Source: Kataeb.org
A recent directive issued to senior Fatah commanders in Palestinian refugee camps around the southern Lebanese city of Tyre appears to mark the beginning of a concerted effort to regulate, and possibly hand over, Palestinian weapons south of the Litani River.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Tensions between residents of southern Lebanon and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) flared again on Tuesday, as a patrol was blocked by locals in the town of Shaqra, preventing its entry without an escort from the Lebanese Army.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Everyone has a theory about how to fix Lebanon.
Monday, May 19, 2025
The Lebanese journey of, and into, uncertainty is continuing, for the fifth consecutive year – and the nth time in the century-long history of this republic. Albeit under new management, the state remains stuck between a mountain of debt, a sea of social and economic inequalities, and a black hole in place of once efficient (more or less) institutions. No local or global stakeholder disagrees on the baseline: the country urgently needs tangible trust and solidarity – in form of investments and loans – as much as extreme determination to have a chance of escaping this maelstrom.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in their second derby of the season with the Liga lead on the line and the focus on refereeing. Real Madrid has spent the days ahead of Saturday’s match complaining of mistakes against the club.
Thursday, February 6, 2025
The first Chinese driver in Formula 1, Zhou Guanyu, is heading back to Ferrari as one of its reserve drivers for the 2025 season.
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Saturday 18 January 2025 12:22:00
French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Lebanon carried a strategic dimension that extended beyond bilateral relations to encompass the broader regional security landscape and its stability.
Practically, Macron's visit provided an opportunity to strengthen security cooperation and discuss pathways to achieving stability in the region.
Several French media outlets have highlighted the implications of this visit, the objectives Macron may bring forth, and the anticipated local and regional reactions.
France and Lebanon maintain a longstanding military and security partnership. Macron's visit may strengthen this cooperation through enhanced training, provision of equipment, and the announcement of new training programs for the Lebanese Armed Forces.
These measures aim to bolster the army's capabilities, including collaboration in joint counter-terrorism operations and combating illegal armed groups. Additionally, the visit underscores efforts to improve intelligence sharing between French and Lebanese security services, enabling better anticipation of potential security threats.
Reports suggest that Macron's visit will provoke reactions from regional actors: Hezbollah may view the visit as either an opportunity or a threat, depending on the announced initiatives. Meanwhile, Israel is likely to welcome French efforts to contain the influence of Iran and Hezbollah. As for Iran, it may express skepticism towards the French initiatives, particularly if they are seen as aimed at limiting its regional influence.
The French President’s visit to Lebanon marks a pivotal opportunity to strengthen regional security and stability. Through military cooperation, stability-driven initiatives, and diplomatic engagement, France can play a key role in managing regional tensions and fostering peace in the Middle East. However, the challenges are numerous, and the success of the visit will depend on France's ability to maneuver through a complex geopolitical environment and secure the support of diverse regional actors.
This article is an adaptation of an Arabic piece published in Nidaa Al-Watan.