Lebanon

BEIRUT, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Qian Minjian said on Wednesday that China will work together with the Lebanese side in establishing a Chinese cultural center in the country, a statement by the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon said.

Qian's remarks came during his meeting with caretaker Lebanese Culture and Agriculture Minister Abbas Mortada.

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister warned Tuesday that the country is hurtling toward a “social explosion” and appealed to the international community for assistance to prevent the demise of the nation facing multiple crises.

BEIRUT, July 6 (Reuters) - Lebanon is a few days away from a social explosion, caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab warned on Tuesday, calling on the international community to save a country in deep economic crisis.

The World Bank has called Lebanon's crisis one of the worst depressions of modern history. The currency has lost more than 90% of its value and more than half of the population has been propelled into poverty.

Anger over fuel shortages has spilled into fights at petrol stations and the prime minister appeared to be warning of the prospect of more unrest.

05 July 2021; MEMO: Lebanon is suffering from an acute shortage of imported drugs, particularly for chronic diseases, amid a lack of foreign exchange in the country, Lebanese pharmaceutical importers warned on Sunday, reports Anadolu Agency.

"The importing companies have run out of hundreds of essential medicines that treat chronic and incurable diseases," the Syndicate of Lebanese Pharmaceutical Importers said in a statement, noting that this situation has been ongoing for weeks.

BEIRUT, Jul 3 (NNN-NNA) – The Lebanese judge, leading investigation into Beirut port’s blasts, announced yesterday that, he will start questioning caretaker Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, former ministers and current and former heads of security agencies.

Judge Tarek Bitar, set a date for interrogating Diab, without publically disclosing it, while he sent a letter to parliament, requesting the lifting of parliamentary immunity of former Public Works Minister, Ghazi Zeaiter, former Finance Minister, Ali Hasan Khalil and former Interior Minister, Nouhad Machnouk.

BEIRUT, July 2 (Reuters) - The judge in charge of the investigation into the Beirut port blast will seek to question top politicians and security officials, Lebanon's national news agency said on Friday, almost a year after the explosion that devastated the capital.

The blast in August, blamed on a huge quantity of chemicals left for years in poor storage conditions, deepened a political and economic crisis in the heavily indebted country.

BEIRUT (AP) — Ibrahim Arab waits in line several hours a day in the hot summer sun to buy gas for his taxi.

When he’s not working, the 37-year-old father of two drives from one Beirut pharmacy to another, looking for baby formula for his 7-month-old son — any he can find — even though the infant got severe diarrhea and vomiting from an unfamiliar brand.

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s energy ministry on Tuesday increased gasoline and fuel prices by 35%, a move that could lead to a sharp increase in prices of most commodities in the crisis-hit country.

The hike came days after caretaker prime minister, Hassan Diab, granted approval for financing fuel imports at a rate higher than the official exchange rate, effectively reducing critical fuel subsidies.

Lebanon is going through an unprecedented economic and financial collapse, coupled with a monthslong political deadlock over the formation of a new government.

BEIRUT, Jun 26 (NNN-NNA) – Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, yesterday, accused the United States of pitting the Lebanese army against his party, al-Manar TV channel reported.

“The U.S. statements, about supporting the Lebanese army to face Hezbollah aim at stirring sedition among the Lebanese,” Nasrallah said, in a televised speech.

The Hezbollah leader added that, his party has always been in favour of reinforcing the Lebanese army, which guarantees Lebanon’s security, integrity and unity against any Israeli aggression.

23 June 2021; MEMO: Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has reiterated his support for Saad Hariri as Prime Minister-designate, saying Hariri enjoys the support of his sect, Lebanon's Dar Al-Fatwa and members of the parliament.

Speaking to Annahar newspaper, Berri said his initiative to form a government is still in place, and he will not back down unless another acceptable initiative is proposed.