Lebanon - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Lebanon

Lebanon

July 5, 2026

Beirut 2:34 pm

29°C

Motorists drive past a billboard bearing a picture of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei, ahead of his funeral in Tehran on July 3, 2026. Iranian leaders began paying their respects on July 3 before the coffin of the country's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war, as Tehran prepared for a vast funeral. Khamenei's body arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on July 3 ahead of ceremonies which are expected to draw millions. (Photo by AFP via Ge

Analysis

As US-Iran talks falter, Israel views war outcome as 'total strategic failure’

Israeli officials believe the US failure to attain the kind of agreement with Iran that it originally sought stems from the strategic mistakes made during and after the recent war.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

The court stands at the start of the first hearing at the International Court of Justice in which Myanmar is accused of committing genocide against the country's Muslim minority, the Rohingya, in the Hague on January 12, 2026. The Gambia filed the genocide case in cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in 2019. Myanmar's military deliberately targeted the Rohingya minority in a bid to destroy the community, Gambia's Justice Minister Dawda Jallow told the International Court of Justice Mond

Explainer

Does provision 13 of Lebanon-Israel deal bar Beirut from pursuing war crimes claims?

Part of the Israeli-Lebanese agreement has led to calls for Beirut to grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction in Lebanon or sign the Rome Treaty to allow prosecutions.

Nawaf Salam and Asaad al-Shibani shake hands in Beirut on July 2, 2026.

Syria, Lebanon stress noninterference as Damascus mulls Hezbollah talks

When asked whether Damascus would be willing to meet with Hezbollah in the future, Syria’s foreign minister indicated that it would not rule out such a meeting.

An activist takes part in a demonstration against sexual harassment, rape and domestic violence in the Lebanese capital Beirut on December 7, 2019. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Lebanon arrests man after video of public assault on wife goes viral

The man seen violently beating a woman at a restaurant has been arrested, but the incident has reignited debate over domestic violence amid warnings that such abuse can increase during periods of war.

Latest News

Analysis

For Israel, Lebanon deal 'historic' despite fears Hezbollah will rebuild

Shia Muslim devotees gather for a mourning ritual near the shrine of Hassan Nasrallah, the slain leader of the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah who was killed in a 2024 Israeli-airstrike, in Beirut's southern suburbs on June 26, 2026 at the peak of Ashura, a 10-day period commemorating the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP via Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Hanna Davis

In Beirut, reporting on politics, migration, human rights

Rodayna Raydan

In Boqaata, reporting on culture

Supporters of Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah carry his pictures and shout slogans near the site of an explosion in Beirut's southern suburbs, July 9, 2013. A car bomb exploded on Tuesday in a Beirut stronghold district of the Lebanese Hezbollah militant group that has been fighting in Syria's civil war, wounding at least 38 people, a hospital official told Reuters. REUTERS/Khalil Hassan (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX11HIU

Morsi's Ouster Leaves Hezbollah Uncertain About Egypt Ties

Hezbollah remains unsure of what to make of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi’s ouster.

A protester, with his forehead painted with the colours of the Egyptian flag, sits on sand bags used to secure the entrance of Tahrir square, in Cairo, July 9, 2013. REUTERS/ Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX11HQ0

Five Lessons From Egypt'sSecond Revolution

The dynamics of change in Egypt and the direction they will take.

Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman (R) meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the presidential palace in Baabda, near Beirut July 3, 2013. REUTERS/Dalati Nohra/Handout via Reuters (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - RTX11BAD

Abu Mazen: I Will Not Utter The Words ‘Armed Resistance’

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, while visiting Beirut, said he was ready to reconcile with Hamas and that he unequivocally rejected armed resistance against Israel, stressiong “peaceful” and “diplomatic” resistance.

A protester supporting deposed Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi holds a poster of Mursi during clashes outside the Republican Guard barracks where Mursi is being held in Cairo July 5, 2013. At least three protesters were shot dead on Friday outside the barracks in Cairo, security sources said, as angry Islamist supporters confronted troops across the country. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX11DTC

A New Era for Egypt

Though Mohammed Morsi was the legitimate, elected president of Egypt, he quickly lost actual popular legitimacy by isolating large segments of the Egyptian population.

Bullet casings are seen on a street , during clashes with gunmen of hardline Sunni Muslim cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir, in Sidon, southern Lebanon, June 24, 2013. Lebanese soldiers fought Sunni Muslim gunmen in the southern city of Sidon on Monday in one of the deadliest outbreaks of violence fuelled by sectarian divisions over the civil war in neighbouring Syria. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY) - RTX10YXN

Assir Crisis Reflects Deeper Lebanese Divide

Although the Lebanese army successfully eliminated Salafist Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir, the societal divide that led to his emergence remains.

Lebanese army soldiers march during a military parade to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Lebanon's independence day in downtown Beirut November 22,2008. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi (LEBANON) - RTXAUII

Would Military Rule Work in Lebanon?

The recent clashes with Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir and Egypt's example have renewed Lebanese pride for their military, but it seems unlikely that military rule could be successful in Lebanon.

Armed supporters of Lebanon's Sunni Muslim Salafist leader Ahmad al-Assir (front row 3rd R) escort him and Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker (front row 2nd R) during the funeral of two of al-Assir's supporters, who died during Sunday's fighting with supporters of Lebanon's Hezbollah, in Sidon, southern Lebanon November 12, 2012. Three people were killed on Sunday when fighting broke out in the Lebanese coastal city of Sidon between followers of al-Assir and supporters of the Lebanese Shi'ite guerrilla movement H

What Happened to Fadel Shaker?

In a case rarely seen in Lebanese society, Fadel Shaker, one of the country’s most beloved pop stars, chose to embrace extreme piety and soon became wingman to Salafist sheikh Ahmad al-Assir.

A Lebanese Sunni Muslim woman and supporter of Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri kisses a poster of him (L) and his father, assassinated former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, during a protest in Tripoli, northern Lebanon, calling for Hariri to remain as prime minister and form the new government, January 24, 2011. Lebanese telecoms tycoon Najib Mikati, who is backed by Hezbollah and its allies, was set to lead a new government on Monday after winning support from Druze leader Walid Jumblatt

Lebanon's Sectarian Fall

As the Syrian conflict continues to rage, tensions are on the rise between Lebanese Sunnis and Shiites as a result of their affiliations with divergent Syrian groups.

Madjid Bougherra (R) of Lekhwiya receives the trophy from Qatar's Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at Al-Sadd Stadium after the final match of the Crown Prince Cup soccer tournament against Al-Sadd in Doha May 4, 2013. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad (QATAR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER ROYALS) - RTXZAGP

Will Sheikh Tamim Rebalance Qatar’s Foreign Policy?

In the first article of a two-part series, Qatar’s new emir will likely follow his father's course, but Qatar’s may be forced to adjust its approach to international affairs.

A protester opposing Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi stands on top of an electric tram column as he waves an Egyptian flag during a protest in front of El-Thadiya presidential palace in Cairo June 30, 2013. Millions of Egyptians flooded into the streets on the first anniversary of Islamist President Mursi's inauguration on Sunday to demand that he resign in the biggest challenge so far to rule by his Muslim Brotherhood. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX117Z3

Two Futures for Egypt Clash In the Conflict of the Squares

The war of the squares, or the mass rallies organized by Egypt's opposition and the Islamists, show each ideology trying to flex its muscles by mobilizing the street.

Iranian presidential candidate Hassan Rohani (L) waves to supporters in the central Iranian city of Shiraz June 11, 2013. Picture taken June 11, 2013. REUTERS/Fars News/Mohammad Hadi Khosravi (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE WAS PROCESSED BY REUTERS TO ENHANCE QUALITY. AN UNPROCESSED VERSION WILL BE PROVIDED SEPARATELY - RTX10L2E

Rouhani calls for Moderation In First Speech as President-elect

In his first speech as president-elect of Iran, Hassan Rouhani said Iran should avoid extremism.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gives a thumbs up as he departs Kuwait City, June 26, 2013, en route to Amman, Jordan. REUTERS/Jacquelyn Martin/Pool (KUWAIT - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX111TC

Why Kerry Wants a Fast Reboot Of Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks

US Secretary of State John Kerry wants a quick resumption of Mideast peace talks, hoping to elicit some flexibility from Israel and to head off UN countermeasures by the Palestinians.