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Lebanon

Lebanon

April 22, 2026

Beirut 5:09 am

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Olmert

Interview

Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.

Jewel SAMAD / AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon-Israel negotiations to continue even as Iran talks stall

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also said that Lebanon will lead the negotiations and that no other party will take part, emphasizing that this track is separate from any other talks.

Joseph EID / AFP via Getty Images

Who are Lebanon’s main players influencing talks with Israel?

Amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, focus is now on the main political players in Lebanon and their role in shaping or derailing any deal.

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun delivers a speech during a meeting of Pope Leo XIV with authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital Beirut, on November 30, 2025. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP via Getty Images)

Aoun says Lebanon seeks 'permanent agreements' with Israel after White House invite

Aoun says Lebanon is entering a “new stage” of negotiations with Israel focused on “permanent agreements” following a US-brokered ceasefire and a White House invitation extended to both him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Latest News

Analysis

Why Netanyahu caved to Trump on Lebanon and what it means for Israel

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Jerusalem on February 26, 2026. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

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

Iran says Strait of Hormuz 'completely open' to ships

MUSCAT, OMAN - MARCH 25: Locals take photos of two bulk carriers anchored at Muscat Anchorage on March 25, 2026 in Muscat, Oman. Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which conveys about 20% of the world's oil and gas, has mostly come to a halt after the joint U.S.-Israeli war with Iran that began on February 28. Iran, in a defiant reply to a ceasefire proposal from the United States, has claimed that sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz "is its natural and legal right." Under international law, t

Trump announces Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, will invite Aoun and Netanyahu to White House

Trump, Rubio speak to Lebanon's president amid push for Aoun-Netanyahu call

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) arrives to attend a cabinet session to discuss an army plan to disarm the Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, on September 5, 2025. In August, under heavy US pressure and fearing Israel would intensify its strikes, Lebanon's government ordered the army to draw up a plan for disarming Hezbollah by the end of the year. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/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

Lebanese Armenians gather during a demonstration outside the Azerbaijani embassy in Ain Aar to denounce Azerbaijan's reintegration of Nagorno-Karabakh, Sept. 28, 2023.

Armenians in Lebanon protest Azerbaijan's offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh

Demonstrators gathered outside the Azerbaijani embassy outside Beirut to protest the takeover of the majority Armenian enclave.

Lebanese protesters burn tyres during a demonstration called for by the banks depositors committee against monetary policies, on May 9, 2023. Lebanon's economic meltdown, described by the World Bank as one of the worst in recent global history, has plunged most of the population into poverty according to the United Nations. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon protesters storm electricity company as Beirut plunges into darkness

Angry Lebanese stormed the state electrical company in Beirut to protest the high power bills as the devastating economic crisis continues to blanket Lebanon in darkness.

The new US embassy under construction on land adjacent to the current compound, Metn, Beirut, May 5, 2023.

Lebanon investigates shooting incident near US Embassy

In a rare incident, an unknown assailant reportedly fired shots near entrance to the US embassy outside Beirut.

A fighter watches as Palestinian youths parade during a military-style summer camp.

Gaza Palestinian factions hold drills amid infighting in Lebanon’s refugee camp

Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk arrived in Beirut to discuss an end to the fighting between rival Palestinian factions in Ain al-Hilweh camp.

Argentine Israeli Mutual Association

US unveils sanctions on Hezbollah operatives in South America, Lebanon

The targets include one of Hezbollah's alleged operational members behind the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association bombing in 1994.

MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon: Can latest truce calm tensions in Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian camp?

The fighting between rival factions inside Ain al-Hilweh had been ongoing for five days, with the Lebanese army threatening to take action after some of its military bases were hit by rockets.

Members of Lebanon's LGBTQ community attend a picnic the coastal city of Batroun, north of Beirut, on May 21, 2017, as part of the Beirut Pride week aimed at raising awarness about the rights of the community. / AFP PHOTO / IBRAHIM CHALHOUB (Photo credit should read IBRAHIM CHALHOUB/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Lebanon: Backlash as MPs introduce bill to decriminalize LGBTQ+ relationships

Some Lebanese leaders have intensified their campaign against the LGBTQ+ community after news emerged of a bill to repeal an anti-LGBTQ+ provision of the Penal Code.

MAHMOUD ZAYAT/AFP via Getty Images

With 20 wounded, Ain al-Hilweh clashes fuel Palestinian rivalries in Lebanon

The camp for Palestinian refugees has long been a scene of conflict, and a recent truce has been unable to stop clashes between Fatah and rival Islamists.

Lebanon's parliament speaker, Nabih Berri (R), receives Amos Hochstein, the US special presidential coordinator for global infrastructure and energy security, Beirut, August 30, 2023.

UNIFIL mandate extended as US envoy visits Lebanon

US envoy Amos Hochstein met with Lebanese officials to follow up on the maritime border agreement with Israel that allowed offshore gas exploration in Lebanese waters and to likely discuss UNIFIL's extension.

ALI DIA/AFP via Getty Images

Hezbollah says UNIFIL mandate will remain 'ink on paper' without change

The paramilitary group is objecting to the renewal of the UN peacekeeping mission over last year's modification that gave the mission freedom of movement in southern Lebanon without coordination with the army.

PATRICK BAZ/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon’s acting central bank chief pleads for reform as crisis continues

Wassim Mansouri has been urgently calling on the Lebanese government to enact reforms since becoming acting governor of Banque du Liban following the end of the embattled Riad Salameh’s term.

Lebanese protesters denounce violence the LGBTQI community and others in downtown Beirut, July 31, 2022.

Culture

Hard-line Christian group attacks queer-friendly bar in Lebanon

The LGBTQ community in Lebanon has faced increasing violence in recent weeks amid a rising wave of hate speech against them.