Source: L'Orient Today
Security & Justice
One Killed in Israeli Strike in South Lebanon
Lebanon’s health ministry said an Israeli drone strike in the south killed one person on Saturday, the latest deadly raid despite a more than two-week ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Lebanese Army Enforces Resolution 1701, Expands Deployment in South
The Lebanese Army has begun implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and related government-approved decisions in the region south of the Litani River, security sources told Nidaa Al-Watan.
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Opinion
A Diminished Hezbollah Is Made Even Weaker by the Toppling of Assad in Syria
A severely hobbled Hezbollah was in no position to help defend former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a longtime ally, from the lightning-fast insurgency that toppled him. With Assad gone, the militant group based in Lebanon is even weaker.
Sunday, December 15, 2024
What Assad’s Fall Means for Lebanon
The fall of Assad’s Baathist regime was met with widespread jubilation among Lebanon's various communities, especially its Sunni, Christian and Druze, but trepidation among many Shias, whose political leadership relied on Baathist cover and support. Baathist Syria had played a major role in Lebanon, intervening in the country's civil war, occupying the country in the post-war period, and manipulating Lebanon's political landscape to benefit its political and economic interests. Though it was ousted from the country in 2005 following a mass uprising that blamed Damascus for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, the Syrian regime continued to maintain influence in the country through its allies and supporters.
Friday, December 13, 2024
Sports
Eddie Jordan Reveals Cancer Battle Which F1 Legend Says Has Spread 'Aggressively'
Former Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan has revealed he is fighting an "aggressive" battle with cancer.
Friday, December 13, 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo Says World Cup 2034 in Saudi Arabia Will Be ‘Best’ Ever
Superstar football player Cristiano Ronaldo said the FIFA men’s World Cup that will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2034 will be “the best World Cup ever.”
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Wednesday 2 March 2022 17:38:16
Aoun, US Ambassador Discuss Invasion of Ukraine, Lebanon’s Maritime Border Negotiations
The United States Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea discussed the latest developments in Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Lebanese-Israeli maritime borders negotiations during a meeting Wednesday with President Michel Aoun, the state-run National News Agency reported.
Here’s what we know:
• According to the NNA, Aoun discussed with Shea “the latest international developments and the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war, as well as the steps taken in the course of the southern maritime borders negotiations file.”
• In an interview published by Asas Media on Sunday, Aoun was asked about his decision last year to stake claim to an additional 1,430 km2 of offshore territory during the negotiations. Aoun reportedly replied that this demand“was created in Lebanon for the purpose of improving Lebanon’s negotiation conditions but was not recognized internationally.” He also said that Israel responded to this demand by maximizing its demands, which led to the suspension of the negotiations. “Line 23 is today’s negotiating line,” Aoun added in reference to Lebanon’s original claim of 860 km2 in the negotiations.
• During the visit to Lebanon of the US envoy mediating indirect talks on Lebanon’s maritime borders with Israel Amos Hochstein, Aoun had told Hochstein that Lebanon “is ready to study the points [Hochstein] raised based on the desire to find a solution to the file.”
• The disputed offshore area between Lebanon and Israel is thought to potentially contain a large quantity of hydrocarbons.
• During his visit last month, Hochstein said that the gaps have narrowed between Lebanon and Israel regarding the border’s demarcation. “There is an opportunity today … We can reach an agreement, but we will not conclude it ourselves, as Lebanon and Israel must decide to do so.”
• On Wednesday, Aoun also received the United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon Najat Rochdi who presented to him the “United Nations strategic framework for the years 2022-2026” as well as different aid programs for Lebanon’s sectors, the presidency’s Twitter account reported.