Category: Politics

Caretaker Minister of Public Health Dr. Firas Al-Abiad’s press office on Friday issued the following statement: “Today’s Cabinet session brings reassuring news for our patients with cancer and chronic diseases, as our proposal to fund their medications for three months has been approved, amounting to the equivalent of LBP 3 trillion. This will restore the regularity of drug financing and distribution.”

“This decision by the Cabinet today is pending the approval of the general budget, which will include an allocated amount for cancer and chronic disease medications within the Ministry of Health, approximately LBP 14 billion annually,’ Abiad added, emphasizing that “these steps would not have been possible without the joint and commendable efforts of the government, the Ministries of Public Health and Finance, the Lebanese Parliament, especially the Health and Finance Committees.”

‘Undoubtedly, the prolonged period of crises spanning over four years in all financial, economic, health, and political aspects h
as resulted in delays in approving solutions. However, it has not and will not succeed in overshadowing them. We remain committed to solving medication issues and regulating the market, standing beside our patients and families,’ the Health Minister concluded.

Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Friday received at his Yarzeh office, David Lammy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary of the opposition shadow government in the United Kingdom.

The meeting took place in the presence of Lebanon’s Ambassador to Britain, Rami Mortada.

Discussions reportedly touched on the current general situation in the country, and developments on the southern border.

Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

Member of Parliament, Ibrahim Kanaan, on Friday welcomed British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell, to discuss current developments, particularly the situation in the region and southern Lebanon. Discussions between the pair also covered efforts to prevent escalation, war, and halt Israeli aggressions.

Additionally, both men reviewed the progress of reforms and legislation, including financial amendments introduced by the Parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee to the 2024 state budget proposed by the government. These proposals aim at implementing practical changes that neither burden citizens nor the national economy.

Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Makary, on Friday received at his ministry office, the International Organization of La Francophonie Organization’s Beirut Bureau chief, Lévon Amirjanyan.

Discussions between the pair reportedly touched on projects related to the Ministry of Information and the International Francophonie Day.

Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdullah Bou Habib, on Friday welcomed David Lammy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary of the opposition shadow government in the United Kingdom.

Following their meeting, Lammy said, ‘I had very constructive talks with Minister Bou Habib about the highly concerning situation. I emphasized that we do not want to witness a deterioration in the regional situation but rather aim for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.’

Moreover, Lammy expressed hope to reach a diplomatic solution to the longstanding issues since Resolution 1701 and to calm the situation.

‘This is the reason for my visit, which I intended as a precautionary measure to listen to perspectives, understand matters, and play my part in achieving de-escalation,’ he added.

Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Makary, on Friday received at his ministry office, the International Organization of La Francophonie Organization’s Beirut Bureau chief, Lévon Amirjanyan.

Discussions between the pair reportedly touched on projects related to the Ministry of Information and the International Francophonie Day.

On the other hand, Minister Makary met at his ministry office, with the Director of UNESCO Beirut Office, Costanza Farina, accompanied by George Awad.

Discussions reportedly touched on the media law, which is currently studied by the parliamentary committees, and the already accomplished stages. The issue of including the archives of Television of Lebanon (TL) and the Ministry of Information in the UNESCO Media Memory was also discussed.

Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Friday received at his Yarzeh office, David Lammy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary of the opposition shadow government in the United Kingdom.

The meeting took place in the presence of Lebanon’s Ambassador to Britain, Rami Mortada.

Discussions reportedly touched on the current general situation in the country, and developments on the southern border.

Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Makary, on Friday received at his ministry office, the International Organization of La Francophonie Organization’s Beirut Bureau chief, Lévon Amirjanyan.

Discussions between the pair reportedly touched on projects related to the Ministry of Information and the International Francophonie Day.

On the other hand, Minister Makary met at his ministry office, with the Director of UNESCO Beirut Office, Costanza Farina, accompanied by George Awad.

Discussions reportedly touched on the media law, which is currently studied by the parliamentary committees, and the already accomplished stages. The issue of including the archives of Television of Lebanon (TL) and the Ministry of Information in the UNESCO Media Memory was also discussed.

Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

U.S. Embassy in Beirut announced on Thursday the arrival of Ambassador Lisa A. Johnson in Lebanon. Ambassador Johnson is a former U.S. Ambassador to Namibia and more recently held leadership positions in the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement in Washington.

On her arrival, Ambassador Johnson said, ‘It is an honor and a pleasure to return to Lebanon, where I served previously from 2002 to 2004, to lead the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. This is a difficult time, and I appreciate the significance of the challenges Lebanon faces. At the same time, I have a deep admiration for the vibrancy of the Lebanese people and confidence in Lebanon’s ability to succeed. Now more than ever, it is time for Lebanon to find a sense of unity and purpose in the common desire of all its people for peace, prosperity, and a brighter future.’

Below is Ambassador Johnson’s official biography:

Lisa A. Johnson, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, was confi
rmed by the U.S. Senate to be Ambassador to the Lebanese Republic on December 14, 2023. She served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia from 2018-2021 and Chargé d’Affaires in Nassau, The Bahamas from 2014-2017.

Prior to her current appointment, Ambassador Johnson was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and INL Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Asia. She also served for short time as Deputy Commandant and International Affairs Advisor at the National War College.

Ambassador Johnson’s earlier Washington, D.C. assignments included Director for Middle East Affairs at the National Security Council (NSC); Senior Advisor for South and Central Asia in the Office of the Vice President; and Director of INL’s Office for Africa and the Middle East. Her other overseas postings were Islamabad, Pakistan; Beirut, Lebanon; Pretoria, South Africa; and Luanda, Angola. She also was seconded to the Office of the Secretary General of t
he North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels.

Born in Iowa City, Ambassador Johnson grew up near Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Stanford University with an A.B. degree in Political Science and Economics and earned a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University and an M.S. degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College. Ambassador Johnson was awarded the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award in 2023 and is the recipient of seven Senior Foreign Service Performance Awards.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Thursday received at his Yarzeh office, Caretaker Trade and Economy Minister, Amin Salam, with whom he discussed the general situation in the country.

Maj. Gen. Aoun later received Tripoli Bar Association Dean, Sami alHassan, with an accompanying delegation.

Discussions reportedly touched on various matters.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Thursday received at the Second Presidency in Ain El-Tineh, the Senior Advisor to the US President, Amos Hochstein, and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Lebanon, Amanda Bales.

The meeting was also attended by Speaker Berri’s Media Advisor Ali Hamdan.

Discussions reportedly touched on the general situation in Lebanon and the region as a result of Israel’s continued aggression against the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

Following the meeting that lasted for more than one hour, Hochstein stated: “It’s good to be back in Beirut. We are obviously at a difficult time and a time of urgency, and I am grateful that I have been able to have meetings with the Lebanese government and with the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces – the LAF – to discuss how we can arrive at a diplomatic solution for the crisis on the border between Israel and Lebanon.

I was in Israel last week, and, as you saw, the President and Secretary Blinken and my
self have said we prefer a diplomatic solution to the current crisis. We had those discussions today, and I firmly believe that the people of Lebanon do not want to see an escalation of the current crisis to a further conflict. We need to find a diplomatic solution that will allow for the Lebanese people to return to their homes in South Lebanon and to go back to their normal lives, as the people of Israel need to be able to return to their homes in their north, to be able to live with security. That is the goal. I have had good discussions here with the government, and I am hopeful that we can continue to work this effort to arrive together, all of us on both sides of the border, with a solution that will allow for all people in Lebanon and Israel to live with guaranteed security and focus on a better future”

In response to a question whether he sensed a willingness from both sides to negotiate, Hochstein said: “I think you’ve all heard what the Government of Israel has said, which is that there is a narrow
window, but that they prefer a diplomatic solution. I think that is the case. We are living in a crisis moment where we would like to see a diplomatic solution, and I believe that both sides prefer a diplomatic solution. It is our job to get one.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Thursday received at his Yarzeh office, the Senior Advisor to the US President Amos Hochstein, with whom he broached the general situation in the country and developments on the southern border.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon