Lebanese forces

Government: Salam and the Lebanese Forces Get the Lion’s Share

The first government of President Joseph Aoun’s mandate reflects the shifting political balance in Lebanon after the war between Hezbollah and Israel, the collapse of the Syrian regime and Western — particularly American — and Arab (especially Saudi) efforts to help Lebanon engage on the path of building a state. Notably, Hezbollah and its ...

Government Lineup Nears Completion Amid Political Tensions and External Pressure

After 22 days of intense negotiations, Judge Nawaf Salam’s efforts to form Lebanon’s new government, following his designation on January 13, are entering their final stages. Despite political challenges and conflicting demands from various factions, the announcement of the first government under General Joseph Aoun’s reformist mandate is ...

The Last Shot… Ending Amal-Hezbollah Grip on Finance Ministry

The Ministry of Finance is not just a mere step in government formation. Speaker Nabih Berri has reopened the “Taif” files, reflecting on a past that no longer has anyone to endorse or oppose. The Ministry of Finance was indeed part of the Taif Agreement discussions, with a proposal to assign it to the Shiite community. However, this proposal ...

Tug of War Ahead of Government Formation to Address Upcoming Challenges

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 ...

Presidency Announces Parliamentary Consultations to Be Held on Monday

The General Secretariat of the Presidency announced that President Joseph Aoun will hold parliamentary consultations on Monday to appoint the next Prime Minister tasked with forming a new government. According to a statement issued on Friday, the consultations will begin at Baabda Presidential Palace with a meeting between the President and ...

Geagea: Joseph Aoun's Election Marks the Start of a New Chapter

The leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF), Samir Geagea, stated that "Joseph Aoun's accession to the presidency reflects the beginning of a new chapter, distanced from the Axis of Resistance." Speaking on Thursday evening on the political program ‘Sar el Waet’ on the local MTV channel, he emphasized that "this is the ...

The Election of Joseph Aoun as President Applauded at Home

Reactions are pouring in following the election of General Joseph Aoun as President of the Republic on Thursday. Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, expressed his congratulations to Aoun on behalf of “the Lebanese nation and the Lebanese people,” underlining the critical circumstances that Lebanon is witnessing, particularly in the ...

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, ...

Opposition and Change MPs to Announce Their Presidential Candidate Shortly

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 ...

Bank Restructuring in the Council of Ministers: The Stakes of a Highly Controversial Project

Lebanon is at a critical juncture in its economic crisis, with a Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who plans to address several issues, notably a sensitive bill concerning the restructuring of banks. Quietly added to the agenda last Friday, this highly controversial draft has ...

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

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 ...

Bukhari Meets Berri to Facilitate Presidential Agreement

Saudi Arabia is poised to spearhead the most significant presidential initiatives to date through a delegation scheduled to visit Beirut at the start of the new year. Led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faysal ben Farhane, this visit, as reported by the MTV channel, will signify the highest-level Saudi visit to Lebanon in 14 years. MTV ...