Baalbeck

LAF Steps Up Security Amid Municipal Elections, Arrests 86 for Gunfire Offenses

The Lebanese Army (LAF) announced on Friday that it is ramping up security operations and conducting targeted raids to apprehend individuals involved in gunfire incidents tied to the ongoing municipal elections. In an official statement, the LAF confirmed the arrest of 86 individuals and the seizure of weapons and ammunition found in their ...

Civil Defense on Full Alert Ahead of Municipal Elections in Beirut, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel

The General Directorate of Civil Defense announced on Friday a full state of alert and operational readiness from Saturday, May 17, at 8:00 AM until Monday, May 19, at 8:00 AM, in anticipation of the third phase of Lebanon’s municipal elections. Acting Director General Brigadier General Nabil Farah has ordered all operational units to be fully ...

Baalbeck: Tribes, Parties and Elections

Following the first two weeks of municipal elections in Mount and North Lebanon, attention now turns to Baalbeck, set to vote on May 18. The city is distinguished by its strong tribal affiliations and active political scene. Tribal Structures and Political Alliances In Baalbeck, tribal affiliations have historically played a significant role in ...

EDL Warns of Blackouts Following Gunfire in Akkar

Electricity of Lebanon (EDL) condemned the repeated acts of gunfire targeting high-voltage transmission lines in Akkar, particularly in the towns of Halba, Al-Hosniyya, Beit Heddara, and Jisr Arqa, following the announcement of municipal election results on Sunday, May 11, 2025. In a statement issued Tuesday, EDL indicated that the celebratory ...

Municipal Elections 2025: Dozens Elected by Default Across Bekaa

As Lebanon’s municipal and mukhtar elections continue, the Western Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel regions have already seen a wave of uncontested victories, with numerous candidates declared elected by default ahead of Sunday’s scheduled vote. In the Western Bekaa, where 106,010 voters are registered, election authorities have finalized ...

Salam from Beqaa: Border Reform and Development

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam underscored the strategic importance of Lebanon’s official border crossings during a visit to the Beqaa Governorate on Thursday, describing them as “the mirror of Lebanese sovereignty” and the “first line of defense for internal stability.” Touring the Masnaa border crossing, Salam was briefed by General ...

Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah Positions Near Syrian Border

An Israeli air strike targeted the town of Srifa in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army claimed to have targeted military infrastructure in the area. Israeli warplanes carried out six airstrikes Monday evening targeting Hezbollah military infrastructure in eastern Lebanon, according to regional reports and Israeli media. The attacks were ...

Football: Al-Ansar Stumbles, Nejmeh Climbs, Safa Holds the Lead

The fourth matchday of the Lebanese league play-offs has blurred the picture both at the top and bottom of the table. With leaders stalling and challengers hanging on, the suspense remains intact just two rounds from the end.   Title Play-offs: Status Quo at the Top, Nejmeh Bounces Back   Setback for Al-Ansar. The Greens dropped two precious ...

Two Days Before the Municipal Elections, Voters Weigh Civic Duty Against Deep Mistrust

The excitement of first-time voters stands in stark contrast with the deep-seated skepticism of older generations, many of whom have lost faith in the promise of democratic renewal. Yet, across this generational divide, a common refrain emerges: a yearning for an electoral system that is more inclusive, transparent and more attuned to the ...

LAF Foils Sea Smuggling Attempt and Arrests 8 Suspects

A Lebanese Army (LAF) navy patrol successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 27 Syrians illegally across the sea, off the coast of Arida (northern Lebanon), the Army’s Directorate of Orientation announced on Monday. The statement also detailed a series of coordinated raids carried out by army units, supported by the Intelligence ...

Football – Lebanon: Safa and Al-Ansar Neck and Neck, the Battle for Survival Heats Up

The third day of the Lebanese championship play-offs tightened the gaps at both the top and bottom of the table. The suspense is at its peak as we approach the final stretch. Play-Offs for the Title: Safa Takes the Lead The fight for first place has become a duel. Safa seized control of the championship by beating Sagesse (2-1) at Fouad Chehab ...

Shia Clans in the Upcoming Municipal Elections

After nine years of waiting, municipal elections will be held starting early next month. This vote carries strategic importance, as it precedes the parliamentary elections by a year and serves as a political barometer, particularly in the Shia regions of Lebanon, which have been affected by the repercussions of the war between Hezbollah and ...