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Lebanon

Lebanon

June 20, 2025

Beirut 3:26 am

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A picture of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is held aloft at a rally on Enghelab (Revolution) Square, Tehran, June 14, 2025.

Hezbollah vows loyalty to Khamenei as Iran-Israel war approaches week 2

The group publicly defended the Iranian leader as some worry Hezbollah might retaliate against Israel for its attack on Iran, its main ally and supporter.

Ground staff prepare a Middle East Airlines flight for departure on the tarmac at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut on May 2, 2025.

From Lebanon to Qatar, Israel-Iran war disrupts flights, airport traffic: What to know

Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines canceled all flights to Iraq through Thursday as the ongoing Israel-Iran war forces widespread disruptions across Middle East aviation.

Lebanese Minister of Economy Amin Salam (R) vists the port of the capital Beirut, as a corner of the silos which were destroyed in a massive explosion on August 4, 2020, burns on July 14, 2022. - The fire at the port's blast-hit grain silos, at risk of collapse due to severe damage, ignited at the start of the month because of fermentation of remaining grain stocks paired with rising temperatures. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon arrests fmr economy minister Amin Salam on embezzlement charges

The arrest comes nearly a year after the former central bank chief was arrested on charges of embezzlement and money laundering, among other things.

A woman looks on from Creek Harbout at the Dubai skyline with Burj Khalifa, the world's largest building (C) on Feb. 5, 2025.

EU commission removes UAE, adds Lebanon and Algeria to money laundering list: What to know

The changes to the list are still pending approval from EU member states and the European Parliament, likely within the next month.

United Arab Emirates

Latest News

With UNIFIL under attack, Lebanon says 500 arms depots dismantled

Peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ride in armoured vehicles during a patrol along the border with Israel by the village of Kfar Kila in south Lebanon on June 4, 2025. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

In photos: Muslims kick off Eid al-Adha across the Middle East

Muslim worshippers make their way towards the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque complex in in the holy city of Mecca to take part in morning prayers on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice, early on June 6, 2025.

Israel strikes Beirut, targeting underground Hezbollah drone facilities

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli air strike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Nov. 23, 2024.

Iran’s FM vows 'noninterference' in Lebanon during Beirut visit: What to know

COURTNEY BONNEAU/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Joyce Karam

Senior News Editor

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Hanna Davis

In Beirut, reporting on politics, migration, human rights

Rodayna Raydan

In Boqaata, reporting on culture

Armed and masked men attend the funeral of two militants from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Ain el-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon on Nov. 1, 2024.

PLO officials in Lebanon as push to disarm Palestinian camps gains steam

The effort to disarm Palestinian armed groups in Lebanon’s refugee camps will require outside support, according to one expert, as pressure to disarm Hezbollah grows.

A photo taken from the Lebanese side of the northern border crossing of al-Arida shows Syrian rebel fighters assisting with the passage of Syrians back into their country, Dec. 10, 2024.

Syria to reopen war-damaged border crossing with Lebanon: What we know

The move comes as the new authorities in both Lebanon and Syria work to ensure border security and better relations.

FATHI AL-MASRI/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon to launch 'process' to disarm Palestinian camps: What we know

The decision to remove weapons inside Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon follows PA President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit to Beirut this week.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (2nd L) walks alongside Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas as they review an honour guard at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, on May 21, 2025.

Mahmoud Abbas declares from Lebanon ‘era of weapons outside state' over

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is in Lebanon for a high-level visit that will focus on the spread of weapons inside Palestinian camps and ways to remove them.

JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

First in 8 years: Abbas visits Lebanon amid push to disarm Palestinian camps

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is en route to Beirut, where authorities have intensified pressure on Hamas operatives.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

A man pays tribute during the commemoration of the 26th anniversary of a bomb attack

Why US is offering $10M reward for info on Hezbollah in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay

Hezbollah maintains a presence in South America’s tri-border area as well as in friendly Venezuela.

Aoun Sisi

After Kuwait, Lebanon’s Aoun visits Egypt seeking reconstruction support

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is in Egypt on a tour seeking support for Lebanon’s reconstruction.

People drive on a street past portraits of slain Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and buildings damaged in Israeli strikes in the recent war in the Ghobeiry neighborhood of Beirut's southern suburb on May 4, 2025.

Analysis

Lebanon’s municipal elections: Hezbollah holds, Sunnis splinter, Christians rebalance

Two rounds of municipal elections reveal a clear win for the Lebanese Forces at the expense the rival Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah maintaining support in its strongholds.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Commuters drive past a newly-installed billboard bearing the image of a Lebanese flag and a statement that reads in Arabic "Lebanon a new era", replacing a Hezbollah billboard, on the road leading to Beirut's Rafic Hariri International airport on April 10, 2025. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's first municipal elections in nearly 10 years: What to expect

The elections come amid seemingly shifting political dynamics in the country after the Israel-Hezbollah 13-month war that ended late last November.

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa upon arriving for a meeting at the Elysee presidential palace, Paris, May 7, 2025.

Exclusive

Skepticism shrouds Syria-Israel indirect talks with bets on Sharaa

Sources told Al-Monitor that shortly after Sharaa visited the UAE last month, an unofficial meeting between Syrian and Israeli delegations took place at an Abu Dhabi villa owned by an Emirati government official.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Qusayr

Lebanese, Syrian forces raid Captagon labs along border: What to know

The neighboring countries have stepped up their fight against the production and smuggling of Captagon, which had flourished in the border area during the Assad regime and Hezbollah’s dominance.