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Lebanon

Lebanon

September 2, 2025

Beirut 3:07 pm

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The Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun (left), receives Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Baabda Presidential Palace, on Sept. 1, 2025.

Lebanon faces tough test as army pushes plan to seize Hezbollah weapons

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed preparations for a cabinet session due this week that will tackle an army plan to take control of weapons outside of the state’s authority.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Israel cautious on Lebanon withdrawal despite Netanyahu overtures, US push

The Trump administration is pressuring Netanyahu to make concessions to the Lebanese government in exchange for its efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivers a statement during a ceremony to honor the Shiite cleric Abbas Ali Al-Moussawi, who passed away the week prior, Beirut, Aug. 25, 2025.

Analysis

Attack, concede, stall: Hezbollah’s options as Lebanon advances disarmament plan

Despite mounting US pressure on the government to disarm the Shiite group, its leader, Naim Qassem, says it will not surrender its weapons.

Dario Sabaghi

By Dario Sabaghi

unifil

UN Security Council renews Lebanon peacekeeping mission for one year

The compromise vote gives Lebanon's army buffer time to meet US demands to fill security vacuum in the country's south before a planned withdrawal of UN peacekeepers in 2027.

Latest News

Lebanon's army receives 8 truckloads of weapons from Palestinian camps

MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanese PM meets Egypt’s Sisi amid Hezbollah disarmament push: What to know

Lebanon's new Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam delivers a statement at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on Jan. 14, 2025.

Lebanon’s ex-Central Bank chief to be released on $20M bail: What to know

AFP via Getty Images

Canada: Montreal port tied to Hezbollah car trade, presence in Americas

A truck with a container leaves the Port of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on August 1, 2025. US President Donald Trump unveiled new tariffs on July 31 on nearly 70 countries -- including a blistering 35 percent on neighbor Canada -- as he seeks to reshape global trade to benefit the US economy. However, in a minor reprieve that opens the door to further negotiations, the White House said the measures will take effect in a week for most countries, not Friday as previously expected. (Photo by ANDREJ I

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

Lebanese fire

Fires continue in Lebanon amid regional outbreak

Large wildfires have affected Turkey, Syria and European countries recently.

Pope Francis

Pope Francis expresses desire to visit Lebanon

Speaking on the one-year anniversary of Beirut's deadly explosion, the pontiff said he was praying for those affected and wished to visit the country.

Volunteers help to extinguish a forest fire in the Qubayyat area of northern Lebanon's remote Akkar region on July 29, 2021.

Forest fires rage in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey

At least four people were killed in the fires.

A boy digs in a garbage container in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Jan. 15, 2021.

Half a million children in Lebanon still 'struggling to survive' after Beirut blast

A new report from Save the Children found the families of 564,000 children can't afford sufficient food and other basic goods.

French Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius (R) meets Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on November 26, 2013.

Former PM Najib Mikati named Lebanon's prime minister-designate

President Michel Aoun designated Mikati after the wealthy businessman secured the backing of a majority of lawmakers.

Lebanon water containers for sale

UN: public water in Lebanon could stop pumping in matter of 'weeks'

Lebanon's water sector is on the verge of collapse due to the harrowing economic crisis, the United Nations has warned.

PATRICK BAZ/AFP via Getty Images

France to host Lebanon aid conference as political crisis deepens

French President Emmanuel Macron will host the Aug. 4 conference, which comes a year after the devastating blast at Beirut's port.

A picture taken in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on May 29, 2020, shows the food products that constitute a ration, part of a relief campaign to help families in need across Lebanon.

Lebanon implements ration card program as economic crisis worsens

The Lebanese parliament approved a law to fund ration cards for the most vulnerable families, while ending subsidies.

Iran's President-elect Ebrahim Raisi delivers speech at the Imam Reza shrine in the city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran, on June 22, 2021.

The Takeaway: Iran deal on front burner before Raisi takes office

Also: Bibi plots his comeback, a woman boxing coach trains men in Egypt, and the latest from Gaza, Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey.

long lines at Beirut gasoline station

Lebanon’s fuel shortage worsens economic crisis

As smuggling to Syria continues and amid the collapse of the local currency, the Lebanese people are paying the price amid fuel shortages.

Gen. Joseph Aoun

US weighs options as Lebanon’s allies move to assist military

The Pentagon and State Department are exploring "creative ways" to help the Lebanese armed forces offset their costs amid financial crisis.

Lebanese soldiers

US pledges additional support for Lebanon’s army amid financial collapse

Lebanon's armed forces are to receive an additional $15 million in US aid.