Latest news with #Aoun
UPI
15 hours ago
- Politics
- UPI
1 killed, 13 people injured as Israel steps up airstrikes on lebanon
At least one person was killed and 13 injured as Israel stepped up attacks on Lebanon. Photo by EPA/STR BEIRUT, June 27 (UPI) -- Israel escalated on Friday its attacks on suspected Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, launching a series of air and drone strikes that hit mountainous areas and an apartment building. One woman was killed and 13 wounded in the attacks, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The official Lebanese news agency reported that Israeli jets carried out "wide and intense" air strikes on several hilltop locations in the Nabatieh district, using bunker buster bombs and causing massive explosions. Shortly after, an Israeli drone attacked an apartment building in the nearby city of Nabatieh, hitting and badly damaging the top floor where a woman was killed. Thirteen people were also injured in the attack. While ambulances rushed to the targeted sites, Israeli warplanes carried out a second round of bombing. Residents in Nabatieh reported a series of ongoing explosions as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. Initial security reports counted a total of 20 Israeli strikes launched on the area today. The Israeli Army confirmed that its Air Force jets struck a site in southern Lebanon used for "managing Hezbollah's fire and defense systems," according to Israeli English-language websites. Ynet quoted an Israeli Army spokesman as saying that the targeted site was" part of an underground project that was rendered unusable" by previous Israeli strikes. The spokesman said the site was attacked again Friday after the Israeli Army spotted attempts by Hezbollah to rehabilitate it "in blatant violation of the understanding between Israel and Lebanon." There was no immediate comment by Hezbollah on the Israeli claims. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Israel's continued violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and the Nov. 27 cease-fire agreement that ended 14 months of Israel-Hezbollah destructive war. Aoun accused Israel of "disregarding international resolutions" and all regional and international calls to "stop the violence and escalation in the region." He called on the international community to take "effective action" and end Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon. Israel, which refused to fully withdraw and retained five strategic positions inside south Lebanon, has kept on striking the southern region and other Lebanese areas since the cease-fire accord was achieved, killing dozens of Hezbollah field commanders and hitting suspected positions. Lebanon has been trying to consolidate its authority and regain its long-lost sovereignty following Israel's recent war that greatly weakened the once-powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah. In line with the cease-fire agreement that was brokered by the United States and France, the Lebanese Army has taken control of most of Hezbollah's positions and military facilities, pushing the militant group away from the border with Israel and preventing it from having a military presence south of the Litani River. Aoun has also initiated a one-to-one dialogue with Hezbollah to discuss ways of securing its total disarmament per the cease-fire terms. The Hezbollah-Israel war has killed or wounded more than 20,000 people since October 2023, when it started in support of Gaza. The Israelis' relentless strikes and bombardment caused widespread destruction estimated by the World Bank at $11 billion. Meanwhile, Lebanon's Foreign Ministry sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, requesting to renew the mandate of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, which is to expire on Aug. 31, for a year. The ministry confirmed in a statement released on Friday "Lebanon's commitment to the continued presence of UNIFIL and its cooperation with it," demanding Israel to withdraw from all Lebanese territories it occupies and stop its ongoing violations. Lebanon's request came amid Israeli reports that U.S. officials are considering pulling Washington's support from UNIFIL in a bid to cut costs associated with its operations, and that Israel was backing ending its operations in south Lebanon.
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Elon Musk Contacts Lebanese President, Expresses Interest in Telecom and Internet Investment
Taarek Refaat Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun received a phone call from Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, during which Musk expressed strong interest in Lebanon's telecommunications and internet sectors. According to an official statement from the Lebanese Presidency, Musk also conveyed a desire for his companies to have a presence in Lebanon—an initiative President Aoun welcomed, affirming the government's readiness to offer all possible facilitations within the framework of Lebanese laws and regulations. At the conclusion of the call, President Aoun extended an invitation to Musk to visit Beirut, which the billionaire entrepreneur graciously accepted in principle, promising to make the trip at the first suitable opportunity. The conversation comes at a time when Lebanon is actively seeking ways to emerge from its prolonged economic crisis. With the recent lifting of sanctions on Syria, new regional economic corridors are expected to open, particularly around reconstruction and infrastructure development—offering Lebanon potential roles and benefits, especially in sectors like energy, logistics, and technology. Musk's outreach, if followed by concrete action, could signal a new chapter in Lebanon's efforts to attract high-profile international investors. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
CNBC
a day ago
- Business
- CNBC
Elon Musk calls Lebanese president as Starlink seeks license
Billionaire businessman Elon Musk and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spoke by phone to discuss making elements of Musk's sprawling business empire available in Lebanon, a statement from Aoun's office said on Thursday. The statement said Musk called Aoun and "expressed his interest in Lebanon and its telecommunications and internet sectors." Aoun invited Musk to visit Lebanon and said he was open to having Musk's companies present in the country, which ranks among the countries with the lowest internet speeds. The call came just weeks after Aoun and other top Lebanese officials met with Starlink's Global Director of Licensing and Development, Sam Turner, in Beirut for talks on providing satellite internet services in Lebanon. U.S. ambassador Lisa Johnson was pictured attending those meetings. The negotiations have prompted some pushback in Lebanon. Internet access in the country has so far been operated exclusively by state-owned companies and their affiliates, who are lobbying the government not to license Starlink. Starlink recently received licenses to operate in India and Lesotho.
MTV Lebanon
2 days ago
- Business
- MTV Lebanon
Elon Musk Shows Interest in Lebanon's Telecom Sector
President Joseph Aoun received a phone call from Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and the X platform, during which Musk expressed his interest in Lebanon and its telecommunications and internet sector. He also voiced his desire for his companies to have a presence in Lebanon, a move welcomed by President Aoun, who affirmed his readiness to provide all possible facilitation within the framework of Lebanese laws and regulations. At the end of the call, President Aoun invited Musk to visit Beirut, and Musk thanked him for the invitation, promising to accept it at the first suitable opportunity.
MTV Lebanon
2 days ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
President Aoun and UK defence advisor discuss UNIFIL renewal
President of the Republic Joseph Aoun told the UK Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME) Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren, that "Lebanon considers the extension of the mandate of UNIFIL force operating in south Lebanon, a key factor in maintaining stability and security on the southern Lebanese border. Therefore, Lebanon places great hopes on the support of UN Security Council member states, including Britain, to ensure that the extension is passed on time without any obstacles.' President Aoun on Wednesday met at Baabda Palace, with the UK Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME) Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren, in the presence of British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell. President Aoun stressed that "UNIFIL's presence in the south of the Litani River greatly assists in implementing UN Resolution 1701, especially since cooperation between the Lebanese Army and the international force is based on continuous coordination in accordance with the provisions of relevant international resolutions." Aoun pointed out that "Israel's continued occupation of the five hills and their surroundings continues to hinder the Lebanese army's full deployment to the southern border,' noting 'wherever the Lebanese army has deployed south of the Litani River, the Lebanese state's decision on the eclusivity of arms, has been implemented, and all armed manifestations have been removed." President Aoun and the UK official held a tour d'horizon on current regional developments and the post-ceasefire period between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel, as well as the situation in southern Lebanon and on the Lebanese-Syrian border.
