Category: Key Issues

House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Wednesday received at the second presidency in Ain El-Tineh, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Ferid Belhaj, who came on a farewell protocol visit marking the imminent end of his duties at the World Bank.

The visit was a chance to discuss the general situation in Lebanon and the region.

Speaker Berri also met with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro, with whom he discussed the political and field developments in light of Israel’s continued aggression against the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

Berri later received in Ain El-Tineh, the Ambassador of Paraguay to Lebanon, Fernando Parisi, who paid him a farewell visit marking the end of his diplomatic mission in the country.

This afternoon, Berri received In the afternoon, the acting Cassation Public Prosecutor, Judge Jamal Al-Hajjar.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Makary, on Wednesday received at his ministry office, MP Imad Hout, with whom he broached the current general situation and the latest developments.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Lebanese Forces party leader, Samir Geagea, on Wednesday criticized recent presidential initiatives, saying they exposed the opposition’s true intentions. Geagea accused the resistance axis of shunning dialogue and aiming solely to fragment those opposing their candidate, former Minister Sleiman Frangieh.

Geagea condemned the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc’s unwavering support for their candidate, the Marada Movement leader, ‘allowing no room for further discussions.’

The LF chief argued that this stance obstructed attempts by the national moderate coalition and others to end the presidential vacuum. He lamented the resistance axis’ failure to secure the necessary votes for their presidential candidate for over a year and four months, resulting in continued electoral obstruction.

Geagea then criticized the national moderation initiative, alleging it ensnared the resistance axis into echoing its known rhetoric across various media outlets, insisting on electing a president to protect the resistance. he fina
lly urged Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri to fulfill his constitutional duties by convening consecutive parliamentary sessions until a new president is elected.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Energy and Water, Walid Fayad, recently participated in a conference titled “The Role of Gas in the Energy Transition in the Mediterranean Basin” in Paris, organized by the Mediterranean Energy and Climate Organization (OMEC).

The event drew high-level attendees including Egyptian Petroleum Minister, Tarek El Mala, and representatives from the European Commission.

During his speech, Minister Fayad underscored the critical need for stability in the Mediterranean as a foundational element for achieving energy transition goals. He emphasized the imperative of ending the conflict in Gaza, not only for humanitarian reasons but also to enhance energy security in the region.

Fayad also discussed Lebanon’s gas sector, highlighting the ongoing third licensing round which includes nine out of ten blocks.

Notably, exploration in Block 9 has drawn significant interest from a consortium comprising Total, Eni, and Qatar Energy.

Furthermore, Minister Fayad elaborated on Lebanon’s recent energy pol
icy shifts, including the removal of subsidies on oil derivatives and electricity prices. He noted how this shift has propelled the renewable energy sector forward, evidenced by the recent approval of the Distributed Renewable Energy Law by the Parliament.

On the international front, Fayad highlighted Lebanon’s participation in the MED-GEM project, funded by the EU, aimed at developing a green hydrogen strategy. He emphasized the importance of cooperation among Mediterranean countries, stressing the significance of addressing shared energy infrastructure challenges.

Minister Fayad is expected to return to Beirut following the conclusion of the conference.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Kataeb Leader Samy Gemayel received Member of the European Parliament Geoffroy Didier.

Talks focused on the regional situation and its repercussions on Lebanon.

The meeting was attended by Kataeb Political Bureau Member Alain Hakim, as well as Head of the Kataeb Foreign Affairs Department Marwan Abdallah and Member of the Foreign Affairs Department Lea Ibrahim.

During the meeting, emphasis was placed on the danger of war on Lebanon and the importance of expediting the election of a sovereign and reformist president to restore political normalcy.

Gemayel reiterated Hezbollah’s responsibility for dragging Lebanon into war and imposing the “arena’s unity” equation.

Talks also highlighted the Syrian refugees file and the importance of the European Union’s role in securing their safe return to their country.

For his part, Didier expressed his support for the Kataeb Party, affirming the partnership between the the European People’s Party (EPP) and the Kataeb Party.

He also pledged to continue prioritizing Le
banese affairs and rejecting any alteration of Lebanon’s identity.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon