Source: The National
Security & Justice
Judicial Panel Clears Way for Beirut Port Blast Investigator to Move Forward
Lebanon’s Investigative Judges’ Panel has upheld a ruling barring the prosecution of Tarek Bitar, the judicial investigator leading the probe into the 2020 Beirut Port explosion, effectively removing a major obstacle that had impeded his work for more than two years, Al-Modon reported.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
U.S. Treasury Targets Hezbollah Revenue Networks With New Sanctions
The U.S. Department of the Treasury on Tuesday imposed new sanctions aimed at choking off key financial mechanisms used by Hezbollah to sustain its operations, particularly through revenue generation linked to Iran and the exploitation of Lebanon’s informal financial sector, the Treasury said.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Opinion
A Second Devaluation Looms Over Lebanon’s Fragile Currency Regime
After one of the most severe currency collapses in recent economic history, the Lebanese pound (Lira) has been held at roughly 89,500 to the US dollar, a level that appears, at least superficially, to signal a return of stability after years of hyperinflation.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
A First-Year Assessment of Lebanon’s Governing Coalition
In January 2025, President Joseph Aoun took the oath of office and in his inaugural address declared the start of a “new era.” The government then began to reconstitute itself as a functioning center of authority after prolonged executive paralysis. This transition unfolded in a moment of political fluidity shaped by two facts: the severe debilitation of Hezbollah following the 2023-2024 war with Israel, and the general consensus that Lebanon must end its endemic patronage, corruption, and institutional dysfunction. The extensive damage and disruption caused by Israel’s military campaign has turned reconstruction into the defining test of whether the state can restore national trust by reasserting its authority and delivering recovery.
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Sports
PSV Lament Unnecessary Defeat in Champions League Clash at Juventus
PSV Eindhoven felt they should have taken more from Tuesday's Champions League away clash against Juventus where they conceded a late goal to go down 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff tie on Tuesday.
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Man City's 115 Charges Outcome 'in a Month' - Guardiola
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says the club expects to learn the outcome of the hearing into its 115 charges of alleged Premier League financial rule breaches "in one month".
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Monday 23 February 2026 11:15:55
Al Habtoor Appoints Law Firm to Begin Arbitration Against Lebanon in the US
Dubai-based Al Habtoor Group has appointed a law firm as it prepares to begin arbitration proceedings against Lebanon in the US.
The company has entered the "final stages of preparation" to start proceedings in Washington in accordance with the dispute resolution mechanisms provided under the UAE-Lebanon bilateral investment treaty, Al Habtoor Group said in a statement on X on Monday.
"This follows the expiry of the six-months treaty-mandated cooling-off period and the absence of any meaningful corrective action, settlement proposal, or institutional engagement capable of addressing the severe breaches and damages previously notified to the Lebanese authorities," the company added.
The Dubai-headquartered conglomerate, which made investments across hospitality, retail, leisure, real estate and banking-related activities in Lebanon, said last month that it had suffered losses exceeding $1.7 billion in the country.
It also said it was ceasing all operations in Lebanon and would terminate its employees in the country after announcing plans to take legal action.
All of the Al Habtoor Group’s investments in Lebanon were "made in good faith, in reliance on Lebanese law and binding international obligations", it said on Monday.
The company was forced to resort to legal measures due to "continued inaction, institutional paralysis, and the absence of remedial measures", it added.
"Al Habtoor Group remains open to any serious and structured settlement initiative that fully restores its rights and compensates the damages incurred."
Lebanon has been mired in an economic crisis since 2019, which got exacerbated by the recent war between Hezbollah and Israel. The World Bank estimates reconstruction and recovery efforts will cost $11 billion.
The Lebanese government has been taking measures to change the situation. It recently submitted a draft budget and a package of financial reform laws to parliament, including measures aimed at restoring confidence in the banking system and rebuilding public institutions.
Al Habtoor Group has appointed law firm White & Case to handle the case.
