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Lebanon

Lebanon

June 18, 2026

Beirut 1:39 am

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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun speaks during a government meeting at the Presidential Palace in Beirut, Lebanon, on September 5, 2025.

Breaking | Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 1:59 pm

Lebanon President Joseph Aoun to visit White House this month, Trump says

The visit would be the first by a Lebanese president to the White House in over a decade.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji meets with Fahd bin Abdulrahman bin Hathloul Al-Dosari, the new Saudi ambassador to Lebanon, in Beirut on June 17, 2026.

Who is Fahd Al-Dosari, Saudi Arabia’s new ambassador to Lebanon?

Ambassador Fahd bin Abdulrahman bin Hathloul Al-Dosari, a seasoned diplomat, arrives in Beirut as Saudi Arabia seeks to strengthen its ties with Lebanon.

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa is welcomed by Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia on April 24, 2026, on the sidelines of a European summit.

Analysis

Why Trump’s push for Syria to confront Hezbollah is an unlikely bid

Trump’s proposal faces resistance from Damascus, skepticism from experts and opposition across Lebanon’s political spectrum.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Analysis

How Iran's internal divide over Lebanon could shape US negotiations

MAHMOUD ZAYYAT / AFP via Getty Images

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

'Let Syria take care of Hezbollah': Trump criticizes Israel, leans on Sharaa to help in Lebanon

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE - JUNE 16: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the G7 summit, on June 16, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France. Leaders from the Group of 7 (G7) countries convened in Evian, France, near the Swiss border, for their annual summit to discuss challenges to peace and security for Ukraine and Europe, the situation in the Middle East, and other geopolitical issues. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Get

Gulf cautiously welcomes US-Iran deal as Hezbollah congratulates Tehran

Veiled women in black Chadors wave Iran and Hezbollah flags during commemoration at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 22, 2026.

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

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.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

4 Arab Israelis arrested for Hezbollah ties, smuggling Iranian explosives

The Shin Bet announced today that four Arab Israelis suspected of involvement with Hezbollah's smuggling activities were arrested last month.

JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon rolls out waste management project

For years, Lebanon's trash has been burned in open dumps, with dangerous environmental and health effects.

JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

Energy exploration begins in Lebanon’s offshore field

Gas exploration plans in Lebanon’s Mediterranean waters have progressed since the country reached a maritime border deal with Israel last year.

A bullet-ridden mural at the Ain el-Helweh camp, in Lebanon's southern coastal city of Sidon, following the latest flare-up between Fatah and Islamist forces in the camp for Palestinian refugees,on August 4, 2023.

UNRWA suspends services in Lebanese camp following deadly violence

The UN agency said it had halted assistance in the Ain al-Hilweh camp after reports of armed fighters in some of its schools following clashes.

A Green Without Borders outpost that Israel says Hezbollah is using.

US sanctions Lebanese environmental group for Hezbollah ties

The US imposed sanctions on Green Without Borders and its leader, Zuhair Subhi Nahla, for providing cover for Hezbollah's activities in southern Lebanon.

Beirut airport

Offshore gas rig sets up in cash-strapped Lebanon

The arrival of the machinery marks a significant development for Lebanon, which hope gas exploration will revive its ailing economy.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon’s Hezbollah makes show of force with tanks, armored vehicles as Israel tensions mount

Hezbollah is facing growing resentment inside Lebanon with several parties accusing the group of dragging the country into an unwanted war with Israel.

A vehicle displays the flags of Iran and the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah as it moves in a funerary procession for a fallen fighter in Beirut's predominantly-Shiite Muslim southern suburb, on August 10, 2023 after he was killed the previous day amidst clashes between Hezbollah and residents of the Christian town of Kahale in Mount Lebanon. The Lebanese army said on August 10 that it had seized munitions from a Hezbollah truck that overturned near Beirut, leading to deadly clashes between Christian res

Breaking | Last Updated: August 10, 2023, 10:35 am

Lebanon: Shots fired at defense minister's car amid rising instability

The incident followed deadly clashes after a Hezbollah vehicle carrying ammunition overturned in a Christian village.

Riad Salameh

Breaking | Last Updated: August 10, 2023, 12:00 pm

Riad Salameh, Lebanon's ex-central bank chief, hit with US sanctions

In addition to Riad Salameh, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on his family members and assistant.

Canadian actor Ryan Gosling and Australian actress Margot Robbie.

Culture

Lebanon minister calls for banning of 'Barbie' movie

The Hezbollah-backed politician accused the film of promoting homosexuality, among other things, amid rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment in the region. "Barbie" is scheduled to be released in the Gulf this week.