Lebanon

French President Macron Visits Lebanon to Support New Leadership

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Lebanon shortly before 7 AM on Friday for an official visit, where he is scheduled to meet with the new Lebanese leaders and military officials. According to the Elysée Palace press service, the French head of state aims to underscore France's unwavering commitment to Lebanon, its sovereignty ...

UN Security Council Urges Rapid Formation of Lebanon Government

The UN Security Council called Thursday for Lebanese leaders to rapidly form a new government, describing it as a "critical" step for stability in the war-battered country and region. In a statement adopted unanimously, the Council welcomed the January 9 election of President Joseph Aoun, who filled a role that was vacant for over two years, and ...

Macron and Bin Salman Pledge 'Full Support' for Forming a Strong Lebanese Government

French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have pledged “full support” for the formation of a “strong government” in Lebanon, the Élysée Palace announced on Thursday, following a phone call between the two leaders. During the call on Wednesday, they stated that they would “fully support the ...

UN Chief Antonio Guterres in Lebanon on 'Solidarity Visit'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Lebanon Thursday on a "solidarity visit". He was greeted at the airport by caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. "The Secretary-General has just arrived in Beirut for a solidarity visit to Lebanon," after a long-stalled presidential election and a devastating war between Hezbollah and ...

Beirut Blast Investigator Resumes Work After Two Years

Lebanese judge Tarek Bitar resumed his investigation into the deadly 2020 Beirut port blast on Thursday, charging 10 people, including security, customs and military personnel, according to a judicial official. The fresh charges come after a two-year hiatus in the investigation into the August 4, 2020 explosion that killed more than 220 people, ...

Lebanese Basketball Legend Fadi al-Khatib Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame

Basketball celebrates a momentous occasion with the induction of Lebanese sports icon Fadi al-Khatib into the prestigious FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2025. This honor consecrates an exceptional career marked by individual and collective achievements, while underlining the profound impact of “the Tiger” on international and Lebanese ...

Violence Persists in Southern Lebanon

The southern Lebanon border remains a hotspot of violence, just days before the expiration of the ceasefire. In the Sadana area, south of the Shebaa farms, the Red Cross was deployed on Thursday to recover the bodies of three young men killed by Israeli forces a week ago. These farms, contested between Lebanon and Israel,  are often the site of ...

The Great Realignment: Navigating the Chaos of Modern Politics

Politics in the 21st century feels like a pendulum that has lost its rhythm. The ideological battle between the left and right has become less about substance and more about spectacle, leaving liberals—once the pragmatic bridge between these two camps—searching for relevance. The world has entered an era where media-savvy personalities ...

'We Are Committed to the Reconstruction of Southern Lebanon'

The brief statement by the new Prime Minister on the day of his appointment raises questions. While it is unthinkable for the South to remain neglected, using the “we” pronoun may prompt further scrutiny. Who exactly does “we” refer to? The utterly bankrupt state? Surely not—it doesn’t have the means. The savings of depositors? ...

WB: $257 Million for Water Supply Services

The World Bank (WB) announced on Wednesday that “the World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved financing of $257.8 million to improve water supply services in Greater Beirut and Mount Lebanon.” In a statement, it was indicated that “the second Greater Beirut Water Supply Project aims to complete vital water infrastructure, ...

If Lebanon Were to Buy Back Its Debt...

In 2023, Lebanon’s public debt reached around $100 billion, representing approximately 200% of its GDP. This makes Lebanon one of the most indebted countries in the world in relation to its economy. It ranks second behind Japan (260% of GDP) and ahead of Greece (180% of GDP), Italy (150% of GDP) and Sudan (176% of GDP). This debt results from ...