Latest Najib Mikati News
Hezbollah, ally end Cabinet boycott in crisis-hit Lebanon
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group and its main Shiite ally said Saturday they are ending their boycott of Cabinet meetings after a three-month deadlock that has worsened the small nation’s unprecedented economic meltdown. The two Shiite groups said in a joint...
Lebanese judge issues travel ban for central bank governor
BEIRUT (AP) — A Lebanese judge Tuesday issued a travel ban for the country’s central bank governor, state-run National News Agency and a lawyer said. The move comes after a corruption lawsuit accused him of embezzlement and dereliction of duty during the country's financial meltdown, . ...
Lebanon's pound hits low of 30,000 to a dollar amid crisis
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s currency hit a new low Tuesday reaching 20 times its value on the black market since the economic meltdown began in late 2019 and likely throwing more people into poverty. The pound was trading at 30,000 to 1 U.S. dollar on the black market as the economic...
Hezbollah leader launches verbal attack against Saudi king
BEIRUT (AP) — The leader of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group verbally attacked the king of Saudi Arabia on Monday, saying Riyadh helped spread extremist Islamic ideology worldwide and is taking the thousands of Lebanese who work in the oil-rich Persian Gulf region “hostage.” ...
Lebanese premier expects draft deal with IMF within weeks
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s prime minister said Tuesday that his government's talks with the International Monetary Fund are inching closer to a “final formula” for a draft on an agreement before the end of February. Najib Mikati said the Cabinet — which has not met since Oct....
Lebanon's president calls for an end to government paralysis
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s president called Monday for an end to an 11-week deadlock that has prevented the government from convening, further undermining state institutions in the country amid an economic meltdown. President Michel Aoun implicitly blamed his powerful ally...
UN chief warns Lebanon Cabinet paralysis may dampen support
BEIRUT (AP) — The U.N. chief warned Tuesday that the international community is unlikely to come forth with much-needed support for Lebanon amid its persistent government paralysis and as the country struggles through a “very dramatic” crisis. Antonio Guterres’ remarks came...
UN chief calls for impartial probe into Beirut Port blast
BEIRUT (AP) — The U.N. chief called on Monday for an impartial and transparent investigation into last year's massive Beirut port explosion to ensure justice, after paying tribute to the victims of the blast. The Aug. 4, 2020 blast has been described as one of the largest...
France to work with Saudis to resolve crisis with Lebanon
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — France’s president and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince held a joint phone call with Lebanon’s prime minister during Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the kingdom on Saturday, in a significant gesture amid an unprecedented crisis between Lebanon and Saudi...
Lebanese minister resigns in bid to ease crisis with Saudis
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s information minister resigned Friday, a move many hope could open the way for easing an unprecedented diplomatic row with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab nations that has compounded the small country’s multiple crises. George Kordahi, the...
