Patriarch confers with Papal Ambassador over ecclesiastical matters
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L'Orient-Le Jour
9 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Rai meets with new Iraqi ambassador
Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai met on Thursday in Diman with the new Iraqi ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Rida Husseini, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA). In a statement, the diplomat emphasized "the depth of the historical relations between the two countries," stating that he maintained "an equal distance from all Lebanese parties." He also expressed "Iraq's ongoing willingness to support Lebanon, particularly on the economic front." Rai wished the diplomat success in his new post and hoped for "the strengthening of fraternal ties between the Lebanese and Iraqi peoples." Beirut and Baghdad cooperate on several levels, particularly in the energy sector, through a barter agreement with deferred payment put in place during the early years of the economic crisis that erupted in Lebanon in 2019. As part of this arrangement, Électricité du Liban (EDL) obtains Iraqi fuel supplies. During the war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2023/2024, many Lebanese living in areas most exposed to Israeli bombardment sought refuge in Iraq.
L'Orient-Le Jour
23-07-2025
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Barrack from Bkirki: The government must make clear on arms monopoly
BEIRUT — Tom Barrack, the U.S. envoy to Lebanon and Syria, called Wednesday for a national dialogue in Lebanon to address the "complex issue" of the state's monopoly on arms. Speaking from Bkirki during his second visit to Lebanon in a month, Barrack stressed the urgency of reaching a consensus. "It's time to come together around a complex question. I came to offer advice. We have been working on this issue for four weeks. It is a complex process, and I understand the difficulties. President Trump wants Lebanon to succeed," Barrack said after meeting Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai. Barrack described the United States as an "honest broker" aiming to resolve disputes and said talks would continue with parties "still absent from the negotiating table." He promised to return to Lebanon to push the dialogue forward. He also praised the efforts of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. "The process is underway, but it is up to the government to decide on its priorities. A clear decision must be made and the law on the arms monopoly must be enforced to limit the possession of weapons and put an end to aggression," Barrack said. Advocating for "patience, to allow the dialogue to move forward without losses," he added: "Stability is important; without it, no one will come to help you." 'No new war' A day earlier, in an interview with Lebanese broadcaster al-Jadeed, Barrack sought to ease fears of another major military confrontation with Israel, despite a recent escalation in Israeli strikes and cross-border infiltrations in southern Lebanon. When asked by journalist Georges Salibi whether a new Israeli war could erupt if Hezbollah refuses to disarm, the U.S. envoy said the Lebanese "will certainly not face another Israeli war." He stressed that "no one wants war," adding that Israel also has no desire for further conflict. Barrack clarified that he does not engage directly with Hezbollah. "I address only the government and the three official presidents," he said, emphasizing that U.S.-led dialogue is limited to Lebanon's state institutions. Berri 'optimistic' After meeting Barrack on Tuesday, Parliament Speaker Berri told al-Modon newspaper he was "optimistic" about developments. "My optimism is due to his optimism. The meeting was excellent," he said, adding that the positive atmosphere helped ease the climate of fear that had prevailed in recent days. Berri declined to elaborate on the reasons for his optimism but dismissed reports of any "new agreement" with the U.S. envoy. Instead, he said there was an existing agreement between the two sides that they would "strive to implement," which he said would help end Israeli attacks. The debate over Hezbollah's disarmament has further polarized Lebanon's political scene as international pressure mounts on the issue following the Nov. 27, 2024, cease-fire that ended last fall's devastating war between Hezbollah and Israel. On Friday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem reiterated the group would "not give up its strength" and was "ready to confront" Israel. Hezbollah has maintained that any dialogue on its weapons depends on an end to daily Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from five positions they still hold. Since the cease-fire, Israeli strikes and shootings have killed more than 270 people in Lebanon, mostly in the south and the Bekaa Valley.
Nahar Net
23-07-2025
- Nahar Net
Barrack meets Rahi, says everybody doing their best
by Naharnet Newsdesk 23 July 2025, 12:15 U.S. envoy Tom Barrack met Thursday with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, after he met on Tuesday and Monday with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Speaker Nabih Berri and a host of political, religious and financial figures. Barrack said in a statement from Bkerki that the situation in Lebanon is complicated but assured that "everyone is doing their best". He said that Speaker Berri is doing what he can despite the complexity of the situation. Berri for his part said his meeting with Barrack was "excellent" and that he is optimistic because he felt Barrack was. "This positive atmosphere helped relieve the fear that had prevailed over the past two days," Berri told al-Modon newspaper in remarks published Wednesday. Berri said there is no new agreement. "There is an existing (ceasefire) agreement that we are trying to implement to stop the (Israeli) aggression." Barrack's visit to Lebanon comes amid ongoing domestic and international pressure for Hezbollah to give up its remaining arsenal after a bruising war with Israel that ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement in November.
