EXPLAINED: 5 | Rare Historical Photos

Lebanon to start sending Syrian refugees back home despite ‘risk of abuse’

Lebanon says programme is ‘voluntary’ but rights groups warn other returnees have faced arrests, detention, enforced disappearance and torture

The Independent UK · Oct 12, 2022

Lebanon to Begin Returning Syrian Refugees

Lebanon will start sending Syrian refugees back to their home country at the end of next week, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Wednesday, despite rights groups' fears for their safety. Lebanon hosts the highest number of refugees per capita in the world.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Oct 12, 2022

Lebanon's parliament begins a (very) long political battle to elect next president

As Lebanon sinks further into acute economic crisis, President Michel Aoun's term of office approaches its end on October 31. Parliament members began the process of electing his successor on September 29. The political tug-of-war over this post, reserved for a member of the Maronite Christian community, is expected to…

France 24 · Oct 12, 2022

Lebanon hopes to announce maritime demarcation deal with Israel as soon as possible - president

Lebanon hopes to announce a final deal maritime border demarcation deal with Israel as soon as possible, especially as the draft was "satisfying" for Beirut, President Michel Aoun said in a tweet on Tuesday.

Reuters · Oct 11, 2022

Saudi Ambassador: Kingdom Keen on Lebanon’s Security, Stability

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed al-Bukhari underscored on Saturday the Kingdom’s keenness on Lebanon’s security and stability. He met with MP Ashraf Rifi in the northern city of Tripoli of which he was given a tour. The envoy stressed the need for officials to “prioritize the higher interest” of the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Oct 9, 2022

Lebanon Downplays Reports of Israeli Rejection of its Proposals

Lebanese officials downplayed the importance of reports that pointed to Israel’s rejection of Lebanon’s remarks on the draft agreement pertaining to the demarcation of the maritime borders.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Oct 7, 2022

Lebanon: Aoun Hopes a New President Gets Elected Within Constitutional Limit

Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun voiced hopes on Tuesday that a new president is elected within the constitutional deadline to succeed him when his term ends on October 31. Aoun said he “hopes the presidential elections are held within the constitutional timeframe,” in order for him to hand the post to…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Oct 4, 2022

Lebanon to Send Remarks on US Draft on Maritime Border with Israel

Lebanon will send its comments on a US proposal to delineate its maritime border with longtime foe Israel to the American official mediating talks by Tuesday, a top Lebanese official said on Monday. US envoy Amos Hochstein has shuttled between Lebanon and Israel since 2020 to seal a deal that…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Oct 4, 2022

Lebanon Mulls Response to US-mediated Maritime Border Proposal

Lebanon leaders are holding a meeting Monday to discuss a US proposal to demarcate the maritime border with Israel -- a step that could allow both countries to explore offshore resources. Lebanon said it had received Saturday a written "offer" from US envoy Amos Hochstein - who is mediating talks…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Oct 3, 2022

Lebanon's Rai Refuses to Tie Election of President to ‘Consensus’

Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai slammed on Sunday the parliament, rejecting the call to elect a new president of the republic through “consensus”. Parliament had convened on Thursday for the election, but failed in naming a head of state. Speaker Nabih Berri said he would call parliament to session again…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Oct 3, 2022