Tag Archives: Beirut

Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun called for national unity on Sunday after violence erupted in parts of Beirut between supporters of rival sectarian political parties. Lebanon maintains a fragile sectarian balance since its many religious sects fought a 1975-1990 civil war with factions often backed by regional rivals. A financial crisis …

Thousands of Lebanese protesters took to the streets on Saturday, with some throwing stones and demanding the government resign over its handling of a deep economic crisis as hardship increases. The demonstrators, many wearing face masks and carrying the national flag, converged on the main square in Beirut that was …

The worst of the coronavirus pandemic has passed but declaring victory against the disease would be premature, Lebanon’s health minister said Monday, as the country gradually opened up. “I think the worst-case scenario has passed and is behind us, but at the same time we need to stay alert and …

Lebanon’s financial meltdown could tip the country into a full-blown food crisis, as people hit by soaring prices and the fallout of COVID-19 become unable to afford even basics like bread, the prime minister warned. Lebanon has been paralyzed by an economic crisis that has seen dollars dry up, banks …

Lebanon’s government has ordered a full shutdown of the country for four days amid an increase in new cases of infection with the new coronavirus. “The lockdown is set to begin at 7 p.m. local time (1600 GMT) on Wednesday and will end at 5 a.m. on Monday, with the …

Lebanon has summoned the German ambassador to protest Berlin’s recent decision to blacklist the Hezbollah resistance movement, a highly popular political and defense force in the Arab country. Berlin on Thursday designated Hezbollah as a “terrorist organization,” banned all its activities in the European country and ordered raids on sites …

Hezbollah’s leader hailed the Lebanese government’s crisis plan as an “important step” on Monday and warned the country should not blindly surrender in talks with the IMF to terms it can not bear. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called on the Lebanese to give the cabinet a chance as it tries to …

Lebanon’s government on Friday signed a request for assistance from the International Monetary Fund, a statement from Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s office said. “This is a historic moment in the history of Lebanon. We have taken the first step on the path of saving Lebanon from the deep financial gap; …

The Lebanese governments endorsed an economic reform plan on Thursday aimed at dealing with the nation’s deepening financial crisis, President Michel Aoun said. “Today is a historic day because for the first time an economic and financial plan has been endorsed after a lack of planning and prospects almost brought …

At least a dozen Lebanese banks across the country were torched and vandalized during the second consecutive night of angry protests fuelled by frustration over the national currency’s unfettered depreciation. Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets from Beirut to southern Sidon along with Nabatieh, the Bekaa Valley, and Tripoli …

Lebanon’s central bank governor defended himself Wednesday against scathing criticism by the government, claiming there is a “systematic campaign” meant to hold him responsible for the country’s recent financial crisis and the collapse of the national currency. Speaking in an hour-long video conference, Gov. Riad Salameh, who has held the …

Violent protests against growing economic hardship erupted again in the Lebanese city of Tripoli on Tuesday, with banks set ablaze after a night of rioting that left one demonstrator dead, according to security and medical sources. A collapse in the currency, soaring inflation, and spiraling unemployment are convulsing Lebanon, which …

Lebanon has become the first Arab country to legalize cannabis farming for medical and industrial purposes – a move that could generate lucrative exports and foreign currency as the country struggles to cope with a financial crisis. Although growing the plant was previously illegal, cannabis has long been farmed openly …

Two members of Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces (ISF) have died after sustaining injuries during a shooting at the Ouzai police station in Beirut yesterday. Major Jalal Shreif, the head of the police station, died in hospital, while first adjutant Ziad Al-Attar succumbed to his injuries this morning after the pair …

Scores of people were injured in Beirut on Tuesday in clashes between security forces and protesters rejecting the new government as it sought to win a parliamentary vote of confidence. Smoke wafted through Beirut where riot police fired tear gas at hundreds of protesters seeking to block MPs from reaching …

Clashes erupted as Lebanon’s new government convened a day after it was formed following a three-month political vacuum. Police are using water cannon to contain protesters throwing rocks during anti-government demonstrations in Beirut. The clashes erupted on Wednesday as Lebanon’s new government convened a day after it was formed following …

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri says he does not intend to return to the premiership and head a new government, stating that he has moved on from the post and that he is not obstructing the formation of a new cabinet amid a deep financial crisis. “Analyses that say …

Riot police fired tear gas and sprayed water cannon near parliament in Lebanon’s capital Saturday to disperse thousands of protesters after riots broke out during a march against the ruling elite amid a severe economic crisis. The riots began when some protesters started throwing stones at police deployed near the …

The governor of the central bank of Lebanon, officially known as Banque du Liban, says efforts are underway to tackle the worsening financial crisis that has caused several businesses to close and many people to lose their jobs amid growing fears about the country’s economic future. “We are solving the …

Lebanon is like a sinking ship that will go under unless action is taken, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was quoted as saying on Monday, referring to the country’s deep economic and political crisis. Berri told visitors that efforts to form a new government were “completely frozen” and awaiting developments at …