The Latest Breaking News from Beirut

Lebanon judge at the centre of Beirut blast inquiry showdown

Judge Tarek Bitar has faced intense opposition from Lebanon’s establishment since resuming the investigation on Monday.

Al Jazeera · Jan 26, 2023

US, UN Reroute $72M to Support Lebanon's Security Personnel

The US Embassy in Beirut, in a joint program with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), announced Wednesday the rollout of a program providing $72 million in temporary financial support for Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Internal Security Forces (ISF) personnel. The “LAF-ISF Livelihood Support Program” was announced at a…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 26, 2023

Wikipedia Middle East editors ban shows risks for creators

BEIRUT: Rights groups have accused the Saudi Arabian government of "infiltrating" and seeking to control Wikipedia, after the Wikimedia Foundation banned 16 users for engaging in "conflict of interest editing" in the Middle East and North Africa.

Bangkok Post · Jan 26, 2023

Lebanon’s top prosecutor charges Beirut blast Judge Tarek Bitar

The prosecutor also ordered the release of all suspects detained in connection with the deadly 2020 Beirut blast.

Al Jazeera · Jan 25, 2023

Beirut port blast justice postponed as renewed probe is rejected

Lebanon's top public prosecutor on Wednesday charged the judge investigating the Beirut port blast and ordered the release of those detained in connection with the explosion, derailing an attempt to resume the probe into the devastating event.

Reuters · Jan 25, 2023

Former Lebanese customs director detained over Beirut blast released, family says

Former Lebanese customs chief Badri Daher, detained over the August 2020 Beirut port blast, has been released, his sister told Reuters.

Reuters · Jan 25, 2023

Prosecutor orders release of Beirut port blast detainees

A lawyer for two detainees and judicial officials say Lebanon’s top prosecutor has ordered all suspects detained in the deadly 2020 Beirut port blast released

The Independent UK · Jan 25, 2023

Lebanon's top public prosecutor says he has summoned Beirut blast judge

Lebanon's top public prosecutor Ghassan Oweidat told Reuters that he had summoned the judge investigating the Beirut port blast, after rejecting the judge's surprise resumption of the probe into the explosion.

Reuters · Jan 25, 2023

Lebanese Protest Record-Low Value of Local Currency

Protesters burned tires and held up handfuls of local currency bills on Wednesday at the entrance of the Lebanese Central Bank in Beirut, furious over the spiraling devaluation of the lira. Lebanon's economic meltdown, which began in 2019, has cost the lira around 97% of its value. The decline has…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 25, 2023

Lebanese protest record-low value of local currency

Protesters burned tyres and held up handfuls of local currency bills on Wednesday at the entrance of the Lebanese central bank in Beirut, furious over the spiralling devaluation of the lira.

Reuters · Jan 25, 2023