Latest news with #YasmineJaroudi
LBCI
4 days ago
- Business
- LBCI
From cargo to connectivity: Tripoli Port poised for regional role with strategic development projects
Report by Ghida Fayad, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Tripoli Port, Lebanon's second-largest commercial port after Beirut, receives around 900 ships annually carrying a wide range of cargo, including timber, iron, grains, oils, and passengers. Yet its actual value lies beyond volume; it is its geographic proximity to the Syrian border crossings that makes it a critical strategic asset. Now, Lebanon's Public Works and Transport Ministry sees a rare opportunity: positioning Tripoli Port as a vital transit hub between East and West, on par with major regional ports. To achieve that, the ministry is advancing four major development projects currently underway at the port. First is the construction of grain silos, a move that would transform Tripoli into a key hub for grain imports and generate additional revenue. Second, a new floating dock for ship repairs is being built to establish Tripoli as a regional center for maritime maintenance. Third, the expansion of container storage yards is underway, which will boost storage capacity and, in turn, increase port revenues. Lastly, customs inspection areas and three warehouses for diverse container cargo are being prepared to enhance security, curb smuggling, and modernize cargo services. However, the government's ambitions do not end at the port gates. The vision includes connecting Tripoli Port with the nearby Qlayaat Airport project and improving road infrastructure that links both facilities to Lebanon's northern border with Syria. Two key bridges—Aarida and Aabboudiye—were damaged by Israeli strikes during the last war and are now being considered for rehabilitation. A strategic location, ongoing projects, and a broader regional outlook could make Tripoli Port a pivotal player in Lebanon's recovery. Will the government seize this opportunity?
LBCI
4 days ago
- Business
- LBCI
Lebanon's banking future: BDL enlists US firm to tackle unregulated economy, Hezbollah-linked cash flows
Report by Bassam Abou Zeid, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Within the U.S. Department of the Treasury, two specialized teams are closely monitoring the financial situation in Lebanon. One is focused on the country's ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while the other is dedicated to addressing the country's unregulated cash economy, particularly efforts to curb funding for groups that Washington classifies as terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah. According to informed sources, the U.S. possesses detailed data on individuals and entities dealing with Hezbollah-affiliated financial institutions, notably the Qard al-Hassan association. This data includes names, sectarian affiliations, geographic distribution, and money flows related to the mortgaging of personal jewelry to obtain loans from the group. The sources indicate that some of these funds are deposited in Lebanese banks as fresh dollars and are subsequently transferred to correspondent banks in the U.S. or Europe. This has raised alarm among foreign institutions, which may consider halting transactions with Lebanese banks due to the risk of indirect exposure to funds linked to Hezbollah. In response, the Banque du Liban (BDL) has signed an agreement with K2 Integrity, an American financial intelligence firm with former U.S. Treasury officials among its ranks, to evaluate and regulate Lebanon's cash economy. K2 Integrity is expected to categorize Lebanon's cash economy into three risk levels. The green category includes funds stored in homes; these are not subject to confiscation but will be encouraged to be returned to the banking system under new, strict compliance rules enforced using artificial intelligence. The yellow category consists of funds entering the country without clear documentation; for this, technical equipment will be installed at airports, ports, and border crossings to verify their source and amount. The red category includes funds linked to Hezbollah, al-Nusra Front, ISIS, drug trafficking, arms trade, and human smuggling. These funds will be aggressively targeted to prevent both inflows and outflows. The sources conclude that Lebanon faces a clear crossroads: either it transforms into a destination for legitimate investment and financial trust, or it risks becoming a hub of corruption and terrorist financing.
LBCI
15-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
A 'Druze crisis': Syria-Israel security deal in jeopardy amid Sweida clashes and Israeli strikes
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Hopes for a potential Israeli-Syrian security agreement appear to have dimmed following escalating clashes in Syria's Sweida province. The situation has shifted dramatically, with Israel no longer acting as a mere observer but increasingly seen as a direct player in Syria's internal affairs. Israeli airstrikes this week targeted positions approximately 50 kilometers inside Syrian territory, a move that Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz described as a warning to the Syrian regime led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Tel Aviv claims its operations are aimed at protecting its borders and the Druze minority in Syria. The renewed military activity has thrust the southern Syrian front back into the spotlight, prompting Israeli army reinforcements in the area as officials prepare for a possible expansion of the conflict. Tensions between Syria and Israel had already been high during previous negotiations over a potential Israeli withdrawal from certain southern territories. Israel is seizing upon the current fighting between Syrian government forces and Druze groups as justification to maintain its military presence, part of a broader strategy to establish a buffer zone deep inside Syria and ensure protection for Druze communities. Support for these actions is also emerging from within Israel's Druze community. A group of Druze soldiers, both active and reserve, sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging increased military and humanitarian support for their Syrian counterparts. They also proposed the creation of a humanitarian corridor to allow vulnerable Druze to seek refuge in Israel. Public protests organized by Druze soldiers have placed the Syria-Israel file under renewed scrutiny, reframing what some now describe as a "Druze crisis," overshadowing broader regional and geopolitical implications.
LBCI
14-07-2025
- General
- LBCI
The tale of the Levant: Bilad al-Sham reawakens as history echoes in Barrack's warning
Report by Wissam Nasrallah, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi From Damascus to Beirut, from Jerusalem to Amman, and stretching into parts of southern Turkey and northern Iraq—this expanse of land once shared a unified past but today stands fragmented. Historically known as the Levant or "Bilad al-Sham," the region was once the heart of the Arab world, a name that may sound unfamiliar to younger generations but carries a centuries-old, layered history. The term "Bilad al-Sham" is widely believed to have emerged in the 7th century following the Islamic conquests, particularly after the pivotal Battle of Yarmuk in 636 CE. After that victory, Damascus became the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate, which would eventually extend from the borders of India to the Iberian Peninsula in Spain. The origins of the name "al-Sham" are varied and subject to debate. One common explanation is rooted in pre-Islamic Arab geography: from the vantage point of Mecca, "Sham" referred to the north, while "Yemen" referred to the south. Another theory ties the name to Shem (or "Sam"), the son of Noah, suggests that after the flood, when the ark rested on Mount Cudi, Noah's children dispersed. Sam settled in this region, and it became known as the Land of Sam, eventually transforming over time into Bilad al-Sham. Other hypotheses trace the term even further back to Aramaic or Assyrian origins, with "Shamu" or "Shamim" meaning "sky" or "heaven." In some ancient religious beliefs, the area was known as the land of "Baalshamim," the god of the sky. Regardless of the theory, one truth remains: Bilad al-Sham is a region layered with civilizations. Prophets, kings, invaders, merchants, philosophers, and diverse peoples have all left their mark—physically and culturally. From the Roman columns of Baalbek to the walls of Jerusalem, from Nabatieh ruins buried in sand to the old houses of Damascus, the region is a living museum and an open historical archive. Yet despite its richness, the modern Levant is far removed from its storied past. Following the Sykes-Picot Agreement, the region was divided, giving rise to new borders, flags, armies, and national identities. The separations often feel deeper than the connections. Now, U.S. envoy Thomas Barak has stirred debate again, warning that if Lebanon fails to act decisively, it risks becoming, once more, a part of "Bilad al-Sham," not out of nostalgia but as a reality shaped by regional inertia.
LBCI
11-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
New chapter on Syrian refugee return: Lebanon launches first coordinated return of Syrian refugees
Report by Joe Farchakh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi For the first time since the Syrian crisis began in 2011, Lebanon has taken concrete steps toward resolving the longstanding issue of Syrian displacement. In early July, the country launched the first phase of a coordinated voluntary return plan for Syrian refugees, supported by the United Nations. The plan, developed in full coordination with both Lebanese and Syrian authorities, includes financial incentives and logistical support for refugees choosing to return to Syria. Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed revealed to LBCI that each registered Syrian refugee will receive $100 before departure, while families will be given an additional $400 upon arrival in Syria. Transportation costs will be fully covered, and border crossing fees will be waived. For example, a family of six would receive $600 in Lebanon and $400 after reaching Syria, totaling $1,000. According to LBCI's sources, the initiative is being supported by Qatar, which is not only financing the effort but also backing early recovery and infrastructure rehabilitation projects in Syria to help ensure a minimum level of stability for returnees. The Lebanese Social Affairs Ministry aims to return between 200,000 and 400,000 refugees throughout 2025. To date, approximately 15,000 individuals have registered to participate. The first stage will focus on refugees living in camps in the Bekaa Valley and along the Litani River—areas marked by dire humanitarian conditions. According to UNHCR, Lebanon currently hosts around 1.4 million Syrian refugees, with around 200,000 living in these camps. The initiative marks a significant shift in international policy. For years, the United Nations declined to support mass returns to Syria, citing concerns over potential reprisals. However, current U.N. assessments now consider the conditions adequate for what is being termed a "supported voluntary return." Domestically, the Lebanese government has demonstrated a rare level of political alignment on the issue. A ministerial committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and comprising officials from the ministries of justice, interior, foreign affairs, defense, and social affairs, holds weekly meetings to oversee implementation. Lebanon's General Security Directorate is actively involved in facilitating the return process. Though the plan may not signal the end of Lebanon's refugee crisis, it is widely seen as a critical first step. Built on coordination, support, and voluntary participation rather than coercion, the program offers a new path forward—and the first real glimpse of hope in more than a decade.
