Latest news with #Bekaa
LBCI
15 hours ago
- Business
- LBCI
Lebanon next? Elon Musk calls Lebanese president as Starlink eyes new market
Report by Ghida Fayad, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian This is not a rumor: "Tech king" Elon Musk has called Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. So why did he call? The call came two weeks after a delegation from Starlink visited Lebanon and presented the president with a proposal outlining Starlink's services. Negotiations, which had already begun between Lebanon's telecom ministry and the company, have since advanced. Talks now focus on the Lebanese state's potential revenue from Starlink services, which is reportedly confirmed and on its way. So why Lebanon? Elon Musk, who leads Tesla, Starlink, and SpaceX, is expanding his companies' global footprint. After investing in 136 countries, he has now set his sights on Lebanon. Musk is interested in Lebanon's telecom and internet sectors and believes the upcoming phase could be full of opportunity. Sources familiar with the discussions say Starlink's interest was sparked by Lebanon's human capital and young talent. Lebanon, in turn, needs what Starlink offers. Many remote areas still lack strong landline networks or any telecom infrastructure — especially those hit by the recent war, from the South to the Bekaa. That makes Lebanon a market in need and one with strong revenue potential for the company. It seems Elon Musk is excited — and President Aoun did not let that energy go to waste. He gave Musk a warm welcome and said Lebanon is ready to facilitate everything his companies need within legal and regulatory frameworks. Aoun also invited Musk to visit Beirut, and Musk reportedly promised to take up the offer at the first suitable opportunity. Could this meeting mark the start of a new tech chapter for Lebanon?
LBCI
14-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
In the crossfire: Can Lebanon stay out of the Iran-Israel war?
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi As drones, rockets, and warplanes traversed Lebanon's skies amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Lebanese authorities are intensifying political and security efforts to prevent the country from being pulled into the widening regional war. On the ground in South Lebanon, the Lebanese Army has bolstered its deployment at sensitive locations to prevent rocket launches that could provoke further escalation. Measures have also been tightened at checkpoints leading to areas south of the Litani River to prevent any armed group from exploiting the volatile situation. In parallel with military and security efforts across the southern region, Lebanese intelligence services have issued explicit warnings to Palestinian factions, urging them not to involve Lebanon in the conflict under any pretext. Security sources noted that through formal communication channels, they sensed a clear stance from Hezbollah to avoid engagement in the current conflict and to keep Lebanon out of the hostilities. Despite repeated Israeli airstrikes and the assassination of several Hezbollah members following the ceasefire agreement, the group has refrained from retaliating. Sources indicate that Lebanese security attention is also focused on the country's interior and the Syrian border in northern Bekaa, where concerns remain about the potential for opportunistic infiltration or clashes. An exchange of fire on the border Friday was described as limited in scope, with no reports of Syrian reinforcements entering the area. President Joseph Aoun chaired a high-level security meeting with the ministers of interior, defense, and public works, as well as the heads of Lebanon's security agencies, to assess recent developments. The resulting statement emphasized steps being taken to maintain internal stability, ensure the safety of civil aviation, and preserve operational readiness. Amid the ongoing regional and international developments, Lebanon continues to prioritize the renewal of the U.N. peacekeeping force mandate in the south. Recent Israeli media claims suggesting the mission might be canceled were denied by U.S. officials. This position was reinforced by a visiting U.S. delegation in Beirut this week, which met with key stakeholders and heard both the UNIFIL and Lebanese perspectives. Lebanese authorities emphasized the critical role of UNIFIL in supporting the Lebanese Army and maintaining stability along the southern border, warning that a withdrawal would isolate the army and risk further destabilizing the region.
LBCI
05-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Amid reconstruction talks, Hezbollah urges Lebanon to act on available donor funds — the details
Report by Nada Andraos, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian During a meeting between the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc delegation and Lebanon's prime minister on Wednesday, the main topic discussed was reconstruction. Hezbollah, which hasconsistently urged the government and state institutions to assume their responsibilities and initiate reconstruction of areas damaged by Israeli strikes, presented the prime minister with a detailed proposal based on a damage assessment it conducted in the south, the Bekaa region, and the southern suburbs of Beirut. According to the group, the government can begin work using a $250 million World Bank loan in addition to €75 million in support provided by France. Work could start on projects that can be completed within this funding, especially since the reconstruction process is being approached in three phases: removing rubble and debris, conducting partial and structural repairs, and carrying out full reconstruction. The group's delegation proposed that the government begin with the first two phases—removing rubble and debris while simultaneously starting partial and structural repairs. Hezbollah's survey found that 460 buildings require partial or structural repair at an estimated cost of $37 million, which would allow 7,020 families to return. In the south, the group estimated that similar repairs would cost $100 million and enable 20,000 families to return to their homes. The prime minister, who listened closely to Hezbollah's presentation, affirmed that the government is fully assuming its responsibilities and is working on a comprehensive reconstruction plan. The Grand Serail is also finalizing preparations to host the reconstruction donor conference on June 10. In parallel, Baabda is following up on the file through the president's adviser for reconstruction affairs, Ali Hamie, who, according to LBCI, will represent the president in meetings of the ministerial committee overseeing the file to stay informed about ongoing assessments and mapping. Meanwhile, the president continues outreach efforts, requesting international support to help Lebanon secure reconstruction funding.
LBCI
19-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Hezbollah declares sweep in Baalbek municipal elections as alliance with Amal holds firm
Hezbollah secured a decisive victory in the third round of Lebanon's municipal and mukhtar elections, with its "Development and Loyalty" lists winning all seats in Baalbek and across the Bekaa region. The results were announced by Hussein Al-Nemr, Hezbollah's official in the Bekaa region, who hailed the outcome as a reflection of strong grassroots support for the party's local governance strategy. Commenting on the results, MP Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan reaffirmed the strength of the alliance between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, noting the consistency of their joint electoral performance. Al-Hajj Hassan dismissed the intentions of the rival list in Baalbek, stating that its goal was not development but rather political change. "The response came clearly through the ballot boxes," he said, underscoring the electorate's rejection of efforts to shift the city's political direction.
LBCI
18-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Early results emerge from Beirut, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel municipal elections
Preliminary results from Sunday's municipal and mukhtar elections in Beirut, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel are beginning to emerge, with several victories and key figures reported across the three governorates. According to preliminary results, the electoral machine of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) announced the victory of its supported list in the town of Haouch Barada, in Baalbek. In Beirut, MP Fouad Makhzoumi's electoral machine reported that 25.11% of eligible Sunni voters cast their ballots, while turnout among Shiite voters reached 22.34%. According to LBCI's correspondent, voter turnout in the town of Qaa reached 51% in Sunday's municipal elections. Preliminary results indicate that the list backed by the Lebanese Forces is currently in the lead. Another correspondent reported that the list headed by Salim Ghazaleh and backed by the Lebanese Forces is leading in the Zahle municipal race, ahead of the rival list led by Asaad Zoghbi. In remarks on Sunday night, Lebanon's Interior Minister announced that election-day disputes were successfully resolved, and several individuals were arrested over vote-buying attempts. He confirmed that the electoral process remains underway in at least one polling station. Meanwhile, a correspondent stated that the "Beirut Betjmaana" list secured victory in the mukhtar elections in the Saifi area, with Fayrouz Mourani receiving the highest number of votes overall. According to the Amal Movement's electoral machine in Beirut, voter turnout in the capital reached 21.03%, with the highest participation recorded in Mazraa polling stations at 26%. As final tallies come in, a clearer picture of the elections will emerge over the next several hours.
