by reliefweb.int -- Over half a million children are at risk of child labour and child marriage as their families struggle six months on from the Beirut blast, World Vision warns today. The explosion, which killed more than 200 people on August 4 last year, compounded a crisis in Lebanon which had already been exacerbated by COVID-19. In Beirut schools are closed, many health facilities are inaccessible, running water is scarce and with lockdown, many people cannot work. World Vision estimates that 541,000 children are therefore at risk of early marriage and being forced into labour as parents struggle to put food on the table. The number of children and caregivers reporting mental health concerns is also on the rise, putting children at risk of long-term psychological challenges.

Rami Shamma, Operations Director at World Vision Lebanon, says: “Six months ago, families in Beirut who were already struggling to survive COVID-19 and an economic crisis were forced to deal with another catastrophe in the form of a devastating explosion. Six months later they have not recovered. In fact, things are worse for them. We call for international solidarity for the people of Lebanon, they are in no less of a crisis situation now than they were on August 4th,.” World Vision is urging the international community to invest in education and to prioritise child protection and mental health support for those struggling in the aftermath of the blast.

CAIRO – by egypttoday.com — After his meeting with President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi in Cairo early on Wednesday, Lebanese Acting Prime Minister Saad …

(MENAFN – The Peninsula) BEIRUT: Lebanon is set to receive 500,000 tonnes of fuel oil from Iraq in 2021 for power generation, …

by middleeastmonitor.com -- Eight Lebanese detained in the United Arab Emirates landed in Beirut on Tuesday after Lebanon's security chief said he had lobbied Abu Dhabi for their release. Abbas Ibrahim told Reuters the eight had been in UAE custody from a few months to up to seven years, including some who had completed their sentence. He said 15 people would return in total, and 15 others were expected to be released soon as well. This "came in the context of security files between Lebanon and the UAE which have been tackled", he said. UAE authorities declined to comment.

Airport sources and Lebanese state media said eight people arrived on Tuesday. A Lebanese official familiar with the matter said their charges were all related to allegedly "dealing with Hezbollah indirectly or directly." Gulf states, which once channelled funds into Lebanon, have grown wary in recent years, alarmed by the rising influence of the armed Shia Muslim Hezbollah movement which is backed by their arch-rival Iran.