presidency
Bassam Abou Zeid 10/01 16:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon Presidency Joseph Aoun
The President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, enjoys significant regional and international support, notably from Saudi Arabia and the United States. Major European powers such as France, the United Kingdom and Germany also back the president. The Vatican, for its part, has expressed satisfaction with the election results. This regional and ...
Moumanaa’s Group of Three Backs a President to Maintain Control
Bassam Abou Zeid 07/01 14:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
President Lebanon Parliament FPM
Hezbollah, Amal and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) are deeply concerned about the intensifying political pressure they face in the wake of Hezbollah’s significant losses in the war, the collapse of the Syrian regime and growing Arab and international calls for a presidential election. They vehemently oppose any candidate who ...
The State, a Lifeline for Hezbollah’s Political Survival
Bassam Abou Zeid 02/01 17:59 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Hezbollah Israel Lebanese Army Lebanese State
Hezbollah, which unconditionally agreed to the terms of the ceasefire with Israel, is now leveraging certain Israeli actions in southern Lebanon as a pretext to disengage from the agreement and keep its arsenal. Simultaneously, it seeks to convince the Shiite community that their security hinges solely on their military strength, claiming that ...