Lebanon said Saturday it would default on its Eurobond debt for the first time and seek out restructuring agreements due to a spiralling financial crisis that has hit foreign currency reserves. The country, hit by a severe liquidity crunch and months of anti-establishment protests, was due on Monday to repay ... Read More »
Kubis: I encourage creditors to work with Lebanese government to avoid disorderly default
United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis said on Sunday that “the honest statement of Prime Minister Hassan Diab about the failure of the previous economic model opens the way out of the crisis.” “I encourage creditors to work with the government to avoid disorderly default following the suspension ... Read More »
Breaking: 1 New Confirmed Coronavirus Case in Lebanon, Total of 33
The management of Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital in Beirut recorded a coronavirus case and issued the following statement on their official Facebook page, Sunday, March 8th: “We received a patient who, after the necessary medical examination, was confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus.” “The patient was transferred directly from ... Read More »
Coronavirus cases surpass 100,000 worldwide while US deaths top 14
COVID-19 cases surpassed 100,000 worldwide on Friday as the new flu-like coronavirus continues to spread outside of China, the epicenter of the outbreak. The total number of cases now stands at 100,055 as of 8 a.m. ET on Friday, according to data compiled by John Hopkins. The majority of the ... Read More »
Information Minister meets Tele Liban Employees Syndicate
Minister of Information, Dr. Manal Abdel Samad Najd, on Friday met in her office at the Ministry with a delegation from Television of Lebanon (TL) Employees’ Syndicate, with whom she discussed the Syndicate’s concerns and demands. The current situation endured by the Station and employees also featured high on their ... Read More »
Information Minister, UK Ambassador broach local developments
Information Minister, Manal Abdel Samad, on Friday welcomed at her ministerial office British Ambassador to Lebanon, Chris Rampling, with whom she discussed the country’s general situation, as well as some media-related issues. “It’s a pleasure to have met Her Excellency, the Minister; it is the first time I get the ... Read More »
Govt. Approves Bank Secrecy Bill, to Meet on Eurobonds Saturday
The Cabinet on Thursday approved a draft law on lifting bank secrecy, Information Minister Manal Abdul Samad said, describing it as “an important achievement for the government, which will not hesitate to hold accountable any corrupt person.” Speaking after a Cabinet session at the Baabda Palace, Abdul Samad added that ... Read More »
Oueidat suspends order to freeze assets of 21 banks
State Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat suspended Thursday an order to freeze the assets of 21 Lebanese banks, warning it would plunge the country and its financial sector into chaos. Oueidat said international financial authorities had intended to halt dealings with Lebanese banks, without giving further details. Earlier Thursday, a judge stunned ... Read More »
Tear gas fired from Turkey towards Greek border forces
Tension flared at Greece’s mainland border with Turkey early on Friday as volleys of tear gas were fired from the Turkish side of the fence towards Greek border guards. There has been a standoff in the border area of Kastanies since Feb. 28, when Ankara said it would no longer ... Read More »
WHO warns governments ‘this is not a drill’ as coronavirus infections near 100,000 worldwide
The director-general of the World Health Organization has warned governments that the continued international spread of the novel coronavirus is “not a drill” and will require significant action if public health authorities are to contain the deadly outbreak. The call to action comes as the global number of people infected ... Read More »