Lebanon - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Lebanon

Lebanon

April 25, 2026

Beirut 3:12 am

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US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (R) holds a signed "Make America Great Again" hat while (L-R) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanon Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad listen to US President Donald Trump speak during a meeting with Lebanon Ambassador to the US and Israel Ambassador to the US, at the White House in Washington, DC on April 23, 2026. US President Donald Trump met Lebanese and Israeli envoys at a new round of peace talks Thursday, with Beirut seeking a one-month extension of a

Analysis

Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps

Some Israelis worry the US president might force them to accept an unsatisfactory agreement driven by his inability to secure a tangible achievement in Iran.

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

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Israel Ambassador to US Yechiel Leiter, US Vice President JD Vance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Lebanon Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh and US ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting at the White House in Washington on April 23, 2026.

Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by three weeks

President Trump said the second meeting between the Israeli and Lebanese envoys went "very well."

Amal Khalil, a veteran correspondent for the daily newspaper Al-Akhbar, in the southern Lebanese border village of Jebbayn in 2024.

Lebanon bids farewell to Amal Khalil, journalist killed by Israel: What to know

Khalil's death in a targeted strike on a house where she and a colleague took cover sparked widespread condemnation by Lebanese officials and international media groups.

Olmert

Interview

Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.

Latest News

Lebanon-Israel negotiations to continue even as Iran talks stall

Jewel SAMAD / AFP via Getty Images

Who are Lebanon’s main players influencing talks with Israel?

Joseph EID / AFP via Getty Images

Aoun says Lebanon seeks 'permanent agreements' with Israel after White House invite

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun delivers a speech during a meeting of Pope Leo XIV with authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital Beirut, on November 30, 2025. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Why Netanyahu caved to Trump on Lebanon and what it means for Israel

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Jerusalem on February 26, 2026. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

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

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

Editor-in-Chief

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

Lebanon protest

Families of Lebanese arrested for Beirut blast demand their release

Several customs and port officials have been arrested and held in prison in relation to the deadly explosion, but nobody has been convicted.

(L to R) Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Ghait, Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali al-Hakim and Assistant Secretary-General Ambassador Hossam Zaki attend the Arab Foreign Ministers 153rd annual meeting at the Arab League headquarters, Cairo, Egypt, March 4, 2020.

Arab League says talks in Lebanon 'starting point' amid Gulf rift

Hossam Zaki, the Arab League’s deputy chief, also offered to travel to Saudi Arabia to help mediate the diplomatic row.

IBRAHIM CHALHOUB/AFP via Getty Images

Economic meltdown hits Lebanese funeral industry

With the economy in tatters, many Lebanese are struggling to afford basic funeral services.

Lebanon's Minister of Information George Kordahi speaks during a press conference.

Lebanon’s president, prime minister agree on plan to solve crisis with Gulf

Saudi Arabia and its allies are angry with a Lebanese minister over comments he made on the war in Yemen, but the row may actually be about the influence of Iran’s ally Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Lebanon Kordahi

Saudi Arabia expels Lebanon's ambassador over Yemen comments

The Kingdom has also halted imports from Lebanon.

Lebanon protest

Lebanon charges 68 in relation to shooting at Hezbollah protest

Six people were killed at a protest against the Beirut port explosion investigation.

Lebanese restaurant still opens its doors despite electricity cut on Oct. 11, 2021, in Beirut.

Food poisoning spikes in Lebanon amid fuel crisis

Increased food poisoning and spoilage in Lebanon is the likely result of electricity shortages that in turn affect refrigeration and other aspects of the supply and distribution chains.

IBRAHIM AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanese president warns against return to 'dark page from our history'

Six people were killed at a Hezbollah-led protest over the Beirut port explosion investigation, prompting fears of another civil war in Lebanon.

Beirut protest

US to give $67 million to Lebanon’s military as violence erupts in Beirut

The Lebanese army deployed in the streets of the capital after at least six people were shot dead during violent protests.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Six killed in shooting at Hezbollah protest over Beirut explosion probe

Hezbollah blamed the Christian political party the Lebanese Forces for the attack.

Illustration picture shows ground zero at a visit to the 'Ground Zero' site and memorial of the Beirut Port explosion of August 2020, in Beirut, Lebanon, part of a six days working visit in Jordan and Lebanon of Belgian cooperation minister Kitir, in Amman, Jordan, Sept. 22, 2021

Beirut port probe suspended again as judge issues warrant for ex-minister

Former Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil was sanctioned by the US government last year for corruption.

Saleh al-Baradei, a Lebanese police officer kidnapped along with four soldiers by Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, celebrates with relatives after his release on Aug. 31, 2014.

Lebanese court sentences Syrian fighters to death

The men partook in the 2014 attack by the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra on the Lebanese army in the town of Arsal, according to the Lebanese military.