The headlines. The context. Every source in view.
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217 in English · 4 original-language storiesEl Shark: Rising Arab voter turnout in the Israeli elections and the surge in Haredi mobilization are opening a battle over the identity of the next government: Will the 1977 earthquake be repeated, or will the ballot boxes produce a new political crisis? The Israeli elections do not appear to be merely a routine vote to renew the Knesset, but a political test…
El Shark: The Egyptian decision to send forces to Saudi Arabia to help confront attacks by the Houthi “Ansar Allah” has faced a wave of questions, which has been reflected in the nature and breadth of discussions among members of parliament. The issue is not merely a response to the requirements of Arab solidarity or considerations of collective defense, but…
El Shark: Criticism is a legitimate right in a democratic society, provided it is based on facts and sound foundations. But responsible criticism differs from political one-upmanship; merely raising the bar of demands or holding others responsible for crises is not enough without offering realistic alternatives and workable solutions. One-upmanship begins when it becomes…
El Shark: President of the Association of Lebanese Businesspeople: When billions of dollars move in the shadows while depositors are denied their money, silence is no longer acceptable. Accusation alone is not enough, but ambiguity cannot be an answer either. The facts must be established, transactions traced, and the source of the funds verified,…
El Shark: Before the final results of the Knesset elections are announced, concern is mounting in Lebanon—not because one party is preferred over another, but to gauge the extent of the impact on Lebanon, from the south to the “framework agreement.” The state of bated breath and anticipation has returned because the Israeli side, led by Netanyahu, had linked the course of this agreement…
El Shark: In a region hanging by the threads of possible settlement and the risk of an explosion, the Israeli elections do not appear to be an internal event isolated from Lebanon, which is awaiting their repercussions amid fears that military action could be resorted to if the formation of the Israeli government is stalled, while internal debate over the issue…
El Shark: During the days of Iran’s Shah, Reza Pahlavi, Iran occupied the three Emirati islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa Island, and there was an intention to occupy Bahrain and annex it to Iran. When the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan came to power in 1966, he initially tried to mediate and sought help from the Americans, and despite everything…
El Shark: President Saad Hariri wrote on the “X” platform: “The nomination of the distinguished diplomat Lana Nusseibeh for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations is a source of pride for all Arabs, women and men. I hope that all of Lebanon, officially and unofficially, will support this nomination so that it becomes an achievement by God’s…
El Shark: Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi affirmed, while receiving the head of Army Intelligence in Mount Lebanon, Brigadier General Pierre Farah, that “the army is the dignity of the nation and that protecting the state and its legitimate institutions constitutes the fundamental guarantee of Lebanon’s unity and sovereignty,” praising the role of the military institution…
El Shark: The Parliamentary Administration and Justice Committee met under the chairmanship of MP Georges Adwan, with the committee’s rapporteur, MP Georges Attallah, and member MPs, Justice Minister Adel Nassar, and Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation Judge Ahmad Rami al-Hajj in attendance. Judge al-Hajj described the meeting as “fruitful and constructive,” affirming, “our commitment…
El Shark: Baabda Palace witnessed yesterday a series of parliamentary, economic and environmental meetings, during which President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun discussed general conditions, the latest developments and development affairs with his visitors. In this context, President Aoun received MP Sajih Atiyeh, who discussed with President Aoun the latest domestic and regional developments, in addition…
El Shark: As part of the working visit to Kuwait by Housing Bank Chairman and General Manager Antoine Habib, who is heading a delegation from the bank, Habib held a meeting today at the headquarters of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development in Kuwait with the fund’s management, during which…
El Shark: Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamni chaired a meeting with a delegation from the World Bank Group, including the group’s director in Lebanon, Enrique Blanco Armas, and a World Bank team, in the presence of Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr. Sateh Arnaout and Director General of Land and Maritime Transport Commodore Mazen…
El Shark: A delegation from the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lebanon ( CCI France Liban ), headed by the chamber’s president, Maxence Duault ( Maxince Duault ), visited the Port of Beirut, where it met with Chairman and Director General Marwan Al-Nafi, as part of the first edition of the chamber’s new initiative, “A New Perspective – Une…
El Shark: The subcommittee formed by the joint parliamentary committees and tasked with studying the draft law establishing the Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence met under the chairmanship of MP Tony Frangieh, in the presence of the Minister of the Displaced and Minister of State for Technology, Kamal Shehadeh. During the meeting, the draft law aimed at…
El Shark: Economy and Trade Minister Dr. Amer Al-Bassat held a meeting with private-sector representatives and the relevant administrations to discuss export challenges and practical solutions that would pave the way for Lebanese products, in preparation for his visit to Iraq on November 8 and 9, at the head of a delegation that includes representatives of…
El Shark: Finance Minister Yassine Jaber announced progress in work with the World Bank on preparing a plan to strengthen regional interconnection between Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and neighboring countries, revealing plans to hold a domestic conference in Lebanon next December, with the participation of the relevant ministries and the private sector, followed by a regional conference…
El Shark: Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam received MP Abdul Aziz al-Samad at the Government Palace, and discussed with him the development conditions and demands of the al-Danniyeh area. Salam also received a delegation from the Makassed Islamic Charitable Association headed by Diana Tabbara, and they discussed general conditions and matters concerning the association. He met…
El Shark: The Kuwaiti Embassy in Lebanon announced in a statement that Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raggi met with the ambassadors of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in Lebanon at a lunch hosted by Kuwaiti Ambassador Mohammed Sultan Al-Sharji, attended by the ambassadors responsible for the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants.…
El Shark: Interior and Municipalities Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar held a phone call with his Jordanian counterpart, Mazen Al-Faraya, offering condolences for the victims of the tragic terrorist attack that targeted St. George’s Church in the village of Hamoud in Karak Governorate, affirming “Lebanon’s solidarity with Jordan in this tragedy,” and praying for mercy for the victims and patience…
El Shark: Foreign Minister and Emigrants يوسف رجي received the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ representative in Lebanon, كارولينا ليندهولم بيلينغ. The meeting addressed the issue of displaced Syrians and ways for them to return to their country. Biring affirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability, and not…
El Shark: Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri received former minister and leader of the Lebanese Democratic Party Talal Arslan at the Second Presidency headquarters in Ain el-Tineh. They discussed developments in the situation in Lebanon and the region, political and field developments, and national affairs. After the meeting, Arslan said: “From…
El Shark: The Army Command’s Directorate of Guidance announced that the Army Engineering Regiment removed and disabled a 2000-pound aerial bomb from a depth of 11 meters in Burj Qalawiya – Bint…
El Shark: The commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, General Diadato Abniara, visited the Monastery of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Zawtar al-Gharbiya, where he was received by Father Omar al-Hashem, who is responsible for the monastery. General Abniara and Father al-Hashem toured the monastery, and he learned about the situation…
El Shark: An Israeli drone carried out an airstrike yesterday targeting the Jarmak area, within the Jezzine district in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army also carried out a demolition operation near the Khiam cemetery, accompanied by heavy machine-gun fire, while 4 artillery shells fired from army positions struck Wadi Shab’a…
El Shark: Under the patronage of Lebanon’s First Lady Naemat Aoun, who attended, the opening ceremony of the “SAB Chair in Beirut” was held in partnership with the French Embassy and at the invitation of Blue Shores International, on the Ain al-Mreisseh Corniche, in the presence of Tourism Minister Laura El Khazen Lahoud and Information Minister Dr. Paul Morcos, and MPs Najat Aoun…
El Shark: Lebanese Kataeb Party leader and MP Sami Gemayel said that “restoring the state’s sovereignty and full decision-making authority, and restricting weapons to its hands, constitute the essential gateway to building a stable state capable of protecting the Lebanese people and their future.” He stressed, in a speech during a Mass held by the party’s Kfour branch at the Church of St. George…
El Shark: Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt responded in a press interview to “what was attributed to the US State Department”: “I recall that before the signing of the tripartite framework with Israel, no one in Lebanon consulted me—not the Parliament nor the Cabinet. Therefore, I have the right to express…”
El Shark: Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal received MP Mohammad Suleiman in his office in Yarzeh. The general situation in the north was discussed, particularly in the Wadi Khaled area. MP Suleiman expressed his appreciation for the role of the military institution, stressing “the need to support the army and stand by…”
El Shark: The Druze community’s Sheikh al-Aql, Sheikh Dr. Sami Abu al-Muna, hoped that “everyone with us in Lebanon, in brotherly countries and around the world will realize that there is no hope for peace with intentions that run counter to peace, and no one is safe from Israeli arrogance and its expansionist ambitions unless the entire world joins forces to put an end…
El Shark: Neither the Palestinian leadership nor the factions showed interest in the Israeli parliamentary elections, amid doubts reinforced by statements from the contenders for the premiership about whether any notable change would occur regarding the Palestinian issue, after both contenders, Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot, showed their hardline stances on…
El Shark: Israel’s election on Tuesday recorded voter turnout at its highest level since 1973, in a development that could bring bad news for the current prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and complicate his chances of forming the next government, according to the Axios website. Turnout reached 56% six hours before the polls closed…
El Shark: Israeli opposition Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was preparing to challenge the results of the Knesset elections and claim that there had been attempts to rig them. Eisenkot said in a statement: “Netanyahu is in a state of panic and is laying the groundwork to challenge the results.” He added:…
El Shark: The Washington Post reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s support for him, could lose the Knesset election scheduled for October 27, but he could remain the leader of a divided Israel, as opinion polls point to an extremely close race between the coalition camps…
El Shark: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, expressed his appreciation for the continued support in the political, security and economic fields, and his satisfaction with the upward trend and continued growth in trade between Iran and Russia. He said that…
El Shark: Russian President Vladimir Putin said that “the role of gas as a foundation of global energy will be strengthened across various sectors,” calling for new ways to transport gas through cooperation among producer countries, while the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, affirmed that his country will continue contributing to strengthening global energy security.…
