Youssef Diab

Youssef Diab
Arab World 03 September 2020, Lebanon, Beirut: A general view of the damaged Beirut port, the place of a massive explosion that rocked Beirut on 04 August 2020. (dpa)

Judicial Development Reopens Probe into Beirut Port Explosion

Lebanon’s Public Prosecutor Jamal al-Hajjar annulled on Monday a ruling by his predecessor Ghassan Oueidat two years ago that ordered a stop to any cooperation…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World A plane takes off from Beirut airport. Reuters file photo

Lebanon Foils Money Smuggling Operation from Iran to Hezbollah via Türkiye

Lebanese airport security intercepted an attempt to smuggle $2.5 million in cash from Iran to Lebanon via Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Türkiye. The funds were…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World Lebanese Army soldiers in Parliament’s square, downtown Beirut (dpa file photo)

Lebanese Government Faces Daunting Task to Fill Vacant Positions

The Lebanese government is facing a significant challenge in administrative reform, particularly in filling high-level vacancies in ministries and public…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World Supporters of Hezbollah burn tires during a protest in front of the entrance to Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, 13 February 2025. (EPA)

Hezbollah Supporters Block Roads to Airport After Tehran Flight Barred from Heading to Beirut

Hezbollah supporters blocked all roads to Lebanon’s only commercial airport with burning tires on Thursday after a passenger plane from Iran wasn’t allowed to…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World Lebanese soldiers watch as a military bulldozer reopens a road after army deployment as residents of the southern village of Rabb Thlathin return to their town on February 9, 2025. (Photo by Fadel ITANI / AFP)

Israel Extends Occupation of Southern Lebanon

The Israeli Army is seeking an extension to a Feb. 18 deadline to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon, Israel's public broadcaster said on Wednesday,…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World Cars queue as they drop passengers outside the Beirut–Rafik Hariri International Airport, in Beirut, Lebanon July 30, 2024. (Reuters)

Iraq Flights Coming under Heavy Inspections at Beirut Airport over Hezbollah Funds 

Flights flying to Beirut from Iraq are coming under heavy security measures and thorough inspections at the Lebanese capital’s Rafik Hariri International…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World In this photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office, Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, right, shakes hands with US deputy special envoy for Middle East peace Morgan Ortagus in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency press office via AP)

US Warning over Hezbollah Upends Lebanese Govt Formation Efforts

US deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus’ warning on Friday that Hezbollah should not be part of the new Lebanese government has upended efforts to form a…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World The Lebanese Foreign Minister meets with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahid Jalalzadeh and the accompanying delegation (Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Iran Seeks to Protect Syrians Fleeing to Lebanon After Assad’s Fall

Lebanese political and security circles were surprised by Iran’s apparent concern for Syrian refugees who fled to Lebanon after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)