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Lebanon

Lebanon

October 24, 2026

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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 hotel employee is pictured behind a barricade as he cleans the street near Taksim square in central Istanbul June 10, 2013. Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan warned protesters who have taken to the streets across Turkey demanding his resignation that his patience has its limits and compared the unrest with an army attempt six years ago to curb his power. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX10I8R

Which Way Is Turkey Going?

Are we witnessing a clash between Islamism and Kemalism in Turkey?

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi (L) sits with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu 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 (Photo c

US Needs Iran, Turkey For Diplomatic Surge in Syria

The latest UN report on Syria calls for a “diplomatic surge” to end the war, which has reached “new levels of brutality.”

Syrian refugees watch the convoy of Oxfam chief executive Mark Goldring as he visits Al Zaatri refugee camp in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, near the border with Syria, April 30, 2013. Goldring is currently visiting Oxfam's work with refugees on the Syria/Jordan border. REUTERS/ Majed Jaber (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY IMMIGRATION CONFLICT) - RTXZ4X7

UN Must Address Syrian Humanitarian Tragedy

While the UN issued the biggest financial appeal in its history, a humanitarian tragedy is unfolding in Syria and for Syrian refugees abroad.

A tank is seen in a neighbourhood of Zabadani, near Damascus, February 14, 2012. Syrian government forces launched an offensive on the city of Hama early on Wednesday, firing on residential neighbourhoods from armoured vehicles and mobile anti-aircraft guns, opposition activists said. REUTERS/Handout (SYRIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS MILITARY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVE

For Hezbollah, What is VictoryIn Syria?

Hezbollah grapples with the long-term objectives and consequences of its intervention in Syria.

Qusair: Exclusive Eyewitness Account

Qusair is a city in rubble.

Civilians hold up pictures of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and of his father, Syria's late president Hafez al-Assad (R), as they celebrate in Qusair June 6, 2013, a day after the Syrian army took control of the town from rebel fighters. Syrian troops and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters pushed toward villages near Qusair on Thursday, a day after driving rebels from the border town shattered in weeks of combat. Insurgents seeking to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were putting up a fierce fight a

Qusair Victory Could Prove Fateful for Hezbollah's Future

The events that unfolded in the three-week battle for Qusair will prove fateful for the future role of Hezbollah in the Syrian, as well as regional, conflict.

A view of a makeshift hospital which was used by the Free Syrian Army fighters in Qusair June 6, 2013, a day after the Syrian army took control of the town from rebel fighters. Syrian troops and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters pushed toward villages near Qusair on Thursday, a day after driving rebels from the border town shattered in weeks of combat. Insurgents seeking to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were putting up a fierce fight around the villages of Debaa and Buwayda as their opponents attacke

FSA Commander Speaks From Qusair Just Before Its Fall

Just hours before the Syrian army retook control of the town of Qusair, Al-Monitor spoke with an opposition commander about the ongoing battle and Hezbollah’s role in the fighting.

An image of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is seen on a car's windscreen as Hezbollah supporters celebrate, after the Syrian army took control of Qusair from rebel fighters, in the Shi'ite town of Hermel June 5, 2013. Syrian government forces and their Lebanese Hezbollah allies seized control of the border town of Qusair on Wednesday, dealing a major defeat to rebel fighters battling to overthrow Assad. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY CONFLICT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) -

After Qusair, Is Hezbollah Finished in Syria?

Will Hezbollah continue its military involvement in Syria?

Lebanese Army soldiers stand atop of their army vehicle as they secure the area, during a protest organised by Syrians living in Lebanon in support of Syria's regime, in Sidon, southern Lebanon, May 12, 2013. The poster in the background depicts Syria's late President Hafez al-Assad (C, top), father of current President Bashar al-Assad (C, bottom), Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (L) and Lebanon's parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri (R). REUTERS/Ali Hashisho (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL

Pro-Hezbollah Sunni Sheikhs Face Assassination Attempts in Lebanon

As tensions stemming from the Syrian crisis continue to mount in Lebanon, two pro-Hezbollah Sunni sheikhs become the target of assassination attempts.

Lebanese members of parliament attend a session in Beirut, May 31, 2013. Lebanese lawmakers agreed on Friday to postpone a June parliamentary election until late next year due to instability in neighbouring Syria and political deadlock at home. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTX1073U

Lebanese Parliamentary Extension A Setback for Democracy

Lebanese parliamentarians fail to consider the consequences of extending their terms of office.

The Mideast in Venice

Nine Middle Eastern countries are represented at the Venice Biennale, including a piece aptly called "Resistance" from a Turkish artist.

United Arab Emirates

A salafist protester (L) gestures to riot police during a protest demanding for the inclusion of Islamic Law in the constitution in Tunis March 23, 2012. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi (TUNISIA - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION CIVIL UNREST) - RTR2ZRUE

Tunisia's Ruling Ennahda Confronts an Islamist Rival

Exploring the conflict within the Islamist constituency in Tunisia between Ennahda and the Salafists — and why it was inevitable.