This is Beirut

No Electoral Reform in Sight as Parliament Faces Quorum Doubts

Élie-Joe Kamel, 27/10 18:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Free Patriotic Movement Lebanese Forces Amal Banks Central Bank of Lebanon

Uncertainty continues to surround the plenary session scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday. The session is set to resume the review of bills and draft laws that were on the agenda for the September 29 meeting. That session was postponed after MPs from several parliamentary blocs, including the Lebanese Forces (LF), Kataeb, the Progressive Socialist ...

Lebanon and the Middle East: Between Irrationality and Paradox

Michel Touma, 27/10 08:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Middle East Donald Trump Amal Banks Hamas

When irrationality and reckless behavior come to define the actions of a powerful political faction, it doesn’t take long before red lines are dangerously breached. As a result, serious threats hang over the lives of populations directly exposed to the faction’s erratic excesses. This is exactly what we are witnessing today among several of ...

Lebanon 2019: Behind a Programmed Revolution (2/2)

Natasha Metni Torbey, 22/10 12:30 - Reading : 11 minute(s)

Central Bank of Lebanon Free Patriotic Movement Amal Banks

Lebanon has an exceptionally dense civil society sector. Hundreds of local NGOs receive funding from international organizations such as the European Union, various United Nations agencies, private foundations like Ford, Rockefeller and Open Society, as well as contributions from the diaspora. Most of this funding is fully declared, independently ...

The Elections May Not Be the Problem, but They Are Certainly Not the Solution

Johnny Kortbawi, 17/10 10:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Amal Hezbollah Israel Elections Nabih Berri

The upcoming parliamentary elections are highly important, marking a defining moment in Lebanon’s history. Since independence, the country has held many elections, each shaped by its own circumstances. Some of these elections have stood out as true turning points, reshaping Lebanese politics and strengthening the balance of power in the ...

In the Face of State Sabotage, Firmness Is the Only Imperative

Michel Touma, 06/10 08:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Joseph Aoun UN Security Council Amal Hezbollah Internal Security Forces

It relentlessly edges toward the peak of destructive behavior, pushing ever closer to its darkest extremes. Hezbollah’s leadership—loyal to directives from its Iranian patron—offers daily, tangible proof of the malicious strategy it pursues without any regard for law or principle in Lebanon: a strategy aimed at dismantling the state and ...

Parliamentary Session Descends into Chaos over Expatriate Voting and Raoucheh Dispute

This is Beirut, 29/09 14:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hassan Nasrallah Lebanese Forces Amal Banque du Liban Parliament

The parliamentary session that convened at 11 AM on Monday was adjourned prematurely, with only 9 of the 17 scheduled agenda items addressed. The session was marred by political tensions, as several MPs withdrew in protest at the presidency’s refusal to include the issue of expatriate voting in the upcoming May 2026 legislative elections. Their ...

Hezbollah vs. the State: A Sisyphus Moment at Raouche

Natasha Metni Torbey, 26/09 15:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah Amal Israel Government

In a bold display of power that lays bare Lebanon’s fragile balance of forces, Hezbollah flouted every law and directive, trampling both state decisions and promises to its own allies. On Thursday evening, despite an explicit ban from Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud, the Pigeon Rock in Raouche, an iconic national and tourist landmark, was ...

Tehran’s Grip on Lebanon: Will the Shia Duo Break Free or Fall in Line?

Philippe Abi-Akl, 23/09 08:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Amal Hezbollah Israel Lebanese Army Iran Lebanon

On the eve of the first anniversary of the September war, Israel escalated its strikes. A raid on Bint Jbeil on Sunday killed five civilians, including three children, and wounded two others. The attack has reignited speculation over the possible activation of “Plan B,” as outlined by US Senator Lindsey Graham, who declared that Hezbollah’s ...

Hezbollah, Amal Supporters Stage Motorcycle Parades

This is Beirut, 05/09 21:10 - Reading : less than a minute

lebanon Amal Hezbollah Beirut International Airport Lebanese Army

Supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement held motorcycle parades on Friday along the road leading to Beirut International Airport (BIA) and in the neighborhood of Mar Mikhael, only hours after the Cabinet endorsed the Lebanese Army’s plan to confine weapons to state institutions. Earlier in the day, the Lebanese Army reinforced its ...

Council of Ministers: A Moment of Truth on Disarmament

Natasha Metni Torbey, 05/09 13:45 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Amal Hezbollah Israel Joseph Aoun Lebanon Disarmament Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers will meet today to examine the Lebanese Army’s plan for militia disarmament. Despite the uncertainty, three points are clear before the session: the meeting will take place, ministers from the Shia duo will attend, and the army’s plan will be formally submitted to the government. However, serious doubts remain that ...

Disarming Militias: Time for Lebanon to Assert a Firm Stance?

Élie-Joe Kamel, 01/09 17:45 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanese Forces Amal Hezbollah Israel United States

Lebanon is entering a critical week as the Cabinet prepares to meet on Friday, September 5. During the session, the army’s plan to disarm militias – most notably Hezbollah – is expected to be presented. The meeting comes amid mounting pressure from Israel and the United States, deep internal divisions and a so-called “consensus” ...

Hezbollah and Amal Postpone Protest in Beirut

This is Beirut, 25/08 16:20 - Reading : less than a minute

Amal Hezbollah Protests

Hezbollah and the Amal Movement have announced the postponement of the protest scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Riad al-Solh Square. The demonstration was planned to reaffirm the resistance’s status and arms and to oppose a recent government decision. Sources indicated that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri intervened with Hezbollah, ...

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