Lebanon

Rifi to Abdollahian: Lebanon Will Not Be an Arena for Iran's Influence
Rifi to Abdollahian: Lebanon Will Not Be an Arena for Iran's Influence

Following the visit of Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs to Lebanon, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, on February 10, 2024, MP Ashraf Rifi addressed the latter through the X platform. Rifi wrote, “Lebanon’s security is not Iran’s security, and Lebanon will not be an arena for its influence while the Lebanese pay the price.” In a message ...

An Aounist for President?
An Aounist for President?

Qatari envoy to Lebanon Jassim bin Fahd al-Thani (Abu Fahd) did not succeed in convincing the head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), Gebran Bassil, to elect either Marada Party leader Sleiman Franjieh or Army Commander-in-chief General Joseph Aoun to the presidency.  The envoy spent days in Lebanon during which he met with Franjieh, Bassil ...

Abdollahian From Beirut: Towards a Political Solution to the Gaza Conflict
Abdollahian From Beirut: Towards a Political Solution to the Gaza Conflict

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said on Saturday, "Developments in Gaza are now moving towards a political solution, while Netanyahu continues to consider war as a solution." The Israeli Prime Minister "seeks to take the White House hostage, and the White House must choose whether to remain hostage to Netanyahu or pursue a ...

The Death Penalty in Lebanon: For or Against its Abolition?
The Death Penalty in Lebanon: For or Against its Abolition?

Passed but not carried out in Lebanon since 2004, the death penalty remains stipulated in the Penal Code. Following the recent passing on February 9 of one of France’s foremost advocates for the abolition of the death penalty, Robert Badinter, a former French Minister of Justice, the question of whether to abolish the death penalty resurfaces ...

Cabinet Addresses Compensation Disparities, Approves Decrees
Cabinet Addresses Compensation Disparities, Approves Decrees

In an exceptional session on Saturday, in the presence of sixteen ministers, the caretaker cabinet of Prime Minister Najib Mikati approved the increase in the transport allowance for the private sector to 450,000 Lebanese pounds, as well as the decree on electronic and personal transactions. However, the issue of compensation and allowances for ...

A Broader Sovereigntist Opposition Front on the Horizon?
A Broader Sovereigntist Opposition Front on the Horizon?

Negotiations are intensifying behind the scenes between opposition forces intending to create a broad coalition of sovereigntist forces — traditional parties as well as so-called Change MPs. This would be a large-scale national coalition, with significant political weight due to the large number of personalities who would make it up. Only the ...

Wadi Khaled Totally Flooded Due to Torrential Rains
Wadi Khaled Totally Flooded Due to Torrential Rains

The towns of Wadi Khaled and Akroum in Akkar were hit by torrential floods on Friday night after heavy rain caused the nearby river to inundate the area. Akkar MP Mohammed Sleiman contacted Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities Bassam al-Mawlawi, demanding the immediate dispatch of relief ...

The Intelligent Recap: This Week's AI News Report
The Intelligent Recap: This Week's AI News Report

Good evening, and welcome to the Intelligent Recap. It is Friday, February 9, and the 126th day of the war in Gaza. In tonight’s edition, we take a look at what’s happening at the Lebanese southern border, the cabinet holding a session amidst protests, Lebanon’s minister of foreign affairs sparking controversy, and more local news. On the ...

Rai Denounces Intentional Marginalization of Maronites in Lebanon
Rai Denounces Intentional Marginalization of Maronites in Lebanon

Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai asserted on Friday that Lebanon is “facing a deliberate process aimed at excluding Maronites from the State.” During his sermon at the St. Maron’s Day mass, Archbishop Rai elucidated that this process involves “the non-election of a president, the closure of the presidential palace, and a return to the ...

Southern Lebanon: Hezbollah Strikes Back at Nabatiyeh Attack
Southern Lebanon: Hezbollah Strikes Back at Nabatiyeh Attack

Hezbollah retaliated on Thursday night against the attack that targeted a car in Nabatiyeh earlier in the day, where several Hezbollah officials were present. According to various media reports, Ali Karaki, one of Hezbollah’s military leaders, was the primary target, but he was not in the targeted vehicle. Another Hezbollah official, Abbas ...

Moussa in Meerab: Quintet Committed to Helping Lebanon
Moussa in Meerab: Quintet Committed to Helping Lebanon

The Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa, underscored the Group of Five’s dedication to aiding Lebanon in addressing its presidential vacancy. Moussa made this statement on Friday during a visit to Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces Party, in Meerab. This visit is part of the Group of Five’s initiative to engage in ...

Joumblatt Meets Lavrov in Moscow, Discusses Regional Affairs
Joumblatt Meets Lavrov in Moscow, Discusses Regional Affairs

Walid Joumblatt, the former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, visited Moscow on Friday to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the Special Representative of the President of Russia for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov. The discussion centered on regional and international affairs, particularly in the wake of ...