Politics

Political observers from Belarus and Kyrgyzstan are reacting with surprise and skepticism to media reports that their former Soviet republics could be added to a U.S. travel-ban list.Officials from Washington, Minsk, and Bishkek refused to comment on the record about reports that Belarus and Kyrgyzstan will be added to the controversial list of states whose citizens face travel bans or severe restrictions on entering the United States.U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on January 22 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that his administration planned "very shortly" to expand its travel ban. But Trump did not specify which countries would be added. The current list includes Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, North Korea, and Venezuela."We are adding a couple of countries t...

House Speaker, Nabih Berri, stressed during his "Wednesday Gathering" that time was for work rather than words, calling on all to grab the opportunity of the rescue government away from settling accounts and tensions. "Time is for action, not for words, and therefore we are all concerned, as people and state, to take advantage of this opportunity of the salvation government away from settling accounts and tensions, and providing solutions to the economic and financial crises in order to realize daily living and institutional stability, through a program of reforms and accomplishments," Speaker Berri told his visiting lawmakers. He added: "Whatever the challenges, the national and popular responsibility entails rising above negativities and investing in building confidence and positivities....

Lebanese Forces chief, Samir Geagea, on Wednesday met at his Meerab residence with EU Ambassador to Lebanon, Ralph Tarraf, accompanied by the Embassy's Political Advisor. Talks reportedly touched on most recent political developments in the country.Source: National News Agency

The Spokesperson of the European Union Delegation to Lebanon said, in a statement on Wednesday, that "the announcement of the formation of the new Government in Lebanon is an essential step towards ensuring that the country can address the multiple crises affecting it." "The incoming Lebanese Government must swiftly tackle the acute economic challenges and enact structural reforms to respond to the needs and expectations of the Lebanese people. Appropriate protection must be guaranteed to more vulnerable groups of the society," he stressed. "The European Union is supporting Lebanon in social and economic reforms, as well as helping to reinforce good governance, accountability, and the fight against corruption," he added. "The European Union reaffirms the strong partnership with Lebanon and...

Prime Minister Dr Hassan Diab met this evening at the Grand Serail with Interior and Municipalities Minister, Mohammed Fahmi, in the presence of Internal Security Forces Imad Othman. The meeting touched on the security situation in the country and the measures implemented by the security forces to maintain security. Premier Diab then met with Vice Prime Minister, National Defense Minister Zeina Akar. Diab also met with Information Minister, Manal Abdel Samad, who told reporters on emerging that she discussed with the Premier her action plan for the Ministry. She pointed out that she is an independent Minister, named by Prime Minister Diab. The Minister also noted that the issue of state-run Lebanon TV appointments was not discussed.Source: National News Agency

Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, on Tuesday confirmed that the new cabinet embodied the aspirations of protesters all across the nation. We will endeavor to translate the people's demands. The new government comprises of qualified professionals and has a balanced representation of women. It is a government of specialists who only work for the sake of the country; a government that is not affected by politics and its struggles. It is a government of young men and women who are looking for a promising future in their homeland, Diab said as describing the new government. It is a government in which women have a balanced representation and occupy the position of vice-president for the first time in Lebanon, Diab added. In response to a question, the Prime Minister said that the new cabinet had cap...

The International Support Group for Lebanon said in a statement: "Six weeks after the enlarged ISG meeting in Paris on 11 December 2019, the ISG at the Ambassadorial level met today in Beirut. The ISG notes with deep concern the ongoing absence of a functioning government that is needed to manage a set of deepening crises, to address demands of the Lebanese people. The ISG is alarmed by the situation which is increasingly marked by growing violence. The longer the absence of an effective and credible government capable to meet the aspirations expressed by all the Lebanese that will have the capacity and credibility to deliver the necessary substantive policy package of economic reforms, and that will be committed to disassociate the country from regional tensions and crisis, the more hards...

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri received this evening at the Center House the Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon Ralph Tarraf and discussed with him the latest developments and the situation in Lebanon and the region.Hariri also held talks with the French Ambassador to Lebanon Bruno Foucher on the situation and the bilateral relations. Earlier, he received the new Jordanian Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Hadid in a protocol visit. Separately, Hariri sent condolences letters to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz following the death of Prince Bandar bin Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal Al Saud. He also sent a letter to the new Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin congr...

The French embassy in Lebanon distributed fresh remarks by French Foreign Ministry spokesperson, AgnAs Von Der Muhll, on the violence that was witnessed during protests in Lebanon over the weekend, which left scores injured. France is concerned about the violence that has been recently witnessed in Lebanon and stresses the importance of having protesters express all their legitimate demands in a peaceful manner, Der Muhll said, reaffirming France's commitment to the people's right to demonstrate.As for the serious economic and social crisis that Lebanon is going through, and in view of the recent violent actions, Der Muhll capitalized on the urgent need to form a new government that's capable of implementing a credible set of reforms that meet with the expectations of the Lebanese. France...

The French embassy in Lebanon distributed fresh remarks by French Foreign Ministry spokesperson, AgnAs Von Der Muhll, on the violence that was witnessed during protests in Lebanon over the weekend, which left scores injured. France is concerned about the violence that has been recently witnessed in Lebanon and stresses the importance of having protesters express all their legitimate demands in a peaceful manner, Der Muhll said, reaffirming France's commitment to the people's right to demonstrate.As for the serious economic and social crisis that Lebanon is going through, and in view of the recent violent actions, Der Muhll capitalized on the urgent need to form a new government that's capable of implementing a credible set of reforms that meet with the expectations of the Lebanese. France...