Hezbollah

A Herculean Task for the New President

The moment of truth is upon us—the time for decisive choices and a critical turning point for the country. Regardless of the outcome of the January 9 election, the election of Lebanon's 14th president presents a historic opportunity to claim the country’s rightful place in the emerging regional order. The new president will immediately face ...

Shifting Alliances: The Evolution of US Foreign Policy in Lebanon and the Road Ahead

The United States’ involvement in Lebanese politics has intensified, particularly in efforts to counteract Hezbollah's influence. Recent events suggest that the US is attempting to influence Lebanon's presidential election, backing candidates like General Joseph Aoun to potentially weaken Hezbollah's grip. This involvement underscores the US’s ...

Opposition MPs to Endorse Army Commander Joseph Aoun

The opposition MPs will officially endorse Army Commander-in-Chief General Joseph Aoun in Thursday's presidential election. Following a meeting with the head of the Lebanese Forces, the opposition explained that, before deciding to back General Aoun, they had shifted their support from presidential candidate Michel Moawad to Jihad Azour. However, ...

Blinken Hopes for “Lasting Peace” in Lebanon as Israeli Troops Withdraw

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed optimism on Wednesday for a “lasting peace” as Israeli troops begin withdrawing from southern Lebanon. Speaking at a news conference in Paris, Blinken confirmed that the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, in place for nearly a month, continues to hold. “The ceasefire is ...

Frangieh, Baroud and Frem Withdraw From Presidential Race, Support Gen. Joseph Aoun

Head of Marada Party Sleiman Frangieh, MP Neemat Frem and former Minister Ziyad Baroud have each announced on Wednesday that they are withdrawing their candidacy for Thursday's presidential election, in favor of Army Commander General Joseph Aoun. Frangieh, whose candidature for president was supported by the Shiite duo – Amal and ...

What About the Ceasefire?

The future of the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel remains uncertain. Despite a flurry of diplomatic negotiations and recent statements by US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein calling for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, progress toward lasting calm remains minimal. Both sides continue to accuse each other of repeated ...

Le Drian Meets with Representatives of Lebanese Political Parties

French presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian has been meeting representatives of various Lebanese political parties since Wednesday morning, hours before legislators convene on Thursday to elect the long-aspired president of the Republic. The French envoy met in the morning with two MPs from the Renewal Bloc, namely Michel Moawad and ...

The Lebanese Diaspora in Canada Spells Out Its Vision for the Aspired President

The Lebanese-Canadian Coordinating Committee (CCLC) has presented its “vision for the Lebanese president,” as a session to elect a new head of state is scheduled for Thursday. “We need a president who puts the well-being of the nation above his personal interests (...) who unites all Lebanese (...) who ensures respect for the Taif Agreement ...

LAF Resumes its Deployment in the South

Following the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the Lebanese Army (LAF) announced Monday that its units had started deploying to take up positions in towns in the western and central sectors, including Ras al-Naqoura, Alma al-Shaab, Tayr Harfa-Tyre, Beit Liv-Tyre, and Beit Liv-Bint Jbeil. “While the deployment is being completed in Naqoura, ...

PMI Rises for the Second Month in a Row

In December 2024, BlomInvest’s Purchase Managers Index (PMI) reached its highest level in five months. In Lebanon, it scored 48.4 points in November 2024, as opposed to 48.1 the month before. According to Helmi Mourad, a research analyst at Blom Business Bank, the PMI improved for the second consecutive month, going from a low of 45 points in ...

Hochstein Calls for Full Implementation of the Taif Agreement

US Envoy Amos Hochstein visited MP Fouad Makhzoumi's residence on Tuesday in the presence of Lebanese MPs from different parliamentary blocs. He stressed “the need for Lebanon and for the future President to commit to the full implementation of the Taif Agreement and to the implementation of the reforms necessary for the country's ...

Lebanese Army to Deploy in Aita al-Shaab

The Lebanese army is preparing to take up position in Aita al-Shaab for the first time since the November 27 ceasefire was concluded between Hezbollah and Israel. Army tanks were stationed on Tuesday in the Bayada area, getting ready to deploy in Naqoura, along with a patrol from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Lebanese ...