Lebanon

FBI probe shows amount of chemicals in Beirut blast was a fraction of original shipment

The amount of ammonium nitrate that blew up at Beirut port last year was one fifth of the shipment unloaded there in 2013, the FBI concluded after the blast, adding…

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EU adopts legal framework for Lebanon sanctions

The European Union said it has adopted a legal framework for a sanctions regime targeting Lebanese individuals and entities after a year of crisis that has left Lebanon facing financial…

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Lebanon restricts cafes, beaches to the vaccinated or COVID tested

Lebanon is to limit entry to restaurants, cafes, pubs and beaches to people holding COVID-19 vaccine certificates or those who have taken antibodies tests, the tourism ministry announced. Non-vaccinated employees…

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Lebanon president ready to answer questions on Beirut blast

Lebanon's President Michel Aoun told the country's public prosecutor on Friday he was ready to give a statement about last year's port blast in the capital Beirut if needed. "No…

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Lebanon parliament ready to lift immunity for Beirut blast probe

Lebanon's influential parliament speaker Nabih Berri said on Thursday the legislature was ready to lift the immunity of its members in order allow for questioning over last year's port blast…

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Lebanon battles wildfires in country’s north

Raging wildfires have burned large swathes of Lebanon's pine forests in the mountainous north of the country, killing at least one firefighter and forcing some residents to flee, the National…

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Lebanon’s Mikati hopes to form government soon

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati said that he hoped to form a government shortly after securing the approval of President Michel Aoun for most of his nominees. Mikati, a businessman,…

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UPDATED: Lebanon’s Mikati secures majority to be nominated PM-desginate

Leading Lebanese businessman Najib Mikati secured enough votes in parliamentary consultations on Monday to be designated the next prime minister, raising hopes for an urgently needed viable government to tackle…

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Over 71% of Lebanon’s population risks losing access to safe water – UNICEF

The United Nations warned that more than four million people in Lebanon, including one million refugees risked losing access to safe water as shortages of funding, fuel and supplies affect…

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Lebanon says consultations on new government will start next week

Lebanon's presidency said parliamentary consultations to choose a new prime minister will begin on July 26 in another attempt to push Lebanon’s fractious political class to form the country’s next…

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Lebanon faces even tougher times

France urged Lebanon on Friday to designate a prime minister as soon as possible after Saad al-Hariri abandoned efforts to form a government, but prospects for a new cabinet being…

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UPDATED: Lebanon’s PM-designate Hariri says he has given up on cabinet formation

Lebanese politician Saad al-Hariri abandoned his effort to form a new government on Thursday, saying it was clear he would not be able to reach an agreement with President Michel…

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Schooling crisis in Lebanon as teachers flee

Sorbonne-educated Chryssoula Fayad spent nearly two decades teaching history and geography at Lebanon's elite French schools, ultimately heading departments. Now she is a substitute teacher in Paris, part of an…

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Lebanon is “days away” from social explosion, PM Diab warns

Lebanon is a few days away from a "social explosion", caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab said on Tuesday, calling on the international community to save the country. Diab, in a speech…

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Pope, Lebanon Christian heads begin summit on country’s crisis

Pope Francis and Lebanon's Christian leaders began a summit on Thursday to discuss how religion can help the country overcome its worst crisis since its civil war ended in 1990.…

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Lebanon raises fuel prices in bid to ease shortages

BEIRUT, June 29 (Reuters) - Lebanon's government raised fuel prices by more than a third on Tuesday, a move aimed at alleviating crippling shortages but which will mount pressure on…

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U.N. agency says 41 million on verge of famine

Some 41 million people worldwide are at at imminent risk of famine, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday, saying soaring prices for basic foods were compounding…

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EU warns Lebanon’s leaders of sanctions over ‘home-made’ crisis

The European Union's foreign policy chief told Lebanon's leaders on Saturday they were to blame for the country's political and economic crisis and some could face sanctions if they continue…

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EU sets out potential criteria for Lebanese sanctions

Criteria for European Union sanctions being prepared for Lebanese politicians are likely to be corruption, obstructing efforts to form a government, financial mishandling and human rights abuses, according to a…

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French prosecutors open probe into Lebanese bank governor – AFP

French prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into money laundering allegations against Lebanon's central bank governor, Agence France-Presse reported on Sunday. Riad Salameh is under investigation in relation to possible…

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Lebanese president says central bank directive on bank withdrawals still in force

Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Thursday a directive allowing depositors to withdraw from their dollar accounts at a fixed rate of 3,900 to the dollar was still in force.…

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Pope to meet Christian representatives from Lebanon on July 1

Pope Francis said on Sunday he would hold a meeting on July 1 in Rome to discuss Lebanon's difficult situation with Christian representatives from the country. "I'll meet at the…

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Lebanon’s central bank says not enough reserves for medical supplies

Lebanon's central bank said that a system for importing subsidised medical goods could not be sustained without using its mandatory reserves and asked the relevant authorities to find a solution…

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Lebanon’s president did not mean to revoke Hariri’s mandate, son-in-law says

Lebanese President Michel Aoun did not intend to revoke prime minister designate Saad Hariri's mandate when he wrote to parliament last week declaring that Hariri could not form a government,…

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Lebanon president says PM-designate incapable of forming cabinet

Lebanon's parliament will convene on Friday to discuss a letter written by the president saying Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri had shown he was incapable of forming a government that could…

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Lebanese president seeks to avert crisis with Gulf over minister’s comments

Lebanon's president said on Tuesday that critical comments made by the foreign minister about Gulf states did not reflect official policy, seeking to avoid further strain on ties with countries…

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Death toll rises as violence rocks Gaza, Israel and West Bank

sraeli planes renewed air strikes in Gaza early on Saturday and Hamas militants responded by firing rockets into Israel as their battle entered a fifth night and U.S. and Arab…

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Turkey’s Karpowership shuts down power to Lebanon

Turkey's Karpowership, which provides electricity to Lebanon from two barges, said on Friday it was shutting down supplies over payment arrears and a legal threat to its vessels as the…

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Three rockets launched at Israel from Lebanon, no damage – Israeli military

Three rockets were launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel on Thursday but landed in the Mediterranean sea, causing no damage or casualties, the Israeli military said. It said after the rocket attack…

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Lebanese judge orders asset freezes for individuals tied to major banks

A Lebanese judge has ordered a protective freeze of some properties and company stakes of 14 individuals with links to some of Lebanon's biggest banks, a move the lenders said…

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Israeli military says it shot down Hezbollah drone on Lebanon border

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli forces shot down a drone belonging to the Lebanese Hezbollah group that crossed into northern Israel from Lebanon on Tuesday, the Israeli military said. In a statement,…

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Saudi Arabia bans Lebanese produce over drug smuggling

Saudi Arabia announced a ban on imports of fruits and vegetables from Lebanon, blaming an increase in drug smuggling, in a measure that will add to Lebanon's economic woes. Lebanon…

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Lebanon’s Hariri: Pope to visit if government is formed

Pope Francis will visit crisis-hit Lebanon but only once its fractious politicians can agree on a new government, Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said during a visit to the Vatican on…

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With food and fuel, Hezbollah braces for the worst in Lebanon collapse

BEIRUT, April 16, (Reuters) - Lebanon's Hezbollah has made preparations for an all-out collapse of the fracturing state, issuing ration cards for food, importing medicine and readying storage for fuel…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Beirut, Lebanon

The Dora area north Beirut, Lebanon. Photo: EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

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France and EU ponder sanctions for Lebanese politicians, diplomats say

France and the European Union are putting together proposals that could see asset freezes and travel bans imposed on Lebanese politicians to push them finally to agree on a government…

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UK crime agency considers investigating Lebanon corruption report, sources say

Britain's organised crime agency is reviewing a report by a group of London-based lawyers which accuses Lebanon's central bank governor Riad Salameh and associates of money laundering and corrupt practices,…

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Germany to propose Beirut port reconstruction with ‘strings attached’ – sources

Germany will next week present a multi-billion-dollar proposal to Lebanese authorities to rebuild the Port of Beirut as part of efforts to entice the country's politicians to form a government…

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Lebanon’s top Christian cleric criticises Hezbollah in leaked video

Lebanon's most senior Christian cleric has made unusually direct comments criticizing the Shi'ite Hezbollah movement, accusing it of harming the country by dragging it into regional conflicts. A leaked video…

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France says EU to raise pressure on Lebanese officials

France's foreign minister on Monday warned key Lebanese officials that the European Union was now exploring ways to exert pressure on those who have obstructed finding a solution to the…

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France appeals that Europe must act as Lebanon collapses

Europe must take action as Lebanon collapses, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said, adding that he would press EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday to discuss solutions to the…

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Lebanese army starts clearing roadblocks after week of protests

The Lebanese army said on Wednesday it had started clearing roadblocks eight days after protesters burnt tyres to block roadways across the country in anger over the country’s economic meltdown…

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Lebanon enters seventh day of street protests

Demonstrators burnt tyres to block main roads all over Lebanon for the seventh straight day on Monday in anger at more than a year of economic crisis and six months…

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Lebanon on edge as protests persist

Demonstrators blocked various roadways across Lebanon for the fifth day in a row on Saturday, and a heavy army presence filled parts of the capital as anger simmered over the…

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Photo Story: Protests in Beirut

Families and relatives of those arrested in anti-government protests from Tripoli, Beqaa and Beirut shout slogans and block the roads with burning tires in front the house of Judge Fadi…

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Photo Story: Snowstorm hits Lebanon

People take selfie at snow covered area of Sawfar village eastern Beirut, Lebanon. According to the Lebanese meteorology authority, Lebanon is under the effect of a snowstorm for several days,…

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Lebanon starts its COVID-19 vaccination drive, PM says will wait his turn

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon started its COVID-19 vaccination drive on Sunday by inoculating the head of critical care at its biggest public hospital, followed by 93-year-old celebrated Lebanese actor and…

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Lebanon starts its COVID-19 vaccination drive

Lebanon started its COVID-19 vaccination drive on Sunday by inoculating the head of critical care at its biggest public hospital, followed by 93-year-old celebrated Lebanese actor and comedian Salah Tizani.…

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UK-registered firm possibly linked to Beirut blast

Two senior British parliamentarians called on Friday for an investigation into a British-registered company possibly linked to last year’s devastating explosion in Beirut, after Reuters found that the firm had…

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Beirut blast chemicals possibly linked to Syrian businessmen – report, company filings

BEIRUT/LONDON/MOSCOW, Jan 17 (Reuters) - The company that bought the ammonium nitrate which exploded in Beirut last August had possible links to two Syrian businessmen under U.S. sanctions for ties…

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Lebanon can stretch reserves for six more months of subsidies, PM says

BEIRUT, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Lebanon can ration $2 billion in reserves left for subsidies to last six more months, the caretaker prime minister said on Tuesday, as the country's…

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Hundreds of Syrians flee Lebanon camp after tents torched

BEIRUT, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Hundreds of Syrian refugees fled their makeshift camp in north Lebanon after their tents were torched when fighting broke out between local youths and camp…

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Pope issues appeal for stricken Lebanon, reiterates wish to visit country

In a letter addressed to the head of the Church in Lebanon, Pope Francis makes an urgent appeal to political and religious leaders and to the international community to help…

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Photo Story: A Christmas tree with a difference in Beirut

A Christmas tree is decorated with uniforms of firefighters and rescuers of the Civil Defense to pay tribute to those who died at the Beirut port explosion on 04 August,…

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Lebanon’s collapse is like the Titanic’s sinking, only without the music – Le Drian

PARIS (Reuters) - French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Lebanon's political and economic collapse was like the sinking of the Titanic, only without the music. "Lebanon is the Titanic…

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Businessman linked to Sarkozy corruption allegations detained in Beirut

Lebanon detained a French-Lebanese businessman linked to allegations of covert Libyan financing for former French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s 2007 election campaign, two Beirut security sources said on Friday. The sources…

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Lebanon investigates death of former customs official

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese authorities are investigating the killing of a retired customs officer in what a leading politician described as a "terrible incident". Colonel Munir Abu Rjeili was found…

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