This is Beirut - Lebanon

Israeli Drone Strikes in South Lebanon, Two Killed

This is Beirut, 17/07 11:50 - Reading : less than a minute

Israel Drone strike Lebanon Naqoura Nabatieh

One man was killed on Thursday after an Israeli drone strike targeted his truck while he was working on the outskirts of Naqoura. The drone crashed in the area after the strike. Another drone attack earlier in the day struck a pickup vehicle between Kfour and Toula (Nabatiyeh District). The vehicle burst into flames, prompting an immediate ...

Rafic Hariri and Bachir Gemayel: Two Visions for Lebanon, One National Struggle

Salam El Zaatari, 17/07 10:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Rafic Hariri Bachir Gemayel

In Lebanon’s fractured modern history, two names stand out not just as political leaders, but as symbols of diverging strategies for saving a nation: Bachir Gemayel, the Christian militia leader turned president-elect, and Rafic Hariri, the Sunni businessman who became Lebanon’s post-war prime minister. Their stories are not simply about ...

Dr. Al-Sharaa, Mr. Al-Jolani: The Metamorphosis Illusion

Marc Saikali, 17/07 08:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Syria Soueida Al-Jolani Ahmad el-Chareh Hezbollah

For two days, the Israeli Army has bombed Syrian militias now acting as auxiliaries to the regular army. On Wednesday, Israeli jets struck the outskirts of Syria’s military headquarters in Damascus—a clear political and military message: ongoing attacks on Syria’s Druze minority will not be tolerated. Yet on the ground, confusion reigns. ...

Salam Calls on the Lebanese to Avoid Any Discord

This is Beirut, 16/07 23:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Syria Sweida Nawaf Salam Druzes

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged the Lebanese people, on Wednesday evening, to "avoid discord and prioritize the national interest above all else." In a message posted on his X account, Salam said he had held a series of discussions with the relevant ministers and heads of security agencies, asking them to "take the necessary measures to protect ...

Violence in Sweida: Lebanese Druze Call on International Community for Action

This is Beirut, 16/07 19:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Druze Sweida Lebanon violence

An emergency meeting in solidarity with the Druze of Sweida was held on Wednesday in the village of Sharoun, in the Aley district, at the invitation of the religious authority of the Druze community in Lebanon. Numerous dignitaries, religious leaders, and members of parliament gathered around the Sheikh Akl, Sami Abu el-Mona. In his ...

Lebanese Officials Condemn Israeli Strikes on Damascus

This is Beirut, 16/07 18:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Sweida Syria Walid Jumblatt Israel Joseph Aoun Lebanon

Israeli strikes on Damascus and escalating sectarian violence in Sweida on Wednesday drew sharp reactions from top Lebanese officials, who voiced strong condemnation and urged de-escalation. President Joseph Aoun condemned Israel’s strikes as "a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of a sister Arab state" and warned that continued aggression ...

Asia Cup – Basketball: Lebanon Falls with Honor Against the Philippines

Makram Haddad, 16/07 17:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Basketball Asia Cup China

They believed until the very end. In Shenzhen on Wednesday, the Lebanese women’s basketball team gave its all against the Philippines, falling just short (73-70) in a nail-biting contest that wrapped up Group B play at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025. A painful defeat, as the upset came down to a single free throw or rebound. And yet, despite ...

The Endless Countdown: Lebanon’s Ceasefire Deadlock and the Impossible Disarmament

Natasha Metni Torbey, 16/07 15:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Ceasefire Lebanese Army Benjamin Netanyahu Hezbollah Lebanon Israel

Sixty days—no more! That was the confident, oft-repeated promise declared at the signing of the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel in November 2024. This now-mythic deadline was then heralded as the decisive countdown to peace in Lebanon. What followed? Everything but peace: extensions, postponements, shifting timelines and a ...

Parliament Renews Confidence in Salam's Government After Heated Debate

This is Beirut, 16/07 14:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanese Army Nawaf Salam lebanon parliament government confidence

Parliament renewed confidence in Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government on Wednesday, as it concluded a two-day session dedicated to the general policy debate. The vote of confidence was called for by MP and leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) Gebran Bassil. The majority of the 82 MPs present at the closing session, notably 69 ...

CGTL Suspends Strike After Meeting President Aoun

This is Beirut, 16/07 10:55 - Reading : less than a minute

Joseph Aoun CTGL lebanon

The General Confederation of Labor (CGTL) announced on Wednesday that it is suspending its nationwide strike following a meeting with President Joseph Aoun. Speaking after the talks, CGTL head Bechara al-Asmar said the decision came after the president pledged to place the union’s demands on the agenda of Thursday’s Cabinet session in ...

Lebanon Launches National Conference on Legal Cannabis Cultivation

This is Beirut, 16/07 10:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam lebanon Nizar Hani Cannabis

The Grand Serail hosted a national conference on Wednesday titled “Cannabis Cultivation: Between Reality and Aspiration,” marking a key milestone in the path toward legalizing and regulating the cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial use. The event, sponsored by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, brought together key ministers, lawmakers ...

Lebanese Hockey Comes to Life... from Montreal

Makram Haddad, 16/07 10:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Canada Hockey

They have no standard-sized ice rink, nor a local championship. But on the ice in Canada, Lebanese hockey players are proving that passion can melt borders. And perhaps even draw new ones. With their elbows up, their blades sharpened and the cedar tree embroidered on their chests, they skate for much more than a score. In Montreal, Lebanese ...

Lebanon