Lebanon

Former MP and Minister Mohammed Youssef Beydoun Passed Away
Former MP and Minister Mohammed Youssef Beydoun Passed Away

Lebanon lost Mohammed Youssef Beydoun, one of the country's greatest parliamentary figures, on Wednesday morning, December 20. He passed away at the age of 92. Elected MP numerous times and member of several governments, Mohammed Youssef Beydoun has led a very active political and parliamentary life, without neglecting his educational and social ...

US Embassy Terminates Authorized Departure Status
US Embassy Terminates Authorized Departure Status

The US State Department has recently updated the departure status for family members of US government personnel and certain non-emergency personnel of the US Embassy in Lebanon. The US State Department announced on its website, on Tuesday, that “US Embassy Beirut is no longer on Authorized Departure status,” and that the Embassy “has ...

Bill to Restore the 'Original' Jurisdiction of the Military Tribunal
Bill to Restore the 'Original' Jurisdiction of the Military Tribunal

After months of negotiations, two bills relating to the military tribunal, one drafted by the parliamentary bloc of the Strong Republic (Lebanese Forces), the other by the Democratic Gathering bloc (Progressive Socialist Party), have been combined in a single text. The aim of both texts is to restore the "original" jurisdiction of the military ...

A Presidential Trial Run ...
A Presidential Trial Run ...

According to reports from opposition members, last Friday's parliamentary vote to extend the term of office of Army Commander-in-Chief General Joseph Aoun by one year was a test run for the presidential election. The vote in favor of extending the army chief's term of office exceeded 70 votes, given that the number of MPs present at the session ...

Council of Ministers Approves Extension of Joseph Aoun's Term in Office
Council of Ministers Approves Extension of Joseph Aoun's Term in Office

The Cabinet meeting held at the Grand Serail on Tuesday ended without any appointments being made to the Military Council. On the other hand, the 19 ministers present approved the law passed by Parliament on Friday, delaying the retirement of Army Commander General Joseph Aoun. This law will become effective once it has been published in the ...

Geagea: We Secured Internal Stability by Extending Army Commander's Term
Geagea: We Secured Internal Stability by Extending Army Commander's Term

Samir Geagea, chief of the Lebanese Forces (LF), stated on Monday that the opposition forces “prevented the country from stepping backward by focusing on fortifying the institutions, the army and the internal security forces, securing at least a measure of stability for the country and people over the past four years.” Geagea was referring to ...

Military Appointments May Be Raised at Cabinet Meeting Tuesday
Military Appointments May Be Raised at Cabinet Meeting Tuesday

Following the extension of army commander General Joseph Aoun’s mandate for a year, a council of ministers’ meeting, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, December 19, may look into the appointment of an army chief of staff and members of the military council. According to a political source “the matter is under consideration,” though it ...

Saint Antoine de Padoue’s Food Bank, an Annual Tradition
Saint Antoine de Padoue’s Food Bank, an Annual Tradition

The 26th annual food drive by Saint-Antoine de Padoue strives to support 600 families in need. Scouts, volunteers and local communities joined forces last Saturday to collect non-perishable essentials, ensuring an impactful response to hunger.

Colonna, in Beirut, Urges Restraint
Colonna, in Beirut, Urges Restraint

France's Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna on Monday urged restraint, in meetings with senior officials in Beirut, seeking to de-escalate tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border amid near-daily exchanges of fire. Colonna met with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, calling for responsibility and restraint a ...