Latest news with #JosephAoun


LBCI
5 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?


Economic Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
IDF's massive blow
Israel launches strike on Hezbollah's underground project in Lebanon; watch (ET Online) IDF's massive blow 02:10 Min | June 27, 2025, 11:08 PM IST Smoke billowed from Nabatieh district in southern Lebanon on Friday (June 27) following Israeli strikes. According to a post on X written by the Israeli army's spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted a site used by Hezbollah to manage fire control and defence systems. 'This site is part of an underground project that was taken out of service as a result of IDF raids in the area', he said, adding that the IDF detected attempts to rebuild it. Lebanese president Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes in a statement published on his X account, denouncing what he called 'Israel's continued violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and the November ceasefire agreement.' A US-brokered truce in November ended a year-long war between Israel and Iran-backed Lebanese armed movement Hezbollah.


LBCI
9 hours ago
- Politics
- LBCI
President Aoun discusses Qatar visit and regional developments with PM Salam, meets Apostolic Nuncio
President Joseph Aoun followed up on the Israeli attacks that struck the Nabatieh and Iqlim al-Tuffah regions earlier today, particularly the artillery and missile strikes that targeted residential apartments, wooded areas, and surrounding hills. Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal briefed Aoun on the details of the assaults and strongly condemned Israel's continued aggression, which he said violated Lebanon's sovereignty and the agreement reached in November. He added that this situation requires 'serious international action to halt these attacks, especially from the countries that sponsored and endorsed the November agreement—particularly the United States and France.' President Joseph Aoun received Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Baabda Presidential Palace, where Salam briefed him on the outcome of his recent visit to Qatar and the discussions he held with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and other relevant ministers. President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam also held a broad discussion on the latest regional developments. President Aoun later received the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Monsignor Paolo Borgia, who Advisor Monsignor Giovanni Bianchiari accompanied. The meeting reviewed Lebanon's relations with the Holy See in light of the president's visit to the Vatican two weeks prior, during which he met with Pope Francis and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.


Roya News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Civilian casualties mount in Lebanon as ‘Israel' attempts to justify airstrikes
Lebanon's Ministry of Health announced Friday that one woman was killed and 13 others injured following a series of 'Israeli' airstrikes on various areas in southern Lebanon. The strikes reportedly included the use of "shockwave missiles" fired at forested areas, causing massive blasts and wounding at least seven more civilians. Israeli Occupation military claimed responsibility, saying its aircraft targeted a Hezbollah site in the Shaqif area allegedly used to manage fire-control and defense systems. It said the facility was part of an underground project previously hit and later rebuilt, labeling its presence a violation of prior agreements. In response, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the assault, saying the 'Israeli' entity "continues to defy international resolutions and calls for de-escalation," and urged the international community to take meaningful action. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also denounced the airstrikes, calling them "a blatant violation of national sovereignty and a direct threat to stability." Lebanon's Foreign Ministry, in an official letter to the UN Secretary-General, called for the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate and demanded the immediate withdrawal of 'Israeli' forces from occupied Lebanese territory, citing repeated violations. While the US-brokered ceasefire agreement stipulates Hezbollah's withdrawal from south of the Litani River in exchange for increased Lebanese Army and UNIFIL presence, the occupation has reportedly maintained a military presence in five strategic areas, an issue strongly rejected by Lebanese authorities. Meanwhile, 'Israeli' army spokesperson Avichay Adraee claimed that no civilian structures were intentionally targeted in the Nabatieh strike. He alleged that a civilian building was hit due to a secondary explosion caused by stored munitions inside the Hezbollah facility, further accusing the group of endangering civilians by storing rockets near residential areas.


Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Israel launches strike on Hezbollah's underground project in Lebanon; watch: IDF's massive blow
Smoke billowed from Nabatieh district in southern Lebanon on Friday (June 27) following Israeli strikes. According to a post on X written by the Israeli army's spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted a site used by Hezbollah to manage fire control and defence systems. 'This site is part of an underground project that was taken out of service as a result of IDF raids in the area', he said, adding that the IDF detected attempts to rebuild it. Lebanese president Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes in a statement published on his X account, denouncing what he called 'Israel's continued violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and the November ceasefire agreement.' A US-brokered truce in November ended a year-long war between Israel and Iran-backed Lebanese armed movement Hezbollah. Show more Show less