President Aoun meets head of ceasefire monitoring committee and US Ambassador ahead of Naqoura talks
During the talks, Aoun urged Jeffers to press Israel to implement the ceasefire agreement, withdraw from the five positions it occupies, and return Lebanese detainees.
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LBCI
6 hours ago
- LBCI
Lebanon's president urges $1 billion a year: Can this funding finally secure the army and stabilize the south?
Report by Nada Andraos, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian While everything President Joseph Aoun outlined in his recent speech is important and cannot be separated in terms of implementation, the core of his message centered on proposed solutions—chief among them, securing $1 billion in annual funding for the Lebanese Army over the next ten years. Sources familiar with the matter said that although Aoun presented his points gradually, he considers them equally urgent. They noted that the weapons issue remains the key priority. His call for $1 billion in funding stems from his experience as a former army commander and his understanding of what the military requires to fulfill its full mission. According to information obtained by LBCI, the army support plan was first initiated during Aoun's tenure as commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces and has since continued to develop, aiming to reinforce the army's deployment in the south in line with the ceasefire agreement. The requested annual funding is primarily intended to support the army's presence in the south. It would cover salaries for military personnel, the costs of recruiting new troops, and logistical needs related to deployment, including equipment and facilities. The funds would also support special arrangements specific to the army's operational requirements, which are not publicly disclosed due to the sensitive nature of its work. According to the army's current plan, troop numbers in the south are expected to reach 10,000 by this fall, following the recruitment of 4,500 additional soldiers. President Aoun, aware that placing all weapons in the hands of the army necessitates the military being adequately armed to protect Lebanon's territory and security, urged those calling for a state monopoly on arms to honor their commitment to strengthening the army since the ceasefire agreement took effect.
L'Orient-Le Jour
7 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Lebanese branch of Transparency International calls for justice for Aug. 4 victims
As the fifth anniversary of the Beirut port double explosion on Aug. 4, 2020, approaches, the Lebanon branch of the organization Transparency International has issued a statement calling for justice for the victims and their families. "On this day, with its wound still gaping in the collective memory of the Lebanese people, and despite five years marked by obstruction, interference and hindrances to the judicial process, we affirm that justice for the victims and for the nation starts under the arch of the court and is achieved by establishing a state governed by the rule of law, based on rights and freedoms and putting an end to impunity," the association said in a statement. "The independence and integrity of the judiciary are essential conditions for guaranteeing accountability and justice. Our commitment to this principle is non-negotiable, especially in the face of the ongoing paralysis of the investigation and attempts to obstruct or derail it through political pressures and interference," the text continued. The investigation led by the investigative judge at the Court of Justice, Tarek Bitar, was relaunched last January after two years of political and judicial hindrances. The statement added: "The reconstruction of a new Lebanon cannot succeed until citizens' trust in their institutions is restored and until those responsible for the destruction of the capital and the loss of human life are held accountable." Transparency International also stressed the need for "transparent judicial appointments, fighting corruption and a comprehensive and independent reform of the judiciary." On Thursday, Parliament passed an organizational law aimed at freeing justice in Lebanon from political interference and strengthening its independence. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Friday evening on X that he had signed the decree on judicial appointments that afternoon. The association also highlighted the role of the REHUB platform ( which provides a real-time dashboard to monitor reform progress and publish official documents, "thus enabling citizens and the media to monitor the performance of authorities and have a concrete tool to strengthen transparency and accountability."
L'Orient-Le Jour
10 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Confiscation of 2-wheelers, fines for tinted windows: ISF toughens measures
The Internal Security Forces have recently increased efforts to confiscate unregistered motorcycles and fine vehicle owners with tinted windows, to the point that many delivery drivers avoid riding their two-wheelers when they hear about a security checkpoint on their route. "This is not exactly a nationwide campaign, but rather a tightening, over the past two weeks, of repressive measures against mopeds in irregular situations and motorists choosing to equip their vehicles with tinted windows in violation of regulations," a security source told L'Orient-Le Jour on Friday on condition of anonymity, noting that these violations are clearly increasing, although no figures were provided. In parallel, the ISF has set up "random roadblocks, mainly in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, but also throughout the country," the same source said. Arrests have also been reported, particularly of foreigners in irregular situations or wanted individuals. "These operations are routine. When we observe traffic violations, we naturally verify the drivers' identities," the source added. Likewise, no statistics are available on the number of arrests during this period, when many Lebanese from the diaspora are present, and when two-wheelers, which mostly do not respect the traffic laws, are often responsible for and victims of deadly road accidents. Lebanon adopted a new traffic code in 2012, but it wasn't enforced until 2015. Still, the country continues to struggle with enforcing basic traffic rules, including speeding, wearing seatbelts, driving against traffic or using a mobile phone while driving. Last March, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar already called "for strengthened security measures to reduce recurring incidents and trouble and to ensure the safety of citizens in Beirut and Tripoli." He emphasized the importance of enforcing road safety rules to ensure smoother and safer traffic. These measures were implemented during Ramadan in both cities. In spring 2024, amid the war between Israel and Hezbollah, former Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi announced the deployment of State Security checkpoints and patrols on the airport road in Beirut following attacks on several motorists.
