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Lebanon

Lebanon

April 21, 2025

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Pope Francis is welcomed at Presidential Palace on Feb. 4, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Middle East churches, Al-Azhar, leaders mourn Pope Francis

Pope Francis was praised by several regional leaders and churches, including Lebanon's Maronite Church and Iraqi officials, who noted his historic visit to Iraq in 2021.

Teargas fumes erupt during clashes between supporters of the Lebanese Shiite Islamist movement Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army amidst a Hezbollah-organised rally to block the road to Beirut International Airport over a decision to bar two Iranian flights from landing there, in Beirut on February 15, 2025. An AFP correspondent said tear gas was fired to disperse crowds on February 15 after again blocking amidst calls by the Iran-backed group for a sit-in. (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO / AFP) (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO/

Analysis

Under US pressure, can Lebanon disarm Hezbollah without Iran's green light?

The issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament resurfaces amid US pressure, shifting regional dynamics, and Iran's decisive role.

Dario Sabaghi

By Dario Sabaghi

Lebanese army troops patrol the destroyed southern border village of Adaisseh, following the Israeli forces withdrawal on February 18, 2025. Lebanon's army said it deployed in southern border villages and areas vacated by Israeli troops on February 18, as a withdrawal deadline expired under a truce between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's army expands presence, dismantles 500 Hezbollah sites: What to know

The Lebanese army intensified its deployment in southern Lebanon, dismantling Hezbollah positions and confiscating weapons as part of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Gal Gadot

'Snow White' banned in Lebanon, Kuwait over Israeli star Gal Gadot

Lebanon's government banned Disney's latest film for its inclusion of Israeli actress Gal Gadot while countries like the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan plan to show the movie.

Latest News

Lebanon’s Aoun visits Doha as Qatar, France send military support

Aoun

Lebanon’s PM Nawaf Salam makes first Syria visit, meets Sharaa as border tensions loom

Sharaa

Lebanon grills former security chiefs over Beirut port blast: What we know

A general view shows the northern collapsed section of the silos in the Port of Beirut, on Aug. 23, 2022 in Beirut, Lebanon.

Lebanon's Hezbollah ready to talk 'defense strategy' amid calls to disarm

A protester holds a framed portrait of Hassan Nasrallah.

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

Senior News Editor

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

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

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese village of Jibbain, July 11, 2024.

Israel fires at Lebanese army in south, strikes southern Syria

An escalation in northern Israel and southern Lebanon has raised fears of an all-out war amid warnings that such a conflict could expand to the rest of the region.

BERLIN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 15: Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib speaks to the media following talks with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on December 15, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. The two diplomats discussed mutual measures to prevent the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict from expanding to other regions, among other issues. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Interview

Lebanon FM warns of 'devastating’ regional war if Israel escalates campaign against Hezbollah

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanon's top diplomat, Abdallah Bou Habib, adds that security in the south ultimately depends on a strong Lebanese army and an agreement on the border – not war.

Abdallah Bou Habib

Abdallah Bou Habib

Lebanon Foreign Minister

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Hezbollah drones critically wound one in Israel

The risk of war is growing by the day as Israel and Hezbollah escalate their attacks.

A flag bearing portraits of (L-R) slain Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Hezbollah military leader Imad Moghniyeh, and Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, flutters after a raising ceremony by Lebanon's Hezbollah supporters and members on a hill facing the Israeli northern town of Metula by the border with Lebanon, on January 3, 2021, to mark the first anniversary of the killing of Soleimani and al-Muhandis in a US drone strike. (Photo by Ali DIA / AFP) (Photo by ALI DIA/AFP via Get

Hezbollah airs drone footage of Israeli military sites in Golan Heights

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated in recent weeks, including with the Israeli killing of one of the Iran-backed group’s commanders.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah meets with Hamas deputy leader Khalil al-Hayya in Lebanon, July 5, 2024.

Hezbollah, Hamas delegations meet in Beirut as Gaza cease-fire talks resume

Hezbollah hosted a Hamas delegation in Beirut as Gaza cease-fire talks reconvened in Qatar.

Smoke rises after a strike near a military base in northern Israel by a rocket fired by Hezbollah, July 4, 2024.

More than 200 rockets from Lebanon's Hezbollah rain down on Israel

The escalation comes as Iranian proxies express readiness to join the fighting if war breaks out in Lebanon.

A portrait of Musa al-Sadr sits amid the rubble of a destroyed building in the heavily damaged, Hezbollah stronghold town of Aita al Chaab on June 29, 2024 in Aita al Chaab, Lebanon. Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been trading cross-border fire since the October 7 attacks, with the conflict escalating in May when the group launched a missile-carrying drone against Israel for the first time. The conflict intensified in June when Hezbollah fired hundreds of rockets and drones at Israeli m

US, Iran guarantors of shaky deterrence between Israel and Hezbollah

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah is not ready to go to the mattresses over the killing of another senior commander on Wednesday, and Iran doesn't want a war while it favors the threat of confrontation as a deterrent.

US Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security Amos Hochstein (R) arrives at the government palace for his meeting with Lebanon's caretaker prime minister in Beirut on August 30 2023. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

US scrambles to avert Israel-Hezbollah war, with or without Gaza cease-fire

The Biden administration is searching for a diplomatic deal to prevent a disastrous war between the longtime foes.

RMAICH, LEBANON - JUNE 30: Smoke rises behind buildings from an Israeli strike against a Hezbollah target on the town of Aita al Chaab on June 30, 2024 in Rmaich, Lebanon. Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been trading cross-border fire since the October 7 attacks, with the conflict escalating in May when the group launched a missile-carrying drone against Israel for the first time. The conflict intensified in June when Hezbollah fired hundreds of rockets and drones at Israeli military sit

Israel kills senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon amid fears of all-out war

Hezbollah’s news outlet Al-Manar reports that commander Mohammad Nehmeh Nasser has been killed.

Saudis organize medical aid to be loaded into a plane as Saudi Arabia begins sending field hospitals and medical aid to Lebanon.

After Qatar's $20M aid to army, Saudi relief agency grants $10M to Lebanon

Saudi Arabia is opening up to Lebanon following years of tensions over Hezbollah’s growing influence in the country.

Lufthansa cancels night flights to Lebanon as US, others issue travel warnings

Several states have issued warnings about travel to Lebanon recently due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Black smoke billows following an Israeli air strike that targeted a house in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam near the Lebanese-Israeli border on June 21, 2024.

What’s behind Arab League decision to drop Hezbollah terror label?

The move comes as the region is boiling in light of the war in Gaza and the escalating conflict between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel.