Lebanese-Ecuadorian diplomat vying to lead the UN
Ecuador's Ivonne A-Baki, a diplomat who represented Quito in the United States, has entered the race to lead the U.N., the head of the General Assembly said in a letter Tuesday.
Lebanon
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World Bank projects Lebanon economy to contract by 6.4% due to war
The World Bank has projected that Lebanon's economy would contract by 6.4 percent this year, as the latest Israel-Hezbollah war derailed the country's efforts at recovery.
Hezbollah says doesn't need validation of its 'patriotism' after US sanctions
Hezbollah on Friday hit back at the U.S. administration over its announcement that the group is under the control of Iran’s Quds Force, the expeditionary arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
Hezbollah doesn't intend to cede Ali al-Taher but open to 'compromise'
Amid conflicting reports about the situation in the Ali al-Taher area, which continues to come under Israeli airstrikes, a prominent Hezbollah source confirmed that the group "has no intention of surrendering the Ali al-Taher hill to the Lebanese Army, the enemy, or any other party.”
Aoun reportedly seeking military cooperation agreement with EU
President Joseph Aoun is leading an effort, in cooperation with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, to pursue a military cooperation agreement between Lebanon and the European Union with the aim of bringing in a European military force to replace UNIFIL, whose mandate expires at the end of this year, al-Akhbar newspaper reported. “Aoun appears to be operating on the premise that such an agreement requires…
Salam visits army's South Litani headquarters in Tyre
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Defense Minister Michel Menassa visited Friday the Lebanese Army's South Litani headquarters in the southern city of Tyre. Salam urged the army to maintain its unity, assuring the soldiers that his government is mobilizing all available Arab and international support to enhance human capabilities, modernize equipment, and improve living conditions for military…
US hits Hezbollah with more sanctions, says Iran controls it
The United States announced new sanctions Thursday against an alleged Hezbollah financing network, while highlighting the Lebanese armed group's close ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Hezbollah's legal designation as a terrorist organization has been amended to note that it operates in "service to the Iranian regime under the command of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps," particularly…
Is the US serious about talking to Hezbollah?
U.S. President Donald Trump “has said that he would be willing to talk to Hezbollah if it would lead to an end of conflict, or peace,” Ed Gabriel, the head of the American Task Force on Lebanon, said.
Berri says ending UNIFIL is 'greatest crime against south'
Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri has emphasized the importance of UNIFIL forces' presence in southern Lebanon and their assigned role, both in “maintaining security in the south and in supporting the Lebanese Army's deployment across all Lebanese territory up to the international border, as stipulated in Resolution 1701.”
Report: US to name new pilot zone if Lebanon and Israel fail to agree
If Lebanon and Israel fail to agree on a new pilot zone in south Lebanon, Washington will designate the aforementioned zone, U.S. General Joseph Clearfield told Lebanese officials during his latest visit to Beirut, according to a senior Lebanese official.
Has Hezbollah offered to withdraw from Ali al-Taher?
Hezbollah proposed earlier this week to hand over the strategic Ali al-Taher area to the Lebanese Army, amid “the decline of its ability to hold onto it and its attempt to withdraw the fighters and equipment that are present there,” an informed Western diplomatic source said.
Syria receives Assad-era general after extradition from Lebanon
Syria's interior ministry said authorities took custody of a former general under deposed ruler Bashar al-Assad who was extradited from Lebanon on Wednesday and is accused of crimes including murder and torture. "Today, Syrian authorities received from the Lebanese authorities the former officer in the defunct regime army, major general Adel Issa," a ministry statement said, after Syria issued an…
Canadian official condemns Israel's 'unlawful invasion', announces new aid to Lebanon
A Canadian government official condemned what he called Israel's "unlawful invasion" of Lebanon, saying Beirut should govern its own space and have sovereignty over its lands. Randeep Sarai, Canada's secretary of state for international development, visited Lebanon to announce new humanitarian aid to the crisis-hit country, where the U.N. says some 360,000 people remain displaced as a result of…
What are Israel's 'priorities' in south Lebanon?
Israeli informed U.S. General Joseph Clearfield of its rejection of any agreement on a new pilot zone in south Lebanon, Lebanese sources involved in the deliberations said.
Berri says only Trump can 'compel Israel to end its war'
Speaker Nabih Berri noted Wednesday that "what the South is experiencing is intolerable and may even surpass the crimes and massacres perpetrated in Gaza.”
Macron invites Aoun to Paris for preliminary meeting on army support
President Joseph Aoun has received an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to participate in a preparatory meeting for an international conference to support the Lebanese Army. The meeting will be held in Paris on September 17 with the participation of military delegations and experts from several countries.
Bassil demands open parliamentary hearing to question govt. over key files
Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil has called for a public parliamentary session to question the government regarding the war, Hezbollah's weapons, and the U.S.-sponsored framework agreement with Israel. Bassil urged Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to schedule a public session to question the government and demanded transparency regarding the framework agreement.
Unexploded ordnance kills two near Mayfadoun
The Israeli army struck and shelled overnight into Wednesday al-Khiam, Mays al-Jabal, the Ali al-Taher hill, the outskirts of Wadi Zebqine and a house in Nabatieh al-Fawqa. Israeli forces also carried detonations in Hadatha, al-Khiam and al-Mansouri.
Israel says it recovered remains of soldier killed in Lebanon in 1982
The Israeli military said it had repatriated the remains of Sgt First Class Yehuda Katz, a soldier killed in Lebanon 44 years ago, in a joint operation with the Mossad intelligence agency. Katz was the last Israeli soldier declared missing in the Sultan Yacoub battle against Syrian forces in eastern Lebanon in 1982.
Aoun to visit Rome for talks on UN force's future
President Joseph Aoun will head to Rome this week for talks focusing on the future of the United Nations peacekeeping force in south Lebanon, whose mandate ends this year, a Lebanese official told AFP. The visit scheduled for Thursday comes after Italy and France said in June that they wanted to set up a multinational coalition to succeed the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).