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Joseph Aoun called on Emirati companies to invest in Lebanon during his meeting in Baabda on Thursday 27 August with the delegation led by Thani Al Zeyoudi. The Emirati Minister of Foreign Trade announced that non-oil trade between the two countries reached $4.2 billion in 2025, up 35.6 per cent. Five memorandums of understanding have already been signed in Beirut and both countries are now considering a broader economic framework.

Constitutional Pact on Citizenship, Non-Domination and Guarantee of Lebanese Pluralism FURTHER FOREWORD OF TEXT Working Version — 26 August 2026 Cardinal Principle The majority governs, but it never dominates. The minority may lose an election, but it can never lose its rights. The citizen politically precedes his religious affiliation. [...]

The Dubai International Forum on Humanitarian Aid and Development (DIHAD 2026) closed its activities at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme "Humanity in Transition and Building the Future of Humanitarian Action". The event brought together many humanitarian agencies, relief organizations, government authorities and experts from around the world [...]

Israel continued its military operations in the South Lebanon on Wednesday, 26 August, combining strikes, artillery, blasting and house fires. Mansouri was targeted by a drone bomb and firing of a Merkava tank, while destruction was reported in Majdal Zoun and Beit al-Sayyad. Sarbine and Hadatha were also affected. This new day of tension comes exactly two months after the agreement of 26 June and as a major Emirati economic delegation arrives in Beirut.

Israel imposes restrictions on the movement of the inhabitants of Rmeich, Debel and Ain Ebel, three Christian villages in Bint Jbeil District isolated by the Israeli military presence in the surrounding areas. Residents must now travel in convoys, declare their vehicles and provide advance passenger identification. The Lebanese army and the Finul organize the movements via Naqurah. Faced with these constraints, the Vatican intervened with the United States.

President Joseph Aoun paid tribute to the General Security for its 81st anniversary, calling it the "first line of defence" of society and the guarantor of sovereignty. These statements come two days after a sensitive decision by General Manager Hassan Choucair: the granting of a six-month residence to Mohammad Reza Chibani, chosen by Tehran as ambassador but not accredited by Beirut. The residence was granted to him as an Iranian national and does not confer on him any diplomatic status.

Israeli forces increased blasting, demolition, artillery fire and military movements in several locations in southern Lebanon on 25 August. Haris, Ainata, Zawtar al-Sharqiya, But al-Jabal, Markaba and Mansuri are among the sectors concerned. This new day of tension precedes the arrival in Beirut of an important economic delegation from the United Arab Emirates, led by Foreign Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, for two days of meetings devoted to cooperation and investment.

Paris, August 25, 2026 — The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) welcomes the adoption of the new media law by the Lebanese Parliament on August 11, 2026. This expected reform represents an important step forward in modernizing the legal framework applicable to the media and strengthening press freedom in [...]

The secret meeting between Assaad al-Chibani and Roman Gofman, held in Jordan on 23 August 2026, took place after the Israeli strike against the Abu Douhour air base. Far from announcing a peace agreement, the discussions mainly reveal the search for a mechanism to prevent military confrontations. Sueida, Israel's operations and the risk of confrontation between Israel and Turkey in Syria are at the heart of a scheme envisaged under American supervision.

France and Saudi Arabia are placing Lebanon at the centre of their diplomatic coordination. After discussions between Emmanuel Macron and Mohammed bin Salmane in Paris, the two countries set out four priorities: to fully implement resolution 1701, to strengthen the Lebanese army, to complete the disarmament of the non-State armed groups and to achieve complete Israeli withdrawal. The press release supports Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam, but does not explicitly use the framework agreement formula used in the negotiations with Washington.

The South at the centre of concerns and Ali al-Taher as the crystallization point The press of 25 August 2026 puts Lebanon in front of two movements that intersect. The first is military and directly concerns the South, with the continuation of Israeli operations and the tension around the heights of Ali al-Taher. The second [...]

Mohammad Reza Shibani can finally stay six more months in Lebanon, without regaining his status as Iranian ambassador. The solution adopted by the General Security avoids his immediate departure and confrontation with Tehran. But the versions published on August 25, 2026 diverge on the decision chain. Al Akhbar highlights the role of Hassan Choucair and a political compromise, while Annahar and Asharq Al-Awsat point out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would not have been associated in the same way.

Mohammad Reza Chibani, Ambassador designated by Iran but declared persona non grata by Lebanon in March, obtained on Monday a six-month residence permit issued by the General Security. The formula allows him to remain in Lebanese territory without regaining his ambassador status or diplomatic immunity. This decision comes within a few hours of the expiry of his right of residence and contradicts in its effect the position of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who demanded his departure.

Mohammad Reza Chibani, Ambassador designated by Iran but declared persona non grata by Lebanon in March, obtained on Monday a six-month residence permit issued by the General Security. The formula allows him to remain in Lebanese territory without regaining his ambassador status or diplomatic immunity. This decision comes within a few hours of the expiry of his right of residence and contradicts in its effect the position of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who demanded his departure.