Lebanon's Grand Mufti set to meet Syria's president Saturday, LBCI sources confirm
LBCI sources confirmed Monday that Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian will visit Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa next Saturday, heading a delegation of religious officials.
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Iran-linked hackers may target US firms and critical infrastructure, US government warns
Iranian-affiliated hackers may target U.S. companies and critical infrastructure operators, particularly defense organizations with holdings or relationships with Israeli research and defense firms, according to an advisory from U.S. government officials Monday. The FBI, National Security Agency, the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3), and the Department of Homeland Security's civilian cybersecurity defense wing said in a statement issued alongside the advisory that while there are no indications of a coordinated Iranian-linked malicious cyber campaign so far, organizations should ensure their defenses are up to date. "Despite a declared ceasefire and ongoing negotiations towards a permanent solution, Iranian-affiliated cyber actors and hacktivist groups may still conduct malicious cyber activity," the agencies said in the advisory. Reuters
LBCI
an hour ago
- LBCI
Parliamentary session: Diaspora seats fuel political divide as Lebanese parliament pushes through agenda
Report by Maroun Nassif, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi After an hour and a half of tense political discussions, Lebanese MPs opposing the allocation of six parliamentary seats to expatriates failed to disrupt a legislative session aimed at addressing multiple pending laws. Members of the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb Party, several Change MPs, and independents staged a walkout from the parliamentary hall in an attempt to obstruct the quorum. However, the session continued with 68 MPs in attendance, securing the required quorum. The session remained valid due to the presence of MPs from the Amal-Hezbollah duo and their allies, as well as MPs from the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), the Moderate Bloc, and the Tashnag Party. Despite their support for abolishing the six diaspora seats and having signed a draft amendment to the electoral law, MPs from the PSP, the Moderate Bloc, and Tashnag chose to attend, citing their refusal to obstruct state institutions. At the start of the session, before the walkout, MPs Paula Yacoubian, Georges Adwan, and Michel Moawad attempted to convince Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to add the draft electoral law amendment to the agenda under an "accelerated and repeated" procedure. Berri rejected the request, noting that he has never fast-tracked such proposals when similar drafts are already under review by parliamentary committees. He suggested instead that the subcommittee meet weekly to expedite discussions and approval. In response, MPs Kabalan Kabalan and Ali Fayad reminded the chamber that, according to the constitution, changes to the electoral law require a two-thirds majority in the Cabinet, questioning the attempt to push through amendments under an expedited process. Meanwhile, FPM leader MP Gebran Bassil denounced the push to amend expatriate voting as an attempt to "hijack or eliminate" the six diaspora seats. Despite the political standoff, the parliamentary session proceeded and approved several key items on the agenda, including additional funding for the Judges' Mutual Fund, financial allocations for Lebanese University professors, a law exempting victims of Israeli attacks from certain taxes and fees, and legislation canceling some fee increases from the 2015 budget.
LBCI
an hour ago
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No unity, no ceasefire: Netanyahu's government struggles with US proposal
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Mariella Succar Israel's security cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, endured a heated late-night session Monday in an attempt to reach a consensus on the Trump administration's proposed Middle East plan. The meeting ended after midnight with no breakthrough, particularly on the issue of a prisoner swap deal with Hamas. Meanwhile, an Israeli report warned that a new war with Iran could erupt within weeks, a scenario that military officials have not denied, confirming ongoing preparations. The Trump plan's components relating to Syria and Lebanon have become key concerns for both Israeli political and military institutions. After reported progress toward expanding the Abraham Accords to include normalization with Syria, attention has turned to Lebanon, where Israel continues its military operations. According to Israeli reports, the military believes its success in curbing Iranian influence justifies continued strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Israeli forces have also reportedly entered Lebanese territory under the pretext of supporting troops stationed at five forward posts and ensuring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. At the same time, calls have grown within Israel to maintain a buffer zone along the Syrian border—and to consider one along the Lebanese border as well. In Washington, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is holding talks on security and diplomatic issues, including an American proposal for a comprehensive prisoner exchange deal. The Biden administration is reportedly seeking an agreement that would include the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. However, Netanyahu's government has rejected the proposal. Some ministers oppose a version in which Hamas would release eight living hostages on the first day of the deal and two more a month later, with a ceasefire to be negotiated only after partial releases. Between the Gaza conflict and tensions with Iran, Israeli intelligence heads—including the directors of Mossad and military intelligence—have presented assessments before the Israeli judiciary, warning of a possible unprecedented escalation involving Yemen. The report cited intelligence indicating that the Houthis could launch a series of intensive attacks on Israel. In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed security agencies to prepare for a large-scale military operation against the Houthis in Yemen.
