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Lebanon

Lebanon

October 20, 2026

Beirut 4:35 am

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tunnel

Lebanon uncovers new tunnel amid tensions with Hezbollah: What to know

A tunnel was discovered near Beirut as tensions between Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah have been running high over the seizure of weapons shipments destined for the Iran-backed group.

Israeli troops stand guard on the dividing line between the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and Syrian, near Majdal Shams, July 16, 2025.

Analysis

'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma

The Israeli leader revealed that he spoke with the Syrian president last year, but stalled talks and Israel's fortification of a security zone on Syrian land underscore his mistrust of Sharaa.

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

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

Qatar PM in Beirut as Lebanon seeks economic relief: What to know

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani’s visit to Beirut coincides with the Lebanese authorities’ ongoing efforts to curb Hezbollah’s influence in the country.

Mihrac Ural, who was also known as Ali Kayali, was arrested

Explainer

Syria arrests Mihrac Ural, ex-Assad militia head also wanted by Turkey

The Turkey-born militia chief and a longtime ally of the Assad-regime, was sought by Ankara over the deadly Reyhanli bombings and by Damascus over his alleged role in massacres on the Mediterranean coast.

Latest News

Syria denies meeting with Lebanon’s Hezbollah in Turkey: What to know

Lebanon seeks Turkey’s help to join Syria-Saudi rail link: What to know

A picture taken on May 1, 2019 shows a railroad of Mar Mikhael neighborhood in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Lebanon PM meets Rubio as Israel talks stall: What to know

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon's PM calls for international force to replace UNIFIL: What to know

Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images

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 begins to reopen after four-day lockdown

Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced Lebanon would move ahead with a five-part plan to reopen the economy.

Lebanese bank official arrested for alleged currency manipulation

Lebanon's central bank denied the allegations; the Lebanese pound's value has decreased significantly amid the ongoing economic crisis.

Hezbollah chief says Israel fighting 'imaginary battle' in Syria

Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Iran-aligned Lebanese Hezbollah, accuses Israel of targeting missile-manufacturing sites in Syria.

People walk along Beirut's seaside Corniche, as Lebanese authorities warned of a new wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as the numbers jumped to the highest point in more than a month, after the government eased some restrictions on public life, in Beirut, Lebanon May 10, 2020. Picture taken May 10, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir - RC2FMG9YAZYS

Lebanon returns to lockdown for four days

Lebanon had eased its anti-coronavirus restrictions, but an uptick in cases has prompted a reversal.

Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn and his wife Carole Ghosn talk during an interview with Reuters in Beirut, Lebanon January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir - RC2TFE9TNASO

Turkey charges 7 over ex-Nissan boss’s escape to Lebanon

Former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has been living in Lebanon since escaping house arrest in Japan in late December.

UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) patrol in southern Lebanese town of Ramyah, Lebanon September 9, 2019. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho - RC11D06C6240

Israel demands UN expand peacekeeping mission in Lebanon

Ahead of the renewal for the UNIFIL mandate this summer, and with tensions at the border increasing, Israel wants rules in place so that UN peacekeepers can be more effective.

A member of internal security forces distributes protective masks for demonstrators, as preventive measures against the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during a protest in cars against the growing economic hardship and to mark Labour Day in Tyre, Lebanon May 1, 2020. REUTERS/Aziz Taher - RC2OFG96BP4S

Lebanon’s lockdown extended amid fears of ‘second wave’ of virus

To keep the coronavirus from spreading, a curfew and other restrictions on movement in Lebanon will continue through at least May 24.

Demonstrators are seen near a bank on fire during unrest, as an economic crisis brings demonstrations back onto the streets in Tripoli, Lebanon April 28, 2020. REUTERS/Omar Ibrahim - RC2ODG9O5VDN

In Lebanon’s new wave of protests and riots, Tripoli is leading the way

Lebanon’s protests have resumed, but more violently, especially in Tripoli, where bank facades were smashed and a protester was killed by the army.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 8, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC2M0G9CRVU4

Intel: US praises Germany for expanding Hezbollah terrorist designation

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and pro-Israel lawmakers welcomed Germany’s decision this week to designate the entirety of Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militia-cum-political party, as a terrorist organization.

A man wearing a face mask walks past a damaged facade of a bank, after overnight protests fuelled by worsening economic conditions, in the southern city of Sidon, Lebanon April 30, 2020. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho - RC2ZEG9LTAWF

Lebanon to seek IMF assistance to help with economic crisis

The prime minister said Lebanon would seek $10 billion in loans from the international financial institution after passing a reform bill.

German special police talk near the El-Irschad (Al-Iraschad e.V.) centre in Berlin, Germany, April 30, 2020, after Germany has banned Iran-backed Hezbollah on its soil and designated it a terrorist organisation. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke - RC2UEG9F1PDQ

Germany designates entirety of Hezbollah a terrorist organization

Germany previously only classified Hezbollah's military wing as terrorists. Israel hopes the rest of Europe will follow suit.

People shop at a supermarket after the Saudi government eased a curfew and allowed stores to open, following the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 29, 2020. REUTERS/Marwa Rashad - RC2CEG9U1YOY

Saudi Arabia eases anti-virus measures

Saudi Arabia allowed businesses to reopen today, but mosques, schools and other places remain closed.