GULF

Ortagus Urges Full Disarmament of Hezbollah

This is Beirut, 15/05 20:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Gulf Israel Middle East Saudi Arabia Morgan Ortagus USA Lebanon

Deputy United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus delivered a strong message on Thursday, declaring that the path to peace and prosperity lies in the full disarmament of Hezbollah, not just in southern Lebanon, but across the entire country. In an interview with LBCI, Ortagus emphasized the unified stance of the US, Saudi ...

Cautious Optimism Persists as Lebanon’s Retail Sector Remains Sluggish

This Is Beirut, 15/05 18:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banque du Liban Gulf International Monetary Fund

The latest Retail Trade Index published by the Beirut Traders Association and Fransabank for the first quarter of 2025 is bluntly titled: “A cautiously optimistic start to the year… but commercial activity remains sluggish.” A headline that reflects a climate both promising and uncertain. The optimism stems largely from notable political ...

Sanctions Lifted on Syria: Damascus Faces Hope and Real Challenges

Liliane Mokbel, 15/05 15:32 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Damascus Donald Trump Gulf Syria Sanctions Reconstruction

From Riyadh on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced—at the request of the Saudi crown prince—the full lifting, not just suspension, of economic and diplomatic sanctions on Syria. It was a crucial distinction, noted by many observers attending the US-Saudi Investment Forum, where every word of the American president’s remarks was ...

Qatar and Saudi Arabia Competing for the Syrian Market

Marie de La Roche Saint-André, 15/05 10:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Saudi Arabia Donald Trump Gulf Syria Qatar

After supporting several Syrian opposition groups in the early stages of the war, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are now looking to capitalize on the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad last December to establish a strategic foothold in the country. With a new regime in place that aligns more closely with their interests, both countries are eager to ...

Donald Trump Reshapes the Middle East: A New Geopolitical Era

Mark Saikali, 15/05 10:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Gulf Israel Saudi Arabia Middle East Lebanon

Donald Trump had promised that his visit to the Gulf would be historic — and he delivered. From the moment he stepped off the plane, a series of announcements followed swiftly. Let’s start with the numbers — and they’re staggering: $300 billion in signed deals spanning industry, research, defense, space, and even civilian nuclear energy. ...

Trump to Close Deal-Making Gulf Tour in UAE

This is Beirut, 15/05 09:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Gulf Middle East UAE

US President Donald Trump on Thursday closes a Middle East tour in the United Arab Emirates as he focuses squarely on seeking deals after billions of dollars of pledges from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The first major trip of his second term had been scheduled to end Thursday but Trump, always ready with surprises, did not rule out continuing on to ...

What Riyadh Really Expects from Trump's Visit

Soumia Benmerzoug, 13/05 16:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Gulf Saudi Arabia US

On May 13 in Riyadh, Donald Trump kicked off a high-stakes tour of the Middle East, starting with a lavish welcome in Saudi Arabia. Escorted by Saudi F-15 fighter jets and greeted warmly by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the former real estate mogul turned president is under close scrutiny from the Kingdom. What are the Saudis really hoping to ...

Trump Basks in Saudi Welcome on Business-Focused State Visit

This is Beirut, 13/05 16:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Gulf Saudi Arabia Middle East Palestine

Donald Trump enjoyed a lavish, royal welcome in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday on the first state visit of his second term, with the US president foremost focused on business deals at the start of a Gulf tour. Saudi Arabia escorted Air Force One with fighter jets before bringing out long-stretching honour guards both at the airport and a palace decked ...

US State Department: Supporting LAF Remains a Priority

This is Beirut, 13/05 15:05 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanese Army Donald Trump Gulf Palestine Saudi Arabia

US State Department spokesperson Sam Warburg emphasized on Tuesday the United States’ commitment to supporting the Lebanese Army (LAF), stressing that it must “extend its control over every inch of Lebanon.” In an interview with LBCI, Warburg noted that Washington is actively discussing with the Lebanese government the types of economic ...

Trump Says would be 'Stupid' to Reject Qatari Air Force One Gift

This is Beirut, 13/05 09:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA Democrats Gulf Washington

US President Donald Trump on Monday angrily dismissed concerns over his plans to receive a jet from Qatar to be used as Air Force One, saying it would be "stupid" not to accept such a gift. The offer from Qatar's royal family to donate the $400 million 747-8 to be used as the US presidential plane raised major questions about ethics and security, ...

US Approves $1.4 bn Weapons Sale to UAE

This is Beirut, 13/05 09:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump United Arab Emirates Gulf Middle East

US officials said Monday the State Department has authorized the sale of $1.4 billion worth of military aircraft and equipment to the United Arab Emirates, ahead of President Donald Trump's visit this week. The proposed sale to the Gulf state involves six CH-47F Chinook helicopters and other equipment for $1.32 billion that would "support the ...

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