LEBANON

BEIRUT — Prominent Lebanese political figure Ibrahim Mrad sharply criticized Hezbollah this week, accusing the group of holding the country hostage to foreign agendas and deepening Lebanon’s economic and political collapse.  In a scathing public statement, Mrad, President of the Universal Syriac Union Party, denounced Hezbollah’s refusal to disarm, calling…

Originally published on 9 July 2025 by Katholische Univesität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. The original can be found here. By Dr. Elie Dannaoui | Associate Professor and Director of the Digital Humanities Centre at the University of Balamand, Lebanon Introduction Imagine opening a centuries-old manuscript and finding three different languages woven together on the…

BEIRUT — The Syriac Union Party (SUP) in Lebanon issued an open invitation through a post on its official Facebook page, calling on members of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community to participate in a commemorative event marking the anniversary of the martyrdom of 1,132 Syriacs who gave their lives for Lebanon as…

BEIRUT — In a move aimed at cutting off financial channels supporting Hezbollah, Lebanon’s Central Bank (Banque du Liban) barred banks and brokerage firms from dealing with unlicensed entities, specifically naming Al-Qard Al-Hasan in its 14 July circular. Founded in 1983, Al-Qard Al-Hasan describes itself as a charitable organization providing…

BEIRUT — Lebanese MP and head of the Kataeb Party Samy Gemayel has filed a legal complaint against Shiite cleric Faisal Shukr, who is the the deputy chief for the Bekaa region of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia. The complaint follows a speech by Shukr on July 6 during an Ashura commemoration, in…

BEIRUT — The Christian Front in Lebanon held its regular meeting amid critical local and regional developments, during a sensitive national moment that demands bold positions and clear decisions, free from complacency or ambiguous stances.  Facing this situation, the Front responsibly and transparently addressed sovereign, security, and national issues. It…

BEIRUT — “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves,” read Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rai. “Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” With this verse from the Holy Gospel, the Patriarch opened his sermon on Sunday, 13 July 2025, during the celebration of the…

By Hicham Bou Nassif | Weinberg Associate Professor of International Relations and the Middle East and George R. Roberts Fellow at Claremont McKenna College-California This week, Lebanon witnessed yet another flood of venom in the political discourse of the Shiite camp. The declared stance remains a firm grip on weapons indefinitely, coupled with…

MAARAB, Lebanon — The President of the Lebanese Forces, Dr Samir Geagea, affirmed that the statements made by US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, are directed at the Lebanese authorities and government to act responsible now. Barrack had told The National newspaper that Lebanon is…

ZAHLE, Lebanon — In a ceremony marked by heartfelt tribute and civic pride, the municipality of Zahle named a street after retired Syriac General Jean Moussa Chamoun, honoring his decades of military service and unwavering commitment to the nation.  The event, held under the patronage of Zahle’s Mayor Salim Ghazaleh,…