Lebanon

Friday Cabinet Meeting to Tackle Security, Energy and Military Issues

This is Beirut 03/09 12:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanese Army Banks EDL Kuwait World Bank lebanon Cabinet

The cabinet’s upcoming meeting on Friday will discuss several issues, in addition to reviewing the Lebanese army’s plan to secure the state’s monopoly on weapons. According to the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, an addendum was circulated on Wednesday for the September 5 session, adding “pressing issues” to the agenda ...

Expired Medications: Lebanon Sitting on a Health and Environmental Time Bomb

Makram Haddad 03/09 11:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Expired Medications Lebanon

"An expired medication can be just as dangerous as a counterfeit one," says Joe Salloum. A shocking statement, almost a cry of alarm, meant to shake the authorities and shine a spotlight on a long-neglected problem. Yet behind this deliberately dramatic tone, scientific reality calls for more nuance: an expired medication is not always toxic, but ...

Lebanese Officials Inspect Northern Borders Ahead of Displaced Syrians’ Return

This is Beirut 03/09 10:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanese Army Michel Menassa Ahmad Hajjar Fayez Rassamni Syria Displaced

Lebanon’s top defense and security officials conducted an inspection of Arida and Abboudieh border crossings in northern Lebanon on Tuesday to review the organizational, administrative, and security measures in place for the departure of displaced Syrians returning to their country. Defense Minister Michel Menassa, accompanied by Interior ...

Israeli Attack on UNIFIL: France Urges Protection of Peacekeepers

This is Beirut 03/09 08:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Nations Drones UNIFIL

France on Wednesday “strongly condemned” the Israeli attack against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stressing that the protection of peacekeepers must be ensured. Paris “reiterates that the protection of peacekeepers, as well as the safety of United Nations personnel, property, and premises, must be ...

Hezbollah-Amal Maneuver Ahead of Cabinet Session

Bassam Abou Zeid 03/09 08:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Governement Hezbollah Nabih Berry

Hezbollah and Amal are hedging ahead of Friday’s Cabinet session, alternating between pledging attendance and claiming indecision. Their demands range from adding agenda items beyond the army’s weapons plan to entirely removing it and blocking any vote. Political sources were surprised by Speaker Nabih Berri’s insistence on expanding the ...

Israel Sends Ofek 19, a Reconnaissance Satellite, Over Lebanon

This is Beirut 02/09 23:35 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanon Israel Satellite Surveillance

Tel Aviv launched the reconnaissance satellite Ofek 19 on Tuesday night using a Shavit launcher, according to Israeli media reports. The satellite crossed Lebanese airspace, flying over several areas in South Lebanon where it was captured on video. According to Israeli media, the satellite was “successfully” launched at 10:30 p.m. from a ...

Lebanese Army Banners Replace Those of Hezbollah Along Airport Road

This is Beirut 02/09 19:35 - Reading : less than a minute

Army Lebanon Hezbollah Airport route disarmament

A noticeable shift has taken place along Beirut’s airport road, where banners declaring “We are all with the army” have replaced posters of Hezbollah and Iranian leaders that long dominated the route. The change comes as the Lebanese government actively implements a disarmament plan targeting Hezbollah and Palestinian factions in refugee ...

Lebanon Seizes Record Cocaine Shipment from Brazil at Tripoli Port in Saudi-Coordinated Operation

This is Beirut 02/09 18:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Drugs Saudi Arabia Cocaine Ahmad al-Hajjar

In what Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar called a “historic” operation, Lebanese authorities have intercepted the largest cocaine shipment the country has seen in years. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Hajjar revealed that the operation was made possible through “coordinated efforts with Saudi ...

Hezbollah’s Rickety Rifles: From Strength to Mockery

Johnny Kortbawi 02/09 17:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah Israel Lebanon weapons

In the wake of the recent war with Israel, Hezbollah has entered a new phase, prompting a shift in many of its long-held convictions, most notably its attachment to weapons as a bargaining chip. What was once upheld as a symbol of dignity and pride, described by former Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah as a divine mission, is now the subject of ...

Diplomatic Maneuvering and Political Uncertainty: Lebanon Under International Pressure

This is Beirut 02/09 16:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Lebanon Disarmament Jean-Yves Le Drian Morgan Ortagus US France

Lebanon is preparing to host two senior envoys in the coming days as its government readies a crucial Cabinet session on September 5. French special envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and US diplomat Morgan Ortagus return to Beirut to revive talks on security, disarmament and reconstruction. Appointed by French President Emmanuel Macron, Le Drian is ...

Aoun: Lebanon Must Not Waste Its Chance for Safety

This is Beirut 02/09 15:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Joseph Aoun lebanon

President Joseph Aoun urged on Tuesday the Lebanese to seize a rare opportunity to place the country on a path toward stability and security, warning that failure to act would leave Lebanon vulnerable to internal divisions and regional turmoil. Speaking to the new board of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, which visited him in Baabda, Aoun ...

Mobile Plans: When ‘Better Deals’ End Up Costing More

Christiane Tager 02/09 15:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon economy communication Internet Mobile phone Alfa Touch

For years, Lebanon has struggled with failing essential services and soaring costs. This also applies to the mobile phone sector. With “adjusted” plans and unreliable networks, subscribers oscillate between resignation and frustration, all while waiting for a clear signal, both figuratively and literally. Here’s an example of a revision and ...