|   | Kifkon. It's Sunā day, which means it's time for the weekly recap, a look back at the stories that shaped Lebanon thisā week. The biggest headline came from the energy file, where Qatar's prime minister announced a massive solar plant during a Beirut visit, with Doha footing the bill. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Council trimmed the general amnesty law, and Donald Trump revoked orders that had restricted air travel with Lebanon for decades. Direct flights to the US could return. There was more, from the EU's new support mission to the revoked license of an Iranian bank. Grab your coffee. Here's the full week. |
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Ā Which two companies are funding the 'massive' solar plant Qatar announced for Lebanon? | | QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies |
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Scroll to the bottom for the answer ā or play all 10 at sobhiye.news/games/news-quiz |
Ā | | - Qatar Plugs In: On Friā day, Qatar's prime minister announced a "massive" solar plant in Lebanon during a Beirut visit. QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies will develop it jointly, with Doha funding everything at no cost to the state. For a utility that bled about $40 billion over decades, that's notable.
- Amnesty Law Trimmed: On Monā day, the Constitutional Council published its Octā ober 12 ruling on the general amnesty law, rejecting full annulment but striking parts and adding binding interpretive reservations. All corruption crimes, war crimes and torture fall outside the amnesty. Prisoners ended a 30-day hunger strike, though some voiced disappointment.
- Flights Back On: Donald Trump has revoked four presidential orders, issued between 1985 and 2007, that restricted air travel with Lebanon. Direct Beirut flights to the US could return after three decades, though security approvals and airline schedules still decide when. New York is expected first.
- EU Mission Approved: On Monā day, EU foreign ministers approved a support mission for Lebanon with an initial three-year mandate. It will train and advise the army and Internal Security Forces on border control and internal security. It isn't a UNIFIL replacement, whose mandate ends Decā ember 31.
- Kallas in Beirut: During her Beirut visit, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas cited ā¬505 million in assistance through 2027, completing a ā¬1 billion package. European Peace Facility support for the Lebanese army stands at ā¬182 million since 2022. She urged implementation of economic and banking reforms.
- Iranian Bank Out: Thisā week, Banque du Liban revoked Iranian lender Bank Saderat's license, amid US pressure on countries to curb economic ties with Iran. Governor Karim Souaid framed it as shielding the banking sector from sanctions risk. He also stressed exiting the FATF gray list, with a decision expected nextā week.
- Salameh's Shadow Network: Reporting on Saturā day detailed how Riad Salameh moved accounts to Monaco's Richelieu bank from 2021. French authorities opened a probe into the bank. Critics fear the amnesty law's loopholes could shield Salameh and associates from prosecution.
- The Butcher Caught: On Thursā day, Syria announced it had arrested Ali Kayali, accused in the 2013 Banias massacre. Lebanese media said he was taken from his Mansourieh home hours earlier, the third reported kidnapping of Syrians from Lebanon. The massacre killed at least 248 people, according to Human Rights Watch.
- Recruitment Warnings: Security experts say Israeli intelligence is using social media ads and Arabic-language appeals to find informants in Lebanon and Iran. Lebanon's General Security has warned residents off suspect accounts. Authorities previously arrested 32 people suspected of passing information to Israel.
- Bell-Makers of Beit Chabab: A Guardian profile visited the Naffah family foundry, Lebanon's last church-bell maker after 300 years. It produces about 25 bells a year, each taking two months. A medium one costs roughly $80,000, and sons Charbel and Youssef will carry on.
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That's the week. Take your time with the coffee, and we'll be back in your inbox toā morrow. |
Ā | āB. QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies |
QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies will fund it at no cost to the Lebanese state. Read the full story ā |
Ā Lebanon news, every weekday morning. Free, sharp, ~5 minutes. |
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