by TK Maloy – annahar.com BEIRUT: Subsidized housing loan rates increased by 0.5 percent Friday, as the Central Bank sought to shore up the banking sector’s holding of lira deposits, experts noted. “The central notion behind this is to keep depositors behind the Lebanese Pound, by allowing banks to keep up the average eight percent interest […]

by Richard Crouse, Contributor, CTV  — “The Insult,” Lebanon’s first-ever Academy Award nomination for best foreign-language film, centers around a small slight that escalates until the eyes of a nation are turned toward it. The problems begin with a leaky illegal drainpipe on Lebanese Christian auto mechanic named Tony’s (Adel Karam) Beirut balcony. When it drips water unto […]

By The Daily Star BEIRUT: Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil said in an interview published Friday that Hezbollah is making decisions that aren’t in the best interest of Lebanon. Nevertheless, in an interview with Magazine, a French-language Lebanese publication, Bassil said that the Free Patriotic Movement that he heads supports Hezbollah’s actions against Israel and terrorism. “On […]

BY TOM O’CONNOR – NEWSWEEK – Israel has threatened to invade Lebanon amid a recent spat over natural resources and militant groups that, once again, raised tensions between the longtime foes. Addressing the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that Lebanon’s latest plans to drill in a disputed […]

Supporters of Speaker Nabih Berri Tuesday staged a protest on motorbikes through the streets of Beirut, waving Amal Movement flags. BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanese President Michel Aoun called for forgiveness and stability on Tuesday after a political row involving his son-in-law triggered street protests and deepened a rift with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Berri supporters […]

BEIRUT, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) — The European Union’s Ambassadors to Lebanon hailed Monday the leadership of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and expressed EU’s support for Lebanon’s upcoming legislative elections, said an EU statement. “The unity government under Hariri’s leadership has contributed decisively to the full functioning of state institutions, including legislative breakthroughs such as the […]

 Article represents opinion of the author  By Annahar – BEIRUT: Speaker Nabih Berri’s Amal Movement indirectly demanded on Monday a public apology from Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil after the Free Patriotic Movement leader called the speaker a “thug” in a video leaked Sunday night. “We are not among those demanding an apology from Minister Gebran […]

By Samar Kadi – BEIRUT – middle-east-online.com BEIRUT – Working women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region say they are more satisfied with employment conditions as employers become better engaged and committed to workplace equality, a survey by Middle East job site Bayt.com and global online market research company YouGov indicated. However, […]

by aawsat.com – Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri has not succeeded in maintaining neutrality in the escalating dispute between President Michel Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, which broke out on the background of the 1994 Seniority Decree, which Berri insists is unconstitutional because it does not hold the signature of the finance minister. Unlike Hezbollah, […]

by bbc – One of the world’s richest men, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, has been released two months after being detained in Saudi Arabia’s anti-corruption purge. He was freed after a financial settlement was approved by the state prosecutor, an official said. Prince Alwaleed was held in November by a new anti-corruption body headed by the Saudi crown prince. More than 200 princes, politicians, and wealthy businessmen were detained in the crackdown. Since then, they have been held in the Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh, which is due to reopen on 14 February. Prince Alwaleed is the most high-profile detainee to have been released so far. Speaking to Reuters news agency before his release he said that no charges had been laid against him and expressed support for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The multi-billionaire has a vast array of business interests across the world, including holdings in Twitter and Apple.

A Canada-based businessman tells the BBC about how Saudi Arabia’s anti-corruption drive is being conducted. In November, Forbes estimated his net worth at about $17bn (£13bn), making him the 45th richest man in the world. Officials say he will remain as head of his company, Kingdom Holding. Other high-profile figures that have been set free include Waleed al-Ibrahim, the head of MBC television network, and Khalid al-Tuwaijiri, a former chief of the royal court. They have paid substantial financial settlements, reports say – though the amounts have not been made public. Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, who was released at the end of November, paid more than $1bn (£750m). Media reports suggest that Mr al-Ibrahim’s deal may have included his controlling share in MBC – the largest media company in the Middle East. The Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh is holding about 200 members of the Saudi elite The anti-corruption drive was instigated by Prince Mohammed bin Salman – who has been accused of using the investigation to remove opponents and consolidate his power. In the aftermath of the purge, Saudi Arabia’s attorney general said at least $100bn (£76bn) had been misused through systemic corruption and embezzlement going back decades. The detentions – and the expensive settlements – are being characterised by the state as an attempt to recover those funds. Many more of those detained remain in the Ritz Carlton under guard, until it reopens for Valentine’s Day in mid-February. Those who do not reach settlements before then are expected to be sent to prison to await trial.