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Lebanon

October 24, 2026

Beirut 12:16 pm

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tunnel

Lebanon uncovers new tunnel amid tensions with Hezbollah: What to know

A tunnel was discovered near Beirut as tensions between Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah have been running high over the seizure of weapons shipments destined for the Iran-backed group.

Israeli troops stand guard on the dividing line between the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and Syrian, near Majdal Shams, July 16, 2025.

Analysis

'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma

The Israeli leader revealed that he spoke with the Syrian president last year, but stalled talks and Israel's fortification of a security zone on Syrian land underscore his mistrust of Sharaa.

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

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

Qatar PM in Beirut as Lebanon seeks economic relief: What to know

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani’s visit to Beirut coincides with the Lebanese authorities’ ongoing efforts to curb Hezbollah’s influence in the country.

Mihrac Ural, who was also known as Ali Kayali, was arrested

Explainer

Syria arrests Mihrac Ural, ex-Assad militia head also wanted by Turkey

The Turkey-born militia chief and a longtime ally of the Assad-regime, was sought by Ankara over the deadly Reyhanli bombings and by Damascus over his alleged role in massacres on the Mediterranean coast.

Latest News

Syria denies meeting with Lebanon’s Hezbollah in Turkey: What to know

Lebanon seeks Turkey’s help to join Syria-Saudi rail link: What to know

A picture taken on May 1, 2019 shows a railroad of Mar Mikhael neighborhood in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Lebanon PM meets Rubio as Israel talks stall: What to know

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon's PM calls for international force to replace UNIFIL: What to know

Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images

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

A U.N. vehicle returns to a hotel where experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) are staying, in Damascus October 11, 2013. The global chemical weapons watchdog charged with overseeing destruction of Syria's chemical weapons stockpile during a civil war won the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), a relatively small organisation with a modest budget, dispatched its experts after a sarin gas attack killed more t

Is Saudi Arabia Holding Up The Geneva II Conference on Syria?

While Turkey may be shifting its Syria policy in response to domestic and international pressure, Saudi Arabia appears to be digging in to oppose the trend toward a diplomatic solution.

Civilians look at the bodies of victims of an attack in the village of Mwafaqiya, in Nineveh province, October 17, 2013. A suicide bomber driving a truck packed with explosives blew himself up in a village in northern Iraq, killing at least 11 people early on Thursday, police said. The attack targeted members of Iraq's predominantly Shi'ite Shabak minority in the village of Mwafaqiya in Nineveh province. REUTERS/Stringer (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) - RTX14F5M

Syria Crisis Sidelines Iraq

While the world focuses on Syria, Iraq endures daily carnage and a security situation that is spiraling out of control.

Israel's President Shimon Peres (R) listens as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the opening of the winter session of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem October 14, 2013. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX14AZQ

Netanyahu Stuck On Repeat on Palestine

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu undercut Israeli-Palestinian negotiations with his recent address to the Knesset.

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Islamist, Christian Differences On Display at Conference

A conference held in Amman, Jordan, about Christians and the Arab Spring revealed the many differences between Islamists and Christians over minority rights.

Newly released Abdulbasit Aslan (R), a Turkish national abducted by a Lebanese Shi'ite in Beirut, shakes hands with Abbas Ibrahim, head of the Lebanese General Security, as Turkish ambassador to Lebanon Inan Ozyildiz (C) looks on, at the Lebanese General Security headquarters in Beirut September 13, 2012. REUTERS/ Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) - RTR37XTM

Will Bishops Be Included in Deal To Release Lebanese Detainees?

New information suggests that a deal is near to secure the release of nine Lebanese citizens detained in Syria in March, but questions remain about two kidnapped bishops' fate.

Palestinian protesters hurl rocks at Israeli soldiers during clashes in Betunia, near the West Bank city of Ramallah October 11, 2013. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX147KO

Egyptian-Israeli Peace Dilemma For United States

Egypt's peace agreement with Israel has stood in the way of a lasting solution for Palestinians.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi (L) looks past his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu (2nd R) during the opening of a ministerial meeting in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah, by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on May 13, 2013. The OIC urged its member states to make generous contributions at this week's main donors conference on Mali to be held in Brussels, which aims to raise funds to repair the damage caused by the war against Islamists in the African country. AFP PHOTO/STR

Lebanon Stability Depends On Iran-Saudi Entente

The warming trends in US-Russia and US-Iran ties may or may not benefit Lebanon, unless Iran and Saudi Arabia end their sectarian regional policies.

Egyptian Christians enter the St. Simon monastery to attend an event to commemorate the second anniversary of the Maspero clashes, where the military cracked down on Christian protesters and killed 25, at the St. Simon monastery in Cairo, October 9, 2013. Picture taken October 9, 2013. REUTERS/ Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION ANNIVERSARY) - RTX1468U

Rise of Islamists Threatens Christian, Human Rights

The rise of Islamists in the Middle East has increased the oppression of minorities in the region, but the issue could be resolved by protecting the human aspect of citizens.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber is followed by fighter planes above one of the three great pyramids of Giza, Egypt October 25, during a demonstration flight which is part of the Bright Star 99 military exercises. Some 73,000 military personnel from eleven countries are taking part in the exercises in the Egyptian Western desert and the Mediterranean.

FMS/ZDC - RTRRTL5

US 'Muddled' Approach to Egyptian Aid Needs Reassessment

The freeze on aid shows the United States is missing the message on Egypt.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani speaks with Asia Society President and CEO Josette Sheeran during an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations and the Asia Society in New York, September 26, 2013. REUTERS/Keith Bedford (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX14195

Is Iran Changing Its Policies In Syria, Lebanon?

While eyes are on the Oct. 15-16 nuclear talks in Geneva, Iranian policies in Lebanon and Syria may already be showing a more moderate trend under President Hassan Rouhani.

Anti-Hezbollah activists wave Syrian opposition (L) and Lebanese national flags during a protest in Beirut June 9, 2013. A Lebanese protester was killed outside the Iranian embassy in Beirut on Sunday after gunmen from the Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia Hezbollah opened fire when anti-Hezbollah Shi'ite demonstrators approached, witnesses and officials said. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi (LEBANON - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) - RTX10H9O

Will 'Oct. 10 Revolution' Materialize Against Hezbollah?

Secular Shiite opponent of Hezbollah Rami Ollaik has declared his is leading a movement against the party, though many believe nothing will come of it.

A man works at a makeshift oil refinery site in al-Mansoura village in Raqqa's countryside May 5, 2013. Many civilians in the village who lost their jobs due to the Syrian conflict are making a living by refining crude oil to extract useful fuel such as gasoline and kerosene for sale. Picture taken May 5, 2013. REUTERS/Hamid Khatib (SYRIA - Tags: CONFLICT ENERGY BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT) - RTXZIAB

Natural Gas Resources May Be Backstory in Syria War

The Syria war, like many of the region's other conflicts, has an important oil and gas angle.