Lebanon

Baja 2025: Rafic Eid Offers Lebanon a Historic World Podium

Rafic Eid has struck again. Over the course of a marathon season, from Ha’il to Dubai, the Lebanese rider built up his 2nd place in the overall world standings, all motorcycle categories combined, day after day, by taming the most hostile terrains on the international circuit. On his Honda CRF 450 Factory, Eid swallowed dunes, rocks, mud, ...

Pope Ends Turkey Visit, Heads to Lebanon after Papal Plane Issue Fixed

Pope Leo XIV ended his visit to Turkey on Sunday, as he heads to Lebanon on the second leg of his apostolic trip and the first abroad since he became the head of the Catholic Church, succeeding Pope Francis last May. The papal plane that flew him from Rome to Istanbul is one of thousands of Airbus A320 aircraft affected by a computer issue. ...

Leo XIV in Lebanon: A Rich and Symbolic Program

Lebanon welcomes Pope Leo XIV for his first apostolic visit since his election. Described by the Vatican as “a message of peace and resilience,” this visit comes at a time when the country continues to face severe economic, political, and social challenges. Over the course of three days, November 30 to December 2, the program ...

Lebanon and the Vatican: A Centuries-Old Bond

Lebanon and the Vatican share a relationship that predates modern diplomacy by nearly a millennium. One is a Mediterranean nation long defined by religious diversity; the other, the global center of the Catholic Church. Yet together, these two small states have forged a partnership with influence far beyond their size spiritually, culturally, and ...

The Pope in Lebanon: A Dual State–Apostolic Visit

As he arrives in Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV will undertake a unique visit that brings together two complementary dimensions: a state visit and an apostolic visit. This dual status reflects the two identities of the pontiff, head of state of Vatican City and spiritual leader of the Catholic Church.  

81 Journalists Travel with Pope Leo XIV on Historic Journey

81 international journalists are traveling with Pope Leo XIV on his apostolic journey from Turkey to Lebanon. The group includes cameramen and photographers representing around twenty media outlets from 15 countries. Major American networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and CNN are part of the pool, highlighting the global attention given to this ...

Michel Issa: Disarming Hezbollah Is a Prerequisite for Peace

In an interview with Haaretz, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa stressed that Israel “does not need Washington’s permission to defend itself,” noting that the U.S. administration is in constant contact with the Lebanese government and is urging it to disarm Hezbollah. Issa added that dismantling the weapons of Hezbollah and other ...

Faith and Hope Unite as Lebanon Prepares for Pope Leo XIV’s Visit

Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Lebanon goes far beyond the scope of an official visit. For many, it resonates as a symbol of hope for all religious communities, a reminder that the country remains at the heart of spiritual and human concerns, and a breath of optimism that could revive the faith of a people in search of peace.    

Silos of Beirut: Autopsy of an Announced Pollution

On 4 August 2020, Beirut exploded a first time, in a flash of ammonium nitrate, debris and shattered glass. Since then, the city has continued to explode in a muffled way: in the bronchi of the inhabitants, in the lungs of the children of Karantina, in the gutted silos that spit back out heat, smoke and dust. Last Thursday, the file came back ...

Michel Issa: Negotiations Between Lebanon and Israel Are Necessary for Lasting Peace

U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa stressed that “negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are essential for lasting peace, and both sides are ready to engage in U.S.-mediated talks when the conditions are right.” In an interview with MTV, Issa stated that “the Lebanese Army has significantly expanded its deployment in the South and has already ...

Qassem: “We Have the Right to Respond”, Adraee: Lebanese State Must Continue Disarming Hezbollah

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said Friday evening in a televised address that Israel’s assassination of Haytham Ali Tabatabai was “a blatant attack and a heinous crime.” He added, “We have the right to respond, and we will decide the appropriate time to do so.” Marking one year since the signing of the cease-fire, Qassem ...

King Charles III Cedar Trail Opens in Lebanon

The British Ambassador to Lebanon Hamish Cowell and Minister of Environment Tamara El Zein inaugurated the King Charles III Cedar Trail in the Shouf Biosphere Reserve on Friday. The ceremony brought together the mayors and mokhtars of Ain Zahalta, Bmahray, and Mokhtara; the head of the reserve committee, Faisal Abu Ezzeddine; and the reserve ...