Latest news with #YazbekWehbe
LBCI
26-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Hundreds injured: Massive explosion rocks Iranian port, drawing comparisons to Beirut blast
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian It felt like an earthquake — that was the initial sensation reported by residents of Bandar Abbas before they heard a powerful explosion followed by a massive black cloud rising into the sky south of their city. The blast immediately reminded many of the Beirut port explosion five years ago. The explosion occurred at the strategic Shahid Rajaee Port, located near the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Arabian Gulf, about 14 kilometers southwest of Bandar Abbas and roughly 1,000 kilometers from the capital, Tehran. Iranian state television quoted an official from the Ports and Maritime Organization in Hormozgan province as saying the explosion took place in a warehouse storing flammable materials at the city's customs area. Efforts to extinguish the fire, involving helicopters, continued for several hours. The blast resulted in hundreds of injuries, with the wounded transferred to hospitals in Bandar Abbas. Authorities declared a state of emergency in the city. Windows in buildings and cars shattered several kilometers away, and there was extensive damage to port facilities, where dozens of containers were either destroyed or burned by the force of the explosion. Given that Israel has repeatedly threatened to target Iranian facilities, speculation initially pointed toward Israeli involvement. However, Israel's Maariv newspaper quoted military officials as saying the Israeli army had no connection to the explosion. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dispatched his interior minister to Bandar Abbas as a special envoy to assess the situation and ordered a detailed investigation into the blast.
LBCI
22-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Church at a turning point: Meet some potential successors to late Pope Francis
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi A total of 138 cardinals are set to gather in Vatican City to elect the next pope following the death of Pope Francis. Among them, 110 were appointed by Francis himself, suggesting his influence would weigh heavily on the outcome. Sixteen names are reportedly being considered as potential successors, each holding prominent positions within the Church's hierarchy. Ten of the likely candidates hail from Europe, with the remaining six split evenly among Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The upcoming election takes place at a pivotal and historic moment globally. In the United States, the rise of former President Donald Trump brought renewed calls for a return to Christian values, while in Europe, a parallel resurgence in religious sentiment among younger generations has accompanied the growing influence of right-wing movements. The contenders reflect a range of theological and ideological perspectives, from staunch conservatives to moderates and liberals. Among the conservative voices is German Cardinal Athanasius Schneider, who has warned of what he calls an "Islamic invasion" of Europe through migration. He is joined by Hungarian Cardinal Péter Erdo, who sparked controversy by comparing refugee intake to human trafficking. Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, a vocal defender of Catholic doctrine with extensive theological work, is also seen as a strong contender among conservatives. Those whose views align more closely with the late Pope Francis include Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, known for his humility and grassroots service. Zuppi has openly advocated for the inclusion of migrants and LGBTQ Catholics within the Church. French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline shares similar positions on migration. German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, a key advisor to Francis and head of Vatican financial reform efforts, also ranks among the more progressive voices. At the center of the ideological spectrum is Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Considered a pragmatic and stabilizing figure, Parolin is known for his efforts to bridge political and social divides within the Church. This conclave may be one of modern Vatican history's most consequential papal elections. The choice of the next pontiff will not only shape the future of the Catholic Church but may also influence the direction of Europe and the global community for years to come.
LBCI
12-04-2025
- Business
- LBCI
On the path to reform: Beirut Airport undergoes major upgrades ahead of summer season
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport is undergoing logistical and technical upgrades to enhance its image as the face of Lebanon and restore confidence among international travelers and airline operators. Lebanese authorities, driven by a renewed focus on preventing smuggling and illegal financial transfers, are now prioritizing adherence to international aviation standards. This shift has already generated positive local and international impressions, encouraging hopes that a more efficient and secure airport could reflect broader national progress. Among the improvements is the creation of a fast-track line dedicated to business travelers, which is expected to reduce congestion for regular passengers by more than 15%. The upgrades, partly financed by the national carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA), include restored and fully functioning baggage belts in arrival halls and plans to expand certain areas to accommodate incoming travelers better. Changes are not limited to the inside of the airport. Along the main airport road, advertising contracts that previously featured images of political figures and martyrs—mostly from Hezbollah—have been replaced with scenic photos of Lebanon, projecting a more welcoming and apolitical message to visitors. The government aims to complete most of the current improvement phase by mid-June, before the busy summer travel season. Notably, more than 90% of the international airlines that halted operations in Lebanon after 2019 have expressed interest in returning, including several low-cost carriers. Officials view the airport rehabilitation as a symbolic and practical entry point to broader national recovery, with hopes that these visible efforts will mark the beginning of much-needed reform across other sectors.
LBCI
29-03-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Palestinian weapons in Lebanon: A key issue in President Abbas' upcoming visit to Beirut amid US calls
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi In a series of interviews with Lebanese and Arab media, U.S. Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus emphasized the need for the Lebanese government to take action to disarm Hezbollah and other armed factions. While she did not specify which factions, her remarks were widely interpreted as a reference to Palestinian groups operating within Lebanon's 12 refugee camps. Is the Lebanese government prepared to take such a step? Two weeks ago, a Palestinian General Intelligence Service delegation met with Lebanese officials to discuss various security and administrative issues concerning the camps. During these discussions, the topic of Palestinian weapons and the possibility of handing them over to Lebanese authorities was raised in anticipation of an upcoming visit to Beirut by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. While the Palestinian Authority appears open to disarmament, other factions aligned with Iran and its allies oppose surrendering their weapons. These groups advocate for maintaining an armed presence within the camps to 'defend the resistance.' They argue that weapons should remain available but regulated through the Joint Palestinian Action Committee, which coordinates with Lebanese security agencies. A Palestinian official from one of these factions stressed the need for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian groups to establish a unified position. He warned that if an agreement is not reached internally, the Lebanese government might unilaterally implement its own plan, which is reportedly already in motion. Lebanese sources informed LBCI that Abbas' visit will focus heavily on the issue of Palestinian weapons. The recent appointment of Ambassador Ramez Dimashkieh as head of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee is seen as a step toward serious negotiations on this matter. The Lebanese government is said to be committed to addressing the issue but expects strong resistance from factions outside the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Some factions have attempted to link the debate over arms control to broader social and economic demands for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. However, Lebanese officials insist that these are separate issues. Ultimately, disarming Palestinian factions in Lebanon requires a high-level political decision before it can be enforced on the ground.
LBCI
14-03-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Northern Lebanon on edge as Syrian violence fuels refugee influx
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian The concerns of northern Lebanon's residents are justified in light of the ongoing, albeit reduced, violence along the Syrian coast. The connection between Akkar in Lebanon and Tartus in Syria is evident, as Alawite families live on both sides of the border and share long-standing ties. Additionally, the Alawite presence in Tripoli is not new. Lebanon's Alawite population is estimated at around 90,000, with half residing in Akkar and the other half in Tripoli. Given that more than 20,000 Alawite refugees have fled Syria in just one week, efforts were needed to address the situation and prevent its spillover into Lebanon. To this end, a meeting was held at the residence of former Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Tripoli, attended by political and religious figures from both Muslim and Christian communities. However, no representatives from the Alawite Council were present despite being invited. Only two former Alawite lawmakers participated. The attendees emphasized that weapons would only fuel hatred and provoke retaliation, calling instead for a culture of forgiveness and reconciliation. They also warned that the new wave of displacement places additional strain on Lebanon and urged the U.N. refugee agency and other international organizations to coordinate with the Lebanese government to address the crisis. Their recommendations included regulating border crossings, rehabilitating official entry points, prioritizing emergency relief efforts, and facilitating the gradual return of Syrian refugees once conditions stabilize. This meeting is expected to be followed by further discussions in the coming weeks, with attention remaining focused on Syria's stability and the protection of all its communities.
