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Lebanon

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US pressure for the release of a Lebanese-Israeli-US torturer

US pressure for the release of a Lebanese-Israeli-US torturer

4 March 2020
New Hampshire Democrat Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Senator from Texas Ted Cruz have just tabled a bill: the "Zero Tolerance for Unlawful Detentions of US Citizens in Lebanon Act."
The aim is to secure the release of Amer Fakhoury (photo), detained in Lebanon since 12 September 2019, on charges of torture and other war crimes. The accused was a member of the South Lebanese Army (a militia collaborating with Israel during Lebanon’s invasion by the troops of Ariel Sharon). He served (...)

Turkey and demonstrations in Lebanon

Turkey and demonstrations in Lebanon

13 February 2020
Sources close to Lebanese security assure that several of the anti-government demonstrations are being orchestrated by Turkey through Jamaa Islamiya, the political party affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon.
The Jamaa Islamiya was founded in 1952 by the General Supervisor of the Syrian Brothers in exile in Beirut, Mustafa Siba’i. It was supposedly funded at the time by the Swiss banker François Genoud (Joseph Goebbels’ testamentary executor); today it is bankrolled by the Turkish (...)

EU funds embezzled by Mogherini, Hariri and Mikati

EU funds embezzled by Mogherini, Hariri and Mikati

24 January 2020
According to TRT, the Turkish public television corporation, a complaint was lodged by European MPs against the former High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and two former presidents of the Lebanese government, Saad Hariri and Najib Mikati, for embezzlement .
More than one hundred million dollars have been diverted from European aid funds intended for the management of Lebanon’s 2015 waste crisis.
The group of European MPs is led (...)

Lebanon forms new government

Lebanon forms new government

22 January 2020
After three months of street riots and a crippling cash crunch, Lebanon has established a government.
Against all expectations, Sunni Prime Minister, Hassane Diab, succeeded in putting together a government in just over one month.
Neither the Future Movement Party (Saad Hariri, Sunni), nor the Lebanese Forces (of war criminal Samir Geagea, Maronite), or the Progressive Socialist Party (of Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, guilty of crimes against humanity) are part of the government. On 21 (...)

Lebanon on the verge of a nervous breakdown

Lebanon on the verge of a nervous breakdown

19 January 2020
For several days, Lebanon has been swept by violent widespread protests, while, during the past three months, the Banks have illegally limited withdrawals to a maximum of 300 dollars per week. The economy is collapsing and many people are left without enough cash to live despite having money in their bank account.
Christian Lebanese President, General Michel Aoun, asked the army and security forces to restore peace and order on the streets of Beirut. On 17 January alone, 75 people were (...)

Multi-billion dollar transfer from Lebanon under scrutiny

Multi-billion dollar transfer from Lebanon under scrutiny

30 December 2019
After a tip-off received from a Swiss source, Lebanese financial prosecutor, judge Ali Ibrahim (photo), opened an investigation into the transfer of USD 2.5 billion by 9 personalities classified as "Politically exposed persons," which took place after Lebanon had put a ban on foreign currency transfers abroad.
Parliament convened an extraordinary session, chaired by Ibrahim Kanaan in the presence of the outgoing Finance Minister, Ali Hassan Khalil, and of the Chairman of Association of (...)

Lebanon: the background to the banking crisis of the century

by Thierry Meyssan

Lebanon: the background to the banking crisis of the century

Damascus (Syria) | 17 December 2019
The collapse of the Central Bank of Lebanon following a major state scam plunged the country into an unparalleled economic and financial crisis. The country is now paying for its 76 years of political dependence and 8 years of complete political vacancy. The reality of its situation is very different from the perception of its citizens.

Is Lebanon’s central bank a Ponzi scheme ?

Is Lebanon's central bank a Ponzi scheme ?

30 November 2019
The situation in Lebanon is deteriorating. Traffic lanes have all been reopened, but a rift has emerged between those who favour the free flow of traffic and the road blockers. The Free Patriotic Movement of President Michel Aoun, the Shiite Amal Movement of parliament speaker Nabih Berri and the Hezbollah condemn road closures; while the Future Movement led by Saad Hariri, a Sunni, the Lebanese Forces of the Maronite Samir Geagea and the Progressive Socialist Party of Walid Jumblatt, (...)

What lies behind the resignations in Lebanon

What lies behind the resignations in Lebanon

15 November 2019
After the Lebanese revolt started in October 2019, the first roadblocks were put up by the Christian Lebanese Forces of Samir Geagea (photo) and the Phalange of the Gemayel family.
The top officials of these two organizations had learned from King Abdullah II of Jordan that US President Trump’s special adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, submitted to Lebanese Prime Minister (Sunni Muslim), Saad Hariri, the idea of granting Lebanese nationality not only to Palestinian refugees in (...)

Lebanese banks urged to re-capitalize

Lebanese banks urged to re-capitalize

7 November 2019
The Lebanese central bank, Banque du Liban, has issued the following directives to the main banks in the country :
not to distribute to shareholders the profits accrued in 2019; and
to build up own funds as compared to 31 December 2018, by an initial increase of 10% before 31 December 2019, followed by another 10% before 30 June 2020.
The capital of the 16 major banks (Bank Audi, BLOM Bank, Société de Banque Générale au Liban (SGBL), Byblos Bank, Fransabank, Bankmed, Bank of Beirut (BOB), (...)

Illusionary reopening of Lebanese banks

Illusionary reopening of Lebanese banks

3 November 2019
On 1 November 2019, the Lebanese central bank authorized the reopening of private banks, while deciding to indefinitely impose restrictions on withdrawls and transfers abroad to $ 2,500 per week. This measure applies to everyone, including businesses and foreigners.
The current protests in Lebanon were sparked by a cash crisis, inhibiting money withdrawals from bank accounts and ATMs. In the circumstances, the government and parliament were forced to hastily adopt a new tax, soon to be (...)

U.S Treasury Designates Vast Iranian Petroleum Shipping Network

U.S Treasury Designates Vast Iranian Petroleum Shipping Network

Washington D. C. (États-Unis) | 4 September 2019
Network of vessels and facilitators has moved hundreds of millions of dollars to Assad regime, Hizballah, and illicit actors
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against a large shipping network that is directed by and financially supports the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and its terrorist proxy Hizballah. Over the past year, the IRGC-QF has moved oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars or more through this network (...)

Paraguay’s Designation of Hizballah as a Terrorist Organization

Paraguay's Designation of Hizballah as a Terrorist Organization

Washington D. C. (États-Unis) | 21 August 2019
U.S. Department of State
We commend Paraguay for designating Hizballah, al-Qa’ida, ISIS, and Hamas as terrorist organizations. This important step will help cut off the ability of these groups to plot terrorist attacks and to raise money around the world, including in the Western Hemisphere.
The world is increasingly recognizing Hizballah for what it is – not a defender of Lebanon as it purports to be, but a terrorist organization dedicated to advancing Iran’s malicious agenda. Like (...)

London deems that some of Lebanon’s ministers are terrorists

London deems that some of Lebanon's ministers are terrorists

2 March 2019
The House of Lords has adopted an amendment to anti-terrorist legislation passed in 2000. The effect of the amendment: every part of Hezbollah without exception will be deemed a terrorist organization. This text will enter into force on 1 March 2019 at midnight.
Hezbollah is a Lebanese network that is resisting Israeli invasion. Previously it was armed by Syria but since 2005 it has been armed by Iran.
Today Hezbollah holds a third of the seats in the Lebanese Parliament and three (...)

The Economic Summit of the Arab League and the case of Moussa Sadr

The Economic Summit of the Arab League and the case of Moussa Sadr

12 January 2019
The Economic Summit of the Arab League was due to be held in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on 19 and 20 January. However at least two issues raise doubts whether it will go ahead:
First, there is an intense battle between the member states of the Arab League on the convenience of the Syrian Arab Republic becoming a member again;
Second, the Lebanese Party Amal, established during the Lebanese Civil War by Iranian Imam Moussa Sadr, is opposed to a Lebanese delegation attending the (...)

Has Hezbollah built a tunnel to Israel? Israel has not provided enough evidence

Has Hezbollah built a tunnel to Israel? Israel has not provided enough evidence

7 December 2018
For the third consecutive day, the Israeli defence forces are continuing operation “Northern Shield”. The project is under the command of the Head of the North Region, General Yoël Strick, and is being supervised by the Head of the General Staff, General Gadi Eizenkot.
Tsahal has declared that it discovered two of Hezbollah’s tunnels that penetrate into Israeli territory. The Permanent Representative of Israel to the UN, Ambassador Danny Danon, has denounced this as a violation of Resolution (...)

Who is violating Resolution 1701? Israel or Lebanon?

Who is violating Resolution 1701? Israel or Lebanon?

7 December 2018
This photo was taken on 4 December in Kfar Kila (Lebanon). To the right you’ll see several vehicles of the Blue Helmets of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFL). To the left, between the Palestine flags and the flags of Resistance, you see a placard that pays homage to a young Hezbollah combatant now a martyr, and the flags of the Lebanese Resistance and the Palestine. In this area, the road signs to the Israeli border do not mention “Israel”, but rather “Palestine”.
UNIFL is not (...)

Tsahal’s clean up of the Hezbollah’s tunnels at the Israeli border

Tsahal's clean up of the Hezbollah's tunnels at the Israeli border

5 December 2018
On 4 December, the Israeli Defence forces launched an operation to destroy the tunnels dug out by the Lebanese Hezbollah in the No Man’s Land established by the United Nations between the two countries (Operation “Northern Lock”).
Four years ago, the Hezbollah constructed tunnels in this area. This would provide it with a way of passing under the border should Israel attack, and allow it to make a counter attack against the Hebrew State.
Tsahal now has sonars for detecting tunnels. Till (...)

Remarks by Donald Trump Commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the Attack on Beirut Barracks

by Donald Trump

Remarks by Donald Trump Commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the Attack on Beirut Barracks

Washington D. C. (États-Unis) | 25 October 2018
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you very much. (Applause.) That’s fantastic. Thank you. Please be seated. Thank you very much. A lot of spirit in this room. (Laughter.) A lot of spirit. For good reason.
We’re gathered together on this solemn occasion to fulfill our most reverent and sacred duty. Thirty-five years ago, 241 American service members were murdered in the terrorist attack on our Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. It was a very sad period of time. These are great, (...)

Remarks by Michel Aoun to the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly

by Général Michel Aoun

Remarks by Michel Aoun to the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly

New York (USA) | 26 September 2018
Your Excellency Mrs. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, President of the General Assembly,
Your Excellency the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Antonio Guterres,
Ladies and gentlemen the heads of States and Governments,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the onset, I would like to congratulate Your Excellency on chairing the seventy-third session of the United Nations General Assembly, wishing you success in this mission. I would also like to thank His Excellency Mr. Miroslav Lajcak for (...)

Turkish Journalist Ayten Öztürk is kidnapped in Lebanon by Turkish CIA

Turkish Journalist Ayten Öztürk is kidnapped in Lebanon by Turkish CIA

17 September 2018
On 9 March 2018, the Lebanese police arrested the Turkish citizen Ayten Öztürk at the international airport Rafiq Hariri (Beirut, Lebanon), when she was making her way to Greece.
On 13 March, the Minister for Home Affairs, Nohad Machnouk, secretly referred her to the Turkish equivalent of the CIA or MI5 (Millî İstihbarat Teşkilatı (MİT), bypassing the judicial process for extradition.
Mr Machnouk is a member of the Current of the Future (Hariri’s party).
Ayten Öztürk is a journalist who opposes (...)

Does Lebanon finally recognize the end of the war in Syria?

Does Lebanon finally recognize the end of the war in Syria?

1 September 2018
It appears that the President of Lebanon, Michel Aoun, had a telephone conversation with his Syrian partner, Bashar al-Assad.
This is remarkable because since the beginning of the war in Syria, only the Russian President, Vladamir Putin and the President of South Ossetia, Anatoli Bibilov, have had official contacts at this level with the Syrian Arab Republic.
Most states in the world consider that the war in Syria is a “civil war” whereas Russia and South Ossetia have declared that it is (...)

Sergey Lavrov news conference with Gebran Bassil

by Sergey Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov news conference with Gebran Bassil

Moscow (Russia) | 20 August 2018
Sergey Lavrov: Ladies and gentlemen,
We have held talks with Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of the Lebanese Republic Gebran Bassil. The talks took place in a traditionally friendly atmosphere, were highly informative, and included bilateral relations and regional issues.
Given the nature of multi-faith Lebanese society, Russia has always regarded stability there as a crucial element of regional architecture. We consistently express support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, (...)

Angie hits Jordan and Lebanon

by Thierry Meyssan

Angie hits Jordan and Lebanon

Damascus (Syria) | 26 June 2018
Throughout her voyage of the Levant, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel (Angie), is presenting herself as a person with a good heart, who wants Germany to play its part to helping the Syrian refugees. But the people that she is speaking see her as a fallen angel, who is masking her true intentions which are to wage war against Syria.

Lebanon elections: less than one out of two voters

Lebanon elections: less than one out of two voters

7 May 2018
After nine years in which no national consultation on universal suffrage took place, on 6 May 2018, Lebanon held legislative elections.
Each voter is assigned to a registered religious community. Which community you are allocated to is hereditary and has nothing to do with your faith or lack of faith.
A new electoral law guaranteed the status quo: the number of MPs by religious community was fixed in advance. Similarly, the offices of the President of the Assembly and Prime Minister were (...)

The Second Brussels Conference: Lebanon expressed its opposition

The Second Brussels Conference: Lebanon expressed its opposition

28 April 2018
On 25 April 2018 the Second Conference of Brussels in support of Syria and the other countries in the region, organized by the European Union and the United Nations, was brought to a close.
The donor states put on show their desire to help Lebanon to continue to provide shelter to the Syrian refugees for as long as it takes to come up with a political solution for Syria . Accordingly, they entreated host countries to give legal status to refugees even if they return on a temporary basis (...)

«The Art of War»

In the USA/NATO grip

by Manlio Dinucci

In the USA/NATO grip

Rome (Italy) | 13 March 2018
In 2006, Israël attacked Lebanon, hoping to crush Hezbollah and provoke a reaction from Syria. It is now preparing a new attack on Lebanon, hoping this time to trigger a riposte from Iran. In both cases, the game is rigged, because Israël depends on the United States. This scenario is the theme of the Juniper Cobra 2018 exercises .

Lebanon takes a census of Palestinian refugees

Lebanon takes a census of Palestinian refugees

29 December 2017
The Lebanese government has carried out its first census since independence of the Palestinian refugees on its territory.
It is thought that this population consists of around 500-600 000 persons. This figure is based on the figure provided by the UNRWA which recorded 469 331 persons. However, although the United Nations is taking note of all the arrivals, it is not noting the departures.
The census attests that there are actually 174 422.
Due to the war that has been waged against (...)

Macron succeeds in negotiating Hariri’s liberation

Macron succeeds in negotiating Hariri's liberation

20 November 2017
True the French President Emmanuel Macron had been given an icy reception when he visited Riyadh, but he has now at last secured the liberation of the Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Hariri. The latter had been detained with his family in Saudi Arabia.
After the United States and Russia had got Saudi Arabia to reconsider the rational basis for its decision, France officially invited Mr Hariri and his family to Paris. It would appear that Saudi Arabia has accepted this arrangement.
To save (...)

President Macron snubbed by Saudi Arabia

by Thierry Meyssan

President Macron snubbed by Saudi Arabia

Damascus (Syria) | 14 November 2017
Having hastily organised a detour via Saudi Arabia in order to repatriate the Lebanese Prime Minister, who is being held prisoner with his family there, President Emmanuel Macron had to swallow an unprecedented public affront. Although the French and Western Press did everything they could to camouflage the events, Arab public opinion could not help but note the staggering loss of French prestige and influence in the Middle East.

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