Thaer Abbas

Thaer Abbas
Arab World US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C), alongside US State Department Counselor Michael Needham (2L) and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (2R), speaks during a meeting with Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad (out of frame) and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter (out of frame) at the State Department in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2026. (AFP)

Lebanon Seeking to Leverage US Support in Negotiations with Israel

Efforts to extend the ceasefire in Lebanon are accelerating amid Israeli reports of a new round of talks at the ambassador level paving the way for direct…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World People gather at the scene of an Israeli airstrike in the Corniche al-Mazraa neighborhood of Beirut, Lebanon 08 April 2026. (EPA)

Lebanon Rejects Iran Negotiating on Its Behalf

Lebanon was left outside contacts that produced a US-Iran ceasefire deal, despite reports it would be included and moves by Iran and Hezbollah suggesting…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih. dpa

Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Lebanon Included in Ceasefire Deal

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday that the US-Iran-Israel deal to reach a ceasefire also covered the fighting in…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam chairs a government meeting. (Lebanese government)

Nawaf Salam to Asharq Al-Awsat: No One but the State Negotiates for Lebanon

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday that “no one negotiates for Lebanon except for the Lebanese state” - in his first…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World President Joseph Aoun meets with parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at the Baabda presidential palace. (Lebanese Presidency)

Iran Pledges to its Allies in Lebanon to Include Them in Any Possible Deal to End the War

Widely informed Lebanese sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Iran has “clearly pledged” to leaderships in Beirut to include Lebanon in any possible deal…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World President Joseph Aoun meets with French Ambassador to Lebanon Herve Magro at the Baabda presidential palace. (Lebanese Presidency)

The Full Story of Lebanon’s Initiative for Negotiations with Israel and its Challenges

Authorities in Lebanon now see little option but to seek a humanitarian truce during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr, after ceasefire efforts in the war between…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam speaks to reporters at the Grand Serail in Beirut, December 3, 2025. (Reuters)

Salam to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Refuse to Tie Lebanon’s Fate to Iran’s Interests

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed on Saturday that the state was doing everything possible on the political and diplomatic levels to end Israel’s…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and ambassador Simon Karam meet on Saturday. (PM's office)

Lebanese PM to Asharq Al-Awsat: 2nd Phase of Disarmament to Begin Soon Covering Regions between Litani, Awali

Lebanon would have completed the first phase of the army’s plan to impose state monopoly over arms, or the disarmament of Hezbollah, by the end of the year. …

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)