This is Beirut

BDL Leads Financial Recovery and Reassures Depositors

Liliane Mokbel, 19:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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At a luncheon debate hosted by the École supérieure des affaires (ESA), Karim Souhaid, the Governor of Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL), presented his assessment of the country’s economic situation – “slowly but surely moving in the right direction” – to around 40 members of the Mouvement des entreprises de France (MEDEF), currently on ...

Beirut Port Climbs to 54th in Global Ranking

This is Beirut, 26/09 10:45 - Reading : less than a minute

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The Port of Beirut has registered a major leap in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index 2024, published on Friday. It ranked 54th worldwide, consolidating its role as a key regional hub for logistics and trade. The rise marks a sharp improvement from 81st place in 2023 and 323rd in 2022, reflecting the port’s modernization ...

Saudi Arabia launches international fund for the Palestinian Authority

This is Beirut, 25/09 23:05 - Reading : less than a minute

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Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan announced Thursday the launch of an international coalition to finance the Palestinian Authority, stressing that Saudi Arabia will contribute $90 million. At a press conference, he noted that the Kingdom is actively engaged with the United States to end the war in Gaza. The minister also said that Arab and ...

Between the State and the Rock…

Johnny Kortbawi, 23/09 16:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hassan Nasrallah Baalbeck Banks Free Patriotic Movement Hezbollah

In Lebanon, even rocks can spark existential crises. The Raoucheh Rock has become the focus of a growing political and public controversy after plans emerged to project an image of Hezbollah’s former Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, alongside Hashem Safieddine, onto the rock to mark the anniversary of their death last year. What began as a ...

Rubio Visits Israel in Aftermath of Qatar Strike

This is Beirut, 14/09 15:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Israel Donald Trump United Nations Banks Hamas

Top US diplomat Marco Rubio prayed at Jerusalem's Western Wall Sunday as he opened his visit to Israel, reaffirming the Trump administration's steadfast support in its war with Hamas despite backlash over a strike in Qatar. The trip is taking place after President Donald Trump rebuked Israel over the unprecedented attack against Hamas ...

Lebanon: Real Estate Market Tied to Political and Economic Outlook

Liliane Mokbel, 13/09 21:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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A study by the Research and Studies Department of Bank Audi, published in September 2025, lays out three scenarios for the next twelve months: a positive scenario with a 55 percent probability, a moderate scenario at 30 percent, and a negative scenario at 15 percent. In a positive scenario, such as the state gaining full control over weapons, ...

BDL, Lebanon’s Anchor of Trust on the Path to Recovery

Liliane Mokbel, 12/09 15:40 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Central Bank of Lebanon Banks Banque du Liban Lebanon economy BDL

In a country where figures are often subject to interpretation and fiscal data remains scarce or unreliable, Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL) seeks to reaffirm its role as a reference point for institutional investors and international markets. It also aims to provide citizens with clear benchmarks to better understand the rationale and direction ...

A Crusader Organ Resurfaces in Jerusalem

This is Beirut, 11/09 13:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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The pipes of a medieval organ, buried for centuries and discovered near the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, are once more filling a Jerusalem monastery with ancient melodies. "This is a window into the past... we have the opportunity for the first time in modern history of listening to a medieval sound which is ...

Parliamentary Committee Approves New Banknote Amid Currency Collapse

This is Beirut, 10/09 16:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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The Finance and Budget Committee, chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, approved on Wednesday a legislative amendment authorizing the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) to issue new banknotes, including a denomination of LBP 5 million. The move, seen as emblematic of the national currency’s collapse, was justified as a technical step to facilitate daily ...

EDL vs. Private Generators: Lebanon’s Daily Electricity Battle

Liliane Mokbel, 03/09 15:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Electricité du Liban (EDL) collection agents occasionally remember to bill subscribers. Neighborhood generator operators, on the other hand, never forget the last day of the month. They collect payments even before reading meters, already knowing exactly how much they will extract. The idea of EDL self-financing its fuel purchases remains ...

Friday Cabinet Meeting to Tackle Security, Energy and Military Issues

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

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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 ...

Gold Hits New Record High as Investors Flee Risk, Asia Stocks Slide

This is Beirut, 03/09 08:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Donald Trump Banks Market Gold

Asia markets were down on Wednesday while gold extended its six-day rally after reaching a record high as investors sought safe havens following a selloff in equity and bond markets. Bullion for immediate delivery hit a fresh record as Asia markets opened, climbing 0.4 percent to hit $3,546.96 an ounce. Prices have risen five percent over the ...

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