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2026-08-10

China sets itself as Lebanon’s key partner

China has established itself as Lebanon's leading supplier and could already be at the forefront of its individual trading partners. Trade reached $2.8 billion in 2025, according to Chinese Ambassador Chen Chuandong, and then $1.29 billion in the first half of 2026 despite the regional war. Behind this spectacular increase, however, is a strong imbalance: Lebanon buys a lot from China but sells little to it. The next challenge is to attract Chinese investment and further open the Chinese market to Lebanese companies.

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Israeli withdrawal: Rome fails, Beirut hardens
2026-08-10

Israeli withdrawal: Rome fails, Beirut hardens

The seventh round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel ended in Rome without the new Israeli withdrawal expected by Beirut. While the guarantees requested of Lebanon on disarmament and its international verification are being clarified, Israel has not accepted either Bint Jbeil or Khiam as the next pilot zone. As the eighth round approaches, Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam also face the political fragility of the negotiators and the controversy surrounding Antoun Sehnaoui and Nada Hamadé Mouawad.

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USA-Israel: towards a major crisis on three fronts?
2026-08-10

USA-Israel: towards a major crisis on three fronts?

Donald Trump is now seeking to reduce Israeli operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran simultaneously. According to the Israeli press, CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper reportedly sent Israel an American message calling for progress towards the closure of the three fronts. Benjamin Netanyahu resists Washington's calendar. The rejection of the US plan for Gaza, the absence of a further withdrawal in Lebanon and the differences over Iran now indicate the risk of a strategic crisis between the two allies.

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Iran: Mossad punishes defeat · Global Voices
2026-08-10

Iran: Mossad punishes defeat · Global Voices

Mossad withdrew two senior officials associated with the Israeli plan to bring about the fall of the Iranian regime during the 2026 war. The head of intelligence and the head of the Iran Division had participated in a project combining air strikes, mobilization of Kurdish groups and the outbreak of an internal insurgency. As the regime survived, the evictions opened a battle in Israel over responsibility, which reached Roman Gofman and Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Trump seeks a way out of the war with Iran
2026-08-10

Trump seeks a way out of the war with Iran

Donald Trump now favours a negotiated exit from the war with Iran, focusing on reopening the Strait of Ormuz and stabilizing the Gulf. This is a source of concern to Israel, which fears that a halt to operations will enable Tehran to rebuild its nuclear and ballistic capabilities. Benjamin Netanyahu therefore maintains the option of further strikes, while Washington is seeking to prevent an Israeli operation that could defeat negotiations with Iran.

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South Lebanon: Israeli map clears border and annexes southern Lebanon
2026-08-08

South Lebanon: Israeli map clears border and annexes southern Lebanon

A map circulated by the official account of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to defend its reading of the nutritional situation in Gaza erroneously represents several borders of the Middle East and alters the territory of southern Lebanon. If the document does not legally constitute a declaration annexation, its publication through an official diplomatic channel takes on a particular scope while Israel still maintains positions north of the Blue Line and the United Nations demands respect for Lebanese sovereignty.

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🌊 Tyr — l'île qui défie le temps
2026-08-06

Tyr — the defying island

Founded in 2750 B.C. on two rocky islands, Tyre was already a maritime power before Rome existed. His craftsmen built the Temple of Solomon. His purple clothed the emperors. And when Alexander..

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Le Liban et ses « Beautiful Ones »
2026-08-05

Lebanon and its « Beautiful Ones »

The experience of John B. Calhoun does not describe Lebanon. However, it highlights a disturbing question: what becomes of a society when some of its members withdraw from any collective responsibility, live in a bubble of artificial abundance and continue to capture scarce resources while the rest of the country suffers [...]

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Dossiers

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Loi médias : les internautes libanais aussi concernés
2026-07-09

Media law: Lebanese Internet users also involved

The vote on the media bill by joint parliamentary committees goes far beyond the professional press. Depending on its final wording, the text may affect citizens who publish on Facebook, X, Instagram or TikTok. The main risk lies in too wide a scope, vague concepts such as false news or infringement of institutions, and a regulatory authority that can become a tool for political control.

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Loi médias : les internautes libanais aussi concernés
2026-07-09

Media law: Lebanese Internet users also involved

The vote on the media bill by joint parliamentary committees goes far beyond the professional press. Depending on its final wording, the text may affect citizens who publish on Facebook, X, Instagram or TikTok. The main risk lies in too wide a scope, vague concepts such as false news or infringement of institutions, and a regulatory authority that can become a tool for political control.

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的黎波里、赫德贾兹、海法:铁路成为地缘政治
2026-06-28

Tripoli, Hedjaz, Haifa: Rail becomes geopolitical

The project to revive the Hedjaz railway, carried by Turkey with Saudi Arabia, goes far beyond the economic framework. By connecting Turkey with the Gulf through Syria and Jordan, Ankara is seeking to become again a central player in regional traffic. This corridor competes with projects linking the Emirates and Saudi Arabia to the Israeli port of Haifa. It also worries Israel, already concerned about Turkish influence in Syria, and puts Riyadh in the face of a contradiction: to cooperate with Ankara while not trusting its report to the Muslim Brotherhood.

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的黎波里、赫德贾兹、海法:铁路成为地缘政治
2026-06-28

Tripoli, Hedjaz, Haifa: Rail becomes geopolitical

The project to revive the Hedjaz railway, carried by Turkey with Saudi Arabia, goes far beyond the economic framework. By connecting Turkey with the Gulf through Syria and Jordan, Ankara is seeking to become again a central player in regional traffic. This corridor competes with projects linking the Emirates and Saudi Arabia to the Israeli port of Haifa. It also worries Israel, already concerned about Turkish influence in Syria, and puts Riyadh in the face of a contradiction: to cooperate with Ankara while not trusting its report to the Muslim Brotherhood.

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在华盛顿之后,协议的框架?
2026-06-28

After Washington, the framework for an agreement?

No, the spectre of civil war is not back in Lebanon.This is a beautiful lure that the Lebanese have understood what the trap of a civil war costs. No, Israel's irresistible temptation to incrust in the South did not end.Yes, in its negotiation with America, the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to enunciate only the south of the [...]

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黎巴嫩-以色列框架协定:多数人的困境
2026-06-27

Lebanon-Israel Framework Agreement: The Lock of Majorities

The framework agreement signed between Lebanon, Israel and the United States may encounter several institutional locks. Article 52 of the Constitution raises the question of passage through Parliament. Article 65 imposes two thirds on the Council of Ministers on fundamental matters. In the House, the quorum is 65 deputies and the vote on a law is public. The debate was also political: Taif imposed the dissolution of the militias, but its part on the liberation of the South served to legitimize the resistance against Israel.

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Society

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Life for Relief and Development au Liban :La crise humanitaire s’aggrave alors que plus d’un million de personnes restent déplacées et que des milliers de familles continuent de souffrir de la faim et du manque de logement
2026-07-02

Life for Relief and Development in Lebanon:The humanitarian crisis worsens as more than one million people remain displaced and thousands of families continue to suffer from hunger and lack of housing

By Tasneem Elridi Thousands of Lebanese families continue to suffer the consequences of an increasingly serious humanitarian crisis, despite the announcement of a ceasefire. According to the latest reports published by the United Nations and international organizations, the number of internally displaced persons now exceeds 1.049 million, while more than [...]

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2026-07-01

Under the waves: condition of Lebanese beaches in 2026

CNRS Infographic 2026 shows that 24 Lebanese beaches are bathed, but seven sites between Beirut and Jounieh are prohibited from bathing due to extreme pollution. The analysis reveals regional disparities, the impact of wastewater and microplastics, and gaps in infrastructure and governance. Solutions exist but require collective commitment.

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2026-06-03

Henry Kaai targets 2026

Henry Kaai launched his 2026 season in difficult conditions at the 41st Spring Rally, organized by the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon. A victim of a road trip and mechanical problems on his Citroën DS3, however, the Lebanese pilot finished the race with his co-driver Georges Nader and won the RC4 R3T Cup. He now aims to defend his titles in front traction, rally and coast racing.

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2026-05-31

Alex Fghali wins Spring Rally

Alex Fghali and Joseph Matar won the 41st Spring Rally on Skoda Fabia RS, after a race organized by ATCL in Jbeil and Kesrouan. Bassel Abu Hamdan finished second at 14.4 seconds, ahead of Elias Dehni. The race turned after a three-minute penalty imposed on Roger Fghali, who had several better times, for early entry into the third stage.

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Economy

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2026-08-10

China sets itself as Lebanon’s key partner

China has established itself as Lebanon's leading supplier and could already be at the forefront of its individual trading partners. Trade reached $2.8 billion in 2025, according to Chinese Ambassador Chen Chuandong, and then $1.29 billion in the first half of 2026 despite the regional war. Behind this spectacular increase, however, is a strong imbalance: Lebanon buys a lot from China but sells little to it. The next challenge is to attract Chinese investment and further open the Chinese market to Lebanese companies.

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أطلق ألفا 5G في عدة مناطق في لبنان
2026-07-30

Alfa launches 5G in several areas of Lebanon

Alfa activated 5G in several areas of Beirut and its suburbs, before an announced expansion to 75 additional stations. This launch marks a first step for a long-standing Lebanon away from the modernization of mobile networks. However, the success of the project will depend on the quality of fibre optics, electricity, regulation, prices and the ability of the authorities to extend coverage beyond the main urban areas.

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Banking reform: Parliament accelerates but deposits remain at the heart of the debate
2026-07-30

Banking reform: Parliament accelerates but deposits remain at the heart of the debate

The Parliamentary Finance Committee finalized the review of the bank restructuring bill before a final meeting scheduled for Monday. For its president, Ibrahim Kanaan, this reform cannot restore confidence without a law guaranteeing the return of deposits. Financing these repayments and the effective implementation of future reforms now appear to be the main challenges of Lebanese economic recovery.

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Banking reform: Parliament accelerates but deposits remain at the heart of the debate
2026-07-30

Banking reform: Parliament accelerates but deposits remain at the heart of the debate

The Parliamentary Finance Committee finalized the review of the bank restructuring bill before a final meeting scheduled for Monday. For its president, Ibrahim Kanaan, this reform cannot restore confidence without a law guaranteeing the return of deposits. Financing these repayments and the effective implementation of future reforms now appear to be the main challenges of Lebanese economic recovery.

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Internet in Lebanon: Medusa project advances
2026-07-24

Internet in Lebanon: Medusa project advances

The Lebanese Council of Ministers requested the signing of the contract allowing the country to join the Medusa submarine cable, with the participation of Ogero. The Department of Finance must provide full funding for the project. This new link could diversify Lebanon's international roads and strengthen the network's resilience. However, its cost, capacity, timing and landing point have not yet been communicated.

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Culture

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Kavinsky, the last trip of the pilot of the Testarossa
2026-07-29

Kavinsky, the last trip of the pilot of the Testarossa

With the disappearance of Kavinsky, French electronic music loses one of its most singular creators. Behind this pseudonym was Vincent Belorgey, a discreet artist who became a world reference thanks to an immediately recognizable universe made of analog synthesizers, neons, desert roads and Ferrari Testarossa launched in the night. His character, inspired [...]

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World Heritage-listed Tyre at Risk
2026-07-23

World Heritage-listed Tyre at Risk

The Unesco World Heritage Committee has placed Tyre on the World Heritage List at risk, at the request of the Lebanese government. This decision recognizes that the conditions necessary for the conservation of the site are no longer in place, owing to the damage already observed and the continuing threat of hostilities. The Minister of Culture, Ghassan Salamé, now hopes to mobilise Member States, obtain expertise and speed up safeguard measures.

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Beaufort: Lebanese heritage again threatened
2026-07-21

Beaufort: Lebanese heritage again threatened

The Israeli plan to dynamit a network of tunnels in the Beaufort Ridge raises serious concerns for Qalaa al-Shaqif. Israel claims to be targeting a Hezbollah military infrastructure, but has not published any independent geological study or detailed risk assessment. This threat comes after a series of attacks on Lebanese heritage since October 2023, from Tyre to Baalbeck, including Nabatiyah, Chamaa, Mhaibib and several historic villages in southern Lebanon.

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Beaufort: Lebanese heritage again threatened
2026-07-21

Beaufort: Lebanese heritage again threatened

The Israeli plan to dynamit a network of tunnels in the Beaufort Ridge raises serious concerns for Qalaa al-Shaqif. Israel claims to be targeting a Hezbollah military infrastructure, but has not published any independent geological study or detailed risk assessment. This threat comes after a series of attacks on Lebanese heritage since October 2023, from Tyre to Baalbeck, including Nabatiyah, Chamaa, Mhaibib and several historic villages in southern Lebanon.

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