Lebanon

Political Fraud and the Bungled Peace

Monitoring the Lebanese political scene is quite disturbing since the hypothetical new political era seems to be bungling. The new incumbents, who came into power incidentally, were unlikely to be co-opted if it were not for the military and political upheaval induced by the Israeli destruction of the operational platforms weaved by the Iranian ...

Ortagus Puts Lebanon at a Crossroads: Disarm Hezbollah or Lose Aid

Lebanon is at a crossroads: disarm Hezbollah "as soon as possible," implement the ceasefire agreement with Israel, and carry out essential reforms, or face isolation. This was made clear by Morgan Ortagus, the US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, during an interview with LBCI on Sunday evening. While expressing optimism about the new ...

Wildfire Erupts in Remhala, Civil Defense Races to Contain Flames

A large wildfire broke out on Sunday morning in the forested valleys of Remhala, in the caza of Aley, prompting an urgent response from Lebanon’s Civil Defense units and the Lebanese Army, as the flames threatened to reach nearby residential areas. According to a statement from the Directorate of Media and Public Relations at the General ...

Basketball: Sagesse Fails at the Foot of the 'Lighthouse'

In a Saeb Salam Arena in fusion, in the heart of Manara–this mythical “lighthouse” of Lebanese basketball–Sagesse almost signed the heist of the century. For three and a half quarters, Jad El Hajj's men laid down the law. Solid, disciplined, transcended by a blazing Zac Lofton (39 points), the Greens dominated an unrecognizable Al Riyadi, ...

Rai: Some People's Aim Is to Control the State, Not to Modernize the System

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai stressed that “we live under a parliamentary democratic system and a national accord,” explaining that pluralism, federalism and centralization are foreign words in our political and constitutional lexicon. In his sermon during Sunday mass in Bkerke, he said that “the aim of some is to control the state, not ...

Alpine Skiing: Sara Zeidan Carves Her Bronze Trail on the Greek Slopes

She planted her poles, cut the turns, swallowed the gates… and, above all, raised the Lebanese flag high on a European podium. Lebanese skier Sara Zeidan, a pure product of the legendary Club Faraya Mzaar, struck hard on the international scene by offering herself a superb bronze medal during the International Alpine Skiing Championships ...

Lebanon Faces Severe Trade Deficit and Economic Imbalance

Lebanon's trade deficit in 2024 reached $14.2 billion, accounting for approximately 50% of the country's GDP. This level, one of the highest in the world, is alarming and reflects the magnitude of the country's economic imbalances. According to statistics from the Higher Council of Customs, imports declined by 3.5%, totaling $16.9 billion, while ...

The Reforms and the Situation at the Borders Are on the Agenda of Ortagus' Talks in Beirut

Morgan Ortagus, US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, held talks on Saturday morning, with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Speaker Nabih Berri, the army chief commander, Rodolphe Haikal, and Lebanese forces leader, Samir Geagea. Earlier in the morning, Mrs. Ortagus met with President Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Palace. The ...

France Advises Lebanon to Engage in Negotiations with Israel

France has advised Lebanese officials to respond positively to US calls for negotiations with Israel on the prisoners’ issue, Israel’s withdrawal from five strategic positions it occupies in South Lebanon, the settlement of disputed border points and the demarcation of the land border. According to Western diplomatic sources, France conveyed ...

Salam Publishes Three Laws That Mikati Requested to Be Rejected

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam requested the publication of three laws in the Official Gazette. Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati had previously demanded that these laws be sent back to Parliament for reconsideration. One law is related to the teaching staff in private schools and the regulation of the school budget. The second law is about granting ...

Mission Ortagus 2: Disarming Hezbollah and Addressing Border Tensions

Morgan Ortagus, the US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, is scheduled to arrive in Beirut tomorrow, Friday, as part of a renewed effort to resolve the ongoing conflict between Lebanon and Israel and to revive negotiations over border disputes. Until yesterday, the Lebanese government had not been informed of Ortagus’s visit. However, ...