The Latest Breaking News from Beirut

Court Charges Geagea over Beirut Violence

A military court has charged Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea over deadly clashes in Beirut last October, a judicial source said on Thursday, a move that could stoke political tension two months before an election. An LF official in said the charge against him was political, and the investigation into…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 24, 2022

Iran: Nuclear Deal Can be Reached if US is Pragmatic

The revival of a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers can happen in the short term if the United States shows pragmatism in Vienna negotiations, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Thursday. "If the United States is pragmatic, a nuclear deal can be reached in the short…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 24, 2022

Iran's foreign minister says nuclear deal can be reached if U.S. is pragmatic

The revival of a 2015 nuclear deal can happen in the short term if the United States shows pragmatism in Vienna negotiations, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Thursday during a press conference in Beirut.

Reuters · Mar 24, 2022

Mikati Hopes for Breakthrough in Efforts Aimed at Mending Lebanese-Gulf Ties

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is hoping that a breakthrough can be reached in efforts aimed at mending relations between Beirut and Gulf countries. He held telephone talks with Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al Sabah.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 21, 2022

Ali Cherri: If you prick us, do we not bleed? at the National Gallery review - vandalism made good

The Beirut-born artist has explored the histories of vandalised art and in doing so reveals them afresh

Evening Standard · Mar 17, 2022

Lebanon's Siniora Will Be 'Fully Invested' in Elections, Not as Candidate

Lebanese former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said he would abstain from running for the upcoming parliamentary elections, but called on citizens to massively vote in the polls. Speaking during a press conference in Beirut on Tuesday, Siniora said: “Amid this crushing crisis, which is considered the most dangerous in the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 16, 2022

Lebanon Judge Freezes Assets of Five Banks and Members of Their Boards

A Lebanese judge froze the assets of five top banks and members of their boards while she investigates transactions they undertook with the country's central bank, a judicial document showed on Monday. The asset freeze against Bank of Beirut, Bank Audi, SGBL, Blom Bank and Bankmed applies to properties, vehicles…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 14, 2022

Lebanese Youths Abandon Education as Crisis Bites

Before Lebanon's devastating financial crisis struck, Faraj Faraj thought university could set him on a path out of a cramped family home in a poor area of Beirut and towards financial independence. Instead, like increasing numbers of Lebanon's young people, soaring costs forced the 19-year-old to drop out of studying…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 13, 2022

Lebanese youths abandon education as crisis bites

Before Lebanon's devastating financial crisis struck, Faraj Faraj thought university could set him on a path out of a cramped family home in a poor area of Beirut and towards financial independence.

Reuters · Mar 13, 2022

Lebanese Judge Bans Five Bank Board Chiefs from Travel

A Lebanese prosecutor on Thursday issued travel bans against the heads of the boards of five Lebanese banks, the prosecutor told Reuters. Ghada Aoun issued the bans against Salim Sfeir of Bank of Beirut, Samir Hanna of Bank Audi, Antoun Sehnaoui of SGBL, Saad Azhari of Blom Bank, and Raya…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 10, 2022