Tag: Lebanon

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Najib Mikati named Lebanon’s new PM

Mikati gave a speech following his appointment on Monday, calling upon all political parties to cooperate with him on finding the right solutions…reports Asian Lite News

Najib Mikati was named as Lebanon’s new Prime Minister with 72 votes in parliament following months of political turmoil in the crises-hit country.

Mikati gave a speech following his appointment on Monday, calling upon all political parties to cooperate with him on finding the right solutions to the country’s crises, reports Xinhua news agency.

“The vote of confidence by MPs is necessary for my appointment but I am keen to gain the confidence of the Lebanese population, every man and woman, and the youths,” Mikati said at Baabda Palace after his meeting with President Michel Aoun.

Mikati said he has received international guarantees and he aims to implement the French initiative.

“I do not have a magic wand; this is a very difficult mission. It will succeed only if we manage to cooperate together by avoiding political bickering and useless accusations,” he said.

Most of Lebanon’s political parties supported Mikati’s premiership, including the Future Movement, Amal Movement, Hezbollah, Marada Movement and Progressive Socialist Party.

However, Mikati faced opposition from the country’s two main Christian parties, the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces.

Mikati’s appointment came a few days following the resignation of Saad Hariri as Prime Minister-designate for failing to form a non-partisan cabinet.

The country has been without a cabinet since August 10, 2020 when caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned in reaction to the Port of Beirut blasts which killed over 200 people and wounded thousands of others.

Hariri was appointed as new premier on October 22, 2020 but he failed to form a new cabinet given his differences with President Aoun over distribution of ministerial shares.

Lebanon has been going through the worst economic and financial crisis in its history and the political vacuum during the past year contributed to worsening the country’s multiple woes.

Lebanon is in dire need for a cabinet capable of implementing structural reforms to unlock aid by the international community and stop further collapse.

The country currency has lost 90 per cent of its value.

Amid the crisis, at least half of Lebanon’s population has slipped into poverty, while food inflation is at more than 400 per cent.

ALSO READ: Indian Navy ready to participate in UN’s Lebanon operations

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Indian Navy ready to participate in UN’s Lebanon operations

Maritime security and other strategic issues were also discussed during the meeting….reports Asian Lite News

The Indian Navy is ready to participate in the Maritime Task Force at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff has said.

The issue of increasing participation of Indian armed forces in UN Peacekeeping operations was discussed during a meeting between Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS) of the Indian Navy Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh and India’s Permanent Representative to the UN T S Tirumurti on Tuesday.

Maritime security and other strategic issues were also discussed during the meeting.

Vice Admiral Singh also had discussions with Military Advisor at UN HQ Lt Gen Carlos Loitey & Deputy Military Advisor Maj Gen Maureen O’ Brien on a series of issues including pledging of ship for UNIFIL and India’s outreach during the recent pandemic.

“VAdm Ravneet Singh, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS) had discussions with Military Advisor at @UN HQ, Lt Gen Carlos Loitey & Dy Military Advisor Maj Gen Maureen O’ Brien on series of issues incl pledging of ship for @UNIFIL_ & India’s outreach during the recent #pandemic,” the Indian Navy said on Twitter.

“Held discussions with @ambtstirumurti at Permanent Mission of @IndiaUNNewYork (PMI) on strategic issues with specific reference to #MaritimeSecurity. Increasing participation of #IndianArmedForces in UN Peacekeeping Ops & acknowledgement of their Mil prowess discussed,” the Spokesperson of the Indian Navy tweeted about the meeting between the DCNS and India’s PR to UN.

The Deputy Naval Chief in the meeting conveyed readiness of the Indian Navy to participate in Maritime Task Force at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and brought out importance of military wings in various missions abroad.

“DCNS conveyed readiness of #IndianNavy to participate in Maritime Task Force @UNIFIL_. He also brought out imp of Mil wings in various missions abroad. The Ambassador highlighted importance of increasing #India’s engagement with @UN & that he looked fwd to Mil Advisor joining PMI.

India has a long and deep tradition of contributing to UN Peacekeeping.

More than 200,000 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions established around the world since 1948.

Indian peacekeepers have served in UN peacekeeping missions around the world.

They have served in some of the most physically demanding and harshest environments, including South Sudan.

Currently, there are more than 6,700 troops and police from India who have been deployed to UN peacekeeping missions, the fourth highest amongst troop-contributing countries.

More than 160 Indian peacekeepers have paid the ultimate price in service to peace, losing their lives serving under the UN flag.

Formed in 1978, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was tasked by the UN Security Council to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area.

Over 10,000 Peacekeeping have been stationed in UNIFIL that is currently monitoring cessation of hostilities and helping ensure humanitarian access to civilian population.

India is the fourth largest constituent of the UNIFIL with 847 troops.

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Hezbollah accuses US of inciting divisions in Lebanon

Nasrallah also slammed the US Justice Department for seizing dozens of Iranian-linked news website domains, saying this move exposes Washington’s false claims about freedom….reports Asian Lite News

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has accused the US of pitting the Lebanese Army against the Shia movement.

“The US statements about supporting the Lebanese army to face Hezbollah aim at stirring sedition among the Lebanese,” Nasrallah said in a televised speech.

The Hezbollah leader added that his party has always been in favour of reinforcing the Lebanese army which guarantees Lebanon’s security, integrity and unity against any Israeli aggression.

Nasrallah also slammed the US Justice Department for seizing dozens of Iranian-linked news website domains, saying this move exposes Washington’s false claims about freedom.

Meanwhile, he called upon Lebanese authorities to quickly form a cabinet to tackle the country’s multiple crises, reiterating his readiness to import fuel from Iran if the government fails to deal with the shortage problems.

“Hezbollah has finished all the logistical preparations to import fuel from Iran. When the state fails to tackle the shortage crisis, the final decision will be taken,” he said.

‘Logistics ready for Iranian fuel imports’

Nasrallah also repeated pledges to import Iranian fuel should shortages across the country persist, saying that all logistical steps for that possibility were complete.

Nasrallah, who heads the Iranian-backed armed Lebanese group, said earlier in June Iran could supply fuel to Lebanon in local pounds, avoiding a foreign currency crunch.

For weeks worsening fuel shortages on the back of Lebanon’s deepening financial crisis have forced motorists to queue for hours for very little gasoline.

“I want to stress that I promised and I’m still promising … if we have to go to Iran to get gasoline and fuel oil we will, even if it causes a problem,” Nasrallah said in a televised speech.

Earlier on Friday caretaker prime minister Hassan Diab approved a decision to import fuel at a weaker Lebanese pound to dollar exchange rate, in effect decreasing the subsidy on gasoline.

“Everything is ready…. all we need is permission to move,” Nasrallah said, adding that this would not be done through the central bank in order to avoid violating U.S. sanctions aimed at choking off Iranian oil exports.

ALSO READ: ‘Iran should not be playing brinksmanship on IAEA pact’

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Army soldiers, protestors injured after night of violence in Lebanon

Protestors also charged at the central bank offices in Tripoli, broke through the metal gate and entered the courtyard before being pushed back by army soldiers…reports Asian Lite News

Calm prevailed in Lebanon after a night of violence that left scores injured as hundreds of protestors took to the streets across the small Mediterranean country to decry deteriorating living conditions.

Over the weekend, Lebanon’s currency hit record lows, with market dealers saying that the pound was trading at just shy of 18,000 to the dollar. This represents a depreciation of almost 92 percent since the economic and financial crisis erupted in October 2019.

Despite still being pegged to the dollar and the official rate being set at 1,507.5 pounds per greenback, the highly coveted hard currency is in short supply, giving way to the rise of a black market.

The northern port city of Tripoli, where meager government aid and rising unemployment has turned Lebanon’s second capital into a hotbed for demonstrations over the past 20 months, saw dozens of angry residents attempt to storm the city hall before lighting a fire outside the building.

Nearby, armed clashes broke out between a group of protestors and guards of local MP Mohamad Kabbara. According to the National News Agency, panic ensued after shots rang out before the Lebanese Army restored order.

Images circulating on social media showed at least two people injured while local media reported that at least four were transported to a nearby hospital.

Protestors also charged at the central bank offices in Tripoli, broke through the metal gate and entered the courtyard before being pushed back by army soldiers. In a statement, the army said Sunday that 10 of its members were injured in the clashes.

In the southern city of Saida, protesters targeted another branch of the central bank, which has found itself at the receiving end of Lebanese anger. Scuffles also broke out between security forces and protestors gathered outside the branches of the state electricity company and the local water establishment.

Images circulating on social media also showed injured residents being carried into ambulances.

Protests rocked the capital Beirut as well, with local media reporting that demonstrators blocked roads with burning tires in a number of districts.

Lebanon has been without a fully functioning government for almost a year as political players fail to agree on the makeup of the Cabinet.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, who was appointed in October, has been at loggerheads with President Michel Aoun over naming ministers and the size of the government.

With the central bank’s foreign currency reserves dwindling, officials have decided to hike fuel prices starting Monday.

On Friday, caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab approved the import of fuel at a rate of 3,900 pounds to the dollar, rather than the official rate of 1,507.5 pounds, weeks after gas stations started rationing supply.

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Arab League warns against Lebanon political crisis

Aboul-Gheit’s remarks came during a meeting with Lebanese Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad at the Arab League’s headquarters in Cairo….reports Asian Lite News

Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, Secretary-General of the Cairo-based Arab League (AL), has warned against the ongoing political stalemate in Lebanon that has resulted in serious social and economic crises.

“It is important to swiftly form a new technocratic government that would be able to make necessary reforms,” Aboul-Gheit said on Wednesday in a statement.

He noted that all the political factions in Lebanon should take the responsibility to rescue the country from the political crisis.

Aboul-Gheit’s remarks came during a meeting with Lebanese Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad at the Arab League’s headquarters in Cairo.

“The Arab League stands in solidarity with Lebanon in the light of the difficult humanitarian, economic and political conditions the country passes through,” the statement quoted Aboul-Gheit as further saying.

Lebanon has been in a governmental vacuum because of the factions’ disagreements over the assignment of ministerial posts and the form and nature of the future government.

ALSO READ: Arab League seeks UN help in dam dispute

In their last meeting held in March, Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri have failed to reach a consensus on cabinet formation, raising concerns about further instability and a total economic and financial collapse in the country.

It was the 18th meeting between Aoun and Hariri on the cabinet formation, which has been stalled since last October over disagreements on the number of ministers, distribution of portfolios and veto power.

Hariri, who was assigned to form a new cabinet in October 2020, has repeatedly said he will only form a cabinet of 18 specialists in line with the French initiative, with no veto power granted to any party.

Lebanon has witnessed a political deadlock since the resignation of Hassan Diab’s government in the wake of the Port of Beirut blasts on August 4, 2020, which claimed the lives of 190 people, injured at least 6,000 others and left some 300,000 homeless.

Over a month later, former Prime Minister-designate Mustafa Adib announced of his failure to form a new government.

The Beirut blasts and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic have exacerbated the country’s economic situation, driving thousands of companies out of business while leaving thousands of people unemployed.

Figures released by the World Bank showed that over 50 per cent of the Lebanese people have become “poor”.

In a new report released on June 1, the World Bank said that Lebanon’s prolonged severe economic depression may place it among the 10 most severe crises globally since the mid-19th century.

ALSO READ: Scanners to detect potential Covid-19 cases in Abu Dhabi


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UN help sought for funding Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab

The popular Sunni businessman-turned-politician’s death soon led to a wave of protests – the “Cedar Revolution” – that ultimately forced Syria to wind up its long-standing military presence in Lebanon…reports Asian Lite News

The Caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon Hassan Diab asked the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to urgently explore ways of financing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) following funding issues.

According to media reports, the prime minister, in a letter to UN chief, wrote: “The Government of Lebanon would be grateful to Your Excellency for urgently exploring different and alternative means of financing the Tribunal with the Security Council and Member States.”

In an exclusive report, Reuters last week revealed that the UN tribunal, set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri had run out of funding amid Lebanon’s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials.

The popular Sunni businessman-turned-politician’s death soon led to a wave of protests – the “Cedar Revolution” – that ultimately forced Syria to wind up its long-standing military presence in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, in yet another development, World Bank Group Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Ferid Belhaj, said the global lender is ready to contribute towards the reconstruction of Beirut following the widespread destruction caused by the 2020 twin explosions.

“The World Bank is fully prepared to engage in any reconstruction project,” Xinhua news agency quoted Belhaj as saying on Thursday.

Two huge explosions ripped through the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020, killing about 200 people, injuring at least 6,000 others and leaving 300,000 homeless.

A big part of the Lebanese capital was destroyed in the disaster.

Investigations pointed to the roughly 500 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left at the port as the cause of the explosions.

Belhaj’s announcement on Thursday came following his meeting with caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan over the World Bank’s contributions in the fight against Covid-19 in Lebanon.

Belhaj noted that the World Bank will offer any support needed for Lebanon and the government.

Meanwhile, Hassan said the loans offered by the World Bank give a glimmer of hope for the Lebanon and the people.

Earlier this year, the World Bank had allocated $34 million under the existing Lebanon Health Resilience Project to support the Covid-19 vaccination in the country.

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DoD official warns of Hezbollah threat to Lebanon’s stability

The concerns were raised in a discussion on Washington’s defence cooperation with Lebanon…reports Asian Lite News

A US Defence Department official has warned of the threat posed by Hezbollah to Lebanon’s stability amid the economic crisis wracking the country, according to reports.

The concerns were raised in a discussion on Washington’s defence cooperation with Lebanon, the Arab News reported.

“Hezbollah’s terrorist and illicit activities threaten Lebanon’s security, stability, and sovereignty,” the Arab News quoted Dana Stroul, deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East, as saying at a conference hosted by the Middle East Institute.

“It (Hezbollah) is more concerned with its own interests than what is best for the Lebanese people,” he added.

The US has provided support for more than 15 years to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), but the increasing influence of the terrorist-designated Hezbollah in Lebanese politics has strained the partnership.

Last week, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said that his country looked forward to strengthening bilateral ties with Syria in all areas.

His remarks were included in a letter sent to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday to congratulate the latter on winning his fourth seven-year term in last week’s presidential election.

“I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of your re-election as the president of the brotherly Syrian Arab Republic, hoping efforts will continue in the next phase to stabilize your country and restore cohesion among all its areas,” Aoun said.

The Lebanese leader also confirmed deep historical ties between the two countries.

He also wished for the return of the displaced Syrians to their homeland to participate in the development of Syria.

ALSO READ: Lebanon to cement ties with Syria

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Lebanon to cement ties with Syria

Lebanese President Michel Aoun

Lebanese President Michel Aoun congratulated Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday on winning his fourth seven-year term in last week’s presidential election…reports Asian Lite News

Lebanese President Michel Aoun said that his country looked forward to strengthening bilateral ties with Syria in all areas.

His remarks were included in a letter sent to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday to congratulate the latter on winning his fourth seven-year term in last week’s presidential election, Xinhua news agency.

“I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of your re-election as the president of the brotherly Syrian Arab Republic, hoping efforts will continue in the next phase to stabilize your country and restore cohesion among all its areas,” Aoun said.

The Lebanese leader also confirmed deep historical ties between the two countries.

He also wished for the return of the displaced Syrians to their homeland to participate in the development of Syria.

On May 27, Assad was re-elected for a fourth seven-year term with 95.1 per cent of the ballots in the election in government-held areas and dismissed by the opposition as a sham.

Three contenders, including Assad, ran in the May 26 polls, Syria’s second presidential election since the country’s civil war started in 2011.

The election was condemned as fraudulent by Syria’s opposition as well as countries such as the US, the UK, France, Germany and Italy.

ALSO READ: Syria warned of surge in Covid-19 cases

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Saudi bans Lebanese produce over drug smuggling

The ban effective from April 25 also covers consignments transit through Saudi territories, the Saudi Interior Ministry said, reports Asian Lite News

Saudi Arabia has banned imports of Lebanese fruit and vegetable from entering or transiting via the Kingdom as of 9 a.m. on Sunday in a bid to prevent drug trafficking, according to reports.

The Kingdom has noticed an increase in drug smugglers in Lebanon targeting Saudi Arabia, the Arab News quoted Saudi Press Agency (SPA) as reporting on Friday.

The Saudi Customs in Jeddah Islamic Port foiled an attempt to smuggle 5.3 million pills of Captagon hidden in a consignment of “pomegranate” fruit imported from Lebanon.
The Saudi Customs in Jeddah Islamic Port foiled an attempt to smuggle 5.3 million pills of Captagon hidden in a consignment of “pomegranate” fruit imported from Lebanon. (SPA)

Lebanese products are being used to smuggle drugs into the Kingdom’s territory, either through consignments intended for Saudi markets or those that transit through the Kingdom on their way to neighboring countries. The most common products used to smuggle the drugs were fruit and vegetables, SPA said.

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The ban will last until Lebanese authorities provide guarantees that they will take the necessary measures to stop systematic drug smuggling operations.

The Ministry of Interior will continue to follow up and monitor consignments of other products coming from Lebanon to see whether similar measures needed to be taken against them.

The Saudi Customs in Jeddah Islamic Port foiled an attempt to smuggle 5.3 million pills of Captagon hidden in a consignment of “pomegranate” fruit imported from Lebanon. (SPA)

Meanwhile, Saudi customs at Jeddah Islamic Port foiled an attempt to smuggle more than 5.3 million Captagon pills hidden “artistically” in a consignment of pomegranates that came from Lebanon.

In a statement, Mohammed bin Ali Al-Naim, Undersecretary of the Customs Authority for Security Affairs, said the shipment, upon its arrival at the port, the Saudi Customs managed to discover the amount of (5,383,400) Captagon pills hidden in a professional manner inside a consignment of “pomegranate”.

The Saudi Customs in Jeddah Islamic Port foiled an attempt to smuggle 5.3 million pills of Captagon hidden in a consignment of “pomegranate” fruit imported from Lebanon. (SPA)

The intended recipient of the pomegranate consignment was arrested and the drugs were seized, SPA reported on Friday.

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Hezbollah warns of civil war in Lebanon

Hezbollah's leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivers a televised speech in Beirut, Lebanon

“The awareness of the Lebanese people has prevented this so far, but the danger is still there,” said Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah ….reports Asian Lite News

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has warned against the danger of a civil war in Lebanon.

“There is information that some external and internal parties are pushing for a civil war in Lebanon,” Xinhua news agency quoted Nasrallah as saying in a televised speech on Thursday.

“The awareness of the Lebanese people has prevented this so far, but the danger is still there,” he said.

Nasrallah noted that his party will never opt to using weapons to force change in the country.

“Hezbollah is not interested in resorting to weapons for the sake of reforming the state, forming a government, or fighting corruption because these goals can be achieved by other means.”


He added that Hezbollah is not the only party that owns weapons in Lebanon.

The Hezbollah leader also warned that some of the protests taking place in the country recently may be triggered by the parties who want to provoke violence.

Also read:Lebanon begins Covid-19 vaccination drive

Lebanon has been witnessing demonstrations all over the country in protest against the dire living conditions amid the unprecedented economic crisis.

The August 2020 Port of Beirut blasts and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic have exacerbated the country’s economic situation, driving thousands of companies out of business while leaving thousands of people unemployed.

Figures released by the World Bank showed that over 50 per cent of the Lebanese people have become “poor”.

This year, the Central Bank of Lebanon also tightened regulations against the country’s banks, which compelled some of them to close branches and lay off employees to stay afloat.

The national currency has slipped to a new low of 10,000 Lebanese pounds per $1.

Also read:Massive protests break out in Lebanon