Lebanon

Where Were You, Samir Hammoud?
Where Were You, Samir Hammoud?

High-level banking sources were surprised by comments made by the senior adviser to the Minister of Finance, Yassine Jaber, to the “Al-Markaziya” outlet regarding depositors’ accounts. According to Samir Hammoud’s statement, “If there are irregularities in depositors’ accounts, there are also irregularities in banks’ ...

Lebanon Pressed Again to Hunt Down Assad Officials
Lebanon Pressed Again to Hunt Down Assad Officials

Lebanon has once again found itself at the center of a sensitive international investigation tied to the post-Assad era. One year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024, Beirut is being asked to cooperate with international judicial authorities to locate senior Syrian security officials accused of war crimes and crimes ...

Cabinet Set to Discuss Arms Control, Electoral Law Amendments
Cabinet Set to Discuss Arms Control, Electoral Law Amendments

The Cabinet is set to convene Thursday afternoon at the Presidential Palace in Baabda. The session is expected to focus on two major issues: the nationwide arms control plan and proposed amendments to the electoral law. Arms control plan The first agenda item will involve a presentation by the Lebanese Armed Forces on the progress of the ...

Trump Backs Cuomo in NYC: Experience Over Ideology
SpotlightTrump Backs Cuomo in NYC: Experience Over Ideology

Trump stirred the race by openly urging Jewish voters to reject Mamdani. “Any Jewish person who votes for Zohran Mamdani (…) is a stupid person!!!” he wrote Tuesday on Truth Social, accusing the frontrunner of “hating Jews.” Mamdani, 34, of Indian descent and a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, has raised concerns among parts of ...

BDL Launches Judicial Audit of Payments Since 2019
BDL Launches Judicial Audit of Payments Since 2019

Karim Souhaid, Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL), announced Tuesday that the BDL, in coordination with the Ministers of Finance and Justice, will draw up terms of reference for an external financial and judicial audit of all beneficiaries of the basic goods support program since October 17, 2019. The initiative will be launched through ...

Aoun’s Push for Talks with Israel Must Overcome Hezbollah’s Ploys
Op-edAoun’s Push for Talks with Israel Must Overcome Hezbollah’s Ploys

President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon has no choice but to enter into talks with Israel to break the cycle of war, a step that media reports suggest he had agreed on with Hezbollah’s ally, Speaker Nabih Berri. Aoun’s position is commendable, but Hezbollah will use such talks as cover to rearm and prepare for another round of fighting, rather than ...

South Lebanon: Hezbollah and Christian Villages in Quiet Coexistence
South Lebanon: Hezbollah and Christian Villages in Quiet Coexistence

In some regions of southern Lebanon, particularly in Jezzine, Marjayoun, and Rmeish, predominantly Christian areas directly border localities where Hezbollah holds significant influence. These areas, where municipal networks, social structures, and political actors intertwine, reflect a deeply rooted sociopolitical reality shaped by geography, ...

A Financial Gap Law That Writes Off Deposits and Submits to the IMF
SpotlightA Financial Gap Law That Writes Off Deposits and Submits to the IMF

In appearance, Finance Minister Yassin Jaber sought to present his meeting with the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) delegation at the Ministry of Finance as a broad, constructive session that projected an image of consensus. His public remarks reinforced this impression, suggesting that both sides—the ministry and the banks—were aligned ...

A Peacemaker Visits a Land of Perpetual War
Op-edA Peacemaker Visits a Land of Perpetual War

Pope Leo XIV’s expected visit to Lebanon later this month comes at a moment of peril for the country. Lebanon’s most recent war, launched by Hezbollah on October 8, 2023, has barely ended, with Israel threatening to renew the conflict at any moment should Hezbollah not disarm. The Lebanese government has pledged to assert state power and ...

Financial Times Revives Debate Over Hezbollah’s Funding in Lebanon
Financial Times Revives Debate Over Hezbollah’s Funding in Lebanon

On Sunday, the Lebanese market reacted strongly to a Financial Times (FT) investigation suggesting that Hezbollah has been using digital wallets and money transfer companies to raise funds and support its purported “charitable” networks. The companies under scrutiny — providers of digital wallets and money transfer services — quickly ...

Saydet al-Jabal Urges Lebanon to Negotiate with Israel and Reclaim Control of Weapons
Saydet al-Jabal Urges Lebanon to Negotiate with Israel and Reclaim Control of Weapons

The Saydet al-Jabal Gathering called for direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, urging President Joseph Aoun to personally lead talks to address outstanding issues, including Israel’s withdrawal from five disputed points and the return of prisoners. The group said such a step could move Lebanon from war toward peace and allow it to ...