Latest news with #non-Lebanese
MTV Lebanon
12 hours ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
26 Jun 2025 18:22 PM Jumblatt: Weapons must be in hands of state alone
Former Progressive Socialist Party Chief Walid Jumblatt stressed in a press conference that "weapons must be in the hands of the state alone," adding that "if any Lebanese or non-Lebanese parties possess weapons, they must hand them over in an appropriate manner to the state." He said: "I informed President Aoun that there were weapons in a location in Al Mukhtara, and I asked the relevant authorities to handle the matter, and they were handed over three weeks ago or weapons came gradually after the events of May 7, 2008, during the tension between Hezbollah and the Progressive Socialist Party." Jumblatt went on: "I worked to centrally assemble weapons, including light and medium weapons, which were handed over to the state. Today, a new page is being opened in the Middle East. The weapon of future generations is memory, so we must pass on the memory of heroism and resistance against Israel and its agents..." "In today's round, Israel and the West, in alliance with America, were victorious. Nothing lasts forever," he noted. "We must strengthen the army and internal security forces and focus on the fact that we still have an Israeli occupation and bulldozed and destroyed villages. It is imperative to implement Resolution 1701," Jumblatt asserted. He added: "My message regarding the surrender of weapons is for everyone." Jumblatt also considered that "Palestinians in Lebanon must be given full rights, regardless of nationality."
L'Orient-Le Jour
02-05-2025
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Meager wages, scant paid leave, unfair dismissals: The state of labor rights in Lebanon
BEIRUT — On the patio of a popular Lebanese restaurant chain, Tony* is busy serving customers. The young man has a bandage on his arm and limps from table to table, with an apparently injured leg. The thirty-year-old doesn't dwell on details when asked why he isn't on sick leave: "I asked not to work today and it was refused," he says simply. No customer can ignore that the waiter is in pain; when one table needs moving, its occupants insist that they, not him, lift and reposition it. The situation raises questions about employers' apparent disrespect for the Labor Code and the lack of protection for employees like Tony, whether Lebanese or foreign. Many foreign workers are governed by the kafala system, a labor system specifically for non-Lebanese that does not provide for a minimum wage or a limit on working hours. Read more...
Al Etihad
01-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Lebanon President: Beirut's ties with UAE returning to their natural state
2 May 2025 00:42 HAMAD AL KAABI (ABU DHABI)Joseph Aoun, President of the Republic of Lebanon, affirmed that the fraternal relations between the UAE and Lebanon are on track to return to their natural state and noted that his meeting with President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan 'exceeded expectations.'President Aoun highlighted His Highness' reaffirmation of the UAE's supportive stance towards strengthening Lebanon's state institutions in safeguarding the nation's sovereignty, security and stability, as well as the UAE's support for Lebanon's unity and territorial integrity. He considered this stance a testament to the deep-rooted and historical fraternal relations between the two the Lebanese President noted that the UAE is home to around 190,000 Lebanese residents who play an active role in strengthening bilateral ties. He praised the attention and care they receive in the UAE, reflecting the mutual respect and strong bonds of affection between the two brotherly Aoun's remarks came during a meeting with editors-in-chief of local newspapers, held on the sidelines of his official visit to the UAE. The visit included high-level discussions with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at Qasr Al Shati in Abu response to a question from Aletihad during the meeting, President Aoun revealed that the coming period will witness new economic legislative reforms, particularly following the recent approval of the Banking Reform Law in Lebanon. This will be followed by a law addressing the financial gap, in addition to several upcoming security, judicial and economic reaffirmed his administration's commitment to continue with the reform agenda that the government has already begun implementing. These reforms aim to achieve economic recovery and growth. He stated that both political and security efforts are progressing towards stability and that extensive work is being done to improve economic and living conditions through a comprehensive package of structural Aoun expressed optimism regarding the agreements Lebanon has signed with the World Bank and noted that the country is close to finalising a deal with the International Monetary Fund. This follows the recent visit of a Lebanese ministerial delegation to IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington, which he described as President also addressed the issue of depositors' funds in Lebanese banks, reiterating that the law will be applied equally to both Lebanese and non-Lebanese depositors in ensuring accountability. He also expressed hope for the return of gas exploration companies under the existing agreements, especially following the completion of maritime border outlined the accomplishments achieved in recent weeks, despite the prevailing challenges, in the current government's term of less than 100 days. He described these achievements as reasonable and measured, emphasising his administration's resolve to advance Lebanon towards a new phase of progress, development, and President noted that Lebanon's security situation is under control and, in fact, better than in many other countries, despite what he described as 'a suffocating financial crisis', exacerbated by the presence of around one million Syrian refugees in addition to Palestinian camps. He commended the strong efforts of the Lebanese security agencies, which are operating with great this regard, he praised the Lebanese Army for its tremendous efforts, noting that its operations are ongoing south of the Litani River despite geographical challenges and limited he did not elaborate on the issue of Hezbollah's arms north and south of the Litani River, he acknowledged the immense burden carried by the Lebanese Army and said the current focus is on defusing the threat of war in the south. President Aoun stated that the decision to confine weapons to the state has already been taken - but through dialogue and addressing concerns, not through force that could lead to civil war, which he categorically rejected under any circumstances.
Arab News
30-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Why this year's Spring Meetings were unusual
For many, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's Spring Meetings might seem like routine calendar fixtures — occasions where finance ministers, central bank governors and senior executives convene to address global economic concerns. But this year's meetings stood out, coinciding with President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs, which appeared to be steering the world toward trade or currency wars, posing the risk of long-term damage to the international economic order. Few institutions are more central to that order than the IMF and the World Bank. Established in the aftermath of the Second World War, these institutions were tasked with reorganizing the global financial architecture — promoting fiscal discipline, enabling coordinated monetary responses and encouraging economic integration, particularly in times when retaliatory tariffs or competitive devaluations were seen as triggers for conflict and even global wars. Lebanon is no stranger to these gatherings. In fact, its delegations — typically comprising officials from various ministries and the offices of the president and prime minister — have been regular participants. This institutional diversity reflects the cross-cutting nature of Lebanon's challenges and a deeper structural reality: the country's fragmented and often incoherent decision-making process. In many ways, the makeup of the Lebanese delegation mirrors the sectarian power-sharing arrangement at the heart of the Lebanese state — where representation in international forums often prioritizes political inclusion over strategic relevance. Lebanese representatives reiterated their interest in reaching a comprehensive reform agreement with the IMF Dr. Khalil Gebara At this year's meetings, held last week, Lebanese representatives reiterated their interest in reaching a comprehensive reform agreement with the IMF in exchange for financial assistance. This marks the third time a government has pursued such a deal since Lebanon's economic collapse in October 2019. While the international community continues to detect resistance from entrenched political and economic elites and internal divergences within the delegation, there may now be slightly improved prospects. A broad consensus appears to be emerging among international actors: securing an IMF agreement is indispensable to unlocking financial support for a country ravaged by a financial crisis estimated to exceed $80 billion — an implosion that wiped out the savings of both Lebanese and non-Lebanese depositors. Adding to these losses is the burden of the most recent conflict, with the World Bank estimating damages at $14 billion. An agreement would signal a long-overdue commitment to fiscal discipline and structural reform — after decades of economic mismanagement. What stood out in this year's meetings was the participation of Syria — Lebanon's deeply intertwined neighbor. Despite the many challenges and the complex relationship between the two countries, their trajectories inevitably overlap and intersect. Syria's return to the international stage was among the most significant developments of this year's meetings. For the first time in decades, an official Syrian delegation — including the ministers of foreign affairs and finance and the newly appointed central bank governor — attended the meetings. They held side discussions with representatives of international financial institutions to explore avenues for economic recovery and postwar reconstruction. This reengagement would not have been possible without Saudi Arabia and Qatar's support, as they paid $15 million on behalf of the Syrian government to settle long-standing arrears with the World Bank, effectively opening the door to future grants and technical assistance. As a direct outcome of the Syrian delegation's participation, the IMF appointed a new mission chief for Syria. The challenges facing Syria are daunting. The list of urgent needs is long and prioritizing them is no easy task. Questions about the features of the potential economic model, the scope and function of the public sector and the role of the private sector remain unresolved. Syria's return to the international stage was among the most significant developments of this year's meetings Dr. Khalil Gebara However, reconstruction in Syria is not merely about rebuilding physical infrastructure. It also entails reviving a collapsed economy, restoring public services, reinvesting in human and social capital and addressing the deep societal trauma and mass displacement caused by the conflict. Financial estimates vary, but the price tag is consistently staggering: from $180 billion just to return to preconflict gross domestic product levels to broader recovery costs ranging between $250 billion and $400 billion. A persistent item on the Syrian agenda is the demand for relief from international sanctions. Any effort to secure aid or reintegrate into the global financial system is constrained by sanctions, which remain one of the most significant barriers to postconflict stabilization. For example, the implementation of the UN Development Programme's $1.3 billion aid plan for Syria is already constrained by the existing sanctions regime. Sanctions are typically intended as tools for influencing political outcomes. However, in Syria's case, their ongoing presence risks preventing the very conditions needed for any viable political resolution. Sanctions prolong instability by obstructing economic recovery, impeding the restoration of services and sowing uncertainty. This environment empowers spoilers, deepens grievances and diminishes the prospects of a sustainable peace or a functional state. They also hamper meaningful dialogue with Syria's neighbors on the return of refugees — an issue critical to easing the political, social and economic burdens placed on host countries. Lebanon and Syria are both seeking to reintegrate into the international economic system, while facing the urgent need to rein in their cash-based economies and dismantle entrenched patterns of illicit trade, money laundering and extortion networks that have flourished in the absence of effective governance. As both countries navigate the fragile path from collapse to recovery, this year's Spring Meetings served as a powerful reminder that international engagement is essential — not only for economic stability but also for saving lives. Neither country can confront the magnitude of its challenges without the sustained support of committed international partners.
Asharq Al-Awsat
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanese Govt Approaches Hezbollah Arms File Without Decisions
Lebanon's government addressed the contentious issue of Hezbollah's weapons and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 with no concrete decisions made during the recent cabinet discussions. Government sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Lebanese Forces bloc demanded that timeline for the disarmament of Hezbollah be set, but there was no response to their demand. Other ministers argued that the matter of exclusive state control over weapons is already addressed in the government's ministerial statement. Moreover, and in a gesture underscoring its commitment to international cooperation, the government approved the extension of the mandate for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), highlighting Lebanon's 'keenness on partnership with the international community to maintain stability.' It also reported 2,740 Israeli violations since the ceasefire agreement was put in place. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, government sources said that President Joseph Aoun has vowed to discuss the matter of setting a timeline to disarm Hezbollah with the relevant parties, and will report the outcome of his consultations back to the cabinet. Following the cabinet session, Information Minister Paul Morcos reaffirmed the government's commitment to asserting state authority over all Lebanese territory. He underscored the need to bolster the Lebanese Army amid growing security challenges—particularly in the south, where the army continues to carry out its duties despite repeated Israeli aggressions. The Minister stated that Army Commander General Rodolph Haikal delivered a security briefing during the meeting, outlining ongoing operations and the army's position. Haikal stressed Lebanon's full commitment to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, in contrast to Israel's repeated violations, which, he said, hinder the army's deployment and the extension of state authority in the region. UN Security Council Resolution 1701 calls for the Lebanese Army's deployment south of the Litani River and the removal of all unauthorized armed groups. Despite limited resources, Morcos noted, the army 'continues to fulfill its duties under difficult conditions'. Industry Minister, Joe Issa el-Khoury, said after the cabinet meeting at Baabda Palace that ministers of the Lebanese Forces bloc raised the issue of setting a six-month timeline for the handover of all illegal weapons—both Lebanese and non-Lebanese. They proposed beginning the process with the Palestinian refugee camps. Morco also announced that the Cabinet approved the extension of the UNIFIL mandate in southern Lebanon, stressing the Lebanese state's commitment to its partnership with the international community in preserving stability. For his part, President Aoun, at the onset of the session, described his meeting with Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Tamim Al-Thani, in Doha as 'fruitful and excellent,' revealing that a Qatari delegation may visit Lebanon next week to discuss the electricity file. Aoun also thanked the Intelligence Directorate and General Security for arresting members of a cell involved in rocket launches from southern Lebanon. He expressed hope that the cell recently dismantled in Jordan—whose members admitted to receiving training in Lebanon—will be fully unraveled. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, for his part, spoke about his recent visit to Syria. He said four major issues were discussed: securing and eventually demarcating the Lebanese-Syrian border, the case of Lebanese detainees who disappeared in Syria, Lebanese nationals wanted by authorities who are currently in Syria, and the issue of Syrian prisoners held in Lebanon. Salam underscored that some of the most pressing matters discussed was the return of Syrian refugees back to their homeland, and the need to lift sanctions on Syria in order to facilitate this process. The visit also included an official request for information related to the Beirut port explosion.
