Ghassan Charbel
Editor-in-Chief of Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper
Features Lebanese lawmakers are seen at parliament during a session to extend the term of then President Emile Lahoud in 2004. (Getty Images)

Lebanese Ex-FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Differed with Hariri, But We Were United over Calamitous Emile Lahoud

In 1998, then Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri turned to his Syrian and French allies to prevent the election of staunch Syria ally Emile Lahoud as…

Ghassan Charbel (Beirut)
Features Fares Boueiz and Asharq Al-Awsat Editor-in-Chief Ghassan Charbel during the interview. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Lebanese Ex-FM Boueiz to Asharq Al-Awsat: Khaddam, Chehabi Held Secret Meetings with Hrawi to Demand Hariri’s Nomination as PM

I recalled a series of interviews I had with late Lebanese President Elias Hrawi, who spent nine years in office. Among the many topics, we discussed was slain…

Ghassan Charbel (Beirut)
Arab World Jordan's King Abdullah II. (The Royal Hashemite Court)

Jordan’s King Abdullah to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Rise Is Important for Countries of the Region

Jordan’s King Abdullah II expressed his confidence that the upcoming Arab League summit in Jeddah will be a success, expecting that it will “kick off a new…

Ghassan Charbel (Amman)
Interviews Jomaili to Asharq Al-Awsat: Poison Ring from Baghdad to London Kills Target, Handler

Jomaili to Asharq Al-Awsat: Poison Ring from Baghdad to London Kills Target, Handler

The imprisonment of Salem Al-Jomaili, director of the US branch of the Iraqi intelligence agency under Saddam Hussein, alongside high-ranking officials of the…

Ghassan Charbel (London)
Arab World Fourteen suspects in the Bush assassination plot were tried in Kuwait. Five Iraqis and a Kuwaiti were sentenced to death in 1993. (Getty Images)

Jomaili to Asharq Al-Awsat: Iraq Intelligence Plotted to Assassinate Bush, Blow up Ship to Block Suez Canal

This was not the first time that I had the chance to interview an intelligence officer. Their world is dark and ruthless and full of deadly blows. The Iraqi…

Ghassan Charbel
Arab World Salem al-Jomaili speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat.

Jomaili to Asharq Al-Awsat: Bin Laden Met with Iraqi Agents through Turabi’s Mediation

Iraq came out “victorious” and exhausted after its long war with Iran. Saddam Hussein rejoiced because he lived long enough to see Khomeini reluctantly agree…

Ghassan Charbel
Arab World Salem al-Jomaili during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat Editor-in-Chief Ghassan Charbel.

Jomaili to Asharq Al-Awsat: Iraqi Intelligence Suggested Khomeini’s Assassination in Najaf but Saddam Refused

Is it true that Saddam Hussein saved Khomeini’s life when he rejected a suggestion to assassinate him while he was staying in al-Najaf? What about the tale of…

Ghassan Charbel
Arab World Witness Tells Asharq Al-Awsat about Meeting Saddam Twice during US Occupation

Witness Tells Asharq Al-Awsat about Meeting Saddam Twice during US Occupation

A retired Iraqi, who had a working relationship and friendship with former President Saddam Hussein, revealed on the anniversary of the 2003 battle of Baghdad…

Ghassan Charbel (London)