Lebanon’s cabinet endorsed a new financial rescue plan that would reduce interest rates, recapitalize the banks, and solicit financial support from foreign investors. The plan, which comes amidst a severe economic crisis in the country, must now be ratified by Lebanon’s parliament (Reuters)
Lebanon Names New Government
Lebanon named a new prime minister and cabinet in an arrangement backed by the militant group and political party Hezbollah, President Michel Aoun, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri (The National)
The new government will aim to appease the countrywide, anti-establishment protests that led the previous prime minister to resign in October (New York Times)
The new premier, former education minister Hassan Diab, said his government would meet protesters’ demands to end cronyism while also addressing Lebanon’s protracted economic crisis. Still, the new government includes links to many existing political factions in the country (Al Jazeera)
Top U.S. officials have criticized Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon and called for the suspension of U.S. aid to the country if it becomes too supportive of Iran (Wall Street Journal)
Lebanon’s Anti-government Protests Resume
Demonstrations against Lebanon’s ruling elite blocked several major roads across the country after a brief lull in such protests. The demonstrations began in October and have prompted the prime minister to resign (Al Jazeera)
Lebanon Names New Prime Minister
Hassan Diab, a former education minister backed by the militant group Hezbollah, has been named the country’s next prime minister, the president’s office announced (CNN)
Lebanon Prepares to Name New Prime Minister
Lawmakers will hold consultations over the position today, with former Minister of Education and Higher Education Hassan Diab a reported favorite. Outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said he would not seek another term in the wake of widespread street protests (Al Jazeera)
Talks on New Lebanese Prime Minister Postponed
Lebanon’s president announced that talks scheduled for today will be would be delayed after more than one hundred people were injured in violent clashes during anti-government protests in Beirut (Associated Press)
Lebanon Advised to Form Government
The International Support Group for Lebanon, co-chaired by France and the United Nations, called for the country to form a government in order to carry out reforms necessary to unlock $11 billion in international aid (Al Jazeera)
Lebanese President Seeks Formal Designation of New Prime Minister
President Michel Aoun formally requested a session with Lebanon’s lawmakers to designate a new prime minister. Under Lebanon’s power-sharing structure, the president must name a Sunni Muslim candidate who has the most support among parliament (Reuters)
Lebanon’s Hariri Suggests Leadership Transition
Saad Hariri, who has served as caretaker prime minister since he resigned last month amid nationwide protests, said he does not want to lead the country’s next government. President Michel Aoun will reportedly consult with Parliament tomorrow before naming Hariri’s successor (Al Jazeera)
Protestors in Lebanon Force Parliament Session Postponement
The country’s parliament was forced to postpone its first legislative session in two months after anti-government protesters blocked the entrance. Nationwide protests over corruption and the cost of living began in mid-October (Al Jazeera)
Lebanese Leader Steps Down Amid Protests
Prime Minister Saad Hariri has announced his resignation following two weeks of nationwide protests (New York Times)
President Michel Aoun asked that Hariri remain in a caretaker role until a new government has been formed (Daily Star)
Lebanon Protestors Reject Call for Dialogue
Anti-government demonstrators in Beirut rejected President Michel Aoun’s appeal for talks with protest leaders and called on Aoun to resign (Al Jazeera)
Lebanese President Seeks Dialogue With Protesters
Lebanese President Michel Aoun expressed interest in meeting with representatives of Lebanese anti-government protesters, as protests against a worsening economic crisis entered an eighth day (Al Jazeera)
Lebanese Demonstrations Continue
Protests in Lebanon continued for a sixth straight day. Demonstrators are calling for broad political reforms amid new government tax increases (Al Jazeera)
Lebanese Ministers Resign Amid Ongoing Protest
Four ministers resigned from Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s cabinet in a show of no confidence after tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets over the weekend to protest corruption and economic mismanagement (Al Jazeera)
In response, Hariri has called for reforms that include halving minister and lawmaker wages (Reuters)
Protesters returned to Lebanon’s streets today amid a worsening economic crisis (Al Jazeera)
The protests continued despite the government’s reversal of a plan to tax voice calls on WhatsApp, and a cabinet meeting has reportedly been cancelled (Reuters)
Israel Fires Into Southern Lebanon Following Hezbollah Strikes
Israel’s military fired across the Lebanese border after Hezbollah targeted an Israeli military base on Sunday. The United Nations and U.S. State Department expressed concern about the recent escalation (Voice of America)
Lebanon Fires on Israeli Drones
The Lebanese military fired at two Israeli drones it said were in violation of the country’s airspace, according to state media and security officials. The incident comes days after two Israeli drones crashed south of Beirut (Associated Press)
Lebanese Newspaper Calls Attention to Political and Economic Crises
Beirut’s Daily Star newspaper published a protest issue, imploring Lebanese citizens to “wake up” to the country’s political and economic crises. The newspaper highlighted the 25 percent unemployment rate and rising sectarianism, as well as political deadlock; the government has not met since a June 30 shooting (Al Jazeera)
Lebanese Hezbollah: United States Wants Talks
After U.S. sanctions targeted members of Lebanon’s Parliament affiliated with Hezbollah, the group’s leader reported that U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking channels of communication with its leaders (Reuters)
Meanwhile, Hezbollah reduced its forces in Syria (Reuters)
United States Sanctions Hezbollah-Affiliated Members of Lebanese Parliament
Yesterday, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned two Hezbollah-affiliated members of the Lebanese Parliament and a Lebanese security official. The sanctions are the first time the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned members of Lebanon’s Parliament on grounds of supporting a terrorist organization (Reuters)
Lebanon Demolishes Syrian Refugees’ Homes
Lebanese troops destroyed at least twenty concrete houses in three camps in a bid to block Syrian refugees from permanent settlement. Syrian refugees in Lebanon were required to dismantle any structure more durable than plastic or wood (Al Jazeera)
Shootout in Lebanon Kills Two Officials
Yesterday, two Lebanese officials were killed in an alleged assassination attempt on Saleh al-Gharib, the state minister for refugee affairs. The Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party accused Gharib’s guards of killing two civilians in retaliation (Reuters)
UN Confirms Third Hezbollah Tunnel at Israel-Lebanon Border
United Nations Peacekeepers in Lebanon confirmed the existence of a third Hezbollah tunnel near the country’s border with Israel. Peacekeepers reported that the cross-border tunnel signals a violation of a ceasefire agreement that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah (Associated Press)
Lebanon Announces Government After Months-Long Deadlock
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s cabinet includes representatives from most of Lebanon’s rival parties, including Hezbollah, which the United States considers a terrorist group. Hariri’s Future Movement lost more than a third of its seats in parliament in a May 2018 election, leading to months of political deadlock (Al Jazeera)