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Lebanon's Fadel Shaker Sentenced to Jail on Terror Charges

Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker performs during a gathering at the main sports stadium in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on June 9, 2013. (AFP)
Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker performs during a gathering at the main sports stadium in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on June 9, 2013. (AFP)
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Lebanon's Fadel Shaker Sentenced to Jail on Terror Charges

Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker performs during a gathering at the main sports stadium in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on June 9, 2013. (AFP)
Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker performs during a gathering at the main sports stadium in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on June 9, 2013. (AFP)

The military court in Lebanon sentenced on Thursday popular singer Fadel Shaker to jail on terrorism charges in offences dating back to 2013.

That year, the military engaged in armed clashes with a group loyal to extremist Ahmed al-Asir in the southern town of Abra near Sidon city.

In a first ruling, Fadel Shmandur - his real name - was sentenced to 15 years in jail for the acts of terrorism committed by terrorists with his knowledge. He was also accused of providing them with logistic support.

In a second ruling, he was sentenced to seven years in jail, ordered to pay a fine of 5 million Lebanese pounds (or 1,500 dollars according to the official rate) and was stripped of his civil rights on charges of funding Asir's armed group and securing it with weapons and ammunition.

The Abra clashes left 18 soldiers and 11 gunmen dead.

Asir was arrested at Beirut airport on August 15, 2015 as he was attempting to flee Lebanon with a fake passport.

Shaker began his career as a popular wedding singer who performed from the rooftops of the crowded Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh in Sidon, the largest in Lebanon.

He became immensely popular across the Arab world for his love songs and advocacy of Palestinian rights.

When Syria’s uprising erupted in 2011, Shaker shocked his fans by joining the ranks of extremist preacher Asir.

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Arab World

Reports: US to Withdraw All Troops from Syria

A US Army patrol in the Syrian city of Qamishli (Reuters file photo)
A US Army patrol in the Syrian city of Qamishli (Reuters file photo)
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Reports: US to Withdraw All Troops from Syria

A US Army patrol in the Syrian city of Qamishli (Reuters file photo)
A US Army patrol in the Syrian city of Qamishli (Reuters file photo)

The United States is planning to withdraw all of its 1,000 troops from Syria over the next two months, according to US media reports.

Washington will end its presence in the country after the Syrian government extended its control over the country and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces once key to fighting ISIS pledged to integrate into the state, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Television network CBS also reported on the plan, citing unnamed US officials.

The decision comes after US forces recently withdrew from some bases
in Syria including Al-Tanf and Al-Shadadi, which were used in the US-led international coalition's fight against ISIS, AFP reported.

The US is building up its military capabilities near Iran, where officials have vowed to respond to any attack by laying siege to American military outposts in the region.

US media reported Wednesday that Washington will be ready to launch strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, though Trump has reportedly not made a final decision yet.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Arab World

Canada Eases Sanctions on Syria

13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa
13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa
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Canada Eases Sanctions on Syria

13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa
13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand said on Wednesday that Canada had amended its economic sanctions on Syria ‌to ease ‌restrictions related ‌to the ⁠import and export ⁠of goods, investment activities and the provision of financial and other ⁠services, according to Reuters.

"The amendments also ‌remove ‌24 entities and ‌one individual from ‌the Syria Regulations to reduce barriers to economic activity and ‌to enable transactions with state-affiliated entities ⁠in ⁠key sectors critical to Syria’s recovery," Anand said in a statement.

Arab World

Tetteh: Despite UN Engagement, No Progress in Libya Roadmap

Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)
Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)
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Tetteh: Despite UN Engagement, No Progress in Libya Roadmap

Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)
Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)

The UN’s top envoy for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, has informed the Security Council that despite active United Nations engagement, the Libyan House of Representatives and the High Council of State have failed to make progress on the first steps of the agreed political roadmap, including establishing a mechanism to select the board of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) and advancing electoral legislation.

Briefing the Council in New York on Wednesday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General said: “Their inability to use their agreed mechanism and follow-on unilateral actions has further eroded their credibility."

Tetteh added that Libyan public perceptions reflect a growing belief that the bodies are “unable or unwilling” to deliver.

She told Council members that she has begun consultations with key actors on an alternative two-step approach aimed at restoring momentum. Should a smaller group of Libyan representatives fail to agree on the roadmap’s milestones, she warned, a broader convening would be required. “We cannot wait indefinitely,” she emphasized.

The UN envoy also issued a stark warning about escalating tensions within Libya’s judicial system.

She said “contradictory, parallel judicial decisions put into jeopardy the unity of the legal and judicial systems,” cautioning that the situation “is a red line that if crossed can undermine the unity of the state.”

She urged Libyan leaders to refrain from further escalatory steps and called on the Council to hold accountable those taking actions that threaten to fracture the judiciary.

Tetteh also warned that transnational criminal networks continue to expand, turning Libya into a major transit hub for drug trafficking and sustaining illicit economies linked to corruption and armed groups.