This is Beirut - Lebanon

ABL Secretary General Warns Against Risks of Unrealistic Implementation of the Gap Law

This is Beirut, 13:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

ABL Banks Banque du Liban Lebanon Central Bank of Lebanon

The Secretary General of the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL), Fadi Khalaf, warned against the risks of an unrealistic implementation of the Gap Law in the introduction of the ABL’s January 2026 monthly report. According to Khalaf, this draft law, which aims to unlock the issue of bank deposits, can only succeed if the liquidity required ...

Hezbollah’s Loyalty to Iran Has Become Its Liability

Salam El Zaatari, 09:10 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Hezbollah Lebanon Israel Tehran Washington

Naim Qassem’s latest speech sought to project certainty at a moment of regional flux. Instead, it revealed Hezbollah’s deepest fear: that its patron, Iran, may choose negotiation over confrontation and survival over its proxies. The Hezbollah leader declared that his organization would not remain neutral if Iran were attacked, framing any ...

Parliament Budget Debate Highlights Weapons Issue and Criticism of Gap Law

This is Beirut, 28/01 15:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Joseph Aoun Lebanese Army Nabih Berry Raji al-Saad Sami Gemayel

Lebanon’s parliament continued its debate on the 2026 budget on Wednesday, with lawmakers focusing on the financial gap law, the rights of depositors, and the need to restrict weapons as key obstacles to the country’s recovery. The session, chaired by Speaker Nabih Berri, marked the second day of discussions on the draft budget, which was ...

Druze Leader: Qassem's Statements are "Irresponsible"

This is Beirut, 28/01 15:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Free Patriotic Movement Lebanese Forces Lebanon Gebran Bassil Hezbollah

On Tuesday, Former President of the Progressive Socialist Party and Druze leader, Walid Jumblatt, attacked the most recent speech delivered by Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, describing it as “irresponsible, irresponsible, irresponsible,” according to L’Oreint Today. Jumblatt said, “I do not know why he wants to drag part of ...

Lebanese Neutrality: The Strategic Interest Shared by Beirut and Jerusalem

Hussain Abdul-Hussain, 28/01 09:05 - Reading : 7 minute(s)

Lebanese Army Lebanon Bahrain Hezbollah Israel

Lebanon's neutrality in regional conflicts is the single most important strategic choice it can make today, serving its core national interests and those of Israel in equal measure. If the Lebanese understand this, their country will be well on its way not only to recovery but to an economic boom. More than a year after the November 2024 ...

How Would Hezbollah Respond to U.S.-Iran Escalation?

Claudia Groeling, 27/01 22:40 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Hezbollah Donald Trump Lebanon Israel Middle East

On Tuesday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said in an address that the pro-Iranian militant group would not remain neutral in the event of any aggression against Iran, stressing that Hezbollah is prepared to defend itself and would determine the timing and nature of any response. Hezbollah “will not remain silent about ...

Budget Talks Spiral Into Iran Clash in Parliament

This is Beirut, 27/01 21:15 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanon Hezbollah

Lebanon’s parliamentary session on Tuesday was marked by a heated verbal clash after MP Firas Hamdan was cut off mid-speech while denouncing Lebanon’s relationship with Iran. Hamdan accused political forces of turning southern Lebanese communities into bargaining chips in regional power struggles, arguing that such alignments have brought ...

Hezbollah Faces Internal Divisions as Qassem Moves to Reshape Leadership

This is Beirut, 27/01 21:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Naim Qassem Lebanon

Internal divisions have developed within Hezbollah’s ranks as the organization reels from tactical and operational setbacks, sources reveal. According to Al Arabiya, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has been curbing the authority of Wafiq Safa, the head of Hezbollah’s liaison and coordination unit. Sala’s role focuses ...

WB Approves $350 Million to Support Lebanon’s Recovery and Digital Transformation

This is Beirut, 27/01 15:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Banks Middle East World Bank

On Monday, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved $350 million in new financing to help Lebanon address the basic needs of its poorest and most vulnerable populations while advancing the digital transformation of public services. The funding, split between two projects, aims to provide social protection, promote economic ...

Israeli Strike Kills One in South Lebanon

This is Beirut, 27/01 12:05 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Hezbollah Lebanon South Lebanon Tyre Israel

One person was killed on Tuesday after an Israeli airstrike targeted a motorcycle in the town of Batouliyeh, in the district of Tyre. Following the attack, the Israeli army announced that it had struck a Hezbollah operative in the Deir Qanoun area. Earlier, an Israeli reconnaissance drone targeted an uninhabited house at the western entrance of ...

U.S. Delegations Meet in Jordan on Lebanon-Israel Relations as Karam Floats Tel Aviv Talks

This is Beirut, 26/01 21:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel Lebanon Jordan Simon Karam

The U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee convened in Jordan on Monday to discuss the steps needed for a sustainable peace between the two countries as former ambassador Simon Karam expresses further willingness for direct talks between Lebanon and Israel. On Sunday, Simon Karam, Lebanon’s ...

Qassem Warns Hezbollah May Intervene If Iran Is Attacked

This is Beirut, 26/01 19:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Naim Qassem Iran

Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, delivered a speech amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran on Monday, stating that any attack on Iran would also target his group, and warned that any new war on the Islamic Republic would ignite the region. On the question of Hezbollah’s engagement in a conflict scenario, Qassem left ...

Lebanon