The Latest Breaking News from Beirut

Saudi Ambassador: We Wish Lebanon Well

On his first diplomatic activity following his return to Beirut, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari met on Monday with Lebanese religious leaders.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 12, 2022

Lebanon PM Mikati to visit Saudi Arabia during holy month of Ramadan -Al-Jadeed TV

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Monday he will visit Saudi Arabia during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Al-Jadeed TV reported, in a sign of improving ties with the kingdom following the return of the its ambassador to Beirut after he was withdrawn during a diplomatic rift.

Reuters · Apr 11, 2022

Rai Welcomes Return of Arab Ambassadors, Calls for Voting in Favor of ‘Lebanon’s Identity’

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai welcomed the return of the ambassadors of Gulf States to Beirut, saying the move “makes Lebanon feel that it is an active member of the Arab League.” Rai pointed to three "positive" signs that emerged in Lebanon over the past week, noting the announcement of Pope…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 11, 2022

Lebanon may not enact IMF reforms before election, lawmakers say

Lebanon won't be able to deliver many if any reforms sought by the IMF as conditions for a funding deal before an election in May, two lawmakers said, meaning months could go by without action as that vote may well be followed by political limbo.

Reuters · Apr 8, 2022

200 European Observers For ‘Transparent’ Monitoring of Lebanon’s Elections

Around 200 observers from the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) will be deployed in Beirut and all regions to monitor the upcoming parliamentary elections on May 15, EU EOM Chief Observer, Gyorgy Holvenyi announced on Thursday after a meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at the Presidential Palace.…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 8, 2022

Lebanon: Salameh Hopes IMF Conditions Are Met to Secure Program

Lebanese central bank governor Riad Salameh said on Friday he hoped prior conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a staff-level agreement with Lebanon would be met in order to secure IMF board approval of a program. The IMF said on Thursday it had reached a draft funding…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 8, 2022

Yemen Returns Envoy to Lebanon

Yemen's foreign ministry announced on Thursday the return of its envoy to Lebanon. "The move is in response to Beirut's pledge to halt activities and practices offensive to Arab countries," the Yemeni ministry said in a statement carried by the country's state news agency. The statement came after Saudi Arabia…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 8, 2022

Kuwaiti ambassador to return to Beirut before end of the week - Lebanese prime minister statement

The Lebanese prime minister's office said on Thursday in a statement that Kuwait informed the PM that its ambassador to Beirut will return to Lebanon before end of the week, in a sign of easing tensions following a rift that saw Gulf states withdraw their envoys last year.

Reuters · Apr 7, 2022

Lebanon reaches agreement with IMF on economic reforms

Agreement could potentially unlock access to IMF funds if Lebanese authorities implement a series of reforms.

Al Jazeera · Apr 7, 2022

Saudi foreign ministry announces return of Saudi ambassador to Lebanon -state news agency

Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Beirut has returned to Lebanon, the foreign ministry said on Thursday, in a sign of easing tensions following a rift that saw the kingdom and other Gulf states withdraw their envoys last year.

Reuters · Apr 7, 2022