Mohammad Harfoush

Mohammad Harfoush is a Lebanese journalist reporting for the Kuwaiti Al-Anbaa newspaper and the author of Eritrea: Basic Facts.

Lebanon | Feb 19, 2013

Syria’s Oil Crisis

Since the Syrian regime lost its grip on oil production, domestic oil prices have soared, increasing the civil war's burden on the Syrian economy, writes Mohammad Harfoush.

A man selling petrol and gas waits for clients in Ain Tarma neighbourhood, Damascus January 23, 2013. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic (SYRIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT ENERGY) - RTR3CUPA

Lebanon | Feb 13, 2013

Terrorism Case Against Samaha Moves to Next Stage

Michel Samaha and Ali Mamlouk, along with a third accomplice known as Col. Adnan, have been indicted on charges of plotting to carry out terrorist attacks, writes Mohammad Harfoush.

Lebanese policemen stand guard at the entrance of a residential building where former Lebanese government minister Michel Samaha lives, in Beirut August 9, 2012. Samaha, a former Lebanese government minister with close ties to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was detained in Lebanon on Thursday for questioning over what the Lebanese prime minister described as security-related matters. A security source said Samaha, detained in the early hours, was being questioned about alleged plans to cause instability

Lebanon | Feb 12, 2013

Civil Marriages to Mark Anniversary of Civil War

In a symbolic ceremony to be held on April 13, the anniversary of the outbreak of the civil war, Lebanese couples will obtain civil marriages in a gesture of national unity, writes Mohammad Harfoush.

A man kisses a woman as they hold up a placard during a protest demanding to legalize civil marriage in Lebanon, at Martyrs' square in downtown Beirut February 4, 2013. Lebanese laws do not recognise civil marriages conducted in Lebanon. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi (LEBANON - Tags: CIVIL UNREST) - RTR3DCHX

Lebanon | Feb 7, 2013

Hezbollah, Part 1: Origins and Challenges

Mohammad Harfoush looks at Hezbollah, one of Lebanon’s most polarizing organizations, in part one of a survey of the factors that led to the movement's formation and its present status in Lebanese society and politics.

Lebanon's Hezbollah supporters gesture as they pray during a ceremony to mark Ashura in Beirut's suburbs, November 25, 2012. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel on Sunday that thousands of rockets would rain down on Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities if Israel attacked Lebanon. In a speech marking the Shi'ite Muslim festival of Ashura, Nasrallah said Hezbollah's response to any attack would dwarf the attacks from Gaza during the eight-day conflict between Israel and the Islamist Hamas rule

Palestine | Feb 1, 2013

Divisions Increase Among Palestinian Factions in Syria

Rifts in Fatah al-Intifada have emerged as support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime ebbs and flows throughout various Palestinian refugee groups in Syria and Lebanon, writes Mohammad Harfoush.

Palestinian children who were living in the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp before fleeing Syria, hold up banners during a protest in front of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Beirut January 17, 2013. Banners read, "The International Committee of the Red Cross is the conscience of the international community towards refugees" (R) and "Why the international community miserly to some places, and generous in some others?". REUTERS/Sharif Karim (LEBANON - Tags: SOCIETY IMMIGRATION POLITI

Lebanon | Jan 31, 2013

Jabhat al-Nusra Disrupts Syrian Opposition

Mohammad Harfoush analyzes the growing influence of the Salafist jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra, and concludes that despite its military success, it has "contributed to the disarray of the revolution."

Fighters from the Islamist Syrian rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra sit in their tank near Taftanaz military airport January 12, 2013. Picture taken January 12, 2013.REUTERS/Abdalghne Karoof (SYRIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS CONFLICT) - RTR3CFWU

Lebanon | Jan 30, 2013

Lebanese Elections Linked To Syria, Regional Crisis

Although regional crises threaten to postpone upcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections, the international community is insistent upon elections taking place on time, writes Mohammad Harfoush.

Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by the patriarch of Lebanese Christian Maronites, Bishara Boutros al-Rai, as Lebanon's President looks on upon his arrival at Beirut's airport September, 14, 2012. REUTERS/ Jamal Saidi (LEBANON - Tags: RELIGION POLITICS) - RTR37YUG

Lebanon | Jan 28, 2013

Al-Qaeda Taking Root in Lebanon

As refugees move between Syria and Lebanon, fears grow that al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamist groups could increase their influence in Lebanon, writes Mohammad Harfoush.