Lebanon

Hezbollah and the Monopoly of Arms: A Political Tug of War

Philippe Abi-Akl 12/08 08:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Disarmament

Lebanon’s long-standing dispute over weapons has moved from political debate to decisive state action. Following a landmark Cabinet ruling, Hezbollah’s legal justification for maintaining arms has been revoked, forcing the group to either disarm peacefully or face consequences. Since the 1989 Taif Agreement, Hezbollah has refused to hand over ...

Civil Defense Warns of Heat Wave, Fire and Flood Risks

This is Beirut 11/08 21:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Civil Defense Heat wave

The Civil Defense on Monday urged the public to take extra precautions as an extreme heat wave grips Lebanon through Saturday, August 16, warning of heightened risks of heat-related illnesses, wildfires and sudden flash floods. In a statement, the Civil Defense announced that it has activated a nationwide emergency plan and instructed its units ...

Jannati Dismisses Hezbollah Disarmament as ‘Illusory Dream’

This is Beirut 11/08 20:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Hezbollah Iran

The Secretary of the Iranian Guardian Council, Ahmad Jannati, dismissed the prospect of disarming the pro-Iranian militia Hezbollah as an “illusory dream” in remarks at a council meeting on Monday. Jannati’s comments coincided with the anniversary of the 33-day war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006, which he described as a ...

Larijani Starts Iraq and Lebanon Tour Amid High Tensions over Hezbollah's Disarmament

This is Beirut 11/08 20:22 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Hezbollah Tehran Ali Larijani

Ali Larijani, the head of Iran's top security body, met with senior officials in Iraq on Monday, ahead of a visit to Lebanon, where the government plans to disarm Tehran-backed group Hezbollah. Tehran has suffered a series of blows in its long-running rivalry with Israel, including during 12 days of open war between the two countries in ...

Lebanon’s Endless Summer Blackouts: A Crisis on Repeat

Christiane Tager 11/08 20:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Electricity Electricité du Liban Blackouts Heat wave

On the night of August 10 to 11, just after midnight, Lebanon plunged once again into total darkness. A “serious technical incident,” now a familiar phrase, struck the main Zouk power plant, a source at Électricité du Liban (EDL) told This is Beirut. The cause: a breakdown of insulation in a connection insulator, triggered by a dangerous ...

ExplainerZebqine Explosion: Rising Speculation Following the Death of Six Soldiers

Mario Chartouni 11/08 18:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Lebanese Army Zebqine Hezbollah

Six Lebanese soldiers lost their lives on Saturday, August 9, in a powerful blast in the Zebqine valley near Majdel Zoun, in the Tyre district. The soldiers, who were part of the Engineering Unit, were carrying out a mission to dismantle an ammunition depot alongside members of the Fifth Brigade when the explosion occurred. This tragedy comes at ...

Fares Souhaid: Disarming Hezbollah Is a Constitutional Duty

Élie-Joe Kamel 11/08 16:45 - Reading : less than a minute

Farès Souhaid Disarming Hezbollah Saydet el-Jabal Constitution First

Fares Souhaid, president of the Constitution First Gathering, stated that disarming Hezbollah is a constitutional duty, emphasizing that it is a commitment enshrined in the Taif Agreement. Souhaid made his remarks during a joint press conference hosted by the Saydet el-Jabal Gathering and the Constitution First Gathering at the headquarters of ...

Army Arrests Drug and Arms Smugglers in East Lebanon

This is Beirut 11/08 16:35 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanon Baalbeck Lebanese Army Hermel Akkar

The Lebanese Army announced on Monday that it conducted a series of security operations, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of illicit materials, including drugs and arms. In a raid in the town of Brital in Baalbeck, an army unit, supported by a Directorate of Intelligence patrol, arrested a Lebanese national and a Syrian for ...

Aoun Offers Condolences to Wadi Zebqine Blast Victims, Checks on Wounded Soldiers

This is Beirut 11/08 16:30 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanon Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Lebanese Army Rodolph Haikal Michel Menassa

President Joseph Aoun visited on Monday Minister of Defense Maj. Gen. Michel Menassa and Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal at Yarze to extend condolences for the soldiers killed in the Wadi Zebqine incident and checked on wounded troops. At Geitaoui Hospital, Aoun checked on the condition of a wounded soldier, met the medical team and the ...

US Envoy to Visit Beirut as Lebanon Pushes Ahead with Disarmament Plan

Bassam Abou Zeid 11/08 14:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Hezbollah Disarmament Tom Barrack

Lebanese political leaders in contact with US envoy Tom Barrack confirmed he will visit Lebanon on August 18 to follow up on the decision to place all weapons under the state’s exclusive authority, as outlined in the US proposal negotiated with Lebanese authorities, particularly Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Official sources voiced confidence ...

Geagea Warns of Iranian Threat to Lebanon’s Sovereignty, Urges Arab and UN Action

This is Beirut 11/08 13:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Iran Samir Geagea Hezbollah Arab League UN

Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea lambasted Iran on Monday, accusing it of posing a “direct threat” to Lebanon’s sovereignty. He cited Tehran’s recent criticism of Beirut’s plan to disarm non-state actors, including Iran’s ally Hezbollah. Geagea voiced strong support for the government’s decision taken on August 5 and 7 to ...

Finance Minister Yassin Jaber Faces Hezbollah's Wrath Over Disarmament Stance

This is Beirut 11/08 13:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Amal Jaber Weapons Sovereignty

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, who is affiliated with Speaker Nabih Berri’s Amal Movement, came under scathing attack by Hezbollah supporters on social media over his recent remarks in support of the state’s “exclusive control of weapons.” His position, which reflects Amal’s approach to disarming Hezbollah, is viewed as a departure ...