Israel says it is striking Hezbollah targets in several areas in Lebanon
JERUSALEM(RAHNUMA): The Israeli military said it was striking Hezbollah targets in several areas in Lebanon on Thursday, adding that the strikes were in response to Hezbollah’s “repeated violations of the ceasefire.” An Israeli military spokesperson had earlier issued a warning to residents of certain buildings in the Lebanese village of Sohmor. Israel and Lebanon agreed […]
Italy to keep forces in Lebanon after UN peacekeepers withdraw: Defence minister
Beirut, Dec 22 (IANS) Italy plans to maintain a military presence south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon after the withdrawal of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in 2027, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crossetto said here on Monday, adding that other European countries intend to take a similar step. During a meeting […]
Lebanon close to completing disarmament of Hezbollah south of Litani River, says PM
BEIRUT(RAHNUMA): Lebanon is close to completing the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Saturday, as the country races to fulfil a key demand of its ceasefire with Israel before a year-end deadline. The US-backed ceasefire, agreed in November 2024, ended more than a year of fighting between […]
Lebanon ties ceasefire talks to return of displaced residents
BEIRUT(RAHNUMA): Lebanon has made the return of displaced residents to their border villages a prerequisite for further discussions in ceasefire mechanism talks with Israel, Arab News has learned. President Joseph Aoun instructed Lebanon’s civilian representative, former ambassador Simon Karam, to raise the return of civilians to their homes and lands in southern Lebanon as a […]
Rubio says US hopes talks between Lebanon and Israel lead to strong govt, Hezbollah disarmed
WASHINGTON(RAHNUMA): Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday the US hoped talks between Lebanese authorities and Israel would lead to a strong Lebanese government and see the Hezbollah militant group disarmed. “We are hopeful that talks between Lebanese authorities and Israelis will create outlines and a way forward that prevents further conflict,” Rubio told […]
Syria seizes large weapons shipment destined for Lebanon
LONDON(RAHNUMA): Syrian authorities foiled a smuggling attempt of a large quantity of weapons bound for Lebanon in the countryside of the capital, Damascus, on Wednesday. Security forces intercepted the shipment in Zabadani region, a fertile valley area near the Lebanese border. The Ministry of Interior said that security forces ambushed the smugglers in the border […]
Lebanon approves release of former minister accused of corruption
BEIRUT(RAHNUMA): Lebanon’s judiciary approved the release on bail of former economy minister Amin Salam on Tuesday after six months of detention over corruption linked to contracts deemed suspicious, a judicial official said. Salam, who served in the cabinet of former prime minister Najib Mikati from 2021 to 2025, is the only ex-minister to be arrested […]
How Lebanon’s ancient olive trees became casualties of Israel-Hezbollah war
BEIRUT(RAHNUMA): Farmers in southern Lebanon have long held a fierce pride in their ancient olive groves. Many boast that their trees, which stretch along the border with Israel, contain specimens “dating back to the time of the pharaohs.” However, since the most recent war between Israel and Hezbollah, which ran from October 2023 to November […]
Lebanon foreign minister declines Tehran visit, proposes talks in neutral country
RAHNUMA:Lebanon’s foreign minister Youssef Raji said on Wednesday he had declined an invitation to visit Tehran for now, proposing instead talks with Iran in a mutually agreed neutral third country, Lebanese state news agency NNA reported. Raji cited “current conditions” for the decision not to go to Iran, without elaborating, and stressed that the move […]
Pope Leo visits Annaya monastery, meets religious leaders and young people in Lebanon
BEIRUT(RAHNUMA): On the second day of his three-day visit to Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV prayed “for peace in this country and the countries of the Middle East.” His itinerary on Monday included a visit to the Monastery of St. Maron in Annaya, Mount Lebanon, marking a historic moment as he became the first pope to […]
