This is Beirut

What Lies Behind Nawaf Salam's Visit to Saudi Arabia?

Mario Chartouni, 31/03 18:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Saudi Arabia Amal Gulf Hezbollah Joseph Aoun

The lavish reception for Nawaf Salam during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia has raised many questions. This high-profile welcome, marked by exceptional hospitality, is more than a simple protocol gesture and reflects significant political stakes. To shed light on the real motives behind this meeting, This is Beirut spoke with political analyst ...

Qassem Warns That Hezb May React if Israeli Attacks Continue

This is Beirut, 29/03 22:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah Amal Israel Palestine

Hezbollah’s Secretary General Naim Qassem delivered a speech on Saturday to mark International Jerusalem Day, reaffirming his pro-Iranian formation's commitment to Iranian leadership and the Palestinian cause. “This day is a day of solidarity with occupied Jerusalem and with all vulnerable people around the world,” said Naim Qassem. He ...

Political Gains Over Military Might

Johnny Kortbawi, 25/03 16:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Amal Ali Hassan Khalil Elections

Lebanon has long been accustomed to generating contentious — and at times existential — debates. At any given time, discussions can emerge over a particular issue, starting as a legislative matter but quickly evolving into a national, constitutional, or even structural controversy. The latest example is the proposal to adopt a single electoral ...

Shiite Clans in Lebanon: Alliances, Autonomy, and Current Issues

Kaline Antoun, 24/03 18:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Amal Baalbeck Hezbollah United Nations

Recent armed clashes on the Lebanese-Syrian border have once again brought attention to the situation of Shiite clans in this region. These events have also highlighted the key role these clans play in the local social and political fabric. Who are they? How do they interact with Hezbollah and the Lebanese state? The Shiite clans of northern ...

Amal and Hezbollah Oppose Mega Voting Center in Municipal Polls

This is Beirut, 15/03 18:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Amal Hezbollah Israel megacenter municipal elections

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s Amal Movement opposes the idea of setting up a megacenter where eligible voters can cast their ballot in the municipal elections, regardless of where they hail from, particularly in the war-devastated southern region. Thanks to megacenters, residents of southern villages can vote in the areas where they live, ...

Independent Arabiya Unveils US Congressional Bill Targeting Hezbollah and LAF

This is Beirut, 05/03 22:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanese Army Hezbollah Amal US Congress Lebanon

Independent Arabiya has published details of a draft bill introduced to the US Congress by Republican Representative Greg Steube, aimed at pressuring the Lebanese government and military to curb Hezbollah’s influence. The proposed legislation, titled "Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Extremism Act," calls for stringent measures against ...

Amal MP’s Nephew Found Dead in Syria

This is Beirut, 11/02 15:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Amal Lebanese Army Lebanese Red Cross HTS Hermel

The body of Khodr Karam Zeaiter, nephew of Amal movement MP Ghazi Zeaiter, was discovered on Tuesday in Hanna Valley, inside Syrian territory near the eastern Lebanese caza of Hermel. Zeaiter’s body bore multiple bullet wounds. Zeaiter was kidnapped two days ago along with three other young men from his village, Blouza, on the outskirts of Homs ...

The Pressing Challenges and Deadlines Facing Salam’s Government

Philippe Abi-Akl, 11/02 08:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Amal Hezbollah Israel Nawaf Salam government US

Nawaf Salam’s cabinet is one of the fastest-formed governments in the past three decades. Just 26 days after Salam was tasked with forming a government—based on the criteria he set, chiefly excluding partisan ministers—and following his agreement with President Joseph Aoun, he successfully formed his cabinet, which includes competent ...

Government Lineup Nears Completion Amid Political Tensions and External Pressure

Philippe Abi-Akl, 04/02 09:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Joseph Aoun Amal Hezbollah Lebanese Forces Nawaf Salam Government

After 22 days of intense negotiations, Judge Nawaf Salam’s efforts to form Lebanon’s new government, following his designation on January 13, are entering their final stages. Despite political challenges and conflicting demands from various factions, the announcement of the first government under General Joseph Aoun’s reformist mandate is ...

Amal Movement Bans Provocative 'Motorcycle Rallies'

This is Beirut, 28/01 16:15 - Reading : less than a minute

Amal

The head of the Amal Movement’s executive body, Mustafa Fouani, issued a directive prohibiting party members from engaging in any provocative actions, particularly “motorcycle rallies,” that could disrupt public stability or “contradict the movement’s principles.” The circular, issued on Tuesday, emphasized the need to respect the ...

All Eyes on the Ministry of Finance

Natasha Metni Torbey, 27/01 22:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Amal Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Hezbollah International Monetary Fund

The exception is not the rule. This saying does not apply to Lebanon, where for over a decade, well after the signing of the Taif Agreement in 1989, the Amal-Hezbollah duo has persistently claimed—“de facto and de jure,” as they often assert—the Ministry of Finance, one of the most coveted portfolios in the country. The reasons behind ...

The Last Shot… Ending Amal-Hezbollah Grip on Finance Ministry

Johnny Kortbawi, 24/01 17:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Amal Hezbollah Lebanese Forces

The Ministry of Finance is not just a mere step in government formation. Speaker Nabih Berri has reopened the “Taif” files, reflecting on a past that no longer has anyone to endorse or oppose. The Ministry of Finance was indeed part of the Taif Agreement discussions, with a proposal to assign it to the Shiite community. However, this proposal ...