|   | Kifkon, and welcome to the Sunā day recap edition, a look back at the week's biggest Lebanon stories. The headline moved across borders. Syrian officials and Hezbollah held face-to-face talks in Turkey, according to six sources, while Lebanon's prime minister pressed Marco Rubio in Washington to move the Junā e framework with Israel into implementation. And with UNIFIL's mandate nearing its end, the UN peacekeeping chief is due in Beirut nextā month to weigh what comes after. Closer to home, the health minister announced that ministry-funded organ transplants are back. Pour your coffee, take it slow, and let's go. |
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Ā How much additional funding does the Lebanon Response Plan Addendum seek? Scroll to the bottom for the answer ā or play all 10 at sobhiye.news/games/news-quiz |
Ā | | - Syria-Hezbollah Talks: Syrian officials and Hezbollah held face-to-face talks in Turkey lastā month, six sources told Reuters. A Syrian official said Damascus pledged not to intervene militarily to disarm the group, and asked Hezbollah to help curb smuggling and dismantle remaining sleeper cells in southern Syria.
- Salam Presses Rubio: On Monā day, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington and urged moving to implementation of the Junā e framework with Israel. He called for a verification mechanism and continued support for the army. Rubio said Washington backs a Lebanon "free from Hezbollah and Iranian influence."
- UNIFIL's Uncertain Future: UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix is due in Beirut in the second week of Octā ober as UNIFIL's mandate nears its end. Options include UN observers, a multinational support force, or a temporary extension. UNIFIL stays until Decā ember 31, down to 7,000-7,500 troops from nearly 10,000.
- Humanitarian Appeal Grows: The government and UN launched a Lebanon Response Plan Addendum on Sepā tember 18, seeking an additional $385.88 million to assist 732,125 people between Sepā tember and Decā ember. It follows a Junā e revision that identified $639.9 million in needs, reflecting deteriorating conditions amid Israeli attacks, displacement and economic strain.
- Drug Spending Jumps: At a Friā day press conference, Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine said annual drug spending rose to $172 million from $24 million in 2024, with boxes dispensed up 400%. He said competitive tenders and generics saved millions, and promised a pharmacovigilance app and a national drug agency.
- Organ Transplants Return: Nassereddine announced that ministry-funded organ transplants are back after years of decline. One donor's organs saved three patients: a heart and two kidneys. A new national body of doctors and academic hospital representatives will draft implementing decrees, with its first meeting expected within days.
- Media Law Gray Zones: Augā ust's new media law moves defamation toward civil liability, but critics say gaps remain. Amnesty's Rina Wehbe and journalist Mounir Kabalan warn that Article 105 and penal provisions in Article 104 could still enable prosecutions. Minister Paul Morcos plans to seek amendments to two clauses on false news.
- Farm Loans Return: The World Bank-financed $200 million Project GATE targets agri-food SMEs, with Kafalat running a $47.6 million lending window. It should reach about 390 firms, farmers and cooperatives at a 7.14% variable rate. Lebanon imports roughly 80% of its food, and agriculture gets about 1% of bank lending.
- Tether Under Fire: A Senate Democratic report says Tether's USDT has become a "significant financial lifeline" for Iran and proxies including Hezbollah. Of 846 sanctioned wallets analyzed, 84% transacted in USDT. Tether says it helped freeze nearly $550 million in Iran-linked USDT in 2026.
- Explosives Seized at Border: On Thursā day, the army seized about 245 kilograms of TNT, four explosive devices and eight detonators being smuggled from Syria. The smugglers fled back toward Syrian territory when a patrol arrived. The materials were handed to the relevant authorities, and coordination to arrest those involved is underway.
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That's your week. Take it slow this Sunā day, and we'll be back in your inbox toā morrow. |
Ā The LRP Addendum seeks $385.88 million to address worsening humanitarian needs for over 732,000 people. Read the full story ā |
Ā Lebanon news, every weekday morning. Free, sharp, ~5 minutes. |
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