🌳 This Week's Recap

By Simon Tchaghlassian, Founder & Editor

Sobhiye Daily · Sunday, October 25, 2026 · 2 min read

Sun⁠day, Oct⁠ 25

Kifkon! It's Sun⁠day, which means it's recap time, a look back at the week's biggest Lebanon stories before the new one starts.

This⁠ week, the Constitutional Council unanimously struck down Article 3 of the bank reform law after President Aoun's appeal, reopening the debate over how the banks get restructured and how depositors get their money back. Meanwhile, Lebanese and Israeli delegations sat down at US Central Command in Tampa for technical military talks.

And Qatar floated a proposal for two power plants and a 20-year LNG deal. Electricity pitches are a Lebanese tradition, so we'll keep our expectations calibrated. Grab your coffee.

NEWS QUIZ from this week's headlines

How long would the gas supply deal be under Qatar's plan for Lebanon?

5 years

20 years

10 years

50 years

Scroll to the bottom for the answer — or play all 10 at sobhiye.news/games/news-quiz

THIS WEEK IN LEBANON

📷

almodon.com

Qatar's Power Play: A proposal dated Oct⁠ober 2026 and seen by Reuters outlined two power plants of 825 megawatts each, at Deir Ammar and Zahrani, plus a 20-year Qatari LNG deal. It aims to draw private financing without upfront budget spending, but still needs approval from both governments.
Basil Hit With $35 Million: A Southern Florida federal court ruled for Lara and Elie Samaha against Gebran Bassil and three others, awarding $35 million in damages over fraud, torture and civil conspiracy claims. The ruling was issued in default, since the defendants did not appear to defend the case.
Constitutional Council Strikes Back: On Oct⁠ober 20, the Constitutional Council unanimously accepted President Aoun's appeal and annulled Article 3 of the bank reform law, plus phrases on administrative travel bans and staff immunity. The decision reopens debate over who restructures the banks and how depositors get their money back.
Tampa Talks Begin: On Tues⁠day, technical military meetings between Lebanese and Israeli delegations opened at US Central Command headquarters in Tampa. They reviewed progress on the framework agreement and the pilot zones in south Lebanon. Reports said three Lebanese officers attended, a reduced delegation, while Israel presented a video alleging Hezbollah activity at a military site.
Barrot Visits Beirut: On Satur⁠day, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot met President Aoun, who said Israel was still attacking southern villages and had not honored the framework agreement. Aoun asked for UNIFIL's mission to be extended or replaced after 2027. Barrot reaffirmed France's backing for Resolution 1701 and the army.
Iran Keeps Hezbollah Out: A source in the US-sponsored negotiations told Asharq al-Awsat that Speaker Berri had relayed foreign warnings urging Hezbollah not to join any new war on Iran. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Khatibzadeh reportedly told Shiite MPs that Lebanon is not required to intervene, though he expects renewed US-Iran confrontation.
Washington Denies Berri Plan: State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said there is no US-Turkey proposal on Lebanon and no US-backed plan to alter the Taif structure. He was answering an X post by journalist Elijah Magnier. Pigott restated Washington's goals: disarming Hezbollah, long-term security, and peaceful neighborly relations.
EU and Germany Fund Water Reform: On Wednes⁠day, Energy and Water Minister Joe Saddi launched WAMA+, a €19.5 million project funded by the EU and Germany and run by GIZ. It will install digital monitoring at 400 major water sources and update records for about 800,000 subscribers by mid-2029.
Consumer Watchdog Numbers: On Thurs⁠day, Economy Minister Amer Bisat said inspectors have made about 19,400 field inspections this⁠ year and issued over 1,000 judicial reports. A generator-monitoring campaign has produced around 800 inspections and 64 seizures. A new consumer protection law would raise fines and speed up judicial procedures.
Doctors for Gaza, Trained in Beirut: On Fri⁠day, the Ghassan Abu Sittah Children's Fund launched "Restoring Care" in Beirut, offering post-graduate clinical training to Gaza doctors in Lebanon and Türkiye. Three residents have started in Lebanon, with up to 15 targeted over five years. Türkiye aims for up to 500 trainees.