Lebanon

BEIRUT, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron vowed on Saturday to maintain his country's support for Lebanon in various fields, the National News Agency reported.

"France will stand by Lebanon during its current difficult circumstances and will support it in various fields, namely in cabinet formation," Macron told his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun in a phone call.

Aoun thanked Macron for his support for Lebanon and his keenness to bolster Lebanese-French ties on all levels.

27 Jan 2021; MEMO: Anti-lockdown protesters clashed with police in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli last night, leaving 45 injured.

At least nine were taken to hospital for treatment by the Lebanese Red Cross following the clashes.

Protesters targeted government offices, torched a military vehicle and blocked the city's main square.

The army was deployed to contain the demonstrators, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported.

BEIRUT, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- More than 35 people were injured on Tuesday due to clashes between protesters and security forces in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, al-Jadeed local TV channel reported.

Protesters took to the street to demonstrate against the Lebanese authorities' decision to impose total lockdown in the country in the absence of a social safety net capable of securing the basic needs of citizens.

BEIRUT (AP) — When Lebanon’s financial meltdown began in late 2019, Hassan Shoumar was locked out of his dollar savings like everyone else in the country as banks clamped down with capital controls.

But the young engineer had an alternative. He could still pull out the dollars in his account at the al-Qard al-Hasan Association, the financial arm of the militant Hezbollah group.

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon’s top Christian cleric has urged President Michel Aoun to set up a reconciliation meeting with Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri to form a cabinet and end the country’s political deadlock.

The country’s fractious politicians have been unable to agree on a new administration since the last one quit in the aftermath of the Aug. 4 Beirut port explosion, leaving Lebanon rudderless as it sinks deeper into economic crisis.

BEIRUT/LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) - The company that bought the ammonium nitrate which exploded in Beirut last August had possible links to two Syrian businessmen under U.S. sanctions for ties to President Bashar al-Assad, according to a report by a Lebanese journalist and London company filings.

Savaro Ltd, the trading firm which procured the chemicals in 2013, shared a London address with companies linked to George Haswani and Imad Khoury, according to the report by documentary film-maker Firas Hatoum, which aired on Lebanon’s al-Jadeed TV station this week.

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese authorities began enforcing an 11-day nationwide shutdown and round the clock curfew Thursday, hoping to limit the spread of coronavirus infections spinning out of control after the holiday period.

For the first time, residents were required to request a one-hour permit to be allowed to leave the house for “emergencies,” including going to the bakery, pharmacist, doctor, hospital or airport.

13 Jan 2021; MEMO: Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri's recent visit to Turkey came with an Arab mandate to open the doors of mediation between Ankara and Riyadh, Lebanon's Al-Jadeed TV channel reported.

Hariri's unannounced visit to Istanbul and his "private meeting" with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier this week aimed to open the doors of mediation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, with Emirati approval, the station said.

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese authorities tightened a nationwide lockdown Monday, including an 11-day, 24-hour curfew, amid a dramatic surge in coronavirus infections and growing criticism of uncoordinated policies many blame for the spread of the virus.

News of the restrictions to be implemented starting Thursday morning sparked panicked grocery buying as people lined up outside of supermarkets to stock up, raising fears the crowds could further spread the virus.

BEIRUT, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Head of Mission and Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Stefano Del Col urged on Saturday the UNIFIL and all involved parties to show in 2021 more determination in moving toward the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701.

"In 2021, let's continue to build on the progress we've made, together," a statement by UNIFIL quoted Del Col as saying in a message on the occasion of New Year.

Del Col said that the UNIFIL has, in 2020, seen occasional yet serious tensions across the Blue Line.