Iran security chief visits Iraq, Lebanon as Baghdad weighs pro-Iran militia law Ali Larijani, who was recently appointed to head Iran’s top security body, has embarked on visits to Iraq and Lebanon as Baghdad faces US pressure to contain Iranian-backed groups. Iran
Lebanon cabinet backs Hezbollah disarmament as US urges year-end deadline Lebanon’s cabinet approved Thursday the goals outlined in a US proposal on the complete disarmament of Hezbollah in exchange for the end of Israeli attacks on the country. Lebanon
Lebanon tasks army with plan to control weapons as Hezbollah rejects disarmament Speaking to reporters at the conclusion of the session, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the army must draft its plan and present it before the government for review before Aug. 31. Lebanon
5 years after Lebanon's port explosion: Can Beirut find accountability? Not one official has been held accountable five years after the deadly port blast that killed over 220 people and destroyed much of Beirut. Lebanon
Al-Waleed bin Talal announces Four Seasons to reopen in Beirut, Lebanon The planned reopening of the hotel, which was damaged in the 2020 port explosion, follows Saudi-backed Gen. Joseph Aoun's becoming president of Lebanon. Lebanon
Top US general in Mideast meets Lebanon's Aoun in bid to shore up ceasefire with Israel CENTCOM commander Gen. Erik Kurilla's final diplomatic tour of the region under President Joe Biden came as the outgoing president defended his foreign policy legacy in a speech from Foggy Bottom. Lebanon
Kuwait sentences 13 to prison over Hezbollah financing: What we know Kuwait has had tense relations with Hezbollah in the past and the ruling comes as Saudi Arabia is reportedly pushing for the Iran-backed group to be disarmed. Kuwait
Nawaf Salam secures enough votes to be Lebanon's next prime minister The ICJ president is not a Hezbollah favorite, but has secured the backing of more than 70 parliamentarians to be Lebanon's next prime minister. Lebanon
Analysis With US-Saudi backing, can Lebanon’s new president rein in Hezbollah? With top general’s election, the United States and Saudi Arabia aim to draw Lebanon further from Iran. To do that, a new government has to convince Hezbollah that their days of armed resistance are over. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Lebanon's Mikati set to meet Sharaa in Syria in wake of Aoun's election Najib Mikati’s visit, the first in 15 years, comes amid pressure in Lebanon to release Islamists imprisoned during the civil war and just after the election of President Joseph Aoun. Lebanon
From Saudi to US, congrats pour in for Lebanon's new President Aoun Lebanon's parliament elected Gen. Joseph Aoun as president on Thursday, ending the country's two-year presidential vacuum. Lebanon
Joseph Aoun elected president of Lebanon, ending two-year void The election of army commander Gen. Joseph Aoun garnered rare consensus among the Lebanese, backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia in the first presidential election for Lebanon following the fall of the Assad regime. Lebanon
Joseph Aoun emerges as front-runner for Lebanon president on eve of vote Hezbollah’s candidate dropped out and endorsed the Lebanese Armed Forces leader on Wednesday, as Lebanon seeks to elect a president after more than two-year void. Lebanon
US envoy Hochstein in Lebanon as Israel ceasefire teeters, election looms Amos Hochstein's visit comes amid uncertainty over the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah as well as an upcoming presidential vote in Lebanon's parliament. Lebanon
Analysis Israel's covert Syria operation signals planning for potential Iran strike Israel has released details on its daring September commando operation in Syria in a message to Tehran that it is willing and able to do the same in Iran, with or without US participation. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iranian plane, diplomat searched at Beirut airport: What we know Supporters of Iran-backed Hezbollah protested the search of the Iranian diplomat's plane in Beirut. Lebanon