Government: Salam and the Lebanese Forces Get the Lion’s Share

Bassam Abou Zeid 08/02 21:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Joseph Aoun Nawaf Salam Lebanese forces government

The first government of President Joseph Aoun’s mandate reflects the shifting political balance in Lebanon after the war between Hezbollah and Israel, the collapse of the Syrian regime and Western — particularly American — and Arab (especially Saudi) efforts to help Lebanon engage on the path of building a state. Notably, Hezbollah and its ...

J. Aoun Expresses Satisfaction Over New Government Formation

This is Beirut 08/02 20:10 - Reading : less than a minute

Joseph Aoun Nawaf Salam

President Joseph Aoun expressed satisfaction over the new government formation, congratulating its president, Nawaf Salam, and the ministers. He wished them success in their new roles. According to the National News Agency, the president emphasized that the government, dubbed the "Government of Reform and Rescue," was formed in accordance with ...

The Lebanese Army Responds to Fire Coming from Syria in the Border Area

This is Beirut 08/02 18:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Frontière Liban Syrie

The Lebanese Army said it had responded to incoming fire from across the Syrian border on Saturday, two days after the new authorities in Damascus said they had launched operations against smugglers in the area. Following directives from President Joseph Aoun, the Army command said it had "issued orders to military units deployed on the northern ...

International Community Welcomes Lebanon’s New Government

This is Beirut 08/02 18:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Nations European Union UNSCOL U.S. Embassy France

The formation of Lebanon’s new government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has drawn international support, with key diplomatic figures emphasizing the need for reforms and stability. The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, described the government’s team announcement as a "new and brighter ...

Lebanon's New Government Formed Under the Banner of Reform and Implementation of Resolution 1701

This is Beirut 08/02 16:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Joseph Aoun Nawaf Salam Government

The first government under President Joseph Aoun was announced on Saturday from the presidential palace in Baabda, after the signature of decrees accepting the resignation of caretaker Prime minister Najib Mikati’s cabinet and instating the new 24-member council of ministers under Judge Nawaf Salam. Cabinet Secretary General Mahmoud ...

VideosMorgan Ortagus Concludes Visit to Beirut

Rayan Chami 08/02 15:05 - Reading : less than a minute

Morgan Ortagus Nawaf Salam Beirut Najib Mikati Nabih Berri

On the final day of her visit to Beirut, United States Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus met with several senior Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Syrian Shelling on Lebanese Border Towns Causes Several Injuries

This is Beirut 08/02 14:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Joseph Aoun Lebanese Army Lebanese Red Cross

After a calm night, residents of the Lebanese border town of Jarmash woke up on Saturday to the sounds of Katyusha rockets and mortar shells fired from the Syrian side. A barrage of 50 shells rained down on several towns in Jurud al-Hermel during the early morning hours, escalating tensions along the border. The Lebanese Red Cross has so far ...

Ortagus Reaffirms US Support for Lebanon’s Leadership and Reforms

This is Beirut 08/02 13:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Ain el-Tineh Israel Middle East United Nations

United States Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus reiterated Washington’s support for Lebanon’s current presidency and its incoming government during a visit to Beirut on Saturday. In a meeting with Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, Ortagus affirmed US backing for his future government, highlighting his commitment to ...

Numbers & FiguresFigure of the Week: Electricity Production Up 36.7% in the First Half of 2024

Liliane Mokbel 08/02 12:00 - Reading : less than a minute

lebanon Banque du Liban electricity

Electricity production increased by 36.7% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from the Banque du Liban. It reached 2.239 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), up from 1.638 million kWh during the same period last year. This growth continues the 41.7% increase seen between 2022 and 2023, when total production ...

The Wand and the Magic Ring

Johnny Kortbawi 08/02 08:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump Hezbollah Israel Middle East Morgan Ortagus

The ring on the finger of the new U.S. deputy envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus  was given more attention than it deserved, but its symbolism was far greater than what Lebanon could endure. Opponents did not differentiate between it being a religious symbol—perhaps because Judaism in Lebanon is often associated with Zionism, which led ...

Marcel Ghanem Blasts Kulluna Irada

This is Beirut 07/02 20:39 - Reading : 7 minute(s)

In his latest op-ed on the program Sar el Waet ("It's About Time"), journalist Marcel Ghanem sharply criticized Kulluna Irada, accusing the organization of using its media and political influence in ways that harm both the reputation of his program and the MTV channel. He focused on the organization’s lack of transparency and ...

France Expresses Confidence in Lebanon’s Ability to Form Representative Government

This is Beirut 07/02 18:45 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanon France

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has expressed its confidence in Lebanon’s ability to form a government that represents all its citizens. Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that France has “full confidence in the ability of the Lebanese authorities to form a ...