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

Lebanon

Lebanon

August 18, 2026

Beirut 3:59 pm

29°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

Lebanon’s army finds more ammonium nitrate near Beirut port

A month after the blast that ripped through the Lebanese capital, the army has discovered an additional 4.35 tons of the same explosive chemical that caused the blast.

A woman watches as rescue workers gather at damaged building in Lebanon's capital Beirut, in search of possible survivors from a mega-blast at the adjacent port one month ago, after scanners detected a pulse, on September 4, 2020. - Lebanese rescuers scoured rubble for a possible survivor in Beirut after the detection of a pulse drew crowds hopeful of a miracle one month on from a devastating explosion. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanese ask 'Should I stay or should I go' under pressures to rebuild

The pressures to rebuild Lebanon, to endure harsh working and living conditions and the fear of another tragedy add an inconceivable burden to people trying to make it in industries fraught with their own challenges.

Lebanon's newly-appointed Prime Minister Mustapha Adib (C) visits Beirut's badly-hit Gemmayzeh neighbourhood, on August 31, 2020. - Lebanon's under-fire political leaders designated a new prime minister, the diplomat Mustapha Adib, to tackle the country's deep political and economic crisis, hours before French President Emmanuel Macron was due to visit. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon taps diplomat Mustapha Adib as next prime minister

The country's ambassador to Germany has promised to immediately implement government reforms.

Lebanese Army soldiers roll away a flaming tire from the fence surrounding the local branch of the Banque du Liban (Lebanese Central Bank) as protesters gather to demonstrate against dire economic conditions in the northern city of Tripoli on June 11, 2020. - The Lebanese pound sank to a record low on the black market on June 11 despite the authorities' attempts to halt the plunge of the crisis-hit country's currency, money changers said. Lebanon is in the grips of its worst economic turmoil in decades, and

Lebanon-IMF talks make little progress despite bank collapse

The Lebanese ruling elite is still bargaining over the economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund, while the country’s economic situation continues to go downhill.

Lebanese Army soldiers roll away a flaming tire from the fence surrounding the local branch of the Banque du Liban (Lebanese Central Bank) as protesters gather to demonstrate against dire economic conditions in the northern city of Tripoli on June 11, 2020. - The Lebanese pound sank to a record low on the black market on June 11 despite the authorities' attempts to halt the plunge of the crisis-hit country's currency, money changers said. Lebanon is in the grips of its worst economic turmoil in decades, and

Lebanon's central bank to take over banks that cannot boost capital

The central bank is giving Lebanese banks until February to increase their capital by 20% or give their shares to the government amid fears that people's deposits are at risk.

Child dies in sectarian firefight near Beirut

Hours of fighting in a town south of Beirut left at least two dead and several injured.

A picture taken from the northern Israeli kibbutz of Manara on August 26, 2020 shows United Nations peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) patrolling along the border with Israel in the southern Lebanese village of Houla. - Israel said it had launched air strikes against Hezbollah observation posts in Lebanon after shots were fired from across the border towards its troops the previous evening. (Photo by JALAA MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel retaliates after Hezbollah shoots at IDF from Lebanon

Israel is worried that a security incident late Aug. 25 on the border fence with Lebanon means that Hezbollah intends to escalate tensions.

This picture taken on August 19, 2020 shows a view of the landmark Le Gray hotel in the centre of Lebanon's capital Beirut overlooking the Martyrs' Square, as a banner is hung across its facade reading in English "Stay strong! Together we shall riise once again, see you soon", and a giant Lebanese national flag hung over the facade of the neighbouring building, in the aftermath of the monster blast that ravaged the city earlier in August. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon returns to lockdown after post-explosion surge in virus

The country has registered all-time highs in daily new COVID-19 cases following the massive Aug. 4 explosion.

Israel calls out Hezbollah on tribunal decision

Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the verdict in the Rafic Hariri case clearly shows Hezbollah’s responsibility for the murder.

Lebanese public health crisis includes trauma, mental health after explosion

The Lebanese people, already reeling under tough economic, social and political conditions, face another public health crisis after the explosion on Aug. 4 in Beirut.

A photograph taken on March 12, 2020 shows a bar on Gouraud street in the Lebanese capital Beirut's Gemayzeh district, known for its bustling nightlife, empty, after measures were taken in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Beirut’s club scene gets creative in wake of blast

Lebanon's nightlife is key to its economy and spirit.

A man rides a motorbike past a billboard bearing a picture of slain Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, on a street in his southern hometown city of Sidon (Saida), on August 18, 2020. - On February 14, 2005, the former Premier, who embodied the reconstruction of the country after its 1975-1990 civil war was killed in a monster bomb attack on his convoy. The special tribunal trying the four suspects accused of the assassination is expected to deliver its verdict today. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Phot

UN tribunal says Syrian government, Hezbollah not involved in Hariri assassination

Some supporters of the slain prime minister protested the verdict in Beirut on Tuesday.