Youssef Diab

Youssef Diab
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)
Arab World A statue of the late Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani stands in front of a Qard al-Hasan center targeted by Israeli airstrikes (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Hezbollah’s Qard al-Hasan Halts Payouts: Technical Issues or Cash Crunch?

The Qard al-Hasan in Lebanon, widely regarded as Hezbollah’s de facto central bank, has suspended payments for housing displaced individuals and repairing…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World People gather in front of army soldiers after being barred from returning to the village of Aitaroun, Bint Jbeil District, southern Lebanon, 27 January 2025. (EPA)

Hezbollah Refuses to Extend Lebanon Ceasefire with Israel

Hezbollah used the return of residents of southern Lebanon to their homes and their confrontations with Israeli forces to portray itself as still in control of…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)