Latest news with #NawafSalam
L'Orient-Le Jour
19 hours ago
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Government holds talks with Eutelsat, a Starlink competitor
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met a delegation from the French group Eutelsat, specializing in satellite communications — including internet access, mobile and landline telephones, data transfer and television broadcasting — on Wednesday, according to an announcement posted by the Grand Serail on X. That morning, the same delegation visited the Telecommunications Ministry for an initial meeting with Minister Charles Hage. Few details have emerged from that discussion. Contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour, the minister's office simply indicated that it was an exploratory exchange with no conclusions at this stage, except that Lebanon is seeking to strengthen its internet access, a service Eutelsat provides. A major player in the sector, Eutelsat OneWeb — the trade name adopted following the September 2023 merger between French operator Eutelsat and British company OneWeb — offers a satellite internet service similar to Starlink, the SpaceX subsidiary founded by Elon Musk, with whom Lebanon had initiated discussions that ultimately went nowhere. With a satellite fleet far smaller than its competitor's, Eutelsat OneWeb is mainly well-established in the European market, while also covering several countries in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. After the meeting at the Grand Serail, Hani al-Arja, vice president in charge of sales of connectivity solutions for the MENA region, said the company had informed the prime minister of "ongoing preparations for the potential launch of the company's services in Lebanon," which will in principle be marketed by operators Ogero, Alfa and Touch. "The company specializes in providing fast satellite internet and communication services, including low-cost mobile satellites. This service will provide users with high-speed internet connectivity," he said. These talks with Eutelsat cast doubt on the state of negotiations with SpaceX, which had already failed under the previous government of Najib Mikati due to service costs and a technical constraint: SpaceX reportedly required Lebanon to host its data management servers in Qatar or Germany, which would violate Law No. 81 on personal data protection. Yet, the adoption of Starlink seemed well underway in early June — buoyed by the enthusiasm displayed by Musk, who had expressed his wish "to see his companies present in Lebanon," according to remarks reported by the Lebanese presidency. Even U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, who just wrapped up a three-day visit to Lebanon to discuss the state monopoly on arms, called the case 'promising' during an interview with Télé Liban on Monday night. It is difficult to know where things currently stand. According to a source from a major Lebanese internet provider, talks with Starlink are at a standstill. Another source, close to the government, said nothing prevents Lebanon from negotiating with both Eutelsat and SpaceX at the same time. Lebanon is mainly connected to the internet via submarine and land cables. On the sidelines of his meeting with Eutelsat, the prime minister also met the Lebanese team that will participate in the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship (MOSWC) and the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship (ACPWC), which will be held from July 27 to 30 in Orlando, Florida. The Makhzoumi Foundation organizes the national selection in Lebanon, after which the country's representatives are chosen. The participants presented the prime minister with the official jersey that Lebanon will be represented with during this international competition, according to a statement.
L'Orient-Le Jour
a day ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Salam's first visit to Paris: Security, stability, reforms on agenda
French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Thursday at the Élysée Palace with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who is making his first official visit to France, to discuss security issues in the country and the 'major regional challenges,' the Élysée announced Tuesday. 'The discussions will focus on security, the country's stability and the pursuit of the vital economic reforms necessary for the full restoration of its sovereignty and prosperity,' said the French presidency, citing, in particular, the strengthening of the Lebanese armed forces. 'The two leaders will also discuss the need for full respect of the cease-fire, particularly concerning the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces,' the Élysée added. Israel carries out near-daily strikes in Lebanon, claiming to target fighters and infrastructure of Hezbollah, and has warned these attacks will continue as long as the group is not disarmed. Lebanon is also mired in an economic crisis, which many Lebanese attribute to endemic corruption and decades of mismanagement within its institutions. President Joseph Aoun, elected in January, and the new head of government, Nawaf Salam, who has been in office since February, have pledged to make the fight against corruption a priority as part of the reforms demanded by international donors. Macron and Salam will also discuss the 'major challenges' facing the Middle East, particularly the consequences of the war in Iran and Gaza, as well as recent clashes in Syria, the Élysée added. They will stress the 'urgent need for a complete cessation of hostilities in the region to protect civilians and the absolute urgency of massively and unimpededly delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.' Besieged by Israel since the outbreak of war in October 2023, the approximately 2.4 million inhabitants of the 365 km2 territory face severe shortages of food. Israel, which is only allowing aid in limited amounts, accuses the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas of exploiting civilian suffering by diverting aid.
L'Orient-Le Jour
a day ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Has Bassil's political strategy reached its limits?
"Don't worry. It's well-studied and well-calculated. When the government makes mistakes, we'll be there." These comments by Gebran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), made after last Wednesday's parliamentary confidence vote in the government, sum up his outlook ahead of the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for May 2026. The leader of the FPM knows that the Nawaf Salam cabinet won't fall before the elections — or at least not soon — regardless of how harsh the criticism gets, since no one currently has a reason to push that the more so as the international community is closely scrutinizing those in power. This reality leaves Bassil with little choice but to play the opposition card to the fullest against the Joseph Aoun–Nawaf Salam duo, but above all against his main Christian...
LBCI
a day ago
- Business
- LBCI
PM Salam signs decree granting july financial aid to active and retired military personnel
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has signed a decree approving a financial aid grant for both active-duty and retired military personnel for the month of July.
LBCI
a day ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Macron to receive Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam in France
French President Emmanuel Macron will receive Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday, July 24, at the Élysée Palace, marking Salam's first official visit to France since taking office. The Élysée said the visit will reaffirm the deep-rooted friendship between France and Lebanon, as well as Paris' continued support for the Lebanese people. Discussions will focus on the country's security and stability, as well as the need to pursue critical economic reforms to restore Lebanon's full sovereignty and prosperity. The two leaders are also expected to address the need for full respect of the ceasefire, notably the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. Talks will include ways to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces, bolster cooperation with the U.N. peacekeeping force UNIFIL, in which France plays an active role, and explore broader regional priorities. Macron and Salam will also discuss the significant challenges facing the Near and Middle East, including the impact of the wars in Gaza and Iran, as well as recent clashes in Syria.
