Lebanon

Macron Announces Two Conferences to Support Lebanese Army and National Reconstruction

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on X on Friday that two major conferences will be held by the end of the year to support Lebanon: one focused on the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), described as the “pillar of national sovereignty,” and a second dedicated to the country’s recovery and reconstruction. Macron said his personal envoy, ...

Lebanon Welcomes UN Decision on UNIFIL Mandate

President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed on Thursday the United Nations Security Council’s decision to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until December 31, 2026. President Aoun thanked all 15 Security Council members for their unanimous support, singling out France as penholder ...

Another Serious Paragliding Accident Off Lebanese Coast

A man in his thirties was critically injured Thursday after crashing on the rocks while paragliding off the coast of Jbeil. The victim, a father of two and an experienced paraglider, was rushed to hospital in critical condition. The accident comes just days after a fatal crash in Jounieh Bay, where another paragliding enthusiast lost his life in ...

Macron Voices Support for Lebanon’s Weapons Restriction Plan

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday expressed support for the Lebanese government’s plan to restrict weapons, describing it as a key step that must be carried out carefully, “especially since it has received broad European and international backing.” In a phone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Macron discussed ...

Defense Minister: Lebanon to Centralize All Arms Under State Authority

Defense Minister Michel Menassa reaffirmed that the government has taken a clear strategic decision: to unify all weapons under state authority. He said the army has been tasked with drafting an operational plan to implement the disarmament before the end of the month. In an interview with Kuwait’s Al-Jarida, Menassa commented on recent remarks ...

Army Collects Weapons from Palestinian Camps in South

The Lebanese Army on Thursday launched its largest weapons collection operation since the end of the civil war, targeting Palestinian refugee camps both south and north of the Litani River. The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to ensure that arms remain solely under state control. The campaign began in the Tyre region, ...

Hezbollah: The Voice of Its Master

Hezbollah and its weapons, a never-ending tale. Same story, on repeat. Giving up the arsenal? Never. Without it, there is no arbitrary power, no rent to collect. And like any loyal client, Hezbollah clings to its dealer: Iran. Each time an Iranian leader takes the stage or embarks on a “diplomatic” tour, the pattern is predictable. Days ...

Hezbollah Escalates Rhetoric After Barrack’s Visit

Hezbollah raised its tone once again on Wednesday, a day after US envoys Tom Barrack and Morgan Ortagus’ visit to Beirut, during which international support for restoring Lebanese sovereignty over the entire national territory was reaffirmed. Hussein Khalil, political aide to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, renewed threats and leveled ...

Counterfeit Gold: Arrests and a Practical Guide for Cautious Buyers

On August 20 in Jounieh, a sweep by the Internal Security Forces led to the arrest of several members of a network selling counterfeit gold. While the operation highlights the need for vigilance, political, security and economic uncertainty continues to push Lebanese citizens toward the precious metal. But how can one tell a fake ounce from a ...

ISF Foils Captagon Smuggling Attempt at BIA

The Internal Security Forces (ISF) announced on Wednesday that officers at Beirut’s International Airport (BIA) arrested a woman on June 19 as she attempted to smuggle around 15 kilograms of Captagon pills hidden inside candy boxes. In a statement, the ISF revealed that the arrest was part of an ongoing security plan led by the Judicial Police ...

Lebanon Honors 80 Years of General Security Service

Lebanon on Wednesday celebrated the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the General Security Directorate, with officials paying tribute to the institution’s role in safeguarding the country’s security and stability. The General Security Directorate held a ceremony inaugurating the new building of the Beirut General Security ...

YASA Warns of Flood Risks Ahead of Rainy Season

With the rainy season approaching, the Youth Association for Social Awareness (YASA) has sounded the alarm over the recurring winter disasters in Lebanon caused by clogged rainwater drainage networks and the absence of preventive maintenance. In a statement, YASA recalled that in past years, Lebanon witnessed scenes of chaos: cars and citizens ...