This is Beirut - Free Patriotic Movement

Tug of War Ahead of Government Formation to Address Upcoming Challenges

Bassam Abou Zeid, 20/01 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Free Patriotic Movement Lebanese Forces Amal Hezbollah

The process of forming the first government under the new presidential term remains focused on defining the qualifications and criteria for appointing ministers. While it is acknowledged that ministers cannot be entirely detached from political considerations—even if they are not directly affiliated with parties—the challenge lies in balancing ...

Non-Binding Consultations to Form Government Held in Berri’s Absence

This is Beirut, 15/01 22:04 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Amal Free Patriotic Movement Hezbollah Nawaf Salam government

Wednesday’s non-binding parliamentary consultations began with the notable absence of Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, who was expected to meet with Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam before the beginning of discussions with MPs. Instead, consultations were launched by Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab, who commended Salam’s ...

Army Commander Fails First Round of Presidential Vote

This is Beirut, 09/01 13:23 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Amal Free Patriotic Movement Hezbollah Joseph Aoun presidential election

Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun failed to get elected as Lebanon’s new president in the first round of parliament voting on Thursday. Aoun received 71 votes, short of the 86 ballots that he needs to be elected in the first round. The ballots included 37 blank votes, two for Chebli Mallat and 18 invalid votes. The blank and invalid votes have ...

The Twelve Labors of… Parliament

Natasha Metni Torbey, 09/01 10:50 - Reading : 7 minute(s)

Free Patriotic Movement Amal Gebran Bassil Hezbollah Israel

Since the end of former President Michel Aoun's term in October 2022, Lebanon has been facing a period of presidential vacancy, accompanied by overlapping economic and security crises, the most recent being the war between Hezbollah and Israel. From political divisions to diplomatic visits, the Lebanese political scene has become mired in ...

Opposition and Change MPs to Announce Their Presidential Candidate Shortly

This is Beirut, 07/01 18:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Free Patriotic Movement Joseph Aoun Lebanese Forces

The opposition and Change MPs are gearing up for the upcoming presidential election session scheduled for January 9. MP Waddah Sadek revealed to LBCI that the opposition would announce its preferred presidential candidate tonight or tomorrow at 9 PM. He dismissed reports of General Baissari’s withdrawal, clarifying that Baissari has indicated ...

The Final Stretch to the ‘Presidential Deal:’ Consensus or Postponement?

Houna Loubnan , 06/01 16:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Amos Hochstein Lebanese Forces Free Patriotic Movement Joseph Aoun Presidential Election

Lebanon faces a critical week as efforts intensify to elect a president, end the prolonged vacancy and produce the much-anticipated “white smoke.” Growing momentum suggests the likely election of Army Chief General Joseph Aoun in the parliamentary session scheduled for Thursday, January 9. A Lebanese MP who recently met with Saudi envoy ...

Geagea Criticizes Lebanon's Political System, Accuses It of Maintaining Status Quo

This is Beirut, 2024-12-28 15:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Free Patriotic Movement Joseph Aoun Lebanese Forces

During the Lebanese Forces (LF) annual dinner in Aley, Samir Geagea, the head of the party, criticized Lebanon’s political system, accusing it of perpetuating the status quo despite the country’s ongoing crises. Geagea explained how he learned through his contacts that the “system” still operates as if nothing had changed. “The ...

Samir Assaf: The ‘Parachute’ Candidate!

This is Beirut, 2024-12-26 20:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Free Patriotic Movement Gebran Bassil Lebanese Forces

Critics argue that Assaf represents foreign agendas that could risk Lebanon’s sovereignty, aiming to reassert economic and political control over the country. Without local political experience or a loyal popular base, Assaf is viewed as a potential puppet of external powers, undermining vital Lebanese industries such as banking and ...

The Maronite Curse…

Johnny Kortbawi, 2024-12-24 18:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Europe Free Patriotic Movement Maronite Presidency election

During World War I, a remarkable event, known as the Christmas Truce, occurred on Christmas Eve. Along the Western Front in Europe, opposing soldiers, without an official ceasefire or wide public announcement, gathered to share a meal in the spirit of Christmas. This holiday has the power to inspire miracles, provided faith is present. As Jesus ...

Local Responses on the Announcement of the Ceasefire

This is Beirut, 2024-11-27 15:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Ceasefire Emmanuel Macron Free Patriotic Movement Gebran Bassil Hezbollah Israel Lebanese Forces Palestine United Nations USA White House

Hours after US President Joe Biden announced a proposal to end the “devastating” conflict, which has killed thousands of people over the course of nearly 14 months of cross-border fighting, the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect. Many local positions were issued after the truce, which started at 4 AM on ...

Cabinet Discusses the Ceasefire Agreement

Rayan Chami, 2024-11-27 11:20 - Reading : less than a minute

Ceasefire Free Patriotic Movement Israel

The Cabinet met on Wednesday to discuss the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which was proclaimed on Tuesday evening and came into force at 4 AM. Significantly, ministers of the Free Patriotic Movement who had previously boycotted the Council, arguing that ministerial meetings are unconstitutional in the absence of a President, ...

Bassil’s Meeting with Iranian FM Envoy Raises Eyebrows

This is Beirut, 2024-10-29 16:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Free Patriotic Movement Gebran Bassil Iran

The head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), MP Gebran Bassil, met on Tuesday with the Iranian Foreign Minister’s special envoy for Middle Eastern affairs, Mohammad Reza Sheibani. Officially, the meeting was aimed at discussing the ongoing war in Lebanon and its repercussions, according to Lebanese news agencies. However, Bassil’s meeting ...

Free Patriotic Movement