al-monitor.com — Lebanon’s new government raised maximum fuel prices in the country again on Wednesday, a reversal from the previous policy of …

BEIRUT (CNS) - By Doreen Abi Raad -- — At the start of a new academic year, uncertainty clouds the future of Catholic schools in Lebanon. Amid the country’s economic meltdown, Catholic schools have exhausted their resources, and their future is at risk. Of Lebanon’s 330 Catholic schools in Lebanon, educating nearly 200,000 students, 80% of the schools are under the risk of closing, said Melkite Father Youssef Nasr, secretary-general of Catholic schools in Lebanon. “We are facing this crisis with empty pockets,” Father Nasr told Catholic News Service. “We are under tremendous pressure.”

In-school learning in Lebanon has been disrupted for two years, first by nationwide protests that swept the country in October 2019, followed by COVID-19 lockdown measures. “We can’t leave our students at home for a third year. They are facing a learning, psychological and a social loss” from not being in school, Father Nasr said. On top of the educational void, the Lebanese currency has plummeted by more than 90% in less than two years, wiping out the middle class. According to the United Nations, 78% of Lebanese now live below the poverty line, up from less than 30% before 2019. Parents have seen their salaries dwindle to barely a tenth of their previous dollar values. Many have not been able to make tuition payments for two years. Of the country’s 330 Catholic schools, 90 serve the disadvantaged; their tuitions are nominal, and the Lebanese government is to provide a subsidy of approximately 50% for a portion of the student body. However, the government has not paid any such subsidies since 2016.

The USNS Choctaw County has arrived in Beirut, Lebanon, to participate in a first-of-its-kind mission intended to strengthen military ties between the countries, the U.S. Navy said Tuesday.

(UPI) -- The USNS Choctaw County has arrived in Beirut, Lebanon, to participate in a first-of-its-kind mission intended to strengthen military ties between the countries, the U.S. Navy said Tuesday. As part of the mission, Central Partnership Station, the U.S. Navy and Lebanese armed forces will exchange subject matter experts on topics including mine countermeasures, disaster response, public health and construction capabilities. Explosive ordnance disposal technicians, Navy divers, medical and health engagement team and a construction battalion will work alongside their Lebanese counterparts, according to the U.S. Navy. The construction battalion is building a maritime security support facility with engineers from the Lebanese Armed Forces.

BEIRUT, (Reuters) - Lebanon's new government won a vote of confidence on Monday for a policy programme that aims to remedy a devastating economic crisis, despite the parliamentary session being delayed when the lights went off due to power shortages. The programme drawn up by Prime Minister Najib Mikati's government promises to revive talks with the International Monetary Fund and initiate reforms that donors want to see before they will unlock badly needed foreign assistance. When the session finally began, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri urged Mikati to keep his remarks short because of the power cuts, part of a nation-wide energy crisis which has crippled normal life as hard currency reserves have run out. "From the heart of the suffering of Beirut ... our cabinet was born to light a candle in this hopeless darkness," Mikati said, as he read out the programme. read more "Let's not bother you and read it all out, let's save time because of the electricity issue," Berri, head of the Shi'ite Amal movement, told the Sunni Muslim prime minister. Nevertheless, the session lasted for more than seven hours.

Lebanon is stuck in a deep depression, with fuel shortages leading to few if any hours of state-generated power and leaving people largely dependent on privately-run generators. The cabinet won the vote with a majority of 85 over 15. "We will start with the IMF this is not a choice it is something we have to go through," he said in a speech, before votes were taken. To unlock aid and turn around the economy, his government must succeed where numerous forerunners have failed in delivering politically difficult reforms, including measures to address corruption and waste.