Independent Arabiya Unveils US Congressional Bill Targeting Hezbollah and LAF

This is Beirut 05/03 22:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanese Army Hezbollah Amal US Congress Lebanon

Independent Arabiya has published details of a draft bill introduced to the US Congress by Republican Representative Greg Steube, aimed at pressuring the Lebanese government and military to curb Hezbollah’s influence. The proposed legislation, titled  "Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Extremism Act," calls for stringent measures against ...

If You Loved the Canals of Venice, You’ll Adore the Canals of Beirut!

Marc Saikali 05/03 21:47 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Beirut Traffic Rain

Every year, winter brings rain. A statement so ordinary it could hardly be more clichéd. Yet in Lebanon, every downpour turns the roads into rivers. Cars become makeshift gondolas, and honking horns replace gondoliers’ songs. It’s safe to say that romance is hardly in the air. Water covers the gaping holes, which elsewhere are called ...

BDL’s Gold: An Untouchable Treasure or a Last Resort?

Liliane Mokbel 05/03 19:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Gold Reserves Lebanon

Following the government’s policy statement and the president’s inaugural speech, it is clear that a new momentum is emerging to address the pending economic issues. Controversial proposals are emerging, notably the idea of using Lebanon's Central Bank gold reserves (BDL) to partially bridge the financial deficit. However, it is evident that ...

Vehicle Targeted in Ras Naqoura, Several Injuries Reported

This is Beirut 05/03 19:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel south Lebanon

Several people were injured on Wednesday morning after an Israeli drone fired a missile and dropped bombs on a van in Ras Naqoura. The vehicle, belonging to two brothers of the Jouheir family, was targeted as its owners were travelling to the area to inspect land belonging to them. The van's passengers were seriously injured, but survived the ...

Videos Ramadan Returns to South Lebanon amid War-Torn Streets

Lyne Sammouri 05/03 16:20 - Reading : less than a minute

south lebanon ramadan tyre nabatieh

As Ramadan begins in South Lebanon, still marked by the aftermath of war, a sense of renewal emerges. In the souks of Nabatieh and the streets of Tyre, a blend of hardship and hope fills the air as communities find ways to celebrate the holy month.

ExplainerThe Druze: Riding the Tide in a Turbulent Middle East

Samar El-Kadi 05/03 13:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Middle East Israel Druze Syria Lebanon

The Druze question has reemerged at the forefront of the current regional scene, following the regime change in Syria and Israel’s incursion into Syrian territory through the demilitarized zone in the occupied Golan Heights. All this is compounded by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warning that Israel would intervene in Syria to ...

SpotlightCombating Paramilitary Financing: Key to Keeping Lebanon Off the Gray List

Bassam Abou Zeid 05/03 11:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Central Bank Economy Hezbollah

Lebanon's inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list can largely be attributed to the lack of cooperation from Lebanese authorities in combating the financing of paramilitary groups, particularly Hezbollah, as well as other organizations like Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement. The failure to address this issue was largely ...

VideosAugust 4: Monthly Gathering of Victims’ Families

This is Beirut 04/03 21:45 - Reading : less than a minute

More than four years after the Beirut port explosion, the victims’ families continue their fight for justice. Their monthly sit-in at the Statue of the Immigrant is a cry against oblivion. With the new government in place, hope is renewed… but the struggle persists.

Aoun at the Arab Summit: Preserving Lebanon’s Sovereignty Is Crucial

This is Beirut 04/03 21:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Joseph Aoun lebanon Palestine Arab League

At the Arab summit chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President Joseph Aoun delivered a speech steeped in history, conviction and commitment to the Palestinian cause. President Aoun recalled his political and military career, emphasizing the lessons his country has taught him over decades of conflict and struggle. Lebanon and ...

SpotlightGovernment in Overdrive: A Prioritized Agenda

Sana Richa Choucair 04/03 19:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Israel Hezbollah budget Government

On Wednesday, February 26, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reaffirmed his strong commitment to the new Cabinet’s agenda. “When we say we want something, it’s not a mere wish or request, but a firm pledge,” he emphasized before parliamentarians, after his government secured their confidence with 95 votes. He clarified that “the government’s ...

SpotlightMay Municipal Elections: Multidimensional Stakes Ahead

Kaline Antoun 04/03 19:40 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Lebanon Municipal elections

Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar announced on Tuesday that municipal elections will begin on Sunday, May 4. Spread over four weekends, they will conclude on Sunday, May 25 – the anniversary of Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. Typically held every six years, the elections have been postponed three times since 2022 under various ...

Lebanon Back Among Arab Nations

Elie Ziadé 04/03 19:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Saudi Arabia Lebanon Iran

It’s an image that hasn’t been seen in years: a Lebanese president received with great pomp in Riyadh. President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Saudi Arabia, before heading to Cairo to participate in the Arab League summit, was brief but symbolically significant given the nearly decade-long chill in relations between the two countries. Aoun stated ...