Source: The Daily Star
Security & Justice
Panic Grips Lebanon Amid Evacuation Call Hoax: Who’s Behind the Fear Campaign?
Lebanon witnessed a wave of panic on Friday as residents across various regions received alarming phone calls from foreign numbers warning of imminent Israeli strikes and urging them to evacuate their homes. These warnings, which extended even to areas far from conflict zones, have raised questions about the credibility of the messages and concerns over potential Israeli access to Lebanon's telecommunications infrastructure.
Sunday, November 24, 2024
With Destruction at Lebanon Border, Israel Could Seek Buffer Zone
Israel appears to be trying to create a buffer zone in south Lebanon to remove the threat from Hezbollah but its effectiveness in preventing cross-border attacks remains to be seen, observers say.
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Opinion
Power Vacuum Enables Speaker Berri’s Unchecked Negotiation Role
Ceasefire negotiations between Hezbollah and Israel, spearheaded by Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, have ignited a storm of controversy among political circles, with critics accusing Berri of overstepping constitutional bounds.
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Lebanon's Economy—Not Battlefield—May Have the Final Word
Time and again during this most recent war in Lebanon, we hear the phrase, “The battlefield has the final word”. It has become the sole and wholly unsatisfactory refrain of Hezbollah and the so-called 'Axis of Resistance'.
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Sports
Israel Face France in Paris Football Match Under Tight Security
Israel face France in a Nations League football match in Paris on Thursday surrounded by a huge security operation to prevent a repetition of the attacks on Israeli fans in Amsterdam last week.
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Alcaraz Beats Rublev to Open ATP Finals Account
Carlos Alcaraz opened his account at the ATP Finals on Wednesday with an entertaining 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) win over Andrey Rublev which boosted his hopes of reaching the semifinals.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Monday 26 July 2021 17:05:15
Mikati Wins Parliamentary Majority for Designation as New PM
Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati won a parliamentary majority for his designation as Lebanon's new prime minister Monday during President Michel Aoun's binding consultations with MPs.
Seventy-two lawmakers from the 118-member parliament consulted by the president nominated the billionaire businessman to try a form a Cabinet that would enact reforms and supervise next year's general elections. Fourty-two MPs did not name anyone, three did not attend the consultations and one lawmaker nominated Nawaf Salam.
Aoun is expected to issue shortly a decree appointing Mikati as prime minister-designate.
Aoun started the one-day consultations at Baabda Palace with a meeting with Mikati. He then met other former PMs before began various parliamentary blocs and independent MPs to hear from them their nominations.
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who less than two weeks ago stepped down as PM-designate, and his Future bloc nominated Mikati, as did rival Hezbollah's bloc.
Hariri told reporters after meeting Aoun that he hoped Mikati would be chosen and succeed in forming a Cabinet.
"The country has a chance today," he said.
"Today, with signs that hint at the possibility of forming a government ... that's why we named Mikati, to give an extra boost to facilitate forming a government," Mohammad Raad, the leader of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc told reporters.
Once consultations are completed Monday afternoon, Aoun will appoint the candidate who receives most nominations.
Hariri and other ex-premiers Sunday voiced support for Mikati, in a move that secured sufficient parliamentary majority for the Tripoli MP’s premiership bid, despite opposition from the country’s two main Christian parties: The Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces.
Under the Constitution, Aoun is required to designate a candidate for prime minister with the most support from parliamentary blocs.
Lebanon has been left without a functioning government since caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab submitted his Cabinet’s resignation on Aug. 10 in the aftermath of last year’s massive explosion that pulverized Beirut Port, killed 210 people, wounded thousands and damaged entire neighborhoods in the capital.
