Lebanon

BEIRUT (AP) — In the dark streets of a Beirut now often without electricity, sometimes the only light that shines is from headlamps worn by scavengers, searching through garbage for scrap to sell.

Even trash has become a commodity fought over in Lebanon, mired in one of the world’s worst financial crises in modern history.

18 Jan 2022; MEMO: The US imposed sanctions on three people and their company in Lebanon, on Tuesday, for their alleged links to Hezbollah, according to the Treasury Department and reported by Anadolu News Agency.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Adel Diab, Ali Mohamad Daoun, Jihad Salem Alame and their company, Dar Al Salam for Travel & Tourism.

BEIRUT (AP) — An investigating judge in Beirut on Tuesday froze some assets belonging to the country’s central bank governor, who is accused of corruption and dereliction of duties during Lebanon’s unprecedented economic meltdown.

Judge Ghada Aoun said she ordered the freeze “as a precautionary measure” while an investigation into allegations against Gov. Riad Salameh continues. The governor filed to show up for questioning Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by a Lebanese anti-corruption group.

17 Jan 2022; MEMO: The Lebanese Ministry of Energy and Water denied on Sunday Israeli media reports claiming that it had agreed a US brokered deal to import gas "indirectly" from the occupation state. The gas, explained the ministry, will be imported from Egypt.

Israeli Channel 12 reported on Saturday that the US had brokered an agreement to supply Lebanon with natural gas from Israel via Jordan and Syria. This, insisted the ministry in Beirut, is "totally and completely untrue".

16 Jan 2022; MEMO: Powerful Lebanese groups Hezbollah and Amal said on Saturday they would end a boycott of cabinet sessions, opening the way for ministers to meet after a three-month gap that has seen the economic crisis deepen and currency collapse further, reports Reuters.

The groups, which back several ministers in a government made up of members from across the political and sectarian spectrum, said the decision was driven by a desire to approve the 2022 budget and to discuss an economic recovery.

BEIRUT, Jan 14 (NNN-NNA) – The U.S. will allow Lebanon to import natural gas and electricity from Egypt and Jordan through Syria, without being subject to restrictions imposed by the U.S. Caesar Act, which prohibits cooperation with Syria, Lebanese Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, said yesterday.

The U.S. authorities informed Egyptian officials about Lebanon’s capability of importing energy through Syria, Bou Habib said, during his meeting at Baabda Palace with President Michel Aoun, to inform him about his recent visit to the United States.

13 Jan 2022; MEMO: People in Lebanon took to the streets, on Thursday, in a number of cities in what protesters called "day of rage" against the deteriorating living conditions, the free fall of the Lebanese currency and a sharp rise in fuel prices, Anadolu News Agency reports.

The rallies came following a call by Bassam Tlais, the head of Land Transport Union, urging authorities to subsidise fuel prices and provide compensation to help them cope with mounting expenses.

BEIRUT, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese held on Thursday a nationwide protest against soaring prices and deteriorating living conditions caused by the long-term economic crisis.

Drivers and citizens took to the streets in the capital Beirut, Tripoli, Khalde and other cities and towns, parking their cars in the middle of the streets and burning dust bins to blockade main roads.

Fadi Abou Chakra, spokesman for Lebanon's fuel stations union, told Xinhua that the collapse of the Lebanese currency has impacted every aspect of life in the country.

13 Jan 2022; MEMO: The head of the Executive Assembly of Hezbollah, Hashem Safieddine, demanded on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia should stop what he described as its "hegemony" over the Lebanese people and "blatant interference" in their affairs.

BEIRUT, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Austrian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Schallenberg said on Wednesday that his country will increase its humanitarian support for Lebanon and it will continue to stand by the Lebanese people amid the current crisis, a statement by Lebanon's presidency reported.

Schallenberg's remarks came during his meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace, with whom he discussed the economic and political challenges facing Lebanon.