Lebanon

Government Allocates $40M for Jounieh Highway Expansion, Adds Buses

The Parliamentary Committee for Public Works, Energy and Water convened under the chairmanship of MP Sagih Atieh, with Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny in attendance. At the end of the session, Atieh announced the allocation of nearly $40 million in funding for expropriations and the widening of the Jounieh Highway. With studies ...

Palestinian Camps: Lebanon Moves to Restrict Weapons to the State

The disarmament of Lebanon’s 12 Palestinian refugee camps kicked off on Thursday, as Lebanese army vehicles rolled into Burj al-Barajneeh camp south of Beirut in the first phase of the government’s comprehensive plan to restrict the possession of arms on Lebanese territory to the state authorities. Commenting on the weapons withdrawal ...

Consumer Price Index: 1.32% Rise in July

In July, Lebanon’s consumer price index (CPI) increased by 1.32% compared to the previous month and by 14.27% year-on-year, the Central Administration of Statistics (CAS) reported. The monthly CPI changes for July 2025 by region are as follows: Beirut: +1.87% Mount Lebanon: +1.46% North Lebanon: +1.10% Bekaa: +1.10% South Lebanon: ...

Israeli Citizen Repatriated from Lebanon After Year in Detention

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday the repatriation of an Israeli citizen who had been held in Lebanon for a year. Saleh Abu Hussein returned to Israel through the Naqoura border crossing, in a transfer coordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The handover followed several ...

UNIFIL Chief Abaniara Reaffirms Mission in South Lebanon

Major General Diodato Abaniara, commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), on Thursday reaffirmed the mission’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese Army (LAF) in extending its authority, maintaining security, and protecting residents of southern Lebanon. Responding to questions about UNIFIL’s priorities following the ...

Gemayel Slams Rhetoric Against Patriarch Rai

Kataeb Party Chief Sami Gemayel on Thursday condemned recent remarks targeting Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai, describing them as “unacceptable.” In his remarks after a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Gemayel warned that such rhetoric is “counterproductive to efforts for national consensus.” In parallel, he reaffirmed his ...

Russia, Ukraine, Hezbollah: Drained by Endless Wars

Some wars drag on endlessly. Not because they are unsolvable, but because certain leaders have decided their political survival depends on keeping them alive. Two examples stand out today: the war in Ukraine and Hezbollah’s self-proclaimed “resistance” in Lebanon. Since February 2022, Moscow has clung to a military adventure ...

Residents Protest Against UNIFIL Patrol in Deir Siryan

On Wednesday, residents of Deir Siryan, close to Hezbollah, protested after a Finnish UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) patrol reportedly entered private olive groves without being accompanied by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). The incident comes ahead of a vote on the extension of UNIFIL’s mandate, with the UN Security Council ...

The Silent Crisis of Lebanese Apples

In many mountain communities, apples are far more than a dessert – they are an economic pillar. Families depend on the harvest to cover schooling, healthcare and daily expenses. When apples go unsold, the entire rural economy wobbles. Juice, jams, artisanal cider and vinegar exist as alternatives, but they are insufficient to handle ...

US Signals Conditional UNIFIL Extension Amid Lebanese Security Concerns

A US State Department source overseeing the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) mission said Wednesday that the one-year extension for the peacekeeping force is not open-ended, but comes with a clear timeline to end its role. Speaking to MTV Lebanon, the official emphasized that the naval component will remain until the mission’s ...

Ahmad Farran Finally Takes the Reins of Lebanon’s National Team

After a long wait, Ahmad Farran has been officially named coach of the Lebanese national basketball team. Currently the coach of Riyadi Beirut, one of the country’s most decorated clubs, Farran has proven his ability to build strong and ambitious teams. The disappointment of the last Asian championship is still fresh, but today, it’s time to ...

Patriarch Rai’s Call for Hezbollah Disarmament Draws Backlash and Support

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai’s firm stance on the disarmament of Hezbollah in a recent interview received immediate backlash and provocations from the party’s allies, but also strong backing from political, religious and civil groups who defended Bkerke’s position on national sovereignty. While Hezbollah supporters accused the ...