Latest news with #YasmineJaroudi
LBCI
a day ago
- Business
- LBCI
Socio-economic impact: Lebanon's post-war collapse
Report by Lea Fayad, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Is the war in Lebanon over? One thing is certain—the country's economy is still paying the price of the last war, which came after five years of economic and social crisis. According to a new United Nations report titled "The Socio-Economic Impact of the 2024 War on Lebanon," the private sector lost 25% of its jobs during the conflict. Even after the ceasefire, 14% of those jobs remain unfilled. Meanwhile, 15% of businesses have shut down permanently, while another 21% are temporarily closed. Key sectors, including agriculture, industry, and tourism, were severely hit. The ripple effects have been devastating: nearly one million Lebanese, approximately 928,000 people, are living in a state of acute food insecurity. The report warns that even with immediate and comprehensive reforms, Lebanon's economy is projected to reach only 8% of its pre-crisis size by 2030. Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Lebanon, Blerta Aliko, said that without genuine political will and serious reforms, the compounded crisis that began in 2019 and worsened during the 2024 war may become inescapable.
LBCI
a day ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Disputed borders and denied towers: Israel pushes back on monitoring plan
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Israel has continued efforts to legitimize its hold over five disputed sites along the Lebanese border, releasing a "wide-ranging intelligence report' on Lebanon and the Syrian-Lebanese frontier. The report claims that Hezbollah is strengthening its presence in South Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Israeli border town of Shlomi has seen a spike in military drills and readiness for potential surprise escalations, including scenarios involving infiltration. Along the tense frontier, elite commando units, explosive experts, assault teams, surveillance personnel, and drone squads have been deployed to prevent a repeat of the October 7 incident. In parallel, the head of research at the Alma Research and Education Center revealed that Israel recently turned down a British proposal to fund the installation of more than 29 surveillance towers in Lebanon. According to the center's head, the UK has been increasing efforts to finance the construction of observation posts and monitoring systems for use by the Lebanese Army along the border with Israel. The center argued in its report that such infrastructure could compromise Israel's security and be exploited by Hezbollah. It concluded that surveillance towers would not serve as an adequate substitute for a continued Israeli military presence along the border and within the five contested sites.
LBCI
7 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
7 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.
