Lebanon’s banks will not go bankrupt and deposits are secure but the country needs foreign support to pull itself from crisis, central bank Governor Riad Salameh said on Thursday, amid deep financial strains that have shaken confidence in banks. The country is facing an acute dollar shortage and the worst ... Read More »
PM-designate Diab Says Seeks Fast Creation of New Government
Prime Minister-designate, Hassan Diab, maintained that he would exert all necessary efforts in order to form a new government as soon as possible, in remarks made following his meeting with President Michel Aoun Thursday. “We hope the formation of a government that considers the concerns of the Lebanese and ... Read More »
Berri: No political cover on anyone harming Lebanon’s unity, civil peace
Speaker Nabih Berri asserted on Wednesday that there is no political or regulatory cover on anyone who harms Lebanon’s unity and civil peace, calling on security forces to carry out its role and prosecute those who provoke sedition. Berri’s comments were quoted by MP Ali Bazzi during the weekly meeting ... Read More »
Aoun Expresses Relief over Lebanon Support Meeting
President Michel Aoun on Monday expressed relief over the meeting that the International Support Group for Lebanon will hold Wednesday in Paris, thanking France for making the initiative in coordination with the U.N. Aoun’s remarks were voiced in a meeting with U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis. The president ... Read More »
Parliamentary Consultations on New PM Postponed to December 16
The Presidency on Sunday postponed the binding parliamentary consultations for naming a new PM from Monday, Dec. 9 to Monday, Dec. 16, after Dar al-Fatwa told the candidate Samir Khatib that there is Sunni consensus on re-nominating Saad Hariri for the post. “In light of the developments, at the desire ... Read More »
Aoun calls for consultations to designate new PM
President Michel Aoun called for formal consultations on Monday with lawmakers to designate a new prime minister, a statement from the presidency said on Wednesday. Aoun is required to designate the candidate with the greatest support among Lebanon’s 128 lawmakers. The prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim according to ... Read More »
Will the Energy Ministry’s gasoline tender to import 150 thousand tons succeed?
All eyes are focused on the tender held by the Energy Ministry to import 150 thousand tons of gasoline by the state’s oil facilities. In this regard, caretaker energy Minister Nada Boustani raised concerns over potential pressures that could have been exerted on the relevant companies so that they do ... Read More »
Lebanese President Addresses Nation on Independence Day: Government Formation Requires Carefulness to Avoid the Worse
The Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday addressed the nation on Independence Day, stressing that the time is not for speeches but rather for hard work. President Aoun stressed that the political contradictions have been behind the delay in forming the government, adding that carefulness is needed in order to ... Read More »
Heavy deployment of security forces in central Beirut, banks set to reopen
A heavy deployment of Lebanese security forces fanned out in central Beirut on Tuesday, ahead of a parliamentary session protesters have vowed to prevent, as they demonstrate against the ruling elite. Banks were set to reopen for the first time in a week after announcing temporary steps, such as a ... Read More »
Gen. Aoun defends Army’s role regarding protests
The commander of the Army said Sunday that blocking roads was unacceptable, but maintained that the Army is responsible for keeping protesters safe. Speaking during a tour that involved visits to various Army units, Gen. Joseph Aoun praised the soldiers and the work that they were doing, saying they showed ... Read More »