Lebanon - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Lebanon

Lebanon

August 18, 2026

Beirut 7:15 am

23°C

Israeli army vehicles move to a position in southern Lebanon, March 27, 2026.

Analysis

Israel defies Trump on Lebanon as Netanyahu, Katz prioritize elections

Both Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump face fateful elections this fall, but one needs progress in Lebanon while the other wants more of the same.

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

FADEL itani / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Who benefits from Lebanon’s amnesty law and why it is controversial

The law, initially intended to ease prison overcrowding, could see the release of Islamists accused of killing soldiers and allow Lebanese exiled to Israel return to the country.

Latest News

Culture

Lebanon becomes first Arab country to abolish death penalty

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Lebanon-Israel talks drag on, can Beirut break Iran linkage?

Manon Roca / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

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

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Financial crisis endangers Lebanese zoo animals

Amid the economic crisis, zoos in Lebanon are struggling to maintain the proper conditions for the animals.

Tankers carrying Iranian fuel arrive from Syria at al-Ain in Hermel in east Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on Sept. 16, 2021.

Lebanon raises fuel prices again

The Lebanese government previously subsidized fuel prices amid the country's worsening economic crisis.

A woman holds a sign showing a photo of a man reacting at the scene of the 2020 Beirut port blast, as protesters and family members of the 2020 Beirut port blast gather for a demonstration near the UNESCO palace in the Lebanese capital on Aug. 12, 2021, ahead of a parliamentary meeting on the blast investigation.

Lebanese judge sets new date for ex-PM to answers questions on Beirut port explosion

Hassan Diab was previously due to appear before investigators on Sept. 20, but Lebanese media reported he left for the United States.

The Libera tanker is moored off the port in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 17, 2021.

Will Iranian fuel solve fuel crisis in Lebanon?

Lebanese economists do not see any benefit from the Iranian fuel shipments that recently entered Lebanon, with support from Hezbollah, amid the worsening fuel crisis in the cash-strapped country.

Marwan Tahtah/Getty Images

Arrest warrant issued for ex-minister over Beirut blast

Youssef Fenianos, Lebanon's former public works and transportation minister, had reportedly failed to appear for questioning before the judge.

Beirut explosion protest

Survivors, rights groups call for UN to investigate Beirut blast

The joint letter with 145 signatories called on the UN Human Rights Council to heed the call of survivors and launch an independent, international probe of the blast.

Lebanese wait to fill their gas cylinders in the southern city of Sidon amidst a deepening economic crisis, on Aug. 10, 2021.

Lebanese energy plan includes Syria

A meeting of Jordanian, Egyptian, Lebanese and Syrian ministers seems to have cracked Syria's isolation.

AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon forms new government

The formation of a new government led by Prime Minister Najib Mikati brings to an end a 13-month gridlock in Lebanon.

A Syrian refugee walks past the rubble of demolished concrete walls at a make-shift camp in the town of Rihaniyye in Lebanon's Akkar governorate on Aug. 9, 2019.

Lebanon won't deport six detained Syrian refugees

Five of the six men are from Syria's Daraa province, where government forces and rebels have clashed in recent months.

Lebanese soldiers are pictured at a petrol station in the capital Beirut on Aug. 14, 2021, after soldiers were deployed to force several stations to reopen their doors.

Egypt, Jordan, Syria agree to export gas to crisis-stricken Lebanon

Syria also agreed to transfer Jordanian electricity to Lebanon, while Iran already sent fuel.

Michel Aouon

Lebanon's president calls for UN action after Israeli strikes

Lebanese President Michel Aoun said recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah violated Lebanon's sovereignty.

Taliban, imam at Kabul mosque

Will the Taliban welcome al-Qaeda back to Afghanistan?

Afghanistan's economy is hanging by a thread; Iran makes the best of the Taliban; the "resistance" finds inspiration; five must reads on Afghanistan.