Lebanon

US Asks Israel to Limit Lebanon Operations, Pushes for a ‘Trump Economic Zone’

This is Beirut 21/08 21:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

The Trump administration has asked Israel to reduce non-urgent military operations in Lebanon to support a wider disarmament initiative, while planning a “Trump economic zone” in parts of southern Lebanon, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter. Officials say the limitation could be extended if the Lebanese Armed Forces take ...

Inside Roumieh’s Block B: The Unresolved Fate of Syrian Islamist Detainees

Vanessa Kallas 21/08 21:04 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Syria Lebanon Roumieh prison Islamists Syrian prisoners Security

In a secluded corner of Roumieh Central Prison lies the infamous Block B, better known as the “terrorism block.” It houses nearly 500 detainees, most of them radical Islamists facing terrorism-related charges. With the fall of the Assad regime, the issue of Syrian Islamist prisoners in Lebanon has resurfaced, as armed groups and tribal ...

SpotlightPalestinian Camps: How Many Divisions?

Mario Chartouni 21/08 20:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Fatah Hamas Hezbollah Israel Lebanese Army

The Palestinian Authority is beginning a new phase of weapons handover in Lebanon’s Palestinian camps. The operation, ordered by President Mahmoud Abbas, is overseen by the new Palestinian Ambassador to Beirut, Mohammad al-Assaad, and supervised by Fatah. Palestinian sources cited by Voix du Liban say the handover began Thursday at 3 PM in Burj ...

Palestinian Factions Reject Camp Disarmament, Assert Weapons Will Stay

This is Beirut 21/08 20:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Palestine Lebanon Camps Factions Refugees Conflict

Palestinian factions in Lebanon rejected reports on Thursday that they were preparing to hand over weapons inside refugee camps, particularly in Burj al-Barajneh. In a joint statement, the groups called the claims “entirely false,” saying the situation in the camp is an internal matter related to the Fatah movement and not linked to ...

ReportCovid-19 Returns Amid Lebanon’s Health Inertia

Élie-Joe Kamel 21/08 19:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Covid-19 lebanon health

While some countries are experiencing a new surge in Covid-19 cases, the virus continues to mutate and spread. In Israel, health authorities recently reported a nearly 30% rise in cases over just a few weeks. In France, pharmacies are also noticing an increase in positive tests, particularly among holidaymakers. In Lebanon, the situation remains ...

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

This is Beirut 21/08 18:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Fayez Rasamny Public Transport Buses Jounieh Highway Lebanon

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

This is Beirut 21/08 15:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Fatah Lebanese Army Lebanon Refugees Palestinians

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 ...

UNIFIL Mandate Renewal Underway: Role Assessment and Downsizing

Bassam Abou Zeid 21/08 14:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

UN Security Council Hezbollah Israel United States UNIFIL Mandate

Deliberations are ongoing among the permanent members of the UN Security Council regarding the renewal of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate for another year. However, the debates remain centered between the United States and Israel on one hand, and France on the other. According to French diplomatic sources, “the renewal of ...

Israeli Citizen Repatriated from Lebanon After Year in Detention

This is Beirut 21/08 13:35 - Reading : less than a minute

Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Lebanon prisoner ICRC

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

This is Beirut 21/08 13:05 - Reading : less than a minute

South Lebanon Lebanese Army lebanon UNIFIL

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

This is Beirut 21/08 12:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

lebanon Sami Gemayel Nawaf Salam Bechara Rai Nabih Berri

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 ...

Zaki Conveys Arab League Support for Lebanese Sovereignty

This is Beirut 21/08 12:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel Joseph Aoun United Nations United States Arab League Houssam Zaki

President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed, on Thursday, to Arab League Deputy Secretary-General Ambassador Hossam Zaki Lebanon’s commitment to implementing the arms control resolution in a way that safeguards the interests of all Lebanese citizens. He emphasized the necessity for Israel to fulfill its obligations to create the conditions required for ...