Latest news with #CamilleChamoun
Memri
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Lebanese MP Camille Chamoun: I Want Peace with Everybody - War Is Futile, Israel Will Not Be Annihilated; Hizbullah's Weapons Threaten Both Lebanese and Israelis Alike; I'm Not Sad Nasrallah Is Dead,
Lebanese MP Camille Chamoun said on Spot Shot on YouTube on May 16, 2025, that as long as Hizbullah maintains its weapons, Israel considers itself under threat and the war continues. 'We Lebanese feel threatened by Hizbullah's weapons, so what do you expect from the Jews?' he said. Chamoun said that Christians in Lebanon carry weapons because they have been threatened and persecuted ever since Jesus Christ visited this holy land. He said that Lebanese Christians are used to bearing arms and defending themselves, and that otherwise they would have been annihilated like the Christians of Iraq and the majority of Christians in Syria. In response to a question about whether he wants peace with Israel, Chamoun replied: 'I want peace with everybody. I want to put an end to war.' He explained that since the age of 18, all he has known in Lebanon is war — wars he described as 'futile' and leading nowhere. He dismissed talk of removing or annihilating Israel as nothing more than empty slogans. On the assassination of Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Chamoun said he felt no sadness, describing Nasrallah as 'more Iranian than Lebanese.'
Arab News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Sports City Stadium in Lebanon springs back to life after years of disuse
BEIRUT: Lebanon's Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium sprang back to life on Friday after five years of disuse, as it hosted a Beirut derby match between Lebanese Premier League football teams Nejmeh and Al-Ansar. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Several leading political figures and other officials were among the crowd watching the game, which took place under the patronage of President Joseph Aoun and ended in a 1-1 draw. One of them was Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who gave the signal to kick off the match at 4.45 p.m. local time. Others included Nora Bayrakdarian, minister of youth and sports; MP Wadah Al-Sadek; MP Nabil Badr, who is is also the president of Al-Ansar; and Hachem Haidar, president of the Lebanese Football Association. Their presence was seen as a clear indication of the new government's commitment to engagement with and support for sports. Bayrakdarian said of the renovated stadium, which was severely damaged in the 2020 Beirut Port explosion: 'This is a unifying national symbol that has hosted international and national matches, uniting the Lebanese under one banner, far removed from divisions.' The repair and reopening of the multiuse venue sends a 'message to athletes that your dreams are safe, and to young people that you are a priority,' she added. Ibrahim Zaazaa, a former Nejmeh player and coach, told Arab News: 'This is an unprecedented achievement for Lebanese football. I hope such initiatives are applied across all other stadiums. It's a great step for sports in general and football in particular.' He thanked sporting and administrative authorities for their hard work to renovate and reopen the stadium at a time 'when Lebanese football needs a distinguished renaissance to restore its glitziness and reputation,' in particular 'through the most prominent competitors in the history of Lebanese football, Nejmeh and Al-Ansar.' Abdel Fattah Chehab, a former player for Al-Ansar and the Lebanese national team, said the reopening of the stadium was a 'step forward after years of abandonment.' He called for similar projects to renovate and refurbish all stadiums in the country added: 'I am 100 percent sure that such initiatives are important to develop the standard of Lebanese footballers. 'The fact that the two powerhouses (with the biggest fan bases) are the ones playing such an important game in this giant sporting complex following the major overhaul … will benefit football and footballers.' Toufic Al-Turk, a fan of Nejmeh, said: 'It is a great moment to see Beirut's Sports City Stadium reopen and host the special derby between Nejmeh and Al-Ansar. This brings new energy to Lebanese football and gives a strong push to the whole sporting scene in Lebanon.' Thousands of supporters of both clubs attended the match. Political chants could be heard coming from a small section of the fans. In a message posted on social media platform X after the game, Prime Minister Salam said: 'It was with great pleasure that I participated in bringing life back to Camille Chamoun Sports City, where sporting activities once again embody the spirit of unity and brotherhood among all. 'Sports are not just competition; they are a bridge that unites people of all affiliations, removing barriers and strengthening bonds of love and peace.' Sports City Stadium, which has a capacity of 49,500 and is mostly used for football matches, was built in 1957 but completely destroyed during the 1982 invasion by Israel. Former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri initiated a project to rebuild it in preparation to host the 2000 AFC Asian Cup. The rebuilt venue also hosted the 1997 Pan Arab Games, the 1999 Arab Athletics Championship and, in April 2017, a Barcelona Legends vs. Real Madrid Legends football match. On Feb. 23 this year it was used for the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Memri
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Lebanese MP Camille Chamoun: Israel's Continued Presence in Lebanon Is Justified Until Hizbullah Surrenders Its Weapons; Hizbullah Should Finance the Reconstruction on Their Own – They Caused the Dest
Lebanese MP Camille Chamoun explained in a February 20, 2025 appearance on Spot Shot on YouTube that Israeli presence in five strategic spots in Lebanon is justified as long as Hizbullah has not surrendered its weapons to the Lebanese government. He emphasized that it was not Israel that started the war, but Hizbullah, which has forced itself on Lebanon. Chamoun emphasized that Hizbullah must pay for the reconstruction of Lebanon, because they had caused the destruction. He added that Christians would rather keep their money in order to spend it on building infrastructure and institutions.
