EXPLAINER: Why can’t Lebanon elect a president?
December 9, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon has been without a president for over a month, its legislators unable to agree on a new head of state.
The impasse is holding up a range of initiatives, from putting into place structural reforms for an International Monetary Fund program to allowing the country’s state-owned television channel to broadcast the World Cup.
Amid crisis, Hezbollah seeks ally in next Lebanese president
November 11, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The leader of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group said Friday he wants the next Lebanese president to be a politician who won’t “betray” the Iran-backed faction and assailed the United States for what he described as an undeclared “siege" on his country.
US to give Lebanon $80.5 million in aid amid economic crisis
November 9, 2022 GMTMAJDAL ANJAR, Lebanon (AP) — The United States announced Wednesday that it will give $80.5 million in aid for food assistance and solar-powered water pumping stations in the crisis-battered country of Lebanon.
Pope appeals for Lebanon leaders to put interests aside
November 6, 2022 GMTABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis appealed Sunday for Lebanon’s politicians to put their personal interests aside and agree on a path to help the country emerge from years of economic meltdown and a new political vacuum.
Lebanese president snubs budget, delays new exchange rate
November 3, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon is unable to put its new exchange rate into effect after its outgoing president declared the state budget unconstitutional and refused to sign off on it, officials said Thursday.
Lebanon president leaves with no replacement, crisis deepens
October 30, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — President Michel Aoun left Lebanon's presidential palace Sunday, marking the end of his six-year term without a replacement, leaving the small nation in a political vacuum that is likely to worsen its historic economic meltdown.
Lebanese MP: Ukraine war sped up border deal with Israel
October 17, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The war in Ukraine and rising demand for natural gas around the world helped speed up a U.S.-mediated maritime border deal between Lebanon and Israel, a prominent Lebanese legislator allied with the militant Hezbollah group said Monday.
French minister urges Lebanon to swiftly elect new president
October 14, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna on Friday urged Lebanon to swiftly elect a new president or risk plunging the poverty-stricken country into a deeper political crisis.
Colonna's remarks in Beirut came after Lebanon's divided parliament twice failed to elect a successor to Michel Aoun, with no majority candidate in the running.
Lebanon’s president approves historic Israel sea border deal
October 13, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said Thursday that the cash-strapped country has approved a U.S.-mediated maritime border deal with Israel.
Lebanon and Israel both claim around 860 square kilometers (330 square miles) of the Mediterranean Sea that are home to offshore gas fields.
US delivers proposal for maritime border to Lebanon
October 1, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to Lebanon on Saturday delivered a maritime border demarcation proposal to President Michel Aoun, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Speaker Nabih Berri on Saturday, as negotiations with Israel progress.
Crisis-hit Lebanese parliament fails to elect president
September 29, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's Parliament on Thursday failed to elect a new president, with the majority of lawmakers casting blank ballots and some walking out.
The failure pointed out deep political divisions that threaten prolonged political paralysis and a leadership void at time where Lebanon is suffering an economic meltdown and has struggled to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout.
Lebanese lawmakers to convene to elect country’s president
September 27, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's parliament speaker on Tuesday summoned lawmakers for a session this week to elect the country’s next president, offering a glimmer of hope of a political step forward even as chaos roils this Mideast nation.
Lebanese cheer as their dancers win America’s Got Talent
September 15, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The news of a Lebanese dance group winning the TV competition show America’s Got Talent brought a rare moment of joy on Thursday to many in this crisis-hit Mideast country.
Mayyas, an all-female dance troupe, dazzled the show’s judges and audience on the competition’s 17th season before winning $1 million and a headlining show at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
US envoy needs more time in Lebanon-Israel maritime dispute
September 9, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The U.S. envoy mediating between Lebanon and Israel over the two countries' disputed maritime border said Friday some progress has been made but that more work needs to be done to resolve the issue.
Incumbent Lebanese PM keeps post as economic crisis deepens
June 23, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati won the support of more than 50 legislators Thursday to keep his post following last month's parliamentary elections as the country's multiple crises deepen with no solution in sight.
US envoy: Potential progress in Lebanon-Israel border talks
June 14, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s president on Tuesday presented suggestions related to the disputed maritime border with Israel to the U.S. envoy mediating between the two countries, the president’s office said.
Hezbollah leader threatens to hit Israel’s offshore gas rig
June 9, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The leader of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group threatened Thursday to strike a gas rig Israel is setting up in the Mediterranean Sea and that Lebanon claims is in a disputed maritime area between the two countries.
Lebanese Christian leader: alliance with Hezbollah imperiled
January 2, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The head of Lebanon’s largest Christian party said on Sunday that a 15-year-old alliance with the country’s powerful Shiite group Hezbollah was no longer working and must evolve.
The televised speech by Gebran Bassil, who heads the Free Patriotic Movement, signaled an unprecedented level of frustration with Hezbollah and suggested the 2006 alliance credited with helping maintain peace in the small country was in jeopardy.
Lebanon’s president calls for an end to government paralysis
December 27, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s president called Monday for an end to an 11-week deadlock that has prevented the government from convening, further undermining state institutions in the country amid an economic meltdown.
UN leader says more aid needed for crisis-hit Lebanon
December 19, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday the international community has not done enough to support Lebanon, grappling with a dire economic crisis and home to over 1 million Syrian refugees.
Lebanon’s president discusses Gulf crisis with Qatar’s emir
November 29, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's president Monday discussed his country's economic meltdown and an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between Beirut and Persian Gulf nations with the Emir of Qatar. The emir promised to help the small country ease its problems.
Lebanon receives Beirut blast satellite images from Russia
November 22, 2021 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Lebanon's Foreign Minister said Monday his country has received from Russia satellite pictures of the Port of Beirut on the day of last year’s devastating blast. The imagery would be the first made available by a foreign government to the Lebanese probe marred by legal challenges and political disputes.
US congressmen in Lebanon over crippling economic crisis
November 20, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — A group of U.S. congressmen held meetings Saturday with Lebanon’s top leaders during a fact-finding mission to the Middle East nation roiled by an unprecedented economic crisis.
The delegation is to report to President Joe Biden and the Congress and propose ways to help the Lebanese.
Arab League envoy in Beirut to mediate Lebanon-Saudi rift
November 8, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — A top Arab League envoy was in Beirut on Monday to explore ways to resolve an unprecedented diplomatic rift between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia that emerged following comments by Lebanon's information minister on Yemen's civil war.
Lebanon PM renews call for minister in Gulf Arab row to quit
November 4, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s prime minister on Thursday again urged the information minister to “do what needs to be done,” an apparent appeal for him step down over an unprecedented diplomatic rift with Saudi Arabia.
His country mired in crises, Lebanese leader calls for help
September 24, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The reverberations of terrorism across the oceans and war in their own neighborhood have left Lebanon and its fellow nations in the Middle East struggling with the consequences, Lebanon’s president said Friday, calling for international help to save his own crisis-hit country.
Lebanese president wants to resume bailout talks with IMF
September 13, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s new government held its first meeting Monday with a call by the president to resume talks with the International Monetary Fund to help kick-start its recovery from one of the world's worst economic crises in more than a century.
Hezbollah says Iranian fuel tanker to sail to Lebanon soon
August 19, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The leader of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group said Thursday that an Iranian fuel tanker will sail toward Lebanon “within hours,” warning Israel and the United States not to intercept it.
‘No magic wand:’ Lebanon’s new PM-designate urges unity
July 26, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s newly appointed Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati on Monday urged unity to begin recovery from a devastating economic and financial meltdown roiling the country. He said he will strive to form a new government but the situation is too dire to overcome with the usual fractious politics.
Syria accuses Israel of carrying out strike, 2nd this week
July 22, 2021 GMTDAMASCUS (AP) — Syria accused Israel of carrying out an airstrike in a central province early on Thursday, the second such attack this week. The aerial attack caused material damage, it said.
The country's state news agency quoted an unidentified Syrian military official as saying the air defense systems shot down most of the missiles in the attack in the region of Quseir in Homs province.
Lebanon’s PM-designate steps down after months of deadlock
July 15, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri stepped down Thursday over what he called “key differences” with the president, deepening a political crisis that has left the Lebanese without a government for nine months even as they endure an unprecedented economic meltdown.
Hezbollah leader, Hamas chief talk recent Gaza war in Beirut
June 29, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The top leaders of the militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas held talks in Beirut on Tuesday about last month’s 11-day war with Israel in the Gaza Strip.
Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian Hamas, arrived in Lebanon on Sunday and met several top officials, including President Michel Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
EU threatens Lebanese politicians with sanctions over crisis
June 19, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The European Union’s foreign policy chief Saturday berated Lebanese politicians for delays in forming a new Cabinet, warning the union could impose sanctions on those behind the political stalemate in the crisis-hit country.
Lebanon’s currency reaches new low as crisis deepens
June 14, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s currency hit a new low on Sunday, as the country's economic and political crisis worsened with no apparent solutions in the near future.
The currency has lost more than 90% of its value since October 2019, when anti-government protests erupted.
Lebanese leaders exchange barbs as country sinks into crisis
June 2, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s president and prime minister-designate traded barbs Wednesday, accusing one another of obstruction, negligence and insolence in a war or words that has for months obstructed the formation of a new government as the country sinks deeper into economic and financial crisis.
Lebanese singer deported from Saudi after 50-day detention
May 28, 2021 GMTA prominent Lebanese singer and composer known for his strong opinions said he has been deported from Saudi Arabia after a 50-day detention — mostly in solitary confinement — because of opinions expressed online in support of Lebanon’s president and his ally the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
US-mediated border talks between Lebanon, Israel resume
May 4, 2021 GMTNAQOURA, Lebanon (AP) — After a nearly six-month pause, Lebanon and Israel on Tuesday resumed indirect talks with U...
Lebanon requests satellite images for site of Beirut blast
May 4, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The judge investigating last year’s massive explosion at Beirut’s port on Tuesday requested that countries with satellites stationed over Lebanon provide authorities with images that could help their investigation, the state news agency reported...
Lebanon farmers union calls on Saudi to repeal produce ban
April 24, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s farmers union described as “arbitrary and unjust” the decision by Saudi Arabia to ban Lebanese produce from going through the kingdom over drug smuggling allegations, calling on Saturday for it be repealed...
France heightens pressure on Lebanon to form government
March 29, 2021 GMTPARIS (AP) — France’s foreign minister has cranked up pressure on Lebanese leaders to form a government, urging them in personal phone calls for an immediate halt to what he called “deliberate obstruction” that’s driving the country toward collapse...
Cabinet talks in Lebanon break down, heralding more collapse
March 22, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Protesters blocked some roads in the Lebanese capital with burning tires Monday after talks on the formation of a new Cabinet broke down, heralding more economic and financial collapse for the small Arab country...
Lebanese PM-designate: Cabinet needed to restore trust, hope
March 18, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s prime minister-designate said Thursday that a government that could restart talks with the International Monetary Fund would be the main way to halt the country’s rapid economic collapse, adding there was still opportunity to form such a Cabinet...
Lebanon president to PM designate: Form Cabinet now or quit
March 17, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s president called Wednesday on the prime minister-designate to form a government immediately or step aside as the country plunges deeper into economic crisis...
Lebanon’s president wants investigation into currency crash
March 3, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s president Wednesday ordered the central bank governor to open an investigation into currency speculation, after the Lebanese pound plunged to record lows on the black market this week...
In Lebanon, army courts target anti-government protesters
November 22, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Khaldoun Jaber was taking part in an anti-government protest near the presidential palace outside Beirut last November when several Lebanese intelligence officers in plainclothes approached and forcibly took him away...
Lebanese official says US sanctioned him over Hezbollah ties
November 8, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s former foreign minister said Sunday that last week’s U.S. sanctions targeted him over alleged corruption because he repeatedly refused Washington’s calls to severe ties with Iran-backed Hezbollah, a powerful Lebanese militant and political group...
Lebanon’s leader challenges US sanctions against son-in-law
November 7, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's leader on Saturday asked the United States to offer evidence to back up new sanctions against the former Lebanese foreign minister, who is an important political ally of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group...
For 4th time, Hariri is back as PM in crisis-hit Lebanon
October 22, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s president tasked former Prime Minister Saad Hariri with forming a new government Thursday, bringing back the veteran politician a year after he was toppled amid nationwide protests against widespread corruption and a flunking economy...
Lebanon names team for maritime border talks with Israel
October 12, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon announced on Monday the names of its delegation that will hold indirect talks later this week with Israel over the disputed maritime border between the two countries...
Lebanon asks world’s help ‘trying to rise from its rubble’
September 23, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Facing an economic meltdown and other crises, Lebanon’s president on Wednesday asked for the world's help to rebuild the capital's main port and neighborhoods that were blown away in last month’s catastrophic explosion...
Lebanese president warns of ‘hell’ if no new gov’t formed
September 21, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's president said Monday that the crisis-hit country could be going to “hell” if a new government was not formed, suggesting it would require a “miracle” for that to happen at this point...
Hezbollah allies sanctioned by US denounce Washington’s move
September 9, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — A powerful political group allied with militant Hezbollah denounced Wednesday the U...
Lebanese president calls probe into Beirut blast ‘complex’
August 16, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese President Michel Aoun said the probe into this month's devastating blast in Beirut is “very complex” and would not be finished quickly...
A week after blast, Beirut pauses to remember the dead
August 11, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The shattered city of Beirut on Tuesday marked a week since the catastrophic explosion that killed at least 171 people, injured thousands and plunged Lebanon into a deeper political crisis...
Officials long warned of explosive chemicals at Beirut port
August 8, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — At least 10 times over the past six years, authorities from Lebanon’s customs, military, security agencies and judiciary raised alarm that a massive stockpile of explosive chemicals was being kept with almost no safeguard at the port in the heart of Beirut, newly surfaced documents show...
The Latest: Trump says US help on way for Beirut disaster
August 7, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The latest on the explosion in Beirut (all times local):
2:20 a.m.
President Donald Trump has spoken about the explosion in Beirut during calls with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron...
Lebanese foreign minister quits over lack of will to reform
August 3, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's foreign minister resigned on Monday amid a severe economic and financial crisis gripping the Arab country, warning that a lack of vision and a will to make changes is risking turning Lebanon into a “failed state...
Lebanese party leader blames Hezbollah, allies for crisis
July 28, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The leader of a major Christian group in Lebanon on Tuesday blamed the militant group Hezbollah and its local allies led by President Michel Aoun for the rapidly deteriorating economy and worsening relations with neighboring Arab countries, saying the only solution is for them to leave power...
Lebanon contracts NY-based company to do forensic audit
July 21, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s government agreed Tuesday to hire a New York-based company to conduct a forensic audit of the country’s central bank accounts to determine how massive amounts of money were spent in the nation plagued by corruption.
Japanese minister in Lebanon, seeks return of fugitive Ghosn
March 2, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's president on Monday suggested to visiting Japanese deputy justice minister that Nissan’s fugitive ex-boss Carlos Ghosn won't be extradited back to Japan and remains in the hands of Lebanon's judiciary, according to a presidential statement...