Lebanon

BEIRUT, Aug 27 (NNN-NNA) – The European Union (EU) expressed yesterday, its deep concern at the rapid deterioration of the crisis in Lebanon, the EU Ambassador to Lebanon, Ralph Tarraf said, while urging Lebanese leaders to form a government.

“We feel extreme concern about the rapid deterioration of the economic, financial, security and social crisis,” Tarraf said, after meeting President Michel Aoun, carrying an urgent message from EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.

BEIRUT, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese army on Sunday received 19 tons of medical equipment donated from Jordan, the National News Agency reported.

The army received the donation through Beirut's airport in the presence of the Jordanian Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Hadid.

Faced with severe challenges caused by the financial crisis in the country, the Lebanese army is seeking international support.

22 Aug 2021; MEMO: The Lebanese government said on Sunday that it was raising gasoline prices by 66% in a partial reduction of fuel subsidies as it seeks to ease crippling shortages that have brought the country to a standstill, reports Reuters.

The increase in 95-octane gasoline prices would take effect immediately, the government said in a statement. It follows the state's decision on Saturday to change the exchange rate used to price petroleum products in a bid to ease the shortages.

BEIRUT, Aug 21 (NNN-NNA) – Lebanese President, Michel Aoun, yesterday urged the United Nations (UN), to take action to end the alleged Israeli violations of Lebanon’s airspace, a day after an attack by Israeli warplanes on targets in Syria, from over the country, a statement by Lebanon’s presidency reported.

The Lebanese president made the remarks, when meeting at Baabda Palace, with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, saying, the incident constitutes a breach of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

20 Aug 2021; MEMO: The Lebanese Foreign Ministry yesterday welcomed a recent announcement by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) opposing the unilateral decision of the African Union to grant Israel observer status.

In an official statement, the ministry said that the SADC stance was "in line with the provisions of international law and historical solidarity."

20 Aug 2021; MEMO: Lebanon today lodged an official complaint with the UN Security Council (UNSC) following what it said was an Israeli airstrike on Syria from within its airspace yesterday, according to a government statement.

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry said Israeli warplanes violated Lebanese airspace and flew at low altitudes over areas in southern Lebanon.

BEIRUT, Aug 16 (Reuters) - President Michel Aoun said he hoped a new Lebanese government would be formed within the next couple days, as efforts to agree one were spurred on by a fuel crisis that has brought much of the country to a standstill and sparked warnings of anarchy.

The steadily worsening fuel crisis has marked a crunch point in Lebanon's two-year-long financial meltdown, with shortages of imported fuel forcing hospitals, bakeries and businesses to scale back or shut down in the last week or so.

15 Aug 2021; MEMO: Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab has blamed corruption for Sunday's fuel tanker explosion, describing the incident as a "humanitarian tragedy", reports Anadolu Agency.

At least 28 people were killed and 79 others injured when a fuel tanker exploded in Akkar region in northern Lebanon early Sunday.

15 Aug 2021; MEMO: Lebanon is in contact with Turkey and Egypt to transfer those seriously injured in the fuel tanker explosion for medical treatment, the country's High Relief Commission said on Sunday, reports Anadolu Agency.

At least 22 people were killed and 79 others injured when a fuel tanker exploded in Akkar region in northern Lebanon early Sunday.

BEIRUT (AP) — A warehouse where fuel was illegally stored exploded in northern Lebanon early Sunday, killing 20 people and burning dozens more in the latest tragedy to hit the Mediterranean country in the throes of a devastating economic and political crisis.

It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion near the border with Syria. Fuel smuggling operations have been ongoing for months.