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Tag: Lebanon

  • Trucks carrying Iranian oil arrives in Lebanon

    Trucks carrying Iranian oil arrives in Lebanon

    Lebanon has received tanker trucks carrying Iranian oil in a move aimed at easing energy shortages in the crisis-hit country…reports Asian Lite News

    A vessel carrying Iranian oil docked in Syria on Sunday, and the oil was unloaded in trucks and sent by land to the Bekaa Valley on Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency.

    Lebanon has been suffering from shortage of US currency reserves, which deprives the country from importing its oil needs.

    Lebanese welcome the arrival of tanker trucks carrying Iranian oil in the city of Baalbek, Lebanon.(XinhuaTaher Abu HamdanIANS)

    Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah announced on Monday that a second ship with fuel oil would arrive in the Syrian port of Baniyas in a few days, and Lebanon is expected to receive two more ships carrying gasoline and fuel oil.

    Some Lebanese anti-Hezbollah parties expressed over the past few days their concerns over the possibility of the US imposing sanctions on Lebanon after its oil imports from Iran.

    Two days ago, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said his country will begin talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank soon.
    ALSO READ: Iran says talks with IAEA chief constructive

    “We will initiate talks with the IMF and World Bank for financing, as there is an international will to help us,” Aoun said during his meeting at Baabda Palace with a delegation from the labour confederation on Wednesday.

    He added that economy will be the main priority in the coming period.

    Aoun said that the new cabinet will launch several projects, including the construction of power stations and the reconstruction of the Beirut port which was destroyed by two huge explosions on August 4, 2020.

    Lebanon formed a new cabinet on September 10, breaking 13 months of political deadlock in the crisis-torn country.

    The 24 cabinet ministers, who are not official members of Lebanon’s different political parties, were appointed by ruling authorities based on their political affiliations.

    According to the new Prime Minister Najib Mikati, his cabinet is formed of specialists who are keen to stop the country’s current collapse by dealing with urgent issues, including the negative repercussions of lifting subsidies.

    Since the Beirut port explosions and the resignation of the government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab last year, Lebanese citizens and experts have been calling for an efficient cabinet capable of undertaking major reforms such as the overhaul of the electricity sector, the restructuring of the public sector and the fight against corruption.

    However, differences among political parties over the ministerial shares’ distribution delayed the cabinet formation which exacerbated the country’s financial and economic crisis, with about 74 per cent of the population living in poverty now.

  • Lebanon to raise fuel prices in bid to ease crippling shortages

    Lebanon to raise fuel prices in bid to ease crippling shortages

    The decision was made at an emergency meeting attended by the president, central bank governor and other officials..reports Asian Lite News

    Lebanese fuel prices are expected to double after the state decided on Saturday to change the exchange rate used to price petroleum products in a bid to ease crippling shortages that have brought Lebanon to a standstill.

    Amounting to a partial reduction in fuel subsidies, the rise will mean more hardship in a country where poverty levels have soared during a two-year-long financial meltdown that has wiped more than 90 percent off the value of the Lebanese pound.

    The decision was made at an emergency meeting attended by the president, central bank governor and other officials over a fuel crisis that has left Lebanon in chaos, paralysing basic services and sparking daily melees as people scramble for fuel.

    Though prices will rise, the decision did not fully lift the exchange rate for pricing fuel to the exchange rate at which the central bank will finance its import — a gap which the state will continue to finance, for now.

    A statement said the central bank will open an account to for that purpose up to a maximum of $225 million until the end of September — funds the government will have to pay back in the 2022 budget.

    The account was to cover an “urgent and exception subsidy” for gasoline, fuel oil and cooking gas, the bank said.

    The fuel subsidy would only continue until the end of September, a ministerial source said.

    President Michel Aoun confirmed the treasury would bear the cost of the continued subsidy.

    The fuel crisis worsened this month when the central bank said it could no longer finance fuel imports at heavily subsidised exchange rates and would switch to market rates.

    The government objected, refusing to change official selling prices, creating a standoff that left importers in limbo and caused supplies to dry up across the country.

    Saturday’s decision marked a compromise as official selling prices will now be based on an exchange rate of 8,000 pounds to the dollar, up from 3,900, but still well below an unofficial parallel market rate closer to 20,000 pounds.

    Roads have been clogged across Lebanon as motorists have queued for the little gasoline left. Prices have soared on the black market. Some confrontations over gasoline have turned deadly.

    The fuel oil that powers much of Lebanon has also nearly run out, leading to lengthy blackouts.

    Reflecting concern about the impact of the price rise, the government decided to pay emergency social assistance to people on the public payroll equal to one month’s pay or pension.

    While the government will adjust its fuel import exchange rate to 8,000 pounds to the dollar, the central bank use a rate determined by its Sayrafa platform which stood at 16,500 pounds on Friday.

    Central bank governor Riad Salameh told Reuters the difference between the two rates would be a loss to be carried by the government.

    Critics blame the subsidy system for encouraging smuggling to Syria. This will continue all the while fuel is sold in Lebanon below market price, said Nassib Ghobril, chief economist at Byblos Bank. “It is not going to solve the problem,” he said.

    ALSO READ: US to help Lebanon with electricity

  • US to help Lebanon with electricity

    US to help Lebanon with electricity

    Negotiations are continuing with the World Bank to finance the cost of the gas, the presidency statement said…reports Asian Lite News.

    The Lebanese presidency said on Thursday that the United States has decided to assist Lebanon with electricity provision as the country struggles with crippling fuel shortages.

    It said the US ambassador informed President Michel Aoun of the decision through a phone call on Thursday. There was no immediate comment from the US Embassy in Lebanon.

    The plan would provide Egyptian natural gas to Jordan for generation into additional electricity that can be transmitted to Lebanon via Syria, as well as facilitate the transfer of natural gas to Lebanon.

    Negotiations are continuing with the World Bank to finance the cost of the gas, the presidency statement said.

    Meanwhile, Aoun accused unnamed parties on Thursday of seeking to prevent the formation of a new government and to push the country into chaos.

    Earlier this week Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati had expressed optimism that a government could soon be formed to steer Lebanon out of its two-year financial crisis, but the prospect of an imminent deal appears to have faded.

    “Several forces are working to prevent the creation of a government and are determined to push the country toward chaos in order to fulfil their political aims,” the presidency said in a statement, citing Aoun.

    The statement said Aoun was cooperating with Mikati but that other groups were increasing demands over positions in the future cabinet with the goal of forcing Mikati to quit, an outcome the president said he did not want.

    Mikati later said in a statement cited by broadcaster Al-Jadeed that he would continue his efforts to form a government.

    The formation of a government is a necessary first step to start pulling Lebanon out of a crisis that has deepened with crippling fuel shortages.

    Lebanon has been managed by a caretaker government since the resignation of Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s cabinet following a devastating explosion in Beirut port one year ago.

    The formation of a cabinet has been greatly complicated by Lebanon’s sectarian and factional rivalries.

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  • UN chief renews call for calm on Israel-Lebanon border

    UN chief renews call for calm on Israel-Lebanon border

    The Blue Line is a border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel published by the United Nations in 2000….reports Asian Lite News

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres repeated his call on Sunday for calm on the Lebanon-Israel border.

    “The secretary-general expresses his deep concern about the recent escalation between Lebanon and Israel across the Blue Line, including rocket fire into Israel and returns airstrikes and artillery fire into Lebanon,” said Guterres’ press office in a note to correspondents.

    The Blue Line is a border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel published by the United Nations in 2000.

    The secretary-general calls on all parties to exercise utmost restraint and to actively engage with the liaison and coordination mechanisms of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, said the press office. “It is paramount that all actors involved avoid actions that can further heighten tensions and lead to miscalculation.”

    Guterres made a similar call on Friday.

    The latest escalation came as Lebanon is struggling both politically and economically, one year after the devastating Beirut Port blast.

    Israeli soldiers operate an artillery battery from a position at the Israeli-Gaza border near Sderot, amid the escalating flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence. (Photo Ilia Yefi

    Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has warned Lebanon that his country “will not accept” rocket fire.

    Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Bennett said that the Lebanese government and army “should take responsibility for what happens in their backyard”, reports Xinhua news agency.

    The Prime Minister made the remarks a day after the armed Lebanese group, Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli territory.

    Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also said that the Lebanese Shia movement does not fear any Israeli war and “we are fully prepared for the war and we are certain that we will win it”.

    On August 6, about 19 rockets were fired at northern Israel by Hezbollah, causing no injuries.

    The Israeli army said in a statement that most of the rockets were intercepted by its aerial defence systems and the rest landed in open areas adjacent to the Lebanese-Israeli border.

    Hezbollah said the rockets were in retaliation to the Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon a few days earlier.

    The airstrikes were carried out after three rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Israel on August 4, causing no injuries.

    Israel said the rockets were fired by a Palestinian group. (ANI/Xinhua)

    ALSO READ: Najib Mikati named Lebanon’s new PM

  • Najib Mikati named Lebanon’s new PM

    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

  • Indian Navy ready to participate in UN’s Lebanon operations

    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

    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’

  • Army soldiers, protestors injured after night of violence in Lebanon

    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

    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.

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  • UN help sought for funding Special Tribunal for Lebanon

    UN help sought for funding Special Tribunal for Lebanon

    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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