Lebanon

Three Paths for Lebanon: Hostility, Armistice or Peace

Lebanon today stands at a crossroads in its relationship with Israel, facing three distinct options: to maintain a state of war and hostility, to return to the 1949 armistice agreement, or to pursue peace and normalization. The Path of Hostility If Lebanon chooses to remain in a state of active hostility, the cost will be borne heavily by its ...

Potential Mass Resignation of Tripoli's Municipal Council

Following reports of the mass resignation of 11 members of Tripoli’s newly elected municipal council, the group is reportedly debating the possibility of retracting its resignation. Informed sources told This is Beirut that a meeting is currently being held at the office of North Lebanon’s Governor and that the council members may reconsider ...

As Iran Retreats, Islamist Turkey and Qatar Surge in Lebanon

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a Sunni, entered the stadium of Beirut’s Sports City to watch the classic football game between the two rival teams Nijmeh and Ansar. When the Shia supporters of Nijmeh saw Salam, they started shouting slogans in support of Hezbollah and its late chief Hassan Nasrallah. The Sunni fans of Ansar fired back, ...

Aoun Calls for Digital Leap: “Let’s Build the Digital Republic”

President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday delivered a powerful message in favor of full-scale digital transformation of Lebanon’s public administration, framing it as a strategic tool to curb corruption and restore trust in state institutions. Speaking at the “Smart Government: Diaspora Experts for Lebanon” conference at the Phoenicia Hotel in ...

Swimming: Lebanon Wins Gold in Geneva

Proswim, the wave that sweeps everything away. The protégés of national coach Mohammad Sakr shone brightly at the Swan Oberson International Meet in Geneva. Facing stiff competition, the young Lebanese athletes won 16 medals, including six gold, eight silver, and two bronze. This was not just a preparatory competition. The Geneva pool welcomed ...

Washington to Berri: Disarm or Face Sanctions – Aoun Wary of a Misstep

Despite ongoing controversy over the issue of illegal arms in Lebanon, the state remains committed to asserting exclusive control over all weaponry – driven by the dual imperatives of rebuilding national institutions and responding to increasing Western and Arab pressure. The arms file remains one of the most complex and sensitive on the ...

Judicial Council Prepares for Major Reshuffle and Appointments

Now meeting in full capacity, Lebanon’s Higher Judicial Council is preparing to launch the long-awaited process of judicial transfers and appointments. “Discussions on the matter have already begun, with the Council emphasizing its commitment to objective criteria based on competence, integrity and the actual needs of the judiciary. The goal ...

Bank Reform in Lebanon: Central Authority Under Growing Pressure

The parliamentary subcommittee tasked with banking reform held a pivotal session to examine Articles 5 and 6 of the draft law proposing the creation of an independent banking authority. Two competing visions are at the center of the debate. The first, supported by Banque du Liban (BDL), calls for the establishment of a new, autonomous body ...

Joe Saddi Seeks US Support to Reform Lebanon’s Energy Sector

Lebanon’s Minister of Energy and Water, Joe Saddi, is on an official visit to Washington, where he has held a series of high-level meetings with United States officials and World Bank representatives in a bid to secure international backing for Lebanon’s ailing energy sector. Saddi met with Laura Lochman, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for ...

Pharmaceutical Syndicate Urges Immediate Action Against Counterfeit Drugs

The Pharmaceutical Importers’ Syndicate called on Monday for the immediate implementation of a unified plan to combat the surge of counterfeit and smuggled medications in Lebanon. The group stressed the urgent need for strict oversight from relevant ministries and agencies to protect citizens’ right to safe and effective medicines. In a ...

Judicial Appointments: Is the Deadlock About to End?

Lebanon appears poised to move forward with long-delayed judicial appointments and reshuffles, according to well-placed judicial sources – an overdue step after more than five years of political deadlock. The process had been blocked since 2020, when then-President Michel Aoun rejected a package of proposed judicial transfers submitted by the ...