Joseph Aoun

Pretending to Disarm Hezbollah Won’t Work

Lebanon is pretending to disarm Hezbollah and thinks that the world believes it. Then, when the world calls Beirut out, Lebanese officials engage in collective delusion and blame “Israeli aggression” for military escalation. Lebanon is now reneging on the ceasefire and the 1701 enforcement mechanism that it signed, in November, in which it ...

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

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 ...

New Border Agreement Between Lebanon and Syria Following Jeddah Agreement?

The issue of borders between Lebanon and Syria remains one of the most complex aspects of relations between the two countries. Today, this topic has resurfaced, particularly following Saudi Arabia’s intervention, as the Kingdom increasingly asserts itself as a key mediator in the region. In fact, a significant step was taken in this regard last ...

Confronting Suicidal Radicals: Full Resolve, No Half-Measures

When a country is gripped by a deep existential crisis and confronted with an armed conflict sparked by external aggression, polarized positions often become unavoidable. This is especially true – and bears repeating – when it comes to the actions of Iran’s proxies and their regional backer, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ...

Irresponsibility Is the Name of the Game 

The repeated truce breakdowns and the rising state of violence at the borders with Syria call into question the ability of the Lebanese state to regain control of its borders and oversee the gradual stabilization of Lebanese territory. The equivocations of the new government betray its inconsistencies and incapacity to come up with an integrated ...

Joseph Aoun Calls for Lifting Sanctions on Syria

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized on Friday the importance of lifting international sanctions on Syria to enhance stability in Lebanon and the region as a whole and to facilitate the return of displaced persons. He made these remarks during a virtual summit organized by France at the Élysée Palace while on an official visit to Paris. ...

Macron Ready to Receive Syrian President Subject to Conditions

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that he was ready to receive Syria's interim president, Ahmad al-Chareh, provided that the Syrian government opens up to all segments of civil society and commits to ensuring security conditions necessary for the return of Syrian refugees. "A government that represents all components of ...

Macron and Aoun Denounce Israel's "Unjustified" Strikes on Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called an Israeli air strike on Beirut’s southern suburb "unacceptable", saying it was a "violation of the ceasefire" agreed in November between Israel and Hezbollah. Speaking at a joint press conference with Lebanese counterpart President Joseph Aoun, at the Elysees Palace, Macron said “I expressed ...

​The Hidden Agenda Behind the Attacks on Joseph Aoun

In the political life of a nation, it is often necessary to set the record straight and to place the current situation within its broader national context. In other words, it is important to return to the foundational principles that guide a people’s evolution of at a specific historical moment. In the case of Lebanon, this approach becomes ...

Macron and Aoun to Hold a Video Meeting with al-Sharaa on Friday

French President Emmanuel Macron, who will receive his Lebanese counterpart Joseph Aoun in Paris on Friday, will also have a “trilateral meeting” with him and interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who will join them “remotely,” the Élysée Palace announced on Thursday. “This will be an opportunity for the three heads of state to ...

BDL’s 62-Year Journey: From Philippe Takla to Karim Souhaid

During a session held at Baabda Presidential Palace, chaired by President Joseph Aoun, the Cabinet appointed Karim Souhaid as Governor of the Lebanese Central Bank (BDL). The decision followed a ministerial vote, with Souhaid securing 17 votes out of 24 from the Lebanese government ministers. Despite strong opposition from Prime Minister Nawaf ...

'Praise be to God!' Really?

Behind the repeated phrases heard from those interviewed on the streets of Beirut, such as “Kater Kheir Allah (Praise be to God), I’m breathing, I’m alive,” and “Thank God, I haven’t lost a loved one in the war,” lie much deeper and more complex emotions. Measured Hope and Optimism A closer look reveals that hope and optimism still ...