Latest news with #MohammadRaad
L'Orient-Le Jour
5 days ago
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Hezbollah bloc criticizes BDL measures against al-Qard al-Hassan
In a statement following a broad meeting, Hezbollah's parliamentary group sharply criticized the measures taken Monday by Banque du Liban (BDL) against al-Qard al-Hassan, the financial institution linked to the party, calling them "a direct attack on the interests of Lebanese society, outside the constitutional and legal framework, and using the Central Bank as a tool to carry out foreign policies and orders contrary to the interests of Lebanese citizens." These "unjustified measures pose a serious danger to social stability, precisely when the country needs to avoid internal turbulence to preserve its resilience against external aggressions," said bloc leader Mohammad Raad, as cited in the statement. The bloc also asserted that "the al-Qard al-Hassan association is a non-profit charitable organization that serves Lebanese citizens without distinction and will fully pursue its humanitarian mission." In its principal circular No. 170 dated July 14, BDL has banned banks, financial institutions, brokerage firms, collective investment funds and any entity it regulates from dealing, directly or indirectly, with unlicensed companies. The decision primarily targets al-Qard al-Hassan, Bayt al-Mal, the al-Yusr company for financing and investment, or any other association, entity, company or organization similar to them, particularly those that are internationally sanctioned. Regionally, the group "strongly condemned" the violence that occurred in Syria's Sweida province and "called on all concerned parties, at the local, regional and international levels, to fully assume their responsibilities to protect Syria's unity and its people." On the issue of restoring the state's monopoly on arms, a topic at the center of U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's visit to Lebanon a few days ago, the group also reiterated its "willingness to discuss these matters with all serious Lebanese parties, free from any external pressure, to achieve a national strategy for defense and sovereignty for Lebanon."
Nahar Net
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Hezbollah's Raad says Iran 'regional deterrent force, like it or not'
Hundreds of people rallied outside the Iranian embassy in Beirut Wednesday, responding to a call from Hezbollah to celebrate "the culmination of the struggle and sacrifices" of the Iranian people "who triumphed over the Israeli-American aggression". Ahmed Mohebbi, 42, who was among the crowd, said: "We are very happy about this victory that Iran achieved, despite the hits it took and attacks by America and Israel to prevent it from continuing its nuclear program. "Our steadfastness is a victory," he told AFP. The head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc Mohammad Raad said in a speech that Iran is today "a regional deterrent force, like it or not." "It proved this with its steadfastness" and by standing up against "a tyrannical enemy who sought to impose its hegemony on the whole region," he said. Iran has backed Hezbollah since the group's founding in the 1980s, providing it with financial and military support. The group was severely weakened in its latest confrontation with Israel, which killed most of its top leadership and destroyed much of its arsenal.
LBCI
11-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Le Drian returns to Beirut, revives French role in Lebanon's crisis
Report by Toni Mrad, English adaptation by Mariella Succar France — often referred to as Lebanon's 'tender mother' — has renewed its diplomatic engagement in the country through the return of presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian. One of Le Drian's most notable meetings took place away from the media spotlight with Mohammad Raad, head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, Loyalty to the Resistance. According to information obtained by LBCI, the talks were described as positive. During the meeting, Raad emphasized that the key to stability in Lebanon lies in halting Israeli attacks and ensuring a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory — goals that require strong international pressure, particularly from guarantor countries such as France and the United States. On the issue of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Raad affirmed that Hezbollah supports the extension of the peacekeeping mission under the terms of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 — a position aligned with the stance of Lebanon's three top officials. While Le Drian heard Hezbollah's views, he, in turn, stressed the importance of advancing reforms — particularly the banking restructuring law and legislation addressing the financial gap. According to sources, he received support for moving forward on these key reforms. Le Drian also discussed these issues — along with the question of ensuring the state's exclusive control over arms — in meetings with several Lebanese political figures, including MPs Michel Douaihy and Fouad Makhzoumi, Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil, Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel, and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. But the broader question remains: What real and effective role can France play in Lebanon? And is it capable of easing pressure from Saudi Arabia and the United States, both of which place Hezbollah's disarmament at the forefront of their demands? What can be said is that Paris appears to be trying to revive the reform agenda, which has taken a backseat to the issue of weapons. Whether France will succeed in this effort remains to be seen. France's role may be more impactful when it comes to the extension of UNIFIL's mandate in southern Lebanon. In addition to being a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, France also holds the role of "penholder" — responsible for drafting Council resolutions and statements, including those related to Lebanon. Since Le Drian's last visit to Beirut, France has managed to reopen discussions on UNIFIL ahead of the renewal deadline in late August — a renewal that this year coincides with a rise in tensions and incidents involving the international force. In the end, France — through Le Drian — appears once again not only to be offering assistance to Lebanon, but also working to reinforce its presence and role on the Lebanese stage.
Al Manar
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
MP Raad Discusses Political Developments with Le Drian, Voices Support for UNIFIL Mandate Extension, Reconstruction Conference
Head of Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, received the French presidential envoy to Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, at the bloc's headquarters in Haret Hreik. Le Drian was accompanied by the French ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro, and the meeting was also attended by Hezbollah's head of Arab and international relations, Sayyed Ammar Al-Moussawi. The meeting tackled current political developments in Lebanon, in light of the continued Israeli attacks on Lebanese sovereignty and ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement. For his part, the French envoy presented his country's efforts to organize an international conference for the reconstruction of southern Lebanon, in addition to Paris's efforts to renew the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). MP Raad affirmed Hezbollah's interest in discussing the reform bills before Parliament, emphasizing the Party's support for the Lebanese state's position on extending UNIFIL's mandate.
MTV Lebanon
11-06-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Raad meets French envoy: Discussions on Israeli violations, UNIFIL mandate, and reconstruction efforts
Head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, met with French presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian, accompanied by French Ambassador Hervé Magro, at the bloc's headquarters in Haret Hreik. The meeting was also attended by Hezbollah's Head of Arab and International Relations, Ammar Al-Moussawi. According to a statement from Hezbollah's media office, the discussions focused on the political developments in Lebanon and ongoing Israeli violations, including breaches of the ceasefire agreement. Le Drian also outlined France's efforts to convene a conference aimed at reconstructing southern Lebanon and renewing the mandate of the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission. Raad reaffirmed Hezbollah's commitment to engaging in discussions on reform bills currently before Parliament and reiterated the party's support for the state's stance on extending UNIFIL's mandate.
