EXPLAINED: 7 | Rare Historical Photos

Qatari Envoy Visits Lebanon to Discuss Presidential Elections

Qatar’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi met on Monday in Beirut with Lebanese officials and a number of party leaders to discuss the means to find a solution to the presidential vacuum in the country. While information noted that the Qatari envoy carried an initiative…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 4, 2023

Bou Saab to Asharq Al-Awsat: Bassil's Reaction to Mikati's Decision on DST was Unconsidered

The Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Elias Bou Saab, expressed his “dissatisfaction with the repercussions” that resulted from caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s "ill-conceived" decision to postpone the Daylight Savings Time (DST). “Prime Minister Mikati bears the main responsibility for the decision.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 28, 2023

Lebanon’s cabinet reverses decision to delay clock change

Lebanon has operated in two time zones as some businesses and institutions followed the order and others refused.

Al Jazeera · Mar 27, 2023

Daylight savings time dispute puts Lebanon in two timezones

Caretaker PM Najib Mikati’s decision to delay daylight saving until April 20 sparks a sectarian rift.

Al Jazeera · Mar 26, 2023

Lebanon wakes up in two time zones as clock change row deepens divisions

Lebanon woke up in two time zones on Sunday amid an escalating dispute between political and religious authorities over a decision to delay the clock change by a month.

Reuters · Mar 26, 2023

Lebanon: Pope Francis Urges Officials to Join Hands, Elect a President

Pope Francis on Thursday stressed the need that Lebanese officials join efforts in order to help their country steer out of its political paralysis and elect a new head of state. “Lebanese officials must put their efforts together in order to steer out of the crisis and elect a president,”…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 17, 2023

Aboul Gheit from Beirut: Arab League Summit Will Be Held in May

The next Arab League summit will be held in Saudi Arabia in May, announced Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit from Beirut on Tuesday. He said the summit is likely to focus on economic issues and how to help the neediest Arab regions. Aboul Gheit met with caretaker Prime Minister…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 15, 2023

As Corruption Probes Converge, Support for Lebanon Central Bank Governor Frays

Top-level political backing for Lebanon's central bank governor Riad Salameh is starting to fray, political sources say, as the veteran financier once hailed as a banking wizard faces several corruption investigations in the waning months of his tenure. The apparent cooling of support raises questions over the impact the investigations…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 15, 2023

World Bank Sets Conditions for Lebanon to Access Electricity Funding

Lebanon has to audit its state electricity company among other reforms the World Bank has required before it will consider funding Lebanon's worn-down electricity sector, the bank's regional vice president Ferid Belhaj said on Tuesday. Public provision of electricity in Lebanon has been poor since the country's 1975-90 civil war…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 14, 2023

Lebanon: Mikati Says Parties Rejecting Cabinet Meetings Better Elect a President

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati hailed the latest development in the Saudi-Iranian relations, stressing that Lebanon supports any "consensual" course in the region mainly that Saudi Arabia is a party to it.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 12, 2023