BEIRUT. Lebanon – A report by Moody’s Investors Service that downgraded the country’s long-term investment ratings reflects the urgent need for quickly forming a new government, implementing reforms and reducing budget deficit, Lebanon’s finance minister and experts said Tuesday. The statement by Ali Hassan Khalil, in which he assured that Lebanon’s financial and monetary conditions are […]
Israel strikes in Syria in more open assault on Iran
srael struck in Syria early on Monday, the latest salvo in its increasingly open assault on Iran’s presence there, shaking the night sky over Damascus with an hour of loud explosions in a second consecutive night of military action. Damascus did not say what damage or casualties resulted from the strikes. The Syrian Observatory for […]
Beirut summit: Arab leaders agree 29-item economic agenda
Arab leaders have agreed a 29-item economic agenda in addition to encouraging the safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland at the conclusion of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit. The 20 countries taking part in the summit issued a joint statement called the Beirut Declaration on Sunday, calling for the establishment of an Arab free trade […]
Deadly explosion rocks Syrian capital Damascus
An explosion rocked the southern edge of Syria’s capital Damascus on Sunday morning, Syrian state media has reported. The head of the city’s civil defence, Asef Hababe, told Reuters the blast came from military technicians detonating a bomb. State TV had said earlier that initial reports pointed to a terrorist attack, and that a number […]
Lebanon urges Arab League to readmit Syria ahead of regional summit
Lebanon’s acting foreign minister called for the Arab League to readmit Syria ahead of a regional economic summit to be held in Beirut on Sunday, more than seven years after it suspended Damascus’ membership. The Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, or AESD, is being held in Lebanon for the first time amid sharp divisions […]
Qatar ruler will attend Beirut’s Arab economic summit but Lebanon Speaker will boycott it
Qatar’s emir will visit Beirut on Sunday for an Arab economic summit which has been marred by regional rifts and internal Lebanese disputes even before it began. Lebanese President Michel Aoun’s office said on Saturday Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had informed it he would come to lead the Qatari delegation. Rifts among Arab […]
In Lebanon, U.S. State Department official calls Hezbollah ‘unacceptable’
The U.S. State Department criticized Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group on Monday for digging tunnels into Israel and stockpiling rockets, as Washington steps up efforts to isolate Tehran. In recent weeks, Israeli forces uncovered tunnels they said were dug by Hezbollah, and Lebanon complained about Israel’s construction of a barrier along disputed parts of the border. […]
Trump denies ever working for Russia against UDS interests
President Donald Trump on Monday denied he ever worked for Russia against U.S. interests, addressing an extraordinary question that has haunted his presidency and shows no sign of going away. Speaking from the South Lawn, Trump issued a flat denial: “I never worked for Russia.” He blasted former FBI and Justice Department officials and repeated […]
Beirut: Arab Economic summit highlights divisions, turmoil in Lebanon
By ZEINA KARAM and BASSEM MROUE Associated Press An Arab economic development summit that Lebanon is hosting this weekend has been marred by controversy days before delegates arrive. Should regional outcast Syria be invited, as demanded by Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah militant group, an ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad? Should Libya get a seat at […]
Israeli PM Netanyahu warns Iran to leave Syria ‘as quickly as possible’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would “advise” the Iranians to leave Syria “as quickly as possible” after an Iranian minister claimed Tehran only has anti-terrorms “advisors” in the Syria”I heard the statement made by Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman that they have no military presence in Syria, only advisors,” Netanyahu said as he […]