Lebanon

SpotlightSandstorm Sweeps Across Lebanon: Dusty Skies and Health Warnings Issued

This is Beirut 22/04 16:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Meteo Liban lebanon Bekaa Beirut Tripoli Saïda

A powerful sandstorm is sweeping across Lebanon, turning skies hazy and covering major regions—including the Bekaa, Tripoli, Beirut, and Saida—in a dense layer of dust. Visibility has dropped dramatically, and the entire country feels cloaked in a golden fog. Where’s It Coming From? This storm is the result of a collision between a ...

Op-edHezbollah to Aoun: Bring It On!

Hussain Abdul-Hussain 22/04 15:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Nawaf Salam United States

Hezbollah is thumbing its nose at President Joseph Aoun. In response to the Lebanese President saying that he was in talks with the militia over surrendering its arms, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said, “We will confront whoever assaults the resistance and tries to disarm it the same way we faced Israel.” Now what? While Aoun remained silent, ...

Parliament Sets Legislative Priorities, Rejects Municipal Election Delay

This is Beirut 22/04 13:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Elias Bou Saab Banking secrecy Nabih Berri Municipal elections

The Lebanese Parliament Bureau met on Tuesday in Ain el-Tineh under the leadership of Speaker Nabih Berri to finalize the agenda for the legislative session scheduled for Thursday. The meeting focused on several high-priority draft laws, including a proposal to amend Lebanon’s banking secrecy regulations and plans for the upcoming municipal ...

Lebanon: Army Retirees Demand Pension Hike, Threaten Protests

This is Beirut 22/04 13:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Retired Personnel Lebanese Army LAF Lebanon

In a press conference held Tuesday, retired Lebanese army personnel intensified their demands for immediate salary adjustments and improved living conditions, citing years of neglect and financial marginalization. They called on the government to act swiftly, warning of continued protests if their grievances remain unaddressed. The retirees ...

Municipal Elections: How Will Amal and Hezbollah Adjust?

Natasha Metni Torbey 22/04 13:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Amal Municipal Elections

May appears to be a pivotal moment for Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, as Lebanon heads toward municipal elections that could serve as a litmus test for broader political shifts leading up to the 2026 parliamentary vote. These elections will take place against the backdrop of a deeply altered national climate, marked by a major war that has ...

SpotlightLebanon’s Banking Secrecy Reform: A Threat to Privacy, Legal Security, and Economic Trust

This is Beirut 22/04 12:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Economy Lebanon Banks Parliament

As Lebanon grapples with a deep financial crisis and seeks to overhaul its banking system, a proposed amendment to the country’s banking secrecy law has sparked major controversy. Though introduced under the banner of transparency and reform, the changes raise serious concerns about individual privacy, data protection, investor confidence, and ...

FM Reportedly Summoned Iranian Ambassador Over Hezbollah Arms Remarks

This is Beirut 22/04 12:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Foreign Minister Iran Hezbollah

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji has reportedly summoned Iran’s ambassador to Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, following controversial statements made by the diplomat on social media, according to the al-Markazia news agency. The Iranian ambassador’s remarks, posted on X (formerly Twitter), were viewed as politically sensitive in Lebanon’s ...

Op-edBeirut's Municipality: A Small-Scale Republic

Johnny Kortbawi 22/04 11:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Beirut Municipality State

Beirut’s municipality is, in truth, more than a municipal body, yet smaller than a republic. It is effectively a quasi-state, given the sheer number of people who enter the city each day for work or residence — a figure that amounts to nearly half of Lebanon’s population. More than 60 percent of the country’s registered vehicles also enter ...

Israeli Strike Near Damour Kills Jamaa Islamiya Leader

This is Beirut 22/04 10:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Damour Jamaa Islamiya Strike

An Israeli drone strike on Tuesday morning targeted a vehicle in the Baawarta area near Damour, resulting in the death of Hussein Izzat Atwi, a senior figure in the Islamist group Jamaa Islamiya. The vehicle, which was struck near a Lebanese army barracks, caught fire upon impact. Atwi, born in 1968 and originally from Hebbariyeh in the ...

SpotlightHezbollah’s 'Populist' Posturing and the Call for Army Control of Weapons

Philippe Abi Akl 22/04 08:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Joseph Aoun Arms Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian Camps

Hezbollah appears divided over its stance on handing over its weapons to the state. On one hand, senior figures such as Wafiq Safa, Mahmoud Komati and Naim Qassem—who declared, “We will not allow anyone to disarm us”—maintain a hardline position. On the other, President Joseph Aoun signaled a potential shift in the group’s approach, ...

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Netanyahu Warns of "Expanded Israeli Response”, says "Lebanon Will Not Be Spared"

This is Beirut 21/04 23:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Benjamin Netanyahu Hamas Hezbollah Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday issued a series of pointed threats against Iran and its regional allies, warning of an “expanded Israeli response” that could reach beyond the borders of Yemen. “Israel’s response will not be confined to Yemen,” Netanyahu declared. “It will extend to Lebanon and every other front.” ...

Berri Backs Closed-List System to Ensure Parity in Beirut Municipal Council

This is Beirut 21/04 20:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Nabih Berry House of Representatives Municipal Elections Beirut

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri signaled that potential amendments may be introduced to the Municipal Law, particularly to ensure parity within major municipal councils, most notably in Beirut, and possibly Tripoli. In remarks made to An-Nahar on Monday, Berri said he is awaiting the outcome of ongoing discussions on proposed changes to the ...