Source: L'Orient Today
Security & Justice
State Action Signals Change in Tackling Longstanding Illegal Land Grabs in Jbeil District
For years, the serene villages of Jbeil's highlands have been far from peaceful. Ghabat, a Maronite village nestled between the predominantly Shiite towns of Afqa and Lassa, has become a focal point of growing tensions due to territorial disputes.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Mawlawi Ensures Strict Monitoring for Wanted Syrian Regime Figures at Beirut Airport
Caretaker Minister of Interior, Bassam Mawlawi, conducted an inspection tour of Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut to review the security arrangements and measures implemented by the Airport Security Apparatus ahead of the holiday season.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Opinion
Lebanon After the Assads
The United States has important equities in Lebanon, including a desire for a generally friendly government’s economic and political stability; security cooperation; long-standing relations with the large Christian community in Lebanon and Lebanese diaspora in the United States; and ultimately peace between Israel and Lebanon within a broader regional settlement. Achieving these objectives will require navigating a tumultuous period in the country’s history following a war between Hezbollah and Israel that has devastated a large part of the country, exacerbating Lebanon’s already challenging economic conditions. But perhaps the most important dynamic will be how a likely Sunni-dominated state of uncertain composition in Syria will differ in its intentions toward Lebanon from the previous Alawite-led minoritarian Assad regime.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Europe’s Syrian Dilemma
The news of the sudden and unexpected demise of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has met a mixed response in Europe. The jubilation that a murderous dictator and close ally of Russia and Iran has fallen is not just good for the Syrian people but serves as a morale booster for Eastern Europeans wondering whether Russia can be defeated
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Unveils New Private Jet Worth $73 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the richest global athletes, has unveiled his upgraded private jet reportedly worth $73 million. With its top-notch design, exceptional speed and range of 7500 nautical miles, the Gulfstream G650 is among the fastest jets in the world.
Monday, December 16, 2024
Guardiola Accepts Man City May Need to Sign More Players to Cope with Schedule
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes he will need a bigger squad to handle soccer’s ever-expanding fixture schedule.
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Tuesday 26 April 2022 17:18:34
Military Court Will Investigate the Sinking of a Migrant Boat Off Tripoli on Saturday Night
Following a cabinet session on Tuesday, Information Minister Ziad Makary said that the Military Court will investigate the sinking of a boat carrying more than 60 people attempting to illegally leave Lebanon on Saturday night. Makary added that the army chief has put himself under investigation in relation to the incident, which has left at least six people dead and more than 30 missing.
Here’s what we know:
• “The army is assigned to conduct a transparent investigation into the boat accident, under the supervision of the specialized judiciary,” Makary said.
• Cabinet convened in an extraordinary session this morning at the Presidential Palace in Baabda to discuss the sinking of the vessel. In addition, the government ministers discussed the security situation across Lebanon.
• Army chief Joseph Aoun and the army’s director of intelligence Brig. Gen. Tony Kahwaji, as well as its navy commander Col. Haitham Dnaoui, were summoned to the cabinet session to report on the preliminary investigation into the shipwreck, the NNA reported.
• Makary added that a ministerial committee will be assigned to prepare a draft law aimed at establishing a council for the development of the north.
• At least six people died in the shipwreck on Saturday, while more than 30 of those who were aboard the boat remain missing. A search for the remaining passengers continues by land, air and sea. On Tuesday, Tripoli port manager Ahmad Temer said that “Greek frigates participated today in the search process from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m.”
• On Sunday, the army said the vessel sank after leaving Qalamoun due to “high waves and the overload of the boat.” A survivor disputed this claim, saying that the boat sank after being chased by the army. “The patrol boat hit our boat twice,” he told AFP at the Port of Tripoli, before families of survivors asked him to be quiet.
• Responding to allegations against the army Mikati said during the cabinet session that he refuses “to throw accusations randomly, and we will follow up on the issue of the sinking boat in accordance with the judicial and security principles.”