#lebanon's

Une série d’infographies sur la crise économique libanaise qui laissait prévoir l’éruption des protestations actuelle par
Ahmad Barclay sur Twitter : “0/ (THREAD) What were the signs that #LebanonUprising #LebanonProtests was coming? For the past few years I’ve been producing #dataviz and #infographics with #Lebanon's executivemag. I thought it would be a good time to trawl through them for some of the highlights/lowlights...” / Twitter
▻https://twitter.com/bothness/status/1186967874553954304
1/ The Swap — A major manifestation of the foreign currency shortage in #Lebanon... Back in 2016
@Banqueduliban
(the Lebanese central bank) offered Lebanese commercial banks a profitable arrangement to exchange $billions of their foreign currency reserves for Lebanese Pounds.

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Too Far or Not Enough?: Lebanese React to Political Propaganda Removal Campaign
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/too-far-or-not-enough-lebanese-react-political-propaganda-removal

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Beirut Governor Ziad Chebib (L) watches as his body guard tears down an #amal Movement poster in #Beirut on the first day of the implementation of taking down all political posters in #Lebanon's major cities. Al-Akhbar/Marwan Tahtah Beirut Governor Ziad Chebib (L) watches as his body guard tears down an Amal Movement poster in Beirut on the first day of the implementation of taking down all political posters in Lebanon’s major cities. Al-Akhbar/Marwan Tahtah

Last week, an otherwise fruitless dialogue between rival political parties #Hezbollah and the #Future_Movement culminated in a decision to remove all political posters and party flags from the walls of Lebanon’s major cities. The decision, aimed at defusing sectarian (...)

#Culture_&_Society #Articles #Ashraf_Rifi #Saida #Tripoli

On this land, there’s what’s worth crying over
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/land-theres-whats-worth-crying-over

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Lebanon’s Ain al-Hilweh #Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of the southern city of #Saida. Al-Akhbar/Marwan Bou Haidar #Lebanon's Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of the southern city of Saida. Al-Akhbar/Marwan Bou Haidar

As you return home, to your home, think of others Do not forget those who live in tents As you sleep and count the stars, think of others Those who have nowhere to sleep Think of Others – Mahmoud Darwish

May Khatib

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#Culture_&_Society #Ain_al-Hilweh_camp #Articles #Civis_Mundy #European_Union #Fatah #Palestine #UNRWA #Yasser_Arafat

#Tripoli's poor are denied even a grave
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/22986

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Tripoli, #Lebanon's second largest city, continues to suffer from state neglect, an unstable security situation, and corruption. Al-Akhbar/Marwan Tahtah Tripoli, Lebanon’s second largest city, continues to suffer from state neglect, an unstable security situation, and corruption. Al-Akhbar/Marwan Tahtah

A destitute citizen from #Bab_al-Raml in Tripoli died on Tuesday after spending the past year sick in bed. As his family prepared for his burial in the neighborhood cemetery, they were confronted with the city’s graveyards committee requesting a burial fee.

Abdel Kafi al-Samad

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#Culture_&_Society #Articles #burial_rights #Dar_al-Fatwa #Department_of_al-Awqaf #Malik_al-Shaar #Sheikh_Hussam_Sbat

Jihadi groups in north #Lebanon admit to defeat in battle against the army
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/jihadi-groups-north-lebanon-admit-defeat-battle-against-army

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Lebanese soldiers are seen following the clashes between troops and masked gunmen as soldiers control the area in #Lebanon's northern city of #Tripoli on October 25, 2014. (Photo: Anadolu Agency) Lebanese soldiers are seen following the clashes between troops and masked gunmen as soldiers control the area in Lebanon’s northern city of Tripoli on October 25, 2014. (Photo: Anadolu Agency)

Jihadi groups have not learned their lesson from their experiences in #North_Lebanon. They repeat the same mistakes and end up with the same outcome. What drives an armed group that adopts a certain cause, whether just or not, to wage a battle which it knows ahead of time is a losing battle?

Radwan (...)

#Ahmed_al-Asir #Al-Nusra_Front #Articles #Dinniyeh #Fatah_al-Islam #ISIS #Khaled_Hoblos

Ex-Lebanese MP shoots self in the face, survives
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/ex-lebanese-mp-shoots-self-face-survives

A former Lebanese legislature accidentally shot himself in the face Wednesday and survived, state media reported. #Lebanon's National News Agency said Ahmed Habous, an ex MP from the northern district of Koura, was in critical condition after a handgun he was cleaning went off. The report said Habous was undergoing surgery at Albert Haykel Hospital in Koura. (Al-Akhbar)

#US blacklists companies accused of #Hezbollah ties
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/us-blacklists-companies-accused-hezbollah-ties

The #united_states moved Thursday to blacklist a group of companies it claimed covertly helped #Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement acquire components for surveillance #drones. The US Treasury placed sanctions on Beirut-based Stars Group Holding, which it said purchased electronics and other technology via offices in China and Dubai to support Hezbollah’s military operations. That included the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that the Treasury claimed were used against rebels in Syria and for surveillance of Israeli sites. read more

#Ramadan attackers target another #Tripoli cafe
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/ramadan-attackers-target-another-tripoli-cafe

Assailants threw a grenade outside a cafe in #Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli Monday in the fourth such attack in less than a week targeting establishments that serve food during Ramadan fasting hours, state media reported. The attack on the Abou Elie cafe came as the army announced it had arrested five people suspected of involvement in last week’s attacks on two cafes and a bakery. No injuries were reported in Monday’s attack. read more

Syrian air raids hit Lebanese border area
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syrian-air-raids-hit-lebanese-border-area

Syrian warplanes bombed gunmen inside Lebanese territory on Sunday on the border between the two countries, #Lebanon's official National News Agency reported. There were no immediate reports of casualties. “Syrian warplanes targeted groups of gunmen in the Wadi al-Khayl area in #Ersal, firing four rockets,” the news agency said. Shortly afterwards, Syrian aircraft carried out two further raids in the same area, it added. The Lebanese army confirmed air strikes in “border areas” but made no mention of their target. read more

#syria

Syrian air raids kill four in #Lebanon's #Ersal
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syrian-air-raids-kill-four-lebanons-ersal

At least four people were killed and seven wounded in five overnight air raids by Syrian forces on mountains and valleys near the Lebanese town of Ersal, security sources said on Friday, the latest spillover of violence into the border area. Violence has regularly hit areas around Ersal. In January rocket fire from #syria killed at least seven people in the town and wounded 15. Lebanon has been struggling to keep itself out of the three-year conflict in its much larger neighbor, which has stoked tensions across the region. read more

Lebanese union chief says no to tax hike
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanese-union-chief-says-no-tax-hike

The leader of #Lebanon's most powerful workers union denounced on Wednesday tax hike proposals as a way to fund a bill that would raise salaries for teachers and public sector workers. #Hanna #Gharib, head of the Union Coordination Committee (UCC), told reporters that legislators must finance the #wage_scale through taxes imposed on the banking sector and high end real estate properties a day ahead of a scheduled vote on the long-delayed bill. read more

#UCC

Lebanese civil servants give #parliament till June 7 to approve #wage_hike
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanese-civil-servants-give-parliament-till-june-7-approve-wage-

Civil servants and teachers threatened to hamstring public institutions after #Lebanon's parliament failed Tuesday to approve a wage increase bill, in part due to a boycott by some legislators over the presidential vacuum. The country’s largest workers union gave Parliament till June 7 to approve a wage hike bill, or face their wrath of strikes and a boycott of official exams. Speaker of the house, Nabih Berri, postponed Tuesday’s session due to a lack of quorum after Christian lawmakers and their March 14 supporters boycotted the parliamentary session. read more

#salary_scale #UCC

The surveillance state: No privacy for the Lebanese
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/surveillance-state-no-privacy-lebanese

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Two men at work at #Lebanon's main surveillance center. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) Two men at work at Lebanon’s main surveillance center. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi)

One of the accomplishments of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) was institutionalizing the violation of the Lebanese people’s privacy. A futile political debate with security-related implications over so-called “telecommunications data” has taken center stage in Lebanon. However, the point of departure should be the fact that today, the Lebanese and their right to privacy has been completely violated by their security services, in breach of the constitution and the law.

Mohamed Nazzal

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#Culture_&_Society #Articles #Boutros_Harb #Charbel_Nahas #Court_of_Audits #France #information_branch #ISF #Najib_Mikati #Nicolas_Sehnaoui #Shukri_Sader #State_Shura_Council #STL #Telecom_Data

Lebanese workers’ union protests for wage hikes
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanese-workers-union-protests-wage-hikes

Members of #Lebanon's most powerful workers’ union protested outside the Ministry of Social Affairs in #Beirut Monday as part of a week-long strike over a stalled wage hike bill. The Union Coordination Committee (UCC), which represents thousands of public sector workers and teachers, has been calling on the government since 2012 to pass a #wage_scale bill that would increase salaries by 121 percent. read more

#Top_News #UCC

Public sector workers strike over #Lebanon's stalled wage bill
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/public-sector-workers-strike-over-lebanons-stalled-wage-bill

Thousands of public sector workers went on strike Wednesday over delays in passing a #wage_scale bill, one day after thousands of workers marched in Beirut for pay hikes. Dozens of protesters also gathered outside Lebanon’s Parliament to call on legislatures to quit stalling. Workers at the Beirut port, the National Social Security Fund, electricity workers, municipality workers, agricultural workers, public school teachers, employees at Lebanon’s water authority and some health care workers all went on strike Wednesday. read more

#GCLW #Top_News #UCC

#Lebanon's #presidential_election expected to be postponed
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanons-presidential-election-postponed

Lebanon’s second round presidential vote is expected to be postponed after March 8-aligned legislatures vowed to boycott Wednesday’s Parliamentary session in which it was scheduled to elect a new head of state. #parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is currently meeting with Walid Jumblatt, leader of the so-called Progressive Socialist Party, which routinely switches loyalties between the March 8 and March 14 coalitions — Lebanon’s two main political factions. read more

#Top_News

Lebanese legislatures offer support to Al-Akhbar, Al-Jadeed
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanese-legislatures-offer-support-al-akhbar-al-jadeed

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Members of #Lebanon's Parliament attend a gathering to denounce the #STL's targeting or Al-Akhbar and Al-Jadeed on April 30, 2014. (Photo: Al-Akhbar) Members of Lebanon’s Parliament attend a gathering to denounce the #STL's targeting or Al-Akhbar and Al-Jadeed on April 30, 2014. (Photo: Al-Akhbar)

Legislatures held a solidarity meet in support of Al-Akhbar and Al-Jadeed Television Wednesday after the two media organizations and their editors were charged by an international court last week with contempt and obstruction of justice. Eleven members of the March 8 block participated in the gathering, with their March 14 rivals turning down invitations to join. read (...)

#Top_News

Lebanese riot police fire tear gas at prisoners
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanese-riot-police-fire-tear-gas-prisoners

Security forces fired tear gas at inmates inside #Lebanon's notorious #Roumieh prison Tuesday after the prisoners demonstrated against an attempt to move three of them, a local TV station reported. An untold number of inmates suffered from tear gas inhalation, as authorities are attempting to calm the situation, Lebanon’s MTV News channel said. Images posted to Twitter allegedly show smoke rising from the prison after clashes erupted between prisoners and police. It was unclear what was burning. read more

#Top_News

Syrian army, rebels fire rockets at Lebanese border towns
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syrian-army-rebels-fire-rockets-lebanese-border-towns

Syrian army aircraft fired at least three missiles at targets on the outskirts of a Lebanese border town late Tuesday, as suspected rebels launched three rockets towards nearby villages in the eastern Bekaa valley, #Lebanon's military said Wednesday. In a statement, the army said Syrian aircraft launched three missiles at the border town of #Ersal, known to be a transit point to smuggle fighters and weapons, around 11:45 pm on Tuesday. Shortly after midnight, three rockets fired by suspected militants struck the nearby towns of #Labwe and #al-Nabi_Othman, the report added. read more

#syria #Top_News

Special Tribunal for #Lebanon aims to stifle Lebanese press
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/special-tribunal-lebanon-aims-stifle-lebanese-press

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Saad #Hariri, the son of #Lebanon's assassinated ex-premier Rafiq Hariri, recites the Fatiha or the prayer of the dead over the tomb of his father in downtown Beirut late 30 May 2007, after the UN vote to set up an international court to try the murder suspects. (Photo: AFP-Patrick Baz)

A plan to stifle the Lebanese press is in the works, but this time it’s being orchestrated in the name of international justice. The #Special_Tribunal_for_Lebanon (STL) has moved to force the Lebanese media to refrain from publishing any information about the court’s work that the #STL does not disclose officially. Their decision undercuts a main prerogative of the press and aims to turn the Lebanese media into a mouthpiece for the STL. read (...)

#Al-Jadid #Articles #Future_TV #New_TV

#Egypt suspends “sexually provocative” film starring #Lebanon's #Haifa
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/egypt-suspends-sexually-provocative-film-starring-lebanons-haifa

Egypt has suspended screenings of Lebanese film and pop star Haifa #Wehbe's latest movie after criticism over scenes deemed sexually provocative. Interim premier Ibrahim Mahlab ordered “Halawet Rooh” (Beauty of Soul) off the screens until Egypt’s censorship board reviews it again, the prime minister’s office said late Wednesday. The Egyptian-made movie, said to have been inspired by Monica Bellucci’s 2000 hit “Malena,” was released across the country on April 3 for adult-only audiences. read more

#Halawet_Rooh #Top_News

Who is behind the killing of Syrian nationals in #Lebanon?
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/who-behind-killing-syrian-nationals-lebanon

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An injured Syrian man, who fled Yabrud, rests at a field hospital in the city of Arsal in #Lebanon's Bekaa valley on March 28, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid) An injured Syrian man, who fled Yabrud, rests at a field hospital in the city of Arsal in Lebanon’s Bekaa valley on March 28, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Joseph Eid)

On April 14, a dismembered corpse was found in a garbage bag in the #Ouzai neighborhood of southern Beirut. Despite the proliferation of the dreadful images of death lately in and outside Lebanon, crimes like this are still uncommon.

Mohamed Nazzal

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#Articles #Fanar #Muhannad_al-Atli #syria #Yabroud

Dismembered #corpse found in #Beirut was #Syrian man “involved in prostitution”
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/dismembered-corpse-found-beirut-was-syrian-man-involved-prostitut

A corpse discovered chopped into pieces and thrown into a dumpster near Beirut has been identified as a Syrian man “involved in prostitution,” state media reported Tuesday, adding that two suspects have been arrested over the killing. The dismembered body was found Monday morning stuffed in trash bags in the area of #Ouzai, just south of Beirut. #Lebanon's National News Agency named the victim at Mustafa Nassif Saad, about 45 years old. Syrian national Zaki Saleh Tahawi and an unnamed Bengali woman have been arrested on suspicion of the crime. read more

#Top_News

Lebanese #banks strike against proposal to help fund salary hike
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanese-banks-strike-against-proposal-help-fund-salary-hike

Lebanese banks went on strike Friday to protest a proposal by lawmakers to increase the tax on interest earned on deposits by a mere 2 percent to help fund a proposed draft law that would increase public salaries. #Lebanon's parliament is discussing an increase in public sector wages in response to more than two years of union strikes and protests. But deputies say they need to collect additional revenues to fund the increases so as not to widen the state deficit. One proposal from a parliamentary committee is to raise the tax on interest on deposits to 7 percent from 5 percent. read more

#Capitalism #greed #salary_scale #Top_News #wage_bill

Lebanese Patriarch: Syrian #refugees should remain in #syria
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/19361

The head of #Lebanon's Maronite Christian Church suggested on Wednesday that Syrian refugees should be housed in camps inside Syria. The United Nations has registered 1 million refugees in Lebanon since the conflict began three years ago, the highest concentration of refugees worldwide. They are housed in homes and local communities rather than refugee camps. Cardinal #Beshara_al-Rai, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, told a news conference in Geneva that the presence of so many Syrians represented a huge economic, social, political and security burden for Lebanon. read more

#Top_News