Nawaf Salam, president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), was nominated as Lebanon’s prime minister on Monday.
Archiv: Libanon / Lebanon
US, Israel Cheer as Lebanon Elects Joseph Aoun as President
Aoun’s election happened only after former Interior Minister Suleiman Frangieh, the main alternative candidate, withdrew and endorsed Aoun.
Electing a president requires a two-thirds majority of parliament, which was met after Frangieh’s endorsement gave Aoun the support of Hezbollah and Amal Movements. Many media reports see Aoun’s election as a sign of Hezbollah’s weakness, despite most Hezbollah MPs supporting him.
Who is Joseph Aoun, Lebanon‘s army chief turned president?
Securing 99 of the Lebanese parliament’s 128 votes, Aoun garnered widespread support across Lebanon’s political spectrum, despite initial reservations from Hezbollah and its allies.
While political statements from Aoun are rare, he recently emerged as the US and Saudi Arabia’s favoured candidate for the Lebanese presidency.
The local and international push gathered momentum following Israel’s two-month offensive in Lebanon last year, which killed over 4,000 people and displaced over a million.
Joseph Aoun – Will He be The Next President of Lebanon?
After the explosion at the port of Beirut in 2020, countries friendly to Lebanon diverted their aid to the military, claiming that they only rely on the army to distribute it. Therefore, all the aid, estimated at tens of millions of dollars, was directed directly to the army and was at Aoun’s disposal and under his direct management. It appears that the military establishment has effectively managed the funds and has never experienced a shortage due to corruption.
US dangles Saudi Arabia‘s cash to push candidate for Lebanon‘s presidency
The US has told Lebanese officials that Saudi Arabia is prepared to deploy hundreds of millions of dollars to reconstruct their war-torn country if Lebanese army commander Joseph Aoun is elected president, one senior Arab official and one former senior US official told Middle East Eye.
Doppelagent Putin
(15. April 2018)
Der nun erfolgte erneute Luftangriff gegen Syrien repräsentiert die Wiederholung einer Seifenoper aus dem letzten Jahr (11.04.2017, Wag the Russki). Drehbuch wie folgt:
– U.S. Präsident Donald Trump äußert in etwa “es hat nach Hunderttausenden von Toten keinen Sinn mehr die Invasion in Syrien mit terroristischen Proxy-Truppen und regulären eigenen Einheiten weiter fortzusetzen”,
– im Gebiet der terroristischen Proxies und Invasoren bei Ghouta ereignet sich ein fiktiver oder tatsächlicher Einsatz von Chemiewaffen,
– Trump dreht sich um 180 Grad und kündigt einen Militärschlag auf Syrien an,
– dieser erfolgt, mit Ankündigung und laut der französischen Verteidigungsministerin und einem anonymen Politiker über “Reuters” abermals mit Vorwarnung durch die Westmächte,
– die russische Flugabwehr tut nichts, gibt auch noch damit an und die syrische, die genau wie die russischen Militärs noch jedem Massaker gegen die eigenen und verbündeten Truppen aus Irak, Iran und Libanon zugesehen hat wie die Karnickel auf der Fahrbahn, behauptet dies und das.
Einer der wenigen Unterschiede zum letzten Jahr ist, dass sich neben Donald Trump mit Emmanuel Macron und Theresa May nun zwei weitere in ihrem Land hoch umstrittene Staatsleiter vor die Presse stellen und sagen können, sehet her, das haben sie nun davon, diese Russkis. Und Putin, der arme Putin, zitiert das Völkerrecht.
Dass die russische Staatsführung nie beabsichtigt hat Syrien gegen Luftangriffe zu verteidigen, sagte sie schon im letzten Jahr. Dass der russische Präsident jetzt von einer Verletzung der Souveränität Syriens redet, spricht Bände über dessen auch im Humor zum Ausdruck kommenden Grausamkeit. Der ganze Luftraum Syriens quillt über von irgendwelchen Kampfjets von Vancouver bis Wladivostok, seit Jahren. Noch einmal – hätte die Russische Föderation vor Beginn der Syrien-Invasion oder vor Beginn der Libyen-Invasion den dortigen Regimen eine Garantieerklärung gegeben, wie sie China letzten Sommer unter viel Gewimmer und Gebrumm endlich gegenüber Nordkorea abgab, wären Hunderttausende Menschen heute noch am Leben.
Assad‘s former aide says deposed Syrian president was ‚tricked‘ by Putin
“But what happened was that the Iranians told Bashar al-Assad, ‘we did not receive any signals to proceed with moving Iranian aircraft to the Hmeimim base [or to] fly through Iraqi airspace to land at the base,’” Saqr told Mazeej.
“The question was relayed to Moscow, but no answer came.”
When asked whether this was a “trick by Putin”, Saqr said there was “no other explanation”.
Saqr said the Iranians told Assad they sent a plane regardless through Iraq, but were warned by the US that the aircraft would be shot down if it continued.
Peace with Israel Tops the Agenda for Syria’s New Leaders
(January 3. 2025)
Although the majority of high-ranking officials in the HTS-led administration refrain from making categorical claims about Israel, they constantly stress that Iran and Hezbollah, not Israel, are Syria’s main enemies.
(…)
Ayman Al-Asimi, a senior member of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) and former spokesperson for the Syrian opposition delegations during the Astana talks, made headlines with his remarks to BBC Arabic. He stated unequivocally that Syria’s only opponent is Iran.
UNIFIL’s collapse: Tragic incidents and strategic failures
(January 4, 2025)
However, despite its $551 million budget and a contingent of over 10,000 personnel, UNIFIL has now become symbolic of the United Nations’ broader peacekeeping failures.
This is because, instead of curbing instability as it was tasked, UNIFIL’s presence has inadvertently facilitated Hezbollah’s military buildup, making southern Lebanon a launching pad for attacks on Israel and a stronghold of Iranian influence. As the war unfolds, it is becoming even clearer that UNIFIL’s mission has failed, and its continued presence serves no constructive purpose.
Unifil accuses Israel of violating Lebanese sovereignty, tearing down border marker
The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as Unifil, accused the Israeli military on Saturday f destroying a blue barrel marking the border between Israel and Lebanon, as well as a Lebanese army observation tower.
“This morning peacekeepers observed an IDF bulldozer destroying a blue barrel marking the line of withdrawal between Lebanon and Israel in Labbouneh, as well as an observation tower belonging to the Lebanese Armed Forces immediately beside a UNIFIL position there,” Unifil said.
UN continues to call for timely Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon
(December 3, 2025)
Operations by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) north of the UN-monitored Blue Line in southern Lebanon have continued, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, UNIFIL.
This includes movements further north reported in Sector East, while a redeployment by the Lebanese Armed Forces was conducted this week in Shama, in Sector West.
Both Israel and Lebanon have recommitted to full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said during the daily media briefing from New York on Friday.
„URBI ET ORBI“ MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS CHRISTMAS 2024
May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine! May there be the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation and to gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace.
May the sound of arms be silenced in the Middle East! In contemplating the Crib of Bethlehem, I think of the Christian communities in Palestine and in Israel, particularly the dear community in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave. May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war. I express my closeness to the Christian community in Lebanon, especially in the south, and to that of Syria, at this most delicate time. May the doors of dialogue and peace be flung open throughout the region, devastated by conflict. Here I also think of the Libyan people and encourage them to seek solutions that enable national reconciliation.
Israeli strikes kill 6 in Lebanon‘s south, 34 in Gaza
(December 7, 2024)
Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 34 Palestinians on Saturday, health officials in the enclave said, as Qatar voiced hope of fresh momentum in efforts to reach a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
The health officials said that an Israeli strike hit a house in Gaza City late Saturday, killing four women. The Israeli military did not provide an immediate comment on Saturday‘s strikes across Gaza
Doppelagent Putin
(15. April 2018)
Der nun erfolgte erneute Luftangriff gegen Syrien repräsentiert die Wiederholung einer Seifenoper aus dem letzten Jahr (11.04.2017, Wag the Russki). Drehbuch wie folgt:
– U.S. Präsident Donald Trump äußert in etwa “es hat nach Hunderttausenden von Toten keinen Sinn mehr die Invasion in Syrien mit terroristischen Proxy-Truppen und regulären eigenen Einheiten weiter fortzusetzen”,
– im Gebiet der terroristischen Proxies und Invasoren bei Ghouta ereignet sich ein fiktiver oder tatsächlicher Einsatz von Chemiewaffen,
– Trump dreht sich um 180 Grad und kündigt einen Militärschlag auf Syrien an,
– dieser erfolgt, mit Ankündigung und laut der französischen Verteidigungsministerin und einem anonymen Politiker über “Reuters” abermals mit Vorwarnung durch die Westmächte,
– die russische Flugabwehr tut nichts, gibt auch noch damit an und die syrische, die genau wie die russischen Militärs noch jedem Massaker gegen die eigenen und verbündeten Truppen aus Irak, Iran und Libanon zugesehen hat wie die Karnickel auf der Fahrbahn, behauptet dies und das.
Einer der wenigen Unterschiede zum letzten Jahr ist, dass sich neben Donald Trump mit Emmanuel Macron und Theresa May nun zwei weitere in ihrem Land hoch umstrittene Staatsleiter vor die Presse stellen und sagen können, sehet her, das haben sie nun davon, diese Russkis. Und Putin, der arme Putin, zitiert das Völkerrecht.
Dass die russische Staatsführung nie beabsichtigt hat Syrien gegen Luftangriffe zu verteidigen, sagte sie schon im letzten Jahr. Dass der russische Präsident jetzt von einer Verletzung der Souveränität Syriens redet, spricht Bände über dessen auch im Humor zum Ausdruck kommenden Grausamkeit. Der ganze Luftraum Syriens quillt über von irgendwelchen Kampfjets von Vancouver bis Wladivostok, seit Jahren. Noch einmal – hätte die Russische Föderation vor Beginn der Syrien-Invasion oder vor Beginn der Libyen-Invasion den dortigen Regimen eine Garantieerklärung gegeben, wie sie China letzten Sommer unter viel Gewimmer und Gebrumm endlich gegenüber Nordkorea abgab, wären Hunderttausende Menschen heute noch am Leben.
Syria rebels appear to credit Israeli strikes on Hezbollah with aiding shock advance
(December 2, 2024)
“They accuse us of cooperating with you because we were quite happy when you attacked Hezbollah, really happy, and we’re glad that you won,” the source said.
Both said the rebels had no issue with Israel. “We love Israel and we were never its enemies,” the man from the Idlib area said. “[Israel] isn’t hostile to those who are not hostile toward it. We don’t hate you, we love you very much.”
Nine people killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon
The Lebanese health ministry on Monday said that at least nine people were killed in Israeli air strikes on two towns in southern Lebanon.
In Haris, five people were killed while two others were wounded.
In Talousa, four people were killed and one person was wounded.
LIVE: Israel kills 40 in Gaza’s Jabalia; Lebanese mourn Nasrallah
Israeli forces killed at least 40 Palestinians in a single air raid on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, as the death toll from Israel’s attacks on Saturday rose to at least 100 people.
(…)
Photos: Mourners in Beirut hold memorial for Hassan Nasrallah
60-Day withdrawal countdown: Israeli forces continue to engage in South Lebanon
Before the expiration of the 60-day deadline for Israel‘s withdrawal from southern Lebanese border villages, the Israeli military continues its operations under the pretext of self-defense, as outlined in Clause 4 of the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.
New political phase: France pushes for swift presidential election in Lebanon after ceasefire agreement
In this context, French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian has arrived for his sixth visit to Beirut since the presidential vacancy began. His discussions will include meetings with Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, several members of parliament, and ambassadors from the Quintet committee.
According to LBCI sources, Le Drian is not expected to present any new proposals but will urge Lebanese officials to elect a president as soon as possible. Paris believes that a presidential election would send a strong message that Lebanon is working to rebuild its constitutional institutions.
Lebanese MP: Hezbollah in ‚full cooperation‘ with army in south
Lebanese MP Hassan Fadlallah has said that Hezbollah is cooperating with the Lebanese state over bolstering the army‘s presence in the south, saying that the group has „no visible weapons or bases,“ AFP news agency is reporting.
According to the ceasefire agreement between the group and Israel which was implemented this morning, the Lebanese army can be the only armed presence in southern Lebanon.
Israel-Lebanon: Ceasefire an encouraging step for region exhausted by conflict
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is encouraged that a ceasefire has been agreed that would end the fighting and help bring some hope and stability to a region exhausted by conflict.
The ceasefire must be upheld and enforced across all levels of command to ensure much-needed respite for civilians on both sides of the border. It must also facilitate the rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid for civilians wherever they are.
Civilians returning home to southern Lebanon after ceasefire | BBC News
Traffic jams built up on the main highway out of Beirut to southern Lebanon as people queued up to return home.
In photos: Displaced Lebanese celebrate as they return to their homes
A view of Beirut‘s southern suburbs and its surroundings, with smoke rising from Israeli strikes that occurred before the ceasefire
UN welcomes ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General António Guterres expressed hope that the agreement “can put an end to the violence, destruction and suffering the people of both countries have been experiencing.”
“The Secretary-General urges the parties to fully respect and swiftly implement all of their commitments made under this agreement,” the statement noted.
He also urged the parties to undertake immediate steps towards the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).
“The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) both stand ready to support the implementation of this agreement, in line with their respective mandates,” the statement added.
Israel‘s Netanyahu says he approves Lebanon ceasefire deal with Hezbollah
US and Arab officials told Middle East Eye that under the agreement, Israeli forces will withdraw from south Lebanon.
Hezbollah has agreed to end its armed presence along the border and move heavy weapons north of the Litani River, the sources said.
The Lebanese army is expected to deploy in south Lebanon, with at least 5,000 troops set to patrol the border area along with an existing UN peacekeeping force.
Herzi Halevi attends chiefs of staff conference in Britain
srael Hayom has learned that IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi participated in a Chiefs of Staff conference in Britain over the past two days. This is considered an unusual step, amid the ongoing war in Gaza and Lebanon.
Halevi departed two days ago and returned last night (Monday-Tuesday). During his two-day visit, against the backdrop of de-escalation efforts in northern Israel, Halevi met with Chiefs of Staff from various countries and provided an overview of the situation in the Middle East.
US troops set to oversee deployment of Lebanese army during ceasefire: Report
US troops are set to oversee the deployment of Lebanon‘s army to southern Lebanon and Israel‘s withdrawal from the area as part of a looming ceasefire deal, according to a Monday report on Israel Hayom news.
In meeting with Blinken, Egyptian FM says Lebanese army must control south
CAIRO – 26 November 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdelatty reiterated Monday in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken the importance of empowering Lebanese state institutions, mainly the army so it would control the south.
Lebanon: UNIFIL concerned by attacks on Lebanese Armed Forces
The UN Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) is also seriously concerned by numerous strikes on the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) despite their declared non-involvement in the hostilities, he added.
The LAF have reported that at least 45 soldiers have been killed in recent attacks.
Lebanon death toll surges to 3,754, as Israeli attacks kill 84 more in past day
At least 84 more people were killed in Israeli attacks across Lebanon on Saturday, bringing the overall death toll since October last year to 3,754, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Sunday.
In a statement, the ministry added that 213 others were wounded, bringing the total number of injuries to 15,626 since October 2023.
LIVE: Huge Hezbollah rocket strikes as Israel troops retreat in Lebanon
Israel is trying to take two strategic towns on the border. One is Naqoura, a town on the sea. The Israelis have been advancing through several other villages, and they were positioned on al-Bayada, a strategic hill overseeing the Mediterranean, and also in other areas in the district.
But today, Hezbollah forced the Israeli military to retreat after launching four attacks with antitank guided missiles on the Merkava tanks and destroying them, according to Hezbollah statements.
Death Toll Reaches 3,670 – Israel’s War on Lebanon Continues
The Lebanese Health Ministry announced on Saturday that at least 25 people were killed on Friday and 58 were injured in Israeli airstrikes bringing the total death toll to 3,670 and 15,413 since October last year.
Dozens killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon, including 29 in central Beirut
Dozens of people have been killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon this weekend, including 29 who died after an attack flattened a multi-story residential building in central Beirut, according to Lebanese officials.
In the densely populated Basta area of the Lebanese capital, rescue workers were Saturday searching for survivors under the rubble after the attack featuring what the state-run National News Agency (NNA) said were “bunker-busting” bombs.
Death toll from central Beirut strike rises to 15
The ministry says this may not be the final toll.
Israeli military bombs central Beirut apartment building
The Israeli army launched a heavy airstrike on a building in the city center of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.
Israeli warplanes targeted the al-Basta area in the city center of Beirut.
An 8-storey building on al-Mamoun Street, targeted by Israeli warplanes with 5 missiles, was destroyed.
AA correspondent in the area reported that the sounds of very violent explosions were heard all over Beirut.
Israeli Strike in the Heart of Beirut Kills 11
An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in central Beirut killed at least 11 people on Saturday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said, part of an intensifying Israeli military campaign that appears aimed at pressuring Hezbollah into a cease-fire deal.
Israeli army death toll tops 800 with soldier killed in north Gaza combat
An Israeli soldier was killed and a battalion commander seriously wounded by Palestinian fire in the northern Gaza Strip, the Israeli military announced on Wednesday.
This brings the death toll in the army to 800 since the war started on 7 October 2023.
Israeli strikes kill over 3,500 in Lebanon since October 2023
Israeli attacks on Lebanon have resulted in at least 3,544 deaths and left more than 15,036 wounded since 8 October 2023, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
The ministry reported that 28 people were killed in strikes on Monday alone.
Israeli airstrike kills three Lebanese soldiers, injures 17 in southern Lebanon
The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported that an Israeli airstrike targeting an army position in the town of Sarafand killed three soldiers and injured 17 others, including civilians in the surrounding area.
Last week, the army announced, that two of its soldiers were killed in an Israeli strike on one a military post in the town of Kafra.
Four UNIFIL peacekeepers injured, facilities targeted, in separate incidents in South Lebanon: Statement says
In a statement, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed that peacekeepers and facilities were targeted in three separate incidents in South Lebanon Tuesday, adding that four peacekeepers were injured in one of the incidents.
„Four Ghanaian peacekeepers on duty sustained injuries as a rocket – fired most likely by non-State actors within Lebanon – hit their base ‚UNP 5-42‘ in the east of the village of Ramyeh,“ it said, adding: „The peacekeepers sustained injuries and three of them have been transferred to a hospital in Tyre for treatment.“
Germany against EU proposal to end dialogue with Israel
(November 16, 2024)
„Cutting off dialogue with Israel does not benefit the people suffering in the Gaza Strip, the hostages of Hamas, nor the people in Israel who are ready for dialogue,“ said a statement from the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin.
It was reported from Berlin that the EU-Israel Association Council is creating an „appropriate framework“ to discuss with the Israeli government the respect of the principles of international humanitarian law, they write.
EU will not halt dialogue with Israel, says Poland
“We know that there are tragic events in Gaza, huge civilian casualties, but we do not forget who started the current cycle of violence,” Sikorski said in Brussels. “And I can tell you that there was no agreement on the idea of suspending negotiations with Israel.”
Top EU diplomat‘s proposal to halt dialogue with Israel blocked
Diplomats said the politicians who did not support Borrell‘s initiative at the meeting included foreign ministers from Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Netherlands.
War in Gaza: we cannot continue with business as usual
(November 16, 2024)
What we see of the tragedy of Gaza is however only the tip of the iceberg since the strip has been sealed. There are hardly any journalists or international observers entering Gaza since more than one year. It is the longest information blackout ever imposed by a democratic state. In addition, there are reasons to believe that journalists have been targeted by Israeli Defence Forces. To this day more than 130 have been killed.
This pattern at play for too long in Gaza, is now being replicated elsewhere. In South Lebanon, some 30 villages have been obliterated – not as a result of heavy combat, but in a controlled way, posted on social media. In the West Bank, extremist settlers‘ violence is forcing many Palestinian farmers and herders off their land. Uprooted olive trees, killed or stolen livestock and torched vehicles, have become part of daily reality in many rural communities. Israeli airstrikes in Jenin and Tulkarem, the first in more than two decades, have added to the destruction of civilian infrastructure left behind by bulldozers earlier this year.