Beirut | Business Upturn

Will falling revenues trigger a deeper disaster in Lebanon? Finance Minister warns of systemic collapse

Rashmi Pandey — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:28:01 +0000

The Lebanese government has issued a grave warning regarding the country’s escalating economic and humanitarian crisis, as the ongoing conflict continues to devastate public infrastructure and deplete essential revenue streams. Finance Minister Yassine Jaber recently underscored that the nation is grappling with an “unprecedented reality,” as public revenues heavily dependent on tax and customs collections have declined sharply since the escalation of hostilities in early March 2026.

The 2026 state budget, initially set at approximately $6 billion with expectations of stability, is currently unraveling as daily war-related losses push the country back toward a significant deficit. With conflict-related damages now estimated to be in the billions of dollars, the state’s capacity to maintain basic services and stabilize the national currency is severely compromised. The humanitarian toll is equally severe, with more than 1.2 million people forcibly displaced including 350,000 children creating an overwhelming demand for resources that currently outstrips available aid.

Minister Jaber has emphasized that the reliance on a cash-based economy, necessitated by the collapse of the formal banking sector, remains fundamentally unsustainable. The government has called for an urgent and comprehensive international response, warning that without a swift injection of support and the implementation of long-stalled reforms, the country risks a total institutional collapse. As essential services remain critically underfunded, the combination of mass displacement, infrastructure destruction, and fiscal instability has trapped the nation in what observers describe as a deepening, prolonged crisis. With humanitarian assistance expected to decline further in the coming months, the window to prevent a total systemic failure is narrowing rapidly.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Salam postpones UN and US visit over security situation

Rashmi Pandey — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:11:20 +0000

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has postponed his planned travel to the United Nations in New York and to the United States due to the current security and political situation in the country, according to official Lebanese channels on 11 April 2026. The decision was announced by the Prime Minister’s office, which cited the ongoing hostilities in southern Lebanon, high‑level diplomatic pressure linked to the US‑Iran‑Gulf ceasefire framework, and the need for the head of government to remain in Beirut to coordinate crisis‑management and security responses.

Salam had been scheduled to visit the United States later this week for talks with US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as part of an effort to push Lebanon’s inclusion in broader regional peace and ceasefire arrangements. He was also expected to brief the UN Secretary‑General on the country’s stance amid the Israeli‑Hezbollah clashes and the wider fallout from the Iran‑linked conflict in the Gulf. Lebanese and pan‑Arab reporting indicated that the foreign tour had been framed as an attempt to secure stronger international backing for Lebanon’s security and humanitarian demands, as well as to push for the implementation of earlier ceasefire‑related commitments.

However, the Prime Minister’s office now says that the fast‑moving domestic‑security situation, continuous Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, and the presence of displaced civilians across several regions make his physical presence in Beirut “essential” at this stage. The Lebanese government has repeatedly stressed the risk that any prolonged absence by top leadership could create gaps in decision‑making at a time when the country’s armed forces and security agencies are already stretched by the scale of the conflict.

The postponement does not signal a complete cancellation of the planned diplomacy, officials familiar with the schedule state. Instead, contact with the UN and Washington is expected to continue through ambassadorial‑level channels and virtual meetings, including the involvement of Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States and the UN‑based Lebanese mission. The Lebanese cabinet has already adopted a resolution on 9 April committing the state to direct negotiations with Israel to resolve the conflict, and the government has said that the current delay in the Prime Minister’s travel will not alter Lebanon’s overall diplomatic strategy in the coming days.

Lebanese President Aoun: Israel’s strikes won’t stop us from defending land

Rashmi Pandey — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:33:32 +0000

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has said Israel’s targeting of state institutions and security equipment will not stop Lebanon from defending its land, in remarks circulated on 10 April 2026 following fresh Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon. Open‑source reports indicate that the comments came as Israeli forces carried out non‑stop air attacks across the country, including a direct hit on a State Security office in the southern city of Nabatieh that killed at least 10 Lebanese State Security personnel.

Aoun’s statement, released by official channels, emphasized that repeated Israeli strikes on state‑linked facilities and security infrastructure are deliberately aimed at undermining Lebanon’s sovereignty, yet will not deter the country from protecting its territory and population. The president underlined that Lebanese institutions, including the presidency and security agencies, remain determined to continue their work in the face of what he described as systematic attacks on state establishments.

According to open‑source accounts, the Israeli strikes on 10 April formed part of a broader escalation in southern Lebanon, with dozens of locations in the Nabatieh region and other areas hit in a single day. Lebanese authorities have reported scores of casualties, including both civilians and security personnel, while aid and monitoring groups note that the attacks have severely damaged roads, bridges, and emergency‑response capacity in the south.

Key highlights

Aoun: Strikes won’t stop protection.
State Security hit in Nabatieh.
10 security staff killed on 10 April.
Israel continues strikes on Lebanon.
President vows to defend territory.

Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry announces readiness for direct talks with Israel

Savita Uppar — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:58:38 +0000

In a surprising turn of events, Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry has stated that the government in Beirut is ready to engage in direct talks with Israel. This announcement could lead to a significant change in one of the Middle East’s longest-standing rivalries. Lebanon and Israel have technically been at war for decades, with a border characterized by hostility, conflict, and mutual distrust. The two nations have never held formal direct negotiations. All previous agreements, including ceasefire understandings and border discussions, took place indirectly through intermediaries like the United States and the United Nations.

Beirut’s announcement comes at a time when there is a broader ceasefire between the United States and Iran. This suggests that Lebanon’s leadership under President Joseph Aoun is moving quickly to position the country favorably within a changing geopolitical landscape. After welcoming the US-Iran truce and promising to seek Lebanon’s place in a lasting regional peace, the Foreign Ministry’s statement represents the boldest step yet toward that goal.

The timing is both brave and strategic. With Hezbollah’s patron Iran agreeing to a ceasefire with Washington, Lebanon now has the chance to pursue its own diplomatic path, something that was not possible before. Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanese foreign policy remains significant, but it may be facing its biggest challenge in years. For Israel, this announcement is both an opportunity and a test. How Jerusalem responds to Beirut’s proposal, especially while continuing military strikes in Lebanese territory, will reveal much about the chances for lasting peace. The Middle East is changing rapidly. Lebanon’s remarkable announcement might become one of the most important diplomatic moments in this turbulent period.

Israel strike in Beirut kills Hezbollah Commander Haj Youssef Ismail Hashem

Savita Uppar — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:13:16 +0000

The Israeli Navy has killed Hezbollah’s Southern Front Commander, Hajj Youssef Ismail Hashem, in a targeted strike in Beirut, according to the Israel Defense Forces. This operation is one of the most significant blows to Hezbollah’s military structure during the ongoing regional conflict.

The IDF Spokesperson noted that Hashem led one of Hezbollah’s most essential units. The Southern Front carries out terrorist activities against Israel and engages directly with IDF forces in southern Lebanon. Hashem personally directed rocket and drone attacks on Israeli territory and played a key role in leading Hezbollah’s military recovery efforts after the group suffered severe losses during the 2024 war.

The IDF described Hashem as a commander with over 40 years of experience and a crucial part of the terror organization, highlighting the importance of his death. His long involvement in Hezbollah’s operations made him one of the group’s most skilled and indispensable military leaders. This strike is part of Israel’s ongoing effort to weaken Hezbollah’s command structure. Earlier in the conflict, the IDF confirmed the killing of Hussein Makled, who was the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters. He was responsible for giving the group intelligence regarding IDF movements and Israeli territory.

Israel resumed ground operations in southern Lebanon on 16 March 2026, after Hezbollah decided to break its ceasefire with Israel by launching strikes in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The IDF has said it will not let Hezbollah rebuild its forces and has killed over 400 Hezbollah operatives since the November 2024 ceasefire began. The death of Hashem is likely to significantly disrupt Hezbollah’s southern operations and rocket capabilities at this critical point in the war.

France proposes Hezbollah withdrawal and border talks for Israel-Lebanon truce

Aishi Saha — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 06:05:33 +0000

France has presented a written proposal to Beirut, aiming to quell hostilities with Israel and resolve the contentious Lebanon-Israel border dispute. The document, delivered by French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, advocates for the withdrawal of fighters, including Hezbollah’s elite unit, from the border by 10 kilometers.

The plan, part of ongoing Western mediation efforts, seeks to end clashes between Hezbollah and Israel, which have escalated alongside the conflict in Gaza. While the proposal outlines steps towards a potential ceasefire and border negotiations, Hezbollah insists on waiting until the Gaza war concludes before engaging in formal de-escalation talks.

The three-step plan involves a 10-day process of de-escalation, culminating in border negotiations. France, with historical ties to Lebanon, aims to consolidate various diplomatic initiatives to foster peace in the region. However, Hezbollah’s reluctance to negotiate until the Gaza conflict subsides presents a significant obstacle.

The proposal suggests that Lebanese armed groups and Israel cease military operations against each other, paving the way for the withdrawal of combat forces from the border region and the deployment of Lebanese army troops. While Israel has received the proposal and is considering it, concerns have risen in Beirut regarding certain elements, including demands to dismantle premises near the border, which could target Hezbollah-affiliated civilian institutions.

Despite the proposal’s potential, tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border remain displaced, with casualties mounting since the conflict began in October. Western envoys continue to engage with Lebanese officials, although direct talks with Hezbollah have been limited due to its terrorist designation.

The proposal draws parallels with previous ceasefire agreements and calls for international support for the Lebanese army’s deployment and socio-economic development in southern Lebanon. As tensions persist, the proposal offers a glimmer of hope for de-escalating the conflict and initiating constructive dialogue between Lebanon and Israel. However, the path to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges, requiring sustained diplomatic engagement and cooperation from all parties involved.

Lebanon’s defence minister survives assassination attempt in Beirut: Report

Avinash Ram — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 14:51:33 +0000

According to sources, an incident occurs when unidentified gunmen shoot fire on Defence Minister Maurice Selim’s automobile in Beirut.

Lebanese Defence Minister Maurice Selim escaped an assassination attempt in Beirut on Thursday. In this Assassination attempt a unidentified gunmen opened fire on his automobile in the Jisr Al-Basha neighbourhood, striking it numerous times. According to sources the minister is “fine” and in a secure location.

2nd massive blast in Lebanon erupts fire in Beirut port area just a month after the first killing thousands

Muskan Jain — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 12:08:56 +0000

A massive fire is raging at the port of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, a little more than a month after a huge explosion devastated the port facilities and surrounding area.

There was no immediate information about what caused Thursday’s fire, which sent a large column of black smoke into the sky. The Lebanese army said the blaze was at a warehouse where oil and tyres are stored in the port’s duty-free zone.

Army helicopters were taking part in efforts to extinguish the fire. Local TV stations said companies with offices near the port have asked their employees to leave the area. Panicked residents leaned out of windows to call out each other and warn of the new fire.

Some 191 people were killed and more than wounded when 2,750 tonnes of confiscated ammonium nitrate that were stored in a port warehouse for almost seven years exploded on August 4.