Naharnet
Latest stories
British Ambassador in Lebanon urges swift govt. formation, urgent reforms

British Ambassador to Lebanon Ian Collard has hosted the Queen’s Birthday Party in honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and her 96th birthday. This year, Her Majesty became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, which marks 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.

The event, which was held at the Mouawad Museum in Beirut, was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib representing President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati.

W140 Full Story
Associations protest outside BDL, urge governor to free their money

Humanitarian organizations and associations protested Thursday in front of the Central Bank, urging authorities to free their funds trapped in the banks.

Social Affairs Caretaker Minister Hector Hajjar participated in the protest.

W140 Full Story
British Ambassador Collard visits UNIFIL and tours the Blue Line

British Ambassador to Lebanon Ian Collard and British Embassy’s Defense Attaché Lt. Col Lee Saunders have visited UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, the Mission’s area of operations and the Blue Line.

The British Embassy said in a statement that Ambassador Collard was briefed on UNIFIL’s crucial work especially along the Blue Line, and the challenges faced at the current time. "Ambassador Collard was also briefed on how the Lebanese Armed Forces are working to maintain stability in South Lebanon."

W140 Full Story
EU rewards journalists from Lebanon, ME during Samir Kassir Award

The Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon with its partner, the Samir Kassir Foundation, have announced the results of the 17th edition of the Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press, in a ceremony held at Saint George Hotel, Ain El Mraisseh, Beirut.

The ceremony was broadcast live on the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI).

W140 Full Story
World Bank extends CPF period, says Lebanon has lost precious time

The World Bank has extended its Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with Lebanon by one additional year "to advance urgently needed socioeconomic recovery programs targeting the poor and most vulnerable and support urgently needed macroeconomic and structural reforms."

In a statement, the world Bank said it has restructured and reprogramed its portfolio by cancelling underperforming projects and proactively allocating resources to newly identified priorities through a response focused on relief, recovery, and resilience.

W140 Full Story
Army halts fight between FPM, LF supportes at LU Faculty of Law

A fight broke out Wednesday between supporters of the Free Patriotic Movement and supporters of the Lebanese forces at the Lebanese University.

The Lebanese army intervened to stop the fight that had started yesterday between the students over displaying portraits of certain politicians.

W140 Full Story
FPM MP says Jumblat switched from 'defiant' to 'non-defiant' in Speaker, Deputy Speaker vote

Free Patriotic Movement MP Cesar Abi Khalil slammed Wednesday Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat for switching in ten minutes from "defiant" to "non-defiant."

Abi Khalil questioned how Jumblat voted for Amal's Speaker, then against FPM MP Elias Bou Saab as Deputy Speaker.

W140 Full Story
Parliament to elect joint committees members next week

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called Wednesday for a Parliament session on Tuesday to elect the joint committees' members.

Berri had been re-elected as parliament speaker Tuesday for a seventh consecutive term, cementing his reputation as an immovable centerpiece of the country's political landscape.

W140 Full Story
Al-Sayyed to Berri: You will fall 'even if you were a prophet'

MP Jamil al-Sayyed lashed out Wednesday at Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, saying that Berri's "thug" supporters reflect an image of Berri's morals.

"I have survived wars, detention and assassination attempts, yet I have not changed, I stayed loyal to myself," al-Sayyed said.

W140 Full Story
Jumblat calls for joint 'anti-March 8 plan' after Skaff's defeat

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat said Wednesday that it might be better to frame a joint plan to confront the March 8 Alliance, after the PSP-backed MP failed to win the deputy parliament speaker post.

MP Ghassan Skaff lost to MP Elias Bou Saab of the Free Patriotic Movement on Tuesday. Bou Saab won with 65 votes in a second round of voting and Skaff garnered 60 votes, in what Jumblat called "a defeat of the new majority."

W140 Full Story