Joseph AOun

U.S. Ambassador Nominee: Disarming Hezbollah ‘Not Optional but Necessary’

Michel Issa, President Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, delivered a firm message on Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, declaring that the disarmament of Hezbollah is “not optional but necessary” and urging that “the time to act is now.” Issa pledged, if confirmed, to work closely with Lebanese ...

President Aoun Begins Official Visit to Algeria

President Joseph Aoun began a two-day official visit to Algeria on Tuesday, highlighting the long-standing solidarity between the two countries and expressing Lebanon’s gratitude for Algeria’s consistent support during times of crisis. Speaking upon his arrival at Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers, President Aoun recalled ...

Thomas Barrack: When Diplomacy Moves in Circles and Lebanon Follows

Listening to Thomas Barrack, one might think Lebanon is close to redemption or on the edge of a cliff, perhaps both at once. For months now, the American special envoy has issued statements that are sometimes hopeful, sometimes threatening, often confusing, and always repetitive. With every tweet and announcement, the same message comes through: ...

Lebanon Bids Farewell to Ziad Rahbani

Lebanon bid farewell on Monday to Ziad Rahbani, one of its most revered and influential artists, in a solemn and emotional atmosphere during a public funeral held at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Mhaidse, Bikfaya. The farewell drew thousands of grieving fans, officials, artists and loved ones, united in mourning the loss of a ...

Israel and Hezbollah Tighten the Noose Around the Lebanese Government

President Joseph Aoun’s statement that he is holding talks with Hezbollah over its weapons and that negotiations are progressing slowly was especially noteworthy. Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Joumblatt’s remarks were equally notable, as he called on Hezbollah to give up its heavy weaponry, deeming it ineffective in confronting ...

In Our National Life, Forgiveness Requests a Name

In every human being, there is a child who demands a story before falling asleep. The need for fiction is universal. But sometimes, as the title of a long-lost book once said, “Reality Surpasses Fiction.” Some true stories exceed in “unlikeliness” even the wildest inventions. Lebanon’s history is not far from illustrating this idea. ...

President Aoun Visits Bahrain as Lebanon Seeks Reset in Bilateral Ties

President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday left for Bahrain on an official visit aimed at revitalizing and strengthening relations between Beirut and Manama, following a period of strained ties. Commenting on the visit, Foreign Affairs Minister Youssef Rajji described it as a pivotal step toward restoring bilateral trust and cooperation, stressing that it ...

Barrack: Hezbollah Disarmament Is a Lebanese Internal Matter

US presidential envoy Tom Barrack arrived in Beirut on Sunday for his third official visit to Lebanon in recent weeks, signaling a ramp-up in diplomatic efforts to ease escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Barrack began his meetings on Monday with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace, accompanied by US Ambassador Lisa ...

Patriarch Rai Calls for Electoral Reform at Saint Charbel Feast

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai presided over the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Charbel at the Monastery of Saint Maroun in Annaya, in the presence of President Joseph Aoun, the First Lady and a large gathering of dignitaries. In his sermon, Patriarch Rai addressed electoral issues, calling for the repeal of Article 112 of ...

Baabda Hosts Security Meeting to Address Prison Overcrowding

President Joseph Aoun chaired a ministerial and security meeting on Friday morning at the Presidential Palace, primarily focused on the situation in Lebanese prisons and the aggravating issue of overcrowding. The participants discussed urgent measures to address the saturation of detention facilities, particularly concerning judicial procedures, ...