Source: Asharq Al-Awsat
Security & Justice
Israeli Army Maintains Fortified Positions in South Lebanon Despite Truce
The Israeli army continues to maintain five fortified positions in south Lebanon one year after a ceasefire with Hezbollah, according to satellite images analysed by AFP. The November 27, 2024 truce required Israel to fully withdraw troops from Lebanon within 60 days and Hezbollah to pull forces north of the Litani River.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Audit Bureau Orders Former Ministers to Repay Millions to Public Treasury
Lebanon’s Audit Bureau on Tuesday issued a judicial decision holding several former ministers accountable for financial irregularities related to the leasing and management of the Qassabian building, a government-owned property in Beirut. The decision, communicated to the Secretariat General of Parliament, names former ministers Nicolas Sehnaoui, Boutros Harb, Jamal Jarrah, Mohammad Shukeir, Talal Hawat, and Johnny Qorm.
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Opinion
Can Lebanon Disarm Hezbollah Without First Rebuilding the State?
Since August, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have been under instructions from their government to present—by year’s end—a plan to bring all weapons in the country under state control. The directive is mainly targeted at Hezbollah, the Shia-led militia that had in recent years grown more powerful than the national army. Yet for decades, Lebanon’s myriad sectarian groups have flaunted state sovereignty by operating militias of their own. As such, the government’s latest move, which was taken under the auspices of the United States, exposes the yawning gap between ambition and capacity. After it was announced, four Shiite ministers walked out of the cabinet session and Hezbollah denounced the measure as a “grave sin.” Not surprisingly, the roadmap that was submitted in early September lacked any credible timeline or enforcement mechanism.
Friday, November 21, 2025
External Powers Need to Do More to Insulate Lebanon from Regional Tensions
After Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara’s successful recent visit to Washington, many Lebanese wondered what it meant for their country. They may have recalled what the US envoy Tom Barrack said last July, speaking of the Lebanese: “I honestly think that they are going to say ‘the world will pass us by’. Why? You have Israel on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn’t move, it’s going to be Bilad Al Sham again.”
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
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
Tuesday 17 December 2024 15:22:25
UN Refugee Agency Expects 1 Million Syrians to Return
A UN refugee agency official said on Tuesday that some 1 million Syrian refugees are expected to return to the country in the first six months of 2025, asking countries to refrain from forced returns.
"Now we have forecasted that we hope to see somewhere in the order of 1 million Syrians returning between January and June next year so we shared this plan with donors, asking for their support," said Rema Jamous Imseis, UNHCR Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
She said that thousands of people had fled Syria this month as opposition fighters seized power from President Bashar al-Assad, while thousands had also returned to the country mostly from Türkiye, Lebanon and Jordan.
