The Latest Breaking News from Beirut

Fairuz’s Childhood Home Survived Wars, Threatened by Neglect

The Lebanese culture ministry launched an initiative in May last year to turn the ancient Beirut house, where Fairuz lived during her childhood, into a museum. However, neglect is still obvious in the house’s walls and features, according to the Arab News Agency (ANA). The legendary singer lived her childhood…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 22, 2023

Lebanon to Construct New Terminal at Beirut Airport

Lebanon will construct a $122 million terminal at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport to be operated by a leading Irish airport company when it's completed in four years, officials said Monday. Lebanon’s only international airport had a major facelift after the country’s 1975-90 civil war and has been working at…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 20, 2023

Lebanon to construct new terminal at Beirut airport

Lebanon will construct a $122 million terminal at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport to be operated by a leading Irish airport company when it’s completed in four years,

The Independent UK · Mar 20, 2023

Lebanon’s Empty Schools Bode Long-term Damage From Crisis

On a recent school day, the Rene Mouawad High School in Beirut was empty, its classrooms dark, just like all of Lebanon’s public schools have been for most of the past three months. Its striking teachers were protesting in front of the Education Ministry, not far away. About a hundred…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 16, 2023

Analysis: Renewed Saudi-Iranian ties, brokered by China, force new calculations in Mideast

BEIRUT — The surprise announcement of a resumption of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, thanks to a deal brokered by Beijing, underscores regional governments’ interest in a de-escalation of tensions — and China’s willingness to wield its economic clout to achieve it.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 15, 2023

Lebanon's Central Bank chief again charged with corruption

Officials say Lebanon's Central Bank chief has again been charged with corruption, this time after he failed to show up for questioning before a European legal team visiting Beirut in a money-laundering probe linked to the governor

The Independent UK · Mar 15, 2023

Aboul Gheit from Beirut: Arab League Summit Will Be Held in May

The next Arab League summit will be held in Saudi Arabia in May, announced Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit from Beirut on Tuesday. He said the summit is likely to focus on economic issues and how to help the neediest Arab regions. Aboul Gheit met with caretaker Prime Minister…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 15, 2023

When two worlds collide

In 1978, Lebanese band Ferkat Al Ard released their debut album Oghneya in Beirut. It was a groundbreaking release that brought together Lebanese folk music, Arabic strings, Brazilian bossanova and jazz (mainly fusion) into a gloriously lush sound that requires the listener to reconsider Lebanese music. Brazil in Beirut? How…

Bangkok Post · Mar 13, 2023

Lee Erwin caught in ugly scenes during Beirut title decider as his late winner sparks pitch invasion

The former Motherwell and Kilmarnock star scored late in the game but the game had to be abandoned.

Daily Record · Mar 13, 2023

Sarah Copland: the Australian mother’s ‘relentless’ fight for justice after her son’s death in the Beirut port explosion

Campaigners say it’s taken years of ‘persistent and relentless lobbying’ to secure call from UN for credible investigation

The Guardian - AU · Mar 11, 2023