Spotlight
The British Embassy in Beirut has categorically rejected "the unsubstantiated, erroneous and misleading claims made in a report on UK support for the IMPACT project published by Al Akhbar on 9 January 2023."
"We are and remain proud of our contribution to anti-corruption efforts in Lebanon, including the important work of the IMPACT platform, Central Inspection and Judge George Attieh," the embassy said in a statement.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Tuesday filed a notice with Financial Prosecutor Judge Ali Ibrahim, asking him to “launch a comprehensive and broad investigation into the work of the LibanPost company and reveal whether there are any offenses, violations or abuses committed by it or by its owners or those in charge of it.”
If it turns out that there are any irregularities, the relevant legal measures should be taken, Mikati, who owns LibanPost, added.

The European Union has launched two new initiatives worth 25 million Euro to support vulnerable people in Lebanon and to fight food insecurity.
"These initiatives are a response to the negative impact of Russia's war against Ukraine on the European Union's neighbouring countries," the EU Delegation to Lebanon said in a statement.

The British Embassy in Beirut is launching the ‘Ambassador For A Day’ competition where winners will be able to shadow an Ambassador in Lebanon for one day. The competition aims to encourage young girls to become leaders and advocates for change.
The theme of the competition is Embrace Equity which is the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023. All girls aged 15-18 years old and who are not at university are eligible. The competition is open from now until 9 February 2023.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday scheduled a new presidential election session for 11am Thursday.
This will be the eleventh electoral session since Michel Aoun’s presidential term ended last year.

Families of Beirut port blast victims on Tuesday stormed the Justice Palace in Beirut in protest at perceived political and judicial obstruction of the investigation, a few days after the judiciary ended a lengthy judicial strike.
The relatives managed to storm the outer gate of the Justice Palace and some of them were injured in clashes with security forces.

The Observatoire Européen pour l’Integrité du Liban said Tuesday that French judge Aude Buresi will arrive Monday in Lebanon, in her second visit to the country.
Buresi will continue her investigations in the ongoing case of Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, the association said.

A depositor fired gunshots at the closed door of BLOM Bank in Sidon on Tuesday in an attempt to storm the bank.
Mohammad, a member of the Lebanese Army, clashed with the bank's security guards before firing from his pistol at the bank's door after the bank refused to sell him dollars at the Sayrafa rate, media reports said.

Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab announced Monday that the joint parliamentary committees are expected to approve the long-awaited capital control law in their next session.
“In principle, one session remains to approve the law and its amendments,” Bou Saab said after a session on Monday.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday reassured that “the country will remain coherent, glorious and resilient.”
“No one will be able to defeat it,” Mikati added, during a ceremony to inaugurate Middle East Airlines’ new general administration building.
