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Lebanon

Lebanon

December 24, 2025

Beirut 1:32 am

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A convoy carrying a UN security council delegation, tours the border with Israel close to the southern Lebanese area of Naqura on December 6, 2025. UNIFIL peacekeepers have been tasked with acting as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon since March 1978, and with monitoring the November 2024 ceasefire that sought to halt more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP via Getty Images)

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Second Lebanon-Israel meeting sidelined France, saw US pressure on Netanyahu

Differences over the so-called economic zone and the high civilian toll from Israeli strikes capped the second meeting between Lebanese and Israeli officials on Friday.

Joyce Karam

Rina Bassist

By Joyce Karam , Rina Bassist

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto (Middle-L) meets with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) in Beirut at Baabda Palace, on Dec. 22, 2025.

Italy pledges to maintain troops in southern Lebanon after UNIFIL withdrawal

Italy plays a crucial role in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, with an Italian leading its command and the country contributing over 1,000 troops to the mission.

Rabih DAHER / AFP via Getty Images

Second Lebanon-Israel meeting agrees to strengthen Lebanese army: What to know

The second round of civilian-led talks between Israel and Lebanon focused on the economic track while also addressing the removal of Hezbollah's weapons.

Latest News

US, France and Saudi Arabia agree to conference to bolster Lebanon’s army

This photograph taken during a press tour organised by the Lebanese army shows Lebanese soldiers standing atop a military vehicle in Alma Al-Shaab, near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon, on November 28, 2025. It was the first guided tour the army gave journalists since a November 2024 ceasefire sought to end over a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP via Getty Images)

Syria foils major arms smuggling attempt to Lebanon: What we know

The Internal Security Directorate in the Zabadani area of rural Damascus thwarted an attempt to smuggle a shipment of weapons and seized large quantities of RPG shells that were hidden in an organized manner and prepared for smuggling towards Lebanon, on Dec. 17, 2025.

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

Lebanese divided over efforts to repatriate Syrian refugees

In the absence of a unified government plan ensuring the displaced Syrians’ return to their country, Hezbollah moved to facilitate the return, which some parties welcomed while others prefer the Lebanese state take charge of this dossier.

Israeli soldiers look at the Syrian side of the Israel-Syria border on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israel July 7, 2018. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC18A49EEEF0

Israel prepares for Assad’s return to the border

Israeli security experts claim that the return of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the Golan Heights is not necessarily bad news for Israel.

Congress rebukes Lebanon over Syrian refugee transfers

Congress is asking the State Department to weigh in on Lebanon’s dispute with the UN refugee agency as it seeks to repatriate thousands of Syrian refugees.

Culture Alert: July marked by festivals in the Middle East

In Istanbul, Baalbeck, Jerusalem and Ras El Bar, the Middle East becomes a vibrant scene of outdoor festivals in July.

Lebanon-UNHCR feuding over Syrian refugees

Hundreds of Syrians displaced in the Lebanese border town of Arsal have returned to their country voluntarily, causing tensions between the Lebanese Foreign Ministry and the UNHCR.

Development of public beaches sparks outrage in Lebanon

The opening of the Lancaster Eden Bay Hotel on the Beirut coast was inaugurated despite allegations that it did not have an occupancy permit from the municipality.

Decks and the City: Artist proposes gardens over car parks in Beirut

This year's Beirut Design Week focuses on urban design, and the projects and showcases include street revival and creative new green spaces.

Turkish army tanks and military personal are stationed in Karkamis on the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern Gaziantep province, Turkey, August 25, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo - S1BEUGNIHMAA

Iran coy on support for Turkish assault on PKK in Iraq

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s offensive appears linked to Turkish elections and Iraqi politics; Is Turkey staying or going in northern Syria? Putin and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri discuss Syrian refugees.

Lebanon’s Hariri talks soccer, Syria in Moscow

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri took advantage of the World Cup to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss bilateral cooperation and the situation in Syria.

What’s next for Syrian refugees in Lebanon?

As pressure is increasing on Lebanon’s economy, the Lebanese authorities are working to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees, despite the hesitation of the international community and the United States.

Iran undeterred by possible Russia-Israel deal on Syria

Iranian analysts believe any possible deal for Iran to pull back from Syria is designed to prevent the end of the country’s civil war.

Lebanese women determined to continue fight for more political representation

Lebanon's 2018 parliamentary election has highlighted the dearth of women in parliament and the possible ways in which their numbers can be increased.