Saad Hariri

FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2020 file photo, outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, speaks during a press conference after his government was announced, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon. On Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, the Lebanese prosecutor probing this summer's port explosion in Beirut filed charges against Diab, and three former ministers, Lebanon's official news agency said. All four were charged with negligence leading to deaths over the Aug. 4 explosion at Beirut port, which killed more than 200 people and injured thousands. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)

Lebanon's PM refuses further questioning over port blast

Dec. 14, 2020 10:20 AM EST

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister has declined to be interrogated by the prosecutor in charge of the Beirut port blast investigation, persons familiar with the case said Monday, casting doubts on the future of the probe. Premier Hassan Diab and three former Cabinet ministers were...

Charges in Beirut port blast stir controversy in Lebanon

Dec. 11, 2020 11:49 AM EST

BEIRUT (AP) — Top Lebanese politicians and the militant Hezbollah group rallied on Friday against charges of negligence levelled against the caretaker prime minister and three former ministers over the massive explosion in Beirut’s port, underscoring the enormous difficulties facing the...

Lebanese judge charges caretaker PM in August port explosion

Dec. 10, 2020 12:29 PM EST

BEIRUT (AP) — The Lebanese prosecutor probing last summer’s port explosion in Beirut filed charges on Thursday against the caretaker prime minister and three former ministers, accusing them of negligence that led to the death of hundreds of people, Lebanon’s official news agency said. The...

Lebanon’s Hezbollah sues PM's brother over blast accusation

Dec. 9, 2020 8:21 AM EST

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s Hezbollah is suing the estranged brother of the country’s Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri after he accused the militant group of being responsible for the massive explosion at Beirut’s port earlier this year, a TV station reported Wednesday....

Relatives of victims of the Aug. 4 Beirut port explosion hold portraits of their loved one who killed during the explosion, during a vigil at the seaport main entrance, as they marking four months since the blast that killed more than 200 people and injured thousands, in Beirut, Lebanon Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. An investigation has yet to provide answers or hold any senior official responsible and the victims are demanding answers and justice for their loved ones. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Lebanon's Hezbollah suing those accusing it of port blast

Dec. 4, 2020 11:19 AM EST

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's Hezbollah said Friday it is suing a former Christian lawmaker and a website affiliated with a Christian political party for defamation, after they accused the Shiite militant group of being responsible for the devastating explosion at Beirut's port this summer. Hezbollah’s...

A cat sits next to a homeless woman sleeping on the Mediterranean Sea corniche in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 19, 2020. Lebanon should quickly form a reform-minded government to carry out badly needed reforms to help get the tiny country out of its severe economic crisis where the Real GDP growth is projected to contract nearly 20% in 2020 and a crash in local currency led to triple-digit inflation rates, the World Bank said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

World Bank warns of 'prolonged depression' in Lebanon

Dec. 1, 2020 8:52 AM EST

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s economy faces an “arduous and prolonged depression,” with real GPD projected to plunge by nearly 20% because its politicians refuse to implement reforms that would speed up the country’s recovery, the World Bank said Tuesday. It said Lebanon should...