by bytheeast.com –Amid the economic turmoils of Lebanon, foreign investors like Majid Al Futtaim Group, continue to eye Lebanon’s opportunities. As a result, the group is going to ramp up its Lebanese investments to “$2 billion by 2030”, revealed an “integrated plan”. The Majid Al Futtaim Group is into retail investments through its Carrefour stores […]

by Asisa news – BEIRUT: The words of the great Mufti Abdel Latif Derian are “more than courageous”, they are a “valuable” act that fits “with the spirit” of the Apostolic Exhortation A hope for Lebanon by John Paul II of 1997, said Mgr Maroun-Nasser Gemayel, bishop of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of […]

by zawya.com— For the first time, Forbes measures the success of globally-recognized Arab celebrities Mohamad Salah, the Egyptian king tops the sports category. Karim Kharbouch, known as French Montana from Morocco is the best singer in the Arab world. Nadine Labaki who hails from Lebanon is one of the famous filmmakers in the Arab World. […]

Muammar Gaddafi with wife Safia and sons: Saif al-Arab, Khamis and Muotasim Bellah (Getty Images) by aawsat.com — Cairo – Jamal Jawhar A recent court order banning Hannibal, son of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, from leaving Lebanon for a year, brought back the discussion of the “mysterious fate” of Gaddafi’s family. Some want Hannibal released […]

by ncregister.com — Doreen Abi Raad — BEIRUT — For the fifth consecutive year, Lebanon and all of the Middle East has been consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The consecrations were in response to a request of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East held in the Vatican in October 2012 under Pope Benedict XVI. Building up momentum for the first consecration in June 2013, the “Mother of Light” statue toured Lebanon, visiting 333 Lebanese villages and cities over 40 days. Since then, Lebanon has grappled with crises, including the ominous threat of the conflict in neighboring Syria spilling over; the strain of hosting some 1.5 million Syrian refugees; and a presidential vacuum that dragged on for more than two years. Meanwhile, the country suffers from a continuous economic downslide and severe unemployment.

Still, Cardinal Bechara Rai attested in his homily at the new consecration this year, which took place June 3, how, “for all these five years, Mary, with her invisible hand, has kept our homeland safe from collapse, every time it reached the brink.” “With this need for mercy in our homeland and in the countries of the Middle East, we have come to renew our devotion and consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,” he said. Despite the instability in the region, there is hope that the fruits of the consecration of Lebanon and the entire Middle East to the Immaculate Heart of Mary will prevail. “We believe that with the intercession of the Virgin Mary, wars can stop,” Maronite Bishop of Tyre Shukrallah Nabil El-Hajj, who heads the patriarchal committee for the consecration, told the Register. “We don’t always know how the Virgin Mary works and protects, but surely there are graces for all the Middle East, and she is saving souls. We won’t know to what extent until we reach heaven.” In his homily for this year’s consecration, Cardinal Rai also reiterated how the Virgin Mary appeared to the three shepherd children in the Portuguese village of Fatima and told them, “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.” Last year, the consecration occurred in Fatima, commemorating the centennial of the apparitions.

Cardinal Rai and Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan led a delegation of bishops and some 30 priests. Thousands of faithful from the Middle East as well as the Lebanese diaspora from around the world also made the pilgrimage for the June 25, 2017, consecration, which was preceded the evening before with the recitation of the Rosary and a candlelit procession. In his homily at Fatima, Cardinal Rai said, “We have come to ask for the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima for peace in the Middle East region and for stability in Lebanon, to preserve our country’s mission and model of coexistence among religions and cultures, especially among Christians and Muslims.” About 40% of the approximate 4 million Lebanese citizens residing in Lebanon are Christian. “We have come to renew the dedication of Lebanon and the countries of the Middle East to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, according to her wishes. This dedication is to repent, to stop wars and to consolidate peace,” Cardinal Rai added.

by AFP — The Lebanese parliament will soon review legislation to legalize medicinal marijuana, Speaker Nabih Berri announced on Wednesday, as authorities seek ways to jumpstart the country’s struggling economy. With public debt at 150% of GDP, the third highest rate in the world, Lebanon charged consulting firm McKinsey & Company with setting out a […]

Dubai – WEBWIRE –  Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, celebrated its 5 million passenger mark at Beirut Rafic Al Hariri International Airport. The airline has been operating in Lebanon for more than 27 years and in celebration of this milestone, a handful of passengers were treated to Business Class upgrades to Dubai. “Emirates’ 27 years of service and growth in Lebanon is a testament to our commitment to the country. We proudly connect Lebanese nationals to and from Beirut on our 21 weekly flights with their friends and family, and we hope that our operations continue to grow from strength to strength,” said Tamador Kouatly, Regional Manager Levant. Emirates launched its service to Beirut in 1991, operating 3 weekly flights. Since then, Emirates has expanded to offer three daily flights utilising a mix of Boeing 777 aircraft, connecting travellers to destinations across the Far East, Southeast Asia and Africa via its Dubai hub. Emirates connects Lebanese residents and nationals to over 160 global destinations through Dubai, with cities in Australia, Far East, South Asia, Indian Ocean and Africa being amongst the most popular destinations. Since 2015, the airline has also transported over 54,000 tons of cargo to and from the country, supporting businesses and exporters. Main commodities exported from Lebanon bound for the UAE and beyond to the Emirates network include fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

by lebaneseexaminer.com — The ancient relics of Saint Marina the Monk have landed at the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, the state-run Lebanese National News agency reported. Saint Marina’s preserved body arrived in a glass box, and was transported to the Maronite Patriarchate in Dimane. According to Christian teachings, Marina lived in Lebanon’s Kadisha Valley […]

by indcatholicnews.com — The Middle East will no longer exist, if the exodus of the Christians continues, Sheikh Abdel Latif Darian, Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, said yesterday, during the graduation ceremony for 350 students from the Makased institutes, the Lebanese Islamic private schools. “We live in the same country with Christians, we share the […]

by dailystar.com.lb — Relatives of Lebanese citizen Nizar Zakka, who is imprisoned in Iran, requested that officials ask an Iranian representative due to visit Lebanon why a deal signed in June on Zakka’s release was not implemented. Assistant to the Iranian Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hussein Jabri Ansari will travel to Lebanon for […]