Lebanon sets new exchange rate, dramatically devalues pound

BEIRUT (AP) — Three years into a crippling financial crisis, Lebanon's Central Bank on Wednesday set a new exchange rate that effectively devalued the country's currency by 90% but did little to bridge the gap with the soaring black market rate. The dramatic measure is meant to...

Amid standoff in Beirut blast probe, US national released

BEIRUT (AP) — Scores of protesters Thursday scuffled with riot police in Beirut as they tried to break into the offices of Lebanon’s judiciary, after the country’s chief prosecutor filed charges against the judge investigating the massive 2020 port explosion and ordered the release of all...

Top prosecutor orders release of Beirut port blast detainees

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s top prosecutor Wednesday ordered the release of all suspects detained in the investigation into the deadly 2020 port blast in Beirut and filed charges against the judge leading the probe, he told The Associated Press. The move by chief prosecutor Judge...

Lebanon's top prosecutor orders all suspects detained in 2020 deadly port blast released, lawyer for two detainees says

US sanctions alleged Hezbollah financial adviser in Lebanon

BEIRUT (AP) — The United States on Tuesday slapped sanctions on a high-profile Lebanese economist alleged to be assisting the militant group Hezbollah with its financial operations. The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against economist and money exchanger Hassan...

Lebanon's prosecutor defies judge investigating Beirut blast

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s chief prosecutor on Tuesday defied the judge leading the investigation into Beirut’s massive 2020 port blast, claiming he can not proceed with the probe until the country’s judicial authorities rule on the matter. The move by the prosecutor, Ghassan...

Investigation into Beirut's massive 2020 port blast resumes

BEIRUT (AP) — The judge investigating Beirut’s massive 2020 port blast resumed work Monday after a nearly 13-month halt, ordering the release of some detainees and announcing plans to charge others, including two top generals, judicial officials said. Judge Tarek Bitar’s work...

European delegation ends 1st round of questioning in Lebanon

BEIRUT (AP) — A European legal team on Friday wrapped up the first round of questioning of Lebanese bankers and current and former Central Bank officials in Beirut, officials in Lebanon said. The questioning is part of a probe on money laundering linked to Lebanon’s Central Bank governor. ...

Lebanese pound hits new low as political deadlock persists

BEIRUT (AP) — The value of the Lebanese pound hit a new low on Thursday, trading at 50,000 to the dollar, as the country's deeply divided Parliament failed to elect a president for the eleventh time. The cash-strapped Lebanon's currency, once valued at 1,500 to the dollar, has...

Police question Lebanese relatives of 2020 blast victims

BEIRUT (AP) — Several relatives of the victims of the massive 2020 explosion at Beirut's port showed up on Monday to answer questions by police after they were accused of rioting and vandalism during protests over the stalled investigation into the blast. The rioting last week saw...